Devaluation of a constitutional guarantee : the history of section 51(xxiiiA) of the Commonwealth Constitution

This article describes constitutional and socio-historical background to the referendum that led to the inserrion of s 51(xxiijA) into the Commonwealth Constitution. It traces judicial interpretations of the clause 'but not so as to authorise any fonn of civil conscription' through the major cases, including British Medical Association v Commonwealth, General Practitioners Society v Commonwealth, and Alexandra Private Geriatric Hospital Pty Ud v Commonwealth. The issue of the powers of the Commonwealth to regulate private medical practice without infringing the constitutional guarantee against civil conscription is analysed in the context of the development of National Health Care Schemes for financing medical benefits (Health Insurance Commission v Peverill). Constitutional aspects of the 1995 legislation enabling the introduction into Australia of purchaser-provider agreements ('managed care ') are also examined. Finally, the article questions the constitutionality of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission s powers to regulate the essential elements of the patient-doctor relationship.

Correlation between shoulder flow zone quality and material flow quantity during friction stir welding of thick aluminum section using scroll shoulder tool

The so-called scroll shoulder tool is widely used particularly for thick section friction stir welding (FSW). However, the correlation between its shoulder flow zone weld quality and material flow quantity remains unclear. This information is important for tool design. In the present study, a scroll shoulder tool was used to FSW 20mm thick 6061 aluminum (Al) plates at a range of welding parameters. The pick-up material (PUM) by the scroll was quantified, and the effect of welding parameters and PUM on the shoulder flow zone formation and weld quality was studied. It was found that there is a positive linear relationship between the PUM and weld quality. In order to obtain a defect-free FSW weld produced by the scroll shoulder tool, scroll groove needs to be fully filled by PUM.

Material flow forming the shoulder flow zone using scroll shoulder tool during friction stir welding of thick section aluminum alloys

Scroll shoulder tools are widely used and they do not need to be tilted during friction stir welding (FSW). However, the detailed material flow, which is important for proper scroll shoulder tool design and subsequently for forming the defect-free shoulder flow zone, has not been fully explained. In the present study, features of material flow in shoulder flow zone, during FSW of thick 6061 aluminium (Al) plates using a scroll shoulder tool were investigated. It was observed that there is a simple layer-to-layer banded structure which appears in the bottom portion of shoulder flow zone, but disappears in the top portion of this weld zone. When the scroll shoulder tool is plunged into the workpiece to a determined depth, the workpiece material is extruded by the tool pin, and pushed up into the scroll groove beneath the shoulder forming the pick-up material. During the forward movement of the tool, the central portion of pick-up material was driven downward by the root portion of pin and then it detaches from the tip portion of pin in a layer-to-layer manner to form the weld.

Special section : trusted computing

Security and privacy have been the major concern when people build computer networks and systems. Any computer network or system must be trustworthy to avoid the risk of losing control and retain confidence that it will not fail [1] Jun Ho Huh, John Lyle, Cornelius Namiluko and Andrew Martin, Managing application whitelists in trusted distributed systems. Future Generation Computer Systems,  27 2 (2011), pp. 211–226. [1]. Trust is the key factor to enable dynamic interaction and cooperation of various users, systems and services [2]. Trusted Computing aims at making computer networks, systems, and services available, predictable, traceable, controllable, assessable, sustainable, dependable, and security/privacy protectable. This special section focuses on the issues related to trusted computing, such as trusted computing models and specifications, trusted reliable and dependable systems, trustworthy services and applications, and trust standards and protocols.

Introduction to section 4

The nature and extent of the implementation of digital technology in mathematics curricula along with issues of access and equity were the issues considered by one working group of this ICMI study. A summary of the discussion conducted by the working group and the findings reported in the following chapters on this theme are presented. It is clear that widespread and sustained use of digital technology is not common and that where digital technology is used there are complex and confounding equity issues.

Enhanced recovery after surgery program for elective adbominal surgery at three Victorian hospitals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaesthesia care of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for patients having abdominal surgical in Victorian hospitals. The man outcome measure was the number of ERAS items implemented following introduction of the ERAS program. Secondary endpoints included process of care measures, outcomes and hospital stay. We used a before-and-after design; the control group was a prospective cohort (n=154) representing pre-existing practice for elective abdominal surgical patients from July 2009. The introduction of a comprehensive ERAS program took place over two months and included the education of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals. A post-implementation cohort (n=169) was enrolled in early 2010. From a total of 14 ERAS-recommended items, there were significantly more implemented in the post-ERAS period, median 8 (interquartile range of 7 to 9) vs 9 (8 to 10), P <0.0001. There were, however, persistent low rates of intravenous fluid restriction (25%) and early removal of urinary catheter (31%) in the post-ERAS period. ERAS patients had less pain and faster recovery parameters, and this was associated with a reduced hospital stay, geometric mean (SD) 5.7 (2.5) vs 7.4 (2.1) days, P=0.006. We found that perioperative anaesthesia practices can be readily modified to incorporate an enhanced recovery program in Victorian hospitals.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program for elective abdominal surgery at three Victorian hospitals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaesthesia care of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for patients having abdominal surgical in Victorian hospitals. The main outcome measure was the number of ERAS items implemented following introduction of the ERAS program. Secondary endpoints included process of care measures, outcomes and hospital stay. We used a before-and-after design; the control group was a prospective cohort (n=154) representing pre-existing practice for elective abdominal surgical patients from July 2009. The introduction of a comprehensive ERAS program took place over two months and included the education of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals. A post-implementation cohort (n=169) was enrolled in early 2010. From a total of 14 ERAS-recommended items, there were significantly more implemented in the post-ERAS period, median 8 (interquartile range 7 to 9) vs 9 (8 to 10), P <0.0001. There were, however, persistent low rates of intravenous fluid restriction (25%) and early removal of urinary catheter (31%) in the post-ERAS period. ERAS patients had less pain and faster recovery parameters, and this was associated with a reduced hospital stay, geometric mean (SD) 5.7 (2.5) vs 7.4 (2.1) days, P=0.006. We found that perioperative anaesthesia practices can be readily modified to incorporate an enhanced recovery program in Victorian hospitals.

Implementing scanned medical record systems in Australia : a structured case study on envisioned changes to elective admissions process in a Victorian hospital

In recent years, influenced by the pervasive power of technology, standards and mandates, Australian hospitals have begun exploring digital forms of keeping this record. The main rationale is the ease of accessing different data sources at the same time by varied staff members. The initial step in this transition was implementation of scanned medical record systems, which converts the paper based records to digitised form, which required process flow redesign and changes to existing modes of work. For maximising the benefits of scanning implementation and to better prepare for the changes, Austin Hospital in the State of Victoria commissioned this research focused on elective admissions area. This structured case study redesigned existing processes that constituted the flow of external patient forms and recommended a set of best practices at the same time highlighting the significance of user participation in maximising the potential benefits anticipated. In the absence of published academic studies focused on Victorian hospitals, this study has become a conduit for other departments in the hospital as well as other hospitals in the incursion.