Enhanced diagnostic platforms for Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ)

Enhanced diagnostic platforms for Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) and market access (Phase 1).

Improved Post Entry Quarantine Diagnostics

Develop a new diagnostic platform for Post Entry Plant Quarantine to support the detection of Emergency Plant Pests in the Australian Grains and Nursery Industries.

K-Ar ages of biotite and muscovite from Pangong metamorphic complex, Shyok suture zone, India: Implications for the youngest post-collision metamorphic event in Ladakh Himalaya

The garnet-kyanite-staurolite and garnet-biotite-staurolite gneisses were collected from a locality within Lukung area that belongs to the Pangong metamorphic complex in Shyok valley, Ladakh Himalaya. The kyanite-free samples have garnet and staurolite in equilibrium, where garnets show euhedral texture and have flat compositional profile. On the other hand, the kyanite-bearing sample shows equilibrium assemblage of garnet-kyanite-staurolite along with muscovite and biotite. In this case, garnet has an inclusion rich core with a distinct grain boundary, which was later overgrown by inclusion free euhedral garnet. Garnet cores are rich in Mn and Ca, while the rims are poor in Mn and rich in Fe and Mg, suggesting two distinct generations of growth. However, the compositional profiles and textural signature of garnets suggests the same stage of P -T evolution for the formation of the inclusion free euhedral garnets in the kyanite-free gneisses and the inclusion free euhedral garnet rims in the kyanite-bearing gneiss. Muscovites from the four samples have consistent K-Ar ages, suggesting the cooling age (∼ 10 Ma) of the gneisses. These ages make a constraint on the timing of the youngest post-collision metamorphic event that may be closely related to an activation of the Karakoram fault in Pangong metamorphic complex.

Modern diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus infections and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

Infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) occurs in approximately 95% of the world s population. EBV was the first human virus implicated in oncogenesis. Characteristic for EBV primary infection are detectable IgM and IgG antibodies against viral capsid antigen (VCA). During convalescence the VCA IgM disappears while the VCA IgG persists for life. Reactivations of EBV occur both among immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. In serological diagnosis, measurement of avidity of VCA IgG separates primary from secondary infections. However, in serodiagnosis of mononucleosis it is quite common to encounter, paradoxically, VCA IgM together with high-avidity VCA IgG, indicating past immunity. We determined the etiology of this phenomenon and found that, among patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary infection a large proportion (23%) showed antibody profiles of EBV reactivation. In contrast, EBV primary infection did not appear to induce immunoreactivation of CMV. EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life threatening complication of allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplantation. PTLD may present with a diverse spectrum of clinical symptoms and signs. Due to rapidity of PTLD progression especially after stem cell transplantation, the diagnosis must be obtained quickly. Pending timely detection, the evolution of the fatal disease may be halted by reduction of immunosuppression. A promising new PTLD treatment (also in Finland) is based on anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibodies. Diagnosis of PTLD has been demanding because of immunosuppression, blood transfusions and the latent nature of the virus. We set up in 1999 to our knowledge first in Finland for any microbial pathogen a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of EBV DNA in blood serum/plasma. In addition, we set up an in situ hybridisation assay for EBV RNA in tissue sections. In collaboration with a group of haematologists at Helsinki University Central Hospital we retrospectively determined the incidence of PTLD among 257 allogenic stem cell transplantations (SCT) performed during 1994-1999. Post-mortem analysis revealed 18 cases of PTLD. From a subset of PTLD cases (12/18) and a series of corresponding controls (36), consecutive samples of serum were studied by the new EBV-qPCR. All the PTLD patients were positive for EBV-DNA with progressively rising copy numbers. In most PTLD patients EBV DNA became detectable within 70 days of SCT. Of note, the appearance of EBV DNA preceded the PTLD symptoms (fever, lymphadenopathy, atypical lymphocytes). Among the SCT controls, EBV DNA occurred only sporadically, and the EBV-DNA levels remained relatively low. We concluded that EBV qPCR is a highly sensitive (100%) and specific (96%) new diagnostic approach. We also looked for and found risk factors for the development of PTLD. Together with a liver transplantation group at the Transplantation and Liver Surgery Clinic we wanted to clarify how often and how severely do EBV infections occur after liver transplantation. We studied by the EBV qPCR 1284 plasma samples obtained from 105 adult liver transplant recipients. EBV DNA was detected in 14 patients (13%) during the first 12 months. The peak viral loads of 13 asymptomatic patients were relatively low (<6600/ml), and EBV DNA subsided quickly from circulation. Fatal PTLD was diagnosed in one patient. Finally, we wanted to determine the number and clinical significance of EBV infections of various types occurring among a large, retrospective, nonselected cohort of allogenic SCT recipients. We analysed by EBV qPCR 5479 serum samples of 406 SCT recipients obtained during 1988-1999. EBV DNA was seen in 57 (14%) patients, of whom 22 (5%) showed progressively rising and ultimately high levels of EBV DNA (median 54 million /ml). Among the SCT survivors, EBV DNA was transiently detectable in 19 (5%) asymptomatic patients. Thereby, low-level EBV-DNA positivity in serum occurs relatively often after SCT and may subside without specific treatment. However, high molecular copy numbers (>50 000) are diagnostic for life-threatening EBV infection. We furthermore developed a mathematical algorithm for the prediction of development of life-threatening EBV infection.

