Showing papers by "Curtin University published in 1997"
TL;DR: A "specific exercise" treatment approach appears more effective than other commonly prescribed conservative treatment programs in patients with chronically symptomatic spondylolysis or spondYLolisthesis.
Abstract: Study design A randomized, controlled trial, test--retest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 30-month postal questionnaire follow-up. Objective To determine the efficacy of a specific exercise intervention in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain and a radiologic diagnosis of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Summary of background data A recent focus in the physiotherapy management of patients with back pain has been the specific training of muscles surrounding the spine (deep abdominal muscles and lumbar multifidus), considered to provide dynamic stability and fine control to the lumbar spine. In no study have researchers evaluated the efficacy of this intervention in a population with chronic low back pain where the anatomic stability of the spine was compromised. Methods Forty-four patients with this condition were assigned randomly to two treatment groups. The first group underwent a 10-week specific exercise treatment program involving the specific training of the deep abdominal muscles, with co-activation of the lumbar multifidus proximal to the pars defects. The activation of these muscles was incorporated into previously aggravating static postures and functional tasks. The control group underwent treatment as directed by their treating practitioner. Results After intervention, the specific exercise group showed a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity and functional disability levels, which was maintained at a 30-month follow-up. The control group showed no significant change in these parameters after intervention or at follow-up. Summary A "specific exercise" treatment approach appears more effective than other commonly prescribed conservative treatment programs in patients with chronically symptomatic spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis.
1,105 citations
TL;DR: The Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) as mentioned in this paper assesses either student or teacher perceptions of Personal Relevance, Uncertainty, Student Negotiation, Shared Control, and Critical Voice.
564 citations
TL;DR: Head and shoulder posture was similar between genders and other longstanding assumptions were not supported, and accordingly, a forward head was not associated with increased thoracic curvature or upper cervical spine extension.
316 citations
TL;DR: The pollution history of the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere is recorded in the levels of heavy metal impurities in Greenland ice, and the possibility also exists of using natural variations in the abundances of lead isotopes to trace the source of this pollution as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The pollution history of the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere is recorded in the levels of heavy metal impurities in Greenland ice. The possibility also exists of using natural variations in the abundances of lead isotopes to trace the source of this pollution. Lead isotopes have now been measured in ancient Greenland ice with a lead concentration as low as 0.9 pg/g. The results show a depression in the 206Pb/207Pb ratio between 600 B.C. and 300 A.D., giving unequivocal evidence of early large-scale atmospheric pollution by this toxic metal. This ratio changes from ∼1.201 in ∼8-kyr-old ice to ∼1.183 about 2 kyr ago. Isotopic systematics point to the mining districts in southwest and southeast Spain as the dominant sources of this lead, giving quantitative evidence of the importance of these mining districts to the Carthaginian and Roman civilizations. Lead with a Rio Tinto-type signature represents ∼70% of the lead found in Greenland ice between ∼150 B.C. and 50 A.D. after correcting for the contribu...
299 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new inequality of Ostrowski-Gruss' type was derived and applied to the estimation of error bounds for some special means and for some numerical quadrature rules.
Abstract: In this paper we derive a new inequality of Ostrowski-Gruss' type and apply it to the estimation of error bounds for some special means and for some numerical quadrature rules.
287 citations
TL;DR: The authors examines the research literature on conceptual change, analyzes the different uses of the term "conceptual change", and discusses six other issues that have emerged from this literature. And they synthesize various perspectives of contemporary conceptual change research by proposing that changes in students' knowledge structures be viewed from epistemological, ontological, and social/affective perspectives.
Abstract: This article examines the research literature on conceptual change, analyzes the different uses of the term “conceptual change,” and discusses six other issues that have emerged from this literature. The second part of this study outlines a multidimensional framework for considering conceptual change events in the classroom and attempts to synthesize various perspectives of contemporary conceptual change research by proposing that changes in students' knowledge structures be viewed from epistemological, ontological, and social/affective perspectives. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed81:387-404, 1997.
263 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors empirically examined the relationship between gross fixed investment, telecommunications infrastructure investment and economic growth for a sample of transitional economies in Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on empirically determining the direction of influence, and timing, between investment and growth.
Abstract: The antiquated state of the telecommunications network in the transitional economies of Central and Eastern Europe has been identified by the OECD (1993) and the ITU (1994) as a significant impediment to regional productivity, international competitiveness and trade performance. This situation suggests that the upgrading and extension of the telecommunications network should be a priority objective for policy-makers in order to facilitate growth. This paper empirically examines the relationship between gross fixed investment, telecommunications infrastructure investment and economic growth for a sample of transitional economies in Central and Eastern Europe. In particular, the paper focuses on empirically determining the direction of influence, and timing, between investment and growth.
211 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a model of migrant psychological distress was developed in which ethnic identity was predicted to influence personal coping resources (i.e., self-esteem, self-mastery, interpersonal trust) and external coping resources that, in turn, were predicted to affect migrants' psychological well-being.
Abstract: Although a considerable amount of research has addressed aspects of refugee and migrant adjustment to their new country of residence, little attention has been given to the causal impact of migrant ethnic identity on the adjustment process. To assess this issue, a model of migrant psychological distress was developed in which ethnic identity was predicted to influence personal coping resources (i.e., self-esteem, self-mastery, interpersonal trust) and external coping resources (i.e., tangible, appraisal, esteem, and sense of belonging social support) that, in turn, were predicted to influence migrants' psychological well-being. The model was tested on a sample of 270 male and female Vietnamese migrants. The results revealed that ethnic identity was a significant but not a strong predictor of migrant distress, via self-esteem. The implications of the findings for theories of identity and migrant adaptation are discussed.
205 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented new isotope and trace element data for komatiitic basalts and a related peridotite Vinela Dike from the Vetreny Belt in the southeastern Baltic Shield.
200 citations
TL;DR: The control subjects displayed an ability to preferentially activate internal oblique with minimal activation of upper rectus abdominis during the action of drawing in the abdominal wall, while the group with CLBP were unable to achieve this, which may reflect the presence of neuromuscular dysfunction.
Abstract: This study investigated patterns of abdominal muscle recruitment during the abdominal drawing in manoeuvre in subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and radiological diagnosis of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis Data were collected using surface electromyography from 12 physically active subjects with CLBP and 10 controls The control subjects displayed an ability to preferentially activate internal oblique with minimal activation of upper rectus abdominis during the action of drawing in the abdominal wall The group with CLBP were unable to achieve this This finding may reflect the presence of neuromuscular dysfunction in this group Further study is required to investigate if these findings are linked to the ability of patients with CLBP to provide dynamic stability of their lumbar spine
183 citations
TL;DR: Constructivism has become an important referent for research and practice in science education as discussed by the authors, and a variety of more or less divergent forms of constructivism have developed: discussion between these is occasionally heated.
Abstract: Constructivism has become an important referent for research and practice in science education. A variety of more or less divergent forms of constructivism have developed: discussion between these is occasionally heated. Six such forms are briefly described in order to provide an overview of the field of constructivist theory. A scheme for characterising constructivist writing on the basis of its relative emphasis on (a) personal versus social construction of knowledge and (b) objectivist versus relativist views of the nature of science is suggested. Issues of theory creation and reflexivity, central to constructivist practice, are discussed. It is suggested that debate about the "best" form of constructivism is counterproductive. A more powerful approach to epistemology is that described by Feyerabend, the holding in dialectical tension of a variety of incompatible perspectives: The following essay is written in the conviction that anarchism, while perhaps not the most attractive political philosophy, is certainly excellent medicine for epistemology, and for the philosophy of science (Feyerabend, 1975, 17, italics in original).
TL;DR: The study looked at discomfort levels and performance when using laptops as compared with desktops, and found subjects tended to perform better than when using the desktop, though not significantly so.
TL;DR: In this article, the current state of the design and operation of stand-alone PV-diesel hybrid energy systems is reviewed, and future developments have the potential to increase the economic competitiveness of such systems and their acceptance by the user.
Abstract: The continuous decline of costs for renewable energy technology, together with the establishment of a mature alternative energy industry, has led to the increased utilisation of renewable energy sources for remote area power generation. Rural households in industrialised and less developed countries attach high value to a reliable supply of electricity even if its capacity is limited. The paper reviews the current state of the design and operation of stand-alone PV-diesel hybrid energy systems. It highlights future developments, which have the potential to increase the economic competitiveness of such systems and their acceptance by the user.
07 Jul 1997
TL;DR: A multilevel pulse-width modulated (PWM) single phase voltage-source inverter topology for photovoltaic applications with use of the phase opposition (PO) carrier disposition multicarrier PWM switching technique is presented.
Abstract: A multilevel pulse-width modulated (PWM) single phase voltage-source inverter topology for photovoltaic applications is discussed in this paper. The use of the phase opposition (PO) carrier disposition multicarrier PWM switching technique for this topology is presented. Inverter switch control signals are derived. A 5-level and a 3-level PWM voltage waveform across the load is generated, for high and low modulation indexes respectively. Performance characteristics including total harmonic distortion for a range of operating conditions of the inverter are provided. Theoretical considerations discussed in this paper are supported with simulation and experimental results taken from a low power laboratory prototype.
TL;DR: The results of this study imply that useful strategies for improving driver vigilance should be directed at improving the safety culture of the operating environment.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the initial and subsequent performance of economics departments and found that while overall performance has improved substantially, further productivity improvements are required for new universities to achieve best practice.
Abstract: The 1987 Green Paper on Australian higher education included a recommendation for the abandonment of the binary system. The Dawkins plan effectively transferred resources from established universities to the former colleges of advanced education. This study compares the initial and subsequent performance of economics departments. The analysis applies survey data to a non-parametric data envelopment analysis model. Model results suggest that while overall performance has improved substantially, further productivity improvements are required for new universities to achieve best practice.
TL;DR: The primary anatomical influences on thoracic posture, mobility and stability are reviewed and the consequences of anatomical variation and degenerative change, their effect onThoracic kyphosis, and the range and patterns of Thoracic movement are examined.
TL;DR: A radical and far-reaching new manufacturing paradigm based upon on building production systems from standardized modular machines is proposed, aimed specifically at ’hard‘ low- to medium-technology consumer products, as typified by goods such as children’s toys and kitchen appliances.
Abstract: It is well recognized that manufacturers of consumer goods throughout the world are facing major new demands, including shorter product life-cycles and increasing competition. In response, companies are restructuring and moving away from traditional process-centred work practices in favour of concurrent engineering methods. In particular, design for manufacture has gained widespread recognition as a means of reducing production costs and lead times. However, optimal design for manufacture is difficult to achieve using current-day work organization and business structures. An underlying problem is the lack of a scientific framework for production. To address this need, this paper proposes a radical and far-reaching new manufacturing paradigm based upon on building production systems from standardized modular machines. The manufacturing concept, termed modular production systems (MPS), is aimed specifically at ’hard‘ low- to medium-technology consumer products, as typified by goods such as children‘s toys and kitchen appliances. The rationale for MPS as a means of enabling concurrent product and production system design is put forward, and the long-term implications and work required to establish the concept are discussed.
TL;DR: Objective: To identify factors that influence a woman's decision to breast‐feed and to describe these factors in more detail.
Abstract: Objective: To identify factors that influence a woman's decision to breast-feed.
Methodology: Five hundred and fifty-six women were recruited from the maternity wards of two Perth hospitals. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire completed by participants prior to discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors influencing the initiation of breast-feeding.
Results: At discharge from hospital 83.8% of women were breast-feeding, including 6% who were giving complementary formula feeds. After controlling for potentially confounding demographic and biomedical factors, the father's reported preference for breast-feeding was found to be the most important factor influencing a woman's decision to breast-feed (OR 10.18).
Conclusion: Fathers participate in and influence the choice of infant feeding method and should be included in breast-feeding discussions.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present evidence that contact of plant matter with seawater during early diagenesis enhances the expression of oleananes in a mature sediment or oil, and show that oleanane abundance increases toward the top of the seam in correlation with % organic sulphur, dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene, and the homohopane index.
TL;DR: In the clinical examination of a patient who is in pain, use can be made of the sensitization of a peripheral nerve to determine whether the disorder is neurogenic.
TL;DR: In this article, mathematical models of reactive distillation are based on the conventional distillation process with supplementary equations added to model the reactions present, and a homotopy analysis is performed on the tuned simulation models to determine the homogeneous properties of both MTBE and ETBE systems.
Abstract: Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is an alternative gasoline oxygenate that combines the blending properties of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and the renewability of ethanol. Technologically, the best means of synthesis utilizes reactive (or catalytic) distillation to maximize hydrocarbon conversion and energy efficiency while simultaneously producing a high-purity ether product. Mathematical models of reactive distillation are based on the conventional distillation process with supplementary equations added to model the reactions present. Ether−alkene−alcohol systems are highly nonideal in the liquid phase so that careful selection of physical property routines is required to ensure satisfactory simulation results. Column simulations performed here using both Pro/II and SpeedUp show excellent agreement with previously published experimental data for a MTBE system and also agree well with each other for both MTBE and ETBE systems. A homotopy analysis was performed on the tuned simulation models to determine ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the chemical forms of arsenic in some herbivorous or mainly marine animals and, in some cases, the algae on which they feed were determined by HPLC-ICP MS.
Abstract: The chemical forms of arsenic in some herbivorous or mainly herbivorous marine animals and, in some cases, the algae on which they feed were determined by HPLC-ICP MS. In most cases arsenobetaine was present in the animals as well as arsenosugars consumed directly from the algae. However in the case of copepods Gladioferens imparipes fed only on the diatom Chaetoceros concavicornis which had been grown in axenic culture, arseno-betaine was absent. Arsenobetaine was also absent from the muscle of the silver drummer Kyphosus sydneyanus, although trimethyl-arsine oxide was present. This is the first reported case of the absence of arsenobetaine in a marine teleost fish and may be related to its fermentative faculty for digesting the macroalgae that it consumes. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, a summary of current thinking on what is good leadership is provided, and a number of suggestions are implemented in leadership development which contribute to the development of leadership wisdom.
Abstract: Aims to bring together some of the major perspectives and theories of leadership with some of the key practical components of eastern and western philosophy. Suggests that the current leadership theories are good foundations from which to move to a more practical and immediate experience of leadership. The major view put forward is that these concepts of leadership point to the need for “leadership wisdom”. First, covers theories of leadership to provide a summary of current thinking on what is good leadership. Discusses the recent concept of “emotional intelligence” as an appropriate way to extend the way we look at the personality and skills of a leader. Introduces leadership wisdom as a way of describing effective leadership applied to the immediate situation. This wisdom can be found in themes that have existed in western and eastern philosophy for centuries. Explores these themes using stories that have come from philosophical teachings and then relates them to the central points of leadership. Uses a summary figure to portray the integration of previous leadership concepts around leadership wisdom in practice. Makes a number of suggestions that are implemented in leadership development which contribute to the development of leadership wisdom.
TL;DR: The SOLEI (Science Outdoor Learning Environment Inventory) was developed and content-validated in high schools in Israel and found to be a sensitive measure that differentiates between different types of field trips conducted in the context of different subjects.
Abstract: The SOLEI (Science Outdoor Learning Environment Inventory) was developed and content-validated in high schools in Israel. The instrument consists of seven scales (55 items). Five of the scales are based on the Science Laboratory Learning Environment Instrument (SLEI) developed in Australia. The other two scales are unique to the learning environment existing in outdoor activities. The instrument was found to be a sensitive measure that differentiates between different types of field trips conducted in the context of different subjects (biology, chemistry, and earth science). It is suggested that the instrument could be an important addition to the research tools available for studies conducted in informal settings in science education. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed 81:161–171, 1997.
TL;DR: It seems that a significant proportion of those using 'dance drugs' in association with raves and dance parties are mixing these drugs with other substances despite harm reduction advice to the contrary.
Abstract: This study aimed to quantify the patterns of drug use among a group of participants in the rave scene in Perth, Western Australia. Interviews were conducted with 83 people who had recently been to ...
TL;DR: Health promotion in young adults should attempt to increase self-efficacy and address perceived barriers to change, taking into account gender-related differences in attitudes and the influence of depression and Type A characteristics on health-related behaviours.
TL;DR: The authors examined the nature and extent of global and regional inequality using the most recent country level data on inequality drawn from World Bank studies, and real per capita income from the Penn World Tables, for the period 1980-1990.
Abstract: The paper examines the nature and extent of global and regional inequality using the most recent country level data on inequality drawn from World Bank studies, and real per capita income from the Penn World Tables, for the period 1980–1990. The methodology employed in the paper is based on a mixture of parametric and non-parametric approaches to inequality measurement. It is designed to handle the limited and incomplete nature of income distribution data from different countries. Empirical results show a very high degree of global inequality, but with some evidence of catch-up and convergence between regions.
TL;DR: Logistic regression analysis indicates that age of purchasers, length of symptoms and kinds of treatment used before visiting a pharmacy could be used as predictive variables for the decision to buy antibiotics in preference to alternative drugs.
Abstract: A survey on the use of antibiotics purchased through retail pharmacies was conducted in the Badinh district of Hanoi, Vietnam. The survey found that purchasers visit a pharmacy when they or those who felt they needed antibiotics had minor symptoms such as cough (34.1%), sore throat (32.5%), stomach upsets (10.0%) and diarrhoea (8.8%). The most often purchased antibiotics were ampicillin (31.1%), amoxyllin (16.7%), cotrimoxazol (11.6%), tetracycline (5.2%) and cephalexin (4.8%). The median of the purchased quantity was 10 tablets, the mean 11.34 tablets (95%CI 9.65-12.97). About 30% of the purchasers intended to take antibiotics for three days or less. The mean cost of a antibiotic purchase was US$1.27 (95%CI 1.06-1.39). The main reason for not taking a full course of antibiotics was not economic constraint, but the purchasers' poor knowledge about antibiotics. Logistic regression analysis indicates that age of purchasers, length of symptoms and kinds of treatment used before visiting a pharmacy could be used as predictive variables for the decision to buy antibiotics in preference to alternative drugs. Antibiotics are used when illness lasts longer than one week and antibiotics have not yet been taken. Antibiotics are also purchased by young rather than old people. The study documents the need for better health education about the rational use of antibiotics in the general public.