University of the Sunshine Coast
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Institutional monitoring, coordination and corporate acquisitions in China
No full textWithin the context of corporate acquisition decisions of China's Publicly Listed Corporations (PLCs), this paper investigates the monitoring and coordination behaviour of institutional shareholders. Institutional shareholders are divided into four groups: large outsider, large insider, small outsider and small insider. The outsider and insider categorization, respectively, represents the absence of significant business links with relevant PLCs. In China, institutional shareholders tend to either monitor the acquisitions decisions of PLCs or coordinate their response with the controlling shareholders (coordination in the present context amounts to cooperation). Using micro data from China's stock market over the 2003–2008 period, we find that (through ex-ante coordination with the controlling shareholders) the insider institutional investment tends to increase the likelihood of PLC acquisitions. However, through ex-ante monitoring of the PLC acquisition offers, the outsider institutional investment tends to decrease the acquisition likelihood. We find that, through ex-post monitoring of PLC acquisitions, institutional investors with large shareholdings can help improve the post-acquisition performance of Chinese PLCs. On the other hand, institutional investors with small shareholdings tend to coordinate their actions with the controlling shareholders. Accordingly, small institutional shareholders cannot affect the post-acquisition performance of China's PLCs. Finally, we find that the so-called ‘cherry-picking effect’ exists only in the case of large outsider institutional investors
A systematic review of the biomechanical research methods used in strongman studies
No full textAs the sport of strongman is becoming increasingly popular, and such exercises are being commonly used by strength and conditioning coaches for a wide range of athletic groups, a greater understanding of the biomechanics of strongman exercises is warranted. To improve the quality of research, this systematic review summarised the research methodology used in biomechanical studies of strongman exercises and identified potential improvements to current approaches. A search of 5 databases found 10 articles adherent to the pre-defined inclusion criteria. The studies assessed 8 strongman exercises and included male participants of relatively similar body mass but varying training backgrounds. Due to the complexity of strongman exercises and the challenges in collecting advanced biomechanical data in the field, most studies used simplified measurement/analysis methods (e.g., 2D motion capture). Future strongman biomechanical studies should: assess under/un-researched strongman exercises; include a greater number of experienced and female strongman athletes; utilise more advanced (e.g., 3D motion capture and/or inertial sensor) technology so to provide a broader range and greater quality of data. Such approaches will provide strength and conditioning coaches, strongman coaches and athletes with a greater understanding of strongman exercises, thereby further improving exercise prescription, athlete performance and minimising risk of injur
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No full textNo abstract available
Tropical Rainforest Restoration Plantations Are Slow to Restore the Soil Biological and Organic Carbon Characteristics of Old Growth Rainforest
No full textWidespread and continuing losses of tropical old-growth forests imperil global biodiversity and alter global carbon (C) cycling. Soil organic carbon (SOC) typically declines with land use change from old-growth forest, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Ecological restoration plantations offer an established means of restoring aboveground biomass, structure and diversity of forests, but their capacity to recover the soil microbial community and SOC is unknown due to limited empirical data and consensus on the mechanisms of SOC formation. Here, we examine soil microbial community response and SOC in tropical rainforest restoration plantings, comparing them with the original old-growth forest and the previous land use (pasture). Two decades post-reforestation, we found a statistically significant but small increase in SOC in the fast-turnover particulate C fraction. Although the δ13C signature of the more stable humic organic C (HOC) fraction indicated a significant compositional turnover in reforested soils, from C4 pasture-derived C to C3 forest-derived C, this did not translate to HOC gains compared with the pasture baseline. Matched old-growth rainforest soils had significantly higher concentrations of HOC than pasture and reforested soils, and soil microbial enzyme efficiency and the ratio of gram-positive to gram-negative bacteria followed the same pattern. Restoration plantings had unique soil microbial composition and function, distinct from baseline pasture but not converging on target old growth rainforest within the examined timeframe. Our results suggest that tropical reforestation efforts could benefit from management interventions beyond re-establishing tree cover to realize the ambition of early recovery of soil microbial communities and stable SOC
The rural creative class: An analysis of in-migration tourism entrepreneurship
No full textThis study examines the creative class group in Chinese tourism destinations made up of in‐migration tourism entrepreneurs confronting the need to diversify away from city life. Based on a questionnaire survey of those rural tourism entrepreneurs who have set up business in the two townships of Huanglongxi and Luodai, and drawing upon social practice theory, the study explores concepts of entrepreneurship, organizational innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage. It shows how the entrepreneurship of the in‐migration creative class has played a crucial role in organizational innovation in the tourism industry and how they have made significant contributions to sustainable competitive advantage
Modifiable Factors Associated With Poststroke Physical Activity at Discharge From Rehabilitation: Prospective Cohort Study
No full textBackground:
People with stroke are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity. The modifiable factors associated with post-stroke physical activity levels need to be identified to develop targeted interventions.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to investigate the factors at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation that are associated with physical activity levels at 3 months following discharge.
Design:
This was a prospective cohort study.
Methods:
Sixty-four people with stroke completed baseline assessments at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and 55 completed the follow-up 3 months later. The candidate factors (i.e. gait speed, balance, strength, cognition, mood and motivation) were measured at discharge. The primary outcome measure at follow-up was walking related activity (measured by wrist-worn accelerometer). Secondary outcome measures were physical activity participation (Activity Card Sort) and intensity of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short 7 days). Adjusted separate multivariable linear regression models or proportional odds regression models were used to evaluate the associations between candidate factors and physical activity.
