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Objective: To gather research evidence on the association between diet and depression and anxiety among college students. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases to identify potentially relevant articles published between January 2000 and September 2020. Data were extracted from 21 selected studies. Results: Most of the cross-sectional studies found a positive association between diet and depression and anxiety; however, a few studies found inconsistent results. Moreover, several interventional studies demonstrated that a healthy diet (including consumption of fruit and vegetables) improved depression in the intervention group. Conclusions: The methodological limitations of cross-sectional studies to explain causality and the limited number of prospective interventional studies point to a pressing need to conduct more prospective, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trials to generalize the causal associations between diet and depression and anxiety. Further research is needed to investigate the biological mechanisms of nutrients' actions on anxiety and depression.

Early childhood educators are key to delivering early childhood education and care (ECEC) for the benefit of children, their families and society alike. For the benefits of ECEC to be realised, however, the educators who deliver these services need to be well. Despite growing attention to attracting and retaining a high-quality early childhood workforce, little is known about the work-related psychological and physiological well-being of early childhood educators. This paper contributes an example of a protocol for an holistic study of early childhood educators' well-being. It describes the use of multiple, interdisciplinary, innovative methods to measure educators' physiological and psychological well-being, within the context of their work environment. Recommendations are provided for future studies of educators' holistic well-being.

The focus of this paper is whether type of Australian school attended makes a difference in student engagement in political and civic culture. Recently private schools have been said to "undermine cohesion" in Australian society. Similarly, it was argued over two decade ago that Australian private schools have skimmed the elite students from the government sector and now "impart to their pupils values and preferences of the culture from which they are drawn", namely the dominant culture. Using data from the Youth Electoral Study (YES) survey, this analysis examines whether Australian students in government, Catholic and Independent schools differ in six political domains: voting commitment, positive attitude toward voting, political knowledge, political activism, political trust and civic volunteer behaviour. At the bivariate level, students in private schools generally show higher levels of political engagement compared to students in government schools in all domains. However, when family and school variables are controlled, the differences between these students in voting commitment, political knowledge and volunteer behaviour disappear. However students in Catholic schools show significantly higher levels in positive attitude toward voting and political activism. The effects of Independent schools disappear for five political domains but a significantly high level of political trust remains. Explanations for these patterns of outcomes are put forward, and directions for future research are explored.

This study investigates the extent to which forms of prosocial behaviour and values of social responsibility are related to various domains of political culture among Australian youth. Using data from a survey of 1311 senior secondary students from the ACT and South Australia, it was found that 14 per cent had participated in one or more volunteer activities and 26 per cent scored highly on social responsibility values. Furthermore, it was found that at least one or the other of these prosocial measures was positively related to five of the six domains of political culture, the exception being the feeling of political efficacy. Students who were prosocial also manifested higher levels of political knowledge, political awareness, political activism experience, and positive attitudes towards political freedoms and towards human rights. The implications of these findings for family practices and school programs for volunteer activities and for the instilling of a sense of social responsibility are discussed. (Contains 3 tables and 12 footnotes.)

Dispositions and motivations toward future adult life are crystalized during adolescence, and one of the key agents in this process is student-teacher relationships in the school. Adolescent students can be very sensitive to the differential treatments of teachers toward them and their fellow students, particularly with respect to fairness and justice. In many respects, their perceptions of the way adult society works is influenced by the way their school and classroom work. Using the data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Youth (LSAY), this paper analyses the school and classroom justice perceptions of the 1998 Year 9 cohort of a representative national sample of students (N = 9289) and the extent to which these perceptions uniquely affect future civic behavioural dispositions, which we call prosocial behaviour, and future entry into the job market by 2008. The justice scale includes seven items relating to fairness in grade allocation, attention giving, listening, and feelings of comfort and security. The importance and implications of perceptions of fairness and justice in school contexts is discussed with respect to future individual level attainments and behaviours, and their impact on future civil society.

