Product development of a nickel-plated fire fighting helmet : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MTech in Product Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

This thesis describes the development of a fire fighting helmet for the French market for manufacture by Pacific Helmets (NZ) Ltd, including the major technical development of a process for electroplating unsaturated polyester resin (UP resin). The need for this study arose from an opportunity identified by PHNZ to enter into the French fire fighting market. The major technical problem was that the helmet shell must be manufactured from nickel-plated UP resin. However, no current technology existed for plating UP resin with a suitably high quality or durability that would withstand the user conditions of a fire fighting helmet. Literature from existing technologies for plating of similar materials, and attempts at plating UP resin for decorative purposes were reviewed, along with advice from Industry experts in order to understand plastics plating technology and to develop potential methods for plating UP resin for this application. An iterative hypothesis generation and trial process was used to test potential plating methods in a laboratory on samples of UP resin. A successful methodology was identified. Following this an electroplating pilot plant was constructed and the successful plating methods were used to plate full UP resin helmet shells. Works-like prototypes were constructed using helmet shells that had been successfully applied with a quality and durable electroplated coating suitable for fire fighting helmets. The prototypes were successfully tested against the required product safety standards. The project concluded with the successful development of a works-like prototype of a Nickel-plated fire-fighting helmet for the French market that met all consumer and technical requirements identified. Going forward, Pacific Helmets (NZ) Ltd plan to showcase the product at the next annual International Fire-fighting trade show. Plans are currently underway to expand the production facility in Wanganui in order to accommodate the additional helmet production

Examination of Separator Reconnection Rates in a Series of Adjacent Emerging/Existing Active Region Pairs

No abstract availabl

The recovery of semen from bathwater using the Evidence Recovery System (ERS)

Sexual offences are under-reported and ascertaining accurate offence numbers is difficult. Any methods which could increase the ability to obtain biological evidence or reduce the additional distress associated with reporting a sexual offence may result in an increase in reporting this crime type. The Evidence Recovery System (ERS) is designed to collect trace evidence, including hairs, fibres and biological evidence, from bath or shower water in a non-invasive manner. Initially, samples of semen were placed in baths filled with water, and washing was simulated using a range of body wash products. The water was then drained through the ERS before its filters were subjected to acid phosphatase testing and haematoxylin and eosin staining of spermatozoa. Recovered spermatozoa were then graded accordingly. Following this, the experiment was repeated with the addition of dirt/dust particulates during the washing stage, to simulate recovery of biological evidence in a more realistic environment. The results showed that spermatozoa considered ‘easy to find’ could regularly be obtained from bathwater using the ERS. It appeared that this recovery was not affected by the presence of different body wash products. When dust/dirt particles were added, the number of spermatozoa recovered increased at two of the evidence collection stages. The difference in recovery was considered to be statistically significant. This study provides evidence to suggest the feasibility of use of the ERS as a method to collect semen evidence from individuals subjected to sexual offences. The recovery of spermatozoa does not appear to be affected by the presence of a body wash, but does appear to be improved when skin cells, hair and other debris are transferred into the water, as would be likely during a bath/shower. Further to this, the possibility of obtaining spermatozoa from the home bath or shower of a victim following a post-offence bathing experience is implied

Raising Awareness of the Severity of “Contactless Stings” by Cassiopea Jellyfish and Kin

Discussion around avoidance and mitigation of jellyfish stings has traditionally focused on swimmers and divers being mindful of their behavior relative to swimming medusae (pelagic jellyfish). This framework must be restructured with the inclusion of the oblique risk posed by novel autonomous stinging structures like cassiosomes from Cassiopea (a jellyfish genus of the taxonomic order Rhizostomeae). Cassiosomes are released by Cassiopea sp. into subtropical waters that can consequently sting human skin, causing varying degrees of pain and irritation; this trait extends to other rhizostome jellyfish species. Swimmers and waders may put themselves at risk simply by coming into contact with agitated water in the vicinity of Cassiopea medusae, even without touching any part of the jellyfish (medusa, tentacles, or otherwise). Herein, we highlight details provided by 46 researchers and professional aquarists reporting incidents in which they experienced “stinging water” sensations, which we also refer to as “contactless stings’’. We report these findings in order to increase the awareness of a public safety hazard the community may be unaware of in their own labs, aquariums, and sampling locations

