UQ Theses Collection (RHD) - UQ staff and students only - UQ eSpace

A tectonic dimension: studies of an architectural design methodology

Baber, Kimberley Richard — 2012-11-08T00:00:00Z

A telling story : five journalist-novelists and Australia's writing culture

Conley, David P. — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

A Test Bed for the Development of Eddy Current Inspection Techniques for Non Ferrous Heat Exchangers

Turner, Michael Martyn — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis describes the development and implementation of a test bed for the investigation of eddy current inspection techniques used in the examination of nonferrous heat exchangers found in thermal power stations. This thesis is the product of a research project funded by the Queensland electricity industry and is also the report of its progress. The pressures placed on the environment by the emission of green house gasses and the commercial pressure to decrease the cost of electricity generation has lead to a change in plant inspection philosophy. With the development of nuclear power generation the need for safe reliable operation led to the development of heat exchanger inspection techniques. These techniques placed a priority on guaranteed results with little emphasis on cost. The techniques developed were slow and labour intensive. They were therefor inappropriate for use in non-critical inspections. With the change in environmental policy a move was made within the Queensland electricity industry to develop a cheap effective method to inspect balance of plant heat exchangers in thermal power stations. The development of computer based analysis techniques highlighted basic deficiencies in the theory generally applied to eddy current testing of heat exchangers. This resulted in the commissioning of a project to investigate the process of heat exchanger inspection and develop a more efficient technique to carry out the task. This thesis is the report on the main stream research carried out for this project. The thesis reviews the current techniques available for the inspection of non-ferrous tubing. It covers main stream techniques, as well as specialised and experimental processes. The results of the review indicate that eddy current inspection is still the most appropriate method. A review of the research being undertaken into eddy current inspection was carried out. The review highlighted the pure physics approaches being taken and concluded that their complexity ruled them out for practical implementation. The parametric approaches showed much greater promise and a recommendation for the implementation of some findings was made. The review also highlighted the lack of data for further investigation and indicated the path for the continuation of the project. To enable investigation to be carried out a review of the current state of test instruments was carried out. This review indicated that commercial equipment was unsuitable for research purposes. A design for a modern test instrument was developed using the latest digital concepts and electronics. This equipment allowed data to be collected in its pure form with no black box electronics modifying the raw data. The equipment was prototyped and found to be successful. To enable the accurate collection of data an eddy current probe manipulator was designed. It allows the probe to be manipulated in such a manner as to ensure the probe position and velocity is know and is accurate. The development of an air bearing was carried out to ensure the minimum transmission of mechanical noise to the data being collected. The design of the manipulator was successful for use within the bounds of current standards but will require modification to exceed these standards. To enable the analysis of the electromagnetic effects on defect parameters a technique for the production of artificial defects was developed. Plain defects were designed and a series of defects manufactured. At this point, due to a change in the political climate, the funding for the project was removed. This prevented the implementation of the final stage of data collection and theory development. The thesis then indicated the steps required to bring the project to a fruitful conclusion and those for further development.

A textual analysis of female consciousness in twenty-first Chinese women directors' films

Lara Vanderstaay — 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z

Despite the fact that women directors make films in large numbers in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), they have received little critical attention, often being regarded as being too small in number in comparison to their male colleagues to make their films worthy of study. Further, a considerable part of contemporary film research is concerned with industrial structures and political policies rather than analysis of film as a cultural and gendered text. This thesis therefore seeks to fill a gap in current research by focusing on a textual analysis of certain aspects of gender in films by contemporary Chinese women directors. The thesis examines how key textual elements of narrative, camera shots, costumes and settings contribute to the manifestation of female consciousness in six films made by women directors from the PRC in the early years of the twenty-first century. These elements have been selected because they are commonly recognized by scholars as the key elements into which film can be divided and they are among the most common tools used in similar types of film analysis. The films are divided into three groups according to the film sector of origin (see below). Each film is then examined individually and comparatively as a text in the broadest sense of the word with tentative conclusions drawn about cross-sector differences in the manifestation of female consciousness in film. Female consciousness has its source in feminist theory, however it is seen as being somewhat separate, usually as lacking the latter’s political element. Female consciousness is seen as being more appropriate for this thesis than pure feminist theory, as feminism is controversial in the PRC, being seen as a western concept with little relevance to Chinese women, and indeed most Chinese women film directors do not agree with feminism (Cui 2003: 172). The concept of female consciousness as used in this thesis is drawn from multiple sources, primarily feminist film theory of the British psychoanalytic school first established by theorists such as Johnston ([1973] 1999) and Mulvey ([1975] 2000). In using these theorists, however, I am aware of their limitations and the criticisms of their work by scholars such as Kaplan (1983), hooks (1999) and De Lauretis (1984). In the limited research to date which has been completed on women directors of the PRC, female consciousness has sometimes been used to analyse the films, by scholars such as Dai (1994, 1995, 2002a, 2002b), Feng (2000), Cui (2003) and Li and Xiu (1994). These scholars understand female consciousness as being visible in a text when the text is focused on women and their experiences and allows them to develop their own subjectivity and identity. This is the definition used in this thesis. This thesis identifies three sectors in the contemporary film industry of the PRC although it is in no way intended to be an industrial analysis of the sectors and how they function or are controlled. The first sector is the state run studio sector, in which directors are employees of the state and make films for a specific state studio. The second sector is the mainstream commercial sector, whereby directors work for privately owned film companies. The third sector identified in this thesis is the non-mainstream independent sector, in which directors make films independently of both the state and commercial film studios. Films from all three sectors are screened internationally, although films from the latter two sectors are the most well known outside the PRC. The second sector has only existed since 2001, when the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) allowed privately owned companies to make films on their own without needing to collaborate with a state run studio as they had needed to in the past (Reynaud 2003a: 37, Sun and Li 2008: vii). This thesis conducts textual analysis of two films from each of the three sectors. The films from the state studio sector are Shanghai Story (Peng Xiaolian, 2004) from the Shanghai Film Studio and Gone is the One Who Held Me Dearest in the World (Ma Xiaoying, 2002) from the Beijing Film Studio. The mainstream commercial sector films are Baober in Love (Li Shaohong, 2004) and Letter from an Unknown Woman (Xu Jinglei, 2005). The films from the non-mainstream independent sector are Fish and Elephant (Li Yu, 2001) and Conjugation (Emily Tang, 2001). These films have been chosen as they are among the most well known films made by women directors from the three sectors. Analysis using the selected elements of narrative, camera shots, costumes and settings found that they provided evidence of female consciousness being manifested in the six selected films. This manifestation of female consciousness contained important commonalities as well as differences in the films from the three sectors.

A theoretical and experimental investigation into the mechanics of crushing prepared sugar cane

Murry, Charles Rodney. — 2010-09-03T00:00:00Z

A THEORETICAL MODEL OF TRANSCULTURAL PROJECT LEADERSHIP

Victor Sohmen — 2011-04-05T00:00:00Z

Research Objective: The core purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the nature and characteristics of leadership styles or behaviors that are most suited for successful execution of transcultural projects with multi-ethnic participants. Research Problem: Projects are temporary organizations, and a lack of effective project leadership—an under-researched and less apparent ‘soft’ area of project management—has been cited as a major cause of costly project failure, overriding most organizational factors. Studies often point to interpersonal and behavioral problems as the root causes of project failure. Today, the challenge of project leadership is compounded by cross-cultural factors as projects around the world are being increasingly peppered with multi-ethnic participants. To this end, the overarching research question underpinning this study is: What are the leadership characteristics that compose an effective transcultural project leadership model for leaders of projects as temporary organizations composed of multi-ethnic teams? Theoretical Background: A thorough literature review revealed that there was no single theory that could fully explain the constituents of effective project leadership, specifically in a transcultural environment. This study therefore argued for a need to incorporate the unique characteristics of a fast-paced, time-limited and goal-driven project as a temporary organization with a diversity of cultures. With Bass & Avolio’s (1990) ‘Full Range of Leadership Theory’ (FRLT) as the primary theoretical base—supplemented by cross-cultural, project management, and team dynamics theories—a conceptual model of Transcultural Project Leadership (TPL) was developed, undergirded by six theoretically derived hypotheses. A new Cross-cultural Project Leadership (CPL) framework and associated measurement scale were also crafted in this study. Research Design and Methodology: Commensurate with the multi-disciplinary theoretical underpinnings and complexity of the conceptual TPL model, a multi-method, three-stage research design was adopted. The TPL model was operationalized by the MLQ-5X, as well as the Cross-cultural Project Leadership (CPL), and Project Success Measures (PSM) instruments. A stratified, balanced sample pool of 361 international project practitioners comprising transcultural project managers (PMs; n=213), multi-ethnic team members (TMs; n=94), and managers of international project portfolios (MoPs; n=54) were drawn from around the world and directed to a composite, pre-tested, and web-based MLQ-CPL-PSM survey. The three stages of the study were as follows: • Study I: Interviews of transcultural project personnel to ascertain key cross-cultural project leadership (CPL) framework variables to confirm and supplement evidence of these variables from the organizational, cross-cultural, project management, and team dynamics literature; • Study II: Expert reviews and pre-test by senior academicians and seasoned project practitioners for essential validation of the newly developed Cross-cultural Project Leadership (CPL) survey instrument based on the literature review, and the primary research of Study I; and, • Study III: Survey of PMs, TMs, and MoPs using the composite, web-based MLQ-CPL-PSM instrument; detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses to test the conceptual TPL model and the six hypotheses; post-survey qualitative analysis of interviews of international PMs to enable refinement of the conceptual TPL model and development of a parsimonious theoretical TPL model; crafting of a consolidated TPL measurement instrument culled from the composite MLQ-CPL-PSM instrument and informed by the study findings; and, the proposition of a preliminary Theory of Transcultural Project Leadership (TPL). Results: The results of the research confirmed to various extents the six hypotheses of this three-stage study. Key findings were: (1) Passive-avoidant leadership styles are best avoided in transcultural projects; (2) Contingent-reward-based leadership is ineluctable in transcultural projects; and, (3) Concurrent use of transformational (TF), transactional (TR), and cross-cultural project leadership (CPL) has a cumulative and synergistic ‘augmentation’ effect, precipitating ‘exceptional performance’ by participants of the transcultural project. Contributions, Limitations, and Future Directions: This novel research at the confluence of organizational leadership, cross-cultural management, project management, and team dynamics identified behavioral patterns likely to result in effective transcultural project leadership. It extends the above knowledge to percolate even further into cognate literature—such as, organizational behavior, operations management, and international human resource management. For project practitioners and international managers, this TPL study has yielded ‘best practice’ guidelines for training and evaluation in transcultural project environments. Key limitations of the study included a relatively small sample size, cross-sectional data, and uneven distribution of industries and nationalities. Nonetheless, this research will serve as a springboard for widespread testing and refinement of the nascent theoretical model of TPL in diverse industrial and geographical settings—towards consolidation of a pithy and robust Theory of Transcultural Project Leadership.

Athletic Talent Migration: A Case Study of Australian Football

Benjamin Stevens — 2012-03-07T00:00:00Z

Athletic talent migration has pervaded football throughout the game’s professional history. In Australia the instances of player migration has increased dramatically in the last two decades. This thesis is designed to explore the rate and flow of athletic talent migration in Australian football, and analyse the way in which world football has evolved to establish an environment conducive to player migration. Quantitative results highlight that from 1980 – 1989 the average number of Australian football migrants was 7 players per year increasing to 172 players per year for the period of 2000 – 2009. These migrations place Australian football talent all over the world, with the largest contingent choosing Europe (80%) to forge their football careers. Within Europe, England (27%) is far and away the preferred destination of Australian footballers. World Systems is the theoretical paradigm used to explain the global forces acting on a domestic level that have contributed to this dramatic increase in migration. World-systems theory posits four key areas (1. economic gain, 2. Core-periphery relationship, 3. Division of labour and expansion, 4. Shifts in the loci of accumulation and power), that influence the increase in athletic talent migration. The key concept of core-periphery relationship defines the global football dynamic and through three key historical events, the Bosman case of 1994, the commodification of football and the development of the Champions League, players from peripheral and semi-peripheral nation states have been motivated to migrate to the wealthy European core of world football. Player typologies and the investigation of push/pull factors have also been utilized within this thesis to understand migration at a micro level. These typologies and push/pull factors have been focused on the Australian football context and show the unique factors that influence the Australian football player to migrate. The considerable increase in Australian football player migration attests to significant impact global forces have had on the domestic game.

Atom chips and non-linear dynamics in macroscopic atom traps

Upcroft, Ben — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Atom detection and counting in ultracold gases using photoionisation and ion detection

Tom Campey — 2009-01-12T00:00:00Z

A touch of froth : how bubble-particle aggregates take the strain; an investigation into aspects of froth zone recovery in mineral flotation

Vera, Marco A. — 2007-08-24T18:03:32Z

A Transcriptome Atlas of the Developing Mouse Urogenital System

Rathi Thiagarajan — 2012-02-09T00:00:00Z

Organ development is a complex process which involves precise orchestration of multiple cell types across time and space. Understanding of urogenital organ development has benefited from the use of mouse models, as it is ideal for laboratory-based genetic manipulations. Recent advances in highthroughput strategies and genomic technologies have enabled global surveys of the transcriptome, and improved characterization of dynamic gene expression states. Such resources can be used to compile gene expression atlases to obtain information of mRNA levels and localization as a basis to understand cellular fate-decision pathways and networks during development. This thesis describes the temporal and spatial transcriptome atlas of the developing mouse urogenital system, with emphasis on the renal system, as a resource to study the cellular and molecular blueprint required for organogenesis. The analyses that encompass this atlas relied heavily upon resources from the GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP) from which this thesis stems from. The underlying foundation of this atlas provides the basis to understand what is encoded in the transcriptome during organ development. What are the genes required for dynamic regulation of organ development? What cell-types do they represent? How is their expression controlled? And how do these genes and their transcriptional structure encode the instructions to build complex, multi-cellular organs. The first results chapter describes the integration of microarray profiling to identify genome-wide temporal and spatial markers of ovary and testis during gonad development accompanied by in situ hybridization to validate expression and capture the domain-specific expression patterns exhibited by these genes. The second chapter presents a high-resolution investigation of 11 embryonic kidney subcompartment-specific genes which revealed additional molecularly-defined compartments specific cell types within complex heterogeneous compartments. These ‘anchor genes’ formed the basis to model gene expression networks during tissue ligand-receptor interactions and transcription factors regulating tissue specific expression. The final chapter sets the scene for the next phase of analyses towards the survey of transcriptional complexity driving temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression programs in the embryonic kidney using RNA-sequencing. This study provided the basis to update current gene models of developmental programs to include transcriptional dynamics regulating these processes. Together, the outcomes of this thesis provide a valuable resource of genetic markers that can be formally used for cell lineage tracing to map the fate of each cell type in the developmental history of the genitourinary system and facilitate functional studies through transgenic tools. The transcriptome atlas forms a comprehensive dynamic survey of the developing mouse urogenital system, and represents an important resource for functional studies into organ development which will ultimately lead to strategies for tissue regeneration to treat organ damage and disease.

At-risk boys perceptions of masculinities and resilience

Tilling, Julia — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis will address the need for gender issues and the discourses of power to be explored within resilience frameworks to achieve successful outcomes for at-risk males in intervention programs. Due to the western valorisation of traditional masculinities, the backlash politics debate internationally constrains challenges to the existing gender order within intervention programs. The discussion will deal with the notion of hegemonic masculinities and how boys with behaviour problems act out traditional masculinities to gain a sense of male power. It will focus on the notion of at-riskness, which defines these boys as the new victims of accepted social values and does not address the issues of how men victimise other men from different ethnic, class, and sexual preference minority groups, through violent and aggressive tactics (Connell, 1997). For these boys, exploring the interplay of hegemonic masculinities within society will enable them to move into connecting protective processes/factors within alternative programs and the community. Finally, I make suggestions for the design and implementation of future intervention/preventative programs that will integrate gender construction and resilient protective processes/factors.

ATTACHMENT AND CONTROL OF SALMONELLA AND LISTERIA IN SHRIMP

Wan Norhana Md Noordin — 2010-06-21T00:00:00Z

Spoilage and the presence of pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, are among the most common reasons for shrimp product detentions and recalls. In addition, both listeriosis and salmonellosis have been associated with the consumption of shrimp. For these reasons, there is interest in reducing Listeria and Salmonella contamination of shrimps. A review of literature indicated no detailed study that described the attachment of Listeria and Salmonella onto shrimps and their resulting persistence. In addition, information related to the control of these two pathogens on fresh shrimps is also limited. The work reported in this thesis aims to partially fill these gaps. These aims were met through four studies. In the first study, the initial attachment and colonization of Listeria and Salmonella onto fresh and cooked shrimp carapaces and tissue was examined. The chitinolytic activity and the physicochemical properties namely cellular surface charge (CSC), hydrophobicity and electron donor/acceptor potential were also determined for all the strains. CSC was determined using zeta potential measurements. Hydrophobicity was determined using three hydrophobicity determination methods, while microbial adhesion to solvents was used to determine the electron donor/acceptor potential. Attachment and colonization of Listeria and Salmonella were demonstrated. Abdominal carapaces showed higher levels of bacterial attachment (p<0.05) than head carapaces while Listeria consistently exhibited greater attachment (p<0.05) than Salmonella on all surfaces. Chitinase activity of all strains was tested and found not to occur at the three temperatures (10°, 25° and 37°C) tested. Salmonella had significantly (p<0.05) more positive CSC than Listeria. A significant difference (p<0.05) in surface roughness between abdominal and head carapaces was noted. From the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that certain bacterial physicochemical properties and carapace roughness were involved in the attachment to carapaces but not attachment to tissue or colonization to carapace and tissue. The influence of attachment and colonization of Listeria and Salmonella onto shrimp surfaces on the resistance against environmental stress was investigated in the second study. Planktonic, attached and colonized cells of Listeria and Salmonella were challenged with high (50°, 60° and 70°C) and low (4°C) temperature, 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution, and acetic, hydrochloric and lactic acids (pH 4.0). Attached and colonized Listeria and Salmonella showed significantly greater (p<0.05) resistance to heat (~1.3-2.6 fold increase in D-values), hypochlorite (~6.6->40.0 fold) and acids (~4.0-9.0 fold) than their planktonic counterparts. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the survival of planktonic, attached or colonized cells of Listeria and Salmonella stored under refrigerated conditions. The increase in resistance observed in attached and colonized cells could have an important implication for shrimp product’s safety in general. In the third study, bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) juices were used to reduce Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 populations on raw shrimps after washing and during storage (4ºC). The uninoculated raw shrimps and those inoculated with L. monocytogenes Scott A and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 were washed (dipped or rubbed) in sterile distilled water (SDW) (control), bilimbi or tamarind juice. Naturally occurring aerobic bacteria (APC), L. monocytogenes Scott A and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 counts of washed shrimps were determined on days 0, 3 and 7 of storage. Compared to SDW, bilimbi and tamarind juice significantly (p<0.05) reduced APC, L. monocytogenes Scott A and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 numbers on day 0. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in bacterial reduction between the dipping and rubbing methods. Regardless of washing treatments or methods, populations of S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 decreased slightly while populations of L. monocytogenes Scott A and APC increased significantly during refrigerated storage. These results suggest that consumable household items could be adopted as a natural method of decontaminating shrimps just before preparation and consumption. In the final study, use of nisin alone and in combinations with EDTA and salts of organic acids (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, or sodium diacetate) to control L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and native microflora on fresh shrimps were evaluated. Uninoculated, and Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella inoculated, shrimps were dipped in treatment solutions, vacuum packaged and stored at 4ºC for 7 days. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and native microflora counts were determined on days 0, 3 and 7. Nisin-EDTA-potassium sorbate and nisin-EDTA-sodium diacetate significantly reduced (p<0.05) L. monocytogenes numbers by 0.94-1.20 and 1.07-1.29 log CFU/g respectively, as compared to the control. All treatments failed to reduce (p>0.05) Salmonella counts on shrimps. At the end of storage, the native microflora counts on all nisin-EDTA-organic acids salts treated shrimps were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control. The results suggest that some of the treatments can be used to improve shrimp microbial safety and shelf-life. Through achieving the aforementioned aims the present thesis was able to enhance the knowledge and literature available concerning the initial attachment of Listeria and Salmonella on shrimps, their persistence as well as methods to control them

Attachment of Escherichia coli to Abiotic Surfaces

Rebecca Goulter — 2011-05-30T00:00:00Z

Escherichia coli O157:H7 are important foodborne pathogens with the ability to attach to materials commonly used in food processing environments such as stainless steel (SS). The aim of this work was to investigate the roles of a number of factors which may influence attachment of E. coli to glass, Teflon and SS surfaces. These factors were; 1) curli production, 2) surface roughness of SS, 3) DNA protection during starvation protein (Dps) expression and 4) different H antigens (encoded on the fliC gene). Six E. coli isolates were characterised for curli production, autoaggregation, hydrophobicity and attachment to glass and Teflon. Curli production and autoaggregation were determined by absorbance assays; hydrophobicity by bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons (BATH), hydrophobic interaction chromatography and contact angle measurements (CAM); and attachment by epifluorescence microscopy. Curli production varied and for some strains correlated with autoaggregation. Curli production correlated with decreased hydrophobicity for two strains. Results of attachment assays were variable between both strain and substrate. This study suggests that attachment of some E. coli to abiotic surfaces may be influenced by curli production, autoaggregation and hydrophobicity. Curli expression and attachment of E. coli to glass, Teflon and SS was further investigated through csgA knockout mutants in two isolates of E. coli O157:H7. Attachment assays and adhesion force measurements using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force mapping were used to determine differences between wildtype (wt) and csgA negative (ΔcsgA) strains. Hydrophobicity was determined using BATH and CAM. Attachment assay results indicated ΔcsgA strains attached in lower numbers to glass and Teflon surfaces compared with wt counterparts in 7/8 and 3/8 cases respectively (p<0.05), but in higher numbers to SS in 4/8 cases (p<0.05). No correlation was seen between BATH and CAM results (R2<0.70). Hydrophobicity differed between wt and ΔcsgA strains in some cases (p<0.05). AFM force mapping revealed no difference in adhesion force to glass and SS surfaces between wt and ΔcsgA strains (p>0.05), but a significantly greater adhesion force to Teflon for one of the two wt strains compared with its ΔcsgA counterpart (p<0.05). These results show for the first time through the use of csgA negative strains and AFM, that curli expression may influence attachment of E. coli to glass, Teflon and SS. The role of DNA protection during starvation protein (Dps) expression in E. coli attachment to a number of surfaces, including SS was investigated through the construction of dps knockout mutants. The Dps protein was not found to influence hydrophobicity, but did have a putative role in attachment in a strain and substrate dependent manner. The interactions of six E. coli strains with SS type 304, finishes #2B, #4 and #8 were investigated. Attachment assays, detachment assays and AFM were used to make this comparison. Attachment data suggested that E. coli attach in greater numbers to smoother SS#8, however, detachment assays and AFM data suggest cells are easily removed from this finish. Conversely, attachment to SS#2B was lower, and AFM data suggests E. coli may adhere more strongly to this finish. Attachment and detachment data to SS#4 was variable suggesting complex attachment mechanisms. The data from this study indicates bacterial interactions with SS#4 are complex and less easily predicted than SS of different finishes. This may be of concern to the food industry as SS#4 is the most common material used in food processing. The role of different H antigens attachment to glass, Teflon and SS surfaces was investigated through the construction of fliC knockout mutants in strains of E. coli O157:H7, O1:H7 and O157:H12. The loss of FliCH12 in O157:H12 decreased attachment to glass, Teflon and SS surfaces (p<0.05). Complementing O157:H12 ΔfliCH12 with fliCH12 restored the attachment to all surfaces to wt levels. The loss of FliCH7 in O157:H7 and O1:H7 did not always alter attachment (p>0.05), but complementation with fliCH12, as opposed to fliCH7, significantly increased attachment to all surfaces for both strains compared with wt counterparts (p<0.05). Hydrophobicity determined using BATH and CAM was influenced by fliC expression but was not correlated to attachment. Purified FliC was used to functionalise AFM probes which were used to measure adhesion forces between FliC and substrates. Although no significant difference in adhesion force was observed between FliCH12 and FliCH7 probes, differences in force curves suggest different mechanism of attachment for FliCH12 as compared with FliCH7. This study indicates that E. coli strains expressing flagellar H12 antigens have an increased ability to attach to certain abiotic surfaces as compared with E. coli strains expressing H7 antigens. The results of this work will be useful in assisting the food industry to modify practices; as many potential factors aiding the attachment of E. coli have been identified. Future work into the alteration of cleaning practices and procedures within the food industry targeting these attachment mechanisms may result in a decrease in the contamination of food products.

Attachment Theory and Family System Theory: Conceptualisation of the Relationship Between These Theories and An Application to Permanency Planning

Shannon O'Gorman — 2011-04-27T00:00:00Z

A capacity to engage with theory is generally understood to reflect a marker of good clinical practice. In the event that a practitioner fails to locate a sole, discrete theory capable of adequately informing practice, it makes sense that knowledge may be sourced from multiple theories. Yet, the practitioner’s capacity to attend to matters of epistemology—specifically, the simultaneous application of knowledge from different theories—may be challenged by the immediate demands of case work. This thesis takes a position that both the separation of theory from practice and the application of theory in a confused manner represent two potential points of concern. In response, this thesis simultaneously discusses knowledge described by two theories—namely attachment theory and family system theory—with the specific intent of clarifying the nature of the relationship between these theories. This is a theoretical thesis that responds to the question, “how can the relationship between attachment theory and family system theory be conceptualised such that there is clarity with respect to the nature of this relationship, including a capacity to recognise the similarities and differences between these theories?” In responding to this question, the author engages with a general system theory/cybernetic epistemology as a means of structuring the construction of this thesis. Initially this involves an understanding that general system theory/cybernetics can be conceptualised as a metatheory, capable of describing the nature of the relationship between attachment theory and family system theory. In particular, the goodness of fit between these theories is defined using the constructs and language of general system theory/cybernetics including logical types, subsystems and the zig zag ladder of form and process. Ultimately it is suggested that attachment theory can be conceptualised as ‘nested’ within family system theory. The validity of this approach is described through a constructivist lens. The relevance of using both these theories in clinical practice is then illustrated through the direct application of attachment and systemic knowledge to the child protection practice of permanency planning. The process of deciding which theory is to be privileged in which juncture of each clinical case is addressed through a framework entitled ‘Towards a Second-Order Cybernetic Understanding of Change in the Child Protection Practice of Permanency Planning.’ Reflecting the context in which this thesis was written, specific reference is made regarding the child protection system within Queensland, Australia. This thesis is comprised of four major sections. Following an introduction, the initial section of the thesis is entitled Setting the Context and consists of chapters 1 and 2. This section provides an 5 overview of the literature describing attachment theory, followed by family system theory and general system theory/cybernetics. The decision to describe family system theory and general system theory/cybernetics in the same chapter is a reflection of the close relationship between these theories. The second section, chapter 3, is entitled Establishing Interconnectivity. It provides a description of key similarities and differences between attachment theory and family system theory. It is proposed that these theories share many points of similarity and that these similarities may be conceptualised as representing points of interconnectivity between the theories. It is also suggested that there are key differences between these theories that demand consideration and that the often complementary nature of these differences represent further points of interconnection. The third section of this thesis, chapter 4, is entitled Defining a Relationship. It begins with an overview of previous attempts to integrate and/or simultaneously apply knowledge from attachment theory and systemic theory before describing an alternative conceptualisation of the nature of the relationship and the goodness of fit between these theories. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the relationship between attachment theory and family system theory is characterised by differences in logical types and that attachment theory can be conceptualised as a smaller, discrete theory when compared with family system theory. The fourth and final section of this thesis is entitled An Application and consists of chapters 5 and 6. This section initially provides an overview of the specific child protection practice of permanency planning. This overview is followed by the application of attachment and systemic knowledge to a descriptive framework (‘Towards a Second-Order Cybernetic Understanding of Change in the Child Protection Practice of Permanency Planning’) that provides the practitioner with a conceptual and practice based framework that in turn allows the practitioner to locate themselves within temporary, stabilized but ultimately evolving systems. In summary, this thesis builds upon existing theory by providing a comprehensive theoretical description of the nature of the relationship between attachment theory and family system theory and illustrates the relevance of the selective, timely and complementary application of these sources of knowledge to the complex clinical matter that characterises the child protection practice of permanency planning.

