De nombreuses études se sont déjà intéressées aux questions techniques et tactiques liées au char dans l’Orient ancien, y compris en égyptologie. Le véhicule fut à l’origine de profonds changements sociaux et culturels, et ce dans toutes les civilisations qui l’adoptèrent. L’Egypte en particulier en fit un emblème incontournable du pouvoir royal au Nouvel Empire et participa pleinement à une « culture du char » commune à tout l’Orient de l’Âge du Bronze Récent. L’objectif de cette thèse, au-delà de l’importance du char dans l’histoire militaire ou l’histoire des techniques, est d’étudier la place qu’occupe le véhicule dans la pensée égyptienne. Le volume principal de cette thèse se découpe en cinq parties. La première partie, comprenant trois chapitres, revient d’une part sur les travaux antérieurs menés sur le char et les chevaux dans l’Egypte ancienne, puis présente succinctement les sources à disposition sur le sujet. Suivent deux chapitres revenant respectivement sur la question du char en Orient et sur celle du char en Egypte. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la réception linguistique du véhicule. La troisième partie s’intéresse à la place du char dans l’idéologie royale et des élites. Les deux premiers chapitres sont dédiés au roi en char et au char du roi. Une attention particulière est accordée ensuite à la problématique du char à l’époque amarnienne. Le quatrième chapitre se concentre quant à lui sur le char en tant que véhicule de l’élite. Il est suivi d’une étude portant sur les représentations humoristiques impliquant le char. La quatrième partie concerne la réception religieuse du véhicule. Un premier chapitre s’intéresse à la place du char dans le monde funéraire, puis est évoqué le lien entre certaines divinités, le char et les chevaux. Le troisième chapitre s’intéresse particulièrement l’iconographie d’Horus-Ched en char, puis un dernier chapitre interroge la notion de « char solaire » en Egypte. La cinquième et dernière partie est une étude sur la réception littéraire du char, s’intéressant particulièrement à l’Hymne au roi en char, un poème qui place le véhicule au centre de sa composition, traduit et commenté en compagnie d’autres textes littéraires. / There are already many studies about technical and tactical questions linked to the chariot in Ancient Near East, even in Egyptology. This vehicle had been behind deep cultural and social changes in every civilisation which used it. In Egypt particularly it was an emblem of royal power in New Empire, and in a common « chariot’s culture » during the Late Bronze Age in Ancient Near East. Beyond the importance of the chariot in military or technical history, this thesis’ purpose is to study the place of this vehicle in Egyptian’s mind. The thesis is divided in five parts. The first part, divided in three chapters, explains both previous researches about the chariot and horses in Ancient Egypt, then presents briefly the available sources about this subject. The two following chapters respectively focus on the chariot in Near East and in Egypt. The second part focuses on the vehicle’s linguistic reception. The third part is interested in the chariot’s place in royal and elites’ ideology. The two first chapters are both dedicated to the king in his chariot and the king’s vehicle. A special attention is given to question of the chariot during Armanian Period. The forth chapter focuses about the chariot as the elite’s vehicle. It is followed by a study about satirical representations including the chariot. The forth part is related to the vehicle’s religious reception. A first chapter is about the place of the chariot in funerary practices, then the link between some gods, chariots and horses is studied. The third chapter details the particular case of Horus-Shed’s iconography on his chariot. The last chapter questions the notion of « solar chariot » in Ancient Egypt. The last and fifth part is a study about the chariot’s literary reception, studying especially a poem which places the vehicle in the center of its composition called Hymn to the King on his Chariot, translated and commentated on, as well as other literary texts.

Sexually selected male weaponry are among the most diverse and elaborate traits seen in the animal kingdom and often aid males in securing resources and mates, providing a fitness advantage to those that bear them. Yet, while intra-sexual competition between males to secure mates is common, weaponry is a rare trait that is observed in few taxa. Building upon previous theory, Emlen predicted that exaggerated animal weaponry evolves when, (i) there is intense competition between males for access to females, (ii) the biology or behaviour of a species generates high variance in male reproductive success, and (iii) competitions between males promote extreme weapon size evolution. While there are many species bearing weaponry that appear to fit these contexts, it has yet to be tested if these conditions are sufficient to initiate the evolution of exaggerated weaponry. For my research, I created three environmental treatments that emulated the three conditions proposed by Emlen. Using these treatments, I conducted experiments using Drosophila melanogaster to examine the effects of spatial structure on natural and sexual selection with a focus on the initial stages of the evolution of exaggerated trait weaponry that arise from this process. From these experiments, I found that the strength of sexual and other components of natural selection vary with environmental complexity and mutational effect. I also found that these environmental treatments generate weak differences in condition dependence and allometry of fly morphological traits that could be indicative of early weapon evolution. With these experiments, I provide the initial framework to test whether the conditions proposed by Emlen are both necessary and sufficient to lead to the initial evolution of exaggerated animal weaponry and demonstrate that these conditions may indeed create the circumstances that allows this evolution to occur. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Sexual selection drives the evolution of extreme animal weapons that are used in competition between individuals for access to mates, however while competition is common, these traits are rare. Theory predicts that animal weapons will evolve when (i) there is intense competition between males for mates, (ii) there is high variance in male reproductive success, and (iii) competitions between males mostly occur as duels. For my research, I created three environments that emulated these conditions to differing extents and used the fruitfly as a model to see how these conditions influence the initial stages of animal weapon evolution. I found that these environments are variable in their effects on sexual selection and create morphological differences that could indicate early weapon evolution. With this research, I provide the initial framework to test whether these conditions can create the circumstances for the initial evolution of exaggerated animal weaponry to occur.

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This thesis examines how the modern weaponry shaped the American soldiers’ use of weaponry and the change of tactics during World War I. The American experience was unique as Britain, France, and Germany grew accustomed to the advancements in weaponry over time, while the American Expeditionary Force encountered this type of warfare for the first time. The American Army served mainly as a constabulary, fighting guerilla forces before the war, and had to be trained to fight a conventional war in Europe. The common soldiers would modify official doctrine to fit the realities of the battlefield in which they found themselves.

This essay looks at the connection between the design and techniques of longswords. The longsword is perhaps the most iconic weapon of the late medieval and early modern period. However, there are few academic studies on how longswords were used. As well as the use of longswords in general the essay seeks to understand how certain characteristics like blade design or decor can offer clues to how specific swords may have been used. To find out how this kind of weapon was used 10 longswords from northern and central Europe was analysed in terms of design. As well as the longswords four historical fencing manuals from the holy roman empire were studied. The source material was chosen to reflect my own experience whit Germanic medieval/renaissance fencing. Combining study of artifacts and written sources gives this essay the opportunity to explore the several attributes pertaining to the use longswords. As well as examining the books and swords several of the techniques in the manuals have been tested by me and Fencers of Wisby historiska fäktskola.  The study of the source material as well as the tests of the techniques reveal the construction of a sword had an impact on how it can be used. Certain design like the shape of the blade, crossguard and pommel change what techniques are more effective with a particular type of longsword. The early longwords for example seem to have had an emphasis on cutting whilst the later swords became more adapted for thrusting to combat armour. Some of the examined longswords appear to be ornamental and not intended for combat. The more ornamental longswords could however possibly have functioned as a weapon and a symbol at the same time. Sometimes the symbolism is emphasised but even in those cases the swords could often have been used as a weapon if desired or needed.

Electrothermal (ET) Plasma Technology has been used for many decades in a wide variety of scientific and industrial applications. Due to its numerous applications and configurations, ET plasma sources can be used in everything from small scale space propulsion thrusters to large scale material deposition systems for use in a manufacturing setting. The sheer number of different types of ET sources means that there is always additional scientific research and characterization studies that can be done to either explore new concepts or improve existing designs. The focus of this work is to explore a novel electrothermal energetic plasma source (ETEPS) that uses energetic gas as the working fluid in order to harness the combustion and ionization energy of the subsequently formed energetic plasma. The goal of the work is to use computer code and engineering methods in order to successfully characterize the capabilities of the ETEPS concept and to then design a prototype which will be used for further study. This thesis details the background of ET plasma physics, the ETEPS concept physics, and the computational and design work done in order to demonstrate the feasibility of using the ETEPS source in two roles: space thrusters and electrothermal plasma guns. / Master of Science

This thesis follows the development of Howard Charles Green’s (1895-1989) views on war and disarmament as both a private citizen and as a Member of Parliament. It draws its conclusions from a large archival base. Beginning with Green’s experiences in the First World War, this thesis charts Green’s views on war through to the United Nations Irish Resolution on disarmament of December 20, 1960. Contrary to current historiography examining the Diefenbaker period, it proves that Green’s beliefs about war only changed after his appointment as Secretary of State for External Affairs in June 1959, and even then it took time for his new ideals to “harden.” Prior to his “conversion” he believed that war remained a viable aspect of foreign policy and often encouraged its fuller prosecution.

This thesis follows the development of Howard Charles Green’s (1895-1989) views on war and disarmament as both a private citizen and as a Member of Parliament. It draws its conclusions from a large archival base. Beginning with Green’s experiences in the First World War, this thesis charts Green’s views on war through to the United Nations Irish Resolution on disarmament of December 20, 1960. Contrary to current historiography examining the Diefenbaker period, it proves that Green’s beliefs about war only changed after his appointment as Secretary of State for External Affairs in June 1959, and even then it took time for his new ideals to “harden.” Prior to his “conversion” he believed that war remained a viable aspect of foreign policy and often encouraged its fuller prosecution.

Title Impact of gear and weaponry on posture in kneeling shooting position Objectives The aim of this thesis is to find out the impact of gear and weaponry on posture in the kneeling shooting position. Specifically, this study examines the influence of carried load on posture, aiming stability and balance in the high and low kneeling shooting position variants. Methods This thesis has an empirical observational character. The shooting position was tested by Qualisys camera system and Kistler pressure plates. The measurment was performed on 16 Military department students with mean age of 23 years (standard deviation 2,63 years). Measurements were carried out in four levels, with no load, light load of 15 kg, mean load of 30 kg and heavy load of 45 kg. The measurement was performed on high kneeling variant and the low variant with elbow supported by the front knee. Intra-individual comparison of the results of each level was determined by a T-test. Results: The load in a form of gear and weapony had a statisicaly significant - negative influence on the kneeling shooting position posture. Gear and weaponry used for this study caused a lower trunk position, increased shoulders angle in the low variant, lesser aiming stability and balance control in the position. The bigger was the weight of gear and...

A wide variety of factors are predicted to influence the intensity and outcome of agonistic interactions in animals, including the resource holding potential of the opponents and the nature and value of the resource over which the individuals are competing. Field crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) have been used extensively as model organisms with which to study animal contests, but relatively few studies have examined the effect of mandible size or structure, or the level of contact with females on the intensity and outcome of agonistic interactions. To do so was the aim of the present thesis, using Gryllus bimaculatus as the study species. The first finding of this study was that there is a significant degree of sexual dimorphism for anterior components of the anatomy in G. bimaculatus. The mandibles, head and pronotum of male crickets were all relatively larger than those of females. This indicates that these traits may be acted upon by intrasexual selection. In many animal species that show sexual dimorphism, a trade-off in development sees enhanced weapon growth at the expense of testes size, but no such relationship was seen in this species. A comparison of the mandible structure of males that either won or lost at flaring and or wrestling showed that a relatively wider mandible span was a significant predictor of success during mandible displays. It was also found that specific components of tooth structure, namely the length of the incisor and length to distal tip, were significantly associated with victory at the jaw flaring stage. This is the first time that mandible shape has been shown to affect fight outcome in the Gryllidae, and also the first confirmed identification of a visual cue component of fighting behaviour. Despite the effectiveness of their weapons in fighting, body mass is a primary predictor of victory in combat between G. bimaculatus males, with the greater the degree of asymmetry in weight the more likely the heavier fighter will win. However, a study of fighting behaviour between asymmetrically matched opponents found that even males who were out-weighed by 40% were still likely to escalate the fight to grappling. Furthermore, males who were able to fend off their larger opponent in their first clash were significantly more likely to win their overall encounter. This hyper-aggressive response may therefore represent an adaptive mechanism to extreme odds and is worthy of further study. Female contact is known to be a significant promoter of male aggression and fighting enthusiasm, and mate guarding aggression is well documented in G. bimaculatus. A recreation of two contradictory studies, including one which concluded that mating makes males lose fights, highlighted that female contact after spermatophore transfer can overcome the loser effect and cause a male to re-engage with a previously dominant opponent. Fighting behaviour in this species is therefore highly flexible and factors affecting the outcome of contests are complex. There is much scope for further studies on this topic.