An investigation of the prominence of vision imagery in the two novels of Flannery O'Connor, Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away, reveals the importance of vision to the themes and structures of the novels. Seeing truth in order to fulfill one's human vocation is a central concern in O'Connor's fiction. The realization or non-realization of truth by the characters is conveyed by vision imagery. O'Connor's Southern and Catholic heritage is the back-ground of her concern for vision as an integral part of her artistic theory. An analysis of vision imagery in each novel shows how the themes are developed and how the structures relate to such imagery. Each novel progresses according to the main character's clarity of sight. Contradictory patterns occur when the character's sight is not true.

A cadeia produtiva da cana-de-açúcar vem sofrendo problemas de diversas naturezas, sendo a mais comum a estiagem, agravada pelas mudanças climáticas que reduzem a disponibilidade de água no solo, afetando diretamente a produtividade da cultura. Uma grande proporção da cultura da cana-de-açúcar não é irrigada, sendo sujeita a alterações entre estações úmidas e secas em condições tropicais e subtropicais, mas quando é irrigada, tem-se observado um incremento significativo na produtividade da cultura. As necessidades hídricas da cultura devem ser atendidas, tanto, na quantidade requerida, quanto no momento oportuno. Para isto, devem ser quantificados parâmetros relacionados com o seu estado hídrico. No entanto, os métodos empregados convencionalmente são demorados, custosos e invasivos. Como alternativa que ajuda a reduzir tempo e custos, o sensoriamento remoto hiperespectral vem sendo utilizado para estimar o estado hídrico em diferentes escalas, uma vez que permite a captura de grande quantidade de informação rapidamente. Para o presente trabalho, o comportamento espectral da vegetação de 400 a 2500 nm, foi utilizado na quantificação de alguns parâmetros que estabelecem o seu estado hídrico. As avaliações tanto em casa de vegetação quanto em laboratório foram feitas em folhas de cana-de-açúcar submetidas a déficit hídrico programado. Para os dados de laboratório foram obtidos R2 > 0,8 na região do visível e R2 < 0,55, na região do infravermelho próximo para CRA (conteúdo relativo de água). Para EEA (espessura equivalente da água) foi obtido um R2 < 0,6 na região do infravermelho próximo. / The sugarcane agribusiness has been suffering several kinds of problems. The most common is the drought caused by the weather changes, which reduce the water availability in the soil, affecting directly the crop yield. A large proportion of the sugarcane crop is not irrigated undergoing changes between wet and dry seasons in tropical and subtropical conditions, but when it is irrigated, it has been possible to observe an increase in the crop yield. The crop water requirements must be provided, both at the required amount and at the right time. To do this, parameters related to its moisture status have to be quantized. However, conventional methods are slow, invasive and expensive. As an alternative to reduce time and costs, the hyperspectral remote sensing has been being used to estimate the water status at different scales, because it allows capturing big amounts of information quickly. In the present study, the spectral behavior of vegetation between 400 and 2500 nm was used to quantify some parameters that establish its water status. The evaluations were conducted both in the greenhouse and the laboratory on sugarcane leaves under programmed water deficit. The laboratory data obtained were R2> 0.8 in the visible region and R2 <0.55 in the near infrared region for the RWC (relative water content). For the EWT (equivalent water thickness) was obtained a R2 <0.6 in the near infrared region.

