Disentangling the Pathways and Effects of Ecosystem Service Co-Production

Research on ecosystem services has become a dominant field within environmental management, framing the way in which human–nature relationships are understood and managed. Although ecosystem services are usually defined as ‘the benefits that humans receive from nature’, our work shows that most services are actually co-produced by a mixture of natural capital and various forms of social, human, financial and technological capital. Here, we review how ecosystem services are co-produced, and then we assess how this affects the quantity, quality, trade-offs, resilience and the equity of the distribution of ecosystem services. Then we discuss the implications of co-production for sustainability. Finally, we present some challenges for an adequate consideration of co-production within the assessment of ecosystem services.

Mind the gap! An exploration of the role of lifelong learning in promoting co-production and citizenship within social care for older people

Contemporary themes in public policy have emphasised co-productive approaches within both the access and provision of support services to older people. This paper provides a cross disciplinary exploration from its respective authors perspectives on social work and educational gerontology to examine the potential for lifelong learning and learning interventions from which co-production with those using social care services in later life might be better facilitated. Using an example from the UK, we specifically elicit how co-produced care can enhance the horizon of learning and learning research. The synthesis of ideas across these two disciplines could enrich understanding and provide essential levers for moving towards empowerment and emancipation by engaging with a more co-productive approach in social care for older people. (DIPF/Orig.)

Radiological aspects of petroleum exploration and production in the sultanate of Oman

This thesis is a study of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) activity concentration, gamma dose rate and radon (222Rn) exhalation from the waste streams of large-scale onshore petroleum operations. Types of activities covered included; sludge recovery from separation tanks, sludge farming, NORM storage, scaling in oil tubulars, scaling in gas production and sedimentation in produced water evaporation ponds. Field work was conducted in the arid desert terrain of an operational oil exploration and production region in the Sultanate of Oman. The main radionuclides found were 226Ra and 210Pb (238U - series), 228Ra and 228Th (232Th - series), and 227Ac (235U - series), along with 40K. All activity concentrations were higher than the ambient soil level and varied over several orders of magnitude. The range of gamma dose rates at a 1 m height above ground for the farm treated sludge had a range of 0.06 0.43 µSv h 1, and an average close to the ambient soil mean of 0.086 ± 0.014 µSv h 1, whereas the untreated sludge gamma dose rates had a range of 0.07 1.78 µSv h 1, and a mean of 0.456 ± 0.303 µSv h 1. The geometric mean of ambient soil 222Rn exhalation rate for area surrounding the sludge was mBq m 2 s 1. Radon exhalation rates reported in oil waste products were all higher than the ambient soil value and varied over three orders of magnitude. This study resulted in some unique findings including: (i) detection of radiotoxic 227Ac in the oil scales and sludge, (ii) need of a new empirical relation between petroleum sludge activity concentrations and gamma dose rates, and (iii) assessment of exhalation of 222Rn from oil sludge. Additionally the study investigated a method to determine oil scale and sludge age by the use of inherent behaviour of radionuclides as 228Ra:226Ra and 228Th:228Ra activity ratios.

Networked masculinities and social networking sites : a call for the analysis of men and contemporary digital media

It is of course recognised that technology can be gendered and implicated in gender relations. However, it continues to be the case that men’s experiences with technology are underexplored and the situation is even more problematic where digital media is concerned. Over the past 30 years we have witnessed a dramatic rise in the pervasiveness of digital media across many parts of the world and as associated with wide ranging aspects of our lives. This rise has been fuelled over the last decade by the emergence of Web 2.0 and particularly Social Networking Sites (SNS). Given this context, I believe it is necessary for us to undertake more work to understand men’s engagements with digital media, the implications this might have for masculinities and the analysis of gender relations more generally. To begin to unpack this area, I engage theorizations of the properties of digital media networks and integrate this with the masculinity studies field. Using this framework, I suggest we need to consider the rise in what I call networked masculinities – those masculinities (co)produced and reproduced with digitally networked publics. Through this analysis I discuss themes related to digital mediators, relationships, play and leisure, work and commerce, and ethics. I conclude that as masculinities can be, and are being, complicated and given agency by advancing notions and practices of connectivity, mobility, classification and convergence, those engaged with masculinity studies and digital media have much to contribute.

Electrocoagulation as a pre-treatment stage to reverse osmosis units

Reverse osmosis (RO) is used by coal seam gas (CSG) operators to treat produced water as it is a well-established and proven technology worldwide. Despite the suitability of RO, there are problems associated with RO technology such as membrane fouling which although not preventing use of RO does decrease effectiveness and increase operating costs. Hence, effective pre-treatment of water samples is essential. Electrocoagulation (EC) potentially can provide improved water purification compared to conventional coagulation prior to an RO unit. This paper provides the first reported study of EC for CSG water pre-treatment and compares the performance to a range of aluminium and iron based coagulants. It was found that EC was superior in terms of removal of silica, calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium in the produced water.

The Soldier's Wife (LP)

Audio recording of 10 tracks funded by Legacy, The Australia Council, and Arts Queensland. The recordings explore the untold stories of soldiers' wives through song. It features the vocal and songwriting talents of Jackie Marshall, Bertie Page, Sahara Beck, Emma Bosworth, Roz Pappalardo, and Kristy Apps. Recorded, Mixed, Mastered, and Co-Produced by Phil Graham.

Dancing through the Air (parts one and 2) - Spirit of Akasha

Recording for ARIA nominated Film Soundtrack for Spirit of Akasha. Recorded, Mixed, and Co-produced by Phil Graham. Published by Warner Music Australia

Secrets and lies

Secrets & Lies is an Australian drama television series that first screened on Network Ten on 3 March 2014. The series has aired in the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ TWO HD from 30 March, 2014 at 9.30pm. The series also debuted in Canada on the CBC in July 2014. It premiered in The Netherlands on RTL on 24 August 2014. Started in the UK on 23 September 2014 on Channel 5 and in France from January the 26 to February the 2 on France2. On 4 February 2014, the production company behind this version announced that a US version with the same title was in the works for ABC and would be co-produced with ABC Studios with a series penalty if the project is held back or not greenlighted by the network. The series premiered in the U.S. on 1 March 2015. Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis stars in this adaptation. The series follows the story of a family man who finds the body of a young boy and quickly becomes the prime murder suspect. He has no choice but to try to find the real killer as his marriage, his kids, his reputation and his sanity are all at stake.

Josh lovegrove: Infinite

Research background: Infinite by Josh Lovegrove is an extended play album co-produced in collaboration with ARIA-nominated artist Mark Sholtez. The album consists of original songs written by Lovegrove, and songs co-written by Lovegrove, Carfoot and Sholtez. The scholarly context of the project is informed by studies of songwriting and ambiguity by Negus and Astor, new approaches to the study of record production associated with Zagorski-Thomas, and studies of creative labour by Hesmondhalgh and Baker. The project focused on the dynamics of musical performance and production in the recording studio, investigating the interface between the creative tasks of songwriting, production and performance in the recording of popular music. The project asked, in what ways do collaborative songwriting and production processes overlap, how has the nature of creative labour changed as a result of new forms of digital recording technology, and how can these aspects inform developments in the learning and teaching of popular music? Research contribution: The project has demonstrated the nuanced ways that the practices of record production have changed in the face of technological developments, and how this has impacted upon the specific forms and divisions of creative labour. Research significance: The project resulted in a well-reviewed album release that has further established Lovegrove’s reputation as a performer and songwriter. The creative work underpins ongoing research into the nature of popular music production, in particular how the nature of collaborative songwriting can inform innovation in the learning and teaching of popular music.

