- Authors: Mestrom, Sanne
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Visual art work
- Full Text:
Soil moisture, organic carbon, and nitrogen content prediction with hyperspectral data using regression models
- Datta, Dristi, Paul, Manoranjan, Murshed, Manzur, Teng, Shyh Wei, Schmidtke, Leigh
- Authors: Datta, Dristi , Paul, Manoranjan , Murshed, Manzur , Teng, Shyh Wei , Schmidtke, Leigh
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 22, no. 20 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Soil moisture, soil organic carbon, and nitrogen content prediction are considered significant fields of study as they are directly related to plant health and food production. Direct estimation of these soil properties with traditional methods, for example, the oven-drying technique and chemical analysis, is a time and resource-consuming approach and can predict only smaller areas. With the significant development of remote sensing and hyperspectral (HS) imaging technologies, soil moisture, carbon, and nitrogen can be estimated over vast areas. This paper presents a generalized approach to predicting three different essential soil contents using a comprehensive study of various machine learning (ML) models by considering the dimensional reduction in feature spaces. In this study, we have used three popular benchmark HS datasets captured in Germany and Sweden. The efficacy of different ML algorithms is evaluated to predict soil content, and significant improvement is obtained when a specific range of bands is selected. The performance of ML models is further improved by applying principal component analysis (PCA), a dimensional reduction method that works with an unsupervised learning method. The effect of soil temperature on soil moisture prediction is evaluated in this study, and the results show that when the soil temperature is considered with the HS band, the soil moisture prediction accuracy does not improve. However, the combined effect of band selection and feature transformation using PCA significantly enhances the prediction accuracy for soil moisture, carbon, and nitrogen content. This study represents a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of established ML regression models using data preprocessing, effective band selection, and data dimension reduction and attempt to understand which feature combinations provide the best accuracy. The outcomes of several ML models are verified with validation techniques and the best- and worst-case scenarios in terms of soil content are noted. The proposed approach outperforms existing estimation techniques.
- Authors: Datta, Dristi , Paul, Manoranjan , Murshed, Manzur , Teng, Shyh Wei , Schmidtke, Leigh
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 22, no. 20 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Soil moisture, soil organic carbon, and nitrogen content prediction are considered significant fields of study as they are directly related to plant health and food production. Direct estimation of these soil properties with traditional methods, for example, the oven-drying technique and chemical analysis, is a time and resource-consuming approach and can predict only smaller areas. With the significant development of remote sensing and hyperspectral (HS) imaging technologies, soil moisture, carbon, and nitrogen can be estimated over vast areas. This paper presents a generalized approach to predicting three different essential soil contents using a comprehensive study of various machine learning (ML) models by considering the dimensional reduction in feature spaces. In this study, we have used three popular benchmark HS datasets captured in Germany and Sweden. The efficacy of different ML algorithms is evaluated to predict soil content, and significant improvement is obtained when a specific range of bands is selected. The performance of ML models is further improved by applying principal component analysis (PCA), a dimensional reduction method that works with an unsupervised learning method. The effect of soil temperature on soil moisture prediction is evaluated in this study, and the results show that when the soil temperature is considered with the HS band, the soil moisture prediction accuracy does not improve. However, the combined effect of band selection and feature transformation using PCA significantly enhances the prediction accuracy for soil moisture, carbon, and nitrogen content. This study represents a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of established ML regression models using data preprocessing, effective band selection, and data dimension reduction and attempt to understand which feature combinations provide the best accuracy. The outcomes of several ML models are verified with validation techniques and the best- and worst-case scenarios in terms of soil content are noted. The proposed approach outperforms existing estimation techniques.
Comparative analysis of machine and deep learning models for soil properties prediction from hyperspectral visual band
- Datta, Dristi, Paul, Manoranjan, Murshed, Manzur, Teng, Shyh Wei, Schmidtke, Leigh
- Authors: Datta, Dristi , Paul, Manoranjan , Murshed, Manzur , Teng, Shyh Wei , Schmidtke, Leigh
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environments Vol. 10, no. 5 (2023), p. 77
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Estimating various properties of soil, including moisture, carbon, and nitrogen, is crucial for studying their correlation with plant health and food production. However, conventional methods such as oven-drying and chemical analysis are laborious, expensive, and only feasible for a limited land area. With the advent of remote sensing technologies like multi/hyperspectral imaging, it is now possible to predict soil properties non-invasive and cost-effectively for a large expanse of bare land. Recent research shows the possibility of predicting those soil contents from a wide range of hyperspectral data using good prediction algorithms. However, these kinds of hyperspectral sensors are expensive and not widely available. Therefore, this paper investigates different machine and deep learning techniques to predict soil nutrient properties using only the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) bands data to propose a suitable machine/deep learning model that can be used as a rapid soil test. Another objective of this research is to observe and compare the prediction accuracy in three cases i. hyperspectral band ii. full spectrum of the visual band, and iii. three-channel of RGB band and provide a guideline to the user on which spectrum information they should use to predict those soil properties. The outcome of this research helps to develop a mobile application that is easy to use for a quick soil test. This research also explores learning-based algorithms with significant feature combinations and their performance comparisons in predicting soil properties from visual band data. For this, we also explore the impact of dimensional reduction (i.e., principal component analysis) and transformations (i.e., empirical mode decomposition) of features. The results show that the proposed model can comparably predict the soil contents from the three-channel RGB data.
