Evaluating the corrosion behaviour of magnesium alloy in simulated biological fluid by using SECM to detect hydrogen evolution

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in surface generation/tip collection mode is investigated as an assessment tool for studying the corrosion behaviour of magnesium in simulated biological fluid. The technique provides a local map of hydrogen (H2) evolution which alone can be used as a direct measure of corrosion. The H2 generated during corrosion of magnesium is oxidized at the probe(i.e. a Pt ultra micro-electrode);with the magnitude of the current generated due to oxidation being indicative of the intensity of H2 evolution at a local scale on the magnesium surface. This method was calibrated using a cathodically polarized Pt disk to simulate H2 evolution in a controlled condition on a homogeneous surface. Potential interference from dissolving Mg or high local pH was also investigated. The technique was implemented for studying H2 evolution at the surface of AZ31 as a model Mg alloy.SECM results combined with SEM-EDX and profilometry data revealed that local domains of higher H2 evolution on the surface of AZ31 are in close proximityof the observed pitting sites.

Experience of racism and tooth brushing among pregnant Aboriginal Australians: exploring psychosocial mediators

Despite burgeoning evidence regarding the pathways by which experiences of racism influence health outcomes, little attention has been paid to the relationship between racism and oral health-related behaviours in particular. We hypothesised that self-reported racism was associated with tooth brushing, and that this association was mediated by perceived stress and sense of control and moderated by social support.

Dancing with inter-disciplinarity: strategies and practices in higher education dance drama and music

The rise of inter-disciplinarity has not occurred without debate and controversy. Often responding to government agendas, it is not uncommon for university research strategies to include inter-disciplinarity by default, by supporting multidisciplinary collaborations across the institution, nationally and internationally – industry and business being a particular focus. Beginning from the premise that Inter-disciplinary is where students/staff from more than one discipline learn with, from and about one another through a common activity, usually in the context of practice, this report documents the findings of a recent research project aimed to document ways in which inter-disciplinary approaches were active in universities, how they were resourced, what made them effective, and in what ways they are limited.

Uses of management control and performance measurement systems by Deans and Heads in Australian universities: their effects on research, teaching and networking capabilities

Invoking a resource-based view (RBV), this study investigates relationships between management control systems (MCSs) use, including information use from performance measurement systems (PMSs), and organisational capabilities in the context of academic units of Australian universities. Increased competition and attention to distinctive capabilities amongst universities, particularly at their strategic operating unit level of a Faculty1 or School2, provides the setting for application of this theoretic perspective. Based on a questionnaire survey of all Faculty Deans and Heads of Schools in all 39 universities in Australia, evidence is provided on relationships between diagnostic and interactive use of MCSs, attention given to imposed and discretionary types of PMS information, the strength of capabilities of the academic unit and, in turn, overall performance of the academic unit. Highlights of findings are that Heads/Deans conceived capabilities of their unit in functional dimensions, not in generic dimensions as found in prior literature; interactive MCS use and imposed performance measures, respectively, direct relate to several types of capabilities and indirectly to performance of the academic unit, but diagnostic MCS use does not. The findings have practical implications for styles of control systems use and performance information use by management in universities.

Effectiveness of dual-task functional power training for preventing falls in older people: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major public health concern with at least one third of people aged 65 years and over falling at least once per year, and half of these will fall repeatedly, which can lead to injury, pain, loss of function and independence, reduced quality of life and even death. Although the causes of falls are varied and complex, the age-related loss in muscle power has emerged as a useful predictor of disability and falls in older people. In this population, the requirements to produce explosive and rapid movements often occurs whilst simultaneously performing other attention-demanding cognitive or motor tasks, such as walking while talking or carrying an object. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether dual-task functional power training (DT-FPT) can reduce the rate of falls in community-dwelling older people. METHODS/DESIGN: The study design is an 18-month cluster randomised controlled trial in which 280 adults aged ≥65 years residing in retirement villages, who are at increased risk of falling, will be randomly allocated to: 1) an exercise programme involving DT-FPT, or 2) a usual care control group. The intervention is divided into 3 distinct phases: 6 months of supervised DT-FPT, a 6-month 'step down' maintenance programme, and a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be the number of falls after 6, 12 and 18 months. Secondary outcomes will include: lower extremity muscle power and strength, grip strength, functional assessments of gait, reaction time and dynamic balance under single- and dual-task conditions, activities of daily living, quality of life, cognitive function and falls-related self-efficacy. We will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the programme for preventing falls. DISCUSSION: The study offers a novel approach that may guide the development and implementation of future community-based falls prevention programmes that specifically focus on optimising muscle power and dual-task performance to reduce falls risk under 'real life' conditions in older adults. In addition, the 'step down' programme will provide new information about the efficacy of a less intensive maintenance programme for reducing the risk of falls over an extended period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613001161718 . Date registered 23 October 2013.

