Drinking the Winds: Monsoon as Atmospheric Spring.

This paper explores monsoons as a set of atmospheric-orographic dynamics productive of water resources and as a site of actionable concern for landscape practice. From study to representation to design, the term "landscape practice" is used to describe a way of positioning environments as both subject and object of concern. While monsoons are constituents of many geographies, dynamics, materials and experiences, this paper focuses on the South Asian monsoon and its relationship with the Tibetan Plateau. In this region, freshwater resources are dependent on the monsoon; however, as rising global temperatures and rapid urban development significantly impact the behavior of the monsoon and the Plateau's ability to store freshwater, the monsoon-as a kinetic body of freshwater-becomes the focal point of visual media productions and extractive technologies that require a shifting of perspective from one that privileges land to one that centers the atmosphere. The inclusion of meteorological and atmospheric material and dynamics within the space of landscape practice, constructively challenges the spatial discipline's engagement with exploitable resources; and the monsoon provides a tangible site and set of conditions that is in urgent need of this exploration.

Este escrito explora los monzones como un conjunto de dinámicas atmosférico-orográficas generadoras de recursos hídricos, y como escenario de interés susceptible de enjuiciamiento para la práctica del paisaje. Desde el estudio hasta la representación y el diseño, la expresión "práctica del paisaje" se usa para describir una manera de posicionar los entornos tanto en condición de sujeto como en la de objeto de preocupación. Mientras los monzones son elementos constituyentes de muchas geografías, dinámicas, materiales y experiencias, este trabajo se enfoca sobre el monzón de Sur de Asia en su relación con la Meseta Tibetana. En esta región, los recursos de agua dulce dependen del monzón; sin embargo, a medida que la elevación de las temperaturas globales y el rápido desarrollo urbano impactan significativamente el comportamiento del monzón y la capacidad de la Meseta de almacenar agua dulce, el monzón ­­como cuerpo cinético del agua dulce­­ se convierte en el punto focal de las producciones visuales de los medios y de las tecnologías extractivas que requieren un cambio de perspectiva, desde la que privilegia la tierra a otra que se centra en la atmósfera. La inclusión de material y dinámicas meteorológicas y atmosféricas dentro del espacio de la práctica del paisaje reta constructivamente el compromiso de la disciplina espacial con los recursos explotables; y el monzón provee un espacio tangible y un conjunto de condiciones que necesitan con urgencia esa exploración.

Feltman: evaluating the utilisation of an Aboriginal diabetes education tool by health professionals.

Diabetes contributes considerably to the health disparities in the Aboriginal population. To address the lack of Aboriginal-specific diabetes education tools, Feltman was designed for health professionals to deliver diabetes prevention and management information. This qualitative study aims to explore how this resource was used and its perceived effect on diabetes prevention and management in Victorian Aboriginal communities. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 18 participants (n=6 were Aboriginal) who had attended Feltman training between 2010 and 2016. Semi-structured interviews conducted via telephone or face-to-face were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed via content analysis. Content analysis identified three main categories regarding Feltman: (1) utilisation in Aboriginal and mainstream health services; (2) as a comprehensive, engaging tool that supports understanding of diabetes; and (3) the barriers and challenges to Feltman's use. Overall, Feltman was regarded as a culturally appropriate diabetes education tool that is visual, tactile, engaging, supportive of health literacy and perceived to enhance Community members' understanding of diabetes prevention and management. This is the first study to provide insight into Feltman's implementation; adding to the evidence-base for Aboriginal-specific diabetes education tools.