Preparing for the future: ageing and alternative and augmentative communication

Despite a large body of literature focusing on how the normal aging process affects quality of life, little is known about how aging influences the lives of those who use alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). This article explores issues relevant to aging and AAC, examining the responses of 78 augmented communicators aged 30 years and older who participated in a larger national survey of 270 adults with cerebral palsy. The survey sought information about health, modes of communication, and access to information. The results indicate that those involved in the AAC field must work with individuals who use augmentative communication to ensure that they maintain their health, well-being, and effective communication as they age.

Optimizing prediction of binge eating episodes : a comparison approach to test alternative conceptualizations of the affect regulation model

Background : Although a wealth of studies have tested the link between negative mood states and likelihood of a subsequent binge eating episode, the assumption that this relationship follows a typical linear dose–response pattern (i.e., that risk of a binge episode increases in proportion to level of negative mood) has not been challenged. The present study demonstrates the applicability of an alternative, non-linear conceptualization of this relationship, in which the strength of association between negative mood and probability of a binge episode increases above a threshold value for the mood variable relative to the slope below this threshold value (threshold dose response model).

Methods : A sample of 93 women aged 18 to 40 completed an online survey at random intervals seven times per day for a period of one week. Participants self-reported their current mood state and whether they had recently engaged in an eating episode symptomatic of a binge.

Results : As hypothesized, the threshold approach was a better predictor than the linear dose–response modeling of likelihood of a binge episode. The superiority of the threshold approach was found even at low levels of negative mood (3 out of 10, with higher scores reflecting more  negative mood). Additionally, severity of negative mood beyond this threshold value appears to be useful for predicting time to onset of a binge episode.

Conclusions : Present findings suggest that simple dose–response formulations for the association between  negative mood and onset of binge episodes miss vital aspects of this relationship. Most  notably, the impact of mood on binge eating appears to depend on whether a threshold value  of negative mood has been breached, and elevation in mood beyond this point may be useful  for clinicians and researchers to identify time to onset.

An issues paper: the roots/routes of Australian architecture: elements of an alternative architectural history

The dynamism and mobility of architects in their approach to architecturaldesign practice provides a context that emphasises that architecture, likeculture, is not static or rooted in place, but is intricately configured throughthe dual processes of locality and mobility – both physical and theoretical. Theproduction of architecture in Australia, as in other immigrant-rich societies,provides a case for reinforcing the theory that architectural mobility and travelare integral to the architecture of place.This issues paper sets out to re-examine the contribution of geo-culturalinfluences upon Australia’s architectural lineage and considers a diverse rangeof themes across an equally broad timeframe; British colonial transpositions; thedissemination of Modernism in Australia; the latent contribution of mid-twentiethcentury European émigré architects; and the secreted history of Australia’sAsian architecture. Common to all, however, is the notion of architecturaltranslation as a process of influences transmitted, transposed or adapted toother contexts. It uses Australia as the focus from which to consider how globalcriticism, ideas and theories have travelled and continue to travel transverselyacross time and place, from the late-eighteenth century well into the twenty-first.This paper investigates translations through narratives, processes, networks andtraces of architectural manifestations and begins to draw lines of influence.

A sampled OZ Hystery: Australian alternative film from the 60s to the present

Regional Support Network presents:A Sampled OZ Hystery: Australian Alternative Film from the 60s to the PresentTuesday, October 21, 8pm ($5 or PWYC)Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue)(co-sponsored by Videofag and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT))Curated by Dirk De Bruyn (in person)PROGRAM:Fun Radio - Nigel BuesstLeading Ladies - Lynsey MartinContemplation of the Rose - Michael LeeZoomfilm - Dirk de BruynDiscs - Dirk de BruynDolls - Paul FletcherExcerpt - Chris KnowlesExacuate - Michael Buckley and Sue McCauleyMorena - Marie CravenShort Lives - Neil TaylorE.G. (Elephant Girl) - Virginia HilyardTraum A Dream - Dirk de BruynKeepinTime Abstract - Steven McIntyreTime Ball - Marcia JaneWAP - Dirk de Bruyn

Ethanol as an alternative to formaldehyde for the enhancement of manganese(IV) chemiluminescence detection.

Previous applications of manganese(IV) as a chemiluminescence reagent have required the use of formaldehyde to enhance the emission intensity to analytically useful levels. However, this known human carcinogen (by inhalation) is not ideal for routine application. A wide range of alternative enhancers have been examined but to date none have been found to provide the dramatic increase in chemiluminescence intensities obtained using formaldehyde. Herein, we demonstrate that ethanol offers a simple, safe and inexpensive alternative to the use of formaldehyde for manganese(IV) chemiluminescence detection, without compromising signal intensity or sensitivity. For example, chemiluminescence signals for opiate alkaloids using 50-100% ethanol were 0.8-1.6-fold those using 2M formaldehyde. This innocuous alternative enhancer is shown to be a particularly effective for the direct detection of thiols and disulfides by manganese(IV) chemiluminescence, which we have applied to a simple HPLC procedure to determine a series of biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Children, adolescents and complementary and alternative therapies

Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) are widely used in the general community and by people with diabetes, including children and adolescents; the latter usually use CAM on the advice of their parents. Children/parents use a range of CAM including herbal medicines, vitamins and minerals, essential oils (aromatherapy) as well as non-medicine CAM such as massage. The main reasons children/parents use CAM is to manage symptoms, improve metabolic control, prevent complications and as a supplement to insulin. There are benefits and risks to using CAM depending on the age of the child, the particular CAM used and their capacity to make an informed choice and understand the consequences of their choices. Health professionals need a broad understanding of CAM, to be aware that children/parents use CAM, to ask about CAM use and monitor potential beneficial and negative effects.

Alternative service delivery models for families with a new speech generating device: perspectives of parents and therapists

Purpose: Research has revealed limitations in the provision of in-person services to families with a new speech generating device (SGD), both in Australia and overseas. Alternative service models such as parent training, peer support and telepractice may offer a solution, but their use with this population has not been researched to date.

Method: Using interviews and focus groups, this study explored the experiences and opinions of 13 speech-language pathologists and seven parents regarding alternatives to in-person support and training for families with a new SGD. Data were analysed using grounded theory. Themes explored in this paper include the benefits and drawbacks of alternative service models as well as participants’ suggestions for the optimal implementation of these approaches.

Result: Participants confirmed the utility of alternative service models, particularly for rural/remote and underserviced clients. Benefits of these models included reduced travel time for families and therapists, as well as enhanced information access, support and advocacy for parents.

Conclusion: Participants viewed the provision of ongoing professional support to families as critical, regardless of service modality. Additional issues arising from this study include the need for development of organizational policies, resources and training infrastructure to support the implementation of these alternative service models.

Introducing linear functions: an alternative statistical approach

The introduction of linear functions is the turning point where many students decide if mathematics is useful or not. This means the role of parameters and variables in linear functions could be considered to be ‘threshold concepts’. There is recognition that linear functions can be taught in context through the exploration of linear modelling examples, but this has its limitations. Currently, statistical data is easily attainable, and graphics or computer algebra system (CAS) calculators are common in many classrooms. The use of this technology provides ease of access to different representations of linear functions as well as the ability to fit a least-squares line for real-life data. This means these calculators could support a possible alternative approach to the introduction of linear functions. This study compares the results of an end-oftopic test for two classes of Australian middle secondary students at a regional school to determine if such an alternative approach is feasible. In this study, test questions were grouped by concept and subjected to concept by concept analysis of the means of test results of the two classes. This analysis revealed that the students following the alternative approach demonstrated greater competence with non-standard questions.