Graham Moore

International technology transfer and distribution of technology capabilities: the case of railway development in Indonesia

Abstract Technology capabilities include various abilities from project planning to learning. In developing countries, technology transfer is often carried out in order to enhance the local technology capabilities. Through a case study of railway technology transfer to Indonesia, this article endeavours to provide empirical evidence that these capabilities are distributed among local institutions. This distribution is actually a way for developing countries to acquire a complex technological system by combining their various local resources. Since newer technologies tend to be more complex, in the future, more than just accumulating capabilities through technology transfer, the transferees will achieve more by learning in a systemic environment.

Estimation of the Importance of Spatially Variable Nitrogen Application and Soil Moisture Holding Capacity to Wheat Production

Crop growth modelling techniques were used to investigate the performance of a wheat crop over a range of weather conditions, nitrogen application rates and soil types. The data were used to predict long term benefits of using spatially variable fertilizer application strategies where fertilizer application rate was matched to the soil type, against a strategy of uniform fertilizer application. The model was also run with modified soil properties to determine the importance of soil moisture holding capacity in the variability of crop yield. It was found that the benefits of spatially variable nitrogen management when fertilizer was applied at the beginning of the season were modest on average. The range of results for different weather conditions was much greater than the average benefit. A large proportion of the variability of crop performance between soil types could be explained by differing soil moisture holding capacity. Devising techniques for managing this variability was concluded to be important for precision farming of cereals.

Phosphine and its effect on some common insects in cut flowers

Abstract The most effective fumigant for insect disinfestation of cut flowers is currently methyl bromide, which will soon be unavailable in several countries. The toxicity of an alternative fumigant, phosphine (2% PH3 and 98% N2), was tested at 24 °C on adult greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis), adult aphids (Myzus persicae) and lightbrown apple moth larvae (LBAM; Epiphyas postvittana). These are commonly found as insect pests on many cut flower crops. Thrips were exposed to phosphine concentrations ranging from 20–600 μl/l for 1 or 2 h. All thrips were killed within 18 h of exposure after a treatment of 300 μl/l phosphine for 2 h. Adult aphids and fifth instar LBAM larvae were more resistant to phosphine, and trials were therefore conducted using higher phosphine concentrations (> 500 μl/l) combined with atmospheric (0.035%) or elevated (33%) CO2. The most effective treatment for aphids was 1000 μl/l phosphine + 33% CO2 for 4 h, which killed all insects within 36 h of exposure. Under atmospheric CO2, levels, 92% of aphids were killed within 36 h after exposure to 1000 μl/l phosphine for 6 h, with 100% kill attained after exposure to 5000–8000 μl/l phosphine for 6 h. Elevated CO2 levels did not improve the efficacy of phosphine on LBAM larvae. The optimal treatment was 2000–2500 μl/l phosphine for 4 or 6 h, which killed 96 or 100% of the larvae, respectively. Under atmospheric CO2 levels, 4000 μl/l phosphine killed 74% of LBAM larvae after 4 h, and 94% after 6 h exposure.

Implementing a technology strategy in developing countries: The experience of the Indonesian rolling stock industry

Abstract Integration of business and technology strategies is an attractive approach for industries in developing countries. However, to be successful, these strategies cannot be implemented according to a companys objectives alone regardless of the involvement of other players. Furthermore, consideration of interrelated technologies should be included if a product resulting from the strategy is expected to perform well and be sustainable. This article attempts to give a broader view of factors to be considered in implementing business technology strategies in developing countries. Supporting evidence is given from the rolling stock industry in Indonesia, which has been implementing a type of business technology strategy.

A system for collecting spatially variable terrain data

Data describing spatially variable parameters and state-variables is required to better understand catchment behaviour and to improve land management. Remote sensing can provide some of this data economically; however, there exists a need for cheaper methods of ground based measurement of variables which cannot be remotely sensed, both for ground truth data and for high resolution data. A system for ground based collection of spatially variable data has been developed. It is based on an all terrain vehicle fitted with a position fixing system and a variety of instruments including a Time Domain Reflectometry soil moisture meter, a soil penetrometer, soil corer, and infrared and near-infrared/visible radiometers. Field testing of the position fixing system and of the soil moisture monitoring equipment is described. Example soil moisture data sets are presented.

