A robust forgery detection method for copy-move and splicing attacks in images
- Islam, Mohammad, Karmakar, Gour, Kamruzzaman, Joarder, Murshed, Manzur
- Authors: Islam, Mohammad , Karmakar, Gour , Kamruzzaman, Joarder , Murshed, Manzur
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics Vol. 9, no. 9 (2020), p. 1-22
- Full Text:
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- Description: Internet of Things (IoT) image sensors, social media, and smartphones generate huge volumes of digital images every day. Easy availability and usability of photo editing tools have made forgery attacks, primarily splicing and copy-move attacks, effortless, causing cybercrimes to be on the rise. While several models have been proposed in the literature for detecting these attacks, the robustness of those models has not been investigated when (i) a low number of tampered images are available for model building or (ii) images from IoT sensors are distorted due to image rotation or scaling caused by unwanted or unexpected changes in sensors' physical set-up. Moreover, further improvement in detection accuracy is needed for real-word security management systems. To address these limitations, in this paper, an innovative image forgery detection method has been proposed based on Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and a new feature extraction method using the mean operator. First, images are divided into non-overlapping fixed size blocks and 2D block DCT is applied to capture changes due to image forgery. Then LBP is applied to the magnitude of the DCT array to enhance forgery artifacts. Finally, the mean value of a particular cell across all LBP blocks is computed, which yields a fixed number of features and presents a more computationally efficient method. Using Support Vector Machine (SVM), the proposed method has been extensively tested on four well known publicly available gray scale and color image forgery datasets, and additionally on an IoT based image forgery dataset that we built. Experimental results reveal the superiority of our proposed method over recent state-of-the-art methods in terms of widely used performance metrics and computational time and demonstrate robustness against low availability of forged training samples.
- Description: This research was funded by Research Priority Area (RPA) scholarship of Federation University Australia.
- Authors: Islam, Mohammad , Karmakar, Gour , Kamruzzaman, Joarder , Murshed, Manzur
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics Vol. 9, no. 9 (2020), p. 1-22
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Internet of Things (IoT) image sensors, social media, and smartphones generate huge volumes of digital images every day. Easy availability and usability of photo editing tools have made forgery attacks, primarily splicing and copy-move attacks, effortless, causing cybercrimes to be on the rise. While several models have been proposed in the literature for detecting these attacks, the robustness of those models has not been investigated when (i) a low number of tampered images are available for model building or (ii) images from IoT sensors are distorted due to image rotation or scaling caused by unwanted or unexpected changes in sensors' physical set-up. Moreover, further improvement in detection accuracy is needed for real-word security management systems. To address these limitations, in this paper, an innovative image forgery detection method has been proposed based on Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and a new feature extraction method using the mean operator. First, images are divided into non-overlapping fixed size blocks and 2D block DCT is applied to capture changes due to image forgery. Then LBP is applied to the magnitude of the DCT array to enhance forgery artifacts. Finally, the mean value of a particular cell across all LBP blocks is computed, which yields a fixed number of features and presents a more computationally efficient method. Using Support Vector Machine (SVM), the proposed method has been extensively tested on four well known publicly available gray scale and color image forgery datasets, and additionally on an IoT based image forgery dataset that we built. Experimental results reveal the superiority of our proposed method over recent state-of-the-art methods in terms of widely used performance metrics and computational time and demonstrate robustness against low availability of forged training samples.
- Description: This research was funded by Research Priority Area (RPA) scholarship of Federation University Australia.
The consequences of general medication beliefs measured by the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire on medication adherence : A systematic review
- Shahin, Wejdan, Kennedy, Gerard, Stupans, Ieva
- Authors: Shahin, Wejdan , Kennedy, Gerard , Stupans, Ieva
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Pharmacy Vol. 8, no. 3 (2020), p. 1-15
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- Description: (1) Background: Medication adherence is a key determinant of patient health outcomes in chronic illnesses. However, adherence to long-term therapy remains poor. General beliefs about medicine are considered factors influencing medication adherence. It is essential to address the gap in the literature regarding understanding the impact of general beliefs about medicine on medication adherence to promote adherence in chronic illnesses. (2) Methods: PubMed, CINHAL, and EMBASE databases were searched. Studies were included if they examined medication beliefs using the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire in one of four chronic illnesses: hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and/or asthma. (3) Results: From 1799 articles obtained by the search, only 11 met the inclusion criteria. Hypertension and diabetes represented 91% of included studies, while asthma represented 9%. Higher medication adherence was associated with negative general medication beliefs; 65% of the included studies found a negative association between harm beliefs and adherence, while 30% of studies found a negative association with overuse beliefs. (4) Conclusions: This review evaluated the impact of harm and overuse beliefs about medicines on medication adherence, highlighting the gap in literature regarding the impact of harm and overuse beliefs on adherence. Further research is needed to fully identify the association between general beliefs and medication adherence in people with different cultural backgrounds, and to explore these beliefs in patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Healthcare providers need to be aware of the impact of patients' cultural backgrounds on general medication beliefs and adherence.
- Authors: Shahin, Wejdan , Kennedy, Gerard , Stupans, Ieva
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Pharmacy Vol. 8, no. 3 (2020), p. 1-15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: (1) Background: Medication adherence is a key determinant of patient health outcomes in chronic illnesses. However, adherence to long-term therapy remains poor. General beliefs about medicine are considered factors influencing medication adherence. It is essential to address the gap in the literature regarding understanding the impact of general beliefs about medicine on medication adherence to promote adherence in chronic illnesses. (2) Methods: PubMed, CINHAL, and EMBASE databases were searched. Studies were included if they examined medication beliefs using the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire in one of four chronic illnesses: hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and/or asthma. (3) Results: From 1799 articles obtained by the search, only 11 met the inclusion criteria. Hypertension and diabetes represented 91% of included studies, while asthma represented 9%. Higher medication adherence was associated with negative general medication beliefs; 65% of the included studies found a negative association between harm beliefs and adherence, while 30% of studies found a negative association with overuse beliefs. (4) Conclusions: This review evaluated the impact of harm and overuse beliefs about medicines on medication adherence, highlighting the gap in literature regarding the impact of harm and overuse beliefs on adherence. Further research is needed to fully identify the association between general beliefs and medication adherence in people with different cultural backgrounds, and to explore these beliefs in patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Healthcare providers need to be aware of the impact of patients' cultural backgrounds on general medication beliefs and adherence.
