Advances in weed management for organic cereal production in southeast Australia

Organic cereal production in southeast Australia is challenging for producers due to a range of e of influences such as weeds and low soil available phosphorus. Two experiments were conducted on a certified organic property at Berrigan NSW during 2001-2003 to investigate ‘within crop’ weed management and forage crop management for weed control. Sowing later using a short season wheat cultivar did not affect yield and reduced (P<0.05) levels of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.). Incorporating a forage crop into the rotation prior to sowing a cereal resulted in improved (P<0.05) weed management for the cereal crop, in comparison to retaining annual pasture. There were no differences between forage treatments in weed management in the following wheat crop. Where forage was cut for silage and then grazed, grain yield was higher (P<0.05) than where forage was only grazed or cut for silage, or where annual pasture was retained

Exclusivity, Bundling and Switching in Communications Markets

Abstract This thesis empirically analyses two case studies of markets associated with high-tech goods or services. In both cases the analysis includes an extensive literature review and in-depth study of market characteristics. These serve to inform the investigations and also provide technical background. The �rst part of the thesis examines the international distribution of the Apple iPhone and the incentives of the manufacturerto distribute the product exclusively to mobile network operators. The study uses a novel application of a double-hurdle model to analyse a cross-sectional dataset of 187 countries featuring industry-speci�c and demographic variables drawn from both o�-the-shelf sources and from an analysis of several hundred individual sources of evidence. The results show that the mechanisms determining the duration of exclusivity agreements di�er from those factors determining their initial imposition. In addition, it is shown that the level of competitiveness and concentration in the downstream market are signi�cant determinants of both the decision to sell in a country and the duration of any exclusivity agreements. The presence of competing technological standards is also shown to result in longer periods of exclusivity indicating slower di�usion of the product in these countries. The second part of the thesis empirically examines the incentives of individuals to switch provider of their household communication services in the presence of bundling of services. The study uses a random e�ects probit method to analyse survey data of 2,871 households' communication subscriptions. The results indicate that when service subscriptions are bundled there is a signi�cant reduction in the likelihood of an individual switching their provider. Furthermore, this e�ect is intensi�ed when the bundle includes services in which the provider specialises. The results of both studies are consistent with economic predictions of, respectively, the use of key di�erentiators by �rms to gain competitive advantages, and the use of bundling to create switching costs for consumers. Both studies represent signi�cant contributions to the study of vertical restraints, and consumer switching behaviour

Sports Science Roundtable: Does Sports Science Research Influence Practice?

As sports scientists, we claim to make a signifi cant contribution to the body of knowledge that infl uences athletic practice and performance. Is this the reality? At the inaugural congress of the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science, a panel of well-credentialed academic experts with experience in the applied environment debated the question, Does sports-science research influence practice? The fi rst task was to defi ne “sports-science research,” and it was generally agreed that it is concerned with providing evidence that improves sports performance. When practices are equally effective, sports scientists also have a role in identifying practices that are safer, more time effi cient, and more enjoyable. There were varying views on the need for sports-science research to be immediately relevant to coaches or athletes. Most agreed on the importance of communicating the results of sports-science research, not only to the academic community but also to coaches and athletes, and the need to encourage both short- and long-term research. The panelists then listed examples of sports-science research that they believe have infl uenced practice, as well as strategies to ensure that sports-science research better infl uences practice

Enhancing Public Engagement in Architectural Design: A Comparative Analysis of Advanced Virtual Reality Approaches in Building Information Modeling and Gamification Techniques

Purpose: This paper investigates the potential of virtual reality (VR) technologies—specifically, building information modeling (BIM) (“Autodesk Revit”) and game engines (“Unreal Engine”)—to enhance public involvement in the design and execution of architecture and urban projects. The main research question focuses on comparing the effectiveness of these two methods in creating an interactive design model for participatory design in public spaces. Methods: The study employed a VR exploratory experiment with 33 participants, followed by semi-structured interviews to analyze two recent developments in London: the Sky Garden, and Crossrail Place Roof Garden. Participants interacted with the design models and provided feedback on their experiences. Results: The findings demonstrate that integrating VR with BIM software using the Enscape plugin effectively enhances user involvement, enabling real-time generation and testing of design alternatives. While both methods were found to be beneficial, participants reported a preference for the direct implementation of VR in BIM software. Conclusions: This research highlights the potential of VR technologies—specifically, BIM and game engines—as a co-design approach for public and social spaces in urban environments. It also identifies limitations and future research opportunities in adopting these methods for participatory design

Initiation and final failure via environmentally assisted cracking in high strength aluminium

Environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) is particularly important to understand and control in high strength aluminium used in engineering applications as moist air provides a suitable environment to assist cracking in these materials. Propagation of EAC has been widely investigated but initiation has been difficult to follow due to it’s stochastic nature. We show that time-lapse 3D imaging using X-ray computed tomography offers a way to survey large surface areas whilst maintaining site specific high resolution information giving new insights into this process. In addition the final failure of these materials occurs when the environmentally assisted cracks of intergranular or transgranular type grow to a critical length from the initiation sites. We show through mechanical testing assessment and high resolution fractography that the rapid fracture that follows is also assisted by the environment leading to reduced ductility during the final failure. Examples from AA5083-H131 and AA7085-T7651 are shown which appear to show the same general behaviour. Round dog bone specimens prepared in the Short Transverse direction were subjected to slow strain rate testing (SSRT) at different strain rates and in different environments. Samples were also pre-exposed to different environments to introduce small corrosion sites to act as ‘realistic’ stress raisers in the specimens

Dialogic Teaching : Evaluation Report and Executive Summary

The aim of the intervention was to raise levels of engagement and attainment across English, maths, and science in primary schools by improving the quality of teacher and pupil talk in the classroom. The approach, termed ‘dialogic teaching’, emphasises dialogue through which pupils learn to reason, discuss, argue, and explain in order to develop their higher order thinking as well as their articulacy. The intervention was developed and delivered by a team from the Cambridge Primary Review Trust (CPRT) and the University of York. Year 5 teachers in 38 schools, and a teacher mentor from each school, received resources and training from the delivery team, and then implemented the intervention over the course of the autumn and spring terms in the 2015/2016 school year. Following the intervention, pupils were tested in English, mathematics, and science. This efficacy trial compared the 38 schools (2,492 pupils) in which the intervention took place with 38 control schools (2,466 pupils). During the intervention, the evaluation team also carried out a survey and interviews with a sample of teachers, mentors, and heads, plus case-study visits to three intervention schools