'Information in context' : co-designing workplace structures and systems for organizational learning

With the aim of advancing professional practice through better understanding how to create workplace contexts that cultivate individual and collective learning through situated 'information in context' experiences, this paper presents insights gained from three North American collaborative design (co-design) implementations. In the current project at the Auraria Library in Denver, Colorado, USA, participants use collaborative information practices to redesign face-to-face and technology-enabled communication, decision making, and planning systems. Design processes are described and results-to-date described, within an appreciative framework which values information sharing and enables knowledge creation through shared leadership.

The impact of co-locating regulatory and directional signs on driver performance

The use of intelligent transport systems is proliferating across the Australian road network, particularly on major freeways. New technology allows a greater range of signs and messages to be displayed to drivers. While there has been a long history of human factors analyses of signage, no evaluation has been conducted on this novel, sometimes dynamic, signage or potential interactions when co-located. The purpose of this driving simulator study was to investigate drivers’ behavioural changes and comprehension resulting from the co-location of Lane Use Management Systems with static signs and (Enhanced) Variable Message Signs on Queensland motorways. A section of motorway was simulated, and nine scenarios were developed which presented a combination of signage cases across levels of driving task complexity. Two higher-risk road user groups were targeted for this research on an advanced driving simulator: older (65+ years, N=21) and younger (18-22 years, N=20) drivers. Changes in sign co-location and task complexity had small effect on driver comprehension of the signs and vehicle dynamics variables, including difference with the posted speed limit, headway, standard deviation of lane keeping and brake jerks. However, increasing the amount of information provided to drivers at a given location (by co-locating several signs) increased participants’ gaze duration on the signs. With co-location of signs and without added task complexity, a single gaze was over 2s for more than half of the population tested for both groups, and up to 6 seconds for some individuals.

Cultivating creative ecologies : creative teaching and teaching for creativity

Australian universities now commonly list creativity amongst the generic attributes that graduates are expected to have achieved or demonstrated upon graduation. While this reflects emerging local and global trends to encourage creativity at every educational level, creativity as a generic capability has special difficulties. These include problems of definition, its perceived value, the gap between espoused beliefs and practice, and tensions between standards and accreditation agendas and the desire to embed creative outcomes in the curriculum. Contextual and disciplinary differences also shape the expression of creative teaching and teaching for creativity. This paper explores these issues, acknowledging the role of information and communications technologies in shaping the technology-enhanced learning spaces where creativity may emerge. Csikszentmihalyi’s model of creativity as a system of interactions is presented as a useful foundation for furthering the discourse in this domain, along with the notion of creative ecologies as spaces for effecting change.

Approaches to creativity : how adolescents engage in the creative process

Despite growing recognition of creativity's importance for young people, the creativity of adolescents remains a neglected field of study. Hence, grounded theory research was conducted with 20 adolescents from two Australian schools regarding their self-reported experiences of creativity in diverse domains. Four approaches to the creative process – adaptation, transfer, synthesis, and genesis – emerged from the research. These approaches used by students across a range of domains contribute to the literature in two key ways: (a) explaining how adolescents engage in the creative process, theorised from adolescent creators’ self-reports of their experiences and (b) confirms hybrid theories that recognise that creativity has elements of both domain-generality and domain-specificity. The findings have educational implications for both students and teachers. For students, enhancing metacognitive awareness of their preferred approaches to creativity was reported as a valuable experience in itself, and might also enable adolescents to expand their creativity through experimenting with other ways of engaging in the creative process. For teachers, using these understandings to underpin their pedagogies can promote metacognitive awareness and experimentation, and also provide teachers with a framework for assessing students’ creative processes.

Infrared study of the adsorption of NO, NO2 and CO on Rh/Al2O3 catalysts

Infrared spectra of NO, NO2 and CO adsorbed on Rh/Al2O3 have been recorded in order to identify the role of surface Rh-NO+ species in the reactions of NO and CO on Rh surfaces. Rh-NO+ was generated by thermally activated adsorption of NO, adsorption of NO on oxidised Rh or by adsorption of NO2. The latter also gave adsorbed nitrate on both Rh and the alumina support. In the presence of CO, Rh-NO+ acted as a precursor of the Rh(CO)(NO) mixed surface complex of CO and NO.

Infrared study of CO adsorption on reduced and oxidised silica-supported copper catalysts

FTIR spectra are reported of CO adsorbed on silica-supported copper catalysts prepared from copper(II) acetate monohydrate. Fully oxidised catalyst gave bands due to CO on CuO, isolated Cu2+ cations on silica and anion vacancy sites in CuO. The highly dispersed CuO aggregated on reduction to metal particles which gave bands due to adsorbed CO characteristic of both low-index exposed planes and stepped sites on high-index planes. Partial surface oxidation with N2O or H2O generated Cu+ adsorption sites which were slowly reduced to Cu° by CO at 300 K. Surface carbonate initially formed from CO was also slowly depleted with time with the generation of CO2. The results are consistent with adsorbed carbonate being an intermediate in the water-gas shift reaction of H2O and CO to H2 and CO2.

Infrared study of CO, CO2, H2 and H2O interactions on potassium-promoted reduced and oxidised silica-supported copper catalysts

FTIR spectra are reported of CO, CO2, H2 and H2O on silica-supported potassium, copper and potassium-copper catalysts. Adsorption of CO on a potassium/silica catalyst resulted in the formation of complexed CO moieties. Whereas exposure of CO2 to the same catalyst produced bands ascribed to CO2 -, bidentate carbonate and complexed CO species. Fully oxidised copper/silica surfaces gave bands due to CO on CuO and isolated Cu2+ cations on silica. Addition of potassium to this catalyst removed a peak attributed to CO adsorption on isolated Cu2+ cations and red-shifted the maximum ascribed to CO adsorbed on CuO. For a reduced copper/silica catalyst bands due to adsorbed CO on both high and low index planes were red-shifted by 10 cm-1 in the presence of potassium, although the strength of the Cu - CO bond did not appear to be increased concomitantly. An explanation in terms of an electrostatic effect between potassium and adsorbed CO is forwarded. A small maximum at ca. 1510 cm-1 for the reduced catalyst increased substantially upon exposing CO to a reoxidised promoted catalyst. Correspondingly, CO2 adsorption allowed the identification of two distinct carboxylate species, one of which was located at an interfacial site between copper and potassium oxide. Carboxylate species reacted with hydrogen at 295 K, on a reduced copper surface, to produce predominantly unidentate formate on potassium. In contrast no interaction was detected on a reoxidised copper catalyst at 295 K until a fraction of the copper surface was in a reduced state. Furthermore the interaction of polar water molecules with carboxylate species resulted in a perturbation of this structure which gave lower C----O stretching frequencies.

A combined temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy study of CO2/H2 and CO/CO2/H2 interactions with model ZnO/SiO2, Cu/SiO2 and Cu/ZnO/SiO2 methanol-synthesis catalysts

The reaction of CO2 and H2 with ZnO/SiO2 catalyst at 295 K gave predominantly hydrogencarbonate on zinc oxide and a small quantity of formate was evolved after heating at 393 K. Elevation of the reaction temperature to 503 K enhanced the rate of formation of zinc formate species. Significantly these formate species decomposed at 573 K almost entirely to CO2 and H2. Even after exposure of CO2-H2 or CO-CO2-H2 mixtures to highly defected ZnO/SiO2 catalyst, the formate species produced still decomposed to give CO2 and H2. It was concluded that carboxylate species which were formed at oxygen anion vacancies on polar Zn planes were not significantly hydrogenated to formate. Consequently it was proposed that the non-polar planes on zinc oxide contained sites which were specific for the synthesis of methanol. The interaction of CO2 and H2 with reduced Cu/ZnO/SiO2 catalyst at 393 K gave copper formate species in addition to substantial quantities of formate created at interfacial sites between copper and zinc oxide. It was deduced that interfacial formate species were produced from the hydrogenation of interfacial bidentate carbonate structures. The relevance of interfacial formate species in the methanol synthesis reaction is discussed. Experiments concerning the reaction of CO2-H2 with physical mixtures of Cu/SiO2 and ZnO/SiO2 gave results which were simply characteristic of the individual components. By careful consideration of previous data a detailed proposal regarding the role of spillover hydrogen is outlined. Admission of CO to a gaseous CO2-H2 feedstock resulted in a considerably diminished amount of formate species on copper. This was ascribed to a combination of over-reduction of the surface and site-blockage.

Unique X-linked familial FSGS with co-segregating heart block disorder is associated with a mutation in the NXF5 gene

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the consequence of a disease process that attacks the kidney's filtering system, causing serious scarring. More than half of FSGS patients develop chronic kidney failure within 10 years, ultimately requiring dialysis or renal transplantation. There are currently several genes known to cause the hereditary forms of FSGS (ACTN4, TRPC6, CD2AP, INF2, MYO1E and NPHS2). This study involves a large, unique, multigenerational Australian pedigree in which FSGS co-segregates with progressive heart block with apparent X-linked recessive inheritance. Through a classical combined approach of linkage and haplotype analysis, we identified a 21.19 cM interval implicated on the X chromosome. We then used a whole exome sequencing approach to identify two mutated genes, NXF5 and ALG13, which are located within this linkage interval. The two mutations NXF5-R113W and ALG13-T141L segregated perfectly with the disease phenotype in the pedigree and were not found in a large healthy control cohort. Analysis using bioinformatics tools predicted the R113W mutation in the NXF5 gene to be deleterious and cellular studies support a role in the stability and localization of the protein suggesting a causative role of this mutation in these co-morbid disorders. Further studies are now required to determine the functional consequence of these novel mutations to development of FSGS and heart block in this pedigree and to determine whether these mutations have implications for more common forms of these diseases in the general population.

Proceedings of the 6th Knowledge Cities World Summit, KCWS 2013

In recent years, with the impact of global knowledge economy, a more comprehensive development approach has gained significant popularity. This new development approach, so called ‘knowledge-based urban development’, is different from its traditional predecessor. With a much more balanced focus on all of the four key development domains – economic, spatial, institutional, and socio-cultural – this contemporary approach, aims to bring economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and local institutional competence with a just socio-spatial order to our cities and regions. The ultimate goal of knowledgebased urban development is to produce a city purposefully designed to encourage the continuous production, circulation and commercialization of social and scientific knowledge – this will in turn establish a ‘knowledge city’. A city following the ‘knowledge city’ concept embarks on a strategic mission to firmly encourage and nurture locally focused innovation, science and creativity within the context of an expanding knowledge economy and society. In this regard a ‘knowledge city’ can be seen as an integrated city, which physically and institutionally combines the functions of a science and technology park with civic and residential functions and urban amenities. It also offers one of the effective paradigms for the sustainable cities of our time. This sixth edition of KCWS – The 6th Knowledge Cities World Summit 2013 – makes an important reminder that the ‘knowledge city’ concept is a key notion in the 21st Century development. Considering this notion, the Summit sheds light on the multifaceted dimensions and various scales of building a ‘knowledge city’ via ‘knowledge-based urban development’ paradigm by particularly focusing on the overall Summit theme of ‘Establishing Bridges’. At this summit, the theoretical and practical maturing of knowledge-based development paradigms are advanced through the interplay between the world’s leading academics’ theories and the practical models and strategies of practitioners’ and policy makers’ drawn from around the world. This summit proceeding is compiled in order to disseminate the knowledge generated and shared in KCWS 2013 with the wider research, governance, and practice communities the knowledge co-created in this summit. All papers of this proceeding have gone through a double-blind peer review process and been reviewed by our summit editorial review and advisory board members. We, organizers of the summit, cordially thank the members of the Summit Proceeding Editorial Review and Advisory Board for their diligent work in the review of the papers. Also we thank Prof.Dr. Ahmet Ademoğlu, Rector of İstanbul Şehir University, for providing all the support for the Summit. We hope the papers in this proceeding will inspire and make a significant contribution to the research, governance, and practice circles.

