Thesis (PhD)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2010. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Aleksander Rebane. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-144).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-93).

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Lund. / Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 88 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-76).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-124). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-99). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2005--Freiburg (Breisgau). / Erscheinungsjahr an der Haupttitelstelle: 2004.

The spatial arrangement of neuronal responses in primary auditory cortex (A1) has so far been investigated by using microelectrode recording techniques or imaging of the intrinsic signal, which led to controversial results, at present still discussed. On the other hand, two-photon calcium imaging allows us to investigate the cortical functions at an unprecedented level of spatial detail, and has recently offered new insight into the fine-scale organization of frequency responses in A1. In this thesis, I used two-photon calcium imaging to compare, for the first time, the fine-scale cortical representation of sound frequency to that of two other sound features, crucial for survival and communication in all mammals: differences in intensity between the two ears (interaural level differences; ILDs), and frequency modulation (FM). I found that most neurons in layers II-III of the mouse A1 were tuned to ILDs favouring the contralateral ear, but midline and ipsilateral tuning were present too. Binaural preferences were heterogeneously distributed in space, both on the fine scale (within ∼ 200 μm) and on the global one (up to ∼ 1 mm). Moreover, A1 neurons were mostly tuned to slow FM sweeps within the range of those used in species-specific calls. Cells activated by similar rates tended to be spatially proximal, indicating a level of local organization similar to the one I found for frequency tuning, and higher than that of ILD responses. Finally, I set the groundwork for two-photon studies of the A1 of the ferret, by presenting the first evidence of the microscopic organization of the tonotopic map in this species. My results shed light on some long-held questions about the response properties of A1, and confirm two-photon imaging as a powerful tool for investigating the processing of sensory signals in the cortex of both small and large mammals.

Despite challenges with poor emissions and fuel economy, gasoline two stroke engines continue to be developed for a number of applications. The primary reasons for the choice of a gasoline two stroke engine includes its low cost, mechanical simplicity and high specific power output. Some applications for the gasoline two stroke engine include small capacity motorcycles and scooters, off road recreational vehicles, hand held power tools and unmanned aerial vehicles. New technologies, which are already mature in four stroke engines, are now being applied to two stroke engines. Such technologies include direct fuel injection, electronic engine management and exhaust gas after treatment. To implement these new technologies computation models are being continuously developed to improve the design process of engines. Multi-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling is now commonly applied to engine research and development, it is a powerful tool that can give great insight into the thermofluid working of an engine. Multi-dimensional tools are however computationally expensive and quasi-dimensional modelling methods are often better suited for the analysis of an engine, for example in transient engine simulation. This thesis reports the development of a new quasi-dimensional combustion model for a loop scavenged two stroke engine. The model differs from other quasi-dimensional models available in the literature as it accounts for a bulk motion of the flame front due to the tumble motion created by the loop scavenge process. In this study the tumble motion is modelled as an ellipsoid vortex and the size of the vortex is defined by the combustion chamber height and a limiting elliptical aspect ratio. The limiting aspect ratio has been observed in experimental square piston compression machines and optical engines. The new model also accounts for a wrinkled flame brush thickness and its effects on the interaction between flame front and combustion chamber. The new combustion model has been validated against experimental engine tests in which the flame front propagation was measured using ionization probes. The probes were able determine the flame front shape, the bulk movement of the flame front due to tumble and also the wrinkled flame brush thickness.