Nano-capsules of amphiphilic poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (bisphenol A carbonate) copolymers via thermodynamic entrapment

The synthesis of amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PEG-b-PC) block copolymer is presented here using a simple bio-chemistry coupling reaction between poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) with a monomethylether poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-OH) block, mediated by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/4-dimethylaminopyridine. This method inherently allows great flexibility in the choice of starting materials as well as easy product purification only requiring phase separation and water washing. Collective data from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and modulated dynamic scanning calorimetry (MDSC) confirmed the successful attachment of the poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-OH) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) blocks. The preparation of nano-capsules was carried out by sudden addition of water to PEG-b-PC copolymers dispersed in THF, resulting in the controlled precipitation (i.e. thermodynamic entrapment) of the copolymer. Nano-capsules as small as 85 nm ± 30 nm were produced using this simple and fast methodology. We also demonstrate that encapsulating a water-insoluble bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) epoxy resin is possible highlighting the potential use of these capsules as a chemical delivery system.

Hydrangea-like multi-scale carbon hollow submicron spheres with hierarchical pores for high performance supercapacitor electrodes

Uniform hydrangea-like multi-scale carbon hollow submicron spheres (HCSSg) are fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method using glucose as carbon source and fibrous silicon dioxides spheres as shape guide. Structure characterization suggests that petal-like partially graphitized carbon nanosheets with the thickness of about 10 nm arranged in three dimensions (3D) to form the hydrangea-like hollow spheres (size ranging from 250 to 500 nm) with mesoporous channels, which can be conducive to be a high specific surface area (934 m2 g-1) and bulk density (0.87 cm g-3), hierarchical pores structure with good conductivity. As a result, the HCSSg has been demonstrated to be a supercapacitor electrode material with high gravimetric (386 F g-1 at 0.2 A g-1) and outstanding volumetric (335 F cm-3) capacitance, good rate capability and cycling stability with 94% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles in aqueous electrolytes, thus suggesting its application potential.

Electrostatically confined plasma in segmented hollow cathode geometries for surface engineering

A segmented hollow cathode (SHC) geometry was used for electrostatic confinement of plasma, and surface engineering treatments were conducted in this arrangement. The assessed processes included plasma nitriding, reactive deposition of sputtered material, and deposition of carbonaceous films by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with a bipolar pulsed-dc power supply on steel substrates. The treated specimens exhibited uniform surface morphology and deposition layers. Characterization techniques included optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray capability, and X-ray diffraction. The advantages and potential applications of the SHC arrangement are discussed in view of these results.

Urbanisation and the ecology of powerful owls ninox strenua in outer Melbourne, Victoria

Historically, the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) has been seen as a southeastern Australian species restricted to, or most numerous in, dense gullies of tall open forests in hilly or mountainous areas of the coast and Great Divide. However, recent research has revealed that Powerful Owls may breed numerously and successfully in a wider range of habitats than previously believed, including the forests and woodlands within the metropolitan areas of some major cities.Here we report on the breeding of a number of pairs of Powerful Owls in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Study sites ranged from relatively undisturbed, wet sclerophyll forest 80 km from central Melbourne, through dry sclerophyll, eucalypt-dominated open forest with some disturbance, to a highly disturbed urban parkland only 18 km from central Melbourne. We found that Powerful Owls breed successfully in some urban areas, but are limited in the amount of human disturbance they can tolerate near their nesting hollow. In the most heavily utilized section of the urban parkland, all breeding attempts were unsuccessful and in one year the young were apparently eaten by one of the parents. This followed construction of a timber boardwalk under the nest tree during the breeding season. The Powerful Owls subsequently moved to a more secluded nesting hollow and raised two young. Recommendations for management of Powerful Owls in urban areas are discussed in the context
of these results.

PMC42, a novel model for the differentiated human breast

Cultured human breast carcinoma cell lines are important models for investigating the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Their use, however, is limited because of loss of expression of breast-specific markers and the development of a dedifferentiated phenotype after continuous culture. PMC42 is a unique human breast carcinoma line, previously shown to express secretory and myoepithelial markers. We have induced PMC42 cells to form hollow organoids in culture, similar to in vivo breast structures, using a combination of hormones including estrogen, progesterone, dexamethasone, insulin, and prolactin in combination with a permeable extracellular matrix. The organoids comprised polarized cells located around a central lumen. Expression of β-casein was demonstrated in cells within organoids using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and confocal immunofluorescence. In this in vitro system, milk-specific gene expression was induced through hormone and matrix interactions which may be similar to those operating in vivo. PMC42 is a novel model for investigations into the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and differentiation in the human breast.