A cadeia produtiva da cana-de-açúcar vem sofrendo problemas de diversas naturezas, sendo a mais comum a estiagem, agravada pelas mudanças climáticas que reduzem a disponibilidade de água no solo, afetando diretamente a produtividade da cultura. Uma grande proporção da cultura da cana-de-açúcar não é irrigada, sendo sujeita a alterações entre estações úmidas e secas em condições tropicais e subtropicais, mas quando é irrigada, tem-se observado um incremento significativo na produtividade da cultura. As necessidades hídricas da cultura devem ser atendidas, tanto, na quantidade requerida, quanto no momento oportuno. Para isto, devem ser quantificados parâmetros relacionados com o seu estado hídrico. No entanto, os métodos empregados convencionalmente são demorados, custosos e invasivos. Como alternativa que ajuda a reduzir tempo e custos, o sensoriamento remoto hiperespectral vem sendo utilizado para estimar o estado hídrico em diferentes escalas, uma vez que permite a captura de grande quantidade de informação rapidamente. Para o presente trabalho, o comportamento espectral da vegetação de 400 a 2500 nm, foi utilizado na quantificação de alguns parâmetros que estabelecem o seu estado hídrico. As avaliações tanto em casa de vegetação quanto em laboratório foram feitas em folhas de cana-de-açúcar submetidas a déficit hídrico programado. Para os dados de laboratório foram obtidos R2 > 0,8 na região do visível e R2 < 0,55, na região do infravermelho próximo para CRA (conteúdo relativo de água). Para EEA (espessura equivalente da água) foi obtido um R2 < 0,6 na região do infravermelho próximo. / The sugarcane agribusiness has been suffering several kinds of problems. The most common is the drought caused by the weather changes, which reduce the water availability in the soil, affecting directly the crop yield. A large proportion of the sugarcane crop is not irrigated undergoing changes between wet and dry seasons in tropical and subtropical conditions, but when it is irrigated, it has been possible to observe an increase in the crop yield. The crop water requirements must be provided, both at the required amount and at the right time. To do this, parameters related to its moisture status have to be quantized. However, conventional methods are slow, invasive and expensive. As an alternative to reduce time and costs, the hyperspectral remote sensing has been being used to estimate the water status at different scales, because it allows capturing big amounts of information quickly. In the present study, the spectral behavior of vegetation between 400 and 2500 nm was used to quantify some parameters that establish its water status. The evaluations were conducted both in the greenhouse and the laboratory on sugarcane leaves under programmed water deficit. The laboratory data obtained were R2> 0.8 in the visible region and R2 <0.55 in the near infrared region for the RWC (relative water content). For the EWT (equivalent water thickness) was obtained a R2 <0.6 in the near infrared region.

"This study is an effort to follow the development of the tax structure for public education in Wise County, Texas, and to point out the school tax changes which have taken place in this county during the period 1846-1955. Special emphasis is given to the changes during the last twenty years. The study is designed to present in a connected order the changes which have taken place in this area during this time, and to give the effects such changes may have had on the tax structure and the commmunity. Four schools, Decatur, Chico, Alvord, and Greenwood, have been chosen for this study. These schools represent a cross-section of all the schools of Wise County from the largest independent school to one of the few common schools now existing in the county." -- leaf 1.

In the spring of 1999 NASA will launch the scatterometer SeaWinds, beginning a 3 year mission to measure the ocean winds. SeaWinds is different from previous spaceborne scatterometers in that it employs a rotating pencil-beam antenna as opposed to fixed fan-beam antennas. The scanning beam provides greater coverage but causes the wind retrieval accuracy to vary across the swath. This thesis develops a filed-wise wind retrieval algorithm to improve the overall wind retrieval accuracy for use with SeaWinds data. In order to test the field-wise wind retrieval algorithm, methods for simulating wind fields are developed. A realistic approach interpolates the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) estimates to fill a SeaWinds swath using optimal interpolation along with linear wind filed models. The two stages of the field-wise wind retrieval algorithm are filed-wise estimation and field-wise ambiguity selection. Field-wise estimation is implemented using a 22 parameter Karhunen-Loeve (KL) wind field model in conjunction with a maximum likelihood objective function. An augmented multi-start global optimization is developed which uses information from the point-wise estimates to aid in a global search of the objective function. The local minima in the objective function are located using the augmented multi-start search techniques and are stored as field-wise ambiguities. The ambiguity selection algorithm uses a field-wise median filter to select the field-wise ambiguity closest to the true wind in each region. Point-wise nudging is used to further improve the filed-wise estimate using information from the point-wise estimates. Combined, these two techniques select a good estimate of the wind 95% of the time. The overall performance of the field-wise wind retrieval algorithm is compared with the performance of the current point-wise techniques. Field-wise estimation techniques are shown to be potentially better than point-wise techniques. The field-wise estimates are also shown to be very useful tools in point-wise ambiguity selection since 95.8%-96.6% of the point-wise estimates closest to the field-wise estimates are the correct aliases.

