Tetra-n-butylamine(carbonato-kappa O-2,O')cobalt(III)n-butylcarbamate dihydrate

The title compound, [Co(CO3)(C4H11N)4](C5H10NO2)·2H2O, is a coordination complex with an N4O2 coordination sphere around the central CoIII ion. The small bite angle of the chelating carbonate causes a distortion of the octahedral geometry to an approximately C2v local symmetry. Hydrogen-bonding between the carbonate, carbamate and amine groups, and the water of crystallization, results in a complex two-dimensional network

Development and Application of Methods for the Assay of Neptunium in Environmental Matrices

Inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques have been investigated as rapid, alternative methods for the analysis of 237 Np and other long-lived actinides in environmental matrices. By comparison to the more routine a-spectrometric method, equivalent, if not improved, detection limits for ICP-MS and NAA have been found. Radiochemical separation and pre-concentration are required for all the methods studied. In this work, anion exchange and TTA solvent extraction of Np IV from hydrochloric acid media were used to separate Np from potential interferences from the naturally occurring nuclides of uranium. The degree of interference was found to vary for each approach and was quite severe in the case of NAA. Analysis by ICP-MS tolerates a lower degree of chemical purification and results in a significant increase in sample throughput. The rapid, mass-scanning facilities of the instrument have allowed multiactinide determination on single samples and have provided important additional information concerning plutonium nuclides in environmental samples. In the absence of suitable certified reference materials, the accuracy and precision of the ICP-MS technique were determined by a series of laboratory intercomparison and replicate analyses. On this basis, the reported measurements of 237Np and plutonium nuclides were considered valid. The ICP-MS method developed here has been applied to the routine analysis of 237Np and plutonium nuclides in samples of soils and sediments from W. Cumbria, known to be contaminated by discharges from the BNFL fuel re-processing plant at Sellafield. Concentrations ranging from 3.16 to 0.004 Bq kg-1 237Np have been measured with excellent precision. Typically, an exponential decrease of 237Np activity with depth has been found in a number of soil profiles. The pattern is the same as that found for other anthropogenic nuclides in the profiles but, when the effect of profile density variation is considered, it appears that a component of the neptunium is present in a more mobile form and is responsible for a degree of smearing of its distribution down the soil profile. During the transfer of Sellafield-derived 237Np from the BNFL, through the marine environment to a number of terrestrial sampling locations in W. Cumbria, the activity ratios of 237Np to 239,240Pu, 241Am and 137Cs change in a manner which implies that there is a loss of neptunium from the solid phase. Detailed studies of the chemical association of neptunium in samples of silt and surface soil show that, compared to the other transuranic nuclides studied, a significant proportion of the element is associated with the more sensitive phases the exchangeable and adsorbed components, including carbonate. The organic matter and residual phases are nevertheless found to be significant and merit further study

CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF 5-BENZOYLOXYOCTAETHYLPORPHYRIN

5-Benzoyloxyoctaethylporphyrin, C43HsoN402, monoclinic, .P2~/c, a = 15.105 (1), b = 20-729 (2), c-=- 12-721 (1) A, fl = 112.05 (2) °, D m = I. 18, D c = 1.177 gcm -3 for Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined to R = 0.0474, R w = 0.0510 for 4076 reflections measured on an automatic diffractometer. The central porphyrin system is distinctly non-planar, and adopts a shallow saucer shape. A 'halfhydrogen' atom has been located attached to each central nitrogen atom; however, it is not clear whether these are truly representative of N-H tautomerism, or are crystallographic artifacts

Applying biogeochemistry to identify the geographic origins of insects - a model using prostephanus truncatus

"The application of geochemical screening for tracking insects and other organisms is poorly understood. We explored multi-elemental profiles of an insect pest and its food from different locations in order to identify intrinsic markers of geographic origin. ICP-AES screening was completed for soil, maize grains and Prostephanus truncatus of different geographic origin, with insects collected in the field or reared on maize under controlled conditions. Background level geochemical data are presented with concentrations of Cu, S and Sr in maize, and Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, S, Si, Sr, Ti and Zn in insects differing according to their origin, or that of their food. Cu, Fe and Zn determinations of insects were 20, 6.5 and 11.5 times the concentrations of the maize they were reared on. A Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based on Al, Fe, Sr and Zn successfully assigned 78% of laboratory-reared P. truncatus and 94% of field-caught insects to their origin (68% and 75% respectively after jacknifing). There was excellent discrimination between insects reared on maize from Guanajuato and Nuevo Léon, and Guanajuato and Michoacán, good separation between Sonora and Nuevo Léon but overlap for Sonora, Guanajuato and Michoacán, and Michoacán and Nuevo Léon. The same LDA for field-caught insects gave complete separation between Michoacán and Sonora, but some overlap between Michoacán and Nuevo Léon. This robust ICP-AES technique successfully identified a combination of elements able to classify insects according to their origin. The model was restricted to elements showing a normal distribution but non-parametric tests suggest other elements may act as intrinsic markers. This shows the potential of atomic spectroscopy for remotely tracing insects and other biological materials, with applications including providing provenance data for species routinely captured for surveillance and to track natural enemies and wildlife.

Reforming labour relations: what southern employers say

Broad based employer organizations have successfully advocated deregulation of New Zealand labour relations on the basis that employers have felt unduly restrained by predominantly national occupational awards and existing union structures and activities. This paper examines this premise through ·an interview survey of South Island employers. Little support is found for the contention that unions or the award system place significant restraints on smaller or medium sized firms that are the foundation of much New Zealand industry and employment, or that such employers have felt moved to demand the sort of labour relations reform now advocated by the central organization of employers

Southern employers on enterprise bargaining

With recently proposed amendments to the 1987 Labour Relations Act, the Government has moved another step towards embracing enterprise bargaining as a cornerstone of future New Zealand labour relations. This paper reports the opinions on enterprise bargaining of a sample of 92 employers in Otago and Southland. The employers are found to be equally divided in their preferences between enterprise bargaining and the award system. However, there is no evidence of widespread overt dissatisfaction with the functioning of the award system

Cultivating Culture in Greenfields: The Heinz Wattie's Case

The establishment of new plants in Greenfield sires is a strategic organisational initiative providing the opportunity to develop alternative systems of staff values and beliefs which may be more appropriate for capitalising on external product marker opportunities. This paper explores whether an alternative organisational culture can be established at a Greenfield sire within a New Zealand food processing plant. This case organisation utilised the provisions of the Employment Contracts Act 1991 to establish alternative employment conditions in the Greenfield site to those of its Brownfield sire. A comparative analysis was made utilising quantitative organisational culture data from Human Synergistic's Organisation Culture Inventory. The data reveals the similarities and differences between the Greenfield and Brownfield sires and provides the basis for discussion of whether culture can be managed through the mechanism of a Greenfield site. Critical elements in creating a desired culture are identified

Coaching Model of Performance Appraisal: A Local Case Study

The performance appraisal process is viewed by many as a key management tool that can enhance the development, communication, and implementation of an organisation's strategy, yet critics still debate the benefits. This paper uses a case study to explore the perceptions of staff of changing from a "Traditional" to a "Developmental" approach of performance appraisal.The case organisation updated their performance appraisal system by utilising technology, refocusing the performance appraisal competency areas and increasing the frequency of the appraisal process. The changes reflect the emerging trends of the performance appraisal process.Exploratory research was undertaken to determine whether these changes were viewed by staff and management as a positive improvement and whether the change supported contemporary performance appraisal initiatives commented upon within the literature