title: A cost-effective microbial fuel cell to detect and select for photosynthetic electrogenic activity in algae and cyanobacteria

authors: Luimstra, Veerle M.

subjects: photosynthetic microbial fuel cell

abstract: This work describes the development of an easily constructed, cost-effective photosynthetic microbial fuel cell design with highly reproducible electrochemical characteristics that can be used to screen algae and cyanobacteria for photosynthetic electrogenic activity. It is especially suitable for benthic varieties, those that attach to surfaces. The anode chamber of the cell uses disposable polystyrene sample bottles (pottles) with a simple-to-apply carbon coating. These chambers can be used to grow photosynthetic microorganisms without a cathode for electrochemical characterization or with a cathode and load applied to provide electrogenic selective pressure. The utility of the design for screening, isolating and analysing photosynthetic electrogenic microorganisms under a wide variety of conditions is demonstrated. Several genera of benthic cyanobacteria from both New Zealand and Antarctica were shown to be electrogenic including Pseudanabaena, Leptolyngbya, Chroocococales, Phormidesmis, Microcoleus, Nostoc and Phormidium. A benthic strain of the eukaryote Paulschulzia pseudovolvox (Chlorophyceae) was isolated and identified, which had very good electrogenic qualities.

text: A cost-effective microbial fuel cell to detect and select for photosynthetic electrogenic activity in algae and cyanobacteria This work describes the development of an easily constructed, cost-effective photosynthetic microbial fuel cell design with highly reproducible electrochemical characteristics that can be used to screen algae and cyanobacteria for photosynthetic electrogenic activity. It is especially suitable for benthic varieties, those that attach to surfaces. The anode chamber of the cell uses disposable polystyrene sample bottles (pottles) with a simple-to-apply carbon coating. These chambers can be used to grow photosynthetic microorganisms without a cathode for electrochemical characterization or with a cathode and load applied to provide electrogenic selective pressure. The utility of the design for screening, isolating and analysing photosynthetic electrogenic microorganisms under a wide variety of conditions is demonstrated. Several genera of benthic cyanobacteria from both New Zealand and Antarctica were shown to be electrogenic including Pseudanabaena, Leptolyngbya, Chroocococales, Phormidesmis, Microcoleus, Nostoc and Phormidium. A benthic strain of the eukaryote Paulschulzia pseudovolvox (Chlorophyceae) was isolated and identified, which had very good electrogenic qualities.

year: 2013

title: Initiating and Sustaining Female Networks in Computer Science and IT

authors: Oelinger, Maria

subjects: Women in Computing

abstract: Over the last decade, several networks and communities for women in IT have been initiated. It has been known that specific needs for support exist where members of a minority have difficulties in finding like-minded people in their everyday environment. This paper investigates different forms of female networks in Computer Science and IT. In particular, it analyses forms of network initiation, which often involve face-to-face meetings at regular events like conferences or, increasingly, at summer universities for female students. We conducted three studies to identify the attendees' expectations and needs for support using questionnaires, interviews, and a wiki analysis. This paper aims at identifying effective strategies for initiating female networks.

text: Initiating and Sustaining Female Networks in Computer Science and IT Over the last decade, several networks and communities for women in IT have been initiated. It has been known that specific needs for support exist where members of a minority have difficulties in finding like-minded people in their everyday environment. This paper investigates different forms of female networks in Computer Science and IT. In particular, it analyses forms of network initiation, which often involve face-to-face meetings at regular events like conferences or, increasingly, at summer universities for female students. We conducted three studies to identify the attendees' expectations and needs for support using questionnaires, interviews, and a wiki analysis. This paper aims at identifying effective strategies for initiating female networks.

year: 2007-08-01

title: Improving prediction of potential for treatment completion at Tai Aroha

authors: Astridge Clarke,  Abigail Darcy

subjects: Treatment

abstract: Participant non-completion can be a major problem for treatment programmes. Staff may try to minimise non-completion by deciding who to select for treatment using professional intuition and referral information. It can be difficult for treatment staff to make these decisions regarding the potential for programme completion due to a lack of clear guidelines about what information to consider. This lack of clear guidelines can increase susceptibility to biases, and lead to unreliable and potentially inaccurate decisions. Research has identified ‘simple rules’ that are tools to aid decision-making quickly, effectively, and consistently. Therefore, using past treatment data, we1 aimed to identify predictors of programme completion vs. non-completion at Tai Aroha—a residential treatment programme based in Hamilton—to explore whether a “simple rule” can be developed from information readily available at the time of referral, to support staff decision-making when selecting offenders to attend treatment, with the potential to increase programme completion. We were successful in the development of a simple rule to aid Tai Aroha staff selection decisions. The implications, and limitations of our rule and our study are discussed, and future research relating to simple rules are identified.

text: Improving prediction of potential for treatment completion at Tai Aroha Participant non-completion can be a major problem for treatment programmes. Staff may try to minimise non-completion by deciding who to select for treatment using professional intuition and referral information. It can be difficult for treatment staff to make these decisions regarding the potential for programme completion due to a lack of clear guidelines about what information to consider. This lack of clear guidelines can increase susceptibility to biases, and lead to unreliable and potentially inaccurate decisions. Research has identified ‘simple rules’ that are tools to aid decision-making quickly, effectively, and consistently. Therefore, using past treatment data, we1 aimed to identify predictors of programme completion vs. non-completion at Tai Aroha—a residential treatment programme based in Hamilton—to explore whether a “simple rule” can be developed from information readily available at the time of referral, to support staff decision-making when selecting offenders to attend treatment, with the potential to increase programme completion. We were successful in the development of a simple rule to aid Tai Aroha staff selection decisions. The implications, and limitations of our rule and our study are discussed, and future research relating to simple rules are identified.

year: 2023