Measurement equivalence of the dispositional resistance to change scale

Intended to bridge the gap between the latest methodological developments and cross-cultural research, this interdisciplinary resource presents the latest strategies for analyzing cross-cultural data. Techniques are demonstrated through the use of applications that employ cross national data sets such as the latest European Social Survey. With an emphasis on the generalized latent variable approach, internationally?prominent researchers from a variety of fields explain how the methods work, how to apply them, and how they relate to other methods presented in the book. Syntax and graphical and verbal explanations of the techniques are included. [from publisher's website]

Wheat breeding nurseries, target environments, and indirect selection for grain yield

Use of appropriate nursery environments will maximize gain from selection for yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the target population of environments of a breeding program. The objective of this study was to investigate how well-irrigated (low-stress) nursery environments predict yield of lines in target environments that varied in degree of water limitation. Fifteen lines were sampled from the preliminary yield evaluation stage of the Queensland wheat breeding program and tested in 26 trials under on-farm conditions (Target Environments) across nine years (1985 to 1993) and also in 27 trials conducted at three research stations (Nursery Environments) in three years (1987 to 1989). The nursery environments were structured to impose different levels of water and nitrogen (N) limitation, whereas the target environments represented a random sample of on-farm conditions from the target population of environments. Indirect selection and pattern analysis methods were used to investigate selection for yield in the nursery environments and gain from selection in the target environments. Yield under low-stress nursery conditions was an effective predictor of yield under similar low-stress target environments (r = 0.89, P < 0.01). However, the value of the low-stress nursery as a predictor of yield in the water-limited target environments decreased with increasing water stress (moderate stress r = 0.53, P < 0.05, to r = 0.38, P > 0.05; severe stress r = -0.08, P > 0.05). Yield in the stress nurseries was a poor predictor of yield in the target environments. Until there is a clear understanding of the physiological-genetic basis of variation for adaptation of wheat to the water-limited environments in Queensland, yield improvement can best be achieved by selection for a combination of yield potential in an irrigated low-stress nursery and yield in on-farm trials that sample the range of water-limited environments of the target population of environments.

Removal of methyl orange from aqueous solutions through adsorption by calcium aluminate hydrates

Methyl orange (MO) is a kind of anionic dye and widely used in industry. In this study, tricalcium aluminate hydrates (Ca-Al-LDHs) are used as an adsorbent to remove methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solutions. The resulting products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (MIR), thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD results indicated that the MO molecules were successfully intercalated into the tricalcium aluminate hydrates, with the basal spacing of Ca-Al-LDH expanding to 2.48 nm. The MIR spectrum for CaAl-MO-LDH shows obvious bands assigned to the N@N, N@H stretching vibrations and S@O, SO_ 3 group respectively, which are considered as marks to assess MO_ ion intercalation into the interlayers of LDH. The overall morphology of CaAl-MOLDH displayed a ‘‘honey-comb’’ like structure, with the adjacent layers expanded.

Vibrational spectroscopy of the sulphate mineral sturmanite from Kuruman manganese deposits, South Africa

The mineral sturmanite is a hydrated calcium iron aluminium manganese sulphate tetrahydroxoborate hydroxide of formula Ca6(Fe, Al, Mn)2(SO4)2(B(OH)4)(OH)12•26H2O. We have studied the mineral sturmanite using a number of techniques, including SEM with EPMA and vibrational spectroscopy. Chemical analysis shows a homogeneous phase, composed by Ca, Fe, Mn, S, Al and Si. B is not determined in this EPMA technique. An intense Raman band at 990 cm−1 is assigned to the SO42− symmetric stretching mode. Raman spectroscopy identifies multiple sulphate symmetric stretching modes in line with the three sulphate crystallographically different sites. Raman spectroscopy also identifies a band at 1069 cm−1 which may be attributed to a carbonate symmetric stretching mode, indicating the presence of thaumasite. Infrared spectra display two bands at 1080 and 1107 cm−1 assigned to the SO42− antisymmetric stretching modes. The observation of multiple bands in this ν4 spectral region offers evidence for the reduction in symmetry of the sulphate anion from Td to C2v or even lower symmetry. The Raman band at 3622 cm−1 is assigned to the OH unit stretching vibration and the broad feature at around 3479 cm−1 to water stretching bands. Infrared spectroscopy shows a set of broad overlapping bands in the OH stretching region. Vibrational spectroscopy enables an assessment of the molecular structure of sturmanite to be made.

Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of cubic bismuth zinc niobium oxide nanopowders

Bismuth zinc niobium oxide (BZN) was successfully synthesized by a diol-based sol-gel reaction utilizing metal acetate and alkoxide precursors. Thermal analysis of a liquid suspension of precursors suggests that the majority of organic precursors decompose at temperatures up to 150°C, and organic free powders form above 350°C. The experimental results indicate that a homogeneous gel is obtained at about 200°C and then converts to a mixture of intermediate oxides at 350–400°C. Finally, single-phased BZN powders are obtained between 500 and 900°C. The degree of chemical homogeneity as determined by X-ray diffraction and EDS mapping is consistent throughout the samples. Elemental analysis indicates that the atomic ratio of metals closely matches a Bi1.5ZnNb1.5O7 composition. Crystallite sizes of the BZN powders calculated from the Scherrer equation are about 33–98 nm for the samples prepared at 500–700°C, respectively. The particle and crystallite sizes increase with increased sintering temperature. The estimated band gap of the BZN nanopowders from optical analysis is about 2.60–2.75 eV at 500-600°C. The observed phase formations and measured results in this study were compared with those of previous reports.

FaceXpress : an integrated software suite for facial emotion stimulus manipulation and facial measurement

The characterisation of facial expression through landmark-based analysis methods such as FACEM (Pilowsky & Katsikitis, 1994) has a variety of uses in psychiatric and psychological research. In these systems, important structural relationships are extracted from images of facial expressions by the analysis of a pre-defined set of feature points. These relationship measures may then be used, for instance, to assess the degree of variability and similarity between different facial expressions of emotion. FaceXpress is a multimedia software suite that provides a generalised workbench for landmark-based facial emotion analysis and stimulus manipulation. It is a flexible tool that is designed to be specialised at runtime by the user. While FaceXpress has been used to implement the FACEM process, it can also be configured to support any other similar, arbitrary system for quantifying human facial emotion. FaceXpress also implements an integrated set of image processing tools and specialised tools for facial expression stimulus production including facial morphing routines and the generation of expression-representative line drawings from photographs.

Modelling busway operation with mixed stopping and non-stopping buses

This thesis investigated the complexity of busway operation with stopping and non-stopping buses using field data and microscopic simulation modelling. The proposed approach made significant recommendations to transit authorities to achieve the most practicable system capacity for existing and new busways. The empirical equations developed in this research and newly introduced analysis methods will be ideal tools for transit planners to achieve optimal reliability of busways.

Characterization of the sulphate mineral coquimbite, a secondary iron sulphate from Javier Ortega mine, Lucanas Province, Peru – Using infrared, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetry

The mineral coquimbite has been analysed using a range of techniques including SEM with EDX, thermal analytical techniques and Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The mineral originated from the Javier Ortega mine, Lucanas Province, Peru. The chemical formula was determined as ðFe3þ 1:37; Al0:63ÞP2:00ðSO4Þ3 9H2O. Thermal analysis showed a total mass loss of 73.4% on heating to 1000 C. A mass loss of 30.43% at 641.4 C is attributed to the loss of SO3. Observed Raman and infrared bands were assigned to the stretching and bending vibrations of sulphate tetrahedra, aluminium oxide/hydroxide octahedra, water molecules and hydroxyl ions. The Raman spectrum shows well resolved bands at 2994, 3176, 3327, 3422 and 3580 cm 1 attributed to water stretching vibrations. Vibrational spectroscopy combined with thermal analysis provides insight into the structure of coquimbite.

Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the sulphate-carbonate mineral burkeite: Implications for evaporites

Burkeite formation is important in saline evaporites and in pipe scales. Burkeite is an anhydrous sulphate-carbonate with an apparent variable anion ratio. Such a formula with two oxyanions lends itself to vibrational spectroscopy. Two symmetric sulphate stretching modes are observed, indicating at least at the molecular level the nonequivalence of the sulphate ions in the burkeite structure. The strong Raman band at 1065 cm−1 is assigned to the carbonate symmetric stretching vibration. The series of Raman bands at 622, 635, 645, and 704 cm−1 are assigned to the ν4 sulphate bending modes. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept of a reduction in symmetry of the sulphate anion from T d to C 3v or even C 2v.

Structural characterization of the borate mineral inyoite – CaB3O3(OH)5⋅4(H2O)

We have studied the mineral Ca(H4B3O7)(OH)⋅4(H2O) or CaB3O3(OH)5⋅4(H2O) using electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral has been characterized by a range of techniques including X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, electron microscopy with EDX and vibrational spectroscopy. Electron microscopy shows a pure phase and the chemical analysis shows the presence of calcium only. The nominal resolution of the Raman spectrometer is of the order of 2 cm−1 and as such is sufficient enough to identify separate bands for the stretching bands of the two boron isotopes. Raman and infrared bands are assigned to the stretching and bending modes of trigonal and tetrahedral boron and the stretching modes of the hydroxyl and water units. By using a combination of techniques we have characterized the borate mineral inyoite.

Meeting the challenges of neuroimaging genetics

As research encompassing neuroimaging and genetics gains momentum, extraordinary information will be uncovered on the genetic architecture of the human brain. However, there are significant challenges to be addressed first. Not the least of these challenges is to accomplish the sample size necessary to detect subtle genetic influences on the morphometry and function of the healthy brain. Aside from sample size, image acquisition and analysis methods need to be refined in order to ensure optimum sensitivity to genetic and complementary environmental influences. Then there is the vexing issue of interpreting the resulting data. We describe how researchers from the east coast of Australia and the west coast of America have embarked upon a collaboration to meet these challenges using data currently being collected from a large-scale twin study, and offer some opinions about future directions in the field.

Numerical optimization of soft-mold aided co-curing process of advanced grid-stiffened composite structures

The co-curing process for advanced grid-stiffened (AGS) composite structure is a promising manufacturing process, which could reduce the manufacturing cost, augment the advantages and improve the performance of AGS composite structure. An improved method named soft-mold aided co-curing process which replaces the expansion molds by a whole rubber mold is adopted in this paper. This co-curing process is capable to co-cure a typical AGS composite structure with the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle (MRCC). Numerical models are developed to evaluate the variation of temperature and the degree of cure in AGS composite structure during the soft-mold aided co-curing process. The simulation results were validated by experimental results obtained from embedded temperature sensors. Based on the validated modeling framework, the cycle of cure can be optimized by reducing more than half the time of MRCC while obtaining a reliable degree of cure. The shape and size effects of AGS composite structure on the distribution of temperature and degree of cure are also investigated to provide insights for the optimization of soft-mold aided co-curing process.

Exploring the influences of country-level factors on mature-aged women’s drink driving attitudes

The current study examined drink driving attitudes among mature-aged women in Sweden and Australia, two countries with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit of 0.02% and 0.05%, respectively. The study aimed to identify attitudes that might influence drink driving tendency among this group of women and further show how these attitudes vary across countries. Using an ethnographic approach, 15 mature-aged women (Sweden: mean age = 52.5years, SD = 4.8; Australia: mean age 52.2 years, SD = 3.4) were interviewed in each country. General patterns and themes from the data were developed using thematic analysis methods. The findings indicate that while women in both countries viewed drink driving negatively, the understanding of what the concept entailed differed between the two samples. The Swedish women appeared to cognitively separate alcohol consumption and driving, and consequently, drink driving was often spoken of as driving after any alcohol consumption. The Australian women’s understanding of drink driving was more closely related to the legal BAC limit. However, for some Australian women, a “Grey Zone” existed, which denoted driving with a BAC of just above the enforceable limit. While illegal, these instances were subjectively seen as similar to driving with a BAC of just under the legal limit and therefore not morally reprehensible. The practice of cognitively separating drinking from driving appeared to have implications for the tendency to drink and drive among the interviewed women. These findings are discussed in relation to current policy and legislation in Australia and the need for further research into mature-aged women’s drink driving is outlined.

ssSNPer: identifying statistically similar SNPs to aid interpretation of genetic association studies

ssSNPer is a novel user-friendly web interface that provides easy determination of the number and location of untested HapMap SNPs, in the region surrounding a tested HapMap SNP, which are statistically similar and would thus produce comparable and perhaps more significant association results. Identification of ssSNPs can have crucial implications for the interpretation of the initial association results and the design of follow-up studies. AVAILABILITY: http://fraser.qimr.edu.au/general/daleN/ssSNPer/

Novel synthesis of superparamagnetic Ni-Co-B nanoparticles and their effect on superconductor properties of MgB2

A new procedure for the preparation of amorphous Ni-Co-B nanoparticles is reported, with a detailed investigation of their morphology by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, as well as their magnetic properties. Many factors, such as chemical composition, anisotropy, size and shape of the particles, were controlled through chemical synthesis, resulting in the control of morphological and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. Controlling pH values with ethylenediamine and using sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant lowered the size of the nanoparticles to below 10 nm. Such a small structure and chemical disorder in nanocrystalline materials lead to magnetic properties that are different from those in their bulk-sized counterparts. The obtained nanoparticles can be used for different purposes, from pharmaceutical applications to implementations in different materials technology. The focus of this research is the synthesis of Ni-Co-B nanoparticles in a new way and studying the reaction of Ni-Co-B nanoparticles with Mg and B precursors and their effect on MgB2 properties. New nanostructures are formed in the reaction of Ni-Co-B nanoparticles with Mg: Mg2Ni, Co2Mg and possibly Mg2Co.