Areas Of South Australia Research Articles

Water as Country on the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands South Australia

AbstractAnangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people living in the north-western areas of South Australia conceptualize changes in the surface of land as evincing the presence of ancestral power. Rain is one such catalyst of change, though it is by no means a certainty on the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. When it does appear, water does not stay long on the surface: it is shimmering and unstable. This paper examines the nature of various water sources in contemporary indigenous life, the spatial relationships between earth and sky and the dialectic between life and death that they mediate.

Theoretical treatment of amplitude calibration problems in HEM data

A recent increase in the environmental usage of Airborne EM has shown the need to accurately provide values of depth and conductivity. Calibration problems in helicopter EM data produce imprecise conductivity depth images (CDIs), maps and sections, which are essential requirements in order to target smaller, near?surface objectives, such as salinity outbreaks. To ensure agreement between ground?truth, such as conductivity logs and CDIs, data recalibration is often applied before processing. Ground?based methods, if available, have spatial limitations. An alternative statistical average method has been developed to provide theoretical consistency. In conductivity?independent asdomain, the median response of a variety of expected synthetic models based on expected geology is calculated and compared with the median of the larger amplitude field data. The data are then rescaled in the data domain so that the recalibrated median response lies exactly on the theoretical curve. The amplitude rescaling was applied to an HEM dataset, collected in the Riverland area in South Australia. The results were compared using maps and CDI images of the raw and recalibrated data. The original delivered data produced CDI images that were generally inconsistent with borehole conductivity data. However, rescaling to ensure `thin?sheet' consistency has produced remarkable agreement between ground truth and the CDI sections.

Model-Consistent Rescaling to Correct Amplitude Calibration Problems in HEM Data

A recent increase in the environmental usage of Airborne EM has shown the need to provide accurate values of depth and conductivity. Calibration problems in helicopter EM data produce imprecise conductivity depth inversions and images (CDIs), whether plotted in maps or sections. Accurate images are essential requirements in order to target smaller, near-surface objectives such as salinity outbreaks.To ensure agreement between ground-truth (such as conductivity logs or ground EM data inversions), data recalibration has been applied before processing. A limitation of ground-based methods is that they tend to provide spatially restricted constraints. This paper presents an alternative statistical method developed to provide consistency with simple conductivity models.Measured data and theoretical models are transformed, from amplitude in real and quadrature phase with the primary field, to two dimensionless quantities: /3, the ratio between a data prediction and a calculated inductive limit, and a, which is a standard EM response parameter. In conductivity-independent a/3 domain, the response of a variety of synthetic models based on expected geology is calculated and compared to the median of the larger amplitude field data. The data are then rescaled in the a/3 domain so that the recalibrated median response lies exactly on the theoretical curve.The amplitude rescaling was applied to HEM datasets collected in the Riverland and Tintinara areas in South Australia. The results were compared using maps and CDI images of the raw and recalibrated data. The original data, as delivered, produced CDI images that were generally inconsistent with borehole conductivity data. However, amplitude rescaling to ensure 'thin-sheet' consistency has produced remarkable agreement in depth between ground-truth and the CDI sections.

Complete sequencing and analysis of pEN2701, a novel 13-kb plasmid from an endophytic Streptomyces sp.

A 12,855 bp cryptic plasmid was isolated from strains of an endophytic Streptomyces sp. over a wide geographical area in South Australia. This plasmid was completely sequenced and 13 putative ORFs were identified. Two of the ORFs may be involved in the regulation of host plant genes. ORF7 exhibited homology to a plant transcriptional regulatory protein and ORF1 was a homolog of a plant protein synthesis initiation factor. The plasmid appears to use a novel transfer mechanism for a Streptomyces plasmid. Pocks were detected during conjugative transfer and kor but not tra homologs could be identified. This structure and the sequence of the putative Kor protein are similar to the pFQ series of plasmids isolated from Frankia, another endophytic actinomycete.

Comparing wheat grown in South Australian organic and conventional farming systems. 1. Growth and grain yield

Organic farming standards do not allow addition of water-soluble fertilisers and therefore it is likely that growth of organically grown crops will be limited by nutrient availability. However, in marginal rainfall conditions, when growth in conventional systems is limited by water availability, yields of organically grown crops could be comparable with those conventionally grown. Similarly, micronutrient-efficient plant varieties could be expected to perform comparatively better under organic farming conditions than they do in conventional systems, when compared with micronutrient-inefficient varieties.In this study, biomass and grain production of wheat from certified organic farming systems were compared with neighbouring conventional farming systems in 'across the fence' field trials in 1 moderate and 2 marginal rainfall areas of South Australia. Wheat varieties compared included 2 old wheat varieties developed under relatively low-input conditions (Baroota Wonder and Dirk-48) and varieties shown to be micronutrient-efficient (Janz and Trident) and inefficient (Yallaroi).The organic farming systems produced significantly less biomass than the conventional farming systems at late tillering in both the moderate and marginal rainfall areas. Grain yield was variable, but significantly lower in the organic farming system for 11 of the 14 comparisons. None of the varieties showed an adaptive advantage for 1 farming system over the other. The relative yield of the organic system, compared with the conventional system, was not associated with rainfall.

IMPROVEMENT OF SCREENING FOR MANGANESE EFFICIENCY BY PRODUCING SEED WITH SIMILAR MANGANESE CONTENT IN DIFFERENT GENOTYPES AND GENETIC STOCKS

ABSTRACT Genetic improvement of manganese efficiency of crops demands a precise bioassay that avoids the confounding effect of seed manganese on the bioassay for the trait, for a proper comparison of the genotypes the seed manganese content must be similar. Variation in seed manganese can be minimized by the addition of manganese to individual seeds to be planted providing the effect of seed manganese content on early growth and development for the chosen genotype has been determined. It was hypothesized that growing the plants as mono-culms in very small pots under subclinical manganese deficiency would limit grain yield and yield attribute among genotypes, resulting in seed with less variation in manganese content across genotypes. The effect on yield and components of soil fertility ranging from University of California (UC) potting mix, fortified with Osmocote, to 100% manganese-deficient calcareous sand from Wangary, South Australia (Psamment) was determined for 20 bread wheat genotypes and breeding lines. It was observed that a mix of 70% UC and 30% Calcareous Wangary sand from South Australia in small pots minimized variation in grain yield and its components (number of tillers, number of seeds/head, weight of seed) and also lowered variation in seed manganese content among wheat genotypes. This was confirmed in pots of 70/30 UC-sand mix for five bread wheat cultivars, Worrakatta, Barunga, Schomburg, Excalibur, and Frame. The pot results from three replicates were compared with field results for the same genotypes grown at five randomly selected wheat-growing areas in South Australia: Paskeville, Geranium, Minnipa, Nunji, and Cummins. The variation in seed manganese content across genotypes was much less in pot grown seed. Aneuploid stocks (D-genome diosomic substitution lines) normally have highly variable seed size. Production of seed with similar manganese content was only feasible by growing the seed under multiple levels of soil manganese supply and after analysis selecting seeds with similar manganese content among the various manganese treatments. The effect of aneuploidy on seedling vigor, root growth, seed size and agronomic performance has been reported elsewhere. The effect on seed manganese content and the genetic analysis of micronutrient (manganese) efficiency were determined in the current study.

Teenage pregnancy: trends, characteristics and outcomes in South Australia and Australia.

To describe trends in teenage pregnancy rates in South Australia and Australia in 1970-2000, and the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and outcomes of teenage women who gave birth in South Australia in 1995-99. A descriptive study using population-based legislated South Australian perinatal and abortion data, Australian Medicare and hospital morbidity data on abortions, and birth registration rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The teenage pregnancy rate in South Australia fell in the 1970s and 1980s, increased in the 1990s, but is declining at the turn of the century. Teenage abortions exceeded livebirths annually from 1994, and in 2000 the teenage abortion, birth and pregnancy rates were 22.4,18.3 and 40.8 per 1,000 respectively. The Australian rates, which are an underestimate, follow the South Australian trends and are declining but still much higher than in many western European countries. High socio-economic areas in South Australia have the lowest teenage pregnancy rates but the highest proportion of teenage pregnancies terminated. Teenagers who gave birth were more likely than older women to be Australian-born, Aboriginal, smokers during pregnancy (47% vs. 23%), to attend few antenatal visits, and to have preterm, small-for-gestational-age and low birthweight babies and neonatal deaths. Perinatal mortality has halved among teenagers under 17 years in the past decade. Births to South Australian teenage women are associated with social disadvantage and relatively poor perinatal outcomes, although these have improved. Current strategies are aimed at reducing the incidence of unplanned teenage pregnancy and improving support for pregnant teenagers.

IMPACTS OF LOWER SPEED LIMITS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Australia has recently undergone a change of urban speed limits in most of its jurisdictions. The political and social shift in attitudes required for this change is significant in a country that has a strong reliance on the use of the private motor vehicle. At present five states and one territory have lowered the speed limit in urban areas from 60km/h to 50km/h. Of the remaining two states and territories, one has already implemented lower speed limits (40km/h) in small areas within cities. In the majority of cases, the only criterion for judging the success of such schemes is an observed reduction in both speeds and crash numbers. This paper reports on a more holistic assessment of such schemes taking into account factors in addition to speed and crashes including: traffic volume displacement, physical road network characteristics, environmental factors, community ownership and acceptance, enforcement effort and impact on travel times. The research work has included the analysis of extensive traffic data, community surveys and focus groups, the collection of environmental and travel time data from an instrumented probe vehicle and the computer modelling of road networks. The work reported is based on over 10 years of working with a 40km/h lower urban speed limit area in South Australia. The paper expands the notion of using speed and crash outcomes as the only criteria for measuring the success of lower speed limit schemes.

Emerging epidemiological patterns in rabbit haemorrhagic disease, its interaction with myxomatosis, and their effects on rabbit populations in South Australia

The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) on wild rabbit populations was assessed by comparing population parameters measured before the introduction of RHD into Australia in 1995 with population parameters after RHD. We used data from an arid inland area and a moist coastal area in South Australia to examine the timing and extent of RHD outbreaks, their interaction with myxomatosis and their effect on breeding, recruitment and seasonal abundance of rabbits. From this we propose a generalised conceptual model of how RHD affects rabbit populations in southern Australia. RHD decreased long-term average numbers of rabbits by 85% in the arid area. In the coastal area, RHD decreased numbers of rabbits by 73% in the first year but numbers gradually recovered and were only 12% below pre-RHD numbers in the third year. Disease activity generally begins a month or two after the commencement of breeding in autumn or winter, peaks in early spring and ceases to be apparent in summer. Where the disease is most active, the pattern of population change is almost the inverse of the former pattern. During the breeding season, RHD severely suppresses rabbit numbers. Compensatory recruitment of late-born young, protected by maternal antibodies until the disease becomes inactive at the end of spring (also the end of breeding), allows the observed rabbit abundance to increase during summer, albeit to lower levels than before RHD. Maternal antibodies are lost during summer and the population becomes susceptible to RHD. The seasonal peak in myxomatosis activity is pushed back from late spring to early summer or autumn. Survivors of myxomatosis breed after opening rains in autumn but many succumb to RHD before raising their litters. The reduced abundance of rabbits and changed pattern of seasonal abundance have potential consequences for vegetation recovery.

Influence of water stress on cyanogenic capacity in Eucalyptus cladocalyx.

Cyanogenesis in many plant species is an effective herbivore deterrent, which appears to be influenced by a range of environmental variables. There is evidence that one such variable, soil water availability, increases cyanogenic capacity (i.e. leaf cyanogenic glycoside concentration), but it is not clear whether this is a relatively direct or indirect effect. To shed light on this issue, we compared the cyanogenic capacity of individuals from two populations of Eucalyptus cladocalyx F.Muell. from areas of South Australia that differ markedly in rainfall. Stable carbon isotope analysis confirmed that trees at the drier site were more water-stressed. We found a large range in leaf cyanogenic capacities, from 0 to 1.01 mg cyanide g-1 dry weight. Importantly, this is the first record of acyanogenic E. cladocalyx. Mean cyanogenic capacity was 30% higher in trees from the drier site, and they suffered less damage from herbivores. However, these trees also contained higher concentrations of leaf nitrogen (N). Correlative analysis of data for individual plants from both sites showed that leaf N was able to account for a significant amount of the variation in cyanogenic glycoside concentration (28%). Water availability on its own, however, was not able to account significantly for any such variation. We conclude that most of the variation in cyanogenic capacity is due to genetic differences between individuals, while the remaining variation is due to differences in leaf N.

Barriers and solutions to the use of evidence-based medicine by rural general practitioners in rural/remote areas of South Australia

Barriers and solutions to the use of evidence-based medicine by rural general practitioners in rural/remote areas of South Australia

Qualitative Aspects of Productive Ageing

Objectives . This paper reports on the proceedings of six focus groups, in both metropolitan and regional areas in South Australia, that were conducted to explore qualitative dimensions of productive ageing. Method . A total of 33 individuals aged between 55 and 84 years participated in loosely structured discussions of issues around the contributions they made towards their immediate families, their local communities, and society at large. Results. As well as providing rich and passionately told stories of productive involvement, the groups shed light on the ability of older people to identify and fulfil unmet needs, their eagerness to remain involved in life, and the complexity and individual nature of each person's involvement in productive activities. Conclusions. To simply list an inventory of productive activities trivialises the nature and depth of involvement. There is a need for further study into the relationship of older adults to their larger social network, by means of which older adults remain able to contribute in useful and meaningful ways.

The Market Value of Remnant Native Vegetation in a Clearance Regulated Environment

The market value of remnant native vegetation (RNV) on rural holdings is assessed. Using 841 rural property transactions over 1983-97 in selected areas of South Australia, it was found that the presence of non-heritage RNV does not reduce market value, while the presence of heritage RNV does not add to market value. Depending on the region, reductions in property price of $36-$295 per hectare occurred for non-heritage RNV placed under a heritage agreement.

The use of Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) for investigating illicit drug use: a South Australian experience.

This paper describes a research methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative tools, which has been used to investigate patterns of illicit amphetamine use and associated hazards and harms in both urban and rural areas in South Australia. The Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) used in this research involved extensive consultation with key informants, an analysis of pre-existing quantitative data (indicator data), a survey of current amphetamine users and focus group discussions with amphetamine users and clinicians, carried out within a 4-month period using minimal staff. The results have been used to inform the development of an intervention programme to respond to hazardous and harmful use of amphetamines. An overview of RAM, and a detailed description and discussion of the model used in the South Australian study, are provided.

What Makes the Difference? Children and teachers talk about resilient outcomes for children 'at risk'

Research has been conducted into childhood resilience, a term which according to A. Masten, K. Best and N. Garmezy (Resilience and development: contributions from study of children who overcome adversity, Development and Psychopathology, 2, pp. 425-444, 1990) is defined as the process of, capacity for or outcome of successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening circumstances. The study to be presented here asked 9-12 year olds and their teachers from primary schools in disadvantaged areas in South Australia what it was they thought made the difference between 'kids with tough lives who do O.K.' and 'kids with tough lives who don't do O.K.' Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory to frame the analysis, this paper explores how the two groups of respondents discussed how the family, the school and the community might help make the difference. While both children and teachers tended to see the role of the family and the community in promoting resilient behaviour in fairly similar terms, the two groups saw very different roles for the school.

The nature of the basement to the Cooper Basin region, South Australia

Analyses of aeromagnetic and gravity data in the Cooper Basin area of South Australia, reveals varied basement lithologies and structure. Most of the observed magnetic responses arise from sources beneath the Cooper Basin sequence. A prominent northeast-trending structural basement grain is evident. Emplacement of a large igneous mass into the upper crust is interpreted beneath the Patchawarra Trough. Interpreted faulting along the southeastern edge of the igneous body resulted in up to 3.5 km of block uplift, coincident with the Gidgealpa and Merrimelia Ridges. A broad and prominent gravity low in the Nappamerri Trough region is attributed to Late Carboniferous Big Lake Suite granodiorite masses, which have intruded Warburton Basin strata. Intense gravity lows within the broader gravity low are attributed to granodiorite cupolas, which became non-tectonic palaeo-topographic highs during Cooper Basin deposition. Another broad gravity low in the Tenappera Trough region is due to a belt of Early Devonian granitoids that have intruded Proterozoic basement. A number of small magnetic anomalies, in the south of the survey, are interpreted as sourced from skarns above and adjacent to the granitoid intrusions. The only magnetic units above Proterozoic basement in the region are the basalts in the Warburton Basin sequence, which coincide with small magnetic anomalies. Depth to magnetic source modelling correlates well with the known depths of the basalts.

Effects of Meloidogyne spp. and Verticillium dahliae on the growth of two Ixodia achillaeoides populationson the growth of two Ixodia achillaeoides populations

Two populations of Ixodia achillaeoides established from wild plants collected in the Adelaide Hills and the South East areas of South Australia were inoculated with Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica, alone or in combination with Verticillium dahliae in greenhouse experiments. Both V. dahliae and Meloidogyne spp. infected these two I. achillaeoides populations and suppressed growth. However, symptoms of severe wilting and death that were previously reported in field specimens were not observed in greenhouse plants unless inoculated with both V. dahliae and Meloidogyne spp. Extensive discoloration of vascular tissue of the basal stem, associated with infection by V. dahliae, was also observed only in dying plants infected with both pathogens. These nematodes and the fungus form a disease complex in I. achillaeoides. The population of I. achillaeoides from the Adelaide Hills was significantly more resistant to M. javanica than to either M. incognita or M. hapla, while the population from the South East was significantly more resistant to M. hapla than to the other two species.

Mobile intensive care services in rural South Australia.

In the 12 years from 1984 to 1995, Adelaide-based mobile intensive care teams transported 4443 critically ill patients from rural areas in South Australia and adjacent States to tertiary-level hospitals in Adelaide. The SA Ambulance Service undertook communications, support staffing and deployment of transport. Average radial distances in 819 road missions were 71 km, in 808 helicopter missions 122 km, and in 2777 fixed-wing aircraft missions 398 km. The largest groups of patients were neonates (23%) and those with trauma (25%). Rural hospitals made 96% of the requests for intensive care transport; 4% came from ambulance or other emergency service crews at accident locations. Emergency surgical or operative obstetrical procedures were performed on 2.7% of patients before transport. One hundred and thirteen patients (2.5%) died during resuscitation or transport, with one death deemed to be preventable.

Capacity Building and Community Enrichment: Evaluation for Sustainability

Evaluation is a continuing dilemma in health promotion initiatives. However, for projects to be sustained effective indicators and tools need to be implemented in order for resources and funding to be channeled into such enterprises. The capacity building model developed by New South Wales Health (1998) provided one model for evaluating a collaborative endeavor between the School of Nursing, Flinders University and Noarlunga Health Services, a generic community health centre in the southern urban/rural area of South Australia. The Community Enrichment Program (CEP), is in the final year of a four year funded project that aimed, in part, to determine what impact an integrated knowledge of Primary Health Care (PHC) would have on students and new graduates' nursing practice and, whether enough evidence would be generated to effect ongoing curriculum change. This paper considers capacity building in relation to the CEP and how the Ottawa Charter and the Jakarta Declaration are supported by this ideal. Argument is forwarded that workforce development, organizational structure and resource allocation, seen as tenets of capacity building, have been demonstrated in the CEP. Recommendations flowing from the project include the allocation of resources into a sustained, overt and integration of PHC philosophy and health promotion principles into nursing curriculum.

DISEASE NOTES OR NEW RECORDS: First report of anthracnose of almond in South Australia

Colletotrichum acutatum, the cause of anthracnose in almond, was recorded for the first time in South Australia in October 1996. The fungus was recovered from rotted nuts and dead sterns collected from almond orchards in the Southern Vales and Adelaide Plains areas of South Australia.