Writing the visible page : a multimodal approach to graphic devices in literary fiction

This practice-led project has two outcomes: a collection of short stories titled 'Corkscrew Section', and an exegesis. The short stories combine written narrative with visual elements such as images and typographic devices, while the exegesis analyses the function of these graphic devices within adult literary fiction. My creative writing explores a variety of genres and literary styles, but almost all of the stories are concerned with fusing verbal and visual modes of communication. The exegesis adopts the interpretive paradigm of multimodal stylistics, which aims to analyse graphic devices with the same level of detail as linguistic analysis. Within this framework, the exegesis compares and extends previous studies to develop a systematic method for analysing how the interactions between language, images and typography create meaning within multimodal literature.

A framework to better understand emotional experiences with portable interactive devices : preliminary trial

Two longitudinal experiments were conducted exploring emotional experiences with PIDs over six months including media and medial Portable Interactive Devices (PIDs). Results identifying the impact of negative social and personal interactions on the overall emotional experience as well as different task categories (Features, Functional, Mediation and Auxiliary) and their corresponding emotional responses have previously been reported [2,3,4,5]. This paper builds on these findings and presents the Designing for Evolving Emotional Experience (DE3) framework promoting positive (and deals with negative) emotional experiences with PIDs including a set of principles to better understand emotional experiences. To validate the DE3 framework a preliminary trial was conducted with five practicing industrial designers. The trial required them to consider initial design concepts using the DE3 framework followed by a questionnaire asking about their use of the framework for concept development. The trial aimed to analyse the effectiveness, efficiency and usefulness of the framework in assisting in the development of initial concepts for PIDs taking into account emotional experiences. Common themes regarding the framework are outlined including the ease of use, the effectiveness in focusing on the personal and social contexts and positive ratings regarding its use. Overall the feedback from the preliminary trial was encouraging with responses suggesting that the framework was accessible, rated highly and most importantly permitted designers to consider emotional experiences during concept development. The paper concludes with a discussion regarding the future development of the DE3 framework and the potential implications to design theory and the design discipline.

Mixing higher education teaching and learning with mobile devices and social media

The use of mobile devices and social media technologies are becoming all-pervasive in society: they are both transformative and constant. The high levels of mobile device ownership and increased access to social media technologies enables the potential for ‘anytime, anywhere’ cooperation and collaboration in education. While recent reports into emerging technologies in higher education predict an increase in the use of mobile devices and social media technologies (Horizon Report, 2013), there is a lack of theory-based research to indicate how these technologies can be most effectively harnessed to support and enhance student learning and what the impacts of these technologies are on both students and educators. In response to the need to understand how these technologies can be better embraced within higher education, this study investigated how first year education students used mobile devices and social media technologies. More specifically, the study identified how students spent most of their time when connected online with mobile devices and social media technologies and whether the online connected time engaged them in their learning or whether it was a distraction.

Digitally enabled?! An analysis of law and justice students' use of smart devices

The research seeks to understand the nature of law and justice students’ use of technology for their learning purposes. There is often an assumption made that all students have, and engage with, technology to the same degree. The research tests these assumptions by means of a survey conducted of first year law and justice students to determine their actual use of smart devices inside and outside classes. The analysis of results reveals that while the majority of respondents own at least one smart device; most rarely use their device for their learning purposes.

Trialling low-cost level crossing warning devices in Australia

This paper discusses the methodology and design of the Cooperative Research Centre for Rail Innovation’s national low-cost level crossing trial programme currently being conducted in Australia. Three suppliers of innovative low-cost level crossing warning devices were chosen through a tendering and evaluation process. The paper outlines the acceptance criteria that were used to select the suppliers and describes the different types of train detection technologies and innovative cost- reduction solutions that are being tested as part of the trial. The trial is being hosted by three major railways in three different regions in Australia, where systems from the three suppliers have been installed parallel to a baseline conventional track-circuit based level crossing at each site. The paper discusses our experience to date, the trialling process and the challenges that the project has confronted in order to develop a nationally consistent trialling programme.

Quantitative proteomic approach to study subcellular localization of membrane proteins

As proteins within cells are spatially organized according to their role, knowledge about protein localization gives insight into protein function. Here, we describe the LOPIT technique (localization of organelle proteins by isotope tagging) developed for the simultaneous and confident determination of the steady-state distribution of hundreds of integral membrane proteins within organelles. The technique uses a partial membrane fractionation strategy in conjunction with quantitative proteomics. Localization of proteins is achieved by measuring their distribution pattern across the density gradient using amine-reactive isotope tagging and comparing these patterns with those of known organelle residents. LOPIT relies on the assumption that proteins belonging to the same organelle will co-fractionate. Multivariate statistical tools are then used to group proteins according to the similarities in their distributions, and hence localization without complete centrifugal separation is achieved. The protocol requires approximately 3 weeks to complete and can be applied in a high-throughput manner to material from many varied sources.

