`Modern` learning methods : rhetoric and reality - further to Sadler-Smith et al

Working in the UK, Sadler-Smith, Down and Lean, in their article “‘Modern’ learning methods: rhetoric and reality”, Personnel Review, Vol. 29 No. 4, 2000, pp. 474-90, have shown that distance learning methods are neither favoured nor perceived as effective by enterprises pursuing training that yields a competitive edge. They have suggested that these methods need to be integrated with other more conventional on-job training methods. This paper, based on Australian research, shows a tension between the requirements of flexible training methods based on distance learning methods, and the characteristics that typify learners and their workplaces. That identified tension is used to suggest how an integration of training methods may be effected in workplaces.

Genetic diversity and translocation in the marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith): implications for management and conservation

Approximately 440 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal ribose nucleic acid (rRNA) coding region were sequenced from 13 marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith), samples from six locations and samples of two additional Cherax species from Western Australia. The results indicated that, with the exception of the Margaret River, no variation was found within or between marron populations. In contrast, marron from the Margaret River were found to be polymorphic for two divergent haplotypes (2.76% divergence). These findings were consistent with allozyme data that highlight the general lack of genetic variability within and between populations of this species apart from the Margaret River stocks. The genetic polymorphisms in the Margaret River stocks contrasted with earlier studies and indicated the recent translocation and mixing of genetically differentiated stocks within this river system. The implications of these findings for the conservation and management of genetic diversity within marron are discussed.

Building a national image : the architecture of John Smith Murdoch, Australia's first Commonwealth Government architect

Presents John Smith Murdoch and examines his significant contribution as an architect and public servant in Australia between 1885 and 1929. Murdoch's greatest achievement was the development of his modern Renaissance idiom of which Provisional Parliament House, Canberra is the finest example.

Des Smith. Deakin University

Creativity might be described as that intellectual and intuitive area where one senses the connections between the requirements and the possibilities of a situation. With this, one is able to embody the positive qualities of these connections within a production whereby a new clarity is given to the situations touched by these requirements.

A smith-waterman local alignment approach for spatial activity recognition

In this paper we address the spatial activity recognition problem with an algorithm based on Smith-Waterman (SW) local alignment. The proposed SW approach utilises dynamic programming with two dimensional spatial data to quantify sequence similarity. SW is well suited for spatial activity recognition as the approach is robust to noise and can accommodate gaps, resulting from tracking system errors. Unlike other approaches SW is able to locate and quantify activities embedded within extraneous spatial data. Through experimentation with a three class data set, we show that the proposed SW algorithm is capable of recognising accurately and inaccurately segmented spatial sequences. To benchmark the techniques classification performance we compare it to the discrete hidden markov model (HMM). Results show that SW exhibits higher accuracy than the HMM, and also maintains higher classification accuracy with smaller training set sizes. We also confirm the robust property of the SW approach via evaluation with sequences containing artificially introduced noise.

Common variants of the resistance mechanism in the Smith Machine: analysis of mechanical loading characteristics and application to strength-oriented and hypertrophy-oriented training

The Smith machine is a pervasive weight-training apparatus, used extensively by a wide population of weight trainers, from novices to high-level athletes. The advantages of using a Smith machine over free-weight resistance are disputed, with conflicting findings reported in the literature. In this study, we are interested in practical differences between 3 types of loading mechanisms found in modern Smith machines. In addition to the basic design comprising a constrained weighted barbell, alterations with a counterweight and a viscous resistance component are examined. The approach taken is that of employing a recently proposed representation of force characteristics that may be exhibited by a trainee and a predictive model of thus effected adaptation. A computer simulation is used to predict the effects of the 3 linear Smith machine designs in the framework of different exercise protocols. Our results demonstrate that each resistance component, vertically constrained load, counterweight, and viscous, can be matched with a particular training context, in which it should be preferred. Thus, a number of practical guidelines for weight-training practitioners are recommended. In summary, (a) at low intensities (55–75% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) used in strength-endurance training, a viscous resistance containing the Smith machine was found to offer advantages over both a constrained load only and counterweighted designs; (b) at medium intensities (75–85% of 1RM) typically employed in hypertrophy-specific training, the counterweighted Smith machine design was found to offer the best choice in terms of high-force development and total external work performed; finally, (c) at high training intensity (90–100% of 1RM), the optimal prescription was found to be more dependent on the specific athlete’s weaknesses, highlighting the need for continual monitoring of the athlete’s force production capabilities. To ensure that appropriate adjustments are made to the athlete’s training regimen, the practitioner should consider the full set of findings of this article and the accompanying discussion.

