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A democratic curriculum for the challenges of post-truth
No full textPost-truth has been widely applied in the wake of COVID-19, to stipulate causes for growing economic and political inequalities, misinformation in digital spaces and disillusionment with political institutions and notions of common/public good, to name a few. To address these concerns, this article constitutes a series of suggestions for how educators might engage with curricula that are embedded with democratic ideals. The first section will provide a brief survey of how various incarnations of the national curricula in Australia have been used as a vehicle for both envisaging a future in Australia and promoting civic participation as a way of fostering an inclusive society. The forms it developed into during the 1980s to the 2010s, however, usually promoted national priorities over localised concerns, such as the aims of individual teachers, schools and curricula. Over the long term, these tendencies have provided the foundation for a shift in educational discourse from generating social capital under the Whitlam government (Lingard, 2000). More recent discourse by contrast has focused on how digital resources can be effectively used, accountability, minimising teacher demoralisation and burnout, maximising student engagement (Dunning, 2022) and tinged with concerns about how constructive critical thinking can be better encouraged (Paterson & Gavrin, 2022). In this article, the structures which catalysed such changes will be contextualised in relation to how post-truth has emerged as a byword for a range of disruptive factors, such as denial of knowledge expertise (Malpas, 1992; Coper, 2022), and how authorities (in governments and media) have pragmatically lied to subordinates (Tesich, 1992; Keyes, 2004; Consentino, 2020). The second part examines how these same conditions have been recently perpetuated through schools being characterised as key to economic recovery, rather than places to regenerate relationships such as those between community-school or curriculum-teacher-student in response to the disruption which has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, there is a focus on what is being—and could be—done to encourage democratic thinking in an Australian classroom context, as ways of addressing phenomena linked with post-truth by generating cultural and political capital
‘Reclaiming their stories’: A study of the spiritual content of historical cultural objects through an Indigenous creative inquiry
No full textDeveloping methods for communicating, analysing, and interpreting the spiritual context of cultural objects is essential to gaining a deep understanding of the past. In archaeology, Indigenous methodologies in the field of creativity as an embodied exploration can enable archaeologists to understand how we perceive and interpret cultural information. This article examines how art making, within Indigenous cultures, serves as a powerful lens through which archaeological inquiries can be spiritually interpreted. This intricate relationship between art making and archaeological exploration provides a nuanced understanding of the spiritual significance inherent in historical relics. Its objective is to highlight Indigenous creative embodied methodologies, embracing a decolonised perspective that honours Indigenous worldviews. Serving as a bridge, it narrows the divide between creative craftsmanship and the field of archaeology
Chronic disease prevention for people with a mental health condition: exploring the potential of a population level telephone coaching service
No full textPeople with a mental health condition experience a reduction in life expectancy, primarily as a result of a higher prevalence of chronic physical health conditions, than the general population. This inequity is associated with a higher prevalence of modifiable health risks, including physical inactivity, poor diet, and obesity. Previous reviews of lifestyle interventions suggest that they can be effective in improving health risks in this population, however most have focused on interventions delivered to individuals with severe mental illness, and outcomes for reviews including meta-analyses focused on anthropometric measures, such as weight and body mass index (BMI). One narrative review suggested potential effectiveness for physical activity and no reviews had synthesised impact on diet outcomes. There is a need to ensure that such lifestyle interventions are provided at a population-level, and widely available in order to address the inequity experienced by this group. There is a paucity of research examining whether population-level telephone support services for health risks such as physical activity, diet and weight, are being utilised by people with a mental health condition, and whether such services are effective in creating health behaviour change for this group. To address this gap, this thesis aimed to: 1. Identify use of a population-level telephone service providing support to improve physical activity, diet and weight (NSW Get Healthy Service®), by people with a mental health condition, including the representation of this group among coaching participants, their characteristics on intake (demographics, risk behaviours, health perceptions), and how these compare to coaching participants who do not have a mental health condition (Chapter 2). 2. Compare NSW Get Healthy Service® participation and outcomes for coaching participants with and without a mental health condition, including rates of program completion and health outcomes achieved (Chapter 3). 3. Describe the experiences of coaches of the NSW Get Healthy Service® in providing support to improve physical activity, diet and weight to people with a mental health condition, including perceived challenges both for themselves and for participants, as well as suggestions for improvement (Chapter 4). 4. Systematically review literature assessing the impact of lifestyle interventions to on physical activity, diet and weight among people with a mental health condition (Chapter 5). 5. Summarise the findings and contributions of Chapters 2 – 5, and identify implications for future research (Chapter 6). Four studies were undertaken to address these aims. Chapter 2 utilised routinely collected service data from the NSW Get Healthy Service® and identified that participants with a mental health condition comprise a quarter (26%) of service users, and enter a coaching program with elevated health risks and lower confidence compared to those without. Chapter 3 extended on these findings, indicating that participants with a mental health condition are slightly less likely to complete a coaching program than participants without a mental health condition, but that those who do complete experience similar improvements to their health risk measures. Chapter 4 reported the findings from qualitative interviews with coaches of the NSW Get Healthy Service®. Coaches identified a number of perceived challenges and benefits of the service for coaching participants with a mental health condition that are not currently captured in service data, as well as a desire to receive more training on the interplay between mental and physical health, particularly by individuals with a lived experience. Chapter 5 synthesised the findings of 57 randomised controlled trials of lifestyle interventions for people with a mental health condition that measured changes to physical activity, diet and/or weight using meta-analyses and narrative synthesis, finding improvements in most measures but also inconsistency in reporting of outcomes across studies. Most trials had high risk of bias, quality of evidence for weight and physical activity were moderate, while quality of evidence for diet was low. This thesis has identified the potential benefit of population-level telephone services as a means of addressing modifiable health risks, specifically physical activity, diet and weight, for people with a mental health condition. The final chapter highlights a number of important areas for further research stemming from these findings. These include: an understanding of factors associated with retention in such lifestyle interventions; undertaking more rigorous trials to strengthen the evidence for the efficacy of such programs, including both short and long term outcomes; and the need for the consumer’s voice to be included in all stages of evaluation and potential modification of any programs designed to meet the needs of this group. Developing a greater understanding of the potential of such population-level telephone services in addressing modifiable health risks for people with a mental health condition may be an important avenue for reducing the inequity in health burden experienced by this group
Development of an aptasensor to target metallo-β-lactamase through Förster resonance energy transfer
No full textThe escalating issue of antibiotic resistance in bacteria necessitates innovative detection methods to identify resistance mechanisms promptly. In this study, we present a novel approach for detecting resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium known for its metallo-β-lactamase production during the development of antibiotic resistance. We have designed an aptasensor employing Förster resonance energy transfer utilising two distinct methodologies. Initially, indium phosphide quantum dots with a zinc sulphide shell, and gold nanoparticles were utilised as the Förster resonance energy transfer donor-acceptor pair. Although this system demonstrated a response, the efficiency was low. Subsequently, optimisation involved relocating the donor and acceptor in close proximity and incorporating two quantum dots with varying emission wavelengths as the acceptor and donor. This optimisation significantly enhanced the Förster resonance efficiency, resulting in a novel method for detecting metallo-β-lactamase. Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency was increased from 31% to 63% by optimising the distance and donor using a quantum dot-quantum dot pair. Our findings showcase a cheap, rapid and versatile aptasensor with potential applications beyond antibiotic resistance, highlighting its adaptability for diverse scenarios
Visualising Rhythm
No full textExploring the relationship between music and art, this research uses an analogical, experimental systems approach to examine rhythmic sequences as crochet forms. A system of deductive reasoning is outlined, with each loop in a crochet chain equated to one hit, or one count, in a rhythmic sequence. This approach illustrates how logic-driven number sequences may result in geometric patterns and 3D forms. Number sequences are the basis of rhythmic patterns and are foundational to music theory. The artist’s background as a drummer therefore aids reflections on how these sequences inform an understanding of contemporary, practice-based research. In a contemporary context, this crochet research is inspired by the work of Daina Taimina and The Institute for Figuring. The approach to site specific installation is informed by form finding methodology, as described by Frei Otto and the Institute for Light-Weight Structures. Overall, this research contributes to the evolving field of interdisciplinary crochet and outsider science, framed against a context of feminist art history. Approaches to the design and construction of complex crochet forms are illustrated, with specific reference to concepts of drumming which underpin the practice. This research further establishes the medium of crochet as a method for translating interdisciplinary concepts
Modern Emirati women: exploring identity and creative expression through photographic art
No full textThis research project involves both exegesis and a component of creative practice that utilizes staged photography as a means of exploring questions pertaining to gender, identity, creative expression, and the nature of photographic practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This project offers a creative response stemming from my distinct perspective as a foreigner employed as an educator in the UAE. It employs staged photography as an artistic medium enabling the detailed composition of elements drawn from lived experiences. This photographic approach seems particularly well-suited to navigating the intricate negotiations surrounding gender expectations within a society experiencing rapid transformation towards a more open, cosmopolitan, and modern ethos. As an individual culturally positioned as an outsider, I drew from qualitative research, involving fifteen interviews with artists and one focus group with fellow educators to gain additional insights into the diverse challenges faced by Emirati women. My specific focus was on establishing connections with women who leverage art and photography as a means of creative expression in their daily lives. Titled Tareek Al Haya – Way of Life, the core set of staged photography compositions is a central element of my exploration. These engaged Emirati women actively participated as models for the creative component, comprising fifteen staged artworks in photography. The project serves as a visual commentary crafted to initiate meaningful conversations and discussions, unveiling perspectives that challenge both existing literature and my initial theories. While serving as an academic inquiry, my images also respond to my unique perspective as an outsider living and working in the UAE. They act as a catalyst for cultural exchange, offering a platform that invites the audience to engage with and respond to thoughtfully constructed narratives without imposing a singular reality. This work bridges the perspectives of an outsider with the experiences of interacting with the local Emirati people
Robust Superconductivity in Infinite-Layer Nickelates
No full textThe recent discovery of nickelate superconductivity represents an important step toward understanding the four-decade mastery of unconventional high-temperature superconductivity. However, the synthesis of the infinite-layer nickelate superconductors shows great challenges. Particularly, surface capping layers are usually unitized to facilitate the sample synthesis. This leads to an important question whether nickelate superconductors with d9 configuration and ultralow valence of Ni1+ are in metastable state and whether nickelate superconductivity can be robust? In this work, a series of redox cycling experiments are performed across the phase transition between perovskite Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO3 and infinite-layer Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO2. The infinite-layer Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO2 is quite robust in the redox environment and can survive the cycling experiments with unchanged crystallographic quality. However, as the cycling number goes on, the perovskite Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO3 shows structural degradation, suggesting stability of nickelate superconductivity is not restricted by the ultralow valence of Ni1+, but by the quality of its perovskite precursor. The observed robustness of infinite-layer Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO2 up to ten redox cycles further indicates that if an ideal high-quality perovskite precursor can be obtained, infinite-layer nickelate superconductivity can be very stable and sustainable under environmental conditions. This work provides important implications for potential device applications for nickelate superconductors
Optimizing multiple equipment scheduling for U-shaped automated container terminals considering loading and unloading operations
No full textU-shaped automated container terminals (ACTs) represent a strategic design in port infrastructure that facilitates simultaneous loading and unloading operations. This paper addresses the challenges of scheduling multiple types of equipment, such as dual trolley quay cranes (DTQCs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), double cantilever rail cranes (DCRCs), and external trucks (ETs) in U-shaped ACTs. This paper proposes a mixed integer linear programming model for optimizing the multiple equipment scheduling, aiming to minimize container completion time and AGV waiting time simultaneously. This paper customizes a hybrid genetic-cuckoo optimization algorithm (HGCOA) with double-point crossover and Levy flight Cuckoo search strategies. Extensive numerical results show that the proposed HGCOA outperforms the benchmark genetic algorithms in terms of solution quality and computational time while significantly improving efficiency without substantial sacrifices in solution quality compared with the exact solution method. Overall, this study presents a promising solution for enhancing coordination and operation efficiency in U-shaped ACTs
Economic Policy Uncertainty, Carbon Emissions and Firm Valuation: International Evidence
No full textThis paper explores how the uncertainty surrounding economic policies affects the decisions managers make, particularly with reference to carbon emissions. Notably, this is a pioneering effort as very few studies have examined the influence of economic policy uncertainty on decisions about either carbon emissions or renewable energy, and, in turn, the impact of these decisions on firm value. From a sample spanning 22 countries over the period 2007 to 2018, our results show that, while carbon emissions increase with policy uncertainty, this relationship is mediated by renewable energy consumption. Country factors such as climate change performance, emissions trading schemes, and business culture also affect this relationship. In countries where economic policy uncertainty tends to be high, firms generally have a lower market value, due in part to higher levels of carbon emissions. These findings highlight the importance of connecting policy uncertainty to decisions about carbon emissions and renewable energy. They also provide insights into the detrimental effects of policy uncertainty on firm value
Decision-making about mastectomy among Chinese women with breast cancer: a mixed-methods study
No full textBreast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Although multiple treatment options are available nowadays, mastectomy rates remain considerably high in many parts of the world. Deciding to undergo a mastectomy can be challenging for women with breast cancer, as this surgery leads to breast disfigurement and may impair their body image and quality of life. The process of treatment decision-making for mastectomy requires a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including nurses, to provide comprehensive support to women. It is thus imperative for nurses and other healthcare professionals in this team to understand women’s decision-making experiences regarding this surgery. However, the existing evidence about decision-making regarding mastectomy among women with breast cancer has been limited due to the scarcity of studies specifically focused on this surgery and methodological limitations across existing studies. Furthermore, nearly 80% of women with breast cancer living in mainland China have undergone mastectomy in recent years. Nevertheless, in mainland China, there have been few studies reporting on decision-making experiences related to this surgery. Therefore, the present research is designed to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of treatment decision-making regarding mastectomy from the perspectives of Chinese women with breast cancer living in mainland China. A three-phase, explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted at two tertiary general hospitals in mainland China. This thesis is presented in the form of six publications across seven chapters