154 research outputs found
Recovering a lost baseline: missing kelp forests from a metropolitan coast
No full text© 2008 AuthorThere is concern about historical and continuing loss of canopy-forming algae across the world’s temperate coastline. In South Australia, the sparse cover of canopy-forming algae on the Adelaide metropolitan coast has been of public concern with continuous years of anecdotal evidence culminating in 2 competing views. One view considers that current patterns existed before the onset of urbanisation, whereas the alternate view is that they developed after urbanisation. We tested hypotheses to distinguish between these 2 models, each centred on the reconstruction of historical covers of canopies on the metropolitan coast. Historically, the metropolitan sites were indistinguishable from contemporary populations of reference sites across 70 km (i.e. Gulf St. Vincent), and could also represent a random subset of exposed coastal sites across 2100 km of the greater biogeographic province. Thus there was nothing ‘special’ about the metropolitan sites historically, but today they stand out because they have sparser covers of canopies compared to equivalent locations and times in the gulf and the greater province. This is evidence of wholesale loss of canopy-forming algae (up to 70%) on parts of the Adelaide metropolitan coast since major urbanisation. These findings not only set a research agenda based on the magnitude of loss, but they also bring into question the logic that smaller metropolitan populations of humans create impacts that are trivial relative to that of larger metropolitan centres. Instead, we highlight a need to recognise the ecological context that makes some coastal systems more vulnerable or resistant to increasing human-domination of the world’s coastlines. We discuss challenges to this kind of research that receive little ecological discussion, particularly better leadership and administration, recognising that the systems we study out-live the life spans of individual research groups and operate on spatial scales that exceed the capacity of single research providers.Sean D. Connell, Bayden D. Russell, David J. Turner, Scoresby A. Shepherd, Timothy Kildea, David Miller, Laura Airoldi, Anthony Cheshir
A comparative analysis of student use of The New York times print and digital formats:
No full textThis study compares how students use newspapers across digital and print formats and examines reader preferences. Studies have shown that when using online versions of newspapers, readers were less likely to follow “media cues” – aspects of a newspaper such as story placement, headline size, story size, or photographs, which cue readers that a story is important. This study compared use and preference of three formats of the New York Times – the traditional print version, online, and a “reader” program called the New York Times Reader. The researcher found that while students were more likely to follow media cues using the print version of the New York Times than they were using the online version, they were more likely to follow these cues using the NYT Reader than the online version. Participants showed a strong preference for using digital formats and overwhelmingly rejected the print version of the New York Times in comparison. The NYT Reader was the format most preferred by users even though they claimed the navigational experience was more similar to using a print paper than when they used the online version. This suggests the tactile nature of ink on paper and the student’s familiarity with computer interfaces are likely reasons the participants rejected the print paper but most preferred the digital format that replicated the print paper reading experience. Previous research that revealed the loss of control of gatekeepers in online formats should revisit the topic using different formats to attempt to determine what is most likely to attract readers to newspapers in their various formats.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-102)by Shawn P. Kilde
Detection of resistance in Phytophthora infestans to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides using digital droplet PCR
No full textBACKGROUND
Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans remains the greatest biotic threat to potato production globally. In northern Europe to prevent the disease and associated yield losses fungicides are heavily relied upon, with multiple applications required during the potato growing season. Unfortunately, such intensive fungicide usage has the potential to compromise control efficacy as it puts in place immense selective pressure for the emergence and spread of fungicide resistant strains of P. infestans. In recent years this scenario has been realized, with the emergence of strains resistant to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides. As resistance to the CAA fungicides in P. infestans has been confirmed to result from changes in the pathogen's cellulose synthase A3 gene (CesA3), specifically at amino acid position 1105, it opens the possibility to develop molecular tools to rapidly monitor populations of the pathogen for the resistance allele.
