Experimental study of cold-formed steel floors made of hollow flange channel section joists under fire conditions

Fire safety plays a vital role in building design because appropriate level of fire safety is important to safeguard lives and property. Cold-formed steel channel sections along with fire-resistive plasterboards are used to construct light-gauge steel frame (LSF) floor systems to provide adequate fire resistance ratings (FRR). It is common practice to use lipped channel sections (LCS) as joists in LSF floor systems, and past research has only considered such systems. This research focuses on adopting improved joist sections such as hollow flange channel (HFC) sections to improve the structural performance and FRR of cold-formed LSF floor systems under standard fire conditions. The structural and thermal performances of LSF floor systems made of a welded HFC, LiteSteel Beams (LSB), with different plasterboard and insulation configurations, were investigated using four full-scale fire tests under standard fires. These fire tests showed that the new LSF floor system with LSB joists improved the FRR in comparison to that of conventional LCS joists. Fire tests have provided valuable structural and thermal performance data of tested floor systems that included time-temperature profiles and failure times, temperatures, and modes. This paper presents the details of the fire tests conducted in this study and their results along with some important findings.

Reinforcing stigma or delivering a fresh start: Bankruptcy and future engagement in the workforce

In Australia, bankruptcy retains a social stigma, as is often seen as a personal failing, and an indication that the individual cannot be trusted to meet their obligations. Official labelling and informal labelling reinforce this stigmatisation of bankruptcy in employment and business contexts. This occurs through legislation and policy that imposes restrictions on participation in some occupations on the grounds of bankruptcy, and imposes obligations on persons to disclose their bankruptcy to their employer. These restrictions and obligations that are varying in length and extent, both within industries and professions and across industries and professions, and appear to lack a coherent policy justification. Further, informal labelling is facilitated by the law providing for a permanent, publicly accessible record of bankruptcy, and failing to restrict the use of bankruptcy information in employment and business decision-making. This stigmatisation of bankruptcy inhibits the fresh start objective of bankruptcy, and is not supported by a strong correlation between bankruptcy and negative personal or other attributes. This article therefore argues that a review is needed to determine the circumstances in which there is a genuine policy justification for employment restrictions, and the appropriate length and scope of such restrictions. Reform of the Bankruptcy Act should also be considered. Possible areas for law reform including reducing the minimum period of bankruptcy; removing the permanency and/or public accessibility of the bankruptcy record; revising the language used in the Bankruptcy Act; and introducing a prohibition or restriction on the ability of employers to use bankruptcy status in employment decision making. Such changes would promote the fresh start objective of Australia’s bankruptcy system, and increase the likelihood that bankruptcy does not unfairly inhibit an individual’s ability to engage as an economic actor in Australian society and thereby improve their financial well-being.

You're hot, then you're cold: Creative industries policy making in Australia

Much compelling evidence has emerged over the last two decades demonstrating the importance of Australia’s creative industries. In 2014, the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed that culture is ‘big business’ in this country. Yet despite this, interest by policy makers at all levels of government has been intermittent, at best. This chapter gives a brief history of policy development, and offers a number of reasons for why policy and politics have not focussed more resolutely on Australia’s creative economy. It finishes with a discussion of Australia’s ‘unfinished agenda’, one which demands attention not only by government, but also industry and higher education, if we are to properly meet both the challenges and opportunities before us.

Bearing capacity of cold-formed unlipped channels with restrained flanges under EOF and IOF load cases

Bearing failure is a form of localized failure that occurs when thin-walled cold-formed steel sections are subjected to concentrated loads or support reactions. To determine the bearing capacity of cold-formed channel sections, a unified design equation with different bearing coefficients is given in the current North American specification AISI S100 and the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4600. However, coefficients are not available for unlipped channel sections that are normally fastened to supports through their flanges. Eurocode 3 Part 1.3 includes bearing capacity equations for different load cases, but does not distinguish between fastened and unfastened support conditions. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted to determine the bearing capacities of these sections as used in floor systems. Twenty-eight web bearing tests on unlipped channel sections with restrained flanges were conducted under End One Flange (EOF) and Interior One Flange (IOF) load cases. Using the results from this study, a new equation was proposed within the AISI S100 and AS/NZS 4600 guidelines to determine the bearing capacities of cold-formed unlipped channels with flanges fastened to supports. A new design rule was also proposed based on the direct strength method.

Impact of cold storage on glucosinolate levels in seed-sprouts of broccoli, rocket, white radish and kohl-rabi

The effect of cold storage on glucosinolate concentration was examined in 7-day-old seed-sprouts of broccoli, kohl rabi, white radish and rocket. Principal glucosinolates identified were glucoraphanin and glucoerucin (in broccoli, kohl rabi and rocket), glucoiberin (in broccoli and kohl rabi), and glucoraphenin and glucodehydroerucin (in white radish). Generally, sprouts showed no significant changes in individual glucosinolate concentrations during storage at 4°C for 3 weeks. The exception to this was rocket, which showed a significant decline in glucoerucin and glucoraphanin after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. These preliminary results indicate that as there is no significant loss of glucosinolates in broccoli, radish and kohl rabi sprouts, these sprouts may be stored under domestic refrigeration conditions without significant loss of potential anti-cancer compounds. Rocket sprouts, on the other hand, should be consumed soon after purchase if glucosinolate levels are to be maintained.

Relative contributions of light interception and radiation use efficiency to the reduction of maize productivity under cold temperatures

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a chill-susceptible crop cultivated in northern latitude environments. The detrimental effects of cold on growth and photosynthetic activity have long been established. However, a general overview of how important these processes are with respect to the reduction of productivity reported in the field is still lacking. In this study, a model-assisted approach was used to dissect variations in productivity under suboptimal temperatures and quantify the relative contributions of light interception (PARc) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) from emergence to flowering. A combination of architectural and light transfer models was used to calculate light interception in three field experiments with two cold-tolerant lines and at two sowing dates. Model assessment confirmed that the approach was suitable to infer light interception. Biomass production was strongly affected by early sowings. RUE was identified as the main cause of biomass reduction during cold events. Furthermore, PARc explained most of the variability observed at flowering, its relative contributions being more or less important according to the climate experienced. Cold temperatures resulted in lower PARc, mainly because final leaf length and width were significantly reduced for all leaves emerging after the first cold occurrence. These results confirm that virtual plants can be useful as fine phenotyping tools. A scheme of action of cold on leaf expansion, light interception and radiation use efficiency is discussed with a view towards helping breeders define relevant selection criteria. This paper originates from a presentation at the 5th International Workshop on Functional–Structural Plant Models, Napier, New Zealand, November 2007.

Fatigue capacity of cold-formed steel roof battens under cyclic wind uplift loads

Steel roofs made of thin cold-formed steel roof claddings and battens are widely used in low-rise residential and industrial buildings all around the world. However, they suffer from premature localised pull-through failures in the batten to rafter connections during high wind events. A recent study proposed a suitable design equation for the pull-through failures of thin steel roof battens. However, it was limited to static wind uplift loading. In contrast, most cyclone/storm events produce cyclic wind uplift forces on roofs for a significantly long period, thus causing premature fatigue pull-through failures at lower loads. Therefore, a series of constant amplitude cyclic load tests was conducted on small and full scale roof panels made of a commonly used industrial roof batten to develop their S-N curves. A series of multi-level cyclic tests, including the recently introduced low-high-low (LHL) fatigue loading test, was also undertaken to simulate a design cyclone. Using the S-N curves, the static pull-through design capacity equation was modified to include the effects of fatigue. Applicability of Miner’s rule was evaluated in order to predict the fatigue damage caused by multi-level cyclic tests such as the LHL test, and suitable modifications were made. The combined use of the modified Miner’s law and the S-N curve of roof battens will allow a conservative estimation of the fatigue design capacity of roof battens without conducting the LHL tests simulating a design cyclone. This paper presents the details of this study, and the results.

Skin damage to two new mango cultivars during irradiation and cold storage.

Mangoes can express several skin disorders following important postharvest treatments. Responses are often cultivar specific. This paper reports the responses of two new Australian mango cultivars to some of these treatments. 'Honey Gold' mango develops "under skin browning" early during cold storage. This is thought to be partly caused by a discolouration of the latex vessels which then spreads to the surrounding cells. The symptoms appear to be worse in fruit from hotter production areas and that have been cooled to temperatures below 18C soon after harvest. Current commercial recommendations are to cool fruit to 18C, which limits postharvest handling options. Recent trials have confirmed that delayed or slowed cooling after harvest can reduce under skin browning. The defect may also be associated with physical injury to the skin during harvesting and packing. Irradiation is potentially an important disinfestation treatment for fruit fly in Australian mangoes. The 'B74' mango cultivar develops significant skin damage following irradiation, mainly due to discolouration of the cells surrounding the lenticels. Recent results confirmed that fruit harvested directly from the tree into trays without exposure to water or postharvest chemicals are not damaged by irradiation, while commercially harvested and packed fruit are damaged. Several major harvest and postharvest steps appear to increase lenticel sensitivity to irradiation. Further work is required to develop commercially acceptable protocols to facilitate 'Honey Gold' and 'B74' mango distribution and marketing.

