Developing a framework for work integrated research higher degree studies in an Australian engineering context

The umbrella of Australian research higher degree (RHD) offerings has broadened from the traditional MPhil/PhD programmes to include a range of professional masters and doctoral degrees. This article reports on the experiences of three PhD students, engaged in an informally managed industry partnered research programme, described in this article as the work integrated research higher degree (WIRHD). Their learning process shares the attributes from both the traditional PhD programme and professional doctorates. However, because of the blended nature of the learning contexts, candidates engaged in the WIRHD programme must address a wider range of issues than those following the traditional RHD pathway. An exploratory case study approach was adopted with the view to develop an integrative framework to explain the various contexts that influence the learning experience of WIRHD candidates, as well as a structured approach to guide this contemporary form of industry partnered WIRHD process.

Framework for evaluating collaborative intrusion detection systems

Securing IT infrastructures of our modern lives is a challenging task because of their increasing complexity, scale and agile nature. Monolithic approaches such as using stand-alone firewalls and IDS devices for protecting the perimeter cannot cope with complex malwares and multistep attacks. Collaborative security emerges as a promising approach. But, research results in collaborative security are not mature, yet, and they require continuous evaluation and testing. In this work, we present CIDE, a Collaborative Intrusion Detection Extension for the network security simulation platform ( NeSSi 2 ). Built-in functionalities include dynamic group formation based on node preferences, group-internal communication, group management and an approach for handling the infection process for malware-based attacks. The CIDE simulation environment provides functionalities for easy implementation of collaborating nodes in large-scale setups. We evaluate the group communication mechanism on the one hand and provide a case study and evaluate our collaborative security evaluation platform in a signature exchange scenario on the other.

A simulation framework for smart meter security evaluation

The evolution of classic power grids to smart grids creates chances for most participants in the energy sector. Customers can save money by reducing energy consumption, energy providers can better predict energy demand and environment benefits since lower energy consumption implies lower energy production including a decrease of emissions from plants. But information and communication systems supporting smart grids can also be subject to classical or new network attacks. Attacks can result in serious damage such as harming privacy of customers, creating economical loss and even disturb the power supply/demand balance of large regions and countries. In this paper, we give an overview about the German smart measuring architecture, protocols and security. Afterwards, we present a simulation framework which enables researchers to analyze security aspects of smart measuring scenarios.

An extensible simulation framework for critical infrastructure security

We introduce the Network Security Simulator (NeSSi2), an open source discrete event-based network simulator. It incorporates a variety of features relevant to network security distinguishing it from general-purpose network simulators. Compared to the predecessor NeSSi, it was extended with a three-tier plugin architecture and a generic network model to shift its focus towards simulation framework for critical infrastructures. We demonstrate the gained adaptability by different use cases

Designing an information accountability framework for eHealth

Information privacy is a crucial aspect of eHealth. Appropriate privacy management measures are therefore essential for its success. However, traditional measures for privacy preservation such as rigid access controls (i.e., preventive measures) are not suitable to eHealth because of the specialised and information - intensive nature of healthcare itself, and the nature of the information. Healthcare professionals (HCP) require easy, unrestricted access to as much information as possible towards making well - informed decisions. On the other end of the scale however, consumers (i.e., patients) demand control over their health information and raise concerns for privacy arising from internal activities (i.e., information use by HCPs). A proper balance of these competing concerns is vital for the implementation of successful eHealth systems. Towards reaching this balance, we propose an information accountability framework (IAF) for eHealth systems.

Sources of ultrafine particles and chemical species along a traffic corridor : comparison of the results from two receptor models

Particulate matter is common in our environment and has been linked to human health problems particularly in the ultrafine size range. A range of chemical species have been associated with particulate matter and of special concern are the hazardous chemicals that can accentuate health problems. If the sources of such particles can be identified then strategies can be developed for the reduction of air pollution and consequently, the improvement of the quality of life. In this investigation, particle number size distribution data and the concentrations of chemical species were obtained at two sites in Brisbane, Australia. Source apportionment was used to determine the sources (or factors) responsible for the particle size distribution data. The apportionment was performed by Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) and Principal Component Analysis/Absolute Principal Component Scores (PCA/APCS), and the results were compared with information from the gaseous chemical composition analysis. Although PCA/APCS resolved more sources, the results of the PMF analysis appear to be more reliable. Six common sources identified by both methods include: traffic 1, traffic 2, local traffic, biomass burning, and two unassigned factors. Thus motor vehicle related activities had the most impact on the data with the average contribution from nearly all sources to the measured concentrations higher during peak traffic hours and weekdays. Further analyses incorporated the meteorological measurements into the PMF results to determine the direction of the sources relative to the measurement sites, and this indicated that traffic on the nearby road and intersection was responsible for most of the factors. The described methodology which utilised a combination of three types of data related to particulate matter to determine the sources could assist future development of particle emission control and reduction strategies.

Management of heterogeneous UAVs through a capability framework of UAV’s functional autonomy

An increased interest in utilising groups of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with heterogeneous capabilities and autonomy is presenting the challenge to effectively manage such during missions and operations. This has been the focus of research in recent years, moving from a traditional UAV management paradigm of n-to-1 (n operators for one UAV, with n being at least two operators) toward 1-to-n (one operator, multiple UAVs). This paper has expanded on the authors’ previous work on UAV functional capability framework, by incorporating the concept of Functional Level of Autonomy (F-LOA) with two configurations: The lower F-LOA configuration contains sufficient information for the operator to generate solutions and make decisions to address perturbation events. Alternatively, the higher F-LOA configuration presents information reflecting on the F-LOA of the UAV, allowing the operator to interpret solutions and decisions generated autonomously, and decide whether to veto from this decision.

A framework for a dense matching algorithm : Results using matching metrics and order statistic filters

An algorithm for computing dense correspondences between images of a stereo pair or image sequence is presented. The algorithm can make use of both standard matching metrics and the rank and census filters, two filters based on order statistics which have been applied to the image matching problem. Their advantages include robustness to radiometric distortion and amenability to hardware implementation. Results obtained using both real stereo pairs and a synthetic stereo pair with ground truth were compared. The rank and census filters were shown to significantly improve performance in the case of radiometric distortion. In all cases, the results obtained were comparable to, if not better than, those obtained using standard matching metrics. Furthermore, the rank and census have the additional advantage that their computational overhead is less than these metrics. For all techniques tested, the difference between the results obtained for the synthetic stereo pair, and the ground truth results was small.

Groundwater visualisation system (GVS) : a software framework for integrated display and interrogation of conceptual hydrogeological models, data and time-series animation

Management of groundwater systems requires realistic conceptual hydrogeological models as a framework for numerical simulation modelling, but also for system understanding and communicating this to stakeholders and the broader community. To help overcome these challenges we developed GVS (Groundwater Visualisation System), a stand-alone desktop software package that uses interactive 3D visualisation and animation techniques. The goal was a user-friendly groundwater management tool that could support a range of existing real-world and pre-processed data, both surface and subsurface, including geology and various types of temporal hydrological information. GVS allows these data to be integrated into a single conceptual hydrogeological model. In addition, 3D geological models produced externally using other software packages, can readily be imported into GVS models, as can outputs of simulations (e.g. piezometric surfaces) produced by software such as MODFLOW or FEFLOW. Boreholes can be integrated, showing any down-hole data and properties, including screen information, intersected geology, water level data and water chemistry. Animation is used to display spatial and temporal changes, with time-series data such as rainfall, standing water levels and electrical conductivity, displaying dynamic processes. Time and space variations can be presented using a range of contouring and colour mapping techniques, in addition to interactive plots of time-series parameters. Other types of data, for example, demographics and cultural information, can also be readily incorporated. The GVS software can execute on a standard Windows or Linux-based PC with a minimum of 2 GB RAM, and the model output is easy and inexpensive to distribute, by download or via USB/DVD/CD. Example models are described here for three groundwater systems in Queensland, northeastern Australia: two unconfined alluvial groundwater systems with intensive irrigation, the Lockyer Valley and the upper Condamine Valley, and the Surat Basin, a large sedimentary basin of confined artesian aquifers. This latter example required more detail in the hydrostratigraphy, correlation of formations with drillholes and visualisation of simulation piezometric surfaces. Both alluvial system GVS models were developed during drought conditions to support government strategies to implement groundwater management. The Surat Basin model was industry sponsored research, for coal seam gas groundwater management and community information and consultation. The “virtual” groundwater systems in these 3D GVS models can be interactively interrogated by standard functions, plus production of 2D cross-sections, data selection from the 3D scene, rear end database and plot displays. A unique feature is that GVS allows investigation of time-series data across different display modes, both 2D and 3D. GVS has been used successfully as a tool to enhance community/stakeholder understanding and knowledge of groundwater systems and is of value for training and educational purposes. Projects completed confirm that GVS provides a powerful support to management and decision making, and as a tool for interpretation of groundwater system hydrological processes. A highly effective visualisation output is the production of short videos (e.g. 2–5 min) based on sequences of camera ‘fly-throughs’ and screen images. Further work involves developing support for multi-screen displays and touch-screen technologies, distributed rendering, gestural interaction systems. To highlight the visualisation and animation capability of the GVS software, links to related multimedia hosted online sites are included in the references.

