Showing papers by "Queensland University of Technology published in 2003"

Workflow Patterns

Abstract: Differences in features supported by the various contemporary commercial workflow management systems point to different insights of suitability and different levels of expressive power. The challenge, which we undertake in this paper, is to systematically address workflow requirements, from basic to complex. Many of the more complex requirements identified, recur quite frequently in the analysis phases of workflow projects, however their implementation is uncertain in current products. Requirements for workflow languages are indicated through workflow patterns. In this context, patterns address business requirements in an imperative workflow style expression, but are removed from specific workflow languages. The paper describes a number of workflow patterns addressing what we believe identify comprehensive workflow functionality. These patterns provide the basis for an in-depth comparison of a number of commercially available workflow management systems. As such, this paper can be seen as the academic response to evaluations made by prestigious consulting companies. Typically, these evaluations hardly consider the workflow modeling language and routing capabilities, and focus more on the purely technical and commercial aspects.

European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice. Third Joint Task Force of European and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice.

Abstract: Guidelines aim to present all the relevant evidence on a particular issue in order to help physicians to weigh the benefits and risks of a particular diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. They should be helpful in everyday clinical decision-making. A great number of guidelines have been issued in recent years by different organizations-European Society of Cardiology (ESC), American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and other related societies. By means of links to web sites of National Societies several hundred guidelines are available. This profusion can put at stake the authority and validity of guidelines, which can only be guaranteed if they have been developed by an unquestionable decision-making process. This is one of the reasons why the ESC and others have issued recommendations for formulating and issuing guidelines. In spite of the fact that standards for issuing good quality guidelines are well defined, recent surveys of guidelines published in peer-reviewed journals between 1985 and 1998 have shown that methodological standards were not complied with in the vast majority of cases. It is therefore of great importance that guidelines and recommendations are presented in formats that are easily interpreted. Subsequently, their implementation programmes must also be well conducted. Attempts have been made to determine whether guidelines improve the quality of clinical practice and the utilization of health resources. In addition, the legal implications of medical guidelines have been discussed and examined, resulting in position documents, which have been published by a specific Task Force. The ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG) supervises and coordinates the preparation of new Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents produced by Task Forces, expert groups or consensus panels. The Committee is also responsible for the endorsement of these guidelines or statements. The rationale for an active approach to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is …

Business process management: a survey

Abstract: Business Process Management (BPM) includes methods, techniques, and tools to support the design, enactment, management, and analysis of operational business processes. It can be considered as an extension of classical Workflow Management (WFM) systems and approaches. Although the practical relevance of BPM is undisputed, a clear definition of BPM and related acronyms such as BAM, BPA, and STP are missing. Moreover, a clear scientific foundation is missing. In this paper, we try to demystify the acronyms in this domain, describe the state-of-the-art technology, and argue that BPM could benefit from formal methods/languages (cf. Petri nets, process algebras, etc.).

Quality driven web services composition

Abstract: The process-driven composition of Web services is emerging as a promising approach to integrate business applications within and across organizational boundaries. In this approach, individual Web services are federated into composite Web services whose business logic is expressed as a process model. The tasks of this process model are essentially invocations to functionalities offered by the underlying component services. Usually, several component services are able to execute a given task, although with different levels of pricing and quality. In this paper, we advocate that the selection of component services should be carried out during the execution of a composite service, rather than at design-time. In addition, this selection should consider multiple criteria (e.g., price, duration, reliability), and it should take into account global constraints and preferences set by the user (e.g., budget constraints). Accordingly, the paper proposes a global planning approach to optimally select component services during the execution of a composite service. Service selection is formulated as an optimization problem which can be solved using efficient linear programming methods. Experimental results show that this global planning approach outperforms approaches in which the component services are selected individually for each task in a composite service.

