Ongoing Adaptation as a Feature of Complexity : Further Thoughts and Possible Ideas for Pedagogy in Physical Activity

This chapter takes as its central premise the human capacity to adapt to changing environments. It is an idea that is central to complexity theory but receives only modest attention in relation to learning. To do this we will draw from a range of fields and then consider some recent research in motor control that may extend the discussion in ways not yet considered, but that will build on advances already made within pedagogy and motor control synergies. Recent work in motor control indicates that humans have far greater capacity to adapt to the ‘product space’ than was previously thought, mainly through fast heuristics and on-line corrections. These are changes that can be made in real (movement) time and are facilitated by what are referred to as ‘feed-forward’ mechanisms that take advantage of ultra-fast ways of recognizing the likely outcomes of our movements and using this as a source of feedback. We conclude by discussing some possible ideas for pedagogy within the sport and physical activity domains, the implications of which would require a rethink on how motor skill learning opportunities might best be facilitated.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Samoan women aged 18 to 29 and assessment of possible risk factors: a community-based study

Background Knowledge about genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections in the Pacific is limited. In this study we investigated CT infection in Samoan women. Methods We recruited women having unprotected sex aged 18 to 29 years from 41 Samoan villages. They completed a questionnaire and provided a urine sample for CT testing by PCR. Associations between CT infection and possible risk factors were explored using logistic regression. Results Altogether, 239 women were recruited; 86 (36.0%; weighted estimate of prevalence: 41.9%; 95% CI: 33.4–50.5%) were positive for CT infection. A higher proportion of women aged 18 to 24 were positive (54/145; 37.2%) than those aged 25 to 29 (32/94; 34.0%; p=0.20). Being single (OR 1.92; 95% CI: 1.02–3.63) and having two or more lifetime sexual partners (OR 3.02; 95% CI: 1.19–7.67) were associated with CT infection; 27.6% of those with one lifetime partner were positive. Participants who had a previous pregnancy were less likely to be positive (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.27–0.87). Primiparous and multiparous women were less likely to be positive than nulliparous women (OR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.99 and OR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24–0.89, respectively). Conclusions The prevalence of CT infection in these Samoan women is very high. Further studies, including investigating the prevalence of CT infection in men, and strategies for sustainable control are needed.

A review of hydrothermal liquefaction bio-crude properties and prospects for upgrading to transportation fuels

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) presents a viable route for converting a vast range of materials into liquid fuel, without the need for pre-drying. Currently, HTL studies produce bio-crude with properties that fall short of diesel or biodiesel standards. Upgrading bio-crude improves the physical and chemical properties to produce a fuel corresponding to diesel or biodiesel. Properties such as viscosity, density, heating value, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur content, and chemical composition can be modified towards meeting fuel standards using strategies such as solvent extraction, distillation, hydrodeoxygenation and catalytic cracking. This article presents a review of the upgrading technologies available, and how they might be used to make HTL bio-crude into a transportation fuel that meets current fuel property standards.

Phase-selective hydrothermal synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4nanocrystals: The effect of the sulphur precursor

High quality Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) films with uniform thickness and smooth surface were prepared using nanocrystals synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. It is found that the nature of the sulphur precursor used in the hydrothermal reaction influences both the compositional purity and the crystal structure of the synthesized hydrothermal product significantly. The CZTS material consisting of both wurtzite and kesterite crystal structures was obtained when using an organic sulfur precursor such as thioacetamide and thiourea in the precursor solution of the hydrothermal reaction while the pure kesterite phase CZTS nanocrystals were made when Na2S was employed as the sulphur precursor. CZTS thin films deposited on a Mo–soda lime glass substrate with uniform thickness (1.7 μm) were made by a simple doctor-blading method. The investigation of the effect of thermal treatment on the film has indicated that the wurtzite CZTS material was completely transformed to the kesterite phase when the material was annealed at 550 °C. Large grains (around 2 μm in size) were found on the surface of the CZTS film which was annealed at 600 °C. The evaluation of the photoresponse of the CZTS thin films has showed that a higher and very stable photocurrent was generated by the film annealed at 600 °C compared to the film annealed at 550 °C.

