The world is changing – our mindsets must change with it

The rise in the amount of data we are generating and storing has been meteoric of late. But while the world of data is developing rapidly, the ways that we manage it are not keeping pace. Our paradigms need to change

Modelling barriers for coal dust suppression

Airborne dust originating from the transport and storage of raw coal has detrimental effects on the environment. Warkworth Mining is seeking to reduce the dust emissions caused by the dumping of raw coal at their facility in Singleton, NSW. The suggested strategy was the construction of windbreaks, for which commercial designs exist. The MISG was asked to advise on the placement and design of such windbreaks. The problem was approached by studying results in the literature on windbreak design, selecting a few possible configurations, and then testing these by solving numerically for the wind velocity around the dumping site. It was concluded that a long fence on the upwind side of the dumping hoppers would provide moderate protection, but would interfere with current operating procedures. As a better option, a long downwind fence immediately behind the hoppers would provide a similar reduction in the dust emission, and allow more effective use of water sprays. Although fine details of the fence design could not be modelled numerically, we concluded that it was desirable for the fence to have an angled overhang in the vicinity of the hoppers, and a porous section near the base to reduce turbulent flows

Wet gum labelling of wine bottles

It is shown that bubbling on wine bottle labels is due to absorption of water from the glue, with subsequent hygroscopic expansion. Contrary to popular belief, most of the glue's water must be lost to the atmosphere rather than to the paper. A simple lubrication model is developed for spreading glue piles in the pressure chamber of the labelling machine. This model predicts a maximum rate for application of labels. Buckling theory shows that the current arrangement of periodic glue strips can indeed accommodate paper expansion. Some recommendations follow on the paper, the glue, the labelling rate and the drying environment

Improved analytical model for predicting the magnetic field distribution in brushless permanent-magnet machines

A general analytical technique predicts the magnetic field distribution in brushless permanent magnet machines equipped with surface-mounted magnets. It accounts for the effects of both the magnets and the stator windings. The technique is based on two-dimensional models in polar coordinates and solves the governing Laplacian/quasi-Poissonian field equations in the airgap/magnet regions without any assumption regarding the relative recoil permeability of the magnets. The analysis works for both internal and external rotor motor topologies, and either radial or parallel magnetized magnets, as well as for overlapping and nonoverlapping stator windings. The paper validates results of the analytical models by finite-element analyses, for both slotless and slotted motor

Unusual association of ST-T abnormalities, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy with H1N1 influenza in pregnancy: two case reports and review of the literature.

Introduction Myocarditis is rarely reported as an extra-pulmonary manifestation of influenza while pregnancy is a rare cause of cardiomyopathy. Pregnancy was identified as a major risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity due to H1N1 influenza in the pandemic of 2009 to 2010. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no previous reports in the literature linking H1N1 with myocarditis in pregnancy. Case presentation We report the cases of two pregnant Caucasian women (aged 29 and 30), with no pre-existing illness, presenting with respiratory manifestations of H1N1 influenza virus infection in their third trimester. Both women developed evidence of myocarditis. One woman developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, almost reaching the point of requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, and subsequently developed persistent cardiomyopathy; the other recovered without any long-term consequence. Conclusions While it is not possible to ascertain retrospectively if myocarditis was caused by either infection with H1N1 virus or as a result of pregnancy (in the absence of endomyocardial biopsies), the significant association with myocardial involvement in both women demonstrates the increased risk of exposure to H1N1 influenza virus in pregnant women. This highlights the need for health care providers to increase awareness amongst caregivers to target this 'at risk' group aggressively with vaccination and prompt treatment