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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • (2018) Rojasavachai, Ravipa
    Thesis
    In this thesis, we examine whether the impacts of local and global oil price shocks on stock market returns and exchange rates in oil-exporting countries are different from those in oil-importing countries. We construct global oil price shocks using a structural vector autoregressive model (SVAR) developed by Kilian (2009); local oil price shocks are constructed following Ready’s (2018) approach using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Our findings show that local oil price shocks and global oil price shocks have different impacts on both stock market returns and exchange rates depending on the level of oil dependence of each country and the source of oil price changes. Changes in oil prices driven by local and global demand shocks have a positive effect on stock market returns in both oil-exporting and oil-importing countries. On the other hand, the impact of local and global supply shocks on stock market returns is mixed. Interestingly, local supply shocks have a significantly stronger impact than global supply shocks. In addition, our results on the relationship between oil price shocks and exchange rates show that local demand and local supply shocks contribute to the appreciation of oil-exporters’ currency while these local shocks lead to depreciation of oil-importers’ currency. Moreover, global demand shocks lead to U.S. dollar appreciation while there is depreciation in the U.S. dollar following global supply shocks.

  • (2018) Sutton, John
    Thesis
    This research explores changing forms of work organisation in the NSW construction industry 1980-2011 and examines how labour standards for construction workers were affected by them. Three main non-Standard Employment Relations (SER) arrangements are considered: self-employed sub-contracting, labour hire/agency work and guestworkers. These precarious employment practices are examined using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Statistical data are used to track their increased use; then evidence and findings from thirteen public inquiries held between 1979 and 2011 are interrogated using a ‘critical theory’ methodology. Conclusions are drawn about how and why precarious arrangements became entrenched in the NSW construction industry. The evidence demonstrates that major employer interests worked pro-actively with their political allies to protect and extend the reach of these ‘flexible’ forms of work organisation. The spread of self-employed sub-contracting from the housing sector to the whole construction industry is a particular focus. The growth of ‘sham contracting’ was something employer interests consistently denied but strategically fostered. The widespread use of tax avoidance is identified as the central element allowing employers and their political supporters to deregulate the labour market in a strongly-unionised industry. Advocates of neo-liberal policy prescriptions such as the Productivity Commission, and Royal Commissioners selected by LNP Coalition governments, played a significant role in spreading these work arrangements. For employers these poorly regulated forms of work organisation meant lower labour costs and traditional business obligations passed to others less able to bear those risks. For construction workers the consequences were: reduced labour standards through irregular income; work intensification; exposure to unsafe workplaces; and an absence of short and long term social protections.

  • (2019) Liu, Zhanpeng
    Thesis
    Advanced composite arches can deliver superior mechanical performance to fulfil the criteria of the modern engineering design. Functionally graded material (FGM) and nano-reinforced materials are two of the most efficient advanced composite materials. Because of the material property varies continually in the cross-section, the structural analysis is very challenging comparing to homogeneous materials. This dissertation aims to develop an analytical framework in the static behaviour of FG arches and nano-reinforced arches. Firstly, the linear static responses and the geometric nonlinear static responses are analysed; the significant of the geometric nonlinear analysis is stated by result comparison. Secondly, the static buckling analysis is conducted; particularly, two buckling modes are discussed, which are the limit point buckling and the bifurcation buckling. Finally, the equilibrium paths are illustrated in different buckling scenarios. Energy methods are adopted to establish the equilibrium differential equations. To verify the results of the proposed methods, numerical models are developed by using finite element analysis (FEA) software ANSYS. In the FE modelling, the cross-section of the arch is discretised into multiple layers to simulate the variation of the material property. From the numerical verification, the proposed analytical solution agrees well to the numerical models. Furthermore, a renovative nano-composite arch – the Functionally Graded Porous - Graphene Platelets Reinforced (FGP-GPLRC) arch is proposed in this research. By using the proposed analytical equations, the static responses and buckling behaviours is well analysed. From the results, the proposed FGP-GPLRC arch has an impressive strength-weight ratio against buckling. Compare to homogeneous arches, the FGP-GPLRC arch has a significant reduction in the self-weight without scarifying the buckling capacity. This dissertation makes a notable contribution to those design engineering where requires a high strength arch structure with strict size or weight limitation. Also, it provides a useful references and benchmarks for the researchers in the area of advanced composite arches.

  • (2019) Nolan, Eva
    Thesis
    Drawing Nature investigates the abiding relevance of Linnaean taxonomy on our awareness of human/nature relationships. It examines the local and globally significant specimen collection of Alexander Macleay as a paradigm for taxonomical assemblages and methods of natural history collecting and documenting. Referencing drawing’s role as an epistemological system for understanding and documenting natural phenomena, my creative approach is both empirical and speculative as I reimagine modes of classification that underpin the methodologies for representing nature in art. This research critiques Linnaean binary logic as inherently exploitative and anthropocentric by exploring a network of creative authorship that entwines and transcends dyadic themes and processes. Oscillating between analogue and digital, micro and macroscopic, my body of work investigates how expanded drawing can collapse boundaries between the corporeal and virtual, spectator and artwork, human and environment. This research analyses how a contemporary art practice can reveal a Linnaean ordering of the environment as an enabler of colonial conquest and exploitation. It reimagines systems of natural classification and offers an alternative biological analogy, the rhizome, to illustrate respectful and cooperative human/nature interrelationships.

  • (2019) Stewart, Thomas
    Thesis
    Background & Aims: A connection between psychological stress and the skin has been recognised for many years. Although laboratory-based research has uncovered sound pathogenic mechanisms and clinical research has successfully linked stress with a number of skin diseases, less has been made of the skin symptoms and signs that are experienced in the non-healthcare seeking population in association with stress. This thesis aims to assess whether increased levels of perceived psychological stress are associated with presence of skin symptoms and signs in Australian university students. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on the associations between stress and established skin diseases was undertaken. This review examined proposed underlying pathologic mechanisms as well as clinical studies investigating the relationships between perceived stress and skin disease. After institutional approval, an electronic cross-sectional survey using the validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire and a modified Self-Reported Skin Questionnaire, was distributed to 5000 students at a single university. The results of these questionnaires were analysed using logistic regression to assess whether increased levels of perceived psychological stress are associated with presence of the studied skin symptoms and signs. Results: 471 participants successfully completed the survey and were included in the study. Subjects with higher levels of stress were statistically significantly more likely to report the presence of itch (p<0.001), dry/sore rash (p<0.001), scaly skin (p<0.001), hair loss (p<0.001), other rashes on face (p<0.001), itchy rash on hands (p<0.001), troublesome sweating (p=0.003) or hair-pulling (p<0.001). No association was found between stress and: pimples, oily/waxy patches on scalp or flakey scalp, warts, or nail-biting. The results are discussed with reference to the existing literature on skin symptoms, signs and diseases. Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that an increase in perceived stress is associated with an increased likelihood of self-reporting a number of skin symptoms and signs in a nonhealthcare-seeking population. These findings may have significant implications for the self-management of skin morbidity with coexistent stress. The utility of perceived stress- and skin symptom- and sign-based tools in psychodermatology research is not yet fully elucidated.

  • (2006) Lyandvert, Max
    Thesis
    This thesis: Origins and Destinations: Representation in the theatre of Romeo Castellucci, investigates the working methodology of the Italian theatre director, Romeo Castellucci and his company, Societas Raffaello Sanzio. It provides an account of Societas Raffaello Sanzio s history, working methods, a detailed reading of the thematic and philosophical landscape in their works especially Genesi: from the museum of sleep, and the cycle: Tragedia Endogonidia, and a discussion on the company s artistic process towards the formation of its compositions and performances. This research and investigation is based on numerous viewings of most of the company s theatre works created in the last six years, interviews with Romeo Castellucci as well as other participating artists, two privileged periods of observation (residencies) in Italy of the rehearsal and creation processes of three shows, and the analysis and discussion of some of the key critical and intellectual responses to the work of Romeo Castellucci. The thematic focus of the thesis is the notion of Origins and Destinations, and its relationship with the language of representation in Romeo Castellucci s theatre. The theoretical discussion in the thesis is organised around Giorgio Agamben s notion of Potentiality within the composition and content of Castellucci s theatre. This concept provides a link between the key ideas of Origins, Destinations and Representation. Castellucci s application of Agamben s Potentiality deconstructs dramatic structure, narrative and action down to the fundamentals of the act itself, separated from its meaningful context. It is the conclusion of this thesis, that in the instant of this singular act, Romeo Castellucci manages to represent a point where origin and destination meet, or a point where they both are, for an instant, one and the same thing.

  • (2019) Yang, Edward
    Thesis
    Newer CMOS technologies allow for circuits to poses higher frequency performance, lower power consumption, reduced cost per transistor, and smaller layout area. Digital circuits greatly benefit from the use of newer CMOS technologies, but analogue circuits do not. In more modern CMOS technologies, the transconductance and output resistance of a transistor decrease, to which these two parameters serve as the foundation for developing high-performance analogue circuitry. The manufacturing process defines the transconductance of a transistor, but circuit techniques can make a transistor to seem like it has higher output resistance. The development and verification of a 22nm FDSOI CMOS op-amp and it’s supporting characterising circuit (the OPCC) are the two goals of this thesis. The process involves an investigation into various output resistance improve circuit techniques and finding methods to scale the circuit into a 22nm FDSOI CMOS process. A single-stage and a two-stage high-gain op-amp developed in a 22nm FDSOI CMOS process is presented. Two hundred runs of Monte Carlo simulations, which include transistor mismatch and process variation, validates the operation of the two op-amps. The integration of a modified high output resistance current mirror allows the op-amp to achieve high DC gains. The two-stage op-amp can perform rail-to-rail operations with a 800mV power supply voltage while driving a 1 pF capacitive load. The single-stage op-amp is simulated to have a 69 dB minimum DC gain, 29MHz UGB, with a PM of 86°. The two-stage op-amp is simulated to have a 103 dB minimum DC gain, 50MHz UGB, and a PM of 50°. Sequentially, a 22nm CMOS on-chip digitally controlled op-amp characterisation circuit is presented. The conversion of old on-chip and breadboard- based op-amp characterisation methods are scaled to the 22nm FDSOI CMOS process to enable the measurement of op-amps that are designed for on-chip use. Advancements in CMOS manufacturing process reduce the performance of transmission gates, to which, methods to mitigate the reduction in performance are elaborated. The OPCC enables the measurement of offset voltage with max SD of 0.1mV, input bias currents with max SD of 15.7pA, bandwidth with max SD of 1.73MHz, open-loop gain with max SD of 0.4 dB, CMRR with max SD of 8.774 dB, and PSRR with max SD of 1.1dB. Four hundred runs of Monte Carlo simulations validate the operations of the OPCC, which also indicates its potential implementation in older CMOS technologies.