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ABS-derived boundary files
No full textOutput files generated from the code found here: github.com/alanboth/abs_boundaries</p
Evaluating Contaminant Levels in South Eastern Delphinids of Australia: Insights into the Toxicant Threats for the Burrunan Dolphin (Tursiops australis)
No full textMarine mammals, including dolphins, play a crucial role as sentinel species for monitoring the health of ecosystems, particularly in relation to toxicant accumulation. Due to their long lifespans, high trophic positions, and ability to store toxicants in their lipid-rich tissues, dolphins provide valuable insights into the types of pollutants entering marine environments and the potential impacts on biological systems. This thesis is the first study to provide a comprehensive assessment of toxicant body burdens in stranded dolphins from the south-east of Australia. It focuses on identifying the body burdens of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), trace metals, and lipophilic organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), resident dolphins found in south-east Australia, providing an understanding of toxicant dynamics across species, populations, and individuals.
The aims of this thesis were primarily to investigate relevant tissue samples for PFAS, PCBs, DDT and trace metals across three dolphin species within the region; the Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis), common bottlenose dolphin (T. truncatus), and the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Further, to establish demographic, geographic and temporal trends in toxicant accumulation. Within the region the three species fill different niches with the Burrunan dolphin having just two small, isolated populations with high site fidelity to in inshore waterways, whereas the common bottlenose dolphin and short-beaked common dolphin have almost global distribution and locally inhabit primarily oceanic off-shore or coastal waters. Using the results, the threat to each population was assessed against known health thresholds. Each population was then evaluated against previous studies in Australia and placed in a global context for contaminant accumulation in Cetacea. This thesis had a particular focus on the Burrunan dolphin, a critically endangered species, endemic to the region, described in 2011, with limited prior toxicological knowledge. The suitability of remote biopsy sampling of live Burrunan dolphin individuals was investigated for future toxicant assessments by analysing the potential stratification within the blubber layer for PCBs, DDT and trace elements and the correlation to internal tissues between skin and blubber for trace elements. Finally, this thesis also explores Australia’s historical and current use of toxicants, and the current toxicant management in the context of the results found, and overseas practices.
The findings revealed significant geographic and species-specific differences in toxicant body burdens, with the Burrunan dolphin demonstrating elevated body burdens when compared to the oceanic species (the common bottlenose dolphin and short-beaked common dolphin). This was particularly evident for PFAS, where the resident Burrunan dolphins were found to have 10 to 100 times higher PFAS levels in their liver compared to oceanic dolphins. Similar, but less pronounced, patterns were observed for the legacy Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) PCBs and DDTs. Trace metal accumulation, particularly for mercury (Hg), showed a different trend, with both inshore and offshore (oceanic) dolphin species displaying elevated concentrations, suggesting diverse sources of contamination. These variations are likely driven by habitat-specific factors, such as proximity to pollution sources and differences in dietary exposure.
This thesis placed the toxicant threat to south-east Australia's dolphin populations in a global context by evaluating contaminant levels against body burdens in dolphins from other regions. Further, comparing burdens to previously reported marine mammal toxicological thresholds, linked to health effects. The two Burrunan dolphin populations represented in the dataset have the highest reported global population concentrations of hepatic Σ25PFAS (Port Phillip Bay median 9,750 ng/g ww, n = 3, and Gippsland Lakes median 3,560 ng/g ww, n = 8), and included in the results is the highest reported individual Σ25PFAS (19,500 ng/g ww) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS, 18,700 ng/g ww) concentrations, at almost 30 % higher than any other Cetacea reported globally. Elevated hepatic Hg was found in Burrunan (62.5 – 4,990 mg/kg dw) and common bottlenose dolphins (102 – 1,770 mg/kg dw), also among the highest reported globally for dolphins. Individuals from all populations studied exceeded at least one critical health threshold for either PFOS, Hg, PCBs, and DDT, with some exceeding multiple investigated thresholds. This was particularly true for the Burrunan dolphin where three individuals exceeded all five thresholds, five exceeded three thresholds, eight exceeded two, and two exceeded one threshold, with only one individual remaining below all health thresholds. The widespread exceedance of these thresholds in a critically endangered species underscores the significant risks posed by toxicant exposure and the urgent need for effective conservation measures.
Demographic factors, including age and sex, also influenced toxicant accumulation. For example, while lipophilic contaminants like PCBs and DDT tended to increase with age due to bioaccumulation, PFAS levels were found to be higher in juvenile Burrunan dolphins than in adults. This pattern is likely due to metabolic differences, with adults potentially having greater capacity for PFAS excretion, maternal transfer, and growth dilution. Additionally, the thesis highlighted the correlation between toxicant levels and body length for non-essential trace elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and Hg.
A key aim of this research was to assess the suitability of remote biopsy sampling for monitoring contaminants in the Burrunan dolphin. Results indicated that remote biopsies could be effectively used to determine levels of trace elements, PCBs, and DDT, with the blubber portion providing a more reliable reflection of internal tissue concentrations than skin. Although stratification was observed for some contaminants, e.g., PCBs, copper (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), no stratification was found for total ΣDDT, As, Cd or Hg, indicating that blubber samples could provide valuable insights into contaminant body burdens.
Lastly, the findings highlighted potential regulatory gaps in Australia's toxicant management, particularly in relation to Hg and PFAS. Inconsistencies between state-level Hg regulations and global treaties have contributed to elevated contamination levels in the aquatic environments studied. Moreover, Australia's higher trigger values for toxicants compared to other industrialised nations raise concerns about the adequacy of current regulations in protecting marine species. This research calls for enhanced monitoring, stricter regulations, and further investigation into the sources and pathways of contaminants in Australian waters, particularly in the inshore habitats of the critically endangered Burrunan dolphin.</p
Community based approaches to intergenerational social connection
No full textThe InterGen Project was one of the first trials to develop a community-based approach to intergenerational social connection between older adults and teens in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) of Victoria.
A framework for intergenerational social connection was developed focusing on three elements in the healthy social connection model: people, places, and activities. The research explored how communities could facilitate healthy social connection between teens and older adults by managing these three elements. The project team partnered with five councils in the eastern metropolitan region of Victoria to co-develop and facilitate five context-specific intergenerational social connection programs.
The authors used participant observation, video interviews, and surveys to explore whether community-based approaches would contribute to successful, sustainable, and/or scalable intergenerational social connection programs
Effects of Infill Density, Layer Thickness and Raster Angle on Weight and Tensile Strength of PLA Products Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
No full textThis paper aims to deliver a study on the effect of process parameters on two objectives as weight and tensile strength of printed products. Experiments are conducted with different 3-level parameters as layer height (0.1, 0.15, 0.3 mm), infill percentage (20, 50, 80%), and raster angle (0°, 45°, 90°). Then, different methods are proposed to optimize process parameters. Taguchi's experimental design is applied in this paper to reduce the number of experiments, helping decrease cost. In detail, the weight and tensile strength of specimens are analyzed by the Taguchi method and ANOVA table. Then an optimal set of parameters is suggested for achieving a product with the best tensile strength and weight. Contribution analysis shows that infill density impacts weight and tensile strength most, with 88.7% and 39.1%, respectively. While raster angle also significantly influences tensile strength with a contribution of 36.2%, it almost has no impact on the weight variance. Layer height also is an influential factor. It affects tensile strength and weight with a contribution of 18.9% and 10.2%, respectively. For single-objective optimization, the best parameter combination for maximizing tensile strength is 0.1 mm layer height, 80% infill density, and 90o raster angles; and the optimal set for minimizing weight is 0.3 mm layer height, 20% infill density, and 90o raster angle. Besides, regression mathematic models for multi-objective optimization are constructed and evaluated for accuracy and reliability. Then, multi-objective optimization with a Genetic Algorithm is studied to identify an optimal trade-off set of parameters as advice to achieve suitable weight and tensile strength of the product according to users’ desire
Outcomes and Observations. Visit to IZO Official Translation and Terminology Services Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country
No full textThe December 2023 visit to the IZO Official Language and Terminology Services in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, presented a valuable outward facing opportunity for staff within the Department of Health and Aged Care (Health) to connect with an international
government administration. This collaboration allowed the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in engaging with communities of people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The exchange strongly aligns with the department's
commitment to inclusivity and excellence in service delivery.
The potential benefits arising from the visit and the ensuing observations extend beyond
improved communications to influencing the intercultural reach of Health’s broader
communication strategies and activities and serving as a model for other government
agencies.
In this report, we document the visit, our learnings, and the possible applications within
Health that could be applied to benefit:
• directly, Australia’s government communication
• downstream, through improved access to quality health information of vulnerable
groups, their health literacy, and
• finally, their health outcomes across a range of preventable conditions.</p
The only way out is through
No full textBackground The only way out is through (2024) is positioned within contemporary material and process-based art practices that critically engage with embodiment, transformation, and the tensions between natural and constructed environments. Drawing on discourse from material culture studies, craft theory, and emergent technologies in art, the exhibition contributes to ongoing explorations of how handcrafted and digitally mediated processes intersect to express complex notions of uncertainty and resilience. Influenced by scholars and practitioners investigating the agency of materials and the reconfiguration of natural imagery, the work addresses gaps in articulating nature as both inherently organic and culturally constructed through artistic materiality. Contribution Produced solely by the artist’s hand, The only way out is through presents a multifaceted practice integrating sand-cast aluminium letters derived from digitally designed handwriting fonts, 3D printed and cast by the artist; cast glass forms; tapestry and digital hand weaving; and curated photographic image collections spanning years of observation. These diverse media and techniques converge to form intimate collections that explore nature’s dual status as natural and constructed. The exhibition’s research-driven processes foreground the interplay between traditional craft, digital fabrication, and photographic reimagining, expanding knowledge on the material negotiation of conceptual themes through tactility and process. This body of work advances understanding of how handmade and technological practices can collaboratively navigate shifting landscapes of meaning and experience. Significance Supported by the highly competitive 2023 Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) from Arts Queensland, The only way out is through embodies a rigorous practice-led research methodology that situates contemporary craft and digital fabrication within critical environmental and material discourses. The artist’s sole authorship and diverse media use demonstrate technical proficiency and conceptual coherence, reinforcing the significance of integrated material approaches in contemporary art. The exhibition contributes to debates on the intersection of natural and constructed representations of environment, offering nuanced insights relevant to scholars and practitioners in material culture, environmental art, and craft studies. Its 2024 presentation advances conversations about resilience, transformation, and the negotiation of uncertainty through embodied, multisensory artistic processes.</p
The Honoured Guest
No full textResearch background: This research was in the context of food and culture, specifically exploring the intersection of shared food rituals and the vessels used for serving food. The relationship between food and vessels has established many collaborations between chefs and ceramicists. Ben Shewry of Attica restaurant and Dan Hunter from Brae restaurant both talk about the importance and intimacy that the food and vessels share. Both work with ceramicists who design and custom make tableware which enhances the culinary experience. Research contribution: This work, The Honoured Guest…, explored the intersection of food, cultural rituals, and the objects used in those rituals. The work emerged from the collaboration between ceramicist and chef, focusing on how the object can transform the experience of sharing food. Using the tiffin, a ubiquitous, stackable, portable food vessel as a starting point, I reimagined it as a three-tiered vessel in white translucent porcelain, containing a vegetarian thali lunch for one, which was then wrapped in a knotted cloth bundle dyed with turmeric. The three tiers of the vessel suggest the layers of connection between individuals, communities, and cultures. The cloth, dyed yellow with turmeric is commonly used in Indian cuisine, was chosen not only for its vibrant color but also for its cultural and sensory significance. The use of turmeric here extends beyond visual aesthetics, incorporating smell and memory into the experience, creating a multi-sensory encounter that deepens the connection between food, culture, and identity. Research Significance: The artwork the honoured guest… was one of twelve works selected by Chef Peter Gilmore and The Australian Ceramic Association for the exhibition Tabled, at Manly Art Gallery and Museum NSW. The exhibition showcased works made by thirteen ceramicists selected nationally, each working in collaboration with a chef, cook or artisan food producer. Inclusion in this exhibition highlighted the relevance of my research. A catalogue of the exhibition was published in the Journal of Australian Ceramics.</p
Downside Risk in Australian and Japanese Stock Markets: Evidence Based on the Expectile Regression
No full textThe expectile-based Value at Risk (EVaR) has gained popularity as it is more sensitive to the magnitude of extreme losses than the conventional quantile-based VaR (QVaR). This paper applies the expectile regression approach to evaluate the EVaR of stock market indices of Australia and Japan. We use an expectile regression model that considers lagged returns and common risk factors to calculate the EVaR for each stock market and to evaluate the interdependence of downside risk between the two markets. Our findings suggest that both Australian and Japanese stock markets are affected by their past development and the international stock markets. Additionally, ASX 200 index has significant impact on Nikkei 225 in terms of downside tail risk, while the impact of Nikkei 225 on ASX is not significant.</p
The International Expansion of Chinese MNEs in Developed Markets: A Surfboard Perspective
No full textThe international landscape has changed remarkably in the last decade. This fast-changing business context necessitates the re-examination of the IB theories for Chinese MNEs’ internationalization in developed markets within the current volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) setting. In this paper, we firstly propose a novel term of ‘Western Shock’ to elucidate the unpleasant encounters and barriers Chinese MNEs are experiencing in developed markets. Furthermore, drawing on the springboard perspective and dynamic capabilities theory, we introduce a ‘surfboard perspective’ to help researchers and practitioners better understand the motives and behaviours of Chinese MNEs’ internationalization during the ‘post-springboard’ phase.</p
Equilibrium optimizer-based harmony search algorithm with nonlinear dynamic domains and its application to real-world optimization problems
No full textHarmony Search (HS) algorithm is a swarm intelligence algorithm inspired by musical improvisation. Although HS has been applied to various engineering problems, it faces challenges such as getting trapped in local optima, slow convergence speed, and low optimization accuracy when applied to complex problems. To address these issues, this paper proposes an improved version of HS called Equilibrium Optimization-based Harmony Search Algorithm with Nonlinear Dynamic Domains (EO-HS-NDD). EO-HS-NDD integrates multiple leadership-guided strategies from the Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) algorithm, using harmony memory considering disharmony and historical harmony memory, while leveraging the hidden guidance direction information from the Equilibrium Optimizer. Additionally, the algorithm designs a nonlinear dynamic convergence domain to adaptively adjust the search space size and accelerate convergence speed. Furthermore, to balance exploration and exploitation capabilities, appropriate adaptive adjustments are made to Harmony Memory Considering Rate (HMCR) and Pitch Adjustment Rate (PAR). Experimental validation on the CEC2017 test function set demonstrates that EO-HS-NDD outperforms HS and nine other HS variants in terms of robustness, convergence speed, and optimization accuracy. Comparisons with advanced versions of the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm also indicate that EO-HS-NDD exhibits superior solving capabilities. Moreover, EO-HS-NDD is applied to solve 15 real-world optimization problems from CEC2020 and compared with advanced algorithms from the CEC2020 competition. The experimental results show that EO-HS-NDD performs well in solving real-world optimization problems.</p