The term Gossamer is used to describe ultra-lightweight spacecraft structures that solve the aerospace challenge of obtaining maximum performance while reducing the launch costs of the spacecraft. Gossamer structures are extremely compliant, which complicates control design and ground testing in full scale. One approach is to design and construct smaller test articles and verify their computational models experimentally, so that similar computational models can be used to predict the dynamic performance of full-scale structures. Though measurement of both in-plane and out-of-plane displacements is required to characterize the dynamic response of the surface of these structures, this thesis lays the groundwork for dynamic measurement of the in-plane component. The measurement of thin films must be performed using non-contacting sensors because any contacting sensor would change the dynamics of the structure. Moreover, the thin films dealt with in this work are coated with either gold or aluminum for special applications making the film optically smooth and therefore requiring a surface pattern. A Krypton Fluoride excimer laser system was selected to fabricate patterns on thin-film mirror test articles. Parameters required for pattern fabrication were investigated. Effects of the pattern on the thin-film dynamics were studied using finite element analysis. Photogrammetry was used to study the static in-plane displacement of the thin-film mirror. This was performed to determine the feasibility of the photogrammetric approach for future dynamic tests. It was concluded that photogrammetry could be used efficiently to quantify dynamic in-plane displacement with high-resolution cameras and sub-pixel target marking.

Amazonitic K-feldspar is characteristic of evolved granitic pegmatites of NYF (niobium-yttrium-fluorine) type, associated with A-type granite emplacement. In this work, I focus on four notable examples of such an association: (1) West Keivy, Kola Peninsula, Russia, (2) Saint-Ludger-de-Milot, Quebec, (3) Lac Sairs, Quebec, and (4) Morefield, Virginia. A fifth locality, the Broken Hill metamorphosed exhalative-type volcanogenic deposits in Australia, is an unusual type of amazonitic K-feldspar formed in an ore environment. A total of nineteen samples of amazonitic K-feldspar were characterized geochemically and mineralogically on the basis of X-ray diffraction, electron-microprobe and laser-ablation ICP-MS analyses. Lead, as an essential requirement for formation of the blue-green amazonitic color, has received particular attention. In every case, the analytical data show elevated amounts of Pb and rare alkalis, which strongly partition into the K-rich phase of the perthite intergrowth. Unusual micrometric grains, highly enriched in Pb, are found in cracks in the material from West Keivy. Some of the grains represent a new mineral species, a Pb-dominant feldspar. The presence of amazonitic K-feldspar in a granitic pegmatite is more than a curiosity. It can shed light on important petrogenetic issues such as metasomatic rejuvenation of crustal rocks prior to regional melting in a period of extension.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Dec. 4, 2007). PDF text: xii, 80 p. : ill. ; 6 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3273191. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 94-98.

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Bert Bras; Committee Member: David Rosen; Committee Member: Jeannette Yen

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 154).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 147).

Thesis (Ph. D. in Biomedical Engineering)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2002. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Tübingen, Univ., Diss.,2007.

Orientador: Cezinande de Meira / Banca: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira / Banca: Césa Ferraz Jacob / Resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da aspiração de folículos 25mm sobre a concentração de progesterona plasmática em éguas. O crescimento folicular foi acompanhado diariamente e um único folículo ovariano foi aspirado, exceto quando uma co-dominância foi observada. Neste caso, ambos os folículos foram aspirados no mesmo momento quando atingiram o diâmetro esperado nos respectivos grupos: F ³25mm (n = 6), F ³30mm (n = 6), F ³35mm (n = 6), F pré-ovulatório (n = 6). O Grupo controle (n = 5) não foi submetido à aspiração, acompanhando-se as ovulações espontâneas. A avaliação ultrassonográfica dos ovários foi realizada a cada 24 horas iniciando-se 48 horas antes da aspiração folicular (D0 = dia da aspiração), continuando até a ovulação subsequente. Para a análise estatística, foi utilizada a análise de variância de perfil seguida do método de Tukey com nível de significância de 5% para todas as variáveis, exceto: (1) animais que responderam à aspiração folicular atingindo concentrações de 2ng/mL de progesterona; (2) presença ou ausência de estrutura lútea visualizada pela ultrassonografia, onde foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado. A concentração de progesterona foi >2ng/mL, entre os dias 4,0±0,4 e 7,3±0,5 após a aspiração. O intervalo entre a aspiração e a luteólise foi de 16,0±0,5 a 19,0±1,4 dias e entre a aspiração e a ovulação foi de 17,2±2,8 a 23±0,5 dias. A concentração máxima de progesterona alcançada variou entre 6,4±2,6 e 10,9±1,8ng/mL e ocorreu entre os dias 8,7±3,4 e 11,5±1,2. A aspiração folicular em todos os grupos permitiu que as células foliculares se transformassem em estrutura hormonalmente ativa, produtora de progesterona em níveis compatíveis com o diestro. / Abstract: The present study aims to verify the follicles 25mm ablation effect on plasmatic progesterone concentration in mares. Follicular growth was daily accompanied and only one follicle was ablated, excepted when codominance was observed. At this case, both follicles were ablated at the same moment when achived the expected diameter for the following groups: F ³25mm (n = 6), F ³30mm (n = 6), F ³35mm (n = 6), F pre-ovulatory (n = 6). Control group (n = 5) was not submitted to ablation and the spontaneous ovulations were followed. Ultrasound evaluations of the ovaries were done every 24h beginning 48h after follicular ablations (D0 = day of ablation), continuing until subsequent ovulation. For statistical analysis, profile analysis followed by Tuckey method was used with a significance level of 5% for all variables excepted for: (1) animals that responded to follicular ablation achieving progesterone concentrations of 2ng/mL; (2) presence or absence of a luteum structure observed by ultrasound were analysed by Qui-square test. Interval between aspiration and luteolysis varied from 16,0±0,5 to 19,0±1,4 days and between ablation and next ovulation varied from 17,2±2,8 to 23±0,5 days. Maximum concentration of progesterone varied from 6,4±2,6 and 10,9±1,8ng/mL and occurred between days 8,7±3,4 and 11,5±1,2. In all groups, follicular ablation allowed follicular cells to become an active hormonal structure, which produced progesterone in concentrations similar to diestrous. / Mestre