University of the Sunshine Coast
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A Local Initiative to Achieve Global Forest and Landscape Restoration Challenge—Lessons Learned from a Community-Based Forest Restoration Project in Biliran Province, Philippines
No full textForest and landscape restoration in the tropics is often undertaken by groups of smallholders and communities whose livelihoods are primarily agricultural and forest-based. In the Philippines, the implementation of forest restoration programs involving people’s organizations showed mixed results. We present a case study of a pilot community-based forest restoration project that was undertaken in Biliran Province to understand the impediments, and pilot test interventions to improve restoration outcomes. The project was designed using systems thinking, employing smallholder-based best-practice, and applying the principles of a participatory approach. The results revealed that the initial participation of smallholders is mostly driven by short-term financial incentives. However, long-term commitment to managing the trees is attributed mainly to sustainable livelihood, land and tree rights, equitable sharing of benefits, strong leadership, effective governance and improved human and social capitals. The support of extension officers, use of high-quality seedlings, and participation of women are essential for community-based forest restoration success. Key lessons from our research could contribute to fulfilling the forest and landscape restoration commitments of developing countries in the tropics
From carrion to Christmas beetles: the broad dietary niche of the red fox in a hybrid coastal ecosystem in south-eastern Queensland
No full textThe diet of the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated through analysis of 1185 scats collected between 2010 and 2014 from coastal south-east Queensland, Australia. By both frequency of occurrence and volume, its diet was dominated by terrestrial arthropods, marine arthropods, vegetation and birds, although the remains of the short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) consumed as carrion dominated the latter. Terrestrial arthropods, primarily insects of the order Coleoptera, were eaten all year (61% frequency of occurrence, FO) but varied seasonally (35–67%FO), mostly due to the consumption of large numbers of Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp.) in the summer months. Marine arthropods consisted almost entirely of ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.) and seasonal variation in consumption was evident (33–72%FO) and likely correlated with ghost crab abundance. Fruit and berries were an important food item for foxes all year but also varied seasonally (30–65%FO). The opportunistic diet of this fox population is discussed in the context of dietary differences, but common opportunism, reported in other Australian and overseas studies
A selective NaV1.1 activator with potential for treatment of Dravet syndrome epilepsy
No full textDravet syndrome (DS) is a catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy characterised by childhood-onset polymorphicseizures, multiple neuropsychiatric comorbidities, and increased risk of sudden death. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in one allele ofSCN1A, the gene encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.1 (NaV1.1),lead to DS. NaV1.1 is primarily found in the axon initial segment of fast-spiking GABAergic inhibitory inter-neurons in the brain, and the principle mechanism proposed to underlie seizure genesis in DS is loss of inhibitoryinput due to dysfunctionalfiring of GABAergic interneurons. We hypothesised that DS symptoms could beameliorated by a drug that activates the reduced population of functional NaV1.1 channels in DS interneurons.We recently identified two homologous disulfide-rich spider-venom peptides (Hm1a and Hm1b) that selectivelypotentiate NaV1.1, and showed that selective activation of NaV1.1 by Hm1a restores the function of inhibitoryinterneurons in a mouse model of DS. Here we produced recombinant Hm1b (rHm1b) using anE. coliperi-plasmic expression system, and examined its selectivity against a panel of human NaVsubtypes using whole-cellpatch-clamp recordings. rHm1b is a potent and highly selective agonist of NaV1.1 and NaV1.3 (EC50~12 nM forboth). rHm1b is a gating modifier that shifts the voltage dependence of channel activation and inactivation tohyperpolarised and depolarised potentials respectively, presumably by interacting with the channel’s voltage-sensor domains. Like Hm1a, the structure of rHm1b determined by using NMR revealed a classical inhibitorcystine knot (ICK) motif. However, we show that rHm1b is an order of magnitude more stable than Hm1a inhuman cerebrospinalfluid. Overall, our data suggest that rHm1b is an exciting lead for a precision therapeutictargeted against DS
Eco-activism and Social Work: New Directions in Leadership and Group Work
