Theses - Higher Degree by Research

This thesis explores the portrayal of gender in the online interactive news media landscape in the context of intimate partner homicide. Previous research indicates that traditional gender stereotypes of masculinity and femininity are reinforced in news reports (Gill, 2007; Krijnen & Van Bauwel, 2015; Morgan, 2019). However, while these stereotypical portrayals are well-known in analyses of print media, how gender is presented in the complexities of online reporting (where readers' interactive comments become part of the reading experience) remains largely unexplored. This is problematic, given the large number of individuals using online media to access, and importantly react to, the news (Park et al., 2020; Watkins et al., 2016). While research suggests the way crime is presented in the media influences public perceptions (Davis, 2009; De Vreese, 2005; Schneider, 2012), few studies directly test how media reports shape online comments, particularly in the context of intimate partner homicide. The question of how (if at all) gender is portrayed in online media reporting of intimate partner homicide is examined across three separate studies. These focus on male/female pairs of offenders and victims as this dyad remains the most commonly reported relationship in media articles in the context of intimate partner violence. Together, these studies bring a mixed methods approach to the understanding of the portrayal of gender. Through a qualitative framing analysis of 121 online articles drawn from four popular media outlets, Study 1 examines how intimate partner homicide is framed in online media in Australia and, importantly, whether the frames and subframes differ across male offender/female victim or female offender/male victim pairs. Study 2 shifts focus from media reports to audience commentary by examining how the audience comments on what is reported, and whether their comments differ across gender pairs. In this study, the content (theme) and tone (civility) of 371 Facebook comments responding to the articles from Study 1 are analysed using a thematic analysis. Study 3 significantly contributes to the literature on media framing effects by directly testing the impact that news media frames have on audience commentary, using an experimental vignette design with 537 survey respondents. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine whether the content (theme) and tone (civility) of respondent comments were impacted by the frame of the media and the gender of the offender/victim pair, controlling for respondents' media usage, attitudes, and demographics. [...]

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterised by impaired language, which has a functional impact on the person's day-to-day life. Language is critical for school success and places school-aged students with DLD at risk of academic failure. This challenge is compounded by teachers reporting a lack of awareness and knowledge of how to support students with DLD in the classroom. Taken together, a research-to-practice gap exists in Australian classrooms, which has significant implications for the one in 14 students with DLD, their families, allied health professionals, and teachers. This thesis aimed to understand the educational needs of students with DLD and inform educational supports within schools. A knowledge translation cycle was utilised as a framework for this research. This thesis includes current literature and methodological approaches followed by four studies prepared as manuscripts. The first study is a systematic review of 44 peer-reviewed journal articles that established what has currently been measured and reported about the academic achievement of students with DLD. The second study is a national survey of 293 participants, which included teachers, allied health professionals, and parents/caregivers. This study investigated what stakeholders perceive are the areas of functioning and school-based tasks most challenging for students with DLD, as well as the helpfulness of educational supports. The perspectives of these stakeholder groups are compared and described within the context of collaborative practice. The third study includes surveys and interviews with 11 highschoolers with DLD. Their perspectives on the school-based tasks they find challenging, the educational supports they rated as most helpful, and their sense of connectedness to school were investigated. The fourth study had two parts. In the first part, 56 teachers rated the helpfulness of previous professional learning about DLD and preferences for future professional learning opportunities. In the second part, a 90-minute webinar was piloted with 198 teachers who completed pre- and post-surveys. This study aimed to change their knowledge of DLD, supportive attitudes, and intended use of educational practices. The social validity of the webinar was also determined. The key findings within and across studies are discussed relating to implications, limitations, and future directions. In summary, this thesis utilised a range of methodological approaches and demonstrated that school-aged students with DLD have significant educational needs; however, there are evidence-based educational supports that can be embedded in classroom settings. Collaborative practices and perspectives are discussed, as well as the implications for educational policy in Australia. By addressing the research-to-practice gap regarding the educational needs and supports, stakeholders can facilitate access to high quality, inclusive education can lead to positive lifelong outcomes for school-aged students with DLD in Australia.

This thesis extends our understanding of the willingness and determination of Australia's earliest colonists to engage with authority to further their own personal, economic and political interests. They did so to make requests and seek relief, but also to obtain redress and express resistance against perceived injustices. As such, this thesis makes a valuable contribution to the historiography of early Australian protest, revealing that settlers from all walks of early colonial society employed their right to memorialise those in positions of authority to improve their prosperity and stability, and to exercise conscious, non-violent protest in what was an autocratic penal settlement. This is the first time that memorials - petition-like documents written to the governor or others in positions of power - have been analysed as a document-set. This analysis reveals the diverse issues that were significant to colonists during the period 1788 to 1810, enabling greater insight into the social, economic and political climate of the period. Memorials are shown to have contributed actively to the discord and destabilisation that led to the 1808 rebellion, with colonists promoting and protesting their own political and social agendas, thereby contributing to the fractious subversion that led to the arrest of William Bligh. Memorials also reveal that societal unrest was further exacerbated by the significant upheaval and dislocation caused by the forced evacuation of Norfolk Island's first settlement. This thesis exposes the deep personal challenges associated with the island's closure, and the manner in which memorials were employed as instruments of legitimate appeal and protest against the loss of indulgences and rights. Indulgences obtained during the 1808-1809 interregnum were also threatened by Lachlan Macquarie's proclamation of 4 January 1810. Analysis of the wide-reaching implications of this declaration reveals that its intimidating tone and significant personal impact all but eliminated the population's willingness to protest the proclamation's unfairness, with memorialists reduced to humble entreaties in order to have their indulgences ratified. This thesis is also significant in revealing the extent and nature of women's property ownership during the settlement's earliest years, highlighting women's willingness to negotiate with authority in order to improve their social stability, foster their business capacity and therefore ensure a more rapid assimilation into colonial life. Finally, given that memorials are often deeply personal and expressive texts, this thesis analyses emotional responses to adversity, in particular floods and frontier encounters. It establishes links between hardship and suffering, analysing this in relation to the concept of colonial worthiness and the pioneer mythos. In so doing, it exposes the very different responses to losses associated with floods and those associated with frontier encounters, exploring the implications of the deep silences and the role of memorials as instruments of remembering. These divergent issues are consistent in demonstrating the willingness of early colonists to engage with authorities in order to preserve and further their own interests and attain a degree of security, prosperity and stability within the nascent settlement.

