University of the Sunshine Coast
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Teacher educators speaking up: illuminating stories stifled by the iron-grip regulation of initial teacher education
No full textThis paper seeks to explore the lived experiences of teacher educators working in the midst of the current tumultuous and highly regulatory policy landscape. The paper will briefly outline the politics and policies that have profoundly shaped teacher educators’ work in Australia over the past 10 years. We write from our own experiences, as three actively-teaching teacher educators, working with a diverse and nontraditional student population in regional Queensland. We seek to illuminate these experiences through a series of narrative (re)presentations, drawing attention to what we see as important questions regarding the enactment of policy reforms, paying particular attention the impacts on teacher educators and preservice teachers
Growing Up in Flames: A narrative exploration of intergenerational trauma and identity in rural Australian adolescents
No full textThis Doctor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) thesis responds to two research questions: What is the relationship between intergenerational trauma and identity formation in adolescents? How can that relationship be evidenced in a young adult (YA) novel set in rural Australia? An examination of current YA fiction reveals that few published novels explore intergenerational trauma in a rural setting or the impact of such trauma upon identity formation in adolescents. The purpose of the creative artefact—the original novel ‘Growing Up in Flames’—is to respond to this void. The novel, set in a fictional rural town based loosely on the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, Australia, portrays the complex interactions of three protagonists who have each suffered distinct traumas. These characters struggle to confront the pasts that haunt and shame them and to rationalise the fragmented pieces of themselves into a coherent identity. ‘Growing Up in Flames’ is a polyphonic novel that draws from the genres of trauma fiction and Bildungsroman and incorporates contemporary epistolary devices, and it is underpinned by an extended fire metaphor that explores the damage caused by trauma.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing), University of the Sunshine Coast, 2020
Additive manufacturing of low-cost porous titanium-based composites for biomedical applications: Advantages, challenges and opinion for future development
No full textTitanium and its alloys have received considerable attention for biomedical applications such as orthopaedic implants due to their outstanding mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility. However, their composition, structural design and fabrication can be further tailored to improve key properties to make them more compatible with the human body and reduce their expense so that they can better compete with conventional metallic biomaterials. In this work, we provide a concise overview of additive manufacturing technologies and their application to biomedical titanium-based materials with a focus on the main achievements and issues which remain to be addressed. Subsequently, we highlight the potential to develop additive manufacturing of novel, low-cost porous titanium composites to meet the needs for biomedical orthopaedic implants. The article provides a pathway to their development through the application of alloy composition design and reinforcement strategies, manufacturing optimisation and identification of process-structure-property relationships controlling performance in combination with computer-aided structural design tools. This work aims to provide a platform for cost-effective manufacture of titanium composite orthopaedic implants with enhanced lifespans and structural compatibility
Genomic, metabolic and phenotypic variability shapes ecological differentiation and intraspecies interactions of Alteromonas macleodii
No full textEcological differentiation between strains of bacterial species is shaped by genomic and metabolic variability. However, connecting genotypes to ecological niches remains a major challenge. Here, we linked bacterial geno- and phenotypes by contextualizing pangenomic, exometabolomic and physiological evidence in twelve strains of the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii, illuminating adaptive strategies of carbon metabolism, microbial interactions, cellular communication and iron acquisition. In A. macleodii strain MIT1002, secretion of amino acids and the unique capacity for phenol degradation may promote associations with Prochlorococcus cyanobacteria. Strain 83-1 and three novel Pacific isolates, featuring clonal genomes despite originating from distant locations, have profound abilities for algal polysaccharide utilization but without detrimental implications for Ecklonia macroalgae. Degradation of toluene and xylene, mediated via a plasmid syntenic to terrestrial Pseudomonas, was unique to strain EZ55. Benzoate degradation by strain EC673 related to a chromosomal gene cluster shared with the plasmid of A. mediterranea EC615, underlining that mobile genetic elements drive adaptations. Furthermore, we revealed strain-specific production of siderophores and homoserine lactones, with implications for nutrient acquisition and cellular communication. Phenotypic variability corresponded to different competitiveness in co-culture and geographic distribution, indicating linkages between intraspecific diversity, microbial interactions and biogeography. The finding of “ecological microdiversity” helps understanding the widespread occurrence of A. macleodii and contributes to the interpretation of bacterial niche specialization, population ecology and biogeochemical roles
