Currently, electrical generation from solid carbon (biomass, coal) is conducted at low efficiency (~35 %) compared to other power sources. The Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) is a technology capable of electro-oxidising elemental carbon for the production of electricity at a projected 80 % efficiency. This improvement has significant benefits for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research status of the DCFC technology is in early stages, with no practical continuous or stacked designs having been established. The sole concept for a continuous anode has been based on particulate carbons, these designs suffer from poor carbon polarisation and a lack of fuel versatility. This work focusses on the development of a continuous, monolithic anode for a direct carbon fuel cell. A monolithic anode has the benefit of acting both as fuel and current collector. This concept achieves improved fuel polarisation and also avoids the pumping of hot molten carbonate mixtures, and the corrosion issues associated with a separate metallic anode. In this regard, a parallel was drawn with the aluminium production industry in the Söderberg electrode. This technology allows for the continuous pyrolysis and extrusion of carbonaceous mixtures into solid carbon anodes. This project simulated the process of Söderberg electrodes through isostatic compression of pine sawdust in a novel, bespoke heated press, designed and built in-house. This apparatus also allowed for the live monitoring of resistance during heating. The formation factors of pyrolysis temperature, applied load and particle size were studied. The anodes formed in these processes were subjected to various characterisation methods and a practicality assessment made. The electrochemical properties of each anode were also assessed in a novel, bespoke DCFC apparatus, again designed and built in-house. It was found that the anodes formed were of a suitable BET surface area (300 – 450 m2 g-1), possessed high microporosity and were of a tensile strength comparable to industrial Söderberg electrodes. Electrochemical tests found the anodes to produce OCV values near the theoretical value for carbon electro-oxidation (1.01 V). A maximal power of 7.87 mW cm-2, at 0.58 V was achieved using an anode formed at 620°C, 12.3 N applied load and with a mixed particle size.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Measurements and a variety of analyses of dental casts are essential for precise diagnosis of an orthodontic case. Study models have long been an essential part of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Currently virtual computerized models are available to clinicians, supplemented by dedicated software for performing needed measurements (Zilberman et al, 2003). Digital impression methods are now available and intraoral digital scanning techniques make it possible to generate study models directly from the scanning of the dentition. The aim of this study was to compare measurements taken after scanning the dental impressions to the measurements obtained from using direct intraoral scanning of the dentition. Alginate impressions of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions were taken on 20 patients and these impressions were scanned using a 3 Shape R 700 TM scanner. Direct intraoral scans of both dentitions were then performed for the same patient. Ortho analyzer TM software was used to measure the mesiodistal widths of individual teeth, and the intercanine and intermolar on digital models of the scanned impressions and digital models obtained from direct intraoral scans of the maxillary and the mandibular dentitions. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between mesiodistal widths, and intercanine and intermolar distances between the two techniques (p > 0.05). Because of the high level of accuracy of the virtual measurements compared to those of the scanned impressions, it can be concluded that direct intraoral scanning of the dentition can be used with confidence in the clinical situation to measure tooth sizes and inter-arch distances for orthodontic purposes. Orthodontists commonly use models for various areas in the practice, clinical research and medico-legal documentation (Marcel, 2001)

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Diplomová práce je postavena na třech hlavních kapitolách, z nich první dvě se staly východiskem pro vytvoření třetí kapitoly a to projektu. První část práce je zaměřena na teoretické poznatky, které jsou spojené s tématem diplomové práce. Druhá část práce je věnována analýze jednotlivých faktorů, jež ovlivňují rozhodování zahraničních investorů při vstupu do České republiky. Analýza je zaměřena na faktor lidských zdrojů, infrastruktury, surovin a připravenosti území, státní regulace, finančních a výrobních trhů. Východiskem této analýzy je SWOT analýza, stanovení silných a slabých stránek a také příležitostí a hrozeb, týkajících se České republiky. V této části práce je zhodnocena i práce agentury CzechInvest a systém investičních pobídek. Analytická část se stala východiskem pro třetí část práce, kde je navržena soustava opatření vedoucí ke zvýšení atraktivity České republiky pro vstup zahraničních investorů. Projektová část práce vychází jak z teoretických tak i z analytických poznatků, které vedly ke stanovení navržených opatření.

This part of the thesis is confidential.

