title: Hemp fibre reinforced composites using chelator and enzyme treatments

authors: Li, Yan

subjects: short-fibre composites

abstract: The main objective of the current work was to investigate using chelator treatment, and combined chelator and enzyme treatments, to separate hemp fibre from its bundles, as well as remove non-cellulosic compounds, and thus therefore improve the interfacial bonding in the composite. Wet chemical analysis, FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis and single fibre tensile testing were used to characterise the effect of treatment on hemp fibres. The higher chelator concentration treated hemp fibre composites had the highest tensile strength of 42 MPa, an increase of 19% compared to composites with untreated hemp fibre.

text: Hemp fibre reinforced composites using chelator and enzyme treatments The main objective of the current work was to investigate using chelator treatment, and combined chelator and enzyme treatments, to separate hemp fibre from its bundles, as well as remove non-cellulosic compounds, and thus therefore improve the interfacial bonding in the composite. Wet chemical analysis, FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis and single fibre tensile testing were used to characterise the effect of treatment on hemp fibres. The higher chelator concentration treated hemp fibre composites had the highest tensile strength of 42 MPa, an increase of 19% compared to composites with untreated hemp fibre.

year: 2010

title: De-mythologizing and re-branding of kava as the new ‘world drug’ of choice

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: What seemed impossible 50 years ago is today becoming a reality as ‘soft drugs’ such as cannabis are being decriminalized and accepted for their calming effects as well as their legitimate medicinal properties. Several countries have now made the possession of cannabis legal, with others considering this, while the coffee shops in the Netherlands have been supplying cannabis in different forms for many years. It is now the turn of kava to be re-evaluated, to see whether there are properties in this plant that might be readily substituted for more conventional and harmful drugs, for instance tobacco and alcohol. However, as highlighted by Norton and Ruze (1994), kava like cannabis, has an enduring reputation that still makes it difficult for many to accept. Kava has been mythologized as an illicit alcohol, highly addictive, and causing physical harm. When examining the history of kava use in traditional contexts and considering the evidence now available, it is possible to demythologize this characterization. Looking at the potential benefits, it is time to re-brand kava, not only on the grounds as a relaxant, but in possessing life enhancing medicinal properties and as an alternative to alcohol, understanding that will be beneficial to policy makers, doctors and pharmacists.

text: De-mythologizing and re-branding of kava as the new ‘world drug’ of choice What seemed impossible 50 years ago is today becoming a reality as ‘soft drugs’ such as cannabis are being decriminalized and accepted for their calming effects as well as their legitimate medicinal properties. Several countries have now made the possession of cannabis legal, with others considering this, while the coffee shops in the Netherlands have been supplying cannabis in different forms for many years. It is now the turn of kava to be re-evaluated, to see whether there are properties in this plant that might be readily substituted for more conventional and harmful drugs, for instance tobacco and alcohol. However, as highlighted by Norton and Ruze (1994), kava like cannabis, has an enduring reputation that still makes it difficult for many to accept. Kava has been mythologized as an illicit alcohol, highly addictive, and causing physical harm. When examining the history of kava use in traditional contexts and considering the evidence now available, it is possible to demythologize this characterization. Looking at the potential benefits, it is time to re-brand kava, not only on the grounds as a relaxant, but in possessing life enhancing medicinal properties and as an alternative to alcohol, understanding that will be beneficial to policy makers, doctors and pharmacists.

year: 2019

title: Language switching in a digital library: Does it make a difference if the default language is set to Maori?

authors: Keegan, Te Taka Adrian Gregory

abstract: In this paper we investigate the effect of default interface language on usage patterns of the Niupepa digital library (a collection of historic Māori language newspapers), by switching the default interface language between Māori and English in alternate weeks.
Transaction analysis of the Niupepa collection logs indicates that changing default language affects the length of user
sessions and the number of actions within sessions, and that the English language interface was used most frequently.

text: Language switching in a digital library: Does it make a difference if the default language is set to Maori? In this paper we investigate the effect of default interface language on usage patterns of the Niupepa digital library (a collection of historic Māori language newspapers), by switching the default interface language between Māori and English in alternate weeks.
Transaction analysis of the Niupepa collection logs indicates that changing default language affects the length of user
sessions and the number of actions within sessions, and that the English language interface was used most frequently.

year: 2004-01-01