2007 Higher Education Research Data Collection - UQ eSpace

A bang-bang PLL employing dynamic gain control for low jitter and fast lock times

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Bang-bang phase detector based PLLs are simple to design, suffer no systematic phase error, and can run at the highest speed a process can make a working flip-flop. For these reasons designers are employing them in the design of very high speed Clock Data Recovery (CDR) architectures. The major drawback of this class of PLL is the inherent jitter due to quantized phase and frequency corrections. Reducing loop gain can proportionally improve jitter performance, but also reduces locking time and pull-in range. This paper presents a novel PLL design that dynamically scales its gain in order to achieve fast lock times while improving fitter performance in lock. Under certain circumstances the design also demonstrates improved capture range. This paper also analyses the behaviour of a bang-bang type PLL when far from lock, and demonstrates that the pull-in range is proportional to the square root of the PLL loop gain.

A basin system and fluid-flow analysis of the Zn-Pb-Ag Mount Isa-type deposits of Northern Australia: Identifying metal source, basinal brine reservoirs, times of fluid expulsion, and organic matter reactions

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A Bayesian approach for population pharmacokinetic modelling of sirolimus

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A Bayesian hierarchical model for categorical longitudinal data from a social survey of immigrants

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

The paper investigates a Bayesian hierarchical model for the analysis of categorical longitudinal data from a large social survey of immigrants to Australia. Data for each subject are observed on three separate occasions, or waves, of the survey. One of the features of the data set is that observations for some variables are missing for at least one wave. A model for the employment status of immigrants is developed by introducing, at the first stage of a hierarchical model, a multinomial model for the response and then subsequent terms are introduced to explain wave and subject effects. To estimate the model, we use the Gibbs sampler, which allows missing data for both the response and the explanatory variables to be imputed at each iteration of the algorithm, given some appropriate prior distributions. After accounting for significant covariate effects in the model, results show that the relative probability of remaining unemployed diminished with time following arrival in Australia.

A Bethe ansatz solvable model for superpositions of Cooper pairs and condensed molecular bosons

Hibberd, K. E. og Dunning, C. og Links, J. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

We introduce a general Hamiltonian describing coherent superpositions of Cooper pairs and condensed molecular bosons. For particular choices of the coupling parameters, the model is integrable. One integrable manifold, as well as the Bethe ansatz solution, was found by Dukelsky et al. [J. Dukelsky, G.G. Dussel, C. Esebbag, S. Pittel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93 (2004) 050403]. Here we show that there is a second integrable manifold, established using the boundary quantum inverse scattering method. In this manner we obtain the exact solution by means of the algebraic Bethe ansatz. In the case where the Cooper pair energies are degenerate we examine the relationship between the spectrum of these integrable Hamiltonians and the quasi-exactly solvable spectrum of particular Schrodinger operators. For the solution we derive here the potential of the Schrodinger operator is given in terms of hyperbolic functions. For the solution derived by Dukelsky et al., loc. cit. the potential is sextic and the wavefunctions obey PT-symmetric boundary conditions. This latter case provides a novel example of an integrable Hermitian Hamiltonian acting on a Fock space whose states map into a Hilbert space of PE-symmetric wavefunctions defined on a contour in the complex plane. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A bibliographic snapshot of the telemedicine citation literature

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

There appear to have been no previous literature-based or literature-oriented studies in telemedicine which have analysed raw citation data. Using a simple search strategy, the Web of Science was analysed up to the end of 2005 to give a snapshot of the field, and to identify matters which would need to be considered in larger scale bibliometric studies. Of the 3673 telemedicine documents retrieved, 2213 (60%) had been cited. Of 56,875 citation records, 32,460 unique citation formats were found. The most-cited paper, and the paper with the greatest annual citation rate, was Perednia and Allen's review article in JAMA, 1995. The two specialist telemedicine journals published 40% of all papers retrieved. In the general literature (i.e. excluding the two specialist journals) there were 1556 citations to their 1374 'citable' articles, apportioned in the ratio 76:24, almost exactly in accordance with the distribution of the articles themselves. However, each of the two specialist telemedicine journals cited itself in a proportion higher than its share of original articles, with an 'excess' of self-citations of 14% in the journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, and 19% in the Telemedicine journal and E-Health. Despite certain technical difficulties, there is considerable scope for bibliometric research in telemedicine.

