Let ϵ be a Hermitian-holomorphic vector bundle with compatible Chern connection ▽, defined on the complement of Rⁿ inside a polydisc Δ ⊇ Cⁿ. The main result of this notes provides a necessary and sufficient condition for unique extension of ϵ to Δ, namely that the curvature F_▽, when contracted with a non-vanishing holomorphic vector field ξ, is ∂-exact. Applications to removable singularities for anti-self-dual connections across a real time line in C² and solutions of the static monopole equation across a point in R³ are also given as corollaries.

This chapter introduces the concept of ‘trickster habitus’ to read new meanings into subtle forms of global coloniality that are hidden behind the language of scientific ‘objectivity’, ‘impartiality’ and ‘fairness’ used to justify standardised language and citizenship testing for immigrants and prospective citizens. The argument is that though language proficiency tests are, to a degree, useful in informing measurement and assessment in a range of social and educational contexts, they do have a dark side that betrays the hallmarks of coloniality of power. The conclusion is that language testing regimes emerged out of and are sustained by imperatives of control, gate-keeping and the exercising of power in Western societies such as Australia.

Annual grass weeds can provide significant competition to an establishing sown tropical perennial grass pasture. At least two years of grass weed control prior to sowing is required to reduce the weed seed bank. Pre-emergent herbicides used in summer cereals, such as atrazine or s-metolachlor with metcamifen seed safener, may reduce this preparation time. Two controlled-environment experiments were conducted to assess the potential for these pre-emergent herbicides to be used with several tropical perennial grasses. Experiment 1 tested the effect of metcamifen (400 g L⁻¹ a.i. at 0–2× label rate) on the emergence and vigor of Chloris gayana, Dichanthium aristatum, Digitaria eriantha and Panicum coloratum, with Sorghum bicolor as the control. Experiment 2 tested the effect of s-metolachlor (960 g h⁻¹ a.i.) with metcamifen-treated or untreated seed, and atrazine (1800 g h⁻¹ a.i.) on the emergence and early growth of the grasses. Metcamifen did not inhibit emergence or vigor of the grasses. Without metcamifen seed treatment, smetolachlor reduced the growth of the tropical perennial grasses by 47–100%, while it had no such effect on S. bicolor. In contrast, there was no effect of atrazine on shoot yields of the grasses, nor of s-metolachlor when D. aristatum, D. eriantha and P. coloratum seed had been treated with metcamifen. The collective results indicate that the herbicide safener metcamifen does not reduce the viability of tropical perennial grass seed and provides some protection against s-metolachlor, albeit not complete protection at the rates used in our study. Atrazine did not affect emergence or early growth of the grasses.

There is now substantial evidence that women can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in response to a difficult birth. Consistent with the diathesis-stress model for birth-related PTSD, research suggests that the subjective appraisal of a woman’s childbirth experience may be a more significant risk factor than objective complications (e.g., emergency caesarean, forceps delivery). Birth related PTSD is also thought to have direct effects on infant mental health, as well as significant social and economic costs. This thesis explores the consequences of birth related PTSD symptoms on the mother–infant relationship, the individual characteristics that are risk factors for birth related PTSD, and evaluates an intervention aimed at reducing or preventing birth related PTSD symptoms. A significant robust association between birth related PTSD symptoms and poorer mother– infant relationship quality is demonstrated, emphasising the relevance of the research topic. Findings relating to risk factors and the intervention are largely contrary to what was predicted, which suggests that a more comprehensive perspective on birth related PTSD that encompasses external systemic factors is needed. The impact of COVID-19 on antenatal depression further highlighted the influence of external factors on maternal well-being. An integrated theory of birth trauma using the power threat meaning framework is proposed. It is recommended that women should be routinely screened for birth related PTSD symptoms, alongside screening for postnatal depression, and those women who are identified as having experienced trauma symptoms should be offered a referral to a perinatal psychologist or mental health clinician with experience working with trauma. Policy and practice in hospital and healthcare settings should be consistent with the WHO’s recommendations for intrapartum care, including respectful woman-centred care, where women can make autonomous, informed decisions. To achieve this, birth needs to be recognised as a psychological and physiological process with important social and emotional aspects rather than as a medical event.