Evaluating the effects of fipronil, a moderately persistent new generation pesticide, on Australian native vertebrates
Category:
2706 - PHYSIOLOGY
Summary:
The Australian Plague Locust Commission is considering replacing an organophosphate pesticide with fipronil, a relatively new phenyl pyrazole pesticide, because it more specifically targets invertebrate animals. However, fipronil is more environmentally persistent, has high lipid solubility, is known to disrupt thyroid function and has wide variation in its toxicity to vertebrates. These characteristics place native vertebrate species at risk. Further, because peak locust activity is coincident with vertebrate breeding, there is likelihood that fipronil will affect development of young and the health of adults. We propose to launch the first comprehensive study of fipronil's effects on the health and vitality of native vertebrate adults and their offspring. We will focus on dasyurid marsupials and native birds that co-occur with plague locusts.
A genetic and experimental assessment of the frequency and importance of hybridisation of Black and Yellow Fin Bream
Category:
3007 - FISHERIES SCIENCES
Summary:
Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) species underpin several valuable and heavily exploited fisheries in eastern Australia, but the two principal species, yellowfin (A. australis) and black (A, butcheri), interbreed significantly. This hybridisation is poorly documented and, with increasing harvests, could lead to long-term economic impacts and severe repercussions on biodiversity. It could, for example, increase the risk of localised extinctions and impact on genetic diversity of both species. We will use an innovative combination of molecular genetics and breeding experiments to: (i) determine frequency and direction of hybridisation; (ii) infer strength of genetic connections among estuaries; and, (iii) explore implications for sustainable fisheries management.
Mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training: Evaluating its efficacy and mechanisms of change
Category:
3801 - PSYCHOLOGY
Summary:
Police officers often experience high levels of stress, low levels of morale and quality of work life, and high levels of health, alcohol, and family problems. We will evaluate the impact of an emotional intelligence program on improving well-being and workplace effectiveness. We will also investigate the mechanisms by which the intervention works. Ultimately, our basic goal is to understand how human suffering can be reduced and our applied goal is to empower the NSW police to improve their own health and well-being.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof PL Else; A/Prof AJ Hulbert; Dr SJ Blanksby;
Lipidomics Associated with Metabolic Syndrome, Aging and Metabolic Variation between Species
Category:
2504 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Summary:
The aim is to apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to identify and quantify alterations in membrane lipidomes (i.e. lipid classes, molecular species, structure alterations and by-products) related to two major health problems facing Australia i.e. the Metabolic Syndrome and an Ageing population plus insight into the variation in metabolic rate between organisms. This research offers the opportunity for the development of mass spectrometry based technologies for the early clinical diagnosis of metabolic disorders plus provides a template of information for our Linkage partner (AstraZeneca) to develop pharmaceutical therapies targeting key molecular lipid species identified as critical to particular membrane functions.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr SC Jones; Prof D Iverson; Prof JR Rossiter; Mr A Penman; Ms J Crocker; Ms C Pointer; Mr M Paul; Mr T Beggs;
The use of social marketing theory and practice to develop innovative and comprehensive sun protection campaigns
Category:
3502 - BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Summary:
This project uses both academic theory and best-practice in real-world campaigns to develop a comprehensive strategy for the development of theoretically-sound and innovative campaign for the promotion of sun protection behaviours. It then utilises this strategy for the actual development, implementation, and evaluation of the campaign, conducted under the auspices of the highly-regarded industry partner, The Cancer Council NSW. Further, the knowledge gained in the review of existing campaigns, the analysis of literature in theory and practice, and the campaign development and evaluation will greatly enhance our ability to develop cost-effective social marketing campaigns to improve the well-being of Australians.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr L Lockyer; Dr I Brown; Prof BM Harper; A/Prof PJ McKerrow; Mr D Blackall;
A learning design to operationalise new pedagogical frameworks: developing critical multi-literacy within a technology-supported learning environment
Category:
3301 - EDUCATION STUDIES
Summary:
This study seeks to use the goals of current state and national education policies to develop specific teaching and learning strategies that can be employed in secondary school classrooms. The study will research the process of implementing such strategies and measure outcomes associated with improved student learning. These learning outcomes will be assessed in terms of the development of critical levels of technology, media, visual and information literacies. It is this critical multi- literacy that is considered necessary for the next generation of contributors to Australia's economic and societal innovation and growth.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr S Mahalingam; Dr P Lehrbach;
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$12,528
$25,056
$25,056
$12,528
$75,168
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Fort Dodge Australia Pty. Limited
Title:
Immunological mechanisms underlying the protective immune responses induced by botulinum oil adjuvanted vaccine
Category:
3005 - VETERINARY SCIENCES
Summary:
Botulism is recognised as an important bacterial pathogen in commercial beef cattle in Australia and around the world. Development of affective, well-researched vaccine against Clostridium botulinum is a high priority for the cattle industry. A novel oil adjuvanted vaccine (Singvac from Fort Dodge Pty Ltd) has advantage over conventional vaccines as it provides full protection following a single administration. The aims of this study are to investigate the immunological mechanisms underlying the protective response by this novel vaccine using bovine and murine models. This study will discover new control measures for botulism in Australia.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr BS Richards; Dr KR McIntosh; Mr KM Provancha; Dr R Swanson; Dr M Ionescu;
Enhancing the Understanding and Performance of Passivating TiO2 Coatings for Photovoltaic Devices
Category:
2402 - THEORETICAL AND CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
Summary:
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as an antireflection coating in the silicon (Si) photovoltaics industry as it exhibits excellent optical properties and low deposition cost. However, recently manufacturers have been turning to alternatives such as hydrogenated silicon nitride coatings that exhibit greatly improved electronic properties, but cost 4 - 10 times more to deposit. This project seeks to understand the fundamental limitations behind the poor surface passivation afforded by TiO2 to a Si wafer, and subsequently develop a passivating TiO2 coating that can reduce the cost of electricity generated by Si solar cells.
Condition monitoring of large, horizontal low speed slew bearings
Category:
2903 - MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Summary:
Remote sensing has often been used to collect vibration data .To date, no current analysis technique has produced results that appear consistent due to the low speed (less than 1 Hz), and the acyclic characteristic of the rolling element anti-friction bearing. The contact vibration energy between rolling elements and races is low due to the low speed of the motion, and thus the vibration produced is masked by the general running vibration and is not readily distinguishable from the background vibration of the rotating structure. The aim of this project is to use remote sensors to collect information about the state of horizontal slew bearings and develop an analysis technique that will predict the short to medium term behaviour of horizontal slew bearings. The technique has the potential of saving $3.2 million in loss production per an unplanned breakdown of a slew bearing in a steel plant.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof J Tran Van Hoa; Dr N Van Lich;
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$41,000
$82,000
$86,000
$45,000
$254,000
Industry Partner(s):
Vietnam Institute for Trade (VIT)
Title:
ASEAN+3 Free Trade Agreement and Its Impact on Australia-Vietnam Trade
Category:
3404 - ECONOMETRICS
Summary:
The ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) free trade agreement endorsed by ASEAN Leaders in 2001 poses a serious trade diversion threat to Australia's goods and services trade to ASEAN and North Asia (reaching $33.9b and $85.0b respectively in 2001, see DFAT 2003). No research on this has been done or reported. The project, with Vietnam Institute for Trade collaboration, uses new analytical and empirical approaches to investigate this FTA and its implications to Australia's trade to a major ASEAN country, namely Vietnam, where 2002 trade reached $2.8b and Australia's global companies (eg. ANZ, Telstra, RMIT) currently have large operation.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof MJ Walker; Dr SJ Cordwell; Dr C Jenkins; Dr S Djordjevic;
Identification and characterisation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae surface-molecules that interact with the host epithelium
Category:
2703 - MICROBIOLOGY
Summary:
Mycoplasma hyponeumoniae causes porcine enzootic pneumonia, a disease that significantly impacts swine production. Current vaccines are unable to prevent colonisation of the respiratory tract and are costly to produce and administer. The expression of microbial adhesins that mediate adherence to the extracellular matrix is considered the initial step in host colonisation for many bacterial pathogens. We propose to identify M. hyopneumoniae cell surface moleculaes that interact with components of the extracellular matrix. Targetting these cell surface molecules will lead to therapeutics that prevent disease and block colonisation, eventually eradicating the host pathogen from pig production facilities.
Smart Antennas for Broadband Wireless Data Systems
Category:
2917 - COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Summary:
Smart antennas can facilitate accommodation of an increasing demand for bandwidth and quality in wireless communications by directing the antenna beam towards the desired user, while suppressing signals coming from interferers. The beam forming processor can adapt to changes in channel propagation conditions as well as movements of the user or interferers. Many algorithms for controlling smart antennas have been proposed, and usually there is a trade-off between complexity and performance. We aim to find a suitable compromise to implement smart antennas for broadband wireless access systems and to apply smart antenna technology to increase the range of ultra-wideband communications.
