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Submission to the NSWLRC Review of the <i>Anti-Discrimination Act 1977</i> (NSW)
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Can AI improve management of recreational fisheries: Assessing the effectiveness of early AI models to identify and measure fishes
No full textRecreational fishing is a socially and economically important pastime and industry in New South Wales (NSW), boasting nearly half-a-million licenced participants. Due to its size, the activity needs to be well-managed to avoid negative environmental impacts, such as overfishing. To do so, robust data are required on the total catch and size-frequency of the major targeted species. At present, due to costs and logistics, the industry uses telephone diary surveys, which provide limited-quality data for recreational fishing management. Here, we create and test a rudimentary Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to identify fish species, size and biomass. If effective, this approach could be implemented at boat ramp fish cleaning tables to provide industry with a more complete large-scale assessment of the recreational catch and thus improve recreational fishery management. We assessed a rudimentary AI model to identify species, measure fish length and width, and predict fish biomass, and tested the effects of a suite of variables on AI model performance. We found that the rudimentary model, currently trained using ~2000 fish images, could not adequately identify fish species (between 49 – 2 % accuracy depending on the species). Besides species, lowering camera height, and photographing fish in their dorsal orientation increased the accuracy of identification. The AI model provided accurate length estimates for fishes, with more than 95% accuracy for four species caught in NSW. The accuracy of AI measurements was negatively impacted by poor image resolution. The accuracy of biomass predictions derived by using AI measurements and established length-weight relationships varied between species, with tiger flathead (Platycephalus richardsoni) and Australasian snapper (Pagrus auratus) being estimated most and least accurately, respectively. These results were influenced by the fish cleaning process, where discarded viscera caused an overestimate of biomass. Our findings indicate that there is an exciting prospect in using AI for recreational fisheries monitoring. Our assessment of a very simple AI model found that this technology can improve length-weight relationships for endemic species and/or develop area-weight relationships using more sophisticated computer vision techniques. Additionally, we suggest further research into fish waste discard at cleaning tables to improve biomass predictions and significantly enhance the management of recreational fishing.</p
Computational Modelling of FeCrV-based Refractory Medium Entropy Alloy for Nuclear Application
No full textThe abstract for this item has not been populated.</p
Exploring Recently Developed Mass Spectrometry Post-Ionisation Methodologies for Lipid Imaging
No full textBoosted by improvements in technology in the past few years, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a powerful imaging tool to map analyte distribution of a wide range of species. Most used for lipid imaging, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) is one of the most applied ionisation sources in MSI, however many species remain undetected due to their poor ionisation efficiencies. Therefore, new modalities such as post-ionisation techniques, that promote a second ionisation event of intact species providing not only improvement in increasing molecular coverage but also enhancing sensitivity for many classes of molecules, were introduced in the field. To date, MALDI-2 and plasma post-ionisation are the most widely applied post-ionisation techniques for sensitivity enhancement of species in MSI, consequently enabling high lateral resolution. These new modalities are yet to be fully explored. Therefore, the following chapters cover the evaluation and assessment of the capabilities of both approaches for lipid imaging.Chapter 2 explores the interaction of the laser desorption and MALDI-2 process for the selective formation of aromatic antioxidants via REMPI process. This investigation dives into the ionisation process of these selected molecules and provides a methodology for the generation of REMPI-compatible analytes that demonstrates simultaneous improvement in both spatial resolution and sensitivity. With the continued growth of systems implementing MALDI-2 for profiling the distribution of a wide range of species, including for lipidomics, the need for a detailed comparison between ion images generated by both ionisation techniques, MALDI and MALDI-2, drove the investigation performed in Chapter 3. The investigation provided for the first time a complete comparison of molecular features and patterns of ion images with insights into the complementarity of both approaches. By understanding the ion images generated by both methods researchers have the tools available to choose the most effective ionisation technique for their planned analysis. Finally, using a dual-modality approach, Chapter 4 combined plasma post-ionisation with laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) to provide a comprehensive analysis of lipids and elements on the same tissue section. This study provided a sample preparation protocol that enables spatial correlations of lipid and elemental distribution on the same tissue section, broadening the repertoire of multimodal MSI techniques.</p
Liquid Metal-Based Multifunctional Composites for Wearable Sensors and Soft Actuators