This thesis investigates the implementation of new urban water management and planningapproaches in Denmark, with a specific focus on integrating solutions for extreme rainfallevents and enhancing livability. The study explores the Principles of Water Wise Cities as aframework for incorporating these aspects through Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUD).The aim is to provide a clearer understanding of the implementation of Water Wise Cities andthe role of livability in the context of urban water. In order to investigate the aim, the research employs a document analysis of two planningdocuments for Marienlyst, an urban development project in Aarhus Municipality, Denmark.The findings highlight the prevalence of Water Wise Cities through WSUD in Danish urbanwater management. However, the analysis of Marienlyst reveals fragmented integration ofWSUD solutions, lacking the multifunctionality observed in other examples, calling for aholistic and systematic approach to planning that better integrates urban water managementsolutions.  The thesis emphasizes the need to expand the understanding of livability beyond recreation inMarienlyst, to encompass broader implications of enhancing livability through water. It arguesfor comprehensive integration of livability in planning processes to foster resilient and inclusiveurban and community development. The limitations of a top-down approach in conceptualizinglivability are underscored, emphasizing the importance of participatory processes thatincorporate local knowledge. The thesis also addresses the vague nature of the livabilityconcept, advocating for critical engagement and robust integration into planning processes tocreate sustainable and equitable urban environments. In conclusion, this thesis highlights the necessity of a holistic and participatory approach inurban water management, integrating innovative solutions for extreme rainfall events andenhancing livability. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge on urban watermanagement and underscore the ongoing importance of research and development for thecreation of resilient and livable cities. / Denna avhandling undersöker implementeringen av nya metoder för hantering och planeringav vatten i urbana områden i Danmark, med särskilt fokus på att integrera lösningar för extremaregnfall och skapa en bättre förståelse för konceptet ”liveability”. Studien utforskar principernaför Water Wise Cities som en ram för att inkorporera dessa aspekter genom Water SensetiveUrban Design (WSUD). Syftet är att ge en tydligare förståelse för implementeringen av WaterWise Cities och undersöka vilken roll ”liveability” erhåller inom dansk samhällsplanering. För att undersöka syftet använder forskningen en dokumentanalys av två planeringsdokumentför Marienlyst, ett stadsutvecklingsprojekt i Aarhus kommun, Danmark. Resultaten belyserförekomsten av Water Wise Cities genom diverse förslag som främjar implementeringen avWSUD i Marienlyst. Men analysen av Marienlyst avslöjar en fragmenterad integration avWSUD-lösningar som saknar den multifunktionalitet som observeras i andra exempel, vilketkräver ett holistiskt och systematiskt tillvägagångssätt för planering som bättre integrerarlösningar för stadsförvaltning av vatten. Avhandlingen betonar behovet av att utvidga förståelsen för liveability bortom rekreation iMarienlyst, för att omfatta bredare implikationer av att förbättra boendemiljön genom vatten.Den argumenterar för en omfattande integration av boendemiljön i planeringsprocesser för attfrämja en hållbar och inklusiv samhällsutveckling. Vidare problematiseras även debegränsningarna som tydliggörs med ett toppstyrt tillvägagångssätt vid främjandet avliveability konceptet, där större fokus på medborgardialog som inkorporerar lokal befolkningoch dess kunskap i processen rekommenderas. Avhandlingen problematiserar även den vagadefinitionen av liveability som begrepp och förespråkar därmed ett behov för ett kritisktperspektiv på hur vi tolkar begreppet i planeringsprocesser för att möjliggöra rättvisare urbanamiljöer. Slutligen belyser denna avhandling nödvändigheten av ett holistiskt och deltagandetillvägagångssätt inom hanteringen av vatten, genom att integrera innovativa lösningar förextrema regnfall och förbättra boendemiljön. Resultaten bidrar till den befintliga kunskapen omhanteringen av vatten och understryker den pågående betydelsen av forskning och utvecklingför skapandet av trivsamma och hållbara städer.

Dans ce travail de thèse, le comportement des composites stratifiés est étudié en utilisant des développements d'ordres élevés ou de type layer wise. Un modèle layer wise LS1 (et l'élément fini à huit nœuds qui lui est associé) a été développé en premier lieu pour l'analyse spécifique des contraintes entre les couches pour des problèmes de bords libres ou bien pour l'étude des liaisons entre les couches. Il est fondé sur un modèle de type layer wise qui considère le stratifié comme une superposition de plaques de Reissner couplées les unes aux autres par des efforts d'interfaces. Cet élément a 5n degrés de liberté par noeud (n étant le nombre de couches) et donne une prédiction des contraintes d'interface. Les travaux précédents se concentraient sur la précision et l'utilisation de l'estimation de ces contraintes d'interface. Mais le modèle permet aussi de calculer les déplacements et les déflexions ainsi que d'extraire les contraintes dans l'épaisseur avec ou sans post-traitement. Dans ce mémoire, la précision et la validité du calcul des déplacements et des contraintes ont été établies à partir d'un nombre important de benchmarks en flexion de composites et des plaques sandwich. Le but de cette étude est aussi de mieux positionner et de promouvoir cette approche en contraintes issue des travaux de Pagano peu utilisés et mal référencés. Ce modèle est ensuite développé et implémenté dans le code de calcul par éléments finis Abaqus via la routine utilisateur User-Element (UEL). Pour démontrer l'efficacité du modèle et du code de calcul, des exemples qui comprennent des plaques isotropes et anisotropes sont traités

