Voltammetry of adsorbed monolayers: computer simulation and experiment

Facile and accurate determination of both kinetic and thermodynamic electrochemical parameters from simple cyclic voltammograms of adsorbed species has been achieved using a new computer based theoretical model. This removes, for the most part, a major deficiency in cyclic voltammetric analysis. This model incorporates an integrated approach to simulation in cyclic voltammetry involving a combination of Marcus electron transfer theory and a simplex fitting algorithm. The model uses a modem electron transfer theory in a unique way and is demonstrated to be an important and useful diagnostic tool for the electrochemist. With this model, the effect of the electrode material on the electrochemical response of adsorbed osmium complexes has been investigated and it has been found that the non-adiabatic rate of heterogeneous electron transfer does not depend simply on the density o f states within the electrode. In contrast, it is found that the non-adiabatic rate of heterogeneous electron transfer depends on the density of states modulated by the square of the coupling. Studies on the effect o f bond conjugation within bridging ligands in adsorbed monolayers using the electron transfer model have been carried out. Surprisingly, the presence of bond conjugation gives a lower rate constant. Analogous experiments were carried out on complexes in solution. The model has been comprehensively tested using both theoretical and experimental data and has proven to be highly sensitive to the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, k°, and to a lesser extent, the reorganisation energy, X. This electron transfer model will enable future studies of adsorbed monolayers where distributions of formal potentials and / or distributions of heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants exist

Crop Updates 2011 - Pests and Diseases

This session covers four papers from different authors: 1. Grains biosecurity – everyone’s business, Jeff Russell, Department of Agriculture and Food 2. Control of insect and mite pests in grains – insecticide resistance and integrated pest management (IPM), Paul Umina1, Svetlana Micic2 and Laura Fagan3, 1CESAR and The University of Melbourne, 2Department of Agriculture and Food, 3University of Western Australia 3. Effect of cropping rotations on pest mites of broadacre agriculture, Svetlana Micic, Mark Seymour, Tony Dore and Pam Burgess, Department of Agriculture and Food 4. Common bunt resistance in Western Australian wheat varieties, John Majewski, Manisha Shankar and Rob Loughman, Department of Agriculture and Foo

Low-dose (0.01%) atropine eye drops to reduce progression of myopia in children: a multi-centre placebo-controlled randomised trial in the United Kingdom (CHAMP-UK) – study protocol

Background/aims To report the protocol of a trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of low-dose atropine (0.01%) eye-drops for reducing progression of myopia in UK children. Methods Multicentre, double-masked, superiority, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. We will enrol children aged 6–12 years with myopia of −0.50 dioptres or worse in both eyes. We will recruit 289 participants with an allocation ratio of 2:1 (193 atropine; 96 placebo) from five centres. Participants will instil one drop in each eye every day for 2 years and attend a research centre every 6 months. The vehicle and preservative will be the same in both study arms. The primary outcome is SER of both eyes measured by autorefractor under cycloplegia at 2 years (adjusted for baseline). Secondary outcomes include axial length, best corrected distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, reading speed, pupil diameter, accommodation, adverse event rates and allergic reactions, quality of life (EQ-5D-Y) and tolerability at 2 years. Mechanistic evaluations will include: peripheral axial length, peripheral retinal defocus, anterior chamber depth, iris colour, height and weight, activities questionnaire, ciliary body biometry and chorioretinal thickness. Endpoints from both eyes will be pooled in combined analysis using generalised estimating equations to allow for the correlation between eyes within participant. Three years after cessation of treatment, we will also evaluate refractive error and adverse events. Conclusions The Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression in the UK study will be the first randomised trial reporting outcomes of low-dose atropine eye-drops for children with myopia in a UK population. Trial registration number ISRCTN99883695 , NCT0369008

A pulsed-laser calibration system for the laser backscatter diagnostics at the Omega laser

A calibration system has been developed that allows a direct determination of the sensitivity of the laser backscatter diagnostics at the Omega laser. A motorized mirror at the target location redirects individual pulses of a mJ-class laser onto the diagnostic to allow the in-situ measurement of the local point response of the backscatter diagnostics. Featuring dual wavelength capability at the 2nd and 3rd harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser, both spectral channels of the backscatter diagnostics can be directly calibrated. In addition, channel cross-talk and polarization sensitivity can be determined. The calibration system has been employed repeatedly over the last two years and has enabled precise backscatter measurements of both stimulated Brillouin scattering and stimulated Raman scattering in gas-filled hohlraum targets that emulate conditions relevant to those in inertial confinement fusion targets

