In this essay I will investigate the representations of gender in the unexplored field of fantasy miniature wargames. Focusing on a few publications by the largest producers of these games, namely Games Workshop, Privateer Press and Wyrd Miniatures, I intend to shed light on the views of gender that permeate their productions. Drawing parallels to research conducted on gender in the field of video games, I intend to investigate their similarities to the representations that exist in the field of fantasy miniature wargames. Through these links I will investigate areas such as the literary representation of gender, the visual representation of gender in the miniatures and images produced, and also the simulations and manifestations of gender in the rules of the games. These representations have the power to shape our perception of the world around us, especially as some of these games' target audience are young adults. Identifying these messages is important for further studies in the field and will be a first step to understanding how the miniature wargame can affect our behaviors and attitudes.

This project investigated a miniature, hourglass-shaped actuator (MHA) and how its geometry affects performance. A custom, self-contained, finite-element simulation code predicts how each MHA deforms when pressurized internally. This analysis describes the MHA geometry's effects on four characteristics: a) work density b) mechanical advantage, c) work advantage and d) percent elongation. The first three characteristics are compared to a traditional actuator operating at the same pressure and elongation. A finite-element modeling code was tailored to study the MHA at 5 MPa internal pressure when 1) MHA height and side-wall thickness are constant and side-wall arc length varies; 2) MHA side-wall arc length and thickness are constant and the height varies; and 3) MHA side-wall thickness varies while height and side-wall arc length are fixed. Case 3 was studied using the MHA geometry with the highest work density found in either condition 1 or 2. Peak mechanical advantage, 6.47, occurs in a constant height MHA-Case 1-when the side-wall arc length is shortest. Highest elongation, 8.67%, occurs in the Case 1 MHA with the longest side-wall arc length. Finally, under Case 3, work density reaches 0.434 MJ/m3 when the side-wall thickness is 1.9 mm. The MHA has potential for active structures because its work density is high-higher than traditional actuators with the same elongation. Their small elongations limit their use; however, much work remains to determine how MHAs might be arranged in a useful array. Never the less, morphing airfoils and other active structures might benefit from embedded MHAs.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Garimella, Srinivas; Committee Member: Allen, Mark; Committee Member: Fuller, Tom; Committee Member: Jeter, Sheldon; Committee Member: Wepfer, William. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

The basic aim of barley malt breeders and maltsters is to produce malt with optimum fermentability levels. The purpose of this research was to understand and evaluate the effect of wort boiling and autoclaving at varying time periods (30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min) on malt fermentability. The effect of trub content was also analyzed. Small-scale fermentations were carried out using a ‘Control malt’ and a standard SMA yeast strain. The Apparent Degree of Fermentability (ADF), Turbidity (absorbance at 600nm), and Density (oPlato) were measured at specific time intervals over three day fermentation period and non-linearly modeled. From the results obtained, we suggest that heat treating wort with or without trub, (at 100°C, 121.1°C) for a range of times results in significant decline in the ADF (p<0.05). Free amino nitrogen levels of wort declined significantly with respect to both increase in wort boiling temperature and intervals (p<0.001).

This thesis explores the Ottoman guilds during the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries as they are depicted in the miniature paintings contained within two well-known and well-preserved festival albums: the Surname-i Humayun (1582) and the Surname-i Vehbi (1720). These manuscripts describe the events occurring during the festival celebrations for the circumcisions of the sons of Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-95) and Sultan Ahmed III (r. 1703-30) and while they offer an excellent portrait of Ottoman society in general, they are particularly noteworthy for their portrayals of guild processions. Based on analysis of the festival paintings as well as on existing literature, the guilds are examined in the greater context of the Ottoman Empire and aspects such as guild function, structure, hierarchy, membership, and origins and evolution of the guilds are considered.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Committee Chair: Hesketh, Peter J.; Committee Member: Allen, Mark G.; Committee Member: Degertekin, F. Levent; Committee Member: Frazier, Bruno A.; Committee Member: Graham, Samuel.

Thesis (M.Eng. (Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering)) -- Universiteit van Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Delft, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [159]-163).

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Delft, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [159]-163).