List of Titles

Marginal longitudinal curves estimated via Bayesian penalized splines

- Al Kadiri, Mohammad, Bani-Mustafa, Ahmed, Finch, Caroline

Authors: Al Kadiri, Mohammad , Bani-Mustafa, Ahmed , Finch, Caroline
Date: 2010
Type: Text , Conference paper
Relation: Australian Statistical Conference 2010 , 6th December, 2010 Fremantle Published in Statistics & Probability Letters Vol. 80 Issue 15-16 Vol. 80, p. 1-19
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: The six cities air pollution is used to estimate and investigate the marginal curve of a function describing lung growth for set of children in a longitudinal study. This article proposes penalized regression spline technqiue based ona semiparametric mixed models (MM) framework for an additive model. This smoothing approach fits marginal models for longitudinal unbalanced measurements by using a Bayesian inference approach, implemented using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach with the Gibbs sampler. The unbalanced case in which missing or different number of measurements for a set of subjects is more practical and common in real life studies. This methodology makes it possible to establish a straightforward approach to similar models using R programming, when it is not possible to do so using existing codes.

Apoptosis and beyond: cytometry in studies of programmed cell death

- Wlodkowic, Donald, Telford, W, Skommer, Joanna, Darzynkiewicz, Zbigniew

Authors: Wlodkowic, Donald , Telford, W , Skommer, Joanna , Darzynkiewicz, Zbigniew
Date: 2011
Type: Text , Book chapter
Relation: Methods in Cell Biology p. 55-98
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: A cell undergoing apoptosis demonstrates multitude of characteristic morphological and biochemical features, which vary depending on the inducer of apoptosis, cell type and the “time window” at which the process of apoptosis is observed. Because the gross majority of apoptotic hallmarks can be revealed by flow and image cytometry, the cytometric methods become a technology of choice in diverse studies of cellular demise. Variety of cytometric methods designed to identify apoptotic cells, detect particular events of apoptosis and probe mechanisms associated with this mode of cell death have been developed during the past two decades. In the present review, we outline commonly used methods that are based on the assessment of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, activation of caspases, DNA fragmentation, and plasma membrane alterations. We also present novel developments in the field such as the use of cyanine SYTO and TO-PRO family of probes. Strategies of selecting the optimal multiparameter approaches, as well as potential difficulties in the experimental procedures, are thoroughly summarized

Leadership and management of quality in higher education

- Nair, Sid, Webster, Len, Mertova, Patricie

Authors: Nair, Sid , Webster, Len , Mertova, Patricie
Date: 2010
Type: Text , Book
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Part 1 Overview: Growth of the quality movement in higher education. Part 2 Leadership of quality in higher education: Initiative-based quality development and the role of distributed leadership; A leadership model for higher education quality; A framework for engaging leadership in higher education quality systems. Part 3 Approaches of managers to quality in higher education: Quality management in higher education: A comparative study of the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Finland; Towards a culture of quality in South African higher education. Part 4 Auditing quality in higher education: Auditorsâ perspectives on quality in higher education. Part 5 Academic development and quality in higher education: Academic development as change leadership in higher education; Quality in the transitional process of establishing political science as a new discipline in Czech higher education (post 1989)

Making accounting accountable in the public sector

- Carnegie, Garry, West, Brian

Authors: Carnegie, Garry , West, Brian
Date: 2005
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Critical Perspectives on Accounting Vol. 16, no. 7 (2005), p. 905-928
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Accounting is conventionally constituted and practised as a quantitative discipline which emphasises the use of money values. Where such values are unavailable or inappropriate, non-money quantifications or qualitative forms of information take precedence. However, the boundaries of conventional accounting remain imprecisely defined and this creates a jurisdictional tension between monetary and non-monetary systems of accountability. This issue is examined within the context of the Australian and New Zealand public sectors, where recent regulatory changes have mandated the valuation for financial reporting purposes of a broad range of government controlled resources that are of a non-financial character. Rationales for this expanded use of money values are re-evaluated within the context of practical and theoretical issues associated with their application, particularly with regard to the accountability of public sector institutions. This accountability theme is then extended in terms of the need to make accounting itself more accountable within the public sector. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description: C1
Description: 2003001073

Graduate nurse program coordinators' perspectives on graduate nurse programs in Victoria, Australia : A descriptive qualitative approach

- Missen, Karen, McKenna, Lisa, Beauchamp, Alison

Authors: Missen, Karen , McKenna, Lisa , Beauchamp, Alison
Date: 2016
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Collegian Vol. 23, no. 2 (2016), p. 201-208
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Aims: The purpose of this study was to describe the formal preparation nursing graduates are given throughout their first year of nursing in terms of educational structure and content of work-based year-long graduate nurse programs, from the perspectives of Graduate Nurse Program Coordinators. Background: In Australia, graduate nurse programs aim to provide a supportive learning environment, assisting nursing graduates in applying their theory to practice and supporting them in becoming safe, competent and responsible professionals. Internationally, research has demonstrated an increase in the job satisfaction and more importantly retention rates of newly qualified nurses who are supported in their first year of employment in some type of transition program. Method: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, individual semi-structured interviews were used. These interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed to reveal themes and sub-themes. Results: The interviews provided an insight into the various aspects of preparation that nursing graduates are given in their first year of practice with the main theme to emerge from analysis, nature of transition programs. The three subthemes associated with nature of transition programs consisted of composition of rotations and study days and supernumerary strategies. Findings indicate variation in pedagogical models underpinning graduate nurse programs across Victoria. Clinical rotations varied between three to twelve months, the number of study days offered were between four and thirteen days and there was variation in supernumerary time and strategies within the programs investigated. © 2015 Australian College of Nursing Ltd.

Automating Open Source Intelligence: Algorithms for OSINT

- Layton, Robert, Watters, Paul

Authors: Layton, Robert , Watters, Paul
Date: 2015
Type: Text , Book
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Algorithms for Automating Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) presents information on the gathering of information and extraction of actionable intelligence from openly available sources, including news broadcasts, public repositories, and more recently, social media. As OSINT has applications in crime fighting, state-based intelligence, and social research, this book provides recent advances in text mining, web crawling, and other algorithms that have led to advances in methods that can largely automate this process.

Relative cyberattack Attribution

- Layton, Robert

Authors: Layton, Robert
Date: 2016
Type: Text , Book chapter
Relation: Automating Open Source Intelligence Chapter 3 p. 37-60
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Cybercrime and cyberattacks are problems that cause billions of dollars in direct losses per year (Anderson et al., 2013), and even more in indirect losses, such as costs for protection systems such as antivirus programs (Layton & Watters, 2014). While defensive systems have made enormous progress over the last 20 years for these attacks, the escalating battle between attackers and defenders continues (Alazab, Layton, Venkataraman, & Watters, 2010). While it is harder (arguably) to attack systems today than ever before, cyber-based attacks continue to cause damage to online commerce, critical infrastructure, and the population in general

Soil data for biophysical models in Victoria, Australia : Current needs and future challenges

- Robinson, Nathan, Dahlhaus, Peter, MacEwan, Richard, Alexander, J. K.

Authors: Robinson, Nathan , Dahlhaus, Peter , MacEwan, Richard , Alexander, J. K.
Date: 2016
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Geoderma Regional Vol. 7, no. 3 (2016), p. 259-270
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: The use of biophysical models to support increased food production and environmental protection is on the rise. This paper reviews the demand for, and trends in, soil property data for various biophysical models being used in Victoria, Australia, over the 2009-2014 period. The study used surveys, workshops and interviews with public sector modellers to examine perceptions of the soil parameters that affect model sensitivity and error. Although the data requirements of models have remained similar over the 5 year period, the diversity of models used has decreased. There is evidence of increased application of models at point/site scale to support grains, dairy and livestock production industries in Victoria. Opportunities are identified to deliver finer scale soil data from digital soil mapping to better meet modelling requirements for agricultural industries in Victorian landscapes. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Autoantibodies to iron-binding proteins in pigs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei

- Toet, Hayley, Fischer, Katja, Mounsey, Kate, Sandeman, Mark

Authors: Toet, Hayley , Fischer, Katja , Mounsey, Kate , Sandeman, Mark
Date: 2014
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Veterinary Parasitology Vol. 205, no. 1-2 (2014), p. 263-270
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: Despite the availability of effective treatments, Sarcoptes scabiei remains a major health problem in the pig industry. Unsuccessful control of the disease is often due to the lack of reliable detection methods, with current tests relying on skin scrapings and crude antigen ELISAs. A previous analysis of antigens in pig skin scrapings reported that anti-transferrin antibodies were present in S. scabiei infected animals and that this finding might be considered as a useful diagnostic tool. This paper confirms IgG autoantibodies against transferrin, including the first report of IgM autoantibodies, in both naturally and experimentally infected pigs using ELISA and dot blot assays. Autoantibodies were also detected in pigs to ferritin and to a lesser extent lactoferrin. Immunoblotting confirmed the presence of IgG and IgM autoantibodies in mange positive pigs, as well as IgM antibodies to transferrin and albumin in mange negative pigs. These findings suggest the presence of natural autoantibodies to transferrin and albumin in pigs. The development of the IgG autoimmune response may either be a host mechanism for limiting iron to the mite via antibody mediated clearance, the result of host exposure to mite iron-binding homologues or because of a mite-induced antigenic change to host transferrin. Further investigation into the formation of these autoantibodies may provide insights into the importance of iron in scabies infections and the development and perseverance of S. scabiei infections in pigs. The specificity and sensitivity of the anti-transferrin response reinforces its potential in the diagnosis of scabies in pigs. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Quick View

The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket

- Dennis, Rebecca, Finch, Caroline, Elliott, Bruce, Farhart, Patrick

Authors: Dennis, Rebecca , Finch, Caroline , Elliott, Bruce , Farhart, Patrick
Date: 2008
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Physical Therapy in Sport Vol. 9, no. 1 (2008), p. 25-33
Full Text:
Reviewed:
Description: Objectives: To determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of a field-based musculoskeletal screening protocol used to measure potential injury risk factors in cricket fast bowlers. Design: Test-retest reliability study. Setting: High performance Australian cricket. Participants: Ten volunteers. Two sports physiotherapists conducted the testing. Main outcome measures: Participants completed the following tests: knee extension; modified Thomas test (hip extension and abduction); hip internal and external rotation; combined elevation; ankle dorsiflexion lunge; bridging hold; prone four point hold; and calf heel raises. Methods: For each of the tests, the participants were tested by each physiotherapist twice, and the inter- and intra-observer reliability were concurrently assessed. Results: The inter-observer reliability of the tests was generally poor, with only four of the ten tests having an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) greater than 0.80 (range of ICCs 0.27-0.99). The intra-observer reliability of the tests was considerably higher, with nine tests having an ICC greater than 0.80 (range of ICCs 0.56-0.99). Conclusions: With the exception of the bridging hold, all tests would be considered acceptable where only one observer was conducting the testing. However, only the ankle dorsiflexion lunge, combined elevation test, calf heel raise test and prone four point hold have acceptable reliability when there are multiple physiotherapists recording measurements. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description: C1

Regime shifts, thresholds and multiple stable states in freshwater ecosystems; a critical appraisal of the evidence

- Capon, Samantha, Lynch, Jasmyn, Bond, Nick, Chessman, Bruce, Davis, Jenny, Davidson, Nick, Finlayson, C. Max, Gell, Peter, Hohnberg, David, Humphrey, Chris, Kingsford, Richard, Nielsen, Daryl, Thomson, James, Ward, Keith, Mac Nally, Ralph

Authors: Capon, Samantha , Lynch, Jasmyn , Bond, Nick , Chessman, Bruce , Davis, Jenny , Davidson, Nick , Finlayson, C. Max , Gell, Peter , Hohnberg, David , Humphrey, Chris , Kingsford, Richard , Nielsen, Daryl , Thomson, James , Ward, Keith , Mac Nally, Ralph
Date: 2015
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. , no. (2015), p.
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: The concepts of ecosystem regime shifts, thresholds and alternative or multiple stable states are used extensively in the ecological and environmental management literature. When applied to aquatic ecosystems, these terms are used inconsistently reflecting differing levels of supporting evidence among ecosystem types. Although many aquatic ecosystems around the world have become degraded, the magnitude and causes of changes, relative to the range of historical variability, are poorly known. A working group supported by the Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS) reviewed 135 papers on freshwater ecosystems to assess the evidence for pressure-induced non-linear changes in freshwater ecosystems; these papers used terms indicating sudden and non-linear change in their titles and key words, and so was a positively biased sample. We scrutinized papers for study context and methods, ecosystem characteristics and focus, types of pressures and ecological responses considered, and the type of change reported (i.e., gradual, non-linear, hysteretic or irreversible change). There was little empirical evidence for regime shifts and changes between multiple or alternative stable states in these studies although some shifts between turbid phytoplankton-dominated states and clear-water, macrophyte-dominated states were reported in shallow lakes in temperate climates. We found limited understanding of the subtleties of the relevant theoretical concepts and encountered few mechanistic studies that investigated or identified cause-and-effect relationships between ecological responses and nominal pressures. Our results mirror those of reviews for estuarine, nearshore and marine aquatic ecosystems, demonstrating that although the concepts of regime shifts and alternative stable states have become prominent in the scientific and management literature, their empirical underpinning is weak outside of a specific environmental setting. The application of these concepts in future research and management applications should include evidence on the mechanistic links between pressures and consequent ecological change. Explicit consideration should also be given to whether observed temporal dynamics represent variation along a continuum rather than categorically different states.

