18624 research outputs found
Sort by
Fractional belonging : the experience of Bulgarian and Zimbabwean migrants living in Australia
Full text linkThis article outlines a phenomenon that emerged from a research project investigating meanings of ‘home’ and ‘belonging’, and how these shape the later-life plans among Bulgarian and Zimbabwean immigrants living in Australia. The study involved thirty-one adult participants, evenly divided between the two groups, and used a qualitative approach. Interviews were analysed through autoethnographic and phenomenological lenses, allowing for an in-depth exploration of participants’ experiences. A key finding is that while many participants felt ‘at home’ in certain social, cultural, or professional contexts, their sense of belonging was not universal or consistent across all areas of their lives. They also experienced ‘unbelonging’ in certain social or situational contexts. The term ‘fractional belonging’ was introduced to describe this fragmented, complex connection to a place. The article situates these findings within existing theories on belonging, social behaviour, and discourse, aiming to enrich the literature on migrant experiences. By highlighting the multifaceted and sometimes contradictory ways in which immigrant groups experience belonging, the article advocates for more nuanced and culturally responsive approaches in social and community work with migrant populations. Such approaches would foster empathy and compassion—qualities that are vital for effectively engaging with migrant populations and supporting their successful integration
The influence of contextual variables on training load prescription in basketball : an example of a professional Australian men’s basketball team
Full text linkThis study aimed to investigate the influence of contextual variables related to team performance, individual performance and scheduling on the external training load placed upon professional basketball players following a won compared to a lost game. Fifteen male professional basketball players from a single club competing in the Australia's top tier National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2023/2024 season participated in this study. Total player load, peak player load, player load per minute and the work to rest ratio derived from accelerometry were measures of external player load used in the analysis. Linear mixed models with the match outcome (win/loss), expected margin vs. outcome, days between games, and player efficiency as fixed effects, and player ID as a random intercept were employed. A statistically significant (p = 0.001) 62.46 au difference in total player load was observed following a win compared to a loss. However, when considering the random effects of an individual, individual performance, team performance and scheduling as fixed effects, a non-significant (p = 0.086) difference was observed with the individual player being the most influential variable. There were no statistically significant differences in peak player load (p = 0.734), player load per minute (p = 0.281), and the work to rest ratio (p = 0.782) following a win compared to a loss. The external training load prescribed to professional basketball players is highly individualized. Practitioners monitoring the training demands of players should consider the influence of individual factors when designing training. © 2025, Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved
Evaluating the impact of contextual variables on jump shot success in professional basketball : a notational analysis approach
No full textThe ability to successfully execute a jump shot is one of the key determinants of success in basketball, and therefore, developing the skill of shooting is a targeted focus for basketball coaches. To optimally design shooting drills, understanding the in-game context in which the skill is executed is required. This study employed a notational analysis of in-game jump shooting performance within Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) to identify the factors contributing to a successful jump shot. This study analysed the influence of 18 contextual variables, such as shot location, pre-shot movement, use of deception, time of game, and location of defenders, across 877 shot attempts. Findings revealed that time of game, shot clock time, location of shot, and number of passes prior to a shot were key variables that significantly contributed to the outcome of a jump shot. Overall, this notational analysis indicates that a more considered approach can be made regarding shooting drill design and execution. To achieve this, coaches can use the information from this analysis to develop shooting drills that better represent the context in which successful shots are executed during a game. © 2024 Cardiff Metropolitan University
Blockchain-integrated cyber-physical smart meter design and implementation for secured energy trading in virtual power plants
No full textA novel architecture for smart meters in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is introduced in this research. By integrating blockchain technology, the system not only measures and quantifies diverse consumer data but also facilitates immediate control, hence improving demand responsiveness in a VPP environment. Mathematical models were created to optimize profit, battery reserve, and power balance. A novel transaction and security algorithm that enables peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions in a secure setting is used in conjunction with a power flow algorithm for real time monitoring and control to implement the proposed model. The lightweight characteristics of the algorithms enable faster and more effective computer processing. The unique identifier issued to each smart meter facilitates seamless integration with a blockchain smart contract, therefore enabling improved and secure P2P transactions. An innovative experimental setup demonstrated the framework’s ability to effectively manage energy flows while maintaining seamless wireless connection with the grid and executing transactions. The smart meter demonstrated exceptional efficiency in load management, resulting in an average loss of 1.9524W. A dedicated dapp was created just for this purpose. Through the strategic integration of algorithms and blockchain technology, this framework enhances the efficiency and reliability of the metering infrastructure, while also enabling secure transactions. © 2004-2012 IEEE
