AN ANALYSIS OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS SYSTEM

What happens when an Australian servicemember misbehaves? When a serving member of the Australian Defence Force engages in poor performance or behavior that contradicts Defence values, but is not criminal, they may be subject to administrative sanctions. These sanctions are intended to motivate a change in behavior or provide grounds for dismissal. However, there has been little examination of how these sanctions are applied, the impact they have on those the organization wishes to retain, or the fairness of the system. This research begins to address these gaps by using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Linear Probability Models to understand how sanctions are applied to the Australian Army. We find that there was an increase in the use of sanctions from 2011 to 2020. Soldiers in 2020 were 75% more likely to receive a sanction compared to 2011. Additionally, receiving a sanction early in one's career is linked to a shorter length of service. Our findings also revealed some variability in supervisor decision-making, indicating a lack of consistency in the application of sanctions. Furthermore, we find that there is some correlation between the location where a member is posted and the likelihood of receiving a sanction. In the worst locations, soldiers are 26% more likely to receive a sanction.Major, Australian ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Measurement of night sky brightness in southern Australia

Night sky brightness is a major source of noise both for Cherenkov telescopes as well as for wide-angle Cherenkov detectors. Therefore, it is important to know the level of night sky brightness at potential sites for future experiments. The measurements of night sky brightness presented here were carried out at Fowler's Gap, a research station in New South Wales, Australia, which is a potential site for the proposed TenTen Cherenkov telescope system and the planned wide-angle Cherenkov detector system HiSCORE. A portable instrument was developed and measurements of the night sky brightness were taken in February and August 2010. Brightness levels were measured for a range of different sky regions and in various spectral bands. The night sky brightness in the relevant wavelength regime for photomultipliers was found to be at the same level as measured in similar campaigns at the established Cherenkov telescope sites of Khomas, Namibia, and at La Palma. The brightness of dark regions in the sky is about 2 x 10^12 photons/(s sr m^2) between 300 nm and 650 nm, and up to four times brighter in bright regions of the sky towards the galactic plane. The brightness in V band is 21.6 magnitudes per arcsec^2 in the dark regions. All brightness levels are averaged over the field of view of the instrument of about 1.3 x 10^(-3) sr. The spectrum of the night sky brightness was found to be dominated by longer wavelengths, which allows to apply filters to separate the night sky brightness from the blue Cherenkov light. The possible gain in the signal to noise ratio was found to be up to 1.2, assuming an ideal low-pass filter.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research as Proc to COSPAR 201

Understanding desk-based employees\u27 and managers\u27 workplace sitting and sitting-breaks

This thesis examined the social ecological correlates of desk-based workers sedentary time and sitting-breaks

Timing analysis techniques at large core distances for multi-TeV gamma ray astronomy

We present an analysis technique that uses the timing information of Cherenkov images from extensive air showers (EAS). Our emphasis is on distant, or large core distance gamma-ray induced showers at multi-TeV energies. Specifically, combining pixel timing information with an improved direction reconstruction algorithm, leads to improvements in angular and core resolution as large as ~40% and ~30%, respectively, when compared with the same algorithm without the use of timing. Above 10 TeV, this results in an angular resolution approaching 0.05 degrees, together with a core resolution better than ~15 m. The off-axis post-cut gamma-ray acceptance is energy dependent and its full width at half maximum ranges from 4 degrees to 8 degrees. For shower directions that are up to ~6 degrees off-axis, the angular resolution achieved by using timing information is comparable, around 100 TeV, to the on-axis angular resolution. The telescope specifications and layout we describe here are geared towards energies above 10 TeV. However, the methods can in principle be applied to other energies, given suitable telescope parameters. The 5-telescope cell investigated in this study could initially pave the way for a larger array of sparsely spaced telescopes in an effort to push the collection area to >10 km2. These results highlight the potential of a `sparse array' approach in effectively opening up the energy range above 10 TeV.Comment: Published in Astroparticle Physic

Reliability and validity of self-reported sitting and breaks from sitting in the workplace

Objectives Prolonged sitting is a health risk factor which is ubiquitous to the workplace, and breaking up prolonged sitting is widely recommended. This study evaluated the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of a self-report measure of duration of sitting and breaks from sitting in the workplace. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Fifty-nine workers who reported spending most of their work time sitting wore an activPAL inclinometer and the ActiGraph accelerometer for eight consecutive days, and completed single-item measures of duration of sitting (min/work hour) and breaks from sitting (frequency/per work hour), twice, seven days apart. Results Participants reported sitting at work for a median of 420 min/day (Interquartile Range = 360–450 min/day) and taking one break (Interquartile Range = 1.0–2.0) from sitting per work hour. For reported duration of workplace sitting, test–retest reliability was adequate (Intra-Class Correlations = 0.78, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] = 0.65, 0.86), and concurrent validity fair against the activPAL (Spearman’s Rho = 0.24, CI-1.0,0.47) and the ActiGraph (Rho = 0.39, CI = 0.15, 0.68). For reported breaks from sitting (frequency/per work hour), test–retest reliability was adequate (Intra-Class Correlations = 0.65, CI = 0.48, 0.78) and concurrent validity fair against the activPAL (Spearman’s Rho = 0.39, CI = 0.25, 0.74) and the ActiGraph (Spearman’s Rho = 0.30, CI = 0.15, 0.69). Self-reported duration of sitting was biased toward over-reporting compared to the activPAL (median = 45.4 min) and under-reporting compared to the ActiGraph (median = 21.7 min). Conclusions This study found adequate reliability and fair validity for self-reported duration of sitting (min/work day) and breaks from sitting (frequency/per work hour). Further validity research is needed using the inclinometer

The impact of height-adjustable desks and classroom prompts on classroom sitting time, social, and motivational factors among adolescents

Purpose: This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of height-adjustable desks in combination with prompts to break up prolonged sitting time during class time and identified social and motivational factors associated with breaking up sitting time among adolescents. Teachers’ perceptions of strategies were also examined. Methods: Over 17 weeks, 1 classroom in a government secondary school in Melbourne, Australia, was equipped with 27 height-adjustable desks and prompts (posters and desk stickers) to break up classroom sitting time. Teachers received professional development in the use of the desks and prompts. One group of adolescents (n = 55) had 2–5 lessons/week using the height-adjustable desks in an intervention classroom, and a comparison group matched by year level and subject (n = 50) was taught in traditional “seated” classrooms. Adolescents wore an activPAL monitor at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), and 17 weeks (T2) and completed a survey at T0 and T2. Six teachers participated in interviews at T2. Effect sizes were calculated (d). Results: Linear mixed models found that, compared to the traditional “seated” classrooms, the adolescents in the intervention classroom had significantly lower sitting time (T1: –9.7 min/lesson, d = –0.96; T2: –6.7 min/lesson, d = –0.70) and time spent in sitting bouts >15 min (T2: –11.2 min/lesson, d = –0.62), and had significantly higher standing time (T1: 7.3 min/lesson, d = 0.84; T2: 5.8 min/lesson, d = 0.91), number of breaks from sitting (T1: 1.3 breaks/lesson, d = 0.49; T2: 1.8 breaks/lesson, d = 0.67), and stepping time (T1: 2.5 min/lesson, d = 0.66). Intervention classroom adolescents reported greater habit strength (d = 0.58), self-efficacy for breaking up sitting time (d = 0.75), and indicated that having a teacher/classmate remind them to stand as helpful (d = 0.50). Conclusion: This intervention shows promise for targeting sitting behaviors in the classroom and indicates that incorporating social and motivational strategies may further enhance outcomes

Ni-in-garnet geothermometry in mantle rocks: a high pressure experimental recalibration between 1100 and 1325 °C

The temperature-dependent exchange of Ni and Mg between garnet and olivine in mantle peridotite is an important geothermometer for determining temperature variations in the upper mantle and the diamond potential of kimberlites. Existing calibrations of the Ni-in-garnet geothermometer show considerable differences in estimated temperature above and below 1100 °C hindering its confident application. In this study, we present the results from new synthesis experiments conducted on a piston cylinder apparatus at 2.25–4.5 GPa and 1100–1325 °C. Our experimental approach was to equilibrate a Ni-free Cr-pyrope-rich garnet starting mixture made from sintered oxides with natural olivine capsules (Ni  ≅ 3000 ppm) to produce an experimental charge comprised entirely of peridotitic pyrope garnet with trace abundances of Ni (10–100 s of ppm). Experimental runs products were analysed by wave-length dispersive electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). We use the partition coefficient for the distribution of Ni between our garnet experimental charge and the olivine capsule (lnDgrt/olvNi;NigrtNiolv), the Ca mole fraction in garnet (XgrtCa; Ca/(Ca + Fe + Mg)), and the Cr mole fraction in garnet (XgrtCr; Cr/(Cr + Al)) to develop a new formulation of the Ni-in-garnet geothermometer that performs more reliably on experimental and natural datasets than existing calibrations. Our updated Ni-in-garnet geothermometer is defined here as: T(∘C)=-8254.568((XgrtCa×3.023)+(XgrtCr×2.307)+(lnDgrtolvNi-2.639))-273±55 where Dgrt/olvNi=NigrtNiolv, Ni is in ppm, XgrtCa = Ca/(Ca + Fe + Mg) in garnet, and XgrtCr= Cr/(Cr + Al) in garnet. Our updated Ni-in-garnet geothermometer can be applied to garnet peridotite xenoliths or monomineralic garnet xenocrysts derived from disaggregation of a peridotite source. Our calibration can be used as a single grain geothermometer by assuming an average mantle olivine Ni concentration of 3000 ppm. To maximise the reliability of temperature estimates made from our Ni-in-garnet geothermometer, we provide users with a data quality protocol method which can be applied to all garnet EPMA and LA-ICP-MS analyses prior to Ni-in-garnet geothermometry. The temperature uncertainty of our updated calibration has been rigorously propagated by incorporating all analytical and experimental uncertainties. We have found that our Ni-in-garnet temperature estimates have a maximum associated uncertainty of ± 55 °C. The improved performance of our updated calibration is demonstrated through its application to previously published experimental datasets and on natural, well-characterised garnet peridotite xenoliths from a variety of published datasets, including the diamondiferous Diavik and Ekati kimberlite pipes from the Lac de Gras kimberlite field, Canada. Our new calibration better aligns temperature estimates using the Ni-in-garnet geothermometer with those estimated by the widely used (Nimis and Taylor, Contrib Mineral Petrol 139:541–554, 2000) enstatite-in-clinopyroxene geothermometer, and confirms an improvement in performance of the new calibration relative to existing versions of the Ni-in-garnet geothermometer. olvZS was the recipient of an Australian government funded RTP domestic PhD scholarship and stipend. Karol Czarnota of Geoscience Australia is thanked for his support and interest in this project. Paul Agnew of Rio Tinto Exploration kindly provided the garnet concentrate from Diavi

Experimental recalibration of the Cr-in-clinopyroxene geobarometer: improved precision and reliability above 4.5 GPa

The pressure dependence of the exchange of Cr between clinopyroxene and garnet in peridotite is applicable as a geobarometer for mantle-derived Cr-diopside xenocrysts and xenoliths. The most widely used calibration (Nimis and Taylor Contrib Miner Petrol 139: 541–554, 2000; herein NT00) performs well at pressures below 4.5 GPa, but has been shown to consistently underestimate pressures above 4.5 GPa. We have experimentally re-examined this exchange reaction over an extended pressure, temperature, and compositional range using multi-anvil, belt, and piston cylinder apparatuses. Twenty-nine experiments were completed between 3–7 GPa, and 1100–1400 °C in a variety of compositionally complex lherzolitic systems. These experiments are used in conjunction with several published experimental datasets to present a modified calibration of the widely-used NT00 Cr-in-clinopyroxene (Cr-in-cpx) single crystal geobarometer. Our updated calibration calculates P (GPa) as a function of T (K), CaCr Tschermak activity in clinopyroxene (aCaCrTscpx), and Cr/(Cr + Al) (Cr#) in clinopyroxene. Rearranging experimental results into a 2n polynomial using multiple linear regression found the following expression for pressure: P(GPa)=11.03+(-T(K)ln(aCaCrTscpx)×0.001088)+(1.526×ln(Cr#cpxT(K))) where Cr#cpx=(CrCr+Al), aCaCrTscpx=Cr-0.81·Cr#cpx·(Na+K), with all mineral components calculated assuming six oxygen anions per formula unit in clinopyroxene. Temperature (K) may be calculated through a variety of geothermometers, however, we recommend the NT00 single crystal, enstatite-in-clinopyroxene (en-in-cpx) geothermometer. The pressure uncertainty of our updated calibration has been propagated by incorporating all analytical and experimental uncertainties. We have found that pressure estimates below 4 GPa, between 4–6 GPa and above 6 GPa have associated uncertainties of 0.31, 0.35, and 0.41 GPa, respectively. Pressures calculated using our calibration of the Cr-in-cpx geobarometer are in good agreement between 2–7 GPa, and 900–1400 °C with those estimated from widely-used two-phase geobarometers based on the solubility of alumina in orthopyroxene coexisting with garnet. Application of our updated calibration to suites of well-equilibrated garnet lherzolite and garnet pyroxenite xenoliths and xenocrysts from the Diavik-Ekati kimberlite and the Argyle lamproite pipes confirm the accuracy and precision of our modified geobarometer, and show that PT estimates using our revised geobarometer result in systematically steeper paleogeotherms and higher estimates of the lithosphere‒asthenosphere boundary compared with the original NT00 calibration.All EPMA Analyses were completed at the Centre for Advanced Microscopy an advanced imaging precinct of Microscopy Australia, a facility that is funded by the Australian National University, and State and Federal Governments. Jef Chen is thanked for his assistance with the EPMA analyses. ZS was the recipient of an Australian Government funded domestic student RTP PhD scholarship and stipend. We thank Karol Czarnota of Geoscience Australia for his interest and support of this projec

The impact of height-adjustable desks and classroom prompts on classroom sitting time, social, and motivational factors among adolescents

Purpose This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of height-adjustable desks in combination with prompts to break up prolonged sitting time during class time and identified social and motivational factors associated with breaking up sitting time among adolescents. Teachers’ perceptions of strategies were also examined. Methods Over 17 weeks, 1 classroom in a government secondary school in Melbourne, Australia, was equipped with 27 height-adjustable desks and prompts (posters and desk stickers) to break up classroom sitting time. Teachers received professional development in the use of the desks and prompts. One group of adolescents (n = 55) had 2–5 lessons/week using the height-adjustable desks in an intervention classroom, and a comparison group matched by year level and subject (n = 50) was taught in traditional “seated” classrooms. Adolescents wore an activPAL monitor at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), and 17 weeks (T2) and completed a survey at T0 and T2. Six teachers participated in interviews at T2. Effect sizes were calculated (d). Results Linear mixed models found that, compared to the traditional “seated” classrooms, the adolescents in the intervention classroom had significantly lower sitting time (T1: –9.7 min/lesson, d = –0.96; T2: –6.7 min/lesson, d = –0.70) and time spent in sitting bouts >15 min (T2: –11.2 min/lesson, d = –0.62), and had significantly higher standing time (T1: 7.3 min/lesson, d = 0.84; T2: 5.8 min/lesson, d = 0.91), number of breaks from sitting (T1: 1.3 breaks/lesson, d = 0.49; T2: 1.8 breaks/lesson, d = 0.67), and stepping time (T1: 2.5 min/lesson, d = 0.66). Intervention classroom adolescents reported greater habit strength (d = 0.58), self-efficacy for breaking up sitting time (d = 0.75), and indicated that having a teacher/classmate remind them to stand as helpful (d = 0.50). Conclusion This intervention shows promise for targeting sitting behaviors in the classroom and indicates that incorporating social and motivational strategies may further enhance outcomes

Impact of an 8-month trial using height-adjustable desks on children\u27s classroom sitting patterns and markers of cardio-metabolic and musculoskeletal health

During school hours, children can sit for prolonged and unbroken periods of time. This study investigated the impact of an 8-month classroom-based intervention focusing on reducing and breaking-up sitting time on children\u27s cardio-metabolic risk factors (i.e., body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure) and perceptions of musculoskeletal discomfort. Two Year-6 classes (24 students per class) in one primary school were assigned to either an intervention or control classroom. The intervention classroom was equipped with height-adjustable desks and the teacher was instructed in the delivery of pedagogical strategies to reduce and break-up sitting in class. The control classroom followed standard practice using traditional furniture. At baseline, and after 8-months, time spent sitting, standing, stepping, and sitting-bouts (occasions of continuous sitting) as well as the frequency of sit-to-stand transitions were obtained from activPAL inclinometers and the time spent in light-intensity physical activity was obtained from ActiGraph accelerometers. Demographics and musculoskeletal characteristics were obtained from a self-report survey. Hierarchical linear mixed models found that during class-time, children\u27s overall time spent sitting in long bouts (>10 min) were lower and the number of sit-to-stand transitions were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group, while no changes were observed for musculoskeletal pain/discomfort. No significant intervention effects were found for the anthropometrics measures and blood pressure. Height-adjustable desks and pedagogical strategies to reduce/break-up sitting can positively modify classroom sitting patterns in children. Longer interventions, larger and varied sample size may be needed to show health impacts; however, these desks did not increase musculoskeletal pain/discomfort