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Evolution of the human family
No full textThis research uses qualitative multimodal methods to draw together recent discoveries and ideas from multiple appropriate scientific, humanities and hermeneutic discourses to construct a narrative of the evolution of the human family. The research identifies seven behaviours concerning gender relations, inbreeding prevention, symbolic expression, kinship, governance, knowledge accretion and response to childhood and children which, when integrated, constitute the dynamics and structure of family. These seven behaviours can be expressed and integrated in different ways, resulting in different family systems or constellation known in this work as hunter-gatherer, clan, dynastic (elite and subordinate) and nuclear. These behaviours are used as markers when tracking the evolution of the family. The research also explores mechanisms of change and stasis within and between family systems and finds both are triggered by one or a combination of responses to climate change, local ecology and by human agency.
The first chapter of the thesis introduces the nature of the work. Chapter 2 describes the background to the research, exploring key concepts such as evolution and family. It also describes the perceived need for this research. Chapter 3 describes the different lens through which the family can be viewed and establishes the lens used in this project. Chapter 4 is a description of the methodology. Chapter 5 explores the earliest adaptive functions of the seven behaviours in the hunter-gatherer family following a comprehensive review of evolution, searching for what contributed to the need for, and capacity to meet each behaviour. Chapter 6 explores how the clan family system evolved and tracks its demise. Chapter 7 explores the evolution of the dynastic family system and is particularly concerned with the subordinate family system. Chapter 8 concerns the evolution of the nuclear family system and considers its ongoing presence in Australia. Chapter 9 discusses the results from a thematic perspective and considers what can be interpreted from the narrative. Chapter 10 suggests a conceptual framework by which the contemporary family can be discussed. This provides a basis for discussion on what theory of family needs to underpin law and social policy that impacts family life.
The research concludes that the hunter-gatherer family system particularly as exemplified by moort is the most successful family having enabled the thriving of humanity in almost all contexts on the globe over many millennia; and, when not shaped by the state or religion, the family will construct itself in a way that best positions itself for long term survival.
WARNING: This thesis contains reference to family violenc
Pro-environmental behavioural intention towards ecotourism: Integration of the theory of planned behaviour and theory of interpersonal behaviour
No full textThis study identifies the factors influencing pro-environmental behavioural intention (PEBI) among Chinese domestic tourists at ecotourism destinations. The framework of this study was constructed by integrating the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour. Using purposive sampling techniques, 430 surveys were obtained between January and February 2022. The results indicated that perceived ecotourism usefulness, publicity and education, policies and regulations, infrastructure, and perceived behavioural control have significant positive effects. In contrast, risk has a significant negative effect on PEBI. None of the control variables (i.e. gender, age, and education level) showed a significant effect in the model. The integrated conceptual model developed in this study contributes to the existing literature, formulating potential policies and measures to promote PEBI and the creation of high-quality ecotourism destinations that can enhance sustainable ecotourism development
History informing the future of exercise oncology
No full textExercise is increasingly recognized by patients, clinicians, and allied health professionals globally as an important component of cancer care. In this paper, we provide a viewpoint on developments in exercise oncology over the past 4 decades leading up to the creation of the International Society of Exercise Oncology (ISEO). We briefly review research in adult and pediatric cancers from early foundation studies to larger randomized controlled trials published in mainstream oncology journals alongside critical work undertaken in exercise and cancer biological mechanisms. We also discuss potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing ISEO in becoming a global forum for exercise oncology. Building on the foundational work undertaken over the past 4 decades by researchers, clinicians, and practitioners, ISEO provides an opportunity to support research, leverage collaborations and partnerships, facilitate education and training, increase awareness of exercise oncology, and support translation of research to clinical practice, ultimately improving the quality and quantity of life for people with cancer
Joint estimation of paternity, sibships and pollen dispersal in a snapdragon hybrid zone
No full textInferring genealogical relationships of wild populations is useful because it gives direct estimates of mating patterns and variance in reproductive success. Inference can be improved by including information about parentage shared between siblings, or by modelling phenotypes or population data related to mating. However, we currently lack a framework to infer parent–offspring relationships, sibships and population parameters in a single analysis. To address this, we here extend a previous method, Fractional Analysis of Paternity and Sibships, to include population data for the case where one parent is known. We illustrate this with the example of pollen dispersal in a natural hybrid zone population of the snapdragon Antirrhinum majus. Pollen dispersal is leptokurtic, with half of mating events occurring within 30 m, but with a long tail of mating events up to 859 m. Using simulations, we find that both sibship and population information substantially improve pedigree reconstruction, and that we can expect to resolve median dispersal distances with high accuracy
Longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle in children undergoing cancer treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textSkeletal muscle loss during chemotherapy has been associated with poorer outcomes and reduced survival across several types of cancer. However, the extent and progression of muscle loss during treatment for childhood cancers remain unclear. A better understanding could help identify children at increased risk and inform the timing of targeted intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence on skeletal muscle changes during treatment for childhood cancers and identify factors that influence these outcomes. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they included children and adolescents (\u3c 19 years) undergoing cancer treatment and reported muscle quantity at a minimum of two time points. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Twenty studies (n = 646; age range: 2.5–14.7 years) were included. A significant decline in muscle quantity was observed during the early phase of treatment (standardized mean difference (SMD): SMD = − 0.36; 95% CI: − 0.59 to − 0.13; p \u3c 0.05). At later follow-up time points, the overall change was not statistically significant (SMD = − 0.08; 95% CI: − 0.27 to 0.10; p = 0.36). However, estimates of muscle quantity varied significantly by assessment modality (p = 0.048). Conclusion: Children with cancer experience significant skeletal muscle loss during the intensive phase of treatment. While decrements observed at later time points appear modest, reported outcomes vary considerably depending on the assessment method. Standardized, reliable body composition measures are needed to detect meaningful changes and guide clinical care. (Table presented.
Nuclear destabilisation – A possible genesis of cancer?
No full textThis review examines the increasingly prominent role of mechanics within cancer formation and progression. The extremely varied and contradictory genetic landscape of cancer is in stark contrast to the seemingly universal mechanical characteristics of cancer cells and their tumour microenvironment, and mechanics may be a principal unifying trait of this disease. The tight regulation of innate cell mechanical properties raises the possibility that destabilisation of the cell drives tumour formation in an attempt to restore cell mechanical homeostasis. With losses in cell stiffness more pronounced at the cell nucleus, we hypothesise that destabilisation occurs within the nucleus, likely within the nucleosome. Beyond the mechanical properties of the cell, this compromise to the chromatin structure holds significant repercussions for both genetic and epigenetic regulation, providing scope for significant genetic dysregulation and mutation. However, the nature of such genetic events will be dependent upon the region of mechanical destabilisation; thus, introducing greater variability and heterogeneity to genetic changes. We conclude with the hypothesis that cancer has a mechanical genesis, in which cell nuclear destabilisation functions as the enabling hallmark of cancer. It is theorised that both genetic and structural dysfunction stem from this nuclear destabilisation, driving disease pathology and progression
Research publication performance of the Australian and New Zealand nursing and midwifery professoriate
No full textAim: To analyse research publication performance of Australian and New Zealand professors and associate professors of nursing and midwifery, and compare with 2016 data. Methods: A search of university websites was conducted to identify all nursing and midwifery professoriate in Australia and New Zealand. Each individual was then searched in the Scopus database to identify individual total citations, h-index, number of publications, first author Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and overall FWCI. Comparisons with 2016 data were also undertaken. Results: A total of 304 academics were included, comprising 270 from Australia and 34 from New Zealand, and 169 full professors and 135 associate professors. Overall, total publications and citations had increased. Maximum h-index had increased; however, median only changed slightly. Conclusion: The study provides contemporary data that can support cases for academic promotion along with other benchmarking activities. Impact: Findings reflect the current research publication performance of the Australian and New Zealand professoriate and provide invaluable data for academic benchmarking in those countries and also in many others. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution
Support for older people living with chronic life-limiting illnesses in rural Ghana
No full textSummary: This research aims to address formal support needs of informal caregivers (ICs) in the context of long-term care of older people (OP) living with chronic life-limiting illnesses and examine the relationships of ICs of OP with formal support in rural Ghana. We undertook ethnographic interviews with 15 OP; 15 ICs; and 10 healthcare professionals (HPs) after participatory observations during 6 months of fieldwork. This was supported with daily field notes used to collect the needed data and purposively sampled across Gomoa West District in Ghana. The average age of participants was 76 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, using a thematic analysis procedure as the data analysis approach. Findings: OP living with chronic life-limiting illnesses and their ICs identify and endorse information and education and skill training in planning and coordination as enablers of ICs to manage such OP\u27s care. Meeting ICs’ educational needs such as health literacy, family conferencing and encouragement from HPs made information and education effective for ICs. Planning and coordinating care activities offer sufficient coverage for OP, provide follow-up support, and help caregivers to meet their multiple responsibilities which are sociocultural in nature. Applications: In line with the empowerment approach, social workers and HPs need to be aware of their roles to empower and support caregivers. They need to build on caregivers’ strengths, negotiate common ground with caregivers, encourage caregivers to express themselves in their own language, and support caregivers to focus on social change
The contributions of student-level and classroom-level factors for Australian grade 2 students’ writing performance
No full textUsing multilevel modeling, the current study examined student-level predictors of compositional quality and productivity in Grade 2 Australian children (N = 544), including handwriting automaticity, literacy skills, executive functioning, writing attitudes, and gender; and classroom-level (n = 47) variables predicting students’ writing outcomes, including the amount of time for writing practices and the explicit teaching of foundational (handwriting, spelling, grammar) and process writing skills (planning and revision strategies). Multilevel analyses revealed that student-level factors, including gender, general attitudes, and transcription skills (handwriting automaticity and spelling), were key predictors of writing outcomes. Interaction analyses showed that spelling and word reading influenced writing outcomes, with effects varying by gender. At the classroom-level, time spent on planning had a positive effect on students’ compositional quality, and time spent on spelling instruction had a negative effect on students’ compositional productivity. Implications for research and education are discussed
International perspectives on exercise oncology: Current state, challenges, and opportunities for future development
No full textExercise oncology has emerged as a distinctive area of research and clinical practice. To obtain a global overview of this field, we summarize viewpoints from experts across 6 continents on (1) the scope of exercise oncology research and programs, (2) the availability of reimbursement for cancer exercise services, and (3) pathways and initiatives for developing the exercise oncology workforce. From an international perspective, the field of exercise oncology has progressed substantially; however, gains made to date are uneven, with general underdevelopment in Africa, Asia, and South and Central America. In addition, the availability of cancer exercise services continues to fall short of the increasing demand worldwide. With the upcoming formation of the International Society of Exercise Oncology, we suggest leveraging coordinated efforts from the global exercise oncology community to optimize research capacity, enhance workforce development, and expand the delivery of exercise services to advance the field across the world