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Passenger collaboration offers a potential compensatory strategy to assist older drivers who have difficulty driving in unfamiliar areas (wayfinding). This article describes a survey of 194 healthy, community-dwelling older drivers and their regular passengers to investigate how passengers assist drivers, and to identify the characteristics of drivers and passengers who regularly collaborate to assist with wayfinding. Three aspects of passenger assistance were investigated: Pre-trip planning, directional guidance and searching for visual cues. Results revealed a high incidence of collaboration amongst drivers and passengers who regularly drive together. Collaboration was dependent on the perceived wayfinding abilities of the driver by both passenger and driver, suggesting that passengers are more likely to help if they think they will be of assistance. This information provides baseline information on which future research can examine the safety benefits of passenger assistance in wayfinding.

Background: A critical policy issue in Australia and worldwide is the escalating rates of work-related mental injury that have been linked to the lack of help-seeking behaviours of at-risk workers. Strategic alliances between community organisations, statutory bodies, and mental health service providers could expand the efficacy and reach of mental health literacy and peer support initiatives that can encourage help-seeking, however, there is limited evidence to support the development of such approaches. This study used a qualitative design based on collaboration theory to explore the factors influencing community organisation leaders' decisions to provide such initiatives through collaboration with relevant third parties. Methods: Repositories of submissions into mental health reviews and publicly available registers in Australia were used to identify twenty-two participant organisations (n = 22), which were categorised according to the International Classification of Non-Profit Organisations (Culture & Recreation, Social Services, and Development & Housing). Eleven of these organisations demonstrated an interest in collaborating with third parties and extending efforts to deliver work-related mental health initiatives through contributions to mental health reviews. Leaders were interviewed to understand differences in perspectives on potential collaborations. Results: Organisations that did not make submissions were reluctant to engage in such efforts due to limitations in expertise/capacity, and perceived mission misalignment. Third-party support from statutory bodies and mental health service providers addressing these perceived limitations may improve their confidence, and willingness to engage. Regardless of their category, all considered the benefit of such collaboration included improving the acceptability, approachability, availability, and efficacy of work-related mental health initiatives. Equity was seen as supporting decision-making/leadership, while power imbalance was a barrier. Third-party contributions that could facilitate collaboration included expert support/credibility, administration, formal structures, supportive policy, and joining networks, however, red tape was a challenge. Shared values, vision, practice, and networking were identified as supporting positive communication and interpersonal relations. Conclusion: The study establishes that, adequately supported and resourced, community organisations are willing to align strategically with statutory bodies and mental health service providers to use their unique position in the community to deliver work-related mental health literacy and peer support programmes for at-risk workers to improve help-seeking behaviours. Highlights: This is the first study that used a qualitative approach guided by collaboration theory to explore the motivations influencing Community Organisation (CO) leaders' decisions to work with statutory bodies and mental health service providers and deliver programmes aimed to improve workers' access to mental health literacy resources and peer support. Understanding the beliefs that differentiate COs that provided submissions into mental health reviews from those that did not is imperative in the design of effective strategies to facilitate future engagement. The use of a theory-based decision-making model (the Strategic Alliances Framework) was critical in determining the scale, and types of initiatives that different categories of COs may be able to provide, and potential levels of engagement with relevant third parties. COs must be adequately guided, resourced, and supported by statutory bodies/regulators and organisations with mental health expertise if they are to meet the contemporary needs of their communities and achieve impact beyond work-related mental health awareness raising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of Australian pet owners' use of the internet for pet health; how trustworthy they rate various pet health information sources and the use of online information in subsequent veterinary consultations. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was developed, consisting of 30 questions, and distributed between March 2018 and May 2018 using convenience sampling through social media venues including Facebook and Twitter. All respondents were over the age of 18, lived in Australia and owned a pet animal. Results: A total of 228 responses were received. The most common sources of pet health information were veterinarians (88.2%) and internet websites (81.1%). Most respondents reported using the internet 'many times per day' at either home or work. The majority of respondents used the internet to seek pet health information either 'not weekly but at least once a month' or 'less than once a month'. Nearly half of the respondents stated that they only 'sometimes' discuss their online findings with their veterinarian. Approximately one half of respondents agreed with the statement that online pet health information had affected their decision about whether to take their pet to the veterinarian. Conclusion: This study assesses how pet owners use the internet for pet health information and the role veterinarians can play in helping to facilitate these searches with tools such as information prescriptions. Further large‐scale research is needed to help further understand this increasingly important aspect of pet health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental requirement of a supportive language development for young children who need aided communication is that an aided communication system is made available and its use is supported. There is limited information about the age at which children are typically provided with a communication aid or about how aided communication is used in everyday situations. Using questionnaire-based interview data, this study investigated (a) the pattern of provision of communication aids to 84 children and adolescents, (b) parents’ and professionals’ evaluation of the quality of communication across contexts, and (c) availability and use of aided communication in these contexts. The age at which the participants received their first aided system varied considerably across the group; however, most were considerably older than the age at which children with typical development usually begin to speak. Parents and professionals rated most everyday situations as good communication situations but reported that the participants did not have their main form of expressive language available in many of these situations, or did not use it much. Parents rated their child’s education in relation to aided language positively, but many professionals indicated that they had limited knowledge about the participant’s use of aided communication outside of the school environment, or about the parents’ attitudes. The study gives insights into the language learning situation of children and adolescents who develop aided communication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vocabulary learning reflects the language experiences of the child, both in typical and atypical development, although the vocabulary development of children who use aided communication may differ from children who use natural speech. This study compared the performance of children using aided communication with that of peers using natural speech on two measures of vocabulary knowledge: comprehension of graphic symbols and labeling of common objects. There were 92 participants not considered intellectually disabled in the aided group. The reference group consisted of 60 participants without known disorders. The comprehension task consisted of 63 items presented individually in each participant’s graphic system, together with four colored line drawings. Participants were required to indicate which drawing corresponded to the symbol. In the expressive labelling task, 20 common objects presented in drawings had to be named. Both groups indicated the correct drawing for most of the items in the comprehension tasks, with a small advantage for the reference group. The reference group named most objects quickly and accurately, demonstrating that the objects were common and easily named. The aided language group named the majority correctly and in addition used a variety of naming strategies; they required more time than the reference group. The results give insights into lexical processing in aided communication and may have implications for aided language intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study uses the Simplified Chinese version of the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering for Adults (OASES-A-SC) to examine the stuttering experience of people in China and determine if there are differences between the data collected in China and other countries. A total of 139 responses to the OASES-A-SC were collected in an online self-help community of people in China who stutter. Descriptive analyses were conducted to obtain the understanding of how stuttering impacts the life experience of people in China who stutter. Comparisons were conducted regarding the groups of gender, highest education, and therapy history. Cross-cultural comparisons among the data collected from China, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and the USA were also conducted. The data for the OASES-A-SC showed a skewed distribution toward the severe end of the OASES-A impacting scale. About 93.5% participants rated the overall impact of stuttering on their life at and above the "Moderate" category. The mean scores of the General Information, Reaction to Stuttering, and Qualify of Life sections fell in the moderate-to-severe category. Compared with the data in other five countries, the Chinese data were significantly higher in the impact severity level. The results showed that people in China who stutter have more adverse experiences related to stuttering compared with their counterparts in western or developed countries. Higher negative attitudes toward stuttering in China, social stigma against people with disabilities, and the fewer professional supports were discussed to be associated with this more adverse experience. Cultural differences such as a greater power distance and higher collectivism in Chinese culture were considered to be associated with the elevated level of adverse impact of stuttering in China. • Scores for the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering for Adults (OASES-A) collected in China skewed toward the severe end. • Scores for the OASES-A collected in China are significantly higher than scores collected in western countries. • The adverse impacts may be associated with the negative attitudes, social stigma, and less professional supports. • Stuttering experience of people in China may be impacted by the larger power distance and higher level of collectivism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The number of casualty road crashes in Australia has steadily reduced over the past few decades; however, a concurrent reduction has not been achieved for crashes involving cyclists. This has resulted in a disproportionate overrepresentation of cyclists in fatal injury statistics. This article explores the contributing factors and injury mechanisms among coronial reported fatal cyclist crashes in Australia.Methods: The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) is a remote data entry and retrieval system containing detailed coronial information managed by the Victorian Department of Justice and Regulation. All coroner-reported closed cases involving a cyclist fatality in Australia from 2006 to 2015 were extracted from the database. In total, 336 cases in the NCIS database involving a cyclist fatality that occurred within the road reserve throughout Australia were identified and extracted for analysis. Variables in the analyses included age, gender, mechanism of injury, medical cause of death, time of incident, modes of transport involved, speed limit, road geometry, police narratives, and toxicology reports. The NCIS data were supplemented with spatial information using the geographic coordinates of the crash. Geographic information was utilized to gather information regarding various location characteristics such as speed limits and road geometry. Descriptive analysis techniques were performed on the data to examine key variables. Analyses also included cross-tabulation and Pearson's chi-squared tests (χ2) for comparison of variables collected. All analyses were undertaken at a level of significance (α) of .05. Effect size was assessed using Cramer's V statistic (φc).Results: The majority of fatal outcome crashes occurred in New South Wales (27.4%), followed by Victoria (25.9%) and Queensland (22.0%), and the majority involved male cyclists aged between 35 and 64 years. Those aged between 18 and 34 years were the next most frequent group of fatally injured cyclists. Helmet use was reported in 62.2% of cases. When reported, 19.6% of cyclists were not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The presence of alcohol was detected in 14.6% of postmortem examinations and illicit drugs including tetrahydrocannabinol, opioids, and methamphetamine were identified in 17.6% of cases. Analysis of the road characteristics identified a relatively even split between crashes that occurred in low speed environments (60 km/h and below; 51.2%) and higher speed environments (48.8%). Crash counterparts commonly involved light vehicles (31.3%) and heavy vehicles (38.4%), with approximately one quarter (23.8%) being single-vehicle crashes (i.e., bicycle only). Analyses of injury information identified that cyclists most commonly sustained multiple injuries (38.8%). Injuries to the head (31.3%), chest (4.8%), neck (3.4%), and brain (2.0%) were also commonly reported.Conclusions: The findings provide insight into key contributing factors and injury characteristics of fatal cyclist crashes in Australia and can inform and guide the development of effective infrastructure designs and strategies to reduce cyclist trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest measures of well-being for Europeans born in the Pacific region are heights and wages in Tasmania. Evidence of rising stature in middle decades of the nineteenth century survives multiple checks for measurement, compositional, and selection bias. The challenge to health and stature seen in other settler societies (the 'antebellum paradox') is not visible here. We sketch an interpretation for the simultaneous rise of Tasmanian stature and per capita gross domestic product based on relatively slow population growth and urbanisation, a decline in food cost per family member available from a worker's wage, and early recognition of the importance of public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Much of the research into cyclist safety in Australia has focused on behaviour with less focus on the impact of the urban transport environment on cyclist safety. A greater understanding of the urban transport system and the improvements needed to create a safer cycling environment are essential if cyclists are to be safe and increased cycling participation targets are to be achieved. The proposed study will use existing cyclist crash data along with unique cyclist exposure data to develop road infrastructure prototypes that improve cyclists’ safety and evaluate the effectiveness of these prototypes in a cycling simulator. Methods and design. This study will be conducted in two Australian cities namely Perth and Melbourne as both cities have policies that strongly advocate cycling. Two methods of data collection will be employed: (1) in-depth crash investigations of injured cyclists; and (2) video footage of cyclist exposure through a naturalistic cycling study of non-injured cyclists. The findings from these two methods will be used to develop new urban road design prototypes which will be tested with a sample of cyclists and motorists in safe environment namely, a cycling simulator and a driving simulator. Discussion. By designing and evaluating safer environments for cyclists, this study will identify solutions that reduce the risk of road trauma and importantly, support this alternative mode of transport and thereby contribute to a reduction in traffic-related emissions and pollution and enhance sustainable economic and social connectivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key finding of this qualitative exploratory descriptive study into advanced nursing for general practice nurses ( Australian setting) revealed that participants viewed leadership and management as best learnt 'apprenticeship' style on the job by years of experience. Participants (48) comprised of general practice nurses, practice managers and general practitioners from metropolitan Melbourne were interviewed. Other findings demonstrated that the participants generally had limited awareness that postgraduate education can assist in the development of leadership and management in advanced nursing practice. The participants lacked clarity about professional competencies and generally did not connect these to leadership and management. Professional bodies need to take the opportunity to promote awareness of the national competency standards. All three groups of participants expressed hopes about the future provision of professional development opportunities and support by the Medicare Local for leadership and management aspirations within advanced practice nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A key tenet of the safety in numbers theory is that as the number of people cycling increases, more drivers will also be cyclists and therefore will give greater consideration to cyclists when driving. We tested this theory in relation to self-reported behaviour, attitudes and knowledge in relation to cycling. An online survey was conducted of Australian drivers (n =1984) who were also cyclists (cyclist-drivers) and drivers who did not cycle (drivers). Cyclist-drivers were 1.5 times more likely than drivers to report safe driving behaviours related to sharing the roads with cyclists (95% CI: 1.1–1.9, p <0.01). Cyclist-drivers had better knowledge of the road rules related to cycling infrastructure than drivers; however knowledge of road rules related to bike lanes was low for both groups. Drivers were more likely than cyclist-drivers to have negative attitudes (e.g. cyclists are unpredictable and repeatedly overtaking cyclists is frustrating). Findings from this study highlight the need for increased education and awareness in relation to safe driving behaviour, road rules and attitudes towards cyclists. Specific recommendations are made for approaches to improve safety for cyclists. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes an investigation of safety, mobility and travel patterns in a sample of older women drivers and former drivers aged 60 years and over. Participants provided information on general health and functional abilities, travel and driving patterns, driving experiences and confidence, difficulty with and avoidance of driving situations, self-assessment of driving ability, crash and infringement history, the process and experiences leading up to stopping driving, and satisfaction with current mobility. The sample was a fairly active group, travelling frequently and substantial distances, and generally satisfied with their level of mobility. Current drivers were strongly interested in keeping driving for as long as possible, expressed strong concerns about the prospect of stopping driving and reported little evidence of self-regulation. In contrast, former drivers were less negative about driving cessation and mostly reported successful retirement from driving with few negative mobility consequences. Further, a number of relationships between crash involvement and driving experience, confidence of being a safe driver, and problems in driving situations were found. These findings have added to our understanding of the issues concerning the safety and mobility of older women. Implications for the promotion of safe driving practices are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Establishment of a closed population honey bee, Api.s mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae),breeding program based on 'black' strains has been proposed for eastern Australia. Long-term success of such a program requires a high level of genetic variance. To determine the likely extent of genetic variation available, 50 colonies from 11 different commercial apiaries were sequenced in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and II intergenic region. Five distinct and novel mitotypes were identified. No colonies were found with the A. mellifera mellifera mitotype, which is often associated with undesirable feral strains. One group of mitotypes was consistent with a caucasica origin, two with carnica, and two with liguctica. The results suggest that there is sufficient genetic diversity to support a breeding program provided all these five sources were pooled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines differences in attitudes toward driving cessation, life satisfaction, and mobility between current and former drivers by conducting surveys of adults 60 years and older in three Australian jurisdiction. It also highlights some of the factors that are linked with a more acceptable transition to nondriving and those that have a more favorable mobility outcome. The implications of these findings are also cited.

Most licensing jurisdictions in Australia currently employ age-based assessment programs as a means to manage older driver safety, yet available evidence suggests that these programs have no safety benefits. This paper describes a community referral-based model license re assessment procedure for identifying and assessing potentially unsafe drivers. While the model was primarily developed for assessing older driver fitness to drive, it could be applicable to other forms of driver impairment associated with increased crash risk. It includes a three-tier process of assessment, involving the use of validated and relevant assessment instruments. A case is argued that this process is a more systematic, transparent and effective process for managing older driver safety and thus more likely to be widely acceptable to the target community and licensing authorities than age-based practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand shares a wealth of common interests and experiences with Australia. This has tempted some to assume that these economies form an ‘Economic Club’, in which one would expect to identify common aggregate trends and growth experiences. In this paper we present results that test, and generally reject, convergence in labour productivity across Australia and New Zealand, using both aggregate and disaggregate, industry‐level data. We find that only two industries satisfy our definition of Conditional Convergence (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing and Cultural and Recreational Services), and that the Mining and Wholesale Trade industries have particularly important roles to play in explaining the measured divergence. Cointegration‐based tests reveal more stochastic trends governing Australian productivity than in New Zealand. The evidence suggests, therefore, that the underlying growth processes of the two economies are fundamentally different, thereby questioning the relevance of aggregate comparisons between them. New evidence using industry‐level data does not, therefore, resolve the aggregate‐level ‘non‐convergence puzzle’ identified here, and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The place of penal transportation in Australia's economic history has always been controversial. Convict workers were frequently denigrated as worse than useless, yet without convicts the settlements would have lacked sufficient labour for development. In Van Diemen's Land in the 1840s, convicts constituted more than half the labour supply, and if emancipists are included it was more like three-quarters. After transportation to New South Wales was halted in 1840, amidst claims that the assignment of convict labour was akin to slavery, Van Diemen's Land continued to receive transportees but adopted a new form of labour management: the so-called‘probation system’. To distinguish the new probation system from the‘slavery’ of assignment, wages were paid to convict workers. This study uses 17,997 convict employment contracts to explore the labour market for convict passholders at the probation period. Actions speak louder than words, and irrespective of what might have been said about convict quality, by the end of transportation in 1853 convict workers were eagerly engaged at rising wages by employers desperate for labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on free trade agreements as instruments to advance Australia's interests in the era of globalization. Political impact; Economic significance; Concern about trade diversion; Impact of third countries of Australia's free trade agreement with the United States.

Investigates discontinuities in the economic growth of Australia between 1828 and 1913 using the statistical properties of gross domestic products estimates. Impact of the 1851 gold discoveries and the 1890s depression on Australian economic development; Contours of the Australian economic growth.

Focuses on the Australian Economic congress held in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory from August 28, 1988 to September 2, 1988, which aims to bring together econometricians, economists, economic historians and business people. Persons from whom papers were invited for the conference; Feature of the registration process for the conference; Papers presented during the conference.

Investigates the convergence in per capita gross domestic product between Australia, Great Britain and the United States during the period 1870-1992, paying special attention to the macroeconomic history of Australia. Evidence in favor of long-run convergence in per capita income levels for Great Britain and Australia for 1892-1992; Support for exogenous approaches to economic growth.