- Authors: Datta, Dristi , Paul, Manoranjan , Murshed, Manzur , Teng, Shyh Wei , Schmidtke, Leigh
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environments Vol. 10, no. 5 (2023), p. 77
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Estimating various properties of soil, including moisture, carbon, and nitrogen, is crucial for studying their correlation with plant health and food production. However, conventional methods such as oven-drying and chemical analysis are laborious, expensive, and only feasible for a limited land area. With the advent of remote sensing technologies like multi/hyperspectral imaging, it is now possible to predict soil properties non-invasive and cost-effectively for a large expanse of bare land. Recent research shows the possibility of predicting those soil contents from a wide range of hyperspectral data using good prediction algorithms. However, these kinds of hyperspectral sensors are expensive and not widely available. Therefore, this paper investigates different machine and deep learning techniques to predict soil nutrient properties using only the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) bands data to propose a suitable machine/deep learning model that can be used as a rapid soil test. Another objective of this research is to observe and compare the prediction accuracy in three cases i. hyperspectral band ii. full spectrum of the visual band, and iii. three-channel of RGB band and provide a guideline to the user on which spectrum information they should use to predict those soil properties. The outcome of this research helps to develop a mobile application that is easy to use for a quick soil test. This research also explores learning-based algorithms with significant feature combinations and their performance comparisons in predicting soil properties from visual band data. For this, we also explore the impact of dimensional reduction (i.e., principal component analysis) and transformations (i.e., empirical mode decomposition) of features. The results show that the proposed model can comparably predict the soil contents from the three-channel RGB data.
Importance of relating with God for spiritual well-being
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The importance of relating with God for Spiritual Well-Being Twenty years of research in spiritual health/well-being culminate in this thesis. My PhD (1998), University of Melbourne, presented a Four Domains Model of Spiritual Health/Well-Being. This formed the theoretical base for several spiritual well-being questionnaires, presented in my EdD (2009), University of Ballarat. The main instrument, Spiritual Health And Life-Orientation Measure (SHALOM), proposed a novel method of assessing quality of relationships which are posited as reflecting spiritual well-being. These relationships are of each person with themselves, others, the environment and/or with a Transcendent Other (God). Instead of just investigating lived experiences, SHALOM asks for two responses to each item. Each respondent’s lived experience is compared with their stated ideals. Studies presented herein show that this double-response method, comparing ideal with actual, provides a statistically stronger measure of quality of relationships than lived experiences alone, thus spiritual well-being. Eighteen publications included in this thesis relate to studies of spiritual well-being in educational, healthcare and general community settings. A total of 52 studies, using SHALOM with 41686 people from 27 countries, have shown that, of the four sets of relationships measured by SHALOM, relating with God explains greatest variance in spiritual well-being, so is therefore most important. An international study with people involved with, as well as some opposed to, spirituality and religious education led to a generic form of SHALOM, in which the theistic words were replaced by ‘Transcendent’, with 19 alternatives provided from which to select preferred Transcendent, or none. This project revealed that relating with God, as Transcendent, provides greatest support for a person’s relating with self and others, in contrast to help provided by non-theistic and non-religious Transcendents and not believing in Transcendents. This research implies that researchers need to investigate relationship with God in any study of spiritual well-being, whether or not it fits their personal worldview.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The importance of relating with God for Spiritual Well-Being Twenty years of research in spiritual health/well-being culminate in this thesis. My PhD (1998), University of Melbourne, presented a Four Domains Model of Spiritual Health/Well-Being. This formed the theoretical base for several spiritual well-being questionnaires, presented in my EdD (2009), University of Ballarat. The main instrument, Spiritual Health And Life-Orientation Measure (SHALOM), proposed a novel method of assessing quality of relationships which are posited as reflecting spiritual well-being. These relationships are of each person with themselves, others, the environment and/or with a Transcendent Other (God). Instead of just investigating lived experiences, SHALOM asks for two responses to each item. Each respondent’s lived experience is compared with their stated ideals. Studies presented herein show that this double-response method, comparing ideal with actual, provides a statistically stronger measure of quality of relationships than lived experiences alone, thus spiritual well-being. Eighteen publications included in this thesis relate to studies of spiritual well-being in educational, healthcare and general community settings. A total of 52 studies, using SHALOM with 41686 people from 27 countries, have shown that, of the four sets of relationships measured by SHALOM, relating with God explains greatest variance in spiritual well-being, so is therefore most important. An international study with people involved with, as well as some opposed to, spirituality and religious education led to a generic form of SHALOM, in which the theistic words were replaced by ‘Transcendent’, with 19 alternatives provided from which to select preferred Transcendent, or none. This project revealed that relating with God, as Transcendent, provides greatest support for a person’s relating with self and others, in contrast to help provided by non-theistic and non-religious Transcendents and not believing in Transcendents. This research implies that researchers need to investigate relationship with God in any study of spiritual well-being, whether or not it fits their personal worldview.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The Zinc Transporter, Slc39a7 (Zip7) Is Implicated in Glycaemic Control in Skeletal Muscle Cells
- Myers, Stephen, Nield, Alex, Chew, Guatsiew, Myers, Mark
- Authors: Myers, Stephen , Nield, Alex , Chew, Guatsiew , Myers, Mark
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 8, no. 11 (November 2013 2013), p. 15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dysfunctional zinc signaling is implicated in disease processes including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Of the twenty-four mammalian zinc transporters, ZIP7 has been identified as an important mediator of the 'zinc wave' and in cellular signaling. Utilizing siRNA targeting Zip7 mRNA we have identified that Zip7 regulates glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle cells. An siRNA targeting Zip7 mRNA down regulated Zip7 mRNA 4.6-fold (p = 0.0006) when compared to a scramble control. This was concomitant with a reduction in the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism including Agl, Dlst, Galm, Gbe1, Idh3g, Pck2, Pgam2, Pgm2, Phkb, Pygm, Tpi1, Gusb and Glut4. Glut4 protein expression was also reduced and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis was decreased. This was associated with a reduction in the mRNA expression of Insr, Irs1 and Irs2, and the phosphorylation of Akt. These studies provide a novel role for Zip7 in glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and highlight the importance of this transporter in contributing to glycaemic control in this tissue.