No full textFlexible conductive composites have garnered significant attention due to their ability to integrate electrical conductivity with mechanical flexibility, making them ideal for applications in wearable electronics and soft robotics. Traditional fillers and matrices face challenges such as limited stretchability, poor adaptability under deformation, and suboptimal synergy between filler and matrix, which hinder their practical use. Among the various materials investigated, liquid metals (LM), such as gallium-based alloys, have emerged as promising candidates due to their unique combination of fluidic deformability, high electrical conductivity, and self-healing properties. However, recent research on LM-based flexible conductive composites faces several challenges, including difficulties in achieving precise control over LM microparticle size and distribution, satisfied sensitivity, as well as fast response to external stimuli. Additionally, the limited availability of high-performance matrix materials further constrains the development of advanced LM-based composites.The main purpose of this research is to develop LM-based flexible conductive composites by not only utilising LM as a filler to enhance conductivity and mechanical properties but also by designing customised matrices to further improve performance. These multifunctional composites are tailored for applications in wearable communication devices and bio-inspired robotics.</p
Building Personal Resources for Professional Lives: Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences of Professional Learning Communities
No full textInitial teacher education is an important contributor to teacher retention through teachers’ identity and their resilience in teaching. Relationships are key elements of teachers’ resilience and identity formation. During teacher education, professional learning communities can build these relationships and dispositions that support pre-service teachers’ persistence during challenges they encounter professionally and as students during their teacher education program. While previous research has shown the value of learning communities in professional experience in teacher education, the effects of a learning community approach to the delivery of an entire teacher education program has not previously been examined. A professional learning community approach to delivery of a postgraduate initial teacher education program was designed and has been implemented at regional campuses of an Australian university since 2018. This interpretivist study evaluated the contribution of the program to pre-service teachers’ personal resources for their professional lives as teachers. Focus groups were held with all students enrolled in the regional program in 2018 and 2021, and self-selected alumni of the program in 2022, as well as four teacher educators involved in delivering the regional program in 2021 and 2022. A thematic approach was employed to analyze the transcripts. The professional learning communities built a number of resources for teaching, including relational resilience in the form of strong relationships that offered support during the program, teacher education student engagement, and teacher identity. In the process, the learners obtained skills and dispositions that would equip them to continue to work in professional learning communities during their teaching careers. The findings highlight the importance of relationships in teacher education and have implications for the design of initial teacher education programs for teacher retention.</p
Shared medical roles and subsequent task-shifting between General Practitioners and Haematologists: A mixed method study
No full textBackground Limited access to specialist medical care means that care in other settings such as primary care needs to be considered. This thesis aims to assess shared tasks in the scope of practice of general practitioners (GPs) and haematology specialists that may be amenable to possible task-shifting to primary care settings. The thesis will also explore the potential for shared models of care, involving care integrated between GPs and haematology teams.Methods This Master’s thesis was designed to comprise a systematic review, compilation of haematological guidelines, interview and focus group as the first phase of a Delphi study, followed by two rounds of surveys as the second phase of the Delphi study. Chapter 3 consisted of a systematic review of 22 studies which investigated the shared tasks between GPs and haematologists for haematological conditions. Chapter 4 consisted of compilation of health guidelines for haematological conditions for GPs. A grey literature search was used to identify guidelines from across Australia. Chapter 5 adopted a qualitative approach, where interviews and a focus group with GPs (n=4), public haematologist (n=8), clinical nurse consultant (CNC) (n=4), and private haematologist (n=1) from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Region. Chapter 6 consists of the second phase of the Delphi method approach and involved two round of surveys (Round 1 and Round 2) that were curated on Qualtrics, with the link being sent to the interview and focus group participants.Results Chapter 3 found limited literature on shared care and task shifting between GPs and haematologists. Chapter 4 found that local management and referral guidelines prompted GPs to manage many haematological conditions before referring on to haematology specialists. It however lacked clear shared care pathways for GPs. Chapter 5 found GPs were already performing many medical tasks but many barriers such as role clarity, communication gaps limited the use of their confidence. Chapter 6 found complete stakeholder agreement on GP roles, haematologists roles, shared care roles and barriers to share. There was unanimous consensus that GPs are well-suited to manage conditions such as iron deficiency, warfarin therapy, and the initial evaluation of lymphadenopathy. Likewise, there was complete agreement that follow-up care for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma could be effectively handled using a shared care model.Conclusion This thesis highlights substantial opportunities for adopting shared care in haematology, underscoring the pivotal role of haematologists in endorsing the model and providing a safety net through robust oversight mechanisms. The successful implementation of this approach necessitates a multifaceted strategy, including a reassessment of funding structures and continuous investment in health technology interfaces. Furthermore, both GPs and haematologists require initial and ongoing support, coordinated by a dedicated shared care facilitator. Efforts to integrate this model into standard practice for all stakeholders are also essential for its long-term success.</p
Screening for coercive control with refugee women accessing settlement services
No full textBackground: Coercive control is gaining increasing recognition as a form of intimate partner violence (IPV). Refugee women in countries of settlement are vulnerable to experiencing controlling behaviour. Interventions that support identification of controlling behaviour are an important step in enabling help-seeking for refugee women and prevention of further violence. Methods: The Safety and Health After Arrival (SAHAR) study tested a culturally tailored IPV screening and response strategy for refugee women accessing Australian settlement services. All women accessing the study sites were asked about controlling behaviours using the ACTS screening tool, which also asks about actions causing fear, threats, and physical abuse. Findings reported here include consultations with a lived experience panel and services, screening results, focus group data and manager interviews. Results: Of 312 women asked the ACTS questions by caseworkers in four settlement services, 90 women (29%) gave responses indicating IPV with controlling behaviour being the most frequently reported (78/90). Qualitative data indicate that, following consideration of language and diverse understandings of controlling behaviour, settlement service caseworkers were able to identify experiences of harmful forms of control. Conversations about control between caseworkers and women were prompted, and awareness about non-physical coercion increased. Conclusion: Despite challenges due to differences in language, interpretation and cultural norms, this study found it feasible to enquire about controlling behaviour with refugee women accessing settlement services, along with other forms of IPV.</p
Studies of Gas Sorption Dynamics Characteristics and Its Impact on Microstructure Alteration in Sydney Basin Coal for Outburst Management
No full textThe abstract for this item has not been populated.</p
Australian men’s help-seeking & engagement with general practice
No full textBackground: Males have a lower life expectancy than females. Modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as being overweight, smoking, having a poor diet, harmful alcohol intake, and physical inactivity increase men’s risk of developing chronic health conditions. General practice is a key health setting for the delivery of preventive care. However, when males present to general practice, they often do so when a condition is more advanced, reducing the potential for preventive care and early intervention. This significantly impacts illness trajectory and prognosis.Aim: This Doctoral Project explored Australian men’s engagement with general practice for preventive healthcare.Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods Project was undertaken, underpinned by pragmatism. To provide a group of men with varying socioeconomic, geographical and educational characteristics, this study recruited males who were employed by or volunteered for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.The first phase used an online survey to explore health literacy, understand their current lifestyle risks and investigate their engagement with preventive care. The survey tool comprised three sections. The first section sought participants demographics, the second consisted of health-related questions, lifestyle risk factors and engagement with healthcare. The final section comprised the validated Health Literacy Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.In the next phase, semi-structured interviews were undertaken using a qualitative descriptive approach to understand the men’s experiences engaging with general practice and in accessing and receiving preventive care. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach described by Braun and Clarke.Findings: The survey received 431 responses, with 52.9% (n=228) coming from men living in rural areas. Findings revealed that some 18.6% (n=80) of respondents were in the healthy range based on body mass index calculations, yet just 29.9% (n=129) had been told by their doctor that they were overweight/obese. Only 11.1% (n=48) of respondents consumed the recommended vegetable serves per day, and a third (n=92; 33.3%) of those aged under 64 years met physical activity guidelines. Most (n=344;79.8%) respondents had a regular General Practitioner (GP)/general practice. Having a regular GP/general practice was significantly associated with participants engaging in all preventive and screening activities (pSeventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted via video conferencing. Five sub-themes emerged about men’s engagement with general practice. ‘Reasons for engagement’ highlighted men’s motivation to help-seeking. ‘Seeking validation’ explained how social influences impacted healthcare engagement. Whilst ‘importance of relationships’ identified the value that men have with the healthcare team and the impact this has on healthcare engagement. ‘Interpersonal communication’ highlighted the need for authentic communication. Finally, ‘barriers to engagement’ identified the challenges in accessing care in general practice.Two sub-themes were identified relating to men’s engagement in preventive healthcare. ‘The scope of general practice services’ highlighted men’s varied perceptions of the role and value of preventive care. ‘Addressing lifestyle risk factors’ revealed the communication and advice provided about lifestyle risks and behavioural change.Conclusion: The Project has generated new knowledge about men’s engagement with general practice for preventive care. Findings have established that many men have existing connections with a GP/general practice, do not always see general practices’ role in prevention, and that there are missed opportunities to address lifestyle risk factors. Even though our findings indicated that men attend general practice, their engagement is not optimised to support and promote their health and well-being. To provide the care that men want and need from general practice, health professionals must prioritise preventive care and support men to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices and reduce the impact of chronic health conditions. Organisational, educational and ongoing funding support for general practice is crucial to ensure person-centered quality healthcare is provided to all.</p