The optical spectroscopy of extraterrestrial molecules

The ongoing quest to identify molecules in the interstellar medium by their electronic spectra in the visible region is reviewed. Identification of molecular absorption is described in the context of the elucidation of the carriers of the unidentified diffuse interstellar bands while molecular emission is discussed with reference to the unidentified Red Rectangle bands. The experimental techniques employed in undertaking studies on the optical spectroscopy of extraterrestrial molecules are described and critiqued in the context of their application.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, Invited review Australian Journal of Chemistry, accepted for publicatio

Sharing vocabularies: towards horizontal alignment of values-driven business functions

This paper highlights the emergence of different ‘vocabularies’ that describe various values-driven business functions within large organisations and argues for improved horizontal alignment between them. We investigate two established functions that have long-standing organisational histories: Ethics and Compliance (E&C) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). By drawing upon research on organisational alignment, we explain both the need for and the potential benefit of greater alignment between these values-driven functions. We then examine the structural and socio-cultural dimensions of organisational systems through which E&C and CSR horizontal alignment can be coordinated to improve synergies, address tensions, and generate insight to inform future research and practice in the field of Business and Society. The paper concludes with research questions that can inform future scholarly research and a practical model to guide organizations’ efforts towards inter-functional, horizontal alignment of values-driven organizational practice

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Correlation between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity in radiation-grafted proton-exchange membranes

An SANS investigation of hydrated proton exchange membranes is presented. Our membranes were synthesized by radiation-induced grafting of ETFE with styrene in the presence of a crosslinker, followed by sulfonation of the styrene. The contrast variation method was used to understand the relationship between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity. The membranes are separated into two phases. The amorphous phase hosts the water and swells upon hydration, swelling being inversely proportional to the degree of crosslinking. Hydration and proton conductivity exhibit linear dependence on swelling. Proton conductivity and volumetric fraction of water are related by a power law, indicating a percolated network of finely dispersed aqueous pores in the hydrophilic domains

Lompoc Valley Diffusion Experiment Data Report

A data base representing the results of the Lompoc Valley diffusion experiment is described in detail, outlining formats and defining the contents of the data set. Preliminary analyses are performed, showing concentrations, trajectories and plume widths of a tracer gas plume released from the Hypergolic Stockpile and Storage Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and estimating the effects of a potential release of fuel or oxidizer. Future analysis plans are outlinedPrepared for: USAF Space Division (SSD/CLGR), Los Angeles, CA.http://archive.org/details/lompocvalleydiff00skupMPIR FY76169000643NAApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Quantification of platinum deposition in polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes

Platinum catalyst dissolution with subsequent reduction and deposition of Pt particles in the membrane can lead to a significant loss of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) performance. To quantify the amount of deposited platinum, a novel transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sectioning method was employed. This method was used to visualize, count and size Pt particles in a defined volume of the membrane, thus allowing the calculation of the deposited Pt mass. After potential cycling between 0.6 V and open circuit voltage, a Pt particle band was formed in the middle of the membrane containing 16% of the initial cathode Pt loading. Start/stop cycling was found to result in deposition of Pt particles both close to the cathode (3% cathode Pt loss) and the anode catalyst layer (1% anode Pt loss). TEM sectioning allowed for the separation of Pt surface area losses caused by deposition in the membrane and particle growth in the catalyst layers. Particle growth was the dominating surface area loss mechanism after potential cycling and start/stop cycling. Using TEM sectioning, the Pt surface area in the membrane was also accessible, which is a crucial parameter for membrane degradation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved