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Observations on the husbandry and captive breeding of Nephrurus asper, the spiny knob-tailed gecko
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Innovative Tidal Control Successfully Promotes Saltmarsh Restoration
Full text linkThe reduction of saltmarsh habitat at a global scale has seen a concomitant loss of associated ecosystem services. As such, there is a need and a push for habitat rehabilitation. This study examined an innovative saltmarsh restoration project in Australia which sought to address the threats of mangrove encroachment and sea level rise. The project was implemented in 2017, using automated hydraulic control gates, termed“SmartGates,”to lower the tidal regime over one site, effectively reversing sea level rise at a local level. Measured indicators of saltmarsh cover, number of species, seedling counts, and saltmarsh assemblages all showed significant positive development over time, with trends varying based on saltmarsh zone. The saltmarsh, predominantly Sarcocornia quinque flora, developed from remnant supralittoral (previously high) marsh which remained at 45% cover to achieve over 15% coverage across the cleared habitat after 3 years. Slower development in the low marsh (\u3c5%) compared to other zones contrasts with other saltmarsh restoration studies which may be due to the unique nature of the restoration method or the nature of Australian saltmarsh species which favor higher elevations and drier conditions. The development of saltmarsh at the treatment site was found to track toward that at comparison sites over time, becoming similar to some comparison sites by the studies end. This study highlights the usefulness of the novel restoration method used and of the measured indicators for assessing saltmarsh development. This innovative tidal control method could play an important role in the future of saltmarsh restoration worldwide
Volunteers: An Effective Medium for Delivering Therapeutic Lifestyle Interventions
No full textPurpose: Lifestyle modification programs have been shown to effectively treat chronic disease. The Coronary Health Improvement Program has been delivered by both paid professional and unpaid volunteer facilitators. This study compared participant outcomes of each mode in the United States.
Design: Pre-/post-analysis of CHIP interventions delivered between 1999 and 2012.
Setting: Professional-delivered programs in Rockford Illinois 1999-2004 and volunteer-delivered programs across North America 2005-2012.
Subjects: Adults ≥21 years (professional programs N = 3158 34.3% men, mean age = 54.0 ± 11.4 years; volunteer programs N = 7115 33.4% men, mean age = 57.4 ± 13.0 years).
Measures: Body mass index, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), blood lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein), and fasting plasma glucose.
Analysis: Analysis of Covariance, with adjustment for age, gender, BMI change and baseline biometric and effect sizes.
Results: The professional-delivered programs achieved significantly greater reductions in BMI (.4%, P \u3c .001) and HDL (1.9%, P \u3c .001) and the volunteer-delivered programs achieved greater reductions in SBP (1.4%, P \u3c .001), DBP (1.1%, P \u3c .001), TC (1.4%, P = .004), LDL (2.3%, P \u3c .001), TG (4.0%, P = .006), and FPG (2.7%, P \u3c .001). However, the effect size differences between the groups were minimal (Cohen’s d .1-.2).
Conclusions: Lifestyle modification programs have been shown to effectively treat chronic disease. The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) lifestyle intervention has been delivered by both paid professional and unpaid volunteer facilitators. This study compared selected chronic disease biometric outcomes of participants in each mode in the United States. It found volunteer-delivered programs do not appear to be any less effective than programs delivered by paid professionals, which is noteworthy as volunteers may provide important social capital in the combat of chronic disease
A Gender Inclusive Model in Theological Education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church
No full textClergywomen in the Seventh-day Adventist Church have spoken for the first time of their theological training at a private Christian tertiary institution in Australia. A phenomenological design was utilised where Clergywomen\u27s collective lived experience of theological education was captured and analysed. The major themes of ambivalence in identity formation, the struggle to question dominant hegemony and existence in hostile environments depict the lifeworld of Clergywomen. The findings from this investigation, together with Clergywomen\u27s recommendations for improvements to theological training, have guided the development of a contemporary model for theological education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This model is called the TRI-Space Model Design in Theological Education; it embodies both gender inclusive pedagogy and thirdspace thinking - a relatively new philosophy that is beginning to emerge within theology. This model offers new directional formation that opens up new and exciting possibilities in Seventh-day Adventist institutions and the wider field of theological education. This study is pivotal for Christian educators and administrators who seek to develop and employ a holistic approach to ministerial formation
Call and Commission Morning Session 3: Dr Drene Somasundram
No full textA keynote speech about women in ministry by Dr Drene Somasundram
An Interdisciplinary Mental Wellbeing Intervention for Increasing Flourishing: Two Experimental Studies
No full textPositive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) have been shown to improve mental health, but little is known about their impact on the quantifiable experience of flourishing. Two experimental studies investigated whether the proportion of participants flourishing, assessed using the Huppert and So conceptual framework, could be increased through a 10-week online interdisciplinary intervention that combined strategies from positive psychology and lifestyle medicine. In Study 1 (n = 421), flourishing was significantly increased (p \u3c 0.001) in the intervention but not the control group and was sustained at 12 weeks post-intervention. Study 2 (n = 458) showed that the addition of human support to the online intervention did not further improve its effectiveness at increasing flourishing. These studies demonstrate that online interdisciplinary interventions that incorporate positive psychology and lifestyle medicine strategies can increase human flourishing, irrespective of the addition of human support
