Digital Commons Network^™

A ‘Better’ Education: An Examination Of The Utility Of Boarding School For Indigenous Secondary Students In Western Australia, Mary-Anne Macdonald, Eyal Gringart, Terry Ngarritjan Kessaris, Martin Cooper, Jan Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Over the past 10 years, great improvements have been observed in the Year 12 attainment rate of Indigenous Australians. This has been due, in part, to government funding of programmes aimed at improving education opportunity for Indigenous Australian students, including funding of scholarships for students from remote areas to attend boarding schools. The current qualitative study investigated the perspectives of school leaders and Indigenous secondary students across the Australian state of Western Australia, on the utility and impact of this boarding provision. Students identified that boarding education allowed them to achieve a dual goal of meaningful career pathways and improved …

A Simplified Simulation Model To Estimate The Storage Length Of The Right-Turn Lane In Left-Hand Traffic At Signalised Intersections For Different Signal Phases And Cycle Timings, Noura Ishak-Thomas, Steven J. Richardson, Sanjay K. Shukla

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

A large number of the current guidelines and models are used to estimate the right-turn lane (RTL) length in left-hand traffic at signalised intersections under split phase, in which the movement of traffic in the right-turn lane and through lane happen concurrently. There is a need to examine other phase types and timings as a part of the RTL design. This is particularly significant in the case of established intersections that cannot be modified due to physical constraints.

Methods:

A MATLAB based simulation programme was developed to provide an estimate of the right-turn lane storage length for different traffic …

An Entropy-Histogram Approach For Image Similarity And Face Recognition, Mohammed Aljanabi, Zahir Hussain, Song F. Lu

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Image similarity and image recognition are modern and rapidly growing technologies because of their wide use in the field of digital image processing. It is possible to recognize the face image of a specific person by finding the similarity between the images of the same person face and this is what we will address in detail in this paper. In this paper, we designed two new measures for image similarity and image recognition simultaneously. The proposed measures are based mainly on a combination of information theory and joint histogram. Information theory has a high capability to predict the relationship between …

Collaboration And The Emerging Craft Brewing Industry: An Exploratory Study, Alonso Duarte, Nevil Alexander, Seamus O'Brien

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In adopting various elements associated with the theory of collaboration, this exploratory study investigates collaboration in the context of predominantly micro- and small craft breweries. The findings revealed that collaboration within other brewers helped increase product quality, gain basic knowledge of new recipes, and enhance strategic knowledge about the industry. The applicability of the elements related to the theory of collaboration was confirmed. For instance, the element of stakeholders of a problem domain was aligned with the notion that craft brewery operators’ actions, including collaboration, can have significant impacts on the problem domain that brought them together

Development Of An Australian Nursing Critical Thinking Tool Using A Delphi Process, Elisabeth R. Jacob, Christine M. Duffield, Darren Jacob

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: To develop a critical thinking assessment tool for Australian undergraduate nurses. Background: Critical thinking is an important skill but difficult to assess in nursing practice. There are often many responses a nurse can make to a clinical problem or situation. Some responses are more correct than others and these decisions have an impact on a patient's care and safety. Differences in a response can relate to the depth of knowledge, experience and critical thinking ability of the individual nurse. Design: This study used a Delphi process to develop five clinical case studies together with the most appropriate clinical responses …

Entrepreneurial Csr, Managerial Role And Firm Resources: A Case Study Approach, Alonso Duarte, Ian P. Austin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the extant body of the entrepreneurship and business management literature, investigating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its implications for firms’ competitiveness. The cases of four different firms are examined through the lens of the resource-based view of the firm and role theory. Design/methodology/approach: Face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with the owners and managers of four model firms identified in Western Australia. Findings: While financial outcomes clearly stand out as the end goal for engaging in CSR-related practices, the importance of firm managers’ entrepreneurial role emerges in using existing resources …

Efficient Production Of A Mature And Functional Gamma Secretase Protease, Imran Khan, Sudarsan Krishnaswamy, Miheer Sabale, David M. Groth, Linda Wijaya, Michael Morici, Imre Berger, Christiane Schaffitzel, Paul E. Fraser, Ralph N. Martins, Giuseppe Verdile

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Baculoviral protein expression in insect cells has been previously used to generate large quantities of a protein of interest for subsequent use in biochemical and structural analyses. The MultiBac baculovirus protein expression system has enabled, the use of a single baculovirus to reconstitute a protein complex of interest, resulting in a larger protein yield. Using this system, we aimed to reconstruct the gamma (γ)-secretase complex, a multiprotein enzyme complex essential for the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. A MultiBac vector containing all components of the γ-secretase complex was generated and expression was observed for all components. The complex was active …

Feasibility And Preliminary Efficacy Of A 10-Week Resistance And Aerobic Exercise Intervention During Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Treatment In Rectal Cancer Patients, Favil Singh, Daniel A. Galvão, Robert Newton, Nigel A. Spry, Michael K. Baker, Dennis Taaffe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation treatment (CRT) in rectal cancer patients is associated with a reduction in physical capacity, lean mass and increased fatigue. As a countermeasure to these treatment-related adverse effects, we examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 10-week exercise program during CRT.

Methods:

Ten rectal cancer patients (7 men, aged 27-70 years, body mass index = 26.4 ± 3.8 kg/m2) receiving CRT undertook supervised resistance and aerobic exercise twice weekly. Assessments were undertaken pre- and post-intervention for upper and lower body muscle strength by 1-RM, muscle endurance, physical performance tests, body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry, quality of …

Nurse-Led Primary Health Care For Homeless Men: A Multimethods Descriptive Study, Michael A. Roche, Christine M. Duffield, Judith Smith, Dana A. Kelly, Robyn Cook, Jen M. Bichel-Findlay, Carla Saunders, David J. Carter

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: To explore the primary healthcare needs and health service use of homeless men in inner Sydney. Background: People experiencing homelessness have greater health needs than the general population and place high demands on tertiary care, which is expensive and may not be the optimum service for their needs. Accessible, approachable and affordable primary healthcare services could improve the health of homeless persons and potentially decrease costs to the healthcare system. Methods: A multimethod design using a cross-sectional survey (n = 40) and administrative data (n = 2 707 daily summaries) collected from a nurse-led primary healthcare clinic for homeless …

Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of Naplan In A Sample Of Independent Schools In Western Australia, Shane Rogers, Lennie Barblett, Ken Robinson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Stories appear frequently in the Australian media regarding parent and teacher perceptions and attitudes towards the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy. However, thorough empirical investigations of parent perceptions are sparse. This study presents a survey of 345 parents across Years 3 and 5 from a sample of Independent schools in Western Australia. A representative sample of teachers from these schools were also surveyed in order to compare and contrast parent and teacher perspectives about the transparency and accountability associated with testing, the usefulness of results for helping individual students, and the perceived clarity of communication of results. Findings reveal mixed …

Arts Engagement Outside Of School: Links With Year 10 To 12 Students’ Intrinsic Motivation And Self-Efficacy In Responding To Art, Julia Morris

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study draws on student engagement factors to examine the relationship between students’ non-school-based arts experiences on their intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy to participate in visual arts responding tasks. Visual arts responding in the curriculum includes learning about artists and artworks, decoding art and making critical judgements, and is important in building twenty-first century learning skills such as critical thinking and communication. A total of 266 Year 10 to 12 students from 18 schools in Western Australia (WA) participated in the quantitative research, which explored outside-school arts engagement as well as cognitive and psychological engagement factors in their current year …

Carbon Assimilation And Transfer Through Kelp Forests In The Ne Atlantic Is Diminished Under A Warmer Ocean Climate, Albert Pessarrodona, Philippa J. Moore, Martin Sayer, Dan Smale

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Global climate change is affecting carbon cycling by driving changes in primary productivity and rates of carbon fixation, release and storage within Earth's vegetated systems. There is, however, limited understanding of how carbon flow between donor and recipient habitats will respond to climatic changes. Macroalgal‐dominated habitats, such as kelp forests, are gaining recognition as important carbon donors within coastal carbon cycles, yet rates of carbon assimilation and transfer through these habitats are poorly resolved. Here, we investigated the likely impacts of ocean warming on coastal carbon cycling by quantifying rates of carbon assimilation and transfer in Laminaria hyperborea kelp forests—one …

Changes In Knowledge And Attitudes Of Hospital Environmental Services Staff: The Researching Effective Approaches To Cleaning In Hospitals (Reach) Study, Brett Mitchell, Nicole White, Alison Farrington, Michelle Allen, Katie Page, Anne Gardner, Kate Halton, Thomas Riley, Christian Gericke, David Paterson, Nicholas Graves, Lisa Hall

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

The Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in Hospitals (REACH) study tested a multimodal cleaning intervention in Australian hospitals. This article reports findings from a pre/post questionnaire, embedded into the REACH study, that was administered prior to the implementation of the intervention and at the conclusion of the study.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire, nested within a stepped-wedge trial, was administered. The REACH intervention was a cleaning bundle comprising 5 interdependent components. The questionnaire explored the knowledge, reported practice, attitudes, roles, and perceived organizational support of environmental services staff members in the hospitals participating in the REACH study.

Results

Environmental services …

Seed Coats Of Pulses As A Food Ingredient: Characterization, Processing, And Applications, Liezhou Zhong, Zhongxiang Fang, Mark L. Wahlqvist, Gangcheng Wu, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Stuart K. Johnson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background In recognition of their multiple benefits on environment, food security, and human health, pulses are attracting worldwide attention. The seed coat is a major by-product of pulse processing, and its only markets are as low value ruminant feed and very limited use in high fibre foods. Recently, accumulating studies have suggested that this underutilised by-product has greater potential as a novel natural “nutritious dietary fibre” which can be used as a functional food ingredient.

Scope and approach This review discusses biochemical and physicochemical functionalities of seed coats of six globally important pulses: chickpea, field pea, faba/broad bean, lentil and …

The Impact Of Coping Strategies On Occupational Stress And Turnover Intentions Among Hotel Employees, Songshan (Sam) Huang, Robert Van Der Veen, Zhenchun Song

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study examined the impact of problem solving, social support and avoidance as coping strategies on occupational stress and turnover intentions among hotel employees. Using a sample of 455 employees from seven hotels in Shandong Province, China, the study found that problem solving as a coping strategy predicts lower levels of occupational stress. Both social support and avoidance strategies were found to increase occupational stress instead. Occupational stress was positively correlated with hotel employees’ intentions to leave and the study furthermore clarified the role of occupational stress as an important mediator in the relationship between coping strategies and turnover intentions. …

Vegetable Diversity, Injurious Falls, And Fracture Risk In Older Women: A Prospective Cohort Study, Marc Sim, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Joshua Lewis, Catherine P. Bondonno, Amanda Devine, Kun Zhu, Richard J. Woodman, Richard L. Price, Jonathan M. Hodgson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The importance of vegetable diversity for the risk of falling and fractures is unclear. Our objective was to examine the relationship between vegetable diversity with injurious falling and fractures leading to hospitalization in a prospective cohort of older Australian women (n = 1429, ≥70 years). Vegetable diversity was quantified by assessing the number of different vegetables consumed daily. Vegetable intake (75 g servings/day) was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1998). Over 14.5 years, injurious falls (events = 568, 39.7%), and fractures (events = 404, 28.3%) were captured using linked health records. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, …

Whole Body Vibration Exposure On Markers Of Bone Turnover, Body Composition, And Physical Functioning In Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Michael K. Baker, Carolyn J. Mcintyre, Daniel A. Galvão, Catherine Hunt, Nigel Spry, Robert Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Women with breast cancer are often prescribed aromatase inhibitors, which can cause rapid loss of bone mass leading to significant potential for morbidity. Vibration training has been shown to be helpful in reducing bone turnover in postmenopausal women without cancer.

Aim: To examine the effect of vibration stimulus on markers of bone turnover in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors.

Methods: Thirty-one breast cancer survivors undergoing treatment with aromatase inhibitors were randomized to vibration stimulus (n = 14) or usual care control (n = 17). Low-frequency and low-magnitude vibration stimulus (27-32 Hz, 0.3g) was delivered in supervised …

Women's Rights In The Health Care System: Caesarean Delivery On Maternal Request, Ann-Claire Larsen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This article explores a systems-theoretical question on the resonance capacity of medicine and law that has enabled a recent obstetric change. Insights from autopoietic theory guide my analysis of these subsystems' preconditions or self-referencing processes supporting obstetrics to take up pregnant women's requests for caesarean sections for social reasons. Previously, obstetricians performed caesarean sections on medical grounds only. That change became possible: it resonated with obstetrics, despite limitations imposed on obstetrics and law by these subsystems' unique codes and programs, and in light of law's self-determining individual. This article argues that although the change represents a victory for women's human …

Extending The Job Embeddedness-Life Satisfaction Relationship: An Exploratory Investigation, Emmanuel T. Ampofo, Alan Coetzer, Paul Poisat

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

This exploratory study adopts a stakeholder perspective on organisational effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to examine the job embeddedness (JE)–life satisfaction relationship, moderating roles of gender and community embeddedness and mediating role of innovative behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a snowballing approach, data were collected from 549 participants employed in organisations located in four major metropolitan centres in South Africa.

Findings

Analyses revealed a positive relationship between JE and life satisfaction. Gender moderated the JE–life satisfaction relationship, such that the relationship was stronger among females than males. Community embeddedness moderated the organisation embeddedness–life satisfaction relationship, such that the relationship …

---

Go to article

Habitat Characteristics Provide Insights Of Carbon Storage In Seagrass Meadows, Inés Mazarrasa, Jimena Samper-Villarreal, Oscar Serrano, Paul S. Lavery, Catherine E. Lovelock, Núrià N. Marbà, Carlos M. Duarte, Jorge A. Cortés

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Seagrass meadows provide multiple ecosystem services, yet they are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Because of their role as carbon sinks, protection and restoration of seagrass meadows contribute to climate change mitigation. Blue Carbon strategies aim to enhance CO2 sequestration and avoid greenhouse gasses emissions through the management of coastal vegetated ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. The implementation of Blue Carbon strategies requires a good understanding of the habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration. Here, we review the existing knowledge on Blue Carbon research in seagrass meadows to identify the key habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration in seagrass …

Expanding Greenland Seagrass Meadows Contribute New Sediment Carbon Sinks, Núria Marbà, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Pere Masque´, Carlos M. Duarte

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The loss of natural carbon sinks, such as seagrass meadows, contributes to grenhouse gas emissions and, thus, global warming. Whereas seagrass meadows are declining in temperate and tropical regions, they are expected to expand into the Arctic with future warming. Using paleoreconstruction of carbon burial and sources of organic carbon to shallow coastal sediments of three Greenland seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows of contrasting density and age, we test the hypothesis that Arctic seagrass meadows are expanding along with the associated sediment carbon sinks. We show that sediments accreted before 1900 were highly 13C depleted, indicative of low inputs of seagrass …

Semi-Transparent Energy-Harvesting Solar Concentrator Windows Employing Infrared Transmission-Enhanced Glass And Large-Area Microstructured Diffractive Elements, Mikhail Vasiliev, Kamal Alameh, Mohsin Badshah, Seok-Min Kim, Mohammad Alam

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We report on the study of energy-harvesting performance in medium-size (400 cm²) glass-based semitransparent solar concentrators employing edge-mounted photovoltaic modules. Systems using several different types of glazing system architecture and containing embedded diffractive structures are prepared and characterized. The technological approaches to the rapid manufacture of large-area diffractive elements suitable for use in solar window-type concentrators are described. These elements enable the internal deflection and partial trapping of light inside glass-based concentrator windows. We focus on uncovering the potential of pattern-transfer polymer-based soft lithography for enabling both the improved photon collection probability at solar cell surfaces, and the …

The Microbiome Of The Gastrointestinal Tract Of A Range-Shifting Marine Herbivorous Fish, Jacquelyn Jones, Joseph D Dibattista, Michael Stat, Michael Bunce, Mary C Boyce, David V Fairclough, Michael J Travers, Megan J. Huggett

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Globally, marine species' distributions are being modified due to rising ocean temperatures. Increasing evidence suggests a circum-global pattern of poleward extensions in the distributions of many tropical herbivorous species, including the ecologically important rabbitfish

Towards Characterizing Lnapl Remediation Endpoints, Kaveh Sookhak Lari, John L. Rayner, Greg B. Davis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Remediating sites contaminated with light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) is a demanding and often prolonged task. It is vital to determine when it is appropriate to cease engineered remedial efforts based on the long-term effectiveness of remediation technology options. For the first time, the long term effectiveness of a range of LNAPL remediation approaches including skimming and vacuum-enhanced skimming each with and without water table drawdown was simulated through a multi-phase and multi-component approach. LNAPL components of gasoline were simulated to show how component changes affect the LNAPL's multi-phase behaviour and to inform the risk profile of the LNAPL. The …

Hr Orientations And Hr Department Effectiveness In Vietnam, Diep T. N. Nguyen, Stephen T. Teo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

Human resource (HR) philosophy and an organization’s commitment to employees (OCE) are important components of a human resource management (HRM) system, yet the influences of these variables on the effectiveness of HRM implementation has been less evident. Similarly, few studies have examined the effect of intended and implemented HR practices on line managers’ perceptions of HR department effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to examine how these factors could result in a positive evaluation of HR department effectiveness in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 consisted of 405 line managers and the authors used this sample to test the proposed …

Give Them A Chance: Public Attitudes To Sentencing Young Offenders In Western Australia, Suzanne Ellis, Natalie J. Gately Dr, Shane Rogers, Andree Horrigan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Public opinion is often reported as punitive towards sentencing young people. Attitudes remain important to investigate given their potential to influence policy within the criminal justice system. Therefore, it is important to understand the formation of these attitudes and their consistency with sentencing principles. Semi-structured interviews (n = 72) and surveys (n = 502) were used to gauge opinions of sentencing young people under different scenario manipulations (age, weapon, drug treatment, prior record). The findings revealed the public expected punishment, but favoured rehabilitation with an opportunity to repent, suggesting the public are open to alternatives to ‘tough on …

Does Sustainability Engagement Affect Stock Return Volatility? Evidence From The Chinese Financial Market, Junru Zhang, Harian G. Djajadikerta, Zhaoyong Zhang Prof

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper examines the impact of firms’ sustainability engagement on their stock returns and volatility by employing the EGARCH and FIGARCH models using data from the major financial firms listed in the Chinese stock market. We find evidence of a positive association between sustainability engagement and stock returns, suggesting firms’ sustainability news release in favour of the market. Although volatility persistence can largely be explained by news flows, the results show that sustainability news release has the significant and largest drop in volatility persistence, followed by popularity in Google search engine and the general news. Sustainability news release is found …

Tracing Water Masses With 129i And 236u In The Subpolar North Atlantic Along The Geotraces Ga01 Section, Maxi Castrillijo, Núria Casacuberta, Marcus Christl, Christoph Vockenhuber, Hans A. Synall, Maribel I. García-Ibáñez, Pascale Lherminier, Géraldine Sarthou, Jordi García-Orellana, Pere Masqué

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Pathways and timescales of water mass transport in the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean (SPNA) have been investigated by many studies due to their importance for the meridional overturning circulation and thus for the global ocean. In this sense, observational data on geochemical tracers provide complementary information to improve the current understanding of the circulation in the SPNA. To this end, we present the first simultaneous distribution of artificial 129I and 236U in 14 depth profiles and in surface waters along the GEOVIDE section covering a zonal transect through the SPNA in spring 2014. Our results show that the two tracers …

Re-Theorising Inclusion And Reframing Inclusive Practice In Physical Education, Dawn Penney, Ruth Jeanes, Justen O'Connor, Laura Alfrey

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Inclusion remains a key political agenda for education internationally and is a matter that teachers across subject communities and phases of education are challenged to respond to. In physical education specifically, research continues to highlight that current practice often reaffirms rather than challenges established inequities. This paper critically explores the understandings of inclusion that contribute to this situation and addresses the challenge of advancing inclusion in physical education from conceptual and pedagogical viewpoints. DeLuca’s [(2013). “Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Educational Inclusivity.” Canadian Journal of Education 36 (1): 305–348] conceptualisation of normative, integrative, dialogical and transgressive approaches to inclusion is …

Predictors Of Noncompliance To Antihypertensive Therapy Among Hypertensive Patients Ghana: Application Of Health Belief Model, Yaa Obirikorang, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Acheampong, Enoch Odame Anto, Daniel Gyamfi, Selorm Philip Segbefia, Michael Opoku Boateng, Dari Pascal Dapilla, Peter Kojo Brenya, Bright Amankwaa, Evans Asamoah Adu, Emmanuel Nsenbah Batu, Adjei Gyimah Akwasi, Beatrice Amoah

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study determined noncompliance to antihypertensive therapy (AHT) and its associated factors in a Ghanaian population by using the health belief model (HBM). This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kintampo Municipality in Ghana recruited a total of 678 hypertensive patients. The questionnaire constituted information regarding sociodemographics, a five-Likert type HBM questionnaire, and lifestyle-related factors. The rate of noncompliance to AHT in this study was 58.6%. The mean age (SD) of the participants was 43.5 (±5.2) years and median duration of hypertension was 2 years. Overall, the five HBM constructs explained 31.7% of the variance in noncompliance to AHT with a …