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Alternatives and replacements for synthetic chemical-based plant protectants are required. In this study biopolymeric microspheres containing arthropod-derived apitoxin are explored as a possible novel environmentally friendly formulation for plant protection. Here we document the optimization process for microencapsulation of apitoxin into a stable formulation, for ready use in agricultural applications. Efficacy trials were carried out on three different beetle species at various developmental stages (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say, 1824.), Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758.), Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758.)). The encapsulated apitoxin has a steady initial and long residual effect, due to the slow release of apitoxin which is one of its main advantages over other conventional control methods. Microspheres loaded with apitoxin have a detrimental effect on insects, of which it is significantly better gastric compared to contact action (due to pH). The results showed that the highest and fastest mortality was obtained when the highest concentrations (0.6%) were applied, chosen to be economically acceptable. These important findings contribute to knowledge on the application and development of encapsulated apitoxin formulations, and their effectiveness, as an alternative eco-friendly control method in agricultural production.

Alternatives and replacements for synthetic chemical-based plant protectants are required. In this study biopolymeric microspheres containing arthropod-derived apitoxin are explored as a possible novel environmentally friendly formulation for plant protection. Here we document the optimization process for microencapsulation of apitoxin into a stable formulation, for ready use in agricultural applications. Efficacy trials were carried out on three different beetle species at various developmental stages (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say, 1824.), Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758.), Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758.)). The encapsulated apitoxin has a steady initial and long residual effect, due to the slow release of apitoxin which is one of its main advantages over other conventional control methods. Microspheres loaded with apitoxin have a detrimental effect on insects, of which it is significantly better gastric compared to contact action (due to pH). The results showed that the highest and fastest mortality was obtained when the highest concentrations (0.6%) were applied, chosen to be economically acceptable. These important findings contribute to knowledge on the application and development of encapsulated apitoxin formulations, and their effectiveness, as an alternative eco-friendly control method in agricultural production.

Fee-based Buy-Now-Pay-Later services (BNPL) are becoming widely adopted in many developed countries, including Australia. Across a variety of regulatory approaches there appears to be relatively minimal regulatory coverage of fee-based BNPL. This review applies a results-oriented, behaviourally informed market failure approach to assess the regulatory outcomes of fee-based BNPL. The review makes the case that the impacts of the regulation of fee-based BNPL in Australia demonstrate multiple forms of regulatory failure. The regulatory failure is particularly due to regulatory capture at a broad level and especially in terms of a lack of consumer protections. Consumers may particularly need consideration and protection because understanding the increasing complexity and financial knowledge at the heart of many fintech services is beyond the capability or responsibility of the consumer. Incorporating social and consumer considerations into analyses of regulatory structures can enable analyses of the regulation of fintech and move financial services regulation toward providing more socially useful and sustainable financial services. In the future, a behaviourally informed approach to the regulation of fintech may be beneficial and enhance sustainability.

Fee-based Buy-Now-Pay-Later services (BNPL) are becoming widely adopted in many developed countries, including Australia. Across a variety of regulatory approaches there appears to be relatively minimal regulatory coverage of fee-based BNPL. This review applies a results-oriented, behaviourally informed market failure approach to assess the regulatory outcomes of fee-based BNPL. The review makes the case that the impacts of the regulation of fee-based BNPL in Australia demonstrate multiple forms of regulatory failure. The regulatory failure is particularly due to regulatory capture at a broad level and especially in terms of a lack of consumer protections. Consumers may particularly need consideration and protection because understanding the increasing complexity and financial knowledge at the heart of many fintech services is beyond the capability or responsibility of the consumer. Incorporating social and consumer considerations into analyses of regulatory structures can enable analyses of the regulation of fintech and move financial services regulation toward providing more socially useful and sustainable financial services. In the future, a behaviourally informed approach to the regulation of fintech may be beneficial and enhance sustainability.

Biodiesel is a seemingly suitable alternative substitute for conventional fossil fuels to run a diesel engine. In the first part of the study, the production of biodiesel by modified direct transesterification (MDT) is reported. An enhancement in the biodiesel yield with a considerable reduction in reaction time with the MDT method was observed. The required duration for diesel and biodiesel blending was minimized including glycerol separation time from biodiesel in the MDT method. The development in the automotive sector mainly focuses on the design of an efficient, economical, and low emission greenhouse gas diesel engine. In the current experimental work Ceiba pentandra/Nigella sativa and diesel blends (CPB10 and NSB10) were used to run the diesel engine. A variety of approaches were implemented to improve the engine performance for these combinations of fuels. The fuel injector opening pressure (IOP) was set at 240 bar, the torriodal re-entrant combustion chamber (TRCC) having a six-hole injector with a 0.2 mm orifice diameter each, provided better brake thermal efficiency (BTE) with lower emissions compared with the hemispherical combustion chamber (HCC) and trapezoidal combustion chamber (TCC) for both CPB10 and NSB10. CPB10 showed better performance compared with NSB10. A maximum BTE of 29.1% and 28.6% were achieved with CPB10 and NSB10, respectively, at all optimized conditions. Diesel engine operation with CPB10 and NSB10 at 23° bTDC fuel injection timing, and 240 bar IOP with TRCC can yield better results, close to a diesel run engine at 23° bTDC fuel injection timing, and 205 bar IOP with HCC.

Biodiesel is a seemingly suitable alternative substitute for conventional fossil fuels to run a diesel engine. In the first part of the study, the production of biodiesel by modified direct transesterification (MDT) is reported. An enhancement in the biodiesel yield with a considerable reduction in reaction time with the MDT method was observed. The required duration for diesel and biodiesel blending was minimized including glycerol separation time from biodiesel in the MDT method. The development in the automotive sector mainly focuses on the design of an efficient, economical, and low emission greenhouse gas diesel engine. In the current experimental work Ceiba pentandra/Nigella sativa and diesel blends (CPB10 and NSB10) were used to run the diesel engine. A variety of approaches were implemented to improve the engine performance for these combinations of fuels. The fuel injector opening pressure (IOP) was set at 240 bar, the torriodal re-entrant combustion chamber (TRCC) having a six-hole injector with a 0.2 mm orifice diameter each, provided better brake thermal efficiency (BTE) with lower emissions compared with the hemispherical combustion chamber (HCC) and trapezoidal combustion chamber (TCC) for both CPB10 and NSB10. CPB10 showed better performance compared with NSB10. A maximum BTE of 29.1% and 28.6% were achieved with CPB10 and NSB10, respectively, at all optimized conditions. Diesel engine operation with CPB10 and NSB10 at 23° bTDC fuel injection timing, and 240 bar IOP with TRCC can yield better results, close to a diesel run engine at 23° bTDC fuel injection timing, and 205 bar IOP with HCC.

Introductory Engineering Mathematics (a skill builder for engineers) involves developing problem-solving attributes throughout the teaching period. Therefore, the prediction of students’ final course grades with continuous assessment marks is a useful toolkit for degree program educators. Predictive models are practical tools used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching as well as assessing the students’ progression and implementing interventions for the best learning outcomes. This study develops a novel multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) model to predict the weighted score WS (i.e., the course grade). To construct the proposed MARS model, Introductory Engineering Mathematics performance data over five years from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, were used to design predictive models using input predictors of online quizzes, written assignments, and examination scores. About 60% of randomised predictor grade data were applied to train the model (with 25% of the training set used for validation) and 40% to test the model. Based on the cross-correlation of inputs vs. the WS, 12 distinct combinations with single (i.e., M1–M5) and multiple (M6–M12) features were created to assess the influence of each on the WS with results bench-marked via a decision tree regression (DTR), kernel ridge regression (KRR), and a k-nearest neighbour (KNN) model. The influence of each predictor on WS clearly showed that online quizzes provide the least contribution. However, the MARS model improved dramatically by including written assignments and examination scores. The research demonstrates the merits of the proposed MARS model in uncovering relationships among continuous learning variables, which also provides a distinct advantage to educators in developing early intervention and moderating their teaching by predicting the performance of students ahead of final outcome for a course. The findings and future application have significant practical implications in teaching and learning interventions or planning aimed to improve graduate outcomes in undergraduate engineering program cohorts.