19683 research outputs found
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Supporting ‘Doing Development Differently’ Effectively: Analysing Attributes, Networks and Impacts of Donor‐Supported Pacific Development Coalitions
No full textDespite growing appreciation for the complexity of development and the need for adaptability, there remains a limited evidence base of how, where and why adaptive approaches to development improve development outcomes. This paper examines the organisational and political attributes of support provided to locally led development initiatives in the Pacific region supported by an Australian government development programme, as well as the extent to which these attributes were present in initiatives deemed by programme staff to be more or less successful. Findings include that positive outcomes are more likely to emerge from partners led by women working in politically stable environments. Rather than endorsing donors to support only such projects, we share a combination of findings to offer insights into how the impacts of development initiatives working in politically tricky settings may be understood holistically and with nuance and flexibility, leading to better project design and evaluation.</p
Wicked problems and bold solutions – aligning open education programs with academic reward and recognition
No full textThis presentation is about aligning open education programs with academic reward and recognition. It focuses on:centring practitioner development rather than narrow OER developmentdeveloping a holistic approach to open education projects through the scholarship of learning and teachingproblem-focused OER design and evaluation for impactThis talk was delivered by Steven Chang (La Trobe University) at the OE Global Conference 2024 in Brisbane, Australia (13-15 November 2024).</p
Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Signalling in Plants
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Enhancing global and regional maritime order
No full textOceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade. Ensuring fair and equitable access through waters across Asia is vital not just for those who live amongst it, but also for those who rely on it for trade. This report highlights the challenges faced in maintaining maritime order for all those that depend on the ocean.</p
Fresh perspectives on the Quad: emerging leaders on the key security challenges in our region
No full textIn this edition, emerging leaders from Australia, Japan, India and the United States discuss key issues facing the “Quad” (formerly known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). This Brief puts forward a strong case for the Quad working together on non-traditional security issues across the Indo-Pacific region. The next generation of Quad leaders view enhancing resilience against grey zone challenges, geoeconomics, outer spaces, critical technologies and human security as keys to unlocking the Quad’s potential. This challenges the Quad to deliver on public goods commitments to strengthen the free and open Indo-Pacific.</p
Effects of different modes of exercise on sleep quality in adults with chronic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial
No full textEvidence suggests an association between sleep and chronic low back pain. However, the effects of exercise training (first-line treatment) on sleep in this susceptible population group has received limited attention to date. This two-group parallel (1:1) randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12615001270505) allocated 40 adults with non-specific chronic low back pain to six months of either general strength and conditioning (n = 20) or motor control and manual therapy (n = 20). Sleep quality and sub-components were measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Both general strength and conditioning (β [95 %CI]: 1.58 [-2.70, −0.46]) and motor control and manual therapy (β [95 %CI]: 1.61 [-2.79, −0.43]) improved sleep quality, but there was no between-group difference (β [95 %CI]: 0.03 [-1.60, 1.65]). For sleep quality sub-components, general strength and conditioning improved daytime dysfunction (β [95 %CI]: 0.33 [-0.65, −.0.01]), but led to a decline in sleep efficiency (β [95 %CI]: 0.06 [0.01, 0.10]). Motor control and manual therapy improved sleep disturbance (β [95 %CI]: 0.31 [-0.55, −0.07]). Both interventions improved sleep quality and some sub-components. Future studies could include a true control, objective sleep measures, and investigation of potential mediators.</p
Epidemiology, Ecological Modelling, Population Genetics, and Landscape Genomics Analyses to Investigate the Persistence and Resurgence of Onchocerciasis in Africa
No full textSubmitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Worldmaking on shifting ice: Chinese and Indian cultural geographies of Antarctica
No full textThis article examines the parallel yet divergent histories of Indiaʼs and Chinaʼs Antarctic programmes, exploring their geopolitical, scientific, and cultural dimensions. Both nations, initially excluded from the Western-dominated Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), joined in the 1980s, marking a shift in their approach to the southern polar region. India, driven by post-colonial solidarity and environmental concerns, has focused on scientific research and conservation, while China has expanded its activities to include resource extraction and satellite surveillance, aligning with Russia to influence ATS policies. Both countries have leveraged their Antarctic presence to reinforce civilisational narratives—Indiaʼs Akhand Bharat and Chinaʼs tian xia—extending their cultural and geopolitical spheres. This article highlights their shared ambivalence towards ATS governance, their evolving strategies, and the role of Antarctica in their broader worldmaking projects. It argues that understanding these intertwined histories is crucial for addressing the conceptual clash between Global North-led environmental restrictions and Global South approaches to common resources, with implications for global climate and environmental governance.</p
Underwater Imagery Reveals Bryozoan Habitat in Western Port, South-East Australia
No full textLarge erect bryozoan colonies significantly enhance habitat complexity and associated biodiversity. Globally, bryozoan habitats are rare and at risk from anthropogenic disturbance. This paper presents two newly described bryozoan habitats in Western Port (~70 km south-east of Melbourne, Australia) and further expands our current knowledge of bryozoan habitats in other parts of the bay. These previously unknown bryozoan habitats discovered in the North and Western Arms of Western Port are comprised of laminar forms that develop erect plates, growing large (up to 1 m in circumference and vertical relief) robust colonies and structure on cobble and shelly sand substrates in areas of high current and moderate wave energy. These bryozoan habitats are composed of two main species: Adeonellopsis sulcata (Milne Edwards, 1836) and Celleporaria foliata (MacGillivray, 1888). Colonies of A. sulcata and C. foliata were in approximately equal proportional abundance at the North Arm site, while A. sulcata dominated the Western Arm site. These bryozoan habitats support a variety of marine life, with sponges, ascidians, molluscs, echinoderms, fishes, cnidarians, smaller, non-habitat-forming bryozoan species and macroalgae recorded. The North and Western Arm bryozoan habitats differ from previously described bryozoan reefs in the Eastern Arm, which are dominated by fenestrate species forming erect rounded foliose colonies arranged in continuous linear rows and patch reefs in shallower areas of the bay. The new findings add to an emerging understanding of bryozoan habitats in Western Port (a Ramsar site of international significance), which are unique in their ecophysical setting and one of only four known such habitats in Australia. Further research is needed to determine the extent of these habitats in Western Port, the biodiversity of associated species and ecological function.</p
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development in a Developing Country: The Mediating Role of Team Identity and Team Brand Image
No full textThis paper examines the mediating role of team identity and team brand image in the relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Using convenience sampling, 372 usable questionnaires were completed from fans of four Iranian football teams. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Positive and significant impacts were evident in the relationships between a) social responsibility and sustainable development; b) the team’s social responsibility and team identity; c) the team’s social responsibility and brand image; d) team identity and sustainable development; e) team brand image and sustainable development; as well as e) the mediating roles of team identity and brand image in the relationship between social responsibility and the sustainable development. Social responsibility can help to strengthen the team identity and brand image of the club in the minds of fans, as well as contribute to sustainable development. This research provides valuable insights into the link between social responsibility, team identity, team brand image, and sustainable development of football clubs in developing countries.</p