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The faculty clinical practice model provides dedicated time for nursing lecturers and educators in a university school of nursing to work with supervision in the clinical environments for an agreed amount of time each year. Allowing academics to partake in faculty clinical practice this way has been shown to update skills and retain clinical competency. Some nursing and midwifery academics believe it is essential to remain clinically current and up-to-date with professional issues in the clinical environments, whereas other academics believe reading current research maintains clinical competency. This discussion paper will explore the authors' own experiences of faculty clinical practice as an opportunity to enhance their learning. Narrative accounts of time spent in the clinical areas being expressed as invaluable as it allowed the authors to become part of the health professional team, refine clinical skills, gain clinical confidence, and share knowledge. This, in turn, impacted upon the academic's teaching style as well as redefined it by introducing incidents and stories from their experience. It has been concluded by the authors that faculty clinical practice allows academics to increase confidence, encourage leadership skills, and improve their teaching abilities in their clinical area of expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overuse of empirical intravenous antibiotics in neonates in high-income countries (HICs) is well documented. The Kaiser Permanente neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) calculator is an evidence-based sepsis risk assessment tool that has demonstrated potential to reduce antibiotic usage in this population. The incidence of early-onset sepsis in most HICs is 0.4–0.8 per 1000 live births. The objective was to evaluate the calculator's impact on antibiotic rates and length of stay in a regional level II Special Care Nursery. A single-centre retrospective cohort study compared antibiotic administration rates in the first 72 h in neonates ≥35 weeks gestation born during two 6-month periods in 2019 (pre-EOS calculator) and 2021 (post-EOS calculator). Electronic and paper case records were accessed to capture data. Continuous data were summarised using mean and standard deviation, and categorical data were summarized using frequency distributions. There were 951 (2019) and 1129 (2021) infants born during the study periods. Following implementation of the calculator, antibiotic exposure decreased from 13.7% to 4.7% of all neonates without reported negative outcomes. Mean length of stay for neonates born across the two periods decreased from 2.38 to 2.13 days. Indications for antibiotic use shifted more towards clinical condition and away from obstetric risk factors. There were no culture-proven cases of sepsis or readmissions with EOS in either period. Implementation of the EOS calculator significantly reduced exposure to antibiotics, without adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of service data for cardiac rehabilitation limits understanding of program delivery, benchmarking and quality improvement. This study aimed to describe current practices, management, utilisation and engagement with quality indicators in Australian programs. Cardiac rehabilitation programs (n=396) were identified from national directories and networks. Program coordinators were surveyed on service data capture, management systems and adoption of published national quality indicators. Text responses were coded and classified. Logistic regression determined independent associates of the use of data for quality improvement. A total of 319 (81%) coordinators completed the survey. Annual patient enrolments/programs were >200 (31.0%), 51−200 (46%) and ≤50 (23%). Most (79%) programs used an electronic system, alongside paper (63%) and/or another electronic system (19%), with 21% completely paper. While 84% knew of the national quality indicators, only 52% used them. Supplementary to patient care, data were used for reports to managers (57%) and funders (41%), to improve quality (56%), support funding (43%) and research (31%). Using data for quality improvement was more likely when enrolments where >200 (Odds ratio [OR] 3.83, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.76−8.34) and less likely in Victoria (OR 0.24 95%, CI 0.08−0.77), New South Wales (OR 0.25 95%, CI 0.08−0.76) and Western Australia (OR 0.16 95%, CI 0.05−0.57). The collection of service data for cardiac rehabilitation patient data and its justification is diverse, limiting our capacity to benchmark and drive clinical practice. The findings strengthen the case for a national low-burden approach to data capture for quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The geographic distribution of Rhipicephalus linnaei is much wider than previously known. • Rhipicephalus linnaei was recorded on a dingo. • The record of R. linnaei on a dingo suggest that dingoes might aid the spread of Ehrlichia canis in Australia. • We discuss possible incursion routes and how E. canis has apparently spread rapidly in Australia. The tropical brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus linnaei , is a tick of much medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance. This tick has a nearly world-wide distribution due to its ability to survive and propagate in kennels and houses. Rhipicephalus linnaei is the vector of Ehrlichia canis , the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, an often debilitating disease of canids and, occasionally, humans. To prevent incursion of E. canis into Australia, dogs entering Australia have been required to have a negative immunofluorescence antibody test for E. canis. In May 2020 however, E. canis was detected in Western Australia. The detection of E. canis in Australia prompted disease investigation and concerted surveillance for R. linnaei and E. canis in regions across Australia. These investigations revealed that R. linnaei was established far beyond the previously recognised geographic range limits of this tick. In the present paper, using records from various collections, published data, and data from our network of veterinarian collaborators and colleagues, we update the current geographic range of R. linnaei in Australia. Our analyses revealed that the geographic range of R. linnaei in Australia is much wider than was previously supposed, particularly in Western Australia, and in South Australia. We also map, for the first time, where E. canis has been detected in Australia. Last, we discuss the possible routes of incursion and subsequently the factors which may have aided the spread of E. canis in Australia which led to the establishment of this pathogen in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wrist fractures are common injuries associated with high disability in the early recovery period. The impact of wrist fractures on safe return to drive is not understood. (1) To compare the proportion of adults who were drivers in car crashes before and after wrist fracture; (2) To examine potential factors (demographic and/or clinical) associated with increased odds of being a driver in a car crash following wrist fracture. Retrospective cohort study. Three state-wide government datasets (MainRoads Western Australia [WA], Hospital Morbidity Data Collection and the Emergency Department Data Collection) were used to obtain and link demographic, clinical and car crash information relating to adults with a wrist fracture sustained between 2008 and 2017. McNemar's tests were used to compare the proportion of drivers in a car crash within the 2 years prior to and following the fracture date. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify if any variables were associated with increased odds of crashing in the post-fracture period. Data relating to 37,107 adults revealed a 3.3% (95% CI 3.0%–3.6%, p < 0.05) decrease in the proportion of drivers in a car crash following wrist fracture, persisting for the entire 2 years post-fracture, when compared to the proportion who crashed before their fracture. Those with more severe wrist fracture injury patterns had 79%(95% CI 1.07–3.0, p = 0.03) higher odds of having a crash in the first 3 months following their injury, compared to those with isolated wrist fracture injuries. These results inform and update return to drive recommendations. The reduced proportion of drivers involved in crashes following wrist fracture persisted for 2 years; longer than the expected physical recovery timeframe. It is important that hand therapists actively educate the sub-group of adults with more severe wrist fracture injury patterns of the increased likelihood of car crash for the 3 months following their fracture. • This the first paper to report on car crashes following wrist fracture. • We provide much needed information to assist with return to drive decision-making. • Those with severe injury had 79% higher odds of crashing in the initial 3-months. • Education is recommended for the sub-group with 3-months of increased crash risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper uses a constructivist phenomenological study with 55 in-depth interviews. • Participants include representatives from diverse Western Australian businesses. • Uses a workplace vignette to elicit cultural norms from the participants. • Thematic analysis used to classify interview text into specific concepts and phrases. • New employees, pro-active approach, and 'No-blame' culture are the key themes. Introduction: This paper uses an extensive review of the safety culture literature to identify three key themes (a) role of new employees, (b) absence of a pro-active approach, and (c) need for a 'No-blame' culture, and explores their impact on the occupational health and safety culture (OHS). Method: We use a qualitative study with a constructivist phenomenological approach consisting of 55 in-depth interviews with a diverse range of participants, including business owners, line managers and supervisors, OHS advisors, workers, and union representatives in Western Australia. A workplace vignette was used to elicit cultural norms derived from the participants' attitudes and beliefs, which were analyzed using NVivo software to conduct a thematic analysis to classify the interview text into specific concepts and phrases. Results: Findings confirm the three themes identified from our literature review and provide useful insights into the challenges faced by the participants in the implementation of safety policies. Practical Applications: Besides extending the occupational health and safety literature, these findings have important managerial implications in view of the evolving nature of work and workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fair representation of different communities of interest is a central tenet of democracy. In Australia, governments at all levels historically employed rural weightings to maintain the representation of sparsely-populated regions. However, these have fallen out of favor as demands for one-person, one-vote equality have become the norm. This nominal equality can create other forms of bias in areas of uneven population which have distinct communities of interest, as is the case in many rural local governments. This paper explores this bias by unpacking findings of a ward boundary review in the rural local government Shire of Dandaragan in Western Australia. Drawing on interviews with councilors and community stakeholders, it examines different proposals for fair representation via ward and non-ward based structures. It finds that fair representation of all communities is challenged by inherent biases in the criteria for drawing ward boundaries that are often not well understood by those involved. It shows how a 'no ward' system which allows smaller communities to coordinate behind a single reputable candidate can generate fairer representation than a system of wards whose boundaries may or may not align with communities of interest. • Local governments in Australia can be based around a system of wards or elected 'at-large' in a no-ward district. • Ward boundaries must by law be based around communities of interest and also reflect equality in councilor-to-elector ratios. • These criteria are in tension in many rural areas. • The findings of this paper highlight the perceived and actual bias which emerged in a ward boundary review of the Shire of Dandaragan, a rural local government area in Western Australia. • Fair representation under various boundary options was challenged by inherent and structural biases often not well-understood by community stakeholders and decision-makers. • We conclude that a no ward system can produce fairer representation than a system of wards which may not align with communities of interest given equality requirements when populations are unevenly distributed across wards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C/SiC composites have excellent mechanical properties such as high specific strength and high temperature resistance, and are widely used in aerospace fields. However, due to its special structure and material properties, the tool wear is severe when machining with conventional methods, and the processing quality is poor. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the progressive wear behavior, wear mechanism of the tool, and its effect on machining performance in conventional milling (CM) and ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling (UVM) of C/SiC composites under forward fiber cutting (FC) and reverse fiber cutting (RC). The material removal and heat transfer models were established, and the stress distribution characteristics of cutting -edge were analyzed by finite element method (FEM). Combined with the wear morphology, cutting heat, and cutting force, the tool wear behavior and mechanism in UVM and CM under FC and RC were studied, and their effects on machining quality were analyzed. The results show that there are great differences in heat transfer and removal process between FC and RC. In UVM, the introduction of ultrasonic vibration reduces the adhesion of fine chips, weakens the strong friction and scratching between the hard chips and the cutting -edge, and alleviates the tool wear. The flank wear VB and cutting -edge wear area WA in RC are larger than those in FC, the abrasive wear is intensified, the material even peeling under mechanical shock, and the adhesive wear is more serious. When the tool wear intensifies to a certain extent, the difference of the cutting process caused by mechanical anisotropy of C/SiC composites is weakened, and the surface micro-defects and surface roughness Sa change little under FC and RC. This research contributes to the realization of high-quality and low-cost processing of C/SiC composites. • Heat transfer and mechanical properties of materials differ greatly between FC and RC. • Micro-brittle damage of the material alleviates tool wear in UVM. • Differences in removal mechanisms and thermal properties make VB and WA in RC larger than FC. • Quality difference caused by anisotropic properties in FC and RC is weakened when tool wear intensifies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native plants in Western Australia have been highly valued in urban environments due to their endemicity, adaptivity to local conditions and their positive impact on local identity. However, the process of urbanisation often leads to the destruction or significant alteration of native landscapes to meet amenity demands and diverse aesthetic preferences, ecological and functional requirements that vary across societies and over time. This paper examines the role of native and non-native plant species in urban areas of Western Australia with particular reference to the needs of bees (both honeybees and Australian native bees). The analysis draws on the perspectives, vision, and practical experiences of landscape practitioners, beekeepers, and ecologists specialising in native bees and plant pollination. The findings suggest that urban biodiversity in Western Australia inherently involves a combination of native and non-native plant species. Consequently, designing plant arrangements that attract a diverse range of pollinators, including both native and non-native bees, necessitates a specific approach. The results showing that all landscape practitioner respondents have used non-native plants in design practices and acknowledged them as a part of urban biodiversity in Western Australia. All ecologist respondents and 31 % of beekeeper respondents agreed on the existence of competition between native and non-native bees. While ecologist respondents emphasised the significance of native plants for native bees, they still hold positive attitude towards the use of non-native plants in urban landscapes. This research provides valuable guidance for designing urban landscapes that support a diverse range of pollinators and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in Western Australia. Three key guidance for bee botanic garden plant selections are: (1) Promoting interdisciplinary research and collaboration; (2) Maximising site value and ecosystem integration when considering plant selections; and (3) Incorporating diverse plant collections for varied purposes, such as native plant collection, spontaneous gardens, orchards and preserved remnant bush gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paired study, we apply a recently developed high-resolution bathymetry estimation algorithm ("cBathy") to X-band marine radar observations at two nearshore field sites. The algorithm exploits observations of the spatial structure of wave phase to attain wavenumber estimates, inverts the linear water wave dispersion relation for depth, and then applies a Kalman filter to objectively update the bathymetry estimates. Previously, performance has only been tested using optical video observations. In this first of two papers, performance of the algorithm using X-band radar image time series is tested at two disparate barred beach environments: Duck, NC, USA, and Benson Beach, WA, USA. Each of the test beaches is either co-located with (Duck, NC) or geographically close to (Benson Beach, WA) those utilized in the original algorithm verification. Concurrent echosounder surveys are used as ground truth. The bulk performance of the radar-derived bathymetry estimate at Duck, NC, achieves 0.49 m root-mean-square error (RMSE) with 0.26 m bias deep. This compares well with the bulk performance of the concurrent estimate derived using optical video (0.44 m RMSE and 0.23 m bias deep). The radar-derived bathymetry estimate performance at Benson Beach, is similar (0.35 m RMSE and 0.11 m bias shallow), and is comparable to that of an optical video derived estimate at a similar Pacific Northwest beach (0.56 m RMSE and 0.41 m bias shallow). At both beaches, significantly higher performance is achieved at locations deeper than 2 m (offshore of the surfzone) than at locations shallower than 2 m (surfzone), where errors are often a large fraction of the total depth. Lastly, several weeks of observations are utilized to assess the sensitivity of algorithm quality control to environmental conditions. Thresholds based on the shoreward component of wind stress and offshore wave steepness are identified and shown to impact the areal coverage of radar-derived bathymetric estimates. Overall, these results demonstrate the viability of marine radar observations as input to the cBathy algorithm and delineate some environmental constraints on algorithm performance. In the companion paper, the algorithm is extended to areas where tidal currents are important, including an ebb tidal shoal and an estuary mouth. Highlights • Depth estimation algorithm, cBathy, is applied to X-band radar image time series. • Performance is assessed at two beaches (North Carolina and Washington, USA). • Accuracy via radar is comparable to video-based performance (reported previously). • Frequency of updates increases with wave height and when wind blows toward shore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Duck Curve is an illustrative term used to describe the compounding effect of small-scale renewable generation on the electricity demand curve in electricity markets. The "Duck Curve" 1 1 The effect is also been referenced as the "Duck Chart" in early literature on the topic. problem has become a topical subject in the electricity industry in recent years and is associated with issues such as minimum system demand, changes to ancillary service requirements, unsustainable ramp rates, risk of over generation, occurrences of negative wholesale prices and exit of large-scale thermal generation. Unfortunately in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) 2 2 The SWIS is the name of the power system located in the south west corner in the state of Western Australia, Australia. the Duck Curve has been referenced at a cursory level with a limited amount of formal analysis with poorly formed views of the effect of what it is trying to describe. This paper summarises a literature review undertaken of the Duck Curve focusing on econometric aspects rather than power system engineering in the SWIS. The paper develops a hypothesis and substantiates that behind the meter generation should be displacing the revenue from all generation, but the effect will be more pronounced in commercial scale PV farms as the generation profile of both rooftop and commercial PV is determined by irradiation levels that are in similar geographic locations. Due to high variance in electricity spot prices a value analysis approach was used to create a model suitable for Ordinary Least Squares analysis. This analysis showed evidence for the proposed hypothesis and more importantly that econometric rigger using easily accessible tools and techniques can be applied to the Duck Curve concept with significant results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference relations (HFLPRs) as an efficient and common tool to deal with decision-making problems have been widely used in real life. The consistency and consensus are the most two important topics for HFLPRs. In this paper, we develop a new efficient consistency–consensus framework for HFLPRs. Firstly, we transform HFLPRs into probabilistic linguistic preference relations, and develop a programming model to make the HFLPRs achieve the maximum consistency degree. Then, we propose some new rules for addition operation and weighted average operator to fuse individual preference information. After that, a maximum consensus model is developed which maximizes the consensus degree by adjusting the experts' weights. Then, a numerical case of temporary placement selection after earthquake is presented, and some comparisons with the traditional methods are conducted to verify the rationality and efficiency of our framework. Finally, we end the paper with some conclusions and future research directions. Highlights • We establish a more time-saving consistency reaching and a consensus achieving model. • We skillfully connect HFLPLs and PLPRs to establish the consistency reaching model. • We propose new addition operation rules and the WA operator for PLTSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike traditional offshore oil and gas projects which generally involve a limited number of structures and are confined to a relatively small seabed footprint, renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms can comprise many tens or even hundreds of structures dispersed across an extensive area. Driven by the need for offshore wind to reduce costs while also minimising project risk, there is currently a strong focus within the offshore industry on identifying new ways to extract the full benefit from all available site investigation data and carry this benefit through to engineering design. This paper provides a demonstration of two such approaches that utilise geo-data from offshore Western Australia, potentially representative of conditions of future offshore wind farms; the first is an integrated approach combining geophysical and geotechnical data through a seismic inversion process, while the second encompasses statistical analysis of geotechnical cone penetrometer and soil strength test data combined with a Bayesian compressive sampling-based spatial interpolation method. The demonstrations yielded useful findings about the methodologies and associated input requirements. It is envisaged this work will lead to the development of an efficient integrated framework for interpreting geo-data that will inform future offshore site investigation and geotechnical design practice. • There is currently a focus within the offshore industry on identifying new ways to extract the full benefit from site investigation data. This paper provides a demonstration of two such approaches that utilise geo-data from offshore Western Australia. The first approach combines geophysical and geotechnical data through a seismic inversion process. The second approach encompasses statistical analysis of geotechnical cone penetrometer and soil strength test data. It is envisaged the study findings will feed into future site investigation practice and development of integrated interpretation approaches. These approaches will lead to a framework for integrating geophysical and geotechnical data and implementing the output into foundation design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is considered a key energy vector and carrier for the decarbonization of global energy systems. However, the economics of green hydrogen systems hinder their widespread application. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of a green hydrogen production system using high-temperature water electrolysis integrated with a concentrated solar power system (CSP-SOEC) for Western Australia. Real-time solar resource data with 30-min resolution for a typical meteorological year were used to assess the performance of the entire system. The intermittent nature of solar resources is accounted for by integrating the system with a thermal energy storage medium and performing the analysis in off-design mode. The validity of the electrolysis stack model is crucial for overall system performance, which was confirmed through experimental testing conducted on a 15-cell stack. The system was designed to generate a 1 MWe output, and the results showed that a field area of 29,000 m2 and thermal energy storage capacity of 382,500 kWh can fulfil the design criteria. The system generates 0.86 tonne/day of hydrogen at a cost of 8.87 US$/kg-H 2 with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 13.80 %. The cost breakdown revealed that the storage medium has the most significant contribution. Moreover, the sensitivity of the system to the production capacity was analyzed, which showed that larger-scale hydrogen production systems have the potential to further reduce the cost. An 8 MWe system has the capacity to produce 7.18 tonne/day of hydrogen at a cost of 6.1 US$/kg-H 2. The molten salt is currently utilized only 39.3 % for the hydrogen production process. To optimize resource utilization, a cogeneration system is devised and assessed for simultaneous steam and hydrogen production. The results reveal that the cogeneration system can achieve an LCOH reduction of 9 % by reaching 8.07 US$/kg-H 2. These findings are invaluable for academic and industry stakeholders in making informed decisions and fostering the green hydrogen sector in Australia. • A techno economic assessment of green H 2 production for Australia is done. • The electrolysis model is corroborated using experimental results. • The cost of green H 2 for such system in Australia is 8.87 US$/kg-H 2. • Higher production capacity favors the system economics. • The cogeneration system reduces the cost by 9 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valorization of secondary sands is crucial for fostering a circular economy within the construction sector. One significant obstacle in this endeavor stems from the high water absorption (WA) rates commonly reported for secondary sands. This high WA leads to increased water and cement demand in cementitious mixes and elevates costs. The only widely standardized method to measure the WA of fine aggregates is the cone method, which has proven ill-suited for fine aggregates with angular particles or a high content of fines. This study undertakes a comparative evaluation of the cone method and seven alternative methods: immersion, centrifugation, paper sheet, colorimetric, volumetric flask, continuous drying, and electrical conductivity. Tests were performed on natural river sand and three types of secondary sand. Findings reveal that the continuous drying and electrical conductivity methods demonstrates the greatest potential in terms of reliability and applicability. Also the volumetric flask and centrifugation methods show some potential, provided that critical refinements are made to the corresponding test protocols. • Flaws of water absorption methods for secondary sands are exposed. • Caution should be taken in the interpretation of water absorption data from the literature. • There is an urgent need for improved water absorption assessment of secondary sands. • Electrical conductivity and continuous drying methods are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agritourism is an important supplementary activity in agricultural regions, attracting numerous visitors in search of new experiences and providing alternative incomes to those in rural areas. Whilst tourism literature has progressed in defining and characterising agritourism, there continues to be limited knowledge concerning what contributes directly and indirectly to enhancing and deepening the agritourism experience, particularly the role of visitor-provider interaction and the emotional connection to place. In this paper, we address this gap by exploring agritourism in Western Australia, drawing on a survey of providers and ten semi-structured interviews. We find that agritourism was comprised of four key experiential dimensions (location, authenticity, interaction, and learning) differentiated by six contextual factors which are either endogenous or exogenous to the provider. Our findings show how the agritourism experience can be curated, contributing to the establishment of a better understanding of how providers can improve visitor experience and the attraction of rural areas. The research offers a framework for understanding the role of location as a cross-cutting experiential dimension to better inform policymakers, regional development agencies and agritourism providers in developing agritourism 'products' that may increase visitor numbers and sales, improve regional development outcomes, and enhance rural understandings. • Agritourism is an increasingly important for rural economies. • There is limited understanding on how agritourism relates to unique local and regional contexts. • Agritourism experiential dimensions (location, authenticity, interaction, and learning) are framed by six provider factors. • Highlights location as a cross-cutting ad important dimension in improving regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the aging relationship between holding time and the interfacial solid solution was utilized to prepare high-performance agglomerated white fused alumina (AWA) abrasives. The influence of holding time on the interfacial solid solution and mechanical properties of AWA abrasives were systematically investigated, and the grinding performance was thoroughly analyzed. The results showed that increasing the holding time caused the Al 2 O 3 to violently infiltrate the interface between the white fused alumina (WA) particles and the vitrified bond, which led to the precipitation of a large amount of β-spodumene and monoclinic celsian in the vitrified bond and transformed the simple mechanical bonds between the WA particles and the vitrified bond into stronger chemical bonds. Thus, it was possible to control the mechanical properties of the AWA abrasives by adjusting the holding time. Specifically, after sintering at 760 °C for 4h, the single particle compressive strength and impact toughness reached the maximum values of 26 N and 63%, respectively. In comparison with the WA grinding wheel, the grinding ratio of the AWA grinding wheel was increased by 17.9% and the workpiece surface roughness was reduced by 21.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Employed a Variational Autoencoder (VAE) to detect anomalies in spectra. • Generate artificial spectra and calculate probability it came from the original spectra. • Spectrum, geochemistry, and latent space combined to analyse anomalous data. • Spectra, Geochemistry, with the VAE act as a powerful anomaly detection tool in unsupervised settings. Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an emerging cost effective and rapid mineralogical characterization technique being applied in the geosciences. Detecting anomalous FTIR spectra is especially relevant to the geoscience domain, as it may indicate abrupt changes in geology or mineralogical composition of the rock sample being examined. Given a large volume of data, detecting anomalies that exhibit significant and abrupt spatial and compositional variability is a time-consuming and challenging task. This paper explores the use of an unsupervised variational autoencoder (VAE) for determining anomalies that may exist within a set of FTIR spectra collected from reverse circulation (RC) drill chip samples spanning several iron ore deposits from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) were measured from 1,579 two-metre composite samples. Our results showed that the VAE was effective in separating anomalous spectra from spectra typical of unmineralized banded iron formation by leveraging the probabilistic latent representation of the spectra in as few as two latent dimensions. To validate our results, detected anomalous samples were compared with their respective geochemical assays to analyse their mineralogical differences, which may have led to the anomalous spectra. In the iron ore sample data used in this study, the observed spectral anomalies were shown to have elevated concentrations of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 wt.% while being several standard deviations below the mean Fe 2 O 3 wt.% indicating mineralogies rich in shale as opposed to iron oxide rich mineralogies. While the paper demonstrates the efficacy of the VAE in anomaly detection, it can also be effective in assuring the quality of the FTIR data as a pre-processing step, which is critically important for machine learning applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural pozzolan is a promising precursor for the synthesis of alkali-activated geopolymers. However, the acid activation of pozzolan is very poorly developed. In this respect, this paper presents an optimization study of the synthesis of geopolymers based on pozzolan and phosphoric acid using the Design Of Experiments (DOE) methodology. Indeed, a Box Behnken Design (BBD) associated with the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used. The analysis of variance ANOVA showed that the factors used for the modeling are significant in their sets. Thus, the study of the adjustment confirms the validation of the established models, by very high values of adjusted coefficient of determination (R2 Adj-Cs = 95.63%, R2 Ad-PWV = 95.73%, R2 Adj-D = 97.62%, R2 Adj-P = 98.24%, R2 Adj-WA = 95.52%). Similarly, the RSM tool showed that the optimal conditions to elaborate a geopolymer with good physicomechanical properties (Compressive strength = 21.57 MPa, P-wave velocity = 2110 m/s, Density = 1.95 g/cm3, Porosity = 12.8%, Water absorption = 6.06%) are as follows: Si/P = 1.25, H 2 O/H 3 PO 4 = 2, and Li/So ratio = 0.9. Microstructural characterization of the optimal geopolymer by XRD and FTIR showed that the pozzolan is actively reacted with phosphoric acid, under the optimal conditions found by the Box Behnken Design model. This is revealed by the formation of a significant amount of amorphous phase, the formation of a new monetite-like mineral phase as well as the formation of Si–O–P bonds, which are the basis of the physicomechanical properties found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Mali has triggered the opportunity to search for hydrogen accumulations in other countries. The generation of hydrogen in Mali is linked to the presence of very old iron-rich basement rocks. Solid-liquid redox reactions between