Rearing strategies of young dairy calves in relation to production, behaviour and welfare

Vasikoiden kasvatus yksilökarsinoissa, imemismahdollisuuden puute maitojuoton yhteydessä sekä pienet juomamäärät ovat tekijöitä, jotka mahdollisesti voivat vähentää vasikoiden hyvinvointia. Vasikoiden kasvatukseen etsitäänkin uusia tapoja, joissa eläinten käyttäytymistarpeet ja hyvinvointi otetaan entistä paremmin huomioon. Tässä väitöskirjassa vasikoiden kasvatusta on tarkasteltu sekä tuotannon että vasikoiden käyttäytymisen ja hyvinvoinnin kannalta. Väitöskirja koostuu kolmesta kokeesta, joista ensimmäisessä tutkittiin vasikoiden kasvatusta ryhmäkarsinoissa ulkona tai sisällä ja vasikoiden kasvatusta sisällä ryhmä- tai yksilökarsinoissa. Toisessa kokeessa vasikoiden annettiin imeä emiään rajoitetusti lypsyn jälkeen viiden tai kahdeksan viikon ajan ja kolmannessa selvitettiin vasikoiden veden juontia, kun vasikat saivat juomarehua vapaasti. Lisäksi kokeiden yhdistetystä aineistosta analysoitiin eri rehujen syöntimäärien suhdetta sekä rehujen vaikutusta kasvuun ennen ja jälkeen maidosta vieroituksen. Tutkimuksessa todettiin, että vasikoita voi ryhmässä kasvattaa kylmissä ja vaihtelevissa sääoloissa ulkona, kunhan ne hoidetaan ja ruokitaan erittäin huolellisesti. Kylmällä ilmalla vasikat saattavat kuitenkin syödä väkirehua vähemmän varsinkin, jos ruokailupaikka on ulkona ja makuualue sisällä. Ryhmässä kasvaneet vasikat aloittivat sekä kuivien rehujen syönnin että märehtimisen nuorempina kuin yksilökarsinassa kasvaneet. Ryhmissä esiintyvää käyttäytymisongelmaa, toisten vasikoiden imemistä, voidaan vähentää hoito- ja ruokintamenetelmillä. Annettaessa vasikoiden imeä emiään rajoitetusti lypsyn jälkeen vasikat oppivat imemään emiään hyvin nopeasti. Lypsytyö vaikeutui muutamien lehmien kohdalla, sillä ne pidättivät maitoa lypsettäessä. Saadessaan imeä rajoitetusti vasikat imivät suurehkoja maitomääriä kerrallaan. Vieroittaminen suurilta maitomääriltä viiden viikon iässä oli kuitenkin liian aikaista, koska vasikat eivät vielä syöneet riittävästi kuivia rehuja. Vieroitus emästä niin viiden kuin kahdeksankin viikon iässä aiheutti vasikoissa levottomuutta ja ääntelyn lisääntymistä. Saadessaan hapatettua juomarehua vapaasti vasikat joivat keskimäärin vain vähän vettä, olipa vesilähteenä avoin ämpäri tai vesinippa. Vasikoiden välillä oli suurta vaihtelua veden juontimäärissä. Viikkoa ennen maidosta vieroitusta vasikat joivat 0-3 l vettä päivässä. Vasikat joivat nipasta kerrallaan vähemmän vettä kuin ämpäristä, ja käyttivät enemmän aikaa päivässä veden juomiseen kuin vesiämpäristä juoneet vasikat. Suurin osa vasikoista joi vettä juomanipoista erikoisella tavalla esimerkiksi painamalla nippaa otsalla ja juomalla tippuvaa vettä. Vesinipat voivat olla siis vasikoille joko vaikeita tai epämukavia käyttää. Vasikoiden juoman maitomäärän lisääntyessä kasvu lisääntyy selvästi. Runsas maidon juominen vähentää kuitenkin kuivien rehujen syöntiä ja vieroitusvaiheessa kasvu voi hidastua. Vasikat olisikin tärkeää vieroittaa vähitellen, ettei muutoksia kasvuun tulisi. Syönti- ja kasvutulokset eivät aina anna oikeaa kuvaa kasvatusmenetelmien eroista eläinten hyvinvoinnin kannalta. Käyttäytyminen on herkkä hyvinvoinnin mittari ja se tulisikin aina huomioida eri kasvatusmenetelmiä arvioitaessa. .

