A 3-dimensional individual-based model, the ReefModel, was developed to simulate the interaction among six functional groups of coral reef organisms (tabular coral, foliaceous coral, massive coral, macroalga, corallivorous gastropod and herbivorous fish) using an object-oriented technique. The simulation results suggest that (i) fast-growing habit with overtopping competitive mechanism is effective for corals to gain dominance in a stable coral community; (ii) the integration of physical disturbance and the differential responses of corals play an important role in structuring coral communities; (iii) macroalgal influence can cause significant shift in coral community structure, but the influence can be mediated by herbivory; (iv) gastropod predation provides differential effects on different coral groups; (v) alternative stable states can occur in coral reef communities and result from the influence of small random spatial events that occur early on during the interactions among the reef organisms. / A two year (1997--1999) monitoring programme of the coral communities at two sites, A Ma Wan (AMW) and A Ye Wan (AYW), in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong was carried out. The study identified a total of 45 scleractinian coral species in the study areas, in which 40 species were recorded in AMW and 32 species were recorded in AYW. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) ordinations showed that distinct spatial variations occurred in the coral communities within and between sites and were probably due to the differential effects of the repeated severe cyclone impacts on the communities. The seasonal influence of corallivorous gastropods (Drupella rugosa and Cronia margariticola ) and macroalgae also caused substantial decrease in percent cover of various dominant species in the communities. / Another two year (1998--1999) monitoring programme on the reef fish communities in the study areas was also carried out. The study identified a total of 106 species in the study areas, in which 87 species were recorded in AMW and 78 species were recorded in AYW. A seasonal pattern was observed in the abundances and species richness of all fishes and of most of the frequently encountered families/trophic groups in both study areas. This pattern may be related to the seasonal fluctuation of macroalgae, the influence of recruitment and post-settlement of fish larvae, and the seasonal variation in the behaviour of fishes. MDS ordinations demonstrated that spatial variation in fish community structure existed within and between sites and were possibly related to the spatial variation of the coral community structure therein. The ordinations also showed that the fish community structures were not seasonally stable throughout the study period. / Coral reef communities have high ecological and economic values but are under increasing human-induced stress locally and worldwide. Long-term monitoring of the communities is thus essential to understand the natural variation of the communities in order to provide objective assessment on the impacts of human on them. Furthermore, anthropogenic disturbances are known to cause phase shifts of coral reef communities that suggests the potential existence of alternative stable states in these communities. Examining this diagnosis by modelling studies is important for their conservation. / In conclusion, the coral communities in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong may have low resilience towards severe disturbances. Preserving the coral resilience should be one of the main goals of any strategy aimed at conserving the coral communities around the island. Precautionary principle should also be adopted in their conservation as the alternative stable states may appear in the communities after exposure to human or naturally induced disturbances. / Tam Tze Wai. / "April 2006." / Adviser: Put O. Ang, Jr. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6168. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-211). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Abstract not available

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Princeton University, 2005. / "June 2005." Description based on contents viewed Apr. 11, 2007; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-147).

The practice of building simulation is split between domains such as energy, multizone airflow, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) airflow, and controls analysis, as well as between the tools which conduct these analyses. Previous work in the integration of these analyses and tools have focused on linking existing tools, written in algorithmic programming languages, together by interfacing them using coupling mechanisms implemented in algorithmic programming languages. This thesis takes a different approach, using the equation-based, object oriented modeling language Modelica to create models in different domains and interfaces between those models within a single framework which has benefits to the modeler/analyst in terms of both representation of physical processes and flexibility in modeling systems composed of many interacting components. Specifically, the simulation of airflows within buildings has historically been compartmentalized into distinct domains such as nodal network (multizone) simulations and CFD. Such airflow simulations are also often treated independently of building energy simulations (via heat transfer) despite their interrelation. Recent work has reported on combining these types of analyses by linking pre-existing simulation software together. Here a prototype CFD package of models is built in Modelica and coupled to models of conductive heat transfer and controls. Comparisons of results of simulations so constituted to analytical solutions and benchmark data available in the literature show good agreement, indicating the technical viability of this approach. Limitations include the absence of turbulence modeling and the lack of modeling features which improve computational efficiency, such as non-uniform grids.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-206). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 65-71.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Restricted until November 2001. Bibliography: leaves 146-152.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Restricted until November 2001. Bibliography: leaves 93-99.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Software Engineering. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-155). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR38796

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-206). Also available on the Internet.