In this study we present photometric predictions for C-type Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars (AGB) stars from Eriksson et al. (2014) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) instruments. The photometric predictions we have done are for JWST’s general purpose wide-band filters on NIRCam and MIRI covering wavelengths of 0.7 — 21 microns. AGB stars contribute substantially to the integrated light of intermediate-age stellar popula- tions and is a substantial source of the metals (especially carbon) in galaxies. Studies of AGB stars are (among other reasons) important for the understanding of the chemical evolution and dust cycle of galaxies. Since the JWST is scheduled for launch in 2018 it should be a high priority to prepare observing strategies. With these predictions we hope it will be possible to optimize observing strategies of AGB stars and maximize the science return of JWST. By testing our method on Whitelock et al. (2006) objects from the WISE catalog and comparing them with our photometric results based on Eriksson et al. (2014) we have been able to fit 20 objects with models. The photometric data set can be accessed at: http://www.astro.uu.se/AGBmodels/ / I den här studien har jag gjort fotometriska förutsägelser för asymptotis- ka jättegrensstjärnor (AGB-stjärnor) av C typ från Eriksson et al. (2014) modifierade för instrument ombord på James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) och Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). AGB-stjärnor bidrar kraftigt till det totala ljuset av stjärnor av intermediär ålder och är också en stor källa till metaller (speciellt kol) i galaxer. Studier av AGB stjärnor är viktiga av flera anledningar, däribland för att förstå den kemiska evolutionen och stoftcykler i galaxer. JWST är planerad att skjutas upp 2018 och fram till dess bör det vara en hög prioritet att förbereda observeringsstrategier. Med den fotometriska datan i den här studien hoppas vi att användare av JWST kommer kunna optimera sina observeringsstrategier av AGB-stjärnor och få ut så mycket som möjligt av sin obseravtionstid med teleskopet. Vi har testat metoden genom att titta på objekt från Whitelock et al. (2006) i WISE-katalogen och jämföra dem med de fotometriska resultaten baserade på modellerna från Eriksson et al. (2014). På detta sett har vi lyckats matcha 20 objekt med modeller. Den fotometriska datan går att ladda ner ifrån: http://www.astro.uu.se/AGBmodels/

This thesis focuses on several paintings of the Mexican landscape produced by Conrad Wise Chapman (1842 – 1910) and held by the Valentine Richmond History Center in Richmond, Virginia. Chapman lived in Mexico from 1865 to 1867 and from 1883 to 1908 (with a few short absences), and during this period, produced a large number of landscapes, which are the subject of this thesis and will be considered as an amalgamation of both nineteenth-century Mexican landscape painting and traveler-art. It is the purpose of this study to demonstrate that Chapman’s artistic style embodies both classical components of landscape painting and characteristics commonly associated with traveler-art. This investigation of Chapman’s Mexican oeuvre provides significant insight into a period of the artist’s career that has long been neglected, and it examines several works of art not yet considered by scholars.

In order to meet the availability requirements of modern communication networks, a number of survivability techniques were developed that adapt the demand-wise shared protection design model to incorporate strategies increasing network availability. The survivability methodologies developed took two approaches. The first incorporated availability directly into the network design model. The second ensured minimum dual failure restorability was set within the model. These methodologies were developed for predetermined topologies, as well as to have topology optimization incorporated into the model. All methodologies were implemented and analyzed on a set of samples. The analysis examined cost, topology and actual availability of the network designs. Availability design was effective but computationally intensive and difficult to design. Minimum dual failure restorability was also effective in increasing availability with a significant caveat, dual failure restorability increased exposure to possible failures, and without sufficient levels of dual failure restorability could have a negative impact on availability. / Engineering Management