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Development and Testing of a Comprehensive Supply Chain Security Framework
No full textThis research aims to address the lack of a comprehensive supply chain security framework which can be used by supply chain nodes (businesses) in order to develop customised solutions to their Supply Chain Security (SCS) challenges. Despite playing a critical role for Supply Chain Management (SCM), existing studies on SCS are mainly focused on micro-level operational risk management while overlooking macro-level tactical and strategic considerations and also overlooking the integration of advanced technologies to address security challenges. This research identifies this lack of a technology based holistic SCS framework and combines strategic, tactical, and operational elements in order to address security needs across a variety of supply chain nodes.The primary aim of this research is to work on the development and testing of a novel SCS framework – referred to as the SQIR framework (Safety, Quality, Integrity, and Resiliency). The SQIR framework is designed to offer supply chain operators with a standardised structure for the designing of custom Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based SCS solutions. These solutions combine risk assessments at macro levels (geostrategic, regulatory) and micro levels (industry-specific, node-specific) while also leveraging the use of disruptive technologies and managerial best practices in order to enhance SCS.The principal objectives of this research consist of the following:Analysing SCM software in a bid to identify ICT functionalities relevant to SCS.Mapping of the capabilities that novel technologies offer for application in SQIR.Identifying risks across supply chain processes through comprehensive mapping.Conduction of a literature review of global SCS practices, standards, and regulation.Development and application of a survey to evaluate SCS strategies within the Mauritian hotel industry.Designing and testing of the SQIR framework to address identified SCS challenges.The research also further explores the application of ICT in SCS beyond operational level risk management. It studies how novel, innovative technologies, such as 3D printing and smart supply chain systems, enhance adaptability and resilience in modern supply chains. Thus, the SQIR framework addresses both micro-level risks and macro-level risks, in the process, offering a unified approach to SCS.Through the development and application of the SQIR framework, the research contributes to the SCM field by providing a robust tool which supply chain operators can use to design nodespecific technological solutions tailored to their specific SCS needs. The SQIR framework is validated through its application in the Mauritian hotel industry and thus showing its adaptability in enhancing SCS, resiliency, and integrity.</p
Workplace Incivility and Employee Well‐Being in the Hospitality Industry in Pakistan: A Moderated Mediation Model
No full textDrawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study empirically investigates the impact of workplace incivility on employee well‐being through the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the hotel industry of Pakistan. The moderating roles of emotional intelligence and resilience were also tested. Data were collected from 337 hotel employees in Pakistan and analysed using SPSS and PLSc‐SEM. Results from two‐wave data revealed that workplace incivility significantly influences emotional exhaustion and employee well‐being. Emotional intelligence and resilience significantly moderate the relationships between workplace incivility, emotional exhaustion, and employee well‐being. The findings advance our understanding of personal cognitive factors that can help employees cope with social stressors at work and shed light on prevention and intervention strategies for improving well‐being in non‐Western contexts.</p
Optoelectronic Vision for Neuromorphic Architecture and Multi-spectral deep learning for Biomedical Imaging
No full textThe increasing demand for energy-efficient and adaptive computing is pushing conventional silicon-based architectures to their limits. As devices become more compact and power constraints intensify, traditional electronic systems struggle to deliver the efficiency and scalability required for modern applications in neuromorphic computing, artificial vision, and biomedical sensing. Biological neural networks offer an energy-efficient alternative, inspiring new computing paradigms that integrate optoelectronic synapses, spiking neural networks (SNNs), and spectral deep learning. However, realizing hardware-driven neuromorphic intelligence remains a challenge due to instabilities in memory retention, inefficient spiking neuron implementations, and limited spectral data utilization in biomedical classification.We address these challenges by developing a platform neural network scheme that stabilizes conductance states in optoelectronic synapses, mitigating the natural decay of memory in photoactive materials. This approach, validated using black phosphorus (BP) and doped indium oxide (In₂O₃) devices, significantly improves memory retention and energy efficiency without requiring additional power-intensive training techniques. Our findings establish a scalable foundation for adaptive, light-driven artificial synapses in neuromorphic computing.Further, we demonstrate the realization of artificial neurons using monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), enabling biologically inspired leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) behavior. By engineering its photoelectric response and charge dynamics, we create a hardware-based spiking neuron that integrates seamlessly into neuromorphic vision systems. Deployed in spiking neural networks (SNNs), these neurons enable low-power static and dynamic image classification, demonstrating robust performance in datasets such as CIFAR-10 and DVS128 gesture recognition.Extending these principles to biomedical applications, we leverage multi-spectral imaging (MSI) and 3D convolutional neural networks (3D-CNNs) to improve cell classification accuracy. By incorporating spectral and spatial feature extraction, our approach optimizes wavelength selection for deep learning-based biomedical diagnostics, enhancing classification sensitivity in medical imaging.These advancements contribute to the development of low-power, biologically inspired artificial intelligent (AI) systems, paving the way for scalable neuromorphic hardware, intelligent vision sensors, and energy-efficient biomedical computing.</p
Is this still good? Using visual cues to address consumer confusion and reduce food waste
No full textHousehold food waste makes up a large part of global food waste. Consumer confusion about packaging information causes unnecessary disposal of edible food. Fixing this could reduce waste and alleviate pressure on the food system. Consumers often misinterpret and misunderstand information on packaging due to ambiguous, inconsistent, or unclear information and limited knowledge, which complicates decision-making. Packaging serves as a complex communication tool with coded messages about safety, quality, and values, making it harder for consumers to interpret. Brian’s research looks into how confusion occurs and how visual cues and visual codes influence food waste decisions. By investigating how design can improve the clarity and presentation of information on packaging labels, consumers can make better-informed choices about food waste.</p
Understanding gestational diabetes mellitus in Vietnamese women: a multiphase study on prevalence, risk factors, and gut microbiome dynamics
No full textThis video tells a personal and professional story of a clinical nutritionist who, despite years of experience and healthy habits, was unexpectedly diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It explores the growing prevalence of this condition in Vietnam and introduces gut microbiome as a potential contributing factor worth investigating through research.</p
Designing neighbourhoods to support early childhood development: Why where you live matters for young children: Findings from the Data to Decisions study.
No full textHealthy environments help children develop well physically, emotionally, and socially. We set out to understand what makes a supportive neighbourhood built environment for families with young children in Melbourne, Australia. We looked at eight key neighbourhood features: traffic exposure, walkability, public transport, housing, public open space, early childhood education and care services, family-friendly destinations and food outlets.</p
National Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project - Phase 1c Pilot Designs
No full textFood date labels are confusing and storage advice instructions are inconsistent and unclear, leaving consumers baffled, storing food sub-optimally and sometimes throwing out edible food. In a consultation period over 2021-2022, industry, peak body and government stakeholders expressed a need for Australian data about labelling beyond what WRAP and our various CRC projects have provided thus far. This is because much of the existing research has focused on the role date marks and date labelling plays in consumer decisions and practices that lead to food waste in other jurisdictions. The scholarly literature suggests that the date and storage information on a pack has an indirect impact of packaging on a consumer’s decision to eat or discard food (Wilson et al., 2017). However, a consensus is that on-pack date labelling also contributes to consumer food waste (Chu et al., 2020). Altogether, both the academic and industry literature points out the importance of date marks, date labelling and storage advice systems on packaged food to reduce the problem of food waste. Because food waste is a global issue and household food waste resulting from consumer confusion further exacerbates the problem. Nineteen per cent of food produced globally is wasted in retail, food service, and households (United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2024). Of that amount, households generate an estimated 61% of annual total food waste, making them major contributors to the food waste system (Ukpanah, 2024). Reducing household food waste could save 631 million tonnes of food per year(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2024), making some headway to meeting SDG12, for which progress has been stalling (Champions 12.3, 2023). To contextualise that in Australia, each year Australians waste around 7.6 million tonnes of food across the food supply chain. This equals about 312kg per person and can cost up to $2,500 per household per year (Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water, 2023). Solutions to help reduce food waste is underway in countries like the UK and the Netherlands and Australia needs to catch up. This body of work was informed by previous research on the influence of date labels and storage advice on consumers and household food waste. Research indicates that consumers are often confused by the various types of date labels or have diverse interpretations of their meanings (Langley, Parker, et al., 2021; Langley, Phan-Le, et al., 2021). A recent systematic review reveals that consumer uncertainty is likely due to the sparse availability of such information and the absence of global labelling standards (Llagas et al., 2025). The authors found that up to 82% of consumers do not understand "Best before" labels, and 62% are confused by "Use by" labels. The interchangeable use of these terms, combined with interpretation complexity, unstandardised placement, poor legibility, and unclear meanings, adds to the confusion. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 125 participants to explore how consumers use (or do not use) existing food date labels and storage advice to determine food freshness. The findings from the consumer interviews show that many consumers theoretically understood the difference between ‘Best before’ and ‘Use by’ However, they were often treated the same, with food being disposed of when it reached either date (Parker et al., 2024). Lastly, an investigation was also on the visual cues consumers consider when looking at date labels and storage advice on food packaging. A coding framework was developed to gather data on what consumers look at on food packaging when making decisions about food. Three main themes emerged from the responses centred around placement, legibility, and colour. Three thematic groups were identified from the research insights and they are: 1) Improve/enhance, 2) Visibility, legibility, and standout, and 3) Add-ons. This research explores how design solutions for date labels and storage advice on food packaging can be addressed based on these three thematic groups. </p
The silent threat: If a circular economy goes wrong
No full textIn early 2024, reports of asbestos contamination in mulch products across three eastern Australian states escalated into a significant environmental and health crisis. Contaminated mulch was found
at 79 sites, including playgrounds, schools and public parks in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as in compost and mulch products
in Queensland. While swift government action resolved immediate threats, the incident underscores broader issues within Australia’s circular economy efforts. Our research highlights the urgent need
to mandate certification for recycled products like mulch to ensure safety. Currently, no local, state or national policies on sustainable procurement recommend certification, and resistance to such schemes remains widespread within the industry.</p
Exploring Aeroelastic Stability and Design Principles in Aircraft Wings with Distributed Propulsion Systems
No full textNext-generation aircraft designs must balance the increasing demand for mobility with the need to reduce emissions. Large, open, electrically driven, and distributed propeller systems have the potential to become a key concept for efficient modern aircraft. This research focuses on the aeroelastic stability analysis and evaluation of the Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) concept, addressing the key challenges in developing and analyzing modern aircraft designs. A primary contribution of this work is the development of a frequency-domain analysis tool (SDBox) for robust and efficient aeroelastic stability assessment. SDBox enhances current methods by modeling the aeroelastic dynamics of wings and propellers, focusing on wing flutter and propeller whirl flutter. It allows the creation of wing models that can accommodate multiple propellers, considering structural dynamic coupling effects. SDBox has been verified against established benchmark models for both wings and propellers, and by applying mid-fidelity nonlinear time-domain simulations using the open-source tools MBDyn and DUST. The results show excellent greement in predicting flutter speeds and mechanisms for various test cases, confirming the SDBox’s reliability and accuracy. The research initially focuses on whirl flutter prediction, introducing workflows to determine unsteady aerodynamic derivatives. These derivatives lead to more conservative flutter onset predictions compared to traditional analytical derivatives. Next, the study explores the coupling effects between wing and propellers in DEP configurations, along with the analysis of DEP systems with different numbers of propellers. The primary aeroelastic flutter mechanism identified is wing flutter, while whirl flutter is unlikely and may only occur in failure scenarios. The coupling effects between wings and propellers stabilize the system, especially when propellers are positioned ahead of the elastic axis near the wingtip. Destabilizing factors include propeller aerodynamics and lower pylon stiffnesses. Aerodynamic interactions between propellers and wings destabilize the system due to locally increasing dynamic pressure, particularly in DEP configurations. Based on these investigations, several design guidelines were derived. From an aeroelastic perspective, wingtip-mounted propellers are recommended for their stability and aerodynamic benefits. Pylon flexibility should be carefully managed to avoid interference with the wing’s natural frequencies. The number of propellers in a DEP system presents a trade-off: fewer propellers reduce wing flutter onset, but larger and heavier propellers may increase susceptibility to whirl flutter. This study highlights the advantages of frequency-domain methods for fast and reliable preliminary stability analysis. However, capturing detailed effects such as coupled wing–propeller aerodynamic interactions currently requires time-domain simulations, as suitable linearized frequency-domain or state-space representations for such coupled systems are currently not available. In addition, it provides practical tools for the conceptual
design of electric-driven novel aircraft. Despite limitations like the exclusion of flexible blades or hover conditions, the findings provide a solid foundation for future research.</p
‘My Brunswick, Our Brunswick’ Community Book (Preview)
No full textRMIT PlaceLab set out on this research project with a seemingly simple objective: to understand what makes Brunswick, Brunswick. We hoped to gather rich, personal, and shared insights into both local space-making and cultural practices, and stories (past, present, and emerging) that exist within the Brunswick community. In doing so, we aspired to make tangible the somewhat elusive and intangible notion of ‘Brunswick’s unique urban character’.Our motivation to do this research was to provide a snapshot of Brunswick community reflections that might be of use as they confront transformative changes: many associated with major infrastructure projects, the climate emergency, and urban gentrification. Academic research tells us that – given the social, economic, and environmental consequences of urban changes – the participation of communities in transparent and rigorous processes of community engagement is a critical determinant in achieving outcomes that are not just economically successful, but also socially- and environmentally- just. However, it is equally recognised that the implementation of effective processes and practices around community engagement remains a problematic fault-line.In this context, we imagined that, by contributing to the understandings of Brunswick’s unique urban character, we might offer the community a useful mechanism to protect, preserve, or enable things that are essential to the fabric of the area. It is to be seen whether we have achieved even small steps toward this goal.The information and insights shared in this book are the results of the research we undertook with the Brunswick community over three months: July, August, and September 2023. This included an online survey that was completed by 237 people, walking interviews with eight local community members, and photography trails by commissioning eight Brunswick-based photographers to gather rich Brunswick images. These activities focused on the area of Brunswick bounded by Sydney Road and the Upfield Rail Line.</p