Digital Commons Network^™

A Systematic Review Of The Impact Of Powered Mobility Devices On Older Adults' Activity Engagement, Ryan W. Fomiatti, Janet E. Richmond, Lois K. Moir, Jeannine L. Millsteed

Research outputs 2013

Purpose: To systematically review the impact powered mobility devices have on engagement in independent occupations for adults with acquired mobility limitations.

Method: Electronic search of CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychInfo, OT Seeker, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Search terms included combinations of words to encompass all terms most likely used for powered mobility.

Results: Eleven studies were eligible for inclusion. One study was a true experimental design; four studies were pre-experimental, and six were nonexperimental. Studies indicated positive improvements to occupational engagement and independence while environmental barriers were identified as negatively impacting occupation and increasing risk of injury or …

Markers Of Circulating Tumour Cells In The Peripheral Blood Of Patients With Melanoma Correlate With Disease Recurrence And Progression, Anna L. Reid, M Millward, Robert Pearce, M Lee, M Frank, A Ireland, L Monshizadeh, Tapan Rai, P Heenan, Sandra Medic, P Kumarasinghe, Melanie R. Ziman

Research outputs 2013

Background: Multimarker quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) represents an effective method for detecting circulating tumour cells in the peripheral blood of patients with melanoma.

Objectives: To investigate whether the phenotype of circulating melanoma cells represents a useful indicator of disease stage, recurrence and treatment efficacy.

Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 230 patients with melanoma and 152 healthy controls over a period of 3 years and 9 months. Clinical data and blood samples were collected from patients with primary melanoma (early stages, 0-II, n = 154) and metastatic melanoma (late stages, III-IV, n = 76). Each specimen was examined …

Resilience And Economic Empowerment: A Qualitative Investigation Of Entrepreneurial Indonesian Women, Min Ing Loh, Rayini Dahesihsari

Research outputs 2013

The development of female entrepreneurs in Indonesia is an integral part of Muslim women's economic contributions and empowerment. However, there is a lack of reliable research about female entrepreneurship and how gender may affect the experiences of business ownership in Indonesia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the challenges encountered by these women entrepreneurs on a daily basis. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 female Indonesian entrepreneurs. Participants were recruited using theoretical and maximum variation sampling techniques. Content analysis was then used to analyze the data. Results revealed high levels of variations, both within and between …

John Manningham At The Blackfriars Theatre, Charles Edelman

Research outputs 2013

Although it covers a mere sixteen months, from January 1602 to April 1603, the Diary of John Manningham, written when he was a twenty-five year old law student at the Middle Temple, is a rich and entertaining source of information about life in Elizabethan London, especially at the Inns of Court where he resided. Along with lengthy discussions of the sermons heard each Sunday (usually one in the morning followed by another in the afternoon), we have jokes, gossip, poems, a fascinating account of Queen Elizabeth’s last days, and many witticisms he heard and enjoyed, sometimes mentioning the source, but …

Plasmon-Mediated Magneto-Optical Transparency, Vladimir Belotelov, L. E. Kreilkamp, Ilya Akimov, A Kalish, D Bykov, S Kasture, V Yallapragada, A Gopal, A M Grishin, S I Khartsev, Mohammad Nur E Alam, Mikhail Vasiliev, L Doskolovich, D Yakovlev, Kamal Alameh, A K Zvezdin, M Bayer

Research outputs 2013

Magnetic field control of light is among the most intriguing methods for modulation of light intensity and polarization on sub-nanosecond timescales. The implementation in nanostructured hybrid materials provides a remarkable increase of magneto-optical effects. However, so far only the enhancement of already known effects has been demonstrated in such materials. Here we postulate a novel magneto-optical phenomenon that originates solely from suitably designed nanostructured metal-dielectric material, the so-called magneto-plasmonic crystal. In this material, an incident light excites coupled plasmonic oscillations and a waveguide mode. An in-plane magnetic field allows excitation of an orthogonally polarized waveguide mode that modifies optical spectrum …

Computer-Based Exams In Schools: Freedom From The Limitations Of Paper?, Christopher Paul Newhouse

