Academic literature on the topic 'Feasibility studies Victoria'

Over the past decade environment protection policies have placed increasing emphasis on waste minimisation and cleaner production techniques. The Environment Protection Authority in Victoria, Australia, has sought to encourage waste minimisation by establishing a Clean Technology Incentive Scheme. This Scheme makes available secured interest-free loans of up to $100,000 to selected small and medium-sized companies proposing to install proven yet innovative waste reducing technology. Applications are evaluated by a Review Committee drawn from a diversity of backgrounds. The technical feasibility, innovativeness, environmental benefits and financial soundness of proposals are assessed and a short-list of potential loan recipients prepared. The managerial competence and financial status of short-listed applicants is checked before loans are made. The Scheme was established in 1988 and since then 35 offers of loans have been made. Whilst the newness of the Scheme makes evaluation of its long-term effectiveness premature, results to date are encouraging. Case studies of three especially successful projects are presented.

Abstract Viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19 have a huge impact on humans. Previous studies showed that some exercise could enhance the anti-viral antibody titers after vaccination. We developed a novel digital device designed to enhance host immune system against viral infection by acting like adjuvants. The digital device, SAT-008, is a mobile application based on an algorithm to regulate physical activity. To assess the feasibility of SAT-008, a randomized, open-label, and controlled study was conducted for 13 weeks (Oct 20 to Jan 21). A total of 42 healthy adults (mostly healthcare workers) aged 24 to 46 years were recruited and finally 32 subjects served for analysis. A single-dose of quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine was administered for each subject. The control group maintained daily life without using SAT-008, while the experimental group (Exp) used SAT-008 during the study. As a result, compared to the controls, the Exp showed a significant increase in hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) titers of antigen subtype B Yamagata lineage after 4 weeks of vaccination and antigen subtype B Victoria lineage after 12 weeks of vaccination (P < 0.05), whereas the controls did not. As for type A influenza, there was no significant difference in HI titers between groups. In addition, the Exp was divided into high performers (HP) and low performers (LP) based on the adherence rate. The HP showed significantly higher HI titers of B Yamagata lineage in 12 weeks after vaccination than controls and LP (P < 0.05) and of B Victoria lineage than controls (P < 0.01). Our findings indicate a novel approach using digital device may play an important role to enhance host immune system to act as a vaccine adjuvant against viral diseases such as influenza. Supported by grants from S-Alpha Therapeutics, Inc.

After 35 years of successful exploration and development, the Gippsland Basin is perceived as a mature basin. Several world class fields have produced 3.6 billion (109) BBL (569 GL) oil and 5.2 TCF (148 Gm3) gas. Without additional discoveries, it is predicted that further significant decline in production will occur in the next decade.However, the Gippsland Basin is still relatively underexplored when compared to other prolific hydrocarbon provinces. Large areas are undrilled, particularly in the eastern deepwater part of the basin. Here, an interpretation of new regional aeromagnetic and deep-water seismic data sets, acquired through State and Federal government initiatives, together with stratigraphic, sedimentological and source rock maturation modelling studies have been used to delineate potential petroleum systems.In the currently gazetted deepwater blocks, eight structural trapping trends are present, each with a range of play types and considerable potential for both oil and gas. These include major channel incision plays, uplifted anticlinal and collapsed structures that contain sequences of marine sandstones and shales (deepwater analogues of the Marlin and Turrum fields), as well as large marine shale-draped basement horsts.The study has delineated an extensive near-shore marine, lower coastal plain and deltaic facies association in the Golden Beach Subgroup. These Late Cretaceous strata are comparable to similar facies of the Tertiary Latrobe Siliciclastics and extend potential source rock distribution beyond that of previous assessments. In the western portion of the blocks, overburden is thick enough to drive hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. The strata above large areas of the source kitchen generally dip to the north and west, promoting migration further into the gazetted areas.Much of the basin’s deepwater area, thus, shares the deeper stratigraphy and favourable subsidence history of the shallow water producing areas. Future exploration and production efforts will, however, be challenged by the 200–2500 m water-depths and local steep bathymetric gradients, which affect prospect depth conversion and the feasibility of development projects in the case of successful exploration.

Intensive agricultural production accompanied by the climate change impacts in post-Colonial rural landscapes have continuously increased the demand for water resources and coastal areas, showing an unprecedented water supply crisis. By taking extreme weather conditions and rainfall events for future trends, a resilient water storage facility for the landscape requires the collaborative approach of natural systems and simulation modelling techniques to develop sustainable future scenarios. In this study, an ecological suitability model is used to identify potential sites for the construction of multi-purpose dams. As part of the model structure, multi factors are classified using the patterns of changing landscapes, and then weighted overlay analysis is conducted on a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. Compared to previous studies, this paper derives its principal impact parameters and projections based on historical land cover information. The suitability maps that are generated visually guide the geographical location of the multi-purpose dams and indicate the areas from highly suitable to least suitable, clarifying the possibility of building blue infrastructure alongside the waterways in west-central Barwon. The workflow proposes a resilient water system based on existing land characteristics and measures that future water storage capacity will be a valid increase of approximately 1.5 times. This strategy alleviates water scarcity during the dry season to benefit traditional agricultural activities. Digital calculations are utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of the experimental results, providing a methodology for regulating the distribution and supply of river flows throughout the year while retaining runoff in a hierarchical pattern at precipitation periods.

This paper presents a case study of Beyond Bushfires, a large, multisite, mixed method study of the psychosocial impacts of major bushfires in Victoria, Australia. A participatory approach was employed throughout the study which was led by a team of academic investigators in partnership with service providers and government representatives and used on-site visits and multiple methods of communication with communities across the state to inform decision-making throughout the study. The ethics and impacts of conducting and adapting the approach within a post-disaster context will be discussed in reference to theories and models of participatory health research. The challenges of balancing local interests with state-wide implications will also be explored in the description of the methods of engagement and the study processes and outcomes. Beyond Bushfires demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating participatory methods in large, post-disaster research studies and achieving rigorous findings and multilevel impacts, while recognising the potential for some of the empowering aspects of the participatory experience to be reduced by the scaled-up approach.

e13075 Background: The safety, feasibility and benefit of physical activity is robust in adjuvant breast cancer, but as far as we know, there is little information on the feasibility and benefit of exercise in women with advanced breast cancer. The objective of our study is to analyze the feasibility and impact on fatigue, quality of life and functionality of an individualized, prospective and supervised exercise program in a group of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: A prospective study on 30 metastatic breast cancer patients who were recruited as volunteers between February 2018 and April 2019 by Medical Oncologists from the Medical Oncology Unit at University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (Malaga, Spain). Participants included in this study were patients aged between 34 and 71 years old and all had metastatic breast cancer, not amenable to curative treatment. The intervention was a twelve-week Therapeutic Exercise and Education Programme delivered by a physiotherapist. The intervention was preceded by a physical assessment of the musculoskeletal system. The outcomes were cancer-related fatigue, quality of life and functional outcomes (patient- reported and other measured by investigators). Results: Of the 30 patients initially recruited, only 11 of them completed the program with an attendance greater or equal to 17 sessions (75% of assistance). Most of patients who dropped (19), did it because of personal matters, not related to disease progression. Regarding patients who completed the completion of physical activity program (n = 11), the majority were treated on first line of treatment with hormonal receptors positive tumors and bone metastasis. After the intervention, no major changes were observed in cancer-related fatigue, quality of life and several patients-reported outcomes, although an improvement in functionality was observed, in investigator-measured parameters (30-STS and adapted burpees). Conclusions: Our study shows that a supervised and individualized tailored physical activity program in metastatic breast cancer patients is safe and feasible, although more studies are needed to analyse its impact on improving functional parameters, fatigue and quality of life.

Clinical recommendations relating to dietary omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) should consider an individual’s baseline intake. The time, cost, and practicality constraints of current techniques for quantifying omega-3 levels limit the feasibility of applying these methods in some settings, such as eye care practice. This preliminary validation study, involving 40 adults, sought to assess the validity of a novel questionnaire, the Clinical Omega-3 Dietary Survey (CODS), for rapidly assessing long-chain omega-3 intake. Estimated dietary intakes of long-chain omega-3s from CODS correlated with the validated Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiology Studies (DQES), Version 3.2, (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia) and quantitative assays from dried blood spot (DBS) testing. The ‘method of triads’ model was used to estimate a validity coefficient (ρ) for the relationship between the CODS and an estimated “true” intake of long-chain omega-3 EFAs. The CODS had high validity for estimating the ρ (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) for total long-chain omega-3 EFAs 0.77 (0.31–0.98), docosahexaenoic acid 0.86 (0.54–0.99) and docosapentaenoic acid 0.72 (0.14–0.97), and it had moderate validity for estimating eicosapentaenoic acid 0.57 (0.21–0.93). The total long-chain omega-3 EFAs estimated using the CODS correlated with the Omega-3 index (r = 0.37, p = 0.018) quantified using the DBS biomarker. The CODS is a novel tool that can be administered rapidly and easily, to estimate long-chain omega-3 sufficiency in clinical settings.

Abstract Retailers have the capacity to improve the food and beverage environment by making healthier options more affordable and attractive for their consumers. The perspectives of retailers on feasible and acceptable pricing strategies are not known. The aim of this study was to understand retailers’ perceptions of factors that are relevant to feasible and acceptable health-promoting food and beverage pricing interventions. A convenience sample of 11 aquatic and recreation centre managers in Victoria, Australia was recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. We took a pragmatic approach with the aim of understanding retailers’ perceptions of factors that affect the feasibility and acceptability of pricing interventions within their facilities. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize and interpret retailers’ perceptions of pricing interventions. Key themes identified were: structural and organizational characteristics (the internal and external characteristics of aquatic and recreation centres), characteristics of feasible pricing changes (type, magnitude and products targeted by pricing strategies) and business outcomes (profits and customer feedback). Results suggest that pricing interventions to promote healthy food and beverage choices can be feasible and acceptable to retailers, though contextual considerations are likely to be important. Future studies should use these findings to design interventions most likely to be acceptable to retailers, work with retailers to implement health-promoting food and beverage pricing interventions, evaluate the impact on business outcomes including customer perspectives and profitability, and test transferability to other retail settings.

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite significant needs, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make limited use of palliative care, in part because the current models of palliative care do not address their key concerns.Objective:Our aim was to develop a tailored model of palliative care for patients with COPD and their family caregivers.Method:Based on information gathered within a program of studies (qualitative research exploring experiences, a cohort study examining service use), an expert advisory committee evaluated and integrated data, developed responses, formulated principles to inform care, and made recommendations for practice. The informing studies were conducted in two Australian states: Victoria and South Australia.Results:A series of principles underpinning the model were developed, including that it must be: (1) focused on patient and caregiver; (2) equitable, enabling access to components of palliative care for a group with significant needs; (3) accessible; and (4) less resource-intensive than expansion of usual palliative care service delivery. The recommended conceptual model was to have the following features: (a) entry to palliative care occurs routinely triggered by clinical transitions in care; (b) care is embedded in routine ambulatory respiratory care, ensuring that it is regarded as “usual” care by patients and clinicians alike; (c) the tasks include screening for physical and psychological symptoms, social and community support, provision of information, and discussions around goals and preferences for care; and (d) transition to usual palliative care services is facilitated as the patient nears death.Significance of results:Our proposed innovative and conceptual model for provision of palliative care requires future formal testing using rigorous mixed-methods approaches to determine if theoretical propositions translate into effectiveness, feasibility, and benefits (including economic benefits). There is reason to consider adaptation of the model for the palliative care of patients with other nonmalignant conditions.

Land tenure affects integrated watershed management approaches in various ways, such as influencing land use and investment in sustainability practices and decisions. However, some land tenure and integrated watershed management relations need more examination, including how the prevailing relevant legislation responds and the needed course of action. In this paper, we provide relevant evidence to support a shift to responsive actions and legislation through (a) examining land tenure scenarios affecting integrated watershed management, including the public–private land tenure co-existence from a watershed perspective; (b) the responsiveness of the prevailing relevant legislation to integrated watershed management and the land tenure scenarios and (c) identifying legislative remedies recommendable for responsiveness. We use qualitative methods to review secondary data sources, including four legislations, and complement them with field survey data. Field experiences are from three sub-catchments in the Lake Victoria basin, each representing a different land tenure system, as case studies. Land tenure links with integrated watershed management in various ways, such as influencing land use decisions. However, underscoring the relationship from the private and public land tenure perspective also indicates a complex and tense spatial relationship. As such, it likely limits adopting sustainable land use and management practices in watersheds as a case. Regardless, the perceptions from the study area indicate the land tenure systems and forms enabling sustainable choices and decisions, despite limitations such as tenure insecurity. The disconnect between integrated watershed management aspirations of ensuring sustainability, the land tenure abilities and the subsequent human practices is mainly institutional, with the relevant legislation indicating a low to moderate level of responsiveness to integrated watershed management approaches and land tenure, thus, abating effectiveness. Therefore, we suggest a shift towards responsive programming and legislation and the adoption of model legislation to support responsiveness replication. We also recommend further studies to assess the legal gaps and feasibility thereof.

Overview Skin cancer prevention is a component of the new Cancer Plan 2022–27, which guides the work of the Cancer Institute NSW. To lessen the impact of skin cancer on the community, the Cancer Institute NSW works closely with the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Advisory Committee, comprising governmental and non-governmental organisation representatives, to develop and implement the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy. Primary Health Networks and primary care providers are seen as important stakeholders in this work. To guide improvements in skin cancer prevention and inform the development of the next NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, an up-to-date review of the evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care is required. A research team led by the Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between the University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, was contracted to undertake an Evidence Check review to address the questions below. Evidence Check questions This Evidence Check aimed to address the following questions: Question 1: What skin cancer primary prevention activities can be effectively administered in primary care settings? As part of this, identify the key components of such messages, strategies, programs or initiatives that have been effectively implemented and their feasibility in the NSW/Australian context. Question 2: What are the main barriers and enablers for primary care providers in delivering skin cancer primary prevention activities within their setting? Summary of methods The research team conducted a detailed analysis of the published and grey literature, based on a comprehensive search. We developed the search strategy in consultation with a medical librarian at the University of Sydney and the Cancer Institute NSW team, and implemented it across the databases Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Central and CINAHL. Results were exported and uploaded to Covidence for screening and further selection. The search strategy was designed according to the SPIDER tool for Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Evidence Synthesis, which is a systematic strategy for searching qualitative and mixed-methods research studies. The SPIDER tool facilitates rigour in research by defining key elements of non-quantitative research questions. We included peer-reviewed and grey literature that included skin cancer primary prevention strategies/ interventions/ techniques/ programs within primary care settings, e.g. involving general practitioners and primary care nurses. The literature was limited to publications since 2014, and for studies or programs conducted in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Western Europe and Scandinavia. We also included relevant systematic reviews and evidence syntheses based on a range of international evidence where also relevant to the Australian context. To address Question 1, about the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings, we summarised findings from the Evidence Check according to different skin cancer prevention activities. To address Question 2, about the barriers and enablers of skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings, we summarised findings according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The CFIR is a framework for identifying important implementation considerations for novel interventions in healthcare settings and provides a practical guide for systematically assessing potential barriers and facilitators in preparation for implementing a new activity or program. We assessed study quality using the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) levels of evidence. Key findings We identified 25 peer-reviewed journal articles that met the eligibility criteria and we included these in the Evidence Check. Eight of the studies were conducted in Australia, six in the UK, and the others elsewhere (mainly other European countries). In addition, the grey literature search identified four relevant guidelines, 12 education/training resources, two Cancer Care pathways, two position statements, three reports and five other resources that we included in the Evidence Check. Question 1 (related to effectiveness) We categorised the studies into different types of skin cancer prevention activities: behavioural counselling (n=3); risk assessment and delivering risk-tailored information (n=10); new technologies for early detection and accompanying prevention advice (n=4); and education and training programs for general practitioners (GPs) and primary care nurses regarding skin cancer prevention (n=3). There was good evidence that behavioural counselling interventions can result in a small improvement in sun protection behaviours among adults with fair skin types (defined as ivory or pale skin, light hair and eye colour, freckles, or those who sunburn easily), which would include the majority of Australians. It was found that clinicians play an important role in counselling patients about sun-protective behaviours, and recommended tailoring messages to the age and demographics of target groups (e.g. high-risk groups) to have maximal influence on behaviours. Several web-based melanoma risk prediction tools are now available in Australia, mainly designed for health professionals to identify patients’ risk of a new or subsequent primary melanoma and guide discussions with patients about primary prevention and early detection. Intervention studies have demonstrated that use of these melanoma risk prediction tools is feasible and acceptable to participants in primary care settings, and there is some evidence, including from Australian studies, that using these risk prediction tools to tailor primary prevention and early detection messages can improve sun-related behaviours. Some studies examined novel technologies, such as apps, to support early detection through skin examinations, including a very limited focus on the provision of preventive advice. These novel technologies are still largely in the research domain rather than recommended for routine use but provide a potential future opportunity to incorporate more primary prevention tailored advice. There are a number of online short courses available for primary healthcare professionals specifically focusing on skin cancer prevention. Most education and training programs for GPs and primary care nurses in the field of skin cancer focus on treatment and early detection, though some programs have specifically incorporated primary prevention education and training. A notable example is the Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program, in which 93% of participating GPs reported that they had increased preventive information provided to high-risk patients and during skin examinations. Question 2 (related to barriers and enablers) Key enablers of performing skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings included: • Easy access and availability of guidelines and point-of-care tools and resources • A fit with existing workflows and systems, so there is minimal disruption to flow of care • Easy-to-understand patient information • Using the waiting room for collection of risk assessment information on an electronic device such as an iPad/tablet where possible • Pairing with early detection activities • Sharing of successful programs across jurisdictions. Key barriers to performing skin cancer prevention activities in primary care settings included: • Unclear requirements and lack of confidence (self-efficacy) about prevention counselling • Limited availability of GP services especially in regional and remote areas • Competing demands, low priority, lack of time • Lack of incentives.