Techniques for the reverse engineering of banking malware
- Authors: Black, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Malware attacks are a significant and frequently reported problem, adversely affecting the productivity of organisations and governments worldwide. The well-documented consequences of malware attacks include financial loss, data loss, reputation damage, infrastructure damage, theft of intellectual property, compromise of commercial negotiations, and national security risks. Mitiga-tion activities involve a significant amount of manual analysis. Therefore, there is a need for automated techniques for malware analysis to identify malicious behaviours. Research into automated techniques for malware analysis covers a wide range of activities. This thesis consists of a series of studies: an anal-ysis of banking malware families and their common behaviours, an emulated command and control environment for dynamic malware analysis, a technique to identify similar malware functions, and a technique for the detection of ransomware. An analysis of the nature of banking malware, its major malware families, behaviours, variants, and inter-relationships are provided in this thesis. In doing this, this research takes a broad view of malware analysis, starting with the implementation of the malicious behaviours through to detailed analysis using machine learning. The broad approach taken in this thesis differs from some other studies that approach malware research in a more abstract sense. A disadvantage of approaching malware research without domain knowledge, is that important methodology questions may not be considered. Large datasets of historical malware samples are available for countermea-sures research. However, due to the age of these samples, the original malware infrastructure is no longer available, often restricting malware operations to initialisation functions only. To address this absence, an emulated command and control environment is provided. This emulated environment provides full control of the malware, enabling the capabilities of the original in-the-wild operation, while enabling feature extraction for research purposes. A major focus of this thesis has been the development of a machine learn-ing function similarity method with a novel feature encoding that increases feature strength. This research develops techniques to demonstrate that the machine learning model trained on similarity features from one program can find similar functions in another, unrelated program. This finding can lead to the development of generic similar function classifiers that can be packaged and distributed in reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro and Ghidra. Further, this research examines the use of API call features for the identi-fication of ransomware and shows that a failure to consider malware analysis domain knowledge can lead to weaknesses in experimental design. In this case, we show that existing research has difficulty in discriminating between ransomware and benign cryptographic software. This thesis by publication, has developed techniques to advance the disci-pline of malware reverse engineering, in order to minimize harm due to cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, government institutions, and industry.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Black, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Malware attacks are a significant and frequently reported problem, adversely affecting the productivity of organisations and governments worldwide. The well-documented consequences of malware attacks include financial loss, data loss, reputation damage, infrastructure damage, theft of intellectual property, compromise of commercial negotiations, and national security risks. Mitiga-tion activities involve a significant amount of manual analysis. Therefore, there is a need for automated techniques for malware analysis to identify malicious behaviours. Research into automated techniques for malware analysis covers a wide range of activities. This thesis consists of a series of studies: an anal-ysis of banking malware families and their common behaviours, an emulated command and control environment for dynamic malware analysis, a technique to identify similar malware functions, and a technique for the detection of ransomware. An analysis of the nature of banking malware, its major malware families, behaviours, variants, and inter-relationships are provided in this thesis. In doing this, this research takes a broad view of malware analysis, starting with the implementation of the malicious behaviours through to detailed analysis using machine learning. The broad approach taken in this thesis differs from some other studies that approach malware research in a more abstract sense. A disadvantage of approaching malware research without domain knowledge, is that important methodology questions may not be considered. Large datasets of historical malware samples are available for countermea-sures research. However, due to the age of these samples, the original malware infrastructure is no longer available, often restricting malware operations to initialisation functions only. To address this absence, an emulated command and control environment is provided. This emulated environment provides full control of the malware, enabling the capabilities of the original in-the-wild operation, while enabling feature extraction for research purposes. A major focus of this thesis has been the development of a machine learn-ing function similarity method with a novel feature encoding that increases feature strength. This research develops techniques to demonstrate that the machine learning model trained on similarity features from one program can find similar functions in another, unrelated program. This finding can lead to the development of generic similar function classifiers that can be packaged and distributed in reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro and Ghidra. Further, this research examines the use of API call features for the identi-fication of ransomware and shows that a failure to consider malware analysis domain knowledge can lead to weaknesses in experimental design. In this case, we show that existing research has difficulty in discriminating between ransomware and benign cryptographic software. This thesis by publication, has developed techniques to advance the disci-pline of malware reverse engineering, in order to minimize harm due to cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, government institutions, and industry.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Giving the laity a voice through fiction : Irish Catholic Ballarat in 1875 as portrayed in The liberator's birthday
- Authors: Blee, Jillian
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This project uses narrative fiction to portray Irish Catholic laity who were part of the population of Ballarat in 1875."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Blee, Jillian
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This project uses narrative fiction to portray Irish Catholic laity who were part of the population of Ballarat in 1875."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The effects of a problem-solving program on adolescent's problem-solving skills
- Authors: Blick, Neil
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a group training program, based on cognitive behavioural theory and techniques, on the problem-solving skills of adolescents. Evidence of a link between suicidal ideation (engaging in suicidal thinking) and reported deficits in social problem-solving or coping competence levels in adolescents is an area of investigation that offers some hope for suicide primary prevention programs. The study tried to determine if teaching social problem solving skills in a school would better equip adolescents with coping with problematic situations. The work of Hawton (1997) Hawton and Kirk (1989), Lerner and Clum (1990) and McLeavey, Daly, Ludgate and Murray (1994) formed the basis of the training program design. The emphasis was on general problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing appropriate problem-solving behaviours and role simulation through the use of structured video case scenarios. Seventy four male and female year 10 secondary school students were subjects in the study. They were randomly divided into two, approximately equal, groups. Thirty six subjects established the control group and the remaining thirty eight constituted the experimental group. The findings indicated that students exposed to the problem solving training program did not have significantly higher problem-solving ability, as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) than those who were not exposed to the training. However, females in the experimental group were significantly more likely to make conscious decisions about when they would approach or avoid a problem when compared to control group females. It is suggested that the adaptation of training, designed for suicidal clients, needs to be explored further for application to Year 10 students in the general population. More research is needed into ways to provide school based preventative training programs that will assist in the development of coping skills.
