The curious case of the embedded creative : creative cultural occupations outside the creative industries

This chapter is concerned with innovation that involves creative cultural occupations, but not within the creative industries. Rather, we examine the operation of cultural creative occupations that exist outside the creative industries - so-called 'embedded creatives' who work across all industry sectors (Cunningham and Higgs 2009). In doing so, we concur with Bilton (2007) that the separation of creative industries from other industries is a 'false step'. All industries must be innovative; however, they also must be able to combine both scientific and artistic creativity, and that creativity comes from the intersection of different thinking styles (Kurtzberg 2005). Moreover, we suggest that there are now detailed empirical studies, as well as a nascent theoretical base, to suggest that the transdisciplinarity which results from embedded cultural creativity is an engine of growth in the broader economy. Thus, it is relevant to both policymakers and managers. This chapter addresses the following questions: What is the role and significance of the embedded creative? Given a paucity of detailed empirical work in the area to date, what can be deduced from what extant literature there is about the nature of employment and management of these workers? And what are the practical implications of these consideration?

Distribution tap changer adjustment to improve small-scale embedded generator penetration and mitigate voltage rise

This paper addresses the voltage rise constraints that are initiated from increased renewable generation resources in low voltage distribution networks. In this paper, an approach which is able to mitigate these voltage rise constraints and allow for increased distributed generator penetration is presented. The proposed approach involves utilizing the distribution transformers static tap changer to reduce the distribution feeder voltage setpoint. The proposed approach is modeled on a generic low voltage distribution network using the PSS SINCAL© simulation software package and is also implemented in a real low voltage distribution network to verify its practicality. Results indicate that this approach can be implemented to mitigate the voltage rise constraint and increase small-scale embedded generator penetration in a high proportion of low voltage feeders while avoiding any substantial network costs.

Binding of small mono- and oligomeric integrin ligands to membrane-embedded integrins monitored by surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy

We recently developed a binding assay format by incorporating native transmembrane receptors into artificial phospholipid bilayers on biosensor devices for surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. By extending the method to surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS), sensitive recording of the association of even very small ligands is enabled. Herewith, we monitored binding of synthetic mono- and oligomeric RGD-based peptides and peptidomimetics to integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5, after having confirmed correct orientation and functionality of membrane-embedded integrins. We evaluated integrin binding of RGD multimers linked together via aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) spacers and showed that the dimer revealed higher binding activity than the tetramer, followed by the RGD monomers. The peptidomimetic was also found to be highly active with a slightly higher selectivity toward alphavbeta3. The different compounds were also evaluated in in vitro cell adhesion tests for their capacity to interfere with alphavbeta3-mediated cell attachment to vitronectin. We hereby demonstrated that the different RGD monomers were similarly effective; the RGD dimer and tetramer showed comparable IC50 values, which were, however, significantly higher than those of the monomers. Best cell detachment from vitronectin was achieved by the peptidomimetic. The novel SPFS-binding assay platform proves to be a suitable, reliable, and sensitive method to monitor the binding capacity of small ligands to native transmembrane receptors, here demonstrated for integrins.

Is bus overrepresented in Bluetooth MAC Scanner data? Is MAC-ID really unique?

One of the concerns about the use of Bluetooth MAC Scanner (BMS) data, especially from urban arterial, is the bias in the travel time estimates from multiple Bluetooth devices being transported by a vehicle. For instance, if a bus is transporting 20 passengers with Bluetooth equipped mobile phones, then the discovery of these mobile phones by BMS will be considered as 20 different vehicles, and the average travel time along the corridor estimated from the BMS data will be biased with the travel time from the bus. This paper integrates Bus Vehicle Identification system with BMS network to empirically evaluate such bias, if any. The paper also reports an interesting finding on the uniqueness of MAC IDs.

Estimating hidden message length in binary image embedded by using boundary pixels steganography

In this paper, we propose a new steganalytic method to detect the message hidden in a black and white image using the steganographic technique developed by Liang, Wang and Zhang. Our detection method estimates the length of hidden message embedded in a binary image. Although the hidden message embedded is visually imperceptible, it changes some image statistic (such as inter-pixels correlation). Based on this observation, we first derive the 512 patterns histogram from the boundary pixels as the distinguishing statistic, then we compute the histogram difference to determine the changes of the 512 patterns histogram induced by the embedding operation. Finally we propose histogram quotient to estimate the length of the embedded message. Experimental results confirm that the proposed method can effectively and reliably detect the length of the embedded message.

