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The impact of anticipating a stressful task on sleep inertia when on-call
No full textFerguson, SA ORCiD: 0000-0002-9682-7971; Jay, SM ORCiD: 0000-0002-1447-7008; Vincent, GE ORCiD: 0000-0002-7036-7823Sleep inertia, the state of reduced alertness upon waking, can negatively impact on-call workers. The impact of anticipating a stressful task on sleep inertia, while on-call was investigated. Young, healthy male participants (n=23) spent an adaptation, control and two counterbalanced on-call nights in a sleep laboratory. On on-call nights participants were told they would either perform a speech or read quietly after waking. Participants were not woken during the night and were given an 8-h sleep opportunity (2300-0700) each night. Upon waking, sleep inertia was measured at 5, 15-min intervals using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, a Psychomotor Vigilance Task and a Spatial Configuration Task. Participants slept, on average, 7.5h in all conditions. Participants felt sleepier post waking when on-call than when not on-call and felt sleepier in the low stress compared to the high stress condition (p <.001). Spatial performance was faster in both on-call conditions, compared to the control only (p<.001). Overall, results suggest that sleep inertia severity when on-call is not negatively impacted when anticipating a high-stress task
Elevated [CO2 ] effects on crops: Advances in understanding acclimation, nitrogen dynamics and interactions with drought and other organisms
No full textTausz, M ORCiD: 0000-0001-8205-8561Future rapid increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration [CO2 ] are expected, with values likely to reach ~550 ppm by mid-century. This implies that every terrestrial plant will be exposed to nearly 40% more of one of the key resources determining plant growth. In this review we highlight selected areas of plant interactions with elevated [CO2 ] (e[CO2 ]), where recently published experiments challenge long-held, simplified views. Focusing on crops, especially in more extreme and variable growing conditions, we highlight uncertainties associated with four specific areas: (1) While it is long known that photosynthesis can acclimate to e[CO2 ], such acclimation is not consistently observed in field experiments. The influence of sink-source relations and nitrogen (N) limitation on acclimation is investigated and current knowledge about whether stomatal function or mesophyll conductance (gm ) acclimate independently is summarised. (2) We show how the response of N uptake to e[CO2 ] is highly variable, even for one cultivar grown within the same field site, and how decreases in N concentrations ([N]) are observed consistently. Potential mechanisms contributing to [N] decreases under e[CO2 ] are discussed and proposed solutions are addressed. (3) Based on recent results from crop field experiments in highly variable, non-irrigated, water-limited environments, we challenge the previous opinion that the relative CO2 effect is greater under drier environmental conditions. (4) Finally, we summarise how changes in growth and nutrient concentrations due to e[CO2 ] will influence relationships between crops and weeds, herbivores and pathogens in agricultural systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Key stakeholders’ perceptions of extreme weather impacts on tropical fruit businesses in Central Queensland, Australia
No full textAkbar, DH ORCiD: 0000-0002-2269-5056; Kinnear, SH ORCiD: 0000-0002-2734-8547Extreme weather events (EWEs) such as heatwaves, droughts, cyclones, severe storms, floods, hail and frosts have detrimental impacts on tropical fruits, disrupting supply chains and business systems. The central east parts of Queensland are vulnerable to EWEs due to their subtropical coastal climate; yet this region produces most of Australia’s tropical fruits. This paper examines key stakeholders’ perceptions about the business impacts of EWEs on tropical fruits in Central Queensland as well as their proposed adaptation strategies. This study adopted an exploratory qualitative research approach, through in-depth interviews with nine key stakeholders supported by open ended questions added in the farmer’s survey. The interview data have been primarily analysed by both thematic and narrative methods. The research found that tropical fruit production was affected by extreme weather, and EWEs have consequences at all levels of the supply chain, as well as directly impacting individual fruit farming businesses. Almost all the participating stakeholders suggested that functional collaboration among the key stakeholders could help to reduce the negative impacts of EWEs
Zooming in on the workplace bullying and turnover intentions pathway: The role of well-being and a cultural boundary condition
