Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This study investigated fifth through eighth grade students' reasoning about steepness. The study explored whether research participants' success rate was affected by grade, numerical complexity, and structure of the steepness problem. Numerical complexity was determined by the numerical values of the rise and the run related to lines, while structure was defined by whether or not the rise-run triangle formed beneath the line with the x- and y-axes was explicit in the problem scenarios. The sample included 205 students in grades 5 through 8. As a mixed methods study, this research included both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the research instrument, the Steepness Questionnaire. The instrument contained eleven numerical comparison problems about steepness of spiders' webs, nine of which required participants to explain their reasoning. Problem level analysis of success was performed using general estimating equations for logistic regression. Repeated measures analysis was used to determine whether numerical complexity and problem structure affected participants' success on steepness problems. Strategies were classified as Irrelevant Data, Univariate, Angular, and Multivariate. The Multivariate strategy was further divided into sub-strategies, Qualitative, Additive, and Multiplicative, which enabled the researcher to differentiate between participants' proportional and non-proportional solution methods. Logistic general estimating equations were used to investigate factors affecting frequency of use of each solution strategy. There was significant evidence that grade, numerical complexity, and problem structure affected research participants' success rate with steepness problems. There was a gradual increase in success across grade and a decrease in success with increasing complexity levels. Participants had higher success on problems where the rise-run triangle was explicit than on problems where it was non-explicit. Strategies also changed significantly across grades. Through the grades, there was a slight decrease in the use of Irrelevant Data, a substantial decrease in the Univariate strategy, and an increase in the use of the Multivariate Qualitative and the Multiplicative sub-strategies. Numerical complexity and problem structure had minimal effect on strategy use. / 2031-01-02

Freak waves suddenly strike the southwest of Taiwan, may cause damages of coastal structures, tourist facilities and endanger maritime navigation. The prediction of swells and large waves is under development. In order to improve out understanding of the characteristics of swells, this study analysis data collected from a nearshore weather bouy and a coastal wave station. The Wave Watch 3 model is applied with several wind fields, and compared results with that of AVISO. The results show that (1) Waters in southwest of Taiwan, in the northeast monsoon season, the peak wave spectral energy tends to sift from short period to longer period, whereas in the southwest monsoon season, the spectrum of energy varies rapidly and is stronger. During the passage of typhoons, swells from the southern tip of Taiwan show stronger energy in the early stage and weaken gradually, on the other hand, swells from the northern tip of Taiwan show increasing energy spectrum to a peak value. The wave energy diminished after typhoon passed Taiwan Strait. (2) The patterns of wave spectrum are related to the winds. A single peak pattern is usually caused by the local winds. A double peaks wave spectrum suggests both local wind and remote forcing. The lower frequency energy is due to swells. (3) In order to separate the swells from the wind waves in the case of double peaks wave spectrum, two methods are applied. For the no typhoon period, a modified ¡¥P-M spectrum¡¦ is useful as well as is the ¡¥derivative energy spectrum¡¦. For the typhoon period, only the later method provides reasonable results. (4) Based on the analysis of separated wave spectrum, the ratio of occurrence is 65% wind wave and 35% swell in the normal days. The ratio varies during typhoon period. (5) The comparisons of Wave Watch 3 model output with AVISO data suggest that the forcing of QSCAT/NCEP Blended wind provides a better result.

