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Analysis of dielectric straight bending waveguides has been a difficult problem in the past. Traditionally the task for computing bending of optical waveguides is carried out by the beam propagation method (BPM). However, due its assumptions on one-way propagation and paraxial approximation, BPM is unable to consider the reflection of dielectric straight-bent waveguides when the bending angles are large. In a straight-bent waveguide, two coordinate systems are needed to fully describe the ongoing complex scattering process in the transition region of the waveguide. It is extremely hard to analyze such an unbounded problems with two incompatible coordinate systems even for those general-purpose methods like the finite-difference, finite-element. In this thesis, we use the analytic continuity method (ACM) to deal with the boundary conditions that both the tangential electromagnetic field components must be continuous across the bending line. This method can handle the mismatch of two coordinate systems and decrease the amount of calculation and error for small bending angles. From the two coupled integral equation we can derive matrix equation via Galerkin least squared error method. The main part of this thesis contains the derivation of the approximate formula of the transmission and reflection matrices (scattering matrices) for a micro-bent waveguide. We show numerical results of various two-corner bends using cascading of these scattering matrices.

The leakage flow through straight through labyrinth seals with tooth on stator was investigated by performing CFD simulations .ANSYS Fluent is used to simulate the fluid flow through straight through Labyrinth seals. The effect of seal geometry on discharge coefficient, carry over coefficient and expansion factor is studied by varying clearance, pitch, tooth height, tooth width ,Reynolds number and rotor speed. Derived quantities Such as carry over coefficient, coefficient of discharge and expansion factor are analyzed as a function of the tooth with preceding cavity to predict the effectiveness of the seal. To understand the effect of varying seal geometries and swirl, 2D CFD simulations were performed. It was found that the clearance to pitch ratio is a strong geometry factor which affect the performance of the seal. The carryover coefficient which describes the portion of kinetic energy carried over from one cavity to the next is also examined. It was found to be a function of Reynolds number and shaft speed. Discharge coefficient describes the losses which occur when fluid flows through the cavity and under the tooth. Just like the carryover coefficient, it is also discovered that it is a strong function of Reynolds number and shaft speed.

This thesis explores the potential of queer embodiment through the experiences of transgendered people. After discussing the importance of researching the body, often left out of academic enquiry, I engage with theoretical frames that radically reconfigure concepts of subjectivity providing the means to reveal the innovative forms of embodiment that participants embrace. Within these frameworks the mind/body division is disrupted and reconfigured to demonstrate that these are not separate entities rather the mind exists in the body as does the body in the mind. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari's version of the becoming body, I locate the body as a vibrant multiplicity of particles capable of infinite connections as opposed to a separated and contained entity. Through approaching embodiment as a never ending process of becoming I look to the way in which spatial settings such as the family have a major influence on the way in which bodies are formulated. In these spaces, I contend, bodies are directed and regulated to conform to dominant understandings of being. Such directing I argue creates 'straight' bodies/space restricting the presence of queer bodies and the disruption they embody. Extending this spatial investigation I look to the way in which open spaces are straight spaces and how the dynamics of such spaces create the queer body as hyper-visible. Exploring queer as a spatial term I suggest that the queer body exists at an angle to the normative straight line creating new and challenging ways of living. A major theme that runs throughout this thesis is the intercorporeal nature of bodies. In developing this concept I demonstrate the generosity of queer bodies and their radical disruption of the distinction between maleness and femaleness. In doing so I explore how bodies are spatially sexed according to the myth of two-sexes, disrupting such a limited view I demonstrate how queer bodies have the potential to move beyond the boundaries of recognizable identity/bodily categorizes and anatomical understandings and embrace a space of intermezzo/ in-betweeness.

Annular seals are devices, which are used in turboMachinery systems to reduce the flow leakage, and to provide better dynamic stability to the system. Leakage flow can strongly affect cooling quality, heating balance, and efficiency of a turboMachinery system. Due to the fact that annular seals can significantly reduce the flow leakage, and provide the most cost-effective way of enhancing the aerodynamic efficiency, understanding of the flow characteristics through the annular seal configurations is an important subject. Seals are classified in two main groups, which are contacting, and non-contacting seals. Straight annular and convergent seal configurations are characterized as non-contacting seals, and they are widely used in rotating turbocMachinery systems. The flow kinetic energy obtained from the flow pressure is dissipated by the effects of shear stresses along the free shear layers. In addition, viscosity of the flow has an impact on the dissipation rate of the flow kinetic energy. In this research, the leakage characteristics of the straight annular, and convergent seal configurations under specified working conditions are compared to each other. This study aims to investigate which seal configuration exhibits better leakage characteristics with respect to the different seal clearances, shaft speeds, surface roughness heights, and pressure ratios. Commercial code ANSYS Fluent is used to perform the flow simulations for the straight annular and convergent seal configurations. Effects of the seal clearances, shaft speeds, pressure ratios, and surface roughness heights on the leakage rate are analyzed. It was observed that the seal clearance has a significant impact on the flow leakage, and clearance control is an important subject in seal technology. Additionally, dynamic system is compared to the static system, and results showed that shaft speed less than 15,000 rpm has not considerable impacts on the leakage.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Psychology / Donald A. Saucier / Individuals who associate with a stigmatized group may take on a “courtesy stigma”, and this may lead individuals to dissociate from stigmatized individuals for fear of also being stigmatized (Goffman, 1963). However many heterosexual individuals (i.e., straight allies) openly associate with lesbians and gay men (LG), and/or actively engage in LG social activism despite the risk of assuming a courtesy stigma. The current research examined the perceptions of and the identification processes associated with being straight allies. Results revealed that the willingness to take on a courtesy stigma may be influential in the process of straight ally identification. This research has implications for understanding the processes related to straight ally perceptions and identification. The current research will also promote general understanding of individuals who engage in prosocial behaviors despite possible negative consequences.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to chronicle the genesis of cultivated choral tone in the United States from 1906 to 1928. That transformation was led by three conductors whose disparate careers represented a shared trajectory. Individually and collectively, they pioneered two singing genres with European provenance--a cappella and senza vibrato singing--as early techniques to isolate and refine choral tone. Their work converged in 1928, when it expanded to become the American A Cappella Movement (1928-1938). The earliest of the three conductors was Peter C. Lutkin (1858-1931). After study in Europe, he became dean of the School of Music at Northwestern University. Through his publications and university a cappella choir, founded in 1906, he placed greater responsibility on singers, and employed diction and breath control to improve intonation and tonal purity. German-educated Norwegian-American F. Melius Christiansen (1871-1955) was guided by his experience as a violinist and influenced by the choir of St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, Germany. In 1907, he began to gradually transform the choir of St. John's Lutheran Church choir in Northfield, Minnesota. By 1920, his St. Olaf Lutheran Choir toured nationwide and eventually epitomized a choral prototype through his publications, compositions, ideology, and methods, both original and derivative. Self-reliant and confident, Christiansen championed Russian choral literature, symphonic form for programming, and self-referential choral singing. His "inner choir" technique, "instrumental" tuning for choirs, and "conductorless" onset of tone were widely imitated. Spiritual beliefs undergirded his work. Originally inspired by Christiansen, Ohioan John Finley Williamson (1887-1964), a trained singer, cultivated choral tone by recontextualizing solo vocal Lamperti technique into choral methods. In 1920, he modeled his ensemble's results via national tours with his Dayton Westminster Choir. By 1926, he co-founded a choir school in a Dayton church where he implemented his theory of the choral rehearsal as a class voice lesson. His unorthodox tenets included his belief that vowels were controlled by volume and phrase conducting, that vowel color was dictated by overtones, and that a conflict existed between time beating and "rhythmic magic" (or "pace").

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Try to represent a line through the data of an experiment, so that it can draw inferences,enables the experience develop important hypothesis about a phenomenon. This work aims to present the method of least squares as a way to find the line that best fits a set of points. For development of this research, it was decided to do a whole literature, allowing to make theoretical survey about some concepts and differential calculus demonstrations, analytical geometry on the straight and linear algebra, as yet, define the method of least squares and apply LSQ solution to resolve an impossible system in the usual sense. Also explored in this study using Excel software as a teaching support tool and its use in the classroom. We finish with a hint of an interdisciplinary lecture on the subject, which in turn, is in an accessible and clear language to the teacher. This class has been developed for teaching steps, in which the latter is performed using Excel software as an auxiliary tool. For a deeper attachment content, we enumerated the end of class several practical exercises. / Representar atravÃs de uma reta os dados de um experimento de modo que possa fazer inferÃncias, possibilita,ao experimentar, elaborar hipÃteses importantes sobre um determinado fenÃmeno. Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar o mÃtodo dos MÃnimos Quadrados como caminho para encontrar a reta que mais se ajusta a um conjunto de dados. Para o desenvolvimento desta investigaÃÃo, optou-se por fazer uma pesquisa inteiramente bibliogrÃfica, permitindo realizar um levantamento teÃrico acerca de alguns conceitos e demonstraÃÃes de CÃlculo Diferencial, Geometria AnalÃtica na Reta e Ãlgebra Linear, como ainda, definir o mÃtodo dos mÃnimos quadrados e aplicar a soluÃÃo LSQ na resoluÃÃo de um sistema impossÃvel no sentido usual. TambÃm se explorou neste estudo o uso Software Excel como ferramenta de apoio didÃtico e sua aplicabilidade em sala de aula. Finaliza-se com sugestÃo de aula interdisciplinar sobre o tema, que por sua vez, està em uma linguagem acessÃvel e clara ao professor. Essa aula foi desenvolvida em etapas didÃticas, na qual a Ãltima, utiliza-se o Software Excel como ferramenta auxiliar. Na perspectiva de uma fixaÃÃo mais profunda do conteÃdo, enumeramos ao final da aula,vÃrios exercÃcios de aplicaÃÃo.

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