<p>Recently, in materials innovations, computational methods are used more frequently than in past decades. In this thesis, the materials genome initiative, an advanced new framework, will be introduced. With this blueprint, our efficient high-throughput software, AFLOW, has been implemented with several compatible functions for ma- terials properties investigations, such as prototype searching, phase diagram studying and magnetic properties discovering. With this effective tool, we apply ab initio cal- culations to discover new generation of specific materials properties.</p><p>An efficient algorithm for prototypes comparision has been designed and imple- mented into our high-throughput framework AFLOW. In addition, prototypes clas- sification was utilized to differentiate the our materials database. This classification will accelerate the materials properties searching speed. With respect to structure prototypes, low temperature phase diagrams were used for binary and ternary alloy systems stability investigation. The alogrithms have been integrated into AFLOW. With this tool, we systematically explored the binary Ru systems and Tc systems and predicted new stable compounds.</p> / Dissertation

Appointment scheduling involves picking a strategy for sequencing patient appointments such that the wait time per patient is minimized and the idle time and overtime for the doctor are minimized. The goal of this project is to increase the number of scans per day at the echocardiogram clinic in the Hospital for Sick Children. The objectives were realized by performing simulations of the workflow of the echo clinic using simulation software. The simulation model did not precisely reflect the echo clinic, and the disparity was attributed to limitations in the simulation model. Nevertheless, the user accepted the model and six different policy change scenarios were explored. All six scenarios yielded significant increases in average scans per day per sonographer. Scenario IV, which eliminated the use of sonographer schedules, was recommended to be implemented due to ease of implementation and lack of negative effect on patient wait time and sonographer overtime.

While tissue-engineering approaches of heart valves have made great strides towards creating functional tissues in vitro, the instruments used, named bioreactors, cannot efficiently integrate multiple stimuli to accurately emulate the physiological microenvironment. To address this, we conceptually designed and built a bioreactor system that applied a range of mechanical tension conditions, modulated matrix stiffness, and introduced biochemical signals in a combinatorial and high-throughput manner. Proof-of-concept experiments on PAVIC-seeded hydrogels were performed to assess the independent and combined effects of tensile strain, matrix stiffness and TGF-β1 on myofibroblast differentiation by measuring α-SMA expression, a marker that indicates a disease-associated phenotype. We found that matrix stiffness and TGF-β1 significantly increased α-SMA levels (p < 0.001), while the effect of mechanical strain was only significant on soft gels (~12 kPa) without TGF-β1. This study therefore demonstrated independent and integrated effects of multiple stimuli in regulating key cellular events in the aortic valve.

Appointment scheduling involves picking a strategy for sequencing patient appointments such that the wait time per patient is minimized and the idle time and overtime for the doctor are minimized. The goal of this project is to increase the number of scans per day at the echocardiogram clinic in the Hospital for Sick Children. The objectives were realized by performing simulations of the workflow of the echo clinic using simulation software. The simulation model did not precisely reflect the echo clinic, and the disparity was attributed to limitations in the simulation model. Nevertheless, the user accepted the model and six different policy change scenarios were explored. All six scenarios yielded significant increases in average scans per day per sonographer. Scenario IV, which eliminated the use of sonographer schedules, was recommended to be implemented due to ease of implementation and lack of negative effect on patient wait time and sonographer overtime.

No description available.

A larger amount of funding and attention are going toward highway infrastructure of Ontario for rehabilitation, maintenance and construction projects. These rehabilitation and maintenance activities on highways involve lane closures, which reduce the traffic throughput and cause delays for the road users. The impact of these activities is very important and has led to research into improvements of work zones in Ontario. To prevent the significant cost that these construction delays have on the general public, contractors are required to keep highway lanes open during the peak traffic hours and work at night. However, working at night may reduce the quality of the work by increasing cold joints and construction joints in the pavement, and may increase the amount of time needed to complete the work. Therefore, finding a balance between the times that the lanes can be closed and the times they should be kept open requires an accurate prediction of the construction work zone throughputs, which can increase the efficiency of the contractor work, save money and reduce the user delay costs. Consequently, this study which has been funded by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) Highway Infrastructure Innovation Funding Program (HIIFP) involves measurement of highway construction work zones throughput of Southern Ontario, to determine the factors affecting the throughput. It has been carried out in partnership with researchers at the University of Toronto. For this study, a manual counting method for collecting throughput data has been employed. This involved data collection of variables such as heavy vehicles which had not been included in previous studies. This provides the visual confirmation of queuing and assists in evaluating the intensity of work activity at the work zones. New generic models for throughput have been developed in this research to better describe current state-of-the practice on Southern Ontario highways. Furthermore, a better functioning highway specific model was developed to calculate the throughput of the MTO Southern Ontario Highway network. In addition to development of these new models, this project involved further development and refinement to a spreadsheet based model SZUDA (Simplified work Zone User Delay Analysis) that uses normal hourly traffic flows to calculate the resulting queue for that entire hour and approximate user delay cost associated with road user delay. Overall, the thesis describes a methodology for collection of data in work zones. This involved collection of data during 2009 and 2010 Ontario construction season. Furthermore, the data were then used to develop more reliable generic and highway specific models for the MTO. These models can be used to determine when and how work zones should be established. Finally the refined SZUDA model and case studies demonstrate the impact of various work zone configurations on the traveling public.

University, Diss., 2007--Frankfurt (Main). / Zsfassung in engl. und dt. Sprache.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2007--Frankfurt (Main). / Zsfassung in dt. und engl. Sprache.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2004.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2004.