Teaching with CAS in a time of transition
- Kendal, Margaret, Stacey, Kaye, Pierce, Robyn
- Authors: Kendal, Margaret , Stacey, Kaye , Pierce, Robyn
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Computer Algebra in Mathematics Education Vol. 9, no. 2 (2002), p. 113-128
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Integrating a powerful instrument such as CAS into teaching and learning mathematics requires changes to many aspects of the classroom, which teachers will make from the base of their prior teaching styles and their beliefs about mathematics and how it should be taught. The paper describes the different ways in which two pioneering Australian teachers adapted their teaching to use CAS. One teacher used CAS with the primary goal of increasing understanding but restricted students’ use. The other teacher adopted CAS as an extra technique for solving standard problems, emphasising timesaving routines by hand and with CAS. Through these case studies we comment on the following issues related to teaching with CAS: different ways of organising the classroom, variety in approaches to teaching the use of CAS, the increased range of methods for solving problems and for teaching, the contrast between using of graphics calculators and CAS, the challenge of finding the place of by-hand skills and CAS use, and the curriculum and assessment changes required in schools.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000120
- Authors: Kendal, Margaret , Stacey, Kaye , Pierce, Robyn
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Computer Algebra in Mathematics Education Vol. 9, no. 2 (2002), p. 113-128
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Integrating a powerful instrument such as CAS into teaching and learning mathematics requires changes to many aspects of the classroom, which teachers will make from the base of their prior teaching styles and their beliefs about mathematics and how it should be taught. The paper describes the different ways in which two pioneering Australian teachers adapted their teaching to use CAS. One teacher used CAS with the primary goal of increasing understanding but restricted students’ use. The other teacher adopted CAS as an extra technique for solving standard problems, emphasising timesaving routines by hand and with CAS. Through these case studies we comment on the following issues related to teaching with CAS: different ways of organising the classroom, variety in approaches to teaching the use of CAS, the increased range of methods for solving problems and for teaching, the contrast between using of graphics calculators and CAS, the challenge of finding the place of by-hand skills and CAS use, and the curriculum and assessment changes required in schools.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000120
Macroparasites in Antarctic penguins
- Fusaro, Bruno, Vidal,Virginia, González-Acuña, Daniel, Schneider Costa, Erli, Dewar, Meagan, Gray, Rachael, Power, Michelle, Miller, Gary, Blyton, Michaela, Vanstreels, Ralph, Barbosa, Andres
- Authors: Fusaro, Bruno , Vidal,Virginia , González-Acuña, Daniel , Schneider Costa, Erli , Dewar, Meagan , Gray, Rachael , Power, Michelle , Miller, Gary , Blyton, Michaela , Vanstreels, Ralph , Barbosa, Andres
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Biodiversity and evolution of parasitic life in the Southern Ocean Chapter 9 p. 183-204
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Parasitism is a highly common mode of living in animals being parasite species very abundant. Parasites affect in a different ways the host life through subtle effects to more dramatic effects causing population crashes and then regulating host populations. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean wildlife show also parasites although the published information is very scarce. This is even in the case of the most studied group of Antarctic seabirds, the penguins. In this chapter, we analyze the published information about the presence, epidemiology, life cycles, and effects of macroparasites, helminths, and ectoparasites in Antarctic penguins. Most of the publications only give information about the presence/absence of parasites, and very few give data about epidemiology such as prevalence or intensity of parasitization. The information about intermediate host is almost absent, and parasite effects have been addressed very few times. Moreover, the information is based on few areas, and there is not any long-term data set which makes difficult a broad understanding of the impact of parasites in the ecology of penguins. Nevertheless, the little information allows extracting some conclusions. First, the diversity of parasite species is very low which can be explained by the narrow diet spectrum and the harsh conditions. Second, helminths occur at higher prevalence than ectoparasites. In general, a trend of decreased macroparasite prevalence towards more southerly locations can be identified, although the small number of studies precludes a robust conclusion. Third, general parasite effects have been reported causing tissue damage, changes in immune parameters, reduction in body mass, reduction of breeding success, and transmission of diseases, this later in the case of ticks. Finally, it is expected that climate change will affect host-parasite interaction in penguins due to changes in the parasite distribution, host exposure, or resistance, but a higher number of studies with good quality data at long term are needed to confirm the expectations and a deeper understanding of the ecological aspects of parasites such as life cycle, epidemiology, and health impacts in the penguins.
Generating population estimates for migratory shorebird species in the world’s largest flyway
- Hansen, Birgita, Rogers, Danny, Watkins, Doug, Weller, Dan, Clemens, Robert, Newman, Mike, Woehler, Eric, Mundkur, Taej, Fuller, Richard
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Rogers, Danny , Watkins, Doug , Weller, Dan , Clemens, Robert , Newman, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Mundkur, Taej , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ibis Vol. 164, no. 3 (2022), p. 735-749
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population estimates are widely used to underpin conservation decisions. However, determining accurate population estimates for migratory species is especially challenging, as they are often widespread and it is rarely possible to survey them throughout their full distribution. In the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), this problem is compounded by its size (85 million square kilometres) and the number of migratory species it supports (nearly 500). Here, we provide analytical approaches for addressing this problem, presenting a revision of the EAAF population estimates for 37 migratory shorebird species protected under Australian national environmental legislation. Population estimates were generated by (1) summarizing existing count data in the non-breeding range, (2) spatially extrapolating across uncounted areas, and (3) modelling abundance on the basis of estimates of breeding range and density. Expert review was used to adjust modelled estimates, particularly in under-counted areas. There were many gaps in shorebird monitoring data, necessitating substantial use of extrapolation and expert review, the extent of which varied among species. Spatial extrapolation to under-counted areas often produced estimates that were much higher than the observed data, and expert review was used to cross-check and adjust these where necessary. Estimates of population size obtained through analyses of breeding ranges and density indicated that 18 species were poorly represented by counts in the non-breeding season. It was difficult to determine independently the robustness of these estimates, but these breeding ground estimates were considered the best available data for 10 species that mostly use poorly surveyed freshwater or pelagic habitats in the non-breeding season. We discuss the rationale and limitations of these approaches to population estimation, and how they could be modified for other applications. Data available for population estimates will vary in quality and extent among species, regions and migration stage, and approaches need to be flexible enough to provide useful information for conservation policy and planning. © 2021 British Ornithologists' Union.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Rogers, Danny , Watkins, Doug , Weller, Dan , Clemens, Robert , Newman, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Mundkur, Taej , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ibis Vol. 164, no. 3 (2022), p. 735-749
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population estimates are widely used to underpin conservation decisions. However, determining accurate population estimates for migratory species is especially challenging, as they are often widespread and it is rarely possible to survey them throughout their full distribution. In the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), this problem is compounded by its size (85 million square kilometres) and the number of migratory species it supports (nearly 500). Here, we provide analytical approaches for addressing this problem, presenting a revision of the EAAF population estimates for 37 migratory shorebird species protected under Australian national environmental legislation. Population estimates were generated by (1) summarizing existing count data in the non-breeding range, (2) spatially extrapolating across uncounted areas, and (3) modelling abundance on the basis of estimates of breeding range and density. Expert review was used to adjust modelled estimates, particularly in under-counted areas. There were many gaps in shorebird monitoring data, necessitating substantial use of extrapolation and expert review, the extent of which varied among species. Spatial extrapolation to under-counted areas often produced estimates that were much higher than the observed data, and expert review was used to cross-check and adjust these where necessary. Estimates of population size obtained through analyses of breeding ranges and density indicated that 18 species were poorly represented by counts in the non-breeding season. It was difficult to determine independently the robustness of these estimates, but these breeding ground estimates were considered the best available data for 10 species that mostly use poorly surveyed freshwater or pelagic habitats in the non-breeding season. We discuss the rationale and limitations of these approaches to population estimation, and how they could be modified for other applications. Data available for population estimates will vary in quality and extent among species, regions and migration stage, and approaches need to be flexible enough to provide useful information for conservation policy and planning. © 2021 British Ornithologists' Union.
Early post-operative mortality after major lower limb amputation : A systematic review of population and regional based studies
- Van Netten, Jaap, Fortington, Lauren, Hinchliffe, Robert, Hijmans, Juha
- Authors: Van Netten, Jaap , Fortington, Lauren , Hinchliffe, Robert , Hijmans, Juha
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Vol. 51, no. 2 (2016), p. 248-258
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective Lower limb amputation is often associated with a high risk of early post-operative mortality. Mortality rates are also increasingly being put forward as a possible benchmark for surgical performance. The primary aim of this systematic review is to investigate early post-operative mortality following a major lower limb amputation in population/regional based studies, and reported factors that might influence these mortality outcomes. Methods Embase, PubMed, Cinahl and Psycinfo were searched for publications in any language on 30 day or in hospital mortality after major lower limb amputation in population/regional based studies. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A self developed checklist was used to assess quality and susceptibility to bias. Summary data were extracted for the percentage of the population who died; pooling of quantitative results was not possible because of methodological differences between studies. Results Of the 9,082 publications identified, results were included from 21. The percentage of the population undergoing amputation who died within 30 days ranged from 7% to 22%, the in hospital equivalent was 4-20%. Transfemoral amputation and older age were found to have a higher proportion of early post-operative mortality, compared with transtibial and younger age, respectively. Other patient factors or surgical treatment choices related to increased early post-operative mortality varied between studies. Conclusions Early post-operative mortality rates vary from 4% to 22%. There are very limited data presented for patient related factors (age, comorbidities) that influence mortality. Even less is known about factors related to surgical treatment choices, being limited to amputation level. More information is needed to allow comparison across studies or for any benchmarking of acceptable mortality rates. Agreement is needed on key factors to be reported. © 2015 European Society for Vascular Surgery.
- Authors: Van Netten, Jaap , Fortington, Lauren , Hinchliffe, Robert , Hijmans, Juha
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Vol. 51, no. 2 (2016), p. 248-258
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective Lower limb amputation is often associated with a high risk of early post-operative mortality. Mortality rates are also increasingly being put forward as a possible benchmark for surgical performance. The primary aim of this systematic review is to investigate early post-operative mortality following a major lower limb amputation in population/regional based studies, and reported factors that might influence these mortality outcomes. Methods Embase, PubMed, Cinahl and Psycinfo were searched for publications in any language on 30 day or in hospital mortality after major lower limb amputation in population/regional based studies. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A self developed checklist was used to assess quality and susceptibility to bias. Summary data were extracted for the percentage of the population who died; pooling of quantitative results was not possible because of methodological differences between studies. Results Of the 9,082 publications identified, results were included from 21. The percentage of the population undergoing amputation who died within 30 days ranged from 7% to 22%, the in hospital equivalent was 4-20%. Transfemoral amputation and older age were found to have a higher proportion of early post-operative mortality, compared with transtibial and younger age, respectively. Other patient factors or surgical treatment choices related to increased early post-operative mortality varied between studies. Conclusions Early post-operative mortality rates vary from 4% to 22%. There are very limited data presented for patient related factors (age, comorbidities) that influence mortality. Even less is known about factors related to surgical treatment choices, being limited to amputation level. More information is needed to allow comparison across studies or for any benchmarking of acceptable mortality rates. Agreement is needed on key factors to be reported. © 2015 European Society for Vascular Surgery.
Reduced switch multilevel inverter topologies for renewable energy sources
- Sarebanzadeh, Maryam, Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad, Garcia, Cristian, Babaei, Ebrahim, Islam, Syed, Rodriguez, Jose
- Authors: Sarebanzadeh, Maryam , Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad , Garcia, Cristian , Babaei, Ebrahim , Islam, Syed , Rodriguez, Jose
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 9, no. (2021), p. 120580-120595
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article proposes two generalized multilevel inverter configurations that reduce the number of switching devices, isolated DC sources, and total standing voltage on power switches, making them suitable for renewable energy sources. The main topology is a multilevel inverter that handles two isolated DC sources with ten power switches to create 25 voltage levels. Based on the main proposed topology, two generalized multilevel inverters are introduced to provide flexibility in the design and to minimize the number of elements. The optimal topologies for both extensive multilevel inverters are derived from different design objectives such as minimizing the number of elements (gate drivers, DC sources), achieving a large number of levels, and minimizing the total standing voltage. The main advantages of the proposed topologies are a reduced number of elements compared to those required by other existing multilevel inverter topologies. The power loss analysis and standalone PV application of the proposed topologies are discussed. Experimental results are presented for the proposed topology to demonstrate its correct operation. © 2013 IEEE.
- Authors: Sarebanzadeh, Maryam , Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad , Garcia, Cristian , Babaei, Ebrahim , Islam, Syed , Rodriguez, Jose
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: IEEE Access Vol. 9, no. (2021), p. 120580-120595
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article proposes two generalized multilevel inverter configurations that reduce the number of switching devices, isolated DC sources, and total standing voltage on power switches, making them suitable for renewable energy sources. The main topology is a multilevel inverter that handles two isolated DC sources with ten power switches to create 25 voltage levels. Based on the main proposed topology, two generalized multilevel inverters are introduced to provide flexibility in the design and to minimize the number of elements. The optimal topologies for both extensive multilevel inverters are derived from different design objectives such as minimizing the number of elements (gate drivers, DC sources), achieving a large number of levels, and minimizing the total standing voltage. The main advantages of the proposed topologies are a reduced number of elements compared to those required by other existing multilevel inverter topologies. The power loss analysis and standalone PV application of the proposed topologies are discussed. Experimental results are presented for the proposed topology to demonstrate its correct operation. © 2013 IEEE.
Non-thermal food processing: impact on chemical, nutritional and bioactive
- Gamlath, Shirani, Wakeling, Lara
- Authors: Gamlath, Shirani , Wakeling, Lara
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Authors: Gamlath, Shirani , Wakeling, Lara
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
The effect of water-soluble vitamins on spoilage organisms in beer
- Hucker, Barry, Wakeling, Lara, Vriesekoop, Frank
- Authors: Hucker, Barry , Wakeling, Lara , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 31st Asia Pacific Convention 2010
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The vitamin content of beer and brewing related products might not only be of interest from a human health perspective, but determining their presence and relative quantities might also help to understand the role they play in product stability. Water-soluble vitamins are important in the brewing industry, as they are essential nutrients for yeasts and potential spoilage organisms. The presence of particular vitamins in beer has been linked to deterioration (light strike) and it is possible that many vitamins may be linked to increased bacterial spoilage potential in beer. There is strong evidence to support that lactic acid bacteria require a variety of vitamins in order to grow effectively and can aid in the increased spoilage of beer and beer related products. This study investigates the effect of a variety of water-soluble vitamins on the growth of commonly found spoilage organisms, Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus damnosus.
- Authors: Hucker, Barry , Wakeling, Lara , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 31st Asia Pacific Convention 2010
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The vitamin content of beer and brewing related products might not only be of interest from a human health perspective, but determining their presence and relative quantities might also help to understand the role they play in product stability. Water-soluble vitamins are important in the brewing industry, as they are essential nutrients for yeasts and potential spoilage organisms. The presence of particular vitamins in beer has been linked to deterioration (light strike) and it is possible that many vitamins may be linked to increased bacterial spoilage potential in beer. There is strong evidence to support that lactic acid bacteria require a variety of vitamins in order to grow effectively and can aid in the increased spoilage of beer and beer related products. This study investigates the effect of a variety of water-soluble vitamins on the growth of commonly found spoilage organisms, Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus damnosus.
A kernel density estimation approach and statistical generalized additive model of Western North Pacific typhoon activities
- Wang, Xiang, Wahiduzzaman, Md, Yeasmin, Alea
- Authors: Wang, Xiang , Wahiduzzaman, Md , Yeasmin, Alea
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atmosphere Vol. 13, no. 7 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents a development of a statistical model of typhoon genesis, tracks based on kernel density estimation and a generalized additive model (GAM). Modeling of typhoon activity is ultimately beneficial to the people living in coastal zones, insurance/re-insurance companies, policy, planning and decision departments. A 50-year record (1972–2021) of typhoon track observations from the International Best Track Archive Climate Stewardship have been used to observe the distribution of typhoon genesis by kernel density estimation. The tracks are simulated through the development of a GAM. It reproduces the observation well. A distance calculation approach between observed and simulated tracks’ landfall have been used to validate the model and the model shows a very good skill (approximately 75%). © 2022 by the authors.
- Authors: Wang, Xiang , Wahiduzzaman, Md , Yeasmin, Alea
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atmosphere Vol. 13, no. 7 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents a development of a statistical model of typhoon genesis, tracks based on kernel density estimation and a generalized additive model (GAM). Modeling of typhoon activity is ultimately beneficial to the people living in coastal zones, insurance/re-insurance companies, policy, planning and decision departments. A 50-year record (1972–2021) of typhoon track observations from the International Best Track Archive Climate Stewardship have been used to observe the distribution of typhoon genesis by kernel density estimation. The tracks are simulated through the development of a GAM. It reproduces the observation well. A distance calculation approach between observed and simulated tracks’ landfall have been used to validate the model and the model shows a very good skill (approximately 75%). © 2022 by the authors.
A high-dimensional cytometry atlas of peripheral blood over the human life span
- Jalali, Sedigheh, Harpur, Christopher, Piers, Adam, Auladell, Maria, Perriman, Louis, Li, Shuo, An, Kim, Anderson, Jeremy, Berzins, Stuart, Licciardi, Paul, Ashhurst, Thomas, Konstantinov, Igor, Pellicci, Daniel
- Authors: Jalali, Sedigheh , Harpur, Christopher , Piers, Adam , Auladell, Maria , Perriman, Louis , Li, Shuo , An, Kim , Anderson, Jeremy , Berzins, Stuart , Licciardi, Paul , Ashhurst, Thomas , Konstantinov, Igor , Pellicci, Daniel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Immunology and Cell Biology Vol. 100, no. 10 (2022), p. 805-821
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Age can profoundly affect susceptibility to a broad range of human diseases. Children are more susceptible to some infectious diseases such as diphtheria and pertussis, while in others, such as coronavirus disease 2019 and hepatitis A, they are more protected compared with adults. One explanation is that the composition of the immune system is a major contributing factor to disease susceptibility and severity. While most studies of the human immune system have focused on adults, how the immune system changes after birth remains poorly understood. Here, using high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry and computational methods for data integration, we analyzed more than 50 populations of immune cells in the peripheral blood, generating an immune cell atlas that defines the healthy human immune system from birth up to 75 years of age. We focused our efforts on children under 18 years old, revealing major changes in immune cell populations after birth and in children of schooling age. Specifically, CD4+ T effector memory cells, V
- Authors: Jalali, Sedigheh , Harpur, Christopher , Piers, Adam , Auladell, Maria , Perriman, Louis , Li, Shuo , An, Kim , Anderson, Jeremy , Berzins, Stuart , Licciardi, Paul , Ashhurst, Thomas , Konstantinov, Igor , Pellicci, Daniel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Immunology and Cell Biology Vol. 100, no. 10 (2022), p. 805-821
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Age can profoundly affect susceptibility to a broad range of human diseases. Children are more susceptible to some infectious diseases such as diphtheria and pertussis, while in others, such as coronavirus disease 2019 and hepatitis A, they are more protected compared with adults. One explanation is that the composition of the immune system is a major contributing factor to disease susceptibility and severity. While most studies of the human immune system have focused on adults, how the immune system changes after birth remains poorly understood. Here, using high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry and computational methods for data integration, we analyzed more than 50 populations of immune cells in the peripheral blood, generating an immune cell atlas that defines the healthy human immune system from birth up to 75 years of age. We focused our efforts on children under 18 years old, revealing major changes in immune cell populations after birth and in children of schooling age. Specifically, CD4+ T effector memory cells, V
Single-dose pharmacokinetics and lung function of nebulized niclosamide ethanolamine in sheep
- Weiss, Anne, Bischof, Robert, Landersdorfer, Cornelia, Nguyen, Tri-Hung, Davies, Andrew, Ibrahim, Jibrill, Wynne, Paul, Wright, Phillip, Ditzinger, Gunter, Montgomery, Alan, Meeusen, Els, McIntosh, Michelle, Sommer, Morten
- Authors: Weiss, Anne , Bischof, Robert , Landersdorfer, Cornelia , Nguyen, Tri-Hung , Davies, Andrew , Ibrahim, Jibrill , Wynne, Paul , Wright, Phillip , Ditzinger, Gunter , Montgomery, Alan , Meeusen, Els , McIntosh, Michelle , Sommer, Morten
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 40, no. 8 (2023), p. 1915-1925
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: Niclosamide is approved as an oral anthelminthic, but its low oral bioavailability hinders its medical use requiring high drug exposure outside the gastrointestinal tract. An optimized solution of niclosamide for nebulization and intranasal administration using the ethanolamine salt has been developed and tested in a Phase 1 trial. In this study we investigate the pulmonary exposure of niclosamide following administration via intravenous injection, oral administration or nebulization. Methods: We characterized the plasma and pulmonary pharmacokinetics of three ascending doses of nebulized niclosamide in sheep, compare it to intravenous niclosamide for compartmental PK modelling, and to the human equivalent approved 2 g oral dose to investigate in the pulmonary exposure of different niclosamide delivery routes. Following a single-dose administration to five sheep, niclosamide concentrations were determined in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Non-compartmental and compartmental modeling was used to characterize pharmacokinetic profiles. Lung function tests were performed in all dose groups. Results: Administration of all niclosamide doses were well tolerated with no adverse changes in lung function tests. Plasma pharmacokinetics of nebulized niclosamide behaved dose-linear and was described by a 3-compartmental model estimating an absolute bioavailability of 86%. ELF peak concentration and area under the curve was 578 times and 71 times higher with nebulization of niclosamide relative to administration of oral niclosamide. Conclusions: Single local pulmonary administration of niclosamide via nebulization was well tolerated in sheep and resulted in substantially higher peak ELF concentration compared to the human equivalent oral 2 g dose. © 2023, The Author(s).
- Authors: Weiss, Anne , Bischof, Robert , Landersdorfer, Cornelia , Nguyen, Tri-Hung , Davies, Andrew , Ibrahim, Jibrill , Wynne, Paul , Wright, Phillip , Ditzinger, Gunter , Montgomery, Alan , Meeusen, Els , McIntosh, Michelle , Sommer, Morten
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 40, no. 8 (2023), p. 1915-1925
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: Niclosamide is approved as an oral anthelminthic, but its low oral bioavailability hinders its medical use requiring high drug exposure outside the gastrointestinal tract. An optimized solution of niclosamide for nebulization and intranasal administration using the ethanolamine salt has been developed and tested in a Phase 1 trial. In this study we investigate the pulmonary exposure of niclosamide following administration via intravenous injection, oral administration or nebulization. Methods: We characterized the plasma and pulmonary pharmacokinetics of three ascending doses of nebulized niclosamide in sheep, compare it to intravenous niclosamide for compartmental PK modelling, and to the human equivalent approved 2 g oral dose to investigate in the pulmonary exposure of different niclosamide delivery routes. Following a single-dose administration to five sheep, niclosamide concentrations were determined in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Non-compartmental and compartmental modeling was used to characterize pharmacokinetic profiles. Lung function tests were performed in all dose groups. Results: Administration of all niclosamide doses were well tolerated with no adverse changes in lung function tests. Plasma pharmacokinetics of nebulized niclosamide behaved dose-linear and was described by a 3-compartmental model estimating an absolute bioavailability of 86%. ELF peak concentration and area under the curve was 578 times and 71 times higher with nebulization of niclosamide relative to administration of oral niclosamide. Conclusions: Single local pulmonary administration of niclosamide via nebulization was well tolerated in sheep and resulted in substantially higher peak ELF concentration compared to the human equivalent oral 2 g dose. © 2023, The Author(s).
Harnessing the potential of women entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific [Aprovechando el potencial de las mujeres emprendedoras en Asia y el Pacífico]
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mexico Y La Cuenca Del Pacifico Vol. 11, no. 31 (2022), p. 9-23
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mexico Y La Cuenca Del Pacifico Vol. 11, no. 31 (2022), p. 9-23
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
Density, diversity, and seasonal fluctuations in soil Collembola in three differenmanaged ecosystems in North Khorasan, Iran
- Mehrafrooz Mayvan, Mahmood, Sadeghi-Namaghi, Hussein, Shayanmehr, Masoumeh, Greenslade, Penelope, Palmer, Grant
- Authors: Mehrafrooz Mayvan, Mahmood , Sadeghi-Namaghi, Hussein , Shayanmehr, Masoumeh , Greenslade, Penelope , Palmer, Grant
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Turkish Journal of Zoology Vol. 46, no. 1 (2022), p. 115-128
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We examined the density, diversity, and seasonal fluctuation of soil inhabiting Collembola in different ecosystems: agricultural, rangeland, and forest ecosystems in the North Khorasan province of Iran from June 2018 to May 2019. The sampling program was conducted monthly on the three sites. Density was measured on the number of individuals per square meter. Species diversity was calculated using Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson’s diversity, and species richness by Rarefaction method. Fifty-three species belonging to 42 genera and 17 families were collected and identified. The density of Collembola in the forest was higher than in either rangeland or agroecosystem. Highest densities were recorded during October and April in the forest. A similar seasonal trend was observed in the rangeland and in the agroecosystem. The lowest densities in agroecosystem and rangeland were recorded during June and from forest in January. PERMANOVA analysis showed that the soil Collembola community differed between the three ecosystems. The SIMPER analysis revealed that the agriculture sites show the highest similarity (68.3), followed by pasture (51.8), and then forest (49.7). Indices of diversity and species richness values are discussed in light of land use. We found that forest harboured a higher density and diversity of Collembola compared to rangeland and agroecosystems. © TÜBİTAK.
- Authors: Mehrafrooz Mayvan, Mahmood , Sadeghi-Namaghi, Hussein , Shayanmehr, Masoumeh , Greenslade, Penelope , Palmer, Grant
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Turkish Journal of Zoology Vol. 46, no. 1 (2022), p. 115-128
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We examined the density, diversity, and seasonal fluctuation of soil inhabiting Collembola in different ecosystems: agricultural, rangeland, and forest ecosystems in the North Khorasan province of Iran from June 2018 to May 2019. The sampling program was conducted monthly on the three sites. Density was measured on the number of individuals per square meter. Species diversity was calculated using Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson’s diversity, and species richness by Rarefaction method. Fifty-three species belonging to 42 genera and 17 families were collected and identified. The density of Collembola in the forest was higher than in either rangeland or agroecosystem. Highest densities were recorded during October and April in the forest. A similar seasonal trend was observed in the rangeland and in the agroecosystem. The lowest densities in agroecosystem and rangeland were recorded during June and from forest in January. PERMANOVA analysis showed that the soil Collembola community differed between the three ecosystems. The SIMPER analysis revealed that the agriculture sites show the highest similarity (68.3), followed by pasture (51.8), and then forest (49.7). Indices of diversity and species richness values are discussed in light of land use. We found that forest harboured a higher density and diversity of Collembola compared to rangeland and agroecosystems. © TÜBİTAK.
Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation
- Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Dolšak, Nives, Prakash, Aseem, Mundkur, Taej, Harris, Paul, Mitchell, Ronald, Davidson, Nick, Hansen, Birgita, Woodworth, Bradley, Fuller, Richard, Price, Melissa, Petkov, Nicky, Mauerhofer, Volker, Morrison, Tiffany, Watson, James, Chowdhury, Sayam, Zöckler, Christoph, Widerberg, Oscar, Yong, Ding, Klich, Daniel, Smagol, Vitaliy, Piccolo, John, Biggs, Duan
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife
- Barbosa, Andres, Varsani, Arvind, Morandini, Virginia, Grimaldi, Wray, Vanstreels, Ralph, Diaz, Julia, Boulinier, Thierry, Dewar, Meagan, González-Acuña, Daniel, Gray, Rachael, McMahon, Clive, Miller, Gary, Power, Michelle, Gamble, Amandine, Wille, Michelle
- Authors: Barbosa, Andres , Varsani, Arvind , Morandini, Virginia , Grimaldi, Wray , Vanstreels, Ralph , Diaz, Julia , Boulinier, Thierry , Dewar, Meagan , González-Acuña, Daniel , Gray, Rachael , McMahon, Clive , Miller, Gary , Power, Michelle , Gamble, Amandine , Wille, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 755, no. 2 (2021), p. 1-8
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- Description: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue. © 2020 The Authors
- Authors: Barbosa, Andres , Varsani, Arvind , Morandini, Virginia , Grimaldi, Wray , Vanstreels, Ralph , Diaz, Julia , Boulinier, Thierry , Dewar, Meagan , González-Acuña, Daniel , Gray, Rachael , McMahon, Clive , Miller, Gary , Power, Michelle , Gamble, Amandine , Wille, Michelle
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 755, no. 2 (2021), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
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- Description: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue. © 2020 The Authors
Design and analysis of nano-structured gratings for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells
- Authors: Das, Narottam , Islam, Syed
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 9, no. 9 (2016), p. 1-13
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- Description: This paper presents the design and analysis of nano-structured gratings to improve the conversion efficiency in GaAs solar cells by reducing the light reflection losses. A finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation tool is used to design and simulate the light reflection losses of the subwavelength grating (SWG) structure in GaAs solar cells. The SWG structures perform as an excellent alternative antireflective (AR) coating due to their capacity to reduce the reflection losses in GaAs solar cells. It allows the gradual change in the refractive index that confirms an excellent AR and the light trapping properties, when compared with the planar thin film structures. The nano-rod structure performs as a single layer AR coating, whereas the triangular (i.e., conical or perfect cone) and parabolic (i.e., trapezoidal/truncated cone) shaped nano-grating structures perform as a multilayer AR coating. The simulation results confirm that the reflection loss of triangular-shaped nano-grating structures having a 300-nm grating height and a 830-nm period is about 2%, which is about 28% less than the flat type substrates. It also found that the intermediate (i.e., trapezoidal and parabolic)-shaped structures, the light reflection loss is lower than the rectangular shaped nano-grating structure, but higher than the triangular shaped nano-grating structure. This analysis confirmed that the triangular shaped nano-gratings are an excellent alternative AR coating for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells.
- Authors: Das, Narottam , Islam, Syed
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 9, no. 9 (2016), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the design and analysis of nano-structured gratings to improve the conversion efficiency in GaAs solar cells by reducing the light reflection losses. A finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation tool is used to design and simulate the light reflection losses of the subwavelength grating (SWG) structure in GaAs solar cells. The SWG structures perform as an excellent alternative antireflective (AR) coating due to their capacity to reduce the reflection losses in GaAs solar cells. It allows the gradual change in the refractive index that confirms an excellent AR and the light trapping properties, when compared with the planar thin film structures. The nano-rod structure performs as a single layer AR coating, whereas the triangular (i.e., conical or perfect cone) and parabolic (i.e., trapezoidal/truncated cone) shaped nano-grating structures perform as a multilayer AR coating. The simulation results confirm that the reflection loss of triangular-shaped nano-grating structures having a 300-nm grating height and a 830-nm period is about 2%, which is about 28% less than the flat type substrates. It also found that the intermediate (i.e., trapezoidal and parabolic)-shaped structures, the light reflection loss is lower than the rectangular shaped nano-grating structure, but higher than the triangular shaped nano-grating structure. This analysis confirmed that the triangular shaped nano-gratings are an excellent alternative AR coating for conversion efficiency improvement in GaAs solar cells.
Adjustment for body mass index changes inverse associations of HDL-cholesterol with blood pressure and hypertension to positive associations
- Yang, Guang, Qian, Tingting, Sun, Hui, Xu, Qun, Hou, Xujuan, Hu, Wenqi, Zhang, Guang, Drummond, Grant, Sobey, Christopher, Witting, Paul, Denton, Kate, Charchar, Fadi, Golledge, Jonathan, Wang, Yutang
- Authors: Yang, Guang , Qian, Tingting , Sun, Hui , Xu, Qun , Hou, Xujuan , Hu, Wenqi , Zhang, Guang , Drummond, Grant , Sobey, Christopher , Witting, Paul , Denton, Kate , Charchar, Fadi , Golledge, Jonathan , Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Human Hypertension Vol. 36, no. 6 (2022), p. 570-579
- Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
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- Description: The associations between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and blood pressure (BP) or hypertension are inconsistent in previous studies. This study aimed to assess these associations in a large cohort of Chinese adults and across different age groups. This cross-sectional association study included 22,081 Chinese adults. Associations of HDL-C with BP and hypertension were analyzed using linear or logistic regression, with or without adjustment for confounding factors. HDL-C was inversely associated with BP and hypertension. These associations were still apparent after adjustment for age, sex, fasting plasma glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Sub-analyses revealed: (1) in the whole cohort and females alone, HDL-C was inversely associated with BP and hypertension in young and middle-aged but not older participants; (2) in males alone, HDL-C was not associated with systolic BP or hypertension. However, HDL-C was either inversely, or not, or positively associated with BP in young, middle-aged, and older males, respectively. After further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), the negative associations of HDL-C with BP and hypertension in the whole cohort became positive ones, and the positive associations only presented in males. These findings suggest that further adjustment for BMI changes inverse associations of HDL-cholesterol with BP and hypertension to positive associations in a cohort of Chinese adults. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
- Authors: Yang, Guang , Qian, Tingting , Sun, Hui , Xu, Qun , Hou, Xujuan , Hu, Wenqi , Zhang, Guang , Drummond, Grant , Sobey, Christopher , Witting, Paul , Denton, Kate , Charchar, Fadi , Golledge, Jonathan , Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Human Hypertension Vol. 36, no. 6 (2022), p. 570-579
- Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The associations between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and blood pressure (BP) or hypertension are inconsistent in previous studies. This study aimed to assess these associations in a large cohort of Chinese adults and across different age groups. This cross-sectional association study included 22,081 Chinese adults. Associations of HDL-C with BP and hypertension were analyzed using linear or logistic regression, with or without adjustment for confounding factors. HDL-C was inversely associated with BP and hypertension. These associations were still apparent after adjustment for age, sex, fasting plasma glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Sub-analyses revealed: (1) in the whole cohort and females alone, HDL-C was inversely associated with BP and hypertension in young and middle-aged but not older participants; (2) in males alone, HDL-C was not associated with systolic BP or hypertension. However, HDL-C was either inversely, or not, or positively associated with BP in young, middle-aged, and older males, respectively. After further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), the negative associations of HDL-C with BP and hypertension in the whole cohort became positive ones, and the positive associations only presented in males. These findings suggest that further adjustment for BMI changes inverse associations of HDL-cholesterol with BP and hypertension to positive associations in a cohort of Chinese adults. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
Civilisational analysis and intercultural models of American societies
- Authors: Smith, Jeremy
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Intercultural Studies Vol. 30, no. 3 (2009), p. 233-248
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- Description: The critical reconstruction of classical perspectives and world history as contemporary civilisational analysis brings a fresh and alternative approach to twenty-first-century social science. It has been a robust basis for the critique of existing conservative scholarship of civilisations of the Samuel Huntington variety. A contentious notion of civilisation remains at its conceptual core, however, despite the uses and abuses of the term 'civilisation' in current-day political discourse. This paper aims to explore how far the critical reconsideration of civilisation goes in achieving intercultural goals. It pays particular attention to the versions of the civilisational paradigm developed by Johann Arnason and Shmuel Eisenstadt and evaluates these against the historical experiences of American civilisations. It is argued that Arnason's approach opens up great potential for intercultural analysis through its hermeneutics of encountering social formations, while Eisenstadt's is still burdened by an 'objectivistic' conceptualisation of civilisations associated with traditional civilisational thinking. The paper concludes that there are pressing reasons, and great potential, for further conceptual clarification in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Authors: Smith, Jeremy
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Intercultural Studies Vol. 30, no. 3 (2009), p. 233-248
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The critical reconstruction of classical perspectives and world history as contemporary civilisational analysis brings a fresh and alternative approach to twenty-first-century social science. It has been a robust basis for the critique of existing conservative scholarship of civilisations of the Samuel Huntington variety. A contentious notion of civilisation remains at its conceptual core, however, despite the uses and abuses of the term 'civilisation' in current-day political discourse. This paper aims to explore how far the critical reconsideration of civilisation goes in achieving intercultural goals. It pays particular attention to the versions of the civilisational paradigm developed by Johann Arnason and Shmuel Eisenstadt and evaluates these against the historical experiences of American civilisations. It is argued that Arnason's approach opens up great potential for intercultural analysis through its hermeneutics of encountering social formations, while Eisenstadt's is still burdened by an 'objectivistic' conceptualisation of civilisations associated with traditional civilisational thinking. The paper concludes that there are pressing reasons, and great potential, for further conceptual clarification in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Sustaining rural pharmacy workforce understanding key attributes for enhanced retention and recruitment
- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Hills, Danny, Bishop, Jaclyn, Kirschbaum, Mark, Obamiro, Kehinde, Phan, Hoang, Baker, Ed, Schmitz, David
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 218-229
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- Description: Objective: To pilot the Pharmacist Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ) and evaluate its usability and capacity to develop a greater understanding of the unique factors that impact the rural recruitment and retention of pharmacists. Design: Cross-sectional design involving face-to-face, telephone or video conferencing interviews. Setting: Twelve rural communities across Tasmania and Western Victoria, Australia. Participants: Participants (n = 24) included pharmacists, a Director of Clinical Services, pharmacy practice managers and senior pharmacy assistants. Main Outcome Measures: Interviews enabled the completion of the PharmCAQ, which assigns quantitative values to 50 key factors to ascertain a community's strengths and challenges associated with recruitment and retention and their relative importance to the pharmacist workforce. Results: The cumulative PharmCAQ scores indicated the tool was sensitive enough to differentiate high- and low-performing communities. Overall, the highest-rated factors considered most vital to pharmacist recruitment and retention were the reputation of the pharmacy, the ability of the pharmacist to be independent and autonomous, the loyalty of the community to the pharmacy, the level and stability of monetary compensation and the breadth of tasks available to a pharmacist. Conclusions: This study identified the strengths and challenges of participating communities and provided an insight into the shared factors to consider in recruiting and retaining pharmacists. Further, each community has unique strengths that can further be promoted in recruitment, flagging where limited resources are best used to address site specific challenges. This is more likely to ensure the matching of the right candidate with the right community. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 218-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To pilot the Pharmacist Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ) and evaluate its usability and capacity to develop a greater understanding of the unique factors that impact the rural recruitment and retention of pharmacists. Design: Cross-sectional design involving face-to-face, telephone or video conferencing interviews. Setting: Twelve rural communities across Tasmania and Western Victoria, Australia. Participants: Participants (n = 24) included pharmacists, a Director of Clinical Services, pharmacy practice managers and senior pharmacy assistants. Main Outcome Measures: Interviews enabled the completion of the PharmCAQ, which assigns quantitative values to 50 key factors to ascertain a community's strengths and challenges associated with recruitment and retention and their relative importance to the pharmacist workforce. Results: The cumulative PharmCAQ scores indicated the tool was sensitive enough to differentiate high- and low-performing communities. Overall, the highest-rated factors considered most vital to pharmacist recruitment and retention were the reputation of the pharmacy, the ability of the pharmacist to be independent and autonomous, the loyalty of the community to the pharmacy, the level and stability of monetary compensation and the breadth of tasks available to a pharmacist. Conclusions: This study identified the strengths and challenges of participating communities and provided an insight into the shared factors to consider in recruiting and retaining pharmacists. Further, each community has unique strengths that can further be promoted in recruitment, flagging where limited resources are best used to address site specific challenges. This is more likely to ensure the matching of the right candidate with the right community. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
Telomere dynamics during aging in polygenic left ventricular hypertrophy
- Marques, Francine, Booth, Scott, Prestes, Priscilla, Curl, Claire, Delbridge, Lea, Lewandowski, Paul, Harrap, Stephen, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Marques, Francine , Booth, Scott , Prestes, Priscilla , Curl, Claire , Delbridge, Lea , Lewandowski, Paul , Harrap, Stephen , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Physiological Genomics Vol. 48, no. 1 (2016), p. 42-49
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- Description: Short telomeres are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Here we studied cardiomyocyte telomere length at key ages during the ontogeny of cardiac hypertrophy and failure in the hypertrophic heart rat (HHR) and compared these with the normal heart rat (NHR) control strain. Key ages corresponded with the pathophysiological sequence beginning with fewer cardiomyocytes (2 days), leading to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (13 wk) and subsequently progression to heart failure (38 wk). We measured telomere length, tissue activity of telomerase, mRNA levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) and telomerase RNA component (Terc), and expression of the telomeric regulator microRNA miR-34a. Cardiac telomere length was longer in the HHR compared with the control strain at 2 days and 38 wk, but shorter at 13 wk. Neonatal HHR had higher cardiac telomerase activity and expression of Tert and miR-34a. Telomerase activity was not different at 13 or 38 wk. Tert mRNA and Terc RNA were overexpressed at 38 wk, while miR-34a was overexpressed at 13 wk but downregulated at 38 wk. Circulating leukocytes were strongly correlated with cardiac telomere length in the HHR only. The longer neonatal telomeres in HHR are likely to reflect fewer fetal and early postnatal cardiomyocyte cell divisions and explain the reduced total cardiomyocyte complement that predisposes to later hypertrophy and failure. Although shorter telomeres were a feature of cardiac hypertrophy at 13 wk, they were not present at the progression to heart failure at 38 wk. © 2016 the American Physiological Society.
- Authors: Marques, Francine , Booth, Scott , Prestes, Priscilla , Curl, Claire , Delbridge, Lea , Lewandowski, Paul , Harrap, Stephen , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Physiological Genomics Vol. 48, no. 1 (2016), p. 42-49
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Short telomeres are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Here we studied cardiomyocyte telomere length at key ages during the ontogeny of cardiac hypertrophy and failure in the hypertrophic heart rat (HHR) and compared these with the normal heart rat (NHR) control strain. Key ages corresponded with the pathophysiological sequence beginning with fewer cardiomyocytes (2 days), leading to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (13 wk) and subsequently progression to heart failure (38 wk). We measured telomere length, tissue activity of telomerase, mRNA levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) and telomerase RNA component (Terc), and expression of the telomeric regulator microRNA miR-34a. Cardiac telomere length was longer in the HHR compared with the control strain at 2 days and 38 wk, but shorter at 13 wk. Neonatal HHR had higher cardiac telomerase activity and expression of Tert and miR-34a. Telomerase activity was not different at 13 or 38 wk. Tert mRNA and Terc RNA were overexpressed at 38 wk, while miR-34a was overexpressed at 13 wk but downregulated at 38 wk. Circulating leukocytes were strongly correlated with cardiac telomere length in the HHR only. The longer neonatal telomeres in HHR are likely to reflect fewer fetal and early postnatal cardiomyocyte cell divisions and explain the reduced total cardiomyocyte complement that predisposes to later hypertrophy and failure. Although shorter telomeres were a feature of cardiac hypertrophy at 13 wk, they were not present at the progression to heart failure at 38 wk. © 2016 the American Physiological Society.
The health belief model predicts intention to receive the covid-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia : results from a cross-sectional survey
- Mahmud, Ilias, Kabir, Russell, Rahman, Muhammad Aziz, Alradie-Mohamed, Angi, Vinnakota, Divya, Al-Mohaimeed, Abdulrahman
- Authors: Mahmud, Ilias , Kabir, Russell , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Alradie-Mohamed, Angi , Vinnakota, Divya , Al-Mohaimeed, Abdulrahman
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Vaccines Vol. 9, no. 8 (2021), p.
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- Description: We examined the intention and predictors of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a nation-wide, cross-sectional online survey between February and March 2021. A total of 1387 people (≥18 years) participated. Only 27.3% adults had a definite and 30.2% had a probable vaccination intent; 26.8% and 15.6% had a probable and definite negative vaccination intent. Older people (≥50 years) (p < 0.01), healthcare workers/professionals (p < 0.001), and those who received flu vaccine (p < 0.001) were more likely to have a positive intent. People from Riyadh were less likely to receive the vaccine (p < 0.05). Among the health belief model constructs, perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 (p < 0.001), and perceived benefit of the vaccine (p < 0.001) were positively associated with vaccination intent, whereas perceived barriers had a negative association (p < 0.001). Individuals were more likely to receive the vaccine after obtaining complete information (p < 0.001) and when the vaccine uptake would be more common amongst the public (p < 0.001). © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).
- Authors: Mahmud, Ilias , Kabir, Russell , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Alradie-Mohamed, Angi , Vinnakota, Divya , Al-Mohaimeed, Abdulrahman
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Vaccines Vol. 9, no. 8 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We examined the intention and predictors of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a nation-wide, cross-sectional online survey between February and March 2021. A total of 1387 people (≥18 years) participated. Only 27.3% adults had a definite and 30.2% had a probable vaccination intent; 26.8% and 15.6% had a probable and definite negative vaccination intent. Older people (≥50 years) (p < 0.01), healthcare workers/professionals (p < 0.001), and those who received flu vaccine (p < 0.001) were more likely to have a positive intent. People from Riyadh were less likely to receive the vaccine (p < 0.05). Among the health belief model constructs, perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 (p < 0.001), and perceived benefit of the vaccine (p < 0.001) were positively associated with vaccination intent, whereas perceived barriers had a negative association (p < 0.001). Individuals were more likely to receive the vaccine after obtaining complete information (p < 0.001) and when the vaccine uptake would be more common amongst the public (p < 0.001). © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).