abstract: Quantifying the temporal and spatial evolution of active continental rifts contributes to our understanding of fault system evolution and seismic hazards. Rift systems also preserve robust paleoenvironmental records and are often characterized by strong climatic gradients that can be used to examine feedbacks between climate and tectonics. In this thesis, I quantify the spatial and temporal history of rift flank uplift by analyzing bedrock river channel profiles along footwall escarpments in the Malawi segment of the East Africa Rift. This work addresses questions that are widely applicable to continental rift settings: (1) Is rift-flank uplift sufficiently described by theoretical elliptical along-fault displacement patterns? (2) Do orographic climate patterns induced by rift topography affect rift-flank uplift or morphology? (3) How do uplift patterns along rift flanks vary over geologic timescales? In Malawi, 100-km-long border faults of alternating polarity bound half-graben sedimentary basins containing up to 4km of basin fill and water depths up to 700m. Orographically driven precipitation produces climatic gradients along footwall escarpments resulting in mean annual rainfall that varies spatially from 800 to 2500 mm. Temporal oscillations in climate have also resulted in lake lowstands 500 m below the modern shoreline. I examine bedrock river profiles crossing the Livingstone and Usisya Border Faults in northern Malawi using the channel steepness index (Ksn) to assess importance of these conditions on rift flank evolution. River profiles reveal a consistent transient pattern that likely preserves a temporal record of slip and erosion along the entire border fault system. These profiles and other topographic observations, along with known modern and paleoenvironmental conditions, can be used to interpret a complete history of rift flank development from the onset of rifting to present. I interpret the morphology of the upland landscape to preserve the onset of extensional faulting across a relict erosion surface. The linkages of individual faults and acceleration of slip during the development of a continuous border fault is suggested by an analysis of knickpoint elevations and Ksn. Finally, these results suggest that the modern observed climate gradient only began to significantly affect denudation patterns once a high relief rift flank was established. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Geological Sciences 2014

Extensas áreas da região do vale do rio Doce estão sendo tomadas pela aroeira do sertão, Myracrodruon urundeuva Freire Allemão, principalmente em áreas já ocupadas por pastagens. A RPPN Fazenda Bulcão localizada em Aimorés (vale do rio Doce), Minas Gerais, apresenta parte significativa de suas terras ocupadas por esta espécie. O manejo da aroeira do sertão na Fazenda Bulcão, dentro de áreas de reflorestamento, tem se tornado de fundamental importância, visando aumentar a diversidade das espécies instaladas, visto que a aroeira apresenta alta competitividade. Portanto, entender os mecanismos biológicos e sua relação com os aspectos físicos e químicos do ambiente relacionados com a dispersão e desenvolvimento dessa espécie contribuirá para os trabalhos conduzidos pela RPPN no reflorestamento da área, divulgando com isso os conhecimentos para toda região. Para isso, realizou-se um levantamento dos solos com ocorrência ou não da aroeira, da geomorfologia, caracterização química e física dos solos e a velocidade de infiltração básica dos solos, relacionando todos os atributos com a densidade de plantas de aroeira. Os resultados indicaram que a aroeira do sertão Myracrodruon urundeuva Freire Allemão ocorre preferencialmente em solos de maior declividade, com maiores teores de cálcio e magnésio, com menores acidez e alumínio trocável e menores valores de velocidade de infiltração básica de água. A aroeira do sertão apresenta uma prevalência em ocupar áreas pertencentes às classes de declividade forte-ondulado e montanhoso. As menores velocidades de infiltração de água no solo com a presença da aroeira demonstram uma resistência desta espécie a déficit hídrico, sendo uma espécie caducifólia de importância econômica. / Extensive areas of the Doce River Valley region are being taken by the aroeira do sertão, Myracrodruon urundeuva Freire Allemão, mainly in areas already occupied by pastures. The RPPN Bulcão Farm located in Aimorés (Doce River Valley), Minas Gerais, presents a significant part of its land occupied by these species. The handling of the aroeira do sertão in the Bulcão Farm, in reforestation areas, has became of fundamental importance, seeking to increase the diversity of the installed species, because the aroeira presents high competitiveness. Therefore, to understand the biological mechanisms and their relationship with the physical and chemical aspects of the environment related with the dispersion and development of these species will contribute to the work led by the RPPN in the reforestation of the area, disclosing with that the knowledge for every area. For that, a survey of the soils with the occurrence or not of the aroeira was carried out, of the geomorphology, chemical and physical characterization of the soils and the speed of basic infiltration of the soils, relating all the attributes with the density of aroeira plants. The results indicated that the aroeira do sertão Myracrodruon urundeuva Freire Allemão happens preferentially in soils of larger steepness, with larger tenors of calcium and magnesium, with smaller acidity and exchangeable aluminum and smaller values of speed of basic infiltration of water. The aroeira do sertão presents prevalence in occupying areas belonging to the classes of steepness strong-waved and mountainous. The smallest speeds of infiltration of water in the soil with the presence of the aroeira demonstrate a resistance of this species to hydro deficit, being a caducifólia specie of economical importance.

