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Cyber deterrence and US-Sino cyber relations: regarding US-Sino cyber relations, can deterrence function in cyberspace?
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 72-78.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Brief overview -- Chapter 3. Literature review -- Chapter 4. Case study US-Sino Relations -- Chapter 5. A functioning cyber deterrence -- Chapter 6. Conclusion -- References.To study the applicability of deterrence theory to the case study of US-Sino cyber relations. This thesis will attempt to determine the utility of cyber deterrence as a management tool as well as its effectiveness in cyberspace.As the relationship between the US and China is arguably one of the most important to the international community its stability is important. Yet in recent years US-Sino relations has been detrimentally affected by a seriec of cyber incidents; some notably stemming from the 2013 Mandiant Report. The international community is becoming progressively more reliant on the cyber domain to conduct affairs ranging from trade and economics to critical infrastructure. However, the increase in interconnectedness has subsequently led to an escalation in vulnerability and susceptibility to exploits for malicious purposes. As the US and China have greater capabilities to undertake operations within the domain, cyber contests are of increasing concern.Deterrence theory is explored as a method to dissuade costly attacks and as a management tool for the political relationship. However, the literature on cyber deterrence is young; it needs further analysis and definitional clarity. This thesis will explore the scale and method used for various cyber incidents in an attempt to examine a more holistic picture of US-Sino relations within the domain. The infancy of cyberspace has resulted in and environment where the boundaries of acceptable behaviour are still being explored. There is a significant disconnect between the perceptions of accepted norms of the US and China within the domain. The possibility of cyber war as well as the use of the cyber domain to conduct large-scale damaging attacks should be considered. The question remains can deterrence apply to the cyber domain and if so to what extent? Moreover, is there a difference in applicability of deterrence when considering the severity of a cyber-incident? This paper seeks to determine the utility of deterrence to the US-Sino political relationship and its applicability to the cyber domain.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (78 pages) colour illustration
Energy transitions, intermediaries and home battery storage in Australia
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 51-531 Introduction -- 2 Literature review -- 3 Methodology -- 4 Introducing the Next Generation Renewable Energy Storage Pilot -- 5. Industry actors and the process of intermediation -- 6 Discussion: the impacts of intermediation -- 7 Conclusions -- 8 References.A transition to a cleaner energy future that embraces renewable energy technology such as home battery storage has never been so compelling. With high solar Photovoltaic (PV) penetration and expensive electricity rates, the likely adoption of battery storage technologies has positioned Australia to become the number one market for home battery storage in the world. To date however, there has been little research that explores the governance of such energy transitions in the Australian context. Against this backdrop, this research project explores the role of intermediary actors through a case study of home battery storage in Canberra- one of the first such projects in Australia which is rolling out energy storage to more than 5000 homes and businesses between 2016 - 2020. The research focuses on the role of key industry proponents in the scheme and identifies the existence of an intermediary landscape that comprises multiple layers - both visible and invisible. The project finds that the multifaceted role for these proponents has important implications for the role of the state and responsibility for enabling future energy transitions.1 online resource (55 pages) illustration
Impacts of climate change on Cunningham's skink (Egernia cunninghami)
No full textTheoretical thesis.Thesis by publication.Includes bibliographical references.1. Introduction -- 2. Conservation planning under climate change: a need for an integrative modelling approach -- 3. Combining dispersal, landscape connectivity and Maxent to assess climate-induced changes in the distribution of Cunningham's skinks -- 4. Cunningham's skinks show low genetic connectivity and signatures of divergent selection across its distribution -- 5. Adaptive capacity influence the outcome of climate change vulnerability assessment -- 6. Discussion and conclusion -- Appendices.Climate change has become a mainstay conservation research topic because of the substantial threat it poses to global biodiversity. The capacity of species to disperse to track the movement of their climate niches, or to adapt in situ to novel climates through microevolution, will determine their persistence under climate change. Yet, studies assessing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity rarely account for species' dispersal and evolutionary potential. In this thesis, I employ population genomics, and species distribution and landscape connectivity models to assess the potential responses of a philopatric species, Cunningham's skink (Egernia cunninghami), to climate change. Genetic data revealed strong population structuring, and different spatial patterns of putatively neutral SNPs versus those under divergent selection. I found a significant positive association between SNPs under divergent selection and temperature. Results suggest that the natural dispersal rate of Cunningham's skink may be insufficient to track shifts in climate zones, irrespective of landscape connectivity. Similar results were obtained by incorporating realistic estimates of dispersal and landscape connectivity into species distribution models, i.e. most populations of E. cunninghami may not have adequate dispersal capabilities to track climate change. However, combining measures of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to assess the vulnerability of E. cunninghami and other Australian lizards to climate change revealed that some lizards, including E. cunninghami, may have sufficient adaptive potential (micro-evolutionary and plastic responses) to cope with climate change.1 online resource (xxi, 280 pages : maps
People do not empathise and help others based on facial resemblance
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 85-95.Introduction -- The current study -- General discussion -- References -- Appendices.Altruism may have evolved through kin selection by maximising inclusive fitness, so people may have evolved to preferentially help kin over non-kin. Previous research suggests that empathy may be one of the main contributors to helping behaviour, and that people trust others who look similar to themselves. However, whether this leads to helping, and whether empathy towards others changes according to their physical similarity remains unknown.The aim of the thesis is to examine the effect of within-race self-similarity on cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and helping.The faces of 56 Caucasian participants (27 male, 27 female; aged 18-29) were secretly recorded responding to happy and sad video clips. Happy and sad composite faces (validated by a rating task) were morphed to look similar and dissimilar to each participant. A total of 15 male and 18 female participants returned to make judgements of each face, including how well they recognise the faces’ emotional expression, how much they feel that emotion themselves, and whether they chose to help people with a similar or a dissimilar face in a low risk scenario.There was no significant difference for either cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, or helping similar compared to dissimilar faces. There was also no significant difference in cognitive compared to emotional empathy for the preference of similar over dissimilar faces. Nor did a self-preference in cognitive empathy nor a self-preference in emotional empathy significantly predict a self-preference in helping.This study has demonstrated that empathy and helping are not affected by self-resemblance, and offers an alternative way that kin selection functions in humans.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (109 pages) colour illustration
Fruit fly models of schizophrenia, a philosophical account
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 75-83.Chapter One. Background information -- Chapter Two. Mechanisms, Parkinson’s disease, and drosophila -- Chapter Three. Schizophrenia and the search for mechanistic explanations -- Chapter Four. Conclusion.Drosophila melanogaster – the common fruit fly - has been a model organism in science for over one hundred years. Thanks to a shared ancestor hundreds of million years ago, a surprisingly large number of features are common between fruit flies and humans. This conservation of features allows researchers to model how mechanistic breakdown or malfunction can lead to diseases in humans. There has been great success in research in Parkinson’s disease using the Drosophila to model the relevant features of the disease. This past success has led to a call for other diseases, such as schizophrenia, to be modelled in Drosophila. How these models succeed, why mechanistic explanations are preferred in neuroscience will be explored to give an account of when we can expect success from such an enterprise. By modelling the mechanisms that cause disease, in model organisms, scientists can explore how these neuroanatomical and neurochemical features lead to specific changes that can explain symptoms of human sufferers. Drosophila are a vessel for studying the in vivo action of mechanisms of interest. The knowledge of the molecular action of the mechanism is refined by testing the action of the mechanism in other model organisms. Drosophila are the ideal starting point to explore mechanistic causes of disease in vivo.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (83 pages
A compresible formulation for multiphase flows of geophysical and geodynamic interest
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 55-59.1. Introduction -- 2.Averaging techniques -- 3. Equations of flow -- 4. Examples -- 5. Conclusion & discussion -- Appendix.Multi-Phase Transport controls a number of important processes in the Earth's interior. Unfortunately, most available modelling platforms (and their underlying system of equations) are not well-suited to deal with the MPT nature of geological processes. The aim of this project is to develop a compressible Multi-Phase formulation able to handle the required level of complexity of both turbulent and non-turbulent natural systems. This platform will provide a unique and holistic understanding of key geological processes such as melt generation and migration, core formation, metasomatism, magma-chamber formation, ore generation and emplacement, and secular evolution of planetary bodies.1 online resource (xii, 59 pages
Work and non-work adjustment of Mexican skilled migrants in Australia
