With the expansion of the Internet and World Wide Web (or the Web), research environments have changed dramatically. As a result, the need to be able to efficiently and securely access information and resources from remote computer systems is becoming even more critical. This paper describes the development of an extendable integrated Web-accessible simulation environment for computational science and engineering called Computational Science and Engineering Online (CSE-Online; http://cse-online.net). CSE-Online is based on a unique client-server software architecture that can distribute the workload between the client and server computers in such a way as to minimize the communication between the client and server, thus making the environment less-sensitive to network instability. Furthermore, the new software architecture allows the user to access data and resources on one or more remote servers as well as on the computing grid while having the full capability of the Web-services collaborative environment. It can be accessed anytime and anywhere from a Web browser connected to the network by either a wired or wireless connection. It has different modes of operations to support different working environments and styles. CSE-Online is evolving into middleware that can provide a framework for accessing and managing remote data and resources including the computing grid for any domain, not necessarily just within computational science and engineering.

Cellulose in plant cell walls is mainly covered by hemicellulose and lignin, and thus efficient removal of these components is thought to be a key step in the optimal utilization of lignocellulose. The recently discovered carbohydrate esterase (CE) 15 family of glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) which cleave the linkages between the free carboxyl group of D-glucuronic acid in hemicellulose and the benzyl groups in lignin residues could contribute to this process. Herein, we report the identification, functional expression, and enzymatic characterization of a GE, AfGE, from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. AfGE was heterologously expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, and the purified enzyme displayed the ability to degrade the synthetic substrates mimicking the ester linkage between hemicellulose and lignin. AfGE is a potentially industrially applicable enzyme due to its characteristic as a thermophilic enzyme with the favorable temperature of 40-50 °C at pH 5. Molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis studies of AfGE demonstrated that Lys209 plays an important role in the preference for the substrates containing 4-O-methyl group in the glucopyranose ring.

Research question: Participatory sport event managers and marketers encourage individuals to register and complete events as members of teams that raise funds for a specific charitable cause. The prevalence of fundraising teams presents an opportunity to investigate how these subgroups can deliver social impacts that are complementary to those sought by event organisers. Accordingly, the purpose of the current research is to examine how successful teams contribute to the social interactions and event experience of members. Research methods: We purposively sampled two highly successful fundraising teams that participated in a running and swimming event. Qualitative data were collected via post-event focus groups and 14 interviews with members of Mands' Mob (Run Melbourne) and the Yarra Babes (MS 24-Hour Mega-Swim) who raised funds for two charities: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Australia. Results and Findings: Five themes were uncovered: (1) team leader communication, (2) team catch-ups, (3) theming, (4) humanising the cause, and (5) bonding at the event. These themes demonstrate that fundraising teams bolster the experience throughout, assist with training, and facilitate social interaction throughout the event among team members. Implications: The themes demonstrate how successful fundraising teams create social impacts that might be leveraged by organisers. There is scope to broaden efforts to complement the work of team leaders in order to inspire participants through personal narratives and distinguish teams through a visual identity and image.

Zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) were modified by decorating with silver (Ag) nanoparticles to enhance visible absorption. The morphology, structure and optical properties of the modified ZnO NRs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Photodetectors (PDs) based on the modified ZnO NRs successfully detected visible radiation. The result showed high performance of the visible sensor (λ = 400 nm) with a maximum responsivity of 46 mA W−1. The photoconductive gain of Ag/ZnO NR-based PDs was 5.8 times higher than that of pure ZnO NR ones. With their enhanced visible absorption, the multi-modified ZnO NRs are suitable for practical applications, especially in optoelectronic devices operating in the visible region.

Undoped and transition metals doped zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) are prepared onto glass substrates using hydrothermal method. Transition metals (Cu, Ag, Au, Co and Mn) are intended to narrow the optical band gap of ZnO NRs. We have optimised the concentration of metal doping and investigated their structural, morphological and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern not only reveals that doped ZnO NRs are well oriented in the (002) plane which corresponds to the hexagonal phase but also confirms that metal ions well replaced ZnO ion in the crystal lattice. The scan electron microscopy (SEM) images show the length, diameter with high density and uniform nanorods. The optical band gap of doped ZnO NRs, calculated from UV-Vis spectra using Tauc's method, exhibits the reduction leading to extension of the optical absorption and shift of the absorption edge toward visible light. More interestingly, the visible absorption is enhanced by decorating metal onto doped ZnO NRs based on the localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. Since, multi-modification of ZnO NRs materials could be the foundation for the development of optoelectronic devices using visible light, such as OLED, water splitting, solar cells.