The limits to public service : rural communities, professional families, and work mobility

Australia faces an ongoing challenge recruiting professionals to staff essential human services in rural and remote communities. This paper identifies the private limits to the implicit service contract between professions and such client populations. These become evident in how private solutions to competing priorities within professional families inform their selective mobility and thus create the public problem for such communities. The paper reports on a survey of doctors, nurses, teachers and police with responsibility for school-aged children in Queensland that plumbed the strength of neoliberal values in their educational strategy and their commitment to the public good in career decisions. The quantitative analysis suggested that neoliberal values are not necessarily opposed to a commitment to the public good. However, the qualitative analysis of responses to hypothetical career opportunities in rural and remote communities drew out the multiple intertwined spatial and temporal limits to such public service, highlighting the priority given to educational strategy in these families’ deliberations. This private/public nexus poses a policy problem on multiple institutional fronts.

Hospital care in Iran : an examination of national health system performance

This study examines hospital care system performance in Iran. We first briefly review hospital care delivery system in Iran. Then, the hospital care system in Iran has been investigated from financial, utilization, and quality perspectives. In particular, we examined the extent to which health care system in Iran protects people from the financial consequence of health care expenses and whether inpatient care distributed according to need. We also empirically analyzed the quality of hospital care in Iran using patient satisfaction information collected in a national health service survey. The Iranian health care system consists of unequal access to hospital care; mismatch between the distribution of services and inpatients' need; and high probability of financial catastrophe due to out-of-pocket payments for inpatient services. Our analysis indicates that the quality of hospital care among Iranian provinces favors patients residing in provinces with high numbers of hospital beds per capita such as Esfahan and Yazd. Patients living in provinces with low levels of accessibility to hospital care (e.g. Gilan, Kermanshah, Hamadan, Chahar Mahall and Bakhtiari, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchestan) receive lower-quality services. These findings suggest that policymakers in Iran should work on several fronts including utilization, financing, and service quality to improve hospital care.

Using political science to progress public health nutrition: a systematic review

Objective Poor dietary intake is the most important behavioural risk factor affecting health globally. Despite this, there has been little investment in public health nutrition policy actions. Policy process theories from the field of political science can aid understanding why policy decisions have occurred and identify how to influence ongoing or future initiatives. This review aims to examine public health nutrition policy literature and identify whether a policy process theory has been used to analyse the process. Design Electronic databases were searched systematically for studies examining policymaking in public health nutrition in high-income, democratic countries. Setting International, national, state and local government jurisdictions within high-income, democratic countries. Subjects Individuals and organisations involved in the nutrition policymaking process. Results Sixty-three studies met the eligibility criteria, most were conducted in the USA and a majority focused on obesity. The analysis demonstrates an accelerating trend in the number of nutrition policy papers published annually and an increase in the diversity of nutrition topics examined. The use of policy process theory was observed from 2003, however, it was utilised by only 14% of the reviewed papers. Conclusions There is limited research into the nutrition policy process in high-income countries. While there has been a small increase in the use of policy process theory from 2003, an opportunity to expand their use is evident. We suggest that nutrition policymaking would benefit from a pragmatic approach that ensures those trying to influence or understand the policymaking process are equipped with basic knowledge around these theories.

Household carbon emission research: An analytical review of measurement, influencing factors and mitigation prospects

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are simultaneously exhausting the world's supply of fossil fuels and threatening the global climate. In many developing countries, significant improvement in living standards in recent years due to the accelerating development of their economies has resulted in a disproportionate increase in household energy consumption. Therefore, a major reduction in household carbon emissions (HCEs) is essential if global carbon reduction targets are to be met. To do this, major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states have already implemented policies to alleviate the negative environmental effects of household behaviors and less carbon-intensive technologies are also proposed to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. However, before any further remedial actions can be contemplated, though, it is important to fully understand the actual causes of such large HCEs and help researchers both gain deep insights into the development of the research domain and identify valuable research topics for future study. This paper reviews existing literature focusing on the domain of HCEs. This critical review provides a systematic understanding of current work in the field, describing the factors influencing HCEs under the themes of household income, household size, age, education level, location, gender and rebound effects. The main quantification methodologies of input–output models, life cycle assessment and emission coefficient methods are also presented, and the proposed measures to mitigate HCEs at the policy, technology and consumer levels. Finally, the limitations of work done to date and further research directions are identified for the benefit of future studies.

Allergen capture by IgE and IgG enhanced cell-binding by allergen multimers: How complex is it?

Allergic diseases are the most common chronic disease of the western world, costing $7.8 billion per year in lost productivity and medical care in Australia alone.1 IgE is central to the immunopathogenesis of allergic diseases and important advances are now being made on multiple fronts of IgE research. In particular, two groups independently invested in the generation of IgE reporter mice to address the vexing question of the route of development of the elusive IgE+ B cell.2, 3 Two new anti-IgE mAb targeting membrane IgE and cell-bound IgE have the potential to deplete the cellular source of IgE.4, 5 These could be candidates for alternative anti-IgE treatment options with advantages over current anti-IgE therapy (OmalizumAb), which depletes free serum IgE. Researchers are still intrigued by the modes of interaction of IgE with allergen, and with both its receptors; the high affinity FcεR1 on mast cells and basophils, and the low affinity, C-type lectin, IgE receptor, CD23,6 on B cells and monocytes (Figure 1a and b). A new approach to the study of the complexity of these interactions was recently reported by Reginald et al.7 on page 167 of this issue.

Targeting drug-resistant prostate cancer with dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR pathway is one of the most frequently activated signaling pathways in prostate cancer cells, and loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN and amplification of PIK3CA are the two most commonly detected mechanisms for the activation of these pathways. Aberrant activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR has been implicated not only in the survival and metastasis of prostate cancer cells but also in the development of drug resistance. As such, selective inactivation of this pathway may provide opportunities to attack prostate cancer from all fronts. However, while preclinical studies examining specific inhibitors of PI3K or mTOR have yielded promising results, the evidence from clinical trials is less convincing. Emerging evidence from the analyses of some solid tumors suggests that a class of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, which bind to and inactivate both PI3K and mTOR, may achieve better anti-cancer outcomes. In this review, we will summarize the mechanisms of action of these inhibitors, their effectiveness when used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic compounds, and their potential to serve as the next generation therapies for prostate cancer patients, particularly those who are resistant to the frontline chemotherapeutic drugs.

An Approximate Solution Of One-Dimensional Piston Problem

A new theory of shock dynamics has been developed in the form of a finite number of compatibility conditions along shock rays. It has been used to study the growth or decay of shock strength for accelerating or decelerating piston starting with a nonzero piston velocity. The results show good agreement with those obtained by Harten's high resolution TVD scheme.

Time dependent rotational flow of a viscous fluid over an infinite porous disk with a magnetic field

Both the semi-similar and self-similar flows due to a viscous fluid rotating with time dependent angular velocity over a porous disk of large radius at rest with or without a magnetic field are investigated. For the self-similar case the resulting equations for the suction and no mass transfer cases are solved numerically by quasilinearization method whereas for the semi-similar case and injection in the self-similar case an implicit finite difference method with Newton's linearization is employed. For rapid deceleration of fluid and for moderate suction in the case of self-similar flow there exists a layer of fluid, close to the disk surface where the sense of rotation is opposite to that of the fluid rotating far away. The velocity profiles in the absence of magnetic field are found to be oscillatory except for suction. For the accelerating freestream, (semi-similar flow) the effect of time is to reduce the amplitude of the oscillations of the velocity components. On the other hand the effect of time for the oscillating case is just the opposite.

Semi-similar solution of an unsteady compressible three-dimensional stagnation point boundary layer flow with massive blowing

A semi-similar solution of an unsteady laminar compressible three-dimensional stagnation point boundary layer flow with massive blowing has been obtained when the free stream velocity varies arbitrarily with time. The resulting partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme with a quasi-linearization technique in the nodal point region and an implicit finite-difference scheme with a parametric differentiation technique in the saddle point region. The results have been obtained for two particular unsteady free stream velocity distributions: (i) an accelerating stream and (ii) a fluctuating stream. Results show that the skin-friction and heat-transfer parameters respond significantly to the time dependent arbitrary free stream velocity. Velocity and enthalpy profiles approach their free stream values faster as time increases. There is a reverse flow in the y-wise velocity profile, and overshoot in the x-wise velocity and enthalpy profiles in the saddle point region, which increase as injection and wall temperature increase. Location of the dividing streamline increases as injection increases, but as the wall temperature and time increase, it decreases.

Grower group case study on new farming practices in the Herbert region, Australia

Growers working together have proven to be a successful method for improving the utilization of farm resources and accelerating the adoption of the Sugar Yield Decline Joint Venture principles (SYDJV). The Pinnacle Precision Farming Group was formed in 2004 with the aim to bring together the ideas, knowledge and resources of growers in the Herbert region. Along with their common interest in controlled traffic, minimal tillage and crop rotations, the grower group utilize a farm machinery contractor to provide some of their major farming operations. This paper provides an insight into the changes made by the Pinnacle Precision Farming Group and their journey to adopt the new farming system practices. This paper also details the changes made by the group machinery contractor and a comparison of the old and new farming systems used by a group member. A focus point of the document is the impact of the new farming system on the economic, social and environmental components of the farming business. Analysis of the new farming system with a legume crop rotation revealed an increase in the farm gross margin by AU$22 024 and, in addition, a reduction in tractor operation time by 38% across the whole farm. This represents a return on marginal capital of 14.68 times the original capital outlay required by the group member. Using the new farming system without a legume crop will still improve the group members whole of farm gross margin by AU$6 839 and reduce tractor operation time by 43% across the whole farm. The Pinnacle Precision Farming group recognize the need to continually improve their farming businesses and believe that the new farming system principles are critical for the long term viability of the industry. [U$1 = AU$1.19].

Proceedings of the tropical fruits in human nutrition and health conference 2008

Horticultural industries are Queensland’s second largest primary producer, with a total gross value of more than $1.9 billion in 2008. Queensland’s diverse geography and climate supports the production of more than 120 horticultural products. With a growing worldwide demand for quality, nutritious food Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries continues to focus its activities on accelerating growth within the sector. The conference, sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and DPI&F is the first of its kind to examine the latest knowledge on the health properties of tropical fruits. Organising committee member and DPI&F science leader Dr Roger Stanley said the conference would develop international networks to accelerate research in the area.

Pressure shocks in relativistic viscous heat-conducting fluids

In this paper we have studied the propagation of pressure shocks in viscous, heat-conducting, relativistic fluids. Velocities of wave fronts and growth equations for the strength of the waves are obtained in the case of low and high temperatures with variable transport coefficients. On the basis of numerical integrations the growth equation results have been discussed. In the case of constant transport coefficients and for all admissible values of ratio of specific heats of the fluid, an analytical solution for the velocity of the wave as a function of distance along the normal trajectory to the wave front, has been obtained.

Unsteady laminar compressible stagnation-point boundary-layer flow over a three-dimensional body: Higher order effects

The unsteady laminar compressible three-dimensional stagnation-point boundary-layer flow with variable properties has been studied when the velocity of the incident stream, mass transfer and wall temperature vary arbitrarily with time. The second-order unsteady boundary-layer equations for all the effects have been derived by using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Both nodal and saddle point flows as well as cold and hot wall cases have been considered. The partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. Computations have been carried out for an accelerating stream, a decelerating stream and a fluctuating stream. The results indicate that the unsteady free stream velocity distributions, the nature of the stagnation point, the mass transfer, the wall temperature and the variation of the density-viscosity product across the boundary significantly affect the skin friction and heat transfer. The variation of the wall temperature with time strongly affects the heat transfer whereas its effect is comparatively less on skin friction. Suction increases the skin friction and heat transfer but injection does the opposite. The skin friction in the x direction due to the combined effects of first- and second-order boundary layers is less than the skin-friction in the x direction due to the first-order boundary layers for all the parameters. The overall skin friction in the z direction and heat transfer are more or less than the first-order boundary layers depending upon the values of the various parameters.

Resistance Mechanisms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas against Rituximab Treatment

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against B-cell specific CD20 antigen, is used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and chronic lymphatic leukemia. In combination with chemotherapeutics rituximab has remarkably improved the outcome of NHL patients, but a vast variation in the lengths of remissions remains and the outcome of individual patients is difficult to predict. This thesis has searched for an explanation for this by studying the effector mechanisms of rituximab and by comparing gene expression in lymphoma tissue samples of patients with long- and short-term survival. This work demonstrated that activation of complement (C) system is in vitro more efficient effector mechanism of rituximab than cellular mechanisms or apoptosis. Activation of the C system was also shown in vivo during rituximab treatment. However, intravenously administered rituximab could not enter the cerebrospinal fluid, and neither C activation nor removal of lymphoma cells was observed in central nervous system. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that rituximab-induced cell killing could be markedly improved with simultaneous neutralization of the C regulatory proteins CD46 (Membrane cofactor protein), CD55 (Decay-accelerating factor), and CD59 (protectin). In a retrospective study of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients, low lymphoma tissue mRNA expressions of CD59 and CD55 were associated with a good prognosis and in a progressive flow cytometry study high expression of CD20 relative to CD55 was correlated to a longer progression free survival. Gene expression profile analysis revealed that expression of certain often cell cycle, signal transduction or immune response related genes correlate with clinical outcome of FL patients. Emphasizing the role of tumor microenvironment the best differentiating genes Smad1 and EphA1 were demonstrated to be mainly expressed in the non-malignant cells of tumors. In conclusion, this thesis shows that activation of the C system is a clinically important effector mechanism of rituximab and that microenvironment factor in tumors and expression of C regulatory proteins affect markedly the efficacy of immunochemotherapy. This data can be used to identify more accurately the patients for whom immunochemotherapy is given. It may also be beneficial in development of rituximab-containing and other monoclonal antibody therapies against cancer.

Efficient surface modification of biomaterial to prevent biofilm formation and the attachment of microorganisms

Biomaterials play a fundamental role in disease management and the improvement of health care. In recent years, there has been a significant growth in the diversity, function, and number of biomaterials used worldwide. Yet, attachment of pathogenic microorganisms onto biomaterial surfaces remains a significant challenge that substantially undermines their clinical applicability, limiting the advancement of these systems. The emergence and escalating pervasiveness of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains makes the management of biomaterial-associated nosocomial infections increasingly difficult. The conventional post-operative treatment of implant-caused infections using systemic antibiotics is often marginally effective, further accelerating the extent of antimicrobial resistance. Methods by which the initial stages of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation can be restricted or prevented are therefore sought. The surface modification of biomaterials has the potential to alleviate pathogenic biofouling, therefore preventing the need for conventional antibiotics to be applied.