Effects of water on the strength of Zerodur

An experimental design matrix was constructed to determine the effects of time and temperature water soak on the strength of Zerodur glass-ceramic. It was found that strength does increase in a nonlinear manner which is consistent with existing theories of crack tip blunting and residual stress reduction

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be detected in a polymicrobial competition model using impedance spectroscopy with a novel biosensor

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique that can be used to elicit information about an electrode interface. In this article, we highlight six principal processes by which the presence of microorganisms can affect impedance and show how one of these - the production of electroactive metabolites - changes the impedance signature of culture media containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EIS, was used in conjunction with a low cost screen printed carbon sensor to detect the presence of P. aeruginosa when grown in isolation or as part of a polymicrobial infection with Staphylococcus aureus. By comparing the electrode to a starting measurement, we were able to identify an impedance signature characteristic of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, we are able to show that one of the changes in the impedance signature is due to pyocyanin and associated phenazine compounds. The findings of this study indicate that it might be possible to develop a low cost sensor for the detection of P. aeruginosa in important point of care diagnostic applications. In particular, we suggest that a development of the device described here could be used in a polymicrobial clinical sample such as sputum from a CF patient to detect P. aeruginosa

Transport governance and the environment: the changing decision making context of road transport in north east England

The environmental problems originating from transport are considerable, persistent and increasing. In personal travel there is a continuing switch away from public transport towards the private car. Also the proportion of freight moving by road is increasing in volume and distance. These trends reveal that the transport of both people and goods is less sustainable than it was. Altering existing transport behaviour to reduce demand, simultaneously shaping suppressed demand, and achieving both whilst maintaining politically acceptable levels of access and mobility are serious challenges. This thesis explores a part of the complex landscape of transport decision making where theses tensions are enacted, focussing on three key group of organisations within the road transport sector of the north east of England. The thesis assess the salience of ‘the environment’ within the minds of organisational transport decision makers in the North East. Their views on the environment and its importance within their decisions will affect the success of policy initiatives. Examining transport choices within this context reveals the depth of ‘environmental’ understanding present within the operational landscape of transport. It is argued that theoretical and conceptual approaches to the process of transport policy development have matured, whilst the implementation of transport policy resulting from this process remains somewhat patchy with traditional approaches to transport provision remaining dominant. The argument is covered in terms of transport paradigms. Though sustainability policies remain, recent integrated transport initiatives are undermined from the centre by a return to the market paradigm and to ‘predict and provide’. Within this research clear evidence has emerged of reinterpretations of ‘the environment’ taking place, Theses discoveries illustrate the ability of governance and organisational actors to assimilate emerging policy requirements into existing or preferred programmes and transport behaviours, in support of the aims of recent transport policies the ability to identify economic and environmental ‘win-win’ opportunities was found to be important. Decisive leadership was found to deliver effective transport policies

A scholarly edition of the poems of John Henry Newman: Verses on Various Occasions

This thesis is a scholarly edition of the John Henry Newman\u27s Verses on Various Occasions. The poems have been annotated so as to provide readers with knowledge of selected textual variations found in other versions, cross-references to Newman\u27s numerous other works, cross-references to biblical sources, as well as glosses for difficult terms. The textual variants presented are not exhaustive; however, they have been chosen as representing the most significant of the changes Newman made to his poems, and as being most worthy of commentary; The introduction provides readers with an overview of Newman\u27s life in relation to his poetry, discussion of the poems themselves, as well as the editorial methods used for this edition