Sydney eScholarship
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Keeping Up Appearances: Why are interiors important? Challenging the role of the Curator in Preserving the Interior as a Site of Historic Encounter in the Australian Historic House Museum
No full textInteriors in historic house museums are spaces where the private lives of often public figures are made public. This thesis explores the challenges of the intersection of the professional Curator and the presentation of the private person in a public space. It looks at the role of those making and implementing the decisions, from well-meaning amateur to knowledgeable Curator. It challenges the role of the Curator in making these decisions and investigates the outcomes through four case studies that are based in New South Wales. It places these four examples in the wider national and international context. The thesis charts the ways in which conservation and interpretation philosophies and practices influence curatorial decisions.
It recognises and notes the value of the historic interior as a site which holds the witness marks of past occupants. The thesis argues that the accurate presentation of interiors is the primary method of realising their intrinsic value. It analyses other methods for preserving and interpreting historic house interiors, such as in a constructed museum and gallery context, and through virtual reality. It charts the changes in attitude and purpose of these other reconstructions. It looks at the outcomes of changing the context of the interiors by moving them to another (equally charged) location. It concludes that interiors are worth preserving, that the accuracy of their appearance is best achieved by using the information available, the tangible and intangible heritage, the material fabric of the building and so on, in the interior as primary resource, ideally with the interior remaining in its original context of its historic house and, even with flaws and short comings, using an experienced Curator as facilitator despite the challenges they face
Restructuring the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 1927- 1933: Power, Producers and the Promise of Unity
No full textThis thesis examines two distinctive historical accounts of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences, particularly connected to its foundation and its activity relating to worker unionisation in the
1920s and 1930s. The official version, offered by the Academy, begins with its foundation and
adoption of a non-profit label in 1927. The account continues to outline its support for film
preservation and its celebration of filmmakers through its annual awards show. However, if we turn to
archival material – correspondence, newspaper items, and original Academy documentation – we
discover an unofficial history. This material reveals that the Academy, from the very beginning, was
controlled by producer interests, and that those interests worked to thwart worker unionisation efforts.
This thesis argues that the Academy structured itself in specific ways to ensure that power was concentrated at the top of the organisation, with the board of directors. This structure enabled the
board to drive the Academy to intervene in matters relating to unionisation. Between 1927 and 1933,
the Academy always ensured that the status quo was respected, and real change never occurred.
However, I also discover that the Academy needed to structure itself in this tiered system to succeed.
At a time of great technological change, when external groups were probing industry morality, the
Academy’s structure facilitated collaboration between fragmented motion- picture studios.
Reconsidering the Academy’s foundation and paying particular attention to its structure, reveals a
contradiction between the Academy’s rhetoric and its actions. I argue that it is out of this
contradiction, that we gain a more rigorous understanding of why the Academy needed to centralise
its power. Finally, I discover that many of the key elements integral to the early Academy’s tiered
power structure, endure into the modern structure of the Academy today
Holding the Line: Stressors, Wellbeing, and Coping in Crisis Supporters
No full textCrisis lines provide vital suicide prevention services, yet little is known about the wellbeing of those providing this support. Crisis supporters have a demanding role and are routinely exposed to trauma and suicidality. This thesis examines the contemporary state of stressors, wellbeing, and coping in crisis supporters, and explores avenues for intervention. Guided by the Appreciative Inquiry framework, findings from four empirical studies are integrated to inform a tailored wellbeing program.
Chapter 2 reports a quantitative survey of 422 crisis supporters across 38 Australian crisis lines, identifying key stressors. While many reported high compassion satisfaction, a subsample experienced high compassion fatigue and psychological distress, with coping strategies linked to wellbeing outcomes. Chapter 3 presents qualitative interviews with 15 crisis supporters, providing deeper insights into role satisfaction, impacts to wellbeing, coping, and support preferences. Chapter 4 synthesises existing evidence through a systematic review and meta-analysis of wellbeing interventions for roles that provide counselling to people in crisis. Mindfulness, ACT, and psychoeducation interventions showed promise in improving wellbeing. Chapter 5 describes the co-design of the first documented wellbeing intervention for crisis supporters. Designed in collaboration with an Advisory Group, the prototype received positive feedback on its feasibility, relevance, and practicality.
Overall, crisis support work offers meaningful rewards but significant demands. Effective coping and interventions may help mitigate the impact of stressors and promote wellbeing. By integrating varied methodologies within an Appreciative Inquiry framework, this thesis advances understanding of crisis supporter wellbeing and developed the first tailored intervention prototype. Future research should test its effectiveness and explore implementation to sustain this workforce's vital role in suicide prevention
The role of KANLIKE1 and KANLIKE2 genes in leaf development
No full textIn Arabidopsis thaliana, the Class III HOMEODOMAIN LEUCINE ZIPPER (HD-ZIP III) genes play a crucial role in regulating leaf flatness. Recently, two closely related genes were identified by the Heisler lab to be regulated by the HD-ZIP III transcription factors and co-expressed adaxially with them in the Arabidopsis shoot and leaves. These genes encode transcription factors that share a similar MYB DNA binding domain to that of the KANADI transcription factors and were named KANLIKE1 (KANL1) and KANLIKE2 (KANL2). In this thesis, I investigate the role of KANL1 and KANL2 in the leaves of the Arabidopsis Ler ecotype in detail. I find that the lossof-function mutant kanl1 kanl2 exhibits a downward-curved leaf phenotype. Analyses of plants multiply mutant for members of the HD-ZIP III and KANL genes along with ChIP (Chromatin Extraction and Immunoprecipitation)-PCR results, further support the proposal that KANL1 and KANL2 are direct downstream targets of the HD-ZIP III transcription factors. Similar to findings previously reported for orthologs of the KANL genes in tomato and strawberry, I find that CUPSHAPED COTYLEDON2 (CUC2) and KNOTTED class 1 transcription factor KNAT1 are upregulated in Arabidopsis kanl1 kanl2 mutants. However, in kanl1 kanl2 leaves, I also find that the middle-domain-specific gene WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX1) is expressed ectopically and that PRESSED FLOWER (PRS) is upregulated. By analysing the wox1 prs kanl1 kanl2 quadruple mutant, I find that the upwardly curving leaf phenotype of wox1 prs mutants is epistatic to the downward curving phenotype of kanl1 kanl2 mutants, indicating that KANL1 and KANL2 regulate leaf curvature in part by repressing both WOX1 and PRS expression. Lastly, by combining mutations in the KANL genes with mutations in ASYMMETRIC LEAVES 2 (AS2), another gene known to regulate leaf curvature and PRS/WOX expression, I infer that AS2 and the KANL genes act in parallel pathways
Multimodal Medical Image Analysis for Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
No full textMultimodal medical imaging combines techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) to enhance cancer diagnosis and prognosis by integrating complementary information: anatomical detail from CT, soft-tissue contrast from MRI, and metabolic activity from PET. Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) extends this concept by combining multiple MRI sequences. While these approaches improve tumor detection, characterization, staging, and treatment monitoring, the complexity and volume of data hinder interpretation. Deep learning (DL)-based decision support systems (DSS) can integrate multimodal data to detect subtle features and complex patterns. However, volumetric data anisotropy, scarcity of annotated datasets, and the challenge of integrating diverse clinical knowledge remain barriers to robust, interpretable solutions. This thesis proposes a novel DL framework for volumetric multimodal imaging in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, featuring: (1) an anisotropic convolutional neural network (CNN) to balance dense in-plane and sparse inter-plane learning; (2) a self-supervised learning (SSL) pre-training scheme using an image restoration task; (3) a directional gradient smoothing filter to enhance SSL for anisotropic images; and (4) incorporation of prior clinical knowledge and indicators to boost performance. The framework was evaluated on three datasets: prostate cancer bi-parametric MRI (bpMRI) for clinically significant prostate cancer detection; liver lesions mpMRI for seven-class focal liver lesion diagnosis; and a private pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) 18F-FDG PET/CT dataset for tumor segmentation and early recurrence prediction. Results demonstrated consistent outperformance over state-of-the-art methods across all tasks
Tactile and Multisensory Perception of Low-Level Spatial Features: Investigating the Effects of Crossmodal Interaction and Temporal Context
No full textLow-level surface features, such as orientation and spatial frequency, are critical for both somatosensory and visual perception. These features are extracted early in cortical processing and serve as the foundation for higher-order processing in both modalities. While traditional sensory research often focuses on unisensory perception and isolated trials, accumulating evidence highlights the important roles of multisensory and temporal context, challenging the validity of such approaches. This thesis investigates how crossmodal influences and perceptual history affect tactile perception of low-level spatial features. In Chapter 3, the characteristics of orientation perception in the somatosensory domain are examined, establishing a tactile oblique effect independent of exploration method (active vs passive) and demonstrating a parallel serial dependence effect. Chapter 4 explores the crossmodal transfer of orientation adaptation using a modified tilt aftereffect paradigm, revealing an asymmetrical crossmodal adaptation effect (tactile adaptation elicits a visual tilt aftereffect) and asymmetrical intramodal serial dependence effect. Chapter 5 investigates crossmodal integration of spatial frequency between vision and touch in virtual reality and shows a statistical optimal integration that is unaffected by spatial proximity between stimuli in different modalities. Together, these findings reveal a complex crossmodal interplay between vision and somatosensation in the perception of low-level spatial features and highlight the intertwined effects of temporal context (as revealed by serial dependence and adpataion effect). Collectively, these findings underscore the need for an integrative and holistic approach in perception research
Essays in Option Pricing
No full textThis thesis consists of three standalone studies on option pricing. The first study explores the dynamics of idiosyncratic volatility in option returns over different horizons. We decompose stock idiosyncratic volatility into long-run and short-run components and find that both are negatively related to delta-hedged option returns. The effects of the long-run and short-run components are explained by the limits-of-arbitrage and stock return jumps, respectively. Unlike the long-run component, the short-run component can be used to create a trading strategy that remains profitable after considering transaction costs.
The second study explains the recent puzzle of option momentum from a behavioral perspective. Motivated by the frog-in-the-pan literature, we show that option momentum exists because investors are inattentive to past option return information that arrives continuously in small amounts. Our results reveal that option momentum strengthens in continuous information. Conversely, if past option returns are accumulated suddenly and dramatically, discrete information will attract investors’ attention and induce option price adjustment that eliminates option momentum. Our study also shows that continuous information can explain the persistence of option momentum over long horizons.
The third study documents novel co-movement patterns in option returns. We show that option returns co-move among firms linked by production complementarity, industry and shared analyst coverage. The co-movements in delta-neutral option returns can be explained by the option common factors. The stock market common factors, especially the market risk premium, can explain the co-movements in raw option returns but cannot explain the co-movements in delta-neutral returns. The co-movements in raw call returns intensify in bull markets, whereas the co-movements in raw put returns intensify in bear markets. There are also peer option momentum effects among economically linked firms
Adults with Down Syndrome and Panoramic Radiographs: An Exploration of Dental Anomalies, Oral and Neck Pathology and Systemic Disease Indicators
No full textDown syndrome (DS) is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability. Despite a significant increase in life expectancy to 60 years, ageing individuals with DS encounter numerous age-related medical and dental challenges. Panoramic radiographs (PRs) are reliable diagnostic tools to identify dental anomalies and pathology. However, gaps persist in knowledge of prevalence of dental conditions or PR indicators of systemic disease in ageing Australian adults with DS.
Aims
The primary aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and patterns of dental anomalies, diseases, and hard and soft tissue pathology of the head and neck in PRs of adults with DS, alongside their reported medical conditions. The second aim was to assess the PRs as indicators of some systemic diseases.
Method
A retrospective, cross sectional, pilot study of a convenience sample of PRs of adults with DS.
Results
The sample included 53 adults with DS with a mean age of 40 years. Of these 49% were females. Medical conditions were present in 75% of the population, with a higher prevalence among younger adults (< 40 years of age). The most frequent conditions included cardiovascular (42%), of which 23% were congenital heart conditions, thyroid (28%), autoimmune (26%) and skin diseases (25%).
Dental anomalies occurred in 98% of the sample including agenesis (76%), dilaceration (60%), taurodont teeth (45%), microdont teeth (38%), retained primary teeth (34%), impacted teeth (32%) and transposed teeth (9%). Tooth agenesis code revealed 16 patterns including bilateral agenesis of third molars and second premolars.
The most prevalent dental diseases were periodontal bone loss (77%), caries (43%) and periapical pathology (28%). Soft tissue calcifications of stylo-hyoid ligament (38%), thyroid cartilage (28%) and maxillary sinus (23%).
Conclusions
This pilot feasibility study represents the first Australian PR study looking at medical conditions, anomalies and pathologies among adults with DS
Chinese PETE teachers’ dispositions towards the student-centred approach in the new national physical education and health curriculum standard and what shapes them.
No full textChina’s 2022 Physical Education and Health (PEH) Curriculum Standard for Compulsory Education emphasises student-centred, inquiry-based, and collaborative learning, signalling a shift from traditional skill-based approaches towards pedagogies that foster active engagement and autonomy. These reforms provide a context for examining how physical education teacher education teachers interpret and
respond to student-centred approaches. Closely aligned with these principles, student-centred approaches (game-based approaches, GBA) have gradually emerged in physical education (PE) and coaching, such as ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’ and ‘Game Sense’. These approaches prioritise the development of tactical awareness, decision-making, and problem-solving through games rather than isolated skill drills. Existing studies have shown that the GBA shapes teachers’ beliefs and
practices, while also revealing the challenges associated with its implementation. Despite this, empirical evidence remains limited on how PETE teachers in China understand and implement GBA. This study employs a narrative inquiry methodology to examine the dispositions of twelve PETE teachers in Kunming, China, towards GBA, and to explore how these dispositions have been shaped by personal experiences, professional preparation, teaching practices, and socio-cultural contexts. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: 1) belief in the pivotal importance of mastering skill, separate from the game; 2) the powerful influence of exposure to player-centred coaching overseas; 3) professional and elite-level coaching before and during university; 4) institutional assessment and policy. The findings indicate that accumulated experiences and socio-cultural interactions within the specific cultural and educational context shape PETE teachers’ dispositions towards GBA in China. While GBA is acknowledged at a theoretical level, its practical application remains constrained by multiple factors
Fast and Flexible Expectation Propagation for Linear Model Extensions
No full textExpectation propagation (EP) is an approximate Bayesian inference method that has gained traction over the past two decades due to its accuracy, efficiency, and amenability to distributed computation. The core idea of EP is to construct the posterior approximation as a product of approximations to the posterior factors, which are iteratively refined so as to locally minimise the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence from this posterior approximation to the true posterior. At a high level, this factor-wise, greedy refinement strategy improves tractability by focusing on one factor at a time, rather than attempting to minimise the KL divergence between the full posterior approximation and the true posterior in a single step. Because each factor is typically simpler than the full posterior, this local optimisation approach is computationally more manageable.
Despite its promise, EP is underused in many settings where it could offer substantial benefits. One reason is that computing the required moments of the so-called tilted distributions --- intermediate distributions formed by combining a posterior factor with the current posterior approximation --- can be analytically intractable for models with complex structures. In such cases, the standard implementation of EP becomes computationally expensive or inaccurate, limiting its practical appeal. More fundamentally, EP has mostly been viewed as a method for posterior approximation, and its potential for other inferential tasks remains underexplored.
This thesis addresses these gaps for the Bayesian versions of common extensions of linear models