18397 research outputs found
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Isolation of potential polyurethane-degrading microorganisms from landfill soil and determination of their degradation mechanisms
No full textThis research focuses on finding microbes that can potentially degrade polyurethane (PU), a type of plastic generally found in everyday items like cushions, foam scrubs, and mattresses. We isolated and analysed microbes from Australian landfill soil using microbiology, surface characterization, and analytical chemistry techniques; some of these microbes showed remarkable PU biodegradation capabilities. Our research findings also propose a multi-stage model of the polyester PU biodegradation process by these microbes. The results are encouraging and offer hope for tackling the pressing global issue of plastic pollution, which is one of the most significant and persistent environmental challenges of our time
Feasibility Study of a Bio-inspired 'Liquid' Helmet for Cyclists
No full textIn Australia, cycling-related injuries represent 16% of all road injuries, with more than half causing head injuries, indicating inadequate safety measure. Helmets serve as the primary defense against blunt trauma. However, Expanded Polystyrene foam helmets, predominant in the market, despite reducing serve head injury risk by 75%, have limited impact absorption efficiency, failing to notably decrease mild traumatic brain injury. Inspired by the pomelo fruit, a novel liquid helmet liner, comprising shear thickening fluid-filled cellular structure with high energy absorption, offers a promising alternative to conventional helmet, potentially providing better protection against head injuries
Do we know how psychotherapies for Bipolar Disorder work? A mixed methods investigation of active components and mechanisms of action
No full textWhile there is reliable evidence for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for bipolar disorder, there is a dearth of research examining how these interventions work. This project investigated two constructs central to understanding how psychotherapies work: Active components (i.e., therapy components that bring about changes in patients), and mechanisms of action (i.e., changes that happen in patients). This project involved two studies. Findings and insights from both studies contribute to the understanding of how psychotherapies work in bipolar disorder, and provides recommendations for future research such as standardised terminology and shared assessment protocols
Detection of False Data Injection Attacks in Smart Grids
No full textThere have been enormous cyberattacks, especially false data injection attacks over the past few decades causing huge financial losses, reputation damage, and power outages. Therefore it is crucial to develop an effective algorithm that is capable of detecting the slightest alteration in power systems. Therefore, I have proposed reliable, scalable, swift, and less-complex detection algorithms using artificial intelligence that can provide adequate security assurance for the smart grid system. Implementing these algorithms will mitigate cyberattacks, protect users confidential data , reduce financial losses amongst others
Communities of practice: A way to support responses to public health issues
No full textEffective public health practices are vital to improving health and equity for all. While communities of practice are a promising tool to connect people, support learning, and accelerate action, more evidence is needed to optimise their design. This thesis developed, applied, and evaluated a novel co-design approach for communities of practice. The results demonstrated that knowledge sharing within and knowledge translation outside communities of practice generated outcomes that supported action on public health issues. The practical tools developed from this thesis can assist countries, organisations, and professionals in setting up effective communities of practice to improve their public health practices
Asteroid mining vs the carbon bubble: ethical considerations for space resource extraction
No full textPurpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the ethical and environmental implications of allowing space resource extraction to disrupt existing fuel economies, including how companies can be held accountable for ensuring the responsible use of their space assets. It will also briefly consider how such assets should be taxed, and the cost/benefit analyses required to justify the considerable expense of supporting this emerging space industry.
Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts theoretical bioethics methodologies to explore issues of normative ethics and the formulation of moral rules to govern individual, collective and institutional behaviour. Specifically, it considers social justice and social contract theory, consequentialist and deontological accounts of ethical evaluation. It also draws on sociological and organisational literature to discuss Dowling and Pfeffer’s (1975) and Suchman’s (1995) theories of pragmatic, cognitive and moral legitimacy as they may be applied to off-world mining regulations and the handling of space assets.
Findings The findings of this conceptual paper indicate there is both a growing appetite for tighter resource extraction regulations to address climate change and wealth concentration globally, and an opportunity to establish and legitimise new ethical norms for commercial activity in space that can avoid some of the challenges currently facing fossil fuel divestment movements on Earth.
Originality/value By adopting methodologies from theoretical bioethics, sociology and business studies, including applying a legitimacy lens to the issue of off-world mining, this paper synthesises existing knowledges from these fields and brings them to the new context of the future space resource economy
How Psychological Safety Affects the Success of Digital Transformation Projects
No full textThis research addresses this literature shortcoming by examining the causal mechanisms underpinning the success of digital transformation project success by conceptualising psychological safety as the antecedent, and role conflict and trust as mediators. Drawing on psychological safety theory, a nomological network was conceptualised and empirically tested to discover the possibility of the proposed sequence of causal mechanisms. The connections identified within the framework demonstrated the importance of psychological factors for the success of digital transformation projects for project managers, project sponsors and at executive level. Besides its contribution to the business world, psychological factors contributed to psychological safety theory by offering two new mediators: role conflict and trust.</p
Coping with COVID-19: Social networks and resilience in Australia's Italian-background community (Final report) / Come si è affrontata la pandemia da COVID-19? Il ruolo delle reti sociali e della resilienza nella comunità di origine italiana in Australia (rapporto finale)
No full textThis study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Italian-background community in Australia by using survey data (n = 483). While our results indicate a relatively high level of resilience in the face of the pandemic’s challenges, a significant impact on mental health, sense of safety and ability to connect with family and friends is evident. This study also explored the kinds of support respondents accessed throughout the pandemic; who provided this support; and whether they provided similar forms of support to others. The results suggest that strong ties (ties to family and close friends) were critical in accessing financial and emotional support, and access to health support services, but that weak ties (eg. ties to neighbours and work colleagues) were also important, particularly for emotional support and accessing information. Furthermore, our findings point to relatively strong levels of support for key protective measures introduced by governments during the pandemic such as social distancing measures, mask requirements and vaccine mandates, although support for measures such as travel restrictions, border closures and income support was more mixed.</p
Comportment, Contention, and Conflict: Identity and Role Dynamics Facing Social Work Practitioners in Cross-Cultural and Australian Practice Contexts
No full textThis thesis explores the history of social work in Australia, with a focus on the lived experiences of Bi-Cultural and Bi-Lingual Social Work practitioners. It examines how the social workers' own sense of identity and experience of using their own cultural knowledge and language skills impacts on a personal and professional level, and the challenges and rewards that this presents. The potential benefits to society includes understanding the experiences of social workers using their own bi-cultural and bi-lingual skills and knowledge as professionals across a range of practice areas in the Australian context. It informs professional Social Work practice standards, codes of ethics and education for future social work practitioners and the profession more broadly.</p
Sustainable geotechnical seismic isolation material from the recycling of waste thermoplastic elastomers
No full textEarthquakes pose significant risks to structures, particularly in rapidly expanding urban areas. This study investigates the use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, such as polyurethane-coated rubber (PUcR), as sustainable geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) material to mitigate earthquake vibrations and safeguard infrastructure. Laboratory tests demonstrated that PUcR-soil mixtures exhibit enhanced damping properties, reduced leaching of heavy metals, and reduced carbon emissions. Furthermore, the dynamic behavior of these materials can be accurately predicted using artificial intelligence-based gene expression programming models. This research provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to enhance earthquake resilience while addressing the global challenge of polymer waste.</p