UQ Theses (RHD) - Official collection - UQ eSpace

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).

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 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 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

Australians at the Kodály Institute: Reflections on the journey

King, Aleta — 2008-03-14T00:00:00Z

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.

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 segmentation and analysis of Magnetic Resonance images of the knee bones and cartilages

Mr Jurgen Fripp — 2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

Autonomic Context Management System for Pervasive Computing

Peizhao Hu — 2009-10-16T00:00:00Z

Stepping into the 21st century, we see more and more evidence of the growing trend towards the amalgamation of cyberspace and the physical world. This trend emerged as computing technologies moved o_ desktops and migrated into aspects of our lives through their ubiquitous presence in the physical world. As these technologies become enmeshed in our daily routines, they begin to `disappear' from our awareness and cease to be thought of as technologies and simply become tools of everyday use. Yet even as they disappear, these technologies afford a new way for us to interact with the environments of everyday life and with the ordinary objects within these environments. The furthering of this vision will require, in many cases, the tools and applications to possess greater levels of autonomy and an awareness of the user's context. As a result, the applications gradually depend more and more for their behaviour on the information (context information) that is relevant to user interactions. However, it is difficult to develop new context-aware applications that take into account the ever-increasing amount of context information. This is because: the context information sources vary not only in their types, but also in their availability in different environments; the developers have to spend significant programming efforts in gathering, pre-processing and managing the context information when designing and developing the new applications; and, the information sources can fail from time to time, resulting in operational disruptions or service degradation. To make such context information easily and widely available for to new context-aware applications, there is a need to provide information provisioning and management at the infrastructure level. This thesis explores the issues and challenges associated with the development of an autonomic middleware system that addresses the problems discussed earlier, with a particular focus on supporting fault-tolerant context information provisioning for multiple applications, providing the support of opportunistic use of the context sources (the sensors) and, maximising overall the system's interoperability for the open, dynamic computing environments (Ubiquitous computing, for example). The research presented in this thesis makes several key contributions. First, it introduces a novel standards-based approach to model heterogeneous information sources and data preprocessing components. Second, it details the design of a standards-based approach for supporting the dynamic composition of context information sources and pre-processing components. This approach plays an important role in supporting fault-tolerant information provisioning from the sensors and the opportunistic use of these sensors. More specifically, it enables any given piece of high-level context information, as required by applications, to be derived via multiple different pre-processing models, resulting in a higher degree of reliability. Third, it describes the design and development of an autonomic context management system (ACoMS), which harnesses the first two contributions above. Finally, the thesis shows how this autonomic context management system can support context-aware routing in wireless mesh networks. These contributions are evaluated through two corresponding case studies. The first is a practical firefighting scenario with three prototypical applications that validate the design and development of ACoMS. The second is an adaptive wireless mesh surveillance camera system that validates the concept of adopting ACoMS as a cross-layer information plane to ease the prototyping and development of new adaptive protocols and systems, and illustrates the needs of adaptive controls at the sensing layer to optimise resource usage.

Autoregulation of Nodulation and Root Development in the Model Legume Lotus japonicus

Qunyi Jiang — 2009-04-27T00:00:00Z

The har1-1 mutant of Lotus japonicus line Gifu is characterised by increased nodulation and significantly inhibited root growth in the presence of its microsymbiont Mesorhizoboium loti (for example strain NZP2235). A sexual cross between the mutant and another L. japonicus genotype Funakura (with wild-type root and nodule morphology) demonstrated Mendelian recessive segregation of both phenotypes (for root and nodule) in 242 F2 individuals. No separation of phenotypes was observed, suggesting a single mutation with pleiotropic effects. Reciprocal grafting showed that the har1-1 controlled phenotype is governed by the shoot. Using a skeletal genetic map of arbitrary molecular markers produced from a Gifu x Funakura cross, the har1-1 locus was positioned between two markers at about 7 and 13 cM distance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and transgene sequences were detected by allele-specific PCR in DNA isolated from small (1 mg mass) individual seeds and half-cotyledon of the model legume Lotus japonicus, allowing fast determination of a seedling’s genomic status. This permitted a shortening of the breeding cycle for multi-trait seed lines. Fast neutron mutagenesis of Lotus japonicus wild-type genotype Gifu resulted in the first time isolation of a stable mutant (FNN5-2) unable to form nitrogen-fixing nodules in symbiosis with Mesorhizobium loti, though being infected by mycorrhizal fungi. The mutation behaves as a loss-of-function recessive, and has no other apparent phenotypic effects. Molecular characterization indicates a partial loss of the LjNFR1 LysM type receptor kinase gene. Additionally part of the LjNIN gene (encoding a putative transcription factor needed for nodulation) is also missing. Transcript levels for both genes are severely reduced. As LjNIN and LjNFR1 are in the same chromosomal region we tested whether this terminal portion is lacking. PCR analysis confirms that genes within the relevant interval (such as LjPAL1 (encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase) and LjEIL2 (encoding an ethylene insensitive-like response regulator)) are present, suggesting that the mutational event induced by the fast neutrons was either a double hit coincidently involving two nodulation-related genes, a major genome rearrangement, or a major segmental inversion. To develop an integrated nodule developmental model based on gene interactions in autoregulation, nodulation and plant hormone response deficient lines, HE double mutants have been built using the har1-1 mutant (hypernodulation and aberrant root) and the ethylene insensitive transgenic line Etr1-1. The homozygous loss-of-function mutant har1-1 has increased nodulation and decreased root growth. Ethylene insensitivity mediated by the transgene 35S::AtETR1-1 restores the normal root growth. The HE double mutants were confirmed by triple response test and allele- or gene-specific PCR. The current results in this study indicate that a) HE double mutants shown the same nodulation pattern as har1-1 and normal root formation as Etr1-1, suggesting that nodule and root control diverge at some stage with root control being ethylene-mediated and the Har1 gene, the orthologue of GmNARK is involved in nodulation. b) Grafting demonstrated that the shoot is the source of ethylene suppression of the har1-1 induced inhibition of root growth. c) The mutated Etr1-1 gene was able to replace AVG in BAP root inhibition; d) IPT-dependent cytokinin overproduction led to aberrant root architecture in har1-1; e) Crosstalk between ethylene and cytokinin in HE double mutant by qRT-PCR.

