18397 research outputs found
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Im/possible musical selves: experiences of female music students in a music degree
No full textRecent studies and media articles draw attention to gender imbalances in the music industry, both locally in Australia and globally. In Australia, there have been calls to overhaul tertiary music programmes to support and encourage female students into careers such as sound production, screen composition and contemporary music performance, where women are greatly underrepresented. Taking up this call, we investigated the experiences of women in a music degree programme at a regional university. Positioned as a music education study at tertiary level, we focussed on any barriers female students perceived to be affecting their participation in specific music courses. We took a phenomenological approach, collecting data through focus groups and examining the data through a ‘possible selves’ framework, as described by Markus and Nurius. The findings from the focus groups indicated that female students felt unconfident about some career paths, which they described as male-dominated, notably in the STEM-focussed music technology courses, and perceived some learning environments as not gender-inclusive. The ‘possible selves’ framework pointed to the role of emotions in female students’ learning experiences. The importance of positive emotions for confident learning is applicable to other higher education disciplines, particularly those in STEM.</p
Investigation of active rheology control technologies for 3D concrete printing
No full textThis thesis explores active rheology control and set-on-demand methods for enhancing buildability in 3D concrete printing. Two major methods are proposed: one uses magnetorheological fluids to control rheological properties using an external magnetic field, and the other uses encapsulated accelerators and external heat to control rheology. The first method incorporates magnetorheological fluids in concrete, while the second uses encapsulated accelerators and external heat. The use of encapsulated accelerators significantly improves static yield stress development and subsequently printability of the mixes.</p
Business Continuity Management and Organisational Resilience: A Case Study of UAE Law Enforcement
No full textOrganizational performance after unexpected disasters remains challenging for law enforcement organizations. This study focuses on identifying organizational assets that contribute to business continuity (BC) and organizational resilience (OR). Through a literature review and survey of 301 officers from the Abu Dhabi Police force, it was found that situation awareness and transformative leadership had a positive impact on BC and transformative leadership, communication and social capital had a positive impact on OR. This research is beneficial to society because it can positively influence strategies and capabilities of law enforcement in the face of crises, leading to higher levels of safety
Diagnosing Identity Threat in Emergency Physician Servant Leaders
No full textEmergency physicians lead in an extreme, dynamic work environment. In this context, leaders who are servant-orientated may experience leader identity threat where they are devalued, demeaned or disempowered as leaders who serve others. Participants reported leader identity threat, but only when they were burnt out and less busy at work. They described internal struggles, conflicts with others, and a challenging work culture. Through diagnosing this phenomenon within frontline healthcare professionals, this research highlights the risks that 'failing to lead and serve' poses to their leadership and wellbeing, and calls on healthcare organisations to develop and support their leaders
Response to the Climate-related financial disclosure: exposure draft legislation and accompanying explanatory materials
No full textResponse addresses Exposure Draft legislation that seeks to amend parts of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to introduce mandatory requirements for large businesses and financial institutions to disclose their climate-related risks and opportunities
Determinants of Airline Route Profitability: the Case of A Small National Hub Carrier in South Asia
No full textThis research examines factors affecting the profitability of airline routes, focusing on a small national hub carrier in the South Asian region. The study identifies new factors, such as home and destination market sales contributions and the point-to-point passenger ratio, alongside established factors like yield, load factor, and cargo revenue. The findings provide practical insights for airlines to improve route planning, increase profitability, and manage networks more effectively. These insights support informed decision-making within the airline industry, contributing to its economic stability and growth.</p
The Mobilisation and Spatial Distribution of Micronutrients in Germinating Rice (Oryza sativa) Grains
No full textMicronutrient deficiency, characterised by a lack of essential nutrients like Zinc and Iron in the diet, leads to adverse health effects, especially in young children and pregnant women. Globally, rice consumers often encounter these deficiencies because polished rice lacks these vital micronutrients. Developing methods that can map the distribution of micronutrients within rice grains during germination is essential. This understanding is key to addressing the spatio-temporal variations in the elemental composition of germinating rice and other cereal grains. Such knowledge has significant implications for rice breeding and biofortification programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of grains and seedling vigour.</p
A Chip-Based Cell Membrane Model for Characterising Optical Voltage Sensors
No full textThis thesis discusses the fabrication of an optically accessible, on-chip, calibration platform for controlled exposure of voltage sensitive particles to an electric field of known strength. Validation and verification studies on the prototype show the ability of the chip to mimic action potential parameters. Standardizing this test platform in the field will enhance the accuracy of the sensitivity determination and allows the effect of individual environmental factors on voltage sensitivity to be measured. The developed platform can be utilized in future studies to evaluate the impact of design, composition and surface coating of new voltage sensing probes
Driving Under the Influence of Psychoactive Prescription Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
No full textHow seriously should we heed the advice against mixing prescription medicine with alcohol, especially when driving? This thesis addresses that question by investigating the effects of concurrent use of prescription benzodiazepines and low-dose, or legally permissible, alcohol consumption on driving performance. Through a comprehensive approach that encompasses epidemiological data, a systematic literature review, and experimental research, this work provides insights into the prevalence of this behaviour among high-risk populations and quantifies the impairment caused by co-consumption. Additionally, it introduced ocular metrics, including gaze behaviour and blink characteristics, as novel real-time indicators of drug-induced driving impairment to improve road safety
Authenticity in contemporary museum practices: relationships between people, place and time
No full textThe thesis explores the concept of authenticity in museums, focusing on the perspectives of both visitors and curators. It highlights the lack of emphasis on visitors' collective undersatnding and experience of museums' authenticity and museum professionals' perspectives. The research aims to bridge this gap by including both the views of visitors and curators on authenticity in 'non-purpose-built' museums with multi-leyerd histories. The study adopts a qualitative approach to investigating how the notion of authenticity is understood by visitors and curators providing a people-perspective of this complex idea. The findings suggest that the experience of authenticity in 'non-purpose-built' museums is shaped by intangible aspects of heritage, linking visitors to a sense of place through temporal relationships and relatable stories. The thesis argues that curatorial strategies can create or emphasise authenticity and visitors connection to the site, and museum teams play a crucial role in this process. It provides an empirical foundation for further investigation into authenticity in curatorial practices and visitor experience design, indicating how museums can leverage authenticity in their interpretative practices