Grampians Natural Disaster Research
- Thompson, Helen, Dahlhaus, Peter, Greymore, Michelle, Courvisanos, Jerry, Sheil, Helen, Ollerenshaw, Alison, McDonald, Kelsey, Corbett, Jennifer
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Dahlhaus, Peter , Greymore, Michelle , Courvisanos, Jerry , Sheil, Helen , Ollerenshaw, Alison , McDonald, Kelsey , Corbett, Jennifer
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap? 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
Corangamite NRM Planning Portal
- Dalhaus, Peter, Thompson, Helen, MacLeod, Andrew, McKenna, Kirsten
- Authors: Dalhaus, Peter , Thompson, Helen , MacLeod, Andrew , McKenna, Kirsten
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: The Corangamite NRM Planning Portal has been developed to support the creation of local catchment plans in the Corangamite region. It is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by Federation University Australia. The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in collaboration with the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni), the Woady Yaloak Catchment Group (WYCG) and the Surf Coast and Inland Plains Network (SCIPN) is undertaking this pilot project to develop Local Catchment Plans for catchment management in the Corangamite region. This pilot project is testing how online mapping can be used to match local and regional priorities for catchment management in the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority region. The objective is to empower Landcare networks, community groups and stakeholders with the capability to identify ‘joint priorities’ for progressing in partnership. The project also provides access to a considerable knowledge base of spatial data, information and knowledge, to assist stakeholders in setting their local priorities. Project aim The primary aim is to spatially overlay local and regional natural resource management (NRM) priorities to identify ‘joint priorities’ for potential partnership and investment. The initial tasks of developing local priorities was undertaken by the respective Networks and included participation by around 100 community members at each Network to identify 5-6 year Strategic Plans. The collaborators have the common aim of building web-based tools for the CMA community to easily access the most current environmental datasets applicable to integrated catchment management and modelling. The projects promote the sharing of knowledge and information through the internet, allowing people to gain insights, present ideas, advice and information in a friendly and easy to use format, available at people’s convenience. It allows the Corangamite CMA community to grow their knowledge and share their thoughts and enthusiasm for their landscapes. It will also help guide groups and individuals to develop on-ground action plans through the provision of standardised templates and authoritative advice on a range of matters in catchment management, agricultural soil management, nature conservation and on-ground activities.
Student acquisition of social skills through teacher modelling
- Authors: Tocknell, Carol
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: Using the perspective of school leaders, teachers and students, this research questions whether Victorian Government schools provide opportunities, in the form of explicit teacher modelling, for the development of student social skills and social competence. The essence of this study was to determine whether students feel they can thrive at school and whether they believe there are opportunities for them to succeed. Two Victorian Government secondary schools were involved in the study and eight male and ten female students aged 12–14 years volunteered to be interviewed over the course of their first year in secondary school. Teachers and principals at the schools were also interviewed. The research found that students do not identify teachers as role models for social skills. However, school leaders believe that teachers are behaviour role models for students. Students and teachers were found to place value on positive teacher–student relationships. The variance of social-skills instruction in secondary schools and classrooms points to significant differences between intent and practice of such instruction within schools. It seems there are considerable differences in the perception of the Australian Curriculum‘s Personal and social capability domain within schools and between individual teachers‘ classrooms. This limits opportunity for students to develop social skills, as there appears to be no strategic whole-school social–emotional curriculum plan, few resources to implement such plans and no professional development for teachers in this area. This research describes the opportunities that are available for secondary students at Victorian Government schools to develop social skills and social competence. The research contributes to, and informs teacher pedagogy and contributes to knowledge on the value placed on social competence by students, teachers and school leaders. It also provides insight into the importance that students place on teacher interpersonal skills, the subsequent engagement of students with teachers and their sense of connectedness and belonging to their school.
- Authors: Tocknell, Carol
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: Using the perspective of school leaders, teachers and students, this research questions whether Victorian Government schools provide opportunities, in the form of explicit teacher modelling, for the development of student social skills and social competence. The essence of this study was to determine whether students feel they can thrive at school and whether they believe there are opportunities for them to succeed. Two Victorian Government secondary schools were involved in the study and eight male and ten female students aged 12–14 years volunteered to be interviewed over the course of their first year in secondary school. Teachers and principals at the schools were also interviewed. The research found that students do not identify teachers as role models for social skills. However, school leaders believe that teachers are behaviour role models for students. Students and teachers were found to place value on positive teacher–student relationships. The variance of social-skills instruction in secondary schools and classrooms points to significant differences between intent and practice of such instruction within schools. It seems there are considerable differences in the perception of the Australian Curriculum‘s Personal and social capability domain within schools and between individual teachers‘ classrooms. This limits opportunity for students to develop social skills, as there appears to be no strategic whole-school social–emotional curriculum plan, few resources to implement such plans and no professional development for teachers in this area. This research describes the opportunities that are available for secondary students at Victorian Government schools to develop social skills and social competence. The research contributes to, and informs teacher pedagogy and contributes to knowledge on the value placed on social competence by students, teachers and school leaders. It also provides insight into the importance that students place on teacher interpersonal skills, the subsequent engagement of students with teachers and their sense of connectedness and belonging to their school.
Hyperbolic smoothing in nonsmooth optimization and applications
- Authors: Al Nuaimat, Alia
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems arise in many applications including economics, business and data mining. In these applications objective functions are not necessarily differentiable or convex. Many algorithms have been proposed over the past three decades to solve such problems. In spite of the significant growth in this field, the development of efficient algorithms for solving this kind of problem is still a challenging task. The subgradient method is one of the simplest methods developed for solving these problems. Its convergence was proved only for convex objective functions. This method does not involve any subproblems, neither for finding search directions nor for computation of step lengths, which are fixed ahead of time. Bundle methods and their various modifications are among the most efficient methods for solving nonsmooth optimization problems. These methods involve a quadratic programming subproblem to find search directions. The size of the subproblem may increase significantly with the number of variables, which makes the bundle-type methods unsuitable for large scale nonsmooth optimization problems. The implementation of bundle-type methods, which require the use of the quadratic programming solvers, is not as easy as the implementation of the subgradient methods. Therefore it is beneficial to develop algorithms for nonsmooth nonconvex optimization which are easy to implement and more efficient than the subgradient methods. In this thesis, we develop two new algorithms for solving nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems based on the use of the hyperbolic smoothing technique and apply them to solve the pumping cost minimization problem in water distribution. Both algorithms use smoothing techniques. The first algorithm is designed for solving finite minimax problems. In order to apply the hyperbolic smoothing we reformulate the objective function in the minimax problem and study the relationship between the original minimax and reformulated problems. We also study the main properties of the hyperbolic smoothing function. Based on these results an algorithm for solving the finite minimax problem is proposed and this algorithm is implemented in GAMS. We present preliminary results of numerical experiments with well-known nonsmooth optimization test problems. We also compare the proposed algorithm with the algorithm that uses the exponential smoothing function as well as with the algorithm based on nonlinear programming reformulation of the finite minimax problem. The second nonsmooth optimization algorithm we developed was used to demonstrate how smooth optimization methods can be applied to solve general nonsmooth (nonconvex) optimization problems. In order to do so we compute subgradients from some neighborhood of the current point and define a system of linear inequalities using these subgradients. Search directions are computed by solving this system. This system is solved by reducing it to the minimization of the convex piecewise linear function over the unit ball. Then the hyperbolic smoothing function is applied to approximate this minimization problem by a sequence of smooth problems which are solved by smooth optimization methods. Such an approach allows one to apply powerful smooth optimization algorithms for solving nonsmooth optimization problems and extend smoothing techniques for solving general nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems. The convergence of the algorithm based on this approach is studied. The proposed algorithm was implemented in Fortran 95. Preliminary results of numerical experiments are reported and the proposed algorithm is compared with an other five nonsmooth optimization algorithms. We also implement the algorithm in GAMS and compare it with GAMS solvers using results of numerical experiments.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Al Nuaimat, Alia
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems arise in many applications including economics, business and data mining. In these applications objective functions are not necessarily differentiable or convex. Many algorithms have been proposed over the past three decades to solve such problems. In spite of the significant growth in this field, the development of efficient algorithms for solving this kind of problem is still a challenging task. The subgradient method is one of the simplest methods developed for solving these problems. Its convergence was proved only for convex objective functions. This method does not involve any subproblems, neither for finding search directions nor for computation of step lengths, which are fixed ahead of time. Bundle methods and their various modifications are among the most efficient methods for solving nonsmooth optimization problems. These methods involve a quadratic programming subproblem to find search directions. The size of the subproblem may increase significantly with the number of variables, which makes the bundle-type methods unsuitable for large scale nonsmooth optimization problems. The implementation of bundle-type methods, which require the use of the quadratic programming solvers, is not as easy as the implementation of the subgradient methods. Therefore it is beneficial to develop algorithms for nonsmooth nonconvex optimization which are easy to implement and more efficient than the subgradient methods. In this thesis, we develop two new algorithms for solving nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems based on the use of the hyperbolic smoothing technique and apply them to solve the pumping cost minimization problem in water distribution. Both algorithms use smoothing techniques. The first algorithm is designed for solving finite minimax problems. In order to apply the hyperbolic smoothing we reformulate the objective function in the minimax problem and study the relationship between the original minimax and reformulated problems. We also study the main properties of the hyperbolic smoothing function. Based on these results an algorithm for solving the finite minimax problem is proposed and this algorithm is implemented in GAMS. We present preliminary results of numerical experiments with well-known nonsmooth optimization test problems. We also compare the proposed algorithm with the algorithm that uses the exponential smoothing function as well as with the algorithm based on nonlinear programming reformulation of the finite minimax problem. The second nonsmooth optimization algorithm we developed was used to demonstrate how smooth optimization methods can be applied to solve general nonsmooth (nonconvex) optimization problems. In order to do so we compute subgradients from some neighborhood of the current point and define a system of linear inequalities using these subgradients. Search directions are computed by solving this system. This system is solved by reducing it to the minimization of the convex piecewise linear function over the unit ball. Then the hyperbolic smoothing function is applied to approximate this minimization problem by a sequence of smooth problems which are solved by smooth optimization methods. Such an approach allows one to apply powerful smooth optimization algorithms for solving nonsmooth optimization problems and extend smoothing techniques for solving general nonsmooth nonconvex optimization problems. The convergence of the algorithm based on this approach is studied. The proposed algorithm was implemented in Fortran 95. Preliminary results of numerical experiments are reported and the proposed algorithm is compared with an other five nonsmooth optimization algorithms. We also implement the algorithm in GAMS and compare it with GAMS solvers using results of numerical experiments.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Fire and Emergency Management Planning
- Thompson, Helen, MacLeod, Andrew, McKenzie, Gregory, Gillett, Heath
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , MacLeod, Andrew , McKenzie, Gregory , Gillett, Heath
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: Fire and Emergency Management Planning is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by Federation University Australia. The site provides comprehensive information on the fire and emergency management planning activities being undertaken at the state, regional and municipal levels. The range of data displayed includes location of forestry plantations and public land; planning, political and agency boundaries; fire incident data; and meteorological data. Federation University Australia's Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation is leading the project on behalf of Emergency Management Victoria. In addition, the Barwon South West Interoperable Spatial Knowledge Base is an Integrated Fire Management Planning (IFMP) initiative, administered by the Barwon South West Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee on behalf of the Victorian State Fire Management Planning Committee. This collaborative project utilises existing data plus open source data overlayed on asset landscapes in order to provide the most current relevant information, including fire risk data, in a manner that supports the community to develop their integrated regional and local fire management plans.
The contribution of poker machines to reduced community wellbeing : A pre and post study
- Authors: Bell, Diana
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis reports on a study of the impacts of poker machines on community wellbeing, using a pre and post survey method. The study used a variety of indicators to test community wellbeing and gambling attitudes and behaviours before and after a hotel venue with 40 poker machines opened in a new suburb in the designated growth area of Melbourne’s northern fringe. There was a higher proportion of respondents who met the criteria for ‘problem gambling’ after the poker machines were installed, compared to before, particularly when considered as a proportion of people who gambled on poker machines (5.3% compared to 3.6%). A proportion of respondents reported reduced levels of personal happiness, contentment and wellbeing as a result of the introduction of poker machines (16.5%, 12.3% and 16.1% respectively) and 41.5% reported there had been a detrimental impact on the community, in terms of social character. Mean scores on sense of community indexes and social cohesion showed a small decline in the post sample on every measure. Overall, the community reported reduced wellbeing on all measures after the introduction of poker machines. The significance of this study is that measures of community wellbeing and attitudes towards poker machines were measured before their introduction so that this baseline data could be compared with reported wellbeing 18 months after their installation within the suburban area. The substantial proportion of respondents who reported detrimental impact on social character, along with many negatively expressed opinions of poker machines, and a higher rate of problem gambling provide support for the notion that the introduction of poker machines at least contributed to the reduction in community wellbeing. This research provides some suggestions for the use of indicators for measuring the impact of poker machines on community wellbeing.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Bell, Diana
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis reports on a study of the impacts of poker machines on community wellbeing, using a pre and post survey method. The study used a variety of indicators to test community wellbeing and gambling attitudes and behaviours before and after a hotel venue with 40 poker machines opened in a new suburb in the designated growth area of Melbourne’s northern fringe. There was a higher proportion of respondents who met the criteria for ‘problem gambling’ after the poker machines were installed, compared to before, particularly when considered as a proportion of people who gambled on poker machines (5.3% compared to 3.6%). A proportion of respondents reported reduced levels of personal happiness, contentment and wellbeing as a result of the introduction of poker machines (16.5%, 12.3% and 16.1% respectively) and 41.5% reported there had been a detrimental impact on the community, in terms of social character. Mean scores on sense of community indexes and social cohesion showed a small decline in the post sample on every measure. Overall, the community reported reduced wellbeing on all measures after the introduction of poker machines. The significance of this study is that measures of community wellbeing and attitudes towards poker machines were measured before their introduction so that this baseline data could be compared with reported wellbeing 18 months after their installation within the suburban area. The substantial proportion of respondents who reported detrimental impact on social character, along with many negatively expressed opinions of poker machines, and a higher rate of problem gambling provide support for the notion that the introduction of poker machines at least contributed to the reduction in community wellbeing. This research provides some suggestions for the use of indicators for measuring the impact of poker machines on community wellbeing.
- Description: Masters by Research
The determinants and development of fast bowling performance in cricket
- Authors: Feros, Simon
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis sought to reveal the physical and kinematic determinants of pace bowling performance. After drawing on these determinants, a secondary aim was to investigate whether pace bowling performance could be enhanced with chronic resistance training and warm-up strategies. However, before the physical and kinematic determinants of pace bowling performance could be identified, and the effects of two training interventions and warm-ups on pace bowling performance, a new pace bowling test was created, and the test-retest reliability of its performance and kinematic measures were evaluated. Knowledge of a variables’ test-retest reliability is important for interpreting the validity of correlations, but also for the determination of a meaningful change following a training intervention. Only one published study to date has explored the test-retest reliability of a pace bowling assessment, and this test only measured bowling accuracy (1). Previous research has not comprehensively examined the relationships between physical qualities and pace bowling performance. Several important physical qualities (e.g., power, speed-acceleration, flexibility, repeat-sprint ability) have been excluded in correlational research, which may be crucial for optimal pace bowling performance. Furthermore, there is only one published training intervention study on pace bowling research (2). Consequently there is scant evidence for coaches to design training programs proven to enhance pace bowling performance. Baseball pitching studies have trialled the effects of heavy-ball throwing in the warm-up on subsequent throwing velocity and accuracy, but this approach has not been studied in cricket pace bowling, especially after several weeks of training. Therefore, four studies were conducted in this PhD project to address these deficiencies in the literature. The purpose of Study 1 (Chapter 3) was to ascertain the test-retest reliability of bowling performance measures (i.e., bowling speed, bowling accuracy, consistency of bowling speed, and consistency of bowling accuracy) and selected bowling kinematics (i.e., approach speed, step length, step-length phase duration, power phase duration, and knee extension angle at front-foot contact and at ball release) in a novel eight-over test, and for the first four overs of this test. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as measures of test-retest reliability (3). Following a three week familiarisation period of bowling, 13 participants completed a novel eight-over bowling test on two separate days with 4–7 days apart. The most reliable performance measures in the bowling test were peak bowling speed (ICC = 0.948–0.975, CV = 1.3–1.9%) and mean bowling speed (ICC = 0.981–0.987, CV = 1.0–1.3%). Perceived effort was partially reliable (ICC = 0.650– 0.659, CV = 3.8–3.9%). However, mean bowling accuracy (ICC = 0.491–0.685, CV = 12.5–16.8%) and consistency of bowling accuracy failed to meet the pre-set standard for acceptable reliability (ICC = 0.434–0.454, CV = 15.3–19.3%). All bowling kinematic variables except approach speed exhibited acceptable reliability (i.e., ICC > 0.8, CV < 10%). The first four overs of the bowling test exhibited slightly poorer test-retest reliability for all measures, compared to the entire eight-over test. There were no systematic biases (i.e., p > 0.05) detected with all variables between bowling tests, indicating there was no learning or fatigue effects. The smallest worthwhile change was established for all bowling performance and kinematic variables, by multiplying the SEM by 1.5 (4). It is recommended that the eight-over pace bowling test be used as a more comprehensive measure of consistency of bowling speed and consistency of bowling accuracy, as bowlers are more likely to be fatigued. However, if coaches seek to assess pace bowlers in shorter time, delimiting the test to the first four overs is recommended. Both versions of the pace bowling test are only capable of reliably measuring bowling performance outcomes such as peak and mean bowling speed, and perceived effort. The second study of this PhD project examined the relationships between selected physical qualities, bowling kinematics, and bowling performance measures. Another purpose of this novel study was to determine if delivery instructions (i.e., maximal-effort, match-intensity, slower-ball) influenced the strength of the relationships between physical qualities and bowling performance measures. Given that there were three delivery instructions in the bowling test, an objective of this study was to explore the relationship between bowling speed and bowling accuracy (i.e., speed-accuracy trade-off). Thirty-one participants completed an eight-over bowling test in the first session, and a series of physical tests, spread over two separate sessions. Each session was separated by four to seven days. Mean bowling speed (of all pooled deliveries) was significantly correlated to 1-RM pull-up strength (rs [24] = 0.55, p = 0.01) and 20-m sprint time (rs [30] = -0.37, p = 0.04), but the correlations marginally increased as delivery effort increased (i.e., maximal-effort ball). Greater hamstring flexibility was associated with a better consistency of bowling speed, but only for a match-intensity delivery (rs [29] = -0.49, p = 0.01). Repeat-sprint ability (i.e., percent decrement on 10 × 20-m sprints, on every 20 s) displayed a stronger correlation to consistency of bowling speed (rs [21] = -0.42, p = 0.06) than for mean bowling speed (rs [21] = 0.15, p = 0.53). Bench press strength was moderately related to bowling accuracy for a maximal-effort delivery (rs [26] = -0.42, p = 0.03), with weaker but non-significant (p > 0.05) correlations for match-intensity and slower-ball deliveries. Bowling accuracy was also significantly related to peak concentric countermovement jump power (rs [28] = -0.41, p = 0.03) and mean peak concentric countermovement jump power (rs [27] = -0.45, p = 0.02), with both physical qualities displaying stronger correlations as delivery effort increased. Greater reactive strength was negatively associated with mean bowling accuracy (rs [30] = 0.38, p = 0.04) and consistency of bowling accuracy (rs [30] = 0.43, p = 0.02) for maximal-effort deliveries only. Faster bowling speeds were correlated to a longer step length (rs [31] = 0.51, p < 0.01) and quicker power phase duration (rs [31] = -0.45, p = 0.01). A better consistency of bowling accuracy was associated with a faster approach speed (rs [31] = -0.36, p = 0.05) and greater knee flexion angle at ball release (rs [27] = -0.42, p = 0.03). No speedaccuracy trade-off was observed for the group (rs [31] = -0.28, p = 0.12), indicating that most bowlers could be instructed to train at maximal-effort without compromising bowling accuracy. Pull-up strength training and speed-acceleration training were chosen for the “evidence-based” training program (Study 3). Heavy-ball bowling was also considered as part of the evidence-based training program, as it is a specific form of training used previously, and because there was a shortage of significant relationships (p < 0.05) between physical qualities and bowling performance measures in Study 2. The third investigation of this PhD project compared the effects of an eight-week evidence-based training program or normal training program (not a control group) on pace bowling performance, approach speed, speed-acceleration, and pull-up strength. Participants were matched for bowling speed and then randomly split into two training groups, with six participants in each group. After an initial two-week familiarisation period of bowling training, sprint training, and pull-up training, participants completed two training sessions per week, and were tested before and after the training intervention. Testing comprised the four-over pace bowling test (Study 1), 20-m sprint test (Study 2), and 1-RM pull-up test (Study 2). In training, the volume of bowling and sprinting was constant between both groups; the only differences were that the evidence-based training group bowled with heavy balls (250 g and 300 g) as well as a regular ball (156 g), sprinted with a weighted-vest (15% and 20% body mass) and without a weighted-vest, and performed pull-up training. Participants were instructed to deliver each ball with maximal effort in training, as no speed-accuracy trade-off was observed for the sample in Study 2. The evidence-based training group bowled with poorer accuracy and consistency of accuracy, with only a small improvement in peak and mean bowling speed. Heavy-ball bowling may have had a negative transfer to regular-ball bowling. Although speculative, a longer evidence-based program may have significantly enhanced bowling speed. Coaches could use both training programs to develop performance but should be aware that bowling accuracy may suffer with the evidence-based program. The evidence-based training group displayed slower 20-m sprint times following training (0.08 ± 0.05 s). However, the normal training group was also slower (0.10 ± 0.09 s), indicating the potential for speed-acceleration improvement is compromised if speed training is performed immediately after bowling training; most likely due to residual fatigue. Consequently it is recommended that speed-acceleration training be conducted when bowlers are not fatigued, in a separate session, or at the beginning of a session. The evidence-based training group improved their 1-RM pull-up strength by 5.8 ± 6.8 kg (d = 0.68), compared to the normal training group of 0.2 ± 1.7 kg (d = 0.01). The difference between training groups is due to the fact that the normal training group were not prescribed pull-up training. As many participants could not complete the pull-up exercise due to insufficient strength, the dumbbell pullover may be a suitable alternative that is more specific to the motion of the bowling arm (i.e., extended arm). The fourth study of this PhD project explored the acute effects of a heavy-ball bowling warm-up on pace bowling performance, and determined if these acute effects could be enhanced or negated following an evidence-based training program. This study involved the same participants who completed the evidence-based training program in Study 3. These participants were required to perform two different bowling warm-ups (heavy-ball or regular-ball) in pre and post-test period, followed by the four-over pace bowling test (Study 1). In pre-test period, bowling accuracy was 8.8 ± 7.4 cm worse for the heavy-ball warm-up compared to the regular-ball warm-up (d = 1.19). In post-test period however, bowling accuracy was 5.5 ± 6.4 cm better in the heavy-ball warm-up compared to the regular-ball warm-up (d = -0.90). A similar trend was observed for consistency of bowling accuracy. These findings indicate that pace bowlers adapt to heavy-ball bowling, and bowl more accurately with a regular ball if they warm-up with a heavy ball first (but only after eight weeks of heavy-ball training). Coaches could employ a heavy-ball warm-up prior to training or a match, but only after eight weeks of evidence based training. It is hypothesised that a less biomechanically similar exercise to the pace bowling motion such as resisted push-ups / bench press throws could be more effective in eliciting potentiation by activating higher order motor units without negatively transferring to bowling performance. From the studies presented in this thesis, it is concluded that peak and mean bowling speed are the most reliable bowling performance measures, and all kinematic variables apart from approach speed possess excellent reliability. Furthermore, 1-RM pull-up strength and 20-m speed are significantly correlated to bowling speed. An evidence-based training program can develop peak and mean bowling speed, but the cost to bowling accuracy and consistency of bowling accuracy does not make this training program worthwhile in enhancing pace bowling performance. A heavy-ball warm-up impairs bowling accuracy and consistency of bowling accuracy compared to the regular-ball warm-up, but only prior to training with the heavier balls. Pace bowlers adapt to heavyball bowling after eight weeks of training, but must use the heavy balls in the warm-up to bowl more accurately with a regular ball, otherwise pace bowling performance is below optimal.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Feros, Simon
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis sought to reveal the physical and kinematic determinants of pace bowling performance. After drawing on these determinants, a secondary aim was to investigate whether pace bowling performance could be enhanced with chronic resistance training and warm-up strategies. However, before the physical and kinematic determinants of pace bowling performance could be identified, and the effects of two training interventions and warm-ups on pace bowling performance, a new pace bowling test was created, and the test-retest reliability of its performance and kinematic measures were evaluated. Knowledge of a variables’ test-retest reliability is important for interpreting the validity of correlations, but also for the determination of a meaningful change following a training intervention. Only one published study to date has explored the test-retest reliability of a pace bowling assessment, and this test only measured bowling accuracy (1). Previous research has not comprehensively examined the relationships between physical qualities and pace bowling performance. Several important physical qualities (e.g., power, speed-acceleration, flexibility, repeat-sprint ability) have been excluded in correlational research, which may be crucial for optimal pace bowling performance. Furthermore, there is only one published training intervention study on pace bowling research (2). Consequently there is scant evidence for coaches to design training programs proven to enhance pace bowling performance. Baseball pitching studies have trialled the effects of heavy-ball throwing in the warm-up on subsequent throwing velocity and accuracy, but this approach has not been studied in cricket pace bowling, especially after several weeks of training. Therefore, four studies were conducted in this PhD project to address these deficiencies in the literature. The purpose of Study 1 (Chapter 3) was to ascertain the test-retest reliability of bowling performance measures (i.e., bowling speed, bowling accuracy, consistency of bowling speed, and consistency of bowling accuracy) and selected bowling kinematics (i.e., approach speed, step length, step-length phase duration, power phase duration, and knee extension angle at front-foot contact and at ball release) in a novel eight-over test, and for the first four overs of this test. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as measures of test-retest reliability (3). Following a three week familiarisation period of bowling, 13 participants completed a novel eight-over bowling test on two separate days with 4–7 days apart. The most reliable performance measures in the bowling test were peak bowling speed (ICC = 0.948–0.975, CV = 1.3–1.9%) and mean bowling speed (ICC = 0.981–0.987, CV = 1.0–1.3%). Perceived effort was partially reliable (ICC = 0.650– 0.659, CV = 3.8–3.9%). However, mean bowling accuracy (ICC = 0.491–0.685, CV = 12.5–16.8%) and consistency of bowling accuracy failed to meet the pre-set standard for acceptable reliability (ICC = 0.434–0.454, CV = 15.3–19.3%). All bowling kinematic variables except approach speed exhibited acceptable reliability (i.e., ICC > 0.8, CV < 10%). The first four overs of the bowling test exhibited slightly poorer test-retest reliability for all measures, compared to the entire eight-over test. There were no systematic biases (i.e., p > 0.05) detected with all variables between bowling tests, indicating there was no learning or fatigue effects. The smallest worthwhile change was established for all bowling performance and kinematic variables, by multiplying the SEM by 1.5 (4). It is recommended that the eight-over pace bowling test be used as a more comprehensive measure of consistency of bowling speed and consistency of bowling accuracy, as bowlers are more likely to be fatigued. However, if coaches seek to assess pace bowlers in shorter time, delimiting the test to the first four overs is recommended. Both versions of the pace bowling test are only capable of reliably measuring bowling performance outcomes such as peak and mean bowling speed, and perceived effort. The second study of this PhD project examined the relationships between selected physical qualities, bowling kinematics, and bowling performance measures. Another purpose of this novel study was to determine if delivery instructions (i.e., maximal-effort, match-intensity, slower-ball) influenced the strength of the relationships between physical qualities and bowling performance measures. Given that there were three delivery instructions in the bowling test, an objective of this study was to explore the relationship between bowling speed and bowling accuracy (i.e., speed-accuracy trade-off). Thirty-one participants completed an eight-over bowling test in the first session, and a series of physical tests, spread over two separate sessions. Each session was separated by four to seven days. Mean bowling speed (of all pooled deliveries) was significantly correlated to 1-RM pull-up strength (rs [24] = 0.55, p = 0.01) and 20-m sprint time (rs [30] = -0.37, p = 0.04), but the correlations marginally increased as delivery effort increased (i.e., maximal-effort ball). Greater hamstring flexibility was associated with a better consistency of bowling speed, but only for a match-intensity delivery (rs [29] = -0.49, p = 0.01). Repeat-sprint ability (i.e., percent decrement on 10 × 20-m sprints, on every 20 s) displayed a stronger correlation to consistency of bowling speed (rs [21] = -0.42, p = 0.06) than for mean bowling speed (rs [21] = 0.15, p = 0.53). Bench press strength was moderately related to bowling accuracy for a maximal-effort delivery (rs [26] = -0.42, p = 0.03), with weaker but non-significant (p > 0.05) correlations for match-intensity and slower-ball deliveries. Bowling accuracy was also significantly related to peak concentric countermovement jump power (rs [28] = -0.41, p = 0.03) and mean peak concentric countermovement jump power (rs [27] = -0.45, p = 0.02), with both physical qualities displaying stronger correlations as delivery effort increased. Greater reactive strength was negatively associated with mean bowling accuracy (rs [30] = 0.38, p = 0.04) and consistency of bowling accuracy (rs [30] = 0.43, p = 0.02) for maximal-effort deliveries only. Faster bowling speeds were correlated to a longer step length (rs [31] = 0.51, p < 0.01) and quicker power phase duration (rs [31] = -0.45, p = 0.01). A better consistency of bowling accuracy was associated with a faster approach speed (rs [31] = -0.36, p = 0.05) and greater knee flexion angle at ball release (rs [27] = -0.42, p = 0.03). No speedaccuracy trade-off was observed for the group (rs [31] = -0.28, p = 0.12), indicating that most bowlers could be instructed to train at maximal-effort without compromising bowling accuracy. Pull-up strength training and speed-acceleration training were chosen for the “evidence-based” training program (Study 3). Heavy-ball bowling was also considered as part of the evidence-based training program, as it is a specific form of training used previously, and because there was a shortage of significant relationships (p < 0.05) between physical qualities and bowling performance measures in Study 2. The third investigation of this PhD project compared the effects of an eight-week evidence-based training program or normal training program (not a control group) on pace bowling performance, approach speed, speed-acceleration, and pull-up strength. Participants were matched for bowling speed and then randomly split into two training groups, with six participants in each group. After an initial two-week familiarisation period of bowling training, sprint training, and pull-up training, participants completed two training sessions per week, and were tested before and after the training intervention. Testing comprised the four-over pace bowling test (Study 1), 20-m sprint test (Study 2), and 1-RM pull-up test (Study 2). In training, the volume of bowling and sprinting was constant between both groups; the only differences were that the evidence-based training group bowled with heavy balls (250 g and 300 g) as well as a regular ball (156 g), sprinted with a weighted-vest (15% and 20% body mass) and without a weighted-vest, and performed pull-up training. Participants were instructed to deliver each ball with maximal effort in training, as no speed-accuracy trade-off was observed for the sample in Study 2. The evidence-based training group bowled with poorer accuracy and consistency of accuracy, with only a small improvement in peak and mean bowling speed. Heavy-ball bowling may have had a negative transfer to regular-ball bowling. Although speculative, a longer evidence-based program may have significantly enhanced bowling speed. Coaches could use both training programs to develop performance but should be aware that bowling accuracy may suffer with the evidence-based program. The evidence-based training group displayed slower 20-m sprint times following training (0.08 ± 0.05 s). However, the normal training group was also slower (0.10 ± 0.09 s), indicating the potential for speed-acceleration improvement is compromised if speed training is performed immediately after bowling training; most likely due to residual fatigue. Consequently it is recommended that speed-acceleration training be conducted when bowlers are not fatigued, in a separate session, or at the beginning of a session. The evidence-based training group improved their 1-RM pull-up strength by 5.8 ± 6.8 kg (d = 0.68), compared to the normal training group of 0.2 ± 1.7 kg (d = 0.01). The difference between training groups is due to the fact that the normal training group were not prescribed pull-up training. As many participants could not complete the pull-up exercise due to insufficient strength, the dumbbell pullover may be a suitable alternative that is more specific to the motion of the bowling arm (i.e., extended arm). The fourth study of this PhD project explored the acute effects of a heavy-ball bowling warm-up on pace bowling performance, and determined if these acute effects could be enhanced or negated following an evidence-based training program. This study involved the same participants who completed the evidence-based training program in Study 3. These participants were required to perform two different bowling warm-ups (heavy-ball or regular-ball) in pre and post-test period, followed by the four-over pace bowling test (Study 1). In pre-test period, bowling accuracy was 8.8 ± 7.4 cm worse for the heavy-ball warm-up compared to the regular-ball warm-up (d = 1.19). In post-test period however, bowling accuracy was 5.5 ± 6.4 cm better in the heavy-ball warm-up compared to the regular-ball warm-up (d = -0.90). A similar trend was observed for consistency of bowling accuracy. These findings indicate that pace bowlers adapt to heavy-ball bowling, and bowl more accurately with a regular ball if they warm-up with a heavy ball first (but only after eight weeks of heavy-ball training). Coaches could employ a heavy-ball warm-up prior to training or a match, but only after eight weeks of evidence based training. It is hypothesised that a less biomechanically similar exercise to the pace bowling motion such as resisted push-ups / bench press throws could be more effective in eliciting potentiation by activating higher order motor units without negatively transferring to bowling performance. From the studies presented in this thesis, it is concluded that peak and mean bowling speed are the most reliable bowling performance measures, and all kinematic variables apart from approach speed possess excellent reliability. Furthermore, 1-RM pull-up strength and 20-m speed are significantly correlated to bowling speed. An evidence-based training program can develop peak and mean bowling speed, but the cost to bowling accuracy and consistency of bowling accuracy does not make this training program worthwhile in enhancing pace bowling performance. A heavy-ball warm-up impairs bowling accuracy and consistency of bowling accuracy compared to the regular-ball warm-up, but only prior to training with the heavier balls. Pace bowlers adapt to heavyball bowling after eight weeks of training, but must use the heavy balls in the warm-up to bowl more accurately with a regular ball, otherwise pace bowling performance is below optimal.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Effective and efficient kernel-based image representations for classification and retrieval
- Authors: Karmakar, Priyabrata
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Image representation is a challenging task. In particular, in order to obtain better performances in different image processing applications such as video surveillance, autonomous driving, crime scene detection and automatic inspection, effective and efficient image representation is a fundamental need. The performance of these applications usually depends on how accurately images are classified into their corresponding groups or how precisely relevant images are retrieved from a database based on a query. Accuracy in image classification and precision in image retrieval depend on the effectiveness of image representation. Existing image representation methods have some limitations. For example, spatial pyramid matching, which is a popular method incorporating spatial information in image-level representation, has not been fully studied to date. In addition, the strengths of pyramid match kernel and spatial pyramid matching are not combined for better image matching. Kernel descriptors based on gradient, colour and shape overcome the limitations of histogram-based descriptors, but suffer from information loss, noise effects and high computational complexity. Furthermore, the combined performance of kernel descriptors has limitations related to computational complexity, higher dimensionality and lower effectiveness. Moreover, the potential of a global texture descriptor which is based on human visual perception has not been fully explored to date. Therefore, in this research project, kernel-based effective and efficient image representation methods are proposed to address the above limitations. An enhancement is made to spatial pyramid matching in terms of improved rotation invariance. This is done by investigating different partitioning schemes suitable to achieve rotation-invariant image representation and the proposal of a weight function for appropriate level contribution in image matching. In addition, the strengths of pyramid match kernel and spatial pyramid are combined to enhance matching accuracy between images. The existing kernel descriptors are modified and improved to achieve greater effectiveness, minimum noise effects, less dimensionality and lower computational complexity. A novel fusion approach is also proposed to combine the information related to all pixel attributes, before the descriptor extraction stage. Existing kernel descriptors are based only on gradient, colour and shape information. In this research project, a texture-based kernel descriptor is proposed by modifying an existing popular global texture descriptor. Finally, all the contributions are evaluated in an integrated system. The performances of the proposed methods are qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated on two to four different publicly available image databases. The experimental results show that the proposed methods are more effective and efficient in image representation than existing benchmark methods.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Karmakar, Priyabrata
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Image representation is a challenging task. In particular, in order to obtain better performances in different image processing applications such as video surveillance, autonomous driving, crime scene detection and automatic inspection, effective and efficient image representation is a fundamental need. The performance of these applications usually depends on how accurately images are classified into their corresponding groups or how precisely relevant images are retrieved from a database based on a query. Accuracy in image classification and precision in image retrieval depend on the effectiveness of image representation. Existing image representation methods have some limitations. For example, spatial pyramid matching, which is a popular method incorporating spatial information in image-level representation, has not been fully studied to date. In addition, the strengths of pyramid match kernel and spatial pyramid matching are not combined for better image matching. Kernel descriptors based on gradient, colour and shape overcome the limitations of histogram-based descriptors, but suffer from information loss, noise effects and high computational complexity. Furthermore, the combined performance of kernel descriptors has limitations related to computational complexity, higher dimensionality and lower effectiveness. Moreover, the potential of a global texture descriptor which is based on human visual perception has not been fully explored to date. Therefore, in this research project, kernel-based effective and efficient image representation methods are proposed to address the above limitations. An enhancement is made to spatial pyramid matching in terms of improved rotation invariance. This is done by investigating different partitioning schemes suitable to achieve rotation-invariant image representation and the proposal of a weight function for appropriate level contribution in image matching. In addition, the strengths of pyramid match kernel and spatial pyramid are combined to enhance matching accuracy between images. The existing kernel descriptors are modified and improved to achieve greater effectiveness, minimum noise effects, less dimensionality and lower computational complexity. A novel fusion approach is also proposed to combine the information related to all pixel attributes, before the descriptor extraction stage. Existing kernel descriptors are based only on gradient, colour and shape information. In this research project, a texture-based kernel descriptor is proposed by modifying an existing popular global texture descriptor. Finally, all the contributions are evaluated in an integrated system. The performances of the proposed methods are qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated on two to four different publicly available image databases. The experimental results show that the proposed methods are more effective and efficient in image representation than existing benchmark methods.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The influence of controlled fire on the mobilization of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) in a mined landscape : Implications for land management and environmental health
- Authors: Abraham, Joji
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Controlled fires conducted in fire prone areas are an efficient and economic option to reduce the frequency and intensity of wild fires that result in damage to human property, infrastructure and ecosystems. However, in a similar way to wild fires, controlled fires affect many of the physical and bio-geochemical properties of the forest soil, and may remobilize Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) from vegetation and soil organic matter. The objective of this study is to investigate the mobilization of PTEs in a mined landscape after a controlled fire and to describe their temporal variations in concentrations. Soil samples were collected two days before and two days after the controlled fire, at the end of each season, and after a major rainfall in September 2016, from a legacy mine site in Maldon, Central Victoria, Australia, and analysed for PTE concentrations. The results revealed PTE mobility after the controlled fire, and most of the PTEs (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn) evidenced an increase in concentration (1.2, 1.5, 1.1, 2.9, and 1.7 times respectively) and other PTEs (Hg, Cr and Pb) shown a decrease (1.4, 1.1 and 1.1 times respectively) immediately after the fire. The increase in PTE concentration immediately after the fire is postulated to be associated with the addition of PTE enriched ash to the soil and the reduction is due to the volatilization of elements during fire. The PTEs, which increased their concentrations immediately after the fire show a temporal decrease in concentration in the post-fire soil environment due to the removal of ash and surface soil by rainfall runoff, leaching and wind activity. However, Hg shows an increase in concentration after the major rainfall event. Although, median concentrations of As, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn exceeded the Australian and Victorian top soil averages, only As and Hg are considered to be a risk to human and aquatic ecosystems health due to their elevated concentration and toxicity. Climate change and the resulting projection for increased forest fire frequency illustrates a growing concern given the expected concomitant increase in PTE mobilization. Preparing appropriate land and water management strategies, and addressing environmental health practice and policy, specifically at the legacy mining areas require a review. This study highlights the significant risk these sites pose.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Abraham, Joji
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Controlled fires conducted in fire prone areas are an efficient and economic option to reduce the frequency and intensity of wild fires that result in damage to human property, infrastructure and ecosystems. However, in a similar way to wild fires, controlled fires affect many of the physical and bio-geochemical properties of the forest soil, and may remobilize Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) from vegetation and soil organic matter. The objective of this study is to investigate the mobilization of PTEs in a mined landscape after a controlled fire and to describe their temporal variations in concentrations. Soil samples were collected two days before and two days after the controlled fire, at the end of each season, and after a major rainfall in September 2016, from a legacy mine site in Maldon, Central Victoria, Australia, and analysed for PTE concentrations. The results revealed PTE mobility after the controlled fire, and most of the PTEs (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn) evidenced an increase in concentration (1.2, 1.5, 1.1, 2.9, and 1.7 times respectively) and other PTEs (Hg, Cr and Pb) shown a decrease (1.4, 1.1 and 1.1 times respectively) immediately after the fire. The increase in PTE concentration immediately after the fire is postulated to be associated with the addition of PTE enriched ash to the soil and the reduction is due to the volatilization of elements during fire. The PTEs, which increased their concentrations immediately after the fire show a temporal decrease in concentration in the post-fire soil environment due to the removal of ash and surface soil by rainfall runoff, leaching and wind activity. However, Hg shows an increase in concentration after the major rainfall event. Although, median concentrations of As, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn exceeded the Australian and Victorian top soil averages, only As and Hg are considered to be a risk to human and aquatic ecosystems health due to their elevated concentration and toxicity. Climate change and the resulting projection for increased forest fire frequency illustrates a growing concern given the expected concomitant increase in PTE mobilization. Preparing appropriate land and water management strategies, and addressing environmental health practice and policy, specifically at the legacy mining areas require a review. This study highlights the significant risk these sites pose.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A new perceptual dissimilarity measure for image retrieval and clustering
- Authors: Shojanazeri, Hamid
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Image retrieval and clustering are two important tools for analysing and organising images. Dissimilarity measure is central to both image retrieval and clustering. The performance of image retrieval and clustering algorithms depends on the effectiveness of the dissimilarity measure. ‘Minkowski’ distance, or more specifically, ‘Euclidean’ distance, is the most widely used dissimilarity measure in image retrieval and clustering. Euclidean distance depends only on the geometric position of two data instances in the feature space and completely ignores the data distribution. However, data distribution has an effect on human perception. The argument that two data instances in a dense area are more perceptually dissimilar than the same two instances in a sparser area, is proposed by psychologists. Based on this idea, a dissimilarity measure called, ‘mp’, has been proposed to address Euclidean distance’s limitation of ignoring the data distribution. Here, mp relies on data distribution to calculate the dissimilarity between two instances. As prescribed in mp, higher data mass between two data instances implies higher dissimilarity, and vice versa. mp relies only on data distribution and completely ignores the geometric distance in its calculations. In the aggregation of dissimilarities between two instances over all the dimensions in feature space, both Euclidean distance and mp give same priority to all the dimensions. This may result in a situation that the final dissimilarity between two data instances is determined by a few dimensions of feature vectors with relatively much higher values. As a result, the dissimilarity derived may not align well with human perception. The need to address the limitations of Minkowski distance measures, along with the importance of a dissimilarity measure that considers both geometric distance and the perceptual effect of data distribution in measuring dissimilarity between images motivated this thesis. It studies the performance of mp for image retrieval. It investigates a new dissimilarity measure that combines both Euclidean distance and data distribution. In addition to these, it studies the performance of such a dissimilarity measure for image retrieval and clustering. Our performance study of mp for image retrieval shows that relying only on data distribution to measure the dissimilarity results in some situations, where the mp’s measurement is contrary to human perception. This thesis introduces a new dissimilarity measure called, perceptual dissimilarity measure (PDM). PDM considers the perceptual effect of data distribution in combination with Euclidean distance. PDM has two variants, PDM1 and PDM2. PDM1 focuses on improving mp by weighting it using Euclidean distance in situations where mp may not retrieve accurate results. PDM2 considers the effect of data distribution on the perceived dissimilarity measured by Euclidean distance. PDM2 proposes a weighting system for Euclidean distance using a logarithmic transform of data mass. The proposed PDM variants have been used as alternatives to Euclidean distance and mp to improve the accuracy in image retrieval. Our results show that PDM2 has consistently performed the best, compared to Euclidean distance, mp and PDM1. PDM1’s performance was not consistent, although it has performed better than mp in all the experiments, but it could not outperform Euclidean distance in some cases. Following the promising results of PDM2 in image retrieval, we have studied its performance for image clustering. k-means is the most widely used clustering algorithm in scientific and industrial applications. k-medoids is the closest clustering algorithm to k-means. Unlike k-means which works only with Euclidean distance, k-medoids gives the option to choose the arbitrary dissimilarity measure. We have used Euclidean distance, mp and PDM2 as the dissimilarity measure in k-medoids and compared the results with k-means. Our clustering results show that PDM2 has perfromed overally the best. This confirms our retrieval results and identifies PDM2 as a suitable dissimilarity measure for image retrieval and clustering.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Shojanazeri, Hamid
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Image retrieval and clustering are two important tools for analysing and organising images. Dissimilarity measure is central to both image retrieval and clustering. The performance of image retrieval and clustering algorithms depends on the effectiveness of the dissimilarity measure. ‘Minkowski’ distance, or more specifically, ‘Euclidean’ distance, is the most widely used dissimilarity measure in image retrieval and clustering. Euclidean distance depends only on the geometric position of two data instances in the feature space and completely ignores the data distribution. However, data distribution has an effect on human perception. The argument that two data instances in a dense area are more perceptually dissimilar than the same two instances in a sparser area, is proposed by psychologists. Based on this idea, a dissimilarity measure called, ‘mp’, has been proposed to address Euclidean distance’s limitation of ignoring the data distribution. Here, mp relies on data distribution to calculate the dissimilarity between two instances. As prescribed in mp, higher data mass between two data instances implies higher dissimilarity, and vice versa. mp relies only on data distribution and completely ignores the geometric distance in its calculations. In the aggregation of dissimilarities between two instances over all the dimensions in feature space, both Euclidean distance and mp give same priority to all the dimensions. This may result in a situation that the final dissimilarity between two data instances is determined by a few dimensions of feature vectors with relatively much higher values. As a result, the dissimilarity derived may not align well with human perception. The need to address the limitations of Minkowski distance measures, along with the importance of a dissimilarity measure that considers both geometric distance and the perceptual effect of data distribution in measuring dissimilarity between images motivated this thesis. It studies the performance of mp for image retrieval. It investigates a new dissimilarity measure that combines both Euclidean distance and data distribution. In addition to these, it studies the performance of such a dissimilarity measure for image retrieval and clustering. Our performance study of mp for image retrieval shows that relying only on data distribution to measure the dissimilarity results in some situations, where the mp’s measurement is contrary to human perception. This thesis introduces a new dissimilarity measure called, perceptual dissimilarity measure (PDM). PDM considers the perceptual effect of data distribution in combination with Euclidean distance. PDM has two variants, PDM1 and PDM2. PDM1 focuses on improving mp by weighting it using Euclidean distance in situations where mp may not retrieve accurate results. PDM2 considers the effect of data distribution on the perceived dissimilarity measured by Euclidean distance. PDM2 proposes a weighting system for Euclidean distance using a logarithmic transform of data mass. The proposed PDM variants have been used as alternatives to Euclidean distance and mp to improve the accuracy in image retrieval. Our results show that PDM2 has consistently performed the best, compared to Euclidean distance, mp and PDM1. PDM1’s performance was not consistent, although it has performed better than mp in all the experiments, but it could not outperform Euclidean distance in some cases. Following the promising results of PDM2 in image retrieval, we have studied its performance for image clustering. k-means is the most widely used clustering algorithm in scientific and industrial applications. k-medoids is the closest clustering algorithm to k-means. Unlike k-means which works only with Euclidean distance, k-medoids gives the option to choose the arbitrary dissimilarity measure. We have used Euclidean distance, mp and PDM2 as the dissimilarity measure in k-medoids and compared the results with k-means. Our clustering results show that PDM2 has perfromed overally the best. This confirms our retrieval results and identifies PDM2 as a suitable dissimilarity measure for image retrieval and clustering.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Investigating the impact of participation in alternative education from a positive youth development perspective : A case study of the School for Student Leadership
- Authors: Joyce, Susan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The School for Student Leadership (SSL) has existed since 2001 as an alternative residential educational setting for Year 9 students in Victoria, Australia. It was designed in response to growing calls for more effective ways of engaging middle school students. A review of the literature illustrated a dearth of research regarding alternative programs and schools, particularly from a positive youth development (PYD) perspective, and relating to long term effects of participation. This study investigated student participants’ perceived development in relation to the Five Cs - Confidence, Competence, Character, Connection and Care, concepts derived from the framework of PYD. It also examined differences in perceptions of students attending a shorter five-week program, compared to the standard nine-week program, as well as differences between male and female participants. This case study was undertaken utilising a mixed methods approach, using pre and post program surveys and interviews. Between 2013 and 2014, 385 students were surveyed and 58 interviews conducted over nine program offerings. The participants were then followed up one year post program, with 172 surveys returned and 14 interviews conducted. With the assistance of computer software programs, both the quantitative and qualitative data was analysed and then triangulated to form the findings. Participants’ ratings for each of the Five Cs were higher at the end of the program, and effect sizes, though generally small, when combined with the qualitative data indicated the program as having a significant positive impact, although this diminished slightly one year post program. Little discernible difference was found between the five- and the nine-week programs, and only slight differences between the two genders. The set of recommendations that emanated from this research should be of assistance for both the SSL and other schools, particularly in relation to enhancing attributes such as the Five Cs.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Joyce, Susan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The School for Student Leadership (SSL) has existed since 2001 as an alternative residential educational setting for Year 9 students in Victoria, Australia. It was designed in response to growing calls for more effective ways of engaging middle school students. A review of the literature illustrated a dearth of research regarding alternative programs and schools, particularly from a positive youth development (PYD) perspective, and relating to long term effects of participation. This study investigated student participants’ perceived development in relation to the Five Cs - Confidence, Competence, Character, Connection and Care, concepts derived from the framework of PYD. It also examined differences in perceptions of students attending a shorter five-week program, compared to the standard nine-week program, as well as differences between male and female participants. This case study was undertaken utilising a mixed methods approach, using pre and post program surveys and interviews. Between 2013 and 2014, 385 students were surveyed and 58 interviews conducted over nine program offerings. The participants were then followed up one year post program, with 172 surveys returned and 14 interviews conducted. With the assistance of computer software programs, both the quantitative and qualitative data was analysed and then triangulated to form the findings. Participants’ ratings for each of the Five Cs were higher at the end of the program, and effect sizes, though generally small, when combined with the qualitative data indicated the program as having a significant positive impact, although this diminished slightly one year post program. Little discernible difference was found between the five- and the nine-week programs, and only slight differences between the two genders. The set of recommendations that emanated from this research should be of assistance for both the SSL and other schools, particularly in relation to enhancing attributes such as the Five Cs.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Bi what means : Paratextual and filmic representations of bisexuality in contemporary cinema
- Authors: Benson, Chloe
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The question of how bisexuality, which is predominantly nonvisual and lacks a coherent cinematic code, can be represented in film remains a consistent concern within bisexual cinema studies. Scholars have tended to approach this problem by concentrating on the ways that the film text itself codes bisexuality or encourages a bisexual reading. This approach can offer important insights into the potential for and problems of screening bisexuality. However, this thesis argues that in order to more fully explore how bisexual meaning is constructed, critical attention must extend beyond the confines of the film text to engage in what Jonathon Gray describes as a form of “off-screen studies” (7). By developing a sustained engagement between paratextual theory and bisexual cinema studies this project develops a new methodological approach to filmic representations of bisexuality. Two samples of bisexual films and the official entryway paratexts - such as posters, trailers, and festival program notes - used to promote them are examined. These samples comprise films screened in the period from 2012-2014 on either the Melbourne general release circuit or at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival that have been identified online by viewers as incorporating bisexual meanings. Considering these texts in relation to their exhibition contexts, the thesis demonstrates that bisexual films can be found in diverse settings. It also establishes the impact that these settings have on the ways the films are framed paratextually. Close textual readings illustrate that paratexts can function as discrete texts that circulate bisexual meanings, as well as framings with the potential to prime viewers’ receptivity to onscreen bisexuality. The thesis reveals that the promotional impetus of paratexts can lead to the amplifying or subduing of bisexual readings across exhibition contexts and argues that an understanding of filmic bisexuality must acknowledge this. In sum, the thesis proposes that paratexts play a formative role in the production and circulation of bisexual meanings both on screen and off, within the niche realm of the queer film festival and on the general release circuit.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Benson, Chloe
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The question of how bisexuality, which is predominantly nonvisual and lacks a coherent cinematic code, can be represented in film remains a consistent concern within bisexual cinema studies. Scholars have tended to approach this problem by concentrating on the ways that the film text itself codes bisexuality or encourages a bisexual reading. This approach can offer important insights into the potential for and problems of screening bisexuality. However, this thesis argues that in order to more fully explore how bisexual meaning is constructed, critical attention must extend beyond the confines of the film text to engage in what Jonathon Gray describes as a form of “off-screen studies” (7). By developing a sustained engagement between paratextual theory and bisexual cinema studies this project develops a new methodological approach to filmic representations of bisexuality. Two samples of bisexual films and the official entryway paratexts - such as posters, trailers, and festival program notes - used to promote them are examined. These samples comprise films screened in the period from 2012-2014 on either the Melbourne general release circuit or at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival that have been identified online by viewers as incorporating bisexual meanings. Considering these texts in relation to their exhibition contexts, the thesis demonstrates that bisexual films can be found in diverse settings. It also establishes the impact that these settings have on the ways the films are framed paratextually. Close textual readings illustrate that paratexts can function as discrete texts that circulate bisexual meanings, as well as framings with the potential to prime viewers’ receptivity to onscreen bisexuality. The thesis reveals that the promotional impetus of paratexts can lead to the amplifying or subduing of bisexual readings across exhibition contexts and argues that an understanding of filmic bisexuality must acknowledge this. In sum, the thesis proposes that paratexts play a formative role in the production and circulation of bisexual meanings both on screen and off, within the niche realm of the queer film festival and on the general release circuit.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The Port Phillip Lime Economy : The vessels, the industry and their decline
- Authors: Taylor, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The objective of this Master of Arts thesis is to address the previous knowledge gap that existed with regards to the unwritten history of the Port Phillip lime economy. The particular focus of this thesis concerns the participating craft that helped to drive that economy, the types of craft and a number of shipwrecks concerning lime craft.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Taylor, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The objective of this Master of Arts thesis is to address the previous knowledge gap that existed with regards to the unwritten history of the Port Phillip lime economy. The particular focus of this thesis concerns the participating craft that helped to drive that economy, the types of craft and a number of shipwrecks concerning lime craft.
- Description: Masters by Research
A computer-mediated framework to facilitate group consensus based on a shared understanding ConSULT
- Authors: Afshar, Faezeh
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieving this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
- Description: Master of Information Technology
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieveing this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
- Authors: Afshar, Faezeh
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieving this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
- Description: Master of Information Technology
- Description: "Group decision-making usually involves a process of discussion and evaluation of alternatives. Important aspects of a group decision support system are: freedom to participate; the ability to explicitly present points of view; the ability to augment or oppose views by supporting evidence and reasoning; and the ability to use and consider other additional views .... The overall aim of this work is to develop an approach that can alleviate some of the problems associated with group commuication and consensus decision-making by effectively supporting group discussions towards consensus. Towards achieveing this goal we have developed an approach called ConSULT (Consensus based on a Shared Understanding of a Leading Topic) as a computer-mediated framework to allow argumentation, collection and evaluation of discussion and group decision-making. This approach employs existing theories and techniques in computer-mediated communication, argumentation, Delphi and voting." -- Abstract.
- Authors: DeAraugo, Jodi
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "Although a multitude of preventative programs have been utilised worldwide to modify cardiovascular risk factors, none have included internet based interventions. Study 1 aimed to compare internet based (n = 21), face-to-face (n = 27), and combined (n = 21) treatment groups with a naturally occurring control group (n = 24) on physiological, psychological, and lifestyle risk variables for cardiovascular disease across 6-months, and to determine if there were relationships between changes in the psychological and physiological variables over time. Results indicated that the internet based group had significantly greater social reciprocity than the face-to-face group. Significant time effects were noted for heart rate, stress, depression, anxiety, reciprocity, anger expression-out, anger expression-in, anger control-out, and anger control-in. Results also demonstrated that increases in reciprocity and anxiety, and decreases in anger expression-out, were related to increases in heart rate. "In contrast, less anger suppression was a significant predictor of greater systolic blood pressure. However, there were no significant results for group, time, or predictive value for the other psychological, physiological, and lifestyle risk variables. A follow-up study examined the effects of unstructured (n = 13) and highly structured (n =14) internet based programs on physiological, psychological, and lifestyle risk variables for coronary heart disease over 6-months. It also investigated if there were relationships between changes in the psychological and physiological variables over time. Participants stages of change were assessed in relation to psychological and lifestyle risk variables. Results showed that the unstructured group scored significantly higher on anger-expression-out than the highly structured group and that the unstructured groups alcohol usage significantly reduced over time. "The remaining psychological, physiological and lifestyle risk variables did not produce significant group, time, or predictive changes. The stage of change results indicated no significant group or time effects. Results indicated that greater angry reaction scores were predictive of higher heart rate and increased stress scores were predictive of higher diastolic blood pressure. The critical psychological variables predictive of poorer cardiovascular functioning should be targeted in future interventions."
- Description: Doctorate of Psychology
Tertiary student connectedness : Intervention influence on student connectedness as measured in health and academic behaviours of regional tertiary students
- Authors: Young, Patricia
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: At a time when university student diversity is heightened and when national government regulations have shifted their quality focus from support improvements to student achievement, little is known about the mechanism of the latter. University efforts to support quality, caring interactions between students and staff, known as connectedness, are currently favoured, and this thesis examines connectedness, mood, emotional well-being and academic behaviours of commencing students at a regional Australian university. This is done through the lens of a first semester intervention, known as Tertiary Learning Communities (TLC). Drawing on existing connectedness research, across both school and university settings and guided by a whole-school framework, details of the establishment of a suitable working party, the development of survey, pilot and intervention activities, and monitoring the ability of a cross-campus intervention to influence student connectedness and behaviour markers, are highlighted to advance further understanding of the mechanics of connectedness in a university setting. The developed survey, which collected data from undergraduate students early in their first semester, effectively captured perceptions of connectedness across a broad range of sources in addition to their mood, emotional well-being and academic student behaviours. Paired sample-tests assessed connectedness changes, and chi square analysis assessed behaviour changes when comparing the experimental and control groups on two occasions. A single intervention aligned to a first year core unit to support academic and social interactions, was shown to be ineffective in enhancing student connectedness during the semester of the intervention or the semester following the intervention. However, the level of connectedness decreases measured across ‘personal’, ‘other students’ and ‘lecturers’ were indeed significant, as was the finding that connectedness decreases for intervention participants exceeded the decreases of the control group. Furthermore, mood and emotional well-being challenges and the slow emergence of academic behaviours were also revealed. These findings provided support for future inclusive student support initiatives, maintained the involvement of working party members and extended support beyond the first semester to across first year.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Young, Patricia
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: At a time when university student diversity is heightened and when national government regulations have shifted their quality focus from support improvements to student achievement, little is known about the mechanism of the latter. University efforts to support quality, caring interactions between students and staff, known as connectedness, are currently favoured, and this thesis examines connectedness, mood, emotional well-being and academic behaviours of commencing students at a regional Australian university. This is done through the lens of a first semester intervention, known as Tertiary Learning Communities (TLC). Drawing on existing connectedness research, across both school and university settings and guided by a whole-school framework, details of the establishment of a suitable working party, the development of survey, pilot and intervention activities, and monitoring the ability of a cross-campus intervention to influence student connectedness and behaviour markers, are highlighted to advance further understanding of the mechanics of connectedness in a university setting. The developed survey, which collected data from undergraduate students early in their first semester, effectively captured perceptions of connectedness across a broad range of sources in addition to their mood, emotional well-being and academic student behaviours. Paired sample-tests assessed connectedness changes, and chi square analysis assessed behaviour changes when comparing the experimental and control groups on two occasions. A single intervention aligned to a first year core unit to support academic and social interactions, was shown to be ineffective in enhancing student connectedness during the semester of the intervention or the semester following the intervention. However, the level of connectedness decreases measured across ‘personal’, ‘other students’ and ‘lecturers’ were indeed significant, as was the finding that connectedness decreases for intervention participants exceeded the decreases of the control group. Furthermore, mood and emotional well-being challenges and the slow emergence of academic behaviours were also revealed. These findings provided support for future inclusive student support initiatives, maintained the involvement of working party members and extended support beyond the first semester to across first year.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The life and times of Dr Hermann Beckler (1828-1914) : An Australian - Barvarian Odyssey
- Authors: Dodd, David
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The principal aim of this research thesis has been to reconstruct the life and times of Dr Hermann Beckler (1828-1914), a Bavarian-born scientist and adventurer who spent six years in Australia between 1856 and 1862. This study constitutes the first authoritative analysis of Beckler’s life. It focuses on the various turning points that influenced his odyssey-like journey from Bavaria to Australia and back again, as well as his travels within Australia, his interest in the natural environment and the botany of Australia, and his empathy towards the Indigenous people. Beckler was a product of the Age of Romanticism. He was an enigmatic and contemplative person, yet possessed a degree of toughness and resilience to overcome what appeared to be initially a self-imposed exile, replete with self-recriminations, as he tried to establish himself, firstly as a medical doctor and then as a pharmacist in the pioneering Moreton Bay region of colonial New South Wales. His interests in the natural sciences provided a solution to the problem of employment, and his botanical collecting skills ultimately gained him a position with Dr Ferdinand Mueller of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. He worked as a botanical plant collector in northern New South Wales before his medical qualifications and botanical saw him appointed as medical doctor and botanist to the Victorian Exploring Expedition 1860-1861 led by Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. Beckler recognized this appointment as an opportunity to explore the hitherto unknown parts of the interior of Australia and while he did his best to fulfill his role, he was frustrated by the mismanagement of the whole expedition by Burke’s erratic leadership and by the ineptitude of the Royal Society of Victoria’s Exploration Committee. He remains one of Australia’s and Germany’s forgotten explorer botanists. This thesis aims to bring to life Beckler’s contribution to this important episode in Australian colonial history.
- Description: Master of Business by Research
- Authors: Dodd, David
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The principal aim of this research thesis has been to reconstruct the life and times of Dr Hermann Beckler (1828-1914), a Bavarian-born scientist and adventurer who spent six years in Australia between 1856 and 1862. This study constitutes the first authoritative analysis of Beckler’s life. It focuses on the various turning points that influenced his odyssey-like journey from Bavaria to Australia and back again, as well as his travels within Australia, his interest in the natural environment and the botany of Australia, and his empathy towards the Indigenous people. Beckler was a product of the Age of Romanticism. He was an enigmatic and contemplative person, yet possessed a degree of toughness and resilience to overcome what appeared to be initially a self-imposed exile, replete with self-recriminations, as he tried to establish himself, firstly as a medical doctor and then as a pharmacist in the pioneering Moreton Bay region of colonial New South Wales. His interests in the natural sciences provided a solution to the problem of employment, and his botanical collecting skills ultimately gained him a position with Dr Ferdinand Mueller of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. He worked as a botanical plant collector in northern New South Wales before his medical qualifications and botanical saw him appointed as medical doctor and botanist to the Victorian Exploring Expedition 1860-1861 led by Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. Beckler recognized this appointment as an opportunity to explore the hitherto unknown parts of the interior of Australia and while he did his best to fulfill his role, he was frustrated by the mismanagement of the whole expedition by Burke’s erratic leadership and by the ineptitude of the Royal Society of Victoria’s Exploration Committee. He remains one of Australia’s and Germany’s forgotten explorer botanists. This thesis aims to bring to life Beckler’s contribution to this important episode in Australian colonial history.
- Description: Master of Business by Research
Targeting, Tailoring, Timing - How the smaller regional Victorian TAFEs are changing to meet the need of HE students studying in their regions together.
- Menzies, Joanne, Lange, Nancy
- Authors: Menzies, Joanne , Lange, Nancy
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at ALIA National 2014 conference : Together we are stronger
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: INTRODUCTION The Dual Sector Partnership (DSP) Project was set up to deliver HE programs to regional students through their own local TAFE Institutes. The model of blended delivery allowed the students to study online but keep a local connection with lecturers and support staff based at their home institutes. Many students articulated into the degree programs from TAFE diplomas. The transition from a vocational environment into a HE environment presented challenges for these students. They were time poor, often in middle to senior management roles, working full time and managing families. Significant barriers existed in their relative isolation from direct assistance by studying online and lack of underlying academic literacies required for HE study. Students had access to both UB library resources online, but also their local TAFE libraries for support. In this way we reflected the “blended delivery” concept in library support. METHODS Project funds provided a local library collection- building program and an Information Librarian role (Jo Menzies). Jo works with the partners identify resources and practices that will help build capacity for the librarians, most of whom had previously not been required to deliver Information Literacy at the HE level. The libraries have devised and tested a number of strategies to better connect with these largely, online students. Strategies include the development of some very tailored and targeted sessions delivered outside normal library hours and requiring a very tight connection between teaching, library and learning skills staff. Other strategies include the development of an innovative and interactive tool to support referencing instruction, (one of the biggest issues for this cohort of students), active presence in student Moodle shells so students can interact with the library in their study space, development of student-generated sessions where students request specific session topics, and a preferred time to meet with their support librarian. RESULTS Strategies have had varying degrees of success. Student feedback has been positive, but major issues are making contact with this cohort and finding the right time.. Online resources are available but their skills with technology often prevent them from accessing such resources without support and instruction on effective use. One of the important results from this project to date is that delivery of Information Literacy for this cohort is all about Targeting, Tailoring and Timing (the 3 T’s). CONCLUSIONS We have a way to go, but we have clear goals to work towards, including the development of strong local connections between the library, teaching and study support staff. For this mature age group support works best when online is complimented by face to face support. RELEVANCE For the smaller regional TAFEs having to provide Information Literacy to HE students is a new thing, but not only are they HE, this cohort is mature age, not based on campus and come into the program with significant gaps in their academic literacies and technological skills. As a result each TAFE Institute library has responded locally in customising their delivery to suit the DSP cohort.
- Authors: Menzies, Joanne , Lange, Nancy
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at ALIA National 2014 conference : Together we are stronger
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: INTRODUCTION The Dual Sector Partnership (DSP) Project was set up to deliver HE programs to regional students through their own local TAFE Institutes. The model of blended delivery allowed the students to study online but keep a local connection with lecturers and support staff based at their home institutes. Many students articulated into the degree programs from TAFE diplomas. The transition from a vocational environment into a HE environment presented challenges for these students. They were time poor, often in middle to senior management roles, working full time and managing families. Significant barriers existed in their relative isolation from direct assistance by studying online and lack of underlying academic literacies required for HE study. Students had access to both UB library resources online, but also their local TAFE libraries for support. In this way we reflected the “blended delivery” concept in library support. METHODS Project funds provided a local library collection- building program and an Information Librarian role (Jo Menzies). Jo works with the partners identify resources and practices that will help build capacity for the librarians, most of whom had previously not been required to deliver Information Literacy at the HE level. The libraries have devised and tested a number of strategies to better connect with these largely, online students. Strategies include the development of some very tailored and targeted sessions delivered outside normal library hours and requiring a very tight connection between teaching, library and learning skills staff. Other strategies include the development of an innovative and interactive tool to support referencing instruction, (one of the biggest issues for this cohort of students), active presence in student Moodle shells so students can interact with the library in their study space, development of student-generated sessions where students request specific session topics, and a preferred time to meet with their support librarian. RESULTS Strategies have had varying degrees of success. Student feedback has been positive, but major issues are making contact with this cohort and finding the right time.. Online resources are available but their skills with technology often prevent them from accessing such resources without support and instruction on effective use. One of the important results from this project to date is that delivery of Information Literacy for this cohort is all about Targeting, Tailoring and Timing (the 3 T’s). CONCLUSIONS We have a way to go, but we have clear goals to work towards, including the development of strong local connections between the library, teaching and study support staff. For this mature age group support works best when online is complimented by face to face support. RELEVANCE For the smaller regional TAFEs having to provide Information Literacy to HE students is a new thing, but not only are they HE, this cohort is mature age, not based on campus and come into the program with significant gaps in their academic literacies and technological skills. As a result each TAFE Institute library has responded locally in customising their delivery to suit the DSP cohort.
- Authors: Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2006-2008
- Type: Text , Technical report
- Full Text: false
- Description: This study assessed differences in avian biodiversity across different forest age-classes, including mature stands (> 100 years), in a managed, mixed-species eucalypt forest located in Gippsland, south-eastern Australia. Avian surveys and detailed habitat measurements were initially carried out in 50 two hectare stands ranging in age from 100 years. Extensive wildfire which occurred during the study reduced the number of sites to 28 (seven in each of four age classes) upon which analyses and inferences were made. Mature vegetation (> 100 years) had the greatest richness, abundance and biomass of birds. Key ecological resources, such as tree-hollows for nesting, generally occurred mostly in stands > 60 years. There were quantum increases in all measures of avian biodiversity in mature stands (> 100 years). The visualisation of the survey data is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni).
Making junior cricket safer for Sri Lanka : Creating opportunities for injury prevention
- Authors: Gamage, Prasanna
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: With the immense popularity of the game of cricket in Sri Lanka, school level cricket is played competitively and socially by a large number of participants. As in many other sports, musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in cricket. Exposure to hot and humid environments in Sri Lankan conditions during outdoor cricket play can also pose a risk for junior cricketers. To date, there has been no attempt to examine injury or illness among Sri Lankan junior cricketers, which hinders opportunities for injury prevention. The first aim of this thesis was to examine musculoskeletal injuries with a view to identifying injury incidence and associated risks during competitions. Specific injuries among different groups of cricketers were identified including 46.0% in fielders, 25.4% in bowlers and 20.3% in batters. Injury risk perceptions of junior cricketers recognised that these injuries were common, and highlighted the role of coaches and school cricket teachers in supporting junior cricketers. The second aim of the thesis was to study the potential impact of exertional heat illnesses (EHI) during cricket play. A considerable variation in heat stress risk parameters (climate, duration, and intensity of play) were observed among cricketers during test-cricket play. Study of risk perceptions related to EHI showed the importance of understanding EHI risks such as humidity and use of helmets. The results of this PhD have been provided to Sri Lankan Cricket and school cricket authorities with recommendation to develop and implement injury preventive measures such as use of helmets during batting to minimise the high number of match-time-loss facial injuries, and educating junior cricketers in modifying their perceived risk attitudes and beliefs related to musculoskeletal and EHI risks. Overall, this PhD has met the aim of completing the first large-scale scientific contribution towards promoting safety and preventing injuries among Sri Lankan junior cricketers.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Gamage, Prasanna
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: With the immense popularity of the game of cricket in Sri Lanka, school level cricket is played competitively and socially by a large number of participants. As in many other sports, musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in cricket. Exposure to hot and humid environments in Sri Lankan conditions during outdoor cricket play can also pose a risk for junior cricketers. To date, there has been no attempt to examine injury or illness among Sri Lankan junior cricketers, which hinders opportunities for injury prevention. The first aim of this thesis was to examine musculoskeletal injuries with a view to identifying injury incidence and associated risks during competitions. Specific injuries among different groups of cricketers were identified including 46.0% in fielders, 25.4% in bowlers and 20.3% in batters. Injury risk perceptions of junior cricketers recognised that these injuries were common, and highlighted the role of coaches and school cricket teachers in supporting junior cricketers. The second aim of the thesis was to study the potential impact of exertional heat illnesses (EHI) during cricket play. A considerable variation in heat stress risk parameters (climate, duration, and intensity of play) were observed among cricketers during test-cricket play. Study of risk perceptions related to EHI showed the importance of understanding EHI risks such as humidity and use of helmets. The results of this PhD have been provided to Sri Lankan Cricket and school cricket authorities with recommendation to develop and implement injury preventive measures such as use of helmets during batting to minimise the high number of match-time-loss facial injuries, and educating junior cricketers in modifying their perceived risk attitudes and beliefs related to musculoskeletal and EHI risks. Overall, this PhD has met the aim of completing the first large-scale scientific contribution towards promoting safety and preventing injuries among Sri Lankan junior cricketers.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy