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Summary: This paper describes advances made to aerial surveys of macropods in New South Wales and Queensland. Regular aerial surveys of macropods across large areas of Australia's arid and semi‐arid rangelands were established as a response to concerns for the species' conservation. They became integral to the harvest management of the four macropod species – Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Western Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus), Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) and Common Wallaroo (O. robustus). Harvest quotas are set as a proportion of population size, requiring absolute estimates of abundance. Counts were made in strip transects from fixed‐wing aircraft, but required correction for animals that are missed. In New South Wales and Queensland, counts are now made using line transect sampling, providing survey‐specific correction. Helicopters are used in more rugged and timbered areas and where Common Wallaroo can be more frequently found and harvested. Mark‐recapture distance sampling is used in more open country that can be surveyed using fixed‐wing aircraft and improves the accuracy of density estimates by accounting for animals missed on the transect line. Macropod populations are likely to be surveyed in the future by airborne imagery and by drones, but the technology needs further development. Spatial models could usefully provide small‐scale density estimates and address non‐random sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robustly and accurately localizing vehicles in underground mines is particularly challenging due to the unavailability of GPS, variable and often poor lighting conditions, visual aliasing in long tunnels, and airborne dust and water. In this paper, we present a novel, infrastructure‐less, multisensor localization method for robust autonomous operation within underground mines. The proposed method integrates with existing mine site commissioning and operation procedures and includes both an offline map‐building process and an online localization algorithm. The approach combines the strengths of visual‐based place recognition, LIDAR‐based localization, and odometry in a particle filter fusion process. We provide an extensive experimental validation using new large data sets acquired in two operational Australian underground hard‐rock mines (including a 600m‐deep multilevel mine with approximately 33 km of mapping data and 7 km of vehicle localization) by actual mining vehicles during production operations. We demonstrate a significant increase in localization accuracy over prior state‐of‐the‐art SLAM research systems and real‐time operation, with processing times in the order of 10 Hz. We present results showing a mean error of 0.68 m from the Queensland Mine data set and 1.32 m from the New South Wales Mine data set and at least 86% reduction in error compared with prior state of the art. We also analyze the impact of the particle filter parameters with respect to localization accuracy. Together this study represents a new approach to positioning systems for currently deployed autonomous vehicles within underground mine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: In the past 30 years, many people with (intellectual) learning disabilities have been moved out of large "institutions" and into their own home in their local communityThese people are now often between 30 and 50 years oldWe asked people with learning disabilities aged between 30 and 50 and who are living in their local community what things, including work, that they enjoyed doingWe asked people with learning disabilities aged between 30 and 50 and who are living in their local community whether they felt that they could make decisions about their lifeWe found out the things that make their life good, and also what might stop people enjoying their lifeWe learnt that people with learning disabilities should receive more support to assist them before they retireWe learnt that people with learning disabilities still need more support and choice around who they live with Background: This study investigated perceived quality of life (QoL) of community‐dwelling middle‐aged adults (30–50 years) with an intellectual disability and/or developmental disability living in rural or urban areas in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The specific aim of the current paper was to provide a descriptive evidence base of QoL and its specific domains by various key demographic characteristics of middle‐aged individuals. This cohort is likely to have either experienced or reached adulthood during and after large‐scale deinstitutionalisation in Australia. Methods and procedures: A cross‐sectional design was utilised, based on the QoL‐Q survey, testing domains of satisfaction; Competence/Productivity; Empowerment/Independence; and social belonging/community integration. The survey included demographic questions and was distributed to participants through disability support agencies across two states. The final sample included 291 respondents. Results: The overall QoL‐Q scores ranged from 3.0 to 29.5 (Mean = 20.4, SD, 4.1), with considerable variation in mean scores both across and within domains. The two demographic areas that showed greatest predictive value for QoL were work status and accommodation issues. The loss of agency and control in choice of co‐residents influenced perceived QoL for empowerment and independence domain of QoL‐Q. Conclusions: The findings highlight QoL issues associated with policy decisions and support programmes for middle‐aged adults. The two key recommendations arising from the project are that future planning for post‐retirement or reduced working hours needs to commence at a much younger age than currently expected, and more attention needs to focus on facilitating individual decision‐making and choice within shared accommodation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an ethnographic exploration of the assertion of a 'Barkindji style' art: why this matters and to whom it matters. Focusing particularly on the Darling River area of Wilcannia and on the period from the 1980s to the present, the increasing interest in art-making by local Aboriginal people is considered. Through a dialogue with artists, artworks, and others, the work examines the changing form, design and content of art and the rote of art in defining ideas of Barkindji Aboriginal culture and tradition. Invocations by key cultural brokers to produce work that is seen to 'belong to us' is explored in terms of the cultural, political, and personal