Description:
My work involves the insertion of a structure into a landscape - a particular landscape, one I have contemplated for many years. In my landscape, 'my place', time is seen through the change of farming and weather seasons. We think we know and understand the landscape that immediately surrounds us, the place in which we live, but in the event of even a small change within that familiar place, our understanding and perceptions are called into question and our sense of time and space are rearranged.
Description:
My work involves the insertion of a structure into a landscape - a particular landscape, one I have contemplated for many years. In my landscape, 'my place', time is seen through the change of farming and weather seasons. We think we know and understand the landscape that immediately surrounds us, the place in which we live, but in the event of even a small change within that familiar place, our understanding and perceptions are called into question and our sense of time and space are rearranged.
Description:
The Seven Valleys is an interactive 3D installation based artwork inspired by mystical writings of the Bahá'í Faith. Created as a modification of the firstperson shooter Unreal Tournament 2003 (Epic, 2003) it subverts the original paradigm of the game to create an experience of the numinous, which in spirit, is diametrically opposed to the original intent of the gameplay design. This artwork presents an exploration of, and allusion to, the often subtle and illusive concepts found in the sacred treatise The Seven Valleys (Bahá'u'lláh, 1991) in which the user engages in an experiential journey through the work. The user is faced with conditions and situations that provide motivation to question, explore and attempt to fathom the abstract sense of the numinous. Each of The Seven Valleys contains its own individual mysteries while at the same time contributing its part to the telling of a collective story.
Description:
The Seven Valleys is an interactive 3D installation based artwork inspired by mystical writings of the Bahá'í Faith. Created as a modification of the firstperson shooter Unreal Tournament 2003 (Epic, 2003) it subverts the original paradigm of the game to create an experience of the numinous, which in spirit, is diametrically opposed to the original intent of the gameplay design. This artwork presents an exploration of, and allusion to, the often subtle and illusive concepts found in the sacred treatise The Seven Valleys (Bahá'u'lláh, 1991) in which the user engages in an experiential journey through the work. The user is faced with conditions and situations that provide motivation to question, explore and attempt to fathom the abstract sense of the numinous. Each of The Seven Valleys contains its own individual mysteries while at the same time contributing its part to the telling of a collective story.
Description:
"This work explores how current embodied theories of cognition can account for the comprehension of narrative texts. Theoretically, this thesis develops a framework for the study of narrative text comprehension by linking current advances in embodied theories of cognition, discourse processing, and neurosciences. Experimentally, two experiments are reported in which participants were required to read passages of text implying emotional states. The coherence of critical sentences in relation to the preceding text was manipulated in terms of both the emotional adjectives used and the sensory-motor component. In the first experiment, three tasks were used to index the effect of the manipulations on the critical sentences. The first was an on-line naming task in which response times to name emotional labels which matched the implied emotional state of the texts were recorded. [...] The second experiment used backward masking in the naming task with the aim of providing a more sensitive index of the effect of the text manipulations on on-line processing."
Description:
Master of Applied Science by research
Description:
"This work explores how current embodied theories of cognition can account for the comprehension of narrative texts. Theoretically, this thesis develops a framework for the study of narrative text comprehension by linking current advances in embodied theories of cognition, discourse processing, and neurosciences. Experimentally, two experiments are reported in which participants were required to read passages of text implying emotional states. The coherence of critical sentences in relation to the preceding text was manipulated in terms of both the emotional adjectives used and the sensory-motor component. In the first experiment, three tasks were used to index the effect of the manipulations on the critical sentences. The first was an on-line naming task in which response times to name emotional labels which matched the implied emotional state of the texts were recorded. [...] The second experiment used backward masking in the naming task with the aim of providing a more sensitive index of the effect of the text manipulations on on-line processing."
Description:
Master of Applied Science by research
Description:
The investigations surrounding the topic ‘The Landscape of My Life’ questions whether it is possible for a landscape to delineate the way in which we live our lives. For a period of thirty-two years my home has been a historic rural property comprising a dwelling and outbuildings on twenty acres of undulating countryside at Carngham. The work conveys the story of my life at this locale and pursues the motives behind the purchase of the country property, the experiences and remembrances that exist from this period of time and reflects upon the implications of a way of life over the last three decades. While considering the impact that a landscape can have on individual lives, it became important to consolidate the insights that surfaced for me with respect to my own life and works and compare it with that of other selected landscape artists. This comparison took into account personal and family backgrounds, artistic techniques, relationships with the land and the motivations that resulted in the depiction of particular landscapes. The result of these observations led to a consideration that not only can a landscape define the way in which we live our lives but, also identifies an affinity between human beings and the environment.
Description:
The investigations surrounding the topic ‘The Landscape of My Life’ questions whether it is possible for a landscape to delineate the way in which we live our lives. For a period of thirty-two years my home has been a historic rural property comprising a dwelling and outbuildings on twenty acres of undulating countryside at Carngham. The work conveys the story of my life at this locale and pursues the motives behind the purchase of the country property, the experiences and remembrances that exist from this period of time and reflects upon the implications of a way of life over the last three decades. While considering the impact that a landscape can have on individual lives, it became important to consolidate the insights that surfaced for me with respect to my own life and works and compare it with that of other selected landscape artists. This comparison took into account personal and family backgrounds, artistic techniques, relationships with the land and the motivations that resulted in the depiction of particular landscapes. The result of these observations led to a consideration that not only can a landscape define the way in which we live our lives but, also identifies an affinity between human beings and the environment.
Description:
The sun-moths (family Castniidae) are a distinctive group of monocot-feeding diurnal Lepidoptera that contains a high proportion of threatened species worldwide. Seven of the eight Victorian Synemon species are considered as threatened. This study has determined through extensive fieldwork that most of these species are now restricted to very small remnants of their particular habitats. These findings have been integrated into a review of the current distribution, biology and habitat requirements of all the Victorian species. This has enabled recommendations for their long-term conservation and management to be made. Special attention was paid to the Pale Sun-moth (Synemon selene Klug, 1850) because it appeared to be nationally endangered and without a government strategy for its conservation. Also, there was strong circumstantial evidence of complete parthenogenesis within all of its Victorian populations. The Victorian occurrences are shown to be parthenogenetic, although specimens of both sexes are known from a ?now-extinct population near Two Wells, South Australia. It was also established that these parthenogenetic populations include five distinct morphs, two or three of which occur sympatrically at four localities in the Wimmera area. Parthenogenetic populations of these morphs cannot interbreed, this potentially restricting their genetic diversity. The extent of genetic diversity was examined with all parthenogenetic Victorian morphs of S. selene. DNA sequencing of 1515 bp of the COI gene revealed a maximum divergence level of 12 bp between some of the morphs and 1 to 2 bp within some morphs. This level of genetic diversity implies that these morphs have continued to evolve in the absence of males through time. This study has highlighted the special academic interest of S. selene and the urgent need for its adequate conservation. Some important directions for future research on the species are also discussed.
Description:
The sun-moths (family Castniidae) are a distinctive group of monocot-feeding diurnal Lepidoptera that contains a high proportion of threatened species worldwide. Seven of the eight Victorian Synemon species are considered as threatened. This study has determined through extensive fieldwork that most of these species are now restricted to very small remnants of their particular habitats. These findings have been integrated into a review of the current distribution, biology and habitat requirements of all the Victorian species. This has enabled recommendations for their long-term conservation and management to be made. Special attention was paid to the Pale Sun-moth (Synemon selene Klug, 1850) because it appeared to be nationally endangered and without a government strategy for its conservation. Also, there was strong circumstantial evidence of complete parthenogenesis within all of its Victorian populations. The Victorian occurrences are shown to be parthenogenetic, although specimens of both sexes are known from a ?now-extinct population near Two Wells, South Australia. It was also established that these parthenogenetic populations include five distinct morphs, two or three of which occur sympatrically at four localities in the Wimmera area. Parthenogenetic populations of these morphs cannot interbreed, this potentially restricting their genetic diversity. The extent of genetic diversity was examined with all parthenogenetic Victorian morphs of S. selene. DNA sequencing of 1515 bp of the COI gene revealed a maximum divergence level of 12 bp between some of the morphs and 1 to 2 bp within some morphs. This level of genetic diversity implies that these morphs have continued to evolve in the absence of males through time. This study has highlighted the special academic interest of S. selene and the urgent need for its adequate conservation. Some important directions for future research on the species are also discussed.
Description:
"Through a review of the art of late antiquity and early Christianity, the study examines the nature of, and tension between, superstion and belief. It debates the implicit question 'is all religion superstition?' in an attempt to provide a sound basis for the presentation of reasons for my personal unwilingness to 'disallow belief' in the mysteries of the Faith, despite doubts on their content."
Description:
"Through a review of the art of late antiquity and early Christianity, the study examines the nature of, and tension between, superstion and belief. It debates the implicit question 'is all religion superstition?' in an attempt to provide a sound basis for the presentation of reasons for my personal unwilingness to 'disallow belief' in the mysteries of the Faith, despite doubts on their content."
Description:
"Non-economical industrial sites are being demolished in Geelong, making way for alternative economic development. Whilst progress is inevitable, I question the wisdom of short-term financial gain over long-term loss of identity. The association of industrial buildings with the concept of cultural heritage, art and architecture does not seem so incongrous in other parts of the world."--leaf 2.
Description:
"Non-economical industrial sites are being demolished in Geelong, making way for alternative economic development. Whilst progress is inevitable, I question the wisdom of short-term financial gain over long-term loss of identity. The association of industrial buildings with the concept of cultural heritage, art and architecture does not seem so incongrous in other parts of the world."--leaf 2.
Description:
"A natural process in examining properties of Banach spaces is to see if a Banach space can be decomposed into simpler Banach spaces; in other words, to see if a Banach space has complemented subspaces. This thesis concentrates on three main aspects of this problem: norm of projections of a Banach space onto its finite dimensional subspaces; a class of Banach spaces, each of which has a large number of infinite dimensional complemented subspaces; and methods of finding Banach spaces which have uncomplemented subspaces, where the subspaces and the quotient spaces are chosen as well-known classical sequence spaces (finding non-trivial twisted sums)." --Abstract.
Description:
"A natural process in examining properties of Banach spaces is to see if a Banach space can be decomposed into simpler Banach spaces; in other words, to see if a Banach space has complemented subspaces. This thesis concentrates on three main aspects of this problem: norm of projections of a Banach space onto its finite dimensional subspaces; a class of Banach spaces, each of which has a large number of infinite dimensional complemented subspaces; and methods of finding Banach spaces which have uncomplemented subspaces, where the subspaces and the quotient spaces are chosen as well-known classical sequence spaces (finding non-trivial twisted sums)." --Abstract.
Description:
"The thesis itself, involves some psychological and philosophical aspects and thoughts about fear as the main mover in the so called negative aesthetic. This specific method of self-expression, its possible triggers and the reasons that may initiate art creation on the basis of pessimistic and ugly imagery have not been discussed to a great degree in the past. Generally, the content of this writing is focused on the fictious correspondence between two engravers and printmakers. These invented letters serve as an exposé for practical findings and thoughts about the author's works executed during the period 2005-2006."
Description:
"The thesis itself, involves some psychological and philosophical aspects and thoughts about fear as the main mover in the so called negative aesthetic. This specific method of self-expression, its possible triggers and the reasons that may initiate art creation on the basis of pessimistic and ugly imagery have not been discussed to a great degree in the past. Generally, the content of this writing is focused on the fictious correspondence between two engravers and printmakers. These invented letters serve as an exposé for practical findings and thoughts about the author's works executed during the period 2005-2006."
Description:
"Improved survival rates for premature infants have resulted in extended hospital stays in neonatal nurseries with consequent challenges for mothers assuming a parental role. Additionally, maternal medical complications associated with surgical birth, and a need to locate themselves in unfamiliar clinical environments, exacerbate women's experiences and transition to a maternal role competes with other roles at this time. For women living in rural and regional areas, who experience premature birth, there is additional hardship due to isolation, distance and limited support services. There has been little research on women's experiences with infants in special care nurseries in regional Australia."--(leaf ii).
Description:
"Improved survival rates for premature infants have resulted in extended hospital stays in neonatal nurseries with consequent challenges for mothers assuming a parental role. Additionally, maternal medical complications associated with surgical birth, and a need to locate themselves in unfamiliar clinical environments, exacerbate women's experiences and transition to a maternal role competes with other roles at this time. For women living in rural and regional areas, who experience premature birth, there is additional hardship due to isolation, distance and limited support services. There has been little research on women's experiences with infants in special care nurseries in regional Australia."--(leaf ii).
Description:
The aim of this research project has been to merge components of ideas relating to House and Home that have been formed by the inherently sensitive autobiographical nature of my own experience whilst growing up in a suburban environment. Naturally, these symbols or metaphors of the mundane reveal much more than what superficial impressions allow. They invite the viewer into an inner world of dream /memory and hypothesis that hopefully invokes within the viewer a desire to reach beyond their own perceptions of the everyday, and to re-examine the source of their own identity, thereby bringing some new emphasis to their own significant journey.
Description:
This research project into the manipulation of spatial concepts by artists on the two-dimensional surface plane, has involved a selected study into cultural and aesthetic evolution from early civilization through to the present era. I have cast a line of inquiry into eastern, western and primitive art practices, observing the journey of chance accelerated by developments in technology. Traditionally artists utilized modes of spatial convention and techniques according to the specific cultural traditions of the time and place of their production. By contrast, contemporary artists know no such boundaries, and are able to select from a range of spatial options relevant both to current forms of expression and to a personal visual language. My own art practice has been enriched and extended, increasing my ability to challenge the notion of still life composition by reversing the traditional hierarchy of form and space through the application of a series of experiments brought about by extensive research into this spatial evolution. The research project has further assisted this development in my art practice by engaging me in a new level of understanding of the topic, informing my perceptions and increasing my ability to translate a combination of forms in space with heightened emotion and personal meaning.
Description:
This research project into the manipulation of spatial concepts by artists on the two-dimensional surface plane, has involved a selected study into cultural and aesthetic evolution from early civilization through to the present era. I have cast a line of inquiry into eastern, western and primitive art practices, observing the journey of chance accelerated by developments in technology. Traditionally artists utilized modes of spatial convention and techniques according to the specific cultural traditions of the time and place of their production. By contrast, contemporary artists know no such boundaries, and are able to select from a range of spatial options relevant both to current forms of expression and to a personal visual language. My own art practice has been enriched and extended, increasing my ability to challenge the notion of still life composition by reversing the traditional hierarchy of form and space through the application of a series of experiments brought about by extensive research into this spatial evolution. The research project has further assisted this development in my art practice by engaging me in a new level of understanding of the topic, informing my perceptions and increasing my ability to translate a combination of forms in space with heightened emotion and personal meaning.
Description:
"The pre-settlement distribution and character of Wimmera Buloke woodlands are described based on historical data including early parish plans. It is suggested the open structure of these woodlands was maintained by relatively frequent fire. The floristic composition of the most intact Wimmera Buloke woodland remnants was intensively surveyed. Five floristic communities are described based on computer-based analysis of species presence data. Eight 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types' are described based on surface soil texture categories and average annual rainfall zones. Native daisies, chenopods and shrubs are components of the understory that differentiate the 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types'. [...] A series of experiments was undertaken with the aim of determinig the factors responsible for the paucity of Allocasuarina luehmannii regeneration in remnant Wimmera bushland."
Description:
"This professional doctorate portfolio presents the results of my investigations into how to better prepare social work and welfare students for rural practice in Australia."--p. 2.
Description:
"This professional doctorate portfolio presents the results of my investigations into how to better prepare social work and welfare students for rural practice in Australia."--p. 2.
Description:
"This research project explores the possibility of a relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia from the mid twentieth century to present. [...] The investigation commences with background information on the history and origins of Abstraction, including the influence of 'primitive art' upon leading practitioners in this field during the movement's formation, before moving to Australia and focussing on two Australian painters. [...] The text also reflects on the rise of the perception of Aboriginal art from being seen as cultural curios in the mid 20th century to its current status as an internationally recognised art movement."--p. 2.
Description:
"This research project explores the possibility of a relationship between Abstract art and Aboriginal art in Australia from the mid twentieth century to present. [...] The investigation commences with background information on the history and origins of Abstraction, including the influence of 'primitive art' upon leading practitioners in this field during the movement's formation, before moving to Australia and focussing on two Australian painters. [...] The text also reflects on the rise of the perception of Aboriginal art from being seen as cultural curios in the mid 20th century to its current status as an internationally recognised art movement."--p. 2.
Description:
This report presents the investigation on the research work "Approximations for some classes of optimal control problems with state constraints and repetitive control systems". This report mainly gives the theoretical part of the research which is based on the numerical methods that are developed. It is conjectured that the corresponding algorithms will be realized as computer programs after which they can be used in practical work.
Description:
This report presents the investigation on the research work "Approximations for some classes of optimal control problems with state constraints and repetitive control systems". This report mainly gives the theoretical part of the research which is based on the numerical methods that are developed. It is conjectured that the corresponding algorithms will be realized as computer programs after which they can be used in practical work.
Description:
"Arsenic is a common soil contaminant in Australia and worldwide. There is a need to find safe, effective and economic methods to deal with this problem. The soils used in this research were collected from central Victoria. They were contaminated with arsenic by historic gold mining activity or by past sheep dipping practices. This research investigated ten different leaching agents for their effects on three different arsenic contaminated soils. [...] Electrokinetic experiments were conducted on three arsenic contaminated soils. [...] The arsenic in these soils appears to be relatively stable and immobile under oxidising conditions. The soils had a high iron content which assists in the stabilisation of arsenic. This is beneficial with respect to the environmental impact of the arsenic contamination, however, it remains an obstacle to low cost electrokinetic remediation."
Description:
"Arsenic is a common soil contaminant in Australia and worldwide. There is a need to find safe, effective and economic methods to deal with this problem. The soils used in this research were collected from central Victoria. They were contaminated with arsenic by historic gold mining activity or by past sheep dipping practices. This research investigated ten different leaching agents for their effects on three different arsenic contaminated soils. [...] Electrokinetic experiments were conducted on three arsenic contaminated soils. [...] The arsenic in these soils appears to be relatively stable and immobile under oxidising conditions. The soils had a high iron content which assists in the stabilisation of arsenic. This is beneficial with respect to the environmental impact of the arsenic contamination, however, it remains an obstacle to low cost electrokinetic remediation."
Description:
The aim of this 13 week prospective study was to investigate whether differences in hip, knee, ankle, subtalar, or first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) range of motion and physical activity levels increase a person's likelihood of developing medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)." --p.2.
Description:
The aim of this 13 week prospective study was to investigate whether differences in hip, knee, ankle, subtalar, or first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) range of motion and physical activity levels increase a person's likelihood of developing medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)." --p.2.
Description:
A desire to more fully understand the impact of altered states of spiritual health on the general health of patients has been a focus of recent research activity. Studies have explored the meaning of spirituality held by patients and nurses, the spiritual needs of patients, and methods of providing spiritual care in nursing. However, few studies have investigated nurses’ own spiritual health and the significance this may have on the provision of holistic nursing care. The aim of this study, therefore, was to inform nursing regarding the spiritual health of nurses and the influence that nurses’ own spiritual health has on their ability to provide holistic nursing care to their patients. The study was conducted in two phases using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Phase one consisted of a survey of Division 1 nurses currently employed in the Grampians region of Victoria to describe key dimensions of their spiritual health. This survey provided biographical data and, through the use of the “Shalom Measure of Spiritual Health”, discovered the ideal of spiritual health held by nurses as well as the nurses’ perception of patient needs pertaining to the achievement of spiritual health. Phase two utilised Naturalistic Inquiry to further explore the meaning of spirituality and spiritual health held by nurses, and the methods of achieving these for nurses and patients. The findings revealed that although nurses perceive the spiritual dimension of patient care to be important, they feel ill-equipped to provide this aspect of care. In addition, the major support for nurses, who themselves experience spiritual distress whilst at work, comes from colleagues. Further, prevailing health care systems in place do not always lend themselves to holistic approaches to care. This study identifies the need for nurse education to redress the clearly inadequate preparation nurses are given for this aspect of their role. Health care policy-makers and administrators also have a responsibility to consider all dimensions of care when designing and implementing health care guidelines and systems.
Description:
A desire to more fully understand the impact of altered states of spiritual health on the general health of patients has been a focus of recent research activity. Studies have explored the meaning of spirituality held by patients and nurses, the spiritual needs of patients, and methods of providing spiritual care in nursing. However, few studies have investigated nurses’ own spiritual health and the significance this may have on the provision of holistic nursing care. The aim of this study, therefore, was to inform nursing regarding the spiritual health of nurses and the influence that nurses’ own spiritual health has on their ability to provide holistic nursing care to their patients. The study was conducted in two phases using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Phase one consisted of a survey of Division 1 nurses currently employed in the Grampians region of Victoria to describe key dimensions of their spiritual health. This survey provided biographical data and, through the use of the “Shalom Measure of Spiritual Health”, discovered the ideal of spiritual health held by nurses as well as the nurses’ perception of patient needs pertaining to the achievement of spiritual health. Phase two utilised Naturalistic Inquiry to further explore the meaning of spirituality and spiritual health held by nurses, and the methods of achieving these for nurses and patients. The findings revealed that although nurses perceive the spiritual dimension of patient care to be important, they feel ill-equipped to provide this aspect of care. In addition, the major support for nurses, who themselves experience spiritual distress whilst at work, comes from colleagues. Further, prevailing health care systems in place do not always lend themselves to holistic approaches to care. This study identifies the need for nurse education to redress the clearly inadequate preparation nurses are given for this aspect of their role. Health care policy-makers and administrators also have a responsibility to consider all dimensions of care when designing and implementing health care guidelines and systems.
Description:
"It is thought that phobias are caused by a fear of the unknown and can be overcome by self-help learning resulting in better understanding. Observation and scientific investigation have been used to create a body of artwork for the purpose of helping to desensitize people who suffer from arachnophobia. Field trip collections, photography, printmaking and installations have been used to capture, explore and create visual artworks that have been designed to highlight fact-based features of spiders and their webs."
Description:
"It is thought that phobias are caused by a fear of the unknown and can be overcome by self-help learning resulting in better understanding. Observation and scientific investigation have been used to create a body of artwork for the purpose of helping to desensitize people who suffer from arachnophobia. Field trip collections, photography, printmaking and installations have been used to capture, explore and create visual artworks that have been designed to highlight fact-based features of spiders and their webs."