Crop Updates 2000 - Cereals part 1

This session covers eleven papers from different authors: PLENARY PAPERS 1. New Wheat for a Secure, Sustainable Future, Timothy G. Reeves, Sanjaya Rajaram, Maarten van Ginkel, Richard Trethowan, Hans-Joachim Braun, and Kelly Cassaday, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) 2. Managing Cereal Rusts - a National Perspective, R.A. McIntosh, University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute, New South Wales 3. Managing Cereal Rusts in 2000 - a regional imperative, R. Loughman, Agriculture Western Australia 4. Is nutrition the answer to wheat after canola problems?Ross Brennan1, Bill Bowden1, Mike Bolland1, Zed Rengel2 and David Isbister2 1 Agriculture Western Australia 2University of Western Australia 5. Improved Sandplain Cropping Systems by Controlled Traffic, Dr Paul Blackwell, Agriculture Western Australia 6. Raised bed farming for improved cropping of waterlogged soils, Derk Bakker, Greg Hamilton, David Houlbrooke, Cliff Spann and Doug Rowe, Agriculture Western Australia 7. Banded Urea increased wheat yields, Patrick Gethin, Stephen Loss, Frank Boetel, and Tim O’Dea, CSBP futurefarm 8. Flexi N is as effective as Urea on wheat and canola, Frank Boetel, Stephen Loss, Patrick Gethin, and Tim O’Dea CSBP futurefarm 9. Why potassium may reduce cereal leaf disease, Noeleen Edwards, Agriculture Western Australia 10, Trace elements, Wayne Pluske CSBP futurefarm, and Ross BrennanAgriculture Western Australia 11. Historical Nutrient Balance at Paddock and Whole Farm scales for typical wheatbelt farms in the Dowerin - Wongan Hills area, M.T.F. Wong, K. Wittwer and H. Zhang Precision Agriculture Research Group, CSIRO Land and Wate

Crop Updates 2003 - Geraldton

This session covers twenty eight papers from different authors Seasonal Outlook: What is in store for 2003, David Stephens, Department of Agriculture Examining The Management Options For Wheat Crops In The Coming Season, James Fisher, Department of Agriculture GMO’s – what do they offer? Ian Edwards, Grain Bio Tech Australia Pty Ltd The Big Gamble – Wheat prices for 2003, Dennis Wise, Profarmer Market outlook for other grains, Andrew Young, General Manager Agricorp Stripe rust – where to now for the WA wheat industry? Robert Loughman, Ciara Beard and Greg Shea, Department of Agriculture Baudin and Hamlin – new generation of malting barley developed in Western Australia, Blakely Paynter, Roslyn Jettner and Kevin Young, Department of Agriculture DBM in Canola, Kevin Walden, Department of Agriculture The latest on Lupin diseases, Geoff Thomas, Department of Agriculture Wheat variety performance in 2002 compared to the long term, Robin Wilson, Iain Barclay, Robyn McLean, Robert Loughman, Jenny Garlinge, Bill Lambe, Neil Venn and Peter Clarke, Department of Agriculture Do wide rows drought proof lupins on red loam? Martin Harries, Bob French, Wayne Parker and Murray Blyth, Department of Agriculture Do wide rows drought proof lupins on a sandy loam? Martin Harries, Bob French, Wayne Parker and Murray Blyth, Department of Agriculture Profit Proving Precision Agriculture, Peter Norris, Agronomy For Profit, Greg Lyle, CSIRO Land and Water, Yuna Farm Improvement Group Annual ryegrass seedbanks: the good, the bad, and the ugly, Kathryn Steadman, University of Western Australia, Amander Ellery, CSIRO Plant Industry, Sally C Peltzer, Department of Agriculture Wheat management packages for low rainfall areas, Kari-Lee Falconer, Department of Agriculture Ground water 1. Atrazine, Russell Speed, Department of Agriculture Groundwater 2. Current Trends, Russell Speed, Department of Agriculture Herbicide tolerance of wheat, lupins and pastures, Terry Piper and Harmohinder Dhammu, Department of Agriculture Farming with Tramlines, Bindi Webb, Paul Blackwell, Department of Agriculture, Phil Logue, Binnu, Nigel Moffat, Geraldton, Rohan Ford, Binnu, Miles Obst, Mingenew, The role of green manure crops in renovating poor performing paddocks: What’s it worth? Frances Hoyle, Leanne Schulz and Judith Devenish Department of Agriculture The looming threat of wild radish, Peter Newman, Department of Agriculture Does one ‘size’ fit all? Grant Morrow, Syngenta Crop Protection Climate Forecasts on the Internet, Ian Foster and David Stephens, Department of Agriculture Moisture delving = more reliable lupin establishment, Paul Blackwell, and Wayne Parker, Department of Agriculture Tramline Designs for better Weed control and Wheat value from non-spraying tramlines in a dry season, Paul Blackwell, Bindi Webb and Darshan Sharma, Department of Agriculture Biserrula Grazing Trial, Marnie Thomas, Department of Agriculture Performance of IT and TT canola varieties in the medium and high rainfall agzones of W.A., 2001-02, Graham Walton, Hasan Zaheer and Paul Carmody, Department of Agriculture Rapid Catchment Appraisal in Northern Agricultural Region, Mike Clarke, Paul Raper, Department of Agricultur