Sub-cellular localization of membrane proteins

In eukaryotes, numerous complex sub-cellular structures exist. The majority of these are delineated by membranes. Many proteins are trafficked to these in order to be able to carry out their correct physiological function. Assigning the sub-cellular location of a protein is of paramount importance to biologists in the elucidation of its role and in the refinement of knowledge of cellular processes by tracing certain activities to specific organelles. Membrane proteins are a key set of proteins as these form part of the boundary of the organelles and represent many important functions such as transporters, receptors, and trafficking. They are, however, some of the most challenging proteins to work with due to poor solubility, a wide concentration range within the cell and inaccessibility to many of the tools employed in proteomics studies. This review focuses on membrane proteins with particular emphasis on sub-cellular localization in terms of methodologies that can be used to determine the accurate location of membrane proteins to organelles. We also discuss what is known about the membrane protein cohorts of major organelles.

A point prevalence study of cancer nursing practices for managing intravascular devices in an Australian tertiary cancer center

Purpose The use of intravascular devices is associated with a number of potential complications. Despite a number of evidence-based clinical guidelines in this area, there continues to be nursing practice discrepancies. This study aims to examine nursing practice in a cancer care setting to identify nursing practice and areas for improvement respective to best available evidence. Methods A point prevalence survey was undertaken in a tertiary cancer care centre in Queensland, Australia. On a randomly selected day, four nurses assessed intravascular device related nursing practices and collected data using a standardized survey tool. Results 58 inpatients (100%) were assessed. Forty-eight (83%) had a device in situ, comprising 14 Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (29.2%), 14 Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (29.2%), 14 Hickman catheters (29.2%) and six Port-a-Caths (12.4%). Suboptimal outcomes such as incidences of local site complications, incorrect/inadequate documentation, lack of flushing orders, and unclean/non intact dressings were observed. Conclusions This study has highlighted a number of intravascular device related nursing practice discrepancies compared with current hospital policy. Education and other implementation strategies can be applied to improve nursing practice. Following education strategies, it will be valuable to repeat this survey on a regular basis to provide feedback to nursing staff and implement strategies to improve practice. More research is required to provide evidence to clinical practice with regards to intravascular device related consumables, flushing technique and protocols.

Dying feet in ICU : why might extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines cause necrotic feet?

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for severe lung and/or heart failure in intensive care units (ICU). The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) has one of the largest ECMO units in Australia. Its use rapidly increased during the H1N1 (“swine flu”) pandemic and an increase in pedal complications resulted. The relationship between ECMO and pedal complications has been described, particularly in children, though no strong data exists. This paper presents a case series of foot complications in patients having received ECMO treatment. Methods We present nine cases of severe foot complications resulting from patients receiving ECMO treatment at TPCH in 2009–2012. Results Case ages ranged from 16 - 58 years and three were male. Six cases had an unremarkable medical history prior to H1N1 or H1N2 infection, one had Cardiomyopathy, one had received a lung transplant, and one had multi-organ failure post-sepsis. Common medications prescribed included vasopressors, antibiotics, and sedatives. All cases showed signs of markedly impaired peripheral perfusion whilst on ECMO and seven developed increasing areas of foot necrosis. Outcomes include two bilateral below knee amputations, two multiple digital amputations, one Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, three pressure injuries, and three deaths. Conclusion Necrosis of the feet appears to occur more readily in younger people requiring ECMO treatment than others in ICU. The authors are conducting further studies to investigate associations between particular infections, medical history, medications, or machine techniques and severe foot complications. Some of these early results will also be presented at this conference.

Voltage unbalance improvement in low voltage residential feeders with rooftop PVs using custom power devices

Voltage unbalance is a major power quality problem in low voltage residential feeders due to the random location and rating of single-phase rooftop photovoltaic cells (PV). In this paper, two different improvement methods based on the application of series (DVR) and parallel (DSTATCOM) custom power devices are investigated to improve the voltage unbalance problem in these feeders. First, based on the load flow analysis carried out in MATLAB, the effectiveness of these two custom power devices is studied vis-à-vis the voltage unbalance reduction in urban and semi-urban/rural feeders containing rooftop PVs. Their effectiveness is studied from the installation location and rating points of view. Later, a Monte Carlo based stochastic analysis is carried out to investigate their efficacy for different uncertainties of load and PV rating and location in the network. After the numerical analyses, a converter topology and control algorithm is proposed for the DSTATCOM and DVR for balancing the network voltage at their point of common coupling. A state feedback control, based on pole-shift technique, is developed to regulate the voltage in the output of the DSTATCOM and DVR converters such that the voltage balancing is achieved in the network. The dynamic feasibility of voltage unbalance and profile improvement in LV feeders, by the proposed structure and control algorithm for the DSTATCOM and DVR, is verified through detailed PSCAD/EMTDC simulations.