- Description: Master of Health Science (Health Promotion)
- Authors: Blick, Neil
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a group training program, based on cognitive behavioural theory and techniques, on the problem-solving skills of adolescents. Evidence of a link between suicidal ideation (engaging in suicidal thinking) and reported deficits in social problem-solving or coping competence levels in adolescents is an area of investigation that offers some hope for suicide primary prevention programs. The study tried to determine if teaching social problem solving skills in a school would better equip adolescents with coping with problematic situations. The work of Hawton (1997) Hawton and Kirk (1989), Lerner and Clum (1990) and McLeavey, Daly, Ludgate and Murray (1994) formed the basis of the training program design. The emphasis was on general problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing problem-solving skills rather on a participant’s specific current problems. Included was training in listening skills, assistance in developing appropriate problem-solving behaviours and role simulation through the use of structured video case scenarios. Seventy four male and female year 10 secondary school students were subjects in the study. They were randomly divided into two, approximately equal, groups. Thirty six subjects established the control group and the remaining thirty eight constituted the experimental group. The findings indicated that students exposed to the problem solving training program did not have significantly higher problem-solving ability, as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) than those who were not exposed to the training. However, females in the experimental group were significantly more likely to make conscious decisions about when they would approach or avoid a problem when compared to control group females. It is suggested that the adaptation of training, designed for suicidal clients, needs to be explored further for application to Year 10 students in the general population. More research is needed into ways to provide school based preventative training programs that will assist in the development of coping skills.
- Description: Master of Health Science (Health Promotion)
The use and management of hazardous substances in South Australian workplaces : a survey of health and safety respresentatives
- Authors: Bluff, Elizabeth
- Date: 1994
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "There is a dearth of information about the current use and management of hazardous substances in workplaces. This project aimed to contribute knowledge in this area by drawing on the practical experience of worker-elected health and safety representatives. This was undertaken by surveying a random sample of 7178 representatives registered with former South Australian Occupational and Safety Commission's Health and Safety Representatives Database. The survey results indicated widespread use of hazard substances although there were differences between industries and work force sectors in the range of chemical types used, the nature and degree of contact that workers have with them. Use of some chemical types was also widespread in a number of industries. Container labelling and access to material safety data sheets were found to be established in many workplaces and some form of assessment to decide how to protect workers was also often undertaken. Baseline information was obtained against which the impact of proposed regulatory reforms to control workplace hazardous substances (consistent with Workplace Australia's National Model Regulations for the Contol of Workplace Hazardous Substances) can be evaluated. This information can also be used in the planning and targeting of educative and other preventive strategies to minimise risks to health and safety arising from work with hazardous substances." Taken form Abstract
- Authors: Bluff, Elizabeth
- Date: 1994
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "There is a dearth of information about the current use and management of hazardous substances in workplaces. This project aimed to contribute knowledge in this area by drawing on the practical experience of worker-elected health and safety representatives. This was undertaken by surveying a random sample of 7178 representatives registered with former South Australian Occupational and Safety Commission's Health and Safety Representatives Database. The survey results indicated widespread use of hazard substances although there were differences between industries and work force sectors in the range of chemical types used, the nature and degree of contact that workers have with them. Use of some chemical types was also widespread in a number of industries. Container labelling and access to material safety data sheets were found to be established in many workplaces and some form of assessment to decide how to protect workers was also often undertaken. Baseline information was obtained against which the impact of proposed regulatory reforms to control workplace hazardous substances (consistent with Workplace Australia's National Model Regulations for the Contol of Workplace Hazardous Substances) can be evaluated. This information can also be used in the planning and targeting of educative and other preventive strategies to minimise risks to health and safety arising from work with hazardous substances." Taken form Abstract
Cultural influence on China's household saving
- Authors: Boffa, Zhang-Ming
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The recession following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis highlighted the problem of deficient household saving and imprudent consumer credit. Studies of selected economies reveal that household saving tends to decline as economies move to higher stages of development. Following rapid economic growth, China’s household saving, possibly due to the influence of traditional culture, has remained high by international standards while consumer credit levels are low. This significant phenomenon has prompted the question of what this development trajectory may become as China proceeds to higher income levels. Whereas the economic, social and financial development factors related to household saving and development have been well researched, from the perspective of this investigation, there are missing ‘cultural values’ in the analysis. Consequently, the Institutional Economics concept of ‘culture as a value’ provides the basis for this thesis into the influence of culture on China’s household saving and its effects. By extending Keynes’s General Theory in relation to saving, and incorporating studies from both the Chinese and Western scholarly traditions, five themes are identified as influencing the cultural preferences of China’s household saving. These are: (i) precautionary motives; (ii) habit formation; (iii) children’s education; (iv) consumer credit; and (v) teaching thrift. The holistic approach of this study has allowed a deeper understanding of the role of cultural values on agency and structure in economic events and their subsequent impact on household saving. Results of this investigation indicate that the Confucian value of family ties and ‘Zhong Yong’ – the Golden Mean, which translates essentially as balance, enable Chinese households to save. This development has highlighted a growing tension, in China’s modernity process, between the traditional Confucian value of thrift and the Western cultural influence of stimulating economic growth by consumption. After consideration of current saving practices and the anticipation of economic changes, this research advocates the striking of a balance between household saving and increasing consumption in China in order to avert a future financial crisis and to facilitate economic growth. The implication of this research is that finding a balance between household saving and consumption is crucial to sustainable future development in China as it shifts its development focus from investment and export-led to domestic consumption-driven growth and social development.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Boffa, Zhang-Ming
