In Ghana, spatial patterns of TB vary for different regions and variations may occur within the same region. This study examines TB distribution in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Behavioral, cultural and economic variables associated with TB morbidity are examined. From January 1998 to June 1999, data obtained from the Ghana Ministry of Health revealed that, men had a higher TB rate than women, TB was common among the age groups 20-29 and 30-39, and the average TB rate of 67.7 per 100, 000 population in the Greater Accra Region was higher than the national average (58.6 per 100,000 population). Using the human ecology model, this study attempts to explain the spatial distribution of the disease.

Thesis advisor: Noah P. Snyder / Thesis advisor: Gabrielle C. David / The Reservoir Sedimentation Database (ResSed), a catalogue of reservoirs and depositional data that has recently become publicly available, allows for rapid calculation of sedimentation and capacity-loss rates over short (annual to decadal) timescales. This study is a statistical investigation of factors controlling average sediment yield (Y) in eastern United States watersheds. I develop an ArcGIS-based model that delineates watersheds upstream of ResSed dams and calculate drainage areas to determine Y for 191 eastern US watersheds. Geomorphic, geologic, regional, climatic, and land use variables are quantified within study watersheds using GIS. Sediment yield exhibits a large amount of scatter, ranging from 4.7 to 3336 tonnes1km 2year-1. A weak inverse power law relationship between drainage area (A) and Y (R2 = 0.09) is evident, similar to other studies (e.g., Koppes and Montgomery, 2009). Linear regressions reveal no relationship between mean watershed slope (S) and Y, possibly due to the relatively low relief of the region (mean S for all watersheds is 6°). Analysis of variance shows that watersheds in formerly glaciated regions exhibit a statistically significant lower mean Y (159 tonnes1km-2year-1) than watersheds in unglaciated regions (318 tonnes1km-2year-1), while watersheds with different dam purposes show no significant differences in mean Y. Linear regressions reveal no relationships between land use parameters like percent agricultural, and percent impervious surfaces (I) and Y, but classification and regression trees indicate a threshold in highly developed regions (I > 34%) above which the mean Y (965 tonnes1km-2year-1) is four times higher than watersheds in less developed (I < 34%) regions (237 tonnes1km 2year-1). Further, interactions between land use variables emerge in formerly glaciated regions, where increased agricultural land results in higher rates of annual capacity loss in reservoirs (R2 = 0.56). Plots of Y versus timescale of measurement (e.g., Sadler and Jerolmack, 2014) show that nearly the full range of observed Y, including the highest values, are seen over short survey intervals (< 20 years), suggesting that whether or not large sedimentation events (such as floods) occur between two surveys may explain the high degree of variability in measured rates. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Unable to load abstract.

