Highly NO2 sensitive caesium doped graphene oxide conductometric sensors

Here we report on the synthesis of caesium doped graphene oxide (GO-Cs) and its application to the development of a novel NO2 gas sensor. The GO, synthesized by oxidation of graphite through chemical treatment, was doped with Cs by thermal solid-state reaction. The samples, dispersed in DI water by sonication, have been drop-casted on standard interdigitated Pt electrodes. The response of both pristine and Cs doped GO to NO2 at room temperature is studied by varying the gas concentration. The developed GO-Cs sensor shows a higher response to NO2 than the pristine GO based sensor due to the oxygen functional groups. The detection limit measured with GO-Cs sensor is ≈90 ppb.

Nonlinear electromagnetic fields in 0.5 MHz inductively coupled plasmas

Radial profiles of magnetic fields in the electrostatic (E) and electromagnetic (H) modes of low-frequency (∼500) inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) were measured using miniature magnetic probes. A simplified plasma fluid model explaining the generation of the second harmonics of the azimuthal magnetic field in the plasma source was proposed. Because of apparent similarity in the procedure of derivation of the pondermotive force-caused nonlinear terms, pronounced generation of the nonlinear static azimuthal magnetic field could be expected.

An enhanced procedure for the rapid digestion of high silicate archeological specimens followed by ICP-MS determination of traces of rare earth elements (REE's)

A straightforward procedure for the acid digestion of geological samples with SiO2 concentrations ranging between about 40 to 80%, is described. A powdered sample (200 mesh) of 500 mg was used and fused with 1000 mg spectroflux at about 1000 degreesC in a platinum crucible. The molten was subsequently digested in an aqueous solution of HNO3 at 100 degreesC. Several systematic digestion procedures were followed using various concentrations of HNO3. It was found that a relationship could be established between the dissolution-time and acid concentration. For an acid concentration of 15% an optimum dissolution-time of under 4 min was recorded. To verify that the dissolutions were complete, they were subjected to rigorous quality control tests. The turbidity and viscosity were examined at different intervals and the results were compared with that of deionised water. No significant change in either parameter was observed. The shelf-life of each solution lasted for several months, after which time polymeric silicic acid formed in some solutions, resulting in the presence of a gelatinous solid. The method is cost effective and is clearly well suited for routine applications on a small scale, especially in laboratories in developing countries. ICP-MS was applied to the determination of 13 Rare Earth Elements and Hf in a set of 107 archaeological samples subjected to the above digestion procedure. The distribution of these elements was examined and the possibility of using the REE's for provenance studies is discussed.

A study, by fire-assay and ICP-MS, of the distribution of rhodium, platinum, and gold in iron-age pottery

Forty-six archaeological specimens were treated by fire-assay and subsequently analysed by ICP-MS for selected precious metals: Ph, Pt and Au. The investigation was prompted by the possibility that archaeological samples could serve as "indicators" of the precious metal composition of the clays from the excavated sites. Therefore, the experimentally obtained concentrations were carefully studied to determine if there were anomalous levels of these precious metals in the deposits from which the specimens originated. Furthermore, the analytical data were used to establish if it was feasible to distinguish ancient potsherds based on precious metal concentrations, for employment as a basis in provenance studies.

Cryptographic Hash Functions

In the modern era of information and communication technology, cryptographic hash functions play an important role in ensuring the authenticity, integrity, and nonrepudiation goals of information security as well as efficient information processing. This entry provides an overview of the role of hash functions in information security, popular hash function designs, some important analytical results, and recent advances in this field.

Moral vitalism: Seeing good and evil as real, agentic forces

Moral vitalism refers to a tendency to view good and evil as actual forces that can influence people and events. We introduce a scale designed to assess the belief in moral vitalism. High scorers on the scale endorse items such as “There are underlying forces of good and evil in this world”. After establishing the reliability and criterion validity of the scale (Studies 1, 2a, 2b), we examined the predictive validity of the moral vitalism scale, showing that “moral vitalists” worry about being possessed by evil (Study 3), being contaminated through contact with evil people (Study 4), and forfeiting their own mental purity (Study 5). We discuss the nature of moral vitalism and the implications of the construct for understanding the role of metaphysical lay theories about the nature of good and evil in moral reasoning.

SEM, EDX and vibrational spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral ushkovite MgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O: Implications of the molecular structure

The mineral ushkovite has been analyzed using a combination of electron microscopy with EDX and vibrational spectroscopy. Chemical analysis shows the mineral contains P, Mg with very minor Fe. Thus, the formula of the studied ushkovite is Mg32+(PO4)2·8H2O. The Raman spectrum shows an intense band at 953 cm−1 assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching mode. In the infrared spectra complexity exists with multiple antisymmetric stretching vibrations observed, due to the reduced tetrahedral symmetry. This loss of degeneracy is also reflected in the bending modes. Strong infrared bands around 827 cm−1 are attributed to water librational modes. The Raman spectra of the hydroxyl-stretching region are complex with overlapping broad bands. Hydroxyl stretching vibrations are identified at 2881, 2998, 3107, 3203, 3284 and 3457 cm−1. The wavenumber band at 3457 cm−1 is attributed to the presence of FeOH groups. This complexity is reflected in the water HOH bending modes where a strong infrared band centered around 1653 cm−1 is found. Such a band reflects the strong hydrogen bonding of the water molecules to the phosphate anions in adjacent layers. Spectra show three distinct OH bending bands from strongly hydrogen-bonded, weakly hydrogen bonded water and non-hydrogen bonded water. Vibrational spectroscopy enhances our knowledge of the molecular structure of ushkovite.

Predictive motion planning for AUVs subject to strong time-varying currents and forecasting uncertainties

This paper presents a novel path planning method for minimizing the energy consumption of an autonomous underwater vehicle subjected to time varying ocean disturbances and forecast model uncertainty. The algorithm determines 4-Dimensional path candidates using Nonlinear Robust Model Predictive Control (NRMPC) and solutions optimised using A*-like algorithms. Vehicle performance limits are incorporated into the algorithm with disturbances represented as spatial and temporally varying ocean currents with a bounded uncertainty in their predictions. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated through simulations using a 4-Dimensional, spatially distributed time-series predictive ocean current model. Results show the combined NRMPC and A* approach is capable of generating energy-efficient paths which are resistant to both dynamic disturbances and ocean model uncertainty.

Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional association for the Australian library and information services sector. It seeks to empower the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services to the nation, through leadership, advocacy, and mutual support. The ALIA represents the interest of 6000 members, the profession and Australia's 12 million library users. The objects of the Association are listed in its constitution. They are To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy, and democracy. To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies. To ensure the high standard of personnel engaged in information provision and foster their professional interests and aspirations. To represent the interests of members to governments, other organizations, and the community. To encourage people to contribute to the improvement of library and information services through support and membership of the association.

Genome-wide association study identifies a variant in HDAC9 associated with large vessel ischemic stroke

Genetic factors have been implicated in stroke risk, but few replicated associations have been reported. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for ischemic stroke and its subtypes in 3,548 affected individuals and 5,972 controls, all of European ancestry. Replication of potential signals was performed in 5,859 affected individuals and 6,281 controls. We replicated previous associations for cardioembolic stroke near PITX2 and ZFHX3 and for large vessel stroke at a 9p21 locus. We identified a new association for large vessel stroke within HDAC9 (encoding histone deacetylase 9) on chromosome 7p21.1 (including further replication in an additional 735 affected individuals and 28,583 controls) (rs11984041; combined P = 1.87 × 10 -11; odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28-1.57). All four loci exhibited evidence for heterogeneity of effect across the stroke subtypes, with some and possibly all affecting risk for only one subtype. This suggests distinct genetic architectures for different stroke subtypes.

Neuropsychological studies of late onset and subthreshold diagnoses of adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Background Diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is difficult when the diagnostician cannot establish an onset prior to the DSM-IV criterion of age 7 or if the number of symptoms recalled does not achieve the DSM-IV threshold for diagnosis. Because neuropsychological deficits are associated with ADHD, we addressed the validity of the DSM-IV age at onset and symptom threshold criteria by using neuropsychological test scores as external validators. Methods We compared four groups of adults: 1) full ADHD subjects met all DSM-IV criteria for childhood-onset ADHD; 2) late-onset ADHD subjects met all criteria except the age at onset criterion; 3) subthreshold ADHD subjects did not meet full symptom criteria; and 4) non-ADHD subjects did not meet any of the above criteria. Results Late-onset and full ADHD subjects had similar patterns of neuropsychological dysfunction. By comparison, subthreshold ADHD subjects showed few neuropsychological differences with non-ADHD subjects. Conclusions Our results showing similar neuropsychological underpinning in subjects with late-onset ADHD suggest that the DSM-IV age at onset criterion may be too stringent. Our data also suggest that ADHD subjects who failed to ever meet the DSM-IV threshold for diagnosis have a milder form of the disorder.

Pumping systems: Design and energy efficiency

Pumping systems are widely used in many applications, including municipal water/wastewater services, domestic, commercial and agricultural services, and industrial processes. They are a very significant energy user and consume nearly 20% of the world’s electrical energy demand. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of pumping systems can provide great benefits in terms of energy, environment, and cost reduction. In this entry, an overview of pump classification with pros and cons of each type of pump is presented. The procedures used to design pumping systems are also outlined. This is then followed by a discussion on the opportunities for improving the energy efficiency of pumping systems during every stage of design, selection, operation, and maintenance.

Linear filtering in DCT IV/DST IV and MDCT/MDST domain

In this paper, expressions for convolution multiplication properties of DCT IV and DST IV are derived starting from equivalent DFT representations. Using these expressions methods for implementing linear filtering through block convolution in the DCT IV and DST IV domain are proposed. Techniques developed for DCT IV and DST IV are further extended to MDCT and MDST where the filter implementation is near exact for symmetric filters and approximate for non-symmetric filters. No additional overlapping is required for implementing the symmetric filtering in the MDCT domain and hence the proposed algorithm is computationally competitive with DFT based systems. Moreover, inherent 50% overlap between the adjacent frames used for MDCT/MDST domain reduces the blocking artifacts due to block processing or quantization. The techniques are computationally efficient for symmetric filters and provides a new alternative to DFT based convolution.

Host-plant resistance and biopesticides: Ingredients for successful integrated pest management (IPM) in Australian sorghum production

There are two major pests of sorghum in Australia, the sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett), and the corn earworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). During the past 10 years the management of these pests has undergone a revolution, due principally to the development of sorghum hybrids with resistance to sorghum midge. Also contributing has been the adoption of a nucleopolyhedrovirus for the management of corn earworm. The practical application of these developments has led to a massive reduction in the use of synthetic insecticides for the management of major pests of sorghum in Australia. These changes have produced immediate economic, environmental and social benefits. Other flow-on benefits include providing flexibility in planting times, the maintenance of beneficial arthropods and utilisation of sorghum as a beneficial arthropod nursery, a reduction in midge populations and a reduction in insecticide resistance development in corn earworm. Future developments in sorghum pest management are discussed.

First record of Erysiphe aquilegiae on a host outside the Ranunculaceae

Erysiphe aquilegiae (Erysiphaceae) is found for the first time on Catharanthus roseus, in the Apocynaceae. This fungus is previously known only on the Ranunculaceae. A detailed description of this teleomorphic Australian specimen is given, along with its rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequence. © Australasian Plant Pathology Society 2006.