Hydrolysis of triasulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl and chlorsulfuron in alkaline soil and aqueous solutions

The hydrolysis of triasulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl and chlorsulfuron in aqueous buffer solutions and in soil suspensions at pH values ranging from 5.2 to 11.2 was investigated. Hydrolysis of all three compounds in both aqueous buffer and soil suspensions was highly pH-sensitive. The rate of hydrolysis was much faster in the acidic pH range (5.2-6.2) than under neutral and moderately alkaline conditions (8.2-9.4), but it increased rapidly as the pH exceeded 10.2. All three compounds degraded faster at pH 5.2 than at pH 11.2. Hydrolysis rates of all three compounds could be described well with pseudo-first-order kinetics. There were no significant differences (P =0.05) in the rate constants (k, day-1) of the three compounds in soil suspensions from those in buffer solutions within the pH ranges studied. A functional relationship based on the propensity of nonionic and anionic species of the herbicides to hydrolyse was used to describe the dependence of the 'rate constant' on pH. The hydrolysis involving attack by neutral water was at least 100-fold faster when the sulfonylurea herbicides were undissociated (acidic conditions) than when they were present as the anion at near neutral pH. In aqueous buffer solution at pH > 11, a prominent degradation pathway involved O-demethylation of metsulfuron-methyl to yield a highly polar degradate, and hydrolytic opening of the triazine ring. It is concluded that these herbicides are not likely to degrade substantially through hydrolysis in most agricultural (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.

The stabilising role of the costovertebral joints and spinous processes on thoracic spine stability

Introduction The importance of in vitro biomechanical testing in today’s understanding of spinal pathology and treatment modalities cannot be stressed enough. Different studies have used differing levels of dissection of their spinal segments for their testing protocols[1, 2]. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of removing the costovertebral joints and partial resection of the spinous process sequentially, on the stiffness of the immature thoracic bovine spinal segment. Materials and Methods Thoracic spines from 6-8 week old calves were used. Each spine was dissected and divided into motion segments with 5cm of attached rib on each side and full spinous processes including levels T4-T11 (n=28). They were potted in polymethylemethacrylate. An Instron Biaxial materials testing machine with a custom made jig was used for testing. The segments were tested in flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation at 37⁰C and 100% humidity, using moment control to a maximum 1.75 Nm with a loading rate of 0.3 Nm per second. They were first tested intact for ten load cycles with data collected from the tenth cycle. Progressive dissection was performed by removing first the attached ribs, followed by the spinous process at its base. Biomechanical testing was carried out after each level of dissection using the same protocol. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results In combined flexion/extension there was a significant reduction in stiffness of 16% (p=0.002). This was mainly after resection of the ribs (14%, p=0.024) and mainly occurred in flexion where stiffness reduced by 22% (p=0.021). In extension, stiffness dropped by 13% (p=0.133). However there was no further significant change in stiffness on resection of the spinous process (<1%) (p=1.00). In lateral bending there was a significant decrease in stiffness of 13% (p<0.001). This comprised a drop of 11% on resection of the ribs (p=0.009) and a further 8% on resection of the spinous process (p=0.014). There was no difference between left and right bending. In axial rotation there was no significant change in stiffness after each stage of dissection (p=0.253). There was no difference between left and right rotation. Conclusion The costovertebral joints play a significant role in providing stability to the bovine thoracic spine in both flexion/extension and lateral bending, whereas the spinous processes play a minor role. Both elements have little effect on axial rotation stability.

