Unwrapping packages: Power politics and place in the delivery of community aged care
- Authors: Brown, Katrina
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The thesis analyses the delivery of the Community Aged Care Packages Program, revealing the flaws in the program’s design and the consequences of this programmatic design for service providers in rural Victoria
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brown, Katrina
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The thesis analyses the delivery of the Community Aged Care Packages Program, revealing the flaws in the program’s design and the consequences of this programmatic design for service providers in rural Victoria
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
'I can be this' : Image, identity and investment in physical education
- Authors: Brown, Leann
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: This study investigated how student expectations, experiences and involvement in physical education teacher education impacted upon and shaped identity development. The research focused on student social interactions and identified a range of behaviours and practices which reinforced student notions of what it means to be a physical educator. [...] The research itself was conducted within a creative analytical practice framework resulting in the following research products: the thesis text; a collection of one act plays titled, 'Plays from the identity playground', written about student social experiences; a CD which includes the filmed production of one of the plays 'Boys' training', and 'I can be this: a phototext', which presents key 'photographic' themes as insights into PETE student social events and activities.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Contemporary ways of learning in secondary teacher education : Towards a deeper understanding of teacher learning
- Authors: Brown, Maryann
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The focus of this portfolio is an exploration of contemporary ways of learning in secondary teacher education."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brown, Maryann
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The focus of this portfolio is an exploration of contemporary ways of learning in secondary teacher education."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Learning to Lead : The social nature of women's development in sport leadership
- Authors: Brown, Suzanne
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Despite the ubiquitous political and educational strategies aimed at redressing gender inequality in sport in Australia for the past 30 years, the number of women in sport in decision-making and leadership positions has remained low when compared to men. While a number of studies have explored women’s under-representation in sport leadership roles, there is limited understanding of how women practice sport leadership and how they develop as leaders. To address this gap in the literature, this study took a humanistic approach to account for, and consider, the nature of experience and the influence of context. This study sought to provide a more personal, nuanced, and socially situated understanding of how women practiced and learned to lead in sport. An interpretive qualitative research design framed by a social constructivist lens was used for this study to examine 23 women’s accounts of what constituted and framed their leadership practices, including how they learned leadership from their engagement in day-to-day social practices and life experiences over time. Data for this study were generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with each of the participants over a period of two years. A multi-case study approach was used to analyse the data. It was found that the participants’ leadership practice featured distinctive feminine characteristics. However, for those participants at the elite level their approaches to leadership were characterised by interaction that seemed to be traditional masculine features of leadership with the participants’ “core” feminine approaches to leadership. The participants’ leadership practice focused on social interaction and relationship building underpinned by a strong sense of moral and ethical values. Key features included collaborative decision-making, taking a team-oriented approach, using open dialogue, valuing relationships and caring about others, and positive modelling. The model of authentic leadership offered a useful way of conceptualising how the participants’ approached their practice of leadership. An examination of the participants’ accounts of their experiences of the ways they learned their leadership highlighted that leadership development for these women was a relational and social process of learning over a lifelong journey that was influenced by individual, personal experience situated within larger socio-cultural contexts. The relational nature of the participants’ learning of leadership was fundamentally connected to, and drawn from their interactions and interplay within their day-to-day social practices and life experiences from their early childhood through to their adulthood. The findings of study revealed that a range of past and present experiences and social factors influenced and shaped the participants’ values and beliefs about their leadership practice such as the development of their awareness and self-belief in their ability, the value of relationship building, and development of strength of character associated with resilience. This study also identified the significance of the informal social nature of the development of leadership through the participants’ “lived” experiences but also recognised the importance of some formal learning in developing the human capital aspects of the participants’ leadership. Findings from this study have contributed to the relatively small body of literature concerned with the examination of leadership practice and learning leadership for women in a context of sport. This study has drawn attention to the different sets of relationships that women draw on to develop their leadership practice from a young age through to their adulthood, and has highlighted the multidimensional role of relational dynamics in the construction of leadership. This study has also illustrated the importance of experiential and situated learning that occurs during the formative years through to adulthood in terms of developing women’s social skills and social awareness. These findings have implications for the way in which women’s sport leadership practice is viewed and encourages a rethinking on how affirmative action policies address the leadership developed for women in sport in Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Brown, Suzanne
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Despite the ubiquitous political and educational strategies aimed at redressing gender inequality in sport in Australia for the past 30 years, the number of women in sport in decision-making and leadership positions has remained low when compared to men. While a number of studies have explored women’s under-representation in sport leadership roles, there is limited understanding of how women practice sport leadership and how they develop as leaders. To address this gap in the literature, this study took a humanistic approach to account for, and consider, the nature of experience and the influence of context. This study sought to provide a more personal, nuanced, and socially situated understanding of how women practiced and learned to lead in sport. An interpretive qualitative research design framed by a social constructivist lens was used for this study to examine 23 women’s accounts of what constituted and framed their leadership practices, including how they learned leadership from their engagement in day-to-day social practices and life experiences over time. Data for this study were generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with each of the participants over a period of two years. A multi-case study approach was used to analyse the data. It was found that the participants’ leadership practice featured distinctive feminine characteristics. However, for those participants at the elite level their approaches to leadership were characterised by interaction that seemed to be traditional masculine features of leadership with the participants’ “core” feminine approaches to leadership. The participants’ leadership practice focused on social interaction and relationship building underpinned by a strong sense of moral and ethical values. Key features included collaborative decision-making, taking a team-oriented approach, using open dialogue, valuing relationships and caring about others, and positive modelling. The model of authentic leadership offered a useful way of conceptualising how the participants’ approached their practice of leadership. An examination of the participants’ accounts of their experiences of the ways they learned their leadership highlighted that leadership development for these women was a relational and social process of learning over a lifelong journey that was influenced by individual, personal experience situated within larger socio-cultural contexts. The relational nature of the participants’ learning of leadership was fundamentally connected to, and drawn from their interactions and interplay within their day-to-day social practices and life experiences from their early childhood through to their adulthood. The findings of study revealed that a range of past and present experiences and social factors influenced and shaped the participants’ values and beliefs about their leadership practice such as the development of their awareness and self-belief in their ability, the value of relationship building, and development of strength of character associated with resilience. This study also identified the significance of the informal social nature of the development of leadership through the participants’ “lived” experiences but also recognised the importance of some formal learning in developing the human capital aspects of the participants’ leadership. Findings from this study have contributed to the relatively small body of literature concerned with the examination of leadership practice and learning leadership for women in a context of sport. This study has drawn attention to the different sets of relationships that women draw on to develop their leadership practice from a young age through to their adulthood, and has highlighted the multidimensional role of relational dynamics in the construction of leadership. This study has also illustrated the importance of experiential and situated learning that occurs during the formative years through to adulthood in terms of developing women’s social skills and social awareness. These findings have implications for the way in which women’s sport leadership practice is viewed and encourages a rethinking on how affirmative action policies address the leadership developed for women in sport in Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Are nurse academics technology ready? A mixed methods study of Australian nurse academics’ attitudes to technologies in teaching
- Authors: Browning, Mark
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Technology use in higher education teaching has become widespread and ubiquitous, affecting many areas of teaching and learning (Bond et al., 2020). Nurse education has been impacted by this shift with increasing use of technologies in the classroom (Koch, 2014). Although there has been a large research focus relating to students’ elearning, there has been less focus on the academic and their elearning role, in particular, how academic attitudes influence technology use in teaching (Drysdale et al., 2013; Martin, Polly, et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to explore nurse academics’ attitudes to technology and the influence attitude has on their use of technologies in teaching. There were three objectives: 1) To investigate nurse academics’ attitudes to technology through the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2). 2) To develop an understanding of how and why nurse academics engage with technology through individual interviews. 3) To integrate the quantitative (Objective 1) and qualitative (Objective 2) findings in order to gain a holistic understanding of academics’ use of technologies in teaching. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design consisting of two phases was used to address the aim. The first phase was a survey based on a previously validated, 16 item questionnaire, the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2), which was distributed to Australian nurse academics. The second phase included semi-structured individual interviews focussed on academics’ use and attitudes to technology, incorporating elements from the survey. The Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2) was used in this study for the first time with nurse academics. The phase one findings indicate that nurse academics were technology ready, had higher overall TRI mean score than the general population (Parasuraman & Colby, 2015), but with similar outcomes to previous nurse academic research. Of note was that TRI was significantly associated with frequency of technology use, number of technologies used and self-rated confidence to use technology. The findings revealed three main Technology Readiness groups, representing three attitudes to technology in teaching: Explorers, Sceptics and Hesitators. Explorers were found to be innovative, positive and confident in their use of technology; Sceptics showed aversion to technology, were cautious when considering the impact on pedagogy and concerned about the impact on interpersonal skills; Hesitators showed preference for traditional teaching and distrust and were anxious about technology use. Overall, attitudes were found to be complex, based on experience and the potential impact technology may have on nursing students. The groups identified in this thesis explain behaviours and enable institutes to support academics in their engagement with technology. Recommendations include flexible training to meet the needs of academics, the use of simple and reliable technology across TR groups and adjusting workloads to account for the time-consuming nature of technology. There is also a need for academics to consider their attitudes to technology and the impact this may have on their teaching. This thesis demonstrates that technology engagement is not a binary choice but a complex process based on attitudes and other factors.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Browning, Mark
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Technology use in higher education teaching has become widespread and ubiquitous, affecting many areas of teaching and learning (Bond et al., 2020). Nurse education has been impacted by this shift with increasing use of technologies in the classroom (Koch, 2014). Although there has been a large research focus relating to students’ elearning, there has been less focus on the academic and their elearning role, in particular, how academic attitudes influence technology use in teaching (Drysdale et al., 2013; Martin, Polly, et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to explore nurse academics’ attitudes to technology and the influence attitude has on their use of technologies in teaching. There were three objectives: 1) To investigate nurse academics’ attitudes to technology through the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2). 2) To develop an understanding of how and why nurse academics engage with technology through individual interviews. 3) To integrate the quantitative (Objective 1) and qualitative (Objective 2) findings in order to gain a holistic understanding of academics’ use of technologies in teaching. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design consisting of two phases was used to address the aim. The first phase was a survey based on a previously validated, 16 item questionnaire, the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2), which was distributed to Australian nurse academics. The second phase included semi-structured individual interviews focussed on academics’ use and attitudes to technology, incorporating elements from the survey. The Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2) was used in this study for the first time with nurse academics. The phase one findings indicate that nurse academics were technology ready, had higher overall TRI mean score than the general population (Parasuraman & Colby, 2015), but with similar outcomes to previous nurse academic research. Of note was that TRI was significantly associated with frequency of technology use, number of technologies used and self-rated confidence to use technology. The findings revealed three main Technology Readiness groups, representing three attitudes to technology in teaching: Explorers, Sceptics and Hesitators. Explorers were found to be innovative, positive and confident in their use of technology; Sceptics showed aversion to technology, were cautious when considering the impact on pedagogy and concerned about the impact on interpersonal skills; Hesitators showed preference for traditional teaching and distrust and were anxious about technology use. Overall, attitudes were found to be complex, based on experience and the potential impact technology may have on nursing students. The groups identified in this thesis explain behaviours and enable institutes to support academics in their engagement with technology. Recommendations include flexible training to meet the needs of academics, the use of simple and reliable technology across TR groups and adjusting workloads to account for the time-consuming nature of technology. There is also a need for academics to consider their attitudes to technology and the impact this may have on their teaching. This thesis demonstrates that technology engagement is not a binary choice but a complex process based on attitudes and other factors.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Extremality and stationarity of collections of sets : metric, slope and normal cone characterisations
- Bui, Hoa
- Authors: Bui, Hoa
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Variational analysis, a relatively new area of research in mathematics, has become one of the most powerful tools in nonsmooth optimisation and neighbouring areas. The extremal principle, a tool to substitute the conventional separation theorem in the general nonconvex environment, is a fundamental result in variational analysis. There have seen many attempts to generalise the conventional extremal principle in order to tackle certain optimisation models. Models involving collections of sets, initiated by the extremal principle, have proved their usefulness in analysis and optimisation, with non-intersection properties (or their absence) being at the core of many applications: recall the ubiquitous convex separation theorem, extremal principle, Dubovitskii Milyutin formalism and various transversality/regularity properties. We study elementary nonintersection properties of collections of sets, making the core of the conventional definitions of extremality and stationarity. In the setting of general Banach/Asplund spaces, we establish nonlinear primal (slope) and linear/nonlinear dual (generalised separation) characterisations of these non-intersection properties. We establish a series of consequences of our main results covering all known formulations of extremality/ stationarity and generalised separability properties. This research develops a universal theory, unifying all the current extensions of the extremal principle, providing new results and better understanding for the exquisite theory of variational analysis. This new study also results in direct solutions for many open questions and new future research directions in the fields of variational analysis and optimisation. Some new nonlinear characterisations of the conventional extremality/stationarity properties are obtained. For the first time, the intrinsic transversality property is characterised in primal space without involving normal cones. This characterisation brings a new perspective on intrinsic transversality. In the process, we thoroughly expose and classify all quantitative geometric and metric characterisations of transversality properties of collections of sets and regularity properties of set-valued mappings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bui, Hoa