RESULTS
Using the Stilla naica® 3-colour system a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was successfully developed to simultaneously detect the P. infestans CesA3 gene irrespective of its CAA sensitivity status, and either the CAA wild-type sequence for position 1105 or that conferring the resistant allele G1105S. Using a ‘drop-off’ in ratio of positive droplets for either the wild-type or G1105S alleles relative to those positive for the general P. infestans CesA3 it was also possible to demonstrate that using the assay other potential alterations known to confer resistance that may occur at this position (e.g. G1105V) can be detected. The assay was validated using DNA extracted from P. infestans cultures or infected leaves preserved on FTA cards.
CONCLUSIONS
The assay developed will allow for the accurate and sensitive detection of CAA resistance conferred by alterations at amino acid position 1105 in the CesA3 gene in P. infestans. The capacity to use the assay with multiple DNA sources and potential to adapt the ‘drop-off’ approach to different ddPCR platforms will ensure its applicability to the wider P. infestans community in monitoring the continued use of CAA-based fungicides for P. infestans management. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry
Schooling federalism: evaluating the options for reform
No full textThe most efficient way to run, fund and regulate primary and secondary schools in Australia is for the State and Territory Governments to have sole responsibility.
Background
Australian federalism has evolved significantly since Federation in 1901. There is now extensive, contested concurrency in Commonwealth and State or Territory government roles and responsibilities, particularly in the schooling portfolio, where it has effectively moved from being a state responsibility to a shared responsibility. The degree of national government involvement in schooling is unprecedented and higher than that of any other federal government in the world. Uncoordinated decision-making, a mismatch in revenue versus responsibilities, and unhelpful overlap in some roles has contributed to the exacerbation of disadvantage and inequities, limiting the effectiveness of government funding and programs. This poses dire consequences for individual students and the nation.
This change was not by design. But its reform can be. The White Paper on the Reform of the Federation was established to investigate federalism reform in a range of portfolios characterised by complex, counterproductive and inconsistent government roles; propose and consult on a range of reform options; and set out a platform for improvement.
It is led by a Taskforce located within the Prime Minister’s department, overseen by an intergovernmental steering committee and expert advisory panel.
Evaluating the options for reform
In June 2015, four options for reform to government roles and responsibilities in the schooling portfolio were leaked and later publicly released by the Taskforce. These options were the product of discussions with stakeholders, all the States and Territories, and the Prime Minister’s Expert Advisory Panel.
1. States and Territories fully responsible for all schools
2. States and Territories responsible
for funding public schools and the Commonwealth responsible for funding nongovernment schools. States remain responsible for delivery education in government schools and the regulatory framework for all schools.
3. Reduced Commonwealth involvement in school programs
4. The Commonwealth is the dominant funder of all students on an equal and consistent basis, but States and Territories maintain other current responsibilities, including regulatory framework and provision of public schools.
The reform plan put forward by the Taskforce in the final White Paper must be within the current constitutional framework (meaning constitutional change is not required).
Purpose of this paper
This paper evaluates these four options against the criteria established by Australia’s governments. It also considers the feasibility and desirability of each option. In doing so, it seeks to enhance understanding of federalism in schooling, and to contribute to public debate on the reform options under consideration by the leaders of Australia’s governments
COAG
No full textThis paper provides an overview of the operation of the Commonwealth of Australian Governments (COAG) and other aspects of intergovernmental relations in Australia.SummaryIn 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) adopted a new national reform agenda and established the COAG Reform Council, developments which were later used as a foundation for the first Rudd Government’s reforms to intergovernmental relations in Australia. These reforms used COAG as their focus and established a revised federal financial relations scheme and a broader reform agenda. They also gave the COAG Reform Council an expanded role in measuring the progress of reform across all jurisdictions and reporting its findings to COAG.The apparatus of COAG and intergovernmental relations now encompasses an extensive system of COAG Councils and other fora, as well as less visible forms of collaboration, which take place between the agencies and officers of all levels of government. This structure is largely focussed on developing and implementing the COAG reform agenda, which covers a wide range of policy fields, including education, skills