Edith Cowan University

About: Edith Cowan University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4040 authors who have published 13529 publications receiving 339582 citations. The organization is also known as: Edith Cowan & ECU.

Responses of Marine Organisms to Climate Change across Oceans

Abstract: Climate change is driving changes in the physical and chemical properties of the ocean that have consequences for marine ecosystems. Here, we review evidence for the responses of marine life to recent climate change across ocean regions, from tropical seas to polar oceans. We consider observed changes in calcification rates, demography, abundance, distribution and phenology of marine species. We draw on a database of observed climate change impacts on marine species, supplemented with evidence in the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We discuss factors that limit or facilitate species’ responses, such as fishing pressure, the availability of prey, habitat, light and other resources, and dispersal by ocean currents. We find that general trends in species responses are consistent with expectations from climate change, including poleward and deeper distributional shifts, advances in spring phenology, declines in calcification and increases in the abundance of warm-water species. The volume and type of evidence of species responses to climate change is variable across ocean regions and taxonomic groups, with much evidence derived from the heavily-studied north Atlantic Ocean. Most investigations of marine biological impacts of climate change are of the impacts of changing temperature, with few observations of effects of changing oxygen, wave climate, precipitation (coastal waters) or ocean acidification. Observations of species responses that have been linked to anthropogenic climate change are widespread, but are still lacking for some taxonomic groups (e.g., phytoplankton, benthic invertebrates, marine mammals).

Manufacture by selective laser melting and mechanical behavior of commercially pure titanium

Abstract: Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) has received a great deal of attention in medical applications. Improvement of its mechanical properties plays a key role in enhancing the biomechanical compatibility of Ti implants, leading to avoid revision surgeries. Emerging advanced manufacturing technologies such as selective laser melting (SLM) is providing an ideal platform for producing components with almost no geometric constraints and is economically feasible down to a batch size of one. This study presents the results of using SLM to produce CP-Ti parts starting from powder with a wide grain size range up to 100 μm. Accurate manipulation of SLM manufacturing parameters were applied to produce nearly full dense (>99.5%) CP-Ti parts without any post-treatments. Compared with the properties of those manufactured by traditional processing technologies, the microhardness, compressive, and tensile strengths of SLM-processed CP-Ti parts have been improved to 261 Hv, 1136 MPa, and 757 MPa, respectively, due to the formation of refined martensitic α′ grains during SLM. The optimal manufacturing parameters could enhance the strength and hardness of CP-Ti and yet maintaining the ductility of titanium. Fractography study of the tensile-failed SLM-processed specimens showed that incompletely melted particles and porosities caused early fracture in porous sample. Mixture of dimples and minor quasi-cleavage facets covered most fracture surface of full dense sample.

Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Program Reverses Muscle Loss in Men Undergoing Androgen Suppression Therapy for Prostate Cancer Without Bone Metastases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: Purpose Androgen suppression therapy (AST) results in musculoskeletal toxicity that reduces physical function and quality of life. This study examined the impact of a combined resistance and aerobic exercise program as a countermeasure to these AST-related toxicities. Patients and Methods Between 2007 and 2008, 57 patients with prostate cancer undergoing AST (commenced > 2 months prior) were randomly assigned to a program of resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 29) or usual care (n = 28) for 12 weeks. Primary end points were whole body and regional lean mass. Secondary end points were muscle strength and function, cardiorespiratory capacity, blood biomarkers, and quality of life. Results Analysis of covariance was used to compare outcomes for groups at 12 weeks adjusted for baseline values and potential confounders. Patients undergoing exercise showed an increase in lean mass compared with usual care (total body, P = .047; upper limb, P < .001; lower limb, P = .019) and similarly better muscle strength (P...

What Success Factors are Important to Small Business Owners

Abstract: Financial criteria are usually considered to be the most appropriate measure of business success, yet many small business owners are motivated to start a business on the basis of lifestyle or personal factors. Non-financial goals could lead to alternative measures of success, particularly in the small business sector. To explore the significance of these two dimensions of success, 290 small business owner-managers in Western Australia were surveyed. Respondents rated the importance of items relating to lifestyle and financial measures, which they used to judge their business success. Findings suggest that both financial and non-financial lifestyle criteria are used to judge business success, with the latter being more important. Personal satisfaction and achievement, pride in the job and a flexible lifestyle are generally valued higher than wealth creation. Personal factors such as age and also business characteristics influenced perceptions on the importance of these factors.

Environmental Education and Attitudes Emotions and Beliefs are What is Needed

Abstract: The main focus of environmental education programs has been to change environmental behavior through increasing environmental knowledge. As many environmental studies have failed to apply successfu...