Results:
Gait speed and balance were associated with all aspects of physical activity. Higher level of intrinsic motivation was also associated with higher physical activity participation. Anxiety demonstrated a significant non-linear relationship with physical activity participation.
Limitations:
Inclusion of fatigue and individual muscle strength could have provided further insights into associations with steps per day.
Conclusion:
The results demonstrated that better physical function at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was associated with future increased levels of physical activity. Additionally, higher levels of motivation impacted on increased physical activity participation. The influence of anxiety on physical activity participation requires further exploration. Mixed-method study designs can be utilized to further understand the factors associated with post-stroke physical activity
Seascape connectivity exerts differing effects for fish assemblages in distinct habitats of the surf zones of ocean beaches
No full textAnimals move throughout coastal seascapes to disperse, feed, and spawn, including the surf zones of ocean beaches. Yet, the influences of seascape context on surf-zone fish are largely unquantified. We sampled surf-zone fish assemblages with baited remote underwater video deployments at 25 beaches across 50 km of coastline in eastern Australia to determine if variation in the spatial configuration of broader coastal seascapes shapes fish assemblages in different surf-zone habitats. We show that surf zones are not homogenous fish habitats, with offshore bars and nearshore troughs having distinct fish assemblages, shaped by different environmental variables. Fish assemblages of offshore bars were characterized by greater species richness and a higher abundance of indicator species (as identified by Dufrene–Legendre indicator species analysis) when close to rocky reefs and estuaries. In contrast, fish assemblages of nearshore troughs were characterized by greater species richness and a higher abundance of indicator species when far from estuaries, and off wider beaches. Our results highlight the importance of seascape connectivity in structuring surf-zone fish assemblages. Consequently, management approaches need to more thoroughly quantify the effects of seascape connectivity over smaller spatial scales and consider surf zones as key components of broader coastal habitat mosaics
Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Islands: A Review of Faith-Engaged Approaches and Opportunities
No full textThe Pacific Islands region is highlighted in the literature as one of the most vulnerable geographic areas in the world, with a high priority for adaptation to climate change. In consequence, many interventions have been proposed and implemented over the years that approach environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change in the Pacific from a predominantly scientific and technocratic worldview perspective, in which climate change is seen as a science-informed issue, rather than a faith-informed issue. Overwhelmingly, adaptation initiatives are scientifically justified and externally conceived, funded and implemented. Regrettably, most interventions intended to reduce exposure to environmental risk and to enable effective and sustainable adaptation to climate change in the Pacific Islands region have failed to acknowledge influences on decision-making of spirituality and connectedness to Nature. In the light of the almost total Christianization of Pacific Islands within the past century, such intervention failures are surprising. The situation cannot continue because every day the need for adaptation to climate change that is effective and sustainable is growing. Given that in the Pacific Islands region decision makers are likely to be influenced more by tradition and local precedent than by science, makes the purposive exploration of faith-engaged approaches to climate change adaptation a fertile and promising undertaking. This paper extends previous research by means of a literary review of pertinent challenges and opportunities. The synthesised lessons are useful for both policy and practice serving the cause of climate change adaptation in Pacific island communities. A better understanding of the science-spirituality nexus in the Pacific will also improve the effectiveness and sustainability of adaptation responses to climate-driven environmental change
Simultaneously enhanced strength and ductility in a metastable β-Ti alloy by stress-induced hierarchical twin structure
No full textA novel metastable β-Ti alloy Ti-4Mo-3Cr-1Fe with high strength and high ductility was developed through controlling the alloyʼs stability and deformation mechanisms. The microstructure consists of randomly oriented β-grains containing an even distribution of athermal ω precipitates. Under tensile loading, the alloy exhibits unprecedented and comprehensive mechanical properties including a high yield strength of 870 MPa, excellent total elongation of 41% and an ultrahigh strain hardening rate of 2.5 GPa. Based on investigations of deformation microstructures, the superior mechanical properties are attributed to stress-induced formation of a complex nano-scale hierarchical twin structure which is promoted by reversion of ω precipitates
Obesity is associated with BRAF V600E-mutated thyroid cancer
No full textBackground: Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in many parts of the world since the 1980s, as has the prevalence of obesity. Evidence suggests that people with greater body size have higher thyroid cancer risk. However, it is unclear whether this association is causal or is driven by over-diagnosis of indolent cancers because overweight/obese people use health services more frequently than those of normal weight conferring greater opportunity for incidental diagnosis. Assessing whether obesity is associated with higher-risk thyroid cancers might help clarify this issue. Methods: We recruited 1013 people diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 2013 and 2016 and 1057 population controls, frequency matched by sex and age group. We used logistic regression to assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and overall thyroid cancer risk as well as by tumor BRAF mutational status as a marker of potentially higher-risk cancer. Results: Overall, obesity was associated with greater risk of thyroid cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37 - 2.16 for obese vs. normal BMI). The association with obesity was significantly stronger for BRAF-mutation positive than BRAF-negative papillary thyroid cancers (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.17 - 2.50 for BRAF positive versus BRAF-negative cancers). The increased risks associated with overweight/obesity did not vary by histological subtypes or presence/absence of adverse tumor histologic features. Conclusions: Greater risk of BRAF-mutated papillary thyroid cancers among those with high BMI suggests that the association may not merely reflect greater healthcare service use and indicates an independent relationship between obesity and clinically important thyroid cancer