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A lived experience theory of schism (LETS): Exploring the complex social dynamics powering factionalised conflict in nonprofit organisations
Get PDFSchism is a widespread phenomenon of social groups which has persisted over centuries. An intense form of factionalised conflict, schism can be distressing for people to experience and challenging for groups to navigate. Schism research has roots in anthropology, organisation studies, and social psychology, and has been studied in societies, religions, social movements, political parties, nonprofit organisations, and other contexts. Despite broad and enduring relevance to social organising, schism research is surprisingly scant. Across disciplines and contexts, findings are disjointed and contradictory. No widely accepted definition or theory of schism was found in the literature.
The aim of the current research was to gain insight into the social dynamics powering the incidence, progression, and lived experience of schism. The goal was to increase human agency and control in schism based on emerging theoretical knowledge, and thereby improve experiences and outcomes for people and organisations.
A qualitative study of schism in nonprofit organisations in Western Australia was undertaken using an exploratory qualitative research design and a lived experience lens. Participant-centred interviews were conducted, typically of 1 hour, with 41 people who described schisms in 24 organisations. Sampling was initially by convenience then purposive snowball sampling, enabling a range of organisations, roles, and experiences to be represented. Interviews were transcribed to form a rich primary data set. Systematic coding and thematic analysis complemented immersion in individual stories. Data collection, data analysis, and theory development were iterative and interdependent. Emerging themes forced problematisation of prior knowledge. The ongoing process of theory construction employed both inductive and abductive reasoning.
A novel conceptualisation of schism emerged from this research project, representing schism as a complex social construction in an open system rather than a linear process in a bounded system, and privileging the human experience over the organisation as the entity of concern. A new definition of schism is proposed which provides a foundation for the lived experience theory of schism (LETS) presented in this thesis. Together, the definition and theory contribute to knowledge of schism in organisations and other social systems, and provide a foundation for future schism research. Findings from this project have implications for nonprofit sector policy and practice, especially in group leadership and governance
Extraction of Lithium from Spodumene
No full textThe conventional process of lithium extraction from α-spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) is energy-intensive and associated with high by-product management cost. In this work, we investigate an alternative process route that uses potassium sulfate (K2SO4) to extract lithium while producing leucite (KAlSi2O6), a slow-release fertiliser and potash alum (KAl(SO4)2∙12H2O), which can be used in water purification, and medical drugs.
This work presents the first-ever high temperature in situ record of the reaction of α-spodumene with potassium sulfate, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction (S-XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to document the reaction sequence during prograde heating. During in-situ studies, we observe that the reaction of potassium sulfate and spodumene proceeds through ion exchange between lithium and potassium in the spodumene structure, followed by phase conversion of α-(Li,K)-spodumene into leucite. Once conversion of spodumene to leucite reaches 90 %, a lithium sulfate- melt starts to appear.
We optimised the potassium sulfate process at a K2SO4:α-SC 7.6 ratio of 0.6:1 (w/w), 1050 oC and 30 min roasting time, achieving 96.3 ± 2 % (w/w) lithium extraction efficiency, similar to the conventional sulfuric acid process (96.7 ± 0.6 % (w/w)). Using OLI systems modelling we found that purification of the leach liquor from the potassium sulfate requires the addition of aluminium sulfate to recover potassium as potash alum.
Comparing the two processes based on 200 kt y-1 of spodumene concentrate, we estimate that the operating profit of the potassium sulfate is 5 % lower than that of the sulfuric acid process. Because of its potassium content, leucite can be converted into a slow-release fertiliser through further processing. For the potassium sulfate process to be more profitable than the sulfuric acid process, the fertiliser market price should exceed US$34.5 t-1. This work demonstrates that K2SO4 process could be a feasible alternative to the conventional sulfuric acid process
Mass transfer enhancement by solution pulsing in laboratory scale In-Situ recovery
No full textLow-permeability deposits currently yield insufficient metal recovery using in-situ recovery (ISR) due to the weak interaction between lixiviant solution and the ore body as a result of low fluid flow and mineral/lixiviant contact. To improve the lixiviant/ore interaction, the use of a solution pulsing method (intermittent rather than continuous pumping) to improve the mass transfer of ions and fluid flow in such deposits could be an option. Solution pulsing alters the solution flow and mass transfer at the microscale between low- and high-permeability regions and can result in a higher overall mass transfer. This paper reports on research in which laboratory-scale solution pulsing-ISR experiments were undertaken to assess the effects of various parameters on lixiviant movement through ideal synthetic core samples. The concentration of lixiviant solution was tracked. The findings revealed that when the pump resting period was too long, the pulsed pumping was inefficient. A short pumping on-and-off time (30 min) was found to be more efficient. The results also confirmed that an increase in the hydrostatic pressure that drives the pumping increased the migration of ions. For the most effective pumping parameters, the effect of synthetic core sample permeability was also measured to confirm that a lower permeability results in a lower ion movement, as is expected from continuous pumping experiments
Towards the definition of the humpback whale population units along the Mexican and Central American coasts in the Pacific Ocean
