Description:
The problems involved in the development of distributed simulation are varied and many. Solving these problems has been the topic of much research with one particular approach proving to be extremely popular: the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). Proposed by the Object Management Group (OMG), the MDA has been promoted as the cure to all the problems facing modern software development. Targeting the complexity of current software development techniques, the MDA is advertised as an evolutionary shift in the way software is created. Despite the bountiful and vivid claims made in the many corners of industry and academia, the MDA provides no easy answers. With a flavour distinctly reminiscent of the push towards CASE tools that occurred through the 1980s, to a large extent, the MDA presents to the world a pair of rose coloured glasses through which software development is reduced to an exercise in diagram drawing. While the advantages of such an approach are numerous, it also presents many disadvantages. Where a cure to development complexity is sought, a new form of complexity is introduced. The advantages of the MDA have been documented in numerous works, within both the modelling and simulation community and the wider software development population. This paper seeks to raise awareness of the often-ignored problems involved with the MDA by taking a critical look at the motivation, claims and processes involved.
Description:
Extracts of three case studies, from a larger qualitative study, are used to illustrate an emerging theme about the issue of the risks versus the benefits of providing detailed information about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to consumers. The case studies include the consumer, medical and expert views of a single event, a suspected adverse drug reaction. The consumers would like more information. The doctors expressed that providing information about all possible ADRs can result in some consumers choosing not to take medications due to the perceived risk of the medication. The ADR experts stated that providing ADR information to the consumers within the presented case studies, might have assisted in earlier detection of the ADR, resulting in a less severe reaction. This paper aims to illustrate this emerging theme of the risks versus the benefits of providing consumers with information about potential ADRs and suggest some ways of increasing the benefits and minimizing the risk. We then indicate how these finding may inform future development of ADR decision support systems.
Description:
This paper endeavours to examine the challenges that introducing sustainability into the curriculum brings for academics, students and engineering programs. The paper addresses the various international, national and regional drivers for increasing curriculum sustainability content and environmentally responsive behaviour by Universities. Finally, the consideration of triple bottom line reporting within a common first year engineering subject at The University of Ballarat is discussed as a recent curriculum development to incorporate current sustainability thinking.
Description:
‘Homage tourism’ is able to include a range of forms of tourism such as visits to memorials, cemeteries, and places where special events took place. Homage tourism then is capable of being understood as a continuum from the sacred homage of religious pilgrimage embracing spiritual subjects at one end to secular or profane homage embracing the sacralization of cultural celebrities and critical events at the other. Secular homage often uses the language and behaviour of the sacred discourse and acts towards and refers to the subject or object of the homage in sacred-like ways - associated places become sacred sites, structures become shrines, actions become religious rites. This paper will explore two dimensions of secular homage, that of adulation or acclaim or tribute and remembrance. It will explore the former through focussing on jazz tourism and in particular the tourism of adulation that has emerged around jazz vocalist Ella Jane Fitzgerald, and the latter through an examination of visitation to the Australian Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Though visitation to a war memorial or visitation to places associated with important people may appear disparate they both share the commonality that they are external actions with reverential intent, they are both examples of homage tourism.
Description:
Since the origins of contemporary neo-Paganism in the 1950s, neo-Pagan communities have been riven by conflicts surrounding the appropriation of art, ritual, music and identity from colonised indigenous cultures. Fundamental views of ethnically owned cultural property and heritage are juxtaposed with notions of universal ownership reflecting post modern cosmopolitanism. These perspectives of cultural appropriation and belonging are profoundly shaped by the twin concerns of needing to maintain a sense of authenticity in ritual, symbolism and belief, and by access to public representation which is shaped by a long history of colonial and post-colonial engagement with indigenes. Furthermore, issues of wealth, power and representation and the structural issues of cultural transmission within indigenous and neo-Pagan communities further complicate the issues surrounding cultural ownership and identity. The paper argues that the experience of romanticism and empire are central to understanding the appropriation of the indigenous by neo-pagan communities but also recognises that deep connections and genuine commitment to shared communicative discourse in a contemporary cultural context are part of this relationship. This paper negotiates these issues in relation to the engagement of neo-Pagan discourses with colonial indigenous culture in relation to romantic constructions of ethnicity, community, language and cultural property.
