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Over 60 years of nuclear activity have resulted in a global legacy of contaminated land and radioactive waste. Uranium (U) is a significant component of this legacy and is present in radioactive wastes and at many contaminated sites. U-incorporated iron (oxyhydr)oxides may provide a long-term barrier to U migration in the environment. However, reductive dissolution of iron (oxyhydr)oxides can occur on reaction with aqueous sulfide (sulfidation), a common environmental species, due to the microbial reduction of sulfate. In this work, U(VI)-goethite was initially reacted with aqueous sulfide, followed by a reoxidation reaction, to further understand the long-term fate of U species under fluctuating environmental conditions. Over the first day of sulfidation, a transient release of aqueous U was observed, likely due to intermediate uranyl(VI)-persulfide species. Despite this, overall U was retained in the solid phase, with the formation of nanocrystalline U(IV)O2 in the sulfidized system along with a persistent U(V) component. On reoxidation, U was associated with an iron (oxyhydr)oxide phase either as an adsorbed uranyl (approximately 65%) or an incorporated U (35%) species. These findings support the overarching concept of iron (oxyhydr)oxides acting as a barrier to U migration in the environment, even under fluctuating redox conditions.

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crosscountry, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one's core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people's existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges.

Background: Multiple major health organisations recommend the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for COVID-19-related acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. However, initial reports of ECMO use in patients with COVID-19 described very high mortality and there have been no large, international cohort studies of ECMO for COVID-19 reported to date. Methods: We used data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry to characterise the epidemiology, hospital course, and outcomes of patients aged 16 years or older with confirmed COVID-19 who had ECMO support initiated between Jan 16 and May 1, 2020, at 213 hospitals in 36 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital death in a time-to-event analysis assessed at 90 days after ECMO initiation. We applied a multivariable Cox model to examine whether patient and hospital factors were associated with in-hospital mortality. Findings: Data for 1035 patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO support were included in this study. Of these, 67 (6%) remained hospitalised, 311 (30%) were discharged home or to an acute rehabilitation centre, 101 (10%) were discharged to a long-term acute care centre or unspecified location, 176 (17%) were discharged to another hospital, and 380 (37%) died. The estimated cumulative incidence of in-hospital mortality 90 days after the initiation of ECMO was 37·4% (95% CI 34·4–40·4). Mortality was 39% (380 of 968) in patients with a final disposition of death or hospital discharge. The use of ECMO for circulatory support was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 1·89, 95% CI 1·20–2·97). In the subset of patients with COVID-19 receiving respiratory (venovenous) ECMO and characterised as having acute respiratory distress syndrome, the estimated cumulative incidence of in-hospital mortality 90 days after the initiation of ECMO was 38·0% (95% CI 34·6–41·5). Interpretation: In patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO, both estimated

Geological disposal is the preferred long-term solution for higher activity radioactive wastes (HAW) including Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). In a cementitious disposal system, cellulosic waste items present in ILW could undergo alkaline hydrolysis, producing significant quantities of isosaccharinic acid (ISA), a chelating agent for radionuclides. Although microbial degradation of ISA has been demonstrated, its impact upon the fate of radionuclides in a GDF is a topic of ongoing research. This study investigates the fate of U(VI) in pH neutral, anoxic, microbial enrichment cultures, approaching conditions similar to the far field of a GDF, containing ISA as the sole carbon source, and elevated phosphate concentrations, incubated both (i) under fermentation and (ii) Fe(III)-reducing conditions. In the fermentation experiment, U(VI) was precipitated as insoluble U(VI)-phosphates, whereas under Fe(III)-reducing conditions, the majority of the uranium was precipitated as reduced U(IV)-phosphates, potentially via enzymatic reduction (mediated by metal-reducing bacteria including Geobacter species detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing). Overall, this suggests the potential for the establishment of a microbially-mediated “bio-barrier” extending into the far field geosphere surrounding a GDF which has the potential to evolve in response to aspects of a GDF and can have a controlling impact on the fate of radionuclides.

Background: Intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT) with tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke is underutilized in many parts of the world. Randomized trials to test the effectiveness of thrombolysis implementation strategies are limited. Methods and Results: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of a multicomponent, multidisciplinary tissue plasminogen activator implementation package in increasing the proportion of thrombolyzed cases while maintaining accepted benchmarks for low rates of intracranial hemorrhage and high rates of functional outcomes at 3 months. A cluster randomized controlled trial of 20 hospitals in the early stages of thrombolysis implementation across 3 Australian states was undertaken. Monitoring of IVT rates during the baseline period allowed hospitals (the unit of randomization) to be grouped into 3 baseline IVT strata—very low rates (0% to ≤4.0%); low rates (>4.0% to ≤10.0%); and moderate rates (>10.0%). Hospitals were randomized to an implementation package (experimental group) or usual care (control group) using a 1:1 ratio. The 16-month intervention was based on behavioral theory and analysis of the steps, roles, and barriers to rapid assessment for thrombolysis eligibility and involved comprehensive strategies addressing individual and system-level change. The primary outcome was the difference in tissue plasminogen activator proportions between the 2 groups postintervention. The absolute difference in postintervention IVT rates between intervention and control hospitals adjusted for baseline IVT rate and stratum was not significant (primary outcome rate difference=1.1% (95% CI −1.5% to 3.7%; P=0.38). Rates of intracranial hemorrhage remained below international benchmarks. Conclusions: The implementation package resulted in no significant change in tissue plasminogen activator implementation, suggesting that ongoing support is needed to sustain initial modifications in behavior. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: ww

