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Introduction: This study examines the complex link between regular maintenance procedures and the effectiveness of business-related assets in Australia. Commercial buildings are essential to the country's economy, and the variables affecting their worth must be carefully analysed. Methods: This study evaluates the relationship between asset value and maintenance frequency, examines how maintenance practices affect building performance, and considers industry perspectives on improperly versus correctly maintained assets. Results: The study's findings highlight the significance of renovations, along with adaptive reuse, in raising asset value; however, despite various maintenance techniques available, the Australian commercial building industry has challenges. Budgetary constraints, for instance, pose a significant hurdle, with many companies struggling to allocate sufficient funds for comprehensive maintenance plans. The findings of this research highlight the positive shift towards technology-driven maintenance procedures in business establishments in Australia. The adoption of computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Building Management Systems (BMS) is rising, automating repetitive tasks, improving maintenance procedures, and enabling data-driven decisions. Discussion: This study thoroughly explains the complex processes influencing the value and usefulness of commercial architecture resources in the Australian setting by addressing the differing perspectives within the real estate industry. Future research on this topic should focus on recognising the psychological components of decision-making concerning maintenance practices. Investigating how psychological prejudices, perceptions of danger, and organisational culture affect the choices made by property owners, facility administration, and others can help us better understand why some maintenance methods are preferred over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this review, we present the differences between viral diagnostic studies in psittacines and their progress. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of published studies on viruses in psittacines up to 2022. We found that: (i) on average, 2.5 articles per year on viral diagnosis in psittacines have been published since 1975; (ii) the most productive research groups are concentrated in Australia, the United States, and Germany; (iii) the most important virus for psittacines is Circovirus; (iv) the diagnostic method of choice is polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (v) the most studied psittacines belong to the Psittacidae family kept in captivity. This study provides information to guide future work on viruses in psittacines and encourages broad viral research in wild and domestic animals to prevent future outbreaks and the emergence of new viral diseases. The first reports of viruses in psittacine birds date back to the early 1970s. Here, we elucidate the differences among these previous studies and the advances achieved. The objective of this study was to carry out a comprehensive review using both scientometric and systematic methods to analyze the evolution of published studies on viruses in psittacine birds up to 2022. The search descriptors "virus", "diagnosis", and "Psittaciformes" were used to find the articles of interest for this study. A total of 118 articles were manually selected, and the scientometric data were organized using the software VOSviewer® version 1.6.18. The present review revealed that: (i) on average, 2.5 articles/year on the diagnosis of viral infection in psittacine birds were published since 1975; (ii) the most productive research groups are concentrated in three countries: Australia, the United States, and Germany; (iii) the most important virus in psittacine birds is the Circovirus, which causes psittacine beak and feather disease; (iv) the diagnostic method of choice is polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (v) the most studied psittacine birds were those in the Psittacidae family that were kept in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulopinae is a distinctive subfamily of leafhoppers that is widely distributed across the Afrotropical, Palearctic, Indomalayan and Australasian regions. The ulopine fauna of Australia is entirely endemic and includes two tribes of striking appearance, the Ulopini and Cephalelini. Knowledge of these groups is fragmentary and in many instances, no information is available beyond original descriptions. We assess the monophyly, phylogenetic placement and species-level diversity of the Ulopini genus Austrolopa. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data from target nuclear loci (18S , 28S , H2A and H3) and mitochondrial genomes (15 genes) for 23 membracoid taxa yielded congruent topologies. Our results provide strong evidence for the monophyly of Ulopinae and a clade consisting of Ulopini + Cephalelini. However, a non-monophyletic Cephalelini arises from within a polyphyletic Ulopini. Austrolopa was strongly recovered as monophyletic in all analyses, a result also supported by morphological features. The genus currently includes six species, three of which are described based on morphological and molecular data: Austrolopa botanica , sp. nov. , Austrolopa rotunda , sp. nov. and Austrolopa sublima , sp. nov. A lectotype designation is provided for Austrolopa kingensis Evans, 1937, sp. reval. Our findings illustrate that the Australian Ulopinae is far more diverse than currently circumscribed and several species of Austrolopa are yet to be recognised. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1480285B-8F61-4659-A929-2B1EF3168868 Ulopinae is a distinctive leafhopper subfamily widely distributed across the Afrotropical, Palearctic, Indomalayan and Australasian regions. The Australian fauna is entirely endemic, and many species lack hindwings. Here, we investigate the phylogeny of ulopine leafhoppers, focusing on the genus Austrolopa. Populations previously ascribed to A. brunensis represent new species, suggesting that these insects have narrow ranges and may be further restricted to specific elevations or host plants. Our study demonstrates that non-monophyletic ulopine tribes and genera need reappraisal with integrative methods. (Photographs by O. Evangelista.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a central component to seven existential challenges humanity currently faces, including food, water and energy security, climate change abatement, biodiversity protection, human health and ecosystem services delivery. Soils, however, are under threat and securing soil has become an eighth existential challenge. Soil security can be understood, quantified and managed via five dimensions. The definitions of the biophysical dimensions of capacity and condition have evolved in the last decade but still need further clarification, especially regarding the identification of reference states for quantifying (optimal) capability. Connectivity is itself a complex and multifaceted dimension, whereas capital and codification are less ambiguous. There have been many concepts developed to value and care for the soil, however these concepts have relatively smaller scopes. The broader concept of soil security can be evaluated based on the roles of soil functions, soil services, and threats to soil. The attention towards soil security is increasing at a steady pace and the adoption of the concept proves to be interdisciplinary. Much of the recent literature does not consider the entire suite of dimensions which results in some dimensions being more developed than others, especially condition, and hence the resulting knowledge gaps make the others more difficult to quantify. It was also observed that most studies fail to address the multifunctionality, multiservice and multiple threats to soil for which soil security accounts. Work is now shifting from the conceptual development towards the quantification of soil security to support policy decisions and drive change for a sustainable future for soil. A proposed soil security assessment framework has been constructed. The quantification uses conceptual models, indicators and utility graphs for functions, services, and threats. The concept of reference soils using pedogenons is used to detect soil change and to set realistic targets. Public policy and legal frameworks around soil are gaining momentum at a national and continental scale, focusing on soil condition (e.g., soil health) particularly in Australia and Europe. There is a need for an international framework based around a soil agenda incorporating the five soil security dimensions. We need a clear set of goals to work towards for achieving soil security by 2030 and beyond. Most importantly, securing the soil itself should be recognized as a global existential challenge with its existence pivotal for the survival of humanity and the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrimination and recognition are often poorer for other-race than own-race faces. These other-race effects (OREs) have traditionally been attributed to reduced perceptual expertise, resulting from more limited experience, with other-race faces. However, recent findings suggest that sociocognitive factors, such as reduced motivation to individuate other-race faces, may also contribute. If the sociocognitive hypothesis is correct, then it should be possible to alter discrimination and memory performance for identical faces by altering their perceived race. We made identical ambiguous-race morphed faces look either Asian or Caucasian by presenting them in Caucasian or Asian face contexts, respectively. However, this perceived-race manipulation had no effect on either discrimination (Experiment 1) or memory (Experiment 2) for the ambiguous-race faces, despite the presence of the usual OREs in discrimination and recognition of unambiguous Asian and Caucasian faces in our participant population. These results provide no support for the sociocognitive hypothesis. (Contains 5 footnotes and 2 figures.)

In this research, the durability performance of sustainable concrete with the incorporation of reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) and fly ash (FA) was evaluated. The partial replacement of cement with these two materials is an appealing solution for the construction sector due to sustainability benefits and shrinkage reduction. The incorporation of FA by partial replacement of cement was carried out at 0%, 15% and 30%. The incorporation of MgO in concrete was carried out at 0%, 5%, 10% and 20%. Two types of MgO were used, one from Australia and another of Spanish origin. These two materials were evaluated in terms of their individual incorporation, and then an evaluation was carried out when the two were simultaneously used. In terms of durability, performance losses between 3% and 95% were obtained in all tests (water absorption by capillarity and immersion, carbonation depth and resistance to chloride penetration). However, over time, the difference in performance relative to the reference concrete tends to decrease due to the slow hydration that characterizes these two alternative materials. It was found that, in most of the tests, no overlapping of the negative effects occurred. In other words, the simultaneous incorporation of MgO and FA caused performance losses lower than the sum of the losses of their individual incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to trial a general practice approach to improve the health literacy of patients at risk of utilising medical, emergency or ambulatory services during after-hour periods in Australia. It did so by introducing an anticipatory after-hours care component in all new and revised care plans, known as an Anticipatory Care Plan (AntCaP). The pilot was conducted over a 6-month period in 2013-14. Thirteen general practices were recruited via expressions of interest and were paid a financial grant. Key practice staff were required to attend three workshops conducted by a Medicare Local and to be involved in the evaluation process. A pragmatic qualitative and quantitative evaluation process was conducted during the pilot, and ceased 6 months after the final workshop. The results indicate that the integration of AntCaPs into general practice was generally well received by practice staff and their patients, with early indications that AntCaPs can influence patient behaviour in the after-hours period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to compare the management style of marketing managers in Australia with the counterparts in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Design/methodology/approach - Based on the differences in cultural dimensions and context, five hypotheses related to management decision-making styles were developed and tested by questionnaire survey. Sixty seven valid Australia samples and 104 valid Chinese samples were obtained through mail survey and personal interviews, respectively. Findings - Results show that PRC managers have significantly higher scores in the five management style dimensions (namely: information utilization, complexity, group decision-making, risk acceptance and technology orientation) than their Australian counterparts. Research limitations/implications - The research is limited by the small sample size. The findings may be limited by measurement equivalence issues and further investigation of management style differences across more countries is clearly needed. Practical implications - The findings of this study provide useful insights into the differences in the management style of marketing managers in the two countries. It is possible to predict management style differences based on a comparison of cultural differences in a systematic way. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the literature in international marketing and management It is imperative for managers to understand how cultures affect the management style of the managers they interact with as well as their own. The study serves as a guideline for studying other cultures, which is especially relevant for companies that are seeking to expand their strategic alliance operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to consider how a founder has reduced equivocality in relation to support networks and reducing risks, especially in an international environment. Presents the case studies of five Danish and Australian born global companies. Considers different global models and their limitations. Presents the findings of recent surveys in this area. Concludes that internationalization has not been the primary objective in the founding process and gives direction for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cites the existence of information framing effects as an interesting phenomenon in the area of human judgements and decision-making. Uses three distinct types of framing effect and the hypothesis identified by Leven et al (1998). Studies the reliability of these effects across samples of subjects in the USA and Australia. Shows that, for two of the three types, attribute framing and risky choice framing, the effects were strong and almost identical in the two samples. Highlights a significant effect for the US sample, but not the Australian sample, for the third type, goal framing. Discusses results in terms of the reliability of the effects and their potential for revealing cross-cultural differences in values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-dose melphalan plus autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard approach in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Our aims were to compare consolidation with high-dose melphalan plus ASCT versus chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone) plus lenalidomide, and maintenance with lenalidomide plus prednisone versus lenalidomide alone.Methods: We did an open-label, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 study at 59 centres in Australia, Czech Republic, and Italy. We enrolled transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed myeloma aged 65 years or younger. Patients received a common induction with four 28-day cycles of lenalidomide (25 mg, days 1-21) and dexamethasone (40 mg, days 1, 8, 15, and 22) and subsequent chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (3 g/m(2)) followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for stem-cell mobilisation and collection. Using a 2 × 2 partial factorial design, we randomised patients to consolidation with either chemotherapy plus lenalidomide (six cycles of cyclophosphamide [300 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, and 15], dexamethasone [40 mg, days 1, 8, 15, and 22], and lenalidomide [25 mg, days 1-21]) or two courses of high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m(2)) and ASCT. We also randomised patients to maintenance with lenalidomide (10 mg, days 1-21) plus prednisone (50 mg, every other day) or lenalidomide alone. A simple randomisation sequence was used to assign patients at enrolment into one of the four groups (1:1:1:1 ratio), but the treatment allocation was disclosed only when the patient reached the end of the induction and confirmed their eligibility for consolidation. Both the patient and the treating clinician did not know the consolidation and maintenance arm until that time. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by intention-to-treat. The trial is ongoing and some patients are still receiving maintenance. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01091831.Findings: 389 patients were enrolled between July 6, 2009, and May 6, 2011, with 256 eligible for consolidation (127 high-dose melphalan and ASCT and 129 chemotherapy plus lenalidomide) and 223 eligible for maintenance (117 lenalidomide plus prednisone and 106 lenalidomide alone). Median follow-up was 52·0 months (IQR 30·4-57·6). Progression-free survival during consolidation was significantly shorter with chemotherapy plus lenalidomide compared with high-dose melphalan and ASCT (median 28·6 months [95% CI 20·6-36·7] vs 43·3 months [33·2-52·2]; hazard ratio [HR] for the first 24 months 2·51, 95% CI 1·60-3·94; p<0·0001). Progression-free survival did not differ between maintenance treatments (median 37·5 months [95% CI 27·8-not evaluable] with lenalidomide plus prednisone vs 28·5 months [22·5-46·5] with lenalidomide alone; HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·59-1·20; p=0·34). Fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events were recorded with chemotherapy plus lenalidomide than with high-dose melphalan and ASCT; the most frequent were haematological (34 [26%] of 129 patients vs 107 [84%] of 127 patients), gastrointestinal (six [5%] vs 25 [20%]), and infection (seven [5%] vs 24 [19%]). Haematological serious adverse events were reported in two (2%) patients assigned chemotherapy plus lenalidomide and no patients allocated high-dose melphalan and ASCT. Non-haematological serious adverse events were reported in 13 (10%) patients assigned chemotherapy plus lenalidomide and nine (7%) allocated high-dose melphalan and ASCT. During maintenance, adverse events did not differ between groups. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (nine [8%] of 117 patients assigned lenalidomide plus prednisone vs 14 [13%] of 106 allocated lenalidomide alone), infection (eight [8%] vs five [5%]), and systemic toxicities (seven [6%] vs two [2%]). Non-haematological serious adverse events were reported in 13 (11%) patients assigned lenalidomide plus prednisone versus ten (9%) allocated lenalidomide alone. Four patients died because of adverse events, three from infections (two during induction and one during consolidation) and one because of cardiac toxic effects.Interpretation: Consolidation with high-dose melphalan and ASCT remains the preferred option in transplant-eligible patients with multiple myeloma, despite a better toxicity profile with chemotherapy plus lenalidomide.Funding: Celgene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]