Facework in a pair-programming session

Improved communication is part of the agile solution to the problems we have in developing software. It has been shown that some development practices restricted feedback within teams because empirical studies suggest that a significant portion of the software maintainer's time is required to understand the functionality of the software to be maintained. Muller and Padberg demonstrated that when developers work together as tightly knit pairs this changes as their productivity and feelgood increase. In this paper we report on observations of developers programming as a pair. We see that the management of face is an important factor in attempts to reciver the meaning of code

Arthritis and disability

Executive summary: Arthritis Australia commissioned the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW Australia to carry out research on the lived experience of people with arthritis related conditions. This report outlines the methods, findings and implications of the research. Arthritis is the second leading cause of disability and the most common cause of chronic pain in Australia; it is the most prevalent long-term health condition, affecting 3 million people or about 15 per cent of the population. Studies are available on the health costs and loss of productivity associated with arthritis, but not as much is understood about the extent to which arthritis is associated with disability–who is affected, how people are affected, what helps people cope with their condition day to day, and how support services can be improved. Improving understanding of the disability impact of arthritis is particularly important given the transition in Australia to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the impact this may have on service availability and delivery

Evaluation of Services Our Way

An evaluation of Services Our Way, a NSW Government service model designed to build the capacity of Aboriginal people to have greater access to mainstream and disability services and encourage self-directed support. Overview Services Our Way is a NSW Government service model designed to build the capacity of Aboriginal people to have greater access to mainstream and disability services and encourage self-directed support. The Social Policy Research Centre was commissioned to evaluate the Services Our Way pilot in Nowra, New South Wales, and did so through interviews with families and service providers. Services Our Way had positive impacts on Aboriginal people with disability and their families. The program helped Aboriginal people access a range of services, meeting immediate priorities of the families. The program was successful in engaging with the Aboriginal community using a culturally appropriate approach – an approach which could be shared with other staff and services to improve the appropriateness of service delivery more broadly. Through the program, families were able to access support and services to participate in social, economic and cultural activities, that helped strengthen and support community and social relationships. The evaluation could not determine the degree to which families transitioned to mainstream services – the research found that families had urgent needs to be met prior to transitioning to other services. The Services Our Way program in Nowra was a pilot, which developed from the initial concept in response to local needs. The evaluation identifies a range of issues in providing person centred approaches to Aboriginal people with disability and their families and communities which should influence the future directions under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).&nbsp

Formal structure in the Cello Concerto No. 1, Opus 107 by Dmitri Shostakovich.

The purpose of this paper is to present a formal structural approach to the Cello Concerto, Op. 107, of Dmitri Shostakovich. Each of the four movements of the work are examined structurally, with some attention given the theoretical crafting. The Shostakovich Cello Concerto is a unique blending of structures and theoretical techniques. His style of composition is inconsistent and difficult to analyze and label using just one theoretical approach. It is only through a combination of theoretical concepts that any understanding of the Concerto can be achieved

Your Guide to Youth Board Involvement and the Law

This publication provides an analysis of key legal issues regarding young people under the age of 18 who serve on boards of directors, but it should not be used as a substitute for the advice of attorneys. The organization which published this analysis, Youth on Board, assists young people and adults to think differently about each other so that adults and youth can work together to change our communities. This publication is not a comprehensive overview of the laws governing nonprofit organizations and youth or a how-to guide on youth governance. Although it covers legal issues surrounding youth in governance, it does not cover the critical steps to supporting and maintaining youth involvement. For that information, please consult Youth on Board's publication 14 Points: Successfully Involving Youth in Decision Making. Youth on Board helps bridge this gap between adults and youth by providing practical information, training, support, and opportunities for them to build a relationship -- the all-important "how-to's" that can be key to the success of young people as community leaders

Singing The Blues: Sociology/Sociologists In Challenging Times

Numerous challenges confront higher education in post-pandemic America. Demographics, inflation, political conflict and technology have altered the environment of higher education. In particular, sociology has struggled to maintain enrollment, program appeal and relevance. In Georgia, sociology is at a crossroads for students, faculty and the future of the discipline

The Sociological Advantage

Abstract: To some, sociology is in a significant decline as a relevant social science. To others, the discipline provides a unique perspective of the interaction of social forces that define the role of race, class and gender. Through the development of useful theoretical propositions and pedagogical practices, the discipline can address its potential for social management and the application of sociological principles at the individual, group, organizational, and societal levels. By understanding intersectionality and the patterns or forms of social interaction, the informed sociologist can effectively practice, teach and apply the sociological advantage, possibly even five moves ahead

The unfulfilled gene is required for the development of mushroom body neuropil in Drosophila

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mushroom bodies (MBs) of <it>Drosophila </it>are required for complex behaviors and consist of three types of neurons, γ, α'/β' and α/β. Previously, roles for transcription factors in MB neuronal differentiation have only been described for a subset of MB neurons. We are investigating the roles of <it>unfulfilled </it>(<it>unf</it>; <it>HR51</it>, CG16801) in MB development. <it>unf </it>encodes a nuclear receptor that is orthologous to the nuclear receptors fasciculation of axons defective 1 (FAX-1) of the nematode and photoreceptor specific nuclear receptor (PNR) of mammals. Based on our previous observations that <it>unf </it>transcripts accumulate in MB neurons at all developmental stages and the presence of axon pathfinding defects in <it>fax-1 </it>mutants, we hypothesized that <it>unf </it>regulates MB axon growth and pathfinding.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that <it>unf </it>mutants exhibit a range of highly penetrant axon stalling phenotypes affecting all neurons of the larval and adult MBs. Phenotypic analysis of <it>unf</it>^{<it>X1 </it>}mutants revealed that α'/β' and α/β neurons initially project axons but stall prior to the formation of medial or dorsal MB lobes. <it>unf</it>^{<it>Z0001 </it>}mutants form medial lobes, although these axons fail to branch, which results in a failure to form the α or α' dorsal lobes. In either mutant background, γ neurons fail to develop larval-specific dorsal projections. These mutant γ neurons undergo normal pruning, but fail to re-extend axons medially during pupal development. <it>unf</it>^{<it>RNAi </it>}animals displayed phenotypes similar to those seen in <it>unf</it>^{<it>Z0001 </it>}mutants. Unique asymmetrical phenotypes were observed in <it>unf</it>^<it>X1</it>/<it>unf</it>^{<it>Z0001 </it>}compound heterozygotes. Expression of <it>UAS-unf </it>transgenes in MB neurons rescues the larval and adult <it>unf </it>mutant phenotypes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data support the hypothesis that <it>unf </it>plays a common role in the development of all types of MB neurons. Our data indicate that <it>unf </it>is necessary for MB axon extension and branching and that the formation of dorsal collaterals is more sensitive to the loss of <it>unf </it>function than medial projections. The asymmetrical phenotypes observed in compound heterozygotes support the hypothesis that the earliest MB axons may serve as pioneers for the later-born MB neurons, providing evidence for pioneer MB axon guidance in post-embryonic development.</p

The use of electronic voting systems in large group lectures: Challenges and opportunities

We describe pedagogical, technical and operational issues associated with the introduction of an electronic voting system into large first-year undergraduate lectures. The rationale for doing so is to transform the lecture experience from a one-way transmission of information in to a two-way conversation between lecturer and students, mediated by the technology. We discuss some of the logistics involved, such as choice of handset, cost and siting within a lecture theatre as well as the aspects of pedagogy, such as the requirements of a good question for these interactive episodes. We present a number of possible use scenarios and evaluate student and staff experiences of the process

Core strength: A new model for injury prediction and prevention

OBJECTIVE: Many work in injury prone awkward positions that require adequate flexibility and strength in trunk stabilizer muscle groups. Performance on a functional movement screen (FMS) that assessed those factors was conducted and an intervention was designed. METHODS: A battery of FMS tests were performed on 433 firefighters. We analyzed the correlation between FMS performance and injuries and other selected parameters. An intervention to improve flexibility and strength in trunk stabilizer or core muscle groups through a training program was evaluated. RESULTS: The intervention reduced lost time due to injuries by 62% and the number of injuries by 42% over a twelve month period as compared to a historical control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that core strength and functional movement enhancement programs to prevent injuries in workers whose work involves awkward positions is warranted