One-step synthesis of high quality kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4nanocrystals: A hydrothermal approach

The present work demonstrates a systematic approach for the synthesis of pure kesterite-phase Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals with a uniform size distribution by a one-step, thioglycolic acid (TGA)-assisted hydrothermal route. The formation mechanism and the role of TGA in the formation of CZTS compound were thoroughly studied. It has been found that TGA interacted with Cu2+ to form Cu+ at the initial reaction stage and controlled the crystal-growth of CZTS nanocrystals during the hydrothermal reaction. The consequence of the reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ led to the formation Cu2−xS nuclei, which acted as the crystal framework for the formation of CZTS compound. CZTS was formed by the diffusion of Zn2+ and Sn4+ cations to the lattice of Cu2−xS during the hydrothermal reaction. The as-synthesized CZTS nanocrystals exhibited strong light absorption over the range of wavelength beyond 1000 nm. The band gap of the material was determined to be 1.51 eV, which is optimal for application in photoelectric energy conversion device.

Polyacrylic Acid Assisted Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 by Hydrothermal Method

Pure phase Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via polyacrylic acid (PAA) assisted one-pot hydrothermal route. The morphology, crystal structure, composition and optical properties as well as the photoactivity of the as-synthesized CZTS nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurement. The influence of various synthetic conditions, such as the reaction temperature, reaction duration and the amount of PAA in the precursor solution on the formation of CZTS compound was systematically investigated. The results have shown that the crystal phase, morphology and particle size of CZTS can be tailored by controlling the reaction conditions. The formation mechanism of CZTS in the hydrothermal reaction has been proposed based on the investigation of time-dependent phase evolution of CZTS which showed that metal sulfides (e.g., Cu2S, SnS2 and ZnS) were formed firstly during the hydrothermal reaction before forming CZTS compound through nucleation. The band gap of the as-synthesized CZTS nanoparticles is 1.49 eV. The thin film electrode based on the synthesized CZTS nanoparticles in a three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell generated pronounced photocurrent under illumination provided by a red light-emitting diode (LED, 627 nm), indicating the photoactivity of the semiconductor material.

Accelerated strategies in the assessment of emergency patients with possible acute coronary syndromes

This thesis synthesises advancements made in the method of assessment of emergency patients with possible acute cardiac disease and has defined new assessment strategies that supports the safe early discharge of patients at low risk for acute coronary syndromes. These important findings have informed clinicians and health services about improvements that can be made at this current time in the process of care of ED patients, and the studies have had local, national and international influence.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of bagasse using ethanol and black liquor as solvents

The objective of this study was to examine the hydrothermal liquefaction of sugarcane bagasse using ethanol and black liquor (BL) in a pilot scale. Combinations of co-solvents (ethanol/ water, ethanol/BL) were studied at various concentrations and reaction conditions. The maximum oil yield of 61% was achieved with a reaction temperature of 300 °C for 30 min and using pure BL as a solvent, while the highest higher heating value (HHV) was obtained from a 50:50 ethanol-BL mixture. The oils contained alcohols, esters, phenolic compounds, aromatics, and heterocyclics. The O/C and H/C ratios of the oil were comparable with traditional biodiesel and commercial diesel. Although this study showed there are some improvements to be made to improve the chemical composition, the approach has potential for large-scale production of a substitute for fossil-fuel-based diesel.