Availability of nitrogen in green cane trash blanketed soils in the wet tropics and its impact on productivity / profitability: a systems analysis

Mrs Elizabeth Meier — 2008-10-22T00:00:00Z

Avian patch occupancy and landscape genetics of logrunners (Orthonyx temminckii) in fragmented subtropical rainforests of South East Queensland

David Charles Pavlacky Jr. — 2008-11-26T00:00:00Z

The local extinction of habitat patches and dispersal between the patches are important processes structuring animal populations in heterogeneous environments. Understanding these two processes is crucial for the conservation of wildlife populations in landscapes impacted by human land-use. Approximately 50% of the subtropical rainforest in South East Queensland, Australia has been lost to deforestation over the last 100 years. While large areas of rainforest are reserved, little is known about the distribution and population status of rainforest birds within smaller remnants in the region. The overall research problem for this thesis was to understand how deforestation and fragmentation of subtropical rainforest affects the occurrence of rainforest birds and the effective dispersal of a rainforest-restricted species, the logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii). Understanding why some bird species are lost from habitat patches while others remain will lead to improved conservation of extinction prone species in fragmented landscapes. Although the mechanisms underlying local extinctions are well established in temperate systems, the relative importance of local and regional processes on species occurrence in subtropical and tropical rainforests is poorly understood. Chapter 2 investigated the relative effects of life history and scale of habitat modification on avian site occupancy using observational data collected at 46 rainforest sites in South East Queensland. A probabilistic model for the joint site occupancy of 29 bird species was used to evaluate hypotheses for the effects of avian life history traits on the occurrence of multiple species. The single-species occurrence models incorporated habitat effects on detection, which may be especially important in rainforests because dense vegetation and idiosyncratic occurrence of species can interfere with sampling. Occupancy rates for each species were modelled to determine the relative influence of process operating at the stand, landscape and patch scales. The life history analysis indicated taxonomic Family, body mass, migratory strategy and feeding strata had large effects on avian site occupancy, whereas abundance traits such as mean density and extent of occurrence showed little predictive ability. After accounting for correlated extinction risk attributed to life history, the degradation of stand structure at the local scale was more important for species richness than habitat modification at landscape or patch scales. While individual species showed various responses to the different scales of habitat modification, the distribution of many species was limited by vegetation structure at the landscape scale. Maintaining stand basal area and restoring degraded rainforests at the local scale will increase the probability of occupancy for members of the rainforest bird community. However, revegetation and retention of forest cover at the landscape scale may be necessary for the successful colonisation of many species. Chapter 3 introduced a predictive hypothesis-driven approach for quantifying the relative contribution of historic and contemporary processes to genetic connectivity. Current analytic frameworks in population genetics have difficulty evaluating meaningful hypotheses about spatial processes in dynamic landscapes. Confronting genetic data with models of historic and contemporary landscapes allowed the identification of dispersal processes operating in naturally heterogeneous and human-altered systems. Two measures of indirect gene flow were estimated from microsatellite polymorphism among 11 logrunner populations. Of particular interest was how much information in the genetic data was attributable to processes occurring in a reconstructed historic landscape and a contemporary human-modified landscape. A linear mixed model was used to estimate appropriate sampling variance from non-independent data and information-theoretic model selection provided strength of evidence for alternate hypotheses. The historic and contemporary landscapes explained an equal proportion of variation in genetic differentiation and there was considerable evidence for a temporal shift in dispersal pattern. Migration rates estimated from genealogical information were primarily influenced by contemporary landscape change. Landscape heterogeneity appeared to facilitate gene flow prior to European settlement, but contemporary deforestation is rapidly becoming the most important barrier to logrunner dispersal. Understanding asymmetric dispersal is becoming an important consideration for the conservation metapopulations. Populations acting as net exporters of dispersing animals may be able to rescue local populations from extinction and allow metapopulations to persist in degraded landscapes impacted by habitat loss. In Chapter 4, I estimated bidirectional migration rates from genetic data to infer dispersal among 11 logrunner populations. The first question posed was, does logrunner dispersal correspond to the source-sink or balanced model of dispersal? The second question involved determining the strength of evidence for two hypotheses about how landscape structure has affected asymmetric dispersal. Hypothesis one proposed that asymmetric dispersal was primarily influenced by naturally occurring habitat heterogeneity. Hypothesis two asserted that asymmetric dispersal was predominantly influenced by anthropogenic landscape change. The data were confronted with the alternate hypotheses using linear mixed models and landscape covariates extracted from digital maps. The results showed the direction of asymmetric dispersal was consistent with source-sink population structure. I also discovered that the asymmetry in dispersal was influenced more by anthropogenic landscape change than by naturally occurring habitat heterogeneity. Intact landscapes were net exporters of dispersing logrunners while landscapes heavily impacted by rainforest clearing were net importers of individuals. Elevated immigration rates into landscapes impacted by rainforest clearing appeared to arrest population declines in accordance with the rescue effect. The primary conclusion emerging from the study of patch occupancy and dispersal was that logrunner populations in South East Queensland conformed to a mainland-island metapopulation. Asymmetric dispersal from the largest expanse of upland rainforest appeared to prevent fragmented rainforests in close proximity from going locally extinct. While the distribution of logrunners was limited by the spatial configuration of rainforest patches, other rainforest birds exhibited variable responses to scale of habitat modification. The most consistent pattern was several species dropping-out of the community in degraded stands affected by selective timber harvest. Deforestation at the landscape scale also played a role in the extremely low patch occupancy rates of Albert’s lyrebirds (Menura alberti) and green catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris).

Avoidance filtering for human-commanded manipulation systems using constrained control

Michael Kearney — 2010-11-22T00:00:00Z

In the operation of many human-commanded machines it would be advantageous to have a control technology that assists the operator avoid collisions with obstacles. Electric mining shovels are a good candidate. These machine have slow dynamics requiring significant look-ahead by the operator to steer around obstacles. Should collision occur, with say a haul truck, the momentum of the machine is transformed into large damage-causing impact-forces. And because the field of view of the operator is often occluded, the operator may not be able to see obstacles (e.g. trucks) that need to be avoided. This thesis is concerned with the problem of determining how to alter the operator's command of such a machine to automatically avoid collision. A solution to this problem is termed an avoidance filter. Two avoidance filtering strategies are developed: (i) the receding horizon avoidance filter (RHAF) based on ideas of constrained model predictive control and (ii) the invariant set avoidance filter (ISAF) based on ideas from set-theoretic control. These two approaches are at different ends of the spectrum of constrained control methods and an aim of the work is to understand which is best suited to the problem. The RHAF adapts the model predictive control framework to solve a finite-horizon avoidance filtering problem at each time step. This problem is posed as a mixed-integer program with the constrained linear system dynamics and obstacles represented as inequalities. The thesis develops and evaluates a formulation of this approach focussing on how to efficiently represent obstacles within the mixed integer program. The ISAF uses set invariance properties to ensure that the state evolution of the system remains within a control invariant subset of the obstacle-free region of the state space. The ISAF algorithm is split into two parts: (i) offline calculation, where the appropriate control invariant subset is determined and (ii) online control where the operator command is altered to ensure that it remains within the control invariant set. This has the advantage of moving much of the computational effort offline. When the human-controlled system is described by a constrained linear model and obstacles are convex polytopes, the filtered command can be determined by the solving a linear or quadratic program for each polytope comprising the invariant set. Extensions to the ISAF are also developed to deal with disturbances and systems where one degree of freedom is periodic in position. The RHAF and the ISAF are evaluated experimentally through implementation on an electric mining shovel. Both algorithms were found to work. Present computing technologies limit the size of the problem that can be solve and this is a practical barrier to the pursuit of these ideas. However, the work provides a foundation on which future implementations, less restricted by computer speed, can be developed.

