Book review : The dark pocket of time: war, medicine and the Australian State, 1914-1935 by Kate Blackmore, 2008

Book review of The Dark Pocket of Time: War, Medicine and the Australian State, 1914-1935. By Kate Blackmore. Adelaide: Lythrum Press, 2008

Development NGOs, semiclientelism, and the state in the Philippines: from “crossover” to double-crossed

Civil-society participation continues to be a considerable focus of debate surrounding politics and public-policy making at international and national scales, especially in the developing world. Important examples of such processes have occurred in the Philippines. The Philippine polity is widely regarded as embodying a culture of clan-based politics entailing considerable relationships of clientelism and semiclientelism. Yet there is also considerable evidence of widespread civil-society activism. This paper examines how politically left-of-center development nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) have attempted to “cross over” to state positions in order to implement social and economic reforms. Select engagement by key personnel from the NGO sphere has often been premised on the notion that it was aimed at transforming these features of Philippine politics. Engagement with two recent and (claimed to be) reforming governments has not led to positive outcomes. The Philippine experience, for the most part, is an expression of the problematic assumptions that have tended to inform the debate over civil society and state interaction in many developing-country contexts. Such conceptions have been inserted into an all-encompassing notion of democratic transition, whereby political and economic liberalization are supposed to emerge in synergy, with civil society acting as a form of “stabilizer” compensating for and complementing the role of the state. Given the predominance of such weak states as the Philippines in the developing world, it is important to consider what the impacts of development NGOs participation may be. Most important, what may be the impacts of such forms of participation in a society and polity characterized by entrenched clientelist relationships? Contrasting a Gramscian analysis with Putnam-inspired conceptions of civil society that underpin the transition model, the paper argues that far from being a conditioning force on the state, civil society is itself a sphere where clientelism and semiclientelism predominate. So powerful are these forces, that arguably well-intentioned NGO personnel who previously adopted a critical stance toward neo-clientelism ultimately become absorbed by these relationships.

Synthesis and structure of an ether-bridged double ladder compound: potential in host - guest chemistry

The synthesis of the first example of an organotin double ladder (6) containing a functional group within the spacer is reported. In the solid state, compound 6 shows an interlaminar cavity whose size and shape suggest the possibility of host–guest chemistry. ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR and ESMS show that compound 6 undergoes extensive dissociation in solution. ESMS of compound 6 to which have been added Li⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ show only minimal interaction.

Hydrolysis of dinuclear spacer-bridged diorganotin(IV) triflates. A novel cationic double ladder with supramolecular association

A series of oligomethylene-bridged diorganotin triflates R(OTf)₂Sn(CH₂)_nSn(OTf)₂R (R = CH₂SiMe₃; n = 3, 4, 8, 10) were synthesized by reaction of triflic acid with the precursor oxides R(O)Sn(CH₂)_nSn(O)R. On the basis of ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (in acetonitrile) the triflates appear to be the simple six-coordinated ionic species [(MeCN)₄(RSn(CH₂)_nSnR)(MeCN)₄]²⁺. These triflates readily undergo hydrolysis to give products, the identity of which depends on the length of the oligomethylene bridge. For n = 3 (5), the solid-state structure shows association of two dimeric units, which results in a tetracationic double ladder. Extensive hydrogen bonding gives rise to a supramolecular association. Solution ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and ES MS suggest some dissociation of 5 into dimers containing four tin atoms and possibly monomers containing two tin atoms. A rudimentary solid-state structure for n = 4 (6) indicates a linear polymer based on dimeric (four tin atoms) units. The structure of 6 also features extensive hydrogen bonding, this time effectively giving rise to alternating layers of cations and anions.

Synthesis and structure of new oligomethylene-bridged double ladders. How far can the layers be separated?

The synthesis of the α,ω-bis[dichloro(trimethylsilylmethyl)stannyl]alkanes, (Me₃SiCH₂)C1₂Sn(CH₂)_nSnCl₂(CH₂SiMe₃) (13, n=5; 14, n=6; 15, n=7; 16, n=8; 17, n=10; 18, n=12) and the corresponding oligomethylene-bridged diorganotin oxides [(Me₃SiCH₂)(O)Sn(CH₂)_nSn(O)(CH₂SiMe₃)]_m (19, n=5; 20, n=6; 21, n=7; 22, n=8; 23, n=10; 24; n=12) is reported. The reaction of the diorganodichlorostannanes 13–18 with the corresponding diorganotin oxides 19–24 provided the spacer-bridged tetraorganodistannoxanes {[(Me₃SiCH₂)ClSn(CH₂)_nSnCl(CH₂SiMe₃)]O}₄ (25, n=5; 26, n=6; 27, n=7; 28, n=8; 29, n=10; 30, n=12). Compounds 13–30 have been identified by elemental analyses and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 25, 27, 29 and 30 have also been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electrospray mass spectrometry. For the latter the essential double ladder motif is maintained for all n in the solid state, but subtle changes in alignment of the ladder planes occur. Separation between the two layers of the double ladder ranges from approx. 8.7  Å (for 25, n=5) to approx. 15 Å (for 30, n=12). In solution there is some dissociation of the double ladders into the corresponding dimers. The degree of dissociation is favoured by increasing oligomethylene chain length n.

Double disability : lived experience of Australian tertiary students with ME/CFS

This research is the exploration of the lived experience of tertiary students in Australia with the medical condition usually known as ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) seeking to explore issues of equity and human rights from the perspective of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Students feel that their difficulties are not caused just by the illness itself but by the failure of the tertiary institutions to understand the effects of this illness on them, the student, especially within the areas of accommodations and assessments. Their lived experiences are studied to ascertain if their experiences differ from those of other tertiary students. Forty participants came from every state and territory of Australia and twenty -four of Australia's universities as well as eight Technical and Further Education/Open Training Education Network (TAFE/OTEN) colleges are represented. The selection of the chosen methodology, Critical Ethnography from a Habermasian perspective, has been circumscribed by the medical condition which placed limitations on methodology and also data gathering methods. Non-structured stories, in which the participants wrote of their lived experience as students, were considered the most appropriate source of data. These were transmitted by electronic mail (with some by postal mail) to the researcher. A short questionnaire provided a participant background to the stories and was also collated for a composite overview of the participants. The stories are analysed in a number of ways: six selected stories are retold and the issues arising from these stories have been weighed against the remainder of the stories. Four intertwined themes were constructed from the issues raised in each story. Apparent infringements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) which impact on quality of life, human rights and equity are found. No accommodations are being made by the academic institutions for the cognitive dysfunctions and learning difficulties. Students are stigmatised and lack credibility to negotiate appropriate academic accommodations. A possible means of improving the ability of students to negotiate appropriate accommodations is explored. Finally the researcher reflects on her own involvement in the research as an 'insider' researcher.

Half metallicity in a zigzag double-walled nanotube nanodot : an ab initio prediction

Ab initio density functional calculations were performed to study finite-length zigzag (7, 0) @ (16, 0) double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) with H-termination at the open ends. We find that such a DWCNT nanodot displays a very large magnetic moment at the zigzag edges and the ground state displays symmetric anti-ferromagnetic coupling. When an external electric field is applied along the direction of tube axis, a gap is opened for one spin channel, whereas another spin channel remains metallic, i.e. half metallicity occurs. Our results suggest an important new avenue for the development of CNT-based spintronic materials with enhanced properties. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Wal-Mart’s trade union in China

In 2007–8, more than 100 Wal-Mart stores in China established trade unions, which were praised by labour organizations and scholars throughout the world. This article questions these positive assessments and evaluations through an empirical study. The empirical findings reveal a dark and unpleasant picture of a double cooptation in that both the Chinese government and Wal-Mart have successfully coopted a few more or less independent unions. Although the presence of the trade union seems to challenge Wal-Mart’s neoliberal corporate ideology and governance, the compromise and tacit agreement between Wal-Mart and the party-state not only reflects a marriage of convenience but also indicates some deeper compatibility, the compatibility between China’s state corporatist model and the neoliberal approach taken by Wal-Mart. This study finds that China continues to move in a ‘state corporatist’ direction and that the transition towards civil society and ‘societal corporatism’ has been stymied.

Darwin after dark: illuminating suburban atmospheres

In Australian cities, culturally diverse suburban landscapes are often sensed as discomforting sites of fear and anxiety, particularly after dark. Imagined risks of encounters with bodies of colour easily policed during the day when vision is clear, but who escape biopolitical regimes of securitisation and surveillance at night contribute to such atmospheric qualities of place. These affective atmospheres of fear and anxiety that haunt bodies and limit their ability to inhabit public space, however, can provide a sense of freedom for bodies who claim suburban spaces of darkness through tactile and sonic senses. This paper draws on the contemporary literature on affective atmospheres to show how racialised Indigenous and asylum seeker bodies become present in different ways in suburban places in Darwin after dark. The paper focuses on two events – spontaneous dancing to Indigenous music at Mindil beach market and a Vigil commemorating asylum seeker lives in a suburban courtyard. Drawing on ethnographic research I explore these affective intervention that illuminate dark suburban atmospheres in Darwin. Such interventions that draw attention to the attunement of bodies to difference unsettle biopolitical regimes that victimise and patronise visible non-white bodies and contribute to rethinking racism and darkness in suburban Darwin and the Top End.

Genome sequence of the dark pink pigmented Listia bainesii microsymbiont Methylobacterium sp. WSM2598

Strains of a pink-pigmented Methylobacterium sp. are effective nitrogen- (N2) fixing microsymbionts of species of the African crotalarioid genus Listia. Strain WSM2598 is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod isolated in 2002 from a Listia bainesii root nodule collected at Estcourt Research Station in South Africa. Here we describe the features of Methylobacterium sp. WSM2598, together with information and annotation of a high-quality draft genome sequence. The 7,669,765 bp draft genome is arranged in 5 scaffolds of 83 contigs, contains 7,236 protein-coding genes and 18 RNA-only encoding genes. This rhizobial genome is one of 100 sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 G enomic E ncyclopedia for B acteria and A rchaea- R oot N odule B acteria (GEBA-RNB) project.

Neurocognitive effects of multivitamin supplementation on the steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) measure of brain activity in elderly women

OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence suggests that dietary supplementation with selected micronutrients and nutraceuticals may have the potential to improve cognition in older adults. Fewer studies have investigated the effects of these substances on brain activity. METHODS: This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted to explore the effects of 16 weeks supplementation with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal formula on the steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) measure of brain electrical activity. Participants were elderly women aged between 64 and 79 years, with subjective memory complaints. Baseline and post-treatment SSVEP data was obtained for 22 participants in the multivitamin group and 19 in the placebo group. A spatial working memory delayed response task (DRT) was performed during the recording of the SSVEP. RESULTS: The results revealed that when compared to placebo, multivitamin supplementation delayed SSVEP latency during retrieval, interpreted as an increase in inhibitory neural processes. Behavioural performance on the DRT was not improved by the multivitamin, however improved performance accuracy was associated with increased midline central SSVEP latency. There were no multivitamin-related effects on SSVEP amplitude. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that in the elderly, multivitamin supplementation may enhance neural efficiency during memory retrieval.

Sisters

Melinda Capp and her sister Meredith are identical twin. The Sisters installation presented at the Castlemaine state festival is an exploration of the experience and memories of having grown up as a twin and the complexity for both the self as single and self as other/double which underpins and confronts both the physical and psychological sense being a twin. Nature / Nurture: The work is explored as a dichotomy of Nature / Nurture by referencing the domestic context of childhood (which can be interpreted as an exposition of the influence of nurture) and reference to the physical, genetic aspect of being a twin (a reference to Nature). The Installation was located in a bedroom of a 1960’s brick house, now empty, and invites the viewer to enter into a world which pulls between these two forces of nature/nurture, which shape the sense of identity and realization of self for each twin. The bond between twins emerges at the cellular level and continues for the rest of their lives. Despite all emergence of individuality and bloodline thread binds them together forever no matter the distance between them and changes through time In dark wooden wardrobe two dresses, made from fine white tissues paper, hang quietly on each side of the robe with backlighting which floods the room with an ethereal luminance. Placed in the center of a large bare wall, a small image of Melinda and Meredith as young children (a photo transfer also on the ephemeral tissue paper) hangs in isolation. This placement and the surrounding space unites these two young twins together, bound in symmetry like a mirror image in the vast open space of the empty wall, a symbol of the potential for growth and individual identity in a world which surrounds them. On the opposite wall a series of object and artifacts are pressed between sheets of acrylic and backlit as if they were some sorts of scientific samples for detailed inspection. Feathers/hair, handmade paper with embroided (reference to the traditionally feminine arts) text and the words Blood Ties traced out. Each object is placed for analysis and hovers in space at the viewers approximate eye level like a series of clues for the revelation of some deeper insight. Hidden speakers were embedded within the walls of the room and played looped recordings at low level inviting the viewer to listen as a voyeur. A series of whispered schoolyard chants by Melinda and Meredith (identical wording were individually recorded by each sister and then superimposed) and a collage of spoken word, memories and anecdotes from the period of their childhood. Most notably recollections of the Apollo Moon landing. A symbol of the ability of science to transcend and reveal that which lies beyond and within, while at the same time counterpointed by the poetics of childhood songs emerging in unison as two twins reveal their innate unification.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in schizophrenia resistant to clozapine: a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial targeting negative symptoms

BACKGROUND: Clozapine is an effective treatment for a proportion of people with schizophrenia (SZ) who are resistant to the beneficial effects of other antipsychotic drugs. However, anything from 40-60 % of people on clozapine experience residual symptoms even on adequate doses of the medication, and thus could be considered 'clozapine resistant'. Agents that could work alongside clozapine to improve efficacy whilst not increasing the adverse effect burden are both desired and necessary to improve the lives of individuals with clozapine-resistant SZ. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is one such possible agent. Previous research from our research group provided promising pilot data suggesting the efficacy of NAC in this patient population. The aim of the study reported here is to expand this work by conducting a large scale clinical trial of NAC in the treatment of clozapine-resistant SZ.

METHODS: This study is an investigator initiated, multi-site, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. It aims to include 168 patients with clozapine-resistant SZ, divided into an intervention group (NAC) and a control group (placebo). Participants in the intervention group will receive 2 g daily of NAC. The primary outcome measures will be the negative symptom scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Secondary outcome measures will include: changes in quality of life (QoL) as measured by the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQoLP) and cognitive functioning as measured by the total score on the MATRICS. Additionally we will examine peripheral and cortical glutathione (GSH) concentrations as process outcomes.

DISCUSSION: This large scale clinical trial will investigate the efficacy of NAC as an adjunctive medication to clozapine. This trial, if successful, will establish a cheap, safe and easy-to-use agent (NAC) as a 'go to' adjunct in patients that are only partly responsive to clozapine.