iron-rich minerals and groundwater are a possible source of H 2 in deep basement rocks. The hypothesis is that hydrogen degassing may result in the surface circular shallow depressions. The Archean iron-rich Yilgarn and Pilbara cratons that cover a vast area of Western Australia contain abundant iron-rich mafic-ultramafic rocks. The craton reveals many surficial circular depressions visible through satellite images. The area has abundant fault systems and is blanketed with Eocene sedimentary rocks containing high-quality reservoir rocks. All these characteristics appear to provide most of the required elements, such as a hydrogen source, migration pathway, and reservoir rock for a complete "Hydrogen System" to be developed in the area. • A natural "Hydrogen System" has been assessed for Western Australia in this paper. • Interactions between iron-rich minerals and water are a possible source of H 2. • The Archean Craton of WA reveals depressions that could be location of H 2 emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with most other developed nations, Australian local government policymakers have traditionally relied heavily on structural reform based on compulsory council consolidation as their chief instrument of municipal reform. Western Australia (WA) launched its most recent attempt at local government reform in November 2017 with the appointment of a Local Government Review Panel to make recommendations on improving its Local Government Act 1995. The WA Government released the Final Report: Recommendations for a New Local Government Act for Western Australia prepared by the Panel in August 2020. The Final Report offers a host of recommendations for improving the Local Government Act 1995, the great majority of which represent uncontroversial improvements to the Act. However, Recommendation 8 calls for the establishment of a Local Government Commission empowered to make recommendations on municipal mergers and Recommendation 10 proposes the formation of community boards to facilitate municipal representation in large councils. This practice insight paper critically examines these two contentious recommendations in the light of extant empirical evidence. This serves to highlight the contrast between the weight of empirical evidence in the literature with the 'evidence-free' nature of Recommendations 8 and 10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to determine the factors which influence clinician behaviour and adherence to best practice when clinicians provide the initial care for paediatric burn patients admitted to a burns unit.Background: Optimal initial care of burn patients influences morbidity and mortality. Non-burn specialist clinician adherence to best practice is influenced by previously unexplored factors.Design: General inductive qualitative methods were used to explore factors which influenced clinicians providing acute pre-admission burn care for children in Western Australia.Methods: Interviews of nineteen clinicians using standardised open-ended questions based on the Gilbert Behaviour Engineering Model were used to collect data.Results: The main influencing factors identified were the telehealth service which supported practice, whilst IT issues provided challenges to clinicians.Conclusion: Telehealth services support clinicians when providing burn care, however IT issues are an major barrier to both best practice and accessing the telehealth service and should be optimised to support clinical care IMPACT STATEMENT: What does this paper contribute to the wider global community? It provides burn clinicians with an insight into the factors which facilitate optimal care for patients prior to transfer to burn units, as well as the barriers faced by non-burn specialist clinicians when patients initially present for care. Models of care which acknowledge these factors can help facilitate optimal patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide insights on the association between exposure to rural general practice vocational training placements and subsequent rural practice location in Western Australia. We further explore the possibility that the observed associations might depend on an individual's rural upbringing and or an individual's exposure to general practice during medical school. To this end, a cross-sectional analysis of practice location of 353 general practitioners who completed their vocational training through WA General Practice Education and Training between 2010 and 2017 was conducted. The empirical analysis uses a fully recursive conditional mixed process estimator to jointly estimate the probabilities that a general practitioner (GP) completes their vocational training placement at a rural location and subsequently practices at a rural location. The results show that GPs who chose rural locations for their first and last vocational training placements are more likely to practice at a rural location compared to their counterparts choosing metropolitan locations. Also, the probability of subsequent rural practice is further strengthened by having a rural background and having exposure to general practice during medical school even after controlling for potential confounders. The results also indicate that GPs stay in rural locations for reasons linked to their career, family and lifestyles. This evidence underscores the importance of vocational training organisations in WA and reinforces the need for ongoing rural opportunities in training to ameliorate location-based disparities in the distribution of the GP workforce in Western Australia. • We examined the association between GP vocational training placement and subsequent practice location in Western Australia. • Evaluated the joint influence of a rural upbringing and prevocational exposure to general practice on rural practice. • GP vocational training placements in rural and remote areas strongly predict subsequent rural practice. • A rural background in sync with prevocational exposure to general practice increases the probability of rural practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of local volunteers in demonstrating transformational and transactional leadership in rural communities. Applying the lens of the Full Range Leadership Model and drawing on data from a case study of volunteers based in rural Western Australia, the nature of volunteer leadership was characterised. This characterisation revealed a mix of transformational and transactional leadership traits were applied across different volunteering activities in rural communities. The role of transformational leaders in introducing new initiatives was highlighted as was the importance of trustworthiness. A perennial concern for rural volunteering organisations is volunteer shortages, particularly in leadership roles. The study revealed that an individual's own perceptions about their transactional leadership capacities can present a barrier to their taking on a volunteering role. The study concludes by recommending that rural volunteer recruitment and retention strategies should focus on supporting volunteers to develop necessary transactional skills. • Rural volunteers deliver, and support the development of, leadership in rural communities. • Through volunteer activities, rural residents are performing transactional and transformational leadership. • The need for high level transactional leadership skills can be a deterrent to volunteering in essential services. • Trustworthiness is critical for effective leadership in rural volunteering organisations and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H 2) generation using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) is at present the most economical and preferred pathway for commercial H 2 generation. This process, however, emits a considerable amount of CO 2 , ultimately negating the benefit of using H 2 as a clean industrial feedstock and energy carrier. That has prompted growing interest in enabling CO 2 capture from SMR for either storage or utilisation and producing zero-emission "blue H 2 ". In this paper, we propose a spatial techno-economic framework for assessing blue hydrogen production SMR hubs with carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), using Australia as a case study. Australia offers a unique opportunity for developing such 'blue H 2 ' hubs given its extensive natural gas resources, availability of known carbon storage reservoirs and an ambitious government target to produce clean/zero-emission H 2 at the cost of A$2.7 kg H2 −1). On the other hand, Western Australia offers lower gas pricing and relatively lesser storage costs, which would lead to more economically favourable hydrogen production (

• Unlocking the Potential of Underground Hydrogen Storage in Western Australia. • Formation Rock Characteristics Favor Hydrogen Storage. • Optimal Porosity Discovered in Hovea Field, which is 17.23%. • Hydrogen loss through claystone, which is the cap rock, should be further analysed. • Viable locations for Underground Hydrogen Storage pilot projects in Australia. Hydrogen, recognised as a clean and sustainable energy carrier with excellent transportation fuel properties, drives numerous countries towards a hydrogen-based economy due to its high utilisation efficiency and minimal environmental impact. However, the gaseous nature of hydrogen necessitates larger storage surface areas. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) has emerged as a promising and efficient method to overcome this challenge. Currently, only a handful of UHS locations exist globally due to the novelty of this field. With its abundant depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs boasting significant storage capacity, Western Australia presents a suitable region for hydrogen storage. This paper comprehensively analyses petrophysical and petrographic characteristics, employing XRD, MIP, and Micro-CT techniques on sandstone and claystone samples obtained from several fields in Western Australia. The suitability of these samples for hydrogen storage is evaluated based on mineral composition and porosity. The analysis reveals that more than 96% of Quartz is present in the sandstone samples. The claystone samples exhibit a mineral composition comprising Quartz, Calcite, K-feldspar, Kaolinite, Pyrite, Albite, and Muscovite. The study suggests that hydrogen storage in formation rock is favourable due to the low reactivity of hydrogen with silicate minerals, but interactions with cap rock minerals should be considered. Micro-CT results indicate the connected porosity in the 17.23–4.67% range. Pore distribution in sandstones ranges from nanometers to millimetres, with a substantial proportion of connected pores in the intermediate range, which is conducive to hydrogen storage. This is particularly advantageous as the hydrogen-water system is highly water-wet, with hydrogen primarily occupying medium and larger pores, minimising hydrogen trapping. In claystone, most pores were below 3 nm, but instrumental constraints limited their quantification. In conclusion, the petrophysical and petrographic analysis underscores the potential of Western Australian depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs for hydrogen storage. Understanding the mineralogical reactions with cap rock minerals is crucial, while the favourable pore distribution in sandstones further supports the viability of hydrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, a wide-band solar absorber (WA) is constructed and simulated in this paper. Due to the Fabry-Perot resonance (FPR), the near-field resonance mode, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and gap resonance in different structure, the WA obtains efficient and wide-band absorption. The absorption efficiency in 373–1967 nm band is >90 %, and in 817–1830 nm band is >98 %, and the average absorption efficiency at air mass 1.5 (AM 1.5) reaches 91.10 % (280–2500 nm). The structure is insensitive to the change of incident angle. The reduced absorption efficiency is 9.23 % when the incident angle increases from 0° to 60°. In addition, the structure can work stably at high temperature, and the thermal radiation efficiency at 1500 K is as high as 85.13 %. Due to the