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Multiple synchronous wireless robotic arm
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 55-56.1. Introduction -- 2. Background -- 3. Safety -- 4. Preparation -- 5. Results and discussion -- 6. Improvement -- 7. Future work -- 8. Abbreviations -- Appendices -- Bibliography.Robotics has developed considerably in recent years in comparison to the late 1900s, from a simple concept such as user command crane to an autonomous car that sorts items for delivery developed by Amazon. Robotics has revolutionised the way the world works, making complicated and dangerous tasks much simpler and safer. This paper propses an alternative design to achieve synchronised movements of multiple robots using the Crust Crawler AX-12A Smart Robotic Arm, Bluetooth, the popular module "Arduino" and a dynamixal shield which intends to recreate a human arm that works in assembly lines to replace them. This report includes experimental testing, limitations and possible improvements that can be achieved by future students or researchers.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xv, 56 pages colour illustrations
Understanding the effects of surface roughness and topology of zinc on biological cell function
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: page47.Introduction -- Background information -- Experimental procedures -- Results -- Discussion -- Conclusions -- Future work -- References -- Appendix.One significant research area in the rapidly advancing medical industry is the suitability of various materials for biodegradable bone implants. Amongst biodegradable solutions, zinc has seen an increased interest as it has displayed potential to be more suitable over common current materials such as magnesium. For this notion to progress, research must be done into how the surface conditions of zinc metal affects the biological cellular function in which it is to be applied. This project will see how changing the roughness and topology of zinc's surface can optimise its suitability for bone implants. The project yielded inconclusive results, showing that there is still much research to be done in this area in order to understand just how zinc may be applied to bone implantation.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (124 pages illustrations (some colour)
Development of alloy technology to allow better matching of dies to different alloys
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 53-54.I. Introduction -- II. Literature review -- III. Experimental procedures -- IV. Results -- V. Discussion -- VI. Conclusions -- VII. Recommendations for future work -- VIII. References -- IX. Appendices.Aluminium alloys are commonly used throughout the world due to their properties such as great strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Aluminium alloys are used in industries including space and aircraft, Car manufacturing and infrastructure in many cities. these alloys are often extruded through an extrusion process that is able to produce large quantities of worked material in many different shapes and sizes.In theis project, the aim is to differentiate the mechanical properties of 6000 and 7000 series aluminium alloys to give our industry partner, Capral, a recommendation based on the data obtained through experimental work. The dat obtained throughout the project indicates a large strength difference between the tow alloys, where series 70000 alloys are approximately 100% stronger than 60000 series in terms of tensile strength and about 47% stronger in terms of hardness strength.Grain boundaries were explored in both series and significant differences were shown in terms of the grain structure. The grain size of the 6000 series is approximately 50-100μm, while the 7000 is much smaller in comparison, which reinforces that 7000 series are much stronger alloys overall. It was found during the project that other specific extrusion parameters need to be considered such as temperature , ram speed and the die profile. It was recommended that the profile should be simple for 7000 series alloys to avoid short die life and poor quality extrudates. Hollow dies should be used with caution with 7000 series alloys.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (x, 57 pages illustrations (some colour
Development of wear resistant extrusion dies
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 62-63.1. Introduction -- 2. Literature review -- 3. Experimental methods -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion -- 7. Future work -- 8. References -- 9. Appendix..Dies used for the production of aluminium extrusions are subjected to varying degrees of mechanical and chemical degradation. Dies themselves are costly and time consuming to produce, hence from the perspective of the user it is desirable for them to have a significant lifespan. A review of literature suggests that a significant factor in improving the mechanical properties of a die is through the use of various heat treatments, in conjunction with several surface hardening techniques. Here we examine the effectiveness of this through various case studies as well as experimental results, all of which will be performed on dies that have been subjected to the extrusion process previously.The importance of some form of surface coating that can be re-applied over the life of the die will be looked at. It is through the examination of this that we will highlight how future advances in creating longer lasting dies will come from the development of technologies that allow for constant and accurate measurement of this protective surface treatment.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xii, 65 pages colour illustrations
Decolonising art and media in Madrid and Sydney: the articulation of political identities in the (in)formal Resistance
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 267-283.Abstract/Resumen -- Acknowledgements -- Agradecimientos -- Chapter One: Performances and broadcasts for resistance. An introduction -- Chapter Two: Entrecalles using the barrio. De-institutionalisation and decolonisation of performative spaces -- Chapter Three: De-colonising bodies and narratives from the margins -- Chapter Four: Latin American women using and building a feminist radio -- Chapter Five: Diverse ways to present resistance through the radio -- Chapter Six: Welcome to Redfern. Articulating Aboriginal resistance through media and culture -- Chapter Seven: Between governmentality and informality -- Chapter Eight: Decolonising dominant representations -- Chapter Nine: Breaking boundaries to express multiple selves -- Conclusion: Among Sydney and Madrid -- Conclusiones: Entre Sídney y Madrid -- Bibliography.This thesis is based on fieldwork conducted in two different urban contexts. I explore the cultural and media practices of Latin American people in Madrid, Spain and Aboriginal people in Sydney, Australia. I argue that both case studies constitute attempts to decolonise the dominant and homogeneous representations of these peoples within mediatised industries. Utilising a range of research methods that include multi-located ethnography, participant observation, interviews and analysis of the creative works of two radio and theatre groups in each location, I evoke different social worlds where political identities of resistance are articulated. Attention to daily practices reveals both groups’ difficulties in accessing commodified media markets, in part because of their physical characteristics. Further, I show how these groups find their own ways to expose their subjectivities and disseminate their creative works, voices and responses, including dialogues with institutions and funding bodies. The analysis of these groups presents different results yet overall shows commonalities in how these collectives use similar tools to counteract the residues of colonialism in the present. Throughout this thesis, colonialism appears as an unfinished power relation betweendominant groups and minority groups in Spanish and Australian societies.Esta tesis se basa en el trabajo de campo realizado en dos contextos urbanos distintos. Exploro las prácticas culturales y mediáticas de latinoamericanos en Madrid, España y aborígenes en Sídney, Australia. Argumento que estos casos de estudio constituyen intentos por parte de estos dos grupos por descolonizar representaciones dominantes y homogéneas en las industrias mediáticas. Utilizando una metodología variada que incluye etnografía multi-local, observación participante, entrevistas y el análisis de los trabajos creativos de los dos grupos de radio y teatro en cada localidad, señalo los distintos mundos sociales donde los sujetos de estudio articulan identidades políticas de resistencia. Prestando atención a sus prácticas diarias se revelan las dificultades de los dos grupos para acceder a los mercados mediáticos, en parte debido a sus características físicas. Además, muestro cómo estos grupos encuentran sus propias maneras de exponer sus subjetividades y difundir sus trabajos creativos, voces y respuestas, incluyendo diálogos con instituciones y organismos que conceden ayudas económicas. El análisis de estos grupos presenta distintos resultados pero sobre todo muestra comunalidades en cómo estos colectivos usan similares herramientas para contrarrestar los residuos del colonialismo en el presente. A lo largo de la tesis el colonialismo aparece como una relación de poder inacabada entre grupos dominantes y grupos minoritarios en las sociedades española y australiana.1 online resource (viii, 283 pages
Sources of spatio-temporal variation in habitat provisioning by the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata
No full textEmpirical thesis.Includes bibliographical references.I. General introduction -- II. The timing and type of substrate deployment influences recruitment of Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea glomerata, and associated communities -- III. Co-occurring secondary foundation species have distinct effects on community assembly --IV. Wave energy alters biodiversity by shaping intraspecific traits of a habit-forming species -- V. General discussion -- Supplemental material.Habitat-forming species provide structure that facilitates colonisation and survival of associated species. Along the east coast of Australia, there is growing interest in restoring reefs once formed by the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, to enhance biodiversity, fisheries productivity and water quality. To provide information on when and where restoration efforts might be most successful, I investigated sources of spatial and temporal variation in the colonisation of oysters and their facilitation of invertebrates.In many areas oysters are substrate limited and live or dead shell is added to facilitate reef growth. I assessed how the timing of substrate deployment, and its status as live or dead shell, in loose or consolidated arrangements influences oyster recruitment and the development of associated communities. I found that the timing of substrate deployment influenced oyster recruitment and community assembly by determining whether oysters were able to colonise prior to competitors such as barnacles and algae. Dense and diverse communities of invertebrates, however, colonised irrespective of whether substrate was live oysters or dead shell, or was consolidated or loose. Hence, the timing of substrate deployment will be critical to the success of restoration projects.Although many restoration projects have focused on the rehabilitation of a single habitat-forming species, in most instances biodiversity is underpinned by interactions between multiple co-occurring habitat-forming species. I assessed how the presence of a second habitat-forming species influences habitat provisioning by S. glomerata. I found that in mangrove forests, S. glomerata and the co-occurring, habitat-forming alga Hormosira banksii had distinct, and additive effects on invertebrate recruitment and on mitigating predator-prey interactions. Hence, there may be benefits of restoring multiple habitat-forming species at a site.Finally, I investigated variation in facilitation of invertebrates by oysters across a wave exposure gradient. Using a survey and a manipulative field experiment, I partitioned effects of wave energy on oyster communities into direct effects and indirect effects arising from responses of oyster morphology and density to wave energy. Across a wave exposure gradient, invertebrate abundance and richness, and oyster size and density were negatively correlated with wave energy. Indirect effects of wave energy on invertebrate communities, arising from effects on oyster density and morphology, were more important than direct effects.Overall, my results support the important role of habitat-forming species morphology and environmental context in shaping positive interactions. To maximise the success of restoration, programs should target environments in which the growth forms of habitat-forming species have the greatest positive effect on biodiversity.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xxviii, 154 pages) graphs, table
A pluralistic approach to distributed cognition: tasks, mechanisms, and practices
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 253-282.General introduction -- 1. The problems of distributed cognition -- 2. The navigation team and information bottlenecks -- 3. Task-specificity and multilevel analysis -- 4. The mutual manipulability criterion -- 5.Normative patterned practices -- 6. Re-examining the navigation case study -- General conclusion -- Bibliography.This thesis is a conceptual re-analysis of distributed cognition. I defend the position against numerous challenges and propose a novel pluralistic approach. Distributed cognition is a research framework used in many differing fields within the sciences and humanities. It proposes that the unit of analysis for exploring human cognition is flexible, and that cognition is distributed across both time and space in multiple ways (Hutchins 2001). But the stunning variety of putative cases in the literature raises a multitude of questions about whether this concept is being applied coherently. The heterogeneity of size and type of distributed cognitive systems also exacerbates the problem of cognitive bloat. I argue that standard simpler approaches to these problems are inadequate because they fail to account for the importance of cognition distributed in time.As such, I propose a pluralistic approach that combines a number of naturalistic criteria from the literature: task-specificity (Davies & Michaelian 2016), the mutual manipulability criterion (Kaplan 2012), and normative patterned practices (Menary 2007a, 2016). These principles work in conjunction with each other in a consilient fashion to tackle the myriad problems facing a proponent of distributed cognition – as well as mitigating a further problem I call ‘methodological bloat’. My pluralistic framework also provides a robust and useful framework that is suitable for both theoretical and practical purposes: i.e. it not only provides us with a principled means of designating what distributed cognition is, it also shows how exploring distributed cognition in specific case studies can lead to insights about human cognition “in the wild”. I demonstrate these points with reference to the specific details of case studies – particularly Hutchins’ (1995a) seminal navigation team. This allows me to show that my pluralistic approach is not only superior to simpler approaches to distributed cognition but also provides insights that are of note to methodological individualists.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (viii, 282 pages) diagram
Caste system among Nepalese migrants in Sydney, Australia
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 83-87.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Literature review -- Chapter 3. Research methodology -- Chapter 4. Data analysis -- Chapter 5. Conclusion -- Appendix.The focus of this thesis is to understand the relationship between the migrants and their cultural practices in the foreign land. I undertook interviews with Nepali migrants including students in Sydney to understand the reasons behind the continuation or termination of cultural practices beyond border. The study was conducted with qualitative research design, using in depth-interviews as the primary research materials. Semi-structured open-ended questions were asked which allowed the interviewer and interviewee to discuss an idea or response in more detailed way openly.At present, there is an abundant movement of people. More recently, issues of international migrants and their search for nationality and own identity in a foreign land have created popular discourses about the continuation of their cultural practices across the border. A growing number of migrants and the extension of their cultural practices is an essential factor of study for the immigrant-receiving countries to understand and address their issues. This research project gives insights into their different perception regarding the caste, caste behaviors, their beliefs, and attitudes. Different participants have various ideas on caste, and its practices abroad, examining what the presence or termination of caste practices among Nepalese in Sydney tells us about caste and culture.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (90 pages) 1 colour illustration, 1 colour ma
