Digital Commons Network^™

Feature Extraction For Classification Of Auroral Images, Shwetha Herga

Theses

Auroras are a dynamically evolving phenomenon. Different auroral forms are correlated with various physical processes in the magnetosphere and ionosphere system. Millions of auroral images are captured every year by the modern ground-based All-Sky Imager(ASI). In dealing with data from ASI, machine learning techniques play a critical scientific role, facilitating both efficient searches and statistical studies. In this work, we manually label night-side auroral images from various Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) all-sky imager based on the sky conditions; the labels are clear sky with auroras, cloudy with the moon, cloudy, clear-sky with the moon, …

An Implementation Of Chacha20 Stream Cypher In All-Programmable Socs, Igor Semenov

Theses

An increased reliance on services offered online is an inherent aspect of the Information Age. Such services often handle sensitive customers' data and therefore must ensure its confidentiality, for example, by using cryptographic algorithms. Some algorithms, such as AES, have long been used for this purpose, but they impose additional cost and/or performance overheads. However, new lightweight stream cyphers, such as ChaCha20, are emerging as a faster alternative to conventional algorithms without sacrificing the security. Development of hardware cryptographic accelerators has been widely used to reduce performance overheads of cryptographic algorithms. In the past, this approach was extremely expensive, but …

Reclaiming The R-Word : Romanization As A Framework For Culture Change In The Roman Provinces, Mary Lauryn Davis

Theses

The concept of Romanization, or Rome’s process of making its newly conquered provinces more like Rome, has fallen out of favor in recent decades and has been replaced by a succession of postcolonial frameworks that progressively decenter Rome from the transformation process. I argue, against this new orthodoxy, that Rome was actively responsible for imposing profound social changes on its provincial populations that resulted in a shift toward Roman culture in the interest of Roman imperialism. This affected every segment of every conquered population, though the details of individual experiences varied widely, as can be seen in analysis along geographical, …

Marsbee Preliminary Design Analysis Tool, Hunter Dunne

Theses

The Marsbee is a novel bioinspired flapping flight vehicle concept for aerial Martian exploration. The Marsbee design addresses the challenges of flying on Mars by mimicking the unsteady lift generation mechanisms seen in terrestrial insects. To enable the comparison of the Marsbee system to other flying Martian exploration concepts, a systems-based analyzer was created, consisting of several physics-based models. Constraints were used to maintain dynamic similarity between the Marsbee and insects on Earth. The current analyzer only models hovering flight. The functionality of the analyzer was demonstrated by analyzing 2 million randomly generated two-wing and 2 million randomly generated four-wing …

Optical Emission-Line Nebulae In Giant Elliptical Galaxies, Tim Edge

Theses

Galaxy clusters and groups are the largest gravitationally bound systems in the universe and have most of their baryonic mass in the form of hot X-ray gas called the intracluster medium (ICM). Many clusters and groups have dense ICM cores with short cooling time (e.g., < 1 Gyr) at the center. The dense ICM can in principle cool to form new stars, accompanied by cold and warm gas cooled from the hot ICM. The warm gas with temperatures of ∼ 10 4 K can be traced by optical emission lines like Hα, [NII] and [SII] in the optical wavelengths. My work has focused on analyzing the imaging and spectral data from optical telescopes to detect the warm gas traced by optical emission lines (particularly Hα and [NII]) at the central giant elliptical galaxies in nearby galaxy groups. I have analyzed the APO-3.5m and SOAR-4.1m data of a large sample (eighty) of giant elliptical galaxies and detected many interesting examples for detailed studies. I summarize my work in this Thesis and focus on optical emission-line nebulae with high equivalent-width. While all the galaxies in the sample host a strong X-ray cool core, only ∼ 15% of them have strong optical emission-line nebulae. My work is an important component of an ongoing multi-wavelength project on these giant elliptical galaxies led by my advisor Dr. Sun. My work has already contributed to one publication with me as a co-author (Liu, Sun et al. 2019) [12] and three more papers with me as a co-author are in preparation.