Interaction of Metal Ions with 2'-Deoxyribonucleotides. Crystal and Molecular Structure of a Cobalt(l1) Complex with 2'-Deoxyinosine 5'-Monophosphate

The crystal structure of the cobalt( 11) complex with 2'-deoxyinosine 5'-monophosphate (5'- dlMP), [Co(5'-dlMP) (H,0),]-2H20, has been analysed by X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the space group P2,2,2, with a = 6.877(3), b = 10.904(2), c = 25.421 (6) A, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined to an R value of 0.043 using 1 776 unique reflections. The cobalt ion binds only to the 6-oxopurine base of the nucleotide at the N(7) position, the octahedral co-ordination of the metal being completed by five water oxygens. The phosphate oxygens are involved in hydrogen bonding with the co-ordinated water molecules. The structure is closely similar to that of the corresponding ribonucleotide complex. The nucleotide has the energetically preferred conformation: an anti base, a C(3') -endo sugar pucker, and a gauche-gauche conformation about the C(4')-C( 5') bond. The significance of sugar puckering in the monomeric complexes of general formula [ M (5'-nucleotide) (H20),] is explained in terms of the structural requirements for metal-water-phosphate bridging interactions.

Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to amines using zinc and aqueous chelating ethers: Mild and efficient method for zinc activation

A mild, environmentally friendly method for reduction of aromatic nitro group to amine is reported, using zinc powder in aqueous solutions of chelating ethers. The donor ether acts as a ligand and also serves as a co-solvent. Water is the proton source. This procedure is also a new method for the activation of zinc for electron transfer reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. The reduction is accomplished in a neutral medium and other reducing groups remained unaffected. The ethers used are dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, ethoxymethoxyethane, dimethoxymethane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and diglyme.

Laterally structured ripple and square phases with one and two dimensional thickness modulations in a model bilayer system

Molecular dynamics simulations of bilayers in a surfactant/co-surfactant/water system with explicit solvent molecules show formation of topologically distinct gel phases depending upon the bilayer composition. At low temperatures, the bilayers transform from the tilted gel phase, L beta', to the one dimensional (1D) rippled, P beta' phase as the surfactant concentration is increased. More interestingly, we observe a two dimensional (2D) square phase at higher surfactant concentration which, upon heating, transforms to the gel L beta' phase. The thickness modulations in the 1D rippled and square phases are asymmetric in two surfactant leaflets and the bilayer thickness varies by a factor of similar to 2 between maximum and minimum. The 1D ripple consists of a thinner interdigitated region of smaller extent alternating with a thicker non-interdigitated region. The 2D ripple phase is made up of two superimposed square lattices of maximum and minimum thicknesses with molecules of high tilt forming a square lattice translated from the lattice formed with the thickness minima. Using Voronoi diagrams we analyze the intricate interplay between the area-per-head-group, height modulations and chain tilt for the different ripple symmetries. Our simulations indicate that composition plays an important role in controlling the formation of low temperature gel phase symmetries and rippling accommodates the increased area-per-head-group of the surfactant molecules.

Utilização da eletrofloculação para tratamento de água de produção

A demanda para tratamento de efluentes industriais tem sido maior a cada dia e a indústria tem buscado melhoria constante nos processos para tratamento. Nesse contexto, a eletrofloculação surge como uma técnica promissora, devido à sua eficiência, econômica e ambiental, com possibilidade de reuso da água. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar o tratamento de água de produção de plataforma de petróleo, pelo processo de eletrofloculação, em reator batelada, com eletrodo de alumínio. Foi avaliada a influência de parâmetros como: condutividade, pH, intensidade de corrente aplicada e tempo de operação. O estudo teve foco na remoção de poluentes como óleos e graxas, cor, turbidez e boro. Os resultados alcançados indicam que o processo de eletrofloculação, nas condições operacionais estudadas, é uma alternativa tecnicamente viável para a remoção de óleos e graxas, cor e turbidez, obtendo remoção média de 84%, 83% e 83%, respectivamente. Entretanto, não foi observada eficiência na remoção de boro

