EXPLORING CHALLENGES OF TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH: AN AUSTRALIAN CASE STUDY

If multidisciplinary research is described as ‘additive’ and interdisciplinary work as ‘interactive’, then a trans-disciplinary project might be best characterized as ‘holistic’. The $10 million Australian research program Securing Australia’s Future (SAF), runs from 2012 to 2016. The aim of the SAF program is to develop evidence-based findings to support public policy-making. The program includes a number of projects that are clearly interdisciplinary in nature. In each case, the research makes use of a conceptual model to link theoretical frameworks from several disciplines. This approach has already been usefully applied across studies as diverse as scientific and cultural diplomacy; economic competitiveness; and shale gas production. One of the latest studies in the SAF program is concerned with sustainable urban mobility. In this case, it might be said that the aim is more than interdisciplinary. The ambition is to develop new conceptual structures beyond discipline-specific views. In other words, the study aims to be transdisciplinary. The paper describes the unfolding plan for delivering such a trans-disciplinary study; identifies critical components of an holistic approach; and proposes methods for evaluating the relative success of the project

INVITED EDITORIAL Transdisciplinary Research Management: the Case For Specialised Skills

An increasing proportion of research projects are interdisciplinary or even trans-disciplinary in nature, particularly in the case of research directed at addressing the ‘wicked’ problems that arise in public policy-making. Transdisciplinary work is complex, contestable, often culture-specific and messy. In these projects, the role of the research project manager, as facilitator and intermediary, often becomes crucial. An experienced transdisciplinary project manager will play an important function as a member of the leadership group, bridging and translating between the various disciplinary stakeholders, holding together the conceptual and practical elements of the project. This paper examines four of the specialised skills required of transdisciplinary project managers: the capacity for rigorous scoping; the development of a collaborative culture; familiarity with serious and pervasive ambiguity; and a clear understanding of target audiences. The findings draw on practical experience gained by the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) research management team, through the delivery of the program Securing Australia’s Future, between 2012 and 2016

A review of the respiratory distress syndrome in Cape Town

Click on the link to view

A clinical classification of the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn

Click on the link to view

Asphyxia neonatorum - assessment of the infant at birth

Asphyxia neonatorum is defined as failure of a newborn infant to establish sustained respiration after its complete delivery. In 206 asphyxiated infants reviewed, details of the Apgar scores,  time to sustained respiration and resuscitation required, were documented. The value of each of these observations, as well as that of the heart rate and acid-base status after birth, is assessed. From the findings definite recommendations for the routine assessment of the infant at birth are made.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 2139 (1974)

Asphyxia Neonatorum-Neurological Status at One Year Follow-Up

The neurological status at one year follow-up of a group of infants who had suffered from asphyxia neonatorum is described. The situation at the end of the first week is contrasted with that a year later

Respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn: Radiological aspects

No Abstract

The management of respiratory acidosis in the paediatric age-group

No Abstract

Insecticide Efficacy Against Trimen’s False Tiger Moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae)

Trimen’s false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae), has developed pest status in vineyardsin the Northern Cape and Groblersdal areas of South Africa, and an integrated pest management system isrequired. The objective of this study was to test the susceptibility of A. trimenii larvae to three commercialproducts (Delegate®WG, Steward®150 EC and three doses of DiPel® DF). Bioassay tests using all threeproducts, and semi-field trials to test the potential of DiPel® DF against A. trimenii larvae, applied at differentwater volumes (50 g/1 000 L/ha and 50 g/1 430 L/ha) were performed. The residual activity of DiPel® DF,when applied at different water volumes, was investigated daily. Delegate® WG, Steward®150 EC and therecommended dose of DiPel® DF showed 100% larval mortality within seven days. Delegate® WG and therecommended dose of DiPel® DF proved to be the fastest acting products. The product label recommendeddose of DiPel® DF (0.25 g/500 mL distilled water) proved the most effective dose (in comparison to halvedand doubled dosages) and showed 100% mortality five days after application. Increasing the water volumeper ha of a spray application of DiPel® DF for the same application area, showed no significant increasein larval mortality. A reduction in insecticidal activity for DiPel® DF applied at both water volumes wasseen between leaves picked four days after spraying and leaves picked five days after spraying, and nomortality was observed after day 6. To help improve efficacy, attention should be given to increasing spraycoverage and residual activity of DiPel® DF, as well as using all tested products within an integrated pestmanagement system

A Review of Trimen’s False Tiger Moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae): Seasonal Biology, Potential Monitoring and Control Techniques

Trimen’s false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae), has recently been found to occur in vineyards in the Northern Cape and Limpopo (Groblersdal area) provinces of South Africa. As little is known about the biology and behaviour of the moth, no official monitoring methods or economic thresholds relating to it, exist. Consequently, management and registered control options still require development. The first aim in the current review, was to gather and critically discuss all the available information on A. trimenii in the context of the information gained from field observations conducted in the Northern Cape, South Africa, during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons. The paper also includes reporting on field observations made with regard to various aspects of the seasonal life cycle and ecology of A. trimenii, with a view to investigate, in future research, the potential biological control options available. Potential monitoring strategies of A. trimenii in the field were investigated. Various life stages of A. trimenii were identified, peak flight times were established, overlapping generations were determined, and the behavioural traits of all life stages were documented. Ultraviolet blue light traps proved to be the most promising potential monitoring strategy, with the prospect for an A. trimenii pheromone lure holding potential as an alternative monitoring strategy in future. With summarising all current information on A. trimenii, recommendations for growers to monitor and control A. trimenii are presented, towards the development of an integrated pest management system for the moth