Variations in response to induced stem bending in seedlings of Pinus radiata

SummaryThe occurrence of stem deformation in Pinus radiata plantations has been examined previously in terms of the factors leading to the onset of bending symptoms. In this study the influence of seedling family and nitrogen availability on the ability of seedlings to recover from deformation was investigated under glasshouse conditions. Seedlings from four families ranging from resistant to susceptible to stem deformation were used. Stem deformation was induced by loading stems with a known weight and comparing bending moments and rates of recovery. Significant differences between families were found with more susceptible families exhibiting greater initial magnitudes of stem lean. Similarly these families also exhibited greater rates of apical elongation following bending despite the larger stem leans. This resulted in more exaggerated stem bends as a consequence of the recovery of the lower stem pushing the upper stem away from the vertical. The strength characteristics of the stems could not explain differences between families. Susceptibility to stem deformation was explained more by stem slenderness expressed as stem height to root collar diameter.

Continuous Measurement of Grain Moisture Content During Harvest

Results of a project to develop a grain moisture sensor and associated instrumentation to provide continuous monitoring of grain moisture content while harvesting are presented. Moisture content of the grain was determined by measuring the resonant frequency of a capacitor formed by two metal electrodes with a moving column of grain as the dielectric material. Tests were conducted with wheat, barley, oats, peas and lupins using two geometries of electrodes: concentric and parallel.

A novel substance flow analysis model for analysing multi-year phosphorus flow at the regional scale

Achieving sustainable management of phosphorus (P) is crucial for both global food security and global environmental protection. In order to formulate informed policy measures to overcome existing barriers of achieving sustainable P management, there is need for a sound understanding of the nature and magnitude of P flow through various systems at different geographical and temporal scales. So far, there is a limited understanding on the nature and magnitude of P flow over multiple years at the regional scale. In this study, we have developed a novel substance flow analysis (SFA) model in the MATLAB/Simulink® software platform that can be effectively utilized to analyse the nature and magnitude of multi-year P flow at the regional scale. The model is inclusive of all P flows and storage relating to all key systems, subsystems, processes or components, and the associated interactions of P flow required to represent a typical P flow system at the regional scale. In an annual time step, this model can analyse P flow and storage over as many as years required at a time, and therefore, can indicate the trends and changes in P flow and storage over many years, which is not offered by the existing regional scale SFA models of P. The model is flexible enough to allow any modification or the inclusion of any degree of complexity, and therefore, can be utilized for analysing P flow in any region around the world. The application of the model in the case of Gippsland region, Australia has revealed that the model generates essential information about the nature and magnitude of P flow at the regional scale which can be utilized for making improved management decisions towards attaining P sustainability. A systematic reliability check on the findings of model application also indicates that the model produces reliable results.

Thermal Properties of High Moisture Content Alfalfa

The heat diffusivity of alfalfa was measured in the 30 to 80% w.b. moisture content and 200 to 500 kg/m3 (12.5 to 31.25 lb/ft3) bulk density range using the plane heat source method. Heat conductivity was subsequently estimated from this data. The objective of gathering this information was to establish the conductive thermal properties of alfalfa to assist in the design of a machine to heat alfalfa from ambient to 808 C (176° F). Such a device, if used directly after cutting and prior to ensiling, has the potential to prevent proteolysis (degradation of plant protein nitrogen to non-protein nitrogen) and thereby increase the feed value of the fodder. A multiple regression model accounting for 73% of the variation was fitted to the data. At high moisture contents, thermal diffusivity and conductivity are increased with increasing density while at the lower end of the moisture content range, changes in density did not significantly effect diffusivity and conductivity.

Hospital steam sterilizer usage: could we switch off to save electricity and water?

Objectives Steam sterilization in hospitals is an energy and water intensive process. Our aim was to identify opportunities to improve electricity and water use. The objectives were to find: the time sterilizers spent active, idle and off; the variability in sterilizer use with the time of day and day of the week; and opportunities to switch off sterilizers instead of idling when no loads were waiting, and the resultant electricity and water savings. Methods Analyses of routine data for one year of the activity of the four steam sterilizers in one hospital in Melbourne, Australia. We examined active sterilizer cycles, routine sterilizer switch-offs, and when sterilizers were active, idle and off. Several switch-off strategies were examined to identify electricity and water savings: switch off idle sterilizers when no loads are waiting and switch off one sterilizer after 10:00 h and a second sterilizer after midnight on all days. Results Sterilizers were active for 13,430 (38%) sterilizer–hours, off for 4822 (14%) sterilizer–hours, and idle for 16,788 (48%) sterilizer–hours. All four sterilizers were simultaneously active 9% of the time, and two or more sterilizers were idle for 69% of the time. A sterilizer was idle for two hours or less 13% of the time and idle for more than 2 h 87% of the time. A strategy to switch off idle sterilizers would reduce electricity use by 66 MWh and water use by 1004 kl per year, saving 26% electricity use and 13% of water use, resulting in financial savings of AUD