50716 research outputs found
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A remedy for epistemic pollution? Public and professional reactions to fact-checking with Wikipedia in Australian classrooms.
No full textAny attempt to increase the information literacy of citizens must incorporate the need to restore trust in our public institutions. To that end, we propose three principles for an effective information literacy strategy: non-partisanship, speed, and transparency. These principles were put into practice during an information literacy program trialled in four Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) primary schools in 2022. This program innovated in three respects: first, because of the age of the students, since information literacy is typically researched in high schools or universities; second, because we challenged conventional understandings of critical thinking by recommending that students “read laterally”; and third, because we used Wikipedia as a fact-checking resource - for the most part, Wikipedia’s auditable and distributed peer review neutralises misinformation. In this paper, we outline why the current crisis of trust in public institutions necessitates adopting such innovative approaches, and analyse the reactions we encountered when presenting our program in public and professional arenas. These reactions centered around the use of Wikipedia. Classroom teachers sometimes reacted adversely, though teacher-librarians were highly supportive, leading us to conclude that there is a need to reform teacher education. Finally, we review issues which still affect Wikipedia, such as manipulation attempts and systemic imbalances
Consensus derived client outcomes and clinician actions for youth online chat mental health services:a Delphi study
No full textIntroduction: Online chat services have increased mental health care access for young people (12–25 years), yet their effectiveness remains unclear. This is partly due to a lack of consensus about primary client outcomes and clinician actions facilitating positive service outcomes. This study sought to identify (a) outcomes most important for young people accessing mental health support via online chat, and (b) clinician actions most relevant to achieving these outcomes. Method: A comprehensive list of potential outcomes and actions was developed through literature review and consultation with youth online chat service providers. A three-round Delphi study was conducted with three panels of youth, researchers, and clinicians (n = 100; 84% retention rate), primarily from Australia and Ireland. Consensus was reached if ≥75% of participants within at least two panels rated an outcome/action as very important or essential. Results: Eleven client outcomes reached consensus: Feeling heard and validated; Reduced distress; Increased help-seeker capacity; Feeling safe; Optimism and hope; Connection with clinician and service; Feeling better; Reduced hopelessness; Reduced overwhelm; Increased coping; and Goals, answers and direction. Fifteen clinician actions reached consensus: Manage risk; Respect diversity; Validation; Welcoming environment; Active listening; Manage distress; Compassion; Checking in; Give choice; Youth friendly; Set expectations and focus; Provide resources; Holistic approach; Highlight strengths; and Problem-solving. Conclusions: The identified client outcomes and clinician actions offer preliminary guidance for monitoring and evaluating youth online chat support. Future research should test and refine these domains within service contexts to inform robust measurement tool development for evaluating youth online chat services.</p
Sodium Hyperhydration Improves Performance With No Change in Thermal and Cardiovascular Strain in Female Cyclists Exercising in the Heat Across the Menstrual Cycle
No full textThis study investigated the effect of sodium hyperhydration on thermal and cardiovascular strain and exercise performance in unacclimatized endurance-trained females exercising in the heat and whether effects differ between menstrual cycle (MC) Phase 1 (low estrogen and progesterone) and MC Phase 4 (moderate estrogen and high progesterone). Twelve female cyclists/triathletes completed four trials in a randomized, double-blinded, crossover design. Participants consumed 30 ml·kg-1 fat-free mass fluid with either sodium chloride (7.5 g·kg-1) or placebo (sucrose) 2 hr prior to 75 min of steady-state cycling (60% V˙O2peak) followed by a 200-kJ time trial (TT) in 34 °C and 60% relative humidity, with both interventions completed during MC Phase 1 and Phase 4. Rectal temperature and heart rate were measured at baseline, every 5 min during steady state, every 50 kJ of TT, and TT completion. Body mass was measured every 30 min preexercise and pre and post steady state and TT to assess hydration status. Linear mixed models were fitted to estimate intervention and MC phase effect. There were no significant sodium hyperhydration or MC phase effects on rectal temperature or heart rate (p > .05). Body mass increased with sodium versus placebo (0.38 [0.02, 0.74] kg; p = .04), with a greater increase in MC Phase 4 (0.69 [0.17, 1.2] kg; p < .001). TT performance improved with sodium versus placebo (-1.55 [-2.46, -0.64] min; p = .001), with a greater improvement in MC Phase 4 (-1.85 [-3.16, -0.55] min; p = .005). Sodium hyperhydration is a promising heat mitigation strategy for females undertaking prolonged exercise in the heat, especially during MC Phase 4 and when fluid access is limited.</p
Our Anglican tradition, and a bit with a possum
No full textAs I prepared to write this article, I went to pour a glass of wine. When I returned to my study, my television had turned itself on. In a black and white movie, the actor was playing a violin, surrounded by children singing, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. I immediately retold the story to my local padre, an Anglican priest and army chaplain who leads our RSL services. He remarked that it was clearly a sign that I must not be a doubter and that I must tell my story truly and well
Shifts in seasonal influenza patterns in Australia during and after COVID-19:A comprehensive analysis
Get PDFBACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal influenza virus circulation was heavily suppressed worldwide. In Australia, since the virus re-emerged in 2022, shifts in seasonal influenza patterns have been observed. Both the 2022 and 2023 seasons started earlier than pre-pandemic norms and were categorised as moderate to severe, highlighting the renewed importance of prevention strategies for seasonal influenza.METHODS: We analysed influenza notification data from the Australian National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (2012-2022) and virological surveillance data from the FluNet database (2012-2023). Using generalised additive models, we compared predicted weekly influenza case counts during 2020-2022 with observed counts. Epidemic weeks were detected using a negative binomial threshold, and epidemic onset was estimated with a Bayesian Poisson count detection algorithm. Trends in epidemic magnitude and onset timing across influenza virus types and subtypes were compared for pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 periods.RESULTS: Seasonal influenza activity was nearly absent in 2020 and 2021 but rebounded significantly in 2022 and 2023. Epidemic detection confirmed suppressed seasonal influenza circulation during the pandemic. While influenza A subtypes returned to pre-pandemic onset timings in 2022, influenza B exhibited a significantly delayed onset. The 2022 and 2023 seasons were moderate to severe, with earlier-than-average season starts, underscoring the ongoing changes in influenza dynamics post-pandemic.CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a detailed analysis of the disruptions and subsequent shifts in seasonal influenza patterns in Australia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid resurgence of influenza activity in 2022 and 2023, combined with altered onset timings, highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and adaptive forecasting models to address the evolving complexity of influenza epidemiology in the post-pandemic era.</p
Service robot–employee task allocation strategies:well-being within the intrusion challenge
No full textPurpose: Previous research has not considered the impact on human frontline employees (FLEs) of altered employee–customer relationships in the presence of a service robot (i.e. an intrusion challenge), nor how FLEs may respond. The purpose of this study is to explore the task allocation strategies by human frontline employees’ (FLE) work well-being responses within the intrusion challenge. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a mixed-method approach, whereby an in-depth qualitative study (Study 1, n = 15) is followed by a quantitative field study (Study 2, n = 81). Findings: Results indicate that FLEs experience the intrusion challenge, impacting social, purpose, physical and community well-being. Study 1 reveals that while service robots trigger this challenge, FLEs use them for task allocation to maintain their initial work well-being state. Study 2 shows that using robots instead of colleagues positively affects FLE work well-being. Practical implications: Service robots, as a task allocation strategy by FLEs, can be used to empower FLEs by assisting them to preserve their work well-being within the intrusion challenge. Originality/value: This study is one of the first to involve FLEs from a live service robot site, where data is based on personal lived experiences rather than anticipated experiences. This is the first study to investigate how FLEs respond to the intrusion challenge.</p
The influence of mobile augmented reality on consumer behavior: Insights into affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses
Get PDFDespite the growing application of Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) in retail, research lacks empirical focus on how MAR influences the consumer decision-making process through affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses. This study investigates the effects of interactivity, system quality, perceived informativeness, and reality congruence on consumers' emotional and behavioral responses. A preliminary survey identified the product and platform for experiment, and an experimental study tested MAR's effects on 125 female participants. Results highlight that the AR-enabled condition exerts a stronger effect on consumer purchase and continuance intentions. The findings offer practical insights for retailers on leveraging MAR to optimize customer satisfaction and purchasing behavior
Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Safety practices and insights from Aboriginal Elders, Organisations and Communities.
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic in Australia highlighted the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisation However, it also exposed significant challenges relating to equity, equality, and ethical decision-making, underscoring the need for Aboriginal community-based research to gain a better understanding of the pandemic’s impact. Using Indigenous Standpoint Theory and Complex Adaptive Systems Theory as philosophical lens and Aboriginal Participatory Action Research as methodology, our team of Aboriginal and ally researchers conducted ten yarning and validation yarning circles with 52 participants in the southwest regions of Western Australia. We theoretically sampled urban and rural Aboriginal Elders, community members and organisations, and explored their experiences and perspectives about COVID-19. Our thematic analysis of the yarning circles revealed that an interaction of individual and contextual factors and processes significantly influenced perception of safety, coping strategies, and decision-making across individual, community, and organisational levels. Although many participants experienced resilience and adaptability resulting from Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing and sharing ways for circumventing negative and inequitable experiences, these individual and system level interactions also led to many participants experiencing fear in response to the pandemic exacerbating disruptions to services and basic needs. The findings indicate that the complexities of Australia’s historical and contemporary colonial practices share similar characteristics with COVID-19 restrictions, evoking traumatic memories from the past. The findings suggest a need for crisis response to be co-created, co-implemented and co-evaluated with local Aboriginal communities to be evaluative, culturally informed, and inclusive of diverse Aboriginal voices, knowledges, and practices
JD Vance is the best succession plan for Australia
Get PDFI read JD Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy years before he was popular. In fact, I bought his book while I was in Shanghai in 2018. It turns out it was the most unlikely of places to buy the book – a country where his forthcoming role as Vice President of the United States is unlikely to garner support for his background. But for me, Hillbilly Elegy was an American version of my own upbringing (sans the drugs), and when Vance was announced as the next Vice-President of the United States, I immediately saw Trump’s reasoning