The present study comprised an intensive investigation of the two newly proposed parameterisation forms for the wind input source term S[subscript]in (Donelan et a1., 2006) and the wave dissipation source term S[subscript]ds (Young and Babanin, 2006) proposed on the basis of the recent experimental findings at Lake George, New South Wales, Australia in 1997-2000. The main objective of this study was to obtain advanced spectral forms for the wind input source function S[subscript]in and wave spectral dissipation source function S[subscript]ds, which satisfy important physical constraints. A new approach was developed to achieve the objectives of this study, within the strong physical framework. This approach resulted in a new balance scheme between the energy source terms in the wave model, mentioned before as the split balance scheme (Badulin, 2006). The wave-induced stress was defined as the main physical constraint for a new wave model including recently suggested source functions for the wind input and wave dissipation source terms. Within this approach, a new methodology was developed for correction of the wind input source function S[subscript]in. Another important physical constraint was the consistency between the wave dissipation and the wind energy input to the waves. The new parameter, the dissipation rate, R, was introduced in this study, as the ratio of the wave dissipation energy to the wind input energy. The parameterisation form of the dissipation rate is presented as a function of the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p Some aspects of wave spectral modelling regarding the shape of the wave spectrum and spectral saturation were revised. The two-phase behaviour of the spectral dissipation function was investigated in terms of the functional dependency of the coefficients a for the inherent wave breaking term and b for the forced dissipation term. The present study found that the both coefficients have functional dependence on the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p and the spectral frequency. Based on the experimental data by Young and Babanin (2006), a new directional spreading function of bimodal shape was developed for the wave dissipation source term. The performance of the new spectral functions of the wind input S[subscript]in(f) and the wave dissipation S[subscript]ds(f) source terms was assessed using a new third-generation two-dimensional research wave model WAVETIME-I. The model incorporating the corrected source functions was able to reproduce the existing experimental data. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, 2009

The present study comprised an intensive investigation of the two newly proposed parameterisation forms for the wind input source term S[subscript]in (Donelan et a1., 2006) and the wave dissipation source term S[subscript]ds (Young and Babanin, 2006) proposed on the basis of the recent experimental findings at Lake George, New South Wales, Australia in 1997-2000. The main objective of this study was to obtain advanced spectral forms for the wind input source function S[subscript]in and wave spectral dissipation source function S[subscript]ds, which satisfy important physical constraints. A new approach was developed to achieve the objectives of this study, within the strong physical framework. This approach resulted in a new balance scheme between the energy source terms in the wave model, mentioned before as the split balance scheme (Badulin, 2006). The wave-induced stress was defined as the main physical constraint for a new wave model including recently suggested source functions for the wind input and wave dissipation source terms. Within this approach, a new methodology was developed for correction of the wind input source function S[subscript]in. Another important physical constraint was the consistency between the wave dissipation and the wind energy input to the waves. The new parameter, the dissipation rate, R, was introduced in this study, as the ratio of the wave dissipation energy to the wind input energy. The parameterisation form of the dissipation rate is presented as a function of the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p Some aspects of wave spectral modelling regarding the shape of the wave spectrum and spectral saturation were revised. The two-phase behaviour of the spectral dissipation function was investigated in terms of the functional dependency of the coefficients a for the inherent wave breaking term and b for the forced dissipation term. The present study found that the both coefficients have functional dependence on the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p and the spectral frequency. Based on the experimental data by Young and Babanin (2006), a new directional spreading function of bimodal shape was developed for the wave dissipation source term. The performance of the new spectral functions of the wind input S[subscript]in(f) and the wave dissipation S[subscript]ds(f) source terms was assessed using a new third-generation two-dimensional research wave model WAVETIME-I. The model incorporating the corrected source functions was able to reproduce the existing experimental data. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, 2009

The present study comprised an intensive investigation of the two newly proposed parameterisation forms for the wind input source term S[subscript]in (Donelan et a1., 2006) and the wave dissipation source term S[subscript]ds (Young and Babanin, 2006) proposed on the basis of the recent experimental findings at Lake George, New South Wales, Australia in 1997-2000. The main objective of this study was to obtain advanced spectral forms for the wind input source function S[subscript]in and wave spectral dissipation source function S[subscript]ds, which satisfy important physical constraints. A new approach was developed to achieve the objectives of this study, within the strong physical framework. This approach resulted in a new balance scheme between the energy source terms in the wave model, mentioned before as the split balance scheme (Badulin, 2006). The wave-induced stress was defined as the main physical constraint for a new wave model including recently suggested source functions for the wind input and wave dissipation source terms. Within this approach, a new methodology was developed for correction of the wind input source function S[subscript]in. Another important physical constraint was the consistency between the wave dissipation and the wind energy input to the waves. The new parameter, the dissipation rate, R, was introduced in this study, as the ratio of the wave dissipation energy to the wind input energy. The parameterisation form of the dissipation rate is presented as a function of the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p Some aspects of wave spectral modelling regarding the shape of the wave spectrum and spectral saturation were revised. The two-phase behaviour of the spectral dissipation function was investigated in terms of the functional dependency of the coefficients a for the inherent wave breaking term and b for the forced dissipation term. The present study found that the both coefficients have functional dependence on the inverse wave age U ₁₀ / c[subscript]p and the spectral frequency. Based on the experimental data by Young and Babanin (2006), a new directional spreading function of bimodal shape was developed for the wave dissipation source term. The performance of the new spectral functions of the wind input S[subscript]in(f) and the wave dissipation S[subscript]ds(f) source terms was assessed using a new third-generation two-dimensional research wave model WAVETIME-I. The model incorporating the corrected source functions was able to reproduce the existing experimental data. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, 2009

Ce travail de thèse porte sur différentes caractérisations des modèles multivariés de stables-Tweedie multiples dans le cadre des familles exponentielles naturelles sous la propriété de "steepness". Ces modèles parus en 2014 dans la littérature ont été d’abord introduits et décrits sous une forme restreinte des stables-Tweedie normaux avant les extensions aux cas multiples. Ils sont composés d’un mélange d’une loi unidimensionnelle stable-Tweedie de variable réelle positive fixée, et des lois stables-Tweedie de variables réelles indépendantes conditionnées par la première fixée, de même variance égale à la valeur de la variable fixée. Les modèles stables-Tweedie normaux correspondants sont ceux du mélange d’une loi unidimensionnelle stable-Tweedie positive fixé et les autres toutes gaussiennes indépendantes. A travers des cas particuliers tels que normal, Poisson, gamma, inverse gaussienne, les modèles stables-Tweedie multiples sont très fréquents dans les études de statistique et probabilités appliquées. D’abord, nous avons caractérisé les modèles stables-Tweedie normaux à travers leurs fonctions variances ou matrices de covariance exprimées en fonction de leurs vecteurs moyens. La nature des polynômes associés à ces modèles est déduite selon les valeurs de la puissance variance à l’aide des propriétés de quasi orthogonalité, des systèmes de Lévy-Sheffer, et des relations de récurrence polynomiale. Ensuite, ces premiers résultats nous ont permis de caractériser à l’aide de la fonction variance la plus grande classe des stables-Tweedie multiples. Ce qui a conduit à une nouvelle classification laquelle rend la famille beaucoup plus compréhensible. Enfin, une extension de caractérisation des stables-Tweedie normaux par fonction variance généralisée ou déterminant de la fonction variance a été établie via leur propriété d’indéfinie divisibilité et en passant par les équations de Monge-Ampère correspondantes. Exprimées sous la forme de produit des composantes du vecteur moyen aux puissances multiples, la caractérisationde tous les modèles multivariés stables-Tweedie multiples par fonction variance généralisée reste un problème ouvert. / In the framework of natural exponential families, this thesis proposes differents characterizations of multivariate multiple stables-Tweedie under "steepness" property. These models appeared in 2014 in the literature were first introduced and described in a restricted form of the normal stables-Tweedie models before extensions to multiple cases. They are composed by a fixed univariate stable-Tweedie variable having a positive domain, and the remaining random variables given the fixed one are reals independent stables-Tweedie variables, possibly different, with the same dispersion parameter equal to the fixed component. The corresponding normal stables-Tweedie models have a fixed univariate stable-Tweedie and all the others are reals Gaussian variables. Through special cases such that normal, Poisson, gamma, inverse Gaussian, multiple stables-Tweedie models are very common in applied probability and statistical studies. We first characterized the normal stable-Tweedie through their variances function or covariance matrices expressed in terms of their means vector. According to the power variance parameter values, the nature of polynomials associated with these models is deduced with the properties of the quasi orthogonal, Levy-Sheffer systems, and polynomial recurrence relations. Then, these results allowed us to characterize by function variance the largest class of multiple stables-Tweedie. Which led to a new classification, which makes more understandable the family. Finally, a extension characterization of normal stable-Tweedie by generalized variance function or determinant of variance function have been established via their infinite divisibility property and through the corresponding Monge-Ampere equations. Expressed as product of the components of the mean vector with multiple powers parameters reals, the characterization of all multivariate multiple stable- Tweedie models by generalized variance function remains an open problem.

This study aimed to investigate the course of the nasolacrimal drainage system in three different brachycephalic dog breeds in comparison to normocephalic dogs and to draw conclusions on potentially adverse consequences for the drainage function. A computed tomographic-dacryocystography (CT-DCG) was performed in 51 brachycephalic dogs, consisting of 23 Pugs, 18 French and 10 English bulldogs. Six normocephalic dogs of different breeds and body size served as a comparison. Two- and three dimensional images were obtained and evaluated. Several parameters (length, angulation, gradient) were used to describe the nasolacrimal drainage system and to quantify distinctions between different breeds. Furthermore several additional characteristics were analysed, including the relative position of lacrimal foramen and nasolacrimal ostium, crossing of the nasolacrimal duct below the root of the upper canine tooth, the patency of the lacrimal drainage system and the presence of an accessory opening. While the length of the nasolacrimal duct is substantially reduced in brachycephalic dogs, their lacrimal canaliculi have much larger dimensions than those of normocephalic dogs. Additionally varying parts of the nasolacrimal drainage system follow an inverse direction in short-headed dogs, giving the entire nasolacrimal apparatus a characteristic U- or V-shaped appearance. The nasolacrimal duct exhibits a much steeper alignment in brachycephalic dogs compared to normocephalic ones. This strong slope however does not interfere with drainage function because of a consistently present accessory opening, being the main or only outflow pathway in all brachycephalic dogs and hence facilitating proper tear drainage regardless of the steepness.

This study aimed to investigate the course of the nasolacrimal drainage system in three different brachycephalic dog breeds in comparison to normocephalic dogs and to draw conclusions on potentially adverse consequences for the drainage function. A computed tomographic-dacryocystography (CT-DCG) was performed in 51 brachycephalic dogs, consisting of 23 Pugs, 18 French and 10 English bulldogs. Six normocephalic dogs of different breeds and body size served as a comparison. Two- and three dimensional images were obtained and evaluated. Several parameters (length, angulation, gradient) were used to describe the nasolacrimal drainage system and to quantify distinctions between different breeds. Furthermore several additional characteristics were analysed, including the relative position of lacrimal foramen and nasolacrimal ostium, crossing of the nasolacrimal duct below the root of the upper canine tooth, the patency of the lacrimal drainage system and the presence of an accessory opening. While the length of the nasolacrimal duct is substantially reduced in brachycephalic dogs, their lacrimal canaliculi have much larger dimensions than those of normocephalic dogs. Additionally varying parts of the nasolacrimal drainage system follow an inverse direction in short-headed dogs, giving the entire nasolacrimal apparatus a characteristic U- or V-shaped appearance. The nasolacrimal duct exhibits a much steeper alignment in brachycephalic dogs compared to normocephalic ones. This strong slope however does not interfere with drainage function because of a consistently present accessory opening, being the main or only outflow pathway in all brachycephalic dogs and hence facilitating proper tear drainage regardless of the steepness.