Beyond narrative: sound design as dramaturgy in contemporary performance

Autobiographical performance is often characterised by a linguistic approach to storytelling. This paper presents discoveries from a practice-led research inquiry into the mediated translation of narrative elements within the making of autobiographical performance Train Tracks and Rooftops. Specifically, it presents the way sonic texts emerged within the process of translating away from narrative form. The paper sets out the technical aspects of the process and critiques the shift in meaning that comes from an understanding of sound dramaturgy and sound as performance architecture. The experience of the maker/performers' relationship to their live and mediated voice is discussed.

Design of endoperoxides with anti-Candida activity

Broad antifungal structure-activity relationships governing epoxy-endoperoxides 2 and 3 and their parent endoperoxides 1 are reported. Their inhibitory activity against Candida albicans in conjunction with hemolytic activity and/or growth inhibition of cultured mammalian cells are reported. This information provided guidance for the further development of endoperoxide and epoxy-endoperoxides as topical antifungal agents.

Novel endoperoxides: synthesis and activity against Candida species

Fifteen new endoperoxides have been synthesised and tested for activity against pathogenic Candida species. These endoperoxides can be prepared in high yields, in one to three steps, from inexpensive starting materials. Despite chemical and structural similarities, their inhibitory activity against Candida growth varied greatly from one endoperoxide to another, and one species to another. This study of susceptibility to endoperoxide compounds presented here may lead to the development of potent new antifungal agents.

Novel endoperoxide antimalarials: synthesis, heme binding, and antimalarial activity

We report the synthesis of a series of novel epoxy endoperoxide compounds that can be prepared in high yields in one to three steps from simple starting materials. Some of these compounds inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Structure-activity studies indicate that an endoperoxide ring bisubstituted with saturated cyclic moieties is the pharmacophore. To study the molecular basis of the action of these novel antimalarial compounds, we examined their ability to interact with oxidized and reduced forms of heme. Some of the compounds interact with oxidized heme in a fashion similar to chloroquine and other 4-aminoquinolines, while some of the compounds interact with reduced heme. However, the level of antimalarial potency is not well correlated with these activities, suggesting that some of the endoperoxides may exert their antimalarial activities by a novel mechanism of action.

The gainers

Performed over 3 nights, The Gainers is an exploration of object-led creative practice within a psychophysical performance approach. Exploring Gibbs (2005) proposition that places the body as central to perception, the research questioned the relationship between object, task and movement when devising and investigated how the inherent structure within each purpose (object’s purpose, the purpose of the task, and purposeful movement) interacted to support greater divergence within the creative work, and similarly acted to provide additional coherence in convergent stages. Perception, Gibbs claims, ‘is not something that only occurs through specific sensory apparatus (e.g. eyeballs and visual system) in conjunction with particular brain areas, but is a kinesthetic activity that includes all aspects of the body in action’ (12). The research, through practice, found that solo bodied are cohered around shared task and object purposes bringing a shared embodied vocabulary to the ensemble and enhancing the way the actor/s invest meaning between their bodies. Just one outcome from The Charlie Project in which the forms of Charlie Chaplin provide the context and are investigated as structures for inter-textual performativity and design led performance making, The Gainers was developed in February-June 2015, and played to three general public audiences: 3, 4, 5 June.