Carpal and scaphoid fracture incidence in south-eastern Australia: an epidemiologic study

UNLABELLED: Carpal fractures were identified by the Geelong Osteoporosis Study Fracture Grid for 2006-2007. Incidence rates were higher in males than females. Males had a lower median age of fracture than females. Females had more fractures on the left side than males. Most fractures were the result of a fall. PURPOSE: In this study, we report the incidence of carpal bone fractures (scaphoid and non-scaphoid) amongst residents from the Barwon Statistical Division over 2 years. METHODS: X-ray reports from imaging centres in the region were used to identify incident fractures during 2006 and 2007. Data were collected as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study Fracture Grid. RESULTS: During 2006 and 2007, there were 171 and 41 carpal fractures in males and females, respectively. Of these, 131 males and 29 females had fractured the scaphoid bone. Females had a higher proportion of left-sided fractures (>70 %) than males (∼40 %). Most fractures were the result of an accidental fall (>87 %). Patterns of incidence for males showed one major peak around 20-29 years. For females, peaks occurred around age 10-19 years and 70-79 years. Incidence rates for males (per 100,000 persons per year) were 54.6 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 53.6, 55.7) and 15.9 (95 % CI 15.4, 16.5) for scaphoid and non-scaphoid fractures, respectively. In females, the corresponding rates were 10.6 (95 % CI 10.2, 11.1) and 4.5 (95 % CI 4.2, 4.8). CONCLUSION: Almost all fractures were the result of a fall. In males, carpal fractures were sustained mainly during early adulthood and in females during adolescence and after menopause. Incidence rates for males were higher than those in females for both scaphoid and non-scaphoid fractures.

Interview with Meta Smith

Meta Smith is an Indonesian who studied at RMIT in 1960-1968. She studied on a Colombo Plan Scholarship and completed a Diploma of Commerce. The interview was conducted in English on 18 December 2013 by Dr. Jemma Purdey of Deakin University. This set comprises: an interview recording in two parts, a timed summary, and a photograph.

The epidemiology of incident fracture from cradle to senescence

To reduce the burden of fracture, not only does bone fragility need to be addressed, but also injury prevention. Thus, fracture epidemiology irrespective of degree of trauma is informative. We aimed to determine age-and-sex-specific fracture incidence rates for the Barwon Statistical Division, Australia, 2006-2007. Using radiology reports, incident fractures were identified for 5342 males and 4512 females, with incidence of 210.4 (95 % CI 204.8, 216.2) and 160.0 (155.3, 164.7)/10,000/year, respectively. In females, spine (clinical vertebral), hip (proximal femoral) and distal forearm fractures demonstrated a pattern of stable incidence through early adult life, with an exponential increase beginning in postmenopausal years for fractures of the forearm followed by spine and hip. A similar pattern was observed for the pelvis, humerus, femur and patella. Distal forearm, humerus, other forearm and ankle fractures showed incidence peaks during childhood and adolescence. For males, age-related changes mimicked the female pattern for fractures of the spine, hip, ribs, pelvis and humerus. Incidence at these sites was generally lower for males, particularly among the elderly. A similar childhood-adolescent peak was seen for the distal forearm and humerus. For ankle fractures, there was an increase during childhood and adolescence but this extended into early adult life; in contrast to females, there were no further age-related increases. An adolescent-young adult peak incidence was observed for fractures of the face, clavicle, carpal bones, hand, fingers, foot and toe, without further age-related increases. Examining patterns of fracture provides the evidence base for monitoring temporal changes in fracture burden, and for identifying high-incidence groups to which fracture prevention strategies could be directed.

Humeral fractures in South-Eastern Australia: epidemiology and risk factors

In this study, we report the epidemiology and risk factors for humeral fractures (proximal humerus and shaft) among men and women residing in south-eastern Australia. Incident fractures during 2006 and 2007 were identified using X-ray reports (Geelong Osteoporosis Study Fracture Grid). Risk factors were identified using data from case-control studies conducted as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Median age of fracture was lower in males than females for proximal humerus (33.0 vs 71.2 years), but not for humeral shaft (8.9 vs 8.5 years). For females, proximal humerus fractures occurred mainly in the 70-79 and 80+ years age groups, whereas humeral shaft fractures followed a U-shaped pattern. Males showed a U-shaped pattern for both proximal humerus and humeral shaft fractures. Overall age-standardised incidence rates for proximal humerus fractures in males and females were 40.6 (95 % CI 32.7, 48.5) and 73.2 (95 % CI 62.2, 84.1) per 100,000 person years, respectively. For humeral shaft fractures, the age-standardised rate was 69.3 (95 % CI 59.0, 79.6) for males and 61.5 (95 % CI 51.9, 71.0) for females. There was an increase in risk of proximal humerus fractures in men with a lower femoral neck BMD, younger age, prior fracture and higher milk consumption. In pre-menopausal women, increased height and falls were both risk factors for proximal humerus fractures. For post-menopausal women, risk factors associated with proximal humerus fractures included a lower non-milk dairy consumption and sustaining a prior fracture. Humeral shaft fractures in both sexes were sustained mainly in childhood, while proximal humerus fractures were sustained in older adulthood. The overall age-standardised rates of proximal humerus fractures were nearly twice as high in females compared to males, whereas the incidence rates of humeral shaft fractures were similar.