Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Potential Of Big Data On The Health Care Delivery Value Chain (Cdvc): A Preliminary Literature And Research Agenda, William J. Tibben, Samuel Fosso Wamba

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part B

Big data analytics (BDA) is emerging as a game changer in healthcare. While the practitioner literature has been speculating on the high potential of BDA in transforming the healthcare sector, few rigorous empirical studies have been conducted by scholars to assess the real potential of BDA. Drawing on the health care delivery value chain (CDVC) and an extensive literature review, this exploratory study aims to discuss current peer-reviewed articles dealing with BDA across the CDVC and discuss future research directions.

Smart Infrastructure: An Emerging Frontier For Multidisciplinary Research, Robert Ighodaro Ogie, Pascal Perez, Virginia Dignum

SMART Infrastructure Facility - Papers

The irreversible marriage between digital technology and physical urban infrastructure has given rise to the concept of smart infrastructure. The potential benefits of smart infrastructure are significant; however, their realisation will depend on society's ability to address pressing issues, such as the need to develop a common language to describe terms and processes. This paper aims to lay out the foundations of such a common language. First, the authors review academic literature in order to outline key characteristics of so-called smart infrastructure systems. Importantly, the authors define and differentiate between smart and intelligent infrastructure systems. Then, the authors use an …

The Impact Of Social Media Policy And Use On Value Creation: A Survey Research, Uuf Brajawidagda, Akemi T. Chatfield

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Organizations need to provide effective policies in aligning their social media use with organizational goals to realize the expected benefits of social media. However, while social media use has been studied, social media policy research is lacking. This study aims to examine impacts of social media policy and active use on value creation. Drawing on the Model of IT/Business Value, we assessed the interplay between social media policy and social media use on value creation in a survey research conducted with Indonesia's disaster management agencies. Our analysis results of 124 survey responses show that social media use and social media …

Research Progress On Design Strategies, Synthesis And Performance Of Limn2o4-Based Cathodes, Fangxin Mao, Wei Dong Guo, Jianmin Ma

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

Spinel LiMn2O4 (LMO)-based composites, due to their combination of low toxicity, abundant natural resources, and excellent electrochemical performance, are regarded as promising candidate cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Current energy storage demands are not being met with existing materials, however, because of their defects, such as fast capacity fading, low rate capability, and low specific capacity in practical applications. Manganese dissolution during electrochemical processes bears the major responsibility for capacity loss, apart from the electrolyte factor. Low electrical conductivity, low ionic diffusion efficiency, and large structural variation have adverse effects on the electrochemical performance of materials. With respect to …

Containership Routing And Scheduling In Liner Shipping: Overview And Future Research Directions, Qiang Meng, Shuaian Wang, Henrik Andersson, Kristian Thun

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper reviews studies from the past 30 years that use operations research methods to tackle containership routing and scheduling problems at the strategic, tactical, and operational planning levels. These problems are first classified and summarized, with a focus on model formulations, assumptions, and algorithm design. The paper then gives an overview of studies on containership fleet size and mix, alliance strategy, and network design (at the strategic level); frequency determination, fleet deployment, speed optimization, and schedule design (at the tactical level); and container booking and routing and ship rescheduling (at the operational level). The paper further elaborates on the …

Application Of Mbse To Requirements Engineering - Research Challenges, Mike Ryan, Stephen Cook, William R. Scott

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Models and simulations have always played an important role in engineering and systems engineering. Physical scale models, full-sized models, and computer models are commonly used in all forms of engineering and design. In recent times, interest in modelling has increased to span the full system lifecycle and there has been a significant focus on Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE). The extension of formal modelling into all phases, and particularly the conceptual design phase, of a system development is a significant step and proponents of MBSE suggest that it will provide considerable benefits. The application of modelling requires considerable care, however. A …

Reducing Unwarranted Variation In Healthcare Service Delivery Systems: Key Issues, Research Challenges And Potential Solutions, Nagesh Shukla, Senevi Kiridena, Nishikant Mishra

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

There is a growing need worldwide to increase the quality and productivity of healthcare services delivery. To this end, analysing and reducing unwarranted variations in healthcare has attracted much attention in recent times. However, current modelling and simulation approaches to reduce unwarranted variations suffer from numerous limitations. Consequently, service improvement efforts have often failed to deliver expected results. This paper discusses the key issues associated with reducing unwarranted variations in hospital service delivery systems, and proposes a research framework that aims at overcoming these issues. In doing so, it highlights the need for: accurately and efficiently modelling complex service delivery …

The Smart Way To Manage Research Data, Craig Napier, Despina Clancy, Tim Davies, Katie Elcombe

SMART Infrastructure Facility - Papers

The University of Wollongongs' $62 million SMART (Simulation, Modelling, Analysis, Research, Teaching) Infrastructure Facility will become a research and development powerhouse with an unprecedented level of impact within the broader infrastructure sector nationally and overseas [1]. With a vision to be a world class intellectual leader and educator in 'integrated' infrastructure planning and management and the capacity to host 200 PhD students, comprising 30 integrated research laboratories, data demands and volume are increasing exponetially.

Modelling Net Zero Energy Options For A Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, Paul Cooper, Xiong Liu, Prabuono Buyung Kosasih, Rui Yan

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the preliminary design and energy analysis of a university research building in NSW, Australia. This case study highlights some of the challenges confronting those wishing to design cost-effective net zero energy buildings in the Australian higher education sector and beyond. The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) is presently under development at the University of Wollongong and will be a unique building in the local region and an exemplar in respect of demonstration of a range of technical and operational means of reducing greenhouse emissions and other ecological impacts. This paper provides details on the constraints and opportunities …

Research To Establish A Systematic Approach To Safe Welding Procedure Development Using Austenitic Filler Material For Fabrication Of High Strength Steel, Lenka Kuzmikova, John Norrish, Huijun Li, Mark Callaghan

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

High strength, thermo-mechanically treated steels often require very careful control of welding procedures to ensure freedom from hydrogen assisted cold cracking (HACC) in the weld metal and heat affected zone (HAZ) whilst avoiding undue loss of heat affected zone strength. In practice this leads to restricted operating envelopes and the requirement for rigorous procedure management. An alternative approach is the use of austenitic welding consumables but whilst this may be expected to expand the process parameter envelope its use is often restricted by adherence to procedures previously developed for ferritic consumables. The current paper describes the research undertaken to establish …

Statistical Requirements For Reporting Nutrition Research, Marijka Batterham

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

No abstract provided.

Research Methodologies For Engineering Asset Management, Khaled O. El-Akruti, Richard Dwight

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper serves as a guide for researchers in Asset Management (AM). Its objective is to establish sufficient reasoning to select and complement research methodologies for AM research studies. It explores literature and adds to existing research approaches in AM. This will lead to a stronger body of knowledge through a better contribution from research. AM as a discipline, addresses the management of the life cycle of assets utilized by an organisation. This extends from identification of the need to the disposal and liability thereafter. It includes technical and business activities. From this view, AM is a relatively new discipline. …

Simreef And Reefgame: Gaming For Integrated Reef Research And Management, Deborah Cleland, Anne Dray, Pascal Perez, Rollan Geronimo

SMART Infrastructure Facility - Papers

As threats to coastal and ocean systems grow in scale and complexity, the calls for new approaches to research and management grow in volume. The Modeling and Decision Support Working Group (MDSWG) of the CRTR Program has developed two participatory gaming tools that address the need for integrative approaches to coral reef management. SimReef is a regional model and role-play game aimed at policy makers and industry representatives. It simulates coastal development trajectories and trade-offs between environmental, social and economic concerns. ReefGame is a local-level model and board game that helps local people and reef managers explore interactions between livelihoods, …

Towards Teaching And Research Parity: A Teaching Quality And Reward Framework, Brett Lemass, Ray Stace