The influence of time since fire and distance from fire boundary on the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in Eucalyptus regnans-dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria

The impact of time since fire after two consecutive wildfires 44 years apart (1939 and 1983) within the same area, and the distance from the fire boundary «100 m or 500-2000 m), were investigated in relation to the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in 1994. Arboreal marsupials were censused by stagwatching and spotlighting in two relatively young age classes of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Five species of arboreal marsupial were detected, but only three were detected in sufficient numbers to determine habitat preferences. Petauroides volans (greater glider) was statistically more abundant in 1939 regrowth forests, while Trichosurus caninus (mountain brushtail possum) showed no significant preference for either age class of forest. All but one record of Gymnobelideus leadbeateri (Leadbeater's possum) came from young forest, though the effect of age-class was not statistically significant. Distance from fire boundary explained little or no variation in mammal distribution or abundance. While the actual number of hollow-bearing trees was similar in both age classes of forest, the long-term lifespan of hollow-bearing trees in more recently burnt forest is predicted to be lower than in unburnt or not recently burnt forest. Post-fire salvage logging following the 1983 wildfires appears to have reduced the number of hollow-bearing trees at sites burnt in 1983.

Nest-tree selection by the threatened brush-tailed phascogale (phascogale tapoatafa) (marsupialia: dasyuridae) in a highly fragmented agricultural landscape

The conservation of roosting and nesting resources is of critical concern for many hollow-dependent species around the world. We investigated the nest-tree requirements of the threatened brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) in a highly cleared agricultural landscape in south-eastern Australia. We documented the physical characteristics of selected nest trees and describe the spatial and temporal patterns of nest-tree use as revealed by radio-tracking. Nine phascogales (seven females, two males) were radio-tracked between March and July 1999 in an area where most woodland habitat is confined to linear strips along roads and streams or small patches and scattered trees in cleared farmland. Female phascogales were monitored for 13–35 days over periods of 5–15 weeks and two males were monitored for 2 and 9 days respectively. A total of 185 nest-tree fixes was collected and all nests occupied by phascogales were in standing trees. Eighty-three nest trees were identified, ranging in diameter at breast height (dbh) from 25 to 171 cm, with a mean dbh for the trees used by each individual phascogale of >80 cm. Phascogales did not discriminate between canopy tree species in selecting nest trees, but showed highly significant selection for trees in the largest size class. All individuals used multiple nest trees, with the seven females occupying an average of 11.4 nest trees from a mean of 25 diurnal locations. The number of nest trees continued to increase throughout the study, suggesting that more would be identified during a longer or more intensive study. Occupied nest trees were located throughout each individual’s home range, highlighting the importance of a continuous spatial distribution of suitable nest trees across the landscape. Nest trees were also located in adjacent farmland up to 225 m from roadside vegetation, demonstrating the value that scattered clumps and even single trees in farmland can have for wildlife conservation.

Should older people in residential care receive vitamin D to prevent falls? Results of a randomized trial

Objectives: To determine whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce the incidence of falls and fractures in older people in residential care who are not classically vitamin D deficient.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind, trial of 2 years' duration.

Setting: Multicenter study in 60 hostels (assisted living facilities) and 89 nursing homes across Australia.

Participants: Six hundred twenty-five residents (mean age 83.4) with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between 25 and 90 nmol/L.

Intervention: Vitamin D supplementation (ergocalciferol, initially 10,000 IU given once weekly and then 1,000 IU daily) or placebo for 2 years. All subjects received 600 mg of elemental calcium daily as calcium carbonate.

Measurements: Falls and fractures recorded prospectively in study diaries by care staff.

Results: The vitamin D and placebo groups had similar baseline characteristics. In intention-to-treat analysis, the incident rate ratio for falling was 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.57–0.95). The odds ratio for ever falling was 0.82 (95% CI=0.59–1.12) and for ever fracturing was 0.69 (95% CI=0.40–1.18). An a priori subgroup analysis of subjects who took at least half the prescribed capsules (n=540), demonstrated an incident rate ratio for falls of 0.63 (95% CI=0.48–0.82), an odds ratio (OR) for ever falling of 0.70 (95% CI=0.50–0.99), and an OR for ever fracturing of 0.68 (95% CI=0.38–1.22).