Winter feeding strategies for suckler cows in cold climatic conditions

In Finland, suckler cow production is carried out in circumstances characterized by a long winter period and a short grazing period. The traditional winter housing system for suckler cows has been insulated or uninsulated buildings, but there is a demand for developing less expensive housing systems. In addition, more information is needed on new winter feeding strategies, carried out in inexpensive winter facilities with conventional (hay, grass silage, straw) or alternative (treated straw, industrial by-product, whole-crop silage) feeds. The new feeding techniques should not have any detrimental effects on animal welfare in order to be acceptable to both farmers and consumers. Furthermore, no official feeding recommendations for suckler cows are available in Finland and, thus, recommendations for dairy cows have been used. However, this may lead to over- or underfeeding of suckler cows and, finally, to decreased economic output. In Experiment I, second-calf beef-dairy suckler cows were used to compare the effects of diets based on hay (H) or urea-treated straw (US) at two feeding levels (Moderate; M vs. Low; L) on the performance of cows and calves. Live weight (LW) gain during the indoor feeding was lower for cows on level L than on level M. Cows on diet US lost more LW indoors than those on diet H. The cows replenished the LW losses on good pasture. Calf LW gain and cow milk production were unaffected by the treatments. Conception rate was unaffected by the treatments but was only 69%. Urea-treated straw proved to be a suitable winter feed for spring-calving suckler cows. Experiment II studied the effects of feeding accuracy on the performance of first- and second-calf beef-dairy cows and calves. In II-1, the day-to-day variation in the roughage offered ranged up to ± 40%. In II-2, the same variation was used in two-week periods. Variation of the roughages offered had minor effects on cow performance. Reproduction was unaffected by the feeding accuracy. Accurate feeding is not necessary for young beef-dairy crosses, if the total amount of energy offered over a period of a few weeks fulfills the energy requirements. Effects of feeding strategies with alternative feeds on the performance of mature beef-dairy and beef cows and calves were evaluated in Experiment III. Two studies consisted of two feeding strategies (Step-up vs. Flat-rate) and two diets (Control vs. Alternative). There were no differences between treatments in the cow LW, body condition score (BCS), calf pre-weaning LW gain and cow reproduction. A flat-rate strategy can be practised in the nutrition of mature suckler cows. Oat hull based flour-mill by product can partly replace grass silage and straw in the winter diet. Whole-crop barley silage can be offered as a sole feed to suckler cows. Experiment IV evaluated during the winter feeding period the effects of replacing grass silage with whole-crop barley or oat silage on mature beef cow and calf performance. Both whole-crop silages were suitable winter feeds for suckler cows in cold outdoor winter conditions. Experiment V aimed at assessing the effects of daily feeding vs. feeding every third day on the performance of mature beef cows and calves. No differences between the treatments were observed in cow LW, BCS, milk production and calf LW. The serum concentrations of urea and long-chain fatty acids were increased on the third day after feeding in the cows fed every third day. Despite of that the feeding every third day is an acceptable feeding strategy for mature suckler cows. Experiment VI studied the effects of feeding levels and long-term cold climatic conditions on mature beef cows and calves. The cows were overwintered in outdoor facilities or in an uninsulated indoor facility. Whole-crop barley silage was offered either ad libitum or restricted. All the facilities offered adequate shelter for the cows. The restricted offering of whole-crop barley silage provided enough energy for the cows. The Finnish energy recommendations for dairy cows were too high for mature beef breed suckler cows in good body condition at housing, even in cold conditions. Therefore, there is need to determine feeding recommendations for suckler cows in Finland. The results showed that the required amount of energy can be offered to the cows using conventional or alternative feeds provided at a lower feeding level, with an inaccurate feeding, flat-rate feeding or feeding every third day strategy. The cows must have an opportunity to replenish the LW and BCS losses at pasture before the next winter. Production in cold conditions can be practised in inexpensive facilities when shelter against rain and wind, a dry resting place, adequate amounts of feed suitable for cold conditions and water are provided for the animals as was done in the present study.

Cochrane review: Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults

Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or ‘DOMS’, affects many people after exercise and can impair future performance. It usually peaks one to four days after exercise and several strategies are used to overcome it. The effectiveness and safety of many of these strategies applied and promoted is unknown.

Moving from evaluation to trial: How do SMEs start adopting Cloud ERP?

The advent of cloud technology involving low subscription overheads cost has provided small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the opportunity to adopt new cloud-based corporate-wide systems (i.e., cloud ERP). This technology, operating through subscription-based services, has now provided SMEs with a complete range of IT applications that were once restricted to larger organisations. As anecdotal evidences suggest, SMEs are increasingly adopting cloud-based ERP software. The selection of an ERP is a complex process involving multiple stages and stakeholders, suggesting the importance of closer examination of cloud ERP adoption in SMEs. Yet, prior studies have predominantly treated technology adoption as a single activity and largely ignored the issue of ERP adoption in SMEs. Understanding of the process nature of the adoption and the factors that are important in each stage of the adoption potentially may result in guiding SMEs to make well-informed decisions throughout the ERP selection process. Thus, our study proposes that the adoption of cloud ERP should be examined as a multi-stage process. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Ettlie’s adoption stages, as well as employing data gathered from 162 owners of SMEs, our findings show that the factors that influence the intention to adopt cloud ERP vary significantly across adoptive stages.