by Leung Wai-Man Raymond. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [1]-[3] (2nd gp.)). / Chapter CHAPTER 0 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Einstein-Hermitian Vector Bundles / Chapter 1.1 --- Preliminaries on Einstein-Hermitian structures --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conformal invariance --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- A Chern number inequality --- p.9 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Stable Vector Bundles / Chapter 2.1 --- Coherent analytic sheaves --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Torsion-free, reflexive and normal coherent analytic sheaves" --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- Determinant bundles --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4 --- Stable vector bundles --- p.27 / Chapter 2.5 --- Stability of Einstein-Hermitian vector bundles --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Existence of Einstein-Hermitian connection on stable vector bundle over a compact Riemann Surface --- p.34 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Existence of Einstein-Hermitian metric on stable vector bundle over a projective algebraic manifold / Chapter 4.1 --- Solution of the evolution equation for finite time --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2 --- Convergence of solution for infinite time --- p.53 / APPENDIX / Chapter I. --- A vanishing theorem of Bochner type and its consequences --- p.67 / Chapter II. --- Uhlenbeck's results on connections with Lp bounds on curvature --- p.69 / REFERENCE

The rapid release of energy in mechanisms is often limited by conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy. The use of a flywheel to store energy over time eliminates this constraint. Using this principle, a lightweight and compact energy transmission mechanism has been developed for robotic combat applications. The purpose of the proposed design is to throw an opposing robot ten or more feet into the air. This design incorporates a flywheel, a self-resetting dog clutch with built in shock absorbing rubber for impact mitigation, and an optimized four-bar linkage to deliver the energy. A mathematical model of the dynamic system has been developed to analyze and aid in the design process. Testing of subsystems was performed to validate the design. A final design is proposed with the recommendation that it be built and tested. A validated design is applicable to many real-world problems that require rapid kinetic energy release including reconnaissance robots required to hop high fences.

Chan, Kai Leung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-109). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 0 --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter I --- Background Scenery --- p.10 / Chapter 1 --- Seiberg-Witten Invariants --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1 --- Preliminaries --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2 --- Construction of Seiberg-Witten Invariants --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Seiberg-Witten Equations and the Moduli Space --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Seiberg-Witten Invariants --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Remarks --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Seiberg-Witten Invariants for b+2= 1 --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3 --- Important Results of Seiberg-Witten Invariants --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Manifolds Admit Positive Scalar Metrics --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Connected Sums --- p.25 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Kahler Surfaces --- p.27 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Symplectic Manifolds --- p.30 / Chapter 2 --- Intersection Forms --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1 --- Intersection Forms of 4-manifolds --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2 --- Classification Theorem --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3 --- Review: Van Kampen's Theorem --- p.35 / Chapter 3 --- Kirby Calculus --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Review on Handle Decompositions --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Constructions --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Handle Slides and Cancellations --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Calculation of Homology Groups --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Kirby Diagrams --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Constructions --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Handle Slides and Cancellations --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Dotted Notation for 1-handles --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- 3-Manifolcis: As Boundaries of 4-Manifolds --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Lens spaces --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4 --- Linear Plumbing --- p.63 / Chapter 3.5 --- Rational Blowdown --- p.65 / Chapter II --- Examples of Exotic Structures --- p.71 / Chapter 4 --- mCP2#kCP2 --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2 --- Example: CP2#7CP2 --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Progress of Researches --- p.85 / Chapter 5 --- Gluing Results in Seiberg-Witten Theory --- p.89 / Chapter 5.1 --- Revisit of Seiberg-Witten Invariants --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2 --- Fiber Sums and its Generalization --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3 --- Logarithmic transformations and its Generalization --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4 --- Knot Theory and Alexander Polynomials --- p.96 / Chapter 5.5 --- Main Theorem --- p.102 / Bibliography --- p.106

A method due to É. Cartan was used to algebraically classify the possible four-dimensional manifolds that allow a (2, 2)-signature metric with a transitive group action which acts by isometries. These manifolds are classified according to the Lie algebra of the group action. There are six possibilities: four non-parameterized Lie algebras, one discretely parameterized family, and one family parameterized by R.

