Optimising COBIT 5 for IT governance : examples from the public sector

Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) has grown to be one of the most significant IT Governance (ITG) frameworks available and also the best suited for audit, as it provides comprehensive guidance around IT processes and related business goals. However, given the constraints of both time and resources within which the Australian public sector is forced to operate, implementing an audit framework the size of COBIT in its entirety is often considered too large a task. As an alternative to full implementation it is not uncommon for the public sector to “cherry pick” controls from the framework in an effort to reduce its size. This paper reports on research undertaken to evaluate the potential to use an optimised sub-set of COBIT 5 for ITG audit in Australian public sector organisations. A survey methodology was employed to determine the control-objectives considered to be the most important to a selection of public sector organisations. Twelve control-objectives were identified as being most important to Queensland public sector organisations. As ten of these were also identified by previous studies, it appears possible to derive an optimised sub-set from COBIT 5 that would be both enduring and relevant across geographical and organisational contexts.

Cytokine synthesis by intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Both gamma/delta T cell receptor-positive and alpha/beta T cell receptor-positive T cells in the G1 phase of cell cycle produce IFN-gamma and IL-5

Murine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) have been shown to contain subsets of alpha/beta TCR+ and gamma/delta TCR+ T cells that spontaneously produce cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-5. We have now determined the nature and cell cycle stage of these cytokine-producing T lymphocytes in EIL by using IFN-gamma- and IL-5-specific ELISPOT assay, cytokine-specific mRNA-cDNA dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry (FACS) for DNA analysis. When CD3+ T cells from IEL of normal C3H/HeN mice were separated into low and high density fractions by discontinuous Percoll gradients, IFN-gamma and IL-5 spot-forming cells were only found in the former population. Analysis of mRNA for these cytokines by both IFN-gamma- and IL-5-specific dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction revealed that higher levels of message for IFN-gamma and IL-5 were also seen in the low density fraction. However, cell cycle analysis of these two fractions by FACS using propidium iodide showed a similar pattern of cell cycle stages in both low and high density populations (G0 + G1 approximately 96 to 98% and S/G2 + M approximately 2 to 4%). Finally, mRNA from gamma/delta TCR+ and alpha/beta TCR+ T cells in both low and high density fractions of IEL were analyzed for IFN-gamma and IL-5 message by polymerase chain reaction. After 35 cycles of amplification, both gamma/delta TCR+ and alpha/beta TCR+ T cells in the low density fraction expressed higher levels of message for these two cytokines when compared with the high density population. These results have now shown that both gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR+ IEL can be separated into low and high density subsets and both fractions possess a similar stage of cell cycle. However, only the low density cells (in G1 phase) of both gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR types possess increased cytokine-specific mRNA and produce the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-5. Our results suggest that alpha/beta TCR+ and gamma/delta TCR+ IEL can produce cytokines without cell proliferation.

Poly[(mu6-4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropyridine-2-carboxylato)aquacaesium

In the structure of the title complex, [Cs(C6H2Cl3N2O2)(H2O)]n, the caesium salt of the commercial herbicide picloram, the Cs+ cation lies on a crystallographic mirror plane, which also contains the coordinating water molecule and all non-H atoms of the 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinate anion except the carboxylate O-atom donors. The irregular CsCl4O5 coordination polyhedron comprises chlorine donors from the ortho-related ring substituents of the picloramate ligand in a bidentate chelate mode, with a third chlorine bridging [Cs-Cl range 3.6052 (11)-3.7151 (11) Å] as well as a bidentate chelate carboxylate group giving sheets extending parallel to (010). A three-dimensional coordination polymer structure is generated through the carboxylate group, which also bridges the sheets down [010]. Within the structure, there are intra-unit water O-HOcarboxylate and amine N-HNpyridine hydrogen-bonding interactions.

Reproductive health: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Chapter 5: fertility and infertility

Chapter 5: Fertility and infertility. p52-70. This section describes patterns of fertility across Surveys 1 to 4 among the cohort of women who were born in 1973-1978. This section includes the examination of pregnancy outcomes including both live births and pregnancy losses (stillbirths, miscarriages, terminations and ectopic pregnancies). This section also examines the prevalence of self-reported problems with fertility and whether these women sought advice and/or treatment. As women age they are more likely to experience infertility and, with little other data available, the ALSWH provides an important opportunity to examine this problem and the related use of health services. 1. Pregnancy losses are common. Half of the women who report a pregnancy outcome at Survey 4 have experienced a pregnancy loss. 2. More than one third (39%) of women who have experienced a live birth by Survey 4 have also experienced a pregnancy loss. 3. For every ten women aged 28-33 years in 2006: four women had not had been pregnant, five women had a live birth (with or without a recognised pregnancy loss), and one woman had a recognised pregnancy loss only. 4. Among women who had tried to conceive or had been pregnant, one-in-six had experienced infertility. (i.e. tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 12 months or more) 5. The most significant factors associated with having infertility, seeking advice and using treatment were: polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and miscarriage. 6. Of the women who reported infertility, two-thirds sought advice but only half used treatment. 7. Most of the women who used fertility treatment had used low cost and non-invasive methods.

