Social capital and sustainability of urban environmental groups in Perth

Community based environmental groups have become an integral component of urban environmental stewardship initiatives in Perth metropolitan area. While the utility of Urban Environmental Groups (UEGs) has been recognized by several environmental policies and programs, the challenges of sustaining UEGs remain under-explored, especially, in Western Australia. This paper responds to this gap and explores the prospect of UEGs’ sustainability through the lens of social capital. The findings of a quantitative survey of 81 groups as well as qualitative observations suggest UEGs that are better at building and maintaining social capital are more likely to overcome resource-scarcities and sustain over time. Based on the findings, the paper views social capital as a necessary ingredient of sustainable community groups and discusses the strategic needs to support UEGs

Evaluating residential satisfaction with an innovative dual water supply system in water sensitive urban development

The Australian water industry is facing two major challenges: a rise in water demand due to a growing population and a decrease in rainfall availability due to a drying climate. This situation has triggered a re-evaluation of traditional water schemes and promoted consideration of alternatives for sustainable urban water management. One possibility is to replace drinking water usage in garden and outdoor irrigation with non-potable groundwater. This could save almost half of the water supplied in the residential sector, which is the biggest consumer of scheme water in most Australian cities. A major hurdle for the success of such fit-for-purpose groundwater schemes can be the lack of the resident’s participation and support. Currently there are uncertainties about the dynamic nature of individual’s attitudes in terms of satisfaction and accepting behaviours towards the fit-for-purpose water use. This can cause ambiguity in planning and implementation of such projects. The main purpose of this thesis is to address the following specific research questions: What are the factors that determine residential satisfaction with and behaviours towards the fit-for-purpose groundwater system? and What are the implications of such water system for community, water utilities and urban planners? These questions have been addressed through a quasi-experimental study utilizing two northern suburbs in Perth metropolitan: Ridgewood and “The Green”. “The Green” is selected as an experimental suburb and Ridgewood is selected as a control suburb, which is a standard metropolitan suburb having the usual main drinking water system. The use of non-drinking groundwater through the dual water supply system in “The Green” began in 2008 alongside the main water scheme. A broad spectrum of parallel literature from many disciplines was drawn upon to inform the research. Concurrent preliminary informal conversations with local residents and a number of field observations were helpful in refining and contextualising the research hypotheses regarding the determinants of residential satisfaction with the fit-for-purpose groundwater supply system in the context of water sensitive urban development. An exploratory mixed method approach was adopted starting with qualitative preliminary interviews with local residents to inform the development of a survey instrument. This was followed by the administration of the survey questionnaires at household level to collect quantitative data to measure the relationship among variables and test a model of residential satisfaction. The survey data and the secondary data about residential water consumption were analysed to develop a workable model for residential satisfaction with and behaviour towards the dual water supply system and water sensitive urban environment. Finally, qualitative information during stakeholder interviews, meetings, and seminars was used to interpret the planning implications of the model and behavioural responses towards the water system and urban development. The research results indicated that the majority of residents (70%) are satisfied with the nondrinking groundwater supply system in their home and neighbourhood. In “The Green”, the household drinking water consumption was reduced by 40% compared to the metropolitan average; however, excessive garden watering exemptions for new garden establishment caused 30% more water usage in “The Green” than the metropolitan average. This study found that the major components of residential environment satisfaction were the neighbourhood, neighbours, and home. Home satisfaction in “The Green” was determined mainly by home attributes and the garden satisfaction, which in turn was dependent upon garden attributes and satisfaction with the groundwater system. In this way, groundwater satisfaction had an indirect impact on home satisfaction mediated by garden satisfaction. The major determinants of groundwater satisfaction were: positive perceptions of operational issues, and risk of groundwater use (negative relationship), and preference for continuation of the groundwater system after its trial period. The major research findings are explained in Chapter Six, Seven, and Eight. The dynamic nature of community attitudes and community behaviours towards the fit-for-purpose water projects at urban settings were explored, and the planning and development consequences of the implementation of the alternative water systems were explained. The results of this study are highly applicable for water providers, urban planners, and community developers in promoting the successful implementation as well as improvement of fit-for-purpose water systems from a policy perspective. This thesis equally contributes to building knowledge and understanding of residential satisfaction and its relationship to innovative dual water systems in water sensitive urban environments. It facilitates the sustainable management and planning of urban water resources. The research also demonstrates the need to integrate general models of community satisfaction with specific water system attitudes to provide an indication of the role of water supply systems in the overall success of water sensitive developments

Development of sustainable biodegradable lignocellulosic hemp fiber/polycaprolactone biocomposites for light weight applications

Biocomposites with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as matrix and lignocellulosic hemp fiber with varying average aspect ratios (19, 26, 30 and 38) as reinforcement were prepared using twin extrusion process. The influence of fiber aspect ratio on the water absorption behavior and mechanical properties are investigated. The percentage of moisture uptake increased with the aspect ratio, following Fickian behavior. The hemp fiber/PCL biocomposites showed enhanced properties (tensile, flexural and low-velocity impact). The biocomposite with 26 aspect ratio showed the optimal properties, with flexural strength and modulus of 169% and 285% respectively, higher than those of neat PCL. However, a clear reduction on the mechanical properties was observed for water-immersed samples, with reduction in tensile and flexural moduli for the aspect ratio of 26 by 90% and 62%, respectively than those of dry samples. Summarily, the optimal sample provides an eco-friendly alternative to conventional, petroleum-based and non-renewable composites for various applications.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Effectiveness of earthquake selection and scaling method in New Zealand

In New Zealand, time history analysis is either the required or preferred method of assessing seismic demands for torsionally sensitive and other important structures, but the criteria adopted for the selection of ground motion records and their scaling to generate the seismic demand remains a contentious and debatable issue. In this paper, the scaling method based on the least squares fit of response spectra between 0.4-1.3 times the structure's first mode period as stipulated in the New Zealand Standard for Structural Design Actions: Earthquake Actions (NZS1170.5) [1] is compared with the scaling methods in which ground motion records are scaled to match the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration response at the natural period of the structure corresponding to the first mode with 5% of critical damping; i.e. Sa(TI, 5%). Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is used to measure the record-torecord randomness of structural response, which is also a measure of the efficiency of the intensity measure (IM) used. Comparison of the dispersions of IDA curves with the three different IMs; namely PGA, Sa(Ti, 5%) and NZS1170.5 based TM, shows that the NZS1170.5 scaling method is the most effective for a large suite of ground motions. Nevertheless, the use of only three randomly chosen ground motions as presently permitted by NZS1170.5 is found to give significantly low confidence in the predicted seismic demand. It is thus demonstrated that more records should be used to provide a robust estimate of likely seismic demand

Direct-write, focused ion beam-deposited,7 K superconducting C-Ga-O nanowire

We have fabricated C-Ga-O nanowires by gallium focused ion beam-induced deposition from the carbon-based precursor phenanthrene. The electrical conductivity of the nanowires is weakly temperature dependent below 300 K, and indicates a transition to a superconducting state below Tc = 7 K. We have measured the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2(T), and estimate a zero temperature critical field of 8.8 T. The Tc of this material is approximately 40% higher than that of any other direct write nanowire, such as those based on C-W-Ga, expanding the possibility of fabricating direct-write nanostructures that superconduct above liquid helium temperaturesComment: Accepted for AP

A Comparative study of Extra-Amniotic Saline Infusion (EASI), Foley’s Catheter and Prostaglandin E2(PGE2) gel for Pre-Induction Cervical Ripening

Introduction: Cervical ripening is essential for successful induction of labor. The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of extra-amniotic saline infusion, Foley’s catheter and intra-cervical PGE2 gel for pre-induction cervical ripening. Methods: A total 150 women having indications of labor induction were randomly assigned equally into three groups: EASI, Foley’s catheter and PGE2 gel. Eligible full-term pregnancy with Bishop score 4 or less was recruited for the study. Computer generated randomization method and random numbers were used to allocate cases into three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS. The induction to cervical ripening interval, induction to delivery time, changes in the Bishop Score, mode of delivery and cost were assessed. Results: Majority of the cases was primigravida (67.3%) and the most common indication of induction was postdated pregnancy (72%). The mean time for induction to cervical ripening interval was shorter in Foley’s catheter and EASI than PGE2 (6.92 & 5.69 vs 11.08 (P<0.006). Majority of cases in Foley’s catheter and EASI achieved the Bishop score of 7 or more within 24 hours of induction as compared to PGE2 (88% & 84% vs 54%, P<0.000). The mean induction to delivery time is found shorter in EASI and Foley’s catheter than PGE2 (14.95hrs &16.84hrs vs 23.18hrs). Conclusion: Foley’s catheter and extra-amniotic saline infusion (EASI) are the most efficacious, cost effective and safe methods of cervical ripening as compared to PGE2 gel. Keywords: Cervical ripening, induction of labor, EASI, PGE2,Foley’s catheter

Stillbirths among Pregnant Women Admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Stillbirth is often defined as the death of a foetus in the uterus prior to its birth or during the process of birth. Most of the stillbirths are preventable global health problem. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of stillbirths among pregnant women admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre among pregnant women admitted between 14 April 2021 to 13 April 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 43). Convenience sampling method was used. The data were collected from the medical record section using a proforma. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 5,118 pregnant women, stillbirths were found in 126 (2.46%) (2.04-2.88, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of stillbirth among pregnant women was higher than in the other studies done in similar settings