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Northern Territory Drug Trends 2025: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews
No full textThe Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is a national illicit drug monitoring system that has been conducted annually since 2000 and is part of Drug Trends.
This 2025 IDRS report provides the most up-to-date findings of the IDRS interviews from 2000 to 2025 with people who regularly inject illicit drugs recruited from Darwin, NT.
Results are not representative of all people who use drugs or of drug use in the general population and should be interpreted alongside findings from other data sources for a more complete profile of emerging trends in illicit drug use in Darwin, NT
Access to COVID-19 vaccines in Indonesia: A scoping review applying the Levesque framework
No full textIntroduction: Access to vaccines has been the most effective means of reducing COVID-19-related severity and mortality. This scoping review explored factors related to the accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines among the Indonesian population using Levesque's framework of access to healthcare.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted across five databases using PRISMA guidelines for publications from 1 January 2019 until May 5, 2023. This yielded 89 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using NVivo-14.
Results: More than half of the studies were published in 2022 (n=58), with most studies using data collected in 2021 (n=55); this body of literature therefore reflects the early days of the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine availability. The majority of identified studies employed a quantitative approach (n=74) and utilised online survey methods (n=50). A focus on user factors predominated over those focused-on health system issues. Personal factors, particularly trust, beliefs, and perceptions, were found to significantly influence vaccine acceptance. The halal status of vaccines and information from social media were crucial in shaping perceptions. Age, gender, education level, marital status, and occupation influenced access, along with COVID-19 factors such as comorbidity and prior infection. Finance-related issues, such as direct, indirect, and opportunity costs, were less studied.
Conclusion: Addressing user perceptions, leveraging social media, ensuring equitable access, and providing clear communication about vaccine halal status were crucial for improving COVID-19 vaccine access in Indonesia. Future research focusing on health system factors will provide a more comprehensive understanding of vaccine accessibility
The Quantitative Analysis of the Rise of Pseudolaw in South Australia
No full textThe issue of pseudolaw has become a matter of increasing concern in Australian courts, and indeed all around the world. Yet there remains little empirical research into the topic, and few attempts to study the
extent of the issue. This is the first research globally to map the prevalence and form of the general phenomenon of pseudolaw litigation in a single jurisdiction.
By looking at the published case records in South Australia, it is evident that pseudolaw is emerging as a distinct phenomenon. The analysis found 50% more pseudolaw cases in the last 10 years than in the previous 40 years. The data demonstrates some distinct patterns in the types of cases in which pseudolaw arguments are being used, in terms of jurisdictions, representation and demographics of litigants. The research also assessed the type of pseudolegal argumentation which is being deployed in these cases. It develops six categories for characterising cases: (1) strawman arguments; (2) law is a contract; (3) state law is defective; (4) private prosecution; (5) other; and (6) pseudolaw adjacent. The research sets out the distribution and form of reported cases against these categories.
This first-of-its-kind study demonstrates the emergence of pseudolaw as a distinct and growing phenomenon. Not only does this research cement the themes introduced by anecdotal evidence, but the empirical doctrinal analysis provides a rich insight into the scale and form of pseudolaw in South Australia, with implications both locally and globally
Effects of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Head Stability and Immersive Experiences of Self-Motion in HMD-VR
No full textWe combined galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) with visual simulations of self-motion to enhance vection in head-mounted display virtual reality (HMD-VR). Passive standing participants viewed four simulations: radial flow, oscillatory head translation, and these with congruent or incongruent low-frequency GVS (0.4 Hz). Medial-lateral head movements were tracked via HMD sensors, and vection strength was rated post-condition. Both GVS conditions significantly increased entrained head sway and vection compared to visual stimulation alone. Linear mixed models confirmed that sway amplitude and spectral power at 0.4 Hz predicted vection, while fractal sway dynamics were unaffected. GVS thus reinforces visual-vestibular coherence, offering a low-cost, scalable alternative to motion platforms for enriching VR experiences
Decisions to enrol in employee stock ownership plans: When experiences become a habit
No full textOrganisations in many countries operate employee stock purchase plans. Research has focused on employees’ current employee stock ownership (ESO) enrolment decision but, as plans are often ongoing forms of compensation, employees will likely have made the decision before. Drawing on the theory of habit, we investigate whether experience of enrolment decisions influences the current enrolment choice. We also consider how decision experience affects the decision-making process. Using employee-level data from two Australian companies, we find that the more an employee has made a particular choice in response to repeated company invitations, the more they are likely to repeat it. We also find that employees with prior experience of ESO enrolment decisions make a quicker decision whether to join or not. Those making the decision for the first time take longer and are more reliant on advice from others. The findings show that understanding share plan participation requires a temporal consideration of employee behaviour
Thermomechanical Stress in Solar Cells and Modules: A Finite Element Modelling and Experimental Investigation
No full textWith the swift progress in Si Photovoltaic (PV) cell and module technologies, significant changes in geometry, materials, and technological processes are taking place. The adoption of emerging technologies raises concerns about potential durability issues like solder joint failure and cell cracking, which can be attributed to thermomechanical stress induced during the fabrication process. This thesis aims to deepen the understanding of the evolution of thermomechanical stress in Si cells and modules by utilising finite element modelling (FEM) complemented by experimental validations.
Models were developed to analyse the stress evolution in Multi-Busbar (MBB) tiled modules after soldering and lamination. The impact of cell overlapping in modules and the selection of solders on maximum stress and stress distribution of MBB modules was investigated. Simulation results predicted that a maximum 1st principal stress of up to ~230 MPa occurred in the Si wafer at the edge of outmost Ag pads. In addition, highly localised stress areas occurred at the overlapped area when tiled which was verified by Raman spectroscopy. The application of SnBi solder can effectively reduce the maximum 1st principal stress in the tiled module to ~160 MPa, although its material properties tend to result in higher stress in the interconnection with a cell gap than SnPb solder.
The evolution of thermomechanical stress in screen printed Ag and Cu plated Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) cells throughout annealing and soldering was explored. It was found that Ag electrodes induced only negligible stress after annealing, with a comparatively low stress of ~160 MPa in Si cells. In contrast, Cu pads underwent both elastic and plastic deformation, with an average stress of ~90 MPa observed along the edges of the Cu pads post-soldering, and a significant stress concentration of ~220 MPa at the edges of the outermost Cu pads. Raman mapping confirmed the FEM's prediction of stress distribution. The FEM also suggested that increasing the width of Cu pads in the direction of the Cu wires effectively reduces soldering induced stress.
Finally, a detailed methodology was presented for determining the constitutive model of plated Cu on SHJ cells by integrating nanoindentation and reverse FEM. SHJ cells with Cu pads were mounted in epoxy resin and mechanically polished for nanoindentation. The power law constitutive model of the plated Cu was obtained by aligning the FEM and experimental load-displacement curves. This model enables the precise prediction of thermomechanical stress evolution in Cu plated SHJ cells and deepens the understanding of how cell metallisation can potentially affect the durability of modules
Acute Blood Pressure Lowering and Risk of Ischemic Lesions on MRI After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
No full textImportance: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions have been demonstrated in patients with subacute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), suggesting ischemic injury, which may be related to blood pressure (BP) reduction. Objective: To test the hypothesis that acute intensive BP lowering is associated with DWI lesions after ICH. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Acutely Decreasing Arterial Pressure Trial 2 (ICHADAPT-2) was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-end point trial. Between November 2012 and August 2022, patients with ICH presenting within 6 hours of onset were randomized to a systolic BP (SBP) target of less than 140 mm Hg or less than 180 mm Hg. The trial was conducted at 3 comprehensive stroke centers in Canada and Australia, including 1 telestroke referral hub and 1 community stroke hospital. A total of 162 patients with acute ICH were randomized. The primary analysis population was restricted to those undergoing DWI at 48 hours. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to an acute SBP target of less than 140 mm Hg or less than 180 mm Hg. Main Outcome and Measure: The primary end point was the incidence of acute DWI lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging obtained 48 ± 12 hours after randomization. Results: DWI was obtained in 79 (48% female) patients with a mean (SD) age of 71 (13) years and median baseline ICH volume of 11.2 (range, 0.5-122.2) mL. The median times from onset to randomization and DWI were 3.17 (range, 0.7-14.6) hours and 51.6 (range, 17.0-121.4) hours, respectively. Mean (SD) baseline SBP was 183 (22) mm Hg in the less than 140 mm Hg target group and 181 (28) mm Hg in the less than 180 mm Hg target group. Mean SBP was lower over the 48-hour period after randomization in the less than 140 mm Hg group (mean difference, 18.9 mm Hg [95% CI, 17.6-20.2]; P <.001). DWI lesions were detected in 13 of 42 patients (31%) in the less than 140 mm Hg group and 14 of 37 patients (38%) in the less than 180 mm Hg group (odds ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.12-4.64]; P =.32). The median number of DWI lesions (1 [95% CI, 1-10] vs 1.5 [95% CI, 1-10]; P =.26) and total DWI lesion volume (0.1 [95% CI, 0.01-41.3] mL vs 0.3 [95% CI, 0.02-2.03] mL; P =.17) were not different in the less than 140 mm Hg and less than 180 mm Hg groups. Conclusions and Relevance: DWI lesion frequency and volume were unaffected by intensive antihypertensive therapy. These results support the safety of early BP reduction in acute ICH
Long-Term Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest: Protocol for the Extended Follow-Up Sub-Study of the STEPCARE Trial
No full textBackground: The international multi-center randomized controlled STEPCARE-trial will investigate optimal management of sedation, temperature, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during intensive care in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients due to various etiologies. The primary outcome is mortality at 6 months. This protocol describes an extended follow-up sub-study of the STEPCARE-trial with the main objective to provide detailed long-term outcomes for survivors and caregivers. It will focus on potential neuroprotection and improved recovery for different targets of sedation, temperature, and MAP management at 6 and 12 months post-OHCA. Methods: All survivors and one caregiver per survivor at selected STEPCARE sites will be invited to participate. Randomization is stratified by site. This sub-study extends the main STEPCARE follow-up at 6 months by undertaking detailed assessments, face-to-face meetings, inclusion of a caregiver, and repeating the assessments at 12 months. Our main outcome for survivors is cognitive function measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and for caregivers, the caregiver burden measured by the Zarit Burden Interview. Additional outcomes include symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, physical function, life satisfaction, and life impact (disability), assessed by psychometrically robust measures. The estimated sample size is 600. Efforts to improve interrater reliability and decrease missing data are integral to the study design. Conclusion: These detailed long-term outcomes will explore the possible benefits or risks of fever, sedation, and blood pressure management in post-OHCA survivors. Additionally, this study will explore survivorship after cardiac arrest from various perspectives, including different causes of arrest. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0207942
Australian Capital Territory Drug Trends 2025: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews
No full textThe Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is a national illicit drug monitoring system that has been conducted annually since 2000 and is part of Drug Trends.
This 2025 IDRS report provides the most up-to-date findings of the IDRS interviews from 2000 to 2025 with people who regularly inject illicit drugs recruited from Canberra, ACT.
Results are not representative of all people who use drugs or of drug use in the general population and should be interpreted alongside findings from other data sources for a more complete profile of emerging trends in illicit drug use in Canberra, ACT