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Microstructural Characterization of Thermal Barrier Coatings Glazed by a High Power Laser
No full textThermal barrier coatings have been widely used in in both energy and propulsion systems. Plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings have relatively high interconnected porosity and lamina structure, which bring out a low bond strength, and lead to a short thermal cycling life. Lasers can be used for modification of materials surface. In this paper, plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings were laser-glazed by a high power laser in order to modify the structures. The microstructure of laser-glazed TBCs is investigated. The change on surface roughness has been examined. The result indicates that a smooth and dense glazed surface with craters and a network of microcracks is obtained after laser-glazing. The laser-glazed region consists of a columnar microstructure. There are segmentation microcracks in the laser-glazed coatings, which don’t run through the coatings along thickness. Surface roughness has been reduced significantly for the laser treated ceramic coatings
Characterization of the texture in ready meals
Get PDFThe demand for ready to eat meals worldwide is growing rapidly. Maintaining the texture of these meals during storage and reheating is very important for the acceptability of these products by the consumer. The effect of chilled and frozen storage and reheating on the textural quality of ready meal components were determined using instrumental texture profile (TPA) and sensory analyses. Type of storage (frozen storage) had a more significant effect on the textural properties of ready meal components compared to method of reheating (P0.05), attesting that RM could preserve the fresh texture signature quality of re-heated meal. The sauces from RM, FM and FO samples were significantly more viscous (4.5-5.0 Pa.s) than from FC (1.3 Pa.s). The textural attributes of ready meal components were assessed by a panel made up of experienced, frequent ready meal consumers, using a 7-point hedonic scale. No significant difference was found in beef texture (chewiness, juiciness, tenderness) among FC, RM and FO (P>0.05). FM beef was tougher and chewier (4.4) compared to the others. Broccoli fresh cooked texture (5.0) was negatively impacted by frozen storage (FO= 2.4; FM=2.8) compared to FC (5.0) and RM (6.5). The textural signature of freshly cooked ready meal composed of meat, vegetables and sauce is better preserved when the meal is refrigerated and reheated in a microwave
Source-tracking cadmium in New Zealand agricultural soils: A stable isotope approach
Get PDFCadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal, which is accumulated by plants and animals and therefore enters the human food chain. In New Zealand (NZ), where Cd mainly originates from the application of phosphate fertilisers, stable isotopes can be used to trace the fate of Cd in soils and potentially the wider environment due to the limited number of sources in this setting. Prior to 1997, extraneous Cd added to soils in P fertilisers was essentially limited to a single source, the small pacific island of Nauru. Analysis of Cd isotope ratios (ɛ114/110Cd) in Nauru rock phosphate, pre-1997 superphosphate fertilisers, and Canterbury (Lismore Stony Silt Loam) topsoils (Winchmore Research Farm) has demonstrated their close similarity with respect to ɛ114/110Cd.
We report a consistent ɛ114/110Cd signature in fertiliser-derived Cd throughout the latter twentieth century. This finding is useful because it allows the application of mixing models to determine the proportions of fertiliser-derived Cd in the wider environment. We believe this approach has good potential because we also found the ɛ114/110Cd in fertilisers to be distinct from unfertilised Canterbury subsoils. In our analysis of the Winchmore topsoil series (1949-2015), the ɛ114/110Cd remained quite
constant following the change from Nauru to other rock
phosphate sources in 1997, despite a corresponding
shift in fertiliser ɛ114/110Cd at this time.
We can conclude that to the present day, the Cd in topsoil at Winchmore still mainly originates from historical phosphate fertilisers. One implication of this finding is that the current applications of P fertiliser are not resulting in further Cd accumulation. We aim to continue our research into Cd fate, mobility and transformations in the NZ environment by applying Cd isotopes in soils and aquatic environments across the country
The host microbiome and impact of tuberculosis chemotherapy
No full textThe treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is often viewed in isolation from other human microbial
symbionts. Understandably, the clinical priority is eliminating active or latent tuberculosis (TB) in patients. With the increasing resolution of molecular biology technologies, it is becoming apparent that antibiotic treatment can perturb the homeostasis of the host microbiome. For example, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been associated with an increased risk of the development of asthma, obesity and diabetes. Therefore, fundamental questions include: Does TB chemotherapy cause disruption of the human microbiome and adverse effects in patients; and are there signature taxa of dysbiosis following TB treatment. In this review, we examine recent research on the detection of changes in the microbiome during antibiotic administration and discuss specific findings that relate to the impact of anti-tubercular chemotherapy
The role of environmental exposure to non-cigarette smoke in lung disease
No full textChronic exposure to household indoor smoke and outdoor air pollution is a major contributor to global morbidity
and mortality. The majority of these deaths occur in low and middle‐income countries. Children, women, the elderly
and people with underlying chronic conditions are most affected. In addition to reduced lung function, children
exposed to biomass smoke have an increased risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections and asthma-related symptoms. In adults, chronic exposure to biomass smoke, ambient air pollution, and opportunistic exposure to fumes and dust are associated with an increased risk of developing chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and respiratory infections, including tuberculosis. Here, we review the evidence of prevalence of COPD in people exposed to non-cigarette smoke. We highlight mechanisms that are likely involved in biomass-smoke exposure-related COPD and other lung diseases. Finally, we summarize the potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for management of COPD induced by non-cigarette smoke exposure
The use of particulate injection moulding for fabrication of sports and leisure equipment from titanium metals
Get PDFAdvanced materials such as metal alloys, carbon fibre composites and engineered polymers have improved athlete performances in all sporting applications. Advances in
manufacturing has enabled increases in design complexity and the ability to rapidly prototype bespoke products using additive manufacturing also known as 3D printing. Another recent fabrication method widely used by medical, electronics and armaments manufacturers is particulate
injection moulding. This process uses exact quantities of the required material, in powder form, minimising resource and energy requirements in comparison to conventional manufacturing techniques. The process utilises injection moulding techniques and tooling methods developed and
used in the plastics industry. It can produce highly complex component geometries with excellent repeatability and reduced cost where volume manufacturing is required. This is especially important when considering materials such as titanium that are not only expensive in comparison
to other metals but are difficult to process by regular machining and fabrication methods. This work presents a review of titanium use in the sporting sector with a focus on sporting devices and equipment. It also proposes that the sports engineering sector could increase performance and
enable improvements in safety by switching to design methods appropriate to processing via the particulate injection moulding route
The last five years [musical director and pianist]
Get PDFPerformance of The Last Five Years, composed by Jason Robert Brown, directed by Jason Wade, in the Modernist Garden at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, 15-17 February 2018. My role was Musical Director and Pianist for the ensemble. The two cast roles were performed by Nick Wilkinson and Courteney Mayall
Suspended time [piano composition]
Get PDFSuspended Time is a composition for solo piano, originally written for the 2017 Opening Concert for International Piano Day, and performed by Nick Braae at The Colourful Piano event, 21 March 2018, presented by the Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville
Water: On the threshold of the sun
No full textWater.
Utilising the sounds of water – rivers, lakes, rain. Flowing, hypnotic, angular, contrasting.
Opening with field recordings of the Waikato River. Performing on the pool in the garden as part of the sonic art.
On the Threshold of the Sun is a live multimedia experience in four distinct, but interconnected parts. These parts will be created live at dawn and dusk of the two Saturdays of the festival, and explore four different spaces within the themed gardens. This will be a transcendental experience exploring the luminous threshold as the sun rises and interrupts the darkness, and conversely when the day gives way to the stars. The ensemble will take the audience on a journey with projections mapped to highlight architectural features of each garden we explore.
Primarily exploring the shift from darkness into light, and then from light into darkness. We collectively uncover what these states may sound like, and how to approach that shift from an artistic, dramatic and performance perspective. The move between these states will probably be different each time – truly created in response to the environment (both natural and man made) at the time and place of performance.
Dr. Mesmer's Private Army is a multimedia performance ensemble with Jeremy Mayall, Kent Macpherson, Paul Bradley, and Yotam Levy. If you have never experienced Dr. Mesmer's Private Army in concert (such as the 2017 HGAF performance of "TO SLEEP"), then don't miss this opportunity to have 'an experience like no other'
Amongst
No full textAMONGST
Immersive Installation Exhibition at Wallace Gallery Morrinsville.
Inaugural Waikato artist-in-residence Jeremy Mayall has been continuing to explore his fascination with the interrelationships between sound, time, space, the senses, and the human experience.
Bringing together a collection of new installations with a number of regular collaborators, AMONGST is a show where you must choose to become part of the work.
Collaborators include: Paul Bradley, Aaron Chesham, Stephen Gallagher, Horomona Horo, Owen Mayall and Ben Woollen.
AMONGST is positioned within all the available gallery spaces, and will be installed from March 3rd - April 1st 2018.
Alongside the main exhibition there will be a number of events in the month of March, including:
Saturday 3rd March - Opening Preview - 11 am—1 pm
Wednesday 14th March 6-8 pm - ART CHAT (with some of the collaborators) + Concert featuring bassoonist Ben Hoadley
Wednesday 21st March 6pm - Concert - a collection of piano works from local composer-performers
Thursday 29th March —Wallace Gallery Seniors- 10:30am - A short concert in celebration of International Piano Da