Decision makers' conflicts about the validity of a single simulation model and inefficiencies of existing response matrix methods (RMM) hinder adopting successful groundwater management plans. We speed up the process by proposing a hybrid RMM that is most efficient for situations in which optimizable stimuli can vary through consecutive periods of uniform duration interspersed with periods of different duration. We use the hybrid RMM within Simulation-Optimization (S-O) models to develop optimal water management strategies. For the tested problems, the hybrid RMM requires as much or 63-89% less computation time than other RMMs. Second, we propose Multi-Conceptual Model Optimization (MCMO) that can help stakeholders reach a compromise strategy instead of agreeing on the validity of a single model. MCMO computes optimal strategies that simultaneously satisfy analogous constraints and bounds in multiple numerical models differing by more than parameter values. Applying MCMO to Cache Valley (Utah, USA) reveals that protecting local ecosystem limits the increased groundwater pumping to satisfy only 40% of projected water demand increase using two models. To successfully and sustainably manage Cache Valley aquifer, we evaluate sustained yield strategies (SYS) and quantify the resilience of a computed SYS. We maximize the number of new residents who can have their indoor and outdoor uses satisfied, subject to constraints on aquifer-surface waters conditions, and limiting new residents to projected increases in population (PIiP). furthermore, we examine the effect of optimization approach and sequiencing, temporally-lagged spatially distributed return flow that is a function of optimal groundwater use, and the acceptability time evaluation on the optimal yield strategy. Cache Valley aquifer can sustainably satisfy the outdoor water demand of 74%-83% and the indoor water demand of 83%-100% of the PIiP. We quantify deterministic resilience Rd(A,T,SV)=P to evaluate how completely an aquifer condition (SV) recovers after the end of climatic anomaly (A), by recovery time (T). Simulation predicts that Cache Valley aquifer system resiliences to a 2-year drought are Rd(2YD, 3 yrs, Overall) = 93% and Rd (2YD,≥8,Overall) ≥ 95%. Proportionally reducing pumping rates by 25% through the time horizon of the simulation increases the overall resilience to 96% within 3 years.

The environment of social services is characterized by a number of relationships among people and institutions that have a large impact on quality of life. Their aim is to provide social services and create conditions for meeting the basic needs of people. Aging is a natural process of development which can not be avoided. The aging of population has become a phenomenon of our times and concerns everyone, without exception. Efforts to extend the period of life with general ability to work and realization of the fact, that it is we ourselves who are responsible for maintaining our own physical and mental health and work performance as long as possible, should become part of the moral profile of each member of society. The demographic development still confirms the increasing age of the population. Dependency on help of another person increases with age. Given that the modern family is becoming less willing and able to care for their disabled members and that a modern society is increasingly demanding on job performance and social behaviour, the importance of the existence of homes for the elderly is increasing. The role of new social facilities will increase in the future and therefore it is appropriate to deal with emergencies and evacuations of residents living in social service facilities. The thesis concerns the topic of population protection tasks at the chosen home for the elderly with special focus on drinking water supplies. Need to evacuate the persons dependent on the help of others is a very difficult process for nursing staff and for intervening organs of the integrated rescue system. The theoretical part deals with the issues of old age and the aging process, protection of the population, evacuations and explaining the key concepts related to the issues. We attempt to list the most important factors influencing age and we explain the process of aging and focus on factors affecting behaviour in emergency events. The theoretical part is divided into chapters dealing with topics that serve as a theoretical basis for the practical part, e.g. the protection of the population, drinking water and its importance for people, social service facilities and the issue of old age. In determining preparedness for an emergency event and evacuation of the facility associated with the accommodation, technique of standardized interview was used in the practical part of the study. This method can provide us with the results easily, quickly and in an organized manner. Research respondents were the employees of social welfare facilities in Veselí nad Lužnicí. The interviews were conducted with a total of 21 staff, of whom 19 were women and 2 men. Standardized interview technique allowed the personal approach and helped clarify any confusion which occurred during the interviews. Individual responses were manually recorded with the approval of the respondents...

No description available.

<p> Solitary rugose corals of the Middle Devonian Hungry Hollow Formation exhibit annual, synodic month and periodicities of their epithecal growth lines. Annual cyclicity is poorly developed due to the slight seasonal variation of the 33°S paleolatitude. Thirteen monthly bands each with a mean of 30.38 diurnal lines comprise a Middle Devonian year of approximately 395 days. Corallite measurements yielded a monthly vertical growth rate of .377 cm. A major correlative reduction in monthly growth is apparent at approximately seven monthly bands from the apex. Environmental deterioration probably accounts for this reduction and the randomly occurring disturbance lines visible on the epithecae. Random periods of rejuvenescence in which the corallite diameter is reduced may be linked to abnormal environmental conditions. Bryozoan larvae actively settled on corallite areas which provided shelter from abrasion, water currents and light. The growth of the corallites is anisometric and exhibits no apparent relationship between monthly growth rate and diameter increase.</p> <p> The frequent occurrences of geniculate corallites in the sample are indicative of occasionally turbulent water conditions that toppled the immature corallites. Storms probably created turbulence that toppled much of the coral population with heights of 2.0-4.0 cm and resulted in subsequent geniculation. An exceptionally violent storm probably destroyed the shallow epicontinental sea habitat of the rugosa by intense wave action. The skeletal debris was transported inland and deposited unconformably on the lime mud of the carbonate platform. When conditions normalized, lime mud was deposited onto the fossiliferous shale unit.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)