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Advancing haptic realism: modelling grasp contact vibrations for enhanced virtual environment interaction
No full textIn haptic technology, achieving realistic tactile feedback is crucial for enhancing a user's experience in virtual environments. Previous studies lack effective methods for transmitting high-frequency vibrations crucial for realistic tactile feedback in haptic interfaces, highlighting the need for our research to address this gap. This paper explores the application of a tactile gripping interface to transmit the high-frequency vibrations produced when contacting a hard object’s surface. These short vibrations improve the tactile sensation of hard virtual surfaces when overlaid on traditional position-based force feedback within a haptic environment. The enhanced realism of virtual objects is achieved by effectively estimating the vibration composition from user-induced parameters. This work presents a prototype grasping interface and empirically demonstrates this device’s utility. We examine empirical grasp contact data, recorded and interpreted, to recognise the relationship between dynamic user-controlled parameters and the resulting vibration transients. This relationship effectively incorporates these changing dynamics to model the grasp impact and estimate the essential system parameters to understand the influence of the user’s grasp force. Through our multi-point grasping interface design, this work demonstrates a mathematical relationship between the user’s grasp force and the high-frequency vibrations from contact with hard surfaces. The study found that the proposed haptic interface achieved an RMSE of 0.05, demonstrating a high level of accuracy. This low RMSE value signifies that the predicted vibrations closely matched the actual measured vibrations, validating the system’s capability to generate precise high-frequency transients. Such accuracy is critical for practical applications, including realistic tactile feedback in virtual environments, where precise modelling enhances user experience and interaction reliability. This work provides a foundational model for developing advanced haptic technologies, enabling more immersive virtual environments and precise control in teleoperation and training simulations
Performance of a 179-year high-resolution climate simulation of Southern Alaska
No full textAlaska has one of the world's largest glaciated areas and is highly sensitive to climate change. Alaskan glaciers currently contribute about a third of the global sea level rise, with tidewater glaciers playing a significant role through rapid retreat. Meteorological observations in this region are insufficient to assess climatic influences on the tidewater glacier cycle, and existing model datasets are either too coarse or cover too short a period. This study reconstructs the regional climate of southern Alaska by downscaling the NOAA-CIRES-DOE 20th Century Reanalysis (20CRv3) from 1836–2015 using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) to produce a high-resolution 4-km dataset. The new downscaled dataset (20CRv3-WRF) was validated for 1981–2015 against observational records (GSOD) and the Parameter-elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) datasets and compared to European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis v5 (ERA5). Compared to the observational records, 20CRV3-WRF performed well for annual mean temperature (0.61 ≤ r ≤ 0.96) and moderately for annual precipitation (0.16 ≤ r ≤ 0.76). For temperature, 20CRv3 downscaling output was more consistent with PRISM than with the coarser resolution ERA5, suggesting a more accurate representation of temperature than the reanalysis. Precipitation was mostly overestimated in comparison to observations. The spatial variability of precipitation was better represented in 20CRv3-WRF than ERA5. The results demonstrate that 20CRv3-WRF provides a reliable high-resolution dataset to assess the influence of climate on southern Alaskan tidewater glaciers, enabling future studies requiring long-term atmospheric data
Marine protected areas for dive tourism
No full textMarine and coastal tourism deliver economic benefits to coastal communities that far surpass those generated by fisheries, yet its potential contribution to global marine conservation remains underexamined. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help restore biodiversity and enhance nearby fisheries, but their direct tourism benefits are not well understood. Here, we estimate the global demand for recreational scuba dive tourism, map the distribution and protection status of all marine dive sites globally, and develop a bioeconomic model to estimate the revenue gains from upgrading unprotected dive sites to fully protected MPAs. We estimate that 33.1 million scuba dives occur annually in marine environments worldwide, with 70% taking place within MPAs. However, only 15% of these MPA-affiliated dive sites are highly or fully protected. We show that designating all unprotected recreational dive sites, representing less than 1% of the global ocean, as highly or fully protected MPAs would improve fish biomass and biodiversity while generating an additional US$2 billion per year in direct tourism revenue (not including economic multipliers). Importantly, 62% of marine diving currently occurs in developing countries, underscoring the potential for dive tourism to support both marine conservation and local livelihoods in regions where such benefits are most needed
Global economic impact of scuba dive tourism
No full textMarine ecotourism is increasingly popular and important for local economies, but its aggregated benefits to the global ocean economy are little known and often overlooked in policy discussions. Here, we present a first estimate of the global economic impact of scuba diving based on an online survey of scuba dive operators across the world. We estimate the global annual revenue of scuba diving (direct diving expenditure) at between 0.9 and 3.2 billion USD per year and a broader economic impact (direct and indirect expenditure) at between 8.5 and 20.4 billion USD per year. Marine ecotourism is one of the most promising ocean sectors that can incentivize local sustainable economies, and with 9–14 million marine diving tourists worldwide supporting up to 124,000 jobs, the scuba diving sector could be at the forefront of transformative change for local and global ocean sustainability
Experiences and perceptions of rural and remote nurses caring for pregnant women
No full textBackground: The closure of rural and remote maternity units in Australia has created a significant gap in care for pregnant women. The decline in the number of health professionals with dual nursing and midwifery registration has led to a shortage of midwives, resulting in registered nurses (RNs) being required to fill this gap. There is little documented about the impact this has on RNs.
Aims: The aim of the research was to gain a better understanding what it is like for RNs delivering maternity care in rural and remote contexts.
Methodology: Phenomenological research was conducted through eight semi-structured interviews with an average length of 30 minutes. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.
Results: From the data, three key themes emerged. First, "Being in the World of the Rural and Remote Nurse." Participants described their perception of rural and remote nursing as an entity with unchangeable aspects that cannot be understood in isolation. The second theme, "Scope of Practice – Unprepared or Underprepared," revealed that despite their extensive nursing skills, participants felt theoretically, practically, and mentally ill-equipped to provide care for pregnant women. The third theme, "Moral Distress," highlighted the participants' feelings of inadequacy, fear, and resignation. Due to the lack of maternity services in rural and remote areas, it is inevitable that RNs will have to care for pregnant women. Participants in this study unanimously articulated what it meant for them to be nurses providing maternity care in a rural and remote setting, both for themselves and for pregnant women.
Conclusion: This research provides a voice for RNs working in rural and remote environments who provide care to pregnant women. Advocating for improved maternity resources in these contexts will help improve maternity care for women and provide essential support to RNs
Long-Term Improvement in Hippocampal-Dependent Learning Ability in Healthy, Aged Individuals Following High Intensity Interval Training
No full textPhysical exercise may reduce dementia risk in aging, but varying reports on its effectiveness make it challenging to ascribe what level of exercise will have significant longer-term effects on important functions such as hippocampal-based learning and memory. This study compared the effect of three different 6-month exercise regimens on hippocampal-dependent cognition in healthy, elderly individuals. Participants, aged 65-85 with no cognitive deficits, were randomly assigned to one of three exercise interventions (low (LIT), medium (MIT), and High intensity interval training (HIIT), respectively). Each participant attended 72 supervised exercise sessions over a 6-month period. A total of 151 participants completed all sessions. Cognitive testing for hippocampal performance occurred monthly, as did blood collection, and continued for up to 5 years following initiation of the study. Multimodal 7 Tesla MRI scans were taken at commencement, 6 and 12 months. After 6 months, only the HIIT group displayed significant improvement in hippocampal function, as measured by paired associative learning (PAL). MRI from the HIIT group showed abrogation of the age-dependent volumetric decrease within several cortical regions including the hippocampus and improved functional connectivity between multiple neural networks not seen in the other groups. HIIT-mediated changes in the circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol correlated to improved hippocampal-dependent cognitive ability. These findings demonstrate that HIIT significantly improves and prolongs the hippocampal-dependent cognitive health of aged individuals. Importantly, improvement was retained for at least 5 years following initiation of HIIT, suggesting that the changes seen in hippocampal volume and connectivity underpin this long-term maintenance. Sustained improvement in hippocampal function to this extent confirms that such exercise-based interventions can provide significant protection against hippocampal cognitive decline in the aged population. The changes in specific blood factor levels also may provide useful biomarkers for choosing the optimal exercise regimen to promote cognitive improvement
Writing Climate, Season and Cycle: Autobiographical Composting in Maggie MacKellar’s Eco-Autobiography, Graft
No full textIn Maggie MacKellar’s third memoir, Graft: Motherhood, Family and a Year on the Land (2023), she is living through a drought on a Merino sheep farm in Tasmania, her children are leaving as they enter adulthood, and her identity (mother, farmer, woman, white settler Australian, human) is under pressure. The planet and the land on which MacKellar lives are also under threat. Life writing that addresses such profound events offers a space to think about what it is to story human life. This article examines textual strategies of eco-autobiography that press on anthropocentric thinking about the natural world in a time of climate crisis, and reconfigure human selfhood ‘with and as place and time’ (Wright 2024) in a way that reflects ecological ‘enmeshment’ (via Morton 2012). We propose the term ‘autobiographical composting’ to describe how Graft assembles diverse raw materials—existing literary works, reference texts, diary entries, memories—to produce a relational subjectivity that subverts traditional linear understandings of the narrative of life as beginning with birth and ending with death. Through autobiographical composting, Graft suggests both ‘life’ and ‘narrative’ as cyclical, ecologically enmeshed processes, and so moves the boundaries of life narrative beyond the human
Measuring Unmeasurable(s): Addressing Non-Financial Impact of Academic Research, Created and Gained Through Knowledge Exchange
No full textThe evolving role of universities has transitioned from an egalitarian education system suited for individuals, merely pursuing knowledge and education, fostering social bonds as Humbolt suggested "Bildung"(the German word for education/formation) [1], to an organization that creates multifaceted commercial, social, environmental, and cultural impacts. Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) play a crucial role in translating research into impactful societal benefits, yet defining, measuring, and addressing non-financial impacts remains challenging. This article investigates the importance of non-financial impacts, such as social, cultural, and environmental contributions, and suggests a practical model the author employs to visualize, assess, and address these impacts
Impact of drought and flood on land condition across Mitchell Grass Downs rangelands
No full textThe late January/early February 2019 north-west Queensland flood and associated wind chill event had a devastating impact on the grazing industry and local communities, causing high stock mortality, infrastructure damage, and business disruption. Rangeland condition was also severely impacted by the flood. In some areas, severe erosion stripped away soil, including nutrients and seed bank, while in other areas, soil deposition smothered pasture. Prolonged floodwater inundation (up to two weeks) in low-lying areas also contributed to pasture death. The impacts of the flood were exacerbated by a prolonged drought which impacted the region in the six years prior to the flood, and in the three years following the flood. This project sought to assess land condition recovery on Mitchell Grass Downs rangelands five years on from the flood. In late February and early March 2019 (soon after the floodwaters receded), on-ground land condition assessments were completed at 130 sites across the region. In September 2024, land condition assessments were repeated at 62 of the original sites. In 2024, land condition: improved at least one condition score at 30 sites (48%); remained the same at 29 sites (47%); and declined at least one condition score at 3 sites (5%). Results indicate that land that is maintained in good condition is more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather events (both drought and flood) and recovers more quickly after the event. The observed improvement in land condition at many sites was supported by strategic grazing land management and above average rainfall in recent years. In this region, droughts and floods are likely to increase in frequency and severity. It is critical that we improve understanding of the linkages among drought, floods, grazing land management and land condition to assist producers to build greater resilience in their production systems
Northern Australia's Amazing and Diverse Seagrass Habitats: From Historical Insights to Future Priorities
No full textNorthern Australia's amazing and diverse seagrass habitats face complex challenges requiring innovative solutions for conservation and management. Despite tropical seagrass’ significant economic, conservation and cultural values, knowledge of these ecosystems across northern Australia has historically been fragmented and the data frequently inaccessible. This talk describes some of the large multi-institution partnerships and projects that have invested in overcoming these barriers in recent years. We’ve compiled and made publicly available historical spatial data from the Great Barrier Reef to Ningaloo and modelled seagrass species distribution for the Reef. We’ve been filling knowledge gaps mapping seagrass with Traditional Owners and rangers in the Kimberley, Tiwi Islands, South East Arnhem Land, the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, West Cape York, Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef. We’re developing new methods for establishing seagrass baselines and monitoring using drones and remote sensing. And we’re discovering more about seagrass species-specific associations for tropical fish communities and megafauna. This work has transformed our understanding of species distributions in tropical Australia, identified knowledge gaps for future research, shed light on the role of marine reserves in seagrass conservation, and highlighted the central role of Indigenous rangers in monitoring and managing Sea Country in northern Australia