The Gut Microbiota of Rural Papua New Guineans : Composition, Diversity Patterns, and Ecological Processes
- Martínez, Inés, Stegen, James, Maldonado-Gómez, Maria, Eren, Murat, Siba, Peter, Greenhill, Andrew, Walter, Jens
- Authors: Martínez, Inés , Stegen, James , Maldonado-Gómez, Maria , Eren, Murat , Siba, Peter , Greenhill, Andrew , Walter, Jens
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cell Reports Vol. 11, no. 4 (2015), p. 527-538
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Although recent research revealed an impact of westernization on diversity and composition of the human gut microbiota, the exact consequences on metacommunity characteristics are insufficiently understood, and the underlying ecological mechanisms have not been elucidated. Here, we have compared the fecal microbiota of adults from two non-industrialized regions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with that of United States (US) residents. Papua New Guineans harbor communities with greater bacterial diversity, lower inter-individual variation, vastly different abundance profiles, and bacterial lineages undetectable in US residents. A quantification of the ecological processes that govern community assembly identified bacterial dispersal as the dominant process that shapes the microbiome in PNG but not in the US. These findings suggest that the microbiome alterations detected in industrialized societies might arise from modern lifestyle factors limiting bacterial dispersal, which has implications for human health and the development of strategies aimed to redress the impact of westernization. © 2015 The Authors.
- Authors: Martínez, Inés , Stegen, James , Maldonado-Gómez, Maria , Eren, Murat , Siba, Peter , Greenhill, Andrew , Walter, Jens
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cell Reports Vol. 11, no. 4 (2015), p. 527-538
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Although recent research revealed an impact of westernization on diversity and composition of the human gut microbiota, the exact consequences on metacommunity characteristics are insufficiently understood, and the underlying ecological mechanisms have not been elucidated. Here, we have compared the fecal microbiota of adults from two non-industrialized regions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with that of United States (US) residents. Papua New Guineans harbor communities with greater bacterial diversity, lower inter-individual variation, vastly different abundance profiles, and bacterial lineages undetectable in US residents. A quantification of the ecological processes that govern community assembly identified bacterial dispersal as the dominant process that shapes the microbiome in PNG but not in the US. These findings suggest that the microbiome alterations detected in industrialized societies might arise from modern lifestyle factors limiting bacterial dispersal, which has implications for human health and the development of strategies aimed to redress the impact of westernization. © 2015 The Authors.
The hybrid idea of (energy minimization) optimization methods applied to study prion protein structions focusing on the beta2-alpha2 loop
- Authors: Zhang, Jiapu
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biochemistry & Pharmacology Vol. 4, no. 4 (2015), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In molecular mechanics, current generation potential energy functions provide a reasonably good compromise between accuracy and effectiveness. This paper firstly reviewed several most commonly used classical potential energy functions and their optimization methods used for energy minimization. To minimize a potential energy function, about 95% efforts are spent on the Lennard-Jones potential of van der Waals interactions; we also give a detailed review on some effective computational optimization methods in the Cambridge Cluster Database to solve the problem of Lennard- Jones clusters. From the reviews, we found the hybrid idea of optimization methods is effective, necessary and efficient for solving the potential energy minimization problem and the Lennard-Jones clusters problem. An application to prion protein structures is then done by the hybrid idea. We focus on the
- Authors: Zhang, Jiapu
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biochemistry & Pharmacology Vol. 4, no. 4 (2015), p. 1-12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In molecular mechanics, current generation potential energy functions provide a reasonably good compromise between accuracy and effectiveness. This paper firstly reviewed several most commonly used classical potential energy functions and their optimization methods used for energy minimization. To minimize a potential energy function, about 95% efforts are spent on the Lennard-Jones potential of van der Waals interactions; we also give a detailed review on some effective computational optimization methods in the Cambridge Cluster Database to solve the problem of Lennard- Jones clusters. From the reviews, we found the hybrid idea of optimization methods is effective, necessary and efficient for solving the potential energy minimization problem and the Lennard-Jones clusters problem. An application to prion protein structures is then done by the hybrid idea. We focus on the
The impact of sex work on women's personal romantic relationships and the mental separation of their work and personal lives : A mixed-methods study
- Bellhouse, Clare, Crebbin, Susan, Fairley, Christopher, Bilardi, Jade
- Authors: Bellhouse, Clare , Crebbin, Susan , Fairley, Christopher , Bilardi, Jade
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 10, no. 10 (2015), p. e0141575
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background Very limited research has been undertaken on sex workers' personal romantic relationships and the impact the nature of their work has on their relationships. This exploratory study aimed to explore the impact sex work has on women's personal romantic relationships and the use of mental separation as a coping mechanism to balance the two aspects of their lives. Fifty-five women working in the indoor sex industry in Melbourne, Australia, were recruited to complete a self-report questionnaire about various aspects of their work, including the impact of sex work on their personal relationships. Questionnaires were completed anonymously and included both closed and open-ended questions. A further six women were interviewed to 'member check' the accuracy of the questionnaire findings. Most women (78%) reported that, overall, sex work affected their personal romantic relationships in predominantly negative ways, mainly relating to issues stemming from lying, trust, guilt and jealousy. A small number of women reported positive impacts from sex work including improved sexual self-esteem and confidence. Just under half of women were in a relationship at the time of the study and, of these, 51% reported their partner was aware of the nature of their work. Seventy-seven percent of single women chose to remain single due to the nature of their work. Many women used mental separation as a coping mechanism to manage the tensions between sex work and their personal relationships. Member checking validated the accuracy of the questionnaire data. This exploratory study identified a number of ways in which sex work impacts negatively on women's personal romantic relationships. The findings of this study support the need for further studies to be undertaken to determine if the findings are reflected in a larger, more representative sample of Australian sex workers and should be considered in the context of any future intervention and support programs aimed at addressing the tensions sex workers experience between their work and personal relationships. Greater public awareness and education programs aimed at addressing the negative stigma associated with the sex industry may go some way towards easing the issues faced by women in their personal relationships.
- Authors: Bellhouse, Clare , Crebbin, Susan , Fairley, Christopher , Bilardi, Jade
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plos One Vol. 10, no. 10 (2015), p. e0141575
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background Very limited research has been undertaken on sex workers' personal romantic relationships and the impact the nature of their work has on their relationships. This exploratory study aimed to explore the impact sex work has on women's personal romantic relationships and the use of mental separation as a coping mechanism to balance the two aspects of their lives. Fifty-five women working in the indoor sex industry in Melbourne, Australia, were recruited to complete a self-report questionnaire about various aspects of their work, including the impact of sex work on their personal relationships. Questionnaires were completed anonymously and included both closed and open-ended questions. A further six women were interviewed to 'member check' the accuracy of the questionnaire findings. Most women (78%) reported that, overall, sex work affected their personal romantic relationships in predominantly negative ways, mainly relating to issues stemming from lying, trust, guilt and jealousy. A small number of women reported positive impacts from sex work including improved sexual self-esteem and confidence. Just under half of women were in a relationship at the time of the study and, of these, 51% reported their partner was aware of the nature of their work. Seventy-seven percent of single women chose to remain single due to the nature of their work. Many women used mental separation as a coping mechanism to manage the tensions between sex work and their personal relationships. Member checking validated the accuracy of the questionnaire data. This exploratory study identified a number of ways in which sex work impacts negatively on women's personal romantic relationships. The findings of this study support the need for further studies to be undertaken to determine if the findings are reflected in a larger, more representative sample of Australian sex workers and should be considered in the context of any future intervention and support programs aimed at addressing the tensions sex workers experience between their work and personal relationships. Greater public awareness and education programs aimed at addressing the negative stigma associated with the sex industry may go some way towards easing the issues faced by women in their personal relationships.
