3D haptic needle insertion simulator utilising an agent based spherical voxel model

This paper describes a technique for the real-time modeling of deformable tissue. Specifically geared towards needle insertion simulation, the low computational requirements of the model enable highly accurate haptic feedback to a user without introducing noticeable time delay or buzzing generally associated with haptic surgery simulation. Using a spherical voxel array combined with aspects of computational geometry and agent communication and interaction principals, the model is capable of providing haptic update rates of over 1000Hz with real-time visual feedback. Iterating through over 1000 voxels per millisecond to determine collision and haptic response while making use of Vieta’s Theorem for extraneous force culling.

Global education and teachers : the critical edge

The imperative to teach with a global focus is reiterated through curriculum statements in Society and Environment area in Australia that include 'global' in their rationale. Questions arise from this such as - What does this mean and how is global enacted in practice in the classroom? How do teachers prepare students to become teachers for a world which is global in its outlook and influences? It is not however curriculum statements, nor textbooks that are the carriers of global education, but teachers themselves through their own stories, and the meaning of these. The role of teachers' lived experiences in teaching global education is often silenced in school classrooms.

This paper will explore imperatives to teach global education as noted in Australia's curriculum statements alongside the importance of teachers' lived experiences in delivering such a curriculum.

Simulating autonomous robot teams with Microsoft robotics studio

This paper presents an application of Microsoft Robotics Studio (MSRS) in which a team of six four wheel drive, ground based robots explore and map simulated terrain. The user has the ability to modify the terrain and assign destination objectives to the team while the simulation is running. The terrain is initially generated using a gray scale image, in which the intensity of each pixel in the image gives an altitude datum. The robots start with no knowledge of their surroundings, and map the terrain as they attempt to reach user-defined target objectives. The mapping process simulates the use of common sensory hardware to determine datum points, including provision for field of view, detection range, and measurement accuracy. If traversal of a mapped area is indicated by the users’ targeting commands, path planning heuristics developed for MSRS by the author in earlier work are used to determine an efficient series of waypoints to reach the objective. Mutability of terrain is also explored- the user is able to modify the terrain without stopping the simulation. This forces the robots to adapt to changing environmental conditions, and permits analysis of the robustness of mapping algorithms used when faced with a changing world.

Effects of human activities on rocky shores of the Surf Coast Shire: scientific basis for management at the regional level

The Surf Coast Shire in regional Victoria contains some of the most spectacular coastline in Australia, running from Point Impossible in the east to just west of the resort town of Lorne. The Surf Coast Shire council is committed to ecologically sustainable tourism based on its coastal assets, including the important intertidal environments. The challenge for the Shire is to protect and enhance the biodiversity of its intertidal areas whilst allowing for their sustainable use as a critical component of the local economy. In order to do this the Council needed to identify the conservation values of intertidal areas within the shire and assess the impacts that current human use has on these values. The impacts of shellfish collecting on rocky shores were identified as an issue of particular concern. We have conducted a research project with the Shire to provide a scientific basis for management decisions. The principal aims of this project were to: (1) determine the patterns of human use of intertidal habitats; (2) measure the impacts of human usage on biological communities and species populations; and (3) to identify intertidal sites of regional conservation significance for the Surf Coast Shire. Surveys of human usage identified reef walking, looking in rock pools and fossicking as major uses of rocky shores within the Surf Coast. This poster reports the effects of this usage on gastropod populations of rocky shores within the Surf Coast Shire. A small proportion of visitors collected intertidal organisms. Shores were categorized as high or low use based on total numbers of people observed at each shore over the first year of the project. Mean size and catch per unit effort were compared for several gastropod species between high use and low use shores. The results presented here show that the populations of some gastropod species are of smaller mean size and less abundant on high use shores than on low use shores. There was also a noticeable difference in degree of effect detected between sandstone and mudstone shores. The implications of these results are briefly discussed in terms of management options available to the Shire.

Environmental management system and electronic communication : Is it the need of the hour?

Implementation and certification of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) is a reality for many businesses. Communication with an organisation’s stakeholders is a required element of any EMS. In the last five years companies have steadily moved towards integrating their different management systems, such as quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety, in an attempt to reduce their costs and increase efficiency. Legislation requires extensive reporting in each of these areas, so compliance is another important driver. During this period, communication by digital technology, or electronic communication, has gained prominence and acceptance amongst all groups of people including businesses primarily as a means to disseminate crucial EMS information to geographically diverse employees in a cost effective and instantaneous manner. Some perspectives have emerged to suggest that change processes in organisations may be hindered or helped in various ways through the application of digital technology in EMS. There are, however, gaps in the literature that document the impact and effectiveness of electronic communication amongst EMS stakeholders. In this paper we will discuss employees as one of the major stakeholders and whether the move to electronic communication has been assisting or hindering transformations in awareness and understanding of issues amongst employees. We highlight opportunities and challenges presented by an increased use of electronic communication in light of the environmental and climate change debates, which underpin EMS.

A new paradigm for sustainable residential buildings

This paper explores a new paradigm in housing, where dwellings will be pre-fabricated, modular, energy efficient, transportable and use renewable and/or recyclable resources. The paper reviews previous attempts to produce housing, which meets some of the criteria for this new paradigm. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. An approach towards a new type of modular prefabricated unit is proposed. A preliminary energy analysis, comparing a present relocatable classroom construction with one upgraded, is provided as an example towards low energy building operation. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the requirements of future housing if we are to progress towards sustainability.

Indoor environment quality and occupant productivity in the CH2 building

This paper presents a summary of the results from a post-occupancy evaluation study on indoor environment quality (lEO) and occupant health, wellbeing and productivity in the Council House 2 (CH2) building, which is owned and occupied by the City of Melbourne. This case study has highlighted that the productivity of office building occupants can potentially be enhanced through good building design, and provision of a high quality, healthy, comfortable and functional interior environment, that takes account of basic occupant needs.

Computer-simulated environment for training : challenge of efficacy evaluation

Computer-assisted instruction has been around for decades. There has been much speculation about the benefits of computer-mediated learning. Numerous applications have been developed in different domains incorporated with emerging technologies. In recently years, advanced technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), have received much attention in their potential of creating interactive learning experience for the users. However, related literature and empirical studies indicated that learning effects in computer-simulated environments or Virtual Environments (VEs) are not systematically tested. Furthermore, the performance and learning in computer-simulated learning environment need to be evaluated through more rigorous methods. This paper suggests that 1) the efficacy of VEs is subject to a close examination, not only in terms of how VE-based training systems are easy of use, but also in terms of how effective learning is; 2) evaluation of learning in computer simulated learning environments is required to be reconsidered in terms of theoretical basis and evaluation methodologies that are relevant to the measurement of training effectiveness in computer-simulated virtual learning environment. This paper explains on how learning can be assessed in VEs through the lens of training evaluation.

Mapping and molecular modeling of S-adenosyl-L-methionine binding sites in N-methyltransferase domains of the multifunctional polypeptide cyclosporin synthetase

We employed a highly specific photoaffinity labeling procedure, using 14C-labeled S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to define the chemical structure of the AdoMet binding centers on cyclosporin synthetase (CySyn). Tryptic digestion of CySyn photolabeled with either [methyl-14C]AdoMet or [carboxyl-14C]AdoMet yielded the sequence H2N-Asn-Asp-Gly-Leu-Glu-Ser-Tyr-Val-Gly-Ile-Glu-Pro-Ser-Arg-COOH (residues 10644-10657), situated within the N-methyltransferase domain of module 8 of CySyn. Radiosequencing detected Glu10654 and Pro10655 as the major sites of derivatization. [carboxyl-14C]AdoMet in addition labeled Tyr10650. Chymotryptic digestion generated the radiolabeled peptide H2N-Ile-Gly-Leu-Glu-Pro-Ser-Gln-Ser-Ala-Val-Gln-Phe-COOH, corresponding to amino acids 2125-2136 of the N-methyltransferase domain of module 2. The radiolabeled amino acids were identified as Glu2128 and Pro2129, which are equivalent in position and function to the modified residues identified with tryptic digestions in module 8. Homology modeling of the N-methyltransferase domains indicates that these regions conserve the consensus topology of the AdoMet binding fold and consensus cofactor interactions seen in structurally characterized AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases. The modified sequence regions correspond to the motif II consensus sequence element, which is involved in directly complexing the adenine and ribose components of AdoMet. We conclude that the AdoMet binding to nonribosomal peptide synthetase N-methyltransferase domains obeys the consensus cofactor interactions seen among most structurally characterized low molecular weight AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases.

Ten lessons for developing a health information website

This paper outlines ten lessons derived from the development of a palliative care website, www.pallcarevic.asn.au. The following program elements contributed to the success of the project: (1) peer and stakeholder participation; (2) response to a significant need; (3) networking skills; (4) administrative skills; (5) mediation of conflicts; (6) project management skills; (7) sourcing of good evidence; (8) iterative evaluation involving users and stakeholders; (9) iterative expert evaluation; and (10) a well thought through sustainability strategy.