User interaction and uptake challenges to successfully deploying Semantic Web technologies

The Semantic Web community could benefit greatly from 'eating its own dog food' in order to better understand the challenges and opportunities of a Semantic Web from the user perspective. In this paper we describe the deployment of Semantic Web applications and services at the 3rd European Semantic Web Conference (ESWC2006), before presenting results of an evaluation into how these technologies were experienced by delegates. Based on themes identified in the evaluation we highlight seven user interaction and uptake challenges raised by the conference experience, and discuss how these may generalize to the widespread deployment of Semantic Web technologies

‘Future Bathroom’, What to make? Or How to Make? Challenges in meeting sustainable needs.

This paper is a case study that describes a design research programme, ‘the future bathroom’, undertaken by the authors which illuminates both challenges and solutions for inclusive and sustainable design. A co-design research methodology was adopted and engaged older users and community lay researchers to help overcome the barriers of developing a comprehensive understanding of the issues related to highly personal, private and intimate activities. We adopt the term co-design to describe an approach to design that encourages both user involvement and interdisciplinary design. Our challenge has been to provide an environment where an exchange of ideas between stakeholders could take place and to foster what Manzini (1) has referred to as a ‘creative community’. From the project emerged both insight and understanding of age related disability and bathroom use and potential design solutions to support these needs. Adopting an inclusive approach to design research we have developed flexible, durable and sustainable solutions that meet the diverse and changing needs of bathroom usage The paper discusses how sustainability in the context of inclusive design might need to consider more ‘what we should make’ rather than ‘how we should make’

Future bathroom: A study of user-centred design principles affecting usability, safety and satisfaction in bathrooms for people living with disabilities

Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2010-11 (Department of Health) Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 197

Alternative Processing Methods for the Thermal Treatment of Radioactive Wastes

The UK has large volumes of radioactive materials which are classified as Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). The baseline treatment for these wastes is encapsulation via cementation, however, this method is not ideally suited for numerous wastes, both in the UK and globally. Alternative thermal processing methods for these materials may be capable of producing wasteforms with improved properties. This thesis presents a series of scoping studies on the thermal treatment of a diverse range of ILWs in order to identify the potential benefits and pits falls of such processes. The wastes selected were Tri-Structural Isotropic (TRISO) Fuel Particles, Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) raffinate, SIXEP sand/clinoptilolite ion exchange materials and SrTreat® Ion exchange material. The scoping studies performed showed promise for the thermal treatment of all selected waste streams. A summary of the main results for each waste stream are provided below; TRISO Fuel Particles: Immobilisation focused on encapsulation of the particles in highly durable glass matrices. Alumino-borosilicates were determined to be the most effective glass composition for the production of composites, in terms of both their physical and chemical properties. The ability of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPing) to improve composites was investigated. Unfortunately, this was shown to result in severe fracturing within the composite. This was hypothesised to occur as a result of excessive pressurisation during the cooling cycle. The HIP process did show some benefits in terms of particle coating properties and with small alterations to the HIP cycle utilised it should also be possible to eliminate the detrimental fracturing features. PFR Raffinate: The vitrification of PFR raffinate was investigated using the G73 glass composition, a glass which has been previously proposed for the immobilisation of other ILWs. This glass was proven to be capable of accommodating a waste loading of up to 20 wt% PFR raffinate. The glass produced was homogeneous with good waste retention, had no noted crystal formation, an aqueous durability comparable to currently employed HLW glasses and the thermal characteristics necessary for industrial scale up. Further study should be performed on the ability of this waste to retain Cs during processing and in aqueous solution. SIXEP Sand/Clinoptilolite Waste: SIXEP sand/clinoptilolite was processed at 95 wt% with a 50 % volume reduction by HIPing. The waste produced was a phase separated glass-ceramic. The wasteform was deemed to be suitable for ILW immobilisation and had an exceptional Cs ii retention in aqueous solutions. However, the presence of an alkali earth sulphate phase increased the Sr release to solution. Attempts to qualify the suitability of this wasteform for disposal, developed methodologies to investigate the properties of phase separated materials. A combination of vertical scanning interferometry (VSI), dissolution experiments and SEM imaging was shown to be capable of elucidating the dissolution behaviour based upon compositional variation. SrTreat®: SrTreat® was processed at 100% waste loading via HIPing. This aim was to investigate the potential for developing ion exchange columns which could subsequently be HIPed, as such, providing a complete waste treatment solution. The HIP process produced a monolithic, mixed phase sodium titanate ceramic. This ceramic was formed by the sintering of individual grain structures and retained the compositional variations seen in the granular waste stream. The wasteform was porous around the grain edges, determined to occur as a result of carbonate formation prior to HIPing. The carbonation of this material is likely to limit the potential to utilise HIPing as a disposal methodology for these wastes. However the aqueous dissolution behaviour of these wastes was still favourable and the process was shown to create a significant reduction in waste volume. The work performed in this thesis has shown that various methods for thermal treatment can be rapidly investigated to determine the potential benefits and pit falls. The application of thermal treatments was shown to be capable of producing significant improvements in wasteform quality by comparison with the cementitious alternatives

Consumer Bankruptcies: A New Zealand Perspective

In this article, the author considers the need for reform of New Zealand bankruptcy law to reflect recent socioeconomic developments in New Zealand. The author addresses several consumer bankruptcy issues, and considers them in the context of a number of competing public interest factors, such as the purpose of insolvency law, the role of the state in insolvency law, and the necessary balance to be struck between competing macroeconomic and microeconomic factors. The author suggests varying solutions-some educational, and some legal

3D Printing; Hardware and Software for the Consumer Market

3D printing is an older technology that is just making its way into the consumer market.  The story of its emergence into the consumer market is brought about through the efforts of inventors who viewed this technology as a hobby.  Since the introduction of desktop 3D printers, the market has exploded with newer and better models created each year.  There are many stories of what it can do, but little reason for consumers to adapt to the technology. This paper discusses the emergence of consumer 3D printers into the market.  It reviews the history, technology and movements that made its existence possible.  It also looks at the technology involved, uses for the technology and how it is being introduced to consumers

Glossary of terms for use with the \u27A million hectares for the future\u27 salinity management workshops

This Glossary has been developed as part of the GRDC/NDSP-funded, \u27A Million Hectares for the Future\u27 project with support and input from key personnel from the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Lower-rim ferrocenyl substituted calixarenes: new electrochemical sensors for anions

New ferrocene substituted calix[4 and 5]arenes have been prepared and the crystal structure of a lower-rim substituted bis ferrocene calix[4]arene (7) has been elucidated. The respective ferrocene/ferrocenium redox-couples of compounds 6 (a calix[4]arene tetra ferrocene amide) and 8 (a calix[5]arene pentaferrocene amide) are shown to be significantly cathodically perturbed in the presence of anions by up to 160 mV in the presence of dihydrogen phosphate

An exploration of the components of relational bonds to an arts festival brand

This research investigates the nature of the bonds that consumers form with a brand that provides highly uncertain outcomes, and is only available intermittently. The research model draws upon elements of Keller&rsquo;s (2001) conceptualisation of brand resonance, and extends McAlexander, Kim, and Roberts&rsquo; (2003), and Muniz and O&rsquo;Guinn&rsquo;s (2001) brand community construct, testing these in an atypical service environment. Qualitative research suggested the need for a broader view of the bond formed in these circumstances, specifically one comprising measures of anticipation of usage, social attraction, commitment, loyalty, and trust. This paper reports on analysis undertaken to develop such a construct, which has been labelled &ldquo;brand affinity&rdquo;. Tests for discriminant validity suggest that the brand affinity construct is a distinct construct that can be used to measure consumer attitudes toward a highly uncertain, intermittently available product.<br /