Quality of life for older people in residential care is related to connectedness, willingness to enter care, and co-residents

Aim: To establish associations with quality of life (QOL) of older people in long-term residential care facilities in two New Zealand cities. Methods: The outcome measure of QOL was the Life Satisfaction Index. We used multiple linear regression to explore how broad categories of factors might contribute to QOL. Results: A total of 599 people (median age of 85 years; 74% women) participated. Response rates were 85% for facilities and 83% for residents. A resident's QOL was significantly related to the QOL of co-residents. QOL was higher for people who were more positive about entry to residential care, more physically able, and not depressed, and for those with more family and emotional support. Conclusion: Attending to the circumstances around entry to residential care may enhance QOL, as may promoting physical activity, treating depression and ensuring older people remain emotionally connected to their families. In choosing a facility, noting the QOL of co-residents is important.

Stimulation of MMP-11 (stromelysin-3) expression in mouse fibroblasts by cytokines, collagen and co-culture with human breast cancer cell lines

Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are central to degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane during both normal and carcinogenic tissue remodeling. MT1-MMP (MMP-14) and stromelysin-3 (MMP-11) are two members of the MMP family of proteolytic enzymes that have been specifically implicated in breast cancer progression. Expressed in stromal fibroblasts adjacent to epithelial tumour cells, the mechanism of MT1-MMP and MMP-11 induction remains unknown. Methods To investigate possible mechanisms of induction, we examined the effects of a number of plausible regulatory agents and treatments that may physiologically influence MMP expression during tumour progression. Thus NIH3T3 and primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were: a) treated with the cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β for 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours; b) grown on collagens I, IV and V; c) treated with fibronectin, con-A and matrigel; and d) co-cultured with a range of HBC (human breast cancer) cell lines of varied invasive and metastatic potential. Results Competitive quantitative RT-PCR indicated that MMP-11 expression was stimulated to a level greater than 100%, by 48 hour treatments of IL-1β, IL-2, TGF-β, fibronectin and collagen V. No other substantial changes in expression of MMP-11 or MT1-MMP in either tested fibroblast culture, under any treatment conditions, were observed. Conclusion We have demonstrated significant MMP-11 stimulation in mouse fibroblasts using cytokines, matrix constituents and HBC cell lines, and also some inhibition of MT1-MMP. Our data suggest that the regulation of these genes in the complex stromal-epithelial interactions that occur in human breast carcinoma, is influenced by several mechanisms.

Detection of mRNA for nuclear receptor co-activators 1 and 3 in archival breast cancer tissue and surrounding stroma : a tissue expression study

Before the age of 75 years, approximately 10% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of death among women. The objective of this study was to determine if expression of the nuclear receptor coactivators 1 and 3 (NCoA1 and NCoA3) varied in breast cancer grades. RNA was extracted from 25 breast tumours and transcribed into cDNA which underwent semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, normalised using 18S. Analysis indicated that an expression change for NCoA1 in cancer grades and estrogen receptor alpha negative tissue (P= 0.028 and 0.001 respectively). NCoA1 expression increased in grade 3 and estrogen receptor alpha negative tumours, compared to controls. NCoA3 showed a similar, but not significant, trend in grade and a non-significant decrease in estrogen receptor alpha negative tissues. Expression of NCoA1 in late stage and estrogen receptor alpha negative breast tumours may have implications to breast cancer treatment, particularly in the area of manipulation of hormone signalling systems in advanced tumours.

Modeling the co-precipitation of silica and calcium oxalate in sugar solutions

Solution chemistry plays a significant role in the rate and type of foulant formed on heated industrial surfaces. This paper describes the effect of sucrose, silica (SiO2), Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, and trans-aconitic acid on the kinetics and solubility of SiO2 and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) in mixed salt solutions containing sucrose and refines models previously proposed. The developed SiO2 models show that sucrose and SiO2 concentrations are the main parameters that determine apparent order (n) and apparent rate of reaction (k) and SiO2 solubility over a 24 h period. The calcium oxalate solubility model shows that while increasing [Mg2+] increases COM solubility, the reverse is so with increasing sucrose concentrations. The role of solution species on COM crystal habit is discussed and the appearance of the uncommon (001) face is explained.