Showing papers by "University of South Australia published in 2010"
TL;DR: Biesinger et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed a more consistent and effective approach to curve fitting based on a combination of standard spectra from quality reference samples, a survey of appropriate literature databases and/or a compilation of literature references and specific literature references where fitting procedures are available.
7,498 citations
TL;DR: Social learning is increasingly becoming a normative goal in natural resource management and policy, but there remains little consensus over its meaning or theoretical basis as discussed by the authors. This lack of conceptual clarity has limited our capacity to assess whether social learning has occurred, and if so, what kind of learning has taken place, to what extent, between whom, when, and how.
Abstract: Social learning is increasingly becoming a normative goal in natural resource management and policy. However, there remains little consensus over its meaning or theoretical basis. There are still considerable differences in understanding of the concept in the literature, including a number of articles published in Ecology & Society. Social learning is often conflated with other concepts such as participation and proenvironmental behavior, and there is often little distinction made between individual and wider social learning. Many unsubstantiated claims for social learning exist, and there is frequently confusion between the concept itself and its potential outcomes. This lack of conceptual clarity has limited our capacity to assess whether social learning has occurred, and if so, what kind of learning has taken place, to what extent, between whom, when, and how. This response attempts to provide greater clarity on the conceptual basis for social learning. We argue that to be considered social learning, a process must: (1) demonstrate that a change in understanding has taken place in the individuals involved; (2) demonstrate that this change goes beyond the individual and becomes situated within wider social units or communities of practice; and (3) occur through social interactions and processes between actors within a social network. A clearer picture of what we mean by social learning could enhance our ability to critically evaluate outcomes and better understand the processes through which social learning occurs. In this way, it may be possible to better facilitate the desired outcomes of social learning processes.
1,136 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that there is no single optimum approach for integrating local and scientific knowledge and a shift in science is encouraged from the development of knowledge integration products to theDevelopment of problem-focussed, knowledge integration processes.
919 citations
TL;DR: This paper constructed a model of workplace psychosocial safety climate (PSC) to explain the origins of job demands and resources, worker psychological health, and employee engagement, and tested meso-mediational models using two-level (longitudinal) hierarchical linear modelling in a sample of Australian education workers.
Abstract: We constructed a model of workplace psychosocial safety climate (PSC) to explain the origins of job demands and resources, worker psychological health, and employee engagement. PSC refers to policies, practices, and procedures for the protection of worker psychological health and safety. Using the job demands-resources framework, we hypothesized that PSC as an upstream organizational resource influenced largely by senior management, would precede the work context (i.e., job demands and resources) and would in turn predict psychological health and work engagement via mediation and moderation pathways. We operationalized PSC at the school level and tested meso-mediational models using two-level (longitudinal) hierarchical linear modelling in a sample of Australian education workers (N = 209-288). Data were repeated measures separated by 12 months, nested within 18 schools. PSC predicted change in individual psychological health problems (psychological distress, emotional exhaustion) through its relationship with individual job demands (work pressure and emotional demands). PSC moderated the relationship between emotional demands and emotional exhaustion. PSC predicted change in employee engagement, through its relationship with skill discretion. The results show that the PSC construct is a key upstream component of work stress theory and a logical intervention site for work stress intervention.
664 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a four-dimensional model of rural landholder attachments to their natural resource management region was developed with the aim of developing an integrated approach to the measurement of place attachment that clearly distinguishes between different elements of place scholarship.
654 citations
TL;DR: This position statement addresses the question of standardisation of physical activity and exercise intensity terminology and makes recommendations that should assist those undertaking research and prescribing physical activity/exercise as well as those clients who are receiving professional guidance.
544 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the current development of sustainability accounting research, the identification of critical and managerial paths, and assess of the future sustainability accounting and reporting, and conclude that both management decision making, through problem solving and scorekeeping, and a critical approach, through awareness raising, contribute to the development of sustainable accounting.
Abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to discuss the current development of sustainability accounting research, the identification of critical and managerial paths, and to assess of the future of sustainability accounting and reporting.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a review of recent literature in sustainability accounting.Findings – Assessment of recent literature leads to the conclusion that both management decision making, through problem solving and scorekeeping, and a critical approach, through awareness raising, contribute to the development of sustainability accounting and reporting; however, the development of sustainability accounting and reporting should be orientated more towards improving management decision making.Originality/value – The paper is a systematic review of recent research developments in sustainability accounting.
533 citations
TL;DR: Findings of a systematic review looking at the relationship between exposure to promotional material from pharmaceutical companies and the quality, quantity, and cost of prescribing fail to find evidence of improvements in prescribing after exposure, and find some evidence of an association with higher prescribing frequency, higher costs, or lower prescribing quality.
Abstract: Background
Pharmaceutical companies spent $57.5 billion on pharmaceutical promotion in the United States in 2004. The industry claims that promotion provides scientific and educational information to physicians. While some evidence indicates that promotion may adversely influence prescribing, physicians hold a wide range of views about pharmaceutical promotion. The objective of this review is to examine the relationship between exposure to information from pharmaceutical companies and the quality, quantity, and cost of physicians' prescribing.
472 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an analytical model using the long-range Lagrangian and the Eulerian transport methods is used to approximate the three-dimensional infinite footprint model, which shows that carbon emissions across stages in a supply chain can constitute a significant threat that warrants careful attention in the design phase of supply chains.
463 citations
TL;DR: Model-based cluster analysis revealed three distinct sensory processing subtypes in autism, differentiated by taste and smell sensitivity and movement-related sensory behavior, which predicted communication competence and maladaptive behavior.
Abstract: Children with autism are frequently observed to experience difficulties in sensory processing. This study examined specific patterns of sensory processing in 54 children with autistic disorder and their association with adaptive behavior. Model-based cluster analysis revealed three distinct sensory processing subtypes in autism. These subtypes were differentiated by taste and smell sensitivity and movement-related sensory behavior. Further, sensory processing subtypes predicted communication competence and maladaptive behavior. The findings of this study lay the foundation for the generation of more specific hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of sensory processing dysfunction in autism, and support the continued use of sensory-based interventions in the remediation of communication and behavioral difficulties in autism.
446 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review examines the composition of poultry litter in relation to nutrient content and environmental contaminants, its value as a nutrient source, soil amendment, animal feed and fuel source, and cost-effective innovative technologies for improving its value.
Abstract: The poultry industry is one of the largest and fastest growing agro-based industries in the world. This can be attributed to an increasing demand for poultry meat and egg products. However, a major problem facing the poultry industry is the large-scale accumulation of wastes including manure and litter which may pose disposal and pollution problems unless environmentally and economically sustainable management technologies are evolved. Most of the litter produced by the poultry industry is currently applied to agricultural land as a source of nutrients and soil amendment. However environmental pollution, resulting from nutrient and contaminant leaching can occur when poultry litter is applied under soil and climatic conditions that do not favour agronomic utilisation of the manure-borne nutrients. This review examines the composition of poultry litter in relation to nutrient content and environmental contaminants, its value as a nutrient source, soil amendment, animal feed and fuel source, and cost-effective innovative technologies for improving its value. Poultry litter provides a major source of nitrogen, phosphorus and trace elements for crop production and is effective in improving physical and biological fertility, indicating that land application remains as the main option for the utilisation of this valuable resource. The alternative use of poultry litter; as an animal feed and fuel source, is limited by contaminants, and high moisture content, respectively. The review proposes best management practices to mitigate environmental consequences associated with air and water quality parameters that are impacted by land application in order to maintain the continued productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the poultry industry.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used XPS-and XANES-imaging to correlate chemistry with topography at a submicron scale and found that pyrite species are heterogeneously distributed on the surface and oxidation to be highly site specific.
TL;DR: The results suggested that the chemically synthesized graphene-like nanoflakes with relatively high specific surface area can be used as effective electrode materials in CDI process for brackish water desalination.
Abstract: Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a novel technology that has been developed for removal of charged ionic species from salty water, such as salt ions. The basic concept of CDI, as well as electrosorption, is to force charged ions toward oppositely polarized electrodes through imposing a direct electric field to form a strong electrical double layer and hold the ions. Once the electric field disappears, the ions are instantly released back to the bulk solution. CDI is an alternative low-energy consumption desalination technology. Graphene-like nanoflakes (GNFs) with relatively high specific surface area have been prepared and used as electrodes for capacitive deionization. The GNFs were synthesized by a modified Hummers’ method using hydrazine for reduction. They were characterized by atomic force microscopy, N2 adsorption at 77 K and electrochemical workstation. It was found that the ratio of nitric acid and sulfuric acid plays a vital role in determining the specific surface area of GNFs. Its electrosorpt...
TL;DR: The aim of this work is to identify those relative sensor-target geometries which result in a measure of the uncertainty ellipse being minimized, and to show that an optimal sensor- target configuration is not, in general, unique.
TL;DR: A review of the literature on sustainability accounting from an information management perspective and different interpretations of sustainability accounting is presented in this article. But the focus of this paper is on the relationship between accounting and sustainability and the role of accounting for sustainability.
TL;DR: This paper found that all stakeholders identify clear connections between international experience and employability given outcomes associated with the forging of networks, opportunities for experiential learning, language acquisition and the development of soft skills related to cultural understandings, personal characteristics and ways of thinking.
Abstract: This paper reports the findings of an Australian qualitative study (N = 45) concerned with the way that employers, academics and students perceived connections between international experience and graduate employability. Drawing on the literature, the authors argue that increasing globalisation and internationalisation has heightened the need for graduates with the ability to operate in culturally diverse contexts. Universities have focussed upon exchange as part of internationalisation to prepare students for work but there is still limited literature on the nature of the relationship between international experience, more broadly and graduate employability. The findings suggest that all stakeholders identify clear connections between international experience and employability given outcomes associated with the forging of networks, opportunities for experiential learning, language acquisition and the development of soft skills related to cultural understandings, personal characteristics and ways of thinking.
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of bubble size, particle aggregation, different flow conditions, particle induction time, as well as the action of surface and capillary forces on fine particle-bubble capture is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, an integrated framework was proposed to explain why and how professionals who self-initiate expatriation repatriate, measured host country "pull" and "push", home country pull, "shocks,”...
Abstract: Offering an integrated framework, we sought to explain why and how professionals who self-initiate expatriation repatriate. We measured host country “pull” and “push,” home country pull, “shocks,” ...
TL;DR: Although levels of Australian paediatric overweight remain high, the prevalence of overweight and obesity seems to have flattened and has not followed the anticipated exponential trajectory.
Abstract: Popular media, health experts and researchers talk about a paediatric ‘obesity epidemic’ with exponentially increasing rates of obesity and overweight. However, some recent reports suggest that prevalence may have plateaued. This study examined trends in the prevalence of Australian childhood overweight and obesity since 1985. Specifically, it aimed to determine whether there have been (a) overall increases in average body mass index (BMI), (b) differential patterns of change within age groups and (c) increases in BMI within each weight-status category. Forty-one Australian studies of childhood weight status conducted between 1985 and 2008 were reviewed. The studies included data on 264 905 Australians aged 2–18 years, with raw data being available on 70 758 children (27%). Children were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI using the criteria of Cole et al. (BMJ, 2000). The prevalence estimates were adjusted for age and sex, and plotted against measurement year using Lowess plots and two-linear-segment models. Where raw data were available, BMI z-scores (UK 1990 standard) were plotted against measurement year for all children and children in various age groups. Lowess plots and two-linear-segment models were used to assess secular trends in BMI z-scores pre- and post-1996 within age, gender and weight-status categories. There has been a plateau, or only slight increase, in the percentage of boys and girls classified as overweight or obese, with almost no change over the last 10 years. In boys and girls, prevalence rates have settled around 21–25% for overweight and obesity together, and 5–6% for obesity alone. Similar trends were found for BMI z-scores. These patterns were fairly consistent across the age span. Within each weight-status category, average BMI has not increased. Although levels of Australian paediatric overweight remain high, the prevalence of overweight and obesity seems to have flattened and has not followed the anticipated exponential trajectory.
TL;DR: Evaluating the practicality and utility of a beta-lactam TDM programme in critically ill patients found only an elevated Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and elevated plasma creatinine concentration were found to be predictive of mortality.
TL;DR: In this article, the urinary metabolic phenotypes of individuals diagnosed with autism using the DSM-IV-TR criteria (n = 39, male = 35, female = 4), together with their non-autistic siblings and age-matched healthy volunteers were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition methods.
Abstract: Autism is an early onset developmental disorder with a severe life-long impact on behavior and social functioning that has associated metabolic abnormalities. The urinary metabolic phenotypes of individuals (age range=3−9 years old) diagnosed with autism using the DSM-IV-TR criteria (n = 39; male = 35; female = 4), together with their nonautistic siblings (n = 28; male = 14; female = 14) and age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 34, male = 17; female = 17) have been characterized for the first time using 1H NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition methods. Novel findings associated with alterations in nicotinic acid metabolism within autistic individuals showing increased urinary excretion of N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, N-methyl nicotinic acid, and N-methyl nicotinamide indicate a perturbation in the tryptophan−nicotinic acid metabolic pathway. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated urinary patterns of the free amino acids, glutamate and taurine were significantly different between groups with t...
TL;DR: The differential capacitance of the electrical double layer at glassy carbon, platinum and gold electrodes immersed in various ionic liquids was measured using impedance spectroscopy and the influence of temperature, the composition of the Ionic liquids and the electrode material on the differential capacitors/potential curves is discussed.
Abstract: The differential capacitance of the electrical double layer at glassy carbon, platinum and gold electrodes immersed in various ionic liquids was measured using impedance spectroscopy. We discuss the influence of temperature, the composition of the ionic liquids and the electrode material on the differential capacitance/potential curves. For different systems these curves have various overall shapes, but all include several extremes and a common minimum near the open circuit potential. We attribute this minimum to the potential of zero charge (PZC). Significantly, the differential capacitance generally decreases if the applied potential is large and moving away from the PZC. This is attributed to lattice saturation [A. A. Kornyshev, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2007, 111, 5545] effects which result in a thicker double layer. The differential capacitance of the double layer grows and specific adsorption diminishes with increasing temperature. Specific adsorption of both cations and anions influences the shapes of curves close to the PZC. The general shape of differential capacitance/potential does not depend strongly on the identity of the electrode material.
TL;DR: Water analyses from the four principal geomorphological regions of Bangladesh showed that hand tubewells of the Tableland and Hill tract regions are primarily free from As contamination, while the Flood plain and Deltaic region, including the Coastal region, are highly As-contaminated.
TL;DR: The OEP significantly reduces the risk of death and falling in older community-dwelling adults and levels of compliance with the OEP in older adults.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: the 'Otago exercise programme' (OEP) is a strength and balance retraining programme designed to prevent falls in older people living in the community. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of the OEP on the risk of death and fall rates and to explore levels of compliance with the OEP in older adults. METHODS: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Clinical trials where the OEP was the primary intervention and participants were community-dwelling older adults (65+) were included. Outcomes of interest included risk of death, number of falls, number of injurious falls and compliance to the exercise programme. RESULTS: seven trials, involving 1503 participants were included. The mean age of participants was 81.6 (+/-3.9) years. The OEP significantly reduced the risk of death over 12 months [risk ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.25-0.80], and significantly reduced fall rates (incidence rate ratio = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.56-0.79). There was no significant difference in the risk of a serious or moderate injury occurring as the result of a fall (risk ratio = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.91-1.22). Of the 747 participants who remained in the studies at 12 months, 274 (36.7%) were still exercising three or more times per week. CONCLUSION: the OEP significantly reduces the risk of death and falling in older community-dwelling adults. Language: en
TL;DR: In this article, the relative impact of several extrinsic attributes on informed hedonic liking and purchase intent for wine is measured by combining a blind hedonics test with an informed tasting of the same wine packaged in different product concepts.
TL;DR: In this article, a short instrument to measure psychosocial safety climate (PSC) was developed and evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and the scale validated in a second representative sample of Australian workers (N 398).
Abstract: Psychosocial risks in the workplace have the potential for causing psychological and social harm that contributes toward the mental health disability burden. Psychosocial risks are influenced by macrolevel factors such as the psychosocial safety climate within the organization. This paper concerns the development and evaluation of a short instrument to measure psychosocial safety climate (PSC). PSC is conceived as an up-stream resource, and concerns senior management values and attitudes toward care and practices in relation to employee psychosocial well being. In a pilot sample (N 78) we used an iterative procedure incorporating regression analysis to reduce 26 items down to a parsimonious 12 item, four-factor scale (PSC-12). The PSC-12 was then assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and the scale validated in a second representative sample of Australian workers (N 398). The PSC-12 showed expected relationships with psychosocial risk factors (e.g., job demands, job resources), worker engagement and health, and work related outcomes (e.g., job satisfaction). We further confirmed the invariance of the factor coefficients and factor covariance across the two multioccupational samples using multigroup analysis. In a third organizational study (N 16 teams, 106 health care workers) we found that PSC showed group like psychometric properties, and team level PSC was associated with individual level psychological distress and work engagement. PSC showed incremental value beyond a physical safety measure. The results provide initial indications that the PSC-12 can be used across a range of occupations, and within organizations.
TL;DR: In this paper, an "energy security assessment instrument" based on a new and expanded conceptualisation of energy security is presented. The instrument is a systematic interrogative tool for evaluating energy security of individual states or regions.
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for targeting the management of ecosystem services based on social values within the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin region, Australia is presented, where a total of 56 community representatives were interviewed and their values for ecosystem services were elicited and mapped.
TL;DR: Evidence from cardiac studies is presented supporting the presence of membranous blebs, enabling troponin to be released from cardiac cells due to ischemia alone, without necrosis.
TL;DR: Multimorbidity is not just associated with older persons and flexible care management support systems, appropriate guidelines and care-coordination programs are required across a broader age range.
Abstract: Background: Multimorbidity, the simultaneous occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, is usually associated with older persons. This research assessed multimorbidity across a range of ages so that planners are informed and appropriate prevention programs, management strategies and health service/health care planning can be implemented. Methods: Multimorbidity was assessed across three age groups from data collected in a major biomedical cohort study (North West Adelaide Health Study). Using randomly selected adults, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were determined clinically and cardio-vascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and mental health by self-report (ever been told by a doctor). A range of demographic, social, risk and protective factors including high blood pressure and high cholesterol (assessed bio-medically), health service use, quality of life and medication use (linked to government records) were included in the multivariate modelling. Results: Overall 4.4% of the 20-39 year age group, 15.0% of the 40-59 age group and 39.2% of those aged 60 years of age or older had multimorbidity (17.1% of the total). Of those with multimorbidity, 42.1% were aged less than 60 years of age. A variety of variables were included in the final logistic regression models for the three age groups including family structure, marital status, education attainment, country of birth, smoking status, obesity measurements, medication use, health service utilisation and overall health status. Conclusions: Multimorbidity is not just associated with older persons and flexible care management support systems, appropriate guidelines and care-coordination programs are required across a broader age range. Issues such as health literacy and polypharamacy are also important considerations. Future research is required into assessing multimorbidity across the life course, prevention of complications and assessment of appropriate self-care strategies.