BACKGROUND: Where mesopredators co-exist with dominant apex predators, an understanding of the factors that influence their habitat and space use can provide insights that help guide wildlife conservation and pest management actions. A predator's habitat use is defined by its home range, which is influenced by its selection or avoidance of habitat features and intra- and inter-specific interactions within the landscape. These are driven by both innate and learned behaviour, operating at different spatial scales. We examined the seasonal home ranges and habitat selection of actively-managed populations of a native apex predator (dingo Canis dingo) and invasive mesopredator (feral cat Felis catus) in semi-arid Western Australia to better understanding their sympatric landscape use, potential interactions, and to help guide their management. METHODS: We used kernel density estimates to characterise the seasonal space use of dingoes and feral cats, investigate inter- and intra-species variation in their home range extent and composition, and examine second-order habitat selection for each predator. Further, we used discrete choice modelling and step selection functions to examine the difference in third-order habitat selection across several habitat features. RESULTS: The seasonal home ranges of dingoes were on average 19.5 times larger than feral cats. Feral cat seasonal home ranges typically included a larger proportion of grasslands than expected relative to availability in the study site, indicating second-order habitat selection for grasslands. In their fine-scale movements (third-order habitat selection), both predators selected for roads, hydrological features (seasonal intermittent streams, seasonal lakes and wetlands), and high vegetation cover. Dingoes also selected strongly for open woodlands, whereas feral cats used open woodlands and grasslands in proportion to availability. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on these results, and in order to avoid unintende

This study combines bulk structural and spectroscopic investigations of Eu3+ or Y3+/Eu3+ co–doped tetragonal and cubic zirconia polymorphs to an gain in–depth understanding of the solid solution formation process. Our bulk structural characterizations show that the dopant is homogenously distributed in the ZrO2 host structure resulting in an increase of the bulk symmetry with increasing dopant substitution (from 8 mol% to 26 mol%). The local site–symmetry around the Eu3+–dopant, however, determined with luminescence spectroscopy (TRLFS), remains low in all samples. Results obtained with X–ray pair distribution function (XPDF) and X–ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) show that the average coordination environment in the stabilized zirconia structures remains practically unchanged. Despite of this very constant average dopant environment, site–selective TRLFS data show the presence of three non–equivalent Eu3+ environments in the ZrO2 solid structures. These Eu3+ environments are assumed to arise from Eu3+ incorporation at superficial sites which increase in abundance as the size of the crystallites decrease, and incorporation on two bulk sites differing in the location of the oxygen vacancies with respect to the dopant cation.

The use of multiple source populations provides a way to maximise genetic variation and reduce the impacts of inbreeding depression in newly established translocated populations. However, there is a risk that individuals from different source populations will not interbreed, leading to population structure and smaller effective population sizes than expected. Here, we investigate the genetic consequences of mixing two isolated, morphologically distinct island populations of boodies (Bettongia lesueur) in a translocation to mainland Australia over three generations. Using 18 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial D-loop region, we monitored the released animals and their offspring between 2010 and 2013. Despite high levels of divergence between the two source populations (FST = 0.42 and ϕST = 0.72), there was clear evidence of interbreeding between animals from different populations. However, interbreeding was non-random, with a significant bias towards crosses between the genetically smaller-sized Barrow Island males and the larger-sized Dorre Island females. This pattern of introgression was opposite to the expectation that male–male competition or female mate choice would favour larger males. This study shows how mixing diverged populations can bolster genetic variation in newly established mammal populations, but the ultimate outcome can be difficult to predict, highlighting the need for continued genetic monitoring to assess the long-term impacts of admixture.

Management practices in early-stage (I/II) follicular lymphoma (FL) are variable and include radiation (RT), systemic therapy, or combined modality therapy (CMT). There is a paucity of data regarding maintenance rituximab in this cohort. We conducted an international retrospective study of patients with newly diagnosed early-stage FL staged with positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography and bone marrow biopsy. Three hundred sixty-five patients (stage I, n 5 221), median age 63 years, treated from 2005-2017 were included, with a median follow-up of 45 months. Management included watchful waiting (WW; n 5 85) and active treatment (n 5 280). The latter consisted of RT alone (n 5 171) or systemic therapy (immunochemotherapy [n 5 63] or CMT [n 5 46]). Forty-nine systemically treated patients received maintenance rituximab; 72.7% of stage I patients received RT alone, compared to 42.6% with stage II (P, .001). Active therapies yielded comparable overall response rates (P 5 .87). RT alone and systemic therapy without maintenance rituximab yielded similar progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-2.34; P 5 .96). Maintenance rituximab improved PFS (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.095-0.64; P 5 .017). The incidence of transformation was lower with systemic therapy compared to RT or WW (HR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.070-0.61; P 5 .034). Overall survival was similar among all practices, including WW (P 5 .40). In the largest comparative assessment of management practices in the modern era, variable practices each resulted in similar excellent outcomes. Randomized studies are required to determine the optimal treatment in early-stage FL.Copyright © 2019 by The American Society of Hematology

Greater stick-nest rats were widely distributed across southern Australia in pre-European times, but only survived as a single population on the Franklin Islands in South Australia. Conservation efforts since 1983 have included survey of the remaining population, establishment of a captive colony and subsequent translocations to both island and mainland sites. Translocations have met with mixed success, with four of 10 (three islands and one mainland site) successful and extant for 19–28 years, five unsuccessful (one island and four mainland sites) and one as yet indeterminate. Overall, the increase in number of populations, area of occupancy and extent of occurrence has been positive, and has resulted in a down-listing of conservation status. There are numerous plausible explanations for the lack of success at some sites, but few data to differentiate among them. These plausible explanations include: the release of stick-nest rats to habitats of poor quality; high levels of predation (perhaps hyperpredation) by native predators (chiefly monitors and predatory birds) in combination, at some sites, with predation by feral cats or foxes; and ineffective release protocols. Most extant populations have undergone substantial fluctuations over time, and some show apparent long-term declines in abundance, likely increasing their probability of local extinction over time. There is a need for regular ongoing monitoring – of stick-nest rats themselves, their habitat and their suite of potential predators – to aid interpretation of outcomes. A more experimental approach to future releases is required to adjudicate among competing explanations for such declines.

