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The fluorescence properties of contemporary tooth-coloured restorative materials: Its forensic and clinical implications
No full textKiran, R ORCiD: 0000-0003-1586-2829This thesis explores the fluorescence properties of tooth-coloured dental restorative materials, and how these can be used to identify the presence of restorations. It includes studies of how fluorescence is affected by moisture and by exposure to high temperatures. These results have forensic and clinical applications in dentistry
Understanding the adoption of precision agriculture technologies in Australia
No full textPathak, HS ORCiD: 0000-0001-5996-7468Even though precision agriculture (PA) technologies are available to farmers in Australia, the adoption rate in agricultural industries is lower than desired by government and industry leaders, and the potential business productivity and profitability improvements, as well as environmental benefits, from PA technologies adoption are not fully realised. In particular, the potential for PA technologies to generate significant international competitiveness gains as well as reductions in environmental impacts caused by agricultural activities is yet to be fully understood. To date, there is a paucity of literature examining the multifaceted interactions between different components/determinants in the adoption process of PA technologies in Australia. Whilst there are various adoption tools, and this thesis examines many of them, one comprehensive theoretical model, the model of determinants of diffusion, dissemination and implementation of innovations (MDDDII), offers a strong conceptual framework to explore multiple components/determinants that are likely to influence PA technologies adoption. This research utilised MDDDII, which consists of nine components and several determinants to explore the presence and interactions of the model’s components within the PA technologies adoption literature.
Through examining the presence or absence of the components/determinants of MDDDII in PA technologies adoption literature, and the case studies and the reports, and the strategic plans of the RDCs (the Australian grey literature), this thesis offers insights into why poor adoption rates are being experienced in Australia . First, a systematic review of 58 PA technologies adoption literature was conducted, second, thematic analysis was carried out to identify the themes of 43 Australian grey literature, and third, the themes were then examined through the lens of MDDDII.
After conducting the systematic review of PA technologies adoption literature, it was found that PA technologies adoption literature covered five components of MDDDII: the innovation, communication and influence, outer context, adopter, system antecedents for innovation and linkage. Thus, none of the publications covered the other four components of MDDDII: system antecedents for innovation, system readiness for innovation, assimilation and implementation process. Likewise, thematic analysis found that the Australian grey literature included only four components of MDDDII: the innovation, communication and influence, outer context, and adopter. Thus, in the case of the grey literature, five components of MDDDII were absent: system antecedents for innovation, system readiness for innovation, linkage, assimilation, and implementation process.
Analysis of both the PA technologies adoption and the Australian grey literature on PA technologies adoption revealed that only a few studies encompassed a broad range of components/determinants recognised in the broader PA technologies adoption literature, and none covered all components of MDDDII. As a result, it was concluded that the relationship between poor adoption rates of PA technologies in Australian agricultural industry and the systematic absence of several components/determinants of MDDDII within academic and the Australian grey literature needs further investigation
A new revised definition of contract cheating
No full textUllah, S ORCiD: 0000-0002-5522-5341Contract cheating has appeared to become a global phenomenon, where students outsource their assignments to external third parties in the hope of obtaining better grades. The nature of contract cheating has changed over the years with current pervasive internet culture has made it much easier to cheat, hence there is a global rise in contract cheating activities. If unchecked, this poses a significant threat to the global higher education sector, where assessments are one of the established fundamental ways by which student learning is assessed. The purpose of this study is to critically review the existing Academic Integrity policies of Queensland, Australia public universities, as well as existing literature and document the contract cheating definition adopted. The review suggests a range of definition of contract cheating is available in the literature, with only three Queensland universities (out of seven in total) explicitly identifying and defining contract cheating in their policy documents. An evaluation of these definitions suggests that they miss out on important characteristics of cheating, such as cheating may occur without monetary transactions or even done by students’ own friends and family members. In view of the above, a revised definition is presented, and its merit discussed
Comparing the effects of FIFO/DIDO workers being home versus away on sleep and loneliness for partners of Australian mining workers