Research outputs 2013

There is little doubt that the curriculum content and pedagogy in schools is driven by the structure and forms of assessment employed, particularly for summative purposes. When most such assessment was limited to what a student could do with a pen and paper in short ‘exams’ this pushed the content of the curriculum towards small descriptive chunks, and the pedagogy towards memorisation and replication techniques. Over the past two decades alternative forms of assessment supported by the power of computer systems have been conceived and tried. This paper discusses progress towards various forms of computer-based exams and how these may …

Prisoner Education And Training, And Other Characteristics: Western Australia, July 2005 To June 2010, Margaret Giles, Jacqui Whale

Research outputs 2011

Executive summary

Spending public funds on educating and training prisoners can generate a significant return on investment, because as this report argues, studying in prison can reduce costly recidivism and improve life outcomes for ex-prisoners. What are the costs of recidivism? Let’s start with incarceration. Prisoners cost money - about $110,000 per prisoner a year. With over 4,000 prisoners in WA prisons at any one time and a turnover of 8,000 prisoners per year, incarceration is a costly business. In addition, there are policing and legal costs related to finding, charging and sentencing alleged offenders; as well as costs to …

Meta-Analysis Of Economics Research Reporting Guidelines, Tom Stanley, Hristos Doucouliagos, Margaret J. Giles, Jost Heckemeyer, Robert Johnston, Patrice Laroche, Jon Nelson, Martin Paldam, Jacques Poot, Geoff Pugh, Randall S. Rosenberger, Katja Rost

Research outputs 2013

Meta-regression analysis (MRA) can provide objective and comprehensive summaries of economics research. Their use has grown rapidly over the last few decades. To improve transparency and to raise the quality of MRA, the meta-analysis of economics research-network (MAER-Net) has created the below reporting guidelines. Future meta-analyses in economics will be expected to follow these guidelines or give valid reasons why a meta-analysis must deviate from them.

The Economic Benefits Of Increased Levels Of Nursing Care In The Hospital Setting, Diane E. Twigg, Elizabeth Geelhoed, Alexandra Bremner, Christine M. Duffield

Research outputs 2013

Aim: To assess the economic impact of increased nursing hours of care on health outcomes in adult teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia.

Background: Advancing technology and increased availability of treatment interventions are increasing demand for health care while the downturn in world economies has increased demand for greater efficiency. Nurse managers must balance nurse staffing to optimize care and provide efficiencies.

Design: This longitudinal study involved the retrospective analysis of a cohort of multi-day stay patients admitted to adult teaching hospitals.

Methods: Hospital morbidity and staffing data from September 2000 until June 2004, obtained in 2010 from a previous …

An Independent Audit Of The Australian Food Industry's Voluntary Front-Of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Scheme For Energy-Dense Nutrition-Poor Foods, Owen B. Carter, Brennen W. Mills, Tina Phan, Elanie Lloyd

Research outputs 2013

Background/Objective: Since 2006, the Australian food industry has promoted its front-of-pack (FOP) food labelling system-the Daily Intake Guide (DIG)-as a success story of industry self-regulation. With over 4000 products already voluntary featuring the DIG, the industry argues that government regulation of FOP nutrition labelling is simply unnecessary. However, no independent audit of the industry's self-regulation has ever been undertaken and we present the first such Australian data.

Subjects/Methods: Energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) snacks were audited at nine Australian supermarkets, including biscuits, candy, ice creams, chocolates, crisps, sports drinks, energy drinks, flavoured milks, sweetened juices and soft drinks. In these categories nutrition …

Myocardial Infarction: Sex Differences In Symptoms Reported To Emergency Dispatch, Linda L. Coventry, Alexandra Bremmer, Ian Jacobs, Judith Finn

Research outputs 2013

Background: Emergency management of myocardial infarction (MI) is time-critical, because improved patient outcomes are associated with reduced time from symptom onset to definitive care. Previous studies have identified that women are less likely to present with chest pain.

Objective: We sought to measure the effect of sex on symptoms reported to the ambulance dispatch and ambulance times for MI patients.

Methods: The Western Australia Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) was used to identify patients with emergency department (ED) diagnoses of MI (ST-segment elevation MI and non–ST-segment elevation MI) who arrived by ambulance between January 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009. …

Having A Greater Proportion Of Registered Nurses In A Respiratory Care Centre Is Associated With Fewer Urinary Infections And Increased Successful Ventilator Weaning, Diane E. Twigg

Research outputs 2013

This study explored the impact of skill mix model changes on patient outcomes in a critical care environment, specifically, a respiratory care centre based in a southern Taiwan medical centre. It identified that the cost of ventilator-dependent patients in Taiwan in 1999 was 3.5 billion New Taiwan dollars, equivalent to US$ 121 million. In this context, controlling the costs of healthcare while maintaining quality care became critical. This research examined two skill mix staffing models, a mixed registered nurse (RN) and nursing aid model and a 100% RN model, and their impact on patient outcomes. Patient outcomes were pressure ulcers, …

Effects Of Emergency Department Care Coordination Team Referrals In Older People Presenting With A Fall, Kristie J Harper, Nicholas P. Gibson, Annette D Barton, Antonio C Petta, Sara K Pearson, Antonio Celenza

Research outputs 2013

Objectives: The study aims to describe the characteristics of patients presenting to an ED with a fall and evaluate multidisciplinary Care Coordination Team (CCT) referrals on patient outcomes.

Methods: A single-centred retrospective analysis of electronic data at an adult tertiary hospital was performed using data from 2004 to 2009 of presentations for patients aged 65 years or over with a fall. The primary outcome measure was representation to hospital within 30 days, comparing patients referred to CCT and those not referred. Secondary outcomes were differences in demographic characteristics, mode of arrival, triage score and readmission.

Results: The proportion of ED …

Thermal Stress In North Western Australian Iron Ore Mining Staff, Jermiah John Peiffer, Chris Abbiss

Research outputs 2013

Introduction: Demand for Australian mined iron ore has increased employment within this sector, thus exposing increased numbers of workers to the harsh Australian climate. This study examined the influence of hot (>30°C wet bulb globe temperature) environmental temperatures, consistent with working in North Western Australia, on iron ore mining staff.

Methods: Core temperature, hydration status, perceived exertion, mood, and fatigue state were measured in 77 participants at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-shift) during a normal 12-h shift at an open-cut iron ore mining/processing site (n = 31; Site1) and an iron ore processing/shipping site (n = 46; …

A Lower Limb Assessment Tool For Athletes At Risk Of Developing Patellar Tendinopathy, Kerry Mann, Suzi Edwards, Eric J. Drinkwater, Stephen Bird

Research outputs 2013

Achilles tendinopathy is a common injury in running sports however the exact etiology of Achilles injury is still unclear. In recent years, altered neuromotor recruitment patterns of the triceps surae have been hypothesized to create differential intra-tendinous loads leading to pathology; however, this hypothesis has not been investigated. Further, the effect foot orthoses may have on neuromotor recruitment of the triceps surae in Achilles tendinopathy has not been investigated. Methods: The electromyographic activity of the triceps surae was recorded during an over-ground running task. Fifteen Achilles injured participants and 19 asymptomatic controls were assessed in a footwear only condition. The …

Visual Analog Scale And Pressure Pain Threshold For Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Assessment, Wing Y. Lau, Makii Mishan Muthalib, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2013

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between two assessments to quantify delayed onset muscle soreness [DOMS]: visual analog scale [VAS] and pressure pain threshold [PPT].

Methods: Thirty-one healthy young men [25.8±5.5 years] performed 10 sets of six maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors with their non-dominant arm. Before and one to four days after the exercise, muscle pain perceived upon palpation of the biceps brachii at three sites [5, 9 and 13cm above the elbow crease] was assessed by VAS with a 100mm line [0=no pain, 100=extremely painful], and PPT of the same sites was determined by an algometer. Changes …

Correlation Of Throwing Velocity To The Results Of Lower Body Field Tests In Male College Baseball Players, G Lehman, Eric J. Drinkwater, David Behm

Research outputs 2013

Baseball-specific athleticism, potential, and performance have been difficult to predict. Increased muscle strength and power can increase throwing velocity but the majority of research has focused on the upper body. The present study sought to determine if bilateral or unilateral lower-body field testing correlates with throwing velocity. Baseball throwing velocity scores were correlated to the following tests: medicine ball (MB) scoop toss and squat throw, bilateral and unilateral vertical jumps, single and triple broad jumps, hop and stop in both directions, lateral to medial jumps, 10- and 60-yd sprints, and both left and right single-leg 10-yd hop for speed in …

Should Silent Reading Feature In A Secondary School English Programme? West Australian Students' Perspectives On Silent Reading, Margaret Merga

Research outputs 2013

The purpose of my article is to provide an opportunity for reflection on the merit of incorporating Silent Reading into secondary learning programmes. The role of Silent Reading in the learning programme has been the subject of recent research, yielding mixed findings. I explore the current issues that have arisen in research which warrant the consideration of practitioners, with a particular focus on adolescent learners. These issues are subsequently examined in light of findings from the recent West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading. Qualitative data from semi-structured, dyadic interviews were gathered and analysed, with the reflections of students providing …

A Blood-Based Predictor For Neocortical Aβ Burden In Alzheimer's Disease: Results From The Aibl Study, Samantha Burnham, Noel Faux, William Wilson, Simon Laws, David Ames, Justin Bedo, Ashley Bush, James Doecke, Kathryn Ellis, Richard Head, Gareth Jones, Harri Kiiveri, Ralph N. Martins, Alan Rembach, Christopher Rowe, Olivier Salvado, S Lance Macaulay, Colin Masters, Victor Villemagne

Research outputs 2013

Dementia is a global epidemic with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the leading cause. Early identification of patients at risk of developing AD is now becoming an international priority. Neocortical Aβ (extracellular β-amyloid) burden (NAB), as assessed by positron emission tomography (PET), represents one such marker for early identification. These scans are expensive and are not widely available, thus, there is a need for cheaper and more widely accessible alternatives. Addressing this need, a blood biomarker-based signature having efficacy for the prediction of NAB and which can be easily adapted for population screening is described. Blood data (176 analytes measured in …

Can A Specific Neck Strengthening Program Decrease Cervical Spine Injuries In A Men's Professional Rugby Union Team? A Retrospective Analysis, Robert Naish, Angus Burnett, Sally Burrows, Warren Andrews, Brendyn Appleby

Research outputs 2013

Cervical spine injuries in Rugby Union are a concerning issue at all levels of the game. The primary aim of this retrospective analysis conducted in a professional Rugby Union squad was to determine whether a 26-week isometric neck strengthening intervention program (13-week strengthening phase and 13- week maintenance phase) was effective in reducing the number and severity of cervical spine injuries. The secondary aim was to determine whether at week five, where the program had been the similar for all players, there was increased isometric neck strength. All 27 players who were common to both the 2007- 2008 and 2008-2009 …

Occupational Respiratory Health Surveillance At Minara Resources, Murrin Murrin Mine Site [Journal Article], Martyn Cross, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2013

A respiratory health study of fly-in-fly-out workers potentially exposed to airborne contaminants, and a control group, was conducted at the Murrin Murrin mine site in Western Australia. Lung function was measured in terms of validated protocols (American Thoracic Society, 1995; Miller et al, 2005). The effect of length of service, as well as work area/department on lung function was established. Repeat lung function tests were conducted after approximately two years, in order to measure decrements over time. Furthermore, testing was conducted on a cohort of refinery workers prior to commencement and upon completion of their work period on-site (swing), in …

Hotel Guest E-Questionnaires: Implications For Feedback And Relationships, Alfred Ogle, Nadine Henley, Michelle Rowe, Sybe Jongeling, Stephen Fanning

Research outputs 2013

This paper examines the reliability and efficacy of hotel guest e-mail questionnaire compared to the paper questionnaire in the Asian Pacific context. Conducted in Perth, Singapore and Penang, cities with mature hospitality and tourism industries and a representation of chain and independent deluxe hotels, this exploratory qualitative study examines hotelier views of e-mail guest communication derived from content analysis of guest questionnaires format and content and in-depth interviews with senior hoteliers. The findings indicated that e-questionnaires manifested as e-mails, as a direct replacement of the paper questionnaire, appear to be premature given divergent hotelier views and shortcomings in email response …

Five Year Olds Doing Science And Technology: How Teachers Shape The Conversation, Anne Thwaite, Graham Mckay

Research outputs 2013

This paper presents an analysis of a series of lessons observed and recorded over nine weeks in a pre-primary classroom where children were undertaking science and technology activities. Using a functional discourse analysis, we describe how teachers use various strategies to structure the discourse to facilitate children's learning in this area. These strategies include various methods of controlling the topic and discourse participants, techniques involving questioning, ways of dealing with vocabulary and constructing inclusive relationships with children. We propose that explication of these discourse strategies is a valuable research tool for pre-service and new teachers who are evolving their own …

Firewatch: Creative Responses To Bushfire Catastrophes, Donell J. Holloway, Lelia Green, Danielle Brady

Research outputs 2013

No abstract provided.

Reconceputualising Security Strategies For Courts: Developing A Typology For Safer Court Environments, Anne Wallace, Deborah Blackman, Emma Rowden

Research outputs 2013

There have been heightened concerns about security in courts in recent years, prompting a strong response that has largely been focused on perimeter security. This paper draws on recent research conducted in Australian on court user’s safety needs, to propose a typology for designing safer courtroom environments that moves beyond the entry point to the court, and incorporates consideration of process and design elements.

A Collaborative And Consultative Approach To Embedding Employability Skills Across The Curriculum, Diane Bunney, Leonard Therry

Research outputs 2013

This paper describes how a collaborative and consultative approach was applied to the embedding of employability skills across the twelve unit Master of Professional Accounting by one School in an Australian university. Three distinct phases are carried out in this project and reported on in this paper. The first phase involved identification of key employability skills. The second phase involved gathering of information from unit co-ordinators teaching in the program. Four main sources were investigated: unit plans, questionnaires, interviews, and then follow-up questionnaires. Information from these sources revealed that there was no co-ordinated approach to addressing employability skills in the …

Earthquake Load Attenuation Using Eps Geofoam Buffers In Rigid Wall Applications, Richard J. Bathurst, S Zarnani

Research outputs 2013

The paper is a synthesis of previously published work by the authors that is focused on the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam buffers for seismic load attenuation against rigid basement and soil retaining walls. The paper begins with a brief description of the first documented field application followed by a description of physical 1 m-high reduced-scale shaking table tests that provided the first "proof of concept". Next, details of the development and verification of a displacement-based model and a FLAC numerical model are described and simulation results that were verified against the physical shaking table tests presented. The numerical …

Through The Viewfinder: Reflecting On The Collection And Analysis Of Classroom Video Data, Angela Fitzgerald, Mark Hackling, Vaille Dawson

Research outputs 2013

The possibilities inherent in the collection and use of video footage point to an important innovation for classroom research. Unfortunately, researchers often experience uncertainty about incorporating video into their methodological approach as it can present a potential minefield of operational, technical, and ethical issues that require consideration and negotiation. Nevertheless, with the increased emphasis on the use of digital technologies, the timing is right to engage in more in-depth discussions about the role of video data in education research. In contributing to this discussion, this article unpacks several issues connected to the use of video technology as a tool for …

Expertise Paradigms For Investigating The Neural Substrates Of Stable Memories, Guillermo Campitelli, Craig Speelman

Research outputs 2013

No abstract available.

How Mean Is The Mean?, Craig P. Speelman, Marek Mcgann

Research outputs 2013

In this paper we voice concerns about the uncritical manner in which the mean is often used as a summary statistic in psychological research. We identify a number of implicit assumptions underlying the use of the mean and argue that the fragility of these assumptions should be more carefully considered. We examine some of the ways in which the potential violation of these assumptions can lead us into significant theoretical and methodological error. Illustrations of alternative models of research already extant within Psychology are used to explore methods of research less mean-dependent and suggest that a critical assessment of the …