A Vulnerability-Stress-Coping Model Of Adjustment To The Individual Negative Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

Watson-Luke, Annette Robyn — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This research program represents the first systematic exploration of the subjective experience of alogia, anhedonia, attention problems, avolition, and emotional blunting, and its relation to other objective and subjective factors in schizophrenia. Using a combined rational-empirical approach, a vulnerability-stress-coping model of adjustment to the 5 negative symptoms was developed and tested. Three aspects of appraisal were examined, the primary appraisals of symptom severity and distress, and the secondary appraisal of control. The dimensions of coping with individual symptoms were initially examined using a rational approach, and then empirically using exploratory factor analyses. The Appraisal and Coping with Negative Symptoms Interview Schedule (ACNSIS) was developed for use in Study 1. Both qualitative and quantitative appraisal and coping data were examined for 20 people with negative symptoms. Responses to the ACNSIS demonstrated that appraisals and coping responses varied across participants and individual negative symptoms. Previously employed categorisations of coping behaviour were used to examine and quantify coping. Negative symptom-specific differences were found in awareness of negative symptom presence, degree of agreement with objective ratings, appraisals, reliance on different types of coping, and relations with participant characteristics. Participant coping responses from Study 1 were used to construct the self-report measure used in subsequent studies. Study 2 involved the development, administration, and evaluation of the selfreport Appraisal and Coping with Negative Symptoms Questionnaire (ACNSQ). Both an electronic and paper version of the ACNSQ were developed. The ACNSQ was administered to 120 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants were required to make severity, distress and control appraisals for each negative symptom they believed they were suffering from. Following symptom appraisals, a number of symptom-specific and general coping items were presented for each negative symptom. In Study 2A, the multidimensionality of coping responses and the nature of empirically derived subscales were explored individually for each negative symptom. Factor analyses of data from 119 participants resulted in 3 underlying coping dimensions for each symptom. These dimensions, which formed the basis of the ACNSQ coping subscales, were labelled as active, emotional, or avoidant forms of coping. Coping subscales were found to be moderately similar across symptoms. The subscales were shown to be internally consistent and largely independent within symptoms. It was found that the degree of reliance on particular coping subscales was negative symptom-specific, although participant coping was related across symptoms. In Study 2B, the nature of negative symptom appraisals and the psychometric properties of the ACNSQ were examined. There was evidence that the nature of appraisals varied according to negative symptom. Retest reliability analyses indicated that overall, ACNSQ appraisals had a low to moderate degree of reliability while coping subscales demonstrated a moderate to high degree of reliability. Differential associations between appraisal and coping and a range of theoretically related variables provided evidence of the construct validity of the ACNSQ. Study 3 used exploratory techniques to conduct cross-sectional tests of a vulnerability-stress-coping model of adjustment to individual negative symptoms based on the data of the 119 participants. Associations between the objective indicator of negative symptom stressor level, and the subjective experience variables of insight, appraisal and coping were examined in relation to adjustment using a multidimensional approach. Two models of the relations between negative symptom predictors and 3 separate domains of adjustment were investigated. Study 3A provided moderate support for a direct effects model for each of the 5 negative symptoms. Objective negative symptom level, insight, primary appraisals and coping subscales all had significant direct effects on one or more domains of adjustment. In general, higher objective negative symptom levels, higher severity and distress appraisals, and greater reliance on avoidant forms of coping were associated with poorer adjustment. The direct effects of active and emotional forms of coping were less consistent and varied across symptoms and adjustment domains. Study 3B extended these findings by providing a limited amount of support for a mediated effects model. Appraisal and coping were found to act as mediators in some of the relations between objective indicators and subjective experience variables for alogia, attention problems and avolition. There was evidence that the impact of insight on coping was partly mediated by control appraisals. Coping partly mediated the relation between stress and adjustment, and appraisal and adjustment. Overall, this series of exploratory studies make a unique contribution to understanding the subjective experience of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The proposed vulnerability-stress-coping model demonstrated utility in identifying variables important in the prediction of adjustment to individual negative symptoms, and in delineating the nature of associations between variables. Further research is required to improve the psychometric properties of the ACNSQ. However, it offers promise as an instrument with which to assess negative symptom appraisals and coping responses, in both clinical and research settings. The present findings have important theoretical and clinical implications concerning the role of subjective and objective factors involved in adjustment to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This research program provides a valuable foundation for future research to test the vulnerability-stress-coping model in its entirety.

Awareness of multiple dimensions of insight into schizophrenia: A comparison of patients with their relatives and clinicians

Allan, John — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

AIM: The aim of this thesis was to explore insight in schizophrenia from the perspectives of patients, relatives and clinicians. Insight scales were examined in order to collate items that were comprehensive with respect to key dimensions of insight but also sufficiently simple to allow use in everyday psychiatric practice. Background "Insight" describes the person's understanding of the nature of their mental illness. Assessment of insight for people with schizophrenia has always been an essential part of clinical practice. Often there are differences in understanding of the illness between patients, their relatives and their clinicians. Patients and relatives can feel that clinicians do not consider their views when making clinical decisions. Insight is multidimensional, more than just saying, "I have mental illness". It was postulated that the quality and range of what constitutes a lack of insight may vary according the viewpoint of the assessor. Another question was whether the scope of currently available insight scales was sufficient to encompass dimensions felt to be important to patients and relatives. The assessment of insight also has a transactional quality - the views of patients, relatives and clinicians interact in a dynamic fashion. There has been little direct assessment of the role of relatives in considering insight into psychosis, and limited consideration of the transactional nature of assessments of patient's insight. This study has a unique perspective. It looks at the assessment of patient's awareness of various dimensions of insight from three points of view patient, relative and clinician. STUDY DESIGN: Through consideration of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of existing Insight Measures, conducting focus groups of patients and relatives, and seeking expert opinion, the candidate proposed six dimensions of insight into schizophrenia to be studied in this three-way comparison: Awareness of the presence of symptoms or a change Acknowledgement it is a mental illness Expressed intention to or acknowledgement of the need to do something about the mental illness Actively engaging in (appropriate) treatment for the mental illness Patient's awareness of effects of their mental illness on the self Patient's awareness of effects of their mental illness on other people As no existing Insight Measure catered for multiple views over all of these dimensions, a number of new measures to supplement existing measures were devised. In this study, patients (n=39) with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder were assessed soon after admission to an acute psychiatry unit. They were invited to nominate a relative or significant other (n=28) who had close contact with the patient. Relatives were separately interviewed about the patient insight. The clinician's view of patient illness was assessed using Schedule for the Assessment of Insight Expanded Version (SAI-E), and the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). The patient's view was assessed by the New Insight Measure for patients (New IM) and the self-rated Markova & Berrios Scales. The SUMD and Markova & Berrios Scales were adapted for the relative assessment of patient awareness (SUMD-rel and M&Brel). Other measures assessed psychopathology (PANSS) and various clinical and demographic variables (Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis; DIP). In order to select appropriate measures for the clinician's view, the existing Insight Measures were also compared. A three-way comparison of views of patient awareness across the six dimensions was conducted. The clinical utility of all measures was considered. The measures were repeated at follow-up one year later. RESULTS: The new insight measures were generally easy to use and understood by the patients and relatives. There was some variation in scores for each of the six dimensions of insight reported by patients, relatives and clinicians indicating that they saw the dimensions as different. There was a high positive correlation for Acknowledgement it is a mental illness for all three reporters across time, but this was less consistent for the other dimensions. The key findings were that the patients and the clinician showed a significant positive correlation for Awareness of the effects of the illness on themself, while patients and relatives showed a significant positive correlation for Awareness of the effects of illness on others. These findings have relevance for clinical interaction and decision-making. There was limited change in overall insight scores or the pattern of correlations over the follow-up period, despite changes in psychopathology and mental health act status. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The study describes, for the first time, the similarities and differences in insight when assessed by patients, relatives and clinicians. When differences arise between patients, families and/or clinicians, these need not be dismissed as poor understanding on the relative's or patient's part. Family members have different views about patients' insights. The implications for clinical understanding of this are discussed. The proposed six dimensions of insight seen from the viewpoint of patient, relative and clinician are easily understood. The overall perspective developed in this thesis could inform a lexicon to describe aspects of clinical assessment and decision-making in areas such as compulsory treatment, compliance with treatment or understanding the effects of illness on self or others' all areas where insight into illness is usually considered.

