Let's kill the 'C' word: notions of authentic and synthetic in the teaching of journalism

One of the less desirable aftermaths of the so-called "Media Wars" - the intellectual debate over the role of cultural studies in the study of journalism - was reinforcement for some of the notion of fortress journalism: a Windschuttlian purist version of the Empire. This paper uses the alleged confrontation between the forces of that Empire (that is, proponents of pure journalism) and the forces of the Dark (that is, critics from a cultural studies tradition) as a means of examining the teaching of journalism in universities. The paper questions how the discipline of journalism should interface with others within the academy and asks what notion of journalism underpins our pedagogy and our epistemology. It is argued that it is time to discard an outdated craft model with its associations of authenticity and replace it with a model of synthetic professionalism.

Preliminary study on the use of synthetic substrate for juvenile stage production of the yabby, Cherax destructor (Clark) (Decapoda: Parastacidae)

Juvenile Cherax destructor (commonly called the yabby) (mean weight 48.3 mg) were cultured intensively (stocking density 360/m²) under controlled conditions for 48 days. The animals were provided with a combination of food (high protein pellets and/or natural feed organisms attached to a conditioned synthetic substrate) and refuge. Fastest growth and highest yield was recorded when both pellets and the conditioned synthetic material were provided. Although the yabbies sheltered in the synthetic substrate, it did not increase survival. Juvenile yabbies (< 200 mg) were able to graze on small organisms attached to the synthetic material but this ability appeared to decline as the yabbies grew to a larger size. The use of artificial substrates in the intensive nursery phase production of juvenile freshwater crayfish is discussed.

Strategies and methods for the attachment of amino acids and peptides to chiral [n]polynorbornane templates

A versatile synthesis of amino acid and peptide functionalised [n]polynorbornane scaffolds is described. The frameworks are constructed using the stereoselective and regioselective cycloaddition of suitably functionalised chiral cyclobutene epoxides with similar norbornenes. The strategies employed allow a range of topologies to be accessed and a number of regioselectively addressable linkage points to be accommodated.

Characterization of conducting polymer coated synthetic fabrics for heat generation

Heat generation in fabrics coated with the conductive polymer polypyrrole was investigated. The PET fabrics were coated by chemical synthesis using four different oxidizing agent–dopant combinations. The samples from the four different dopant systems all show an increase in temperature when a fixed voltage is applied to the fabric. The antraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (AQSA) sodium salt doped polypyrrole coating was the most effective in heat generation whereas the sodium perchlorate dopant system was the least effective. The power density per unit area achieved in polypyrrole coated polyester–Lycra® fabric with 0.027 mol/l of AQSA acting as dopant was 430 W/m². The power density per unit area achieved for the sodium perchlorate system, using the same synthesis conditions, was 55 W/m².

Pedagogical templates : a comparative study of higher order reflective making

Schon’s notion of reflection-in-action implies a constructivist process of learning, especially valid in the teaching of professional disciplines such as architecture. Action becomes the instrument of conjecture and learning arises in the context of reflection upon the act. Such a process of interleaving action and reflection constitutes a “higher-order” process of reflective making. Research in design studies has shown that strategies for making differ markedly between professional and novitiate designers. Further, such studies have shown that skilled designers employ past experience and precedents to create context for new problem situations. To address the lack of context in novitiate learning situations, we propose the use of “pedagogical templates” for the promotion of “higher-order” strategies in design learning contexts for supporting beginning design students. We focus on the use of digital media, specifically for the design, implementation and delivery of constructive learning situations. This paper presents the use of a pedagogical template in the creation of constructivist contexts for two complementary courses, a traditional design studio and a computer modelling course at Deakin University. The resulting implications for design learning and the integration of physical and digital forms of making through the use of a pedagogical template are discussed.

Validation of model-based estimates (synthetic estimates) of the prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease for wards in England

Several sets of model-based estimates (synthetic estimates) of the prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease for small areas in England have been developed. These have been used in policy documents to indicate which areas are in need of intervention. In general, these models have not been subjected to validity assessment. This paper describes a validity assessment of 16 sets of synthetic estimates, by comparison of the models with national, regional and local survey-based estimates, and local mortality rate estimates. Model-based estimates of the prevalence of smoking, low fruit and vegetable consumption, obesity, hypertension and raised cholesterol are found to be valid.

Synthetic studies towards anthraquinones

The oxidation of substituted phenols with phenyliodonium diacetate in methanol was found to afford 2,4-cyclohexadienones, 2,5-cyclohexadienones or mixtures of isomers depending on the substrate being oxidized. A reaction mechanism was proposed for this oxidation which involved an intermediate aryloxenium ion. A strong correlation was observed between the experimentally determined product ratios and the results predicted by calculation of the LUMO coefficients of the proposed intermediates, Annulation of these cyclohexadienones with the anion derived from cyanophthalide afforded substituted anthraquinones in high yields. The chemistry relating to the annulation of Michael acceptors with phthalide anions was comprehensively reviewed. A mild selective method for the oxidation of hydroquinones to quinones using dibenzoyl peroxide and base is presented. A general synthetic approach to C-glycosylanthraquinones was presented, based on the annulation of a C-glycosylcyclohexadienone with the anion derived from cyanophthalide, A suitable precursor to a C-glycosylcyclohexadienone, 2-(2’,3’,4’,6’-tetra-0-acetyl-|3-D-glucopyranosyl)benzyloxybenzene, was prepared via the reaction of benzoylbromoglucose with 2-benzyloxyphenylmagnesium bromide, A group of molecules were prepared by a Marschalk reaction between /ewcoquinizarin and aldehydo-sugsrs. These compounds are potential bioreductive alkylating agents in which molecular simplicity can be achieved without overly sacrificing DNA binding ability.

Grafts in myringoplasty : utilizing a silk fibroin scaffold as a novel device

Chronic perforations of the eardrum or tympanic membrane represent a significant source of morbidity worldwide. Myringoplasty is the operative repair of a perforated tympanic membrane and is a procedure commonly performed by otolaryngologists. Its purpose is to close the tympanic membrane, improve hearing and limit patient susceptibility to middle ear infections. The success rates of the different surgical techniques used to perform a myringoplasty, and the optimal graft materials to achieve complete closure and restore hearing, vary significantly in the literature. A number of autologous tissues, homografts and synthetic materials are described as graft options. With the advent and development of tissue engineering in the last decade, a number of biomaterials have been studied and attempts have been made to mimic biological functions with these materials. Fibroin, a core structural protein in silk from silkworms, has been widely studied with biomedical applications in mind. Several cell types, including keratinocytes, have grown on silk biomaterials, and scaffolds manufactured from silk have successfully been used in wound healing and for tissue engineering purposes. This review focuses on the current available grafts for myringoplasty and their limitations, and examines the biomechanical properties of silk, assessing the potential benefits of a silk fibroin scaffold as a novel device for use as a graft in myringoplasty surgery.

SEMI-SYNTHETIC MATERIAL

The invention relates to a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder for use in a melt forming process for the preparation of a semi-synthetic material, the powder including particles of a natural fibre modified to improve the heat stability of the natural fibre powder particles during said melt forming process. The invention also relates to a semi-synthetic material including a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder and a synthetic polymer component.