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The depletion of marine resources and recession in worldwide economy result in impacts on the livelihood and development of many small island countries. Therefore, the community-based coastal resources management (CBCRM) approach has become an important strategy for the sustainable development of marine resources. This thesis reports the studies with regard to the CBCRM in Hujing Island, most importantly, the promotion of aquaculture development into the small island such as the culture of sea-grape (algae Caulerpa). The work was initiated to investigate the relationships between communities and marine resources in Hujing Island under a CBCRM¡¦s ¡§four pillars¡¨ framework. Qualitative methods through participant observation, interviews, and documentary analysis were used for data collection. The results have been summarized according to the framework of "four pillars". 1. In comparison with decades ago, marine resources are depleted and are inadequate to support sustainable development. Population of the community also lost, so it is not possible to develop a new fishery. 2. In terms of technology, the culture of Caulerpa can be successfully established in Hujing Island as well as in other islands in Penghu. 3. The CBCRM approach needs to build up the capacity on aquaculture technology through organizing of local communities. 4. Institutional arrangements of the culture of Caulerpa could follow those used in fishery of Beach Seine.

The aim of this study is to investigate differences between aboriginal and Han fifth graders in problem posing. The objectives of research include: (1) design and implementation of arithmetic problem posing process; (2) investigation of the arithmetic learning condition for aboriginal and Han pupils; and (3) investigation of the misconception presentation difference between aboriginal and Han pupils in problem posing. The problem posing process falls into 3 stages: ¡§problem solving¡¨, ¡§problem posing¡¨, and ¡§problem posing-solving¡¨. This study applied the problem solving and problem posing learning sheets for pupils to engage in individual problem solving and problem posing. Pupils were requested to complete a learning journal after class. As a teacher, the researcher allowed aboriginal and Han pupils to engage in problem solving and problem posing based on 3 types of questions: word algorithm, calculation, and open-end questions; and collected data with learning journals and pupil interviews. Findings include: (1) pupils have different performances when posing different types of problems; (2) both aboriginal and Han pupils can pose feasible and appropriate questions, particularly for word items, though it is not easy for pupils to pose appropriate open-end questions; and (3) the content of problems posed varies as a result of environmental and cultural differences. Additionally, the problem posing teaching allows pupils to feel more interested in learning mathematics, and such a positive learning attitude can enrich the mathematic concepts and enhance the thinking ability of pupils. Keywords: problem posing, four basic operations, aboriginal children

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has sought to reduce expenditures by better utilizing their maintenance forces through a compressed workweek. The focus of this thesis is a before and after comparison of maintenance crews at TxDOT during a standard 5-day forty hour workweek and a compressed 4-day forty hour workweek. Compressed workweeks are work arrangements in which full-time employees are allowed to work longer days for part of the week or pay period in exchange for shorter days or a day off during the same week or pay period. This type of schedule allows for numerous benefits including increased productivity, additional time to handle personal business, less travel time, less start up and shut down time, improved morale, as well as less stress. Originally three districts were placed upon the compressed workweek but after four months of trial, three additional districts were included. Maintenance activity data from previous years was compared to data collected over the trial period to assess productivity impacts as well as vehicular travel. Surveys of maintenance crews were conducted throughout the study to address personal concerns. The results of the study were that there were no significant impacts to productivity or vehicular usage but a significant improvement in work conditions for the maintenance crews. Further assessment is recommended utilizing additional functional codes for more illustrative results. / text

A general framework is presented for replacing static traffic assignment with dynamic traffic assignment within the standard four step transportation planning model. Issues including model consistency and the implementation of a proper feedback loop are explored. The new model is compared with the standard four step model in order to highlight the benefits of using dynamic traffic assignment rather than static. The model is then extended to include a term for the difference between experienced and free-flow travel times, which can be used as a proxy for travel time reliability and highlights the benefits of time-dependent DTA. Additionally, a study on improving the quality of convergence for dynamic traffic assignment is conducted in order to help facilitate the usefulness of this modeling approach in practice. A variety of equilibration techniques are tested, and analysis is performed to contrast these techniques with the method of successive averages. / text

Increasing national emphasis on college completion and affordability has prompted institutional efforts to focus on increasing efficient degree attainment within four-years. Traditional predictors of four-year graduation, Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores and high school grade point average (GPA) may disproportionately negatively impact the enrollment of African American and Latino students who are more likely to receive lower scores on these metrics. This study sought to identify quantifiable non-academic metrics that can assist to predict bachelor's degree attainment in four years for African Americans and Latinos who do not meet typical standardized testing and scoring predictors. A regression analysis was performed on CIRP Freshmen Survey data for University of Texas at Austin students first enrolled in fall 2008 to assess the strength of Freshmen Survey constructs and student-level financial aid to predict graduation within a four-year timeframe. The results showed that the combined consideration of select variables increased the accuracy of prediction by over seven percentage points; moreover, two factors, holding a positive self-concept and likelihood of college involvement, demonstrated statistical significance within the model. While there are several study limitations, the findings offer support for further exploration of a model for predicting four-year graduation that considers non-academic data elements. / text