Conclusion: Older people in residential care can reduce their incidence of falls if they take a vitamin D supplement for 2 years even if they are not initially classically vitamin D deficient.

Advanced fabric energy storage systems in Australia

There is a growing interest in the use of advanced fabric energy storage (FES) systems in Australia. The influence of slab thickness and ventilation rate on the annual thermal load, and maximum heating and cooling demands for an office module using a ventilated hollow core concrete slab system has been investigated by simulation. Airflow through the panels was set at 1, 2 or 4 air changes per hour (ACH) for slab thicknesses of 205, 220 and 300 mm. These configurations were simulated using two different FES operational strategies for six capital cities in mainland Australia. The simulations show that FES systems can offer either energy and/or peak load savings in almost all locations investigated. Overall, compared to a conventional AC system, the tempering of incoming fresh air combined with night flushing of the FES system appears to be the most successful operational strategy.

Effects of gamma-tocopherol supplementation on thrombotic risk factors

Objective: The antioxidant activity of vitamin E is derived primarily from alpha-tocopherol (α-T) and gammatocopherol (γ-T). Results of epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and coronary disease. However, the results of clinical trials using α-T are equivocal. We determined the effect of 5 weeks of 100 mg/d or 200 mg/d γ-T supplementation on thrombotic markers such as platelet reactivity, lipid profile and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods and results: Fourteen healthy subjects consumed 100 mg/day while 13 consumed 200 mg/d of γ-T and 12 received placebo (soybean capsules with less than 5 mg/d γ-T) in a double-blinded parallel study design. Fasting pre and post dose blood samples were analysed. Blood γ-T concentrations increased significantly (p<0.05) relative to dose during the intervention period. Both groups receiving active ingredients showed significantly lower platelet activation after supplementation (p<0.05). Subjects consuming 100 mg/d γ-T had significantly decreased LDL cholesterol, platelet aggregation and mean platelet volume (MPV) (p<0.05). Little effect of γ-T was observed on other parameters. Conclusions: These data suggest that γ-T  supplementation may have a permissive role in decreasing the risk of
thrombotic events by improving lipid profile and reducing platelet activity.

Natural and environmentally responsive building envelopes

In a context of global warming and our needs to reduce CO\d2 emissions, building envelopes will play an important role. A new imperative has been put forth to architects and engineers to develop innovative materials, components and systems, in order to make building envelopes adaptive and responsive to variable and extreme climate conditions. Envelopes serve multiple functions, from shielding the interior environment to collecting, storing and generating energy. Perhaps a more recent concern of terrestrial habitats is permeability and leakages within the building envelope. Such airtight and concealed envelopes with zero particle exchange are a necessity and already exist in regard to space capsules and habitats.

This paper attempts to acknowledge existing and visionary envelope concepts and their functioning in conjunction with maintaining a favorable interior environment. It introduces several criteria and requirements of advanced fa\acades along with interior pressurization control. Furthermore, the paper also takes a closer look at the principles of "biomimicry" of natural systems combined with the most up-to-date building materials and construction technologies, trying to integrate the notions of adaptation - where the capacity to survive depends on the ability to adjust to the environment - within the concept of technological evolution and innovation. An "adaptive" attitude in the way in which we conceive our built structures provides a conceptual basis for the advanced building design of our future, as well as one concerned about the efficient management of the available resources. Built environments of the future (in extreme climates or not) will need to respond to Renewable, Adaptive, Recyclable and Environmental (R.A.R.E.) concepts in order to coexist in a sustainable way with their surroundings.

