Evidence for the reliability and validity, and some support for the practical utility of the two-factor Consideration of Future Consequences Scale-14

Researchers have proposed 1-factor, 2-factor, and bifactor solutions to the 12-item Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS-12). In order to overcome some measurement problems and to create a robust and conceptually useful two-factor scale the CFCS-12 was recently modified to include two new items and to become the CFCS-14. Using a University sample, we tested four competing models for the CFCS-14: (a) a 12-item unidimensional model, (b) a model fitted for two uncorrelated factors (CFC-Immediate and CFC-Future), (c) a model fitted for two correlated factors (CFC-I and CFC-F), and (d) a bifactor model. Results suggested that the addition of the two new items has strengthened the viability of a two factor solution of the CFCS-14. Results of linear regression models suggest that the CFC-F factor is redundant. Further studies using alcohol and mental health indicators are required to test this redundancy

System and method for moving a probe to follow movements of tissue

An apparatus is described for moving a probe that engages moving living tissue such as a heart or an artery that is penetrated by the probe, which moves the probe in synchronism with the tissue to maintain the probe at a constant location with respect to the tissue. The apparatus includes a servo positioner which moves a servo member to maintain a constant distance from a sensed object while applying very little force to the sensed object, and a follower having a stirrup at one end resting on a surface of the living tissue and another end carrying a sensed object adjacent to the servo member. A probe holder has one end mounted on the servo member and another end which holds the probe

Driving reuse: sustainability and ethics in product life extension

The research identifies the benefits of understanding consumer decisions at the point of discarding household items and suggests strategies to encourage the necessary behaviour change in order to improve the operation of existing reuse and repair ventures. Increased understanding could also inform future policies aimed at increasing the incidence of reuse and repair and assist local authorities, industry and third sector organisations in their implementation

APPLICATION OF THE MODULARIZATION CONCEPT TO SATELLITE TAPE RECORDERS

Application of the modularization concept to satellite tape recorder

Sensing of Fluctuating Nanoscale Magnetic Fields Using NV Centres in Diamond

New magnetometry techniques based on Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) defects in diamond allow for the imaging of static (DC) and oscillatory (AC) nanoscopic magnetic systems. However, these techniques require accurate knowledge and control of the sample dynamics, and are thus limited in their ability to image fields arising from rapidly fluctuating (FC) environments. We show here that FC fields place restrictions on the DC field sensitivity of an NV qubit magnetometer, and that by probing the dephasing rate of the qubit in a magnetic FC environment, we are able to measure fluctuation rates and RMS field strengths that would be otherwise inaccessible with the use of DC and AC magnetometry techniques. FC sensitivities are shown to be comparable to those of AC fields, whilst requiring no additional experimental overheads or control over the sample.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

The systematic position of Plagiochila moritziana, P. trichostoma and P. deflexa based on ITS sequence variation of nuclear ribosomal DNA, morphology, and lipophilic secondary metabolites

According to phylogenetic analyses of nrDNA ITS1 and ITS2 sequences (including the 5.8S unit) the Neotropical Plagiochila moritziana, P. rutilans var. rutilans, P. rutilans var. standleyi, P. trichostoma (= P. permista, syn. nov.), and P. subtrinitensis form a monophyletic lineage and are placed in P. sect. Rutilantes; all five taxa lack a ca 20 base pair sequence that is present in all the taxa of the other Plagiochila sections investigated. The Central American P. subtrinitensis is treated as a synonym of the Hawaiian endemic P. deflexa. Plagiochila moritziana is excluded from sect. Fuscoluteae and reduced to a variety of P. rutilans; P. sect. Permistae is treated as a synonym of P. sect. Rutilantes. The sporophytes of P. trichostoma and P. deflexa are described for the first time. Fresh material of P. rutilans var. moritziana exhibits a distinct odor of peppermint caused by the presence of several menthane monoterpenoids, principally pulegone. The Central American P. rutilans var. standleyi is reported from Ecuador, new to South America. Lectotypes are designated for P. rutilans var. moritziana, P. subtrinitensis, and P. trichostoma

Extending product lifetimes through WEEE reuse and repair: opportunities and challenges in the UK

Discarded electrical and electronic equipment is a rapidly growing waste stream which has increased in part be-cause advances in technology have contributed to shorter product lifetimes [1],[2]. As such, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has received increasing attention from policy makers. Previous research has re-vealed the large proportion of end-of-life consumer electronics disposed of through residual waste collections and destined for landfill disposal or incineration [3],[4]. This represents a missed opportunity for extending their lifetime by facilitating recovery for repair or reuse, which would be preferable in the context of their high levels of embodied carbon [5] and the valuable materials they contain. This paper outlines the current policy context following recently updated WEEE Regulations and explores the current routes for end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment in the UK and opportunities for product life ex-tension through reuse of discarded items. Following a literature review, a series of semi-structured interviews were undertaken with policy makers, producer responsibility organisations, third sector organisations, waste collection authorities and waste management companies. The paper reports the findings from this research, which aimed to determine whether the current collection sys-tem for end-of-life equipment in the UK adequately encourages increased repair and reuse in line with the UK Government’s waste reduction programme [6], or whether there is an excessive focus on recycling. An analysis of the findings is used to discuss whether the UK policy framework is adequate to embed legislative require-ments and improve current practices and whether the current system promotes awareness and understanding by householders sufficient to encourage behaviour change

Towards a circular economy: exploring routes to reuse for discarded electrical and electronic equipment

Waste reduction should be an integral strategy for meeting European Union commitments on the circular economy. The reuse of household goods, thereby increasing their life-spans, is thus not only part of the waste reduction agenda but necessary for progression towards a circular economy. Reuse does take place through many different routes and involves many actors. This complexity makes monitoring and increasing reuse particularly challenging. Previous research has concentrated on reuse through local government collections and there has been with limited enquiry into other routes. This paper characterises and analyses operations of two UK organisations that facilitate the resale of used electrical and electronic equipment in order to establish how levels of reuse may be increased. It discusses findings from semi-structured interviews with senior representatives from the organisations and makes recommendations for reuse networks that could manage waste streams more effectively. The paper illustrates how different business approaches can make a significant contribution to tackling waste and implementing the circular economy