Monitoramento microbiológico e físico-químico de tanques de armazenamento de óleo e água

A injeção da água do mar nos campos marítimos (offshore), processo este conhecido como recuperação secundária de petróleo, gera muitos resíduos e efluentes. Dentre estes, pode-se destacar a água produzida, que consiste de água de formação, água naturalmente presente na formação geológica do reservatório de petróleo, e água de injeção, aquela normalmente injetada no reservatório para aumento de produção. Sete tanques de armazenamento de água/óleo de um terminal foram monitorados quanto à presença de micro-organismos e teores de sulfato, sulfeto, pH e condutividade. Particularmente, as bactérias redutoras de sulfato (BRS), que agem às expensas da atividade de outras espécies, reduzindo sulfato à sulfeto, constituindo-se num problema-chave. Os tanques de óleo codificados como Verde, Ciano, Roxo, Cinza, Vermelho, Amarelo e Azul, apresentaram comportamentos distintos quanto aos parâmetros microbiológicos e físico-químicos. Após este monitoramento, de acordo com valores referência adotados, e levando-se em conta como principais parâmetros classificatórios concentrações de BRS, bactérias anaeróbias totais e sulfeto, os dois tanques considerados mais limpos do monitoramento foram os tanques roxo e ciano. Analogamente, por apresentarem os piores desempenhos frente aos três principais parâmetros, os tanques amarelo e cinza foram considerados os mais sujos de todo o monitoramento. Após esta segregação, esses três principais parâmetros, mais a concentração de sulfato, foram inter-relacionados a fim de se corroborar esta classificação. Foi possível observar que o sulfeto instantâneo não foi o parâmetro mais adequado para se avaliar o potencial metabólico de uma amostra. Por este motivo, foram verificados os perfis metabólicos das BRS presentes nas amostras, confirmando a segregação dos tanques, baseada em parâmetros em batelada

Emprego da técnica de emissão por fluorescência de ultravioleta no monitoramento de inibidores de corrosão em água produzida

Para aumentar os volumes de extração de petróleo, resolver e prevenir problemas nas operações de produção são utilizados diversos produtos químicos, dentre os quais se destacam os inibidores de corrosão, que são utilizados em toda cadeia produtiva do petróleo visando proteger o sistema da deterioração por corrosão. Os sais de amônio quaternário são uma das classes de inibidores mais utilizadas pela indústria do petróleo devido a sua grande eficiência. Entretanto, sua solubilidade em água faz com que estejam presentes na água produzida representando um risco para contaminação ambiental, visto que possuem baixa biodegrabilidade e potencial de bioacumulação. Como se encontram misturados a outros produtos químicos e sob efeitos das variações do ambiente em que são aplicados, definir um método de análise confiável e viável para monitoramento em linha representa um desafio para os laboratórios de campos de produção. Neste trabalho, foi estudado o emprego da fluorescência de ultravioleta na quantificação de um inibidor de corrosão do tipo sal de amônio quaternário em água. Foram obtidos espectros de emissão do produto comercial em água, além do estudo de variáveis instrumentais e interferentes presentes na água produzida. A comparação com padrões de sal de amônio quaternário permitiu identificar como principal fluorófilo, um sal alquil-aril de amônio quaternário. Estudos de estabilidade revelaram que a adsorção do inibidor de corrosão nas superfícies dos frascos plásticos provoca a queda do sinal fluorescente e que a adição de isopropanol reduz este efeito de 40 para 24%. Foram obtidas curvas de calibração com a formulação comercial e com o cloreto de 2-metil-4-dodecil-benzil-trimetil amônio com uma boa correlação. Amostras sintéticas do inibidor foram determinadas com um erro relativo de 2,70 a 13,32%. O método de adição padrão foi avaliado usando uma amostra de água produzida, e os resultados não foram satisfatórios, devido à interferência, principalmente, de compostos orgânicos aromáticos presentes