On the threshold of forgetting: Amnesiac identities and the Brazilian capital

Centuries after Locke asserted the importance of memory to identity, Freudian psychology argued that what was forgotten was of equal importance as to what was remembered. The closing decades of the nineteenth century saw a rising interest in the nature of forgetting, resulting in a reassessment and newfound distrust of the long revered faculty of memory. The relationship between memory and identity was inverted, seeing forgetting also become a means for forging identity. This newfound distrust of memory manifested in the writings of Nietzsche who in 1874 called for society to learn to feel unhistorically and distance itself from the past - in what was essentially tantamount to a cultural forgetting. Following the Nietzschean call, the architecture of Modernism was also compelled by the need to 'overcome' the limits imposed by history. This paper examines notions of identity through the shifting boundaries of remembering and forgetting, with particular reference to the construction of Brazilian identity through the ‘repression’ of history and memory in the design of the Brazilian capital. Designed as a forward-looking modernist utopia, transcending the limits imposed by the country's colonial heritage, the design for Brasilia exploited the anti-historicist agenda of modernism to emancipate the country from cultural and political associations with the Portuguese Empire. This paper examines the relationship between place, memory and forgetting through a discussion of the design for Brasilia.

Closing the gap in curriculum development leadership

“Closing the gap in curriculum development leadership” is a Carrick-funded University of Queensland project which is designed to address two related gaps in current knowledge and in existing professional development programs for academic staff. The first gap is in our knowledge of curriculum and pedagogical issues as they arise in relation to multi-year sequences of study, such as majors in generalist degrees, or core programs in more structured degrees. While there is considerable knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy at the course or individual unit of study level (e.g. Philosophy I), there is very little properly conceptualised, empirically informed knowledge about student learning (and teaching) over, say, a three-year major sequence in a traditional Arts or Sciences subject. The Carrick-funded project aims to (begin to) fill this gap through bottom-up curriculum development projects across the range of UQ’s offerings. The second gap is in our professional development programs and, indeed, in our recognition and support for the people who are in charge of such multi-year sequences of study. The major convener or program coordinator is not as well supported, in Australian and overseas professional development programs, as the lecturer in charge of a single course (or unit of study). Nor is her work likely to be taken account of in workload calculations or for the purposes of promotion and career advancement more generally. The Carrick-funded project aims to fill this gap by developing, in consultation with crucial stakeholders, amendments to existing university policies and practices. The attached documents provide a useful introduction to the project. For more information, please contact Fred D’Agostino at f.dagostino@uq.edu.au.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Transit Oriented Development Project Delivery

A major challenge in successfully implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) is having a robust process that ensures effective appraisal, initiation and delivery of multi-stakeholder TOD projects. A step-by step project development process can assist in the methodic design, evaluation, and initiation of TOD projects. Successful TOD requires attention to transit, mixed-use development and public space. Brisbane, Australia provides a case-study where recent planning policies and infrastructure documents have laid a foundation for TOD, but where barriers lie in precinct level planning and project implementation. In this context and perhaps in others, the research effort needs to shift toward identification of appropriate project processes and strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of research conducted to date. Drawing on the mainstream approach to project development and financial evaluation for property projects, key steps for potential use in successful delivery of TOD projects have been identified, including: establish the framework; location selection; precinct context review; preliminary precinct design; the initial financial viability study; the decision stage; establishment of project structure; land acquisition; development application; and project delivery. The appropriateness of this mainstream development and appraisal process will be tested through stakeholder research, and the proposed process will then be refined for adoption in TOD projects. It is suggested that the criteria for successful TOD should be broadened beyond financial concerns in order to deliver public sector support for project initiation.

Compiling a GIS database of tree farms on Leyte Island

As part of ACIAR project ASEM/2003/052, Improving Financial Returns to Smallholder Tree Farmers in the Philippines, plantations of timber trees in Leyte Island, the Philippines were located using a systematic survey of the island. The survey was undertaken in order to compile a database of plantations which could be used to guide the planning of project activities. In addition to recording a range of qualitative and quantitative information for each plantation, the survey spatially referenced each site using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to electronic maps of the island which were held in a Geographical Information System (GIS). Microsoft Excel and Mapsource® software were used as the software links between GPS coordinates and the GIS. Mapping of farm positions was complicated by different datums being used for maps of Leyte Island and this caused GPS positions to be displaced from equivalent positions on the map. Photos of the sites were hyperlinked to their map positions in the GIS in order to assist staff to recall site characteristics.

