University of the Sunshine Coast
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Adaptation to Climate Change: Contemporary Challenges and Perspectives
No full textOver the past few decades, attempts at adaptation to climate change (current and future) in the Pacific Islands have largely failed to be either effective or sustained. Among the many reasons for this failure may be that most adaptation strategies have been designed and driven by outsiders rather than by persons familiar with island contexts and diversity, especially the sociocultural nuances of particular situations. In a series of eight thematic case studies, written by scientists with an intimate understanding of the Pacific Islands, this chapter explores the reasons behind adaptation failure and explains what needs to improve in the future for adaptation to be both effective and sustained. Case studies focus on rural seawalls, relocation and peripherality as a proxy for autonomous community coping, climate finance, island food systems, adaptation project design, livelihood sustainability and inter-island resettlement. The goal of this chapter is to inform stakeholders how to optimise outcomes from future adaptation interventions, something that is becoming daily more urgent as the pace of twenty-first century climate change increases
Evaluation of Performance and Challenges of Use of Waste Materials in Pavement Construction: A Critical Review
No full textPaved surfaces must reliably bear heavy loads, often under challenging environmental and geotechnical conditions. These requirements are addressed through the use of high-quality, newly produced materials in pavement design. However, in remote locations, newly produced materials are often expensive or unavailable, making waste or alternative materials more attractive. Waste materials can be used in their natural condition but are more commonly stabilised or otherwise improved to meet performance targets. However, this practice can incorporate unwarranted risk into pavement design solutions. The decision to use waste materials in a pavement is a balance between technical risk, maintenance liability, available materials, environmental emissions and capital cost. This study reviews the use of waste materials in pavement design and construction. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials and processed waste plastic for pavement construction are considered. Additionally, blast furnace slag (BFS) and waste glass in pavement construction are evaluated. This review focuses on the effects of alternative materials on the properties of asphalt pavement. The results indicate that RAP is acceptable as an alternative material, while BFS, waste plastic and waste glass can be used under specific conditions. Also, the current and future challenges for the use of waste materials in the pavement industry are discussed
A Review on the Potential of Forest Biomass for Bioenergy in Australia
No full textThe use of forest biomass for bioenergy in Australia represents only 1% of total energy production but is being recognized for having the potential to deliver low-cost and low-emission, renewable energy solutions. This review addresses the potential of forest biomass for bioenergy production in Australia relative to the amount of biomass energy measures available for production, harvest and transport, conversion, distribution and emission. Thirty-Five Australian studies on forest biomass for bioenergy are reviewed and categorized under five hierarchical terms delimiting the level of assessment on the biomass potential. Most of these studies assess the amount of biomass at a production level using measures such as the allometric volume equation and form factor assumptions linked to forest inventory data or applied in-field weighing of samples to predict the theoretical potential of forest biomass across an area or region. However, when estimating the potential of forest biomass for bioenergy production, it is essential to consider the entire supply chain that includes many limitations and reductions on the recovery of the forest biomass from production in the field to distribution to the network. This review reiterated definitions for theoretical, available, technological, economic and environmental biomass potential and identified missing links between them in the Australian literature. There is a need for further research on the forest biomass potential to explore lower cost and lowest net emission solutions as a replacement to fossil resources for energy production in Australia but methods the could provide promising solutions are available and can be applied to address this gap
Development of a vaccine to protect koalas against koala retrovirus
No full textThe long-term survival of the koala is under serious threat. Apart from the human-induced factors of habitat destruction, road accidents and domestic dogs, two infectious diseases pose major threats to koala survival. Although Chlamydia is the “most visible” of these infectious threats koala retrovirus (KoRV) is also important. KoRV infects the majority of Australia’s koalas, with only some Victorian and South Australian koalas being KoRV negative (and these numbers are decreasing every year with new research). KoRV has been strongly linked to life threatening diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia. In addition to losses in wild koalas, some zoos have very high koala losses due to these diseases. While quarantine and antiretroviral drug treatment are possible control measures, they are impractical, leaving vaccination as the only realistic option in controlling KoRV infection and associated diseases. This PhD study was therefore set up to develop a vaccine with therapeutic properties to protect koalas against KoRV.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2020
Timber extraction by cable yarding on flat and wet terrain: a survey of cable yarder manufacturer’s experience
No full textCable yarding is a general solution for load handling on sites not accessible to ground-based machinery, and is typically associated with steep terrain. On flat terrain, such conditions can primarily be found on soft or wet soils, most frequently encountered in Central and Northern European countries. Today, changed environmental and market conditions may offer an unprecedented opportunity to the actual implementation of cable yarding on flat terrain in commercial operations. The study goal was to collect cable yarder manufacturers experience regarding the use and adaption of cable yarding technology on flat terrain. European manufacturers of cable yarding technology were interviewed about customer experience, particular challenges, adaptation potential, future potential and main hurdles for the expansion of cable yarding on flat terrain. Almost all manufacturers have received requests for flat-terrain yarding technology solutions, primarily from Germany. Temporal or permanent inaccessibility, regulatory or environmental reasons were the most frequent motivation for considering cable yarding technology. Installation was considered particularly challenging (clearance, stable anchoring). Potential adaptations included higher towers, artificial anchors, mechanized bunching before extraction and un-guyed yarder-systems. An artificial, highly mobile, self-anchoring tail spar was considered the most useful adaptation. While concerned about limited profitability and qualified labour shortage, most manufacturers demonstrated a positive or neutral view concerning the expansion of cable yarding on flat terrain. However, cable yarding is not considered to be cost-competitive wherever ground-based systems can be employed and cable yarding is not subsidized
Adiposity is inversely associated with strength in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textBackground and purpose: Several biological mechanisms describing the pathway to mobility disability and functional decline in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been postulated, including skeletal muscle atrophy and the concurrent accumulation of fat mass. Therefore, we explored the association between adiposity, muscle strength and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults with T2DM. Methods: Adiposity was measured by waist circumference (WC) or body fat percentage (BF %) derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and gait speed were used to evaluate lower extremity physical function. Muscle strength was assessed using hand-grip strength (HGS) or chair stands. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the association between measures of adiposity, SPPB score, gait speed, HGS and chair stands adjusted for age, gender and total appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM). Results: A total of n = 87 participants (71.2 ± 8.2 years; BMI 29.5 ± 5.8 kg/m2; BF % 37.8 ± 7.3%) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Pearson’s correlation coefficients revealed that BF% was negatively associated with hand-grip strength (r = − 0.430; P < 0.001) and total ASM (r = − 0.223; P = 0.03), but positively associated with increased time to compete chair stands (r = 0.366; P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender and total ASM, WC and BF% were inversely associated with HGS (WC: β = -0.385; P = 0.001; BF% β = − 0.487; P < 0.001). Similarly, in the adjusted model, both WC and BF% were positively associated with increased time to complete chair stands (WC: β = 0.479; P < 0.001; BF% β = 0.415; P = 0.002). Conclusion:
Adiposity, independent of the criteria used, was inversely associated with muscle strength, suggesting that adiposity negatively influences muscle quality in older adults with T2DM. Screening for poor muscle strength and quality has the potential to facilitate early exercise and dietary interventions aimed at preserving muscle function in older adults with T2DM
Who is a good liar? Developing a test battery for covert operatives
No full textCovert operatives, that is police working in undercover, surveillance, human source handler and witness protection roles, are required to be believed in the roles they undertake not only for their own safety but for the safety of other police officers, civilians, and the general public. Whilst the selection tests and training for each covert area is extensive, none currently include an objective test of the officer’s believability. Believability is not only crucial for the safety of all concerned, it is also a determinate of investigational success which is defined as the identification, prevention, disruption and/or prosecution of offences (Police, 2014). For an organisation, covert operatives represent a substantial investment in time and cost, and a substantial risk. Risks include the disclosure of covert assets, capabilities, and methodology, and the risk of reputational damage with partner agencies domestically and internationally, including government confidence, which ultimately impacts on agency budgets. Therefore, a test of believability prior to training for a covert role would benefit all concerned.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2020
iTaukei ways of knowing and managing mangroves for ecosystem-based adaptation
No full textGlobal concerns for Pacific Island Countries under a new climate regime and increasing development challenges has prompted many external agencies to intervene with climate change adaptation programs. Despite extensive funding and efforts, many external interventions tend to overlook the importance of Indigenous and local knowledge, and working in partnership with local people to co-produce sustainable and effective adaptation strategies. In many Pacific countries, mangroves deliver ecosystem goods and services that are essential to the livelihoods of local people and can enhance resilience to climate change. This paper explores how iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) communities have sustainably managed mangrove ecosystems over time, and how this knowledge and experiences can enable future ecosystem-based adaptation options that are more sustainable and effective. Across six rural villages in western Vanua Levu, a series of semi-structured household interviews (n = 41) were undertaken, coupled with participant observation. The findings demonstrate the importance of understanding, respecting and utilising Indigenous knowledge for managing and protecting local ecosystems as part of communities’ response to climate change adaptation
