List of Records in Journal Articles - RMIT Research Repository

A balanced scorecard approach to project management leadership

Norrie, J og Walker, D — 2009-08-03T00:00:00Z

In this paper, we discuss ways that project managers can use measurement (using a tool such as the balanced scorecard) to improve the operational performance of their project teams. Project managers will see that attaching measures to outcomes clarifies project objectives and supports well-defined and well-communicated links between the project vision and business strategy. These also enable project managers to more effectively monitor and control project activities for the purpose of improving project results. This paper reinforces the importance of strategy as an added dimension to the traditional triple constraint. We present this information through our comparison and survey of two projects undertaken by project teams at a large North American global telecommunications organization. The results of our study provide early evidence of the usefulness of the balanced scorecard (BSC) as a tool for improving project management effectiveness. Our study also shows that balanced performance measurement is an important technique for establishing on-strategy project delivery. We propose using this technique primarily as an extension of current practices by adding a strategic measurement dimension.

A ballistic limit equation for hypervelocity impacts on composite honeycomb sandwich panel satellite structures

2011-01-14T00:00:00Z

During a recent experimental test campaign performed in the framework of ESA Contract 16721, the ballistic performance of multiple satellite-representative Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)/Aluminium honeycomb sandwich panel structural configurations (GOCE, Radarsat-2, Herschel/Planck, BeppoSax) was investigated using the two-stage light-gas guns at EMI. The experimental results were used to develop and validate a new empirical Ballistic Limit Equation (BLE), which was derived from an existing Whipple-shield BLE. This new BLE provided a good level of accuracy in predicting the ballistic performance of stand-alone sandwich panel structures. Additionally, the equation is capable of predicting the ballistic limit of a thin Al plate located at a standoff behind the sandwich panel structure. This thin plate is the representative of internal satellite systems, e.g. an Al electronic box cover, a wall of a metallic vessel, etc. Good agreement was achieved with both the experimental test campaign results and additional test data from the literature for the vast majority of set-ups investigated. For some experiments, the ballistic limit was conservatively predicted, a result attributed to shortcomings in correctly accounting for the presence of high surface density multi-layer insulation on the outer facesheet. Four existing BLEs commonly applied for application with stand-alone sandwich panels were reviewed using the new impact test data. It was found that a number of these common approaches provided non-conservative predictions for sandwich panels with CFRP facesheets.

A baptism of fire for 'Participatory Governance' - Issues with citizen government partnerships in fighting fires in rural Victoria

2009-12-09T00:00:00Z

This paper considers problems that emerged with both the organisation of firefighting efforts during the bushfires that ravagad northeast Victoria during January and February 2003, and the delivery of recovery assistance since those fires, It examines these issues under the aspect of the theoretical construct variously termad 'new governance', 'participatory governance' (Edwards 2002) or 'integrated governance' (Success Works /IPAA 2002).' The investigation reveals the usefulness of this concept for analysing the problems and potentialities of partnership approaches to emergency service delivery and post-emergency recovery, For the sake of simplicity the analysis is focused on the experience of two shires in particular, Indigo and Towong, although many of the issues reportad for these shires also apply to Gippsland as a whole.

A Bayesian network approach to rational architectural design

Zhang, H og Jarzabek, S — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

In software architecture design, we explore design alternatives and make decisions about adoption or rejection of a design from a web of complex and often uncertain information. Different architectural design decisions may lead to systems that satisfy the same set of functional requirements but differ in certain quality attributes. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian Network based approach to rational architectural design. Our Bayesian Network helps software architects record and make design decisions. We can perform both qualitative and quantitative analysis over the Bayesian Network to understand how the design decisions influence system quality attributes, and to reason about rational design decisions. We use the KWIC (Key Word In Context) example to illustrate the principles of our approach.

A BDI agent progarmming language with failure recovery, declarative goals, and planning

Sardina, S og Padgham, L — 2010-08-17T00:00:00Z

Agents are an important technology that have the potential to take over contemporary methods for analysing, designing, and implementing complex software. The Belief- Desire-Intention (BDI) agent paradigm has proven to be one of the major approaches to intelligent agent systems, both in academia and in industry. Typical BDI agent-oriented programming languages rely on user-provided ''plan libraries'' to achieve goals, and online context sensitive subgoal selection and expansion. These allow for the development of systems that are extremely flexible and responsive to the environment, and as a result, well suited for complex applications with (soft) real-time reasoning and control requirements. Nonetheless, complex decision making that goes beyond, but is compatible with, run-time context-dependent plan selection is one of the most natural and important next steps within this technology. In this paper we develop a typical BDI-style agent-oriented programming language that enhances usual BDI programming style with three distinguished features: declarative goals, look-ahead planning, and failure handling. First, an account that mixes both procedural and declarative aspects of goals is necessary in order to reason about important properties of goals and to decouple plans from what these plans are meant to achieve. Second, lookahead deliberation about the effects of one choice of expansion over another is clearly desirable or even mandatory in many circumstances so as to guarantee goal achievability and to avoid undesired situations. Finally, a failure handling mechanism, suitably integrated with both declarative goals and planning, is required in order to model an adequate level of commitment to goals, as well as to be consistent with most real BDI implemented systems.

A BDI agent programming language with failure handling, declarative goals, and planning

Sardina, S og Padgham, L — 2012-01-13T00:00:00Z

A BDI agent system for the cow herding domain

2010-11-17T00:00:00Z

We describe the current state of our multi-agent system for agents playing games in grid-like domains. The framework follows the BDI model of agency and is used as the main project for a seminar course on agent-oriented programming and design. When it comes to design, the Prometheus methodology has been used by relying on the Prometheus design tool (PDT) that supports the methodology. In terms of programming language, we have used the JACK agent platform.We believe the domains developed as part of the Multi-Agent Programming Contest are the right type of settings for evaluating our research, in that it provides enough complexity to explore various aspects of multi-agent development while being sufficiently bounded to make the development effort worthwhile.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: an illustrated narrative review

2011-01-07T00:00:00Z

OBJECTIVE: To present a descriptive review of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including a review of risk factors for and case finding in AAA for chiropractors as primary contact health care practitioners. DATA SOURCES: Clinical and scientific literature identified through various sources including MEDLINE and citation tracking. DATA SYNTHESIS: Selective narrative review of relevant literature. RESULTS: AAA may be asymptomatic; however, back pain is a common presenting feature. Risk factors include male gender, increasing age, cigarette smoking, hypertension, chronic obstructive airway disease, claudication, and AAA in a first-degree relative. AAA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of older white patients, especially males, with low back pain. Estimated prevalence for AAAs in older males is in the order of 3% to 5%; rupture accounts for 1.7% of deaths in men aged 65 to 75 years. Elective surgical resection of AAAs (prior to rupture) offers a low operative mortality and good prognosis. CONCLUSION: AAA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of older patients presenting with low back pain and those with risk factors for AAA. Chiropractors, as primary contact health care practitioners, have a responsibility to refer patients suspected of having AAA for appropriate imaging and, where indicated, vascular surgical opinion.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as low back pain: a case report

Crawford, C — 2010-12-13T00:00:00Z

OBJECTIVE - To report the case of a 73 year old male with low back pain presenting to a chiropractic teaching clinic in whom an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was fortuitously found on plain film radiography. CLINICAL FEATURES - The patient presented with a 3 week history of sudden onset low back pain of minimal-to-moderate severity, which he attributed to walking. The physical examination findings, including an unremarkable abdominal examination, suggested a diagnosis of acute mechanical low back pain. Plain film radiographs demonstrated an AAA measuring 8.5 cm in transverse diameter. In a retrospective file review, clinical risk factors for AAA were present. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME - The patient was referred to his general medical practitioner and subsequently to a vascular surgeon. He underwent surgical repair with Dacron graft prosthesis. His back pain resolved the day after surgery. CONCLUSION - AAA may present as low back pain, and thus it is important to actively exclude the condition in 'at risk' patients. Risk factors include male patients 65 years and older presenting with abdominal and/or low back pain, a significant smoking history, increased weight, cardiovascular disease, vascular claudication, chronic obstructive airway disease, and a first degree relative with AAA. Patients at risk need urgent referral for appropriate imaging and/or vascular surgical opinion.

Abeta aggregation and possible implications in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

2011-12-01T00:00:00Z

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) has been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) because it is a major component of the extracellular plaque found in AD brains. Increased Abeta levels correlate with the cognitive decline observed in AD. Sporadic AD cases are thought to be chiefly associated with lack of Abeta clearance from the brain, unlike familial AD which shows increased Abeta production. Abeta aggregation leading to deposition is an essential event in AD. However, the factors involved in Abeta aggregation and accumulation in sporadic AD have not been completely characterized. This review summarizes studies that have examined the factors that affect Abeta aggregation and toxicity. By necessity these are studies that are performed with recombinant-derived or chemically synthesized Abeta. The studies therefore are not done in animals but in cell culture, which includes neuronal cells, other mammalian cells and, in some cases, non-mammalian cells that also appear susceptible to Abeta toxicity. An understanding of Abeta oligomerization may lead to better strategies to prevent AD.

A bicistronic DNA vaccine containing apical membrane antigen 1 and merozoite surface protein 4/5 can prime humoral and cellular immune responses and partially protect mice against virulent Plasmodium chabaudi adami DS Malaria

2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

The ultimate malaria vaccine will require the delivery of multiple antigens from different stages of the complex malaria life cycle. In order to efficiently deliver multiple antigens with use of DNA vaccine technology, new antigen delivery systems must be assessed. This study utilized a bicistronic vector construct, containing an internal ribosome entry site, expressing a combination of malarial candidate antigens: merozoite surface protein 4/5 (MSP4/5) (fused to a monocyte chemotactic protein 3 chemoattractant sequence) and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) (fused to a tissue plasminogen activator secretion signal). Transfection of COS 7 cells with bicistronic plasmids resulted in production and secretion of both AMA-1 and MSP4/5 in vitro. Vaccination of BALB/c mice via intraepidermal gene gun and intramuscular routes against AMA-1 and MSP4/5 resulted in antibody production and significant in vitro proliferation of splenocytes stimulated by both AMA-1 and MSP4/5. Survival of BALB/c mice vaccinated with bicistronic constructs after lethal Plasmodium chabaudi adami DS erythrocytic-stage challenge was variable, although significant increases in survival and reductions in peak parasitemia were observed in several challenge trials when the vaccine was delivered by the intramuscular route. This study using a murine model demonstrates that the delivery of malarial antigens via bicistronic vectors is feasible. Further experimentation with bicistronic delivery systems is required for the optimization and refinement of DNA vaccines to effectively prime protective immune responses against malaria.