No full textAlfrey, KR ORCiD: 0000-0001-6004-3406; Ferguson, SA ORCiD: 0000-0002-9682-7971; Rebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993X; Vincent, GE ORCiD: 0000-0002-7036-7823Fly in Fly out/Drive in Drive out (FIFO/DIDO) is a prevalent work arrangement in the Australian mining industry and has been associated with adverse outcomes such as psychological stress, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and work/life interference. FIFO/DIDO work arrangements have the potential to not only impact the FIFO/DIDO worker, but also the partner of the FIFO/DIDO worker. However, there is sparse empirical evidence on the impact of FIFO/DIDO work arrangements on partners’ sleep and subsequent performance. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to describe and compare partners’ sleep quality, sleep duration, sleepiness, and loneliness when the FIFO/DIDO workers were at home (off-shift) and away (on-shift). A secondary aim of this study was to examine whether differences in partners’ sleep quality and sleep duration as a result of FIFO/DIDO worker’s absence could be partially explained through the presence of dependents in the home, relationship duration, chronotype, duration in a FIFO/DIDO role, and loneliness. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 195 female and 4 male participants, mostly aged between 18 and 44 years and who had been in a relationship with a FIFO/DIDO mining worker for more than five years. Of note, most participants subjectively reported poor sleep quality, insufficient sleep duration, excessive sleepiness, and moderate to extreme loneliness compared to the general population regardless of whether the FIFO/DIDO workers were at home or away. Compared to when the FIFO/DIDO workers were at home, partners experienced reduced sleep quality and increased loneliness when the FIFO/DIDO workers were away. Secondary analyses revealed that loneliness may partially underpin the negative effect that FIFO/DIDO workers’ absence has on sleep quality. Further research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to poor sleep quality, insufficient sleep duration, excessive sleepiness, and loneliness of FIFO/DIDO partners to inform appropriate strategies to support FIFO/DIDO partners’ health and wellbeing not only in the mining population, but other industries that incorporate similar FIFO/DIDO work arrangements (e.g., emergency services, offshore drilling, and transport)
The importance of farmers' perceptions of salinity and adaptation strategies for ensuring food security: Evidence from the coastal rice growing areas of Bangladesh
No full textKoech, RK ORCiD: 0000-0002-0563-6687Coastal salinity causes substantial adverse impacts on agricultural productivity and food security. Farmers' choice of salinity adaptation strategies might depend on how they perceive the problem. This research examined rice farmers' perceptions of salinity, adaptation strategies, and its implications for policy initiatives to sustain rice production in the affected coastal areas of Bangladesh. Boro rice growers (n = 109) randomly selected from two coastal sub-districts were interviewed using a semi-structured survey. Awareness of salinity and its increase over the past 20 yearswaswidespread among rice farmers. A high proportion of farmers (90%) perceived the reproductive (e.g. booting, heading, and flowering) stages of the rice plant as the most sensitive to salinity problems.
Salinity (ECe) was measured in the farmers' fields and were categorized according to farmers'
perceptions and scientific interpretation (e.g. high or low). Farmers perceived a field affected by high salinity
at a lower EC reading than the scientific interpretation of the salinity level. Most of the farmers (67%) were undertaking
early transplanting and applying irrigation in order to adapt to salinity problems which occur later
in rice crop growth during Boro season. Thus, farmers' actions demonstrated that their perceptions of salinity
and adaptation responses were pre-emptive of when salinity was most likely to have an impact on the rice
crop. Farmers' perceptions of salinization and measures to manage salinity need to be considered in research prioritization
and policy formulation by the government. This action could potentially secure rice production and
thus contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-1, 2 and 3)
Exercising caution upon waking: Can exercise reduce sleep inertia?
No full textFerguson, SA ORCiD: 0000-0002-9682-7971; Paterson, JL ORCiD: 0000-0001-5420-4664; Reynolds, AC ORCiD: 0000-0001-9534-8699; Vincent, GE ORCiD: 0000-0002-7036-7823Sleep inertia, the transitional state of reduced alertness and impaired cognitive performance upon waking, is a safety risk for on-call personnel who can be required to perform critical tasks soon after waking. Sleep inertia countermeasures have previously been investigated; however, none have successfully dissipated sleep inertia within the first 15 min following waking. During this time, on-call personnel could already be driving, providing advice, or performing other safety-critical tasks. Exercise has not yet been investigated as a sleep inertia countermeasure but has the potential to stimulate the key physiological mechanisms that occur upon waking, including changes in cerebral blood flow, the cortisol awakening response, and increases in core body temperature. Here, we examine these physiological processes and hypothesize how exercise can stimulate them, positioning exercise as an effective sleep inertia countermeasure. We then propose key considerations for research investigating the efficacy of exercise as a sleep inertia countermeasure, including the need to determine the intensity and duration of exercise required to reduce sleep inertia, as well as testing the effectiveness of exercise across a range of conditions in which the severity of sleep inertia may vary. Finally, practical considerations are identified, including the recommendation that qualitative field-based research be conducted with on-call personnel to determine the potential constraints in utilizing exercise as a sleep inertia countermeasure in real-world scenarios
Behavioural sleep interventions in infants: Plan B – combining models of responsiveness to increase parental choice
No full textBlunden, SL ORCiD: 0000-0002-5026-1992; Dawson, D ORCiD: 0000-0001-7385-5630In families with infants between the ages of 6 and 18 months, sleep disruption can be significant, often putting parents at risk of a range of negative psychological and psychosocial consequences. Commonly prescribed sleep interventions typically involve ‘extinction’ methods, which require parents to completely or periodically ignore their infant's overnight cries. These methods can be effective in many, but not all cases. For over 40 years 30–40% of parents have consistently reported difficulty ignoring their child. For this group, ignoring their child is behaviourally and/or ideologically difficult with attrition often leading to a perceived sense of failure. For these parents the treatment may be worse than the problem. On the other hand, there is emerging evidence to support the use of more responsive methods for those who find extinction approaches behaviourally or ideologically challenging. In this paper we propose an integrated, less polarised approach to infant behavioural sleep interventions that better caters to those who have difficulty with extinction methods – our so-called ‘Plan B’. This approach potentially resolves the often opposing ideological and theoretical perspectives of extinction versus responsiveness into a practical, complementary and pragmatic treatment framework. Recommendations on how best to implement Plan B are also presented. In our view, Plan B could provide practitioners with a logically integrated well-targeted suite of clinical interventions that could potentially improve compliance, reduce attrition and ultimately benefit the sleep and well-being of all infants and their parents, especially those who struggle with traditional extinction methodologies. © 2020 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Framing Australian consumers' green energy buying behaviour: A review and theoretical foundation for research
No full textSultan, P ORCiD: 0000-0003-3856-4592; Williams, GA ORCiD: 0000-0002-1645-6104Consumption of green energy is an important step toward meeting societal demand for reducing the carbon emissions that can help mitigate climate change. Despite the growing ecological awareness and articulated preferences for green adoption, consumption of green
energy into a special category face slow rates of diffusion in the consumer market compared to any other green products. Given the need to encourage more green energy choices by consumers, research is needed to understand the psychological factors affecting consumers’ green
energy choice behaviour. The study attempted to elucidate the key psychological factors affecting consumers’ green energy buying behaviour (GEB) where the theory of planned behaviour served as a framework for identifying the major determinants of green energy buying behaviour and for determining their relative importance. The study sheds light on the conceptual dimensions of green energy consumerism can be viewed as a starting point incorporates a set of research propositions to be tested in the future research in the context of a developed nation Australia; adopting the theoretical framework of the TPB. This study provided value for GEBs
that prompting people to exhibit green behaviour pertaining and commitment to GEBs as well as ensuring environmentally sustainable development of GEBs. The implications for theory, practice and scope for the future research discussed at the end
Australian geography: The next 10 years (and beyond)?
No full textTurton, SM ORCiD: 0000-0001-6279-7682Geography: Shaping Australia's Future (2018) provides a ‘strategic plan’ for geography aligned with the national research priorities, as well other key areas where Australian geographers are addressing environmental and societal challenges. To provide context, we first describe the state of geography in Australian universities. We then articulate ways forward for strengthening Australian geography—both within the discipline and how we interact externally. We describe how geography may better contribute to policy agendas, capitalising on our unique perspectives of space, place and the environment, but also highlight how we might improve these contributions through a more unified approach across human and physical geography. Third, we discuss opportunities for geographers to build the reputation of the discipline and ways to advocate for its importance in the wider academy, school curricula and community. We conclude with some preliminary suggestions on how Australian geographers may better engage and contribute to the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. © 2020 Institute of Australian Geographer
Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: A scoping review protocol
No full textCapper, TS ORCiD: 0000-0003-3464-1423; Hegney, DG ORCiD: 0000-0003-1267-1760; Williamson, MJ ORCiD: 0000-0002-8504-5851Objective: To identify and map the literature that describes the individual and environmental factors that influence nurses and midwives to stay in or leave their discipline within the first three years of practice.
Introduction: The turnover rate of newcomers within their first three years of nursing and midwifery is higher than in later years, and is contributing to a worldwide shortage. Both individual and environmental factors, often in combination, contribute to this attrition. Many studies demonstrate the associations of factors with turnover or intention to stay; however, the scope of factors has not been documented.
Inclusion criteria: Newcomers are defined as registered nurses and registered midwives within the first three years of entering their discipline. Quantitative and qualitative studies and systematic reviews that explore individual or environmental factors that influence the decision to leave or to remain in nursing and midwifery in any context will be considered. Factors may include coping, anxiety, mindfulness, practice environment, or combinations such as resilience, satisfaction, and burnout. Articles must have been peer reviewed. Literature since 1974 and published in English will be considered. Newcomers who have completed skills-based training will be excluded.
Methods: The JBI method for scoping reviews will be followed. An extensive search of multiple databases and gray literature will be undertaken. Data extracted will be synthesized and results reported using a mind map, tables, and narrative form