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The development and application of quantitative approaches to investigate spatial processing improvement and cognitive control
No full textThis thesis uses quantitative approaches to process behavioural and neural data in order to understand spatial cognition learning and cognitive control. Quantitative measurement was used to clearly identify two distinct strategies for improvement in the mental rotation task, one a departure from mental transformation, the other improvement of mental rotation. Using data from from an experiment on learning in mental rotation, a quantitative model of mental rotation was developed. The model was able to account for the RT distribution and error rates using an LBA decision model and a scale adjusted gamma distribution to account for rotation time. The following two chapters apply a modified version of a previously established signal processing technique to model the change in cued task-switching ERPs as a function of RT. Using this approach we modeled a switch-specific ERP component that increases with RT prior to target onset, providing evidence for switch-specific proactive control. We then used the same approach to investigate how interference following target onset is dealt with, reporting ERPs that suggest reactive control is actively used to resolve both target conflict and cue related processing.
The final chapter extends the modeling approach used in the previous two chapters, by making modifications to the algorithm. This new method was evaluated on a simulated dataset, and then applied to neural data from the mental rotation experiment to demonstrate its utility. Although results were encouraging, more testing and development is necessary to optimise this new technique
Construct validity of a two-factor model of psychopathy
No full textThere is currently limited evidence for the two-factor structure of Psychopathy. The aim was to provide evidence for the construct validity of Primary and Secondary Psychopathy. Batteries including the Five Factor Model, the Hogan Development Survey, and Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Empathy, and Aggression, were administered to 241 undergraduate psychology students. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a two component structure fitted the data reasonably well (chi-square = 1.939, CFI = .799, RMSEA = 0.063). The strongest markers of Primary Psychopathy were Agreeableness, Empathy, and the HDS Bold and HDS Colourful subscales, while the strongest markers of Secondary Psychopathy were Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, and HDS Excitable. It was concluded that preliminary evidence for the two-factor model of Psychopathy had been gained
Collapse of the turbulent dissipative range on Kolmogorov scales
No full textIt is pointed out that the collapse of the turbulent dissipative range on Kolmogorov scales does not require either of the two major assumptions in Kolmogorov's [“The local structure of turbulence in incompressible viscous fluid for very large Reynolds numbers,” Dokl. Akad. Nauk USSR30, 299 (1941)] similarity hypothesis, i.e., R λ, the Taylor microscale Reynolds number, is very large and local isotropy is satisfied. In particular, the Kolmogorov velocity and length scales are shown to be the appropriate normalization scales when the large-scale terms in the transport equations for the second-order statistics can be neglected. Evidence for this scaling is discussed critically on the basis of the available data. It is also shown that this scaling breaks down when R λ becomes too small, typically below 20
The GOFURTGO study: AGITG phase II study of fixed dose rate gemcitabine-oxaliplatin integrated with concomitant 5FU and 3-D conformal radiotherapy for the treatment of localised pancreatic cancer
No full textBackground: Locally advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has a poor prognosis. By increasing intensity of systemic therapy combined with an established safe chemoradiation technique, our intention was to enhance the outcomes of LAPC. In preparation for phase III evaluation, the feasibility and efficacy of our candidate regimen gemcitabine–oxaliplatin chemotherapy with sandwich 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) needs to be established. Methods: A total of 48 patients with inoperable LAPC without metastases were given gemcitabine (1000 mg m−2 d1 + d15 q28) and oxaliplatin (100 mg m−2 d2 + d16 q28) in induction (one cycle) and consolidation (three cycles), and 5FU 200 mg m−2 per day over 6 weeks during 3DCRT 54 Gy. Results: Median duration of sustained local control (LC) was 15.8 months, progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.0 months, and overall survival was 15.7 months. Survival rates for 1, 2, and 3 years were 70.2%, 21.3%, and 12.8%, respectively. Global quality of life did not significantly decline from baseline during treatment, which was associated with modest treatment-related toxicity. Conclusion: Fixed-dose gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, combined with an effective and safe regimen of 5FU and 3DCRT radiotherapy, was feasible and reasonably tolerated. The observed improved duration of LC and PFS with more intensive therapy over previous trials may be due to patient selection, but suggest that further evaluation in phase III trials is warranted
Three-dimensional granular contact dynamics with rolling resistance
No full textA three-dimensional granular contact dynamics scheme is presented. The scheme is variational in structure, thus making it possible to solve the governing equations by means of mathematical programming methods. To facilitate the modeling of natural grains using spherical geometries, a rolling resistance model is developed. A number of static and dynamic benchmark examples are considered including the granular column collapse problem where the agreement between simulation and previously published experimental results is found to be very good
“Playing heavy metal”: a comparative study of the role of the tuba in the orchestra, brass band and wind ensemble
No full textAs an Australian tuba player, I draw on my experiences as a member of orchestra, brass band and wind ensemble in my country. Through my experiences in filling the required roles expected of the tuba player in each ensemble type, I noticed how the roles differed from each other, and that they impacted on my own approach to performing in ensembles. To that end, I detailed the differences between the roles and compared them to each other. This thesis comprises an exploration of this subject, based on study of tuba scoring and instrumentation through methods of orchestration as well as scores for each type of ensemble. From my reading of texts, theses and journal articles that covered tuba/brass playing within these ensemble types as well as performance in general, I noticed that there was not a great deal of literature highlighting the differences of the tuba’s role comparing one ensemble type to another. My research found that due to the tuba’s role in each ensemble type, it gives the tuba player a set of individual skills and abilities that can positively affect their performance in the other ensemble types, and these different skills can complement each other. As a result, the tuba player who performs in each ensemble type gleans skills that can be beneficial in other ensemble types. This is particularly useful for the aspiring professional tuba player, as they can use the skills they have learned to perform as a more flexible and sound musician
Strategic planning and performance measurement for public universities in Sulawesi, Indonesia
No full textThis study investigated the strategic planning and performance measurement within public higher education institutions in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. More specifically, the objectives of this study were to: examine the process of strategic planning; examine whether the objectives and goals of public universities are congruent with the Higher Education Long Term Strategy (HELTS) of Indonesia; evaluate the relationship between strategic planning, implementation and organisational performance; examine the relationships between strategic planning and performance measurement; determine the performance measurement indicators employed by public higher education in Sulawesi; and propose a more appropriate performance measurement model for use in the Indonesian Higher Education context. This study consists of empirical surveys based on comprehensive questionnaires, followed by individual and focus group semi-structured interviews, as well as the analyses of relevant documents. The data were collected from administrative and academic staff located at five selected public universities on Sulawesi Island, one from each province. The interview participants were selected from the academic staff and educational leaders who are actively engaged in strategic planning and performance measurement activities. Triangulation was pursued through the multiple sources of evidence. To answer the research questions, data was gathered from questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. The study concluded that the process of strategic planning in public universities was considered to be effective and consistent with the HELTS guidelines from the Directorate General of Higher Education. However, it was found that public universities in Sulawesi faced challenges to their achievement of all the targets. The relationships between strategic planning and performance measurement were positively related, however the opinion of the respondents was that organisational performance could be improved if programs in strategic planning could be more fully implemented. This study also highlighted that performance measurement indicators in public universities can be categorised into four perspectives (financial, customer/stakeholder, internal process, learning and growth) by using the balanced scorecard approach originally developed by Kaplan and Norton (1992). This directly influenced the refinement of the balanced scorecard approach into a performance measurement model for Sulawesi. The findings of the study are beneficial in terms of the lessons learned for managerial practices. They provide useful knowledge and understanding of the strategic planning process and performance measurement in public higher education, particularly in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study culminated in the development of a performance measurement model. The modified performance measurement model is intended to make it easier for universities to engage in the performance measurement process, particularly in measuring performance indicators by using the balanced scorecard. The proposed performance measurement model may assist public universities to carry out their performance measurement reporting and eventually could provide a positive impact on their accreditation status. This study also presents a knowledge base for further research in similar studies, and expands the findings in the context of Indonesian Higher Education
"Hippies on the third floor": climate change, narrative identity and the micro-politics of corporate environmentalism
No full textClimate change discourse permeates political and popular consciousness, challenging the ecological sustainability of our economic system and the business models that underpin it. Not surprisingly climate change has become an increasingly divisive and partisan political issue. While a growing literature has sought to address how business organizations are responding to climate change, the subjective perceptions of managers on this issue have received less attention. In this article we contribute to an understanding of the dynamic interaction between identities and organizations, by showing how sustainability managers and consultants balance tensions and contradictions between their own sense of self and the various work and non-work contexts in which they find themselves. Based on a qualitative, social constructivist method, we examine how these individuals develop different identities in negotiating between conflicting discourses and their sense of self. We explore how these different identities arise, interact and inform responses to climate change in different settings, and then demonstrate how individuals seek to overcome conflicts between identities in constructing a coherent narrative of themselves and their careers. In doing so, the article highlights how identity work is central to the micro-political enactment of business responses to climate change, and how, for some, the climate crisis provides an impetus for personal reinvention as a moral agent of change
An approach for validating feature models in software product lines
No full textIn a Software Product Line (SPL), a feature model is widely used to represent the commonalities and variabilities of a family of software products. In the process of establishing feature models, the incorrect and inaccurate feature relationships will lead to feature model errors which prevent the effective product configuration. The feature model validation aims to identify the errors existing in a feature model and find the solutions of resolving the errors. The current validation approaches transformed a feature model into a Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) and used off-the-shelf solvers to reason on the CSP. However, the use of solvers might take an infeasible amount of time for validating large scale feature models, as CSP exhibits the exponential complexity and requires a combination of heuristics and combinational search methods. This study developed an efficient validation approach based on the contradictory feature relationships behind the errors. As the contradictory feature relationships were found based on feature relationship propagation, the solvers were not required by this approach. The performance and correctness of this proposed approach were evaluated by comparing with the CSP based approach based on a set of pre-designed feature models and a number of large-scale feature models
Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review
No full textTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common condition that is often complicated by neuropsychiatric sequelae that can have major impacts on function and quality of life. An alteration in the sense of smell is recognized as a relatively common complication of TBI; however in clinical practice, this complication may not be sought or adequately characterized. We conducted a systematic review of studies concerned with olfactory functioning following TBI. Our predetermined criteria led to the identification of 25 studies published in English, which we examined in detail. We have tabulated the data from these studies in eight separate tables, beginning with Table 1, which highlights each study's key findings, and we provide a summary/synthesis of the findings in the accompanying results and discussion sections. Despite widely differing methodologies, the studies attest to a high frequency of post-TBI olfactory dysfunction and indicate that its presence can serve as a potential marker of additional structural or functional morbidities