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Mapping the Bounds for Integration of Blockchain Titles in a Torrens System
No full textAs land becomes increasingly expensive in Australia fewer people can afford it, with consequences for wealth distribution and housing. Real estate, in particular the family home, has formed a foundation for Australians’ wealth over many decades, but the possibility of home ownership has been deteriorating in recent years. Alternative proposals for property investment include issuing fractions of land title on blockchain with parallel registration in the land registry. While such proposals are technically feasible, they are silent as to the means of integrating the blockchain ledger with the land administration system. As the land administration system comprises multiple statutory processes, this article uses the Queensland system as a case study, to analyse the relevant statutes in terms of the integration of a fractionalised blockchain titles system. The aim is to identify the law reform necessary to achieve a high level of integration of fractionalised land titles on a blockchain, within an existing land administration system — without detracting from the policy goals of that system.</p
A review of the potential effects of recreational wind-powered craft on coastal habitats and wildlife
No full textWind-powered recreational (WPR) activities are increasingly popular and occur in many areas of high conservation value. Possible impacts are poorly understood; existing reviews do not generally include recent widespread forms of WPR or have narrow taxonomic/ecological scopes. We identify the coastal ecosystems/wildlife that may interact with WPR and potential impacts: a) noise, movement and other stimuli, b) direct contact, c) disruption of substrates, and d) transport of pests. Almost all available evidence on impacts involves coastal birdlife, specifically their escape responses. Most studies are a) non-peer reviewed, largely anecdotal or otherwise limited in scope and b) from temperate locations. Sustainable use of WPR craft is required despite the prevailing information gaps. We suggest a precautionary, proactive approach which likely requires a combination of site-based management, plus policy and education initiatives.</p
A Comparative Performance Analysis of Airline Strategic Alliances: In a Search for Coopetition Drivers through DEA
No full textThe purpose of this research is to investigate the efficiency of the Airline-within-Airline business model (a form of coopetition) in the rapidly growing airline industry and compare it to other business models. The core question addressed in this study is how coopetition impacts organizational performance and whether it brings measurable economic benefits. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is the primary methodology to assess the outcomes of strategic alliances in the airline industry. A dataset comprising records for 52 Airlines structured into 25 decision-making units (DMUs) is utilized for this analysis. Our findings suggest that coopetition brings measurable economic benefits in terms of organizational performance. The Airline-within-Airline business model, in particular, is examined, and its efficiency is compared to other models. As a result, all airlines were divided into three groups by their efficiency, which allowed the formation of a pull of possible partners for further strategic partnerships. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential economic advantages of coopetition within the airline industry, shedding light on the drivers of coopetitive interactions. It underscores the importance of considering coopetition as a viable framework for enhancing organizational performance and market competitiveness. Only a few studies were accomplished measuring the efficiency of business models with a focus on strategic alliances, network cooperation, and coopetition. This research enables the selection of strategic partners and the final choice of the partner for possible coopetitive partnerships based on data-driven assessment.</p
Social media activities of airlines: What makes them successful?
No full textThis paper explores the use of social media by geographically diverse airlines and investigate how different airlines utilise different types of social media platforms to engage and interact with their audiences. Using manual data collection methods, the researchers gathered data from social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok, and categorized the data into coded groups based on the nature of the posts. The findings from this study highlight trends in social media usage amongst airlines, and also highlight social media platforms and social media post types that yield high levels of interaction between airlines and internet users. Furthermore, the study identifies areas of future potential growth on social media in terms of marketing.</p
Using Geochemical Indicators to Assess the Vulnerability of Springs to Mining
No full textSprings and groundwater-fed streams sustain some of the most significant groundwater dependent
ecosystems (GDEs) worldwide. Currently, many of these ecosystems are in decline, or are at risk of extinction,
due to groundwater extraction for agriculture and mining. To accurately assess the vulnerability of a GDE to
drawdown and manage groundwater usage in mining sustainably, a clear conceptual understanding of the
ecosystems’ hydrology and its associated hydrogeological system is critical.
In north-eastern Australia, contention has surrounded the development of Australia’s largest coal mine, the
Carmichael Coal Mine, and its potential environmental impacts. A key issue is whether mine dewatering will
impact groundwater flows to the ecologically and culturally significant Doongmabulla Springs Complex and
the Carmichael River. Uncertainty regarding: 1. the source(s) of water that sustain the Doongmabulla springs,
2. exchanges between the Carmichael River and groundwater and 3. the extent of inter-aquifer connectivity,
have prevented clear assessments of the GDEs’ vulnerability to damage or extinction as a result of mining. This
PhD study aimed to resolve these three key conceptual uncertainties and re-assess the vulnerability of the
Doongmabulla springs and Carmichael River to mining impact. This research was carried out using a suite of
environmental isotope tracers (2H, 18O, 3H, 14C, 36Cl, and 87Sr/86Sr) and a diverse range of geochemical,
geophysical and hydrogeological datasets.
Isotope tracers indicate that an array of different groundwater sources with different residence times sustain
the various springs within the Doongmabulla complex. Springs in the west of the complex are predominantly
sustained by very old groundwater from the Early-Mid Pleistocene (residence time >500ka), while
groundwater recharged during the Holocene (residence time <4ka) and Late Pleistocene (residence time 50k
– 150ka) is the main water source of the eastern springs. These data suggest the Clematis Sandstone is the
predominant source aquifer of the springs. However, Holocene groundwater critical to the eastern springs
also transitions through the (younger) Cenozoic sediments and (older) Dunda Beds, in areas near the mine
which are likely to experience significant drawdown. Deeper units (e.g. the Dunda Beds) also cannot be ruled
out as the source of very old groundwater in the western springs. This revised conceptualisation contradicts
the conceptual model of the springs that was used to predict the impacts of the Carmichael mine, that
assumed that all springs are sustained solely by the Clematis Sandstone. It has major implications for the
ecosystems’ vulnerability to drawdown.
Isotope tracers and major ion concentrations in the Carmichael River indicate that spring discharge and influx
of very old (residence time >500ka) and intermediate (residence time >50ka) groundwater sustains baseflow to the river near to the Doongmabulla springs. Further upstream, surface runoff and shallow groundwater are
the main water sources, while no regional groundwater influx to the river appears to occur downstream of
the springs within the mine lease. During major flood events, groundwater levels and chloride concentrations
adjacent to the stream indicate river losses to groundwater occur near the Doongmabulla springs. However,
downstream near the Carmichael mine, river leakage after heavy rainfall is much less significant. These
conclusions indicate that the numerical models used to predict the Carmichael mine’s groundwater impacts,
which assumed perennial streamflow, may have overestimated baseflow in the Carmichael River, and the
potential for river leakage to buffer drawdown in shallow aquifers below and adjacent to the stream channel.
Within the mining lease, aerial electromagnetic surveys and geological logs revealed weathered sandy zones
of substantially increased permeability (relative to un-weathered material) occur within several stratigraphic
layers, and are common in large areas to the south of the current mine pit. These weathered sediments contain
fresh, relatively young groundwater (residence times of hundreds to thousands of years) and are likely to be
preferential pathways for recharge, groundwater flow and inter-aquifer mixing. Since mine dewatering began
in 2019, drawdown has migrated preferentially south of the mine through these high permeability zones, and
into shallow units above the coal-bearing sediments that are not targeted by dewatering. Drawdown is also
migrating gradually into shallow aquifer units west of the mine, towards the Doongmabulla springs and
Carmichael River. These findings indicate that inter-aquifer connectivity and geological heterogeneity is
significantly greater than was assumed in the Carmichael mine’s impact assessment, and shallow aquifers
which sustain the springs, the Carmichael River and pastoral groundwater resources are more vulnerable to
drawdown than has been predicted.
These revised conceptualisations of the Doongmabulla springs, Carmichael River and inter-aquifer
connectivity indicate that dewatering for the Carmichael Coal Mine is likely to cause greater impacts to GDEs
and pastoral groundwater resources than was anticipated in the mine’s approved impact assessment.
Groundwater flow paths near the mine that sustain the eastern springs are likely to be diverted away from
the springs. The current extent of drawdown and evidence of inter-aquifer connectivity also indicates that
drawdown in the aquifers which sustain the Doongmabulla springs, Carmichael River and pastoral
groundwater resources will be greater, occur sooner and migrate further than was originally anticipated. The
relatively sporadic, spatially variable leakage of surface water from the Carmichael River into the underlying
aquifer units is unlikely to buffer drawdown impacts along the river corridor (including beneath the springs),
as was conceptualised in the mine’s impact assessment. These impacts to the hydrogeological system will
likely cause reductions in flow and/or the extinction of these significant GDEs.
This study is one of the first globally to critically re-evaluate the conceptual hydrogeological model
underpinning the environmental impact predictions of a major mining project, using multiple sets of direct
observational data (isotope tracers, geochemistry, geophysics and geology). Its findings have significant management implications for the Carmichael mine and can be used to ensure the protection of the
Doongmabulla springs and Carmichael River. This PhD also demonstrates the value of isotopic and
geochemical datasets for developing accurate conceptual hydrogeological models, which in turn is required
for robust prediction of the impacts of significant groundwater extraction. It presents a widely applicable
methodology, that can be used across industry and the research community to better understand and protect
GDEs vulnerable to groundwater extraction in other contexts.</p
African community understandings of Ubuntu and its application to design of a junior basketball program to support health and wellbeing in Melbourne, Australia
No full textSports-based youth-development programs are found to increase community connection, health and wellbeing within migrant communities, yet there is a little attention paid to integrating Indigenous viewpoints, cultural norms and practices in the early conceptualisation, design and development of such programs. We analyse African-Australian community members' views and practices of Ubuntu to inform the co-design of an existing sports-based youth development program, the Black Rhinos Basketball Program, for a younger age-group. Drawing upon data from a larger study exploring community members' views about Ubuntu, community, health and wellbeing, this study employed individual interviews and focus groups with 22 community members to explore participants' personal understandings of Ubuntu and how they could be employed in the co-design of the expanded program for children, young people and their families. Thematic analysis of the data highlights an integrated understanding of Ubuntu, health and wellbeing, which includes recognition, respect, sense of family and belonging and reciprocity. These conceptualisations of Ubuntu were then applied to the design of the basketball program, with an emphasis on sport as an opportunity to practice role modelling and leadership. This study suggests that integrating Indigenous philosophy and worldview into health interventions May cultivate and enhance values and skills that strengthen a young person's cultural identity.</p
UAV-assisted seeding and monitoring of reforestation sites: a review
No full textTree clearing in Australia has resulted in an immense loss of forest cover, attributed to agricultural industry growth, particularly cattle rearing, as well as an increase in bushfire prevalence and severity due to climate-change effects. The loss of native forests results in increased net emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus enhancing the greenhouse effect of global warming. Additionally, deforestation jeopardises biodiversity conservation and the complex ecological balance of native wildlife with its surrounding ecosystems. The use of uncrewed autonomous vehicles (UAVs) to deposit seed aggregates has been trialled globally as a means for regenerating tree cover in remote areas. Such use is purported to obtain high seed-deposition rates, impressive germination rates of seeds and decreased labour costs; moreover, UAVs equipped with appropriate sensors can be beneficial in the post-planting analysis of seed success, from the early germination stages to canopy development. Once site data are collected, artificial intelligence, particularly machine-learning algorithms, can be used to process captured images through the stages of data preparation, feature extraction, model training and predictions. The segmentation techniques commonly involve implementation of either watershed-related algorithms or convolutional neural networks. The use of machine learning in characterising tree parameters has been found to improve speed, accuracy and reliability compared with traditional imaging processing techniques. This review reports on the use of UAVs in forestry, particularly reforestation in remote landscapes in Australia. It summarises the use of UAV technology in the deployment of seeds through to the monitoring of reforestation sites and explores trends in these. It discusses the benefits and challenges of the UAV-assisted monitoring of reforestation sites and future trends in this area.</p
Bacterial cellulose cookbook: A systematic review on sustainable and cost-effective substrates
No full textBacterial cellulose is a versatile material with applications in many industries. However, the widespread uptake of bacterial cellulose faces challenges including high production costs and lack of scalability. One approach to address these obstacles is the use of alternative substrates and media, compared to the Hestrin–Schramm (HS) media. By evaluating and selecting appropriate media and substrates, the production of bacterial cellulose can be more efficient: enabling sustainable systems and supply chains where less energy and materials are lost, and the output production is increased. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current landscape of bacterial cellulose alternative media and substrates (ingredients). Through a systematic review of 198 papers, this review identifies 299 alternative substrates from 12 industries and 101 bacterial cellulose-producing strains, which were systematically compared. This review also finds that there are methodological gaps in this field such as data variability, papers mislabelling the HS media or not using a comparison media, and a lack of strain names. This alternative substrate analysis for bacterial cellulose production demonstrates that overall, for some applications alternative substrates can be taken into consideration that are not only cheaper, but also produce higher yields than HS media.</p
The Interplay of Muscle Pain and Stiffness
No full textMusculoskeletal pain disorders are associated with increased muscle pain and stiffness, leading to the widely held belief by allied health clinicians and patient groups alike that increased muscle stiffness is directly associated with increased muscle pain. These disorders are commonly assessed through muscle palpation techniques and patient-reported ratings of pain and stiffness that are subjective in nature since they involve clinician and patient interpretation. However, the validity and reliability of muscle palpation techniques are questionable.
