Recommended Procedure for Future MODSS in Farm Forestry

This chapter proposes a procedure for future MODSS in farm forestry. It assumes similar limitations as those which applied in the South-east Queensland and the Hodgson Creek study. The most critical constraint was that contact with the stakeholders, especially landholders, was limited to a half-day workshop. A recommended procedure is described, which aims to support and facilitate the decision-making process and maximise community input to support implementation

Historical development of and paradigm shifts in public health nutrition

There is a bi-directional relationship between public health nutrition (PHN) and the environmental sustainability (ES) of food systems. Dietary guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for healthy eating. There is significant variation towards the integration of ES considerations in these policies. An understanding of how and why this variation occurs is neede

Understanding the Implications of Merging Existing Lightning Datasets with GLM for Severe Thunderstorm Monitoring

No abstract availabl

Adaptive thermal compensation of test masses in advanced LIGO

As the first generation of laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors near operation, research and development has begun on increasing the instrument's sensitivity while utilizing the existing infrastructure. In the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), significant improvements are being planned for installation in ~2007, increasing strain sensitivity through improved suspensions and test mass substrates, active seismic isolation, and higher input laser power. Even with the highest quality optics available today, however, finite absorption of laser power within transmissive optics, coupled with the tremendous amount of optical power circulating in various parts of the interferometer, result in critical wavefront deformations which would cripple the performance of the instrument. Discussed is a method of active wavefront correction via direct thermal actuation on optical elements of the interferometer. A simple nichrome heating element suspended off the face of an affected optic will, through radiative heating, remove the gross axisymmetric part of the original thermal distortion. A scanning heating laser will then be used to remove any remaining non-axisymmetric wavefront distortion, generated by inhomogeneities in the substrate's absorption, thermal conductivity, etc. A proof-of-principle experiment has been constructed at MIT, selected data of which are presented.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit

Visual inspection reliability for composite aircraft structures

This thesis presents a study of the effects of surface colour, surface finish and dent shape on the visual inspection reliability of 3D surface indentations common in shape to those produced by impact damage to carbon fibre reinforced epoxy laminates. Falling weight (2.5kg) apparatus was used to produce impact damage to non-painted, non-mesh Hexcel AS4/ 8552 carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates and painted AS4/ 8552 laminates containing bronze mesh and glass fabric lightning strike protection layers. Ø20 mm and Ø87 mm hemispherical tip impacts to painted 17ply and 33ply laminates at varying energy levels typically produced circular shaped, smoothly contoured, rounded sectional profiles with an absence of surface breaking cracks. Sectional profiles through coordinate measuring (CMM) data of the impact dents were described using a set of geometric variables. Identifying relationships between impact energy and the geometric variables allowed the typical sectional profile through impact damage dents from Ø20 mm and Ø87 mm hemispherical tips on 17ply and 33ply painted CFRP laminates to be calculated for energies between 5J to 80J. Calculated sectional profiles typical of impact damage dents to CFRP laminates were reconstructed as simple revolved shapes using 3D computer aided design (CAD) models. The 3D CAD models were computer numerical control (CNC) machined into 3mm Plexiglas panels to produce facsimiles of hemispherical impact damage dents on CFRP laminates. Facsimile specimen sets of sixteen 600 mm x 600 mm panels were produced in gloss and matt grey, white and blue finishes. Each set contained the same 32 different sized machined dents representing Ø20 mm and Ø87 mm hemispherical tip impact damage to 17ply & 33ply painted CFRP laminate. Each facsimile specimen set was combined with similarly finished unflawed (dent free) panels. 64 panels in each colour/ finish were presented for 5 seconds in a randomised order to a minimum of 15 novice participants in a visual inspection task lasting approximately 25 minutes. II A set of corresponding visual inspection experiments were performed in which physical specimens were replaced by digitally projected actual size photorealistic images of the machining CAD data. Comparisons between the results of the physical and virtual specimen trials revealed differences in detectability for similarly sized dents. The detection results obtained from visual inspection of physical specimens demonstrated that the detectability of dents similar to those caused by higher (>40J) energy impacts from a Ø87 mm hemispherical tip was less than that of the dents caused by lower energy (90% detection were observed on grey specimens and the highest number of dents returning 0% detection were observed on matt blue specimens. The difference in detection rates for similarly sized dents on a gloss and matt finish was least on grey coloured specimens and greatest on blue coloured specimens.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Winter Mass Mortality of Animals in Texas Bays

The Texas coast experienced three unusually cold weather periods in the 1980\u27s, one in 1983 and two in 1989, that caused massive fish kills. Identification of organisms killed and estimation of the number of estuarine fishes and invertebrates killed was accomplished through a systematic standardized approach utilizing airplanes, ground qualitative observations and quantitative counts, and trawling. Of 159 species identified, 103 were fishes, 45 were invertebrates, and 11 were vertebrates other than fishes. About 14 million fishes were killed in December 1983, 11 million in February 1989 and 6 million in December 1989; number of invertebrates killed ranged from 13,000 in February 1989 to 1,000,000 in 1983. These assessments are the largest in area and most comprehensive to be documented in the literature with known levels of precision. Methodology used provides reasonably precise estimates which managers can use to assess extensive widespread kills and subsequent impacts on affected populations. It is recommended that managers consider reducing fishing mortality on the remaining economically important populations after extensive kills to speed recovery of those populations

In vivo E2F reporting reveals efficacious schedules of MEK1/2–CDK4/6 targeting and mTOR–s6 resistance mechanisms

Targeting cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) represents a therapeutic option in combination with BRAF inhibitor and/or MEK inhibitor (MEKi) in melanoma; however, continuous dosing elicits toxicities in patients. Using quantitative and temporal in vivo reporting, we show that continuous MEKi with intermittent CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) led to more complete tumor responses versus other combination schedules. Nevertheless, some tumors acquired resistance that was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 protein. These data were supported by phospho-S6 staining of melanoma biopsies from patients treated with CDK4/6i plus targeted inhibitors. Enhanced phospho-S6 in resistant tumors provided a therapeutic window for the mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014. Mechanistically, upregulation or mutation of NRAS was associated with resistance in in vivo models and patient samples, respectively, and mutant NRAS was sufficient to enhance resistance. This study utilizes an in vivo reporter model to optimize schedules and supports targeting mTORC1/2 to overcome MEKi plus CDK4/6i resistance. SIGnIFICAnCE: Mutant BRAF and NRAS melanomas acquire resistance to combined MEK and CDK4/6 inhibition via upregulation of mTOR pathway signaling. This resistance mechanism provides the preclinical basis to utilize mTORC1/2 inhibitors to improve MEKi plus CDK4/6i drug regimens

Indium coverage of the Si(111)- 7×3 -in surface

The indium coverage of the Si(111)-√7 × √3-In surface is investigated by means of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory calculations. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that the In coverage is a double layer rather than a single layer. Moreover, the atomic structure of the Si(111)-√7 × √3-In surface is discussed by comparing experimental with simulated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images and scanning tunneling spectra with the calculated density of states. Our structural assignment agrees with previous studies, except for the interpretation of experimental STM images

Relationships between intrauterine fetal growth trajectories and markers of adiposity and inflammation in young adults

Background: There is now good evidence that events during gestation significantly influence the developmental well-being of an individual in later life. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between intrauterine growth trajectories determined by serial ultrasound and subsequent markers of adiposity and inflammation in the 27-year-old adult offspring from the Raine Study, an Australian longitudinal pregnancy cohort. Methods: Ultrasound fetal biometric measurements including abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and head circumference (HC) from 1333 mother-fetal pairs (Gen1–Gen2) in the Raine Study were used to develop fetal growth trajectories using group-based trajectory modeling. Linear mixed modeling investigated the relationship between adult body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of Gen2 at 20 (n = 485), 22 (n = 421) and 27 (n = 437) years and the fetal growth trajectory groups, adjusting for age, sex, adult lifestyle factors, and maternal factors during pregnancy. Results: Seven AC, five FL and five HC growth trajectory groups were identified. Compared to the average-stable (reference) group, a lower adult BMI was observed in two falling AC trajectories: (β = −1.45 kg/m2, 95% CI: −2.43 to −0.46, P = 0.004) and (β = −1.01 kg/m2, 95% CI: −1.96 to −0.05, P = 0.038). Conversely, higher adult BMI (2.58 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.98 to 4.18, P = 0.002) and hs-CRP (37%, 95% CI: 9–73%, P = 0.008) were observed in a rising FL trajectory compared to the reference group. A high-stable HC trajectory associated with 20% lower adult hs-CRP (95% CI: 5–33%, P = 0.011). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of understanding causes of the unique patterns of intrauterine growth. Different fetal growth trajectories from early pregnancy associate with subsequent adult adiposity and inflammation, which predispose to the risk of diabetes and cardiometabolic disease

Alternatives for sustained disaster risk reduction

The daily media is filled with images of catastrophic events which seem increasingly frequent and violent In parallel there are a large range of scientific studies debates in the policy arena, and a growing number of international institutions focused on disaster reduction. But a paradox remains that despite advances in technology, disasters continue to increase, affecting many individuals in rich as well as poor countries