Axon Growth and Guidance in the Embryonic Vertebrate Forebrain

Wilson, Nicole Helen — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

In the embryonic forebrain, pioneer axons establish a simple topography of dorsoventral and longitudinal tracts. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in elucidating the underlying molecular interactions that mediate pathfinding decisions in the growth cone, primarily through in vitro analyses, and examination of axon trajectories at the ventral midline or in the later-forming retinotectal projection. Despite this, the cues used by axons during the initial formation of the axon scaffold remain largely unknown. I have investigated the axon guidance role of Neogenin, a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily with identical secondary structure to the established Netrin receptor, Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC). Neogenin binds to the chemoattractive ligand Netrin-1, as well as to the chemorepulsive ligand Repulsive Guidance Molecule (RGMa). Despite this, an axon guidance role for Neogenin during early forebrain development is yet to be described. In this thesis, the relatively simple and well-characterised development of the Xenopus brain has been utilised to investigate the role of Neogenin in the development of the early scaffold of axon tracts in the vertebrate brain. A Xenopus orthologue of the Neogenin gene was cloned and characterised, and the expression of this gene in relation to the developing axon scaffold in the forebrain was examined. Neogenin was expressed in a principal nucleus of the developing forebrain, and in neuroepithelial cells underlying the main axon tracts. The specific role of Neogenin in the guidance of axons in the forebrain was assessed using a combination of gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches. Misexpression of Neogenin led to aberrant development of axon tracts emanating from a specific forebrain nucleus, and ectopic differentiation of neurons in the dorsal brain. These results implicated Neogenin in both neuronal differentiation and axon guidance in embryonic vertebrate forebrain. Analysis of loss-of-function embryos generated by morpholino knock down and dominant-negative approaches confirmed that correct spatiotemporal activity of Neogenin was essential for the formation of a specific dorsoventral tract in the forebrain, the supraoptic tract (SOT). In the subsequent chapter, the axon guidance activity of Neogenin was examined in more detail by investigating ligands that could be interacting with Neogenin during axon guidance in the developing vertebrate forebrain. Two Neogenin ligands were examined: RGMa and Netrin-1. Both of these genes were expressed in the developing Xenopus forebrain in patterns that were consistent with their potential role as Neogenin ligands. Morpholino knock down of either Netrin-1 or RGMa produced similar mutant phenotypes in the formation of the SOT to those observed following loss of Neogenin. To examine genetic interactions amongst these genes, I utilised a simultaneous partial knock down approach, which revealed dosage-sensitive interactions and verified that these receptors and ligands were acting in the same pathway. The results confirmed that Neogenin acts as an axon guidance molecule in vivo, and is required for accurate pathfinding by axons navigating the initial axon trajectories. The findings support a model whereby Neogenin-expressing axons respond to a combination of attractive and repulsive cues as they navigate their ventral trajectory. Finally, this thesis describes the identification and initial characterisation of a Neogenin paralogue in Xenopus, termed Neogenin1b. Morpholino knock down analyses suggested that Neogenin1b may function distinctly from its sister gene, despite >90% amino acid identity between them. These results provide the framework for future investigations into the axon guidance role of the Neogenin proteins. Taken together, this thesis demonstrates that Neogenin, RGMa and Netrin-1 contribute to the complement of guidance cues and cellular interactions that are needed for the establishment of the earliest forming axon pathways in the embryonic vertebrate forebrain. Furthermore, this study highlights the remarkable integrative ability of a single axon guidance receptor, which appears to respond to a combination of opposing cues to direct growth along a specific route.

A 25 000-year record of aeolian sedimentation from eastern Australia: A proxy for climate variability

Petherick, Lynda Margaret — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis presents a high resolution record of aridity in eastern Australia for the past 25 000 (ka) calendar (cal) years developed from aeolian dust archives to determine the position and strength of the Australian south east dust transport pathway through this period. Aeolian dust archives were extracted from a lake sediment core collected from the exposed lake bed of Native Companion Lagoon in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Native Companion Lagoon is rain fed and all mineral sedimentation was believed to result from aeolian processes alone. The sediment core was sampled at 5 mm intervals, then dried and ashed. Sixteen AMS radiocarbon dates revealed a sedimentation rate of approximately 1 m 10 ka-1, resulting in a temporal resolution of circa 50 years. Aeolian sedimentation (ash record) and moisture content showed an inverse relationship, with periods of high aeolian deposition corresponding to low moisture content, and vice versa, for the majority of the 25 ka record. Phases of increased aeolian sedimentation are considered to represent periods of increased aridity and drought in central and eastern Australia, and disturbance of the local sand dunes which impound Native Companion Lagoon. The highly coherent nature of both the aeolian sedimentation and moisture content records suggests that both proxies are sensitive indicators of climate variability. Key palaeoclimate events shown in the record include the Last Glacial Maximum, Heinrich I, the Antarctic Cold Reversal, an early Holocene climatic optimum and the Neoglacial. Seventy three of the ashed samples underwent ICP-MS geochemical analysis using 44 trace elements. The results of the geochemical analysis were used for two purposes: a) to separate local and continental fractions of the aeolian sedimentation record, and then b) to provenance the far traveled dust content to source areas in eastern and central Australia. This was achieved by developing a model for separating local and continental dust fractions using five trace elements as proxies for continental dust. This five-element average approach is a unique technique for accurately defining the fartraveled component of the dust record. Once determined, the continental component of the aeolian sedimentation record was provenanced to source areas using a ternary mixing model. Fifteen trace elements were selected as suitable for use in the ternary mixing model, which mixed a south east Queensland sediment sample and two potential continental dusts. Variations in dominance of various central and east Australian dust source areas through time revealed significant variability in the position and strength of the south east dust transport corridor. Changes in the dominance of continental source areas were directly related to changes in local palaeoclimatic and environmental conditions in response to large scale global forcings of climate, and in turn changes in regional synoptic scale circulation patterns. Importantly, the Australian landscape is shown to respond quickly to changes in climate. This insight is essential for understanding both past and future impacts of a changing climate on the most arid inhabited continent other than Antarctica.

Babylon Gets Rude: The Representation of Racial Violence in Black British Writing.