work that this involves; particularly as this intersects with ideas of artistic freedoms versus artistic direction by cultural brokers. The paper discusses the personal considerations and tensions that come to bear in the processes connected with production of art and its making. In so doing, this paper engages with, and extends, the work of Tacon et al. (2003), Cooper (1994), Kleinert (1994) and Morphy (2001) as this pertains to art 'styles' and material culture from what is widely referred to as south-eastern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine urban-rural differences and individual risk factors for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women. Design Individual-level longitudinal data were linked with cancer registry data from New South Wales (New South Wales Cancer Registry linked by the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)), Queensland (Queensland Cancer Registry) and Victoria (The Cancer Council Victoria). Setting Participants were drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1946-1951 cohort (n = 13 715). Participants The sample included 195 women identified from the linked cancer registry data with a breast cancer diagnosis. Interventions Rural or urban residence was measured using Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia Plus (ARIA+). Individual characteristics and socio-demographic variables examined included survey year, menopausal status, country of birth, education and marital status. Main outcome measures A late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis was defined based on the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours. Results A late stage of breast cancer diagnosis was observed in 36% of women residing in urban areas and 40% of women residing in rural areas. After adjusting for individual characteristics, we found that obesity was the strongest risk factor for a late stage of breast cancer at diagnosis. Conclusions Given that women are becoming increasingly obese, and that the rate of obesity is higher in the Australian rural population, this paper provides further evidence for targeting interventions for obesity, particularly in rural Australia, as a public health priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiation therapy treatment for breast cancer may negatively impact patients' health‐related quality of life. Evidence suggests exercise and nutrition interventions may be beneficial to patients experiencing compromised health‐related quality of life. This study investigates whether radiation oncology practitioners support the implementation of a tailored exercise and nutrition intervention for patients and explores their interest in participating in training for exercise and nutrition as interventions. Methods: Data were collected by an online survey, deployed to public and private radiation oncology departments, across three Australian states (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland). The survey was completed between June and August 2020. Radiation oncologists, radiation oncology registrars, radiation therapists and radiation oncology nurses completed the survey. The survey included demographics, patient assessment and questions regarding the radiation oncology practitioners' use of exercise and nutrition as interventions. Results: Of 192 practitioners targeted, 76 completed the survey, for a response rate of 40%. Of 76 respondents, 42% 'sometimes' recommended exercise and 41% 'sometimes' recommended nutrition as health‐related quality of life interventions to their patients. The majority indicated they would benefit from more training in these subjects, with 58% for exercise and 55% for nutrition. 47 per cent of respondents thought patients would benefit from a tailored exercise and nutrition programme and 62% agreed they would refer patients to a programme if it were available. Conclusions: Radiation oncology practitioners reported they need training in exercise and nutrition to better understand how this can benefit the health‐related quality of life of breast cancer patients. Also, the findings indicate that if such an exercise and nutrition intervention were readily available, practitioners would refer patients who may benefit from this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This paper aims to assess the barriers and solutions to the delivery of eye care in primary care settings and solutions to improve the use of comprehensive eye care among Indigenous Australians. Design, setting, participants Qualitative, mixed method study participants include Aboriginal community members, and health and eye care providers in urban, rural and remote settings. Main outcome measures Present evidence for health care providers to better understand and address some of the barriers that limit access to eye care in primary care settings. Results Patient perspectives on barriers to accessing eye care and reasons they choose to seek care or not are presented. Health system barriers identified by health and eye care providers are also presented. Additionally, key enablers for improving access to eye care through primary care services are identified. Conclusion Primary health care services have an important role in Indigenous eye health. There is a critical role for primary care in the coordination of the patient journey and cooperating with other services to improve access to comprehensive eye care. Through improved provision of primary eye care, monitoring of Indigenous eye health indicators and supporting patients to access eye care, it is possible to close the gap for vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores differences between women's and men's first experience of injecting in relation to socio-demographic context, drug use, and the role of others. We collected cross-sectional retrospective data from 334 recently initiated (≤5 years) injecting drug users in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia using a structured questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR). Findings from the adjusted analysis show that women had a shorter duration of illicit drug use prior to initiation (adjusted OR 0.84, 95%CI: 0.74 - 0.94), and were more likely to have their romantic-sexual partner facilitate the initiation by paying for the drugs (adjusted OR 4.64, 95%CI: 1.21 - 17.73). Women also reported a greater likelihood of being initiated in groups of other women (adjusted OR 2.87, 95%CI: 1.24 - 6.67), suggesting that some women play an active role in their initiation experience rather than relying on, or being lead by, a romantic-sexual partner. These findings demonstrate the crucial role