Showing papers by "Curtin University published in 1994"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the nature of Australian gold production and the hydrometallurgy of gold extraction, and the choice of processing routes for free milling, complex and refractory ores is discussed.
300 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that preventative and management steps are required to ensure continued independence and quality of life in this group over time, and that limitations in upper limb function may be seen in this population at relatively young ages.
Abstract: Research has shown that wheelchair use in long term paraplegia is associated with upper limb pain and degeneration that interferes with the independent performance of activities of daily living. This paper proposes a model to explain the development of upper limb problems in persons with long term paraplegia, and one that will guide in the prevention and management of this type of long term complication.
263 citations
TL;DR: Methods for modelling imprecision in the definition, analysis and synthesis of two-dimensional features and fuzzy sets are presented, intended to have applications in geographical information systems, but is equally applicable to other types of spatial information systems or spatial database applications.
Abstract: This paper presents methodologies for modelling imprecision in the definition, analysis and synthesis of two-dimensional features. The imprecision may arise through incomplete information, the presence of varying concentrations of attributes, or the use of qualitative descriptions of spatial features or their relationships. The work is intended to have applications in geographical information systems (GIS), but is equally applicable to other types of spatial information systems or spatial database applications. Fuzzy sets are used as a representational and reasoning device. The paper contains definitions of an imprecisely defined spatial feature or fuzzy region; definitions of distance and directional metrics between two such regions; a methodology for analysis of the spatial relationship between two regions; and a methodology for synthesis of new regions that are subject to the presence of imprecise spatial constraints.
209 citations
TL;DR: The development of a form of the SADQ for community samples of drinkers (SADQ-C) and its relationship to a brief scale designed to measure impaired control over drinking are described, supporting the view that there is a single dimension of alcohol dependence upon which all persons who drink alcohol with any regularity may be located.
Abstract: The concept of the Alcohol Dependence Syndrome has been influential in the field of alcohol studies in the 1980s. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) is one of a generation of alcohol problem scales developed to measure degree of dependence rather than presence or absence of 'alcoholism'. This paper describes the development of a form of the SADQ for community samples of drinkers (SADQ-C) and its relationship to a brief scale designed to measure impaired control over drinking. In a sample of 52 problem drinkers, SADQ and SADQ-C correlated almost perfectly (r = 0.98). In a larger sample of 197 attenders at a controlled drinking clinic, Principal Components Analysis revealed one major factor accounting for 71.7% of the total variance. High internal reliability was indicated with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.98. Application of this instrument in a random survey of Western Australian households is then described. It was necessary to remove items relating to 'reinstatement of dependence' for this sample. A single major factor was identified by principal components analysis, accounting for 69.1% of the total variance. In both the clinic and the community samples SADQ-C scores correlated highly with Impairment of Control scores. The findings are interpreted as supporting the view that there is a single dimension of alcohol dependence upon which all persons who drink alcohol with any regularity may be located.
191 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of biomarker and n-alkane isotope results suggests that parameters such as the oleanane/hopane ratio may overestimate the higher plant contribution to marine oils.
181 citations
TL;DR: A review of methods used to characterize the elastic behavior of rubber for use in finite element analysis (FEA) is given in this paper, along with the tests required to characterize rubber according to these functions.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of methods used to characterize the elastic behavior of rubber for use in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A sample of elastic strain energy density functions used to characterize rubber is given, along with the tests required to characterize rubber according to these functions. The use of synthetic test data as an alternative to full physical testing is discussed, and highlighted by a case study. The paper closes with a discussion on potential errors associated with FEA of rubber components.
154 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the lead isotope composition consistent with a mixture of USA and Eurasian origins was analyzed from 10.7 m and 70 m snow cores from Summit in central Greenland in 1989.
135 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that only organizations sufficiently mature to take a holistic view of information technology are likely to gain the comparative advantages which information technology offers, and that the implications of EDI's strategic use as an enabler of major organizational restructure and business reengineering are profound.
Abstract: Early research into electronic data interchange (EDI) stressed the greater speed, efficiencies and cost savings available from electronic document exchange. Despite EDI's cooperative focus, much of this research also described the technology as a competitive weapon for user organizations. Wider experience with EDI suggests, however, that rather than looking for short-term competitive advantages from EDI, it is in the areas of systems integration and business reengineering that EDI offers its greatest real benefits. This integration enables EDI to support a truly strategic approach to business, offering major comparative advantages to organizations, business groups, industry sectors and trading blocs. This paper develops a model of EDI integration as a series of four standard and recurring stages and then considers the case of a major Western Australian public sector organization which is in the process of making EDI a vehicle for business reengineering (the final stage). It also links this case study with current research into organizational growth and transformation. This research suggests that only organizations sufficiently mature to take a holistic view of information technology are likely to gain the comparative advantages which information technology offers. Building on this research, the paper suggests that, although EDI itself is a comparatively simple application in technological terms, the implications of its strategic use as an enabler of major organizational restructure and business reengineering are profound.
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the existence of ethical conflict at work and the reported inseparability of business decisions and moral consequences are discussed. But to date, the majority of studies have been conducted in the American business context.
Abstract: Business ethics has emerged in recent years as a field of significant scholarly endeavour. Particularly well documented is the existence of ethical conflict at work and the reported inseparability of business decisions and moral consequences. However, to date, the majority of studies have been conducted in the American business context.
119 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an interpretive examination of four teachers' use of analogies to teach chemistry is presented, where the authors describe why the teachers chose to use analogies, how the characteristics of the analogies employed varied from teacher to teacher and where the teachers derived their analogies.
Abstract: This article reports an interpretive examination of four teachers' use of analogies to teach chemistry. The study describes why the teachers chose to use analogies, how the characteristics of the analogies employed varied from teacher to teacher, and from where the teachers derived their analogies. These teachers used analogies spontaneously, as well as on a planned basis, to explain abstract chemistry concepts both on a whole-class basis and for individual students who indicated a lack of understanding. The teachers appeared able to ascertain that the students required an alternative representation without overtly seeking evidence to this effect. The presented analogies, especially those that were of the simple-comparison type, appeared to have a motivational impact on the students. Several analogies were extended to map selected attributes, and these were believed by the teachers to be powerful explanatory devices. Pictorial analogies were frequently used to enhance analog familiarity, and further analog explanation was not uncommon, although the frequency with which the teachers stated the presence of analogical limitations was low. The article concludes by suggesting how science teacher education can be informed by case studies of teaching in context, in this instance of analogy-inclusive teaching by four experienced chemistry teachers.
118 citations
TL;DR: In this article, cultural difference and national identity in Australia and the USA are discussed in the context of Multicultural Imagined Communities (MIC) and Critical Multiculturalism (CMI).
Abstract: (1994). Multicultural imagined communities: Cultural difference and national identity in Australia and the USA. Continuum: Vol. 8, Critical Multiculturalism, pp. 124-158.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Sumudu transform of partial derivatives is derived, and its applicability demonstrated using three different partial differential equations (PDEs) is demonstrated with respect to three different PDEs.
Abstract: The Sumudu transform of partial derivatives is derived, and its applicability demonstrated using three different partial differential equations.
TL;DR: In this article, customer contact personnel from suburban branches of an Australian retail bank identified their level of agreement with statements dealing with customer purchase perceptions, customer purchase behavior, the personal selling of services and their role and importance in the marketing of the bank's financial services.
Abstract: Examines the role and importance of customer‐contact personnel in the marketing of a bank′s financial services and the importance of customer service in retail banking. Customer‐contact personnel from suburban branches of an Australian retail bank identified their level of agreement with statements dealing with customer purchase perceptions, customer purchase behaviour, the personal selling of services and their role and importance in the marketing of the bank′s financial services. The results were interesting in that they indicated several key factors that affected service purchase encounters. These factors included the organization′s reputation, the role of the customer‐contact personnel in the service encounter, level of reward given to the customer‐contact personnel for their contribution, the significance of an official sales training programme, word‐of‐mouth communication and the relationship between the salesperson and the customer.
TL;DR: In contrast to considerable past research which has shown that computer assisted learning typically is associated with a modest effect size of only 0.4 standard deviations of difference between an experimental and a control group, this evaluation of micro-PROLOG-based CAL revealed massive effect sizes of 3.5 for achievement and 1.4 for attitudes as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In contrast to considerable past research which has shown that computer‐assisted learning (CAL) typically is associated with a modest effect size of only 0.4 standard deviations of difference between an experimental and a control group, this evaluation of micro‐PROLOG‐based CAL revealed massive effect sizes of 3.5 for achievement and 1.4 for attitudes. Also this evaluation broke new ground in that it involved the development and use of an instrument which assesses student perceptions of the psychosocial environment of CAL classroom settings. Effect sizes for classroom environment scales ranged from 1.0 to 1.9, with CAL students perceiving their classes as having greater gender equity, investigation, innovation and resource adequacy.
TL;DR: Developmental profiles for the frequency of occurrence of the different types of movements were determined and may be useful in determining normal and abnormal motor behaviour in early infancy.
TL;DR: In this article, the first measurements of Pb isotopes in Antarctic snow are reported, which show that even recent snow containing 2.3 pg/g is highly polluted with anthropogenic Pb.
Abstract: We report the first measurements of Pb isotopes in Antarctic snow, which show that even recent snow containing 2.3 pg/g is highly polluted with anthropogenic Pb. This follows from a comparison of isotope abundances of Pb in surface snow and terrestrial dust extracted from ancient Antarctic ice (Dome C, depth 308 m, approximate age 7,500 a BP), the latter being distinctly more radiogenic. This result is independent of geochemical arguments based on measurements of Al, Na and SO_4. South America is suggested as a likely source of this anthropogenic Pb. The presence of significantly less radiogenic Pb in the snow adjacent to two Antarctic base stations indicates that there is contamination from station emissions, although emission from Australia is an alternative explanation for a site 33 km from Dumont d'Urville.
TL;DR: A preliminary analysis of daily fatal crashes in New South Wales, Australia, between July 1975 and December 1986 uncovered a small but statistically significant decline in crashes coinciding with the introduction of a law lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from .08 to .05 g%.
TL;DR: Although alpha diversity is high, species turnover between forests is lower than expected, suggesting that ant species richness in this forested region is not as great as is implied in some published estimates of global arthropod diversity.
Abstract: The composition of the ant community was assessed along standardized 100 m transects in annually flooded Varzea forest and in terra firme forests on sandy soil (Flanco forest) and on claytopped mesas (Planalto forest). Standardized samples were taken by unit-time hand collecting (day and night times), sweeping, beating, baiting and by Winkler sacks. A total of 156 species, representing 49 genera were found, of which 98, 88 and 55 were respectively found in the Planalto, Flanco and Varzea forests. Species lists are presented and the ant community composition and species richness are compared between the three forests. By considering the nesting and foraging habits of the various species, the differences in overall community composition are related to the forest type and susceptibility to inundation of the three forests which were surveyed. The data confirm the view that tropical rain forests support an extremely diverse ant fauna and comparisons with other forested areas suggest that ant species richness declines in subtropical and temperate rain forests. Although alpha diversity is high, species turnover between forests is lower than expected, suggesting that ant species richness in this forested region is not as great as is implied in some published estimates of global arthropod diversity.
TL;DR: An analogy classification framework used with high school chemistry textbooks is described, taking into account aspects of past research into analogies in science education to allow for a systematic classification of textbook analogies based upon nine criteria including chemistry content area.
Abstract: This paper describes an analogy classification framework used with high school chemistry textbooks. The framework takes into account aspects of past research into analogies in science education to allow for a systematic classification of textbook analogies based upon nine criteria including chemistry content area. Many of the 93 analogies classified described abstract chemistry concepts such as atomic structure and bonding, however, the frequent use of simple analogies, and the scarcity of stated limitations, are likely to create learning problems for students. In some textbooks, authors made use of margin spaces to include more analogies and these marginalised analogies often contained a pictorial component. Recommendations for further research into analogies in science education and possible methodological approaches are suggested.
TL;DR: This research found that leaf and stem tissue harvested at the mature stage of plant development reduced seed germination and seedling growth of alfalfa and Italian ryegrass.
Abstract: Allelopathy, the direct or indirect effect of one plant on another through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment, occurs widely in natural plant communities and is postulated to be one mechanism by witch weeds interfere with crop growth. The purpose of this research was to determine the potential allelopathic influence of selected cool-season grass species on species interseeded into the pasture ecosystem. Aqueous extracts of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and little barley [Critesion pusillum (Nutt.) A. Love; syn. Hordeum pusillum Nutt.] leaf and stem tissue harvested at the mature stage of plant development reduced seed germination and seedling growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Italian ryegrass [...]
TL;DR: While formalin fixation may result in a slight increase in compressive strength this does not appear to be associated with a systematic change in mineral density.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the training and experience of these firefighters did not prepare them for major disaster work and the implications of schema theory for the design of training programs is discussed.
Abstract: This study evaluates the applicability of the training and operational practices of a group of firefighters to disaster search and rescue duties. Using schema theory it is hypothesized that training effectiveness could be evaluated by assessing the incidence with which event characteristics are perceived as stressors. A comparison of the propensity of a group of firefighters and a group of predominantly nonemergency service volunteers (who were specifically trained for disaster relief work) to define event characteristics as stressors provided the means of testing the hypothesis. The results suggest that the training and experience of these firefighters did not prepare them for major disaster work. The difference in stressor susceptibility serves as a basis for identifying training and response factors that appeared to promote an adaptive response. The implications of schema theory for the design of training programs is discussed.
TL;DR: This article used the design effect and hierarchical linear modeling (multilevel analysis) to explore whether there were significant gender differences in science achievement and found that school effects were much more powerful in explaining student differences when compared with gender.
Abstract: The problem of the underrepresentation of girls in science in Australian schools is often attributed to their poor performance. Yet the role of both the home and the school in affecting female science achievement is rarely examined empirically. The comprehensiveness of the Second International Science Study database provided an excellent opportunity to investigate the presence of gender differences in science achievement. Although previous studies of gender differences in science achievement have relied on methodology that has not adequately accounted for the school effects, this study used the design effect and hierarchical linear modeling (multilevel analysis) to explore whether there were significant gender differences. The relative contribution of schools to student achievement was examined, and school-level differences were found to contribute significantly toward explaining variations in student performance. Although statistically significant sex differences were found in physics achievement for 10-year-old, 14-year-old, and year-12 students, school effects were much more powerful in explaining student differences (9–19%) when compared with gender (3%).
TL;DR: The characterization theorem gives rise to a simple recursive algorithm which computes all the covers of x in time Θ(n) in terms of an easily computed normal form for x.
TL;DR: The comparable rates of symptomatic distress, functional impairment, and prior psychiatric illness and treatment suggest that patients with subsyndromal anxiety and depressive symptoms warrant clinical recognition and possibly specific treatment.
Abstract: Objective: To determine in primary care settings the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and functional status of patients who have anxious and depressive symptoms who did not meet diagnostic criteria for major mood and anxiety diagnoses.
TL;DR: A new technique for ID and 2D edge feature extraction to subpixel accuracy using edge models and the local energy approach is described.
Abstract: In this paper we describe a new technique for ID and 2D edge feature extraction to subpixel accuracy using edge models and the local energy approach. A candidate edge is modeled as one of a number of parametric edge models, and the fit is refined by a least-squared error fitting technique. >
TL;DR: In this article, the preferred and perceived styles of leadership were surveyed at a Western Australian State headquarters of a Federal statutory body and it was concluded that the democratic style of leadership leads to a more positive organizational commitment from the individual and also higher job satisfaction.
Abstract: Suggests that, owing to changes in the business environment, leadership rather than management is needed. Proposes, also, that a co‐operative relationship between the management and the workforce should be encouraged. Posits that there is a relationship between perceived and preferred styles of leadership which affects job tenure. Presents the results of a questionnaire on the preferred and perceived styles of leadership which was carried out at a Western Australian State headquarters of a Federal statutory body. Concludes that the democratic style of leadership leads to a more positive organizational commitment from the individual and also higher job satisfaction. Suggests, therefore, that managers should made as much as they possibly can.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of a pilot study which devised a way of measuring affective outcomes from visits to a CSIROSEC laboratory and found that students responded in terms of how easy they found various aspects of the activities, their enjoyment of what they did, and how helpful they found the visit.
Abstract: One of the problems in measuring affective outcomes from visits to science education centres like the CSIROSEC laboratories, is that different students have quite different experiences. They attend to different sets of activities or exhibits for different lengths of time, they have different amounts of previous knowledge and they may interact in different ways. Measurement of affective outcomes must take account of this diversity and, if it is to be useful for teachers, a measuring instrument must be brief, easy to understand and to score. This paper reports the results of a pilot study which devised a way of measuring affective outcomes from visits to a CSIROSEC. Specifically, students responded in terms of how easy they found various aspects of the activities, their enjoyment of what they did, and how helpful they found the visit in terms of their wider views and understanding about science and scientists.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the influence of selected variables on international channel choice decisions of small business exporters in one specific industry, and found that firms with higher exports (as a percentage of the total sales volume) and stronger international family heritage tend to use independent channels, while firms with products for which the importance of service requirements is considered to be high tend not to use integrated channels.
Abstract: Given the paucity of studies investigating international channel choice among small business exporters, examines the influence of selected variables on international channel choice decisions of small business exporters in one specific industry. Results of the analysis using the logistic multiple regression procedure show that three factors significantly distinguish small business exporters using independent channels from those using integrated channels. These factors are: first, company′s exports as a percentage of the total sales volume, second, international family heritage of the major export decision makers in the company, and third, importance of service requirements. The results indicate that firms with higher exports (as a percentage of the total sales volume) and stronger international family heritage tend to use independent channels, while firms with products for which the importance of service requirements is considered to be high tend to use integrated channels. Discusses the implications for t...
TL;DR: In this article, a core-free abraded U-rich zircon group records an age of 3040 ± 60 Ma, which is interpreted as the age of emplacement and crystallization of the granodioritic magma.