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The recession following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis highlighted the problem of deficient household saving and imprudent consumer credit. Studies of selected economies reveal that household saving tends to decline as economies move to higher stages of development. Following rapid economic growth, China’s household saving, possibly due to the influence of traditional culture, has remained high by international standards while consumer credit levels are low. This significant phenomenon has prompted the question of what this development trajectory may become as China proceeds to higher income levels. Whereas the economic, social and financial development factors related to household saving and development have been well researched, from the perspective of this investigation, there are missing ‘cultural values’ in the analysis. Consequently, the Institutional Economics concept of ‘culture as a value’ provides the basis for this thesis into the influence of culture on China’s household saving and its effects. By extending Keynes’s General Theory in relation to saving, and incorporating studies from both the Chinese and Western scholarly traditions, five themes are identified as influencing the cultural preferences of China’s household saving. These are: (i) precautionary motives; (ii) habit formation; (iii) children’s education; (iv) consumer credit; and (v) teaching thrift. The holistic approach of this study has allowed a deeper understanding of the role of cultural values on agency and structure in economic events and their subsequent impact on household saving. Results of this investigation indicate that the Confucian value of family ties and ‘Zhong Yong’ – the Golden Mean, which translates essentially as balance, enable Chinese households to save. This development has highlighted a growing tension, in China’s modernity process, between the traditional Confucian value of thrift and the Western cultural influence of stimulating economic growth by consumption. After consideration of current saving practices and the anticipation of economic changes, this research advocates the striking of a balance between household saving and increasing consumption in China in order to avert a future financial crisis and to facilitate economic growth. The implication of this research is that finding a balance between household saving and consumption is crucial to sustainable future development in China as it shifts its development focus from investment and export-led to domestic consumption-driven growth and social development.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Pleasure framed : the potential of constraint in the art process as a means to aesthetic freedom and positive connection to places of past colonialism
- Authors: Bolger, Wendy
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This art based project is a personal exploratory journey through the potential of constraint, to fine aesthetic freedom and positive connection with places of past colonisation - in particular Lake Mungo in New South Wales, and places of my pastoral background in New Zealand." --Abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bolger, Wendy
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This art based project is a personal exploratory journey through the potential of constraint, to fine aesthetic freedom and positive connection with places of past colonisation - in particular Lake Mungo in New South Wales, and places of my pastoral background in New Zealand." --Abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Citizen science: Knowledge, networks and the boundaries of participation
- Authors: Bonney, Patrick
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The water-related challenges facing humanity are complex and urgent. Although solutions are not always clear, involving the public in localised knowledge production and policy development is widely recognised as a critical part of this larger effort. Such public engagement is increasingly achieved through “citizen science”—a practice that involves non-professionals in scientific research and monitoring. Academic literature has recognised that, while citizen science is both important and necessary to strengthen environmental policy, its acceptance and successful implementation is a difficult governance challenge. Researchers agree that overcoming this challenge depends on the ability of volunteers, coordinators, scientists and decision-makers to work together to convert the potential of citizen science into practice. However, little is known about the collaborative relationships or the broader social contexts that shape and define the practice. To address these shortfalls, this thesis advances a conceptual framework for the relational analysis of citizen science that illustrates social networks and the boundaries between expert and community-based knowledge as critical sites of investigation. Through its multi-phase and mixed-methods research design, the findings of this thesis shed light on the contributions of citizen science to key waterway governance objectives, including the social, political and cultural factors that influence its acceptance and uptake in governance contexts. By unpacking the relational dimensions of citizen science, this thesis provides both theoretical and practice-based insights into how actors within and outside citizen science programs work together to achieve collective aims to engender stronger connections between science, society and policy. This thesis will benefit practitioners, policymakers and participatory advocates interested in achieving practical social change in efforts to understand and manage natural resources.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bonney, Patrick
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The water-related challenges facing humanity are complex and urgent. Although solutions are not always clear, involving the public in localised knowledge production and policy development is widely recognised as a critical part of this larger effort. Such public engagement is increasingly achieved through “citizen science”—a practice that involves non-professionals in scientific research and monitoring. Academic literature has recognised that, while citizen science is both important and necessary to strengthen environmental policy, its acceptance and successful implementation is a difficult governance challenge. Researchers agree that overcoming this challenge depends on the ability of volunteers, coordinators, scientists and decision-makers to work together to convert the potential of citizen science into practice. However, little is known about the collaborative relationships or the broader social contexts that shape and define the practice. To address these shortfalls, this thesis advances a conceptual framework for the relational analysis of citizen science that illustrates social networks and the boundaries between expert and community-based knowledge as critical sites of investigation. Through its multi-phase and mixed-methods research design, the findings of this thesis shed light on the contributions of citizen science to key waterway governance objectives, including the social, political and cultural factors that influence its acceptance and uptake in governance contexts. By unpacking the relational dimensions of citizen science, this thesis provides both theoretical and practice-based insights into how actors within and outside citizen science programs work together to achieve collective aims to engender stronger connections between science, society and policy. This thesis will benefit practitioners, policymakers and participatory advocates interested in achieving practical social change in efforts to understand and manage natural resources.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The role of Telomeres in the development of Cardiac Hypertrophy
- Authors: Booth, Scott
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: The overall aim of this thesis was to determine the role of telomeres in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. It was hypothesised that changes in cardiomyocyte telomere length and/or maintenance cause cardiac hypertrophy.
- Authors: Booth, Scott
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: The overall aim of this thesis was to determine the role of telomeres in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. It was hypothesised that changes in cardiomyocyte telomere length and/or maintenance cause cardiac hypertrophy.
Exploring risk-awareness as a cultural approach to safety : An ethnographic study of a contract maintenance environment
- Authors: Borys, David
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Safety culture has risen to prominence over the past two decades as a means by which organisations may enhance their safety performance. Safety culture may be conceptualised as an interpretive device that mediates between organisational safety rhetoric and safety programs on the one hand, and local workplace cultures on the other. More recently, risk-awareness has emerged as a cultural approach to safety. Front line workers are encouraged to become risk-aware through programs designed to prompt them to undertake mental or informal risk assessments before commencing work. The problem is that risk-awareness programs have not been the subject of systematic research and the impact of these programs on the culture of safety and the resultant level of risk is unknown. Therefore, this ethnographic study of two sites within a large contract maintenance organisation in Australia explored what impact risk-awareness programs have upon the culture of safety and the resultant level of risk. The researcher spent two months in the field and data was collected through participant observation, semistructured interviews and through a review of organisational documents. This study found that managers focused upon collecting the paperwork associated with the program as proof that workers had a safer workplace, whereas workers preferred to rely upon their common sense rather than the paperwork to keep them safe. As a consequence, the riskawareness program resulted in a culture of paperwork and varying levels of risk reduction because the paperwork associated with the program created an illusion of safety for managers as much as common sense did for workers. The results of this study have implications for safety culture, risk-awareness programs and for organisational learning. They also have implications for organisations wishing to improve their safety culture by encouraging risk-awareness in front-line workers.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Borys, David
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Safety culture has risen to prominence over the past two decades as a means by which organisations may enhance their safety performance. Safety culture may be conceptualised as an interpretive device that mediates between organisational safety rhetoric and safety programs on the one hand, and local workplace cultures on the other. More recently, risk-awareness has emerged as a cultural approach to safety. Front line workers are encouraged to become risk-aware through programs designed to prompt them to undertake mental or informal risk assessments before commencing work. The problem is that risk-awareness programs have not been the subject of systematic research and the impact of these programs on the culture of safety and the resultant level of risk is unknown. Therefore, this ethnographic study of two sites within a large contract maintenance organisation in Australia explored what impact risk-awareness programs have upon the culture of safety and the resultant level of risk. The researcher spent two months in the field and data was collected through participant observation, semistructured interviews and through a review of organisational documents. This study found that managers focused upon collecting the paperwork associated with the program as proof that workers had a safer workplace, whereas workers preferred to rely upon their common sense rather than the paperwork to keep them safe. As a consequence, the riskawareness program resulted in a culture of paperwork and varying levels of risk reduction because the paperwork associated with the program created an illusion of safety for managers as much as common sense did for workers. The results of this study have implications for safety culture, risk-awareness programs and for organisational learning. They also have implications for organisations wishing to improve their safety culture by encouraging risk-awareness in front-line workers.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The effectiveness of team-based approaches to improving health and safety : case studies from Australian industry in the 1990's
- Authors: Borys, David
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "Using case studies from Australian industry, the aim of this research project is to study team members' and their customers perceptions of the effectiveness of team approaches to inmproving health and safety, and to identify the organisational and team factors that may enhance effectiveness."
- Description: Master of Applied Science
- Authors: Borys, David
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "Using case studies from Australian industry, the aim of this research project is to study team members' and their customers perceptions of the effectiveness of team approaches to inmproving health and safety, and to identify the organisational and team factors that may enhance effectiveness."
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Undergraduate nursing students’ team communication skills within a simulated emergency setting : a grounded theory study
- Authors: Bourke, Sharon
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Recognising and managing clinical deterioration is considered a high priority in health care with ineffective communication being a significant contributing factor to poor clinical outcomes for patients. Nurses are in a unique position to make a difference in influencing improvements in team communication. In Australia, nurse education has become more complicated and demanding with nursing students focus on behaviour skills, such as communication, becoming more difficult in a saturated curriculum. Simulation-based education has provided an experiential way to learn these complex skills. Although there has been much work in the healthcare literature on clinical teamwork, including communication and its intersection with patient safety, there is still a gap in explaining how individuals within the team contribute to communication. The purpose of this study was to explore and explain how nursing students communicate in simulated emergency settings and how factors, such as culture, language, gender, age and power, affect nursing students’ team communication. This study investigated how transitioning nursing students are prepared with the necessary skills to achieve effective team communication at the point of transition to clinical practice as registered nurses. In order to address the aims of the study, a constructivist grounded theory methodology, informed by Kathy Charmaz (2006), was employed. Using purposive sampling, third year nursing students were recruited from one Australian university, to undertake a structured team simulation experience. Participants worked in teams of three or four to experience the team communication whilst working together to care for a deteriorating patient in the form of a mannequin. Simulations were video recorded after which individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants. In line with a grounded theory approach, data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently until theoretical saturation was achieved. In response to the central problem of how nursing students communicate in simulated emergency settings, a core process was established that explained the factors that affect team communication. This problem is conceptualised as Navigating uncertainty: Explaining communication of nursing students within an emergency setting. This theoretical construct helps to explain nursing students’ actions and insights into factors that influence their communication within emergency teams. The core process is represented in three transitional stages of the theory comprising: Finding a place in the team, Understanding and working out differences and Looking to the future: Developing strategies to improve communication. This process was mediated by contextual conditions of the student, the simulation and the team. The phases are reinforced by the three main categories of Having a place in the team, Knowing yourself, and Transitioning from student to registered nurse. These categories represent the key activities that nursing students were engaged with that led to the development of the core category and process. The generated findings and theory offer valuable insights into factors that influence team communication skills within emergency settings. The theory raises awareness of social processes undertaken by nursing students during team communication, and highlights obstacles that can assist educators and academics to structure team communication education to better meet the needs of nursing students transitioning to practice settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bourke, Sharon
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Recognising and managing clinical deterioration is considered a high priority in health care with ineffective communication being a significant contributing factor to poor clinical outcomes for patients. Nurses are in a unique position to make a difference in influencing improvements in team communication. In Australia, nurse education has become more complicated and demanding with nursing students focus on behaviour skills, such as communication, becoming more difficult in a saturated curriculum. Simulation-based education has provided an experiential way to learn these complex skills. Although there has been much work in the healthcare literature on clinical teamwork, including communication and its intersection with patient safety, there is still a gap in explaining how individuals within the team contribute to communication. The purpose of this study was to explore and explain how nursing students communicate in simulated emergency settings and how factors, such as culture, language, gender, age and power, affect nursing students’ team communication. This study investigated how transitioning nursing students are prepared with the necessary skills to achieve effective team communication at the point of transition to clinical practice as registered nurses. In order to address the aims of the study, a constructivist grounded theory methodology, informed by Kathy Charmaz (2006), was employed. Using purposive sampling, third year nursing students were recruited from one Australian university, to undertake a structured team simulation experience. Participants worked in teams of three or four to experience the team communication whilst working together to care for a deteriorating patient in the form of a mannequin. Simulations were video recorded after which individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants. In line with a grounded theory approach, data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently until theoretical saturation was achieved. In response to the central problem of how nursing students communicate in simulated emergency settings, a core process was established that explained the factors that affect team communication. This problem is conceptualised as Navigating uncertainty: Explaining communication of nursing students within an emergency setting. This theoretical construct helps to explain nursing students’ actions and insights into factors that influence their communication within emergency teams. The core process is represented in three transitional stages of the theory comprising: Finding a place in the team, Understanding and working out differences and Looking to the future: Developing strategies to improve communication. This process was mediated by contextual conditions of the student, the simulation and the team. The phases are reinforced by the three main categories of Having a place in the team, Knowing yourself, and Transitioning from student to registered nurse. These categories represent the key activities that nursing students were engaged with that led to the development of the core category and process. The generated findings and theory offer valuable insights into factors that influence team communication skills within emergency settings. The theory raises awareness of social processes undertaken by nursing students during team communication, and highlights obstacles that can assist educators and academics to structure team communication education to better meet the needs of nursing students transitioning to practice settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Implementation of an effective medical surveillance programme at an industrial worksite
- Authors: Brabham, Neale
- Date: 1995
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text: false
- Description: Masters of Applied Science
Genomic and flow cytometric studies of Clostridium sporogenes, a non-toxigenic surrogate for Clostridium botulinum
- Authors: Bradbury, Mark
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Clostridium sporogenes and Group I Clostridium botulinum are two bacterial species belonging to the same phylogenetic group, primarily differentiated by the expression of botulinum neurotoxin. Both organisms are of significant commercial importance in regards to the spoilage of and/or disease in thermally processed food products due to their ability to form heat resistant spores. As such, these species are often used as the target organism for the design of thermal inactivation processes, particularly in regards to thermal sterilisation. Two specific aspects pertaining to these organisms were investigated to further enhance knowledge with respect to their use in thermal processing studies: the genetic relationship between C. sporogenes and Group I C. botulinum; and the mechanism of heat resistance in spores of C. sporogenes. The first part of this thesis describes the assembly, annotation and analysis of the draft genome of C. sporogenes PA 3679 (the most widely used surrogate for Group I C. botulinum). These data allowed identification of unique variants genes related to spore germination, analogous toxin regions and mobile elements between species. MLST analysis revealed that phylogeny was an ineffective indicator of toxigenicity in this group and thus prompted a pan-genomic analysis. The pan-genome of C. sporogenes/Group I C. botulinum was found to consist of 8799 coding sequences (CDS’s) and a core genome consisting of 1590 CDS’s. Analysis of this pan-genome revealed the significant role that mobile genetic elements have played in genetic diversity within this group of organisms. The second part of this thesis investigated the heat inactivation of C. sporogenes PA 3679 spores in regards to structural variation and population heterogeneity. A novel flow cytometric approach was developed and utilised to investigate isothermal spore inactivation; and implications of the impact of NaCl on the intrinsic variability throughout this process and during a subsequent recovery period. Based on these approaches a possible mechanistic description for the thermal inactivation of spores was developed. Together, these studies present significant evidence supporting the continued suitability of C. sporogenes as a surrogate for Group I C. botulinum, whilst also enhancing the understanding of clostridial spore inactivation during a moist heat process.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bradbury, Mark
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Clostridium sporogenes and Group I Clostridium botulinum are two bacterial species belonging to the same phylogenetic group, primarily differentiated by the expression of botulinum neurotoxin. Both organisms are of significant commercial importance in regards to the spoilage of and/or disease in thermally processed food products due to their ability to form heat resistant spores. As such, these species are often used as the target organism for the design of thermal inactivation processes, particularly in regards to thermal sterilisation. Two specific aspects pertaining to these organisms were investigated to further enhance knowledge with respect to their use in thermal processing studies: the genetic relationship between C. sporogenes and Group I C. botulinum; and the mechanism of heat resistance in spores of C. sporogenes. The first part of this thesis describes the assembly, annotation and analysis of the draft genome of C. sporogenes PA 3679 (the most widely used surrogate for Group I C. botulinum). These data allowed identification of unique variants genes related to spore germination, analogous toxin regions and mobile elements between species. MLST analysis revealed that phylogeny was an ineffective indicator of toxigenicity in this group and thus prompted a pan-genomic analysis. The pan-genome of C. sporogenes/Group I C. botulinum was found to consist of 8799 coding sequences (CDS’s) and a core genome consisting of 1590 CDS’s. Analysis of this pan-genome revealed the significant role that mobile genetic elements have played in genetic diversity within this group of organisms. The second part of this thesis investigated the heat inactivation of C. sporogenes PA 3679 spores in regards to structural variation and population heterogeneity. A novel flow cytometric approach was developed and utilised to investigate isothermal spore inactivation; and implications of the impact of NaCl on the intrinsic variability throughout this process and during a subsequent recovery period. Based on these approaches a possible mechanistic description for the thermal inactivation of spores was developed. Together, these studies present significant evidence supporting the continued suitability of C. sporogenes as a surrogate for Group I C. botulinum, whilst also enhancing the understanding of clostridial spore inactivation during a moist heat process.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Social exclusion : contested meanings, policy and experience
- Authors: Brass, Kate
- Date: 2009
- Type: Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This thesis takes a critical inquiry approach to the concept of social exclusion, which has become a prevalent feature of the contemporary social policy lexicon ... [the] study takes an innovative methodological approach in that it explores and makes visible the diverse and contradictory meanings that practitioners and community members hold for social exclusion, and gives those meanings equal stature with the views of academic researchers and policy makers, as they are represented in the scholarly research literature and associated policy documents."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brass, Kate
- Date: 2009
- Type: Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This thesis takes a critical inquiry approach to the concept of social exclusion, which has become a prevalent feature of the contemporary social policy lexicon ... [the] study takes an innovative methodological approach in that it explores and makes visible the diverse and contradictory meanings that practitioners and community members hold for social exclusion, and gives those meanings equal stature with the views of academic researchers and policy makers, as they are represented in the scholarly research literature and associated policy documents."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
.comUnity : A study on the adoption and diffusion of internet technologies in a regional tourism network
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis describes the initiation and evolution of an action research project, which investigates the adoption and diffusion of Internet technologies in a regional Australian tourism network. The research evolved out of a portal development consultancy. The aim of the study was two-fold: to investigate the nature of the change process when a collaborative network seeks to adopt e-commerce; and to determine how the change process differed in the face of incremental change (adding some e-commerce solutions to the network), or radical change (changing the overall business model). The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the economic, strategic and social potential of regional business networks in the current techno-economic climate. The study builds on Rogers' (1995) seminal work on the diffusion of innovations and makes a unique contribution to existing diffusion studies by its focus on the nature of the network links as the unit of analysis; and by its application of an action-oriented methodology to untangle the effects of the embedded network structure on diffusion. The study suggests a strong relationship between diffusion and network positioning, both in terms of place (status and position in the network) and space (the geographic make-up of the network). Diffusion further hinged on network cohesion, actors' trust in and engagement with the network. Adoption of e-commerce was obstructed by actors’ worldview; lack of time, reflexive learning, and commitment to change. The incorporation in the study’s diffusion framework of contextual moderators such as network position, worldview, trust, time and commitment considerably extends Rogers’ traditional diffusion framework. Based on its emergent analysis framework, the study introduces a dynamic change model towards sustainable regional network development. It is suggested that both the diffusion framework and the regional innovation model developed in this study may, either jointly or separately, be applicable beyond the tourism and service sector.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis describes the initiation and evolution of an action research project, which investigates the adoption and diffusion of Internet technologies in a regional Australian tourism network. The research evolved out of a portal development consultancy. The aim of the study was two-fold: to investigate the nature of the change process when a collaborative network seeks to adopt e-commerce; and to determine how the change process differed in the face of incremental change (adding some e-commerce solutions to the network), or radical change (changing the overall business model). The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the economic, strategic and social potential of regional business networks in the current techno-economic climate. The study builds on Rogers' (1995) seminal work on the diffusion of innovations and makes a unique contribution to existing diffusion studies by its focus on the nature of the network links as the unit of analysis; and by its application of an action-oriented methodology to untangle the effects of the embedded network structure on diffusion. The study suggests a strong relationship between diffusion and network positioning, both in terms of place (status and position in the network) and space (the geographic make-up of the network). Diffusion further hinged on network cohesion, actors' trust in and engagement with the network. Adoption of e-commerce was obstructed by actors’ worldview; lack of time, reflexive learning, and commitment to change. The incorporation in the study’s diffusion framework of contextual moderators such as network position, worldview, trust, time and commitment considerably extends Rogers’ traditional diffusion framework. Based on its emergent analysis framework, the study introduces a dynamic change model towards sustainable regional network development. It is suggested that both the diffusion framework and the regional innovation model developed in this study may, either jointly or separately, be applicable beyond the tourism and service sector.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The effect of a resistance training program on the grab, track and swing starts in swimming
- Authors: Breed, Ray
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study aims to establish the effectiveness of the grab, swing and rear-weighted track starts in swimming.
- Description: Master of Applied Science
- Authors: Breed, Ray
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study aims to establish the effectiveness of the grab, swing and rear-weighted track starts in swimming.
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Epidemiology, injury and illness prevention in Olympic combat sports
- Authors: Bromley, Sally
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Background: Olympic combat sports are commonly considered dangerous, however injury rates for these sports are not well understood. Isolated studies in combat sports have investigated injury, however these are mainly during competition, and therefore are unlikely to include significant or persistent injury which prevents athletes competing and participating in data collection. This thesis was undertaken as a series of linked studies, to provide further detail into the types, mechanisms and aetiology of injuries in combat sports. Methods: Study 1 was a systematic review that utilised the PRISMA guidelines to investigate the current evidence. Study 2 was a repeated measures study to examine the reliability of training load measures. Study 3 employed a longitudinal study design to assess the feasibility of injury, illness and training load monitoring. Finally, Study 4 was a cross-sectional cohort study that gathered perspectives of combat sport coaches and managers before and after an injury and illness prevention workshop. Results: Study 1 found one high-quality epidemiological study with low risk of bias in Judo. Variation in injury and illness definitions prevented cross-sport comparisons, however the injury incidence was comparable to other sports. In Study 2, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was shown to have good stability across sessions (ICC=0.84), and no significant differences were found between coach (observed) and athlete (experienced) RPE (ordered logistic regression coefficient = 0.47 [1.51–0.57 95%CI]). Study 3 found that athlete engagement with the monitoring system was low, with only 13% of athletes entering data across a 12-week period. Irrespective of low engagement, 62 injuries and illnesses were recorded. In Study 4, combat sport coaches and managers were found to be generally well informed of the risk and seriousness of injury and illness, however, illness risk perceptions changed after the workshop (p=0.048). Discussion and Conclusion: Currently, cross-sport comparisons are not possible due to varying data methodology and study quality. Based upon the results presented in this thesis, RPE can be used as a tool to quantify training load in the sport of judo. Longitudinal surveillance of training load, injury and illness in combat sport is not currently feasible within the Australian system, due to low uptake and engagement. However, the collection of data on a large number of injuries and illnesses indicates that athletes are experiencing multiple, repeated health problems. Coaches and managers are well informed about injury and illness risk and seriousness, indicating that injury and illness prevention education alone may not translate to a decrease in injury and illness incidence in combat sport.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bromley, Sally
