Investigating the effectiveness of an ecological approach to learning design in a first year mathematics for engineering unit

This is presentation of the refereed paper accepted for the Conferences' proceedings. The presentation was given on Tuesday, 1 December 2015.

WHIPPET: a novel tool for prioritizing invasive plant populations for regional eradication

Large geographic areas can have numerous incipient invasive plant populations that necessitate eradication. However, resources are often deficient to address every infestation. Within the United States, weed lists (either state-level or smaller unit) generally guide the prioritization of eradication of each listed species uniformly across the focus region. This strategy has several limitations that can compromise overall effectiveness, which include spending limited resources on 1) low impact populations, 2) difficult to access populations, or 3) missing high impact populations of low priority species. Therefore, we developed a novel science-based, transparent, analytical ranking tool to prioritize weed populations, instead of species, for eradication and tested it on a group of noxious weeds in California. For outreach purposes, we named the tool WHIPPET (Weed Heuristics: Invasive Population Prioritization for Eradication Tool). Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process that included expert opinion, we developed three major criteria, four sub-criteria, and four sub-sub-criteria, taking into account both species and population characteristics. Subject matter experts weighted and scored these criteria to assess the relative impact, potential spread, and feasibility of eradication (major criteria) for 100 total populations of 19 species. Species-wide population scores indicated that conspecific populations do not necessarily group together in the final ranked output. Thus, priority lists based solely on species-level characteristics are less effective compared to a blended prioritization based on both species attributes and individual population and site parameters. WHIPPET should facilitate a more efficacious decision-making process allocating limited resources to target invasive plant infestations with the greatest predicted impacts to the region under consideration.

Mannans as film formers and emulsion stabilizers

Mannans are abundant plant polysaccharides found in the endosperm of certain leguminous seeds (guar gum galactomannan, GG; locust bean gum galactomannan, LBG), in the tuber of the konjac plant (konjac glucomannan, KGM), and in softwoods (galactoglucomannan, GGM). This study focused on the effects of the chemical structure of mannans on their film-forming and emulsion-stabilizing properties. Special focus was on spruce GGM, which is an interesting new product from forest biorefineries. A plasticizer was needed for the formation of films from mannans other than KGM and the optimal proportion was 40% (w/w of polymers) glycerol or sorbitol. Galactomannans with lower galactose content (LBG, modified GG) produced films with higher elongation at break and tensile strength. The mechanical properties of GG-based films were improved by decreasing the degree of polymerization of the polysaccharide with moderate mannanase treatments. The improvement of mechanical properties of GGM-based films was sought by blending GGM with each of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), corn arabinoxylan (cAX), and KGM. Adding other polymers increased the elongation at break of GGM blend films. The tensile strength of films increased with increasing amounts of PVOH and KGM, but the effect of cAX was the opposite. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed two separate loss modulus peaks for blends of GGM and PVOH, but a single peak for all other films. Optical and scanning electron microscopy confirmed good miscibility of GGM with cAX and KGM. In contrast, films blended from GGM and PVOH showed phase separation. GGM and KGM were mixed with cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) to form composite films. Addition of CNW to KGM-based films induced the formation of fiberlike structures with lengths of several millimeters. In GGM-based films, rodlike structures with lengths of tens of micrometers were formed. Interestingly, the notable differences in the film structure did not appear to be related to the mechanical and thermal properties of the films. Permeability properties of GGM-based films were compared to those of films from commercial mannans KGM, GG, and LBG. GGM-based films had the lowest water vapor permeability when compared to films from other mannans. The oxygen permeability of GGM films was of the same magnitude as that of commercial polyethylene / ethylene vinyl alcohol / polyethylene laminate film. The aroma permeability of GGM films was low. All films were transparent in the visible region, but GGM films blocked the light transmission in the ultraviolet region of the spectra. The stabilizing effect of GGM on a model beverage emulsion system was studied and compared to that of GG, LBG, KGM, and cAX. In addition, GG was enzymatically modified in order to examine the effect of the degree of polymerization and the degree of substitution of galactomannans on emulsion stability. Use of GGM increased the turbidity of emulsions both immediately after preparation and after storage of up to 14 days at room temperature. GGM emulsions had higher turbidity than the emulsions containing other mannans. Increasing the storage temperature to +45 ºC led to rapid emulsion breakdown, but a decrease in storage temperature increased emulsion stability after 14 days. A low degree of polymerization and a high degree of substitution of the modified galactomannans were associated with a decrease in emulsion turbidity.

Enhancing learning for research higher degree students

Universities’ push toward the production of high quality research is not limited to academic staff and experienced researchers. In this environment of research rich agendas, Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are increasingly expected to engage in the publishing of good quality papers in high impact journals. IFN001: Advanced Information Research Skills (AIRS) is a credit bearing mandatory coursework requirement for Queensland University of Technology (QUT) doctorates. Since its inception in 1989, this unique blended learning program has provided the foundations for new researchers to produce original and innovative research. AIRS was redeveloped in 2012, and has now been evaluated with reference to the university’s strategic research priorities. Our research is the first comprehensive evaluation of the program from the learner perspective. We measured whether the program develops essential transferrable skills and graduate capabilities to ensure best practice in the areas of publishing and data management. In particular, we explored whether AIRS prepares students to be agile researchers with the skills to adapt to different research contexts both within and outside academia. The target group for our study consisted of HDR students and supervisors at QUT. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used for data collection. Gathering data was by survey and focus groups with qualitative responses analyzed using NVivo. The results of the survey show that 82% of students surveyed believe that AIRS assisted their research process and helped them learn skills they need as a researcher. The 18% of respondents who expressed reservation about the benefits of AIRS were also examined to determine the key areas of concern. These included trends related to the timing of the program early in the candidature and a belief among some students that their previous research experience was sufficient for postgraduate study. New insights have been gained into how to better support HDR learners in partnership with supervisors and how to enhance learning experiences of specific cohorts, including international students and mature learners.

Is it tweet-worthy? Privacy in a time of sharing.

Information professionals and information organisations use Twitter in a variety of ways. Typically both organisations and the individuals that work for them have separate identities on Twitter, but often individuals identify their organization through their profile or Twitter content. This paper considers the way information professionals use Twitter and their practices with regard to privacy, personal disclosure and identifying their organisational affiliations. Drawing on data from a research study involving a questionnaire and social media observation, the paper will provoke discussion about information professionals’ use of Twitter, personal and organizational identity, and the value of Twitter for professional development. In keeping with the subject matter, a curated set of social media content will be available in lieu of a formal paper.

The importance of context in engaging students large first year management classes: A case study

Engaging large first year classes in tertiary education poses a number of significant challenges, most of which have been discussed by others. One area that has not received the kind of attention that it warrants is the context within which the engagement activities take place. This paper examines both the processes used to engage a large first year management class in a major city university and how the context of the classes shaped activities and student responses to these activities. It was recognised that students had certain types of learning styles, but given the total number of students (in excess of 1200) it was realised that is would be impossible to cater to all possibilities. A key outcome of the exercise was the importance of context in shaping student behaviours.

Adding value: Principals’ perceptions of the role of the teacher-librarian

This paper reports on a study into principals’ perceptions of the role of the teacher-librarian. Nine principals in Australia were interviewed about the role of the teacher-librarian and library in their school. The findings indicated a range of ways in which the teacher-librarian adds value to the school, including in their role as teacher, providing the principal with a broad perspective on the workings of the school, providing advice and ideas, and providing leadership in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) at the school. It also identified a number of personal qualities valued by principals.

The pedagogic prosthetic: Augmented learning as content-in-motion in hybrid educational spheres

This article draws on the design and implementation of three mobile learning projects introduced by Flanagan in 2011, 2012 and 2014 engaging a total of 206 participants. The latest of these projects is highlighted in this article. Two other projects provide additional examples of innovative strategies to engage mobile and cloud systems describing how electronic and mobile technology can help facilitate teaching and learning, assessment for learning and assessment as learning, and support communities of practice. The second section explains the theoretical premise supporting the implementation of technology and promulgates a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The third section discusses mobility, both in terms of the exploration of wearable technology in the prototypes developed as a result of the projects, and the affordances of mobility within pedagogy. Finally the quantitative and qualitative methods in place to evaluate m-learning are explained.

