Digital Commons Network^™

Review Of Diabetes Among Indigenous Peoples, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs pre 2011

This review provides detailed information on the extent of diabetes, and its complications and comorbidities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including: incidence and prevalence data; hospitalisations; mortality and burden of disease. This review discusses the issues of prevention and management of diabetes, and provides information on relevant programs, services, policies and strategies that address the health issue of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This review concludes by discussing possible future directions for combatting the growing epidemic of diabetes in Australia.

The review focuses primarily on type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people …

Firearm Identification With Hierarchical Neural Networks By Analyzing The Firing Pin Images Retrieved From Cartridge Cases, Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

When a gun is fired, characteristic markings on the cartridge and projectile of a bullet are produced. Over thirty different features can be distinguished from observing these marks, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for identification of a firearm. ln this paper, through the use of hierarchial neural networks a firearm identification system based on cartridge case images is proposed. We focus on the cartridge case identification of rim-fire mechanism. Experiments show that the model proposed has high performance and robustness by integrating two levels Self- Organizing Feature Map (SOFM) neural networks and the decision-making strategy. This model will also …

Proceedings Of The Sixth International Workshop For Applied Pkc (Iwap2007), Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

IWAP2007 will be the sixth of a series of successful international workshops with focus on research and engineering issues of the applied aspects of public key cryptosystems. The inaugural IWAP event was held in Korea in 2001, and was subsequently held in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively in Taipei, Japan, Singapore and China. The IWAP2003 was cancelled due to the SARS breakout. Theoreticians and practitioners interested in the applied issues of PKC were encouraged to participate and contribute to the continuous success of the IWAP workshop series. The host of the IWAP2007 is Edith Cowan University. It is my …

Australian Firearm Identification System Based On The Ballistics Images Of Projectile Specimens, Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

Charactetistic markings on the cartridge case and projectile of a fired bullet are created when it is fired. Over thirty different features within these marks can be distinguished, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for a firearm. By analyzing features within such a set of fireann :fingerprints, it will be possible to identify not only the type and model of a fireann, but also each every individual weapon as effectively as human :fingerprint identification. A new analytic system based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for identifying the projectile specimens by the line-scan imaging technique is proposed in this paper. Experimental …

Minimizing The Number Of Constraints For Shared Backup Path Protection (Sbpp) In Shared Risk Link Group (Srlg) Optical Mesh Networks, Daryoush Habibi, Viet Quoc Phung, Hoang N. Nguyen

Research outputs pre 2011

Path-arc integer linear programming (ILP) models for shared backup path protection (SBPP) in optical mesh networks generally contain many redundant constraints for calculating shared backup capacity. This greatly increases the computational time of the ILP solvers. In this paper, we first identify the sharing relationship between working and backup capacities, which facilitates the development of two novel algorithms for minimizing the number of constraints in ILP models for SBPP in mesh networks. Next, we consider the more realistic case of Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) networks, where some optical fibers have the same risk of a physical cut due to …

Integrated Broadband Microphotonics Beamformer For Adaptive Nulling In Smart Antennas, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh, Yong Lee

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper presents an integrated MicroPhotonic beamformer that processes RF-modulated optical signals to adaptively synthesise multiple broadband nulls in smart phased-array antennas, The beam former is designed to operate at centre frequency of 5.6 GHz with I GHz bandwidth. Designs of the different photonic and RF components are presented. Simulation results show that a 4-element MicroPhotonic broadband smart antenna beamformer operating in the 5.1-6,1- GHz range can generate three broadband nulls, with less than 1.121 0 beam squint.

Analysis Of Pki As A Means Of Securing Odf Documents, Gautham Kasinath, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs pre 2011

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) has for the last two decades been a means of securing systems and communication. With the adoption of Open Document Format (ODF) as an ISO standard, the question remains if the unpopular, expensive, complex and unmaintainable PKI can prove to be a viable means of securing ODF documents. This paper analyses the drawbacks of PKI and evaluates the useji.tlness of PKl in provisioning robust, cheap and maintainable XML security to XML based ODF. This paper also evaluates the existing research on XML security, more specifically fine grained access control.

Importance Of Verification And Validation Of Data Sources In Attaining Information Superiority, Gautham Kasinath, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs pre 2011

Information superiority has been defined as a state that is achieved when a competitive advantage is derived from the ability to exploit a superior information position. To achieve such a superior information position enterprises and nations, alike, must not only collect and record correct, accurate, timely and useful information but also ensure that information recorded is not lost to competitors due to lack of comprehensive security and leaks. Further, enterprises that aim to attain information superiority must also ensure mechanisms of validating and verifying information to reduce the chances of mis-information. Although, research has been carried out into ways to …

First Read Rate Analysis Of 2d-Barcodes For Camera Phone Applications As A Ubiquitous Computing Tool, Hiroko Kato, Keng T. Tan

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper presents a detailed study on the first read rate (FRR) of seven 2D-barcodes currently used for camera phone applications. The study revealed a few surprising observations. Through our analysis, we identified three key factors to improve the robustness of 2D-barcode reading, the range of the reading distance and the stability of the readers. This will contribute to the widespread use of 2D-barcode mobile technology as a ubiquitous computing tool.

Evolving Players For An Ancient Game: Hnefatafl, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Hnefatafl is an ancient Norse game - an ancestor of chess. In this paper, we report on the development of computer players for this game. In the spirit of Blondie24, we evolve neural networks as board evaluation functions for different versions of the game. An unusual aspect of this game is that there is no general agreement on the rules: it is no longer much played, and game historians attempt to infer the rules from scraps of historical texts, with ambiguities often resolved on gut feeling as to what the rules must have been in order to achieve a balanced …

Experiments With Monte Carlo Othello, Philip Hingston, Martin Masek

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper, we report on our experiments with using Monte Carlo simulation (specifically the UCT algorithm) as the basis for an Othello playing program. Monte Carlo methods have been used for other games in the past, most recently and notably in successful Go playing programs. We show that Monte Carlo-based players have potential for Othello, and that evolutionary algorithms can be used to improve their strength.

Use Of Online Tools To Aid Group Work, Martin Masek

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper we examine the use of online tools – namely wikis and blogs in aiding group work for a large and diverse student-based team. The results suggest that while students see the generic skill of being able to work in a team as important for their future career, using blogs and wikis is not seen to be as important. It was also found that the flexibility of these tools provides more motivation for students than having assessment based on their use.

The Synthesis Of 3-Ethoxyindoles, Koniamborine, Salviadione And Studies Toward Fistulosin Utilizing Palladium-Catalyzed Reductive N-Heteroannulation., Ronald W. Clawson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heteroannulation has emerged as a powerful tool in the construction of numerous N-containing heterocycles including indoles. The Soderberg conditions of these reactions have effectively been utilized to synthesize numerous 3-ethoxyindoles, the naturally occurring koniamborine and salviadione. Additionally, this reaction was used to synthesize 2-octadecyl-3-methoxyindole used in the systematic study towards the compound fistulosin, an antifungal compound isolated from the roots of the Welsh onion whose actual structure is in question. 2-(Stearamido)benzoic acid was proposed as a potential structure for the actual compound and was synthesized for ultimate comparison. The data obtained for this compound is in close agreement …

Smoking As A Maladaptive Method Of Weight Control In Female College Students: Perceived Negative Health Effects And Weight Control Properties., Melissa M. Garrison

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Women are at great risks for smoking-related health consequences. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. A relationship exists between smoking behavior and weight control in women. Women are more likely to smoke to control their weight and experience higher relapse and dropout rates in smoking cessation programs due to issues of weight concern. The most effective smoking cessation programs are those that contain a cognitive behavioral component that addresses issues of weight concern in conjunction with the standard smoking cessation treatment. However, women are still experiencing high relapse and dropout rates …

Perceptions Of The Environment For Physical Activity: Perspectives From Community Residents And Policy Officials., John R. Geer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adult residents (n = 184) of two counties in West Virginia completed a survey assessing perceptions of their physical and social environments, and self-reported physical activity (PA). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine of these participants who met CDC PA recommendations, and with 10 individuals involved in public policy regarding perceptions of their communities for PA and issues related to PA barriers. Active residents were more likely to use community facilities than inactive residents (p < .001). In addition, active residents reported significantly higher self-efficacy for meeting PA recommendations than inactive residents (p < .001). Overall, participants with high self-efficacy were eight times more likely to meet recommended levels of PA. Residents’ environmental barriers to PA included lack of accessibility to facilities, lack of community walkability, and safety and traffic issues. Personal barriers to PA were also commonly cited by residents, including being too busy/having competing demands and poor attitude/motivation. Residents cited the use of exercise partners or groups as being important for increasing physical activity. Policy officials cited similar environmental and personal barriers, but often placed responsibility for overcoming those barriers on the residents within their communities.

Geropsychology Training: A National Survey Of Psychology Trainees., Brian Heath Gordon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed to investigate factors that influence a trainee's pursuit of geropsychology training in effort to identify ways of attracting students to a promising area of research and practice. Researchers have indicated that the older adult population is a heterogeneous group whose numbers will increase significantly over the next 30 years. This changing age demographic is predicted to have a considerable impact on applied psychology by amplifying the need for psychologists trained in providing services to older adults. However, few psychologists have received such training, and few students elect to pursue training in aging. This study utilized a …

The Relation Between Hostility And Social Support: Investigating Potential Mediation Or Moderation By Trait Forgiveness, Attributional Style, And Trait Empathy., Benjamin Parker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A substantial body of scientific literature has examined the relations among hostility, social support, and physical and psychological functioning. Typically, positive relations are observed between hostility and various problematic health concerns and negative relations are observed between social support and these same problematic health concerns. Hostility is commonly associated with decreased ratings of social support. The purpose of this study was to explore this relation between hostility and low social support, and determine whether three variables derived from the positive psychology literature (trait forgiveness, attributional style, and empathy) either moderate or mediate this relation. One hundred and fifty two female …

An Examination Of Parenting Strategies, Attitudes, And Stress In Foster And Biological Parents Of Young Children., Kristine E. Rork

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The child welfare system is undergoing a crisis in which there are a greater number of foster children requiring temporary housing arrangements than there are foster parents available to provide housing for them. However, despite this fact, little research has been performed regarding the needs and characteristics of foster parents. To help retain these foster parents, they must believe their needs are being met by the child welfare system; otherwise, there is an increased risk of foster parents deciding not to foster in the future. The present study investigated differences between a sample of 30 foster parents of children ages …

Impact Of Co-Morbid Insomnia On Health -Related Quality Of Life And Patient Preferences In The Primary Care Setting., Anuja N. Roy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is estimated that almost one-thirds of the patients in primary care settings experience some form of insomnia. Co-morbid insomnia accounts for almost 75% of such cases and, is considered to be a symptom (rather than a stand-alone disorder) that remits with treatment of the underlying medical or psychiatric disorder. In Phase I, this study examined if there was any incremental impact of co-morbid insomnia (after controlling for confounding covariates) on health-related quality of life (as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short-Form Health Survey, i.e., SF-36, and the EuroQoL 5D, i.e., EQ-5D) compared to similar patients without …

The Future Of Clinical Laboratory Science: A Delphi Study., Beverly A. Kirby

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The critical shortage of clinical laboratory scientists indicates an urgency for planning for the future. A three-round Delphi study explored the future of the clinical laboratory science profession as predicted by a panel of experts. Thirty-two nationally known authorities in the field were invited and 24 agreed to participate as an expert panel. The first round asked the panelists to respond to the statement, “As I consider the next 20 years of clinical laboratory science as a profession, I believe that the following events might occur.” Round One generated more than 200 events which the investigator synthesized into a 147-event …

Training Experiences And Feelings Of Competency In Utilizing Multicultural Counseling Guidelines., Lauren Rae Krug

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Awareness of changing demographics in the United States has resulted in psychologists paying greater attention to multicultural issues. As a result, in 1993, the APA adopted a set of guidelines, the “Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic, and Culturally Diverse Populations,” directed to all areas of practice. This document consists of a set of forty brief, action-oriented recommendations. Despite frequent calls for multicultural guidelines and increased attention to multicultural issues, no research has evaluated the use of these guidelines in the context of the treatment setting or examined the impact of training on the incorporation of the …

The U.S. Health Care System And Labor Markets, Brigitte C. Madrian

Faculty Publications

There is no universal provider of health insurance or health care in the United States. Rather, a patchwork system of institutions exists, each covering different subgroups of the population. Certain types of health insurance are provided as a condition of employment, while other types of health insurance are more readily available when individuals are not employed or not fully employed, and still others are available regardless of employment status. The two most significant sources of health insurance coverage in the United States are employers, who collectively insure 63 percent of the non-elderly (below age 65) population, and governments, who collectively …

Investing Your Lump Sum At Retirement, David F. Babbel, Craig B. Merrill

Faculty Publications

Imagine sitting down on the day of your retirement to plan your financial future. You know what your annual expenses have been and you want to maintain your current standard of living. So, you consult a recent mortality table and find that if you’ve made it to your 65th birthday, you can expect to live to 85 years old. You perform a little calculation and find that, together with your Social Security monthly payments, you have just enough savings to maintain your current standard of living and spend all of your savings and future expected earnings by the time you …

The Development Of Policies And Procedures For Eating Disorder Referral For Collegiate Athletes At The Division Iii Level., Emily A. Burmeister

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context: Little is known how and when to return a female athlete at the college level back to participation when an eating disorder is being treated. Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop policies and procedures for referral and treatment for eating disorders that may occur to female athletes at the Division III level. Design: This study used the modified Delphi Technique to gain opinions from eight experts who are Certified Head Athletic Trainers. Two rounds of questionnaires were used. Setting: Division III institutions in the Presidents Athletic Conference. Patients and Other Participants: Seven Certified Head Athletic Trainers …

The Role Of The Endothelin System In Prostaglandin F(2)Alpha-Induced Luteolysis., Matthew Dale Doerr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent evidence supports a role for luteal endothelial cells in mediating PGF2αinduced luteolysis via production of endothelin-1 (ET-1). Three experiments were designed to examine how the endothelin system mediates luteolytic actions of PGF2α. The first objective was to examine in vitro the anti-steroidogenic actions of PGF2α and ET-1 in the presence of a type-A or B receptor antagonist in day-8 luteal minces. The second experiment was designed to measure in vivo, the effectiveness of PGF2α in inducing luteolysis when actions of ET-1 had been blocked by sustained administration of either a type-A or type-B endothelin receptor antagonist. In the third …

The Effects Of A Six-Week Land-Based And Aquatic-Based Plyometric Training Program On Power, Peak Torque, Agility, And Muscle Soreness., Joseph D. Shaffer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context: Plyometric exercise has been shown to increase strength and explosiveness in athletes participating in football, tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, running, and basketball. Aquatic exercises have been noted to have beneficial effects, however there has been little research conducted comparing plyometrics in a land-based and an aquatic-based setting. Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a plyometric-training program in a land-based and an aquatic-based setting on power, peak torque, agility, and muscle soreness. Design: There were four 2x3x3 factorial designs for the KinCom tests, two 2x3 factorial designs for vertical jump and the LEFT tests, …

Hamstring Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review., Lori L. Siegel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objective: To evaluate the methodological quality of hamstring rehabilitation studies found in the current literature. Data Sources: Pubmed (1950- 2006), MEDLINE, CINAHL (1982- 2007), CINAHL Select (1973- 2007), SPORTDiscus (1985- 2007), Google Scholar, Scirus (1920- 2008), Academic Search Premier (1975- 2007), and ERIC from July 2006 to January 2007 were searched using the terms hamstring, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris individually. Second, the term hamstring was combined with each of the following words: rehabilitation, anatomy, strain, epidemiology, injury, exercise, therapy, imaging, study, track and field, soccer, and football. Third, citations were cross-referenced from studies to include literature not found in …

Analysis Of Pigmentation And Wavefront Coding™ Acquisition In Iris Recognition, Kelly N. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The iris is a popular biometric that has been demonstrated to have high matching accuracy and permanence under ideal conditions. However, there are several limiting factors that have yet to be comprehensively addressed. One major consideration in iris recognition systems is the restrictions imposed by the optical parameters on the depth of field. This thesis examines issues related to the depth of field and evaluates a solution proposed by CDM Optics ®. The solution explored involves the utilization of a Wavefront Coded ™ element. By employing a simulation of a Wavefront Coded ™ element, developed by Wake Forest University this …

The Effect Of Different Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake By Immature Female Rats On Bone Mineralization And Strength., Embedzayi Tsanzi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has increased among adolescents. This may have health implication because sugar consumption has been suggested to lead to decreased calcium (Ca) intake and increased urinary Ca output and these effects on Ca balance may have a negative impact on bone. Also, the type of sugar added to beverages has also changed from sucrose to high fructose corn syrup resulting in higher fructose consumption. Although sugarsweetened beverage intake by adolescent has increased and the type of sugar consumed has changed; the effects of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption during the bone growth stage on skeletal acquisition and adult bone …

International Public Relations At Top 50 Global Brands: A Converged Or Diverged Approach?, Pitchpatu Waiyachote

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was motivated by limited information about an approach that the top 50 global brand companies apply to their public relations strategies in areas considered to be smaller developing markets in Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia. Along with World Wide Web technology and a concept of globalization, the Internet brings information to targeted publics faster than ever before. Therefore, a purpose of this study was to examine which approach, convergence or divergence, the top 50 global brand companies commonly took to communicate with their target audiences in these two countries through their local web sites. An answer to …