7440 research outputs found
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The hydro-geomorphic structure and function of temperate upland swamps in eastern Australia
No full textThesis by publication.Includes bibliographical references.1. Introduction -- 2. Intrinsic and extrinsic controls on geomorphic condition -- 3. The sedimentology of temperate upland swamps -- 4. Water sources and storage times of temperate upland swamps -- 5. The importance of geomorphic structure on the hydrology of THPSS -- 6. The importance of geomorphic structure on the carbon storage function of THPSS -- 7. Discussion -- Appendices.Geomorphic structure provides the basis that underpins abiotic ecosystem function. Changes in abiotic structure result in profound changes to key functions such as water and carbon storage. Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) are a type of upland wetland found in the headwaters of low order streams on the plateau regions of eastern Australia. Similar to fens in the Northern Hemisphere, they are valley bottom swamps and, like their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, have been subject to anthropogenic impacts resulting in changes to both their structure and function. This thesis examines the importance of geomorphic structure to THPSS abiotic functions such as water and carbon storage. THPSS sedimentology comprises organic sandy sediments with high carbon content and peat forming potential, which is inter-related with their high water tables. Depending on swamp/catchment structural characteristics, these systems can be either primarily rainwater - fed or derive some of their water from surrounding groundwater. Hydrological regimes of intact systems are relatively stable, acting as water storage features in the landscape and consistently contributing to downstream base flows. However, once these systems incise and become channelised fills, their function as a water storage system declines, with lowered water holding capacity in the altered swamp sediment contributing to water table drawdowns with concomitant increases in swamp discharges, transforming these systems from a water storage zone into a water throughflow system. In their intact state, THPSS are effective carbon stores with high carbon to nitrogen ratios and low rates of fluvial carbon exports. Once these systems become channelised, their ability to store carbon is compromised, with high volumes of carbon being exported out of the system via the channel, decreasing the carbon content of swamp sediment. This reduced functional capacity in channelised fills emphasises the importance of assessing, monitoring, conserving and restoring the geomorphology of these systems to protect and restore the abiotic functions of these endangered ecological communitiesMode of access: World wide web1 online resource (1 online resource (255 pages : illustrations, maps
Spectrum Approach to Mentoring : an evidence-based approach to mentoring for academics working in higher education
No full textAnecdotal and empirical evidence indicates that mentoring can be a successful strategy for supporting professional learning, yet limited literature exists on approaches to mentoring designed specifically for academics working in higher education. The aim of this study was to create an approach to mentoring tailored to the needs of academics and underpinned by evidence from the literature. Participatory action research was chosen as the methodology for the project as this enabled a process of inquiry to be embedded within academic practice. The outcome was the development of the Spectrum Approach to Mentoring (SAM). This three-step approach is goal orientated, and encompasses mentoring relationships that may be ongoing and sustained over time through to those that are short-term and aligned with a particular task or focus. SAM provides a suite of resources that can be used by academics to promote valuable opportunities for professional learning through the initiation of mentoring relationships.15 page(s
Analytic cognitive style predicts paranormal explanations of anomalous experiences but not the experiences themselves : implications for cognitive theories of delusions
No full textBackground and objectives: It has been proposed that delusional beliefs are attempts to explain anomalous experiences. Why, then, do anomalous experiences induce delusions in some people but not in others? One possibility is that people with delusions have reasoning biases that result in them failing to reject implausible candidate explanations for anomalous experiences. We examine this hypothesis by studying paranormal interpretations of anomalous experiences. Methods: We examined whether analytic cognitive style (i.e. the willingness or disposition to critically evaluate outputs from intuitive processing and engage in effortful analytic processing) predicted anomalous experiences and paranormal explanations for these experiences after controlling for demographic variables and cognitive ability. Results: Analytic cognitive style predicted paranormal explanations for anomalous experiences, but not the anomalous experiences themselves. Limitations: We did not study clinical delusions. Our attempts to control for cognitive ability may have been inadequate. Our sample was predominantly students. Conclusions: Limited analytic cognitive style might contribute to the interpretation of anomalous experiences in terms of delusional beliefs.7 page(s
The Scholastic project
No full textThis is a somewhat polemical, and very passionate, plea for more work not only about the house that scholasticism built, but those who were excluded from it. This book is the story of how scholastic theology defined this universal subject in terms of the reasonable white man and a catalogue of the exclusions which ensued. The categories of woman, Jew and heretic were core others against which ideal Christian subjectivity was implicitly defined, and this book shows just how constitutive these 'others' were for the production of orthodoxy in the Middle Ages.91 page(s
Why bees are so vulnerable to environmental stressors
No full textBee populations are declining in the industrialized world, raising concerns for the sustainable pollination of crops. Pesticides, pollutants, parasites, diseases, and malnutrition have all been linked to this problem. We consider here neurobiological, ecological, and evolutionary reasons why bees are particularly vulnerable to these environmental stressors. Central-place foraging on flowers demands advanced capacities of learning, memory, and navigation. However, even at low intensity levels, many stressors damage the bee brain, disrupting key cognitive functions needed for effective foraging, with dramatic consequences for brood development and colony survival. We discuss how understanding the relationships between the actions of stressors on the nervous system, individual cognitive impairments, and colony decline can inform constructive interventions to sustain bee populations.11 page(s
Coroner’s inquest into an Australian television anchorwoman’s suicide : implications for clinical practice and suicide prevention
No full textIn 2010, a coroner’s inquest was held into the 2007 suicide of Ms. Charmaine Dragun, an Australian TV news anchorwoman. The main findings were that if Ms. Dragun had been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and prescribed a mood stabilizer, her suicide could have been prevented; that the “cross-tapering” treatment by her psychiatrist and the clinical management by her health care professionals were inadequate; and that the incorporation of meditation and mindfulness in therapy was inappropriate. In this article, I examine the coroner’s findings and recommendations alongside the evidence tendered at the inquest. I also discuss (a) whether bipolar II disorder is under- or overdiagnosed; (b) the responses to the coroner’s findings on bipolar II disorder; (c) the impact of the coroner’s findings and recommendations on health care professionals and the public; (d) my personal reflections; and (e) my recommendations for making suicide prevention programs more effective: increased open-minded and respectful collaboration among professionals, the importance of educating legal professionals about the reality of clinical practice, and promoting recognized suicide prophylactic measures. For health care professionals worldwide, especially clinicians, this “Australian Story” provides important insights and lessons.26 page(s
Understanding women who self-harm : predictors and long-term outcomes in a longitudinal community sample
No full textObjective: There is growing awareness of the range of psychosocial, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors related to self-harm, however this research is often limited by using cross-sectional or convenience samples. And while we generally assume that young adults who self-harm experience poorer long-term outcomes, longitudinal research is needed. This paper builds on prior research using a large, representative, longitudinal sample. Methods: 5765 Australian women completed 5 surveys (age 18–23 to 31–36). Six-month self-harm was measured by self-report. We had two aims: firstly to predict future self-harm, separately for women with and without prior self-harm. Secondly, to identify outcomes 3 and 6 years following self-harm. Results: Six-month self-harm prevalence was 2.5%. Predictors among women without recent self-harm included depression, dieting behaviours, number of male sexual partners, and abuse. Among women with recent or current self-harm, predictors were number of dieting behaviours, tiredness of life, and stress. Women who self-harmed reported poorer outcomes, namely greater difficulties in relationships at 3- and 6-year follow-up. Conclusions: Longitudinal risk factors for self-harm differed depending on prior self-harm status, and included depression, dieting behaviours, tiredness of life and stress. These factors may serve as warning signs for new or continued self-harm. This study offers new insight into long-term outcomes up to six years after self-harm, particularly with relationships.10 page(s
An experimental rig to study fluid structure flow interactions in biological flows
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 37-39.1. Introduction -- 2. Background and related work overview -- 3. The experimental rig -- 4. Linear actuator system -- 5. Fabrication and casting models -- 6. Results and discussion -- 7. Conclusion -- 8. Bibliography -- 9. Abbreviations -- Appendix.Design is surely a talent in the engineering field and every day it is developing more. Designing an experimental rig to test different human non-rigid body models is a new idea aimed at achieving more accurate results. Here, we design an experimental rig to test the flow structure interactions for several models. In this project, we want to make sure that the complete rig is able to run different models. The aim of this thesis is to design the experiments, including the components we need to attach. A linear actuator system will be designed for this rig and will be programmed to act on the model to apply a dynamic wall motion on the model. Also, designing moulds and casting models is part of this thesis and many techniques will be used to achieve that. In the following chapters, each part of the required tasks will be explained in detail.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xi, 52, 2 pages colour illustrations
Dipping coating machine
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: page 97.1. Introduction -- 2. Personal interest -- 3. Background -- 4. Approach and methodology -- 5. Robotic arm dipping machine -- 6. Other dipping machine designs -- 7. Experimental procedure -- 8. Results -- 9. Machine evaluations -- 10. Discussion -- 11. Conclusions -- Appendices -- References.Conventional dipping techniques for components are based around submerging and removal from the liquor solely in the vertical plane. The project sought to confirm if improvement in film thickness and quality could be achieved through adoption of alternative dipping strategies including involving changes in speed, angularity and rotation to improve film thickness and uniformity.Two new designs of dipping machines were developed, one around a robotic arm submersion technique and the other around a vertical linear travel submersion system, and a comparison was made against conventional dipping machines available in the university laboratory.The prototype machines showed promise over the current dipping machine technology available in the lab at the university.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (97 pages illustrations (some colour)
Music playing robotic arm
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 73-74.1. Introduction -- 2. Background and related work -- 3. Hardware and software -- 4. Experimenting and setup -- 5. Results and analysis -- 6. Conclusions and future work -- 7. Abbreviations -- 8. Appendix -- 9. Bibliography.The precision and accuracy of the movement of the robotic arm is a vital criterion for design in applications such as high-precision medical surgeries, vending retrieval systems and industrial automation. While normal servos can be used for resolutions up to 255 bits in five degrees of freedom, actuators provide much better control and less steady-state error. This thesis highlights the manipulation of a single robotic arm to play musical notes on a synthesiser piano with the help of Arduino. The calibration of the arm was done using RoboPlus and LabView software, and the error percentages between the theoretical and experimental precision values were measured and analysed. The robotic arm was deployed to work at various speeds, and the difference in completion times of musical notes between the robotic arm and human arm was explored. This project hopes to open the door for further improvements of the model in the near future and act as a reference for more advanced automation systems.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xv, 74 pages colour illustrations