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Variational analysis, a relatively new area of research in mathematics, has become one of the most powerful tools in nonsmooth optimisation and neighbouring areas. The extremal principle, a tool to substitute the conventional separation theorem in the general nonconvex environment, is a fundamental result in variational analysis. There have seen many attempts to generalise the conventional extremal principle in order to tackle certain optimisation models. Models involving collections of sets, initiated by the extremal principle, have proved their usefulness in analysis and optimisation, with non-intersection properties (or their absence) being at the core of many applications: recall the ubiquitous convex separation theorem, extremal principle, Dubovitskii Milyutin formalism and various transversality/regularity properties. We study elementary nonintersection properties of collections of sets, making the core of the conventional definitions of extremality and stationarity. In the setting of general Banach/Asplund spaces, we establish nonlinear primal (slope) and linear/nonlinear dual (generalised separation) characterisations of these non-intersection properties. We establish a series of consequences of our main results covering all known formulations of extremality/ stationarity and generalised separability properties. This research develops a universal theory, unifying all the current extensions of the extremal principle, providing new results and better understanding for the exquisite theory of variational analysis. This new study also results in direct solutions for many open questions and new future research directions in the fields of variational analysis and optimisation. Some new nonlinear characterisations of the conventional extremality/stationarity properties are obtained. For the first time, the intrinsic transversality property is characterised in primal space without involving normal cones. This characterisation brings a new perspective on intrinsic transversality. In the process, we thoroughly expose and classify all quantitative geometric and metric characterisations of transversality properties of collections of sets and regularity properties of set-valued mappings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Enabling play : Insider accounts of disabled children's playworlds in accessible playgrounds
- Authors: Burke, Jenene
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis investigates accessible playgrounds as spaces that offer children with impairments the opportunity to be included in play with children who do not have impairments. It presents an examination of play on the Swanmere Accessible Community Playground and several other children's playground sites.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Burke, Jenene
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis investigates accessible playgrounds as spaces that offer children with impairments the opportunity to be included in play with children who do not have impairments. It presents an examination of play on the Swanmere Accessible Community Playground and several other children's playground sites.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Anti-war, radical youth revolt, Victoria, 1965-1975
- Authors: Butler, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis is a political history of the emergence and evolution of selected radical, left, student and workers movements in Victoria between 1965 and 1975. It examines the development of radical alliances, demonstrations and public actions using documentary materials and oral accounts provided during interviews. It argues that the radical left movement in Victoria began within the Monash University Labor Club, which subsequently generated radical groups outside the university. During this timeframe, both military conscription for the Vietnam War and the war itself became focal points for oppositional political mobilisation in Victoria. In 1967, the Monash Labor Club’s disruptive campaign against university authority was sufficiently popular for the club to turn its attention to disrupting the war effort. Soon, its locus of operations shifted into the general anti-war movement and the Labor Club established new, non-student, and avowedly communist and revolutionary organisations. Roughly termed the “Maoists,” by 1970 these organisations coalesced into the Worker Student Alliance (WSA), which grew rapidly to become a “left-wing” body that challenged the leadership of the established “left” organisations. The cessation of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War removed a major cause for radical action and, despite the generation of some important campaigns to replace it, the WSA dissolved itself in 1974.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Butler, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis is a political history of the emergence and evolution of selected radical, left, student and workers movements in Victoria between 1965 and 1975. It examines the development of radical alliances, demonstrations and public actions using documentary materials and oral accounts provided during interviews. It argues that the radical left movement in Victoria began within the Monash University Labor Club, which subsequently generated radical groups outside the university. During this timeframe, both military conscription for the Vietnam War and the war itself became focal points for oppositional political mobilisation in Victoria. In 1967, the Monash Labor Club’s disruptive campaign against university authority was sufficiently popular for the club to turn its attention to disrupting the war effort. Soon, its locus of operations shifted into the general anti-war movement and the Labor Club established new, non-student, and avowedly communist and revolutionary organisations. Roughly termed the “Maoists,” by 1970 these organisations coalesced into the Worker Student Alliance (WSA), which grew rapidly to become a “left-wing” body that challenged the leadership of the established “left” organisations. The cessation of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War removed a major cause for radical action and, despite the generation of some important campaigns to replace it, the WSA dissolved itself in 1974.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Where past and future are gathered : Representations of self and concepts of ageing in the twenty-first century
- Authors: Button, Loris
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This research project applies an analysis of identity, time and ageing to the practice-led project of investigating the way in which self portraiture may reflect and inform society's understanding of changing concepts of the ageing self in the early twenty-first century.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Button, Loris
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This research project applies an analysis of identity, time and ageing to the practice-led project of investigating the way in which self portraiture may reflect and inform society's understanding of changing concepts of the ageing self in the early twenty-first century.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Black gold : A history of the role of Aboriginal people on the goldfields of Victoria, 1850-70
- Authors: Cahir, David (Fred)
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Reconstructs the history of Aboriginal people and gold mining in Victoria from 1850-1870.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Cahir, David (Fred)
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Reconstructs the history of Aboriginal people and gold mining in Victoria from 1850-1870.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Casuarina pauper (belah) woodlands of northwest Victoria : monitoring and regeneration
- Authors: Callister, Katrina
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The study focused on C. pauper woodland in northwest Victoria, an area where the recent establishment of the Murray-Sunset National Park (MSNP) provides an ideal opportunity to manage these woodlands to promote regeneration"
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Callister, Katrina
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The study focused on C. pauper woodland in northwest Victoria, an area where the recent establishment of the Murray-Sunset National Park (MSNP) provides an ideal opportunity to manage these woodlands to promote regeneration"
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Under the influence : identifying determinants of young adults' involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity to improve drowning prevention efforts
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: BACKGROUND: Young adults are an at-risk group for experiencing an alcohol-related drowning incident. Investigations and drowning prevention efforts have aimed to address young adults’ prevalence in alcohol-related drownings and contribute to understanding their level of risk. Some explanations have concluded young adults’ need for autonomy and independence coincides with their exposure to alcohol and social norm pressures. However, gaps in knowledge remain, specifically young adults’: behaviours, knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol-influenced aquatic activity and the associated risks; and, their awareness and perceptions of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns. METHODS: This PhD, completed with publications, aimed to address these gaps through four interlinked projects: (i) a systematic review of alcohol education programs to determine evidence-based quality criteria necessary for inclusion in programs to successfully change young adults’ alcohol-related behaviours, knowledge and attitudes; (ii) a program audit of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns to establish current prevention efforts in high-income countries and areas for improvement; (iii) a survey among young adults from Australia and the United Kingdom to establish their knowledge, attitudes and predictors of intentions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activities; and, (iv) interviews to deepen understanding of young adults’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, their awareness of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns and their suggestions for improvement. Six publications resulted from this research. RESULTS: Friends influenced frequency of young adults’ involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, but involvement was dependent on the characteristics of the peer group, self-confidence and risk disassociation. Attitudes were neutral towards alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, but when participants perceived personal control over the risks it was deemed more acceptable. Alcohol-related safety strategies