Odd Jacobi manifolds and Loday-Poisson brackets

In this paper we construct a non-skewsymmetric version of a Poisson bracket on the algebra of smooth functions on an odd Jacobi supermanifold. We refer to such Poisson-like brackets as Loday-Poisson brackets. We examine the relations between the Hamiltonian vector fields with respect to both the odd Jacobi structure and the Loday-Poisson structure. Furthermore, we show that the Loday-Poisson bracket satisfies the Leibniz rule over the noncommutative product derived from the homological vector field.Comment: 18 pages. Further comments added and slight rearrangement of the material. No major changes to the mathematical content. Comments welcome

Modular classes of Q-manifolds: a review and some applications

A Q-manifold is a supermanifold equipped with an odd vector field that squares to zero. The notion of the modular class of a Q-manifold -- which is viewed as the obstruction to the existence of a Q-invariant Berezin volume -- is not well know. We review the basic ideas and then apply this technology to various examples, including $L_{\infty}$-algebroids and higher Poisson manifolds.Comment: 11 pages. Comments are welcome

Adsorption of pentachlorophenol onto activated carbon in a fixed bed : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Environmental Engineering at Massey University

The adsorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from water onto granular activated carbon (GAC) was studied. Equilibrium and kinetic behaviour was studied, and the results used to predict fixed bed adsorber behaviour. Batch equilibrium tests showed that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon for PCP is best represented by the Freundlich isotherm, with constants of K = 95 and 1/n = 0.18. Batch adsorption kinetics experiments were conducted in a spinning basket reactor. Surface diffusion and external film transfer coefficients were determined by fitting the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM) to the experimental batch adsorption data. A surface diffusion coefficient value of 2.26 x 10-9cm/s was calculated using this method, which was similar to surface diffusion coefficients for similar compounds found by other investigators. Using equilibrium and kinetic parameters, the HSDM was used to predict bench scale fixed bed adsorber breakthrough curves at varying flow rates. A correlation was used to calculate the film transfer coefficient. There was a good agreement between the experimental breakthrough curves and those predicted by the model. By varying parameters in the model it was found that the adsorption rate in the PCP-activated carbon system was primarily limited by surface diffusion. The homogeneous surface diffusion model was shown to be effective in predicting breakthrough of PCP and could conceivably be used to predict full scale adsorber performance or to aid pilot plant studies

Improving office users' workplace perceptions using plants

This paper explores the importance of user perceptions within an organisational context, and more specifically, aims to identify and demonstrate the benefits of plants in offices in contributing to employee wellbeing by influencing their perceptions of a working office. Via comprehensive literature reviews, the importance of user perceptions is determined as well as the importance of indoor plants in office environments in improving employee wellbeing through psychological benefits. It is argued that user perceptions can be analysed through their input and functionalities in the workplace and their consequent application of workplace productivity. In this study, a perception survey was completed, which demonstrated that occupants of planted offices feel more comfortable, more productive, healthier and more creative and feel less pressure than occupants of non-planted offices. The paper provides an insight into how plants can be incorporated within facilities management strategies to improve employee health and wellbeing and improve perceived productivity