Legal Services and Neo-Liberalism in an Unequal Legal Order

In 1975 the landmark ‘Law and Poverty in Australia’ report (Sackville 1975a) sought to ensure substantive rather than formal equality before the law for all Australians. A fundamental aspect of its proposals was an extensive and innovative legal aid system with expanded public funding, with greater assistance in both conventional and new areas of legal need seen as a key in overcoming social disadvantage. By the 21st Century, the focus had shifted further away from the goal of substantive legal equality for all to the principle goal of cost efficiency. This paper details and analyses aspects of the historical shift from viewing legal needs as an issue of state welfare to a neo-liberal mode of governance in this sphere of policy, and the divided responses to these changes. It also considers the results for legal representation in criminal matters and the legal needs of indigenous Australians

Felon Fights: Masculinity, Spectacle and Suffering

Felony Fights is a website and set of DVDs depicting ‘no rules’ combat between male former convicts and a range of opponents. In these, the spectacle of violence serves to obscure the profoundly unequal relations of power that shape their production and viewing appeal. In Felony Fights, embodied marginality and poverty are presented as evidence of the animal brutality and the carceral character of the fighters. This resonates with populist explanations for criminality and male violence, and the punitive sentiments that are linked to law and order thinking about the failure of the penal system to adequately punish and inflict suffering on dangerous criminals.Sydney Institute of Criminology; School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Sydne

Hazard Analysis of a Segment of Highway SR-12 through Bryce Canyon National Park, Southern Utah

Over 2.6 million people travel along highway SR-12, a National Scenic Byway, through Bryce Canyon in southern Utah each year. This highway is a major thoroughfare for tourists traveling to Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and other scenic attractions. SR-12 is susceptible to rockfall and landslide hazards where it descends from the Paunsaugunt Plateau into Tropic Canyon, and these hazards have potential consequences of economic loss due to travel delays for tourists and commodities, and possible loss of life. Rockfall could have devastating effects at this location because of the traffic volume, sharp turns, low visibility, and steep drop-offs. A landslide on SR-12 in 2017 prompted emergency repairs that cost over $2.6 million dollars. SR-12 runs below a cliff band of the relatively weak limestones and mudstones, the Tertiary Claron Formation, that make up the colorful hoodoos and erosional features of Bryce Canyon. The Oligocene- to Miocene-aged Ruby’s Inn Thrust Fault has juxtaposed a resistant, cliff-forming Claron layer on a weak, slope-forming layer of the Claron Formation, creating the potential for rockfall that could impact the roadway and associated travel. The research hypothesis of this project is that the Ruby’s Inn Thrust Fault and associated fracturing have weakened the rocks in this cliff band creating a rockfall hazard. Research objectives are 1) to characterize cliff-forming lithologies within the study area; 2) to examine the fracture characteristics in cliffs using scanline techniques; 3) to measure the topography and assess physical properties of the toe slope; and 4) to assess rockfall potential and identify contributing factors for hazards posed by this cliff band in between SR-12 milepost markers 15 and 15.7. Field data collected included linear scanlines along the thrust fault and at a control location site, sample collection, contact geologic mapping, and lithologic unit descriptions. Laboratory testing was performed to assess physical characteristics of the rock, soil, and fracture infillings. These data are used for kinematic analyses of the cliff band to assess failure potential. Rockfall analyses were also performed to assess the probability of rocks reaching the roadway after failure

Study of Levee Underseepage through Abandoned Channels and Point Bars on Curved Levee Sections Using the Response Surface-Monte Carlo Method

The current procedures for calculated the probability of failure of levees (earthen structures designed to prevent flooding of important locations) all have their own unique limitations. Some methods are very simplistic, and either ignore or do not allow for inclusion of complex geometries. Other methods allow for complex geometry, but do not lend themselves to large quantities of analysis because of the amount of time it takes to create or modify a model. For these reasons, previous research performed by Lourdes Polanco and Dr. John Rice developed the preliminary stages of a new method called the Response Surface-Monte Carlo method. This method not only accounts for complex geometry, it is a probabilistic method that has the ability to calculate the probability of erosion initiation within a levee section. The research contained herein focused on a specific aspect of Dr. Rice’s work on levees which involved the creation of a “response surface” or a type of model for curved levees and for levees overlying a specific riverside feature known as a point bar. A point bar is a river feature that can, if it underlies a levee, potentially decrease the performance thereof

