Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-105).

Thesis--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-186).

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2017. / Lesotho, being a mountainous area and due to the level of poverty and the dependency of its economy largely on agriculture, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This study examined maximum, minimum and mean temperature trends at various altitudes in Lesotho so as to determine possible implications of recent (70 - 80 years) altitudinal climate trends on the agricultural sector. Using seven stations at various altitudes across Lesotho, trends in maximum, minimum and mean temperatures were analyzed at monthly, annual and seasonal scales. The significant warming of minimum temperatures (Mokhotlong (p=0.000), Oxbow (p=0.013) and Qachasnek (p=0.002)) and maximum temperatures (Mokhotlong (p<0.0001), Oxbow (p=0.007) and Qachasnek (p=0.000)), were observed at the highland stations, located on the eastern side of Lesotho, while at the lowland stations as well as in the foothills, located on the western side of Lesotho, significant increases were only observed with minimum temperatures (Maseru (p<0.0001) and Mejametalana (p=0.000), Butha Buthe (p=0.017), located on the western side of Lesotho. In Mohaleshoek, located in the Senqu river valley, no significant trends were observed. In addition, a significant decrease in the number of days with frost was observed in both the highlands and the lowlands. With significant increases in maximum and minimum temperatures, a decline in agricultural production can be expected in the lowlands while a potential increase in areas suitable for agricultural production can be expected in the highlands. / LG2017

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized crossover experiment. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Rich-Mar AutoSound™ would be as effective as traditional ultrasound at increasing the temperature of the triceps surae muscle during a 10-min, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2 ultrasound treatment. BACKGROUND: The AutoSound™ is a hands-free ultrasound device that is strapped on the body and left for the duration of the ultrasound treatment. It requires no clinician during the actual ultrasound treatment, thus freeing the clinician to perform other tasks and reducing clinician error during treatments. METHODS: 16 healthy subjects (6 males, 10 females, age = 22 ± 1.6 yrs, height = 173.2 ± 8.4 cm, weight = 72.5 ± 11.3 kg, triceps surae subcutaneous fat thickness = 0.85 ± 0.37 cm) received a 10-min, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2 ultrasound treatment over their left triceps surae muscle with both the AutoSound™ and traditional ultrasound (via the TheraHammer™) with 24 hours between treatments. Temperatures were measured every 30 seconds during the ultrasound treatments by way of a thermistor, approximately 2.25 cm deep in the triceps surae. RESULTS: The AutoSound™ was not effective at increasing the temperature of the triceps surae muscle, as temperature decreased 0.16°C during treatment (p = 0.334). On average, the AutoSound™ caused intramuscular temperature to decrease at a rate of 0.016 ± 0.001°C per min. Traditional ultrasound performed using the TheraHammer™ had a total temperature increase of 0.41°C. Rate of temperature increase during traditional ultrasound was 0.025 ± 0.003°C per min (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The AutoSound™ is not as effective at increasing muscle temperature as traditional ultrasound during a 10-min, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2 treatment. However, neither the AutoSound™ nor traditional ultrasound was very effective at increasing the temperature of the triceps surae muscle during the treatment time.

Thesis (Ph. D.), Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, 1994.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Pennsylvania State University, 1994. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

