Yes / A program of Compassionate City or Community (CC) has been designed and developed in the City of Vic (43,964 habitants, Barcelona, Spain), based on The Compassionate City Charter and other public health literature and experiments, with the joint leadership of the City Council and the Chair of Palliative Care at the University of Vic, and as an expansion of a comprehensive and integrated system of palliative care. Methods: The program started with an assessment of needs of the city as identified by 48 social organizations with a foundational workshop and a semi-structured survey. After this assessment, the mission, vision, values and aims were agreed. The main aims consisted in promoting changes in social and cultural attitudes toward the end of life (EoL) and providing integrated care for people with advanced chronic conditions and social needs such as loneliness, poverty, low access to services at home, or conflict. The selected slogan was “Living with meaning, dignity, and support the end of life”. Results: The program for the first year has included 19 activities (cultural, training, informative, and mixed) and followed by 1,260 attendants, and the training activities were followed by 147 people. Local and regional sponsors are funding the initiative. After a year, a quantitative and qualitative evaluation was performed, showing high participation and satisfaction of the attendants and organizations. In the second year, the care for particular vulnerable people defined as targets (EoL and social factors described before) will start with volunteers with more organizations to join the project. Conclusions: The key identified factors for the initial success are: the strong joint leadership between social department of the Council and the University; clear aims and targets; high participation rates; the limited size of the geographical context; which allowed high participation and recognition; and the commitment to evaluate results.

In 1879 the British Colony of New South Wales hosted the first international exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere. This was immediately followed by the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880 in the colony of Victoria and the success of these exhibitions inspired the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, which was held in 1888 to celebrate the centenary of white settlement in Australia. My thesis is that these international exhibitions had a profound impact on the development of our cities, the evolution of an Australian ethos and the gaining of nationhood. The immense popularity and comprehensive nature of the exhibitions made them the only major events in late nineteenth-century Australia that brought the people together in an almost universally shared experience. The exhibitions conveyed official ideologies from the organising elites to ordinary people and encouraged the dissemination of new cultural sentiments, political aspirations, and moral and educational ideals. Many exhibition commissioners, official observers and ideologues were also predominantly involved in the Federation movement and the wider cultural sphere. The international exhibitions assisted the development of an Australian urban ethos, which to a large extent replaced the older pastoral / frontier image. Many of the more enduring ideas emanating from the exhibitions were physically expressed in the consequent development of our cities ??? particularly Sydney and Melbourne, both of which had achieved metropolitan status and global significance by the end of the nineteenth century. The new urban ethos, dramatically triggered by Sydney 1879, combined with and strengthened the national aspirations and sentiments of the Federation movement. Thus the exhibitions created an immediate connection between colonial pride in urban development and European and American ideals of nation building. They also created an increasing cultural sophistication and a growing involvement in social movements and political associations at the national level. The international exhibitions, more than any other single event, convinced the colonials that they were all Australians together and that their destiny was to be united as one nation. At that time, Australians began to think about national objectives. The exhibitions not only promulgated national sentiment and a new ethos, but also provided opportunities for independent colonial initiatives, inter-colonial cooperation and a more equal position in the imperial alliance. Thus they became a powerful impetus, hitherto unrecognised, for the complex of social, political and economic developments that made Federation possible.

In 1879 the British Colony of New South Wales hosted the first international exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere. This was immediately followed by the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880 in the colony of Victoria and the success of these exhibitions inspired the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, which was held in 1888 to celebrate the centenary of white settlement in Australia. My thesis is that these international exhibitions had a profound impact on the development of our cities, the evolution of an Australian ethos and the gaining of nationhood. The immense popularity and comprehensive nature of the exhibitions made them the only major events in late nineteenth-century Australia that brought the people together in an almost universally shared experience. The exhibitions conveyed official ideologies from the organising elites to ordinary people and encouraged the dissemination of new cultural sentiments, political aspirations, and moral and educational ideals. Many exhibition commissioners, official observers and ideologues were also predominantly involved in the Federation movement and the wider cultural sphere. The international exhibitions assisted the development of an Australian urban ethos, which to a large extent replaced the older pastoral / frontier image. Many of the more enduring ideas emanating from the exhibitions were physically expressed in the consequent development of our cities ??? particularly Sydney and Melbourne, both of which had achieved metropolitan status and global significance by the end of the nineteenth century. The new urban ethos, dramatically triggered by Sydney 1879, combined with and strengthened the national aspirations and sentiments of the Federation movement. Thus the exhibitions created an immediate connection between colonial pride in urban development and European and American ideals of nation building. They also created an increasing cultural sophistication and a growing involvement in social movements and political associations at the national level. The international exhibitions, more than any other single event, convinced the colonials that they were all Australians together and that their destiny was to be united as one nation. At that time, Australians began to think about national objectives. The exhibitions not only promulgated national sentiment and a new ethos, but also provided opportunities for independent colonial initiatives, inter-colonial cooperation and a more equal position in the imperial alliance. Thus they became a powerful impetus, hitherto unrecognised, for the complex of social, political and economic developments that made Federation possible.