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Background: Olympic combat sports are commonly considered dangerous, however injury rates for these sports are not well understood. Isolated studies in combat sports have investigated injury, however these are mainly during competition, and therefore are unlikely to include significant or persistent injury which prevents athletes competing and participating in data collection. This thesis was undertaken as a series of linked studies, to provide further detail into the types, mechanisms and aetiology of injuries in combat sports. Methods: Study 1 was a systematic review that utilised the PRISMA guidelines to investigate the current evidence. Study 2 was a repeated measures study to examine the reliability of training load measures. Study 3 employed a longitudinal study design to assess the feasibility of injury, illness and training load monitoring. Finally, Study 4 was a cross-sectional cohort study that gathered perspectives of combat sport coaches and managers before and after an injury and illness prevention workshop. Results: Study 1 found one high-quality epidemiological study with low risk of bias in Judo. Variation in injury and illness definitions prevented cross-sport comparisons, however the injury incidence was comparable to other sports. In Study 2, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was shown to have good stability across sessions (ICC=0.84), and no significant differences were found between coach (observed) and athlete (experienced) RPE (ordered logistic regression coefficient = 0.47 [1.51–0.57 95%CI]). Study 3 found that athlete engagement with the monitoring system was low, with only 13% of athletes entering data across a 12-week period. Irrespective of low engagement, 62 injuries and illnesses were recorded. In Study 4, combat sport coaches and managers were found to be generally well informed of the risk and seriousness of injury and illness, however, illness risk perceptions changed after the workshop (p=0.048). Discussion and Conclusion: Currently, cross-sport comparisons are not possible due to varying data methodology and study quality. Based upon the results presented in this thesis, RPE can be used as a tool to quantify training load in the sport of judo. Longitudinal surveillance of training load, injury and illness in combat sport is not currently feasible within the Australian system, due to low uptake and engagement. However, the collection of data on a large number of injuries and illnesses indicates that athletes are experiencing multiple, repeated health problems. Coaches and managers are well informed about injury and illness risk and seriousness, indicating that injury and illness prevention education alone may not translate to a decrease in injury and illness incidence in combat sport.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
‘Rough and ready’ : Makeshift, abstraction and the Australian patina
- Authors: Brooks, Terri
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Ned Kelly’s armour, the Eureka flag, and the premise that underlies the title of the most famous exhibition in Australian art history; the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1889, are makeshift. This exegesis records the spirit of ‘making do’ or ‘makeshift’ in Australia’s post-settlement history including its manifestation in art. As this history is traced, the role of the harsh Australian landscape, and assertions of cultural convergence in post-settlement history, raised by historians including Russel Ward and Philip Jones are explored. Makeshift maps this country’s history of adversity, and popular bush story tellers, including Henry Lawson, contributed to makeshift flourishing in Australia and developing ‘everyday’ cultural associations.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brooks, Terri
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Ned Kelly’s armour, the Eureka flag, and the premise that underlies the title of the most famous exhibition in Australian art history; the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1889, are makeshift. This exegesis records the spirit of ‘making do’ or ‘makeshift’ in Australia’s post-settlement history including its manifestation in art. As this history is traced, the role of the harsh Australian landscape, and assertions of cultural convergence in post-settlement history, raised by historians including Russel Ward and Philip Jones are explored. Makeshift maps this country’s history of adversity, and popular bush story tellers, including Henry Lawson, contributed to makeshift flourishing in Australia and developing ‘everyday’ cultural associations.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
"That fella paints like me" : exploring the relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia
- Authors: Brooks, Terri
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "This research project explores the possibility of a relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia from the mid twentieth century to present. [...] The investigation commences with background information on the history and origins of Abstraction, including the influence of 'primitive art' upon leading practitioners in this field during the movement's formation, before moving to Australia and focussing on two Australian painters. [...] The text also reflects on the rise of the perception of Aboriginal art from being seen as cultural curios in the mid 20th century to its current status as an internationally recognised art movement."--p. 2.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
- Authors: Brooks, Terri
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "This research project explores the possibility of a relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia from the mid twentieth century to present. [...] The investigation commences with background information on the history and origins of Abstraction, including the influence of 'primitive art' upon leading practitioners in this field during the movement's formation, before moving to Australia and focussing on two Australian painters. [...] The text also reflects on the rise of the perception of Aboriginal art from being seen as cultural curios in the mid 20th century to its current status as an internationally recognised art movement."--p. 2.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
Unwrapping packages: Power politics and place in the delivery of community aged care
- Authors: Brown, Katrina
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The thesis analyses the delivery of the Community Aged Care Packages Program, revealing the flaws in the program’s design and the consequences of this programmatic design for service providers in rural Victoria
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brown, Katrina
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The thesis analyses the delivery of the Community Aged Care Packages Program, revealing the flaws in the program’s design and the consequences of this programmatic design for service providers in rural Victoria
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy