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Vanadium disulfide monolayers for efficient sensing of target volatile organic compounds
No full textThe presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere seriously threatens the environment and human health. Therefore, designing efficient nanosensors to detect the targeted VOCs is inevitable. In the present study, using density functional theory (DFT), the adsorption of two prominent VOCs, namely propylene oxide (PO) and crotonaldehyde (CRA), was studied on pristine and titanium/chromium (Ti/Cr)-doped vanadium di-sulfide (Ti/Cr-VS2) monolayers in both trigonal prismatic (H) and octahedral (T) phases. Van der Waals-corrected DFT calculations revealed that the doping of the Ti atom in VS2 is favorable in comparison with Cr doping for both phases. It was observed that the pristine VS2 systems exhibited weak adsorption towards the above-mentioned VOCs. However, doping of Ti in VS2 systems significantly enhanced the adsorption of PO and CRA molecules. The calculated adsorption energy of PO on the T phase of Ti-VS2 systems was 1.66 eV, and for CRA on the H phase of Ti-VS2 systems was 1.71 eV, respectively. Bader charge analysis showed that PO and CRA behave as charge donors to the Ti-VS2. Upon PO/CRA adsorptions, significant changes were observed in the work function of Ti-VS2. Based on our DFT analysis for adsorption parameters, we believe Ti-VS2 could be a promising material for detecting PO and CRA
Genomic models for estimating genetic parameters for lifetime wool traits in Merino sheep
No full textLifetime production is a key driver of the profitability of Merino flocks. While the genetic control and relationships between young and adult assessments have been evaluated previously, the conclusions have not been validated using data from a progeny test design, which extensively captures lifetime data from diverse sires and ewe bases. This paper estimated genetic correlations between lifetime age stages of greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter and body wrinkle, and between the traits. The results show that assessments for these three traits made at a young age have a moderate correlation (rg>0.6) with adult performance, however, they are genetically different from adult assessments. These results suggest measurement of adult performance is beneficial. Genetic groups derived from admixture analysis using genotypes provided a good alternative to account for population diversity when the pedigree-derived genetic groups are challenging to define accurately. Further work is required on the other important traits which determine lifetime productivity.0.6) with adult performance, however, they are genetically different from adult assessments. These results suggest measurement of adult performance is beneficial. Genetic groups derived from admixture analysis using genotypes provided a good alternative to account for population diversity when the pedigree-derived genetic groups are challenging to define accurately. Further work is required on the other important traits which determine lifetime productivity
Quantitative Palaeohistology: High-Resolution Fossil Bone Microarchitecture Revealed through the Novel Use of Liquid-Crystal Polarization Microscopy
No full textPalaeohistology has traditionally relied on the qualitative assessment of fossil bone microarchitecture, limiting the resolution and reproducibility of anatomical and physiological analyses. In this dissertation, I apply quantitative polarized light microscopy (qPLM) —using a liquid-crystal variable retarder-enabled system— to the fossil record for the first time. This technique enables a detailed analysis of collagen fibre orientation and distribution in fossil bone. Using qPLM analysis, I identified a non-linear relationship between birefringent properties and the process of permineralization. This transition is marked by a shift from collagen as the primary source of birefringence in modern specimens to hydroxyapatite in permineralized material. Furthermore, qPLM was shown to effectively identify anatomical features such as entheses, lines of arrested growth, and pathology. The orientation and distribution of collagen fibres in these structures provided key physiological insights, including the direction of muscular effort. By quantifying collagen fibre orientation at entheses, qPLM offers a means of informing biomechanical analysis from an isolated skeletal element, such as the moment arm calculations performed here. An extensive review of the historical use of Witmer’s extant phylogenetic bracket approach highlighted a misuse rate exceeding 50%. By directly quantifying key physiological aspects of fossil vertebrate anatomy, qPLM reduces reliance on inferential soft tissue reconstructions, addressing critical methodological gaps and improving the accuracy of paleobiological interpretations. This research demonstrates the transformative potential of qPLM in palaeohistology, providing a reproducible, high-resolution approach to studying fossil bone microarchitecture and its functional implications
Let's Team up! Constructing Narrative Through Alliances in Squid Game
No full textIn reality TV series such as Survivor, alliances between contestants are utilized to construct dramatic narratives in order to maintain audience interest beyond the weekly winning of challenges. Similarly, within fictional Battle Royale-style stories, storylines involving alliances are an essential component of the narrative mix. However, the stakes are much higher, with the consequence of not only betrayal but death. Alliances involving real and faux friendships, sex and power-plays enrich the drama and allow audiences to engage and empathize with various characters, aware that they will inevitably mourn the loss of their “favorites,” just as fans of reality shows do. Over its episodic narrative and character arcs, Squid Game presents a number of such alliances. This chapter examines how these function within this dystopian series in comparison with the “entertainment value” model of Survivor and other reality TV series
Facilitating farmer learning to improve goat husbandry in Lao PDR.
No full textThis paper describes the methods and outcomes from facilitating farmer learning to improve goat husbandry practices and productivity in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR. New husbandry practices were trialed in seven villages with 70 households in three districts and scaled out to more districts via NGO projects. Implementation methods included monthly household visits by government livestock staff, village training events, and cross village visits to encourage knowledge exchange between farmers. Farmers learnt how to build clean and safe houses, reduce kid mortality, grow and use forages, prevent and treat diseases, use mineral blocks and supplementary feed lactating does and young male goats. A Learning Alliance was established between government and NGO staff, meeting every 6 months to share technical information and experiences working with goat farmers. The evaluation methods included three structured surveys (pre, mid and post), farmer feedback sessions at learning events, and interviews with Learning Alliance members. Animal health treatments and mineral blocks were the most readily used practices due to high disease incidence in kids. Forages, goat pens and supplementary feeding were less popular due to cost, labour and land requirements. Disease incidence and mortality significantly decreased over four years. The Learning Alliance enabled an additional 500 farmers to be trained and adopt goat disease prevention and treatments. We conclude that using multiple farmer learning approaches over several years ensures capacity development is reinforced and impacts are scaled out to more households
When are Political Thought Experiments Used Legitimately?
No full textMy thesis focusses on political thought experiments and how they can be used legitimately. In this thesis I will clarify what political thought experiments are, then I will give a taxonomy of various kinds of political thought experiments. The taxonomy will be four kinds of political thought experiments, which will be called moral intuition pump (thought experiments with the purpose of provoking moral intuitions about political structures); state of nature (hypothetical stories about human beings without a state); empirical conditional (thought experiments that make predictions about the consequences of possible political structures); and conceptual clarification (thought experiments that clarify our understanding of political concepts). I will then provide criteria for how each of these kinds of political thought experiments can be called legitimate. Once all criteria have been provided, I will use examples of political thought experiments and test their legitimacy. My thesis will make three main contributions to the field. The first contribution will be that it will fill specific gaps in the literature regarding the legitimate use of political thought experiments. There exists in the literature the following gaps: Not providing examples of political thought experiments or not clarifying how political thought experiments are being used legitimately. My thesis will do both things. The second contribution will be that it will expand our understanding of what counts as a thought experiment. An example of this is whether some literary fictions ought to considered political thought experiments. My third contribution will be that what distinguishes political thought experiments from other fields is the focus on practical application of political ideas, which is something not discussed in the current literature regarding political thought experiments
Biochar as a fast track to net zero
No full textThe capacity of carbon dioxide removal currently deployed is far below what is needed to achieve the Paris Agreement temperature target. Biochar from crop residues could help China meet its 2060 net zero goal while bringing health and environmental benefits
Sequential extraction of labile and recalcitrant fractions of soil organic matter: A case study focusing on antimony (Sb) in humic acids, fulvic acids and humin fractions of long-term aged contaminated soils
No full textSoil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role in environmental chemistry of macro and micro nutrients as well as heavy metal (loids). In this research, a modified sequential extraction scheme was used to isolate labile and recalcitrant SOM from organic rich soils after 18 months of ageing with antimony. Humic substances were extracted with a mixture of 0.5 M sodium hydroxide +0.1 M sodium pyrophosphate solution from soils. Then soils deprived of humic substances were sequentially subjected to extraction with glycerol, citric acid, pre-treated with acid and extracted with boiling alkali mixture. The humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) of isolated SOM fractions were separated and HAs been characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR, and UV-VIS. Acid-alkali treatment of the most recalcitrant SOM fraction (A1-ROM) led to the extraction of sparingly soluble, highly aromatic compound with considerable amounts of N (44% of the extractable N), possibly due to the breakdown of bounds between aromatic rings and amine functional groups. Nevertheless, the highest content of C and TOC was associated with the glycerol extractable SOM. Substantial amounts of Fe and Al were extracted with glycerol, resulting in a dramatic rise of Sb in SOM extracts. The largest increase (60%) in Sb concentrations was observed after the removal of Fe with citric acid. The humic substances (HS) were responsible for 63% of extractable Sb, whereas even after exhaustive alkali extractions 22% of the total Sb remained in the residual humin fraction. Within the HS fraction, 95% of antimony was associated with the low molecular weight FAs. Antimony concentrations in organic fractions correlated significantly with TOC and N contents, possibly due to the role of amine functional groups in Sb complexation. The results of this research highlight the importance of Fe–Al-SOM bridging and humin fraction in sequestration of Sb in recalcitrant SOM pools
Negotiating gay men’s relationships: how are monogamy and non-monogamy experienced and practised over time?
No full textWhen viewed over time, many gay men’s relationships are not static, or firmly fixed to monogamy or non-monogamy. This paper uses in-depth interviews with 61 Australian gay men to explore how monogamy and non-monogamy are experienced over time, expectations of what constitutes the norms regarding gay men’s relationships and how couples experience and practices change. Although some gay men may idealise monogamy, particularly at the beginning of a relationship, it is often experienced as temporary. Non-monogamy is often seen as a likely prospect for gay relationships owing to the social and cultural norms that operate in gay communities. These expected trajectories are reflected in practice – many relationships begin monogamously and then become non-monogamous over time. While the application of ‘rules’, experimentation and flexibility can facilitate change, couples may struggle to navigate new territory as their relationship structures shift. This is particularly the case when partners value monogamy and non-monogamy differently, or when one partner’s values change. These findings shed light on how gay men approach change to the status of ‘fidelity’ within their relationships, and the tensions and opportunities that change can produce for couples
The dynamic eggs of the Phasmatodea and their apparent convergence with plants
No full textThe egg stages of animal life cycles are underappreciated in terms of their capacity for dispersal, protection, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Some of the most intriguing egg morphologies are seen in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). Phasmids are charismatic insects, particularly due to their incredible camouflage, though a lesser-known fact is that their eggs are incredibly diverse in shape and structure, reflecting varying ecological niches. Perhaps most remarkable are those eggs which appear to resemble plant seeds in both their appearance and means of dispersal, such as via water and animal vectors. Numerous hypotheses surrounding the function of these egg morphologies and their apparent convergence with seeds have been proposed; however, empirical evidence remains lacking. Here, we present an initial synthesis of available evidence surrounding the ecology and dispersal strategies of phasmid eggs and weigh up the evidence for convergent evolution between phasmid eggs and seeds. In doing so, we highlight areas where further research is needed and discuss how the ecology of phasmid eggs may interplay with other aspects of phasmid ecology, distribution, and evolution