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Articles 1 - 14 of 14

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Infusing Physical Activities Into The Classroom: Effects On Preschool Children's Geography Learning, Myrto F. Mavilidi, Anthony D. Okely, Paul A. Chandler, Fred Paas Jan 2016

Infusing Physical Activities Into The Classroom: Effects On Preschool Children's Geography Learning, Myrto F. Mavilidi, Anthony D. Okely, Paul A. Chandler, Fred Paas

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In this intervention study, we investigated the effects of physical activities that were integrated into a geography task on preschool children's learning performance and enjoyment. Eight childcare centers with 87 four-to-five-year-old children were randomly assigned across an integrated physical activity condition, an unintegrated physical activity condition, and a control condition without physical activity. Children learned the names and a typical animal from each of the six continents using a floor-mounted world map with soft toy animals. Both learning conditions with physical activities showed higher performance than the learning condition without physical activities on an immediate retention test, and on a …


The (Possibly Negative) Effects Of Physical Activity On Executive Functions: Implications Of The Changing Metabolic Costs Of Brain Development, Steven J. Howard, Caylee J. Cook, Rihlat Said-Mohamed, Shane A. Norris, Catherine E. Draper Jan 2016

The (Possibly Negative) Effects Of Physical Activity On Executive Functions: Implications Of The Changing Metabolic Costs Of Brain Development, Steven J. Howard, Caylee J. Cook, Rihlat Said-Mohamed, Shane A. Norris, Catherine E. Draper

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: An area of growth in physical activity research has involved investigating effects of physical activity on children's executive functions. Many of these efforts seek to increase the energy expenditure of young children as a healthy and low-cost way to affect physical, health, and cognitive outcomes. Methods: We review theory and research from neuroscience and evolutionary biology, which suggest that interventions seeking to increase the energy expenditure of young children must also consider the energetic trade-offs that occur to accommodate changing metabolic costs of brain development. Results: According to Life History Theory, and supported by recent evidence, the high relative …


"Get-Up" Study Rationale And Protocol: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Effects Of Reduced Sitting On Toddlers' Cognitive Development, Rute Santos, Dylan P. Cliff, Steven J. Howard, Sanne Veldman, Ian M. R Wright, Eduarda Sousa-Sa, Joao R. Pereira, Anthony D. Okely Jan 2016

"Get-Up" Study Rationale And Protocol: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Effects Of Reduced Sitting On Toddlers' Cognitive Development, Rute Santos, Dylan P. Cliff, Steven J. Howard, Sanne Veldman, Ian M. R Wright, Eduarda Sousa-Sa, Joao R. Pereira, Anthony D. Okely

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background The educational and cognitive differences associated with low socioeconomic status begin early in life and tend to persist throughout life. Coupled with the finding that levels of sedentary time are negatively associated with cognitive development, and time spent active tends to be lower in disadvantaged circumstances, this highlights the need for interventions that reduce the amount of time children spend sitting and sedentary during childcare. The proposed study aims to assess the effects of reducing sitting time during Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services on cognitive development in toddlers from low socio-economic families. Methods/Design We will implement a …


Acute And Chronic Effects Of Cannabinoids On Human Cognition-A Systematic Review, Samantha J. Broyd, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Camilla Beale, Murat Yucel, Nadia Solowij Jan 2016

Acute And Chronic Effects Of Cannabinoids On Human Cognition-A Systematic Review, Samantha J. Broyd, Hendrika H. Van Hell, Camilla Beale, Murat Yucel, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Cannabis use has been associated with impaired cognition during acute intoxication as well as in the unintoxicated state in long-term users. However, the evidence has been mixed and contested, and no systematic reviews of the literature on neuropsychological task-based measures of cognition have been conducted in an attempt to synthesize the findings. We systematically review the empirical research published in the past decade (from January 2004 to February 2015) on acute and chronic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids and on persistence or recovery after abstinence. We summarize the findings into the major categories of the cognitive domains investigated, considering sample …


Etching Process Related Changes And Effects On Solid-Core Single-Mode Polymer Optical Fiber Grating, Kishore Bhowmik, Gang-Ding Peng, Yanhua Luo, Eliathamby Ambikairajah, Vedran Lovric, William R. Walsh, Ginu Rajan Jan 2016

Etching Process Related Changes And Effects On Solid-Core Single-Mode Polymer Optical Fiber Grating, Kishore Bhowmik, Gang-Ding Peng, Yanhua Luo, Eliathamby Ambikairajah, Vedran Lovric, William R. Walsh, Ginu Rajan

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Etching process related material and mechanical changes on solid-core single-mode polymer optical fiber (POF) and their influence on the characteristic properties of polymer fiber Bragg gratings (PFBGs) are studied. A poly(methyl methacrylate)-based POF is etched to different diameters, and it is experimentally demonstrated that etching can lead to a change in the Young's modulus of the fiber. It is found that etching process induced material changes of the polymer fiber can enhance the reflectivity and inherent sensitivity of PFBGs. It is demonstrated that gratings based on etched POF exhibit higher reflectivity with a shorter exposure time compared with unetched ones. …


Effects Of Salinity Build-Up On The Performance Of An Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Regarding Basic Water Quality Parameters And Removal Of Trace Organic Contaminants, Xiaoye Song, James A. Mcdonald, William E. Price, Stuart J. Khan, Faisal I. Hai, Hao H. Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Long D. Nghiem Jan 2016

Effects Of Salinity Build-Up On The Performance Of An Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Regarding Basic Water Quality Parameters And Removal Of Trace Organic Contaminants, Xiaoye Song, James A. Mcdonald, William E. Price, Stuart J. Khan, Faisal I. Hai, Hao H. Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Long D. Nghiem

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The effects of elevated inorganic salt concentration on anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treatment regarding basic biological performance and trace organic contaminant (TrOC) removal were investigated. A set of 33 TrOCs were selected to represent pharmaceuticals, steroids, and pesticides in municipal wastewater. Results show potential adverse effects of increase in the bioreactor salinity to 15 g/L (as NaCl) on the performance of AnMBR with respect to chemical oxygen demand removal, biogas production, and the removal of most hydrophilic TrOCs. Furthermore, a decrease in biomass production was observed as salinity in the bioreactor increased. The removal of most hydrophobic TrOCs was high …


Effects Of Hydraulic Pressure On Wrinkling And Earing In Micro Hydro Deep Drawing Of Sus304 Circular Cups, Liang Luo, Dongbin Wei, Xiaogang Wang, Cunlong Zhou, Qingxue Huang, Jianzhong Xu, Di Wu, Zhengyi Jiang Jan 2016

Effects Of Hydraulic Pressure On Wrinkling And Earing In Micro Hydro Deep Drawing Of Sus304 Circular Cups, Liang Luo, Dongbin Wei, Xiaogang Wang, Cunlong Zhou, Qingxue Huang, Jianzhong Xu, Di Wu, Zhengyi Jiang

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Influences of hydraulic pressure on forming features in micro hydro deep drawing are different from those in normal drawing due to the small size of specimens. In this study, micro hydro deep drawing of SUS304 sheets was carried out in order to study the impacts of the hydraulic pressure on the quality of the drawn cup. Experimental results indicate that there is a critical hydraulic pressure range from 3 to 6 % of the blank's initial yield stress, where wrinkling and earing development trends change twice. The wrinkling and the earing of the drawn cup also reach their local extremes …


Tunable Particle Focusing In A Straight Channel With Symmetric Semicircle Obstacle Arrays Using Electrophoresis-Modified Inertial Effects, Dan Yuan, Chao Pan, Jun Zhang, Sheng Yan, Qianbin Zhao, Gursel Alici, Weihua Li Jan 2016

Tunable Particle Focusing In A Straight Channel With Symmetric Semicircle Obstacle Arrays Using Electrophoresis-Modified Inertial Effects, Dan Yuan, Chao Pan, Jun Zhang, Sheng Yan, Qianbin Zhao, Gursel Alici, Weihua Li

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In this work, a novel microfluidic platform for tunable particle focusing in a straight channel with symmetric semicircle obstacle arrays using electrophoresis (EP)-modified inertial effects was presented. By exerting an EP force on the charged microparticles, a relative velocity gap between microspheres and fluid in a straight channel with symmetric semicircle obstacle arrays was implemented. The relative velocity and fluid shear will induce shear-slip lift force (Saffman lift force) perpendicular to the mainstream direction. Therefore, the focusing pattern can be altered using the electrophoresis-induced Saffman force. The effects of electric field direction, flow rate, electric field magnitude, and particle size …


Synchrotron Activation Radiotherapy: Effects Of Dose-Rate And Energy Spectra To Tantalum Oxide Nanoparticles Selective Tumour Cell Radiosensitization Enhancement, Elette Engels, Michael L. F Lerch, Moeava Tehei, Konstantin K. Konstantinov, Susanna Guatelli, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld, Stephanie Corde Jan 2016

Synchrotron Activation Radiotherapy: Effects Of Dose-Rate And Energy Spectra To Tantalum Oxide Nanoparticles Selective Tumour Cell Radiosensitization Enhancement, Elette Engels, Michael L. F Lerch, Moeava Tehei, Konstantin K. Konstantinov, Susanna Guatelli, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld, Stephanie Corde

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Synchrotron radiation is unique in its ability to deliver dose at high dose rates using kiloelectronvolt photons. We are investigating the use of Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) nano-structured particles (NSPs) that are to date unexplored in synchrotron radiation fields as they have high atomic number (Z=73) are biocompatible and are therefore potential radio sensitizers. We exposed cell culture flasks containing 9L gliosarcoma tumour cells or Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) non-tumour cells to the NSPs and treated the cells using a broad synchrotron beam (140 keV median energy; average dose rate of 50 Gy/s) at the Australian Synchrotron. We compare the results …


Balance Improvement Effects Of Biofeedback Systems With State-Of-The-Art Wearable Sensors: A Systematic Review, Christina Ma, Duo Wong, Wing K. Lam, Anson Wan, Winson Lee Jan 2016

Balance Improvement Effects Of Biofeedback Systems With State-Of-The-Art Wearable Sensors: A Systematic Review, Christina Ma, Duo Wong, Wing K. Lam, Anson Wan, Winson Lee

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Falls and fall-induced injuries are major global public health problems. Balance and gait disorders have been the second leading cause of falls. Inertial motion sensors and force sensors have been widely used to monitor both static and dynamic balance performance. Based on the detected performance, instant visual, auditory, electrotactile and vibrotactile biofeedback could be provided to augment the somatosensory input and enhance balance control. This review aims to synthesize the research examining the effect of biofeedback systems, with wearable inertial motion sensors and force sensors, on balance performance. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials were included in this review. All studies …


A 6-Month Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating Effects Of Mediterranean-Style Diet And Fish Oil Supplementation On Dietary Behaviour Change, Mental And Cardiometabolic Health And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Adults With Depression (Helfimed): Study Protocol, Dorota M. Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Kerin O'Dea, Sarah Blunden, Barbara J. Meyer, Leonie Segal, Natalie Parletta Jan 2016

A 6-Month Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating Effects Of Mediterranean-Style Diet And Fish Oil Supplementation On Dietary Behaviour Change, Mental And Cardiometabolic Health And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Adults With Depression (Helfimed): Study Protocol, Dorota M. Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Kerin O'Dea, Sarah Blunden, Barbara J. Meyer, Leonie Segal, Natalie Parletta

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background: Modern diets, characterised by excess consumption of processed foods, are accompanied by an epidemic of chronic diseases. Cardiovascular disease and depression carry a large burden of disease and often occur together. Poor dietary patterns have been identified as an independent risk factor for depression while healthy diets with minimally processed food are protective. Traditional Mediterranean diets have been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease; however there is a need for clinical trials in people with depression. This paper reports the study protocol of a Mediterranean-style diet intervention conducted in adults with self-reported depression. Methods/design: HELFIMED is a parallel …


More Standing And Just As Productive: Effects Of A Sit-Stand Desk Intervention On Call Center Workers' Sitting, Standing, And Productivity At Work In The Opt To Stand Pilot Study, Josephine Chau, William Sukala, Karla Fedel, Anna Do, Lina Engelen, Megan Kingham, Amanda Sainsbury, Adrian E. Bauman Jan 2016

More Standing And Just As Productive: Effects Of A Sit-Stand Desk Intervention On Call Center Workers' Sitting, Standing, And Productivity At Work In The Opt To Stand Pilot Study, Josephine Chau, William Sukala, Karla Fedel, Anna Do, Lina Engelen, Megan Kingham, Amanda Sainsbury, Adrian E. Bauman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This study evaluated the effects of sit-stand desks on workers' objectively and subjectively assessed sitting, physical activity, and productivity. This quasi-experimental study involved one intervention group (n = 16) and one comparison group (n = 15). Participants were call center employees from two job-matched teams at a large telecommunications company in Sydney, Australia (45% female, 33 ± 11 years old). Intervention participants received a sit-stand desk, brief training, and daily e-mail reminders to stand up more frequently for the first 2 weeks post-installation. Control participants carried out their usual work duties at seated desks. Primary outcomes were workday …


Effects Of Sintering Materials And Gas Conditions On Formation Of Silico-Ferrites Of Calcium And Aluminium During Iron Ore Sintering, Zhe Wang, David J. Pinson, Sheng Chew, Brian J. Monaghan, Mark Pownceby, Nathan A.S. Webster, Harold P. Rogers, Guangqing Zhang Jan 2016

Effects Of Sintering Materials And Gas Conditions On Formation Of Silico-Ferrites Of Calcium And Aluminium During Iron Ore Sintering, Zhe Wang, David J. Pinson, Sheng Chew, Brian J. Monaghan, Mark Pownceby, Nathan A.S. Webster, Harold P. Rogers, Guangqing Zhang

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Silico-ferrites of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) are desirable phases in a high quality iron ore sinter product. The effects of sintering temperature, CaO/SiO2 ratio, sintering gas atmosphere and cooling procedure on the phase composition of sintered specimens from an industrial sinter blend were examined with focus on the formation of SFCA phases. The proportions of mineral phases in specimens sintered at 1 250-1 325°C were quantitatively examined using image analysis. SFCA can be formed at low temperatures by solid state reactions, the formation of which was enhanced by increasing temperature. Further increasing sintering temperature promoted the reduction of Fe3+ in …


Partners' Perceptions Regarding Problematic Alcohol Use And The Effects With Romantic Relationships : A Qualitative Study, Meghan E. Wilson Jan 2016

Partners' Perceptions Regarding Problematic Alcohol Use And The Effects With Romantic Relationships : A Qualitative Study, Meghan E. Wilson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis is an inquiry into the role of partners’ perceptions concerning problematic alcohol consumption and its effects on romantic relationships. This study sought to unpack the role of perceptions within romantic relationships. The study’s sample included 12 participants who were currently involved in heterosexual romantic relationships for at least one year with significant others struggling with alcohol use. The study used an inductive, exploratory design implemented through a semi-structured interview. Within the category of perceptions of problematic drinking, three major themes emerged—disruption of social obligations and responsibilities; drinking in excess/ out of control alcohol consumption; drinking as a coping …