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Spatial distribution, geochemistry and provenance of heavy minerals in Miri beach sediments, NW Borneo, Malaysia
Full text linkIn this study, the spatial distribution of heavy minerals (HMs) in Miri beach sediments was assessed to quantify the abundance and determine the provenance. Surface sediment samples were collected in Miri beaches during low tide with respect to longitudinal, lateral and depth samplings. The collected samples were processed for grain size analysis by using sieving method. Then the HMs separation at different grain size fractions was carried out by using gravity and magnetic separation methods. Polarising Microscope was used to identify various HMs present in the sediment samples. In addition, selected sediment samples were analysed by using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine the elemental composition and major oxides for the geochemistry and provenance. From the results, HMs found in Miri beach sediments were zircon, magnetite, tourmaline, and rutile. Magnetite was abundant in 600–250 μm size fraction, zircon in 125–63 μm size fraction, tourmaline in 125–63 μm size fraction, and rutile in 250–125 μm size fraction. Longitudinally, magnetite was found to have higher abundance towards the southern part of the coastline. However, the abundance of rutile and tourmaline was found in the northern part of the coastline. Zircon was more abundant in the middle and southern parts of the coastline. Laterally, the concentration of HMs was higher towards the landward side. In terms of depth, the distribution of HMs varies and abundant in the surface sample. Geochemically, the beach sediments were found to be highly weathered in the north beaches (CIA = 78.9), moderately weathered in the middle (CIA = 63.8 to 66.5) and poorly weathered in the southern beaches (CIA = 40.4–49.6). The high content of quartz in the sediments are derived from the quartzose sedimentary origin, which undergone recycling process. Environmental indices such as contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and enrichment factor (EF) indicate that the Miri beach sediments were highly concentrated with Cr, Ni, and Ta
Improving coordination of data and actors for disaster-responsive housing and safer communities
No full textExecutive summary Key points • This research project examines how key actors involved in the housing planning and delivery process in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia use data to assess disaster risk associated with flooding, bushfires and cyclones. • Assuming a users' perspective, the research discusses how data could be better used and shared for the planning and delivery of new housing to reduce the impact of disaster events. • Australia has a complex data landscape. It is unorganised and characterised by data fragmentation and duplication. • Flood hazard data are the most inconsistent data in terms of accuracy, data coverage, accessibility and availability. • While overall data availability and accessibility have improved over time, access to spatialised data identifying potential and actual impacts associated with natural disasters is lagging behind. • In the survey conducted as part of the research, key actors involved in housing planning and delivery identified state and local government policies as playing an essential role in disaster risk assessment, second only to hazard data. • Planning processes are not agile enough to keep up with the fast pace of information and available data. • There is a siloed approach to policy development. This limits information flow between agencies, and results in a disconnect between planning and housing policies at the strategic level. • The three priority areas to improve in decision-making processes were identified as: improved data collection and sharing practices, use of decision-supporting tools for risk assessment, and risk disclosure and communication. • Applying digital solutions to urban development will require advancement in the institutional capacity of the agencies involved in setting, managing and using these platforms
Examining the Antecedents, Capabilities and Performance of Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices Across Manufacturing Supply Chains in Ghana.
No full textManufacturing supply chains are crucial to global economy but often detrimental to the planet and people. In Ghana, achieving sustainability is complex and essential. This study examines the roles of community sustainability orientation, supply chain motives, information exchange, leadership competency and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in achieving sustainability goals across Ghana's manufacturing supply chains. The study provides a more nuanced insight into the motives, capabilities and outcomes of SSCM practices, with implications for both theory and practice
Interactive Effects of Dietary Fat and APOE Genotype on Peripheral Amyloid-Beta: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Full text linkTwo main risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease are the APOE4 gene and a diet high in saturated fat. Additionally, the protein amyloid-beta is a primary pathological characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease. This thesis demonstrates a vascular axis of Alzheimer’s Disease risk. Following a high-fat meal, humans exhibited elevated levels of amyloid-beta in the blood, with a further increase observed in individuals carrying the APOE4 gene. Notably, this elevation was more pronounced after the consumption of saturated fats compared to unsaturated fats
Photon Collisions with Atoms and Molecules
Full text linkThis thesis focuses on the theoretical and computational study of photoionisation, Rayleigh, and Raman scattering on the alkali atoms, which can be well-approximated as quasi one-electron systems, and the hydrogen molecule H2, its ion, and its isotopologues. Photon scattering methods previously developed for the hydrogen atom are extended to quasi one-electron atoms, a fully relativistic formulation, and then to the diatomic hydrogen molecule
Exploring the use of strategic influencer leadership (SIL) in health communication: a cross-cultural, multi–case study
Full text linkAccess to health care information is a basic human right. Influencers can help make health messaging more effective, but a focus on social media metrics may weaken their impact. Drawing on insights from three different, previously largely under-explored cultural contexts, we propose a return to the traditional understanding of strategic influence and introduce the concept of Strategic Influencer Leadership (SIL), an approach that prioritises credibility, cultural relevance and trust to ensure equitable access to vital health information
Beating the Clock: Examining the Role of Goal Motives and Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions in Reducing Bedtime Procrastination
Full text linkThis PhD thesis explored sleep health through three studies. First, a meta-analysis of 77 studies examined how goal motives influence goal achievement. Second, the research proposed a new definition and measurement of bedtime procrastination, investigating its relationship with sleep patterns and motivational factors. Finally, the study tested a self-regulatory technique (MCII), finding that daily implementation reduced bedtime procrastination by 16 minutes compared to one-time application, leading to improved affect among participants
Using Locally Resonant Meta-basement to Attenuate Seismic Induced Vibrations of High-rise Buildings
No full textThis thesis investigates the use of seismic metamaterials for vibration control in high-rise buildings. It begins with the development of a novel meta-basement design that balances performance and cost. The design is further enhanced by incorporating negative stiffness mechanisms and multiple resonators to achieve a wide bandgap in the low-frequency range. Finally, the research extends the symmetric model to consider asymmetry, examining the bandgap characteristics of asymmetric meta-basements with coupled translational-torsional responses
