Darwin Harbour – a partnership approach to understanding and evaluating environmental challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 523
Author(s):  
Richard Brinkman ◽  
Edward Butler ◽  
Terry O'Connor ◽  
Claire Streten
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Development Activity ◽  
Operational Risks ◽  
Marine Industry ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Partnership Approach

Darwin Port plays a critical role in the Northern Territory’s export-oriented economy and in supporting the economy of northern Australia more generally. Darwin Port is the only true multi-modal port in northern Australia, with direct connectivity to southern Australia and beyond via the southern rail link. The port has developed rapidly over the past decades, with redevelopment of the Waterfront Precinct, development of numerous residential marinas, construction of the East Arm Wharf and marine supply base, and construction and operation of liquefied gas processing and export facilities. Future development plans include Middle Arm Industrial Precinct and Marine Industry Park. These developments have resulted in an order of magnitude increase in dredging requirements, an increase in vessel traffic and an increase in public focus on environmental quality within the harbour. A coordinated, multi-agency approach to understand the complex marine environment of Darwin Harbour has underpinned much of the development activity and provided a sound scientific basis to evaluate potential environmental impacts associate with past and future developments. Through a hierarchical process of environmental assessment and identification and mitigation potential risks, the Australian Institute of Marine Science has partnered with industry, government and other research providers to deliver projects to map and assess habitats, monitor environmental attributes and evaluate potential impacts, and provide environmental information in novel and accessible ways to support harbour operations and inform strategic planning. The partnership approach adopted for Darwin Harbour serves as a model for leveraging resources to understand and manage environmental and operational risks in northern ports.

Surface modification of ZnO on the Zn-polar 0001 face by self-assembled triptycene-based polar molecules along with an increase of electric conductance

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Shioya ◽  
Naoko Inoue ◽  
Masaro Yoshida ◽  
Yoshihiro IWASA
Keyword(s):  
Surface Modification ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Polar Molecules ◽  
Hydroxyl Groups ◽  
Oxide Semiconductors ◽  
Assembled Monolayers ◽  
Temperature Dependences ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Sheet Conductance ◽  
Self Assembled

Abstract Application of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is a representative method of surface modification for tuning material properties. In this study we examine the influence of the surface modification by coating the Zn-polar 0001 surface of ZnO single crystal with a SAM of triptycene-based polar molecules in our own technique and investigated temperature dependences of the sheet conductance of the surface with and without the SAM. The sheet conductance at 70 K with the SAM is increased by an order of magnitude, compared to the case without the SAM. We infer that the additional electrons are introduced at the surface by the polar triptycene molecules, whose electropositive hydroxyl groups are supposed to face toward the Zn-polar surface of ZnO. The present result implies that the molecular orientation of the triptycene SAM plays a critical role on the surface properties of oxide semiconductors.

scholarly journals Direct estimation of electron density in the Orion Bar PDR from mm-wave carbon recombination lines

2019 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. L3 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cuadrado ◽  
P. Salas ◽  
J. R. Goicoechea ◽  
J. Cernicharo ◽  
A. G. G. M. Tielens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Elemental Abundance ◽  
Hyperfine Line ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Trace Species ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Uv Photons

Context. A significant fraction of the molecular gas in star-forming regions is irradiated by stellar UV photons. In these environments, the electron density (ne) plays a critical role in the gas dynamics, chemistry, and collisional excitation of certain molecules. Aims. We determine ne in the prototypical strongly irradiated photodissociation region (PDR), the Orion Bar, from the detection of new millimeter-wave carbon recombination lines (mmCRLs) and existing far-IR [13C II] hyperfine line observations. Methods. We detect 12 mmCRLs (including α, β, and γ transitions) observed with the IRAM 30 m telescope, at ∼25″ angular resolution, toward the H/H2 dissociation front (DF) of the Bar. We also present a mmCRL emission cut across the PDR. Results. These lines trace the C+/C/CO gas transition layer. As the much lower frequency carbon radio recombination lines, mmCRLs arise from neutral PDR gas and not from ionized gas in the adjacent H II region. This is readily seen from their narrow line profiles (Δv = 2.6 ± 0.4 km s−1) and line peak velocities (vLSR = +10.7 ± 0.2 km s−1). Optically thin [13C II] hyperfine lines and molecular lines – emitted close to the DF by trace species such as reactive ions CO+ and HOC+ – show the same line profiles. We use non-LTE excitation models of [13C II] and mmCRLs and derive ne = 60–100 cm−3 and Te = 500–600 K toward the DF. Conclusions. The inferred electron densities are high, up to an order of magnitude higher than previously thought. They provide a lower limit to the gas thermal pressure at the PDR edge without using molecular tracers. We obtain Pth ≥ (2−4) × 108 cm−3 K assuming that the electron abundance is equal to or lower than the gas-phase elemental abundance of carbon. Such elevated thermal pressures leave little room for magnetic pressure support and agree with a scenario in which the PDR photoevaporates.

scholarly journals Environmental Attributes Influencing the Distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Northern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e0138953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony L. Baker ◽  
Jessica Ezzahir ◽  
Christopher Gardiner ◽  
Warren Shipton ◽  
Jeffrey M. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Burkholderia Pseudomallei ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Environmental Attributes

scholarly journals If You are Serious About Impact, Create a Personal Impact Development Plan

2021 ◽  
pp. 000765032110144
Author(s):  
Herman Aguinis ◽  
Kelly P. Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Personal Impact ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
Do So

To achieve impact, academics need to create personal impact development plans, focused on what and on whom to have an impact and the necessary competencies to do so. Profession and university leaders play a critical role in the successful implementation of such plans.

scholarly journals A programmable CRISPR/Cas9-based phage defense system for Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Liu ◽  
Dongdong Zhao ◽  
Lijun Ye ◽  
Tao Zhan ◽  
Bin Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Viable Cell ◽  
Control Culture ◽  
Phage Infection ◽  
Defense System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Expression Host ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
T7 Phage

Abstract Escherichia coli BL21 is arguably the most popular host for industrial production of proteins, and industrial fermentations are often plagued by phage infections. The CRISPR/Cas system is guided by a gRNA to cleave a specific DNA cassette, which can be developed into a highly efficient programable phage defense system. In this work, we constructed a CRISPR/Cas system targeting multiple positions on the genome of T7 phage and found that it increased the ability of BL21 to defend against phage infection. Furthermore, the targeted loci played a critical role. For better control of expression of CRISPR/Cas9, various modes were tested, and the OD of the optimized strain BL21(pT7cas9, pT7-3gRNA, prfp) after 4 hours of phage infection was significantly improved, reaching 2.0, which was similar to the control culture without phage infection. The viable cell count of the engineered strain in the presence of phage was only one order of magnitude lower than that of the strain with no infection, which further demonstrated the effectiveness of the CRISPR/Cas9 phage defense system. Finally, the engineered BL21 strain under phage attack expressed RFP protein at about 60% the rate of the un-infected control, which was significantly higher than the parent BL21. We successfully constructed a programable CRISPR/Cas9 system to increase the ability of E. coli BL21’s to defend against phage infection, and created a resistant protein expression host. This work provides a simple and feasible strategy for protecting industrial E. coli strains against phage infection.

scholarly journals Temporal ordering of input modulates connectivity formation in a developmental neuronal network model of the cortex

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Hartley ◽  
Simon Farmer ◽  
Luc Berthouze
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Small World ◽  
External Input ◽  
Spike Timing ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Synaptic Connectivity ◽  
Structure Characteristic ◽  
Development Activity ◽  
Temporal Ordering

AbstractPreterm infant brain activity is discontinuous; bursts of activity recorded using EEG (electroencephalography), thought to be driven by subcortical regions, display scale free properties and exhibit a complex temporal ordering known as long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs). During brain development, activity-dependent mechanisms are essential for synaptic connectivity formation, and abolishing burst activity in animal models leads to weak disorganised synaptic connectivity. Moreover, synaptic pruning shares similar mechanisms to spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP), suggesting that the timing of activity may play a critical role in connectivity formation. We investigated, in a computational model of leaky integrate-and-fire neurones, whether the temporal ordering of burst activity within an external driving input could modulate connectivity formation in the network. Connectivity evolved across the course of simulations using an approach analogous to STDP, from networks with initial random connectivity. Small-world connectivity and hub neurones emerged in the network structure - characteristic properties of mature brain networks. Notably, driving the network with an external input which exhibited LRTCs in the temporal ordering of burst activity facilitated the emergence of these network properties, increasing the speed with which they emerged compared with when the network was driven by the same input with the bursts randomly ordered in time. Moreover, the emergence of small-world properties was dependent on the strength of the LRTCs. These results suggest that the temporal ordering of burst activity could play an important role in synaptic connectivity formation and the emergence of small-world topology in the developing brain.

scholarly journals Coastal Garbage Patches: Fronts Accumulate Plastic Films at Ashmore Reef Marine Park (Pulau Pasir), Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Hajbane ◽  
Bruna Calmanovici ◽  
Julia Reisser ◽  
Adam Jolly ◽  
Vyvyan Summers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Plastic Films ◽  
Accumulation Zone ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Conservation Zones

Millions of tons of buoyant plastic materials enter oceans annually, the majority originating from terrestrial sources and transported to oceans where oceanographic processes disperse or accumulate them. Some of these materials beach while others accumulate in convergent zones in coastal seas and the open ocean. Although accumulations associated with subtropical gyres, for example, the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (GPGP) are well-known, coastal accumulation zones have received less attention. Here we report quantities and characteristics of plastics accumulated in fronts encountered within the Ashmore Reef marine park (Pulau Pasir), northern Australia. These areas, as well as surrounding waters, were sampled using Manta trawls, drone, and snorkel surveys conducted in October 2018. With mean plastic concentrations of 523,146 pieces km−2 for plastics > 500 micron these hotpots contained plastic concentrations an order of magnitude higher than surrounding waters (16,561 pieces km−2) and comparable to the largest known accumulation zone: the GPGP. Furthermore, the mean mass within hotspots was 5,161 g km–2 vs. 9 g km–2 in surrounding waters. Therefore, we classify the features described in this study as types of “Coastal Garbage Patches” (CGPs). Importantly, the coastal fronts accumulating plastics in CGPs are key habitats for many marine species. Biomass outnumbered plastics by weight, with a ratio of 0.521 in CGPs and 0.016 in surrounding waters vs. 287.7 recorded in the GPGP. Polymer types found between the CGPs and GPGP were similar, but plastic films vastly dominated in the CGPs, whilst they were amongst the rarest types found in the GPGP. This study demonstrates the existence of CGPs coinciding with high priority conservation zones in coastal waters and highlights a need for further research into these environments.

Family members’ perspectives on the acceptability and impact of a co-facilitated information programme: the EOLAS mental health programme

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Higgins ◽  
Carmel Downes ◽  
Mark Monahan ◽  
David Hevey ◽  
Fiona Boyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
International Trends ◽  
The Family ◽  
Partnership Approach

Background:Despite the critical role families play in the care and recovery journeys of people who experience enduring mental distress, they are often excluded by the mental health services in the care and decision-making process. International trends in mental health services emphasise promoting a partnership approach between service users, families and practitioners within an ethos of recovery.Objective:This paper evaluated the acceptability of and initial outcomes from a clinician and peer co-led family information programme.Methods:A sequential design was used involving a pre-post survey to assess changes in knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery and hope following programme participation and interviews with programme participants. Participants were recruited from mental health services running the information programme. In all, 86 participants completed both pre- and post-surveys, and 15 individuals consented to interviews.Results:Survey findings indicated a statistically significant change in family members’ knowledge about mental health issues, recovery attitudes, sense of hope and confidence. In addition, the interviews suggested that the programme had a number of other positive outcomes for family members, including increased communication with members of the mental health team and increased awareness of communication patterns within the family unit. Family members valued the opportunity to share their experiences in a ‘safe’ place, learn from each other and provide mutual support.Conclusion:The evaluation highlights the importance of developing information programmes in collaboration with family members as well as the strength of a programme that is jointly facilitated by a family member and clinician.

The World Deepest Electrically Heat-Traced Flowline

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Hurault de Ligny ◽  
Thomas Cuau ◽  
Stephen Immel
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Single Line ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Concept Selection ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Operational Risks ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Selection Phase

Abstract Electrical heat tracing technologies for flowline applications have been in development phase for some time. Yet in recent years, the efforts to deploy this technology on real life applications have intensified, leading to several projects in the industry simultaneously adopting this solution. As often seen with technology development, implementing the serial number 1 of a technology requires one project with favorable conditions and parameters, but also the stakeholders willingness to face the challenge associated to being first, and having to cross the final gap between the qualification program and this real life application. This paper presents how a specific project met all the conditions to be the first to select and implement a deepwater EHTF® (Electrically Heat-Traced Flowline) solution. This paper presents the Project from the concept selection phase, to the execution and offshore installation of the final product. This provides an overview of why this technology was selected, and how the Project was executed, with a focus on the main challenges encountered and the associated solutions. The concept selection phase for this two-well development consisted of comparing subsea tie-in architectures to tieback architectures using one or several new risers. The EHTF® emerged as the highest value solution, offering the best compromise between technical, economical, risk and schedule criterion, as it enabled single line tieback, while significantly reducing the operational risks associated to such architecture. A FEED was launched to further define and accurately estimate the concept, in order to reach FID. Close collaboration between the Operator and the Contractor at every step of the process allowed the solution to be selected and developed in a fast track manner while enabling the Contractor to provide an optimized, tailor-made solution. The project execution involved many work sites, including the Vigra spoolbase in Norway for EHTF® fabrication, as well as the Seven Vega, which was a brand-new addition to the pipelay vessels fleet at the time of the Project. Many challenges arose during the project execution, as the qualification program was being completed, but adequate solutions were developed, allowing the Project to continue its course. Obviously, there were many lessons learned along the way, which will feed into further product development plans, in order to improve its technical performance and competitivity. Heat tracing solutions offer great opportunities for single line long tieback development which often come with elevated operating risk profile due to complex wax and hydrate management. Enhanced thermal performance of resistive heating systems makes it possible to operate with low power consumption, which is a key in today's world of energetic efficiency.

Functional nanomaterials, Synergism and Biomimicry for Environmentally Benign Marine Antifouling Technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avishek Kumar ◽  
Ahmed Aljumaili ◽  
Olha Bazaka ◽  
Elena P. Ivanova ◽  
Igor Levchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Economy ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Wild Fish ◽  
Environmentally Benign ◽  
Functional Nanomaterials ◽  
Marine Industry ◽  
Global World ◽  
Marine Antifouling

Marine industry plays a critical role in the global world economy by supporting major parts of the international and inter-continental cargo traffic, harvesting of wild fish, farming fishery and aquaculture,...

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