Digital Commons Network^™

Carbohydrate Gel Ingestion And Immunoendocrine Responses To Cycling In Temperate And Hot Conditions, Jonathan Peake, Jeremiah J. Peiffer, Christopher R. Abbiss, Kazunori Nosaka, Paul B. Laursen, Katsuhiko Suzuki

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

13c And 15n Translocation Within And Among Shoots In Two Posidonia Species From Western Australia, Patricia Prado, Catherine Jane Collier, Paul Lavery

Research outputs pre 2011

Translocation of 13C and 15N was investigated at the spatial scales of within-shoot (i.e. the seagrass clonal unit including leaves and associated vertical rhizome) and among-shoots in a mixed meadow of Posidonia sinuosa and P. australis. Incubation with 13C and 15N was conducted in either the oldest leaf of a shoot (i.e. within-shoot scale) or in the first shoot on the 4th or 5th branch of the main axis (i.e. among-shoots scale) and collected several times within a 1 mo period. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) developmental features in P. australis such as thicker and more open vascular system, …

Regional Differences In Lumbar Spinal Posture And The Influence Of Low Back Pain, Tim Mitchell, Peter O'Sullivan, Angus Burnett, Leon Straker, Anne Smith

Research outputs pre 2011

Background: Spinal posture is commonly a focus in the assessment and clinical management of low back pain (LBP) patients. However, the link between spinal posture and LBP is not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests that considering regional, rather than total lumbar spine posture is important. The purpose of this study was to determine; if there are regional differences in habitual lumbar spine posture and movement, and if these findings are influenced by LBP. Methods: One hundred and seventy female undergraduate nursing students, with and without LBP, participated in this cross-sectional study. Lower lumbar (LLx), Upper lumbar (ULx) and total lumbar …

Bots Trained To Play Like A Human Are More Fun, Bhuman Soni, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Computational intelligence methods are well-suited for use in computer controlled opponents for video games. In many other applications of these methods, the aim is to simulate near-optimal intelligent behaviour. But in video games, the aim is to provide interesting opponents for human players, not optimal ones. In this study, we trained neural network-based computer controlled opponents to play like a human in a popular first-person shooter. We then had gamers play-test these opponents as well as a hand-coded opponent, and surveyed them to find out which opponents they enjoyed more. Our results show that the neural network-based opponents were clearly …

Using Neat For Continuous Adaptation And Teamwork Formation In Pacman, Markus Wittkamp, Luigi Barone, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Despite games often being used as a testbed for new computational intelligence techniques, the majority of artificial intelligence in commercial games is scripted. This means that the computer agents are non-adaptive and often inherently exploitable because of it. In this paper, we describe a learning system designed for team strategy development in a real time multi-agent domain. We test our system in the game of Pacman, evolving adaptive strategies for the ghosts in simulated real time against a competent Pacman player. Our agents (the ghosts) are controlled by neural networks, whose weights and structure are incrementally evolved via an implementation …

Twenty-Three Steps To Learning Web 2.0 Technologies In An Academic Library, Julia Gross, Lynette Leslie

Research outputs pre 2011

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the adoption and evaluation of a Learning 2.0 program in a pilot program at the Edith Cowan University Library during 2007. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the suitability of Learning 2.0 for training eight “early adopters” among library staff in the new and emerging Web 2.0 technologies. The program was set up and deployed via a blog, which recorded staff progress through the nine-week implementation phase of the program. At the conclusion, a focus group was held and the pilot group members responded to questions about the relevance of the program, and …

Transforming Schooling With Support From Portable Computing, Christopher Newhouse

Research outputs pre 2011

For over two decades educators have hailed the possibility of harnessing the capabilities of portable computing to transform Australian schools into places where students experience powerful learning environments, relevant to the 21st Century. For some schools in Australia this journey is well into its second decade with the use of networkable portable computing devices to provide anywhere-anytime learning opportunities. While some of the potential has been realised invariably the finding has been that using the technology to create powerful learning environments in real school setting is not a trivial matter and needs to consider a range of factors. So when …

Effect Of A 5 Min Cold Water Immersion Recovery On Exercise Performance In The Heat, Jeremiah Peiffer, Chris Abbiss, Bradley Wall, Greig Watson, Kazunori Nosaka, Paul Laursen

Research outputs pre 2011

Background This study examined the effect of a 5-min cold-water immersion (14°C) recovery intervention on repeated cycling performance in the heat. Methods 10 male cyclists performed two bouts of a 25-min constant-paced (254 (22) W) cycling session followed by a 4-km time trial in hot conditions (35°C, 40% relative humidity). The two bouts were separated by either 15 min of seated recovery in the heat (control) or the same condition with 5-min cold-water immersion (5th—10th minute), using a counterbalanced cross-over design (CP1TT1 → CWI or CON → CP2TT2). Rectal temperature was measured immediately before and after both the constant-paced sessions …

The Use Of Border In Colour 2d Barcode, Siong Ong, Douglas Chai, Keng T. Tan

Research outputs pre 2011

In recent years, a trend has emerged in the use of colour to increase the data capacity of the 2D barcode. However the decoding of such colour barcode can be challenging in a mobile environment due to blurring effect that is commonly found in images captured by camera mobile phone. Blurring affects the synchronisation between the cells. It also causes the colour value of the cell to be wrongly interpreted. Hence, this paper proposes the use of border to improve the synchronisation and decoding. Three different types of border and the choice of its width will be investigated.

Development Of A Novel Finder Pattern For Effective Color 2d-Barcode Detection, Hiroko Kato, Keng T. Tan, Douglas Chai

Research outputs pre 2011

With a camera mobile phone, which has become a "must-have" device, 2D-barcode works as an interface to bridge the physical and digital world. As the notion of ubiquitous computing has permeated, developing a new 2D-barcode and its applications has been a growing trend worldwide. A 2D-barcode symbol consists of two broad areas: data area and guide area. The components of the latter is collectively called "finder pattern" and used in locating the 2D-barcode symbol. The failure of finding the target symbol prevents a barcode reader from successfully decoding the barcode. Hence, designing a functional finder pattern is one of the …

Novel Magnetic Photonic Crystal Structures For Magnetic Field Sensors And Visualizers, Mikhail Vasiliev, Viatcheslav A. Kotov, Kamal E. Alameh, Vladimir I. Belotelov, Anatoly K. Zvezdin

Research outputs pre 2011

Optimized one-dimensional (1-D) magnetophotonic crystals greatly increase the sensitivity of magnetooptical sensors, which are widely used in magnetooptical imaging to observe the magnetic domain patterns in magnetic materials, to observe the vortex states in superconductors, to detect small bits in magnetooptical recording media, to visualize defects in ferromagnetic objects, and to measure the value and spatial distribution of stray magnetic fields. This paper examines the properties of such devices operating in the optimized reflection (doubled Faraday rotation) mode and discusses the use of 1-D magnetophotonic crystals as sensors.

Magnetic Field Sensors And Visualizers Using Magnetic Photonic Crystals, Mikhail Vasiliev, Kamal Alameh, Viatcheslav Kotov

Research outputs pre 2011

Magneto-optical imaging is widely used to observe the domain patterns in magnetic materials, visualize defects in ferromagnetic objects, and measure the spatial distribution of stray magnetic fields. Optimized 1D magneto-photonic crystals enable a significant increase in the sensitivity of magneto-optical sensors. The properties of such devices based on the optimized reflection (doubled Faraday rotation) mode and the use of 1D magnetic photonic crystals as sensors are discussed. Experimental results of the fabrication and characterization of ferrite-garnet layers possessing uniaxial magnetic anisotropy are shown, and an optimized film structure suitable for magneto-optical imaging is proposed.

Photonic Nano-Structures For Water Quality Monitoring, Mikhail Vasiliev, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

We propose a new type of sensors suitable for water quality testing and for monitoring water contamination levels in domestic, industrial and environmental applications. The proposed sensing scheme uses Fourier transform cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy and novel compact sensing elements based on nanostructured photonic crystal-type optical coatings enabling the sensitive Fourier-domain processing methodology and maximising the absorption path length within the measurement system. The measurement scheme is shown to be suitable for the determination of small changes in the water absorption coefficients at a discrete set of wavelengths in the visible spectral region in response to small concentrations of pollutants with …

Doped Iron Garnet Materials For Magnetic Photonic Crystals, Mikhail Vasiliev, Kamal Alameh, Viatcheslav Kotov

Research outputs pre 2011

We have established a set of technologies for the deposition and annealing of magneto-optic garnets for use in photonic crystals. Devices for sensing magnetic fields and polarisation control using reconfigurable photonic crystals are being developed.

