Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority

Effective disinfection planning and management in large, complex water distribution systems requires an accurate network water quality model. This model should be based on reaction kinetics, which describes disinfectant loss from bulk water over time, within experimental error. Models in the literature were reviewed for their ability to meet this requirement in real networks. Essential features were identified as accuracy, simplicity, computational efficiency, and ability to describe consistently the effects of initial chlorine dose, temperature variation, and successive rechlorinations. A reaction scheme of two organic constituents reacting with free chlorine was found to be necessary and sufficient to provide the required features. Recent release of the multispecies extension (MSX) to EPANET and MWH Soft's H2OMap Water MSX network software enables users to implement this and other multiple-reactant bulk decay models in real system simulations.

This paper explores ten common themes concerning assessment practice in Australian education across the six states and two territories. The themes are: (1) a strong curriculum base influencing assessment, (2) the incorporation of school‐based assessment in all certification, (3) preference for standards‐referenced assessment, (4) respect for teacher judgement, (5) increasing vocational education delivery within schooling, (6) multiple pathways to future study and careers, (7) school‐based assessment in the compulsory years of schooling, (8) moves towards outcomes‐based frameworks, (9) issues relating to national benchmark data, and (10) equity issues.

Abstract Gem minerals at Lava Plains, northeast Queensland, offer further insights into mantle-crustal gemformation under young basalt fields. Combined mineralogy, U-Pb age determination, oxygen isotope and petrological data on megacrysts and meta-aluminosilicate xenoliths establish a geochemical evolution in sapphire, zircon formation between 5 to 2 Ma. Sapphire megacrysts with magmatic signatures (Fe/Mg ∼100–1000, Ga/Mg 3–18) grew with ∼3 Ma micro-zircons of both mantle (δ 18 O 4.5–5.6%) and crustal (δ 18 O 9.5–10.1‰) affinities. Zircon megacrysts (3±1 Ma) show mantle and crustal characteristics, but most grew at crustal temperatures (600–800°C). Xenolith studies suggest hydrous silicate melts and fluids initiated from amphibolized mantle infiltrated into kyanite+sapphire granulitic crust (800°C, 0.7 GPa). This metasomatized the sapphire (Fe/Mg ∼50–120, Ga/Mg ∼3–11), left relict metastable sillimanite-corundum-quartz and produced minerals enriched in high field strength, large ion lithophile and rare earth elements. The gem suite suggests a syenitic parentage before its basaltic transport. Geographical trace-element typing of the sapphire megacrysts against other eastern Australian sapphires suggests a phonolitic involvement.

Abstract The chronic toxicity of ammonia to tropical freshwater species is understudied, and thus data on temperate species have been used to derive water quality guideline values for tropical regions. Such practices may lead to underprotective guideline values due to differences in toxicities observed between tropical and temperate species. In addition, the presence of ammonia in low-ionic-strength waters may also result in higher toxicity, and studies on this factor are limited. The present study assessed the toxicity of ammonia to 6 tropical freshwater species in low-ionic-strength waters. Because ammonia toxicity varies depending on the pH and temperature, test water pH concentrations were maintained at approximately pH 6.0 ± 0.3 at temperatures between 27.5 and 30 °C. Low-effect chronic inhibition concentrations were derived for the following species: Chlorella sp. 66 mg L−1; Lemna aequinoctialis 22 mg L−1; Hydra viridissima 1.8 mg L−1; Moinodaphnia macleayi 27 mg L−1; Amerianna cumingi 17 mg L−1; and Mogurnda mogurnda 5.4 mg L−1 total ammonia nitrogen. Two of the species tested (a cnidarian and a fish species) were among the most sensitive reported anywhere within their taxonomic group. Chronic ammonia datasets representing toxicity estimates for temperate and tropical species were plotted and compared using species sensitivity distributions. The results indicate that the differences in chronic toxicity observed between tropical and temperate species were likely due to the low ionic strength of the waters to which tropical species were exposed, rather than any inherent physiological differences between species from tropical and temperate regions. This finding suggests that tropical waters of low ionic strength may be at a higher risk from ammonia compared with other freshwater ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:177–189. © 2018 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Citizenship education has been pursued in Australia for nearly two decades. Following similar efforts in the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries, a national curriculum was prepared and implemented in the late 1990s, along with the production of educational materials and a program of professional development for teachers. The teaching of citizenship was widely supported but the initiative suffered from the divided jurisdiction over education in Australia. The curriculum was criticised by social educators for its narrow ambit, and caught up in arguments over the teaching of history. More fundamentally, it was subject to heated public debates over the nation's history that were taken up by politicians and worked into new tests of citizenship. This article examines how these circumstances worked on citizenship education in Australia, and suggests how they illuminate Australian understandings of citizenship.

Healthcare consultations with patients lacking English proficiency are challenging for all parties, even in Australian primary care where the engagement of interpreters is encouraged and fully subsidised. Our objective was to understand these challenges from the perspectives of interpreters, patients and general practitioners in order to improve the effectiveness of interpreted consultations. Our investigator team approached the interpreted consultation as an interprofessional collaboration. A convenience sample of seven general practitioners, eight health interpreters and six representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (representing the patient perspective) participated in three separate focus group discussions, lasting 60-90 min each, exploring participant experiences with healthcare consultations in which interpreters were present. Two semistructured interviews were undertaken subsequently with three additional community representatives purposively recruited to increase participant diversity. Data were collected in 2016 and analysed inductively using a method of constant comparison to identify, and reach consensus on, key emerging themes. All participant groups emphasised the importance of working with trained interpreters, rather than relying on family interpreters or a doctor's own second language skills. Although participants reported experiences of effective interpreted consultations, other reports suggested that some doctors are unaware of, or have difficulty following, accepted guidelines about speech, gaze and turn-taking. Challenges identified in relation to interpreted consultations fell into the five themes of contextual constraints, consultation complexity, communication difficulties, the interpreter role and collaboration. Some general practitioner participants appeared to be unsure and anxious about the etiquette of interpreted consultations, and there was some confusion between and within participant groups about interpreter roles and professional codes. A briefing session prior to the consultation, clarifying the roles of all parties, including any family or bicultural workers present, may help to establish respectful, flexible and effective interprofessional collaborations and to encourage participants to directly address any problems during the consultation.

ABSTRACT The effects of electrical stimulation, tender stretching, ageing, freezing and thawing on beef palatability were assessed by a trained sensory panel and by several objective methods. The overall palatability of both longissimus dorsi (strip loin) and semimembranosus (topside) steaks improved with ageing, irrespective of tenderizing method, but there appeared to be little advantage in extending ageing beyond 10 days. Tender stretched longissimus dorsi steaks were marginally preferred by the taste panel to electrically stimulated steaks subjected to the same ageing. Unfrozen steaks were preferable to frozen and thawed steaks with respect to juiciness, flavor and tenderness. Thawing method had little effect on steak palatability.

This article by the Perineural Invasion (PNI) Registry Group aims to clarify clinical and histopathological ambiguities surrounding PNI in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). PNI is reportedly present in approximately 2-6% of cases of NMSC and is associated with greater rates of morbidity and mortality. The distinction between clinical PNI and incidental PNI is somewhat unclear, especially in regard to management and prognosis. One important objective of the PNI Registry is to develop a standardised method of classifying perineural invasion. Hence, in this article we propose a definition for PNI and for its sub-classification. This article also provides a critical analysis of the current literature on the treatment of incidental PNI by evaluating the key cohort studies that have investigated the use of surgery or radiotherapy in the management of incidental PNI. At present, there are no universal clinical guidelines that specify the acceptable treatment of NMSC exhibiting incidental PNI. Consequently, patients often receive surgery with varying wider margins, or radiotherapy despite the limited evidence substantiating such management options. It is evident from the existing literature that current opinion is divided over the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy. Certain prognostic factors have been proposed, such as the size and depth of tumour invasion, nerve diameter, the presence of multifocal PNI and the type of tumour. The PNI Registry is a web-based registry that has been developed to assist in attaining further data pertaining to incidental PNI in NMSC. It is envisaged that this information will provide the foundation for identifying and defining best practice in managing incidental PNI.

Abstract The pigment floridorunin was localized to the cuticle of the red alga Lenormandia prolifera (C. Ag.) J. Agardh by x‐ray micro‐analysis in Ihe transmission electron microscope and by its colour reactions in the light microscope. The pigment was set free from the cell wall by a pectinase. Bromine was also identified in the chloro‐plasts. the middle lamellae, the intercellulars and the pore plugs of the alga. The content of bromophenols in the alga increases with increasing age. The cell walls of old plants are stratified and their outer parts are apparently shed. The bromophenols could have a function as regulators of the epiphytes or the shedding of parts of the outer cell wall.

Abstract Strawberry guava ( P sidium cattleianum ) is a shade‐tolerant shrub or small tree invader in tropical and subtropical regions and is considered among the world's top 100 worst invasive species. Studies from affected regions report deleterious effects of strawberry guava invasion on native vegetation. Here we examine the life history demographics and environmental determinants of strawberry guava invasions to inform effective weed management in affected rainforest regions. We surveyed the vegetation of 8 mature rainforest and 33 successional sites at various stages of regeneration in the A ustralian W et T ropics and found that strawberry guava invasion was largely restricted to successional forests. Strawberry guava exhibited high stem and seedling densities, represented approximately 8% of all individual stems recorded and 20% of all seedlings recorded. The species also had the highest basal area among all the non‐native woody species measured. We compared environmental and community level effects between strawberry guava‐invaded and non‐invaded sites, and modelled how the species basal area and recruitment patterns respond to these effects. Invaded sites differed from non‐invaded sites in several environmental features such as aspect, distance from intact forest blocks, as well as supported higher grass and herb stem densities. Our analysis showed that invasion is currently ongoing in secondary forests, and also that strawberry guava is able to establish and persist under closed canopies. If left unchecked, strawberry guava invasion will have deleterious consequences for native regenerating forest in the A ustralian W et T ropics.

The Brisbane Inner South E-referral Project (BISEP) developed an application which allowed general practitioners, from their desktop, to successfully search for and book an available hospital outpatient appointment for patients with suspected cancer, send the referral electronically, and inform the patient of both the appointment and referral during the consultation. The hospital changed their outpatient department processes to allow such functionality for local GPs with patients with suspected cancer, working from a mutually agreed set of best practice referral criteria. A group of 19 GPs participated in an 11-week pilot implementation of the application, and were enthusiastic about continuing and expanding the approach. Patient satisfaction measures post intervention indicated that they perceived no major disadvantage in this form of outpatient department referral.

Cases have been reported in the literature in which a coronal defect has been noted in unerupted permanent teeth. This paper reports on two cases which were treated by professional intervention. Knowledge of the existence of this condition, early recognition of its radiographic characteristics, and appropriate treatment is a major factor in achieving a successful outcome.

Various empirical studies on the application of the Fama French three‐factor model have been attempted and the conclusions are mixed on which factors from the model are priced in the Australian context. Different approaches to portfolio formations have been adopted in different studies. This empirical study is conducted to examine the robustness of the estimates under various approaches to portfolio formation and to provide additional evidence on the debate of the “relevance” of the Fama French three‐factor model in Australian regulatory decisions. Using the F ama and M acBeth (1973)'s two‐stage cross‐sectional regression technique on the period of five years, the standard Australian regulatory cycle, from July 2009 to May 2014, the findings from this study are mixed. It is argued that while the application of the Fama French three‐factor model is interesting for research endeavour, the adoption of this model into public policy is problematic and as such, not recommended.

PURPOSE: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) individuals experience poorer health outcomes than other individuals. Insufficient LGBTQIA health education of doctors in existing medical curricula contributes to these outcomes. We sought to explore medical students' experiences of content coverage and mode of delivery, as well as their preparedness, attitudes and learning needs regarding LGBTQIA health education in Australia. METHODS: Using a conceptual framework specific to curricular development, we adapted a previous cross-sectional national survey. This included 28 questions (analysed statistically) and 5 free text responses (analysed deductively using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework). Data was compared between LGBTQIA and non-LGBTQIA respondents, and clinical and preclinical students. RESULTS: There were 913 participants from 21 of 23 medical schools, with most preclinical (55%) and clinical (89%) students reporting no teaching specific to LGBTQIA health. Reported content coverage was highest for sexual history taking (30%), and especially low for transgender and intersex health (< 16%), and intersectional LGBTQIA health (< 7%). Participants had positive attitudes towards LGBTQIA health, with 89% agreeing LGBTQIA topics were important and need to be covered in detail. Students desired longitudinal integration of LGBTQIA content, and LGBTQIA community involvement and case-based teaching that allows for interaction and questions. Self-perceived competency was low in all LGBTQIA health topics, although LGBTQIA participants reported higher preparedness than non-LGBTQIA participants. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of survey participants reported limited teaching of LGBTQIA health-specific content, highlighting the limited coverage of LGBTQIA health in Australian medical schools. Participants expressed positive attitudes towards LGBTQIA content and broadly agreed with statements supporting increased integration of LGBTQIA health content within medical curricula.

The paper describes the constituent parts of a combined field and mathematical model investigation into the processes causing siltation in the Port of Brisbane. It describes the methods of collecting and using field data and laboratory results in conjunction with a variety of mathematical models which were employed to simulate and predict the interaction of tidal and fluvial flows, saline intrusion and sediment transport in the Brisbane tidal river. A newly developed X-Z-T model was used to simulate the unsteady patterns of mud transport and siltation resulting from the interaction of tidal flows with short flashy fluvial floods, which are the main cause of shoaling in the Port. The paper discusses the structuring of the investigation which involved a carefully phased schedule of desk, field, laboratory and mathematical model investigations with the aim of solving the problem with minimum effort and cost. The paper does not discuss predictions.

BACKGROUND: Existing literature from around the world has shown that teaching of Interventional Radiology (IR) to medical students remains suboptimal. Despite calls for improvement at a "grass-roots" level, most IRs find that junior doctors have limited or no knowledge of IR, and thus reduced awareness of potential IR treatments for their patients or contemplating IR as a future career. The aim of this study was to survey current medical students to assess perception of whether a wider variety of medical schools are integrating IR into their curriculum, from universities all across Australia. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of members of the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA) from across Australia. Students were given a 14-question survey of current university teaching and students' knowledge of the discipline of IR. The primary outcome was perception of current teaching and knowledge of IR. Secondary outcomes include awareness of technical, clinical, and other duties of IRs. RESULTS: Surveys were sent in a newsletter and posted on the AMSA Facebook page to their members. 82 responses were received via students from 20 out of 23 Australian medical schools. 61% of students described poor or no knowledge of IR. Teaching of IR was significantly worse than diagnostic radiology (p < 0.001), only 12% suggested that current IR teaching was adequate, and 99% suggested that IR teaching could be improved. Only 11% of students would consider a career in IR. CONCLUSIONS: Medical student perception of exposure to IR is poor compared to diagnostic radiology. Better awareness may lead to improved referral patterns for patients and more career interest in IR.

Context Gamay is a coastal waterway of immense social, cultural and ecological value. Since European settlement, it has become a hub for industrialisation and human modification. There is growing desire for ecosystem-level management of urban waterways, but such efforts are often challenged by a lack of integrated knowledge. Aim and methods We systematically reviewed published literature and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and consulted scientists to produce a review of Gamay that synthesises published knowledge of Gamay’s aquatic ecosystem to identify knowledge gaps and future research opportunities. Key results We found 577 published resources on Gamay, of which over 70% focused on ecology. Intertidal rocky shores were the most studied habitat, focusing on invertebrate communities. Few studies considered multiple habitats or taxa. Studies investigating cumulative human impacts, long-term trends and habitat connectivity are lacking, and the broader ecological role of artificial substrate as habitat in Gamay is poorly understood. TEK of Gamay remains a significant knowledge gap. Habitat restoration has shown promising results and could provide opportunities to improve affected habitats in the future. Conclusion and implications This review highlights the extensive amount of knowledge that exists for Gamay, but also identifies key gaps that need to be filled for effective management.

Wind changes are a critical factor in fire management, particularly on days of elevated fire danger, and have been shown to be a factor in many firefighter entrapments in Australia and the USA. While there have been numerous studies of frontal wind changes over southeastern Australia since the 1950s, a spatial climatology of wind change strength and frequency over Victoria has hitherto been limited by the relatively low number of observation sites that have both high temporal resolution observations and sufficient length of record. This study used a recently developed high spatial (4-km grid) and temporal (1 hour) resolution, 46-year, homogeneous gridded fire weather climatology data set to generate a climatology of wind change strength by season at each gridpoint across Victoria. The metric used to define a wind change is the vector difference between the wind speed and direction over each 1-hour interval, with the highest value occuring on each day being selected for spatial analysis of strength and frequency. The highest values of wind change strength are found along the crest of the Great Dividing Range (the Great Divide), with a peak in spring. Elsewhere, the highest values occur in summer, with the areas south of the Great Divide, west of Melbourne and in central Gippsland showing higher values than the remainder of the state. The strength of wind changes generally decreases north of the Great Divide, although it is stronger in the northwest of the state in spring rather than in autumn. Lowest summertime (and other seasons) values occur in the northeast of the state and in far-east Gippsland. Exploring the frequencies of days when the highest daily Forest Fire Danger Index and the highest daily wind change strength jointly exceed defined thresholds shows that the northwest of the state has the highest springtime frequencies, whereas the highest autumn frequencies occur west of Melbourne and south of the Great Divide. The highest numbers of joint events in summer (when the greatest frequencies also occur) extend from central Victoria west to the South Australian border, with a secondary maximum in central Gippsland. These analyses offer important information for fire weather forecasters and for fire practitioners when preparing for a fire season or managing a fire campaign (for example, for allocating resources or understanding risks).

Abstract Mercury present in produced oil and gas will deposit onto the internal process infrastructure via a number of mechanisms including chemisorption and adsorption with the primary mechanism being through reaction with iron sulphide to form mercury sulphide. Due to the volumes of fluids produced and the length of time facilities are in production, even where the produced fluids have historically contained relatively low concentrations of mercury, pipeline scales containing percentage levels of mercury may be present. Thus, aged facilities and infrastructure that have reached the end of their operational life and are selected for either recycling or abandonment, may pose a serious risk to health and the environment if the decommissioning process is not managed correctly. Smelting, hot cutting or other thermal/abrasive surface preparations for example, can lead to significant release of elemental mercury, a worker exposure hazard. Alternatively, if sub-sea pipelines are abandoned in-situ, all mercury present will ultimately be transferred to the local ecosystems. Consequently, the oil and gas industry have the requirement for a complete mercury decontamination solution from initial evaluation, demonstrable cleaning efficacy through to a guarantee for the treatment and disposal of the mercury waste generated in an environmentally-friendly manner. In order to decide upon the most appropriate decontamination solution, an evaluation of the extent of mercury contamination should be undertaken. A novel approach that has recently been successfully implemented involved analysis of pipe sections by multiple analytical techniques, providing the mercury concentration in the scale/steel. From this, the total mass of mercury across the process or pipeline was approximated. Subsequently, the efficacy of the preferred chemical to remove mercury from the internal surfaces of pipework was evaluated by chemical treatment of the pipe sections under laboratory conditions. In-situ decontamination can be performed by a number of applications, including (i) the use of chemical pig trains in pipelines, (ii) closed loop circulation of chemical around topside process equipment and (iii) high pressure spraying of large surface areas such as storage tanks, FSO / FPSO vessels. The mercury waste generated is treated, on site or off site, to minimise the volume and disposed of in accordance with international regulations. An all-encompassing mercury decontamination solution is described. Trials involving the chemical treatment of steel sections have demonstrated that more than 97% of the mercury deposited can be removed from the internal surfaces of pipelines and safely disposed of, significantly reducing the risk of (i) mercury release to the environment and (ii) worker exposure to mercury during smelting activities.

Children may present at a dental surgery for management of oro-facial injuries. Most general dental practitioners are able to handle straightforward cases but referral may be required for complex injuries. Successful healing following tooth avulsion depends on the amount of damage to teeth and supporting structures, emergency treatment, and follow-up treatment. All of these play a role in the long-term prognosis of avulsed teeth.