Magnetocaloric materials with first-order magnetic (FOM) phase transitions are of interest as low-cost working materials in magnetic cycles. Hysteresis is a property associated with first order transitions, and is undesirable as it can reduce performance. Devices using FOMs in active magnetic refrigeration have shown performance comparable to more expensive second-order materials, so some degree of hysteresis appears to be acceptable; however, the amount of hysteresis that may be tolerated is still an unanswered question. Among the FOM, the family of MnP-based is one of the promising materials for magnetic heat pump applications near room temperature. The present study describes the experimental investigation of a single-layer MnFeP1-xSix active magnetic regenerator (AMR), under different test conditions and following a protocol of heating and cooling processes. The results for the FOM are compared with a Gd AMR that is experimentally tested following the same protocol, with the objective to study the irreversibilities associated with FOM. The experimental tests are performed in a PM I test apparatus at a fixed displaced volume of 5.09 cm3 and a fixed operating frequency of 1 Hz. The results indicated a significant impact of the hysteresis on the heating and cooling temperature span for FOM regenerator. For certain operating conditions, multiple points of equilibrium (MPE) exist for a fixed hot rejection temperature. It is shown that the existence of MPEs can affect the performance of an AMR significantly for certain operating conditions. The present work advances our understanding since the combined hysteresis and MPE are two significant features which can impact layered AMR performance using MnFeP1-xAsx FOM by systematic experimental testing. With this objective, three multilayer MnFeP1-xAsx FOM regenerator beds are experimentally characterized under a range of applied loads and rejection temperatures. Thermal performance and the impacts of MPE are evaluated via heating and cooling experiments where the rejection (hot side) temperature is varied in a range from 283 K to 300 K. With fixed operating conditions, we find multiple points of equilibrium for steady-state spans as a function of warm rejection temperature. The results indicate a significant impact of MPE on the heating and cooling temperature span for multilayer MnFeP1-xAsx FOM regenerator. Unlike single material FOM tests where MPEs tend to disappear as load is increased (or span reduced), with the layered AMRs, MPEs can be significantly even with small temperature span conditions. A third experimental study examines the performance of MnFeP1-xAsx multilayer active magnetic regenerators. Five different matrices are tested: (i) one with three layers; (ii) one with six layers; and (iii) three, eight layer regenerators where the layer thickness is varied. The tests are performed using a dual regenerator bespoke test apparatus based on nested Halbach permanent magnets (PM II test apparatus). Operating variables include displaced volume (3.8 - 12.65 cm3), operating frequency (0.5 - 0.8 Hz) and hot-side rejection temperature (293-313 K).The results are mainly reported in terms of zero net load temperature span as a function of rejection temperature; a few tests with non-zero applied load are also presented. A maximum temperature span of 32 K is found for an 8-layer regenerator, which is similar to a previous work performed with gadolinium in the same experimental apparatus. A 1D active magnetic regenerator model accounting for thermal and magnetic hysteresis is developed and compared to experimental data for both a Gd-based and MnFeP1-xSix based AMR. Magnetic and thermal hysteresis are quantified using measured data for magnetization and specific heat under isothermal and isofield warming and cooling processes. Hysteresis effects are then incorporated in the model as irreversible work and reduced adiabatic temperature change. Model results are compared to measured temperature spans for regenerators operating with different thermal loads. Simulated results for temperature span as a function of cooling power and rejection temperature show good agreement with experimental data. The irreversible work due to hysteresis is found to have a small impact on predicted spans, indicating that useful cooling power is well predicted using cyclic measurements of adiabatic temperature change. / Graduate

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / This in vitro study compares the ability of two composite materials Filtek Supreme XTE™ (3M, ESPE) and CeramX™ Duo (Dentsply) against extracted tooth structure using the modern two layering concept. Fifty six extracted anterior maxillary central incisor teeth were selected which were caries free, had no surface defects and within the colour range A3, B3, C3 or D2. The teeth were randomly divided into four colour groups (A3, B3, C3 and D2), each containing 14 teeth. A class IV cavity was prepared on all the teeth and the two composite materials were used alternately with no bonding agent to restore the cavity. The colour of both composites was assessed immediately after restoration, 24 hours and after two weeks using the SpectroShade™ (MHT) spectrophotometer. The MHT SpectroShade™ version 3.3 software was used with the CIE L*a*b* colour system to evaluate the colour of the teeth and restorations. The Kruskal-Wallis One- Way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the medians of the two composite materials. The significance was set at z>3.1237. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was set at a significance of p<0.01 to evaluate colour change (_E*ab) in the restorations over three time intervals (immediate restoration, 24 hours and two weeks).

