18397 research outputs found
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Labour Market Participation and Integration Outcomes of Skilled Filipino Migrants in Melbourne, Australia
No full textThe Labour Market Participation and Integration Outcomes of Skilled Filipino Migrants in Melbourne, Australia, is a comprehensive study that addresses a significant gap in the existing literature on immigrant settlement in Australia by delving into the barriers and facilitators faced by skilled Filipino migrants. By highlighting the importance of human and social capital in labour market integration, the study offers valuable insights that have the potential to inform policies aimed at enhancing the integration process and outcomes for skilled Filipino migrants and other migrant cohorts. The study's originality lies in empirical contributions and conceptual framework shaping the key findings.</p
Why not inorganic ferroelectrics: Harnessing the pyroelectric charges for triboelectric nanogenerators
No full textMultifunctional, ferroelectric fluoropolymers are regarded as the de facto materials for triboelectric nanogenerators. However, their comparatively low polarisation, dielectric constants, and pyroelectric coefficients result in sub-optimal pyroelectric-triboelectric coupling. In contrast, inorganic ferroelectrics, such as lithium niobate (LiNbO3), possess superior electro-physical properties yet remain underutilized in triboelectric applications. This study demonstrates the potential of LiNbO3 crystals in coupled Pyroelectric-LiNbO3 Triboelectric Nanogenerators (PL-TENGs) for harvesting waste, low-grade heat and temperature monitoring. Under a 0.11 K.s−1 temperature gradient, the PL-TENG exhibits a 330 % increase in output voltage (∼720 Vp-p) and a 700 % rise in current (∼15.2 µA) compared to fluoropolymer-based TENGs (∼215 Vp-p and ∼1.3 µA). This performance advantage is sustained at higher temperatures, with voltage and current increasing by 285 % and 395 %, respectively, at 353 K compared to 313 K. High Voltage Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy reveals a rapid surface potential inversion (+72.6 V to −28.7 V) for a 1 K temperature change, corresponding to a pyroelectric coefficient of −53.4 µC.m−2.K−1, validated by in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The increased exchange of pyroelectric effect-induced screening charges amplifies the triboelectric activity, enhancing efficient low-grade heat sensitivity and harvesting. This work underscores the promise of inorganic ferroelectrics like LiNbO3 for sustainable energy and sensor technologies.</p
The Implementation of Enterprise Systems in Small Firms
No full textThis research explores how small businesses adopt and use enterprise systems, which are tools that help manage business operations. While these systems were once mainly used by large companies, cloud-based technologies have made them more accessible to smaller firms. Through a combination of academic studies, vendor reports, and small business case studies, the study reveals how small business owners often lead these efforts without external support. It highlights the benefits and challenges they face, offering insights to better support small firms and system vendors. These findings can help improve strategies and resources for digital adoption.</p
Investigating the relationship between the geotechnical behaviour and microstructure of icy lunar regolith simulants to support trafficability and excavation on the Moon
No full textThis research explored how water-ice within lunar soil (regolith) affects its strength and how easily it can be driven over or excavated. Different icy regolith types were prepared to reflect possible ice formation pathways on the Moon. It was found that the structure of the ice—not just the amount—has the biggest impact on strength. Vapor-deposited icy regolith was mechanically tested for the first time, with a sample containing ~6% ice found to be 23% stronger than soil measured during Apollo 16. These findings support better design of lunar vehicles, excavation tools, and future efforts to use resources on the Moon.</p
Acid catalytic wet torrefaction of oil palm biomass: Reaction mechanisms and application evaluations
No full textWith the rapid growth of the oil palm industry, increasing biomass presents an opportunity for sustainable utilisation. Wet torrefaction is a promising treatment, producing coal-like hydrochars, but optimising the process is crucial to enhance yield and properties. This thesis examines the role of catalyst addition in wet torrefaction, investigating its impact on synthesis of hydrochars, governing mechanisms, and potential applications. Understanding the effect of catalyst can improve efficiency and product quality, supporting the sustainable use of oil palm biomass. These findings offer valuable insights into enhancing biomass conversion for renewable energy and material solutions.</p
The Kaṟa: A Framework for Indigenous Design Thinking
No full textThis research, conducted in collaboration with CSIRO, explores how Indigenous knowledge systems can inform design in organisational environments. It resulted in the creation of The Kaṟa: A Framework for Indigenous Design Thinking, a visual and practical tool grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. Developed through an Indigenous-led co-design process, the Kaṟa supports culturally responsive and inclusive design in organisational settings. It encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners to walk together in reconciliation by embedding respect, reciprocity and cultural integrity into design practice.</p
Regulatory approaches and Microfinance Institution (MFI) performance: Impact of function-specific regulation
No full textMicrofinance, from a humble beginning in the 1970s as a provision of small, collateral-free, or low-collateral loans to poor clients in developing countries, has functionally and institutionally diversified significantly over the past several decades to provide several financial products and services by a range of institutions from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to banks. This research analyses on a cross-country basis the impacts on MFI's social and financial performance arising from three important aspects with regard to the regulation and supervision of microfinance institutions (MFIs). First, the impact of interest rate caps on the performance of MFIs is analyzed. Second, the impact of microfinance-specific regulation on MFI performance is examined. Third and finally, the impact of microfinance-specific regulators on MFI performance is explored. </p
Strategies to increase women’s representation on community sporting club committees: FOR COMMUNITY SPORTING CLUBS
No full textCommunity sporting clubs can take a number of actions to improve women’s representation on their club committees. These include the below actions:promote women’s representationchallenge gender normsfoster intersectional representationestablish leadership networks and mentorship opportunities for womenclarify committee roles and distributing workload evenlyoffer flexible options for club meetings</p
Using Participatory Action Research to Build, Implement and Evaluate a Clinical Decision Support System for Suicide Risk in a General Medical Practice
No full textSuicide risk screening was trialed at an Australian university health clinic using an algorithm tool based upon demographic and mental health risk factors. The screening tool, implemented only for new patients attending for their first appointment with a general practitioner, was successful in identifying young adults with recent thoughts of suicide as well as those who may be at risk of suicide in the future or are reluctant to disclose suicidal thoughts. more work is needed to automate and integrate the tool into primary care practices if it is to be more widely adopted.</p