efficient and wide-band absorption and high thermal emission efficiency, the WA can be widely used in solar energy collection and energy radiation. [Display omitted] • The bandwidth of the absorption efficiency ≥ 90 % is 1594 nm, and of the absorption efficiency ≥ 98 % is 1013 nm. • The average absorption efficiency of the structure at AM 1.5 is 91.10 %. • The thermal radiation efficiency of the structure is 85.13% % at 1500 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The sensitivity and stability of a capacitive wetness sensor was measured. • The calibration function was found to depend on the spray droplet size. • Water sensitive papers showed areal coverage 2–4 times that of the capacitive sensor. • This difference in response is due to the hydrophobicity of the sensor surface. • The capacitive sensor had a hydrophobicity closer to that of plant leaves. Standard methods for measuring pesticide deposition include water sensitive paper and fibre (paper or cord) collectors, which require time consuming manual steps to gather, process and interpret results. Measurement of pesticide deposition is important in evaluating the efficacy of a spray, which affects the total crop yield. A lack of knowledge about spray quality often results in the need to spray to excess, which can contaminate the soil and damage neighbouring ecosystems and the atmosphere. The suitability of PHYTOS 31 capacitive leaf wetness sensors (Meter Group, Pullman, WA, USA) for spray sensing applications was analysed. The best fit calibration function for droplets of ~ 1 μL volume was linear (R2 = 0.985). The best fit calibration function for drops > 10 μL was a weighted sum of a linear and power function (R2 = 0.984). Thus, the calibration function should be chosen according to the anticipated size of droplet. The PHYTOS 31 sensors and water sensitive papers were used in a field test, comparing electrostatically charged and uncharged sprays. Both measurement techniques show that charged spray is more effective in covering parts of the plants which do not have a direct line of sight to the nozzle. The techniques disagree on quantitative coverage measurement, with the water sensitive papers reporting areal coverage two to four times higher than the capacitive sensors. High-speed video observations show that this is due to contraction (de-wetting) of the drop on the capacitive sensors. The surface of the capacitive sensors is more hydrophobic than the papers. The hydrophobicity of the capacitive sensors appears to be a better match to plant leaves than that of the papers. Capacitive sensors are a suitable measurement tool for evaluating liquid coverage in the field, but further calibration is necessary to be confident in the quantitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents new geological and geochemical data on the Perseverance komatiite complex (PK) that hosts the Perseverance Ni-sulphide deposit and the volcanic and sedimentary rocks forming the footwall of the PK. Using the 3D reconstruction of the PK and its' footwall volcano-sedimentary succession the heterogeneity of the komatiite channel has been characterised on the basis of spatial distribution of the geochemical petrogenetic indicators. The study shows that the komatiite facies proximal to the mineralised bodies and the main pathway are expressed in the 3D models as the segments with anomalously high MgO concentrations coupled with low contents of Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 and CaO (Fig - abstract). The geochemical indicators of komatiite fertility, Ni/Cr and Ni/Ti ratios, are commonly in the range of 1 to 3 for Ni/Cr and 2 to 5 for Ni/Ti within the main pathway. The Ni/Cr exceeds 5 and Ni/Ti 20 in the mineralised parts of the channel. In the peripheral zone komatiites these values commonly drop to less than 1, corresponding to barren komatiites. Similarly large variations are exhibited by the ratios of mantle normalized Pt and Pd to Al and Ti over short distances from 1 to 25. Closely spaced high and low values of these ratios hinder their use for discriminating fertile from barren komatiites. However, within the komatiite main lava pathway they can be used as geochemical pathfinders for magmatic sulphides. Reconstruction of the structurally complex komatiite sequences can be facilitated by using lithogeochemical correlation of the host volcano-sedimentary successions and particularly tracing geochemically distinctive marker units. For these purposes a special reference in this study was made to the geochemical systematics of rocks that make up footwall succession of the PK complex. It was shown that amphibolites of the host sequence can be geochemically subdivided into different types, including mafic volcaniclastics (mafic-1) and intrusive gabbro (mafic-2). The mafic volcaniclastics are strongly enriched in LREE, possibly due to presence of sedimentary epiclastic material or reflecting magma contamination by the crustal material during ascent through the crust. Additionally, they have notably high-Th contents, allowing them to be classified as having high-Th geochemical affinities. The second group (mafic-2), interpreted as coherent in origin, are characterised by flat REE patterns and lower overall abundances of the rare earths and Zr corresponding to a tholeiitic composition. Contents of Th and TiO 2 of these rocks are clustered in the two narrow intervals of compositions, corresponding to low-Th and intermediate-Th basalts, which form different amphibolite bodies. Mafic volcanics intercalate with the felsic volcanics, and quartz-feldspar-biotite-amphibole (QFBA) schists. It is shown that QFBA schist composition corresponds to metamorphosed clastic sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of mixed composition, which contain both clastic material derived from an Archaean provenance and volcaniclastics material derived from mafic and felsic tuffs. In conclusion, abundances and ratios of the trace elements in composition of the mafic rocks are matching to that of the different parts of the Agnew Wiluna greenstone belt and can be used for overall stratigraphic correlations. [Display omitted] • The paper presents new geological and geochemical data on the Perseverance komatiite complex (PK) that hosts the Perseverance Ni-sulphide deposit and the volcano-sedimentary succession forming the footwall of the PK. • The 3D reconstruction of the PK and its' footwall volcano-sedimentary succession has been undertaken that has allowed to enhance the heterogeneity of the komatiite channel on the basis of spatial distribution of the geochemical petrogenetic indicators. • The study shows that the komatiite facies proximal to the mineralised bodies and the main pathway are expressed in the geochemical 3D models as the segments with anomalously high MgO concentrations coupled with the anomalous values of the geochemical indicators of komatiite fertility, including Ni/Cr, Ni/Ti ratios and the ratios of mantle normalized Pt and Pd to Al and Ti. • Reconstruction of the structurally complex komatiite sequences can be facilitated by using lithogeochemical correlation of the host volcano-sedimentary successions and particularly tracing geochemically distinctive marker units. It was shown that amphibolites of the host sequence can be geochemically subdivided into different types, including mafic volcaniclastics (mafic-1) and intrusive gabbro (mafic-2). • Mafic volcanics intercalate with the felsic volcanics, and quartz-feldspar-biotite-amphibole (QFBA) schists. It is shown that QFBA schist composition corresponds to metamorphosed clastic sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of mixed composition, which contain both clastic material derived from an Archaean provenance and volcaniclastics material derived from mafic and felsic tuffs. The paper presents new geological and geochemical data on the Perseverance komatiite complex (PKC) that hosts the Perseverance Ni-sulphide deposit and the volcanic and sedimentary rocks forming the footwall of the PKC. Using the 3D reconstruction of the PKC and its' footwall volcano-sedimentary succession the heterogeneity of the komatiite channel has been characterised on the basis of spatial distribution of the geochemical petrogenetic indicators. The study shows that the komatiite facies proximal to the mineralised bodies and the main pathway are expressed in the 3D models as the segments with anomalously high MgO concentrations coupled with low contents of Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 and CaO. The geochemical indicators of komatiite fertility, Ni/Cr and Ni/Ti ratios, commonly are in the range of 1 to 3 for Ni/Cr and 2 to 5 for Ni/Ti within the main pathway, The Ni/Cr exceeds 5 and Ni/Ti 20 in the mineralised parts of the channel. In the peripheral zone komatiites these values commonly drop to less than 1, corresponding to barren komatiites. Similarly large variations are exhibited by the ratios of mantle normalized Pt and Pd to Al and Ti over short distances from 1 to 25. Closely spaced high and low values of these ratios hinder their use for discriminating fertile from barren komatiites. However, within the komatiite main lava pathway they can be used as geochemical pathfinders for magmatic sulphides. Reconstruction of the structurally complex komatiite sequences can be facilitated by using lithogeochemical correlation of the host volcano-sedimentary successions and particularly tracing geochemically distinctive marker units. For these purposes a special reference in this study was made to the geochemical systematics of rocks that make up footwall succession of the PKC complex. It was shown that amphibolites of the host sequence can be geochemically subdivided into different types, including mafic volcaniclastic rocks (mafic-1) and intrusive mafic rocks, apparently metagabbro sills (mafic-2). The mafic volcaniclastic rocks are strongly enriched in LREE, possibly due to presence of sedimentary epiclastic material or reflecting magma contamination by the crustal material during ascent through the crust. Additionally, they have notably high-Th contents, allowing them to be classified as having high-Th geochemical affinities. The second group (mafic-2), interpreted as coherent in origin, are characterised by flat REE patterns and lower overall abundances of the rare earths and Zr corresponding to a tholeiitic composition. Contents of Th and TiO 2 of these rocks are clustered in the two narrow intervals of compositions, corresponding to low-Th and intermediate-Th basalts, which form different amphibolite bodies. Mafic volcanics intercalate with the felsic volcanics, and quartz-feldspar-biotite-amphibole (QFBA) schists. It is shown that QFBA schist composition corresponds to metamorphosed clastic sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of mixed composition, which contain both clastic materials derived from an Archaean provenance and volcaniclastics material derived from mafic and felsic tuffs. The different geochemical affinities of the mafic rocks distributed in the footwall succession of the PKC apparently suggests different magma sources and, possibly, can also reflect the position of the rocks within the mantle plume structure. In conclusion, abundances, and ratios of the trace elements in composition of the mafic rocks matches that of the different parts of the Agnew Wiluna greenstone belt and can be used for overall stratigraphic correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a systematic machine learning strategy is proposed to classify wood properties based on a contact ultrasonic testing results. As such, several aspects of the wood material including the type of wood (hardwood or softwood), the direction of an ultrasonic test with respect to the growth rings of the wood, and, whether the wood is damaged or intact are investigated. As a pre-processor, the Variational Mode Decomposition technique is applied to the nonlinearly modulated ultrasonic signals, and the centre frequencies of the decomposition results are taken as features for Machine learning Algorithms (MLAs). Then with each of the MLAs, hyperparameter settings were optimised and technical aspects of the feature engineering are discussed. Best results were achieved using Ensemble classifiers, SVM, and KNN using three features/decomposition. To explore the physics behind the nonlinear problem, the relative false discovery rate obtained from the confusion matrix associated with applying the MLAs is proposed as a metric. We show that different features are capable of exploring different aspects of the problem better. The techniques of this paper can be applied to quality assessment of wood materials. The paper also demonstrates the capability of MLAs in exploring some physics of such problems. Moreover, billets with natural imperfections harvested from the site Collie in WA, Australia are classified to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach in real world problems. The result of 94% 5-fold cross-validation accuracy indicates the effectiveness of the proposed approach. • Contact ultrasonic technique is used for the wood quality assessment. • The Variational Mode Decomposition is used to decompose ultrasonic signals. • time–frequency features of the decomposed signals are used as features. • Machine learning algorithms are used to solve classification problems. • Some physics of the problem has been explored from the machine learning results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimating travel mode and airline choice using air and non-air passengers' stated preference data. • Accommodating passengers' preference heterogeneity using latent class models. • Investigating the differences in travel mode choice, socio-demographics and trip characteristics among passenger segments. • Examining willingness to pay (WTP) of the travellers. This paper investigates travel mode and airline choice using stated-preference data. Both air and non-air passengers' data were collected in Western Australia, which allows easier generalisability of the findings to a wider population. A market segmentation approach, using latent class modelling, was applied to identify passenger segments. The results shown a significant difference between identified segments in terms of demographics, economics and trip characteristics. One segment, comprising travellers with higher income and more frequent business travellers, was sensitive to service-factors. The other, comprising personal travellers with lower incomes, placed higher sensitivity on price. The findings highlight the importance of understanding mode choice behaviour based on market segmentation and provides insights to policy-makers and airlines for developing more effective polices and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores forms of public administration and public policy associated with the governance of mining regions in Australia, many of which experienced unprecedented levels of resource-based development during the country's most recent mining boom. Drawing on data from a two-year investigation into the governance challenges associated with the resources boom, the authors document the different approaches adopted by State government authorities to deliver public infrastructure and services to mining-affected regions. This paper introduces a typology that classifies State government action by the extent to which it enables, influences, or harnesses private sector action to deliver public services. Analysis reveals that a range of environmental variables affect the prevailing governance model. Adopting a contingency approach, it is argued that governance arrangements should be viewed as dynamic, with State governments engaging in different approaches to policy implementation in response to location-specific environmental factors. • Individual state governments respond differently to demands for infrastructure and services in mining communities. • State government approaches are categorized according to whether they enable, influence, or harness private sector action to deliver public services. • Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia during the mining boom are characterised as enabling state, influencing state or minimal state. • The paths followed by each state were contingent on critical external influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last four decades have witnessed profound social, demographic and economic change in Denham, the main town (a 'village' in European terms) in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia. Formerly highly isolated and dependent upon fishing and pastoralism, Denham today is a hub for nature-based tourism and nature conservation activities, and the site of residential developments catering largely to the distant urban population in the Western Australian capital, Perth. Shark Bay's World Heritage Area (WHA) status, proposed by the Australian government in the late 1980s and declared in 1991, became a popular symbol of these processes of socio-economic development and a focal point for conflict over the nature, scale and pace of local change. This paper examines WHA designation at Shark Bay, placing it within a broader context of Denham's transformation through the overlapping and interrelated processes of declining primary industries, improving transport networks, the growth of tourism and the expansion of nature conservation reserves and activities, and demographic change. It focusses on the reasons for the strength and persistence of negative perceptions towards WHA listing, and links a recent shift in community attitudes to demographic change and corresponding developments in the regional economy and local council membership. Denham, we suggest, presents a characteristically Australian case study of regional polarization against a backdrop of the shift from extractive primary industries towards tourism and nature conservation now characteristic of an increasingly large part of the nation's 'outback' communities. • Demographic and functional changes at Shark Bay related to a significant reduction in the village of Denham's level of isolation. • Community attitudes to World Heritage Area designation influenced by rural transformation or a 'post-productive transition'. • Shifting community attitudes to World Heritage Area status linked to recent demographic and socio-economic change. • Conceptions of scale in heritage should incorporate size, level and relation in order to explore the unique spatial politics that underpin opposition to World Heritage status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an improved flow pattern map for flow boiling in horizontal micro-fin tubes considering the effect of helix angle. The proposed map is modified from the one developed for horizontal smooth tubes by Wojtan et al. (2005) and takes the early transition to annular flow due to micro-fin geometry into account. Visualization of R410A flow boiling is carried out through the transparent smooth and micro-fin tubes with 0°, 10° and 18° helix angle and plotted on the proposed map for comparison. The result shows that the flow pattern map for micro-fin tube with 0° helix angle is generally similar to that for the smooth tube. For the tube with 10° and 18° helix angle, the annular flow occurs at lower vapor quality and lower mass flux. The proposed map shows good agreements when compared with the visualization and reflects the downward shift (to lower mass flux and vapor quality conditions) of the SW-WA transition with the increase of the helix angle. In order to further validate the proposed model, the flow pattern transitions calculated from the equations are also compared with the experimental data of the micro-fin tube in literature. The results show that the modified map increase the prediction accuracy of the flow patterns in the micro-fin tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The potential changes in future streamflow due to changing climate could be very significant. Therefore, Land development in the area should carefully consider the future climatic variations. • Sustainable water management strategies must be applied in the catchment to overcome the water shortage issues. • The anticipated drier climate could change the flow regimes and harm the biodiversity of the Peel-Harvey Estuary. • Adaptive responses would be necessary to maintain sustainable ecological communities. • The findings are useful to manage the usage of future water resources in the catchment by considering the low flow situation. This paper presents an assessment of the impacts of future climate changes on the hydrological characteristics of Harvey River catchment in Western Australia. A conceptual lumped-parameter rainfall-runoff model (HBV model) is used to simulate the catchment hydrological behaviour. Daily observations of rainfall, temperature and discharge and monthly mean potential evapotranspiration from the hydro-meteorological stations within the catchment were used to calibrate and validate the HBV model. The calibrated model was then forced by the downscaled future rainfall and temperature to simulate the daily discharge at the catchment outlet for the mid (2046–2065) and late (2080–2099) of the 21st century. Future climate signals were extracted from a multi-model ensemble of eight Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). A control run, with the baseline climatic period (1971–2010), was used to represent the current climate status. Results show a noticeable reduction in the mean annual streamflow during the mid-century particularly for the RCP4.5 relative to the current streamflow. By the end of the century, all scenarios revealed a relatively high decline in the mean annual streamflow especially the RCP4.5. The decline in future streamflow ranged between 17–27% during the mid-century and 23–52% by the end of the century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a highly reliable radiation-tolerant 13T (HRRT 13T) SRAM cell for deep-space applications. The proposed SRAM cell design can effectively tolerate radiation events. The design metrics of the proposed SRAM cell are compared with conventionally used SRAM cells like QUCCE 10T, QUCCE 12T and standard 6T SRAM cells. The proposed SRAM cell consumes 9.4% and 14% lesser hold power (H PWR) compared to QUCCE 10T and QUCCE 12T SRAM cells, respectively. The proposed SRAM cell exhibits 12.7%, 3.63% and 11.7% shorter read access time (T RA) compared to QUCCE 10T, QUCCE 12T and 6T SRAM cells, respectively at a nominal supply voltage (V DD) of 0.7 V. The proposed HRRT 13T SRAM cell exhibits higher read stability compared to other conventionally used SRAM cells. This has been validated by 2.92×, 2.33× and 2.06× higher read static noise margin (RSNM) exhibited by the proposed cell compared to the 6T, QUCCE 10T and QUCCE 12T SRAM cells, respectively at V DD = 0.7 V. The proposed SRAM cell exhibits high radiation tolerance capability compared to the conventionally used SRAM cells. This has been proved by 94.1%, 17.8% and 10.0% higher critical charge (Q C) of the proposed cell compared to 6T, QUCCE 10T and QUCCE 12T SRAM cells, respectively at V DD = 0.7 V. The proposed cell achieves all these improvements at the expense of 1.05×, 1.38× and 1.36× longer write delay (T WA) compared to QUCCE 10T, QUCCE 12T and 6T SRAM cells, respectively at V DD = 0.7 V. Extensive simulations on SPICE using 16-nm CMOS technology are performed to validate the theoretical design of the proposed SRAM cell. • This paper proposes a highly reliable radiation-hardened 13T SRAM Cell. • The proposed cell employs a differential read technique to provide a shorter read access time. • It exhibits higher Read Static Noise Margin (RSNM), which makes it read upset tolerant. • It achieves 17.8% improvement in Critical Charge, which proves its robustness against radiation hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on the emerging field of evolutionary economic geography to offer insights into the transformation of rural economies. In particular, it focuses on the concepts of path dependence and resilience, and the ways in which these help to explain change within four case study local areas in rural Western Australia. The paper draws on recent advances in dynamic econometrics to examine the ways in the major economic shock of the late 1980s and early 1990s restructuring process ‘unlocked’ these local economies from existing development pathways and reshaped their trajectories. The paper finds that while common trends were evident across the four case study areas, the ways in which they responded and recovered from the shock were quite different reflecting the diverse ways in which multiscalar processes play out across rural space economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Optimal sizing of battery energy storage system in microgrids has been explored. • Intelligent generation control is used to optimize battery sizing in microgrids. • Adaptive generation control maximizes battery profitable utilization in microgrids. • Smart battery performance monitoring is integrated microgrids generation control. Battery energy storage systems can play a substantial role in maintaining low-cost operation in microgrids, and therefore finding their optimal size is a key element of microgrids' planning and design. This paper explores the optimal sizing options for batteries in microgrids that include wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, synchronous machines and a grid connection supply under various types of retail tariff schemes. The optimal size of batteries is hypothesized to be significantly related to the intelligent control rules applied to dispatch the microgrid sources. This problem can be formulated as a mixed linear integer problem and can be solved using linear/non-linear solvers depending on the complexity of the generation control plan. The main objective of this work is to apply online intelligent adaptation mechanism to tune the economic generation control (dispatch) rules of the microgrid. This tuning objectives are maintaining secure operation, maximizing profitable utilization of batteries and managing their charging life-cycles. While sizing options exploration has been formulated as a linear programming based optimization problem, Fuzzy-Logic is proposed to control the charging/discharging time and quantity for batteries. For the sake of performance comparison, various optimization techniques, i.e., Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithm and Flower Pollination Algorithm are applied to perform the economic dispatch calculation. As a case study, a commercial type load connected to the 22 kV distribution network in south Western Australia was used in the testing and validation if the results of the proposed sizing method. The operation condition data was obtained from Western Power the distribution and transmission company in south Western Australia, the Australian Bureau Of Meteorology (BOM) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The results showed that employing intelligent batteries in operation can reduce the annual generation cost of microgrids. However, the decision on selecting the size of batteries depends heavily on the amount of upfront investment cost. The simulation results showed that the intelligence added to batteries' control could achieve 6.5%, 7.6% and 11.5% of the annual generation cost in the Islanded, Grid-connected with no-export and Grid-connected with export operating modes respectively. Also, intelligent batteries operation control was proven to minimize their payback time to 2.8, 2.7 and 2.7 years in the Islanded, Grid-connected with no-export and Grid-connected with export operating modes respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimated cost of solar fuels via supercritical water gasification of algae is 2.5 USD/L. • Fast-ramping Fischer–Tropsch units will be critical for solar-driven gas-to-liquids. • A predictive dispatch scheduler for the FT unit brings cost savings of 19%. This paper evaluates the annual dynamic performance and techno-economic feasibility of a solar fuels process driven by concentrated solar power (CSP). The process integrates solar supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of microalgae, syngas storage, and downstream Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis, to produce renewable drop-in liquid transport fuels. Performance curves for key components, derived from design-point and off-design simulations in steady-state flowsheet models established in the previous work of the authors, are incorporated into a dynamic energy-based model of the overall plant in OpenModelica. Control units are implemented to model the high-level state transitions of the plant relating to ramp-up and ramp-down of solar-SCWG and FT units as well as syngas storage and dispatch. There is significant uncertainty about the achievable ramping time for FT plant, owing to the dynamics of the synthesis of long-chain hydrocarbons in the FT reactor, so this is modelled as a variable-duration ramp-up with no useful product output. A perfect one-day-ahead forecast scheduler is developed to regulate the supply of solar syngas to the FT unit to minimise these ramp-up events. The levelised cost of fuel (LCOF) for the plant is minimised using a genetic algorithm to adjust the solar multiple and syngas storage capacity of the plant, with weather data and location of Geraldton in Western Australia. The optimal configuration has a solar multiple of ∼4 and syngas storage of ∼20 h, and achieves an LCOF of ∼3.5 AUD/L (∼2.5 USD/L) and capacity factor of ∼72%. Sensitivity analysis shows that the price of the farmed microalgae feedstock has the strongest influence on the LCOF. The one-day-ahead syngas dispatch scheduler contributes an LCOF reduction of 19% compared to an immediate dispatch strategy. The importance of the FT ramping time in these simulations suggests that fast-ramping FT reactors (e.g. microchannel reactors) will be essential for the techno-economic success of solar-gasified FT fuels, and motivates further research and development on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractures play a crucial role in earth resource engineering, such as geothermal exploitation, coalbed methane (CBM) extraction, and hydraulic fracturing. Breaches, as main channels of fluid flow, have various characteristics, such as aperture, density, and persistence that could affect the transmissivity. Due to the difficulty of distinguishing the contribution of fracture parameters to fluid flow in fractured coal and rock mass, the numerical simulation is necessary to simulate the fluid flow in fractures versus benchmarks to obtain realistic data to study the variation of flow rate with fracture parameters. In this paper, a numerical discrete element method (DEM) was used to rebuild the spatial distribution of DFN and simulate the fluid flow in DFN modeling, and the results were compared to the field test results in Yilgarn area in Western Australia. On this basis, the dependences of the flow rate on fracture parameters were obtained. In DFN modeling, the flow path was considered with a rectangular section, and its geometry was determined by aperture and persistence. As a circular fracture, its persistence is an influential factor of flow lengths. Besides, the flow channels and length in fractured coal and rock mass increased with the increase of fracture density. According to the cubic law, the flow rate has a direct relationship with the fracture opening, and the number of channels, but has an inverse relationship with the flow length, which is consistent with the simulation results. Results showed that the flow rate increased with the fracture aperture. Meanwhile, the increase of flow rate with fracture persistence was non-linear. When the size of the fracture was small, the flow rate increased gradually. However, with the rise of fracture size, the flux increased abruptly. Finally, the flow rate fluctuated with increasing fracture density. This research will enhance the knowledge of earth resource extraction performance such as CBM, geothermal, oil and in-suit leaching through the fractured media. • Complex Discrete Fracture Networks (DFN) models were developed utilizing discrete element method (DEM). • The connectivity and conductivity of fractures within the discrete fracture networks are investigated. • Flow rate (Performance) through fracture networks versus variable fracture characteristics were explored. • The rock mass permeability for CBM investigated and could be developed for Geothermal, In-situ leaching, and oil industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis of land cover changes of Darling Range. • Fourteen time series images between 1988 and 2014 were used. • Compares the performances of three machine learning algorithms. • The analysis outputs of random forest algorithm were validated. The Darling Range in Western Australia is a major bauxite producing region. Clearing, excavation and rehabilitation activities related to bauxite mining have influenced land cover within this region since mining commenced in the 1960s. This paper presents a study that used machine learning and time series visualisation to analyse the land cover changes of the Darling Range using time-lapse multispectral images, with the aim of understanding the impact of the mining activities and land rehabilitation patterns of the region. Land cover changes were analysed using 14 Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images between 1988 and 2014. The spatial distribution of land cover was classified automatically using machine learning algorithms, and their temporal changes were visualized for analysis. Supervised classification was carried out based on the six spectral features of the images using three machine learning algorithms, namely support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and Naïve Bayes (NB). The results showed that the RF algorithm achieved overall accuracy, (ratio of correctly classified samples divided by the total number of samples), greater than 95% for all years. The temporal changes of land cover distribution over the study period were visualized using a change map. These changes were compared with land clearing and rehabilitation records of a mining company operating in that region. A close correlation was observed between the automated analysis outputs and the company's records. This work demonstrates the potential use of machine analysis in improving the accuracy of spatial data related to land clearing; and in monitoring vegetation recovery of closed and rehabilitated mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A novel and advanced sensor was fabricated by the electrodeposition of cobalt nanoparticles (Nano Co) on the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with cellulose (C) (CPE/C//NanoCo) and starch (S) (CPE/S//NanoCo) polymers for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (ACOP), warfarin (WA) and caffeine (CAF). Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides with very high molecular weights. The difference between the two polymer's behaviors is electrochemically investigated in this paper through voltammetric and Impedance spectroscopy measurements where the electroactive surface area of the two sensors were improved, displaying a remarkable increase in the peak current after the addition of Nano-Co. Experimental results specify a linear correlation between ACOP peak current and its concentration in the range from 2.0 × 10−8 to 1.5 × 10−4 mol L−1, leading to a detection limit of 9.9 × 10−10 M. for (CPE/S//NanoCo) sensors. Finally, the sensor was successfully used to determine ACOP in commercialized tablets (panadol), with a recovery ranging from 99.4% to 101.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The Eulerian-Lagrangian method is applied to simulate DPM. • DPM distribution and dispersion characteristics were studied. • High DPM concentration areas were identified under different ventilations. • CFD simulation results were validated with the onsite data. Abstract Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a carcinogen to humans. Underground miners have the potential to expose to higher DPM concentrations since the working environment is confined. To address the DPM pollution issues and optimize the auxiliary ventilation system, a development face in an underground mine in Western Australia was taken as the physical model and the computational fluid dynamics was used to analyse the airflow characteristics and DPM concentration distributions in the development face. Then, the obtained simulation results were validated with the onsite measurement data. The DPM concentration distributions under 3 scenarios, with different duct lengths, were further compared with the AIOH standard for DPM (0.1 mg/m3). The results found that the current auxiliary ventilation system was not able to reduce the DPM concentration effectively, and the ventilation system with a duct length 5 m longer than the actual duct length provided a better DPM dilution performance. The finding of this paper is helpful for effective DPM control and auxiliary ventilation design for the further mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper reports on the development of radiocarbon dating of mud wasp nests to provide age estimates for rock art and other anthropogenic modifications to the surfaces of open rock shelters. Over 150 rock shelters in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia were visited in five field seasons. Mud wasp nest samples were collected from 108 sites. Thirty newly constructed wasp nests were collected to understand their initial composition and to determine the major sources of carbon. Charcoal-rich fractions extracted from 9 modern nests were radiocarbon dated and, whilst most were of zero age, some were found to be up to 1000 years old with the mean age being 255 years. Of the old wasp nest samples, 120 were utilised in the experiments reported here. A variety of different physical and chemical pretreatment methods were explored but small sample sizes and low carbon concentrations limit the range of techniques that can be used in practice. The radiocarbon ages measured on the 75 nest samples that contained sufficient carbon for analysis ranged from Modern to just over 20 cal ka BP. Half of these nests were older than 8 cal ka BP and 20% were older than 11 cal ka BP. Even allowing for the inherent uncertainties due to any inbuilt carbon age, the method is capable of producing useful age estimates for rock art and other features of archaeological interest, in relatively open rock shelters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The link between interprofessional collaboration and interprofessional education has been at the centre of discourse for some time. To understand some of the challenges of interprofessional collaboration, a research study was undertaken. The study investigated the interprofessional socialisation experiences of health professional educators, across five higher education faculties in Perth, Western Australia (WA). An interpretive phenomenological framework was utilised to explore the phenomena of interprofessional socialisation. Twenty-six professional educators were interviewed from a variety of health-related disciplines and qualitative content analysis was undertaken with the aid of NVivo 10 software. Examination of the data discovered a range of barriers that were potentially preventing professionals from working together effectively, within education. Overcoming some of these obstacles were identified, such as, professional language, organizational support, time and workload and the proximity of professionals. The research also recommended a framework that would support health educators. Currently, there are conceptual frameworks that guide the professional and interprofessional socialisation of healthcare graduates within education. Whereas, there is very little guidance or frameworks to support professional educators interprofessional experiences. The heath educators' interprofessional socialisation (HEIPS) framework is presented within this paper, and is a four-step process to encourage the interprofessional socialisation of educators within universities. Highlights • The HEIPS framework was developed to support educators in higher education. • The inclusion of pragmatic strategies would help reduce barriers between educators and encourage collaboration. • The interprofessional socialisation of educators would strengthen interprofessional education. • Interprofessional educator 'champions' could influence the universities strategic agenda on interprofessional education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Geochemical simulations of precipitation of uranyl-vanadate minerals from groundwater. • Hydrogeochemistry of uranium leaching, transportation and precipitation in palaeochannels. • Discussion of critical factors controlling calcrete uranium deposits. • Conceptual models of calcrete-hosted uranium systems. Abstract This three-part paper reports the results of geochemical modeling, prospectivity modeling and quantitative resources assessments of calcrete-hosted surficial uranium deposits in the palaeochannels of geologically, physiographically, and climatologically permissive part of Western Australia. In this Part 1, geochemical dynamics of uranium mobilization and precipitation in near-surface oxidized groundwater systems are reviewed in order to understand the processes responsible for precipitation of uranyl vanadate minerals in valley/lacustrine calcrete within palaeochannels in arid and semi-arid desertic regions. The review indicates that uranium precipitation is essentially a function of concurrent changes in three mutually interdependent parameters of groundwaters, namely, ∑ CO 2 (i.e. activities of all the carbonate bearing species), Eh-pH, and the activities of other ionic species. Geochemical modeling of groundwater data from northern part of the Yilgarn craton in Western Australia indicates that opening of the groundwater aquifer system to the atmosphere and consequent evaporation is likely the key process leading to precipitation of uranyl vanadate minerals in valley calcrete and playa lake sediments. Fluid mixing could also induce the precipitation below the water table, provided that the mixing groundwaters have contrasting geochemistry. These processes may operate in diverse geomorphic traps in palaeochannels. A generalized conceptual model of calcrete-hosted uranium systems is presented and regional-scale targeting criteria and their spatial proxies are identified, which, in turn, are used in Part 2 to develop a targeting model for calcrete-hosted uranium deposits in Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of whether network-based public utilities should be government or privately owned has been debated in most countries. The Australian experience is interesting as the various states of that country have seen different shifts in ownership over time. The shift towards government control of the utilities in the state of Western Australia took place at a comparatively later date than in the other Australian states. In this paper, the issue of why private entities initially dominated the utility sector in Western Australia is examined. The state's small size, low income, and Crown colony status, consequently limited ability to borrow, were all found to have contributed. • Government versus privately owned utilities in Western Australia. • Causes of shifts in ownership types. • Performance of privately owned utilities and possible underperfromance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-firm actors have emerged in economic geography as significant in shaping regional industrial cultures and new industry pathways, though how knowledge and practice is shared with firm actors remains unclear. The case of enthusiasts or hobbyists is especially interesting when there are industry counterparts given the blurred lines between work and hobby. There has been limited discussion of such interactions, and how they might contribute to regional development or an industrial culture of problem solving. This paper explores this gap through a case study of beekeepers in Western Australia. It analyses the interview results from hobbyist and commercial operators to understand how practice is shared, the construction of group meaning and identity and how place-based problem solving occurs through a regional culture of exchange and mutual benefit. The findings point to the importance of informal non-firm actors in the development of regional industry culture of practice and entrepreneurship, and that supporting collaborations between enthusiasts and local business may produce broad industry and societal benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and precise characterization of the subsurface stratigraphic configuration (geological model) at a given site is crucial to geotechnical engineering work. The uncertainty in the derived stratigraphic configuration can be significant, due to the strata's complexity and inherent spatial variability coupled with the limited availability of borehole data. The characterization and reduction of this uncertainty should be part of any site characterization project. This paper presents a method for characterization of the subsurface stratigraphic configuration with limited borehole data. Within the framework of the proposed method, the spatial correlation between the existence of a stratum in one subsurface zone and that in the other subsurface zone (or the spatial correlation of the existence of the stratum) is captured by an autocorrelation function determined with the maximum likelihood principle. The initial stratigraphic configurations are first sampled with the conditional random field theory. Next, the maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) estimates of the initial stratigraphic configurations are derived using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and taken as the final stratigraphic realizations. The effectiveness of the proposed method and its advantages over the existing stratigraphic characterization methods are demonstrated through a series of comparative analyses. The versatility of the new approach in modeling the 3-D stratigraphic configuration is further revealed through a case study of a site in Western Australia. This paper adds to the literature on stratigraphic uncertainty characterization and provides a basis for a risk-based geotechnical assessment that considers geological and geotechnical uncertainties. • A probabilistic method for characterizing stratigraphic configuration is proposed. • The spatial correlation of strata is estimated with maximum likelihood principle. • Conditional random field theory and MCMC method are included in this method. • Versatility of this method in modeling 3-D stratigraphic configurations is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to assess student nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes towards pressure injury prevention evidence-based guidelines. Background Pressure injuries are a substantial problem in many healthcare settings causing major harm to patients, and generating major economic costs for health service providers. Nurses have a crucial role in the prevention of pressure injuries across all health care settings. Design A multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire with undergraduate nursing students enrolled in seven universities with campuses across five Australian states (Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania). Methods Data were collected from nursing students using two validated instruments (Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Instrument and Attitude Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument), to measure students’ pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitudes. Results Students reported relatively low pressure injury prevention knowledge scores (51%), and high attitude scores (78%). Critical issues in this study were nursing students’ lack of knowledge about preventative strategies to reduce the amount and duration of pressure/shear, and lower confidence in their capability to prevent pressure injury. Level of education and exposure to working in a greater number of different clinical units were significantly related to pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitude scores. Conclusion The study findings highlight the need to implement a comprehensive approach to increasing Australian nursing students’ pressure injury prevention and management knowledge, as well as ensuring that these students have adequate experiences in clinical units, with a high focus on pressure injury prevention to raise their personal capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]