Pursuing better childhoods and futures through curriculum : utopian visions in the development of Australia’s early years learning framework

In recent years, globalised curriculum discourses have given rise to local curriculum texts that convey and produce particularised imaginings and narratives, as well as hopes for, and expectations of, young children, their childhoods and their futures. In this article, the authors employ concepts from utopian studies and Deleuzeguattarian concepts of assemblage, rhizomes and lines (supple, rigid and lines of flight) to undertake a preliminary and partial rhizomatic mapping of utopian visions of better childhoods and futures evident in the development of the Early Years Learning Framework, Australia’s first national curriculum for early childhood settings. Drawing on the perspective of policy makers, News Corporation, the public, politicians, academics and practitioners who shaped the development of the Framework, the authors seek alternatives to the well-rehearsed dichotomies that so often characterise and confine curriculum politics and debates, and ways of exploring spaces between the possible and not (yet) possible.

Healthcare teams : a practical framework for integration

Background: Delivering integrated team care is a major priority for many countries. In Australia this is a component of the GP Super Clinic Program but it is also a focus of the broader primary care sector. Explicit consideration of human dynamics and team process is often absent from the move to integrated team care. Objective: To provide a practical framework that will inform the development and evaluation of integrated healthcare teams. Discussion: The Team Focused and Clinical Content Framework is an approach to building integrated teams. This has the potential to be used to monitor and evaluate team development and functioning. Both the framework and clinical pathways provide practical tools for clinics to address the need to build integration into teams.

A revision of Calyptochloa C.E.Hubb. (Poaceae), with two new species and a new subspecies

Thompson, E.J. & Simon, B.K. (2012). A revision of Calyptochloa C.E.Hubb. (Poaceae), with two new species and a new subspecies. Austrobaileya 8(4): 634–652. Two new species of Calyptochloa C.E.Hubb. (Calyptochloa cylindrosperma E.J.Thomps. & B.K.Simon and C. johnsoniana E.J.Thomps. & B.K.Simon) endemic to central Queensland, and a new subspecies of Calyptochloa gracillima C.E.Hubb. (C. gracillima subsp. ipsviciensis E.J.Thomps. & B.K.Simon) endemic to southeast Queensland are described and illustrated.

Towards an integrative framework for future research on small firm growth

Our review has demonstrated that small firm growth is a complex phenomenon. The concept ‘growth’ denotes both a change in amount and the process by which that change is attained. Further, the growth can be achieved in different ways and with varying degrees of regularity, and it manifests itself along several different dimensions such as sales, employment, and accumulation of assets. This complexity has naturally led researchers to adopt different approaches to studying growth and to use different measures to assess it. Further, although our review shows that it can fruitfully be regarded as a growth issue, the research on small firms' internationalization has largely developed as a separate stream. Similarly, other relatively separate literatures have evolved, which effectively focus on different modes of growth although mostly without regarding the studies first and foremost as growth studies. This goes for topics such as mergers and acquisitions, diversification, and integration - research streams which have largely ignored the particularities of small firms and which in turn have been largely ignored among researchers focusing on small firm growth.

Ureaplasma species multiple banded antigen (MBA) variation is associated with the severity of chorioamnionitis in late preterm placentas

Background: Intra-amniotic infection accounts for 30% of all preterm births (PTB), with the human Ureaplasma species being the most frequently identified microorganism from the placentas of women who deliver preterm. The highest prevalence of PTB occurs late preterm (32-36 weeks) but no studies have investigated the role of infectious aetiologies associated with late preterm birth. Method: Placentas from women with late PTB were dissected aseptically and samples of chorioamnion tissue and membrane swabs were collected. These were tested for Ureaplasma spp. and aerobic/anaerobic bacteria by culture and real-time PCR. Western blot was used to assess MBA variation in ureaplasma clinical isolates. The presence of microorganisms was correlated with histological chorioamnionitis. Results: Ureaplasma spp. were isolated from 33/466 (7%) of placentas by culture or PCR. The presence of ureaplasmas, but not other microorganisms, was associated with histological chorioamnionitis (21/33 ureaplasma-positive vs. 8/42 other bacteria; p= 0.001). Ureaplasma clinical isolates demonstrating no MBA variation were associated with histological chorioamnionitis. By contrast, ureaplasmas displaying MBA variation were isolated from placentas with no significant histological chorioamnionitis (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Ureaplasma spp. within placentas delivered late preterm (7%) is associated with histological chorioamnionitis (p = 0.001). Decreased inflammation within chorioamnion was observed when the clinical ureaplasma isolates demonstrated variation of their surface-exposed lipoproteins (MBA). This variation may be a mechanism by which ureaplasmas modulate and evade the host immune response. So whilst ureaplasmas are present intra-amniotically they are not suspected because of the normal macroscopic appearance of the placentas and the amniotic fluid.