Fauna translocations play an integral role in the management of threatened wildlife, though we are limited by our understanding of how the host-parasite community changes during translocation. During this longitudinal field-based study, we monitored gastrointestinal, blood-borne and ectoparasite taxa infecting woylies (Bettongia penicillata) for up to 12 months following two fauna translocations to supplement existing wild woylie populations in three different sites (Dryandra, Walcott and Warrup East) within the south-west of Western Australia. We aimed to (a) identify changes in parasite community structure of both translocated and resident woylies following translocation; and (b) evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin treatment in translocated hosts. Destination site and time since translocation had the strongest effects on parasite prevalence and mean faecal egg counts following translocation. Ivermectin treatment did not significantly reduce parasite prevalence or mean faecal egg counts in treated hosts. Prior to translocation, parasite community composition differed significantly between woylies selected for translocation and resident woylies within each release site. Following translocation, the parasite communities of translocated and resident hosts converged to become more similar over time, with loss of parasite taxa and novel host-parasite associations emerging. This is the first study to examine changes to the broader parasite community in translocated and resident animals following translocation. The dominant site-specific response of parasites following translocation reinforces the importance of incorporating parasite studies to enhance our fundamental understanding of perturbations in host-parasite systems during translocation, in particular the site-level drivers of parasite dynamics.

Background Understanding how fauna translocation and antiparasitic drug treatment impact parasite community structure within a host is vital for optimising translocation outcomes. Trypanosoma spp. and piroplasms (Babesia and Theileria spp.) are known to infect Australian marsupials, including the woylie (Bettongia penicillata). However relatively little is known about these haemoparasites, or how they respond to management practices such as translocation. We monitored haemoparasites infecting woylies for up to 12 months during two fauna translocations to supplement existing woylie populations in three different sites (Dryandra, Walcott and Warrup East) within south-western Australia between 2014 and 2016, with the aim of investigating (i) how haemoparasite prevalence, Trypanosoma spp. richness and Trypanosoma spp. community composition varied over time and between different sites following translocation; and (ii) whether ivermectin treatment indirectly impacts haemoparasite prevalence. Using molecular methods, 1211 blood samples were screened for the presence of trypanosomes, and a subset of these samples (n = 264) were also tested for piroplasms. Results Trypanosomes and piroplasms were identified in 55% and 94% of blood samples, respectively. We identified five Trypanosoma species, two Theileria species, a single species of Babesia and a novel Bodo species. Trypanosoma spp. richness and the prevalence of haemoparasite co-infection increased after translocation. Prior to translocation, Trypanosoma spp. community composition differed significantly between translocated and resident woylies within Walcott and Warrup East, but not Dryandra. Six months later, there was a significant difference between translocated and resident woylies within Dryandra, but not Walcott or Warrup East. The response of haemoparasites to translocation was highly site-specific, with predominant changes to the haemoparasite community in translocated woylies occurring within the first few month

This Scientific Report is a companion volume to the Summary Report for the Goulburn River Long Term Intervention Monitoring (LTIM) Project Webb et al. 2020). The two documents complement each other and overlap very little.

The incorporation of trivalent lanthanides and actinides into zirconia (ZrO₂) was studied using PXRD and spectroscopic methods (EXAFS, TRLFS). In highly doped cubic zirconia three Eu(III) incorporation species could be found using TRLFS. A surface associated species with an excitation maximum of 578.1 nm and two bulk incorporation species with excitation maxima at 579.0 and 579.7 nm were found.

© 2018 Purpose: To summarise the patient communication status in an intensive care unit (ICU), including methods of communication used and the frequency, degree and nature of communication breakdown. Materials and methods: A multidisciplinary daily ward audit was conducted on ten consecutive weekdays in a 30-bed general ICU of a tertiary Australian hospital. Data included patient demographics, patients' mode of communication and the level of difficulty in communicating. Descriptive statistics and means (standard deviation)/medians (interquartile range) were used to summarise the data. Results: Over the audit period, data were collected from 87 patients (median age 58 years, interquartile range 43 to 67; 60% males), equivalent to 232 occupied bed days. Patients from non–English-speaking backgrounds accounted for 14% of the cohort, with Mandarin the most common non-English language. Altered cognition occurred on 11% of bed days. Staff reported difficulty in communicating with patients on 35% of bed days, with an inability to communicate with patients in 49% of these cases. Alternate modes of communication were reported, with gesture the most common, but they were not used with all suitable patients. Conclusions: About one-third of the caseload in the ICU experienced difficulty in communicating. While alternate communication methods were reported, they were not used with all patients. A multidisciplinary approach to enhance communication ability may be beneficial.

Wildlife is persisting in urban areas of Australia even though white settler colonialism has resulted in the large-scale destruction of forested landscapes. While many bird species are in decline, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo has found emergent opportunities for flourishing within the built environment. Cockatoos are actively generating relationally constituted spaces, drawing humans into urban ecosystems that are ‘more-than human’ places, abundant and lively multispecies communities. Beginning in 2011, yellow tags attached to the wings of cockatoos, along with a smart-phone app and a Facebook page, have enabled scientists to collect data about these birds’ movements. These tracking technologies were quickly co-opted by an emergent public for their own purposes, including speculating about the personalities, relationships, intentions, and desires of individual birds. Interspecies friendships formed between humans and birds – involving shared understandings, emotional resonances, ongoing social exchanges, and utilitarian arrangements. We used the wingtags and the associated digital infrastructure as an opportunity to experiment with new modes of collaborative research and teaching in multispecies ethnography. Bringing together a flock of academics and students, we explored emergent social spaces involving people and birds. While many participants who fed the birds worried that they would become tame, we found multispecies flocks were fleeting associations where wild and unruly behaviours redoubled as people offered up food. We found that wildness emerged in intimate encounters with other species, encounters that were often characterised by shared but unequal vulnerabilities. Some cockatoos have been killed, after conflicts over property damage led authorities to identify them as nuisance animals. Against the backdrop of asymmetrical risks, we studied flocks of birds as models of, and models for, fleeting forms of association and collaboration. In these spaces, feelin

Understanding the impacts of parasites on wildlife is growing in importance as diseases pose a threat to wildlife populations. Woylie (syn. brush-tailed bettong, Bettongia penicillata) populations have undergone enigmatic declines in south-western Western Australia over the past decade. Trypanosomes have been suggested as a possible factor contributing towards these declines because of their high prevalence in the declining population. We asked whether temporal patterns of infection with Trypanosoma spp. were associated with the decline patterns of the host, or if other factors (host sex, body condition, co-infection or rainfall) were more influential in predicting infection patterns. Species-specific nested PCRs were used to detect the two most common trypanosomes (T. copemani and T. vegrandis) from 444 woylie blood samples collected between 2006 and 2012. Time relative to the decline (year) and an interaction with co-infection by the other trypanosome best explained patterns of infection for both trypanosomes. The prevalence of single species infections for both T. copemani and T. vegrandis was lower after the population crash, however, the occurrence of co-infections increased after the crash compared to before the crash. Our results suggest an interaction between the two parasites with the decline of their host, leading to a higher level of co-infection after the decline. We discuss the possible mechanisms that may have led to a higher level of co-infection after the population crash, and highlight the importance of considering co-infection when investigating the role of parasites in species declines.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that is characterised by positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions; negative symptoms, such as flattened affect, thought disorder (disrupted speech), and lack of motivation; and cognitive symptoms, such as problems with memory and attention. Schizophrenia can occur as an isolated episode, or as a recurring cycle of remission and relapse, and is associated with impairment in psychosocial and occupational functioning. Although antipsychotic drugs are the main treatment for people with schizophrenia, in most countries mental health services usually provide a range of add‐on interventions, including occupational therapy. This is a complex intervention designed to support and enable continued participation in daily life through engagement in activities and occupations meaningful to the individual. Occupational therapists are professionals trained to deliver therapy where the emphasis is on improving occupational function and participation rather than treating symptoms, and uses a wide range of methods based on the needs of individuals. However, similar interventions may also be delivered by staff not trained as occupational therapists. Objectives To examine the effects of occupational therapy delivered by occupational therapists compared to occupational therapy delivered by any other person for people with schizophrenia. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study‐Based Register of Trials (including trial registers) on 4 November 2016 and 26 July 2018. Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials evaluating the functional or clinical outcomes of occupational therapy, or both, for people with schizophrenia delivered by occupational therapists compared with occupational therapy for people with schizophrenia delivered by anyone other than occupational therapists. Data collection and analysis Review authors independently inspected citations, selected studies, extracted data, and ap

In a final repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF), the mobilization of actinides from the UO2 matrix is a great concern for safety considerations. The SNF rods are surrounded by zircalloy cladding material, which, similarly to the UO2 waste matrix, has a very low solubility in aqueous solution. Despite the very good corrosion resistance of the cladding material, corrosion and dissolution are expected to occur together with the leaching of radionuclides from the SNF over geological timescales. Therefore, the dissolution of zircalloy and the formation of a corrosion layer mainly composed of zirconia (ZrO2) on the cladding surface may be accompanied by reactions with dissolved, long-lived radionuclides from the SNF matrix. At ambient conditions zirconium oxide has a monoclinic (m) crystal structure. However, the incorporation of metal cations can stabilize the high-temperature zirconia phases, i.e. the tetragonal (t) and the cubic (c) phases, leading to the formation of stable structures at ambient conditions.[1] Such phase transformation may be expected when actinides from the SNF become incorporated and thus, immobilized within the zirconia corrosion layer. In the present study the incorporation of aliovalent actinides in zirconia, and their stabilizing influence on the crystal structure, have been investigated. The crystallinity and structural properties of the resultant actinide-doped zirconia solids were investigated with powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), while the local structure around the incorporated dopant was studied with laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Cm3+ and Eu3+ were taken as representatives for the trivalent actinides. The PXRD results of calcined Eu3+ doped zirconia samples show that a systematic transformation of the monoclinic to the cubic phase via the tetragonal structure occurs as a function of increasing Eu3+ doping (Fig. 1, left) whilst the Eu3+ TRLFS results show a 7F1, 7F2 emission band splitting corresponding to a low symmet

The structural incorporation of trivalent ions, i.e. Y(III), Eu(III) and Cm(III) was studied with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and various spectroscopic methods including site-selective time-resolved laser fluorescence-spectroscopy (TRLFS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). A clear mismatch of the bulk behavior in the stabilized tetragonal and cubic phases with its local structure was observed. Furthermore, it could be seen, that no quantitative structural incorporation into the monoclinic phase is achieved. A very strong shift of the laser fluorescence emission maximum of Cm(III) doped cubic phases compared to the Cm(III) aquo ion could be measured. It was shown that TRLFS is a powerful method to study defect structures, especially in combination with PXRD as a bulk characterization method.

Background: Severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The introduction of a dedicated uterine balloon tamponade device - the Bakri balloon - has afforded obstetricians another conservative measure in the management of PPH. There has been no comprehensive report of its use in Australia. Here we report our use of the Bakri in Victoria's largest maternity service since its introduction in 2008. Method(s): A retrospective cohort study of women receiving a Bakri balloon for the management of PPH at Monash Health, May 2008 to December 2014. Outcomes included rate of use, estimated blood loss (EBL), mode of birth and success rate (avoidance of hysterectomy) over time. Result(s): During the 7-year period, there were 49,024 births to 47,615 women at Monash Health. Of these, 80 (1.7 per 1000) had a Bakri balloon, of which 28 (35%) were nulliparous. The average (range) EBL was 3680 (400-10,000) mLs. The rate of use of the Bakri increased over the 7 years from 0.7 per 1000 in 2008 to 3.5 per 1000 in 2014 (p<0.001), during which time the average EBL fell by >1000 mLs (p<0.01). The rate of Bakri use differed by mode of birth: 1.1/1000 for vaginal births, 4.5/1000 for elective caesarean sections and 2.1/1000 for emergency caesarean sections. The overall success rate was 81% (65/80). The success rate increased significantly over the 7 years. Conclusion(s): The Bakri balloon is an effective intervention for severe PPH. Since its introduction we have increased our usage and used it earlier. These trends have resulted in less total blood loss and a higher success rate. These findings are likely to be of use to other hospitals.

Social media have been playing a growingly important role in grassroots protest over the last five years. While many scholars have explored dynamics of political cyberprotest (e.g., the ongoing transnational Occupy movement, the 2012 Quebec student strike, the student-led protest movement in Chile between 2011 and 2013), few have studied sub-dynamics relating to ethno-cultural minorities’ uses of social media to gain visibility, mobilize support, and engage in political and civil action. We fill part of this gap in the academic literature by investigating uses of Twitter for political engagement in the context of the Canada-based Idle No More movement (INM). This ongoing protest initiative, which emerged in December 2012, seeks to mobilize Indigenous Peoples in Canada and internationally as well as their non-Indigenous allies. It does so by bringing attention to their culture, struggles, and identities as well as advocating for changes in policy areas relating to the environment, governance, and socio-economic matters. Our study explores to what extent references to aspects of Indigenous identities and culture shaped INM-related tweeting and, by extension, activism during the summer of 2013. We conducted a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 1650 #IdleNoMore tweets shared by supporters of this movement between 3 July 2013 and 2 August 2013. Our study demonstrates that unlike other social media-intensive movements where economic and political concerns were the primary drivers of political and civil engagement, aspects of Indigenous culture influenced information flows and mobilization among #IdleNoMore tweeters.

Barrow Island, north-west coast of Australia, is one of the world's significant conservation areas, harboring marsupials that have become extinct or threatened on mainland Australia as well as a rich diversity of plants and animals, some endemic. Access to construct a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, Australia's largest infrastructure development, on the island was conditional on no non-indigenous species (NIS) becoming established. We developed a comprehensive biosecurity system to protect the island's biodiversity. From 2009 to 2015 more than 0.5 million passengers and 12.2 million tonnes of freight were transported to the island under the biosecurity system, requiring 1.5 million hrs of inspections. No establishments of NIS were detected. We made four observations that will assist development of biosecurity systems. Firstly, the frequency of detections of organisms corresponded best to a mixture log-normal distribution including the high number of zero inspections and extreme values involving rare incursions. Secondly, comprehensive knowledge of the island's biota allowed estimation of false positive detections (62% native species). Thirdly, detections at the border did not predict incursions on the island. Fourthly, the workforce detected more than half post-border incursions (59%). Similar approaches can and should be implemented for all areas of significant conservation value. Keywords

Background Taxonomic identification of ticks obtained during a longitudinal survey of the critically endangered marsupial, Bettongia penicillata Gray, 1837 (woylie, brush-tailed bettong) revealed a new species of Ixodes Latrielle, 1795. Here we provide morphological data for the female and nymphal life stages of this novel species (Ixodes woyliei n. sp.), in combination with molecular characterisation using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). In addition, molecular characterisation was conducted on several described Ixodes species and used to provide phylogenetic context. Results Ixodes spp. ticks were collected from the two remaining indigenous B. penicillata populations in south-western Australia. Of 624 individual B. penicillata sampled, 290 (47%) were host to ticks of the genus Ixodes; specifically I. woyliei n. sp., I. australiensis Neumann, 1904, I. myrmecobii Roberts, 1962, I. tasmani Neumann, 1899 and I. fecialis Warburton & Nuttall, 1909. Of these, 123 (42%) were host to the newly described I. woyliei n. sp. In addition, 268 individuals from sympatric marsupial species (166 Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus Wagner, 1855 (brushtail possum), 89 Dasyurus geoffroii Gould, 1841 (Western quoll) and 13 Isoodon obesulus fusciventer Gray, 1841 (southern brown bandicoot)) were sampled for ectoparasites and of these, I. woyliei n. sp. was only found on two I. o. fusciventer. Conclusions Morphological and molecular data have confirmed the first new Australian Ixodes tick species described in over 50 years, Ixodes woyliei n. sp. Based on the long-term data collected, it appears this tick has a strong predilection for B. penicillata, with 42% of Ixodes infections on this host identified as I. woyliei n. sp. The implications for this host-parasite relationship are unclear but there may be potential for a future co-extinction event. In addition, new molecular data have been generated for collected specimens of I. australiensis, I. tasmani and museu

Feral cats (Felis catus) have devastated wildlife globally. In Australia, feral cats are implicated in most recent mammal extinctions and continue to threaten native species. Cat control is a high-profile priority for Australian policy, research and management. To develop the evidence-base to support this priority, we first review information on cat presence/absence on Australian islands and mainland cat-proof exclosures, finding that cats occur across >99.8% of Australia's land area. Next, we collate 91 site-based feral cat density estimates in Australia and examine the influence of environmental and geographic influences on density. We extrapolate from this analysis to estimate that the feral cat population in natural environments fluctuates between 1.4 million (95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.3 million) after continent-wide droughts, to 5.6 million (95% CI: 2.5-11 million) after extensive wet periods. We estimate another 0.7 million feral cats occur in Australia's highly modified environments (urban areas, rubbish dumps, intensive farms). Feral cat densities are higher on small islands than the mainland, but similar inside and outside conservation land. Mainland cats reach highest densities in arid/semi-arid areas after wet periods. Regional variation in cat densities corresponds closely with attrition rates for native mammal fauna. The overall population estimate for Australia's feral cats (in natural and highly modified environments), fluctuating between 2.1 and 6.3 million, is lower than previous estimates, and Australian feral cat densities are lower than reported for North America and Europe. Nevertheless, cats inflict severe impacts on Australian fauna, reflecting the sensitivity of Australia's native species to cats and reinforcing that policy, research and management to reduce their impacts is critical.

Wildlife species are often treated with anti-parasitic drugs prior to translocation, despite the effects of this treatment being relatively unknown. Disruption of normal host–parasite relationships is inevitable during translocation, and targeted anti-parasitic drug treatment may exacerbate this phenomenon with inadvertent impacts on both target and non-target parasite species. Here, we investigate the effects of ivermectin treatment on communities of gastrointestinal parasites in translocated woylies (Bettongia penicillata). Faecal samples were collected at three time points (at the time of translocation, and 1 and 3 months post-translocation) and examined for nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts. Parasite prevalence and (for nematodes) abundance were estimated in both treated and untreated hosts. In our study, a single subcutaneous injection of ivermectin significantly reduced Strongyloides-like egg counts 1 month post-translocation. Strongyle egg counts and coccidia prevalence were not reduced by ivermectin treatment, but were strongly influenced by site. Likewise, month of sampling rather than ivermectin treatment positively influenced body condition in woylies post-translocation. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of ivermectin in temporarily reducing Strongyloides-like nematode abundance in woylies. We also highlight the possibility that translocation-induced changes to host density may influence coinfecting parasite abundance and host body condition post-translocation.

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced eyebrow and eyelash loss (madarosis) is a common and distressing side effect experienced by women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Objective(s): To explore patient's perceptions and experience of madarosis during and after chemotherapy and identify issues associated with the impact of madarosis on quality of life (QOL) as a first step towards developing a new QOL tool. Method(s): Women with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, who had completed adjuvant chemotherapy, were invited to participate in a guided focus group. The groups (lead by one investigator KM), explored perceptions and experiences of madarosis, discussed using targeted questions. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify important issues experienced by patients. Result(s): 25 women participated in one of five groups, ages ranging from 35-64 (median 50). All had completed adjuvant therapy with a minimum of four cycles of Taxane-based treatment. Seven themes emerged from the data: (1) Meaning and importance of eyebrows/eyelashes (2) Preparedness/Information provided (3) Impact of hair loss on[Fself (4) Impact of hair loss on others (5) Physiological side effects of loss of eyebrows/eyelashes (6) Management of loss of eyebrows/eyelashes and (7) Timing of regrowth and permanent changes. A range of emotional issues caused by madarosis were reported, together with side effects of dry eyes, excessive tearing and soreness/redness. Conclusion(s): This study highlights the significant impact of madarosis on patients, both emotionally and physiologically. Further research in this area is needed and interventional trials will benefit from development of a dedicated instrument/questionnaire which captures and measures the impact of madarosis on QOL.

BACKGROUND: Antiprogrammed death-1 antibodies (anti-PD1) have response rates of 40% in metastatic melanoma. Patients with poor performance status (PS) were excluded from clinical trials, yet use of anti-PD1 is widespread in clinical practice. Literature regarding clinical and palliative care outcomes in patients with poor PS treated with anti-PD1 is lacking. METHODS: Retrospective review of outcomes for all patients with advanced melanoma treated with anti-PD1 between 2012 and June 2015 at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, a tertiary specialist cancer center in Australia. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2015, 91 patients received anti-PD1: median age 63, 65% males, 77% elevated LDH>1xULN (37/48 patients). Fifty-eight patients had baseline ECOG PS of 0-1 (64%), 24 patients ECOG PS 2-3 (26%) and ECOG PS was not recorded in nine patients (10%). Median overall survival (OS) for the ECOG PS 0-1 group was 19.5 months and 1.8 months for ECOG PS 2-3 (HR 5.5; 95% CI, 9.1-50.3; P = 0.0001). Tumor response was 23/58 (39%) in ECOG PS 0-1, 2/16 (12%) in ECOG PS 2 and 0/8 in ECOG PS 3. Toxicity did not differ between different groups. ECOG PS 2-3 patients were more likely to be treated and hospitalized within the last month of life compared to ECOG PS 0-1 patients, RR 1.75 (95% CI, 1.04-2.56, P = 0.019) and RR 1.73 (95% CI, 1.10-2.16, P = 0.009), respectively. ECOG PS 2-3 patients were more likely to die in an acute hospital RR 2.68 (95% CI, 1.17-6.51, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with poor baseline PS have a significantly lower OS and reduced response to anti-PD1. Further quality of life and palliative care research is needed.

Understanding the interactions between radionuclides and mineral phases underpins site environmental clean-up and waste management in the nuclear industry. The transport and fate of radionuclides in many subsurface environmental systems are controlled by adsorption, redox and mineral incorporation processes. Interactions of iron (oxyhydr)oxides with uranium have been extensively studied due to both the abundance of uranium as an environmental contaminant and the ubiquity of iron (oxyhydr)oxides in engineered and natural environments. Despite this, detailed mechanistic information regarding the incorporation of uranium into Fe(II) bearing magnetite and green rust is sparse. Here, we present a co-precipitation study where U(VI) was reacted with environmentally relevant iron(II/III) (oxyhydr)oxide mineral phases. Based on diffraction, microscopic and spectroscopic evidence, we propose the reduction of U(VI) via a one electron transfer to U(V) and stabilisation of the U(V) by incorporation during co-precipitation with iron (oxyhydr)oxides. U(V) was stable in both magnetite and green rust structures and incorporated via substitution for octahedrally coordinated Fe in a uranate-like coordination environment. As the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio increased, a proportion of U(IV) was also precipitated as surface associated UO2. These novel observations have significant implications for the behaviour of uranium within engineered and natural environments.

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd One significant effect of urbanization is the modification of natural surfaces, local environment, and thermal comfort. Farmland and agricultural land in Klang Valley conurbation, Malaysia have been replaced with engineered surfaces and infrastructures to accommodate the rapid population growth witnessed in the past decades. To understand the current environmental conditions of the conurbation, numerical Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled to the Urban Canopy Model (UCM) was used. A model evaluation conducted against a network of observations showed an overall good performance of the model in predicting near-surface meteorological parameters. Also, an examination of spatiotemporal variability of urban parameters revealed a diurnal dependence of human physiological thermal conditions on urbanization level. A maximum urban heat island intensity (UHII) of ∼2.64 °C was observed. In an effort to investigate the effect of urbanization level on the extremities of urban climatic conditions, two different experiments with varying urban/vegetation fractions were further simulated. The latter results indicate that urbanization level has a significant effect on the extremities of urban climatological parameters and spatial extent of the induced impacts. Furthermore, the effect of urbanization level on the mean urban outdoor thermal discomfort (UOTD) level was significant (with an increase of 0.7 °C, 0.64 °C and 0.04 observed) for temperature humidity index (THI), effective temperature index (ETI) and relative strain index (RSI), respectively. However, a non-significant (at 95% level) effect of urbanization level on the extremities of UOTD indices was observed.

Copyright © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. The application of gears, especially spur gear, is widely available in most engineering applications. Especially for high module steel spur gear, it is used extensively in heavy machineries such as cranes and metal crushers. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid catastrophic damage to gears by understanding the crack behaviour. Provided the crack does not propagate into the rim, only minor accidents are likely to happen or else catastrophe may be expected again. Therefore, the study of crack behaviour on stress intensity factor (SIF) with different magnitude of moment was conducted. This study implemented the application of extended finite element method (XFEM) in ABAQUS to overcome the limitations of a conventional method, the finite element method (FEM). The need of re-meshing was avoided in this simulation. The crack propagation pathways were visualised using the 'STATUSXFEM'.

Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) remains the world's most common childhood physical disability with total annual costs of care and lost well-being of $A3.87b. The PREDICT-CP (NHMRC 1077257 Partnership Project: Comprehensive surveillance to PREDICT outcomes for school age children with CP) study will investigate the influence of brain structure, body composition, dietary intake, oropharyngeal function, habitual physical activity, musculoskeletal development (hip status, bone health) and muscle performance on motor attainment, cognition, executive function, communication, participation, quality of life and related health resource use costs. The PREDICT-CP cohort provides further follow-up at 8-12 years of two overlapping preschool-age cohorts examined from 1.5 to 5 years (NHMRC 465128 motor and brain development; NHMRC 569605 growth, nutrition and physical activity). Methods and analyses: This population-based cohort study undertakes state-wide surveillance of 245 children with CP born in Queensland (birth years 2006-2009). Children will be classified for Gross Motor Function Classification System; Manual Ability Classification System, Communication Function Classification System and Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System. Outcomes include gross motor function, musculoskeletal development (hip displacement, spasticity, muscle contracture), upper limb function, communication difficulties, oropharyngeal dysphagia, dietary intake and body composition, participation, parent-reported and child-reported quality of life and medical and allied health resource use. These detailed phenotypical data will be compared with brain macrostructure and microstructure using 3 Tesla MRI (3T MRI). Relationships between brain lesion severity and outcomes will be analysed using multilevel mixed-effects models. Ethics and dissemination: The PREDICT-CP protocol is a prospectively registered and ethically accepted study protocol. The study combines data at 1.5-5 then 8-12 years of di

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Blastocystis is an enteric protist and one of the most frequently reported parasitic infections in humans and a variety of animal hosts worldwide. The genus Blastocystis consists of numerous genetically distinct groups, referred to as subtypes (STs). Some STs are highly host specific, while others display moderate or low host specificity. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence amongst various animal hosts (captive, free-ranging and wild), genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis. As polyparasitism is considered to be the norm in wildlife, the final aim of this study was to develop a molecular-based diagnostic method for the simultaneous detection of Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia duodenalis in Australian native fauna. These aims were achieved by sampling captive animals and their keepers from the Perth Zoo. Also, animal samples were obtained from other zoos in Australia and Europe. Samples from free-ranging and wild non-human primates (NHPs) and Australian native fauna were also included in this study. All samples were screened for Blastocystis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), followed by phylogenetic analyses to characterise these isolates in order to determine the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of isolates within the Blastocystis genus. Blastocystis was detected in 13 species of animals from the Perth Zoo. It was also detected in NHPs from Belgian zoos. All wild and free-ranging NHP and Australian wildlife populations also harboured Blastocystis. This study describes the first reports of Blastocystis in the elephant, giraffe, Javan lutung, quokka, southern hairy nosed wombat and western grey kangaroo. Similarly, 12 Blastocystis STs, including six novel STs (STs 11 – 13 and 18 – 20), were identified in humans and animal hosts sampled as part of this study. Blastocystis STs 1, 2, 18 and 19 were identified in captive NHPs. However, STs 2, 8 and 20 were identified in wild NHPs. Australian nativ

Feral cats (Felis catus) have devastated wildlife globally. In Australia, feral cats are implicated in most recent mammal extinctions and continue to threaten native species. Cat control is a high-profile priority for Australian policy, research and management. To develop the evidence-base to support this priority, we first review information on cat presence/absence on Australian islands and mainland cat-proof exclosures, finding that cats occur across >99.8% of Australia's land area. Next, we collate 91 site-based feral cat density estimates in Australia and examine the influence of environmental and geographic influences on density. We extrapolate from this analysis to estimate that the feral cat population in natural environments fluctuates between 1.4 million (95% confidence interval: 1.0–2.3 million) after continent-wide droughts, to 5.6 million (95% CI: 2.5–11 million) after extensive wet periods. We estimate another 0.7 million feral cats occur in Australia's highly modified environments (urban areas, rubbish dumps, intensive farms). Feral cat densities are higher on small islands than the mainland, but similar inside and outside conservation land. Mainland cats reach highest densities in arid/semi-arid areas after wet periods. Regional variation in cat densities corresponds closely with attrition rates for native mammal fauna. The overall population estimate for Australia's feral cats (in natural and highly modified environments), fluctuating between 2.1 and 6.3 million, is lower than previous estimates, and Australian feral cat densities are lower than reported for North America and Europe. Nevertheless, cats inflict severe impacts on Australian fauna, reflecting the sensitivity of Australia's native species to cats and reinforcing that policy, research and management to reduce their impacts is critical.

Multiple investigators often generate data from seabed images within a single image set to reduce the time burden, particularly with the large photographic surveys now available to ecological studies. These data (annotations) are known to vary as a result of differences in investigator opinion on specimen classification and of human factors such as fatigue and cognition. These variations are rarely recorded or quantified, nor are their impacts on derived ecological metrics (density, diversity, composition). We compared the annotations of 3 investigators of 73 megafaunal morphotypes in ~28 000 images, including 650 common images. Successful annotation was defined as both detecting and correctly classifying a specimen. Estimated specimen detection success was 77%, and classification success was 95%, giving an annotation success rate of 73%. Specimen detection success varied substantially by morphotype (12-100%). Variation in the detection of common taxa resulted in significant differences in apparent faunal density and community composition among investigators. Such bias has the potential to produce spurious ecological interpretations if not appropriately controlled or accounted for. We recommend that photographic studies document the use of multiple annotators and quantify potential inter-investigator bias. Randomisation of the sampling unit (photograph or video clip) is clearly critical to the effective removal of human annotation bias in multiple annotator studies (and indeed single annotator works).

Uranium (as UO22+), technetium (as TcO4-) and neptunium (as NpO2+) are highly mobile radionuclides that can be reduced enzymatically by a range of anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, including Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, to poorly soluble analogues. The redox chemistry of Pu is more complicated, but the dominant oxidation state in most environments is poorly soluble Pu(IV), which can be reduced to the potentially more soluble Pu(III), which could enhance migration of Pu in the environment. Recently it was shown that flavins (riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide (FMN)) secreted by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 can act as electron shuttles, promoting anoxic growth coupled to the accelerated reduction of poorly-crystalline Fe(III) oxides. Here we studied the role of riboflavin in mediating the reduction of radionuclides in cultures of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Our results demonstrate that the addition of 10 µM riboflavin enhances the reduction rate of Tc(VII) to Tc(IV) and Np(V) to Np(IV), but has no significant influence on the reduction rate of U(VI) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The presence of riboflavin also accelerated Pu(IV) reduction, demonstrated by an increase in the percentage of Pu(IV) reduced to Pu(III), with and without riboflavin present (17 and 3%, respectively). Thus riboflavin can act as an extracellular electron shuttle to enhance rates of Tc(VII), Np(V) and Pu(IV) reduction, and may therefore play a role in controlling the oxidation state of key redox active actinides and fission products in natural and engineered environments. These results also suggest that the addition of riboflavin could be used to accelerate the bioremediation of radionuclide-contaminated environments.

Introduction Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the mainstay of management of primary PPH remains pharmacological a significant number of women will require surgical measures such as a compression suture or hysterectomy. In 2001 a less invasive approach was described, namely the insertion of an inflatable balloon (Bakri balloon) into the uterine cavity to tamponade uterine haemorrhage secondary to atony. In this study we aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Bakri balloon in reducing the need for surgical management in women with a major PPH in whom medical therapy had failed. Methods A retrospective analysis of all cases of severe PPH in which a Bakri balloon was used since its introduction to a single Victorian health service delivering about 8000 women per year. Results In our health service, between May 2008 and September 2014, 78 women had a Bakri balloon inserted for PPH, with a mean (range) age of 32 (23-44) years and a mean (range) gestation at delivery of 38+4 (30+4-42+0) weeks. Over the 7 years, the use of the Bakri balloon in our service is generally increasing, with three in 2008, nine in 2009, 12 in 2010, 14 in 2011, 11 in 2012, nine in 2013, and 20 in 2014. Thirty-six (46%) woman had had a vaginal birth, 23 (30%) an elective caesarean section and 19 (24%) an emergency caesarean section. The average (range) volume of estimated blood loss was 2590 (400-10 000) mL. The average (range) duration of insertion of the Bakri balloon was 17.25 (0.5-36) hours. Overall, in 86% of women the Bakri balloon was sufficient management of the PPH. In the remaining 14% a hysterectomy was required. In those women, the average (range) estimated blood loss was 5400 (3000-10 000) mL. Conclusion In our service, the Bakri balloon appears an effective therapy the management of PPH, avoiding the need for hysterectomy in nearly 9 out of 10 women in which it is used. Assessment of factors that might predict i

Despite the frequency of fauna translocations as a technique to improve the conservation status of threatened species, new populations frequently fail to establish. Translocations often lack experimental manipulation to determine ‘best practice’ methods to improve success. One poorly understood element of translocation science is the impact of parasites and disease-­‐causing pathogens on the animals moved and the ecosystem they are moved into. Of 58 published Australian translocations in the last 40 years, only 20 (35%) employed any level of parasite management, despite potential contribution of disease to initial fauna declines. I closely investigated a translocation of boodies (Bettongia lesueur) from Barrow Island and Dryandra to Lorna Glen, and ‘island dwarf’ golden bandicoots (Isoodon auratus) from Barrow Island to Lorna Glen and Hermite Island. Bandicoots born into the new populations showed an increased skeletal size and body mass (males) and reproductive output in the number and average size of young (females). These changes occurred within 18 months of release, suggesting that responses were due to phenotypic plasticity, rather than selective pressure occurring over many generations. I conclude that the small size of bandicoots on Barrow Island is a response to resource limitation, rather than true island dwarfism. I determined the impact on parasite load and survivorship of translocated animals by treating half the population with a topical antiparasitic. Despite frequent trapping (six-­‐ weekly) and very high recapture rate (64–99%), repeated dosage did not significantly impact ectoparasite or haemoparasite infection, or survival of the marsupials. I observed transmission of parasites between animals of different origin and to offspring, and a decline in species diversity present in the translocated population due to the failure of some species to persist. This thesis identified knowledge gaps in the translocation literature and addressed some key concept