Learning Science In A Second Language

This project addresses the question, how to enrich and expand the vocabulary of kindergarteners in a Spanish immersion program through science lessons and science-focused learning objectives. The project was born from the author’s experience as a language-immersion primary teacher and her desire to create a space for more science in the classroom while also facilitating target language growth. Literature concerning second language acquisition, language immersion education, inquiry-based learning, national science standards, and connections between science and literacy were researched and consulted to create this project. A five-part professional development was created, directed towards primary-level immersion educators that focuses on supporting research and strategies to build both target language acquisition and foundational skills in the classroom. Key learnings around this project include strategies for target language growth, the use of inquiry-based learning in the immersion classroom, and development of science literacy

The experience of safety, harassment and social exclusion among male clients of Sydney's medically supervised injecting centre

Research on drug harm reduction services has found these operate as a safe haven from health harm. Less is known about the wider sense of security experienced by clients of such services as a counterbalance to social marginality in their daily lives. As part of a larger study of the experience of violence among Australian men, the authors completed 20 qualitative semi-structured interviews with male clients of Sydney's Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) in 2016-2020. These were conducted anonymously in a private clinical room inside the MSIC and focused on aspects of drug use and general life experiences of violence, law enforcement, safety and security. Interviews were analysed by thematic content through a combination of preliminary and second close readings. Our analysis found that the MSIC consistently acted as a reprieve from harassment and violence from police and members of the public, conflict in drug deals, and general social exclusion

Processamento e caracterização microestrutural e elétrica de mono célula a combustível óxido sólido (SOFC) a base de aluminatos de cálcio

Formas alternativas de geração de energia elétrica têm sido estudadas e desenvolvidas, especialmente as que utilizam fontes renováveis. Entre estas, as células a combustível destacam-se como uma tecnologia bastante promissora. Entre os vários tipos, a célula a combustível óxido sólido (SOFC) possui a vantagem de trabalhar com conversão de vários combustíveis gasosos com atmosfera redutora que pode conter por exemplo, H2, CO, CH4, CO2 e H2O. Nestas células, o eletrólito deve ser impermeável aos gases que são difundidos nos eletrodos, para impedir que eles se misturem. O aluminato de cálcio (CA) via método dos precursores poliméricos é um material que tem potencial para ser utilizado como eletrólito em SOFC. Logo, neste trabalho propõe-se a obtenção de uma mono célula a combustível óxido sólido constituída de aluminatos de cálcio. Para este fim, o óxido de níquel é misturado com CA (CA/NIO) para obter o anodo e a manganita de lantânio dopada com estrôncio misturada com CA (CA/LSM) para obter o cátodo, ambos via síntese de combustão. Devido a diferença dos coeficientes de expansão térmica (CET) entre o eletrólito (CA) e os eletrodos (CA/NIO e CA/LSM), é necessário a adição do CA aos eletrodos. Para a montagem da mono célula foi utilizado o método de prensagem associado à técnica de Materiais com Gradiente de Funcionalidade (FGM), obtendo-se diversas camadas com proporções distintas dos eletrodos. Posteriormente, foi realizado o teste de funcionamento e desempenho da mono SOFC. Diferentes caracterizações foram realizadas como, MEV e MET, análise química, propriedades térmicas, gap ótico, propriedades elétricas em corrente DC e AC, densidade aparente e relativa bem como a caracterização eletroquímica para testar a desempenho da mono SOFC com gás acetileno. Após as caracterizações dos pós do CA, verificou-se a partir das análises de difração de Raios X e Raman, a presença e coexistência das duas fases: Ca3Al2O6 (celita) com 70,157 % e Ca12Al14O33 (mayenita) com 29,843 %, chamado Composição Bifásica de Celita e Mayenita auto-modificada (CBCM). Além disso, foi observado que possui uma condutividade mista (iônica e eletrônica) e sob a condição de uma atmosfera redutora, na faixa de temperatura de 750-950 °C, uma energia de ativação de 2,98 eV. Nesse contexto, o CA possui um transporte eletrônico de condução, podendo ser governado pela fase de menor concentração, a mayenita, por sua natureza e concentração de grandes defeitos. Em relação ao teste de desempenho e funcionamento da célula, utilizou-se a atmosfera de pC2H2 (anodo)= 0,7537 mV. Atmosfera não usada normalmente, sendo portanto um diferencial neste trabalho. Outra medida foi de potencial de circuito aberto na temperatura de 600 °C, obtendo-se um valor de 915 mV, bem próximo ao esperado, Potencial de Nernst de 1200 mV.Alternative forms of electric power generation have been studied and developed, especially those that use renewable sources. Among these, fuel cells stand out as a very promising technology. Among the various types, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has the advantage of working with conversion of various gaseous fuels with reducing atmosphere, which may contain, for example, H2, CO, CH4, CO2 and H2O. In these cells, the electrolyte must be impermeable to the gases that are diffused on the electrodes, to prevent them from mixing. Calcium aluminate (CA) via the polymer precursor method is a material that has potential to be used as an electrolyte in SOFC. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to obtain a solid oxide solid cell composed of calcium aluminates. To this end, the nickel oxide is mixed with CA (CA/NIO) to obtain the anode and lanthanum manganite doped with strontium mixed with CA (CA/LSM) to obtain the cathode, both via combustion synthesis. Due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the electrolyte (CA) and the electrodes (CA/NIO and CA/LSM), it is necessary to add the CA to the electrodes. For the assembly of the mono cell, the pressing method associated to the Gradient Functional Materials (FGM) technique was used, obtaining several layers with different proportions of the electrodes. Subsequently, the performance and performance test of the SOFC mono was performed. Different characterizations were performed such as SEM and TEM, chemical analysis, thermal properties, optical gap, electrical properties in DC and AC current, apparent and relative density as well as the electrochemical characterization to test the performance of mono SOFC with acetylene gas. After the characterization of the CA powders, the presence and coexistence of the two phases: Ca3Al2O6 (celite) with 70,157 % and Ca12Al14O33 (mayenite) with 29,843 %, called Biphasic Composition of Celite and self-modified Mayenite (CBCM). In addition, it was observed that it has a mixed conductivity (ionic and electronic) and under the condition of a reducing atmosphere, in the temperature range of 750-950 °C, an activation energy of 2.98 eV. In this context, the CA has an electronic transport of driving, and can be governed by the phase of lower concentration, the mayenite, by its nature and concentration of major defects. Regarding the performance and cell performance test, the atmosphere of pC2H2 (anode) = 0.7537 mV was used. Atmosphere not used normally, therefore being a differential in this work. Another measure was open circuit potential at a temperature of 600 °C, obtaining a value of 915 mV, very close to the expected, Nernst potential of 1200 mV

Evacuation planning in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand: a spatio-temporal approach for emergency management and transportation network decisions

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand (pop. 1.5 million) and is situated atop an active monogenetic volcanic field. When volcanic activity next occurs, the most effective means of protecting the people who reside and work in the region will be to evacuate the danger zone prior to the eruption. This study investigates the evacuation demand throughout the Auckland Volcanic Field and the capacity of the transportation network to fulfil such a demand. Diurnal movements of the population are assessed and, due to the seemingly random pattern of eruptions in the past, a non-specific approach is adopted to determine spatial vulnerabilities at a micro-scale (neighbourhoods). We achieve this through the calculation of population-, household- and car-to-exit capacity ratios. Following an analysis of transportation hub functionality and the susceptibility of motorway bridges to a new eruption, modelling using dynamic route and traffic assignment was undertaken to determine various evacuation attributes at a macro-scale and forecast total network clearance times. Evacuation demand was found to be highly correlated to diurnal population movements and neighbourhood boundary types, a trend that was also evident in the evacuation capacity ratio results. Elevated population to evacuation capacity ratios occur during the day in and around the central city, and at night in many of the outlying suburbs. Low-mobility populations generally have better than average access to public transportation. Macro-scale vulnerability was far more contingent upon the destination of evacuees, with favourable results for evacuation within the region as opposed to outside the region. Clearance times for intra-regional evacuation ranged from one to nine hours, whereas those for inter-regional evacuation were found to be so high, that the results were unrealistic. Therefore, we conclude that, from a mobility standpoint, there is considerable merit to intra-regional evacuation