Conservation Grazing With Native Irish Cattle In High Nature Value Environments, Kilian Kelly

Theses

Marrying conservation objectives with farming practices is a challenging necessity in the current era of anthropogenically-driven biodiversity loss. Upland habitats created by traditional farming are havens for wildlife but face multiple threats, including overgrazing and abandonment. Extensive cattle farming in the uplands has been mooted as a useful conservation measure, but Irish evidence supporting this approach is lacking. This thesis examines home range, habitat preferences and activity budgets for Dexter cattle in an extensive upland setting in southwest Ireland. It investigates the effects of the grazing regime on EU-protected habitats and ground beetles. Free-ranging cattle grazed the site over three …

To Determine The Predictive Accuracy Of The Frase Risk Assessment Tool In Identifying Older Adults At High Risk Of Falls In Community Hospitals/ Nursing Units, Susan Daly

Theses

Background: The operational effectiveness of Fall Risk Assessment Tools (FRATs)in predicting falls remains unclear due to variation in accuracy when applied in different settings and among different populations (Aranda-Gallardo et al. 2017, Castellini at al. 2017).

Aims: The primary aim of the study is to determine the predictive accuracy of the Falls Risk Assessment Scale for the Elderly (FRASE) risk assessment tool in identifying older adults at high risk of falls in Community Hospitals/ Nursing Units. The secondary aim is to determine the relationship between older adult faller status and the risk factors; gender, age, gait, sensory deficit, falls history, …

Encountering Grief: Exploring The Value Of Art Therapy For Bereaved Adults, Paul Moynihan

Theses

This extended literature review explores the value of art therapy interventions for bereaved adults, with a particular emphasis on its application for individuals with histories of insecure attachment. A review of literature in the areas of bereavement and attachment considers how attachment insecurities present as a risk factor for complications in the grieving process with a subsequent focus on the implications for therapeutic intervention. A review of literature in art therapy, related areas of psychoanalysis and creativity aims to highlight the distinct value that art therapy could offer this particular subgroup of bereaved adults in adapting to grief. An incorporation …

The Implementation And Evaluation Of Self-Advocacy Programming For College Students, Emily Baker

Theses

The existence of barriers for college students living with disabilities is expansive and far-reaching; however, Field, Sarver, and Shaw (2003) and Walker and Test (2011) indicate that the development of self-advocacy skills increases the likelihood of overall academic success. It is vital that disability support services on college campuses recognize and develop programming to provide students with opportunities to increase their self-advocacy skills. This research assesses the effectiveness of self-advocacy workshops offered through an office of disability support services at a mid-sized regional university in the southeast. Causal agency theory and the ecological model of self-determination guided the development of …

Remodeling Recovery : Understanding Social Conditioning And Communication During Adolescent Stages Of Development And How They Correlate With Substance Use Disorders, Douglas Stogner

Theses

This thesis uses a mix method research design to collect data from entry assessments and a survey administered to current residents of the His Way recovery center. The survey was also administered to a control group of participants that did not have substance use disorders (SUD). This study addresses the potential determinants that may be associated with SUD. The data from the entry assessment shows that the preference or drug of choice for clients in His Way recovery is consistent with compatible data collected in the United states. The results of the survey data suggest that people who suffer from …

Development Of A Pzt Fiber Sensor Rosette For Structural Health Monitoring Using Lamb Wave Responses, Bao Chi Ha

Theses

Because of their electro-mechanical coupling property, Lead-Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) materials have been widely used for ultrasonic wave sensing and actuation in structural health monitoring applications. In this thesis, a PZT rosette sensor concept is proposed to conduct Lamb wave based damage detection in panel-like structures by exploring its best directional sensing capability. First, a directivity study was conducted to investigate sensing of flexural Lamb wave propagation using the d33 effect in a PZT fiber. Then, commercial off-the-shelf PZT fibers were polarized in-house in order to construct the PZT rosette in a rectangular configuration, in which three PZT fibers were oriented at …

Influences Of Operator Characteristics On Monitoring Behavior And Performance In A Supervisory Control Task, Jacob R. Davis

Theses

This study examined the influences of trust in automation and working memory capacity (WMC) on inattentional blindness (IB) in a supervisory control task. Participants completed 160 trials of a simulated X-ray screening task. Participants visually searched images of baggage for hazardous items and chose whether to clear or search the baggage. Participants were assisted by an 80% reliable automated aid. Participants’ performance was worse on unreliable recommendation trials, indicating participants were biased to agree with the automation. When participants (58.33%) chose to clear the trial which featured the IB stimulus (a bomb), it was interpreted as IB. Results indicated WMC …

The Impact Of Cognitive Style, Affectivity, And Mental Toughness On Non-Clinical Symptoms Of Stress, Anxiety, And Depression In College Students, Cristina M. CabañAs Garcia

Theses

The current study aimed to determine whether cognitive style, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and mental toughness (MT) were distinct but related constructs as well as to study the nature of the relationships between the three constructs, and their impact on non-clinical symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants completed a paper-pencil version of a measure that assessed cognitive style as well as three self-report questionnaires via Qualtrics that assessed positive and negative affect, individual’s MT, and symptoms of non-clinical depression, anxiety, and life stress. Results indicated that MT was positively related to PA and negatively related to NA. …

Testing The Forensic Confirmation Bias : Do Jailhouse Informants Contaminate Evidentiary Independence?, Baylee D. Jenkins

Theses

Research has shown that primary confessions influence forensic evidence examinations such as handwriting evidence. Additionally, previous research on secondary confessions from jailhouse informants has indicated that primary and secondary confessions are equally influential in jury decision making. The current study investigated the relationship between jailhouse informant statements and perceptions of forensic evidence. Participants read a case summary depicting a bank robbery along with confession evidence either from the suspect or a jailhouse informant before examining handwriting evidence. Result indicated that reliable jailhouse informant statements led participants to fall prey to the forensic confirmation bias. Jailhouse informant reliability significantly impacted perceptions …

Empty Skies, David Gambino

Theses

No abstract provided.

Perceptions, Impact And Scope Of Medication Errors With Opioids In Australian Specialist Palliative Care Inpatient Services: A Mixed Methods Study (The Periscope Project), Nicole Heneka

Theses

Background: Opioids are a high-risk medicine, and one of the most frequently reported drug classes causing patient harm. In specialist palliative care inpatient services opioids are widely used to manage cancer pain and other symptoms. Palliative care inpatients are vulnerable to both exposure to, and harm from, opioid errors due to a combination of their: advanced age, comorbidities which affect drug metabolism, polypharmacy, and the seriousness of their illness. Despite this potential for harm, and the frequency of opioid administration in this specialist setting, little is known about opioid errors in palliative care. Better understanding the prevalence, patient impact and …

Population Pharmacokinetics Of Ribavirin In Lung Transplant Recipients And Examination Of Current And Alternative Dosing Regimens, Eliza Milliken

Theses

Ribavirin is used in the treatment of respiratory paramyxovirus infection in lung transplant recipients; however, its pharmacokinetic profile in the transplant population is unknown despite the potential for alterations due to underlying pathology. Furthermore, the ability of current regimens to meet exposure targets has not been established. This study examined the pharmacokinetics of ribavirin in a lung transplant population from which current and alternate dosing regimens were assessed. Population pharmacokinetic modelling was conducted in NONMEM using concentrationtime data from 24 lung transplant recipients and 6 healthy volunteers. Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the ability of dosing regimens to …

Encountering The Living God: The Integral Formation Of Teachers As Witnesses In Catholic Elementary And Secondary Schools, Amy E. Roberts

Theses

An examination of the Catholic Church’s documents on Catholic schools shows that the Church holds the primary mission of Catholic schools to be making disciples of Jesus Christ. Because the fulfillment of the mission of Catholic schools depends upon the teacher, teachers need ongoing formation as witnesses, just as they need professional formation. This thesis contends that in order for teachers to be the witnesses that Catholic schools need to fulfill their mission of making disciples, they themselves need an integral formation that puts every dimension of their human nature – body, heart, and mind – in ongoing communio with …

Optimising Refurbishment In Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities Using A Mixed Methods Approach, S Neylon

Theses

The growth in ageing populations in addition to an increase in rates of chronic diseases such as dementia, has led to projections that this upsurge will be matched by increased demand for residential aged care placements for the foreseeable future. Currently, significant proportions of aged care government funding both locally and internationally are directed towards the residential sector. Australia has recently released Aged Care Quality Standards whereby the outcomes to residents need to be verified specifically across a range of domains (including the living and built environment) in order to maintain this government funding. Building new facilities is not always …

Using Digital Health Technology To Optimise Older People’S Pain Self-Management Capabilities: A Mixed Methods Study (The Digitech Pain Project), Priyanka Bhattarai

Theses

Background

Arthritic pain is a major cause of illness and disability among older people. As the use of smartphones and apps increases in the lives of older people, there is an opportunity to explore the role of these apps in helping older people better manage their arthritic pain.

Aim

To explore the feasibility and acceptability of older people using an arthritic pain selfmanagement app to improve their pain symptoms.

Methods

A parallel convergent, mixed methods design underpinned by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model 2; comprising of the following five studies:

(i) Study 1a: an integrative review;

(ii) …

Motor Planning In Children With And Without Developmental Coordination Disorder: Behavioural And Neurological Evidence, Ranila Bhoyroo

Theses

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterised by an inability to acquire and execute well-coordinated movements at an age appropriate level (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Converging evidence suggests that children with DCD experience motor planning difficulties compared to typically developing children; however, these difficulties may be task dependent. To our knowledge, the underlying nature of this deficit as well as the task parameters that might affect motor planning are not well established. Also, while it has been reported that alterations in areas of the frontal and parietal lobe may underlie poor motor planning in this population, …

Impact Of Lifestyle Factors On Group B Streptococcus Colonization During Pregnancy, Myra Joy Quilatan

Theses

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in the genital tract of pregnant women is a known contributory factor for infection in the neonate, having an impact on morbidity and mortality especially if unrecognized and untreated prior to vaginal delivery. An understanding on how certain lifestyle factors contribute to the development of GBS colonization during pregnancy will assist in aiding a modification of behavior to promote prevention and improve general health.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various lifestyle factors in isolation or combination on GBS colonization during pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design …

The Barren Bear Fruit: Towards A Theology Of Marital Fruitfulness For Sterile Catholic Couples In Light Of Hans Urs Von Balthasar’S Theology Of Fruitfulness, Briony Mowbray

Theses

It is estimated that between 4.0% and 11.2% of married Catholic couples remain undesirably childless after exhausting licit medical treatments for their infertility. Yet, a critical appraisal of the documents of the Magisterium highlights an absence of substantial and constructive dialogue about fruitfulness for sterile Catholic couples. This thesis draws upon the insights of Hans Urs von Balthasar in order to construct a preliminary theology of marital fruitfulness that is specifically applicable to Christian couples unable to have biological children. Following the aforementioned appraisal of relevant Magisterial documents, this thesis is divided into two further sections. In the first section, …

From Valuable Resource To Valued Person: Ontologies Of Human Resource Management, Gregory M. Latemore

Theses

This thesis examines the conceptualisations of those who do the work of organisations as evidenced in human resource management (HRM) scholarship. It contrasts three perspectives in the HRM discourse: strategic, humanistic and personalistic, and distinguishes the world-views and philosophies within them. The four papers in the thesis address these perspectives and indicate implications for HRM theory, research and practice.

The primary research question is ‘how is the person conceptualised in the HRM discourse?’ which is answered by affirming that such conceptualisation has varied throughout the HRM tradition wherein the ‘human’ in HRM is regarded as both a valuable resource and …

Study Of The Health Needs Of Older Women Experiencing Homelessness In The Perth Metropolitan Area, Gloria Sutherland

Theses

Women aged over 50 years represent the most rapidly growing cohort of the Australian homeless population. Despite an increasing awareness of older Australian women being at risk of homelessness, little is known of how their health contributes to, and changes due to their homelessness. Drawing on the principles of the World Health Organisation’s social determinants of health, this study sought to investigate the personal life circumstances of older homeless women who live in the Perth metropolitan area, their healthcare needs and to identify any barriers to their accessing healthcare.

The study used a convergent mixed methods approach using quantitative and …

Is Liberal Democracy A Contradiction?: A Study Of Political Participation And Inequality In Australia During The 1960s And 1970s, Daniel A. Elias

Theses

The central concern of this thesis is the disconnect between the premise of democracy and economic realities. The first section of the thesis examines the essential components of a democratic political system by drawing upon political theorists of the past and present. From Aristotle to Robert Dahl the thesis gains an understanding of what democracy is, by identifying and isolating its essential mechanisms. The following section situates liberalism and its origins. Such a history is critical for within liberalism is the sum of many social norms, philosophies, laws, and culture in Australia. Combining political theory and the historical context of …

Veteran Paramedics’ Experience Of Managing Work-Related Trauma: A Qualitative Study, Ryan D. Jenkins

Theses

Paramedics throughout the world are trained to competently treat the physical injuries of patients requiring pre-hospital emergency medical care. The nature of this work exposes them to highly traumatic and often life threatening situations. As a result of working with this stress and trauma, they themselves can experience emotional, psychological, and physical trauma (Gayton & Lovell, 2012). Research suggests that they receive little education and training about how to effectively manage this trauma (Gayton & Lovelle, 2012) and that many paramedics experience symptoms of Burnout, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Depression (Beaton, 2006; Millar, 2004; Shakespeare-Finch, 2006). The impact of …

A Western Australian Story: A Mixed Method Study Exploring Nutrition Knowledge, Food Intake, Influences On Food Choice, Body Image And Eating Attitudes Of University Students, Michelle Lambert

Theses

Emerging adults are fast gaining recognition as an important target group for health promotion as previous research indicates very few are meeting dietary guidelines, often consuming foods that have increased saturated fats, sugar and sodium. These eating patterns place this group at higher risk of developing chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Understanding how and why these eating patterns develop is important to help establish healthy eating behaviours and greater compliance to Australian Dietary Guidelines – Recommended Daily Serves (ADG-RDS) for emerging adults. International research has focused on eating habits, weight gain patterns and possible influences …

The Hope And History Debate In Fundamental Theology, David Patrick Collits

Theses

The hope and history debate in twentieth century Catholic theology concerned to what extent the object(s) of eschatological hope could be realised within history. Its context was the ‘secularisation of Christian eschatology’. On the one hand, Joseph Ratzinger, who was indebted to the philosophical work of Josef Pieper, considered hope’s object to belong to the realm of gift. He was sceptical of the extent to which hope could be manufactured by human means within history. On the other, Edward Schillebeeckx, Johann Baptist Metz and Gustavo Gutiérrez presented theologies of futurity, including political theology and liberation theology, in which the realisation …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study About The Experiences And Views Of Undergraduate And Postgraduate Nursing Students: What Influenced Them To Choose The Mental Health Specialty, Kaile Moon

Theses

Nurses perform a vital role in the mental health (MH) speciality. The mental health nurse (MHN) role is complex with expectations to manage a safe milieu, practice person-centred care, crisis management, and therapeutic skills, teach coping skills, provide emotional support, and set professional boundaries. However, MHN recruitment and retention continues to be a global struggle. Nursing students typically have low interest in choosing the MH speciality. Strategies to reduce stigma and improve attitudes and beliefs about MH nursing and mental illness have been successful among nursing students, globally and in Australia. However, these successful strategies have not extended to an …