The prevalence and diversity of blood-borne parasites and ticks from Tasmanian devils

Tasmania’s apex predator the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is under threat from multiple sources including devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) and as a result is now classified as endangered. Thus, understanding other factors that can have an influence on health is vital as they can have ecosystem-wide effects. One such factor of interest is devil-parasite interactions. The present study analysed ticks and tick-borne protozoal pathogens of devils to gain an understanding of what haemoprotozoan pathogens are present in devils and ticks collected from them. Specifically, the present study aims to detect the presence and distribution of haemoprotozoan pathogens in (1) populations of wild Tasmanian devils with and without Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease and (2) ticks collected from wild devils. To achieve these aims the following objectives were created: (i) assess the species distribution and instar stage of collected ticks, (ii) determine the vectorial potential of these ticks and (iii) conduct phylogenetic analysis of any generated sequences. Samples were collected from DFTD infected and non-DFTD devils at five sites across mainland Tasmania, for which the DFTD status has been confirmed at different times in the past 20 years. Morphological and molecular techniques were utilised in this study to examine whole tick specimens for species and instar classification. Blood smears created were microscopically examined for inclusions of parasites and blood and tick genomic DNA extracted from all samples, screened by PCR and positives sequenced using Sanger sequencing and phylogenetically analysed. Samples from DFTD and non-DFTD infected devils successfully amplified on short (~300bp) and long (~1500bp) 18S rRNA assays but no statistical difference was observed between DFTD and non-DFTD devils on either assay. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of a subset of samples revealed a Babesia sp. infection consistent with B. lohae on the short amplification, while on the long assay four novel sequences were revealed from one site. Phylogenetic analysis of these novel sequences confirmed their genetic distinctness, as for three of them the closest species match was only 85.7% to 85.9% similar to Stylocephalus giganteus (FJ459761) and the fourth sequence exhibited only 89.2% similarity to Theileria ornithorhynchi (KT937391). Morphological identifications revealed Tasmanian devils in the present study were infected with all instars of Ixodes sp. ticks and all specimens identified to species level were either I. tasmani or I. fecialis, with I. tasmani the most prevalent. Analysis of genomic DNA extracts of ticks on short (~300bp) and long (~1500bp) assays of the 18S rRNA locus revealed infections of Hepatozoon banethi, Theileria spp. and a sequence 85.8% similar to Stylocephalus giganteus (FJ459761). The present study documents the first characterisations of haemoprotozoan pathogens in Tasmanian devils, with the discovery of a Babesia spp. sequence and the first observation of Theileria spp. from ticks collected from Tasmanian devils. Molecular screening of both tick and devil genomic DNA also found evidence of novel apicomplexan sequences

Investigation of personal and collective mortality threats in individualistic and collectivist cultures: A cross cultural study.

The purpose of this this study was to expand our knowledge of the ways in which people defend their worldviews under conditions of threat. Within the framework of Terror Management Theory (TMT), mortality salience (MS) in individualistic and collectivist cultures was investigated. Specifically, this study sought to directly examine MS effects as they relate to personal mortality and collective mortality. To accomplish this analysis, a 2 (Country: Russia and the U.S.) X 3 (Condition: Personal Mortality Salience, Collective Mortality Salience, and Control) design was employed. The current study consisted of undergraduate student participants from two cultures: U.S. and Russia. The overall sample consisted of 308 participants, consisting of 100 males and 208 females (M = 19.44 years, SD = 2.19; academic level M = 2.14, SD = 1.15). The design of the study followed a typical experimental TMT procedure. The Personal Mortality Salience condition included an MS induction where participants were asked to describe the thoughts that arise regarding their own death. The delay tasks including assessment of affect, individualism-collectivism, followed by the worldview defense measure (author evaluations of pro and anti-nationalistic essays). The Control condition differed only in induction which asked participants to imagine a visit to a dentist’s office. An addition to the typical procedure, a third condition Collective Mortality Salience, was included to assess potential for differences in Personal (typical) or Collective Mortality Salience compared to controls in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. The findings yielded no significant results between the three conditions. Discussion of results including limitations and future directions for research are examined

Venturing in the slipstream : the places of Van Morrison’s songwriting

This thesis explores the use of place in Van Morrison’s songwriting. The central argument is that he employs place in many of his songs at lyrical and musical levels, and that this use of place as a poetic and aural device both defines and distinguishes his work. This argument is widely supported by Van Morrison scholars and critics. The main research question is: What are the ways that Van Morrison employs the concept of place to explore the wider themes of his writing across his career from 1965 onwards? This question was reached from a critical analysis of Van Morrison’s songs and recordings. A position was taken up in the study that the songwriter’s lyrics might be closely read and appreciated as song texts, and this reading could offer important insights into the scope of his life and work as a songwriter. The analysis is best described as an analytical and interpretive approach, involving a simultaneous reading and listening to each song and examining them as speech acts. At the same time as the analysis was being undertaken, a divergent body of literature spanning popular music and literary traditions was opened up. As a result of this process, a group of songs was chosen to illustrate the use of place in Van Morrison’s work, and these are then organised into the specific expressions of place across the thesis. Organised into chapters, this expression explores the way Van Morrison utilises place in his songwriting, and the emblematic and temporal perspectives that different places bring to this process. Some show how home places hold childhood and adolescent reminiscences, where simple pursuits jostle for importance within more serious deliberations about human meaning. Others reflect on what influences drive his moving away from home, what this means for his future symbolic exile, and how returning home becomes an imaginative and textual exercise. Elsewhere, chapters highlight ways that the songwriter looks to escape the trappings of the city and the pressures of the music industry through excursions into a natural world, where responses arise from encounters with landscape and weather

The Effects of an Equine Riding Simulator as an Objective Feedback Modality on Learning Outcomes for Rider Competency on Performance Skills in Equestrian Riding Fundamentals

This study examined the effects of different feedback modalities provided during simulated-based practice on performance and perceptions. In addition, the research also addressed the relationship between participants\u27 feedback literacy, perceptions, and improvement scores. The purpose of this research was motivated by the emerging equine simulation technology that provides feedback on movement and coordination during complex motor skill acquisition. Selecting an effective feedback approach for simulation-based practice in motor skill learning is contingent on the complexity of the performance skill and the learner\u27s experience. However, the learner\u27s feedback literacy can result in contradictory performance and perceptions despite the feedback approach experienced. Feedback literacy is a concept that identifies a learner\u27s ability to uptake feedback. This mixed-methods study used the conceptual framework of Carless\u27s 3P Model of the Learner Experience of Feedback. Seventy-five participants completed the study, consisting of three 10-minute practice sessions with a pre/posttest and an exit survey at the end of their third session. The study demonstrated that the combination of instructor- and simulator-mediated feedback had the most significant impact on improvement scores by the completion of three practice sessions. Regardless of feedback modality, the novice participants had the most significant improvement score impact by the completion of three practice sessions. When an instructor provided feedback, participants had more positive perceptions of the practice experience. The study supported that the higher the participant\u27s feedback literacy, the more they engaged in practice, appreciated feedback, and improved on performance scores, regardless of feedback received. The lower a participant\u27s feedback literacy, the more negative they were about the experience and their perceived improvement, and the higher likelihood of disengaging during practice, regardless of feedback received. The results indicate that a multi-modality approach to feedback in simulation-based motor skill practice is effective. The findings also support that feedback literacy influences a learner\u27s engagement during practice, and instructor feedback can mitigate the negative influences of low feedback literacy. Conclusions from this research suggest that using a horseback riding simulator has the potential to improve riding seat skills and supports an equine welfare-minded approach to learning in equestrian sports

Tools to Improve Interruption Management

Interruptions carry a high cost, especially to software developers. To prevent unnecessary interruptions, several technologies are being explored that can help manage the timing of interruptions, such as displaying the interruptibility of a worker to their peers. Relatively simple algorithms utilizing computer interaction data have been created and used successfully in the workplace, while technology using bio-metric emotion recognition to detect the interruptibility of a user is also being developed

Young families\u27 utilisation, self-perceived requirements, and satisfaction with child health services in the City of Belmont, Western Australia

The expectations of young families regarding care they would like to receive from community nurses working in the child health area is affected by the relationship between those expectations, utilisation and sociocultural factors such as family type, family composition and ethnicity. These factors influence family dynamics, needs, functioning and interactions with the wider community. A descriptive study with both quantitative and qualitative components was used to identify and analyse the self-identified requirements of young families utilising Child Health Services in the Belmont area, Western Australia, and their patterns of utilisation. Twenty five women who had a child or children under 5 years of age were interviewed. The study was guided by a conceptual framework provided by the Ottawa Charter (World Health Organisation-Health and Welfare Canada-Canadian Public Health Organisation, 1996). The three main themes that emerged from the data showed that the young families identified knowledge acquisition, reassurance of normal growth and development and accessibility as their key self-perceived requirements of Child Health Services. Family type, family composition and ethnicity were examined within the contexts of these themes, resulting in a greater understanding of the child health issues relating to all types of family groups. The challenge for the providers of Child Health Services is to provide culturally appropriate Child Health Services based on the principles of primary health care within an environment experiencing fiscal restraint The long term benefits to the families and the health care system are not easily evaluated but have important and wide ranging positive effects on the health and wellbeing of the community