that romantic-sexual partners play in women's initiation experience, but also provide evidence for the way that women can be active participants in their own initiation and in initiating other women. [Bryant J, Treloar C. The gendered context of initiation to injecting drug use: evidence for women as active initiates. Drug Alcohol Rev 2007;26:] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the causal impact of internal migration on housing prices across 82 Statistical Areas Level 3 regions in Queensland, Australia from 2014–2019. The primary findings are: (i) an annual increase in the inflow of migrants equal to 1 per cent of a region's initial population leads to a 0.6 to 0.7 per cent annual increase in Queensland's house prices across different empirical specifications; (ii) this effect differs between the Greater Brisbane metropolitan area and Rest of State areas; (iii) migration from New South Wales fails to produce a significant influence on house price growth in Queensland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined rates of suicide and hospitalization with psychiatric diagnoses after sleeve gastrectomy compared with gastric bypass and restrictive procedures (gastric banding/gastroplasty). Methods: This was a longitudinal retrospective cohort study comprising all patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery in New South Wales or Queensland, Australia, between July 2001 and December 2020. Hospital admission records, death registration, and cause of death records (if applicable) within these dates were extracted and linked. Primary outcome was death by suicide. Secondary outcomes were admissions with self‐harm; substance‐use disorder, schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, behavioral, and personality disorders; any of these; and psychiatric inpatient admission. Results: A total of 121,203 patients were included, with median follow‐up of 4.5 years per patient. There were 77 suicides, with no evidence of difference in rates by surgery type (rates [95% CI] per 100,000 person years: 9.6 [5.0–18.4] restrictive, 10.8 [8.4–13.9] sleeve gastrectomy, 20.4 [9.7–42.8] gastric bypass; p = 0.18). Rates of admission with self‐harm declined after restrictive and sleeve procedures. Admission with anxiety disorders, any psychiatric diagnosis, and as a psychiatric inpatient increased after sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, but not restrictive procedures. Admissions with substance‐use disorder increased after all surgery types. Conclusions: Variable associations between bariatric surgeries and hospitalization with psychiatric diagnoses might indicate distinct vulnerabilities among patient cohorts or that differing anatomical and/or functional changes may contribute to effects on mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated school closures may have constrained educational participation particularly for students in disadvantaged circumstances. We explore how 30 disadvantaged students in secondary school (14 mainstream/16 Flexible Learning Programme) from Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania experienced home learning during the first wave of COVID‐19, teasing out nuances across two educational models. Drawing on semi‐structured interviews with these students, our analysis revealed three interconnected themes inflecting their learning: connection, connectivity and choice. Connection captures the desire for belonging and practices that facilitated meeting this desire during system‐wide disruptions to school routines and face‐to‐face learning. Connectivity captures the impact of digitally facilitated learning at home on students' ability to engage with curriculum content and with their learning community. Choice captures the availability of viable options to overcome barriers students encountered in their learning and possibilities to flexibly accommodate student preferences and learning needs. Students from Flexible Learning Programmes appeared generally better supported to exercise agency within the scope of their lived experience of home‐based learning. Findings indicate a need for strengthening student‐centred policy and practices aimed at leveraging the affordances of information technology, balancing self‐directed and structured learning and providing holistic support to enable meaningful student choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section outlines the most important issues addressed in the management of the response in the two infected states, New South Wales and Queensland. There were differences in the management of the response between the states for logistic, geographic and organisation structural reasons. Issues included the use of control centres, information centres, the problems associated with the lack of trained staff to undertake all the roles, legislative issues, controls of horse movements, the availability of resources for adequate surveillance, the challenges of communication between disparate groups and tracing the movements of both humans and horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family carers of people with mental illness provide an immense contribution to society in caring for mental health consumers. However, carers can experience substantial burdens and poor health outcomes themselves. Recognition of their needs for education and support has led to the development of a range of family education programmes. Throughout Australia, the Mental Illness Fellowship Australia offers the Well Ways programme, a group-based, family-to-family, education programme that provides information and aims to increase carers' capacity to care effectively for themselves, their families, and the mental health consumers. This paper describes a qualitative evaluation of an emotional support service piloted in a Well Ways programme in rural Queensland, Australia. The pilot service comprised individual emotional support offered to family carers attending the weekly Well Ways group education programme. Six of eight family carers who received the emotional support engaged in semistructured interviews exploring their experience of receiving the support. Three themes emerged from their experience: dealing with difficult times, connecting through shared experience, and exploring different options. Family carers found the emotional support beneficial, and reported that it enhanced their capacity to manage their own well-being, as well as their caregiving roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: To identify patterns in the temporal dynamics and spatial organization of kangaroo subpopulations that are commercially harvested, we fitted