Entender como o balanço hídrico de uma bacia hidrográfica é afetado pela conversão de florestas em cultivos agrícolas e pastagens permite avaliar os possíveis impactos da mudança de uso e cobertura do solo na sustentabilidade regional. Com o modelo hidrológico de grande escala VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) calibrado para as condições locais simulou-se os possíveis efeitos em três cenários de substituição da cobertura vegetal na bacia do rio Ji-Paraná, Rondônia. Um cenário imagina a substituição total da floresta pela cultura da soja, e nessas condições a vazão do rio aumentou em 28% durante o período chuvoso, e em até 70% na época seca, quando comparados às vazões atuais. Quando a substituição foi por pastagens esse aumento foi um pouco menor, 11% no período chuvoso e 16% no período seco. Esses dois cenários mutuamente exclusivos foram selecionados por representar condições extremas de uso do solo. Um terceiro cenário simulou a possível condição original da bacia coberta totalmente pela floresta. Esse último cenário permite inferir sobre as possíveis conseqüências das mudanças já ocorridas visto que as medidas de vazão são recentes (menos de 30 anos). Nessa condição a vazão sofreu redução de 9% durante o período chuvoso e de 20% no período seco. O modelo indicou ainda redução de 30% na evapotranspiração dessas culturas, durante o período seco, quando comparado ao cenário de floresta. / The understanding of how the water balance of a hydrographic basin is affected by the conversion of forests into crops and pasture allow to evaluate the possible impacts of the land use and land cover changes in the regional sustainability. Using a macro-scale hydrologic VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model calibrated for local conditions we simulated the possible effects on the hydrology under three scenarios of land cover substitution of the Ji-Paraná basin, state of Rondônia (western region of Brazil). One scenario simulated the total replacement of forest by soybeans crops, under this condition the outflow of the river increased in 28% during the rainy period, and up to 70% at the dry period, when comparative to the current outflows. When forest was replaced by pastures, this increase was a little lower, 11% in rainy season and 16% in the dry period. These two exclusive scenarios have been selected by representing extreme conditions of land use. One third scenario simulated the possible original condition of the basin covered by forest. This last scenario allows to infer on the possible consequences of the actual changes since recent measures of outflow (less than 30 years). In this condition the outflow suffered a reduction of 9% during the rainy period and 20% in the dry period. The model indicated a decrease of 30% in evapotranspiration for these crops in dry period compared to the forest scenario.

Entender como o balanço hídrico de uma bacia hidrográfica é afetado pela conversão de florestas em cultivos agrícolas e pastagens permite avaliar os possíveis impactos da mudança de uso e cobertura do solo na sustentabilidade regional. Com o modelo hidrológico de grande escala VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) calibrado para as condições locais simulou-se os possíveis efeitos em três cenários de substituição da cobertura vegetal na bacia do rio Ji-Paraná, Rondônia. Um cenário imagina a substituição total da floresta pela cultura da soja, e nessas condições a vazão do rio aumentou em 28% durante o período chuvoso, e em até 70% na época seca, quando comparados às vazões atuais. Quando a substituição foi por pastagens esse aumento foi um pouco menor, 11% no período chuvoso e 16% no período seco. Esses dois cenários mutuamente exclusivos foram selecionados por representar condições extremas de uso do solo. Um terceiro cenário simulou a possível condição original da bacia coberta totalmente pela floresta. Esse último cenário permite inferir sobre as possíveis conseqüências das mudanças já ocorridas visto que as medidas de vazão são recentes (menos de 30 anos). Nessa condição a vazão sofreu redução de 9% durante o período chuvoso e de 20% no período seco. O modelo indicou ainda redução de 30% na evapotranspiração dessas culturas, durante o período seco, quando comparado ao cenário de floresta. / The understanding of how the water balance of a hydrographic basin is affected by the conversion of forests into crops and pasture allow to evaluate the possible impacts of the land use and land cover changes in the regional sustainability. Using a macro-scale hydrologic VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model calibrated for local conditions we simulated the possible effects on the hydrology under three scenarios of land cover substitution of the Ji-Paraná basin, state of Rondônia (western region of Brazil). One scenario simulated the total replacement of forest by soybeans crops, under this condition the outflow of the river increased in 28% during the rainy period, and up to 70% at the dry period, when comparative to the current outflows. When forest was replaced by pastures, this increase was a little lower, 11% in rainy season and 16% in the dry period. These two exclusive scenarios have been selected by representing extreme conditions of land use. One third scenario simulated the possible original condition of the basin covered by forest. This last scenario allows to infer on the possible consequences of the actual changes since recent measures of outflow (less than 30 years). In this condition the outflow suffered a reduction of 9% during the rainy period and 20% in the dry period. The model indicated a decrease of 30% in evapotranspiration for these crops in dry period compared to the forest scenario.

This study compares formative assessment practices in primary mathematics classrooms in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Melbourne. Nine schools (three in each research location) were studied to examine the similarities in and differences between formative assessment practices for mathematics, and to identity underlying factors that may account for these similarities and differences. Videotaped classroom observations and face-to-face semi-structured teacher interview were the main data collection methods employed. The study identifies several similarities and differences in formative assessment practices by reviewing a total of 1140minutes of videotaped classroom observations (380 minutes from each city). Four similarities were noted: (a)a common structure of formative assessment practice; (b) providing feedback on what students had done well and what they needed to improve; (c) encouraging students to engage actively in the feedback process; and, (d) infrequent use of practical assessments. In addition, six differences were found: (a) interpreting, judging and suggesting on students’ work; (b) forms of assessment (including self and peer assessment); (c) assessment items; (d) effective feedback;(e) specific format for presenting mathematics; and, (f) ways of receiving feedback. Three key factors have been suggested to account for the similarities in and differences between formative assessment practices in primary mathematics classrooms in the three research locations: (a) cultural influences on mathematics learning and examinations; (b) assessment reform initiatives; and, (c) teachers’ conceptions about formative assessment. This study contributes to the understanding of formative assessment practices in the classrooms by proposing a theoretical framework for comparing formative assessment practices that takes into account cultural, social, school and classroom factors. Potential directions for future research are suggested, including further comparisons of mathematics formative assessment practices at other schools in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Melbourne, and in other countries with similar cultural backgrounds. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

En aquesta tesi es valora l'impacte social que comporta per a la ciutat de Vic el bastiment d'un nou sistema educatiu implantat per l'estat liberal en el transcurs del segle XIX. L'estudi s'estructura a partir de: l'anàlisi del discurs i de les accions de les elits locals; de les actituds de les famílies; del sorgiment i consolidació dels i les mestres; i de l'escola com a espai educatiu: Vic esdevé un cas molt particular perquè és capital de bisbat però no de província; perquè exerceix una notable influència sobre el territori i perquè és zona de frontera entre el liberalisme i el carlisme. La tesi valora fins a quin punt tots els agents implicats en la qüestió educativa s'interconecten i com des de l'àmbit local es viuen les transformacions del segle XIX. / The present thesis evaluates the social impact on the city of Vic caused by the implementation of a new education system introduced by the liberal state during the 19th century. The study is structured from: the analysis of the discourse and the actions by local elites; the attitudes of the families; the rise and consolidation of teachers; and the school as a space for education: Vic becomes a very particular case because it is the bishopric capital city but not the province capital; and because it has a notable influence on the territory and it is a border between liberalism and Carlism. The thesis assesses to what extent all agents implied in the education issue are interconnected and how the transformations of the 19th century are viewed from the local environment.

Loose sheets comprise of profiles of the Oligocene. / Bibliography: leaves 89-158. / 158, [60] leaves, [16] leaves of plates : ill., maps ; 30 cm. + seven charts (some folded) / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study investigates a late Eocene to Miocene succession of diverse mid-latitude assemblages of foraminifera from carbonates and calcareous muds and sands on the southern Australian margin. It contrasts foraminiferal profiles from the restricted St. Vincent and Murray Basins with the Otway Basin that is more exposed to oceanic conditions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1995

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Faculty of Education, 2004. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, School of Historical Studies, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.