The southern Chukchi and Bering Sea region regularly experiences powerful storms that bring high winds that cause positive and negative water level set-up (storm surges) events. Positive set-up events can cause coastal inundation, sometimes extending far inland for low-relief locations, and negative set-up events can be problematic for shallow-draft marine equipment, such as barges. A ten year record (2004-2014) of water level data is available from a NOAA tide gauging station situated at the Teck Alaska Inc. Red Dog Mine Port Facility located to the north of the Bering Strait on the southwest Chukchi Sea coast. In this thesis these data are used to develop a database of water level set-up (storm surge) events using a novel identification methodology; by adapting fundamental wind storm identification concepts used by Atkinson (2005) and applying them to a water level dataset. The surge event database is then analyzed to identify primary types of events, to derive seasonal patterns and frequencies of occurrence, and to determine likely atmospheric driving mechanisms. There were 44 surge events identified – 21 positive, 23 negative – that tended to occur during the months of November, December, and January; none were recorded in the months May through August. The event typing work suggested four distinct surge patterns. Analysis of weather drivers, performed through visual interpretation of the temporal shape/form of the events and via use of an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, suggested favoured locations for storm systems – the far eastern Chukotka Peninsula for positive set up events (west of Red Dog Dock), and the Alaska Peninsula for negative set ups (south of Red Dog Dock). A storm system situated to the west of the port generates southwest winds that drive positive set-up events, and a storm situated to the south generates easterly winds that drive negative set-up events. The sea level pressure weather patterns for positive set-up surge events are much stronger and shorter lived than for negative set-up events. This work has established an improved understanding of seasonal storm surge for the region and offers a potential basis for the improved forecasting of both positive and negative set-up surge events in the future. / Graduate / 0725

The pathology report is a key document that contains critical information for the proper diagnosis and prognosis of a patient. It is used to communicate key pathologic findings to users of the pathology report: oncologists who will use this document to base treatment options and cancer registries that use key attributes of cancer cases for surveillance and research purposes. The synoptic report can provide a standard format that contains key information consistency for users of the report. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) was the first to adopt this innovative method of pathology reporting within British Columbia. A mixed methods research study design using both qualitative and quantitative techniques to evaluate a synoptic reporting system’s impact on pathology reporting was used in this study. The impact of synoptic reporting was evaluated based on the utilization of the synoptic summaries and the perceived effect on the quality and processes of pathology reporting from the perspectives of pathology reporting stakeholders. Pathology reports obtained from VIHA and British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) databases were audited to obtain information on the amount of synoptic summaries included in pathology reports and whether this inclusion was associated with any pre-defined variables. Pathology reporting stakeholders’ perceptions data was obtained by a self-administered web survey distributed to VIHA pathologists, Victoria location British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA-VICC) oncologists and BCCA Cancer Registry management. Out of the reports generated by VIHA pathologists, only 3.5% (593/17430) of them contained a synoptic summary, 5.4% (590/10990) when only considering the pathology reports that were associated to a CAP checklist and activated within the system. According to the VIHA database, it was determined that 16.2% (2819/17430) cases were malignant suggesting that inclusion of synoptic summaries is not being done for the vast majority of malignant cases contrary to expectations. This was further confirmed by the BCCA audit, which contained primarily malignant cases but also had additional non-malignant (benign) cases requested by the BCCA. The BCCA audit revealed that 18.6% (58/312) reports included a synoptic summary, 19.7% (58/294) when only considering the pathology reports that were associated to a CAP checklist and were activated within the system. Differences with the synoptic summary inclusion were found in: individual pathologists, procedures performed, sites of report generation, tumor groups, tumor types, and malignancy status of the specimens. Variation was observed in the perceptions surrounding the quality of the pathology report. Pathologists’ responses were highly variable to the majority of questions in all categories, demonstrating the polarizing views within the community. Pathologists overall had a more favorable opinion of the current pathology report (including synoptic summary) generated, where users (oncologists and registry) had a more favorable opinion of the perceived impact of synoptic summaries on pathology reports and a more favorable opinion regarding improvements that could be made in pathology reporting. While VIHA has taken a significant step forward, being the first health authority in British Columbia to implement synoptic reporting (synoptic summaries), further improvements can be made to better enhance the adoption. / Graduate / 0571 / 0769 / bornfurtado@gmail.com

Thesis (M.A.)--Columbia International University, 2002. / Abstrakt. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-135).

Thesis (M.A.)--Columbia International University, 2002. / Abstrakt. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-135).

Landslides present a geomorphological hazard in alpine regions, threatening life, infrastructure and property. Presented in this thesis is the development of a new Regional Landslide Inventory (RI) for the European Alps. The new inventory is used to investigate links between landslide size and frequency in the European Alps and weather and climatic controls. Temperatures in the European Alps have risen by 2 C since the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA); a trend which is set to continue. Previous research has shown that past landslide clusters are centred around periods of signi ficant climate change, thus understanding how this translates to the current warming trend is important both for communities living in the European Alps and for the insurance industry. The RI compiled here, provides a substantial temporal and spatial picture of landsliding in the Alps; with particular focus on the Swiss and French Alps. The temporal distribution and estimates of completeness were tested through the use of segmented models, scaling relationships and area-frequency distributions; the post-1970 portion of the database is considered most complete, although underestimating the frequency of medium-sized landslides. Analysis of the RI in the context of synoptic weather types demonstrates that high precipitation over the European Alps is consistent with higher landslide frequencies. Whilst analysis with climate data show that annual landslide frequencies are correlated with changes in precipitation and temperature across the European Alps; accounting for up to 35% of the seasonal variation in landslide frequency.

Predicting wildfire activity has been a major concern for fire weather forecasters and fire managers in recent decades. Identifying mid-tropospheric circulation patterns that are conducive to higher rates of spread has been widely employed as a predictive tool. This study classifies circulation patterns at the 500 mb level for 3865 fire days from 1970 through 2004 in the central hardwood region of the Midwestern United States. Several circulation patterns were identified that are associated with enhanced fire activity relative to other patterns. All patterns with elevated fire activity were associated with either flow from dry air source regions, or patterns that placed the region on the periphery of a high pressure system. Weather variables associated with each type of circulation pattern were also analyzed and were found to vary among patterns. Circulation patterns with greater fire activity were identified as being drier than patterns with lesser activity. The findings of this study provide crucial information to fire managers and forecasters, which can help them achieve their ultimate goal of minimizing loss of life and property.

The healthcare today is experiening a greater burden since diseases suchas cancer are more common. The diagnostic parts of the healthcare, suchas radiology and pathology, are aected with increased workload. Duringthe past several decades, systems for structured reporting in radiology havebecome available in a try to facilitate their work ow. The introduction ofdigital pathology has enabled the possibility to introduce structured reportingin pathology as well. The question is whether it can facilitate their work ow.Today's aids for structured reporting in radiology are more or less perceivedas distracting, and the challenge in this thesis is to create an aid for structuredreporting that is not distracting the pathologist's diagnostic work ow.To achieve this, a prototype with a template for invasive breast cancer andprostate cancer was implemented in Sectra's viewer for pathology images. Thetemplate for invasive breast cancer was tested by two pathologists in a userstudy with the main objective to determine the dierences in the diagnosticwork ow using the prototype and using only paper and pen. The pathologistcould see a use of the prototype both for breast assessment and assessmentsin other areas of pathology. Both pathologists also think that the prototypewill save time in their overall work ow, help them organize the informationretrieved during the assessment, and create an overall better diagnostic work- ow.

M.A. / The theme of this thesis is mainly on the essence of repentance as exclusively revealed by the Synoptic Gospels. As a starting point, repentance is looked at against the backgrounds of the Old Testament and the Inter-testamental periods, which in this case are represented by JoIm the Baptist. Its climax and fulfilment are realized in and through the person and works of Jesus Christ, who embodies the kingdom of God. The Synoptics show a watershed in the history of repentance. According to them the difference came with the coming of the long awaited Messiah and the kingdom of God. They managed to demonstrate through their two main characters, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, how repentance was first introduced and then fulfilled. The Synoptists have been realistic and honest in reporting the personal belief of John the Baptist about the awaited apocalyptic kingdom. It it is human and realistic for a person so to believe. Probably unaware, the Synoptics reveal the fallibility that people in general seem to have. Although there were personal human misunderstandings and misconceptions about the main message, repentance was constantly proclaimed. It is interesting how the Synoptists show the manner in which John's belief was later corrected by Jesus. The three Synoptists succeeded individually to show how John the Baptist made a follow-up on the Old Testament repentance and also introduced the fulfilment of it. Through John the Baptist's humble attitude towards Jesus, they commonly reflect the unfulfilled nature of repentance which requires a personal relationship with the Messiah. On the other side the Synoptists also go on to demonstrate the full magnitude of repentance in and through the person, works and teachings of Jesus Christ amongst the people. Here, they show a new meaning that repentance carries when looked at against the background of the kingdom of God. In the light of the latter, both the indicative and the imperative aspects of repentance are equally maitained. God's acts of love and compassion towards people challenge and expect people to respond in a similar fashion towards other people and God himself Their protagonist, Jesus, did acts of love out of concern for people and he in turn instructed every person to do likewise. Thus, according to the Synoptists, repentance should be both productive and maintained. The magnitude of repentance is further confirmed by the way the Synoptists display how Christ demonstrates in real situations and parables concepts like, "faith," "love," "discipleship" and "obedience to the commandments." In this case the Synoptists ought to be credited for showing the depth, width and height of repentance in a concrete way. To sum it up, repentance is finally shown by the Synoptics as are-orientation of a person's attitude towards both other people and God.

Heavy rainfall and flooding often occur over South Africa. A high percentage of the heavy rainfall events occur over the eastern interior of South Africa and generally during the late summer (January to March) when the influence of tropical weather systems becomes dominant. Research into forecasting techniques best suited for tropical weather systems over southern Africa has been neglected since the early 1970's. The aim of this research was to develop a Model for the Identification of Tropical Weather Systems (MITS) as well as a Tropical Heavy Rainfall Identification System (THERIS) for operational use in the weather forecasting offices of Southern Africa. This study explains the dynamical properties of tropical weather systems and identifies those variables, which favour the development of heavy rainfall. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the dynamical properties of tropical weather systems. THERIS is tested and verified for historical heavy rainfall events over South Africa. The heavy rainfall events of February 2000 over the northern Provinces of South Africa are discussed and both THERIS and MITS are tested for operational functionality. Results indicate that MITS can be used to identify tropical weather systems and that THERIS determines areas of heavy rainfall. It is recommended that the two products be tested and used operationally. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2000. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / unrestricted

This Thesis explores the connectiveness of the West Florida Shelf’s various areas of economic and ecological importance by considering five case studies of varying dynamic forcing influences and time. The advection of water about the shelf moves nutrients and has a direct impact on the shelf’s ecology and the determination of whether or not the shelf will be oligotrophic at any given time or location. The case studies are analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively after quasi-isopycnal particle trajectory calculations are completed for each. The findings support a combination of local and deep-ocean forcing being ideal for the maximum advection and opportunity for potential connectivity between areas of the shelf, and provide a solid guide for moving forward with a considerable ensemble of studies in the future to approach the question from a statistical perspective. The numerical scheme used to calculate the particle trajectories is a 4th order Runge-Kutta method. The scheme is investigated for it appropriateness and pitfalls as a backward trajectory calculation tool by direct comparison between forward trajectory calculations and attempting to replicate the result in the backward direction. The findings support that the more linear the trajectory and the more restrictive the dynamics acting upon a particle at any given location, the better the backward and forward replication will be, although it is still an approximation, much like any other iterative tool used for approximating a solution to an ordinary differential equation.