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Studies on the assessment of ram sperm morphology
No full textSperm morphology assessment is a widely used in vitro method for evaluating male fertility across
livestock industries. Despite its prevalence, the test is hampered by considerable subjectivity and
variation, seen among laboratories, assessment protocols, and individual morphologists, which
undermines confidence in its reliability. This thesis investigated two major sources of variation in
sperm morphology assessment: natural within-sire variation and human assessor bias. A longitudinal
study of healthy rams demonstrated that sperm morphology can vary markedly across the
spermatogenic cycle, reinforcing the need for multiple ejaculates to accurately characterise and
evaluate an individual. Further investigation revealed significant disagreement among expert
morphologists assessing the same sperm, highlighting the role of observer bias and the lack of
standardised training.
To address this, the thesis pursued a dual approach: (1) developing and validating a novel training
tool for morphologists, and (2) trialling the use of machine learning to automate morphological
classification. The training tool, built using expert-consensus-labelled images and incorporating
principles of machine learning, significantly improved trainee accuracy across multiple classification
systems. In contrast, machine learning models trained on the same dataset achieved only moderate
accuracy, perhaps due to limitations in the amount of data available to train the model. Although
promising, this experimental work demonstrated the practical challenges of developing and
implementing machine learning at scale currently outweigh their benefits. Overall, this thesis
demonstrates that improving standardised training for human observers offers a more efficient and
immediately effective path toward improving the reliability of sperm morphology assessments.
Nonetheless, continued development of objective tools remains an important future direction
Investigations on the effectiveness of self-management programs for adolescents with chronic physical illness with the intent of improving therapy adherence and health outcomes
No full textResearch on self-management programs for adolescents with chronic conditions is limited. Adult studies demonstrate that effective self-management interventions can reduce morbidity, hospital visits and healthcare costs. Adolescence is crucial period for developing self-management skills to improve autonomy and health outcomes. The aim of this thesis is to investigates the effectiveness of self-management program for adolescents aged 15-18 years with a chronic condition as they transition from paediatric to adult health services. A systematic review of literature investigating the effectiveness of self-management programs for adolescents with a chronic condition demonstrated limited knowledge about what constitutes an effective self-management program for this patient group. Chapter 4 reports the findings of a retrospective analysis of a modified self-management program implemented within routine clinical care, demonstrated promising clinical outcomes and satisfaction among adolescents who participated in the self-management program and sound methodology for larger scale randomised controlled trial. Chapter 5 describes a study protocol for the prospective randomised controlled trial using both quantitative and qualitative research methods described in Chapter 6. This program is directed at improving self-management in an adolescent cohort aged 15-18 years with a physical chronic condition being treated in a specialist paediatric hospital. Chapter 6 reports on the analysis of the early outcomes of a two-site, longitudinal, nurse-led 12-month, randomised controlled trial conducted in adolescents with a chronic condition outlined in Chapter 5. The preliminary analysis showed promising evidence of a self-management program that can be integrated into clinical care to assist adolescents with developing self-management skills. This thesis provides evidence supporting the potential benefits of tailored, developmentally appropriate self-management programs for young people
Recognition or Misrecognition? The Role of Authorised Clinicians in Facilitating Child Participation in New South Wales Care and Protection Matters
No full textThis study examines how children’s right to participation are facilitated within New South Wales (NSW) care and protection proceedings under Section 10 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998. Under the Act, the NSW Children’s Court may appoint authorised clinicians to conduct comprehensive clinical assessments of children and their caregivers. These assessments typically address the child's views, wishes, preferences, developmental capacity, psychosocial needs, and relationships with their caregivers. In this context, clinician reports provide an important channel through which children's views are communicated to the court. Despite this, little empirical research has explored how clinicians engage children in such assessments. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analysed 13 clinician interviews (2020) and 70 court-submitted reports (2017–2020). Guided by Nancy Fraser’s theory of justice and Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition, the study critically examined respect for and recognition of children’s participatory rights. Findings indicate that clinicians’ facilitation of participation was shaped by children’s characteristics (age, verbal ability, capacity), clinicians’ perceptions about children’s vulnerabilities and risk of harm concerns, and clinicians’ professional orientations (paternalistic, protective, or partnership-based). The findings revealed that clinicians’ perceptions of children’s capacity and their attitudes toward the value of child participation strongly shaped the extent to which participatory principles were implemented in assessment processes.This research contributes to the limited empirical literature on child participation relevant to care proceedings and sheds light on the nuanced ways in which clinicians balanced protecting children whilst demonstrating recognition and respect of children's right to participation within NSW care and protection assessments
How to Be a Uni Tutor
No full textHow to Be a Uni Tutor by Jacob Elmasry goes through over 20 ideas and considerations that Good University tutors think about when tutoring their subjects. These topics range from the motivations of why tutors teach, to the practicalities of preparing for tutorials and even to the question of how responsible a tutor is for the marks of their students! The book lays out some of the reasoning and practices behind the Author’s own tutoring approaches, but also invites the reader to think critically about what is being suggested and to make their own informed decisions on their personal teaching style.
The author frequently draws on his own experience tutoring 25 different tutorial classes for 10 unique courses over a 4-year period to illustrate the points he makes throughout the book. The author has also been Highly Commended by the University of Sydney for Outstanding Tutoring during this time period, an achievement that he received due to his passionate teaching and his desire to share his learnings with others
Implementation of a data-driven quality improvement program in primary care for patients with coronary heart disease: a mixed methods evaluation of acceptability, satisfaction, barriers and enablers
No full textBackground. The study aimed to understand the acceptability, satisfaction, uptake, utility and
feasibility of a quality improvement (QI) intervention to improve care for coronary heart disease
(CHD) patients in Australian primary care practices and identify barriers and enablers, including
the impact of COVID-19. Methods. Within the QUality improvement for Effectiveness of care for
people Living with heart disease (QUEL)study, 26 Australian primary care practices,supported by five
Primary Health Networks (PHN) participated in a 1-year QI intervention (November 2019 – November
2020). Data were collected from practices and PHNs staff via surveys and semi-structured interviews.
Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis,
respectively. Results. Feedback was received from 64 participants, including practice team
members and PHN staff. Surveys were completed after each of six workshops and at the end of
the study. Interviews were conducted with a subgroup of participants (n = 9). Participants reported
positive satisfaction with individual QI features such as learning workshops and monthly feedback
reports. Overall, the intervention was well-received, with most participants expressing interest in
participating in similar programs in the future. COVID-19 and lack of time were identified as
common barriers, whereas team collaboration and effective leadership enabled practices’
participation in the QI program. Additionally, 90% of the practices reported COVID-19 effected their
participation due to vaccination rollout, telehealth set-up, and continuous operational review
shifting their focus from QI. Conclusion. Data-driven QI programs in primary care can boost
practice staff confidence and foster increased implementation. Barriers and enablers identified
can also support other practices in prioritising effective strategies for future implementation
Producing the Climate: The Political Economy of Climate Engineering in Australia
No full textIn response to both the urgency of the climate crisis and the inadequacy of climate action and pledges to date, geoengineering is increasingly being considered alongside mitigation and adaptation as a way of stabilising or ‘repairing’ the climate (McLaren, 2018). This thesis conceptualises geoengineering as part of the production of nature in capitalism, rather than an ‘intervention’ in an external nature (Smith, 1984). Employing this lens and building on existing critical social science on geoengineering (Buck, 2019; Surprise, 2018, Sapinski et al., 2020; McLaren & Corry, 2021), the thesis examines how capitalism adapts to crisis by restructuring the conditions of production to forge new frontiers of accumulation (O’Connor, 1998; Moore, 2015). In response to calls for ‘place-based’ research on geoengineering, and the importance of mapping unevenness and particularity in the geography of capitalism, I analyse two Australian projects aimed at engineering the climate (Buck, 2018; Massey, 1995). Based on semi-structured interviews with teams involved in developing Direct Air Capture (DAC) in New South Wales, and scientists testing Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) techniques over the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, the case studies provide a detailed account of the development of small-scale solar radiation modification and carbon removal and storage projects. I critically analyse the potential for these projects to contribute to mitigation deterrence, promises of Australia’s ‘vast’ underground sequestration potential, public and private finance for research and development, a ‘circular economy for carbon’, the political dominance of the fossil fuel industry, and the assurances of ‘co-benefits’ for workers and Indigenous communities. I contend that climate repair may prove to be a strategic battleground in Australian climate politics, opening up possibilities for contesting the capitalist production of nature at multiple sites and scales
Mentally Healthy Futures Project submission to the Standing Committee on Social Issues: Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales
No full textThis report includes a policy submission from members of the Mentally Healthy Futures Project (The Matilda Centre, University of Sydney) to the Standing Committee on Social Issues: Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales. The submission highlights key recommendations including: 1) The NSW government should prioritise social connection as a policy focus, expanding beyond just addressing loneliness and social isolation, 2) NSW government should implement a cross-departmental policy approach to social connection, 3) NSW government should promote public awareness of social connection through public health campaigns which reduce stigma, 4) NSW government should invest in community-level infrastructure, improving its accessibility and quality, to support neighbourhood-level social connection, 5) NSW should invest in expanding the evidence base around loneliness, and 6) NSW government should create supportive conditions for NSW residents to reduce social isolation and loneliness.Version 1BHP Foundatio
Beyond the Song: Authorship and Production in Australian Independent Music
No full textThis thesis examines authorship and copyright complexities in the Australian independent music industry, focusing on the evolving roles of producers in music creation. As advancements in technology and shifts in industry practices reshape the music production landscape, traditional definitions of authorship, centred on melody and lyrics, increasingly fail to capture the scope of producers’ contributions. Through qualitative interviews with industry professionals, the study highlights the significant yet often unrecognised influence of producers, examining how their input shapes music and its implications for intellectual property and copyright frameworks. The findings reveal that current systems for allocating and managing remuneration fail to adequately reflect the realities of modern music production, particularly for independent artists and producers. This thesis advocates for a clearer distinction between songwriting and production contributions, suggesting that elements influencing a song's core should qualify as songwriting, while supportive contributions should be acknowledged to a greater extent under master tape rights. Furthermore, it emphasises the need for improved infrastructure to manage master tape royalties, similar to the existing frameworks provided by organisations like APRA AMCOSfor publishing royalties. Ultimately, this research calls for a re-evaluation of how authorship and compensation are defined and distributed, proposing a framework that better aligns with contemporary practices and recognises the integral role of producers in shaping musical works. By leveraging the unique perspective gained from years of industry experience, this study contributes a practitioner’s insight that is often missing from academic discourse, offering a more authentic understanding of the challenges faced by independent artists and producers in the evolving music industry
Iron-Based Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Catalyst for Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
No full textAmmonia is a key industrial chemical with diverse applications. However, the traditional Haber-Bosch process is energy-intensive and environmentally taxing. Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction presents a sustainable alternative for NH3 synthesis, leveraging nitrate's high solubility and abundant availability. This study evaluates carbon nanotube-supported metal phthalocyanine catalysts, focusing on FePc, CoPc, NiPc, CuPc, and MnPc. CuPc/CNT exhibits the highest Faradaic efficiency and catalytic activity in alkaline conditions, but its performance significantly drops in neutral environments due to competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction. It requires precise pH control, limiting its applicability in diverse conditions. CoPc/CNT and NiPc/CNT show balanced performance in both alkaline and neutral environments, with moderate NH3 selectivity and catalytic activity. They are suitable for a wide range of applications but do not achieve the highest efficiency. MnPc/CNT demonstrates the lowest NH3 selectivity, primarily stabilizing early intermediates like NO2-. It is less effective for deep reduction to NH3 but may be useful in applications requiring selective intermediate generation. In contrast, while not the most active catalyst, FePc/CNT shows remarkable stability and adaptability in both alkaline and neutral conditions. Its strong binding with intermediates like NO2 and NO ensures consistent NH3 selectivity, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications where stability is prioritized. The study highlighted that the stable performance of FePc/CNT under different conditions highlights its potential for practical applications. Future research directions include tuning CNT oxygen surface groups and MPc side groups to enhance catalytic activity and selectivity and exploring magnetization strategies to regulate metal center electronic structures. This work provides insights for advancing NO3RR catalysts toward sustainable ammonia production
Oral Health Research Connect - May 2025: Guest Speaker - Dr Niamh Chapman & Associate Professor Rahena Akhter
No full textOur Guest Speakers & Presentation Topic
• Person-centred approaches to the management of blood pressure - Dr Niamh Chapman
It will cover strategies for effective patient education, integration of blood pressure measurement into existing care pathways and team-based care approaches to hypertension management.
• Oral Health during Pregnancy and Miscarriage: What You Need to Know - Associate Professor Rahena Akhter
It will cover the impact on oral heath due to hormonal changes during Pregnancy and Miscarriage, dental care considerations, oral health education, treatment considerations and current research evidence to discuss this relationship