210 resultados para Standardized terms of contract


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Objective: To compare rates of self-reported use of health services between rural, remote and urban South Australians. Methods: Secondary data analysis from a population-based survey to assess health and well-being, conducted in South Australia in 2000. In all, 2,454 adults were randomly selected and interviewed using the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) system. We analysed health service use by Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) category. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the median number of uses of the four types of health services studied across ARIA categories. Significantly fewer residents of highly accessible areas reported never using primary care services (14.4% vs. 22.2% in very remote areas), and significantly more reported high use ( greater than or equal to6 visits, 29.3% vs. 21.5%). Fewer residents of remote areas reported never attending hospital (65.6% vs. 73.8% in highly accessible areas). Frequency of use of mental health services was not statistically significantly different across ARIA categories. Very remote residents were more likely to spend at least one night in a public hospital (15.8%) than were residents of other areas (e.g. 5.9% for highly accessible areas). Conclusion: The self-reported frequency of use of a range of health services in South Australia was broadly similar across ARIA categories. However, use of primary care services was higher among residents of highly accessible areas and public hospital use increased with increasing remoteness. There is no evidence for systematic rural disadvantage in terms of self-reported health service utilisation in this State.

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Objective: To determine the cost effectiveness of a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) within 5 days of injury compared with the usual management of occult scaphoid fracture. Methods: All patients with suspected scaphoid fractures in five hospitals were invited to participate in a randomised controlled trial of usual treatment with or without an MRI scan. Healthcare costs were compared, and a cost effectiveness analysis of the use of MRI in this scenario was performed. Results: Twenty eight of the 37 patients identified were randomised: 17 in the control group, 11 in the MRI group. The groups were similar at baseline and follow up in terms of number of scaphoid fractures, other injuries, pain, and function. Of the patients without fracture, the MRI group had significantly fewer days immobilised: a median of 3.0 (interquartile range 3.0-3.0) v 10.0 (7-12) in the control group (p = 0.006). The MRI group used fewer healthcare units (median 3.0, interquartile range 2.0-4.25) than the control group (5.0, 3.0-6.5) (p = 0.03 for the difference). However, the median cost of health care in the MRI group ($594.35 AUD, $551.35-667.23) was slightly higher than in the control group ($428.15, $124.40-702.65) (p = 0.19 for the difference). The mean incremental cost effectiveness ratio derived from this simulation was that MRI costs $44.37 per day saved from unnecessary immobilisation (95% confidence interval $4.29 to $101.02). An illustrative willingness to pay was calculated using a combination of the trials measure of the subjects' individual productivity losses and the average daily earnings. Conclusions: Use of MRI in the management of occult scaphoid fracture reduces the number of days of unnecessary immobilisation and use of healthcare units. Healthcare costs increased non-significantly in relation to the use of MRI in this setting. However, when productivity losses are considered, MRI may be considered cost effective, depending on the individual case.

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Research investigating the role of stereotypes in jury decision-making has typically considered stereotypes as acting as peripheral cues in determin ing the credibility of experts or likelihood of guilt of defendants — with counter-stereotypic courtroom participants faring less well. The present study investigated the possibility that the extent to which courtroom participants are stereotypic can alter the mode of information processing. Students (N = 78) read a transcript of a case in which either a male or female allegedly committed an armed robbery. As predicted, the female counter-stereotypic defendant was distracting and effortful processing only occurred when the defendant was male. The male was seen as more guilty and the prosecution's case was more convincing when the prosecution had a strong, but not weak, case. There were no effects of case strength for the female defendant. Results are discussed in terms of the role of stereotypes in the jury decision-making.

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We obtain a class of non-diagonal solutions of the reflection equation for the trigonometric A(n-1)((1)) vertex model. The solutions can be expressed in terms of intertwinner matrix and its inverse, which intertwine two trigonometric R-matrices. In addition to a discrete (positive integer) parameter l, 1 less than or equal to l less than or equal to n, the solution contains n + 2 continuous boundary parameters.

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Using the exact Bethe ansatz solution of the Hubbard model and Luttinger liquid theory, we investigate the density profiles and collective modes of one-dimensional ultracold fermions confined in an optical lattice with a harmonic trapping potential. We determine a generic phase diagram in terms of a characteristic filling factor and a dimensionless coupling constant. The collective oscillations of the atomic mass density, a technique that is commonly used in experiments, provide a signature of the quantum phase transition from the metallic phase to the Mott-insulator phase. A detailed experimental implementation is proposed.

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N,N-dimethyl-pyrrolidinium iodide has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, second moment calculations, and impedance spectroscopy. This pyrrolidinium salt exhibits two solid-solid phase transitions, one at 373 K having an entropy change, Delta S, of 38 J mol(-1) K-1 and one at 478 K having Delta S of 5.7 J mol(-1) K-1. The second moment calculations relate the lower temperature transition to a homogenization of the sample in terms of the mobility of the cations, while the high temperature phase transition is within the temperature region of isotropic tumbling of the cations. At higher temperatures a further decrease in the H-1 NMR linewidth is observed which is suggested to be due to diffusion of the cations. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

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Little consensus exists in the literature regarding methods for determination of the onset of electromyographic (EMG) activity. The aim of this study was to compare the relative accuracy of a range of computer-based techniques with respect to EMG onset determined visually by an experienced examiner. Twenty-seven methods were compared which varied in terms of EMG processing (low pass filtering at 10, 50 and 500 Hz), threshold value (1, 2 and 3 SD beyond mean of baseline activity) and the number of samples for which the mean must exceed the defined threshold (20, 50 and 100 ms). Three hundred randomly selected trials of a postural task were evaluated using each technique. The visual determination of EMG onset was found to be highly repeatable between days. Linear regression equations were calculated for the values selected by each computer method which indicated that the onset values selected by the majority of the parameter combinations deviated significantly from the visually derived onset values. Several methods accurately selected the time of onset of EMG activity and are recommended for future use. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

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An important consideration in the development of mathematical models for dynamic simulation, is the identification of the appropriate mathematical structure. By building models with an efficient structure which is devoid of redundancy, it is possible to create simple, accurate and functional models. This leads not only to efficient simulation, but to a deeper understanding of the important dynamic relationships within the process. In this paper, a method is proposed for systematic model development for startup and shutdown simulation which is based on the identification of the essential process structure. The key tool in this analysis is the method of nonlinear perturbations for structural identification and model reduction. Starting from a detailed mathematical process description both singular and regular structural perturbations are detected. These techniques are then used to give insight into the system structure and where appropriate to eliminate superfluous model equations or reduce them to other forms. This process retains the ability to interpret the reduced order model in terms of the physico-chemical phenomena. Using this model reduction technique it is possible to attribute observable dynamics to particular unit operations within the process. This relationship then highlights the unit operations which must be accurately modelled in order to develop a robust plant model. The technique generates detailed insight into the dynamic structure of the models providing a basis for system re-design and dynamic analysis. The technique is illustrated on the modelling for an evaporator startup. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

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A conformationally biased decapeptide agonist of human C5a anaphylatoxin (YSFKPMPLaR) was used as a molecular adjuvant in stimulating Ab responses against peptide epitopes derived from human MUC1 glycoprotein and the human mu and kappa opioid receptors. C57BL6 mice were immunized with the MUC1 epitope (YKQGGFLGL); the C5a agonist (YSFKPMPLaR); YSFKPMPLaR and YKQGGFLGL together, but unconjugated; a C5a-active, MUC1 epitope construct (YKQGGFLGLYSFKPMPLaR); and a C5a-inactive, reversed moiety construct (YSFKPMPLaRYKQGGFLGL). High Ab titers specific for the MUC1 epitope were observed Only in mice immunized with the C5a-active epitope construct. Similar results were obtained in BALB/c mice immunized with the C5a-active, MUC1 epitope construct, Abs from the sera of the C57BL6 mice were predominately of the IgG2a, IgC2b, and IgM isotypes and were reactive against human recombinant MUC1 and MUC1 expressed by the Panc-1 M1F.15 pancreatic cell line, When compared with the corresponding KLH-epitope conjugates in C57BL6 mice, the epitope-C5a agonist constructs produced titers of specific IgG Abs of isotypes distinct from those generated by the keyhole limpet hemocyanin-epitope conjugates, Rabbits immunized with a mu opioid receptor epitope-C5a agonist construct (GDLSDPCGNRTNLGGRDSLYSFKPMPLaR) or a kappa opioid receptor epitope-C5a agonist construct (FPGWAEPDSNGSEDAQLYSFKPMPLaR) generated high titer, epitope-specific Ab responses, Ab titers generated in response to the opioid epitope-C5a agonist constructs were comparable to those generated by the opioid KLH-epitope conjugates, The results of this study are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms by which the conformationally biased C5a agonist serves as a molecular adjuvant.

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A number of theoretical and experimental investigations have been made into the nature of purlin-sheeting systems over the past 30 years. These systems commonly consist of cold-formed zed or channel section purlins, connected to corrugated sheeting. They have proven difficult to model due to the complexity of both the purlin deformation and the restraint provided to the purlin by the sheeting. Part 1 of this paper presented a non-linear elasto plastic finite element model which, by incorporating both the purlin and the sheeting in the analysis, allowed the interaction between the two components of the system to be modelled. This paper presents a simplified version of the first model which has considerably decreased requirements in terms of computer memory, running time and data preparation. The Simplified Model includes only the purlin but allows for the sheeting's shear and rotational restraints by modelling these effects as springs located at the purlin-sheeting connections. Two accompanying programs determine the stiffness of these springs numerically. As in the Full Model, the Simplified Model is able to account for the cross-sectional distortion of the purlin, the shear and rotational restraining effects of the sheeting, and failure of the purlin by local buckling or yielding. The model requires no experimental or empirical input and its validity is shown by its goon con elation with experimental results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

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This paper summarises the major findings from the Quake Impact Study (QIS), a four-phase longitudinal project that was conducted in the aftermath of the 1989 Newcastle (Australia) earthquake. A total of 3,484 subjects participated in at least one component of the QIS, comprising a stratified sample of 3,007 drawn from community electoral rolls and 477 from specially targeted supplementary samples (the injured, the displaced, the owners of damaged businesses, and the helpers). Subjects' initial earthquake experiences were rated in terms of weighted indices of exposure to threat and disruption. Psychological morbidity was measured at each phase using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Selected findings and key conclusions are presented for each of six areas of investigation: service utilisation during the first 6 months post-disaster; patterns of earthquake experience and short-term (6-month) psychosocial outcome; earthquake exposure and medium term (2-year) psychosocial outcome; vulnerability factors and medium-term psychosocial outcome: specific community groups at increased risk (e.g., the elderly and immigrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds); the effects of stress debriefing for helpers. Threshold morbidity (i.e., likely caseness) rates are also presented for a broad range of subgroups. In addition to presenting an overview of the QIS, this paper synthesises the major findings and discusses their implications for future disaster management and research from a mental health perspective.

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Different abrasive wear tests have been applied to materials with hardnesses ranging from 80 HV (aluminium) to 1700 HV (tungsten carbide). The tests were: dry sand rubber wheel (DSRbrW); a similar test using a steel wheel (DSStlW); a new combined impact-abrasion test (FIA). The DSRbrW results were as expected, giving generally decreasing wear with increasing hardness. White cast irons and tool steels containing coarse, hard carbide particles performed better than more homogeneous materials of comparable hardness. When normalized to load and distance, the DSStlW results for the homogeneous materials were similar to the DSRbrW results. The multi-phase materials performed poorly in the DSStlW test, with volume loss for high-speed steel (880 HV) higher than that of aluminium. Within this group, wear increased with increasing hardness. These unexpected results are explained in terms of (a) differential friction coefficients of wheel and specimen, (b) increased fracture of sand, and (c) introduction of microfracture wear mechanisms. The FIA combined impact-abrasion results lacked clear correlations with hardness. The span of relative wear rates was similar to that reported for materials in ball mills. White cast irons at maximum hardness performed fairly poorly and showed evidence of microfracture. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

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In a program of laboratory and field research over the last decade, the author has replicated and extended the attribution model of leadership (Green & Mitchell, 1979). This paper reports a cross-national test of the model, in which 172 Australian and 144 Canadian work supervisors' recalled their attributional and evaluative responses to high and low levels of subordinate performance. It was expected that the supervisors' responses would conform to the predictions established in the earlier studies, but that there would be key differences across the cultures. In particular, Australians were expected to endorse more internal attributions for subordinate performance than Canadians, and to focus more on individual characteristics in evaluating performance. Results supported the model's robustness and the hypothesised cross-national differences. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of crosscultural research opportunities, and the need to take account of small but potentially important differences in supervisory styles across cultures.

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The optimal dosing schedule for melphalan therapy of recurrent malignant melanoma in isolated limb perfusions has been examined using a physiological pharmacokinetic model with data from isolated rat hindlimb perfusions (IRHP), The study included a comparison of melphalan distribution in IRHP under hyperthermia and normothermia conditions. Rat hindlimbs were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 4.7% bovine serum albumin at 37 or 41.5 degrees C at a flow rate of 4 ml/min. Concentrations of melphalan in perfusate and tissues were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, The concentration of melphalan in perfusate and tissues was linearly related to the input concentration. The rate and amount of melphalan uptake into the different tissues was higher at 41.5 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. A physiological pharmacokinetic model was validated from the tissue and perfusate time course of melphalan after melphalan perfusion. Application of the model involved the amount of melphalan exposure in the muscle, skin and fat in a recirculation system was related to the method of melphalan administration: single bolus > divided bolus > infusion, The peak concentration of melphalan in the perfusate was also related to the method of administration in the same order, Infusing the total dose of melphalan over 20 min during a 60 min perfusion optimized the exposure of tissues to melphalan whilst minimizing the peak perfusate concentration of melphalan. It is suggested that this method of melphalan administration may be preferable to other methods in terms of optimizing the efficacy of melphalan whilst minimizing the limb toxicity associated with its use in isolated limb perfusion.

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Changes in molecular motion in blends of PEO-PVPh have been studied using measurements of C-13 T-1 rho relaxation times. C-13 T-1 rho relaxation has been confirmed as arising from spin-lattice interactions by observation of the variation in T-1 rho with rf field strength and temperature. In the pure homopolymers a minimum in T-1 rho is observed at ca. 50 K above the glass transition temperatures detected by DSC. After blending, the temperature of the minimum in T-1 rho for PEO increased, while that for PVPh decreased, however, the minima, which correspond to the temperatures where the average correlation times for reorientation are close to 3.1 mu s, are separated by 45 K (in a 45% PEO-PVPh blend). These phenomena are explained in terms of the local nature of T-1 rho measurements. The motions of the individual homopolymer chains are only partially coupled in the blend. A short T-1 rho has been observed for protonated aromatic carbons, and assigned to phenyl rings undergoing large-angle oscillatory motion, The effects of blending, and temperature, on the proportion of rings undergoing oscillatory motion are analyzed.