Islands in the Pacific: Settings, Distribution and Classification
No full textOceanic islands have a history of being misunderstood by outsiders, commonly marginalized in global synthesis and planning, their considerable diversity often understated. To capture and explain the diversity of islands in the Pacific, a classification is developing using elevation and lithology (rock type) as the highest level criteria. For each of the 1779 islands, defined as ocean-bounded landmasses ≥1 ha (0.01 km2) in area, data were collected on locations and shapes, areas, names, elevations and lithologies. Eight island types were identified—volcanic high islands (≥30 amsl, ≥80% igneous); volcanic low islands (<30 amsl, ≥80% igneous); limestone high islands (≥30 amsl, ≥80% calcareous); limestone low islands (<30 amsl, ≥80% calcareous); reef islands (≥80% unconsolidated sediments); composite high islands (≥30 amsl, <80% igneous, <80% calcareous); composite low islands (<30 amsl, <80% igneous, <80% calcareous); continental (≥80% continental rocks). The broad distribution of each island type in the Pacific can be explained by its geological history. In addition, this classification could be used as an objective basis for assessing island vulnerability to external stressors like climate change or pollution as well as a tool for national/regional planning
Development and Validation of a Competitive Hybrid ELISA for Seriola lalandi Vitellogenin
No full textThe main objective of this study was to develop an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Seriola lalandi vitellogenin (Vtg). Nucleotide sequences corresponding to VtgAa, VtgAb and VtgC were obtained from S. lalandi liver transcriptomic data. Two peptides (12 amino acids each) were synthesized according to the predicted conserved regions of VtgAa and VtgAb, and used to generate two polyclonal antibodies in rabbits: anti‐S. lalandi VtgA and anti‐S. lalandi VtgB. Plasma from male S. lalandi treated with 17β‐estradiol (E2) was fractionated to produce the Vtg standard and analysed through SDS‐PAGE and Western blot. LC‐MS/MS analysis showed that the fraction corresponding to the highest peak consisted mainly of VtgAa and VtgAb. Two homologous antibodies (anti‐S. lalandi VtgA and anti‐S. lalandi VtgB) and one heterologous antibody (anti‐Mugil cephalus Vtg) were tested to develop the S. lalandi ELISA. While the antibodies against the Vtg peptides were not effectively recognizing the Vtg standard, parallelism was confirmed between the M. cephalus Vtg standard and the S. lalandi Vtg standard. The ELISA developed is highly specific (no cross‐reaction with other proteins present in plasma when samples were diluted over 1:20), precise (the inter‐assay coefficient of variation at 50% binding was 13%) and sensitive (19 ng/ml). The assay was validated by quantifying the plasma Vtg levels in females at the start of the reproductive season and in E2‐treated males
Utilising a research-informed instructional design approach to develop an online resource to support teacher professional learning on embedding numeracy across the curriculum
No full textIncreasingly, digital technologies are being utilised to provide opportunities for teacher professional learning (PL) in fully online, blended and face-to-face environments. Videos have been used extensively across the three modes of delivery but there appears little research on the conceptual framing underpinning their development. This article describes and analyses a research-informed instructional design approach taken to develop an online resource to support teacher PL. The approach utilised a conceptual framework consisting of an audit framework and model of numeracy for the twenty-first century to guide an audit of existing resources, gap analysis and production of an online resource. The purpose of the resource audit was to establish how existing resources support teachers’ understanding and enactment of numeracy across the curriculum. Gaps where teachers might benefit from new resources were identified through the resource audit and subsequent interviews with stakeholders. The conceptual framework was employed to inform the development of a suite of six videos: one to enhance teachers’ understanding of the meaning of numeracy; four to demonstrate teachers’ embedding of numeracy in particular subjects; and one that captured a collaborative planning session. This article adds to new knowledge within the discipline by providing insight into instructional design processes that could be employed in other contexts related to the identification and/or development of resources for online PL that target specific learning needs of teachers
The effect of elevating the heels on spinal kinematics and kinetics during the back squat in trained and novice weight trainers
No full textThis research assessed the influence of various heel elevation conditions on spinal kinematic and kinetic data during loaded (25% and 50% of body weight) high-bar back squats. Ten novice (mass 67.6 ± 12.4 kg, height 1.73 ± 0.10 m) and ten regular weight trainers (mass 66.0 ± 10.7 kg, height 1.71 ± 0.09 m) completed eight repetitions at each load wearing conventional training shoes standing on the flat level floor (LF) and on an inclined board (EH). The regular weight training group performed an additional eight repetitions wearing weightlifting shoes (WS). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to assess differences in spinal curvature and kinetics across the shoe/floor conditions and loads. SPM1D analyses indicated that during the LF condition the novice weight trainers had greater moments around L4/L5 than the regular weight trainers during the last 20% of the lift (P < 0.05), with this difference becoming non-significant during the EH condition. This study indicates that from a perspective of spinal safety, it appears advantageous for novice weight trainers to perform back squats with their heels slightly elevated, while regular weight trainers appear to realize only limited benefits performing back squats with either EH or WS
Pathogen to commensal? Longitudinal within-host population dynamics, evolution, and adaptation during a chronic >16-year Burkholderia pseudomallei infection
No full textAlthough acute melioidosis is the most common outcome of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection, we have documented a case, P314, where disease severity lessened with time, and the pathogen evolved towards a commensal relationship with the host. In the current study, we used whole-genome sequencing to monitor this long-term symbiotic relationship to better understand B. pseudomallei persistence in P314’s sputum despite intensive initial therapeutic regimens. We collected and sequenced 118 B. pseudomallei isolates from P314’s airways over a >16-year period, and also sampled the patient’s home environment, recovering six closely related B. pseudomallei isolates from the household water system. Using comparative genomics, we identified 126 SNPs in the core genome of the 124 isolates or 162 SNPs/indels when the accessory genome was included. The core SNPs were used to construct a phylogenetic tree, which demonstrated a close relationship between environmental and clinical isolates and detailed within-host evolutionary patterns. The phylogeny had little homoplasy, consistent with a strictly clonal mode of genetic inheritance. Repeated sampling revealed evidence of genetic diversification, but frequent extinctions left only one successful lineage through the first four years and two lineages after that. Overall, the evolution of this population is nonadaptive and best explained by genetic drift. However, some genetic and phenotypic changes are consistent with in situ adaptation. Using a mouse model, P314 isolates caused greatly reduced morbidity and mortality compared to the environmental isolates. Additionally, potentially adaptive phenotypes emerged and included differences in the O-antigen, capsular polysaccharide, motility, and colony morphology. The >13-year co-existence of two long-lived lineages presents interesting hypotheses that can be tested in future studies to provide additional insights into selective pressures, niche differentiation, and microbial adaptation. This unusual melioidosis case presents a rare example of the evolutionary progression towards commensalism by a highly virulent pathogen within a single human host
Increasing the independence of vulnerable consumers through social support
No full textPurpose:
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of social support on young adults with disabilities (YAWDs) independent mobility behavior with the aim of understanding how better to support this vulnerable consumer segment in their transition into the workforce.
Design/methodology/approach:
A survey was conducted which examined how social support (high and low) influenced YAWD’s path to independent mobility behavior. The data were analyzed using partial least squares-SEM.
Findings:
It was identified that different factors were more effective at influencing independent mobility behavior for high and low socially supported YAWDs. For high social support individuals, anticipated positive emotions and perceived behavioral control were found to drive attitudes to independent mobility with perceived behavioral control significantly stronger for this group than the low socially supported group. For the low socially supported group, all factors were found to drive attitudes which then drove individual behavior. One entire path (risk aversion to anticipated negative emotions to attitude to behavior) was found to be stronger for low supported individuals compared to high.
Originality/value:
This study is unique in that it is the first to identify the theoretical constructs that drive vulnerable consumer’s independence behavior and understand how these factors can be influenced to increase independence. It is also the first to identify that different factors influence independent behavior for vulnerable consumers with high and low social support with anticipated negative emotions important for consumers with low social support and perceived behavioral control important for those with high social support