The Chemistry Discipline Network: One Year On

The Chemistry Discipline Network was funded in mid-2011, with the aim of improving communication between chemistry academics in Australia. In our first year of operation, we have grown to over 100 members, established a web presence, and produced substantial mapping reports on chemistry teaching in Australia. We are now working on the definition of standards for a chemistry degree based on the Threshold Learning Outcomes published by the Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Project.

Outcomes following inpatient rehabilitation : a seven year perspective

Introduction: Improving physical and cognitive functioning is a key objective of multi-disciplinary inpatient geriatric rehabilitation. Outcomes relevant to minimum functional ability required for older adults to successfully participate in the community have been reported. However, there has been little investigation reporting outcomes of older inpatients receiving multi-disciplinary rehabilitation being discharged home from geriatric rehabilitation units. This study aims to investigate characteristics and physical and cognitive outcomes of this cohort. Method: The Princess Alexandra Hospital Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit is the largest rehabilitation unit in Queensland. Multidisciplinary health professionals enter admission and discharge functional and clinical outcomes along with demographic information into a purpose designed database for all patients. Data collected between 2005 and 2011 was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: During the seven-year period, 4120 patients were admitted for rehabilitation; 2126 (52%) were female, mean age of 74 years (Standard Deviation 14). Primary reasons for admission were for reconditioning post medical illness or surgical admission (n = 1285, 31%), and 30% (n = 1233) admitted for orthopaedic reasons. Of these orthopaedic admissions, 6.6% (n = 82) were for elective surgery, and 46% (n = 565) were for fractured neck-of-femurs. 76% (n = 3130) of patients were discharged home, 13% (n = 552) to residential care facilities and 10% (n = 430) were discharged to an alternative hospital setting or passed away during their admission. Mean length of stay was 44 days (SD 39) Preliminary analysis of FIM outcomes shows a mean motor score of 53 (SD = 19) on admission which significantly improved to 71 (SD = 18) by discharge. There was no change on FIM cognitive score (28 (SD7) vs 29 (SD 6). Conclusion: Geriatric patients have significant functional limitations even on discharge from inpatient rehabilitation; though overall cognition is relatively intact. Orthopaedic conditions and general deconditioning from medical/surgical admissions are the main reasons for admission. The majority of people receiving rehabilitation are discharged home.

Peer assisted learning, skills development and Generation Y : a case study of a first year undergraduate law unit

The majority of current first year university students belong to Generation Y. Consequently, research suggests that, in order to more effectively engage them, their particular learning preferences should be acknowledged in the organisation of their learning environments and in the support provided. These preferences are reflected in the Torts Student Peer Mentor Program, which, as part of the undergraduate law degree at the Queensland University of Technology, utilises active learning, structured sessions and teamwork to supplement student understanding of the substantive law of Torts with the development of life-long skills. This article outlines the Program, and its relevance to the learning styles and experiences of Generation Y first year law students transitioning to university, in order to investigate student perceptions of its effectiveness – both generally and, more specifically, in terms of the Program’s capacity to assist students to develop academic and work-related skills.

A systematic review on quality of life among patients at 1 year after treatment for head and neck cancer

Introduction: Although advances in treatment modalities have improved the survival of head and neck (H&N) cancer patients over recent years, survivors’ quality of life (QoL) could be impaired for a number of reasons. The investigation of QoL determinants can inform the design of supportive interventions for this population. Objectives: To examine the QoL of H&N cancer survivors at 1 year after treatment and to identify potential determinants affecting their QoL. Methods: A systematic search of literature was done in December 2011 in five databases: Pubmed, Medline, Scopus, Sciencedirect and CINAHL, using combined search terms ‘head and neck cancer’, ‘quality of life’, ‘health-related quality of life’ and ‘systematic review’. The methodological qualities of selected studies were assessed by two reviewers using predefined criteria. The study characteristics and results were abstracted and summarized. Results: Thirty-seven studies met all inclusion criteria with methodological quality from moderate to high. The global QoL of H&N cancer survivors returned to baseline at 1 year after treatment. Significant improvement showed in emotional functioning while physical functioning, xerostomia, sticky/insufficient saliva, and fatigue were consistently worse at 12 months compared with baseline. Age, cancer sites and stages, social support, smoking, presence of feeding tube are significant QoL determinants at 12 months. Conclusions: Although the global QoL of H&N cancer survivors recover by 12 months after treatment, problems with physical functioning, fatigue, xerostomia and sticky saliva persist. Regular assessment should be carried out to monitor these problems. Further research is required to develop appropriate and effective interventions for this population.

Tax Deductible Giving in 2010 - 2011:ACPNS Current Issues Information Sheet 2013/1

Each year The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) at QUT analyses statistics on tax-deductible donations made by Australians in their individual income tax returns to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs). The information presented below is based on the amount and type of tax-deductible donations made by Australian taxpayers to DGRs for the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 extracted from the Australian Taxation Office's publication Taxation Statistics 2010-2011.1

Characteristics of police-reported road traffic crashes in Ethiopia over a six year period

Ethiopia has one of Africa’s fastest growing non-oil producing economies and an increasing level of motorisation (AfDB, OECD, UNDP, & UNECA, 2012). This rapidly increasing mobility has created some unique road safety concerns; however there is scant published information and related commentary (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2009). The objective of this paper is to quantify police-reported traffic crashes in Ethiopia and characterise the existing state of road safety. Six years (July 2005 - June 2011) of police-reported crash data were analysed, consisting of 12,140 fatal and 29,454 injury crashes on the country’s road network. The 12,140 fatal crashes involved 1,070 drivers, 5,702 passengers, and 7,770 pedestrians, totalling 14,542 fatalities, an average of 1.2 road user fatalities per crash. An important and glaring trend that emerges is that more than half of the fatalities in Ethiopia involve pedestrians. The majority of the crashes occur during daytime hours, involve males, and involve persons in the 18-50 age group—Ethiopia’s active workforce. Crashes frequently occur in mid blocks or roadways. The predominant collision between motor vehicles and pedestrians was a rollover on a road tangent section. Failing to observe the priority of pedestrians and speeding were the major causes of crashes attributed by police. Trucks and minibus taxis were involved in the majority of crashes, while automobiles (small vehicles) were less involved in crashes relative to other vehicle types, partially because small vehicles tend to be driven fewer kilometres per annum. These data illustrate and justify a high priority to identify and implement effective programs, policies, and countermeasures focused on reducing pedestrian crashes.

Malnutrition and its impact on cost of hospitalization, length of stay, readmission and 3-year mortality

Background & aims The confounding effect of disease on the outcomes of malnutrition using diagnosis-related groups (DRG) has never been studied in a multidisciplinary setting. This study aims to determine the impact of malnutrition on hospitalisation outcomes, controlling for DRG. Methods Subjective Global Assessment was used to assess the nutritional status of 818 patients within 48 hours of admission. Prospective data were collected on cost of hospitalisation, length of stay (LOS), readmission and mortality up to 3 years post-discharged using National Death Register data. Mixed model analysis and conditional logistic regression matching by DRG were carried out to evaluate the association between nutritional status and outcomes, with the results adjusted for gender, age and race. Results Malnourished patients (29%) had longer hospital stays (6.9±7.3 days vs. 4.6±5.6 days, p<0.001) and were more likely to be readmitted within 15 days (adjusted relative risk = 1.9, 95%CI 1.1–3.2, p=0.025). Within a DRG, the mean difference between actual cost of hospitalisation and the average cost for malnourished patients was greater than well-nourished patients (p=0.014). Mortality was higher in malnourished patients at 1 year (34% vs. 4.1 %), 2 years (42.6% vs. 6.7%) and 3 years (48.5% vs. 9.9%); p<0.001 for all. Overall, malnutrition was a significant predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 4.4, 95%CI 3.3-6.0, p<0.001). Conclusions Malnutrition was evident in up to one third of inpatients and led to poor hospitalisation outcomes, even after matching for DRG. Strategies to prevent and treat malnutrition in the hospital and post-discharge are needed.

Comparison between electrically-evoked and voluntary wrist movements on sensorimotor and prefrontal cortical activation : A multi-channel time domain fNIRS study

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been consistently demonstrated to improve skeletal muscle function in neurological populations with movement disorders, such as poststroke and incomplete spinal cord injury (Vanderthommen and Duchateau, 2007). Recent research has documented that rapid, supraspinal central nervous system reorganisation/neuroplastic mechanisms are also implicated during NMES (Chipchase et al., 2011). Functional neuroimaging studies have shown NMES to activate a network of sub-cortical and cortical brain regions, including the sensorimotor (SMC) and prefrontal (PFC) cortex (Blickenstorfer et al., 2009; Han et al., 2003; Muthalib et al., 2012). A relationship between increase in SMC activation with increasing NMES current intensity up to motor threshold has been previously reported using functional MRI (Smith et al., 2003). However, since clinical neurorehabilitation programmes commonly utilise NMES current intensities above the motor threshold and up to the maximum tolerated current intensity (MTI), limited research has determined the cortical correlates of increasing NMES current intensity at or above MTI (Muthalib et al., 2012). In our previous study (Muthalib et al., 2012), we assessed contralateral PFC activation using 1-channel functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during NMES of the elbow flexors by increasing current intensity from motor threshold to greater than MTI and showed a linear relationship between NMES current intensity and the level of PFC activation. However, the relationship between NMES current intensity and activation of the motor cortical network, including SMC and PFC, has not been clarified. Moreover, it is of scientific and clinical relevance to know how NMES affects the central nervous system, especially in comparison to voluntary (VOL) muscle activation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to utilise multi-channel time domain fNIRS to compare SMC and PFC activation between VOL and NMESevoked wrist extension movements.

Screening Queensland University of Technology second year architecture student films

Research Statement: In 2011 The State Library of Queensland in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology School of Design held a screening of six student urban films shot on location in several inner-city sites under my supervision. The films are now a permanent "exhibit" on The Edge State Library electronic site. The students were directed to explore the realist film ethos, which forms a platform for the research project, in its focus on the nonrepresentational aesthetics of the street, the unfinished and the sensory. The research demonstrates that film is a powerful instrument for the urban imaginary, for screening the city.

International contact lens prescribing in 2011

This is the 11th annual report of contact lens prescribing trends that we have prepared for Contact Lens Spectrum. Each year, we capture current modes of contact lens practice by asking practitioners in each market (optometrists, opticians or ophthalmologists, as appropriate) to provide information about the first 10 lens fits undertaken after receiving our paper or electronic survey form. In 2011, we captured information about 22,362 fits in 29 countries.

Animal stories : flash flood 2011

Flash flood disasters happen suddenly. The Toowoomba Lockyer Valley flash flood in January 2011 was not forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology until after it had occurred. Domestic and wild animals gave the first warning of the disaster in the days leading up to the event and large animals gave warnings on the morning of the disaster. Twenty-three people, including 5 children in the disaster zone died. More than 500 people were listed as missing. Some of those who died, perished because they stayed in the disaster zone to look after their animals while other members of their family escaped to safety. Some people who were in danger refused to be rescued because they could not take their pets with them. During a year spent recording accounts of the survivors of the disaster, animals were often mentioned by survivors. Despite the obvious perils, people risked their lives to save their animals; people saw animals try to save each other; animals rescued people; people rescued animals; animals survived where people died; animals were used to find human victims in the weeks after the disaster; and animals died. The stories of the flood present challenges for pet owners, farmers, counter disaster planners, weather forecasters and emergency responders in preparing for disasters, responding to them and recovering after them.

Innovations in dietetic training in foodservice management : can early exposure to practice enhance final year competency development?

Student engagement in the delivery of theoretical course materials is a current challenge in the tertiary sector including for dietetic training. In 2011 with the creation of a new nutritionist position for Queensland Meals on Wheels (QMOW), a service learning approach to support this organisation was used with third year dietetic students undertaking two days of structured activities at various QMOW sites in South East Queensland, aligned with coursework in Foodservice Management (FSM). This cohort of students was then followed in their final year post successful completion of five weeks professional practice in FSM to see if this experience supported readiness for placement and competency development. Evaluation was undertaken of eligible students (n = 50) via paper based survey (response rate 94%) with all participating in targeted focus groups. Findings showed that students acknowledged the QMOW experience (on reflection 14 months later) providing opportunity for participation and/or observation in 5 of 12 FSM areas taught in third year, including food safety, meal production, assembly, delivery and dishwashing. Over half the students identified good exposure to FSM competency areas during the QMOW experience, with 83% satisfied with their competency exposure and subsequent practice during final year placements. A consistent theme emerged from focus groups supporting inclusion of practical opportunities with the theoretical component of the FSM subject to highlight relevance to learning. These findings highlight the importance of such teaching initiatives to met student learning preferences, linking theory with practice and supporting competency development in the final year of training programs.

Skill development in first year law students : an evaluation of peer assisted learning across two law units

Universities no longer equip graduates solely with the content knowledge of their discipline, but also with prospective employment skills. Professions also seek graduates who can ‘collaborate, share skills and knowledge, and communicate their ideas effectively’ (Kruck and Reif, 2001, p 37). However, as admission to university does not always guarantee that one is well equipped for the task, first year students also need guidance in the development of academic skills. This session describes two models of peer assisted learning embedded within the Torts and Legal Foundations B units at the Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, and how they are used to supplement student understanding of substantive law with the development of academic and work-related skills. Student perceptions of the programs developed are considered, together with the challenges faced. Session participants will be asked to contribute to a discussion of these challenges and to offer ideas on their redress.

Displaced twice? Talking about resilience with a cohort of men from refugee backgrounds who were affected by the 2011 Queensland floods

What can we learn from people from refugee backgrounds who have been affected by an environmental disaster? This paper presents the first year findings of a study that is investigating the impact of the 2011 Queensland floods on a cohort of men from refugee backgrounds living in Brisbane and the Toowoom- ba–Gatton region of Southeast Queensland. Between 2008 and 2010, the SettleMEN study yielded pre-disaster measures of health and settlement among 233 refugee men. The current 2012−2013 follow-up study offers a rare opportunity to investigate and describe the impact of an environmental disaster on the health and wellbeing of a group of resettled refugee men who were affected by the 2011 Queensland floods. Using a mixed-method approach and a peer interviewer model, this paper reports on the exposure to and impact of the floods on the first 100 respondents who were interviewed between September 2012 and March 2013. Overall, we have found that the floods had a considerable economic and psychosocial impact on this group of men, their families and communities in terms of being forced to evacuate their homes, work disrup- tion, loss of income and personal belongings, and emotional distress. Many of these men reported that their previous refugee experience helped them to cope better during and after the floods, and for some, providing assistance to others during the floods impacted positively on their relationship with their neighbours. These findings challenge the Western deficits model that defines former refugees as traumatised victims. Refugee people’s strengths and capabilities should be taken into consideration when developing disaster response strategies at the neighbourhood and community levels.