Interdisciplinary doctoral research supervision: A scoping review

This scoping literature review examines the topic of interdisciplinary doctoral research supervision. Interdisciplinary doctoral research programs are expanding in response to encouragement from funding agencies and enthusiasm from faculty and students. In an acknowledgement that the search for creative and innovative solutions to complex problems is best addressed through interdisciplinary collaborations, research-intensive universities are increasingly encouraging interdisciplinary projects and programs. The expansion of interdisciplinary research to the context of doctoral research may impact several core components of the doctorate: the enactment of the student–supervisor relationship, the process of forming and working with a supervisory committee, and the process and outcomes of doctoral research. In order to ensure that interdisciplinary doctoral supervision occurs in a positive and effective way, it is necessary to understand the distinct needs and challenges of interdisciplinary students and their supervisors, through scholarship about this phenomenon. Résumé Cet article retrace la recherche existante dans le domaine de l’interdisciplinarité ainsi que l’encadrement de recherches doctorales. Les programmes interdisciplinaires de recherches doctorales répondent à l’incitation des organismes de financement et à l’enthousiasme des professeurs et des étudiants et, de ce fait, deviennent de plus en plus nombreux. Les universités centrées sur la recherche encouragent la création de projets et de programmes interdisciplinaires, car elles sont convaincues que les solutions innovatrices et créatives aux problèmes complexes se réalisent par le truchement de collaborations interdisciplinaires. La demande croissante de recherche interdisciplinaire crée cependant un effet important sur plusieurs composantes centrales du doctorat : la mise en œuvre de la relation étudiantsuperviseur; le processus de formation et de travail du comité de supervision; et les processus et résultats de la recherche doctorale. Pour que l’encadrement doctoral interdisciplinaire se déroule de façon positive et efficace, il est donc nécessaire de comprendre clairement quels sont les différents besoins et défis des étudiants et de leurs superviseurs, en fonction du savoir déjà existant dans le domaine

Accessing and engaging with antenatal care: an interview study of teenage women

Background: Pregnant teenagers in rural and regional areas experience distinct disadvantages, that are not simply a function of their age, and these have a substantial impact on their health and that of their baby. Studies demonstrate that antenatal care improves pregnancy outcomes amongst pregnant women, especially adolescents. Understanding teenager’s views and experiences of pregnancy and motherhood is important to ensure antenatal care meets young women’s needs. This study explored teenage women’s experiences and perceptions of barriers and facilitators to engaging in pregnancy care in rural and regional Victoria, Australia. Methods: Between February–October 2017, pregnant women aged ≤19 years were purposively recruited from one regional and two rural health services in Victoria. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews guided by naturalistic inquiry were conducted and an inductive approach to analysis was applied. Results: Four key themes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts of 16 interviews: Valuing pregnancy care, Interactions with Maternity Service, Woman-centred care, and Support systems. Teenage women primary motivation to attend care was to ensure their baby’s wellbeing and lack of engagement occurred when the relevance of antenatal care was not understood. Appointment flexibility and an accessible location was important; most participants were reliant on others for transport. Continuity of carer and respectful, non-judgement communication by staff was highly valued. Many young women had fractured families with pregnancy diminishing their social world, yet having a baby gave them purpose in their lives. Conclusion: Maternity services and health professionals that provide flexible, adaptable women-centred care and support through pregnancy and early motherhood will assist young women’s engagement in antenatal care

Cryogel scaffold-mediated delivery of adipose-derived stem cells promotes healing in murine model of atrophic non-union