ATTENTIONAL MODULATION OF THE STARTLE EYEBLINK REFLEX: THE ROLE OF STIMULUS MODALITY

Sakinah Alhadad — 2011-09-19T00:00:00Z

Modality specificity or non-specificity of attentional startle modulation can reflect the amount of processing required prior to stimulus selection and may be useful to delineate the attentional requirements of a particular situation. The effect of attention on startle was initially believed to be modality specific, i.e., startle modulation patterns were said to depend on the sensory modalities of the attended and the reflex-eliciting stimuli. This viewpoint was challenged by more recent evidence for modality nonspecific attentional startle modulation in various experimental paradigms. Here, startle was enhanced following attended stimuli regardless of their sensory modality. The aim of this thesis was to investigate task characteristics which determine whether attentional startle modulation is modality specific or non-specific. Experiment 1 investigated whether modality specific attentional startle modulation occurred across a short digit stream presentation in a continuous performance task (CPT). Modality specific attentional startle modulation emerged within a modified CPT, even with an imposed trial structure, suggesting that the trial structure may not be a crucial factor. Experiment 2 explored whether modality specific attentional startle modulation can be found if the task consists of digit pairs rather than streams. Modality specific effects were found in a 6-digit task, but not in a 2-digit task, indicating that continued processing may be required for the emergence of attentional startle modulation. Experiment 3a assessed the effect of cue-target intervals on attentional startle modulation in a differential reaction time task. Observations of trends towards modality specific attentional startle modulation in task blocks with short cue-target intervals and modality nonspecificity in task blocks with long cue-target intervals suggested a role of the different interstimulus intervals (ISIs) used in these tasks. However, awareness of the cue-target relationship during this study was poor. Experiment 3b re-examined the effect of ISI with the provision of instructions to increase contingency awareness. This manipulation obliterated the effects found in Experiment 3a. On the basis of both studies, it was postulated that uncertainty within the task may interact with ISI to affect attentional startle modulation. Experiment 4 investigated the effect of task uncertainty by manipulating cue validity. Startles were smaller following targets than non-targets only in the 100% task block at a lead interval of 1,200 ms. Experiment 5 examined the effects of uncertainty on startle modulation by distributing the cue validity conditions in short alternating task segments within each block rather than across blocks. Startles were smaller following targets than following non-targets in both 50% and

Attention and Relations in Conceptual Combination

Ramm, Brentyn — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

Combined concepts such as computer chair, road rage, and terrorist threat are common in everyday language. Combining concepts into novel meanings is achieved spontaneously in conversation, and serves to decrease working memory loads. Due to this function, it could be argued that conceptual combination is a process similar to chunking. Yet despite the importance of conceptual combination to human cognition, and the assumption that chunking occurs in working memory (e.g., A. D. Baddeley & G. Hitch, 1974), no previous studies have assessed the role of attention in the process of conceptual combination. The Competition Among Relations in Nominals (CARIN) theory (C. L. Gagne & E. J. Shoben, 1997) proposes that relations provide the mortar for combining concepts. Furthermore, these relations compete to become the binding link between concepts, with priority given to relations that historically have been frequently linked with the modifier (Relational Frequency). Since evidence has shown that the binding of relations is a capacity-constrained process (e.g., G. S. Halford, W. H. Wilson & S. Philips, 1998; N. Robin & K. J. Holyoak, 1995) this thesis seeks to elucidate the role of attention and relations in conceptual combination. The attentional demands of combining novel modifier-noun phrases are explored in Experiment 1 using a dual-task methodology (digit transformation). The results show that a concurrent task significantly increases the response time of a sense-nonsense decision, supporting the hypothesis that conceptual combination is capacity-limited. However, it was not clear from the results whether it is the simultaneous activation of the word meanings, the combination process itself, or both that requires attention. To assess this issue, Experiment 2 used probe reaction time (RT) as an indication of the attentional demands of a sense-nonsense decision or a lexical decision to the word-pairs. The results show that the process of conceptual combination is attentionally demanding after accounting for the demands of activating the constituent meanings of the wordpairs. No effect of Relational Frequency was found on attention in this experiment. However, each participant only made a sense-nonsense decision to half of the phrases, therefore the variability of scores was poor for assessing this issue. Experiment 3, therefore, again assessed probe RT but used a sense-nonsense decision for all of the word-pairs. Results show that the linking of concepts with a low frequency relation is more attentionally demanding than linking with a relation of high frequency. Further investigations used Google hit rates as an indication of word-pair familiarity, and show contrary to E. J Wisniewski and G. L Murphy (2005) that familiarity of the word-pair does not account for Relational Frequency. A new metric of relations (Relational Familiarity) was developed based upon the median Google score of each relational type. While both Relational Frequency and Relational Familiarity provided equal contributions to the accuracy of the sense-nonsense decisions, frequency of the relational type was subsumed by familiarity in predicting probe RT. That is, Relational Familiarity provided the best predictor of the capacity-demands of conceptual combination, thus showing that it is easier to select relations of high familiarity than low familiarity. Inhibition was suggested as a viable candidate for this selective mechanism. Lastly, relation competition was shown to be a poor predictor of probe RT scores. These findings, in conjunction with previous research, support a Capacity-Constrained Relation Selection model of conceptual combination, including four characteristics: 1. Relations compete in parallel in the activated proportion of long-term memory to enter the focus of attention. 2. The activation and maintenance of the meanings of the individual word-pairs is attentionally demanding. 3. The selection of relations is also a capacity-constrained process. 4. The difficulty of selecting a relation depends upon its familiarity rather than its frequency. This project extended the CARIN model (C. L. Gagne & E. J. Shoben, 1997) to show that attention has a function in both forming new representations and in the selection of relations. Overall, it was demonstrated that attention plays an essential role in forming combined concepts and thus should be included in any valid model of this process.

Attitude Guidance and Control for a Spinning, Asymmetrical Vehicle

Creagh, Michael — 2010-11-22T00:00:00Z

Some hypersonic vehicles, such as those used in the HyShot supersonic combustion experiments conducted over the past decade, leave and re-enter the atmosphere while spinning. There is interest in whether it is possible to control the trajectory of such supersonic and hypersonic asymmetric spinning vehicles using control surfaces. The main aim of research presented in this thesis is to investigate whether it is possible to develop a guidance and control scheme for a spinning, aerodynamically asymmetrical vehicle. The HyShot Stability Demonstrator (HSD) was chosen to be the basis for modelling and simulation of such a scheme. The HSD is a 4.24 kg supersonic vehicle that uses four aerodynamic control surfaces arranged in a square configuration for manoeuvring. It was designed to represent the dynamics of a typical HyShot mission that has two scramjet engines arranged back-to-back on the fore body. The HSD is unique in that it has equal moments of inertia in pitch and yaw, which results in rotational dynamic equations that are equivalent to most missiles. However, the aerodynamic coefficients are not the same in pitch and yaw and this results in a unique control problem. Due to the combined asymmetry and aerodynamic control properties of the HSD, there are currently no existing guidance / control schemes in the open literature. The HSD is intended for future launch on a 5-inch Zuni sounding rocket. As a result, an important consideration for the guidance and control systems being developed is that they could be implemented in real-time in a flight computer. Attitude manoeuvres of an aerodynamically asymmetrical spinning vehicle are complicated primarily by the fact that the dynamics cannot be linearised in a mathematically well-posed fashion. The non-linear roll angle transformation results in plant dynamics that are insufficient for a linear attitude controller. One solution to the problem of asymmetrical spinning vehicle attitude control is presented in this thesis. A non-linear guidance law acts as an outer loop to issue commands to an autopilot system. The Angular Velocity Guidance law accepts sensor inputs and desired attitude information and calculates pitch and yaw-rate commands for autopilot input, based on error in attitude and additional compensation terms derived from Euler’s rotational equations. Aerodynamic properties of the HSD are calculated based on 2D shock-expansion theory with computational fluid dynamics corrections. The aerodynamic model is limited to Mach numbers above 1.8. The HSD has static stability derivatives Cm-alpha and Cn-beta of -2.37 and 5.37 at Mach 3.5 flow conditions. This results in different aerodynamic natural frequencies in each plane of the HSD. The non-linear and perturbation equations of motion are derived and discussed for two dynamic reference frames. The dynamics derived for the non-rotating body frame and the rotating body frame differ greatly and it is shown that for the HSD, the rotating body frame must be used to retain information in each plane of the HSD. Two body rate autopilot schemes were investigated for the attitude manoeuvres. The first scheme utilises two self-adaptive single-input, single-output (SISO) proportional plus integral controllers, derived using the pole placement technique. These controllers neglect cross-coupling due to spin-rate and are appropriate for use in the flight experiment as they are easily gain-scheduled for a range of Mach numbers and unknown spin-rate. The second scheme investigated is a multi-input, multi-output H-infinity controller that is shown to outperform the SISO controllers as long as the vehicle has a known, constant spin-rate. This controller was discounted for use in a flight experiment as it is more computationally intensive, is not easily tuned for spin-rate and has an H-infinity norm greater than 1 (hence does not meet the robustness criteria). A six degree-of-freedom numerical simulation was programmed in Computer Aided Design of Aerospace Concepts as a means of proving the guidance and control system. The simulation can be split into various modules such as kinematics, inertial navigation system, actuators, etc. The input/output characteristics of each module are discussed. It was found that due to the high aerodynamic natural frequencies of the small HSD payload, a simulation step time of 0.5 ms with the use of a predictor-corrector method of state-variable integration is necessary for a solution independent of integration time step. The simulations show that with the Angular Velocity Guidance developed in this thesis, the HSD would be capable of performing attitude manoeuvres at spin-rates of up to 3.5 Hz. The magnitude of manoeuvre possible is dependent on spin-rate. A 1 degree attitude change is possible in 0.7 s at a 3.5 Hz spin-rate, whereas at a spin-rate of 2.0 Hz the attitude change may be greater than 4.2 degrees in 0.5s. The device limitations that prevent manoeuvres at higher spin-rates for the HSD are the autopilot and actuator bandwidths and the inertial measurement unit. An overview of the hardware associated with a proposed future flight experiment is provided. Information on actuators, sensors, airframe and flight computer hardware and software allows future work to be carried out on the project.