multivariate autoregressive state‐space (MARSS) models to time series of kangaroo abundance from the main harvest zones of eastern Australia (1990–2019 for New South Wales and 1984–2019 for Queensland). We found that the responses of most populations to process variation, that is variation due to environmental or demographic stochasticity were correlated and that populations responded synchronously to environmental changes. Furthermore, we examined the influence of the covariates lagged rainfall, Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and harvest rate on kangaroo abundance. We found that lagged rainfall had a positive influence, SOI and harvest rate had negative influences but the influence of covariates was not consistent across species or between subpopulations. In terms of population spatial structure, the analysis identified two subpopulations of Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) in New South Wales and four subpopulations of grey kangaroos (a combination of Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)), which appeared to be associated with a rainfall gradient from east‐west. In Queensland, separate subpopulations were identified in each of the three main harvest management zones for both Red Kangaroo and Eastern Grey Kangaroo. The implications of these results for the management of commercially harvested kangaroos are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit flies are among the most destructive horticultural pests. For Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the sterile insect technique (SIT) is the main control method used in southeastern Australia. SIT involves the mass rearing of Qfly, sterilisation of pupae by irradiation, transport to release centres, and release of sterile Qfly to disperse into the environment. Mating of sterile and wild flies results in no offspring; thus, the wild population rapidly decreases. Previously, research has mainly focused on improvements within the production facility. However, transport from production facility to release sites is also an essential component in all SIT programs. Here, we examined historical records from the Victorian SIT program between 2002 and 2013 in three seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). We compared quality control (QC) data of irradiated fly pupae at the mass‐rearing facility in New South Wales (limited transport) to those of pupae transported to a release centre in Victoria (extensive transport). After extensive transport, pupal weight (−0.3 mg, or −3%) and flight ability (an overall 26% decline) were lower across all seasons, but particularly in spring. Adult emergence was lower across all seasons (an overall 23% decline), but particularly in summer. All three QC parameters were more variable after extensive transport. We discuss potential causes of the observed decreased pupal quality and avenues of future research to mitigate transport losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit bats (Family: Pteropodidae) are animals of great ecological and economic importance, yet their populations are threatened by ongoing habitat loss and human persecution. A lack of ecological knowledge for the vast majority of Pteropodid species presents additional challenges for their conservation and management.In Australia, populations of flying‐fox species (Genus: Pteropus) are declining and management approaches are highly contentious. Australian flying‐fox roosts are exposed to management regimes involving habitat modification, through human–wildlife conflict management policies, or vegetation restoration programs. Details on the fine‐scale roosting ecology of flying‐foxes are not sufficiently known to provide evidence‐based guidance for these regimes, and the impact on flying‐foxes of these habitat modifications is poorly understood.We seek to identify and test commonly held understandings about the roosting ecology of Australian flying‐foxes to inform practical recommendations and guide and refine management practices at flying‐fox roosts.We identify 31 statements relevant to understanding of flying‐fox roosting structure and synthesize these in the context of existing literature. We then contribute a contemporary, fine‐scale dataset on within‐roost structure to further evaluate 11 of these statements. The new dataset encompasses 13‐monthly repeat measures from 2,522 spatially referenced roost trees across eight sites in southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.We show evidence of sympatry and indirect competition between species, including spatial segregation of black and grey‐headed flying‐foxes within roosts and seasonal displacement of both species by little red flying‐foxes. We demonstrate roost‐specific annual trends in occupancy and abundance and provide updated demographic information including the spatial and temporal distributions of males and females within roosts.Insights from our systematic and quantitative study will be important to guide evidence‐based recommendations on restoration and management and will be crucial for the implementation of priority recovery actions for the preservation of these species in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population more than doubled in size between 1996 and 2016. Growth was highest in urban areas and lower in rural and remote areas. An important contributor to growth was identification change, whereby individuals report their Aboriginal status differently over time. Official population projections in Australia currently do not incorporate this phenomenon, leading to underestimation of future populations which affects policies, targets and planning for demand‐based services. We outline a new projection model to improve subnational estimates of future regional population growth by endogenizing identification change and Aboriginal/non‐Aboriginal childbearing. Results suggest that growth will be higher than currently projected, especially in urban‐dominated regions in New South Wales and Queensland where identification change is projected to account for more than 50% of growth. There will also be considerable population ageing, which has implications for services and policies relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the use of smart spatial information systems (SSIS) as a technological extension of geographic information systems technology in the central coast of New South Wales and Queensland. Topical setting and some policy parameters in costal crises management; Discussion on SSIS as a coastal planning system for disaster management; Details of local authority computing systems and council functional arrangements.

Aim: To assess Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Services (ECEC) staff on their preparedness to manage children with food allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis.Methods: An online survey addressing training, knowledge, skills and staff confidence to manage FA and anaphylaxis was emailed to 5956 ECEC services nationally (excluding Western Australia, where this survey had been previously implemented); 494 surveys were completed and analysed.Results: One in 10 (9.5%) ECEC services did not require staff to undertake anaphylaxis training, indicating non-compliance with current legislation. Staff felt confident in managing FA and anaphylaxis, regardless of their level of training. Against recommendations, 37% of participating ECEC services stored adrenaline autoinjectors (AAI) in a locked location. Only 51.4% of ECEC services reported having an AAI trainer device. Victoria reported the highest level of anaphylaxis management training (P < 0.05), and staff were significantly less likely to store their AAI devices in a locked location compared to New South Wales and Queensland (P < 0.001). New South Wales and Queensland had a significantly lower proportion of services with AAI training devices than Victoria (P < 0.001).Conclusions: ECEC staff self-reported high levels of training, knowledge, skills and confidence in FA and anaphylaxis management. However, we identified gaps in staff knowledge and skills, particularly in how to correctly store and administer an AAI device. Compliance with appropriate FA and anaphylaxis policies and emergency response plans need to be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is well established in eastern Australia, where it is the almost exclusive cause of human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EME). While neuroangiostrongyliasis can result in severe morbidity or death, its diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion among medical practitioners. Prevention requires a high level of public awareness.Methods: We report two cases of EME in children from Queensland and summarise all reported Australian cases from the literature. We discuss the pathogenesis of neuroangiostrongyliasis, with particular reference to the timing of prophylaxis and treatment.Results: A 5-year-old girl developed severe headache, eosinophilic meningitis and abnormal neuroimaging following a holiday to Bali. A 10-year-old boy with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, marked developmental delay and pica developed EME following ingestion of a snail, resulting in long-term morbidity. From 1971 to 2018, 28 Australian cases have been reported, with acquisition restricted to Southeast Queensland and New South Wales. Ages ranged from 10 months to 45 years; most were male and most likely acquired infection from consuming unwashed lettuce or vegetables. The mortality rate was 18%; most fatalities occurred in children <1 year old. Long-term neurological deficit was reported in 14% of cases and a full recovery in 57% of cases.Conclusions: Heightened medical and public awareness of the parasite is required to prevent infection and subsequent disease. A better understanding of the efficacy of prophylactic anthelmintic following ingestion or handling of molluscs and further studies of epidemiology of this parasite will inform and facilitate public health recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The community prevalence of advance care directives (ACD) is low despite known benefits of advance care planning for patients, families and health professionals. Aim: To determine the community prevalence of instructional and appointing ACD in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and factors associated with completion of these documents. Methods: A telephone survey of adults living in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland (n = 1175) about completion of instructional ACD (making their own decisions about future healthcare) and appointing ACD (appointing another to decide). Quota sampling occurred based on population size by state, gender and age, with oversampling in smaller jurisdictions (Victoria and Queensland). Results: Overall response rate was 33%. Six per cent of respondents reported completing an instructional ACD while 12% reported completing an appointing ACD. Female gender, higher educational level, personal experience of a major health scare and being widowed were significant predictors of completing an instructional ACD. Older age, higher educational level and being widowed were significant predictors of completing an appointing ACD. Conclusions: Despite long‐standing efforts to increase advance care planning, community prevalence of ACD remains low, particularly for instructional ACD. This study found some different predictors for instructional ACD compared with appointing ACD, and also a potential role for experiential factors in triggering uptake. These findings suggest supplementing general community awareness campaigns with more nuanced and targeted efforts to improve ACD completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the frost‐prone, summer dominant rainfall zone of northern NSW and southern Queensland, sown tropical grass pastures commonly establish with plant densities >26 plants per m2, yet the optimum density for maximum herbage accumulation and hydrological performance is not known. A replicated, field study was established in northern NSW in November 2011, using five densities of Digitaria eriantha (digit grass): 0, 1, 4, 9 and 16 plants per m2 and a range of agronomic and hydrologic measures was assessed. The results showed that the largest differences between plant densities in herbage accumulation, root depth, soil water extraction and rainfall refill efficiency occurred during the first 2 years; after this time, digit grass pastures with densities of ≥4 plants per m2 responded similarly. Plant frequency increased with increasing plant density but the treatments did not converge. During the first two growing seasons, there was no effect of plant density on water use efficiency; however, by the third growing season, pastures with 4 plants per m2 were the most water efficient. Overall, the results indicated that 1 plant per m2 was too low to efficiently use resources, 16 plants per m2 utilized the resources quickly then tended to stall, while 4–9 plants per m2 was a good compromise between agronomic and hydrological response, achieving both herbage accumulation and sustainability goals. A practical management advantage of pastures with 4–9 plants per m2 is they allow soil water resources to be available for a longer period of time and potentially provide the opportunity to establish legumes in the ensuing 24‐month period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage and course completion rates for Indigenous adolescents in four Australian states and territories.Participants, Setting: Adolescents who were 12 years old in 2015 and received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (three doses: 0, 2, 6 months) as part of the National HPV Vaccination Program in 2015 or 2016 in New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, or the Australian Capital Territory.Main Outcome Measures: Estimated HPV vaccination coverage by dose and by Indigenous status and sex, based on National HPV Vaccination Program Register data; vaccination course completion rates (proportion of dose 1 recipients who received dose 3) for 12-year-olds vaccinated during 2013-2016, by sex, jurisdiction, and Indigenous status.Results: Dose 1 coverage exceeded 80% for all Indigenous status/jurisdiction/sex groups (range, 83.3-97.7%). Coverage was similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous girls in Queensland (87.3% v 87.0%), lower for Indigenous girls in the ACT (88.7% v 97.7%) and the NT (91.1% v 97.0%), and higher in NSW (95.9% v 89.9%); it was similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous boys in all jurisdictions except the NT (88.6% v 96.3%). Dose 3 coverage (range, 61.2-87.7%) was markedly lower for Indigenous than non-Indigenous 12-year-olds in all jurisdictions, except for girls in NSW (82.6% v 83.6%).Conclusion: HPV vaccine coverage is high, but course completion is generally lower for Indigenous adolescents. Strategies for improving completion rates for Indigenous Australians are needed to end the higher burden of cervical cancer among Indigenous than non-Indigenous women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Australian National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) policy introduced in 2012 on ED performance. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study of NEAT implementation using linked data, for 12 EDs across New South Wales (NSW), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queensland (QLD) between 2008 and 2013. Segmented regression in a multi‐level model was used to analyse ED performance over time before and after NEAT introduction. The main outcomes measures were ED length of stay ≤4 h, access block, number of ED presentations, short‐stay admission (≤24 h), >24 h admissions, unplanned ED re‐attendances within 7 days and 'left at own risk' (including 'did not wait for assessment'). Results: Two years after NEAT introduction, ED length of stay ≤4 h increased in NSW and QLD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48 and 3.24; P < 0.001) and access block decreased (OR = 0.41 and 0.22; P < 0.001), but not in ACT (OR = 1.28; P > 0.05). ED presentations increased over time before and after NEAT introduction with a significant increase above the projected trend in NSW after NEAT (mean ratio = 1.07). Short‐stay admissions increased in QLD (OR = 2.60), ACT (OR = 1.68) and NSW (OR = 1.35). Unplanned ED re‐attendances did not change significantly. Those who left at their own risk decreased significantly in NSW and QLD (OR = 0.38 and 0.67). Conclusion: ED presentations continued to increase over time in all jurisdictions. NSW and QLD, but not ACT, showed significant improvements in time‐based measures. Significant increases in short‐stay admissions suggest a strategic change in ED process associated with NEAT implementation. Rates of unplanned ED re‐attendances and those leaving at their own risk showed no evidence for adverse effects from NEAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on the paper "The gendered context of initiation to injecting drug use: evidence for women as active initiates," by J. Bryant and C. Treloar. The study examined potential differences in first injecting experiences among male and female drug users in New South Wales and Queensland. The study confirmed that women who initiate injecting are often more likely to have a partner who injects and are often more likely to have a partner who obtained the drugs and injected them.

This study investigates the age and growth of Lutjanus argentimaculatus at its southern (cooler) range limits in eastern Australia. Specimens were collected from New South Wales and southern Queensland between November 2011 and December 2013. Fork lengths ( LF) ranged from 190 to 1019 mm, and ages ranged from 2+ to 57+ years. Growth was described by the von Bertalanffy growth function with coefficients L∞ = 874·92 mm, K = 0·087 year−1 and t0 = −2·76 years. Estimates of the instantaneous natural mortality rate ( M) ranged from 0·072 to 0·25. The LF (mm) and mass ( W; g) relationship was represented by the equation: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To explore the knowledge of state abortion law of doctors providing abortion in New South Wales and Queensland, their attitudes towards this law, and their application of both knowledge and attitudes to their day-to-day practice of abortion. Design and participants Qualitative study using interviews of twenty-two medical practitioners agreeing to participate and identified as providing surgical and/or medical abortions in NSW or Queensland. Specific questions about practice as well as responses to ten common clinical scenarios formed the basis of each interview. Main outcome measures Familiarity of participants with abortion law of their state, documentation of views on legality and probable availability of abortion in each scenario provided. Results All participants were aware that abortion in their state is covered by criminal legislation, which they believe is out-of-date with current medical practice, in particular with regard to the diagnosis of serious fetal abnormality, and that there is limited case law to assist doctors in a defence to a charge of abortion. All were concerned about requirements to conform to state law when agreeing to provide abortion services to women, and about the possible constraints of these requirements on women's accessibility to abortion services. Conclusions Review and reform of abortion laws in Queensland and NSW, as has occurred in other states and territories, has the potential to bring the law into conformity with current medical practice and to clarify the legal position of doctors providing abortion services, thereby providing an opportunity to improve women's accessibility to these services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This research describes issues related to human rights as they arose within the everyday lives of people in nine personal support networks that included adult Australians with an intellectual disability ( ID). Method The research was part of a wider 3-year ethnographic study of nine personal support networks. A major criterion for recruitment was that people in these networks were committed to actively developing the positive, meaningful future of an adult family member with an ID. Data were collected from November 2007 to March 2011 via interviews, participant observations and analysed within the framework of situational analysis. Findings were checked with network members. Results The issue of rights was challenging to network members. Subtle rights violations could have a major impact on an individual with a disability. Network members worked to protect the rights of people with ID by building and maintaining an empathic and respectful support network, developing the person's self-confidence and autonomy and ensuring that the person with an ID was an active member of the personal support network. Conclusion The maintenance of rights within a supportive environment remains a difficult task. It can be facilitated by a deep knowledge and respect for the person being supported, the promotion of his or her active participation in the planning and provision of support, and an experimental and reflective approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Australian politics and government from July to December 2010. It examines the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who succeeded Kevin Rudd in 2010. The authors examine the results of the 2010 general election and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott. The article also surveys politics in all Australian states and territories, including Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Topics discussed include health care, budgets, and public transportation.

The 2007 New South Wales/Queensland Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Annual Scientific Meeting convened a panel to discuss multidisciplinary perspectives on the management of placenta accreta, percreta or increta. While it was anticipated that this panel would stimulate discussion, the cohesion between the approaches was underestimated. This document represents an integration of the perspectives of the invited speakers at this presentation, with backgrounds in maternal–fetal medicine, gynaecological oncology, radiology and general obstetrics and gynaecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the distribution and habitat associations of the endangered oxleyan pygmy perch in eastern Australia. It notes that the habitat is the key requirement in conserving rare and threatened fish species because habitat fragmentation and loss are the usual threats to species. Furthermore, the abundance of structural aquatic habitat was found out in trapping studies. It also mentions the factors that has a significant influence on contemporary species presence and absence patterns, and may have been responsible for the prominent gaps within the Queensland-New South Wales distribution of N. oxleyan.

Genetic variation among 348 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov) collected from diseased cotton plants in 31 fields in six cotton-growing regions in New South Wales and Queensland in 2002 and 2004 was analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Twenty-eight haplotypes were identified based on 146 polymorphic bands generated with four EcoRI and MseI and four HindIII and MseI primer combinations. The haplotypes separated into two distinct groups (37% similarity), with 21 in group I and seven in group II. The two unique vegetative compatibility groups of Fov known to occur in Australia (VCG 01111 and VCG 01112) were correlated to the two AFLP groups, with both VCG 01111 reference isolates being included in group I and both VCG 01112 reference isolates in group II. Group I was widespread, occurring in all regions sampled and all but one of the fields, while group II was limited to three fields in the Boggabilla region. Group I was further divided into two subgroups. The two haplotypes in subgroup I-B (I-20 and I-21) may represent the emergence of a new form of Fov based on their marked genetic discrimination from the subgroup I-A haplotypes. No spatial population differentiation was discernible at the national level, as only 3·9% of total genetic variation was attributed to differences among regions ( P = 0·4868). When each region was analysed separately, clear differentiation was found in the Boggabilla region, with 86·3% of total genetic variation resulting from differences among fields ( P < 0·0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke rehabilitation is an area of practice that many occupational therapists encounter during their career. The literature promotes a wide range of management techniques and support devices for people who have a stroke-affected upper limb, but little is known about the validity of those that occupational therapists actually use in practice. A questionnaire was sent to occupational therapists working in Queensland and northern New South Wales facilities (n = 35), in which adults with a stroke were likely to be treated. Eighteen respondents answered questions about the management techniques and support devices used in their facility, and their perception of the benefit of these devices in the reduction of hemiplegic shoulder pain. Results are discussed with reference to evidence-based practice and indicate an urgent need for the collation and dissemination of the best current evidence available for the management techniques and support devices used in this area, as well as further research to extend this evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Infants under 12 months of age are disproportionately represented amongst emergency department (ED) presentations, and infants are more likely to be frequent ED users. This study aimed to describe and identify psychosocial predictors of ED presentation in infants.Methods: A prospective birth cohort from Queensland and New South Wales (Environments for Healthy Living) was used to understand infant health service use. Baseline and 12-month questionnaire data pertaining to children born between 2006 and 2011 were used to identify predictors of ED presentation, using multiple regression analysis.Results: Of the 2184 children in the cohort with available baseline and 12-month data, 579 (27%) presented at least once to an ED during their first 12 months of life. Statistically significant predictors of ED presentation in the multivariate analysis included the mother having asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.39) and a higher Kessler-6 score (a measure of psychological distress) of the primary carer at baseline (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08). Maternal education level was not associated with ED presentations of infants.Conclusions: This study describes maternal and child factors of children who present to the ED in the first year of life. Factors related to an infant's support system were found to be predictors for an ED presentation in the first year of life. This study emphasises the need to review the maternal medical history and psychosocial situation. There may be benefits for health-care practitioners to take the opportunity (such as during routine childhood immunisation) to perform a brief screening tool (such as the Kessler-6) to understand psychological distress experienced by mothers. This may influence the likelihood of a child presenting to an ED within the first 12 months of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporothrix schenckii is a fungus which occurs in soil and on plant material. It has not often been reported in Australia from clinical sources. Most reports have been from Queensland, and it has rarely been reported from the Sydney and Newcastle metropolitan areas. Twelve isolations from the Sydney area are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: The findings of Australian drug surveys are typically not stratified by sexual orientation, despite the higher prevalence of drug use generally reported among gay and bisexual men. This paper aims to examine trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men in eastern Australia between 2004 and 2011., Design and Methods: Data from the cross-sectional, ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) were used to analyse drug trends among gay and bisexual men in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Between 2004 and 2011, 45,273 eligible questionnaires were completed., Results: There was a downward trend in recent drug use (previous 6 months) between 2004 and 2011 from 62.2% to 57.5%. However, this trend was not found among men in Queensland, bisexual men, men aged over 40 years or HIV-positive men. Club drug use peaked in 2006 (45.1%), before steadily declining to 32.4% in 2011. There were significant reductions in use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine and cannabis, increased use of cocaine, gamma hydroxybutyrate, erectile dysfunction medications, amyl nitrite and lysergic acid diethylamide, and no change in heroin use. Recent injecting drug use fluctuated over time but experienced an overall downward trend from 5.5% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011., Discussion and Conclusions: Drug use trends among gay and bisexual men in Australia are broadly consistent with downward and upward drug trends reported in other Australian drug surveys. The risks associated with drug use in this population and high rates of use supports the ongoing role of the GCPS in monitoring drug trends among homosexually active men., (© 2012 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.)