Microstructured Arrayed Microfluidic Waveguide Structure For Infrared Radiation Focusing And Transfer, Paul B. Laursen, Kamal Alameh, Mikhail Vasiliev, Nicholas C. Elliott

Research outputs pre 2011

A microstructured arrayed microfluidic waveguide structure for infrared radiation focussing and transfer is proposed and demonstrated. The arrayed waveguide structure comprises Masterbond UV-curable epoxy UV15 optimised using ZEMAX optical design software to achieve high efficiency of heat capture through far-infrared light focussing and subsequent absorption of the radiation on a centralised fluid medium. A high degree of alignment of the precision-positioned fluidic microchannels with the symmetry axes and the focal plane locations of the cylindrical microlens array is demonstrated, which maximises the efficiency of absorption of the incident IR light energy within the moving fluid. Observation of ink flows through …

Double Boundary Trench Isolation Effects On A Stacked Gradient Homojunction Photodiode Array, Paul V. Jansz, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

The effect of the width of inter-pixel double boundary trench isolation on the response resolution of a two dimensional CMOS compatible stacked gradient homojunction photodiode array was simulated. Insulation and P-doped double boundary trench isolation were compared. Both geometries showed improved crosstalk suppression and enhanced sensitivity compared to photodiode geometries previously investigated, combined with a reduction in fabrication complexity for the insulation DBTI configuration.

A Holistic Approach To Establishing An Effective Learning Environment For Psychology, Lynne Cohen, Paul Chang, Julie Ann Pooley, Lisbeth Pike

Research outputs pre 2011

The impetus for the Enhancing Quality and Learning (EQUAL) programme evolved out of concerns held by the staff in the School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University (ECU) regarding the difficulties encountered by first year psychology students and the subsequent low retention rate of these students in the psychology course. The EQUAL programme focused on easing the transition of high school students into university studies by enhancing the social support networks of commencing students. The programme was designed to be an holistic approach to enhancing a sense of belonging to the School of Psychology and comprised seven components. These are …

"We Are Next!": Listening To Jewish Voices In A Multicultural Country, Lelia Rosalind Green, Gerry Bloustien, Mark Balnaves

Research outputs pre 2011

If the notion of being at home in one’s country is safe and reassuring, the homeland and the heartland of what we judge important, then the thought that a countryneeds its own homeland security is destined to create a sense of unease. Australia’s homeland security unit was set up in May 2003 (Riley), just weeks after theallies’ Coalition of the Willing had celebrated George W Bush’s declaration aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, of ‘Victory in Iraq’ (BBC). It might have been expected, inthis victorious glow, that the country would feel confidently able to return to a state of security. Apparently …

Acousto-Ultrasonic Optical Fiber Sensors: Overview And State-Of-The-Art, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper gives a review of acoustic and ultrasonic optical fiber sensors (OFSs). The review covers optical fiber sensing methods for detecting dynamic strain signals, including general sound and acoustic signals, high-frequency signals, i.e., ultrasonic/ultrasound, and other signals such as acoustic em

A Micro-Photonic Stationary Optical Delay Line For Fibre Optic Time Domain Oct, Paul V. Jansz, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

We present results for the characterisation of a micro-photonic stationary optical delay line. The delay line is intended to generate true time delays for a fibre optic based optical coherence tomography system.

An Intensiometric Detection System For Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

We present an intensiometric detection system for fibre Bragg grating sensors. The system is designed to directly detect intensity modulated signals, or to convert spectrally modulated signals into intensity modulated signals.

Crude Birth Rates And Contraceptive Use By Racial/Ethnic Group In The U.S., 1990-2000, Victoria Stone

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This report analyzes crude birth rates and contraceptive use among women in the three primary racial/ethnic groups, White, Black, and Latina, and further examines birth rates by age-specific groups in the United States between 1990 and 2000.

Methods: The data examined here was derived from the NYC Vital Statistics 2002 Report and the Census 2000 SF4 table on Sex by Age by race and Latino nationality. The birth rates were calculated by dividing live birth numbers (Vital Statistics report) by total population count by age and racial/ethnic group (Census 2000 data) and multiplying this number by 1000.

Results: In …

Constitution 1975 (Rev. 2008), Government Of Greece

Documents

No abstract provided.

