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A Case Study of Media Tensions in Solomon Islands, China, and Australia
No full textThe need for trusted transnational broadcasters to provide journalism to other countries is demonstrated with a case study of Solomon Islands. This small island state has attracted considerable international media attention since it switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. This chapter acknowledges the value of support from transnational broadcasters, including aid which supports local media workers with training and partnerships. We focus on Solomon Islands as a case study as it is one of a number of Indo-Pacific nations with a weak democracy and struggling media sector that has been specifically targeted for help from countries such as China, Australia and Japan
Informal care policy: Needs of older people and people with disability or chronic illness
No full textIn this chapter, we first discuss the history of informal care for older people and people with disability or chronic illness. Then we examine the policy architecture of aged care in Australia, then disability care and support services. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the current policy tensions and debates and potential avenues for change
Misora Hibari in Kōhaku Utagassen: From Modernity to Immortality
No full textThis chapter examines the shifting status of Japanese singer Misora Hibari 美空ひばり (1937–89) in Japan’s long-running televised song contest, Kōhaku Utagassen 紅白歌合戦 (Red and White Song Contest). We begin by discussing Hibari’s significance in Japan’s post-war music history before chronologising her live Kōhaku song performances. Next we consider how she is memorialised in death, typically via video montages, cover songs, via substitute performers and in posthumous duets in Kōhaku. This culminates in the 2019 digital resurrection of Hibari for the 70th contest through the holographic ‘AI Hibari’, created using Vocaloid technology. We show how AI Hibari’s performance of the custom-composed song “Arekara” あれから (Ever Since Then) serves to perpetuate a sense of her immortality
Is leveraging AI and Big Data in Organizations a Myth? A Systematic Literature Review
No full textOver the past decades, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data has been instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency, user engagement, and strategic decision making across organizations, institutions, and companies.
However, despite the growth and discussions on AI and big data driven research whether empirical or conceptual there seem to be myths and overhype regarding the impact of AI and big data. Therefore, this study aims to delve into research across diverse fields and contexts, focusing on the adoption of natural language processing (NLP). Thus, this
study seeks to answer the broader question: Is leveraging AI and big data in organizations or business practices a myth?
To explore this question further, this study provides a systematic literature review across interdisciplinary subjects, focusing on articles published between 2014 and 2024 . This allows for a decade long examination of AI and big data. Furthermore, the study will focus on AI concepts, NLP, user involvement, and the operational and strategic use of AI and big data. Through the literature review, the study will further explore specific streams, conflicting discussions, and dimensions.
Overall, this study aims to review AI and big data concepts that will fundamentally contribute to the information systems
(IS) field by highlighting important concepts and practices for future research trajectories. This will help researchers and
practitioners reconcile the myths and verities of AI and big data.</p
Solving Two-stage Quadratic Multiobjective Problems via Optimality and Relaxations
No full textThis paper focuses on the study of robust two-stage quadratic multiobjective optimization problems. We formulate new necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for a robust two-stage multiobjective optimization problem. The obtained optimality conditions are presented by means of linear matrix inequalities and thus they can be numerically validated by using a semidefinite programming problem. The proposed optimality conditions can be elaborated further as second-order conic expressions for robust two-stage quadratic multiobjective optimization problems with separable functions and ellipsoidal uncertainty sets. We also propose relaxation schemes for finding a (weak) efficient solution of the robust two-stage multiobjective problem by employing associated semidefinite programming or second-order cone programming relaxations. Moreover, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the solution variety of our flexible models and the numerical verifiability of the proposed schemes.</p
Continuum
