218 research outputs found
Large-Angle Beamstrahlung: Simulation And Diagnostics
No full textLARGE-ANGLE BEAMSTRAHLUNG: SIMULATION AND DIAGNOSTICS
by
RYAN S. GILLARD
May 2014
Advisor: Dr. Giovanni Bonvicini
Major: Physics
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Luminosity is paramount in high energy physics research, therefore it is critical to optimize it. Particle beams are complex and orbit in a complicated fashion therefore they don\u27t always collide as intended thus reducing our chance of discovery. Simulations and calculations of the beam-beam radiation or beamstrahlung can provide crucial insight into the collision geometry. Combined with an optics box that can collect and analyze this radiation, this could be an extremely valuable tool leading to correction of the collision imperfections and greater discovery
Effects of posture and anatomical location on inter-recti distance measured using ultrasound imaging in parous women
No full textStudy design:
Cross-sectional repeated measures.
Objectives:
To quantify the effects of posture and measurement site on the inter-recti distance (IRD) and investigate the reliability of IRD measurement using ultrasound imaging in different postures.
Background:
The linea alba connects the rectus abdominis muscles anteriorly and the width is known as the IRD. The IRD is usually measured in crook-lying and is the primary outcome measure to assess for a divarication of recti abdominis (DRA). The effects of posture and measurement site on the IRD have not been investigated.
Methods:
Ultrasound imaging was used to measure IRD in 41 women ≥8 weeks postpartum. The IRD was measured at three sites (superior-umbilicus, umbilicus and inferior-umbilicus), in three postures (crook-lying, sitting and standing), and repeated one-week later. The effects of posture and site were investigated using one-way ANOVAs. Reliability was analysed using Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland Altman analyses, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change.
Results:
The IRD was wider when standing vs. lying at both the superior-umbilicus and umbilicus by 0.30 cm (95% CI 0.21 to 0.39) and 0.20 cm (0.11–0.30) respectively (p < 0.001). Measurements at the inferior-umbilicus were, on average, 1.6 and 2.1 cm narrower than superior-umbilicus and umbilicus sites, respectively (p < 0.001). There was high intra-rater reliability within-session (ICC3.3) and between-session (ICC3.1) at all sites measured.
Conclusion:
The IRD can be measured reliably at all sites and postures. The IRD is wider at superior-umbilicus and umbilicus when upright compared with lying. There is a difference in IRD between all sites measured
The effects of NAPLAN: Teachers perceptions of the impact of NAPLAN on pedagogy and curriculum
No full textThis paper reports preliminary findings of a survey of in-service teachers in WA and SA conducted in 2012. Participants completed an online survey open to all teachers in WA and SA. The survey ran for three months from April to June 2012. One section of the survey asked teachers to report their perceptions of the impact that NAPLAN has had on the curriculum and pedagogy of their classroom and school.
Two principal research questions were addressed in this preliminary analysis. First, is the socioeconomic drawing area of the school, the State in which they teach, or the school system in which the teacher works significant in perceptions of the impact of NAPLAN on curriculum and pedagogy? Second, are there any interaction effects between gender, socioeconomics status, location and school system on teachers perceptions? Statistical analyses examined one- and two-way MANOVA to assess main effects and interaction effects on teachers 19 global perceptions. These were followed by a series of exploratory one- and two-way ANOVA of specific survey items to suggest potential sources for differences among teachers from different socioeconomic regions, states and systems.
Teachers report that they are either choosing or being instructed to teach to the test, that this results in less time being spent on other curriculum areas and that these effects contribute in a negative way on the engagement of students. This largely agrees with a body of international research that suggests that high-stakes literacy and numeracy tests often results in unintended consequences such as a narrow curriculum focus (Reid, 2009; Au, 2007), a return to teacher-centred instruction (Barret, 2009; Polesel, Dulfer, & Turnbull, 2012; Barksdale-Ladd & Thomas, 2000) and a decrease in motivation (Ryan & Wesinstein, 2009). Preliminary results from early survey respondents suggests there is a relationship between participant responses to the effect of NAPLAN on curriculum and pedagogy based on the characteristics of which State the teacher taught in, their perceptions of the socioeconomic status of the school and the school system in which they were employed (State, Other non-Government, and Independent)
Comparing the Dynamics of Party Leadership Survival in Britain and Australia: Brown, Rudd and Gillard
No full textThis article examines the interaction between the respective party structures of the Australian Labor Party and the British Labour Party as a means of assessing the strategic options facing aspiring challengers for the party leadership. Noting the relative neglect within the scholarly literature of forced exits that occur and attempted forced exits that do not occur, this article takes as its case study the successful forced exits of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, and the failure to remove Gordon Brown. In doing so the article challenges the prevailing assumption that the likely success of leadership evictions are solely determined by the leadership procedures that parties adopt. Noting the significance of circumstances and party cultures, the article advances two scenarios through which eviction attempts can be understood: first, forced exits triggered through the activation of formal procedures (Rudd and Gillard); second, attempts to force an exit by informal pressures beyond the formal procedures which are overcome by the incumbent (Brown). © The Author(s). Published by Government and Opposition Limited and Cambridge University Press 2014.</p
Comparing the Dynamics of Party Leadership Survival in Britain and Australia: Brown, Rudd and Gillard
No full textThis article examines the interaction between the respective party structures of the Australian Labor Party and the British Labour Party as a means of assessing the strategic options facing aspiring challengers for the party leadership. Noting the relative neglect within the scholarly literature of forced exits that occur and attempted forced exits that do not occur, this article takes as its case study the successful forced exits of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, and the failure to remove Gordon Brown. In doing so the article challenges the prevailing assumption that the likely success of leadership evictions are solely determined by the leadership procedures that parties adopt. Noting the significance of circumstances and party cultures, the article advances two scenarios through which eviction attempts can be understood: first, forced exits triggered through the activation of formal procedures (Rudd and Gillard); second, attempts to force an exit by informal pressures beyond the formal procedures which are overcome by the incumbent (Brown). © The Author(s). Published by Government and Opposition Limited and Cambridge University Press 2014.</p
