Exposure to severe levels of hand-arm vibration can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome. Towards curbing the development of hand-arm vibration syndrome, studies have shown that anti-vibration gloves effectively reduce the transmission of unwanted vibration from vibrating equipment to the human hand. However, most of these studies have focused on the study of anti-vibration gloves for power tools such as chipping hammers, and not much work has been done to design anti-vibration gloves for steering wheels. Also, as most of these studies are based on experimental or modeling techniques, the level of effectiveness and optimum glove properties for better performance remains unclear. To fill this gap, the dynamics of the hand-arm system, with and without gloves, coupled to a steering wheel is studied analytically in this work. A lumped parameter model of the hand-arm system with hand-tool interaction is modeled as a linear spring-damper system. The model is validated by comparing transmissibility obtained numerically to transmissibility obtained from experiments. The resulting governing equations of motion are solved analytically using the method of undetermined coefficients. Parametric analysis is performed on the biomechanical model of the hand-arm system with and without a glove to identify key design parameters. It is observed that the effect of glove parameters on its performance varies based on the frequency range. This observation further motivates us to optimize the glove parameters, using multi-objective optimization, to minimize the overall transmissibility in different frequency ranges. / Master of Science / When the human hand is exposed for a long time to vibrations generated from hand-held tools, such as Jack-hammers, rock breakers and chipping hammers, humans are in danger of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome. Hand-arm vibration syndrome is dangerous as severe episodes of this syndrome could lead to gangrene and eventually amputation of the fingers. To prevent the occurrence of hand-arm vibration syndrome, some researchers have explored the effectiveness of anti-vibration gloves through experiments. However, no work has been performed to identify the optimal glove design that best optimizes an anti-vibration glove for steering wheel applications. To address this issue, this thesis studied a mathematical model of the human-hand, wearing an anti-vibration glove attached to a steering wheel system. To ensure this model could successfully replicate real life applications, measurements computed with the model were compared with measurements on the human-hand obtained from experiments. After successfully ensuring that the model closely replicated real-life measurements, the model was used to design an Anti-vibration glove with optimal values to protect the hand from hand-arm vibration syndrome.

One of the major themes throughout the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays an image of men and women who are physically and morally isolated from the world. So extensive was Hawthorne's interest in this problem that it emerges as a distinct concern in his philosophy. This thesis will discuss the process, as put forth by Hawthorne, by which an individual is drawn apart from humanity and then will describe the only solution the author saw for the isolated individual. Only male isolates can be brought back to the world, and only love for a pure woman can accomplish this act. Basic definitions and explanations of isolation of the heart or of the intellect will be given and supported by specific examples; the means of redemption will also be explained. Orientation to the life of Hawthorne will be provided, since the entire concept of isolation and redemption seemingly evolved from the author's personal experience and environment. Characters other than those involved.in this concept of isolation and salvation will be approached only as they serve to more clearly delineate and clarify this particular aspect of Hawthorne's philosophy. / Master of Arts

Vibrations resulting from earthquakes, machinery, or unanticipated shocks may be very damaging and costly to structures. To avoid such damage, designers need a structural system that can dissipate the energy caused by these vibrations. Using elastically buckled struts may be a viable means to reduce the harmful effects of unexpected vibrations. Post-buckled struts can support high axial loads and also act as springs in a passive vibration isolation system by absorbing or dissipating the energy caused by external excitation. When a base excitation is applied, the buckled strut may act to reduce the dynamic force transmitted to the system, thus reducing the structural damage to the system. Several models of buckled and pre-bent struts are examined with different combinations of parameters and end conditions. The models include pinned or fixed columns supporting loads above their buckling load, and columns with an initial curvature supporting various loads. The varying parameters include external damping, internal damping, and stiffness. The columns will be subjected to simple harmonic motion applied at the base or to a multi-frequency base excitation. The response of each model is measured by the deflection transmissibility of the supported load over a large range of frequencies. Effective models reduce the motion of the supported load over a large range of frequencies. / Master of Science

Yes / This paper recounts the process of undertaking a randomised controlled trial which was designed to examine the effectiveness of an intervention for socially isolated older people aged 75 years and over. It describes the reasons for early cessation of the study and raises the implications of this outcome for policy, practice and research. The intervention under investigation was designed to alleviate loneliness and foster companionship. It involves participants being linked with a small group of others through a teleconferencing system with each group being facilitated by trained volunteers. There was a requirement to recruit and train a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 volunteers over 1 year to facilitate 20 friendship groups to meet the number of older people required to be recruited to the study. Problems with recruiting and retaining the volunteer workforce by the voluntary sector organisation, who were commissioned to do so, led to the study closing even though older people were recruited in sufficient numbers. The paper draws upon analysis of various data sources from the study to identify the potential reasons. The discussion raises considerations regarding the extent of infrastructure required to deliver community services to vulnerable user groups at scale, identifies some of the issues that need to be addressed if such volunteer-initiated services are to be successful and informs future research programmes in this area. / Public Health Research programme (PHR 09/3004/01). Commissioned by NIHR.

Yes / Social isolation in older adults is associated with morbidity. Evaluating interventions to promote social engagement is a research priority. Methods: A parallel-group randomised controlled trial was planned to evaluate whether telephone friendship (TF) improves the well-being of independently living older people. An internal pilot aimed to recruit 68 participants by 30 September 2012, with 80% retained at 6 months. Randomisation was web based and only analysts were blind to allocation. A service provider was contracted to train 10 volunteer facilitators by 1 April 2012 and 10 more by 1 September 2012. Participants were aged > 74 years with good cognitive function and living independently in an urban community. The intervention arm of the trial consisted of manualised TF with standardised training: (1) one-to-one befriending (10- to 20-minute calls once per week for up to 6 weeks made by volunteer facilitators) followed by (2) TF groups of six participants (1-hour teleconferences once per week for 12 weeks facilitated by the same volunteer). Friendship groups aimed to enhance social support and increase opportunities for social interaction to maintain well-being. This was compared with usual health and social care provision. The primary clinical outcome was the Short Form questionnaire-36 items (SF-36) mental health dimension score at 6 months post randomisation. Qualitative research assessing intervention acceptability (participants) and implementation issues (facilitators) and an intervention fidelity assessment were also carried out. Intervention implementation was documented through e-mails, meeting minutes and field notes. Acceptability was assessed through framework analysis of semistructured interviews. Two researchers coded audio recordings of telephone discussions for fidelity using a specially designed checklist. Results: In total, 157 people were randomised to the TF group (n = 78) or the control group (n = 79). Pilot recruitment and retention targets were met. Ten volunteers were trained by 1 September 2012; after volunteer attrition, three out of the 10 volunteers delivered the group intervention. In total, 50 out of the 78 TF participants did not receive the intervention and the trial was closed early. A total of 56 people contributed primary outcome data from the TF (n = 26) and control (n = 30) arms. The mean difference in SF-36 mental health score was 9.5 (95% confidence interval 4.5 to 14.5) after adjusting for age, sex and baseline score. Participants who were interviewed (n = 19) generally declared that the intervention was acceptable. Participant dissatisfaction with closure of the groups was reported (n = 4). Dissatisfaction focused on lack of face-to-face contact and shared interests or attitudes. Larger groups experienced better cohesion. Interviewed volunteers (n = 3) expressed a lack of clarity about procedures, anxieties about managing group dynamics and a lack of confidence in the training and in their management and found scheduling calls challenging. Training was 91–95% adherent with the checklist (39 items; three groups). Intervention fidelity ranged from 30.2% to 52.1% (28–41 items; three groups, three time points), indicating that groups were not facilitated in line with training, namely with regard to the setting of ground rules, the maintenance of confidentiality and facilitating contact between participants. Conclusions: Although the trial was unsuccessful for a range of logistical reasons, the experience gained is of value for the design and conduct of future trials. Participant recruitment and retention were feasible. Small voluntary sector organisations may be unable to recruit, train and retain adequate numbers of volunteers to implement new services at scale over a short time scale. Such risks might be mitigated by multicentre trials using multiple providers and specialists to recruit and manage volunteers. / Funding for this study was provided by the Public Health Research programme of the National Institute for Health Research.

Meaningful social connections are an important part of our lives, especially as we age, and are associated with life satisfaction and psychological well-being. At the same time making friends and creating connections is known to be challenging in older age. In this thesis, we focus on studying how technology can help to collect information about older adults that can be useful for facilitating friendship formation and social interactions among users. We start by describing early work that shows the opportunities of technology in improving well-being of older adults. The conducted studies and review work highlights the potential of social interactions in motivating older adults for technology use and exercising. We then study factors affecting people's social connectedness and friendships. The study highlights that common life points are related to higher levels of connectedness and frequency of interactions. We then move the focus on studying friendship formation in later life, and specifically on how technology can help to facilitate friendship formation. From observations in the nursing homes we see that reminiscence is often used to collect information about a person’s history and values, we look at this practice as a way to identify information potentially useful to recommend friendships, especially in nursing homes context. We conduct Interviews and observations with nursing homes stakeholders and gerontology doctors to define requirements and opportunities of reminiscence conversational agent suitable to their current practices. We then conduct a study to explore how the concept of the bot and features are perceived by elderly, NH staff and doctors. Finally, we present the work carried out to define and validate the concept of a reminiscence-based conversational agent aimed at: i) conducting storytelling conversations that are engaging and natural and ii) being effective in collecting information about the user (e.g values, interests, places) that later can be used for recommending potential friends.

Cheuk Shing Ching. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-161). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.I / 內容摘要 --- p.II / ABSTRACT --- p.IV / CONTENTS --- p.XI / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XI / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XI / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XII / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Taxonomy of Streptococcus agalactiae --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Epidemiology of GBS --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Risk groups --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Neonates --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Pregnant women --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1.3 --- Non-pregnant adult --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- World wide distribution --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Serotypes --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Antibiotic susceptibility --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- GBS diseases in Hong Kong --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Putative virulence factors and pathogenesis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Capsular polysaccharide --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- C5a peptidase --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- β-haemolysin/cytolysin --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- C protein and C a-like protein --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.4.1 --- C protein --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.4.1.1 --- C α protein --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.4.1.2 --- Cβ protein --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.4.2 --- C α-like protein --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.5 --- Hyaluronate lyase --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.6 --- CAMP factor --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.7 --- Others --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5 --- Antibiotic resistance and resistance genes --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Macrolides --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Tetracyclines --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Aminoglycosides --- p.19 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Fluoroquniolones --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- Others --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6 --- Mobile genetic elements --- p.21 / Chapter 1.7 --- Typing methods --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Phenotypic methods --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7.1.1 --- Serotyping --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7.1.2 --- Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Genotypic methods --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.2.1 --- Restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) / restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.2.2 --- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) --- p.25 / Chapter 1.7.2.3 --- Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) --- p.26 / Chapter 1.7.2.4 --- Sequencing --- p.26 / Chapter 1.8 --- Prevention --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.1 --- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.2 --- GBS Vaccine --- p.33 / Chapter 1.9 --- Objectives --- p.34 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- METHODS AND MATERIALS --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Bacterial isolates --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Antibiotic susceptibility test --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Antibiotic preparation --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Microbroth dilution method --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Microtitre plate preparation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Suspension preparation and inoculation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- End points determination --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Inducible lincomycin resistance determination --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Serotyping --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of antigens --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Typing of isolates --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4 --- Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Preparation of DNA plug for PFGE --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Restriction enzyme digestion of GBS DNA --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Running of PFGE gel --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5 --- Molecular characterization --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Target genes --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- DNA preparation --- p.51 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Master mix preparation --- p.51 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Polymerase chain reaction --- p.51 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- PCR product analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.52 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- DNA sequencing --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6 --- Data analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- PFGE and molecular characters analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Sequences analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.7 --- Molecular identification by real-time PCR --- p.54 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Bacterial strains --- p.54 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- DNA isolation for specimens --- p.56 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Design of TaqMan primers and probes --- p.56 / Chapter 2.7.4 --- Cloning of target sequences --- p.59 / Chapter 2.7.5 --- Master mix of real-time PCR --- p.59 / Chapter 2.7.6 --- Specificity and detection limit --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1 --- Serotype distribution of GBS --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Serotyping using antisera --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Serotyping by molecular method --- p.64 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Molecular subtype of GBS serotype III --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Correlation of serotypes with diseases --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2 --- Antimicrobial susceptibility --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Phenotypic method --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Detection and distribution of resistance genes --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Tetracycline resistance --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Macrolide and lincosamide resistance --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Aminoglycoside resistance --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3 --- Molecular typing --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Distribution of GBS surface protein genes profiles --- p.89 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Distribution of mobile genetic elements --- p.92 / Chapter 3.4 --- "Analysis based on PFGE, surface protein genes, mobile genetic elements and antibiotic resistance genes" --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Intra-molecular serotype --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Molecular serotype Ia --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Molecular serotype Ib --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4.1.3 --- Molecular serotype II --- p.101 / Chapter 3.4.1.4 --- Molecular serotype III --- p.103 / Chapter 3.4.1.5 --- Molecular serotype V --- p.107 / Chapter 3.4.1.6 --- Molecular serotype VI --- p.110 / Chapter 3.4.1.7 --- "Molecular serotype IV, VII and VIII" --- p.110 / Chapter 3.4.1.8 --- Non-typeable isolate (NT) --- p.111 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Analysis of Maternal and neonatal strains --- p.115 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Comparison of GBS strains from Hong Kong to Australia and Korea --- p.118 / Chapter 3.5 --- Molecular identification of GBS by real-time PCR --- p.120 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Specificity --- p.120 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Detection limits --- p.122 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.125 / Chapter 4.1 --- Laboratory methods for typing and characterization of GBS --- p.125 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Serotyping by agglutination and molecular method --- p.125 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Antibiotic susceptibility testing and resistance genes --- p.129 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- PFGE --- p.130 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Surface protein genes --- p.131 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Mobile genetic elements --- p.132 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Real-time PCR --- p.133 / Chapter 4.2 --- Characterization of GBS in Hong Kong --- p.135 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- GBS in Hong Kong --- p.135 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- GBS from Australia and Korea --- p.141 / Chapter 4.3 --- Future research --- p.142 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.143 / REFERENCES --- p.144 / APPENDIX I: MATERIALS AND REAGENTS --- p.162 / APPENDIX II: DENDROGRAMS --- p.168

The primary function of an automobile rear View Mirror is to provide the driver with a clear vision interpretation of all objects to the rear and side of the vehicle. The rear View Mirror is a bluff body and there are several problems associated with the rear View Mirror. These include buffeting, image distortion (due to aerodynamically induced and structural vibration), aerodynamically induced noise (due to cavities and gaps) and water and dirt accumulation on Mirror glass Surface. Due to excessive glass vibration, the rear View Mirror may not provide a clear image. Thus, vibrations of Mirror can severely impair the driver's vision and safety of the vehicle and its occupants. The rear View Mirrors are generally located close to the A-pillar region on the side window. A conical vortex forms on the side window close to A-pillar due to A-pillar geometry and the presence of side rear View Mirror and flow separation from it makes the airflow even more complex. The primary objective of this work is to study the aerodynamic pressures on Mirror Surface at Various speeds to determine the effects of aerodynamics on to Mirror vibration. Additionally, the Mirror was modified by Shrouding around the external periphery to determine the possibility of minimisation of aerodynamic pressure fluctuations and thereby vibration. The Shrouding length used for the analysis was of 24mm, 34mm and 44mm length. The mean and fluctuating pressures were measured using a production rear side View Mirror fitted to a ¼ quarter production passenger car in RMIT Industrial Wind Tunnel. The tests were also conducted in semi-isolation condition to understand influence of the A-pillar geometry. The mean and fluctuating pressures were converted into non-dimensional pressure coefficients (Cp and Cprms) and the frequency content of the fluctuating pressure was analysed. The results show that the fluctuating aerodynamic pressures are not uniformly distributed over an automobile Mirror Surface. The highest magnitude of fluctuating pressure for the standard Mirror was found at the central bottom part of the Mirror Surface. The highest magnitude of fluctuating pressure for the modified Mirror was found at the central top part of the Mirror Surface. As expected, the modification has significant effect on the magnitude of fluctuating pressure. The results show that an increase of Shrouding length reduces the magnitude of the fluctuating pressure. The frequency-based analysis was done to understand the energy characteristics of the flow, particularly to its phase, since it is the out of phase components that usually cause Mirror rotational vibration. The spectral analysis showed that the magnitude of the energy distribution reduces with increase of shrouding length throughout the frequency range. Flow visualisation was also used to supplement the pressure data. The effects of yaw angles were not included in this study, however, are thought to be worthy of further investigation. On road testing and the variation of mirror locations might have some effects on the fluctuating pressures. These need to be investigated in the future work. The quarter model used in this study was a car specific. However, for more generic results, a simplified model with variable geometry can be used in future study.