No full textResearch Background This research investigates the phenomenological experience of transit spaces through large-scale sculptural intervention, examining how abstract geometric forms can materialize concepts of space, time, and human emotion within urban infrastructure. The project responds to the unique context of Martin Place Station as a site of continuous movement, temporal compression, and heightened affect. Drawing on mathematical topologies—specifically the Möbius strip and Klein bottle—the research explores how non-orientable surfaces and impossible geometries can function as metaphors for the cyclical, boundary-dissolving nature of contemporary transit experience. The work builds upon established practices in site-specific installation art while extending investigations into how monumental scale and material contrast (acrylic, bronze, brass, stainless steel, ceramic) can transform utilitarian infrastructure into spaces of contemplation and social congregation. Research Significance This project makes a significant contribution to understanding how public art can activate transit infrastructure beyond decorative function, addressing the psychological and temporal dimensions of commuter experience. By deploying charismatic geometric forms across multiple spatial nodes—entrance foyers, platform halls, and circulation routes—the research demonstrates how sculptural intervention can create cognitive disruptions within routine movement patterns, generating moments of wonderment and spatial awareness. The work's significance lies in its integration of mathematical abstraction with embodied experience, proposing that enigmatic forms can serve as both wayfinding markers and contemplative anchors within high-traffic environments. This research addresses the gap between functional architecture and affective experience, demonstrating how art can transform spaces of transit into sites of memory formation and social connection. Research Contribution The research contributes new knowledge about the capacity of topological geometries to operate as public monuments in contemporary urban contexts. Through material experimentation—contrasting the flat ceramic handmade tiled wall mural with the three-dimensional reflective singularity of the Möbius strip, and juxtaposing these with suspended metallic forms—the project establishes a methodology for creating multi-site installations that function as unified conceptual systems while responding to specific architectural conditions. The work advances understanding of how scale transformation (from mathematical notation to monumental form) can defamiliarize abstract concepts, making them accessible to diverse publics. This research demonstrates how sculptural installations can choreograph movement and attention within transit architecture, contributing to knowledge about the social and experiential potential of public art commissioning in major infrastructure projects.</p
Voluntary postural sway control and mobility in adults with low back pain
No full textIntroduction: Low back pain (LBP) is associated with altered somatosensory perception, which is involved in both involuntary and voluntary control of posture. Currently, there is a lack of methods and tools for assessing somatosensory acuity in patients with LBP. The purpose of this study was (1) to assess the reliability of the sway discrimination apparatus (SwayDA) (2) to evaluate the differences in somatosensory acuity between patients with LBP and pain-free individuals, and (3) to examine relationships between somatosensory acuity, severity of LBP, and mobility in patients with LBP. Methods: Twenty participants (10 patients with LBP and 10 matched asymptomatic controls) were recruited in a test–retest reliability test. Another 56 participants were recruited for this study with 28 individuals presenting with LBP and a further twenty-eight being asymptomatic. The SwayDA was custom-built to measure somatosensory perception during voluntary anterior–posterior (SwayDA-AP), medial-lateral to the dominant side (SwayDA-ML-D), and non-dominant side (SwayDA-ML-ND) postural sway control. Participants also completed mobility tests, including 10 times and 1-min sit-to-stand tests (10-STS, 1 m-STS). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify somatosensory acuity in discriminating different voluntary postural sway extents. Results: The ICC (2.1) for the SwayDA-AP, SwayDA-ML-D, and SwayDA-ML-ND were 0.741, 0.717, and 0.805 with MDC95 0.071, 0.043, and 0.050. Patients with LBP demonstrated significantly lower SwayDA scores (tSwayDA-AP = −2.142, p = 0.037; tSwayDA-ML-D = -2.266, p = 0.027) than asymptomatic controls. The AUC values of the SwayDA-AP test were significantly correlated with ODI (rSwayDA-AP-ODI = −0.391, p = 0.039). Performances on the 1 m-STS and the 10-STS were significantly correlated with the AUC scores from all the SwayDA tests (−0.513 ≤ r ≤ 0.441, all p < 0.05). Discussion: The SwayDA tests evaluated showed acceptable reliability in assessing somatosensory acuity during voluntary postural sway. Somatosensory acuity was diminished in patients with LBP compared to asymptomatic controls. In patients with LBP, lower somatosensory acuity was associated with increased LBP-related disability. Future research could focus on investigating the factors contributing to the decreased somatosensory perception and mobility in individuals with LBP
Enhancing Green Ammonia Electrosynthesis Through Tuning Sn Vacancies in Sn-Based MXene/MAX Hybrids
No full textRenewable energy driven N2 electroreduction with air as nitrogen source holds great promise for realizing scalable green ammonia production. However, relevant out-lab research is still in its infancy. Herein, a novel Sn-based MXene/MAX hybrid with abundant Sn vacancies, Sn@Ti2CT X/Ti2SnC–V, was synthesized by controlled etching Sn@Ti2SnC MAX phase and demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst for electrocatalytic N2 reduction. Due to the synergistic effect of MXene/MAX heterostructure, the existence of Sn vacancies and the highly dispersed Sn active sites, the obtained Sn@Ti2CT X/Ti2SnC–V exhibits an optimal NH3 yield of 28.4 µg h−1 mgcat−1 with an excellent FE of 15.57% at − 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M Na2SO4, as well as an ultra-long durability. Noticeably, this catalyst represents a satisfactory NH3 yield rate of 10.53 µg h−1 mg−1 in the home-made simulation device, where commercial electrochemical photovoltaic cell was employed as power source, air and ultrapure water as feed stock. The as-proposed strategy represents great potential toward ammonia production in terms of financial cost according to the systematic technical economic analysis. This work is of significance for large-scale green ammonia production. [MediaObject not available: see fulltext.
Perceived comfort and tool usability during robot-assisted and traditional laparoscopic surgery: a survey study
No full textIt is known that over half of previously surveyed surgeons performing Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (RALS) and three-quarters of those performing Traditional Laparoscopic Surgery (TLS) experience intraoperative pain. This survey study aimed to expand upon the ongoing impact of that pain as well as perceived tool usability associated with TLS and RALS, for which considerably less documentation exists. A survey regarding the presence and impact, either immediate or ongoing, of intraoperative pain and Likert scale questions regarding tool usability was administered to TLS and RALS surgeons on the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) mailing list. Prevalence statistics as well as trends based on biological sex and glove size were obtained from the 323 responses. Most respondents were right-handed European males (83−88%) with a medium glove size (55.8%). Moderate or severe shoulder symptoms were experienced by one-third of TLS surgeons. Twenty-one percent of RALS surgeons experienced neck symptoms that impacted their concentration. Small-handed surgeons experienced wrist symptoms significantly more frequently than large-handed surgeons, regardless of modality. RALS was associated with a significantly more optimal back and wrist posture compared to TLS. TLS surgeons reported increased ease with applying and moderating force while operating. These results suggest that intraoperative pain may be severe enough in many cases to interfere with surgeon concentration, negatively impacting patient care. Continuing to understand the relationship between tool usability and comfort is crucial in guaranteeing the health and well-being of both surgeons and patients
Evaluating the pedestrian level of service for varying trip purposes using machine learning algorithms
No full textThe pedestrians' feeling of comfort while walking on footpaths varies according to the time of day, environment, and the purpose of the trip. The quality of service offered by pedestrian facilities such as walkways, intersections, and public places is evaluated by the Pedestrian level of service (PLOS) and has been measured from time to time, to upgrade and maintain the sustainable travel choice of people. This paper aims to focus on the level of service based on three main trip purposes such as work, education, and recreation, while considering various path characteristics and pedestrian flow characteristics that affect the pedestrian's feeling of comfort on the walkways. The data has been collected using pedestrian questionnaire surveys and pedestrian sensors in the Melbourne central business district and the significant factors that influence the PLOS for each trip purpose will be chosen using the Mutual Information gain, which is found to be different for each trip purpose. The major influencing factors that affect the PLOS will be used to develop machine learning models for three trip purposes separately using Random Forest and Light-GBM algorithm in Python. The accuracy of prediction using the light GBM model is 0.74 for education, 0.80 for recreation, and 0.70 for work trip purposes. It is found using SHAP which stands for Shapely Additive explanations that the factors such as interpersonal distance, distance from vehicles, construction sites, vehicle volume, traffic noise, and footpath surface are the most influencing variables that affect the PLOS based on three different trip purposes