Moving memories: towards a cognitive ecology of the Māori haka
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 56-64.Chapter One. Introduction -- Chapter Two. Moving and feeling together -- Chapter Three. Being together -- Chapter Four. Remembering together -- Chapter Five. Conclusion -- Glossary -- References.The popular misconception that the Māori haka is just a ‘traditional war dance’ is connected with the way that it is commonly performed before sporting contests, for the analogous purpose of ‘intimidating the enemy’ and ‘energizing the performers’. However, this is just one of many ways in which haka have been used by Māori throughout time. This thesis explores these other uses and aspects of haka, and investigates how the coordination dynamics of haka can give rise to different modes of expression and experience.In the introductory chapter, I develop a platform from which to consider the affective, cognitive and epistemic functions of Māori Haka. The project is positioned in the current landscape of research on cultural systems in the cognitive sciences and against the background of epistemic niche construction. I introduce and discuss the theoretical framework of Cognitive Ecology, and related ideas in the area of embodied, extended and distributed cognition. I also provide an overview of the Māori cultural and historical context and begin to describe and explore haka, in terms of its origins and forms.In Chapter 2, Moving and Feeling Together, I explore the affective aspects of haka and consider how the practice can be fruitfully understood as a material resource and activity used by Māori to express, enhance and regulate emotional experience. I discuss empirical research that is helpful for understanding how the affective aspects of haka may foster and facilitate different forms of ‘emotional bonding’. Further, in conversation with distributed and situated approaches to emotions, I consider how the coordination dynamics of a haka performance contribute to the achievement of affective states and processes that would otherwise be unavailableIn Chapter 3, Being Together, I consider how haka contributes to other forms of cognitive activity. The cognitive role of gestures is examined, along with the attentional, intentional and perceptual processes at play. I then examine how these processes are utilized to express, enhance and preserve tribal identity. I discuss the notion of ‘identity-fusion’ and suggest a way in which it may help us to better understand how Māori epistemology is embodied and enacted through the practice.In Chapter 4, Remembering Together, I examine the commemorative functionality of haka. In conversation with Edward Casey’s phenomenological account of commemoration, I unpack the formal and structural features of haka which contribute to its effectiveness as a commemorative practice, and further consider how this practice may contribute to intergenerational transmission.Chapter 5 concludes the thesis with a reflection on the account developed. I consider its limitations, along with opportunities for further development and investigation, and briefly discuss the current status of haka within contemporary Māori and New Zealand society.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (v, 64 pages
The media and labelling in the context of Australia's terrorism environment: social media responses from Muslim groups in Australia
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 83-96.Chapter One. Introductiony -- Chapter Two. Literature review -- Chapter Three. Methodology -- Chapter Four. Results -- Chapter Five. Discussion -- Chapter six. Conclusion --Appendices -- Reference list.Muslims are a labelled audience in contemporary Australian society, especially in relation to concepts such as terrorism. This negative discourse is often perpetuated by Western mainstream media, encouraging an environment of suspicion and marginalisation. The impacts of labelling and influence of the media has been widely researched, though specific media sources and content consumed by this labelled audience remains largely unknown, especially from an online perspective. As labels can be damaging for both individuals and groups, it is important to assess whether, and to what degree, Muslim groups in Australia are consuming and responding to media containing these characteristics of labelling. By examining the Australian mainstream media and content pertaining to Muslims, Islam and terrorism, this thesis provides empirical data that contributes to an understanding and extent of labelling of Australian Muslim groups and the relationship, if any, to terrorism discourse. This research found an underrepresentation of Australian mainstream media, with terrorism being a preferred topic gained from media sources outside of the Australian mainstream media. Australian-based terrorism incidents were omitted almost entirely, with a focus on international incidents that have Muslim or child victims. There was also a preference overall for content surrounding Islamophobic or racist rhetoric. It is therefore suggested that the sample groups largely shared content reinforcing characteristics of labelling, such as victimisation and marginalisation, whilst actively avoiding the association with terrorism relating to Muslim offenders against non-Muslims. Another focus, however, was on positive and neutral media pertaining to Muslims, also providing a sense of rebuttal against stereotypes. This research provides updated data from a social media perspective, and from the responses of the labelled audience.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (viii, 96 pages) table