Measuring the impact of intimate partner violence on the health of women in Victoria, Australia

Objective: Using burden of disease methodology, estimate the health risks of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women in Victoria, Australia.

Methods: We calculated population attribute fractions (from survey data on the prevalence of IPV and the relative risks of associated health problems in Australia) and determined health outcomes by applying them to disability-adjusted life year estimates for the relevant disease and injury categories for Victoria, Australia for 2001.

Findings: For women of all ages IPV accounted for 2.9% (95% uncertainty interval 2.4-3.4%)  of the total disease and injury burden.  Among women 18-44 years of age, IPV was associated with 7.9% (95% uncertainty interval 6.4-935%) of the overall disease burden and was a larger risk to health than risk factors traditionally included in burden of disease studies, such as raised blood pressure, tobacco use and increased body weight.  Poor mental health contributed 73% and substance abuse 22% to the disease burden attributed to IPV.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IPV constitutes a significant risk to women's health.  Mental health policy-makers and health workers treating common mental health problems need to be aware that IPV is an important factor.  Future research should concentrate on evaluating effective interventions to prevent women being exposed to violence, and identifying the most appropriate mental health care for victims to reduce short- and long-term disability

Editorial

In this issue of Papers we farewell Gillian Adams from our Advisory Committee. Gillian has been a referee since 2001, and she has resigned
because she plans to concentrate on ancient and medieval literature for children and thus will not be able to maintain her practice of reading
contemporary material. We thank Gillian for her interest in Papers and for her insightful reviewing of essays submitted for publication, and we wish her well for her ventures into ancient and medieval material, on which she has already published several notable essays.

Learning online, clock time and network time? How students use and perceive time when studying online.

Though technology has increased opportunities for students to study online, many students continue to complain of lack of time to study and learn. Using the concepts of clock time and network time, the project combines interview, survey and Australian Bureau of Statistics time diary results to investigate student use and perceptions of their available time to study and how the technologies used in online learning affect this. We concentrate on the amount of time students think they have when studying online, how much time they really use, and what affects this perception of time. Deakin University has specialised in distance education/online learning since its inception in 1974 and long time use of technologies and pedagogies allows widespread and diverse experiences for our students, both on campus and off campus. We study student cohorts of up to 1700 students studying in a single subject online learning space, and note that students in much smaller subject cohorts have similar complaints about time.

Access to a healthy diet and fast foods in the City of Casey

It is known that the consumption of fast food is associated with obesity (Binkley 2000). Relative ease of access to fast foods compared with healthy foods may contribute to the increasing prevalence of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the access by car to fast foods and a healthy diet. The study was located in the City of Casey, a municipality in South East Melbourne with a population of 220,000. We have previously shown that ease of access to a large chain supermarket ensures access to a basket of healthy foods adequate to meet the nutritional needs of a family of 6 (Burns 2004). The City of Casey council provided location details for major fast food outlets and supermarkets. Fast food was defined as food sourced from an outlet without table service. We included only those major fast food chain outlets which had more than 10 franchises within Australia. We included the 3 major supermarket chains that account for 87% total food retailing in Victoria. Geographic details from the City of Casey were used to map the location of these outlets. Then using these locations and road network a basic cost distance model was created for either the supermarket chains or fast food chains outlets. The cost unit is (time), it was to calculate by giving the roads in the network an average travel speed depending in the type of road (minor, major or highway) and then calculating how long it would take to reach the closest outlet. Access to supermarket and fast food outlets were determined relative to population density.
Our results indicate that in the City of Casey most (> 80%) people live within an 8-10 minute car journey of a major supermarket and a fast food outlet. Fifty percent of the fast food outlets are co-located with a supermarket. We conclude that access to both healthy food and fast food in the City of Casey is good if you own a car. The increasing demand for fast food is easily met in this municipality. Obesity prevention strategies in Casey should concentrate on the food choices available at fast food outlets and town planning to ensure a mix of food outlets to maximize the likelihood of healthy food choices.

Non-smooth optimization methods for computation of the conditional value-at-risk and portfolio optimization

We examine numerical performance of various methods of calculation of the Conditional Value-at-risk (CVaR), and portfolio optimization with respect to this risk measure. We concentrate on the method proposed by Rockafellar and Uryasev in (Rockafellar, R.T. and Uryasev, S., 2000, Optimization of conditional value-at-risk. Journal of Risk, 2, 21-41), which converts this problem to that of convex optimization. We compare the use of linear programming techniques against a non-smooth optimization method of the discrete gradient, and establish the supremacy of the latter. We show that non-smooth optimization can be used efficiently for large portfolio optimization, and also examine parallel execution of this method on computer clusters.

Perceived conditions of workers in different organizational settings

Purpose: – Research into office design and its effect on employee satisfaction and performance has attracted considerable contemporary research interest. However, most studies have tended to concentrate on the impact of the built environment on human performance, ignoring the actual needs of employees working in different organizational settings. This paper hence aims to investigate the nature and extent of occupant satisfaction with the built environment in different organizational settings in Australia for a range of climates.

Design/methodology/approach: – A survey was conducted in Australia from 2004-2005, comprising 41 buildings, including six government buildings, 14 educational buildings and 21 commercial buildings. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to explore whether there are differences in the mean ranking of office environment satisfaction amongst the three organizational settings, and the Mann-Whitney U test was employed to further test whether there are differences in the mean ranking of office environment satisfaction between any two groups.

Findings: – Significant differences were found in aspects of air, temperature, space suitability, flexibility, usability and controllability. Employees in commercial settings seem to be more satisfied with their physical work environment than employees in other organization types. Employees in educational settings showed the highest satisfaction with most variables in the workspace design and management category. Government employees showed a lower level of satisfaction with their physical work environment and workspace design and management.

Originality/value: – Moreover, the government and educational groups showed more similarity with each other, while the commercial group displayed significant difference.

The effect of water deprivation on the tonicity responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) and TonEBP-regulated genes in the kidney of the spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis

In desert rodents, the production of concentrated urine is essential for survival in xeric environments in order to conserve water. Reabsorption of water in the kidney is dependent on large osmotic gradients in the renal medulla. This causes the renal cells to be bathed in a hypertonic extracellular fluid that can compromise cellular function. In response to hypertonicity, kidney cells accumulate compatible, non-ionic osmolytes that lower the ionic strength within the cells to isotonic levels by replacing intracellular ionic electrolytes. The tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes that encode proteins that catalyse the accumulation of compatible osmolytes. We investigated the expression of TonEBP mRNA and protein and compatible osmolyte genes in the Spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, an Australian desert rodent that produces a highly concentrated urine. TonEBP mRNA expression was unchanged after 3 days of water deprivation but was significantly increased after 7 and 14 days of water deprivation. Immunohistochemistry showed that during water deprivation TonEBP had translocated from the cytoplasm into the nucleus of cells in the renal medulla and papilla. In addition, 3, 7 and 14 days of water deprivation caused a significant increase in aldose reductase (AR), myo-inositol (SMIT), betaine/GABA (BGT-1) and taurine (TauT) transporter mRNA expression, which is indicative of an increase in TonEBP activity. In desert rodents, TonEBP regulation of gene transcription is probably an important mechanism to protect renal cells in the face of the large corticomedullary gradient that is required to concentrate urine and conserve water.

Androgenic activity of effluent from forty-five municipal waste water treatment plants in Victoria, Australia

It is well known that waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are estrogenic. There has been much less consideration of the androgenic activity of WWTP effluents. To partly address the shortage of information on androgens in Australian WWTP effluents, in August 2006, and again in 2007, we collected discharges from up to 45 Victorian WWTPs (~25% of all WWTPs in Victoria), grouped by treatment process, i.e. activated sludge, extended aeration, and lagoon based treatment, and measured the total estrogenic, androgenic, retinoic acid, and aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenase activity of the effluents using a hybrid yeast bioassay. This paper will concentrate on the androgenic activity and male hormone concentrations.

Testing some myths about I.T. outsourcing : a survey of Australia's top 1000 firms

This study examines the extent to which surveyed outcomes of IT outsourcing supported several commonly-argued propositions. Following confirmatOl), factor analysis, eight measures of success were used: access to skilled staff, technology benefits, economies of scale, cost reductions, strategic benefits, technical service quality, capacity to concentrate on core business, and overall satisfaction/value. The analysis produced some surprising findings. Some widely-promoted benefits of outsourcing were reported by most respondents, but other benefits that have been similarly promoted (such as cost savings) were reported by only a minority of respondents. There were no differences in success outcomes between medium-sized «500 employees), large (500 to 1000 employees), and very large (1000+ employees) organizations. There were some minor differences between government agencies and finns from the private sector, but no differences for key outcomes. Contrary to findings from case study research, "selective" outsourcing was no more successful than "total" outsourcing, although "total" outsourcing was uncommon. On the basis of these results, decision makers are urged to be cautious when planning to outsource IT services, and to be critical of claims that they will make substantial savings from outsourcing, or that outsourcing will automatically allow them to refocus more on their core business.

Antidiabetic properties of polysaccharide- and polyphenolic-enriched fractions from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum

We screened seaweed species from Atlantic Canada for antidiabetic activity by testing extracts for α-glucosidase inhibitory effect and glucose uptake stimulatory activity. An aqueous ethanolic extract of Ascophyllum nodosum was found to be active in both assays, inhibiting rat intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50 = 77 μg/mL) and stimulating basal glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes during a 20-minute incubation by about 3-fold (at 400 μg/mL extract). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the A. nodosum extract showed that α-glucosidase inhibition was associated with polyphenolic components in the extract. These polyphenolics, along with other constituents appeared to be responsible for the stimulatory activity on glucose uptake. However, attempts to further concentrate this activity through fractionation techniques were unsuccessful. A crude polyphenol extract (PPE), an enriched polyphenolic fraction (PPE-F1) and a polysaccharide extract (PSE) were prepared from commercial A. nodosum powder and administered to streptozotocin-diabetic mice for up to 4-weeks by daily gavage at 200 mg/kg body mass. PPE and PPE-F1 improved fasting serum glucose level in diabetic mice; however, the effect was only statistically significant at day 14. In addition, PPE-F1 was shown to blunt the rise in blood glucose after an oral sucrose tolerance test in diabetic mice. Mice treated with PPE and PPE-F1 had decreased blood total cholesterol and glycated serum protein levels compared with untreated diabetic mice, whereas PPE also normalized the reduction in liver glycogen level that occurred in diabetic animals. All 3 A. nodosum preparations improved blood antioxidant capacity.

On a établit une recherche d’un produit anti-diabétique, parmi les algues locales de la région Atlantique du Canada, en examinant la capacité d’un effet inhibiteur de l’enzyme α-glucosidase et une stimulation de l’incorporation cellulaire du glucose. Un extrait éthanol-aqueux de Ascophyllum nodosum nous a donné une activité positive chez les deux essais, une inhibition de l’α-glucosidase provenant de l’intestin du rat (IC50 = 77 μg/mL) et puis une stimulation triple, à une concentration de 400 μg/mL, de l’incorporation du glucose dans les adipocytes 3T3-L1 durant une période de 20 minutes. L’extrait de A. nodosum a été divisé, guidé par les résultats biologiques, et a ainsi démontré la présence d’éléments polyphénoliques associé à l’inhibition de l’α-glucosidase. Ces éléments polyphénoliques ainsi que d’autres semblent être responsables de l’incorporation stimulée du glucose. Il a été impossible de raffiner cette activité lors d’une division des composants. Un extrait brut polyphénolique (PPE), un extrait enrichi polyphénolique (PPE-F1) et puis un extrait polysaccharide (PSE) furent préparés d’une poudre commerciale de A. nodosum et utilisés dans une étude utilisant des souris, rendues diabétiques par injections de streptozotocin, traitées par un gavage journalier de l’extrait 200 mg/kg du poids corporel durant une période de 4 semaines. Le taux du glucose sanguin à jeun des souris fut moins élevé en présence des extraits qu’en leurs absence. Cependant, l’effet était seulement significatif au jour 14. Les résultats étant toutefois variables. En plus, lors d’un essai oral de la tolérance au sucrose chez la souris diabétique, l’extrait PPE-F1 a empêché l’augmentation du taux du glucose sanguin. Les extraits PPE et PPE-F1 ont réduit le taux de cholestérol sanguin et les niveaux de glycation des protéines en comparaison de ces niveaux en absence des extraits tandis que l’extrait PPE a présenté une réduction du niveau de glycogène du foie chez les souris diabétiques. Les trois extraits de A. nodosum ont tous amélioré la capacité antioxidante du sang.

Older people playing ball : what is the risk of falling and injury?

Increasing physical activity amongst seniors is important for public health, yet guidance is needed to minimise injury risks. To describe the incidence of falls/injuries in a walking team ball game (Lifeball) designed for seniors, a prospective cohort study was undertaken amongst community dwelling Lifeball participants in Australia. Players completed a telephone survey soon after commencing Lifeball (2004) and 12 months later (2005). Attendance and incident records were audited for the period. Subjects joined a Lifeball group with opportunity to play at least once per week. Baseline was completed by 284 players aged between 40 and 96 years (mean 67 years), with most (83.8%, 238/284) female. Of 263 followed up, the average attendances was 25, with 19.3% attending on fewer than 4 occasions and 14.3% attending 52 or more times. Most (93.9%) reported no injuries requiring medical attention. However, 16 (6.1%) had injuries requiring medical attention and their 27 injuries represent an injury rate of 3.3 per 1000 hours of participation. Twenty participants (7.6%) had a Lifeball fall equating to a fall rate of 2.8 per 1000 hours of participation. Falls in Lifeball were not associated with measured predictors (age, gender, falls history, perceived falls risk or hours played). Incident records showed a trip/stumble involving rushing, walking backwards, or overextending (all against rules) as common falling causes. Lifeball is not ‘risk free’ however due to a lack of comparative data it is difficult to compare injury rate to relevant activities. Prevention of injury should concentrate on enforcing safety rules.

Chromium(III)-docosahexaenoic acid complex : synthesis and characterization

Supplements containing chromium in its trivalent oxidation state [Cr(III)] are used by diabetic patients to improve their glucose and insulin levels and omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for people with insulin resistance or diabetes. It seemed very useful to combine chromium(III) and omega-3 functional entities into single molecules. Here we synthesized and characterized a chromium cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) complex, one of the two main components of the heterogeneous chromium(III) fish oil omega-3 concentrate products. Ethyl cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoate was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide, and the generated salt was reacted in situ with chromium(III) chloride hexahydrate and converted into an oxo-centred trinuclear chromium(III) complex. A study of the DHA–chromium(III) complex by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry/(LC/MS/MS) is reported in this work. The data suggest a triaqua-μ3-oxohexakis-μ-docosahexaenoatotrichromium(1+), [Cr3O(C22H31O2)6(H2O)3]+, core structure.

Production and bioavailability of calcium and magnesium salts of omega-3 fatty acids

In order to provide an alternative to traditional liquid fish oil gelatin capsules, we developed a solid, powdered form of omega-3 fish oil concentrate by forming calcium- and magnesium-fatty acid salts. These salts were produced using a concentrated fish oil ethyl ester that contained in excess of 60% omega-3 fatty acids. The bioavailability of these omega-3 salts was compared with that of fish oil ethyl ester in mice. Animals were given 8 mg of omega-3 fatty acid ethyl ester concentrate (control), calcium- or magnesium-omega-3 salts daily for three weeks. The omega-3 salt products resulted in omega-3 fatty acid content in serum and red blood cell membranes comparable to that produced by the ethyl ester supplementation. In addition, fecal excretion of omega-3 fatty acids was not increased by the presence of calcium or magnesium. In fact, there was a tendency for less omega-3 fatty acids to be excreted.

Gut health immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions of gut enzyme digested high protein micro-nutrient dietary supplement-Enprocal

Background: Enprocal is a high-protein micro-nutrient rich formulated supplementary food designed to meet the nutritional needs of the frail elderly and be delivered to them in every day foods. We studied the potential of Enprocal to improve gut and immune health using simple and robust bioassays for gut cell proliferation, intestinal integrity/permeability, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Effects of Enprocal were compared with whey protein concentrate 80 (WPC), heat treated skim milk powder, and other commercially available milk derived products.

Results: Enprocal (undigested) and digested (Enprocal D) selectively enhanced cell proliferation in normal human intestinal epithelial cells (FHs74-Int) and showed no cytotoxicity. In a dose dependent manner Enprocal induced cell death in Caco-2 cells (human colon adencarcinoma epithelial cells). Digested Enprocal (Enprocal D: gut enzyme cocktail treated) maintained the intestinal integrity in transepithelial resistance (TEER) assay, increased the permeability of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and did not induce oxidative stress to the gut epithelial cells. Enprocal D upregulated the surface expression of co-stimulatory (CD40, CD86, CD80), MHC I and MHC II molecules on PMA differentiated THP-1 macrophages in coculture transwell model, and inhibited the monocyte/lymphocyte (THP-1/Jurkat E6-1 cells)-epithelial cell adhesion. In cytokine secretion analyses, Enprocal D down-regulated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and up-regulated IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that Enprocal creates neither oxidative injury nor cytotoxicity, stimulates normal gut cell proliferation, up regulates immune cell activation markers and may aid in the production of antibodies. Furthermore, through downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, Enprocal appears to be beneficial in reducing the effects of chronic gut inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Stimulation of normal human fetal intestinal cell proliferation without cell cytotoxicity indicates it may also be given as infant food particularly for premature babies.

Comparing entire colour patterns as birds see them

Colour patterns and their visual backgrounds consist of a mosaic of patches that vary in colour, brightness, size, shape and position. Most studies of crypsis, aposematism, sexual selection, or other forms of signalling concentrate on one or two patch classes (colours), either ignoring the rest of the colour pattern, or analysing the patches separately. We summarize methods of comparing colour patterns making use of known properties of bird eyes. The methods are easily modifiable for other animal visual systems. We present a new statistical method to compare entire colour patterns rather than comparing multiple pairs of patches. Unlike previous methods, the new method detects differences in the relationships among the colours, not just differences in colours. We present tests of the method's ability to detect a variety of kinds of differences between natural colour patterns and provide suggestions for analysis.