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This paper reports on research conducted with staff employed in the Australian higher education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has been significantly impacted, particularly those institutions heavily reliant on revenue from international student enrolments. Universities moved swiftly to introduce cost-savings measures such as, deferring capital works spending and reducing non-salary expenditure, scaling back casual and fixed term staff and cuts to executive staff salaries, followed by rounds of redundancies, early retirement offers and termination of staff, often framed as organisational restructuring. However, financial data for the 2021-22 period indicate that some institutions have actioned disproportionate staff cuts related to net income, often badging this downsizing as organisational restructure. This information is discussed in terms of the potential implications for the higher education sector in planning for, and meeting workforce needs, as it seeks to regenerate a sustainable business model post-pandemic.

The modern Learning City concept emerged from the work of OECD on lifelong learning with streams of Learning Cities and Educating Cities having much in common but having little contact with each other. While the early development of Learning Cities in the West has not been sustained, the present situation is marked by the dynamic development of Learning Cities in East Asia--especially in China, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan. In this context, the paper discusses the evolution of three generations of Learning Cities since 1992 and speculates on the future. The experience of the first generation is discussed in terms of development in the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia where initiatives, with some exceptions, have not been sustained. Beijing and Shanghai are discussed as examples of the innovative second generation in East Asia, which is seen as a community relations model in response to the socio-economic transformation of these countries. International interest in Learning Cities has now been enhanced following a major UNESCO International Conference on Learning Cities in Beijing in October 2013, which is to be followed by a Second International Conference in Mexico City. The Beijing Conference adopted the Beijing Declaration on Learning Cities supported by a Key Features document. The paper speculates on possible future development post Mexico City, including the situation in Australia, which is seen as opening opportunities for innovative initiatives.

This paper discusses a new generation of learning cities we have called EcCoWell cities (Economy, Community, Well-being). The paper was prepared for the PASCAL International Exchanges (PIE) and is based on international experiences with PIE and developments in some cities. The paper argues for more holistic and integrated development so that initiatives such as Learning Cities, Healthy Cities and Green Cities are more connected with value-added outcomes. This is particularly important with the surge of international interest in environment and Green City development so that the need exists to redefine what lifelong learning and learning city strategies can contribute. The paper draws out the implications for adult education in the Australian context. We hope it will generate discussion. (Contains 6 footnotes.)

Current learning community initiatives in Bega Valley and Thuringowa illustrate trends that are likely to become more significant in communities across Australia. In both cases, local government councils have supported the projects with the council library taking a leading entrepreneurial role in the initiative. This role reflects the growing interest of libraries in lifelong learning, and in their role as community learning centres. These initiatives are discussed against the background of wider issues in the development of learning communities in Australia.

The PASCAL International Exchanges (PIE) project was developed to facilitate online exchanges of information and experience between learning cities around the world and, in doing this, to test the potential of the internet to enable such low-cost exchanges. The author provides a personal assessment of the PIE experience over the three years 2011 to 2013, and comments on selected significant themes emerging from PIE during these years.

Geographic overlap of Olive-backed Oriole O.sagittatus and the Green Oriole O.flavocinctus is extensive in northern Australia, but they generally are separated by habitat. They overlap in New Guinea, however, where their habitat distinction is much reduced. Genetic methods in an earlier study detected unexpected hybridisation between the two species in New Guinea. Here, we ask whether hybridisation between the two species may have gone unnoticed in northern Australia, whether genetic methods again may detect it, and whether this may relate to habitat management and conservation. We find no evidence for hybridisation in Australia and conclude that its occurrence in New Guinea is indeed likely related to the reduced habitat distinction between the two species there relative to their range in Australia. We also examine taxonomic corollaries of our genomic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess changes in diagnosis prostate cancer (PCa) grade, biopsy and treatment approach over a decade (2011–2020) at a population level within a clinical quality cancer registry. Patients and Methods: Patients diagnosed by prostate biopsy between 2011 and 2020 were retrieved from the Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry, a prospective, state‐wide clinical quality registry in Australia. Distributions of each grade group (GG) proportion over time were modelled with restricted cubic splines, separately by biopsy technique, age group and subsequent treatment method. Results: From 2011 to 2020, 24 308 men were diagnosed with PCa in the registry. The proportion of GG 1 disease declined from 36–23%, with commensurate rises in GG 2 (31–36%), GG 3 (14–17%) and GG 5 (9.3–14%) disease. This pattern was similar for men diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography or transperineal biopsy. Patients aged <55 years had the largest absolute reduction in GG 1 PCa, from 56–35%, compared to patients aged 55–64 (41–31%), 65–74 (31–21%), and ≥75 years (12–10%). The proportion of prostatectomies performed for patients with GG 1 disease fell from 28% to 7.1% and, for primary radiation therapy, the proportion fell from 22% to 3.5%. Conclusion: From 2011 to 2020, there has been a substantial decrease in the proportion of GG 1 PCa diagnosed, particularly in younger men. The percentage of interventional management performed in GG 1 disease has fallen to very low levels. These results reflect the implementation of major changes to diagnostic and treatment guidelines and inform the future allocation of treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of two self‐designed structured clinical tools on overall self‐perceptions of confidence in the assessment, management and communication of acutely unwell residents in nursing and care staff of residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Methods: Quasi‐experimental pre‐post design using surveys in 22 RACFs in Metropolitan Sydney, Australia. A convenience sample of 254 nursing and care staff were recruited. Two structured tools were developed to enhance confidence: (1) RACF Emergency Decision Index (REDI) and (2) Clinical Handover Assessment Tool (CHAT). The REDI is a clinical decision guide for treatment implementation and escalation, and the CHAT is a structured communication aid. Surveys were administered to participating nursing and care staff working within the RACFs prior to the implementation of the two structured tools (T0) and 6 months later (T1). Results: There was a significant increase in reported overall confidence in assessing and managing acutely unwell residents 6 months after the implementation of the REDI and CHAT (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively). Baseline Confidence in Assessment Scale and Confidence in Management Scale scores differed significantly 6 months following the implementation of the REDI and CHAT tools (p < 0.001). There was improvement across all surveyed communication domains. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggested that the two structured tools are effective in increasing confidence in the assessment, management and communication of acutely unwell residents for nursing and care staff working in RACFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Wesley Enoch's 2000 play Black Medea , Seneca's Medea is reworked for settler-colonial Australia: Enoch's Medea is an Indigenous woman from an unnamed Land who falls in love with Jason, an Indigenous man from the city with ambitions to succeed by settler-colonial standards. Against the will of her family, Medea reveals to Jason the natural resources lying underneath her Land and allows him to overturn the sacred earth in pursuit of profit for a Western corporation. The tragedy chronicles the subsequent demise of Jason and Medea's relationship in the settler city and Medea's filicidal retaliation for Jason's crimes. Despite the radically different setting of Black Medea from its Roman antecedent, the two plays share numerous thematic concerns as well as several key moments in which the Senecan text is quoted verbatim. This essay contends that in Black Medea , Enoch apprehends topoi of displacement and temporal normativity from Seneca's Medea and mobilizes them to elucidate the conditions of Indigenous Australians under settler colonialism. By doing so, he offers critical insight towards the use of Indigeneity as an analytic for Medea myths ancient and modern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the need, feasibility and acceptability of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) implementing a systematic, routine, unmet social needs identification and referral pathway, as a means of promoting health equity and addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quality Improvement methodologies were used to adapt and pilot an unmet social needs identification and referral pathway for use with parents/carers of children with communication disabilities referred to an urban Australian speech-language pathology service. SLPs were surveyed about the acceptability and feasibility of this practice. The majority of parents/carers, 289 of 293 (99%), agreed to participate in the study, with 31 of the 289 (11%) reporting concerns about unmet social needs. The most common unmet need related to household bills (n = 17, 28%), followed by childcare (n = 12, 20%), employment (n = 10, 16%), food (n = 8, 13%), housing (n = 7, 11%), and parent/carer education (n = 7, 11%). The majority of these families, 26 of 31 (84%), requested referral to, or information about, local community services/resources. SLPs reported high levels of acceptability (93%) and feasibility (98%). This study demonstrates the need, feasibility and acceptability of SLPs implementing an unmet social needs identification and referral pathway, and the potential to scale this initiative across other speech-language pathology services and allied health contexts. This paper focusses on SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 11, SDG 16, and also addresses SDG 17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides consensus‐based recommendations for general physicians and primary care physicians who diagnose and manage patients with mitochondrial diseases (MD). It builds on previous international guidelines, with particular emphasis on clinical management in the Australian setting. This statement was prepared by a working group of medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals with clinical expertise and experience in managing Australian patients with MD. As new treatments and management plans emerge, these consensus‐based recommendations will continue to evolve, but current standards of care are summarised in this document. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an updated epidemiological study of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in Australia by using registry data to establish the risk of vision loss among different LHON mutations, sex, age at onset, and mitochondrial haplogroup. We identified 96 genetically unrelated LHON pedigrees, including 56 unpublished pedigrees, and updated 40 previously known pedigrees, comprising 620 affected individuals and 4,948 asymptomatic carriers. The minimum prevalence of vision loss due to LHON in Australia in 2020 was one in 68,403 individuals. Although our data confirm some well-established features of LHON, the overall risk of vision loss among those with a LHON mutation was lower than reported previously—17.5% for males and 5.4% for females. Our findings confirm that women, older adults, and younger children are also at risk. Furthermore, we observed a higher incidence of vision loss in children of affected mothers as well as in children of unaffected women with at least one affected brother. Finally, we confirmed our previous report showing a generational fall in prevalence of vision loss among Australian men. Higher reported rates of vision loss in males with a LHON mutation are not supported by our work and other epidemiologic studies. Accurate knowledge of risk is essential for genetic counseling of individuals with LHON mutations. This knowledge could also inform the detection and validation of potential biomarkers and has implications for clinical trials of treatments aimed at preventing vision loss in LHON because an overestimated risk may lead to an underpowered study or a false claim of efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household indebtedness has increased substantially in Australia. We consider how significant a risk this debt poses. Our results suggest that banks appear resilient to a severe downturn, thanks to moderate loan‐to‐valuation ratios on residential mortgages and generally sound lending criteria. Household debt seems to pose a bigger risk to consumption, since a large but plausible decrease in asset prices could precipitate a substantial decrease in consumption. Moreover, the increase in indebtedness over the past decade has slightly increased the potential decline in consumption. However, the distribution of debt across households appears to slightly mitigate these risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil‐transmitted helminth, endemic in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in northern Australia with estimates of prevalences up to 60%. Hyperinfection in the setting of immunosuppression is a rare, but well recognised cause of significant morbidity and mortality. However, the morbidity associated with chronic uncomplicated infection is less well characterised. Aims: To measure the prevalence of symptoms potentially attributable to S. stercoralis infection and their association with seropositivity. Methods: This retrospective matched case‐control study reviewed records of primary healthcare presentations for symptoms in the 12 months before and after an ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) in a remote Aboriginal community. Results: One hundred and seventy‐five S. stercoralis seropositive cases were matched with 175 seronegative controls. The most frequently reported symptom overall in the 12 months prior to the MDA was cough followed by abdominal pain, weight loss/malnutrition, diarrhoea and pruritis. Seropositive cases were not more likely than matched controls to have symptoms typically attributed to strongyloidiasis. In the seropositive cohort, we found no difference in symptoms in the 12 months before and after an ivermectin MDA despite a reduction in seroprevalence. Conclusion: We found no evidence to suggest that S. stercoralis seropositivity was associated with increased symptoms when compared to matched seronegative controls. Treatment with ivermectin did not reduce symptoms in seropositive cases. Without evidence to support that population‐based screening or treatment programmes reduce symptoms, the emphasis must remain on identifying and managing those few individuals with immunosuppression that predisposes them to potentially life‐threatening hyperinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the prevalence of enteric infections in Aboriginal children aged 0-2 years using conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques and to explore associations between the presence of pathogens and child growth.Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of Aboriginal children (n = 62) residing in a remote community in Northern Australia, conducted from July 24th - October 30th 2017. Stool samples were analysed for organisms by microscopy (directly in the field and following fixation and storage in sodium-acetate formalin), and by qualitative PCR for viruses, bacteria and parasites and serology for Strongyloides-specific IgG. Child growth (height and weight) was measured and z scores calculated according to WHO growth standards.Results: Nearly 60% of children had evidence for at least one enteric pathogen in their stool (37/62). The highest burden of infection was with adenovirus/sapovirus (22.9%), followed by astrovirus (9.8%) and Cryptosporidium hominis/parvum (8.2%). Non-pathogenic organisms were detected in 22.5% of children. Ten percent of children had diarrhea at the time of stool collection. Infection with two or more pathogens was negatively associated with height for age z scores (- 1.34, 95% CI - 2.61 to - 0.07), as was carriage of the non-pathogen Blastocystis hominis (- 2.05, 95% CI - 3.55 to - 0.54).Conclusions: Infants and toddlers living in this remote Northern Australian Aboriginal community had a high burden of enteric pathogens and non-pathogens. The association between carriage of pathogens/non-pathogens with impaired child growth in the critical first 1000 days of life has implications for healthy child growth and development and warrants further investigation. These findings have relevance for many other First Nations Communities that face many of the same challenges with regard to poverty, infections, and malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex spatial and temporal phylogenetic patterns have emerged among Pacific Island radiations and their Australian and New Guinean congeners. We explore the diversification of Australo-Pacific Petroica robins using the first phylogeny with complete species-level sampling of the genus. In doing so we provide the first assessment of the phylogenetic affinities of two poorly known species with highly restricted ranges in the highlands of New Guinea – Subalpine Robin (Petroica bivittata) and Snow Mountain Robin (P. archboldi). Our analyses suggest that Petroica underwent an initial diversification during the Plio-Pleistocene that established four major lineages restricted to New Zealand (four species), Australia (four species), New Guinea (two species) and Pacific Islands + Australia (three or four species). All lineages appear to have undergone species diversification in situ with the exception of the Pacific Islands + Australia lineage where long-distance over-water dispersal must be invoked to explain the placement of the Red-capped Robin (P. goodenovii) within the iconic Pacific robin species complex (P. multicolor + pusilla). Two scenarios fit this biogeographic pattern: (1) a single 'upstream' colonisation of mainland Australia from a Pacific Island ancestor resulting in P. goodenovii, or (2) two or three 'downstream' colonisations from a mainland Australian or New Guinean ancestor resulting in the distinct Pacific robin lineages that occur in the south-west Pacific. Overall, biogeographic patterns in Petroica suggest that long-distance dispersal and island colonisations have been rare events in this group, which contrasts with other Australo-Pacific radiations that show evidence for repeated long-distance dispersals and multiple instances of secondary sympatry on islands across the Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To undertake the first detailed genomic analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in Sri Lanka. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 94 MRSA isolates collected over a 4 months period from the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Screening for mec A, mec C, and the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-associated lukS-PV/lukF-PV genes and molecular characterization by spa typing was undertaken. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenetic analysis was performed on selected multilocus sequence type (MLST) clonal complex 5 (CC5) isolates from Sri Lanka, England, Australia, and Argentina. Results: All 94 MRSA harbored the mecA gene. Nineteen spa types belonging to nine MLST clonal complexes were identified. Where origin of the sample was recorded, most isolates were from skin and soft tissue infections (70/91; 76.9%), with fewer causing bacteremia (16/91; 17.6%), empyema (3/91; 3.3%) and osteomyelitis (2/91; 2.2%). Sixty two (65.9%) isolates were PVL positive with the majority (56 isolates; 90.3%) belonging to a dominant CC5 lineage. This lineage, PVL-positive ST5-MRSA-IVc, was associated with both community and hospital-onset infections. Based on WGS, representative PVL-positive ST5-MRSA-IVc isolates from Sri Lanka, England and Australia formed a single phylogenetic clade, suggesting wide geographical circulation. Conclusions: We present the most detailed genomic analysis of MRSA isolated in Sri Lanka to date. The analysis identified a PVL-positive ST5-MRSA-IVc that is prevalent among MRSA causing clinical infections in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, this clone was also found among isolates from the United Kingdom and Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the hallmarks of an emergent and distinctive Australian and New Zealand health geography over the last 30 years. Building on an assessment of the early development of the sub‐discipline in the two countries, a review of published work reveals the co‐presence of local themes alongside connections to more global perspectives associated notably with health behaviour. Further common themes are the influence of year‐round exposure to outdoor spaces and the proximity of "blue spaces" to urban centres. However, there are divergences in the evolution of the sub‐discipline. A comparison of attendance at the biennial International Medical Geography Symposia (held since 1985) with publications in the journal Health & Place reveals differentially globalised characters. A steady flow of international visitors and appointments to New Zealand universities as well as more apparent connections to the wider discipline of geography contrast with more applied geospatial and public health connections in Australian health geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin sores caused by Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection are a major public health problem in remote Aboriginal communities. Skin sores are often associated with scabies, which is evident in scabies intervention programs where a significant reduction of skin sores is seen after focusing solely on scabies control. Our study quantifies the strength of association between skin sores and scabies among Aboriginal children from the East Arnhem region in the Northern Territory. Methods and results: Pre-existing datasets from three published studies, which were conducted as part of the East Arnhem Healthy Skin Project (EAHSP), were analysed. Aboriginal children were followed from birth up to 4.5 years of age. Self-controlled case series design was used to determine the risks, within individuals, of developing skin sores when infected with scabies versus when there was no scabies infection. Participants were 11.9 times more likely to develop skin sores when infected with scabies compared with times when no scabies infection was evident (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 11.9; 95% CI 10.3–13.7; p<0.001), and this was similar across the five Aboriginal communities. Children had lower risk of developing skin sores at age ≤1 year compared to at age >1 year (IRR 0.8; 95% CI 0.7–0.9). Conclusion: The association between scabies and skin sores is highly significant and indicates a causal relationship. The public health importance of scabies in northern Australia is underappreciated and a concerted approach is required to recognise and eliminate scabies as an important precursor of skin sores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Integrated primary care requires systems and service integration along with financial incentives to promote downward substitution to a single entry point to care. Integrated Primary Care Centres (IPCCs) aim to improve integration by co-location of health services. The Informatics Capability Maturity (ICM) describes how well health organisations collect, manage and share information; manage eHealth technology, implementation, change, data quality and governance; and use "intelligence" to improve care.Aim: Describe associations of ICM with systems and service integration in IPCCs.Methods: Mixed methods evaluation of IPCCs in metropolitan and rural Australia: an enhanced general practice, four GP Super Clinics, a "HealthOne" (private-public partnership) and a Community Health Centre. Data collection methods included self-assessed ICM, document review, interviews, observations in practice and assessment of electronic health record data. Data was analysed and compared across IPCCs.Findings: The IPCCs demonstrated a range of funding models, ownership, leadership, organisation and ICM. Digital tools were used with varying effectiveness to collect, use and share data. Connectivity was problematic, requiring "work-arounds" to communicate and share information. The lack of technical, data and software interoperability standards, clinical coding and secure messaging were barriers to data collection, integration and sharing. Strong leadership and governance was important for successful implementation of robust and secure eHealth systems. Patient engagement with eHealth tools was suboptimal.Conclusions: ICM is positively associated with integration of data, systems and care. Improved ICM requires a health workforce with eHealth competencies; technical, semantic and software standards; adequate privacy and security; and good governance and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transnational extended family arrangements create complex caregiving arrangements. • Culture mediates, strengthens, and challenges caregiving roles in cross-cultural contexts. • Grandparents, parents, and providers had differing caregiving and development understandings. • Grandparents on temporary visas with low English had their own health and well-being needs. • Co-designed culturally responsive interventions support smoother caregiving transitions. There are many and varied caregiving arrangements in extended families from Chinese backgrounds in Australia. In this study, the focus is on grandparents living in Sydney on a temporary or permanent basis, who care for their grandchildren in the years up to and including the time they enter school. Interviews with 10 grandparents, 8 parents, and 22 service providers identified that there are differing understandings between these groups in relation to the role of grandparents when caring for their grandchildren, the relationship between caregiving and child development, and the impact of transitions in care between grandparents and parents, or one set of grandparents and another. Grandparents and parents in this study generally divided and shared the role of caregiving. Grandparents supported parents and met children's daily care needs, taking them to activities, preschool, day care or school. This complemented the role of the parents who had primary responsibility for their children's upbringing and decisions about discipline and education. Parents seemed comfortable with their child spending their time with grandparents and felt trust and confidence in the care provided. While service providers emphasised the caregiver's role in developing social, emotional and self-care skills, grandparents emphasised their role in supporting the physical, linguistic, and academic development of the child. Participants from all groups agreed that transitions in caregiving could result in inconsistent or conflicting approaches to caregiving, potentially leading to social-emotional and behavioural issues for the child. It was identified that families could be supported to ensure smoother transitions. It was acknowledged by all groups that grandparents played an important role in caring for grandchildren, and supporting the well-being of the family. However, grandparents also had their own health and well-being needs independent of this role. Grandparents, especially those on temporary migratory visas and/or with low English proficiency, needed support negotiating public and educational settings. They relied heavily on parents to access and filter information about available services and supports. This study highlighted the need to develop shared understandings of caregiving roles and how they work together to support the child's social, emotional and behavioural development; and to co-design culturally responsive interventions when transitions in care take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Native Fish Strategy ( NFS) for Australia's Murray-Darling Basin was specifically targeted at managing and rehabilitating an entire fish community. Over half of the native fishes (24 of 44 known species) and four fish communities of the Murray-Darling Basin ( MDB) are listed as threatened at either national or state level. One of six 'Driving Actions' under the NFS focused on protecting threatened native fish species, and this study reviews a series of NFS case studies during and immediately after the Millennium Drought (1997-2010) which was south-eastern Australia's worst drought on record. Fish rescues, breeding programmes, the creation of an emergency response contingency fund, and expert panels and workshops were all projects that contributed significantly to conserving threatened fishes. The diversity of approaches taken and lessons learned are highlighted, to formulate future directions for threatened fish recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-five years of Australian marine bioresources collecting and research by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has explored the breadth of latitudinally and longitudinally diverse marine habitats that comprise Australia’s ocean territory. The resulting AIMS Bioresources Library and associated relational database integrate biodiversity with bioactivity data, and these resources were mined to retrospectively assess biogeographic, taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns in cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and central nervous system (CNS)-protective bioactivity. While the bioassays used were originally chosen to be indicative of pharmaceutically relevant bioactivity, the results have qualified ecological relevance regarding secondary metabolism. In general, metazoan phyla along the deuterostome phylogenetic pathway (eg to Chordata) and their ancestors (eg Porifera and Cnidaria) had higher percentages of bioactive samples in the assays examined. While taxonomy at the phylum level and higher-order phylogeny groupings helped account for observed trends, taxonomy to genus did not resolve the trends any further. In addition, the results did not identify any biogeographic bioactivity hotspots that correlated with biodiversity hotspots. We conclude with a hypothesis that high-level phylogeny, and therefore the metabolic machinery available to an organism, is a major determinant of bioactivity, while habitat diversity and ecological circumstance are possible drivers in the activation of this machinery and bioactive secondary metabolism. This study supports the strategy of targeting phyla from the deuterostome lineage (including ancestral phyla) from biodiverse marine habitats and ecological niches, in future biodiscovery, at least that which is focused on vertebrate (including human) health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the available water supply for urban turfgrass management is becoming limited in Australia, it will be crucial to identify drought-resistant turfgrass species and water-saving management strategies. Eight (pre-)commercial turfgrasses grown in Australia, two each of four species including the bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon L.), the Queensland blue couches (Digitaria didactyla Willd), the seashore paspalums (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz.) and St Augustinegrasses (Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze) were evaluated in two lysimeter experiments. Shallow lysimeters (28 and 40 cm) were used to represent shallow soil profiles typical of urban environments. We measured gravimetric water use for the eight cultivars and calculated water use efficiency (WUE, clipping yield to water use ratio) and WUEr (ratio of WUE under drought to that under irrigated conditions). WUEr measured in both experiments correlated strongly with survival period and this relationship was not affected by soil type or cutting height. Using survival period as the criterion for drought resistance, the best were the bermudagrasses and the worst were the seashore paspalums and Queensland blue couches. The bermudagrass genotypes had the lowest water use, highest WUE and WUEr and the Queensland blue couches and seashore paspalums had the greatest water use, lowest WUE and WUEr. The possible mechanisms of drought resistance included lower water use and lower stomatal conductance as indicated by higher canopy temperature in the early stage of water deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in climate and sea level are hypothesized to have promoted the diversification of biota in monsoonal Australia and New Guinea by causing repeated range disjunctions and restricting gene flow between isolated populations. Using a multilocus (one mtDNA locus, five nuclear introns) phylogeographic approach, we test whether populations of the mangrove and rainforest restricted Black Butcherbird ( Cracticus quoyi) have diverged across several geographic barriers defined a priori for this region. Phylogeographic structure and estimates of divergence times revealed Plio-Pleistocene divergences and long-term restricted gene flow of populations on either side of four major geographic barriers between and within Australia and New Guinea. Overall, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that mesic-adapted species did not disperse across the open dry woodlands and grasslands that dominated the transient palaeo-landbridges during the Plio-Pleistocene despite the presence of mangrove forests that might have acted as dispersal corridors for mesic-adapted species. Our study offers one of the first multilocus perspectives on the impact of changes in climate and sea level on the population history of widespread species with disjunct ranges in Australia and New Guinea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe the distribution of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (UVAF) in an adult population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study in the genetic isolate of Norfolk Island, South Pacific Ocean. In all, 641 people, aged 15 to 89 years, were recruited. UVAF and standard (control) photographs were taken of the nasal and temporal interpalpebral regions bilaterally. Differences between the groups for non-normally distributed continuous variables were assessed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney ranksum test. Trends across categories were assessed using Cuzick's non-parametric test for trend or Kendall's rank correlation τ.ResultsConjunctival UVAF is a non-parametric trait with a positively skewed distribution. Median amount of conjunctival UVAF per person (sum of four measurements; right nasal/temporal and left nasal/temporal) was 28.2 mm2 (interquartile range 14.5-48.2). There was an inverse, linear relationship between UVAF and advancing age (P<0.001). Males had a higher sum of UVAF compared with females (34.4 mm2 vs23.2 mm2, P<0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in area of UVAF between right and left eyes or between nasal and temporal regions.ConclusionWe have provided the first quantifiable estimates of conjunctival UVAF in an adult population. Further data are required to provide information about the natural history of UVAF and to characterise other potential disease associations with UVAF. UVR protective strategies should be emphasised at an early age to prevent the long-term adverse effects on health associated with excess UVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread cyclic aridity during the Pleistocene is hypothesised to have had a significant impact on widespread Australian birds causing range-wide contractions to historical refugia and population differentiation while in isolation. In this study we tested a priorihypotheses for the impact of Pleistocene climatic and edaphic changes on the population history of the widespread Australian Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences from 55 individuals of C. nigrogularisrevealed low genetic diversity, poor geographical structure and signatures of a recent demographic expansion. In contrast with long-standing biogeographical hypotheses, our data suggest that C. nigrogulariswas likely to have been restricted to multiple refugia across its current range rather than undergoing range-wide contractions to one or few refugia. In addition, we found no evidence for the Carpentarian Barrier of northern Australia having limited dispersal in C. nigrogularis, which contrasts with predictions from intraspecific taxonomy and with population structures of several other bird species. Our data add to the increasing number of phylogeographical studies of widespread Australian birds that show evidence of maintaining large effective population sizes despite widespread aridity, as well as species-specific, rather than ecosystem-wide, responses to Pleistocene climatic changes and biogeographical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Linked to extreme rates of chronic heart and kidney disease, pyoderma is endemic amongst Aboriginal children in Australia's Northern Territory (NT). Many of those with pyoderma will also have scabies. We report the results of a community-based collaboration within the East Arnhem Region, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of both skin infections in Aboriginal children. Methodology/Principal Findings: Commencing September 2004, we conducted an ecological study that included active surveillance for skin infections amongst children aged ,15 years in five remote East Arnhem communities over a three year period. Screening was undertaken by trained local community workers, usually accompanied by another project team member, using a standard data collection form. Skin infections were diagnosed clinically with the aid of a pictorial flip chart developed for the purpose. Topical 5% permethrin was provided for age-eligible children and all household contacts whenever scabies was diagnosed, whilst those with pyoderma were referred to the clinic for treatment in accordance with current guidelines. In addition, annual mass scabies treatment (5% permethrin cream) was offered to all community residents in accordance with current guidelines but was not directly observed. Pyoderma and scabies prevalence per month was determined from 6038 skin assessments conducted on 2329 children. Pyoderma prevalence dropped from 46.7% at baseline to a median of 32.4% (IQR 28.9%-41.0%) during the follow-up period - an absolute reduction of 14.7% (IQR 4.7%-16.8%). Compared to the first 18 months of observation, there was an absolute reduction in pyoderma prevalence of 18 cases per 100 children (95%CI 221.0, 216.1, p#0.001) over the last 18 months. Treatment uptake increased over the same period (absolute difference 13.4%, 95%CI 3.3, 23.6). While scabies prevalence was unchanged, the prevalence of infected scabies (that is with superimposed pyoderma) decreased from 3.7% (95%CI 2.4, 4.9) to 1.5% (95%CI 0.7, 2.2), a relative reduction of 59%. Conclusion: Although pyoderma prevalence remained unacceptably high, there was a substantial reduction overall with improvements in treatment uptake a critical factor. More acceptable alternatives, such as cotrimoxazole for pyoderma and ivermectin as a community-wide scabicide, warrant further investigation in these settings. We are encouraged by progress made through this work, where local action was led by local community members and primary health care providers with external training and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scabies and skin infections are endemic in many Australian Aboriginal communities. There is limited evidence for effective models of scabies treatment in high prevalence settings. We aimed to assess the level of treatment uptake amongst clinically diagnosed scabies cases and amongst their household contacts. In addition, we aimed to determine the likelihood of scabies acquisition within these households over the 4 weeks following treatment provision. Methods and Findings: We conducted an observational study of households in two scabies-endemic Aboriginal communities in northern Australia in which a community-based skin health program was operating. Permethrin treatment was provided for all householders upon identification of scabies within a household during home visit. Households were visited the following day to assess treatment uptake and at 2 and 4 weeks to assess scabies acquisition among susceptible individuals. All 40 households in which a child with scabies was identified agreed to participate in the study. Very low levels of treatment uptake were reported among household contacts of these children (193/440, 44%). Household contacts who themselves had scabies were more likely to use the treatment than those contacts who did not have scabies (OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.1, 5.4), whilst males (OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.42, 0.95) and individuals from high-scabies-burden households (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.08, 0.77) were less likely to use the treatment. Among 185 susceptible individuals, there were 17 confirmed or probable new diagnoses of scabies recorded in the subsequent 4 weeks (9.2%). The odds of remaining scabies-free was almost 6 times greater among individuals belonging to a household where all people reported treatment uptake (OR 5.9, 95%CI 1.3, 27.2, p = 0.02). Conclusion: There is an urgent need for a more practical and feasible treatment for community management of endemic scabies. The effectiveness and sustainability of the current scabies program was compromised by poor treatment uptake by household contacts of infested children and high ongoing disease transmission. Author Summary: Like many impoverished areas around the world, Aboriginal communities in Australia experience an unacceptably high burden of scabies, skin infections, and secondary complications. Young children are most at risk. Our study investigated scabies in a remote setting with very high rates of skin disease, a high level of household overcrowding, and limited infrastructure for sanitation and preventive health measures. We assessed uptake of scabies treatment and scabies acquisition following provision of treatment by a community-based skin program. In a household where scabies was present, we found that treatment with topical permethrin cream of all close contacts can significantly reduce a susceptible individual's risk of infection. Our findings also demonstrate the challenges of achieving a high level of treatment participation, with limited permethrin use observed among household contacts. This suggests an urgent need for a more practical treatment option. International efforts to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality have demonstrated the efficacy of numerous child health interventions but have also highlighted the deficits in their delivery and implementation. Experiences like this, where the effectiveness of a coordinated local program delivering an efficacious intervention is hampered by poor treatment uptake and ongoing transmission, are an important and timely message for researchers, program managers, and policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adds to the well-documented puzzle of the forward bias of exchange rates. While the exchange rate of a small commodity-exporting economy, such as Australia, can be closely tied to commodity prices, this paper demonstrates empirically that a portfolio of commodity futures exhibits little, if any, bias. A microfounded small open economy model is developed in which the exchange rate depends on export commodity prices. This is used to demonstrate how systematic expectation errors about the monetary process could cause the bias in exchange rate forwards when there is an absence of bias in commodity futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latin American economies are exposed to substantial external vulnerability. Domestic imbalances and terms of trade shocks are often exacerbated by sharp shifts in the net supply of external capital (sudden stops). At times, these sudden stops can be the main shock. In this paper we explore ways of overcoming external vulnerability, drawing lessons from a detailed comparison of the response of Chile and Australia to recent external shocks and from Australia’s historical experience. We argue that in order to understand sudden stops and the mechanisms to smooth them it is useful to identify and then distinguish between two inter‐related dimensions of investors’ confidence: country‐trust and currency‐trust . Lack of country‐trust is the fundamental problem behind sudden stops. Lack of currency‐trust in turn weakens a country’s ability to deal with sudden stops and real external shocks. We discuss steps aimed to improve these two dimensions of investors’ confidence in the medium run, and policies to reduce the impact of country‐trust and currency‐trust weaknesses in the short run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a choice experiment that encompassed the labelling options outlined in the Australian and New Zealand government's recently finalized mandatory labelling system for genetically modified foods (GMF's) and foods that contain genetically modified ingredients. The labelling scheme is to be implemented across both countries from December 2001 onwards. Results suggest difficulties ahead for manufacturers and growers ofGMlabelled product if there is an ample supply of GM-free labelled alternatives. It is also likely that manufacturers and growers of GM-free product will realize greater levels of demand over non-labelled and GM product even when these alternatives are substantially cheaper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Investigates the volatility of monthly Australian stock returns from 1875-1987. Answers if stylized facts in the United States also apply in Australia; Similarities and differences; Evidences of assymetry and persistence of shocks in volatility.

Background: Waterpipe smoking is a traditional method of tobacco smoking that is being increasingly practiced worldwide. However, the research evidence describing the practice and prevalence of waterpipe smoking in Australia is limited. Arabic-speaking communities residing in an area of metropolitan Sydney identified increasing rates of waterpipe smoking as a community health concern during a tobacco intervention project. A qualitative research project was conducted to explore community perceptions about waterpipe smoking and the health promotion interventions that would be acceptable to Arabic speaking communities.Methods: Participants from Arabic-speaking community groups and networks were recruited by trained bilingual community research assistants (BCRAs). Ten focus groups were conducted, eight by the BCRAs and two by the research team, and included a total of 88 participants. Notes were taken during the focus groups by the BCRAs and provided to the research team. The data was coded and managed using NVivo 11, and examined for themes and subthemes.Results: Eleven themes were identified from the data relating to the perceptions of waterpipe smoking (practices, cultural identity, acceptability, social connectedness, knowledge and perceptions of harm, trend and fashion, availability and access) and possible health promotion interventions (health information and social marketing, health education, policy and legislation, intervention target groups and messages). Waterpipe smoking was reported to be widely practiced and was related to a number of factors including feelings of cultural identity and belonging. The study highlighted the misconceptions of harm that exist in communities about the health effects of waterpipe smoking, as well as the significant role of the family in passing on the practice of waterpipe smoking. These factors should be considered in the development of health promotion interventions.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that until waterpipe smoking is perceived as a problem, community readiness for accepting health promotion interventions will be limited. Interventions should focus on debunking the myths that contribute toward a reduced perception of harm. A culturally sensitive approach, that considers the cultural connection to waterpipe smoking, should be taken toward the development and implementation of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Rehospitalization of nursing home (NH) residents is frequent, costly, potentially avoidable and associated with diminished quality of life and poor survival. This study aims to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of the Regular Early Assessment Post-Discharge (REAP) protocol of coordinated specialist geriatrician and nurse practitioner visits on rates of rehospitalization, hospital length of stay, and emergency department presentations for NH residents recently discharged from hospital. Design Prospective randomized controlled study of recently hospitalized NH residents. Setting Twenty-one of 24 eligible NHs within the geographical catchment area of St George Hospital, a 650-bed university hospital in Sydney, Australia. Participants NH residents from eligible facilities admitted to St George Hospital's geriatric service were enrolled prior to hospital discharge. Intervention REAP intervention of monthly coordinated specialist geriatrician and nurse practitioner assessments within participants' NHs for 6 months following hospital discharge. Measurements Impact of the REAP intervention on hospital readmissions, hospital inpatient days, emergency department utilization, general practitioner visits, investigations and associated costs during the study intervention period. Results Forty-three NH residents were randomly allocated to REAP intervention (n = 22) or control (n = 21) groups. The REAP intervention group had almost two-thirds fewer hospital readmissions ( P = .03; Cohen's d = 0.73) and half as many emergency department visits than controls. Total costs were 50% lower in the REAP intervention group, with lower total hospital inpatient ( P = .04; Cohen's d = 0.63) and total emergency department ( P = .04; Cohen's d = 0.65) costs. Conclusion Cost-effective reductions in the utilization of hospital-related services were demonstrated following implementation of the REAP intervention for NH residents recently discharged from hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus argenteus and Staphylococcus schweitzeri, previously known as divergent Staphylococcus aureus clonal lineages, have been recently established as novel, difficult-to-delimit, coagulase-positive species within the S. aureus complex. Methicillin-resistant strains of S. argenteus are known from Australia and the UK. Knowledge of their epidemiology, medical significance and transmission risk is limited and partly contradictory, hampering definitive recommendations. There is mounting evidence that the pathogenicity of S. argenteus is similar to that of 'classical' S. aureus , while as yet no S. schweitzeri infections have been reported. To provide decision support on whether and how to distinguish and report both species. PubMed, searched for S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. This position paper reviews the main characteristics of both species and draws conclusions for microbiological diagnostics and surveillance as well as infection prevention and control measures. We propose not distinguishing within the S. aureus complex for routine reporting purposes until there is evidence that pathogenicity or clinical outcome differ markedly between the different species. Primarily for research purposes, suitably equipped laboratories are encouraged to differentiate between S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. Caution is urged if these novel species are explicitly reported. In such cases, a specific comment should be added (i.e. 'member of the S.aureus complex') to prevent confusion with less- or non-pathogenic staphylococci. Prioritizing aspects of patient safety, methicillin-resistant isolates should be handled as recommended for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In these cases, the clinician responsible should be directly contacted and informed by the diagnosing microbiological laboratory, as they would be for MRSA. Research is warranted to clarify the epidemiology, clinical impact and implications for infection control of such isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]