http://hdl.handle.net/10453/30054 2026-07-01T14:25:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195510 Title: Between Visibility and Vulnerability: Online Privacy Practices of Persons with Diverse Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities in Australia Authors: Nobbs, B; Narayan, B http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195509 Title: Climate change efforts vs. the growing popularity of larger private vehicles: A contradiction in motion Authors: Cheshmehzangi, A; Allam, Z; He, B-J; Su, Z Abstract: The sharp increase in the global popularity of large private automobiles, especially sport utility vehicles (SUVs), is a significant and frequently disregarded paradox in efforts to mitigate climate change. SUVs made up almost 48 % of all private vehicle sales worldwide in 2023, despite improvements in vehicle efficiency and the electrification of transportation. This presented a significant threat to emissions reduction goals. Even when electrified, these larger cars use a lot more fuel or electricity and produce 20 % –25 % more carbon dioxide per kilometer than typical sedans. Even though EVs have a significant positive impact on the climate in areas with renewable energy, the increasing popularity of electric SUVs negates these benefits because of their higher energy consumption, resource-intensive battery manufacturing, and continued reliance on fossil fuel-based electrical grids in many nations. The intricate relationship between vehicle size, electrification, and emission results is examined in this article, with a focus on the necessity of examining regional energy mixes, life-cycle emissions, and customer behaviour. According to empirical research, the indirect emissions of EVs differ significantly based on the country's electrical supply, and the SUV trend is driven by psychological and socioeconomic variables including perceived safety, prestige, and lifestyle marketing. According to the report, regulatory tools that discourage the use of large private automobiles, investments in public and active transportation, and a shift in mobility planning toward smaller, more efficient vehicles are all recommended. The current trend runs the risk of undoing climate achievements and solidifying unsustainable mobility habits unless there is a structural change in both urban design and consumer norms. 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195508 Title: Characterizing ECOPD Phenotypes: Associations with In-Hospital Outcomes and Immunoinflammatory Mechanisms. Authors: Wang, Q; Wang, L; Zhang, L; Zhao, C; Liu, Y; Liu, L; Yuan, L; Feng, M; Wang, G; Li, L; Zhang, S; Yuan, Y; Kang, D; Zhang, X Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hospitalization due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD) is linked to substantial mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the clinical and inflammatory phenotypes of patients with ECOPD, as well as to examine their associations with in-hospital outcomes. We sought to explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the relationship between ECOPD phenotypes and these outcomes. METHODS: A k-means cluster analysis was conducted on 20,890 recruited patients hospitalized for ECOPD. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the associations between the identified phenotypes and in-hospital outcomes, such as mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Additionally, a mediation analysis was performed to elucidate the immunoinflammatory mechanisms underlying the relationship between ECOPD phenotypes and in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: Three distinct phenotypes were identified: Cluster 1 (n=4,944, 23.67%) exhibited a "Female Eosinophilic Phenotype", Cluster 2 (n=10,814, 51.77%) displayed a "Male Eosinophilic Phenotype", and Cluster 3 (n=5,132, 24.57%) presented as an "Geriatric Multimorbidity-Associated Neutrophilic Systemic Inflammatory Phenotype". Clusters 2 and 3 were associated with higher risks of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]=1.88 and 17.07, respectively) and IMV (ORadj=2.52 and 7.59, respectively) compared to Cluster 1. Patients in Cluster 3 also experienced an extended hospital stay (median of 13 days) and an increased risk of ICU admission (ORadj=7.72). Additionally, blood eosinophils, neutrophils, CRP, and albumin played a mediating role in the relationship between ECOPD phenotypes and the composite outcome. CONCLUSION: Our study identified three phenotypes stratified by sex, multimorbidity burden, and inflammatory endotypes, which advanced threshold definition for eosinophilic exacerbations and provided prognostic insights for ECOPD management. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195507 Title: Numeracy: The Hidden Face of Adult Literacy? Authors: Yasukawa, K Abstract: <jats:p>Numeracy, along with literacy and increasingly digital skills, is trumpeted in policies as a core skill for adults internationally. Yet, in policy advocacy and the “naming” of the field that is concerned with supporting the literacy and numeracy development of adults, numeracy is often a hidden face, a shadow following literacy. One needs to dig beneath the names of policies, education providers or professional associations to notice that they are also concerned with numeracy. Against this backdrop, this paper explores the views of expert informants from the adult literacy and numeracy practitioner community on the importance of numeracy development for adults and factors supporting or hindering adults’ participation in numeracy learning. The findings suggest that, notwithstanding the invisibility of numeracy in adult education, there are other barriers that limit greater participation and the realisation of the wide range of benefits that numeracy development can afford. The paper contributes to a greater understanding of the link between the environment for numeracy development and the range of benefits that can be accrued from participation in numeracy programmes.</jats:p>