Porous Materials for Oil Spill Cleanup: A Review of Synthesis and Absorbing Properties

Abstract: This paper reviews the synthesis and the absorbing properties of the wide variety of porous sorbent materials that have been studied for application in the removal of organics, particularly in the area of oil spill cleanup. The discussion is especially focused on hydrophobic silica aerogels, zeolites, organoclays and natural sorbents many of which have been demonstrated to exhibit (or show potential to exhibit) excellent oil absorption properties. The areas for further development of some of these materials are identified.

The Self-Serv environment for Web services composition

Abstract: Self-Serv aims to enable the declarative composition of new services from existing ones, the multiattribute dynamic selection of services within a composition, and peer-to-peer orchestration of composite service executions. Self-Serv adopts the principle that every service, whether elementary or composite, should provide a programmatic interface based on SOAP and the Web Service Definition Language. This does not exclude the possibility of integrating legacy applications, such as those written in CORBA, into the service's business logic. To integrate such applications, however, first requires the development of appropriate adapters. The paper considers how the mechanism for composing services in Self-Serv is based on two major concepts: the composite service and the service container.

"Stress" and coronary heart disease: psychosocial risk factors.

Abstract: An Expert Working Group of the National Heart Foundation of Australia undertook a review of systematic reviews of the evidence relating to major psychosocial risk factors to assess whether there are independent associations between any of the factors and the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD), or the occurrence of acute cardiac events. The expert group concluded that (i) there is strong and consistent evidence of an independent causal association between depression, social isolation and lack of quality social support and the causes and prognosis of CHD; and (ii) there is no strong or consistent evidence for a causal association between chronic life events, work-related stressors (job control, demands and strain), Type A behaviour patterns, hostility, anxiety disorders or panic disorders and CHD. The increased risk contributed by these psychosocial factors is of similar order to the more conventional CHD risk factors such as smoking, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. The identified psychosocial risk factors should be taken into account during individual CHD risk assessment and management, and have implications for public health policy and research.

Binge-Drinking: A Test of the Role of Group Norms in the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract: A study was undertaken to assess the utility of the theory of planned behaviour in the prediction of students' binge-drinking. Additionally, a perspective was utilised to address the usually weak contribution of subjective norms in predicting behavioural intentions. Respondents were 289 undergraduate students. The study employed a longitudinal design, with the predictors of performing the behaviour under consideration assessed prior to the measure of reported behaviour. Support was found for the application of the theory of planned behaviour to binge-drinking. A reconceptualisation of norms in the theory of planned behaviour, from a social identity theory/self-categorization theory perspective, was also supported; consistent with expectations, the norms of a behaviourally relevant reference group predicted intentions to binge-drink, especially for participants who identified strongly with the reference group. The results are discussed in relation to measures which may help to reduce the incidence of binge...

Physical Fitness and Physical Activity in Obese and Nonobese Flemish Youth

Abstract: Objective: To assess different aspects of physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth. Research Methods and Procedures: A random sample of 3214 Flemish schoolchildren was selected and divided into an "obese" and "nonobese" group based on body mass index and sum of skinfolds. Physical fitness was assessed by the European physical fitness test battery. Physical activity was estimated by a modified version of the Baecke Questionnaire. Results: Obese subjects had inferior performances on all tests requiring propulsion or lifting of the body mass (standing-broad jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, speed shuttle run, and endurance shuttle run) compared with their nonobese counterparts (p < 0.001). In contrast, the obese subjects showed greater strength on handgrip (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar levels of leisure-time physical activity; however, nonobese boys had a higher sport index than their obese counterparts (p < 0.05). Discussion: Results of this study show that obese subjects had poorer performances on weight-bearing tasks, but did not have lower scores on all fitness components. To encourage adherence to physical activity in obese youth, it is important that activities are tailored to their capabilities. Results suggest that weight-bearing activities should be limited at the start of an intervention with obese participants and alternative activities that rely more on static strength used.

The impact of very premature birth on the psychological health of mothers

Abstract: Background: The birth of a very premature infant is a critical event in the life of a family and studies have shown that mothers of these infants are at greater risk of psychological distress than mothers of full-term infants. Study design: A total population study of mothers of preterm infants born at less than 32-week gestation at a tertiary referral hospital. Subjects and methods: Sixty-two mothers of very preterm infants (<32 weeks) participated in the present study which examines correlates of maternal depressive symptomatology at 1 month following very premature birth. Information was obtained from structured questionnaires completed by mothers at 1 month after infant admission to neonatal intensive care. Results: Forty percent of the mothers reported significant depressive symptoms on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Logistic regression analysis indicated that high maternal stress resulted in an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms (OR 1.15, CI 1.04–1.26, p<0.01). Higher levels of maternal education (p<0.05), and increased perception of support from nursing staff (OR 1.06, CI 0.88–1.00, p<0.05) resulted in decreased likelihood of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The birth and subsequent hospitalisation of a very premature infant evokes considerable psychological distress in mothers. These results have implications for policy development in order to enhance family centred care in the neonatal intensive care.

Being stoned: a review of self-reported cannabis effects.

Abstract: Although there has been considerable research into the adverse effects of cannabis, less attention has been directed toward subjective effects that may be associated with ongoing cannabis use. Examination of self-reported cannabis effects is an important issue in understanding the widespread use of cannabis. While reviews have identified euphoria as a primary factor in maintaining cannabis use, relaxation is the effect reported most commonly in naturalistic studies of cannabis users, irrespective of the method used. Self-reported effects in 12 naturalistic and 18 laboratory studies were compared. Regardless of methodology there was considerable variation in the effects experienced. Variation has been reported in terms of opposite effects being experienced by different individuals, variation of effects by individuals within a single occasion and between occasions of use. Factors that might explain this variation are outlined. Limitations of the available literature and suggested directions for future research are discussed.

Geological and trace element evidence for a marine sedimentary environment of deposition and biogenicity of 3.45 Ga stromatolitic carbonates in the Pilbara Craton, and support for a reducing Archaean ocean

Abstract: Bedded carbonate rocks from the 3.45 Ga Warrawoona Group, Pilbara Craton, contain structures that have been regarded either as the oldest known stromatolites or as abiotic hydrothermal deposits. We present new field and petrological observations and high-precision REE + Y data from the carbonates in order to test the origin of the deposits. Trace element geochemistry from a number of laminated stromatolitic dolomite samples of the c. 3.40 Ga Strelley Pool Chert conclusively shows that they precipitated from anoxic seawater, probably in a very shallow environment consistent with previous sedimentological observations. Edge-wise conglomerates in troughs between stromatolites and widespread cross-stratification provide additional evidence of stromatolite construction, at least partly, from layers of particulate sediment, rather than solely from rigid crusts. Accumulation of particulate sediment on steep stromatolite sides in a high-energy environment suggests organic binding of the surface. Relative and absolute REE + Y contents are exactly comparable with Late Archaean microbial carbonates of widely agreed biological origin. Ankerite from a unit of bedded ankerite-chert couplets from near the top of the stratigraphically older (3.49 Ga) Dresser Formation, which immediately underlies wrinkly stromatolites with small, broad, low-amplitude domes, also precipitated from anoxic seawater. The REE + Y data of carbonates from the Strelley Pool Chert and Dresser Formation contrast strongly with those from siderite layers in a jasper-siderite-Fe-chlorite banded iron-formation from the base of the Panorama Formation (3.45 Ga), which is clearly hydrothermal in origin. The geochemical results, together with sedimentological data, strongly support: (1) deposition of Dresser Formation and Strelley Pool Chert carbonates from Archaean seawater, in part as particulate carbonate sediment; (2) biogenicity of the stromatolitic carbonates; (3) a reducing Archaean atmosphere; (4) ongoing extensive terrestrial erosion prior to similar to 3.45 Ga.

The scored Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and its association with quality of life in ambulatory patients receiving radiotherapy.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the scored Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) tool as an outcome measure in clinical nutrition practice and determine its association with quality of life (QoL).

Fundamentals of control flow in workflows

Abstract: Although workflow management emerged as a research area well over a decade ago, little consensus has been reached as to what should be essential ingredients of a workflow specification language. As a result, the market is flooded with workflow management systems, based on different paradigms and using a large variety of concepts. The goal of this paper is to establish a formal foundation for control-flow aspects of workflow specification languages, that assists in understanding fundamental properties of such languages, in particular their expressive power. Workflow languages can be fully characterized in terms of the evaluation strategy they use, the concepts they support, and the syntactic restrictions they impose. A number of results pertaining to this classification will be proven. This should not only aid those developing workflow specifications in practice, but also those developing new workflow engines.

Analysis of Web Services Composition Languages: The Case of BPEL4WS

Abstract: Web services composition is an emerging paradigm for application integration within and across organizational boundaries. A landscape of languages and techniques for web services composition has emerged and is continuously being enriched with new proposals from different vendors and coalitions. However, little effort has been dedicated to systematically evaluate the capabilities and limitations of these languages and techniques. The work reported in this paper is a step in this direction. It presents an in-depth analysis of the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS) with respect to a framework composed of workflow and communication patterns.

Immunolocalization of ghrelin and its functional receptor, the type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor, in the cyclic human ovary.

Abstract: Ghrelin is a novel 28-amino acid peptide identified as the endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Besides its hallmark central neuroendocrine effects in the control of GH secretion and food intake, an unexpected reproductive facet of ghrelin has recently emerged because expression of this molecule and its cognate receptor has been demonstrated in rat testis. However, whether this signaling system is present in human gonads remains to be evaluated. In this study, we have assessed the presence and cellular location of ghrelin and its functional receptor, namely the type 1a GHS-R, in the cyclic human ovary by means of immunohistochemistry using specific polyclonal antibodies. Strong ghrelin immunostaining was demonstrated in ovarian hilus interstitial cells. In contrast, ghrelin signal was not detected in ovarian follicles at any developmental stage, nor was it present in newly formed corpora lutea (CL) at very early development. However, specific ghrelin immunoreactivity was clearly observed in young and mature CL, whereas expression of the peptide disappeared in regressing luteal tissue. Concerning the cognate receptor, ovarian expression of GHS-R1a protein showed a wider pattern of tissue distribution, with detectable specific signal in oocytes as well as somatic follicular cells; luteal cells from young, mature, old, and regressing CL; and interstitial hilus cells. Of particular note, follicular GHS-R1a peptide expression paralleled follicle development with stronger immunostaining in granulosa and theca layers of healthy antral follicles. In conclusion, our results are the first to demonstrate that ghrelin and its functional type 1a receptor are expressed in the cyclic human ovary with distinct patterns of cellular location. The presence of both components (ligand and receptor) of the ghrelin signaling system within the human ovary opens up the possibility of a potential regulatory role of this novel molecule in ovarian function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Measuring socio-economic position in dietary research: is choice of socio-economic indicator important?

Abstract: Objectives: To examine the association between socio-economic position (SEP) and diet, by assessing the unadjusted and simultaneously adjusted (independent) contributions of education, occupation and household income to food purchasing behaviour Design: The sample was randomly selected using a stratified two-stage cluster design, and the response rate was 66.4%. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. Food purchasing was examined on the basis of three composite indices that reflected a household's choice of grocery items (including meat and chicken), fruit and vegetables Setting: Brisbane City, Australia, 2000 Participants: Non-institutionalised residents of private dwellings (n = 1003), located in 50 small areas (Census Collectors Districts) Results: When shopping, respondents in lower socio-economic groups were less likely to purchase grocery foods that were high in fibre and low in fat, salt and sugar. Disadvantaged groups purchased fewer types of fresh fruits and vegetables, and less often, than their counterparts from more advantaged backgrounds. When the relationship between SEP and food purchasing was examined using each indicator separately, education and household income made an unadjusted contribution to purchasing behaviour for all three food indices; however, occupation was significantly related only with the purchase of grocery foods. When education and occupation were simultaneously adjusted for each other, the socio-economic patterning with food purchase remained largely unchanged, although the strength of the associations was attenuated. When household income was introduced into the analysis, the association between education, occupation and food purchasing behaviour was diminished or became non-significant; income, however, showed a strong, graded association with food choice Conclusions: The food purchasing behaviours of socio-economically disadvantaged groups were least in accord with dietary guideline recommendations, and hence are more consistent with greater risk for the development of diet-related disease. The use of separate indicators for education, occupation and household income each adds something unique to our understanding of how socio-economic position is related to diet: each indicator reflects a different underlying social process and hence they are not interchangeable, and do not serve as adequate proxies for one another.n

Context-oriented programming

Abstract: In an environment where computing power is ubiquitous, software engineers need to cater for many different variables beyond their control. They face what has been termed the pervasive problem. Their products need to be adaptable and portable, yet still retain a simple code base. Context-Oriented Programming (COP) is a new method of programming which aims to alleviate these problems by incorporating context as a first-class construct of a programming language, much in the same way that variables, classes, and functions form the first-class constructs of many modern languages. A context-oriented program is one with many ‘gaps’ or ‘open-terms’, and the context-filling operation completes such a program by dynamically selecting portions of code from a repository of candidates to fill these gaps. This selection process is based on the execution context of the program and a description of the open-term’s requisites. This paper describes the requirements for COP, focusing on this fundamental operation of context-filling. An implementation which meets many of these requirements is also presented.

Heterocyclic Amines, Meat Intake, and Association with Colon Cancer in a Population-based Study

Abstract: The authors examined the association between colon cancer and meat intake categorized by level of doneness, cooking method, and estimated levels of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), benzo[a]pyrene, and mutagenicity. Data were collected as part of a population-based, case-control study of colon cancer in North Carolina between 1996 and 2000 that included 701 African-American (274 cases, 427 controls) and 957 White (346 cases, 611 controls) participants. Odds ratios were calculated by using unconditional logistic regression, comparing the fifth to the first quintile levels of intake or exposure. Intake of red meat was positively associated with colon cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 3.2). Associations with meat intake by cooking method were strongest for pan-fried red meat (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.0). Associations with meat intake by doneness were strongest for well-/very well done red meat (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5). The strongest association for individual HCAs was reported for 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx) across all levels of exposure, with odds ratios of 1.8-2.0. Overall, sophisticated exposure measures were used to report modest, positive associations between red meat intake and colon cancer consistent with the hypothesis that HCAs may be among the etiologically relevant compounds in red meat.

Professional ethics in the construction industry

Abstract: The results are provided of a small, but reprersentative, questionnaire survey of typical project managers, architects and building contractors concerning their views and experiences on a range of ethical issues surrounding construction industry activities. Most (90%) subscribed to a professional Code of Ethics and many (45%) had an Ethical Code of Conduct in their employing organisations, with the majority (84%) considering good ethical practice to be an important organisational goal. 93% of the respondents agreed that "Business Ethics" should be driven or governed by "Personal Ethics", with 84% of respondents stating that a balance of both the requirements of the client and the impact on the public should be maintained. No respondents were aware of any cases of employers attempting to force their employees to initiate, or participate in, unethical conduct. Despite this, all the respondents had witnessed or experienced some degree of unethical conduct, in the form of unfair conduct (81%), negligence (67%), conflict of interest (48%), collusive tendering (44%), fraud (35%), confidentiality and propriety breach (32%), bribery (26%) and violation of environmental ethics (20%).

Professional ethics in the construction industry

Abstract: Provides results of a small, but representative, questionnaire survey of typical project managers, architects and building contractors concerning their views and experiences on a range of ethical issues surrounding construction industry activities. Most (90 per cent) subscribed to a professional code of ethics and many (45 per cent) had an ethical code of conduct in their employing organisations, with the majority (84 per cent) considering good ethical practice to be an important organisational goal. It was agreed by 93 per cent of the respondents that “business ethics” should be driven or governed by “personal ethics”, with 84 per cent of respondents stating that a balance of both the requirements of the client and the impact on the public should be maintained. No respondent was aware of any cases of employers attempting to force their employees to initiate, or participate in, unethical conduct. Despite this, all the respondents had witnessed or experienced some degree of unethical conduct, in the form of unfair conduct, negligence, conflict of interest, collusive tendering, fraud, confidentiality and propriety breach, bribery and violation of environmental ethics.

Time fractional advection-dispersion equation

Abstract: A time fractional advection-dispersion equation is obtained from the standard advection-dispersion equation by replacing the firstorder derivative in time by a fractional derivative in time of order α(0<α<-1). Using variable transformation, Mellin and Laplace transforms, and properties of H-functions, we derive the complete solution of this time fractional advection-dispersion equation.

A Modeling Perspective on Students' Mathematical Reasoning about Data.

Abstract: A modeling approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics shifts the focus of the learning activity from finding a solution to a particular problem to creating a system of relationships that is generalizable and reusable. In this article, we discuss the nature of a sequence of tasks that can be used to elicit the development of such systems by middle school students. We report the results of our research with these tasks at two levels. First, we present a detailed analysis of the mathematical reasoning development of one small group of students across the sequence of tasks. Second, we provide a macrolevel analysis of the diversity of thinking patterns identified on two of the problem tasks where we incorporate data from multiple groups of students. Student reasoning about the relationships between and among quantities and their application in related situations is discussed. The results suggest that students were able to create generalizable and reusable systems or models for selecting, ranking, and weighting data. Furthermore, the extent of variations in the approaches that students took suggests that there are multiple paths for the development of ideas about ranking data for decision making.

Theoretical Perspectives on Learning in an Informal Setting

Abstract: Research into learning in informal settings such as museums has been in a formative state during the past decade, and much of that research has been descriptive and lacking a theory base. In this article, it is proposed that the human constructivist view of learning can guide research and assist the interpretation of research data because it recognizes an individual's prior knowledge and active involvement in knowledge construction during a museum visit. This proposal is supported by reference to the findings of a previously reported interpretive case study, which included concept mapping and semistructured interviews, of the knowledge transformations of three Year 7 students who had participated in a class visit to a science museum and associated postvisit activities. The findings from that study are shown in this report to be consistent with the human constructivist view of learning in that for all three students, learning was found to be at times incremental and at other times to involve substantial restructuring of knowledge. Thus, we regard that the human constructivist view of learning has much merit and utility for researchers investigating the development of knowledge and understanding emergent from experiences in informal settings. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for teachers and staff of museums and similar institutions are also discussed. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 177-199, 2003 At the beginning of the 1990s, Feher (1990, p. 35) observed that ''the study of learning in science museums is a field in its infancy.'' The intervening years have seen considerable growth and development in this field of research, although it can be regarded as having been in a formative stage throughout the decade. In an often cited review, Ramey-Gassert, Walberg, and Walberg (1994, p. 345) claimed that ''much of the literature pertaining to learning in museums is anecdotal and craft wisdom,'' suggesting the lack of clarity and theoretical underpinning for such research. Indeed, Ramey-Gassert et al. frequently referred to ''learning'' and ''museum learning'' without defining or distinguishing between the two.

The Relationship Between the Audit Committee and the Internal Audit Function: Evidence from Australia and New Zealand

Abstract: This study examines the separate influence of independence and financial experience on audit committee relations with the internal audit function. Using data from Australia and New Zealand, the study focuses on audit committees and internal audit in both private and public sector entities. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire sent to chief internal auditors. The results suggest that independence and accounting experience have a complementary impact on audit committee relations with internal audit. Independence is more associated with issues of process while accounting experience is associated with the extent that the audit committee reviews the work of the internal audit function. There are also some differences based on country and sector. Overall, the findings have important implications for regulators in light of recent calls for audit committee members to have accounting expertise in addition to being independent.