Showing items 12321 - 12340 of 17057

Predicting recklessness in emerging adults: A test of a psychosocial model

  • Authors: Teese, Robert , Bradley, Graham
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Social Psychology Vol. 148, no. 1 (2008), p. 105-126
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  • Description: Emerging adults—people aged 18–25 years—frequently behave recklessly. This study sheds light on the role of 4 psychosocial predictors of recklessness: (a) impulsivity, (b) peer pressure, (c) perceived risk, and (d) perceived benefits. The authors obtained self-report data from 208 emerging adults. All predictors were significantly correlated, in the expected directions, with 3 forms of reckless behavior: (a) reckless substance use, (b) reckless driving, and (c) reckless sexual behavior. Regression analyses revealed that, controlling for gender, relationship status, and social desirability, impulsivity predicted reckless substance use and sexual practices, peer pressure predicted reckless substance use, perceived risk predicted reckless driving, and perceived benefits predicted all three recklessness types. The authors’ psychosocial model of emerging adult recklessness gained additional support from the finding that all 4 predictors explained unique variance in overall recklessness.
  • Description: C1

Predicting trading signals of stock market indices using neural networks

  • Authors: Tilakaratne, Chandima , Mammadov, Musa , Morris, Sidney
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Conference paper
  • Relation: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), Auckland 1 December 2008 through 5 December 2008 Vol. 5360 LNAI, p. 522-531
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  • Description: The aim of this paper is to develop new neural network algorithms to predict trading signals: buy, hold and sell, of stock market indices. Most commonly used classification techniques are not suitable to predict trading signals when the distribution of the actual trading signals, among theses three classes, is imbalanced. In this paper, new algorithms were developed based on the structure of feedforward neural networks and a modified Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) error function. An adjustment relating to the contribution from the historical data used for training the networks, and the penalization of incorrectly classified trading signals were accounted for when modifying the OLS function. A global optimization algorithm was employed to train these networks. The algorithms developed in this study were employed to predict the trading signals of day (t+1) of the Australian All Ordinary Index. The algorithms with the modified error functions introduced by this study produced better predictions. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

Predicting trading signals of the All Share Price Index Using a modified neural network algorithm

  • Authors: Tilakaratne, Chandima , Tissera, J.H.D.S.P , Mammadov, Musa
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Conference paper
  • Relation: Proceedings of the 9th International Information Technology Conference; 28th-29th October, 2008, Colombo , Sri Lanka
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  • Description: This study predicts whether it is best to buy, hold or sell shares (trading signals) of the All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange, using a modified neural network (NN) algorithm. Most commonly used classification techniques are not successful in predicting trading signals when the distribution of the actual trading signals, among these three classes, is imbalanced. The structure of this modified neural network is same as that of feedforward neural networks. This algorithm minimises a modified Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) error function. An adjustment relating to the contribution from the historical data used for training the networks, and penalisation of incorrectly classified trading signals were accounted for, when modifying the OLS function. A global optimization algorithm was employed to train these networks. Results obtained were satisfactory.

Prediction using a symbolic based hybrid system

  • Authors: Dazeley, Richard , Kang, Byeongho
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Conference paper
  • Relation: Paper presented at Pacific Rim Knowledge Acquisition Workshop 2008, PKAW-08, Hanoi, Vietnam : 15th-16th December 2008
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  • Description: Knowledge Based Systems (KBS) are highly successful in classification and diagnostics situations; however, they are generally unable to identify specific values for prediction problems. When used for prediction they either use some form of uncertainty reasoning or use a classification style inference where each class is a discrete predictive value instead. This paper applies a hybrid algorithm that allows an expert’s knowledge to be adapted to provide continuous values to solve prediction problems. The method applied to prediction in this paper is built on the already established Multiple Classification Ripple-Down Rules (MCRDR) approach and is referred to as Rated MCRDR (RM). The method is published in a parallel paper in this workshop titled Generalisation with Symbolic Knowledge in Online Classification. Results indicate a strong propensity to quickly adapt and provide accurate predictions.
  • Description: 2003006510

Predictive mapping of powerful owl (Ninox strenua) breeding sites using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in urban Melbourne, Australia

  • Authors: Isaac, Bronwyn , Cooke, Raylene , Simmons, Dianne , Hogan, Fiona
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Landscape and Urban Planning Vol. 84, no. (2008), p. 212-218
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  • Description: Urban expansion is a principal process threatening biodiversity globally. It is predicted that over half of the world's population will reside in urban centres by 2010. If we are to conserve biodiversity, a shift in perspective from traditional ecological studies based in natural environments, to studies based in less natural environments is paramount. To effectively conserve species which occur in urban environments, comprehensive analysis is necessary to determine the processes that are driving this urban usage. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology provides a valuable tool for efficient spatial analysis and predictive mapping of species distributions. This study used GIS to analyze current breeding sites for the powerful owl, a vulnerable top order predator in urban Melbourne, Australia. GIS analysis suggests that a number of ecological attributes were influencing powerful owl usage of urban environments. Using these ecological attributes, predictive mapping was undertaken, which identified a number of potential breeding sites for powerful owls within urbanized Melbourne. Urban environments are traditionally perceived as “the wastelands” of natural environments, however, this study demonstrates that they have the potential to support apex predators, an important finding for the management of rare and threatened species.

Primary school teacher perceived self-efficacy to teach fundamental motor skills

  • Authors: Callea, Micarl , Spittle, Michael , O'Meara, James , Casey, Meghan
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Research in Education Vol. , no. 79 (2008), p. 67-75
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  • Description: Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are a part of the school curricula, yet many Australian primary-age children are not mastering FMS. One reason may be a lack of perceived self-efficacy of primary teachers to teach FMS. This study investigated the level of perceived self-efficacy of primary school teachers to teach FMS in Victoria, Australia. A cross-sectional survey, based on the Victorian Institute of Teaching Standards of Professional Practice, was used to sample sixty-five pre-service and forty-six in-service teachers. Most primary school teachers were self-efficacious in teaching FMS (67.59 per cent); almost one-third (32.41 per cent) were not. Male teachers had higher perceived self-efficacy than female teachers, and a positive relationship was found between perceived self-efficacy to teach FMS and interest in, and participation in, physical activity (r = 0.52 and r = 0.31 respectively). Implications for practice include providing FMS teaching resources and professional training. Further research should explore the effect of perceived self-efficacy on teaching performance.
  • Description: C1

Prison : Cultural memory and dark tourism

  • Authors: Wilson, Jacqueline
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Book
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  • Description: 2003006371

Probabilistic neural networks based network security management

  • Authors: Wu, Zhiyou , Liu, W , Wu, Jian-ping , Duan, Hai-xin
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal Communication and Computer Vol. 5, no. 2 (2008), p. 19-24
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  • Description: Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is one of the main tools in computer and network management, we consider intrusion detection using probabilistic neural networks. An ensemble of Probabilistic Neural Networks (PNN) is trained with Adaptive Boost to classify the detected event as normal or intrusive. We use Hamming distance kernels for PNN and find them superior to Euclidean distance kernels for this kind of detected event

Professional, practice and political issues in the history of New Zealand's remote rural 'backblocks' nursing : The case of Mokau, 1910-1940

  • Authors: Wood, Pamela
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession Vol. 30, no. 2 (2008 2008), p.
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  • Description: The new role of 'backblocks' nursing, established in 1909 to provide a nursing, midwifery, emergency and public health service to New Zealand's remote rural regions, created opportunities and challenges for the profession. For three decades, the novel nature of the role also provided numerous stakeholders with the opportunity to contest their authority and influence. This article explores the professional, practice and political issues of backblocks nursing through a case study of Mokau, a remote rural community in the North Island of New Zealand, 1910-1940. In particular, it considers professional issues of recruitment and retention, practice issues in delivering the new service in a challenging environment with few resources, and political issues in defining the scope of nurses' practice and dealing with competing stakeholders keen to determine its potential and limits. These issues were exacerbated by the location of the Mokau district in two administrative health regions. (author abstract)

Prospects for e-collaboration with artificial partners

Protective equipment to prevent wrist fractures

Providing sporting experiences for children in Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) environments : Sport and physical activity participation and intentions

  • Authors: Spittle, Michael , O'Meara, James , Garnham, Jennie , Kerr, Megan
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 11, no. 3 (2008), p. 316-322
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  • Description: The Out of School Hours Sports Program (OSHSP) aimed to provide structured sporting experiences and community links to local clubs for children in Out of School Hours Care (OSHC). The OSHSP involved 17 State Sporting Associations (SSAs), 71 OSHC Services and local club representatives. This study explored children's participation in sport in and outside the OSHSP and parental intention for participation in sport in and outside the OSHSP. Surveys were received from 211 children (76 girls and 125 boys; mean age = 7.9 years, S.D. = 1.7) and their parents/guardians (37.9% response rate). OSHC is characterised by freedom of choice of participation in activities by children. The OSHSP was used to provide an opportunity to choose to participate in a sport while attending OSHC. At the OSHC Services surveyed, between 7.1 and 100% of the children attending OSHC chose to participate in the OSHSP. Of those children who chose to participate, 85% were participating in a sport, usually a different sport to the one offered in the OSHSP. This participation was largely club-based (49.8%), most often once a week for training and competition (55.2%). Parental intentions for children's participation in the OSHSP sports varied with respect to the number of years attending the OSHSP, where children played and trained in their main sport, and how many times a week a child played and trained in their main sport. Older children tended to play and train for sport more times per week and had been attending the OSHC for more years than younger children. © 2007 Sports Medicine Australia.
  • Description: C1

Psychosocial adjustment in newly diagnosed prostate cancer

  • Authors: Love, Anthony , Scealy, Marita , Bloch, Sidney , Duchesne, Gillian , Couper, Jeremy , MacVean, Michelle , Costello, Anthony , Kissane, David
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 42, no. 5 (2008), p. 423-429
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  • Description: Objective: To examine the psychological and social adjustment of men with early or advanced stage prostate cancer and to compare them with a matched group of cancer-free community volunteers. Methods: A longitudinal observational study in which 367 men recently diagnosed with early (n =211) or advanced stage (n = 156), prostate cancer were compared to 169 cancer-free men from the community, of similar age and residential area, using self-report measures of psychosocial adjustment. Results: On the mental health subscales of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey, men with advanced disease had lower vitality and social functioning than the other two groups, and lower mental health scores than the comparison group. Both patient groups had lower role-emotional scores than the comparison group. With regard to the Brief Symptom Inventory, the advanced disease group had higher somatization scores, and lower interpersonal sensitivity and paranoid ideation scores than the early stage group and the community comparison group. In terms of psychiatric morbidity, there were higher rates of anxiety disorders but not depressive disorders in both patient groups although overall diagnosis rates were low. No differences were found in terms of couple or family functioning. Conclusions: There is impairment in psychosocial function in men with prostate cancer, particularly those with advanced disease, but no increase in the rate of formal psychiatric disorder or adverse effects on the couples and families. This suggests directions for psychosocial interventions with these patient groups

Psychosocial support use among men with cancer living in rural and regional areas

  • Authors: Corboy, Denise
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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  • Description: The main aim of the current study was to investigate formal and informal psychosocial support use among a sample of men with cancer living in rural and regional Australia, and to examine how use of psychosocial support is related to psychological, physical and social wellbeing.
  • Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)

Quantifying values : A sampling methodology for use in assessing the impacts on tourism, local community, and businesses of Victoria's marine protected areas

  • Authors: Hall, Nina , Sillitoe, Jim
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Tourism in Marine Environments Vol. 5, no. 2-3 (2008), p. 121-130
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  • Description: A sampling methodology has been devised to facilitate the selection of a purposeful sample of marine parks and sanctuaries for the investigation of their impacts on tourism, local community, and businesses. The methodology is based on multiattribute utility theory used for comparing complex alternatives in decision making and takes into account those key attributes of Victoria's 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries that have been identified through both published and draft management plans, government policies, and relevant strategies. The attributes are: tourism services, activities, community engagement, visitation, values, interpretation, access, location, conservation significance, and regional context. Values of each marine protected area are quantified and establishment of a total attribute value score for a "typical area" enables the comparison between individual marine parks and sanctuaries. To strengthen the methodology, a panel of independent experts representing tourism, local government, and community organizations were invited to express their views with regard to these attributes, and their responses have been incorporated into the research.

Quasi-Bezier curves integrating localised information

  • Authors: Sohel, Ferdous , Karmakar, Gour , Dooley, Laurence , Arkinstall, John
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Pattern Recognition Vol. 41, no. 2 (2008), p. 531-542
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  • Description: Bezier curves (BC) have become fundamental tools in many challenging and varied applications, ranging from computer-aided geometric design to generic object shape descriptors. A major limitation of the classical Bezier curve, however, is that only global information about its control points (CP) is considered, so there can often be a large gap between the curve and its control polygon, leading to large distortion in shape representation. While strategies such as degree elevation, composite BC, refinement and subdivision reduce this gap, they also increase the number of CP and hence bit-rate, and computational complexity. This paper presents novel contributions to BC theory, with the introduction of quasi-Bezier curves (QBC), which seamlessly integrate localised CP information into the inherent global Bezier framework, with no increase in either the number of CP or order of computational complexity. QBC crucially retains the core properties of the classical BC, such as geometric continuity and affine invariance, and can be embedded into the vertex-based shape coding and shape descriptor framework to enhance rate-distortion performance. The performance of QBC has been empirically tested upon a number of natural and synthetically shaped objects, with both qualitative and quantitative results confirming its consistently superior approximation performance in comparison with both the classical BC and other established BC-based shape descriptor methods.

Racist and political extremist graffiti in Australian Prisons, 1970s to 1990s

  • Authors: Wilson, Jacqueline
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Vol. 47, no. 1 (2006), p. 52-66
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  • Description: Abstract: The article discusses graffiti found in Australian prison museums, in particular racist and extreme nationalist texts and images. The rise of prisoners' rights movements brought a concurrent reactive move to the political Right among prison officers. This enabled far-Right and racist elements among staff to become influential in a number of prisons. Similarities are noted between Australian prison graffiti and graffiti found in British prisons in the 1990s, as reported by the British Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). The CRE found that prisons in Britain fostered a culture of racism. Apparent motivations of Australian and British graffitists show much common ground including a sense of national dispossession, far-Right sentiment and social disaffection. It is concluded that the radically enclosed and violent nature of the prison exacerbates these issues, effectively promoting far-Right tendencies among prisoners and staff.
  • Description: C1
  • Description: 2003006368

Rage against the machine? Symbolic violence in E-learning supported tertiary education

  • Authors: Johnson, Nicola , MacDonald, David , Brabazon, Tara
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: E-Learning and Digital Media Vol. 5, no. 3 (2008 2008), p. 275-283
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  • Description: The move toward online course facilitation in tertiary education has the intent of providing education at any time in any place to any person. However, the advent of blended learning and e-learning innovations has ostracised, marginalised or ignored those who cannot afford or who are unable to access the latest hardware and software to take advantage of these opportunities. The Web 2.0 age is an era of assumptions: assumptions of participation, literacy and democracy. Yet such inferences are based on the need for high-speed Internet connections, and the latest computers are standard requirements. Those without the ability to access these necessities are being indirectly marginalised by the universities, which is particularly ironic in an era of ‘widening participation’. This article reveals a few tears in the fabric of wiki-enabled democratic education. The authors argue that there is a community of students that are subjected to what Bourdieu termed symbolic violence. Digitisation in tertiary education is reinforcing what it has always been through its history – a haven of the wealthy and the advantaged.

Re-consider : The integration of online dispute resolution and decision support systems

Reaching the heart : Assessing & nurturing spiritual well-being via education

  • Authors: Fisher, John
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Thesis , EdD
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  • Description: Several quantitative measures of spiritual well-being were developed with primary and secondary school students and teachers, and university education students, namely the Spiritual Health And Life-Orientation Measure, Feeling Good, Living Life, and the Quality Of Life Influences Survey. Spiritual dissonance was revealed by comparing respondents’ ‘ideals’ with ‘lived experiences’ in four domains of spiritual well-being. Teachers and university education students reported a decline in help being provided in schools to develop the relationships which foster school students’ spiritual well-being.
  • Description: Doctor of Education EdD