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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on research in Australia. We surveyed 333 early and mid-career researchers in science, technical, engineering and medical (STEM) fields and found the impact on their productivity and mental health has been dire, with many considering leaving research altogether.

Denisova Cave in Siberia's Altai Mountains is one of the world's most important archaeological sites. It is famous for preserving evidence of three early human groups: Neanderthals, early Homo sapiens, and a third group known as the Denisovans. Fossil bones, stone tools and ancient DNA gathered from the cave have told a story that is extremely significant for understanding the early chapters of human evolution in Asia, going back 300,000 years. But our new analysis of the cave's dirt floor reveals that it was also frequented by hyenas, wolves, and even bears for much of its history.

Island Southeast Asia (ISEA)is a key region for the study of human evolution. New fossil and archaeological evidence, from several islands, suggests an Early to Middle Pleistocene colonisation date by hominins. A taphonomic framework, however, such as that exists for Africa, is currently lacking, and taphonomical studies of ISEA vertebrate assemblages are very limited. In this paper, we apply multifocus and confocal microscopy to surface modifications on an Early to Middle Pleistocene avian assemblage from Mata Menge, in the So'a Basin of central Flores, Indonesia, with the aim of characterizing material and testing the relevance of 3D reconstructions to study the taphonomy of ISEA bone assemblages. Our observations document a number of bone surface modifications, including individual parallel grooves, overlapping spindle-like striations, elongated impacts, short composite grooves, and rows of pits. These features suggest that several taphonomic agents were at play during and after the accumulation of the Mata Menge small vertebrate assemblage. We find no unambiguous evidence for the exploitation of birds by the So'a Basin hominins, or for hominins being a significant accumulating agent of avian remains at Mata Menge. However, our work should be seen as preliminary, as direct comparative data on relevant biological agents are lacking. The markedly distinct faunal composition and climatic regimes of many Southeast Asian islands, and the potential use of different tools by hominins, warrants the development of a comprehensive taphonomical framework that is specifically relevant for ISEA.

Island Southeast Asia (ISEA)is a key region for the study of human evolution. New fossil and archaeological evidence, from several islands, suggests an Early to Middle Pleistocene colonisation date by hominins. A taphonomic framework, however, such as that exists for Africa, is currently lacking, and taphonomical studies of ISEA vertebrate assemblages are very limited. In this paper, we apply multifocus and confocal microscopy to surface modifications on an Early to Middle Pleistocene avian assemblage from Mata Menge, in the So'a Basin of central Flores, Indonesia, with the aim of characterizing material and testing the relevance of 3D reconstructions to study the taphonomy of ISEA bone assemblages. Our observations document a number of bone surface modifications, including individual parallel grooves, overlapping spindle-like striations, elongated impacts, short composite grooves, and rows of pits. These features suggest that several taphonomic agents were at play during and after the accumulation of the Mata Menge small vertebrate assemblage. We find no unambiguous evidence for the exploitation of birds by the So'a Basin hominins, or for hominins being a significant accumulating agent of avian remains at Mata Menge. However, our work should be seen as preliminary, as direct comparative data on relevant biological agents are lacking. The markedly distinct faunal composition and climatic regimes of many Southeast Asian islands, and the potential use of different tools by hominins, warrants the development of a comprehensive taphonomical framework that is specifically relevant for ISEA.

Classroom spaces are complex social worlds where people interact in mul­tifaceted ways with spaces and materials. Classrooms are carefully designed agents for socialisation; however, the complexity and richness of learning experiences are partly determined by the teacher. This chapter draws from sociocultural perspectives to consider processes of thinking and learning as distributed and mediated across people and resources within the learning space. We argue that learning and well­being cannot be separated as students activate their social and emotional literacies when navigating the classroom environment. Drawing on data drawn from an ethno­graphic study of classrooms located in a community of high poverty, we critique how teachers describe their classroom spaces and selection of resources to facilitate their teaching of writing. We illustrate how geographies of place, movement and resources, interact with, and expand the social dimensions of classroom spaces.

Classroom spaces are complex social worlds where people interact in mul­tifaceted ways with spaces and materials. Classrooms are carefully designed agents for socialisation; however, the complexity and richness of learning experiences are partly determined by the teacher. This chapter draws from sociocultural perspectives to consider processes of thinking and learning as distributed and mediated across people and resources within the learning space. We argue that learning and well­being cannot be separated as students activate their social and emotional literacies when navigating the classroom environment. Drawing on data drawn from an ethno­graphic study of classrooms located in a community of high poverty, we critique how teachers describe their classroom spaces and selection of resources to facilitate their teaching of writing. We illustrate how geographies of place, movement and resources, interact with, and expand the social dimensions of classroom spaces.

The 2018 Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study focuses on the importance of quality, and how to strengthen it in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. Extensive research demonstrates that the benefits of ECEC for children are increased when the service provider and educators are highly skilled and participate in professional development (PD), and the service is of high quality. Upskilling the workforce, including in-service professional development, is considered to be a key to improving quality, and can produce substantial and practical improvements for staff and children alike. Building on the existing body of international research, the findings of the Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study, address the need for quality improvement in ECEC by showing how a particular form of evidence-based in-service PD can produce substantial and practically meaningful improvements in both staff practices and child outcomes. The FEEL study was conducted by the research team from Early Start, University of Wollongong, on behalf on the NSW Department of Education.

Background: Substance use disorders are a major contributor to the economic and healthcare burden in Australia. Therapeutic communities (TCs) are utilised treatment methods globally, though low program completion rates continue to represent a major obstacle in effective and sustainable drug and alcohol treatment. The aim of this study was to explore reasons for early withdrawal from TC programs and perceptions of successful recovery. This study also aimed to explore how employment and volunteering related to early exit and perceptions of successful recovery. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 ex-residents from a long-term TC program at a community-based rehab organisation in regional Australia. Results: Thematic analysis revealed a complex interplay of factors contributing to early TC withdrawal, and perceptions of successful recovery from a lived experience perspective and how this was shaped by employment and volunteering. Eleven themes were identified. Three relating to reasons for joining the program, which connected with ultimate withdrawal from the program: Pre-program existing relationships, pre-program employment situation and needing a 'circuit breaker' in their life. Three relating to reasons for early withdrawal: TC program characteristics, relationships during the program and planning future employment. Five relating to perceptions of successful recovery: Improved understanding of their addiction, reduced substance use, improved physical and psychological health, relationship success and employment success. Conclusions: Reasons for leaving treatment early are multi-faceted and revolve around relationships, planning future employment and program characteristics. The influence that each plays on their decision to leave early is varied and determined by the value they assign it. Perceived success extends far beyond achieving and maintaining abstinence to encompass improved relationships, psychological and physical wellbei

Background: A wealth of information on the functional roles of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) from cellular, animal, and human studies is available. Yet, there remains a lack of cohesion in policymaking for recommended dietary intakes of DHA and ARA in early life. This is predominantly driven by inconsistent findings from a relatively small number of randomised clinical trials (RCTs), which vary in design, methodology, and outcome measures, all of which were conducted in high-income countries. It is proposed that this selective evidence base may not fully represent the biological importance of DHA and ARA during early and later life and the aim of this paper is to consider a more inclusive and pragmatic approach to evidence assessment of DHA and ARA requirements in infants and young children, which will allow policymaking to reflect the marked diversity of need worldwide. Summary: Data from clinical RCTs is considered in the context of the extensive evidence from experimental, animal and human observational studies. Although the RCT data shows evidence of beneficial effects on visual function and in specific cognitive domains, early methodological approaches do not reflect current thinking and this undermines the strength of evidence. An outline of a framework for an inclusive and pragmatic approach to policy development on dietary DHA and ARA in early life is described. Conclusion: High-quality RCTs that will determine long-term health outcomes in appropriate realworld settings need to be undertaken. In the meantime, a collective pragmatic approach to evidence assessment, may allow public health policymakers to make comprehensive reasoned judgements on the merits, costs, and expediency of dietary DHA and ARA interventions.

The 2018 Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study focuses on the importance of quality, and how to strengthen it in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. Extensive research demonstrates that the benefits of ECEC for children are increased when the service provider and educators are highly skilled and participate in professional development (PD), and the service is of high quality. Upskilling the workforce, including in-service professional development, is considered to be a key to improving quality, and can produce substantial and practical improvements for staff and children alike. Building on the existing body of international research, the findings of the Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study, address the need for quality improvement in ECEC by showing how a particular form of evidence-based in-service PD can produce substantial and practically meaningful improvements in both staff practices and child outcomes. The FEEL study was conducted by the research team from Early Start, University of Wollongong, on behalf on the NSW Department of Education.

Background: A wealth of information on the functional roles of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) from cellular, animal, and human studies is available. Yet, there remains a lack of cohesion in policymaking for recommended dietary intakes of DHA and ARA in early life. This is predominantly driven by inconsistent findings from a relatively small number of randomised clinical trials (RCTs), which vary in design, methodology, and outcome measures, all of which were conducted in high-income countries. It is proposed that this selective evidence base may not fully represent the biological importance of DHA and ARA during early and later life and the aim of this paper is to consider a more inclusive and pragmatic approach to evidence assessment of DHA and ARA requirements in infants and young children, which will allow policymaking to reflect the marked diversity of need worldwide. Summary: Data from clinical RCTs is considered in the context of the extensive evidence from experimental, animal and human observational studies. Although the RCT data shows evidence of beneficial effects on visual function and in specific cognitive domains, early methodological approaches do not reflect current thinking and this undermines the strength of evidence. An outline of a framework for an inclusive and pragmatic approach to policy development on dietary DHA and ARA in early life is described. Conclusion: High-quality RCTs that will determine long-term health outcomes in appropriate realworld settings need to be undertaken. In the meantime, a collective pragmatic approach to evidence assessment, may allow public health policymakers to make comprehensive reasoned judgements on the merits, costs, and expediency of dietary DHA and ARA interventions.

The paper presents the results of optical dating of potassium-rich feldspar grains obtained from the Haua Fteah cave in Cyrenaica, northeast Libya, focussing on the chronology of the Deep Sounding excavated by Charles McBurney in the 1950s and re-excavated recently. Samples were also collected from a 1.25 m-deep trench (Trench S) excavated during the present project below the basal level of the Deep Sounding. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data sets for multi-grain, single aliquots of quartz for samples from the Middle Trench were previously published. Re-analyses of these OSL data confirm significant variation in the dose saturation levels of the quartz signal, but allow the most robust OSL ages to be determined for comparison with previous age estimates and with those obtained in this study for potassium-rich feldspars from the Deep Sounding. The latter indicate that humans may have started to visit the cave as early as ¿150 ka ago, but that major use of the cave occurred during MIS 5, with the accumulation of the Deep Sounding sediments. Correlations between optical ages and episodes of ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ artefact discard indicate that human use of the cave during MIS 5 was highly intermittent. The earliest phases of human activity appear to have occurred during interstadial conditions (5e and 5c), with a later phase of lithic discard associated with more stadial conditions, possibly MIS 5b. We argue that the ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ assemblage can probably be linked with modern humans, like the succeeding ¿Levalloiso-Mousterian¿ assemblage; two modern human mandibles associated with the latter are associated with a modelled age of 73¿65 ka. If this attribution is correct, then the new chronology implies that modern humans using ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ technologies were in Cyrenaica as early as modern humans equipped with ¿Aterian¿ technologies were in the Maghreb, raising new questions about variability among lithic technologies during the initial phases of modern hu

The SAFIRED (Savannah Fires in the Early Dry Season) campaign took place from 29th of May, 2014 until the 30th June, 2014 at the Australian Tropical Atmospheric Research Station (ATARS) in the Northern Territory, Australia. The purpose of this campaign was to investigate emissions from fires in the early dry season in northern Australia. Measurements were made of biomass burning aerosols, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic carbons, greenhouse gases, radon, mercury cycle, and trace metals. Aspects of the biomass burning aerosol emissions investigated included; emission factors of various emitted species, physical and chemical aerosol properties, aerosol aging, micronutrient supply to the ocean, nucleation, and aerosol water uptake. Over the course of the month-long campaign, biomass burning signals were prevalent and emissions from several large single burning events were observed at ATARS. Biomass burning emissions dominated the gas and aerosol concentrations in this region. Nine major biomass burning events were identified and associated with intense or close individual smoke plumes. Dry season fires are extremely frequent and widespread across the northern region of Australia, which suggests that the measured aerosol and gaseous emissions at ATARS are likely representative of signals across the entire region of north Australia. Air mass forward trajectories show that these biomass burning emissions are carried north west over the Timor Sea and could influence the atmosphere over Indonesia and the tropical atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. The outcomes of this campaign will be numerous. This region is an environment with little human impact and provides a unique look into the characteristics of biomass burning aerosol without the influence of other significant emission sources. Relationships between the aerosol physical and chemical properties, gas concentrations and meteorological data for the entire month will provide fundamental knowledge required t

This article examines the resources, tools, and opportunities children enact as they engage with teacher-devised writing experiences within their classroom space. We begin with discussion about classroom writing time from the perspective of both the teacher and children of one Grade 1/2 composite class. We also reveal resources within the classroom space to consider the expertise available during writing times. We then examine a 5-week unit that focused on multimodal text construction. Using optical flow computer vision analysis to examine the movement of children during four video-recorded independent writing instances, we provide commentary about how the classroom writing experiences have been interpreted as the use of space, resources, and interactions come to the forefront. In taking this approach, this article will explore learning to write from a sociomaterial perspective, as we investigate the operation of the classroom.

Introduction: The benefits of regular physical activity for children are significant. Previous research has addressed the quantity and quality of children's physical activity while in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, yet little research has investigated the social and physical environmental influences on physical activity in these settings. The outcomes of this study will be to measure these social and physical environmental influences on children's physical activity using a combination of a real-time location system (RTLS) (a closed system that tracks the location of movement of participants via readers and tags), accelerometry and direct observation. Methods and analysis: This study is the first of its kind to combine RTLSs and accelerometer data in ECEC settings. It is a cross-sectional study involving ∼100 educators and 500 children from 11 ECEC settings in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. A RTLS and Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers will be concurrently used to measure the level and location of the children's and educators' physical activity while in outside environments. Children and educators will wear accelerometers on their hip that record triaxial acceleration data at 100 Hz. Children and educators will also wear a tag watch on their wrist that transmits a signal to anchors of the RTLS and the triangulation of signals will identify their specific location. In addition to these, up to three random periods (10-25 min in length) will be used to collect observational data each day and assessed with the classroom assessment and scoring system to measure the quality of interactions. In conjunction with the real-time location system (RTLS) and accelerometers, these observations will measure the relationship between the quality of interactions and children's physical activity. Ethics and dissemination: The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Ethical approval was obtaine

The paper presents the results of optical dating of potassium-rich feldspar grains obtained from the Haua Fteah cave in Cyrenaica, northeast Libya, focussing on the chronology of the Deep Sounding excavated by Charles McBurney in the 1950s and re-excavated recently. Samples were also collected from a 1.25 m-deep trench (Trench S) excavated during the present project below the basal level of the Deep Sounding. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data sets for multi-grain, single aliquots of quartz for samples from the Middle Trench were previously published. Re-analyses of these OSL data confirm significant variation in the dose saturation levels of the quartz signal, but allow the most robust OSL ages to be determined for comparison with previous age estimates and with those obtained in this study for potassium-rich feldspars from the Deep Sounding. The latter indicate that humans may have started to visit the cave as early as ¿150 ka ago, but that major use of the cave occurred during MIS 5, with the accumulation of the Deep Sounding sediments. Correlations between optical ages and episodes of ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ artefact discard indicate that human use of the cave during MIS 5 was highly intermittent. The earliest phases of human activity appear to have occurred during interstadial conditions (5e and 5c), with a later phase of lithic discard associated with more stadial conditions, possibly MIS 5b. We argue that the ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ assemblage can probably be linked with modern humans, like the succeeding ¿Levalloiso-Mousterian¿ assemblage; two modern human mandibles associated with the latter are associated with a modelled age of 73¿65 ka. If this attribution is correct, then the new chronology implies that modern humans using ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ technologies were in Cyrenaica as early as modern humans equipped with ¿Aterian¿ technologies were in the Maghreb, raising new questions about variability among lithic technologies during the initial phases of modern hu

The paper presents the results of optical dating of potassium-rich feldspar grains obtained from the Haua Fteah cave in Cyrenaica, northeast Libya, focussing on the chronology of the Deep Sounding excavated by Charles McBurney in the 1950s and re-excavated recently. Samples were also collected from a 1.25 m-deep trench (Trench S) excavated during the present project below the basal level of the Deep Sounding. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data sets for multi-grain, single aliquots of quartz for samples from the Middle Trench were previously published. Re-analyses of these OSL data confirm significant variation in the dose saturation levels of the quartz signal, but allow the most robust OSL ages to be determined for comparison with previous age estimates and with those obtained in this study for potassium-rich feldspars from the Deep Sounding. The latter indicate that humans may have started to visit the cave as early as ¿150 ka ago, but that major use of the cave occurred during MIS 5, with the accumulation of the Deep Sounding sediments. Correlations between optical ages and episodes of ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ artefact discard indicate that human use of the cave during MIS 5 was highly intermittent. The earliest phases of human activity appear to have occurred during interstadial conditions (5e and 5c), with a later phase of lithic discard associated with more stadial conditions, possibly MIS 5b. We argue that the ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ assemblage can probably be linked with modern humans, like the succeeding ¿Levalloiso-Mousterian¿ assemblage; two modern human mandibles associated with the latter are associated with a modelled age of 73¿65 ka. If this attribution is correct, then the new chronology implies that modern humans using ¿Pre-Aurignacian¿ technologies were in Cyrenaica as early as modern humans equipped with ¿Aterian¿ technologies were in the Maghreb, raising new questions about variability among lithic technologies during the initial phases of modern hu

The SAFIRED (Savannah Fires in the Early Dry Season) campaign took place from 29th of May, 2014 until the 30th June, 2014 at the Australian Tropical Atmospheric Research Station (ATARS) in the Northern Territory, Australia. The purpose of this campaign was to investigate emissions from fires in the early dry season in northern Australia. Measurements were made of biomass burning aerosols, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic carbons, greenhouse gases, radon, mercury cycle, and trace metals. Aspects of the biomass burning aerosol emissions investigated included; emission factors of various emitted species, physical and chemical aerosol properties, aerosol aging, micronutrient supply to the ocean, nucleation, and aerosol water uptake. Over the course of the month-long campaign, biomass burning signals were prevalent and emissions from several large single burning events were observed at ATARS. Biomass burning emissions dominated the gas and aerosol concentrations in this region. Nine major biomass burning events were identified and associated with intense or close individual smoke plumes. Dry season fires are extremely frequent and widespread across the northern region of Australia, which suggests that the measured aerosol and gaseous emissions at ATARS are likely representative of signals across the entire region of north Australia. Air mass forward trajectories show that these biomass burning emissions are carried north west over the Timor Sea and could influence the atmosphere over Indonesia and the tropical atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. The outcomes of this campaign will be numerous. This region is an environment with little human impact and provides a unique look into the characteristics of biomass burning aerosol without the influence of other significant emission sources. Relationships between the aerosol physical and chemical properties, gas concentrations and meteorological data for the entire month will provide fundamental knowledge required t

It may be a truism that the future will be different, but human expectations have rarely been so high about the degree of imminent change. This century's rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital systems has convinced us that almost every aspect of our children's and grandchildren's lives will be different to ours.

It used to be the case that participation in political life was considered to be a vocation, and that those who chose it were in it for the long haul, through thick and thin. The most prominent example of this in Australian history was Billy Hughes. Even after he lost the prime ministership in early 1923 he continued to be a member of the House of Representatives until his death in 1952. That has all changed. Mike Baird's resignation, both as New South Wales premier and from the state parliament, comes as somewhat of a shock. He is only 48, has been an MP for less than ten years and premier for less than three. One would have thought his best years in public life were ahead of him.

Several methods of assessing executive function (EF), self-regulation, language development, and social development in young children have been developed over previous decades. Yet new technologies make available methods of assessment not previously considered. In resolving conceptual and pragmatic limitations of existing tools, the Early Years Toolbox (EYT) offers substantial advantages for early assessment of language, EF, self-regulation, and social development. In the current study, results of our large-scale administration of this toolbox to 1,764 preschool and early primary school students indicated very good reliability, convergent validity with existing measures, and developmental sensitivity. Results were also suggestive of better capture of children's emerging abilities relative to comparison measures. Preliminary norms are presented, showing a clear developmental trajectory across half-year age groups. The accessibility of the EYT, as well as its advantages over existing measures, offers considerably enhanced opportunities for objective measurement of young children's abilities to enable research and educational applications.

Prescription of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to children has substantially increased in recent years. Whilst current investigations into potential long-term effects have uncovered some alterations to adult behaviours, further investigations into potential changes to neurotransmitter systems are required. The current study investigated potential long-term changes to the adult dopamine (DA) system following aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in female and male juvenile rats. Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated-TH (p-TH), dopamine active transporter (DAT), and D1 and D2 receptors were measured via Western blot and/or receptor autoradiography. Aripiprazole decreased TH and D1 receptor levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and p-TH levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of females, whilst TH levels decreased in the PFC of males. Olanzapine decreased PFC p-TH levels and increased D2 receptor expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in females only. Additionally, risperidone treatment increased D1 receptor levels in the hippocampus of females, whilst, in males, p-TH levels increased in the PFC and hippocampus, D1 receptor expression decreased in the NAc, and DAT levels decreased in the caudate putamen (CPu), and elevated in the VTA. These results suggest that early treatment with various APDs can cause different long-term alterations in the adult brain, across both treatment groups and genders.

Prescription of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to children has substantially increased in recent years. Whilst current investigations into potential long-term effects have uncovered some alterations to adult behaviours, further investigations into potential changes to neurotransmitter systems are required. The current study investigated potential long-term changes to the adult dopamine (DA) system following aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in female and male juvenile rats. Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated-TH (p-TH), dopamine active transporter (DAT), and D1 and D2 receptors were measured via Western blot and/or receptor autoradiography. Aripiprazole decreased TH and D1 receptor levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and p-TH levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of females, whilst TH levels decreased in the PFC of males. Olanzapine decreased PFC p-TH levels and increased D2 receptor expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in females only. Additionally, risperidone treatment increased D1 receptor levels in the hippocampus of females, whilst, in males, p-TH levels increased in the PFC and hippocampus, D1 receptor expression decreased in the NAc, and DAT levels decreased in the caudate putamen (CPu), and elevated in the VTA. These results suggest that early treatment with various APDs can cause different long-term alterations in the adult brain, across both treatment groups and genders.

The mechanism of mechanically induced self-propagating reaction (MSR) of titanium with graphite to produce TiC during reactive ball milling of elemental powders was investigated using high resolution electron microscopy, and Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Prior to the exothermic ignition, off-stoichiometric Ti(1+x)C(1 - x) nuclei are formed by reaction at the interface between the severely deformed Ti particles and graphite milling debris. After ignition, both rapid growth of existing nuclei, and nucleation and growth of additional off-stoichiometric Ti(1+x)C(1 - x) occurs. Local product morphologies after the ignition varied, depending local restrictions on the rate of diffusion of carbon into the TiC as it grows.

Executive Summary There is a large body of international academic research literature which examines the relationship between (i) early childhood education and care (ECEC) and (ii) children's developmental and learning outcomes. Decades of sustained international research by many different research groups demonstrate that children who attend ECEC are likely to experience better behavioural and learning outcomes than those who do not attend. The research findings are, of course, not always consistent, and are more robust over shorter measurement periods. Nevertheless, major national surveys (e.g. OECD, 2011) and ambitious longitudinal research projects (e.g. the EPPSE study, Sylva et al., 2014) document that the benefits of ECEC attendance last into adolescence. There is now a consensus that, relative to no ECEC, attendance at ECEC is likely to confer a benefit on children (Melhuish et al., 2015)...

