In the quantum dot implementation of an intermediate band solar cell presented in this thesis, the offset of the intermediate band with respect to the conduction band is approximated by the ground state energy of a single electron in a single quantum dot heterojunction. The ground state energy is calculated with the radial Schrodinger equation with a Hamiltonian whose potential is composed from the step-like conduction band offset of the quantum dot heterojunction and the 1/r electrostatic potential of the hydrogenic impurity. The position of the intermediate band is tuned by adjusting the radius of the quantum dots. By assuming that the centrally located impurities are ionized, the location of the Fermi energy is guaranteed to be within the intermediate band. An intermediate band solar cell contains three bands: a conduction band, a valence band; and an intermediate band. The addition of an intermediate band augments the photogeneration of carriers. These additional carriers allow for an increased theoretical efficiency as compared to a conventional homojunction solar cell. The challenges in implementing an intermediate band solar cell involve centering the intermediate band at an energy level matched to the solar spectrum and aligning the Fermi energy within the intermediate band. The latter is necessary to ensure both a supply of electrons capable of photon induced transition to the conduction band as well as a large population of holes that allow photon induced electrons to transition from the valence band to the intermediate band. This thesis presents a novel material system, InPAs quantum dots enveloped in AlGaAs barriers grown on GaAs substrates, with which to implement an optimized QD-IBSC. This novel material system is selected based upon a refined set of design rules that include a requirement that the quantum dot/barrier pair offer a negligible valence band offset. With such a design rule the existence of hole levels is avoided, thus reducing bandgap narrowing at the valence band edge and the existence of minibands below the intermediate band.

Unstable Sn(III) intermediates generated in the Sn(IV)/Sn(II) redox reaction in 2 M HBr + 4 M NaBr media were detected by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In CV, the underpotential deposition of Sn(0) and its stripping peaks severely perturbed the analysis of diffusional reactions. In SECM, however, the detection of diffusional Sn(III) bromide species was clearly observed due to the absence of the perturbation from the surface reactions. The ECEC-DISP mechanism in both the reduction and oxidation reactions was proposed via Sn(III) bromide intermediates. CVs at different concentrations of Sn(IV) and at various scan rates were fit by numerical simulations based on the proposed mechanism with good agreement. Enhanced electrochemical reversibility in the Sn(IV)/Sn(II) redox reaction was observed at the elevated temperature of 80 °C. We attributed such observation to changes in the rate of bromide loss from Sn(IV)Br₆²⁻ to Sn(IV)Br₅⁻ based on the CV simulation. In a similar approach, a short-lived intermediate, presumably bromine anion radical Br₂⁻·, was detected in the Br⁻ /Br₃⁻ electro-oxidation reaction in nitrobenzene solution by SECM and CV. The reaction mechanism was proposed based on a detected Br₂⁻· intermediate as follows: (1) the one electron transfer of Br⁻ to Br·, (2) the dimerization of 2Br· to Br₂, (3) the bromide addition reaction of Br₂ to Br₃⁻ , (4) the bromide addition reaction of Br· to Br₂⁻·, and (5) the Br· addition reaction of Br₂⁻· to Br₃⁻. The simulation based on the proposed mechanism fitted well with the experimental SECM and CV results. At last, the applicability of the Sn/Br system as electrolyte for electrochemical energy storage was tested. A redox flow battery was constructed, where the Sn(IV)/Sn(II) reduction was carried out on the negative electrode, while the Br· /Br₂ oxidation was carried out on the positive electrode during charging. Cyclability was tested up to 35 charge/discharge cycles, and 100 % coulombic efficiency was observed in all cycles. However, only 40 % of voltage efficiency was obtained, mainly due to the large irreversibility of the Sn(IV)/Sn(II) redox reaction in the bromide media.