from other contexts (e.g., driving) were applied to aquatic settings, but specific water safety knowledge/education was low. Stronger swimmers, Australian young adults and those who had received alcohol-specific water safety education displayed more knowledge of alcohol and its effects in aquatic contexts. Participants lacked awareness of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns, and used campaign logos and names to interpret key messages. Little information was available on the alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns identified in the program audit and only two had evidence of evaluation, limiting progress of future prevention efforts. Ten quality criteria identified from evidence-based literature were considered to be necessary for inclusion in alcohol education programs. Programs included in the systematic review which incorporated these criteria were more likely to report success in influencing behaviour changes among the participants. CONCLUSIONS: To decrease the incidence of alcohol-related drowning among young adults, the findings of the projects included within this thesis result in the following recommendations. For enhanced likelihood of successful outcomes, alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns should align campaign design, implementation and evaluation with best-practice literature. The identified influencers on young adults’ involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, such as their peers, should be incorporated into prevention efforts and appropriate information provided to encourage informed decision making. Alcohol education programs (e.g., drink driving education) should include information about alcohol use in aquatic settings to clarify the risks associated with transferring safety strategies between drinking contexts, and appropriate information should be provided about alcohol consumption in aquatic settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: BACKGROUND: Young adults are an at-risk group for experiencing an alcohol-related drowning incident. Investigations and drowning prevention efforts have aimed to address young adults’ prevalence in alcohol-related drownings and contribute to understanding their level of risk. Some explanations have concluded young adults’ need for autonomy and independence coincides with their exposure to alcohol and social norm pressures. However, gaps in knowledge remain, specifically young adults’: behaviours, knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol-influenced aquatic activity and the associated risks; and, their awareness and perceptions of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns. METHODS: This PhD, completed with publications, aimed to address these gaps through four interlinked projects: (i) a systematic review of alcohol education programs to determine evidence-based quality criteria necessary for inclusion in programs to successfully change young adults’ alcohol-related behaviours, knowledge and attitudes; (ii) a program audit of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns to establish current prevention efforts in high-income countries and areas for improvement; (iii) a survey among young adults from Australia and the United Kingdom to establish their knowledge, attitudes and predictors of intentions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activities; and, (iv) interviews to deepen understanding of young adults’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, their awareness of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns and their suggestions for improvement. Six publications resulted from this research. RESULTS: Friends influenced frequency of young adults’ involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, but involvement was dependent on the characteristics of the peer group, self-confidence and risk disassociation. Attitudes were neutral towards alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, but when participants perceived personal control over the risks it was deemed more acceptable. Alcohol-related safety strategies from other contexts (e.g., driving) were applied to aquatic settings, but specific water safety knowledge/education was low. Stronger swimmers, Australian young adults and those who had received alcohol-specific water safety education displayed more knowledge of alcohol and its effects in aquatic contexts. Participants lacked awareness of alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns, and used campaign logos and names to interpret key messages. Little information was available on the alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns identified in the program audit and only two had evidence of evaluation, limiting progress of future prevention efforts. Ten quality criteria identified from evidence-based literature were considered to be necessary for inclusion in alcohol education programs. Programs included in the systematic review which incorporated these criteria were more likely to report success in influencing behaviour changes among the participants. CONCLUSIONS: To decrease the incidence of alcohol-related drowning among young adults, the findings of the projects included within this thesis result in the following recommendations. For enhanced likelihood of successful outcomes, alcohol-themed drowning prevention campaigns should align campaign design, implementation and evaluation with best-practice literature. The identified influencers on young adults’ involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity, such as their peers, should be incorporated into prevention efforts and appropriate information provided to encourage informed decision making. Alcohol education programs (e.g., drink driving education) should include information about alcohol use in aquatic settings to clarify the risks associated with transferring safety strategies between drinking contexts, and appropriate information should be provided about alcohol consumption in aquatic settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
[Dis]Abled justice: Why reports of sexual assault made by adults with cognitive impairment fail to proceed through the justice system
- Authors: Camilleri, Marg
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: This study considers why, despite increased prevalence of sexual assault perpetrated against adults with cognitive impairment, reports of sexual assault made by adults in this cohort to the police seldom progress beyond the investigation stage. The study is informed by a triangulation of theoretical perspectives consisting of radical feminist theory, symbolic interactionism and the social model of disability. A combined qualitative and quantitative methodological approach is underpinned by the social constructionist epistemology. Data was gathered through 13 focus group discussions conducted with Victoria Police members, including members of the Sex Offences and Child Abuse Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit and Sex Crimes Squad, as well as with staff from the Office of Public Prosecutions and advocates consisting of disability and victim support workers. The other main sources of data were 76 police case file narratives and a case study involving an adult victim whose report of sexual assault was successfully prosecuted. Qualitative data from focus group interviews and file narratives were subjected to thematic analysis and critical discourse analysis. Basic frequencies and correlations of the case file data were analysed using SPSS and the case study was analysed utilising Yin’s (2003) explanatory case study framework. The research indicates that there are seven points in the course of police investigations at which decisions are made about sexual assault reports. Discretion is applied by police at all stages of decision making. Decisions are informed by an influence cycle consisting of social forces, the justice system, the police organisation, and the culture of the police unit. Police decisions are therefore subject to a range of influences, which perpetuate negative patriarchal and ableist stereotypes and disabling generalised assumptions about adults with cognitive impairment. The primary assumption is they are not credible. The result is that opportunities for people with cognitive impairment to access justice are extinguished prematurely.
- Authors: Camilleri, Marg
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Description: This study considers why, despite increased prevalence of sexual assault perpetrated against adults with cognitive impairment, reports of sexual assault made by adults in this cohort to the police seldom progress beyond the investigation stage. The study is informed by a triangulation of theoretical perspectives consisting of radical feminist theory, symbolic interactionism and the social model of disability. A combined qualitative and quantitative methodological approach is underpinned by the social constructionist epistemology. Data was gathered through 13 focus group discussions conducted with Victoria Police members, including members of the Sex Offences and Child Abuse Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit and Sex Crimes Squad, as well as with staff from the Office of Public Prosecutions and advocates consisting of disability and victim support workers. The other main sources of data were 76 police case file narratives and a case study involving an adult victim whose report of sexual assault was successfully prosecuted. Qualitative data from focus group interviews and file narratives were subjected to thematic analysis and critical discourse analysis. Basic frequencies and correlations of the case file data were analysed using SPSS and the case study was analysed utilising Yin’s (2003) explanatory case study framework. The research indicates that there are seven points in the course of police investigations at which decisions are made about sexual assault reports. Discretion is applied by police at all stages of decision making. Decisions are informed by an influence cycle consisting of social forces, the justice system, the police organisation, and the culture of the police unit. Police decisions are therefore subject to a range of influences, which perpetuate negative patriarchal and ableist stereotypes and disabling generalised assumptions about adults with cognitive impairment. The primary assumption is they are not credible. The result is that opportunities for people with cognitive impairment to access justice are extinguished prematurely.