Benefits of pilates in Parkinson's Disease : A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Suarez-Iglesias, David, Miller, Kyle, Seijo-Martinez, Manuel, Ayan, Carlos
- Authors: Suarez-Iglesias, David , Miller, Kyle , Seijo-Martinez, Manuel , Ayan, Carlos
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Medicina-Lithuania Vol. 55, no. 8 (2019), p. 1-14
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- Description: Pilates may be a beneficial method of exercise for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, no studies have critically reviewed the scientific evidence in this regard. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of Pilates as a rehabilitation strategy for PD. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus was conducted to identify studies related to the effect of Pilates on PD. The search timeframe ranged from the inception of each database to March 2019. The search resulted in the identification of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four non-RCT studies. The methodological quality of the investigations ranged from poor to fair. The descriptive analysis of the eight investigations showed that Pilates resulted in beneficial effects on fitness, balance and functional autonomy. A subsequent meta-analysis on the four RCTs indicated that Pilates was more effective than traditional training programmes in improving lower limb function. Pilates can be safely prescribed for people with mild-to-moderate PD. Preliminary evidence indicates that its practice could have a positive impact on fitness, balance and physical function. Its benefits on lower-body function appear to be superior to those of other conventional exercises. Future randomized studies with greater samples are needed to confirm these observations.
- Authors: Suarez-Iglesias, David , Miller, Kyle , Seijo-Martinez, Manuel , Ayan, Carlos
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Medicina-Lithuania Vol. 55, no. 8 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pilates may be a beneficial method of exercise for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, no studies have critically reviewed the scientific evidence in this regard. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of Pilates as a rehabilitation strategy for PD. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus was conducted to identify studies related to the effect of Pilates on PD. The search timeframe ranged from the inception of each database to March 2019. The search resulted in the identification of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four non-RCT studies. The methodological quality of the investigations ranged from poor to fair. The descriptive analysis of the eight investigations showed that Pilates resulted in beneficial effects on fitness, balance and functional autonomy. A subsequent meta-analysis on the four RCTs indicated that Pilates was more effective than traditional training programmes in improving lower limb function. Pilates can be safely prescribed for people with mild-to-moderate PD. Preliminary evidence indicates that its practice could have a positive impact on fitness, balance and physical function. Its benefits on lower-body function appear to be superior to those of other conventional exercises. Future randomized studies with greater samples are needed to confirm these observations.
Australian media and Islamophobia : Representations of asylum seeker children
- Patil, Tejaswini, McLaren, Helen
- Authors: Patil, Tejaswini , McLaren, Helen
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Religions Vol. 10, no. 9 (2019), p. 1-14
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- Description: Australian media invests considerable attention in asylum seekers and their children, especially those arriving by boat. In this paper, we provide an analysis of Australian newsprint media published during the term of Australia's Gillard's government (2010-2013). This period is critical as it coincides with rising numbers of boat arrivals to Australian shores, fear towards Muslims, and growing Islamophobia. At the time, there were government promises to move children from offshore immigration detention into community-based detention, that would involve living among mainstream Australian society. A data set of 46 articles from major Australian newspapers articles was subject to a discourse analysis of representations of children in both the written texts and in silences. Manipulative tactics of 'risk framing' and 'dispersed intentionality' were identified as discursive acts aimed to confuse compassion and deviancy with respect to asylum seeker children presumed to be from Islamic backgrounds. We argue that this was achieved through binary characterizations in which Muslim parents and people smugglers were constructed as deviant alongside intentional silences, that may have otherwise elicited compassion for asylum seeker children. We propose that this period of media reporting is foundational to understanding the rise of Islamophobic discourses and the implication of Muslim children in Australia.
- Authors: Patil, Tejaswini , McLaren, Helen
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Religions Vol. 10, no. 9 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australian media invests considerable attention in asylum seekers and their children, especially those arriving by boat. In this paper, we provide an analysis of Australian newsprint media published during the term of Australia's Gillard's government (2010-2013). This period is critical as it coincides with rising numbers of boat arrivals to Australian shores, fear towards Muslims, and growing Islamophobia. At the time, there were government promises to move children from offshore immigration detention into community-based detention, that would involve living among mainstream Australian society. A data set of 46 articles from major Australian newspapers articles was subject to a discourse analysis of representations of children in both the written texts and in silences. Manipulative tactics of 'risk framing' and 'dispersed intentionality' were identified as discursive acts aimed to confuse compassion and deviancy with respect to asylum seeker children presumed to be from Islamic backgrounds. We argue that this was achieved through binary characterizations in which Muslim parents and people smugglers were constructed as deviant alongside intentional silences, that may have otherwise elicited compassion for asylum seeker children. We propose that this period of media reporting is foundational to understanding the rise of Islamophobic discourses and the implication of Muslim children in Australia.
Optimization of an ultrasonic-assisted biodiesel production process from one genotype of rapeseed (TERI (OE) R-983) as a novel feedstock using response surface methodology
- Almasi, Sara, Ghobadian, Barat, Najafi, Gholam, Yusaf, Talal, Soufi, Masoud, Hoseini, Seyed
- Authors: Almasi, Sara , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholam , Yusaf, Talal , Soufi, Masoud , Hoseini, Seyed
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 12, no. 14 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In recent years, due to the favorable climate conditions of Iran, the cultivation of rapeseed has increased significantly. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of biodiesel production from one genotype of rapeseed (TERI (OE) R-983). An ultrasonic approach was used in order to intensify the reaction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to identify the optimum conditions of the process. The results of this research showed that the conversion of biodiesel was found to be 87.175% under the optimized conditions of a 4.63:1 molar ratio (methanol to oil), 56.50% amplitude, and 0.4 s pulses for a reaction time of 5.22 min. Increasing the operating conditions, such as the molar ratio from 4:1 to 5.5:1, amplitude from 50% to 72.5%, reaction time from 3 min to 7 min, and pulse from 0.4 s to 1 s, increased the FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) yield by approximately 4.5%, 2.3%, 1.2%, and 0.5%, respectively. The properties of the TERI (OE) R-983 methyl ester met the requirements of the biodiesel standard (ASTM D6751), indicating the potential of the produced biodiesel as an alternative fuel.