The fungal disease chytridiomycosis (caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) is a primary contributor to amphibian declines globally. Bd susceptibility varies between species, with some decimated while others seem able to resist clinical infections. The complexity of amphibian life history may contribute to infection outcomes, with the metamorphic and early post-metamorphic stages of development (characterised by extensive morphological and immunological reorganisation) showing heightened vulnerability to stressors such as Bd. However, my comprehensive review of the current research available on metamorphic immune reorganisation and associated host susceptibility (Chapter 2) revealed that comparatively few studies had investigated host immunological responses and Bd infection dynamics during the critical metamorphic stages. This represents an important research gap with possible implications for infection dynamics and amphibian population persistence. [...]

In order to meet the demands of the modern music industry, singers are expected to be able to perform across a wide range of singing styles. Historically, the links between higher education and industry have been weak or non-existent (Bennett, 2016); this is apparent in training programs for singers, which have tended to focus on genre-specific lessons, providing limited opportunities for the development of performance skills across a range of musical styles and settings. This pigeonhole approach has focused developing artists into single genres, such as opera, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary commercial music (CCM), with singers struggling to meet current industry demands for style versatility. Recent literature acknowledges the insufficiencies of applying the classical model of voice training in the teaching of contemporary styles. However, while CCM style-based pedagogies are emerging, training options for singers seeking to perform across a range of genres remain limited. While multi-genre singing does not feature in the current voice pedagogy literature, there is some evidence that genre-based teaching practices could be synthesised to support singers to perform across a range of contemporary and classical vocal styles. Studies highlighting the benefits of crosstraining for singers also lend support to the idea that multi-genre singing is unlikely to have a negative impact upon vocal health, particularly where voice-science-based pedagogies are employed. The aim of this research project was to explore the outcomes of genre-based singing voice lessons across three major music styles and to document any impact on the singer participant’s performance ability and vocal health. It is hoped that the findings will inform a more diversified approach for multi-genre singers and teachers in the field. [...]

The deep sea could soon become Earth's largest mining frontier. Seafloor mineral deposits host vast quantities of metals which are necessary to transition away from fossil fuels towards an affordable and clean energy future. Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized mineral concretions that form on the deep ocean floor. They are often found in high abundance on abyssal plains at water depths between three and six kilometres. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to some of Earth's largest deposits of energy transition metals, with over one million km2 of active exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules. These nodules consistently contain high concentrations of multiple metal commodities, such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, which are essential ingredients in emerging clean energy technologies. Many of these metals face future supply risks, especially in high-demand scenarios that align with decarbonisation goals. Regulations and guidelines for deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules are nearing completion, including rules to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment. However, several governments, non-government organisations, and businesses have become increasingly concerned about potential risks to deep-sea ecosystems and uncertainty regarding environmental management practices. First, this thesis proposes a framework for effective environmental management of polymetallic nodule mining based on a review of scientific literature. The framework identifies key drivers, barriers, and enablers to effective management, emphasising the importance of the precautionary approach, ecosystem approach, and adaptive management. Second, adaptive management is identified as an essential tool for dealing with new information, reducing uncertainty, and improving environmental management practices. A conceptual framework for adaptive management is proposed, highlighting the role of participatory modelling to engage experts and develop environmental management and monitoring plans. Third, a methodology for environmental risk assessment is proposed to identify, analyse, and evaluate the potential environmental effects of deep-sea mining. The methodology is tailored to the complexity and uncertainty associated with deep-sea environments and ensures that assessments are fit-for-purpose, informing management decisions throughout the environmental impact assessment process. Fourth, an open-source ecosystem modelling software package was developed to analyse the structure and function of complex and data-limited ecosystems. The software enables the development of informative indicators to assess and monitor the environmental effects of deep-sea mining activities. Finally, the culmination of this thesis is an integrated ecosystem assessment which synthesises current knowledge of ocean and seafloor ecosystems in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone based on an ecosystem model developed during two expert workshops. The model reveals the key components and processes that regulate ocean and seafloor ecosystems and is used to identify potential risks to ecosystem functions and services from mining pressures. The assessment highlights informative indicators and mitigation measures, forming the basis for quantitative risk assessments as data from baseline studies and test mining becomes increasingly available. The main novel contributions of this research are as follows. The thesis proposes that multiple environmental risk assessments are needed to account for inherent trade-offs in risk assessment methods and inform each stage of the environmental impact assessment process for deep-sea mining. The modelling software enables the participatory development of an ecosystem model for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, providing a working hypothesis of deep-sea ecosystem structure and function and a scientific basis for adaptive management. The thesis highlights that coupling this ecosystem model with adaptive management strategies creates a formalised and iterative learning process that could help resolve uncertainties about the environmental risks of deep-sea mining. The subsequent integrated ecosystem assessment reveals the underlying drivers of pelagic and benthic ecosystem processes and, notably, found no direct or indirect causal pathways from the abyssal seafloor to upper ocean ecosystems in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, highlighting promising new measures for ecosystem-based management. This thesis presents timely scientific contributions amidst accelerating industry and regulatory progress, as well as increasing public interest in the environmental, social and governance issues surrounding deep-sea mining. This research aims to inform ecologically responsible mining practices to improve outcomes for nature and human development. The thesis highlights that over the coming years, there is an opportunity to implement proactive, rather than reactive, measures for effective environmental management to conserve deep-sea ecosystems before the likely onset of commercial deep-sea mining.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first peoples and are immensely diverse in terms of their cultures, languages, and home locations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience poorer health status compared with other Australian populations, including the prevalence and incidence of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Acquired communication disorders (ACDs) such as aphasia, apraxia of speech, and dysarthria are common following stroke and TBI. ACDs can profoundly impact people's quality of life, and they may experience social isolation, depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and employment challenges. Given the higher rates of stroke and TBI in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, a large percentage of this population may present with ACDs. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, being able to communicate with others is integral to maintaining family connections through yarning, storytelling, and sharing culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' diversity and their individualised needs may not be well understood by health professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLP). SLPs report feeling unconfident and that they lack resources when providing ACD services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is therefore reasonable to suggest that delivering client-centred, evidenced-based speech pathology services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is likely to be challenging. Despite a wealth of literature and knowledge available in relation to stroke, TBI, and ACDs in Western European populations, there remains a significant research gap regarding how SLPs can provide culturally responsive practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with ACDs, including aspects of diagnosis, rehabilitation, education, and engagement. Gaining a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' backgrounds and the nature of hospital-based speech pathology practices may contribute to providing insights into how SLPs, and other health professionals, can provide culturally responsive services for this population. The research objective was to explore the delivery of speech pathology services in a hospital setting to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with acquired communication disorders (ACD) following neurological injury. The following five thesis aims support the exploration of the research objective:

• Aim 1: to detail the current state of speech pathology service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with acquired communication disorders (ACD) following stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI);
• Aim 2: to determine the clinical profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with a confirmed stroke or TBI following an acute neurological injury;
• Aim 3: to describe the documented speech pathology services the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients received during their hospital admission and the subsequent outcomes;
• Aim 4: to explore Indigenous health liaison officers' (IHLO) experiences of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with ACDs and their experiences of working with speech-language pathologists (SLP) in the hospital setting;
• Aim 5: to explore how and why speech pathology services are delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with ACDs in hospital and the experiences of those involved in the delivery and receipt of these services.

Context. Following COVID-19 and institutional responses, the problems of burnout and demotivation worsened in human services. Workforce pressures continue to increase with the growth of unwell and aging populations. Many organisations leverage the promise of an ethical mission to attract candidates and enhance engagement. However, the risks associated with this approach appear to be underestimated, due to issues such as unmet expectations, motivational crowding, professional compromise, and job insecurity. Aims. This thesis is driven by the question: how can we improve our understanding of why some human service workers in the not-for-profit sector start out with strong motivations, yet become exhausted, disillusioned, and leave their organisation or the sector? With this query in mind, the thesis poses three questions to be explored across three studies, set within the context of not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) providing human services: 1. What are some factors that motivate the work efforts of staff and impact their intentions to leave (ITL)? (Addressed in Study 1) 2. What are some factors that influence the relationship between different motivations (prosocial, public service, and extrinsic motivations) and job satisfaction and ITL? (Addressed in Study 2) 3. What are the relationships between basic psychological needs, job insecurity, professional compromise, and burnout, and how do they impact job satisfaction and ITL? (Addressed in Study 3) The thesis consolidates theories of prosocial motivation (Batson, 1987) and public service motivation (PSM; Perry & Wise, 1990), as informed by self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000b) and two of its sub-theories, cognitive evaluation theory and basic psychological needs (BPNs). This aims to enhance our understanding of how individual outcomes (job satisfaction and ITL) are influenced by the interplay between motivations and needs, organisational characteristics, and psychosocial risks. Method: To inform the content and design of the primary quantitative studies, 36 semi-structured interviews were initially conducted with Australian human service workers. Subsequently, Study 1 examined cross-sectional survey data from union staff (n = 160) through moderated multiple regression. The initial methodology included a panel design; however, complications relating to COVID-19 reduced participation at Time 2. Thus, additional survey data from a sample of 531 employees (unions, n = 199; employment services, n = 332) was analysed, with structural equation modelling deployed to test theorised paths of parallel mediation (Study 2) and serial parallel mediation (Study 3). Results: The model held strongly across samples, showing structural and measurement equivalence. In Study 1, training reduced the impact of low support on ITL; however, training did not reduce the impact of unmet prosocial expectations on ITL. In Study 2, rather than PSM, prosocial motives were associated with job satisfaction and intentions to leave; and extrinsic motivations showed opposite results to prosocial motivation in their relationships with all variables. In Study 3, compared to the BPNs (autonomy, competence and relatedness), job insecurity and low workforce mobility demonstrated a divergent pattern in their relationships with burnout, professional compromise, and the dependent variables of job satisfaction and ITL. Value: Selected contributions of this thesis include: (a) clarified the distinction between prosocial motivation and PSM in their relationship with psychological outcomes; (b) illuminated the risky "dark side" of PSM by integrating principles of the psychological contract, professional compromise, and motivational crowding; (c) challenged the "additive hypothesis" by examining how motivation driven by unfulfilled extrinsic needs may be at odds with prosocial goals; (d) tested the assumption that BPN fulfilment will improve psychological outcomes, and (e) presented a case for job security as a BPN at work.

A nutrition transition characterized by dietary shifts from traditional diets to processed foods is underway in many low and middle income countries (LMICs). Foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) now make up the majority of advertised foods and are frequently promoted through a variety of social media channels. This marketing is primarily aimed at adolescents due to their increasing autonomy, spending power, and significant use of media devices. Consequently, the evidence details their heavy exposure to the marketing of HFSS foods particularly on social media, raising concerns related to consequences such as fuelling the childhood obesity epidemic currently being experienced in LMICs including Nigeria. Given that overweight and obesity are among the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases and countries like Nigeria are already experiencing a double burden of disease, there is an urgent need for more research and policy action to protect children living in these countries from exposure to unhealthy food marketing. However, public health efforts to address this issue have been constrained by the limited and disproportionate nature of the evidence on adolescents' exposure to unhealthy food marketing and its influence on their food choices. This research program aims to address these gaps and inform policy and health promoting actions by examining how transnational fast-food marketing influences the purchase intentions of Nigerian adolescents. This thesis incorporates three interrelated research studies, each building on one another to address the overall research aim. The findings have been published or are under review in peer-reviewed journals. This research is underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm and used a mixed methods approach where the researcher collects, analyses, and integrates both quantitative and qualitative data in a single research program or in multiple studies in a sustained program of inquiry. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the research. Study 1 was a systematic review that identified the strategies used by global fast-food brands to promote their products to adolescents in LMICs. 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. The findings of this review identified 15 adolescent-targeted strategies used across LMICs and highlighted the prominent use of social media as an important marketing channel to reach adolescents in those settings. The findings of this review have been published in a peer-review academic journal and informed the development of Study 2. Study 2 included a content analysis of the Instagram accounts of global fast-food brands in Nigeria. A total of 576 posts were analysed, using a codebook developed based on the relevant literature, to identify adolescent-targeted strategies. The results identified the prominent use of emotional appeal, product appeal, premium language and teen language. It also found that the utilisation of product appeal was positively associated with user engagement. The findings of this study have been accepted for publication in a peer-review academic journal and informed the development of Study 3. Study 3 was a cross-sectional qualitative study involving semi-structured group interviews with 15 Nigerian adolescents to explore how they are influenced by transnational fast-food marketing. The findings revealed that adolescents perceived that apart from being tasty, fast-food brought people together and offered them value for money. These perceptions led to positive purchase intentions towards fast foods. Attributes of the promotional posts which led to the influential perceptions derived were also identified. This knowledge has tremendous potential to inform the effective promotion of healthy foods to encourage adolescents to make healthier choices. This study has been written up in a manuscript format and submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal. Collectively the findings of this research provide a holistic understanding of the nature, extent and influence of Nigerian adolescents' exposure to fast-food marketing. To date, no research has examined the influence of social media based fast-food marketing on adolescents living in sub-Saharan Africa. Global evidence on the influence of fast-food marketing from an adolescent's perspective is also limited; a knowledge gap that is a major barrier to the design of effective healthy eating campaigns to counter the effect of unhealthy food marketing. This research identified attributes of fast-food marketing which influence adolescents' food choices, and how they are operationalised. Thus, insights from the studies conducted within this program could inform policy actions to moderate unhealthy food marketing and initiate the design of healthy eating interventions to counter such marketing within similar contexts. By identifying new, context-specific pathways between promotion and effect, this research also lays the foundation for researchers to explore opportunities for contemporary food marketing techniques to inform healthier food choices in low-income settings.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur in an instant and, due to the multi-focal nature of the injury, lead to a broad range of negative implications. Communication disorders are common following moderate to severe TBI due to the complex interplay that occurs when impairments affect a person's cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and behavioural skills. Rehabilitation is crucial for this clinical population to remediate their skills and optimise their level of functioning to, where possible, return to previously held life roles. For many, this is a period of 'post-traumatic growth' whereby their values and goals shift to activities and roles vastly different to those they had prior to their injuries (Silva et al., 2011). Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services play a crucial role in assisting adults following TBI and their support people to maximise their activity and participation in daily activities. Further exploration is required as to how speech pathology services in CBR settings support this population, with the view of enhancing current and future services. The overall objective of this thesis was to (1) explore the processes and practices of speech pathologists when working with adults with cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) in CBR settings following TBI. In addition, (2) identification of the long-term impacts of CCDs was needed, as well as (3) investigation of the lived experiences and perspectives of adults with CCDs following TBI and their support people when receiving CBR services. The lived experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders based in Australia and New Zealand were explored through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies across four research studies. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used to address the first aim, whereby initially quantitative data, followed by qualitative data, were collected and reported in two studies. The first study (Chapter 2) outlines an online survey that was completed by speech pathologists (n = 51) who had experience working with adults with CCD following TBI in CBR settings. One-on-one interviews were then conducted with a smaller group of clinicians (n = 14) and analysed using content analysis. The findings from the study highlighted the need for a flexible service delivery approach, meaningful therapy, and the inclusion of significant others to meet the rehabilitation needs of people in CBR settings following TBI. The key features required to achieve this included utilising a flexible service delivery approach, implementing meaningful therapy, and including support people. Following this study, Chapter 3 highlights more of the qualitative findings from the speech pathologist interviews (n = 14). The overarching theme identified was that a 'client-centred and inclusive approach to community-based rehabilitation services' is required. The three subthemes to emerge from the data included the importance of utilising a (1) flexible service delivery approach, with (2) meaningful therapy focus, and (3) collaboration with multidisciplinary team members and support people when treating this client group. The clinicians in this study highlighted the need for CBR services to include these recommendations whenever possible. The second aim of this research project was addressed by exploring the perspectives of adults with CCD following TBI and their support people (Chapter 4). A qualitative descriptive approach grounded in phenomenology was used whereby one-on-one interviews were conducted with the adults with TBI participant group (n = 16) and the support person group (n = 12). Reflexive thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme: 'The pervasive and unyielding impacts of cognitive-communication changes on daily life following TBI'. Three subthemes were identified and included (1) self-awareness of communication changes, (2) fatigue, and (3) self-identity and life roles. These findings demonstrated the significant and long-term impacts of CCDs and the importance of clinicians working with this population to be aware of the effects on their daily lives. Finally, the lived experiences and perspectives of adults following TBI and support people when receiving CBR services were investigated to address the third aim (Chapter 5). The same participant interviews highlighted in Chapter 4 were used to explore their experiences receiving CBR services. Qualitative data collected from the interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified as the core pillars of CBR models of care. They included the importance of (1) accessible and inclusive CBR services, (2) specialised clinical skills and treatment approaches, (3) knowledge is power, and (4) peer networks and support. The participants highlighted the complex needs of this heterogeneous population and emphasised the importance of including these recommendations in future models of care. The findings from this thesis emphasise the importance and ongoing need for high-quality CBR services for adults following TBI. The key stakeholders in this study highlighted the value of individualised management approaches to meet their specific goals and long-term needs. Speech pathologists and other health professionals working with this population should consider how their services can incorporate these recommendations whenever possible. Consideration is also required at a health service level to reduce logistical barriers and funding constraints to enhance CBR services for this clinical population and the people who support them.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for ecosystem function and plant growth. The N deposition and biological N fixation (BNF) are two important ways of N inputs into terrestrial ecosystems, particularly native forest ecosystems. The BNF, as a naturally N input process, is an environmentally benign process which typically occurs in symbiotic relationships between plants and rhizobia. However, increasing industrial activities have led to a rapid increase in the amount and rate of N emissions and subsequent increase of N depositions in suburban native forest. Human activities cause N emissions to enter the atmosphere in the form of gases, and are deposited locally and regionally. High levels of N deposition in the soil suppress BNF, reducing reliance of plants on BNF, thereby altering rhizobia populations and activity. Global warming also exacerbates extreme weather conditions causing further soil degradation. Frequent flood events cause N losses from soil through leaching, denitrification, and other pathways. Reasonable land management strategies need to be urgently developed to increase N utilization and cycling in an environmental manner. As a potential soil amendment, biochar addition can control N losses and promote nutrient cycling. As a porous carbon-rich material, biochar can supplement soil carbon (C) pool, promote soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation, and provide a high-quality habitat for plant rhizosphere microorganisms, facilitating microbially mediated soil N transformations. In addition, its adsorption of mineral N is beneficial for long-term utilization by plants and microorganisms and reduced N losses. However, biochar application rate needs to be considered, based on its effectiveness. Currently, biochar as a soil amendment in Australian subtropical forestlands has been poorly studied. It is unclear how biochar application rates directly affect soil N availability, and indirectly affect N transformations in soil-plant-microbe ecosystems. In addition, responses of legume species to external influences can lead to differences in BNF. It is necessary to investigate the responses of different legume species in BNF and microbially mediated soil N transformations to varying biochar application rates under frequent flood conditions. This study was conducted to achieve the following objectives: (1) to quantify the impact of biochar addition on leguminous species growth and BNF, as well as the responses of soil chemical and biological processes to both biochar application and leguminous species; (2) to quantify the effects of biochar application rate and leguminous species on labile C and N pools in the top 20 cm soil profile; and (3) to investigate the short-term transformations of mineral N in soil under different levels of biochar application rates and leguminous species, as well as different soil moisture contents. [...]

The manipulation and separation of particles and cells are crucial for disease diagnosis, biomedical research and therapeutic development. Microfluidics has shown significant progress in these areas, demonstrating precise manipulation and separation of tiny particles (e.g., cells, bacteria, viruses, and DNA). This technology offers advantages such as reduced sample volumes, lower cost, higher accuracy, automation and integration with multiple procedures. Among the various manipulation technologies, inertial microfluidics stands out due to its simple structure, label-free, easy operation, and high throughput. However, the current inertial microfluidic technology is still challenged when processing complex rare target cell samples, such as circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood samples. The separation efficiency and resolution are still limited. Moreover, conventional inertial microfluidic technology is difficult to handle heterogeneous cell samples, where particle sizes are too close or even partially overlap. Thus, it is urgent to develop innovative inertial microfluidic technology to enhance cell separation performance. [...]

Heart failure is a growing epidemic within the global population, with an estimated 64.3 million people living with the condition as of 2017, with up to 45% of patients dying within a year of their first hospital admission. For the most severely affected patients, a heart transplant is considered to be the preferred method of treatment. However, there is a scarcity of hearts available for treating each patient that presents, with transplant waiting lists growing year-on-year. In order to combat this, mechanical alternatives to the natural heart, such as ventricular assist devices, total artificial hearts and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, have been developed to relieve the patient burden on the healthcare system. The cost of these devices, however, remains high and often treatment exhibits a poor economic case, particularly for short-term support periods. As a result of this, development of a lower-cost alternative device is paramount to improve cost-effectiveness within healthcare for severe heart failure. In previous decades, one of the most prevalent devices was the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), which saw relative success due to being easy to insert, low development and equipment costs and increased accessibility in comparison to other mechanical circulatory support devices. It acts as a volume-displacement device inside of the patient's aorta, inflating during diastole (the heart's relaxation period) to increase circulatory energy. However, the low haemodynamic support provided by IABP and lack of randomized controlled trial evidence suggesting significant patient benefit, has seen its use decline across the past decade. Throughout the timeline of IABP usage, a number of attempts have been made to translate the balloon volume-displacement concept into a device that pumps blood from inside of the ventricle, known as an Intra-Ventricular Balloon Pump (IVBP). Each of these studies demonstrated successful increases in cardiac output and arterial pressure resulting from IVBP; however, the concept never progressed beyond early prototyping and evaluation. No specific reasoning was provided for these previous cessations in research; however, the concept is once again the subject of fresh interest, with as many as four research groups publishing on the concept since 2018. This present study aimed to continue the development of an IVBP prototype device for use as short-term mechanical circulatory support. A primary focus was placed onto evaluating physiological compatibility of the IVBP to provide beneficial support for the patient, with a view to evaluation of risk of mitral valve regurgitation, haemolysis, thrombosis and arrythmia. It was hypothesised that the usage of IVBP would increase the amount of support provided to the circulation without inducing excessive haemolysis and thrombosis, and without induction of mitral valve prolapse, leading to regurgitation. [...]

Since the last decade, memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) have gained prominence as a topic of interest in tourism research (Hosseini, Cortes-Macias, & Almeida-Garcia, 2024; Bai, Lai, & Wong, 2023; Tung et al., 2017; Zhong et al., 2017) due to their importance in providing tourist destinations a competitive advantage and sustainability (Moliner-Tena, Monferrer-Tirado, Ferreres-Bonfill, & Rodriguez-Artola, 2021; Pizam, 2010; Sthapit & Jimenez-Barreto, 2018; Chen, Cheng, & Kim, 2020) in today's fiercely competitive tourism industry. In the hospitality and tourism literature, various scholars have identified numerous factors that contribute to the formation of MTEs. Among many, is the hospitality of locals towards tourists visiting a destination (Kim, 2014; Chandralal & Valenzeula, 2015). The local hospitality construct, despite having significance for tourists' MTEs, has not gained much attention from hospitality and tourism researchers (Aristides & Efi, 2019; Christou & Sharpley, 2019). Due to a dearth of research in this domain of hospitality, there exists ambiguity and lack of clarity as to what constitutes local hospitality. The current study, firstly, addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the aspects of local hospitality. This research also provides an opportunity to better understand the association of local hospitality and MTEs. Further, an investigation of the moderating role of tourist motivations on the relationship between local hospitality and MTEs was also part of this study. Social exchange theory was employed as a theoretical foundation for this study as it is concerned with the exchange of hospitality to tourists in return for gains such as sharing local culture, experiences, stories, financial gains, positive word of mouth, and social prestige for the local people (Coulson, Maclaren, McKenzie, & O'Gorman, 2014). To address the overall aim and specific research objectives of this study, a mixed-method research design was adopted. The research is carried out in the context of Pakistan. The reason for choosing Pakistan lies in the fact that the country has emerged as a top tourist destination that offers beautiful landscapes, rich heritage, and diverse cultures and attracts visitors from around the globe with diverse travelling motivations and needs. Phase one of the study, aimed at addressing research question 1, comprised of a qualitative research approach for exploring and better understanding the local hospitality construct and its aspects. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted online with 20 tourists who have visited Pakistan and experienced local hospitality. Phase one is followed by a quantitative research approach in the second phase for an investigation of the aspects of local hospitality that contribute to the formation of MTEs. Phase two was aimed at addressing second and third research questions. A survey using questionnaire was carried out with 511 tourists who have visited Pakistan. This phase also investigated the moderating impact of tourist motivations on the relationship between local hospitality and MTEs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection during both phases was carried out online. For analysing the results in Study 1, NVivo software was utilized. Findings of the study in phase one revealed five dimensions of local hospitality including care, generosity, sociability, helpfulness, and authenticity. Data collected from respondents in Study 2 was analysed using SPSS software. Results of Study 2 revealed a significant and positive impact of local hospitality on memorable tourism experiences. Interestingly, the moderating impact of tourist motivations on the relationship between local hospitality and MTEs was insignificant. This research has important theoretical implications. Based on the interviews conducted as part of Study 1, the findings revealed specific dimensions of local hospitality from tourists' point of view. This is among the first studies, exploring dimensions of local hospitality particularly, in the context of Pakistan. Thus, by providing a better understanding of local hospitality, this research adds to enriching theoretical debate on local hospitality. The current literature acknowledges the contribution of local hospitality in shaping memorable tourism experiences. However, the examination of the relationship between the two constructs is not explored extensively. Findings of Study 2 add discussion to the literature on what and how different aspects of local hospitality shape memorable tourism experiences. This also provides meaningful insights of the framework through which hospitality impacts memories of tourists. Another important theoretical contribution is the addition to the ongoing debate on the complex psychology of local-tourist interactions through an investigation of tourist motivations and its relationship between local hospitality and memorable tourism experiences. Moreover, the study also provides opportunities for practical implications valuable for destination managers and practitioners in providing memorable experiences for tourists.

Norms shape tourist behaviour, and can influence loyalty, sustainable consumption, pro-environmental behaviour, tourist attachment, intentions to revisit, tourist volunteer behaviour, littering behaviour, positive word of mouth, and more. However, what is not clear is the circumstances in which norms are more or less effective. Norms help tourists connect with a destination and stay loyal. Plus, they have a significant impact on people's behavioural intentions. It is believed that these are the factors that influence people's decisions and actions. Despite the significant role assigned to norms in the behavioural field, they seldom feature in the tourism and hospitality sector. Moreover, the literature suggests that there has not yet been a definitive finding on what influence norms have on tourist behaviour. Rather, there are specific gaps in our understanding. First, prior research in the tourism and hospitality stream has adapted only partial aspects of the construct, such as socially desirable behaviour. Further, the concept of norms proposed is mismatched to how they have been operationalised. Second, how different norms and personality characteristics influence attachment and loyalty behaviours in tourists is under-researched. Lastly, there are few recommendations on how norms and personal characteristics can be used by the tourism and hospitality industry as marketing tools. This thesis draws on normative and behavioural theories, including the theory of normative conduct, the theory of planned behaviour, and social congruity theory, to examine the influence of norms and personal characteristics on tourism. The goal is to determine whether norms can play a role in the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry by enhancing behavioural intentions and place attachment. Normative conduct theory focuses on the importance of norms in shaping human behaviour. The theory holds that, by guiding an individual's behaviour, norms can be used to assess whether other people might approve of their actions. This theory additionally states that people should consider how other people feel about their actions, while taking their personal features into account. This theory is not widely used in tourism and hospitality research. In this study, this theory is used to examine the different behaviours of tourists. According to the theory of planned behaviour, a person's actions are influenced by their perceived control, subjective norms, and attitudes, and the main factors that motivate a person's behaviours are their intentions. Although this theory has been widely used in tourism research, using any one theory as the sole basis of a study has been broadly criticised. This is among the reasons why this thesis draws on several theories to predict behaviour. Similarly, social congruity theory suggests that people are motivated to conform to social norms and expectations in order to maintain positive social relationships and avoid social disapproval or rejection. This theory proposes that individuals compare their own attitudes and behaviours to those of their social group, and that they adjust their attitudes and behaviours to be more congruent with the norms of that group. The theory suggests that the strength of social influence depends on the importance of the group to the individual and the degree of unanimity within the group regarding the particular norm or expectation in question. Social congruity theory has been used to explain a wide range of social phenomena, including conformity, compliance, and obedience to authority. [...]

Controlled drug delivery systems are vital for successfully treating a wide range of diseases. Mathematical models are essential in developing new polymeric and transdermal delivery systems. In this dissertation, mathematical models have been built to investigate the effects of multiple transport mechanisms on drug delivery. A compartmental model of drug release from polymeric devices is used to simulate diffusion and surface erosion simultaneously. The effects of particle polydispersity, instantaneous binding and hydrophilic shells are investigated. The model highlights the relative impact of each transport mechanism on delivery, showing that binding and surface erosion can be used in a diffusion model to fit early burst release and later prolonged release phases simultaneously. A similar model is used to simulate transdermal delivery, incorporating diffusion, epidermal turnover and slow equilibration processes. It is shown that the presence of slow binding events in the stratum corneum can enhance the effect of epidermal turnover on in vivo delivery. Fitting to experimental data for theophylline found in the literature shows that epidermal turnover may affect smaller, more hydrophilic drugs than previously believed due to slow binding. It is shown that this could be an important contribution to the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo data often observed. A two-dimensional finite element model is developed in Python to investigate the effect of lipid layer structure and cornified envelope permeability on permeation pathways. It is shown that a realistic depiction of lipid phase anisotropy leads to a higher contribution of intercellular transport than predicted by previous models of lipid anisotropy. Limited cornified envelope permeability is investigated as an alternative method for simulating the effects of anisotropic diffusion.

The emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures has significantly increased in the current global finance environment, indicating a fundamental change towards sustainable investment and corporate governance standards. In the rapidly changing economies of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) area, this change has led to a reassessment of the connection between ESG performance and firm value, highlighting the crucial significance of sustainable practices in improving company profitability and attracting investors. [...]

Background: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical care treatment for patients with severe heart and/or lung illnesses which provides external cardiopulmonary support. Veno-arterial ECMO (V-A ECMO) is a type of extracorporeal support modality for refractory cardiogenic shock patients with or without lung failure. During this therapy, the V-A ECMO device drains deoxygenated blood from a venous source (femoral or jugular, typically); pumps it across a membrane lung; and returns oxygenated blood to the arterial side (femoral artery) of the human body. This extracorporeal circuit supplies oxygenated blood at a steady flow rate in retrograde manner through the aorta, in contrast to pulsatile antegrade flow from the native heart. However, this continuous blood flow with V-A ECMO devices can lead to complications, such as left ventricular distension and suboptimal microcirculatory perfusion with end organ failure. In addition to this, VA ECMO treated patients with respiratory failure exhibit differential hypoxia - a condition in which major organs in the upper body, including the brain, receive blood with low levels of oxygen relative to the lower body. In this condition, oxygen-poor blood from the left ventricle meets oxygen-rich blood from the ECMO circuit at what is called the mixing zone, which can occur anywhere along the aorta. Due to the above-mentioned complications and other factors, including the patient's underlying disease, the severity of cardiogenic shock, and other critical care-related complications, the mortality rate in V-A ECMO patients has remained close to 50% for the past five years. Motivation: A recent innovation in V-A ECMO technologies is the development of a novel pump design capable of producing pulsatile propulsion of blood, a key feature that is not present in contemporary devices. Restoration of pulsatile blood flow in ECMO has been hypothesized to reduce inflammation, allow cardiac unloading, decrease bleeding events, and perhaps improve blood flow in the microcirculatory network. A systematic review of preclinical studies (in vitro, in silico, and animal studies) on pulsatile flow V-A ECMO showed that pulsatile flow transfers greater haemodynamic energy than continuous flow V-A ECMO devices. Similarly, many animal studies exhibited major clinical benefits, namely reduced cardiac afterload, increased microcirculatory flow, better renal function, increased cerebral oxygenation, and reduced inflammation. Aims: The main aim of this research was to develop a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate the haemodynamics inside the human aorta for a representative patient with severe heart and lung conditions supported by pulsatile flow V-A ECMO. The second aim was to validate the CFD model by conducting particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments in a silicone aortic phantom. The final aim of this study was to determine the optimum level of pulsatility to achieve maximum clinical benefits for pulsatile flow V-A ECMO. [...]

Despite entrepreneurs comprising the majority of the global economy and being heralded as its driving force, they exhibit an alarmingly high failure rate. In comparison to large organisations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) entrepreneurs operate in a hostile environment characterised by scarce information and resources. These constraints significantly diminish their ability to discover, evaluate and exploit decisions. Hence, the adoption of effective entrepreneurial decision-making strategies is crucial for enhancing the long-term survival rates of enterprises. Research has consistently demonstrated that entrepreneurs frequently rely on intuition, a practice that facilitates superior decision-making, particularly in the areas of opportunity recognition and innovation. Whilst management literature recognises the advantages of intuitive decision-making for entrepreneurs, there has been a lack of advancement in integrating intuition training into entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the few existing entrepreneurial training programs predominantly emphasise cognition, neglecting the affective and sensory pathways crucial for intuition development. To address this gap, this research investigates the development of a specific body-based training utilising Focusing techniques tailored specifically for the needs of SME entrepreneurs. Focusing is a psychotherapeutic method that systematically engages bodily awareness by tuning into affective and sensory responses within a given situation. This approach enables the integration of tacit information, facilitates the formation of a holistic perspective specific to a situation and generates new meanings. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that Focusing techniques can stimulate innovative thinking and advance decision-making effectiveness, there has been no dedicated academic endeavour to explore the relationship between Focusing application and entrepreneurial intuitive decision-making. This research aims to investigate the feasibility and impact of a Focusing intervention to enhance entrepreneurial intuitive decision-making in SMEs. It involves the design and implementation of a bespoke Focusing intervention for SME entrepreneurs aimed to deepen their affective and sensory awareness. Guided by an action research approach, the study consisted of three intervention cycles over a two-year period, with each cycle lasting four weeks. The qualitative data collected from pre- and post-intervention interviews and observations were interpreted and triangulated using the Constant Comparison Method (CCM). [...]

By 2050, the global population aged 60 and above will reach 2.1 billion. In Australia, 59% of people aged 65 or older use Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). These facilities provide essential healthcare services, including medication management, because many elderly residents have chronic conditions that require extra care and take multiple medications. Over 95% of residents experience medication-related issues in RACFs and it becomes a concern. Effective communication of medication information during transitions from hospitals to RACFs is crucial, as about 20% of patients face medication issues during these transitions, leading to high post-discharge medical errors and readmission rates. The PDM process is an inter and intra-organisational-level process that involves medical team members, staff, medication information, and the flow and translation of this information between community pharmacies, hospitals, and RACFs. This information ultimately transforms into deliverable medication for patients. Human actions and interactions play a vital role in operating the PDM process, and these need to be investigated alongside the role of non-human actants. The existing literature provides limited insight into the structure and functioning of the PDM process between hospitals, RACFs, and community pharmacies. This study seeks to address this gap by comprehensively understanding the PDM process in practice. As such, this study aims to explore the PDM process within healthcare organisations to visualise and validate current practices, identify challenges and barriers, and provide recommendations for improving medication safety in RACFs. Specifically, it examines how medication information is transferred, translated, and transformed in RACFs and community pharmacies, considering their interfaces with hospitals. The study seeks to uncover the challenges in the PDM process and propose improvements from the perspectives of healthcare providers, including pharmacists and RACF registered nurses. A pragmatic qualitative approach was employed, collecting data from community pharmacies and RACFs in two phases. The first phase involved observations and semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists, while the second phase included interviews with registered nurses in RACFs. Thematic analysis was used to present the data, focusing on current practices, challenges, and improvement suggestions. Essomenic modelling and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) were utilised to map the PDM process and understand the interactions between human and non-human actants. The findings reveal significant challenges in translating medication information and in communication and collaboration between hospitals and RACFs, despite technological advancements. The study underscores the need for better translation of medication information into patient care. Although healthcare practitioners communicate effectively, the medication information is not being properly interpreted and applied in practice. This issue could be addressed by using integrated electronic post-discharge medication charts, such as the IRCMAC chart, where medication information can be shared and accessed by all healthcare professionals involved in patient care. However, it's important to note that simply exchanging medication information doesn't guarantee its effective translation into practice. This study contributes by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in healthcare processes, which often varies across organisations and practitioners. It also contributes to the understanding of healthcare processes and offers insights for enhancing the quality of healthcare services in aged care settings.