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

It is well recognised in the literature that teaching is under-valued in status and financial terms when compared to research at most academic institutions. The emergence in Australia of a Research Quality Framework (RQF) risks further eroding the already fragile status of teaching and learning in Australian Universities by diverting academic attention away from teaching to the building of research reputations as a guarantee of future promotion. Teaching is viewed as not bringing in money, compared to research, despite the fact that the bulk of university income comes from per capita funding of students by the government and from full-fee …

Transferring Advanced Physics Research Tools To Education: How To Teach Simulation Tools Used In Radiation Physics Research To University Students, Susanna Guatelli, Catherine Anne Layton, Dean L. Cutajar, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

At the Centre of Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), School of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, at the University of Wollongong (UOW), we are implementing a hands-on computing laboratory, commencing in autumn 2010, to teach scientific computing methods and modern, advanced research tools for radiation physics to postgraduate and undergraduate students. Engaging undergraduates and postgraduates together in work with a tool widely used in research laboratories is a unique development, and represents the articulation of the University’s commitment to the enhancement of the teaching/research nexus, and to the development of learning communities. The object of the laboratory is to teach students …

The Teaching/Research Nexus And Internationalisation: An Action Research Project In Radiation Physics, Susanna Guatelli, Catherine Layton, Dean Cutajar, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper attempts to unpack the teaching and learning experiences of academics and students when a new way of teaching radiation physics was introduced. In an attempt to articulate the University of Wollongong’s commitment to the enhancement of the teaching/research nexus and to the development of learning communities, staff of the School of Physics in the Faculty of Engineering at University of Wollongong (UOW) implemented an action research project teaching scientific computing methodologies used in radiation physics to a combined laboratory class of postgraduates and undergraduates. The design of the practical laboratory classes took account of the expected heterogeneous computing …

The Impact Of Strategy And Maturity On Business Analytics And Firm Performance: A Review And Research Agenda, Graeme Shanks, Rajeev Sharma, Peter Seddon, Peter Reynolds

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Business analytics involves interpreting organizational data to improve decision-making and to optimise business processes. It has the potential to improve firm performance and increase competitive advantage. Although many case studies have been reponed that describe business analytics applications and speculate about how they might contribute to firm performance, there is no clearly articulated and theoretically grounded model in the literature. This paper proposes a theoretical framework jor understanding how and why business analytics technology and capabilities can lead to value-creating actions that lead to improved form performance and competitive advantage. We jocus particularly on how strategy and maturity impact business …

Action Research In Emerging Technologies In Health Information Systems: Creating A Mobile Information Environment In A Hospital Ward, Linda Dawson, Julie Fisher, Stephen Weeding, Liza Heslop, Andrew Howard

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Wireless networks, mobile devices and associated applications are key emerging technologies ideal for nomadic workers such as clinicians in hospital ward settings. These mobile information environments can potentially enhance clinicians' use of patient management and clinical systems by providing decision support and clinical information at the bedside or point of care. Such technologies need to be critically assessed in a hospital environment for their wider potential and application for delivery of information at the point of care. This paper describes the use of action research methods in a project which analysed an existing clinical Information Communication Technology (ICT) environment in …

Frp Composites In Structures: Some Recent Research, J G. Teng, L Lam, J F. Chen, J G. Dai, T Yu

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

An on-going research programme led by the first author at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has addressed many issues in the application of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil engineering structures. While the main focus of the programme has been on the behaviour and modelling of reinforced concrete (RC) and metallic structures strengthened with bonded FRP reinforcement, increasing attention has also been devoted to the use of FRP composites in new construction. This paper presents a brief summary of some of the latest advances of the research programme, covering the strengthening of RC structures with bonded FRP reinforcement, seismic …

Case Study Approach In Operations Management Research, Senevi B. Kiridena, Anneke Fitzgerald

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Verstatile Welding Power Source Controller For Research And Product Development, Dominic Cuiuri, John Norrish

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

The diminishing cost and increasing speed of microprocessors has made them ubiquitous in modern welding control equipment, whether it is mass produced or custom made for research purposes.

