Digital Commons Network^™

Plain Language Review Of Cardiovascular Health Among Indigenous Australians, Caitlin Gray

Research outputs 2013

This document summarises, in plain language, information about the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides information about :

• the various cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors
• the extent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including prevalence, hospitalisation and death rates
• types and levels of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CVD patients
• strategies and programs that aim to improve the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The publication is a plain language summary of the Review of cardiovascular health among Indigenous Australians (2013) by …

Overview Of The Health Of Indigenous People In Western Australia 2013, Neil Thomson, Andrea Macrae, Anomie, Jane Burns, Belinda D'Costa, Caitlin Gray, Joanne Hoareau, Leah Levitan, Miranda Poynton, Kathy Ride, Avinna Trzesinski

Research outputs 2013

This Overview has been prepared by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as a part of our contributions to ‘closing the gap’ in health between Indigenous people and other Australians by making relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers, students and the general community.

The main purpose of the Overview is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health of Indigenous people.

Research for this Overview involved the collection, collation, and analysis of a wide range of relevant information, including both published and unpublished material. Sources …

Identifying Students Requiring English Language Support: What Role Can A Pela Play?, Anne J. Harris

Research outputs 2013

The number of higher education providers implementing a post-entry English Language Assessment (PELA) has increased exponentially in the past six years. This uptake has been driven largely by the “Good Practice Principles”, the TEQSA Act 2011, and TEQSA’s Quality Assessment on English Language Proficiency. Evidence suggests that at least 50% of Australian universities now offer some form of PELA, but few compel students to complete it. This paper discusses four years of learning that took place in one university, beginning with trialling a range of PELAs through to the endorsement of a short written task in all undergraduate courses. It …

Indirect Measures Of Learning Transfer Between Real And Virtual Environments, Michael J. Garrett, Mark T. Mcmahon

Research outputs 2013

This paper reports on research undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a 3D simulation environment used to train mining personnel in emergency evacuation procedures, designated the Fires in Underground Mines Evacuation Simulator (FUMES). Owing to the operational constraints of the mining facility, methods for measuring learning transfer were employed which did not require real world performance evaluation. Transfer measures that examined simulator performance relative to real world experience, fidelity assessment, and appraisal of the training value of the platform were utilised. Triangulation of results across all three measures indicated the presence of learning transfer, suggesting the viability of indirect measures …

A New Species Of Neocauculus (Acari: Prostigmata: Caeculidae) From Barrow Island, Western Australia, With A Checklist Of World Cauculidae, Christopher Taylor, Nihara Gunawardene, Adrianne C. Kinnear

Research outputs 2013

Neocaeculus imperfectus new species is described from material collected on Barrow Island, Western Australia. Keys to genera and Australasian species of Caeculidae are provided, and the relationship between the genera Neocaeculus and Microcaeculus is discussed. A checklist of species for Caeculidae is provided.

Physiological Demands Of Road Sprinting In Professional And U23 Cycling. A Pilot Study, Paolo Menaspa, Marc Quod, David Martin, James Victor, Chris Abbiss

Research outputs 2013

This pilot study described and compared the power output (absolute, relative to body weight and relative to frontal area) recorded during successful road sprints in professional and under 23 men’s cycling races. The study also described the exercise intensity and requirements of sprinters throughout final 10 min of the race. Nine successful (top 3) sprints performed by a professional (PRO: 23 y old, 1.76 m, 71.8 kg) and an under 23 (U23: 18 y old, 1.67 m, 63.2 kg) cyclist sprinter were analysed in this study. No statistical differences were found in absolute peak and average sprint power (PRO: 1370±51 …

Review Of Physical Activity Among Indigenous People, Caitlin A. Gray, Rona Macniven, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Physical activity is important for all Australians, particularly in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic conditions, and for social and emotional wellbeing. Chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, endocrine conditions (such as diabetes), and certain cancers, account for 70% of the observed difference in the burden of disease between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Modifiable risk factors, particularly behavioural determinants such as physical activity, can help to reduce the extent and impact of these conditions, and assist in the prevention, management and treatment of disease. The levels and impacts of physical inactivity are greater for Indigenous people than they …

Review Of Kidney Disease Among Indigenous People, Sasha A. Stumpers, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Kidney disease is a significant health problem for all Australians, but severe kidney disease is more common among Indigenous people than among non- Indigenous people. In particular, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the overall levels of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consistently reported as significantly higher than among other Australians. Information on CKD among Indigenous Australians is available from self-reported survey data, as well as from community-based studies and screening programs [10-20] but the main focus in the literature has been on ESKD. The incidence of ESKD is especially high …

Review Of Ear Health And Hearing Among Indigenous Australians, Jane F. Burns, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Indigenous Australians experience some of the highest levels of ear disease and hearing loss in the world, with rates up to ten times more than those for non-Indigenous Australians [4]. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to ear infections. The most common ear disease among Indigenous children is otitis media (OM), which is inflammation/infection of the middle ear typically caused by bacterial and viral pathogens. Indigenous children living in urban, rural and, particularly, remote areas, are more likely than their non-Indigenous counterparts to have OM at younger ages, more often, at a greater level of severity, and with more likelihood …

Pedal Force Effectiveness In Cycling: A Review Of Constraints And Training Effects, Rodrigo Bini, Patria Hume, James L. Croft, Andrew Kilding

Research outputs 2013

Pedal force effectiveness in cycling is usually measured by the ratio of force perpendicular to the crank (effective force) and total force applied to the pedal (resultant force). Most studies measuring pedal forces have been restricted to one leg but a few studies have reported bilateral asymmetry in pedal forces. Pedal force effectiveness is increased at higher power output and reduced at higher pedaling cadences. Changes in saddle position resulted in unclear effects in pedal force effectiveness, while lowering the upper body reduced pedal force effectiveness. Cycling experience and fatigue had unclear effects on pedal force effectiveness. Augmented feedback of …

Perceptions Of Five-Year Competitive Categories: Model Of How Relative Age Influences Competitiveness In Masters Sport, Nikola Medic, Bradley Young, J. Robert Grove

Research outputs 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the contrasting perceptions of masters swimmers related to the first and fifth constituent years of a 5-year age category. Swimmers aged between 35 and 93 years (154 male, 184 female) were surveyed at the 2008 FINA World Masters Championships. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the existence of the following five factors considered important for preparation, attendance, and success at masters competitions: awareness of advantages, expectancy, motivation, training, and physiological capacity. One sample ttests showed that masters swimmers are conscious of advantages that 5-year age categories afford to relatively-younger cohorts (i.e., those who are …

Optical Magnetometer Employing Adaptive Noise Cancellation For Unshielded Magnetocardiography, Valentina Tiporlini, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs 2013

This paper demonstrates the concept of an optical magnetometer for magnetocardiography. The magnetometer employs a standard Least-Mean-Squares (LMS) algorithm for heart magnetic field measurement within unshielded environment. Experimental results show that the algorithm can extract a weak heart signal from a much-stronger magnetic noise and detect the P, QRS, and T heart features and completely suppress the common power line noise component at 50 Hz.

Technique Adjustments Influence The Performance Of Sprint Paddling In Competitive Male Surfers, Jeremy M. Sheppard, Mark Osborne, Dale W. Chapman, Mark Andrews, Phil Mcnamara

Research outputs 2013

The present study evaluated what are considered common and contentious differences in paddling technique within the surfing population, across the three distinct categories of: 1) Paddle Stroke length (Reach); 2) Torso Inclination (Chest Position); and 3) Arm Recovery. To assess the differences among paddling techniques, this study employed a within-subjects comparison of sprint paddling kinematic performance differences. Twenty competitive male surfers (19.1±6.8 years, 168.2±11.3 cm, 61.7±13.6 kg) performed 2 maximal trials each of Long vs. Short Reach, Chest Up vs. Down Position, and High vs. Low Arm Recovery during 15 m sprint paddle trials. The sprint paddle efforts were initiated …

Do Political Instability, Terrorism, And Corruption Have Deterring Effects On Tourism Development Even In The Presence Of Unesco Heritage? A Cross-Country Panel Estimate, Ghialy Choy Lee Yap, Shrabani Saha

Research outputs 2013

This article evaluates the effects of political instability, terrorism, and corruption on tourism development, particularly UNESCO-listed heritage destinations. Using a fixed-effects panel data analysis for 139 countries over the period 1999-2009, the result reveals that a one-unit increase in political instability decreases tourist arrivals and tourism revenue between 24% and 31% and 30% and 36%, respectively. Furthermore, in the presence of heritage, terrorism has negative effects on tourism demand even though its effect is lower than that of political instability. However, the study shows that an increase in corruption index would not have an adverse influence on tourist arrival numbers, …

Getting Inside The Black Box Of Technology Integration In Education: Teachers' Stimulated Recall Of Classroom Observations, Jo Tondeur, Lorraine H. Kershaw, Ruben Vanderlinde, Johan Van Braak

Research outputs 2013

This study explored the black box of technology integration through the stimulated recall of teachers who showed proficiency in the use of technology to support teaching and learning. More particularly, the aim of the study was to examine how these teachers use technology in their lessons and to gain deeper insights into the multifaceted influences affecting their current practices. In order to explore this black box, observations and stimulated recall interviews with primary school teachers were conducted in schools which were selected by the inspectorate on the basis of advances they had made in educational technology use. Stimulated recall interviews …

Engaging Students In Peer Review: Feedback As Learning, Catherine Moore, Susan Teather

Research outputs 2013

There is a growing interest in tertiary education in Australia about developing the capacity of learners to evaluate and improve both their own work and that of others (Boud & Falchikov, 2006; Oliver, 2011). In order to successfully direct their own learning beyond university (and engage in lifelong learning), students need to be able to evaluate their performance in relation to a standard, identify gaps, and determine how to bridge them in order to achieve the desired standard if required. One strategy that can be employed to help students achieve this is engaging them actively in a feedback process, so …

Using Sensemaking As A Diagnostic Tool In The Analysis Of Qualitative Data, Megan Paull, Ian Boudville, Helen Sitlington

Research outputs 2013

Analysis of qualitative data is a process which novice researchers must learn as they progress, and which experienced researchers must negotiate and adapt to suit the study they are undertaking and the data they are collected. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how researchers can use sensemaking to diagnose and explain phenomena in ordinary situations, and how it can be added as an analysis and interpretation tool in their toolkit. This paper describes the use of sensemaking employed as a tool for diagnosis of the processes which take place when a manager encounters perceived declining performance in an …

Analysing Data From Innovative Designs, Lelia Green

Research outputs 2013

No abstract provided.

Diversity And Equity...Community Building Strategies In Public Libraries For Multicultural Communities, Rajeswari Chelliah

Research outputs 2013

The research project focused on the community building potential in the public library due to increasing diversity in multicultural groups. Diversity in Australia and the world at large, is challenged by groups with backgrounds of traditionally embedded mind-sets, civil unrest, war, intolerance and poverty, and who live within the socio-cultural framework of the host culture. Building cohesion and integration among the residents is vital for all nations. The exploratory research project investigated the current level of public library services to Multicultural groups to obtain library staff views. The views of Multicultural individuals about their local public library experiences and information …

Building The Systematic Teaching Of Reading Across Independent Schools: 2011-2012: Final Report, Deslea Konza, Paul Woodley

Research outputs 2013

The PALL project commenced in March 2011 with principals and other school leaders of 19 schools from the Association of Independent Schools in Western Australia, and concluded in November 2012. Participants attended five professional learning modules that centred on the leadership of literacy learning (specifically reading) and carried out activities between modules to connect their learning with practical action in their schools. Supporting these activities was a Mentor, whose task was to assist principals to understand and internalise key messages from the workshops, to implement interventions in reading consistent with the learning undertaken during the modules, and to support leaders …

A Sense Of Home: A Cultural Geography Of The Leschenault Estuary District: Report, Sandra Wooltorton

Research outputs 2013

Executive Summary

In 2012, a project was implemented to determine the place-based social values of the people of the Leschenault Estuary district. The project included a historical study, a literature review, a survey with quantitative and qualitative questions, targeted community engagement (five focus groups, six individual interviews) and a photo-elicitation study with a group of high school children.

Research Question

What is history of the relationship between people and place in the Leschenault Estuary District, and what is the relationship in 2012? What were, and what are the place-based social values of the population?

Expanding The Vision: Synthetic Phonics In Action Ii, Deslea Konza

Research outputs 2013

The Yorke and Mid North - Roxby Downs Area School (YMN-RDAS) Literacy Project in 2013 was largely an extension of the literacy project conducted with the YMN region of the South Australian Department of Education and Child Development in 2012. The 2012 project outcomes were very positive (see Konza, 2013) and funding was made available for continuation of the main elements of the project with another cohort of primary schools in 2013. As was the case with the YMN 2012 project, it was designed to ‘value-add’ to the Principals as Literacy Leaders (PALL) project which had been implemented in the …

Creating Cultural Empathy And Challenging Attitudes Through Indigenous Narratives, Cobie Rudd, Moira Sim, Colleen Hayward, Toni Wain

Research outputs 2013

The poorer health status of Indigenous Australians has been largely attributed to social disadvantage and their marginalisation within mainstream society (Marmot, 2011). This includes access to health care, as well as proximity to health services, availability and cultural appropriateness of health services, transport availability, health insurance, the affordability of health services and patient proficiency in English (AIHW, 2011).

The interpersonal attitudes and behaviours of non-Indigenous health providers, both conscious and unconscious, are also known to contribute to disparities in treatment, impairment of communication between health providers and patients, and consequently, patients’ mistrust of the health system due to negative past …

Building Leadership Capacity In Undergraduate Students: Final Report For Altc Teaching Fellowship, Lynne Cohen

Research outputs 2013

This Fellowship addressed the significant issue of leadership. Its primary focus was researching and developing leadership skills in undergraduate students. The Fellowship was designed to develop and trial a leadership program specifically to enhance the competencies and skills of undergraduate students beyond their discipline knowledge. A group of universities across Australia agreed to participate in a pilot program to respond to the following identified issues.

• The area of leadership development in undergraduates has been under-researched and under-debated in recent work about graduate attributes, generic skills, and work integrated learning.

• There has been considerable focus on leadership development for …

Higher Degree Research Training Excellence: A Good Practice Framework, Joe Luca, Trish Wolski

Research outputs 2013

Over the last decade, the Australian Government has tabled a number of reports targeting improved research and research training outputs from Australian universities. This is placing all Australian universities under increased pressure to promote quality and timely research training outputs.

The Good Practice Framework (GPF) for research training has been developed to respond to the Australian Government’s agenda for research training and to promote Australian excellence in research training. The GPF assists institutions to identify key areas of good practice or gaps when reviewing and evaluating their research training processes and practices...

Zero To Eight: Young Children And Their Internet Use, Donell Holloway, Lelia Green, Sonia Livingstone

Research outputs 2013

EU Kids Online has spent seven years investigating 9-16 year olds’ engagement with the internet, focusing on the benefits and risks of children’s internet use. While this meant examining the experiences of much younger children than had been researched before EU Kids Online began its work in 2006, there is now a critical need for information about the internet-related behaviours of 0-8 year olds. EU Kids Online’s research shows that children are now going online at a younger and younger age, and that young children’s “lack of technical, critical and social skills may pose [a greater] risk” (Livingstone et al, …

Innovative Approaches For Investigating How Children Understand Risk In New Media: Dealing With Methodological And Ethical Challenges, Monica Barbovschi, Lelia Green, Sofie Vandoninck

Research outputs 2013

This report has been produced by drawing on examples of (self-assessed) innovative qualitative studies (or studies with a qualitative component) provided by researchers in the EU Kids Online network (see Annex 3). Its purpose is to offer an approach to qualitative research that balances methodological innovation with responsible, ethically sensitive attitudes towards research with and about children, and their online experiences. The anticipated audience of this report is an academic one, with at least some experience in qualitative social research. The report is intended to be useful to researchers with an inclination towards qualitative methodologies, to experienced qualitative researchers new …

Developing An Explanatory Model For The Process Of Online Radicalisation And Terrorism, Robyn Torok

Research outputs 2013

While the use of the internet and social media as a tool for extremists and terrorists has been well documented, understanding the mechanisms at work has been much more elusive. This paper begins with a grounded theory approach guided by a new theoretical approach to power that utilizes both terrorism cases and extremist social media groups to develop an explanatory model of radicalization. Preliminary hypotheses are developed, explored and refined in order to develop a comprehensive model which is then presented. This model utilizes and applies concepts from social theorist Michel Foucault, including the use of discourse and networked power …

Artificial Intelligence And Data Mining: Algorithms And Applications, Jianhong Xia, Fuding Xie, Yong Zhang, Craig Caulfield

Research outputs 2013

Artificial intelligence and data mining techniques have been used in many domains to solve classification, segmentation, association, diagnosis, and prediction problems. The overall aim of this special issue is to open a discussion among researchers actively working on algorithms and applications. The issue covers a wide variety of problems for computational intelligence, machine learning, time series analysis, remote sensing image mining, and pattern recognition. After a rigorous peer review process, 20 papers have been selected from 38 submissions. The accepted papers in this issue addressed the following topics: (i) advanced artificial intelligence and data mining techniques; (ii) computational intelligence in …

Where To Vocational Education In Kenya? Is Analysing Training And Development Needs The Answer To The Challenges In This Sector?, Susan W. Ngure

Research outputs 2013

This paper examines training and development (T&D) systems in the technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in Kenya. It is in response to the Kenya Vision 2030 document that identifies TVET as the anchor of its economic pillar through science, technology and innovation to boost Kenya’s industrialisation status. The document notes that skills training faces challenges such as mismatch of skills between the training institutions and the industry, and disparities in accessibility at all levels. This paper seeks to explore whether the accurate assessment of training needs is the answer to the challenges faced by the training program. Data for …