The English Civil War represents a liminal period within the history of the nation, one that offered many opportunities for experimentation with gender roles in social institutions. This historical episode had no universally legitimate authority, in either the government or the church, and the population had to deal with the resulting confusion individually. In comparing the writings and actions of women during this period with the popular publications of men that described and prescribed women's behavior, I argue that a significant number of men and women disregarded prescribed gender roles out of necessity. The major themes of this thesis involve the relationship between power and gender, as seen through contemporary language and writing that reveal how English culture viewed women acting in "masculine" endeavors in a time of crisis. Any perceived threat to the social order or the gender hierarchy of early modern England caused anxiety, but the actual challenges to this social organization posed by the Civil War provoked a substantial backlash. However, the women who acted in the war in public developed an identity independent of their culturally subordinate status. In order to substantiate this argument, this thesis discusses the fluid nature of gender, including the significant changes that resulted within the decades of the Civil War, as it was depicted in seventeenth-century England. Using primary documents, including letters, pamphlets, diurnals, and diaries, I show how the gender roles created by the church, state, and society were contradicted by the reality of the behavior exhibited by the participants in the English Civil War. I examine both women who acted within the traditional confines of femininity and those who transgressed these boundaries. Close attention is paid to women's activities in the areas of defense, religion, and politics. In conclusion, the thesis examines the ways in which historians have sought to interpret this period and place the actions of women within a patriarchal context. Possible challenges to the gender hierarchy caused great anxiety amid early modern England, but actual transgressions of gender roles, which occurred during the English Civil War, prompted a reevaluation of femininity.

No description available.

In-process turbine monitoring has been a subject of research since the advent of gas turbines; however, it is difficult because it requires precision measurements to be made at high speeds and temperatures. The measurement of turbine blade tips is especially intriguing because of the potential it holds to greatly increase the efficiency of engine operation and maintenance. Tip-to-casing clearance is one of the major sources of inefficiency in a turbine and monitoring of this clearance would allow active tip-clearance control systems to be implemented. Also, analysis of engine wear through vibration monitoring may increase the effectiveness of engine maintenance and repair. A sensor recently developed at Georgia Tech could answer this challenge. The sensor operates by measuring the phase change of reflected microwaves to measure blade tip displacement. It is robust even in the harsh turbine environment. However, in sensor measurements, the microwave beam pattern causes a phenomenon called spatial filtering to occur, which may compromise the precision of measurements. Since the beam is not a thin line reflecting off a single point on the turbine blade, measurements are a weighted average of measurements along the entire surface within the field-of-view of the sensor. The net effect is a blurred measurement. In measuring turbine blades, only the tip is vital, so the blurring in between blades is not extremely detrimental. However, changing measurement geometry affects the amount of spatial filtering and hence the accuracy of the measurement. This thesis presents a detailed analysis of this phenomenon and especially its effect on turbine blade tip clearance measurements. A design of experiments is presented to qualitatively understand the effect of geometric factors on tip measurements. Along with experimentation, a robust, three-dimensional, ray-tracing, electromagnetic model is presented which was developed to further understand spatial filtering and to analyze specific geometric factors in the measurement of turbine blades. The research shows that microwave measurements may still be made to sufficient accuracy even considering the effect of spatial filtering, and by quantifying spatial filtering in measurements, it may be possible in to glean additional useful data from measurements.

Este foi um estudo retrospectivo de 18 pacientes com atrofia hipocampal (AH) e 21 pacientes com AH associada ao blurring do polo temporal (BPT), nos quais realizamos a investigação das alterações perfusionais ao SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) crítico, ao SPECT intercrítico e ao SISCOM (Subtraction Ictal SPECT Coregistered to MRI) e sua comparação com os dados de avaliação pré-cirúrgica. Os pacientes com BPT apresentaram início mais precoce da epilepsia, uma duração de epilepsia maior e um período maior de seguimento pós-operatório (PO). O padrão pefusional ipsilateral ao SPECT crítico, o qual denominamos de padrão -típico?, foi o padrão perfusional mais frequentemente encontrado em ambos os grupos de pacientes com e sem BPT. Ao SPECT intercrítico, a maioria dos pacientes com BPT apresentaram hipoperfusão ipsilateral no lobo temporal (LT) epileptogênico, enquanto que no grupo sem BPT esta hipoperfusão foi observada em metade dos pacientes. Ao SISCOM, o padrão perfusional -típico? foi novamente o mais encontrado em ambos os grupos com e sem BPT. Entretanto, os padrões considerados -atípicos? foram encontrados mais frequentemente nos pacientes com BPT, o que nos sugere um padrão de propagação das crises epilépticas discretamente diferente neste grupo com BPT, o qual envolve outras áreas dos LT bilateralmente. Contrariamente à nossa hipótese inicial, não encontramos associação entre a presença de BPT e a presença de hiperperfusão no polo temporal (PoT) seja ao SPECT crítico ou ao SISCOM. Por este achado, nossos dados não suportam a idéia de que o BPT seja resultado de alterações teciduais intercríticas secundárias a um maior envolvimento ou participação deste polo na geração ou propagação de crises epilépticas na epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) mesial. Por outro lado, nossos resultados sugerem que o PoT é uma região frequentemente envolvida pelas crises do LT. Particularmente, a hiperperfusão no PoT ipsilateral à AH ao SISCOM foi mais encontrada nos pacientes com casos clínicos típicos de ELT mesial, sugerindo que o PoT é mais frequentemente envolvido (um padrão típico) em crises epilépticas em casos clínicos com informações mais concordantes (clear cut) e sugestivas de ELT mesial unilateral / This was a retrospective study of 18 patients with hippocampal atrophy (HA) and 21 patients with HA associated to temporopolar blurring (TPB). We performed an investigation of perfusion changes of ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), interictal SPECT and subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to magnetic resonance imaging (SISCOM) and its comparison with results of presurgical evaluation. Patients with TPB showed earlier epilepsy onset, longer duration of epilepsy and a longer period of post surgical follow-up. The ipsilateral perfusion pattern in the ictal SPECT, which we denominated -typical? pattern, was the most frequent in both groups of patients, with and wihout TPB. In the interictal SPECT, most of patients with TPB showed ipsilateral hypoperfusion to the epileptogenic temporal pole (TP), while in the group without TPB this hypoperfusion was observed in half of the patients. Through SISCOM, the typical perfusion pattern was the most frequent in both groups. However, the patterns considered -atypical? were found more frequently in patients with TPB, which suggests a pattern of propagation of epileptic seizures slightly different in the group with TPB, which involves other areas of TL bilaterally. Adversely to our hypothesis, we did not found association between the occurrence of TPB and the hyperperfusion in the TP neither in the ictal SPECT nor SISCOM. Based on this finding, our data does not support the idea that the BTP is a result of interictal secondary tissue changes due to a higher involvement or role of this pole in the generation or propagation of epileptic seizures in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). On the other hand, our results suggest that the TP is a region frequently involved by seizures of TL. Particularly, the hyperperfusion in the TP which is ipsilateral to the HA through SISCOM was the most found in patients with typical clinical cases of mesial TLE, suggesting that the TP is frequently involved (a typical pattern) in epileptic seizures of clinical cases with more concordant information (clearcut) and suggestive of unilateral mesial TLE

No description available.

Este foi um estudo retrospectivo de 18 pacientes com atrofia hipocampal (AH) e 21 pacientes com AH associada ao blurring do polo temporal (BPT), nos quais realizamos a investigação das alterações perfusionais ao SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) crítico, ao SPECT intercrítico e ao SISCOM (Subtraction Ictal SPECT Coregistered to MRI) e sua comparação com os dados de avaliação pré-cirúrgica. Os pacientes com BPT apresentaram início mais precoce da epilepsia, uma duração de epilepsia maior e um período maior de seguimento pós-operatório (PO). O padrão pefusional ipsilateral ao SPECT crítico, o qual denominamos de padrão -típico?, foi o padrão perfusional mais frequentemente encontrado em ambos os grupos de pacientes com e sem BPT. Ao SPECT intercrítico, a maioria dos pacientes com BPT apresentaram hipoperfusão ipsilateral no lobo temporal (LT) epileptogênico, enquanto que no grupo sem BPT esta hipoperfusão foi observada em metade dos pacientes. Ao SISCOM, o padrão perfusional -típico? foi novamente o mais encontrado em ambos os grupos com e sem BPT. Entretanto, os padrões considerados -atípicos? foram encontrados mais frequentemente nos pacientes com BPT, o que nos sugere um padrão de propagação das crises epilépticas discretamente diferente neste grupo com BPT, o qual envolve outras áreas dos LT bilateralmente. Contrariamente à nossa hipótese inicial, não encontramos associação entre a presença de BPT e a presença de hiperperfusão no polo temporal (PoT) seja ao SPECT crítico ou ao SISCOM. Por este achado, nossos dados não suportam a idéia de que o BPT seja resultado de alterações teciduais intercríticas secundárias a um maior envolvimento ou participação deste polo na geração ou propagação de crises epilépticas na epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) mesial. Por outro lado, nossos resultados sugerem que o PoT é uma região frequentemente envolvida pelas crises do LT. Particularmente, a hiperperfusão no PoT ipsilateral à AH ao SISCOM foi mais encontrada nos pacientes com casos clínicos típicos de ELT mesial, sugerindo que o PoT é mais frequentemente envolvido (um padrão típico) em crises epilépticas em casos clínicos com informações mais concordantes (clear cut) e sugestivas de ELT mesial unilateral / This was a retrospective study of 18 patients with hippocampal atrophy (HA) and 21 patients with HA associated to temporopolar blurring (TPB). We performed an investigation of perfusion changes of ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), interictal SPECT and subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to magnetic resonance imaging (SISCOM) and its comparison with results of presurgical evaluation. Patients with TPB showed earlier epilepsy onset, longer duration of epilepsy and a longer period of post surgical follow-up. The ipsilateral perfusion pattern in the ictal SPECT, which we denominated -typical? pattern, was the most frequent in both groups of patients, with and wihout TPB. In the interictal SPECT, most of patients with TPB showed ipsilateral hypoperfusion to the epileptogenic temporal pole (TP), while in the group without TPB this hypoperfusion was observed in half of the patients. Through SISCOM, the typical perfusion pattern was the most frequent in both groups. However, the patterns considered -atypical? were found more frequently in patients with TPB, which suggests a pattern of propagation of epileptic seizures slightly different in the group with TPB, which involves other areas of TL bilaterally. Adversely to our hypothesis, we did not found association between the occurrence of TPB and the hyperperfusion in the TP neither in the ictal SPECT nor SISCOM. Based on this finding, our data does not support the idea that the BTP is a result of interictal secondary tissue changes due to a higher involvement or role of this pole in the generation or propagation of epileptic seizures in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). On the other hand, our results suggest that the TP is a region frequently involved by seizures of TL. Particularly, the hyperperfusion in the TP which is ipsilateral to the HA through SISCOM was the most found in patients with typical clinical cases of mesial TLE, suggesting that the TP is frequently involved (a typical pattern) in epileptic seizures of clinical cases with more concordant information (clearcut) and suggestive of unilateral mesial TLE

With the progress of computer technology, computers are expected to be more intelligent in the interaction with humans, presenting information according to the user's psychological and physiological characteristics. However, computer users with visual problems may encounter difficulties on the perception of icons, menus, and other graphical information displayed on the screen, limiting the efficiency of their interaction with computers. In this dissertation, a personalized and dynamic image precompensation method was developed to improve the visual performance of the computer users with ocular aberrations. The precompensation was applied on the graphical targets before presenting them on the screen, aiming to counteract the visual blurring caused by the ocular aberration of the user's eye. A complete and systematic modeling approach to describe the retinal image formation of the computer user was presented, taking advantage of modeling tools, such as Zernike polynomials, wavefront aberration, Point Spread Function and Modulation Transfer Function. The ocular aberration of the computer user was originally measured by a wavefront aberrometer, as a reference for the precompensation model. The dynamic precompensation was generated based on the resized aberration, with the real-time pupil diameter monitored. The potential visual benefit of the dynamic precompensation method was explored through software simulation, with the aberration data from a real human subject. An "artificial eye'' experiment was conducted by simulating the human eye with a high-definition camera, providing objective evaluation to the image quality after precompensation. In addition, an empirical evaluation with 20 human participants was also designed and implemented, involving image recognition tests performed under a more realistic viewing environment of computer use. The statistical analysis results of the empirical experiment confirmed the effectiveness of the dynamic precompensation method, by showing significant improvement on the recognition accuracy. The merit and necessity of the dynamic precompensation were also substantiated by comparing it with the static precompensation. The visual benefit of the dynamic precompensation was further confirmed by the subjective assessments collected from the evaluation participants.

In an era when nonprofit and for-profit characteristics are blurring, to what extent do sector boundaries matter? Some research suggest that sector boundaries no longer matter. By exploring the perceptual differences of entrepreneurs practicing in each sector, this paper proposes that, in fact, there are important perceptual and symbolic differences between nonprofit and for-profit organizations. This paper makes four contributions to the field of social enterprise studies: first, it lends empirical support for the idea that issues have not blurred in the minds of practitioners; second, it identifies four areas entrepreneurs are likely to concentrate on when asked to evaluate the merits of practicing as a non-profit or for-profit form (including control, resources, performance, and public perceptions); third, it provides a tool that can be used by academics and policymakers to identify which sector characteristics are perceived by entrepreneurs as salient; and fourth, it raises new research questions that would help to further clarify the usefulness, relevance and significance of the approach and findings presented.

PURPOSE. To determine the effects of blurring vision on whole-body center-of-mass (CM) dynamics and foot-clearance parameters in elderly individuals performing a single step up to a new level. METHODS. Twelve healthy subjects (mean age, 72.3 ±4.17 years) performed a single step up to a new level (heights of 73 and 146 mm). Trials were undertaken with vision optimally corrected and with vision diffusively blurred by light-scattering lenses (cataract simulation). CM and foot-clearance parameter data were assessed by analyzing data collected by a five-camera, three-dimensional (3-D) motion analysis system. RESULTS. When vision was blurred, subjects took 11% longer to execute the stepping task (P < 0.05), mediolateral displacement of the point of application of the ground reaction force vector (i.e., weighted average of all pressures over the area in contact with the ground; the so called center of pressure, CP) decreased from 37.6% of stance width to 28.3% (P < 0.01), maximum distance between the mediolateral position of the CM and CP decreased by 9.8 mm (P < 0.01), and toe clearance (distance between tip of shoe and edge of step) increased in both the horizontal (28%) and vertical (19%) direction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that when vision was blurred, subjects used a twofold safety-driven adaptation: First, to increase dynamic stability they ensured that the horizontal position of their CM was kept close to the center of the base of support and second, they increased horizontal and vertical toe clearance while swinging their lead limb forward to reduce the risk of tripping.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第25440号 / 情博第878号 / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科システム科学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 利幸, 教授 下平 英寿, 教授 山下 信雄 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM