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From knowledge to practical implementation: A multi-method investigation to advance lifestyle-related, brain health-focussed care for multiple sclerosis
No full textBrain health is a global priority for neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS presents with heterogenous cognitive, motor and sensory symptoms, with effective management necessitating a comprehensive approach to prioritise brain health to slow disability and disease progression and enhance overall quality of life. This can be achieved through (1) a timely and accurate MS diagnosis, (2) intervening early with a disease modifying therapy and (3) monitoring outcomes, while adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle.For MS, brain health is often defined interchangeably with neurological reserve, as the brain’s compensatory ability to retain optimal neurologic function. This can explain why CNS damage might remain undetected, or why people living with MS (plwMS) may exhibit varying disease trajectories. While a cure for MS remains elusive, research is increasingly focussed on activities that buffer disease-related decline, hypothesising that MS disability and disease progression will be determined, to some extent, by a person’s brain health. Attention has, therefore, shifted towards activities or lifestyle behaviours (eg., diet, exercise) to maximise lifelong brain health for plwMS. However, the evidence for such activities remains in its infancy and there is a large degree of ambiguity in addressing lifestyle-related, brain health-focussed MS care as an essential part of person-centred management.Therefore, the research described in this thesis pertains to the lack of, and need for, a unified definition for brain health and research regarding comprehensive MS care involving dietary and lifestyle-related factors when promoting optimal brain health for plwMS. The central aim of this thesis is twofold: 1) to synthesise and advance the current discourse of brain health for MS, and 2) to advocate for refinement and homogeneity in lifestyle-related MS brain health policy.</p
Addressing power imbalance in research: exploring power in integrated knowledge translation health research.
No full textIntroductionIntegrated knowledge translation (IKT) is a knowledge translation framework that focuses collaboration between researchers and knowledge users (KUs) to generate research findings. KUs can be policymakers, clinicians, or those with lived experience who partner with researchers. While advocated as an approach that democratizes research and reduces power imbalance between researchers and KUs, it is not known if the implementation of IKT by health researchers actively addresses power imbalances. The aim of this study was to review research using an integrated knowledge translation approach to explore how power is addressed within these research studies. By looking broadly at how the studies addressed/described/discussed/dismantled power we explored examples of when this was done well and not so well, exposing the assumptions sometimes made by researchers.MethodsWe drew from systematic review procedures combined with a modified critical discourse analysis (CDA) lens. We searched Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Social Science Database, SocIndex and Google Scholar for English language studies that focused on IKT and power. Data were extracted on study characteristics and a modified CDA which included questions in relation to power (e.g., description of power, phrases used to describe power, evidence of power dynamics, strategies for addressing power imbalances) and end user engagement (e.g., Did they ask KUs how they wanted to be involved? Did they engage in reflection with KUs? Did they discuss dissemination strategies with KUs).ResultsEleven studies were eligible after screening 381 titles and reviewing 40 full-text studies. The use of IKT to address power varied significantly, revealing both positive examples as well as some missed opportunities to address power imbalances from study inception to dissemination.ConclusionRevisiting the use of IKT to examine how power is defined, shared, and managed in relationships with KUs could provide valuable insights. Using a CDA framework to explore these dynamics would indeed address the nuances of power in research contexts. Future research should focus on developing strategies to effectively implement IKT to address power imbalances, leading to research that has a better chance of being useful, usable and used in practice.</p
We Are [Not Just] What We Are: Monstrosity, Modernity, and Multiculturalism in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
No full textThis dissertation analyses Pratchett’s sophisticated, but ultimately limited, use of monsters as a vehicle for social commentary and moral exploration in his hugely popular Discworld series. Through close reading of four iconic Discworld monsters, I examine how Pratchett deploys these reimagined figures in his narratives and what he uses each monster to say about the real world beyond the page.All four monstrous species I analyse in depth in this dissertation—the orc, the golem, the vampire, and the werewolf—are unified under Pratchett’s ongoing interest in the fundamental challenges of existing in society with others, particularly in light of the need to maintain one’s freedom and authentic self without compromising the prosocial contract of living in community. In each chapter, I discuss each type of non-human citizen to illustrate how he utilises these monsters with a metaphoric tilt to explore complicated issues relating to how to live well alongside difference in a modem, multicultural world, including considerations into the limits of tolerance, the relation to the Other, and the complex and often fraught interaction between tradition and modernity.On the surface, Pratchett’s writing presents a positive view of diversity and difference in society, while championing moral regard for others and the self, individual freedom, liberal values, and entrepreneurialism. At the same time, his writing questions the cost of coercive assimilation for the Other, even in a supposedly heterogeneous society; and reveals an inclination towards paternalistic leadership, an unwillingness to closely examine structures and institutions of privilege, and a belief that the limiting factors of class and wealth can be overcome by hard work and determination. In this regard, the Discworld’s largest city, Ankh-Morpork, represents both the best and worst of Pratchett’s imagined modernity.I argue Pratchett’s vision of a modem, multicultural world and future is built upon such ambivalent ground as this and his work grapples with great unanswered questions—sometimes successfully, and sometimes not. The popularity of his work speaks to the resonance these themes have for his broad readership, and I suggest his use of monsters to this end both illuminate Pratchett’s own challenges with these ideas as well as reflecting on the greater societal anxiety of his era.</p
Improving footwear for male netball players
No full textBackground: Netball-specific shoes are the primary interface between the foot and the ground for netball players, providing protection and support to the foot during high-impact and multi-directional movements. Despite the recent growth of males participating in netball and the importance of wearing netball-specific shoes to reduce the risk of injuries and enhance performance, researchers and footwear manufacturers have largely neglected the footwear needs of male netball players. Improvements to current netball-specific shoe designs are necessary to improve shoe fit and functionality and accommodate all players.Research Question: The overall aim of this thesis was to systematically identify netball player preferences and design features that influenced the fit, comfort and functionality of netball-specific shoes to develop evidence-based recommendations to improve footwear for netball players, specifically males.Methods: A series of two studies, presented in three parts, were conducted to address the overall thesis aim. Part I involved 2,925 amateur, sub-elite and elite netball players (female: n = 2646; male: n = 279) completing an online survey to document the current footwear profiles and foot-related problems of netball players and determine whether these differed between sexes (Chapter 2). Part II then aimed to determine the satisfaction levels of male netball players with their current footwear (Chapter 3) and establish their preferences for ideal netball-specific shoe design (Chapter 4). Part III collected comprehensive three-dimensional foot shape data from 502 sub-elite and elite netball players (female: n = 251; male: n = 251) to characterise the foot shape of netball players and determine whether there were any sex differences (Chapter 5). Additionally, foot types were classified to understand why it is necessary to design netball-specific shoes for each sex and size (Chapter 6). Finally, the two studies were used to create recommendations to improve footwear for netball players, particularly males (Chapter 7).Major Conclusions: Current netball-specific shoes do not meet the fit, comfort and functionality requirements of netball players, particularly males. There is a high prevalence of foot-related problems and pain in netball and a large proportion of netball players, particularly males, choose to wear other shoe types in lieu of netball-specific shoes. Not only are male netball players dissatisfied with their current footwear, but quantitative evidence shows the shape and foot type classifications of male and female netball players’ feet differ significantly. Netball shoe manufacturers must consider these sex differences when designing shoes and develop unique lasts for each sex, foot size and type to better cater to the feet of netball players. In addition, it is recommended that a more extensive range of shoe sizes and widths be available to netball players. Specifically for males, netball-specific shoes should have a wider toe-box, more durable material in the upper and outsole and additional cushioning and support in the midsole and insole. By incorporating evidence-based recommendations, the fit, comfort and functionality of netball-specific shoes may be improved and, in turn, reduce foot-related problems and pain and optimise netball performance.</p
The Slide Piano: Exploring the creative application of electric slide guitar techniques to the strings of an acoustic piano through hybridised musical instrument design approaches
No full textThis research explores the question of how the techniques of electric slide guitar playing can be applied to an acoustic piano to arrive at new performative and compositional outcomes. Situated within the field of hybridised musical instrument design, this practice-based project centres on the creation of a new instrument, the Slide Piano, where the cast iron frame and strings of a piano are adapted to allow for the exploration of electric slide guitar approaches, such as open tunings and continuous pitch control, whilst maintaining timbres and textures traditionally associated with the piano.Through a practice-based methodology, the adaptation of the instrument involved a process of trial and error, contextualised by research into alternative piano designs and informed by the Slide Piano’s response to the application of electric slide guitar conventions. The process involved experiments in improvised performance using techniques such as portamento, vibrato and string damping. It also led to the development of new approaches that include alternative striking methods and the augmentation of the piano’s natural acoustic response with electronic guitar-oriented sound production. Advancements in the Slide Piano’s design crystallised these performative improvisations into complete compositions which reflect the hybridised nature of the instrument.Three new creative works are presented as live audiovisual recordings. The first work Sculptures in the Garden explores the conversion of electric slide guitar techniques to the Slide Piano through the use of live looping and phrase sampling. The second work In Cage/In Flight interrogates the percussive and timbral potential of the Slide Piano, while the final composition Lux Nocturna is the culmination of the Slide Piano’s idiosyncratic development, presented in the context of a sound/light art installation. The application of electric slide guitar techniques to the Slide Piano has enabled new possibilities for composition and performance within the field of hybrid instrument design.</p
Improving Blood Pressure Control in Primary Care: The ImPress Study
No full textBackground: Hypertension is a significant health issue due to its global prevalence and role as a major risk factor for numerous life-limiting conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, dementia and kidney disease1,2. Effective management of hypertension is often challenging due to a combination of clinician inertia and low patient engagement evident across Australian communities3.Enhancing general practice care has the potential to address key barriers to hypertension management and prevent needless death and disability associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The growth of the general practice nursing (GPN) workforce in Australia has created an opportunity to improve blood pressure management in this setting through a multidisciplinary approach4,5. Despite the potential, evidence is sparse around the impact of GPN-led interventions on blood pressure and health outcomes6.Aim: This Doctoral Project sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a GPN-led intervention to manage hypertension and explore participants' experiences in delivering and receiving this intervention.Methods: This was a two-stage, sequential explanatory mixed methods project. The first stage was a cluster randomised control trial of a GPN-led intervention to improve blood pressure control in people with hypertension and at high risk of CVD6,7. In stage two, a qualitative descriptive study was undertaken to explore the experiences of GPN, general practitioner (GP) and patient participants in the delivery and receipt of the intervention8. This study was significantly impacted by several climate disasters (bushfires and floods) and the COVID-19 pandemic9, which challenged the recruitment and retention of participants.Findings: Twelve general practices actively engaged in the study. Of the 126 people with hypertension and high CVD risk screened, 65 eligible people were recruited (30 intervention and 35 control). Quantitative findings demonstrated no significant difference in systolic blood pressure between control and intervention groups at six months, however, a significant improvement was detected at 12 months (p=0.03)10.</p
Key factors influencing employee perceptions of performance management system effectiveness: Evidence from the Dubai Government Sector
No full textPerformance management system (PMS) plays a crucial role in directing employees’ and organizations’ performance and growth. In addition, PMS ensures the stability of organizations by maintaining high levels of human capital productivity by managing, inspiring, and measuring employees’ performance. Hence, perceived performance management system effectiveness (PMSE) plays a vital role in raising employees’ level of engagement with PMS. Generally, employees base their judgment on their feelings and views, which determines their behavior of accepting or rejecting PMS. Therefore, this paper aims to examine key factors impacting perceived performance management system effectiveness by investigating the influence of contextually relevant factors (manager-employee relationship quality and trust in managers), as well as process-related variables (feedback environment and PMS practices) on perceived performance management system effectiveness.Considering gaps in PMS research, which dominantly focused on PMS design, fairness of performance appraisal, and poor implementation, the present study explores PMSE in a contextually relevant manner where most influencing factors are closely scrutinized in Dubai’s government sector, specifically through focusing on the impact of trust in managers and manager-employee relationship quality (MERQ) which are essential elements in a high-context workplace setting. In addition, the factors related to the process of performance management were selected, which are the implementation of PMS practices and feedback environment. The interactions between these factors and how they influence the PMSE Dubai government sector have been rarely examined in previous studies.The research follows quantitative methods, where an online survey was used to gather data from 304 employees in Dubai government organizations. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The research findings suggest that manager-employee relationship quality, mediates the relationship between source and feedback credibility, source and feedback availability, favorable feedback, and perceived performance management system effectiveness. In addition, factors related to trust in managers negatively moderate the relationship between source and feedback credibility and manager-employee relationship quality and positively moderate the relationship between source and feedback availability and manager-employee relationship quality. Moreover, trust in managers moderates the relationship between PMS practices and perceived performance management system effectiveness.The findings indicate that in a high-context culture, mainly in the Arab Middle Eastern region, such as the Dubai government sector, manager-employee relationship quality plays a significant role in positively influencing employee perceptions of performance management system effectiveness. In addition, the results of the present study show that trust in managers affects the way PMS practices impact perceived performance management system effectiveness. Specifically, the findings show that trust in managers positively moderates the relationship between source and feedback availability and manager-employee relationship quality. Nevertheless, trust in managers negatively moderates the relationship between source and feedback credibility and manager-employee relationship quality, even when levels of trust in managers are low (in the case of new employees).Examining MERQ and trust in managers unique to high-context settings such as the public sector in Dubai setting, wherein relationship building is a crucial factor in conducting business, makes this study contextually relevant. A holistic analysis of MERQ, trust, PMS implementation processes, and a constructive feedback environment leads to unique findings contributing to both scholarly literature and practical implications.Future research may examine the applicability of the proposed framework in new settings, such as private sector contexts, which have distinct cultures through its predominant focus on increasing shareholder value. Moreover, the present research is a cross-sectional study where data was gathered at a certain point in time, and therefore, a longitudinal study carried over time may reveal different results.</p
Advances in reactive printing of MOF thin films
No full textThis thesis further develops the methodology of reactive printing towards more complex metal-organic framework (MOF) films. It also presents examples where the printed MOF films are utilised in catalysis and electrochemistry due to their specific functionalisation and chemistry. Each chapter highlights the effectiveness of reactive printing as a practical approach for developing MOF films directly applicable to various fields. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the development of films composed of microporous materials and comments on the different techniques for MOF deposition. The chapter ends by highlighting the transformative potential of reactive printing.Chapter 3 focuses on enhancing the properties of a UiO-66-NH2 by delivering and integrating the conductive polymer PEDOT in and around the particles via reactive printing. Setbacks in inkjet printing were overcome by moving to an extrusion-based system, which became the method of choice for the remainder of the thesis. SIMS and Raman analysis confirmed the incorporation of PEDOT, whilst PXRD and TGA-DSC were used to determine that the structure of the MOF was not damaged in the printing process. The results illustrate the successful incorporation of conductive polymers in MOF films, which in turn provides an increase in conductivity of several orders of magnitude.Chapter 4 presents a comprehensive evaluation of the reactive extrusion printing (REP) method of HKUST-1. This chapter provides an in-depth investigation into the statistical analysis, modelling, and optimisation of the reactive printing process. Areal roughness parameters were chosen as the response values to guide the optimisation process. As a result, higher quality and more consistently reproducible films of HKUST-1 can now be obtained. Furthermore, the statistical modelling unveiled higher-order factors that had not been previously discovered.Chapter 5 extends the reactive printing of HKUST-1 to create bimetallic composites from copper(II) and zinc(II). This was demonstrated through two approaches: doping the metal ink with zinc(II), or directly printing Zn-HKUST-1 on top of Cu-HKUST-1. The findings for the former indicate that printing only low concentrations of zinc(II) will still maintain the desired properties of pristine HKUST-1. The surface area diminished and crystal structure was not always maintained with higher amounts of zinc(II). The latter was the first attempt at reactive printing a heterogeneous film. While this was unsuccessful, the investigation sheds light on the challenges associated with reactive printing.In Chapter 6, the focus shifts to printing with hydroxy- and nitro-functionalised surrogates of trimesic acid within the HKUST-1 structure. The hydroxy-doped HKUST-1 samples contained mesopores as indicated by gas sorption experiments. Their surface areas and structural defects moderately increased with doping and further diverged from their solvothermal counterparts. Conversely, the nitro-doped HKUST-1 composites maintained excellent chemical properties and matched their solvothermal counterparts at each level of dopant. The visual appearance and surface roughness of all the films in this chapter represented the ideal features of pristine HKUST-1 films showcased in Chapter 4.Chapter 7 is the final results chapter and reports the first attempt at reactive printing a relatively new MOF, Cu-THQ. The ideal conditions for reactive printing Cu-THQ were established and printing was used to apply coatings onto copper foils, marking a departure from glass-based substrates in previous chapters. Cu-THQ had excellent adhesion to copper foil, and preliminary tests were conducted to prove this MOF film can facilitate the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide.Chapter 8 provides concluding remarks and consolidates the findings and insights from previous chapters. It offers an overall summary of the achievements in and this and outlines potential future directions based on the trajectory of this research.</p