A 2-hour diagnostic protocol for possible cardiac chest pain in the emergency department: A randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE Patients with chest pain represent a high health care burden, but it may be possible to identify a patient group with a low short-term risk of adverse cardiac events who are suitable for early discharge. OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of a rapid diagnostic pathway with a standard-care diagnostic pathway for the assessment of patients with possible cardiac chest pain in a usual clinical practice setting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A single-center, randomized parallel-group trial with blinded outcome assessments was conducted in an academic general and tertiary hospital. Participants included adults with acute chest pain consistent with acute coronary syndrome for whom the attending physician planned further observation and troponin testing. Patient recruitment occurred from October 11, 2010, to July 4, 2012, with a 30-day follow-up. INTERVENTIONS An experimental pathway using an accelerated diagnostic protocol (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction score, 0; electrocardiography; and 0- and 2-hour troponin tests) or a standard-care pathway (troponin test on arrival at hospital, prolonged observation, and a second troponin test 6-12 hours after onset of pain) serving as the control. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Discharge from the hospital within 6 hours without a major adverse cardiac event occurring within 30 days. RESULTS Fifty-two of 270 patients in the experimental group were successfully discharged within 6 hours compared with 30 of 272 patients in the control group (19.3% vs 11.0%; odds ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.18-3.13; P = .008). It required 20 hours to discharge the same proportion of patients from the control group as achieved in the experimental group within 6 hours. In the experimental group, 35 additional patients (12.9%) were classified as low risk but admitted to an inpatient ward for cardiac investigation. None of the 35 patients received a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome after inpatient evaluation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Using the accelerated diagnostic protocol in the experimental pathway almost doubled the proportion of patients with chest pain discharged early. Clinicians could discharge approximately 1 of 5 patients with chest pain to outpatient follow-up monitoring in less than 6 hours. This diagnostic strategy could be easily replicated in other centers because no extra resources are required.

"It makes you think anything is possible”: Representing diversity in music theory pedagogy

This paper critiques a traditional approach to music theory pedagogy. It argues that music theory courses should draw on pedagogies that reflect the diversity and pluralism inherent in 21st century music making. It presents the findings of an action research project investigating the experiences of undergraduate students undertaking an innovative contemporary art music theory course. It describes the students’ struggle in coming to terms with a course that integrated composing, performing, listening and analysing coupled with what for many was their first exposure to the diversity of contemporary art music. The paper concludes with suggesting that the approach could be adopted more widely throughout music programs.

Curious hybrids: Creating 'not-quite' beings to explore possible childhoods

Communications between adults and young children can expose different ideas and opinions. Adults and children have different capacities to speak, these discursive spaces can become filled with assumptions, stereotyping and conventional thinking about power and agency. If communication shifts away from the purely discursive, what might be exposed about the explorations, investigations and fantasies adults and children indulge in? Some time ago my young daughter obsessively drew hybrid beings. Created from mixtures of animal, object, human and creature forms, these beings, which are ‘not-quite’, are becoming, able to transform via myriad mutations. We agreed to collaborate and draw additional hybrid beings to experiment with becoming-other through complex entanglements of forms, to complicate, morph and (trans)form from our human selves to hybrid others. The ‘not- quite-ness’ of our monstrous hybrids subvert the conventions of ‘being’ and prompt contemplations about childhood subjectivities, identities, conventionalities and actively interrogate the assumptive knowledges and subjectifications that are held about young children in early childhood professional and academic systems.

In-situ one-step hydrothermal synthesis of a lead germanate-graphene composite as a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Lead germanate-graphene nanosheets (PbGeO3-GNS) composites have been prepared by an efficient one-step, in-situ hydrothermal method and were used as anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). The PbGeO3 nanowires, around 100–200 nm in diameter, are highly encapsulated in a graphene matrix. The lithiation and de-lithiation reaction mechanisms of the PbGeO3 anode during the charge-discharge processes have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and electrochemical characterization. Compared with pure PbGeO3 anode, dramatic improvements in the electrochemical performance of the composite anodes have been obtained. In the voltage window of 0.01–1.50 V, the composite anode with 20 wt.% GNS delivers a discharge capacity of 607 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 50 cycles. Even at a high current density of 1600 mA g−1, a capacity of 406 mAh g−1 can be achieved. Therefore, the PbGeO3-GNS composite can be considered as a potential anode material for lithium ion batteries.