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Seated working posture : a research thesis with experimental methodology and literature review

- Nelson, David

Authors: Nelson, David
Date: 1990
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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Description: Masters Degree in Applied Science
Description: Much has been written about seated working posture - particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the furniture associated with achieving what is commonly referred to as the "German Square" postural geometry (after Mandal, 1974). The physical sciences aspects of chair, desk and associated furniture ancillary to the task required of the seated worker, have been described in the scientific literature and the standards and guideline publications of the authorities of many countries of the western world. The most important contribution of multi-adjustable furniture to the reduction of postural discomfort and musculo-skeletal complaints is recognised. As a result a variety of standards and guidelines concerning some of these aspects exists in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Germany, Australia and the Scandinavian countries. The International Organisation for Standardisation published document TC136/SC7 in 1978, consolidating such existing standards. Less emphasis has been placed on the interface of the information exchange and the comfort, performance and preferences of the seated worker; ie., the practically, the comfort and the intrinsic safety of the working posture prescribed by the model established by the many standards. Existing specifications and guidelines differ in their orientation towards operator performance and comfort of the operator, in as much as some purport to be "furniture standards", for example C.E.N, Comite European de Normalisation, Paris, 1980, while others purport to be "postural standards", for example, International Organisation for Standardisation document TC 136/SC7 (1978). The standards are uniform in matters of upright trunk and 90° upper and lower limb geometry, but are divided in the lineal dimensions applied to eye height above the floor, shoulder acromion to home row of keys (or pen-grip position of the dominant hand and fingers), and eye distance to copy.

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A differential scanning calorimetry study of some metal 2,4 pentanedionates

- Murray, John

Authors: Murray, John
Date: 1987
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
Full Text: false
Description: The sublimation enthalpy of beryllium (II), aluminium (III), chromium (III), iron (III), cobalt (III), nickel (II), copper (II), oxovanadium (IV) and zirconium (IV) 2,4 -pentanedionate complexes has been determined by vacuum Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), subsequent to benzoic acid being proposed as calibrant for this technique. In conjunction with existing thermochemical data for these complexes, metal-ligand homolytic bond dissociation energies are calculated and are rationalized in terms of the ionic size of the coordinated meta and the crystal field stabilization energies for the complex. Old and new methods for the determination of sublimation enthalpy are reviewed and the present data collectively reveal the versatility and precision of DSC fort the direct determination of sublimation enthalpies of metal complexes. The new sublimation enthalpy data presented for metal 2-4- pentanedionate complexes effectively ends the controversy associated with the previously reported corresponding data/
Description: Master of Applied Science

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A polarographic study of lignin reactions in soda pulping liquors

- Burton, Peter

Authors: Burton, Peter
Date: 1986
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
Full Text: false
Description: Oxidation-reduction reactions between carbohydrates, lignin and quinone additives in Pinus radiata soda pulping liquors have been investigated. A reduction peak at -0.72 V (Vs SCE) was observed using differential pulse polarography when Pinus radiata wood is heated in alkaline solution in the presence of oxygen, and has been shown to result from the oxidation of lignin structures. The results of this study indicate that the electroactive species present in Pinus radiata soda pulping liquors is an oxidation product, resulting from the formation of phenoxy radicals and /or quinone methides. Although reduction potentials for anthraquinone, carbohydrates and the electroactive lignin structure fit the general redox mechanism propsed for accelerated delignification, the species observed by polarography in this study has been shown not to be involved in the main pulping reactions due to its low concentration.
Description: Master of Applied Science

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Electrochemical studies of organic compounds in zinc electrowinning circuits

- Vawdrey, Peter

Authors: Vawdrey, Peter
Date: 1986
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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Description: Most of Australia's zinc production is by the electrolytic zinc process, in which zinc is electrowon from an acid sulphate solution. The process is known to be exceptionally sensitive to the presence of trace impurities. At the Electrolytic Zinc plant (Risdon, Tasmania), isobenzofuranone (pthalide) has been detected in the electrowinning circuit, and found in higher concentrations during efficiency slumps. It was found that di-2-ethylhexyphthalate, (present in the liners and plastics used in the electrowinning circuit), is reduced to isobenzofuranone under the electrolysis conditions employed. In addition, an investigation involved a constant current electrolysis of a synthetic zinc electrolyte, as identified an additional pathway for the productionof isobenzofuranone. 2-Naphthol, added to the electrolysis circuit for current efficiency purposes, is also a major precursor of isobenzofuranone. 2-Napthol and possibly 1-nitroso-2-napthol can be oxidized to pthalic acid, either at a lead anode or via anode oxidation productions, and the phthalic acid produced can be reduced to isobenzofuranone at a zinc cathode. In addition, it was found that isobenzofurane is further reduced at the potential of zinc deposition to ultimately yield 2-methylbenzaldehyde. This compound, which has also been detected in Risdon plant electrolytes, is also toxic in the zince electrowinning circuit. The compound 2-methylabenzyl alcohol has also been detected via GLC examination of Risdon plant liquors. However, this compound was not detected in the present investigation, and thus no explanation can be offered for its presence in plant electrolytes. The toxicity of zinc electrolyte impurities on current efficiency was determined by a cyclic voltammetric technique. The results of this investigation indicate that the presence of isobenzofuranone and 2-methylbenzaldehyde can significantly lower current effciency, and the compounds phthalic acid and 2-methylbenzyl alcohol also lower efficiency.
Description: Masters Degree in Applied Science

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A study of sulphur xanthates in relation to their role in froth flotation of sulphide minerals

- Honeyman, Ronald

Authors: Honeyman, Ronald
Date: 1980
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
Full Text: false
Description: Potassium alkyl xanthates are commonly used as collectors in the flotation of sulphide minerals. Much research has been directed to the formulation of mechanisms responsible for the hydrophobicity of the sulphide minerals in xanthate flotation. Alkyl dixanthogen plays an important role in this mixed-potential mechanism, and is regarded as the species which imparts hydrophobicity to the mineral surface. Winter has recently suggested that sulphur xanthates, which are chemically very similar to alkyl dixanthogen, may play a significant role in the processes rendering the sulphide minerals hydrophobic during froth flotation. The aim of this investigation was to develop techniques for the separation and identification of sulphur xanthates at very low levels of conecentration. Techniques employed were Molecular Emission Cavity Analysis Spectroscopy and High Performance Liquid Chromatography. It was possible to extract the sulpur xanthates from simulated flotation liquors, separate the individual species, and determine them to a level of 0.05 ppm in the liquor. Aklyl sulphur dixanthates were found to disproportionate in methanol solution.
Description: Masters Degree in Applied Science

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Movements, Behaviour and Ecology of the Brolga, Antigone rubicunda, at multiple spatial and temporal scales

- Veltheim, Inka

Authors: Veltheim, Inka
Type: Thesis , PhD
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Description: The study of animal movement patterns, within and between habitats, is a key consideration in ecological and evolutionary disciplines. Movement studies address: where, when, why and how animals move and what scales are movements taken at? For example: when and how animals move in response to internal factors, such as the need to breed, or external factors such as weather? Understanding animal movements is crucial in conservation planning and management of species. My thesis aim was to understand brolga (Antigone rubicunda) spatial landscape use across their south-east Australian core range at multiple scales. The information presented in this thesis can be applied for conservation and management of the species. I deployed 23 GPS transmitters on adults (5), juveniles (6) and chicks (12) and used a range of modelling approaches, location data and behavioural data to study their movements. Modelling methods included: behavioural change point analysis, kernel density analysis and Brownian bridge movement models to estimate home ranges; Maxent to build a species distribution model, parametric compositional analysis to study habitat selection; Bayesian and frequentist linear models to investigate relationships between environmental variables and movements, habitat use and behaviour; and NicheMapperTM to understand ecophysiological drivers of movement behaviour. GPS-tracking revealed two seasonal movement strategies within the south-west Victorian brolga range with individuals moving either 100 km or 20 km on average, between non-breeding and breeding areas, depending on capture location. However, I found many exceptions to a strictly seasonal pattern of movement, suggesting brolgas have a flexible and adaptable movement strategy. Brolgas adopted a migratory or resident strategy, indicating that the south-west Victorian population is partially migratory. I investigated whether a dynamic species distribution model (dSDM), built with Maxent using short-term weather variables, could predict seasonal distribution and movements of brolgas at a landscape scale. Using GPS tracking data to validate the dSDM output, I demonstrated that the dSDM was useful for modelling occupancy and seasonal distribution, but did not explicitly capture movements at the scale the movements occurred. However, brolgas moved further and occupied highest suitable habitat available when predicted habitat suitability in south-west Victoria was low, suggesting brolgas track areas with high predicted habitat suitability. Dynamic species distribution models may be useful in identifying suitable habitat when overall habitat suitability within a species’ range is low. At the home range scale, I used the Brownian bridge movement model to estimate breeding home range size and parametric compositional analysis to determine habitat use and selection by brolgas. I expected wetland size, density and number of chicks in a clutch to influence home range sizes, however, found only weak evidence for greater home ranges with increased clutch size. Brolgas used either single or multiple wetlands within their home ranges, and those using multiple wetlands either switched between wetlands or relocated permanently. Within their breeding home ranges brolgas appeared to select against buildings and watercourses but showed no selection for land use type. At the daily scale, I focused on movement behaviour of brolgas between foraging areas in cropped paddocks and wetland roosts. I used a correlative and a mechanistic model to investigate the influence of thermoregulatory constraints and weather on daily movement decisions of brolgas. Movements between the two habitats were not driven by biophysical requirements. The results suggest brolgas tolerate a range of weather conditions before shifting habitats to reduce heat stress and metabolic costs or to maintain water balance. In this thesis, I discuss the ecological and conservation implications of my research findings. Finally, I also provide recommendations for avoiding wind farm impacts on the threatened south-west Victorian brolga population given my findings on daily, seasonal and annual movement patterns. Many studies have investigated wind farm impacts on birds. However, this is one of a few that considers all lifecycle stages, and takes a multi-site and -scale approach to studying bird movements to inform conservation and wind farm planning.

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Traces of the female self : exploring the documentation of women’s art through traces, impressions, residues and self-portraiture via contemporary art practice

- Janetzki, Georgia

Authors: Janetzki, Georgia
Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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Description: Women have always been present as artists, but not necessarily included within the canon of Western art history. Studying the canon is an accepted way of understanding the context of what has gone before, and in turn positioning ourselves within contemporary art practices and theories. However there is a disconnect when most of the individuals within the canon are nothing like us. Self-portraiture can be an embodied methodology, a starting point for an investigation that goes beyond oneself. Addressing the personal through my art practice also addresses a wider community of female artists. Through a studio-based investigation I have asked: What can visual art’s inherent capacity for generating and capturing traces, residues and impressions express in a material and conceptual way to explore self-identity and contribute to the current discourse about women artists’ history? How can these themes be visually expressed in new ways through contemporary selfportraiture, addressing absence and perspective in the documentation of women’s art? I explore these questions through experimental methods of making self-portraits. This research project considers the personal, examining representation of the self as an ontological enquiry into the roles of making and being. As a practice-led study, I pursue this line of enquiry as a means for exploring current structures of power, through a new body of work aimed at further informing Australian women’s art practice and its history.
Description: Masters by Research

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