La dynamophilie est un sport de force qui comprend trois mouvements distincts à savoir, la flexion de jambes, le développé couché et le soulevé de terre. Les entraînements avec charges variables sont utilisés par de nombreux athlètes lors de la préparation physique, bien que cette approche novatrice n’ait pas encore été validée. À cet égard, dix-neuf (19) dynamophiles masculins ont été recrutés et divisés dans deux groupes selon un facteur de performance (WILKS). Le groupe expérimental utilisait des charges variables et le groupe contrôle la méthode d’entraînement classique. Les athlètes ont testé leur charge maximale à la semaine 1 et à la semaine 9. On remarque que la flexion de jambes, le développé couché et le total se sont améliorés significativement (p<0,05) chez le groupe contrôle. Chez le groupe expérimental, il y a eu des améliorations significatives à la flexion de jambes, au soulevé de terre et le total (p<0,05). Les charges variables permettraient donc d’améliorer plus efficacement les performances au soulevé de terre et la méthode classique celle du développé couché.

Master of Science / Department of Physics / Robert Szoszkiewicz / For proteins in living cells, forces are present at all levels. These range from macroscopic to single molecule levels. Single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) in force extension (FX) and force clamp (FC) modes can investigate the mechanical properties of proteins, for example, forces at which proteins unfold, or the kinetics of these processes. In the FX-AFM experiments, proteins are pulled at constant velocity, while in FC-AFM experiments, proteins are pulled at constant force. This thesis describes i) how a single molecule FX/FC-AFM was constructed using various components, ii) how it was calibrated and tested using (I27)4 polyprotein, and iii) how it was applied to the studies of a Notch construct. Building up the single molecule FX/FC-AFM system opened a path to investigate the mechanical properties of proteins. Such a system was tested on a known protein construct, hence the usage of the (I27)4 polyprotein. The Notch protein is a signaling protein that plays a role in triggering breast cancer. It is believed that understanding the mechanical properties of Notch can help to understand its oncogenic functions. We have successfully constructed and calibrated the FX/FC-AFM setup. It was found that the AFM worked for the standard calibration protein of (I27)4. The results on a Notch construct revealed our ability to see some conformational transition state in this molecule under force. These results opened a path for further investigations of a Notch construct at various physiologically relevant conditions.

<p>It is well known that transportation means high and varying loads for products as well as packages. To develop corrugated boxes with optimal design and efficient use of raw materials is crucial. Vibrations and shocks acting on pallets during transportation are transferred to the corrugated boxes and considerably reduce the integrity and life time of the boxes. The development of experimental and analytical tools for measurement and prediction of the influence of dynamic loads on the box performance, such as stacking strength and conservation of stacking pattern would therefore be of large practical importance. In order to develop such tools, it is important to know the load distribution between different boxes. This master thesis presents a technique for investigating these stresses based on a pressure sensitive film, which gives many data points. A series of tests using random and sinusoidal vibration testing have been done utilising this technique and results are presented for different positions on the pallet and for different box filling methods. Investigations performed on the vibrations of the boxes also demonstrate a pitch type of motion. A level-crossing study on the forces existing between the boxes shows a Rayleigh force distribution. A mathematical model is also proposed for simulation of a stacking system. Advantages and disadvantages with this technique and with the model are described. Comparison between the experimental and numerical results shows a proper correlation. Using the pressure sensitive film as a quantitative sensor and applying the recorded data for the statistical study of the contact forces existing in a stack of boxes gives useful and important results for further analysis of the fatigue life and vulnerable positions of boxes.</p><p> </p>

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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

Plantar foot stress causing foot ulceration is a diabetic complication causing major economic burden throughout the world. It has long been thought that shear stresses on the plantar surface of the foot are a major contributing factor to the formation of these ulcers. Although there are many instruments available that measure the vertical foot pressure (vertical forces), there are currently no commercially available instruments to measure the horizontal or shear forces. It is the aim of this project to develop a platform instrument capable of measuring the three dimensional forces (i.e. vertical pressure and shear forces) across the plantar surface of the foot.

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the phase characteristics of the countermovement jump force-time curve between athletes based on jumping ability, examine the influence of maximal muscular strength on the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics of athletes, and to examine the behavior of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over the course of a training process in athletes of varying strength levels. The following are the major findings of these dissertations. The analysis of athletes by jumping ability suggested that proficient jumpers are associated with greater relative phase magnitude and phase impulse throughout the phases contained in the positive impulse of the countermovement jump force-time curve. Additionally, phase duration was not found to differ between athletes based on jumping ability or between male and female athletes. The analysis of athletes based on maximal muscular strength suggested that only unweighted phase duration differs between strong and less-strong athletes. Interestingly, in both investigations based on jumping ability and maximal strength indicated the relative shape of the stretching phase representing the rise in positive force was related to an athlete’s jumping ability (jump height). The results of the longitudinal analysis of countermovement jump force-time phase characteristics identified that these variables can be frequently assessed throughout a training process to provide information of regarding an athlete performance state. Furthermore, based on the contrasting behaviors of many of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over time, an athlete’s level of muscular strength may influence how these characteristics are expressed in the context of a training process.

