Multi-Plaintiff Litigation in Australia: A Comparative Perspective

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, laid out in a hexagonal lattice. The material has remarkable properties that opened up several new research areas since its discovery in 2004. One promising field is graphene based biosensors, where researchers hope to create new devices that are smaller, cheaper and more reliable than those based on today’s technology. Among several manufacturing methods, graphene grown on silicon carbide is one of the promising ones for biosensing. A chip design has been developed in order to support research into graphene on silicon carbide as a base material for biosensors. Along with the chip, a holder for electrochemical measurements has been designed and an investigation into the requirements of a custom measurement device for the sensor has been undertaken

A MULTIPLE GOALS THEORETICAL APPROACH TO SEXTING: MESSAGE CONTENT AND SCALE DEVELOPMENT

Recently, sexting has gained popularity in both popular press and academic publications. Despite the prevalence of this communicative behavior, there is limited research that focuses on a theoretical explanation as well as how it can potentially enhance relationships. The purpose of this dissertation was threefold: to utilize the multiple goals theoretical perspective to examine sender goals when sexting, to assess if multiple goals within sexting was associated with relational behaviors and outcomes, and to develop a reliable and valid scale for sexting goals. A two-phase study was implemented. In phase 1, participants provided actual sexting messages they had recently sent to another person, and also provided their goal when they sent that particular message. Participants also answered scales related to relationship, communication, and sexual satisfaction, affectionate communication, and relational maintenance behaviors. Analytic coding was utilized for the open-ended responses regarding message content and goals, and the researcher also used the responses to develop participant- and theoretically-driven scales. Nine themes were identified for the type of goal participants had when sending sext messages. For phase 2, the proposed scale for the multiple goals of sexting was added to the preexisting survey. The researcher coded 204 sexting messages provided by participants as instrumental, relational, or identity goals and conducted multiple regressions to assess how the type of goal influenced each of the five relational outcomes. Multiple regressions revealed no significant associations among multiple goals and outcomes. Finally, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the proposed scale for the multiple goals of sexting. The EFA revealed a four-factor solution and the CFA demonstrated factorial validity for the scale. Post hoc analysis revealed significant associations for the goals from the scale and the relational outcomes. The results of this dissertation demonstrate that multiple goals are utilized in the context of sexting, and that specific goals are important for relational outcomes

All Across Africa: Artisans as Regional Economic Drivers Report

The social impact of All Across Africa (AAA) is as deep as it is wide. With access to global markets, women artisans dramatically increase their incomes. In Rwanda, an artisan’s livelihood significantly improves the wellbeing of her family, and benefits spill over into her community and local economy. The genius of AAA is found in its efforts to recruit, support, and create livelihoods for artisans in their own communities, which transforms them into catalysts for economic development within their communities. They become economic “dynamos” generating local community benefits and initiating broader economic change. The sustained social and economic impacts are pervasive

All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 6

These profiles, written about specific artisans, focus on the unique journey of each weaver. Paired with portrait photographs, profiles bring the Western consumer closer to the artisans to portray how artisan lives are transforming as a result of customer engagement with the company. Each story captures different struggles women have had to overcome in Rwandan society and what role working for All Across plays in their success

All Across Africa: Recommendations for Ongoing Social Impact Assessment

Objective The objective was to design and test a survey to measure and track AAA’s social impact on an ongoing basis. The survey’s purpose is to showcase AAA’s transformative effect on the lives of artisan beneficiaries and their communities. Research Process Social impact reporting requires resources to administer. As a result, significant consideration was given to ensure a sustainable, cost effective solution that preserves data quality. The research team performed six weeks of in-field research, consisting of formal and informal interviews with artisans, AAA employees, and community members. The team developed, piloted, and finalized an impact survey. This report formalizes its findings and recommendations. The Survey The survey instrument measures 7 areas of impact - education, health, savings, income, nutrition, housing, and empowerment. The context of each question and potential uses for answers are explained in this report. The report also explains best practices for in-person interviews and data collection using mobile devices with the DeviceMagic app. Modifications to the survey are likely to ensure impact reporting is continual, relevant, and accurate. Estimated Cost The survey will likely cost $120-200 to administer, take 2-3 employees 7-10 field days to complete, with 4-10 hours of setup time

Educational Camps and Their Effects on Female Perceptions of Technology Programs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Cheering in the Classroom, a four-day program designed purposefully to increase female awareness and perceptions of technology fields. The camp included discipline-based activities from the 13 different programs of study based in technology. The camp targeted high school cheerleaders and dancers, allowing them the opportunity to engage in hands-on-activities and competitions using new technology that was directly related to the cheerleading or dance. Each activity allowed the participants to see how technology can be used to understand and improve cheerleading/dance activities. The study compared participant’s perceptions of the Cheering in the Classroom camp to the perceptions of the TEAM (Technology Expanding All Minds) camp. Data were collected with the use of a Lyket-type scale through pre and post surveys. Responses from the survey calculated participants’ awareness and perceptions of technology to determine the effectiveness of the Cheering in the Classroom camp. Results of the study indicated that the cheering in the classroom camp had a more positive influence on participants perceptions of technology, leading the researcher to believe that building recruitment initiatives based upon participant personal interests can aid in positive perceptions of technology and technological careers

All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 2

These profiles, written about specific artisans, focus on the unique journey of each weaver. Paired with portrait photographs, profiles bring the Western consumer closer to the artisans to portray how artisan lives are transforming as a result of customer engagement with the company. Each story captures different struggles women have had to overcome in Rwandan society and what role working for All Across plays in their success

Citizen Web Archiving: Preserving Websites for the Common Good

Web archiving is the process of collecting, preserving and providing access to the content of the Internet. The articles we share, the social media posts we like — these are the things from today that will make up the historical record of tomorrow, but only if someone actively saves them

Policy and Practice: Evaluating Workflows and Communication for Maternity Leave at the University of Dayton

Maternity leave experiences and policy workflows at the University of Dayton have not been formally reviewed since the creation of an all benefit-eligible employee paid maternity leave policy in 2017. This study examines the lived experience of faculty and staff who have taken maternity leave since the implementation of the policy and faculty, staff, and supervisor perceptions of the current leave policies and workflows. Interviews and surveys found a need for clearer documentation in policies, an expansion of parental leave for the non-birth parent, and supervisory support. The report concludes with recommendations based on this research for implementing updates to the parental leave policies and communication and training strategies