Awakening from a deep sleep The heuristic status of tropes in the writing of Francis Bacon

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Uranium sorption on various forms fo titanium dioxide - influence of surface area, surface charge and impurities

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) has often served as a model substrate for experimental sorption studies of environmental contaminants. However, various forms of Ti-oxide have been used, and the different sorption properties of these materials have not been thoroughly studied. We investigated uranium sorption on some thoroughly characterized TiO(2) surfaces with particular attention to the influence of surface area, surface charge, and impurities. The sorption of U(VI) differed significantly between samples. Aggressive pretreatment of one material to remove impurities significantly altered the isoelectric point, determined by an electroacoustic method, but did not significantly impact U sorption. Differences in sorption properties between the various TiO(2) materials were related to the crystallographic form, morphology, surface area, and grain size, rather than to surface impurities or surface charge. In-situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopic studies showed that the spectra of the surface species of the TiO(2) samples are not significantly different, suggesting the formation of similar surface complexes. The data provide insights into the effect of different source materials and surface properties on radionuclide sorption. © 2011, American Chemical Societ

Investigating the foliar uptake of zinc from conventional and nano-formulations: a methodological study

Zinc (Zn) deficiency affects half of the world's arable soil and one-third of the world's human population. Application of Zn foliar fertilisers to cereal crops can be an effective way to increase grain Zn content; however, commonly used formulations can scorch the leaf (e.g. soluble Zn salts) or are prohibitively expensive (e.g. chelated Zn, ZnEDTA). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) may offer an efficient and cost-effective alternative, but little is known regarding the mechanisms of Zn uptake and translocation within the plant. Foliar-applied Zn is analytically challenging to detect, locate and quantify, as it is omnipresent. Furthermore, any single analytical technique does not have the detection limit or spatial resolution required. In this study, the uptake and mobility of foliar-applied ZnEDTA, ZnO-NPs and ZnO microparticles (ZnO-MPs) to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and radiotracing techniques using Zn-labelled formulations. The three techniques were compared to highlight limitations and advantages of each. We also report, for the first time, a novel time-resolved in vivo autoradiography imaging technique that can be used to visualise Zn in live plants treated with foliar applications of ZnO-NPs and MPs. The images were supplemented by gamma spectroscopy analysis for quantification. The results of this study provide important insights into the analytical challenges faced when investigating foliar-applied Zn nanofertilisers in plants. Potential solutions using nuclear techniques are also discussed, which in turn may ultimately lead to the development of more efficient foliar fertilisers

Aboriginal interpretation in Australian wildlife tourism

This paper evaluates Aboriginal cultural interpretation at wildlife attractions and on wildlife tours in Australia. The sites included 14 wildlife parks or zoos; three Aboriginal-owned emu or crocodile farms; and 16 wildlife tours, river cruises or resorts with Indigenous interpretation of wildlife. Telephone interviews were conducted with 35 managers (nine Indigenous) and 26 Indigenous staff at wildlife attractions that included verbal or written Aboriginal wildlife interpretation. The Indigenous guides verbally presented both traditional uses and personal stories about Australian wildlife followed by Aboriginal 'Dreaming' or creation stories about totemic animal species. Non-Indigenous staff explained traditional Aboriginal uses of wildlife followed by biological facts and species information. The responses in this study thus highlight cultural differences in animal attitudes and approaches to wildlife use or interpretation. According to staff, tourists benefit from the inclusion of Aboriginal interpretation at wildlife sites by broadening their mind, dispelling myths, learning/education about Aboriginal cultures, novelty and excitement for visitors, increasing cultural awareness and developing more positive attitudes towards Indigenous people. Some guidelines for wildlife attractions and tours to develop and present Aboriginal cultural interpretation of Australian wildlife are also identified