A Small Model of the Australian Macroeconomy: An Update

Almost a decade ago David Gruen and Geoff Shuetrim constructed a small macroeconomic model of the Australian economy. A comprehensive description of this model was subsequently provided by Beechey et al (2000). Since that time, however, the model has continued to evolve. This paper provides an update on the current structure of the model and the main changes which have been made to it since Beechey et al . While the details of the model have changed, its core features have not. The model remains small, highly aggregated, empirically based, and non-monetary in nature. It also retains a well-defined long-run steady state with appropriate theoretical properties, even though its primary role is to analyse short-run macroeconomic developments.Australian economy; macroeconomic model; monetary policy

Assessing activated sludge morphology by laser and image analysis

An excess of filamentous bacteria is a common settlement problem affecting the activated sludge process. In this study activated sludge morphology was monitored by image analysis and laser scattering. These were compared with the conventional sludge volume index. Good correlations between the two optical techniques for floc size were found when the small and interfering particles (< 50 m) were removed from the analysis (activated sludge size 100–500 m). A simpler image analysis procedure was developed using common software and equipment available in most laboratories. This should enable reproducible microbial morphology measurements to be used more widely routinely to predict the onset of poor settlement. The image analysis was used to determine the standard index of filamentinduced poor settlement, namely the total extended filament length. The results in common with some previously noted work did not show a simple link between either floc size or total extended filament length and sludge volume index. A new indicator of excess filaments is suggested, based on the frequency of occurrence of just the long extended filaments (> 100 m) which was shown to give better prediction of poor settlement (bulking)

Optimal dosage determination of a hypocholesterolemic bitter yam proprietary preparation in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic mice

Coronary heart disease, a condition associated with dyslipidemias including hyperlipidemia and low HDL-C levels, has been an increasing problem in the developing world. Conventional treatment for hyperlipidemia often present with unfavourable side effects, leading to the need for development of drugs from natural products. The hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of the Jamaican bitter yam have previously been demonstrated however consumption at a high dosage presents with various adverse effects. This study is therefore geared towards the determination of an optimal dosage for the consumption of a proprietary preparation made from this yam species. Hypercholesterolemic mice were fed the preparation at various dosages (4, 2, 1, 0.5%) for 3 weeks after which they were phlebotomized then euthanized. Organs were stored at -80°C until required for analysis. The optimal dosage for supplementation, which resulted in significant decreases in serum cholesterol and oxidative stress without eliciting adverse effects, was found to be 2%. The results from this study points to the need for future in-depth studies involving dietary supplementation at the 2% supplementation level.&nbsp

Carbon dioxide releases from wastewater treatment: potential use in the UK

Power consumption by the UK water industry has increased as a result of the introduction of new quality standards; the annual (2008/2009) carbon dioxide output was reported at 5?1 Mt. Biogenic output of carbon dioxide for the sector was calculated to be about 2 Mt. The strategies available to the water industry for reducing carbon footprint are increased use of renewable energy, principally anaerobic digestion, using less power and methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This paper reports on work sponsored by UK Water Industry Research to examine methods for capturing and utilising carbon dioxide from wastewater treatment. The review has concluded that bioconversion and biofixation using algae and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis are the most promising methods for utilising carbon dioxide. These technologies would readily integrate into existing industry flow sheets and both increase biogas production and reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Hyperpolarized (3)He magnetic resonance imaging-derived pulmonary pressure-volume curves

We aimed to evaluate the potential for the use of hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) surrogates of alveolar size, together with literature-based morphological parameters in a theoretical model of lung mechanics to simulate noninvasive transpulmonary pressure-volume curves. Fourteen ex-smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 8 stage II, n = 6 stage III/IV COPD) and five age-matched never-smokers, provided written, informed consent and were evaluated at baseline and 26 + or - 2 mo later (n = 15 subjects) using plethysmography, spirometry, and (3)He MRI at 3.0 T. Total lung capacity, residual volume, and literature-based morphological parameters were used with alveolar volumes derived from (3)He ADC to simulate noninvasive pressure-volume curves. The resultant anterior-posterior transpulmonary pressure gradient was significantly decreased for stage II COPD (P \u3c 0.01) and stage III COPD subjects (P \u3c 0.001) compared with healthy volunteers. Both COPD subgroups showed increased alveolar radius compared with healthy subjects (P \u3c 0.01, stage II COPD; P \u3c 0.001, stage III COPD). In addition, surface area and surface tension were significantly increased in stage III COPD compared with healthy volunteers (P \u3c 0.01). These results suggest that (3)He MRI provides a potential noninvasive approach to evaluate lung mechanics regionally and further supports the use of ADC values as a regional noninvasive probe of pulmonary microstructure and compliance

Extending motifs in lithiocuprate chemistry: unexpected structural diversity in thiocyanate complexes.

The new area of lithio(thiocyanato)cuprates has been developed. Using inexpensive, stable and safe CuSCN for their preparation, these complexes revealed Lipshutz-type dimeric motifs with solvent-dependent point group identities; planar, boat-shaped and chair shaped conformers are seen in the solid state. In solution, both Lipshutz-type and Gilman structures are clearly seen. Since the advent in 2007 of directed ortho cupration, effort has gone into understanding the structure-reactivity effects of amide ligand variation in and alkali metal salt abstraction from Lipshutz-type cuprates such as (TMP)2Cu(CN)Li2(THF) 1 (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide). The replacement of CN(-) with SCN(-) is investigated presently as a means of improving the safety of lithium cuprates. The synthesis and solid state structural characterization of reference cuprate (TMP)2Cu(CN)Li2(THP) 8 (THP = tetrahydropyran) precedes that of the thiocyanate series (TMP)2Cu(SCN)Li2(L) (L = OEt29, THF 10, THP 11). For each of 9-11, preformed TMPLi was combined with CuSCN (2 : 1) in the presence of sub-stoichiometric Lewis base (0.5 eq. wrt Li). The avoidance of Lewis basic solvents incurs formation of the unsolvated Gilman cuprate (TMP)2CuLi 12, whilst multidimensional NMR spectroscopy has evidenced the abstraction of LiSCN from 9-11 in hydrocarbon solution and the in situ formation of Gilman reagents. The synthetic utility of 10 is established in the selective deprotometalation of chloropyridine substrates, including effecting transition metal-free homocoupling in 51-69% yield.This work was supported by the U.K. EPSRC through grant EP/J500380/1 (A. P.) and the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche scientifique Algérien (M. H.). F. M.This is the final version of the article. It was first available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5DT03882

Providing energy for rural Indian communities: anaerobic digestion at Loughborough University

Rural Hybrid Energy Enterprise Systems (RHEES) is a research partnership between 6 UK and 7 Indian Universities. The aim of this project is to develop best practise at a smaller community scale which makes use of hybrid and combinations of biofuels. The idea is to improve rural energy availability, equity of cost and to generate an economic stimulus from the desire to provide greater energy security and reduced environmental impact. The Loughborough University part of the project is on how to apply village scale anaerobic digestion. This will be achieved by: Development of small-medium scale systems Combining solar/ thermal heat integration for pre-treatment of feedstock and pasteurisation of digestate Designing prefabricated systems Development of remote monitoring of digesters Working with partners and stakeholders throughout

Anaerobic digestion at Loughborough University

Bioenergy for Sustainable Rural Living (BURD) is a research partnership between 6 UK and 7 Indian Universities. The aim of this project is to develop best practise at a smaller community scale which makes use of hybrid and combinations of biofuels. The idea is to improve rural energy availability, equity of cost and to generate an economic stimulus from the desire to provide greater energy security and reduced environmental impact

The impact of plastic bag residues on anaerobic digestion performance

Aim of the research: To test the suitability of a plastic bag material for separate collection of food waste prior to AD. Toxicity, biodegradability and biogas production of the polymer was assessed by comparison with other feedstocks as controls. 10 litre digesters were used with and without pretreatment of the plastic. Short summary: In this work we used 10 litre digesters to investigate the suitability of a polymer material for food waste collection plastic bags. The material needed to be robust, but also biodegradable. Digestion of the synthetic polymer was compared to natural polymers from maize and rice. Two controls were also used: cellulose (known for its high biodegradability) and sewage sludge (the most commonly used AD substrate). Parameters checked daily, included gas production and composition, CST and total and volatile solids of the digestate. Stability was assessed by Ripley’s ratio, VFA, ammonia and pH. Digester loading was 1.36 g VS/l/day at 60 day HRT. The experiment was in two halves with sewage sludge feed in the middle, as an internal control to check activity. In a second experiment the material was pre-treated according to the Animal By-product Regulations (Regulation, 2011) heating to 70oC for 1hr. The results show the material was completely inert

Anaerobic digestion of brewery waste

Marmite Unilever-introduction/site history. — Vital statistics. — Waste water treatment plant (WWTP). — Biogas production. — Benefits of WWTP for Unilever. — Issues with stability. — Conclusions