title: Plasticizer migration in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics

authors: Bier, James Michael

subjects: biopolymers and renewable polymersplasticizer

abstract: Tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) is an effective plasticizer for many protein-based thermoplastics because of its low volatility, however, partial miscibility with the protein matrix may still lead to some phase separation. Spatial variation of TEG concentration in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics as a result of processing was investigated using synchrotron-based FT-IR micro-spectroscopy. Although TEG forms strong hydrogen bonding with proteins, for the protein to fold into β-sheets bound plasticizer must be released. TEG can then migrate, pooling into localized areas, rich in plasticizer. Further heating causes further migration towards the edge of plasticized bloodmeal particles where the TEG may evaporate. Thermo-gravimetric analysis confirmed that loss of TEG by evaporation may occur at 120°C, given enough time for diffusion. Efficient mixing combined with a short residence time at elevated temperature mean significant plasticizer loss is unlikely during processing. However, it does limit long-term use at elevated temperatures.

text: Plasticizer migration in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics Tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) is an effective plasticizer for many protein-based thermoplastics because of its low volatility, however, partial miscibility with the protein matrix may still lead to some phase separation. Spatial variation of TEG concentration in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics as a result of processing was investigated using synchrotron-based FT-IR micro-spectroscopy. Although TEG forms strong hydrogen bonding with proteins, for the protein to fold into β-sheets bound plasticizer must be released. TEG can then migrate, pooling into localized areas, rich in plasticizer. Further heating causes further migration towards the edge of plasticized bloodmeal particles where the TEG may evaporate. Thermo-gravimetric analysis confirmed that loss of TEG by evaporation may occur at 120°C, given enough time for diffusion. Efficient mixing combined with a short residence time at elevated temperature mean significant plasticizer loss is unlikely during processing. However, it does limit long-term use at elevated temperatures.

year: 2013

title: Restriction in Program Algebra

authors: Jackson, Marcel

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: We provide complete classifications of algebras of partial maps for a significant swathe of combinations of operations not previously classified. Our focus is the many subsidiary operations that arise in recent considerations of the ‘override’ and ‘update’ operations arising in specification languages. These other operations turn out to have an older pedigree: domain restriction, set subtraction and intersection. All signatures considered include domain restriction, at least as a term. Combinations of the operations are classified and given complete axiomatizations with and without the presence of functional composition. Each classification is achieved by way of providing a concrete representation of the corresponding abstract algebras as partial maps acting on special kinds of filters determined with respect to various induced orders. In contrast to many negative results in the broader area, all of the considered combinations lead to finite axiomatizations.

text: Restriction in Program Algebra We provide complete classifications of algebras of partial maps for a significant swathe of combinations of operations not previously classified. Our focus is the many subsidiary operations that arise in recent considerations of the ‘override’ and ‘update’ operations arising in specification languages. These other operations turn out to have an older pedigree: domain restriction, set subtraction and intersection. All signatures considered include domain restriction, at least as a term. Combinations of the operations are classified and given complete axiomatizations with and without the presence of functional composition. Each classification is achieved by way of providing a concrete representation of the corresponding abstract algebras as partial maps acting on special kinds of filters determined with respect to various induced orders. In contrast to many negative results in the broader area, all of the considered combinations lead to finite axiomatizations.

year: 2022-07-19

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