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University of Wollongong

2009

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Articles 631 - 656 of 656

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Method For Reducing Wave Based Teleoperator Reflections, L H. Bate, C D. Cook, Z Li Jan 2009

A Method For Reducing Wave Based Teleoperator Reflections, L H. Bate, C D. Cook, Z Li

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Wave variables guarantee stability for delayed teleoperation. They also introduce reflections which can prove very disorientating for an operator. This paper presents a new method for reducing the wave reflections when operating in nonlinear and unknown environments. Simulations and laboratory experiments shows the new method does not only guarantee stability but also reduce wave reflections allowing for improved velocity tracking and force feedback.

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Towards Problem Solving Methods In Multi-Agent Systems, Paul Bogg, Ghassan Beydoun, Graham Low Jan 2009

Towards Problem Solving Methods In Multi-Agent Systems, Paul Bogg, Ghassan Beydoun, Graham Low

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Problem Solving Methods (PSM) are abstract structures that describe specific reasoning processes employed to solve a set of similar problems and have proved very effective at enhancing reuse and extensibility in developing knowledge-based systems. We envisage that off-the-shelf PSMs can similarly assist in the development of agent-oriented solutions using Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). A challenge towards the effective use of PSMs in MAS is that current approaches to formulating PSMs do not adequately address the complexity of problems to which agent-oriented systems are suited. Towards addressing this, this paper focuses on providing an approach to guide developers in adequately formulating PSMs …

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Frp Composites In Structures: Some Recent Research, J G. Teng, L Lam, J F. Chen, J G. Dai, T Yu Jan 2009

Frp Composites In Structures: Some Recent Research, J G. Teng, L Lam, J F. Chen, J G. Dai, T Yu

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

An on-going research programme led by the first author at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has addressed many issues in the application of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil engineering structures. While the main focus of the programme has been on the behaviour and modelling of reinforced concrete (RC) and metallic structures strengthened with bonded FRP reinforcement, increasing attention has also been devoted to the use of FRP composites in new construction. This paper presents a brief summary of some of the latest advances of the research programme, covering the strengthening of RC structures with bonded FRP reinforcement, seismic …

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A Control Strategy For Output Maximisation Of A Pmsg-Based Variable-Speed Wind Turbine, M E. Haque, K M. Muttaqi, M Negnevitsky Jan 2009

A Control Strategy For Output Maximisation Of A Pmsg-Based Variable-Speed Wind Turbine, M E. Haque, K M. Muttaqi, M Negnevitsky

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper presents a control strategy for output maximisation of a direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based small-scale variable-speed wind turbine. The control topology uses a single switch three-phase switch-mode rectifi er and the generator torque, and power is controlled by controlling the switch duty cycle of the switch. To extract maximum power from the wind, the torque reference of the PMSG is calculated from generator speed and wind turbine characteristics. From this torque reference, a current reference is calculated using measured DC link voltage and generator speed. The current error is then used to control the duty cycle …

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Recent Developments With Ultrathin Cast Strip Products Produced By The Castrip® Process, Daniel G. Edelman, Peter C. Campbell, Chris R. Killmore, Kristin R. Carpenter, Harold R. Kaul, James G. Williams, Walter N. Blejde Jan 2009

Recent Developments With Ultrathin Cast Strip Products Produced By The Castrip® Process, Daniel G. Edelman, Peter C. Campbell, Chris R. Killmore, Kristin R. Carpenter, Harold R. Kaul, James G. Williams, Walter N. Blejde

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part B

Recent product developments at the Castrip facility at Nucor's Crawfordsville, Ind., plant have focused on expanding its range of light-gauge hot rolled products. This paper presents an overview of these recent product development experiences.

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Bolt Profile Configuration And Load Transfer Capacity Optimisation, Naj Aziz, Jan Nemcik, Chen Cao, Hossein Jalalifar Jan 2009

Bolt Profile Configuration And Load Transfer Capacity Optimisation, Naj Aziz, Jan Nemcik, Chen Cao, Hossein Jalalifar

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Both bolt profile shape and spacing (rib spacing) have been found to influence the bonding capacity of the grouted rock bolt. The bolt surface profile configuration has greater importance to rock bolting in strata reinforcement in mining than the steel rebar used in civil engineering construction. This is because a rock bolt in mining usually is subjected to greater dynamic loading than the steel rebar in civil engineering construction. The increased bonding capacity of a bolt is important when supported ground is either heavily fractured, faulted or the supported ground is of soft formation, typically that of coal measure rocks. …

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Superposition Coded Modulation With Peak-Power Limitation, Jun Tong, Li Ping, Xiao Ma Jan 2009

Superposition Coded Modulation With Peak-Power Limitation, Jun Tong, Li Ping, Xiao Ma

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

We apply clipping to superposition coded modulation (SCM) systems to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the transmitted signal. The impact on performance is investigated by evaluating the mutual information driven by the induced peak-power-limited input signals. It is shown that the rate loss is marginal for moderate clipping thresholds if optimal encoding/decoding is used. This fact is confirmed in examples where capacityapproaching component codes are used together with the maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) detection. In order to reduce the detection complexity of SCM with a large number of layers, we develop a suboptimal soft compensation (SC) method …

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Numerical Study On Self-Similar Pulses In Mode-Locking Fiber Laser By Coupled Ginzburg-Landau Equation Model, Ting Lei, Chenghou Tu, Fuyun Lu, Yixin Deng, Enbang Li Jan 2009

Numerical Study On Self-Similar Pulses In Mode-Locking Fiber Laser By Coupled Ginzburg-Landau Equation Model, Ting Lei, Chenghou Tu, Fuyun Lu, Yixin Deng, Enbang Li

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

A theoretical model is established to study the self-similar pulses in nonlinear polarization evolution (NPE) mode-locked fiber lasers. The propagation of pulse in single mode fibers and gain fibers are described by coupled Ginzburg- Landau equation (GLE). Two wave plates and a polarizer are considered to realize the NPE mechanism in simulation. This model describes the laser completely and provides some useful pulses' information. In our simulation the laser generates high quality self-similar pulses output. The region of steady self-similar pulses operation is found. The polarization states of different parts across the pulse are simulated along the laser cavity. It …

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Bauschinger Effect In Nb And V Alloyed Line-Pipe Steels, Andrii Kostryzhev, Martin Strangwood, Claire L. Davis Jan 2009

Bauschinger Effect In Nb And V Alloyed Line-Pipe Steels, Andrii Kostryzhev, Martin Strangwood, Claire L. Davis

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The UOE process is used for cold forming of large diameter steel line-pipes. Pipe strength has been found to increase (work hardening) or decrease (Bauschinger effect) after the UOE process compared to the plate depending on the steel grade, plate and pipe processing history. The steel chemistry, through the presence of microalloy precipitates, and prior processing, through the size and distribution of microalloy precipitates and presence of retained work hardening, affects the magnitude of the Bauschinger effect. In this paper the microstructures of two (Nb and Nb-V alloyed) steel plates, in terms of (Nb,V)(C,N) particle distributions and dislocation densities, have …

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Developments In Coal Mine Methane Drainage And Utilisation In Australia, Dennis John Black, Naj Aziz Jan 2009

Developments In Coal Mine Methane Drainage And Utilisation In Australia, Dennis John Black, Naj Aziz

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In recent years there has been significant development in the field of coalbed and coal mine methane drainage and utilisation in Australia. This development has, in part, been necessitated by the rapid increase in mine production capacity and the need to maintain the safety of the mine and its employees through effective management of coal seam gas emission and outburst risk. The increased awareness of the contribution of coal mine gas emission, estimated to account for 4-5% of Australia's 559 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2-e) annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is placing additional pressure on operators to increase coal …

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Solution Of Inverse Kinematic Problem For Serial Robot Using Dual Quaterninons And Plucker Coordinates, Emre Sariyildiz, Hakan Temeltas Jan 2009

Solution Of Inverse Kinematic Problem For Serial Robot Using Dual Quaterninons And Plucker Coordinates, Emre Sariyildiz, Hakan Temeltas

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In this paper we present a new formulation method to solve kinematic problem of serial robot manipulators. In this method our major aims are to formulize inverse kinematic problem in a compact closed form and to avoid singularity problem. This formulation is based on screw theory with dual - quaternion. Compared with other methods, screw theory methods just establish two coordinates, and its geometrical meaning is obvious. We used dual-quaternion in plücker coordinates as a screw operator for compactness. 6R-DOF industrial robot manipulators forward and inverse kinematic equations are derived using this new formulation and simulation results are given.

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Effects Of Shoe Heel Height On Loading And Muscle Activity For Trans-Tibial Amputees During Standing, Xiaohong Jia, Rencheng Wang, Winson Lee Jan 2009

Effects Of Shoe Heel Height On Loading And Muscle Activity For Trans-Tibial Amputees During Standing, Xiaohong Jia, Rencheng Wang, Winson Lee

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This study accesses the effects of shoe heel heights on loading, muscle activity, and plantar foot pressure of trans-tibial amputees during standing. Five male subjects with unilateral trans-tibial amputation volunteered to participate in this study. Three pairs of shoes with zero, 20 mm, and 40 mm heel heights were used. The loading line of the prosthetic side, the plantar foot pressure, and the surface electromyography (EMG) of 10 muscles were simultaneously recorded. With increasing shoe heel heights during standing, the loading line of the prosthetic side shifted from the anterior to the posterior side of the knee center, the peak …

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Multiple Myeloma; Clinical Update On A Rare And Treatable Cancer, Moira Stephens Jan 2009

Multiple Myeloma; Clinical Update On A Rare And Treatable Cancer, Moira Stephens

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer, contributing 1% of cancers and 15% of haematological malignancies. Myeloma is an incurable, yet increasingly treatable cancer with people often living in a chronic (controlled) state of relapse, i.e. living with a low level of disease for many years. Survival with myeloma varies from a few months to decades. Nurses play a valuable role in caring for people with myeloma and with their specialist knowledge of the pathophysiology of myeloma and the effects of treatment, together with their therapeutic relationship with the patient and the family, are in an important position to influence care …

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Water-Immersion Treatments For Exertional Hyperthermia, Joanne Caldwell, Anne Van Den Heuvel, Pete Kerry, Mitchell Clark, Mark Patterson, Gregory E. Peoples, Nigel A.S Taylor Jan 2009

Water-Immersion Treatments For Exertional Hyperthermia, Joanne Caldwell, Anne Van Den Heuvel, Pete Kerry, Mitchell Clark, Mark Patterson, Gregory E. Peoples, Nigel A.S Taylor

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Ice--cold water immersion can rapidly extract heat from hyperthermic patients. However, access to ice or cold water is limited when in the field, and some researchers have concerns regarding the possible adverse impact of the sudden cold-water immersion of hyperthennic individuals. We hypothesised that wanner-water immersions could still facilitate rapid cooling in profoundly hypertbennic people, and this would be due to less powerful cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses. These hypotheses were tested in two separate experiments.

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Tilt Aftereffects And Tilt Illusions Induced By Fast Translational Motion: Evidence For Motion Streaks, Deborah Apthorp, David Alais Jan 2009

Tilt Aftereffects And Tilt Illusions Induced By Fast Translational Motion: Evidence For Motion Streaks, Deborah Apthorp, David Alais

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Fast-moving visual features are thought to leave neural 'streaks' that can be detected by orientation-selective cells. Here, we tested whether 'motion streaks' can induce classic tilt aftereffects (TAEs) and tilt illusions (TIs). For TAEs, participants adapted to random arrays of small Gaussian blobs drifting at 9.5 deg/s. Following adaptation to directions of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees (clockwise from vertical) subjective vertical was measured for a briefly presented test grating. For TIs, the same motions were presented in an annular surround and subjective vertical was measured for a simultaneously presented central grating. All motions were 50% coherent, …

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An Evaluation Of P50 Suppression Methodologies, Anna Dalecki, Rodney J. Croft, Stuart J. Johnstone Jan 2009

An Evaluation Of P50 Suppression Methodologies, Anna Dalecki, Rodney J. Croft, Stuart J. Johnstone

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

'P50 suppression', an index of sensory gating, has demonstrated utility in schizophrenia research. It is widely reported that P50 suppression is deficient in schizophrenia patients and an endophenotypic marker for the disorder. However, unresolved methodological issues including the unestablished reliability of the measure, unknown effects of time-on-task and long protocol undermine its usefulness. In order to address these methodological issues, twenty healthy participants' P50 suppression was measured in a long P50 paradigm. This enabled the measurement of within-session reliability, temporal course of P50 suppression, and effects of the inter-pair interval parameter. Results indicated good within-session reliability for P50 suppression (ICC …

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Observing Children's Playground Activity Levels At 13 Illawarra Primary Schools Using Cast2, Anne-Maree Parrish, Don Iverson, Ken Russell, Heather Yeatman Jan 2009

Observing Children's Playground Activity Levels At 13 Illawarra Primary Schools Using Cast2, Anne-Maree Parrish, Don Iverson, Ken Russell, Heather Yeatman

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Declining levels of children’s physical activity may contribute to Australia’s increasing childhood obesity epidemic. School recess is an underutilized opportunity to increase children’s physical activity. Methods: Thirteen regional Australian public primary schools participated in the study (2946 children). The Children’s Activity Scanning Tool 2 (CAST2) collected observational playground physical activity data. The research also addressed: length of break, socioeconomic status (SES), gender, number of scanning days, and instrument calibration. Results: The proportions of Moderate or Vigorous Physically Activity (MVPA) children at the observed schools ranged from 0.4 to 0.7. The odds ratio of boys being MVPA relative to girls ranged …

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A New Sterilization Technique Of Bovine Pericardial Biomaterial Using Microwave Radiation, Yuri Shamis, Shital Patel, Alex Taube, Yos Morsi, Igor Sbarski, Yuri Shramkov, Rodney J. Croft, Russell J. Crawford, Elena P. Ivanova Jan 2009

A New Sterilization Technique Of Bovine Pericardial Biomaterial Using Microwave Radiation, Yuri Shamis, Shital Patel, Alex Taube, Yos Morsi, Igor Sbarski, Yuri Shramkov, Rodney J. Croft, Russell J. Crawford, Elena P. Ivanova

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Bioprosthetic valves created from chemically treated natural tissues such as bovine pericardial biomaterial are used as heart valve scaffolds. Methods currently available for sterilization of biomaterial for transplantation include the application of gamma radiation and chemical sterilants. These techniques, however, can be problematic because they can be expensive and lead to a reduction in tissue integrity. Therefore, improved techniques are needed that are cost effective and do not disrupt the physical properties, functionality, and lifespan of the valvular leaflets. This study examined a novel technique using nonthermalmicrowave radiation that could lead to the inactivation of bacteria in bovine pericardial biomaterial …

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Factors Associated With Short And Long Sleep, Christopher A. Magee, Don Iverson, Peter Caputi Jan 2009

Factors Associated With Short And Long Sleep, Christopher A. Magee, Don Iverson, Peter Caputi

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: Short (< 7 h) and long sleep durations (≥ 9 h) have recently been linked with increased mortality in the US, Europe and Asia, but little is known about the sleep patterns of Australian adults. The present study examined the sleep habits of Australian adults and identified socio-demographic and health-related factors associated with short and long sleep. Methods: This study analyzed cross-sectional and self-reported data from 49,405 Australian adults aged 45 to 65 years collected between 2006 and 2008. Socio-demographic and health-related factors were entered into multinomial logistic regression models predicting self-reported sleep duration. Results: Short and long sleep were reported by 16.6% and 13.9% of participants respectively. Short sleep was associated with long working hours (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.28) and obesity (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.41); long sleep was associated with recent treatment for cancer (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.02) and heart …

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Cortical Lateralization Patterns Related To Self-Estimation Of Emotional State, Miroslaw Wyczesany, Jan Kaiser, R. J. Barry Jan 2009

Cortical Lateralization Patterns Related To Self-Estimation Of Emotional State, Miroslaw Wyczesany, Jan Kaiser, R. J. Barry

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The relationships between subjectively-reported emotional state and hemispheric laterality were investigated. Participants’ emotional state was modified using emotional slides. Self-estimation of Energy Arousal and Hedonic Tone (positive valence) as well as Tense Arousal (negative valence) was derived from the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Checklist and the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist. Energy arousal was found to be associated with right frontal dominance in the alpha2 (10–12 Hz) band, together with left frontal dominance in the beta2 (16–24 Hz) band. It was also related to left alpha2 dominance in the central and centro-parietal cortex. The effects for the Hedonic Tone scale were limited to …

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Comparison Of Seal Oil To Tuna Oil On Plasma Lipid Levels And Blood Pressure In Hypertriglyceridaemic Subjects, Barbara J. Meyer, A E. Lane, N J. Mann Jan 2009

Comparison Of Seal Oil To Tuna Oil On Plasma Lipid Levels And Blood Pressure In Hypertriglyceridaemic Subjects, Barbara J. Meyer, A E. Lane, N J. Mann

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

As meat is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and Australians consume six times more meat than fish, investigation of the potential health benefit of DPA is warranted. The aims were to compare the effects of seal oil supplementation with fish oil, on measures of plasma lipids and blood pressure in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. Forty-eight volunteers were recruited from the Wollongong community and were randomly allocated to one of three groups either receiving 1 g/day of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) using one of three oils: seal oil capsules (340 mg eicosapentaenoic acid …

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Borderline Personality Or Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? An Update On The Controversy, Kate L. Lewis, Brin Grenyer Jan 2009

Borderline Personality Or Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? An Update On The Controversy, Kate L. Lewis, Brin Grenyer

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

There remains controversy surrounding the nature of the relationship between borderline personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, with strong arguments that it would be more accurate and less stigmatizing for the former to be considered a trauma spectrum disorder. This article reviews the major criticisms of the DSM-IV diagnosis of borderline personality disorder that have fueled this controversy, including the absence of an etiology for the disorder, which is widely believed to be associated with early traumatic experiences. Also reviewed are recent attempts to redefine the disorder as a trauma spectrum variant based on the apparent overlap in symptomatology, rates …

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Dietary Intakes Of Children With Crohn's Disease, Rachel Pons, Kylie E. Whitten, Helen Woodhead, Steven T. Leach, Daniel A. Lemberg, Andrew S. Day Jan 2009

Dietary Intakes Of Children With Crohn's Disease, Rachel Pons, Kylie E. Whitten, Helen Woodhead, Steven T. Leach, Daniel A. Lemberg, Andrew S. Day

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Approximately 25 % of individuals with Crohn's disease (CD), a life-long relapsing-remitting disease, are diagnosed during childhood and adolescence. Symptoms of CD, including abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea, can lead to reduced food intake, which may negatively have an impact on nutritional status during this critical period of growth and development. The aims of the present study were to assess the growth and adequacy of dietary intakes of children with CD at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, and compare with healthy controls. Sixty-three subjects aged 10–16 years were recruited, including: children with active CD (n 18), children with CD in …

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Developing Korean Academy Of Medical Sciences Guideline For Rating The Impairment In Mental And Behavioural Disorders; A Comparative Study Of Knpa's New Guidelines And Ama's 6th Guides, Gordon R. Davies Jan 2009

Developing Korean Academy Of Medical Sciences Guideline For Rating The Impairment In Mental And Behavioural Disorders; A Comparative Study Of Knpa's New Guidelines And Ama's 6th Guides, Gordon R. Davies

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

I refer to the paper by Ryu, Hong, Jung, Hwang, Jung, Jeong, Rah and Suh (2009) (1). The assessment of psychiatric disability is difficult and fraught with methodological problems and the review by Ryu and colleagues tends to perpetuate the use of methods of assessment which have no firm evidence base as well as ignoring some significant problems with the use of the American Medical Association Guides as well as the Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale (PIRS).

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Underdetermined Interests: Scientific 'Goods' And Animal Welfare, Christopher J. Degeling, Jane Johnson Jan 2009

Underdetermined Interests: Scientific 'Goods' And Animal Welfare, Christopher J. Degeling, Jane Johnson

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

It is well known that the culture within which actors such as scientists and clinicians operate is structured by the mechanisms through which institutional rewards are distributed (Garfield 1979). In the biosciences, citation counts are the accepted markers of a researcher's originality and competence that permit access to funding, promotion and other forms of institutional support. Osborne and colleagues' (2009) study suggests that beneath this publication-driven reward system is a widespread indifference on the part of journals to the ethical/welfare issues that surround the use of animals for the purposes of science. Although the promotion of animal welfare is not …

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Negotiating Value: Comparing Human And Animal Fracture Care In Industrial Societies, Christopher J. Degeling Jan 2009

Negotiating Value: Comparing Human And Animal Fracture Care In Industrial Societies, Christopher J. Degeling

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

At the beginning of the twentieth century, human and veterinary surgeons faced the challenge of a medical marketplace transformed by technology. The socioeconomic value ascribed to their patients was changing, reflecting the increasing mechanization of industry and the decreasing dependence of society on nonhuman animals for labor. In human medicine, concern for the economic consequences of fractures "pathologized" any significant level of posttherapeutic disability, a productivist perspective contrary to the traditional corpus of medical values. In contrast, veterinarians adapted to the mechanization of horsepower by shifting their primary professional interest to companion animals; a type of patient generally valued for …

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