On s'intéresse à la localisation des sources normales et pathologiques de l'activité cérébrale électrique chez le nouveau-né et l'enfant prématuré à partir de mesures en Electro-Encéphalo-Graphie (EEG). La spécificité chez le nouveau-né est la présence, dans la couche du crâne, des fontanelles qui ont des propriétés électriques différentes de celles de l'os. Du point de vue mathématique, le problème direct en EEG consiste à calculer le potentiel électrique sur le scalp connaissant la géométrie de la tête, les conductivités de différents tissus de la tête et les caractéristiques des sources de courant localisées à l'intérieur du cerveau. Le problème inverse de sources en EEG vise à identifier les caractéristiques des sources de courant à partir de mesures du potentiel électrique enregistrées sur le scalp. Nous proposons dans cette thèse un modèle mathématique du problème direct chez le nouveau-né capable de prendre en compte la présence et l'ossification des fontanelles. L'analyse théorique et numérique des problèmes direct et inverse sont traitées et une discussion sur l'impact des fontanelles est effectuée. En outre, une étude de la sensibilité des mesures du potentiel par rapport à la variation de la conductivité est réalisée / We investigate the localization of the normal and pathological sources of electric cerebral activity in neonates from measures in Electro-Encephalo-Graphy (EEG). The specificity for neonates is the presence of fontanels in the skull. Mathematically, the forward EEG problem consists in computing the electric potential on scalp for given electrical source located in the brain and different head tissues’ conductivities. The inverse EEG source problem is identifying the characteristics of sources of current from the knowledge of the measured potentials on scalp by EEG. We propose in this thesis a mathematical model for the forward EEG problem in neonates able to take into account the presence and ossification process of fontanels. We perform the theoretical and numerical questions for the forward and inverse problems and discuss the impact of fontanels. We perform a sensitivity analysis of the model with respect to variations of the conductivity

This dissertation demonstrates that the presence of the initiative process alters voting behavior in the selection of candidates. By allowing constituents to bypass their elected officials to directly select policy, the availability of the initiative leads to substitution between voters' concern over substantive versus symbolic representation. In states with heavy use of the initiative, votes for candidates depend less on the policy positions of the candidates but more on personal characteristics like integrity, attractiveness and descriptive representation. Predictions are derived from a formalization of the theory and are empirically tested using diverse types of data. I demonstrate diminished concern over policy positions through survey data. As use of the initiative increases, a multi-level model demonstrates that votes in that state are less dependent upon the similarity between respondent and candidate policy positions. Increased concern over the integrity of candidates demonstrated through decreased conviction rates for political corruption by the Department of Justice, and increased concern for descriptive representation is demonstrated by a greater balance in the gender of legislators in initiative states. Finally, I find that the personal attractiveness of legislators has a greater effect on votes in initiative states. This theory of substitution depends upon direct democracy leading to more representative policy which is a highly contested claim. This dissertation supports the substitution claim by demonstrating that the initiative does improve representation. I demonstrate how representation should be measured conceptually and statistically, replicate previous models, and then test the theory on an extensive new dataset.

Hybrid rockets motors provide distinct safety advantages when compared to traditional liquid or solid propellant systems, due to the inherent stability and relative inertness of the propellants prior to established combustion. As a result of this inherent propellant stability, hybrid motors have historically proven dicult to ignite. State of the art hybrid igniter designs continue to require solid or liquid reactants distinct from the main propellants. These ignition methods however, reintroduce to the hybrid propulsion system the safety and complexity disadvantages associated with traditional liquid or solid propellants. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of a novel direct electrostatic arc ignition method for hybrid motors. A series of small prototype stand-alone thrusters demonstrating this technology were successfully designed and tested using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic and Gaseous Oxygen (GOX) as propellants. Measurements of input voltage and current demonstrated that arc-ignition will occur using as little as 10 watts peak power and less than 5 joules total energy. The motor developed for the stand-alone small thruster was adapted as a gas generator to ignite a medium-scale hybrid rocket motor using nitrous oxide /and HTPB as propellants. Multiple consecutive ignitions were performed. A large data set as well as a collection of development 'lessons learned' were compiled to guide future development and research. Since the completion of this original groundwork research, the concept has been developed into a reliable, operational igniter system for a 75mm hybrid motor using both gaseous oxygen and liquid nitrous oxide as oxidizers. A development map of the direct spark ignition concept is presented showing the ow of key lessons learned between this original work and later follow on development.

This research study investigated the effectiveness of a direct instruction program (Treatment 2) for increasing compliance with teachers' instructions in students for whom manipulation of conventional antecedent stimuli and consequences {Treatment 1) had not resulted in adequate compliance. Five students participated in this study. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Introduction of Treatment 2 was followed by an increase in compliance by all five participants. The relationship between compliance and other appropriate classroom behaviors, as well as the relationship between compliance and qualitatively good and qualitatively poor instructions, was also investigated. Those relationships were found to exist, but they were not as strong as had been reported in earlier studies. Generalization of participants' compliance with qualitatively good instructions across school staff occurred. With the exception of one participant, increases in compliance with qualitatively good instructions were maintained for up to eight weeks. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research are presented.

Previous research has shown that various forms of self-evaluation improve teachers' instructional skills. Common among all studies reviewed is the importance of explicit pedagogy linked to improved student outcomes and clear instruction on how to self-assess. Both of these appear critical to sustained change in teachers' behaviors. In this study new teachers were provided initial didactic instruction to improve their presentation skills, praise rate, and error corrections. In addition, the effects of self-evaluation of targeted skills were assessed with one teacher. All three teachers mastered the targeted skills. Two teachers mastered the skills immediately following didactic instruction and practice in a coach's classroom, while one participant mastered the skills following self-evaluation, goal setting, and video. The results are examined relative to the available research. In addition, variables that might have contributed to the loss of experimental control are discussed.