Studies have found that prior involvement in student politics while in school seems to be a good predictor of adult political engagement. While most studies of adults have obtained retrospective data on participation in school elections, there have been few studies of students about this activity. We contribute to this latter relatively unexplored area by reporting the results from a national survey of Australian secondary school students about the relationship between participation in school elections and future intended political engagement activities. We found that voting in school elections is positively related to feeling prepared to vote as an adult, to being committed to vote when 18, to political knowledge, and to engagement in forms of peaceful activism. Running for student government office is related to political knowledge and participation in peaceful activism. These results reinforce the findings of adult retrospective studies, and show that participation in school elections serves as a beneficial experience in the preparation of students for life as an active adult citizen. The implications of these findings for the structure and conduct of student elections in schools are discussed. (Contains 5 tables.)

Claims that education research is flawed and that it has little or no impact on school practices have been circulating for at least 75 years, and this chorus of criticism has intensified in the past three decades. Yet the validity of such claims has not been investigated, write Biddle and Saha. The authors interviewed 120 school principals (81 in the United States and 39 in Australia) to find out whether these educators value and use education research. Their findings indicated that most principals held positive opinions about education research, were actively interested in research that was relevant to their professional needs, were at least minimally familiar with important education research topics, learned about education research from a wide variety of sources, and applied research knowledge in their schools. The authors recommend that educators work to dispel the myth that education research has no impact--but at the same time, that schools enhance educators' ability to apply research through improved professional training. (Contains 1 figure.)

Electric Vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution to reduce the environmental impact compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. However, EV adoption in Australia has been hindered by concerns over fire safety. This study aims to comprehensively analyse EV fire risks and trends in Australia, including those related to charging stations and lithium-ion batteries. The research utilises secondary data from various reputable sources to develop statistical forecasting models, which estimate that Australia will have approximately 1.73 million EVs by 2030 and 15.8 million by 2050. The study reveals an average EV fire frequency of six fires per million EVs in Australia, aligning with the global average. Consequently, Australia is expected to experience 9 to 10 EV fire incidents annually in 2030, 37 to 42 EV fire incidents annually in 2040, and 84 to 95 EV fire incidents annually in 2050. To address these risks, an EV fire risk control framework is considered to identify and recommend appropriate measures for life safety, lithium-ion batteries, charging, EV handling, and EV locations. This research provides vital evidence for regulators, policymakers, and the fire industry to effectively manage EV fire risks and enhance preparedness for the growing EV market in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studied the impact of school variables on student political knowledge and political activity using questionnaire responses from 1,311 secondary school students in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Findings show that many students have had experience with normative forms of political activity, but fewer have engaged in nonnormative political activities such as participation in violent demonstrations. (SLD)

Studies of the perception of academic prestige in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom are examined. Reviewing the arts, science, and engineering, the studies consider faculty perceptions of how the public and students see the faculty's status and also makes comparisons with government and other professional occupations. (MSE)

