University of the Sunshine Coast
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Time mapping: charting transcultural and First Nations histories and geographies in doctoral education
No full textIn this article, we introduce a time mapping methodology to chart the impact of transcultural and First Nations’ histories, geographies and cultural knowledges on doctoral education. Drawing upon a ‘Southern’, postcolonial-decolonial theoretical framing and extending textual life history methodologies, we argue that time mapping is a visual methodology that has the power to disrupt managerial, auditing discourses that have come to dominate present understandings of doctoral education. We present the time maps of migrant, international candidates and Australian First Nations candidates and supervisors, creating spaces for narratives of migration, war, discrimination, destruction, colonisation, change, survival, faith, energy, language and cultural revival, growth, inspiration and the power of Country. We seek to re-humanise discourses about doctoral education
Maternal nesting behaviour in city dragons: a species with temperature-dependent sex determination
No full textUrban environments present some of the greatest challenges to species survival. This is particularly true for species that exhibit thermally sensitive traits, such as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). This is because urban environments not only present species with entirely novel ecosystems, but species will also experience increased temperatures. These temperature increases may result not only in offspring mortality, but also skewed population sex ratios. To persist in cities, urban dwellers with TSD will therefore need to adjust the temperature of the nesting environment, either through phenotypic plasticity or rapid evolution through natural selection. Here, we investigate the nesting ecology of a long-lived, urban dwelling reptile, the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii), to understand how a TSD species may respond to urban environments. Based on data collected from 72 nests over 2 nesting seasons, we show that city dragons not only dug significantly deeper nests than previously observed across their natural riparian habitat, but also nested in novel substrates. Furthermore, we observed a behaviour not previously described in this species, where mothers travel outside of their core home range to nest. This excursion behaviour potentially represents a greater maternal investment and is linked to the selection of specific microhabitats
Community-based adaptation to climate change: lessons from Tanna Island, Vanuatu
No full textCommunity-based adaptation has gained significant international attention as a way for communities to respond to the increasing threats and complex pressures posed by climate change. This bottom-up strategy represents an alternative to the prolonged reliance on, and widespread ineffectiveness of, mitigation methods to halt climate change, in addition to the exacerbation of vulnerability resulting from top-down adaptation approaches. Yet despite the promises of this alternative approach, the efficacy of community-based adaptation remains unknown. Its potential to reduce vulnerability within communities remains a significant gap in knowledge, largely due to limited participatory evaluations with those directly affected by these initiatives, to determine the success and failure of project design, implementation, outcomes and long-term impact. This paper seeks to close this gap by undertaking an in-depth evaluation of multiple community-based adaptation projects in Tanna Island, Vanuatu and exploring community attitudes and behavioural changes. This study found that future community-based adaptation should integrate contextual specificities and gender equality frameworks into community-based adaptation design and implementation, as well as recognise and complement characteristics of local resilience and innovation. In doing this, the critical importance of looking beyond assumptions of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as homogenous, primarily vulnerable to climate change and lacking resilience, was also recognised
Associations of built environment attributes with bicycle use for transport
No full textAn increasing number of studies have examined neighbourhood built environment attributes associated with cycling. Some of them suggest non-linear relationships between built environment attributes and cycling. This study examined the strength and shape of associations of cycling for transport with objectively measured built environment attributes. Data were from 9146 Australian adults who took part in the 2009 South-East Queensland Travel Survey. Participants (aged 18–64 years) completed a 24-hour travel survey, in which they reported modes of travel. Residential density, Walk Score and a Space Syntax measure of street integration were calculated at a neighbourhood level using geographic information systems. Multilevel logistic regression analyses examined associations of bicycle use with each built environment attribute, which was modelled continuously and categorically. All continuous measures of the built environment attributes were associated with bicycle use. Each one-decile increment in residential density, Walk Score, and street integration was associated with 13%, 16%, and 10% higher odds of bicycle use, respectively. However, the associations appeared to be non-linear, with significant odds ratios observed only for the higher categories of each built environment attribute relative to the middle category. This study found that adults living in high-density neighbourhoods with more destinations nearby and well-connected streets were more likely to cycle for transport. However, medium-level density, access to destinations and street connectivity may not be enough to facilitate bicycle use. Further studies are needed to investigate urban design threshold values above which cycling can be promoted
Third stage of labour management practices: A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of Australian women and their associated outcomes
No full textObjective:
This study aimed to describe practices used during the third stage of labour in a cohort of Australian women and explore clinical outcomes such as postpartum hemorrhage and clinical decision making associated with these practices.
Design:
This study employed a prospective cohort design and reports a secondary analysis of a primary study that examined factors associated with PPH; specifically relating to third stage management practices.
Setting:
It was conducted in three linked sites, in Queensland, Australia: a regional hospital, rural hospital and a private-practising midwifery service. Data collected: type of third stage management chosen by the care provider, and why; use of uterotonic medications (including administration timing); determination of cord-clamp timing and why; and, use of controlled cord traction.
Participants:
Convenience sample of women birthing vaginally between October 2015 and April 2016 (n = 522).
Findings:
Active management was the most common self-reported third stage management practice across these birth settings despite local health service guidelines advocating modified active management for all births. Modified active third stage was associated with least risk of PPH; however considerable variation in modified active practices was evident, particularly relating to cord clamp timing and oxytocic administration. Professional discipline, birth setting and complications during labour were significantly associated with differences in third stage management. Midwives were more likely to engage in expectant management than obstetricians; while active management was more commonly used in the rural setting and when complications during labour were experienced.
Key conclusions:
Modified active management was not associated with an increased risk of PPH consistent with contemporary evidence. However, a considerable proportion of providers may not be following evidence-based guidelines supporting modified active management which may be attributed to uncertainty around third stage practice definitions which has implications for education, practice, and policy.
Implications for practice:
Despite evidence-based guidelines, differences exist within modified active management including cord clamp timing, uterotonic administration and use of controlled cord traction. Modified active management was not associated with an increase in PPH
A battery of strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming
No full textThis study examined the validity of isometric strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Thirty non-disabled participants and forty-two Para swimmers with physical impairment completed an isometric strength test battery designed to explain activity limitation in the freestyle discipline. Measures pertaining to dominant and non-dominant limb strength and symmetry were derived from four strength tests that were found to be reliable in a cohort of non-disabled participants (ICC = 0.85–0.97; CV = 6.4–9.1%). Para swimmers had lower scores in strength tests compared with non-disabled participants (d = 0.14–1.00) and the strength test battery successfully classified 95% of Para swimmers with physical impairment using random forest algorithm. Most of the strength measures had low to moderate correlations (r = 0.32 to 0.53; p ≤ 0.05) with maximal freestyle swim speed in Para swimmers. Although, fewer correlations were found when Para swimmers with hypertonia or impaired muscle power were analysed independently, highlighting the impairment-specific nature of activity limitation in Para swimming. Collectively, the strength test battery has utility in Para swimming classification to infer loss of strength in Para swimmers, guide minimum eligibility criteria, and to define the impact that strength impairment has on Para swimming performance
A qualitative metasynthesis of the meaning of speech-generating devices for people with complex communication needs
No full textThe aim of this metasynthesis review of published qualitative research was to investigate the lived experience and meaning ascribed to speech-generating devices (SGDs) by people with complex communication needs and their familiar communication partners. Bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2016, and selected articles were assessed for their relevance to the research aim. The metasynthesis included 21 original articles and resulted in the identification of six main themes, each of which was comprised of two or more sub-themes that related to the experience of using SGD: It’s an Inefficient Voice, It’s Not a Natural Voice, Making the Most of This Voice, It’s My Voice, It’s More Than a Voice, and Having a Voice: Being Heard. The findings depict how use of an SGD is a complex process of understanding the limitations of the device, acknowledging expectations of society, using strategies to optimize communication, being aware of what an SGD represents, and using the SGD to enable social participation and a sense of empowerment
Understanding the nature and dimensions of child sexual to inform its prevention
No full textChild Abuse and Neglect: Forensic Issues in Evidence, Impact and Management is a reference text that provides an overview of all aspects of child abuse and neglect and fills a void in current literature. This work approaches the issue of child abuse from several viewpoints. First, child abuse is considered from both victimization and offending perspectives and, although empirical scholarship informs much of the content, there is applied material from international experts and practitioners in the field - from policing to child safety to intelligence. [Book Synopsis
Quantifying the impact of reclaimed asphalt pavement on airport asphalt surfaces
No full textAirports desire sustainable infrastructure solutions and airport pavements provide an opportunity for increased reuse and recycling of materials. The recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in airport pavement surfaces is attractive and viable, but has been resisted by many airports. Two asphalt mixtures, both produced with and without RAP, were compared based on Marshall mixture design properties, laboratory performance-indicative test results and full-scale asphalt production properties. No testing indicated any detrimental effect associated with the inclusion of low-risk RAP sources at 5–10% RAP content. However, the surface friction was significantly reduced by the inclusion of RAP. It is recommended that further research consider the cause of the reduced surface friction associated with low-risk RAP inclusion, as well as the influence of other RAP sources on airport asphalt surface performance