Intranasal immunization with C. muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and cholera toxin elicits local production of neutralising IgA in the prostate

Successful control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through vaccination will require the development of vaccine strategies that target protective immunity to both the female and male reproductive tracts (MRT). In the male, the immune privileged nature of the male reproductive tract provides a barrier to entry of serum immunoglobulins into the male reproductive ducts, thereby preventing the induction of protective immunity using conventional injectable vaccination techniques. In this study we investigated the potential of intranasal (IN) immunization to elicit anti-chlamydial immunity in BALB/c male mice. Intranasal immunization with Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) admixed with cholera toxin (CT) resulted in high levels of MOMP-specific IgA in prostatic fluids (PF) and MOMP-specific IgA-secreting cells in the prostate. Prostatic fluid IgA inhibited in vitro infection of McCoy cells with C. muridarum. Using RT-PCR we also show that mRNA for the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIgR), which transports IgA across mucosal epithelia, is expressed only in the prostate but not in other regions of the male reproductive ducts upstream of the prostate. These data suggest that using intranasal immunization to target IgA to the prostate may protect males against STDs while at the same time maintaining the state of immune privilege within the MRT.

A randomised controlled trial of amniotic membrane in the treatment of a standardised burn injury in the merino lamb

Burn injury is associated with disabling scar formation which impacts on many aspects of the patient's life. Previously we have shown that the fetus heals a deep dermal burn in a scarless fashion. Amniotic membrane (AM) is the outermost fetal tisue and has beeen used as a dressing in thermal injuries, though there is little data to support this use. To assess the efficacy of AM in scar minimisation after deep dermal burn wound, we conducted a randomised controlled study in the 1-month lamb. Lambs were delivered by caesarian section and the amniotic membranes stored after which lambs were returned to their mothers post-operatively. At 1 month, a standardised deep dermal burn was created under general anaesthesia on both flanks of the lamb. One flank was covered with unmatched AM, the other with paraffin gauze. Animals were sequentially euthanased from Day 3-60 after injury and tissue analysed for histopathology and immunohistochemically for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) content. AM resulted in reduced scar tissue as assessed histopathologically and reduced alphaSMA content. This study provides the first laboratory evidence that AM may reduce scar formation after burn injury.

High performance electrochromic devices based on anodized nanoporous Nb2O5

Despite the predictions, the true potential of Nb2O5 for electrochromic applications has yet to be fully realized. In this work, three-dimensional (3D) compact and well-ordered nanoporous Nb2O5 films are synthesized by the electrochemical anodization of niobium thin films. These films are formed using RF sputtering and then anodized in an electrolyte containing ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride, and small water content (4%) at 50 °C which resulted in low embedded impurities within the structure. Characterization of the anodized films shows that a highly crystalline orthorhombic phase of Nb2O5 is obtained after annealing at 450 °C. The 3D structure provides a template consisting of a large concentration of active sites for ion intercalation, while also ensuring low scattering directional paths for electrons. These features enhance the coloration efficiency to 47.0 cm2 C?1 (at 550 nm) for a 500 nm thick film upon Li+ ion intercalation. Additionally, the Nb2O5 electrochromic device shows a high bleached state transparency and large optical modulation.

Vaccination of koalas with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein induces antibodies of different specificity compared to those following a natural live infection

Chlamydial infection in koalas is common across the east coast of Australia and causes significant morbidity, infertility and mortality. An effective vaccine to prevent the adverse consequences of chlamydial infections in koalas (particularly blindness and infertility in females) would provide an important management tool to prevent further population decline of this species. An important step towards developing a vaccine in koalas is to understand the host immune response to chlamydial infection. In this study, we used the Pepscan methodology to identify B cell epitopes across the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) of four C. pecorum strains/genotypes that are recognized, either following (a) natural live infection or (b) administration of a recombinant MOMP vaccine. Plasma antibodies from the koalas naturally infected with a C. pecorum G genotype strain recognised the epitopes located in the variable domain (VD) four of MOMP G and also VD4 of MOMP H. By comparison, plasma antibodies from an animal infected with a C. pecorum F genotype strain recognised epitopes in VD1, 2 and 4 of MOMP F, but not from other genotype MOMPs. When Chlamydia-free koalas were immunised with recombinant MOMP protein they produced antibodies not only against epitopes in the VDs but also in conserved domains of MOMP. Naturally infected koalas immunised with recombinant MOMP protein also produced antibodies against epitopes in the conserved domains. This work paves the way for further refinement of a MOMP-based Chlamydia vaccine that will offer wide cross-protection against the variety of chlamydial infections circulating in wild koala populations.

Geo-locked photo sharing on mobile devices

We introduce the idea of geo-locking through a mobile phone based photo sharing application called Picalilly (figure 1). Using its geo-locking feature, Picalilly allows its users to manually define geographical boundaries for sharing photos -- limiting sharing within user-defined boundaries as well as facilitating open sharing between strangers within such boundaries. To explore the potential of geo-locking, we carried out a small scale field trial of Picalilly involving two groups of students, who were part of a two-week long introduction program at a university. Our preliminary results show that Picalilly facilitated 1) sharing of 'places' and 2) localized explorations.