18397 research outputs found
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Flux footprints and water use efficiency in heterogeneous croplands under diverse environmental and management conditions
No full textThis research explores the dynamics of carbon and water fluxes across varied agricultural landscapes using advanced Eddy Covariancde method and analytical models. By refining our understanding of these fluxes in realic settings, it enhances agricultural practices, optimizes water and nutrient management, and promotes sustainable farming. The findings contribute to mitigating environmental impacts, guiding climate-resilient policies, and advancing scientific knowledge in eco-hydrology. Ultimately, the research supports food security, environmental sustainability, and informed agricultural strategies that maximize resource efficiency while minimizing carbon footprint.</p
Disturbed interoception in body dysmorphic disorder: A framework for future research
No full textBody dysmorphic disorder is a severe psychiatric condition characterised by a preoccupation with a perceived appearance flaw or flaws that are typically not observable to others. Although significant advances in understanding the disorder have been made in the past decade, current explanations focus on cognitive, behavioural and visual perceptual disturbances that contribute to the disorder. Such a focus does not consider how perception of the internal body or interoception may be involved, despite (1) clinical observations of disturbed perception of the body in body dysmorphic disorder and (2) disturbed interoception being increasingly recognised as a transdiagnostic factor underlying a wide range of psychopathologies. In this paper, we use an existing model of hierarchical brain function and neural (predictive) processing to propose that body dysmorphic disorder involves defective interoception, with perceived appearance flaws being the result of ‘interoceptive prediction errors’ that cause body parts to be experienced as ‘not just right’. We aim to provide a framework for interoceptive research into body dysmorphic disorder, and outline areas for future research
Health literacy and older adults: Findings from a national population-based survey
No full textIssue Addressed: With an ageing population and growing complexity and fragmentation of health care systems, health literacy is increasingly important in managing health. This study investigated health literacy strengths and challenges reported by older Australians (people aged 65 or over) and identified how socio-demographic and health factors related to their health literacy profiles. Methods: The sample comprised 1578 individuals responding to the Australian Government's 2018 Health Literacy Survey, conducted between January and August. Regression modelling was used to estimate the association between each of nine domains of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and individual socio-demographic and health characteristics. The model allowed for correlation between HLQ scores that was linked to unobserved characteristics of individuals. Results: Across the health literacy domains, few individuals received mean scores in the lowest score range. Key individual characteristics associated with higher health literacy were increasing age, English proficiency, higher education levels, better self-assessed health and having certain chronic conditions (cancer, hypertension and arthritis). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, among those aged 65 or over, being older or living with chronic illnesses were associated with greater confidence in engaging with providers, accessing information and navigating health services compared to individuals aged 65–69 and those older individuals without chronic illness. Lower health literacy was associated with psychological distress and low English proficiency. So What?: Interventions to improve individual health literacy and organisation health literacy responsiveness to minimise complexity of the Australian health system are required. This may enhance uptake and use of health information and services for the underserviced members of the community
Shadow Education in Malaysia: Effect of Private Supplementary Tutoring upon Secondary School Students' Mental Health
No full textThis mixed method research firstly examines the scale of shadow education in Malaysia before determining if it is associated to secondary school students suffering from symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. This research examines possible associations relating to time deprivation experienced by students due to their usage of shadow education. The findings presented a clearer picture of the landscape of the shadow education industry in Malaysia, the perceptions of students towards the usage and reliability of, and their reliance upon, shadow education. The findings further verify the impact of shadow education usage upon the mental health and wellbeing of students.</p
A conceptual Taxonomy of Celebrity applied to operational marketing activity using celebrity endorsers
No full textThis thesis uses grounded theory and ethnographic content analysis to develop a revised meaning transfer model and a multi-level matrix-style Taxonomy of Celebrity. The Taxonomy allows for all celebrities to be classified into one of the nine taxa. The Taxonomy of Celebrity is then overlaid with risk to provide guidance for the selection and review of celebrities for operational marketing activity. The research also introduces the novel terms artefacts of celebrity, state of celebrity and absolute celebrity.</p
Conceptualising Kimberley Strong Women's Entrepreneurship through a collaborative economic development process (Maganda Makers incubator)
No full textThe thesis explores the entrepreneurial process, barriers, and motivation of Kimberley Aboriginal women (Strongbala Woomin') who lead positive change in their communities through self-employment. It posits the implication of this understanding of women's venturing by actors in the economic development ecosystem largely `captive' to an Anglo-European conceptualisation of wealth. The work presents a unique methodological approach to study with Indigenous women as research co-labours. It introduces Anansi the Spider, a Griot (storyteller and diplomat), and how he employs storytelling, art, weaving and other artistic form to enable to navigate the cultural interface between the researcher and the Aboriginal knowledge holders.</p
Weakly-supervised Deep Learning for the Improvement of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prediction using Retinal Fundus Images
No full textThis research explores new methods of predicting Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) from retinal fundus images using Deep Learning algorithms. Over the past decades, there is increasing recognition that the retinal microvasculature can be used to directly visualise human circulation system non-invasively. The main benefit of this research is the translational value of deep learning in the prediction of CVD from retinal images, which subsequently will enable the implementation of tele-retinal screening to predict CVD risks in underserved rural areas through remote medicine. Results have shown an accuracy of 91.00% and 73.89% for the prediction of heart attack and hypertension respectively from retinal images.</p
Modulation effect of support on active metals in the Fe-Ni based catalysts: Insight into the electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) effect in the CO-SCR reaction
No full textSupported catalysts have been extensively investigated and implemented in the industry due to their cost-effectiveness and promising catalytic performance. However, due to the general inert nature of the support itself, its role in the catalyst performance is often neglected and therefore not well understood despite the consideration of the physical properties of the support. This study applies the concept of electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) to explore the impact of various supports on the active metals in Fe-Ni-based catalysts for the CO-selective catalytic reduction reaction. Through density functional theory calculations and several advanced characterizations, it can be confirmed that the EMSI effect can modify the valence states of active metals and foster interaction between different active metals, thereby influencing the reactant adsorption and catalyst performance greatly. These findings highlight the significant impact of the support on the chemical states of active metals, having far-reaching implications for designing and optimizing the supported industrial catalysts.</p
The Role of AI in Facilitating Circular Consumption
No full textThis white paper explores the critical role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in overcoming barriers to circular consumption. With circular economies offering a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear model, consumers have a pivotal role to play. However, gaps in knowledge, perceived inconvenience, and limited access to resources often hinder the adoption of circular behaviours. By providing personalised, accessible, and real-time guidance, AI chatbots can help consumers make more sustainable decisions, increasing engagement in circular activities such as recycling, upcycling, repair, and responsible disposal. Based on research with consumers and circular economy experts, this white paper explores key barriers and facilitators to circular consumption, identifies opportunities and challenges of using AI to encourage consumer engagement, and provides best-practice examples to inspire future action.</p
Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of Harmful Algal Bloom
No full textThe phenomenon of phytoplankton blooms has garnered significant interest from the scientific community over several years, due to their profound impact on aquatic ecosystems and global environmental processes. This thesis primarily focuses on the study of the bloom dynamics through the construction of some phytoplankton-zooplankton interaction models, especially paying attention to some climatic or environmental factors namely solar radiation, sea surface temperature, and flow-induced hydrodynamic disturbance. The outcome of the research work is enriched from both mathematical and biological standpoints.</p