The microecosystems in the leaves of the pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, were studied over a thirty day period. These plants were kept out of doors. One of these plants was later brought into the laboratory and four leaves were studied concurrently with four tubes. These studies were intended to show differences, if any, between leaves studied in the field and those in the laboratory, and between the leaves and an artificial environment. Organisms in all of these vessels were counted and their total biomass and oxygen consumption graphed. Three of the larger organisms found were typical of this species of pitcher plant, one through its entire life cycle and the other two for their larval stages. An interesting finding was that the alga, Microthamnion, seems to inhibit the growth of Tetrahymena, probably due to some extrametabolite. Paramecium was apparently excluded from all leaves in the field. The leaves of the pitcher plant were found to be ideal for the field and laboratory investigation of ecological forces due to their natural occurrance, small size, and rapid turnover of organisms. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Investigations were made into the trapping biology of the pitchers of Nepenthes rafflesiana (Jack), Family Nepenthaceae, in Brunei, Borneo. The plant produces two distinct pitcher forms, upper and lower, which were found to differ in their prey spectra. Although ants were the most important prey in both forms, the upper form caught more anthophilous insects than the lower. High contrast U/V patterns on the upper pitchers were found to contribute to the attraction of some anthophilous insects, as was the fragrance of upper pitcher fluid. Increased height above ground was also found to increase the numbers of anthophilous insects caught. Upper pitchers possessed features of several pollination syndromes, but may have been mutualistic rather than mimetic, as certain criteria for mimesis were not met. Evidence for mutualism is strongest for ants, in which both pitcher forms were found to be specialising, although the involvement of lower pitcher 'wings' in such a relationship, was discounted. The loss of wings from the upper pitcher form may have occurred to reduce strain on the upper pitcher-tendril attachment. Reduction of fluid volume, and strengthening of the attachment in upper pitchers, support this idea. The possession of upper pitchers was found to allow N.rafflesiana access to populations of anthophilous insects that were not as easily available to the sympatric Nepenthes gracilis (Korth). There was found to be a shift in the prey spectrum of lower N.rafflesiana pitchers, as pitcher size increased. Production of lower pitchers was found to increase when upper pitchers were rendered non-functional. This may allow the plant to regenerate after stem damage. Although covering of pitchers failed to produce a decrease in either male flowering success, or &'37 age of viable seeds produced by female plants, pre-flowering pitcher counts suggested that pitchers were an important factor in reproductive fitness.

The professional sports industry is one of the most engaging and entertaining markets in the United States. Specifically, Major League Baseball is unique in the sense that it is America’s pastime and oldest American sport. Professional baseball teams are businesses that trade commodities in the form of baseball players. Unlike publicly traded stocks, baseball players are not traded on an exchange. So, what determines the “price” of professional baseball players? More specifically, what determines the price of professional pitchers in the MLB? My study reveals that pitching is an extremely subjective aspect of baseball and there is no one statistic that can be used to forecast a pitcher’s salary. Based on my research and analysis, I investigate which performance metrics are the most important in determining a professional pitcher’s salary and if these metrics can ultimately be used to forecast future pitchers’ salaries in order for baseball franchises to acquire undervalued pitchers.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisors: Wendy Bellion and Nina Athanassoglou-Kallmyer, Dept. of Art History. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-30).

Baseball is one of the most statistically documented sports in the world. Every statistical outcome in baseball starts with the pitcher and the plate appearance. In baseball, it is believed that when shadows are present between the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box, the pitcher is at an advantage. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify if there is an advantage for pitchers pitching with shadows separating the pitcher’s mound from the batter’s box. Only games from Major League Baseball in which the shadows were present between the pitcher’s mound and batter’s box were analyzed. Analyzed variables were comprised of traditional statistical outcomes categorized as good or bad outcomes. Furthermore, good and bad outcomes were analyzed using their ordinal subcategories rated from 1 to 4. Differences between good and bad outcomes of plate appearances, when shadows were and were not present, was analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U Test.  The results of the study indicate that shadows do not have a significant effect on the outcome of plate appearances. Moreover, pitchers do not have an advantage pitching while shadows are present between them and the batter’s box. Frequencies of outcomes with shadows present was much the same to outcomes without the shadows present. In conclusion, it does not appear that shadows influence the outcome of plate appearances. However, further research on statistical metrics and their effect on plate appearances is necessary.

本研究耙梳1950年代至2010年台灣棒球投手調度觀念的演進，並試圖解釋其演進的過程。本研究著重在投手調度觀念的演進過程，及相關團體因不同的利益考量進行的角力。這些利益的角力形成台灣的投手調度策略的現況。從時代上來說，本研究以1970年代少棒旋風、1990年中華職棒成立、2000年前後開啟的球員旅外潮來劃分投手調度觀念演進的時代。本研究認為，這幾個不同年代發生的重要歷史事件對台灣棒球造成的影響，深刻地影響了投手調度觀念的演進，並證明投手調度／保護觀念並不僅是醫學觀念的單純引進與發揚過程。這過程其實是支持與反對的團體對詮釋權的爭奪戰。本演研究將兩方的邏輯劃分為「脆弱投手邏輯」和「強壯投手邏輯」。目前「脆弱投手邏輯」之所以能在台灣職業棒球領域中獲得上風，關鍵性的原因在於它與「棒球數據派」的成功結盟，借用其強大的說服力取得詮釋論戰上的優勢。反之，在三級棒球的領域，也因為「棒球數據派」的介入程度較低，使「脆弱投手邏輯」的拓展遭遇困難。 本研究的主要架構是以行動者網絡理論（Actor- Networking Theory）為基礎，試圖以關涉在此一網絡裡主要行動者的結盟與角力作為投手調度觀念演進的解釋。 / This study explores the process of baseball pitcher policy in Taiwan. The process showed a long but significant change in pitcher policy, and made the loading of pitcher decrease. The process continued more than 40 years and there were three important historic events in it. The first was the “Youth Baseball Period” in 1970’s. The second was the professionalization of Taiwan baseball in 1990. And the third was the “Traveling Outside Period” in 2000’s, which made lots of excellent players travelled to America or Japan. This research analyzed the process carefully, and found that the change of pitcher didn’t base on the progress of medicine, although we usually think it was. The study found that the change based on the interest of groups which involved in the network. Some groups supported decreasing the loading of pitcher, some opposed. All they concerned about were their own interest. This research analyzed the process by Actor-Networking Theory (ANT) and found a key-factor which determined the pitcher policy. The factor was Sabermetrics, which means people who believe baseball statistics can express more “reality” in baseball game. They also believe statistics can tell more than just watching game in court. The Sabermetrics finally combined their interest with groups which supported decreasing the pitcher loading, and caused the pitcher policy tend to decrease the pitcher loading at present.

The narrative itself is an ageless one, a fundamental Shakespearean tragedy in its progression. A young man is deemed invaluable and exalted by the public. The hero is cast into the spotlight and bestowed with insurmountable expectations. But the acclamations and pressures are burdensome and the invented savior fails to fulfill the prospects once imagined by the public. He is cast aside, disregarded as a symbol of failure or one deserving of pity. It’s the quintessential tragedy of a fallen hero. The protagonist of this report is Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who enjoyed a phenomenal rookie season before it ended abruptly due to a severe elbow injury. But from a broader perspective, this report considers the current state of baseball in American society. The immense anticipation of Strasburg’s debut in early June of 2010 was unprecedented and his success sparked the public’s interest. But the 21-year-old failed to seize our adoration and his injury left many disappointed and disengaged. During a time when the casual baseball fan was disinterested and even the devoted felt disenchanted, Strasburg provided a brief reprieve from the controversies and allegations. Americans could connect with their beleaguered National Pastime once more. Although Strasburg is the driving force, his role as “savior” could have been bestowed upon anyone. Nothing about his personality or looks or charisma garnered him such high esteem, but just his uncanny ability to throw a baseball. On the surface he is just a young prodigy in a long line of highly touted successes and failures – and he certainly won’t be the last. In essence, the star alone does not compose the story, but rather it’s the ideology surrounding him. Lastly, Strasburg’s narrative is still unfinished. As in any tragic tale comes the hope of redemption. This unknown conclusion is fitting for a baseball narrative where every year begins afresh and endless possibilities emerge. As essayist Alexander Pope once noted, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” The same is true in baseball. / text

1. Exyra ridingsii is a host specific moth that spends its entire immature life cycle in the fire dependent Sarracenia flava pitcher plant. Sarracenia flava requires acidic, moist soil that undergoes frequent burns. 2. Habitat selection and the effects of fire as well as other habitat characteristics were examined for E. ridingsii during this study. 3. For this study, five sites in the Croatan National Forest were surveyed four times each year for two years. Only one site had no disturbances since 2009; the remaining four sites were evenly split with two having had burns occur in them and two having burns occur nearby in 2012. At each site seven to twenty quadrats were selected randomly for sampling. 4. In each quadrat, trumpets were counted and measured for height. Also recorded was whether the trumpets were healthy or affected by herbivory, and the fraction affected was calculated (herbivory per clump). 5. Highest median herbivory per clump values were found at the burned sites. Millis 2 had 100% herbivory for the late summer 2013 sampling date, and Millis 1 had a herbivory per clump value of 0.86; 86% of clumps at this site exhibited herbivory. All other values were above 50% with the exception of Catfish Lake Road which was 0.32. Herbivory per clump was not found to be statistically correlated to site and therefore burn status. 6. Burn status, soil saturation, and woody understory growth all seem to play a role in the habitat selection of E. ridingsii but there is much research still to be done.

Les méthodes d'éléments finis de type Galerkine discontinu (DG FEM) ont démontré précision et efficacité pour résoudre des problèmes d'ondes dans des milieux complexes. Cependant, elles nécessitent un très grand nombre de degrés de liberté, ce qui augmente leur coût de calcul en comparaison du coût des méthodes d'éléments finis continus.Parmi les différentes approches variationnelles pour résoudre les problèmes aux limites, se distingue une famille particulière, basée sur l'utilisation de fonctions tests qui sont des solutions locales exactes des équations à résoudre. L'idée vient de E.Trefftz en 1926 et a depuis été largement développée et généralisée. Les méthodes variationnelles de type Trefftz-DG appliquées aux problèmes d'ondes se réduisent à des intégrales de surface, ce qui devrait contribuer à réduire les coûts de calcul.Les approches de type Trefftz ont été largement développées pour les problèmes harmoniques, mais leur utilisation pour des simulations en domaine transitoire est encore limitée. Quand elles sont appliquées dans le domaine temporel, les méthodes de Trefftz utilisent des maillages qui recouvrent le domaine espace-temps. C'est une des paraticularités de ces méthodes. En effet, les méthodes DG standards conduisent à la construction d'un système semi-discret d'équations différentielles ordinaires en temps qu'on intègre avec un schéma en temps explicite. Mais les méthodes de Trefftz-DG appliquées aux problèmes d'ondes conduisent à résoudre une matrice globale, contenant la discrétisation en espace et en temps, qui est de grande taille et creuse. Cette particularité gêne considérablement le déploiement de cette technologie pour résoudre des problèmes industriels.Dans ce travail, nous développons un environnement Tre#tz-DG pour résoudre des problèmes d'ondes mécaniques, y compris les équations couplées de l'élasto-acoustique. Nous prouvons que les formulations obtenues sont bien posées et nous considérons la difficulté d'inverser la matrice globale en construisant un inverse approché obtenu à partir de la décomposition de la matrice globale en une matrice diagonale par blocs. Cette idée permet de réduire les coûts de calcul mais sa précision est limitée à de petits domaines de calcul. Etant données les limitations de la méthode, nous nous sommes intéressés au potentiel du "Tent Pitcher", en suivant les travaux récents de Gopalakrishnan et al. Il s'agit de construire un maillage espace-temps composé de macro-éléments qui peuvent être traités indépendamment en faisant une hypothèse de causalité. Nous avons obtenu des résultats préliminaires très encourageants qui illustrent bien l'intérêt du Tent Pitcher, en particulier quand il est couplé à une méthode de Trefftz-DG formulée à partir d'intégrales de surface seulement. Dans ce cas, le maillage espace-temps est composé d'éléments qui sont au plus de dimension 3. Il est aussi important de noter que ce cadre se prête à l'utilisation de pas de temps locaux ce qui est un plus pour gagner en précision avec des coûts de calcul réduits. / Discontinuous Finite Element Methods (DG FEM) have proven flexibility and accuracy for solving wave problems in complex media. However, they require a large number of degrees of freedom, which increases the corresponding computational cost compared with that of continuous finite element methods. Among the different variational approaches to solve boundary value problems, there exists a particular family of methods, based on the use of trial functions in the form of exact local solutions of the governing equations. The idea was first proposed by Trefftz in 1926, and since then it has been further developed and generalized. A Trefftz-DG variational formulation applied to wave problems reduces to surface integrals that should contribute to decreasing the computational costs.Trefftz-type approaches have been widely used for time-harmonic problems, while their implementation for time-dependent simulations is still limited. The feature of Trefftz-DG methods applied to time-dependent problems is in the use of space-time meshes. Indeed, standard DG methods lead to the construction of a semi-discrete system of ordinary differential equations in time which are integrated by using an appropriate scheme. But Trefftz-DG methods applied to wave problems lead to a global matrix including time and space discretizations which is huge and sparse. This significantly hampers the deployment of this technology for solving industrial problems.In this work, we develop a Trefftz-DG framework for solving mechanical wave problems including elasto-acoustic equations. We prove that the corresponding formulations are well-posed and we address the issue of solving the global matrix by constructing an approximate inverse obtained from the decomposition of the global matrix into a block-diagonal one. The inversion is then justified under a CFL-type condition. This idea allows for reducing the computational costs but its accuracy is limited to small computational domains. According to the limitations of the method, we have investigated the potential of Tent Pitcher algorithms following the recent works of Gopalakrishnan et al. It consists in constructing a space-time mesh made of patches that can be solved independently under a causality constraint. We have obtained very promising numerical results illustrating the potential of Tent Pitcher in particular when coupled with a Trefftz-DG method involving only surface terms. In this way, the space-time mesh is composed of elements which are 3D objects at most. It is also worth noting that this framework naturally allows for local time-stepping which is a plus to increase the accuracy while decreasing the computational burden.