Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Ching-Sang Chiu, Curtis A. Collins. Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-44). Also available online.

In search of evidence for or against the endothermic dinosaur hypothesis, a recent study by Ruben et al. (1996) revealed that endotherms tend to have larger nasal cross-sectional areas than ectotherms of the same mass. The reason offered for this observation was that larger nasal passages are needed to house the complex respiratory turbinates possessed by endotherms. Whales were excluded from the study on the grounds that they have no nasal turbinates. In the present study, the cross-sectional area of the nasal passages of nine species of Odontoceti were measured by the use of latex casts. The regression of log cross-sectional area vs. log mass yielded the same line for the whales of the current study as for the endotherms of the previous study. Alternative explanations for the large nasal cross-sectional area of endotherms are sought.

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited / This study sought to experimentally quantify the sonar performance of omni-directional receivers as a means to passively detect vocalizing Odontocetes. To accomplish this objective, controlled experiments using a calibrated mid-frequency sound source were conducted on the San Clemente Island Underwater Range (SCIUR) in July 2002. Six Odontocete signals were selected for transmission: 2 orca and 2 pilot whale whistles, and sperm whale and Risso's dolphin clicks. Several hundred iterations of each signal were broadcast at stations 300 m to 12,000 m from the range's moored, three-element array. Statistical analyses were performed on the output of an energy and matched filter detector to quantify detection probability (P(D)) and range limits as a function of false alarm rate (P(FA)), signal type, and signal to noise ratio (SNR). The matched filter was generally the superior performer, detecting the orca2 and pilot1 whistles beyond 5000 m with a 90% P(D), 1% P(FA), and source level (SL) of 140 dB re 1 æPa. For the same conditions, the orca1 and sperm whale calls were detected at 1500 m, but the pilot2 and Risso's dolphin signals were not detected at the peak realized SNR of (-2) dB. The energy detector had no detections with a 90% P(D) and 1% P(FA) at this (-2) dB SNR, but all signals except one orca whistle were detectable beyond 1000 m with a 50% P(D) and 1% P(FA). The sperm whale was the exceptional energy detector performer, with detection ranges exceeding 7 km (140 dB re 1 æPa SL) at the 50% P(D) and 1% P(FA) / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

This study successfully utilised the non-invasive neuroimaging techniques of Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to establish that dolphins have high relative brain size values, transcending the primate range for neocortex volume and neocortex ratio. Bottlenose dolphins superseded human values of the neocortex ratio and common dolphins marked the upper limit of the range for the dolphin species under investigation. In addition this study was the first to find a correlation between sociality and neocortex ratio in dolphins (R.I.M. Dunbar, pers.comm), which supports the hypothesis of neocortical development in relation to sociality/group size (Sawaguchi & Kudo 1990; Dunbar 1992) and social/Machiavellian intelligence (Byrne & Whiten 1988; Byrne 1995). The study devised new measures of relative brain size, including the grey-white matter and higher cortical ratios and these require further research before verification of their efficacy. Equations were calculated to allow estimation of: (1) MRI values of total brain volumes from CT values, (2) total brain volume from cranial volume using CT, (3) cerebral cortex volume from cranial or total brain volume (CT) and (4) cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex volume from total brain volume (MRI). The effects of freezing and defrosting on volume and density of CT and MRI values were investigated. Additionally, the relationship between relative brain size (EQ) and sociality was investigated for other dolphin research, using previously published figures, but no significant correlations were found. Finally, dolphin values were compared to primate values for neocortex volume and neocortex ratio with the finding that the only primate within the dolphin range of neocortex was the human, positioned higher than the solitary humpback dolphin, but below all of the other, more socially complex, dolphin species. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

O propósito principal deste trabalho é investigar experimentalmente os efeitos aerodinâmicos de um gerador de vórtice tipo serrilhado colocado no bordo de fuga do elemento principal para aumentar a turbulência na camada limite da superfície superior do flape. Esse gerador de vórtice serrilhado consiste em triângulos no bordo de fuga do elemento principal da asa utilizado para promover uma mistura entre o escoamento de alta pressão da superfície inferior, com o escoamento na superfície superior. Essa mistura pode reduzir a separação no bordo de fuga da asa e também injetar vorticidade na camada limite do flape, atrasando a ocorrência da separação. Conseqüentemente, um aumento da sustentação pode ser produzido para um menor arrasto de pressão. Foram feitas extensivas análises experimentais no túnel de vento com diversas configurações para o ângulo de ataque no modelo e foram usadas duas configurações geométricas para o gerador de vórtice serrilhado. Medidas de forças e tomadas de pressão foram feitas para uma asa bidimensional com um único flape. Foi utilizada também anemometria a fio quente para um mapeamento da camada limite confluente. Uma visualização do escoamento usando a técnica de sublimação foi realizada na asa-flape. Os resultados mostram que os vórtices criados e injetados na camada limite do flape atrasam a separação consideravelmente e que esses efeitos são dependentes da geometria do gerador serrilhado. / The main purpose of this work was the experimental investigation of the effect of a saw-tooth trailing edge of a wing main element on the aerodynamics characteristics of a single flap. The saw-tooth trailing edge consists of triangles on the trailing edge of the main element of the wing in order to promote mixing between the higher-pressure flow from the lower surface with the flow on the upper surface. This mixing may reduce wing trailing edge separation and also inject vorticity into flap boundary layer, thus delaying separation. Therefore, more lift may be produced for less pressure drag. Extensive wind tunnel experiments were made for a series of saw-tooth trailing edge geometries. Forces and chordwise pressure measurements were performed for a two-dimensional wing with a single flap, as well as hot wire anemometry mapping of the confluent boundary layer. Flow visualization in the wing-flap gap was performed using a sublimation technique. Results show that the vorticity injected into the flap boundary layer by the saw-tooth trailing edge can delay flap separation substantially and that the effect is dependent on saw-tooth geometry.

Greater knowledge of the rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis, is needed to effectively contribute to conservation and management efforts for this species. The primary purpose of this research was to describe ecological and biological parameters for S. bredanensis that will be useful in future assessments of population stress. Several approaches were used to study S. bredanensis, including investigations of free-ranging populations, dead specimens, and captive individuals. Free-ranging rough-toothed dolphins distributed near small oceanic island environments were found to be more commonly sighted in-shore than off-shore. In the Windward islands of French Polynesia, this species preferred water depths of 1000 to 2000m and a distance of 1.8 to 5.5 km from the barrier reef. Group sizes ofrough-toothed dolphins sighted in French Polynesia range between 1 and 35 individuals with a mean size of 12.1. Endocrinology data for S. bredanensis was established in captive healthy and stranded individuals. Ranges and means were provided for progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid hormones. Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations were reflective of health status and testosterone appeared to be suppressed in ill individuals. Reproduction in S. bredanensis was investigated by determining the size and age range that this species attains sexual and physical maturity. Female rough-toothed dolphins attain sexual maturity by 9 to 10 years of age and males between 5 and 10 years at a similar length of approximately 216 cm. Physical maturity is generally reached at an older age and larger size for both males and females. Ecologically healthy and unheahhy populations of S. bredanensis were described in this investigation and these fmding will be useful in assessing future threats to this species.

Greater knowledge of the rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis, is needed to effectively contribute to conservation and management efforts for this species. The primary purpose of this research was to describe ecological and biological parameters for S. bredanensis that will be useful in future assessments of population stress. Several approaches were used to study S. bredanensis, including investigations of free-ranging populations, dead specimens, and captive individuals. Free-ranging rough-toothed dolphins distributed near small oceanic island environments were found to be more commonly sighted in-shore than off-shore. In the Windward islands of French Polynesia, this species preferred water depths of 1000 to 2000m and a distance of 1.8 to 5.5 km from the barrier reef. Group sizes ofrough-toothed dolphins sighted in French Polynesia range between 1 and 35 individuals with a mean size of 12.1. Endocrinology data for S. bredanensis was established in captive healthy and stranded individuals. Ranges and means were provided for progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid hormones. Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations were reflective of health status and testosterone appeared to be suppressed in ill individuals. Reproduction in S. bredanensis was investigated by determining the size and age range that this species attains sexual and physical maturity. Female rough-toothed dolphins attain sexual maturity by 9 to 10 years of age and males between 5 and 10 years at a similar length of approximately 216 cm. Physical maturity is generally reached at an older age and larger size for both males and females. Ecologically healthy and unheahhy populations of S. bredanensis were described in this investigation and these fmding will be useful in assessing future threats to this species.

O propósito principal deste trabalho é investigar experimentalmente os efeitos aerodinâmicos de um gerador de vórtice tipo serrilhado colocado no bordo de fuga do elemento principal para aumentar a turbulência na camada limite da superfície superior do flape. Esse gerador de vórtice serrilhado consiste em triângulos no bordo de fuga do elemento principal da asa utilizado para promover uma mistura entre o escoamento de alta pressão da superfície inferior, com o escoamento na superfície superior. Essa mistura pode reduzir a separação no bordo de fuga da asa e também injetar vorticidade na camada limite do flape, atrasando a ocorrência da separação. Conseqüentemente, um aumento da sustentação pode ser produzido para um menor arrasto de pressão. Foram feitas extensivas análises experimentais no túnel de vento com diversas configurações para o ângulo de ataque no modelo e foram usadas duas configurações geométricas para o gerador de vórtice serrilhado. Medidas de forças e tomadas de pressão foram feitas para uma asa bidimensional com um único flape. Foi utilizada também anemometria a fio quente para um mapeamento da camada limite confluente. Uma visualização do escoamento usando a técnica de sublimação foi realizada na asa-flape. Os resultados mostram que os vórtices criados e injetados na camada limite do flape atrasam a separação consideravelmente e que esses efeitos são dependentes da geometria do gerador serrilhado. / The main purpose of this work was the experimental investigation of the effect of a saw-tooth trailing edge of a wing main element on the aerodynamics characteristics of a single flap. The saw-tooth trailing edge consists of triangles on the trailing edge of the main element of the wing in order to promote mixing between the higher-pressure flow from the lower surface with the flow on the upper surface. This mixing may reduce wing trailing edge separation and also inject vorticity into flap boundary layer, thus delaying separation. Therefore, more lift may be produced for less pressure drag. Extensive wind tunnel experiments were made for a series of saw-tooth trailing edge geometries. Forces and chordwise pressure measurements were performed for a two-dimensional wing with a single flap, as well as hot wire anemometry mapping of the confluent boundary layer. Flow visualization in the wing-flap gap was performed using a sublimation technique. Results show that the vorticity injected into the flap boundary layer by the saw-tooth trailing edge can delay flap separation substantially and that the effect is dependent on saw-tooth geometry.

Increasingly higher and higher conveyor speeds are driven in industrial manufacturing. This goes along with a significant rise of the sound pressure level in the production lines. The main cause of this is the articulated and multi-articulated construction of standard plastic-slide-chains in conveyor systems. This condition could be significantly improved by the use of a nonarticulated attraction in the form of a transport toothed belt. In addition, the conveying speeds could be significantly increased. Modifications to the belt teeth provide fastening possibilities for plastic support plates. / Zunehmend werden immer höhere Fördergeschwindigkeiten in industriellen Anlagen gefahren. Dies geht einher mit einer signifikanten Erhöhung des Schalldruckpegels der Anlagen. Die Hauptursache dafür liegt im gliederartigen sowie mehrgelenkigen Aufbau von Standard-Kunststoffgleitketten in Förderanlagen. Dieser Zustand konnte durch die Verwendung eines gliederlosen Zugmittels in Form eines Transportzahnriemens deutlich verbessert sowie die Transportgeschwindigkeiten signifikant erhöht werden. Durch Modifikationen an den Riemen-zähnen werden Befestigungsmöglichkeiten für Kunststofftragplatten geschaffen.