- Authors: Myers, Stephen , Nield, Alex , Chew, Guatsiew , Myers, Mark
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 8, no. 11 (November 2013 2013), p. 15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Dysfunctional zinc signaling is implicated in disease processes including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Of the twenty-four mammalian zinc transporters, ZIP7 has been identified as an important mediator of the 'zinc wave' and in cellular signaling. Utilizing siRNA targeting Zip7 mRNA we have identified that Zip7 regulates glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle cells. An siRNA targeting Zip7 mRNA down regulated Zip7 mRNA 4.6-fold (p = 0.0006) when compared to a scramble control. This was concomitant with a reduction in the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism including Agl, Dlst, Galm, Gbe1, Idh3g, Pck2, Pgam2, Pgm2, Phkb, Pygm, Tpi1, Gusb and Glut4. Glut4 protein expression was also reduced and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis was decreased. This was associated with a reduction in the mRNA expression of Insr, Irs1 and Irs2, and the phosphorylation of Akt. These studies provide a novel role for Zip7 in glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and highlight the importance of this transporter in contributing to glycaemic control in this tissue.
A counterexample to De Pierro's conjecture on the convergence of under-relaxed cyclic projections
- Cominetti, Roberto, Roshchina, Vera, Williamson, Andrew
- Authors: Cominetti, Roberto , Roshchina, Vera , Williamson, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Optimization Vol. 68, no. 1 (2019), p. 3-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The convex feasibility problem consists in finding a point in the intersection of a finite family of closed convex sets. When the intersection is empty, a best compromise is to search for a point that minimizes the sum of the squared distances to the sets. In 2001, de Pierro conjectured that the limit cycles generated by the ε-under-relaxed cyclic projection method converge when ε ↓ 0 towards a least squares solution. While the conjecture has been confirmed under fairly general conditions, we show that it is false in general by constructing a system of three compact convex sets in R3 for which the ε-under-relaxed cycles do not converge. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Cominetti, Roberto , Roshchina, Vera , Williamson, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Optimization Vol. 68, no. 1 (2019), p. 3-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The convex feasibility problem consists in finding a point in the intersection of a finite family of closed convex sets. When the intersection is empty, a best compromise is to search for a point that minimizes the sum of the squared distances to the sets. In 2001, de Pierro conjectured that the limit cycles generated by the ε-under-relaxed cyclic projection method converge when ε ↓ 0 towards a least squares solution. While the conjecture has been confirmed under fairly general conditions, we show that it is false in general by constructing a system of three compact convex sets in R3 for which the ε-under-relaxed cycles do not converge. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Significance of monazite EPMA ages from the Quamby Conglomerate, Queensland
- Evins, P. M., Wilde, A. R., Foster, David, McKnight, Stafford, Blenkinsop, T. G.
- Authors: Evins, P. M. , Wilde, A. R. , Foster, David , McKnight, Stafford , Blenkinsop, T. G.
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences Vol. 54, no. 1 (2007), p. 19-26
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Th-U-Pb electron microprobe (EPMA) dating of mainly detrital monazite from the Quamby Conglomerate in the Eastern Succession of the Mt Isa inlier reveals three distinct monazite growth/recrystallisation events at around 1640, 1580 and 1490 Ma. These ages are particularly significant with respect to the timing of deposition, iron and gold mineralisation, and deformation in the Mt Isa inlier. The oldest age probably represents provenance from igneous rocks. In the sample, the majority of monazite growth occurred at 1580 Ma, coeval with peak metamorphism in the Eastern Succession. The low metamorphic grade of the conglomerate and wide compositional range of monazite bearing this age indicates that the monazite grew elsewhere and was later deposited in the conglomerate. Purple bands in the rock are composed mainly of coarse specular hematite with recrystallised margins that contribute to high (up to 20%) Fe2O3 contents in the conglomerate. Gold is also present in some of the samples. Some of the monazite grains contain small, younger (ca 1490 Ma) domains that may have grown/ recrystallised in situ during a lower grade syn- or post-diagenetic metamorphic/hydrothermal event that may have been related to hematite (re)crystallisation. Together, these ages bracket deposition of the Quamby Conglomerate to between ca 1580 and 1490 Ma, the latter age most likely representing diagenesis. This depositional age also represents a maximum age for north-south-striking, upright folds of the Quamby Conglomerate and implies that significant ductile deformation has affected parts of the Mt Isa inlier after 1580 Ma and probably after 1490 Ma.
- Description: C1
- Description: Creative work
- Description: 2003004832
- Authors: Evins, P. M. , Wilde, A. R. , Foster, David , McKnight, Stafford , Blenkinsop, T. G.
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences Vol. 54, no. 1 (2007), p. 19-26
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Th-U-Pb electron microprobe (EPMA) dating of mainly detrital monazite from the Quamby Conglomerate in the Eastern Succession of the Mt Isa inlier reveals three distinct monazite growth/recrystallisation events at around 1640, 1580 and 1490 Ma. These ages are particularly significant with respect to the timing of deposition, iron and gold mineralisation, and deformation in the Mt Isa inlier. The oldest age probably represents provenance from igneous rocks. In the sample, the majority of monazite growth occurred at 1580 Ma, coeval with peak metamorphism in the Eastern Succession. The low metamorphic grade of the conglomerate and wide compositional range of monazite bearing this age indicates that the monazite grew elsewhere and was later deposited in the conglomerate. Purple bands in the rock are composed mainly of coarse specular hematite with recrystallised margins that contribute to high (up to 20%) Fe2O3 contents in the conglomerate. Gold is also present in some of the samples. Some of the monazite grains contain small, younger (ca 1490 Ma) domains that may have grown/ recrystallised in situ during a lower grade syn- or post-diagenetic metamorphic/hydrothermal event that may have been related to hematite (re)crystallisation. Together, these ages bracket deposition of the Quamby Conglomerate to between ca 1580 and 1490 Ma, the latter age most likely representing diagenesis. This depositional age also represents a maximum age for north-south-striking, upright folds of the Quamby Conglomerate and implies that significant ductile deformation has affected parts of the Mt Isa inlier after 1580 Ma and probably after 1490 Ma.
- Description: C1
- Description: Creative work
- Description: 2003004832
A meta-analysis of gene expression signatures of blood pressure and hypertension
- Authors: Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Genetics Vol. 11, no. 3 (2015), p. 1-29
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered numerous genetic variants (SNPs) that are associated with blood pressure (BP). Genetic variants may lead to BP changes by acting on intermediate molecular phenotypes such as coded protein sequence or gene expression, which in turn affect BP variability. Therefore, characterizing genes whose expression is associated with BP may reveal cellular processes involved in BP regulation and uncover how transcripts mediate genetic and environmental effects on BP variability. A meta-analysis of results from six studies of global gene expression profiles of BP and hypertension in whole blood was performed in 7017 individuals who were not receiving antihypertensive drug treatment. We identified 34 genes that were differentially expressed in relation to BP (Bonferroni-corrected p<0.05). Among these genes, FOS and PTGS2 have been previously reported to be involved in BP-related processes; the others are novel. The top BP signature genes in aggregate explain 5%–9% of inter-individual variance in BP. Of note, rs3184504 in SH2B3, which was also reported in GWAS to be associated with BP, was found to be a trans regulator of the expression of 6 of the transcripts we found to be associated with BP (FOS, MYADM, PP1R15A, TAGAP, S100A10, and FGBP2). Gene set enrichment analysis suggested that the BP-related global gene expression changes include genes involved in inflammatory response and apoptosis pathways. Our study provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying BP regulation, and suggests novel transcriptomic markers for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the Federation University Australia affiliate is provided in this record**
- Authors: Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Genetics Vol. 11, no. 3 (2015), p. 1-29
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered numerous genetic variants (SNPs) that are associated with blood pressure (BP). Genetic variants may lead to BP changes by acting on intermediate molecular phenotypes such as coded protein sequence or gene expression, which in turn affect BP variability. Therefore, characterizing genes whose expression is associated with BP may reveal cellular processes involved in BP regulation and uncover how transcripts mediate genetic and environmental effects on BP variability. A meta-analysis of results from six studies of global gene expression profiles of BP and hypertension in whole blood was performed in 7017 individuals who were not receiving antihypertensive drug treatment. We identified 34 genes that were differentially expressed in relation to BP (Bonferroni-corrected p<0.05). Among these genes, FOS and PTGS2 have been previously reported to be involved in BP-related processes; the others are novel. The top BP signature genes in aggregate explain 5%–9% of inter-individual variance in BP. Of note, rs3184504 in SH2B3, which was also reported in GWAS to be associated with BP, was found to be a trans regulator of the expression of 6 of the transcripts we found to be associated with BP (FOS, MYADM, PP1R15A, TAGAP, S100A10, and FGBP2). Gene set enrichment analysis suggested that the BP-related global gene expression changes include genes involved in inflammatory response and apoptosis pathways. Our study provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying BP regulation, and suggests novel transcriptomic markers for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the Federation University Australia affiliate is provided in this record**
FOMO : The fear of missing out
- Authors: Ives, Bryce
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Visual art work
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ives, Bryce
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Visual art work
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clark, Ian
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Aboriginal Studies Vol. 2002, no. 2 (2002), p. 45-53
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Lal Lal Falls, situated within the traditional country of the Wathawurrung people, is one of Victoria's most significant Indigenous cultural sites, as it is one of several recorded living sites of Bundjil--the Kulin peoples' creator spirit. Lal Lal Falls, near Ballarat in Western Victoria, became a tourism attraction for non-Indigenous Australians for its natural and cultural values.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000228
Specific humoral response of hosts with variable schistosomiasis susceptibility
- Driguez, Patrick, McWilliam, Hamish, Gaze, Soraya, Piedrafita, David, Pearson, Mark, Nakajima, Rie, Duke, Mary, Trieu, Angela, Doolan, Denise, Cardoso, Fernanda, Jasinskas, Algis, Gobert, Geoffrey, Felgner, Philip, Loukas, Alex, Meeusen, Els, McManus, Donald
- Authors: Driguez, Patrick , McWilliam, Hamish , Gaze, Soraya , Piedrafita, David , Pearson, Mark , Nakajima, Rie , Duke, Mary , Trieu, Angela , Doolan, Denise , Cardoso, Fernanda , Jasinskas, Algis , Gobert, Geoffrey , Felgner, Philip , Loukas, Alex , Meeusen, Els , McManus, Donald
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Immunology and Cell Biology Vol. 94, no. 1 (2016), p. 52-65
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The schistosome blood flukes are some of the largest global causes of parasitic morbidity. Further study of the specific antibody response during schistosomiasis may yield the vaccines and diagnostics needed to combat this disease. Therefore, for the purposes of antigen discovery, sera and antibody-secreting cell (ASC) probes from semi-permissive rats and sera from susceptible mice were used to screen a schistosome protein microarray. Following Schistosoma japonicum infection, rats had reduced pathology, increased antibody responses and broader antigen recognition profiles compared with mice. With successive infections, rat global serological reactivity and the number of recognized antigens increased. The local antibody response in rat skin and lung, measured with ASC probes, increased after parasite migration and contributed antigen-specific antibodies to the multivalent serological response. In addition, the temporal variation of anti-parasite serum antibodies after infection and reinfection followed patterns that appear related to the antigen driving the response. Among the 29 antigens differentially recognized by the infected hosts were numerous known vaccine candidates, drug targets and several S. japonicum homologs of human schistosomiasis resistance markers - the tegument allergen-like proteins. From this set, we prioritized eight proteins that may prove to be novel schistosome vaccine and diagnostic antigens. © 2016 Australasian Society for Immunology Inc. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Driguez, Patrick , McWilliam, Hamish , Gaze, Soraya , Piedrafita, David , Pearson, Mark , Nakajima, Rie , Duke, Mary , Trieu, Angela , Doolan, Denise , Cardoso, Fernanda , Jasinskas, Algis , Gobert, Geoffrey , Felgner, Philip , Loukas, Alex , Meeusen, Els , McManus, Donald
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Immunology and Cell Biology Vol. 94, no. 1 (2016), p. 52-65
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The schistosome blood flukes are some of the largest global causes of parasitic morbidity. Further study of the specific antibody response during schistosomiasis may yield the vaccines and diagnostics needed to combat this disease. Therefore, for the purposes of antigen discovery, sera and antibody-secreting cell (ASC) probes from semi-permissive rats and sera from susceptible mice were used to screen a schistosome protein microarray. Following Schistosoma japonicum infection, rats had reduced pathology, increased antibody responses and broader antigen recognition profiles compared with mice. With successive infections, rat global serological reactivity and the number of recognized antigens increased. The local antibody response in rat skin and lung, measured with ASC probes, increased after parasite migration and contributed antigen-specific antibodies to the multivalent serological response. In addition, the temporal variation of anti-parasite serum antibodies after infection and reinfection followed patterns that appear related to the antigen driving the response. Among the 29 antigens differentially recognized by the infected hosts were numerous known vaccine candidates, drug targets and several S. japonicum homologs of human schistosomiasis resistance markers - the tegument allergen-like proteins. From this set, we prioritized eight proteins that may prove to be novel schistosome vaccine and diagnostic antigens. © 2016 Australasian Society for Immunology Inc. All rights reserved.
Efficient data gathering in 3D linear underwater wireless sensor networks using sink mobility
- Akbar, Mariam, Javaid, Nadeem, Khan, Ayesha, Imran, Muhammad, Shoaib, Muhammad, Vasilakos, Athanasios
- Authors: Akbar, Mariam , Javaid, Nadeem , Khan, Ayesha , Imran, Muhammad , Shoaib, Muhammad , Vasilakos, Athanasios
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors (Switzerland) Vol. 16, no. 3 (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Due to the unpleasant and unpredictable underwater environment, designing an energy-efficient routing protocol for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) demands more accuracy and extra computations. In the proposed scheme, we introduce a mobile sink (MS), i.e., an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and also courier nodes (CNs), to minimize the energy consumption of nodes. MS and CNs stop at specific stops for data gathering; later on, CNs forward the received data to the MS for further transmission. By the mobility of CNs and MS, the overall energy consumption of nodes is minimized. We perform simulations to investigate the performance of the proposed scheme and compare it to preexisting techniques. Simulation results are compared in terms of network lifetime, throughput, path loss, transmission loss and packet drop ratio. The results show that the proposed technique performs better in terms of network lifetime, throughput, path loss and scalability. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Akbar, Mariam , Javaid, Nadeem , Khan, Ayesha , Imran, Muhammad , Shoaib, Muhammad , Vasilakos, Athanasios
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors (Switzerland) Vol. 16, no. 3 (2016), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Due to the unpleasant and unpredictable underwater environment, designing an energy-efficient routing protocol for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) demands more accuracy and extra computations. In the proposed scheme, we introduce a mobile sink (MS), i.e., an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and also courier nodes (CNs), to minimize the energy consumption of nodes. MS and CNs stop at specific stops for data gathering; later on, CNs forward the received data to the MS for further transmission. By the mobility of CNs and MS, the overall energy consumption of nodes is minimized. We perform simulations to investigate the performance of the proposed scheme and compare it to preexisting techniques. Simulation results are compared in terms of network lifetime, throughput, path loss, transmission loss and packet drop ratio. The results show that the proposed technique performs better in terms of network lifetime, throughput, path loss and scalability. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Does multisession cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex prime the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in patients with nonspecific low back pain? A randomized clinical trial study
- Ehsani, Fatemeh, Hafez Yousefi, Mohaddeseh, Jafarzadeh, Abbas, Zoghi, Maryam, Jaberzadeh, Shapour
- Authors: Ehsani, Fatemeh , Hafez Yousefi, Mohaddeseh , Jafarzadeh, Abbas , Zoghi, Maryam , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Brain Sciences Vol. 13, no. 10 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many studies have shown that low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychosomatic symptoms which may lead to brain changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the concurrent application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial direct electrical stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in patients with nonspecific LBP. This study was performed on 45 LBP patients (23 women, 22 men; mean age 33.00 ± 1.77 years) in three groups: experimental (2 mA cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS)), sham (c-tDCS turned off after 30 s), and control (only received CBT). In all groups, CBT was conducted for 20 min per session, with two sessions per week for four weeks. Fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, immediately after, and one month after completion of interventions. Results indicated that all three different types of intervention could significantly reduce fear and disability immediately after intervention (p > 0.05). However, improvement in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the other groups immediately after and at the one-month follow-up after interventions (p < 0.05). DLPFC c-tDCS can prime the immediate effects of CBT and also the lasting effects on the reduction in the fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in LBP patients. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Ehsani, Fatemeh , Hafez Yousefi, Mohaddeseh , Jafarzadeh, Abbas , Zoghi, Maryam , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Brain Sciences Vol. 13, no. 10 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many studies have shown that low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychosomatic symptoms which may lead to brain changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the concurrent application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial direct electrical stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in patients with nonspecific LBP. This study was performed on 45 LBP patients (23 women, 22 men; mean age 33.00 ± 1.77 years) in three groups: experimental (2 mA cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS)), sham (c-tDCS turned off after 30 s), and control (only received CBT). In all groups, CBT was conducted for 20 min per session, with two sessions per week for four weeks. Fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, immediately after, and one month after completion of interventions. Results indicated that all three different types of intervention could significantly reduce fear and disability immediately after intervention (p > 0.05). However, improvement in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the other groups immediately after and at the one-month follow-up after interventions (p < 0.05). DLPFC c-tDCS can prime the immediate effects of CBT and also the lasting effects on the reduction in the fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in LBP patients. © 2023 by the authors.