Ab initio modelling of B and N in C29 and C29H24 nanodiamond

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

An ab initio density functional theory study of the structure and stability of a select group of dopants in a diamond nanocrystal is presented. The dopants studied here are boron and nitrogen. These atoms have been included substitutionally in the center of a 29 atom nanodiamond crystal, and the entire structure relaxed using the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package. The relaxed structures are then described by the relaxation energy, the structural (total) energy and a qualitative examination of the overall change in structure and bonding, considered via examination of the electron charge density. It is anticipated that these results will provide a better understanding of the crystal stability of doped nanodiamonds for use in diamondoid nanodevices.

Ab initio modelling of band states in doped diamond

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

Presented in this study is an analysis of the electronic properties of doped diamond calculated using the Vienna ab initio simulation package, employing density functional theory within the generalized-gradient approximation. The dopants studied here have been inserted substitutionally into a 64-atom diamond supercell and include the single-electron acceptors boron and aluminium, the single-electron donors nitrogen and phosphorus and the double-electron donors oxygen and sulphur. Co-doping of diamond with sulphur and boron has also been briefly examined. The doped supercells have been relaxed, followed by calculation of electronic properties from the electronic density of states such as the indirect bandgap Eg, the valence bandwidth and an examination of the acceptor and donor states in the bandgap. It is anticipated that this study will provide a useful comparison of the third- and fourth-row donors and acceptors in diamond.

Ab initio modelling of boron and nitrogen in diamond nanowires

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

In this study an analysis is presented of the bonding and structural properties of dehydrogenated and hydrogenated doped cylindrical diamond nanowires calculated using the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package, employing density functional theory within the generalized-gradient approximation. The dopants studied here have been inserted substitutionally, equidistant along the axis of an infinite (periodic) diamond nanowire. These dopants include aluminium, phosphorus, oxygen and sulphur. The doped nanowires have then been re-relaxed, and properties compared with previously calculated results for undoped, boron-doped and nitrogen-doped structures. Structural properties of relaxed nanowires considered here include an examination bonding via the electron charge density, with the aim of providing a better understanding of the effects of dopants on the stability of diamond nanostructures and nanodevices.

Ab initio modelling of diamond nanowire structures

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

Presented are results of our ab initio study of the structural relaxation of diamond nanowires, with dodecahedral and cubododecahedral morphology, showing that the energetic and structural stability of a diamond nanowire is dependent on both the surface morphology and the crystallographic direction of the principal axis. Although all structures under consideration exhibited significant changes in the length and cross-sectional area, nanowires with the principal axis in the [110] direction appear less structurally favorable.

Ab initio modelling of dopants in diamond nanowires: II

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

Ab initio modelling of K-alpha X-ray spectra in single walled carbon nanotubes

2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

New technologies are currently being developed that require the alignment of carbon nanotube arrays. However, the measurement of carbon nanotube alignment is difficult, especially with micron spatial resolution. Here we consider the use of soft X-ray spectroscopy to measure alignment and we present theoretical electronic density of states (DOS) calculations which show this is possible. To verify the DOS calculations we compare the predicted DOS of graphite and C60 with experimentally measured carbon K,, spectra. In addition we examine a range of electron exchange and correlation functionals to find the optimal one for predicting soft X-ray peak shape and position.

Ab initio modelling of the stability of nanocrystalline diamond morphologies

Barnard, A og Russo, S og Snook, I — 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

Ab initio (density functional theory) relaxation of nanocrystalline diamond structures of cubic, octahedral and cuboctahedral morphologies, up to about 1.3nm in diameter are presented. Results show that the crystal morphology plays an important role in the structural stability, in the absence of external fields. Our results illustrate the transition of nanocrystalline diamonds (nanodiamonds) into onion-like structures showing preferential exfoliation of the (111) surfaces, in agreement with experimental observations. The cohesive energy for the relaxed nanodiamond is also examined and compared with bulk diamond. We have found that the cohesive energy of nanodiamond differs from that of bulk diamond by approximately 0.34 eV.

Ab initio molecular dynamics study of H2S dissociation on the Fe(110) surface

Spencer, M og Yarovsky, I — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

The adsorption of H2S on Fe(110) is examined using ab initio molecular dynamics at 298, 800, 1000, and 1808 K. The stages of the reaction are identified and compared for different temperatures. At 298 K, H2S adsorbs dissociatively, to leave adsorbed S and H atoms on the surface. At higher temperatures, H2S dissociation is followed by H diffusing into the subsurface layers. After complete dissociation at the Fe melting point, the H atoms recombine into molecular hydrogen which desorbs to leave S on the surface. The dissociation mechanism at each temperature is found to be different with the structure and position of the adsorbate on the surface being affected by reconstruction of the surface Fe atoms at higher temperatures.

Ab initio studies of amorphous carbon films

2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

Amorphous carbon films can be prepared with a range of sp(3) fractions, ranging from pure sp(2) to approximately 80% sp(3) (tetrahedral amorphous carbon). In this paper we study the bonding and energetics of structures with different sp(3) ratios using ab-initio Car-Parrinelto Molecular Dynamics (CPMD). By taking into account the elastic strain energy that is contained in the structures as formed, we can compare the energetics at the same imposed stress to investigate the effects of annealing on amorphous carbon (a-C) films. We show that in order to minimise total energy, intermediate sp(3) films will either decrease their sp(3) fraction and generate stress or increase their sp fraction and relieve stress. On the other hand, high sp(3) films retain their high sp(3) fraction following annealing. We also show that Wannier function analysis is useful for examining the bonding in amorphous carbon structures generated by liquid quench methods, resolving difficulties associated with the bonds drawn on a distance criterion alone. Warmier functions also reveal unstable bonding configurations, which convert atoms from sp(3) bonded to sp(2) bonded and vice versa. Such unstable bonding sites may be important to understanding transport properties in these networks.

Ab initio study of S dynamics on iron surfaces

Todorova, N og Spencer, M og Yarovsky, I — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

Density functional theory was employed to examine the interactions of atomic sulfur with the Fe(1 0 0) and Fe(1 1 0) surfaces. Vibrational frequency calculations were performed to determine the nature of stationary points at the high symmetry atop, bridge and hollow adsorption sites and to indicate the direction the adsorbate would move across the surface. The values were also used in the determination of the rate constant for hopping of S from one energy minimum site to another. Ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were then performed to monitor the mobility of the S atom on the (1 0 0) surface at different temperatures up to the melting point of Fe (1808 K) and were compared to our previously obtained ab initio MD results for S/Fe(1 1 0) [N. Todorova, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, Australian Institute of Physics 16th Biennial Congress, 2005, Canberra, Australia, ISBN 0-9598064-8-2].

A bioactive diterpene from Smallanthus sonchifolius

2011-01-21T00:00:00Z

The dichloromethane extract of the air-dried leaves and freeze-dried tubers of Smallanthus sonchifolius afforded ent-kaurenoic acid (1). The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and was found to exhibit significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Ent-kaurenoic acid (1), dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, also displayed potential anti-diabetes and anti-toxicity activity. In addition, 1 showed low antimicrobial activities against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, C. albicans and T. mentagrophytes, but was found to be inactive against B. subtilis and A. niger.

A bioinformatics approach for the phenotype prediction of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in human cytochromes P450E

Wang, L og Li, Y og Zhou, S — 2010-06-08T00:00:00Z

Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in coding regions that can lead to amino acid changes may cause alteration of protein function and account for susceptivity to disease and altered drug response. Identification of deleterious nsSNPs from tolerant nsSNPs is important for characterizing the genetic basis of human disease, assessing individual susceptibility to disease, understanding the pathogenesis of disease, identifying molecular targets for drug treatment, and conducting individualized pharmacotherapy. Numerous nsSNPs have been found in genes coding for human cytochromes P450 (P450s), but there is poor knowledge on the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of nsSNPs in P450s. We have identified 791 validated nsSNPs in 57 validated human CYP genes from the National Center for Biotechnology Information Database of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Swiss-Prot database. Using the polymorphism phenotyping (PolyPhen; http://genetics.bwh.harvard.edu/pph) and sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT; http://blocks.fhcrc.org/sift/SIFT.html) algorithms, 39 to 43% of nsSNPs in CYP genes were predicted to have functional impacts on protein function. There was a significant concordance between the predicted results using the SIFT and PolyPhen algorithms. A prediction accuracy analysis found that approximately 70% of nsSNPs were predicted correctly as damaging. Of nsSNPs predicted as deleterious, the prediction scores by the SIFT and PolyPhen algorithms were significantly associated with the numbers of nsSNPs with known phenotype confirmed by benchmarking studies, including site-directed mutagenesis analysis and clinical association studies. These amino acid substitutions are supposed to be the pathogenetic basis for the alteration of P450 enzyme activity and the association with disease susceptivity. This prediction analysis of nsSNPs in human CYP genes would be useful for further genotype-phenotype studies on individual differences in drug clearance and clinical response.

A biopsychosocial model for depressive symptoms following acute coronary syndromes

2011-01-21T00:00:00Z

A partial latent structural regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of perceived stress and coping resources on depression following acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in a sample of 113 participants (25 females and 88 males with a mean age of 57.61 years (SD = 12.63). Out of them, 55 participants were Australian born and 48 were born elsewhere, with 53 of the patients scoring in the mild to high depression range on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Cardiac Depression Scale. Perceived stress and coping resources, after controlling for age and smoking explained 89% of the variance in the latent variable depression. Higher perceived stress levels and fewer coping resources predicted higher levels of depression. Higher levels of perceived stress predicted fewer coping resources and fewer coping resources predicted higher levels of depression. There was a significant direct and indirect effect of perceived stress through coping on depression. Cognitive and physical coping resources were the best predictors of the depression construct. These results have potential implications for the treatment of depression post-ACS. In particular, cognitive and physical coping mechanisms and perceived stress reduction need to be addressed when treating depression post-ACS.

Abiotic oxidation studies of oxo-biodegradable polyethylene

2009-07-17T00:00:00Z

The best approach to induce oxo-biodegradation in polyethylene is the use of special additives known as pro-oxidants. Pro-oxidants accelerate abiotic oxidation and subsequent polymer chain cleavage rendering the product apparently more susceptible to biodegradation. In this work, the abiotic oxidation is studied to understand how the addition of nanoclay affects the oxidation rate and the degradation mechanism of oxo-biodegradable polyethylene. In order to achieve this, the following materials were used in this study: (1) polyethylene (PE), (2) oxo-biodegradable polyethylene (OPE), (3) polyethylene nanocomposite (PENac), and (4) oxo-biodegradable polyethylene nanocomposite (OPENac). Wide-Angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that grafting in the preparation of composites helps to achieve mixed intercalated/exfoliated morphology in PENac and OPENac. Abiotic oxidation was carried out in an oven for a period of 14 days at 70 �C with air supply. The effect of abiotic oxidation was evaluated by measuring the changes in tensile strength, elongation at break, carbonyl index and molecular weight. Results show that OPE and OPENac are more susceptible to oxidation than PENac. The molecular weight distribution data obtained from GPC reveal that the addition of nanoclay does not alter the oxidation mechanism in OPE significantly.