Prescription of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to children has substantially increased in recent years. Whilst current investigations into potential long-term effects have uncovered some alterations to adult behaviours, further investigations into potential changes to neurotransmitter systems are required. The current study investigated potential long-term changes to the adult dopamine (DA) system following aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in female and male juvenile rats. Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated-TH (p-TH), dopamine active transporter (DAT), and D1 and D2 receptors were measured via Western blot and/or receptor autoradiography. Aripiprazole decreased TH and D1 receptor levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and p-TH levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of females, whilst TH levels decreased in the PFC of males. Olanzapine decreased PFC p-TH levels and increased D2 receptor expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in females only. Additionally, risperidone treatment increased D1 receptor levels in the hippocampus of females, whilst, in males, p-TH levels increased in the PFC and hippocampus, D1 receptor expression decreased in the NAc, and DAT levels decreased in the caudate putamen (CPu), and elevated in the VTA. These results suggest that early treatment with various APDs can cause different long-term alterations in the adult brain, across both treatment groups and genders.

The evolution of industrial-era warming across the continents and oceans provides a context for future climate change and is important for determining climate sensitivity and the processes that control regional warming. Here we use postad 1500 palaeoclimate records to show that sustained industrial-era warming of the tropical oceans first developed during the mid-nineteenth century and was nearly synchronous with Northern Hemisphere continental warming. The early onset of sustained, significant warming in palaeoclimate records and model simulations suggests that greenhouse forcing of industrial-era warming commenced as early as the mid-nineteenth century and included an enhanced equatorial ocean response mechanism. The development of Southern Hemisphere warming is delayed in reconstructions, but this apparent delay is not reproduced in climate simulations. Our findings imply that instrumental records are too short to comprehensively assess anthropogenic climate change and that, in some regions, about 180 years of industrial-era warming has already caused surface temperatures to emerge above pre-industrial values, even when taking natural variability into account.

Prescription of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to children has substantially increased in recent years. Whilst current investigations into potential long-term effects have uncovered some alterations to adult behaviours, further investigations into potential changes to neurotransmitter systems are required. The current study investigated potential long-term changes to the adult dopamine (DA) system following aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in female and male juvenile rats. Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated-TH (p-TH), dopamine active transporter (DAT), and D1 and D2 receptors were measured via Western blot and/or receptor autoradiography. Aripiprazole decreased TH and D1 receptor levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and p-TH levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of females, whilst TH levels decreased in the PFC of males. Olanzapine decreased PFC p-TH levels and increased D2 receptor expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in females only. Additionally, risperidone treatment increased D1 receptor levels in the hippocampus of females, whilst, in males, p-TH levels increased in the PFC and hippocampus, D1 receptor expression decreased in the NAc, and DAT levels decreased in the caudate putamen (CPu), and elevated in the VTA. These results suggest that early treatment with various APDs can cause different long-term alterations in the adult brain, across both treatment groups and genders.

Executive Summary There is a large body of international academic research literature which examines the relationship between (i) early childhood education and care (ECEC) and (ii) children's developmental and learning outcomes. Decades of sustained international research by many different research groups demonstrate that children who attend ECEC are likely to experience better behavioural and learning outcomes than those who do not attend. The research findings are, of course, not always consistent, and are more robust over shorter measurement periods. Nevertheless, major national surveys (e.g. OECD, 2011) and ambitious longitudinal research projects (e.g. the EPPSE study, Sylva et al., 2014) document that the benefits of ECEC attendance last into adolescence. There is now a consensus that, relative to no ECEC, attendance at ECEC is likely to confer a benefit on children (Melhuish et al., 2015)...

The face of early childhood education continues to change. In Australia, the national early childhood guidelines, Early Years Learning Framework (2009) and the National Quality Framework have articulated and defined the work of early years' educators in a range of areas, including literacy. Both frameworks state that their aim is to maintain the focus of the Development Strategy provide all Australian children with an educational foundation to support them throughout their lives. In this climate, and some years after the implementation of these guidelines, it seems timely to examine the literacy programmes, practices and perspectives of prior-to-school environments as they prepare children to transition to the early years of primary school. This paper reports on the findings of a study that aimed to explore the nature of literacy programmes, practices and perspectives, and in particular how such programmes support educators and children in one prior-to-school setting, as they prepare to transition to the first year of formal schooling. Analysis of the experiences offered in prior-to-school centres revealed a number of learning experiences that illustrated Bernstein's notion of visible and invisible literacy learning pedagogies. It was found that viewing these learning experiences along a continuum from invisible to visible pedagogical practices was a useful framework for categorising the range of experiences in which the children engaged. It is suggested that such a continuum would be a useful framework for both prior-to-school and kindergarten teachers to better support children as they transition across settings. However, we must add a caveat, namely, that such a framework should not lead to increase pressure on prior-to-school settings to increase 'visible pedagogical practices' in order to 'teach' literacy skills.

Longitudinal cohort studies have significant potential to inform policy across a range of child and family areas, including early childhood education and care. Here we describe the relationship between policy-makers and New Zealand’s contemporary pre-birth cohort study. We outline a model for policy interaction that highlights the relationship between Growing Up and policy across study design, implementation and analysis. We then describe key policy-relevant questions in the early childhood education and care area that Growing Up has addressed when children were age 2. We used parent-report data for 6242 children to consider: whether socio-economic factors and ethnicity are related to the type, amount and quality of care children receive, and changes in this care across the early years; whether families are intending to utilise ‘20 Hours ECE’ when their children reach age 3, and if not, why not; and whether differences in intentions to use ‘20 Hours ECE’ are based on socio-economic factors, ethnicity and the type of childcare children are receiving at age 2. Results indicated clear differences in non-parental care at age 2 as a function of maternal ethnicity, income, area deprivation and household structure. Several child care proxy quality indicators were lower for children of Māori, Pacific and Asian mothers compared with children of European mothers, and for children living in higher deprivation areas. While 88 % of mothers were intending to utilise the Government’s ‘20 Hours ECE’ funding, Asian and Pacific mothers and mothers whose children were cared for by family members were less likely. These findings highlight the importance of continued policy efforts to reduce socio-economic and ethnic disparities in education and care during the preschool years.

This paper reports on findings from research which sought to understand, in the New South Wales (NSW) context, the factors impacting on the transition into early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres for children with disabilities from the perspective of both parents of children with disabilities and educators in ECEC centres. The study aimed to identify successes and barriers, and consider potential interventions and procedures that might increase the participation of children with disabilities in ECEC centres. This paper will discuss findings from the educator perspective only, including 37 completed questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from 10 teacher participants. Thematic analysis revealed the importance of communication with parents, relationships with previous service providers, opportunities for professional learning and organisational support.

Background: A substantial research base documents the benefits of attendance at high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) for positive behavioural and learning outcomes. Research has also found that the quality of many young children's experiences and opportunities in ECEC depends on the skills, dispositions and understandings of the early childhood adult educators. Increasingly, research has shown that the quality of children's interactions with educators and their peers, more than any other programme feature, influence what children learn and how they feel about learning. Hence, we sought to investigate the extent to which evidence-based professional development (PD) - focussed on promoting sustained shared thinking through quality interactions - could improve the quality of ECEC and, as a consequence, child outcomes. Methods/design: The Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study is a cluster randomised controlled trial for evaluating the benefits of a professional development (PD) programme for early childhood educators, compared with no extra PD. Ninety long-day care and preschool centres in New South Wales, Australia, will be selected to ensure representation across National Quality Standards (NQS) ratings, location, centre type and socioeconomic areas. Participating centres will be randomly allocated to one of two groups, stratified by centre type and NQS rating: (1) an intervention group (45 centres) receiving a PD intervention or (2) a control group (45 centres) that continues engaging in typical classroom practice. Randomisation to these groups will occur after the collection of baseline environmental quality ratings. Primary outcomes, at the child level, will be two measures of language development: verbal comprehension and expressive vocabulary. Secondary outcomes at the child level will be measures of early numeracy, social development and self-regulation. Secondary outcomes at the ECEC room level will be measures of environmental quali

Introduction: Dental caries has a severe impact on young Australian Aboriginal children. With appropriate advice, dental caries is preventable; however, many Aboriginal children cannot access dental services. Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) are a valued member of Aboriginal communities and have regular contact with Aboriginal families. Once trained about dental health, AHWs have the ability to teach families with young children about preventing dental caries. This article reports on an oral health training course for AHWs. Objectives: To evaluate the training course in terms of its components, cultural appropriateness, course content and whether the participants felt competent to offer oral health advice. Methods: Sixty-one AHWs from twelve Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services (ACCHS) participated in the training programme across New South Wales, Australia. Anonymous self-completed questionnaires were collected after the training to determine whether the participants felt prepared to offer oral health advice to Aboriginal families with young children and to evaluate the course. Results: Most AHWs thought the components of the training were very good to good including the PowerPoint presentation (59, 97%), graphics (60, 98%) and materials (60, 98%). All (59, 100%) thought the training and materials were culturally appropriate. The course was informative, the material was relevant (61, 100%), and the training increased the AHW’s oral health knowledge (61, 100%). Most (59, 98%) reported increased confidence to deliver dental advice to families with young children. All believed the course appeared easy to use and would recommend it to others (61, 100%).

The evolution of industrial-era warming across the continents and oceans provides a context for future climate change and is important for determining climate sensitivity and the processes that control regional warming. Here we use postad 1500 palaeoclimate records to show that sustained industrial-era warming of the tropical oceans first developed during the mid-nineteenth century and was nearly synchronous with Northern Hemisphere continental warming. The early onset of sustained, significant warming in palaeoclimate records and model simulations suggests that greenhouse forcing of industrial-era warming commenced as early as the mid-nineteenth century and included an enhanced equatorial ocean response mechanism. The development of Southern Hemisphere warming is delayed in reconstructions, but this apparent delay is not reproduced in climate simulations. Our findings imply that instrumental records are too short to comprehensively assess anthropogenic climate change and that, in some regions, about 180 years of industrial-era warming has already caused surface temperatures to emerge above pre-industrial values, even when taking natural variability into account.

Prescription of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to children has substantially increased in recent years. Whilst current investigations into potential long-term effects have uncovered some alterations to adult behaviours, further investigations into potential changes to neurotransmitter systems are required. The current study investigated potential long-term changes to the adult dopamine (DA) system following aripiprazole, olanzapine and risperidone treatment in female and male juvenile rats. Levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated-TH (p-TH), dopamine active transporter (DAT), and D1 and D2 receptors were measured via Western blot and/or receptor autoradiography. Aripiprazole decreased TH and D1 receptor levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and p-TH levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of females, whilst TH levels decreased in the PFC of males. Olanzapine decreased PFC p-TH levels and increased D2 receptor expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in females only. Additionally, risperidone treatment increased D1 receptor levels in the hippocampus of females, whilst, in males, p-TH levels increased in the PFC and hippocampus, D1 receptor expression decreased in the NAc, and DAT levels decreased in the caudate putamen (CPu), and elevated in the VTA. These results suggest that early treatment with various APDs can cause different long-term alterations in the adult brain, across both treatment groups and genders.

The mechanism of mechanically induced self-propagating reaction (MSR) of titanium with graphite to produce TiC during reactive ball milling of elemental powders was investigated using high resolution electron microscopy, and Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Prior to the exothermic ignition, off-stoichiometric Ti(1+x)C(1 - x) nuclei are formed by reaction at the interface between the severely deformed Ti particles and graphite milling debris. After ignition, both rapid growth of existing nuclei, and nucleation and growth of additional off-stoichiometric Ti(1+x)C(1 - x) occurs. Local product morphologies after the ignition varied, depending local restrictions on the rate of diffusion of carbon into the TiC as it grows.

This article offers findings from research that examined the visual art beliefs and pedagogy of early childhood educators and supports reflection about the educational merit of different types of visual art experience offered to children. The range of visual art experiences typically delivered in early childhood education settings varies significantly in method and purpose, yet there is little guidance to support early childhood educators to evaluate the visual art experiences they include in the curriculum or to consider their role as art educators. At the same time, the research literature suggests that pre- school educators lack confidence to make and teach art and that their visual art subject knowledge is limited. Qualitative case study research examined the visual art beliefs and pedagogy of twelve educators located in four Australian early childhood education settings. Data collection methods included interviews, environmental audits and analysis of pedagogical documentation about visual art provisions. John Dewey's philosophies of democracy, education and art synthesised with the philosophy and pedagogical values of the Reggio Emilia educational approach support interpretation and analysis of the research data. In particular, Dewey's philosophy of consummatory experience and growth alongside Eisner's discussions about visual art myths and null curricula guide reflection about visual art provisions in early childhood contexts. A continuum of visual art experience is proposed to support reflection about the types of experience that potentially mis- educate and lead to visual art stagnation compared with experiences that may foster consummatory and educative growth.

The evolution of industrial-era warming across the continents and oceans provides a context for future climate change and is important for determining climate sensitivity and the processes that control regional warming. Here we use postad 1500 palaeoclimate records to show that sustained industrial-era warming of the tropical oceans first developed during the mid-nineteenth century and was nearly synchronous with Northern Hemisphere continental warming. The early onset of sustained, significant warming in palaeoclimate records and model simulations suggests that greenhouse forcing of industrial-era warming commenced as early as the mid-nineteenth century and included an enhanced equatorial ocean response mechanism. The development of Southern Hemisphere warming is delayed in reconstructions, but this apparent delay is not reproduced in climate simulations. Our findings imply that instrumental records are too short to comprehensively assess anthropogenic climate change and that, in some regions, about 180 years of industrial-era warming has already caused surface temperatures to emerge above pre-industrial values, even when taking natural variability into account.

Objective: To systematically review the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior among children in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services. Appropriate levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior are important to promote in ECEC services. Methods: A systematic search of 8 databases identified 27 studies published between 1992 and 2015 that met the inclusion criteria. The data were collected and analyzed in 2014 and 2015, and variables were categorized using a Social Ecological Framework. Results: Sixty-six variables were identified. The domains of child characteristics (18 studies) and physical environmental factors (17 studies) were most consistently studied, and, for physical activity had the most positive associations. The strongest associations of physical activity were: child's sex and age, children's gross motor coordination, provision of active opportunities for physical activity, and features of outdoor environments (size, use of and presence). The only strong association for sedentary behavior was the presence of outdoor environments. Conclusion: The correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in ECEC services vary. It appears that the most significant influence from within these settings is the physical environments for both physical activity and sedentary behavior. There was an absence of consistent evidence at the educator and organizational levels. Further research in this area should focus on effective use of space, intentional teaching opportunities and well as professional development for educators with an emphasis on their role as a facilitator of quality experiences.

Empirical studies on information technology (IT) in early childhood education and care organisations are scant, despite an increasing number of these organisations choosing to innovate with IT. This paper presents a framework to understand the appropriation of IT as an innovation within such an organisation. The framework consists of three perspectives on innovation: an individualist, a structuralist and an interactive process perspective. While the first focuses on concepts such as leadership, IT champions, previous IT exposure, the second focuses on organisation size, parents as stakeholders, competitors, government compliance and regulatory requirements. The third perspective views the innovation as a dynamic phenomenon of change, produced by the continuous interaction of the innovation content, its context, and the appropriation process as related in an interactive process. We demonstrate the framework's applicability and determine that the three perspectives supplement each other and together provide a deeper understanding of the IT appropriation process in terms of innovation determinants and barriers.

Lysosomes are the primary catabolic compartment for the degradation of intracellular proteins through autophagy. The presence of abnormal intracellular -synuclein-positive aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that the degradative capacity of lysosomes is impaired in PD. Specific dysfunction of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in PD is suggested by reductions in the CMA membrane receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, although whether LAMP2A is the only LAMP2 isoform affected by PD is unknown. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of all three LAMP2 isoforms was assessed in brain extracts from regions with and without PD-related increases in -synuclein in autopsy samples from subjects in the early pathological stage of PD (n=9), compared to age- and postmortem delay-matched controls (n=10). In the early stages of PD, mRNA expression of all LAMP2 isoforms was not different from controls, with LAMP2B and LAMP2C protein levels also unchanged in PD. The selective loss of LAMP2A protein directly correlated with the increased levels of -synuclein and decreased levels of the CMA chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70 in the same PD samples, as well as with the accumulation of cytosolic CMA substrate proteins. Our data show that LAMP2 protein isoforms are differentially affected in the early stages of PD, with LAMP2A selectively reduced in association with increased -synuclein, and suggests that dysregulation of CMA-mediated protein degradation occurs before substantial -synuclein aggregation in PD. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Lysosomes are the primary catabolic compartment for the degradation of intracellular proteins through autophagy. The presence of abnormal intracellular -synuclein-positive aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that the degradative capacity of lysosomes is impaired in PD. Specific dysfunction of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in PD is suggested by reductions in the CMA membrane receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, although whether LAMP2A is the only LAMP2 isoform affected by PD is unknown. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of all three LAMP2 isoforms was assessed in brain extracts from regions with and without PD-related increases in -synuclein in autopsy samples from subjects in the early pathological stage of PD (n=9), compared to age- and postmortem delay-matched controls (n=10). In the early stages of PD, mRNA expression of all LAMP2 isoforms was not different from controls, with LAMP2B and LAMP2C protein levels also unchanged in PD. The selective loss of LAMP2A protein directly correlated with the increased levels of -synuclein and decreased levels of the CMA chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70 in the same PD samples, as well as with the accumulation of cytosolic CMA substrate proteins. Our data show that LAMP2 protein isoforms are differentially affected in the early stages of PD, with LAMP2A selectively reduced in association with increased -synuclein, and suggests that dysregulation of CMA-mediated protein degradation occurs before substantial -synuclein aggregation in PD. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Empirical studies on information technology (IT) in early childhood education and care organisations are scant, despite an increasing number of these organisations choosing to innovate with IT. This paper presents a framework to understand the appropriation of IT as an innovation within such an organisation. The framework consists of three perspectives on innovation: an individualist, a structuralist and an interactive process perspective. While the first focuses on concepts such as leadership, IT champions, previous IT exposure, the second focuses on organisation size, parents as stakeholders, competitors, government compliance and regulatory requirements. The third perspective views the innovation as a dynamic phenomenon of change, produced by the continuous interaction of the innovation content, its context, and the appropriation process as related in an interactive process. We demonstrate the framework's applicability and determine that the three perspectives supplement each other and together provide a deeper understanding of the IT appropriation process in terms of innovation determinants and barriers.

Lysosomes are the primary catabolic compartment for the degradation of intracellular proteins through autophagy. The presence of abnormal intracellular -synuclein-positive aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that the degradative capacity of lysosomes is impaired in PD. Specific dysfunction of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in PD is suggested by reductions in the CMA membrane receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, although whether LAMP2A is the only LAMP2 isoform affected by PD is unknown. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of all three LAMP2 isoforms was assessed in brain extracts from regions with and without PD-related increases in -synuclein in autopsy samples from subjects in the early pathological stage of PD (n=9), compared to age- and postmortem delay-matched controls (n=10). In the early stages of PD, mRNA expression of all LAMP2 isoforms was not different from controls, with LAMP2B and LAMP2C protein levels also unchanged in PD. The selective loss of LAMP2A protein directly correlated with the increased levels of -synuclein and decreased levels of the CMA chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70 in the same PD samples, as well as with the accumulation of cytosolic CMA substrate proteins. Our data show that LAMP2 protein isoforms are differentially affected in the early stages of PD, with LAMP2A selectively reduced in association with increased -synuclein, and suggests that dysregulation of CMA-mediated protein degradation occurs before substantial -synuclein aggregation in PD. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Lysosomes are the primary catabolic compartment for the degradation of intracellular proteins through autophagy. The presence of abnormal intracellular -synuclein-positive aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that the degradative capacity of lysosomes is impaired in PD. Specific dysfunction of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in PD is suggested by reductions in the CMA membrane receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, although whether LAMP2A is the only LAMP2 isoform affected by PD is unknown. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of all three LAMP2 isoforms was assessed in brain extracts from regions with and without PD-related increases in -synuclein in autopsy samples from subjects in the early pathological stage of PD (n=9), compared to age- and postmortem delay-matched controls (n=10). In the early stages of PD, mRNA expression of all LAMP2 isoforms was not different from controls, with LAMP2B and LAMP2C protein levels also unchanged in PD. The selective loss of LAMP2A protein directly correlated with the increased levels of -synuclein and decreased levels of the CMA chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70 in the same PD samples, as well as with the accumulation of cytosolic CMA substrate proteins. Our data show that LAMP2 protein isoforms are differentially affected in the early stages of PD, with LAMP2A selectively reduced in association with increased -synuclein, and suggests that dysregulation of CMA-mediated protein degradation occurs before substantial -synuclein aggregation in PD. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Lysosomes are the primary catabolic compartment for the degradation of intracellular proteins through autophagy. The presence of abnormal intracellular -synuclein-positive aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that the degradative capacity of lysosomes is impaired in PD. Specific dysfunction of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in PD is suggested by reductions in the CMA membrane receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, although whether LAMP2A is the only LAMP2 isoform affected by PD is unknown. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of all three LAMP2 isoforms was assessed in brain extracts from regions with and without PD-related increases in -synuclein in autopsy samples from subjects in the early pathological stage of PD (n=9), compared to age- and postmortem delay-matched controls (n=10). In the early stages of PD, mRNA expression of all LAMP2 isoforms was not different from controls, with LAMP2B and LAMP2C protein levels also unchanged in PD. The selective loss of LAMP2A protein directly correlated with the increased levels of -synuclein and decreased levels of the CMA chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70 in the same PD samples, as well as with the accumulation of cytosolic CMA substrate proteins. Our data show that LAMP2 protein isoforms are differentially affected in the early stages of PD, with LAMP2A selectively reduced in association with increased -synuclein, and suggests that dysregulation of CMA-mediated protein degradation occurs before substantial -synuclein aggregation in PD. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Objectives: To investigate associations between dementia-attitudes and help-seeking intentions. Method: An online survey of 611 Australian adults (45-60 years) assessed dementia-related attitudes and help-seeking intentions in response to two scenarios of an experience of early dementia: for themselves (Scenario 1); and for a significant other (proxy help-seeking) (Scenario 2). Logistic regression models examined the relationship between four dementia-related attitudes (labelled Personal Avoidance, Fear of Labelling, Fear of Discrimination and Person Centredness) and help-seeking intentions. Results: Most participants indicated they would seek help from a general practitioner (GP) for themselves (82.2%) or for a proxy (78.7%) in response to the scenarios. Whilst only 7.2% indicated they would seek help from no-one, 21.3% would delay seeking help. In response to Scenario 1, Personal Avoidance and Fear of Labelling were associated with intentions to delay help-seeking. Fear of both Labelling and Discrimination were associated with intentions to seek help from no-one. In response to Scenario 2, Personal Avoidance was associated with intentions to delay proxy help-seeking and a reduced likelihood of seeking help by phone or and with Fear of Discrimination, via a GP. Fear of Labelling was also associated with an intention to delay proxy help-seeking. Conclusion: Efforts to improve help-seeking for dementia should address attitudes relating to stigma including negative labelling and a desire for the avoidance of people with dementia. Fears relating to discrimination indicate a need to build public confidence regarding the capacity of the health and workforce sectors to support people with dementia ethically and appropriately.