Validity and use of the UV index : Report from the UVI working group, Schloss Hohenkammer, Germany, 5-7 December 2011

The adequacy of the UV Index (UVI), a simple measure of ambient solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, has been questioned on the basis of recent scientific data on the importance of vitamin D for human health, the mutagenic capacity of radiation in the UVA wavelength, and limitations in the behavioral impact of the UVI as a public awareness tool. A working group convened by ICNIRP and WHO met to assess whether modifications of the UVI were warranted and to discuss ways of improving its effectiveness as a guide to healthy sun-protective behavior. A UV Index greater than 3 was confirmed as indicating ambient UV levels at which harmful sun exposure and sunburns could occur and hence as the threshold for promoting preventive messages. There is currently insufficient evidence about the quantitative relationship of sun exposure, vitamin D, and human health to include vitamin D considerations in sun protection recommendations. The role of UVA in sunlight-induced dermal immunosuppression and DNA damage was acknowledged, but the contribution of UVA to skin carcinogenesis could not be quantified precisely. As ambient UVA and UVB levels mostly vary in parallel in real life situations, any minor modification of the UVI weighting function with respect to UVA-induced skin cancer would not be expected to have a significant impact on the UV Index. Though it has been shown that the UV Index can raise awareness of the risk of UV radiation to some extent, the UVI does not appear to change attitudes to sun protection or behavior in the way it is presently used. Changes in the UVI itself were not warranted based on these findings, but rather research testing health behavior models, including the roles of self-efficacy and self-affirmation in relation to intention to use sun protection among different susceptible groups, should be carried out to develop more successful strategies toward improving sun protection behavior. Health Phys. 103(3):301-306; 2012

Re-melting of Bi-2212/Ag laminated tapes by partial melting process

Bi-2212 tapes are prepared by a combination of dip-coating and partial melt processing. We investigate the effect of re-melting of those tapes by partial melting followed by slow cooling on the structure and superconducting properties. Microstructural studies of re-melted samples show that they have the same overall composition as partially melted tapes. However, the fractional volumes of the secondary phases differ and the amounts and distribution of the secondary phases have a significant effect on the critical current. Critical current of Bi-2212/Ag tapes strongly depends on the maximum processing temperature. Initial J(c)'s of the tapes, which are partially melted, then slowly solidified at optimum conditions and finally post-annealed in an inert atmosphere, are up to 10.4 x 10(3) A/cm(2). It is found that the maximum processing temperature at initial partial melting has an influence on the optimum re-heat treatment conditions for the tapes. Re-melted tapes processed at optimum conditions recover superconducting properties after post-annealing in an inert atmosphere: the J(c) values of the tapes are about 80-110% of initial J(c)'s of those tapes.

Bi-2212/Ag laminated tapes: Bending and joining effects

Superconducting composite Bi-2212/Ag tapes and their joints are fabricated by a combination of dip-coating and partial melt processing. The heat treated tapes have a critical current (Ic) between 8 and 26A, depending on tape thickness and the number of Bi-2212 layers. Current transmissions between 80% and 100% have been achieved through the joints of tapes. Different types of HTS joints of Bi-2212/Ag laminated tapes are made and their transport properties during winding operations are investigated. Irreversible strain values (ε irrev) for laminated tapes and their joints are determined and it is found that the degradation of Ic during tape bending depends on the type of joint.

Superconducting joints of Bi-2212/Ag tapes and laminates

Different types of HTS joints of Bi-2212/Ag tapes and laminates, which are fabricated by dip-coating and partial-melt processes, have been investigated. All joints are prepared using green single and laminated tapes and according to the scheme: coating-joining-processing. The heat treated tapes have critical current (Ic) between 7 and 27 A, depending on tape thickness and the number of Bi-2212 ceramic layers in laminated tapes. It is found that the current transport properties of joints depend on the type of laminate, joint configuration and joint treatment, Ic losses in joints of Bi-2212 tapes and laminates are attributed to defects in their structure, such as pores, secondary phases and misalignment of Bi-2212 grains near the Ag edges. By optimizing joint configuration, current transmission up to 100% is achieved for both single tapes and laminated tapes.

Bi-2212/Ag tapes and laminates : effects of bending

Superconducting Bi-2212 tapes and laminates are fabricated by a combination of dip-coating and partial melt processing. The heat treated tapes have critical current densities (Jc) up to 11 kAcm -2. We investigate the degradation of critical current (Ic) during bending experiments for both single tapes and tapes with laminate structure. Although degradation of Ic is observed in both forms, the characteristics of the degradation differ. It is determined that laminated tapes perform better than single tapes when critical current is measured against bending radius, and laminated tapes tolerate a higher strain for a given reduction in critical current. It is found that increasing the number of Bi-2212 layers increases the total Ic of the laminated tape, but degradation of critical current is more pronounced during bending because of the increased total thickness of the laminate structure. It is also found that addition of silver to the Bi-2212 layers reduces critical current degradation during bending for both tapes and laminates.

Partial melt processing and electrical properties of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-o superconducting thick films on (100) MgO substrates

Superconducting thick films of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy (Bi-2212) on single-crystalline (100) MgO substrates have been prepared using a doctor-blade technique and a partial-melt process. It is found that the phase composition and the amount of Ag addition to the paste affect the structure and superconducting properties of the partially melted thick films. The optimum heat treatment schedule for obtaining high Jc has been determined for each paste. The heat treatment ensures attainment of high purity for the crystalline Bi-2212 phase and high orientation of Bi-2212 crystals, in which the c-axis is perpendicular to the substrate. The highest Tc, obtained by resistivity measurement, is 92.2 K. The best value for Jct (transport) of these thick films, measured at 77 K in self-field, is 8 × 10 3 Acm -2.

Reaction products between Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-oxide thick films and alumina substrates

The structure and composition of reaction products between Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-oxide (BSCCO) thick films and alumina substrates have been characterized using a combination of electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Sr and Ca are found to be the most reactive cations with alumina. Sr4Al6O12SO4 is formed between the alumina substrates and BSCCO thick films prepared from paste with composition close to Bi-2212 (and Bi-2212 + 10 wt.% Ag). For paste with composition close to Bi(Pb)-2223 + 20 wt.% Ag, a new phase with f.c.c. structure, lattice parameter about a = 24.5 A and approximate composition Al3Sr2CaBi2CuOx has been identified in the interface region. Understanding and control of these reactions is essential for growth of high quality BSCCO thick films on alumina. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Anatomical MR imaging of long bones : comparative performance of MRI at 1.5 T and 3 T

The current gold standard for the design of orthopaedic implants is 3D models of long bones obtained using computed tomography (CT). However, high-resolution CT imaging involves high radiation exposure, which limits its use in healthy human volunteers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an attractive alternative for the scanning of healthy human volunteers for research purposes. Current limitations of MRI include difficulties of tissue segmentation within joints and long scanning times. In this work, we explore the possibility of overcoming these limitations through the use of MRI scanners operating at a higher field strength. We quantitatively compare the quality of anatomical MR images of long bones obtained at 1.5 T and 3 T and optimise the scanning protocol of 3 T MRI. FLASH images of the right leg of five human volunteers acquired at 1.5 T and 3 T were compared in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The comparison showed a relatively high CNR and SNR at 3 T for most regions of the femur and tibia, with the exception of the distal diaphyseal region of the femur and the mid diaphyseal region of the tibia. This was accompanied by an ~65% increase in the longitudinal spin relaxation time (T1) of the muscle at 3 T compared to 1.5 T. The results suggest that MRI at 3 T may be able to enhance the segmentability and potentially improve the accuracy of 3D anatomical models of long bones, compared to 1.5 T. We discuss how the total imaging times at 3 T can be kept short while maximising the CNR and SNR of the images obtained.

Transmission X-ray microscopy : a new tool in clay mineral floccules characterization

Effective flocculation and dewatering of mineral processing streams containing clays are microstructure dependent in clay-water systems. Initial clay flocculation is crucial in the design and for the development of a new methodology of gas exploitation. Microstructural engineering of clay aggregates using covalent cations and Keggin macromolecules have been monitored using the new state of the art Transmission X-ray Microscope (TXM) with 60 nm tomography resolution installed in a Taiwanese synchrotron. The 3-D reconstructions from TXM images show complex aggregation structures in montmorillonite aqueous suspensions after treatment with Na+, Ca2+ and Al13 Keggin macromolecules. Na-montmorillonite displays elongated, parallel, well-orientated and closed-void cellular networks, 0.5–3 μm in diameter. After treatment by covalent cations, the coagulated structure displays much smaller, randomly orientated and openly connected cells, 300–600 nm in diameter. The average distances measured between montmorillonite sheets was around 450 nm, which is less than half of the cell dimension measured in Na-montmorillonite. The most dramatic structural changes were observed after treatment by Al13 Keggin; aggregates then became arranged in compacted domains of a 300 nm average diameter composed of thick face-to-face oriented sheets, which forms porous aggregates with larger intra-aggregate open and connected voids.