No full textKaleem, A ORCiD: 0000-0002-0939-9922Purpose: Despite the well-established association between workplace bullying and turnover intentions, the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its boundary conditions remain understudied. The purpose of this paper is to examine employee affective well-being as a mediating mechanism by which exposure to workplace bullying may trigger employee intentions to leave the workplace. It also aims to explore the role of national culture in moderating the effects of workplace bullying on employee well-being and turnover intentions. Design/methodology/approach: This research is conducted through a cross-cultural analysis of data obtained from 627 Australian and Pakistani employees. Findings: The findings reveal that exposure to workplace bullying triggers turnover intentions through its negative effect on affective well-being in cross-cultural/national contexts. However, national culture moderates these effects such that the effects of workplace bullying on well-being and turnover intentions are weaker for Pakistanis than for Australians. Originality/value: This paper reports original research that deepens the understanding of how, why and when exposure to workplace bullying will prompt employees to leave the workplace in a cross-national context. The research findings will assist international organisations in designing strategies tailored to the national culture in order to mitigate the adverse effects of workplace bullying on staff turnover. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited
Do exercise trials for adults with depression account for comorbid anxiety? A systematic review
No full textRebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993X; Stanton, R ORCiD: 0000-0002-6684-5087; Wintour, S ORCiD: 0000-0001-8697-4380Background: Depression and anxiety are more likely to co-occur than to occur in isolation. Research supports the use of exercise in the treatment of depression or anxiety, but comorbidity may complicate how people are impacted by treatment. Methods: A systematic review (PROSPERO # 42018111114) was conducted to investigate whether and how the evidence of effects of exercise on depression accounts for (1) the prevalence of comorbidity of depression and anxiety within trial samples, and (2) the effects of comorbidity in analyses of intervention effects. This review will utilize and extend the findings of Cooney et al. (2013) applying the same search terms and inclusion criteria (i.e. depression diagnosis). For the review update, five databases were searched including Cochrane Register of Control Trials, Embase, PubMed, Medline and PsycINFO. Results: The search resulted in 63 eligible studies with a total of 4,816 participants. Sixteen (25%) studies reported prevalence of anxiety, two (3%) considered comorbidity descriptively, but none accounted for comorbidity in their trial analyses. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety are known to co-exist but trials testing the effects of exercise on depression are generally neither reporting the prevalence of comorbidity of anxiety within their samples nor testing whether the presence of comorbidity impacts trial effectiveness and efficacy. Comorbidity of depression and anxiety should be considered in exercise trials to ensure that the effects will apply to the manifestation of these disorders in the real world. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Determining environmental and socioeconomic risk factors for dengue infection among the resident population of Kandy District, Sri Lanka
No full textTaylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348Dengue is a frequently debilitating and potentially life-threatening flaviviral infection of humans that is transmitted via Aedes spp. mosquitoes. The global incidence of dengue has escalated dramatically during and since the second half of the twentieth century to the point where today there are estimated to be some 400 million infections per annum, of which a quarter produce clinical symptoms. Currently, over 22,000 fatalities are attributed directly to severe disease complications, while many more suspected cases go unconfirmed. The increasing worldwide incidence of dengue correlates with the expanding distribution of vector mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions, together with other contributing factors such as rising urbanization and accelerated changes in climate. Like elsewhere in South Asia the disease has become endemic to Sri Lanka. All four authenticated dengue virus serotypes (DENV 1-4) co-circulate in the island nation, thereby posing a major public health risk. The country regularly experiences seasonal outbreaks of infection, usually following the monsoon rains that trigger an explosion of local mosquito populations. Kandy, the main city of the Central Highlands, is a hot spot for dengue incidence and was a regional focus of the 2016-17 epidemic. This significant outbreak highlighted the susceptibility of resident communities to dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, for which timely and accurate clinical diagnosis is required to enable implementation of an appropriate treatment regimen. Therapeutic intervention is a later step of an integrated approach to control and prevention of dengue. Here, we discuss environmental and socioeconomic risk factors for dengue pertaining to Kandy District, identify local knowledge gaps and propose ways in which these earlier steps should be explored. A deeper understanding of the variables affecting dengue prevalence and distribution will facilitate better disease management, vector surveillance and infection control in this increasingly endemic area
Supporting better mental health services for rural Australians: Secondary analysis from the Australian National Social Survey
No full textRebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993X; Stanton, R ORCiD: 0000-0002-6684-5087This study argues for better access to mental health care for regionally-based Australians
A comparison of heart rate training load and perceptual effort between masters and young cyclists
No full textDoering, TM ORCiD: 0000-0002-6427-1067; Scanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697Purpose: Due to age-related changes in the psychobiological state of masters athletes, this brief report aimed to compare training load responses using heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during standardized training sessions between masters and young cyclists. Methods: Masters (n = 10; 55.6 [5.0] y) and young (n = 8; 25.9 [3.0] y) cyclists performed separate endurance and high-intensity interval training sessions. Endurance intensity was set at 95% of ventilatory threshold 2 for 1 hour. High-intensity interval training consisted of 6 × 30-second intervals at 175% peak power output with 4.5-minute rest between intervals. HR was monitored continuously and RPE collected at standardized time periods during each session. Banister training impulse and summated-HR-zones training loads were also calculated. Results: Despite a significantly lower mean HR in masters cyclists during endurance (P = .04; d = 1.06 [±0.8], moderate) and high-intensity interval training (P = .01; d = 1.34 [±0.8], large), no significant differences were noted (P > .05) when responses were determined relative to maximum HR or converted to training impulse and summated-HR-zone loads. Furthermore, no interaction or between-group differences were evident for RPE across either session (P > .05). Conclusions: HR and RPE values were comparable between masters and young cyclists when relative HR responses and HR training load models are used. This finding suggests HR and RPE methods used to monitor or prescribe training load can be used interchangeably between masters and young athletes irrespective of chronological age
Game schedule congestion affects weekly workloads but not individual game demands in semi-professional basketball
No full textScanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697To quantify and compare workloads encountered by basketball players during individual games played across 1-, 2-, and 3-day periods in the same week, and during weeks where 1, 2, and 3 games are scheduled. Eight semi-professional male players were monitored. External workload was determined as absolute and relative (·min-1) PlayerLoad (PL), and total and high-intensity jumps, accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction (COD). Internal workload was determined as absolute and relative summated heart rate zones (SHRZ), session-rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), and RPE. Game workloads were tabulated considering the order in which they were scheduled weekly (game 1, 2, or 3), and each week considering the number of games scheduled (1, 2, or 3 games). Analysing weekly workloads, duration was higher during 3-game than 1- and 2-game weeks (P <0.05, ES = 6.65-18.19). High-intensity decelerations and COD were higher during 3-game than 1-game weeks (P <0.05, ES = 1.26-1.55). Absolute PL, jumps, accelerations, decelerations, COD, and high-intensity jumps and accelerations were higher during 3-game than 1- and 2-game weeks (P <0.05, ES = 0.69-2.63). Absolute SHRZ and sRPE were higher during 3-game than 1- and 2-game weeks (P <0.05, ES = 0.86-2.43). Players completed similar individual game workloads regardless of the number of games played on consecutive days in the week. Workloads were similar during 1- and 2-game weeks, while the addition of a third game significantly increased the overall weekly workloads encountered
Free-spins spur gamblers to quit EGMs early: An online EGM study
No full textRockloff, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-0080-2690; Stuart, GP ORCiD: 0000-0002-7591-8380Free-spins on slot machines introduce a salient moment of potentially large wins that might influence people to either quit or continue a gambling session. Two theoretical models make different predictions about why people quit a gambling session. From a behaviourist perspective, people quit a session when they are either satiated or the lack of rewards lead to the extinction of behaviour. Alternatively, from a behavioural-finance perspective, people quit due to the disposition effect: a general finding whereby investors tend to sell shares or other assets when the price has increased, but keep assets that have dropped in value. From the behaviourist perspective, we predict that people experience free spins as a moment of intermittent reinforcement, which should encourage them to continue gambling longer. According to the disposition effect, however, the large win would trigger risk-aversion, signalling an opportunity to “cash out” and lock-in the gain. In the present study, 188 gamblers (72 female) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: control, early free-spins and late free-spins, in an online EGM simulation (points only). Consistent with the disposition effect, participants who received early free-spins quit earlier, placing significantly fewer bets, than those in control condition. The study suggests that free-spins, rather than being reinforcing within session, may signal an opportunity to quit early. In the discussion, however, we speculate on whether future research could demonstrate that a perceived lack of free spins in a session may keep players engaged longer. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature