Performance Practice in New Interfaces for Realtime Electronic Music Performance. Results will be reported at national and international conferences both academic and commercial. Manuscripts will be prepared for submission to international refereed scholarly journals. Articles for rapid communication to a popular and commercial audience in areas of music technology, electronic arts, HCI and IT will also be prepared.
Presenting graphics to blind students using a touchscreen interface extended with haptic and audio feedback. The project will develop a new device for the presentation of accessible graphics based on a touchscreen computer extended with haptic and audio feedback. The aim is to improve access to graphics and other two-dimensional information in the classroom by blind students.
Enhancing patient management at point of care using electronic-based clinical pathways. Clinical pathways have been adopted by most Australian hospitals and the development of a 'proof of concept' digitised clinical pathways management system (DCPMS) would provide significant benefits to the Australian healthcare system in improving the efficiency of this approach. These include improved outcomes of care arising from a better match of patient requirements to nursing care and other health resour ....Enhancing patient management at point of care using electronic-based clinical pathways. Clinical pathways have been adopted by most Australian hospitals and the development of a 'proof of concept' digitised clinical pathways management system (DCPMS) would provide significant benefits to the Australian healthcare system in improving the efficiency of this approach. These include improved outcomes of care arising from a better match of patient requirements to nursing care and other health resources and better management of resources where savings can be re-directed into front-line patient care. This Australian innovation can then be exported to international health systems that are increasingly turning to hospital funding models that utilise clinical pathway information.Read moreRead less
Gaze Tracking Haptic User Interface for the Blind. It is estimated over 40 million people suffer from sever visual impairment in the modern world. Although blind people are able to use the computer with the aid of a screen reader and output devices like Braille displays, it remains difficult for the blind to use many applications with Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) due to the need for hand-eye coordination when manipulating screen objects with the mouse. This project intends to overcome this d ....Gaze Tracking Haptic User Interface for the Blind. It is estimated over 40 million people suffer from sever visual impairment in the modern world. Although blind people are able to use the computer with the aid of a screen reader and output devices like Braille displays, it remains difficult for the blind to use many applications with Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) due to the need for hand-eye coordination when manipulating screen objects with the mouse. This project intends to overcome this difficulty by providing a means for the blind to perceive and control the GUI of typical computer applications. This potentially could provide increased computer access, job opportunities and education for the blind.Read moreRead less
Unified framework of intestinal motility. The project aims to establish how a few fundamental mechanisms determine the large repertoire of intestinal motor patterns responsible for moving nutrients along the digestive tract. The project will combine experimental and theoretical data, with biomechanical and electrophysiological models to create a new understanding of this essential function of the body.
Investigation Of Significance To The Australian Fishing Industry Of (a) Fisheries Data Availability (b) Fuel
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Investigate & report on accessibility & usage of data avail to fisheries authorities; & on availability, cost, distribution, storage & usage patterns of fuel & 2. the possible impact on shipbuilding, catching, processing & marketing sectors
The Toxicity And Sub-lethal Effects Of Persistent Pesticides On Juvenile Prawns And A Common Inter-tidal Seagrass Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$123,475.12
Summary
Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly f ....Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly funded study that examines the quality of inshore seawater in a defined area and from which links can be established between cause and effect. For the reasons set out below, the study proposed is seen as Stage 1 of a multi-stage process which will enable the Fishing Industry to understand where it stands currently as far as water pollution by organic chemicals is concerned and the impacts these chemicals might have on specific ecosystem components.
The focus of stage 2 would be to examine the impact of bio-available inorganic chemicals and, separately, increased levels of nutrients on specified key ecosystem components. A subsequent stage could examine the impact of identified industrial chemicals on appropriate indicator species. The aim must be to appreciate the sensitivity of (South) Australian marine ecosystems to pollution from a variety of sources and the impact on market share.
Stage 1. There is increasing evidence from other States in Australia, and worldwide, that persistent herbicides arising from terrestrial activities are impacting on the growth and productivity of inshore seagrass beds. The toxicity of agricultural chemicals, principally insecticides, has been demonstrated on fish species that are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere but no study has looked at the toxicity of persistent agricultural chemicals to species found in Australia. And, more importantly, the toxicity of widely used persistent agricultural chemicals to species of commercial importance in South Australia has not been studied.
Recruitment of juveniles from the inshore nursery areas where persistent agricultural chemicals are most likely to be found could be significantly compromised. Modern pesticides, intended for terrestrial use, are toxic at extremely low concentrations.
The levels of persistent herbicides found in marine environments elsewhere in the world are significant, and similar levels would be expected to occur in Australian inshore waters given the extensive use of herbicides in Australian agriculture. The toxicity of persistent herbicides to inter-tidal seagrass species has not been studied in Australia.
A study linking the concentration of a key persistent organic insecticide in the soil, its concentration in the adjacent marine environment and its toxicity to a key marine indicator species such as the prawn, represents a good model for the study of the impact of a non-point source pollutant over a relatively small area.
The contribution by wind-blown topsoil from adjacent farm areas, which can act as a carrier of considerable quantities of adsorbed persistent organic pesticides has not been examined in South Australia. The role of dust-storm events in the transport of toxic chemicals elsewhere in the world is recognised. The concentration in seawater of persistent organic pollutants such as insecticides has not been determined on a seasonal basis. Dose-response data for a major persistent insecticide and a key indicator marine species such as prawns, combined with knowledge of the concentration of the pesticide in seawater, will provide a scientific basis for proposing modification of land management practices.
The demonstration of significant levels of persistent pesticides in fine farm topsoil and identification of those pesticides in seawater, combined with demonstrated toxicity effects on a key marine species of commercial significance, would provide further support for proposing changes in land-care strategies designed to mitigate these inputs. Objectives: 1. The identity and concentration of insecticides in water samples taken seasonally from inshore nursery areas in Spencer Gulf, and also downstream from point sources such as creeks, will be determined throughout the duration of the project. 2. The levels of adsorbed residual insecticides and herbicides adsorbed onto the <200 mesh fraction of top-soil, sampled from selected farms adjacent to recognised marine nursery areas, will be determined. 3. To develop a GIS database identifying the land units adjoining Spencer Gulf likely to contribute wind borne soil to Gulf waters, together with point sources such as creeks and other discharge points that have the potential to contribute pollutants into recognised nursery habitats. 4. The toxic and sub-lethal effects on juvenile prawns of the common persistent insecticides used in broad-scale agriculture and in local government pest-control programs will be determined. Other juveniles, such as blue crabs and an indicator scalefish, may be tested if time and availability of test organisms allows. 5. The toxic and sublethal effects of a major persistent herbicide used in broad-scale agriculture on Zostera, a common inter-tidal seagrass species, will be determined. 6. Having determined what organic pesticide pollutants are in the seawater and in conjunction with the toxicology data and the residue levels in soil, to then establish the probable mechanisms for their appearance in seawater and to recommend ways of mitigating the impacts. The objective here is to prepare and implement an extension program which communicates effectively the results and recommendations of the project to local coastcare groups, local government and appropriate agricultural industry groups and other stakeholders. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Development Of A Plan To Address National Needs For Recreational Fishing Data For Fisheries Management And Development
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,049.10
Summary
Governments and industry have recognised the importance and potential for further development of the recreational fishing sector. However, to increase and measure the social and economic values of the sector, and to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, there is a need to effectively and efficiently collect, curate and share appropriate recreational fisheries data. A systematic national approach to the collection and management of recreational fisheries data would also assist with the managem ....Governments and industry have recognised the importance and potential for further development of the recreational fishing sector. However, to increase and measure the social and economic values of the sector, and to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, there is a need to effectively and efficiently collect, curate and share appropriate recreational fisheries data. A systematic national approach to the collection and management of recreational fisheries data would also assist with the management of the sector and prediction of the impacts of regulatory decisions and program implementation.
A systematic and coordinated approach to the collection and sharing of recreational fisheries data for fisheries management and industry development are common themes in the: - FRDC research and development plan to 2010 - Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF) 2006-2008 research priorities - 2006 State of the Marine Environment Report (SOMER2006) - Fisheries Statistics Working Group’s “strategy to improve the quality, comparability and availability of fisheries data and statistics in Australia”.
The approach proposed here recognises that the 2000 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey provided information that, while useful and widely used, did not address many industry and government needs and is unlikely to be repeated. As a result, each jurisdiction is independently collecting recreational fisheries data for stock assessment, resource allocation and other management requirements.
Late in 2006, all jurisdictions and industry agreed on the need for a coordinated national approach to collection of recreational fisheries data. Since then AFMF’s Science and Research Sub-committee has been liaising with Recfish Australia and Recfishing Research (FRDC 2007/227) concerning a national approach to data collection and management that meets the needs of government and industry. There is strong support for the development of a national recreational fisheries data plan based on the respective and combined needs of government and industry stakeholders.
Objectives: 1. To develop a national plan for the efficient and effective collection and management of recreational fisheries data for Government and industry. Read moreRead less
NCCP: Development Of Hydrological, Ecological And Epidemiological Modelling To Inform A CyHV3 Release Strategy For The Biocontrol Of Carp In The Murray Darling Basin
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,057,000.00
Summary
The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrol .... The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological, demographic and epidemiological models, and integrate these using a Big Data approach, where the underlying data is stored in databases and accessed using work-flow tools such as CSIRO's Workspace (https://research.csiro.au/workspace/)
Objectives: 1. Develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological and epidemiological models that will enable the development of a strategy to inform the strategic staged release of CyHV-3 so as to deliver maximum impact whilst minimizing the major anticipated adverse ecological consequence, i.e. large scale anoxic river events. 2. Develop Big Data management and visualization systems for delivering the large amount of data that will arise from the modelling exercises in an interactive and informative manner. Read moreRead less