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Deliberative reason and the effect of minipublic configurations
No full textAbstractIn exploring deliberative dynamics within mini-publics, it has been observed that initial group-building activities play a crucial role in enhancing deliberative reasoning. However, the influence of liberal democratic practices such as voting mechanisms and the inclusion of strategic or representative stakeholders, on deliberative processes is not well understood. This study undertakes a comparative configurational meta-analysis (CCMA) of 22 minipublics to investigate how these liberal democratic elements influence deliberative reasoning. Results indicate that participants’ deliberative reasoning is significantly enhanced in contexts where initial group activities are coupled with prolonged periods of deliberation and where voting is minimised or absent. In contrast, the presence of voting mechanisms, strategic stakeholder involvement, and a high impact of minipublics on decision-making processes are associated with weaker, negative, or stable participant deliberative reasoning. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on the integration of deliberative and non-deliberative components within minipublics, highlighting the potential negative impact of strategic behaviour on the quality of deliberation
Beryllium-isotope signatures in ice sheet proximal marine sediments
No full textMeteoric-10Be has become a popular proxy for assessing glacial environments and processes around Antarctica, such as meltwater discharge or ice shelf environments. Despite applications in recent paleostudies, little testing of the mechanisms driving the deposition of Be-isotopes into marine sediments has been conducted. We used chemical leach procedures to sequentially or partially extract 10Be and 9Be from bulk sediments to assess the possible sources and depositional processes affecting them. Additionally, we leached the reactive phase of five different grainsize splits to determine whether 10Be/9Be ratios normalise for grainsize effects acting upon the 10Be concentration. Reactive Be-isotopes are primarily situated in the oxide phases of sediments, with the amorphous oxide (Am-Ox) phases consisting of much higher 10Be/9Be ratios (∼7–10 × 10−8) than the crystalline oxides (∼1–3 × 10−8; X-Ox), indicating that the Am-Ox phase better represents authigenic oxide production and a circumpolar deep water source, which is contrary to most of the current literature. Published leach procedures targeting the reactive phase of sediment consist of ratios in between the Am-Ox and X-Ox phases (∼3–7 × 10−8), indicating that they target both phases to some degree. The fractionation of Be-isotopes in Antarctic sediment samples shows that circumpolar deep water is the primary source of 10Be, and that the “reactive” signatures from different leach steps targeting the reactive phase are not the same
Associations between change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour with risk of recurrent cardiovascular events among individuals with coronary heart disease:A prospective cohort study
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and limiting time in sedentary behaviour (SB) are recommended for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Little is known about MVPA and SB changes and recurrent cardiovascular events. This study explores the associations between changes in MVPA and SB for recurrent cardiovascular events among individuals with CHD.METHODS: Prospective cohort study based on individuals with CHD. MVPA and SB were self-reported, and recurrent cardiovascular events were identified using health registers (2006-2022). Changes in MVPA and SB were categorized as remaining high, decreasing, increasing, and remaining low. Associations were explored using Cox proportional regression models.RESULTS: There were 9430 Australians, 62 % males with a mean age of 70 (SD = 10) years. During the follow-up, with a median time of 4.9 (IQR = 6.1) years, 508 non-fatal cardiac events, 951 total cardiac events, and 2481 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred. The risk of recurrent cardiovascular events was 32-39 % lower when MVPA remained high compared to remaining low. An increase in MVPA was associated with a 30 % lower risk of total cardiac events and a 26 % lower risk of MACE, while a decrease was associated with a 16 % lower risk of MACE. Keeping low SB was associated with a 25-29 % lower risk of total cardiac events and MACE than SB remained high. A decrease in SB was associated with a 25 % lower risk of MACE.CONCLUSION: Supporting individuals with CHD to remain high or improve levels of MVPA and low levels of SB is important in secondary prevention.</p
Genetic diversity and structure lag the effects of contemporary environmental changes in a platypus meta-population
No full textThe platypus is an evolutionary unique mammal on the east coast of mainland Australia and throughout Tasmania. The species is dependent on freshwater ecosystems, is declining throughout its range, and is listed as Vulnerable in the state of Victoria, and Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This relatively long-lived species is cryptic and nocturnal making it difficult to study in natural populations. Relatively little is known about its demographic history or the forces that shape genetic variation. We use a unique genomic dataset comprising 2715 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 545 individual platypuses sampled from five catchments across Melbourne, Victoria. This dataset enabled us to describe the genetic variation across the catchments and test hypotheses relating to migration, effective population size, and potential negative effects of anthropogenic barriers. We found relatively consistent levels of genetic diversity in platypuses across Melbourne’s catchments, moderate levels of within-catchment migration, and genetic differentiation both between and within catchments. This genetic structure is explained by several factors, including isolation-by-river-distance, isolation-by-environment and within-catchment sex biased dispersal at short distances. These patterns are likely explained by a temporal lag between indirect and direct anthropogenic changes to the environmental and genetic variation, and these contemporary analyses likely reflect historical demographic patterns. In addition, we find that anthropogenic barriers such as dams have not measurably affected migration in these catchments. Our study highlights future evolutionary challenges that exist for platypuses in Melbourne’s catchments, which could be representative of their entire range along the east coast of Australia.</p
The role of occupational therapy in primary care mental health services:a short report
Get PDFThis paper is a short report considering the role of occupational therapy in providing mental health services in primary care. Primary care is the first point of contact most people have with the healthcare system. Occupational therapists have a role working with people with mental illness but the role of an occupational therapist working in mental health in a primary care setting is not well understood. Common interventions discussed in the literature included lifestyle approaches, assessment and information gathering, and the teaching of skills for daily living. There was a clear divide in the literature regarding the use of generic or specialist (occupation-focused) roles. Physical health was often prioritized over mental health concerns. Limited research examined both the population group of people with mental health concerns and the practice setting of primary care, identifying the need for further research to articulate the role of occupational therapy in working with mental health in primary care settings.</p
Does play belong in primary school? New research suggests teachers are not sure
No full textPlay is one of the most important parts of early childhood education in Australia.We know children learn about the world through play and it helps them build creativity and independence.There is also broad agreement among early childhood educators and policymakers about the importance of play from birth to five years.But once children start school, there is less certainty. Despite growing research about the importance of play in primary school, play is not often used for learning in these years.Our new study with Australian primary teachers highlights significant confusion about the role of play in their schools
EMOTION RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGNITY IN AI-BASED SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM
Get PDFBusinesses, governments and other entities are increasingly presentedwith AI-based ‘emotion recognition’ biometric systems, promoted as toolsoffering robust insights into the honesty, comprehension or health supportneeds of individuals, particularly students and employees. Australianuniversities may consider adopting this technology as they expand their AIengagement in learning/assessment platforms and student supportsystems. Automated emotion recognition systems pose legal and humanrights challenges arising from their potential to be used deterministically;their potential lack of reproducibility, replicability and validity; and theirsusceptibility to bias, notwithstanding their possible utility. Further, theyrely on non-consensual or co-opted participation of individuals whosedignity is eroded by consequent reduction from persons to data subjects.This article evaluates such systems through a dignitarian human rightslens, highlighting the need for a precautionary approach
The Contributions of Student-Level and Classroom-Level Factors for Australian Grade 2 Students’ Writing Performance
No full textUsing multilevel modeling, the current study examined student-level predictors of compositional quality and productivity in Grade 2 Australian children (N = 544), including handwriting automaticity, literacy skills, executive functioning, writing attitudes, and gender; and classroom-level (n = 47) variables predicting students’ writing outcomes, including the amount of time for writing practices and the explicit teaching of foundational (handwriting, spelling, grammar) and process writing skills (planning and revision strategies). Multilevel analyses revealed that student-level factors, including gender, general attitudes, and transcription skills (handwriting automaticity and spelling), were key predictors of writing outcomes. Interaction analyses showed that spelling and word reading influenced writing outcomes, with effects varying by gender. At the classroom-level, time spent on planning had a positive effect on students’ compositional quality, and time spent on spelling instruction had a negative effect on students’ compositional productivity. Implications for research and education are discussed
Curating the Underlying Dynamics of Successfully Aligning Big BIM Data: A Strategic Alignment Approach
No full textThe integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and big data (i.e., big BIM data) holds transformative potential for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector by enabling data-driven decision-making and facilitating innovation. This study leverages the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) to identify 36 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) through the Business Analytics framework, encompassing descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, to transform AEC data into actionable insights. Using the semi-structured interviews with 20 experienced practitioners, we unpack and unearth the capabilities of big BIM data in automating processes, increasing cognitive insight and enhancing cognitive engagement by effectively aligning BIM and big data strategies. The research also addresses challenges such as fragmented workflows, resistance to change, and the complexities of aligning strategies across SAM’s four domains: AEC Strategy, AEC Infrastructure and Processes, big BIM data Strategy, and big BIM data Infrastructure and Processes. The contribution of this study is threefold as we: (1) theoretically expand SAM, a well-established but underutilised model in the AEC sector, providing novel insights into its relevance for strategic alignment within the industry; (2) contextualise big BIM data attributes for practice in AEC organisations, engendering actionable guidance for aligning technical capabilities with strategic objectives; and (3) set forth an platform for future research to advance understanding of analytical techniques across different alignment perspectives