Low density polyethylene and grafted lignin polyblends using epoxy-functionalized compatibilizer: mechanical and thermal properties

Lignin was graft copolymerized with methyl methacrylate using manganic pyrophosphate as initiator. This modified lignin was then blended (up to 50 wt%) with low density polyethylene (LDPE) using a small quantity of poly[ethylene-co-(glycidyl methacrylate)] (PEGMA) compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of the blend were substantially improved by using modified lignin in contrast to untreated lignin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed loss of crystallinity of the LDPE phase owing to the interaction between the blend components. Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stability of modified lignin in the domain of blend processing. This suggested that there is scope for useful utilization of lignin, which could also lead to the development of eco-friendly products. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ecology of the swampy relic forests of Kathalekan from central Western Ghats, India

Introduction of agriculture three millennia ago in Peninsular India’s Western Ghats altered substantially ancient tropical forests. Early agricultural communities, nevertheless, strived to attain symbiotic harmony with nature as evident from prevalence of numerous sacred groves, patches of primeval forests sheltering biodiversity and hydrology. Groves enhanced heterogeneity of landscapes involving elements of successional forests and savannas favouring rich wildlife. A 2.25 km2 area of relic forest was studied at Kathalekan in Central Western Ghats. Interspersed with streams studded with Myristica swamps and blended sparingly with shifting cultivation fallows, Kathalekan is a prominent northernmost relic of southern Western Ghat vegetation. Trees like Syzygium travancoricum (Critically Endangered), Myristica magnifica (Endangered) and Gymnacranthera canarica (Vulnerable) and recently reported Semecarpus kathalekanensis, are exclusive to stream/swamp forest (SSF). SSF and non-stream/swamp forest (NSSF) were studied using 18 transects covering 3.6 ha. Dipterocarpaceae, its members seldom transgressing tropical rain forests, dominate SSF (21% of trees) and NSSF (27%). The ancient Myristicaceae ranks high in tree population (19% in SSF and 8% in NSSF). Shannon-Weiner diversity for trees is higher (>3) in six NSSF transects compared to SSF (<3). Higher tree endemism (45%), total endemic tree population (71%) and significantly higher above ground biomass (349 t/ha) cum carbon sequestration potential (131 t/ha) characterizes SSF. Faunal richness is evident from amphibians (35 species - 26 endemics, 11 in IUCN Red List). This study emphasizes the need for bringing to light more of relic forests for their biodiversity, carbon sequestration and hydrology. The lives of marginal farmers and forest tribes can be uplifted through partnership in carbon credits, by involving them in mitigating global climatic change through conservation and restoration of high biomass watershed forests.

Studies on LDPE-cyanoethylated lignocellulosics blends using epoxy functionalized LDPE as compatibilizer

Rubberwood flour and cellulose have been plasticized by cyanoethylation and then blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). A small quantity of epoxy functionalized polyethylene i.e., polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PEGMA) has been added to further enhance the mechanical properties. The mechanical properties were measured according to the standard ASTM methods. SEM analysis was performed for both fractured and unfractured blend specimens. The mechanical properties were improved by the addition of PEGMA compatibilizer. LDPE blends with cyanoethylated wood flour (CYWF) showed higher tensile strength and modulus than cyanoethylated cellulose CYC-LDPE blends. However CYC-LDPE blends exhibited higher relative elongation at break values as compared with the former. The TGA analysis showed lowering of thermal stability as the filler content is increased and degradation temperature of LDPE is shifted slightly to lower temperature. DSC analysis showed loss of crystallinity for the LDPE phase as the filler content is increased for both types of blends. Dielectric properties of the blends were similar to LDPE, but were lowered on adding PEGMA. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical toughening of epoxies. II. Mechanical, thermal, and microscopic studies of epoxies toughened with hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

Diglycidyl ether–bisphenol-A-based epoxies toughened with various levels (0–12%) of chemically reacted liquid rubber, hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (HTBN) were studied for some of the mechanical and thermal properties. Although the ultimate tensile strength showed a continuous decrease with increasing rubber content, the toughness as measured by the area under the stress-vs.-strain curve and flexural strength reach a maximum around an optimum rubber concentration of 3% before decreasing. Tensile modulus was found to increase for concentrations below 6%. The glass transition temperature Tg as measured by DTA showed no variation for the toughened formulations. The TGA showed no variations in the pattern of decomposition. The weight losses for the toughened epoxies at elevated temperatures compare well with that of the neat epoxy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a dual phase morphology with the spherical rubber particles precipitating out in the cured resin with diameter varying between 0.33 and 6.3 μm. In contrast, a physically blended rubber–epoxy showed much less effect towards toughening with the precipitated rubber particles of much bigger diameter (0.6–21.3 μm).

Miscibility of Poly(aromatic acrylate)s and Methacrylates with Styrene/Acrylonitrile copolymers

Miscibilities of some poly[aromatic (meth)acrylatels namely, poly(pheny1 acrylate) (PPA), poly(pheny1 methacrylate) (PPMA), poly(benzy1 acrylate) (PBA), and poly(benzy1 methacrylate) (PBMAY polystyrene blends, have been studied through the so-called copolymer effect by incorporating acrylonitrile units in PS chains. In these systems, miscibility occurs on account of the strong repulsion between the acrylonitrile and styrene units in the copolymer. PBA and PBMA were blended with different styreneacrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers. A miscibility window has been identified for the latter system, and from these limits, the binary interaction energy density parameters (B,j.’sw) ere calculated. Using these values, the miscibilities in other homopolymer-copolymer and copolymer-copolymer systems containing benzyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and styrene monomer units have been predicted and subsequently verified experimentally. The miscibility window limits in poly[aromatic (meth)acrylate]s/SAN copolymer blends have been compared. PBA does not exhibit a miscibility window with SAN copolymers, which has been explained by the weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding in PBA. The miscibility window in the PBW SAN copolymer system, as observed by DSC, shows a considerable narrowing in nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) measurements, as this technique is more sensitive.

Miscibility of poly(aromatic acrylate)s and methacrylates with styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers

Miscibilities of some poly[aromatic (meth)crylate]s namely, poly(phenyl acrylate) (PPA, poly(phenyl methacrylate) (PPMA), poly(benzyl acrylate) (PBA), and poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBMA)/polystyrene blends, have been studied through the so-called copolymer effect by incorporating acrylonitrile units in PS chains. In these systems, miscibility occurs on account of the strong repulsion between the acrylonitrile and styrene units in the copolymer. PBA and PBMA were blended with different styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers. A miscibility window has been identified for the latter system, and from these limits, the binary interaction energy density parameters (Bij's) were calculated. Using these values, the miscibilities in other homopolymer-copolymer and copolymer-copolymer systems containing benzyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and styrene monomer units have been predicted and subsequently verified experimentally. The miscibility window limits in poly[aromatic (meth)acrylate]s/SAN copolymer blends have been compared. PBA does not exhibit a miscibility window with SAN copolymers, which has been explained by the weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding in PBA. The miscibility window in the PBMA/SAN copolymer system, as observed by DSC, shows a considerable narrowing in nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) measurements, as this technique is more sensitive.

Spectral, thermal and electrical properties of poly(o- and m-toluidine) PVC blends prepared by solution blending

Poly(o-toluidine) (POT) and poly(m-toluidine) (PMT) blends with polyvinylchloride (PVC) of five different compositions have been prepared by solution blending. The POT-PVC and PMT-PVC blends were prepared using THF as a solvent in which POT-HNO3, PMT-HNO3 bases and PVC are soluble. The blends have been characterized by spectral, thermal and electrical measurements. The results indicate the formation of blends at all the compositions presently studied. The thermal stability of the POT-PVC and PMT-PVC blends is higher than that of POT-HNO3 and PMT-HNO3 salts, respectively. Using the present method, POT/PMT can conveniently be blended with 30% wt/wt of PVC without significant loss in its conductivity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.