Digital Commons Network^™

Soulful Work Or Selling The Soul? Cultural Production And The Custom Surfboard Industry, Andrew Warren

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis documents custom surfboard-making as a distinctive cultural industry, drawing on archival and ethnographic work with eighteen surfboard workshops and their eighty-seven workers operating in four renowned surfing regions: O`ahu Hawai`i, southern California, Gold Coast and Illawarra regions, Australia. As a cultural industry, custom surfboard production is tightly linked to physical geography. Focused in coastal settings, board design is driven by the creativity of key individuals who seek to produce a faster, smoother and more responsive ride for surfers specific to prevailing waves and surf breaks. Unlike many other forms of commodity production, surfboard markers are not detached from …

Strengthening Hollow Reinforced Concrete Columns With Fibre Reinforced Polymers, Veysel Yazici

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Hollow Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns have been preferred to solid columns to reduce the cost of structures, and to decrease their self-weight where it is technically necessary. In spite of their widespread use, even modern design codes do not address any specific problems related to hollow section columns. This study aims to predict the behaviour of hollow RC columns confined with FRP wraps. A stress-strain model valid for both solid and hollow confined cylinders was developed. A modelling study was undertaken to generate the axial load- bending moment diagrams and the loading lines which give the axial load versus bending …

An Analysis On The Efficiency And Productivity Of The Australian Banking Sector With A Specific Emphasis On The Global Financial Crisis (2007-2009), Shima Hassan Zadeh Forughi

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The banking industry plays a crucial role in the financial system and economic development of any country. Thus, the evaluation of its efficiency is of great importance. The present thesis analyses the impact of different phases of the recent banking crisis on Australian banks with a view to identifying problem areas in the banking sector and to provide directions for policy improvements.

A multiple-stage approach based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is utilized in this study to investigate the level of efficiency and productivity of the Australian banks over a 7 year period. This analysis consists of the following five …

An Analysis Of The Uncertainty Factors Affecting The Sustainable Supply Of Rice Production In Thailand, Phatcharree Toghaw Thongrattana

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The production of rice – a staple food for half the world's population – plays an increasingly vital role in providing global food security. Thailand is the world's main rice exporter, and rice cultivation is a dominant industry in the Thai economy; these two factors make Thailand vulnerable to fluctuations in demand and the increasing instability of the natural environment.

A number of studies have attempted to explain how supply chain management practices help firms maintain high supply chain performance in uncertain conditions. However, these relationships have not yet been investigated in the context of the Thai rice supply chain …

Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes As The Platforms In The Dopamine And Ascorbic Acid Biosensors, Jie Zhao

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The main goal of this study was to design and develop novel carbon nanotube (CNT) based platforms as biosensors for simultaneous voltammetric detecting dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA). The use of such novel nanostructured electrode platforms will enable the development of affinity-based biosensors for disease diagnostics and therapy monitoring. Such bio-sensing systems will perform sensitively and selectively for detection of the neurotransmitters/neurochemicals by utilizing certain CNT material structure and introducing various functional groups, thus enhance response to the specific bioanalytes. The electrical devices are extremely useful for delivering the diagnostic information in a fast and simple way.

A highly …

The Permian-Triassic Mass Extinction Event In The Sydney Basin, Eastern Australia, Megan L. Williams

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The primary aim of the thesis was to investigate the Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME) across the Sydney Basin of Eastern Australia, and to gather new evidence for use in determining the nature and cause of the PTME. This was achieved by identifying and assessing the significance of the isotopic, geochemical and physical characteristics of the PTME in the region.

An examination of the available evidence for the nature and characteristics of the PTME, together with a review of the mechanisms most likely to have been the cause, was undertaken to establish the isotopic, geochemical and physical signatures that characterize each …

Experimental And Theoretical Approached For Ac Losses In Practical Superconducting Tapes For Engineering Applications, K W. See

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Practical superconducting wires and tapes have significant potential for use in electrical engineering applications. The work presented in this thesis is focused on developing new measurement and theoretical techniques to more accurately model and measure ac losses in superconducting tapes in order to contribute to the skills, tools and understandings needed to assist in their utilization. Investigations of both BSCCO and MgB₂ superconducting tape and wire are described.