Shear walls are the primary lateral load resisting elements in bearing wall systems used in masonry construction. Horizontal loads due to wind or earthquake are transferred to vertical walls by diaphragms that are rigid such as concrete floor slabs or flexible such as wood floors. With rigid diaphragms, loads are apportioned to the supporting walls based on their relative rigidity. Walls with openings accommodating doors and windows (“perforated walls”) have reduced rigidity that can be determined using available hand calculation methods. These methods primarily focus on analysis procedures, not on the visualization of the load path that is critically important in structural engineering practice. The analogy of springs in series or parallel is used to determine the equivalent stiffness of elastic systems in structural dynamics. This thesis uses this analogy to develop a method that can help visualize load flow in perforated shear walls connected to rigid diaphragms. Rigidities are calculated using existing methods and combined as springs in series or parallel to represent a perforated wall. Loads taken by the wall segments correspond to the electrical current flowing through this imaginary “circuit”. To help visualize the load path, the line drawing representation of springs in series or parallel and the applied lateral load are deliberately oriented in the vertical direction. The application of the analogy is illustrated by several numerical examples of varying complexity taken from text books. Finite element solutions are included in the comparisons to provide a measure of the relative accuracy of hand calculation methods. The analogy can be extended to refine existing hand calculation methods though this increases computational effort. It improves accuracy but only for cases where the aspect ratio of the wall segments is such that shear effects are dominant.

This thesis seeks to understand and critically discuss gender inequalities in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a barrier to full integration. This is achieved through an exploration of current literature, policy and legal documents, and from the point of view of a sample of ADF women. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether constructions of gender devalue, exclude and therefore oppress women in the ADF and to determine whether constructions of gender legitimise the subordinate position of female personnel within the ADF. The study locates the ‘voices’, the experiences, and opinions of a group of female ADF personnel in order to hear from the ‘central’ players. The thesis contributes to current debates by: providing a platform for female members of the ADF to relate their experiences and opinions, thereby, giving a voluntary voice to women who are often not heard from in the debates; providing a feminist perspective -which in the Australian context is scant, as Australian feminisms have been reluctant to approach this controversial area; providing a critical perspective that is complementary to in-house research, through conducting the research from a position outside the ADF. The aims of the research are to explore the culture of the ADF, with the purpose of illustrating the underlying causes of barriers to full integration. It aims to understand where unequal treatment arises from, how inequity manifests, how this impacts on women, and how ADF resources are ultimately misused by the excluding of women from certain employments. Coming from a pacifist position I originally wanted to know why women would want to join the ADF, this question was easily answered through the beginning phases of the research. Through the research fieldwork I was led in the direction of focusing on the gendered nature of Defence culture. Government and ADF policy on combat exclusions I found to be a barrier to integration that impact upon career progression in the ADF. The research further revealed a disturbing realisation that Australian women continue to be denied full citizenship rights and responsibilities due to the inequities of restrictions on military service. The research led to the finding that women are excluded from roles in the ADF based on the mythology that women’s service is inferior to that of males. Issues presented in the arguments for cohesion, physical strength, and protectionism are military myths that seek to continue to exclude from positions of leadership, prestige and power in the ADF. Women’s current and potential roles in combat and peacekeeping are presented in the thesis as ultimate case studies revealing how women are denied equal employment rights in the ADF / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis seeks to understand and critically discuss gender inequalities in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a barrier to full integration. This is achieved through an exploration of current literature, policy and legal documents, and from the point of view of a sample of ADF women. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether constructions of gender devalue, exclude and therefore oppress women in the ADF and to determine whether constructions of gender legitimise the subordinate position of female personnel within the ADF. The study locates the ‘voices’, the experiences, and opinions of a group of female ADF personnel in order to hear from the ‘central’ players. The thesis contributes to current debates by: providing a platform for female members of the ADF to relate their experiences and opinions, thereby, giving a voluntary voice to women who are often not heard from in the debates; providing a feminist perspective -which in the Australian context is scant, as Australian feminisms have been reluctant to approach this controversial area; providing a critical perspective that is complementary to in-house research, through conducting the research from a position outside the ADF. The aims of the research are to explore the culture of the ADF, with the purpose of illustrating the underlying causes of barriers to full integration. It aims to understand where unequal treatment arises from, how inequity manifests, how this impacts on women, and how ADF resources are ultimately misused by the excluding of women from certain employments. Coming from a pacifist position I originally wanted to know why women would want to join the ADF, this question was easily answered through the beginning phases of the research. Through the research fieldwork I was led in the direction of focusing on the gendered nature of Defence culture. Government and ADF policy on combat exclusions I found to be a barrier to integration that impact upon career progression in the ADF. The research further revealed a disturbing realisation that Australian women continue to be denied full citizenship rights and responsibilities due to the inequities of restrictions on military service. The research led to the finding that women are excluded from roles in the ADF based on the mythology that women’s service is inferior to that of males. Issues presented in the arguments for cohesion, physical strength, and protectionism are military myths that seek to continue to exclude from positions of leadership, prestige and power in the ADF. Women’s current and potential roles in combat and peacekeeping are presented in the thesis as ultimate case studies revealing how women are denied equal employment rights in the ADF / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)