Controlled systemic release of interleukin-12 after gene electrotransfer to muscle for cancer gene therapy alone or in combination with ionizing radiation in murine sarcomas

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effectiveness of systemic interleukin (IL)-12 gene therapy in murine sarcoma models, and to evaluate its interaction with the irradiation of tumors and metastases. To avoid toxic side-effects of IL-12 gene therapy, the objective was to achieve the controlled release of IL-12 after intramuscular gene electrotransfer. Methods: Gene electrotransfer of the plasmid pORF-mIL12 was performed into the tibialis cranialis in A/J and C57BL/6 mice. Systemic release of the IL-12 was monitored in the serum of mice after carrying out two sets of intramuscular IL-12 gene electrotransfer of two different doses of plasmid DNA. The antitumor effectiveness of IL-12 gene electrotransfer alone or in combination with local tumor or lung irradiation with X-rays, was evaluated on subcutaneous SA-1 and LPB tumors, as well as on lung metastases. Results: A synergistic antitumor effect of intramuscular gene electrotransfer combined with local tumor irradiation was observed as a result of the systemic distribution of IL-12. The gene electrotransfer resulted in up to 28% of complete responses of tumors. In combination with local tumor irradiation, the curability was increased by up to 100%. The same effect was observed for lung metastases, where a potentiating factor of 1.3-fold was determined. The amount of circulating IL-12 was controlled by the number of repeats of gene electrotransfer and by the amount of the injected plasmid. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the feasibility of treatment by IL-12 gene electrotransfer combined with local tumor or lung metastases irradiation on sarcoma tumors for translation into the clinical setting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

AISC '11 Proceedings of the Ninth Australasian Information Security Conference

The Australasian Information Security Conference (AISC) 2011 was held on 18th-19th January 2011 in Perth, Australia, as a part of the Australasian Computer Science Week 2011. AISC grew out of the Australasian Information Security Workshop and officially changed the name to Australasian Information Security Conference in 2008. The main aim of the AISC is to provide a venue for Australasian and other researchers to present their work on all aspects of information security and promote collaboration between academic and industrial researchers working in this area.

The molecular structure of the phosphate mineral kidwellite NaFe93+(PO4)6(OH)11⋅3H2O – a vibrational spectroscopic study

The mineral kidwellite, a hydrated hydroxy phosphate of ferric iron and sodium of approximate formula NaFe93+(PO4)6(OH)11⋅3H2O, has been studied using a combination of electron microscopy with EDX and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Raman spectroscopy identifies an intense band at 978 cm−1 and 1014 cm−1. These bands are attributed to the PO43− ν1 symmetric stretching mode. The ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes are observed by a large number of Raman bands. The series of Raman bands at 1034, 1050, 1063, 1082, 1129, 1144 and 1188 cm−1 are attributed to the ν3 antisymmetric stretching bands of the PO43− and HOPO32− units. The observation of these multiple Raman bands in the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching region gives credence to the concept that both phosphate and hydrogen phosphate units exist in the structure of kidwellite. The series of Raman bands at 557, 570, 588, 602, 631, 644 and 653 cm−1are assigned to the PO43− ν2 bending modes. The series of Raman bands at 405, 444, 453, 467, 490 and 500 cm−1 are attributed to the PO43− and HOPO32− ν4 bending modes. The spectrum is quite broad but Raman bands may be resolved at 3122, 3231, 3356, 3466 and 3580 cm−1. These bands are assigned to water stretching vibrational modes. The number and position of these bands suggests that water is in different molecular environments with differing hydrogen bond distances. Infrared bands at 3511 and 3359 cm−1 are ascribed to the OH stretching vibration of the OH units. Very broad bands at 3022 and 3299 cm−1 are attributed to the OH stretching vibrations of water. Vibrational spectroscopy offers insights into the molecular structure of the phosphate mineral kidwellite.

Highly efficient silicon nanoarray solar cells by a single-step plasma-based process

Highly efficient solar cells (conversion efficiency 11.9%, fill factor 70%) based on the vertically aligned single-crystalline nanostructures are fabricated without any pre-fabricated p-n junctions in a very simple, single-step process of Si nanoarray formation by etching p-type Si(100) wafers in low-temperature environment-friendly plasmas of argon and hydrogen mixtures.

Plasma-driven self-organization of Ni nanodot arrays on Si(100)

The results of the combined experimental and numerical study suggest that nonequilibrium plasma-driven self-organization leads to better size and positional uniformity of nickel nanodot arrays on a Si(100) surface compared with neutral gas-based processes under similar conditions. This phenomenon is explained by introducing the absorption zone patterns, whose areas relative to the small nanodot sizes become larger when the surface is charged. Our results suggest that strongly nonequilibrium and higher-complexity plasma systems can be used to improve ordering and size uniformity in nanodot arrays of various materials, a common and seemingly irresolvable problem in self-organized systems of small nanoparticles. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Investigation on bioactivity of titanium dioxide thin films fabricated by electron cyclotron resonance plasma aided pulsed laser deposition

Titanium dioxide thin films with a rutile crystallinite size around 20 nm were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) aided with an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma. With annealing treatment, the crystal size of the rutile crystallinite increased to 100 nm. The apatite-forming ability of the films as deposited and after annealing was investigated in a kind of simulated body fluid with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma. The results indicate that ECR aided PLD is an effective way both to fabricate bioactive titanium dioxide thin films and to optimize the bioactivity of titanium dioxide, with both crystal size and defects of the film taken into account.

The effect of intervertebral staple insertion on bovine spine segment stiffness

Introduction There is growing interest in the biomechanics of ‘fusionless’ implant constructs used for deformity correction in the thoracic spine. Intervertebral stapling is a leading method of fusionless corrective surgery. Although used for a number of years, there is limited evidence as to the effect these staples have on the stiffness of the functional spinal unit. Materials and Methods Thoracic spines from 6-8 week old calves were dissected and divided into motion segments including levels T4-T11 (n=14). Each segment was potted in polymethylemethacrylate. An Instron Biaxial materials testing machine with a custom made jig was used for testing. The segments were tested in flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation at 37⁰C and 100% humidity, using moment control to a maximum 1.75 Nm with a loading rate of 0.3 Nm per second. This torque was found sufficient to achieve physiologically representative ranges of movement. The segments were initially tested uninstrumented with data collected from the tenth load cycle. Next a left anterolateral Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) staple was inserted (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, USA). Biomechanical testing was repeated as before with data collected from the tenth load cycle. Results In flexion/extension there was an insignificant drop in stiffness of 3% (p=0.478). In lateral bending there was a significant drop in stiffness of 21% (p<0.001). This was mainly in lateral bending away from the staple, where the stiffness reduced by 30% (p<0.001). This was in contrast to lateral bending towards the staple where it dropped by 12% which was still statistically significant (p=0.036). In axial rotation there was an overall near significant drop in stiffness of 11% (p=0.076). However, this was more towards the side of the staple measuring a decrease of 14% as opposed to 8% away from the staple. In both cases it was a statistically insignificant drop (p=0.134 and p=0.352 respectively). Conclusion Insertion of intervertebral SMA staples results in a significant reduction in motion segment stiffness in lateral bending especially in the direction away from the staple. The staple had less effect on axial rotation stiffness and minimal effect on flexion/extension stiffness.

Field-effect transistors based on self-organized molecular nanostripes

Charge transport properties in organic semiconductors depend strongly on molecular order. Here we demonstrate field-effect transistors where drain current flows through a precisely defined array of nanostripes made of crystalline and highly ordered molecules. The molecular stripes are fabricated across the channel of the transistor by a stamp-assisted deposition of the molecular semiconductors from a solution. As the solvent evaporates, the capillary forces drive the solution to form menisci under the stamp protrusions. The solute precipitates only in the regions where the solution is confined by the menisci once the critical concentration is reached and self-organizes into molecularly ordered stripes 100-200 nm wide and a few monolayers high. The charge mobility measured along the stripes is 2 orders of magnitude larger than the values measured for spin-coated thin films.

