Defining soil macrofauna composition and activity for biopedological studies - A case study on two soils in the Western Australian wheat belt

Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAL Debruyn
Keyword(s):  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Major Species ◽  
Australian Wheat ◽  
Species Mapping ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Good Agreement

In Durokoppin reserve and surrounding farmland, part of the central wheatbelt region, pitfall trapping and mapping of soil macrofauna activity were used to define the extent of soil macrofauna activity in these two environments. This type of study is a necessary precursor to determining the significance of certain invertebrate activity in soil modification in these habitats. The relative merits of the two techniques in determining the extent of soil macrofauna activity is assessed. The soil macrofauna groups identified by mapping and pitfall trapping as making a substantial contribution (in terms of relative abundance and activity) in all habitats were, in descending order, ants, spiders and scorpions (wandoo woodland only). In general there was good agreement between the two techniques in identifying the major species and trends in species composition between habitats, but mapping failed to identify the rare or cryptic species. Mapping more accurately identified the resident species in each habitat compared with pitfall trapping. Pitfall trapping data indicated that foraging activity of most soil macrofauna was depressed over winter, except for beetles, and was higher in the spring and summer sampling periods. However, mapping revealed a more constant level of soil macrofauna activity, especially for ant nests. It is argued that the two approaches complement one another and that each has value in interpreting the effects of soil macrofauna activity on soil properties in further studies. The discussion is based on the results of a study carried out in the Kellerberrin area of Western Australia.

Bringing Them in: The Experiences of Imported and Overseas-Qualified Teachers

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Sharplin
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Multiple Site ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Teacher Shortages ◽  
Behaviour Management ◽  
Qualified Teachers ◽  
School Based ◽  
Western Australian

This qualitative multiple-site case study explores the experiences of imported and overseas-qualified teachers appointed to fill ‘difficult-to-staff’ Western Australian rural schools. In a climate of global teacher shortages, investigation of the strategies adopted to solve this problem requires empirical examination. The study of six imported and overseas-qualified teachers found that they experienced difficulties with the employment application process, were not adequately inducted into the system and experienced difficulties with cultural adaptation related to pedagogy, behaviour management and language. These teachers still remained in schools for lengths of time comparable to their Australian-born counterparts. Transitions into schools could be assisted with improved appointment processes, induction and school-based support. A research agenda for further investigation of this field is recommended.

Structural Analysis of an Offshore Jacket Model Under Seismic Excitation

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helder J. D. Correia ◽  
Anto´nio C. Mendes ◽  
Carlos A. F. S. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Shaking Table ◽  
Seismic Excitation ◽  
Model Structure ◽  
Structural Members ◽  
Jacket Structures ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Nodal Displacements ◽  
Good Agreement

In the present work the action of earthquakes upon offshore jacket structures is analysed by means of ADINA software. Our case-study refers to an existing model structure, previously constructed at the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics of UBI, which has been analysed from the hydrodynamic point of view — Mendes et al. [1, 2]. The seismic excitation will be imposed at the base of this model structure, with frequencies and amplitudes corresponding to actual earthquake conditions transposed to the model scale of 1:45. The FEM software is utilised to calculate the natural frequencies of the model and to obtain stresses at selected members, as well as their nodal displacements. Our purpose is to quantify maximum stresses occurring in critical structural members and to verify the survivability criterion. The predictions of the numerical model, in terms of the reaction forces at the base and acceleration at the top of the structure, are then correlated with the experimental measurements performed when the model structure is excited in an especially designed shaking table (Correia [3]), revealing a good agreement between both results.

LINKING ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ISSUES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
K.N. Davie ◽  
T.A. Winters
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Impact Study ◽  
Environmental Impact Study ◽  
Clearance Process ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Western Australian

This paper discusses the relationship between the Aboriginal heritage clearance process and the environmental impact assessment process. The current Western Australian legislation and the Murrin Murrin nickel project and other Western Australian projects are used as a case study, although similar methods and issues are applicable to most states within Australia. The paper investigates areas where delays may occur and proposes a model which can be implemented to maximise the level of certainty for a project.

scholarly journals Numerical and experimental investigation on the thermal behaviour of the building integrating occupant thermal comfort

2020 ◽  
Vol 307 ◽  
pp. 01025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abed Al Waheed Hawila ◽  
Abdelatif Merabtine ◽  
Nadège Troussier
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Behaviour ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Maximum Error ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Good Agreement

Simulation tools are widely used to model buildings in order to predict their indoor air quality and energy consumption. The prediction capability of the model is an influential factor in determining the ability of the building to be energy efficient and thermally comfortable. Thus, the validation of the developed models is crucial. In this context, this paper presents a numerical model developed using an object-oriented modelling tool based on the Modelica approach and a case study validation of this model. Then the thermal behaviour of the building and the occupants’ thermal comfort in the considered case study are investigated. The objective is to validate the developed model firstly by comparing predicted results with measured data regarding room temperature and relative humidity, and secondly by comparing the calculated thermal comfort indices (PMV and PPD) based on predicted results and measured data. The results show good agreement between simulations and experiments, with a maximum error in room temperature and relative humidity of 1.7 °C and 4.5%, respectively, and only 1% and 1.5% difference between averaged values of PMV and PPD, respectively.

AE Damage Assessment in the Bell Tower of the Turin Cathedral

2019 ◽  
Vol 817 ◽  
pp. 579-585
Author(s):  
Amedeo Manuello ◽  
Davide Masera ◽  
Alberto Carpinteri
Keyword(s):  
Damage Assessment ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Bell Tower ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Good Agreement

Historical churches, masonry towers and bell towers are structures subjected to high risk, due to their age, elevation and low base area on height ratio. In this work, an innovative monitoring technique for structural integrity assessment of historical buildings is reported. At the same time, the emblematic case study of the Turin Cathedral Bell tower is presented. The damage evolution in the tall masonry structure is described by the evaluation of the cumulative number of AE and by different parameters able to predict the time dependence of damage. In particular, since environmental disturbances have been minimized, and instrumental noises have been filtered out. The b-value analysis shows a downward trend to values compatible with the growth of localized macro-cracks at the base of the tower. These results seem to be in good agreement with the numerical analysis. Extension to longer monitoring periods and, later, investigation of different segments are strongly recommended to assess the stability of the monument.

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