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 177-225Chapter 1: Overview of Research on Skilled Migrant Adjustment -- Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework for Understanding Skilled Migrants' Adjustment -- Chapter 3: Methodology -- Chapter 4: Cross-sectional Results of P-E fit and the Adjustment Model in Mexican Skilled -- Chapter 5: Longitudinal Results: Effect of P-E fit, Support and Adjustment in Mexican Skilled Migrants' Intention to Leave Australia -- Chapter 6: Mexican Adjustment Trends Over Time -- Chapter 7: General Discussion -- AppendicesThis thesis examines quantitative data on adjustment in work and non-work domains for a sample of Mexican skilled migrants in Australia. While the literature on adjustment in situations of international mobility has expanded in recent decades, the specific study of skilled migration has lagged behind, despite the fact that it accounts for a growing sector of the globalised workforce. This study addresses that gap, furnishing new data on a specific group of skilled migrants in Australia and offering a robust theoretical framework for its interpretation. Dawis and Lofquist's (1984) Minnesota Theory of Work adjustment is employed as a guide for developing a framework to understand adjustment. Black and Stephen's (1989) influential model of tripartite adjustment, including work, non-work and interaction adjustment, is used to identify the types of adjustment examined. The proposed framework includes demands-abilities (D-A) fit and needs-supplies (N-S) fit in both work and non-work environments as predictors of adjustment, with the additional variable of social support. Intention to leave Australia is considered the outcome moderated by these predictors. In its first three chapters, this thesis presents an introduction to skilled migration, the theoretical underpinnings for the understanding of migrants' adjustment and the methodology applied for the three-wave longitudinal study. Detailed explanation of the sample and discussion of the challenges in surveying small and geographically-dispersed populations precede the three empirical chapters. Cross-sectional analyses show support for the proposed model, demonstrating that fit at work, fit with the culture and social support by host nationals (Australians) relate to the tripartite model of adjustment proposed by Black and Stephens (1989). Qualitative data indicate that Mexican skilled migrants consider the most challenging aspects of adjusting to their work and non-work life in Australia to be finding their first job, making friends and networking, having their immediate family a long way away and having difficulties with Australian English. Longitudinal analysis examines the mediation effect of adjustment in the relationship between P-E fit work, P-E fit culture and support from Australians and the three types of adjustment. Drawing on data collected over three waves, the results demonstrate that neither PE fit work nor support predicted adjustment across time. Furthermore, the mediational effect of adjustment only applied to the relationship between P-E fit culture and intention to leave. However, post-hoc analyses indicated that when skilled migrants experienced high levels of PE fit culture, there was a positive effect of P-E fit work upon work adjustment. By including non-work variables, this study highlights the importance of considering environments other than work when studying international adjustment and its outcomes. The third analysis considered the time-dependent nature of adjustment via latent growth modelling (LGM). While work and interaction adjustment showed a positive linear growth over the course of the study, skilled migrants' non-work adjustment plateaued after six months. In addition, only P-E fit work was shown to be a significant predictor of the acceleration of its corresponding adjustment trajectory. The final discussion outlines the implications for theory and practice, along with strengths, limitations and suggestions for future research. Overall, the findings of this thesis contribute to the adjustment literature by providing scholars with new information in the understanding of the process experienced by growing skilled migrant populations.1 online resource (xiv, 252 pages) illustration
Mixed embeddedness and Nigerian immigrants’ informal entrepreneurship in Ghana
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 251-292.Chapter 1. Introduction to migration and immigrant entrepreneurship -- Chapter 2. A socio-economic and political portrait of Ghana and the evolution of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship -- Chapter 3. Literature review of immigrants’ entrepreneurship research -- Chapter 4. Immigrant entrepreneurship : theoretical foundations and application to Nigerian entrepreneurs in Ghana -- Chapter 5. Research methodology & characteristics of the entrepreneurs and their businesses -- Chapter 6. Understanding Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in contemporary Ghana -- Chapter 7. Mixed embeddedness and Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana -- Chapter 8. Nigerian (immigrant) entrepreneurs in borderland locations in Ghana -- Chapter 9. Transnational embeddedness of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana -- Chapter 10. Mixed embeddedness and Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana : synthesis and conclusion -- Bibliography -- Appendices.This thesis on entrepreneurship of Nigerian immigrants in Ghana, is positioned at the intersection of mixed embeddedness as an explanatory framework for migration and the formation of immigrant entrepreneurship in a developing country context. Leaning on the constructivist epistemology with the empirical base anchored in in-depth interviews and observation data from Accra, the capital of Ghana, Kumasi, the second largest city after Accra, and Ashaiman, a sprawling sub-urban settlement, it argues that the formation of immigrant entrepreneurship can be researched as a form of mixed embeddedness. Moreover, since most research on immigrant entrepreneurship and mixed embeddedness focus on advanced western societies and less reflective of the actualities in developing country contexts, it