The method of counting allowances is created by prof. V. M. Kovan more than 40 years ago. Therefore today, when computers are used, it is possible to estimate more deeply the components of allowances and in that way it is possible to make the method of counting more accurate. The research object: it is a theoretical character job, which include dependent on such factors as: material solidity and of used up instrument. The purpose of the paper the allowance size depends on the production cost. The increase of allowance size, it will increase metal outlay, cost on cutting tool, electrical power, and so on. However on decrease of allowance size it will depend on worse detail waster percent and in some case the netting tool will work in malevolence conditions. So it’s very important to calculate allowance size. The elastic deformations of technological system which appear because the hardness of the material changes and because the machining tool wears mechanically. It is shown in this case intermediate dimensions of parts are counted.

This study explores the effect of implementing expert-developed concept maps and cooperative learning, as compared to direct instruction and cooperative learning, on student learning, experiences and perceptions. Using a mixed-methods research design, data was collected to determine the impact of these combined instructional strategies on students learning as measured by examination scores. Surveys were used to gather data on students' thoughts and feelings towards group work and concept mapping. Finally, a pre- and post-survey was used to determine if instructional strategies impacted students' perceptions of accounting. The results of the study show a significant difference in students learning as measured by examination scores between the treatment and control group. The majority of students reported a preference for group work as well as expert-developed concept maps. Overall students' perceptions of accounting declined in both the treatment and control group.

The Miguel Auza mine, located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, is a vein-type polymetallic epithermal deposit hosted in deformed argillite, siltstone and greywacke of the Cretaceous Caracol Formation. Silver-rich base metal veins (0.2 m to >1.5 m wide) are spatially associated with NE-striking, steeply SE- dipping (70-80º) faults over a strike length of 1.6 km and a depth of 460 m. Three distinct structural stages are correlated with hydrothermal mineral deposition: Stage I is characterized by normal faulting and early hypogene alteration of the sedimentary rock. Stage II is associated with reverse-sense reactivation of early normal faults, dilation of bedding planes/fractures, and deposition of barren calcite + pyrite veinlets. Sub-stages IIA and IIB are related to the development of reverse-fault-hosted quartz-carbonate sulphide veins and characterize the main stage of mineralization. Associated hydrothermal minerals during the main stage of mineral deposition are quartz, muscovite, and calcite. Stage III involves late NW-SE striking block faulting, brecciation and calcite veining. Later supergene oxidation of veins led to deposition of Fe-oxides and hydroxides. The main Ag-bearing minerals comprise pyrargyrite, tetrahedrite- freibergite, polybasite-antimonpearceite, and acanthite, with associated sulphides including galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrite. In the main ore zone, base metal sulphides are commonly intergrown with the Ag-bearing sulfosalts. Compositions of Ag-rich tetrahedrite + pyrargyrite + sphalerite indicate a primary depositional temperature around 325-350ºC for the late phase of sub-stage IIB. 40Ar/39Ar dating of wall-rock illite associated with stage I alteration yields an age of 46.58 ± 0.30 Ma. Ages of 46.01 ± 0.55 Ma, and 44.55 ± 0.22 Ma were obtained for vein muscovite related to the main stage (sub-stage IIB) of ore deposition. These ages correspond to the later stage of the Laramide orogeny in Northern Mexico. The geometric relationship between the various structures, vein types, and the regional Miguel Auza fault zone suggest episodic reverse-sense reactivation of normal faults. Based on (1) the tectonic setting, (2) spatially related igneous rocks, (3) ore and gangue mineralogy, and textures (4) geochemical signature, and (5) inferred temperature of formation, the Miguel Auza deposit is interpreted to be an intermediate-sulfidation type deposit. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-04-15 13:04:06.104

Intermediate filaments are fibrous proteins, appearing in a wide variety of tissue specific forms. The function of these proteins is poorly understood, although they are commonly believed to perform a structural role in the cell. Evidence suggests that the role these proteins play may be more dynamic than was previously believed. To gain more insight into their normal in vivo function, a single-chain monoclonal antibody has been constructed to serve as a specific reagent which can disrupt the intermediate filament network in vivo. The work presented in this thesis represents the first step in an approach which involves the use of single-chain monoclonal antibodies as specific reagents to target and disrupt the function of intracellular proteins. / The polymerase chain reaction was used for the cloning and modification of the heavy and light chain variable regions of the murine monoclonal antibody produced by the TIB 131 hybridoma. The variable regions of the light and heavy IgG chains were initially amplified from cDNA using degenerate 5$ sp prime$ primers and 3$ sp prime$ primers complementary to the constant region of the appropriate chain. The amplification products were cloned individually, sequenced, then modified to include restriction sites suitable for cloning into an expression vector. The two modified variable regions were cloned into an expression vector, and when expressed in either bacteria or in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, yielded a protein of the expected molecular weight.

This study explores the effect of implementing expert-developed concept maps and cooperative learning, as compared to direct instruction and cooperative learning, on student learning, experiences and perceptions. Using a mixed-methods research design, data was collected to determine the impact of these combined instructional strategies on students learning as measured by examination scores. Surveys were used to gather data on students' thoughts and feelings towards group work and concept mapping. Finally, a pre- and post-survey was used to determine if instructional strategies impacted students' perceptions of accounting. The results of the study show a significant difference in students learning as measured by examination scores between the treatment and control group. The majority of students reported a preference for group work as well as expert-developed concept maps. Overall students' perceptions of accounting declined in both the treatment and control group.

This thesis will examine closely two aspects of Pauline theology, namely, the timing of the resurrection and the state of the believer who dies before the parousia. Through exegesis of 2 Cor 5:1-10, the basic consistency in Paul's thinking and the arguments for and against the intermediate state will be examined. Chapter 1 analyzes what 1 Thess. 4, 1 Cor. 15, and 2 Cor. 5 have to say on the issue, comparing the passages as to content and compatibility. Chapters 2 and 3 pursue more fully questions related to the issue of postmortem existence. Chapter Two deals with Paul's use of verb $ underline{ eta o iota mu alpha sigma beta alpha iota}$ as a metaphor for death and the idea of the intermediate state as soul-sleep (psychopannychism). Chapter 3 explores the matter of Paul's concept of the "I" or "self" (or "naked" self), raised by Paul in 2 Cor. 5:3. The Pauline anthropology is compared with Hellenistic anthropological dualism in order to show the similarities and differences.

This research project aims to investigate the level of risk/safety inherent in intermediate floors of buildings designed to the Compliance Document for the New Zealand Building Code, Fire Safety Clauses C1, C2, C3, C4 (C/AS1), and develop guidance for Fire Engineers on designing fire safety for firecells containing intermediate floors. The project also aims to develop a new set of prescriptive fire safety requirements for intermediate floors and proposes an outline of a verification method for designing fire safety for intermediate floors. This study includes a literature review of the fire safety requirements for intermediate floors (mezzanines) of prescriptive requirements in New Zealand and other countries such as USA, Canada, UK and Australia. The results of this literature review found that the intermediate floor size is limited and varies with country. An intermediate floor that has an area exceeding the limit set out by the prescriptive requirements is considered as a storey in all the countries prescriptive requirements reviewed including the New Zealand prescriptive requirements prior to 1991. Since 1991, in New Zealand Acceptable Solutions, the intermediate floor that has an area exceeding the limit will not be treated as a storey, however, a smoke control system is required. The level of risk was quantified using a factor of safety (FoS) - the ratio of Available Safe Egress Time (ASET) to Required Safe Egress Time (RSET). Two fire models; BRANZFIRE and FDS were used to calculate ASET and SIMULEX, an evacuation program, was used to calculate movement times of the occupants of the studied buildings. Unlike the traditional method in which RSET and FoS are assessed using single value, in this project the distribution of RSET and FoS were assessed using the @RISK software package. The analysis showed that the level of risk to the occupants of the firecells containing intermediate floors is always higher than that of the equivalent firecells without intermediate floors with the same occupant load and the differences in FoS range from 10% to 60%. The analysis also highlighted that the level of risk to the occupants of firecells having intermediate floors increases as the intermediate floor size increases, however, there are no clear cut-off points at which a higher level of fire safety precaution should be provided. The cut-off points in C/AS1 of 20% for a closed intermediate floor and 40% for an open intermediate floor, are not justified by this analysis. Occupant load has significant impact on the level of safety of the occupants of the firecells containing intermediate floors. The higher the occupant load the lower the level of safety is. The definitions for open and closed intermediate floors are proposed to which open and closed intermediate floors are clearly distinguished. The term “limited area intermediate floor” in the current C/AS1 is proposed be removed and all related clauses are proposed to be amended or deleted accordingly. A proposed new set of prescriptive fire safety requirements for intermediate floors has been developed based on the occupant load of intermediate floors and not the intermediate floor size in the form of a table similar to the current Table 4.1 of C/AS1. The occupant load and fire safety precautions (FSPs) of the intermediate floors are determined based on the occupant load and their required FSPs of the equivalent firecells without intermediate floors that have the same factor of safety with the firecells containing intermediate floors. With the proposed FSPs, a firecell with lower occupant load would require lesser fire safety requirements than a firecell with higher occupant load regardless of intermediate floor size. Moreover, with the proposed FSPs for intermediate floors, the level of safety of the occupants of the firecells having intermediate floors would be very similar to the level of safety of the equivalent firecells without intermediate floors. In addition to the proposed tables of FSPs, some clauses regarding the changes in the fire safety requirement and definitions for intermediate floors are proposed. Guidance for designers in designing fire safety for firecells containing intermediate floors in which the methods of modelling using BRANZFIRE and Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) are presented in detail, has been developed. The analysis has pointed out that the location of the exits is critical in designing fire safety for firecells containing intermediate floors and majority of exits from the lower floor should not be located under intermediate floors. Although one of the main objectives of this research project was to propose an outline of a verification method for designing fire safety for intermediate floors, the analysis showed that it is very difficult to develop a rational verification method for designing fire safety for firecells containing intermediate floors. Using the proposed FSPs for intermediate floors which are based on the occupant load of the intermediate floors in designing fire safety for firecells containing intermediate floors is recommended by this study. These recommendations do not preclude the use of specific fire engineering design for designing fire safety for firecells having intermediate floors.

The nature of visual properties used for object perception in mid- and high-level vision areas of the brain is poorly understood. Past studies have employed simplistic stimuli probing models limited in descriptive power and mathematical under-pinnings. Unfortunately, pursuit of more complex stimuli and properties requires searching through a wide, unknown space of models and of images. The difficulty of this pursuit is exacerbated in brain research by the limited number of stimulus responses that can be collected for a given human subject over the course of an experiment. To more quickly identify complex visual features underlying cortical object perception, I develop, test, and use a novel method in which stimuli for use in the ongoing study are selected in realtime based on fMRI-measured cortical responses to recently-selected and displayed stimuli. A variation of the simplex method controls this ongoing selection as part of a search in visual space for images producing maximal activity — measured in realtime — in a pre-determined 1 cm3 brain region. I probe cortical selectivities during this search using photographs of real-world objects and synthetic “Fribble” objects. Real-world objects are used to understand perception of naturally-occurring visual properties. These objects are characterized based on feature descriptors computed from the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), a popular computer vision method that is well established in its utility for aiding in computer object recognition and that I recently found to account for intermediate-level representations in the visual object processing pathway in the brain. Fribble objects are used to study object perception in an arena in which visual properties are well defined a priori. They are constructed from multiple well-defined shapes, and variation of each of these component shapes produces a clear space of visual stimuli. I study the behavior of my novel realtime fMRI search method, to assess its value in the investigation of cortical visual perception, and I study the complex visual properties my method identifies as highly-activating selected brain regions in the visual object processing pathway. While there remain further technical and biological challenges to overcome, my method uncovers reliable and interesting cortical properties for most subjects — though only for selected searches performed for each subject. I identify brain regions selective for holistic and component object shapes and for varying surface properties, providing examples of more precise selectivities within classes of visual properties previously associated with cortical object representation. I also find examples of “surround suppression,” in which cortical activity is inhibited upon viewing stimuli slightly deviation from the visual properties preferred by a brain region, expanding on similar observations at lower levels of vision.