Effects of temperature and salinity on growth performance in cultured Tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) in Vietnam

This project is a step towards assessing the effects of climate change on the tra catfish industry in Vietnam. The methods were designed to evaluate possible effects of salinity and temperature increase and their interaction on fish physiological parameters, growth performance, survival and the expression of stress related genes. Results indicated that tra had higher overall performance at 35oC with 6ppt salinity and therefore should cope with moderate predicted outcomes of climate change for the region. The experiments were mostly conducted in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam - the centre of the tra catfish industry with the cooperation of Can Tho University – Can Tho City – Vietnam.

The effects of compression use during exercise in women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema

Compelling evidence demonstrates the importance of regular exercise following breast cancer, and this is particularly important for those who develop breast cancer-related lymphoedema. However, fear of lymphoedema exacerbation and the need to wear compression while exercising present as significant barriers for these women. This Master's research evaluated the need for wearing compression during exercise in women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Findings demonstrated that exercise performed without compression does not exacerbate lymphoedema or related symptoms. These findings are clinically relevant as they highlight that compression use during exercise should be prescribed on an individual basis, taking into consideration patient preferences and adherence issues.

Bias-dependent effects in planar perovskite solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3−xClx films

A unique bias-dependent phenomenon in CH3NH3PbI3−xClx based planar perovskite solar cells has been demonstrated, in which the photovoltaic parameters derived from the current–voltage (I–V) curves are highly dependent on the initial positive bias of the I–V measurement. In FTO/CH3NH3PbI3−xClx/Au devices, the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current increased by ca. 337.5% and 281.9% respectively, by simply increasing the initial bias from 0.5 V to 2.5 V.

Friends or foes: Group influence effects on moderate drinking behaviors

Drunkenness and the addictive consumption of alcohol remains a key social and public health concern. Advancing beyond traditional individualized prevention approaches, this research explores the role of social influences in determining individual and group influence in moderate-drinking decision-making and participatory actions. A social influence model of intentional moderate drinking actions is conceptualized and validated. Results show group norm as the single social influence predictor of intentions and desire to drink moderately, as opposed to well-known social influence factors (e.g., subjective norm, social identity and drinking contextual effects). Significantly, the peer-group is identified as a key influencer supporting moderate drinking practices, and i-intentions to drink moderately predict group-related we-intentions, which suggests that moderate drinking is a shared goal. These findings advance alcohol prevention research drawing attention to the power of group dynamics to support positive changes in youth drinking behaviors.

Effects of biodiesel chemical composition on the chemical and physical properties of the primary and secondary diesel particulate matter

This thesis improves our insight towards the effects of using biodiesels on the particulate matter emission of diesel engines and contributes to our understanding of their potential adverse health effects. The novelty of this project is the use of biodiesel fuel with controlled chemical composition that enables us to relate changes of physiochemical properties of particles to specific properties of the biodiesel. For the first time, the possibility of a correlation of the volatility and the Reactive Oxygen Species concentration of the particles is investigated versus the saturation, oxygen content and carbon chain length of the fuel.

Endogenous and exogenous effects in self-exciting process models of terrorist activity

A model based on the cluster process representation of the self-exciting process model in White and Porter 2013 and Ruggeri and Soyer 2008is derived to allow for variation in the excitation effects for terrorist events in a self-exciting or cluster process model. The details of the model derivation and implementation are given and applied to data from the Global Terrorism Database from 2000–2012. Results are discussed in terms of practical interpretation along with implications for a theoretical model paralleling existing criminological theory.

Effects of metal ion concentration on electrodeposited CuZnSn film and its application in kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4solar cells

In this study, effects of concentrations of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Sn(II) ions in the electrolytic bath solution on the properties of electrochemically deposited CuZnSn (CZT) films were investigated. Study of the composition of a CZT film has shown that the metallic content (relative atomic ratio) in the film increased linearly with increase in the metal ion concentration. It is the first time that the relationship of the compositions of the alloy phases in the co-electrodeposited CZT film with the concentration of metal ions has been revealed. The results have confirmed that the formation and content of Cu6Sn5 and Cu5Zn8 alloy phases in the film were directly controlled by the concentration of Cu(II). SEM measurements have shown that Sn(II) has significant impact on film morphology, which became more porous as a result of the larger nucleation size of tin. The changes in the surface properties of the films was also confirmed by chronoamperometry characteristic (i–t) deposition curves. By optimization of metal ion concentrations in the electrolyte solution, a copper-poor and zinc-rich kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) film was synthesized by the sulfurization of the deposited CZT film. The solar cell with the CZTS film showed an energy conversion efficiency of 2.15% under the illumination intensity of 100 mW cm 2.