David Singh — 2009-11-16T00:00:00Z

This thesis examines the representation of racial violence in black British literature. Long part of the black British experience, from racial murder to premeditated campaigns of harassment targeting individuals and families, and to police brutality, racial violence has curiously attracted next to no critical attention. This is particularly true of fictive representations, where black writers have sought to capture and convey the embodiment of racism and particularly the nature of what bell hooks has described as “white terror”. This thesis argues that this lacuna is a consequence of the concern to establish admixture, as expressed by terms such as hybridity, syncretism, and creolisation, as the central point of reference in discussions about black British identities. Triumphal accounts of British multiculturalism have followed the success of this paradigm, although some seek to partially solemnise the celebrations with merely passing references to the victims of real life racial murders. Abstract notions of “becoming” deflect attention from uninterrupted processes of forcible essentialisation from without, where the “other” serves as handmaiden to the formation of white subjectivities. This is the case with violent racism, where subjective violence, or physical violence, operates in tandem with symbolic violence, or racialised stereotypes, to essentialise the “victim”. In so doing the perpetrator rapidly arrives at a form of white racialised subjectivity which however must be continually refreshed through further symbolic or physical violence. As Pnina Werbner has argued, these experiences have ontological significance for the victim also and the communities for which the victim was taken be a representative. However this significance has been largely ignored, or at least bracketed, in accounts bent on celebrating “new ethnicities” and postcolonial London, an emerging disciplinary field which, in John McLeod’s words, examines the ways that the capital’s “transcultural facticity has made possible new communities and forms of culture” and which have the added effect of disrupting the “pastoral articulation of English national culture”. This thesis seeks to qualify the revelry that animates these accounts by foregrounding literary representations of racial violence and harassment. Each representation, drawn by writers who have been heralded as multiculturalism’s new baristas, serves as a reminder that multiculturalism is not without fierce contestation and that black lives, if not marked by violence, are still very much at risk of being targeted in this way. The novels examined include: Diran Adebayo’s Some Kind of Black; David Dabydeen’s The Intended; Hanif Kureishi’s The Black Album ; Caryl Phillips’s A Distant Shore ; and Courttia Newland’s The Scholar. Writing myself into the thesis as a socially situated reader, each novel will be examined with a concern to highlight the representation of racial violence; the spatial significance of representations; responses to racial victimisation; and the “whiteness” at work in racist violence. Using interdisciplinary resources the thesis will attempt to build a theory of white subjectivity and racial violence and throughout there will be an overarching concern to determine whether these works articulate an anti-racist position and, if so, what this may be taken to say about black tenure in multicultural Britain.

Bacchylides' Songs for Hieron of Syracuse: a translation and part-commentary

Murphy, Paul Thomas — 2012-09-05T00:00:00Z

Background Oriented Schlieren technique for flow visualisation in shock tunnels

Ramanah, Dwishen — 2008-03-20T00:00:00Z

Bacterial Aggregation and Biofilm Formation by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Yanwen Cheryl-lynn Ong — 2009-06-26T00:00:00Z

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is one of the most common nosocomial infections and is caused by a range of different uropathogens, particularly by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Amongst the different virulence factors, biofilm formation and bacterial aggregation, often mediated by cell surface structures such as fimbriae, are common traits among uropathogens that cause CAUTI. In this study, a collection of UPEC isolates were screened for virulence genes and phenotypes associated with urinary tract infections such as biofilm formation and mannose-sensitive haemagglutination. Two strains, E. coli MS2027 (which formed a strong biofilm) and E. coli M184 (which aggregated strongly) were analysed in detail to determine the molecular mechanisms associated with these phenotypes. Transposon mutagenesis of E. coli MS2027 identified type 3 fimbriae as the factor responsible for its strong biofilm growth. Further screening revealed the presence of type 3 fimbriae in uropathogenic Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae and other E. coli. Phylogenetic analysis of the type 3 fimbrial (mrkABCD) genes from these strains revealed they clustered into five distinct clades (A-E) ranging from one to twenty-three members. The majority of the sequences grouped in clade A, which was represented by the mrk gene cluster from the genome sequenced K. pneumoniae strain MGH78578. We demonstrated that type 3 fimbriae are functionally expressed by different Gram negative nosocomial pathogens and present evidence to suggest that they contribute significantly to catheter colonisation. The type 3 fimbrial genes from E. coli MS2027 were found to be located on a conjugative plasmid. Sequencing and annotation revealed that this 42,644 bp plasmid, named pMAS2027, contains 58 putative genes. Bioinformatic analysis identified pMAS2027 as an incompatibility X (IncX1) plasmid. Plasmid pMAS2027 contained genes encoding two important virulence factors, type 3 fimbriae and a type IV secretion (T4S) system. The biofilm ability was solely based on the expression of type 3 fimbriae and not the T4S system. The T4S system, however, accounted for the conjugative ability of pMAS2027. Differential tagging with fluorescent reporter genes demonstrated conjugative transfer of pMAS2027 between cells during biofilm growth. Finaly, transposon mutagenesis of E. coli M184 revealed a number of putative genes potentially responsible for bacterial aggregation. Of these, genes involved in the synthesis of the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) were shown to be associated with an aggregation phenotype.

Bacterial Community Dynamics and Molecular Ecology within the Rumen of Bos indicus Cattle Fed Tropical Diets

Andrew Wilson — 2011-03-14T00:00:00Z

This study investigated community structure and dynamics of bacterial populations within the rumen of Bos indicus cattle fed diets based upon tropical pasture species common in northern Australian beef production systems, with the aim of identifying bacterial communities and member species that might correlate to increased efficiency of microbial growth, increased rate of fibre breakdown and increases in the amount of microbial protein produced in the rumen. The initial experiment (Experiment 1) focussed upon the effects of four hay types (tropical Speargrass (2.6 % CP), Mitchell/Flinders grass (3.0 % CP), Pangola (7.6 % CP) and Ryegrass (20.0 % CP)) upon rumen bacterial speciation and dynamics across liquid- and solid-associated fractions of digesta. The following experiment (Experiment 2) investigated the use of targeted nitrogen supplements (urea, casein and branched-chain amino acids + phenylalanine) in an attempt to enhance the efficiency of microbial protein production and growth of fibrolytic bacteria on two common tropical pasture types (Mitchell/Flinders grass and Pangola). Following these experiments, investigation into the phylogenetic identification of dominant bacteria, the metabolic activity of rumen species and the isolation of dominant novel cellulolytic bacteria were attempted. It was hypothesised that alterations in dietary composition, both in the case of hay type and the addition of nitrogen supplements, would account for clear changes in rumen bacterial community composition and the efficiency of microbial protein production. The analysis of rumen bacterial communities from Experiment 1 examined the distribution of bacterial species in relation to fibrous digesta and their response to dietary change by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bacteria were divided into four fractions: the liquid fraction, the loosely associated fraction, the closely associated fraction and the tightly adherent fraction. No significant differences were observed between fractions associated with solid digesta, however it was demonstrated that distinct microbial populations existed in the liquid- and solid-associated phases of the rumen community. Furthermore, hay type demonstrated limited significant effects upon the diversity of species detectable by DGGE within these communities, with common and dominant bands most likely to be significant contributors to microbial protein remaining stable across all treatments. Parallel rumen function data demonstrated a significant improvement in the efficiency of microbial crude protein production (eMCP) with improving diet quality. Phylogenetic sequence analysis confirmed that the bacteria responsible for the most dominant bands detected were members of the Firmicutes phylum that had not previously been isolated or characterised. Isolation attempts failed to acquire any novel bacteria directly associated with these bands however the cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium chartatabidum was able to be successfully cultured. Attempts to improve the efficiency of microbial protein production in Experiment 2 demonstrated that the provision of supplemental rumen degradable nitrogen (RDN) in different forms produced variable effects within the rumen bacterial community, dependent upon the nutritional value of the basal hay with which they were supplied. Analysis of DGGE patterns demonstrated no significant effect of RDN supplementation upon the rumen bacterial community across both tropical hay types and moreover no subsequent improvement in eMCP values was observed. Once again, a number of dominant bacteria were detected across a number of animals on all dietary treatments, but alterations in the banding patterns of sub-dominant community members were also evident. In an attempt to explain the limited responses observed within the rumen bacterial community, an examination of bacterial metabolic activity was carried out. A reverse-transcriptase protocol for the comparison of RNA-derived DGGE profiles to gDNA-derived profiles was evaluated and trialled with a small culture experiment. The application of this assay to examine bacterial metabolic activity within a steer prior to and up to 8 hours after feeding revealed no apparent changes in dominant banding patterns in either 16S rRNA-derived or 16S rRNA gene-derived profiles. This suggests a community-based proportional response by all bacterial species, where metabolic activity (number of copies of 16S rRNA) increased directly in proportion to presence within the population, with an increase in nutrient availability in the rumen. Overall, the results from this study suggest the presence of a stable functional “core” of dominant bacterial species that appear to be important in the breakdown of digesta within the rumen of Bos indicus cattle, despite considerable variability in the nutritive value of the diets fed in this study. This “core” population is central to the function of the rumen and thus may be heavily involved in influencing the observed community-based response to improved nutritional conditions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the most dominant members of this stable core were not related to any previously documented cellulolytic or fibre-associated bacteria and these species remain uncharacterised. Additionally, due to their dominance within rumen bacterial community profiles, they are likely to contribute significantly to the amount of microbial protein received by the animal. A significant shift in microbial populations was not observed despite an improvement in diet quality or supplementation, even though eMCP increased with increasing hay quality. Considerable scope exists for further work to understand the ecology of the rumen and what factors govern its speciation, dynamics and growth to increase the efficiency of microbial protein production and associated animal performance in tropical production systems.

