Showing papers by "Queensland University of Technology published in 1998"
TL;DR: A new approach for recognizing the iris of the human eye is presented, and the resulting one-dimensional signals are compared with model features using different dissimilarity functions.
Abstract: A new approach for recognizing the iris of the human eye is presented. Zero-crossings of the wavelet transform at various resolution levels are calculated over concentric circles on the iris, and the resulting one-dimensional (1-D) signals are compared with model features using different dissimilarity functions.
1,184 citations
TL;DR: The motivations for using the bootstrap in typical signal processing applications are highlighted, and the use of the boot strap for constructing confidence intervals for flight parameters in a passive acoustic emission problem is demonstrated.
Abstract: The bootstrap is an attractive tool for assessing the accuracy of estimators and testing hypothesis for parameters where conventional techniques are not valid, such as in small data-sample situations. We highlight the motivations for using the bootstrap in typical signal processing applications and give several practical examples. Bootstrap methods for testing statistical hypotheses are described and we provide an analysis of the accuracy of bootstrap tests. We also discuss how the bootstrap can be used to estimate a variance-stabilizing transformation to define a pivotal statistic, and we demonstrate the use of the bootstrap for constructing confidence intervals for flight parameters in a passive acoustic emission problem.
463 citations
TL;DR: This paper shows that not only is the ADT taxonomy applicable to a cross section of current techniques for extracting rules from trained feedforward ANN's but also how the taxonomy can be adapted and extended to embrace a broader range of ANN types and explanation structures.
Abstract: To date, the preponderance of techniques for eliciting the knowledge embedded in trained artificial neural networks (ANN's) has focused primarily on extracting rule-based explanations from feedforward ANN's. The ADT taxonomy for categorizing such techniques was proposed in 1995 to provide a basis for the systematic comparison of the different approaches. This paper shows that not only is this taxonomy applicable to a cross section of current techniques for extracting rules from trained feedforward ANN's but also how the taxonomy can be adapted and extended to embrace a broader range of ANN types (e,g., recurrent neural networks) and explanation structures. In addition we identify some of the key research questions in extracting the knowledge embedded within ANN's including the need for the formulation of a consistent theoretical basis for what has been, until recently, a disparate collection of empirical results.
421 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the synthesis of smectites and porous pillared clay catalysts is reviewed and the use of these pillared clays in some catalytic reactions is also briefly reviewed.
Abstract: This paper reviews the synthesis of smectites and porous pillared clay catalysts. Synthetic as well as natural smectites serve as precursors for the synthesis of Al, Zr, Ti, Fe, Cr, Ga, V, Si, and other pillared clays as well as mixed Fe/Al, Ga/Al, Si/Al, Zr/Al and other mixed metal/Al pillared clays. The use of these pillared clays in some catalytic reactions is also briefly reviewed.
379 citations
TL;DR: The generally poor scientific quality of the literature on this topic precludes the judgment that interventions at worksites cannot increase physical activity or fitness, but such an increase remains to be demonstrated by studies using valid research designs and measures.
378 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine access to public transportation and discuss approaches for improving such access Examples from the South East Queensland region of Australia will be used for illustration and examine the impact of car dependent urban forms on the lifestyles of its residents.
Abstract: The form of a city has a major impact on the lifestyles of its residents As urban centers grow, careful strategies are required to ensure that the regional quality of life is not adversely affected by this growth An important strategic consideration is transportation planning Questions regarding the sustainability of dispersed car dependent urban forms have led to a renewed interest in public transportation This paper examines access to public transportation and discusses approaches for improving such access Examples from the South East Queensland region of Australia will be used for illustration
332 citations
TL;DR: Causal layered analysis as mentioned in this paper consists of four levels: the litany, social causes, discourse/worldview and myth/metaphor, and the challenge is to conduct research that moves up and down these layers of analysis and thus is inclusive of different ways of knowing.
320 citations
TL;DR: A psychometrically evaluated questionnaire that contains 13 items covering foot pain, foot function, footwear, and general foot health demonstrates a high degree of content, criterion, and construct validity and test-retest reliability.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply the principles of content, criterion, and construct validation to a new questionnaire specifically designed to measure foot-health status. One hundred eleven subjects completed two different questionnaires designed to measure foot health (the new Foot Health Status Questionnaire and the previously validated Foot Function Index) and underwent a clinical examination in order to provide data for a second-order confirmatory factor analysis. Presented herein is a psychometrically evaluated questionnaire that contains 13 items covering foot pain, foot function, footwear, and general foot health. The tool demonstrates a high degree of content, criterion, and construct validity and test-retest reliability.
273 citations
01 Mar 1998
Abstract: A systematic multicriteria decision analysis technique is described for contractor selection and bid evaluation based on utility theory and which permits different types of contractor capabilities to be evaluated A UK case study is used to illustrate the technique The theoretical basis and the advantages of the technique are also presented
257 citations
242 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an approach is outlined to guide future efforts in research and programme development aimed at encouraging students' to act as catalysts of environmental communication and learning beyond school boundaries.
Abstract: Many environmental problems are desperately in need of attention. Educating both adults and young people is seen as part of the solution to such problems. Given this situation, and the already considerable investment in environmental education in schools, the notion of encouraging students to initiate environmental discussions with adults at home and in the community seems attractive and worthy of investigation. To this end, this paper critically reviews education and social science literature concerning intergenerational influence. An approach is outlined to guide future efforts in research and programme development aimed at encouraging students’ to act as catalysts of environmental communication and learning beyond school boundaries.
TL;DR: In this article, a multicriteria decision analysis technique for contractor selection and bid evaluation based on utility theory is described, which permits different types of contractor capabilities to be evaluated, and the theoretical basis and the advantages of the technique are also presented.
TL;DR: It is proposed that the phase relationship between these choroidal and eye length rhythms influence the rate of growth of the eye, and it is concluded that diurnal ocular rhythms may be important in eye growth regulation.
TL;DR: This methodology, which introduces the novel use of pre-filled nitrogen vials for calibration, has been used to develop techniques for filling anatomically shaped anthropomorphic phantoms.
Abstract: A simple methodology for the manufacture and calibration of polyacrylamide gel (PAG) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiation dosimetry is presented to enable individuals to undertake such work in a routine clinical environment. Samples of PAG were irradiated using a linear accelerator and imaged using a 0.5 T (22 MHz) Philips Gyroscan MRI scanner. The mean spin-lattice relaxation rate was measured using a `turbo-mixed' sequence, consisting of a series of pulses, each followed by acquisition of a train of spin echoes. The mean sensitivity for five different batches of PAG in the range up to 10 Gy was calculated to be for the mean spin-lattice relaxation rate with a percentage standard deviation of 1.25%. The overall reproducibility between batches was calculated to be 2.69%. This methodology, which introduces the novel use of pre-filled nitrogen vials for calibration, has been used to develop techniques for filling anatomically shaped anthropomorphic phantoms.
TL;DR: The data suggest that adult myopes with stable refractive errors show accommodation responses similar to that of emmetropes, and provide further evidence for the link between myopia progression and inaccurate accommodation.
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of survey data collected from employees of an Australian information technology company found that employee perceptions of teamwork, communication, employee job satisfaction, commitment, and stress significantly predicted self-rated performance.
Abstract: This article explores the nature of organizational communication in the human resource management context. An analysis of survey data collected from employees of an Australian information technology company found that employee perceptions of teamwork, communication, employee job satisfaction, commitment, and stress significantly predicted self-rated performance. Unexpectedly, communication was found to be negatively related to performance. Analysis of the pattern of relationships indicates that while the direct relationship between communication and performance is negative, the role of communication is one of enhancing teamwork, job satisfaction, and commitment. The article relates the findings to the “communication metamyth” which assumes that more communication is necessarily good.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that 6 weeks of short sprint training can improve endurance, sprint and repeated sprint ability in fit subjects and increases in the proportion of type II muscle fibres are also possible with this type of training.
Abstract: In contrast to endurance training, little research has been carried out to investigate the effects of short (<10 s) sprint training on performance, muscle metabolism and fibre types. Nine fit male subjects performed a mean of 16 outdoor sprint running training sessions over 6 weeks. Distances sprinted were 30–80 m at 90–100% maximum speed and between 20 and 40 sprints were performed in each session. Endurance (maximal oxygen consumption; V˙O2
max), sprint (10 m and 40 m times), sustained sprint (supramaximal treadmill run) and repeated sprint (6 × 40 m sprints, 24 s recovery between each) performance tests were performed before and after training. Muscle biopsy samples (vastus lateralis) were also taken to examine changes in metabolites, enzyme activities and fibre types. After training, significant improvements were seen in 40 m time (P < 0.01), supramaximal treadmill run time (P < 0.05), repeated sprint performance (P < 0.05) and V˙O2
max (P < 0.01). Resting muscle concentrations of ATP and phosphocreatine did not change. Phosphorylase activity increased (P < 0.025), citrate synthase activity decreased (P < 0.01), but no significant changes were recorded in myokinase and phosphofructokinase activities. The proportion of type II muscle fibres increased significantly (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that 6 weeks of short sprint training can improve endurance, sprint and repeated sprint ability in fit subjects. Increases in the proportion of type II muscle fibres are also possible with this type of training.
01 Apr 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) behavioural constructs of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were tested for predicting user acceptance of the World Wide Web (Web) and the results indicate a poor fit for the model until the introduction of computer self-efficacy.
Abstract: The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) behavioural constructs of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were tested for predicting user acceptance of the World Wide Web (Web). The results indicate a poor fit for the model until the introduction an additional construct, computer self-efficacy.
TL;DR: The results of two years of monitoring and research on urban particulates with a focus on submicrometer particles, conducted as a part of an ongoing program on comprehensive characterization of fine airborne particulates and their effect on environmental and human exposures, are presented in this paper.
TL;DR: This review contrasts the knowledge of the IGF hormone system in mammalian and nonmammalian models through comparison of tissue and developmental distributions and gene structures of IGF system components in different taxa.
Abstract: The insulin-like growth factors are major regulators of growth and development in mammals and their presence in lower vertebrates suggests that they played a similarly fundamental role throughout vertebrate evolution. While originally perceived simply as mediators of growth hormone, on-going research in mammals has revealed several hierarchical layers of complexity in the regulation of ligand bioavailability and signal transduction. Our understanding of the biological role and mechanisms of action of these important growth factors in mammals patently requires further elucidation of the IGF hormone system in the simple model systems that can be found the in lower vertebrates and protochordates. This review contrasts our knowledge of the IGF hormone system in mammalian and nonmammalian models through comparison of tissue and developmental distributions and gene structures of IGF system components in different taxa. We also discuss the evolutionary origins of the system components and their possible evolutionary pathways.
TL;DR: This article examined the relationship between mass attitudes and specific types of welfare state regime and the social and other correlates of mass opinion and found that political alignments have a strong influence on attitudes to welfare.
Abstract: This paper examines the validity of predominant assumptions about popular support for the welfare state. These presuppositions include the notion that support for the welfare state varies in different types of regimes (be they 'liberal' or 'social democratic' or 'conservative '), the idea that different social groups (for example, the middle and working classes and the unemployed) have different interests with respect to the welfare state, and the view that political alignments have a strong influence on attitudes to welfare. To investigate these issues we analyze the 1990 International Social Survey Programme Role of Government Survey and compare it to the findings of an analysis we conducted on the 1985 survey. The aim therefore is to examine the relationship between mass attitudes and specific types of welfare state regime and the social and other correlates of mass opinion.
TL;DR: The Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (Mann, Burnett, Radford, & Ford, 1997) measures self-reported decision-making coping patterns as discussed by the authors, and found that Asian students tended to score higher on buck-passing and procrastination (avoidant styles of decision making) as well as hypervigilance (a panicky style of decisionmaking).
Abstract: The Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (Mann, Burnett, Radford, & Ford, 1997) measures self-reported decision-making coping patterns. The questionnaire was administered to samples of University students in the US (N = 475), Australia (N = 262), New Zealand (N = 260), Japan (N = 359), Hong Kong (N = 281), and Taiwan (N = 414). As predicted, students from the three Western, individualistic cultures (US, Australia, and New Zealand) were more confident of their decision-making ability than students from the three East Asian, group-oriented cultures (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan). No cross-cultural differences were found in scores on decision vigilance (a careful decision-making style). However, compared with Western students, the Asian students tended to score higher on buck-passing and procrastination (avoidant styles of decision making) as well as hypervigilance (a panicky style of decision making). Japanese students scored lowest on decision self-esteem and highest on procrastination and hypervigilance. It was argued that the conflict model and its attendant coping patterns is relevant for describing and comparing decision making in both Western and Asian cultures.
16 Aug 1998
TL;DR: Results shown indicate that the calculated Importance Maps correlate well with human perception of visually important regions.
Abstract: We present a method for automatically determining the perceptual importance of different regions in an image. The algorithm is based on human visual attention and eye movement characteristics. Several features known to influence human visual attention are evaluated for each region of a segmented image to produce an importance value for each factor and region. These are combined to produce an Importance Map, which classifies each region of the image in relation to its perceptual importance. Results shown indicate that the calculated Importance Maps correlate well with human perception of visually important regions. The Importance Maps can be used in a variety of applications, including compression, machine vision, and image databases. Our technique is computationally efficient and flexible, and can easily be extended to specific applications.
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: The data suggest that adult myopes with stable refractive errors show accommodation responses similar to that of emmetropes, and provide further evidence for the link between myopia progression and inaccurate accommodation.
Abstract: While the accommodation system has been implicated in myopia development, the nature of this relationship remains obscure. This study investigated the differences in accommodation stimulus response curves between adult myopes and emmetropes. Myopic subjects were classified according to age of onset and stability of their myopia. Accommodation stimulus response curves were measured using three different methods: (i) real targets presented at viewing distances of 4 m to 0.25 m, (ii) a target at 4 m viewed through negative lenses of increasing power, and (iii) a target at 0.25 m viewed through positive lenses of decreasing power. A Canon Autoref R-1 measured the accommodation responses at 5 levels of demand (increasing from 0 D to 4 D in 1 D steps). We found significant differences between the three methods used to stimulate an accommodation response in all subject groups, for example, accommodation lags at high accommodative demands were greatest for the negative lens series and least for the positive lens series. In addition, while differences between early-onset myopes, late-onset myopes and emmetropes were not observed, we did observe differences when myopic subjects were reclassified according to whether their myopia was progressing or stable. A reduced accommodation response to negative lens-induced accommodative demand was found in progressing myopes but not in stable myopes. These results provide further evidence for the link between myopia progression and inaccurate accommodation. The data also suggest that adult myopes with stable refractive errors show accommodation responses similar to that of emmetropes.
TL;DR: The results support the inclusion of the diagnosis of life-threatening illness as a traumatic incident that may lead to a posttraumatic stress disorder, which is consistent with the DSM-IV criteria.
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study of the learning environment of a Year 11 Biology class was conducted, and it was found that even though the students viewed the class positively, and described themselves as highly motivated to learn, the level of cognitive engagement was affected by two interrelated factors: the control the teacher had over almost all activities, and student beliefs about learning in this context.
Abstract: This paper reports a qualitative study of the learning environment of a Year 11 Biology class. The research was originally framed in a constructivist epistemology, but was also informed by an emancipatory interest. The main methods used for data gathering were participant observation, interviewing and a written response survey (CES) (Tobin 1993a). It was found that, even though the students viewed the class positively, and described themselves as highly motivated to learn, the level of cognitive engagement was affected by two interrelated factors: the control the teacher had over almost all activities, and student beliefs about learning in this context. The data suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation which could lead to deep involvement in learning are constrained by a preponderance of teacher‐centred methods of instruction. A model is proposed relating intrinsic and extrinsic interest to cognitive engagement. It is concluded that more activities should be used which either implicitly or exp...
TL;DR: Interventions in health care settings can increase physical activity for both primary and secondary prevention, and long-term effects are more likely with continuing intervention and multiple intervention components such as supervised exercise, provision of equipment, and behavioral approaches.
TL;DR: Evidence from this study supports the hypothesis that in non-clinical, community-based populations the frequency with which core bereavement phenomena are experienced is in the order: bereaved parents bereaved spouses bereaved adult children.
Abstract: Objective: The study investigated previous research findings and clinical impressions which indicated that the intensity of grief for parents who had lost a child was likely to be higher than that for widows/widowers, who in turn were likely to have more intense reactions than adult children losing a parent.Method: In order to compare the intensities of the bereavement reactions among representative community samples of bereaved spouses (n = 44), adult children (n = 40) and parents (n = 36), and to follow the course of such phenomena, a detailed Bereavement Questionnaire was administered at four time points over a 13–month period following the loss.Results: Measures based on items central to the construct of bereavement showed significant time and group differences in accordance with the proposed hypothesis. More global items associated with the construct of resolution showed a significant time effect, but without significant group differences.Conclusions: Evidence from this study supports the hypothesis ...
TL;DR: The cognitive deficits associated with exposure to environmental lead in early childhood appear to be only partially reversed by a subsequent decline in blood lead level.
Abstract: Context.—Many studies have found a significant inverse
association between early exposure to environmental lead and cognitive
function in childhood. Whether these effects are reversible when
exposure is reduced is not clear.Objective.—To assess the reversibility of the apparent
effects of lead on cognitive abilities in early childhood by testing
whether declines in blood lead concentrations beyond the age of 2 years
are associated with improvements in cognition.Setting.—Urban and rural communities surrounding a large
lead smelter in Port Pirie, South Australia.Participants.—A total of 375 children followed up from
birth to the age of 11 to 13 years.Design.—Long-term prospective cohort study.Main Outcome Measures.—The Bayley Mental Development Index
at age 2 years, the McCarthy General Cognitive Index at age 4 years,
and IQs from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (revised version) at ages
7 and 11 to 13 years.Results.—Mean blood lead concentrations in the children
decreased from 1.02 µmol/L (21.2 µg/dL) at age 2 years to 0.38
µmol/L (7.9 µg/dL) at age 11 to 13 years, but cognitive scores in
children whose blood lead concentration declined most were generally
not improved relative to the scores of children whose blood lead levels
declined least. Changes in IQ and declines in blood lead levels that
occurred between the ages of 7 and 11 to 13 years (r = 0.12,
P = .09) suggested slightly better cognition among children
whose blood lead levels declined most.Conclusion.—The cognitive deficits associated with exposure
to environmental lead in early childhood appear to be only partially
reversed by a subsequent decline in blood lead
level.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and APS (APS) to determine the particle number concentration and size distribution for 11 gasoline powered and 2 liquefied petroleum (LPG) powered passenger vehicles.
Abstract: Particulate emissions from 11 gasoline powered and 2 liquefied petroleum (LPG) powered passenger vehicles were characterised during the Accelerated Simulation Mode driving cycles on a chassis dynamometer. The test fleet consisted of 10 catalyst-equipped vehicles operated with unleaded gasoline (5 Ford Falcons and 5 Holden Commodores), 2 LPG powered vehicles (both Ford Falcons), and 1 older type noncatalyst vehicle operated with leaded gasoline. Particulate characterisation included determination of total particulate number concentration and size distribution using the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and the Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS). The average particle number concentrations in the SMPS range for all modes was lower for Ford Falcons and somewhat higher for Commodores, with values of 1.5x104 and 4.1x104 cm-3, respectively. This difference is significant and was observed for all modes. The number concentration levels were higher for the LPG fuelled cars (8.4x104 cm-3) and for the leaded gasoline powered vehicle (7.9x105 cm-3). There was not a significant variation in particle count median diameter in the SMPS and the APS ranges, either for different operating conditions of the vehicles investigated, or between different vehicle groups. The observed size distributions were bimodal with average values of CMD ranged from 39.1 to 60.2nm in the SMPS range and from 0.9 to 1.4µm in the APS range. The results obtained from this study can be used as a first order estimation towards emission inventories for vehicle groups included in the investigations.