Can B.I.M be civil?

After many years of development BIM (Building Information Modelling) is starting to achieve significant penetration into the building sector of the construction industry. This paper describes the current status of BIM and the drivers that are motivating the change from 2D CAD to BIM within the building sector. The paper then discusses what the implications of the technology underlying BIM may be for the civil construction sector of the construction industry. A project carried out by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation is used as an example of this technology as well as several international examples.

Exercise for health : a breast cancer recovery program - quality of life benefits [Conference Abstract]

Introduction: Five-year survival from breast cancer in Australia is 87%. Hence, ensuring a good quality of life (QOL) has become a focal point of cancer research and clinical interest. Exercise during and after treatment has been identified as a potential strategy to optimise QOL of women diagnosed with breast cancer.----- Methods: Exercise for Health is a randomised controlled trial of an eight-month, exercise intervention delivered by Exercise Physiologists. An objective of this study was to assess the impact of the exercise program during and following treatment on QOL. Queensland women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer in 2006/07 were eligible to participate. Those living in urban-Brisbane (n=194) were allocated to either the face-to-face exercise group, the telephone exercise group, or the usual-care group, and those living in rural Queensland (n=143) were allocated to the telephone exercise group or the usual-care group. QOL, as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B+4) questionnaire, was measured at 4-6 weeks (pre-intervention), 6 months (mid-intervention) and 12 months (three months post-intervention) post-surgery.----- Results: Significant (P<0.01) increases in QOL were observed between pre-intervention and three months post-intervention 12 months post-surgery for all women. Women in the exercise groups experienced greater mean positive changes in QOL during this time (+10 points) compared with the usual-care groups (+5 to +7 points) after adjusting for baseline QOL. Although all groups experienced an overall increase in QOL, approximately 20% of urban and rural women in the usual-care groups reported a decline in QOL, compared with 10% of women in the exercise groups.----- Conclusions: This work highlights the potential importance of participating in physical activity to optimise QOL following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Results suggest that the telephone may be an effective medium for delivering exercise counselling to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Teaching cause-of-death certification : lessons from international experience

The accuracy of cause-of-death statistics substantially depends on the quality of cause-of-death information in death certificates, primarily completed by medical doctors. Deficiencies in cause-of-death certification have been observed across the world, and over time. Despite educational interventions targeting to improve the quality of death certification, their intended impacts are rarely evaluated. This review aims to provide empirical evidence that could guide the modification of existing educational programs, or the development of new interventions, which are necessary to improve the capacity of certifiers as well as the quality of cause-of-death certification, and thereby, the quality of mortality statistics.

Crystallographic characterization of the first reported crystalline form of the potent hallucinogen (R)-2-amino-1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;5,4-b']difuran-4-yl)propane or `bromodragonfly': the 1:1 anhydrous proton-transfer compound with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid

The 1:1 proton-transfer compound of the potent substituted amphetamine hallucinogen (R)-1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b; 4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane (common trivial name 'bromodragonfly') with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-mmoniopropane 2-carboxy-4,6-dinitrophenolate, C13H13BrNO2+ C7H3N2O7- forms hydrogen-bonded cation-anion chain substructures comprising undulating head-to-tail anion chains formed through C(8) carboxyl O-H...O(nitro) associations and incorporating the aminium groups of the cations. The intra-chain cation-anion hydrogen-bonding associations feature proximal cyclic R33(8) interactions involving both a N+-H...O(phenolate) and the carboxyl O--H...O(nitro)associations. Also present are aromatic pi-pi ring interactions [minimum ring centroid separation, 3.566(2)A; inter-plane dihedral angle, 5.13(1)deg]. A lateral hydrogen-bonding interaction between the third aminium proton and a carboxyl O acceptor link the chain substructures giving a two-dimensional sheet structure. This determination represents the first of any form of this compound and confirms that it has the (R) absolute configuration. The atypical crystal stability is attributed both to the hydrogen-bonded chain substructures provided by the anions, which accommodate the aminium proton-donor groups of the cations and give cross-linking, and to the presence of cation--anion aromatic ring pi-pi interactions.

Computer simulation and modeling in railway applications

An electrified railway system includes complex interconnections and interactions of several subsystems. Computer simulation is the only viable means for system evaluation and analysis. This paper discusses the difficulties and requirements of effective simulation models for this specialized industrial application; and the development of a general-purpose multi-train simulator.

Psychometric analysis of the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure (B-PEM)

Purpose: To undertake rigorous psychometric testing of the newly developed contemporary work environment measure (the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure [B-PEM]) using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Methods: Content validity of the 33-item measure was established by a panel of experts. Initial testing involved 195 nursing staff using principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation (orthogonal) and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using data from a further 983 nursing staff. Results: Principal component factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution with eigenvalues greater than 1 that explained 52.53% of the variance. These factors were then verified using confirmatory factor analysis. Goodness-of-fit indices showed an acceptable fit overall with the full model, explaining 21% to 73% of the variance. Deletion of items took place throughout the evolution of the instrument, resulting in a 26-item, four-factor measure called the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure-Tested. Conclusions: The B-PEM has undergone rigorous psychometric testing, providing evidence of internal consistency and goodness-of-fit indices within acceptable ranges. The measure can be utilised as a subscale or total score reflective of a contemporary nursing work environment. Clinical Relevance: An up-to-date instrument to measure practice environment may be useful for nursing leaders to monitor the workplace and to assist in identifying areas for improvement, facilitating greater job satisfaction and retention.

Encyclopedia contributions: entries A-B

Sections contributed by Jean Sim Agricultural Colleges; p.12 Anzac Park, Townsvile; p.22 Anzac Square, Brisbane; pp.22-23 Benson, Albert Herbert; p.86 Bick, Edward Walter; p.88 Bougainvillea Gardens; p.101 Bowen Park; pp.101-102 Boyd, A.J.; p.103 Brisbane Botanic Gardens; pp.104-105 Bush-house; pp.119-121

Transforming educational practice : teachers' perceptions of embedding academic litaracy support within a B.Ed twinning program

An academic literacies approach frames students as active participants in their own learning as they develop their voice and identity. This paper describes teachers’ perceptions of developing and delivering an academic literacies program to TESOL pre-service teachers in a B.Ed twinning program. Data indicates that an academic literacies program is a dynamic process that is ever evolving in order to meet students’ needs. A cornerstone of the program was the continual and open communication between teachers to ensure that students’ needs were met. Additionally, a collaborative approach between twinning partners needs to occur in order for the benefits of the academic literacies program to continue for students.