Myotonometry objectively measures muscle stiffness and has been used to investigate whether an interplay exists between muscle stiffness and pain. Some studies have reported that an interplay exists, supported by recognised muscle neurophysiological changes occurring with chronic pain. However, other studies have reported no interplay, likely due to the high variability in an individual’s perception of pain and muscle stiffness found in the population. Hence, there is no agreement as to the existence of this interplay. This thesis specifically investigated whether an interplay exists between objective stiffness measures and subjective pain and stiffness ratings, addressing shortcomings in the literature.
For this thesis, three studies were conducted. The first investigated the validity and reliability of a purpose-built myotonometer (PBM; UNSW, Sydney, AU) against the MyotonPRO (Myoton AS, Tallinn, EE). Fifteen adult participants took part in this investigation (7 female, age = 29±5 years, height = 173±11 cm, weight = 84±20 kg). First, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (100% MVIC) was performed on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex, New York, US) to calculate 30% and 60% of MVIC. Biceps brachii (BB) muscle stiffness was then measured three times at each muscle contraction intensity; at rest or 0%, 30% and 60% MVIC. PBM stiffness data was correlated to MyotonPRO data. Repeated measures ANOVA investigated stiffness changes across the three contraction intensities. Intra-rater reliability was calculated for the myotonometers for each of the contraction intensities. Strong, positive correlations were found between the PBM and MyotonPRO stiffness data (p 0.90). This investigation verified the validity and reliability of the myotonometers and showed that muscle stiffness changes can be detected with increasing muscle contraction intensity.
The second study determined whether myotonometry can measure changes in muscle stiffness throughout a three-week recovery period from delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It also investigated the interplay between objective stiffness measures and subjective pain and stiffness ratings over the three-week recovery period.
The myotonometers were used to measure plantar flexor (PF) stiffness at baseline and over a three-week recovery period in 23 adult participants (9 female, age = 25±4 years, height = 176±10 cm, weight = 82±23 kg). DOMS was induced by downhill (-13), backward walking on a treadmill (Quasar, h/p/cosmos, Traunstein, DE) at 2.2 kph. Stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and Achilles tendon (AT) were measured at six timepoints. Participants also self-rated their PF pain and stiffness at these timepoints using a numerical rating scale (NRS). The timepoints were: i) pre-DOMS (baseline); ii) within 10 minutes following DOMS; iii) 48 hours post-DOMS; iv) one-week post-DOMS; v) two weeks post-DOMS; and vi) three weeks post-DOMS. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to investigate PF stiffness changes over the recovery period. Myotonometer stiffness data were correlated with NRS pain and stiffness ratings to examine interplay. Over the recovery period, significant stiffness changes were found by both myotonometers (p < 0.0001). Weak, non-significant correlations were found between the objective stiffness measures and the subjective pain and stiffness ratings. Hence, this investigation showed that myotonometry can detect changes in muscle stiffness following DOMS, but no interplay was found.