Abnormalities of motor imagery associated with somatic passivity phenomena in schizophrenia

Maruff, P og Wilson, P og Currie, J — 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

Some patients with schizophrenia report that their limbs are under the control of an alien force (motor passivity). This is hypothesised to be due to the dysfunction of an internal self-monitoring system that normally permits distinctions between internally generated and external influences on intentional behaviour. Motor imagery is the mental simulation of specific motor actions and it is based upon the internal representation of intended but unexecuted motor actions. Therefore, the generation of motor imagery should be impaired in schizophrenia characterised by passivity phenomena. The generation of motor imagery was compared using the visually guided pointing task (VGPT) and the Florida praxis imagery questionnaire (FPIQ) between patients with schizophrenia characterised by high levels of passivity symptoms (passivity) and patients without passivity symptoms (no-passivity). In both the passivity and no-passivity groups, the speed of real motor sequences on the VGPT was constrained by the distance of the movement and the width of the target in accordance with Fitts' law. For the no-passivity group, the same relationship was found for imagined movements. However, in the passivity group, imagined movements were not constrained by Fitts' law. The effect of a 2-kg load to the limb performing real or imagined movements on the VGPT was identical in both groups. The duration of imagined movements was slowed although the duration of real movements was unaffected. The FPIQ showed that the passivity group had difficulty answering questions that required them to imagine kinaesthetic aspects of performing simple gestures. These results suggest that passivity phenomena in schizophrenia are associated with a specific inability to represent the timing of motor actions internally. This is consistent with the hypothesis that patients with passivity phenomena have difficulty with maintaining an internal representation of intentional behaviour.

A bridge not a goal: Addressing communications and philosophy

Grierson, E — 2010-12-06T00:00:00Z

This paper acts as an introduction to the individual presentations in this collection and to their discourses of new possibilities for the humanities. The theme of communications and philosophy is a way of bringing together diverse reflections on disciplinary practices and their potential interrelations in a global world of radical pluralism. What I am seeking is the formation of a critical pedagogy of difference, which may find purchase in learning environments in the academy, but also has applications to wider domains of the life-world with its political and personal exigencies, violences, needs, necessities, and possibilities. A key focus is the work of twentieth century continental philosophers and their textual encounters in the spaces between literature and philosophy, and ways of siting the as-yet-unseen in writing, experience and discourse. Nietzsche's thrust of questioning the idealism of progressive humanity is crucial to this discussion. Ultimately I am inviting a way of weaving threads of difference in a texture of communication to elicit a more critical awareness and response to the task of living in a global world of difference as a task for the new humanities.

A brief review of actuation at the micro-scale using electrostatics, electromagnetics and piezoelectric ultrasonics

Lui, D og Friend, J og Yeo, L — 2012-04-13T00:00:00Z

Though miniaturization and mass production via integrated circuit fabrication techniques have transformed our society, the methods have yet to be successfully applied to the generation of motion, and as a consequence the many potential benefits of microrobotics has yet to be realized. The characteristics of electrostatic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric transduction for generating motion at the micro scale is considered, employing scaling laws and a reasoned consideration of the difficulties in motor fabrication and design using each method. The scaling analyses show that electrostatic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric actuators all have comparable force scaling characteristics of F ? L2; if one employs permanent magnets, electromagnetic forces do not scale as F ? L4. Though the torque, ?, of piezoelectric ultrasonic motors scale rather poorly with ? ? L 4, they have the clear advantage of possessing torque amplitudes some two orders of magnitude larger than motors employing the other transduction schemes at the micro scale

Abrupt stress induced transformation in amorphous carbon films with a highly conductive transition phase

2009-07-17T00:00:00Z

We demonstrate that when, and only when, the biaxial stress is increased above a critical value of 6�1 GPa during the growth of a carbon film at room temperature, tetrahedral amorphous carbon is formed. This confirms that the stress present during the formation of an amorphous carbon film determines its sp3 bonding fraction. In the vicinity of the critical stress, a highly oriented graphitelike material is formed which exhibits low electrical resistance and provides Ohmic contacts to silicon. Atomistic simulations reveal that the structural transitions are thermodynamically driven and not the result of dynamical effects.

Absence of morphotropic phase boundary effects in BiFeO(3)-PbTiO(3) thin films grown via a chemical multilayer deposition method

2011-10-07T00:00:00Z

We report an unusual behavior observed in (BiFeO3)1 -x-(PbTiO3)x (BF-xPT) thin films prepared using a multilayer chemical solution deposition method. Films of different compositions were grown by depositing several bilayers of BF and PT precursors of varying BF and PT layer thicknesses followed by heat treatment in air. X-ray diffraction showed that samples of all compositions show mixing of two compounds resulting in a single-phase mixture, also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to bulk compositions, samples show a monoclinic (MA-type) structure suggesting disappearance of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) at x = 0.30 as observed in the bulk. This is accompanied by the lack of any enhancement of the remanent polarization at the MPB, as shown by the ferroelectric measurements. Magnetic measurements showed an increase in the magnetization of the samples with increasing BF content. Significant magnetization in the samples indicates melting of spin spirals in the BF-xPT films, arising from a random distribution of iron atoms. Absence of Fe2+ ions was corroborated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The results illustrate that thin film processing methodology significantly changes the structural evolution, in contrast to predictions from the equilibrium phase diagram, besides modifying the functional characteristics of the BP-xPT system dramatically.