An evaluation of the Keep on Talking program for maintaining communication skills into old

Communication skills change with age as a result of sensory deficits, memory loss, and increasing word finding difficulties The Keep on Talking program (L. Hickson, H. Barnett, L. Worrall, & E. Yiu, 1994) was developed to assist older people to develop their own strategies for maintaining communication skills into old age. Two hundred and fifty-two healthy older people were recruited from the community and were assessed on a battery of communication assessments on entry to the study and at 1 year after entry. The experimental group (n = 120) participated in the 5-week group Keep on Talking program run by volunteers A further 130 control subjects were assessed only. The short-term effectiveness of the program was evaluated using a short knowledge based and attitudinal questionnaire and qualitative written feedback. At the I-year follow up, subjects were also asked whether they had taken any action as a result of the project. Results concluded that there was a significant difference between the number of correct questionnaire responses on the knowledge based items and the ratings on the attitudinal items pre- and postprogram questionnaire for the experimental subjects. Qualitative written feedback was positive with many participants remarking on the amount of information that they had acquired. Forty-eight experimental and 69 control subjects (n = 117) were assessed I year later, and there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the number of subjects who reported having taken action as a result of the program. The Keep on Talking program increased knowledge about communication, produced a positive change in attitude toward the importance of communication, and encouraged participants to take action to maintain their communication skills. Maintaining communication skills may prevent social isolation. This simple 5-hour group program has been effective in empowering participants to maintain. their communication skills as they age.

Women's health Australia: On the progress of the main cohort studies

More than 41,000 women aged 18-23, 45-50, and 70-75 years in 1996 are participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (Women's Health Australia). Baseline surveys were conducted for all three cohorts in 1996, and the first follow-up survey of the mid-age group in 1998 has achieved a response rate exceeding 90%. The main findings so far reflect the large differences in the life experiences of the three cohorts. The young women report high levels of stress. The physical and mental health of those with young children is worse than for those without children, but confounding by sociodemographic characteristics may account for the differences. Two thirds of young women in the healthy weight or underweight range would like to weigh less, and early onset of dieting is associated with poorer physical and mental health. Most of the women in the mid-age group have multiple roles-in paid work, home duties, and caring for children and other dependents. The potential of the study to investigate the long-term impact of such busy lives on health outcomes is considerable. At this stage, the main health issues for these women relate to tiredness, weight gain, and menopause. The older cohort presents a picture of positive aging. These women are heavier users of health services than the mid-age and younger women, and they are also more satisfied with these services. Although their physical health is poorer, their mental health is better, and they report less stress than women in the other two cohorts. The follow-up survey of this group, planned for 1999, will focus on the coping strategies used by these women. An overall goal of the project is to understand the interactions among social roles, life events, and women's health in order to provide a basis for improved health policies and services. Analysis of these interactions, which relies on both quantitative and qualitative data, poses many challenges that will be addressed as the longitudinal data become available.

The Fornax spectroscopic survey I. Survey strategy and preliminary results on the redshift distribution of a complete sample of stars and galaxies

The Fornax Spectroscopic Survey will use the Two degree Field spectrograph (2dF) of the Angle-Australian Telescope to obtain spectra for a complete sample of all 14000 objects with 16.5 less than or equal to b(j) less than or equal to 19.7 in a 12 square degree area centred on the Fornax Cluster. The aims of this project include the study of dwarf galaxies in the cluster (both known low surface brightness objects and putative normal surface brightness dwarfs) and a comparison sample of background field galaxies. We will also measure quasars and other active galaxies, any previously unrecognised compact galaxies and a large sample of Galactic stars. By selecting all objects-both stars and galaxies-independent of morphology, we cover a much larger range of surface brightness and scale size than previous surveys. In this paper we first describe the design of the survey. Our targets are selected from UK Schmidt Telescope sky survey plates digitised by the Automated Plate Measuring (APM) facility. We then describe the photometric and astrometric calibration of these data and show that the APM astrometry is accurate enough for use with the 2dF. We also describe a general approach to object identification using cross-correlations which allows us to identify and classify both stellar and galaxy spectra. We present results from the first 2dF field. Redshift distributions and velocity structures are shown for all observed objects in the direction of Fornax, including Galactic stars? galaxies in and around the Fornax Cluster, and for the background galaxy population. The velocity data for the stars show the contributions from the different Galactic components, plus a small tail to high velocities. We find no galaxies in the foreground to the cluster in our 2dF field. The Fornax Cluster is clearly defined kinematically. The mean velocity from the 26 cluster members having reliable redshifts is 1560 +/- 80 km s(-1). They show a velocity dispersion of 380 +/- 50 km s(-1). Large-scale structure can be traced behind the cluster to a redshift beyond z = 0.3. Background compact galaxies and low surface brightness galaxies are found to follow the general galaxy distribution.

The human temporal cortex: Characterization of neurons expressing nitric oxide synthase, neuropeptides and calcium-binding proteins, and their glutamate receptor subunit profiles

Immunocytochemical techniques were used to examine the distribution of neurons immunoreactive (-ir) for nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), somatostatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB) and calretinin (CH), in the inferotemporal gyros (Brodmann's area 21) of the human neocortex. Neurons that colocalized either nNOS or SOM with PV, CB or CR were also identified by double-labeling techniques. Furthermore, glutamate receptor subunit profiles (GluR1, GluR2/3, GluR2/4, GluR5/6/7 and NMDAR1) were also determined for these cells. The number and distribution of cells containing nNOS, SOM, NPY, PV, CB or CR differed for each antigen. In addition, distinct subpopulations of neurons displayed different degrees of colocalization of these antigens depending on which antigens were compared. Moreover, cells that contained nNOS, SOM, NPY, PV, GB or CR expressed different receptor subunit profiles. These results show that specific subpopulations of neurochemically identified nonpyramidal cells may be activated via different receptor subtypes. As these different subpopulations of cells project to specific regions of pyramidal calls, facilitation of subsets of these cells via different receptor subunits may activate different inhibitory circuits. Thus, various distinct, but overlapping, inhibitory circuits may act in concert in the modulation of normal cortical function, plasticity and disease.

The development of a pilot telemedicine network in Scotland: lessons learned

A pilot telemedicine network was established in 11 sites using funding provided by the Department of Trade and Industry in the UK. The main purpose of the project was to develop and evaluate clinical and educational links between central and peripheral sites in Scotland, The results were very encouraging, and clinical services were established in accident and emergency medicine, tele-ultrasound and clinical psychology. An undergraduate medical teaching service was also successfully established. All of these services are to be continued after the completion of the project. Many lessons were learned during the establishment of this network which will be useful in future projects. These included the importance of training for telemedicine users, the importance of identifying a telemedicine champion, the pitfall of health economics and the fact that services must be needs driven.

Precipitation hardening of Cu-Fe-Cr alloys - Part I - Mechanical and electrical properties

This research is part of a project whose scope was to investigate the engineering properties of new non-commercial alloy formulations based on the Cu rich corner of the Cu-Fe-Cr ternary system with the primary aim of exploring the development of a new cost-effective high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloy. The literature indicated that Cu rich Cu-Cr and Cu-Fe alloys have been thoroughly investigated. A number of commercial alloys have been developed and these are used for a variety of applications requiring combinations of high-strength, high-conductivity and resistance to softening. Little evidence was found in the literature that the Cu rich corner of the Cu-Fe-Cr system had previously been investigated for the purpose of developing high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloys resistant to softening. The aim of these present investigations was to explore the possibility that new alloys could be developed that combined the properties of both sets of alloys, ie large precipitation hardening response combined with the ability to stabilise cold worked microstructures to high temperatures while at the same maintain high electrical conductivity. To assess the feasibility of this goal the following alloys were chosen for investigation: Cu-0.7wt%Cr-0.3wt%Fe, Cu-0.7wt%Cr-0.8wt%Fe, Cu-0.7wt%Cr-2.0wt%Fe. This paper reports on the mechanical property investigation which indicated that the Cu-0.7wt%Cr-0.3wt%Fe, and Cu-0.7wt%Cr-2.0wt%Fe alloys were worthy of further investigation. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Precipitation hardening of Cu-Fe-Cr alloys - Part II - Microstructural characterisation

This research is part of a project whose scope was to investigate the engineering properties of new non-commercial alloy formulations based on the Cu rich corner of the Cu-Fe-Cr ternary system with the primary aim of exploring the development of a new cost-effective high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloy. Promising properties have been measured for the following alloys: Cu-0.7wt%Cr-0.3wt%Fe and Cu-0.7wt%Cr-2.0wt%Fe. This paper reports on the microstructural characterisation of these alloys and discusses the mechanical and electrical properties of these alloys in terms of their microstructure, particularly the formation of precipitates. These alloys have evinced properties that warrant further investigation. Cost modelling has shown that Cu-0.7wt%Cr-0.3wt%Fe is approximately 25% cheaper to produce than commercial Cu-1%Cr. It has also been shown to be more cost efficient on a yield stress and % IACS per dollar basis. The reason for the cost saving is that the Cu-0.7%Cr-0.3%Fe alloy can be made with low carbon ferro-chrome additions as the source of chromium rather than the more expensive Cu-Cr master-alloy. For applications in which cost is one of the primary materials selection criteria, it is envisaged that there would be numerous applications in both cast and wrought form, where the Cu-0.7%Cr-0.3%Fe alloy would be more suitable than Cu-1%Cr. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.