Wikipedia, collective authorship, and the politics of knowledge

This chapter considers the legal ramifications of Wikipedia, and other online media, such as the Encyclopedia of Life. Nathaniel Tkacz (2007) has observed: 'Wikipedia is an ideal entry-point from which to approach the shifting character of knowledge in contemporary society.' He observes: 'Scholarship on Wikipedia from computer science, history, philosophy, pedagogy and media studies has moved beyond speculation regarding its considerable potential, to the task of interpreting - and potentially intervening in - the significance of Wikipedia's impact' (Tkacz 2007). After an introduction, Part II considers the evolution and development of Wikipedia, and the legal troubles that have attended it. It also considers the establishment of rival online encyclopedia - such as Citizendium set up by Larry Sanger, the co-founder of Wikipedia; and Knol, the mysterious new project of Google. Part III explores the use of mass, collaborative authorship in the field of science. In particular, it looks at the development of the Encyclopedia of Life, which seeks to document the world's biodiversity. This chapter expresses concern that Wiki-based software had to develop in a largely hostile and inimical legal environment. It contends that copyright law and related fields of intellectual property need to be reformed in order better to accommodate users of copyright material (Rimmer 2007). This chapter makes a number of recommendations. First, there is a need to acknowledge and recognize forms of mass, collaborative production and consumption - not just individual authorship. Second, the view of a copyright 'work' and other subject matter as a complete and closed piece of cultural production also should be reconceptualised. Third, the defense of fair use should be expanded to accommodate a wide range of amateur, peer-to-peer production activities - not only in the United States, but in other jurisdictions as well. Fourth, the safe harbor protections accorded to Internet intermediaries, such as Wikipedia, should be strengthened. Fifth, there should be a defense in respect of the use of 'orphan works' - especially in cases of large-scale digitization. Sixth, the innovations of open source licensing should be expressly incorporated and entrenched within the formal framework of copyright laws. Finally, courts should craft judicial remedies to take into account concerns about political censorship and freedom of speech.

Mathematical models for collective cell spreading

Collective cell spreading is frequently observed in development, tissue repair and disease progression. Mathematical modelling used in conjunction with experimental investigation can provide key insights into the mechanisms driving the spread of cell populations. In this study, we investigated how experimental and modelling frameworks can be used to identify several key features underlying collective cell spreading. In particular, we were able to independently quantify the roles of cell motility and cell proliferation in a spreading cell population, and investigate how these roles are influenced by factors such as the initial cell density, type of cell population and the assay geometry.

Academic entrepreneurship: A multilevel examination of individual, subunit and organizational effects

This study utilizes a multilevel approach to both estimate the relative importance of individual, subunit, and organization effects on entrepreneurial intentions in academia, as well as to investigate specific factors within the subunit effect and their interactions with other levels. Using a dataset of 2,652 researchers from 386 departments in 24 European universities, our findings reveal that intra-university differences, caused by the influence of the department, should not be ignored when studying academic entrepreneurship. Whereas researchers’ entrepreneurial intentions are mostly influenced by individual differences, department membership explains more variation than the university as a whole. Furthermore, drawing upon organizational culture literature, we identify a department’s adhocracy culture, characterized by flexibility and an external orientation, to be positively related to entrepreneurial intentions. Finally, consistent with trait activation theory, we find that strong adhocracy cultures reinforce the positive association between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intentions. This effect is further intensified when the university also has a technology transfer office with a substantial size. Our results have relevant implications for both academics and practitioners, including university managers, department heads and policy makers.

Clinoenstatite coatings have high bonding strength, bioactive ion release, and osteoimmunomodulatory effects that enhance in vivo osseointegration

A number of coating materials have been developed over past two decades seeking to improve the osseointegration of orthopedic metal implants. Despite the many candidate materials trialed, their low rate of translation into clinical applications suggests there is room for improving the current strategies for their development. We therefore propose that the ideal coating material(s) should possess the following three properties: (i) high bonding strength, (ii) release of functional ions, and (iii) favourable osteoimmunomodulatory effects. To test this proposal, we developed clinoenstatite (CLT, MgSiO3), which as a coating material has high bonding strength, cytocompability and immunomodulatory effects that are favourable for in vivo osteogenesis. The bonding strength of CLT coatings was 50.1 ± 3.2 MPa, more than twice that of hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings, at 23.5 ± 3.5 MPa. CLT coatings released Mg and Si ions, and compared to HA coatings, induced an immunomodulation more conducive for osseointegration, demonstrated by downregurelation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhancement of osteogenesis, and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. In vivo studies demonstrated that CLT coatings improved osseointegration with host bone, as shown by the enhanced biomechanical strength and increased de novo bone formation, when compared with HA coatings. These results support the notion that coating materials with the proposed properties can induce an in vivo environment better suited for osseointegration. These properties could, therefore, be fundamental when developing high-performance coating materials.

Comparison of the effects of litigation and ADR in South-East Queensland

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as arbitration, are often used instead of litigation to resolve construction disputes, as industry folklore considers litigation overly expensive and time-consuming. But is this actually the case? Do the people most involved in construction dispute resolution agree? What are the real advantages and disadvantages of using litigation or ADR? When, if ever, is litigation the most appropriate way of resolving construction disputes? To answer these questions, this paper first provides a review of the literature on the use of litigation and ADR for construction dispute resolution. This is followed by the results of a survey of construction and legal personnel with moderate to extensive experience of dispute resolution in the Australian South-East Queensland construction industry. The main results of this are that, in addition to litigation being more expensive in money and time than ADR methods, the nature of the existing relationship between the parties has an important effect on the resolution process, what happens after an unsuccessful ADR and, if adversarial, is more likely to lead to litigation. The results are then validated and verified by one of the most experienced practitioners in claims and disputes in the whole of Australia.

Assessing specific deterrence effects of increased speeding penalties using four measures of recidivism

Traffic law enforcement sanctions can impact on road user behaviour through general and specific deterrence mechanisms. The manner in which specific deterrence can influence recidivist behaviour can be conceptualised in different ways. While any reduction in speeding will have road safety benefits, the ways in which a ‘reduction’ is determined deserves greater methodological attention and has implications for countermeasure evaluation more generally. The primary aim of this research was to assess the specific deterrent impact of penalty increases for speeding offences in Queensland, Australia, in 2003 on two cohorts of drivers detected for speeding prior to and after the penalty changes were investigated. Since the literature is relatively silent on how to assess recidivism in the speeding context, the secondary research aim was to contribute to the literature regarding ways to conceptualise and measure specific deterrence in the speeding context. We propose a novel way of operationalising four measures which reflect different ways in which a specific deterrence effect could be conceptualised: (1) the proportion of offenders who re-offended in the follow up period; (2) the overall frequency of re-offending in the follow up period; (3) the length of delay to re-offence among those who re-offended; and (4) the average number of re-offences during the follow up period among those who re-offended. Consistent with expectations, results suggested an absolute deterrent effect of penalty changes, as evidenced by significant reductions in the proportion of drivers who re-offended and the overall frequency of re-offending, although effect sizes were small. Contrary to expectations, however, there was no evidence of a marginal specific deterrent effect among those who re-offended, with a significant reduction in the length of time to re-offence and no significant change in the average number of offences committed. Additional exploratory analyses investigating potential influences of the severity of the index offence, offence history, and method of detection revealed mixed results. Access to additional data from various sources suggested that the main findings were not influenced by changes in speed enforcement activity, public awareness of penalty changes, or driving exposure during the study period. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed with a view to promoting more extensive evaluations of penalty changes and better understanding of how such changes may impact on motorists’ perceptions of enforcement and sanctions, as well as on recidivist behaviour.

Characterizing fatigue: The effects of ethnicity and acculturation

It is unknown if fatigue measures like the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form (MFSI-SF; Stein, Jacobsen, Blanchard, & Thors, 2004) appropriately describe fatigue in Hispanics or if acculturation plays a role in fatigue. This study compared fatigue in community samples of Hispanics and Anglos. The MFSI-SF and pertinent questionnaires were administered to adults in San Diego County via telephone survey. Some differences in fatigue were observed in initial comparisons between Hispanics and Anglos, including when acculturation was considered. When age and education were controlled, Hispanics reported less general fatigue than Anglos, regardless of acculturation status, p = < .01. Exploratory factor analyses indicate that the MFSI-SF general-fatigue subscale was problematic for Hispanics. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Collective land system in China: Congenital flaw or acquired irrational weakness?

With the level of urbanization in China now exceeding 50%, its collective rural land system is under increasing pressure, creating conditions in which there is increasing conflict between the efficient use of land for agricultural purposes and its retention as security for the rural population. This paper first examines the fundamental nature of China's collective land system by analyzing the collectivization history of China, then provides a comprehensive appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the collective land system's role in history and the challenges it faces in modern times. The main changes needed for the current collective system are identified as (1) the establishment of a new transfer mechanism for potential collective construction land, (2) the completion of land rights verification and consolidation work, and (3) the endowment of villagers with more rights to enjoy the distribution of land incremental value. The paper's main contribution is to question the relevance of collective rural land system in contemporary China, where a shift is now taking place from one of pure economic development to one involving more social concerns, and propose potential viable amendments to integrate the need for both perspectives.