No full textThe SPLASH project (2004–2006) revealed complex population structure and migratory connections, but no regional effort was made along the southern Mexican Pacific coast until dedicated research was initiated in 2010. It is unclear whether humpback whales documented in this region belong to the Mexican or Central American population units. This study aimed to establish the relationship between humpback whales of southern Mexico and those of the surrounding population units. Humpback whale photo-identification images were compared from multiple locations in north, central, and southern Mexico and Central America. Whales' movements among regions were estimated using the Interchange Index (InI) and the Movement Index (MI). The results showed higher movements among the southern sampling areas, suggesting that whales from southern Mexico belong to the “Central American population unit.” This population unit migrates north to the feeding areas of the US West Coast using a migratory corridor along mainland Mexico to the mouth of the Gulf of California along the Baja California Peninsula. The degree of interaction with humpback whales from other population units is unknown. More studies are needed to understand population structure and disentangle photographic capture of whales on migration from whales where this is their main wintering area
Immunoanalytic investigation of grain proteins antigenic for celiac disease patients in an einkorn collection
Get PDFOur study focuses on the complex characterization of a wild and cultivated einkorn collection of the Cereal Gene Bank of Agriculture Research Institute in Hungary, using proteomics, immune analytics and bioinformatics analyses. In a serological ELISA pre-screen of 208 different Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum and Triticum monococcum L. ssp. aegilopoides genotypes with celiac disease samples high diversity was observed in the immune response. Based on the immune analytic results, four genotypes with significantly reduced immune reactivity were selected for detailed proteomics characterization. Our results confirm the benefits of high-throughput/large-scale pre-screening and the use of a complex examination platform to get relevant information about the genetic diversity of celiac disease-relevant proteins in the analyzed einkorn genotypes. These genotypes cannot be incorporated into the daily diet of celiac patients; however, they may represent candidates – especially in combination with enzymatic treatments - to improve the lifestyle of individuals suffering from other clinical conditions like non-celiac wheat sensitivity
Global seascape ecology of the white shark
Get PDFThe movements of predators are inherently connected to their prey and environment. Yet, quantifying the movements of predators in inaccessible areas, such as the marine environment, has traditionally been challenging. In recent years, technical advancements in the development and miniaturisation of biologgers and their attachment and retrieval devices have seen an unprecedented increase in our ability to answer questions addressing the movement ecology of highly mobile marine animals.
White sharks Carcharodon carcharias are long-lived, top marine predators that feed on a variety of prey in a range of environments. Despite being globally distributed, rare and threatened, they are found to seasonally aggregate in areas of high and predictable prey abundance. These aggregations offer a unique setting to answer questions on the movement ecology of a large marine predator, as many individuals, often varying in size and sex, are found in comparatively small areas that often serve as foraging grounds. In this thesis, I assess the seascape ecology of white sharks at local, regional and global scales using novel biologging tools and exploring their interactions with prey and the environment.
At a local scale, I used animal-borne video and environmental data collection devices (AVEDs) to determine how white sharks interact with their preferred prey in a complex marine seascape in South Africa. Previous studies identified white sharks forage diurnally in this seascape, and in response, Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus refuge in kelp forest. The use of AVEDs revealed white sharks make repeated movements into kelp forest throughout the day while raising their activity and turning rates. Cape fur seals were seen in footage grouping in numbers, hunkering to the seafloor, and blowing bubbles as white sharks approached. Though no predation events were captured in the footage, the results combined with the previous studies revealed white sharks are capable of foraging in kelp forests.
At a regional scale, in the Northeast Pacific, I used biologging data from white sharks of three size-classes in four contrasting habitats in a multivariate statistical framework to elucidate both the internal and external determinants of movement and behaviour. I reveal distinct hierarchical similarity in movement characteristics, primarily driven by habitat, bathymetry in particular, and secondarily driven by size. Sharks in all habitats revealed distinct movement and behaviour between day and night, characteristic of a diurnal activity rhythm irrespective of circumstance. The availability of prey and access to deep water between these habitats are likely drivers of these differences. The two island habitats provide more elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris prey and are situated closer to the continental shelf edge. The other areas are either far from it and contain more harbour seals Phoca vitulina, or only host juvenile, piscivorous white sharks.
Finally, I tested if the diurnal activity rhythm detected in the Northeast Pacific white shark population was characteristic of the species globally. I used scale-free estimates of activity derived from accelerometers deployed on 104 white sharks of four populations and eight aggregation areas to test for local adaptations in activity rhythms. Overall, linear modelling revealed consistent diurnal activity rhythms, irrespective of size or population, suggesting strong conservation of activity rhythms in this species. Despite the overall conservation of diurnal activity, generalised additive mixed models revealed some degree of site-specific plasticity, with peak activity differing between sites. I suggest that strong conservation in the diurnality of white sharks is driven by sensory specialisation for foraging in well-lit environments. In contrast, behavioural plasticity in the peak of activity is driven by the availability of prey at a given location.
Together, my thesis reveals the major external and internal factors driving the movements and routines of white sharks. While white sharks display moderate plasticity in their movements and behaviours between different habitats, they also appear to be constrained to diurnal foraging, possibly due to the evolution of their sensory system making them diurnal specialists. As a threatened species that require protection yet can be potentially dangerous to water users, balanced management strategies involving multiple stakeholders are required in areas the species frequents. These strategies should consider the internal and external factors found influential on the movements and behaviours of white sharks. Given the results of this thesis, white sharks have a conserved diurnal circadian rhythm; potential challenges remain, as the time white sharks are more likely to be active reflects the time when people are more likely to be using coastal waters
Steady flow of a jet of fluid from an angled slot impacting on a horizontal wall
No full textThe flow of a jet of liquid emanating from an elevated, angled slot and impacting on a horizontal wall is considered. An exact solution for high flow speeds is computed, and a numerical technique is used to compute solutions for a range of slot widths, entry angles and separation heights as the flow rate decreases. It is shown that for a given height and slot width there is a minimum flow rate beneath which no steady solutions exist. The cause of this minimum flow is the formation of a stagnation point at the upper exit from the slot, but the height is also a factor in determining the flow rate at which this occurs. The proportion of outflow to the left and right along the horizontal surface for different flow rates and angles is computed
Agricultural land‐use favours Mucoromycotinian, but not Glomeromycotinian, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi across ten biomes
No full textGlobally, agricultural land-use negatively affects soil biota that contribute to ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, yet arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are promoted as essential components of agroecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi include Glomeromycotinian AMF (G-AMF) and the arbuscule-producing fine root endophytes, recently re-classified into the Endogonales order within Mucoromycotina. The correct classification of Mucoromycotinian AMF (M-AMF) and the availability of new molecular tools can guide research to better the understanding of their diversity and ecology.
To investigate the impact on G-AMF and M-AMF of agricultural land-use at a continental scale, we sampled DNA from paired farm and native sites across 10 Australian biomes.
Glomeromycotinian AMF were present in both native and farm sites in all biomes. Putative M-AMF were favoured by farm sites, rare or absent in native sites, and almost entirely absent in tropical biomes. Temperature, rainfall, and soil pH were strong drivers of richness and community composition of both groups, and plant richness was an important mediator.
Both fungal groups occupy different, but overlapping, ecological niches, with M-AMF thriving in temperate agricultural landscapes. Our findings invite exploration of the origin and spread of M-AMF and continued efforts to resolve the phylogeny of this newly reclassified group of AMF
A survey on the use of spirometry in small animal anaesthesia and critical care
Get PDFThe objective was to document the use of spirometry and ventilation settings in small animal anaesthesia and intensive care through a descriptive, open, online, anonymous survey. The survey was advertised on social media and via email. Participation was voluntary. The google forms platform was used. It consisted of eight sections in English: demographic information, use of spirometry in spontaneously ventilating/mechanically ventilated dogs, need for spirometry, equipment available and calibration status, ventilation modes, spirometry displays, compliance (CRS) and resistance (RRS) of the respiratory system. Simple descriptive analyses were applied. There were 128 respondents. Respondents used spirometry more in ventilated dogs than during spontaneous breathing. Over 3/4 of the respondents considered spirometry essential in “selected” (43%) or “most” cases (33%). Multiple devices and technologies were used. The majority of the respondents were not directly involved in or informed about the calibration of their equipment. Of all displays, pressure-volume loops were the most common. Values of CRS and RRS were specifically monitored in more than 50% of cases by 44% of the respondents only. A variety of ventilation modes was used. Intensivists tend to use smaller VT than anaesthetists. More information on reference intervals of CRS and RRS and technical background on spirometers is require
Look Who’s Talking: Host and pathogen drivers of staphylococcus epidermidis virulence in neonatal sepsis
Get PDFPreterm infants are at increased risk for invasive neonatal bacterial infections. S. epidermidis, a ubiquitous skin commensal, is a major cause of late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in high-resource settings. The vulnerability of preterm infants to serious bacterial infections is commonly attributed to their distinct and developing immune system. While developmentally immature immune defences play a large role in facilitating bacterial invasion, this fails to explain why only a subset of infants develop infections with low-virulence organisms when exposed to similar risk factors in the neonatal ICU. Experimental research has explored potential virulence mechanisms contributing to the pathogenic shift of commensal S. epidermidis strains. Furthermore, comparative genomics studies have yielded insights into the emergence and spread of nosocomial S. epidermidis strains, and their genetic and functional characteristics implicated in invasive disease in neonates. These studies have highlighted the multifactorial nature of S. epidermidis traits relating to pathogenicity and commensalism. In this review, we discuss the known host and pathogen drivers of S. epidermidis virulence in neonatal sepsis and provide future perspectives to close the gap in our understanding of S. epidermidis as a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality