South Brisbane Research Articles

Urrayira whitei gen. et sp. nov.: a dasyuromorphian (Mammalia: Marsupialia) with incipient zalambdodonty from the Middle Pleistocene of Queensland, Australia

Urrayira whitei gen. et sp. nov. is described based on dental remains from middle Pleistocene cave sites at Mount Etna, Queensland. Its higher-level systematic affinities are unclear but it appears to be a dasyuromorphian. It is unusual in having a specialized reduced dentition characterized by reduction of the stylar cusps, protocone and talonid, resulting in an incipiently zalambdodont morphology that emphasizes the shearing crests. In addition, only two upper premolars are present, and we assume that it is P3 that has been suppressed, as has occurred multiple times within Dasyuridae. Maximum parsimony and undated Bayesian analyses of a 174 morphological character matrix intended to resolve relationships within Dasyuromorphia, with a molecular scaffold enforced, suggest that Urrayira is a dasyurid. In the maximum parsimony analysis, Urrayira is sister to Planigale gilesi (which also lacks P3), whereas in the undated Bayesian analysis, Urrayira resolves as part of a trichotomy at the base of Dasyuridae, together with Sminthopsinae and Dasyurinae; however, support values are generally low throughout the tree. While the majority of rainforest-adapted taxa in the Mount Etna sites became either extinct or were locally extirpated at, or soon after, 280 ka, there is no evidence that U. whitei gen. et sp. nov. even persisted until that time. Urrayira whitei was likely a rainforest-specialist, thus may have been particularly vulnerable to incipient effects of the Mid-Brunhes climatic shift towards aridity that eventually drove the disappearance of the Mount Etna rainforest and its associated fauna.Jonathan Cramb* [jonathan.cramb@qm.qld.gov.au], Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane BC, Queensland 4101, Australia; Scott Hocknull [scott.hocknull@qm.qld.gov.au], Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane BC, Queensland 4101, Australia; Robin M. D. Beck [r.m.d.beck@salford.ac.uk], School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK; Shimona Kealy [shimona.kealy@anu.edu.au], Archaeology and Natural History, College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia; Gilbert J. Price [g.price1@uq.edu.au], School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.

PP286 [Medical Workforce & Education » Staff well being /health (Stress, burnout, moral distress, spirituality)]: IMPACT OF A MINDFULNESS-BASED PROGRAM (MBP) ON PAEDATRIC INTENSIVE CARE STAFF WELLBEING

1Children’s Critical Care Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland Australia 2People and Culture, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 3QCIF Facility for Advanced Bioinformatics, The University of Queensland, Australia 4Paediatric Intensive Care, Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

P26 - My Mater Midwife: A Collaborative Private MGP Model

With the aim of increasing access to high quality continuity midwifery, Mater South Brisbane recently launched an innovative new model of collaborative private care called My Mater Midwife. Within this model, private clients of participating obstetricians have their care shared collaboratively between their chosen obstetrician and an endorsed midwife employed by the hospital. The primary midwife is on call for hospital presentations and eventually the birth, supported by a small midwifery team. Clients have their known midwife and known doctor present for their birth, enjoy the comfort of a private postnatal stay in hospital and receive the ongoing support of their primary midwife delivering homecare after discharge. The model will be explained in more detail including how we meet the needs and expectations of the various stakeholders and the challenges we have faced in establishing the model. This presentation has been developed in collaboration with one of the participating obstetricians, Di Poad whose contribution will be pre-recorded. Continuity midwifery models of care have been well established by research to improve client outcomes over a wide range of measurable factors. As a private hospital, Mater wanted to be able to offer this “gold standard” of care to private clients who were accessing their maternity care through private obstetricians. The model is aimed at people seeking the comfort of private maternity care along with the benefits of continuity midwifery. While challenging at times to establish mutually attractive terms of involvement for all stakeholders, the current model honours the professional contribution of both obstetricians and midwives while centring the birthing person and adapting care around their needs. Feedback from clients birthing in the model has been overwhelmingly positive.

Association of Tracheomalacia and Bronchiectasis in Children

Source: Thomas R, Chang A, Masters IA, et al. Association of childhood tracheomalacia with bronchiectasis: a case-control study. Arch Dis Child. 2022 Jun;107(6):565-569. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322578.Investigators from Queensland’s Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia, and Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia, conducted a case-control study to assess the association between childhood tracheomalacia and bronchiectasis. Cases were children ≤18 years old with radiographically confirmed bronchiectasis, unrelated to cystic fibrosis (CF), who were seen at a single pediatric center in Australia, enrolled in the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry, and chosen at random from the registry. Only patients who had a chest CT obtained between 2012 and 2018 and who underwent flexible bronchoscopy (FB) within 4 weeks of the CT were eligible as cases. Bronchiectasis was defined using specific radiographic findings and consistent clinical characteristics. Controls were children who had a recent bone marrow transplant and/or cancer and who had a chest CT and FB performed during the same time period for evaluation of febrile neutropenia. Two controls were chosen for each case study participant. For cases, the cause of bronchiectasis was recorded, and for controls, the underlying disorder was noted. The videos from FB in study children were reviewed by an experienced respiratory pediatrician, blinded to the patient’s case/control status, who noted the presence of any tracheomalacia (any-TM), defined as tracheal shape abnormality during expiration, or tracheomalacia, defined by the European Respiratory Society as >50% expiratory reduction in cross-sectional area (ERS-TM). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of any-TM and ERS-TM with bronchiectasis. Multivariable analyses adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity also were conducted.A total of 45 cases and 90 controls were enrolled in the study. Cases were younger than controls (median ages 2.6 years and 7.8 years, respectively). Among cases, the etiology of bronchiectasis was post-infectious in 17 (38%), idiopathic in 15 (33%), aspiration in 7 (16%), primary ciliary dyskinesia in 3 (7%), and other causes in 3 (7%). For control children, 69 (77%) had a hematologic malignancy, and 9 (10%) were post-bone marrow transplant. On FB, 14 (31.3%) cases had any-TM compared to 3 (3.3%) controls (OR, 13.1; 95% CI, 3.5, 48). There were 9 cases and 0 controls with ERS-TM (OR, 30.1; 95% CI, 4.6, ∞). Multivariable analyses demonstrated both age and tracheomalacia were associated with bronchiectasis. After adjusting for age, tracheomalacia remained significantly associated with bronchiectasis using the any-TM definition (OR, 13.2; 95% CI, 3.2, 55).The authors conclude that tracheomalacia is associated with childhood bronchiectasis.Dr Lesser has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device.Bronchiectasis is commonly defined as airway dilatation on chest CT and occurs as a consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation and infection, leading to lung injury that can be irreversible.1 While bronchiectasis most commonly occurs with CF, other diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, immunodeficiency, severe pulmonary infection, or chronic aspiration can cause bronchiectasis.1 Tracheomalacia, defined as an abnormal reduction in the tracheal lumen with expiration, has been hypothesized to sometimes cause bronchiectasis, related to ineffective cough and mucus impaction leading to chronic airway damage.2 The authors of the current study used a retrospective case-control design to ask if tracheomalacia is associated with bronchiectasis.A key strength of this study relates to all participants having had a chest CT and bronchoscopy, the gold standards for diagnosing bronchiectasis and tracheomalacia, respectively. Diagnosis of tracheomalacia may vary based on anesthesia conditions and bronchoscopy type, but the study employed a standardized approach to bronchoscopy, lending credence to the diagnosis. Establishing controls for a study involving bronchoscopy is challenging because it is invasive and not indicated for healthy children. The control population used in this study was composed of children affected by cancer and was significantly different from cases consisting of children with chronic respiratory disease. While the study was not designed to assess causality, whether tracheomalacia causes bronchiectasis exists as a key question. Even though tracheomalacia was seen more commonly in children with bronchiectasis, the bronchiectasis already was ascribed to a known cause other than tracheomalacia in 2/3 of cases. Thirty-three percent of children had idiopathic bronchiectasis, but the authors did not report the frequency of tracheomalacia in this group. Further study also is needed to ask if tracheomalacia is a marker of bronchiectasis severity or if its presence worsens existing bronchiectasis caused by another disease.Care for children affected by non-CF bronchiectasis continues to improve and gain an evidence base.3 Early identification and aggressive treatment will positively impact lung function and health throughout the lifespan. The authors should be commended for their carefully designed study of this under-researched disease.Bronchiectasis needs to be considered in children with tracheomalacia.Long considered an orphan disease,1 non-CF related bronchiectasis, with studies such as the 1 reviewed above, may yet reverse years of neglect and yield its etiologic and therapeutic secrets.

Participation predictors for leisure-time physical activity intervention in children with cerebral palsy.

To determine the predictors of magnitude of change in response to a participation-focused leisure-time physical activity intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the ParticiPAte CP protocol. We included 33 children (16 males, 17 females) aged 8 to 12years (mean age=10y, SD=1y 6mo) with CP with pre/postintervention data from a wait-list randomized trial. The hypothesized linear predictors of change in primary outcomes (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure [COPM]-performance and COPM-satisfaction, Belief in Goal Self-Competence Scale (BiGSS), and minutes per day moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) were: age; Gross Motor Function Classification System level; comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Goal Attainment Scaling T score; Problems in Schools Questionnaire; Physical Activity Climate Questionnaire; Motives for Physical Activities Measure-Revised; and stage of behaviour change. Multivariable models were selected using the Bayesian information criterion. Overcoming barriers to participation, age, and comorbid ASD explained 49% of the variance in change in COPM-performance. Being motivated by interest and/or enjoyment and age explained 32% of the variance in change in COPM-satisfaction. Being motivated by physical activity competence or appearance (extrinsic motivation) explained 24% of the variance in change in BiGSS. Parental autonomy supportiveness, overcoming barriers to participation, appearance motivation, and baseline MVPA explained 59% of the variance in change in MVPA. These findings support a behaviour paradigm for conceptualizing physical activity in children with CP. Children who met their treatment goals showed a greater increase in physical activity participation. Children who were more intrinsically motivated by physical activity at baseline improved more. Being older and having a comorbid diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder were associated with an attenuated effect of the therapy.

Oral medicinal cannabinoids to relieve symptom burden in the palliative care of patients with advanced cancer: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of efficacy and safety of 1:1 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)

BackgroundDespite improvements in medical care, patients with advanced cancer still experience substantial symptom distress. There is increasing interest in the use of medicinal cannabinoids but little high-quality evidence to guide clinicians. This study aims to define the role of a 1:1 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) cannabinoid preparation in the management of symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer undergoing standard palliative care.Methods and designOne hundred fifty participants will be recruited from five sites within the Queensland Palliative Care Research Group (QPCRG) and randomly assigned to an active treatment or placebo group. This study is a pragmatic multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-arm trial of escalating doses of an oral 1:1 THC/CBD cannabinoid preparation. It will compare efficacy and safety outcomes of a titrated dose (10 mg/10 mg/mL oral solution formulation, dose range 2.5 mg/2.5 mg–30 mg/30 mg/day) against placebo. There is a 2-week patient-determined titration phase, using escalating doses of 1:1 THC/CBD or placebo, to reach a dose that achieves symptom relief with tolerable side effects. This is then followed by a further 2-week assessment period on the stable dose determined in collaboration with clinicians. The primary objective is to assess the effect of escalating doses of a 1:1 THC/CBD cannabinoid preparation against placebo on change in total symptom score, with secondary objectives including establishing a patient-determined effective dose, the change in total physical and emotional sores, global impression of change, anxiety and depression, opioid use, quality of life and adverse effects.DiscussionThis will be the first placebo-controlled clinical trial to rigorously evaluate the efficacy, safety and acceptability of 1:1 THC/CBD for symptom relief in advanced cancer patients. This study will allow the medical community to have some evidence to present to patients wishing to access cannabis for their symptoms caused by advanced malignancy.Trial registrationACTRN, ACTRN12619000037101. Registered on 14 January 2019.Trial Sponsor: Mater Misericordiae Limited (MML) and Mater Medical Research Institute Limited (MMRI)—Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Vascular Access by Specialists.

* Abbreviations: miniMAGIC — : Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters in pediatrics VA — : vascular access VAD — : vascular access device Achieving reliable vascular access (VA) for children devoid of pain, anxiety, and complication is the goal of pediatric VA specialists. VA prevails across various settings, both inpatient and outpatient. In addition, VA spans acute and chronic medical requirements, ranging from the seemingly simple, one-time infusion to the complex, prolonged treatments requiring multiple, frequent infusions and sometimes a lifelong dependency. Regardless of the motive, selection of a vascular access device (VAD) should be driven by the individual’s treatment (medication properties and treatment duration and frequency) and pathophysiology (age, acute and/or chronic disease, existing vessel health, diagnosis, and individual risk factors) with the primary aim of avoiding patient harm. At the heart of achieving this is choosing the right VAD from the beginning. Most health care facilities attempt to achieve this by publishing local VA decision trees. Unfortunately, these are often generic, lack an evidence base, and do not provide direction for nonstandard VA needs. Globally, the realization of VA as a specialty is variable. Even within the same country, the scope and recognition of VA specialists … Address correspondence to Tricia M. Kleidon, RN, MNursPrac, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia. E-mail: tricia.kleidon{at}health.qld.gov.au

Vascular Access for Children Needing Procedures.

* Abbreviation: miniMAGIC — : Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters in pediatrics Interventional radiologists, nurse practitioners, anesthesiologists, and surgeons are often involved in securing vascular access for children. Traditionally our roles have been focused on central venous access, but increasingly we are called on for patients with difficult intravenous access or to provide longer-term peripheral access. At times, decisions to involve us occur as a “plan B,” after repeated failure to secure other access or after early failure of multiple peripheral intravenous lines. Vascular access decisions are often left to junior staff, occur after hours, and can be seen by treating teams as inconsequential and unimportant. Traditional silos of practice have not helped in this approach. Pediatric vascular access is often an orphan child, with no coordinating family of practitioners. Vascular access is emerging as a subspecialty domain, involving nursing, surgical, anesthetic, and interventional radiologic skills. Who those practitioners are is less important than ensuring they have the … Address correspondence to Craig A. McBride, FRACS, Surgical Team: Infants, Toddlers, Children, Queensland Children’s Hospital, 501 Stanley St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia. E-mail: craig.mcbride@health.qld.gov.au

Abstract WMP89: Outcomes No Different in Real World Including Direct vs Drip-and-Ship Patients: Power of Reperfusion From Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) became standard care in 2015 after positive trials in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO) 0-6h and in 2018 for selected patients up to 24h from symptom onset. Objective: To evaluate whether patients receiving MT at our center would have comparable outcomes in patients presenting to our comprehensive stroke center (direct) vs transfer patients (drip-and-ship) Methods: This is a retrospective observational study utilising prospectively collected stroke database for patients receiving MT for LVO in anterior and posterior circulation in South Brisbane network of 7 hospitals (6 drip-and-ship centers and 1 MT-capable center), Australia which serves 1.6 million. Day 90 modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess functional outcomes via outpatient follow up at direct or referral center. The association of drip and ship versus mothership treatment with day 90 mRS was tested in ordinal logistic regression adjusted for age, baseline NIHSS and IV thrombolysis. Results: Of 191 patients who underwent Mechanical Thrombectomy from 2015 to June 2018 at our center, 22 patients were excluded from analysis as either their baseline mRS was >1 (13) or follow up data was missing (9). The mean age was 64.4 years. Median (inter-quartile range, IQR) NIHSS was 16 (9-21) on admission and 7 (2-18) on day 1. Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) ≥2b was achieved in 88.9%. At 90 days, 50.9% achieved excellent functional outcome (mRS 0-1), 61.4% achieved good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) and 69% achieved favorable outcome (mRS 0-3). Median mRS was 1 (IQR 0-5) in 96 patients presenting directly to the endovascular center and 1 (IQR 1-4) in 73 drip-and-ship patients (common odds ratio 1.07 (95%CI 0.62-1.83), p=0.82) Conclusion: Our 7-center network experience confirms real world reproducibility of trial results, interestingly with no difference in functional outcomes for direct vs drip-and-ship patients.

Managing diabetes at the end of life – a retrospective chart audit of two health providers in Queensland, Australia

BackgroundDiabetes at the end of life (EoL) is characterized by blood glucose fluctuations that result from decreased oral intake, side effects of medications, altered physiology, and end-stage organ failure. With limited life expectancy and the presence of comorbidities, diabetes management can be challenging. While there is little clinical evidence to guide decision-makers, current practice depends on empiric and expert recommendations.ObjectiveTo evaluate the current prescribing patterns and monitoring parameters in diabetes management at the EoL in patients at two palliative care inpatient units.DesignRetrospective clinical chart review.Setting/subjectsAdult patients attending the Palliative and Supportive Care Services at St Vincent's Private Hospital and Mater Adults Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia over a 24-month period, from October 2014 to October 2016.ResultsA total of 145 charts were analysed. 139 patients were identified as having received glucose-lowering therapy (51% female, median age 71 years). Insulin therapy was used in 74 (51%) patients and oral and/or non-insulin therapies in 62 (43%). Blood glucose level monitoring was carried out a median of 4 times, range 1–6 times daily. Either continuously or at some stage of their treatment, 74 patients were receiving corticosteroids.ConclusionInsulin therapy appears to be the safest and most effective approach, taking into consideration the patient needs and pharmacodynamic profile of each preparation. Without evidence-based guidelines on the optimal intervention to control diabetes at the EoL, therapy plans must be individualized to prevent symptomatic hyper- and hypoglycaemia with minimal patient discomfort and adverse drug reactions.

Aboriginal camps as urban foundations? Evidence from southern Queensland

In 1982, Musgrave Park in South Brisbane took centre stage in Queensland's 'State of Emergency' protests. Bob Weatherall, President of FAIRA (Foundation for Aboriginal and Islanders Research Action), together with Neville Bonner - Australia's first Aboriginal Senator - proclaimed it 'Aboriginal land'.

The South Brisbane Municipal Chambers

During its 125-year history, the South Brisbane Municipal Chambers (Old Town Hall) has had numerous custodians and functions. Designed as a prominent landmark directly across the Brisbane River from the Queensland Parliament building, its ornate architectural features make it a unique example of late colonial extravagance. With the absorption of the City of South Brisbane into the greater Brisbane City Council in 1925, the building lost its original purpose, but was subsequently deployed in various ways. After serving as a Council Works Depot, it became the headquarters of the US armed forces Military Police during World War II, and was then converted into post-war residential flats for government engineers and architects. Since the late 1950s, ‘The Chambers’ has been an educational and cultural centre, initially as the first campus of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, then as a centre for adult learning, and finally now in its completely refurbished form as part of the girls’ school Somerville House. This ‘building biography’ traces the various phases of this iconic landmark from the viewpoint of those who worked, lived or studied there, and also provides insights into its social context within the South Brisbane community.

How Does Your PICCOMPARE? A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Various PICC Materials in Pediatrics.

Despite the popularity of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), recent literature highlights their potential injurious complications. Innovative PICC materials have been developed to prevent thrombosis and infection formation (Endexo®) and antireflux valves to prevent occlusion (pressure-activated safety valve®). No large randomized controlled trial has assessed these technologies. Our primary aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a large randomized controlled efficacy trial of PICC materials and design to reduce PICC complication in pediatrics. A randomized controlled feasibility trial was undertaken at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in South Brisbane, Australia, between March 2016 and November 2016. Consecutive recruitment of 150 pediatric participants were randomly assigned to receive either (1) polyurethane PICC with a clamp or (2) BioFlo® PICC (AngioDynamics Inc, Queensbury, NY). Primary outcomes were trial feasibility, including PICC failure (thrombosis, occlusion, infection, breakage, or dislodgement). Secondary outcomes were PICC complications during use. Protocol feasibility was established, including staff and patient acceptability, timely recruitment, no missing primary outcome data, and 0% attrition. PICC failure was 22% (16 of 74, standard care) and 11% (8 of 72, BioFlo®) corresponding to 12.6 and 7.3 failures per 1000 hours (risk ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-1.43; P = .172). PICC failures were primarily due to thrombosis (standard care 7% versus BioFlo® 3%) and complete occlusion (standard care 7% versus BioFlo® 1%). No blood stream infections occurred. Significantly fewer patients with BioFlo® had PICC complications during use (15% vs 34%; P = .009). BioFlo® PICCs appear potentially safer for pediatrics than traditional standard care PICCs with a clamp. Further research is required to definitively identify clinical, cost-effective methods to prevent PICC failure and improve reliability.

Lubag Syndrome (X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism) Case Study of Mr G. Infante

Abstract Sex-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) also known as Lubag Syndrome is a rare sex-linked genetic progressive movement disorder affecting almost exclusively males from the province of Capiz in the Philippines and their descendants. At the Mater Centre for Neurosciences we have recently treated two patients with XDP utilising Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implants. Mr G. Infante was the second patient to be treated, the first being his uncle. Mr G. Infante’s case was brought to the attention of the Mater Centre for Neurosciences at South Brisbane after the success of his uncle’s treatment two years prior. In the three years from when Mr G. Infante’s dystonia symptoms were first noticed, his condition progressively worsened until he was wheelchair bound. With severe chronic pain, unable to walk, difficulties talking and swallowing, Mr G’s quality of life was severely impacted by XDP. XDP is a movement disorder considered a variation to Parkinson’s Disease. The difference being that the XDP starts with a long period of dystonia that eventually evolves into the tremor and associated symptoms typical of Parkinson’s Disease. Due to the similarity of the conditions the patient’s needs and treatment methods, both medical and surgical, are almost identical. Deep brain stimulation surgery involves implantation of electrodes into specific regions of the brain. The electrodes are then used to deliver finely tuned electrical currents in order to reduce the signs and symptoms of both neuropsychiatric and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s and XDP. The high frequency electrical charges sent to deep structures in the brain stimulate or shut down nerve cells around the electrode. The areas of the brain that the electrodes target are thought to participate in the circuitry involved and effectively disrupts these processes and reduces the symptoms of the disease. This paper presents the journey of Mr G. Infante’s XDP and DBS and provides an explanation of how DBS works to improve the quality of life for patients who suffer from XDP.

Flourish. A project by Harbinger Consultants and Mandy Ridley in Brisbane, Australia

<p>The Public Art projects that Harbinger Consultants undertake always provide a curatorial framework and strategy that draws out and documents the multi-layered histories of the area/site and its communities of users (both historic and contemporary). These are central to the development of the brief for the artist/s and the ensuring collaborative process between public art curator and artist. It is essential to understand the factors that influence perceptions of place, paying particular attention to personal and community interpretations of culture and make these available to the artists so the artistic process and artworks relate in a holistic and creative way to the specific resources of the area including existing artworks in the vicinity. Public artworks are principal elements, statements and markers of place encountered by people in their everyday exAn example of a placemaking Public Art project developed, curated and managed by Harbinger Consultants is Flourish by artist Mandy Ridley at Ernest Street Tunnel, South Brisbane for Brisbane City Council, Queensland Rail and South Bank Corporation. The tunnel is formed by a railway line passing over a street and pedestrian pathway. perience of a locale.<br /><br /></p>

Fine-scale changes in spatial habitat use by a low-density koala population in an isolated periurban forest remnant

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in south-east Queensland are in decline. Although various studies have looked at broad-scale tree preference and habitat quality, there has been little attempt to quantify fine-scale activity shifts from one year to the next or examination of activity at the mesoscale. This study quantified koala activity levels in a 909-ha forest patch at Karawatha Forest Park, in south Brisbane. The Spot Assessment Technique was used to quantify activity and tree selection on 33 long-term monitoring plots in 2009 and 2010. In total, 843 trees were searched and koala pellets were found underneath 34 and 47 trees in 2009 and 2010, respectively. A higher proportion of pellets was found underneath Eucalyptus tindaliae and E. fibrosa and there was weak selection for larger trees. A low occurrence of revisits and a minor shift in activity distribution from 2009 to 2010 indicate that the koala population exists at a low density. Rapid declines in koala populations are occurring in primary habitats. Hence, stable low-density koala populations are important for maintaining genetic diversity and connectivity in fragmented urban landscapes.

Neonatal outcomes after prelabour rupture of membranes before 24 weeks' gestation.

The aim of this study was to determine neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) before 24 weeks' gestation. We performed a retrospective review of medical records over a 5-year period (2007-2011) at Mater Health Services, South Brisbane, Australia. Data relating to the antenatal and perinatal course of pregnancies complicated by PROM before 24 weeks' gestation were collected. Data were also collected on neonatal diagnoses, management and outcomes for all liveborn infants resulting from these pregnancies. One hundred and six pregnancies were complicated by PROM before 24 weeks' gestation. Thirty-three (31%) of these pregnancies resulted in delivery at pre-viable gestations (<23 weeks). There were 36 (37%) infants who survived to hospital discharge. At discharge, 47% of infants had chronic lung disease, with 81% of this group requiring supplemental oxygen at home. Almost one-third of pregnancies complicated by PROM before 24 weeks resulted in pre-viable preterm delivery. In pregnancies continuing to a viable gestation, there remained a significant risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity, primarily due to respiratory disease.

Introduction

Alfred Elliot's photograph on the cover of this themed issue is one of a series of images that captured Brisbane's reception for the Duke of York in 1927. The Duke, later King George VI, was in Australia to open the new Parliament House in Canberra. On glass plate, Elliot documented the decorated route of the royal procession. The cover image shows the centrepiece — an archway spanning Queen Street, which proclaims a ‘Citizen's Welcome’. Two decades earlier, this young immigrant had also photographed the crowd assembled in South Brisbane to vote in the 1899 Federation Referendum. Despite the establishment of the new Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, the citizens welcoming the Duke were still British. Modernity may have arrived in the shape of the automobile, but modern Australian citizenship was, and continues to be, a work in progress.

Macrofossil evidence of early sporophyte stages of a new genus of water fern Tecaropteris (Ceratopteridoideae: Pteridaceae) from the Paleogene Redbank Plains Formation, southeast Queensland, Australia

Rozefelds, A.C., Dettmann, M.E., Clifford, H.T. & Lewis, D., August 2015. Macrofossil evidence of early sporophyte stages of a new genus of water fern Tecaropteris (Ceratopteridoideae: Pteridaceae) from the Paleogene Redbank Plains Formation, southeast Queensland, Australia. Alcheringa 39,. ISSN 0311-5518.Water fern foliage is described from the Paleogene Redbank Plains Formation at Dinmore in southeast Queensland. The material, which is based upon leaf impressions, records early sporophyte growth stages. The specimens occur at discrete levels in clay pits at Dinmore, and the different leaf stages present suggest that they represent colonies of young submerged plants, mats of floating leaves, or a mixed assemblage of both. The leaf material closely matches the range of variation evident in young sporophytes of Ceratopteris Brongn., but in the complete absence of Cenozoic fossils of the spore genus Magnastriatites Germeraad, Hopping & Muller emend. Dettmann & Clifford from mainland Australia, which are the fossil spores of this genus, it is referred to a new genus, Tecaropteris. The record of ceratopterid-like ferns adds significantly to our limited knowledge of Cenozoic freshwater plants from Australia. The geoheritage significance of sites, such as Dinmore, is discussed briefly.Andrew C. Rozefelds [andrew.rozefelds@qm.qld.gov.au], Queensland Museum GPO Box 3300, South Brisbane, 4101, Queensland, Australia and School of Earth Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Queensland, Australia; Mary Dettmann [mary.dettmann@qm.qld.gov.au], H. Trevor Clifford [trevor.clifford@qm.qld.gov.au] and Debra Lewis [debra.lewis@qm.qld.gov.au], Queensland Museum, GPO Box 3300, South Brisbane, 4101, Queensland, Australia.

The Role Innovative Housing Models Play in the Struggle against Social Exclusion in Cities: The Brisbane Common Ground Model

The history of housing in Australia is a textbook example of socio-spatial exclusion as described, defined and analysed by commentators from Mumford to Lefebvre. It has been exacerbated by a culture of home ownership that has led to an affordability crisis. An examination of the history reveals that the problems are structural and must be approached not as a practical solution to the public provision of housing, but as a reshaping of lives, a reconnection to community, and as an ethical and equitable “right to the city”. This “Right to the City” has underpinned the Common Ground approach, emerging in a range of cities and adopted in South Brisbane, Queensland Australia. This paper examines the Common Ground approach and the impacts on its residents and in the community with a view to exploring further developments in this direction. A clear understanding of these lessons underpins, and should inform, a new approach to reconnecting the displaced and to developing solutions that not only enhance their lives but also the community at large.