Digital Commons Network^™

Bestiary, Coral Hull

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

It was a few poems into Bestiary when I began writing Psychic Photography. After the completion of Psychic Photography, I wrote Broken Land over a period of a few weeks. Psychic Photography took eight months whereas Bestiary, due to the amount of research involved and the separate identity of each of the individual poems, took about eighteen months. I needed to be working on these three books at the same time in order to break up the intensity, and relieve myself of the kind of concentration required for creative expression. When I am on a run I just allow myself …

The Health Promoting School: Moving Theory Into Practice : A Case Study, P. Pearson

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Pentecost College, a Catholic coeducational secondary school was a pilot for the Health Promoting Schools (HPS) project. This was an initiative of the Department of Health, Department of School Education, Catholic Education Commission and the Association of Independent Schools in NSW. This research provides a case study of a school involved in trialing the Towards a Health Promoting School (Dept. of Health et al, 1996) document which provides guidelines in policy development and implementation for individual schools. The relationship between policy theory and practice was examined to determine barriers to successful health promotion initiatives and discover ways to make health …

The Role Of Accounting Technologies In The Context Of Public Sector Reforms: A Critical Ethnographical Study Of The Organisational And Cultural Transformations Of A Governmental Agency In The Australian State Of New South Wales, Monir Zaman Mir

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis is about the exploration of the role of accounting technologies in the context of the public sector reform initiatives in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). A Government Department of the NS W has been adopted as a field of investigation for the purpose of this exploration.

The organisation which is investigated has undergone tremendous organisational and cultural changes which were prompted by the public sector reform initiatives of the NSW Government during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Consequently the Department adopted new management and financial practices. This study investigated how accounting discourses and practices …

The Development Of Indices Of Welfare For Beef Cattle In Feedlots, Stephen Charles Wilson

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The issue of animal welfare is one of increasing importance in many agricultural industries, particularly those based on the intensive management of livestock. While there have been investigations into the welfare status of poultry and pigs kept under intensive conditions, there have been no such studies for intensively managed beef cattle. This study was instigated to develop a set of welfare indices for the beef cattle feedlot industry. For indices of welfare to be effective they need to be based on a clear ethical framework, pertinent to a model for assessing welfare, scientifically credible and publicly acceptable, i.e., reasonably understandable …

Microstructure And Corrosion Of Magnetron Sputtered Sacrificial Coatings For Sheet Steel, Bryan Andrew Shedden

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Sheet steels intended for atmospheric exposure invariably require a sacrificial corrosion protective coating. Such coatings are commonly applied by either hot-dip galvanising or electrodeposition using large scale continuous processes. Armed with the desire to produce new products with improved performance, there has been considerable industrial interest in the use of physical vapour deposition (PVD) for the coating of sheet steels, and practical experience extends over the last three decades. Only in the last few years, however, have the most attractive aspects of P V D been investigated with some vigour: the preparation of novel alloy and multilayer coatings.

In recognition …

The Effect Of Problem-Based Learning On Students' Critical Thinking Dispositions And Approaches To Learning: A Study Of The Student Nurse Educators In Hong Kong, Agnes Fung Tiwari

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Problem-based learning has been advocated by many educators as a promising educational strategy. Yet, despite the various studies, there is inconclusive evidence about the effectiveness of problem-based learning.

The purpose of this research study was twofold. Firstly, problem-based learning implemented as an attempt to enhance student nurse educators' dispositions to critical thinking and to promote a deep approach to learning. While the inclination to think critically and the adoption of a deep approach to learning are important to all professional nurses, this researcher has targeted the study on a group of student educators. As role models to future generations of …

Optical And Electrical Studies Of Resonant Tunneling Heterostructures, Michael L.F. Lerch

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

In this thesis, a new measurement technique is used to study the electronic properties of resonant tunneling heterostructures. The measurement technique incorporates an active operational amplifier circuit to simulate negative resistance and capacitance, and is used to probe regions of intrinsic bistability. Intrinsic bistability is observed in the experimental current-voltage characteristics of some resonant tunneling heterostructures when measured using conventional techniques.

The tunneling resonance characteristic of an asymmetric, double barrier resonant tunneling heterostructure which displays intrinsic bistability is shown to be smooth, continuous and multistable when measured using the new technique. It is the multistable region which is the main …

Pitch Detection Techniques For Prototype Waveform Coding, Pasquale M.B. Gambino

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Speech coding at the low bit-rate of 2400 bits per second requires an accurate and robust pitch period computed at low algorithmic delay to produce a perceptually satisfactory result. Low bit-rate speech coding algorithms such as those based on Prototype Waveforms can offer a speech quality comparable to higher bit rate counterparts. In this thesis two new algorithms, the 'Prototype Waveform Pitch Detector' (PWPD) and, the 'Dynamic Programming/Viterbi' (DPA^) Pitch Detector are introduced which can determine the pitch at frequent 5ms intervals. The PWPD is based on the 'Composite' Auto Correlation technique which sub-divides the speech frame into fixed sub-frames. …

The Mechanised Girth Welding Of Land Based Transmission Pipelines In Australia, Milenko Carapić

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The location of oil and gas reserves in Australia and the distribution of centres of population have created a need for an extensive network of land based transmission pipelines. There is a continuing need to expand this network but this must be achieved within increasingly stringent cost targets and in accordance with changing environmental constraints. The pipeline industry in Australia has traditionally employed smaller diameter and thinner wall pipe materials than are common in many other parts of the world. In order to improve cost effectiveness there is also a trend to increase the yield strength of the material and …

Waveform Interpolation Speech Coding, Jun Ni

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis deals with waveform interpolation speech coding. Speech coding in the last decade has been dominated by the CELP paradigm. CELP algorithms offer highquality speech compression at bit rates from 4 to 16 kb/s. Recent research efforts have been oriented to a new generation of speech coding algorithms operating at bit rates of 2.4kb/s and below. CELP and its derivative architectures appear to be inadequate to meet the increasing quality objective. This is due to the small bit budget to adequately represent the original signal. A major source of distortion in CELP is an inaccurate degree of periodicity of …

Modelling Of The Conformational Flexibility Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase, Stephen James Titmuss

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This study has developed several methods and computational tools to aid the objective comparison of protein conformation, and, through their application to RT, has addressed some of the earliest steps towards this goal. Difference distance matrices were used to study the relative geometry of apo and NNRTI bound RT crystal structures and characterise the regions of the enzyme that possess different degrees of conformational rigidity and flexibility. This technique has the advantage of not requiring superposition of the structures, so enabling an objective interpretation of the backbone movements induced by NNRTI binding to RT. It was observed that, while a …

Sydney 2000: "Sharing The Spirit"? : Attitudes Towards The Olympics In The Context Of Sydney's Socio-Spatial Polarisation, Philippe Furrer

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis explores the perceived impacts of the Sydney 2000 Olympics between the city's residents of highest and lowest socio-economic status. In examining the difference in perceived impacts, two main arguments guide this thesis. The first argument of the 'Bread and Circuses' suggests hallmark events are spectacles which divert attention from daily concerns. Euphoria and enthusiasm for the spectacle offer an escape from the hardships of daily life. The second argument of the 'Elite Games' suggests that the political, economic and social advantages are not evenly distributed across society.

A telephone survey was conducted in suburbs representing Sydney's socio-economic extremes. …

A Longitudinal Study Of Behaviour-Disordered Adolescents And The Effects On Them Of A Wilderness-Enhanced Program, Dell Brand

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Juvenile delinquency is a major problem. It is not new, but there are signs that it is becoming more widespread and that the degree of delinquency is worsening. It is a twofold burden on society, both economically and socially, as many people can be affected by just one delinquent adolescent.

If it is possible to identify and work with adolescents at risk of becoming delinquent when they are in the pre-delinquent, or at-risk stage, or young adolescents just beginning a delinquent career, it may be possible to change their attitudes and behaviours, and so avert a delinquent future and the …

Water Law And The Nature Of Customary Water Rights In Papua New Guinea, Lawrence Kuna Kalinoe

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Majority of the indigenous people in Papua New Guinea (about 87 per cent) live on their customary land by engaging in fishing, hunting, gathering and subsistence agriculture for their daily sustenance. Water is obtained directly from rivers, lakes, and other watercourses.

At present, Papua New Guinea is undergoing rapid economic growth in forestry, agroforestry, mining, and petroleum development activities. Most (if not all) of these natural resources development activities are conducted on customary land and in and around the environment in which the majority of the indigenous peoples live and on which they rely for their subsistence way of life. …

Development Of An Australian Classification And Costing System For Palliative Care, Rehabilitation And Aged Care Services, Kathy Eagar

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This introductory chapter synthesises an integrated program of research conducted over six years. It begins by placing the research into context through a discussion of the relevant literature and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the studies conducted to date. This includes the identification of a set of design principles that guide casemix development. It moves on to summarise the study methodology by identifying the hypotheses to be tested and by describing the study design. The results of the study are discussed in relation to the hypotheses tested. The findings of the study are then integrated in a …

Active Power Filter With Minimum Components, Ali Dastfan

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis describes the development of a novel form of single and three-phase Active Power Filter (APF) which require less components than normal. This is achieved by making use of energy storage components which are already present inthe system and at the load. The implementation of a single-phase APF, which requires just one bidirectional switch across the nonlinear load, is described. A simple control strategy is presented to reduce the current distortion to an acceptable level. Simulation and experimental results for a low power prototype circuit are included showing that current harmonic filtering using this APF circuit is effective.

To …

Development Of An Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Induced Plasma Beam, Stephen Allan Gower

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Development of a device capable of producing a high power atmospheric pressure plasma beam has been one of the goals of researchers since the development of the magnetron. Until now, progress has been hampered for a variety of technical reasons not the least being materials limitations and the unavailability of suitable microwave generators. The work set forth in this dissertation describes the development of an efficient, atmospheric pressure, plasma beam applicator capable of sustained operation at powers in excess of 5 kW. Sustained operation at such high powers is accomplished through innovative cooling techniques. The operating parameters necessary to produce …

The Application Of Virtual Reality As A User Interface Paradigm For Telecommunication Network Management, Mohsen Kahani

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Networks are becoming increasingly complex and automated. This is due in part to their increased bandwidth, the need for automated protection switching, the deployment of virtual networks based on B-ISDN and ATM technology and the increase in traffic complexity typified by multimedia communications. In turn, network management is becoming more complex and more mission-critical to a larger number of organisations. In the past, this has led to the development of integrated network management systems using Windows Icons Mouse Pointer (WIMP) based user interfaces. However, it is believed that these two-dimensional user interfaces are no longer suitable for management of large …

Analysis And Design Of Message Authentication Codes, Shahram Bakhtiari Bakhtiari Haft Lang

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Message Authentication Codes (MACs) play an important role in today's information communication. Messages which are sent over an insecure channel need to be authenticated to prevent attacks such as message forgery by an intruder who can tamper with the channel. To provide message authenticity, assuming that the transmitter and the receiver share a secret key, a MAC can be used. In a MAC system, the transmitter generates a tag which is a function of the message and the secret key, and appends it to the message before sending it over the channel. The receiver can verify the authenticity of a …

The Application Of Classification Techniques To The Heart Rates Of Miners In Escapeways, Ruibao Feng

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The techniques of signal processing and pattern classification have been applied, in this thesis, for the classification of the miners' heart rates during rescue operations. These techniques were used because of the limitations noted of the traditional statistical approach used in analyzing the nonstationary heart rates of the miners during rescue operations.

The properties and application scope of wavelet are discussed. An appropriate wavelet, namely db4, is selected to perform a dyadic decomposition of the miners' heart rates. The decomposition results are prepared for extracting the feature vectors.

Some programs developed in MATLAB language are used for extracting feature vectors …

Geological Hazard Zoning In The Seismically Active Liwa Area, West Lampung, Sumatera, Indonesia, Aminul Wahib

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis is concerned with geological hazard zoning in Indonesian Regency of West Lampung, Sumatera. The area covered is that of the capital city of Liwa and surroundings. This area is associated with present-day earthquake-generated faults, and is also the epicentral area for the two devastating earthquakes which occurred in the last century. It is also susceptible to landslides. In this study, the distribution and severity of damage caused by earthquakes and/or landslides was surveyed and studied.

Hydrodynamic Electrochemical Processing Of Poly(2-Methoxy Aniline-5-Sulfonic Acid), Ruichao Guo

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis deals with the electrochemical synthesis of a water soluble polyaniline derivative, 2-methoxy aniline-5-sulfonic acid (2-MAS), under hydrodynamic conditions. The electrochemical characteristics of the monomer (2-MAS) were studied. The effect of electrolyte composition, concentration of monomer and temperature on the polymerization process was investigated in a stationary cell. The electrochemical polymerization of 2-MAS was undertaken at a feed composition of 0.5M 2-MAS in 0.5M ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) in the flow-through cell system designed for mass production of soluble conductive polymers. With the aid of UV-VIS, GPC and HPLC, the effect of appUed potential, polymerization time and the flow rate …

The Use Of Quality Management To Address The Problem Of Wastage From The Australian Army's Recruit Training Process, Lindsay Ronald Adams

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

In late 1994 there was great enthusiasm within Army that the introduction of Total Quality Management would, at last, lead to dramatic improvements in many of its cumbersome practices. It was also at this time that the very real problem of excessive wastage from the Army's recruit training process was given to my work area. To say the very least, this significant issue presented me with a rare and exciting opportunity to study the application of Quality Management theory within Army. It was immediately recognised that a high proportion of recruit wastage was due to injuries received in training. Accordingly, …

Thermodynamic And Dielectric Properties In Modulated Two-Dimensional Electronic Systems, Sean Mark Stewart

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

In this thesis we investigate the influence of an additional periodic modulation potential which is weak, either electric or magnetic in nature, and spatially modulated along one dimension, on the equilibrium thermodynamic and dielectric response properties of a two-dimensional electron gas in the presence of an externally applied perpendicular magnetic field.

The application of an additional modulation potential results in a broadening of the Landau level energy spectrum into bands whose widths oscillate as a function of the externally applied magnetic field. Such oscillations are found to reflect the commensurability between the two different length scales present in the system, …

Disclosure Of Environmental Issues In The Annual Reports Of Australian Multi-National Corporations Operating In Papua New Guinea: A Legitimacy Theory Approach, Silas Kavale Umaropi

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Since the Ok Tedi lawsuit in 1994 highlighted the environmental degradation issue, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) operating in Papua New Guniea (PNG) have come under scrutiny for causing environmental degradation. This scrutiny created animosity between resource owners and the developers (MNCs), to such an extent that the bitterness created anxiety about their future among the MN Cs. Various attempts have been made in PNG to minimise the adverse impacts caused by the MNC operations, however, environmental degradation continues to be adverse. The PNG government will not arbitrate in this issue because of its conflict of interests.

The problem of environmental degradation …

The Determinants Of Relationship Commitment In Personal Financial Planning Services, Neeru Sharma

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The current study has been undertaken to investigate the effects of trust, overall service satisfaction, communication effectiveness and perceived performance on client commitment in the personal financial planning services area. Data was collected from 201 individual clients of the financial planning services firms based in Wollongong, New South Wales. Regression analysis and path analysis were performed to measure the impact of various antecedents on relationship commitment. Moderated regression analysis and sub group analysis were performed to examine the moderating impacts of switching cost, investment in the relationship and alternative attractiveness on the relationship between relationship commitment and its various antecedents. …

The Measurement Of Ionised Magnesium In Serum And Whole Blood For The Detection Of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Loucas Kyriacou

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Free, unbound and therefore biologically available ionised magnesium (IMg) plays vital roles in a variety of physiological and biochemical processes. This includes the proper functioning of many enzyme systems and the regulation of transmembrane movements of cations. The cardiovascular system is highly dependent on IMg, and numerous studies indicate that decreases in IMg concentrations are associated with a number of cardiovascular disease states. Coronary heart disease with myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death, with patient survival enhanced by quick and accurate diagnosis. Quick diagnosis by the physician and prompt therapeutic intervention (i.e. thrombolytics or invasive surgery) can minimise …

Effect Of Topology On Network Bandwidth, Michael Gallagher

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

ATM vendors have produced switches with limited port capacity, which prevents the full meshing of all networks. The focus of this work has been to determine the effect of switch numbers and the number of inter-switch links upon network bandwidth.

Mechanisms For Resolving Environmental Controversies : The Use Of Alternative Dispute Resolution (Adr) Methods In Resolving Environmental Controversies..., Anthony James Foley

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Environmental controversies are by their nature difficult to resolve satisfactorily dealing as they do with the potentially divisive issues. At one extreme, these can be issues of land use and planning, pollution, conservation and resource management. Such issues are of immediate and personal concern to the parties involved. At the other extreme, they can involve conflicting and polarised ideologies, strong philosophical differences and conflicting claims to represent the public interest. In addition such controversies can involve political considerations on a local or national level. The use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods have been suggested in the literature as an …

Nurses Anxiety Towards People With Borderline Personality Disorders, Louise Cortis-Jones

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

People diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorders are regarded as one of the most difficult patient groups to manage in the mental health field. Very few previous studies have assessed the affects of these patients on the health care workers. This study examined the anxiety levels of Registered Nurses towards people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorders. This anxiety level was compared to the nurses' level of education and the years of experience in the mental health field.