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Pushing the Boundaries of Corrosion Resistant Alloys
No full textMaterials selection for oil and gas production systems operating in seawater environments is based on two international standards, ISO 21457 and NORSOK M-001, where different alloys are ranked according to their relative localised corrosion resistance based on their content of specific alloying elements, namely Cr, Mo, N, and W. In this regard, the relative localised corrosion resistance of stainless steels is expressed in an empirically derived equation known as the Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE). This research aims to define the environmental limits of selected austenitic stainless steels and nickel-based alloy 718 in seawater by quantifying their crevice corrosion resistance across temperature and potential ranges. Induction times for stable crevice corrosion initiation will be measured, and environment-time-dependent material selection maps will be created for seawater service. This approach will guide material selection beyond the limitations of PRE, allowing study of minor Mo content changes on localized corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steels
Quantification of low concentrations of sodium borohydride in solution
Get PDFSodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been identified as a potential solid-state hydrogen storage material for energy export due to its high gravimetric hydrogen content of ≈ 10.8 wt%. There is a strong need to accurately detect and quantify NaBH4 in solution during synthesis, hydrolysis, and extraction processes, particularly at low concentrations (≤50 mM). Several studies report the formation of low concentrations of NaBH4 in aqueous systems, however other researchers were unable to replicate these results. Unfortunately, some studies use indirect methods to confirm the presence of NaBH4. This is the first study to evaluate all major techniques in-house for sub-millimolar sodium borohydride quantification, assessing impurity effects and emphasizing the need for multiple analytical methods, including direct detection such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We investigate various analytical techniques to determine the limits of detection for NaBH4 in aqueous solutions and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Titration and gas evolution have traditionally been used, but confirmation with complimentary direct techniques can prevent misidentification. Here Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and NMR spectroscopies were utilized, detecting concentrations as low as 256, 50 and 0.21 mM NaBH4, respectively. Furthermore, electrochemical sensing showed detection limits of 0.42 mM NaBH4 for cyclic voltammetry (CV) and 0.18 mM NaBH4 for square wave voltammetry (SWV)
Workplace Noise, Vibration and Ototoxic Chemicals: Prevalence of Exposure and Relationship to Tinnitus
Get PDFThis thesis investigated the workplace factors that cause hearing loss and tinnitus by analysing how noise, ototoxic chemical, and hand-arm vibration exposures occur across Australian workplaces. Additionally, it explored the workplace and occupational factors associated with tinnitus
Prescribing direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C treatment: a scoping review of factors that influence primary care providers
Get PDFBackground: Hepatitis C is a significant public health challenge in Australia, particularly in diagnosis, treatment access, and ongoing care among people who inject drugs. Despite the availability of highly effective direct-acting antivirals and government subsidisation, treatment uptake has declined among this population in recent years, beyond what would be expected from the initial treatment of easier-to-reach patients. Objectives: This rapid scoping review aimed to identify barriers and enablers affecting primary care providers in prescribing direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C treatment. Eligibility criteria: Studies were included if they: were published after 2014, focused on DAA treatment, included primary care provider perspectives, contained primary data, identified barriers/enablers to treatment, and were conducted in high-income countries. Sources of evidence: Two databases (Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for peer-reviewed articles. Primary care stakeholders were consulted through an online survey (n = 10) and telephone interviews (n = 7) to contextualise and validate findings. Charting methods: Data were charted using a standardised form capturing author, year, location, aim, participants, study details, and main findings. Analysis used a deductive approach to identify key themes. Results: Twenty-three articles, mostly quantitative studies, were included in the review. The analysis identified four key domains influencing direct-acting antiviral prescription: provider characteristics, healthcare systems and service delivery, models of care, and societal and structural issues. Conclusions: This review provides insights into contemporary challenges in hepatitis C care delivery models and highlights critical structural, sociocultural, and interpersonal factors affecting testing and treatment, particularly for people who inject drugs. These findings have implications for improving direct-acting antiviral prescription rates in primary care settings
Granting Agency: Re-constructing Power ‘for’ and ‘with’ Australian Aboriginal EAL/D Learners
No full textDeveloping a sustainable framework for government funded infrastructure projects in Malaysia.
No full textAssurance of Learning in Fully Online Credentialled Programs: A Briefing Paper for the Australian Higher Education Sector
Get PDF“I made friends a lot more easily”: children and families’ experiences of social group programs for children on the autism spectrum
Get PDFBackground: Social Skills Group Programs (SSGP) target the social communication and interaction skills of children on the autism spectrum. This qualitative study explored lived experiences of children and families who participated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of KONTAKT™ adapted for younger children (8 to 12 years) in comparison to an active control social art group (ART Legends). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with parents (n = 37) and children (n = 35) who participated in the RCT, immediately following the interventions. Interview questions were designed to elicit responses relating to program content, structure, and experiences. The data were analysed using a deductive coding framework. Results: Findings suggest SSGPs such as KONTAKT™, implementing multiple teaching strategies, and less structured social group activities such as ART Legends can both have a perceived positive influence on outcomes. More children in the KONTAKT™ group reportedly improved their social skills than those in the art group. Overall, participants’ experiences were predominantly positive. Both barriers (e.g., session timing, distance from home) and facilitators (e.g., support of family members) to participation were identified; feelings towards individual aspects of the groups were dependent on a range of personal factors (e.g., existing commitments). Conclusion: This study describes experiences of organised social group participation from the perspectives of children on the spectrum and their families, supporting the positive influence of such contexts for autistic youth. Suggestions made by participants to improve social groups are presented, contributing to ongoing development of SSGPs for children on the spectrum. Trial registration: (1) Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000994189, registered 12 July 2019, anzctr.org.au; (2) ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04024111 registered 1 December 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov
Exploring the Mechanisms of Habit Change within Diet with Digital Tools
Get PDFThis thesis aimed to explore the mechanisms of habit through investigating the effects of a digital tailored feedback intervention on habit change and using digital EMA measurement to understand within-person and between-person influences of habit disruption over time. Findings highlight the role of self-monitoring in habit disruption and the influences of self-control, habit strength, and intention. This work adds understanding of habitual behaviour change mechanisms, supporting development of personalised digital health interventions and objective measurement