Non-union is defined as the permanent failure of a bone to heal and occurs clinically in 5% of fractures. Atrophic non-unions, characterized by absent/minimal callus formation, are poorly understood and difficult to treat. We recently demonstrated a novel murine model of atrophic non-union in the 3.6Col1A1-tk (Col1-tk) mouse, wherein dosing with the nucleoside analog ganciclovir (GCV) was used to deplete proliferating osteoprogenitor cells, leading to a radiographic and biomechanical non-union after the mid-shaft femur fracture. Using this Col1-tk atrophic non-union model, we hypothesized that the scaffold-mediated lentiviral delivery of doxycycline-inducible BMP-2 transgenes would induce osteogenesis at the fracture site. Cryogel scaffolds were used as a vehicle for GFP+ and BMP-2+ cell delivery to the site of non-union. Cryogel scaffolds were biofabricated through the cross-linking of a chitosan-gelatin polymer solution at subzero temperatures, which results in a macroporous, spongy structure that may be advantageous for a bone regeneration application. Murine adipose-derived stem cells were seeded onto the cryogel scaffolds, where they underwent lentiviral transduction. Following the establishment of atrophic non-unions in the femurs of Col1-tk mice (4 weeks post-fracture), transduced, seeded scaffolds were surgically placed around the site of non-union, and the animals were given doxycycline water to induce BMP-2 production. Controls included GFP+ cells on the cryogel scaffolds, acellular scaffolds, and sham (no scaffold). Weekly radiographs were taken, and endpoint analysis included micro-CT and histological staining. After 2 weeks of implantation, the BMP-2+ scaffolds were infiltrated with cartilage and woven bone at the non-union site, while GFP+ scaffolds had woven bone formation. Later, timepoints of 8 weeks had woven bone and vessel formation within the BMP-2+ and GFP + scaffolds with cortical bridging of the original fracture site in both groups. Overall, the cell-seeded cryogels promoted osseous healing. However, while the addition of BMP-2 promoted the endochondral ossification, it may provide a slower route to healing. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential for cellularized cryogel scaffolds to enhance the healing of non-unions

Classification of non-indigenous species based on their impacts: Considerations for application in marine management

Assessment of the ecological and economic/societal impacts of the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) is one of the primary focus areas of bioinvasion science in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and is considered essential to management. A classification system of NIS, based on the magnitude of their environmental impacts, was recently proposed to assist management. Here, we consider the potential application of this classification scheme to the marine environment, and offer a complementary framework focussing on value sets in order to explicitly address marine management concerns. Since existing data on marine NIS impacts are scarce and successful marine removals are rare, we propose that management of marine NIS adopt a precautionary approach, which not only would emphasise preventing new incursions through pre-border and at-border controls but also should influence the categorisation of impacts. The study of marine invasion impacts requires urgent attention and significant investment, since we lack the luxury of waiting for the knowledge base to be acquired before the window of opportunity closes for feasible management

Peeking beneath the precision floor I: metallicity spreads and multiple elemental dispersions in the globular clusters NGC 288 and NGC 362

The view of globular clusters (GCs) as simple systems continues to unravel, revealing complex objects hosting multiple chemical peculiarities. Using differential abundance analysis, we probe the chemistry of the Type I GC, NGC 288 and the Type II GC, NGC 362 at the 2\% level for the first time. We measure 20 elements and find differential measurement uncertainties on the order 0.01-0.02 dex in both clusters. The smallest uncertainties are measured for Fe I in both clusters, with an average uncertainty of $\sim$0.013 dex. Dispersion in the abundances of Na, Al, Ti I, Ni, Fe I, Y, Zr, Ba and Nd are recovered in NGC 288, none of which can be explained by a spread in He. This is the first time, to our knowledge, a statistically significant spread in $s$-process elements and a potential spread in metallicity has been detected in NGC 288. In NGC 362, we find significant dispersion in the same elements as NGC 288, with the addition of Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, La, Ce, and Eu. Two distinct groups are recovered in NGC 362, separated by 0.3 dex in average differential $s$-process abundances. Given strong correlations between Al and several $s$-process elements, and a significant correlation between Mg and Si, we propose that the $s$-process rich group is younger. This agrees with asymptotic giant branch star (AGB) enrichment between generations, if there is overlap between low- and intermediate-mass AGBs. In our scenario, the older population is dominated by the $r$-process with a $\Delta^{\mathrm{La}}-\Delta^{\mathrm{Eu}}$ ratio of $-0.16\pm0.06$. We propose that the $r$-process dominance and dispersion found in NGC 362 are primordial.Comment: First paper in a series. Accepted for publication in MNRA