Curtin University

About: Curtin University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Zircon. The organization has 14257 authors who have published 48997 publications receiving 1336531 citations. The organization is also known as: WAIT & Western Australian Institute of Technology.

A general model for online probabilistic plan recognition

Abstract: We present a new general framework for online probabilistic plan recognition called the Abstract Hidden Markov Memory Model (AHMEM). The new model is an extension of the existing Abstract Hidden Markov Model to allow the policy to have internal memory which can be updated in a Markov fashion. We show that the A H M E M can repre­ sent a richer class of probabilistic plans, and at the same time derive an efficient algorithm for plan recognition in the A H M E M based on the RaoBlackwellised Particle Filter approximate inference method.

Ovarian cancer and smoking: individual participant meta-analysis including 28 114 women with ovarian cancer from 51 epidemiological studies

Abstract: Background Smoking has been linked to mucinous ovarian cancer, but its effects on other ovarian cancer subtypes and on overall ovarian cancer risk are unclear, and the findings from most studies with relevant data are unpublished To assess these associations, we review the published and unpublished evidence Methods Eligible epidemiological studies were identified by electronic searches, review articles, and discussions with colleagues Individual participant data for 28 114 women with and 94 942 without ovarian cancer from 51 epidemiological studies were analysed centrally, yielding adjusted relative risks (RRs) of ovarian cancer in smokers compared with never smokers Findings After exclusion of studies with hospital controls, in which smoking could have affected recruitment, overall ovarian cancer incidence was only slightly increased in current smokers compared with women who had never smoked (RR 106, 95% CI 101-111, p=001) Of 17 641 epithelial cancers with specified histology, 2314 (13%) were mucinous, 2360 (13%) endometrioid, 969 (5%) clear-cell, and 9086 (52%) serous Smoking-related risks varied substantially across these subtypes (p(heterogeneity)<00001) For mucinous cancers, incidence was increased in current versus never smokers (179, 95% CI 160-200, p<00001), but the increase was mainly in borderline malignant rather than in fully malignant tumours (225, 95% CI 191-265 vs 149, 128-173; p(heterogeneity)=001; almost half the mucinous tumours were only borderline malignant) Both endometrioid (081, 95% CI 072-092, p=0001) and clear-cell ovarian cancer risks (080, 95% CI 065-097, p=003) were reduced in current smokers, and there was no significant association for serous ovarian cancers (099, 95% CI 093-106, p=08) These associations did not vary significantly by 13 sociodemographic and personal characteristics of women including their body-mass index, parity, and use of alcohol, oral contraceptives, and menopausal hormone therapy Interpretation The excess of mucinous ovarian cancers in smokers, which is mainly of tumours of borderline malignancy, is roughly counterbalanced by the deficit of endometrioid and clear-cell ovarian cancers The substantial variation in smoking-related risks by tumour subtype is important for understanding ovarian carcinogenesis

Quality and Generic (Professional) Skills

Abstract: Feedback from employers of graduates indicates a need to include a focus on generic skills to complement disciplinary expertise. Educational research shows that such skills are most effectively taught in the disciplinary context. Therefore, in order to better meet the requirements of employers for graduates who are more 'fit for purpose', universities may need to change the curriculum and how it is taught. Such changes involve significant investment in staff development and monitoring of the change process. Measures of effectiveness of changes must be developed and used to improve graduate quality. This paper describes how a business school has identified a set of generic skills to be taught to all undergraduate students and begun implementing a project to teach and assess the skills in the context of each discipline. The measures of effectiveness that were developed are outlined and lessons learned to date in efforts to improve educational quality are discussed.

Deep carbon cycles constrained by a large-scale mantle Mg isotope anomaly in eastern China

Abstract: Although deep carbon recycling plays an important role in the atmospheric CO2 budget and climate changes through geological time, the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. Since recycled sedimentary carbonate through plate subduction is the main light-δ26Mg reservoir within deep-Earth, Mg isotope variation in mantle-derived melts provides a novel perspective when investigating deep carbon cycling. Here, we show that the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic continental basalts from 13 regions covering the whole of eastern China have low δ26Mg isotopic compositions, while the Early Cretaceous basalts from the same area and the island arc basalts from circum-Pacific subduction zones have mantle-like or heavy Mg isotopic characteristics. Thus, a large-scale mantle low δ26Mg anomaly in eastern China has been delineated, suggesting the contribution of sedimentary carbonates recycled into the upper mantle, but limited into the lower mantle. This large-scale spatial and temporal variation of Mg isotopes in the mantle places severe constraints on deep carbon recycling via oceanic subduction.