Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliabl ....Motor Unit Numbers Estimation (MUNE) using Bayesian statistical methodology for monitoring of progression of neuromuscular diseases. A means of objectively measuring the pathology of a neuromuscular disease involving motor unit loss, such as motor neuron disease, is much needed. This will be achieved by using newly developed electrophysiological techniques and developing new Bayesian statistical methodology to determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle. Our innovations will reliably determine the number of motor units that supply a muscle in both normal subjects and in diseased patients with loss of motor nerves. This will enable the monitoring of disease progression. An outcome will be a software package that can be used with standard electrophysiology machines.Read moreRead less
Modelling interactions of spray droplets with plants. This project addresses the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia by developing sophisticated mathematical models and interactive software that will identify environmentally friendlier technologies to efficiently deliver agrichemicals while minimising large scale water usage. National benefits will accrue from the provision for postdoctoral, PhD and IT staff training, while direct links with industry will provi ....Modelling interactions of spray droplets with plants. This project addresses the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia by developing sophisticated mathematical models and interactive software that will identify environmentally friendlier technologies to efficiently deliver agrichemicals while minimising large scale water usage. National benefits will accrue from the provision for postdoctoral, PhD and IT staff training, while direct links with industry will provide technology transfer to end-users to ensure community uptake. The project will benefit rural and regional communities by providing long-term solutions in the areas of water use and quality, pesticide pollution reduction, and improved environment and human health care.Read moreRead less
Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will ena ....Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will enable science-based guidelines, advancing disease control, local eradication, and regulatory approval for wombats. Our research framework is adaptable to other mange-impacted species, and advance methods and theory for control of treatable disease in wildlife.Read moreRead less
Virtual transport networks. This project will develop specialised time-dependent networks for use in algorithmic software testing and development, focussing on public transportation networks, but applicable elsewhere. The virtual transport networks developed in this project will significantly reduce the cost of producing software products that perform network searches.
Systems biology to integrate genomics into crop improvement programs. Plant breeding programs have not reaped the benefits of the revolution in molecular genetic technologies. This systems biology project will develop mathematical models of plants to span levels of biological organisation from gene to whole organism. It will focus on understanding and modelling the genetics and physiology of key adaptive traits in sorghum and maize. It will use computer simulation to employ resultant gene-to- ....Systems biology to integrate genomics into crop improvement programs. Plant breeding programs have not reaped the benefits of the revolution in molecular genetic technologies. This systems biology project will develop mathematical models of plants to span levels of biological organisation from gene to whole organism. It will focus on understanding and modelling the genetics and physiology of key adaptive traits in sorghum and maize. It will use computer simulation to employ resultant gene-to-phenotype models in ways that will underpin a major shift in how plant breeding programs operate. This new integrating technology will lead to more rapid advance in breeding better adapted and higher yielding crops.Read moreRead less
An integrated mathematical approach to synchronise and optimise hospital operations. This project aims to develop an integrated mathematical approach to synchronise and optimise patient scheduling systems of different departments to ensure that the hospital’s assets and related resources are used efficiently. The project’s aim is to investigate patient flow, process delay, and the interaction and inter-dependence of departments within the hospital to reduce access block (bottleneck) and subseque ....An integrated mathematical approach to synchronise and optimise hospital operations. This project aims to develop an integrated mathematical approach to synchronise and optimise patient scheduling systems of different departments to ensure that the hospital’s assets and related resources are used efficiently. The project’s aim is to investigate patient flow, process delay, and the interaction and inter-dependence of departments within the hospital to reduce access block (bottleneck) and subsequent overcrowding. This project aims to smooth the running of the hospital, improve the efficiency of patient throughput, reduce waiting times, and revolutionise hospital planning and scheduling.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Rail Network Infrastructure Capacity under Dynamic Train Planning. Recent changes in railway operating environments have caused significant operational and management problems in Australia. This research will lead to improvements of railway's key managerial functions, namely: network capacity planning; rollingstock planning; train scheduling; and maintenance planning. The major outcome of the research will be to develop an optimisation model to significantly improve the operati ....Optimisation of Rail Network Infrastructure Capacity under Dynamic Train Planning. Recent changes in railway operating environments have caused significant operational and management problems in Australia. This research will lead to improvements of railway's key managerial functions, namely: network capacity planning; rollingstock planning; train scheduling; and maintenance planning. The major outcome of the research will be to develop an optimisation model to significantly improve the operating efficiency and assets productivity of Australia's rail system. The novelty of the research is that it will be undertaken using innovations based on modern job shop scheduling and sequencing optimisation techniques as the complexity of the problem makes it impossible to solve by classic optimisation techniques.Read moreRead less
Synchromodal container logistics for Australia. Synchromodal container logistics for Australia. This project aims to develop advanced mathematical optimization models and algorithms to create multi-modal logistics approaches for container movements in and out of Australia’s busy ports. The increasingly congested capital cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne need to find new ways of moving an increasing volume of containerized freight. Moving from trucks to rail is expected to reduce pollution ....Synchromodal container logistics for Australia. Synchromodal container logistics for Australia. This project aims to develop advanced mathematical optimization models and algorithms to create multi-modal logistics approaches for container movements in and out of Australia’s busy ports. The increasingly congested capital cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne need to find new ways of moving an increasing volume of containerized freight. Moving from trucks to rail is expected to reduce pollution and road congestion, but is only possible if highly efficient modes of operation can be developed. Research into system design and operational scheduling is expected to achieve the required efficiency for multi-modal logistics that will reduce air pollution and road congestion.Read moreRead less
Elucidating structure and function of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs) in blood-feeding hookworms – toward new methods of control. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links betwee ....Elucidating structure and function of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs) in blood-feeding hookworms – toward new methods of control. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.Read moreRead less
Inquiry Teaching in Mathematics: Accelerating the process of change. Inquiry-based learning in mathematics immerses students in solving authentic, complex problems. As a nation, Australia spends too much time on repetitive, isolated procedural problems which inhibit creativity and higher-order thinking and contribute to the sharp decline in student interest in studying mathematics. Research has shown that teachers require support over time to become proficient in engaging students in inquiry of ....Inquiry Teaching in Mathematics: Accelerating the process of change. Inquiry-based learning in mathematics immerses students in solving authentic, complex problems. As a nation, Australia spends too much time on repetitive, isolated procedural problems which inhibit creativity and higher-order thinking and contribute to the sharp decline in student interest in studying mathematics. Research has shown that teachers require support over time to become proficient in engaging students in inquiry of real-life problems. This study expands successful longitudinal research on teachers' adoption of inquiry methods in mathematics and works to study ways to accelerate the process of developing teachers' confidence and expertise in teaching mathematics with inquiry. Read moreRead less