- Authors: Almasi, Sara , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholam , Yusaf, Talal , Soufi, Masoud , Hoseini, Seyed
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 12, no. 14 (2019), p. 1-14
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In recent years, due to the favorable climate conditions of Iran, the cultivation of rapeseed has increased significantly. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of biodiesel production from one genotype of rapeseed (TERI (OE) R-983). An ultrasonic approach was used in order to intensify the reaction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to identify the optimum conditions of the process. The results of this research showed that the conversion of biodiesel was found to be 87.175% under the optimized conditions of a 4.63:1 molar ratio (methanol to oil), 56.50% amplitude, and 0.4 s pulses for a reaction time of 5.22 min. Increasing the operating conditions, such as the molar ratio from 4:1 to 5.5:1, amplitude from 50% to 72.5%, reaction time from 3 min to 7 min, and pulse from 0.4 s to 1 s, increased the FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) yield by approximately 4.5%, 2.3%, 1.2%, and 0.5%, respectively. The properties of the TERI (OE) R-983 methyl ester met the requirements of the biodiesel standard (ASTM D6751), indicating the potential of the produced biodiesel as an alternative fuel.
Design and analysis of nano-structured gratings for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells
- Authors: Das, Narottam , Islam, Syed
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 9, no. 9 (2016), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the design and analysis of nano-structured gratings to improve the conversion efficiency in GaAs solar cells by reducing the light reflection losses. A finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation tool is used to design and simulate the light reflection losses of the subwavelength grating (SWG) structure in GaAs solar cells. The SWG structures perform as an excellent alternative antireflective (AR) coating due to their capacity to reduce the reflection losses in GaAs solar cells. It allows the gradual change in the refractive index that confirms an excellent AR and the light trapping properties, when compared with the planar thin film structures. The nano-rod structure performs as a single layer AR coating, whereas the triangular (i.e., conical or perfect cone) and parabolic (i.e., trapezoidal/truncated cone) shaped nano-grating structures perform as a multilayer AR coating. The simulation results confirm that the reflection loss of triangular-shaped nano-grating structures having a 300-nm grating height and a 830-nm period is about 2%, which is about 28% less than the flat type substrates. It also found that the intermediate (i.e., trapezoidal and parabolic)-shaped structures, the light reflection loss is lower than the rectangular shaped nano-grating structure, but higher than the triangular shaped nano-grating structure. This analysis confirmed that the triangular shaped nano-gratings are an excellent alternative AR coating for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells.
- Authors: Das, Narottam , Islam, Syed
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 9, no. 9 (2016), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the design and analysis of nano-structured gratings to improve the conversion efficiency in GaAs solar cells by reducing the light reflection losses. A finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation tool is used to design and simulate the light reflection losses of the subwavelength grating (SWG) structure in GaAs solar cells. The SWG structures perform as an excellent alternative antireflective (AR) coating due to their capacity to reduce the reflection losses in GaAs solar cells. It allows the gradual change in the refractive index that confirms an excellent AR and the light trapping properties, when compared with the planar thin film structures. The nano-rod structure performs as a single layer AR coating, whereas the triangular (i.e., conical or perfect cone) and parabolic (i.e., trapezoidal/truncated cone) shaped nano-grating structures perform as a multilayer AR coating. The simulation results confirm that the reflection loss of triangular-shaped nano-grating structures having a 300-nm grating height and a 830-nm period is about 2%, which is about 28% less than the flat type substrates. It also found that the intermediate (i.e., trapezoidal and parabolic)-shaped structures, the light reflection loss is lower than the rectangular shaped nano-grating structure, but higher than the triangular shaped nano-grating structure. This analysis confirmed that the triangular shaped nano-gratings are an excellent alternative AR coating for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells.
Macadamia nutshell biochar for nitrate removal : Effect of biochar preparation and process parameters
- Bakly, Salam, Al-Juboori, Raed, Bowtell, Les
- Authors: Bakly, Salam , Al-Juboori, Raed , Bowtell, Les
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: C-Journal of Carbon Research Vol. 5, no. 3 (2019), p. 1-20
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Agricultural runoff is a major cause of degradation to freshwater sources. Nitrate is of particular interest, due to the abundant use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in agricultural practices globally. This study investigated the nitrate removal of biochar produced from an agricultural waste product, macadamia nutshell (MBC). Kinetic experiments and structural analyses showed that MBC pyrolsed at 900 degrees C exhibited inferior NO3- removal compared to that pyrolsed at 1000 degrees C, which was subsequently used in the column experiments. Concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 mg/L, with flowrates of 2, 5 and 10 mL/min, were examined over a 360 min treatment time. Detailed statistical analyses were applied using 2(3) factorial design. Nitrate removal was significantly affected by flowrate, concentration and their interactions. The highest nitrate removal capacity of 0.11 mg/g MBC was achieved at a NO3- concentration of 15 mg/L and flowrate of 2 mL/min. The more crystalline structure and rough texture of MBC prepared at 1000 degrees C resulted in higher NO3- removal compared to MBC prepared at 900 degrees C. The operating parameters with the highest NO3- removal were used to study the removal capacity of the column. Breakthrough and exhaustion times of the column were 25 and 330 min respectively. Approximately 92% of the column bed was saturated after exhaustion.
