19683 research outputs found
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LGBTQA+ Mental Health and Suicidality: Victoria Briefing Paper
No full textSuicidality and mental ill-health are serious concerns that impact all parts of the population in Australia, although some are disproportionately affected. LGBTQA+ people are recognised in numerous Commonwealth, State and Territory mental health and suicide prevention strategies or action plans.However, LGBTQA+ people continue to face barriers to accessing affirming healthcare and, to-date, limited comprehensive data exists on the mental health and healthcare experiences of LGBTQA+ people. This briefing paper outlines findings from three major surveys of LGBTQA+ people and aims to:Highlight the extent and nature of mental ill-health and suicidality among LGBTQA+ young people and adults in Victoria (VIC).Explore the factors that can put people at greater risk of suicide or mental ill-health, as well as those that reduce their risk of suicide.Examine mental health service engagement and preferences among LGBTQA+ people in VIC.Draw comparisons between experience of LGBTQA+ people in VIC compared to other jurisdictions in Australia, and where possible, comparisons between LGBTQA+ people in VIC to the general population using the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS; 2022-2022).</p
Development of Electrochemical Sensors for SO<sub>2</sub> in Beverages
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
LGBTQA+ Mental Health and Suicidality: New South Wales Briefing Paper
No full textSuicidality and mental ill-health are serious concerns that impact all parts of the population in Australia, although some are disproportionately affected. LGBTQA+ people are recognised in numerous Commonwealth, State and Territory mental health and suicide prevention strategies or action plans.However, LGBTQA+ people continue to face barriers to accessing affirming healthcare and, to-date, limited comprehensive data exists on the mental health and healthcare experiences of LGBTQA+ people. This briefing paper outlines findings from three major surveys of LGBTQA+ people and aims to:Highlight the extent and nature of mental ill-health and suicidality among LGBTQA+ young people and adults in New South Wales (NSW).Explore the factors that can put people at greater risk of suicide or mental ill-health, as well as those that reduce their risk of suicide.Examine mental health service engagement and preferences among LGBTQA+ people in NSW.Draw comparisons between experience of LGBTQA+ people in NSW compared to other jurisdictions in Australia, and where possible, comparisons between LGBTQA+ people in NSW to the general population using the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS; 2022-2022).</p
Combinatorial and Exponential Algebras
No full textSubmitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Semelparous marsupials reduce sleep for sex
No full textSleep is a prominent, seemingly universal animal behavior. Although sleep maintains optimal waking performance, the biological drive to sleep may be incompatible with the life history of some species. In a multi-year study on semelparous marsupials in Australia, we provide the first direct evidence of ecological sleep restriction in a terrestrial mammal. Dusky (Antechinus swainsonii) and agile (A. agilis) antechinus have an unusual reproductive strategy characterized by the synchronous death of all males at the end of their only breeding season. Using accelerometry, electrophysiology, and metabolomics, we show that males, but not females, increase their activity during the breeding season by reducing sleep. In a trade-off between the neurophysiological requirements for sleep and evolutionary necessity for reproduction, strong sexual selection might drive males to sacrifice sleep to increase access to fertile females and ultimately maximize their fitness.</p
Could 'flipping' professional development engage teaching academics? Perceptions of authenticity and relevance
No full textImproving performance in learning and teaching through professional development (PD) of academic staff is a major goal of higher education institutions. However, gaps between strategy and implementation often hinder progress. Barriers include departmental cultures that do not value teaching, and insufficient attention to how academics perceive their PD needs. For decades, the significance of informal and social learning in the workplace has been known, yet academic development largely continues to be provided through formal instructional activities, focusing on individual development and with reports of low engagement. In this reflective study, we make use of two surveys of academic staff PD preferences in a STEM and health faculty of an Australian university, carried out in 2020 and 2021 for planning purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic but also in the context of a previous faculty re-think of academic development. Academic PD might be ‘flipped’ by addressing needs with recognition of perceptions of authenticity and relevance with informal, peer-to-peer workplace learning to complement formal activities. Understanding motivation for change is essential for engagement.</p
'Why do we have to be the gatekeepers?' Australian general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and prescribing intentions on e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid
No full textBackground: A significant policy change impacting the availability of nicotine for use in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in Australia took effect from October 1, 2021. This change meant that nicotine containing liquids for use with e-cigarettes would only be available by prescription from a medical practitioner as part of a smoking cessation plan. This study aimed to explore general practitioners (GPs) perceptions about the role of e-cigarettes, and understand factors informing their intentions to prescribe e-cigarettes as part of a smoking cessation plan. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen GPs. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to classify, describe and report themes in the data. QSR NVivo was used to aid coding, thematic analysis and retrieval of quotes. Results: Participants had diverse views on recommending and prescribing e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids to patients. Some participants were willing to prescribe e-cigarettes to patients if other methods of smoking cessation had not worked but there were concerns, and uncertainty, about the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. There was poor understanding of the current policy and legislation about e-cigarettes in Australia. Mostly the participants in this sample did not feel confident or comfortable to prescribe, or have discussions about e-cigarettes with patients. Conclusion: The participants of this study held diverse attitudes on recommending and prescribing e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Clarity in guidelines and consumer product information are required to enable GPs to provide consistent and accurate advice to patients that wish to use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.</p
