Genetic Basis of Variable Expression of Glycan Xeno-Autoantigens by Cattle. Meat and dairy products from cattle contain sugar structures (glycans) that are not made by humans. These structures can be recognised by the immune system and lead to allergic reactions, inflammation and potentially cancer. These non-human structures are called xeno-autoantigens or XAs. We have discovered individual cattle that do not produce one of these XAs. We will study the gene required to make XA in the XA-free ca ....Genetic Basis of Variable Expression of Glycan Xeno-Autoantigens by Cattle. Meat and dairy products from cattle contain sugar structures (glycans) that are not made by humans. These structures can be recognised by the immune system and lead to allergic reactions, inflammation and potentially cancer. These non-human structures are called xeno-autoantigens or XAs. We have discovered individual cattle that do not produce one of these XAs. We will study the gene required to make XA in the XA-free cattle to find the underlying mutation. The same approach will be used to look for natural XA-free individuals in other food species. This knowledge may enable us to create a test to facilitate the natural breeding of non-GMO, XA-free livestock to benefit Australian primary producers and provide safer food for consumers.Read moreRead less
Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the ....Maximizing male fertility: the role of CRISP proteins. This project aims to investigate the function of cysteine rich secretory protein (CRISP) family members in fertility. It is expected to generate new knowledge on the role CRISP1 and 4 play in sperm competition in vivo, and thus, evolutionary processes; to define the role seminal plasma CRISPs play in fertility; and identify the mechanism underpinning their biological activities. This will be achieved using a range of innovative, state-of-the-art approaches. Expected outcomes and benefits include an enhanced knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning fertility and infertility, enhanced collaboration and research knowhow, and an evidence base for future applied projects aimed enhancing fertility in agricultural species.Read moreRead less
A new look at modelling population heterogeneity in econometric study. This research will advance existing quantitative techniques in economic study. New theoretical results will help enhance Australian research reputations. The innovative techniques developed in this project will be demonstrated to study labour force participation of people with disabilities in Australia. Findings of the empirical study will help governments in providing financial assistance to affected families and addressing ....A new look at modelling population heterogeneity in econometric study. This research will advance existing quantitative techniques in economic study. New theoretical results will help enhance Australian research reputations. The innovative techniques developed in this project will be demonstrated to study labour force participation of people with disabilities in Australia. Findings of the empirical study will help governments in providing financial assistance to affected families and addressing the issue of labour shortage in Australia. Furthermore the participation of a high profile international researcher will benefit the local research community and provide a research training opportunity for local postgraduate students.Read moreRead less
Career aspirations of Australia's immigrant managers from the Asia-Pacific region: Developing a cross-cultural framework. For over a decade, Asian migration has dominated Australia's expanding skilled migration intake. However, there has been little appreciation of cross-cultural influences on career management, which have implications for employees' personal fulfilment and job satisfaction. This project, in advancing understanding of the interplays of cultural background and managerial career a ....Career aspirations of Australia's immigrant managers from the Asia-Pacific region: Developing a cross-cultural framework. For over a decade, Asian migration has dominated Australia's expanding skilled migration intake. However, there has been little appreciation of cross-cultural influences on career management, which have implications for employees' personal fulfilment and job satisfaction. This project, in advancing understanding of the interplays of cultural background and managerial career aspirations of the newcomers, will assist Australian organisations in developing culturally-sensitive policies and programs in the workplace.It will aid both organisations and government authorities in furthering their goals of promoting regional economic partnerships through increased understanding and engagement with our Asia-Pacific neighbours.Read moreRead less
An Economic Analysis of Bankruptcy and Financial Reorganization in Australia. We examine the question of whether the new Australian bankruptcy law is too lenient on firms in financial trouble. We will assemble detailed economic data on a large number of bankrupt firms and use the data to measure the performance of the Australian bankruptcy system. The outcome will be a more complete understanding of how bankruptcy law saves viable firms and eliminates inefficient firms. The project will assist p ....An Economic Analysis of Bankruptcy and Financial Reorganization in Australia. We examine the question of whether the new Australian bankruptcy law is too lenient on firms in financial trouble. We will assemble detailed economic data on a large number of bankrupt firms and use the data to measure the performance of the Australian bankruptcy system. The outcome will be a more complete understanding of how bankruptcy law saves viable firms and eliminates inefficient firms. The project will assist policy-makers designing bankruptcy law. The national benefit will be a bankruptcy system that balances the need to give innovating entrepreneurs a second chance against the danger of
encouraging too many unprofitable firms to limp on and waste
resources.Read moreRead less
An investigation of illicit tobacco use - its prevalence, economic impact and the motivations and perceptions of consumers. Black market tobacco costs the Australian government at least $450 million in lost taxes per annum. Little is known about the prevalence and economics of illicit tobacco use, or the motivations, attitudes and perceptions of consumers. Using a national telephone survey of licit and illicit tobacco consumers, we will investigate their economic thresholds, decision-making pr ....An investigation of illicit tobacco use - its prevalence, economic impact and the motivations and perceptions of consumers. Black market tobacco costs the Australian government at least $450 million in lost taxes per annum. Little is known about the prevalence and economics of illicit tobacco use, or the motivations, attitudes and perceptions of consumers. Using a national telephone survey of licit and illicit tobacco consumers, we will investigate their economic thresholds, decision-making processes, and perceptions of health effects. Our work will lead to improved supply and demand reduction measures for illicit tobacco, and enable development of appropriately targeted health promotion strategies, generating enduring benefit to Australia's economy and public health. Read moreRead less
Becoming at home: the good starts for refugee youth cohort, transition to early adulthood and settlement outcomes. This project follows a cohort of young adults with refugee backgrounds who have been living in Australia for around ten years, and will examine settlement and social integration outcomes. This study will provide a robust evidence-base that can inform humanitarian settlement policy and programs.
Robust Empirical Analysis of Poverty and Inequality in Australia. The project aims to improve our understanding of economic poverty and inequality in Australia, and contribute new method to the field of distributional analysis. The empirical analysis of consumption poverty and inequality will highlight the critical methodological assumptions underlying our perceptions of poverty, and provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of a range of programs targeted to the poor. The analysis of economic ....Robust Empirical Analysis of Poverty and Inequality in Australia. The project aims to improve our understanding of economic poverty and inequality in Australia, and contribute new method to the field of distributional analysis. The empirical analysis of consumption poverty and inequality will highlight the critical methodological assumptions underlying our perceptions of poverty, and provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of a range of programs targeted to the poor. The analysis of economic inequality in Australia will determine if recent trends are due to increasing globalisation, and whether national programs were effective in ameliorating international influences. This research will ultimately contribute to more effective poverty alleviation and income support programs.Read moreRead less
The Western Nation-State, Cultural Pluralism and the Transnational Circulation of Political Emotions in the Shi'a Lebanese Diaspora. At its most general level, this research aims to expose and explain the importance of emotions in the formation of all cultures. In so doing it opens the way for a more complex understanding of some of the invisible but important forces that shape intercultural relations within culturally plural nations. It will thus open the possibilities for ameliorating and refi ....The Western Nation-State, Cultural Pluralism and the Transnational Circulation of Political Emotions in the Shi'a Lebanese Diaspora. At its most general level, this research aims to expose and explain the importance of emotions in the formation of all cultures. In so doing it opens the way for a more complex understanding of some of the invisible but important forces that shape intercultural relations within culturally plural nations. It will thus open the possibilities for ameliorating and refining government policies concerned with the management of pluralism. At a more particular level, the research hopes to produce critical knowledge about diasporic Arab Muslim cultures that will ameliorate the thorny relations these cultures have today with western governments.Read moreRead less
Proteomic and genetic analysis of subfertile bull spermatozoa. This project aims to identify protein changes on spermatozoa that are highly correlated with the fertility status of bulls. Bull fertility has approached an all-time low as breeding practice has focused predominately on milk production and beef tenderness. This project aims to understand the genetic causes that underpin bull and cattle infertility, and investigate better methods to predict the fertility status of bulls. This project ....Proteomic and genetic analysis of subfertile bull spermatozoa. This project aims to identify protein changes on spermatozoa that are highly correlated with the fertility status of bulls. Bull fertility has approached an all-time low as breeding practice has focused predominately on milk production and beef tenderness. This project aims to understand the genetic causes that underpin bull and cattle infertility, and investigate better methods to predict the fertility status of bulls. This project expects to contribute to better clinical management of cattle. This information can then be used for the development of a better diagnostic assay for both the dairy and beef industry.Read moreRead less