University of the Sunshine Coast
USC Research Bank - University of the Sunshine CoastNot a member yet
28663 research outputs found
Sort by
The 2019 Mary Paton research award winner: Reducing sleep-related infant mortality through understanding factors associated with breastfeeding duration: A cross-sectional survey
No full textReducing sleep-related infant mortality is a national and global health priority. The leading category of postneonatal mortality in Australia is sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). Suboptimal breastfeeding practice is associated with increased risk of infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly. Human breastmilk is universally acknowledged to be the optimal form of nutrition, contributing to child survival and conferring immunologic advantage over formula-feeding. This paper presents an analysis of data from the 2017 Infant Caregiver Awareness and Routines Evaluation among Queenslanders (I-CARE Qld) Study to establish the maternal and infant characteristics, infant care practices and sleep-related factors that influence breastfeeding duration within a contemporary Australian cohort. A cross-sectional survey of 3341 Queensland caregivers with infants approximately 3 months old was conducted. Statistically significant predictors for breastfeeding cessation at 8 weeks were found using univariable and multivariable analyses. These include: young maternal age, single, less educated, smoker, public patient, higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), the birth of a male infant, delivery via caesarean section, in-hospital formula supplementation, admission to a neonatal nursery, dummy use and infant sleep location. Given the increased risk of sudden infant death related to suboptimal breastfeeding practices, further consideration and strategies targeting these potentially at-risk population groups are required
Mobile devices contribute to feedback processes
No full textThe use of mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets in education is a problematic field of research that fits within the scope of assessment, mobile technologies, dialogic practices, and more broadly, feedback. This small pilot study investigated how supervising teachers incorporated a mobile device in the form of a video-enabled app into practicums to promote feedback in the form of dialogue and record achievements in alignment with requisite criteria. It further investigated the role of the app in the dialogic feedback process and the interactions between supervising teachers and preservice teachers when they undertake practical performance reviews. The findings showed that using mobile devices aids the dialogic practices of preservice teachers and leads to better outcomes. Despite the evidence, systemic organizational intent will be needed to reinforce the benefits and encourage adoption
Multimodal big data affective analytics: A comprehensive survey using text, audio, visual and physiological signals
No full textAffective computing is an emerging multidisciplinary research field that is increasingly drawing the attention of researchers and practitioners in various fields, including artificial intelligence, natural language processing, cognitive and social sciences. Research in affective computing includes areas such as sentiment, emotion, and opinion modelling. The internet is an excellent source of data required for sentiment analysis, such as customer reviews of products, social media, forums, blogs, etc. Most of these data, called big data, are unstructured and unorganized. Hence there is a strong demand for developing suitable data processing techniques to process these rich and valuable data to produce useful information. Early surveys on sentiment and emotion recognition in the literature have been limited to discussions using text, audio, and visual modalities. So far, to the author's knowledge, a comprehensive survey combining physiological modalities with these other modalities for affective computing has yet to be reported. The objective of this paper is to fill the gap in this surveyed area. The usage of physiological modalities for affective computing brings several benefits in that the signals can be used in different environmental conditions, more robust systems can be constructed in combination with other modalities, and it has increased anti-spoofing characteristics. The paper includes extensive reviews on different frameworks and categories for state-of-the-art techniques, critical analysis of their performances, and discussions of their applications, trends and future directions to serve as guidelines for readers towards this emerging research area
Perceptions of ‘normal’ climate in Queensland, Australia (1924–34)
No full textThe concept of ‘normal’ climatic conditions reflects the complexities of human understandings of the environment. Scholarship on settler societies has explored how culture, science and state imperatives combine to construct a notion of ‘normal’ climate. This study of the Callide Valley settlement (1924–34) in northern Australia, draws on government propaganda, farmers’ submissions to a 1934 government inquiry and meteorological data to reveal the discrepancy between rainfall reality and expectations. Promised fertile soil, plentiful water and an ideal climate by the government, new settlers flocked to the Callide Valley, many without farming experience or knowledge of the region’s subtropical climate. Drought and flood soon challenged the promises of a bountiful climate. These confused understandings of a normal climate continue today to shape agriculture in central Queensland
The reproducibility and responsiveness of subjective assessment of upper limb associated reactions in people with acquired brain injury during walking
No full textObjective:
The aim of this study is to determine inter-rater, test–retest and intra-rater reproducibility and responsiveness of subjective assessment of upper limb associated reactions in people with acquired brain injury using (1) the ‘Qualifiers Scale’ of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework, and (2) visually estimated elbow flexion angle during walking.
Design:
Observational study.
Setting:
A brain injury rehabilitation centre, Melbourne, Australia.
Subjects:
People with acquired brain injury and upper limb associated reactions and experienced neurological physiotherapists.
Main measures:
The Qualifiers Scale applied to individual upper limb joints and global associated reaction on a 5-point scale (0–4), a summed upper limb severity score and visually estimated elbow flexion angle.
Results:
A total of 42 people with acquired brain injury (mean age: 48.4 ± 16.5 years) were videoed walking at self-selected and fast speeds. A subset of 30 chronic brain injury participants (mean time post injury: 8.2 ± 9.3 years) were reassessed one week later for retest reproducibility. Three experienced neurological physiotherapists (mean experience: 22.7 ± 9.1 years) viewed these videos and subjectively rated the upper limb associated reactions. Strong-to-very strong test–retest, intra- and inter-rater reproducibility was found for elbow flexion angle (ICC > 0.86) and the Qualifiers Scale applied to global and individual upper limb joints (ICC > 0.60). Responsiveness of change from self-selected to fast walking speed (mean increase 0.46 m/s) was highest for elbow flexion angle (effect size = 0.83) and low-to-moderate for the Qualifiers Scale.
Conclusion:
Subjectively rated associated reactions during walking demonstrated strong reproducibility and moderate responsiveness to speed change. The Qualifiers Scale and elbow flexion angle can both subjectively quantify associated reactions during walking in a clinical setting
Current Status and Potential of Tropical Rock Oyster Aquaculture
No full textThis review summarizes existing literature of tropical rock oyster aquaculture, investigates constraints to industry expansion and provides recommendations for the further development of a contemporary industry. Barriers to development of this industry are varied and complex, and include: a research and development deficit, under-reporting of research projects, lack of species-specific biological and taxonomic knowledge, and poor shellfish food safety reputation. These issues can be linked to the tropics being comprised of many developing economies and the associated challenges of a lack of resources and investment opportunities. Current global interest remains high despite this and tropical oyster aquaculture is considered as a valuable prospective industry. With appropriate support and a collaborative approach, there is an opportunity for developing oyster culture industries to support economic development in some of the poorest regions on Earth. This review provides five key recommendations towards further developing the tropical oyster aquaculture sector: (1) to invest in foundational knowledge to understand the biology of target species and adapt existing culture methods accordingly; (2) to utilize molecular tools to clarify taxonomic ambiguity and apply novel technologies; (3) to establish a stable spat supply by progressing hatchery production; (4) to promote collaboration and widespread dissemination of information; and (5) to improve industry reputation through research, education, and quality control
Improved biodegradable magnesium alloys through advanced solidification processing
No full textThe potential of using external fields to reduce the cost of emerging magnesium alloys used for the manufacture of medical implant devices while maintaining biocompatibility and mechanical performance is explored. Zirconium (Zr) is often added to high performance magnesium alloys as a grain refiner which is expensive, and there is uncertainty about whether or not Zr is harmful to the biocompatibility of the alloy. This is a significant barrier to the adoption of alloys that contain Zr because of the need to undertake cytotoxicity and haemocompatibility testing, as well as evaluation of long-term clinical effects. An alternative approach is to investigate methods to minimise or eliminate the need for Zr addition. External fields applied during solidification of the alloy provide an opportunity to produce a refined microstructure without the addition of Mg–Zr master alloy presenting a distinct advantage both from biodegradation and biocompatibility perspectives. Preliminary work evaluates the effect of ultrasonic treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Ca alloys with and without Zr and then compares their in-vivo corrosion performance to that of WE43. A framework for future research is proposed along with opportunities for the development of lower cost alloys with at least equal biocompatibility, mechanical and corrosion performance
Empathy and experience: understanding tourists’ swim with whale encounters
No full textWhale-related tourism is an increasingly popular activity which may be used to drive conservation efforts. This study explored the relationships between empathy, conservation behaviors, anthropomorphism, connectedness to nature, and experiences of whale watchers and swim-with whale tourists. Participants (n = 45) from Australia and the Kingdom of Tonga completed trait questionnaires pre-swim and then questionnaires relating to their experience at post-swim. The predictions of the dispositional empathy with nature theory were supported as empathy was associated with higher anthropomorphism, connectedness to nature, and greater intention to engage in conservation behavior. Females were also higher than males on empathy. Being close to the whales, making eye contact, and seeing calves resulted in greater enjoyment. Understanding the potential connection visitors may have during a whale encounter will enhance experience design and identify avenues to increase conservation efforts
Changing Contexts of Practice: Challenges for Social Work and Community Development
No full textIn a rapidly changing global environment, there have been renewed calls to position community development more centrally in social work, particularly in the face of contemporary practice challenges. This paper analyses the broad policy contexts of neoliberalism, globalisation, and governance change and discusses how these forces interact with social work and community development, drawing on examples from Australia and Ireland. The paper argues that sociopolitical forces both restrict and present opportunities for social work and community development practice and we seek to reactivate debate about the position of community development within changing and challenging contexts