Motor controller simulation and embedded implementation for a blood pump

This study was a step forward in modeling, simulation and microcontroller implementation of a high performance control algorithm for the motor of a blood pump. The rotor angle is sensed using three Hall effect sensors and an algorithm is developed to obtain better angular resolution from the three signals for better discrete-time updates of the controller. The performance of the system was evaluated in terms of actual and reference speeds, stator currents and power consumption over a range of reference speeds up to 4000 revolutions per minute. The use of fewer low cost Hall effect sensors compared to expensive high resolution sensors could reduce the cost of blood pumps for total artificial hearts.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi MAC address based crowd data collection and monitoring : benefits, challenges and enhancement

This paper firstly presents the benefits and critical challenges on the use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for crowd data collection and monitoring. The major challenges include antenna characteristics, environment’s complexity and scanning features. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are compared in this paper in terms of architecture, discovery time, popularity of use and signal strength. Type of antennas used and the environment’s complexity such as trees for outdoor and partitions for indoor spaces highly affect the scanning range. The aforementioned challenges are empirically evaluated by “real” experiments using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Scanners. The issues related to the antenna characteristics are also highlighted by experimenting with different antenna types. Novel scanning approaches including Overlapped Zones and Single Point Multi-Range detection methods will be then presented and verified by real-world tests. These novel techniques will be applied for location identification of the MAC IDs captured that can extract more information about people movement dynamics.

Bluetooth vehicle trajectory by fusing Bluetooth and loops : motorway travel time statistics

Loop detectors are widely used on the motorway networks where they provide point speed and traffic volumes. Models have been proposed for temporal and spatial generalization of speed for average travel time estimation. Advancement in technology provides complementary data sources such as Bluetooth MAC Scanner (BMS), detecting the MAC ID of the Bluetooth devices transported by the traveller. Matching the data from two BMS stations provides individual vehicle travel time. Generally, on the motorways loops are closely spaced, whereas BMS are placed few kilometres apart. In this research, we fuse BMSs and loops data to define the trajectories of the Bluetooth vehicles. The trajectories are utilised to estimate the travel time statistics between any two points along the motorway. The proposed model is tested using simulation and validated with real data from Pacific motorway, Brisbane. Comparing the model with the linear interpolation based trajectory provides significant improvements.

Embedded creatives in Australian healthcare: An update

The contribution of creative occupations to Australian healthcare was examined using a mix of statistics and case studies. Creative occupations were found to be making widespread contributions in healthcare, in particular, to the development and delivery of healthcare goods and services, the initial training and ongoing professionalism of doctors and nurses and the effective functioning of healthcare buildings. Within most facets of healthcare, increasing employment over the period examined indicated that these contributions were growing. Key functions that creative activities addressed were information management and analysis and making complex information comprehensible, assisting communication and reducing psycho-social and distance-mediated barriers, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of services.

Embedded creatives in the Australian manufacturing industry

According to 2011 Australian Census figures, embedded creative employees (creative employees not working in the core Creative Industries) make up 2 per cent (or a total of 17 635) of manufacturing industry employees. The average for all industries is 1.6 per cent. In the 2011–2012 financial year the manufacturing industry formed 7.3 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP), contributing approximately AU$106.5 billion to the economy (Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education 2013). Manufacturing is central to innovation, accounting for over one-quarter of all business expenditure in R&D in 2010–2011, representing around AU$4.8 billion invested in R&D (ibid.). Facing challenges such as sustainability concerns, ever-increasing offshore production and the global financial crisis, the Australian manufacturing industry needs to remain relevant and competitive to succeed. Innovation is one way to do this. Given the contribution of the manufacturing industry to the Australian economy, and the above-average portion of embedded creatives in manufacturing, it is important to consider what exactly embedded creatives add to the industry. This chapter, inspired by the Getting Creative in Healthcare report (Pagan, Higgs and Cunningham 2008), examines the contribution of embedded creatives to innovation in the manufacturing industry via case studies and supplemental data.

Multiplexed tandem polymerase chain reaction identifies strong expression of oestrogen receptor and Her-2 from single, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer sections

Aim To establish the suitability of multiplex tandem polymerase chain reaction (MT-PCR) for rapid identification of oestrogen receptor (ER) and Her-2 status using a single, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tumour section. Methods Tissue sections from 29 breast tumours were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RNA extracted from 10μm FFPE breast tumour sections from 24 of 29 tumours (14 ER positive and 5 Her-2 positive) was analysed by MT-PCR. After establishing a correlation between IHC and/or FISH and MT-PCR results, the ER/Her-2 status of a further 32 randomly selected, archival breast tumour specimens was established by MT-PCR in a blinded fashion, and compared to IHC/FISH results. Results MT-PCR levels of ER and Her-2 showed good concordance with IHC and FISH results. Furthermore, among the ER positive tumours, MT-PCR provided a quantitative score with a high dynamic range. Threshold values obtained from this data set applied to 32 archival tumour specimens showed that tumours strongly positive for ER and/or Her-2 expression were easily identified by MT-PCR. Conclusion MT-PCR can provide rapid, sensitive and cost-effective analysis of FFPE material and may prove useful as triage to identify patients suited to endocrine or trastuzumab (Herceptin) treatment.

Noisy Bluetooth traffic data?

Traffic state estimation in an urban road network remains a challenge for traffic models and the question of how such a network performs remains a difficult one to answer for traffic operators. Lack of detailed traffic information has long restricted research in this area. The introduction of Bluetooth into the automotive world presented an alternative that has now developed to a stage where large-scale test-beds are becoming available, for traffic monitoring and model validation purposes. But how much confidence should we have in such data? This paper aims to give an overview of the usage of Bluetooth, primarily for the city-scale management of urban transport networks, and to encourage researchers and practitioners to take a more cautious look at what is currently understood as a mature technology for monitoring travellers in urban environments. We argue that the full value of this technology is yet to be realised, for the analytical accuracies peculiar to the data have still to be adequately resolved.

Si quantum dots embedded in an amorphous SiC matrix : nanophase control by non-equilibrium plasma hydrogenation

Nanophase nc-Si/a-SiC films that contain Si quantum dots (QDs) embedded in an amorphous SiC matrix were deposited on single-crystal silicon substrates using inductively coupled plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition from the reactive silane and methane precursor gases diluted with hydrogen at a substrate temperature of 200 °C. The effect of the hydrogen dilution ratio X (X is defined as the flow rate ratio of hydrogen-to-silane plus methane gases), ranging from 0 to 10.0, on the morphological, structural, and compositional properties of the deposited films, is extensively and systematically studied by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Effective nanophase segregation at a low hydrogen dilution ratio of 4.0 leads to the formation of highly uniform Si QDs embedded in the amorphous SiC matrix. It is also shown that with the increase of X, the crystallinity degree and the crystallite size increase while the carbon content and the growth rate decrease. The obtained experimental results are explained in terms of the effect of hydrogen dilution on the nucleation and growth processes of the Si QDs in the high-density plasmas. These results are highly relevant to the development of next-generation photovoltaic solar cells, light-emitting diodes, thin-film transistors, and other applications.

Single-step, rapid low-temperature synthesis of Si quantum dots embedded in an amorphous SiC matrix in high-density reactive plasmas

A simple, effective and innovative approach based on low-pressure, thermally nonequilibrium, high-density inductively coupled plasmas is proposed to rapidly synthesize Si quantum dots (QDs) embedded in an amorphous SiC (a-SiC) matrix at a low substrate temperature and without any commonly used hydrogen dilution. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that uniform crystalline Si QDs with a size of 3-4 nm embedded in the silicon-rich (carbon content up to 10.7at.%) a-SiC matrix can be formed from the reactive mixture of silane and methane gases, with high growth rates of ∼1.27-2.34 nm s-1 and at a low substrate temperature of 200 °C. The achievement of the high-rate growth of Si QDs embedded in the a-SiC without any commonly used hydrogen dilution is discussed based on the unique properties of the inductively coupled plasma-based process. This work is particularly important for the development of the all-Si tandem cell-based third generation photovoltaic solar cells.

Arterial short-term travel time prediction using Bluetooth data

This project recognized lack of data analysis and travel time prediction on arterials as the main gap in the current literature. For this purpose it first investigated reliability of data gathered by Bluetooth technology as a new cost effective method for data collection on arterial roads. Then by considering the similarity among varieties of daily travel time on different arterial routes, created a SARIMA model to predict future travel time values. Based on this research outcome, the created model can be applied for online short term travel time prediction in future.