Poly (vinyl alcohol) / silica nanocomposites: morphology and thermal degradation kinetics

The morphology of self-assembled poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica (PVA/SiO₂) nanocomposites is investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that the SiO₂ nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the PVA matrix in a form of spherical nano-cluster. The average size of the SiO₂ clusters is below 50 nm at the low contents (SiO₂ ≤ 5 wt%), while particle aggregations are clearly observed and their average size markedly increases to 110 nm when 10 wt% SiO₂ is loaded. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the nanocomposite significantly outperforms the pure PVA in the thermal resistance. By using a multi-heating-rate method, the thermal degradation kinetics of the nanocomposite with a SiO₂ content of 5 wt% is compared to the PVA host. The reaction activation energy (E) of the nanocomposite, similar to the pure PVA, is divided into two main stages corresponding to two degradation steps. However, at a given degradation temperature, the nanocomposite presents much lower reaction velocity constants (k), while its E is 20 kJ/mol higher than that of the PVA host.

Measuring quality of life in alcohol and other drug users - the need for improvement

Objective : The use of Quality of Life (QoL) -related measures in Alcohol and Other Drug-related research has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, there remains a great deal of confusion about which type of QoL measure is most valid, what each constrict actually measures and the ethicality of the process of QoL measurement and its subsequent transfer to monetary value. This is particularly important in regard to subsequent resource allocation on the basis of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). We aim to review the logic of current QoL -related measurement and determine the most conceptually valid way of measuring QoL.

Methods : This review considers some of the broad principles that concern quality of life assessment. These are discussed in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the measurement of subjective well-being.

Results : We argue that there are serious logical and methodological issues concerning HRQoL measurement, to the extent that the instruments may not be regarded as valid measures of life quality as this term is generally understood.

Conclusions : It is recommended that HRQoL measurement be abandoned in favour of three separate forms of measurement as medical symptoms, subjective well-being and specific dimensions of psychological ill-being.

The regulation of research by funding bodies : an emerging ethical issue for the alcohol and other drug sector?

The degree to which funding bodies can and do control the content and dissemination of research products raises important issues which need to be openly debated by the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. Current policies relating to censorship and other means of controlling research topics or output are explored alongside an examination of how some institutions, particularly some academic journals, deal with such issues. We argue that regulation of research by funding bodies clearly contravenes the scientific ideal of freedom of information and open access to knowledge. Using international ethical guidelines, we also demonstrate that regulation raises concerns in relation to the ethical concept of beneficence. A number of examples specific to harm reduction strategies are presented in order to demonstrate how censorship might conceivably increase the harms associated with drug use. The commentary closes with recommendations concerning the establishment the prevalence of censorship and other forms of control over research in the AOD sector, and the role that ethics committees, journal editorial boards and professional societies might play in resisting the imposition of unacceptable conditions on publication of findings.

Reinforcement sensitivity theory : a paradigm for understanding the motivational processes underlying alcohol use

Provides an examination of the processes which motivate individuals to drink alcohol. It was found that heavier drinkers are highly sensitive to reward yet more likely to experience negative affect, both generally, and in response to alcohol-related cues. Based on these findings a model focusing on the links between personality, mood and craving for alcohol was developed.

The role of alcohol consumption in recovering drug users

This thesis found that alcohol consumption by illicit drig users has not been well researched. A qualitative study found alcohol was used as a substitute and believed to be related to illicit substance use. While the quantitative study generated no overall consensus, the research highlighted the need to conduct additional studies into substance abuse. The portfolio explored the relationship between maltreatment and the development of Reactive Attachment Disorder through four case studies of child clients.

Review of rural and regional alcohol research in Australia

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol is the most commonly used drug within Australia. Recently, there have been indications that there is a greater incidence of high-risk drinking within rural populations as compared with their urban counterparts. High-risk drinking is associated with numerous conditions, such as diabetes, heart attack and cancer, as well as acute harms such as assault, suicide and road accidents. The objective of this article is to review the current research and relevant data pertaining to alcohol use and alcohol-related harms within rural Australia. METHODS: This paper is a systematic review of 16 databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Overall, 18 studies describing alcohol consumption or alcohol-related harms were found. Approximately half of these studies were large-scale national population surveys, which were therefore limited in their representativeness of specific regional and rural towns. Most studies examining alcohol consumption used self-report data collection, meaning that interpretation of results needs to be tentative. There is a consistent pattern of higher rates of alcohol consumption and consequent harm within regional and rural Australia than in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging research examining alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms within regional and rural Australia. All studies show that these populations experience disproportionate harm because of alcohol consumption. The causes and mechanism for this have not been investigated, and a program of research is required to understand how and why rural populations experience disproportionate levels of alcohol-related harm and ultimately, what interventions will be most effective in reducing alcohol-related harms.

Alcohol and community sporting clubs

This paper examines the link between alcohol consumption and community sporting clubs. The paper argues that there are steps sporting clubs can take to reduce the link between alcohol and sport, and by so doing, clubs will create a setting that will cultivate and develop healthy individuals; sporting clubs will be more sustainable and attractive to the community; and there will be greater opportunities for recruiting new players and members. Drawing on published and unpublished literature, this paper begins by examining the prevalence of alcohol<br />consumption and related harms in sporting clubs. It then explores the implications of these alcohol consumption levels. Based on published evidence, a framework is then suggested to guide sporting clubs and influential stakeholders about steps they can take to address the management and consumption of alcohol in their club. Interspersed
through the document are case studies of sporting clubs from across Australia. These case studies highlight practical examples of reported evidence and best-practice. The paper aims to be relevant to a variety of stakeholders associated with sporting clubs including board members, committee members, coaches, fitness staff, managers and patrons.

The use of alcohol by Vietnamese living in Melbourne, Australia

Background: The size of the Vietnamese community residing in Melbourne, Australia has continued to grow steadily over the past decades; however, little is known about their level of alcohol consumption.

Aims: To collect data on alcohol consumption and consider the impact of demographic variables such as age and gender.

Method: A questionnaire was administered to 1080 people recruited through Vietnamese organizations and the media. The survey questions were drawn from existing and validated instruments and demographic questions such as age and gender.

Results: The findings suggest that Vietnamese Australians in Melbourne consume alcohol at a lower rate than the general population, but higher than the Vietnamese community in Sydney and Western Australia.

Conclusions: Due to the limited research in this field, these findings make an important contribution to understanding the alcohol consumption patterns of Vietnamese Australians.

The importance of family management, closeness with father and family structure in early adolescent alcohol use

Aims To examine the importance of family management, family structure and father–adolescent relationships on early adolescent alcohol use.

Design Cross-sectional data was collected across 30 randomly selected Australian communities stratified to represent a range of socio-economic and regional variation.

Setting Data were collected during school time from adolescents attending a broad range of schools.

Participants The sample consisted of a combined 8256 students (aged 10–14 years).

Measurements Students completed a web-based survey as part of the Healthy Neighbourhoods project.

Findings Family management—which included practices such as parental monitoring and family rules about alcohol use—had the strongest and most consistent relationship with alcohol use in early adolescence. Adolescents reporting higher family management were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time, less likely to drink alcohol in the preceding 30 days and less likely to have had an alcohol binge. Adolescents reporting emotionally close relationships with their fathers were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time and less likely to have had an alcohol binge in the preceding fortnight.

Conclusions Findings indicate that family management practices may contribute to alcohol abstinence in adolescents. Furthermore, emotionally close father–adolescent relationships may also foster abstinence; however, fathers’ drinking behaviours need to be considered.

Prevention of alcohol and other drug problems in culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Australia has long been known as a multicultural society. In 2009 around one-quarter of Australia’s population was born overseas and immigrants come from more than 200 countries. While most of Australia’s migrants come from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, India or China, the fastest growing immigrant populations are from sub-Saharan and northern Africa, and the Middle East. Immigrants from a non-English speaking country, as well as their children and grandchildren, are commonly referred to as culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) as a way of acknowledging differences in ethnic identity and affiliation, as well as cultural and language practices and preferences. Culturally and linguistically diverse groups in Australia face many health challenges, one of which is a potential vulnerability to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use.

The primary aim of this paper is to identify and evaluate primary prevention programs and initiatives aimed at preventing AOD harms in CLD communities.