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The Other Other Ginger Spice: Becoming a Creative Queer with Wigs, Friends, and Video in Post-Joh Queensland
No full textThis essay explores how music video aesthetics and remix practices shaped my creative and collaborative identity as a queer filmmaker, artist, and educator. In particular, I trace how my observation of remix, found footage, parody, and queer aesthetics in the Spice Girls’ “Say You’ll Be There” and Pauline Pantsdown’s “I Don’t Like It” influenced me to continue exploring the creative potential of the music video form and to develop my own filmmaking practice. By tracing such links, I highlight how reflecting on such creative experiences and practices can offer insight into how we learn to think with, for and through screen and media works. In doing so, I argue that autoethnographic methods enable better understandings of how filmmaking, kinship-making, and identity formation processes might be thought of as co-constitutive. For me, reflecting on these formative experiences has brought a new appreciation for the significance of the music video form in my development as both a queer person and a creative practitioner; it was with and through music videos that I connected with peers and developed confidence in myself.</p
Spatially precise activation of the mouse cochlea with a multi-channel hybrid cochlear implant
No full textObjective. Cochlear implants are among the few clinical interventions for people with severe or profound hearing loss. However, current spread during monopolar electrical stimulation results in poor spectral resolution, prompting the exploration of optical stimulation as an alternative approach. Enabled by introducing light-sensitive ion channels into auditory neurons (optogenetics), optical stimulation has been shown to activate a more discrete neural area with minimal overlap between each frequency channel during simultaneous stimulation. However, the utility of optogenetic approaches is uncertain due to the low fidelity of responses to light and high-power requirements compared to electrical stimulation. Approach. Hybrid stimulation, combining sub-threshold electrical and optical pulses, has been shown to improve fidelity and use less light, but the impact on spread of activation and channel summation using a translatable, multi-channel hybrid implant is unknown. This study examined these factors during single channel and simultaneous multi-channel hybrid stimulation in transgenic mice expressing the ChR2/H134R opsin. Acutely deafened mice were implanted with a hybrid cochlear array containing alternating light emitting diodes and platinum electrode rings. Spiking activity in the inferior colliculus was recorded during electrical-only or hybrid stimulation in which optical and electrical stimuli were both at sub-threshold intensities. Thresholds, spread of activation, and threshold shifts during simultaneous hybrid stimulation were compared to electrical-only stimulation. Main results. The electrical current required to reach activation threshold during hybrid stimulation was reduced by 7.3 dB compared to electrical-only stimulation (p < 0.001). The activation width measured at two levels of discrimination above threshold and channel summation during simultaneous hybrid stimulation were significantly lower compared to electrical-only stimulation (p < 0.05), but there was no spatial advantage of hybrid stimulation at higher electrical stimulation levels. Significance. Reduced channel interaction would facilitate multi-channel simultaneous stimulation, thereby enhancing the perception of temporal fine structure which is crucial for music and speech in noise.</p
Test and tune: evaluating, adjusting and optimising the stiffness of hydrogels to influence cell fate
No full textThe use of bioequivalent hydrogels in tissue engineering (TE) is enabling 3D tissue-like scaffolds capable of reproducing the sophistication of natural cell–matrix interactions. Alongside the common concerns of chemical function, it is crucial that hydrogels have suitable mechanical properties, particularly stiffness, to create a complete biomimetic environment for cell development. Non-covalent biocompatible hydrogels are often too soft, while stiffer, covalently crosslinked materials may have challenging microenvironments in which porosity and residual chemicals can be problematic. If the potential of hydrogel-based TE to be realised, design strategies need to be carefully considered to achieve desirable end-use biomechanical properties. This review is intended for a cross-disciplinary readership; we discuss recent successes in bioengineering hydrogel stiffness, where materials that are responsive to cell inputs are used to explore the relationship between substrate stiffness and cellular fate commitment. We discuss the most popular measurements for mechanical studies, and outline optimal substrate stiffness for different cells. We summarise recent advanced studies on tuning stiffness and highlight future challenges challenges to address.</p
Innovative Smartphone Technology for Assessment of Ankle Proprioception in Chronic Ankle Instability
No full textChronic ankle instability (CAI) is a leading cause of chronic musculoskeletal impairment affecting the lower limbs. It is characterised by impaired locomotor function and reduced ankle proprioception, which can heighten the injury risk in lower-limb-dominant sports activities; decrease individuals’ physical activity levels and overall quality of life. Function-oriented rehabilitation is acknowledged as a first-line intervention for managing CAI, underscoring the crucial role of functional assessments for validated and reliable measurement to guide monitoring and personalised treatment interventions that mitigate re-injury. However, a major gap exists regarding the clinical applicability of existing functional assessments for CAI populations. Although numerous assessments targeting ankle mobility and motor-task performance are used, their measurement properties have not been thoroughly validated in CAI. Furthermore, deficits in ankle proprioception have been identified as a key factor contributing to the development and persistence of CAI, highlighting the need for comprehensive evaluation and targeted intervention. Despite this, most proprioception assessments are restricted to laboratory settings and depend on bulky, expensive equipment, limiting their clinical utility. Therefore, this thesis aims to evaluate the use of function-oriented assessments for individuals with CAI, with particular emphasis on advancing the clinical evaluation of ankle proprioception.This research begins with a bibliometric analysis, followed by three experimental studies designed to evaluate the clinometric properties of existing functional tests and a newly developed device for measurement of ankle proprioception assessment in individuals with and without CAI. The bibliometric analysis presented in Chapter 1 part B based on CAI-related literature published up to the end of 2023, revealed several key findings: first, research interest in CAI is increasing globally; second, authors and institutions based in the United States dominate both publication volume and academic influence; third, there is a clear shift in research focus from structural to functional concerns; and fourth, future research directions are likely to emphasise epidemiological studies involving diverse cohorts and the adoption of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. This review provides the necessary background and developmental trajectory for focusing on function-oriented assessment in CAI, thereby strengthening the rationale of this thesis.Following this, the study presented in Chapter 2 evaluated the test-retest reliability and known-group validity of a battery of function-oriented tests in a CAI population. Twenty-four participants with unilateral CAI were recruited. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic ankles of each participant were tested three times. Assessments included ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) measured with a goniometer under non-weight-bearing conditions, the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), dynamic balance assessed by the three-direction star excursion balance test (SEBT), and ankle proprioception evaluated through the active movement extent discrimination assessment (AMEDA). The study found that test-retest reliability was influenced by CAI pathology, with the asymptomatic side showing generally higher intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), compared to the symptomatic side across testing sessions. WBLT and SEBT demonstrated good to excellent reliability on both sides, supporting their use for assessing ankle dorsiflexion mobility and dynamic balance clinically. In contrast, AMEDA showed only moderate reliability for the symptomatic side and good reliability for the asymptomatic side, with no difference in proprioceptive performance detected between the two sides. This characteristic complicates the establishment of clinical benchmarks based on the unaffected contralateral side in unilateral CAI patients. Furthermore, unlike the other assessments which are more clinically accessible, AMEDA typically requires bulky, customised, and costly equipment, limiting its feasibility in clinical practice. Hence, the clinical applicability of AMEDA-based apparatus is considered low.Acknowledging the potential of smartphone technology to enhance clinical assessment due to its portability, popularity, and cost-effectiveness, this thesis addresses the current shortcomings of smartphone-based ankle proprioception assessments in methodology and clinical accessibility, which remain in an exploratory stage with theoretical and practical concerns. Based on the principle of movement extent discrimination, an innovative smartphone application called Smartphone Proprioception for Ankle Navigation (SPAN) was designed and developed. In Chapter 4, the test-retest reliability of SPAN and the influence of a new concept; position exposure time (PET), i.e. the required duration for holding a preset movement terminal in each trial, on ankle proprioception performance was investigated in a cohort of healthy adults. Twenty-four participants underwent SPAN testing under four PET conditions—0.25s, 0.5s, 0.75s, and 1.0s—and were retested within one week. The results showed associations between PET, proprioceptive performance, and SPAN reliability, with ICCs ranging from 0.473 to 0.897. Notably, the shortest PET (0.25s) yielded near-excellent reliability but the lowest proprioception accuracy. The prolongation of PET improved proprioceptive performance but also increased variability across sessions. These findings suggest the feasibility of SPAN as an ankle proprioception assessment tool and highlight its sensitivity to temporal parameters.To further validate the use of SPAN in a clinical CAI population, the study presented in Chapter 5 conducted between-day test-retest and cross-sectional comparisons involving 24 unilateral CAI patients paired with 24 healthy controls. Testing was performed under two PET conditions (0.25s and 1.0s). The study found that the ankle proprioception measured under the 1.0s PET condition demonstrated moderate to good test-retest reliability, effectively discriminated symptomatic ankles from asymptomatic ones both from the same individuals and the healthy controls, and showed significant positive correlation with perceived severity of ankle instability. These results further support SPAN’s utility as a portable proprioception assessment instrument and indicate that proprioceptive deficits in CAI are PET-related, providing insight for rehabilitation strategies. Specifically, neuromuscular training that incorporates position-holding may be critical for restoring proprioceptive function in CAI patients.In summary, this thesis provides a scholarly contribution to the valid and reliable assessment of individuals with CAI that may also inform personalised intervention and rehabilitation by (1) establishing clinical benchmarks of reliability and validity for existing functional assessments in CAI populations and (2) introducing and validating a novel, smartphone-based proprioception assessment tool—SPAN—that offers a practical, scalable solution for clinical evaluation. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of integrating reliable, accessible, and patient-centred assessment tools into CAI rehabilitation. Future research should investigate SPAN’s clinical responsiveness in CAI rehabilitation, expanding its application to other lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders, and exploring its potential use as a training or biofeedback device within proprioception-focused protocols.</p