Post Entry Plant Quarantine

The seeds of the majority of commercial crops must be grown for one generation in post-entry plant quarantine on arrival in Australia. Live plants and cuttings must also undergo quarantine screening on arrival, and spend a minimum of three months in quarantine.

Evaluation of wood characteristics of tropical post-mid rotation plantation Eucalyptus cloeziana and E. pellita: Part (a) Natural durability of timber.

This project evaluated the timber quality, processing and performance characteristics of 19-year-old Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie messmate) and 15-year-old Eucalyptus pellita (red mahogany). Studies were undertaken to evaluate wood and mechanical properties, accelerated seasoning and veneer and plywood production. Above-ground and in-ground durability field tests were established at three locations in Queensland. Ground proixmity tests and L-joint tests were installed to gather data applicable to above-ground, weather-exposed end-use applications, and stake tests were installed to gather data applicable to in-ground, weather-exposed end-use applications.

Evaluation of wood characteristics of tropical post-mid rotation plantation Eucalyptus cloeziana and E. pellita: Part (b) Accelerated seasoning of sawn timber.

Drying trials were conducted using two species of plantation grown eucalypt timbers: 19-year-old Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie messmate) and 15-year-old Eucalyptus pellita (red mahogany). The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of the drying potential of young plantation grown material using accelerated seasoning methods, a process expected to be critcal to the success of plantation hardwood products entering value added markets. The findings are encouraging, indicating that both species can be dried using conventional drying techniques much faster than industry is currently achieving when drying native forest timber. The results suggest that there is a definite drying time advantatge in vacuum drying over conventional methods for 19-year-old E. cloeziana. The findings have shown that through careful schedule manipulation and adjustment, the grade quality can be optimised to suit the desired expectation. As this study was limited to only a small number of trials, time and quality improvements are expected to be realised for both conventional and vacuum drying methods as more research is conducted.

Evaluation of wood characteristics of tropical post-mid rotation plantation Eucalyptus cloeziana and E. pellita: Part (c) Wood quality and structural properties.

This study provides information about wood quality, structural properties, processing characterists and product suitability of wood harvested from fast-grown hardwood plantations. Wood quality attributes tested included density, extractive content, unit shrinkage, heartwood proportion and sapwood width. Structural properties tested included small clear and full section strength and stiffness, hardness, joint group, visual grade assessment and natural vibration-based grade assessment. The variation between the inner, intermediate and outer heartwood zones and the variation between provenances was also tested. Overall, the wood qualtiy attributes measured for 19 year-old E. cloeziana and 15 year-old E. pellita plantation material fall between those expected from the wood of mature, native forest trees and those found in younger plantation material of the same species.

Evaluation of wood characteristics of tropical post-mid rotation plantation Eucalyptus cloeziana and E. pellita: Part (d) Veneer and plywood potential.

Logs from two hardwood plantations in north Queensland were peeled to assess the veneer and plywood potential of fast-grown tropical plantation eucalypts. After visual grading and veneer recovery calculatios, selected veneers were assembled to produce plywood panels. These were tested for mechanical properties and glue bond strength to determine the suitability of young, fast-grown, tropical eucalytps for panel product applications.

A systematic literature review of alcohol education programmes in middle and high school settings (2000-2014)

Purpose Social marketing benchmark criteria were used to understand the extent to which single-substance alcohol education programmes targeting adolescents in middle and high school settings sought to change behaviour, utilised theory, included audience research and applied the market segmentation process. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review retrieved a total of 1,495 identified articles; 565 duplicates were removed. The remaining 930 articles were then screened. Articles detailing formative research or programmes targeting multiple substances, parents, families and/or communities, as well as elementary schools and universities were excluded. A total of 31 articles, encompassing 16 qualifying programmes, were selected for detailed evaluation. Findings The majority of alcohol education programmes were developed on the basis of theory and achieved short- and medium-term behavioural effects. Importantly, most programmes were universal and did not apply the full market segmentation process. Limited audience research in the form of student involvement in programme design was identified. Research limitations/implications This systematic literature review focused on single-substance alcohol education programmes targeted at middle and high school student populations, retrieving studies back to the year 2000. Originality/value The results of this systematic literature review indicate that application of the social marketing benchmark criteria of market segmentation and audience research may represent an avenue for further extending alcohol education programme effectiveness in middle and high school settings.

Post head-emergence frost resistance of barley genotypes in the northern grain region of Australia.

Post head-emergence frost causes substantial losses for Australian barley producers. Varieties with improved resistance would have a significant positive impact on Australian cropping enterprises. Five barley genotypes previously tested for reproductive frost resistance in southern Australia were tested, post head-emergence, in the northern grain region of Australia and compared with the typical northern control cultivars, Gilbert and Kaputar. All tested genotypes suffered severe damage to whole heads and stems at plant minimum temperatures less than -8degreesC. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, frost events reaching a plant minimum temperature of ~-6.5degreesC did not result in the complete loss of grain yield. Rather, partial seed set was observed. The control genotype, Gilbert, exhibited seed set that was greater than or equal to that of any genotype in each year, as did Kaputar when tested in 2005. Thus, Gilbert and Kaputar were at least as resistant as any tested genotype. This contrasts with trial results from the southern grain region where Gilbert was reported to be less resistant than Franklin, Amagi Nijo and Haruna Nijo. Hence, rankings for post head-emergence frost damage in the northern grain region differ from those previously reported. These results indicate that Franklin, Amagi Nijo and Haruna Nijo are not likely to provide useful sources of frost resistance or markers to develop improved varieties for the northern grain region of Australia.

Complex permittivity measurements of RF plasma polymerized polyterpenol organic thin films employing split post dielectric resonator

In the fields of organic electronics and biotechnology, applications for organic polymer thin films fabricated using low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma techniques are gaining significant attention because of the physical and chemical stability of thin films and the low cost of production. Polymer thin films were fabricated from non-synthetic terpinen-4-ol using radiofrequency polymerization (13.56 MHz) on low loss dielectric substrates and their permittivity properties were ascertained to determine potential applications for these organic films. Real and imaginary parts of permittivity as a function of frequency were measured using the variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer. The real part of permittivity (k) was found to be between 2.34 and 2.65 in the wavelength region of 400–1100 nm, indicating a potential low-k material. These permittivity values were confirmed at microwave frequencies. Dielectric properties of polyterpenol films were measured by means of split post dielectric resonators (SPDRs) operating at frequencies of 10 GHz and 20 GHz. Permittivity increased for samples deposited at higher RF energy – from 2.65 (25 W) to 2.83 (75 W) measured by a 20-GHz SPDR and from 2.32 (25 W) to 2.53 (100 W) obtained using a 10-GHz SPDR. The error in permittivity measurement was predominantly attributed to the uncertainty in film thickness measurement.

Post-deposition ageing reactions of plasma derived polyterpenol thin films

Owing to the structural flexibility, uncomplicated processing and manufacturing capabilities, plasma polymers are the subject of active academic as well as industrial research. Polymer thin films prepared from non-synthetic monomers combine desirable optical and physical properties with biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. However, the ultimate expediency and implementation of such materials will dependent on the stability of these properties under varied environmental conditions. Polyterpenol thin films were manufactured at different deposition powers. Under ambient conditions, the bulk of ageing occurred within first 150h after deposition and was attributed to oxidation and volumetric relaxation. Films observed for further 12 months showed no significant changes in thickness or refractive index. Thermal degradation behaviour indicated thermal stability increased for the films manufactured at higher RF powers. Annealing the films to 405°C resulted in full degradation, with retention between 0.29 and 0.99%, indicating films' potential as sacrificial material.

Professor Lichtenberger, German literature professor at the Sorbonne, with Toni and Sigmund Feist Portraits; Groups

Digital Image

Economic aspects of post-border weed risk management

Aim: Decision-making in weed management involves consideration of limited budgets, long time horizons, conflicting priorities, and as a result, trade-offs. Economics provides tools that allow these issues to be addressed and is thus integral to management of the risks posed by weeds. One of the critical issues in weed risk management during the early stages of an invasion concerns feasibility of eradication. We briefly review how economics may be used in weed risk management, concentrating on this management strategy. Location: Australia. Methods: A range of innovative studies that investigate aspects of weed risk management are reviewed. We show how these could be applied to newly invading weeds, focussing on methods for investigating eradication feasibility. In particular, eradication feasibility is analysed in terms of cost and duration of an eradication programme, using a simulation model based on field-derived parameter values for chromolaena, Chromolaena odorata. Results: The duration of an eradication programme can be reduced by investing in progressively higher amounts of search effort per hectare, but increasing search area will become relatively more expensive as search effort increases. When variation in survey and control success is taken into account, increasing search effort also reduces uncertainty around the required duration of the eradication programme. Main conclusions: Economics is integral to the management of the risks posed by weeds. Decision analysis, based on economic principles, is now commonly used to tackle key issues that confront weed managers. For eradication feasibility, duration and cost of a weed eradication programme are critical components; the dimensions of both factors can usefully be estimated through simulation. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.