- Authors: Bakly, Salam , Al-Juboori, Raed , Bowtell, Les
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: C-Journal of Carbon Research Vol. 5, no. 3 (2019), p. 1-20
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Agricultural runoff is a major cause of degradation to freshwater sources. Nitrate is of particular interest, due to the abundant use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in agricultural practices globally. This study investigated the nitrate removal of biochar produced from an agricultural waste product, macadamia nutshell (MBC). Kinetic experiments and structural analyses showed that MBC pyrolsed at 900 degrees C exhibited inferior NO3- removal compared to that pyrolsed at 1000 degrees C, which was subsequently used in the column experiments. Concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 mg/L, with flowrates of 2, 5 and 10 mL/min, were examined over a 360 min treatment time. Detailed statistical analyses were applied using 2(3) factorial design. Nitrate removal was significantly affected by flowrate, concentration and their interactions. The highest nitrate removal capacity of 0.11 mg/g MBC was achieved at a NO3- concentration of 15 mg/L and flowrate of 2 mL/min. The more crystalline structure and rough texture of MBC prepared at 1000 degrees C resulted in higher NO3- removal compared to MBC prepared at 900 degrees C. The operating parameters with the highest NO3- removal were used to study the removal capacity of the column. Breakthrough and exhaustion times of the column were 25 and 330 min respectively. Approximately 92% of the column bed was saturated after exhaustion.
Changes in lower body muscular performance following a season of NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse
- Talpey, Scott, Axtell, Robert, Gardner, Elizabeth, James, Lachlan
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Axtell, Robert , Gardner, Elizabeth , James, Lachlan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Vol. 7, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The tactical and technical components of training become a primary emphasis, leaving less time for targeted development of physical qualities that underpin performance during the competition phase of a training program. A deemphasis on physical preparation during the in-season training phase may make athletes more susceptible to injury and decrease performance on the field. Two weeks prior to the start and one week following the conclusion of the 16-week collegiate lacrosse season, lower body force production was assessed in eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men's Lacrosse athletes. Lower body force production capabilities were determined via the performance of countermovement jumps (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) performed on a force plate and isokinetic strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups across three velocities. Isokinetic strength of the hamstrings and the hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio were maintained or increased over the course of the competition phase of training. Relative peak force obtained from the CMJ and the reactive strength index from the DJ decreased significantly over the season. The maintenance of isokinetic strength and the decrease in CMJ and DJ performance may indicate the presence of neuromuscular fatigue that accumulated over the course of the season.
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Axtell, Robert , Gardner, Elizabeth , James, Lachlan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Vol. 7, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The tactical and technical components of training become a primary emphasis, leaving less time for targeted development of physical qualities that underpin performance during the competition phase of a training program. A deemphasis on physical preparation during the in-season training phase may make athletes more susceptible to injury and decrease performance on the field. Two weeks prior to the start and one week following the conclusion of the 16-week collegiate lacrosse season, lower body force production was assessed in eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men's Lacrosse athletes. Lower body force production capabilities were determined via the performance of countermovement jumps (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) performed on a force plate and isokinetic strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups across three velocities. Isokinetic strength of the hamstrings and the hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio were maintained or increased over the course of the competition phase of training. Relative peak force obtained from the CMJ and the reactive strength index from the DJ decreased significantly over the season. The maintenance of isokinetic strength and the decrease in CMJ and DJ performance may indicate the presence of neuromuscular fatigue that accumulated over the course of the season.
Artificial neural network modeling and sensitivity analysis of performance and emissions in a compression ignition engine using biodiesel fuel
- Jaliliantabar, Farzad, Ghobadian, Barat, Najafi, Gholamhassan, Yusaf, Talal
- Authors: Jaliliantabar, Farzad , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholamhassan , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 11, no. 9 (2018), p. 1-24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In the present research work, a neural network model has been developed to predict the exhaust emissions and performance of a compression ignition engine. The significance and novelty of the work, with respect to existing literature, is the application of sensitivity analysis and an artificial neural network (ANN) simultaneously in order to predict the engine parameters. The inputs of the model were engine load (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), engine speed (1700, 2100, 2500 and 2900 rpm) and the percent of biodiesel fuel derived from waste cooking oil in diesel fuel (B0, B5, B10, B15 and B20). The relationship between the input parameters and engine cylinder performance and emissions can be determined by the network. The global sensitivity analysis results show that all the investigated factors are effective on the created model and cannot be ignored. In addition, it is found that the most emissions decreased while using biodiesel fuel in the compression ignition engine.
- Authors: Jaliliantabar, Farzad , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholamhassan , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 11, no. 9 (2018), p. 1-24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In the present research work, a neural network model has been developed to predict the exhaust emissions and performance of a compression ignition engine. The significance and novelty of the work, with respect to existing literature, is the application of sensitivity analysis and an artificial neural network (ANN) simultaneously in order to predict the engine parameters. The inputs of the model were engine load (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), engine speed (1700, 2100, 2500 and 2900 rpm) and the percent of biodiesel fuel derived from waste cooking oil in diesel fuel (B0, B5, B10, B15 and B20). The relationship between the input parameters and engine cylinder performance and emissions can be determined by the network. The global sensitivity analysis results show that all the investigated factors are effective on the created model and cannot be ignored. In addition, it is found that the most emissions decreased while using biodiesel fuel in the compression ignition engine.
Energy sector development : system dynamics analysis
- Laimon, Mohamd, Mai, Thanh, Goh, Steven, Yusaf, Talal
- Authors: Laimon, Mohamd , Mai, Thanh , Goh, Steven , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences-Basel Vol. 10, no. 1 (Jan 2020), p. 19
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The development of a complex and dynamic system such as the energy sector requires a comprehensive understanding of its constituent components and their interactions, and thus requires approaches that can adapt to the dynamic complexity in systems. Previous efforts mainly used reductionist approaches, which examine the components of the system in isolation, neglecting their interdependent nature. Such approaches reduce our ability to understand the system and/or mitigate undesirable outcomes. We adopt a system dynamics approach to construct an integrated model for analysing the behaviour of the energy sector. Although the Australian energy sector is used as a case study, the model can be applied in other context elsewhere around the world The results indicate that the current trajectory of the Australian energy sector is unsustainable and growth is not being controlled. Limits to growth are fast approaching due to excessive fossil fuel extraction, high emissions and high energy dependency. With the current growth, Australia's global CO2 emissions footprint will increase to unprecedented levels reaching 12% by 2030 (9.5% for exports and 2.5% for domestic). Oil dependency will account for 43% and 47% of total consumption by 2030 and 2050. By 2032, coal will be the only fossil fuel resource available in Australia. Expansion of investment in coal and gas production is a large risk.
- Authors: Laimon, Mohamd , Mai, Thanh , Goh, Steven , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences-Basel Vol. 10, no. 1 (Jan 2020), p. 19
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The development of a complex and dynamic system such as the energy sector requires a comprehensive understanding of its constituent components and their interactions, and thus requires approaches that can adapt to the dynamic complexity in systems. Previous efforts mainly used reductionist approaches, which examine the components of the system in isolation, neglecting their interdependent nature. Such approaches reduce our ability to understand the system and/or mitigate undesirable outcomes. We adopt a system dynamics approach to construct an integrated model for analysing the behaviour of the energy sector. Although the Australian energy sector is used as a case study, the model can be applied in other context elsewhere around the world The results indicate that the current trajectory of the Australian energy sector is unsustainable and growth is not being controlled. Limits to growth are fast approaching due to excessive fossil fuel extraction, high emissions and high energy dependency. With the current growth, Australia's global CO2 emissions footprint will increase to unprecedented levels reaching 12% by 2030 (9.5% for exports and 2.5% for domestic). Oil dependency will account for 43% and 47% of total consumption by 2030 and 2050. By 2032, coal will be the only fossil fuel resource available in Australia. Expansion of investment in coal and gas production is a large risk.
The impacts of water pricing and non-pricing policies on sustainable water resources management : A case of Ghorveh Plain at Kurdistan province, Iran
- Asaadi, Mohammad, Mortazavi, Seyed, Zamani, Omid, Najafi, Gholam, Yusaf, Talal, Hoseini, Seyed
- Authors: Asaadi, Mohammad , Mortazavi, Seyed , Zamani, Omid , Najafi, Gholam , Yusaf, Talal , Hoseini, Seyed
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 12, no. 14 (2019), p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: As with other regions of Iran, due to excessive extraction of groundwater for intense agricultural activity, Ghorveh plain, a water-scarce irrigation district in the west of Iran, has faced a serious water crisis during the last decade. The present study investigates the impacts of two scenario policies, namely, non-price policy (as a supply-oriented policy) and water pricing policies (as a demand-oriented policy) on agricultural sector of Ghorveh Plain, using positive mathematical programming (PMP). The model was calibrated by using farm-level data for the crop years in 2016-2017. Our findings indicate that applying water supply constraint policy will change the land use and cropping pattern to the crops with higher water productivity. The increase of water resource constraints can lead to the increase of water economic return which indicates a rising value of water resources shortage, warning the producers of the agriculture sector to allocate water to the crops with higher economic value under the water resources shortage conditions. In addition, the findings underline that in a situation where the price of irrigation water is low due to the low elasticity of water demand in the agriculture sector, formulating the economic instruments such as rising water prices does not solely suffice to achieve sustainable water resource management. However, mixed scenarios emphasized that the water distribution policies should be aligned with the increases in water cost.
- Authors: Asaadi, Mohammad , Mortazavi, Seyed , Zamani, Omid , Najafi, Gholam , Yusaf, Talal , Hoseini, Seyed
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 12, no. 14 (2019), p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: As with other regions of Iran, due to excessive extraction of groundwater for intense agricultural activity, Ghorveh plain, a water-scarce irrigation district in the west of Iran, has faced a serious water crisis during the last decade. The present study investigates the impacts of two scenario policies, namely, non-price policy (as a supply-oriented policy) and water pricing policies (as a demand-oriented policy) on agricultural sector of Ghorveh Plain, using positive mathematical programming (PMP). The model was calibrated by using farm-level data for the crop years in 2016-2017. Our findings indicate that applying water supply constraint policy will change the land use and cropping pattern to the crops with higher water productivity. The increase of water resource constraints can lead to the increase of water economic return which indicates a rising value of water resources shortage, warning the producers of the agriculture sector to allocate water to the crops with higher economic value under the water resources shortage conditions. In addition, the findings underline that in a situation where the price of irrigation water is low due to the low elasticity of water demand in the agriculture sector, formulating the economic instruments such as rising water prices does not solely suffice to achieve sustainable water resource management. However, mixed scenarios emphasized that the water distribution policies should be aligned with the increases in water cost.
Factors affecting the organizational adoption of blockchain technology : extending the technology–organization– environment (TOE) framework in the Australian context
- Malik, Saleem, Chadhar, Mehmood, Vatanasakdakul, Savanid, Chetty, Madhu
- Authors: Malik, Saleem , Chadhar, Mehmood , Vatanasakdakul, Savanid , Chetty, Madhu
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 16 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Blockchain technology (BCT) has been gaining popularity due to its benefits for almost every industry. However, despite its benefits, the organizational adoption of BCT is rather limited. This lack of uptake motivated us to identify the factors that influence the adoption of BCT from an organizational perspective. In doing this, we reviewed the BCT literature, interviewed BCT experts, and proposed a research model based on the TOE framework. Specifically, we theorized the role of technological (perceived benefits, compatibility, information transparency, and disintermediation), organizational (organization innovativeness, organizational learning capability, and top management support), and environmental (competition intensity, government support, trading partners readiness, and standards uncertainty) factors in the organizational adoption of BCT in Australia. We confirmed the model with a sample of adopters and potential adopter organizations in Aus-tralia. The results show a significant role of the proposed factors in the organizational adoption of BCT in Australia. Additionally, we found that the relationship between the influential factors and BCT adoption is moderated by “perceived risks”. The study extends the TOE framework by adding factors that were ignored in previous studies on BCT adoption, such as perceived information trans-parency, perceived disintermediation, organizational innovativeness, organizational learning capa-bility, and standards uncertainty. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Malik, Saleem , Chadhar, Mehmood , Vatanasakdakul, Savanid , Chetty, Madhu
