Sheep, dingoes and kangaroos: new challenges and a change of direction 20 years on

Predation and competition are two primary forces limiting the extent to which sheep can be grazed in the Australian rangelands, particularly in Queensland. Dingo predation has been non-existent in much of the sheep zone since the localised eradication of dingoes in the early 1900s. Competition with kangaroos has been ever-present, but was previously managed (to some extent) by the commercial kangaroo harvesting industry. However, changes to dingo distribution and kangaroo densities and harvesting over the last 20 years have meant that dingo predation and kangaroo competition again threaten viable sheep production in the rangelands. Dingoes have increased their distribution and density in almost all sheep grazing areas and contemporary lethal control efforts are not preventing the decline of sheep. Loss of valuable international markets and moves to now harvest only adult male kangaroos means that the kangaroo harvesting industry produces little relief from kangaroo grazing pressure (given that kangaroo population growth is little affected by removal of adult males; see Finch et al. this volume). New approaches to dingo and kangaroo management are sorely needed to salvage and restore the production of sheep in the rangelands. In response, the installation and use of pest-proof fences is rapidly increasing in Queensland and other areas, facilitating, for the first time in nearly a century, the localised eradication of dingoes and the suppression of kangaroos to manageable numbers within fenced areas. We describe these challenges and opportunities for one site in particular (Leander Station), and offer a sheep grazier’s perspective on past and future use and management of problematic wildlife in sheep production zones

Older People, Telematics and Care

About the book: What are the implications of current economic, social and political trends in Britain for older people? Social and demographic changes have led to traditional areas of welfare being transformed. The contributors to this book take a critical look at the current situation and assess the implications for future practice. They debate the assumptions and values underlying established welfare programmes and consider the case for change as growing demands put health and social services under increasing pressure. The second part of the book discusses specific areas in detail, ranging from the organisation of effective domiciliary social care to the impact of new technologies on older people's lives. This book provides a comprehensive and practical overview of the provision of services for older people and will be a valuable and thought-provoking resource for anyone involved in caring for and supporting them

Utopian Ideas and Everyman

This isn\u27t my house, nor his house; no, it isn\u27t your house either. It belongs to us. When I live in it, it\u27s mine; and when I move away it\u27s his and then yours. By rights, it is Everyman\u27s. The fields in back of the house that I have planned so carefully, and the young green things shooting up in them are not mine. I did the work, yes, it was my turn to do it. But that doesn\u27t make the fields nor the crop mine. It too is Everyman\u27s. Next month when I leave this house and the fields and crop, a new tenant will come here. His job will be mine, I will have a new one

Impacts of Modern Life Support Techniques on Wrongful Death Actions Brought After Final Personal Injury Judgments

This Comment examines both the history of wrongful death actions and modern applications of law. This historical overview reveals that most courts reject the doctrinal bases of wrongful death actions. Specifically, when one has recovered on behalf of a decedent for fatal injuries, these courts tend to construe wrongful death statutes in a manner that denies statutory beneficiaries of a cause of action. To the extent that problems of finality and overcompensation are real, this Comment asserts that the remedy does not lie in misconstruing wrongful death acts so as to deny beneficiaries all recovery. Rather, the answer lies in fashioning damages rules that avoid overcompensation without precluding recovery altogether

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor by Elizabeth Clar

Nurses, Politics And Policy: Moving A Critical Initiative Forward Through Education, Inspiration And Motivation For Political Activity

Texas has the highest rate of uninsured and underserved residents in the United States. Texas also is one of the most restricted states for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to practice. As shown in other states, one means of obtaining full practice authority for APRNs is by gaining more of a nursing presence in the legislature. This project created a program to educate, motivate and inspire Texas nurses for political involvement. The project was completed in collaboration with the Texas Nurses Association. 78 nurses participated in surveys focusing on nurses’ attitudes and opinions, knowledge level, mental preparedness for political involvement and running for political office. Nurse participants expressed two types of interest in political activity – “Political Candidacy,” and “Political Involvement.” Findings revealed that only a small percentage of nurses wish to run for office, while a much larger group of nurses no not wish to run, but are strongly motivated and inspired to be involved on a local or state level, and to support nurse candidates.Of concern is the predominant sentiment among these nurses that they lack preparation and feel ill-prepared, intimidated and discriminated against when considering political involvement. Their most common stated barrier to political involvement was time constraints, followed by lack of education about politics and policy in nursing school. The majority were interested in further educational programs on preparing nurses for political involvement. This project highlights a need for expanded educational programs to prepare nurses on topics including legislation & regulation, election law, voting rights, campaign finance, and administrative law

Examining Leadership Knowledge and Skills Development Opportunities for Physical Therapist Students: A Multiple Case Study Design

This study examined leadership knowledge and skills development in accredited physical therapist programs. Data were triangulated across program director and faculty member interviews, course descriptions and student learning outcomes. The use of the FINHOP framework by Schafer et al. (2007) facilitated an analysis of the data and a delineation of knowledge development versus skills acquisition. Additionally, programs with and without pro bono clinics were compared. This multiple case study examined four purposively recruited physical therapy programs. Four themes and related subthemes were identified through data analysis and included: (a) inconsistent definition of leadership; (b) leading leaders with subthemes professional socialization, networking, and pedagogy of integrated leadership; (c) business savvy with one subtheme of resource management; and (d) never enough time. Programs demonstrated consistency in evaluation of graduates’ acquisition of leadership knowledge, but lacked measurement of graduates’ application of leadership skills. The comparison between programs with and without pro bono clinics identified a weak link between pro bono clinical experiences and graduates’ leadership knowledge and skills development. The voluntary status of student and faculty participation within the pro bono clinics in combination with a lack of measurable student learning outcomes limited linking leadership knowledge and skills development to pro bono clinic participation. Recommendations for future research included: programs’ use of a consistent definition of leadership threaded across the curriculum, graduates self-assessment of leadership knowledge and skills development, and programs’ use of student learning outcomes to link pro bono clinic participation to leadership knowledge and skills development