Absorption and scattering properties of dense ensembles of nonspherical particles

Auger, J og Martinez, V og Stout, B — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

The purpose of this work is to show that an appropriate multiple T-matrix formalism can be useful in performing qualitative studies of the optical properties of colloidal systems composed of nonspherical objects (despite limitations concerning nonspherical particle packing densities). In this work we have calculated the configuration averages of scattering and absorption cross sections of different clusters of dielectric particles. These clusters are characterized by their refraction index, particle shape, and filling fraction. Computations were performed with the recursive centered T-matrix algorithm (RCTMA), a previously established method for solving the multiple scattering equation of light from finite clusters of isotropic dielectric objects. Comparison of the average optical cross sections between the different systems highlights variations in the scattering and absorption properties due to the electromagnetic interactions, and we demonstrate that the magnitudes of these quantities are clearly modulated by the shape of the primary particles.

Absorption in human body at 900MHz for oblique incidence of plane wave

Iskra, S og McKenzie, R og Cosic, I — 2009-11-05T00:00:00Z

ICNIRP(1998) and IEEE C95.1-2005 limits for human exposure to radio-frequency fields are derived based on the condition of maximal coupling of the field to the body. In this study, at 900 MHz, the whole body average specific absorption rate (SARWB) for an adult's and a child's body is computed under these conditions and is shown to be also relatively uniform when explored over a range of oblique angles of incidence and polarisation of a constant amplitude plane wave. The SARWB in the body remains below the public limit of 80 mW/kg when the oblique field is maintained at the limit value of 41.1 V/m.

Absorption of NO and CO over transition-metal-incorporated mesoporous catalytic materials

Bhargava, S og Akolekar, D — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

Novel high-surface-area mesoporous catalysts of type Al-MCM-41 containing transition metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, zinc, copper, and cobalt were prepared and characterized using techniques such as BET, FTIR, ICP-MS, XPS, and XRD. The XPS measurements indicated that the transition-metal particles are located in the bulk or pore channels of the Al-MCM-41 materials. A detailed in situ FTIR investigation undertaken on the adsorption and disproportionation of NO and CO over the transition-metal-Al-MCM-41 mesoporous catalysts indicated the formation of various NO/CO species or complexes with active metal sites. The structure and dynamics of the metal activated complex and reactive species formed during the CO/NO reaction together with advantages of these catalysts and the influence of reaction temperature and pressure have been studied. NO adsorption at room temperature leads to the formation of adsorbed N2O, NO2, M-NO2, M-NO, and [M-(NO)(2)] complexes. CO adsorption at room temperature leads to the formation of physisorbed carbon dioxide and cationic Lewis acid carbonyl moieties as well as transition-metal carbonyl complexes. The copper mesoporous catalysts prepared by different procedures (ion exchanged and as-synthesized) were compared for their interactions with CO and NO probe molecules.

Absorption of NO2, NO, O and N on the ZnO(1010) surface

Spencer, M og Yarovsky, I — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

The adsorption of NO2, NO, and atomic N and O on the clean ZnO(101j0) surface is examined using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Adsorption of NO2 is also investigated on a defect surface containing an O vacancy. Calculated binding energy values, Bader charges, vibrational frequencies, density of states, planar averaged charge density differences, and electron localization plots are presented. Both the molecular and atomic adsorbates are found to adsorb in multiple minimum-energy sites with NO2 and NO preferring to weakly adsorb on surface Zn sites, while O and N chemisorb in highly coordinated surface sites forming an O2 and NO surface species, respectively. The presence of atomic O or N on the surface causes significant structural changes to the surface geometry. All adsorbates can induce magnetism on the surface, with the distribution of the magnetic moment being highly dependent on the adsorption geometry. The adsorbates behave as electron acceptors, withdrawing charge from the surface. The calculations also indicate that dissociation of NO2 and NO is exothermally unfavorable. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show that NO2 and NO readily desorb from the surface at 500 or 700 K, while O and N are more stable, remaining on the surface after ~2 ps at 700 K, poisoning the surface. On the defect surface with an O vacancy, NO2 readily dissociates over the vacancy site to yield O and NO. The dissociated O atom fills the vacancy site to re-form the stoichiometric surface, while the NO desorbs from the surface. At a lower NO2 coverage, adsorption is stronger, with no spontaneous dissociation observed at 0 K. Ab initio MD simulations, however, show that NO2 dissociation is facile at temperatures as low as 248 K, indicating that the barrier to dissociation is low.

Absorption spectral response of nanotextured WO3 thin films with Pt catalyst towards H2

2010-10-14T00:00:00Z

A bubble mechanistic model for subcooled boiling flow predictions

Yeoh, G og Tu, J — 2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

Population balance equations combined with a three-dimensional two-fluid model are employed to predict subcooled boiling flow at low pressure in a vertical annular channel. The MUSIG (Multiple-Size-Group) model implemented in CFX4.4 is extended to account for the wall nucleation and condensation in the subcooled boiling regime. Comparison of model predictions against local measurements is made for the void fraction, bubble Sauter diameter, interfacial area concentration, bubble population density, and gas and liquid velocities covering a range of different mass and heat fluxes and inlet subcooling temperatures. Good agreement is achieved with the local radial void fraction, bubble Sauter diameter, interfacial area concentration, bubble population density, and liquid velocity profiles against measurements. However, further improvement is needed for the accurate prediction of the vapor velocity using the present bubble mechanistic model. A proposal to include an algebraic slip model to account for bubble separation in the MUSIG boiling model is presented.

Abundance estimators and truth: Accounting for individual heterogeneity in wild house mice

2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

We compared the actual abundance of 12 confined populations of wild house mice (Mus musculus) with closed population estimates based on mark-recapture data. Goodness-of-fit tests consistently detected individual heterogeneity in capture probability. Estimators designed to take such heterogeneity into account were expected to perform best, and generally did. However, of the 9 abundance estimators we considered, only Chao's modified moment estimator had no obvious bias and produced confidence intervals that always included the actual population size. The reliability of the 9 estimators and minimum number known alive (MNA), as indices of abundance, was quantified by (1) linear regression, and (2) calculating a Spearman rank correlation coefficient between the ranking obtained using the index and the true ranking. We found Petersen estimates to provide the most accurate ranking, and MNA also performed well. Since Chao's modified moment estimator was designed for populations with high levels of heterogeneity and low average capture probability, we concluded that this is an accurate description of trap response for confined mice populations. Body-length frequency distributions and sex ratios for mice caught once, more than once, and not at all revealed that body length and sex could explain some of the observed individual heterogeneity. Males were more likely to enter traps than females, and large mice were more likely to be trapped than small mice. Field populations of house mice are monitored regularly throughout southeastern Australia because high densities cause considerable damage to wheat crops and place substantial stress on farming communities. We found that field populations trapped during the breeding season exhibit heterogeneity in capture probability similar to that for confined populations, with the same relationships between capture probability, sex, and body length. However, these relationships did not hold for the same field population later in the season when breeding and recruitment had ceased. Chao's modified moment estimator was applied to field data and found to be stable when populations were trapped for ?5 nights, but unreliable trapped for <5 nights.

Abundance of intrinsically unstructured proteins in P. falciparum and other apicomplexan parasite proteomes

2009-02-18T00:00:00Z

Preliminary sequence analysis of Plasmodium falciparum has shown that the proteome of this organism is enriched in intrinsically unstructured proteins (IUPs), which are either completely disordered or contain large disordered regions. IUPs have been characterized as a unique class of proteins that plays an important role in biology and disease. In this study, the IUP contents in the proteomes of apicomplexan parasites, especially the proteome of P. falciparum and its various life cycle stages, have been evaluated with DisEMBL-1.4. Compared with other proteomes, apicomplexan species are extremely abundant in proteins containing long disordered regions, and the IUP contents in mammalian Plasmodium species are higher than in most other apicomplexan parasites. The proteome of the P. falciparum sporozoite appears to be distinct from the other life cycle stages in having an even higher content of disordered proteins. The abundance of IUPs in the P. falciparum proteome correlates with its enrichment in repetitive sequences. The structural plasticity of IUPs, which allows promiscuous binding interactions, may favour parasite survival both by inhibiting the generation of effective high affinity antibody responses and by facilitating the interactions with host molecules necessary for attachment and invasion of host cells.

A business and ICT architecture for a logistics city

Toh, K og Nagel, P og Oakden, R — 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

The city of Melbourne, Australia, stands to benefit from achieving the logistics city status. The planning theme of a logistics city is designed around achieving efficiencies and long term sustainability out of the legacy of dispersed groups of intensive "logistics activity areas". This is not to re-invent solutions particularly in Melbourne, where the existence of a legacy logistics infrastructure and ad hoc growth has resulted in the business architecture that is constantly in the ''catch-up'' mode. This is seen as a unique opportunity for developing business models to meet the future challenges of the growth of trade, freight movement and maintaining economic, environmental and urban sustainability. Enterprise architecture will enable attention to be focused on the development of a collaborative business model, which will help to achieve efficiencies in view of the complex set of economic, social and environmental parameters. The logistics city business architecture responds to the shift to a services economy, which is generating different patterns of workforce travel to ensure good access to skilled workers, to other services, to business clients and to national and international markets.

Academic achievement of international biological science students under two teaching regimes

Varughese, V — 2011-04-08T00:00:00Z

Most developed societies have become increasingly multicultural and as such their educational institutions are required to educate increasingly diverse student cohorts. International students differ greatly in their education and language backgrounds and tend to fall into different age groups as well. It is a challenging task to accommodate all individual differences and optimise the learning environment. This study investigates the impact of students' background on academic achievement scores in Biology. Differences in academic achievement scores of a group of international students in two teaching and learning practices were compared by student background. Effect size calculation using Cohen's d with Hedges' g correction was used to determine the magnitude of difference in performance. The results were observed to vary from very small to large. Recommendations to improve the learning experience of students from diverse backgrounds have been made in the light of these findings.

Academic entrepreneurship: case study of Australian universities

Zhao, F — 2010-12-13T00:00:00Z

The aim of this paper is to explore issues associated with the commercialization of university research through an empirical study of the development of research commercialization in Australian public-funded universities. Extensive interviews were conducted with academic entrepreneurs and commercialization managers from 19 universities in Australia (hence more than 50% of Australian public universities were involved in the study). The paper identified and discussed the key issues raised in the study and proposed a series of recommendations to enhance the overall performance of university research commercialization.

Academic reference librarians prepare for change: An Australian case study

Leong, J — 2010-11-17T00:00:00Z

The study aims to identify strategies to enhance change readiness and professional competence in academic reference librarians in a time of organizational change and challenge. Design/methodology/approach: The author, as departmental head, was able to influence strategies taken and to directly observe and record processes and outcomes. Staff also participated in two surveys to establish and trace competence. Motivation to deal proactively with the changing environment was built through good communication and looking at likely future scenarios. Required competencies were established, skills assessed, goals set for professional development, and progress assessed. Staff participated in determining directions and took responsibility for implementing agreed actions. Findings: The paper finds that reference staff responded positively to enhanced opportunities to influence directions. They willingly took responsibility, developed new skills for a changing environment, and demonstrated effectiveness in new ways. Positive outcomes included recognition through a national award, successful grant applications and project work, and positive attitudes shown by staff at a time of organizational restructuring and downsizing. Practical implications: Reference staff capability to provide innovative services and to adapt to changing expectations and opportunities is enhanced by participation in management of library directions and through staff development. Originality/value: This case study offers insight into practical and inexpensive approaches to enhancing reference librarian change readiness and competence.

Academic rejection: the coping strategies of women

2009-07-17T00:00:00Z

This paper offers insights into the coping strategies employed by women researchers when handling academic rejection. Female researchers identify four main coping strategies for handling the rejection of an academic paper and the failure of a funding application. The study identified common coping strategies implemented by academic women, and determines whether these strategies are consistent regardless of the type of rejection being dealt with. The research found conflicting responses from the women between their tips or suggestions to others on how to best handle rejection, and the actual coping strategies employed.

Academic social networks affecting the adoption of eLearning in Turkey

Barton, S og Corbitt, B og Nguyen, L — 2011-01-07T00:00:00Z

This article reports findings from an ethnographic study of e-learning adopters in Turkey and examines ways in which cultural factors shape the adoption and use of information technology for online teaching. This research focuses on influential early adopters in the tertiary education sector in Turkey who have become change agents by inspiring small networks of their peers into e-learning. The study examines the operation of trust and inspiration in networking and teamwork in the Asian academic environment. A key finding of this research is that the early adopters of e-learning tend to become change agents in small groups and networks. This research sheds light on the mechanisms by which the process of e-learning adoption relies on social networks and connections.

"A canary in the coalmine: a rejoinder." The final rejoinder in a symposium on the role of history of economics within economics

Kates, S og Millmow, A — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

"A canary in the coalmine: the near death experience of history in Australia" Opening article in an international symposium on the role of the history of economics within economics

Kates, S og Millmow, A — 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z

Acapulco in dreams and reality

Niblo, S og Niblo, D — 2009-07-17T00:00:00Z

This article is an exploration of the development of Acapulco, primarily in the twentieth century. It looks at the political economy of the resort and its importance to the Mexican model of development. It also examines the myths, tourist promotion, and the place of Acapulco in popular culture.

A Cardiac Depression Visual Analogue Scale for the brief and rapid assessment of depression following acute coronary syndromes

2011-11-04T00:00:00Z

Objective: A Cardiac Depression Visual Analogue Scale (CD-VAS) was developed as a rapid and easy method of assessing depressed mood in a cardiac population. The CD-VAS was contrasted against the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Method: Depression was assessed in 58 participants, 2 weeks postacute coronary syndrome (ACS), using the BDI-II and the CDS. Participants then completed the six-item CD-VAS for 14 consecutive days. Results: Using mean weekly scores, the CD-VAS had strong internal reliability (.91) and strong test-retest reliability that ranged from .85 to .97. Principal components analyses found that the CD-VAS only measured one component. The CD-VAS had strong concurrent validity with the BDI-II (r=.81) and the CDS (r=.82) and was able to differentiate between depressed and nondepressed participants. Conclusion: The CD-VAS is a valid and reliable measure for brief and rapid repeated assessments of depressive symptoms in a cardiac population.

A case of homonymy in fossil verrucid barnacles: Verruca withersi (Crustacea, Thoracica)

Jagt, J og Buckeridge, J — 2010-03-18T00:00:00Z

For fossil verrucid barnacles, the name Verruca withersi appears to have been used twice; Schram and Newman described material from the Albian-Cenomanian (Cretaceous) of Colombia, while Kruizinga had previously recorded a new species from the Pleistocene(?) or perhaps younger strata of Sumba (Indonesia). We do not consider V. withersi Schram and Newman to be a cirripede, therefore no replacement name is needed for this junior synonym. Verruca withersi Kruizinga is a valid species related to the extant V. cookei.

A case study approach to issue and crisis management: Schadenfreude or an opportunity to improve?

Jaques, A — 2010-11-17T00:00:00Z

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to encourage understanding of the practical value to managers and communication practitioners of the positive lessons from issue and crisis management cases. Design/methodology/approach: Unlike many other areas of management writing, which focus on new approaches and best practice, issue and crisis management cases often highlight PR disasters where other managers may simply count themselves lucky that it happened to someone else. This paper uses well known examples to explore the reasons for this focus on failure and proposes ways for managers to move beyond schadenfreude to secure genuine learning and competitive advantage from the adverse experiences of others. Findings: Whereas many industry award winning cases are self-serving and prone to wisdom after the event, there is a growing body of authoritative case-books and other material which can provide useful evaluation and benchmarking for an organization's own activity, both internal and external. Originality/value: While academics and their students are familiar with the use of communication case analysis, this paper explores the range of published case study resources for practitioners and other managers who may be less aware of what is currently available and how independent analysis and insight can help facilitate effective performance against accountability.