Bacterial Leaching of Chalcopyrite Ore

Canfell, Anthony John — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

Bacterial leaching utilises bacteria, ubiquitous to sulphide mining environments to oxidise sulphide ores. The sulphide mineral chalcopyrite is the most common copper mineral in the world, comprising the bulk of the known copper reserves. Chalcopyrite is resistant to bacterial leaching and despite research over the last 20-30 years, has not yet been economically bioleached. Attempts have been made to use silver to catalyse the bacterial leaching of chalcopyrite since the early seventies. The majority of reported testwork had been performed on finely ground ore and concentrates in agitated batch reactors. This project used silver to catalyse the bioleaching of chalcopyrite in shake flasks, small columns and large columns. The catalytic effect was extensively studied and experimental parameters were varied to maximise copper recovery. Silver was also used to catalyse the ferric leaching of chalcopyrite at elevated temperatures. It was noted that the leaching performance of chalcopyrite in shake flasks compared to columns was markedly different. The specific differences between shake flasks and columns were qualified and separately tested to determine which parameter(s) affected the bioleaching of chalcopyrite. It was found that the ore to solution ratio, aeration, addition of carbon dioxide, solution distribution and small variations in the leaching temperature did not significantly effect the bioleaching of chalcopyrite ore in columns. The method of silver addition to columns did significantly affect the overall copper extraction. The ore in shake flasks was subjected to abrasion between ore particles and with the base of the flask. A test was designed to mimic the shake flask conditions, without the abrasion. The low abrasion test performed similarly to a column, operated with optimum silver addition. This indicated that the inherent equipment difference between shake flask and column operation largely accounted for the difference in leaching performance. Chalcopyrite ore was biologically leached in large columns. The ore crush size and other conditions were typical of those used in the field. The biological leach achieved 65% copper extraction in 160 days. This level of copper extraction is significantly higher than any previously reported results (typically /10% copper extraction) and represents a significant advance in the bacterial leaching of chalcopyrite ore. Due to the inherent high temperature within underground stopes, it was decided to investigate the possibility of separating the leaching and the bacterial oxidation stages. The concept of separate bacterial and ferric leaching has been previously suggested, however the application to a stope, and heat exchange between the process streams was a novel approach. Large column ferric leaches at 70 oC illustrated the technical feasibility of this process. Copper extraction was rapid and high (70% in 100 days of leaching), even when a reduced level of silver catalysis was used. After leaching in large columns, samples of ore were taken for analysis by optical mineralogy. The analysis gave valuable insights into the nature of reaction passivation on chalcopyrite ore. In particular, it was discovered that the precipitation of goethite was a major limiting factor in the bioleaching and ferric leaching of chalcopyrite in columns. In addition, reduced sulphide species were detected on the surface of residual chalcopyrite, giving an indication of the sequential nature of the chalcopyrite reaction chemistry. The bacterial population was characterised using DNA techniques developed during the project. Qualitative speciation was carried out and compared between the columns, down the columns and over time in a column. Comparison of these populations enabled greater mechanistic understanding of the role of bacteria in the leaching of chalcopyrite. This work was the most comprehensive attempt to date made to delineate the complex microbiological/mineral actions using analysis of population dynamics from a mixed inoculum. It was found that the iron oxidiser Thiobacillus ferrooxidans dominated within the columns and leach solutions. The sulphur oxidiser Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans was also prevalent in the columns, particularly during the period of rapid chalcopyrite oxidation. The high temperature, ferric leaching of chalcopyrite was unexpectedly poor in the first round of large columns. The reason for the low extraction was attributed to an increase in pH down the column, resulting in excessive goethite precipitation. The solution flowrate (velocity) was increased by ten times in subsequent columns. There were no operational problems (e.g. break-up of ore agglomerates). The increase in flowrate resulted in a high yield of copper. The kinetics of extraction were faster than a corresponding bacterial leach, confirming the potential advantage of a high temperature leach. The small column studies highlighted that it was important to get an even distribution of silver down the stope to enable maximum catalytic effect. If the ore were agglomerated, silver would be added with acid at that point. However, it may not always be possible to agglomerate the ore. For example, the process may be used in-situ on a fractured ore body, or on an ore that has a low fines content, and hence does not require agglomeration. Various complexing agents were tested for their ability to distribute silver at the start of the leach and to recover silver at the end of the leach. For instance when silver was complexed with thiourea and then trickled through the ore, an even distribution of silver was achieved. After leaching was completed, a thiourea wash recovered a significant amount of the silver. These two techniques minimised the amount of silver required and thus significantly added to the economic viability of the process. The success of the technical work has led to an evaluation of the process in the field. A flowsheet was developed for the high temperature, in-stope ferric leach of chalcopyrite. An economic analysis was performed that illustrated the process would be viable in certain situations. An engineering study considered issues such as acid consumption, aeration, silver distribution, silver recovery and a heat balance of the stope.

Bactrocera tryoni Volatiles: Spiroacetal Structure, Synthesis and Biosynthesis

Booth, Yvonne — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

The Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni is the most damaging horticultural pest in Australia having in excess of 200 host plants and being found all along the eastern coast. The annual cost to the horticultural industry from this species alone, is estimated to be AUD$500 million, through lost production, population monitoring and control programs. Current control methods are based on a combination of insecticides, bait sprays, chemical lures and the release of sterile males, all of which have inherent problems. Therefore, recent interest has focused on the development of pheromone based control measures, which are more species specific and environmentally benign. However, for this type of approach to become viable a detailed knowledge of pheromone biosynthesis in the target species is essential. This thesis describes the delineation and disruption of biosynthetic pathways to some of the minor spiroacetal components released by B. tryoni. Chapter one provides an overview of previous research into spiroacetal biosynthesis in Bactrocera species and describes the nomenclature and characteristic mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of spiroacetals, which are referred to throughout this thesis. The suite of spiroacetals produced by female B. tryoni is introduced, as well as those from the closely related fruit fly species B. cucumis, B. cacuminata and B. oleae. The proposed biosynthetic pathways to the major spiroacetal component are summarised for each of these species, with the importance of the cytochromes P450 being highlighted. Chapter two describes an investigation into the biosynthesis of the unusual C12 spiroacetal, 2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and C13 spiroacetal, 2-methyl-8-propyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane in B. tryoni. The syntheses of over thirty potential precursors, with the majority bearing deuterium labels, are described. This required the development of divergent synthetic routes, which would allow for the introduction of isotopic labelling and characterisation of the deuterated products by 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectrometric analysis. The potential precursors were then administered to female B. tryoni and the level of deuterium incorporation into 2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane or 2-methyl-8-propyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane qualitatively monitored by analysing the volatile fly emissions by SPME coupled GCMS. From the relative incorporation levels and the identification of some of the exceptionally minor spiroacetals, which were also biosynthesised (in particular 2-methyl-8-ethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.6]dodecane), it was ultimately possible to conclude that B. tryoni biosynthesises these minor spiroacetals from fatty acids via 2,6-dioxygenated precursors and presumably by a modified fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. The third chapter describes a detailed investigation into the possibility of P450 mediated hydroxylation of a diketone intermediate rather than a hydroxy ketone being the penultimate biosynthetic step. The synthesis and administration of specifically labelled [2-2H]-2-hydroxydodecan-6-one and [2-2H]-2-hydroxytridecan-6-one provided direct evidence for the former, as the precursors were respectively converted into 2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and 2-methyl-8-propyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]-undecane with retention of the deuterium label. Even though the alternative pathway could not be ruled out, the former was further supported by the synthesis and administration of 2-hydroxy-2-methyldodecan-6-one which was converted into the non-natural spiroacetal, 2,2-dimethyl-8-ethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Conversely, the loss of deuterium label from the synthesised and administered mono-oxygenated precursors, [2-2H]dodecan-2-ol and [2-2H]tridecan-2-ol and the lack of incorporation from 2-methyldodecan-2-ol confirmed that the early biosynthetic steps proceed through a C2 ketone, which is in agreement with a modified β-oxidation type pathway. Chapter four describes the identification, synthesis and characterisation of two novel spiroacetals biosynthesised by B. tryoni. The first, 2-methyl-8-ethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro-[5.6]dodecane, is noteworthy not only as the second member of this spiroacetal system but also as its first disubstituted derivative. Furthermore, this spiroacetal, which was determined to have a high enantiomeric excess in favour of the (2S,6R,8S)-isomer in vivo, played a pivotal role in determining that spiroacetal biogenesis in B. tryoni occurred via 2,6-dioxygenated precursors. The second spiroacetal, 2-ethyl-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane is a rare branched chain spiroacetal, which was also determined tentatively to have (2S,6R,8S)-stereochemistry in vivo. However, the biological origin of the branch-position with the required (2S) stereochemistry is still uncertain. The final chapter describes the synthesis of acetylenic compounds based on the highly incorporated potential precursors, which irreversibly bind to and inhibit the action of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in spiroacetal biosynthesis. Preliminary results from the administration of these inhibitors, followed by precursors to either 2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane or 2-methyl-8-propyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane indicated that two inhibitors resulted in a decrease in production of these spiroacetals in B. tryoni and so show promise for future applications.

Balance of Control between Users and Context-Aware Pervasive Systems

Bob Hardian — 2009-05-15T00:00:00Z

Context-awareness in pervasive computing environments can reduce user interactions with computing devices by making applications adaptive and autonomous. Context-aware applications rely on information about user context and user preferences to guide their own behaviour. However, context-aware applications do not always behave as users expect due to imperfection of context information, incorrect user preferences or incorrect adaptation rules. This may cause users to feel loss of control over their applications. To mitigate these problems, context-aware systems must provide mechanisms to strike a suitable balance between user control and software autonomy. Allowing users to scrutinise the system and allowing the system to sometimes include users in the adaptation decision making, can provide a balance of user control. This thesis addresses the shortcoming in development of context-aware pervasive systems with regard to providing balance between user control and software autonomy. The thesis shows that rather than making a context-aware application a complete black box, it is possible to allow user control of application adaptations. The system can reveal to the user what context information the system uses and how it arrives at adaptation decisions if the user requests such information. The user may decide to alter the adaptive behaviour of the system to achieve desired outcomes. Hence, a context-aware application becomes a closed loop system where the user is put into the loop if requested. The proposed approach is developed under an assumption that users differ in the level of their technology expertise and therefore the system has to provide explanations that are suitable for a particular level of user expertise. The thesis makes two important research contributions: design of the architectural framework and development of the platform exposing autonomic behaviour of context-aware applications. The architectural framework supports developers of context aware-applications in providing balance of control between users and software autonomy. The framework describes a set of models that allow revealing the adaptation behaviour of context-aware applications in a way suitable for users with various levels of expertise. The framework consists of: (i) a model for exposing elements that influence the context-aware behaviour, (ii) a generic architecture for providing balance of control, (iii) a user model, and (iv) a context graph based overview of context-aware adaptations. The platform exposing autonomic behaviour of context-aware applications is a proof of concept prototype of a software infrastructure (middleware) providing balance of control. The software infrastructure includes: (i) a Semantic Manager, developed to serve the description of elements required for explanations of the application behaviour; (ii) an extension of the PACE Middleware, to enable the middleware to expose the context information, preferences, adaptation rules and their evaluation traces, respectively. (iii) supporting tools for the application designer to prepare the overview of context-aware adaptations and review the evaluation traces. Finally, this thesis presents a case study that illustrates and evaluates the system supporting balance of control. This evaluation involves the existing application which is developed using the previous version of the PACE middleware. The case study validates the architectural framework and illustrates the process and issues involved in developing context-aware application that are able to expose elements that influence context-aware behaviour.

Balearic Visions: The Shifting Image of the Balearic Islands in the Travel Accounts of British Visitors (1903-1939)

Eduardo Moya Anton — 2012-03-31T00:00:00Z

This project is a comparative literary and cultural study of the textual and visual images of the Balearic Islands provided by British travellers from 1903 to 1939. Nowadays the Balearic Islands represent an important reference in the imagination of leisure and tourism in contemporary Europe. Critics have established the first decades of the twentieth century as being the beginning of the tourist industry on the islands. Since those days, however, the image of the islands has shifted, and has developed considerably from a quiet and pastoral winter resort to a popular destination for pleasure-seeking tourists and “sea ’n’ sun” tourism. Taking these last representations as a starting point, the thesis travels back in time to explain how, why and by whom these images were created/shifted/developed and the discourses that sustained them. In order to analyse the evolution and shifts in the representation of the Balearics, the method of analysis followed has been that of imagology, within the field of comparative literature. This analytical approach studies the images, stereotypes, clichés and prejudices that a nation expresses about other nations in literature, art or other forms of expression. Imagology is particularly useful in studying travel accounts, since it not only considers the tools of literary analysis, but also those of historical and cultural studies, with regard to topics like identity, tradition and national stereotypes. After an analysis of contextual factors and sensibilities in Great Britain and in the Balearics, this thesis looks at how the travel narratives adopted already existing images and recreated them or proposed new ones. The depiction and the evolution of topics like ‘travel’, ‘tourism’, ‘authenticity’, ‘landscape’, ‘South’, ‘North’, ‘margin’, ‘centre’, ‘locality’, ‘people’, ‘costumes’ and ‘customs’ have been scrutinized in order to establish their contribution to the formulation of a Balearic identity in the first third of the twentieth century. In the first decade of the twentieth century, the images recreate Romantic travel accounts in which the South/Mediterranean represents an indolent yet passionate marginal world. British travellers to the islands depict an Oriental paradise undiscovered by the tourist. Edwardian travellers, in the first decade of the twentieth century, construct a utopian Southern space that represents the ancient values lost in an industrialized home. After the First World War, travellers to the islands seek individualistic experiences to fulfil the exotic fantasies and dreams of which they were deprived during the war. These discourses of leisure lead to the construction of an ultra-exotic place consecrated to pleasure. The islands, however, did not all suffer the same pattern of representation. This thesis explains why discourses sustain some places as exotically marginal while others are rejected as commonplace. The outcome of this study is significant since here has been very little previous research on tourism to the Balearics in the early twentieth century. This thesis explains the discursive elements that have sustained the Balearics as a consistent and continuous textual recreation as a place of leisure and pleasure. This helps the cultural analyst to understand certain contemporary social practices and imagery that are nowadays associated with the islands. The results of this study are relevant for the academic fields of travel literature, history of tourism, cultural history, comparative studies, sociology, cultural anthropology and, more broadly, the history of ideas.

Bali in the new Indonesia: constructing compatible nationalisms

Prideaux, Jillian Heather — 2012-10-12T00:00:00Z

Bamaga diptych, Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Seaside Dancers after couplets by E.E. Cummings

Mills, Richard — 2008-11-21T00:00:00Z

This thesis is three compositions.

Banning Ethnicity, Rewriting History: Rwanda’s Prevention of Violent Ethnic Conflict after Genocide

Angelique Burguez — 2011-02-10T00:00:00Z

Following the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, the new Rwandan government made the prevention of further violent conflict between Hutu and Tutsi groups one of its primary priorities. To date, it would appear that the government has largely succeeded in this undertaking. Since soon after the genocide, large-scale violent ethnic conflict has been absent from within Rwanda. This thesis is about how the Rwandan government has prevented the return of ethnic conflict in Rwanda, and whether its prevention measures are likely to be sustainable in the long term. The thesis finds that the Rwandan government has employed measures that attempt to target both surface level and root causes of violence. In conflict prevention terms, it has conducted operational conflict prevention and structural conflict prevention respectively. The government’s operational prevention involved removing immediate causes of instability and violence using military and police-like measures. The army arrested individuals suspected of involvement in the genocide, quashed uprisings, staged excursions into neighbouring Zaire to target militia who had participated in the genocide, and forcefully closed refugee and internally displaced persons camps. While these measures did remove these sources of instability, they did so at a cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Rwanda’s structural prevention has targeted what the government sees as the primary underlying cause of violence in Rwanda – the very existence of ethnic groups themselves and a national history narrative which focuses on ethnic difference, division and antagonism. The government has instituted a ban on ethnicity – it has outlawed the use of ethnic labels and groupings in all forms of political, economic, social and cultural life. It has paralleled its ban with a project to rewrite Rwanda’s history narrative in a way that highlights the potential for unity and a pan-Rwandan identity. However, these structural prevention measures have not yet succeeded in ridding Rwanda of ethnicity, and in inculcating a new understanding of Rwanda’s history. Rwandans know who is Hutu and who is Tutsi, fear and mistrust remain for many, and Rwandans remember a violent and fractured past. Further, the heavy handed way in which the government has implemented its operational and structural prevention measures has fuelled new grievances, particularly surrounding the deaths of so many Rwandans during the forceful closures of refugee camps and excursions into Zaire. While these old and new underlying sources of potential conflict in Rwanda go unaddressed, the stability that the government has created will remain vulnerable to triggers of violence, many of which could prove beyond the government’s control.

BARRA BAWUJI MARRIRRU, LHABA ANYMAYA, ANYNGKARRIYA KI-AWARAWU! STOP! BE QUIET! LISTEN TO COUNTRY! A Yanyuwa Informed and Critical Reflection on Place, Belonging, Culture and Sustainable Futures

Steve Johnson — 2012-02-28T00:00:00Z

This thesis draws on a lifetime of experiences living and working with Aboriginal Australians. The questions posed are framed against this background, with research focusing primarily on the Northern Territory, in the context of relationships forged there over years, with the Yanyuwa people living in and around Borroloola in the south west Gulf of Carpentaria. Arguments presented throughout, suggest that in the troubled history between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians, many things have changed over time while many more have not. Some constants remain: for one, the sense of deep attachment to and affinity for country that many Yanyuwa (and other Indigenous) people still express through rich kinship narratives, song, ceremony and ritual; for another, an overriding tendency amongst many external experts and commentators – in current settings both Indigenous and non Indigenous – to dismiss or sweep aside these rich narratives in the quest for hard and fast material truths. Throughout this document, I will argue from a Yanyuwa informed perspective that this contest originates in disparate perceptions of the relationship between people and place. These initial observations lead to a wide ranging critique of Western philosophy, science and ultimately modernity at large. In developing this critique, Yanyuwa perceptions of landscape are key enablers, but so too are some of the concepts found within those traditions subject to critical scrutiny. Many physical scientists speak of a conscious modesty within Western philosophy and science. This modesty also finds expression in the social sciences; notably in the long standing anthropological axiom “through the study of others we may learn more about ourselves” and more recently in a growing trend towards reflexive cross-cultural studies. Out of this blend emerge areas of complementarity as well as contest – Indigenous and non Indigenous – and examples of both are presented throughout the text. In the final analysis though, evidence presented from either side of the “cultural divide”, suggests that this „conscious modesty‟ may be dissipating in the face of a materially based, market driven “species of reason” that acknowledges no human potential other than its own and in terms of environmental sustainability appears eminently unreasonable. This contention underpins the entire thesis. For many Yanyuwa people evidence of this flawed reasoning is littered across the landscape and clearly evident in the human alienation pervading both Indigenous and non Indigenous social realms. These critical commentaries challenge the taken for granted assumptions and ensuing “blind spots” that perpetuate such reasoning, and cast them as akin to a loss of the capacity to listen, hear, sing for and join in with country; in translation, to lose sight of the interdependence that binds human and environmental futures, hard and fast.

Basal ganglia control of anticipatory postural adjustments: effects of Parkinson's disease and its treatments

Hall, Leanne Marie — 2012-08-10T00:00:00Z