demonstrates that Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana can be used to understand mixed embeddedness and extend it along the lines of borderlands and transnationalism.From this view, this thesis defines mixed embeddedness as a multi-level concept that aggregate around four domains, namely the entrepreneurs’ own group characteristics as embeddedness, the Ghanaian context of embeddedness, borderland as context for embeddedness, and transnational embeddedness. First, it shows that the entrepreneurs’ group characteristics such as their culturally produced apprenticeship system and high theocentric orientation together with their variegated network categories, serve as embeddedness for their entrepreneurial practices. Secondly, it demonstrates that, the operation of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana is conditioned on the Ghanaian-specific characteristics. In specific, they are embedded in the Ghanaian urban/inner city, socio-cultural, economic, political, policy, legal and historical contexts. Thirdly, the study shows that the mixed embeddedness of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana should be linked to Ghana as a borderland context in which the entrepreneurial behaviours and actions of the immigrants are embedded, shaped and underline their borderland entrepreneurial characteristics. Finally, the entrepreneurs maintain embeddedness in a wider transnational context that is rooted in the contextual conditions of the trans-West African sub-regional economic structure and beyond. These findings contribute to knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship and the mixed embeddedness approach within a non-western empirical frame, and further opens our understanding through incorporating the notions of borderlands and transnationalism as specifications in mixed embeddedness.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xiv, 296 pages colour maps
A web-based text editor for a controlled natural language
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 82-83.1. Introduction -- 2. Background and related work -- 3. Literature review of PENG -- 4. Timeline -- 5. Requirements -- 6. Tools required and implementation -- 7. Working of PENG -- 8. Discussion and current work -- 9. Explanation of important JavaScript files -- 10. Risk assessment -- 11. Conclusion -- 12. Future work -- 13. Abbreviations -- 14. References -- Appendices.In recent years there has been massive improvement in predicting what a user wants to type, as advanced technology is more accessible than previously.User interfaces and human -computer interaction have become vital in today's world. This has encouraged a project that explores the user-interface of a text editor of Procesable English (PENG), a machine-oriented controlled natural language (CNL), which has as yet not been explored the way it desrves. A CNL limits the natural language (base language) by putting constraints over syntax, semantics and lexicon.A speech interface API, to provide speech input, was implemented in a previous prototype, which had functionality problems. This paper presents the change in user interface, by making it more appealing and easier to use. Additionally, the entire system (code) was documented to better understand the system, while improving the human-computer interaction. We also aimed to rectify the problem where the system would not allow multiple sentences to be entered into the text editor of the PENG system.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (85 pages colour illustrations
TCP/IP networking protocol analysis
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 83-86.1. Introduction -- 2. Literature review -- 3. Analysis -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion -- Appendices -- References.Nowadays Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is known to be the most reliable network communication protocol capable of handling retransmission, packet loss, congestion control and more. In TCP/IP communication, packet loss and congestion are likely to have an impact on bandwidth. Performance is affected even at low packet loss rates, so with an enlarged rate of packet loss, a radical drop in bandwidth efficiency occurs. To identify the source of this unpredictable network performance, a thorough examination of TCP/IP traffic was conducted.This thesis studied the behaviour of the main protocols involved in the 4 layers of the TCP/IP stack. This project, which was primarily concerned with layers 3 and 4 of the TCP/IP stack protocol, carried out a comparison between the performance of two different congestion and control algorithms (Cubic and Reno). Several experimental tests were conducted to determine when the connection experienced data loss and ACK loss, with the results plotted on individual graphs showing packet behaviour.Initially two different TCP congestion control algorithms were used to observe their influence on bandwidth rate. Subsequently, the TCP variables - advanced window scaling and window scaling - were changed to observe their role in obtaining acceptable bandwidth rate with respect to packet drop and the retransmission rate.The study revealed a significant reduction in performance during packet loss. Surprisingly, the results showed that the congestion and control algorithms, Cubic and Reno, led to the same outcome when the link was experiencing packet loss. However, ACK loss did not significantly affect performance, and up to 40% loss in ACKs could be tolerated with almost no reduction in performance.While TCP still functions adequately when experiencing single segment loss, the challenge is to handle multiple packet loss. Further research, therefore, might investigate new algorithms for multiple packet loss in the network.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (86 pages diagrams, graphs, tables