Future Asian space : introduction

At the turn of this century, the rise of urban development had become a global phenomenon. Rapid urbanization had been at its most dramatic since the Industrial Revolution. With the emergence of global economies, innovative technologies, communication, global migration, rise of population, etc., as well as growing awareness of climate and environmental issues, our world is once again challenged to rethink its future with great urgency. All aspects of our lives are unpredictably becoming altered at an incredible pace and complexity that, indeed, one may argue that "nothing about cities in the 21st century is insignificant. These numerous and unpredictable changes affect everyone, both in the developed and developing regions of the world. In fact, as David N. Buck argues, the speed of change is so rapid that old definitions of developed and developing worlds do not seem to be relevant anymore.

Arpeggio magic (piano and timpani)

Just over a minute long this piano arpeggio plays out a joyful melody and dramatic timpani, cymbals and vocal pads assist the journey.

Arpeggio magic stinger (piano and timpani)

A stinger featuring piano arpeggio in dramatic fashion with timpani, cymbals and vocal pads.

aTrance encounter

An electronic composition in the genre of Trance . . . a synth delight with some vocals used as beats.

aTrance encounter short

An electronic composition in the genre of Trance . . . a synth delight with some vocals used as beats.

ID scanning, the media and the politics of urban surveillance in an Australian regional city

Computerised ID scanning technologies have permeated many urban night-time economies in Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This paper documents how one media organisation’s overt and tacit approval of ID scanners helped to normalise this form of surveillance as a precondition of entry into most licensed venues in the Australian city of Geelong. After outlining how processes of governance “from above” and “from below” interweave to generate distinct political and media demands for strategies to prevent localised crime problems, a chronological reconstruction of media reports over a three-and-a half year period demonstrates how ID scanning became the centrepiece of a holistic reform strategy to combat alcohol-related violence in this nightclub precinct. Several discursive techniques helped to normalise this “technological fix”, while suppressing critical discussion of viable concerns over information privacy, data security and system networking. These
included pairing reports of an initial “signal crime” with examples of “virtual victimhood” to stress the urgency of a radical surveillance-based response, which was supported by anecdotal statements from key “primary definers” highlighting the success of this initiative in targeting a wider population of antisocial “others”. The implications of these reporting practices are discussed in light of the media’s central role in reforming the Geelong night-time economy and broader trends in using novel surveillance technologies to combat urban crime problems at the expense of alternative measures that protect individual liberty.

aTrance encounter stinger

An electronic composition in the genre of Trance . . . a synth delight with some vocals used as beats.

Developing leaders of change in the teaching of large university chemistry classes

Final report of the the Active Learning in University Science (ALIUS) project.

This project aims to establish a new direction in first year chemistry teaching – away from didactic teaching methods in large lecture style teaching to more active, student centred learning experiences. Initially six universities have been involved in practice-based innovation: Charles Sturt University (NSW), The University of Sydney (NSW), Curtin University of Technology (WA), The University of Adelaide (SA), Deakin University (Vic), University of Tasmania (Tas).

Three domains have been identified as the architecture upon which sustainable L&T innovation will be built. These domains include Learning and Teaching innovation in project leaders’ and colleagues’ classrooms, development of project leaders as Science Learning Leaders, and creation of a Science Learning Hub to serve as a locus and catalyst for the development of a science teaching community of practice.

Progress against specified outcomes and deliverables

Learning and Teaching Innovation

The purpose of this domain is to improve student learning, engagement, retention and performance in large chemistry classes through increased use of student-centred teaching practice.
• The Project is named: ALIUS (Active Learning in University Science) - Leading Change in Australian Science Teaching
• All six ALIUS universities have now implemented Teaching Innovation into ALIUS team member classrooms
• Chemistry colleagues at three ALIUS universities have now implemented Teaching Innovation into their classrooms
• The ALIUS member in physics has implemented Teaching Innovations into his classrooms
• Chemistry colleagues at three ALIUS institutions have tried some Teaching Innovations in their classrooms
• Non-chemistry colleagues at four ALIUS institutions have tried, or expressed an interest in trying, Teaching Innovations in their classrooms
• The POGIL method has proved to be a useful model for Teaching Innovation in the classroom
• Many classroom resources have been developed and used at several ALIUS institutions; some of these have been submitted to the ALIUS database for public access. The remainder will continue to submitted
• Two seminars about Teaching Innovation have been developed, critiqued, revised, and presented at five ALIUS universities and three non-ALIUS universities
• Particular issues associated with implementing Teaching Innovations in Australian classrooms have been identified and possible solutions developed
• ALIUS members have worked with Learning and Teaching Centres at their universities to share methods.