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 16 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Blockchain technology (BCT) has been gaining popularity due to its benefits for almost every industry. However, despite its benefits, the organizational adoption of BCT is rather limited. This lack of uptake motivated us to identify the factors that influence the adoption of BCT from an organizational perspective. In doing this, we reviewed the BCT literature, interviewed BCT experts, and proposed a research model based on the TOE framework. Specifically, we theorized the role of technological (perceived benefits, compatibility, information transparency, and disintermediation), organizational (organization innovativeness, organizational learning capability, and top management support), and environmental (competition intensity, government support, trading partners readiness, and standards uncertainty) factors in the organizational adoption of BCT in Australia. We confirmed the model with a sample of adopters and potential adopter organizations in Aus-tralia. The results show a significant role of the proposed factors in the organizational adoption of BCT in Australia. Additionally, we found that the relationship between the influential factors and BCT adoption is moderated by “perceived risks”. The study extends the TOE framework by adding factors that were ignored in previous studies on BCT adoption, such as perceived information trans-parency, perceived disintermediation, organizational innovativeness, organizational learning capa-bility, and standards uncertainty. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
On the design of a class of rotary compressors using bayesian optimization
- Lu, Kui, Phung, Truong, Sultan, Ibrahim
- Authors: Lu, Kui , Phung, Truong , Sultan, Ibrahim
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Machines Vol. 9, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The optimization process of compressors is usually regarded as a ‘black-box’ problem, in which the mathematical form underlying the relationship between design parameters and the design objective is impractical and costly to be obtained. To solve the ‘black-box’ problem, Bayesian optimization has been proven as an accurate and efficient method. However, the application of such a method in the design of compressors is rarely discussed, particularly no work has been reported in terms of the positive displacement type compressor. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce the Bayesian optimization to the design of positive displacement compressors through the optimization process of the novel limaçon compressor. In this paper, a two-stage optimization process is presented, in which the first stage optimizes the geometric parameters as per design requirements and the second stage focuses on revealing an optimum setting of port geometries that improves machine performance. A numerical illustration is offered to prove the validity of the presented approach. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Lu, Kui , Phung, Truong , Sultan, Ibrahim
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Machines Vol. 9, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The optimization process of compressors is usually regarded as a ‘black-box’ problem, in which the mathematical form underlying the relationship between design parameters and the design objective is impractical and costly to be obtained. To solve the ‘black-box’ problem, Bayesian optimization has been proven as an accurate and efficient method. However, the application of such a method in the design of compressors is rarely discussed, particularly no work has been reported in terms of the positive displacement type compressor. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce the Bayesian optimization to the design of positive displacement compressors through the optimization process of the novel limaçon compressor. In this paper, a two-stage optimization process is presented, in which the first stage optimizes the geometric parameters as per design requirements and the second stage focuses on revealing an optimum setting of port geometries that improves machine performance. A numerical illustration is offered to prove the validity of the presented approach. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Traversing the funambulist's fine line between nursing and male identity : A systematic review of the factors that influence men as they seek to navigate the nursing profession
- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Carden, Clarissa, Perkins, Alicia, Smith, Andrew
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Carden, Clarissa , Perkins, Alicia , Smith, Andrew
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 3 (2020), p. 691-703
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Nursing has seen a dominance of women within the profession, and today, the presence of men in the role remains less understood and appreciated. Males considering or entering nursing face challenges concerning role misconception, marginalization, and gender bias. With a looming shortage of nurses on the horizon, it is more important now than ever before to find better ways of engaging males into nursing. The aim of the study was to examine the psychological constructs that influence male perceptions of nursing as they seek to navigate the profession, and what aspects influence men to consider nursing as a career. To achieve this, a systematic review and mixed research synthesis (integrated design) was conducted. English language research published between 1999 and 2019 was eligible. The methodological rigor of qualitative articles followed the Critical Appraisal Skills Program, while the Best Evidence Medical Education guided the quantitative review. Among the 24 publications identified, three sub-themes emerged from the overarching theme of the funambulist or tightrope walker. Sub-themes included societal, inner and collective voices that inform men's place in nursing or their decision making about entering the profession. There is a need to re-visit what it means to be a nurse in order to address the gendered stereotypes that impact men entering the nursing profession.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Carden, Clarissa , Perkins, Alicia , Smith, Andrew
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 3 (2020), p. 691-703
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Nursing has seen a dominance of women within the profession, and today, the presence of men in the role remains less understood and appreciated. Males considering or entering nursing face challenges concerning role misconception, marginalization, and gender bias. With a looming shortage of nurses on the horizon, it is more important now than ever before to find better ways of engaging males into nursing. The aim of the study was to examine the psychological constructs that influence male perceptions of nursing as they seek to navigate the profession, and what aspects influence men to consider nursing as a career. To achieve this, a systematic review and mixed research synthesis (integrated design) was conducted. English language research published between 1999 and 2019 was eligible. The methodological rigor of qualitative articles followed the Critical Appraisal Skills Program, while the Best Evidence Medical Education guided the quantitative review. Among the 24 publications identified, three sub-themes emerged from the overarching theme of the funambulist or tightrope walker. Sub-themes included societal, inner and collective voices that inform men's place in nursing or their decision making about entering the profession. There is a need to re-visit what it means to be a nurse in order to address the gendered stereotypes that impact men entering the nursing profession.
Employee voice : the missing factor in sustainable hrm?