Ab initio studies of hydrogen desorption from low index magnesium hydride surface

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

The low index Magnesium hydride surfaces, MgH2(001) and MgH2(110), have been studied by ab intio Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the MgH2(110) surface is more stable than MgH2(001) surface, which is in good agreement with the experimental observation. The H-2 desorption barriers vary depending on the crystalline surfaces that are exposed and also the specific H atom sites involved-they are found to be generally high, due to the thermodynamic stability of the MgH2, system, and are larger for the MgH2(001) surface. The pathway for recombinative desorption of one in-plane and one bridging H atom from the MgH2(110) surface was found to be the lowest energy barrier amongst those computed (172 KJ/mol) and is in good agreement with the experimental estimates. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A blank slate? Layer-by-layer deposition of hyaluronic acid and chitosan onto various surfaces

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Although poly(alpha-hydroxy esters), especially the PLGA family of lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymers, have many properties which make them promising materials for tissue engineering, the inherent chemistry of surfaces made from these particular polymers is problematic. In vivo, they promote a strong foreign-body response as a result of nonspecific adsorption and denaturation of serum proteins, which generally results in the formation of a nonfunctional fibrous capsule. Surface modification post-production of the scaffolds is an often-utilized approach to solving this problem, conceptually allowing the formation of a scaffold with mechanical properties defined by the bulk material and molecular-level interactions defined by the modified surface properties. A promising concept is the so-called blank slate: essentially a surface that is rendered resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption but can be readily activated to covalently bind bio-functional molecules such as extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors or polysaccharides. This study focuses on the use of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to follow the layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic deposition of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and chitosan onto PLGA surfaces rendered positively charged by aminolysis, to form a robust, protein-resistant coating. We further show that this surface may be further functionalized via the covalent attachment of collagen IV, which may then be used as a template for the self-assembly of basement membrane components from dilute Matrigel. The response of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts to these surfaces was also followed and shown to closely parallel the results observed in the QCM.

A bloom of Lyngbya majuscula in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia: An important feeding ground for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Lyngbya majuscula, a toxic cyanobacterium, was observed blooming during June-July (winter) 2002 in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia, an important feeding area for a large population of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). The bloom was mapped and extensive mats of L majuscula were observed overgrowing seagrass beds along at least 18 km of coast, and covering a surface area of more than I I km(2). Higher than average rainfall preceded the bloom and high water temperatures in the preceding summer may have contributed to the bloom. In bloom samples, lyngbyatoxin A (LA) was found to be present in low concentration (26 mu g kg(-1) (dry weight)), but debromoaplysiatoxin (DAT) was not detected. The diet of 46 green turtles was assessed during the bloom and L. majuscula was found in 51% of the samples, however, overall it contributed only 2% of the animals' diets. L. majuscula contribution to turtle diet was found to increase as the availability of the cyanobacterium increased. The bloom appeared to have no immediate impact on turtle body condition, however, the presence of a greater proportion of damaged seagrass leaves in diet in conjunction with decreases in plasma concentrations of sodium and glucose could suggest that the turtles may have been exposed to a Substandard diet as a result of the bloom. This is the first confirmed report of L. majuscula blooming in winter in Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia and demonstrates that turtles consume the toxic cyanobacterium in the wild, and that they are potentially exposed to tumour promoting compounds produced by this organism. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aboriginal art - it's a white thing: Framing whiteness

Nicoll, F. J. — 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

A Bronchoscopic scoring system for airway secretions - Airway cellularity and microbiological validation

2007-08-15T09:40:21Z

There is currently no validated scoring system for quantification of airway secretions in children. A user friendly, valid scoring system of airway secretions during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) would be useful for comparative purposes in clinical medicine and research. The objective of this study was to validate our bronchoscopic secretion (BS) scoring system by examining the relationship between the amount of secretions seen at bronchoscopy with airway cellularity and microbiology. In 106 children undergoing FIB, the relationship of BS grades with bronchocalveolar lavage (BAL) cellularity and infective state (bacterial and viral infections) were examined using receptor operator curves (ROC). BAL was obtained according to European Respiratory Society guidelines; first lavage for microbiology and second lavage for cellularity Area under the ROC was significant for total cell count (TCC) and neutrophil % but not for lymphocyte %. BS grade significantly related to infection positive state (chi(2)(trend) = 5.85, P = 0,016). The area under the ROC for infection positive state versus BS grade was 0.645, 95% Cl 0.527-0.763. The BS scoring system is a valid method for quantifying airway secretions in children undergoing bronchoscopy The system related well to airway cellularity and neutrophilia, as well as to an airway infective state. However, the system is only complementary to cell counts and cultures and cannot replace these laboratory quantification techniques.

A calreticulin-like protein from endoparasitoid venom fluid is involved in host hemocyte inactivation

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

During oviposition, most endoparasitoid wasps inject maternal factors into their hosts to interfere with host immune reactions and ensure successful development of their progeny. Since encapsulation is a major cellular defensive response of insects against intruding parasites, parasitoids have developed numerous mechanisms to suppress the host encapsulation capability by interfering with every step in the process, including recognition, adherence and spreading. In previous studies, components of Cotesia rubecula venom were shown to inhibit melanization of host hemolymph by interfering with the prophenoloxidase activation cascade and facilitate expression of polydnavirus genes. Here we report the isolation and characterization of another venom protein with similarity to calreticulin. Results indicate that C rubecula calreticulin (CrCRT) inhibits hemocyte spreading behavior, thus preventing encapsulation of the developing parasitoid. It is possible that the protein might function as an antagonist competing for binding sites with the host hemocyte calreticulin, which mediates early-encapsulation reactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A case study of a high growth metropolitan spill over, sea change and tree change community

Christie, M. J. og Rowe, P. A. — 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Accelerated leap methods for simulating discrete stochastic chemical kinetics

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Biologists are increasingly conscious of the critical role that noise plays in cellular functions such as genetic regulation, often in connection with fluctuations in small numbers of key regulatory molecules. This has inspired the development of models that capture this fundamentally discrete and stochastic nature of cellular biology - most notably the Gillespie stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA). The SSA simulates a temporally homogeneous, discrete-state, continuous-time Markov process, and of course the corresponding probabilities and numbers of each molecular species must all remain positive. While accurately serving this purpose, the SSA can be computationally inefficient due to very small time stepping so faster approximations such as the Poisson and Binomial τ-leap methods have been suggested. This work places these leap methods in the context of numerical methods for the solution of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) driven by Poisson noise. This allows analogues of Euler-Maruyuma, Milstein and even higher order methods to be developed through the Itô-Taylor expansions as well as similar derivative-free Runge-Kutta approaches. Numerical results demonstrate that these novel methods compare favourably with existing techniques for simulating biochemical reactions by more accurately capturing crucial properties such as the mean and variance than existing methods.

Accelerators and politics in postwar Japan

Low, M. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Accessing oral health care in Australia

Marshall, R. I. og Spencer, A. J. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Access to assets: Older people with impaired capacity and financial abuse

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Access to death certificates: What should research ethics committees require for approval?

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

PURPOSE: To present and discuss the reactions of research ethics committees (RECs) in a number of countries when asked for approval Of a study requiring access to death certificates to identify the physicians signing the certificates and to send them a four-page questionnaire about medical decisions made at the patient's end-of-life that could possibly have hastened death. METHODS: A simple questionnaire were sent to the responsible national investigator in an international study (Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland) asking about the interactions between the national research group and the national/regional REC(s). RESULTS: Different laws or guidelines were used by the RECs. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland did not require an application to a REC. In Australia and Sweden, the RECs wanted changes in the research protocol, and one national research group had to refrain from publishing its results because the attrition rate became too high, probably due to the required changes in the protocol. RECOMMENDATIONS: Generally, similar demands from all RECs in relation to one project are strongly desirable. In epidemiological research, in which Voluntary completion of an anonymous questionnaire demonstrates consent, additional prior informed consent about being approached should not be required.

Access to drinking-water and arsenicosis in Bangladesh

2007-10-17T00:00:00Z

The discovery of arsenic contamination in groundwater has challenged efforts to provide safe drinking-water to households in rural Bangladesh. Two nationally-representative surveys in 2000 and 2002 investigated water-usage patterns, water-testing, knowledge of arsenic poisoning, and behavioural responses to arsenic contamination. Knowledge of arsenicosis rose between the two surveys among women from 42% to 64% but awareness of consequences of arsenic remained limited; only 13% knew that it could lead to death. Behavioural responses to arsenic have been limited, probably in part because of the lack of concern but also because households are uncertain of how best to respond and have a strong preference for tubewell water even when wells are known to be contaminated. Further work conducted by the survey team highlighted the difficulties in providing alternative sources of water, with many households switching back to their original sources of water.

Accidental Competencies: Is Engineering Education Simply a Complex System?

Walther, J. og Radcliffe, D. F. — 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Accountability for the intellectual property of Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (Cth) Commonwealth Authorities

Lawson, C — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Accounting for management costs in sensitivity analyses of matrix population models

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Traditional sensitivity and elasticity analyses of matrix population models have been used to p inform management decisions, but they ignore the economic costs of manipulating vital rates. For exam le, the growth rate of a population is often most sensitive to changes in adult survival rate, but this does not mean that increasing that rate is the best option for managing the population because it may be much more expensive than other options. To explore how managers should optimize their manipulation of vital rates, we incorporated the cost of changing those rates into matrix population models. We derived analytic expressions for locations in parameter space where managers should shift between management of fecundity and survival, for the balance between fecundity and survival management at those boundaries, and for the allocation of management resources to sustain that optimal balance. For simple matrices, the optimal budget allocation can often be expressed as simple functions of vital rates and the relative costs of changing them. We applied our method to management of the Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix; an endangered Australian bird) and the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as examples. Our method showed that cost-efficient management of the Helmeted Honeyeater should focus on increasing fecundity via nest protection, whereas optimal koala management should focus on manipulating both fecundity and survival simultaneously, These findings are contrary to the cost-negligent recommendations of elasticity analysis, which would suggest focusing on managing survival in both cases. A further investigation of Helmeted Honeyeater management options, based on an individual-based model incorporating density dependence, spatial structure, and environmental stochasticity, confirmed that fecundity management was the most cost-effective strategy. Our results demonstrate that decisions that ignore economic factors will reduce management efficiency.

Accounting for SGARAs: A stocktake of accounting practice before compliance with AASB141 'Agriculture'

Herbohn, K. F. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Accounting for uncertainty in marine reserve design

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Ecosystems and the species and communities within them are highly complex systems that defy predictions with any degree of certainty. Managing and conserving these systems in the face of uncertainty remains a daunting challenge, particularly with respect to developing networks of marine reserves. Here we review several modelling frameworks that explicitly acknowledge and incorporate uncertainty, and then use these methods to evaluate reserve spacing rules given increasing levels of uncertainty about larval dispersal distances. Our approach finds similar spacing rules as have been proposed elsewhere - roughly 20-200 km - but highlights several advantages provided by uncertainty modelling over more traditional approaches to developing these estimates. In particular, we argue that uncertainty modelling can allow for (1) an evaluation of the risk associated with any decision based on the assumed uncertainty; (2) a method for quantifying the costs and benefits of reducing uncertainty; and (3) a useful tool for communicating to stakeholders the challenges in managing highly uncertain systems. We also argue that incorporating rather than avoiding uncertainty will increase the chances of successfully achieving conservation and management goals.

Acculturation and eating disorders in Asian and Caucasian Australian university students

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

This study aimed to compare the attitudes and psychopathology of eating disorders of Asian and Caucasian university students using a survey method. The study also investigated the relationship between acculturation, attitudes and psychopathology of eating disorders in sub-groups of Asian girls. There were 130 Asian and 110 Caucasian adolescent girls, aged 18–24 who were screened using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2) and an Acculturation Index. The Asian group did not have higher mean EAT score than the Caucasian group, but had higher mean score in some sub-scales of the EDI-2. Eating disordered attitudes and psychopathology was not significantly different in the low compared to the high accultured Asian girls. This study suggests that Asian and Caucasian university students in Western Australia are equally susceptible to eating disorders, and that the level of acculturation does not modify the susceptibility of Asian students for eating disorders.

Accuracy and feasibility of online 3-dimensional echocardiography for measurement of left ventricular parameters

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Accuracy of paediatric echocardiographic transmission via telemedicine

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Accuracy of pre-recorded video images for the assessment of rural indigenous children with ear, nose and throat conditions

2007-10-17T00:00:00Z

We compared the accuracy of ear, nose and throat (ENT) assessments made by a specialist in the conventional face-to-face (FTF) manner with assessments made using pre-recorded information, i.e. history and video recording of the ears, nose, face and throat. 58 patients, mainly of indigenous background, agreed to participate in the study (median age 6 years, interquartile range 4-8). They were assessed FTF by a specialist and then at least two months later were assessed by the same specialist on the basis of video clips and history recorded by a research nurse. A consensus panel of otolaryngologists compared the diagnosis and management from the original face-to-face appointment and the review of the pre-recorded material. Of the 58 assessments, the diagnosis was the same in 47 cases (81%). Where differences in opinion occurred, four were considered to be related to the quality of baseline history and seven were thought to be related to the examination. Decisions related to clinical management (including treatment) were identical in 44 cases (76%). Where differences were identified, six were related to quality of history and seven associated with the examination. When intra-observer agreement was measured, there were variations in up to 10% of cases which may explain some of the discrepancies in the cases reviewed. The study confirms that pre-recorded video images are useful for the assessment of common ENT conditions. It also demonstrates the potential of a telemedicine application for the early detection and monitoring of indigenous children at high risk of developing chronic diseases that cause hearing loss.

Acetohydroxyacid synthase and its role in the biosynthetic pathway for branched-chain amino acids

McCourt, J. A. og Duggleby, R. G. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

The branched-chain amino acids are synthesized by plants, fungi and microorganisms, but not by animals. Therefore, the enzymes of this pathway are potential target sites for the development of antifungal agents, antimicrobials and herbicides. Most research has focused upon the first enzyme in this biosynthetic pathway, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) largely because it is the target site for many commercial herbicides. In this review we provide a brief overview of the important properties of each enzyme within the pathway and a detailed summary of the most recent AHAS research, against the perspective of work that has been carried out over the past 50 years.

A Chinese Mandarin translation and validation of the Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS)

Wang, W. og Lopez, og Thompson, D — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Acibenzolar-S-methyl and methyl jasmonate treatments of glasshouse-grown freesias suppress post-harvest petal specking caused by Botrytis cinerea

Darras, AI og Joyce, DC og Terry, LA — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Compounds that activate host plant defence responses potentially offer socio-environmentally sound alternative methods for disease control. In a series of glasshouse trials over 2 years, pre-harvest sprays with acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were tested for suppression of post-harvest infection of cut Freesia hybrida L. flowers by Botrytis cinerea. For the ASM treatments, variability in reducing the incidence of B. cinerea disease was observed between years freesia varieties, incubation temperatures and ASM concentrations. In the first year, the greatest reductions in lesion numbers on ASM-treated var. 'Cote d'Azur' were recorded using 2.86 mM ASM. For three different post-harvest temperature regimes, the relative reductions in lesion numbers, compared to untreated controls, were 45% at 5 degrees C, 40% at 12 degrees C and 30% at 20 degrees C, respectively. In the second year, lesion numbers were most reduced using 1.43 mM ASM to treat freesia var. 'Dukaat' flowers. Here, the relative reductions were to 44% at 5 degrees C, 26% at 12 degrees C and 51% at 20 degrees C. MeJA treatments were, in general, more consistently effective than ASM treatments in reducing lesion numbers and lesion diameters on cut freesia flowers. MeJA-treated (0.2 mM) freesia flowers (var. 'Dukaat') incubated at 20 degrees C showed relative reductions of 62%, and 45% for lesion number and lesion diameter, respectively. The differing efficacy between ASM and MeJA treatments could be attributed to their differential abilities to induce the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated vs. the jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated host defence pathways, respectively.

A class of human exons with predicted distant branch points revealed by analysis of AG dinucleotide exclusion zones

2007-08-16T00:00:00Z

A class of self-stabilizing MCA learning algorithms

Ye, M. og Fan, X. Q. og Li, X. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

In this letter, we propose a class of self-stabilizing learning algorithms for minor component analysis (MCA), which includes a few well-known MCA learning algorithms. Self-stabilizing means that the sign of the weight vector length change is independent of the presented input vector. For these algorithms, rigorous global convergence proof is given and the convergence rate is also discussed. By combining the positive properties of these algorithms, a new learning algorithm is proposed which can improve the performance. Simulations are employed to confirm our theoretical results.

A combined spectrophotometric and morphometric study of the lunar mare dome fields near Cauchy, Arago, Hortensius, and Milichius

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

In this Study we examine the spectral and morphometric properties of the four important lunar mare dome fields near Cauchy, Arago, Hortensius. and Milichius. We utilize Clementine UV vis mulfispectral data to examine the soil composition of the mare domes while employing telescopic CCD imagery to compute digital elevation maps in order to determine their morphometric properties, especially flank slope, height, and edifice Volume. After reviewing previous attempts to determine topographic data for lunar domes, we propose an image-based 3D reconstruction approach which is based on a combination of photoclinometry and shape from shading. Accordingly, we devise a classification scheme for lunar Marc domes which is based on a principal component analysis of the determined spectral and morphometric features. For the effusive mare domes of the examined fields we establish four Classes, two of which are further divided into two subclasses, respectively, where each class represents distinct combinations of spectral and morphometric dome properties. As a general trend, shallow and steep domes formed out of low-TiO2 basalts are observed in the Hortensius and Milichius dome fields, while the domes near Cauchy and Arago that consist of high-TiO2 basalts are all very shallow. The intrusive domes of our data set cover a wide continuous range of spectral and morphometric quantities, generally characterized by larger diameters and shallower flank slopes than effusive domes. A comparison to effusive and intrusive mare domes in other lunar regions, highland domes, and lunar cones has shown that the examined four mare dome fields display Such a richness in spectral properties and 3D dome shape that the established representation remains valid in a more global context. Furthermore, we estimate the physical parameters of dome formation for the examined domes based on a rheologic model. Each class of effusive domes defined in terms of spectral and morphometric properties is characterized by its specific range of values for lava viscosity, effusion rate, and duration of the effusion process. For our data set we report lava viscosities between about 10(2) and 10(8) Pas, effusion rates between 25 and 600 m(3) s(-1), and durations of the effusion process between three weeks and 18 years. Lava viscosity decreases with increasing R-415/R-750 spectral ratio and thus TiO2 content; however, the correlation is not strong, implying an important influence of further parameters like effusion temperature on lava viscosity.

A community-based wildlife survey: the knowledge and attitudes of residents of suburban Brisbane, with a focus on bandicoots

Fitzgibbon, S. I. og Jones, D. N. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Within the expanding city of Brisbane in south-east Queensland, numerous fragments of native and regrowth vegetation are scattered across the largely urbanised landscape. These fragments provide refuge to a great diversity of native wildlife, and, provide residents with the opportunity to experience nature on their doorstep. To assess the diversity and abundance of this wildlife, recent changes in these parameters, and the value of wildlife and bushland fragments to residents of Brisbane, a questionnaire survey was distributed to 300 households each located adjacent to one of 38 urban bushland fragments. A total of 172 surveys (57%) were returned, producing 768 records of 83 fauna species, dominated by birds and mammals; bandicoots were widely reported from the 38 fragments. Several historical records provided evidence of recent local extinctions within fragments, highlighting the continuing declines in various species of native wildlife within Brisbane. Several human-wildlife conflicts were identified, but overall residents were tolerant of such conflicts. Bandicoots were disliked by a small minority (3%) of residents owing to the holes they dig in lawns and gardens in search of food. and their potential as vectors of ticks. Most respondents expressed ail appreciation for the presence of native wildlife (96%) and bushland fragments (97%) in their local area, emphasising the importance of incorporating human dimension values into the management of this urban biodiversity.

A community nurse referral system for HMRs: Can it work?

Kyle, G. og Nissen, L. M. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

The HMR model contains a mechanism whereby anyone who is concerned about the risk of medication misadventure can request a HMR from the patient's GP. Since nurses are widely involved in a range of triage and gatekeeping roles, utilising their primary care skills to identify patients for a HMR is a logical extension of this role. Furthermore, community nurses visit their clients in the home situation and see many difficulties the client may be experiencing at first hand. They are therefore well placed to request specialist assistance for the client. Blue Care in Brisbane, a community nursing service, approached its local Division of General practice to determine how best to request HMRs for its clients. The Division contacted The University of Queensland which initiated this study to engage the health care team to tailor the established HMR request process to the needs of community nurses and test the system developed. (non-author abstract)

A Compact Argumentation System for Agent System Specification

Song, I. og Governatori, G. — 2006-06-30T00:00:00Z

We present a non-monotonic logic tailored for specifying compact autonomous agent systems. The language is a consistent instantiation of a logic based argumentation system extended with Brooks' subsumption concept and varying degree of belief. Particularly, we present a practical implementation of the language by developing a meta-encoding method that translates logical specifications into compact general logic programs. The language allows n-ary predicate literals with the usual first-order term definitions. We show that the space complexity of the resulting general logic program is linear to the size of the original theory.

A Comparative Study of Student Learning Styles in Hospitality and Tourism Management. A Hierarchical Perspective

Barron, P E — 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

A comparison of Australian men with psychotic disorders remanded for criminal offences and a community group of psychotic men who have not offended

2008-03-28T00:00:00Z

Background: People remanded into custody by the courts have a substantially higher rate of severe mental disorder than other prisoners and the general population. Knowledge of their prevalence, needs and characteristics and an analysis of pathways to care may be necessary to provide mental health care effectively and efficiently. Previous prison studies focusing on psychotic offenders have suffered from the use of instruments not validated in a forensic setting and lack of a relevant comparison group. Method: The Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis (DP) is a composite semi-structured standardized interview schedule. It combines social and demographic descriptors with measures of functioning adapted from the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS). The remand centre surveyed had 466 cells and is the main remand and reception centre for males for the southern region of the state of Queensland, Australia. Of the 621 men screened, 65 answered yes to at least one question in the DP and were interviewed. Results: Six hundred and twenty-one remandees were screened and of these 61 were interviewed as screened positive for psychotic disorder. Thirty-five per cent had been homeless for an average of 32 weeks during the previous year. Most had had little contact with families or close friends. Eighty-one per cent were receiving no treatment at the time of offence. Seventy-eight per cent were unemployed and in receipt of a pension. Eighty per cent were dependent on alcohol, cannabis or amphetamines. Statistical issues of power are detailed in the text. Conclusions: The simplistic 'prison, hospital or community treatment' debate is misleading. Instead, the development of flexible preventative, management and accommodation services for people with severe mental disorder who have committed offences is a priority.

A comparison of different choices for the regularization parameter in inverse electrocardiography models

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Calculating the potentials on the heart’s epicardial surface from the body surface potentials constitutes one form of inverse problems in electrocardiography (ECG). Since these problems are ill-posed, one approach is to use zero-order Tikhonov regularization, where the squared norms of both the residual and the solution are minimized, with a relative weight determined by the regularization parameter. In this paper, we used three different methods to choose the regularization parameter in the inverse solutions of ECG. The three methods include the L-curve, the generalized cross validation (GCV) and the discrepancy principle (DP). Among them, the GCV method has received less attention in solutions to ECG inverse problems than the other methods. Since the DP approach needs knowledge of norm of noises, we used a model function to estimate the noise. The performance of various methods was compared using a concentric sphere model and a real geometry heart-torso model with a distribution of current dipoles placed inside the heart model as the source. Gaussian measurement noises were added to the body surface potentials. The results show that the three methods all produce good inverse solutions with little noise; but, as the noise increases, the DP approach produces better results than the L-curve and GCV methods, particularly in the real geometry model. Both the GCV and L-curve methods perform well in low to medium noise situations.

A Comparison of Paediatric Occupational Therapy University Program Curricula in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Comparisons were made of the paediatric content of professional entry-level occupational therapy university program curricula in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada using an ex post facto surveymethodology. The findings indicated that in Australia/New Zealand, paediatrics made up 20% of the total curriculum, but only 13% in Canada. Canadian reference materials were utilized less often in Canadian universities than in Australia/New Zealand. Theories taught most often in Australia/New Zealand were: Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Client-Centered Practice, Playfulness, and the Model of Human Occupation. In Canada, the most frequent theories were: Piaget’s Stages ofCognitive/Intellectual Development, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development and Sensory Integration. The most frequently taught paediatric assessment tools in both regions were the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and Miller Assessment for Preschoolers. Paediatric interventionmethods taught to students in all three countries focused on activities of daily living/self-care, motor skills, perceptual and visual motor integration, and infant and child development. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: ©2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]

A comparison of picture description abilities in individuals with vascular subcortical lesions and Huntington's Disease

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

The lexical-semantic and syntactic abilities of a group of individuals with chronic nonthalamic subcortical (NS) lesions following stroke (n = 6) were investigated using the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) picture description task [Kertesz, A. (1982). The Western aphasia battery. New York: Grune and Stratton] and compared with those of a group of subjects with Huntington's Disease (HD) (n = 6) and a nonneurologically impaired control group (n = 6) matched for age, sex, and educational level. The performance of the NS and HD subjects did not differ significantly from the well controls on measures of lexical-semantic abilities. NS and HD subjects provided as much information about the target picture as control subjects, but produced fewer action information units. Analysis of syntactic abilities revealed that the HD subjects produced significantly more grammatical errors than both the NS and control subjects and that the NS group performed in a similar manner to control subjects. These findings are considered in terms of current theories of subcortical language function Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the reader will obtain information about the debate surrounding the role of subcortical language mechanisms and be provided with new information on the comparative picture description abilities of individuals with known vascular and degenerative subcortical pathologies and healthy control participants. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of Small Signal Modulation Parameter Extraction Techniques for Vertical-Cavity, Surface-Emitting Lasers

2006-02-21T00:00:00Z

The small signal modulation characteristics of a vertical-cavity, surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) are determined using three different measurements: relative intensity noise, frequency response, and high resolution optical spectra. The resonant and damping frequencies were measured, and related rate equation parameters were extracted; excellent agreement was found both between experiment and theory, and amongst the different measurement techniques. The results and procedures are compared, and the findings are presented below.

A comparison of the effect of high- and low-dose fentanyl on the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Background. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a common complication for which, despite many clinical investigations, no definitive etiology has been found. The current use of both high and low-dose fentanyl as anesthetic techniques allowed us to investigate the effect of fentanyl on the incidence of POCD. Methods. Three hundred fifty patients scheduled to undergo elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomized to receive either high-dose fentanyl (50 mu g/kg) or low-dose fentanyl (10 mu g/kg) as the basis of the anesthetic. All patients underwent neuropsychological testing before surgery and at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery. Results. One hundred sixty-eight patients in the low-dose group and 158 patients in the high-dose group were included in the final analysis. Neuropsychological testing was performed on 88%, 93%, and 92% of patients at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months, respectively. There was no difference between group mean scores at any of the three testing times. Analysis of individual patients by the 20% rule did not detect any differences between groups. The one SD rule, which has fewer false-positive results, detected significantly more patients with POCD in the low-dose group than in the high-dose group at 1 week (23.6% vs. 13.7%; P = 0.03) but not at the other testing times. Patients with POCD spent an average of 1.2 days longer in the hospital than those without POCD (P = 0.021). Conclusions: High-dose fentanyl is not associated with a difference in the incidence of POCD at 3 or 12 months after surgery. Low-dose fentanyl leads to shorter postoperative ventilation times and may be associated with a greater incidence of POCD 1 week after surgery. Early POCD is associated with an increased duration of stay in the hospital.

A comparison of the MMSE and the TICS-m in hearing-impaired older adults

2008-06-16T00:00:00Z

Objective: The efficacy of telephone-administered cognitive screening instruments used with hearing-impaired populations is as yet unknown. Method: In a pilot study, performance of hearing-impaired veterans (N = 46) was compared on telephone-administered (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status – modified; TICS-m) and face-to-face administered (Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE) instruments. Results: Correlations between the MMSE and the TICS-m (r = 0.39) are lower than previously reported in the literature. Participants had difficulty perceiving words from the TICS-m on registration and thus also on later recall, regardless of whether hearing aids were worn. Further analyses revealed that when these items were removed from the TICS-m scores, correlations with the MMSE improved significantly. Conclusions: Hearing-impaired participants may have difficulties with telephone-administered instruments requiring accurate hearing of words in the absence of any context. Participants’ hearing should be taken into account when administering and interpreting cognitive screens over the telephone.

A complex systems approach to the value of ecological resources

Straton, A. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A theory of value sits at the core of every school of economic thought and directs the allocation of resources to competing uses. Ecological resources complicate the modem neoclassical approach to determining value due to their complex nature, considerable non-market values and the difficulty in assigning property rights. Application of the market model through economic valuation only provides analytical solutions based on virtual markets, and neither the demand nor supply-side techniques of valuation can adequately consider the complex set of biophysical and ecological relations that lead to the provision of ecosystem goods and services. This paper sets out a conceptual framework for a complex systems approach to the value of ecological resources. This approach is based on there being both an intrinsic quality of ecological resources and a subjective evaluation by the consumer. Both elements are necessary for economic value. This conceptual framework points the way towards a theory of value that incorporates both elements, so has implications for principles by which ecological resources can be allocated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A consumer-based method for retailer equity measurement: Results of an empirical study

Pappu, Ravi og Quester, Pascale — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

This research extends the consumer-based brand equity measurement approach to the measurement of the equity associated with retailers. This paper also addresses some of the limitations associated with current retailer equity measurement such as a lack of clarity regarding its nature and dimensionality. We conceptualise retailer equity as a four-dimensional construct comprising retailer awareness, retailer associations, perceived retailer quality, and retailer loyalty. The paper reports the result of an empirical study of a convenience sample of 601 shopping mall consumers at an Australian state capital city. Following a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling to examine the dimensionality of the retailer equity construct, the proposed model is tested for two retailer categories: department stores and speciality stores. Results confirm the hypothesised four-dimensional structure.

A controlled evaluation of an enhanced self-directed behavioural family intervention for parents of children with conduct problems in rural and remote areas.

Markie-Dadds, Carol og Sanders, Matthew R. — 2007-08-27T00:00:00Z

A core vocabulary approach for management of inconsistent speech disorder

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Developmental speech disorder is accounted for by theories derived from psychology, psycholinguistics, linguistics and medicine, with researchers developing assessment protocols that reflect their theoretical perspective. How theory and data analyses lead to different therapy approaches, however, is sometimes unclear. Here, we present a case management plan for a 7 year old boy with unintelligible speech. Assessment data were analysed to address seven case management questions regarding need for intervention, service delivery, differential diagnosis, intervention goals, generalization of therapeutic gains, discharge criteria and evaluation of efficacy. Jarrod was diagnosed as having inconsistent speech disorder that required intervention. He pronounced 88% of words differently when asked to name each word in the 25 word inconsistency test of the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology three times, each trial separated by another activity. Other standardized assessments supported the diagnosis of inconsistent speech disorder that, according to previous research, is associated with a deficit in phonological assembly. Core vocabulary intervention was chosen as the most appropriate therapy technique. Its nature and a possible protocol for implementation is described.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of heroin detoxification methods in the Australian National Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Dependence (NEPOD)

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

This economic evaluation was part of the Australian National Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Dependence (NEPOD) project. Data from four trials of heroin detoxification methods, involving 365 participants, were pooled to enable a comprehensive comparison of the cost-effectiveness of five inpatient and outpatient detoxification methods. This study took the perspective of the treatment provider in assessing resource use and costs. Two short-term outcome measures were used-achievement of an initial 7-day period of abstinence, and entry into ongoing post-detoxification treatment. The mean costs of the various detoxification methods ranged widely, from AUD $491 (buprenorphine-based outpatient); to AUD $605 for conventional outpatient; AUD $1404 for conventional inpatient; AUD $1990 for rapid detoxification under sedation; and to AUD $2689 for anaesthesia per episode. An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was carried out using conventional outpatient detoxification as the base comparator. The buprenorphine-based outpatient detoxification method was found to be the most cost-effective method overall, and rapid opioid detoxification under sedation was the most costeffective inpatient method.