Description:
This paper is based on recent PhD research. The practices for appointing Vice Chancellors (VC’s) in Australian Universities were examined together with the changing role of the VC and new demographic patterns in VC backgrounds. A number of other issues was also examined, including the ‘training’ and preparation of VCs, mentoring and the changing skill base required to be effective in the role. In addition, the paradox was investigated of appointing academics from the ranks of individuals with non-business backgrounds, to run large enterprises which are being compelled to adopt an increasingly business-oriented focus.
Description:
This paper is based on recent PhD research. The practices for appointing Vice Chancellors (VC’s) in Australian Universities were examined together with the changing role of the VC and new demographic patterns in VC backgrounds. A number of other issues was also examined, including the ‘training’ and preparation of VCs, mentoring and the changing skill base required to be effective in the role. In addition, the paradox was investigated of appointing academics from the ranks of individuals with non-business backgrounds, to run large enterprises which are being compelled to adopt an increasingly business-oriented focus.
Description:
Soil is the component in the landscape along with land use management and vegetation that determines all the partitioning of water balance components that affect surface hydrology (runoff to waterways and wetlands) and recharge to groundwater. Most soil and land degradation processes are hydrologically driven or depend on hydrological conditions. Conceptual models and quantification of erosion processes (wind erosion is a result of lack of moisture), land salinisation, acidification, nutrient loss and impacts of nutrient movement, all require an understanding of the role of hydrology specific to the landscape under consideration. In Australia, salinity is a major problem for agriculture in irrigated and rainfed (‘dryland agriculture) land and has significant economic impacts in urban areas too. A general water balance approach has been used to conceptualise the processes and the problem. Large scale clearing of treed landscapes in favour of annual crops and pastures has been seen as the major change in the water balance of Australian landscapes since settlement. This change in vegetation and water use is frequently cited as the most significant factor in causing land salinisation, which is attributed to increase in groundwater recharge, mobilisation of salts, groundwater rise and discharge. We provide three case studies for landscapes that require quite different conceptual models and all of which are in some degree counter to the developed conventional wisdom regarding increased salinity. These case studies illustrate the importance of developing an appropriate conceptual model of hydrological processes in the ‘critical zone', in particular for implementation of policy and practice in land management. Case 1. South Eastern Dundas Tablelands, Victoria. In this landscape the apparent degradation of land by salinity is the result of changed hydrological conditions but has not resulted from increased groundwater discharge or increased salt accumulation. We have evidence that groundwater recharge and discharge have not increased since clearing of the landscape during European settlement. Laboratory hydrological studies in large diameter cores from soil and regolith, interpretation of redoximorphic features and functional horizons in the field and analysis of historical records of streamflow support this hypothesis. We also show that the degradation of salt affected areas is due to fluctuating waterlogging and drying of the soil causing cyclic redox conditions and changes in soil chemistry. Case 2. Dissected Coastal Plain, Victoria. In this landscape, slowly permeable marine clay overlain by coastal sand deposits provides a classic ‘layer cake' picture of differentially permeable material. The unconsolidated nature of the clays and the relatively deep dissection that exists presents a landslide prone landscape and one that also shows the effects of salting in low areas. In this region we show that upward pressure from a deep (200 m) confined freshwater aquifer maintains saturation in the marine clay and that waterlogging, landslides and salinity result from hydrological dynamics of the upper few metres of regolith and soil. Evidence has been collected from field survey, groundwater studies, geotechnical measurements and regolith mineralogy. Case 3. Granite Uplands, Victoria. In this landscape we have interpreted redoximorphic features of functional horizons and measurement of shallow groundwater salinities in a toposequence. Our conceptual model is of a regional saline groundwater system discharging in springs relatively high in the landscape. We show the role of shallow throughflow of water in the soil in spreading salt from these point sources, simultaneously diluting the effect of salinity in local drainage lines but increasing the area of salt affected land upslope from the drainage lines. In each case study area we have been compelled to develop an understanding that fits the landscape realities. We have used empirical observations and interpretation of soil morphology, regolith and groundwater characteristics, laboratory studies, soil chemistry and hydro-chemistry to support our work. We stress the importance of this approach integrating the sciences of hydrology, pedology, chemistry and geology in coming to appropriate conclusions about land degradation processes, especially if we are to advise on land management investment and policy to tackle degradation.
