Visible transparent, UV-blocking polymer nanocomposite films containing nano-sized organic-LDH (Layered Double Hydroxide) hybrid

A nano-sized Mg2Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was used for encapsulating an organic UV absorber, 2-hydroxy-4- methoxybenzeophenone-5-sulfonic acid (HMBS), to produce HMBS@LDH hybrid nano-platelets. Upon dispersing this organic-inorganic hybrid LDH into ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) for film casting, a thin polymer
nanocomposite film that is UV opaque but highly transparent to visible light (higher than 90%) was formed. Thermogravimetry (TG) analysis confirmed that the intercalation of HMBS into LDH considerably increased the thermal stability of HMBS. Such an improvement was attributed to the strong guest-host interaction between the HMBS anions and the LDH layers. Also, the nanocomposite films were flexible and had good mechanical properties.

Blocking semiovals of Type (1,M+1,N+1)

We consider the existence of blocking semiovals in finite projective planes which have intersection sizes 1, m+1 or n+1 with the lines of the plane for $1 \leq m < n$. For those prime powers $q \leq 1024$, in almost all cases, we are able to show that, apart from a trivial example, no such blocking semioval exists in a projective plane of order q. We are also able to prove, for general q, that if q2+q+1 is a prime or three times a prime, then only the same trivial example can exist in a projective plane of order q.

Synthesis and structure of new oligomethylene-bridged double ladders. How far can the layers be separated?

The synthesis of the α,ω-bis[dichloro(trimethylsilylmethyl)stannyl]alkanes, (Me₃SiCH₂)C1₂Sn(CH₂)_nSnCl₂(CH₂SiMe₃) (13, n=5; 14, n=6; 15, n=7; 16, n=8; 17, n=10; 18, n=12) and the corresponding oligomethylene-bridged diorganotin oxides [(Me₃SiCH₂)(O)Sn(CH₂)_nSn(O)(CH₂SiMe₃)]_m (19, n=5; 20, n=6; 21, n=7; 22, n=8; 23, n=10; 24; n=12) is reported. The reaction of the diorganodichlorostannanes 13–18 with the corresponding diorganotin oxides 19–24 provided the spacer-bridged tetraorganodistannoxanes {[(Me₃SiCH₂)ClSn(CH₂)_nSnCl(CH₂SiMe₃)]O}₄ (25, n=5; 26, n=6; 27, n=7; 28, n=8; 29, n=10; 30, n=12). Compounds 13–30 have been identified by elemental analyses and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 25, 27, 29 and 30 have also been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electrospray mass spectrometry. For the latter the essential double ladder motif is maintained for all n in the solid state, but subtle changes in alignment of the ladder planes occur. Separation between the two layers of the double ladder ranges from approx. 8.7  Å (for 25, n=5) to approx. 15 Å (for 30, n=12). In solution there is some dissociation of the double ladders into the corresponding dimers. The degree of dissociation is favoured by increasing oligomethylene chain length n.

A new approach for reducing blocking artefacts using linear filter for block based transform coded images

This paper presents a new approach to filtering the reconstructed image of block based transform coded images.

Reducing blocking artefacts in MPEG video coded images using entropic methods

In this paper investigation is made of the. use of entropic methods to identify smooth image blocks in order to filter the reconstructed image of block based transform coded images. We know that blocking artefact is Visually more prominent in the smooth region of a block rather than in the textured region. The entropic methods are employed to distinguish between smooth and textured blocks in a reconstructed image. The linear filtering is then carried out on the smooth region of the image to reduce the blocking artefact. The en tropic criteria investigated in this paper are: Shannon's (Logarithmic) Entropy, Exponential Entropy, and Quadratic Entropy.

Performance of statistical inference for block classification in reducing blocking artefact in video coded images

This paper presents a performance study of four statistical test algorithms used to identify smooth image blocks in order to filter the reconstructed image of a video coded image. The four algorithms considered are the Coefficient of Variation (CV), Exponential Entropy of Pal and Pal (E), Shannon's (Logarithmic) Entropy (H), and Quadratic Entropy (Q). These statistical algorithms are employed to distinguish between smooth and textured blocks in a reconstructed image. The linear filtering is carried out on the smooth blocks of the image to reduce the blocking artefact. The rationale behind applying the filter on the smooth blocks only is that the blocking artefact is visually more prominent in the smooth region of an image rather than in the textured region.

Differential convergence of life-cycle inventories toward upstream production layers

We present an input-output analysis of the life-cycle labor, land, and greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements of alternative options for three case studies: investing money in a new vehicle versus in repairs of an existing vehicle (labor), passenger transport modes for a trip between Sydney and Melbourne (land use), and renewable electricity generation (GHG emissions). These case studies were chosen to demonstrate the possibility of rank crossovers in life-cycle inventory (LCI) results as system boundaries are expanded and upstream production inputs are taken into account. They demonstrate that differential convergence can cause crossovers in the ranking of inventories for alternative functional units occurring at second-and higher-order upstream production layers.

Many layers of meaning : multicultural music education in Victoria, Australia

This paper explores music education viewed through lenses of cultural identity and the formation of personal identity in contemporary, multicultural Victoria, Australia. The people of this state come from more than 280 countries, speak more than 240 languages and follow more than 120 faiths. Our population diversity is constantly changing which challenges music educators to respond to classroom demographics and as tertiary educators we prepare our pre-service students to become culturally responsive teachers. As music educators, we occupy and are situated in multiple identities that shape the ways in which we experience and understand music and its transmission. As Australian tertiary music educators, we explore pre-service teacher cultural identity, attitudes and values about the inclusion of multicultural music in the classroom where cultural dialogue provides a platform for the construction of meaning. While marginalization and diversity occurs within multifaceted forms, we question: What music do we present in contemporary Victorian schools? Why do we make these choices? How do we present this music? This consideration, contextualized within the curricular framework, addresses issues of access, equity and community engagement. The making of meaning in shared cultural experiences contributes to the formation of identity which is a fluid and multilayered construct.

Knowledge sharing through virtual layers in regional sustainable development networks

Our research examines how the organisational structure facilitates knowledge sharing within the group. This case study examines a Victorian regional sustainable group using interviews and social network analysis to identify the group’s organisational structure and its effect on knowledge sharing between the members. Our findings indicate that while the mixed membership, lack of hierarchy and layered structure are complex, these elements work together to provide members with a rich body of knowledge. The diversity and differences in membership are complimentary and combined can provide a more in-depth understanding of the regional sustainable development issues.

Interfacial chemistry and adhesion between titanium dioxide nanotube layers and titanium substrates

Interfacial chemistry and adhesion between titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotube layers and titanium (Ti) substrates were studied in this Article. TiO₂ nanotube layers were produced on pure Ti by anodization and annealed in air for different time durations. The adhesion of the TiO₂ nanotube layers was then investigated by Rockwell C indentation test. Results show that adhesion of TiO₂ nanotube layers improved with the extension of annealing time. This improvement in adhesion of TiO₂ nanotube layers was analyzed from the viewpoint of interfacial chemistry using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It suggests that more Ti-O bonds formed in the interface after annealing, and this led to the improved adhesion of the TiO₂ nanoube layers.

Ins and outs of discovery layers: EDS and Encore

Deakin University Library offers a number of search and discovery tools to its user communities: a web scale discovery product, a faceted display catalogue and a traditional catalogue. The presentation provides an overview of the challenges the Library has faced in its attempt to offer a seamless, comprehensive search and discovery service, that facilitates the finding of information resources. The information literacy and research skill levels of the University’s various cohort groups are considered, as well as the important role metadata plays in leading users to the resources they want.