We present the results from a user study looking at the ability of observers to mentally integrate wind direction and magnitude over a vector field. The data set chosen for the study is an MM5 (PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model) simulation of Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches the southeastern United States. Nine observers participated in the study. This study investigates the effect of layering on the observer's ability to detrmine the magnitude and direction of a vector field. We found a tendency for observers to underestimate the magnitude of the vectors and a counter-clockwise bias when determining the average direction of a vector field. We completed an additional study with two observers to try to uncover the source of the counter-clockwise bias. These results have direct implications to atmospheric scientists, but may also be able to be applied to other fields that use 2D vector fields.

Urban planning and architectural study of a new section between the current and future railway station in Brno. The aim is to create a spatial concept of the urban environment as an alternative to the view, based on land-use plan. Plays an important role in building urban roller coaster as the main connecting element of the old and the new station. The solutions are used by the principles of making compact buildings. Optimal use of the area is provided by stacking functions. The concept is focused on the quality of housing is closely linked with the central character of public spaces. The main objective of this work is to extend the core of the city, supplementing the missing values of the old town (parking, green areas, transport structure) The basic concept of this work is to create a new district with high quality, but especially attractive housing. Unalterable feature of urban roller coaster, play a very important role in shaping the urban environment. The territory is held by the exposed area with quiet residential neighborhoods. The creation of pedestrian zones in the entire passage supports pedestrian and bicycle transportation in the city. Cars are restricted blind residential streets and reducing speed in residential zónach.Na other hand, ensured the flow of network communications reception. Svratky the river promenade is the nature of urban-type facilities for the sport. Character and location point of the amphitheater will open as landartový facility for leisure and outdoor activities, possibly the layout of interesting events with the use of the water surface.

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In the beginning of my research I focused on transformations of the urban leftover and void space found in between buildings, street networks, parks or other institutionalized public spaces into urban places of character. By studying the spatial qualities of different places and their relation to human activities in those places I came up with the main question of my thesis: Can a space be designed loose and/or can it be loosened by design? The concept of “heterotopia”, as described by Michel Foucault in his essay “Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias”, is a place functioning in nonhegemonic conditions, the place of “otherness” that has more layers of meaning than meet the eye. That concept proved to be the best description and the bounding frame of the design part of my research. / Master of Science

Media layering, the simultaneous use of multiple unrelated media sources, has been documented as an increasing behavior trend (Roberts, Foehr, & Rideout, 2005) that marks a qualitative and quantitative difference in the way media is experienced. Presently, the impact on consumers from media layering is unknown. A strong theoretical foundation of human information processing theory predicts negative consequences in terms of performance cost in learning, and degradation of attention. Related research on dual task performance and multiple-channel processing demonstrates a decline in performance. This study compared sustained attention performance on a cancellation task, the d2 Test of Attention (Brickenkamp & Zillmer, 1998), in four varying media conditions. Performance scores were evaluated to determine the effect of degrees of extraneous media saturation and media interaction on attention task performance. / Ed. D.

This thesis began with a program, the belly dance studio; the dance inspired the architecture through the translation of Arabic music into physical measurement as well as less tangible attributes that shaped the final design. There was an attempt to find a link between dance and architecture. Both dance and architecture can be physical representations of something less tangible. In the raqs sharqi, the Egyptian solo dance, the drummer creates a rhythm, normally improvised at the performance, and the dancer then follows the drummer in improvising her dance to the rhythm. Thus, this thesis proposes that a drum rhythm could possibly be translated into physical measurements that could then order physical objects. By performing the same function as dance, architecture can embody the dance. / Master of Architecture

Appreciation of the natural light, air, and scenery outside the built interior environment spurs the architect's desire to "bring the outside in". (Lately, floor-to-ceiling glazing is the most popular way of doing this.) Appreciation of what can be found "in the wall" also inspires the architect. Neither inside nor outside, being "in the wall" offers unique sensory experiences. Historically, the thick masonry walls of public buildings provided spaces (such as the arched vestibule of a library) within the walls' openings where people could gather to talk or wait out the rain. Another example of space within walls is the window seat, which is the architect's response to many peoples' desire to curl up inside a window to read a book or to watch what's going on outside. Modern materials and technologies have allowed us to build buildings taller and lighter than ever before but they also have led us to cease creating those special spaces, neither inside nor outside, that protect people from the elements without entirely cutting them off from them. It is this third space, neither inside nor outside, that I seek to reclaim in this thesis project. I hope to return to people space of fresh air, indirect, natural light, sense of protection, and openness; a place where stories are traded, secrets are whispered, and stars are wished on. With this project, I seek to develop a third space. / Master of Architecture

The understanding of a space is a diverse and limitless endeavor. My investigations leading up to this design proposal addressed three(3), admittedly broad, notions of spatial adjacency and relation:path, threshold, and layering. / Master of Architecture