Description:
This research is about the take – up of Western ideas and Western knowledge in Chinese organizations. The research addresses the fundamental issues for Chinese companies as recipients of the knowledge and also addresses the issues of understanding knowledge diffusion processes and the strategic management of growing an organization that is based, partly, on externally sourced capital and technology. Specifically, using the Cohen and Levinthal (1990) notion of absorptive capacity (ACAP), the paper reports on some preliminary findings on ACAP in China, and sets out a model that will be used for further empirical work.
Description:
Premature birth presents challenges for most mothers assuming a parenting role with their infant. Living in rural and regional areas provides additional hardship due to isolation, distances and limited support services. The predominant focus of research in the area of premature birth has been on the survival of infants. There has been limited investigation of the experiences of women with infants in special care nurseries (SCNs), in regional Australia. The ways in which mothers ‘navigate their way’, physically and emotionally, in SCN environments was the focus of this study. Using a qualitative interpretive design data were collected through in-depth interviews with mothers and analysed thematically. Women related a dislocation in their lives as a result of their infant’s hospitalisation. The nursery space and the various ways space was used to marginalise or sanction mothers was revealed and resulted in women adopting conflicting roles throughout this time. These findings provide direction for developing more supportive environments for parents relying on SCNs for the care of their infant. This study provides new insight into the experiences of women and their environmental sensitivity within SCN settings. Findings will increase regional midwives’ understanding of mothers’ interpretations of the neonatal nursery environment. Insights into maternal perspectives will assist in the provision of better family-centred care and improved outcomes for the vulnerable families of premature infants.
Description:
Premature birth presents challenges for most mothers assuming a parenting role with their infant. Living in rural and regional areas provides additional hardship due to isolation, distances and limited support services. The predominant focus of research in the area of premature birth has been on the survival of infants. There has been limited investigation of the experiences of women with infants in special care nurseries (SCNs), in regional Australia. The ways in which mothers ‘navigate their way’, physically and emotionally, in SCN environments was the focus of this study. Using a qualitative interpretive design data were collected through in-depth interviews with mothers and analysed thematically. Women related a dislocation in their lives as a result of their infant’s hospitalisation. The nursery space and the various ways space was used to marginalise or sanction mothers was revealed and resulted in women adopting conflicting roles throughout this time. These findings provide direction for developing more supportive environments for parents relying on SCNs for the care of their infant. This study provides new insight into the experiences of women and their environmental sensitivity within SCN settings. Findings will increase regional midwives’ understanding of mothers’ interpretations of the neonatal nursery environment. Insights into maternal perspectives will assist in the provision of better family-centred care and improved outcomes for the vulnerable families of premature infants.
Description:
The attrition of activated carbon, and the loss of gold associated with it, is of significant economic importance to the operation of a CIP/CIL circuit. The focus of this study was on activated carbon recovered from an elution circuit which was deemed too fine for reuse. Results of cyclosizer and laser particle size analysis identified that most of the carbon was contained in the larger size fraction suggesting formation by abrasion. Digestion and AAS analysis of the individual size fractions identified a disproportionate concentration of gold in the finer size fractions which was identified by scanning electron microscopy to be due to the presence of fine metallic gold formed as a result of the acid washing process. Attempts to strip the remaining gold using sodium hydroxide or sodium sulphide based solutions proved unsuccessful due to poor elution efficiencies and re adsorption of gold. Upgrading of the material by froth flotation was also investigated using various conventional flotation reagents which had some success in concentrating the free metallic gold, however, grade and/or recoveries were considered less than desirable. Greater success was ultimately found in the transfer of gold from the fine carbon material onto coarser virgin activated carbon using a caustic cyanide solution. Sodium sulphide, sodium chloride and ammonium chloride based solutions were also trialled but proved less successful owing to their inability to mobilise metallic gold or gold cyanide species. Repetition of the transfer process proved capable of stripping 97% of the gold contained on the carbon fines for a bed volume ratio of 6:1.
Description:
The attrition of activated carbon, and the loss of gold associated with it, is of significant economic importance to the operation of a CIP/CIL circuit. The focus of this study was on activated carbon recovered from an elution circuit which was deemed too fine for reuse. Results of cyclosizer and laser particle size analysis identified that most of the carbon was contained in the larger size fraction suggesting formation by abrasion. Digestion and AAS analysis of the individual size fractions identified a disproportionate concentration of gold in the finer size fractions which was identified by scanning electron microscopy to be due to the presence of fine metallic gold formed as a result of the acid washing process. Attempts to strip the remaining gold using sodium hydroxide or sodium sulphide based solutions proved unsuccessful due to poor elution efficiencies and re adsorption of gold. Upgrading of the material by froth flotation was also investigated using various conventional flotation reagents which had some success in concentrating the free metallic gold, however, grade and/or recoveries were considered less than desirable. Greater success was ultimately found in the transfer of gold from the fine carbon material onto coarser virgin activated carbon using a caustic cyanide solution. Sodium sulphide, sodium chloride and ammonium chloride based solutions were also trialled but proved less successful owing to their inability to mobilise metallic gold or gold cyanide species. Repetition of the transfer process proved capable of stripping 97% of the gold contained on the carbon fines for a bed volume ratio of 6:1.
Description:
Adolescence is a critical time for developing lifelong healthy behaviours including regular participation in sport and physical activity. Participation in sport and physical activity, however, declines during adolescence and few studies have comprehensively identified why; particularly amongst rural girls. This study identifies a range of independent and interacting factors that influence sport and physical activity participation in rural adolescent girls. Methodology: The socio-ecological model of health was used to conduct four focus group discussions with Grade 7 girls (n = 34). Four secondary schools were randomly selected and checked for remoteness using SEIFA and ARIA+ Indexes. Results: Adolescent girls were positively influenced when sport or physical activities were fun, they involved being with friends, and were supported by families and teachers through role modelling and positive feedback. A range of intrapersonal and organisational factors affected perceived self-competence; particularly the co-educational nature of school physical education classes and peer teasing which supported social comparisons of skill level. Conclusions: In the promotion of sport and physical activity to rural adolescent girls, focus must be directed upon developmentally appropriate activities that are fun, opportunities for single-sex classes, and generating cultural changes that encourage non-competitive, and self-referencing activities.
Description:
Improvements of fuel economy of passenger cars and light and heavy duty trucks are being considered using a flywheel energy storage system concept to reduce the amount of mechanical energy produced by the thermal engine recovering the vehicle kinetic energy during braking and then assisting torque requirements. The mechanical system has an overall efficiency over a full regenerative cycle of about 70%, about twice the efficiency of battery-based hybrids rated at about 36%. The technology may improve the vehicle fuel economy and hence reduced CO2 emissions by more than 30% over driving cycles characterized by frequent engine start/stop, and vehicle acceleration, brief cruising, deceleration and stop.
Description:
Improvements of fuel economy of passenger cars and light and heavy duty trucks are being considered using a flywheel energy storage system concept to reduce the amount of mechanical energy produced by the thermal engine recovering the vehicle kinetic energy during braking and then assisting torque requirements. The mechanical system has an overall efficiency over a full regenerative cycle of about 70%, about twice the efficiency of battery-based hybrids rated at about 36%. The technology may improve the vehicle fuel economy and hence reduced CO2 emissions by more than 30% over driving cycles characterized by frequent engine start/stop, and vehicle acceleration, brief cruising, deceleration and stop.
Description:
Values have been shown to underpin our attitudes, behaviour and motivate our decisions. Values do not exist in isolation but have meaning in relation to other values. However, values are not solely the purview of individuals as communities and organisations have core values implicit in their culture, policies and practices. Values for a group can be determined by a minority in power, derived by algorithmically merging values each group member holds, or set by deliberative consensus. The elicitation of values for the group by deliberation is likely to lead to widespread acceptance of values arrived at, however enticing individuals to engage in face to face discussion about values has been found to be very difficult. We present an online deliberative communication approach for the anonymous deliberation of values and claim that the framework has the elements required for the elicitation of shared values.
Description:
The extent of fraud in large organistations is an increasing phenomenon. The implications of fraud are well known, in addition to the moneys lost from the fraudulent act, fraud has adverse effects arising from the negative publicity relating to the fraud. Responding to fraud represents a major challenge for business and the professions with considerable resources being devoted annually to fraud risk management and prevention.