Orientador: Célia Regina Lopes Zimback / Coorientador: Luís Gustavo Frediani Lessa / Coorientador: Manuel Esteban Lucas Borja / Banca: Zacarias Xavier de Barros / Banca: Francienne Góis Oliveira / Banca: Osmar Delmanto Junior / Banca: Diego Augusto de Campos Moraes / Resumo: O uso inadequado dos recursos naturais é um dos principais problemas enfrentados pelos países. Considerando a extensão territorial das bacias hidrográficas, a utilização de ferramentas de geoprocessamento baseado no Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) são apropriadas para o monitoramento hidrológico por meio do planejamento, controle, armazenamento e execução de informações. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Ribeirão Lavapés tem suas nascentes principais e seus afluentes dentro da área urbana do município de Botucatu-SP-Brasil, com isso o monitoramento, mapeamento e planejamento ambiental dessa área é de fundamental importância para a sua recomposição e conservação. A bacia de estudo foi dividida em três formações geológicas: Adamantina, Serra Geral e Pirambóia/Botucatu e sua produção de água foi quantificada por meio de um modelo hidrológico associado ao SIG, utilizando o Método de Curva Número (CN). Em relação aos resultados obtidos para os valores de infiltração e escoamento superficial, a Formação Adamantina (CN=97,87) apresentou uma alta impermeabilização do solo, a Formação Serra Geral (CN=73,97) um aumento do escoamento superficial, e a Formação Pirambóia/Botucatu (CN=67,29) altas taxas de infiltração. Quanto à vazão, em todas as simulações realizadas a Formação Adamantina apresentou valores superiores às demais formações e a Formação Pirambóia/Botucatu foi superior a Formação Serra Geral devido sua maior área de captação, embora apresente um valor de CN inferior. Comparand... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Inadequate use of natural resources is one of the main problems faced by the countries. Considering the territorial extent of the Hydrographic Basins, it becomes necessary to use geoprocessing tools based on Geographic Information System (GIS) for the hydrological monitoring by planning, control, storage and execution information. The Ribeirão Lavapés Hydrographic Basin has its main springs and its tributaries within the urban area of the city of Botucatu-SP-Brazil, so the monitoring, mapping and environmental planning of this area is of fundamental importance for its recomposition and conservation. The study basin was divided into three geological formations: Adamantina, Serra Geral and Pirambóia/Botucatu, and its water production was quantified by means of a hydrological model associated with GIS, using the Number Curve Method (CN). Regarding the results obtained for the infiltration and surface runoff values, the Adamantina Formation (CN = 97.87) presented a high waterproofing of the soil, the Serra Geral Formation (CN = 73.97) an increase of the surface runoff, and Pirambóia/Botucatu Formation (CN = 67.29) high rates of infiltration. As for the flow rate, in all simulations, the Adamantina Formation presented higher values than the other formations and the Pirambóia/Botucatu Formation was superior to the Serra Geral Formation due to its higher catchment area, although it presents a lower CN value. Comparing the flow rate, in both return periods, of the mean geological formations with that of the Ribeirão Lavapés Hydrographic Basin as a whole, it was observed that in the 1 hour rainfall the values were higher in the formations, while at 6 and 12 hours, its was ... / Doutor

Thesis advisor: Lillie R. Albert / To explore student mathematical self-efficacy and understanding of graphical data, this dissertation examines students solving real-world problems in their neighborhood, mediated by professional urban planning technologies. As states and schools are working on the alignment of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM), traditional approaches to mathematics education that involves learning specific skills devoid of context will be challenged. For a student to be considered mathematically proficient according to the CCSSM, they must be able to understand mathematical models of real-world data, be proficient problem solvers and use appropriate technologies (tools) to be successful. This has proven to be difficult for all students--specifically for underrepresented students who have fallen behind in many of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This mixed-method design involved survey and case-study research to collect and examine data over a two-year period. During the first year of this study, pre- and post-surveys using Likert-scale questions to all students in the urban planning project (n=62). During the two years, ten high school students' mathematical experiences while investigating urban planning projects in their own neighborhoods were explored through interviews, observations, and an examination of artifacts (eg. presentations and worksheets) in order to develop the case studies. Findings indicate that real-world mathematical tasks that are mediated by professional technologies influence both students' mathematical self-efficacy and understanding. Student self-efficacy was impacted by causing a shift in students beliefs about their own mathematical ability by having students interest increase through solving mathematical tasks that are rooted in meaningful, real-world contexts; students' belief that they can succeed in real-world mathematical tasks; and a shift in students' beliefs regarding the definition of `doing mathematics'. Results in light of mathematical understanding demonstrate that students' increased understanding was influenced by the ability to use multiple representations of data, making connections between the data and the physical site that was studied and the ability to communicate their findings to others. Implications for informal and formal learning, use of GIS in mathematics classrooms, and future research are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

This study examined the topography of prefrontal molds of human endocasts using three-dimensional laser scanning and geographic information systems (GIS) in order to carry out intra-species comparisons. Overall brain topography can indicate when major reorganizational shifts in brain structure happened in our evolutionalry history, and these shifts may indicate major shifts in cognition and behavior. Endocasts are one of the sole sources of information about extinct hominin brains ; they reproduce details of the brain's external morphology. Analysis of endocast morphology has never been done using GIS methodology. The use of GIS helps to overcome previous obstacles in regards to endocast analysis. Since this methodology is new, this research focuses on only one species, Homo sapiens and the area of focus is narrowed to the frontal lobe, specifically Broca's cap. This area is associated with speech in humans and is therefore of evolutionary significance. The variability in lateralization of this feature was quantified. / by Melissa Boas. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

by Cheng, Shuk-ching Lilian. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-124). / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.xi / List of Appendices --- p.xii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1-12 / Chapter 1.1 --- Objectives --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Study Area --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Studied Typhoons --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4 --- Rain Gauge and Stream Gauge --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- FLOOD HYDROLOGY --- p.13-37 / Chapter 2.1 --- Definition of Flood Water / Overland Flow --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Storm Depth, Duration and Intensity" --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Infiltration --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Interception and Surface (Depression) Storage --- p.21 / Chapter 2.5 --- Peak Discharge --- p.22 / Chapter 2.6 --- Flood Frequency --- p.26 / Chapter 2.7 --- Unit Hydrographs --- p.27 / Chapter 2.8 --- Synthetic Unit Hydrographs --- p.29 / Chapter 2.9 --- Catchment Routing --- p.31 / Chapter 2.10 --- Flood Hydrology in Hong Kong --- p.34 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- APPLICATION OF GIS IN HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING --- p.38-51 / Chapter 3.1 --- Traditional Hydrological Studies --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- Geographic Information System and Hydrologic Modelling --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Problems and Limitations --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4 --- Future Trends of Development --- p.50 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.52-75 / Chapter 4.1 --- The Conceptual Framework --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2 --- Data Source and Quality --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Terrain Data --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Stream Data --- p.57 / Chapter 4.3 --- Processing Spatial Data Using GIS --- p.60 / Chapter 4.4 --- Building a Topographic Data Base --- p.61 / Chapter 4.5 --- Deriving the Stream Hydrologic Parameters --- p.68 / Chapter 4.6 --- Modelling the Runoff Pattern --- p.70 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RESULTS AND ANALYSIS --- p.76-111 / Chapter 5.1 --- The Topographic Data Base --- p.76 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- The Overall Studied Area --- p.76 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Spatial Variation of Catchment Area and Streainlength --- p.78 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Spatial Variation of Stream Channel Slope --- p.79 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Time of Concentration --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2 --- The Hydrometeorological Data --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Derived Hydrographs From Rain Gauge Records --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Stream Gauge Data --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Analyses of Time-Area Hydrographs --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- Hydro graph Shapes --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.3.2 --- Flow Volume --- p.101 / Chapter 5.3 --- Spatio-Temporal Flow Pattern --- p.105 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.112-118 / Chapter 6.1 --- Achievements of the Study --- p.112 / Chapter 6.2 --- Evaluation of the Applicability of Geographic Information System --- p.113 / Chapter 6.3 --- Evaluation of the Hydrological Model --- p.116 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.117 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.119-124 / APPENDICES --- p.125-138

This thesis introduces a new lacunarity analysis add-in for ArcGIS.

No description available.

The goal of this thesis is to assess and characterize the representativeness of sampled data that is voluntarily submitted through social media. The case study vehicle used is Twitter data associated with the 2012 Presidential election, which were in turn compared to similarly collected 2008 Presidential election Twitter data in order to ascertain the representative statewide changes in the pro-Democrat bias of sentiment-derived Twitter data mentioning either of the Republican or Democrat Presidential candidates. The results of the comparative analysis show that the MAE lessened by nearly half - from 13.1% in 2008 to 7.23% in 2012 - which would initially suggest a less biased sample. However, the increase in the strength of the positive correlation between tweets per county and population density actually suggests a much more geographically biased sample.