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We describe the methodological development and preliminary results of a new spatial modelling framework to support the evaluation and design of novel Food Value Chains (FVC). The sustainability of future FVCs will depend on how effectively these can be adapted to environmental (e.g., climate change) and socio-economic (e.g., resource access and dietary preferences) changes projected for coming decades. Our approach aims to account for the spatial and temporal complexity inherent to both biophysical (e.g., climate, genotypes and soils) and techno-economic (e.g., processing technologies and markets) components of FVCs to optimise supply- (e.g., production areas) and demand- (processing-plant locations) across landscapes. For that, we integrated georeferenced biophysical outputs of a process-based agricultural model (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator, APSIM-NextGeneration) into a spatial techno-economic model (IIASA-BeWhere). We test the approach through a case-study to evaluate a novel (hypothetical) FVC to produce plant-based proteins from lucerne crops (Medicago sativa) across New Zealand’s agricultural landscapes. Results highlighted spatial protein production patterns driven by changes in crop canopy expansion and net carbon assimilation, with lower yields estimated in cooler and dryer environments, particularly when water supply was limited under rain-fed (non-irrigated) conditions with soils of low water holding capacity. Spatial variability in protein yields, production costs and emissions estimated by APSIM-NG running in the ATLAS framework were then used as inputs by BeWhere to optimise the location of production areas and protein-processing plants. We discuss potentials, limitations, and future development areas of this approach.

Food value chains (FVC) are inherently complex systems which will likely be subjected to compounding environmental and economic pressures in the coming decades. These include climate change, stricter environmental regulations and societal demands for healthier, more nutritious and sustainably produced food options.

ePlan, as a digital cadastral data initiative, is a collaborative program between the land authorities and the surveying industry which aims to replace paper and PDF cadastral plans and surveys with digital data. ePlan is currently operational in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. ePlan was introduced in the State of Victoria in 2011 and has been operational in this jurisdiction for 2D plans since 2013. On average, one ePlan application is currently submitted to a digital plan lodgment portal every two weeks. The low uptake of ePlan is caused by several technical and non-Technical challenges. This paper provides an overview of cadastral information transitioning from paper to digital in Victoria. The research methodology to identify the challenges in Victoria for the adoption of ePlan is then described. This is followed by a discussion on the identified challenges. The paper then proposes a generic framework of strategic actions to increase the uptake of digital cadastral data based on the lessons learned from Victoria. The initiatives suggested by this framework to address the ePlan challenges in Victoria and increase its uptake are also introduced. The paper concludes with a direction for future research.

This study investigated the pathogenesis of two variant strains (LLG and POS) of Chlamydia abortus, in comparison to a typical wild-type strain (S26/3) which is known to be responsible for late term abortion in small ruminants. Challenge with the three strains at mid-gestation resulted in similar pregnancy outcomes, with abortion occurring in approximately 50-60% of ewes with the mean gestational lengths also being similar. However, differences were observed in the severity of placental pathology, with infection appearing milder for strain LLG, which was reflected in the lower number of organisms shed in vaginal swabs post-partum and less gross pathology and organisms present in placental smears. Results for strain POS were somewhat different than LLG with a more focal restriction of infection observed. Post-abortion antibody responses revealed prominent differences in seropositivity to the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) present in elementary body (EB) preparations under denaturing conditions, most notably with anti-LLG and anti-POS convalescent sera where there was no or reduced detection of MOMP present in EBs derived from the three strains. These results and additional analysis of whole EB and chlamydial outer membrane complex preparations suggest that there are conformational differences in MOMP for the three strains. Overall, the results suggest that gross placental pathology and clinical outcome is not indicative of bacterial colonization and the severity of infection. The results also highlight potential conformational differences in MOMP epitopes that perhaps impact on disease diagnosis and the development of new vaccines.

This paper presents a reliable method for the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at room temperature by using localized heating. A surface micromachining technique is used to create suspended microstructures for good thermal isolation. Pt resistors are integrated as the heating source, and the local growth temperature and electrical field can be controlled by the heater geometry and applied voltage. Growth of aligned nanotubes with diameters ranging from 1-10 nm has been demonstrated along the local E-field with a measured minimum resistance of approximately 12 k omega. High-resolution thermal imaging was used to study the temperature distribution of the local heating., See also ADM002137. Pub. in Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology (8th) Held in Arlington, TX on August 18-21, 2008. U.S. Government or Federal Rights License. The original document contains color images.

Surface waveguides radiate energy at bends. The asymptotic problem of solving for the radiated power and the radiation pattern for large radius of bend have been studied theoretically for the slab waveguide and for the circular cylindrical waveguide. The slab configuration consists of two semi-infinite slabs joined by a circular bend. The cylindrical configuration consists of two straight circular cylinders joined by a circular bend. The results indicate that the discontinuities at the transitions between the straight sections and the bend cause the radiation to differ significantly from the radiation of a bend of the same size but being part of a uniform circular structure rather than being joined to two straight sections. The radiated power for both the slab and circular cylinder configurations is found to vary inversely as the square of the radius of curvature, and the radiation pattern is composed of many closely spaced narrow lobes. As the radius of curvature of the bend increases the lobes become more numerous and more closely spaced. The results can be extended for use to calculate approximate power loss due to radiation from bends in open waveguides in close proximity to the earth. (Author)

The objective of this work is to investigate the characteristics of dielectric slab waveguides frequently used in integrated optics by a microwave modeling technique. The study includes excitation of a surface wave mode in a low loss dielectric waveguide as well as coupling between two similar (degenerate mode) and different (non-degenerate) waveguides. The experimental data indicate the coupling length is short for the non-degenerate, and decreases as the separation between the two guides decreases for either case (degenerate or non-degenerate). The authors also investigated the field characteristics outside a curved slab and the containment of radiation. Also included in this work is the investigation of far field pattern for guides with different radii of curvature.

The objective of this research project was to investigate, both theoretically and experimentally, the optical wave guiding properties of dielectric channels used in integrated optics. The goal was to develop knowledge essential in specification, design and utilization of optical integrated circuits. More specifically it includes the development of: Guidelines for design of dielectric channel waveguides having desirable propagation, loss and radiation characteristics; Guidelines for spacing two dielectric channel waveguides so as to avoid coupling between them; Guidelines for design of bends in dielectric channel waveguides so as to minimize the radiation loss by the bend, or to use the radiation from the bend in a controlled manner; and, Design criteria for optical components such as directional couplers, isolators, channels, selectors, frequency selectors, etc.

The radiated power and the radiation pattern have been studied theoretically for a dielectric slab waveguide. The configuration consists of two semi-infinite slabs joined by a circular bend. The results indicate that the discontinuities at the transitions between the straight slabs and the bend cause the radiation to differ significantly from the radiation of a bend of the same size but being part of a uniform circular structure rather than being joined to two straight slabs. The radiated power is found to vary inversely as the square of the radius of curvature, and the radiation pattern is composed of many closely spaced narrow lobes. As the radius of curvature of the bend increases the lobes become more numerous and more closely spaced.

A study was performed on thermal nondestructive evaluation of materials. Its purpose has been to establish sensitivity and resolution criteria for a group of material parameters; these parameters were chosen as being susceptible to thermal evaluation during a feasibility study on a previous contract. Among the parameters chosen are: bond quality in honeycomb and laminates, thickness of thin materials and spot weld quality. Three thermal techniques utilizing the diffusion of heat in an opague solid have been used for the studies on this program, the scan heat, the static heat, and the scan static heat techniques. These test methods, and the results achieved by using them in evaluating the above mentioned material parameters, are described in this report. Also, described is a prototype system for emissivity correction of the radiometer signals. (Author)

Experimental studies of ground wave propagation along mixed paths have been conducted using laboratory models. The experimental configurations studied correspond to propagation perpendicular to a coastline, propagation oblique to a coastline, and propagation across three section paths (such as across a river or isthmus). The laboratory models were not intended to be scale models of any particular terrestrial mixed paths, but rather were used to evaluate the accuracy of approximate theoretical solutions. The agreement between theory and experiment was good for all configurations, indicating a high degree of accuracy for the theoretical solutions. (Author)

Experimental amplitude and phase measurements of electromagnetic ground wave propagation across semi-infinite strips and islands were conducted for normal incidences. Models for propagation were used with aluminum plates simulating highly conducting media and water simulating imperfectly conducting media. The frequency used was 4.2937 Gc/s. An open-end waveguide located at the water surface and a small switching dipole were used as the transmitting and receiving antennas, respectively. Both amplitude and phase measurements were made by using a modulated scattering dipole technique. The theoretical formulation for normal incidence very low frequency (VLF) ground wave propagation across a simple mixed path was developed by J. R. Wait, using a perturbation technique. Wait's work was extended to semi-infinite strips and islands by R. J. King who used an equiavalent formulation in an elliptic coordinate system. In both formulations, an approximate solution for the forund wave attenuation function was obtained. Computer methods were used by King for numerical calculations. The experimental data obtained verified the theoretical calculations and also substantiated the limitations of theory implied in the formulation. (Author)

The feasibility study on thermal nondestructive evaluation of materials was continued. (See also AD-605 511) Various material properties or defects in samples were evaluated by one or both of two basic testing methods, known as the scan heat technique and the heat support technique. Both methods operate on the principle that heat transfer rates through a material are dependent on the properties of the material and the presence of internal defects. Heat is introduced at the surface of a sample. Its transfer away from the surface into the sample is gauged by continuous monitoring of surface temperature with an infrared radiometer. The scan heat technique utilizes a moving spot heat source, while the heat support technique relies on large area heating. Material parameters studied included voids and unbonds, adhesion of plating, cracks in coatings, bulk and surface deformation, grain size, and analysis of alloys. Several analytical solutions to the heat conduction equation were utilized for test parameter evaluation and the development of the heat support technique. (Author)