Attributional style and attributions for child and parenting behaviour: assessment and intervention with parents at-risk of child maltreatment

Pidgeon, Aileen Mary — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis presents a program of research investigating the role of parental attributions in the management of parents with anger management problems who are atrisk of child maltreatment. Child maltreatment is a major social and health issue that is associated with significant costs for the individual child, his or her family and society. In Australia, all major indicators of child abuse have increased each year for the past six years, including child abuse notifications; substantiated abuse cases; children on care and protection orders; and the number of children in out-of-home care (AIHW, 2005). There is increasing focus on furthering our understanding of the aetiology connected with child maltreatment and on reducing risk factors associated with child maltreatment. Parental anger and parental dysfunctional attributions associated with parentchild interactions have been implicated as important risk factors for child maltreatment. These dysfunctional attributions for child behaviour and negative parenting behaviour and their affects on parental anger and parenting behaviour are the focus of this thesis. The present research aimed to (a) identify and assess the types of parental attributions that may intensify and perpetuate parental anger and anger-related behaviour; (b) examine the differences in the attributions clinically angry and at-risk of child maltreatment (CA) parents, and non-angry, not at-risk of child maltreatment (NA) parents make for parent-child interactions; and (c) evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced behavioural family intervention, Pathways Triple P that aimed to reduce CA parents maladaptive attributions, anger and other key risk factors for child maltreatment, compared to a standard behavioural family intervention, Group Triple P. This program of research employed an attributional-behavioural model of child maltreatment to identify key risk factors involved in the precipitation, exacerbation and perpetuation of parents' anger and anger-related behaviour. This attributional-behavioural model of child maltreatment hypothesised that the types of attributions parents make during parent-child interactions intensify their anger and justify their negative parenting behaviour. Two attribution measures were developed for this research to assess parents' anger-intensifying and anger justifying attributions. Study 1 examined the differences between the attributions CA parents and NA parents make for parent-child interactions, and the differences between other key risk factors associated with child maltreatment, including parental adjustment, parenting practices, and perceptions of disruptive child behaviour problems. The 82 families with a child aged between 2-7 years who participated consisted of 41 CA mothers and 41 NA mothers. As predicted, there were significant differences between the CA and NA mothers' anger-intensifying attributional style for both negative and ambiguous negative child behaviour, with the CA mothers reporting an elevated level of anger-intensifying attributional style. In accordance with predictions CA mothers, compared to NA mothers, reported being more likely to attribute blame to their child for their own negative parenting behaviour and that the reason for their behaviour was unlikely to change. The study revealed significant group differences on all remaining key risk factors with CA mothers compared to NA mothers reporting significantly higher levels of negative affect, use of dysfunctional parenting practices, and more problem child behaviours. Study 2 examined the efficacy of an enhanced behavioural intervention, Pathways Triple P with CA mothers. Ninety-three CA parents with a child-aged 2-7 years were randomly assigned to either an enhanced group-administered behavioural family intervention program based on the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program that incorporated attributional retraining and anger management, Pathways Triple P, or a standard behavioural family intervention program, Group Triple P, that provided training in parenting skills alone. This Study revealed that both the Group Triple P program and the Pathways Triple P program were powerful tools for change in the selected population of families at-risk for child maltreatment. At post-intervention and follow-up both conditions were associated with lower levels of observed and parent-reported disruptive child behaviour, lower levels of parent-reported dysfunctional parenting, improvement in parental anger, adjustment, unrealistic expectations and potential for child abuse. Families receiving the enhanced behavioural family intervention showed significantly greater improvements on two key indicators of abuse potential both in the short and long term. Mothers who received the Pathways Triple P showed a significant reduction in their level of anger-intensifying attributional style for both negative and ambiguous negative child behaviour and significantly lower child-blame attributions for negative parenting behaviour from pre to post intervention, with evidence of maintenance to follow-up. The specific targeting of parents' attributions was successful in reducing mothers' anger-intensifying and anger-justifying attributions for parent-child interactions. Mothers in the EBFI group not only reported a significant decrease in the tendency to blame and attribute malintent to children for negative child behaviour but also reported a significant decrease in the tendency to blame children for negative parenting behaviour. This generalised shift for mothers to make more benign attributions for their children's negative and ambiguous negative behaviours and to make less child blaming attributions for negative parenting behaviour showed that the cognitive mechanism hypothesised to shift in angry parents did change in the predicted direction. Participants in both conditions reported comparably high levels of consumer satisfaction with their respective interventions. However, mothers in the EBFI group reported that the attributional retraining session as the most useful of the 12 sessions in the EBFI intervention. Contrary to prediction, only one family in the SBFI condition received contact with child protection services for notification for child maltreatment in the follow-up period. Previous research into interventions for parents at-risk of child maltreatment has indicated that standard behavioural family interventions might not sufficiently meet the complex needs of these families. The results of this present study support this assertion to some degree. As has been noted previously, the EBFI condition was associated with significantly greater improvements on key risk factor for child maltreatment, namely measures of anger-intensifying and anger-justifying attributions for parent-child interactions compared with SBFI. Although at post-intervention SBFI families had also improved significantly on many measures, the differences between conditions on the attributional measures were maintained from post-intervention to follow-up. This thesis provides important new information regarding the differences in clinically angry parents at-risk of child maltreatment (CA) and non-angry parents not atrisk of child maltreatment (NA) attributional processes for child negative behaviour and negative parenting behaviour. It represents an important contribution in the development of two attributional measures the PACBM and the PAM that discriminate between CA and NA parents. This present thesis also extends the limited empirical base of BFI as an intervention for child maltreatment (Wekerle & Wolfe, 1993) and provides evidence for two variants of BFI (Group Triple P and Pathways Triple P) being associated with a range of positive changes in parental risk factors linked to child maltreatment. An important finding was that the Pathways Triple P intervention produced more changes more expeditiously and more consistently across the full spectrum of child measures, parents' cognitive, affective and parenting behaviour measures. A strength of the present study was the utilisation of a robust, standard-care comparison condition which provided not only a creditable test for the additive benefits of the enhanced intervention but also provided the CA mothers immediate intervention with a credible treatment.

Audiological Management of Children with Changing Sensorineural Hearing Thresholds

Skinner, Leanne Maree — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

Several aetiological categories are associated with changing sensorineural thresholds (SNHL) in children. However, details about the nature of the changing pattern and the audiological management of such cases are rarely reported in the literature. The aims of the present study were, therefore, to analyse and describe the audiological patterns of children with changing SNHL, to investigate the relationship between changing audiological patterns and aetiology of SNHL, and to describe the test procedures and audiological management used for these children. Twenty-one children with changing SNHL, 12 parents of the children and five audiologists were the participants in this study. The study used a retrospective case study design with data being collected on the children from a file audit. The degree of change in hearing thresholds over time was examined for each child in terms of the frequencies that showed change and the decibel range of threshold change. In addition, details of all test procedures were recorded. Parents and audiologists were surveyed to investigate the audiological management strategies used for the children who experienced changing SNHL. Deterioration in hearing was the most common changing SNHL pattern, followed by improvement in sensorineural thresholds. For four children, the improvement was such that they no longer required their hearing aid amplification. Only the children within three aetiological groups maternal rubella, meningitis and large vestibular aqueduct syndrome displayed common changing SNHL patterns. That is, the children within each group showed similar SNHL changing patterns. However, these SNHL patterns were different between each of the aetiology groups. The results showed that regular hearing assessment together with parental interview were the best indicators of the pattern of the changing SNHL. Overall, the parents were able to predict their childs hearing changes prior to these being confirmed on behavioural or electrophysiological audiological assessment. Regardless of the aetiological category, the audiologists managed the change in hearing similarly for the children. The findings of this study have a number of clinical implications for children with changing SNHL. It is recommended that the children receive regular behavioural hearing assessments, referral for electrophysiological assessment as needed, and regular functional assessments, together with a parental interview. Information should be shared across all professionals working with the child and a written management plan should be developed for each child.

Auditor expert performance in fraud detection: The case of internal auditors

Grace Yanchi Mui — 2010-08-16T00:00:00Z

Fraud is an inevitable cost of doing business. Organisations are responding to the pervasiveness of fraud by employing increased fraud risk management strategies. Internal audit is the most effective corporate control available to management to address the threat of fraud. Internal audit as an effective corporate control is studied in the context of the mandatory obligation imposed by The Institute of Internal Auditors’ 2009 International Professional Practices Framework (hereafter, IPPF). This mandatory obligation requires the internal audit function to ‘evaluate the potential for the occurrence of fraud and [to evaluate] how the organisation manages fraud risk’ (IPPF performance standard 2120.A2 Risk Management). At the individual auditor level, the internal auditor is required to ‘possess the knowledge, skills, and other competencies to perform their individual responsibilities’ (IPPF attribute standard 1210 Proficiency). These standards have the potential to increase expectations on the internal audit profession to prevent and detect the threat of fraud. This expectations gap raises two research questions: (1) What are the determinants of auditors’ fraud detection capabilities? and (2) What constitutes expert performance in the fraud detection task? This thesis aims to address these research questions through the performance of two studies. Study 1 used interviews to investigate the determinants of fraud detection capabilities of both the external auditor and internal auditor. Study 2 drew on the results from Study 1 and was an online survey of Australian internal audit practitioners. Study 1 confirmed that the determinants of auditor expert performance in other audit tasks established in literature, namely, certification, continuous learning, practical experience, analytical reasoning, data analysis skills, communication skills, are also applicable to the fraud detection task. Further, the fraud detection task requires key, unique capabilities because fraud has an inherent element of deception and concealment by fraud perpetrators. The determinants of auditor expert performance unique to the fraud detection task include mentoring, technical skills, and the ability to work in a team. An additional finding is the identification of an effective control environment as a determinant related to the environment where the auditor performs audit work. The resulting model of auditor expert performance in fraud detection depicts the relationship of these determinants (independent variables) with expert performance in fraud detection (the dependent variable). The inclusion of new determinants and the revision of the definitions of determinants established in literature provided the solution to Research Question 1. Subsequently, auditor expert performance in fraud detection was defined based on the resulting combination of determinants. This was the solution to Research Question 2. Study 2 was an online survey with new scales of measurement that were developed from Study 1 interview data. Expert studies and pilot studies were conducted to validate these new scales of measurement. The online survey captured the perceptions of Australian internal audit practitioners about the determinants identified in Study 1. The survey data was applied to the model of auditor expert performance in fraud detection. The main findings of this study are: (1) the assessment of the effectiveness of the strategies to develop auditors’ knowledge of fraud and fraud detection - mentoring, practical experience, continuous learning, and certification; (2) the assessment of the effectiveness of each determinant in contributing towards auditor expert performance in fraud detection. The findings of this thesis supported the expectation that the uniqueness of the fraud detection task impacted on the composition of auditors’ fraud detection capabilities and subsequently, the composition and definition of auditor expert performance in fraud detection. The participation of practitioners – internal auditors, external auditors, and fraud investigators - and academics in the data collection and validation processes provided valuable insight into the research design and provided helpful data for the two studies. The main contribution of this thesis is the extension of Bonner and Lewis’ (1990) model of auditor expert performance to the fraud detection task. Next, the resulting model of auditor expert performance in fraud detection provides the internal audit profession, organisations, and the individual internal auditor with an understanding of the factors that impact on the individual internal auditor’s fraud detection capabilities. Therefore, this practical understanding of internal auditors’ fraud detection capabilities has the potential to: (1) contribute to the development and improvement of an organisation’s fraud risk management strategy; (2) inform the policy debate regarding the promulgation of professional and mandatory standards; and (3) contribute to auditing practice and the audit profession through the identification of strategies to educate the audit profession about fraud detection. The final contribution is the research design where the qualitative study (Study 1) contributed to the development of the survey instrument and provided insights into the results of the structural mode (Study 2).

Auditors' belief revision : recency effects of contrary and supporting audit evidence and source reliability

Patel, Arvind. — 2010-12-15T12:59:05Z

Auditory word recognition in school-aged children with and without mild traumatic brain injury

Ms Nicole Mahler — 2008-09-17T00:00:00Z

Augmenting CD8+ T cell-mediated cutaneous immunotherapy in a murine model system

Salvatore Fiorenza — 2010-11-12T00:00:00Z

Chronic viral infection and cancer in skin represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Immunotherapies that employ the exquisite specificity of the adaptive immune response represent an ideal method by which to advent the cure of cutaneous malignancy and viral infection. Adoptive cell therapy, one form of immunotherapy, involves the intravenous transfer of large populations of in vitro-activated T cells with specificity for tumour or viral antigens in disease bearing hosts. This inundation of the host immune system with tumour or virus specific T cells aims to induce global tumour regression. The hope of adoptive cell therapy, however, has been met with inconsistent results in the clinic. This thesis investigates the means by which to improve existing immunotherapeutic regimes using a murine model system. To optimise immunotherapy, the immunobiology of adoptively transferred T cells in a model of cutaneous immunity was examined. In particular, this thesis investigates the interactions between adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells and innate immune stimuli elicited by the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 agonist, imiquimod. The first results chapter of this thesis introduces a skin grafting model system to investigate cutaneous responses of adoptively transferred T cells. In this system, skin graft rejection is considered a measure of successful immunity. Utilising skin grafting, is it shown that a local inflammatory stimulus, imiquimod, augments cutaneous immunity engendered by CD8+ T cells activated in vivo. TLR activation is known to alter antigen processing, yet bypassing antigen processing in this model system does not mitigate the effects of imiquimod. An analysis of cells activated in vivo in the previous chapter shows that these cells are of two, well-reported phenotypes: central (TCM) and effector memory (TEM) T cell phenotype. The second results chapter documents cutaneous immune responses elicited by these two cell types. To do so, novel methods of culturing TCM and TEM in vitro are presented. Generating in vitro culturing methods is particularly important given that adoptive cell therapy relies on the ex vivo generation of large populations of T cells for immunotherapy. It is shown that TCM elicits markedly quicker immune responses in the skin than TEM, even though the former exhibits far greater in vitro cytotoxicity. Autocrine production of interleukin-2 by TCM is proposed as a mechanism cardinal to this observation. The final results chapter combines observations from the previous two chapters and documents responses of TCM and TEM to local TLR7 ligation. It is shown that imiquimod augments cutaneous immunity mediated by TCM but not TEM¬. This chapter posits a chemokine-based mechanism that underlies TCM responsiveness to imiquimod. Malignancy and chronic viral infection is known to suppress immunotherapeutic measures and induce functional tolerance in adoptively transferred T cells. The final results chapter of this thesis concludes by purporting a novel adoptive cell therapy regime by which to instate cutaneous immunity in an otherwise tolerogenic environment. The clinical and scientific implications of this work are discussed. In conclusion, this thesis posits that successful immunotherapeutic measures in the skin requires a consolidation of three key components: permissive microenvironmental cues, T cells with superlative in vivo activity and therapy that addresses and overcomes tolerogenic environments in order to instate successful cutaneous immunity.

A Unified Approach to Adapting and Retrieving Formally Specified Components for Reuse

Hemer, David George — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis presents an approach to reusing components which alleviates some of the main problems encountered in component-based reuse; in particular modifying components to suit user's specific needs, and locating suitable components within a library. The focus of the thesis is on components described using a formal language (in other words components with a formal interface specification). The main reason for this is the concise and precise nature of formal languages, which can be exploited in developing more sophisticated methods and tools which take advantage of the semantics of the component. The solution is presented in two main stages: firstly a framework for adapting components is defined; secondly a framework for retrieving components based on matching component interfaces is defined. Both of these frameworks take advantage of the formal nature of the component interfaces, as a result more sophisticated tools can be developed. For generality it is proposed that formal languages used to represent interfaces are partitioned into three separate levels of granularity - expressions, units and modules - and solutions to adaptation and retrieval are developed separately at each level. An important consideration in developing these frameworks is to ensure that certain component properties are preserved when adapting and retrieving components. Having proposed these general frameworks, algorithms for adapting and retrieving components are defined in a more concrete and detailed sense within the CARE system. CARE was chosen because the language is relatively simple and compact, yet contains many of the features found in other formal languages, including: variables; functions; predicates; binders; application; typing; parameters; inputs and outputs (and their types); preconditions and postconditions; textual and formal parameters; separation of specification and implementation; case statements; modules; applicability conditions; encapsulation; and information hiding. These techniques for adapting and retrieving components have been prototyped as extensions to existing CARE tools. As a means of illustrating the value that these extensions have added to the overall CARE system, several example developments using the extended tools are presented at the end of the thesis. The approach to component reuse presented in this thesis represents a significant advance on other similar approaches. The approach given here is far more general than other approaches, particularly with respect to the scope of components and their interfaces that are considered. Also the adaptation framework goes beyond other approaches which have typically been restricted to parameter instantiation.

A universal evaluation of the Fun FRIENDS program: anxiety prevention in early childhood

Anticich, Sarah — 2013-03-07T11:44:07Z

Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Barrett, Janine Louise — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

In Chapter 1, the literature relating to rabies virus and the rabies like lyssaviruses is reviewed. In Chapter 2 data are presented from 1170 diagnostic submissions for ABLV testing by fluorescent antibody test (Centocor FAT). All 27 non-bat submissions were ABLV-negative. Of 1143 bat accessions 74 (16%) were ABLV-positive, including 69 of 974 (7.1%) flying foxes (Pteropus spp.), 5 of 7 (71.4%) Saccolaimus flaviventris (Yellow-bellied sheathtail bats), none of 151 other microchiropteran bats, and none of 11 unidentified bats. Statistical analysis of data from 868 wild Black, Grey-headed, Little Red and Spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus, P. scapulatus, and P. conspicillatus) indicated that three factors; species, health status and age were associated with significant (p< 0.001) differences in the proportion of ABLV-positive bats. Other factors including sex, whether the bat bit a person or animal, region, year, and season submitted, were not associated with ABLV. Case data for 74 ABLV-positive bats, including the circumstances in which they were found and clinical signs, is presented. In Chapter 3, the aetiological diagnosis was investigated for 100 consecutive flying fox submissions with neurological signs. ABLV (32%), spinal and head injuries (29%), and neuro-angiostrongylosis (18%) accounted for most neurological syndromes in flying foxes. No evidence of lead poisoning was found in unwell (n=16) or healthy flying foxes (n=50). No diagnosis was reached for 16 cases, all of which were negative for ABLV by TaqMan® PCR. The molecular diversity of ABLV was examined in Chapter 4 by sequencing 36 bases of the leader sequence, the entire N gene, and start of the P gene of 28 isolates from pteropid bats and 3 isolates from Yellow-bellied sheathtail (YBST) bats. Phylogenetic analysis indicated all ABLV isolates clustered together as a discrete group within the Lyssavirus genera closely related to rabies virus and European bat lyssavirus-2 isolates. The ABLV lineage consisted of two variants; one (ybst-ABLV) consisted of isolates only from YBST bats, the other (pteropid-ABLV) was common to Black, Grey-headed and Little Red flying foxes. No associations were found between the sequences and either the geographical location or year found, or individual flying fox species. In Chapter 5, 15 inocula prepared from the brains or salivary glands of naturally-infected bats were evaluated by intracerebral (IC) and footpad (FP) inoculation of Quackenbush mice in order to select and characterize a highly virulent inoculum for further use in bats (Inoculum 5). In Chapter 6, nine Grey-headed flying foxes were inoculated with 105.2 to 105.5 MICED50 of Inoculum 5 divided into four sites, left footpad, pectoral muscle, temporal muscle and muzzle. Another bat was inoculated with half this dose divided into the footpad and pectoral muscle only. Seven of 10 bats developed clinical disease of 1 to 4 days duration between PI-days 10 and 19 and were shown to be ABL-positive by FAT, HAM immunoperoxidase staining, virus isolation in v mice, and TaqMan PCR. Five of the seven bats displayed overt aggression, one died during a seizure, and one showed intractable agitation, pacing, tremors, and ataxia. Viral antigen was demonstrated throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in the epithelial cells of the submandibular salivary glands (n=4). All affected bats had mild to moderate non-suppurative meningoencephalitis and severe ganglioneuritis. No ABLV was detected in three bats that remained well until the end of the experiment on day 82. One survivor developed a strong but transient antibody response. In Chapter 7, the relative virulence of inocula prepared from the brains and salivary glands of experimentally infected flying foxes was evaluated in mice by IC and FP inoculation and TaqMan assay. The effects in mice were correlated to the TaqMan CT value and indicated a crude association between virulence and CT value that has potential application in the selection of inocula. In Chapter 8, 36 Black and Grey-headed flying foxes were vaccinated with one (day 0) or two (+ day 28) doses of Nobivac rabies vaccine and co-vaccinated with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). All bats responded to the Nobivac vaccine with a rabies-RFFIT titer > 0.5 IU/mL that is nominally indicative of protective immunity. Plasma from bats with rabies titres > 2 IU/mL had cross-neutralising ABLV titres > 1:154. A specifically developed ELISA detected a strong but transient response to KLH.

Australian Boards and Performance: A Multi-Method Test of Three Theories of Governance

Nicholson, Gavin John — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

In this thesis I investigate how, if at all, boards of directors impact firm performance. To date, corporate governance research agendas have tended to concentrate on one particular role that a board performs. For example, agency theory concentrates on the monitoring role, resource dependence theory concentrates on the board providing access to resources and stewardship theory concentrates on the boards advice-giving or strategic role. While these approaches can provide specific (but limited) insights into how boards impact firm performance, there has been limited work that seeks to understand the board of directorsfirm performance relationship in its entirety. In order to pursue this broader agenda, I commence with a review of the corporate governance literature. The initial overview covers six theories of corporate governance and highlights how only three of these theories (resource dependence theory, agency theory and stewardship theory) directly relate to how the board impacts firm performance. I use these theories to develop a series of specific research questions about the relationships between various board demographic variables and firm performance. Following the literature review is a summary of the philosophical and methodological basis for the remainder of the research program. The first empirical study adopts the methodology used in international studies to investigate the link between boards and firm performance. I examine the relationships between board demographics and firm performance in 348 of Australias largest publicly-listed companies and describe the attributes of these firms and their boards. The need for this study is justified by the relatively modest sample sizes used in previous Australian studies and the differences in board composition between Australian boards and their international counterparts. For example, Australian companies more closely conform to best practice governance structures than their international counterparts. I find that, after controlling for firm size, board size is positively correlated with firm value. I also find a positive relationship between the number of board interlocks and the market-based measure of firm performance, Tobins q. I discuss the implications of these findings in light of the prevailing international research and conclude they are not robust enough to draw meaningful conclusions. The second empirical study responds to calls in the literature for a more processfocused research methodology by using qualitative case study analysis to examine links between the board of directors and firm performance. By employing a pattern matching analysis of five cases, I am able to examine the hypothesised links between board demography and firm performance expected under the three predominant theories in corporate governance research, namely agency theory, stewardship theory and resource dependence theory. I find that while each theory can explain a particular case, no single theory explains the general pattern of results. I conclude by endorsing recent calls for a more holistic, process-orientated approach to both theory and empirical analysis to understand better how boards add value. Following this case study investigation I revisited the data and undertook a post-hoc analysis designed to identify areas of potential theory development. Using a qualitative sensemaking approach aligned with grounded theory I identified eleven themes for inclusion in future theory development. The final substantive chapter of the thesis provides a model of board effectiveness that uses the construct of board intellectual capital to integrate the three predominant theories of corporate governance and illustrate how the board can contribute to corporate performance. I contend that boards wishing to improve their performance need to review their intellectual capital and in so doing I provide a practitioner-based framework to assist a board in assessing its level of intellectual capital. In particular, I highlight that any theory or model of corporate governance must be contingency based. That is, the relative composition of roles for a particular board at a point in time will depend on several factors including the growth trajectory of the organisation, the strength of the management team, whether a crisis situation exists, the strategic issues facing the organisation and, of course, the size and primary function of the organisation. Further, the level to which a board can adequately execute the roles required of it is determined by its intellectual capital, a construct that comprises four important dimensions: human capital; social capital; structural capital; and cultural capital. I conclude the thesis by summarising the major empirical findings and detailing the contributions of this work to theory, practice and public policy. The major conclusion of the thesis is that there are several different, sometimes conflicting roles that boards can execute to add value to the corporations they govern and, further, that there are numerous ways for a board to organise itself to carry out these roles. As a result of this research, academics and practitioners have a new framework to assist them to understand how boards contribute to firm performance.

Australian competition policy 1900-1974 : the political economy of the public interest

Gentle, Dorothy Geraldine. — 2011-04-27T00:00:00Z

Australian Corporate Regulation: Theory and Practice – The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Regulation of Corporate Misconduct

Vicky Comino — 2011-06-15T00:00:00Z

The focus of this thesis is to explore how, and to what extent, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in its original and primary role as corporate regulator can achieve more effective regulation of the corporations legislation. 'Effective' regulation is defined as involving two aspects namely, a proper structure and effective implementation of that structure. The thesis is divided into two broad parts. The purpose of the first part is to determine, by an examination of a variety of regulatory models, which of those models provides the most appropriate underlying theoretical approach for ASIC to guide its strategies and practice as corporate regulator. Special consideration, however, is given to strategic regulation theory in recognition that the core strategic concept of a 'pyramid of enforcement' underpinned fundamental reforms made in 1993 in Australia to the enforcement of the statutory duties of company officers by the introduction of the civil penalty regime, currently contained in Pt 9.4B of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Strategic regulation theory provides perspectives on how regulatory compliance can be secured most effectively. It argues that sanctions in the enforcement pyramid should escalate as contraventions of the law become more serious and that criminal liability should apply only for continued non-compliance or for the most serious breaches of the law. The second part of the thesis seeks to assess the extent to which strategic regulation theory has enabled ASIC to be an effective corporate regulator. It will be argued that the difficulties that ASIC has experienced concerning implementation of the pyramid have undermined and continue to undermine its ability to effectively regulate corporate misconduct. The thesis concludes by making recommendations, which should assist ASIC to be a more effective regulator and enable it to better meet the regulatory challenges of the future.

Australian futures contract pricing and hedging : the 90 Day Bank Accepted Bill Futures Contract and the Australian All Ordinaries Share Price Index Futures Contract

Heaney, Richard. — 2010-11-24T00:00:00Z

Australian glow-worms (Diptera: Keroplatidae: Arachnocampa spp.) : disbtribution, diversity, identity and management

Claire Baker — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Australian Legal Ramifications of Information System and Data Security Compromise: A review of issues, technology and law.

Quentin Cregan — 2010-04-13T00:00:00Z

Computer intrusions and attacks compromise individuals, companies and communities. Whilst it is clear that computer and information security studies point to a generalised increase in the number and sophistication of computer security attacks over the past decade and that nations now entirely rely upon computer systems, insufficient attention is paid to the protection of those systems. Computer data and network systems affect our everyday lives, from the supply-chain software that ensures that the shelves are stocked at the supermarket, to systems that manage finance and share markets. Compromises of computer security are, therefore, rightly seen both as an attack on those individual entities whose systems and information are compromised, and as a communal attack upon the people and organisations that rely upon or use computer systems, both directly and indirectly. The aim of this thesis is to give an analysis of computer system security, information protections and the legal ramifications of computer security compromise, notably, data security compromise in Australia. Ultimately, the aim is to address three overlapping questions: what are the ways in which systems are breached, what are the legal consequences of a breach and are those consequences adequate? This paper looks at the underlying technology and relationships between actors involved in the majority of security compromises and looks at the common factors in how systems and networks are attacked and actors damaged. The paper then goes on to look at criminal liability for security compromises and shows how a criminal analysis feeds into the proper civil law consideration of the topic. Finally, the paper looks at data security through the lens of privacy. Ultimately, this paper concludes that Australia is inconsistent in its legal responses to information security incidents. Such variations are based on the area of law being discussed and dependent on the breach methodology and outcome. The criminal law provides the most current and potent legal protection any business or individual has had in this field. This is followed by statutory privacy law which provides a narrow degree of coverage and provides only a weak conciliation process for addressing data security issues. Finally, common law and equity provide the most uncertain commercial remedies for those that suffer data security breach. This paper concludes that present protections are inadequate and uncertain, and that change is required.

Australian macrofungi as a source of antimicrobial compounds

Neeraj Bala — 2012-02-01T00:00:00Z

Plant-derived natural products have an ancient history of use in traditional as well as modern medicine. However, the therapeutic potential of natural products derived from fungi became evident only after the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin. Most of the fungi-derived pharmaceuticals have been sourced from microfungi such as Penicillium and Aspergillus. Recent interest in the discovery and development of new antimicrobials from natural and diverse sources has attracted wide-scale scientific attention towards macrofungi, owing to their well-acknowledged pharmacological potential in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to find new antimicrobial compounds from macrofungi. Limited research efforts have involved the evaluation of antimicrobial activities of Australian macrofungi. Therefore, the present study investigated 47 Australian macrofungi for their antibiotic potential. The fruiting bodies were collected from across Queensland, Australia. Collected specimens were freeze-dried and sequentially extracted using three solvents viz. water, ethanol and hexane. These extracts were initially tested against sensitive strains of one Gram+ve (Staphylococcus aureus) and one Gram-ve bacterium (Escherichia coli) in a high throughput 96-well microplate bioassay. Overall water and ethanol extracts were more effective against S. aureus than E. coli whereas a small number of hexane extracts showed better results for their antimicrobial potential against E. coli at higher concentrations only. From these preliminary data, the water and ethanol extracts of 12 macrofungi were identified, showing promising results against the two test pathogens. Therefore, these macrofungi were selected for further evaluation of their antimicrobial potential against a range of clinically important micro-organisms including two Gram+ve (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes) and two Gram-ve (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii) bacteria and two fungi (Geotrichum candidum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) along with their cytotoxic potential against human cancer cell lines. A degree of specificity in antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the water extract of Ramaria sp. and the ethanol extracts of Psathyrella sp. and Hohenbuehelia sp. which inhibited the growth of two fungal pathogens used in the assay. Interestingly, the water extract of Hohenbuehelia sp. and the ethanol extract of Ramaria sp. showed wider activity against one Gram+ve and one Gram-ve bacterium and both fungi. Therefore, these two macrofungi were carried forward towards the identification of the active component(s) responsible for activity via bioassay-guided fractionation. The water and ethanol extracts of the two selected macrofungi were fractionated and purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) yielding 25 fractions in total, from all the four extracts. The next step to be accomplished was to again test these fractions for their bio-activity. Therefore, different fractions from water and ethanol extracts were tested against the pathogens of interest i.e. against which the crude extracts had exhibited activity. The water extract of Ramaria sp. did not reveal any activity against any of the tested pathogens whereas fractions from water and ethanol extracts of Hohenbuehelia sp. revealed antifungal activity against either one or both the fungi. On the other hand, encouraging results were observed with the ethanol extract of Ramaria sp. where four fractions exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram+ve bacterium, B. cereus in addition to antifungal activity against both fungi. The purity of these fractions was confirmed using analytical HPLC. Remarkably, the fraction (F5) from Hohenbuehelia water extract and two fractions (F3 and F4) from Ramaria ethanol extract appeared to be almost pure, comprising one major component in addition to a few minor components and hence, were carried forward for the identification of the active components using analytical techniques (LC-MS and NMR). The active components in F5 turned out to be a mixture of phenylalanine and dipeptides while saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were identified in the bioactive fractions from Ramaria ethanol extract. However, due to limiting amounts of the samples available, it was not feasible to isolate individual components. Hence, to confirm their bioactivity further extraction and purification would be needed on a greater scale to facilitate isolation and identification of all the components and then individually testing those components.

Australian occupational therapists' practice in cognitive rehabilitation for clients after stroke: Congruence with current research evidence

Koh, Chia-Lin — 2008-06-27T00:00:00Z

Australian overseas cargo liner shipping : an economic policy analysis

Cassidy, Peter A. (Peter Anthony) — 2011-06-02T00:00:00Z

Australians at the Kodály Institute : reflections on the journey

King, Aleta. — 2013-04-11T09:22:36Z

Australians at the Kodály Institute: Reflections on the journey

King, Aleta — 2008-03-14T00:00:00Z

Australians on the move : internal migration in Australia, 1981-1986

Bell, Martin — 2012-07-31T00:00:00Z

Australian Union Membership Growth Strategies

Matthew Richard Tomkins — 2008-12-04T00:00:00Z

The dissertation examines the efficacy of trade union membership growth strategies. The dissertation’s central argument is that current union strategies will have a limited impact on membership growth. While unions are potential agents of membership growth, the scope of this agency is contingent on the resources they have at their disposal. Unions have a central position in generating the propensity and opportunity to unionise; they possess important human resources that link the organisation to employees; and they have the capacity to convert ideas into action so as to implement growth strategies. However, unions are resource dependent and without such resources unions are limited in what they can do. The dissertation employs quantitative techniques to analyse organisational-level census data drawn from the Australian National Trade Union Survey conducted in 1996. This is a unique source of data providing useful information on the key strategies and approaches unions have employed to promote membership growth. The dissertation’s principal findings are: that key aspects of the organising model were inadequate in promoting membership growth; internal organising strategies tended to fail under adverse circumstances; new technologies did not generally aid organising; and non-industrial services were inadequate in promoting growth under adverse conditions. Only where appropriate resources were developed and utilised, did current strategies promote membership growth. Organising model strategies performed better where restructuring achieved economies of scale and reduced membership competition. Workplace delegates promoted growth, generally, under adverse circumstances and where membership competition was at a minimum

Australia’s Defence and Foreign Relations with Indonesia, 1997-2010

Gabrielle Le Grand — 2012-02-27T00:00:00Z

This thesis examines relations between Australia and Indonesia from 1997 to 2010, with special focus on the areas most important to Australia’s interests, namely defence and aid. The ADF’s central role in the relationship, including the diplomatic and humanitarian aspects, is examined here in detail as well as general trends and issues that should receive greater acknowledgement and consideration within Australian foreign policy circles; for example, how Australia’s relationship with the US specifically colours subsequent dealings with Indonesia, and the vexed question of Australia’s involvement in East Timor. Of equal concern are the pressures exerted on the relationship by external regional and world issues. Responses to mutual threats from transnational terrorism and crime as well as assistance with natural disasters have had a tangible effect on Australia’s reputation in Indonesia, but not always to its advantage. Australia’s continuing and effective aid programs, however, do tend to provide continuing long-term benefits. The period covered in this thesis saw significant social and political changes in Indonesia and provides precedent for dealing with several of the continuing challenges facing the bilateral relationship today. Of particular interest are the insights available into Canberra’s repeated failures to engage Jakarta government to government, and into Canberra’s unfortunate propensity to alienate many of Indonesia’s most influential individuals. Many Indonesians tend to regard Australia with what President Yudhoyono has dubbed Australiaphobia. While it is true that there is a degree of acceptance, appreciation, and cooperation for and with Australia, it is still outweighed by habitual mistrust, suspicion and general estrangement. Sensitivities over territorial integrity, sovereignty and neo-colonialism coupled with what are perceived to be Australia’s arrogance and dubious motives in its dealings with the region to this day, still more than counter-balance any goodwill that has been established. Indonesian perceptions of Australia need to be seen as a complex cocktail and it behoves our policy-makers to take account of the range of reactions Jakarta has had to Australia’s behaviour over the past decade.

Authority and egolessness in the emergence and impact of Meher Baba (1894-1969)

Kerkhove, Ray. — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Authority, inspiration and heresy in gay spirituality

McCleary, Rollan Richard. — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Autoecology of Sporobolus pyramidalis with emphasis on seed ecology

Vogler, Wayne Douglas. — 2011-05-04T18:21:48Z

Automated UDD dragline digging algorithms

Samuel Leonard — 2011-10-10T00:00:00Z

Improvements in dragline efficiency of one percent can reduce costs by one million dollars per annum. However, dragline research on full scale machines is difficult due to large costs associated with non productive time. A solution to this problem is to develop scale models. There are however many problems associated with the use of scale draglines: operator variability and material variability. The actions of a human operator may not be reproducible. Material properties such as particle size distribution, moisture content, rock shape, rock length, overburden composition variability can also significantly impact results. Careful consideration of the material properties is required to achieve similarity between scale models and real scale draglines. The aim of the thesis was to develop a semi autonomous 1:25 scale UDD (Universal Dump and Drag) dragline that is capable of producing results statistically similar to a human operator. The scale dragline was modelled with: a geometrically similar scale dragline, an accurately scaled muckpile and a computer controlled digging algorithm. The scale dragline was drafted from manufacturer dimensions. A field trial was conducted to obtain operator data and material properties. A heuristic computer program was developed to mimic human operators. Laboratory results indicate similarity with field results within five percent. The metrics used for comparison were: dig energy, dig time, dig length, payload, energy per unit payload, and payload per unit time. The laboratory dragline successfully achieved similarity with the full scale dragline.

Automatic Bank Check Processing and Authentication using Signature Verification

Madasu, Vamsi-Krishna — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

Automatic processing of bank checks is a challenging research topic in the field of document analysis and recognition. Bank check processing is the process of automatic segmentation and recognition of the different data fields present on the bank check. In this process, the user entered handwritten information is automatically extracted from the check and recognized by a computer. Authentication is performed by comparing the handwritten signatures with the reference samples provided by the user. For the purpose of check processing, we have proposed a generic method for the automatic segmentation and identification of the information fields on a bank check. The uniqueness of this approach lies in the fact that it doesnt necessitate any prior information about the layout of the check and requires minimum human intervention. The various fields are segmented on the basis of their connectivity. Recognition of the fields is achieved based on the four newly devised fuzzy features, namely, average response, entropy, energy and quotient response. In addition to the proposed fuzzy features, Zernike moments have also been explored. A simple fuzzy logic based recognition approach is used to identify the various fields. The fuzzy features are able to identify all fields with reasonable accuracy but Zernike moments are found to distinguish the written matter from the printed matter only; hence these are used for coarse classification only. Automatic verification of handwritten signatures is fundamental to the authentication of bank checks. This thesis presents two approaches for handwritten signature verification using two different sets of features. In the first approach, additive fuzzy modeling has been employed to track the intrinsic variations in signatures samples of an individual for the twin purposes of signature verification and forgery detection. Innovative normalized angle features that uniquely characterize a signature are extracted by constructing a special grid which encloses the signature and divides it into ninety six local boxes. These features are then fuzzified by an exponential membership function, which has been modified to include two structural parameters. The structural parameters are devised to deal with innumerable variations in handwriting styles and personal characteristics. The membership functions constitute weights in the Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy model. The optimization of the output of the TS model with respect to the structural parameters yields their estimated values. Two cases are considered. In the first case, the coefficients of the consequent part of the rule are fixed so as to yield a simple form of TS model and in the second case, the coefficients are adapted. In this formulation, each fuzzy rule is constituted by a single feature and is implemented on the signature database. In the second formulation, only one rule encompassing all the features is considered. Experimental results demonstrate that the simple form of TS model in the first formulation is better than the one with coefficients adapted. In the second approach, edge features based on direction and hinge distribution are extracted from the signatures to create the knowledge base. Signature recognition is then performed using the fuzzy model derived from the Choquet integral. The output function in this model combines the fuzzy measures from input fuzzy sets and the resulting system is called non-additive fuzzy system unlike the output function in TS model where each coefficient corresponds to its own fuzzy set. This system is meant for modelling of the input fuzzy sets that have overlapping information. However, the performance of this system is found to be inferior to that of the additive fuzzy system as it is not able to detect forgeries effectively. To improve its performance, the decision from its model is fused with the decision of the simple TS model and a neural network classifier. Experimental results illustrate that although the fusion of verification algorithms produces better performance than any of the fused methods individually, it is still worse than the first approach using the grid features. Finally, a comparative analysis of well known static signature verification schemes is made on our signature database. The results clearly demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methods.

Automatic coding error isolation in computational simulation models : with application to wastewater treatment systems

Graham, Malcolm — 2007-08-24T18:29:10Z

Automaticity of the transcription process in the production of written text

Jones, Dian. — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Automatic mineral identification using BSE and EDS signals from an SEM

Dou, Mingxiao — 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

Automatic processing of spoken words in normals and aphasics : a mismatch negativity study

Pettigrew, Catharine Melainie — 2011-11-02T00:00:00Z