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Soil fertility is an important component of forest ecosystem, yet evaluating soil fertility remains one of the least understood aspects of forest science. Phytocentric and geocenctric approaches were used to assess soil fertility in loblolly pine plantations throughout their geographic range in the United States. The model to assess soil fertility using a phytocentric approach was constructed using the relationship between site index and aboveground productivity. Geocentric models used physical and chemical properties of the A-horizon. Soil geocentric models were constructed using two modeling approaches. In the first approach, ordinary least squares methods of multiple regression were used to derive soil fertility estimated from site index using soil physical and chemical properties from the A-horizon. Ordinary least squares methods were found unsuitable due to multicollinearity among the soil variables. In the second approach, a multivariate modeling approach, partial least squares regression, was used to mitigate multicollinearity effects. The best model to quantify soil fertility using soil physical and chemical properties included N, Ca, Mg, C, and sand percentage as the significant predictors. The 3-PG process-based model was evaluated for simulating the response of loblolly pine to changes in soil fertility. Fertility rating (FR) is a parameter in 3-PG that scales soil fertility in the range of 0 to 1. FR values estimated from phytocentric and geocentric approaches were tested against observed production. The 3-PG model prediction of aboveground productivity described 89% percent of the variation in observed aboveground productivity using FR derived from site index and 84% percent of the vari- ation in observed aboveground productivity using FR derived from physical and chemical properties of the A-horizon. A response function to model dynamics of FR (∆FR) due to one time midrotatoin fertilization of N and P was developed using the Weibull function. The magnitude of ∆FR varied with intensity of N and time since application of fertilizer. The hypothesis that repeated fertilization with N and P eliminate major nutrient deficiency in the southeastern US was tested and a relationship between baseline fertility rating and fertilizer response was developed. An inverse relationship was observed between fertilizer response and baseline FR. / Ph. D.

"Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell manufacturing can be considered in the pilot plant stage with efforts driving towards large volume manufacturing. The science of the solid oxide fuel cell is advancing rapidly to expand the knowledge base and use of material combinations and layer forming methods for the unit cell. Few of the many processing methods, over 15, reported in literature for layer formation are used today in high volume manufacturing. It is difficult to establish future market demand and cost levels needed to plan a course of action today. The need to select amongst different designs, materials and processes will require a tool to aid in these decisions. A modeling tool is presented to robustly compare the various process combinations and manufacturing variable to make solid oxide fuel cells in order to identify key trends prior to making strategic investment decisions. The ability to accurately forecast investment requirements and manufacturing cost for a given high volume manufacturing (HVM) process based on expected volume is critical for strategic decisions, product placement and investor communications. This paper describes the use of an updated process based cost model that permits the comparison of manufacturing cost data for various process combinations, production volumes, and electrolyte layer thickness tolerances. The effect of process yield is addressed. Processing methods discussed include tape casting, screen printing and sputtering."

Le transport de contaminants, l’altération des roches ainsi que les grands cycles biogéochimiques sont contrôlés par les temps de séjour de l’eau. Ces temps de séjour représentent le temps de transit durant lequel l’eau « voyage » dans un bassin versant. Contraindre ces temps de transit est donc un enjeu essentiel pour quantifier l’impact de l’homme sur la qualité de l’eau en rivières et dans les aquifères et pour évaluer la résilience des écosystèmes aquatiques continentaux. Cependant, les rivières comme les nappes phréatiques sont constituées d’un mélange d’eau de différents âges (une distribution des temps de transit ou des temps de résidence) qui varie avec le temps, en fonction des aléas météorologiques et climatiques, rendant difficile leur caractérisation ainsi que leur prédiction. Dans cette thèse, nous inférons ces temps de résidence à l’aide de traceurs géochimiques et de modèles guidés par les données. Nous montrons comment cette connaissance permet de quantifier l’altération des roches cristallines. Nous développons ensuite un cadre original de modélisation à base physique, capable de représenter la variabilité saisonnière et interannuelle des débits et des temps de transit mesurés en rivière. Nous montrons comment le processus de battements de nappes et son interaction avec les couches perméables du sol mène à la génération d’un ruissellement qui explique les fluctuations saisonnières de qualité de l’eau en rivières, traduites par des mesures de silice dissoute. Enfin, nous esquissons un cadre général de représentation de la réactivité à l’échelle du versant capable de rendre compte des processus biogéochimiques. En effet, représenter la dégradation des éléments réactifs (oxygène, nitrates, carbone) permettra d’évaluer les mesures de réduction d’intrants agricoles, de prédire l’évolution long terme de ces solutés en rivières, et donc leur potentiel d’eutrophisation ainsi que d’évaluer des mesures pour réconcilier agriculture et environnement. Cette réactivité apparaît comme le dernier maillon manquant pour comprendre, mesurer et prédire, les impacts anthropiques sur la zone critique. / Groundwater travel time controls contaminant transport, weathering processes and biogeochemical cycles. Groundwater travel time is a fundamental descriptor characterizing the transit time of water inside the catchment, from precipitation events to the streams. Quantifying these transit times is pivotal to predict the impact of anthropogenic pressure and assess freshwater ecosystems resilience. However, streamwater and groundwater are a mixture of water of different ages (the transit time and the residence time distribution), which vary according to climatic forcings. This makes difficult its characterization and prediction. Here we infer residence times with geochemical tracers and data-driven models. We show how this can be constrained by silicate weathering at the catchment scale. We then develop a novel process-based framework, which can model discharge and transit time seasonal and interannual variabilities. We identify water table fluctuations, its interaction with permeable soil layers and the resulting subsurface stormflow generation as a key process for seasonal water quality variations described by dissolved silica measurements. Finally, we draw a reactivity framework to represent biogeochemical processes. Indeed, evaluating reactive solute degradation is needed to assess the efficiency of reducing fertilizer loads, to predict the long term evolution of in stream solute concentrations and the eutrophication potential of freshwater bodies. Modeling the reactivity at the catchment scale is the missing link to understand, quantify and predict the effect of anthropogenic pressure on the critical zone.

Sugarcane crop is the main source of sugar and the second largest source of biofuel in the world. Since the 1980s, Brazil has been the largest sugarcane producing nation, producing half of the global amount. Ethanol and biomass from sugarcane account for more than 15% of the country´s energy source. Nevertheless, commercial Brazilian sugarcane yield has plateaued at 75 t ha-1, and to meet the increasing demand for sugar and ethanol, the crop has strongly expanded towards central-western regions, where irrigation is mandatory to offset water stress risks. To support decision making and scientific guidance towards where and how the crop should expand and/or to increase yields, a heuristic view of the crop system is needed, which can mathematically be translated into a crop model. In turn, the effects of crop management, land use change, climate variability and agro-economic change factors on crop production and associated quantities can and have been assessed by using crop process-based models (PBM). In contrast to other crops, however, sugarcane has only two PBMs available for end users (DSSAT-CANEGRO and APSIM-Sugar), and further modifications of these models are required to better assess and support sustainable sugarcane production in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to develop, calibrate and evaluate different crop modelling approaches for Brazilian sugarcane farming systems, water management strategies, climate change impacts and canopy structures to support improved decisions for private and public stakeholders in the sugarcane sector, provide scientific guidance and establish a Brazilian platform of crop simulations. A new version of the sugarcane process-based model (SAMUCA) was developed to operate at phytomer level, focusing on soil mulch effects on crop growth and development, tillering process under competition for light and sucrose accumulation based on source-sink relations. The model was embedded into a modular platform dedicated to simulating the soil-plant-atmosphere and the management of the sugarcane farm system. The previous version of SAMUCA was also re-structured and coupled to the SWAP (Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Plant) agrohydrological model platform, focusing on soil water relations to crop growth. Moreover, a Functional-Structural Plant Model (FSPM) for sugarcane was developed by integrating the main crop components at the organ level (phytomer), based on a relative source-sink approach and a robust light model embedded into a three-dimensional modelling platform (GroIMP). All approaches were evaluated, and the performance under experimental conditions for different Brazilian conditions was determined. The performance of the new version of SAMUCA in a long-term experiment and under different Brazilian conditions was satisfactory, with agreement indices close to those of other widely used sugarcane crop models (CANEGRO and APSIM-Sugar). In addition, the modulated crop simulation platform can be used to host more crop models and integrate new features of Brazilian farming systems. The coupling of the SWAP-SAMUCA model was accomplished, and although non-expressive improvements in model performance regarding crop yield were noticed (with an overall 6% lower RMSE), the ability of SWAP-SAMUCA to simulate soil water content was higher than that of the original \"tipping bucket\" approach (32% lower RMSE). The Functional-Structural Plant Model for sugarcane was able to satisfactorily simulate canopy development, tillering and sucrose accumulation at the organ level and its integration at the whole-plant level. Besides its ability to simulate competition for light, helping to understand intra-specific competition among tillers, the sugarcane FSPM framework can be used to support sucrose accumulation and translocation mechanism studies as well as intercropping studies for sugarcane, which has already successfully been done for other crops. / A cultura da cana-de-açúcar é a principal fonte de açúcar e a segunda maior fonte de biocombustíveis do mundo. O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial desde a década de 80 e atualmente representa metade da produção mundial, enquanto que ao mesmo tempo o etanol e a biomassa correspondem a mais de 15% da fonte de energia do país. Contudo, a produtividade comercial da cana-de-açúcar brasileira atingiu um limiar de cerca de 75 t ha-1 e para atender à crescente demanda de açúcar e etanol, a cultura expandiu-se fortemente para a região centro-oeste, onde a irrigação é obrigatória para manter os níveis de produção e diminuir riscos de quebra de safra. Para dar suporte a tomada de decisão e avanço científico sobre onde e como a cultura deve se expandir e/ou aumentar a produtividade, é necessária uma visão heurística do sistema agrícola brasileiro que pode ser traduzida matematicamente para um modelo de cultura. Desta forma, os efeitos do manejo e tipo de solo, variabilidade climática e fatores econômicos na produtividade de culturas agrícolas podem ser avaliados quantitativamente por meio de modelos de culturas baseados em processos (MBP). No entanto, em contraste a outras culturas, a cana-de-açúcar possui apenas dois MBPs disponíveis para usuários finais (DSSAT-CANEGRO e APSIM-Sugar) que requerem calibração e parametrização para melhor representar o sistema agrícola de cana-de-açúcar do Brasil. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver, calibrar e avaliar diferentes abordagens de modelagem de culturas voltadas a produção de cana-de-açúcar no Brasil, para servir como ferramenta de tomada de decisão para o setor público e privado, auxilio no manejo da água e avaliação dos impactos nas mudanças climáticas. Portanto, uma nova versão do modelo baseado em processo de cana-de-açúcar (SAMUCA) foi desenvolvida para operar a nível de fitômeros, incluindo os efeitos no crescimento e desenvolvimento da cana com base na cobertura da palha no solo, competição por luz no processo de perfilhamento e acúmulo de sacarose com base nas relações fonte-dreno. O modelo foi incorporado em uma plataforma modular dedicada a simular o sistema solo-planta-atmosfera e manejo do sistema agrícola. Além disso, a versão anterior do SAMUCA também foi reestruturada e acoplada à plataforma agro-hidrológica SWAP (\"Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Plant\") com objetivo de aprimorar as simulações de balanço hídrico no solo e efeito no crescimento da cana-de-açúcar. Por fim, um Modelo Funcional-Estrutural de Plantas (MFEP) para a cana-de-açúcar foi desenvolvido integrando os principais componentes da cultura a nível de órgãos (fitômeros) com base em uma abordagem de fonte-dreno e um modelo robusto de radiação que foram introduzidos em uma plataforma de modelagem tridimensional (GroIMP). As três abordagens foram avaliadas e seu desempenho foi determinado com base em condições experimentais para diferentes regiões brasileiras. O desempenho da nova versão do modelo SAMUCA em experimento de longo prazo e em diferentes condições brasileiras foi satisfatório e os índices de concordância foram próximos de outros modelos de cana-de-açúcar amplamente utilizados (CANEGRO e APSIM-Sugar). Além disso, a plataforma de simulação de culturas modulada pode ser usada para hospedar mais modelos de culturas e integrar novas características do sistema de cultivo brasileiro. O acoplamento do modelo SWAP-SAMUCA foi realizado e apesar não apresentar melhorias expressivas no desempenho do modelo em simular os componentes da cultura (com erro médio quadrático [RMSE] 6% menor), a habilidade do modelo SWAP-SAMUCA em simular o teor de água no solo mostrou-se consideravelmente superior em comparação ao modelo original (RMSE 32% menor). O MFEP para cana-de-açúcar foi capaz de simular o desenvolvimento do dossel, o processo de perfilhamento e o acúmulo de sacarose ao nível de órgãos e planta de forma satisfatória. Além de sua capacidade em simular com precisão a interceptação da radiação por cada estrutura do dossel, podendo auxiliar na compreensão do processo de competição intraespecífica entre perfilhos, a estrutura do MFEP da cana-de-açúcar também pode ser usada no apoio à pesquisa focando os mecanismos de acúmulo de sacarose e translocação de açúcares bem como em estudos de consórcio em cana-de-açúcar, como têm sido realizado com sucesso para outras culturas nos últimos anos.

Submitted by CARLOS EDUARDO FONSECA AFFONSO null (cefaffonso@gmail.com) on 2017-02-06T15:52:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA.pdf: 1591315 bytes, checksum: 98ebff03db76ab67f21a39bed44d71b1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-02-09T17:57:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 affonso_cef_me_guara.pdf: 1591315 bytes, checksum: 98ebff03db76ab67f21a39bed44d71b1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-09T17:57:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 affonso_cef_me_guara.pdf: 1591315 bytes, checksum: 98ebff03db76ab67f21a39bed44d71b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-25 / Tendo em vista a farta oferta de estudos sobre o conhecimento nas organizações e os esforços que se tem empregado para a utilização deste valioso ativo nos processos de inovação dos meios produtivos, surge a necessidade de se explorar as melhores práticas da Gestão do conhecimento. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a aplicação do Processo de Avaliação Industrial baseado no Conhecimento para o setor automotivo. Com o propósito de envolver a integração do trinônimo produção, trabalho e Conhecimento, busca-se evidenciar os fatores que na percepção dos gestores e trabalhadores diretos, contribuem para o compartilhamento do conhecimento operário e para à promoção de um contexto favorável à obtenção de resultados para a organização e para as pessoas do “chão de fábrica” neste âmbito. Assim, a pesquisa utiliza uma abordagem quali-quantitativa e aplica questionário fechado em uma amostra probabilística com 39 operários e amostra não probabilística com as categorias de gestores (Gerentes, coordenadores e encarregados) para identificar os fatores mais relevantes ao compartilhamento do conhecimento. Para avaliação dos fatores, aplica-se o Método de Decisão por Multi-critérios AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Proces) na Maxion – Unidade de Resende – em operação na Man Latin America. Como resultado, a pesquisa faz emergir um tema até então não explorado com profundidade pela empresa pesquisada. Cria-se uma nova perspectiva para a inovação dos métodos da Organização do Trabalho e da Produção e à Gestão do Conhecimento. A pesquisa atendeu aos objetivos, identificando os fatores mais relevantes para o compartilhamento do conhecimento operário e para a integração do conhecimento e organização do trabalho e da produção. / Considering the large number of studies on knowledge in organizations and the efforts that have been made to use this valuable asset in the processes of innovation of productive means, the need arises to explore the best practices of knowledge management. The present work aims to analyze the application of the Industrial Evaluation Process based on Knowledge for the automotive sector. With the purpose of involving the integration of the trinomial production, work and Knowledge, it is tried to evidence the factors that in the perception of the managers and direct workers, contribute to the sharing of workers' knowledge and to the promotion of a favorable context to obtain results for The organization and for the people of the "factory floor" in this scope. Thus, the research uses a qualitative-quantitative approach and applies a closed questionnaire in a probabilistic sample with 39 workers and a non-probabilistic sample with the categories of managers (managers, coordinators and managers) to identify the most relevant factors for knowledge sharing. To evaluate the factors applies the Decision Method for Multi-criteria AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) in Maxion - Resende Unit - Man operating in Latin America. As a result, the research has emerged a topic that had not been explored in depth by the company researched. A new perspective is created for the innovation of the methods of the Work and Production Organization and the Knowledge Management. The research met the objectives, identifying the most relevant factors for the sharing of labor knowledge and for the integration of knowledge and organization of work and production.

Forests are a valuable resource for humans providing a range of products and services such as construction timber, paper and fuel wood, recreation, as well as living quarters for indigenous populations and habitats for many animal and bird species. Most recent international political agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol emphasise the role of forests as a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide mitigation. However, forest areas are rapidly decreasing world wide. Thus, it is vital that efficient strategies and tools are developed to encourage sustainable ecosystem management. These tools must be based on known ecological principles (such as tree physiological and soil nutrient cycle processes), capable of supplying fast and accurate temporal and spatial predictions of the effects of management on both timber production and carbon sequestration. This thesis had two main objectives. The first was to investigate the environmental factors affecting growth and carbon sequestration of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) across Scotland, by developing a knowledge base through a statistical analysis of old and novel field datasets. Furthermore, the process-based ecosystem model 3-PGN was developed, by coupling the existing models 3-PG and ICBM. 3-PGN calibrated using a Bayesian approach based on Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulations and it was validated for plantation stands. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses provided an understanding of the internal feedbacks of the model. Further simulations gave a detailed eco-physiological interpretation of the environmental factors affecting Scots pine growth and it provided an assessment of carbon sequestration under the scenario of sustainable, normal production and its effects from the environment. Finally, the study investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of timber production and carbon sequestration by using the spatial version of the model and applying advanced spatial analyses techniques. The second objective was to help close the gap between environmental research and forest management, by setting a strategic framework for a process-based tool for sustainable ecosystem management. The thesis demonstrated the procedures for a site classification scheme based on modelling results and a yield table validation procedure, which can provide a way forward in supporting policies for forest management and ensuring their continued existence in the face of the present and future challenges.

I wished to present a body of work that visually represented my own meditative process of managing stress and anxiety. Towards the end of studying for my undergraduate, I began preparing for my Final Exhibition Show, and with these preparations, my life, as well as my work, changed drastically. Within the past two years, my drawings began to take on a meditative therapeutic process. It was this development that then helped manage my growing stress levels and well as the symptoms that stemmed from high levels of anxiety and bloomed from losing control in my day to day life. It was then conceived, through this carefully crafted systematic means of creation, the notion that my mind could relax and take time to resolve the matters that plagued it, while at the same time, construct something artistically productive. While drawing, I achieved a juxtaposition of varying means of visually representing the idea of control and order within my work as well as within my mind and body. It was this, the creation of these drawings, that hence became my meditative escape in managing my stress and anxieties as well as my obsessive compulsive tendencies, where; without structure, had the potential to turn self-hindering and painful.

Proposed in this thesis is a methodology to enable yacht designers to develop innovative structural concepts, even when the loads experienced by the yacht are highly uncertain, and has been implemented in sufficient detail to confirm the feasibility of this new approach. The new approach is required because today??s yachts are generally lighter, getting larger and going faster. The question arises as to how far the design envelope can be pushed with the highly uncertain loads experienced by the structure? What are the effects of this uncertainty and what trade-offs in the structural design will best meet the overall design objectives? The new approach provides yacht designers with a means of developing innovative structural solutions that accommodate high levels of uncertainty, but still focus on best meeting design objectives constrained by trade-offs in weight, safety and cost. The designer??s preferences have a large, and not always intuitive, influence on the necessary design trade-offs. This in turn invites research into ways to formally integrate decision algorithms into knowledge-based design systems. A lean and robust design system has been achieved by developing a set of tools which are blanketed by a fuzzy decision algorithm. The underlying tool set includes costing, material optimisation and safety analysis. Central to this is the innovative way in which the system allows non-discrete variables to be utilized along with new subjective measures of structural reliability based on load path algorithms and topological (shape) optimisation. The originality in this work is the development of a knowledge-based framework and methodology that uses a fuzzy decision making tool to navigate through a design space and address trade-offs between high level objectives when faced with limited design detail and uncertainty. In so doing, this work introduces the use of topological optimisation and load path theory to the structural design of yachts as a means of overcoming the historical focus of knowledge-based systems and to ensure that innovative solutions can still evolve. A sensitivity analysis is also presented which can quantify a design??s robustness in a system that focuses on a global approach to the measurement of objectives such as cost, weight and safety. Results from the application of this system show new and innovative structural solutions evolving that take into account the designers preferences regarding cost, weight and safety while accommodating uncertain parameters such as the loading experienced by the hull.

In complex aerospace system design, making effective decision requires knowledge from all disciplines, both product and process perspectives. Manufacturing knowledge integration is most valuable during the early phase of the design since designers have more freedom, and design changes are relatively inexpensive. Yet, there is still lack of structured methodology that will allow feedback from the process perspective to show the impact of the design decisions in a quantifiable manner. The major metrics in the design decision as far as process is concerned are cost, time, and manufacturability. To incorporate these considerations in the decision making process without sacrificing agility and flexibility required during conceptual and preliminary design phases, a new set of software analysis tools are proposed. To demonstrate the applicability of this concept, a Hybrid Lifecycle Cost Estimating Tool (HLCET) is developed, and integrated to existing design methodology, Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD). The ModelCenter suite is used to develop software architecture that seamlessly integrate between product and process analysis tools, and enable knowledge transfer between design phases. HLCET integrates high fidelity estimating techniques like process-based and activity-based into a hierarchical lifecycle cost model to increase the sensitivities of the top-down LCC model to changes or alternatives evaluated at the part or component level where tradeoff is required. Instead of applying arbitrary complexity factor to existing CERs to account for difference material or process selection, high fidelity tool can be used to related product and process parameters specific to the design to generate new result that can then be used to update top-level cost result. This new approach to lifecycle cost estimation allows for a tailored study of individual processes typically required for new and innovative designs. An example of a hypothetical aircraft wing redesign demonstrates the utility of HLCET.