Parameters Affecting Mine Gas Drainage And Outburst Control Research, Najdat I. Aziz, F. Sereshki, Dieter Bruggemann, Ian Porter

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Removing gases form mine environment represents the most important challenge that any mine operator is faced with. The ease with which the challenge is met and addressed depends on better understanding of the various parameters. Coal permeability and porosity is one of the key factors affecting the drainability of the coal. Coal matrix structure and coal mineralization provide a key to various issues related to effective drainage. Abnormal geological intrusions such as faults and dykes are likely to adversely affect the drainability of the coal seam. A combination of coal permeability, volumetric matrix change and petrography studies has been found …

Internationalization Of Higher Education And Research In Manufacturing In Asian Region, Devi P. Saini

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

During the past few decades, a number of Asian economies have expe rienced spectacular growths of twentieth century. The rapid expansion of the manufacturing sector based on mainly low and medium technology has contributed significantly in these economic growths. In order to maintain their competitiveness and enhance their exports, these nations are realising the need of a multi-pronged approach involving development of new high value products, unmanned manufacturing employing sophisticated machinery and better manufacturing management. Unable to meet the vast demand of scientists and engineers expected during implementation of this strategy, many countries of this region are looking for assistance …

Status Of Outburst Research At The University Of Wollongong, Najdat I. Aziz, F. Sereshki, Dieter Bruggemann

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

There has been an ongoing research on coal and gas outburst for the past two decades at the School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong. Research study began with a humble beginning, initially conducting basic laboratory studies on the coal and gas properties, progressing into the determination of gas content of coal by sorption technique and the effect of gas pressures on coal strength. The present laboratory facilities and research interests are extended to include the study of coal permeability and shrinkage properties and their effect of gas drainage characteristics with respect to gas type, and pressures. …

Research Of Surface-Oxidation Epitaxy Of Nio Films On Cube Textured Ni Tapes, Dongqi Shi, Mihail Ionescu, Jeff Mckinnon, Wu Ming Chen, S. X. Dou

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Thin films of NiO were fabricated in air by surface-oxidation epitaxy (SOE) on biaxially-textured Ni substrate, for use as buffer layers for YBCO coated conductors. The surface-oxidation conditions such as the temperature and the reaction time, as well as the cooling rate, playa determining role in the process of epitaxial growth of the NiO layer. A continuous, biaxially-aligned textured NiO layer, was obtained for a 10 min oxidation in air at 1120°C,and acooling rate of 150 Klh. The roughness of the NiO layer is mostly controlled by a coarsening of some NiO grains .

A Flexible Computer-Controlled Experimental Power Source For Welding Research, Dominic Cuiuri, John Norrish, Christopher David Cook

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Control of the Gas Metal Arc welding process is becoming increasingly sophisticated, due to improvements in technology and a better understanding of the process itself. To effectively conduct research in this area, it is necessary to have equipment that is extremely flexible in both architecture and operation. Experimental power sources and a welding test facility have been developed at the University of Wollongong which meet these criteria. The core time-critical control functions are performed by an independent digital signal processor (DSP). Non time-critical functions such as data storage and operator interface are performed by a desktop personal computer. Both computing …

A Versatile Experimental Test Rig For Gma Welding Research, Gary Dean, Dominic Cuiuri, John Norrish, Christopher David Cook

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Welding process research is severely hampered when adequate experimental equipment is not available. With the development of numerous welding processes and the control techniques associated with them, the need now exists for experimental equipment that offers the flexibility to control these processes and to set up parameters associated with the research.

At the University of Wollongong an experimental research rig has been developed based on a digital signal processor control system that offers the researcher the facilities to study the various processes associated with GMA welding.

Aspects Of Recent Landslide Research At The University Of Wollongong, Robin N. Chowdhury, Phillip N. Flentje, Chit Ko Ko

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper introduces the issues which are of critical importance to landslide hazard and risk assessment and management. These include understanding of probability and consequence, the separation of the role of site-dependent factors from that of influencing/triggering natural events and the factors influencing target levels of risk. The research completed at the University of Wollongong is then outlined. This includes the development of an observational approach based on monitoring of subsurface movements at individual sites and appropriate use of rainfall data in terms of the concept of annual rainfall percentage exceedance time (ARPET). Attention is then focused on current research …