Sustained behaviour change and practice improvements for the optimal use of antimicrobials remains challenging in primary care. In 2018, a simple antimicrobial stewardship education programme involving guideline recommendations for common infections, antimicrobial audit reports, and local antibiograms resulted in significant improvements in guideline compliance and more appropriate antimicrobial prescribing by GPs. This observational follow-up study aims to examine the sustainability of the positive intervention effect after two years of implementation of the intervention. Practice-based data on all oral antimicrobial prescriptions issued by GPs were collected retrospectively to compare with intervention data and to measure the sustainability of the intervention effect. The data were analysed using a two-sample test of proportions. The primary outcomes included changes in the rate of prescription compliance with the Australian "Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic" and the appropriateness of antimicrobial choice and duration of therapy. Overall, there was a significant decline in guideline compliance, from 58.5 to 36.5% (risk ratio (RR) (95% CI): 0.62 (0.52–0.74)), in the appropriateness of antimicrobial choice, from 92.8 to 72.8% (0.78 (0.73, 0.84)), and in the prescribed duration, from 87.7 to 53.3% (0.61 (0.54, 0.68)) in the intervention follow-up period. In respiratory infections and ear, nose, and throat infections, the rates of guideline compliance and appropriate choice and duration of antimicrobial prescription decreased significantly at p < 0.001. Appropriateness in the duration of antimicrobial therapy also significantly decreased for most antimicrobials. The evidence suggests that a simple and single-occasion antimicrobial stewardship education programme is probably not enough to sustain improvements in the optimal use of antimicrobials by GPs. Future research is needed to validate the results in multiple GP clinics and to examine the effect of sustained education programmes involving infection-specific and antimicrobial-targeted audits and feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interprofessional collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) is central to implement antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes in primary care. This study aimed to design a GP/pharmacist antimicrobial stewardship (GPPAS) model for primary care in Australia. An exploratory study design was followed that included seven studies conducted from 2017 to 2021 for the development of the GPPAS model. We generated secondary and primary evidence through a systematic review, a scoping review, a rapid review, nationwide surveys of Australian GPs and CPs including qualitative components, and a pilot study of a GPPAS submodel. All study evidence was synthesised, reviewed, merged, and triangulated to design the prototype GPPAS model using a Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety theoretical framework. The secondary evidence provided effective GPPAS interventions, and the primary evidence identified GP/CP interprofessional issues, challenges, and future needs for implementing GPPAS interventions. The framework of the GPPAS model informed five GPPAS implementation submodels to foster implementation of AMS education program, antimicrobial audits, diagnostic stewardship, delayed prescribing, and routine review of antimicrobial prescriptions, through improved GP–CP collaboration. The GPPAS model could be used globally as a guide for GPs and CPs to collaboratively optimise antimicrobial use in primary care. Implementation studies on the GPPAS model and submodels are required to integrate the GPPAS model into GP/pharmacist interprofessional care models in Australia for improving AMS in routine primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel data driven framework for detecting topology transitions in a distribution network. The framework analyzes data from phasor measurement units (PMUs) and relies on the fact that changes in network topology results in changes in the structure and admittance of the network. Using voltage and current phasors recorded by PMUs, the proposed method approximates network parameters using an ensemble-based deep learning model and thus, it does not require any knowledge of network parameters and load models. Using the prediction error of the proposed model, a connectivity matrix which shows the status of switches is constructed. In contrast to other methods, this proposed framework does not require a library of voltage and current transients associated with possible network transitions. It can also detect simultaneous switching actions and is robust to noise and load variations. The model yields a lower error detection rate, and its performance is validated using a modified version of the IEEE 33 bus network and a real feeder located in Queensland, Australia, under full and partial observability conditions. The proposed model has also been compared with another data driven method in terms of inference time and error detection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the association between the disclosure requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the cost of capital for a sample of Australian firms. We find that these disclosure requirements have a negative association with the cost of capital. The interpretation is that firms with a higher level of IFRS disclosure have a lower cost of capital. Further analysis shows that IFRS disclosure requirements are negatively related to the cost of debt and equity capital. Our findings contribute to the debate on the relative costs and benefits of IFRS disclosure requirements and have important implications for standard setters, regulators and users of financial statements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waves are emerging as a renewable energy resource, but the harnessing of such energy remains among the least developed in terms of renewable energy technologies on a regional or a global basis. To generate usable energy, wave heights must be predicted in near-real-time, which is the driving force for wave energy converters. This study develops a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network-Long Short-Term Memory-Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit forecast system (CLSTM-BiGRU) trained to accurately predict significant wave height (H sig) at multiple forecasting horizons (30 min, 0.5 H ; 2 h, 02 H ; 3 h, 03 H and 6 h, 06 H. In this model, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), long-short-term memories (LSTMs), and bidirectional gated recurrent units (BiGRUs) are employed to predict H sig. To construct the proposed CLSTM-BiGRU model, historical wave properties, including maximum wave height, zero-up crossing wave period, peak energy wave period, sea surface temperature, and significant wave heights are analysed. Several wave energy generation sites in Queensland, Australia were tested using the hybrid deep learning CLSTM-BiGRU model. Based on statistical score metrics, scatterplots, and error evaluations, the hybrid CLSTM-BiGRU model generates more accurate forecasts than the benchmark models. This study established the practical utility of the hybrid CLSTM-BiGRU model for modelling H sig and therefore shows the model could have significant implications for wave and ocean energy generation systems, tidal or wave height monitoring as well as sustainable wave energy resource evaluation where a prediction of wave heights is required. • Proposes deep learning CLSTM-BiGRU hybrid model to predict significant wave heights. • CLSTM-BiGRU model tested at multiple forecast (30 min, 2 h, 3 h and 6 h) horizons. • CLSTM-BiGRU analyses wave energy sites in Queensland to show model's overall efficacy. • CLSTM-BiGRU has positive implications in wave and ocean energy generation. • CLSTM-BiGRU is useful for ocean monitoring/wave energy resource evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronous generators are operating for less time than before or being decommissioned in the National Electricity Market (NEM) of Australia, due to the proliferation of asynchronous wind and solar generation. Sub-networks of the NEM will face inertia shortages in the near future. This paper develops a formulation of zonal inertia constrained generator dispatch for power systems with a diversified generator portfolio including synchronous generators, synchronous condensers, inverter-interfaced generators and energy storages. Zonal inertia constraints are formulated in unit commitment and optimal power flow to limit the rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) in the event of network separation. Load frequency relief is also considered to reduce the ramp rate requirement of primary reserve. The proposed formulation can reduce the average cost of primary reserve and maintain zonal inertia adequacy to constrain RoCoF in case of the trip of the interconnector(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intention of Australian youth to pursue vocational training was found to be negatively related to school attainment. The impact of occupational aspirations and expectations was also found to vary by ethnicity and sex. (RM)

Appointments to all universities in Australia are examined for the years 1961 to 1974, during which time nearly 40 percent of academic appointees came from overseas. The proportion was inversely related to university size, but unrelated to institutional age or total appointments. Implications of the flow patterns and directions for research are discussed. (Author/LBH)

A 1973 study of Australian high school students found males and higher achievers with higher occupational aspiration. Expected occupational destinations are more predictable than preferred ones. Further research into the processes of career orientations and the education-work transition is recommended. (Author/MSE)

Quartz is one of the most abundant mineral in the continental crust, occurring in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It incorporates several trace elements such as Ti, Al, Li, Ge, B, and P in its structure during crystallization/precipitation from magma/fluid, which can potentially be used as petrogenetic indicators. Being physically and chemically resilient during sedimentary recycling, detrital quartz can retain the signatures of the physicochemical environment of their formation. Earlier studies have mostly attempted to discriminate quartz from magmatic and magmatic-hydrothermal systems using bivariate or ternary discrimination diagrams. In this study, we developed three robust machine learning (ML) methods (XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost models) to discriminate quartz from a wide variety of magmatic/magmatic-hydrothermal host rocks based on their trace element chemistry. For this purpose, we compiled published 11,267 trace element analyses of quartz grains considering 50 trace elements from 14 different host rocks, namely A-, S-, I- type granitoids and pegmatites, A-, I- type volcanic rocks, A-, S- type- granite greisen, hydrothermal veins associated with A-, S-, I- type intrusions, and metamorphic rocks. The three ML classifiers can successfully discriminate quartz from the aforementioned groups with an average accuracy of ∼95%. Quartz hosted in each system can be correctly predicted with >75% classification accuracy, except for I-type pegmatite. The Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm, which measures the contribution of each element to the output predicted by the ML models, indicates that Ti, Li, Ge, Al, B, and P exert the highest control on the ML classifiers. We propose our ML models as a new tool for constraining sedimentary provenance and demonstrate the usefulness of our approach using the trace element data of detrital quartz from sediments in the catchment area of the Bega River in the Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia. • ML classifier models successfully discriminate quartz from different protoliths. • Key elements useful in discriminating quartz classes are Ti, Li, Ge, Al, B, P. • ML models tested on detrital quartz trace element data to retrieve sediment source. • Proposed as a new and powerful tool for sedimentary provenance studies. • A web application interface is made to apply our classifier to unknown quartz data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance Five‐year survival rates in patients undergoing vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy (DR) vary from 68% to 95%. No study has been conducted in an Australian population. Background: We aimed to determine the survival rates of patients undergoing diabetic vitrectomy in an Australian population. Design Retrospective audit, tertiary centre hospitals and private practices. Participants: All individuals in South Australia and the Northern Territory who underwent their first vitrectomy for diabetic complications between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. Methods: An audit of all eligible participants has been completed previously. Survival status as of July 6, 2018 and cause of death were obtained using SA/NT DataLink. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves and multivariate cox‐regressions were used to analyse survival rates and identify risk factors for mortality. Main outcome measures: Five‐, seven‐ and nine‐year survival rates. Results: The 5‐, 7‐ and 9‐year survival rates were 84.4%, 77.9% and 74.7%, respectively. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular disease. Associated with increased mortality independent of age were Indigenous ethnicity (HR = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17‐3.57, P = 0.012), chronic renal failure (HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.07‐2.89, P = 0.026) and renal failure requiring dialysis (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.25‐4.32, P = 0.008). Conclusions and relevance: Long‐term survival rates after diabetic vitrectomy in Australia are similar to rates reported in other populations. Indigenous ethnicity and chronic renal failure were the most significant factors associated with long‐term mortality. This information can guide allocation of future resources to improve the prognosis of these high risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing the probability of power transformer failure is challenging because to observe a sufficient number of failures requires a fleet size larger than what is often operated by one utility. Parametric distributions have been applied to small datasets to model failure. However, an assumption is that the failure follows the chosen distribution. Reliability data from 97% of the 6057 utility-owned power transformers operating in mainland Australia and Tasmania were collected and analyzed to develop a more accurate understanding of failure statistics. Information on 564 failures and retirements occurring between 2000 and 2015 was collected, stratified into distribution, subtransmission, and transmission voltage class units, and then analyzed. The useful life of the three different populations was estimated, and the relationship between age and different failure types was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article introduces 'critical open-mindedness' as a new sociological construct, which can be employed particularly in the studies of social attitudes and attitude change, social values, social identities, cross-cultural relations and social discrimination. By drawing on the data collected through the 2005 World Values Survey in Australia, we have operationalized the construct into an integrative social index, called 'critical openmindedness index' consisting of five dimensional composite indicators (CIs; i.e. the social, political, cultural, economic, and environmental). We have adopted an integrative approach to constructing these composite indicators in which we pragmatically select and incorporate a variety of techniques with the purpose of maximizing the validity of the end results. The findings with respect to Australians' critical open-mindedness, both in general and in reference to its five dimensions are discussed. We have also developed and examined a social psychological index of 'socio-cognitive open-mindedness' inspired by a number of commonly used international scales and by drawing on the same dataset. We have shown that these two types of open-mindedness are qualitatively different. Our analysis does not support the idea that individuals' social psychological open-mindedness determines their critical open-mindedness. It is rather the opposite which is the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has investigated the feasibility of three different solar-assisted air conditioning systems for typical medium-sized office buildings in all eight Australian capital cities using the whole building energy simulation software EnergyPlus. The studied solar cooling systems include: solar desiccant-evaporative cooling (SDEC) system, hybrid solar desiccant-compression cooling (SDCC) system, and solar absorption cooling (SAC) system. A referenced conventional vapor compression variable-air-volume (VAV) system has also been investigated for comparison purpose. The technical, environmental, and economic performances of each solar cooling system have been evaluated in terms of solar fraction (SF), system coefficient of performance (COP), annual HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) electricity consumption, annual CO2 emissions reduction, payback period (PBP), and net present value (NPV). The results demonstrate that the SDEC system consumes the least energy in Brisbane and Darwin, achieving 56.9% and 82.1% annual energy savings, respectively, compared to the conventional VAV system, while for the other six cities, the SAC system is the most energy efficient. However, from both energy and economic aspects, the SDEC system is more feasible in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney because of high annual SF and COP, low yearly energy consumption, short PBP and positive NPV, while for Canberra and Hobart, although the SAC system achieves considerable energy savings, it is not economically beneficial due to high initial cost. Therefore, the SDEC system is the most economically beneficial for most of Australian cities, especially in hot and humid climates. The SAC system is also energy efficient, but is not as economic as the SDEC system. However, for Canberra and Hobart, reducing initial cost is the key point to achieve economic feasibility of solar cooling applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilities in Australia are currently operating in an economically constrained environment, and are therefore interested in optimizing expenditure on asset replacement. In response, the universities are working with the utilities to improve modeling of the economic life cycle of power transformers. Information on failure modes of transformers and reasons for their retirement from service are of great assistance to utilities in planning their asset management strategy. The last major failure survey of power transformers in Australia (and New Zealand) was published in 1996 [1]. Since 20 years have passed since then, it is timely to revisit failure of the transformer fleet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the association between histories of common mental disorders, delusional-like experiences, and recent physical activity using a large nationally representative population-based sample from Australia. We predicted that a past history of a common mental disorder or delusional-like experiences would be associated with insufficient physical activity.Methods: The study was based on the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 (n = 8841). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to identify a lifetime and past year history of common mental disorders and delusional-like experiences. Physical activity over the preceding week was estimated using the questions based on the Active Australia survey with respondents classified as (a) insufficiently physically active versus (b) sufficiently physically active based on national recommendations. We examined the relationship between the variables of interest using logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounding factors.Results: Almost half of the participants (46.0%) were classified as sufficiently physically active. Compared to those with no past mental disorder, those with lifetime or past year history of common mental disorders did not differ on recent physical activity status. Furthermore, we found no significant association between the number of lifetime mental disorders or the presence of delusional-like experience and recent physical activity status.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a diagnosis of common mental disorder, with or without recent symptoms and comorbid diagnoses, or even having self-ascribed perception of poor mental well-being, is not associated with insufficient physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction It is unclear from prior research whether or not substance abuse co-morbid with psychosis is an added barrier to success in vocational rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among three types of co-morbid substance abuse or dependence, by type of employment assistance received (disability employment services, mainstream unemployment services, other government programmes, and own resources), and by type of employment attained (competitive and non-competitive). Method Data were drawn from the Australian National Survey of High Impact Psychosis (N = 1825). The survey was conducted in seven Australian catchment areas March to December 2010. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression methods were used. Results There were no added effects of lifetime substance abuse or dependence on any employment. However, there were some minor substance-specific effects. Past year cannabis use was negatively associated, while alcohol use was positively associated with being employed. All categories of lifetime substance abuse or dependence were associated with reduced utilisation of intensive forms of employment assistance. Conclusion At a population level, lifetime substance abuse or dependence had no added impact on current employment status. Those with psychosis co-morbid with lifetime substance abuse or dependence could benefit from greater utilisation of evidence-based supported employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is designed to predict the amount of rainfall resulting from tropical cyclones (TCs) in Australia’s coastal regions and contributes to predicting the likelihood of extreme rainfall events. For this purpose, a Poisson–Gamma generalised linear model is fitted to the TC-induced rainfall with distance of the rainfall station from the TC track and translational speed (TS) of TC as predictors. Both variables have significant negative impact on rainfall. For the lowest TC TS, the 99th percentiles of rainfall for the furthest and closest station distances from the TC track were estimated as 132.5 mm and 236.9 mm, respectively. When the TC track is the closest to the rainfall station and the TS is the lowest, the 99.9th percentile of the estimated rainfall is 366.3 mm. The ability of the model to capture extremely high rainfall amounts may prove useful in forecasting floods. Improved flood forecasting and management will reduce loss of life and property, thereby contributing to the social and economic well-being of Australia's coastal population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Probable impacts of climate change on water resources are a great concern for hydrologists, water managers and policy makers. Global warming and climate change is expected to change the water availability. Using physically based hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), this study assessed the sensitivity of streamflow to individual and combined changes in temperature and rainfall for the Yass River catchment of south eastern Australia. This study also predicted the change in streamflow based on three climate scenarios (B1, A1B, A2) of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emission Scenarios and average of four general circulation models (CNRM-CM3, CSIRO-MK3.5, ECHam5 and MIROC3.2) for three future periods (2030, 2050 and 2090). Streamflow of the Yass River was found to be highly sensitive to both temperature and rainfall changes where 1 % change in rainfall might cause 3-5 % change in streamflow and flow might be reduced up to 16 % for 1 °C rise in temperature. Simulation results based on General Circulation Models (GCM) outputs predicted that the Yass River will likely experience huge change in streamflow due to the impact of climate change. However, due to associated uncertainties regarding climate change scenarios and climate models outputs, the results need to be evaluated carefully before making decisions in future water management and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an energy offering strategy for wind power producers. A new trading plan is presented through which a wind power producer can employ demand response (DR) to maximize its profit. To consider DR, a new DR scheme is developed here. The proposed plan includes two steps: The first step takes place on a day-ahead basis. The corresponding decisions involve an initial offering schedule and preliminary DR arrangements for the following day. The second step coincides with the day of the energy delivery. A consecutive approach is proposed in which the wind power producer determines its final energy offer during each trading interval. Simultaneously, the required DR agreements for that interval are also confirmed. This approach is repeated until all periods of the day are covered. The proposed plan is formulated as a stochastic programming approach, where its feasibility is evaluated on a case of the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim The Individual Placement and Support ( IPS) approach is an evidence-based form of supported employment for people with severe and persistent mental illness. This approach is not yet widely available in Australia even though there is mounting evidence of its generalisability outside the USA. One previous Australian randomised controlled trial found that IPS is effective for young people with first episode psychosis. The aim of the current trial was to assess the effectiveness of evidence-based supported employment when implemented for Australian adult consumers of public mental health services by utilising existing service systems. Methods A four-site randomised control trial design ( n = 208) was conducted in Brisbane (two sites), Townsville and Cairns. The intervention consisted of an IPS supported employment service hosted by a community mental health team. The control condition was delivered at each site by mental health teams referring consumers to other disability employment services in the local area. Results At 12 months, those in the IPS condition had 2.4 times greater odds of commencing employment than those in the control condition (42.5% vs. 23.5%). The conditions did not differ on secondary employment outcomes including job duration, hours worked, or job diversity. Attrition was higher than expected in both conditions with 28.4% completing the baseline interview but taking no further part in the study. Conclusion The results support previous international findings that IPS-supported employment is more effective than non-integrated supported employment. IPS can be successfully implemented this way in Australia, but with a loss of effect strength compared to previous USA trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, Australian oceans experience the genesis of many tropical cyclones (TCs). About 40 percent of these make landfall. Because of the enormous difference in impacts between landfalling and non-landfalling TCs on coastal communities, the benefits would be enormous if it were possible to capture early the potentiality of landfall of a TC that has undergone genesis. Published literature identifies many factors such as location, warm sea surface temperature above 26 °C, conditional instability and high relative humidity in the middle troposphere and low vertical wind shear for the genesis of cyclones. Some of these factors could hold information about the potentiality of landfall while a TC is forming. An investigation into these factors actually revealed that a landfall potential index can be developed that can capture the potentiality of making a landfall. An attractive feature of this index is that it uses values at the time and location of genesis, providing a long and useful lead time. Furthermore, it is made into a dimensionless number, which makes for easy comprehension and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on incidence and mortality rates associated with psychotic disorders, based on the results of the second Australian national survey of psychosis. It describes the design of the study, the development of an algorithm for calculating incidence rates, and results of diagnostic interviews performed. Also explored are the elevated mortality trend for schizophrenia and the need for population-based prevalence surveys of psychotic disorders to support the study.

Highlights: [•] Shapley Value approach offers a fair and equitable cost allocation. [•] A case study of the Australian Queensland network is presented. [•] Cost allocation is contentious for remote renewable power transmission. [•] Regulatory policies and planning frameworks need to be updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PV performance is investigated by utilizing the yearlong recorded data from the PV systems at the University of Queensland. [•] The established theoretical model has good agreement with the field measurement. [•] The validated theoretical model is applied for performance prediction of PV systems in Brisbane, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses assessment of labour force activity and participation in formal education among working age adults with psychotic disorders which carried out as part of the second Australian survey of psychosis. Policy makers and service providers can do more to ensure that people with psychotic disorders have access to intensive and effective forms of education and employment assistance. Effective vocational and educational interventions are needed for people with psychotic disorders.

Objective: Delusional-like experiences (DLE) are prevalent in the community. Recent community based studies have found that DLE are more common in those with depression and anxiety disorders, and in those with subclinical symptoms of depression and anxiety. Chronic physical disorders are associated with comorbid depression and anxiety; however, there is a lack of evidence about the association of DLE with common physical conditions. The aim of this study was to explore associations between the common physical disorders and DLE using a large population sample. Methods: Subjects were drawn from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007, a national household survey of 8841 residents aged between 16 and 85 years. The presence of DLE, selected common physical disorders and symptoms were assessed using a modified World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) schedule. We examined the relationship between DLE, and physical health-related variables using logistic regression, with adjustments for potential confounding factors. Results: Of the 8771, 776 (8.4%) subjects positively endorsed one or more DLE. Of the six physical disorders examined, only diabetes and arthritis were significantly associated with the endorsement of DLE. Of the seven broad physical symptoms explored, only hearing problems were consistently associated with DLE. Conclusion: Delusional-like experiences are common in the Australian community, and are associated with selected chronic physical disorders and with impaired hearing. The direction of causality between these variables warrants closer research scrutiny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]