Developing an international assurance standard on greenhouse gas statements

Worldwide public concern over climate change and the need to limit greenhouse gas (hereafter, GHG) emissions has increasingly motivated public officials to consider more stringent environmental regulation and standards. The authors argue that the development of a new international assurance standard on GHG disclosures is an appropriate response by the auditing and assurance profession to meet these challenges. At its December 2007 meeting, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (hereafter, IAASB) approved a project to consider the development of such a standard aimed at promoting trust and confidence in disclosures of GHG emissions, including disclosures required under emissions trading schemes. The authors assess the types of disclosures that can be assured, and outline the issues involved in developing an international assurance standard on GHG emissions disclosures. The discussion synthesizes the insights gained from four international roundtables on the proposed IAASB assurance standard held in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe during 2008, and an IAASB meeting addressing this topic in December 2008.

Analysing governance of Australia's system of landscape-based greenhouse gas abatement

Healthy governance systems are key to delivering effective outcomes in any broad domain of natural resource management (NRM). One of Australia's emerging NRM governance domains is our national framework for greenhouse gas abatement (GGA), as delivered through a wide range of management practices in the Australian landscape. The emerging Landscape-Based GGA Domain represents an innovative governance space that straddles both the nation's broader NRM Policy and Delivery Domain and Australia's GGA Domain. As a point-in-time benchmark, we assess the health of this hybrid domain as it stood at the end of 2013. At that time, the domain was being progressed through the Australian government's Clean Energy Package and, more particularly, its Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). While significant changes are currently under development by a new Australian government, this paper explores key areas of risk within the governance system underpinning this emerging hybrid domain at that point in time. We then map some potential reform or continuous improvement pathways required (from national to paddock scale) with the view to securing improved landscape outcomes over time through widespread GGA activities.

Liquid metal/metal oxide frameworks with incorporated Ga2O3 for photocatalysis

Solvothermally synthesized Ga2O3 nanoparticles are incorporated into liquid metal/metal oxide (LM/MO) frameworks in order to form enhanced photocatalytic systems. The LM/MO frameworks, both with and without incorporated Ga2O3 nanoparticles, show photocatalytic activitydue to a plasmonic effect where performance is related to the loading of Ga2O3 nanoparticles. Optimum photocatalytic efficiency is obtained with 1 wt% incorporation of Ga2O3 nanoparticles. This can be attributed to the sub-bandgap states of LM/MO frameworks, contributing to pseudo-ohmic contacts which reduce the free carrier injection barrier to Ga2O3.

Data as an asset: what the oil and gas sector can learn from other industries about “Big Data”

The upstream oil and gas industry has been contending with massive data sets and monolithic files for many years, but “Big Data” is a relatively new concept that has the potential to significantly re-shape the industry. Despite the impressive amount of value that is being realized by Big Data technologies in other parts of the marketplace, however, much of the data collected within the oil and gas sector tends to be discarded, ignored, or analyzed in a very cursory way. This viewpoint examines existing data management practices in the upstream oil and gas industry, and compares them to practices and philosophies that have emerged in organizations that are leading the way in Big Data. The comparison shows that, in companies that are widely considered to be leaders in Big Data analytics, data is regarded as a valuable asset—but this is usually not true within the oil and gas industry insofar as data is frequently regarded there as descriptive information about a physical asset rather than something that is valuable in and of itself. The paper then discusses how the industry could potentially extract more value from data, and concludes with a series of policy-related questions to this end.

The contribution of ISO 14067 to the evolution of global greenhouse gas standards—A review

Due to the increasing recognition of global climate change, the building and construction industry is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. A central issue in striving towards reduced carbon emissions is the need for a practicable and meaningful yardstick for assessing and communicating greenhouse gas (GHG) results. ISO 14067 was published by the International Organization for Standardization in May 2013. By providing specific requirements in the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, the standard clarifies the GHG assessment in the aspects of choosing system boundaries and simulating use and end-of-life phases when quantifying carbon footprint of products (CFPs). More importantly, the standard, for the first time, provides step-to-step guidance and standardized template for communicating CFPs in the form of CFP external communication report, CFP performance tracking report, CFP declaration and CFP label. ISO 14067 therefore makes a valuable contribution to GHG quantification and transparent communication and comparison of CFPs. In addition, as cradle-to-grave should be used as the system boundary if use and end-of-life phases can be simulated, ISO 14067 will hopefully promote the development and implementation of simulation technologies, with Building Information Modelling (BIM) in particular, in the building and construction industry.

The role of non-thermal plasma technique in {NOx} treatment: A review

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been introduced over the past several years as a promising method for nitrogen oxide (NOx) removal. The intent, when using NTP, is to selectively transfer input electrical energy to the electrons, and to not expend this in heating the entire gas stream, which generates free radicals through collisions, and promotes the desired chemical changes in the exhaust gases. The generated active species react with the pollutant molecules and decompose them. This paper reviews and summarizes relevant literature regarding various aspects of the application of {NTP} technology on {NOx} removal from exhaust gases. A comprehensive description of available scientific literature on {NOx} removal using {NTP} technology is presented, including various types of NTP, e.g. dielectric barrier discharge, corona discharge and electron beam. Furthermore, the combination of {NTP} with catalyst and adsorbent for better {NOx} removal efficiency is presented in detail. The removal of {NOx} from both simulated gases and real diesel engines is also considered in this review paper. As {NTP} is a new technique and is not yet commercialized, there is a need for more studies to be performed in this field.

Modular design of profluorescent polymer sensors

A simple modular strategy for the synthesis of profluorescent nitroxide containing polymers is described. The incorporation of an epoxide as a pendant functionality on a polymer backbone synthesized using ATRP and subsequent nucleophilic ring-opening with sodium azide gave hydroxyl and azide functionality within a 3-bond radius. Orthogonal coupling chemistry then allowed the independent attachment of fluorophore and nitroxide groups in close proximity, giving rise to a profluorescent polymer. Validation of the viability of these materials as fluorescent sensors is demonstrated through efficient fluorescence switch-on observed when the materials are exposed to a model reductant or carbon-centred radical source.

Evolved gas analysis of coal-derived pyrite/marcasite

The products evolved during the thermal decomposition of the coal-derived pyrite/marcasite were studied using simultaneous thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (TG-FTIR–MS) technique. The main gases and volatile products released during the thermal decomposition of the coal-derived pyrite/marcasite are water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The results showed that the evolved products obtained were mainly divided into two processes: (1) the main evolved product H2O is mainly released at below 300 °C; (2) under the temperature of 450–650 °C, the main evolved products are SO2 and small amount of CO2. It is worth mentioning that SO3 was not observed as a product as no peak was observed in the m/z = 80 curve. The chemical substance SO2 is present as the main gaseous product in the thermal decomposition for the sample. The coal-derived pyrite/marcasite is different from mineral pyrite in thermal decomposition temperature. The mass spectrometric analysis results are in good agreement with the infrared spectroscopic analysis of the evolved gases. These results give the evidence on the thermal decomposition products and make all explanations have the sufficient evidence. Therefore, TG–MS–IR is a powerful tool for the investigation of gas evolution from the thermal decomposition of materials.

Graphene-oxide-modified β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics stimulate in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted much interest for applications in bone tissue engineering; however, until now the interaction between GO and stem cells, and the in vivo bone-forming ability of GO has not been explored. The aim of this study was to produce a GO-modified β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP-GRA) biceramics and then explore the material’s osteogenic capacity in vitro and in vivo, as well as unravel some of the molecular mechanisms behind this. β-TCP-GRA disks and scaffolds were successfully prepared by a simple GO/water suspension soaking method in combination with heat treatment. These scaffolds were found to significantly enhance the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene expression of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs), when compared to β-TCP without GO modification (controls). Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hBMSCs appears to be the mechanism behind this osteogenic induction by β-TCP-GRA. β-TCP-GRA scaffolds led to an increased rate of in vivo new bone formation compared to β-TCP controls, indicative of the stimulatory effect of GO on in vivo osteogenesis, making GO modification of β-TCP a very promising method for applications in bone tissue engineering, in particular for the regeneration of large bone defects.