Systemic Problems In Information Technology Adoption And Use: A Systems Thinking Perspective, Syed Arshad Raza, Craig Standing

Research outputs pre 2011

Understanding and creating the conditions under which information systems will be embraced by human organizations (thinking systems) remain a high-priority research issue. Despite numerous benefits associated with Information Technology (IT), there exist some intervening factors (systemic problems or issues) that impede technology’s widespread adoption and use in organisations. Established information technology adoption models like TAM, TRA etc. view technology adoption from the users’ perspective without taking a strategic perspective into account. As an alternative focus we suggest that addressing systemic problems can be a method of reducing fundamental barriers to organizational progress. This paper presents some real life examples of …

Association Of Alleles Carried At Tnfa -850 And Bat1 -22 With Alzheimer's Disease, Anastazija Gnjec, Katarzyna D'Costa, Simon Laws, Ross Hedley, Kelvin Balakrishnan, Kevin Taddei, Georgia Martins, Athena Paton, Giuseppe Verdile, Samuel Gandy, Anthony Broe, William Brooks, Hayley Bennett, Olivier Piguet, Patricia Price, Judith Miklossy, Joachim Hallmayer, Patrick Mcgeer, Ralph Martins

Research outputs pre 2011

Background: Inflammatory changes are a prominent feature of brains affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). Activated glial cells release inflammatory cytokines which modulate the neurodegenerative process. These cytokines are encoded by genes representing several interleukins and TNFA, which are associated with AD. The gene coding for HLA-B associated transcript 1 (BAT1) lies adjacent to TNFA in the central major histocompatibility complex (MHC). BAT1, a member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases, appears to regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines associated with AD pathology. In the current study TNFA and BAT1 promoter polymorphisms were analysed in AD and control cases and …

Tunable True-Time Delay Unit Based On Opto-Vlsi Processing, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

A novel tunable true-time delay unit is proposed and demonstrated. The unit is based on the use of an Opto-VLSI processor that dynamically selects a single waveband or multiple wavebands from an RF-modulated broadband optical signal and routes them to a high-dispersion fiber for arbitrary time delay synthesis. Experimental results demonstrate continuously tunable time delay of up to 4 ns.

Obstacle Detection And Spectral Discrimination Using Multi-Wavelength Motionless Wide Angle Laser Scanning, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith

Research outputs pre 2011

Static laser scanning over a wide angle is demonstrated by ranging to 20 laser beams generated by a novel cylindrical quasi-cavity waveguide, using laser triangulation. Baseline distances and outgoing angles unique to each laser beam are calculated by modelling the triangulation arrangement using a system of linear equations and plotting principal rays. The quasi-cavity waveguide, imaging lens and focal plane are also plotted. The system is calibrated by finding optimal values for uncertain instrumental parameters using constrained non-linear optimization. Distances calculated over 5m indoors result in accuracies above 93%. Discrete laser spectroscopy using 640nm and 785nm laser diodes is also …

A Tunable Multiwavelength Laser Employing A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier And An Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Kamal Alameh, Yong T. Lee

Research outputs pre 2011

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a stable tunable multiwavelength laser employing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in conjunction with an opto-very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) processor. By uploading digital phase holograms onto the opto-VLSI processor, the amplified spontaneous emission of the SOA is arbitrarily sliced and injected back into the SOA to generate multiple lasing wavelengths with a linewidth of 0.5 nm. Experimental results demonstrate a tunable multiwavelength laser with a tuning range from 1528 to 1533 nm with power fluctuations of less than 0.5 dB.

Current Challenges Facing Information And Communications Technology: A Manifesto For Change, Donald Mcdermid

Research outputs pre 2011

A distinction is drawn concerning the true nature of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which previously was seen as technology-focused or techno centric but actually concerns transformation and the management of change in business (socio-techno centric). Current issues and challenges in ICT are examined and future trends and directions highlighted. This leads to a manifesto for change outlining a coherent approach to transforming ICT into a resource which fully contributes to business. Finally given this manifesto, challenges for tertiary education are outlined.

Evaluation Of An Optical Image Sensor For Use In The Microphotonic Real-Time Vegetation Discrimination System, Arie Paap, Sreten Askraba, Kamal Alameh, John Rowe

Research outputs pre 2011

A comparison between the performance of a commercially available line scan camera and a linear sensor array employed in a micro-photonic real-time vegetation discrimination system for use in selective herbicide spraying systems is presented.