Managing innovative change within organisations and project team environments

In an attempt to enhance the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of today’s Architectural, Engineering, and Contractor (AEC) industry, this paper summarises the current status of an ongoing PhD research investigation in developing a sustainable AEC industry specific best-practice ‘Innovation-driven Change Framework’—more specifically a summation of the ‘fourth interrelated dynamic’ (culture). Leveraging off the outcomes of a two year industry and government supported Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRCCI) research project, as well as referring to recent internationally renowned case studies and related literature investigations, this research investigation includes further identifying, processing, analysing and categorizing various culture change methods, models, frameworks and processes utilized within the AEC and other industry sectors, and incorporating these findings in developing an AEC industry-specific ‘Innovation-driven Change Framework’

Sulfate intercalated layered double hydroxides prepared by the reformation effect

The removal of the sulfate anion from water using synthetic hydrotalcite (Mg/Al LDH) was investigated using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Synthetic hydrotalcite Mg6Al2(OH)16(CO3)∙4H2O was prepared by the co-precipitation method from aluminum and magnesium chloride salts. The synthetic hydrotalcite was thermally activated to a maximum temperature of 380°C. Samples of thermally activated hydrotalcite where then treated with aliquots of 1000ppm sulfate solution. The resulting products where dried and characterized by XRD and TG. Powder XRD revealed that hydrotalcite had been successfully prepared and that the product obtained after treatment with sulfate solution also conformed well to the reference pattern of hydrotalcite. The d(003) spacing of all samples was found to be within the acceptable region for a LDH structure. TG revealed all products underwent a similar decomposition to that of hydrotalcite. It was possible to propose a reasonable mechanism for the thermal decomposition of a sulfate containing Mg/Al LDH. The similarities in the results may indicate that the reformed hydrotalcite may contain carbonate anion as well as sulfate. Further investigation is required to confirm this.

High-resolution DNA melt curve analysis of the clustered, regularly interspaced short-palindromic-repeat locus of Campylobacter jejuni

A novel method for genotyping the clustered, regularly interspaced short-palindromic-repeat (CRISPR) locus of Campylobacter jejuni is described. Following real-time PCR, CRISPR products were subjected to high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis, a new technology that allows precise melt profile determination of amplicons. This investigation shows that the CRISPR HRM assay provides a powerful addition to existing C. jejuni genotyping methods and emphasizes the potential of HRM for genotyping short sequence repeats in other species

CAUSEE Dataset and documentation

The Comprehensive Australian Study of Entrepreneurial Emergence (CAUSEE) is the largest study of new firm creation ever undertaken in Australia. The project provides an exciting opportunity to fundamentally improve our understanding of independent entrepreneurship in Australia by studying factors that initiate, hinder and facilitate the process of emergence of new economic activities and organisations. The longitudinal project has followed a large random sample of nascent firms (n=625) and young firms (n=559) over a six year period. NFs are on-going start-up efforts while YFs are already established but less than four years old. The study also includes a comparison group of non-founders and over-samples of over 100 high potential start-ups in each category. The CAUSEE dataset file contains hundreds of variables throughout 5 waves of data collection. Extensive documentation on the dataset is available in the related handbook. The CAUSEE project has received significant external funding from the Australian Research Council (DP0666616 and LP0776845); National Australia Bank; BDO Australia, and the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

Two SusD-like proteins encoded within a polysaccharide utilisation locus of an uncultured ruminant bacteroidetes bind strongly to cellulose

We demonstrate that two characteristic Sus-like proteins encoded within a Polysaccharide Utilisation Locus (PUL) bind strongly to cellulosic substrates and interact with plant primary cell walls. This shows associations between uncultured Bacteroidetes-affiliated lineages and cellulose in the rumen, and thus presents new PUL-derived targets to pursue regarding plant biomass degradation.

Persistence of multiple genetic lineages within intra-host populations of Ross River virus

We examined the structure and extent of genetic diversity in intrahost populations of Ross River virus (RRV) in samples from six human patients, focusing on the nonstructural (nsP3) and structural (E2) protein genes. Strikingly, although the samples were collected from contrasting ecological settings 3,000 kilometers apart in Australia, we observed multiple viral lineages in four of the six individuals, which is indicative of widespread mixed infections. In addition, a comparison with previously published RRV sequences revealed that these distinct lineages have been in circulation for at least 5 years, and we were able to document their long-term persistence over extensive geographical distances

Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase target distinct phases of early reverse transcription

Early HIV-1 reverse transcription can be separated into initiation and elongation phases. Here we show, using PCR analysis of negative-strand strong-stop DNA [(−)ssDNA] synthesis in intact virus, that different reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors affect distinct phases of early natural endogenous reverse transcription (NERT). The effects of nevirapine on NERT were consistent with a mechanism of action including both specific and nonspecific binding events. The nonspecific component of this inhibition targeted the elongation reaction, whereas the specific effect seemed principally to be directed at very early events (initiation or the initiation-elongation switch). In contrast, foscarnet and the nucleoside analog ddATP inhibited both early and late (−)ssDNA synthesis in a similar manner. We also examined compounds that targeted other viral proteins and found that Ro24-7429 (a Tat antagonist) and rosmarinic acid (an integrase inhibitor) also directly inhibited RT. Our results indicate that NERT can be used to identify and evaluate compounds that directly target the reverse transcription complex.

A safety adapted car following model for traffic safety studies

Traffic safety studies demand more than what current micro-simulation models can provide as they presume that all drivers exhibit safe behaviors. All the microscopic traffic simulation models include a car following model. This paper highlights the limitations of the Gipps car following model ability to emulate driver behavior for safety study purposes. A safety adapted car following model based on the Gipps car following model is proposed to simulate unsafe vehicle movements, with safety indicators below critical thresholds. The modifications are based on the observations of driver behavior in real data and also psychophysical notions. NGSIM vehicle trajectory data is used to evaluate the new model and short following headways and Time To Collision are employed to assess critical safety events within traffic flow. Risky events are extracted from available NGSIM data to evaluate the modified model against them. The results from simulation tests illustrate that the proposed model can predict the safety metrics better than the generic Gipps model. The outcome of this paper can potentially facilitate assessing and predicting traffic safety using microscopic simulation.

Using process models to support design of airport terminals

The complex design process of airport terminal needs to support a wide range of changes in operational facilities for both usual and unusual/emergency events. Process model describes how activities within a process are connected and also states logical information flow of the various activities. The traditional design process overlooks the necessity of information flow from the process model to the actual building design, which needs to be considered as a integral part of building design. The current research introduced a generic method to obtain design related information from process model to incorporate with the design process. Appropriate integration of the process model prior to the design process uncovers the relationship exist between spaces and their relevant functions, which could be missed in the traditional design approach. The current paper examines the available Business Process Model (BPM) and generates modified Business Process Model(mBPM) of check-in facilities of Brisbane International airport. The information adopted from mBPM then transform into possible physical layout utilizing graph theory.

Incident investigation training needs for the Australasian rail industry

A core component for the prevention of re-occurring incidents within the rail industry is rail safety investigations. Within the current Australasian rail industry, the nature of incident investigations varies considerably between organisations. As it stands, most of the investigations are conducted by the various State Rail Operators and Regulators, with the more major investigations in Australia being conducted or overseen by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Because of the varying nature of these investigations, the current training methods for rail incident investigators also vary widely. While there are several commonly accepted training courses available to investigators in Australasia, none appear to offer the breadth of development needed for a comprehensive pathway. Furthermore, it appears that no single training course covers the entire breadth of competencies required by the industry. These courses range in duration between a few days to several years, and some were run in-house while others are run by external consultants or registered training organisations. Through consultations with rail operators and regulators in Australasia, this paper will identify capabilities required for rail incident investigation and explore the current training options available for rail incident investigators.

A comparative analysis of Anglo-Australian pre-packs : can the means be made to justify the ends?

Pre-packaged administrations have been prevalent in the UK for years. However, Australia's voluntary administration regime has been more restrictive of the practice. This article analyses the evolution of UK pre-packs, why they are not prevalent in Australia and the challenges for UK and Australian lawmakers in striking the right balance with pre-packs in their respective administration regimes. The article proposes a mechanism that might make ‘connected-party’ pre-pack business sales work more fairly for stakeholders — that is, by obligating a connected-party purchaser to make a future-income contribution in favour of the insolvent company whose business has been ‘rescued’ by a pre-packaged sale in administration.