Interlaminar mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminates modified with graphene oxide interleaf

By taking the advantage of the excellent mechanical properties and high specific surface area of graphene oxide (GO) sheets, we develop a simple and effective strategy to improve the interlaminar mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates. With the incorporation of graphene oxide reinforced epoxy interleaf into the interface of CFRP laminates, the Mode-I fracture toughness and resistance were greatly increased. The experimental results of double cantilever beam (DCB) tests demonstrated that, with 2 g/m2 addition of GO, the Mode-I fracture toughness and resistance of the specimen increase by 170.8% and 108.0%, respectively, compared to those of the plain specimen. The improvement mechanisms were investigated by the observation of fracture surface with scanning electron microscopies. Moreover, finite element analyses were performed based on the cohesive zone model to verify the experimental fracture toughness and to predict the interfacial tensile strength of CFRP laminates.

Comparison of kinematic variables obtained by inertial sensors among stroke survivors and healthy older adults in the Functional Reach Test: cross-sectional study

Background Balance dysfunction is one of the most common problems in people who suffer stroke. To parameterize functional tests standardized by inertial sensors have been promoted in applied medicine. The aim of this study was to compare the kinematic variables of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) obtained by two inertial sensors placed on the trunk and lumbar region between stroke survivors (SS) and healthy older adults (HOA) and to analyze the reliability of the kinematic measurements obtained. Methods Cross-sectional study. Five SS and five HOA over 65. A descriptive analysis of the average range as well as all kinematic variables recorded was developed. The intrasubject and intersubject reliability of the measured variables was directly calculated. Results In the same intervals, the angular displacement was greater in the HOA group; however, they were completed at similar times for both groups, and HOA conducted the test at a higher speed and greater acceleration in each of the intervals. The SS values were higher than HOA values in the maximum and minimum acceleration in the trunk and in the lumbar region. Conclusions The SS show less functional reach, a narrower, slower and less accelerated movement during the FRT execution, but with higher peaks of acceleration and speed when they are compared with HOA.

Cone location and correction of keratoconus with rigid gas-permeable contact lenses

Purpose To evaluate the influence of cone location and corneal cylinder on RGP corrected visual acuities and residual astigmatism in patients with keratoconus. Methods In this prospective study, 156 eyes from 134 patients were enrolled. Complete ophthalmologic examination including manifest refraction, Best spectacle visual acuity (BSCVA), slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed and corneal topography analysis was done. According to the cone location on the topographic map, the patients were divided into central and paracentral cone groups. Trial RGP lenses were selected based on the flat Sim K readings and a ‘three-point touch’ fitting approach was used. Over contact lens refraction was performed, residual astigmatism (RA) was measured and best-corrected RGP visual acuities (RGPVA) were recorded. Results The mean age (±SD) was 22.1 ± 5.3 years. 76 eyes (48.6%) had central and 80 eyes (51.4%) had paracentral cone. Prior to RGP lenses fitting mean (±SD) subjective refraction spherical equivalent (SRSE), subjective refraction astigmatism (SRAST) and BSCVA (logMAR) were −5.04 ± 2.27 D, −3.51 ± 1.68 D and 0.34 ± 0.14, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between central and paracentral cone groups in mean values of SRSE, SRAST, flat meridian (Sim K1), steep meridian (Sim K2), mean K and corneal cylinder (p-values < 0.05). Comparison of BSCVA to RGPVA shows that vision has improved 0.3 logMAR by RGP lenses (p < 0.0001). Mean (±SD) RA was −0.72 ± 0.39 D. There were no statistically significant differences between RGPVAs and RAs of central and paracentral cone groups (p = 0.22) and (p = 0.42), respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis shows that there is a statistically significant relationship between corneal cylinder and BSCVA and RGPVA, However, the relationship between corneal cylinder and residual astigmatism was not significant. Conclusions Cone location has no effect on the RGP corrected visual acuities and residual astigmatism in patients with keratoconus. Corneal cylinder and Sim K values influence RGP-corrected visual acuities but do not influence residual astigmatism.

Sensors and control for mining robotics

This paper discusses some of the sensing technologies and control approaches available for guiding robot manipulators for a class of underground mining tasks including drilling jumbos, bolting arms, shotcreters or explosive chargers. Data acquired with such sensors, in the laboratory and underground, is presented.

Parameterization and reliability of single-leg balance test assessed with inertial sensors in stroke survivors: a cross-sectional study

Background and purpose There are no published studies on the parameterisation and reliability of the single-leg stance (SLS) test with inertial sensors in stroke patients. Purpose: to analyse the reliability (intra-observer/inter-observer) and sensitivity of inertial sensors used for the SLS test in stroke patients. Secondary objective: to compare the records of the two inertial sensors (trunk and lumbar) to detect any significant differences in the kinematic data obtained in the SLS test. Methods Design: cross-sectional study. While performing the SLS test, two inertial sensors were placed at lumbar (L5-S1) and trunk regions (T7–T8). Setting: Laboratory of Biomechanics (Health Science Faculty - University of Málaga). Participants: Four chronic stroke survivors (over 65 yrs old). Measurement: displacement and velocity, Rotation (X-axis), Flexion/Extension (Y-axis), Inclination (Z-axis); Resultant displacement and velocity (V): RV=(Vx2+Vy2+Vz2)−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−√ Along with SLS kinematic variables, descriptive analyses, differences between sensors locations and intra-observer and inter-observer reliability were also calculated. Results Differences between the sensors were significant only for left inclination velocity (p = 0.036) and extension displacement in the non-affected leg with eyes open (p = 0.038). Intra-observer reliability of the trunk sensor ranged from 0.889-0.921 for the displacement and 0.849-0.892 for velocity. Intra-observer reliability of the lumbar sensor was between 0.896-0.949 for the displacement and 0.873-0.894 for velocity. Inter-observer reliability of the trunk sensor was between 0.878-0.917 for the displacement and 0.847-0.884 for velocity. Inter-observer reliability of the lumbar sensor ranged from 0.870-0.940 for the displacement and 0.863-0.884 for velocity. Conclusion There were no significant differences between the kinematic records made by an inertial sensor during the development of the SLS testing between two inertial sensors placed in the lumbar and thoracic regions. In addition, inertial sensors. Have the potential to be reliable, valid and sensitive instruments for kinematic measurements during SLS testing but further research is needed.

The effect of graphene oxide and its oxidized debris on the cure chemistry and interphase structure of epoxy nanocomposites

The influence of graphene oxide (GO) and its surface oxidized debris (OD) on the cure chemistry of an amine cured epoxy resin has been investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Emission Spectroscopy (FT-IES) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Spectral analysis of IR radiation emitted at the cure temperature from thin films of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) curing agent with and without GO allowed the cure kinetics of the interphase between the bulk resin and GO to be monitored in real time, by measuring both the consumption of primary (1°) amine and epoxy groups, formation of ether groups as well as computing the profiles for formation of secondary (2°) and tertiary (3°) amines. OD was isolated from as-produced GO (aGO) by a simple autoclave method to give OD-free autoclaved GO (acGO). It has been found that the presence of OD on the GO prevents active sites on GO surfaces fully catalysing and participating in the reaction of DGEBA with DDM, which results in slower reaction and a lower crosslink density of the three-dimensional networks in the aGO-resin interphase compared to the acGO-resin interphase. We also determined that OD itself promoted DGEBA homopolymerization. A DSC study further confirmed that the aGO nanocomposite exhibited lower Tg while acGO nanocomposite showed higher Tg compared to neat resin because of the difference in crosslink densities of the matrix around the different GOs.