Solution processable low bandgap diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based derivatives : novel acceptors for organic solar cells

Novel low bandgap solution processable diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based derivatives functionalized with electron withdrawing end capping groups (trifluoromethylphenyl and trifluorophenyl) were synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated. These compounds showed optical bandgaps ranging from 1.81 to 1.94 eV and intense absorption bands that cover a wide range from 300 to 700 nm, attributed to charge transfer transition between electron rich phenylene-thienylene moieties and the electron withdrawing diketopyrrolopyrrole core. All of the compounds were found to be fluorescent in solution with an emission wavelength ranging from 600 to 800 nm. Cyclic voltammetry indicated reversible oxidation and reduction processes with tuning of HOMO-LUMO energy levels. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the electron donor with these new acceptors were used for fabrication. The best power conversion efficiencies (PCE) using 1:2 donor-acceptor by weight mixture were 1% under simulated AM 1.5 solar irradiation of 100 mW cm-2. These findings suggested that a DPP core functionalized with electron accepting end-capping groups were a promising new class of solution processable low bandgap n-type organic semiconductors for organic solar cell applications.

Twelve : the best Of IMP's 100 Songs Project 2011

12 Original recordings curated by leading national industry figures. It’s a 12 track album full of remixed, rerecorded and rejigged tracks from the project that were shortlisted by our friends at MGM Distribution, Music Sales, and EMI Music Australia. The TWELVE album is already receiving critical acclaim from Australia's music industry.

Indie 100 2013

The Independent Music Project is centred around the development and creation of new music, and includes research into copyright, business models of the future, new technologies, and new audiences. The music industry is undergoing the most radical changes it has faced in almost a century. New digital technologies have made the production, distribution, and promotion of recorded music accessible to anyone with a personal computer. People can now make high-quality digital copies of music and distribute them globally within minutes. Even bastions of the established industries, such as EMI and Columbia, are struggling to make sense of the new industry terrain. The whole employment picture has changed just as radically for people who wish to make a living from music. In Australia, many of the avenues that provided employment for musicians have either disappeared or dramatically shrunk. The advertising industry no longer provides the level of employment it used to prior to the Federal deregulation of the industry in 1992. In many places, new legislative pressures on inner-city and suburban venues have diminished the number of performance spaces that musicians can work in. Just as quickly, new sectors have opened to professional musicians: computer games, ringtones, sound-enabled toys and web advertising all present new opportunities to the enterprising musician. The opportunity to distribute music internationally without being signed to a major label is very attractive to many aspiring and established professionals. No doubt the music industry will face many more challenges as technologies continue to change, as global communication gets easier and faster, and as the challenges to copyright proliferate and change. These challenges cannot be successfully met on a single front. They require research and expertise from all sectors being affected, and this is why the independent music project (IMP) exists.

Indie 100 2014

The Independent Music Project is centred around the development and creation of new music, and includes research into copyright, business models of the future, new technologies, and new audiences. The music industry is undergoing the most radical changes it has faced in almost a century. New digital technologies have made the production, distribution, and promotion of recorded music accessible to anyone with a personal computer. People can now make high-quality digital copies of music and distribute them globally within minutes. Even bastions of the established industries, such as EMI and Columbia, are struggling to make sense of the new industry terrain. The whole employment picture has changed just as radically for people who wish to make a living from music. In Australia, many of the avenues that provided employment for musicians have either disappeared or dramatically shrunk. The advertising industry no longer provides the level of employment it used to prior to the Federal deregulation of the industry in 1992. In many places, new legislative pressures on inner-city and suburban venues have diminished the number of performance spaces that musicians can work in. Just as quickly, new sectors have opened to professional musicians: computer games, ringtones, sound-enabled toys and web advertising all present new opportunities to the enterprising musician. The opportunity to distribute music internationally without being signed to a major label is very attractive to many aspiring and established professionals. No doubt the music industry will face many more challenges as technologies continue to change, as global communication gets easier and faster, and as the challenges to copyright proliferate and change. These challenges cannot be successfully met on a single front. They require research and expertise from all sectors being affected, and this is why the independent music project (IMP) exists.