It’s complicated: a timeline of Australia–Iran relations in a historical perspective
No full textThis paper seeks to contextualise Australia’s bilateral relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and at a time when the potential for military conflict is escalating.It canvasses key milestones and events in the bilateral relationship from 1945 to the present. It argues that one of the key continuities in the post-1945 relationship has been the difficulty involved in balancing what has traditionally been a relatively strong bilateral trade relationship with Australia’s broader non-proliferation and global security interests. Concern over the nuclear program and state-sponsored terrorism in recent years has shifted the balance in favour of a focus on security issues and, consequently, towards the position of Australia’s key partners (especially the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada and the European Union (EU)) on sanctions. This ‘rebalance’ will only be sharpened (and the scope to follow a more independent policy diminish) if Iran continues down the nuclear path and the likelihood of a military solution increases. Iran’s continuing resistance to provide appropriate assurances about the objectives of its nuclear program is increasing inter-state tensions in the volatile Middle East region, prompting Israel to strengthen its military capacities in the lead-up to the potential conflict.  
Vision or hallucination? Some reflections on the Gonski Review
No full textThe highlight of the TJ Ryan Foundation’s 3rd anniversary event was a keynote address from Dr Ken Boston, former Director-General of Education in South Australia and New South Wales, and member of the Gonski Review panel. Dr Boston spoke on the topic of \u27Gonski Report: Vision or Hallucination?\u27
The key messages from his address are:
Neither the “last two years of Gonski funding”, nor reducing overall funding to the wealthiest schools, will solve the real problem facing Australia’s schools. Nor will cosmetic changes to Commonwealth/State governance and funding arrangements with regard to education;
Any long-term solution must be based on the assessment of the needs of individual schools – treating government, Catholic and independent schools in exactly the same way;
The most recent iteration of the My School website gives detailed information on government recurrent funding for every school in the country. This information is validated by schools and systems, accurate, and available online. No longer need we rely on broad statements, averages or generalisations about school funding, from the Productivity Commission, the Commonwealth Government or other sources. We are now in a position to make evidence-based statements about the funding of schools, based on publicly available data at the level of the individual school;
While the existence of Catholic and independent schools might be justified on other grounds, they can no longer be justified on the grounds that they are saving taxpayers’ money. Catholic and independent schools are now receiving virtually the same amount of government funding as government schools serving similar SES communities;
Five years after Gonski, Australia has two virtually government-funded systems. One is open to all, takes students from all sections of the community, and has several accountabilities to government. The other – state-funded to nearly the same extent – sets and charges fees; has a selective enrolment process; has a statutory exemption from certain anti-discrimination provisions; can borrow money, and because the high-level of government funding covers their recurrent teaching costs, can apply their fees to servicing loans on major capital works;
In suburbs and towns across Australia, adjacent schools receiving similar levels of taxpayer support now operate under quite different conditions, in facilities of sharply differing standards, and with clientele deeply divided on the basis of class, ethnicity and income;
Both the Rudd/Gillard Government and the Turnbull Government failed to implement Gonski. Radical change - along lines I will discuss – is now urgent
Support for basic psychological needs in the context of HIV disclosure for older adolescents
No full textThis study utilized Self-Determination Theory\u27s sub-theory Basic Needs Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) to understand older youths\u27 perceptions of support for their basic needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence in the context of disclosing their HIV status
Big enough for all of us: geo-strategic competition in the Pacific Islands
No full textChina\u27s growing engagement in the Pacific Islands has fueled talk of great-power competition in the region. But viewing China\u27s activities in the region in geo-strategic terms is inappropriate and potentially counter-productive. Australia and the United States should focus on cooperating with China in aid and investment activities that support Pacific Island development priorities rather than building new security arrangements designed to compete with or manage China.
Key findings:
The rise of Chinese influence, which is driven predominantly by diverse commercial interests, does not presage a new era of geo-strategic competition in the Pacific Islands.
China’s engagement in the Pacific Islands is overshadowed by the dominance Australia enjoys in aid, trade, investment and defence links with the Pacific Islands region.
Increased external interest presents a new opportunity for Pacific Islands to achieve their development goals
Studies in Australian political rhetoric
No full textThis edited collection includes eleven major case studies and one general review of rhetorical contest in Australian politics. The volume showcases the variety of methods available for studying political speech, including historical, theoretical, institutional, and linguistic analyses, and demonstrates the centrality of language use to democratic politics. The chapters reveal errors in rhetorical strategy, the multiple and unstable standards for public speech in Australia, and the links between rhetoric and action. The length of Australian political speech is traversed, from pre-Federation to the Gillard minority government (2010–13), and the topics similarly range from Alfred Deakin’s nation-building to Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the Stolen Generations. This fresh collection is intended to stimulate and advance the study of political rhetoric in Australia
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