Experimental analysis of cool roof coatings as an urban heat mitigation strategy to enhance thermal performance
Full text linkDriven by rapid urbanisation and global climate change, the increasing frequency and intensity of the Urban Heat Island effect poses significant risks to the health and well-being of urban dwellers across the world. To combat extreme heat and ensure a safe level of thermal comfort for urban residents, innovative and sustainable technologies, such as green infrastructure and cool roof coatings, have been incorporated into building design and urban planning. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of six different cool roof coating brands in reducing surface temperatures under the harsh and fast-changing climate conditions in Melbourne, Australia. A pilot-sized experimental cool roof was installed on the rooftop of an existing office building to monitor surface temperature variations using a thermal infrared camera, accompanied by a statistical analysis to evaluate potential surface temperature reductions under varying weather and sky conditions. The results of this study show that the application of cool roof coatings reduced the surface temperature by at least 8.7 °C and up to 34.2 °C, corresponding to reductions of 13.2% and 53.6% from the maximum surface temperature, respectively. When comparing the six cool roof paint brands, it was observed that Brand 4 demonstrated the best performance, reducing the surface temperature to a minimum value of 34.3 °C (45.5% reduction) when the maximum surface temperature was 62.9 °C. On the other hand, Brand 5 showed the least effective performance but still achieved a reduction of 15.8 °C (25.1% reduction). This study highlights the potential of cool roof coatings as an effective urban heat mitigation strategy by lowering building surface temperatures. Alongside other urban heat mitigation strategies, such as green roofs and green walls, cool roof coatings offer a viable solution for buildings. © 2025 by the authors
Painful considerations in exercise-management for rotator cuff related shoulder pain : a scoping review on pain-related prescription parameters
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Resistance exercise is recommended as the first line of treatment for rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP), but with conflicting evidence supporting the superiority of specific prescription parameters. Particularly, the role of pain-related prescription parameters remains poorly understood, despite their wide clinical application and potential impact on treatment outcomes. This review aims to investigate how pain-related prescription parameters, such as pain allowance and intensity limits, are reported, described, and applied in clinical trials assessing resistance exercise interventions for RCRSP. METHODS: Guided by PRISMA-ScR, this scoping review followed a comprehensive and systematic search in MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE (EMBASE), Central (Cochrane), PEDro and CINAHL (EBSCO). Two authors independently performed title and abstract screening, and full text screening on eligible records. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in English between 2018 and 2023, applying resistance exercise for RCRSP were included. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The literature search identified 7500 records, of which 4588 titles and abstracts were screened after duplicate removal. Altogether, 304 full texts were screened leaving a total of 86 records in the final analysis. Fifty-eight (67%) studies did not mention the use of any pain-related prescription parameters, resulting in data extraction from the 28 remaining studies. Applied parameters were widely heterogenic, but three categories of pain allowance styles were identified and categorized into "yes", "no" or "ambiguous". These categories were commonly guided by specific Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)/Visual Analog Scale (VAS) limits or individual pain tolerance, used for pain monitoring and exercise progression. Citations and/or justifications for the chosen pain-related prescription parameters were reported by 10 (36%) studies, in which 5 main themes for justifications, and 3 key papers for the citations were identified. CONCLUSION: This review reveals substantial reporting deficiencies regarding pain-related prescription parameters in RCTs addressing RCRSP with resistance exercise. The identified parameters varied widely, reflecting a lack of consensus and evidence-based guidance in the literature and in a clinical setting. To advance our understanding on the role of pain-related prescription parameters, more consistent reporting of these parameters in future research is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Published on the Open Science Framework 28.02.24: osf.io/a52kn. © 2025. The Author(s)
Barriers and enablers to exercise prehabilitation before breast cancer surgery in an Australian regional health service : patient and clinician perspective
Full text linkPurpose: To identify barriers and enablers of an exercise-based prehabilitation service for surgical patients with breast cancer and medical professionals in a regional healthcare setting. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to patients with breast cancer and medical professionals from regional populations. Surveys included closed and open-ended responses. A chi-square goodness of fit test with a Fisher’s exact correction was used for quantitative analysis of the frequencies of barriers and enablers within groups. Content analysis was used for open-ended responses. Results: Twenty-five patients and 14 clinicians participated. Patients identified psychological barriers as the lowest concern to exercise prehabilitation
Nature-based community recovery post-natural disaster : black summer bushfires
Full text linkObjective Natural disasters can cause widespread death and extensive physical devastation, but also harmfully impact individual and community health following a disaster event. Nature-based recovery approach can positively influence the mental health of people and community's post-natural disasters. In response to the Australian bushfire season of 2019-2020, Zoos Victoria, in partnership with the Arthur Rylah Institute, worked with local communities in East Gippsland to support people's recovery through experiencing, supporting, and witnessing nature's recovery. Methods This mixed-method study explored how nature improved the recovery of remote and rural communities affected by the Black Summer bushfires in East Gippsland. The research studied the individuals' feelings about being involved in nature-based community events and their lived experiences. Data were collected from June to September 2023 through a nature-based community recovery project survey and community interviews. Results The findings demonstrated that engagement with natural environments promotes positive psychological, mental, and general well-being of people from bushfire-affected communities. Positive feedback from participants indicated the success of the Nature-Based Community Recovery Project in East Gippsland after the Black Summer bushfire. Conclusions This research provides insights for future recovery projects and ensures that sustainable nature-based recovery solutions for bushfire-impacted communities can be established. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc
Nurse academics' attitudes towards technology : a mixed methods study
No full textBackground: Technology is being increasing used in education of nursing students. Nurse academics act both as gatekeepers to technology within their classes and as an example of technology attitudes. Therefore, understanding the attitude of academics to technology from the academic's perspective is necessary to understand barriers and enablers of technology engagement. Aim: To explore nurse academics' attitudes to technology and the influence attitude has on their use of technologies in teaching. Design: Sequential exploratory mixed method design. Participants: Academics who taught into the undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing courses in higher education institutes (n = 186) based in Australia. Method: Phase one data were collected with a survey based on the Technology Readiness Index 2 (TRI 2). Phase two Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 nurse academics sampled from the phase one survey. Statistical analysis was performed on the survey to determine factors that influence attitudes to technology. Thematic analysis was performed for qualitative data. Results: The mean score of the TRI 2 was 3.28 (SD = 0.55). Segmental analysis of the TRI score resulted there being three groups representing 90 % of participants: Explorers, Sceptics, and Hesitators. Thematic analysis resulted in four themes. The focus of this paper is the theme Attitudes towards Technology with the subthemes Openness to Technology; Aversion to Technology; Pedagogy and Technology; and Nursing and Technology. Phase one and phase two were integrated to discuss three attitude groups that emerged. Conclusion: From integration of the results, three groups emerged with complementary and contrasting reasons for their attitudes to technology. Additional factors were also identified such as workload and support. Common across the groups was a student-centred focus of teaching and an acknowledgement that nursing education must prepare students for technology rich work environments. © 202
How being a former/current executive impacts directors’ boardroom dynamics and board role execution
No full textPurpose: Directors’ human capital has long been recognised as vital to ensuring effective corporate governance. While previous studies have sought to link director human capital with specific firm-level outcomes, there are persistent challenges facing researchers who seek to understand better what kind of human capital makes a difference to effective board role execution. This study aims to understand whether the way directors fulfil their roles and contribute to boardroom dynamics is shaped by any human capital they gain via senior executive experience. Design/methodology/approach: We draw insights from 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Indian directors to capture their perceptions and experiences of how a specific kind of human capital, namely the C-suite experience, affects directors' boardroom dynamics and board role execution. Findings: We highlight how directors with executive experience appear to have a more salient set of human capital to draw on. Specifically, they report navigating governance processes differently, displaying a more contextualised understanding of boardroom dynamics and having a broader understanding of the firm’s problems. Doing so enables them to foster constructive board-management relationships and improve their service role execution. Research limitations/implications: Our qualitative data are drawn from a purposively sampled group in a specific governance system (India). While this does not threaten the key theoretical insights, it does raise questions about their generalisability to other governance contexts. Practical implications: Directors with executive experience build trust through their orientation towards and understanding of management without diminishing their capacity to scrutinise management decisions. The human capital of these directors appears to engender a more effective and contextualised boardroom dynamic that facilitates the execution of socialised accountability through balancing the control and service roles. Originality/value: Our findings highlight the potential importance of a shared understanding of the communication and collaboration processes of corporate governance (i.e. a common transactional memory framework) between directors and management. Directors who share this understanding with management are more likely to effectively engage in the service role while not compromising the control role. This shared understanding appears to allow these directors and executives to encode, store and retrieve relevant information they need more effectively, engendering the trust between them that seems to foster socialised accountability. © 2025, Sneh Bhardwaj, Gavin Nicholson and Damian Morgan