Human models for accelerated robot learning and human-robot interaction. This project aims to develop novel approaches to teach robots to proficiently interact with humans in a safe and low-cost manner. To achieve this aim, this project will develop novel models from which various human behaviours can be generated and used to train human-robot interaction policies in simulation. Expected outcomes of this project include new computational models of human behaviour built using cognitive science th ....Human models for accelerated robot learning and human-robot interaction. This project aims to develop novel approaches to teach robots to proficiently interact with humans in a safe and low-cost manner. To achieve this aim, this project will develop novel models from which various human behaviours can be generated and used to train human-robot interaction policies in simulation. Expected outcomes of this project include new computational models of human behaviour built using cognitive science theories and limited data and new training schemes for robot learning in simulation. By training robots in simulation with accurate human models, this research will enable fast and safe robot training to support the deployment and adoption of robots in human contexts such as healthcare facilities, homes, and workplaces.Read moreRead less
p-Adic Methods in Arithmetic Geometry. This project concerns algorithms for determining the number of
solutions to systems of polynomial equations over finite fields
by p-adic methods. Our goal is to determine a fundamental
invariant, the zeta function, appearing in arithmetic geometry,
whose characterization was the subject of the famous Weil
conjectures.
....p-Adic Methods in Arithmetic Geometry. This project concerns algorithms for determining the number of
solutions to systems of polynomial equations over finite fields
by p-adic methods. Our goal is to determine a fundamental
invariant, the zeta function, appearing in arithmetic geometry,
whose characterization was the subject of the famous Weil
conjectures.
We seek to understand and develop p-adic methods for determining
zeta functions, taking as point of departure the methods of Satoh
and Mestre for elliptic curves. Applications of this work include
public key cryptography and coding theory, having direct impact
in e-commerce and telecommunications.
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Elucidating the interactions between drought tolerance and photoprotection in plants. The 2002-03 drought cost Australia in the order of $10Billion and 70,000 jobs. Associated with reduced rainfall is increased sunlight irradiance, which exacerbates the reduction in crop yield due to the combined damage of a water deficit and oxidative damage caused by the excess light. Plants have networks of responses to minimise damage due to drought and excess light. We have identified a novel class of genes ....Elucidating the interactions between drought tolerance and photoprotection in plants. The 2002-03 drought cost Australia in the order of $10Billion and 70,000 jobs. Associated with reduced rainfall is increased sunlight irradiance, which exacerbates the reduction in crop yield due to the combined damage of a water deficit and oxidative damage caused by the excess light. Plants have networks of responses to minimise damage due to drought and excess light. We have identified a novel class of genes that optimise or alter different aspects of these networks and we wish to define the nature of that optimisation to determine how it could be transfered to crop plants.Read moreRead less
Learning from Uncertain and Missing Labelling in Relational Data. Perceptual models for unstructured environments require complex modelling, usually specified in an ad-hoc manner. This project will substantially increase the range of robotic applications by learning more complex spatial statistical models for perception in challenging environments. Robots will be able to improve their perception capabilities with minimal human supervision.
Mining is one of the major components of the Australian ....Learning from Uncertain and Missing Labelling in Relational Data. Perceptual models for unstructured environments require complex modelling, usually specified in an ad-hoc manner. This project will substantially increase the range of robotic applications by learning more complex spatial statistical models for perception in challenging environments. Robots will be able to improve their perception capabilities with minimal human supervision.
Mining is one of the major components of the Australian economy. This project will improve mining automation and contribute to a more efficient industry, capable to compete internationally in the new globalisation context. Efficient extraction will also reduce the human impact and will be a significant factor for an environmentally sustainable development. Read moreRead less
Aquaporins in roots: resolving observations linking them to diverse processes in water relations and plant productivity. The knowledge we gain will benefit Australia by allowing better management of plant water use and productivity. This is critical for adaptation to a drier climate where water is a critical resource. Large quantities of water move through aquaporin proteins in plants, therefore our understanding of these and the way they influence other processes in plant growth could enable us ....Aquaporins in roots: resolving observations linking them to diverse processes in water relations and plant productivity. The knowledge we gain will benefit Australia by allowing better management of plant water use and productivity. This is critical for adaptation to a drier climate where water is a critical resource. Large quantities of water move through aquaporin proteins in plants, therefore our understanding of these and the way they influence other processes in plant growth could enable us to manipulate plants to conserve water or to extract it more efficiently from the soil. Molecular aspects of the project could reveal new unexploited links between water and plant productivity. High calibre PhD and Honours students will also be educated to maintain the momentum of international excellence within Australia in the field of plant water relations.Read moreRead less
Decision making and mission planning for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. The work specifically addresses the National Research Priorities
in sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity, techniques for
transforming Australian industry and Safeguarding Australia.
Without a thorough understanding of processes that affect the
state of health of our oceans they will continue to be affected by
natural phenomena and stresses caused by human activity. A more
comprehensive understanding of these natu ....Decision making and mission planning for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. The work specifically addresses the National Research Priorities
in sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity, techniques for
transforming Australian industry and Safeguarding Australia.
Without a thorough understanding of processes that affect the
state of health of our oceans they will continue to be affected by
natural phenomena and stresses caused by human activity. A more
comprehensive understanding of these natural systems and the
interplay with human activities is therefore essential.Read moreRead less
Carbon uptake and water use by plants: is there pre-stomatal control? Society relies on mathematical descriptions of climate change, weather forecasting, crop performance, and other processes in which the control of carbon uptake and water loss by plants forms a basic element. Scientists also use the same element in ascribing sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2), describing vegetation, hydrological and ecological processes. A key physiological assumption in this element is now in doubt and ....Carbon uptake and water use by plants: is there pre-stomatal control? Society relies on mathematical descriptions of climate change, weather forecasting, crop performance, and other processes in which the control of carbon uptake and water loss by plants forms a basic element. Scientists also use the same element in ascribing sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2), describing vegetation, hydrological and ecological processes. A key physiological assumption in this element is now in doubt and we will test it rigorously and if necessary provide a robust alternative. We will do this by developing a novel 'window' on intact leaf functioning that will reveal the concentration of water vapour and other gases inside leaves.Read moreRead less
Co-evolution of the host pathogen interaction between Leptosphaeria maculans and Brassica species. Brassica canola is Australia's third largest export crop, producing 13% of the world's canola oil. However, blackleg disease, caused by the fungus Leptospheria maculans leads to annual yield losses of 15%, with 100% loss associated with breakdown of resistance. International investment has provided novel genome resources for Brassica and L. maculans. Applying these resources to understand the co-ev ....Co-evolution of the host pathogen interaction between Leptosphaeria maculans and Brassica species. Brassica canola is Australia's third largest export crop, producing 13% of the world's canola oil. However, blackleg disease, caused by the fungus Leptospheria maculans leads to annual yield losses of 15%, with 100% loss associated with breakdown of resistance. International investment has provided novel genome resources for Brassica and L. maculans. Applying these resources to understand the co-evolution of this plant-fungal interaction could prevent the current boom-bust cycle of canola production in Australia. This study will also provide a model and knowledge base for applications in other species, leading to enhanced crops with increased plant protection and robust, reliable productivity.Read moreRead less
Autonomous Exploration and Characterization of Benthic Habitats Linked to Oceanographic Processes. The work specifically addresses the National Research Priorities in sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity and climate change. Without a thorough understanding of processes that affect the state of health of our oceans they will continue to be affected by natural phenomena and stresses caused by human activity. A more comprehensive understanding of these natural systems and the interplay with ....Autonomous Exploration and Characterization of Benthic Habitats Linked to Oceanographic Processes. The work specifically addresses the National Research Priorities in sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity and climate change. Without a thorough understanding of processes that affect the state of health of our oceans they will continue to be affected by natural phenomena and stresses caused by human activity. A more comprehensive understanding of these natural systems and the interplay with human activities is therefore essential.Read moreRead less
Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will cap ....Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will capitalize on our progress in describing the functional genetics of this process and aims to elucidate the mechanism of active CO2 uptake and the way that cells sense the ambient CO2 concentration. The information gained is likely to be useful for designing improved crops.Read moreRead less