Addressing the COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis: A Perspective on Using Interdisciplinary Universal Interventions
No full textMental health is reaching a crisis point due to the ramifications of COVID-19. In an attempt to curb the spread of the virus and circumvent health systems from being overwhelmed, governments have imposed regulations such as lockdown restrictions and home confinement. These restrictions, while effective for infection control, have contributed to poorer lifestyle behaviors. Currently, Positive Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine are two distinct but complimentary disciplines that offer an array of evidence-based approaches for promoting mental health and well-being across a universal population. However, these strategies for improving mental health are typically used in isolation. This perspective calls for a new paradigm shift to create and rollout well-designed interdisciplinary universal multicomponent mental health interventions that integrates the benefits of both disciplines, and uses innovative digital mental health solutions to achieve scalability and accessibility within the limitations and beyond the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions
The Influence of Three Modes of Human Support on Attrition and Adherence to a Web- and Mobile App–Based Mental Health Promotion Intervention in a Nonclinical Cohort: Randomized Comparative Study
No full textBackground: The escalating prevalence of mental health disorders necessitates a greater focus on web- and mobile app–based mental health promotion initiatives for nonclinical groups. However, knowledge is scant regarding the influence of human support on attrition and adherence and participant preferences for support in nonclinical settings.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the influence of 3 modes of human support on attrition and adherence to a digital mental health intervention for a nonclinical cohort. It evaluated user preferences for support and assessed whether adherence and outcomes were enhanced when participants received their preferred support mode.
Methods: Subjects participated in a 10-week digital mental health promotion intervention and were randomized into 3 comparative groups: standard group with automated emails (S), standard plus personalized SMS (S+pSMS), and standard plus weekly videoconferencing support (S+VCS). Adherence was measured by the number of video lessons viewed, points achieved for weekly experiential challenge activities, and the total number of weeks that participants recorded a score for challenges. In the postquestionnaire, participants ranked their preferred human support mode from 1 to 4 (S, S+pSMS, S+VCS, S+pSMS & VCS combined). Stratified analysis was conducted for those who received their first preference. Preintervention and postintervention questionnaires assessed well-being measures (ie, mental health, vitality, depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, and flourishing).
Results: Interested individuals (N=605) enrolled on a website and were randomized into 3 groups (S, n=201; S+pSMS, n=202; S+VCS, n=201). Prior to completing the prequestionnaire, a total of 24.3% (147/605) dropped out. Dropout attrition between groups was significantly different (P=.009): 21.9% (44/201) withdrew from the S group, 19.3% (39/202) from the S+pSMS group, and 31.6% (64/202) from the S+VCS group. The remaining 75.7% (458/605) registered and completed the prequestionnaire (S, n=157; S+pSMS, n=163; S+VCS, n=138). Of the registered participants, 30.1% (138/458) failed to complete the postquestionnaire (S, n=54; S+pSMS, n=49; S+VCS, n=35), but there were no between-group differences (P=.24). For the 69.9% (320/458; S, n=103; S+pSMS, n=114; S+VCS, n=103) who completed the postquestionnaire, no between-group differences in adherence were observed for mean number of videos watched (P=.42); mean challenge scores recorded (P=.71); or the number of weeks that challenge scores were logged (P=.66). A total of 56 participants (17.5%, 56/320) received their first preference in human support (S, n=22; S+pSMS, n=26; S+VCS, n=8). No differences were observed between those who received their first preference and those who did not with regard to video adherence (P=.91); challenge score adherence (P=.27); or any of the well-being measures including, mental health (P=.86), vitality (P=.98), depression (P=.09), anxiety (P=.64), stress (P=.55), life satisfaction (P=.50), and flourishing (P=.47).
Conclusions: Early dropout attrition may have been influenced by dissatisfaction with the allocated support mode. Human support mode did not impact adherence to the intervention, and receiving the preferred support style did not result in greater adherence or better outcomes.
Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.asp
Christian Early Childhood Leadership: Relational Values and Practices
No full textUsing the tools of constructive grounded theory, this research investigated the relational values and practices implemented by Christian early childhood leaders. Data was collected through a survey-questionnaire from leaders in Christian early childhood centres in New South Wales, Australia as well as four in-depth case studies using semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis. The findings showed that these leaders placed their relationship with God at the centre of everything they did. Based on this relationship they implemented six relational values of accepting, welcoming, loving, respecting, empathising and caring. These Christian values were then reflected in their daily relational practices, and were identified as empowering others, supporting others, modelling authenticity, providing social justice, ministering, helping and serving