Sustainable in 2030? The impact of population growth in Melbourne`s inner activity centres

The advent of sustainable approaches to managing an increase of population in our urban centres, such as the Melbourne 2030 planning policy, has led to questions regarding their successful implementation at local government level. Issues relating to the location of sustainable built form and infrastructure are of particular importance considering Melbourne 2030's direction regarding intensification around existing activity nodes. The following paper embarks on an investigation into the impact of the projected population growth set out in the 2030 policy, focusing particularly on the consequent implications of increased residential densities in and around activity centres within the inner Melbourne region. Utilising various mapping techniques, a series of comparative built form/density scenarios will be generated that begin to explore the issues of implementation faced at a local government level.

A controlled experiment on yarn hairiness and fabric pilling

This study focused on the hairiness of worsted wool yarns and how it affects the pilling propensity of knitted wool fabrics. Conventional worsted ring spun yarns were compared with comparable SolospunTM yarns and yarns modified with a hairiness reducing air nozzle in the winding process (JetWind). Measurements of yarn hairiness (S3) on the Zweigle G565 hairiness meter showed a reduction in the S3 value of approximately 46% was achieved using SolospunTM ring spinning attachment and a 33% reduction was achieved using the JetWind process. Interestingly, subsequent evaluation of the pilling performance of fabrics made from the SolospunTM spun yarn and JetWind modified yarn showed a half grade and full grade improvement, respectively over a similar fabric made from conventional ring spun yarns. This result suggested that a relatively large reduction in yarn hairiness was needed to achieve a moderate improvement in fabric pilling, and that the nature of yarn hairiness was also a key factor in influencing fabric pilling propensity. It is postulated that the wrapping of surface hairs by the air vortex in the JetWind process may limit the ability of those surface fibers to form fuzz and reach the critical height required for pill formation.

Changes in weight and waist circumference over 9 years in a Scottish population

Objective: To document patterns of measured weight and waist circumference (WC) change and the increase in overweight and obesity over a 9-year period. Subjects/Methods: A total of 1044 subjects from two age-defined cohorts aged 39 and 59 in 1991. Height, weight and WC were measured in 1991, 1995 and 2000 and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Pattern of weight and WC change was studied over approximately 9 years. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased markedly and the younger cohort showed greater increases in weight and WC than the older cohort. There was no significant difference in mean BMI and/or mean 9-year weight change between men and women in either age cohort, and mean weight gain was similar for all occupational groups. Only 20% of subjects maintained a stable weight (plusminus2 kg), while 42.2 and 17.6% gained greater than 5 and 10 kg over the 9-year period, respectively. The rate of weight gain appeared to be relatively steady over the 9 years among younger subjects but declined in the older subjects in the second half of the observation period. Conclusions: Health promotion strategies to prevent weight gain need to be population-based, targeting all social and age groups, but particularly those in their early middle-age.

Middle Permian brachiopods from the Dongujimqinqi area, Inner Mongolia, China

A small collection of brachiopods is described from the lower Middle Permian Yanchibeishan Formation of the Dongujimqinqi area, eastern Inner Mongolia, China. This fauna consists of the following four species: Kochiproductus sp., Linoproductus simensis (Tschernyschew), Rhynchopora inconstantis Lee and Gu and Licharewia grewingki (Netschajew). The Dongujimqinqi fauna exhibits a strong Boreal-type aspect and suggests an early Middle Permian in age.

Marketing research and small travel agents: an exploratory study

The research study reported on in this paper examined the marketing research (MR) orientation of small Australian travel agents. A survey was undertaken involving personal interviews with 91 travel agents in Melbourne, each agency having fewer than 20 employees. Agents were asked about their organisation with regard to MR, which MR activities were undertaken and wich MR techniques were employed. Additional questions gathered data on organisational and individual demographics, and some perceptual and attitudinal data. Although approximately half the respondents had no employee assigned to MR, the majority of agents reported engaging in most of the MR activities nominated, although most agents did not use most of the MR techniques covered in the study. Most general demographics were not related to MR participation, although greater devotion of resources to MR was reflected in more comprehensive usage of MR, and a more positive attitude to the cost-effectiveness of MR in small organisations. The desirability of travel agents considering seriously the role of MR in assisting in clarifying the future options for the sector is noted.

Examining physical activity among 5- to 6- and 10- to 12-year-old children: The children's leisure activities study

The aim of this study was to describe the type, frequency, duration, and intensity of children's physical activity and to examine differences by sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Participants consisted of 5- to 6-year-old (n = 291) and 10- to 12-year-old (n = 919) children and their parents who were taking part in the Children's Leisure Activities Study (CLASS). Parents completed proxy questionnaires about their child's activities, and all children wore an accelerometer for 8 days. Accelerometry data showed that younger children accumulated approximately 4 hrs of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) per day, and older children accumulated approximately 2 hrs per day. Fewer than three-quarters of 10- to 12-year-old boys and less than half of 10- to 12-year-old girls recorded 120 min of MVPA per day. Significant differences in the number of activities, as well as the type and frequency of activities performed, were observed by age and sex. The findings indicate that physical activities that appeal to older girls, such as lifestyle-type noncompetitive activities, should be considered in the development of physical activity promotion strategies.

Long-term risk factor control after a cardiac rehabilitation programme

This study examined the hypothesis that Phase II cardiac rehabilitation participants (CRP) had better long-term risk factor control, self-rated perception of health and return to work rates than non-participants (NP) between 18 and 36 months post myocardial infarction (MI). It was a comparative study in a 550 bed hospital.

Approximately half of both groups did not achieve a total cholesterol (TC) of 5.5mmol/L or less. Compared with NP, CRP were significantly more likely to have a TC<=6.5mmol/L (7% vs. 28%) (p=0.006). NP with TC>6.5mmol/L were significantly less likely to be on treatment (p=0.002). CRP were more likely to regularly exercise than NP (79% vs. 61%) (p=0.038). The success rate for blood pressure targets, return to work rates and self-rated perception of health were similar in both groups.

In conclusion, CRP had better long-term control of some risk factors than NP. The study provides comparative longer term patient outcomes after an Australian cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme and forms the basis for further outcome measurement.

A theory of injustice: the flip side of the relocation coin in Australia

Problems attached to relocation cases in Australia because of geographical and cultural reasons - the best interests of the child principle inherently promotes injustice in relocation cases - operation of Part VII of the Family Law Act in the context of relocation cases - assessment of the best interests of the child principle in Australian relocation cases - responsibility of contact parents - reforming Australian law to promote an equality of interests.

Enough energy to get half way to the moon

A proposal to abandon Melbourne's Supreme Court for a new high-tech facility prompted quite an outcry of dismay when it was reported in the Melbourne press earlier this year, and has highlighted sustainability issues in relation to heritage buildings in Victoria.

Double disadvantage : the influence of ethnicity over socioeconomic position on childhood overweight and obesity: findings from an inner urban population of primary school children

Objective: To examine the relationship between overweight/obesity in children, socioeconomic status and ethnicity/cultural background.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of children aged 4–13 years.

Setting: A total of 23 primary (elementary) schools in an inner urban municipality of Melbourne, Australia.

Participants: A total of 2685 children aged 4–13 years and their parents.

Main exposure measures: Ethnicity/cultural background – maternal region of birth; socioeconomic position (SEP) indicators – maternal and paternal educational attainment, family employment status, possession of a healthcare card, ability to buy food, indicator of disadvantage (Socioeconomic Index for Areas, SEIFA) score for school; parental weight status.

Main outcome measure: Prevalence of overweight/obesity.

Results: Prevalence of overweight/obesity approached 1 in 3 (31%) in this sample. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was greater for children of both North Africa and Middle Eastern background and children of Southern, South Eastern and Eastern European background compared with children of Australian background. This difference remained after adjusting for age, sex, height, clustering by school, SEP indicators and parental weight status; odds ratio, OR=1.57 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.12–2.19) and 1.88 (95%CI 1.24–2.85), respectively.

Conclusions: There is a clear independent effect of ethnicity above and beyond the effect of socioeconomic status on overweight and obesity in children. Further research is required to explore the mediators of this gradient.

Examining the effects of balloon control ring on ring spinning

The ring spinning process has been used to produce fine and high quality staple fibre yarns. The stability of the rotating yarn loop (i.e. balloon) between the yarn-guide and the traveller-ring is crucial to the success and economics of this process. Balloon control rings are used to contain the yarn-loop, by reducing the yarn tension and decreasing the balloon flutter instability. Flutter instability here refers to the uncontrolled changes in a ballooning yarn under dynamic forces, including the air drag. Due to the significant variation in the length and radius of the balloon during the bobbin filling process, the optimal location for the balloon control ring is not easily determined. In order to address this difficulty, this study investigates the variation in the radius of a free balloon and examines the effect of balloon control rings of various diameters at different locations on yarn tension and balloon flutter stability. The results indicate that the maximum radius of a free balloon and its corresponding position depend not only on the yarn-length to balloon-height ratio, but also on yarn type and count. A control ring of suitable radius and position can significantly reduce yarn tension and decrease flutter instability of free single-loop balloons. While the balloon control rings are usually fixed to, and move in sinc with, the ring frame, results reported in this study suggest that theoretically, a balloon control ring that always remains approximately half way between the yarn-guide and the ring rail during spinning can lead to significant reduction in yarn tension.

Measurement for improvement: a survey of current practice in Australian public hospitals

Objective:
To identify patient safety measurement tools in use in Australian public hospitals and to determine barriers to their use.

Design:
Structured survey, conducted between 4 March and 19 May 2005, designed to identify tools, and to assess current use of, levels of satisfaction with, and barriers to use of tools for measuring the domains and subdomains of: organisational capacity to provide safe health care; patient safety incidents; and clinical performance.

Participants and setting:
Hospital executives, managers and clinicians from a nationwide random sample of Australian public hospitals stratified by state and hospital peer grouping.

Main outcome measures:
Tools used by hospitals within the three domains and their subdomains; patient safety tools and processes identified by individuals at these hospitals; satisfaction with the tools; and barriers to their use.

Results:
Eighty-two of 167 invited hospitals (49%) responded. The survey ascertained a comprehensive list of patient safety measurement tools that are in current use for measuring all patient safety domains. Overall, there was a focus on use of processes rather than quantitative measurement tools. Approximately half the 182 individual respondents from participating hospitals reported satisfaction with existing tools. The main reported barriers were lack of integrated supportive systems, resource constraints and inadequate access to robust measurement tools validated in the Australian context. Measurement of organisational capacity was reported by 50 (61%), of patient safety incidents by 81 (99%) and of clinical performance by 81 (99%).

Conclusion:
Australian public hospitals are measuring the safety of their health care, with some variation in measurement of patient safety domains and their subdomains. Improved access to robust tools may support future standardisation of measurement for improvement.