Developing Science Learning Leaders

The purpose of this domain is to develop leadership capacity in the project leaders to equip them with skills to lead change first at their institutions, followed by developing leaders and leading change at other local institutions
• ALIUS members participated in Leadership Professional Development sessions with Craig McInnis and Colin Mason; both these sessions were found to be valuable and provide context and direction for the members and the ALIUS team
• The passion of an ‘early adopter’ was found to be a significant element in each node of the distributed framework
• Members developed an awareness of the necessity to build both the ‘sense of urgency’ and the ‘guiding coalition’ at each node
• ALIUS found the success of the distributed framework is strongly influenced by the relational aspects of the team.

Create a Science Learning Hub

The online Hub serves as a local and national clearinghouse for development of institutional Learning Leaders and dissemination of L&T innovation.
• The ALIUS website is now active and being populated with resources
• The sharing resource database structure is finalised and being populated with contributed materials.

Lessons Learnt

In order to bring about change in teaching practice it is necessary to:
• demonstrate a convincing benefit to student learning
• show that beyond an initial input of effort classroom innovations will not take more time than what is now done
• maintain a prominent exposure among colleagues - repeatedly give seminars, workshops, and everyday conversations; talk about teaching innovation; talk about easy tools to use; invite people to your classroom; engage colleagues in regular peer review of classroom practice
• have support from people already present in leadership roles to lead change in teaching practice
• have a project leader, someone for whom the project is paramount and will push it forward
• find a project manager, even with money budgeted
• meet face-to-face.

Dissemination
• Seminars presented 19 times including over 400 individuals and more than 24 Australian universities
• Workshops presented 25 times, over 80 participants at 11 Australian and two New Zealand Universities
• Two articles published in Chemistry in Australia, the Australian Chemistry Industry Journal of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
• One refereed paper published in the Journal of Learning Design.

Feminist geography 30 years on : they came, they saw but did they conquer?

Feminist geography emerged in Australia in the 1980s, spurred on by the local Women’s Liberation Movement and inspired by the academic activism emanating from England, Canada and the United States. Producing critical evaluations of male-dominated geography departments, curriculum and journals, feminist geographers proceeded to stake claims in each of these spheres while also substantially revising the content of geographical research. There were significant interventions into urban, social, cultural and economic geography, in environmental discourses as well as into the gendered research process. Having arrived, identified and addressed these issues, the discipline was critiqued and transformed over the 1980s and 1990s. Crucial to the strength of this critique were key individuals, the Gender and Geography Group within the Institute of Australian Geographers and the role played by journals such as Geographical Research and the Australian Geographer in providing spaces for feminist work. However, as the new century dawned, the agenda changed and the anger and urgency dissipated as the broader and university contexts altered. It was a period of consolidation, as feminist insights and approaches were focused on key subject areas – such as the home, identity and sexuality – and became more mainstream. But is this work and the presence of women in the academy an indication of success or of co-option? This paper will trace these various shifts – from the arrival to the mainstreaming of feminist geography - and analyse what might be read as a retreat from feminist politics and practice within the discipline in Australia. I will conclude by re-stating the case to advance a new feminist agenda in the face of continuing gender inequality within the academy, in Australia and across the globe.

Loss of data : reflective case studies

This chapter will focus upon the impact of Generation F - the Facebook Generation - and their attitudes to security. The chapter is based around discussing the loss of data, the prevention approaches and enforcement policies that are currently being investigated, and the implications that this has upon the modern, working environment. The changing landscape of work presents the issue of the Need to Know against the modern, working practises of Need to Share, a conflict that needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency. Many hold the view that it would be wrong to return to the Cold War scenario, however the modern position of Need to Share leads to a steadily rising fear of Information Insecurity. Accepting this situation means that working practises within large organisations need to be reviewed without ignoring the benefits of the new and emerging technologies and yet still be vigilant with regards to Information security.

The ideal Ileal-Pouch design : a long-term randomized control trial of J- vs W-pouch construction

BACKGROUND: The IPAA has become established as the preferred technique for restoring intestinal continuity postproctocolectomy. The ideal pouch design has not been established. W-pouches may give better functional results owing to increased volume, whereas the J-pouch’s advantage is its straightforward construction. We report short- and long-term results of an randomized control trial designed to establish the ideal pouch.

DESIGN: Ninety-four patients were randomly assigned to J- and W-pouches (49:45) and assessed at 1 and 8.7 years postoperatively. Assessment was questionnaire based and designed to assess pouch function and patient quality of life.

RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of patients were followed up at 1 year, and 68% were followed up at 8.7 years. At 1 year, there was a significant difference in 24-hour bowel movement frequency J- vs W-pouches 7 vs 5(p < 0.001) and in daytime frequency J- vs W-pouches 6 vs 4 (p < 0.001), with no difference in nocturnal function. At 9-year follow-up, function had equilibrated between the 2 groups: 24-hour bowel movement frequency J- vs W-pouches 6.5 vs 6 (p = 0.36), daytime frequency 5.5 vs 5 (p = 0.233), and nocturnal function 1 vs 1 (p = 0.987). Mean operating time of J- and W-pouches was 195 and 215 minutes (p < 0.05). All other parameters, pad usage, urgency, incontinence, and quality of life, did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that the theoretical functional advantage conferred on the W-pouch by its greater volume exists only in the short term and is of little consequence to patients’ long-term quality of life. This advantage is attenuated as the pouches mature, resulting in no disparity in pouch function. This, combined with the more consistent, efficient, and easily taught construction of the J-pouch, should conclusively establish it as the optimum ileal-pouch design.

Measurement and solutions to thermal comfort, CO2 and ventilation rates in schools

An Australian research facility, conducted a study on several different school classrooms in regards to their thermal comfort, CO2 levels, air temperature stratification and ventilation rates in a selection of Victorian (Melbourne, Australia) schools during a winter season. A brief literature review reveals similar IAQ problems elsewhere (outside Australia) and suggests several HVAC concepts that provide potential solutions. Our intention is to highlight particular IAQ discrepancies in existing school classroom design resulting from these case study measurements, suggesting construction and mechanical operational conditioning improvements.In particular this research confirms the urgency and necessity of addressing IAQ problems in schools, world wide. Our results of the Australian school classroom measurements are similar to other parts of the world, indicating that CO2 levels, ventilation rates and air temperatures are non-compliant with the standards.

Review of measurements in schools to improve IEQ

An Australian research facility, MABEL (the Mobile Architecture and Built Environment Laboratory) measured several school classrooms for their indoor environmental performance (IEQ) performance. This paper is a reporting of a case study, highlighting the processed measurement of a classroom and its findings. A review of the literature, also reveals particular sectors of IEQ in schools that are worthy of measurement. A primary intention here is to determine the type of IEQ measurements and their evaluation methods together with their corresponding instrumentation. A secondary intention is to highlight particular IEQ discrepancies in existing school classroom design resulting from these case study measurements, suggesting construction and operational conditioning improvements.In particular this research reveals international research on the subject of IEQ in school buildings and confirms the usefulness, urgency and necessity of IEQ measurements, world wide, in this area. As most of the existing literature on the subject seems to fall short of acknowledging all sectors of IEQ, this paper would like to address the importance of multiple IEQ parameters, experienced through on-site measurement case studies. It is suggested that the existing literature intends to target a specific IEQ sector or parameter, predetermining its effect on student absenteeism or reduced performance. In contrast to this, this paper would like to acknowledge the interactive effects of an IEQ index (standard) in general. One of the reasons for this are that such an index still appears to remain in the developmental stages.Various sectors of IEQ measurements, as measured with the MABEL facility, are demonstrated in this paper. They illustrate a cross-section of typical classroom evidence-based problems backed by measurement. A literature review confirms that similar problems in school buildings are evident in other parts of Australia as well as throughout the world, in identical and different climates. A holistic IEQ measurement acknowledges that there may be several outstanding, as well as poor IEQ parameters within the same classroom. Solutions to these poor IEQ results may be remedied, yet, it is the measurement that highlights the periods, degree and extent to which these problems occur. It is suggested here that a holistic approach to IEQ is required and that the development of its measurement standards and reporting are desperately needed.

Mercury in vaccines from the Australian childhood immunization program schedule

Despite the removal of the mercury (Hg)-based preservative thimerosal from vaccines listed on the Australian Immunization Program Schedule for children, concerns remain among some researchers and parents for the safety of the present schedule, in part due to a fear of residual trace levels of Hg. The purpose of this study was to independently assess childhood vaccines for the presence of Hg. Eight vaccines administered to children under the age of 5 yr were assessed for Hg content via a DMA-80 direct mercury analyzer. Seven of the 8 vaccines contained no detectable levels of Hg (less than 1 ppb); however, 1 vaccine (Infanrix hexa) tested positive for Hg at 10 ppb. The result was confirmed and validated by retesting the original sample. Follow-up testing was conducted on three additional samples of Infanrix hexa (one from the same production lot and two from a different lot). All three tested positive for Hg (average of 9.7 ppb). Although the levels of Hg detected are substantially lower than any established exposure safety limits, the results of this study reveal that inaccuracies exist in public health messages, professional communications, and official documentation regarding Hg content in at least one childhood vaccine. In the interests of public health, it is incumbent on vaccine manufacturers and responsible agencies such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Federal Department of Health and Ageing to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

Commentary : Fatty acids, breastfeeding and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Fatty acid deficiencies are linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder. This commentary discusses the protective role of breastfeeding and the urgency of research into the human infant's intake of colostrum to prevent fatty acid deficiency.