The third study investigated PF stiffness (MG, LG and AT) over a six-week eccentric exercise training program. It also investigated the interplay between objective stiffness measures and subjective pain and stiffness ratings over the training program. Ten adult participants took part in this study (5 female, age = 27±5 years, height = 173±10 cm, weight = 83 ±26kg). Eccentric training was performed using the same downhill and backward treadmill walking protocol used in the second study. This walking protocol was repeated weekly over six weeks (once per week) totalling six bouts of exposure. PF stiffness was measured at three timepoints per week over the six-week program (a total of 18 timepoints). Participants self-rated PF pain and stiffness at each timepoint using the NRS. The timepoints were: i) pre-exercise (baseline); ii) within 10 minutes following exercise; and iii) 48 hours post-exercise. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to investigate the effect of the training program on PF stiffness. Myotonometer stiffness data were correlated to NRS pain and stiffness ratings to investigate interplay between these factors. Over the training program, significant stiffness changes were found by the MyotonPRO (p < 0.05), but not the PBM. Weak, non-significant correlations were found between the objective stiffness measures and the subjective pain and stiffness ratings. Although this investigation found significant changes in MyotonPRO stiffness measures, no clinically meaningful changes were found. Further, no interplay was found.
In summary, myotonometry was found to be a valid and reliable method to detect stiffness changes. No significant interplay between objective stiffness measures and subjective ratings of pain and stiffness was found. Throughout the studies, the variability of the group stiffness data was found to be high (CV = 25%). In comparison the intra-individual variability was low (CV = 3%). The high variability of the group stiffness data found at each timepoint precluded any meaningful comparison of the group stiffness data over time. Hence, a key recommendation for allied health settings is that myotonometry should only be used to assess and monitor stiffness changes in individual patients and not groups. A final consideration is that future work investigates methods to normalise stiffness data to reduce the high group stiffness variability. This may allow for meaningful comparison of group stiffness data.</p
Stochastic Stability Analysis of Renewable-Rich Power Systems
No full textThe increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into power systems has introduced significant challenges to power system stability. These sources, while efficient in power generation, exhibit unpredictable generation patterns that lead to supply fluctuations, thereby threatening the reliability of energy systems. This research project addresses these challenges through a multifaceted analysis of the impacts of intermittent renewable energy on power system stability, with a focus on identifying research gaps and proposing novel solutions. The significance of this study lies in its comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating the instability caused by renewable energy sources. Despite the growing adoption of renewables, there remains a critical gap in the literature regarding the probabilistic modelling of short-term generation patterns and their impact on system stability. This research fills this gap by conducting a short-term probabilistic analysis using three years of wind and photovoltaic generation data from Australian farms. Probability density distribution functions are developed based on realistic mathematical models, providing an accurate representation of renewable energy generation patterns. Furthermore, the study identifies continuous zero-generation conditions as a key factor that undermines the accuracy of short-term wind generation predictions, offering new insights into the variability of renewable energy sources. A novel contribution of this research is the exploration of steep short-term variations in renewable energy generation, known as steep variations, and their impact on system stability. By analysing daily generation data using probability density functions, the study identifies patterns of steep variations and conducts simulations to examine transient and frequency stability under extreme conditions. This analysis provides a deeper understanding of system behaviour and identifies potential causes of instability, which are critical for ensuring the reliability of power systems with high renewable penetration. The third stage of the study introduces a simulation model developed using the DIgSILENT PowerFactory platform, which assesses the stability of single and multiple WFs under extreme conditions. A mathematical model is also incorporated to evaluate system stability under varying levels of renewable penetration, with a focus on curtailing semi-scheduled renewable sources. This approach offers a novel framework for assessing and mitigating the risks associated with high renewable energy integration. The final phase of the research employs Monte Carlo simulations to determine the maximum stable deviation under complex conditions, integrating and validating data from previous stages. Additionally, the study utilises the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) algorithm to explore how short-term generation changes affect system stability, providing advanced predictive insights. The analysis is extended to the Australian Power Grid, with corresponding models developed for authenticity testing, ensuring the practical applicability of the findings. In conclusion, this study synthesises its findings to derive a value range correlated with the estimation of maximum stable deviation, influenced by standard deviations and clustering effects. The research not only highlights the challenges posed by intermittent renewable energy but also offers innovative solutions to enhance power system stability, contributing to the sustainable integration of renewable energy sources into modern power grids.</p