The incidence and burden of hospital-treated sports-related injury in people aged 15+ years in Victoria, Australia, 2004-2010 : A future epidemic of osteoarthritis?
- Finch, Caroline, Kemp, Joanne, Clapperton, Angela
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Kemp, Joanne , Clapperton, Angela
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Osteorthritis and Cartilage Vol. 23, no. 7 (2015), p. 1138-1143
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Previous sports injury is a known risk factor for subsequent osteoarthritis (OA), but population-based rates of sports injury are unknown. The aims of this study were to: (1) describe the trends in the population incidence and burden of all hospital-treated sports injury in Victoria, Australia in adults aged 15+ years; (2) determine the incidence of lower limb and knee injuries; and (3) quantify their population health burden as average direct hospital costs per injury and lengths of stay. Methods: Health sector data relating to adults aged 15+ years, for 2004-2010 inclusive, was extracted from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) and Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD). Data relating to sports injuries were identified using activity codes in each dataset Trends in injury frequency and rates were determined, and economic burden was calculated. Results: The overall annual rate of hospital treated sports injuries increased by 24% (P = 0.001), and lower limb injuries by 26% (P = 0.001) over the 7 years. The associated accumulated economic burden was $265 million for all sports injuries and $110 million for lower limb injuries over the 7-years. Conclusions: The findings of this study show a significant increase in sports injuries in the state of Victoria, Australia over a 7-year period. As previous sports injury is a risk factor for the development of OA, the future incidence of OA will escalate, placing an even greater burden on health care systems. Population-wide preventative strategies that reduce the risk of sports injury are urgently required in order to reduce the future burden of OA. © 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International.
- Authors: Finch, Caroline , Kemp, Joanne , Clapperton, Angela
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Osteorthritis and Cartilage Vol. 23, no. 7 (2015), p. 1138-1143
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Previous sports injury is a known risk factor for subsequent osteoarthritis (OA), but population-based rates of sports injury are unknown. The aims of this study were to: (1) describe the trends in the population incidence and burden of all hospital-treated sports injury in Victoria, Australia in adults aged 15+ years; (2) determine the incidence of lower limb and knee injuries; and (3) quantify their population health burden as average direct hospital costs per injury and lengths of stay. Methods: Health sector data relating to adults aged 15+ years, for 2004-2010 inclusive, was extracted from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) and Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD). Data relating to sports injuries were identified using activity codes in each dataset Trends in injury frequency and rates were determined, and economic burden was calculated. Results: The overall annual rate of hospital treated sports injuries increased by 24% (P = 0.001), and lower limb injuries by 26% (P = 0.001) over the 7 years. The associated accumulated economic burden was $265 million for all sports injuries and $110 million for lower limb injuries over the 7-years. Conclusions: The findings of this study show a significant increase in sports injuries in the state of Victoria, Australia over a 7-year period. As previous sports injury is a risk factor for the development of OA, the future incidence of OA will escalate, placing an even greater burden on health care systems. Population-wide preventative strategies that reduce the risk of sports injury are urgently required in order to reduce the future burden of OA. © 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International.
The inclusion of women in Nepalese forestry governance : Perspectives from feminist institutionalism
- Wagle, Radha, Pillay, Soma, Wright, Wendy
- Authors: Wagle, Radha , Pillay, Soma , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Managing for Peak Performance, 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2015); Queenstown, New Zealand; 2nd-4th December 2015 p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is a large body of literature which acknowledges that women play vital roles in protecting and managing forest resources around the world (Agarwal, 2010b; Colfer, 2013; FAO, 2006, 2007; Mai, Mwangi, & Wan, 2011; Sewell Jr, 1992). Despite their contributions to forest management, women are still largely excluded from decision making roles in forestry organizations, especially in developing countries (FAO, 2007). As a result, most of the forestry related decisions are made by males, resulting in the marginalisation of women’s interests in forest management and minimizing the potential contributions of women (ABS, 2013; Christie & Giri, 2011; Lidestav, 2010). The history of forest management in Nepal typifies this gender bias in forestry governance (Christie & Giri, 2011; Giri & Faculty, 2008). While men are actively involved in decision making processes within formal environmental organizations and institutions, women are more likely to be involved at informal and grass root levels, including as an unpaid labour force (Agarwal, 2010b). Before the introduction of community based forestry programs, the Nepalese Ministry of Forests and its subsidiaries (referred to here as the forest bureaucracy) was the major organization responsible for governing the forestry sector. After the introduction and advancement of community based forest management programs, and the entry of civil society, donor and other private sector organizations, the scope and nature of forestry governance has been extended in Nepal. Although, this shift in paradigm opened space for the entry of women into different forestry institutions, the under representation of women in forest bureaucracy (still a major part of forestry governance) still continues. Nepalese rural women have low literacy rates and little involvement in public spheres. As a result there is limited access, for women working at the grassroots level, to national level policy making, planning and implementation. It is usually assumed that professional women bring women’s issues and interests into forestry policy and programmes on behalf of grassroots level women. This representation is not always effective (Giri and Faculty, 2008, Agarwal, 2010b). Government forestry institutions represent the country in participating in different national and international forestry agendas including climate change. If ‘grassroots’ women’s agendas are excluded from decision making processes in regard to environment related agendas, the solutions proposed for environmental problems may be ineffective or only partially effective (WOCAN, 2012). This paper examines the existing legislative measures and institutional practices that facilitate or constrain the role of women in Nepalese forestry institutions. This study also investigates how the gendered institutional norms and values associated with forest-governing institutions, such as forest bureaucracies, shape the nature and extent of women’s involvement in decision making processes in the Nepalese forest bureaucracy. We use Feminist Institutionalism (FI) to examine the effect of the gendered nature of forestry institutions, policies and practices that shape the role of women in forest bureaucracy. We extend New Institutionalism (NI) by incorporating feminist perspectives to forestry governance. In exploring why the gender mainstreaming of legislative measures and practices has not been wholly effective, it is important to examine the informal norms and values within an institution. These act to shape both the behaviour of the individual and political outcomes. Since forestry is highly gendered sector based on different social norms and values, NI is considered a good approach to study those institutions. New Institutionalism is a cutting theme which crosses various disciplines, and holds the interest of historians, sociologists, economists, political scientists and social theorists (Goodin, 1996). New Institutionalism was constructed as a progressive version of older, descriptive approaches to institutionalism in order to understand the role of formal and informal rules which affect the political behaviour of individuals (Gherardi, 1996). This paper examines opportunities and challenges involved in: a) promoting women’s participation in forest governance; and b) establishing an influential role for women in forestry governance. To date, researchers using the approach of institutionalism have not adequately considered the gender perspective, especially within the context of developing countries (Tripp, 2007). This study will therefore extend NI further through theoretical and practical insights, relating gendered issues to NI and particularly its sub-branch, FI.
The inclusion of women in Nepalese forestry governance : Perspectives from feminist institutionalism
- Authors: Wagle, Radha , Pillay, Soma , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Managing for Peak Performance, 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2015); Queenstown, New Zealand; 2nd-4th December 2015 p. 1-16
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is a large body of literature which acknowledges that women play vital roles in protecting and managing forest resources around the world (Agarwal, 2010b; Colfer, 2013; FAO, 2006, 2007; Mai, Mwangi, & Wan, 2011; Sewell Jr, 1992). Despite their contributions to forest management, women are still largely excluded from decision making roles in forestry organizations, especially in developing countries (FAO, 2007). As a result, most of the forestry related decisions are made by males, resulting in the marginalisation of women’s interests in forest management and minimizing the potential contributions of women (ABS, 2013; Christie & Giri, 2011; Lidestav, 2010). The history of forest management in Nepal typifies this gender bias in forestry governance (Christie & Giri, 2011; Giri & Faculty, 2008). While men are actively involved in decision making processes within formal environmental organizations and institutions, women are more likely to be involved at informal and grass root levels, including as an unpaid labour force (Agarwal, 2010b). Before the introduction of community based forestry programs, the Nepalese Ministry of Forests and its subsidiaries (referred to here as the forest bureaucracy) was the major organization responsible for governing the forestry sector. After the introduction and advancement of community based forest management programs, and the entry of civil society, donor and other private sector organizations, the scope and nature of forestry governance has been extended in Nepal. Although, this shift in paradigm opened space for the entry of women into different forestry institutions, the under representation of women in forest bureaucracy (still a major part of forestry governance) still continues. Nepalese rural women have low literacy rates and little involvement in public spheres. As a result there is limited access, for women working at the grassroots level, to national level policy making, planning and implementation. It is usually assumed that professional women bring women’s issues and interests into forestry policy and programmes on behalf of grassroots level women. This representation is not always effective (Giri and Faculty, 2008, Agarwal, 2010b). Government forestry institutions represent the country in participating in different national and international forestry agendas including climate change. If ‘grassroots’ women’s agendas are excluded from decision making processes in regard to environment related agendas, the solutions proposed for environmental problems may be ineffective or only partially effective (WOCAN, 2012). This paper examines the existing legislative measures and institutional practices that facilitate or constrain the role of women in Nepalese forestry institutions. This study also investigates how the gendered institutional norms and values associated with forest-governing institutions, such as forest bureaucracies, shape the nature and extent of women’s involvement in decision making processes in the Nepalese forest bureaucracy. We use Feminist Institutionalism (FI) to examine the effect of the gendered nature of forestry institutions, policies and practices that shape the role of women in forest bureaucracy. We extend New Institutionalism (NI) by incorporating feminist perspectives to forestry governance. In exploring why the gender mainstreaming of legislative measures and practices has not been wholly effective, it is important to examine the informal norms and values within an institution. These act to shape both the behaviour of the individual and political outcomes. Since forestry is highly gendered sector based on different social norms and values, NI is considered a good approach to study those institutions. New Institutionalism is a cutting theme which crosses various disciplines, and holds the interest of historians, sociologists, economists, political scientists and social theorists (Goodin, 1996). New Institutionalism was constructed as a progressive version of older, descriptive approaches to institutionalism in order to understand the role of formal and informal rules which affect the political behaviour of individuals (Gherardi, 1996). This paper examines opportunities and challenges involved in: a) promoting women’s participation in forest governance; and b) establishing an influential role for women in forestry governance. To date, researchers using the approach of institutionalism have not adequately considered the gender perspective, especially within the context of developing countries (Tripp, 2007). This study will therefore extend NI further through theoretical and practical insights, relating gendered issues to NI and particularly its sub-branch, FI.
The John Creedy economics collection: A donation of significance
- Authors: Clark, Roger
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: History of Economics Review Vol. 60, no. Summer (2015), p. 101-104
- Full Text:
- Description: A talk given by Roger Clark, Acquisitions Librarian Federation University Australia, on 10 April 2014 I can see the headline already “Librarian talks about donation of books”..... I hope this little talk won’t be quite as boring as that, but I guess the proof will be in the pudding. My name is Roger Clark, and I am the Acquisitions Librarian here at FedUni. "From introduction"
- Authors: Clark, Roger
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: History of Economics Review Vol. 60, no. Summer (2015), p. 101-104
- Full Text:
- Description: A talk given by Roger Clark, Acquisitions Librarian Federation University Australia, on 10 April 2014 I can see the headline already “Librarian talks about donation of books”..... I hope this little talk won’t be quite as boring as that, but I guess the proof will be in the pudding. My name is Roger Clark, and I am the Acquisitions Librarian here at FedUni. "From introduction"
The mirror of the sea : Narrative identity, sea kayak adventuring and implications for outdoor adventure education
- Miles, Beau, Wattchow, Brian
- Authors: Miles, Beau , Wattchow, Brian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Outdoor Education Vol. 18, no. 1 (2015), p. 16-26
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper explores the complex and changing nature of adventure as a form of cultural practice. Borrowing from Joseph Conrad's memoirs The Mirror of The Sea (1907), sea kayaking is contextualized here as a journey that takes place just as much between 'landfall and departure' as it does between the paddler's ears (i.e., in the paddler's mind). That is to say, to gain useful insights into the experience of sea kayaking it is necessary to consider both the external and internal journey of the paddler, and the relationship that exists between these two phenomena. Using tenets of personality psychology which presents new ways of understanding narrative identity, we will 'waymark' textual vignettes from four modern day sea kayaking adventure narratives to explore ideas of self, narrative identity and meaning making. These key passages aim to reveal how the adventurer's story is influenced by "external factors that shape the public expression of stories about the self" (McAdams & McLean, 2013, p. 233). Summary discussion will address potential implications for contemporary outdoor adventure education, offering a way of stimulating reflective practice about the culturally and textually constructed nature of adventure.
- Authors: Miles, Beau , Wattchow, Brian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Outdoor Education Vol. 18, no. 1 (2015), p. 16-26
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper explores the complex and changing nature of adventure as a form of cultural practice. Borrowing from Joseph Conrad's memoirs The Mirror of The Sea (1907), sea kayaking is contextualized here as a journey that takes place just as much between 'landfall and departure' as it does between the paddler's ears (i.e., in the paddler's mind). That is to say, to gain useful insights into the experience of sea kayaking it is necessary to consider both the external and internal journey of the paddler, and the relationship that exists between these two phenomena. Using tenets of personality psychology which presents new ways of understanding narrative identity, we will 'waymark' textual vignettes from four modern day sea kayaking adventure narratives to explore ideas of self, narrative identity and meaning making. These key passages aim to reveal how the adventurer's story is influenced by "external factors that shape the public expression of stories about the self" (McAdams & McLean, 2013, p. 233). Summary discussion will address potential implications for contemporary outdoor adventure education, offering a way of stimulating reflective practice about the culturally and textually constructed nature of adventure.
The need for speed: Timely prevention of the dispersal of noxious weeds in relief fodder using efficient sampling procedures
- Weller, Sandra, Florentine, Singarayer, Sillitoe, Jim, Grech, Charles, McLaren, David, Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Sillitoe, Jim , Grech, Charles , McLaren, David , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop Protection Vol. 70, no. (2015), p. 21-27
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive and noxious weeds are well known as a pervasive problem, imposing significant economic burdens on all areas of agriculture. Whilst there are multiple possible pathways of weed dispersal in this industry, of particular interest to this discussion is the unintended dispersal of weed seeds within fodder. During periods of drought or following natural disasters such as wild fire or flood, there arises the urgent need for 'relief' fodder to ensure survival and recovery of livestock. In emergency situations, relief fodder may be sourced from widely dispersed geographic regions, and some of these regions may be invaded by an extensive variety of weeds that are both exotic and detrimental to the intended destination for the fodder. Pasture hay is a common source of relief fodder and it typically consists of a mixture of grassy and broadleaf species that may include noxious weeds. When required urgently, pasture hay for relief fodder can be cut, baled, and transported over long distances in a short period of time, with little opportunity for prebaling inspection. It appears that, at the present time, there has been little effort towards rapid testing of bales, post-baling, for the presence of noxious weeds, as a measure to prevent dispersal of seeds. Published studies have relied on the analysis of relatively small numbers of bales, tested to destruction, in order to reveal seed species for identification and enumeration. The development of faster, more reliable, and non-destructive sampling methods is essential to increase the fodder industry's capacity to prevent the dispersal of noxious weeds to previously unaffected locales.
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Sillitoe, Jim , Grech, Charles , McLaren, David , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop Protection Vol. 70, no. (2015), p. 21-27
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive and noxious weeds are well known as a pervasive problem, imposing significant economic burdens on all areas of agriculture. Whilst there are multiple possible pathways of weed dispersal in this industry, of particular interest to this discussion is the unintended dispersal of weed seeds within fodder. During periods of drought or following natural disasters such as wild fire or flood, there arises the urgent need for 'relief' fodder to ensure survival and recovery of livestock. In emergency situations, relief fodder may be sourced from widely dispersed geographic regions, and some of these regions may be invaded by an extensive variety of weeds that are both exotic and detrimental to the intended destination for the fodder. Pasture hay is a common source of relief fodder and it typically consists of a mixture of grassy and broadleaf species that may include noxious weeds. When required urgently, pasture hay for relief fodder can be cut, baled, and transported over long distances in a short period of time, with little opportunity for prebaling inspection. It appears that, at the present time, there has been little effort towards rapid testing of bales, post-baling, for the presence of noxious weeds, as a measure to prevent dispersal of seeds. Published studies have relied on the analysis of relatively small numbers of bales, tested to destruction, in order to reveal seed species for identification and enumeration. The development of faster, more reliable, and non-destructive sampling methods is essential to increase the fodder industry's capacity to prevent the dispersal of noxious weeds to previously unaffected locales.
The perceptions of community change through promoting positive sexual health : a teenage pregnancy program evaluation
- Lê, Quynh, Auckland, Stuart, Nguyen, Hoang, Terry, Daniel
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 3, no. 2 (2015), p. 55-64
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse social, economic and health outcomes for both mother and child. The factors frequently associated with teenage pregnancy or related sexual health issues include teenagers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about sex and other social-economic factors such as levels of poverty, academic success or failure, and parents' education. This paper reports on the evaluation of a teenage pregnancy program conducted in the Southern and North Western regions of Tasmania to address the high levels of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in these regions. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Teenage Pregnancy Programs by examining any evidence for a community change in attitudes and behaviours, and any changes in youth awareness about sexual health. The study adopted a qualitative approach and data were collected from a total of 25 participants (17 who were interviewed and eight who participated in focus groups) residing in the target regions. Data were analysed using thematic analysis using Nvivo 9.0. The study results indicated that the program was well managed and delivered. There were reported changes in the awareness, attitudes and behaviours regarding sexual health within the target communities, which were considered necessary for young people to make well informed choices. The evaluation of the program provides valuable knowledge regarding the processes and outcomes that may have application in future community based sexual health initiatives may be delivered into regional communities.
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 3, no. 2 (2015), p. 55-64
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse social, economic and health outcomes for both mother and child. The factors frequently associated with teenage pregnancy or related sexual health issues include teenagers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about sex and other social-economic factors such as levels of poverty, academic success or failure, and parents' education. This paper reports on the evaluation of a teenage pregnancy program conducted in the Southern and North Western regions of Tasmania to address the high levels of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in these regions. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Teenage Pregnancy Programs by examining any evidence for a community change in attitudes and behaviours, and any changes in youth awareness about sexual health. The study adopted a qualitative approach and data were collected from a total of 25 participants (17 who were interviewed and eight who participated in focus groups) residing in the target regions. Data were analysed using thematic analysis using Nvivo 9.0. The study results indicated that the program was well managed and delivered. There were reported changes in the awareness, attitudes and behaviours regarding sexual health within the target communities, which were considered necessary for young people to make well informed choices. The evaluation of the program provides valuable knowledge regarding the processes and outcomes that may have application in future community based sexual health initiatives may be delivered into regional communities.
The PneuCarriage Project : A multi-centre comparative study to identify the best serotyping methods for examining pneumococcal carriage in vaccine evaluation studies
- Satzke, Catherine, Dunne, Eileen, Porter, Barbara, Klugman, Keith, Mulholland, Kim, PneuCarriage project group, Greenhill, Andrew
- Authors: Satzke, Catherine , Dunne, Eileen , Porter, Barbara , Klugman, Keith , Mulholland, Kim , PneuCarriage project group , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Medicine Vol. 12, no. 11 (2015), p. 1-30
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The pneumococcus is a diverse pathogen whose primary niche is the nasopharynx. Over 90 different serotypes exist, and nasopharyngeal carriage of multiple serotypes is common. Understanding pneumococcal carriage is essential for evaluating the impact of pneumococcal vaccines. Traditional serotyping methods are cumbersome and insufficient for detecting multiple serotype carriage, and there are few data comparing the new methods that have been developed over the past decade. We established the PneuCarriage project, a large, international multi-centre study dedicated to the identification of the best pneumococcal serotyping methods for carriage studies. Methods and Findings: Reference sample sets were distributed to 15 research groups for blinded testing. Twenty pneumococcal serotyping methods were used to test 81 laboratory-prepared (spiked) samples. The five top-performing methods were used to test 260 nasopharyngeal (field) samples collected from children in six high-burden countries. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) were determined for the test methods and the reference method (traditional serotyping of >100 colonies from each sample). For the alternate serotyping methods, the overall sensitivity ranged from 1% to 99% (reference method 98%), and PPV from 8% to 100% (reference method 100%), when testing the spiked samples. Fifteen methods had ≥70% sensitivity to detect the dominant (major) serotype, whilst only eight methods had ≥70% sensitivity to detect minor serotypes. For the field samples, the overall sensitivity ranged from 74.2% to 95.8% (reference method 93.8%), and PPV from 82.2% to 96.4% (reference method 99.6%). The microarray had the highest sensitivity (95.8%) and high PPV (93.7%). The major limitation of this study is that not all of the available alternative serotyping methods were included. Conclusions: Most methods were able to detect the dominant serotype in a sample, but many performed poorly in detecting the minor serotype populations. Microarray with a culture amplification step was the top-performing method. Results from this comprehensive evaluation will inform future vaccine evaluation and impact studies, particularly in low-income settings, where pneumococcal disease burden remains high. © 2015 Satzke et al. *For a complete list of authors, please see acknowledgments in the published article.
- Authors: Satzke, Catherine , Dunne, Eileen , Porter, Barbara , Klugman, Keith , Mulholland, Kim , PneuCarriage project group , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Medicine Vol. 12, no. 11 (2015), p. 1-30
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The pneumococcus is a diverse pathogen whose primary niche is the nasopharynx. Over 90 different serotypes exist, and nasopharyngeal carriage of multiple serotypes is common. Understanding pneumococcal carriage is essential for evaluating the impact of pneumococcal vaccines. Traditional serotyping methods are cumbersome and insufficient for detecting multiple serotype carriage, and there are few data comparing the new methods that have been developed over the past decade. We established the PneuCarriage project, a large, international multi-centre study dedicated to the identification of the best pneumococcal serotyping methods for carriage studies. Methods and Findings: Reference sample sets were distributed to 15 research groups for blinded testing. Twenty pneumococcal serotyping methods were used to test 81 laboratory-prepared (spiked) samples. The five top-performing methods were used to test 260 nasopharyngeal (field) samples collected from children in six high-burden countries. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) were determined for the test methods and the reference method (traditional serotyping of >100 colonies from each sample). For the alternate serotyping methods, the overall sensitivity ranged from 1% to 99% (reference method 98%), and PPV from 8% to 100% (reference method 100%), when testing the spiked samples. Fifteen methods had ≥70% sensitivity to detect the dominant (major) serotype, whilst only eight methods had ≥70% sensitivity to detect minor serotypes. For the field samples, the overall sensitivity ranged from 74.2% to 95.8% (reference method 93.8%), and PPV from 82.2% to 96.4% (reference method 99.6%). The microarray had the highest sensitivity (95.8%) and high PPV (93.7%). The major limitation of this study is that not all of the available alternative serotyping methods were included. Conclusions: Most methods were able to detect the dominant serotype in a sample, but many performed poorly in detecting the minor serotype populations. Microarray with a culture amplification step was the top-performing method. Results from this comprehensive evaluation will inform future vaccine evaluation and impact studies, particularly in low-income settings, where pneumococcal disease burden remains high. © 2015 Satzke et al. *For a complete list of authors, please see acknowledgments in the published article.
The role of ion channels in microglial activation and proliferation - a complex interplay between ligand-gated ion channels, K+ channels, and intracellular Ca2+
- Stebbing, Martin, Cottee, Jennifer, Rana, Indrajeetsinh
- Authors: Stebbing, Martin , Cottee, Jennifer , Rana, Indrajeetsinh
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Immunology Vol. 6, no. OCT (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Microglia are often referred to as the immune cells of the brain. They are most definitely involved in immune responses to invading pathogens and inflammatory responses to tissue damage. However, recent results suggest microglia are vital for normal functioning of the brain. Neuroinflammation, as well as more subtle changes, in microglial function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many brain diseases and disorders. Upon sensing alterations in their local environment, microglia change their shape and release factors that can modify the excitability of surrounding neurons. During neuroinflammation, microglia proliferate and release NO, reactive oxygen species, cytokines and chemokines. If inflammation resolves then their numbers normalize again via apoptosis. Microglia express a wide array of ion channels and different types are implicated in all of the cellular processes listed above. Modulation of microglial ion channels has shown great promise as a therapeutic strategy in several brain disorders. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of microglial ion channels and their roles in responses of microglia to changes in the extracellular milieu. © 2015 Stebbing, Cottee and Rana.
- Authors: Stebbing, Martin , Cottee, Jennifer , Rana, Indrajeetsinh
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Immunology Vol. 6, no. OCT (2015), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Microglia are often referred to as the immune cells of the brain. They are most definitely involved in immune responses to invading pathogens and inflammatory responses to tissue damage. However, recent results suggest microglia are vital for normal functioning of the brain. Neuroinflammation, as well as more subtle changes, in microglial function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many brain diseases and disorders. Upon sensing alterations in their local environment, microglia change their shape and release factors that can modify the excitability of surrounding neurons. During neuroinflammation, microglia proliferate and release NO, reactive oxygen species, cytokines and chemokines. If inflammation resolves then their numbers normalize again via apoptosis. Microglia express a wide array of ion channels and different types are implicated in all of the cellular processes listed above. Modulation of microglial ion channels has shown great promise as a therapeutic strategy in several brain disorders. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of microglial ion channels and their roles in responses of microglia to changes in the extracellular milieu. © 2015 Stebbing, Cottee and Rana.
The role of Zinc Transporters in modulating Insulin signalling
- Authors: Nield, Alex
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Zinc is a cell impermeable transition metal with a large number of biological functions, and is an essential component of the insulin signalling pathway. Cellular free zinc increases insulin sensitivity though it is also toxic at high levels, making it essential for cells to tightly regulate bioavailable levels. This homeostasis is maintained by three groups of proteins known as Zips, ZnTs and metallothioneins (MTs). Zips and ZnTs are zinc transporters with Zips increasing cytosolic zinc by pumping it outside the cell or from organelle stores, while the ZnTs decrease cytosolic zinc. The MTs bind to free zinc in the cytosol, reducing its bioavailability. The rapid release of zinc mediated by these proteins has been implicated as a mechanism of signal pathway activation, through zinc activating and deactivating various signalling proteins. This thesis investigated one zinc transporter in particular, known as Zip7. Zip7 is a novel Zip transporter localised to the endoplasmic reticulum and has been implicated in cell signalling in breast cancer cells through release of zinc from cellular stores in response to extracellular stimuli. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the potential role of this zinc transporter in modulating the insulin signalling pathway. The human Zip7 protein sequence was analysed using various bioinformatics tools to identify regions that may contribute to the proposed novel function of this transporter. The loop regions of Zip7 were found to be poorly conserved between species with the exception of histidine rich regions, which showed a high level of conservation when compared to a diverse series of species and so are suspected to have an essential role in modulating the transport function of Zip7 by binding to zinc. These findings implicate histidine residues as an important functional component of Zip7. In order to identify whether Zip7 expression is essential for a normal insulin response, Zip7 mRNA was reduced via transfection of siRNA in mouse skeletal muscle cells and measurement of markers of insulin signalling. When Zip7 expression was reduced there was a subsequent decrease in the expression of several markers of insulin signalling including Glut4 protein levels, Akt phosphorylation and insulin-mediated glycogen synthesis, indicating that the cells were insulin resistant compared to the control. It was hypothesised that given the proposed role for Zip7 in mediating rapid zinc release and that Zip7 expression is important for normal insulin signalling, Zip7 activation is stimulated by insulin treatment to temporarily increase cytosolic zinc bioavailability as a positive feedback mechanism for prolonging pathway activation. To test this, live cell imaging of zinc flux in cells was performed in cells with reduced Zip7 expression compared to controls. Insulin was shown to cause an increase in cytosolic zinc in C2C12 cells. However when Zip7 expression was reduced, even though the cells showed signs of insulin resistance, there was still an increase in zinc levels mediated by insulin. Insulin treatment is known to induce cellular ROS production and hydrogen peroxide has been suggested to cause a release of zinc due to oxidation of MTs leading to a release of bound zinc. These findings indicate that insulin-stimulated zinc flux is the result of MT oxidation rather than Zip7 activation. Taken together, these results highlight an important role for Zip7 in the insulin signalling pathway and show a previously undescribed positive feedback loop whereby insulin mediates a release of zinc to potentially inhibit PTP1B and other phosphatases to prolong insulin signalling activation. Further work is needed to fully elucidate the role of Zip7 in this pathway.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Nield, Alex
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Zinc is a cell impermeable transition metal with a large number of biological functions, and is an essential component of the insulin signalling pathway. Cellular free zinc increases insulin sensitivity though it is also toxic at high levels, making it essential for cells to tightly regulate bioavailable levels. This homeostasis is maintained by three groups of proteins known as Zips, ZnTs and metallothioneins (MTs). Zips and ZnTs are zinc transporters with Zips increasing cytosolic zinc by pumping it outside the cell or from organelle stores, while the ZnTs decrease cytosolic zinc. The MTs bind to free zinc in the cytosol, reducing its bioavailability. The rapid release of zinc mediated by these proteins has been implicated as a mechanism of signal pathway activation, through zinc activating and deactivating various signalling proteins. This thesis investigated one zinc transporter in particular, known as Zip7. Zip7 is a novel Zip transporter localised to the endoplasmic reticulum and has been implicated in cell signalling in breast cancer cells through release of zinc from cellular stores in response to extracellular stimuli. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the potential role of this zinc transporter in modulating the insulin signalling pathway. The human Zip7 protein sequence was analysed using various bioinformatics tools to identify regions that may contribute to the proposed novel function of this transporter. The loop regions of Zip7 were found to be poorly conserved between species with the exception of histidine rich regions, which showed a high level of conservation when compared to a diverse series of species and so are suspected to have an essential role in modulating the transport function of Zip7 by binding to zinc. These findings implicate histidine residues as an important functional component of Zip7. In order to identify whether Zip7 expression is essential for a normal insulin response, Zip7 mRNA was reduced via transfection of siRNA in mouse skeletal muscle cells and measurement of markers of insulin signalling. When Zip7 expression was reduced there was a subsequent decrease in the expression of several markers of insulin signalling including Glut4 protein levels, Akt phosphorylation and insulin-mediated glycogen synthesis, indicating that the cells were insulin resistant compared to the control. It was hypothesised that given the proposed role for Zip7 in mediating rapid zinc release and that Zip7 expression is important for normal insulin signalling, Zip7 activation is stimulated by insulin treatment to temporarily increase cytosolic zinc bioavailability as a positive feedback mechanism for prolonging pathway activation. To test this, live cell imaging of zinc flux in cells was performed in cells with reduced Zip7 expression compared to controls. Insulin was shown to cause an increase in cytosolic zinc in C2C12 cells. However when Zip7 expression was reduced, even though the cells showed signs of insulin resistance, there was still an increase in zinc levels mediated by insulin. Insulin treatment is known to induce cellular ROS production and hydrogen peroxide has been suggested to cause a release of zinc due to oxidation of MTs leading to a release of bound zinc. These findings indicate that insulin-stimulated zinc flux is the result of MT oxidation rather than Zip7 activation. Taken together, these results highlight an important role for Zip7 in the insulin signalling pathway and show a previously undescribed positive feedback loop whereby insulin mediates a release of zinc to potentially inhibit PTP1B and other phosphatases to prolong insulin signalling activation. Further work is needed to fully elucidate the role of Zip7 in this pathway.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The socio-economic and physical contributors to food insecurity in a rural community
- Lê, Quynh, Auckland, Stuart, Nguyen, Hoang, Murray, Sandra, Long, Gretchen, Terry, Daniel
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Murray, Sandra , Long, Gretchen , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: SAGE Open Vol. 5, no. 1 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia is considered a highly food-secure nation; however, this is not always the case for every individual, household, and community. This article examines the physical and financial access to food of the population of Dorset, a rural municipality in North East Tasmania (Australia); the impact that socio-economic factors have on their food security; and the coping strategies they use when food shortages occur. A mixed-methods approach was used: Quantitative data were collected through the Tasmanian Household Food Security Survey and qualitative data through nine community focus groups conducted throughout the Dorset municipality. A total of 364 respondents (response rate 63%) completed the survey. Two main themes were identified within the data: food availability and food access. Food availability considered food origin, sustainability, and food production, whereas food access considered physical access, financial access, and other access issues such as awareness, skills, cultural preferences, and social support. The data revealed the wide-ranging effects of the importation of cheaper food alternatives, which had long-term implications not only on individuals' health but also on the economic health of the community. A number of respondents indicated they were at times unable to buy nutritious foods due to limited finances, which led some to go without food or use other strategies to feed themselves. This study highlights the inappropriateness of the continuation of individual behavior change as a policy focus, as many of the problems facing communities are beyond individual abilities. Thus, the implications for policy from this study are centered on providing further support for strategies that focus on ensuring equity and food security for all, particularly the rural inhabitants of many food-secure nations. © The Author(s) 2015.
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Murray, Sandra , Long, Gretchen , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: SAGE Open Vol. 5, no. 1 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia is considered a highly food-secure nation; however, this is not always the case for every individual, household, and community. This article examines the physical and financial access to food of the population of Dorset, a rural municipality in North East Tasmania (Australia); the impact that socio-economic factors have on their food security; and the coping strategies they use when food shortages occur. A mixed-methods approach was used: Quantitative data were collected through the Tasmanian Household Food Security Survey and qualitative data through nine community focus groups conducted throughout the Dorset municipality. A total of 364 respondents (response rate 63%) completed the survey. Two main themes were identified within the data: food availability and food access. Food availability considered food origin, sustainability, and food production, whereas food access considered physical access, financial access, and other access issues such as awareness, skills, cultural preferences, and social support. The data revealed the wide-ranging effects of the importation of cheaper food alternatives, which had long-term implications not only on individuals' health but also on the economic health of the community. A number of respondents indicated they were at times unable to buy nutritious foods due to limited finances, which led some to go without food or use other strategies to feed themselves. This study highlights the inappropriateness of the continuation of individual behavior change as a policy focus, as many of the problems facing communities are beyond individual abilities. Thus, the implications for policy from this study are centered on providing further support for strategies that focus on ensuring equity and food security for all, particularly the rural inhabitants of many food-secure nations. © The Author(s) 2015.
Tracking a century of change in trophic structure and dynamics in a floodplain wetland: Integrating palaeoecological and palaeoisotopic evidence
- Kattel, Giri, Gell, Peter, Perga, Marie-Elodie, Jeppesen, Erik, Grundell, Rosie, Weller, Sandra, Zawadzki, Atun, Barry, Linda
- Authors: Kattel, Giri , Gell, Peter , Perga, Marie-Elodie , Jeppesen, Erik , Grundell, Rosie , Weller, Sandra , Zawadzki, Atun , Barry, Linda
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Freshwater Biology Vol. 60, no. 4 (2015), p. 711-723
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The palaeoecological assessment, and the use of stable isotopes of carbon in subfossils of herbivores and omnivores, represents a novel approach to understand transitions in past food-web structure and the dynamics of lake ecosystems in response to natural perturbations and human impacts. Combined with records of subfossil assemblages of cladocerans and chironomids, it may be possible to decipher whether changes are attributable to external forces or internally derived system shifts. A sediment record taken from the shallow (2.3 m depth) Kings Billabong in the River Murray floodplain (Australia) was analysed to explore changes in trophic dynamics over the past century. The palaeoecological assessment revealed that littoral assemblages of cladocerans and benthic diatoms were gradually replaced by planktonic (planktonic and facultative planktonic) assemblages after river regulation in the 1920s. The stable isotopic composition of carbon (
- Authors: Kattel, Giri , Gell, Peter , Perga, Marie-Elodie , Jeppesen, Erik , Grundell, Rosie , Weller, Sandra , Zawadzki, Atun , Barry, Linda
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Freshwater Biology Vol. 60, no. 4 (2015), p. 711-723
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The palaeoecological assessment, and the use of stable isotopes of carbon in subfossils of herbivores and omnivores, represents a novel approach to understand transitions in past food-web structure and the dynamics of lake ecosystems in response to natural perturbations and human impacts. Combined with records of subfossil assemblages of cladocerans and chironomids, it may be possible to decipher whether changes are attributable to external forces or internally derived system shifts. A sediment record taken from the shallow (2.3 m depth) Kings Billabong in the River Murray floodplain (Australia) was analysed to explore changes in trophic dynamics over the past century. The palaeoecological assessment revealed that littoral assemblages of cladocerans and benthic diatoms were gradually replaced by planktonic (planktonic and facultative planktonic) assemblages after river regulation in the 1920s. The stable isotopic composition of carbon (
Triple Ps and Cs to solve the trouble of transition : A new theoretical model
- Alonaizi, Nafi, Paliadelis, Penny
- Authors: Alonaizi, Nafi , Paliadelis, Penny
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Health Specialties Vol. 3, no. 4 (2015), p. 216-223
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Aim of the study was to explore the experiences of interns and preceptors to develop a rich conceptual understanding of their experiences during the internship. Settings and Design: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 22 interns and 11 preceptors during an internship program at a tertiary public hospital in Riyadh. Methods: We used qualitative research based on a phenomenological approach. The data was collected through semistructured interviews. Data Analysis: Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed concurrently using thematic analysis. Results: The internship program had a positive impact on interns and their preceptors. However, both groups reported negative issues related to their preparations (training) and emphasised the need for better cooperation between education and practical healthcare services. Conclusions: The findings lead the researchers to develop a new model for clinical education, future healthcare professionals and those who assist them during the internship, “The Triple Ps and Cs to solve the trouble of transition”.
- Authors: Alonaizi, Nafi , Paliadelis, Penny
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Health Specialties Vol. 3, no. 4 (2015), p. 216-223
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Aim of the study was to explore the experiences of interns and preceptors to develop a rich conceptual understanding of their experiences during the internship. Settings and Design: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 22 interns and 11 preceptors during an internship program at a tertiary public hospital in Riyadh. Methods: We used qualitative research based on a phenomenological approach. The data was collected through semistructured interviews. Data Analysis: Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed concurrently using thematic analysis. Results: The internship program had a positive impact on interns and their preceptors. However, both groups reported negative issues related to their preparations (training) and emphasised the need for better cooperation between education and practical healthcare services. Conclusions: The findings lead the researchers to develop a new model for clinical education, future healthcare professionals and those who assist them during the internship, “The Triple Ps and Cs to solve the trouble of transition”.
Undiagnosed cryptic diversity in small, microendemic frogs (Leptolalax) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam
- Rowley, Jodi, Tran, Dao, Frankham, Greta, Dekker, Anthony, Le, Duong, Nguyen, Truong, Dau, Vinh, Hoang, Huy
- Authors: Rowley, Jodi , Tran, Dao , Frankham, Greta , Dekker, Anthony , Le, Duong , Nguyen, Truong , Dau, Vinh , Hoang, Huy
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 10, no. 5 (2015), p. 1-21
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A major obstacle in prioritizing species or habitats for conservation is the degree of unrecognized diversity hidden within complexes of morphologically similar, "cryptic" species. Given that amphibians are one of the most threatened groups of organisms on the planet, our inability to diagnose their true diversity is likely to have significant conservation consequences. This is particularly true in areas undergoing rapid deforestation, such as Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian genus Leptolalax is a group of small-bodied, morphologically conserved frogs that inhabit the forest-floor. We examined a particularly smallbodied and morphologically conserved subset, the Leptolalax applebyi group, using a combination of molecular, morphometric, and acoustic data to identify previously unknown diversity within. In order to predict the geographic distribution of the group, estimate the effects of habitat loss and assess the degree of habitat protection, we used our locality data to perform ecological niche modelling using MaxEnt. Molecular (mtDNA and nuDNA), acoustic and subtle morphometric differences revealed a significant underestimation of diversity in the L. applebyi group; at least two-thirds of the diversity may be unrecognised. Patterns of diversification and microendemism in the group appear driven by limited dispersal, likely due to their small body size, with several lineages restricted to watershed basins. The L. applebyi group is predicted to have historically occurred over a large area of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, a considerable portion of which has already been deforested. Less than a quarter of the remaining forest predicted to be suitable for the group falls within current protected areas. The predicted distribution of the L. applebyi group extends into unsurveyed watershed basins, each potentially containing unsampled diversity, some of which may have already been lost due to deforestation. Current estimates of amphibian diversity based on morphology alone are misleading, and accurate alpha taxonomy is essential to accurately prioritize conservation efforts. © 2015 Rowley et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Authors: Rowley, Jodi , Tran, Dao , Frankham, Greta , Dekker, Anthony , Le, Duong , Nguyen, Truong , Dau, Vinh , Hoang, Huy
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 10, no. 5 (2015), p. 1-21
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A major obstacle in prioritizing species or habitats for conservation is the degree of unrecognized diversity hidden within complexes of morphologically similar, "cryptic" species. Given that amphibians are one of the most threatened groups of organisms on the planet, our inability to diagnose their true diversity is likely to have significant conservation consequences. This is particularly true in areas undergoing rapid deforestation, such as Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian genus Leptolalax is a group of small-bodied, morphologically conserved frogs that inhabit the forest-floor. We examined a particularly smallbodied and morphologically conserved subset, the Leptolalax applebyi group, using a combination of molecular, morphometric, and acoustic data to identify previously unknown diversity within. In order to predict the geographic distribution of the group, estimate the effects of habitat loss and assess the degree of habitat protection, we used our locality data to perform ecological niche modelling using MaxEnt. Molecular (mtDNA and nuDNA), acoustic and subtle morphometric differences revealed a significant underestimation of diversity in the L. applebyi group; at least two-thirds of the diversity may be unrecognised. Patterns of diversification and microendemism in the group appear driven by limited dispersal, likely due to their small body size, with several lineages restricted to watershed basins. The L. applebyi group is predicted to have historically occurred over a large area of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, a considerable portion of which has already been deforested. Less than a quarter of the remaining forest predicted to be suitable for the group falls within current protected areas. The predicted distribution of the L. applebyi group extends into unsurveyed watershed basins, each potentially containing unsampled diversity, some of which may have already been lost due to deforestation. Current estimates of amphibian diversity based on morphology alone are misleading, and accurate alpha taxonomy is essential to accurately prioritize conservation efforts. © 2015 Rowley et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Use of Scenari-Aid to aid maintenance of stuttering therapy outcomes
- Swift, Michelle, Meredith, Grant, McCuloch, Julia, Turville, Christopher
- Authors: Swift, Michelle , Meredith, Grant , McCuloch, Julia , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 10th Oxford Dysfluency Conference, ODC 2014, , Oxford, United kingdom, 17 - 20 July, 2014 In Procedia -Social and Behavioural Sciences Vol. 193, p. 253-260
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Scenari-Aid is a free online tool providing real-world simulation activities. This study investigated if using Scenari-Aid improves maintenance of stuttering therapy outcomes. An ABAB single subject design (A: pre-access and withdrawal; B: Scenari-Aid access) was used. Post-treatment gains in communication attitude and social participation were maintained 6-months post-treatment. Some improvements in weekly measures were present from A1 to B1 but there were no changesfrom B1 to A2 or A2 to B2. The participant reported using Scenari-Aid to aid initial desensitisation and then only occasionally. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of Scenari-Aid in the maintenance of treatment gains.
- Authors: Swift, Michelle , Meredith, Grant , McCuloch, Julia , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 10th Oxford Dysfluency Conference, ODC 2014, , Oxford, United kingdom, 17 - 20 July, 2014 In Procedia -Social and Behavioural Sciences Vol. 193, p. 253-260
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Scenari-Aid is a free online tool providing real-world simulation activities. This study investigated if using Scenari-Aid improves maintenance of stuttering therapy outcomes. An ABAB single subject design (A: pre-access and withdrawal; B: Scenari-Aid access) was used. Post-treatment gains in communication attitude and social participation were maintained 6-months post-treatment. Some improvements in weekly measures were present from A1 to B1 but there were no changesfrom B1 to A2 or A2 to B2. The participant reported using Scenari-Aid to aid initial desensitisation and then only occasionally. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of Scenari-Aid in the maintenance of treatment gains.
Value relevance of accounting and other variables in the junior-mining sector
- Iddon, Casey, Hettihewa, Samanthala, Wright, Christopher
- Authors: Iddon, Casey , Hettihewa, Samanthala , Wright, Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal Vol. 9, no. 1 (2015), p. 25-42
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Unique fundamentals and severe uncertainty in the junior-mining-sector (JMS) make valuing JMS ventures problematic. However, potentially enormous returns draw many investors into the JMS. While financial-instrument-pricing theory suggests that accounting values/ratios should have little influence on JMS-firm outcomes, this study's simple OLS and Panel-data findings show strong correlation between those variables and JMS-firm-share prices. After discounting market failure, it is conjectured that JMS nonfinancial factors, share prices and accounting values are co-determined in a simultaneous relationship that is obscurely linked to outcomes. The notions uncovered in this study should greatly interest academics and business sector participants. © 2015 Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal and Authors.
- Authors: Iddon, Casey , Hettihewa, Samanthala , Wright, Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal Vol. 9, no. 1 (2015), p. 25-42
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Unique fundamentals and severe uncertainty in the junior-mining-sector (JMS) make valuing JMS ventures problematic. However, potentially enormous returns draw many investors into the JMS. While financial-instrument-pricing theory suggests that accounting values/ratios should have little influence on JMS-firm outcomes, this study's simple OLS and Panel-data findings show strong correlation between those variables and JMS-firm-share prices. After discounting market failure, it is conjectured that JMS nonfinancial factors, share prices and accounting values are co-determined in a simultaneous relationship that is obscurely linked to outcomes. The notions uncovered in this study should greatly interest academics and business sector participants. © 2015 Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal and Authors.
Vehicles with cooperative redundant multiple steering systems: Alternative driver interfaces
- Authors: Spark, Ian , Percy, Andrew
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering Vol. 229, no. 3 (2015), p. 311-329
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the results of calculations of the wheel angles and the drive wheel speeds to ensure that the steering effect of the wheel angles and the steering effect of the speeds of the drive wheels are identical. These calculations are general insofar as the centre of curvature of the path of the centre of the vehicle can lie anywhere in the 'horizontal' plane, including within the plan view of the vehicle. These minimal turning circles at times require large wheel angles and large differences in the drive wheel speeds. When the driver selects a centre of curvature inside the rectangle defined by the wheelbase and the track, problems arise owing to the multiple solutions of the arctan function. This problem is solved so that flipping of the wheels through 180° is avoided. Similar problems can arise in the calculation of the correct wheel speed because of the ambiguity of the square root function, which has both positive and negative roots. This problem is also solved. Alternative driver interfaces are described in detail. Vehicles with cooperative redundant multiple steering systems promise safety benefits relative to vehicles with a single non-redundant steering system and environmental benefits relative to vehicles with conflicting redundant multiple steering systems. The safety benefits result from increased traction, stability and manoeuvrability (especially on hills). The environmental benefits include reduced ground damage, tyre wear and fuel wastage on turning. These vehicles would be used to best advantage as extreme off-road vehicles. The general case of vehicles described is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation in any direction, and all motion in between. This maximized manoeuvrability also makes the system ideal for vehicles operating in confined spaces, such as forklift trucks.
- Authors: Spark, Ian , Percy, Andrew
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering Vol. 229, no. 3 (2015), p. 311-329
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the results of calculations of the wheel angles and the drive wheel speeds to ensure that the steering effect of the wheel angles and the steering effect of the speeds of the drive wheels are identical. These calculations are general insofar as the centre of curvature of the path of the centre of the vehicle can lie anywhere in the 'horizontal' plane, including within the plan view of the vehicle. These minimal turning circles at times require large wheel angles and large differences in the drive wheel speeds. When the driver selects a centre of curvature inside the rectangle defined by the wheelbase and the track, problems arise owing to the multiple solutions of the arctan function. This problem is solved so that flipping of the wheels through 180° is avoided. Similar problems can arise in the calculation of the correct wheel speed because of the ambiguity of the square root function, which has both positive and negative roots. This problem is also solved. Alternative driver interfaces are described in detail. Vehicles with cooperative redundant multiple steering systems promise safety benefits relative to vehicles with a single non-redundant steering system and environmental benefits relative to vehicles with conflicting redundant multiple steering systems. The safety benefits result from increased traction, stability and manoeuvrability (especially on hills). The environmental benefits include reduced ground damage, tyre wear and fuel wastage on turning. These vehicles would be used to best advantage as extreme off-road vehicles. The general case of vehicles described is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation in any direction, and all motion in between. This maximized manoeuvrability also makes the system ideal for vehicles operating in confined spaces, such as forklift trucks.
Visualising the land: Ways of seeing surface and depth
- Authors: Peters, Laraine
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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- Description: Cyanobacteria and their stromatolites act as interesting foci, providing an effective lens through which to visualise land surface and spatial, temporal and sacred depth in landscape. Stromatolites date back some 3.5 billion years and form a thread through history, from deep time to the present. Believed to be the progenitors of all life forms on earth, the close connection of cyanobacteria to soil, water, air and sunlight mirrors similar relationships which exist between other descendant life forms and the land. The intimacy of these aerobes with the natural world can be conceived of as being a metaphor depicting a deep desire in the psyche of modern, technologically inclined humans to revisit a similar intimacy with the land. Some would recognise this as a Jungian, archetypal need to be connected with the earth. Cyanobacteria are a rich source of visual material. Deterministic fractal patterns are inherent in their diurnal microbial rhythm and stromatolite layer formation. The stromatolites provide interesting sculpted forms and mellifluous lines and patterns, to be visually explored in drawings. The interfaces between the macroscopic and the microscopic elements involved in this unique relationship with the land are fraught with artistic tension and visual drama, sufficient to inveigle any artist. Cyanobacteria, their aerobic cousin, A xylinum, and the stromatolites themselves act as microcosms which reflect the balance to be found throughout nature.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
- Authors: Peters, Laraine
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Cyanobacteria and their stromatolites act as interesting foci, providing an effective lens through which to visualise land surface and spatial, temporal and sacred depth in landscape. Stromatolites date back some 3.5 billion years and form a thread through history, from deep time to the present. Believed to be the progenitors of all life forms on earth, the close connection of cyanobacteria to soil, water, air and sunlight mirrors similar relationships which exist between other descendant life forms and the land. The intimacy of these aerobes with the natural world can be conceived of as being a metaphor depicting a deep desire in the psyche of modern, technologically inclined humans to revisit a similar intimacy with the land. Some would recognise this as a Jungian, archetypal need to be connected with the earth. Cyanobacteria are a rich source of visual material. Deterministic fractal patterns are inherent in their diurnal microbial rhythm and stromatolite layer formation. The stromatolites provide interesting sculpted forms and mellifluous lines and patterns, to be visually explored in drawings. The interfaces between the macroscopic and the microscopic elements involved in this unique relationship with the land are fraught with artistic tension and visual drama, sufficient to inveigle any artist. Cyanobacteria, their aerobic cousin, A xylinum, and the stromatolites themselves act as microcosms which reflect the balance to be found throughout nature.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)