19683 research outputs found
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Strip clear-cutting transformations increase soil N<sub>2</sub>O emissions in abandoned Moso bamboo forests
No full textNo description supplied.</p
Beyond conventional critique in education: embracing the affirmative
No full textThis article provides new insight into the potentialities of critique. Drawing on posthuman critical theory and the Spinozan concept of power to act, we explore the limits of critique that centrally depends on making explicit power relations that are frequently hidden. Set within the context of inequalities surrounding sexuality, gender and mental health, this exploration involves two Australian government schools and critique as practised. The interdependence of affective, discursive and material relations as they play into these inequalities is shown. Affect and material forces emerge as constitutive aspects of critique with the capacity to address these inequalities and do so in generative ways. Critique presents as more than exposing power structures and power manifests as potentialising, as well as normalising. The argument is made that we might with profit move beyond human-centred and exclusively critical modes of critique. A de-centering of human subjects and re-centering of human and more-than-human relations augments received views of critique and reflects the immanent and productive power to act that underpins it. In bringing an enacted ontology of power to bear, what counts as critique is complex relational positioning with both criticality and affirmation at its core.</p
Autistic and autism community perspectives on infant and family support in the first two years of life: Findings from a community consultation survey
No full textEmerging evidence suggests parenting supports implemented in the first 2 years of life may influence developmental outcomes for infants more likely to be Autistic. Yet questions remain about acceptability of these supports to the Autistic and autism communities. Through mixed-methods participatory research – co-designed and produced by Autistic and non-Autistic researchers – we sought diverse community perspectives on this topic, including to understand the relative acceptability of different support options. A total of 238 participants completed our online survey: 128 Autistic and 110 non-Autistic respondents, some of whom also self-identified as parents of Autistic, otherwise neurodivergent, and/or neurotypical children, and/or as health/education professionals and/or researchers. Most participants agreed that very-early-in-life approaches should help parents understand and support their children, and disagreed that these should seek to suppress autistic behaviour. Most agreed with the goal of respecting infant autonomy, and that parent education towards creating sensitive, accommodating environments could be appropriate, albeit with nuanced differences-of-opinion regarding the acceptability of specific therapeutic approaches. Participants generally endorsed the terms ‘support’ (vs ‘intervention’) and ‘early-in-life’ (vs ‘at-risk’/‘pre-emptive’). Engaging equal-power partnerships for the development, delivery of, and discourse around early-in-life autism supports will ensure end-user community values and needs are respected. </p
The interplay of episodic power in enabling and coercive budgetary designs in universities: A case study
No full textThis paper explores how power exercised at the individual level within existing power relations in a university influences its enabling and coercive budgeting forms. A qualitative case study in a Sri Lankan university involved interviews and document analysis. Findings demonstrate the dominance of coercive controls over enabling controls in the university due to the power and influence of dominant individuals stemming from ongoing struggles among those pursuing diverse interests and strategic actions. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating how power is mobilised by actors and its impact on the variations of the enabling and coercive budgetary forms and practice.</p
“It’s so complicated”: a qualitative study of interpreters’ experiences working with speech pathologists to support the provision of aphasia rehabilitation
No full textPurpose: International migration and global ageing have resulted in burgeoning cultural and linguistic diversity in aphasia caseloads worldwide. Increasingly, speech pathologists do not share a language with their clients, yet there is a lack of evidence to guide the provision of aphasia rehabilitation when an interpreter is required. There is no available research exploring the perspectives of interpreters who work with speech pathologists in aphasia therapy sessions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight certified interpreters, exploring their experiences of working with speech pathologists delivering therapy to people with aphasia. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Data analysis revealed eleven Group Experiential Themes. These were further clustered into three top-level categories: (i) interpreting for aphasia involves non-standard practices for interpreters; (ii) collaboration between the speech pathologist and interpreter is crucial for understanding critical aspects of aphasia therapy and interpreting; and (iii) additional knowledge and skills are required to manage interpreting for aphasia. Conclusions: This study offers new insights into the challenges interpreters face working with speech pathologists to support the provision of aphasia therapy. The findings emphasise the need for broader systemic changes to ensure health services offer culturally responsive and equitable aphasia rehabilitation to diverse caseloads.</p
Avian prey intake and breeding success parity of the powerful owl in dry, inland Victoria
No full textApex predators are vulnerable to environmental changes which can cascade through trophic levels of an ecosystem. Investigating prey-predator relationships is important for directing conservation efforts and understanding how species may respond to ecosystem changes. This case study examined the diet and breeding success of the threatened powerful owl Ninox strenua in central Victoria where the box-ironbark forests have undergone widespread clearing, fragmentation, and degradation. The powerful owl preys predominantly on arboreal mammals, however, some birds are also consumed. By analysing the contents of regurgitated owl pellets of two owl pairs, we found that birds comprised 29.3% of all prey items and contributed the largest proportion of prey biomass for one pair (34.4%). All mammalian prey species identified in the pellet remains are dependent on tree hollows, which are now a scarce and competitive resource in box-ironbark forests. Despite consuming a diet lower in mammalian prey than found in other studies, breeding success over five consecutive years was 1.4 chicks fledged per pair per year, which is notably higher than historical observations in the region and similar to powerful owls in other parts of their distribution. Our observations suggest that flexibility in prey selection enables powerful owls to occupy ranges that have undergone significant ecosystem change.</p
Floating Nanoballoons for Improved Bioavailability and Sustained Release Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ibuprofen
No full textAbstract:- Background and objectives: Poor bioavailability and a short half-life limit the therapeutic efficacy of ibuprofen. This study developed floating nanoballoons to enhance ibuprofen’s bioavailability and sustain its anti-inflammatory effects through improved gastric retention. Methods: Ibuprofen-loaded nanoballoons were synthesized using solvent evaporation with ethyl cellulose as the polymer matrix. The formulation was characterized for morphology, buoyancy, drug loading, and release kinetics. In vivo studies assessed the anti-inflammatory efficacy in acute and chronic inflammation models using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: The nanoballoons exhibited optimal characteristics, including 96% buoyancy and a drug loading efficiency of 96.54 ± 1.32%. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed a spherical morphology with a porous structure. Drug release followed a biphasic pattern: an initial release of 35.23 ± 2.13% over 2 h, followed by sustained release reaching 97.54 ± 1.30% at 12 h. In acute inflammation studies, the nanoballoon formulation showed superior edema inhibition (68.12%) compared to pure ibuprofen (51.67%). Chronic inflammation studies demonstrated significant improvements in inflammatory markers: reduced TNF-α (19.12 ± 0.48 vs. 31.11 ± 1.23 pg/mL), hs-CRP (201.7 ± 11.02 vs. 232.12 ± 11.33 ng/mL), and IL-6 (100.01 ± 18.40 vs. 135 ± 11.22 pg/mL), with increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 (507.18 ± 10.11 vs. 276.11 ± 19.16 pg/mL). Conclusions: The developed floating nanoballoon system significantly enhanced ibuprofen’s bioavailability and anti-inflammatory efficacy, presenting a promising gastro-retentive delivery platform for poorly water-soluble drugs.</p
Inclusive mainstream services for people with intellectual disabilities: A relational approach
No full textAbstract:-Background:Despite growing recognition of their right for inclusion in society, people with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from mainstream services, or experience poor service outcomes.Method:Taking a relational approach that considers the interpersonal relations and interactions that occur in mainstream service settings in Australia, this paper examines the features of services that research participants considered more inclusive.Results:Relations between service users with and without intellectual disabilities, mainstream service staff and disability support workers in inclusive mainstream services were characterised by; respect; warm, welcoming and convivial interpersonal engagement; active listening; proactive assistance; flexibility; mediation to create a safe environment; and collaboration and shared responsibility by both mainstream staff and disability support workers in supporting a service user with intellectual disability.Conclusions:Building on these results, we put forward a set of principles for facilitating inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in mainstream services.</p
Substance use and the Sustainable Development Goals: will development bring greater problems?
No full textPurpose: The United Nations has adopted a set of 17 interlocking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015–2030. This commentary discusses how alcohol and other drugs have been dealt with and discussed in the context of the Goals, and issues raised by the relationship and history of how alcohol and other drug use and problems relate to development. Material and methods: A cross-section of discussions of alcohol and drugs in the context of the SDGs is considered, and evidence considered on the relationship and history of alcohol and drug use and problems to development. Results: While alcohol and narcotic drugs are mentioned in the SDG Targets, there has been little consideration of what effects attaining the goals may have on levels of alcohol and other drug consumption and problems. In cross-sectional comparisons, there are higher average levels of consumption of alcohol and controlled drugs in richer societies, and among richer than poorer individuals. But the harm per unit of use tends to be lower for richer individuals, and in richer societies. We consider how these two contrary trends may apply with socioeconomic development, given that development has often brought increases in substance use, and societal responses to limit the harms are often delayed by a generation or more, often resulting in ‘long waves’ of consumption and associated harms. Conclusions: To take alcohol and other drugs coherently into account in the Sustainable Development Goals, along with recognising that they are marketable and sometimes useful products, and thus involved to some extent in economic development, there needs to be action at national and international levels which recognises their double-sided nature—including market controls on commercial products to channel and limit availability and minimise harm.</p
Isothermal Detection Methods for Fungal Pathogens in Closed Environment Agriculture
No full textClosed environment agriculture (CEA) is rapidly gaining traction as a sustainable option to meet global food demands while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Fungal pathogens represent a significant threat to crop productivity in CEA, where the controlled conditions can inadvertently foster their growth. Historically, the detection of pathogens has largely relied on the manual observation of signs and symptoms of disease in the crops. These approaches are challenging at large scale, time consuming, and often too late to limit crop loss. The emergence of fungicide resistance further complicates management strategies, necessitating the development of more effective diagnostic tools. Recent advancements in technology, particularly in molecular and isothermal diagnostics, offer promising tools for the early detection and management of fungal pathogens. Innovative detection methods have the potential to provide real-time results and enhance pathogen management in CEA systems. This review explores isothermal amplification and other new technologies in detection of fungal pathogens that occur in CEA.</p