Molecular Modelling of Protein–Surface Interactions for Designing Nanomaterials in Biomedicine
No full textFundamental understanding of the interactions between proteins and surfaces is essential for designing nanomaterials for targeted biomedical applications. Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) techniques and various enhanced sampling algorithms have been developed to amplify the exploration of diverse intermolecular interactions and conformational energy landscapes of biologically relevant systems, including proteins, lipidic assemblies, DNA, and interfaces of the biomolecules with inorganic surfaces and nanoparticles. The molecular insights into complex (bio-nano) systems afforded by these methods are valuable for supporting, rationalising, and/or complementing experimental data. This PhD research utilises advanced modelling techniques to gain molecular insights into the interactions between proteins and surfaces, focusing on nanomaterial-based strategies for diabetes. The research examines the interactions between the amyloidogenic protein amylin and graphene-based nanomaterials to design preventative strategies for protein fibrillation, a process associated with the onset of type II diabetes. Furthermore, the research explores the interactions between insulin and gold nanoparticles functionalised with specific proteins called affibodies to design insulin detection devices. Overall, the fundamental insights gained from these theoretical investigations support the development of nanomaterial-based strategies for targeted therapeutic and sensing applications.</p
Who Really Leads? A Qualitative Exploration of Gender Equity in Leadership of Australian Newsrooms
No full textWhile recent research shows that women’s leadership in Australian newsrooms has grown, we have little understanding of how this change may have impacted career opportunities for women, or the newsroom more broadly. We draw from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with editorial leaders in newsrooms across Australia to understand how editorial leaders perceive the impact of women’s leadership on newsrooms. We find that Australian newsrooms have transformed in the last decade, with women dominating editorial leadership and staffing that is more reflective of gender equity. However, the interview data make clear that there are two exceptions—firstly, the executive C-suite of most mainstream news organisations is still dominated by men, and secondly, women’s leadership across reporting topics is still dominated by soft news. We, thus, provide evidence of just how much women’s editorial leadership roles appear to have resolved some of the gendered divisions in Australian newsrooms and the journalism they produce.</p
A Practice-Based Methodology for Capturing Embodied Gesture-Rhythm Relations in Small Datasets
No full textThis paper introduces a practice-centered methodology for building gesture and
rhythmic phrase datasets to support music composition and performance. Rooted in
individual investigations into gestural sensor use for sculpting rhythmic expression
in electronic music, the approach integrates an improvisation analysis method devel-
oped by Rodrigo Constanzo with sound-tracing workflows. The resulting three-part
dataset—comprising audio recordings, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and elec-
tromyogram (EMG) sensor data, and rich qualitative commentary—provides a
flexible framework for merging embodied musical intuition with machine learning
techniques. Positioned within the context of small-data AI, this work offers a
nuanced, artist-centered contribution toward integrating qualitative and quantitative
insights into ML-assisted systems for creative and expressive applications.</p
Marburg virus disease outbreak in Tanzania, 2023–2025
No full textThe World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the United Republic of Tanzania, with several reported cases on January 10, 2025. Kagera region emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak due to significant cross-border activities with Lake Victoria on the east, Rwanda to the west, Uganda north, and Burundi southwest. On 20 January Tanzania officially confirmed the MVD outbreak. By 28 January, the last death, ten cases were reported (two confirmed, eight probables; all died); updated until 12 March. </p
Seeing it first-hand: interpreters’ insights from working with LGBTIQA+ individuals settling in Australia
No full textThis article uses the interpreter’s perspective to explore communication challenges arising from linguistic and cultural discordances faced by LGBTIQA+ migrants when accessing public services in Australia. Drawing on qualitative data collected through interviews with 24 interpreters working across 12 languages, this research reveals the multidimensional complexities of language mediation in encounters involving gender and sexual identity. The findings highlight three key challenges: (1) linguistic barriers, including the absence of standardised translated LGBTIQA+ terminology and difficulties with the use of pronouns; (2) cultural challenges, where interpreters need to strike a balance between linguistic accuracy and cultural sensitivity; and (3) the emotional burden borne by interpreters as a result of their exposure to sensitive, traumatic, or emotionally charged narratives. To address these issues, the study recommends developing multilingual LGBTIQA+ glossaries, improving interpreters’ access to briefings, and incorporating LGBTIQA+ topics into interpreter training and education. These measures aim to foster equitable, dignified communication for LGBTIQA+ migrants in Australia.</p