Periodic Dynamics in a Semiconductor Laser with Optical Feedback: Theory and Applications
No full textRich laser dynamics have potential for various applications, ranging from cryptography, microwave photonics to sensing instrumentation. Laser dynamics can be induced by external perturbation including optical injection or external optical feedback (EOF). Laser sensing systems utilizing a semiconductor laser (SL) with EOF are highly regarded for their cost-effective implementation, reduced component requirements, and straightforward optical alignment, making them more attractive in practical applications.This research introduces innovative methods to produce dual-frequency lasers and optical frequency combs (OFCs) by utilizing SLs under external optical feedback (EOF) and their nonlinear dynamics. It explores the application of these techniques in: 1. High-resolution velocity measurements using Dual-frequency Doppler LiDAR (DFDL). 2. High-precision distance measurements using dual-comb interferometry.First, a new method for generating dual-frequency lasers using a single-frequency SL with EOF operating in period-one (PI) oscillation is proposed and demonstrated. By adjusting both the EOF strength and external cavity length, the laser output spectrum can be tuned to exhibit two dominant frequencies with nearly equal amplitudes and controllable frequency separation. The characteristics and tunability of the dual-frequency spectra are investigated in detail.In Chapter 2, the proposed dual-frequency laser is used to build a novel DFDL system for velocity measurement. Compared to conventional single-frequency Doppler LiDAR, DFDL offers a different approach by using the microwave beat frequency generated between two optical frequencies to measure the velocity of a moving target. This measurement approach significantly reduces errors that typically arise from atmospheric turbulence and surface scattering. The proposed DFDL system, employing the PI dual-frequency laser with a simple and cost-effective setup, demonstrates a velocity resolution of 55.5μm/s and 58.3μm/s, a significant improvement over existing methods.Chapter 3 presents a novel method for generating OFCs with adjustable repetition rates. This is achieved by operating the laser in specific periodic dynamical states that are induced by EOF. Periodic windows embedded in the chaotic regimes of the laser dynamics are identified and utilized. An investigation of four distinct types of periodic windows reveals their unique laser dynamics and the corresponding characteristics of the generated OFCs. By precisely controlling the external cavity length, a tunable OFC repetition rate with a range up to 18.07 MHz is achieved. As an application example, a dual-comb system using the proposed OFC generation technique is developed for distance measurement. By interfering two OFCs with slightly different repetition rates and extracting the phase information from the resulting microwave beat spectrum, the target distance can be determined with high precision. Results demonstrate a measurement error within 31/μm for distances up to 2.6m, highlighting the system’s accuracy and potential for practical use.In summary, both theory and application studied in this thesis are expected to advance the field of laser dynamics and its application by introducing innovative techniques for dual-frequency laser and OFC generation based on the nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers with EOF. The demonstration of high-resolution velocity and distance measurements using these techniques opens up new possibilities for optical sensing and metrology.</p
Neural Bayes Estimators for Irregular Spatial Data Using Graph Neural Networks
No full textNeural Bayes estimators are neural networks that approximate Bayes estimators in a fast and likelihood-free manner. Although they are appealing to use with spatial models, where estimation is often a computational bottleneck, neural Bayes estimators in spatial applications have, to date, been restricted to data collected over a regular grid. These estimators are also currently dependent on a prescribed set of spatial locations, which means that the neural network needs to be retrained for new datasets; this renders them impractical in many applications and impedes their widespread adoption. In this work, we employ graph neural networks (GNNs) to tackle the important problem of parameter point estimation from data collected over arbitrary spatial locations. In addition to extending neural Bayes estimation to irregular spatial data, the use of GNNs leads to substantial computational benefits, since the estimator can be used with any configuration or number of locations and independent replicates, thus, amortizing the cost of training for a given spatial model. We also facilitate fast uncertainty quantification by training an accompanying neural Bayes estimator that approximates a set of marginal posterior quantiles. We illustrate our methodology on Gaussian and max-stable processes. Finally, we showcase our methodology on a dataset of global sea-surface temperature, where we estimate the parameters of a Gaussian process model in 2161 spatial regions, each containing thousands of irregularly-spaced data points, in just a few minutes with a single graphics processing unit. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.</p