Papers by Larissa Nicholls
Energy Research and Social Science, 2015
Smart grid technologies enable introduction of time-of-use (TOU) tariffs which aim to reduce peak... more Smart grid technologies enable introduction of time-of-use (TOU) tariffs which aim to reduce peak demand. TOU tariffs are presented as financial opportunities but outcomes depend on flexibility in household practices. Households with children have higher peak electricity consumption and this paper investigates how and why practices performed during the weekday peak ‘hang together’.
We conducted forty-four interviews and home tours followed by a survey (547 responses) of households with children in Australia. Our analysis finds that the family peak is tightly coordinated and routinised. Interlinked bundles of practices were meaningful beyond their commonly assumed functions. For example, bathing of children (re-) connected siblings and parents, occupied children while dinner was prepared or cleaned up, and calmed children in preparation for sleeping. The analysis also shows how flexibility during the peak period is constrained by the relation to other periods of the weekday, along with its synchronisation with school, work and childcare arrangements.
From our analysis of we conclude that TOU tariffs are unlikely to effectively reduce peak period electricity consumption in households with children and may have inequitable financial and/or social impacts for these households. Alternative approaches that better engage with the dynamics of social practice in family households are suggested.
Resonating with the industrial revolution of the home (Schwartz Cowan, 1989), the smart home 'dig... more Resonating with the industrial revolution of the home (Schwartz Cowan, 1989), the smart home 'digital revolution' reinvigorates promises for convenience. This paper analyses the industry vision for a 'simple life', and asks what energy implications it is likely to generate. We draw on an international magazine and online media content analysis of the 21st Century smart home, alongside 10 interviews conducted with Australian smart home industry professionals. The analysis explores the contradiction between complexity and simplicity embedded in smart home industry visions, where an expanded range of devices, services and options are marketed as a way to simplify and enhance everyday practices. A promoted side-benefit is reduced and more efficient energy consumption. We unpack the expectations embodied in this current convenience narrative to show how smart home devices may transform everyday practices in ways which result in increased energy consumption and household labour. The paper concludes by calling for energy research and scholarship which seeks to disrupt the convenience and other smart home narratives.
The Selandra Rise master-planned estate (MPE) in Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor was desig... more The Selandra Rise master-planned estate (MPE) in Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor was designed to create a “healthy and engaged community” through the provision of parks, physical activity opportunities and
community facilities. A 5 year longitudinal study researched the impact on residents. Over one third of residents spent 2 to 3 h per day commuting and high levels of dissatisfaction with commutes were found. Longer commute times were associated with poor physical activity and weight outcomes. The paper concludes that provisions for health and wellbeing within an MPE are insufficient when opportunities for local employment are limited and broader locational, connectivity and transport disadvantages are not addressed.
The aim of this stud3; was to determine the effect of an inhibitor of bacterial endotoxin, monoph... more The aim of this stud3; was to determine the effect of an inhibitor of bacterial endotoxin, monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E z (PGE2) formation by human choriodecidua explants incubated in vitro. LPS induced the release of PGE 2 from explants in a time-and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, n=5), thus establishing the efficacy of the experimental model. MLA at concentrations of 10 ~tg/ml also increased PGE z release from explants when compared to vehicle controls (P<0.05, n=5). When used at a concentration that did not stimulate PGE 2 release (1 p.g/ml), MLA pretreatment, coincubation or a combination of these protocols did not significantly affect LPS-induced PGE z release. These data establish that MLA does not act by abrogating tissue LPS responsiveness. Under the conditions utilized in this study, MLA acts locally as a low potency 'LPS-like agent'. The previously reported in vivo efficacy of systemically administered MLA may involve the partial depletion or down regulation of LPS response pathways and the subsequent development of LPS tolerance.
The aim of this study was to establish the effect of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)... more The aim of this study was to establish the effect of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the release of Type II phospholipase-A 2 (PLA 2) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) from late-pregnant human placental tissue incubated in vitro. Under basal conditions, immunoreactive Type II PLA 2 and PGE 2 were released from tissue explants in a time-dependent manner (up to 24 h, ANOVA, P<0·0001, n=6). The release of these mediators was not associated with a loss of cell membrane integrity, as indicated by concentrations of the intracellular enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), in the incubation medium. Incubation of explants in the presence of LPS (0·001–100 µg LPS/ml) significantly decreased PLA 2 tissue content (P<0·02, n=6) and increased the accumulation of PLA 2 and PGE 2 in the incubation medium (P<0·0001, n=6). The data obtained in this study indicated that Type II PLA 2 and PGE 2 are released from term placenta under basal conditions and that LPS stimulated their release. The associated decrease in PLA 2 tissue content is consistent with the hypothesis that LPS induces the release of stored PLA 2. This study identifies one pathway by which products of bacterial infection may induce the release of a pro-inflammatory, extracellularly active PLA 2 from intrauterine tissues that may promote the formation of phospholipid metabolites involved in the process of labour and delivery (e.g. the prostaglandins).
Master-planned estates (MPEs) on edges of cities are a major source of new housing in Australia. ... more Master-planned estates (MPEs) on edges of cities are a major source of new housing in Australia. Concerns about limited local services and amenities and negative impacts on resident health have contributed to changes in design of some MPEs. A master-planned estate in the southeast growth corridor of Melbourne was designed with aims for a 'healthy and engaged community'. Longitudinal research methods to evaluate outcomes included 76 interviews and a survey (568 responses) conducted at three time points over the first four years of the estate's development. Both methods included future residents and those already living at Selandra Rise to enhance insights into the impacts of residential environment. Many residents moved to the MPE from more central parts of Melbourne, attracted by the combination of a more affordable new detached home in an estate with parks, exercise opportunities and community facilities. Most residents were young working couples and few worked locally. Many spent more than two hours per day commuting and had unpredictable travel times. Residents reported prioritising home and family time over using the estate's health and wellbeing features. We conclude that provisions for health and wellbeing within the MPE are insufficient when broader locational and connectivity disadvantages are not addressed. To equitably achieve health aims, greenfield housing development needs better integrated regional planning, including efficient road and public transport, and more immediate opportunities for local employment.
The importance of neighbourhood design for health outcomes is well-established. Yet
interactions ... more The importance of neighbourhood design for health outcomes is well-established. Yet
interactions between people and neighbourhood features, and how they are incorporated into daily
routines, remain conceptually and empirically underdeveloped. Using theories of social practice
this paper foregrounds the materiality of neighbourhoods to understand the role of natural and built
features in everyday practices of physical activity. Drawing on longitudinal data about residents
who recently moved to a master-planned estate, we discuss our findings in regard to the implications
for those involved in designing and building new neighbourhoods. Our findings show how the
presence—or absence—of certain material features affects the performance, frequency and timing
of practices, such that they were modified, shifted to other (indoor) forms, or not performed at all.
In addition, to effect change the meanings about, and skills to perform, exercise practices need to be
supported in addition to their material elements. Lastly, the timing and synchronisation of exercise
practices in relation to other daily routines is crucial to their ongoing performance. In focusing on
how the material features of neighbourhoods co-constitute practices of outdoor physical activity we
provide new insights into how design is implicated in health and wellbeing.
Energy Research & Social Science, 2015
In international energy policy, programs and consumer research, a dominant ideal consumer is emer... more In international energy policy, programs and consumer research, a dominant ideal consumer is emerging. This consumer is typically a human adult who has the agency to make autonomous, functional and rational decisions about their household’s energy consumption. This paper seeks to disrupt this dominant anthropocentric conceptualisation of the consumer and provide new ways of knowing and potentially intervening in the lives of energy consumers. Drawing on qualitative research conducted with householders living in Sydney, Australia; and theories of practice, materiality and agency from Sociology and Science and Technology (STS) studies, we seek to understand consumers as human and non-human actants operating in distributed assemblages of practice. We explore the implications of conceptualising non-traditional consumers of energy, such as babies, pets, pests, and pool pumps, as performers of or materials in practices that consume energy. Our analysis provides new ways of potentially intervening in patterns of energy consumption. We argue that policy makers need to refocus their attention on finding routes into assemblages of practice to achieve change. We conclude by calling for further exploration and recognition of the myriad curious consumers found in households.
Molecular Microbiology, 2000
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are food-borne intestinal pathogens with a low infecti... more Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are food-borne intestinal pathogens with a low infectious dose. Adhesion of some EHEC strains to epithelial cells is attributed, in part, to intimin, but other factors may be required for the intestinal colonizing ability of these bacteria. In order to identify additional adherence factors of EHEC, we generated transposon mutants of a clinical EHEC isolate of serotype O111:H-, which displayed high levels of adherence to cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. One mutant was markedly deficient in CHO cell adherence, human red blood cell agglutination and autoaggregation. Sequence analysis of the gene disrupted in this mutant revealed a 9669 bp novel chromosomal open reading frame (ORF), which was designated efa1, for EHEC factor for adherence. efa1 displayed 28% amino acid identity with the predicted product of a recently described ORF from the haemolysin-encoding plasmid of EHEC O157:H7. The amino termini of the putative products of these two genes exhibit up to 38% amino acid similarity to Clostridium difficile toxins A and B. efa1 occurred within a novel genetic locus, at least 15 kb in length, which featured a low G+C content, several insertion sequence homologues and a homologue of the Shigella flexneri enterotoxin ShET2. DNA probes prepared from different regions of efa1 hybridized with all of 116 strains of attaching-effacing E. coli (AEEC) of a variety of serotypes, including enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and EHEC, but with none of 91 non-AEEC strains. Nevertheless, efa1 was not required for the attachment-effacement phenotype, and the efa1 locus was not physically linked to the locus for enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island, which is responsible for this phenotype in EPEC. These findings suggest that efa1 encodes a novel virulence-associated determinant of AEEC, which contributes to the adhesive capacity of these bacteria.
Microbial Pathogenesis, 2003
Urban Policy and Research, 2014
Policy submissions by Larissa Nicholls
Reports by Larissa Nicholls
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Papers by Larissa Nicholls
We conducted forty-four interviews and home tours followed by a survey (547 responses) of households with children in Australia. Our analysis finds that the family peak is tightly coordinated and routinised. Interlinked bundles of practices were meaningful beyond their commonly assumed functions. For example, bathing of children (re-) connected siblings and parents, occupied children while dinner was prepared or cleaned up, and calmed children in preparation for sleeping. The analysis also shows how flexibility during the peak period is constrained by the relation to other periods of the weekday, along with its synchronisation with school, work and childcare arrangements.
From our analysis of we conclude that TOU tariffs are unlikely to effectively reduce peak period electricity consumption in households with children and may have inequitable financial and/or social impacts for these households. Alternative approaches that better engage with the dynamics of social practice in family households are suggested.
community facilities. A 5 year longitudinal study researched the impact on residents. Over one third of residents spent 2 to 3 h per day commuting and high levels of dissatisfaction with commutes were found. Longer commute times were associated with poor physical activity and weight outcomes. The paper concludes that provisions for health and wellbeing within an MPE are insufficient when opportunities for local employment are limited and broader locational, connectivity and transport disadvantages are not addressed.
interactions between people and neighbourhood features, and how they are incorporated into daily
routines, remain conceptually and empirically underdeveloped. Using theories of social practice
this paper foregrounds the materiality of neighbourhoods to understand the role of natural and built
features in everyday practices of physical activity. Drawing on longitudinal data about residents
who recently moved to a master-planned estate, we discuss our findings in regard to the implications
for those involved in designing and building new neighbourhoods. Our findings show how the
presence—or absence—of certain material features affects the performance, frequency and timing
of practices, such that they were modified, shifted to other (indoor) forms, or not performed at all.
In addition, to effect change the meanings about, and skills to perform, exercise practices need to be
supported in addition to their material elements. Lastly, the timing and synchronisation of exercise
practices in relation to other daily routines is crucial to their ongoing performance. In focusing on
how the material features of neighbourhoods co-constitute practices of outdoor physical activity we
provide new insights into how design is implicated in health and wellbeing.
Policy submissions by Larissa Nicholls
Reports by Larissa Nicholls
We conducted forty-four interviews and home tours followed by a survey (547 responses) of households with children in Australia. Our analysis finds that the family peak is tightly coordinated and routinised. Interlinked bundles of practices were meaningful beyond their commonly assumed functions. For example, bathing of children (re-) connected siblings and parents, occupied children while dinner was prepared or cleaned up, and calmed children in preparation for sleeping. The analysis also shows how flexibility during the peak period is constrained by the relation to other periods of the weekday, along with its synchronisation with school, work and childcare arrangements.
From our analysis of we conclude that TOU tariffs are unlikely to effectively reduce peak period electricity consumption in households with children and may have inequitable financial and/or social impacts for these households. Alternative approaches that better engage with the dynamics of social practice in family households are suggested.
community facilities. A 5 year longitudinal study researched the impact on residents. Over one third of residents spent 2 to 3 h per day commuting and high levels of dissatisfaction with commutes were found. Longer commute times were associated with poor physical activity and weight outcomes. The paper concludes that provisions for health and wellbeing within an MPE are insufficient when opportunities for local employment are limited and broader locational, connectivity and transport disadvantages are not addressed.
interactions between people and neighbourhood features, and how they are incorporated into daily
routines, remain conceptually and empirically underdeveloped. Using theories of social practice
this paper foregrounds the materiality of neighbourhoods to understand the role of natural and built
features in everyday practices of physical activity. Drawing on longitudinal data about residents
who recently moved to a master-planned estate, we discuss our findings in regard to the implications
for those involved in designing and building new neighbourhoods. Our findings show how the
presence—or absence—of certain material features affects the performance, frequency and timing
of practices, such that they were modified, shifted to other (indoor) forms, or not performed at all.
In addition, to effect change the meanings about, and skills to perform, exercise practices need to be
supported in addition to their material elements. Lastly, the timing and synchronisation of exercise
practices in relation to other daily routines is crucial to their ongoing performance. In focusing on
how the material features of neighbourhoods co-constitute practices of outdoor physical activity we
provide new insights into how design is implicated in health and wellbeing.