Psychological distress, fear and coping strategies among hong kong people during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Chair, Sek, Chien, Wai, Liu, Ting, Lam, Louisa, Cross, Wendy, Banik, Biswajit, Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Authors: Chair, Sek , Chien, Wai , Liu, Ting , Lam, Louisa , Cross, Wendy , Banik, Biswajit , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Current Psychology Vol. 42, no. 3 (2023), p. 2538-2557
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to potential adverse effects on the mental health status of a wide range of people. This study aimed to identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among general population in Hong Kong. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; level of fear was evaluated using the Fear of COVID-19 scale; and coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify key factors associated with these mental health variables. Of the 555 participants, 53.9% experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, 31.2% experienced a high level of fear of COVID-19, and 58.6% showed moderate to high resilient coping. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that living with family members, current alcohol consumption, and higher level of fear were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; perceived stress due to a change in employment condition, being a frontline worker, experiencing ‘moderate to very high’ distress, and healthcare service use to overcome the COVID-19 related stress in past 6 months were associated with a higher level of fear; and perceived better mental health status was associated with a moderate to high resilient coping. This study identified key factors associated with distress, fear and coping strategies during the pandemic in Hong Kong. Mental health support strategies should be provided continuously to prevent the mental impact of the pandemic from turning into long-term illness. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
- Authors: Chair, Sek , Chien, Wai , Liu, Ting , Lam, Louisa , Cross, Wendy , Banik, Biswajit , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Current Psychology Vol. 42, no. 3 (2023), p. 2538-2557
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to potential adverse effects on the mental health status of a wide range of people. This study aimed to identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among general population in Hong Kong. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; level of fear was evaluated using the Fear of COVID-19 scale; and coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify key factors associated with these mental health variables. Of the 555 participants, 53.9% experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, 31.2% experienced a high level of fear of COVID-19, and 58.6% showed moderate to high resilient coping. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that living with family members, current alcohol consumption, and higher level of fear were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; perceived stress due to a change in employment condition, being a frontline worker, experiencing ‘moderate to very high’ distress, and healthcare service use to overcome the COVID-19 related stress in past 6 months were associated with a higher level of fear; and perceived better mental health status was associated with a moderate to high resilient coping. This study identified key factors associated with distress, fear and coping strategies during the pandemic in Hong Kong. Mental health support strategies should be provided continuously to prevent the mental impact of the pandemic from turning into long-term illness. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Optimizing 3d printed metallic object’s postprocessing : a case of gamma‐tial alloys
- Chowdhury, M. A. K., Sharif Ullah, A., Teti, Roberto
- Authors: Chowdhury, M. A. K. , Sharif Ullah, A. , Teti, Roberto
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Materials Vol. 14, no. 5 (2021), p. 1-15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Gamma‐TiAl (γ‐TiAl) alloys can be used in high‐end products relevant to the aerospace, defense, biomedical, and marine industries. Fabricating objects made of γ‐TiAl alloys needs an additive manufacturing process called Electron Beam Melting (EBM) or other similar processes because these alloys are difficult‐to‐cut materials. An object fabricated by EBM exhibits poor surface finish and must undergo postprocessing. In this study, cylindrical specimens were fabricated by EBM and post‐processed by turning at different cutting conditions (cutting speed, depth of cut, feed rate, insert radius, and coolant flowrate). The EBM conditions were as follows: average powder size 110 μm, acceleration voltage 60 kV, beam current 10 mA, beam scanning speed 2200 mm/s, and beam focus offset 0.20 mm. The surface roughness and cutting force were recorded for each set of cutting conditions. The values of the cutting conditions were set by the L36 Design of Experiment approach. The effects of the cutting conditions on surface roughness and cutting force are elucidated by constructing the possibility distributions (triangular fuzzy numbers) from the experimental data. Finally, the optimal cutting conditions to improve the surface finish of specimens made of γ‐TiAl alloys are determined using the possibility distributions. Thus, this study’s outcomes can be used to develop intelligent systems for optimizing additive manufacturing processes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Chowdhury, M. A. K. , Sharif Ullah, A. , Teti, Roberto
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Materials Vol. 14, no. 5 (2021), p. 1-15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Gamma‐TiAl (γ‐TiAl) alloys can be used in high‐end products relevant to the aerospace, defense, biomedical, and marine industries. Fabricating objects made of γ‐TiAl alloys needs an additive manufacturing process called Electron Beam Melting (EBM) or other similar processes because these alloys are difficult‐to‐cut materials. An object fabricated by EBM exhibits poor surface finish and must undergo postprocessing. In this study, cylindrical specimens were fabricated by EBM and post‐processed by turning at different cutting conditions (cutting speed, depth of cut, feed rate, insert radius, and coolant flowrate). The EBM conditions were as follows: average powder size 110 μm, acceleration voltage 60 kV, beam current 10 mA, beam scanning speed 2200 mm/s, and beam focus offset 0.20 mm. The surface roughness and cutting force were recorded for each set of cutting conditions. The values of the cutting conditions were set by the L36 Design of Experiment approach. The effects of the cutting conditions on surface roughness and cutting force are elucidated by constructing the possibility distributions (triangular fuzzy numbers) from the experimental data. Finally, the optimal cutting conditions to improve the surface finish of specimens made of γ‐TiAl alloys are determined using the possibility distributions. Thus, this study’s outcomes can be used to develop intelligent systems for optimizing additive manufacturing processes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Benefits of supportive strategies for carers of people with high-grade glioma : a systematic review : strategies for addressing the needs of high-grade glioma carers
- Jones, Diana, Pinkham, Mark, Wallen, Matthew, Hart, Nicolas, Joseph, Ria, Strodl, Esben, Ownsworth, Tamara, Beesley, Vanessa, Crichton, Megan, Chan, Raymond
- Authors: Jones, Diana , Pinkham, Mark , Wallen, Matthew , Hart, Nicolas , Joseph, Ria , Strodl, Esben , Ownsworth, Tamara , Beesley, Vanessa , Crichton, Megan , Chan, Raymond
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 30, no. 12 (2022), p. 10359-10378
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1194051
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3–4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers were included, targeting the carer directly (n = 10), the patient-carer dyad (n = 3), or focused on people with HGG + /
- Authors: Jones, Diana , Pinkham, Mark , Wallen, Matthew , Hart, Nicolas , Joseph, Ria , Strodl, Esben , Ownsworth, Tamara , Beesley, Vanessa , Crichton, Megan , Chan, Raymond
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 30, no. 12 (2022), p. 10359-10378
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1194051
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3–4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers were included, targeting the carer directly (n = 10), the patient-carer dyad (n = 3), or focused on people with HGG + /
Conical averagedness and convergence analysis of fixed point algorithms
- Bartz, Sedi, Dao, Minh, Phan, Hung
- Authors: Bartz, Sedi , Dao, Minh , Phan, Hung
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Global Optimization Vol. 82, no. 2 (2022), p. 351-373
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We study a conical extension of averaged nonexpansive operators and the role it plays in convergence analysis of fixed point algorithms. Various properties of conically averaged operators are systematically investigated, in particular, the stability under relaxations, convex combinations and compositions. We derive conical averagedness properties of resolvents of generalized monotone operators. These properties are then utilized in order to analyze the convergence of the proximal point algorithm, the forward–backward algorithm, and the adaptive Douglas–Rachford algorithm. Our study unifies, improves and casts new light on recent studies of these topics. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
- Authors: Bartz, Sedi , Dao, Minh , Phan, Hung
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Global Optimization Vol. 82, no. 2 (2022), p. 351-373
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We study a conical extension of averaged nonexpansive operators and the role it plays in convergence analysis of fixed point algorithms. Various properties of conically averaged operators are systematically investigated, in particular, the stability under relaxations, convex combinations and compositions. We derive conical averagedness properties of resolvents of generalized monotone operators. These properties are then utilized in order to analyze the convergence of the proximal point algorithm, the forward–backward algorithm, and the adaptive Douglas–Rachford algorithm. Our study unifies, improves and casts new light on recent studies of these topics. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Magic and antimagic labeling of graphs
- Authors: Sugeng, Kiki Ariyanti
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "A bijection mapping that assigns natural numbers to vertices and/or edges of a graph is called a labeling. In this thesis, we consider graph labelings that have weights associated with each edge and/or vertex. If all the vertex weights (respectively, edge weights) have the same value then the labeling is called magic. If the weight is different for every vertex (respectively, every edge) then we called the labeling antimagic. In this thesis we introduce some variations of magic and antimagic labelings and discuss their properties and provide corresponding labeling schemes. There are two main parts in this thesis. One main part is on vertex labeling and the other main part is on edge labeling."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Sugeng, Kiki Ariyanti
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "A bijection mapping that assigns natural numbers to vertices and/or edges of a graph is called a labeling. In this thesis, we consider graph labelings that have weights associated with each edge and/or vertex. If all the vertex weights (respectively, edge weights) have the same value then the labeling is called magic. If the weight is different for every vertex (respectively, every edge) then we called the labeling antimagic. In this thesis we introduce some variations of magic and antimagic labelings and discuss their properties and provide corresponding labeling schemes. There are two main parts in this thesis. One main part is on vertex labeling and the other main part is on edge labeling."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Changes in the chemistry of sedimentary organic matter within the Coorong over space and time
- Krull, Evelyn, Haynes, Deborah, Lamontagne, Sebastien, Gell, Peter, McKirdy, David, Hancock, Gary, McGowan, Janine, Smernik, Ronald
- Authors: Krull, Evelyn , Haynes, Deborah , Lamontagne, Sebastien , Gell, Peter , McKirdy, David , Hancock, Gary , McGowan, Janine , Smernik, Ronald
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biogeochemistry Vol. 92, no. 1-2 (2009), p. 9-25
- Full Text:
- Description: Like many other coastal systems across the world, the Coorong lagoonal ecosystem (South Australia) has degraded over the last 100 years; in this case as a result of extensive regulation and diversions of water across the Murray-Darling Basin following European settlement. To evaluate whether the sources of organic matter (OM) supporting its food-web have changed since the inception of water management and barrage construction, sedimentary OM was characterised in cores spanning the Coorong’s salinity gradient at depths representative of the last 100 years over which the management alterations to river and estuarine flow were most marked. Detailed 210Pb, 137Cs and Pu dating in conjunction with palaeolimnological data (Pinus pollen) allowed for the reconstruction of the timing of substantial changes observed in the composition of the OM, most of which occur during the early 1950s, concurrent with management-related variations in water flow and salinity. Negative shifts in
- Authors: Krull, Evelyn , Haynes, Deborah , Lamontagne, Sebastien , Gell, Peter , McKirdy, David , Hancock, Gary , McGowan, Janine , Smernik, Ronald
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biogeochemistry Vol. 92, no. 1-2 (2009), p. 9-25
- Full Text:
- Description: Like many other coastal systems across the world, the Coorong lagoonal ecosystem (South Australia) has degraded over the last 100 years; in this case as a result of extensive regulation and diversions of water across the Murray-Darling Basin following European settlement. To evaluate whether the sources of organic matter (OM) supporting its food-web have changed since the inception of water management and barrage construction, sedimentary OM was characterised in cores spanning the Coorong’s salinity gradient at depths representative of the last 100 years over which the management alterations to river and estuarine flow were most marked. Detailed 210Pb, 137Cs and Pu dating in conjunction with palaeolimnological data (Pinus pollen) allowed for the reconstruction of the timing of substantial changes observed in the composition of the OM, most of which occur during the early 1950s, concurrent with management-related variations in water flow and salinity. Negative shifts in
Breaking the safety barrier : engineering new paradigms in safety design
- Authors: Culvenor, John
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Occupational health and safety legislation in Australia and internationally is based on the safe place concept and the hierarchy of control. A safe place is best achieved at the design stage and consequently the education of engineers in safety has been a priority. There have been notable efforts at the integration of safety with engineering studies, and this should be an ongoing objective, however extensive integration is likely to be difficult at least in the short term. The challenge was to develop a supplemental, innovative way to improve the ability of engineers to develop safe place solutions. The hypothesis was that training in creative thinking would achieve this aim. The hierarchy of control methodology shares a strong relationship with creative thinking. Safe place thinking challenges assumptions in the same way that creative thinking seeks to escape dominant paradigms. For this reason creative thinking seems a natural aid to the safe place approach. This study tested the effect on safety design of a creative thinking program; de Bono’s six thinking hats method. Given a recognition that groups other than engineers impact on workplace design, a range of subjects were included; engineering students, technology students, industry safety advisers, and government safety advisers. In response to safety case studies, subjects were required to generate solutions and to prioritize potential solutions. Subjects worked on a range of problems, some individually and some in teams of three. Results show that training in creative thinking improved the generation of solutions to safety problems. As the number of solutions increased, the average quality of ideas was maintained, therefore the increased number of solutions was accompanied by a similar increase in good quality safe place solutions. The results also showed in some instances the training improved the prioritization of solutions according to the safe place methodology. The effects were of a similar magnitude for individuals and teams. Creative thinking training was shown to be a useful way to enhance the generation of safe place solutions to safety problems. Given that creative thinking skills can theoretically be applied to any area of problem solving, the enhancement of these skills are likely to yield wider benefits. Furthermore the enhancement of creative thinking accords well with the current industrial mandates for improved innovation.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Culvenor, John
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Occupational health and safety legislation in Australia and internationally is based on the safe place concept and the hierarchy of control. A safe place is best achieved at the design stage and consequently the education of engineers in safety has been a priority. There have been notable efforts at the integration of safety with engineering studies, and this should be an ongoing objective, however extensive integration is likely to be difficult at least in the short term. The challenge was to develop a supplemental, innovative way to improve the ability of engineers to develop safe place solutions. The hypothesis was that training in creative thinking would achieve this aim. The hierarchy of control methodology shares a strong relationship with creative thinking. Safe place thinking challenges assumptions in the same way that creative thinking seeks to escape dominant paradigms. For this reason creative thinking seems a natural aid to the safe place approach. This study tested the effect on safety design of a creative thinking program; de Bono’s six thinking hats method. Given a recognition that groups other than engineers impact on workplace design, a range of subjects were included; engineering students, technology students, industry safety advisers, and government safety advisers. In response to safety case studies, subjects were required to generate solutions and to prioritize potential solutions. Subjects worked on a range of problems, some individually and some in teams of three. Results show that training in creative thinking improved the generation of solutions to safety problems. As the number of solutions increased, the average quality of ideas was maintained, therefore the increased number of solutions was accompanied by a similar increase in good quality safe place solutions. The results also showed in some instances the training improved the prioritization of solutions according to the safe place methodology. The effects were of a similar magnitude for individuals and teams. Creative thinking training was shown to be a useful way to enhance the generation of safe place solutions to safety problems. Given that creative thinking skills can theoretically be applied to any area of problem solving, the enhancement of these skills are likely to yield wider benefits. Furthermore the enhancement of creative thinking accords well with the current industrial mandates for improved innovation.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy