No description available.

We define the symplectic rational blow-up operation, for a family of rational homology balls \(B_n\), which appeared in Fintushel and Stern's rational blow-down construction. We do this by exhibiting a symplectic structure on a rational homology ball \(B_n\) as a standard symplectic neighborhood of a certain 2-dimensional Lagrangian cell complex. We also study the obstructions to symplectically rationally blowing up a symplectic 4-manifold, i.e. the obstructions to symplectically embedding the rational homology balls \(B_n\) into a symplectic 4-manifold. First, we present a couple of results which illustrate the relative ease with which these rational homology balls can be smoothly embedded into a smooth 4-manifold. Second, we prove a theorem and give additional examples which suggest that in order to symplectically embed the rational homology balls \(B_n\), for high \(n\), a symplectic 4-manifold must at least have a high enough \(c^2_1\) as well. / Mathematics

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Art History. Includes bibliographical references.

The importance of sports engineering has increased in the past decade as the demand for athletes and their equipment has increased. Similarly, the aerodynamics of blunt bodies such as prolate spheroids is of particular interest to aerodynamicists seeking to reduce drag. A system was developed to measure aerodynamic forces on rugby balls. The rugby balls, which varied in size and surface textures, were tested at multiple angles of attack, rotational rates, and wind tunnel velocities. A force balance utilizing load cells in conjunction with a subsonic wind tunnel was used to obtain lift and drag forces. A detailed description of the complete test apparatus is given including methods of mounting, rotation, calibration and tare measurements. Several methods of data acquisition were investigated and the final method is outlined. The results for two balls are given along with the variation in data from repeated testing. Both the force data trends and a few interesting phenomena are discussed.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

There is no abstract available for this dissertation.

Coal balls are carbonate concretions formed in peat during the Pennsylvanian and early Permian. Microprobe and microscope analysis reveal that polycrystals of high-Mg calcite (HMC), which are also high in Sr, are the earliest calcium carbonate to form in the Williamson No. 3 coal balls from the Kalo formation in Iowa. This HMC has early diagenetic rims of ferroan and non-ferroan low-Mg calcite (LMC) suggesting diagenesis in meteoric water. The combination of HMC followed by LMC suggests the earliest coal ball carbonate formed in a hydrologically dynamic environment, where saltwater influx into the mire was followed by a return to meteoric pore water. Subsequent generations of carbonate are ferroan and non-ferroan LMC and appear to result from diagenesis of the original HMC fabric with LMC rims. HMC polycrystals from coal balls are among the first abiotic HMC to be reported from the mid-Pennsylvanian; coal balls may be a good source of Pennsylvanian HMC. Coal balls that formed in porous peat (i.e. wood and surficial leaf mats) commonly have abundant radiating arrays of HMC polycrystals. Coal balls that formed in matrix-rich, low porosity peats consist primarily of permineralizing anhedral calcite, which is ferroan LMC. The link between the HMC and porous permeable peat is supported by the distribution of HMC and ferroan LMC in plant cells. Wood cells, which have porous walls, are filled with HMC; fiber cells, which have impermeable walls, are filled with ferroan LMC. This study demonstrates a link between pore volume, porosity, plant cell type, and carbonate fabric.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2008. / Advisor: Suzanne Sinke, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of History. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on May 10, 2010. Major professor: Tom Mase, Ph.D. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering." "March 2010." Includes bibliographical references.