Identity crime and misuse in Australia: results of the 2014 online survey

Misuse of personal information lies at the heart of identity crime and continues to affect all sectors of the Australian community. Abstract To understand the trends associated with identity crime and misuse in Australia, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) was, in 2014, commissioned by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department to undertake a national survey of the problem for the second time. The study is one of a series of initiatives being implemented as part of the National Identity Security Strategy, Australia’s national response to enhancing identity security, which seeks to prevent identity crime and misuse, contribute to national security and facilitate the benefits of the digital economy

Around the table: Are multiple-touch surfaces better than single-touch for children's collaborative interactions?

This paper presents a classroom study that investigated the potential of using touch tabletop technology to support children's collaborative learning interactions. Children aged 7-10 worked in groups of three on a collaborative planning task in which they designed a seating plan for their classroom. In the single-touch condition, the tabletop surface allowed only one child to interact with the digital content at a time. In the multiple-touch condition, the children could interact with the digital content simultaneously. Results showed that touch condition did not affect the frequency or equity of interactions, but did influence the nature of children's discussion. In the multiple-touch condition, children talked more about the task; in the single-touch condition, they talked more about turn taking. We also report age and gender differences

The use of hospital-based nurses for the surveillance of potential disease outbreaks

Objective: To study a novel surveillance system introduced in Mpumalanga Province, a rural area in the north-east of South Africa, in an attempt to address deficiences in the system of notification for infectious conditions that have the potential for causing outbreaks. Methods: Hospital-based infection control nurses in all of Mpumalanga's 32 public and private hospitals were trained to recognize, report, and respond to nine clinical syndromes that require immediate action. Sustainability of the system was assured through a schedule of regular training and networking, and by providing feedback to the nurses. The system was evaluated by formal review of hospital records, evidence of the effective containment of a cholera outbreak, and assessment of the speed and appropriateness of responses to other syndromes. Findings: Rapid detection, reporting and response to six imported cholera cases resulted in effective containment, with only 19 proven secondary cholera cases, during the two-year review period. No secondary cases followed detection and prompt response to 14 patients with meningococcal disease. By the end of the first year of implementation, all facilities were providing weekly zero-reports on the nine syndromes before the designated time. Formal hospital record review for cases of acute flaccid paralysis endorsed the value of the system. Conclusion: The primary goal of an outbreak surveillance system is to ensure timely recognition of syndromes requiring an immediate response. Infection control nurses in Mpumalanga hospitals have excelled in timely weekly zero-reporting, participation at monthly training and feedback sessions, detection of priority clinical syndromes, and prompt appropriate response. This review provides support for the role of hospital-based nurses as valuable sentinel surveillance agents providing timely data for action

Model-based engineering:a strategy for RRW and future weapons programs.

To meet Sandia's engineering challenges it is crucial that we shorten the product realization process. The challenge of RRW is to produce exceptional high quality designs and respond to changes quickly. Computer aided design models are an important element in realizing these objectives. Advances in the use of three dimensional geometric models on the Reliable Robust Warhead (RRW) activity have resulted in business advantage. This approach is directly applicable to other programs within the Laboratories. This paper describes the RRW approach and rationale. Keys to this approach are defined operational states that indicate a pathway for greater model-based realization and responsive infrastructure

Yield stability across sowing dates – how to pick a winner in variable seasons?

Take home messages • Match optimal flowering period to growing environment to maximise grain yield potential. • One variety doesn’t fit all; there are no commercially available varieties that are broadly adapted across a wide range of sowing times or growing environments. • Optimising variety phenology and sowing time combinations achieves grain yield stability across a wide sowing window. • Probability of sowing opportunities will influence variety choice and sowing time decisions

Medication Use - Biomarker Home Exam

This document summarizes the rationale, equipment, measurement, and protocol procedures for the medication inventories collected during Wave V. It also documents the protocol for assigning therapeutic classes to those medications. Whenever possible, data collection and methods in Wave V mirrored those of Wave IV to ensure comparability of data between waves. This document is one in a set of Wave V user guides

Anthropometrics

This document summarizes the rationale, equipment, measurement, protocol and data cleaning procedures for each of the anthropometric measures collected at Wave V. It also documents how constructed variables were derived from the anthropometric measures collected in the field. Whenever possible, data collection and methods in Wave V mirrored those of Wave IV to ensure comparability of data between waves. This document is one in a set of Wave V user guides

Radio galaxy evolution: what you can learn from a Brief Encounter

We describe the pitfalls encountered in deducing from classical double radio source observables (luminosity, spectral index, redshift and linear size) the essential nature of how these objects evolve. We discuss the key role played by hotspots in governing the energy distribution of the lobes they feed, and subsequent spectral evolution. We present images obtained using the new 74 MHz receivers on the VLA and discuss constraints which these enforce on models of the backflow and ages in classical doubles.Comment: invited talk at `Lifecycles of Radio Galaxies' workshop; eds John Biretta et a

Patient needs in advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: What are patients’ priorities and how well are we meeting them?

Treatment options and duration of therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have increased. Many patients now spend in excess of 2 years on active therapy. These patients’ needs, and the ability of health services to respond to them, are poorly understood. Ten patients living with mRCC for more than 2 years and treated with at least one targeted agent were selected at random from three hospitals in the United Kingdom (UK). One interviewer who was not involved in their care conducted in-depth interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to identify issues of greatest importance to patients, and to understand how well patients felt their needs were being addressed. Perceived delay in initial diagnosis was a major theme. Being told the truth about treatment side effects upfront was important, but was often at odds with perceived delivery. ‘Dealing with side effects’, understanding dose and its effects and not letting ‘negative thoughts get in’ were highlighted as important, but were highly personal to patients and areas where patients struggled. Concordance was observed with delivery of ‘a clear next step’ for treatment, timely access to drugs and guidance on a drug ‘holiday’. Patient experience of mRCC and its treatment requires a tailored approach. This research suggests there are key opportunities for service improvement and improved communication throughout the pathway to better meet the needs of patients, including non-clinical support to build personal resilience

Towards a Sustainable Energy Balance: Progressive Efficiency and the Return of Energy Conservation

We argue that a primary focus on energy efficiency may not be sufficient to slow (and ultimately reverse) the growth in total energy consumption and carbon emissions. Instead, policy makers need to return to an earlier emphasis on"conservation," with energy efficiency seen as a means rather than an end in itself. We briefly review the concept of"intensive" versus"extensive" variables (i.e., energy efficiency versus energy consumption), and why attention to both consumption and efficiency is essential for effective policy in a carbon- and oil-constrained world with increasingly brittle energy markets. To start, energy indicators and policy evaluation metrics need to reflect energy consumption as well as efficiency. We introduce the concept of"progressive efficiency," with the expected or required level of efficiency varying as a function of house size, appliance capacity, or more generally, the scale of energy services. We propose introducing progressive efficiency criteria first in consumer information programs (including appliance labeling categories) and then in voluntary rating and recognition programs such as ENERGY STAR. As acceptance grows, the concept could be extended to utility rebates, tax incentives, and ultimately to mandatory codes and standards. For these and other programs, incorporating criteria for consumption as well as efficiency offers a path for energy experts, policy-makers, and the public to begin building consensus on energy policies that recognize the limits of resources and global carrying-capacity. Ultimately, it is both necessary and, we believe, possible to manage energy consumption, not just efficiency in order to achieve a sustainable energy balance. Along the way, we may find it possible to shift expectations away from perpetual growth and toward satisfaction with sufficiency