While it has been established that temperature can change the preconsolidation pressure of clays, the current understanding is limited to specific ranges of temperatures, with temperatures above freezing being studied entirely independently of temperatures below freezing. However, as temperature is a continuous domain and clays may be subjected to both above- and below- freezing temperatures over the course of an engineering application, a unified view is necessary. The first goal of this thesis is to develop a single model which can be used to predict the preconsolidation pressure of a normally consolidated clay at any temperature over a wide range which includes both frozen and elevated temperatures. To do so, consolidation tests were run at various temperatures between -7 °C and 50 °C, and the yield stress at each consolidation temperature was determined. As previous studies have established that the temperature response of clays is dependent upon their mechanical stress history, the specimens were consolidated initially at a reference temperature until they reached the normally consolidated state. Subsequently, the temperature of the specimens was changed and the volume changes during the temperature change stage were recorded. Once the specimens stabilized at the new temperature, they were consolidated once again and the preconsolidation pressure determined at the new consolidation temperature. The volumetric strains and changes in preconsolidation pressure for each temperature used in this study align generally with the previous data published for each temperature domain. Heating led to a decrease in the volume of the specimens, cooling to minimal strain, and freezing to an increase in the specimen volume. Changing the consolidation temperature by either heating, cooling, or freezing the specimen led to various degrees of increase in the preconsolidation pressure. A mathematical model was developed to fit the observed preconsolidation pressures at each consolidation temperature. This model can be used to predict the yield stress of NC kaolinite at any temperature within the tested range, and captures the smaller magnitude increases in yield stress which occur upon heating and cooling as well as the large increases which occur upon freezing the clay. With the effects of unidirectional thermal paths having been treated in the previous portion, a second investigation was also undertaken to assess how much of the temperature history of the soil might influence the behavior at its final consolidation temperature. In particular, the impacts of previous freezing on the preconsolidation pressure at elevated temperatures were investigated. The same clay material was first consolidated to the NC state and then frozen to -15 °C. Subsequently, the material was thawed or heated to various final temperatures and consolidated further to determine the preconsolidation pressure. The results of these tests indicate that the preconsolidation pressure was independent of the consolidation temperature for previously-frozen soil. While increasing contractive axial strains were recorded with increasing temperature, there was no accompanying increase in the preconsolidation pressure. These results indicate the thermal history of the clay can alter its behavior at the current temperature, overriding the effects of the most recent thermal path. / Master of Science / Temperatures around the globe are becoming more extreme every year due to global warming. The warming climate has destabilized permafrost. Additionally, new energy applications, such as heat exchange piles, and existing energy infrastructure, such as oil and gas pipelines, also constitute extreme thermal environments. The settlement of soils in these conditions must be well understood so that engineers can predict and mitigate potentially damaging conditions. One engineering parameter which is necessary to predicting the amount of consolidation settlement in clays is the overconsolidation ratio (OCR), and the preconsolidation pressure of clays is required in order to compute OCR. Previous studies have established that preconsolidation pressure is a function of temperature. However, in addition to changing soil temperatures due to climate, soil temperatures between in situ and laboratory settings where preconsolidation pressure is determined are often different as well. Therefore, in order to develop resilient foundations and structures in areas with thermal variations, a thorough understanding of how the preconsolidation pressure changes with temperature is necessary. The goal of this study is firstly to develop a mathematical model which can be used to predict the preconsolidation pressure of a clay over a wide temperature range which includes both frozen (<0 °C) and heated (>20 °C) temperatures. Consolidation tests were run on kaolinite clay specimens to determine the preconsolidation pressure at various temperatures within the chosen range. Then, a single expression was developed to allow the user to predict the preconsolidation pressure at any temperature within this range. While the mineralogy and stress state of the clay impact the parameters of this equation, the general form models the expected change in yield stress for a given change in temperature. The second goal is to assess whether the thermal history of the clay, in particular a prior frozen state, affects the preconsolidation pressure determined following subsequent thawing and heating.

A major goal in evolutionary biology is to understand how ecological factors shape the phenotypic and genetic variation that we observe in natural populations and in this thesis I examine how rapid changes in temperature have influenced phenotypic and genetic variation in morphological and life history traits in long-term studies of great tits. In Chapter 1 I review what is known about the effects of environmental change on natural populations, and outline the quantitative genetic framework that is available to study genetic variation in natural populations. Much focus on the effects of climate change has concerned species’ phenology, far less attention has been given to other traits. In Chapter 2 I examine the effects changing environmental conditions have had on the proportion of females that produce second broods. Temperature operates mainly through indirect effects (such as food abundance) but may also have more direct effects. In Chapter 3 I show that over a 36 year period body size have declined in line with predictions from Bergmann’s rule and I explore the genetic basis of this decline and the environmental factors involved. Although we can learn much from population level responses, there is a great deal of additional information to be gained by studying between-individual responses. In Chapter 4 I therefore compare the multivariate pattern of between-individual variation in phenotypic plasticity and its genetic basis for laying date and clutch size, in two great tit populations. Environmental changes may also directly affect the expression of genetic variance as well as the strength of selection acting on a trait, and in Chapter 5 I show that, for laying date, the environment induces a positive covariance between strength of selection and the expression of additive genetic variance, something that may enhance the rate of adaptation. Finally, in Chapter 6 I discuss and summarise the wider implications of the findings from this thesis.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science by Coursework and Research Report. Johannesburg 2014. / Climate change is an issue of global significance resulting in trans-boundary environmental and socio-economic impacts. South Africa is involved in the international efforts to address climate change, has accepted the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report and developed a National Climate Change Response Policy, listing the impacts of climate change on the sustainable development in South Africa. The main causes of climate change are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), which have been emitted from different development activities over temporal and spatial scales. In order to reduce the emissions of GHGs and protect proposed development projects from climate change impacts, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures should be incorporated into Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This research aimed to describe climate change incorporation into the EIA legal regime and practice in South Africa, based on climate change impacts on sustainable development and the role of EIA in considering climate change. The methodology involved reviewing EIA regulations and related legislation, EIA case studies from Gauteng province conducted between 2010 and 2013, key informant interviews with Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs), and discussion on the linkedin group of the International Association for Impact Assessment of South Africa (IAIAsa). The study concluded that climate change is not explicitly incorporated into the EIA regime, but it is implied in the EIA regulations and related legislation. Largely as a result of the lack of climate change incorporation in the EIA legal regime, climate change is not adequately considered in the EIA practice. In order to support the contribution of EIA to sustainable development in South Africa, It is recommended that climate change should be incorporated into EIA regulations in the next amendment of NEMA. This can be done through including listed activities that require climate change incorporation into the EIA based on type of an activity and/or specific receiving environments. It is also suggested that EIA guidelines for climate change consideration be developed. Further recommendations include supporting the role that Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Management Framework (EMF) play, in conjunction with the EIA, in considering climate change; increasing the availability of accurate, local climate change data and modelling technology; developing staff capacity and awareness about climate change, and building EAP’s ability to incorporate climate change in the EIA through the support of government related authorities and associations such as IAIAsa and EAPSA. Key words: climate change, EIA, mitigation, adaptation, EIA legal regime, EIA practice.

In recent decades, much research has investigated the efficiency of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in improving the thermal performance of buildings and pavements. In buildings, increasing the thermal inertia of structural elements by incorporating PCMs decreases the energy required to keep the inside temperature in the comfort range. In concrete pavements, using PCMs decreases the number of freeze/thaw cycles experienced by the pavement and thus increases service life. However, PCMs cannot be added to cementitious binders directly, because they interfere with the hydration reactions between cement and water that produce strength-bearing phases. Therefore different carriers have been proposed to indirectly incorporate PCMs in cementitious materials. Lightweight Aggregate (LWA) is one of the materials that has been proposed as PCM carrier agent. However, it was not studied in depth before. Various experiments were conducted to investigate the problems associated with incorporating LWA presoaked in PCM in cementitious media. The results show that a portion of PCM leaks out of the LWA’s structure and subsequently affects different chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the binder. In addition, the applicability of Rice Husk Ash (RHA), a common material never before used to encapsulate PCM, as a PCM carrier agent was investigated. The results show that RHA can absorb and contain liquids in its porous structure; and regarding its compatibility with the cementitious media, it can be used as PCM carrier. Different computational simulations using Typical Meteorological Year data were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of PCMs in improving the thermal performance of buildings. Utilizing PCM-incorporated gypsum boards was shown to be a promising strategy to achieve the governmental plans of “Zero Net Energy� buildings. The results show that using a PCM with a melting point near the occupant comfort zone delays and reduces the inside peak temperature, increases the duration of time during which the inside temperature stays in the comfort zone, and decreases the cost and energy required by HVAC system to keep the inside temperature in this range. However, PCMs’ efficiency is completely dependent on the input temperature profile.