Crop Updates 2001 - Grower Booklet

1. Strategies for leaf disease management in wheat, Jatinderpal Bhathal1, Cameron Weeks2, Kith Jayasena1 and Robert Loughman1, 1Agriculture Western Australia. 2Mingenew-Irwin Group Inc. 2. Burn stubble windrows: to diagnose soil fertility problems, Bill Bowden, Chris Gazey and Ross Brennan, Agriculture Western Australia 3. Rainfall – what happened in 2000 and the prospects for 2001, Ian Foster, Agriculture Western Australia 4. Strategies for leaf disease management in malting barley, K. Jayasena1, Q. Knight2 and R. Loughman1, 1Agriculture Western Australia, 2IAMA Agribusiness 5. Planning your cropping program in season 2001, Dr Ross Kingwell, Agriculture Western Australia and University of Western Australia 6. Rotational crops and varieties for management of root lesion nematodes in Western Australia, S.B. Sharma, S. Kelly and R. Loughman, Crop Improvement Institute, Agriculture Western Australia 7. When and where to grow oats, Glenn McDonald, Agriculture Western Australia 8. Managing Gairdner barley for quality, Kevin Young and Blakely Paynter, Agriculture Western Australia FARMING SYSTEMS, PASTURES AND WEEDS 9.Evaluation of pasture species for phase pasture systems, Keith Devenish, Agriculture Western Australia 10. Competitiveness of wild radish in a wheat – lupin rotation, Abul Hashem, Nerys Wilkins, and Terry Piper, Agriculture Western Australia 11. Can we eradicate barley grass? Sally Peltzer, Agriculture Western Australia 12. Short term pasture phase for weed control, Clinton Revell and Candy Hudson, Agriculture Western Australia 13. Herbicide tolerance of some annual pasture legumes adapted to coarse textured sandy soils, Clinton Revell and Ian Rose, Agriculture Western Australia 14. Integrated weed management: Cadoux, Alexandra Wallace, Agriculture Western Australia LUPINS 15. Inter-row knockdowns for profitable lupins, Paul Blackwell, Agriculture Western Australia and Miles Obst, farmer, Mingenew 16.. Wild radish – the implications for our rotations, Dr David Bowran, Centre for Cropping Systems 17. Lupin variety performance: Are you making the most of it? Bevan J. Buirchell, Senior Plant Breeder, Agriculture Western Australia 18. Anthracnose in lupins – understanding the risk, Moin Salam, Art Diggle, Geoff Thomas, Mark Sweetingham and Bill O’Neill, Agriculture Western Australia OILSEEDS 19. Effect of stubble, seeding technique and seed size on crop establishment and yield of canola, Rafiul Alam, Glen Riethmuller and Greg Hamilton, Agriculture Western Australia 20. Canola – More responses to lime, Chris Gazey and Paul Carmody,Agriculture Western Australia 22. Performance of new canola varieties in AGWEST variety trials in 2000, G. Walton, Crop Improvement Institute, Agriculture Western Australia PULSES 23. The ascochyta management package for 2001, B. MacLeod, Agriculture Western Australia 24. Herbicide tolerance of new field pea varieties and lines, M. Seymour, H. Dhammu, T. Piper, D. Nicholson, M. D\u27Antuono, Agriculture Western Australi