No full textSocial workers are called upon to shift from a human-centric bias to an ecological ethical sensibility by embracing love as integral to their justice mission and by extending the idea of social justice to include environmental and species justice. This book presents the love ethic model as a way to do eco-justice work using public campaigns, research, community arts practice and other nonviolent, direct action strategies. The model is premised on an active and ongoing commitment to the eco-values of love, eco-justice and nonviolence for the purpose of upholding the public interest. The love ethic model is informed by the stories of eco-activists who used nonviolent actions to address ecological issues such as: pollution; degradation of the environment; exploitation of farm animals; mining industry overriding First Nation Peoples’ land rights; and human health and social costs related to the natural resource industries, private land developments and government infrastructure projects. Informed by practice insights by activists from a range of eco-justice concerns, this innovative book provides new directions in social work and environmental studies involving transformational change leadership and dialogical group work between interest groups. It should be considered essential reading for social work students, researchers and practitioners as well as eco-activists more generally. [Book Synopsis
Addition of K22 Converts Spider Venom Peptide Pme2a from an Activator to an Inhibitor of NaV1.7
No full textSpider venom is a novel source of disulfide‐rich peptides with potent and selective activity at voltage‐gated sodium channels (NaV). Here, we describe the discovery of μ‐theraphotoxin‐Pme1a and μ/δ‐theraphotoxin‐Pme2a, two novel peptides from the venom of the Gooty Ornamental tarantula Poecilotheria metallica that modulate NaV channels. Pme1a is a 35 residue peptide that inhibits NaV1.7 peak current (IC50 334 ± 114 nM) and shifts the voltage dependence of activation to more depolarised membrane potentials (V1/2 activation: Δ = +11.6 mV). Pme2a is a 33 residue peptide that delays fast inactivation and inhibits NaV1.7 peak current (EC50 > 10 μM). Synthesis of a [+22K]Pme2a analogue increased potency at NaV1.7 (IC50 5.6 ± 1.1 μM) and removed the effect of the native peptide on fast inactivation, indicating that a lysine at position 22 (Pme2a numbering) is important for inhibitory activity. Results from this study may be used to guide the rational design of spider venom‐derived peptides with improved potency and selectivity at NaV channels in the
future
Tourists, local food and the intention-behaviour gap
No full textFood tourism is a growing phenomenon with a particular emphasis on experiencing authentic and traditional local foods, which provides a vehicle for local producers and service providers to develop regional identities, enhance environmental awareness, and conserve traditional ways of life. However, past research indicates that whilst many tourists are interested in local food and drink, a number do not consume any whilst visiting a destination. This study explores why this intention behaviour gap may occur. Five hypotheses are tested using data collected from a sample of 546 respondents recruited via an online panel of visitors to South East Queensland, Australia. Regression analysis explores differences in attitudes, behaviours, barriers and drivers, and concludes an intention-behaviour (purchase) gap is evident. Whilst future visitors had high intentions to purchase local food, past visitors purchased less than might be anticipated. This is possibly due to past visitors holding less favourable attitudes and beliefs than future visitors due to expectations not being met. Key perceived barriers associated with lack of marketing and distribution, inconvenience, price and quality issues, and lack of trust the product is actually local may compound the issue. Practical suggestions are offered to producers, service providers and management on how they may close the intention/behaviour gap through a variety of marketing, distribution and communication strategies. This study provides new insight into why what visitors say they will do may not translate into actual behaviour, an area that has not been explored previously in this context, through studying the drivers/barriers to purchase/consumption
Vegetable intake and associated health outcomes in pregnancy: A scoping review protocol
No full textA woman’s health during pregnancy can have significant short- and long-term effects on the health of mother and child. Health in pregnancy needs to be optimised, in particular for those lower on the social gradient. Diet is a modifiable risk factor for the development of various chronic diseases, such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Vegetable intake among pregnant women is important, because vegetables contain an array of micronutrients, dietary fibre, and is generally low in energy and high in phytonutrients. However, only 10% of Australian pregnant women consume 5 serves of vegetables/day and the mean intake lies only at 2 serves/day. There is a lack of synthesised data available on vegetable consumption patterns in pregnancy; how maternal, foetal and infant health outcomes are related to vegetable intake; and how vegetable consumption patterns of pregnant women differ according to socioeconomic status (SES). This protocol describes the intended processes for a scoping review that will 1) examine the maternal, foetal and infant health outcomes associated with vegetable intake in pregnant women and 2) describe patterns of vegetable consumption in pregnancy and how they vary with socio-economic status. A search of selected electronic databases will be conducted. A search strategy and eligibility criteria have been formulated to identify relevant sources. Two reviewers will independently undertake a two level screening process. Level one screening will involve scanning of titles, then abstracts of the sources. Level two screening will encompass the screening of all full text publications, identified as potentially relevant through level 1 screening. A data extraction table will be used to facilitate comparative evaluation of the selected sources of evidence. Synthesis of the data will include critical appraisal of the quality of the evidence; display of the data sources in a PRISMA flow diagram and presentation of characteristics of selected sources of evidence in tables
Downscaling from Whole-Island to an Island-Coast Assessment of Coastal Landform Susceptibility to Metocean Change in the Pacific Ocean
No full textAssessment of Pacific island vulnerability to changing climate and ocean conditions was undertaken at two scales, demonstrating a technique for vulnerability downscaling and establishing the suitability of coastal landform information to application at country or island scale. The approach acknowledges the transition of physical characteristics influencing coastal vulnerability with scale. At the whole-island scale, the geologic and morphologic structure describes likely susceptibility to change. At a more detailed scale, considering landforms comprising the coastal fringe of each island, physical characteristics describe relative coastal instability. The assessment demonstrated linkage between the two scales, with a shift from predominantly static geologic to more dynamic geomorphic data. The analyses explore a technique using remotely sensed data covering the Pacific Islands and may be applicable across a range of planning and management scales from broad, regional description of different island types to single island coasts. Although this carries potential problems of misinterpretation, it also offers opportunity for tighter definition of criteria at a country or island scale where authorities could verify the interpretations through direct field observation
A first worldwide multispecies survey of invasive Mediterranean pine bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)
No full textSeveral European and Mediterranean species of pine bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have become established in North America and the southern hemisphere, posing a novel threat to planted and naturally-occurring pine forests. Our objectives were to investigate (1) the occurrence and relative abundance of pine bark beetles in these regions, and (2) the trapping performance of different blends of multispecies lures. In 2016–2017 a network of interception traps was installed in six non-European countries (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay), and in six European countries (France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) for comparison. Half of the traps were baited with alpha-pinene and ethanol, and the other half with alpha-pinene, ethanol, and a combination of bark beetle pheromones (ipsdienol, ipsenol, and Z-verbenol). Five Mediterranean scolytine species (Hylurgus ligniperda, Hylastes ater, H. angustatus, Orthotomicus erosus, and O. laricis) were found in non-European countries. Hylurgus ligniperda and Hylastes ater were the most widespread species found in several of the invaded regions, while O. laricis and H. angustatus occurred only in Argentina and South Africa, respectively. Despite large variation among species and countries, most species were trapped with the blend containing bark beetle pheromones, except O. erosus, which was more attracted to alpha-pinene and ethanol alone. This study represents the first step towards the development of an international monitoring protocol based on multi-lure traps for the survey and early-interception of invasive alien bark beetle species
The development of a modified comprehensive geriatric assessment for use in the emergency department using a RAND/UCLA appropriateness method
No full textBackground:
The universal screening and comprehensive assessment of older persons presenting to the emergency department is considered useful, yet is difficult to embed. A number of assessment instruments exist however they are not widely used and there is a lack of agreement between clinicians as to which tools are best suited to the emergency department. The aim of this study was to develop a modified comprehensive geriatric assessment using consensus methodology for use by the multidisciplinary team in the emergency department.
Method:
The modified comprehensive geriatric assessment was formulated using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness methodology incorporating consensus opinion from an expert group of clinicians and the best scientific evidence available. A series of pre and post survey and expert group meetings were held with expert multidisciplinary clinicians. Emphasis was placed on a pragmatic approach to the development of a document which reflected consensus opinion.
Results:
Between nine and 15 expert group members participated in the stages of the process. A tiered approach incorporating different aspects of screening and/or assessments was considered optimal to reflect the stages of decision-making in the emergency department process.
Conclusion:
A unique approach to the screening and assessment of the frail older person was developed using consensus methodology to develop a modified comprehensive geriatric assessment for use in the emergency department. Associated actions and interventions are an important next step, with pilot site testing