Evaluation of the Q-method as a method of public participation in the selection of sustainable development indicators

The complexity of sustainable development means that it is often difficult to evaluate and communicate the concept effectively. One standard method to reduce complexity and improve Communication, while maintaining scientific objectivity, is to use selected indicators. The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate a process Of public participation in the selection of sustainable development indicators that utilised the Q-method for discourse analysis. The Q-method was Utilised to combine public opinion with technical expertise to create a list of technically robust indicators that would be relevant to the public, The method comprises statement collection, statement analysis, Q-sorts and Q-sort analysis. The results of the Q-method generated a list of statements for which a preliminary list of indicators was then developed by a team of experts from the fields of environmental science, sustainable development and Psychology. Subsequently members of the public evaluated the preliminary list of indicators, to select a final list of indicators that were both technically sound and incorporated the views of the public. The Utilisation of the Q-method in this process was evaluated using previously published criteria. The application of the Q-method in this context needs to be considered not only by the quality of the indicators developed, but also from the perspective of the benefit of the process to the participants. it was concluded that the Q-method provided an effective framework for public participation in the selection of indicators as it allowed the public to discuss Sustainable development in familiar language and in the context of their daily lives. By combining this information with expert input, a list of technically robust indicators that resonate with the public was developed. The results demonstrated that many citizens are not aware Of Sustainable development, and if it is to be successfully communicated to them, then indicators and policy need to be couched in terms familiar and relevant to citizen and communities. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure-Property Relationships in Biaxially Deformed Polypropylene Nanocomposites

Semi-solid forming processes such as thermoforming and injection blow moulding are used to make much of today’s packaging. As for most packaging there is a drive to reduce product weight and improve properties such as barrier performance. Polymer nanocomposites offer the possibility of increased modulus
(and hence potential product light weighting) as well as improved barrier properties and are the subject of much research attention. In this particular study, polypropylene–clay nanocomposite sheets produced via biaxial deformation are investigated and the structure of the nanocomposites is quantitatively determined in order to gain a better understanding of the influence of the composite structure on mechanical properties. Compression moulded sheets of polypropylene and polypropylene/Cloisite 15A nanocomposite (5 wt.%) were biaxially stretched to different stretching ratios, and then the structure of
the nanocomposite was examined using XRD and TEM techniques. Different stretching ratios produced different degrees of exfoliation and orientation of the clay tactoids. The sheet properties were then investigated using DSC, DMTA, and tensile tests .It was found that regardless of the degree of exfoliation or
orientation, the addition of clay has no effect on percentage crystallinity or melting temperature, but it has an effect on the crystallization temperature and on the crystal size distribution. DMTA and tensile tests show that both the degree of exfoliation and the degree of orientation positively correlate with the dynamic mechanical properties and the tensile properties of the sheet.

Spatial evolution of a q-Gaussian laser beam in relativistic plasma

In a recent experimental study, the beam intensity profile of the Vulcan petawatt laser beam was measured; it was found that only 20% of the energy was contained within the full width at half maximum of 6.9 mu m and 50% within 16 mu m, suggesting a long-tailed non-Gaussian transverse beam profile. A q-Gaussian distribution function was suggested therein to reproduce this behavior. The spatial beam profile dynamics of a q-Gaussian laser beam propagating in relativistic plasma is investigated in this article. A non-paraxial theory is employed, taking into account nonlinearity via the relativistic decrease of the plasma frequency. We have studied analytically and numerically the dynamics of a relativistically guided beam and its dependence on the q-parameter. Numerical simulation results are shown to trace the dependence of the focusing length on the q-Gaussian profile.

SK1 of graded division algebras

The reduced Whitehead group $\SK$ of a graded division algebra graded by a torsion-free abelian group is studied. It is observed that the computations here are much more straightforward than in the non-graded setting. Bridges to the ungraded case are then established by the following two theorems: It is proved that $\SK$ of a tame valued division algebra over a henselian field coincides with $\SK$ of its associated graded division algebra. Furthermore, it is shown that $\SK$ of a graded division algebra is isomorphic to $\SK$ of its quotient division algebra. The first theorem gives the established formulas for the reduced Whitehead group of certain valued division algebras in a unified manner, whereas the latter theorem covers the stability of reduced Whitehead groups, and also describes $\SK$ for generic abelian crossed products.

Unitary SK1 of unitary and graded division algebras

The reduced unitary Whitehead group $\SK$ of a graded division algebra equipped with a unitary involution (i.e., an involution of the second kind) and graded by a torsion-free abelian group is studied. It is shown that calculations in the graded setting are much simpler than their nongraded counterparts. The bridge to the non-graded case is established by proving that the unitary $\SK$ of a tame valued division algebra wih a unitary involution over a henselian field coincides with the unitary $\SK$ of its associated graded division algebra. As a consequence, the graded approach allows us not only to recover results available in the literature with substantially easier proofs, but also to calculate the unitary $\SK$ for much wider classes of division algebras over henselian fields.