- Paulet, Renee, Holland, Peter, Bratton, Andrew
- Authors: Paulet, Renee , Holland, Peter , Bratton, Andrew
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 17 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM), has the potential to facilitate organi-sations development of principles, policies and practices for the challenges of the 21st century. How-ever, to do this we argue a fundamental element in this process has yet to be fully addressed and incorporated into the theory and practice of sustainable HRM; this is employee voice. Additionally, the actual and potential role of trade unions in facilitating employee voice is yet to be conceptualised within sustainable HRM literature. We argue that the development of effective employee voice mechanisms is vital in the implementation and maintenance of sustainable HRM. In this conceptual paper, we outline the nature of the voice architecture, the impact of the employment relationship on voice mechanisms, how it can be effectively measured, and propose a framework for further exploring these concepts. These key factors we identify as critical in implementing and assessing the effectiveness of the relationship between employee voice and sustainable HRM, to potentially serve as a basis of future research into sustainable HRM. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Paulet, Renee , Holland, Peter , Bratton, Andrew
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 17 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM), has the potential to facilitate organi-sations development of principles, policies and practices for the challenges of the 21st century. How-ever, to do this we argue a fundamental element in this process has yet to be fully addressed and incorporated into the theory and practice of sustainable HRM; this is employee voice. Additionally, the actual and potential role of trade unions in facilitating employee voice is yet to be conceptualised within sustainable HRM literature. We argue that the development of effective employee voice mechanisms is vital in the implementation and maintenance of sustainable HRM. In this conceptual paper, we outline the nature of the voice architecture, the impact of the employment relationship on voice mechanisms, how it can be effectively measured, and propose a framework for further exploring these concepts. These key factors we identify as critical in implementing and assessing the effectiveness of the relationship between employee voice and sustainable HRM, to potentially serve as a basis of future research into sustainable HRM. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Prognostic role of immune checkpoint regulators in cholangiocarcinoma : a pilot study
- Cao, Lu, Prithviraj, Prashanth, Shrestha, Ritu, Sharma, Revati, Kannourakis, George
- Authors: Cao, Lu , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Shrestha, Ritu , Sharma, Revati , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol. 10, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy associated with steadily increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness and safety of a few immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in CCA patients. However, these ICI treatments as monotherapies may be effective for a proportion of patients with CCA. The prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints (ICs) in CCA remain unclear. In this pilot study, we screened databases of CCA patients for the expression of 19 ICs and assessed the prognostic significance of these ICs in CCA patients. Notably, expression of immune modulator IDO1 and PD-L1 were linked with poor overall survival, while FASLG and NT5E were related to both worse overall survival and progression-free survival. We also identified immune modulators IDO1, FASLG, CD80, HAVCR2, NT5E, CTLA-4, LGALS9, VTCN1 and TNFRSF14 that synergized with PD-L1 and correlated with worse patient outcomes. In vitro studies revealed that the expression of ICs was closely linked with aggressive CCA subpopulations, such as cancer stem cells and cells undergoing TGF-β and TNF-α-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that the aforementioned IC molecules may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets in CCA patients, leading to lasting and durable treatment outcomes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Prashanth Prithviraj, Revati Sharma, George Kannourakis” is provided in this record**
- Authors: Cao, Lu , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Shrestha, Ritu , Sharma, Revati , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol. 10, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy associated with steadily increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness and safety of a few immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in CCA patients. However, these ICI treatments as monotherapies may be effective for a proportion of patients with CCA. The prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints (ICs) in CCA remain unclear. In this pilot study, we screened databases of CCA patients for the expression of 19 ICs and assessed the prognostic significance of these ICs in CCA patients. Notably, expression of immune modulator IDO1 and PD-L1 were linked with poor overall survival, while FASLG and NT5E were related to both worse overall survival and progression-free survival. We also identified immune modulators IDO1, FASLG, CD80, HAVCR2, NT5E, CTLA-4, LGALS9, VTCN1 and TNFRSF14 that synergized with PD-L1 and correlated with worse patient outcomes. In vitro studies revealed that the expression of ICs was closely linked with aggressive CCA subpopulations, such as cancer stem cells and cells undergoing TGF-β and TNF-α-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that the aforementioned IC molecules may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets in CCA patients, leading to lasting and durable treatment outcomes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Prashanth Prithviraj, Revati Sharma, George Kannourakis” is provided in this record**
Associations of the initial Covid-19 lockdown on self-reported happiness and worry about developing loneliness : a cross-sectional analysis of rural, regional, and urban Australian communities
- Isaac, Vivian, Cheng, Teresa, Townsin, Louise, Assareh, Hassan, Li, Amy, McLachlan, Craig
- Authors: Isaac, Vivian , Cheng, Teresa , Townsin, Louise , Assareh, Hassan , Li, Amy , McLachlan, Craig
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, no. 18 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia adopted hard lockdown measures to eliminate community transmission of COVID-19. Lockdown imposes periods of social isolation that contributes to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and worry. We examined whether lockdowns have similar psychosocial associations across rural and urban areas and whether associations existed between happiness and worry of loneliness in the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Data were collected using the “COVID-19 Living Survey” between 13 and 20 May 2020 by BehaviourWorks Australia at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. The mean self-reported feeling of happiness and anxiousness (N = 1593), on a 10-point Likert scale with 0 being least happy or highly anxious, was 6.5 (SD = 2.4) and 3.9 (2.9), respectively. Factors associated with happiness were older age and having a postgraduate education. Participants worried about becoming lonely also exhibited reduced happiness (estimate = −1.58, 95%CI = −1.84–−1.32) and higher anxiousness (2.22, 1.93–2.51) scores, and these conditions remained associated after adjusting for demographics. Interestingly, worry about loneliness was greater in rural areas than in urban communities. The negative impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on rural youth and those less-educated was evident. Participants in rural Australia who were worried about becoming lonely were reportedly less happy than participants in major cities. This dataset provides a better understanding of factors that influence psychological well-being and quality of life in the Australian population and helps to determine whether happiness may be an associative factor that could mitigate self-feelings of anxiety and worry about loneliness. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Isaac, Vivian , Cheng, Teresa , Townsin, Louise , Assareh, Hassan , Li, Amy , McLachlan, Craig
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 18, no. 18 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia adopted hard lockdown measures to eliminate community transmission of COVID-19. Lockdown imposes periods of social isolation that contributes to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and worry. We examined whether lockdowns have similar psychosocial associations across rural and urban areas and whether associations existed between happiness and worry of loneliness in the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Data were collected using the “COVID-19 Living Survey” between 13 and 20 May 2020 by BehaviourWorks Australia at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. The mean self-reported feeling of happiness and anxiousness (N = 1593), on a 10-point Likert scale with 0 being least happy or highly anxious, was 6.5 (SD = 2.4) and 3.9 (2.9), respectively. Factors associated with happiness were older age and having a postgraduate education. Participants worried about becoming lonely also exhibited reduced happiness (estimate = −1.58, 95%CI = −1.84–−1.32) and higher anxiousness (2.22, 1.93–2.51) scores, and these conditions remained associated after adjusting for demographics. Interestingly, worry about loneliness was greater in rural areas than in urban communities. The negative impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on rural youth and those less-educated was evident. Participants in rural Australia who were worried about becoming lonely were reportedly less happy than participants in major cities. This dataset provides a better understanding of factors that influence psychological well-being and quality of life in the Australian population and helps to determine whether happiness may be an associative factor that could mitigate self-feelings of anxiety and worry about loneliness. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
An adaptive hierarchical sliding mode controller for autonomous underwater vehicles
- Van Vu, Quang, Dinh, Tuan, Van Nguyen, Thien, Tran, Hoang, Nguyen, Linh
- Authors: Van Vu, Quang , Dinh, Tuan , Van Nguyen, Thien , Tran, Hoang , Nguyen, Linh
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 18 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The paper addresses a problem of efficiently controlling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), where its typical underactuated model is considered. Due to critical uncertainties and nonlinearities in the system caused by unavoidable external disturbances such as ocean currents when it operates, it is paramount to robustly maintain motions of the vehicle over time as expected. Therefore, it is proposed to employ the hierarchical sliding mode control technique to design the closed-loop control scheme for the device. However, exactly determining parameters of the AUV control system is impractical since its nonlinearities and external disturbances can vary those parameters over time. Thus, it is proposed to exploit neural networks to develop an adaptive learning mechanism that allows the system to learn its parameters adaptively. More importantly, stability of the AUV system controlled by the proposed approach is theoretically proved to be guaranteed by the use of the Lyapunov theory. Effectiveness of the proposed control scheme was verified by the experiments implemented in a synthetic environment, where the obtained results are highly promising. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Linh Nguyen" is provided in this record**
- Authors: Van Vu, Quang , Dinh, Tuan , Van Nguyen, Thien , Tran, Hoang , Nguyen, Linh
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 18 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The paper addresses a problem of efficiently controlling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), where its typical underactuated model is considered. Due to critical uncertainties and nonlinearities in the system caused by unavoidable external disturbances such as ocean currents when it operates, it is paramount to robustly maintain motions of the vehicle over time as expected. Therefore, it is proposed to employ the hierarchical sliding mode control technique to design the closed-loop control scheme for the device. However, exactly determining parameters of the AUV control system is impractical since its nonlinearities and external disturbances can vary those parameters over time. Thus, it is proposed to exploit neural networks to develop an adaptive learning mechanism that allows the system to learn its parameters adaptively. More importantly, stability of the AUV system controlled by the proposed approach is theoretically proved to be guaranteed by the use of the Lyapunov theory. Effectiveness of the proposed control scheme was verified by the experiments implemented in a synthetic environment, where the obtained results are highly promising. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Linh Nguyen" is provided in this record**
Strictly convex banach algebras
- Authors: Yost, David
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Axioms Vol. 10, no. 3 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We discuss two facets of the interaction between geometry and algebra in Banach algebras. In the class of unital Banach algebras, there is essentially one known example which is also strictly convex as a Banach space. We recall this example, which is finite-dimensional, and consider the open question of generalising it to infinite dimensions. In C
- Authors: Yost, David
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Axioms Vol. 10, no. 3 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We discuss two facets of the interaction between geometry and algebra in Banach algebras. In the class of unital Banach algebras, there is essentially one known example which is also strictly convex as a Banach space. We recall this example, which is finite-dimensional, and consider the open question of generalising it to infinite dimensions. In C
Biology, ecology, distribution and control of the invasive weed, lactuca serriola l. (wild lettuce) : a global review
- Chadha, Aakansha, Florentine, Singarayer
- Authors: Chadha, Aakansha , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Plants Vol. 10, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Lactuca serriola L. (wild lettuce) is a highly invasive C3 weed in many countries, including Australia, Canada, and the USA. This weed is a severe threat to agricultural systems, especially in crops grown with reduced or no‐tillage approaches, which commonly include wheat, cereals and pulses. Owing to the vertical orientation of its leaves in the north‐south plane and its root architec-ture, L. serriola can maintain high water use efficiency under drought conditions, giving it the ability to expand its range under a drying climate. Each plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds which have no primary dormancy and form a short‐term seedbank lasting up to three years. Most seedlings emerge in autumn and overwinter as a rosette, with a small flush of emergence in spring depicting staggered germination. Research into control methods for this weed has been performed, and these methods include chemical herbicides applied alone and in combination, the establishment of plant competition, tillage, mowing and bioherbicide. Herbicides can provide effective control when applied in the seedling or rosette stage; however, spring germination is difficult to control, as it skips the rosette stage. Some biotypes are now resistant to ALS inhibitor and synthetic auxins, causing concern regarding using herbicides. A dedicated integrated management plan for 3–4 years is recommended for the control of this troublesome species. This review will explore the biology, ecology, distribution, current control techniques and previous research on this weed, allowing us to make recommendations for its future research and management. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Chadha, Aakansha , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Plants Vol. 10, no. 10 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Lactuca serriola L. (wild lettuce) is a highly invasive C3 weed in many countries, including Australia, Canada, and the USA. This weed is a severe threat to agricultural systems, especially in crops grown with reduced or no‐tillage approaches, which commonly include wheat, cereals and pulses. Owing to the vertical orientation of its leaves in the north‐south plane and its root architec-ture, L. serriola can maintain high water use efficiency under drought conditions, giving it the ability to expand its range under a drying climate. Each plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds which have no primary dormancy and form a short‐term seedbank lasting up to three years. Most seedlings emerge in autumn and overwinter as a rosette, with a small flush of emergence in spring depicting staggered germination. Research into control methods for this weed has been performed, and these methods include chemical herbicides applied alone and in combination, the establishment of plant competition, tillage, mowing and bioherbicide. Herbicides can provide effective control when applied in the seedling or rosette stage; however, spring germination is difficult to control, as it skips the rosette stage. Some biotypes are now resistant to ALS inhibitor and synthetic auxins, causing concern regarding using herbicides. A dedicated integrated management plan for 3–4 years is recommended for the control of this troublesome species. This review will explore the biology, ecology, distribution, current control techniques and previous research on this weed, allowing us to make recommendations for its future research and management. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.