Health-related quality of life of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with the Transcutaneous Bone Anchoring Prosthesis following the OGAAP

Background The benefits and safety transcutaneous bone anchored prosthesis relying on a screw fixation are well reported.[1-17] However, most of the studies on press-fit implants and joint replacement technology have focused on surgical techniques.[3, 18-23] One European centre using this technique has reported on health related quality of life (HRQOL) for a group of individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA).[3] Data from other centres are needed to assess the effectiveness of the technique in different settings. Aim This study aimed at reporting HRQOL data at baseline and up to 2-year follow-up for a group of TFAs treated by Osseointegration Group of Australia who followed the Osseointegration Group of Australia Accelerated Protocol (OGAAP), in Sydney between 08/12/2011 and 09/04/2014. Method A total of 16 TFAs (7 females and 9 males, age 51 ± 12 y, height 1.73 ± 0.12 m, weight 83 ±18 kg) participated in this study. The cause of amputation was trauma or congenital limb deficiency for 11 (69%) and 5 (31%) participants, respectively. A total of 12 (75%) participants were prosthetic users while 4(25%) were wheelchair bound prior the surgery. The HRQOL were obtained from Questionnaire for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) using the four main scales (i.e., Prosthetic use, Mobility, Problem, Global) one year before and between 6.5 and 24 months after the Stage 1 of the surgeries for the baseline and follow-up, respectively. Results The lapse of time before and after Stage 1 was -6.19±3.54 and 10.83±3.58 months respectively. The raw score and percentage of improvement are presented in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Discussion & Conclusion The average results demonstrated an improvement in each domain, particularly in the reduction of problems and an increase in global state. Furthermore, 56%, 75%, 94% and 69% of the participants reported an improvement in Prosthetic use, Mobility, Problem, Global scales, respectively. These results were comparable to previous studies relying of screwed fixation confirming that press-fit implantation is a viable alternative for bone-anchored prostheses.[1, 7, 8]

Tropical prawn trawl bycatch of fish and seasnakes reduced by Yarrow Fisheye Bycatch Reduction Device

Reducing unwanted trawl bycatch is actively encouraged in Australia, particularly in prawn trawl fisheries. We tested the performance of a Bycatch Reduction Device, the Yarrow Fisheye, during two periods of commercial fishing operations in Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery, by comparing the catches of paired treatment and control nets. We compared the catch weights of the small fish and invertebrate bycatch, and the commercially important tiger prawns, from 42 trawls in 2002. The Yarrow Fisheye reduced the weight of small bycatch by a mean of 22.7%, with no loss of tiger prawn. We also compared the numbers of seasnakes caught in 41 and 72 trawls during the spring trawling seasons of 2004 and 2005, respectively. The Yarrow Fisheye reduced the catches by a mean of 43.3%. Flume-tank tests of the Yarrow Fisheye showed that this device created a slow water-flow region extending over 2 m downstream from its position in the net, and close to where the catch accumulates. Finfish and seasnakes may be exploiting this slow water-flow region to escape via the eye, Although the reductions in fish and seasnake bycatch were excellent, we think they could be further improved by relating differences in fisheye position and localised water displacements, to design and rigging changes.

Roomalaista oikeutta kreikaksi 500-luvun Palestiinassa : Eräitä lakitermejä papyruksessa P. Petra inv. 83

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on analysoida eräitä lakitermejä, jotka esiintyvät papyruksessa P. Petra inv. 83. Kyseinen dokumentti, joka sisältää sopimuksen kahden naapuruksen välisen kiistan lopettamiseksi, ajoittuu todennäköisesti vuodelle 574 jKr. ja se kuuluu Jordanian Petrasta vuonna 1993 löydettyyn hiiltyneeseen papyrusarkistoon. Papyrus on tällä hetkellä vielä julkaisematon, ja tämä työ on osa siihen liittyvää perustutkimusta, jonka tarkoituksena on toisaalta selittää tekstin itsensä sisältö, toisaalta arvioida sen antaman informaation merkitystä laajemmassa historiallisessa kontekstissa. Papyrus on kirjoitettu kreikaksi, Bysantin eli Itä-Rooman valtakunnan virallisella kielellä, mutta itse lakitermeistä suurin osa liittyy alun perin latinan kielellä luotuun roomalaiseen oikeuteen. Paikallinen väestö puolestaan oli seemiläistä alkuperää, jolla ei ainoastaan ollut oma kieli, vaan jolla oli ollut ennen valtakuntaan liittämistä omat oikeustraditionsakin. Niinpä papyruksessa esiintyvien termien tutkimuksen kautta nousevat esille monenlaiset laajemmatkin kysymyksenasettelut. Lakitermejä analysoidaan pääasiassa kolmesta näkökulmasta. Ensisijaisena pyrkimyksenä on selvittää niiden tarkka merkitys asiayhteydessään, joka papyruksen fragmentaarisuuden vuoksi ei ole etukäteen selvä, ja siten edistää tekstissä puheena olevien asianhaarojen ymmärtämistä. Toiseksi termien käyttöä koskevat tulokset suhteutetaan yleiseen oikeushistoriaan ja pyritään arvioimaan niiden merkitystä Petrassa käytössä olleen oikeusjärjestelmän kannalta. Kolmas näkökulma on kielitieteellinen, sillä termien käyttö papyruksessa on nähtävä osana laajempaa kehitystä, jossa roomalaisen oikeuden vähittäinen muuttuminen bysanttilaiseksi johti kielten vaihtumiseen ja koko juridisen käsitteistön siirtymiseen latinasta kreikkaan. Siksi tässä työssä käytetään itse papyruksen analyysin lisäksi laajaa vertailumateriaalia, joka koostuu ennen kaikkea roomalaisesta ja bysanttilaisesta lakikirjallisuudesta sekä dokumentaarisesta lähdeaineistosta, etenkin egyptiläisistä papyruksista. Niin tässä papyruksessa kuin muissakin kreikankielisissä lähteissä esiintyvät roomalaiseen oikeuteen liittyvät termit voidaan jaotella suoriin lainoihin, käännöslainoihin sekä komparaatiolainoihin. Jälkimmäisillä tarkoitetaan kreikan kielessä jo aiemmin käytössä olleita termejä, jotka eivät sananmukaiselta merkitykseltään vastaa latinalaisia, mutta joita alettiin käyttää jonkin latinalaisen termin vastineina. Tutkimus tekee selväksi, että olipa kyse mistä lainakategoriasta tahansa, lakitermien siirtyessä kielestä toiseen tapahtui yleensä semanttisia muutoksia eikä termejä aina käytetty samalla tavalla kuin alkukielessä. Merkityskenttä saattoi esimerkiksi supistua taikka laajentua tai sanalle saattoi kehittyä lainautumisen jälkeen täysin uusiakin merkityksiä. Oikeushistorian suhteen on huomioitava ero virallisten säännösten ja provinsseissa noudatettujen käytäntöjen välillä. Kaiken kaikkaan Petra näyttää kuitenkin olleen kiinteä osa Bysantin valtakuntaa, jonka lakeja ainakin pääpiirteissään noudatettiin. Kaikkien termien käytötavat eivät tosin ole johdettavissa suoraan virallisiin lakikorpuksiin, mutta ne eivät myöskään sodi niitä vastaan. Roomalaisen oikeuden tuntemus näyttää olleen Petrassa jopa parempaa kuin esimerkiksi Egyptissä. Mitä tulee papyruksessa puheena oleviin konkreettisiin asianhaaroihin, termien merkityksen ymmärtäminen selventää joidenkin aspektien pääpiirteitä, kun taas yksityskohdat jäävät tekstin fragmentaarisuuden takia useimmiten epäselviksi. Avainsanat: papyrologia, Petra, roomalainen oikeus, terminologia, kreikan kieli, latinan kieli, lainasanat

Factors potentiating the risk of sudden infant death syndrome associated with the prone position

Background. In several studies the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been significantly associated with sleeping in the prone position. It is not known how the prone position increases the risk of SIDS. Methods. We analyzed data from a case-control study (58 infants with SIDS and 120 control infants) and a prospective cohort study (22 infants with SIDS and 213 control infants) in Tasmania. Interactions were examined in matched analyses with a multiplicative model of interaction. Results. In the case-control study, SIDS was significantly associated with sleeping in the prone position, as compared with other positions (unadjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.1 to 9.6). The strength of this association was increased among infants who slept on natural-fiber mattresses (P = 0.05), infants who were swaddled (P = 0.09), infants who slept in heated rooms (P = 0.006), and infants who had had a recent illness (P = 0.02). These variables had no significant effect on infants who did not sleep in the prone position. A history of recent illness was significantly associated with SIDS among infants who slept prone (odds ratio, 5.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 19) but not among infants who slept in other positions (odds ratio, 0.83). In the cohort study, the risk of SIDS was greater among infants who slept prone on natural-fiber mattresses (odds ratio, 6.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 33) than among infants who slept prone on other types of mattresses (odds ratio, 1.8). Conclusions. When infants sleep prone, the elevated risk of SIDS is increased by each of four factors: the use of natural-fiber mattresses, swaddling, recent illness, and the use of heating in bedrooms.

Role of Diadegma semiclausum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in controlling Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): Cage exclusion experiments and direct observation

We evaluated the role of the larval parasitoid, Diadegma semiclausum Hellén (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), in controlling Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) by cage exclusion experiments and direct field observation during the winter season in southern Queensland, Australia. The cage exclusion experiment involved uncaged, open cage and closed cage treatments. A higher percentage (54-83%) of P. xylostella larvae on sentinel plants were lost in the uncaged treatment than the closed (4-9%) or open cage treatments (11-29%). Of the larvae that remained in the uncaged treatment, 72-94% were parasitized by D. semiclausum, much higher than that in the open cage treatment (8-37% in first trial, and 38-63% in second trial). Direct observations showed a significant aggregation response of the field D. semiclausum populations to high host density plants in an experimental plot and to high host density plots that were artificially set-up near to the parasitoid source fields. The degree of aggregation varied in response to habitat quality of the parasitoid source field and scales of the manipulated host patches. As a result, density-dependence in the pattern of parasitism may depend on the relative degree of aggregation of the parasitoid population at a particular scale. A high degree of aggregation seems to be necessary to generate density-dependent parasitism by D. semiclausum. Integration of the cage exclusion experiment and direct observation demonstrated the active and dominant role of this parasitoid in controlling P. xylostella in the winter season. A biologically based IPM strategy, which incorporates the use of D. semiclausum with Bt, is suggested for the management of P. xylostella in seasons or regions with a mild temperature.

Bysanttilaisten ja Akhaian ruhtinaskunnan väliset sotatoimet vuosina 1259-83 : Tapaustutkimus myöhäis-bysanttilaisesta sodankäynnistä

In my master thesis I analyse Byzantine warfare in the late period of the empire. I use military operations between Byzantines and crusader Principality of Achaia (1259–83) as a case study. Byzantine strategy was based (in “oriental manner”) on using ambushes, diplomacy, surprise attacks, deception etc. Open field battles that were risky in comparison with their benefits were usually avoided, but the Byzantines were sometimes forced to seek open encounter because their limited ability to keep strong armies in field for long periods of time. Foreign mercenaries had important place in Byzantine armies and they could simply change sides if their paymasters ran out of resources. The use of mercenaries with short contracts made it possible that the composition of an army was flexible but on the other hand heterogeneous – in result Byzantine armies were sometimes ineffective and prone to confusion. In open field battles Byzantines used formation that was made out from several lines placed one after another. This formation was especially suitable for cavalry battles. Byzantines might have also used other kinds of formations. The Byzantines were not considered equal to Latins in close combat. West-Europeans saw mainly horse archers and Latin mercenaries on Byzantine service as threats to themselves in battle. The legitimacy of rulers surrounding the Aegean sea was weak and in many cases political intrigues and personal relationships can have resolved the battles. Especially in sieges the loyalty of population was decisive. In sieges the Byzantines used plenty of siege machines and archers. This made fast conquests possible, but it was expensive. The Byzantines protected their frontiers by building castles. Military operations against the Principality of Achaia were mostly small scale raids following an intensive beginning. Byzantine raids were mostly made by privateers and mountaineers. This does not fit to the traditional picture that warfare belonged to the imperial professional army. It’s unlikely that military operations in war against the Principality of Achaia caused great demographic or economic catastrophe and some regions in the warzone might even have flourished. On the other hand people started to concentrate into villages which (with growing risks for trade) probably caused disturbance in economic development and in result birth rates might have decreased. Both sides of war sought to exchange their prisoners of war. These were treated according to conventional manners that were accepted by both sides. It was possible to sell prisoners, especially women and children, to slavery, but the scale of this trade does not seem to be great in military operations treated in this theses.

Spatial patterns of sub-tidal seagrasses and their tissue nutrients in the Torres Strait, northern Australia: Implications for management

The distribution and nutritional profiles of sub-tidal seagrasses from the Torres Strait were surveyed and mapped across an area of 31,000 km2. Benthic sediment composition, water depth, seagrass species type and nutrients were sampled at 168 points selected in a stratified representative pattern. Eleven species of seagrass were present at 56 (33.3%) of the sample points. Halophila spinulosa, Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium were the most common species and these were nutrient profiled. Sub-tidal seagrass distribution (and associated seagrass nutrient concentrations) was generally confined to northern-central and south-western regions of the survey area (

Hallinnon lehdistötiedotteiden kieli

This study seeks to answer the question of what the language of administrative press releases is like, and how and why it has changed over the past few decades. The theoretical basis of the study is provided by critical text analysis, supplemented with, e.g., the metafunction theory of Systemic Functional Grammar, the theory of poetic function, and Finnish research into syntax. The data includes 83 press releases by the City of Helsinki Public Works Department, 14 of which were written between 1979 and 1980 (old press releases), and 69 of which were written between 1998 and 1999 (new press releases). The analysis focuses on the linguistic characteristics of the releases, their changes and variation, their relation to other texts and the extra linguistic context, as well as their genre. The core research method is linguistic text analysis. It is supplemented with an analysis of the communicative environment, based on the authors' interviews and written documents. The results can be applied to the improvement of texts produced by the authorities and even by other organizations. The linguistic analysis focuses on features that transform the texts in the data making them guiding, detailed, and poetic. The releases guide the residents of the city using modal verbal expressions and performative verbs that enable the mass media to publish the guiding expressions on their own behalf as such. The guiding is more persuasive in the new press releases than in the old ones, and the new ones also include imperative clauses and verbless directives that construct direct interaction. The language of the releases is made concrete and structurally detailed by, e.g., concrete vocabulary, proper nouns and terms, as well as definitions, adverbials and comparisons, which are used specifically to present places and administrative organizations in detail. The rhetorical features in the releases include alliteration and metaphors, which are found in the new releases especially in the titles. The emphasized features are used to draw the readers' attention and to highlight the core contents of the texts. The new releases also include words that are colloquial in style, making the communicative situations less official. Structurally, the releases have changed from being letter-like to a more newsflash-like format. The changes in the releases can be explained by the development towards more professional communications and the more market-oriented ideology adopted in the communicative environment. Key words: change in administrative language, press releases, critical text analysis, linguistic text analysis

Development of hazard site surveillance programs for forest invasive species: A case study from Brisbane, Australia

Hazard site surveillance is a system for post-border detection of new pest incursions, targeting sites that are considered potentially at high risk of such introductions. Globalisation, increased volumes of containerised freight and competition for space at domestic ports means that goods are increasingly being first opened at premises some distance from the port of entry, thus dispersing risk away from the main inspection point. Hazard site surveillance acts as a backstop to border control to ensure that new incursions are detected sufficiently early to allow the full range of management options, including eradication and containment, to be considered. This is particularly important for some of the more cryptic forest pests whose presence in a forest often is not discovered until populations are already high and the pest is well established. General requirements for a hazard site surveillance program are discussed using a program developed in Brisbane, Australia, in 2006 as a case study. Some early results from the Brisbane program are presented. In total 67 species and 5757 individuals of wood-boring beetles have been trapped and identified during the program to date. Scolytines are the most abundant taxa, making up 83% of the catch. No new exotics have been trapped but 19 of the species and 60% of all specimens caught are exotics that are already established in Australia.

Simple sequence repeat markers associated with three quantitative trait loci for black point resistance can be used to enrich selection populations in bread wheat

Black point in wheat has the potential to cost the Australian industry $A30.4 million a year. It is difficult and expensive to screen for resistance, so the aim of this study was to validate 3 previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for black point resistance on chromosomes 2B, 4A, and 3D of the wheat variety Sunco. Black point resistance data and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, linked to the resistance QTLs and suited to high-throughput assay, were analysed in the doubled haploid population, Batavia (susceptible) × Pelsart (resistant). Sunco and Pelsart both have Cook in their pedigree and both have the Triticum timopheevii translocation on 2B. SSR markers identified for the 3 genetic regions were gwm319 (2B, T. timopheevii translocation), wmc048 (4AS), and gwm341 (3DS). Gwm319 and wmc048 were associated with black point resistance in the validation population. Gwm341 may have an epistatic influence on the trait because when resistance alleles were present at both gwm319 and wmc048, the Batavia-derived allele at gwm341 was associated with a higher proportion of resistant lines. Data are presented showing the level of enrichment achieved for black point resistance, using 1, 2, or 3 of these molecular markers, and the number of associated discarded resistant lines. The level of population enrichment was found to be 1.83-fold with 6 of 17 resistant lines discarded when gwm319 and wmc048 were both used for selection. Interactions among the 3 QTLs appear complex and other genetic and epigenetic factors influence susceptibility to black point. Polymorphism was assessed for these markers within potential breeding material. This indicated that alternative markers to wmc048 may be required for some parental combinations. Based on these results, marker-assisted selection for the major black point resistance QTLs can increase the rate of genetic gain by improving the selection efficiency and may facilitate stacking of black point resistances from different sources.

Labor Regulations and Unionization Trends: Comparative Analysis of Latin American Countries

This paper discusses the influences of labor regulations on unionization rates through the comparative analysis of Argentina, Chile and Mexico, expecting to contribute to the understanding of the determinants of unionization in Latin America. These regulations, though only one of the factors determining unionization levels, have a crucial role, their influence being at least threefold: they define entitlements to and exclusions from the right to unionize, affect union recruitment strategies and, by generating incentives and disincentives, contribute to shape individual membership decisions. After discussing historical aspects of unionization in the three countries, the analysis centers successively in two periods in which the countries compared showed both similarities and contrasts relevant to the analysis of unionization trends. In the first, the comparison is between Argentina (1976-83) and Chile (1973-89), both under military regimes that had much in common, but with contrasting unionization trends. In the second, the focus is in Argentina (1991-2001) and Mexico (1984-2000), where the reforms implemented to liberalize the economy and ensuing social-economic and labor market transformations were similar, but unionization trends differed. It is argued that, in each case, the divergent behavior of unionization, in spite of the similar economic and sociopolitical contexts, may at least partly be attributed to differences in key labor institutions.

Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research 2008-09

Technical highlights 2008–09, with detailed progress reports on the latest invasive plant and animal research undertaken by Biosecurity Queensland, a service unit of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Tombstone of H. Solomon; Strangriede Cemetery (R 83); Hannover Cemeteries Tombs

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Tombstone of Frederike Benjamin nee Salamon; Strangriede Cemetery (R 83); Hannover Cemeteries Tombs

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