Crop Updates 2008 - Cereals

This session covers twenty four papers from different authors: WHEAT AGRONOMY 1. Wheat variety performance in the Northern Agricultural Region in 2007, Christine Zaicou, Department of Agriculture and Food 2. Wheat variety performance on the Central Agricultural Region in 2007, Shahajahan Miyan, Department of Agriculture and Food 3. Response of wheat varieties to sowing time in the Great Southern and Lakes Region in 2007, Brenda Shackley and Steve Penny, Department of Agriculture and Food 4. Wheat variety performance in the South Coastal Region in 2007, Sarah Ellis, Department of Agriculture and Food 5. Flowering dates of wheat varieties in Western Australia in 2007, Darshan Sharma, Brenda Shackley and Christine Zaicou, Department of Agriculture and Food BARLEY AGRONOMY 6. Barley variety options for Western Australia, Blakely Paynter, Andrea Hills and Jeff Russell, Department of Agriculture and Food 7. Vlaming A – the newest malting barley variety, Blakely Paynter, Jeff Russell and Andrea Hills, Department of Agriculture and Food 8. Barley yields higher in wide rows with stubble retained in a very dry season at Merredin, Glen Riethmuller, Bill Bowden and Paul Blackwell, Department of Agriculture and Food HERBICIDE TOLERANCE 9. Herbicide tolerance of current/new wheat varieties, Dr Harmohinder Dhammu, Department of Agriculture and Food 10. Herbicide tolerance of new oat varieties, Dr Harmohinder Dhammu, Vince Lambert, and Chris Roberts,Department of Agriculture and Food NUTRITION 11. Managing nitrogen inputs in malting barley, Andrea Hills and Blakely Paynter, Department of Agriculture and Food 12. Decision tools for optimal N on cereal crops, David and Sally Cox, Jeremy Lemon* and Andrea Hills*, *Department of Agriculture and Food 13. Wheat varieties respond differently to potassium application on potassium responsive soils, Paul Damon and Zed Rengel, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia DISEASES 14. Leaf disease management in continuous barley in the northern and central grainbelt of WA, Geoff Thomas, Ciara Beard, Anne Smith, Kith Jayasena and Sean Kelly, Department of Agriculture and Food 15. Temperature and moisture requirements of leaf, stem and stripe rusts of wheat, Geoff Thomas, Rob Loughman and Bill MacLeod, Department of Agriculture and Food 16. Fungicide options for controlling diseases in oats, Raj Malik and Blakely Paynter, Department of Agriculture and Food 17. Survey of wheat root diseases under intensive cereal production in Western Australia during 2005-2007, Ravjit Khangura, William MacLeod, Vivien Vanstone, Colin Hanbury, Mehreteab Aberra, Gordon MacNish and Robert Loughman, Department of Agriculture and Food 18. Epidemiology studies on Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in 2007, Brenda Coutts, Geoff Strickland, Monica Kehoe, Dustin Severtson and Roger Jones, Department of Agriculture and Food 19. Bacterial diseases that affect WA export hay quality, Dominie Wright and Megan Jordan, Department of Agriculture and Food SOIL 20. Hardpan penetration ability of drought-stressed wheat under pot and field conditions, Xinhua He1, Eli Manyol1, Song-Ai Nio1, Imran Malik1, Tina Botwright-Acuña1,2and Len Wade1,3,1School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, 2Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, TAS, 3E.H. Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University, NSW HARVEST MANAGEMENT 21. Calculating the risk – the SEPWA Harvest Calculator, Nigel Metz, South East Premium Wheat Growers Association 22. The relationship between grain moisture and atmospheric conditions in cereal crop harvesting on the South Coast of WA, Nigel Metz, South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) MARKETS 23. Varietal accreditation for Australian Barley, Linda Price, Barley Australia STATISTICAL METHODS 24. Applying data mining tools to improve grain quality for growers, Dean Diepeveen1, Leisa Armstrong2, Peter Clarke1, Doug Abrecht1, Rudi Appels2 and Matthew Bellgard3,1Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia 2Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, 3Centre of Comparative Genomics, Murdoch Universit

