Seed longevity and germination in response to changing drought and heat conditions on four populations of the invasive weed African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)
- Authors: Roberts, Jason , Florentine, Singarayer , Van Etten, Eddie , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Weed Science Vol. 69, no. 4 (2021), p. 468-477
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- Description: African lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] is an invasive weed that is threatening biodiversity around the world and will continue to do so unless its efficient management is achieved. Consequently, laboratory and field-based experiments were performed to analyze several measures of germination to determine the effect of drought stress, radiant heat stress, and burial depth and duration (longevity) on E. curvula seeds. This study investigated seeds from four spatially varied populations across Australia: Maffra and Shepparton, VIC; Tenterfield, NSW; and Midvale, WA. Results showed that increasing drought stress reduced and slowed germination for all populations. Maffra (24% vs. 83%) and Shepparton (41% vs. 74%) were reduced at the osmotic potential of ≤-0.4 MPa, while Tenterfield (35% vs. 98.6%) and Midvale (32% vs. 91%) were reduced at ≤-0.6 MPa, compared with the mean of all other osmotic potentials. Radiant heat at 100 C significantly reduced and slowed germination compared with 40 C for Tenterfield (62% vs. 100%), Shepparton (15% vs. 89%), and Midvale (41% vs. 100%), while Maffra (75% vs. 86%) had consistent germination. For the effect of burial depth and duration (longevity), there was no significant difference across the 14-mo period; however, the 0-cm burial depth had a significantly lower final germination percentage compared with depths of 3, 5, and 10 cm (24% vs. 55%). Although each trial was conducted independently, the results can be used to help identify efficient control measures to reduce infesting populations. Recommended measures include using soil moisture monitoring to detect which conditions will promote germination, as germination is encouraged when the osmotic potential is >-0.6 MPa; exposing seeds to radiant heat (>100 C) using methods such as prescribed burning; and limiting soil disturbance over time to reduce seed establishment. © Authors 2021
Germination biology of four climatically varied populations of the invasive species African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)
- Authors: Roberts, Jason , Florentine, Singarayer , Van Etten, Eddie , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Weed Science Vol. 69, no. 2 (2021), p. 210-218
- Full Text: false
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- Description: African lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] is a highly invasive C4 perennial grass that threatens global biodiversity. Appropriate management of this species has been hampered by a lack of knowledge concerning its seed ecology, resulting in significant economic and environmental impacts within various environments. Consequently, this study explored the effects of a selection of environmental factors (photoperiod, alternating temperature, pH, and salinity) by analyzing several measures of germination on four geographically distinct populations of E. curvula to assist in its extirpation from infested sites. Seeds were collected in Australia from Maffra and Shepparton, VIC; Tenterfield, NSW; and Midvale, WA. Key results showed that seeds from Maffra (54% vs. 79%), Tenterfield (38% vs. 61%), and Shepparton (34% vs. 71%) had significantly reduced germination in complete darkness compared with an alternating 12-h light and 12-h dark photoperiod, whereas Midvale had consistent germination (91% vs. 99%). Temperatures between 17/7 C reduced germination for Maffra (42% vs. 73%), Tenterfield (34% vs. 55%), and Shepparton (33% vs. 59%) compared with the mean of all other temperature combinations, whereas Midvale had consistent germination. Furthermore, germination for all populations was consistent between pH 4 and 9. For salinity, germination was significantly reduced at ≥100 mM for Maffra (29% vs. 67%), ≥150 mM for Tenterfield (29% vs. 94%) and Shepparton (39.5% vs. 81.5%), and 250 mM for Midvale (39% vs. 82%) compared with the mean of all other concentrations. Although each trial was conducted independently, the data can be used to generate species-targeted management. Such strategies include maintaining high levels of quarantine and hygiene programs to avoid future spread; where practical, applying light-limiting strategies (mulching, tilling, or scraping) for the Maffra, Tenterfield, and Shepparton populations; and maintaining management efforts year-round, as the species can germinate under a wide range of conditions. © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Weed Science Society of America.
Building and sustaining a teaching career : strategies for professional experience, wellbeing and mindful practice
- Authors: Lemon, Narelle , McDonough, Sharon
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Book
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The acute medical client
- Authors: Cross, Rachel , Brown, Ann-Marie , Sein, Nang
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Acute Care Nursing p. 61-78
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The Older Worker : Identifying a critical research agenda
- Authors: Taylor, Philip , Loretto, Wendy , Marshall, Victor , Earl, Catherine , Phillipson, Christopher
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Social Policy and Society Vol. 15, no. 4 (2016), p. 675-689
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- Description: The roles that older workers play in labour markets has received a great deal of policy and academic scrutiny in response to economic crises and demographic change. As a starting point, this focus has paradoxically resulted in insufficient attention to older workers themselves. The article is thus concerned with refocusing the agenda for research onto the older worker. Building on an extensive literature review, four gaps in knowledge are identified: who might be researched; what the focus of that research might be; the role of theory informing the research; and how the research might be conducted. The article identifies a particular need for research on 'work' as opposed to 'retirement' and how the changing nature of work may influence future patterns of later life labour market engagement and retirement. It is argued that better public policy will result from more critical and socially embedded research that recognises the heterogeneity of 'older workers' and their motivations. © Cambridge University Press 2016.
Chronic obesity
- Authors: Hohol, Amali , Gilbert, Julia , Johnston, Melissa
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Chronic Care Nursing: A Framework for Practice p. 243-258
- Full Text: false
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Trajectories of ageing well among older Australians : a 16-year longitudinal study
- Authors: Browning, Colette , Enticott, Joanne , Thomas, Shane , Kendig, Hal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ageing and Society Vol. 38, no. 8 (2018), p. 1581-1602
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- Description: In this study we used individual differences concepts and analyses to examine whether older people achieve different ageing-well states universally or whether there are identifiable key groups that achieve them to different extents. The data used in the modelling were from a prospective 16-year longitudinal study of 1,000 older Australians. We examined predictors of trajectories for ageing well using self-rated health, psychological wellbeing and independence in daily living as joint indicators of ageing well in people aged over 65 years at baseline. We used group-trajectory modelling and multivariate regression to identify characteristics predicting 'ageing well'. The results showed three distinct and sizeable ageing trajectory groups: (a) 'stable-good ageing well' (classified as ageing well in all longitudinal study waves; which was achieved by 30.2% of women and 28.0% of men); (b) 'initially ageing well then deteriorating' (50.5% women and 47.6% men); and (c) 'stable-poor' (not ageing well in any wave; 19.3% women and 24.4% men). Significant gender differences were found in membership in different ageing-well states. In the stable-poor groups there were 103/533 females which was significantly lower than 114/467 men (z-statistic = -2.6, p = 0.005); women had a 'zero' probability of progressing to a better ageing-well classification in later years, whilst males had a one-in-five probability of actually improving. Robust final state outcome predictors at baseline were lower age and fewer medical conditions for both genders; restful sleep and Australian-born for women; and good nutrition, decreased strain, non-smoker and good social support for men. These results support that ageing-well trajectories are influenced by modifiable factors. Findings will assist better targeting of health-promoting activities for older people. © Cambridge University Press 2017.
Almost simplicial polytopes : the lower and upper bound theorems
- Authors: Nevo, Eran , Pineda-Villavicencio, Guillermo , Ugon, Julien , Yost, David
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Canadian Journal of Mathematics Vol. 72, no. 2 (2020), p. 537-556. http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP180100602
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- Description: We study -vertex -dimensional polytopes with at most one nonsimplex facet with, say, vertices, called almost simplicial polytopes. We provide tight lower and upper bound theorems for these polytopes as functions of, and, thus generalizing the classical Lower Bound Theorem by Barnette and the Upper Bound Theorem by McMullen, which treat the case where s = 0. We characterize the minimizers and provide examples of maximizers for any. Our construction of maximizers is a generalization of cyclic polytopes, based on a suitable variation of the moment curve, and is of independent interest. © 2018 Canadian Mathematical Society.
Mobile robotic sensors for environmental monitoring using gaussian markov random field
- Authors: Nguyen, Linh , Kodagoda, Sarath , Ranasinghe, Ravindra , Dissanayake, Gamini
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Robotica Vol. 39, no. 5 (2021), p. 862-884
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- Description: This paper addresses the issue of monitoring spatial environmental phenomena of interest utilizing information collected by a network of mobile, wireless, and noisy sensors that can take discrete measurements as they navigate through the environment. It is proposed to employ Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) represented on an irregular discrete lattice by using the stochastic partial differential equations method to model the physical spatial field. It then derives a GMRF-based approach to effectively predict the field at unmeasured locations, given available observations, in both centralized and distributed manners. Furthermore, a novel but efficient optimality criterion is then proposed to design centralized and distributed adaptive sampling strategies for the mobile robotic sensors to find the most informative sampling paths in taking future measurements. By taking advantage of conditional independence property in the GMRF, the adaptive sampling optimization problem is proven to be resolved in a deterministic time. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is compared and demonstrated using pre-published data sets with appealing results. Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press.
Blood-injection-injury phobia in older adults
- Authors: Miloyan, Beyon , Eaton, William
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Psychogeriatrics Vol. 28, no. 6 (2016), p. 897-902
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- Description: Background: This study aims to (i) estimate the prevalence of blood-injection-injury phobia (BIIP) diagnosed as present at any time during the life prior to the interview, with or without another Specific Phobia diagnosed as present during the 12 months prior to the interview, (ii) characterize types and frequencies of co-occurring fears, (iii) evaluate the association with chronic medical conditions and lifetime psychiatric comorbidity, and (iv) explore medical service use associations in a nationally representative sample of older adults. Methods: A sample of 8,205 older adults, aged 65 years or older, was derived from Wave 1 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Results: The weighted lifetime prevalence of BIIP with and without 12-month Specific Phobia was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4-0.8) and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.7-4.8), respectively, and these two groups ranked similarly in terms of sociodemographic, health, and psychiatric characteristics. BIIP most frequently co-occurred with other lifetime fears, and was positively associated with hypertension and lifetime history of anxiety and personality disorders after controlling for sociodemographic and psychiatric confounders. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that lifetime BIIP may bear mental and physical health significance in older adults. © 2016 International Psychogeriatric Association.
Quantifying psychopathology in rapid readmissions
- Authors: Suhail, Sam , Sandhu, Harpinder , Mellacheruvu, Sandeep
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: CNS spectrums Vol. 26, no. 2 (2021), p. 165-166
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- Description: Psychiatric readmissions contribute to a significant cost and healthcare burden to physicians, hospitals, and the healthcare system as an entity. Furthermore, as part of the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began to reduce financial coverage to hospitals with overwhelming rehospitalization rates. The purpose of this study was to do a systematic analysis on inpatient psychiatric readmission data and identify co-morbidities and risk factors that lead to high readmission rates. The data collection includes 163 patients with a total of 348 readmissions over the span of 90 days at one inner-city hospital in the Chicagoland area. Study findings suggest that higher rates of readmission are linked to cocaine abuse in both male and female populations. Diagnosis of bipolar in females and schizoaffective disorder in male populations were the among the highest for readmission. Key social factors such as homelessness and low socioeconomic status were identified to contribute to a large proportion of psychiatric readmission burden. However, an overwhelming amount of information was missing due to unobtained labs and lack of current patient social history. By using this data as well as data from electronic medical records (EMRs) to further investigate and identify other features of at-risk patients, hospitals can potentially address these markers to lower readmission rates. Ultimately, a higher understanding of the patients' needs can be understood and can help develop standardized plans of care for prevalent psychiatric illnesses in these populations.
Diabetes mellitus
- Authors: Gilbert, Julia , Chapman, Ysanne , Hooge, Sharon
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Chronic Care Nursing: A Framework for Practice p. 184-201
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Dementia care
- Authors: Gilbert, Julia , Croxon, Lyn , Ashcroft, Bronwen
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Chronic Care Nursing: A Framework for Practice p. 259-274
- Full Text: false
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Direct and indirect effects of herbivore activity on Australian vegetation
- Authors: Eldridge, Davied , Travers, Samantha , Manning, Adrian , Barton, Philip
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Australian vegetation p. 135-155
- Full Text: false
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Base pay purpose, structures and options
- Authors: Shields, John , O'Leary, Patrick
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Managing employee performance and reward : concepts, practices, strategies p. 162-179
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- Description: Any discussion of remuneration practice must consider what, for most employees, is the primary component of their total remuneration, namely base pay. This chapter begins with a discussion of the general nature and logic of base pay, before considering two broad alternative approaches to configuring base pay – pay for the position (or ‘job-based’ base pay), and pay for personal skills and personal competencies (or ‘person-based’ base pay). It then provides evidence on the comparative incidence of job-, skill- and competency-based pay in various countries, noting that while the two person-based approaches have assumed growing importance in base pay practice in recent decades, the take-up of person-based practices varies considerably from country to country, sector to sector, organisation to organisation and occupation to occupation.Having considered the general differences between position-based and person-based base pay options, the chapter then turns to the more technical aspects of managing base pay systems. We briefly investigate options for structuring base pay. As we shall see, approaches based on the job, skills or competencies each have their own distinct structures and modes of pay progression. As well as coming to terms with these ways of structuring base pay, following the tenets of a strategic alignment approach to system design, we also seek to identify those organisational settings and management strategies for which each of these alternative structures might be most (and least) appropriate. Chapters 8 and 9 will then examine the steps involved in developing, implementing and maintaining position- and person-based systems.
Response of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible biotypes of annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) to increased carbon dioxide and variable soil moisture
- Authors: Mobli, Ahmadreza , Florentine, Singarayer , Jha, Prashant , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Weed Science Vol. 68, no. 6 (2020), p. 575-581
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- Description: The growth response of annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) to anticipated future climate conditions is currently unknown, and thus two parallel studies were conducted dealing with glyphosate-resistant (GR) and glyphosate-susceptible (GS) biotypes of S. oleraceus. The glyphosate efficacy study was conducted using different doses of glyphosate (0 [control], 180, 360, 720 [recommended dose], and 1,440 g ae ha-1) at two different moisture levels (well-watered and water-stressed conditions). In the second study, the growth and seed production of these biotypes were studied under different atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations (450 and 750 ppm) and under well-watered (100% field capacity) and water-stressed (50% field capacity) conditions. Results showed that the GR biotype survived (>68%) at 1,440 g ha-1, but for the GS biotype, no plant survived, and both biotypes were slightly (<10%) affected by moisture regimes. In the elevated CO2 condition, the GS biotype plants were >38% taller and produced >44%, >18%, and >21% more leaves, buds, and seeds, respectively, compared with the ambient CO2 concentration under both moisture regimes. The biomass also increased by 27% in comparison with the ambient CO2 concentration. For the GR biotype, plants at the elevated CO2 level, while they also grew 38% taller in comparison with the ambient CO2 concentration, the numbers of leaves, buds, and seeds and biomass were not affected by this increase in CO2. Results showed that there were minimal changes in response to glyphosate for GR and GS biotypes of S. oleraceus with or without moisture stress. Our study suggests that future climate change with elevated CO2 levels can affect the response of S. oleraceus to glyphosate, and such knowledge will be helpful for weed management in the future. © 2020 Weed Science Society of America.
Agoraphilic navigation algorithm in dynamic environment with obstacles motion tracking and prediction
- Authors: Hewawasam, Hasitha , Ibrahim, Yousef , Kahandawa, Gayan , Choudhury, Tanveer
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Robotica Vol. 40, no. 2 (2022), p. 329-347
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- Description: This paper presents a new algorithm to navigate robots in dynamically cluttered environments. The proposed algorithm uses basic concepts of space attraction (hence the term Agoraphilic) to navigate robots through dynamic obstacles. The new algorithm in this paper is an advanced development of the original Agoraphilic navigation algorithm that was only able to navigate robots in static environments. The Agoraphilic algorithm does not look for obstacles (problems) to avoid but rather for a free space (solutions) to follow. Therefore, it is also described as an optimistic navigation algorithm. This algorithm uses only one attractive force created by the available free space. The free-space concept allows the Agoraphilic algorithm to overcome inherited challenges of general navigation algorithms. However, the original Agoraphilic algorithm has the limitation in navigating robots only in static, not in dynamic environments. The presented algorithm was developed to address this limitation of the original Agoraphilic algorithm. The new algorithm uses a developed object tracking module to identify the time-varying free spaces by tracking moving obstacles. The capacity of the algorithm was further strengthened by the new prediction module. Future space prediction allowed the algorithm to make decisions considering future growing/diminishing free spaces. This paper also includes a bench-marking study of the new algorithm compared with a recently published APF-based algorithm under a similar operating environment. Furthermore, the algorithm was validated based on experimental tests and simulation tests. © 2022 Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
Efficacy of halosulfuron-methyl in the management of Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) : differential responses of plants with and without established rhizomes
- Authors: Chadha, Aakansha , Florentine, Singarayer , Dhileepan, Kunjithapatham , Turville, Christopher , Dowling, Kim
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Weed Technology Vol. 36, no. 3 (2022), p. 397-402
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- Description: Navua sedge is a creeping perennial sedge commonly found in tropical environments and is currently threatening many agroecosystems and ecosystems in Pacific Island countries and northern Queensland, Australia. Pasture and crop productions have been significantly impacted by this weed. The efficacy of halosulfuron-methyl on Navua sedge plants with and without well-established rhizomes was evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Halosulfuron-methyl was applied to plants with established rhizomes at three stages; mowed, pre-flowering, and flowering growth stages, whereas plants without established rhizomes were treated at seedling, pre-flowering and flowering growth stages. At each application time, halosulfuron-methyl was applied at four dose rates of 0, 38, 75, and 150 g ai ha-1. Mortality of 27.5%, 0%, and 5% was recorded in rhizomatous Navua sedge when treated with 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl at the mowed, pre-flowering stage and flowering stages, respectively. At 10 wk after treatment (WAT), there were no tillers in surviving plants treated at any of the application times. By 16 WAT, the number of tillers increased to 15, 24, and 26 in mowed, pre-flowering, and flowering stages, respectively. Although halosulfuron-methyl is effective in controlling aboveground growth, subsequent emergence of new growth from the rhizome confirms the failure of the herbicide to kill the rhizome. Application of 75 g ai ha-1 of halosulfuron-methyl provided 100% mortality in plants treated at seedling and pre-flowering stages, and 98% mortality when treated at flowering stage in non-rhizomatous plants. A single application of halosulfuron-methyl is highly effective at controlling Navua sedge seedlings but not effective at controlling plants with established rhizomes. © 2022 Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
Imagining the possibilities of a cross-cultural oral narrative portraiture method: Stepping beyond binary discourses
- Authors: Weuffen, Sara , Pickford, Aunty
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Indigenous Education Vol. 50, no. 1 (2021), p. 71-79
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- Description: Contemporary scholarly critique in Indigenous research spaces has tended to focus on binary dualities, including the purpose of Indigenous-focused research, and the legitimacy of researcher identity, research knowledge and truth. Yet, perhaps unintentionally, such interrogation has led to the continued (re)construction and maintenance of false race-based dichotomies. In this paper, one way in which we seek to step beyond binary race-based discourses is by advocating for the advancement of cross-cultural research practices that interweave traditional and contemporary communication practices. We put forward the case that by knitting together Eurocentric and Indigenous research methodologies, Lawrence-Lightfoot's (2005, Qualitative Inquiry 11, 3-15) portraiture method, and Aboriginal practices of storytelling/yarning, the cross-cultural oral narrative portraiture method enables co-construction of more holistic, culturally nuanced and responsive stories, where meaning, context and reason resonate. In the 21st century research space, we open dialogue for thinking about data as stories, and advocate for contemporary intercultural research processes that are inclusive, engaging and promote co-construction of narratives for storying. Copyright © The Author(s) 2019.
Linking people and activities through community mobility : an international comparison of the mobility patterns of older drivers and non-drivers
- Authors: Unsworth, Carolyn , Dickerson, Anne , Gélinas, Isabelle , Harries, Priscilla , Margot-Cattin, Isabel , Mazer, Barbara , Stapleton, Tadhg , Swanepoel, Lizette , Timmer, Amanda , Niekerk, Lana , Vrkljan, Brenda
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ageing and Society Vol. 42, no. 8 (2022), p. 1938-1963
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- Description: Community mobility using private and public transportation is important for maintaining health, social participation and living well in later life. This international cross-sectional cohort study (N = 246) reported on the health and driving status of older adults from seven countries where the mobility patterns of drivers and non-drivers were compared in terms of city and rural areas, weather, as well as their respective differences in the number of out-of-home places accessed and quality of life. Older adults participated in a semi-structured interview and completed four standardised instruments: the EQ-5D-5L, modified PULSES health profile, modified Transportation Questionnaire, and the Transport - Participation in Activities and Places Outside the Home. Results suggested inclement weather and place of residence negatively impacted out-of-home activities but did not increase use of public transportation. Drivers accessed more out-of-home activities than non-drivers, suggesting higher community participation among this group, and quality of life was generally high among all participants, but slightly higher for drivers. Findings indicate that a complex myriad of factors can influence community mobility in older adults and further investigations are needed to understand patterns of transport in later life, particularly with regard to those factors that promote and maintain transport mobility, and relationships between transport mobility, community participation and quality of life. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press.