Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Measurements Of Trace Gas Emissions From Australian Forest Fires And Correlations With Coincident Measurements Of Aerosol Optical Depth, Clare Paton-Walsh, N. B. Jones, Stephen R. Wilson, V Haverd, A. Meier, D. W. Griffith

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

We present vertically integrated measurements of C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, HCOOH, CO, H2CO, HCN and NH3 through smoke plumes from Australian forest fires measured by ground-based solar absorption spectroscopy. The column amounts of these gases are highly correlated with simultaneous, co-located measurements of aerosol optical depth, providing a potential method of mapping biomass-burning emissions using satellite measurements of aerosol optical depth. We have calculated emission ratios relative to CO for the trace gases using aerosol optical depth as a proxy for CO and converted to emission factors by using an average emission factor for CO from literature measurements of extra-tropical forest …

Living With Trees – Perspectives From The Suburbs, Lesley M. Head, Pat Muir

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

A study of suburban backyards and backyarders in Sydney and Wollongong revealed evidence of attitudes and behaviours in relation to trees. Attitudes are characterised under themes that indicate conditions of tolerance and belonging. They include attachment/risk, order/freedom and nativeness/alienness. While love is common, high levels of suspicion and intolerance towards trees in the suburban context are more common. Our findings confirm and throw further light on previous work indicating that many Australians have very partitioned views of the world in relationto where humans and nonhuman lifeforms belong. This partitioning must be understood in conceptual as well as spatial terms.

Regioselective Synthesis Of Novel E-Edge-[60]Fullerenylmethanodihydropyrroles And 1,2-Dihydromethano[60]Fullerenes, Leila Chaker, Graham E. Ball, James R. Williams, Glenn A. Burley, Bill C. Hawkins, Paul A. Keller, Stephen G. Pyne

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Treatment of a tethered N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate-malonate derivative with [60]fullerene under Bingel conditions yielded an e-edge-[60]fullerenylmethanodihydropyrrole adduct in a regioselective manner. The regiochemical outcome was independent of the order of addition of either the N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate or the malonate moieties. This new bis-adduct was also prepared in 13C enriched form allowing for its unequivocal structural characterization by 2D INADEQUATE NMR experiments. Ring-opening of the dihydropyrrole functionality of the bisadducts under reductive conditions gave exclusively novel dihydromethano[60]fullerene derivatives.

Culture As Concept And Influence In Environmental Research And Management, Lesley M. Head, D. Trigger, J. Mulcock

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Given that human activities have been implicated in the vast majority of contemporary environmental problems, it might be expected that research effort into those activities and the attitudes from which they stem would be both strongly supported by funding agencies, and of central interest to environmental scientists and land managers. In this paper we focus on an undervalued area of environmental humanities research—cultural analysis of the beliefs, practices and often unarticulated assumptions which underlie human–environmental relations. In discussing how cultural processes are central to environmental attitudes and behaviours, and how qualitative research methods can be used to understand them in …

Evidence Of Reduced Measurement Uncertainties From An Ftir Instrument Intercomparison At Kiruna, Sweden, A. Meier, Clare Paton-Walsh, C. Bell, T. Blumenstock, F. Hase, A. Goldman, A. Steen, R. Kift, P. Woods, Y. Kondo

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

We report the results of an intercomparison of vertical column amounts of HCl, HF, N2O, HNO3, CH4, O3, CO2 and N2 derived from the spectra recorded by two ground-based FTIR spectrometers operated side-by-side using the sun as a source. The procedures used to record spectra and derive vertical column amounts followed the format of previous instrument intercomparisons organised by the Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC), but the level of agreement achieved was significantly better than for previous intercomparisons. For most gases the differences were typically 1% or less, with at least one of the five datasets showing no …

Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Study Using Automated Dietary Assessment In Primary Care, Y. C. Probst

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

An automated dietary assessment website has been developed for patients with metabolic syndrome. Computers have been set up in local GP practices to which the GP may refer their patients. These patients enter their dietary information into the website and receive an individualised dietary prescription put together by a dietitian. This study outlines the profile of patients using the website and their rates of completion of the assessment. Recruited patients were primarily female(66%). Ranging between 22 and 75 years of age patients reported to be overweight(77%), have high cholesterol (53%), elevated blood pressure (54%) and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (35%). …

Adaptation To Extreme Environments: Macromolecular Dynamics In Complex Systems, M. Tehei

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

What we previously thought of as insurmountable physical and chemical barriers to life, we now see as yet another niche harbouring Fextremophiles_. Extremophiles and their macromolecules had to develop molecular mechanisms of adaptation to extreme physico–chemical conditions. Using neutron spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that molecular dynamics represents one of these molecular mechanisms of adaptation. To which extent do hyper-saline conditions and extreme temperatures influence molecular dynamics? First, molecular dynamics were analysed for halophilic malate dehydrogenase from Haloarcula marismortui (Hm MalDH) under different molar solvent salt concentration conditions influencing its stability. Secondly, mean macromolecular motions were measured in-vivo in psychrophile (Aquaspirillum …

Consumer Understanding And Use Of Health Claims For Foods, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Health claims for foods are permitted in an increasing number of countries but there are very few studies evaluating the effect of such claims on purchase behavior and consumer health. There are significant differences between countries, but in general consumers see health claims as useful, they prefer short succinct wording rather than long and complex claims, and they believe claims should be approved by government. Consumers view a food as healthier if it carries a health claim and this “halo” effect may discourage them seeking further nutrition information. Consumers do not clearly distinguish between nutrient content, structure-function and health claims. …

Is Plasminogen Deployed As A Streptococcus Pyogenes Virulence Factor?, Mark J. Walker, Jason D. Mcarthur, F. Mckay, M. Ranson

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including necrotising fasciitis. Group A streptococcal infections and invasive disease have made a resurgence in developed countries over the last two decades. S. pyogenes utilise multiple pathways for the acquisition and activation of human plasminogen, securing potent proteolytic activity on the bacterial cell surface. Recent experimental evidence using a humanised transgenic mouse model suggests a critical role for human plasminogen in the dissemination of S. pyogenes in vivo.

Communicating Health Benefits - Do We Need Health Claims?, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Many countries are now permitting health claims on foods and Food Standards Australia New Zealand is developing new regulations to permit their use in Australia. However there is no clear understanding of how consumers use health claims and their likely impact on consumer food behaviour or health. More research is needed, but a review of previous studies allows some common conclusions can be drawn. Health claims on foods are seen by consumers as useful, and when a product features a health claim they view it as healthier and state they are more likely to purchase it. Consumers are sceptical of …

Breakfast And The Diets Of Australian Adults: An Analysis Of Data From The 1995 National Nutrition Survey, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian adults by the breakfast meal and compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters and skippers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey included 24 hour recalls, physical measurements and a food habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995 to March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 10851 Australians aged nineteen years and older. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of …

Australian Consumers Are Sceptical About But Influenced By Claims About Fat On Food Labels, C. Chan, C. Patch, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: To explore the beliefs and attitudes of Australian consumers to claims about fat made on the labels of packaged food.

Design: Content analysis of transcripts from focus group discussions.

Subjects: 26 females and 10 males aged 20-80y, recruited by advertisement into six focus groups, stratified by age, sex and health status.

Results: Awareness of claims about fat was high in this sample of Australians and participants admitted that they influenced their purchase decisions. The most preferred form of claim was “X% fat free”. Claims were considered most useful on foods that were high in fat. There was considerable scepticism …

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Of Deprotonated Iodothyronines, A. M. Couldwell, M. C. Thomas, Todd Mitchell, A. Hulbert, Stephen J. Blanksby

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

In order to assist with the development of more selective and sensitive methods for thyroid hormone analysis the [M-H]– anions of the iodothyronines; T4, T3, rT3, (3,5)-T2 and the non-iodinated thyronine (T0) have been generated by negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. Tandem mass spectra of these ions were recorded on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and show a strong analogy with the fragmentation pathways of the parent compound, tyrosine. All iodothyronines also show significant abundances of the iodide anion in their tandem mass spectra, which represents an attractive target for MRM analysis, given that iodothyronines are the only iodine bearing …

A Comparison Of The Gas Phase Acidities Of Phospholipid Headgroups:Experimental And Computational Studies, M. C. Thomas, Todd Mitchell, Stephen J. Blanksby

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Proton-bound dimers consisting of two glycerophospholipids with different headgroups were prepared using negative ion electrospray ionization and dissociated in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Analysis of the tandem mass spectra of the dimers using the kinetic method provides, for the first time, an order of acidity for the phospholipid classes in the gas phase of PE < PA << PG < PS < PI. Hybrid density functional calculations on model phospholipids were used to predict the absolute deprotonation enthalpies of the phospholipid classes from isodesmic proton transfer reactions with phosphoric acid. The computational data largely support the experimental acidity trend, with the exception of the relative acidity ranking of the two most acidic phospholipid species. Possible causes of the discrepancy between experiment and theory are discussed and the experimental trend is recommended. The sequence of gas phase acidities for the phospholipid headgroups is found to; (i) have little correlation with the relative ionization efficiencies of the phospholipid classes observed in the negative ion electrospray process, and (ii) correlate well with fragmentation trends observed upon collisional activation of phospholipid [M-H]– anions.

Impact Of Changes In Natural Uv Radiation On Pigment Composition, Physiological And Morphological Characteristics Of The Antarctic Moss, Grimmia Antarctici., Sharon A. Robinson, J. D. Turnbull, C. E. Lovelock

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

The impact of ambient UV-B radiation on the endemic bryophyte, Grimmia antarctici, was studied over 14 months in East Antarctica. Over recent decades, Antarctic plants have been exposed to the largest relative increase in UV-B exposure as a result of ozone depletion. We investigated the effect of reduced UV and visible radiation on the pigment concentrations, surface reflectance and physiological and morphological parameters of this moss. Plexiglass screens were used to provide both reduced UV levels (77%) and a 50% decrease in total radiation. The screen combinations were used to separate UV photoprotective from visible photoprotective strategies, since these bryophytes …

R120g Αb-Crystallin Promotes The Unfolding Of Reduced Α-Lactalbumin And Is Inherently Unstable., T. M. Treweek, A. Rekas, R. A. Lindner, Mark J. Walker, J. A. Aquilina, C. V. Robinson, J. Horwitz, M. Der Perng, R. A. Quinlan, J. A. Carver

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

α-Crystallin is the principal lens protein which, in addition to its structural role, also acts as a molecular chaperone, to prevent aggregation and precipitation of other lens proteins. One of its two subunits, αB-crystallin, is also expressed in many non-lenticular tissues, and a natural missense mutation, R120G, has been associated with cataract and desminrelated myopathy, a disorder of skeletal muscles (Vicart et al., 1998, Nature Genet. 20:92-95). In the present study, real-time 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that the ability of R120G αB-crystallin to stabilize the partially folded, molten globule state of α- lactalbumin was significantly reduced in comparison with wild …

Attitudes And Intentions Toward Purchasing Novel Foods Enriched With Omega-3 Fatty Acids, C. Patch, P. G. Williams, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: To identify the nature, strength and relative importance of influences on intentions to consume foods that are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Design: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire. Setting: Community based residents living in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Subjects: Two sub-samples were surveyed via questionnaire: Community members who responded to a local media advertisement (n=79), and subjects in a dietary intervention trial for type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=50). Variables Measures: Using the TPB variables – intention, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control - questionnaire items were constructed to …

Plant Sterol/Stanol Prescription Is An Effective Treatment Strategy For Managing Hypercholesterolemia In Outpatient Clinical Practice, C. Patch, Linda C. Tapsell, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective To determine the effectiveness of prescribing 2 g plant sterols/stanols per day as an addition to standard practice in a dietary outpatient clinic. Design A randomized parallel design of comparative 12-week interventions. Subjects/Setting Patients referred by a general practitioner to a dietary outpatient clinic for the management of hyperlipidemia were eligible. Twenty-five patients (15 women and 10 men) completed the study. Intervention Counselling regarding diet for hyperlipidemia was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. The intervention group was instructed to incorporate ~25 g/day of margarine containing plant sterols/stanols, which delivered ~2 g of plant sterols/stanols. Main …

Overview Of Computerized Dietary Assessment Programs For Research And Practice In Nutrition Education, Y. Probst, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Computerized dietary assessment programs are often used for nutrition education research and practice. This article provides an informal overview of 29 dietary assessment programs mentioned in the literature covered by MEDLINE from 1996 to 2003, along with the components and capabilities of these programs derived from additional sources as needed. According to the literature, the advantages of using computers for dietary assessment include standardization of the questioning sequence, fast and easy processing, immediate results, and increased flexibility.The disadvantages include the need for typing skills and computer literacy, as well as potential bias in the responses if an interviewer is required.

Low Plasma Vitamin E Levels In Major Depression: Diet Or Disease?, A. J. Owen, Marijka Batterham, Y. C. Probst, Brin F. Grenyer, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

"Objective: Levels of vitamin E have been reported to be lower in patients suffering major depression, but whether this is due to inadequate dietary intake or the pathophysiology of depression is not known, and was the subject of the present study. Setting: Wollongong, Australia. Methods: Plasma vitamin E (a-tocopherol) was measured in 49 adults with major depression, age (mean7s.d.): 47712 y. In a subset (n¼19) usual dietary intake of vitamin E was determined by diet history. Results: Subjects had significantly lower plasma a-tocopherol (4.7170.13 mmol/mmol cholesterol) than has previously been reported for healthy Australians, and plasma a-tocopherol was inversely related …

Walnuts And Dietary Approaches To The Prevention And Management Of Abnormal Lipid Profiles In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Linda C. Tapsell, L. J. Gillen, C. S. Patch

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dietary fat is considered central to the management of obesity and heart disease risk, and more recently with the risk of type 2 diabetes, given its observed role in the development of insulin resistance in mechanistic studies. For changes in lipid profiles, foods delivering substantial amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to saturated fats are of interest, and walnuts fit this category.As a class of foods, nuts have been shown to provide benefits to health in a number of clinical trials. A review of the cardiovascular benefits of nuts indicated their value on thrombotic factors, inflammatory markers and endothelial function.Including …

Increasing The Efficacy Of Breast Cancer Risk Communications: Contributiolns From Behavioural Science And Marketing, Sandra C. Jones, Donald C. Iverson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Australia. Women are faced with numerous decisions in relation to breast cancer including: actions they can take to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer; whether to participate in screening programs; and selection of the most appropriate treatment option if diagnosed with breast cancer. This paper discusses ways in which theories and findings from two disciplines, behavioural science and marketing, can be used collaboratively to design effective communications to increase the uptake of health behaviours that have the potential of reducing morbidity and mortality from breast cancer. From marketing …

Motivational Factors In The Food Buying Behaviour Of Parents Of Pre-School Age Children: A Projective Technique Study, Gary Noble, Sandra C. Jones, Danielle Mcvie

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

There is growing concern over childhood obesity levels around the world with many overweight children developing into obese adults. Research shows that the food choices of young children are determined largely by parents and that many parents are aware of what constitutes ‘healthy’ food yet continue to purchase ‘unhealthy’ food for their children’s consumption. This study explores this apparent paradox by identifying the motivations of parents of pre-school children in the purchase of both ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ food in the context of a supermarket shopping experience. Data was collected from 116 respondents using projective story and photograph techniques and then …

The Relationship Between Media Exposure And Awareness Of Health Behaviour Guidelines Among Older Australians, Sandra C. Jones, Christina Hoang

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This study aimed to determine whether or not there was a relationship between media exposure and awareness of health behaviour guidelines for physical activity, breast cancer screening and alcohol consumption among older Australians. The results of the study suggest that media exposure to certain health issues does in fact impact on people’s health knowledge and in some cases lead people to form incorrect perceptions. This is most evident with breast cancer where the heavy emphasis on the disease in the media has led to the misconception that breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Australian women and that …

Beer, Boats And Breasts: Responses To A Controversial Alcohol Advertising Campaign, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Over the last 30 years there has been a notable increase in the use of sexual appeals in advertising. In 2003, as with previous years, approximately 30% of all complaints to the Australian Advertising Standards Board related to portrayal of sex/sexuality/nudity and for the past four years this has been the most common issue prompting complaints. The stimulus for this study was a current television commercial for a full-strength beer which used an overt sexual/sexist appeal. The ad has been the subject of a large number of complaints to the ASB, which were rejected as the ASB deemed that the …

A Practical Application Of Theory: Using Social Marketing Theory To Develop Innovative And Comprehensive Sun Protection Campaigns, Sandra C. Jones, Donald C. Iverson, A. Penman, A. Tang

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents the background to a large-scale collaborative project between researchers at the University of Wollongong and the Cancer Council of New South Wales, and outlines in detail the stages of the ongoing research project. The project provides the opportunity to synthesise and apply best evidence form research in marketing, mass media communication, and health behaviour change real-life campaigns for a leading industry partner. This project demonstrates the value of ongoing research collaborations between university researchers and industry practitioners in systematically applying, and evaluating, research findings to real-world programs.

Message Framing Effects In Exercise Promotions: Confounded By Linguistic Complexity?, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Studies of framing effects on health-related intentions and behaviour have been conducted in numerous areas, with contradictory results. These inconsistent results can be partially explained by the differential nature of the behaviours concerned, and by the degree to which people engage in detailed processing of the messages, but there is clearly more to learn about framing effects. This study compared the effectiveness of the communication approaches inherent in the four-cell framing model towards adopting a health-enhancing behaviour (exercise). However we found an atheoretical interaction effect caused by the linguistic complexity of the messages.

Using Market Segmentation Theory To Select Target Markets For Sun Protection Campaigns, Sandra C. Jones, L. Rees, Danika Hall, A. Tang

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the initial steps in target market segmentation and evaluation as part of an industry-linked research project to develop a social marketing program for sun protection. The Project Reference Group developed a set of segmentation evaluation criteria based on recommendations from marketing and health promotion literature, as well as adding criteria specifically relevant to the industry partner. The process enabled an informed, representative and defensible selection of a primary target market as an initial starting point for further target market research and segmentation. It also demonstrated that bridging terminology from the fields of marketing and health promotion as …

Parents' Inferences About Other Parents' Motives For Food Choices For Children: A Pilot Study, Sandra C. Jones, Danielle Mcvie, Gary Noble

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The traditional approach to improving children’s diets has been to educate parents about the importance of healthy food choices. However, it is recognized that knowledge does not necessarily lead to improved food choices. This study used an indirect measure to investigate the underlying reasons for parents’ decisions about their children’s diets. We found a significant difference in parents’ perceptions of a hypothetical mother on items that related directly to food choices. It appears from these results that parents do indeed make value judgments about the food choices that mothers make for their children. Our results suggest that indirect question techniques, …

Australian Industry Responses To Current Ethical Dilemmas – Fast Cars And Fast Food, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper reviews two ethical dilemmas currently facing advertisers in Australia, which have resulted from lobby group activities and public concern over health and safety issues, and discusses industry responses to these dilemmas. In Australia the main response mechanism for advertisers has been the introduction of self-regulatory codes of practice. A review of the general and trade press, and of the records of the Australian Advertising Standards Board, finds that industry responses tend to be based on teleological ethics (focus on the ends) rather than deontological ethics (focus on the means), with the primary teleological motive being to avoid deleterious …