This thesis investigates aspects of the ecology, morphology, bioacoustics, genetic relatedness, biogeography and taxonomy of cicadas in the Pauropsalta annulata Goding and Froggatt species complex, across their entire eastern Australian geographical distribution. These cicadas seem to emerge at the same sites annually, although the exact duration of their life cycle is not known. They are wary and mobile insects, with individuals generally taking flight at the first sign of disturbance, which makes them challenging to record, capture and observe. The males produce distinctive calling songs that have a consistent rhythmic structure, which is critically important for attracting females. In most cases, the songs are biphasic, with a penetrating introductory or "buzzing" component that apparently functions in mate attraction and a strongly structured cueing or "lilting" component for mate localisation. Initially Pauropsalta annulata was thought to comprise a single species with some degree of geographically structured variation in its calling song. Consequently, various "song types" had been recognised, but their precise relationship to one another had never been investigated. Therefore the structure of their calling songs were compared statistically across individuals of three song types, and this revealed four discrete clusters that were demonstrated to be independent of one another and consistent in their calling song structure. Plotting the geographical distributions of these cicadas revealed that each of the P. annulata song types is independently distributed geographically, with areas of overlap that are relatively small. Calling song structure is consistent for each song type across extensive geographical space and this structure holds even into areas of sympatry. One song type showed consistent differences from the others in male genitalia structure, and female ovipositor length differs significantly among three of the other song types. Each song type was found to be strongly associated with a small number of tree species and these associations are maintained into areas of sympatry. The spatial ecological and morphological comparisons in song structure, plant associations and morphology made in this study demonstrate that the P. annulata song types actually represent a complex of cryptic species. Two of the song types appear to intergrade in areas of sympatric overlap in terms of calling songs, plant associations and morphology, and thus represent subspecies as defined in population genetics terms. The components of the male calling song were then investigated to determine their specific functions and thus how they could delimit species boundaries. Significant differences were found in dominant song frequency between three of the four species, and may contribute to differential mate attraction. Both components of the song of each species have the same dominant frequency. Consistent differences were also evident, among species and subspecies, in the rhythmic structure of the "lilting" component of the male calling song. This component contains repeated phrases and each one of these provides a cue to which the conspecific female may respond. Her response is timed for the brief silent interval between the phrases. At this point the calling song becomes a duet, which enables the male to locate the female, as he actively searches for her on the surrounding branches at this stage. The calling song is discussed in terms of random mating within gene pools of these cicadas and in terms of its role as part of their broader fertilisation mechanism. A molecular analysis of the P. annulata species complex was performed to examine the phylogenetic relationships across 12 species and four subspecies defined in this study, and estimate divergence times within the group. Individual specimens were sampled widely across the geographical distributions of the species and subspecies where possible to account for genetic variation across space. DNA sequences from two loci were amplified: mitochondrial CO1 ("barcoding region") and a large intron from the dynamin nuclear gene. Separate phylogenies were reconstructed for each locus using maximum parsimony procedures and Bayesian posterior sampling with implementation of a relaxed molecular clock. The phylogenies from both genes provided strong support for the monophyly of the P. annulata species complex, and nine of the species were monophyletic based on the CO1 gene. The remaining three emerged non-monophyletic. Based on a clock calibration of 0.0165s/s/myr, the monophyletic clades represented by extant P. annulata species diverged about 4.5-8.0 million years ago. Those species that emerged non-monophyletic had shallower divergences, with the exception of one species, which exhibited haplotype diversity that conferred up to 13.2% sequence divergence between allopatric populations in CO1. Dynamin produced a broadly similar phylogenetic pattern to that of CO1, but the relationships among individuals across the species and subspecies that emerged non-monophyletic differed substantially. This lack of congruence between the two genomes, in combination with the dominance of internal haplotypes in both loci, indicates an overall pattern of deep coalescence rather than interspecific hybridization. Therefore the molecular data do not provide an alternative definition of species limits in the P. annulata species complex, despite some emerging non-monophyletic in this analysis. Sound interpretation of the phylogenetic pattern discovered here would not have been possible without the acoustic, ecological and geographical investigations on species limits that preceded this work. To determine what biological and climatic factors influence the present day distributions of these cicadas, the distributions of two of the most closely related species in the P. annulata species complex were compared with the distributions of the tree species with which each is mainly associated. Because a large part of their life cycle is subterranean, soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity and force required for surface penetration were compared across sites where each of the cicadas occur in sympatry and allopatry. Finally, the influence of temperature and rainfall variables were investigated by testing 'predicted distribution' models (formed using positive distribution records) against negative records for both sets of variables, individually and in combination. The results show that the extent of the distribution of the cicada species is substantially less than that of the associated tree species. The geographical distributions of one of the species may be influenced more by rainfall, or a combination of temperature and rainfall, whereas the other species appears to be more influenced by temperature alone. Both species tolerate soils with a wide range of pH levels, electrical conductivity and forces required for surface penetration. They both showed a strong association with soils that had a silt loam texture, with only few records from sandy soils. However, none of the soils sampled where the cicadas occurred were heavy clays, which suggests that the physical properties of such soils may provide an unsuitable environment for the nymphal stages of the life cycle of these particular cicadas. The resolution of species limits within the P. annulata species complex allowed the redescription of Pauropsalta annulata Goding and Froggatt sensu stricto and the description of 11 new species belonging to the P. annulata species group, all from eastern Australia. Two of these species comprise two subspecies each, also all new. New distribution records and calling song data are documented for the allied species, P. ayrensis Ewart, which is redescribed to include the characters newly recognised in the present study as significant taxonomically with respect to Pauropsalta cicadas. The treatment includes comprehensive descriptions of the morphology and calling songs of the species and subspecies, and separate descriptive keys are provided for both sets of characters. The new taxa comprise P. artatus sp. nov., P. corymbiae sp. nov., P. decorus sp. nov., P. graniticus sp. nov., P. inversus inversus subsp. nov., P. i. laboris subsp. nov., P. notialis notialis subsp. nov., P. notialis incitatus subsp. nov., P. simplex sp. nov., P. subtropicus sp. nov, P. torrensis sp. nov. and P. tremulus sp. nov. Areas of hybridization between P. n. notialis subsp. nov. and P. n. incitatus subsp. nov. are also documented, together with their calling songs and morphology, which justifies their subspecific status. The P. inversus subspecies are allopatric, but consistently differ in the duration between phrases of the calling song. Finally, the results and conclusions are amalgamated into a critical reassessment of what defines species limits and the most appropriate approaches to investigating species limits in sexual organisms. Some historical discussions are revisited, such as the question of the reality of species and how species are perceived under the premises of neoDarwinism. The realism of species demands that species limits are most realistically defined in terms of their fertilisation mechanism, for this delimits the gene pool and thus the distribution of adaptations (the calling song of cicadas, for example).

As the cost of land in cities increases, the need to build multistory buildings in close proximity to each other also increases. Sometimes, construction materials, other objects and any projections from a building may also decrease the spacing provided between the buildings. This leads to the problem of pounding of these closely placed buildings when responding to earthquake ground motion. The recent advent of base isolation systems and their use as an efficient earthquake force resisting mechanism has led to their increased use in civil engineering structures. At the same time, building codes that reflect best design practice are also evolving. The movement of these base isolated buildings can also result in building pounding. Since base isolation is itself a relatively new technique, pounding phenomenon in base isolated buildings have not been adequately investigated to date. This study looks at the base isolated response of a single two story building and adjacent two story building systems. Four earthquakes with increasing intensity were used in this study. It was found that it is difficult to anticipate the response of the adjacent buildings due to non- linear behavior of pounding and base isolation. The worst case for pounding was found to occur when a fixed base and base isolated buildings were adjacent to each other.