808 research outputs found
A Small Model of the Australian Macroeconomy: An Update
Almost a decade ago David Gruen and Geoff Shuetrim constructed a small macroeconomic model of the Australian economy. A comprehensive description of this model was subsequently provided by Beechey et al (2000). Since that time, however, the model has continued to evolve. This paper provides an update on the current structure of the model and the main changes which have been made to it since Beechey et al . While the details of the model have changed, its core features have not. The model remains small, highly aggregated, empirically based, and non-monetary in nature. It also retains a well-defined long-run steady state with appropriate theoretical properties, even though its primary role is to analyse short-run macroeconomic developments.Australian economy; macroeconomic model; monetary policy
Assessing activated sludge morphology by laser and image analysis
An excess of filamentous bacteria is a common
settlement problem affecting the activated sludge
process. In this study activated sludge morphology was
monitored by image analysis and laser scattering. These
were compared with the conventional sludge volume
index. Good correlations between the two optical
techniques for floc size were found when the small and
interfering particles (< 50 m) were removed from the
analysis (activated sludge size 100â500 m). A simpler
image analysis procedure was developed using common
software and equipment available in most laboratories.
This should enable reproducible microbial morphology
measurements to be used more widely routinely to
predict the onset of poor settlement. The image analysis
was used to determine the standard index of filamentinduced
poor settlement, namely the total extended
filament length. The results in common with some
previously noted work did not show a simple link
between either floc size or total extended filament
length and sludge volume index. A new indicator of
excess filaments is suggested, based on the frequency of
occurrence of just the long extended filaments
(> 100 m) which was shown to give better prediction of
poor settlement (bulking)
Optimal dosage determination of a hypocholesterolemic bitter yam proprietary preparation in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic mice
Coronary heart disease, a condition associated with dyslipidemias including hyperlipidemia and low HDL-C levels, has been an increasing problem in the developing world. Conventional treatment for hyperlipidemia often present with unfavourable side effects, leading to the need for development of drugs from natural products. The hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of the Jamaican bitter yam have previously been demonstrated however consumption at a high dosage presents with various adverse effects. This study is therefore geared towards the determination of an optimal dosage for the consumption of a proprietary preparation made from this yam species. Hypercholesterolemic mice were fed the preparation at various dosages (4, 2, 1, 0.5%) for 3 weeks after which they were phlebotomized then euthanized. Organs were stored at -80°C until required for analysis. The optimal dosage for supplementation, which resulted in significant decreases in serum cholesterol and oxidative stress without eliciting adverse effects, was found to be 2%. The results from this study points to the need for future in-depth studies involving dietary supplementation at the 2% supplementation level. 
Carbon dioxide releases from wastewater treatment: potential use in the UK
Power consumption by the UK water industry has increased as a result of the introduction of new quality standards;
the annual (2008/2009) carbon dioxide output was reported at 5?1 Mt. Biogenic output of carbon dioxide for the
sector was calculated to be about 2 Mt. The strategies available to the water industry for reducing carbon footprint
are increased use of renewable energy, principally anaerobic digestion, using less power and methods for reducing
carbon dioxide emissions. This paper reports on work sponsored by UK Water Industry Research to examine methods
for capturing and utilising carbon dioxide from wastewater treatment. The review has concluded that bioconversion
and biofixation using algae and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis are the most promising methods for utilising
carbon dioxide. These technologies would readily integrate into existing industry flow sheets and both increase
biogas production and reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Extending motifs in lithiocuprate chemistry: unexpected structural diversity in thiocyanate complexes.
The new area of lithio(thiocyanato)cuprates has been developed. Using inexpensive, stable and safe CuSCN for their preparation, these complexes revealed Lipshutz-type dimeric motifs with solvent-dependent point group identities; planar, boat-shaped and chair shaped conformers are seen in the solid state. In solution, both Lipshutz-type and Gilman structures are clearly seen. Since the advent in 2007 of directed ortho cupration, effort has gone into understanding the structure-reactivity effects of amide ligand variation in and alkali metal salt abstraction from Lipshutz-type cuprates such as (TMP)2Cu(CN)Li2(THF) 1 (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide). The replacement of CN(-) with SCN(-) is investigated presently as a means of improving the safety of lithium cuprates. The synthesis and solid state structural characterization of reference cuprate (TMP)2Cu(CN)Li2(THP) 8 (THP = tetrahydropyran) precedes that of the thiocyanate series (TMP)2Cu(SCN)Li2(L) (L = OEt29, THF 10, THP 11). For each of 9-11, preformed TMPLi was combined with CuSCN (2â:â1) in the presence of sub-stoichiometric Lewis base (0.5 eq. wrt Li). The avoidance of Lewis basic solvents incurs formation of the unsolvated Gilman cuprate (TMP)2CuLi 12, whilst multidimensional NMR spectroscopy has evidenced the abstraction of LiSCN from 9-11 in hydrocarbon solution and the in situ formation of Gilman reagents. The synthetic utility of 10 is established in the selective deprotometalation of chloropyridine substrates, including effecting transition metal-free homocoupling in 51-69% yield.This work was supported by the U.K. EPSRC through grant EP/J500380/1 (A. P.) and the MinistĂšre de l'Enseignement SupĂ©rieur et de la Recherche scientifique AlgĂ©rien (M. H.). F. M.This is the final version of the article. It was first available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5DT03882
Providing energy for rural Indian communities: anaerobic digestion at Loughborough University
Rural Hybrid Energy Enterprise Systems (RHEES) is a research partnership between 6 UK and 7 Indian Universities. The aim of this project is to develop best practise at a smaller community scale which makes use of hybrid and combinations of biofuels. The idea is to improve rural energy availability, equity of cost and to generate an economic stimulus from the desire to provide greater energy security and reduced environmental impact. The Loughborough University part of the project is on how to apply village scale anaerobic digestion. This will be achieved by: Development of small-medium scale systems Combining solar/ thermal heat integration for pre-treatment of feedstock and pasteurisation of digestate Designing prefabricated systems Development of remote monitoring of digesters Working with partners and stakeholders throughout
Anaerobic digestion at Loughborough University
Bioenergy for Sustainable Rural Living (BURD) is a research partnership between 6 UK and 7 Indian Universities. The aim of this project is to develop best practise at a smaller community scale which makes use of hybrid and combinations of biofuels. The idea is to improve rural energy availability, equity of cost and to generate an economic stimulus from the desire to provide greater energy security and reduced environmental impact
The impact of plastic bag residues on anaerobic digestion performance
Aim of the research: To test the suitability of a plastic bag material for separate collection of food waste prior to AD. Toxicity, biodegradability and biogas production of the polymer was assessed by comparison with other feedstocks as controls. 10 litre digesters were used with and without pretreatment of the plastic. Short summary: In this work we used 10 litre digesters to investigate the suitability of a polymer material for food waste collection plastic bags. The material needed to be robust, but also biodegradable. Digestion of the synthetic polymer was compared to natural polymers from maize and rice. Two controls were also used: cellulose (known for its high biodegradability) and sewage sludge (the most commonly used AD substrate). Parameters checked daily, included gas production and composition, CST and total and volatile solids of the digestate. Stability was assessed by Ripleyâs ratio, VFA, ammonia and pH. Digester loading was 1.36 g VS/l/day at 60 day HRT. The experiment was in two halves with sewage sludge feed in the middle, as an internal control to check activity. In a second experiment the material was pre-treated according to the Animal By-product Regulations (Regulation, 2011) heating to 70oC for 1hr. The results show the material was completely inert
Anaerobic digestion of brewery waste
Marmite Unilever-introduction/site history. â Vital statistics. â Waste water treatment plant (WWTP). â Biogas production. â Benefits of WWTP for Unilever. â Issues with stability. â Conclusions
Renewable energy research at Loughborough University
Renewable energy research at Loughborough Universit
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