Learning a trade in New Zealand : On and off the job learning in engineering trades
- Authors: Cannan, James
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The engineering trades selected for this study were specifically in the automotive and refrigeration/air-conditioning/electrical disciplines, as they are typical of the engineering discipline trade groups studying at institutes of technology and workplaces as apprentices. This research focused on two trade occupations within the engineering industry and investigated differences between pre-apprentice and apprentice experiences in skills and knowledge acquisition and assessment whilst learning on and off the job; that is, studying vocational education at institutes of technology and engaging in practical activities at the workplace. New Zealand has faced dramatic changes in tertiary education over the past 20 years, particularly in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. As a result of these changes there has been a substantial increase in participation in education and training. There is now a far wider range of courses to cater for the needs of learners in the vocational sector as the New Zealand population grows, along with the engineering trade opportunities that are currently available in the workplace. A qualitative research approach was used including interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. The project consisted of case studies based around cohorts of apprentices and pre-apprentices. Lecturers and employers were also included. The findings of the study will inform discussions on the ways in which learning prior to and in the workplace might be more effectively facilitated and managed in the future. It also raises questions about the effectiveness and quality of current training and assessment of engineering trade programs of study within New Zealand, as well as issues in apprenticeships and attrition within specific trades.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Cannan, James
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The engineering trades selected for this study were specifically in the automotive and refrigeration/air-conditioning/electrical disciplines, as they are typical of the engineering discipline trade groups studying at institutes of technology and workplaces as apprentices. This research focused on two trade occupations within the engineering industry and investigated differences between pre-apprentice and apprentice experiences in skills and knowledge acquisition and assessment whilst learning on and off the job; that is, studying vocational education at institutes of technology and engaging in practical activities at the workplace. New Zealand has faced dramatic changes in tertiary education over the past 20 years, particularly in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. As a result of these changes there has been a substantial increase in participation in education and training. There is now a far wider range of courses to cater for the needs of learners in the vocational sector as the New Zealand population grows, along with the engineering trade opportunities that are currently available in the workplace. A qualitative research approach was used including interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. The project consisted of case studies based around cohorts of apprentices and pre-apprentices. Lecturers and employers were also included. The findings of the study will inform discussions on the ways in which learning prior to and in the workplace might be more effectively facilitated and managed in the future. It also raises questions about the effectiveness and quality of current training and assessment of engineering trade programs of study within New Zealand, as well as issues in apprenticeships and attrition within specific trades.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Carino, James
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: This thesis concerns individuals who develop dementia symptoms before 65 years of age (called younger-onset dementia, or YOD) while employed, which has significant personal, financial and social effects due to the commitments and responsibilities of families and work. This thesis aims to identify employment-related work strategies to allow people with dementia to continue to work. Four linked studies consistent with the study aim were designed and implemented. In Chapter 3, Study 1, a review of employer approaches to employees with dementia, evaluated nine studies related to dementia and work. The main analysis extracted, grouped and classified employer actions towards employees with dementia in these studies. Two in three employer responses to employees with dementia were ineffective in supporting employees. Poor understanding of the difficulties of those living with dementia appeared to be the main cause. Better knowledge among individuals experiencing dementia symptoms and their employers is needed. In Chapter 4, Study 2, a review of guidance materials related to dementia in the workplace sought to identify and review the availability, structure and content of information to support employees or employers dealing with dementia. Guidance information published by dementia organisations in English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland) and the United States of America was analysed and compiled. Dementia websites were found to offer relevant, high-quality content, but this can be fragmented and difficult to find. Few organisations covered the range of relevant content. Most information was aimed at employees with dementia symptoms rather than their employers. Information gaps for employees with dementia included the importance of early diagnosis and assistive technology applications. Employer information gaps included workplace identification of dementia, employee retention and managing the wider work team around the person with dementia. Chapter 5 addressed Study 3, employer approaches to employees with dementia at work. This chapter extended existing research exploring the experience of dementia at work. Four groups were engaged in semi-structured interviews: (1) employers and human resource (HR) managers; (2) professionals supporting employers such as HR consultants; (3) employees with dementia who were working or had left work within the past two years; and (4) professionals supporting people living with dementia. The study identified employee and employer actions and assessed how dementia could be managed using relevant information and approaches to maintain viable employment. As well as the need for greater awareness of workplace cognitive impairment, this study identified solutions to prolong employment. Suggestions included using relevant expertise and external peer support, implementing self-management and personal strategies, raising employer awareness of employee rights and employer responsibilities, employee engagement in decisions about them and their work and assistance with the transition from work. An analytical approach, considering the person, task and organisation may assist in devising more effective employer implementation approaches. Study 4, guidance model document feedback (presented in Chapter 6), evaluated two model guidance documents (one for employers, the other for employees) developed from Studies 1, 2 and 3. This study aimed to determine the relevance and completeness of the content and identify potential enhancements. Study 3 participants were recontacted for this study. The proposed documents were received positively. Suggested improvements included care in the use of terms such as ‘dementia’, moving beyond ‘dementia friendly’ to inclusivity and clearer specification of the responsibilities of HR practitioners and employers. Chapter 7 placed the findings across the four studies into the context of increased workplace and societal attention to mental health, wellbeing, cognitive fitness and neurodiversity. Growing awareness of these issues is argued to be positive for future workplace understanding, acceptance and management of conditions such as dementia and cognitive impairment. HR leadership and expertise in dealing with dementia in the workplace are pertinent to achieving this goal. This thesis elaborates on the practical importance of information and communication in understanding cognitive impairment at work. Awareness that individuals in the early stages of cognitive difficulties maintain the capacity to continue to work can be improved. A review of information designed to support workplace decision-making has identified content and pathways to improve workplace knowledge and awareness. In conclusion, dementia at work can be managed by integrating awareness of dementia with mental health and cognition in workplaces. Greater attention to the diversity of cognitive abilities and processes in organisations can improve the life experience of employees living with dementia, their contribution to work, overall work performance and satisfaction.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The construct validity of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder symptoms : A multitrait-multisource approach based on father and mother ratings
- Authors: Carroll, Steve
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: There has been considerable debate over the construct validity of the Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in past research due to measurement error (e.g., source effects) associated with parent and teacher ratings of childhood behaviour. Recent multitrait-multisource (MT-MS) studies have attempted to account for measurement error by using multiple sources involving parents and teachers. These studies have identified low trait variance in the AD/HD and ODD dimensions, thereby raising questions about the validity of the AD/HD - inattention (IN), AD/HD - hyperactivity/impulsivity (H/I), and ODD constructs. However, as these studies examine ratings from different settings (i.e., home and school) it can be argued that the low trait variance in the AD/HD constructs may reflect cross-situational differences. The current research used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) procedures to examine the internal and external validity of AD/HD and ODD symptoms based on ratings (i.e., mother and father) from individuals in the same setting...
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
- Authors: Carroll, Steve
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: There has been considerable debate over the construct validity of the Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in past research due to measurement error (e.g., source effects) associated with parent and teacher ratings of childhood behaviour. Recent multitrait-multisource (MT-MS) studies have attempted to account for measurement error by using multiple sources involving parents and teachers. These studies have identified low trait variance in the AD/HD and ODD dimensions, thereby raising questions about the validity of the AD/HD - inattention (IN), AD/HD - hyperactivity/impulsivity (H/I), and ODD constructs. However, as these studies examine ratings from different settings (i.e., home and school) it can be argued that the low trait variance in the AD/HD constructs may reflect cross-situational differences. The current research used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) procedures to examine the internal and external validity of AD/HD and ODD symptoms based on ratings (i.e., mother and father) from individuals in the same setting...
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Bitcoin : users’ characteristics, motivations and investment behaviours
- Authors: Carter, Corey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In less than a decade, the cryptocurrency known as Bitcoin has gone from a fringe phenomenon to a topic of increasing interest to academia and mainstream investors. However, despite the growing body of research seeking to understand Bitcoin, the pseudonymous, decentralised, and globally-diffused nature of its user base means that the individuals who use it remain poorly understood. In particular, the motivations, risk-appreciation, and investment behaviours of early adopters and innovators are subject to supposition in the absence of data derived from the user base. This thesis seeks to address this gap in knowledge by employing a multi-stage, mixed methodology approach and a theoretical framework to understand the Bitcoin user base. Utilising semantic analysis, a survey of online cryptocurrency communities, and econometric time-series analysis, this thesis addresses the extent and nature of Bitcoin in hedging; how individual users perceive their own motivations, uses, and risks that have driven their behaviour; and the nature of the relationship between the prices of cryptocurrency and indices of confidence. Analysis of the data determined that the use of Bitcoin as an instrument of hedging is limited, and influenced by political and institutional factors. Likewise, its motivations, uses, and risks are reflective of the users’ political ideology, with the community and marketplace becoming more sophisticated as they evolve over time. Additionally, despite several case studies demonstrating risk-averse adoption of Bitcoin, there is no relationship between its prices and confidence.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Carter, Corey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In less than a decade, the cryptocurrency known as Bitcoin has gone from a fringe phenomenon to a topic of increasing interest to academia and mainstream investors. However, despite the growing body of research seeking to understand Bitcoin, the pseudonymous, decentralised, and globally-diffused nature of its user base means that the individuals who use it remain poorly understood. In particular, the motivations, risk-appreciation, and investment behaviours of early adopters and innovators are subject to supposition in the absence of data derived from the user base. This thesis seeks to address this gap in knowledge by employing a multi-stage, mixed methodology approach and a theoretical framework to understand the Bitcoin user base. Utilising semantic analysis, a survey of online cryptocurrency communities, and econometric time-series analysis, this thesis addresses the extent and nature of Bitcoin in hedging; how individual users perceive their own motivations, uses, and risks that have driven their behaviour; and the nature of the relationship between the prices of cryptocurrency and indices of confidence. Analysis of the data determined that the use of Bitcoin as an instrument of hedging is limited, and influenced by political and institutional factors. Likewise, its motivations, uses, and risks are reflective of the users’ political ideology, with the community and marketplace becoming more sophisticated as they evolve over time. Additionally, despite several case studies demonstrating risk-averse adoption of Bitcoin, there is no relationship between its prices and confidence.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Ecology and management of a tropical invasive weed, Cyperus aromaticus (Navua sedge) in Queensland, Australia
- Authors: Chadha, Aakansha
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kükenth, commonly known as Navua sedge is an invasive C4 perennial sedge species of the Cyperaceae family found predominantly in tropical environments. A native of tropical Africa, it has spread widely and become problematic in many southwest Pacific islands and in tropical north Queensland, Australia. It is a principal weed infesting pastures, sugarcane, banana and root crops, which causes significant damage across a range of industries including dairy, beef, sugarcane and banana in the highly fertile and productive areas of Queensland. The primary objective of this thesis was to contribute to a significant weed management problem at a stage where intervention is cost effective, efficient and environmentally sensitive. At the centre of this work, was a contribution to fundamental knowledge regarding the ecology of the species. The first objective was to examine the global literature on rhizomatous weeds and C. aromaticus in particular to identify the research problems and knowledge gaps. As C. aromaticus has dual mode of reproduction, via seeds and rhizomes, both these aspects were taken into consideration in the experimental chapters. The project critically addressed the issues related to (i) understanding the fundamental ecological aspects of reproduction via seeds in C. aromaticus, (ii) the regeneration of C. aromaticus from its rhizomes, and (iii) control of C. aromaticus using herbicides. A stepwise approach, involving multiple objectives was used to meet the primary objective of this project. Three experiments were conducted to understand the fundamental ecological aspects of reproduction via seeds. (i) A study was conducted to understand the soil seed bank dynamics of pastures invaded by C. aromaticus. It was found that C. aromaticus is the dominant species in the soil seed bank of pastures invaded by C. aromaticus and can contribute between 62% and 95% of the total seed bank. In this respect, the abundance of C. aromaticus seed in the soil seed bank is positively correlated with the aboveground biomass of C. aromaticus and 83% of the total C. aromaticus seeds was found in the top 0-5 cm layer of soil. (ii) The lifespan of C. aromaticus seeds was estimated by artificial ageing technique in the laboratory whereby the results indicate that long-term management is required to control the recruitment from the soil seed bank even in the absence of additional seed deposition. (iii) Seed germination ecology was investigated to understand the effect of various environmental factors on the germination of C. aromaticus seeds. It was found that light is absolutely required for C. aromaticus seed germination, and there was no germination of seeds above 150 mM NaCl concentration and -0.8 Mpa osmotic potential, or from seeds buried greater than 2 cm below the soil surface. Focussing on the regeneration from C. aromaticus rhizomes, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of rhizome size and burial depth on the emergence from rhizomes in different soil types. A positive correlation was found between the total emergence of tillers and rhizome fragment size of C. aromaticus, but a negative correlation was found between the total emergence of tillers and burial depth of rhizomes. Importantly, it was also found that rhizomes when reduced to 10 cm or smaller fragments and buried 15 cm or deeper will prevent emergence. A further two glasshouse experiments were conducted to explore chemical options to control both the aboveground biomass and the belowground rhizomes. (i) The herbicide sensitivity of various rates of halosulfuron-methyl was evaluated at different growth stages using plants with and without established rhizomes. Mortality of 27.5%, 0% and 5% was recorded when treated with 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl at the mowed, pre-flowering and flowering stages, respectively in plants with established rhizomes. The herbicide was effective in controlling the aboveground growth, however, subsequent emergence of new growth from the rhizome confirms the failure of the herbicide to kill the rhizome. In contrast, application of 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl provided 100% mortality in plants treated at seedling and pre-flowering stage in plants without established rhizomes. (ii) Another herbicide with an alternate mode of action, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, was assessed at different growth stages again using plants with and without established rhizomes. Results indicate that a single application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl is effective at controlling C. aromaticus seedlings, but not effective at controlling plants with established rhizomes. In summary, this thesis has increased the fundamental knowledge about the ecology of C. aromaticus which will feed into designing of management strategies. Likewise, new tools established in the form of mechanical and chemical control and improving the methods currently used to manage populations will advance the capacity to effectively manage C. aromaticus in the future. Although this investigation is based on a relatively focussed suite of issues relevant to tropical north Queensland, where there is an immediate application of the research outcomes from this study, it is anticipated that they will also inform weed management strategies more broadly in a range of similar environments throughout the world.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Chadha, Aakansha
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kükenth, commonly known as Navua sedge is an invasive C4 perennial sedge species of the Cyperaceae family found predominantly in tropical environments. A native of tropical Africa, it has spread widely and become problematic in many southwest Pacific islands and in tropical north Queensland, Australia. It is a principal weed infesting pastures, sugarcane, banana and root crops, which causes significant damage across a range of industries including dairy, beef, sugarcane and banana in the highly fertile and productive areas of Queensland. The primary objective of this thesis was to contribute to a significant weed management problem at a stage where intervention is cost effective, efficient and environmentally sensitive. At the centre of this work, was a contribution to fundamental knowledge regarding the ecology of the species. The first objective was to examine the global literature on rhizomatous weeds and C. aromaticus in particular to identify the research problems and knowledge gaps. As C. aromaticus has dual mode of reproduction, via seeds and rhizomes, both these aspects were taken into consideration in the experimental chapters. The project critically addressed the issues related to (i) understanding the fundamental ecological aspects of reproduction via seeds in C. aromaticus, (ii) the regeneration of C. aromaticus from its rhizomes, and (iii) control of C. aromaticus using herbicides. A stepwise approach, involving multiple objectives was used to meet the primary objective of this project. Three experiments were conducted to understand the fundamental ecological aspects of reproduction via seeds. (i) A study was conducted to understand the soil seed bank dynamics of pastures invaded by C. aromaticus. It was found that C. aromaticus is the dominant species in the soil seed bank of pastures invaded by C. aromaticus and can contribute between 62% and 95% of the total seed bank. In this respect, the abundance of C. aromaticus seed in the soil seed bank is positively correlated with the aboveground biomass of C. aromaticus and 83% of the total C. aromaticus seeds was found in the top 0-5 cm layer of soil. (ii) The lifespan of C. aromaticus seeds was estimated by artificial ageing technique in the laboratory whereby the results indicate that long-term management is required to control the recruitment from the soil seed bank even in the absence of additional seed deposition. (iii) Seed germination ecology was investigated to understand the effect of various environmental factors on the germination of C. aromaticus seeds. It was found that light is absolutely required for C. aromaticus seed germination, and there was no germination of seeds above 150 mM NaCl concentration and -0.8 Mpa osmotic potential, or from seeds buried greater than 2 cm below the soil surface. Focussing on the regeneration from C. aromaticus rhizomes, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of rhizome size and burial depth on the emergence from rhizomes in different soil types. A positive correlation was found between the total emergence of tillers and rhizome fragment size of C. aromaticus, but a negative correlation was found between the total emergence of tillers and burial depth of rhizomes. Importantly, it was also found that rhizomes when reduced to 10 cm or smaller fragments and buried 15 cm or deeper will prevent emergence. A further two glasshouse experiments were conducted to explore chemical options to control both the aboveground biomass and the belowground rhizomes. (i) The herbicide sensitivity of various rates of halosulfuron-methyl was evaluated at different growth stages using plants with and without established rhizomes. Mortality of 27.5%, 0% and 5% was recorded when treated with 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl at the mowed, pre-flowering and flowering stages, respectively in plants with established rhizomes. The herbicide was effective in controlling the aboveground growth, however, subsequent emergence of new growth from the rhizome confirms the failure of the herbicide to kill the rhizome. In contrast, application of 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl provided 100% mortality in plants treated at seedling and pre-flowering stage in plants without established rhizomes. (ii) Another herbicide with an alternate mode of action, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, was assessed at different growth stages again using plants with and without established rhizomes. Results indicate that a single application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl is effective at controlling C. aromaticus seedlings, but not effective at controlling plants with established rhizomes. In summary, this thesis has increased the fundamental knowledge about the ecology of C. aromaticus which will feed into designing of management strategies. Likewise, new tools established in the form of mechanical and chemical control and improving the methods currently used to manage populations will advance the capacity to effectively manage C. aromaticus in the future. Although this investigation is based on a relatively focussed suite of issues relevant to tropical north Queensland, where there is an immediate application of the research outcomes from this study, it is anticipated that they will also inform weed management strategies more broadly in a range of similar environments throughout the world.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Contemporary applications of Fresco : The narrative of the artist
- Authors: Chappell, Annette
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Fresco is a vehicle for powerful and enduring forms of cultural storytelling; it references universal narrative themes. The research objective of this project is to achieve a contemporary application of fresco through exploration and transgression of traditional material, pictorial forms and functions. In this transgression, the artist locates a personal narrative, through the immersive methods of autoethnographic inquiry and from the epistemological position of material thinking and production. The contemporary application of fresco is arrived at by interrogating the traditional methods, materials and intentions of fresco as recorded in fifteenth-century Europe and with reference to what other contemporary practitioners in this field have achieved. Materials knowledge and methods gained through on-site material conservation of lime plaster fresco is an impetus to this project and has engendered a focus on re-purposing and re-imagining the media in contemporary and personal expressions. The narrative of the artist is arrived at through materials thinking in fresco methodology, and through an interpretive autoethnographic analysis of a personal archive or studio text consisting of visual and textual material. The studio text is regarded as a unique ethnographic artefact of personal significance. The new term of ‘studio text’ for practice-led research is proposed to differentiate practice-led language and forms from the sociological or positivist terminology of ‘fieldwork notes’ or ‘data’. Autoethnographic methodology is disrupted to incorporate the indwelling practices of material thinking and immersive writing (ekphrasis) and drawing (enstasis). Through the integration of these methodologies, interpretations of the studio text are enacted concurrently with material production. Materials and motifs are selected for personal significance and resonance, and constructed as part or full frescoes. The material outcomes of this integration of methodologies are described as Visual Diaries and publicly exhibited. The documentation of integrated methodology in this project may contribute to emergent thinking in practice-led research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Chappell, Annette
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Fresco is a vehicle for powerful and enduring forms of cultural storytelling; it references universal narrative themes. The research objective of this project is to achieve a contemporary application of fresco through exploration and transgression of traditional material, pictorial forms and functions. In this transgression, the artist locates a personal narrative, through the immersive methods of autoethnographic inquiry and from the epistemological position of material thinking and production. The contemporary application of fresco is arrived at by interrogating the traditional methods, materials and intentions of fresco as recorded in fifteenth-century Europe and with reference to what other contemporary practitioners in this field have achieved. Materials knowledge and methods gained through on-site material conservation of lime plaster fresco is an impetus to this project and has engendered a focus on re-purposing and re-imagining the media in contemporary and personal expressions. The narrative of the artist is arrived at through materials thinking in fresco methodology, and through an interpretive autoethnographic analysis of a personal archive or studio text consisting of visual and textual material. The studio text is regarded as a unique ethnographic artefact of personal significance. The new term of ‘studio text’ for practice-led research is proposed to differentiate practice-led language and forms from the sociological or positivist terminology of ‘fieldwork notes’ or ‘data’. Autoethnographic methodology is disrupted to incorporate the indwelling practices of material thinking and immersive writing (ekphrasis) and drawing (enstasis). Through the integration of these methodologies, interpretations of the studio text are enacted concurrently with material production. Materials and motifs are selected for personal significance and resonance, and constructed as part or full frescoes. The material outcomes of this integration of methodologies are described as Visual Diaries and publicly exhibited. The documentation of integrated methodology in this project may contribute to emergent thinking in practice-led research.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Canonical Duality Theory for Global Optimization problems and applications
- Chen, Yi
- Authors: Chen, Yi
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The canonical duality theory is studied, through a discussion on a general global optimization problem and applications on fundamentally important problems. This general problem is a formulation of the minimization problem with inequality constraints, where the objective function and constraints are any convex or nonconvex functions satisfying certain decomposition conditions. It covers convex problems, mixed integer programming problems and many other nonlinear programming problems. The three main parts of the canonical duality theory are canonical dual transformation, complementary-dual principle and triality theory. The complementary-dual principle is further developed, which conventionally states that each critical point of the canonical dual problem is corresponding to a KKT point of the primal problem with their sharing the same function value. The new result emphasizes that there exists a one-to-one correspondence between KKT points of the dual problem and of the primal problem and each pair of the corresponding KKT points share the same function value, which implies that there is truly no duality gap between the canonical dual problem and the primal problem. The triality theory reveals insightful information about global and local solutions. It is shown that as long as the global optimality condition holds true, the primal problem is equivalent to a convex problem in the dual space, which can be solved efficiently by existing convex methods; even if the condition does not hold, the convex problem still provides a lower bound that is at least as good as that by the Lagrangian relaxation method. It is also shown that through examining the canonical dual problem, the hidden convexity of the primal problem is easily observable. The canonical duality theory is then applied to dealing with three fundamentally important problems. The first one is the spherically constrained quadratic problem, also referred to as the trust region subproblem. The canonical dual problem is onedimensional and it is proved that the primal problem, no matter with convex or nonconvex objective function, is equivalent to a convex problem in the dual space. Moreover, conditions are found which comprise the boundary that separates instances into “hard case” and “easy case”. A canonical primal-dual algorithm is developed, which is able to efficiently solve the problem, including the “hard case”, and can be used as a unified method for similar problems. The second one is the binary quadratic problem, a fundamental problem in discrete optimization. The discussion is focused on lower bounds and analytically solvable cases, which are obtained by analyzing the canonical dual problem with perturbation techniques. The third one is a general nonconvex problem with log-sum-exp functions and quartic polynomials. It arises widely in engineering science and it can be used to approximate nonsmooth optimization problems. The work shows that problems can still be efficiently solved, via the canonical duality approach, even if they are nonconvex and nonsmooth.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Chen, Yi
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The canonical duality theory is studied, through a discussion on a general global optimization problem and applications on fundamentally important problems. This general problem is a formulation of the minimization problem with inequality constraints, where the objective function and constraints are any convex or nonconvex functions satisfying certain decomposition conditions. It covers convex problems, mixed integer programming problems and many other nonlinear programming problems. The three main parts of the canonical duality theory are canonical dual transformation, complementary-dual principle and triality theory. The complementary-dual principle is further developed, which conventionally states that each critical point of the canonical dual problem is corresponding to a KKT point of the primal problem with their sharing the same function value. The new result emphasizes that there exists a one-to-one correspondence between KKT points of the dual problem and of the primal problem and each pair of the corresponding KKT points share the same function value, which implies that there is truly no duality gap between the canonical dual problem and the primal problem. The triality theory reveals insightful information about global and local solutions. It is shown that as long as the global optimality condition holds true, the primal problem is equivalent to a convex problem in the dual space, which can be solved efficiently by existing convex methods; even if the condition does not hold, the convex problem still provides a lower bound that is at least as good as that by the Lagrangian relaxation method. It is also shown that through examining the canonical dual problem, the hidden convexity of the primal problem is easily observable. The canonical duality theory is then applied to dealing with three fundamentally important problems. The first one is the spherically constrained quadratic problem, also referred to as the trust region subproblem. The canonical dual problem is onedimensional and it is proved that the primal problem, no matter with convex or nonconvex objective function, is equivalent to a convex problem in the dual space. Moreover, conditions are found which comprise the boundary that separates instances into “hard case” and “easy case”. A canonical primal-dual algorithm is developed, which is able to efficiently solve the problem, including the “hard case”, and can be used as a unified method for similar problems. The second one is the binary quadratic problem, a fundamental problem in discrete optimization. The discussion is focused on lower bounds and analytically solvable cases, which are obtained by analyzing the canonical dual problem with perturbation techniques. The third one is a general nonconvex problem with log-sum-exp functions and quartic polynomials. It arises widely in engineering science and it can be used to approximate nonsmooth optimization problems. The work shows that problems can still be efficiently solved, via the canonical duality approach, even if they are nonconvex and nonsmooth.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy