High temperature 1H NMR studies of epoxy cure: A neglected technique

Summary By reference to the reaction of a copper complex of phenyl glycidyl ether and 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole, and Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at high temperature is shown to be an excellent and under-utilized method for measuring the degree of cure, enabling kinetic parameters to be obtained.     

Reactive oxygen species may influence the heat shock response and stress tolerance in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Moderate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as second messengers in a number of biochemical pathways, and in animal cells have been associated with the activation of the heat shock response (HSR). Here, using an intracellular probe, we demonstrate that differential accumulation of ROS in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is strongly associated with differential induction of an HS reporter gene over a range of heat shock temperatures. There was a good correlation between cellular ROS levels and the levels of HS-induced reporter gene expression between 37 degrees C and 44 degrees C, both reaching maximal values at 41 degrees C. Furthermore, the addition of 150 microM H2O2 to the yeast cells during heat treatment resulted in a 3 degrees C decrease in the temperature required for maximal induction of the HS expression vector--an increased HS sensitivity that corresponded to a concomitant increase in ROS levels at these lower HS temperatures. Conversely, cells treated with 10 mM of the antioxidant ascorbic acid required a temperature that was 2 degrees C above that required in untreated controls for maximal induction of the HS expression vector. This decreased HS sensitivity corresponded to a decrease in ROS levels at these higher HS temperatures. Finally, cell viability assays reveal that intrinsic thermotolerance remains high in control cells despite concomitant decreases in HS-reporter gene expression and ROS accumulation between 41 degrees C and 44 degrees C. We conclude that the sensitivity of the yeast HSR is strongly associated with ROS accumulation, and suggest that ROS-mediated signalling ensures cooperation between the HS and the antioxidant responses.     

Possibility of charge contrast imaging of polymeric materials

Preliminary results illustrate the possibility of charge contrast imaging (CCI) of polymeric materials. Possible CCI images of low-density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride reveal details that may aid in the characterization of the microstructure of polymeric materials. These pictures were obtained with a Hitachi S-3000N variable pressure scanning electron microscope with the environmental secondary electron detector (ESED).     

Mobile Learning

Works in progress from selected papers presented at the 2006 IADIS International Conference on Mobile Learning provide an overview of the diverse research being conducted in this field.     

Application of distance sampling techniques for diving ducks on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie

Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie are important migration staging areas for diving ducks including canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria), redheads (Aythya americana), and lesser and greater scaup (Aythya affinis and Aythya marila). Starting in 1983, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) attempted to census diving ducks on the United States portion of Lake St. Clair throughout autumn migration; however, in 2010 the MDNR expanded the traditionally surveyed area to include all of Lake St. Clair and a portion of western Lake Erie. The idea of achieving a census over the expanded study area was unrealistic, and instead distance sampling techniques were adopted in an effort to generate statistically valid estimates of detection probabilities and abundances for diving ducks during spring and autumn migration. We found distance sampling techniques to be a viable option for estimating diving duck abundance as long as flock size is accounted for as a covariate affecting the detection function. Diving ducks were generally more abundant on our study area during autumn migration with a mean of 306,327 ducks/survey (SE = 40,729) compared to an average spring abundance of 91,053 ducks/survey (SE = 19,175). Peak abundance occurred on 20 November 2012 with an estimated 596,335 diving ducks on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. Ultimately, our methodology could be used to establish long-term, standardized data collection techniques and applied to conservation planning for waterfowl in the Great Lakes region.     

Broad-scale geomorphology and benthic habitats of the Perth coastal plain and Rottnest Shelf,Western Australia,identified in a merged topographic and bathymetric digital relief model

A digital relief model (DRM) of the Swan Coastal Plain and Rottnest Shelf (7400 km²) was built with a range of topographic and high-resolution bathymetric datasets, gridded to a 50 m cell size. The DRM enabled the delineation of relict coastal landforms, benthic habitats and development of a regional morphostratigraphic framework. Well-defined features include: (1) limestone ridges on the coastal plain that sit subparallel to the modern shoreline and were largely formed as coastal dune barriers during or shortly after Quaternary interglacial periods of high sea level; (2) rocky reefs on the inner shelf that rise up to 10 m above the adjacent seafloor, which are remnants of coastal dune barriers that formed when the sea level was 20–30 m lower than present and (3) a discontinuous ridge 3–10 m high along much of the outer shelf, which likely represents a coastal barrier that formed when the sea level was around 60 m lower than present. The DRM provides a useful regional perspective of the distribution and form of these extensive reefs.     

Ergonomics in the development and implementation of organisational strategy for sustainability

This is the first phase of an ergonomics study of sustainability in a rail organisation, particularly environmental sustainability. The main emphasis has been on the use of a qualitative approach to carry out in-depth consultation with those in influential and policy setting roles in the organisation, collecting and analysing perceptions on sustainability policy and related business processes. The study identified factors affecting implementation of policy on sustainability and these have been developed to produce a list of requirements for implementing the policy. The findings are valuable in understanding the range of attitudes, aspirations and perceived constraints, from the perspective of those in senior roles in the company, and development of a sustainability strategy for a rail infrastructure owner. There is need for wider consultation, both within the organisation and externally, to validate and refine the understanding of barriers to the implementation of the policy. The role of ergonomics in supporting the work on sustainability is discussed.

Practitioner Summary: The study collects in-depth views from senior managers on the challenges of implementing a policy on sustainability in a rail organisation. Outputs include a list of factors affecting implementation of policy and requirements for better implementation of policy in this area. Potential contributions of ergonomics to sustainability in organisational contexts are discussed.     

'Unfinished Business': Neoliberal Planning Reform in Australia

This paper reviews the recent and contemporary neoliberal reform agendas that have sought a reduced role for planning in Australia. Our aim is to describe these reform paths and to theorise their broader implications for urban governance in Australia. Our analysis focuses on two initiatives: first, the broad reform framework embodied in National Competition Policy that is now affecting planning regulation at the state level; and second, the new vision for a standardised development control system that has been put forward by the Property Council of Australia. As we will show, neoliberal reforms have the potential both to reduce the possibility for spatial regulation and also to undermine the other recent reform agendas that have sought a positive transformation of planning; namely, community democratic movements and environmentalism.     

西九文化区

正OMA发展西九文化区,必须面对一项挑战:将一个盛载政府极大抱负,以及持分者多元利益的超大型多用途项目,转化成一个既有趣又严肃、既有规划又允许即兴、既中国化又国际化的文化区。这个文化区规模庞大,但不失亲密融洽的感觉;富地标性,但十分谦和;容易理解,却能带来惊喜。为避免造成过分冲击,OMA采纳了一种每个香港市民都熟悉的建筑类型作为方案的发展