Towards participatory action design research : adapting action research and design science research methods for urban informatics

This paper proposes a new research method, Participatory Action Design Research (PADR), for studies in the Urban Informatics domain. PADR supports Urban Informatics research in developing new technological means (e.g. using mobile and ubiquitous computing) to resolve contemporary issues or support everyday life in urban environments. The paper discusses the nature, aims and inherent methodological needs of Urban Informatics research, and proposes PADR as a method to address these needs. Situated in a socio-technical context, Urban Informatics requires a close dialogue between social and design-oriented fields of research as well as their methods. PADR combines Action Research and Design Science Research, both of which are used in Information Systems, another field with a strong socio-technical emphasis, and further adapts them to the cross-disciplinary needs and research context of Urban Informatics.

Physicality in Australian Patent Law

It is generally understood that the patent system exists to encourage the conception and disclosure of new and useful inventions embodied in machines and other physical devices, along with new methods that physically transform matter from one state to another. What is not well understood is whether, and to what extent, the patent system is to encourage and protect the conception and disclosure of inventions that are non-physical methods – namely those that do not result in a physical transformation of matter. This issue was considered in Grant v Commissioner of Patents. In that case the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia held that an invention must involve a physical effect or transformation to be patentable subject matter. In doing so, it introduced a physicality requirement into Australian law. What this article seeks to establish is whether the court’s decision is consistent with the case law on point. It does so by examining the key common law cases that followed the High Court’s watershed decision in National Research Development Corporation v Commissioner of Patents, the undisputed authoritative statement of principle in regard to the patentable subject matter standard in Australia. This is done with a view to determining whether there is anything in those cases that supports the view that the Australian patentable subject matter test contains a physicality requirement.

Stomp : an interactive platform for people with intellectual disabilities

For people with intellectual disabilities there are significant barriers to inclusion in socially cooperative endeavours. This paper investigates the effectiveness of Stomp, a tangible user interface (TUI) designed to provide new participatory experiences for people with intellectual disability. Results from an observational study reveal the extent to which the Stomp system supports social and physical interaction. The tangible, spatial and embodied qualities of Stomp result in an experience that does not rely on the acquisition of specific competencies before interaction and engagement can occur.

Teacher education and the targeting of disadvantage

This paper outlines the Exceptional Teachers for Disadvantaged Schools (ETDS) project which began in June 2010 with the aim of developing and documenting an Australian university-based teacher education program specifically focusing on the preparation of high quality teachers for the disadvantaged school sector. ETDS constitutes a novel model of teacher education targeting disadvantaged schooling in that the selection of participating pre-service teachers has been based on their proven academic performance over the first 2 years of their 4-year Bachelor of Education degree. ETDS has established a modified curriculum that better supports the on-campus training of this cohort while also targeting the role of field experience within partner disadvantaged school settings. This paper offers a rationale for the model, unpacks its various phases and provides a justification of the model’s selection criteria based on high academic achievement.

A prospective surveillance model for rehabilitation for women with breast cancer

Background: The current model of care for breast cancer is focused on disease treatment followed by ongoing recurrence surveillance. This approach lacks attention to the patients’ physical and functional well-being. Breast cancer treatment sequelae can lead to physical impairments and functional limitations. Common impairments include pain, fatigue, upper extremity dysfunction, lymphedema, weakness, joint arthralgia, neuropathy, weight gain, cardiovascular effects, and osteoporosis. Evidence supports prospective surveillance for early identification and treatment as a means to prevent or mitigate many of these concerns. Purpose: This paper proposes a prospective surveillance model for physical rehabilitation and exercise that can be integrated with disease treatment to create a more comprehensive approach to survivorship health care. The goals of the model are to promote surveillance for common physical impairments and functional limitations associated with breast cancer treatment, to provide education to facilitate early identification of impairments, to introduce rehabilitation and exercise intervention when physical impairments are identified and to promote and support physical activity and exercise behaviors through the trajectory of disease treatment and survivorship. Methods: The model is the result of a multi-disciplinary meeting of research and clinical experts in breast cancer survivorship and representatives of relevant professional and advocacy organizations. Outcomes: The proposed model identifies time points during breast cancer care for assessment of and education about physical impairments. Ultimately, implementation of the model may influence incidence and severity of breast cancer treatment related physical impairments. As such, the model seeks to optimize function during and following treatment and positively influence a growing survivorship community.

Pathways to employment for migrants and refugees? The case of social enterprise

This paper examines the use of social enterprise – that is, not for personal profit businesses that have a strong social purpose- to support training and employment pathways for migrants and refugees facing multiple forms of exclusion. Drawing on an evaluation of a program that supports seven social enterprises in the Australian state of Victoria, the study finds that social enterprise affords unique local opportunities for economic and social participation for the program’s participants. Nevertheless, there are limits to the impacts of programs that mediate transitions within an increasingly flexible labour market without redressing the broader social determinants of labour market segmentation.

Reflecting on the ‘Dream Circle’ : urban Indigenous education processes designed for student and community empowerment

The ‘Dream Circle’ is a space designed by and operated through Indigenous educator footprints as a safe space for the school’s deadly jarjums (Indigenous children). The ‘Dream Circle’ uses a kinnected methodology drawing on the rich vein of Murri cultural knowledges and Torres Strait Islander supports within the local community to provide a safe and supportive circle. The ‘Dream Circle’ operates on a school site in the Logan area as an after school homework and cultural studies class. The ‘Dream Circle’ embodies practices and ritualises processes which ensure cultural safety and integrity. In this way the ‘Dream Circle’ balances the measures that Sarra (2005) purports are the stronger, smarter realities needed for positive change in Indigenous education.

Designing a capstone experience for Australian legal education

Literature suggests that universities, and law schools in particular, are not engaging final year students in a genuine capstone experience which supports the development of their professional identity and their transition out of university. Students in their final year also face significant transition issues which are just as challenging as those facing first year students entering the tertiary environment (Jervis & Hartley, 2005, 314)...

Association between feeding style and weight gain in infants aged 2–7 months

Introduction: Feeding on demand supports an infant’s innate capacity to respond to hunger and satiety cues and may promote later self-regulation of intake. Our aim was to examine whether feeding style (on demand vs to schedule) is associated with weight gain in early life. Methods: Participants were first-time mothers of healthy term infants enrolled NOURISH, an RCT evaluating an intervention to promote positive early feeding practices. Baseline assessment occurred when infants were aged 2-7 months. Infants able to be categorised clearly as feeding on demand or to schedule (mothers self report) were included in the logistic regression analysis. The model was adjusted for gender, breastfeeding and maternal age, education, BMI. Weight gain was defined as a positive difference in baseline minus birthweight z-scores (WHO standards) which indicated tracking above weight percentile. Results: Data from 356 infants with a mean age of 4.4 (SD 1.0) months were available. Of these, 197 (55%) were fed on demand, 42 (12%) were fed on schedule. There was no statistical association between feeding style and weight gain [OR=0.72 (95%CI 0.35-1.46), P=0.36]. Formula fed infants were three times more likely to be fed on schedule and formula feeding was independently associated with increased weight gain [OR=2.02 (95%CI 1.11-3.66), P=0.021]. Conclusion: In this preliminary analysis the association between feeding style and weight gain did not reach statistical significance, however , the effect size may be clinically relevant and future analysis will include the full study sample (N=698).

Vibrational spectroscopy and solubility study of the mineral stringhamite CaCuSiO4•H2O

Stringhamite CaCuSiO4·H2O is a hydrated calcium copper silicate and is commonly known as a significant ‘healing’ mineral and is potentially a semi-precious jewel. Stringhamite is a neosilicate with Cu2+ in square planar coordination. Vibrational spectroscopy has been used to characterise the molecular structure of stringhamite. The intense sharp Raman band at 956 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1 (A1g) symmetric stretching vibration. Raman bands at 980, 997, 1061 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3 (A2u, B1g) antisymmetric stretching vibrations. Splitting of the ν3 vibrational mode supports the concept that the stringhamite SiO4 tetrahedron is strongly distorted. The intense bands at 505 and 519 cm−1 and at 570 cm−1 are assigned to the ν2 and ν4 vibrational modes. The question arises as to whether the mineral stringhamite can actually function as a healing mineral. An estimation of the solubility product at pH < 5 shows that the cupric ion can be released. The copper ion is a very powerful antibiological agent and thus the mineral stringhamite may well function as a healing mineral.

Whelanite Ca5Cu2(OH)2CO3,Si6O17•4H2O – A vibrational spectroscopic study

Whelanite Ca5Cu2(OH)2CO3,Si6O17•4H2O is a hydrated hydroxy mixed anion compound with both silicate and carbonate anions in the formula. The structural characterisation of the mineral whelanite remains incomplete. Whelanite is probably a neosilicate with Cu2+ in square planar coordination. Two Raman bands at 1070 and 1094 cm-1 are assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching modes of the CO32- units. The observation of two symmetric stretching modes supports the concept of two non-equivalent CO32- units in the whelanite structure. The intense sharp Raman band at 1006 cm-1 is assigned to the ν1 (A1g) symmetric stretching vibration of the Si6O17 units. The splitting of the ν3 vibrational mode offers support to the concept that the SiO4 tetrahedron in whelanite is strongly distorted. A very intense Raman band observed at 666 cm-1 with a shoulder at 697 cm-1 is assigned to the ν4 vibrational modes. Intense Raman bands at 3534, 3556, 3550 and 3595 cm-1 are assigned to the stretching vibrations of the OH units. Low intensity Raman bands at 2910, 3187 and 3453 cm-1 are assigned to water stretching modes. Thus, vibrational spectroscopy has been used to characterise the molecular structure of whelanite. Whelanite is a mineral that could be conceived as a healing mineral

Improving posture and decreasing pain with novel shoe insoles

A single subject longevity study is presented as a case study for the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP). The MDPP supports the development of cutting-edge medical devices and assistive technologies, through unique collaborations between researchers, industry, clinical end-users and government. The study aimed to identify what effect the innersole has on specific muscles that may influence stability and whether the innersole had any influence on gait. Three tests were conducted; a standard gait test, dynamic balance test and a standing balance test. Results from the kinematic analysis showed reduced variability in post testing results when compared to pre testing results. Reductions in muscle activation levels were also found across all tests. Further testing with a larger sample size is required to determine if these effects are due to the innersole.

Diversified service provisioning in global business networks

Companies and their services are being increasingly exposed to global business networks and Internet-based ondemand services. Much of the focus is on flexible orchestration and consumption of services, beyond ownership and operational boundaries of services. However, ways in which third-parties in the “global village” can seamlessly self-create new offers out of existing services remains open. This paper proposes a framework for service provisioning in global business networks that allows an open-ended set of techniques for extending services through a rich, multi-tooling environment. The Service Provisioning Management Framework, as such, supports different modeling techniques, through supportive tools, allowing different parts of services to be integrated into new contexts. Integration of service user interfaces, business processes, operational interfaces and business object are supported. The integration specifications that arise from service extensions are uniformly reflected through a kernel technique, the Service Integration Technique. Thus, the framework preserves coherence of service provisioning tasks without constraining the modeling techniques needed for extending different aspects of services.

The effect of lumbar support on the trunk muscle activity and pelvic tilt in a passenger vehicle car seat

In order to gain a competitive edge in the market, automotive manufacturers and automotive seat suppliers have identified seat ergonomics for further development to improve overall vehicle comfort. Adjustable lumbar support devices have been offered since long as comfort systems in either a 2-way or 4-way adjustable configuration, although their effect on lumbar strain is not well documented. The effect of a lumbar support on posture and muscular strain, and therefore the relationship between discomfort and comfort device parameter settings, requires clarification. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of a 4-way lumbar support on lower trunk and pelvis muscle activity, pelvic tilt and spine curvature during a car seating activity. 10 healthy subjects (5 m/f; age 19-39) performed a seating activity in a passenger vehicle with seven different static lumbar support positions. The lumbar support was tested in 3 different height positions in relation to the seatback surface centreline (high, centre, low), each having 2 depths positions (lumbar prominence). An extra depth position was added for the centre position. Posture data were collected using a VICON MX motion capture system and NORAXON DTS goniometers and inclinometer. A rigid-body model of an adjustable car seat with four-way adjustable lumbar support was constructed in UGS Siemens NX and connected to a musculoskeletal model of a seated-human, modelled in AnyBody. Wireless electromyography (EMG) was used to calibrate the musculoskeletal model and assess the relationship between (a) muscular strain and lumbar prominence (normal to seatback surface) respective to the lumbar height (alongside seatback surface), (b) hip joint moment and lumbar prominence (normal to seatback surface) respective to lumbar height (alongside seatback surface) and (c) pelvic tilt and lumbar prominence (normal to seatback surface) respective to the lumbar height (alongside seatback surface). This study was based on the assumption that the musculoskeletal human model was seated at the correct R-Point (SgRP), determined via the occupant packaging toolkit in the JACK digital human model. The effect of the interaction between the driver/car-seat has been investigated for factors resulting from the presence and adjustment of a 4-way lumbar support. The results obtained show that various seat adjustments, and driver’s lumbar supports can have complex influence on the muscle activation, joint forces and moments, all of which can affect the comfort perception of the driver. This study enables the automotive industry to optimise passenger vehicle seat development and design. It further more supports the evaluation of static postural and dynamic seat comfort in normal everyday driving tasks and can be applied for future car design to reduce investment and improve comfort.

Digital human modelling for vehicle design and manufacturing

Digital human modelling (DHM) has today matured from research into industrial application. In the automotive domain, DHM has become a commonly used tool in virtual prototyping and human-centred product design. While this generation of DHM supports the ergonomic evaluation of new vehicle design during early design stages of the product, by modelling anthropometry, posture, motion or predicting discomfort, the future of DHM will be dominated by CAE methods, realistic 3D design, and musculoskeletal and soft tissue modelling down to the micro-scale of molecular activity within single muscle fibres. As a driving force for DHM development, the automotive industry has traditionally used human models in the manufacturing sector (production ergonomics, e.g. assembly) and the engineering sector (product ergonomics, e.g. safety, packaging). In product ergonomics applications, DHM share many common characteristics, creating a unique subset of DHM. These models are optimised for a seated posture, interface to a vehicle seat through standardised methods and provide linkages to vehicle controls. As a tool, they need to interface with other analytic instruments and integrate into complex CAD/CAE environments. Important aspects of current DHM research are functional analysis, model integration and task simulation. Digital (virtual, analytic) prototypes or digital mock-ups (DMU) provide expanded support for testing and verification and consider task-dependent performance and motion. Beyond rigid body mechanics, soft tissue modelling is evolving to become standard in future DHM. When addressing advanced issues beyond the physical domain, for example anthropometry and biomechanics, modelling of human behaviours and skills is also integrated into DHM. Latest developments include a more comprehensive approach through implementing perceptual, cognitive and performance models, representing human behaviour on a non-physiologic level. Through integration of algorithms from the artificial intelligence domain, a vision of the virtual human is emerging.