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The recent technological advances and their applications to agriculture provide leverage for the new paradigm of smart agriculture. Remote sensing applications can help optimise resources, making agriculture more ecological, increasing productivity and helping farmers to anticipate events that could not otherwise be avoided. Considering that losses caused by anomalies such as diseases, weeds and pests account for 20–40 % of overall agricultural productivity, a successful research effort in this area would be a breakthrough for agriculture. In this paper, we propose a methodology with which to discover and classify anomalies in images of crops, taken from a wide range of distances, using different Convolutional Neural Network architectures. This methodology also deals with several difficulties that usually appear in this kind of problems, such as class imbalance, the insufficient and small variety of images, overtraining or lack of models generalisation. We have implemented four convolutional neural network architectures in a high-performance computing environment, and propose a methodology based on data augmentation with the addition of Gaussian noise to the images to solve the above problems. Our approach was tested using two well-established open datasets that are unalike: DeepWeeds, which provides a classification of 8 weed species native to Australia using images that were taken at a distance of 1 m, and Agriculture-Vision, which classifies 6 types of crop anomalies using multispectral satellite imagery. Our methodology attained accuracies of 98 % and 95.3% respectively, improving the state-of-the-art by several points. In order to ease reproducibility and model selection, we have provided a comparison in terms of computational time and other metrics, thus enabling the choice between architectures to be made according to the resources available. The complete code is available in an open repository in order to encourage reproducibility and promote scientific advances in sustainable agriculture. • A convolutional deep learning model was developed for anomaly detection in agricultural images. • High and low-resolution imagery can be used as input for the model. • Data transformation and augmentation are part of our methodology. • Extensive experiments comparing 4 architectures and 2 datasets are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is a plant species endemic to northern Australia, attracting increasing consumer interest due to its multiple nutritional qualities. As a consumer product at a premium price point, the Kakadu plum may be susceptible to food fraud. This paper determines the prevalence of food fraud in the e-commerce Kakadu plum market. We applied stable isotope analysis (SIA) and elemental profiling using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) through Itrax to evaluate the authenticity of 13 commercially available Kakadu plum powdered samples purchased from Australian and overseas suppliers against four powdered samples directly provided by First Nations harvesters. Overseas and Australian-sourced powders were found to have distinct isotopic and elemental profiles. All overseas powders showed highly enriched δ13C values indicating they are fakes, not derived from Kakadu plum. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) of elements also displayed distinct groupings between Australian-sourced and overseas powders, whilst analysis of similarity percentages (SIMPER) differentiated the elemental composition between groups. It was also observed that 89% of overseas products sold as Kakadu plum were deceptively labelled as other products. These results showed food fraud occurred along the supply chain of overseas-sourced product. Given the complexities of multi-national food systems, utilising a combination of stable isotopes and elemental profiling are straightforward applications for detecting fraudulent products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the reasons why many people are reticent about travelling in a COVID-adapted world. It reports on a study of residents of Southeast Queensland, Australia conducted in mid-2022, up to six months after borders reopened after a prolonged COVID-19 shutdown. About one quarter of respondents were less interested in travel in a COVID-adapted world than they were before the pandemic struck. They were a diverse group whose reasons for their reticence could be categorised into four broad risk groups of: ongoing anxiety; fear of catching the disease; satisfaction risk, and; travel risk as reflected by an overall loss of interest in travel. Each group displayed different COVID-adapted travel patterns that reflect the operationalisation of different risk categories. A follow-up survey conducted in August 2023 confirmed that up to one in four people still have less desire to travel as a result of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the empirical correlations between inter-city population distribution, intra-city urban economic structures, and networked inter-city relationships to propose a conceptual classification framework for the Australian urban system. This paper sets the pre-COVID-19 benchmark for future research which will investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the economic geography of the Australian urban system. This research confirms that the form of Australia's urban structure is informed by a combination of population distribution, economic concentration, specialisation and diversity of industries and occupations, and networks between cities. Based on these results, we propose an urban structure framework characterised by hierarchical sub-systems and typologies of cities. The framework consists of standalone regional centres and larger cities which form a networked megaregion. Additionally, we propose five typologies of cities based on their functional roles. The Australian urban system presents a unique hybrid economic geography where its structure of networked megaregions of cities and standalone regional centres each with its complementary functional roles, presents itself an interesting case study to inform population policies for other geographies. • This study proposes a method to synthesise city size, economic structure and their networked relationships. • Principles of economic agglomeration mostly apply within the Australian context however, there are nuances and exceptions. • Proximity has a role to play when determining the economic roles of cities and the strength of interactions between cities. • Two urban sub-systems exist in Australia: standalone regional centres and megaregions. • Five city types in Australia which considers their size, economic structure and geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the high uncertainty associated with residential net load due to the coupling of distributed photovoltaic generation and user demand, this paper proposed a novel cluster-based stacking ensemble learning model for net load interval prediction. Firstly, the k-means algorithm is employed to discover the similarity in user electricity consumption patterns. Then, a RIME optimization algorithm with local enhancement (LRIME) is developed to optimize the parameters and weights of the base learners in stacking ensemble learning. Subsequently, base learners with strong predictive capabilities and significant diversity are chosen as the first-layer predictive models, extreme learning machine (ELM) is utilized as the second-layer predictive model, ultimately resulting in the proposed stacking ensemble learning prediction model. And utilizing the bootstrap method to fit the volatility of point predictions, different prediction intervals are obtained at varying confidence levels, aiming to quantify the integrated uncertainty in photovoltaic generation and load. Testing on the open Ausgrid electricity load data in Australia provided robust validation of the proposed method's effectiveness. In comparison with other outstanding prediction models, the proposed ensemble model can effectively capture the uncertainty in integrating photovoltaic generation and user load. • A RIME optimization algorithm with local enhancement (LRIME) is developed. • A stacking ensemble model is proposed for residential net load interval prediction. • The proposed model demonstrates higher forecasting accuracy and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous-derived boundaries have been existent since time immemorial in Australia. The landmark Mabo decision recognised the continued existence of Indigenous customary title under the common law and the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 (NTA) codified the processes for recognition and extinguishment. After thirty years of ongoing recognition, Australia is moving into the implementation and leveraging phases of legislative Native Title. This paper considers how the boundaries of these interests can be unambiguously identified on the ground if required. To do this we first discuss Indigenous customary title itself, how boundaries were understood in pre-European Australia and the nature of evidence relied on by the Federal Court to make Native Title determinations. By examining all litigated Native Title determinations made under the NTA we analyse the decisions in light of the well-established common law boundary determination principles. Similarities are drawn between the hierarchy of evidence used to reinstate typical cadastral and Native Title boundaries. From this, an elementary framework was constructed to allow a surveyor to better understand the Court's decision-making. We conclude that it is too early to be definitive as to how the courts will resolve Native Title boundary disputes, if they ever eventuate, but there is sufficient evidence to make preliminary evaluations of the relative merit of Native Title boundary evidence. ● Native Title interests need to be unambiguously definable on the ground. ● Native Title boundaries are different in nature to conventional boundaries. ● Traditional evidence hierarchies are not valid for Native Title boundaries. ● Ambiguity in determination boundary descriptions need their own agreed resolution framework. ● Litigated Native Title determinations are the only source in determining the framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsea flowlines are flexible or rigid pipelines that are used in oil and gas fields commonly for transporting production fluids from wells. The majority of the flowlines operating in basins across the world (including e.g. Australia's 1700 km infield flowlines) are approaching the end of their productive life, and will need to be decommissioned over the next 5 decades. This paper, for the first time, investigates the potential of repurposing decommissioned flowlines to dynamically installed anchors for mooring floating facilities. Five shapes of anchor have been developed using segments of flowline. Two series of tests were subsequently carried out on models of those shapes. The first series of tests involved releasing the models in still water to assess free-fall trajectory (i.e. verticality), terminal velocity, and anchor drag coefficient. The second series of tests were carried out at 50 g in clay to investigate the performance of the anchors in terms of tip embedment depth during dynamic installation and capacity under vertical loading. The results confirmed performance similar to conventional dynamically installed anchors, suggesting that there is potential to fabricate offshore anchors using segments of flowline. • Decommissioned flowlines. • Repurposing decommissioned flowlines to dynamically installed anchors. • Verticality, terminal velocity, and drag coefficient in water. • Tip embedment depth during dynamic installation in clay. • Capacity under monotonic vertical loading in clay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a trending mobility choice, e-scooters have become popular in many cities. A number of authorities have initiated shared e-scooter trial schemes to assess the feasibility of the vehicles prior to enacting official legalisation. This paper aims to provide an evidence review of shared e-scooters and investigate how existing evidence may inform long-term policies. This carries significant relevance for jurisdictions that are in a conflicting position with e-scooters, such as New South Wales (NSW), Australia whose context motivates this study. The evidence review focuses on three themes derived from experience with shared e-scooters within the broader micromobility landscape, namely: safety; where shared e-scooters fit into the modal landscape; and the environmental impacts. Findings confirm that ensuring the safety of shared e-scooters requires complex solutions, which may include a clear regulatory framework for e-scooters, safety education and skill training, innovative data collection and analysis methods, and an approach to safety management that is user-based, location-based, and time-based. In terms of modal fit policymakers should encourage first and last-mile combinations with public transport, with consideration of user characteristics; while climate impact is strongly correlated to the mode replaced by e-scooter trips. The paper provides insights for policymakers on the regulation and positioning of shared e-scooters. • Many jurisdictions are struggling to determine policies for e-scooters. • Existing e-scooter evidence sheds light on possible long-term policies. • Safety management should consider different users, locations, and times. • First and last-mile combinations with public transport should be encouraged. • Climate impact is strongly correlated to the mode replaced by e-scooter trips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid offshore renewable energy platforms have been proposed to optimise power production and reduce the levelised cost of energy by integrating or co-locating several renewable technologies. One example is a hybrid wave-wind energy system that combines offshore wind turbines with wave energy converters (WECs) on a single floating foundation. The design of such systems involves multiple parameters and performance measures, making it a complex, multi-modal, and expensive optimisation problem. This paper proposes a novel, robust and effective multi-objective swarm optimisation method (DMOGWA) to provide a design solution that best compromises between maximising WEC power output and minimising the effect on wind turbine nacelle acceleration. The proposed method uses a chaotic adaptive search strategy with a dynamic archive of non-dominated solutions based on diversity to speed up the convergence rate and enhance the Pareto front quality. Furthermore, a modified exploitation technique (Discretisation Strategy) is proposed to handle the large damping and spring coefficient of the Power Take-off (PTO) search space. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method, we compare the DMOGWA with four well-known multi-objective swarm intelligence methods (MOPSO, MALO, MODA, and MOGWA) and four popular evolutionary multi-objective algorithms (NSGA-II, MOEA/D, SPEA-II, and PESA-II) based on four potential deployment sites on the South Coast of Australia. The optimisation results demonstrate the dominance of the DMOGWA compared with the other eight methods in terms of convergence speed and quality of solutions proposed. Furthermore, adjusting the hybrid wave-wind model's parameters (WEC design and PTO parameters) using the proposed method (DMOGWA) leads to a considerably improved power output (average proximate boost of 138.5%) and a notable decline in wind turbine nacelle acceleration (41%) throughout the entire operational spectrum compared with the other methods. This improvement could lead to millions of dollars in additional income per year over the lifespan of hybrid offshore renewable energy platforms. • A new multiobjective optimisation method proposed and enhanced hybrid wave-wind platform. • A new combination of chaotic adaptive exploration and dynamic archive is introduced. • Effective and practical discretisation method improved performance of hybrid platform. • The performance of the proposed optimiser is validated on four real sea studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A palynological record from Girraween Lagoon sediments (Darwin region of the Northern Territory, Australia) provides detailed long-term insight into tropical savanna vegetation community patterns, climatic and fire relationships, through Marine Isotope Stage 4 (MIS 4: 71–57 thousand years ago, ka) and Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3: 57–29 ka). Owing to a lack of data in reconstructing northern Australian environments, this paper looks to define and describe to a greater degree the nature and scope of these stadial and interstadial stages for the region. Girraween Lagoon simultaneously provides proximal palaeoecological data for the time and region of Aboriginal people's first arrival into Australia, also encompassing the late Pleistocene continental decline of megafauna. This study provides a dataset enabling full exploration of long-term people-landscape and faunal-floral interactions. Sea levels and associated variations imposed on the transportation of moisture and heat, held implications for MIS 4 and MIS 3 monsoon strength, which was particularly consequential for Girraween regional ecology. Results reveal a prolonged transition from wooded- to grassy-savanna, into a cool drier semi-arid savanna. Increasingly episodic delivery of moisture influenced the permanency of freshwater in the landscape. • A detailed picture of vegetation in monsoonal north Australia during MIS 4 and MIS 3. • An ultimate transition from grassy eucalypt savanna into semi-arid savanna revealed. • Changed monsoonal delivery particularly consequential for regional ecology. • An indication of baseline landscapes during people's first arrival into Australia. • Assisting to place megafaunal decline within an ecological landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) as an effective mechanism to reduce carbon emissions leads to an increased weather dependency for power and energy systems. This has created dynamic operation and degradation phenomena, which affect the lifetime estimation of the assets operated with RESs. For the reliable and efficient operation of RES it is crucial to monitor the health of its constituent components and feature selection is a crucial step for building robust and accurate health monitoring approaches. In this context, this paper presents a probabilistic feature selection approach, which probabilistically weights and selects features through a heuristic and iterative process for an improved asset lifetime estimation. Power transformers are key power grid assets and they are used to demonstrate the validity and impact of the proposed approach. The approach is tested on two different photovoltaic power plants operated in Spain and Australia. Results consistently show that the proposed feature-selection approach reduces the prediction error and consistently selects relevant features. The approach has been applied to transformer lifetime estimation, but it can be generally applied to assist in the lifetime estimation of other components operated in RESs. Part of the studies presented here as well as source codes are all open-source under the GitHub repository https://github.com/iramirezg/FeatureSelection. • Probabilistic feature selection approach for improved asset lifetime estimation. • Integration of environmental features for improved renewable-operated asset lifetime. • Systematic and robust feature weighting methodology. • Improved transformer lifetime estimation including sensor and environmental data. • Validated on two real photovoltaic power plant case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are implemented across multiple cities worldwide and feature as promising solutions in local and global agendas. As solutions that can deal with interlinked urban challenges, NBS are being taken up by cities in different geographies and are considered to be mainstreaming. The process, referred to as mainstreaming, and how this can be achieved needs to be better understood, which is identified as a research gap. In this paper, we examine the roles that actors can undertake that contribute to the mainstreaming of NBS in cities. The aim is to understand the roles that urban actors, especially those within local governments, assume in the process of NBS mainstreaming to mobilise and implement novel and innovative strategic solutions for cities. This topic is explored in a case study of the metropolitan Melbourne region in Australia, where urban forest strategies are gaining traction in local governments for addressing urban resilience concerns. We present how the roles different actors assume contribute to the (re)shaping, building, and/or transformation of institutions to attain climate and ecologically resilient cities. The main contribution of this paper is a pathways framework that illustrates how sustainability norms can move through the mainstreaming process, facilitated by the roles that actors undertake – to champion, advocate, and realise transformative discourses and actions within urban politics and urban practices. Our key findings are framed as success factors of mainstreaming agencies and pathways underpinning transformation, which are: commitment longevity, innovative capacity, collaborative mindset, and on-ground delivery. • Policy, practice, and research actors can facilitate NBS mainstreaming in cities. • Role archetypes describe the mainstreaming actions of specific actors. • The configuration of roles is analysed to explain mainstreaming pathways. • Define mainstreaming pathways framework for actors' roles in NBS mainstreaming. • Success factors are commitment, innovation, collaboration, and on-ground delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preference weights are widely used to score generic health states into utility indexes for estimation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and to aid health care funding decisions. To date, health state utilities are predominantly derived using stated preference methods based on decision utility. This paper tests an alternative and generates preference weights using experienced utility for children based on the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) descriptive system. We estimate the relative values of the CHU9D health states with regard to experienced utility, where experienced utility is approximated by self-reported happiness. A nationally-representative longitudinal survey was used including 6090 Australian children aged 12–17 years surveyed over 2014–2018. The derived weights were then applied to calculate the utility decrements for a few common child health conditions. We found that the estimated utility decrements are largely similar to those estimated using the published CHU9D Australian adolescent weights based on decision utility, except for pain and depression. A smaller utility decrement for pain and a larger utility decrement for depression were indicated by experienced utility. We contribute to the literature by showing that using experienced utility methods to generate preference weights for health states is possible, and we discuss some important methodological challenges for future studies such as the impracticability of anchoring to 'dead' when utilizing experienced utility. • Established methods of valuing health states rely on decision utility. • We use experienced utility to generate preference weights for children. • The estimated decrements for health conditions are similar to published weights. • We see smaller impact for pain, larger for depression compared to published weights. • Feasibility is demonstrated using child experienced utility for preference weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, school leaders express a need for ongoing professional learning to support teacher's knowledge and skills in inclusive education. This paper reports on interview data collected from four school leaders and 18 teachers who have various roles in Australian schools (four school sites) about their experiences of professional learning to operationalise inclusive schooling. Most of the teachers did not have leadership titles or designated leadership roles but the descriptions of their experience indicated teacher leadership in action. Our research draws on Transformative Leadership Theory and aims to identify how transformative leadership tenets and an additional tenet—Relatedness, are evident in descriptions of experience in professional learning to lead and support inclusive education. Each school site supports a different model of professional learning: Coaching, Collegial Partnership, Community of Practice (CoP), and Independent Learning. The findings were analysed to consider how the model of professional learning impacted on participant's perceptions of influence to operationalise inclusive practices. Our findings indicate that the Transformative Leadership Theory provided a comprehensive framework to elucidate the majority of the findings in this study. Relatedness as an additional tenet was an important consideration for leading transformative change for inclusive education. The majority of participants contributed to a school model of professional learning and fostered an environment, where teachers could expand their knowledge and skills, and work critically and collaboratively with their colleagues, to promote inclusive education practices in their school communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dedicated grid-tied offshore hybrid energy system for hydrogen production is a promising solution to unlock the full benefit of offshore wind and solar energy and realize decarbonization and sustainable energy security targets in electricity and other sectors. Current knowledge of these offshore hybrid systems is limited, particularly in the integration, component control, and allocation aspects. Therefore, a grid-integrated analytical model with a power dispatch allocation strategy between the grid and electrolyzer for the co-production of hydrogen from the offshore hybrid energy system is developed in this paper. While producing hydrogen, the proposed offshore hybrid energy system supplies a percentage of its capacity to the onshore grid facility, and the amount of the electricity is quantified based on the electricity market price and available total offshore generation. The detailed controls of each component are discussed. A case study considers a hypothetical hybrid offshore energy system of 10 MW situated in a potential offshore off the NSW of Australia based on realistic metrological data. A grid-scale proton-exchange membrane electrolyzer stack is used and a model predictive power controller is implemented on the distributed hydrogen generation scheme. The model is helpful for the assessment or optimization of both the economics and feasibility of the dedicated offshore hybrid energy farm for hydrogen production systems. • Modeling of a grid-integrated analytical model of an OHES for hydrogen co-production. • Development of a power dispatch allocation strategy for the proposed OHES. • Development of detailed controls of each component used in the proposed OHES. • Demonstrations of a case study considering 10 MW OHES situated in offshore off the NSW of Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscale eddies are quasi-circular ocean currents accompanied by dynamic and thermodynamic variations, and are classified as anticyclonic (AEs) and cyclonic eddies (CEs) according to their rotation direction. Eddies transition between surface cold CEs/surface warm AEs ("conventional" eddies) and surface warm CEs/surface cold AEs ("unconventional" eddies) during their lifetimes. However, the characteristics and mechanisms of these transitions remain unclear. In this study, satellite and in-situ data were used to explore the spatiotemporal variation and vertical structures of "conventional" and "unconventional" eddies during the evolution of long-lived eddies (>1 year) in the global ocean from 1993 to 2015. On average, long-lived eddies are "unconventional" for about 40% of their lifetimes, and these "unconventional" eddies are concentrated in the South Atlantic Ocean and off the western and southern coasts of Australia. "Unconventional" eddies show distinct temporal variation and subsurface temperature structures. Generally, cold AEs and warm CEs last <3 months and are more active in summer than in winter. They have cold or warm cores within the mixed layer depth of the water column, which is affected by eddy–wind interactions via eddy-induced Ekman pumping. However, some cold AEs in the South Atlantic and warm CEs in the South Indian Ocean can last for >3 months and display weak seasonal variation. In addition, their cold and warm cores can extend to ∼200 and ∼300 m, respectively, and are related to subduction and the Leeuwin Current System. • There are surface thermal signature transitions during long-lived eddies' lifetimes. • The transformed eddies have different seasonal variations and vertical structures. • The transitions are affected by eddy-wind interaction, subduction and background current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the finfish aquaculture industry has experienced a decline in social acceptance, as the industry has been linked to coastal and marine environmental impacts. The causality, magnitude and intensity of these impacts are contested and controversial. To address these social concerns and perceptions, new lower-impact forms of production have been integrated in planning processes for the expansion of the salmon industry. This paper identifies a range of stakeholder views on coastal and marine ecosystem services associated with the expansion of salmon aquaculture using lower-impact forms of production in Tasmania, Australia. Stakeholder surveys combined with Q methodology interviews were used to capture stakeholders' 'subjectivities' or perspectives—described here as 'preferences'. The application of Q methodology identified three factors or perspectives—'utilitarian ecological', 'ecological primacy' and 'recreational amenity'—which explain the majority of the variance in stakeholder preferences. The 'utilitarian ecological' label accounted for the largest cluster of stakeholders' preferences, while the 'ecological primacy' and 'recreational amenity' perspectives accounted for small subsets of stakeholder preferences. Q methodology was an effective approach for identifying the range of stakeholder preferences for and the relative importance of ecosystem services in these coastal and marine environs. Environmental attributes such as seabed health and water quality were identified as being the most important regulating and supporting coastal and marine ecosystem services, followed by the subsequent flow of benefits to regional communities through employment in the Q results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• River plumes are a source of pollutants in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. • Plume dispersion is simulated using a coupled Lagrangian-Eulerian-ocean model. • Lagrangian particle density is computed from application of Voronoi diagrams. • Lagrangian particle densities and Eulerian tracer concentrations are comparable. • Lagrangian model is validated using satellite imagery and satellite Chlorophyll-a. In this paper, we describe methods to verify the adequacy and accuracy of Lagrangian particles from a Lagrangian model to reproduce the concentrations of a passive tracer from an Eulerian-model in river plumes. The modelling simulates plumes from two major rivers discharging in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, under real-world scenarios. The study has been a part of a major project to aid in the protection of the GBR system from the impacts of extreme events and climate change. We employ the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) activated with its built-in Lagrangian model, and forced with wind fields from global models and recorded river volume discharges. The ROMS-Lagrangian model tracks the Lagrangian particles using the spatially interpolated velocities computed on the Eulerian ROMS three-dimensional (3D) grid. The Lagrangian particles are released in the river in proportion to the measured river volume flux. We apply a novel technique that exploits Voronoi polygon areas to convert Lagrangian particle separation into a concentration field. This facilitates comparison with the passive tracer concentrations driven by the Eulerian velocities computed on the ROMS 3D grid. We evaluate the fate of Lagrangian particles activated on a 4-km grid resolution with those of equivalent Eulerian tracer concentrations. For validation, we compare the Lagrangian particles with the Eulerian passive tracer simulated using a higher model grid resolution of 500-m, and found that the computed Lagrangian particle concentrations showed similar overall patterns compared to the passive tracer concentrations from both the coarse 4-km, and high-resolution 500-m Eulerian models. The spatial extent of the particles was in better agreement with the coarse 4-km model than with the higher resolution 500-m model. The clustering of particles resulted in structures at finer scales than the Eulerian model, over the high particle density areas that compared well against observations. The Lagrangian particles are able to capture the general river plume patterns seen in the satellite MODIS images and the satellite derived Chlorophyll-a. We further compare the online ROMS model with an offline particle tracker, OceanPARCELS and determined the similarity of results from both online and offline methods. Overall, our study demonstrates the viability to use Lagrangian particles to reproduce the Eulerian tracer properties, which can be combined with particle properties include tracer age providing to enhance the guidance on the distribution and concentration of effluent from localised flooding river events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The compressive behaviour of square RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire is investigated. • Twelve post-fire compression tests are conducted. • The influences of heating durations and RCA replacement ratios are discussed. • Thermal and mechanical FE models are validated against test results and then used to conduct parametric studies. • The relevant design codes are assessed against the test and FE data. Experimental and numerical studies on the cross-section compressive behaviour and residual resistances of square recycled aggregate concrete-filled stainless steel tube (RACFSST) stub columns after exposure to fire are reported in this paper. An experimental programme was firstly carried out on twelve stub column specimens with three recycled coarse aggregate replacement ratios (0%, 35% and 70%) after exposure to the ISO-834 standard fire for 0 min (i.e. at ambient temperature), 15 min, 30 min and 45 min. The test results, including load–end shortening curves, failure loads and failure modes, were presented, with the initial compressive stiffness and confinement effect analysed. The experimental programme was followed by a numerical modelling programme, where thermal and mechanical finite element models were developed and validated against the test results and afterwards used to conduct parametric studies to generate additional numerical data over a wide range of cross-section dimensions. Based on the test and numerical data, the relevant design rules for square natural aggregate concrete-filled carbon steel tube stub columns at ambient temperature, as specified in the European code, Australia/New Zealand standard and American specification, were evaluated, using post-fire material properties, for their applicability to square RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire. The evaluation results generally revealed that the European code and Australian/New Zealand standard led to a good level of design accuracy, while the American specification resulted in slightly conservative post-fire cross-section compression resistance predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placement stability is an important indicator of the functioning of an out-of-home care system. Previous research suggests that frequent placement changes have a negative impact on the outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care. This paper examines the association between placement stability in out-of-home care and children's socio-emotional, cognitive and physical health outcomes. The Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS) is the first large-scale prospective longitudinal study of children in out-of-home care in Australia. The sample consists of any study child who participated in any of the first three waves of the POCLS interview. Unweighted data from the first three waves of the POCLS interview and administrative data was used. A measure of placement stability was developed that accounted for both number of placements and length of time in care. Mixed effect modelling was used to examine the link between placement stability and children's developmental outcomes. Placement stability was found to have a significant association with socio-emotional, cognitive (non-verbal) and physical health (gross and fine motor skill) development. A number of other factors were also found to be associated with positive development. The findings support the existing evidence that placement stability is an important factor for children's development. Other factors including placement type, carer wellbeing and carer support are also important for positive development. Appropriate policy and practice intervention to support children and families to improve placement stability is fundamental to achieving positive developmental outcomes for children in out-of-home care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations into the post-fire cross-section compressive behaviour and resistances of circular recycled aggregate concrete-filled stainless steel tube (RACFSST) stub columns. Twelve stub column specimens, fabricated from concretes with three recycled coarse aggregate replacement ratios (0%, 35% and 70%), were tested after exposure to the ISO-834 standard fire for 0 min (i.e. at ambient temperature), 15 min, 30 min and 45 min. The experimental investigation included heating and cooling of specimens, cylinder tests and post-fire tensile coupon tests and stub column tests. The test results, including load–end shortening curves, failure loads and failure modes, were fully reported and the initial compressive stiffnesses and confinement effect were discussed. The numerical investigation was subsequently conducted, where thermal and mechanical finite element models were developed and validated against the test results and then used to perform parametric studies to generate further numerical data. Given the absence of design codes for stainless steel–recycled aggregate concrete composite structures after exposure to fire, the relevant design rules for circular natural aggregate concrete-filled carbon steel tube stub columns at ambient temperature, as set out in the European code, Australia/New Zealand standard and American specification, were assessed, using post-fire material properties, for their applicability to circular RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire, based on the test and numerical data. The assessment results generally revealed that the European code and the Australian/New Zealand standard led to an acceptable level of design accuracy and consistency, while the American specification resulted in rather conservative and scattered post-fire cross-section compression resistance predictions. • The compressive behaviour of circular RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire is investigated. • Post-fire compression tests on twelve circular RACFSST stub column specimens are conducted. • The influences of heating durations and RCA replacement ratios are analysed. • Thermal and mechanical FE models are validated against test results and then used to conduct parametric studies. • The relevant design codes are assessed against the test and FE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most of the injured adults had either short-term, low-dose or no opioid use following their injury hospitalisation. • Longer durations and higher doses of opioids were seen for those with pre-injury opioid use, more readmissions and surgeries. • If dispensing occurred prior to injury, duration increased 10-fold and oral morphine equivalents doubled. • Approximately 45 % of adults with pre-injury opioid use remained at a higher dose than they were pre-injury. • A small but concerning number of adults were diagnosed or treated as drug dependant over the two-year post-injury follow-up period. Despite a focus of opioid-related research internationally, there is limited understanding of long-term opioid use in adults following injury. We analysed data from the 'Community Opioid Dispensing after Injury' data linkage study. This paper aims to describe the baseline characteristics of the injured cohort and report opioid dispensing patterns following injury-related hospitalisations. Retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalised after injury (ICD-10AM: S00-S99, T00-T75) in Queensland, Australia between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015, prior to implementation of opioid stewardship programs. Data were person-linked between hospitalisation, community opioid dispensing and mortality collections. Data were extracted for 90-days prior to the index hospital admission, to establish opiate naivety, to 720 days after discharge. Median daily oral morphine equivalents (i.e., dose) were averaged for each 30-day interval. Cumulative duration of dispensing and dose were compared by demographic and clinical characteristics, stratified by drug dependency status. Of the 129,684 injured adults, 61.3 % had no opioids dispensed in the 2-year follow-up period. Adults having any opioids dispensed in the community (38.7 %) were more likely older, female, to have fracture injuries and injuries with a higher severity, compared to those with no opioids dispensed. Longer durations and higher doses of opioids were seen for those with pre-injury opioid use, more hospital readmissions and repeat surgeries, as well as those who died in the 2-year follow-up period. Median dispensing duration was 24-days with a median daily end dose of 13 oral morphine equivalents. If dispensing occurred prior to the injury, duration increased 10-fold and oral morphine equivalents doubled. Adults with a documented dependency prior to, or after, the injury had significantly longer durations of use and higher doses than the rest of the cohort receiving opioids. Approximately 7 % of the total cohort continued to be dispensed opioids at 2-years post injury. This is a novel population-level profile of opioid dispensing patterns following injury-related hospitalisation, described for the time period prior to the implementation of opioid stewardship programs and regulatory changes in Queensland. Detailed understanding of this pre-implementation period is critical for evaluating the impact of these changes moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian financial planning sector has seen recent regulatory changes introduced to address misconduct. One such introduction surrounds increased levels of mandatory financial adviser education. This paper examines the Banning orders between March 2015 and March 2023 to identify relationships between levels of misconduct and education. Analysis of findings supports the validation of education requirements and outlines identifying properties assisting consumer decisions to avoid those advisers affiliated with misconduct. This research further explores avenues to develop the sector's professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the fourth in a series of papers that provides an historical record in this journal of contributions made by the most influential figures in the field of stuttering. Ann Packman is an Australian researcher who will retire shortly. This paper reflects on her long and productive career, and her contributions to the field. With a background in literature, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, and the brain and language, she became well equipped to contribute to understanding stuttering causality. That work, and an accompanying collection of basic and applied clinical research, was constantly grounded with the thoughts and feelings of those who stutter in the community. • Ann Packman is an Australian researcher who will retire shortly. • This paper reflects on her career and her contributions to the field. • Her work was grounded with the thoughts and feelings of those who stutter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of the stratigraphic evolution of marine rift basins is important for both "pure" scientific and economic reasons. From a hydrocarbon exploration point of view the main goal is to develop tools to predict reservoir location, quality, and extent. Stratigraphic models try to do that, and only historical cases can be used to test those models. On the other hand, depositional model cannot precisely predict reservoir location as factors unique to the specific basin under analysis affect sediment distribution (basin physiography, type of flows, among others). This aspect can be assessed only on a case-by-case basis and can be used for initial hypothesis generation based on analogues. This paper shows a case history study based on the integration of well logs, and 3D seismic data across the Eastern Dampier sub-basin, Northwester Shelf of Australia. Advanced seismic interpretation techniques, calibrated to well data, enable the definition of a chrono-stratigraphic framework of the late syn-rift sequence (Late Jurassic) of the Lewis Trough, and the description of the sediment distribution through the interpretation of geomorphological features. During the Late Jurassic three different channel systems deliver sandstones to the deep-water part of the basin through multiple entry points. The timing of the sediment input seems to be linked to variation of sediment input as during that time relative sea-level was slowly rising. The location of the entry points is related to local physiography and defies any attempt of prediction based on general "rules." From a stratigraphic point view, the findings of the study support the idea that, in rift basin, mechanical subsidence is the primary control for accommodation space, with episodic pulses of extension followed by longer periods of tectonic quiescence. It is during these episodic movements along the basin's bounding faults that space for sedimentation is created. This interpretation is in striking contrast with the basic assumptions of the conventional sequence stratigraphy model. • Understanding the stratigraphic evolution of marine rift basins allows to predict reservoir location and extent. • The present paper analyzes the late syn-rift succession of the Lewis Trough to reconstruct the stratigraphic evolution of the basin infill. • Accommodation space in the Lewis Trough is primarily controlled by mechanical subsidence related to asymmetrical fault movement. • Turbiditic sedimentation occurs during sea-level rise, and it is related to an Increase in sediment supply. • IConventional sequence stratigraphic modeling cannot be applied to rift-basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) waste and resource projections are integral for end-of-life (EoL) management. Addressing gaps in Australian studies, this paper aims to produce improved projections from 2022 to 2050. This study uses up-to-date, location-based installation data, distributed practical lifetime estimates by system size, current literature on market share and material composition over time and recovery rates, and provides a closed loop material analysis. In 2050, cumulative PV waste is estimated at 2,000,000–3,000,000 tonnes for slow, conservative, and realistic forecast installations, though under ambitious installs, waste will be 1–2 times more. Additionally, in 5 years PV EoL silver and aluminium could supply on average 30 % of future PV demand, 50 % in 15 years, and even up to 100 % in 25 years, considering realistic or ambitious forecast installations. These findings seek to assist in establishing sustainable EoL PV management, including the planning of logistics, appropriate recycling methods, consumer-appropriate policy, and the integration of circularity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia is a long-term key partner of China in coal trading, which is famous for high-quality coal and its price advantage. However, affected by the evolution of international political and economic situation, China has issued a coal ban on Australian coal since the end of 2020. The potential environmental consequences of this coal ban remain unclear. So, this paper quantifies the ban's impact on air pollution, human health and climate change by simulating the emission difference between the port scenario (simulating the emissions due to Australian coal import under business as usual) and the mine scenario (simulating the emissions due to domestic coal mining that converted from import share of Australian coal), and monetizes the losses into economic costs for direct comparison. The results illustrate the emission of SO 2 , VOCs and GHG in mine scenario grows up to 102, 12 and 6 times the amount of that in port scenario, mainly deriving from coal mining process in the North China Plain and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It shows that the potential alternative of replacing import with mining leads to PM 2.5 pollution exacerbation and O 3 pollution abatement, which causes 148 (95 % CI: 101–183) non-communicable diseases and respiratory disease-related deaths in total. As for GHG, the emission of BC in transportation process and fugitive methane in coal mining process contribute to an impressive effect on warming potential with few quantities, which is worth noting in control process. In total, the environmental deterioration resulted in an economic loss of approximately 934 million yuan. The undiminished demand for high-quality industrial coal as well as growing carbon tax could make the economic value of the coal ban's environmental consequences more considerable in the near future. This research emphasizes the contradiction between economic development and environmental improvement caused by excessive dependence on coal and addresses a critical knowledge gap in assessing the ban's environmental impact by economic value. The result directly demonstrates the environmental consequences of the potential mining-replacing-import alternative and helps better understand environmental influences on the Chinese government's decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen, produced from renewable electricity, can be transported long distances in multiple mediums. In this paper, a Techno-economic model is proposed to show the economic viability of global green hydrogen transport along 15 major regional routes such as Australia to Asia and Europe for the first time. A Monte Carlo-based technique is presented to assess the levelised cost of green hydrogen for different regions for the next 30 years. Depending on the specific route, green hydrogen can be transported in different forms, including ammonia, Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC), Hydrogen Slush, compressed or liquefied hydrogen, etc. form and using different modes including shipping, truck, train, and pipeline. A linear programming analysis has been conducted for different regions, showing that among the global projected 300Mt of green hydrogen demand in 2050, 85% will need to be transported between regions to achieve the most economically optimal distribution. • Techno-economic analysis of green H 2 export via 15 worldwide regional trade routes. • Export model includes H2 generation, conversion, transport, and carbon prices. • In 2030, North America will be the largest exporter, followed by Australia. • Higher carbon prices allow for rapid growth in the green hydrogen industry. • Shipping is the most likely and cheapest H 2 export mode for distant transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporters of hydrogen energy urge scaling up technology and reducing costs for competitiveness. This paper explores how hydrogen energy technologies (HET) are perceived by Australia's general population and considers the way members of the public imagine their role in the implementation of hydrogen energy now and into the future. The study combines a nationally representative survey (n = 403) and semi-structured interviews (n = 30). Results show age and gender relationships with self-reported hydrogen knowledge. Half of the participants obtained hydrogen information from televised media. Strong support was observed for renewable hydrogen, while coal (26%) and natural gas (41%) versions had less backing. Participants sought more safety-related information (41% expressed concern). Most felt uncertain about influencing hydrogen decisions and did not necessarily recognise they had agency beyond their front fence. Exploring the link between political identity and agency in energy decision-making is needed, with energy democracy a potentially productive direction. • Hydrogen's strongest appeal to Australians is its benefit for climate change mitigation. • Although widely accepted, there is limited knowledge about hydrogen in terms of how it is produced or used. • The more people know about hydrogen, the more willing they are to participate in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Are political leaders less popular among voters than they used to be? If so, why? Many studies have mapped a decline in citizens' political trust and satisfaction with democracy, but we know less about whether leader popularity is in decline, and if so, what drives this trend. This paper examines these questions using unique data on major party leader popularity and leadership traits from the Australian Election Study collected over four decades. The results show that Australia's major party leaders have become less popular over time. We test a theoretical model which explains declining leader popularity by partisan dealignment and the role of leader integrity. The analyses show that the effect of partisanship on leader popularity has weakened over time, while leader integrity traits have become more important. These findings apply to both major party leaders that have won elections as well as those leaders that have lost elections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial predictions of wildfire spread are used operationally and in risk estimation. It is important that their outputs are validated to quantify predictive performance and uncertainty. There are numerous loss functions for this simulation validation. Our paper synthesises ten common and five novel loss functions for evaluating the performance of wildfire predictions against observed or simulated wildfires. We describe each loss function; test their sensitivity to scale, rotation and translation; and demonstrate their application with three case study wildfires in south-eastern Australia. Based on their purpose, there are three categories of loss functions: general overlap, partial overlap and distance. Within these categories, there is functional redundancy as many loss functions are appropriate and perform similarly. Using loss functions from across the three different categories is the most comprehensive for evaluating wildfire models, but the choice depends on the simulation purpose and interpretation. • Spatial predictions of wildfire spread are frequently used but not always evaluated. • We synthesised fifteen loss functions for evaluating predicted vs observed wildfire spread. • There is not a 'best' loss function, it depends on simulation use and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative paper explores rural women entrepreneurs' motives for joining a female-founded, female-only business network. Using a theoretical framework based on the collective identity, territorial capital and gendered networks, we found that rural women's underlying motives to join the network is to harmonise the perceived dichotomy between their roles as women and as entrepreneurs and pave the way for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Their narratives suggest they prefer to connect and learn in business networks that they feel are extensions of who they are; that is where their identities are maintained and produce a sense of belonging. Network members perceive each other as 'like-minded', which suggests interpersonal congruence and behavioural integration, where they expect social interactions to be conflict-free. Therefore, the women perceived the network as supportive and non-competitive, with the main benefits of building their self-confidence while mitigating the social isolation and feelings of loneliness that characterise rural contexts in Australia. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of female-founded FOBNs as neo-endogenous agents catalysts for shifting social paradigms and fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive rural landscape. • Women entrepreneurs in rural Australia see their roles as women and entrepreneurs as conflicting. • Their narratives suggest a lack of self-confidence, low self-worth, and a desire to relate to like-minded people in a safe environment. • They join female-founded FOBNs to harmonise their conflicting roles and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey. • To achieve this, they need to be empowered, feel that they belong, and feel safe and supported. • FOBNs can support personal growth, legitimise women in entrepreneurship and mitigate social isolation in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim is to present outcome and engagement data from the initial years of the implementation of a new teaching approach in entry to practice nursing and midwifery education. The Block Model (TBM) is a teaching approach that involves studying one unit of study at a time over a four-week period, as opposed to the traditional semester model. This paper presents data revealing the impact of TBM on student engagement and overall experience in entry to practice Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery programs. The evaluation retrospectively compared key indicators pre- Block Model implementation with outcomes for nursing and midwifery students using TBM approach using standard data sets and external comparators such as the Student Experience Survey and National Employability Survey. The study presents a comparative analysis of key indicators and graduate outcomes for students. We use reportable data and two external comparators, the Student Experience Survey and the National Employability Survey, to gauge student learning and graduate employability. The evaluation was conducted in a tertiary institution in Australia with for nursing and midwifery students who completed their studies using TBM approach at the university. The implementation of TBM in nursing and midwifery programs resulted in improvements in learner engagement, retention rates and pass rates. Improvements were also noted graduate outcomes, with an increase in full-time graduate employment. The results suggest the Block Model is a promising new teaching approach in nursing and midwifery education, with potential benefits for learner engagement, retention and pass rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has become an important component of the global transition to zero-carbon economies. Low-carbon and green hydrogen gas and fuel cell technology for domestic household use will depend on skilled practitioners, particularly gasfitters, to convert, install, and maintain hydrogen-based appliances. Upskilling gasfitters to work with hydrogen is critical to transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen for heating and cooking. Yet, limited research exists on training and upskilling trade practitioners in the context of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. This paper makes a novel contribution to research on upskilling for renewable and low-carbon technologies by drawing on the findings from a survey of 1001 plumbers in Australia. The survey, designed using the Theory of Planned Behavior, aimed to predict behaviors regarding hydrogen training and ascertain social and structural enablers for such behavior. The results show that plumbers have limited awareness of hydrogen, yet have positive attitudes towards upskilling to work with the low-carbon fuel. Perceived benefits to business sustainability, customer service and safety underpin the positive attitudes. The research shows that while plumbers are enthusiastic about upskilling for hydrogen, upskilling policies and programs must ensure key stakeholders who inform plumbers' ongoing practice are on board and informed about hydrogen training opportunities. • Plumber/gasfitters expressed a strong positive attitude towards future hydrogen training. • Colleagues/peers and technical regulators were key stakeholders in supporting training. • Behavioral controls do not strongly influence the intention to undertake hydrogen training. • Plumber/gasfitters have limited awareness of hydrogen and transition plans. • Hydrogen training has a dual purpose of upskilling and educating the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparing the United Kingdom's Renewables Obligation and Australia's Renewable Energy Target, this paper reconstructs the market for green certificates in which penalties are imposed on missed certificates. Our analysis shows that excess demand in the Renewables Obligation makes the penalty the minimum certificate price, but excess supply in the Renewable Energy Target makes the penalty the maximum certificate price. Further, excess supply also implies that the sales of certificates are not guaranteed in the Renewable Energy Target. Therefore, compared to the Renewables Obligation, generators face greater risk under the Renewable Energy Target as there is more uncertainty about the price of certificates and the possibility of sales. • Reconstruct demand and supply curves for TGC models. • Excess demand (supply) makes the penalty the minimum (maximum) certificate price. • The recycling mechanism pushes up the certificate price in the RO. • The refunding mechanism pushes down the certificate price in the RET. • Generators under TGC with excess supply face greater price risk and volume risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bifacial solar modules on rooftops offer up to 22.6% energy yield gains. • Rooftop reflectivity plays a crucial role in maximizing the bifacial potential. • Higher optimal tilt angles for bifacial modules, influenced by rooftop reflectivity. • Parallel intra-module interconnection supports achieving high bifacial yield gains. • Module-level optimizers enhance bifacial energy generation potential by up to 1.4% Bifacial solar modules have emerged as a promising technology in utility-scale photovoltaic systems, experiencing significant growth and capturing a substantial market share worldwide, as reported by the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) 2023. Despite this progress, the potential of bifacial modules in rooftop applications remains largely unexplored. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive study utilizing Monte Carlo Ray Tracing techniques coupled with detailed electrical modelling. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the viability of implementing bifacial solar modules on rooftops by examining the potential energy yield gains. By conducting a detailed analysis on a representative rooftop in Canberra, Australia, real-world conditions, and variations are incorporated, providing a more accurate assessment of the energy yield gains achievable in such settings. The simulation results reveal that the implementation of bifacial solar modules on rooftops within Australia can result in energy yield gains of up to 22.6%. These findings demonstrate the considerable potential of bifacial technology in maximizing solar energy production in rooftop applications. The analysis shows significant implications of module and system design on the potential gain. For example, electrical optimisation of individual modules in a system accounted for 1.4% of the bifacial gain. The analysis considers full annual time-step simulation, typical mechanical mounting components, installation orientations and module characteristics, ensuring practical relevance and reliability of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mentoring literature contains diverse, but as yet unclassified, mentoring relationship types. • Mentoring for young people young people transitioning out of care must address specific contextual needs and barriers. • More attention is needed in mentoring literature on the policy context and the nature of the gender and power in mentoring relationships. In Australia, out-of-home care (OoHC) is provided to safeguard children and young people unable to live with their families. Typically, this care stops at 18 years of age, leaving many young people without the relational support to find employment and stable accommodation. Mentoring is increasingly proposed as a way to support young people exiting care, though the types of mentoring and contextual factors vary considerably. This rapid review aims to identify key features of mentoring programs that support young people in OoHC. This paper utilised a rapid review methodology to survey the academic literature on mentoring programs with young people in OoHC. The authors conducted literature searches in October 2022 using a search string designed to provide targeted exposure to the literature. Articles were limited by year and location, with the specific search string and limitations applied to the Scopus database, and Proquest and Informit platforms. Utilising literature, we identified five overlapping models for mentor–mentee relationships into a provisional typology of five categories based on varying levels of formality and familiarity in the relationships: 'formal', 'natural', 'near-age', 'peer', and 'therapeutic'. In doing so, we identified seven important features of mentor–mentee relationships: shared experiences, relationship duration, boundaries and other relationships, identity and self-worth, educational contexts, power and participation, and role modelling. We identified four issues relating to mentoring in OoHC that are informed by the needs and barriers experienced by young people: training and support for mentors, unique challenges faced by young people in OoHC, transition out of care, and the matching process. Lastly, we established what might impact mentoring programs buy critically reflecting on the policy context and notions of empowerment. This rapid review of mentoring programs for care-experienced young people seeking employment offers valuable insights to inform future programs. The findings highlight diverse and unclassified mentoring relationship types, the absence of anticipated gender-specific findings, a lack of examination of the policy context, and a need for more robust conceptualisations of empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper presents a review on the state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging technologies i.e., fast, super-fast, and ultra-super-fast charging stations that are under development. These have the potential to cause power quality issues such as charging transients, rapid voltage fluctuations, and harmonics in the power grids. • EVs can participate as mobile storage to provide vehicle-to-grid (V2G) support and ancillary services. There are still some barriers to the wide implementation of V2G systems. This paper has highlighted these issues and their impacts to power grids. • This paper investigates the impacts of random and fluctuating EV fast-charging loads on the electric power grids, mainly considering the random connection of EVs to the power grids through DC fast-charging stations as the principal source of fluctuating EV loads. • The charging stations are modeled for three different commercial DC fast charger connections (CHAdeMO, SAE CCS, and Chargepoint Express 20), with separate CC-CV charging modes of the DC fast chargers incorporated. To quantify the impacts, case studies are conducted on the simulation platform for two different scenarios. • The impact on the electric power grid is evaluated in terms of voltage drops, maximum power demand, current, and voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) experienced by the corresponding transformer connected to the charging stations. • The results have revealed that random and fluctuating EV fast-charging loads pose much more intense impacts on the power systems than the normal EV slow charging loads. The era of the electrified transportation system is fast approaching. Although the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) have contributed to their large-scale utilization, it has also created a huge load demand on the existing power grids throughout the world. Moreover, fast, super-fast, and ultra-super-fast charging stations are under development, some of which are now in the markets. These have the potential to cause power quality issues such as charging transients, rapid voltage fluctuations, and harmonics in the power grids. Moreover, EVs can participate as mobile storage to provide vehicle-to-grid (V2G) support and ancillary services. There are still some barriers to the wide implementation of V2G systems. This paper addresses these issues and provides a review of the state-of-the-art EV technologies and their impacts on power grids. This paper also investigates the impacts of random and fluctuating EV fast-charging loads on the electric power grids, mainly considering the random connection of EVs to the power grids through DC fast-charging stations as the principal source of fluctuating EV loads. A practical electrical grid of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia has been considered in this work to separately analyze the impacts of constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) charging modes upon the grid. Furthermore, design and modeling of three different commercial DC fast charger connections (CHAdeMO, SAE CCS, and ChargePoint Express 200), with separate CC-CV charging modes of the DC fast chargers have been incorporated. To quantify the impacts, two separate scenarios were examined using a simulation platform, with case studies conducted to determine the impacts on the power grid. The first scenario involved three fast charging stations, while the second scenario featured ten stations that were able to charge six and twenty electric vehicles respectively, with various load combinations considered. Each of these scenarios was analyzed under different conditions to evaluate their impact on the grid, using factors such as voltage drops, maximum power demand, current, and voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) for the transformer that was connected to the charging stations. The study results indicated that the power systems were affected more significantly by random and fluctuating EV fast-charging loads, compared to normal EV slow-charging loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems have the potential to provide simultaneous heating and cooling, allowing for energy exchange between users with different needs. However, their viability in mild climates with a higher share of cooling demand remains unclear. In this paper, we propose a framework for assessing the engineering, economic and environmental performance of a 5GDHC system compared to a state-of-the-art business-as-usual solution and demonstrate it through a practical case study for a university campus in Melbourne, Australia. When accessible heat sources and sinks are available, the 5GDHC system provides a cost-effective solution, with annual cost savings between 9 and 29 % and GHG emissions reduction between 25 and 58 % compared to an already advanced business-as-usual system. Additionally, by using peak off-peak tariffs and an hourly emission factor for the electricity consumed, we demonstrate the 5GDHC operational flexibility in pursuing different objectives, such as minimising cost or emissions, respectively. The results suggest that 5GDHC systems are an economically and environmentally viable solution in milder climates, and a successful implementation of 5GDHC in Australia can create new market opportunities and pave the way for its adoption in other countries with similar climatic conditions and no established history of district heating systems. • 5GDHC systems are analysed in a new context with a milder climate. • A multi-dimensional assessment framework is proposed. • The framework is demonstrated through a practical case study in Melbourne, Australia. • Flexibility is assessed through varying electricity tariffs and emission factors. • The strong performance of the 5GDHC system offers insights into similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately predicting estuaries water quality is essential to support immediate intervention to water quality problem management. Deep learning is used to improve forecasting of water quality parameters in many aquatic systems. However, it is frequently constrained by low data frequency and quality. High-frequency, continuous monitoring using integrated in-situ water quality and environmental sensors can be an input to deep learning models resulting in highly accurate water quality and environmental predictions. This paper proposes a novel approach to improve forecasting of water quality and environmental variables. The results of the real-world data from the Swan Canning Estuary sites show how well the suggested model works. With different sizes of training and testing sets, the model can still predict the increased number of hours in high scores. Eliminating highly correlated variables impact the model's performance, emphasising the usefulness of strongly correlated variables in scarce data scenarios. • This article proposes a framework to enhance water quality variable forecasting. • The framework reframes the time series problem as a supervised learning problem. • The results on the set of data from the estuary show how well the framework works. • The approach is envisaged to support management in detecting water quality issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia has significant offshore wind resources that can support ever-increasing power demand and hence provide a long-term contribution to the net-zero target by 2050. Although some offshore wind farm projects are proposed in Australia, the industry is not mature enough to justify the benefits and display economic opportunities. More specifically, the techno-economic analysis of offshore wind energy has not been systematically mapped in Australia. Therefore, the investigation of the spatial variation of technical feasibility and economic potential of offshore wind is vital to identify the potential regions and to develop strategies for future offshore wind farm developments in Australia. This paper presents detailed mappings of the techno-economic potential of offshore wind energy in Victoria-Tasmania's exclusive economic zone. Offshore wind energy resources are assessed in the paper in terms of energy availability and variability and the feasibility of various offshore wind technologies is investigated, including turbines, foundation types and transmission topologies. In addition, the high-fidelity life-cycle cost models and two innovative evaluation matrices are developed to assess the economic potential of offshore energy farms in South-eastern Australia. The impact of local power system regulation costs and future carbon prices on the viability of offshore wind is also investigated in this paper. It is concluded that the detailed mapping approach and analysis in the paper can provide a systematic tool for industry partners, investors and policymakers at the pre-planning stage of developing offshore renewable energy systems. • The technical feasibility of offshore wind is mapped under various constraints. • The novel LACE and high-fidelity LCC assessment models are developed. • The techno-economic potential is systemically mapped in South-eastern Australia. • The impacts of electricity market regulation and future carbon prices are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The construction industry is resource intensive, dominated by brick and concrete, and generates substantial waste. • A bottom-up approach to material flow analysis was used to estimate stocks and flows. • Existing datasets are not able to adequately quantify the material flow for construction in Australia. • Variations in material use and waste intensity between states were identified. • Addressing CDW data gaps at a regional level is critical to closing the loop in material flow analysis. Material use within construction dominates resource consumption worldwide. Correspondingly, construction is associated with high rates of waste. Transitioning to a circular economy relies heavily on domestic markets, efficient supply chains, and a clear understanding of current and predicted material flows. Material flow analyses have been used extensively globally to generate insights into materials in use, changes over time and future waste generation. However, existing databases do not hold the necessary information to conduct such an analysis for the Australian residential construction industry. This paper uses a novel qualitative bottom-up approach to complement data gaps in existing databases to establish a material stock and flow analysis of the Australian residential construction industry. This approach has highlighted the dominance and continued growth of concrete by the sector, and has shown the importance of addressing data gaps in the industry as well as employing a location-based approach to move towards the circular economy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a robust cooperative distributed task allocation and mission planning system that enables a fleet of a certain class of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for persistent underwater ecological monitoring and preservation. The proposed system is developed based on a distributed algorithm that optimizes task allocation and mission planning in real-time while considering environmental constraints, sensor capabilities, communication limitations, as well as system failures. A realistic case study of monitoring and control of Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) in Australia's Great Barrier is utilized to investigate how the proposed system can contribute to the inspection and eradication of the maximum possible COTS in a limited mission time in the exposure of uncertainty of mission failure caused by internal/external faults. The effectiveness and robustness of our approach are validated through extensive qualitative and quantitative simulations. • The Deliberative and Reactive Planning oversees mission formation, competency-aware task collocation, scanning and omission, cooperation, and failure accommodation and recovery of COTSbot AUVs during the operation. • The proposed distributed cooperative system enhances fault tolerance compared to centralized systems. • The architecture offers a truly scalable system that can incrementally adapt to the number of AUVs without requiring redesign or adjustment of system parameters while ensuring no overlap in AUV operations. • The system contributes to enhancing situational awareness by allowing robots to share data and information, providing a more comprehensive picture of the mission environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although noteworthy efforts towards energy storage participation in electricity markets have been witnessed worldwide during the last decades, market mechanisms for optimal storage integration are yet to be comprehensively studied. This paper presents a novel approach wherein a multi-period look-ahead market is proposed to progressively solve the optimisation problem over a receding horizon, incorporating intertemporal constraints to enable forward planning. The focus is specifically on modelling the bidding behaviour of energy storage, and to address this, we develop two distinct models for the participation of energy storage in the market. The integrated model aims to schedule the future dispatch of the storage to minimise total operational cost, taking into account the fixed costs of the storage, while the strategic model pursues the dual ambition to maximise storage profit by formulating a bilevel optimisation problem. We validate the viability of our proposed market mechanisms through case studies on the Australian National Electricity Market. We conduct case studies which provide evidence that both the strategic and integrated bidding models effectively address the requirement for forward planning, resulting in reduced market costs and volatility. Notably, the strategic model outperforms in terms of generating higher storage revenue, while the integrated model exhibits a slight advantage in terms of lower market costs compared to the strategic model. • Development of a multi-period look-ahead market for storage integration in electricity markets. • Model of strategic bidding using a bilevel optimisation model, vs an integrated bidding model. • Both bidding models can fulfil need for forward planning, reducing market costs and volatility. • The strategic model increases storage revenue, while the integrated model reduces market costs. • Testing is carried out using a high-fidelity model of Australia's NEM and historical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional glass bottles are the wine industry's major source of carbon emissions. Those wishing to reduce the carbon footprint embedded in wine have been looking to alternative packaging, such as PET, aluminium cans, and bag-in-box (BIB) to mitigate the impact. However, these alternative formats pose challenges with consumer acceptance and knowledge of the eco-benefits of each format. This paper uses a discrete choice experiment and latent class analysis to investigate the possible effects of message content and style (abstract vs concrete) on wine purchase in the context of brand size, brand prestige, and pricing. The analysis reveals the presence of two customer segments, which highly emphasise the pack format. Of the four non-glass packs tested, BIB and flat glass lookalike PET bottles score the highest preference after glass bottles. Message content and appeal type score low in their ability to alter preferences, whilst mid-to-low prices increase the chances of alternative packaging to be chosen. • Packaging format is a key choice driver for wine. • Glass is still the most preferred packaging format. • Bag in Box and low-carbon alternatives that look most like glass have the most potential for uptake. • Message content and appeal have little impact on choice. • Alternative packaging is more likely to be chosen for mid-to-low-priced wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racism contributes to health inequities faced by people of colour and marginalised groups. Despite widespread recognition of the impacts of racism, mitigating strategies and legislation have been largely unsuccessful. Research into racism in healthcare has mostly examined personal experiences of healthcare workers and patients, assuming that the definitions of racism and race are similarly understood by all. However, ethnicity and race are often conflated, and racism seen as primarily interpersonal and ahistorical. This paper explores hospital employee understandings of racism, its impacts and how to reduce it. Forty-nine staff within one Australian hospital participated in individual qualitative interviews regarding the definition, impact, and ways of reducing racism. Interviews were analysed with a reflexive thematic analytic approach using a Postcolonial framework. Participants described racism as being experienced by marginalised groups of people in Australia. They identified that racism has detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. Not all were clear regarding what constituted racism: it was not described as an ideology created to justify colonial distribution of power and resources. Some thought that racism was individual prejudice while others noted it was also structural in nature. Participants commonly defined race as involving physical or cultural differences, suggesting that discredited historical and colonial concepts of race continue in Australian society. While many felt that education was the best way to reduce racism and its impacts, some participants noted that being educated did not necessarily change racist behaviour. The lack of accurate understanding of the concept of race and racism likely contributes to the relatively poor effect of current strategies to combat racism. As an initial part of deeper systemic anti-racist reform, this research supports calls for anti-racist education to clarify the definition of racism as an ideology. • Participants understood the detrimental impacts of racism in healthcare. • Participants showed unclear understandings of racism and its causes. • Anti-racist strategies must define race and racism, and acknowledge their history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decreasing cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power technologies makes 100% renewable energy systems economically viable. Building more capacity to mitigate periods of low solar and wind supply results in systems that produce surplus energy at other times. As these surpluses vary across time and space, it becomes crucial to map their geographic distribution and quantify their magnitude. This paper presents the largest geographic and longest time series analysis of oversizing solar PV and wind in the context of the Australian National Electricity Market. We examine the additional solar, wind and battery capacity required to meet 100% of demand between 2010 and 2020. Without battery storage, this is achieved by generating approximately four times demand at an average production cost 28% lower than recent wholesale electricity prices. The addition of 1–8 h of storage reduces the average production cost by 55% compared to recent prices. Our analysis also investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of surplus energy generation under different scenarios. We identify which regions are most suitable for the expansion of industrial, commercial, and business operations using surplus renewable generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Practice directions should recognise multiple models of CSE and a wider context of vulnerability and unmet needs. • Anxieties about young people's sexual behaviours can detract from CSE making it challenging to identify and respond. • Outreach and support that addresses young people's emotional, social and practical needs are valuable directions. • Suitable placements and ensuring young people have a safe and stable home environment is vital to any response to CSE. • CSE responses should be guided by child-centred practice and informed by young people's perspectives. There is a growing interest in understanding and responding to child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Australia, but limited empirical research from Australian contexts. The research reported here contributes to the evidence base by considering challenges and best practices for responding to CSE from the perspectives of 15 caseworkers in a statutory child protection and out of home care environment in one Australian region. In so doing, the paper also offers insight into CSE along with consideration of the emerging practice directions and systems surrounding these in the Australian context. Findings point to potential problems arising from existing frameworks for understanding and responding to CSE. Participants held concerns about a narrow focus on young people's sexualised behaviours in the wider multi-agency care context. This was understood to obscure a more complex understanding of CSE and its broader context of vulnerability and connection to unmet needs – some of which can arise from the care context itself – making identification and intervention difficult. Findings align with research that emphasises outreach and intensive support for young people centring on strengthening connections, identifying and addressing unmet needs and sustaining safety through consideration of placements and living circumstances. Consideration of practice challenges and opportunities signals the importance of child-centred, wellbeing-oriented directions allowing for multiple models of CSE victimisation, underpinned by a shared language in the multi-agency context and enhanced provision in existing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Protocol for a study of quality improvement in Australian ECEC services. • A sequential three-phase mixed-methods design informed by ecological systems theory. • Research-industry partnerships with government authorities and early childhood researchers. • Scale and depth in sample identification, data selection and analytical techniques. International recognition of the early years as a crucial foundational period has led to the design and implementation of quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS) that define, communicate, and monitor the components of quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The aim of these policies is to achieve effective quality assurance and improvement through a system-oriented approach to assessment and evaluation. Informed by ecological systems theory, this paper outlines a three-phase, mixed-methods design for researching a national sample of child care centres that showed overall improvement on the Australian National Quality Standard (NQS) assessment and rating (A&R) criteria. The study samples are drawn from a national dataset of centre-based child care services with two or more A&R rounds and an initial rating of Working Towards NQS (N = 1,935). The results of this study will provide insights into the macro-, exo-, meso- and micro-systems level factors and strategies that support quality in ECEC services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stormwater has been acknowledged as a major concern in cities because of mismanagement of this resource. It has also been underestimated as a resource in climate change actions and policies. Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is considered as an effective adaptation measure to address these issues while providing many co-benefits. This paper reports the challenges of implementing WSUD in the Australian context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 57 experts in Australia. The experts are involved in design, research, engineering, and planning policy in both public and private sectors. The qualitative analysis of the interviews involved thematic and content analysis through NVivo12. Analysis of the responses indicated six main challenges including financial, innovation and evaluation tools, capacity, institutional arrangements, and policy. The experts believe that a lack of standardized design and implementation can be addressed through collaborative design processes. They suggest a robust structure of approval process and establishing clarity of roles and responsibilities in all sectors. All respondents confirm the critical role of monitoring and maintenance in these projects. It is suggested that allocating recurrent funding for these ongoing activities from the beginning and setting incentives to engage communities and local councils in maintaining the projects can be helpful. • Provides insights in investigating the impact of social and organisational structure towards achieving WSCs. • Conducted qualitative analysis of interviews and survey questions. • Recommendations to advance stormwater management planning and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]