Public commentary on teacher quality: an analysis of media comment on the teaching performance assessment.

In Australia, the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) is a relatively new, mandatory hurdle which must be completed just prior to the graduation stage of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. This high-stakes task is one of a growing number of requirements to come out of the standards and accountability regime as outlined in the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) document for accreditation for ITE programmes. We delve into the public commentary about the broader commission of preservice and graduate teacher quality in general and the TPA in particular.

Adolescents' views on high school food environments.

Issue Addressed: This study explored adolescents' views on high school food environments and potential strategies to help them to make informed food choices.

Methods: Fifteen focus groups were conducted with 131 adolescents aged 12-17 years from three high schools in South East Queensland, Australia. Adolescents were asked how their school food environment (dis)encouraged them to eat healthy and what schools could do to help them eat healthier.

Respiratory Responses during Exercise in Self-contained Breathing Apparatus among Firefighters and Nonfirefighters.

Background: Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial CO when using SCBA.

Methods: Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA.

Effect of rehydration schedule after four-hour head-out water immersion on running performance and recovery.

Introduction: Head-out water immersion (HOWI) results in diuresis, which could potentially limit performance after egress to land. We examined the effect of rehydration on endurance, cardiovascular stability, and overnight recovery following a four-hour thermoneutral HOWI on 12 subjects.

Methods: Twelve males completed a crossover design consisting of no hydration, replacement of fluid loss during immersion (RD), and replacement of fluid after the immersion period (RA).

Effect of wetted surface area on friction, pressure, wave and total drag of a kayak.

Using theoretical principles, the components of drag (friction D , pressure D and wave D ) of a single-seat kayak were analysed. The purpose was to examine the effect of changes in wetted surface area due to changes in kayaker's weight and the relative contribution of D , D and D to the total passive drag as function of velocity. The total passive drag values were based on experimental data collected in a single-seat kayak.