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Changing climate and its interactions with catchments may result in changes to water resources. This study examines the temporal trends in streamflow across New South Wales, Australia. Across 163 catchments with over 35 years of records up to September 2020, we used Mann-Kendall and Sen's Slope methods to estimate trends in different flow indicators, including the annual, low and high flows, cease to flow, and the rainfall-–runoff relationship. Nearly all (160) catchments have decreasing trends in annual flow, with 62 of these being statistically significant, indicating an overall drying pattern. Most declines are 10–20% per decade relative to the mean annual flows of individual catchments. Trends in rainfall-–runoff relationship suggest that the flow declines are generally greater than expected with given rainfall, and likely due to region-scale processes such as groundwater and vegetation dynamics. Our finding has important implications for future water security for New South Wales and similar environments, such as planning for future reduction in water resources availability with likely increasing demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia is one of the most urbanised countries, and its states and territories are facing significant environmental threats. This paper argues that urban planning authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) repeatedly abandon their carefully crafted urban policies that could have improved environmental sustainability. This qualitative research analyses two cases, nearly two decades apart, to support its argument. In 2021, the NSW planning department developed significant reforms to planning laws, namely the Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). This set of proposed rules would have made planning, placemaking, and communities more liveable and sustainable. In April 2022, the proposed policy was suddenly and unexpectedly scrapped. The recent abandonment of a well-thought-out planning policy proposal in NSW is not unprecedented. It is a case of history repeating itself. In 2003, the PlanFirst sustainability-related planning reforms that had been developed over several years were abandoned similarly. This paper uses the path dependency theory to explore the repetition and discarding of sustainability-related planning reforms. This paper shows how politics and policy making in NSW have neglected significant policies designed to improve environmental sustainability and liveability following property developer lobbyists' influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A leaf spot disease was observed on red veined sorrel (Rumex sanguineus) growing in a commercial greenhouse in northern NSW, Australia, in July 2021. Cercospora rumicis was found in association with the leaf spot and was identified morphologically and by sequencing two gene regions, histone-3 (HIS) and calmodulin (CAL). Koch's postulates were fulfilled through pathogenicity tests, including the inoculation of potted plants and a detached leaf assay. This is the first report of Cercospora rumicis in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fair and equal pay are basic principles determining appropriate remuneration. Yet expectations that locally elected representatives are motivated by community service justify token compensation. This article presents data from a survey of councillors in New South Wales about the adequacy of current remuneration against the expectations and time commitment of the role. It finds: the majority of councillors feel under-compensated for the time they devote to the role; some councillors had unmanageable workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, and; variations in pay scales across local government areas only partially correspond with differences in volume and complexity of work. Most critically, low pay directly impacts the quality of representation by curtailing the hours councillors can commit to council work. The article argues that 'recognition' needs to be a core principle in determining councillor pay. Current levels both under-recognise what local elected representatives do, and the importance of local government for democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NSW Health is implementing genomics as a mainstream component of clinical care. The strategic, holistic approach is considering infrastructure, data governance and management, workforce, education, service planning and delivery. This work is generating insights about how to realise the promise of genomics in healthcare, highlighting the need for strong foundations, real-world application, accessibility and a focus on people using genomic information in clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic and family violence (DFV) increased in complexity during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating further opportunities to help women escape DFV. Governments responded by injecting ad-hoc funding into temporary housing options and homelessness services. This paper provides an integrated discussion between the COVID-driven responses (policy analysis) and the experiences of DFV service providers in NSW, Australia (empirical data), which showed that existing policies are often limited in scope and out of touch with the DFV survivors' long-term housing and support needs. A more holistic approach with DFV targeted housing responses and policies is needed to more effectively help women leaving DFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ATLAS New Small Wheel (NSW) Muon spectrometer upgrade, completed in 2022, was the largest Phase I detector upgrade among LHC experiments. The NSW enhances triggering in the endcap region (1. 3 < | η | < 2. 4) by confirming muons from the Interaction Point (IP) and rejecting fake contributions. It also improves muon tracking with 2.5 million high-resolution channels across 16 layers. The NSW Trigger, based on small-strip Thin Gap Chambers (sTGC) and Micromegas (MM) technologies, provides Level-1 triggers at every Bunch Crossing (BC) with a fixed low latency (44 BC). Integrated into ATLAS in 2023, the NSW Trigger significantly reduces fake rates and overall readout deadtime. The custom electronics of the NSW Trigger system efficiently collect, process, and trigger on IP muons, focusing on the fully operational sTGC pad-only path based on the Pad Trigger (PT) and Trigger Processor (TP) FPGA based boards. Performance studies using 13. 6 TeV pp collisions are presented, demonstrating NSW's readiness for the High Luminocity LHC (HL-LHC) era and outlining Phase II upgrade perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In NSW the availability of excavation records, physical remains (primarily artefacts), technical datasets, and reports associated with a historical archaeological project can only be described as varied. These forms of data can be collectively termed an archaeological archive. The storage of archives commonly includes any combination of small-scale centralised repositories, on-site facilities, private (client or investigator) off-site storage, or digital platforms. Archaeologists recognise the value of sustainably archiving these resources, as well as making them available for research, public access, or other intentions, however, what is the status of our combined approaches? Data collected from 40 historical archaeological sites in NSW has been used here to benchmark the current situation in the state. It was found that only three of the investigated sites had a complete and accessible archaeological archive with suitable metadata available before reaching the storage facility. This research outlines the precarious status of our efforts in archiving for perpetuity and the reliance on informal and personal networks within the archaeological community to discover and access archives. It is argued here that a framework of visibility, accessibility, and longevity should be applied to any project to consider the strength of archaeological archive retention methods. While the focus remains on understanding the key issues, several recommendations are also made for improving the consistency and long-term success of accessing historical archaeological repositories and data management systems. Key suggested approaches are to promote significance in the decision to create archaeological archives in the first place, prioritise resolving visibility constraints and focus on small and achievable system improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2021 local government elections in New South Wales (NSW), Australia delivered a record 39.5% female representation, up from 31.2% in the previous election. The increased number of women elected to councils can be read as evidence of the success of a diversity strategy centred on encouraging and equipping women, and other under-represented groups, to stand for election. However, without detracting from the value of these initiatives, their capacity to achieve a councillor body reflective of the general population is limited. People of non-European ancestry, particularly women of 'colour' remain grossly underrepresented, while the gains in women's representation will fail to reach gender parity unless the practices that sustain male overrepresentation, particularly by Anglo and other 'white' European men, are challenged. This article draws upon qualitative interviews with councillors to offer fresh readings of conventional explanations for a lack of diversity in Australian local government, while also underscoring the importance of addressing issues that are currently neglected in 'technical' approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are major disparities in oral health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The New South Wales (NSW) Aboriginal Oral Health Plan 2014–2020 was developed to improve the oral health of Aboriginal people. This scoping review describes programs that have been undertaken to implement the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan 2014–2020. The methodology by Arksey and O'Malley was used to guide this review. Academic and grey literature were searched using a structured Medline, Lowitja and advanced Google searches. Articles were included if they aligned with the strategic directions of the Plan. Key information, including the aims of the study, methodology and results were recorded in a template on Microsoft Excel software. A total of 31 articles were included in this review. This included 25 articles from the academic literature and six initiatives from the grey literature. Included articles were categorised according to the six strategic directions in the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan. Four studies were related to the first strategic direction, six related to strategic direction two, four related to strategic direction three, six initiatives related to strategic direction four, five related to strategic direction five, and eight related to strategic direction six. While there has been significant progress in achieving the strategic directions of the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan, there is scope for continued collaboration between oral health service providers, universities and Aboriginal communities to improve oral health outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many rural communities in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, have poor-quality water supplies. The lack of a palatable alternative increases the risk of the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, a significant contributor to adverse health outcomes. This disproportionately effects Aboriginal people living in these towns, who are also profoundly affected by the social determinants of health. Therefore, examining health inequalities linked to water access is important. This study investigated the availability of drinking water fountains in rural and remote communities in NSW. Telephone interviewer-assisted surveys were conducted with 32 representatives from local government councils or Local Aboriginal Land Councils in NSW from communities with a population of <5000 and an Aboriginal population of at least 3%. The results were analysed descriptively. Towns and communities with a higher population of Aboriginal people and lower median weekly income were less likely to have access to free refrigerated and filtered water within the community or at local schools compared with towns and communities with a lower Aboriginal population and higher median weekly income. The availability of free, clean and refrigerated water in rural and remote communities is critical to reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and the promotion of water as the preferred drink. Limited access to free, clean and refreshing tap water can increase reliance on sugar-sweetened beverages. This study found that access to clean, refrigerated and filtered drinking water is more likely in larger communities with a lower proportion of Aboriginal people, indicating that Aboriginal people living in smaller communities have their socioeconomic disadvantage compounded, potentially increasing reliance on sugar-sweetened beverages and widening the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Health promotion initiatives must take into consideration access to clean and refreshing tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The NSW Health COVID-19 Research Program was established in April 2020 to contribute to minimising the health, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New South Wales (NSW). This paper describes the establishment and implementation of one element of the Program, the Emergency Response Priority Research (Emergency Response) workstream, which is focused on the rapid creation of evidence to support urgent operational work for the public health management of COVID-19 in NSW. Methods: Narrative description. Results: As at June 2021, nine Emergency Response projects had been funded. Mechanisms used to expedite projects included: embedding academic researchers in NSW Health to work directly with routinely collected NSW Health data; adapting existing research projects to include a COVID-19 component; leveraging established research partnerships to conduct rapid pilots; and directly commissioning urgent projects with experienced and trusted local researchers. Lessons learnt: Evidence from Emergency Response projects has contributed directly to informing the NSW public health response. For example, findings from a study of COVID-19 transmission in schools and childcare settings in the early stages of the pandemic informed decisions around the resumption of on-campus education in 2020 and helped shape policy around higher risk activities to help reduce transmission in education settings. Similarly, findings from a project to validate methods for identifying SARS-CoV-2 virus fragments in wastewater were subsequently incorporated into the NSW Sewage Surveillance Program, which continues to provide NSW Health with information to support targeted messaging and testing. The approach to establishing and implementing the Emergency Response workstream highlights the importance of continuing to ensure a well-trained public health research community and actively supporting a collaborative research sector.

In this study, an experimental creep crack growth rate (CCGR) of austenitic steel AISI 316L was predicted from the creep constant values and Nibkin Smith Webster (NSW) method. The experimental CCGR data were obtained from the CCG test under four different load conditions ranging from 6000 to 7000 N at 525 oC. The creep constants, A and n were obtained from the uniaxial creep rupture test under various load conditions, ranging from 180 to 225 Mpa at 525 oC. The creep constants were determined both from the minimum and average creep strain rate data. By applying the creep constants and NSW method, the predicted CCGR curve was generated and compared with the experimental CCGR curve. The result showed that the predicted CCGR curve based on the minimum creep strain rate data was found to be close to the experimental CCGR curve. The significant portion of creep crack growth’s lifetime of austenitic steel AISI 316L was occupied by the crack propagation (steady stage) period rather than crack initiation and/or fracture periods. In addition, plane stress and strain conditions could also be determined from the predicted CCGR curve. It was observed that the experimental CCGR curve was located near the plane strain condition where no deformation occurred in the lateral direction.

The application of ecological modernization (EM) (to delink industry growth from environmental damage) to minimize construction waste has not been explored within construction industry in general, and the New South Wales (NSW) construction industry in particular. This study seeks to identify the drivers of applying EM to construction waste minimisation (CWM) in the industry. Also, to determine the CWM measures that are critical for each of the drivers. A survey was adopted in this study to target stakeholders engaged in the delivery of construction projects in NSW from design to completion. The survey was selected to reach a large number of respondents within a manageable period. A pilot study was conducted to ensure the reliability of the research design before a full-scale data collection was launched. The data from 240 valid responses was analysed using factor analysis, relative importance index and descriptive statistics. The results revealed five important drivers for EM's application to CWM. These are agents of change, government policies, supply chain dynamics, skill building and technological innovations. The CWM measure that are critical for each of these drivers were also identified. The study provides insights into the application of EM to address the construction industry problem of waste generation as by-product of its growth. It also shows the ability to protect the environment while enabling continuous economic growth. Furthermore, it demonstrates the applicability of EM to minimize the construction waste of NSW construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their vector capacity, ticks are ectoparasites of medical and veterinary significance. Modern sequencing tools have facilitated tick-associated microbiota studies, but these have largely focused on bacterial pathogens and symbionts. By combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing with total RNA-sequencing methods, we aimed to determine the complete microbiome and virome of questing, female Ixodes holocyclus recovered from coastal, north-eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. We present, for the first time, a robust and unbiased method for the identification of novel microbes in ticks that enabled us to identify bacteria, viruses, fungi and eukaryotic pathogens. The dominant bacterial endosymbionts were Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo1 and Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo2. Candidatus Neoehrlichia australis and Candidatus Neoehrlichia arcana were also recovered, confirming that these bacteria encompass I. holocyclus ' core microbiota. In addition, seven virus species were detected—four previously identified in I. holocyclus and three novel species. Notably, one of the four previously identified virus species has pathogenic potential based on its phylogenetic relationship to other tick-associated pathogens. No known pathogenic eukaryotes or fungi were identified. This study has revealed the microbiome and virome of female I. holocyclus from the environment in north-eastern NSW. We propose that future tick microbiome and virome studies utilize equivalent methods to provide an improved representation of the microbial diversity in ticks globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Creep crack growth is known to be the dominant failure mechanism in high-temperature components. Particularly in welded structures operating at elevated temperatures, cracks are often found to initiate and propagate in the vicinity of the weld region which can eventually penetrate into the base material after a long period of operation. In this study, creep crack growth tests have been performed on specimens extracted from an ex-service 316 H welded component to examine the crack initiation and growth behaviour in near-weld regions. The results show that the cracking behaviour of the base metal in near-weld specimens is similar to the as-received 316 H data set, suggesting that the material inhomogeneity would not influence the crack propagation behaviour in service-exposed components. Moreover, the test results show that the crack initiation and growth behaviour of the HAZ specimens can be estimated in much shorter time scales by performing tests on pre-compressed material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the compatibleness/effectiveness of the proposed novel semi‐overlapping winding (NSW) topology has been investigated by implementing into different synchronous machine technologies, namely interior permanent‐magnet machine, synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM), permanent‐magnet assisted SynRM, and double‐salient reluctance machine. All considered machines have also been designed with different winding topologies; i.e. integer‐slot distributed winding, fractional‐slot concentrated winding (FSCW) in order to reveal the merits/demerits of the proposed NSWs. A comprehensive electromagnetic performance comparison has been presented. It has been validated that the proposed winding topology promises significant advantages; such as improved efficiency with substantially reduced total axial length, low eddy permanent magnet (PM) loss and low risk of irreversible magnet demagnetisation over conventional winding topologies. It has also been revealed that the implementation of proposed NSWs into the reluctance machines results with higher torque and power output than that of FSCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many fragmented agricultural regions of south-eastern Australia, roadside vegetation provides important refuges for threatened native fauna and isolated populations of plant species. However, as roads are transport corridors for humans and their vehicles, species survival is affected through destruction and modification of remaining habitat by human activity. The effects of soil disturbance from roadworks on the structural dynamics and spatial patterning of roadside Acacia populations was investigated in the Lockhart Shire study area, NSW, Australia. Classification and ordination of size structures of Acacia pycnantha, A. montana and A. decora showed distinct groups of colonising, stable and senescent populations. Soil disturbance from previous roadworks was recorded in 88 percent of populations, and there was a significant relationship between major recruitment pulses and roadworks events in Acacia populations. Spatial pattern analysis using the Network K-function showed significant clustering of older senescent populations, and Discriminant Function Analyses revealed that road verge width, road category, disturbance intensity, and distance to nearest town were highly significant variables in relation to disturbance regimes from roadworks activities. These results have highlighted the importance of understanding human logic regarding roadworks activities, in ongoing management of roadside vegetation, and has important consequences regarding conservation of these unique environments.

At the end of December 2019, an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan city, China. Modelling plays a crucial role in developing a strategy to prevent a disease outbreak from spreading around the globe. Models have contributed to the perspicacity of epidemiological variations between and within nations and the planning of desired control strategies. In this paper, a literature review was conducted to summarise knowledge about COVID-19 disease modelling in three countries—China, the UK and Australia—to develop a robust research framework for the regional areas that are urban and rural health districts of New South Wales, Australia. In different aspects of modelling, summarising disease and intervention strategies can help policymakers control the outbreak of COVID-19 and may motivate modelling disease-related research at a finer level of regional geospatial scales in the future.

Abstract Objective: Low rates of driver licensing have been linked to increased risk of transport‐related injury, and reduced access to health services, employment and educational opportunities in the Aboriginal population. This paper reports on how barriers to obtaining a driver licence are being addressed in four Aboriginal communities in New South Wales and South Australia. Methods: Qualitative data were collected over a four‐month period in 2013. Interviews with Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal stakeholders (n=31) and 11 focus groups with Aboriginal participants (n=46) were analysed thematically using a framework approach. Results: Factors facilitating licensing included: family support, professional lessons, alternative testing and programs that assist with literacy, fines management, financial assistance and access to a supervising driver. Stakeholders recommended raising awareness of existing services and funding community‐based service provision to promote access to licensing. Discussion: Facilitating licence participation requires systemic change and long‐term investment to ensure interagency collaboration, service use and sustainability of relevant programs, including job search agencies. Implications for public health: The disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people in driver licensing is a fundamental barrier to participation and a social determinant of health. Understanding the factors that promote licensing is crucial to improving access for under‐serviced populations; recommendations provide pragmatic solutions to address licensing disadvantage.

The Cangai copper mine was one of the most successful mining operations in NSW during the early 1900s. Following discovery in 1901 and initial mining by syndicates, the mine was operated by the Grafton Copper Mining Company Ltd from 1905 until 1917 and produced approximately 5,000 t of copper, as well as significant gold and silver, from an estimated 76,940 tonnes of mined ore. Earlier gold mining in the Cangai area paved the way for discovery and development of the Cangai copper deposit. Key shareholders and promoters in the copper mining had gained experience in this previous phase of mining, resulting in similar approaches to financing, management and technical aspects. The Cangai deposit possessed significant natural advantages, which combined with good management, allowed for low-cost mining of high-grade ore. This meant that the mine essentially paid for its own development without the need for significant external capital. The Grafton Copper Mining Company was able to pay healthy dividends and through its activities and expenditure make a significant contribution to the development of the local region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid AC–DC microgrid (HMG) allows direct integration of both AC distributed generators (DGs) and DC DGs, AC and DC loads into the grid. The AC and DC sources and loads are separated out and are connected to respective subgrid mainly to reduce the power conversion; thus the overall efficiency of the system increases. This study aims to introduce a novel HMG planning model within a microgrid market environment to maximise net social welfare (NSW). NSW is defined as the present value of total demand payment minus the present value of total planning cost, including the investment cost of distributed energy sources (DERs) and converters, operation cost of DERs, and the cost of energy exchange with the utility grid subject to network constraints. The scenario tree approach is used to model the uncertainties related to load demand, wind speed, and solar irradiation. The effectiveness of the proposed model is validated through the simulation studies on a 28‐bus real HMG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Australian National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) policy introduced in 2012 on ED performance. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study of NEAT implementation using linked data, for 12 EDs across New South Wales (NSW), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queensland (QLD) between 2008 and 2013. Segmented regression in a multi‐level model was used to analyse ED performance over time before and after NEAT introduction. The main outcomes measures were ED length of stay ≤4 h, access block, number of ED presentations, short‐stay admission (≤24 h), >24 h admissions, unplanned ED re‐attendances within 7 days and 'left at own risk' (including 'did not wait for assessment'). Results: Two years after NEAT introduction, ED length of stay ≤4 h increased in NSW and QLD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48 and 3.24; P < 0.001) and access block decreased (OR = 0.41 and 0.22; P < 0.001), but not in ACT (OR = 1.28; P > 0.05). ED presentations increased over time before and after NEAT introduction with a significant increase above the projected trend in NSW after NEAT (mean ratio = 1.07). Short‐stay admissions increased in QLD (OR = 2.60), ACT (OR = 1.68) and NSW (OR = 1.35). Unplanned ED re‐attendances did not change significantly. Those who left at their own risk decreased significantly in NSW and QLD (OR = 0.38 and 0.67). Conclusion: ED presentations continued to increase over time in all jurisdictions. NSW and QLD, but not ACT, showed significant improvements in time‐based measures. Significant increases in short‐stay admissions suggest a strategic change in ED process associated with NEAT implementation. Rates of unplanned ED re‐attendances and those leaving at their own risk showed no evidence for adverse effects from NEAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current inhaled polymyxin therapy is empirical and often large doses are administered, which can lead to pulmonary adverse effects. There is a dearth of information on the mechanisms of polymyxin-induced lung toxicity and their intracellular localization in lung epithelial cells.Objectives: To investigate the intracellular localization of polymyxins in human lung epithelial A549 cells.Methods: A549 cells were treated with polymyxin B and intracellular organelles (early and late endosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and autophagosomes), ubiquitin protein and polymyxin B were visualized using immunostaining and confocal microscopy. Fluorescence intensities of the organelles and polymyxin B were quantified and correlated for co-localization using ImageJ and Imaris platforms.Results: Polymyxin B co-localized with early endosomes, lysosomes and ubiquitin at 24 h. Significantly increased lysosomal activity and the autophagic protein LC3A were observed after 0.5 and 1.0 mM polymyxin B treatment at 24 h. Polymyxin B also significantly co-localized with mitochondria (Pearson's R = 0.45) and led to the alteration of mitochondrial morphology from filamentous to fragmented form (n = 3, P < 0.001). These results are in line with the polymyxin-induced activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway observed in A549 cells.Conclusions: Accumulation of polymyxins on mitochondria probably caused mitochondrial toxicity, resulting in increased oxidative stress and cell death. The formation of autophagosomes and lysosomes was likely a cellular response to the polymyxin-induced stress and played a defensive role by disassembling dysfunctional organelles and proteins. Our study provides new mechanistic information on polymyxin-induced lung toxicity, which is vital for optimizing inhaled polymyxins in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: The dietary intakes of Australian children are not optimal, with few meeting recommended vegetable and fruit intake targets. Nutrition education in childhood is important for developing healthy eating patterns, with schools an ideal setting for a wide reach. The aims of this study were to examine nutrition education within the NSW primary school syllabus, explore how much time teachers spend teaching nutrition, what is taught, what materials are used, and to identify attitudes towards nutrition education.Method: An online survey consisting of 29 closed questions (with options for comments) was specifically developed for the purpose of this study. Teachers currently teaching at a NSW primary school were eligible to participate.Results: A total of 33 NSW primary school teachers completed the survey. Results indicate that limited time is spent on teaching nutrition with some important nutrition education components currently missed, resources perceived to be inadequate and lack of time reported as the largest barrier to teaching nutrition.Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of nutrition education in NSW primary schools, several important topics need to be integrated into the curriculum, and time constraints of teachers should be taken into account. SO WHAT?: Findings from the current survey will inform the development of future nutrition education programs and resources with the aim of integrating nutrition education within the primary school curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In order to benefit from the expected high luminosity performance provided by the Phase-I upgraded LHC at CERN, the New Small Wheel (NSW) will be installed in the ATLAS detector during the Long Shutdown 2. The ATLAS NSW will be equipped with a new technology for the detection of muons: the MicroMegas (MM) detectors. They consist of different panels made of composite materials and when charged particles traverse the drift space, the gas is ionized and electrons are liberated; the avalanche of electrons takes place in the amplification region after the mesh and they are detected by read-out strips to reconstruct the trajectory of muons produced after the collision. Very tight mechanical tolerances are given in the design phase and they must be preserved from the panel construction to the final operation in the ATLAS cavern. In this paper the construction procedure of these very precise particle detectors is described and the mechanical modelling to predict their mechanical behaviour is presented. Finally, the experimental tests done to validate the numerical models are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) have been recognized as potential energy storage materials for applications such as balancing of heating and cooling loads in buildings. However, current MEPCMs do suffer from low thermal conductivity and low mechanical strength thus limiting their full potential. Past investigations have shown that nanomaterials could be used as a surfactant for the preparation of O/W emulsion and for thermal enhancement in encapsulation processes of phase change materials. For that reason nanosilicon dioxide hydrosol was selected as a surfactant for the encapsulation of samples of n -octadecane due to its excellent thermal stability and good combination properties with both organic and inorganic phase change materials. To this end, the focus of the study was on the synthesis and characterization of the fabricated MEPCM samples. Analysis of the results did show good particle dispersion and shell integrity with the best fabricated sample (MF-2) achieving a significant increase in thermal stability temperature by approximately 78°C (i.e. from 133°C to 211°C) and also higher core material content ranging from 8% to 25% in comparison with other samples. However, there was a reduction of about 17% in the energy storage capacity and a slight reduction of 0.57°C in its melting temperature when compared with the original sample of n -octadecane. The results also revealed that the nucleating agent (ammonium chloride) did affect the morphology, particle size distribution and the content of the base materials. Further enhancement studies are therefore encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Umbilical hernia is a common finding in patients undergoing abdominoplasty, especially those who are postpartum with rectus divarication. Concurrent surgical treatment of the umbilical hernia at abdominoplasty presents a "vascular challenge" due to the disruption of dermal blood supply to the umbilicus, leaving the stalk as the sole axis of perfusion. To date, there have been no surgical techniques described to adequately address large umbilical herniae during abdominoplasty.Objectives: To present an effective and safe technique that can address large umbilical herniae during abdominoplasty.Methods: A prospective series of 10 consecutive patients, undergoing concurrent abdominoplasty and laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair between 2014 and 2017 were included in the study. All procedures were performed by the same general surgeon and plastic surgeon at the Macquarie University Hospital in North Ryde, NSW, Australia. Data were collected with approval of our ethics committee.Results: At 12-month follow up there were no instances of umbilical necrosis, wound complications, seroma, or recurrent hernia. The mean body mass index was 23.8 kg/m2 (range, 16.1-30.1 kg/m2). Rectus divarication ranged from 35 to 80 mm (mean, 53.5 mm). Umbilical hernia repair took a mean of 25.9 minutes to complete (range, 18-35 minutes).Conclusions: We present a technique that avoids incision of the rectus fascia minimizes dissection of the umbilical stalk and is able to provide a gold standard hernia repair with mesh. This procedure is particularly suited to postpartum patients with large herniae (>3-4 cm diameter) and wide rectus divarication, where mesh repair with adequate overlap is the recommended treatment.Level Of Evidence4: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The influence of 'no take' Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on abundance and size of fishes varies considerably and the likely benefits are still debated. Meta-analyses reveal findings are biased towards studies in shallower depths suitable for diving surveys. Empirical comparisons in deeper waters, including among areas with differing spatial management, further contribute to understanding of MPA benefits and constraints. We compare length and abundance of commercially and recreationally targeted fishes (and bycatch) among management types within and adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP), Australia. Sampling was done on reefs between 25 and 40 m depth in 'no-take' and fished 'partially protected' areas within the marine park and fished areas outside the SIMP, using stereo- Baited Remote Underwater Videos (stereo-BRUVs) at eight, nine, thirteen and fourteen years after these 'no take' areas were established. Four species targeted by fishers: snapper Chrysophrys auratus , grey morwong Nemadactylus douglasi , pearl perch Glaucosoma scapulare , and venus-tuskfish Choerodon venustus, were more abundant and larger in 'no take' zones overall and showed an increase through time in 'no take' relative to both types of fished area. In contrast, there was no distinct pattern of four bycatch species increasing in abundance in 'no-take' areas. Abundances of fish in partially protected areas were similar to fished areas outside the MPA. This study adds empirical evidence to the assertion that 'no take' areas in particular, can contribute to both marine conservation and natural resource management. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Higher abundance of key target fish in 'no take' areas. • Larger key targeted fish in 'no take' areas. • Few differences between fished areas inside and outside MPA. • Bycatch species did not show a higher abundance in 'no take' areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many marine organisms have a multi-phase life history and rely on their planktonic larvae for dispersal. Despite the important role of larvae in shaping population distribution and abundance, the chemical, physical, and biological factors that shape larval fate are still not fully understood. Shedding light into this larval dispersal "black box" has become critical in the face of global climate change, primarily due to the importance of larval dispersal in formulating sound conservation and management strategies. Focusing on two major stressors, warming and acidification, we highlight the limitations of the current species-by-species, lab-based study approach, and particularly the lack of consideration of the larval experience along the dispersive pathway. Measuring organismal responses to environmentally relevant climate change stress demands an improved documentation of the physical and biological conditions that larvae experience through ontogeny, which in turn requires updated empirical and theoretical approaches. While there are meaningful between taxa comparisons to be made by larval ecologists, to peek into the dispersal black box and to investigate the larger scale consequences of altered dispersal requires innovative collaborations between ecologists, oceanographers, molecular biologists, statisticians, and mathematicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies showed that high salt tolerance in Tibetan wild barley accessions was associated with HvHKT1;1, a member of the high-affinity potassium transporter family. However, molecular mechanisms of HvHKT1;1 for salt tolerance and its roles in K+/Na+ homeostasis remain to be elucidated. Functional characterization of HvHKT1;1 was conducted in the present study. NaCl-induced transcripts of HvHKT1;1 were significantly higher in the roots of Tibetan wild barley XZ16 relative to other genotypes, being closely associated with its higher biomass and lower tissue Na+ content under salt stress. Heterologous expression of HvHKT1;1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Xenopus laevis oocytes showed that HvHKT1;1 had higher selectivity for Na+ over K+ and other monovalent cations. HvHKT1;1 was found to be localized at the cell plasma membrane of root stele and epidermis. Knock-down of HvHKT1;1 in barley led to higher Na+ accumulation in both roots and leaves, while overexpression of HvHKT1;1 in salt-sensitive Arabidopsis hkt1-4 and sos1-12 loss-of-function lines resulted in significantly less shoot and root Na+ accumulation. Additionally, microelectrode ion flux measurements and root elongation assay revealed that the transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited a remarkable capacity for regulation of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and H+ homeostasis under salt stress. These results indicate that HvHKT1;1 is critical in radial root Na+ transport, which eventually reduces shoot Na+ accumulation. Additionally, HvHKT1;1 may be indirectly involved in retention of K+ and Ca2+ in root cells, which also improves plant salt tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is practiced by various professions and agencies in many jurisdictions. The role police play in CPTED has received limited scrutiny from academics within Australia (and other countries). This article makes an important contribution to addressing this gap in the literature through providing New South Wales Police Force Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) perspectives on their role in reviewing council development applications from a CPTED perspective. Findings show police-council relations vary considerably. Some police-council areas have clear policies in place to enable police to contribute to reviewing crime risks of development applications, whilst others do not. Many police feel their engagement in the planning and development process is often tokenistic, receiving limited feedback from councils about their recommendations. For these police, they see little ongoing relevance of reviewing development applications. If police are to remain involved, there is a need to develop clearer parameters of how police will contribute and what they can realistically be expected to contribute to this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]