A review of the literature with special emphasis on the mechanism of AC losses and theoretical approaches is presented. Some of the widely used analytical expressions for losses are presented and …

What Makes A Green Public Sphere?: A Case Study Of The Illawarra Escarpment, Helen Irene Wilson

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Debating the limits of cities in geographically challenging environments is characteristic of modern western environmental politics. This thesis investigates a particular case study in the Illawarra region of Australia, where the city of Wollongong’s ‘green backdrop’, the Illawarra Escarpment, was the subject of intense debate in the 1990s and beyond, here termed ‘escarpment politics’. I invoke the concept of the green public sphere as a forum for the formation of public opinion on the basis of a range of citizen input about environmental matters requiring action by the state. However the existing literature treats this as primarily a normative concept, …

Data Dissemination In Delay Tolerant Networks, Zhenxin Feng

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are characterized by large delays, frequent dis- ruptions and lack of contemporaneous paths between nodes. Moreover, nodes may have limited computational power, storage, and battery capacity. Despite these challenges, DTNs have found applications in areas such as animal tracking, surveillance and facilitating education in remote areas. In these applications, a critical problem is routing or data dissemination. Indeed, any routing protocols must aim to transmit data efficiently and maximize data delivery. The chal- lenge, however, is that nodes are only connected intermittently, and do not have a contemporaneous path. Moreover, any established path may not remain …

Food Or Nutrients? A Comparison Of The Effectiveness And Efficacy Of Increased Fish And Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplement Consumption In The Context Of Metabolic Health, Elizabeth Phillipa Neale

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

One of the big challenges facing evidence-based nutrition is the apparent discord between the study of whole foods and of their constituent nutrients. Fish and long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) are a case in point where questions lie as to the relative value of the food versus a key nutrient. Likewise, little research considers the effectiveness of dietary advice, in addition to the efficacy on health outcomes, of consuming whole foods versus nutrients, and numerous methodological challenges exist for exposing both factors. Finally, there is a paucity of biomarkers that reflect health rather than disease. An …

A Deployable Ip Spoofing Defence System, Lei Wang

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

It is certain that IP spoofing remains a serious issua at present over the Internet. Our work in this thesis is to offer an authentic source identifier which may be employed by a network for IP spoofing packets. In this thesis, we provide an original model together with an examination of a Spoofing Defence System (SDS) in an Autonomous System (AS) level designed for filtering the spoofed IP packets. An Inter-Domain Routing Validator (IRV) handles the secret keys and exchange keys among different ASes via a secure communication channel. As it is a secure system, the SDS is definitely effective …

Free Paratopological Groups, Ali Sayed R. Elfard

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

In 2003, Romaguera, Sanchis and Tkachenko proved the existence of the free paratopological group and the free abelian paratopological group on any topological space.

This thesis is a study of some of fundamental properties of the topologies of the free paratopological group FP(X) and the free abelian paratopological group AP(X) on any topological space X (Romaguera, Sanchis and Tkachenko studied Graev free paratopological groups, we study Markov free paratopological groups).

The result often known as Joiner's lemma is fundamental in understanding the topology of the free topological group F(X) on a Tychono space X. In this thesis, analogues of Joiner's …

Optimising The Packaging Of Semiconductor Detectors To Improve Their Energy Response To Gamma And Neutron Radiation For Radiation Protection: A Geant4 Monte Carlo Study, Mohd Amir Radhi Othman

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

There are many types of semiconductor detectors used in radiation detection and dosimetry. A common problem of these detectors under a wide energy spectrum is that their response in a radiation field depends on energy. In radiation protection-applications, gamma and neutron are the most common primary radiation. Other forms of radiation, such as hadronic particles, are important in space applications, but are not included in the scope of this study because they deserve a separate examination. This study mainly focuses on the development of semiconductor dosimeters for mixed gamma-neutron, with an improved energy response achieved by an innovative design and …

Improving Students' Learning Of Statistics: The Impact Of Web-Based Learning Support On Student Outcomes, N. Baharun

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis investigated the provision of learning supports within an e-learning environment in terms of its impact on student learning outcomes in mathematics and statistics. A review of literature on relevant learning theories was used by the researcher as a way of describing and explaining the educational practices within an online learning environment and her involvement through three case studies. The two primary case studies involved two introductory level statistics subjects. These subjects were taught and co-ordinated by the same lecturer with similar assessment practices and high quality resources. A heavy emphasis was placed on the completion of tasks, the …

Thomas Hardy, John Stuart Mill And Feminism, Farzaneh Mayabadi

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This study will investigate the relations to liberal feminism of Thomas Hardy’s novels Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1895). I argue against those who believe Tess and Sue are victims, introducing them as proto-feminists by reading these two novels along with John Stuart Mill’s liberal feminist arguments. This study is consolidated by demonstrating how Hardy’s tragic novelistic form in these two works is connected to feminist content. The death of the female protagonists shows the difficulty of accommodating liberal feminist ideas within late Victorian society.

Flow Through Filters In Embankment Dams, Vo Trong Nguyen

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis presents studies relating to filter and filtration problems, namely time-dependent filtration process of a given combination of base and filter soils, suffusion mechanism of filters, and determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity of filters. Firstly, the time-dependent filtration process was studied by incorporating superior tools related to the pore network of filters, hydraulic behaviour, and the transport of soil particles. The outcome of this model can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of filters through the accumulation of base soils within filter layers, or the flow rate that describes the stable formation of the self-filtering layer within filters, or …

A Privacy Framework For Secondary Use Of Medical Data, Jennifer A. Heath

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Traditionally the privacy of medical patients personal information is protected through interpretations of the ‘limited access’ theory of privacy which in many cases was instantiated through to secure storage of physical paper charts and records. With the change of medium for capture and storage of personal medical information from paper based to electronic medium, the ‘limited access’ approach to privacy is under pressure due to the ease with which electronic information can be exchanged. The medical doctor’s traditional ‘gatekeeper’ role to oversee patients’ personal information is becoming harder to maintain with electronic health records. This is particularly the case in …

Charge Generation And Recombination In Porphyrin Based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells, Matthew James Griffith

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This study has investigated the charge generation and recombination behaviour of porphyrin-based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using a range of time-resolved and steady state techniques. The enhanced understanding of these processes was then utilized to develop unique strategies to circumvent performance limitations associated with injection or recombination, thereby improving the power conversion efficiencies of these devices.

Injection behaviour has been studied using transient absorption with sub-ns time resolution and an optical model employed in conjunction with simple absorption measurements to calculate the absorbed photon-to-current conversion efficiency of devices. Recombination was monitored using stepped-light induced measurements of photocurrent and photovoltage …

The Effect Of Previous Phosphorus Additions To Soils On Phosphorus Sorption And Related Parameters, Natasha Carlson-Perret

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Detrimental environmental effects resulting from the overuse of phosphorus (P) fertilisers in agriculture is a global issue which can cause the eutrophication of water systems. Phosphorus fertilisers are commonly used in Australia (and worldwide) and there remains no single simple model available which takes into account the many factors which affect P sorption and solubility; thus the potential for adverse environmental effects resulting from inefficient and excessive use is substantial.

In this study six Australian soils were analysed in order to ascertain the effect previous P fertiliser additions have on the behaviour of subsequent additions of P. In addition other …

Self-Management Of Cognitive Load When Evidence Of Split-Attention Is Present, Kylie Roodenrys

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Students are constantly exposed to inefficient learning environments where materials are designed with a lack of consideration about the architecture of human memory. Split attention learning environments are a common cause of cognitive overload for students and the focus for this thesis was to investigate the effect on learning if students were instructed to manage split attention.

Three experiments investigated how students could manage their own cognitive load when there was evidence of split attention in learning materials. In all three experiments, participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions:

1. Conventional split attention formatted instructional materials (Group 1: …

A Grammar Of Space - Drawing The Intersections Of Exhibition, Media, Performance And Architecture, Lawrence Paul Wallen

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

‘A Grammar of Space’ refers to the search for the first memory of space, and to the construction of a framework that explains artistic approaches to space, through the process of reflecting on a spatial practice. The research asks what is the interstitial space between image and text? It is this junction, potent in contemporary practice, that I argue underpins my artistic research.

This is both an artistic and scholarly investigation, and it engages with my search for the origin of (cultural) memory as manifested in works from a range of media: architecture, installation, scenography, drawing, and time-based media.

The …

An Empirical Analysis Of Efficiency And Productivity Changes In Malaysian Public Higher Education Institutions, Mad Ithnin Salleh

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The efficiency and productivity of the higher education sector play crucial roles in the development and growth of a nation, both as a major source of human capital and as a main driver of the knowledge economy. During the last decade, the Malaysian government has placed greater emphasis on productivity improvement in the public higher education sector as means of promoting the development of quality human capital. This sector has undergone some fundamental changes, which have led to its rapid expansion. The implementation of the NHESP (National Higher Education Strategic Plan) in 2007 was the most important policy change in …

Processing And Characterization Of Graphene / Graphene Oxide Doped Mgb2 Superconductors, Kaludewa Sujeewa De Silva

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The discovery of superconductivity in MgB₂ has attracted enormous interest among the superconducting materials community. MgB₂ has emerged as a potential candidate for many applications, replacing conventional low critical temperature (Tc) superconductors, not only due to its high T_c of 39 K, but also to its intrinsically “weaklink” free grain boundaries, its rich multiple-band structure, and its low fabrication cost. Its rapid drop in critical current density (J_c) under applied magnetic field, and low upper critical field (H_c2), however, exclude it from many industrial applications where a high Jc under high magnetic field …

New Scheme Teacher Induction In New South Wales Independent Schools: Challenges And Opportunities, Sean Patrick Kearney

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The problems that beginning teachers face early in their careers are a major factor in growing rates of attrition among neophyte teachers. Coupled with high rates of attrition the ageing teacher population, specifically in New South Wales, may cause a teacher shortage crisis in coming years. New Scheme Teacher (NST) induction is an imperative process in acculturating teachers to their new careers and helping them overcome the hardships of teaching and the accreditation process. Empirical research has established that an effective induction program can improve teacher attrition rates by up to 20%. While induction practices have become more common in …

Evaluation Of Quality Of Paper-Based Versus Electronic Nursing Documentation In Australian Residential Aged Care Homes, Ning Wang

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Nursing documentation, a major clinical information source in Australian residential aged care, plays a significant role in the management and delivery of care services. In addition to its importance in supporting effective communication between different care team members, high quality nursing documentation is essential to meet accreditation, funding and quality improvement requirements. Electronic nursing documentation systems were implemented in several aged care organisations in an attempt to improve documentation efficiency and utility of data. The effect of the systems on the overall quality of nursing documentation is yet to be validated. In addition, although documentation practice in the aged care …

Haptic-Rendered Practice Carillon Clavier, Mark Havryliv

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The carillon is one of the few musical instruments that elicits sophisticated haptic interaction from experienced and inexperienced players alike. The fact that practice instruments do not reflect the idiosyncratic force-feedback of individual carillons creates distinct problems for both types of player. The light touch, consistent across the range of a typical rehearsal instrument, limits the rate at which inexperienced players can develop physical stamina and musical intuition for the force-feedback and related timing constraints of the real instrument; rehearsal instruments are currently the only way novice players can learn, create, or practise musical arrangements in private. Experienced players, less …

Performance Of Geogrids Stabilised Fouled Ballast In Rail Tracks, Ngoc Trung Ngo

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The railway track network plays an essential role of the transportation infrastructure worldwide. During operations, the ballast becomes contaminated or fouled due to the infiltration of fines from the surface, mud pumping up from the subgrade, and ballast degradation under repeated train loading. In Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, ballast degradation and infiltration of fine particles such as coal and soft subgrade fills the voids in the ballast layer, which restricts drainage, and results in uneven track settlement and high maintenance costs to clean the ballast.

Geosynthetics have been increasingly used in railroads to provide reinforcement and confinement pressure …

Urban Heat Islands: Differentiating Between The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Using Native Or Exotic Vegetation In Mitigating Climate, Axton Conrad Aguiar

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is one of the main weather phenomena to affect urban areas. The main cause of an UHI is the absorption of heat energy by urban structures which is then later radiated back into the environment. This slow release of heat keeps the urban area at a higher temperature compared to the surrounding rural/native habitats. The increase in temperature poses some social, economic and health related concerns. With over three billion people living in urban areas, there has been a lot of research into the effects of UHI on humans as well as the environment …

Improved Supply Chain Performance Through Rfid Technology: Comparative Case Analysis Of Metro Group And Wal-Mart, Omar Massuod Salim Hassan Ali

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Introducing RFID technology into retail industry enhances and increases the speed, accuracy, detailing and visibility of operational information updates for specific units of business production. This research examines the impact of RFID technology on supply chain (SC) performance. It focuses on RFID technology and its implementation at two retail chains in the United States (US) and Europe which have successfully implemented this technology, and identifies the impact of RFID technology on improving SC performance in the retail industry. This study has examined a wide range of research literature and secondary data sources. The researcher has concentrated on both explorative and …

Semigroup Actions On Higher-Rank Graphs And Their Graph C*- Algebras, Ben Maloney

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Higher-rank graphs and their C^∗-algebras were introduced by Kumjian and Pask as a graphical means to provide combinatorial models of the Cuntz-Krieger families of Robertson and Steger. If a group G acts on a directed graph E, the universal property of C^∗(E) shows that this action on the graph induces an action of G on C^∗(E), and hence the crossed product C^∗(E) ⋊ G can be formed. A theorem of Kumjian and Pask says that if a group G acts freely on a directed graph E, then the associated crossed product C …