Nurse education in English universities in a period of change : Expectations of nurse academics for the year 2008

- Deans, Cecil, Congdon, Graham, Sellers, Eileen

Authors: Deans, Cecil , Congdon, Graham , Sellers, Eileen
Date: 2003
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 23, no. 2 (2003), p. 146-154
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: In England, the education of nurses in the academic arena has a relatively short history arguably representing recent advancement of the nursing discipline. Until we undertook this study, however, expectations for the next decade were unknown. The current investigation replicates a similar study of Australian nurse academics (Sellers & Deans 1996) which found discrepancies between how nurse academics perceived the future development of the profession, compared to how they actually expected it to develop. In order to provide information concerning the future of nursing education in England and related professional and social factors, a random sample of nurse academics was surveyed. Findings indicate that although advances have been made, there are a number of concerns regarding the development of nursing as a discipline. These include parity of status with other academic areas, resource issues, the workload of nurse academics and the perception that there is lack of cohesiveness amongst nurses as a professional group. Findings in this study closely mirror results in the Australian study indicating similarities in how the nursing profession copes with the transition from a predominantly hospital based education program to a program grounded in academic institutions. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description: C1
Description: 2003000385

Quick View

Visual perceptual and handwriting skills in children with developmental coordination disorder

- Prunty, Mellissa, Barnett, Anna, Wilmut, Kate, Plumb, Mandy

Authors: Prunty, Mellissa , Barnett, Anna , Wilmut, Kate , Plumb, Mandy
Date: 2016
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Human Movement Science Vol. 49, no. (2016), p. 54-65
Full Text:
Reviewed:
Description: Objective: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder demonstrate a lack of automaticity in handwriting as measured by pauses during writing. Deficits in visual perception have been proposed in the literature as underlying mechanisms of handwriting difficulties in children with DCD. The aim of this study was to examine whether correlations exist between measures of visual perception and visual motor integration with measures of the handwriting product and process in children with DCD. Method: The performance of twenty-eight 8-14 year-old children who met the DSM-5 criteria for DCD was compared with 28 typically developing (TD) age and gender-matched controls. The children completed the Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) and the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS). Group comparisons were made, correlations were conducted between the visual perceptual measures and handwriting measures and the sensitivity and specificity examined. Results: The DCD group performed below the TD group on the VMI and TVPS. There were no significant correlations between the VMI or TVPS and any of the handwriting measures in the DCD group. In addition, both tests demonstrated low sensitivity. Conclusion: Clinicians should execute caution in using visual perceptual measures to inform them about handwriting skill in children with DCD. © 2016 The Authors.

Evaluation of immune effects of fowlpox vaccine strains and field isolates

- Wang, Jianning, Meers, Joanne, Spradbrow, Peter, Robinson, Wayne

Authors: Wang, Jianning , Meers, Joanne , Spradbrow, Peter , Robinson, Wayne
Date: 2006
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Veterinary Microbiology Vol. 116, no. 1-3 (Aug 2006), p. 106-119
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: The immune effects of fowlpox virus (FPV) field isolates and vaccine strains were evaluated in chickens infected at the age of 1 day and 6 weeks. The field isolates and the obsolete vaccine strain (FPV S) contained integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) provirus, while the current vaccine strain (FPVST) carries only REV LTR sequences. An indirect antibody ELISA was used to measure the FPV-specific antibody response. The non-specific humoral response was evaluated by injection of two T-cell-dependent antigens, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). There was no significant difference in the antibody response to FPV between chickens infected with FPV various isolates and strains at either age. In contrast, antibody responses to both SRBC and BSA were significantly lower in 1-day-old chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at 2-3 weeks post-inoculation. Furthermore, cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses measured by in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and in vivo using a PHA-P skin test were significantly depressed in chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at the same periods. In addition, thymus and bursal weights were lower in infected chickens. These immunosuppressive effects were not observed in chickens inoculated with the current vaccine strain, FPVST, at any time. The results of this study suggest that virulent field isolates and FPV S have immunosuppressive effects when inoculated into young chickens, which appeared in the first 3 weeks post infection. REV integrated in the FPV field isolates and FPV S may have played a central role in the development of immunosuppression. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Description: C1

The teacher as the 'digital perpetrator' : Implementing web 2.0 technology activity as assessment practice for higher education innovation or imposition?

- Smith, Andrew, Peck, Blake

Authors: Smith, Andrew , Peck, Blake
Date: 2010
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences Vol. 2, no. 2 (2010), p. 4800-4804
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of the use of 'YouTube' video broadcasting technology as an assessment modality for higher education nursing students using vital signs assessment as the focus. Approximately 150 first year undergraduate nursing students at UB in Victoria Australia were invited to participate in an evaluative survey concerning a nursing vital signs skill assessment which utilised 'YouTube' as the medium. Whilst this study acknowledges that we must bring assessment into line with contemporary student populations in order to stimulate and satisfy the learning needs of undergraduate students, this study is also cognisant that higher education must be mindful of the added complexity that these technologies bring. Therefore there is a need to work towards collaborative outcomes for both student and academic, remaining aware not to cast the student as the digital victim and portray the teacher as the digital perpetrator. In light of the findings therein lies a dichotomy between what students see as assistive to learning and what the teacher sees as helpful to assessment. Â© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quick View

Applying self-determination theory to understand the motivation for becoming a physical education teacher

- Spittle, Michael, Jackson, Kevin, Casey, Meghan

Authors: Spittle, Michael , Jackson, Kevin , Casey, Meghan
Date: 2009
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Teaching and Teacher Education Vol. 25, no. 1 (2009), p. 190-197
Full Text:
Reviewed:
Description: This study explored the reasons people choose physical education teaching as a profession and investigated the relationship of these choices with motivation. Physical education pre-service teachers (n = 324) completed the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) and a measure of reasons for choosing physical education teaching. Confident interpersonal service reasons were linked with intrinsic motivation; whereas sport and physical activity reasons were related to extrinsic motivation. Enrolling because teaching seemed easy was linked with amotivation. Motivation was similar for different course entry methods, however, females were more intrinsically motivated than males and third year students were lower in motivation than other year levels. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description: C1

Monitoring core body temperature in infantry soldiers and airfield defence guards

- Ham, Daniel, Lee, C., Payne, Warren, Harvey, Jack

Authors: Ham, Daniel , Lee, C. , Payne, Warren , Harvey, Jack
Date: 2005
Type: Text , Conference paper
Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 4 Supplement (2005), p. 58
Full Text: false
Reviewed:
Description: During strenuous and/or extended exercise in hot environments, considerable body heat can be produced. If the heat produced is above the body's thermoregulatory capacities, or if these capacities are impeded, a rise in core body temperature (Tc) will occur. Infantry soldiers and Airfield Defence Guards within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are often based in areas which expose them to high levels of thermal stress. Furthermore, they must perform physically demanding training and operations, often in full camouflage, and on occasions with a range of equipment including body armour, which further increases the risk of developing a heat illness during training tasks. The ADF is addressing this issue as part of the Defence Physical Employment Standards (DPES) project, which aims at developing new employment standards using tests that reflect job requirements, and in which soldiers and airmen will be required to complete a number of strenuous and/or extended physical tasks. Two high risk tasks involve marching for either 10 or 20 km at an average velocity of 6km/hr, wearing full camouflage and carrying a 45kg pack. A third high risk task, which simulates movement in urban terrain, is shorter in duration but higher in intensity, and involves wearing ballistic vest, helmet, and webbing. In order to enhance safety by decreasing the risk of heat injury associated with completing these three tasks, Tc is being monitored using telemetric pills. A subject who reaches a Tc of 39.5oC will be withdrawn from the task. Preliminary testing in reasonably mild environmental conditions (15-20oC WBGTO), resulted in steady increases in Tc throughout each task, though no subject's core temperature reached 39.5 in any of the tasks.
Description: 2003005936

Showing items 1 - 20 of 270