Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-62). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Computer Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-166). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss &rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR11736

The Large-scale Semi-Geostrophic Equations (LSGE, Salmon[73]) are three-dimensional equations valid for an ocean with a rigid lid and length scales much greater than the internal deformation radius (about 40km). In this thesis I reduce the LSGE to a pair of two-dimensional equations via the ansatz that the temperature is independent of the vertical co-ordinate. I refer to these as the Depth-Independent-Temperature (DIT) equations. Whilst this is regarded as a paradigm for the entire ocean, the reduction is similar in spirit to that utilised by many authors for modelling the mixed layer of the ocean. The equations of this thesis differ from the work of such mixed layer models because they involve no ad hoc vertical averaging and so solutions to these equations are also solutions to the full three-dimensional LSGE. The DIT are arguably the simplest equations for ocean circulation to include the effects of inertia, topography and baroclinicity. The DIT are studied both analytically and numerically. It is shown that the model exhibits baroclinic instabilities and analogies are drawn with classical Rayleigh-Benard convection. It is shown that both viscosity and thermal diffusivity are required to avert an ultra-violet catastrophe. Numerical simulations of turbulence demonstrate that the long-time behaviour resembles barotropic flow and that the temperature is reduced to the role of a passive tracer unless large-scale thermal structure is imposed externally on the flow. One of the advantages of the current model over the more widely used quasi-geostrophic models is that there is no restriction on the vertical extent of the bottom topography. This allows the simulation of idealised oceanic basin circulations in which the depth of the ocean vanishes smoothly at boundaries. These ocean simulations are used to study the sensitivity of the model to the Rossby Number, Ekman Number and forcing parameters. Comparison of a barotropic and a DIT ocean reveals the influence of baroclinicity in the latter model. Characteristic features of the Gulf Stream such as meandering, recirculation gyres and the shedding of warm and cold core rings are reproduced by the DIT model and the simple nature of the equations permits an interpretation of these features.

This thesis will look at the importance of 3D Visualization within the planning process and addresses the issue of improving public participation within urban regeneration. The main aim of this research is therefore to discover what type of model the public require in terms of understanding future developments, which may in turn help them engage in the planning process. In order to achieve the main aim several other aims need to be established, such as; identifying the capacity of the profession in Wales to deliver 3D models of urban environments, evaluating software solutions to create 3D models of urban environments, and to explore emerging techniques that might contribute to the efficiency and economy of producing models of urban environments. These aims were realised through conducting surveys which targeted the Building Design Profession (BDP) and established which software packages were being used and for what purpose. A second survey was also conducted by means of an exhibition, which aimed to establish what the public require in regards to being presented with proposed developments. Other aims were realized through conducting trials. These examined the usability of different 3D CAD packages and the possibility of integrating CAD data with GIS, and how it could be used to quicken the modeling process. Results from these trials showed that through the use of workarounds there are possibilities of integrating CAD and GIS data. The research reported here indicates that members of the public have trouble understanding 2D Plans and Elevations and the data consistently demonstrates that more than 40% of participants chose 3D technology as a more understandable method of being shown future developments. The results from the two surveys show that although the majority (42.4%) of participants selected 3D technology as their preferred option, only 28% of participating Building Design Professionals in Wales use 3D computer packages, albeit not for presenting propose urban regeneration projects to the public. From the outset of this research the purpose has been to evaluate whether public participation will be increased if 3D technologies are provided to showcase proposed developments. The more efficient the modelling process, the more feasible and likely it will be that 3D CAD will one day be a paramount tool within the Planning Process. Numerous techniques were included to examine this efficiency.

This work describes the investigation of a new 3D capture method for acquisition and subsequent forensic analysis of bite mark injuries on human skin. When documenting bite marks with standard 2D cameras, errors in photographic technique can occur if best practice is not followed. Subsequent forensic analysis of the mark is problematic when a 3D structure is recorded in a 2D space. A 3D image capture and processing system might avoid the problems resulting from the 2D reduction process, simplifying the guidelines and reducing errors. The proposed solutions in this work are: conducting a review of the current 2D and three 3D capture methods, also a series of benchmarks for system assessment. Followed by a series of performance evaluations of the existing current 2D and two 3D methods. Further proposed solutions include, the design of a system specification for the practical reproducible acquisition of bite mark injuries. Finally a review of the validation process for forensic evidence presented to the courts. The results of the work are as follows: A 3D system is required to produce the correct 3D data of a bite mark and suspect dentition for forensic analysis. Such a system should be practical and consistent, if it is to replace the current de facto 2D systems. The MAVIS hardware can be considered a practical and consistent solution for producing the required 3D image of a bite mark for analysis; however, the MAVIS hardware cannot produce a satisfactory 3D image of a dental cast. At present a laser scanner is required to produce satisfactory results of a dental cast. Angular distortion and errors created by the user in 2D image capture can hinder the digital measurement process. 3D capture therefore introduces less operator error in the form of angular distortion.

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