What do young Australian engineers want? Strategies to attract this talent to less glamorous industries

Chapters in Book 1 of this two-volume set explored literature pertaining to the shortage of engineers in Australia, the ageing engineering workforce, issues of skilled migration, and career development and pathways. The companion chapter to this one in Book 1 explored attraction and image issues of certain industries that required a pipeline of engineers. This chapter will reflect on our research with final-year engineering students in Australian universities and TAFE colleges regarding their career aspirations, industries and/or organisations that they identify as attractive employers, and their perceptions of a low-profile industry, namely the Australian rail industry. This chapter will also discuss specific, evidence-based strategies and activities to enhance the image and attraction of low-profile industries.

Estimation of mineral-adhered biomass of Thiobacillusferrooxidans by protein assay-some problems and remedies

Enumeration of adhered cells of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on sulphide minerals through protein assay poses problems due to interference from dissolved mineral constituents. The manner in which sulphide minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite interfere with bacterial protein estimation is demonstrated. Such interferences can be minimised either through dilution or addition of H2O2 to the filtrate after hot alkaline digestion of the biotreated mineral samples.

The Benefits Planner: Improved Work Incentives in Social Security Disability Insurance Program - Changes Will Make Work More Attractive to SSDI Recipients

This newsletter will provide valuable information on how work for persons with disabilities effects government benefits, with an emphasis on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) work incentives. Each newsletter will contribute to an ongoing dialogue on topics related to benefits and work.

The Benefits Planner: New York Implements Medicaid Buy-In Program - Program Allows Individuals With Disabilities to Work and Keep Medicaid

This newsletter will provide valuable information on how work for persons with disabilities effects government benefits, with an emphasis on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) work incentives. Each newsletter will contribute to an ongoing dialogue on topics related to benefits and work.

Grand unified mass

A recent article on the unified theory of Elementary Particle Forces by Howard Georgi and Sheldon Glashow (September 1980, page 30) points out that the unification of strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions involves the appearance of particles having almost macroscopic masses of about a nanogram (~1014 GeV). Such superheavy particles seem to be an inevitable feature of most grand unified theories Gravitation is still, however, left out of these various schemes.

Zoysia matrella, Manila Grass 'A-1'

‘A-1’ was selected from a breeding population of 40 seedling Zoysia matrella plants from various parts of Southeast Asia (Japan, Philippines, China, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand). The original plants were vegetatively propagated and evaluated first in pots. A shortlist of selected genotypes was expanded to field plantings at Sheldon, QLD and evaluated against existing Z. matrella and Z. matrella x Z. japonica hybrid cultivars under mowing heights from 10 to 25mm and under shade levels ranging from 0 to 80%. ‘A-1’ showed higher tiller density and a more prostrate growth habit than the parent ecotype, and was selected from the subsequent breeding population on the basis of its superior turf colour and quality under mowing for 6 years and its shade tolerance as shown by its ability to maintain density of the mown sward under greatly reduced light levels (70-80% shade). Additional observations regarding climatic adaptation were made in Cairns, QLD, and Melbourne, VIC, respectively. Breeder: Donald S Loch, Alexandra Hills, QLD. PBR Certificate Number 3649, Application Number 2008/091, granted 16 December 2008.

Rapid microsatellite marker development for African mahogany ( Khaya senegalensis, Meliaceae) using next-generation sequencing and assessment of its intra-specific genetic diversity.

Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany or dry-zone mahogany) is a high-value hardwood timber species with great potential for forest plantations in northern Australia. The species is distributed across the sub-Saharan belt from Senegal to Sudan and Uganda. Because of heavy exploitation and constraints on natural regeneration and sustainable planting, it is now classified as a vulnerable species. Here, we describe the development of microsatellite markers for K. senegalensis using next-generation sequencing to assess its intra-specific diversity across its natural range, which is a key for successful breeding programs and effective conservation management of the species. Next-generation sequencing yielded 93943 sequences with an average read length of 234bp. The assembled sequences contained 1030 simple sequence repeats, with primers designed for 522 microsatellite loci. Twenty-one microsatellite loci were tested with 11 showing reliable amplification and polymorphism in K. senegalensis. The 11 novel microsatellites, together with one previously published, were used to assess 73 accessions belonging to the Australian K. senegalensis domestication program, sampled from across the natural range of the species. STRUCTURE analysis shows two major clusters, one comprising mainly accessions from west Africa (Senegal to Benin) and the second based in the far eastern limits of the range in Sudan and Uganda. Higher levels of genetic diversity were found in material from western Africa. This suggests that new seed collections from this region may yield more diverse genotypes than those originating from Sudan and Uganda in eastern Africa.

Soil seed bank dynamics in response to an extreme flood event in a riparian habitat

A significantly increased water regime can lead to inundation of rivers, creeks and surrounding floodplains- and thus impact on the temporal dynamics of both the extant vegetation and the dormant, but viable soil-seed bank of riparian corridors. The study documented changes in the soil seed-bank along riparian corridors before and after a major flood event in January 2011 in southeast Queensland, Australia. The study site was a major river (the Mooleyember creek) near Roma, Central Queensland impacted by the extreme flood event and where baseline ecological data on riparian seed-bank populations have previously been collected in 2007, 2008 and 2009. After the major flood event, we collected further soil samples from the same locations in spring/summer (November–December 2011) and in early autumn (March 2012). Thereafter, the soils were exposed to adequate warmth and moisture under glasshouse conditions, and emerged seedlings identified taxonomically. Flooding increased seed-bank abundance but decreased its species richness and diversity. However, flood impact was less than that of yearly effect but greater than that of seasonal variation. Seeds of trees and shrubs were few in the soil, and were negatively affected by the flood; those of herbaceous and graminoids were numerous and proliferate after the flood. Seed-banks of weedy and/or exotic species were no more affected by the flood than those of native and/or non-invasive species. Overall, the studied riparian zone showed evidence of a quick recovery of its seed-bank over time, and can be considered to be resilient to an extreme flood event.

Early recovery signs of an Australian grassland following the management of Parthenium hysterophorus L

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is believed to reduce the above- and below-ground plant species diversity and the above-ground productivity in several ecosystems. We quantified the impact of this invasive weed upon species diversity in an Australian grassland and assessed the resulting shifts in plant community composition following management using two traditional approaches. A baseline plant community survey, prior to management, showed that the above-ground community was dominated by P. hysterophorus, stoloniferous grasses, with a further high frequency of species from Malvaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae. In heavily invaded areas, P. hysterophorus abundance and biomass was found to negatively correlate with species diversity and native species abundance. Digitaria didactyla Willd. was present in high abundance when P. hysterophorus was not, with these two species, contributing most to the dissimilarity seen between areas. The application of selective broad leaf weed herbicides significantly reduced P. hysterophorus biomass under ungrazed conditions, but this management did not yet result in an increase in species diversity. In the above-ground community, P. hysterophorus was partly replaced by the introduced grass species Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) 1 year after management began, increasing the above-ground forage biomass production, while D. didactyla replaced P. hysterophorus in the below-ground community. This improvement in forage availability continued to strengthen over the time of the study resulting in a total increase of 80% after 2 years in the ungrazed treatment, demonstrating the stress that grazing was imposing upon this grassland-based agro-ecosystem and showing that it is necessary to remove grazing to obtain the best results from the chemical management approach.

Julius Bisno collection, undated, 1780, 1801-1980.

Jewish organization executive. Primarily autographs, photos, writings, speeches, and biographical material, collected by Bisno, relating to ca. 120 Jews who have attained prominence in American public life; together with papers (1923-32) from Congregation Talmud Torah of Los Angeles, letters (1928-37) relating to other Jewish organizations in Los Angeles, and 3 letters of Stephen S. Wise, dealing with the general Jewish situation in Europe in 1933 and with the question of Jewish participation in the 1936 Olympic games. Persons represented include Benjamin N. Cardozo, Abe Fortas, Felix Frankfurter, Henry Horner, Herbert H. Lehman, and Lewis L. Strauss.

Chemically Programmed Ultrahigh Density Two-Dimensional Semiconductor Superlattice Array

Designing an ultrahigh density linear superlattice array consisting of periodic blocks of different semiconductors in the strong confinement regime via a direct synthetic route remains an unachieved challenge in nanotechnology. We report a general synthesis route for the formulation of a large-area ultrahigh density superlattice array that involves adjoining multiple units of ZnS rods by prolate US particles at the tips. A single one-dimensional wire is 300-500 nm long and consists of periodic quantum wells with a barrier width of 5 nm provided by ZnS and a well width of 1-2 nm provided by CdS, defining a superlattice structure. The synthesis route allows for tailoring of ultranarrow laserlike emissions (fwhm approximate to 125 meV) originating from strong interwell energy dispersion along with control of the width, pitch, and registry of the superlattice assembly. Such an exceptional high-density superlattice array could form the basis of ultrahigh density memories in addition to offering opportunities for technological advancement in conventional heterojunction-based device applications.

Highly Luminescent Mn-Doped ZnS Nanocrystals: Gram-Scale Synthesis

Following growth doping technique highly luminescent (quantum yield >50%) Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystals are synthesized via colloidal synthetictechnique. The dopant emission has been optimized with varying reaction parameters and found the ratio of Zn and S as well as the percentage of introduced dopant in the reaction mixture are key factors for controlling the intensity. The method is simple, hassle free, and can be scalable to gram level without hindering the quality of nanocrystals. These nanocrystals retain their emission during various ligand exchange processes and aqueous dispersion.

Doping Transition Metal (Mn or Cu) Ions in Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Following growth doping strategy and using dopant oxides nanocrystals as dopant sources, we report here two different transition-metal ions doped in a variety of group II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals. Using manganese oxide and copper oxide nanocrystals as corresponding dopant sources, intense photoluminescence emission over a wide range of wavelength has been observed for different host nanocrystals. Interestingly, this single doping strategy is successful in providing such highly emissive nanocrystals considered here, in contrast with the literature reports that would suggest synthesis strategies to be highly specific to the particular dopant, host, or both. We investigate and discuss the possible mechanism of the doping process, supporting the migration of dopant ions from dopant oxide nanocrystals to host nanocrystals as the most likely scenario.

Paradoxical reflection in quantum mechanics

This article concerns a phenomenon of elementary quantum mechanics that is quite counter-intuitive, very non-classical, and apparently not widely known: a quantum particle can get reflected at a downward potential step. In contrast, classical particles get reflected only at upward steps. The conditions for this effect are that the wave length is much greater than the width of the potential step and the kinetic energy of the particle is much smaller than the depth of the potential step. This phenomenon is suggested by non-normalizable solutions to the time-independent Schroedinger equation, and we present evidence, numerical and mathematical, that it is also indeed predicted by the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. Furthermore, this paradoxical reflection effect suggests, and we confirm mathematically, that a quantum particle can be trapped for a long time (though not forever) in a region surrounded by downward potential steps, that is, on a plateau.