Blood-nourishing and hard-softening capsule costs less in the management of osteoarthriticknee pain : A randomized controlled trial

The blood-nourishing and hard-softening (BNHS) capsule is a traditional Chinese formula used in the symptomatic treatment of inflammation and pain. We conducted this randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of BNHS with other commonly prescribed drugs. We recruited 120 patients from two teaching hospitals; 30 patients in each hospital were randomly assigned to receive BNHS. In one hospital, the 30 controls were given another traditional Chinese drug; whereas a Western medicine (chondroprotection drug/Viartril-s) was used as the control in the other hospital. Intervention was carried out over a period of 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures included self-reported pain level, and changes in stiffness and functional ability as measured by the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index. Mixed models were used for statistical analysis. Substantial improvements in disease-specific symptoms were observed, after 4 weeks of treatment, in patients taking BNHS capsules. As assessed by the WOMAC index, pain level of the BNHS group decreased by 57% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 50, 63], stiffness by 63% (95% CI = 55, 71) and functional ability increased by 56% (95% CI = 50, 63). No significant differences were found in any of the outcome measures between the BNHS group and either of the comparison groups. No severe adverse effects were reported. However, this study lacked a placebo group; therefore, we conclude that BNHS appears to be as effective as commonly prescribed medicines for the relief of pain and dysfunction in knee osteoarthritis patients, but costs a lot less than other Western and herbal drugs in the study.

Conservation management and diets of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua) in outer urban Melbourne, Australia

The Powerful Owl Ninox strenua is Australia’s largest owl, and is mainly found east of the Great Dividing Range on the mainland in tall-open forests. The species is considered rare, both nationally and in the State of Victoria; and threatened in the Greater Melbourne area. Recovery plans for the future conservation management of N. strenua are being prepared in 2 states.

Historically, Powerful Owls have been thought to require large homes ranges (about 1000 ha per pair) in suitable old-growth forest, which provides nest hollows for the owls and their arboreal marsupial prey. Recent research, however, has found N. strenua may be more numerous and breed more successfully in a wider range of habitats than previously believed. In particular, the birds have been found living in forests and woodlands within the greater metropolitan areas of cities. The most extreme case is where a nest tree has been found within 800m of urban settlement and 6km from the centre of Brisbane.

In this paper we report on the diet, habitat use, and conservation management by a number of breeding pairs of owls in outer urban Melbourne. Study sites range from a relatively undisturbed rainforest habitat 80km from central Melbourne, through dry sclerophyll, eucalyptus-dominated open forest with some disturbance to a site 8km from central Melbourne in highly disturbed urban parkland.

Diets of the families of owls were determined by analyzing remains in regurgitated pellets. The data confirm that arboreal marsupials constitute the major prey items, especially the Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus. There were differences in diets depending on the availability of prey species, which suggest a level of opportunism not previously suspected. Our study is also the first to confirm the owls capture adult Common Brushtail Possums Trichosurus vulpecula (15% of pellets containing the remains of this large opossum have bones of mature adults at 1 site) and thus take prey up to two and a half times their own weight. As well our data suggest Powerful Owls are not restricted to hollow-dwelling prey, as in some sites the marsupials rested during the day either in leafy nests called dreys (P. peregrinus) or in house roofs (T. vulpecula).

In the most heavily disturbed sites, breeding success has been reduced, and we have evidence that in one particular year the young were eaten by one of the parents. This followed construction of a bicycle track under the nest during the breeding season. Recommendations are made for the future conservation and habitat management of Powerful Owls in the Yarra Valley corridor.

Description of new species of Setosabatieria and Desmolaimus (Nematoda: Monhysterida) and a checklist of New Zealand free-living marine nematode species

Two new marine nematode species are described from intertidal sediments in southern New Zealand. Setosabatieria australis sp. nov. is characterised by an amphideal fovea with 3.5 turns, 7–9 small pre-cloacal supplements, and 2–5 sub-cephalic setae per file. Setosabatieria australis sp. nov. differs from all known species of the genus in having L-shaped spicules with a hollow median region, in contrast to the typical curved shape. Desmolaimus courti sp. nov. is characterised by the presence of four long (15 µm) cephalic setae, two cuticularised rings in the buccal cavity, and a lightly cuticularised pharyngeal lumen. It differs from other species of the genus by having eight sub-cephalic setae. A total of 116 marine species are included in the checklist of New Zealand free-living nematodes, with the majority of records from the coast of Campbell and Auckland islands from the early part of the 20th century. Most records were from habitats such as seaweed or sponge, which may explain the high proportion (>50%) of cosmopolitan species recorded in New Zealand to date. Little is known about the sediment nematode fauna, particularly in deeper waters (>120 m), from where there are no records to date.