and training, health, housing and homelessness, the environment and regulatory reform. This policy agenda is underpinned by the revised financial framework that is embodied in the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations.The reforms to COAG and its processes instituted by the first Rudd Government have changed the character of COAG, arguably transforming it from a leaders’ summit to a central institution of government. This new significance of COAG has given rise to renewed concerns relating to the lack of permanency, transparency and accountability in intergovernmental relations.This paper provides an overview of the operation of COAG, and other aspects of intergovernmental relations in Australia. A two-part approach has been taken. Part One provides a ‘bare bones’ overview of the framework of COAG and its reform agenda. Its aim is to provide a kind of ‘mud map’ to enable relatively easy navigation of the labyrinthine structure of COAG, its associated Councils and its current reform agenda. Much of the information contained in the first part is taken from COAG-related websites. In an attempt to make this map clear, commentary and critique has been left to Part Two of the paper, to the extent that this is possible.COAG is something of an atypical body or institution, neither constitutional nor statutory in origin or nature. It is more amorphous, an administrative creation of executive will, resistant to neat description or characterisation. It is something of a moveable feast, constantly changing and adapting to political and other circumstances. Any description of it can therefore only hope to capture its working at a particular point in time. It is this task that Part One of this paper has set itself, relying solely on publicly available material.Part Two provides an overview of some of the current evaluations of COAG, in light of its apparent transformation, and also some of the suggestions for reform that have been put forward. Part Two does not attempt to cover all of the relevant issues that are identified in the literature about federalism and intergovernmental relations. Its aim is rather to canvass some of these issues in a broad way while focussing primarily on COAG. Discussed in Part Two are the following issues with COAG and the practice of intergovernmental relations in Australia:· Lack of transparency in intergovernmental relations;· Accountability – COAG, intergovernmental relations and Parliaments;· Commonwealth’s dominance of COAG;· Lack of institutional structures and systems; and· COAG & the consequences of intergovernmental relations.Many of the problems associated with intergovernmental relations in Australia can be traced back to the features of Australia’s federal structure, which continues to influence and shape the ways in which governments transact their affairs. The continuing relevance of the issues discussed in Part Two of this paper suggest the need for considered evaluation of Australian federalism in the twenty-first century, what it is, what it does, what it should do and where it is going. 
Potatoes in Ireland: Sixty years of potato research and development, market evolution and perspectives on future challenges
No full textpeer-reviewedPotato is often considered synonymous with Ireland, due to the great Irish famine in 1845, and remains the most important primary food crop in Ireland. Over the last 60 yr, the area of potatoes has reduced from 86,000 ha to 9,000 ha. This trend has occurred in most developed countries but in Ireland it is due to decreasing consumption, increasing yield, decline in seed production and potatoes no longer being use for animal feed. Significant specialisation occurred in the industry during the 1990s, with improvements in agronomy, on farm investment in storage and field equipment, consolidation of packing facilities, and a significant shift in cultivar choice, with Rooster becoming the dominant cultivar. These developments led to an increase in yield from 20 t/ha in the mid-1980s to over 40 t/ha today. Potato research in Ireland has focused on breeding, pathology and agronomy, while there have been significant changes in how knowledge is communicated to growers and the industry in this period. The industry faces many challenges in the future, largely framed by climate change, the need to reduce fertiliser and plant protection products as part of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and industry size constraints. New superior potato varieties and novel breeding techniques will have potential to help address many challenges in combination with integrated pest management principles. Multi-actor approaches will be necessary to address all challenges but particularly to aid the industry grow and exploit emerging opportunities
First report of the Phytophthora infestans EU_43_A1 clonal lineage and associated PiCesA3 mutation G1105S in Ireland
No full textThe use of (Delta)15N signatures of translocated macroalgae to map coastal nutrient plumes: Improving species selection and spatial analysis of metropolitan datasets
No full textThe definition of the spatial footprint of land-derived nutrient plumes is a key element to the design of initiatives to combat eutrophication in urbanised coastal regions. These plumes, however, are difficult to monitor because of their inherent high-frequency temporal and spatial variability. Biomonitoring with macroalgae provides time-integration of bioavailable nitrogen inputs through the measurement of δ¹⁵N signatures in tissues, and adequate spatial coverage through translocation to desirable monitoring locations. In this study, we used laboratory incubations to compare three different species of macroalgae as bioindicators, and a field experiment to investigate the applicability of the technique for the large-scale mapping of nutrient plumes. Cladophora valonioides was selected for the field experiment as it showed rapid changes in δ¹⁵N values in the laboratory incubations, was abundant in shallow depths making collection cost-efficient, and had tough thalli capable of withstanding deployment in open water. Ecklonia radiata also performed well in the laboratory incubations, but field harvest from subtidal depths was comparatively more expensive. Ulva lactuca had fragile thalli, and large nitrogen reserves that acted to mask the isotopic signal of newly acquired nitrogen. Cladophora valonioides was translocated to 246 sites covering an area of ~445 km² along the highly urbanized temperate coast of Adelaide, South Australia. The resulting isotopic signatures of nitrogen in tissues were spatially interpolated to produce maps of land-derived nutrient plumes, to model probability and standard error in the predictive surface, and to optimize sampling design.M. Fernandes, S. Benger, S. K. Sharma, S. Gaylard, T. Kildea, S. Hoare, M. Braley and A. D. Irvin
Measuring what matters in delivering services to remote-dwelling Indigenous mothers and infants in the Northern Territory, Australia
No full textProblem: In the Northern Territory, 64% of Indigenous births are to remote-dwelling mothers. Delivering high-quality health care in remote areas is challenging, but service improvements, informed by participative action research, are under way. Evaluation of these initiatives requires appropriate indicators. Few of the many existing maternal and infant health indicators are specifically framed for the remote context or exemplify an Indigenous consumer perspective. We aimed to identify an indicator framework with appropriate indicators to demonstrate improvements in health outcomes, determinants of health and health system performance for remote-dwelling mothers and infants from pregnancy to first birthday. Design: We reviewed existing indicators; invited input from experts; investigated existing administrative data collections and examined findings from a record audit, ethnographic work and the evaluation of the Darwin Midwifery Group Practice. Setting: Northern Territory. Process: About 660 potentially relevant indicators were identified. We adapted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework and populated the resulting framework with chosen indicators. We chose the indicators best able to monitor the impact of changes to remote service delivery by eliminating duplicated or irrelevant indicators using expert opinion, triangulating data and identifying key issues for remote maternal and infant health service improvements. Lessons learnt: We propose 31 indicators to monitor service delivery to remote-dwelling Indigenous mothers and infants. Our inclusive indicator framework covers the period from pregnancy to the first year of life and includes existing indicators, but also introduces novel ones. We also attempt to highlight an Indigenous consumer.Malinda Steenkamp, Alice R. Rumbold, Sue Kildea, Sarah J. Bar-Zeev, Sue Kruske, Terry Dunbar, and Lesley Barcla
Elemental analysis of hair provides biomarkers of maternal hardship linked to adverse behavioural outcomes in 4-year-old children: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study
No full textBackground: Exposure to adverse experiences during pregnancy, such as a natural disaster, can modify development of the child with potential long-term consequences. Elemental hair analysis may provide useful indicators of cellular homeostasis and child health. The present study investigated (1) if flood-induced prenatal maternal stress is associated with altered hair elemental profiles in 4-year-old children, and (2) if hair elemental profiles are associated with behavioural outcomes in children. Methods: Participants were 75 children (39 boys; 36 girls) whose mothers were exposed to varying levels of stress due to a natural disaster (2011 Queensland Flood, Australia) during pregnancy. At 4 years of age, language development, attention and internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed and scalp hair was collected. Hair was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for 28 chemical elements. Results: A significant curvilinear association was found between maternal objective hardship and copper levels in boys, as low and high maternal objective hardship levels were associated with the highest hair copper levels. Mediation analysis revealed that low levels of maternal objective hardship and high levels of copper were associated with lower vocabulary scores. Higher levels of maternal objective hardship were associated with higher magnesium levels, which in turn were associated with attention problems and aggression in boys. In girls, high and low maternal objective hardship levels were associated with high calcium/potassium ratios. Conclusion: Elemental hair analysis may provide a sensitive biomonitoring tool for early identification of health risks in vulnerable children.Full Tex
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