Crop Updates 2004 - Cereals

This session covers twenty eight papers from different authors: PLENARY 1. Declining profitability in continuous cropping systems. Is more wheat the answer on Duplex soil? Dr Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 2. Disease implications of extending the wheat phase in low-medium rainfall areas, Dr Vivian Vanstone and Dr Robert Loughman, Department of Agriculture 3. Prolonged wheat phase on duplex soils – where do weeds set the boundary? Vanessa Stewart, Department of Agriculture WHEAT AGRONOMY 4. Management of small grain screenings in wheat, Dr Wal Anderson and Dr Darshan Sharma, Department of Agriculture 5. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties, Christine Zaicou-Kunesch, Dr Darshan Sharma, Brenda Shackley, Dr Mohammad Amjad, Dr Wal Anderson and Steve Penny,Department of Agriculture 6. Managing wheat yield reduction from wide rows, Dr Mohammad Amjad and Dr Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 7. Row spacing and stubble effect on wheat yield and ryegrass seed set, Glen Riethmuller, Department of Agriculture 8. Grain protein management – lessons learnt on the south coast, Jeremy Lemon, Department of Agriculture 9. Unravelling the mysteries of optimum seed rates, Dr Wal Anderson, Dr Darshan Sharma, Brenda Shackley and Mario D’Antuono, Department of Agriculture 10. Agronomic features for growing better wheat – south east agricultural region 2003, Dr Mohammad Amjad, Veronika Reck and Ben Curtis, Department of Agriculture 11. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties – great southern agricultural region 2003, Brenda Shackley and Judith Devenish, Department of Agriculture 12. Variety specific responses of new wheat varieties – central agricultural region 2003, Dr Darshan Sharma and Dr Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 13. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties – northern agricultural region 2003, Christine Zaicou-Kunesch, Melaine Kupsch and Anne Smith, Department of Agriculture BARLEY AND OAT AGRONOMY 14. Gairdner for high rainfall – where does Baudin fit in? Blakely Paynter, Roslyn Jettnerand Leanne Schulz, Department of Agriculture 15. Oaten hay – varieties and agronomy, Blakely Paynter, Jocelyn Ball and Tom Sweeny, Department of Agriculture NUTRITION 16. In-furrow fungicide applications in liquid fertiliser, Dr Stephen Loss, CSBP Ltd 17. Elemental sulphur as a fertiliser source in Western Australia, Ashleigh Brooks1A, Justin Fuery2, Geoff Anderson3 and Prof Zed Rengel1,1UWA, 2Summit FertilizerFertilisers and 3Department of Agriculture 18. Genetic variation in potassium efficiency of barley, Paul Damon and Prof. Zed Rengel, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UWA 19. Managing protein through strategic N applications, Eddy Pol and Dr Stephen Loss, CSBP Ltd 20. Nitrogen management for wheat in high rainfall cropping areas, Narelle Hill1, Ray Tugwell1, Dr Wal Anderson1, Ron McTaggart1and Nathan Moyes2, 1Department of Agriculture and 2Landmark 21. Flag smut resistance in current WA wheat varieties, John Majewski and Dr Manisha Shankar, Department of Agriculture 22. Rust resistance update for wheat varieties in WA, Dr Manisha Shankar, John Majewski and Jamie Piotrowski, Department of Agriculture PESTS AND DISEASES 23. Stripe rust in WA – where was it and what can we learn from 2003? Dr Robert Loughman and Ciara Beard, Department of Agriculture 24. Foliar disease management – a key factor in the adoption of Baudin and Hamlin barley, Dr Kithsiri Jayasena, Dr Rob Loughman, Kazue Tanaka and Grey Poulish, Department of Agriculture 25. Validating aphid and virus risk forecasts for cereals, Dr Debbie Thackray, Rohan Prince and Dr Roger Jones, Department of Agriculture and Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture HARVESTING 26. Swathing Gairdner barley at 30% moisture, Peter Nelson¹ and Nigel Metz², ¹Cooperative Bulk Handling and ² Fitzgerald Biosphere Group MODELLING 27. Development of a web based grower decision aid application for cereal growers, Dr Leisa Armstrong1, Yee Leong (Alex) Yung1and Dr Moin Salam2 1School of Computer and Information Science, Edith Cowan University; and 2Department of Agriculture 28. Wheat varieties updated in ‘Flowering Calculator’ – a model predicting flowering time, Brenda Shackley, Dr David Tennant, Dr Darshan Sharma and Christine Zaicou‑Kunesch, Department of Agricultur