COMPLETE CONTROL OF NUISANCE BIRDS IN AIRPORT HANGARS

Fogging of ReJeX-iT7 TP-40 offers a very efficient method for the control and dispersal of nuisance birds from many diverse areas. The amount of the repellent is greatly reduced over any other control method. The method is direct and is independent of the activity of the birds. The applications with any fogger, thermal or mechanical, that can deliver droplets of less than 20 microns, can be manually or fully automated and pose only minimal risks to operators or animals. All birds that became a nuisance and safety problem in the hangars of TWA and AA at LaGuardia, and TWA warehouse at Newark Airport were successfully driven out by fogging ReJeX-iT7 TP-40 with a Curtis Dyna-Fog AGolden Eagle@ thermal fogger.

人工湿地强化净化太湖水体富营养化研究

为了进一步降低水中营养盐浓度、提高水体透明度，为湖泊生态系统的恢复创造条件，促进湖泊水体生态系统良性循环，以太湖五里湖富营养化水体为研究对象，采用中试规模的人工湿地技术来强化净化富营养化水体。重点研究了不同流态、不同基质、不同植物及植物有无条件下各人工湿地系统对富营养化水体的处理效果。此外，还对生长在人工湿地中的7种湿地植物芦苇(Phragmites communis)、香蒲(Typha angustifolia)、茭白(Zizania caduciflora)、水葱(Scirpus validus.)、菖蒲(Acorus calamus)、鸢尾(Iris pseudacorus)和千屈菜(Lythrum salicaria)的生长、生理生态特性如气体交换、叶绿素荧光、光合色素含量及氮、磷吸收能力进行了研究，旨在探索高等植物在富营养化水体净化过程中的机理和规律，为人工湿地污水净化机理奠定一定的科学和理论基础。主要研究结果如下： 通过对垂直潜流、水平潜流和自由表面流三种类型的人工湿地系统对富营养化水体净化效果的对比研究，我们发现在水力负荷0.64 m d-1，进水污染物浓度化学需氧量(COD) 7.37 mg L-1、氨氮(NH4+-N) 1.63 mg L-1、硝氮(NO3--N )1.41 mg L-1、总氮(TN) 4.82 mg L-1和总磷(TP) 0.15 mg L-1的条件下，三种不同流态的人工湿地对富营养化水体均有一定的净化功能。三种类型的人工湿地对主要污染物COD、NH4+-N、NO3--N、TN和TP的去除效果分别为：垂直潜流40.4%、45.9%、62.9%、51.6%和64.3%;水平潜流39.6%、32.0%、65.3%、52.1%和65.7%;自由表面流16.5%、22.8%、34.2%、19.8%和35.1%。相比之下，垂直潜流、水平潜流对主要的污染物的去除效果明显好于自由表面流人工湿地。除垂直潜流湿地NH4+-N的平均去除率显著大于水平潜流外，两人工湿地在其余指标的去除效果上无显著差异。考虑到土地面积的限制，就太湖五里湖富营养化水体治理而言，垂直潜流和水平潜流较自由表面流更为适合。 以沸石为基质的人工湿地较以砾石为基质的人工湿地对NH4+-N有很好的去除效果，除此之外两种基质类型的人工湿地在其余各污染指标的去除效果方面差异不显著。但随着湿地运行时间的延长，沸石对NH4+-N的吸收能力会逐渐减弱，考虑到湿地构建成本，建议就地取材，以当地较为廉价的砾石为人工湿地基质比较经济适用。 有无植物对有机污染物COD的去除效果影响差异不显著，但对TN和TP去除效果影响差异极显著，有植物的人工湿地对TN的去除率比无植物的分别高出12.5%和13.4%，对TP去除率分别高出16.9%和31.0%。不同植物对人工湿地处理效果的影响差异不显著，可见湿地流态对处理效果的影响大于植物的影响。 各湿地植物叶片的净光合速率(Pn)日变化均为双峰曲线，有光合“午休”现象。其中芦苇、茭白、鸢尾、菖蒲、水葱和千屈菜Pn的下降主要是由气孔导度(gs)的下降造成的，而香蒲则更多的受叶肉光合能力下降的影响。除千屈菜的Pn与gs之间呈显著正相关外，其余植物的Pn与gs之间均呈极显著正相关。气孔行为对湿地植物光合作用碳的固定显示了明显的主导控制作用。 各湿地植物的光补偿点(LCP)差异不显著，其均值都在10µmol m-2 s-1以上，显示了阳生植物的特性。但湿地植物的光饱和点 (LSP)差异极显著，LSP大小依次为香蒲1476.3µmol m-2 s-1>水葱1140.0µmol m-2 s-1>菖蒲753.7µmol m-2 s-1>芦苇751.7µmol m-2 s-1>茭白640.7µmol m-2 s-1>千屈菜567.3µmol m-2 s-1>鸢尾479.0µmol m-2 s-1。7种湿地植物的CO2补偿点差异极显著，CO2补偿点大小依次为水葱47.1µmol mol-1>茭白28.4µmol mol-1>香蒲23.7µmol mol-1>鸢尾16.8µmol mol-1>菖蒲16.7µmol mol-1>千屈菜15.2µmol mol-1>芦苇14.8µmol mol-1。与此相反，湿地植物的CO2饱和点差异不显著。 各湿地植物的Fv/Fm值大小差异也极显著，Fv/Fm值大小依次为千屈菜0.8168>水葱0.8348>香蒲0.8262>菖蒲0.8198>芦苇0.8168>茭白0.8040>鸢尾0.7930。由此可见千屈菜、水葱较芦苇和茭白有较高的PSⅡ效率。7种湿地植物叶片的叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量水平差异极显著，芦苇和茭白叶片的叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量水平都较高，这在客观上解释了他们为何拥有较强的光合能力。 不同湿地植物的生物量大小差异极显著，平均生物量(干重)变化范围在0.26-6.65 kg m-2之间。除香蒲和水葱的地下部生物量显著大于地上部外，其余植物都是地上部生物量大于地下部，这非常有利于人工湿地生态工程中通过收获植物地上部生物量来达到去除氮、磷污染目的。 不同湿地植物植株氮、磷含量差异极显著。湿地植物对氮吸收总量变化范围为6.09-93.96 g m-2，吸收氮最高是芦苇，最低是菖蒲;对磷吸收总量变化范围为0.51-8.95 g m-2，吸收磷最高是香蒲，最低是菖蒲。经测算，植物吸收的总氮量占人工湿地总氮去除量的0.6-17.1%，总磷量占人工湿地总磷去除量的1.4-40.5%。本次试验中香蒲和芦苇对氮、磷的吸收去除能力比较高，茭白、鸢尾、水葱和千屈菜的吸收去除能力中等，而菖蒲的吸收能力较弱。

无根萍、酵母菌和红螺菌的水质净化和抑藻作用

从2005年9月到2005年10月,利用莲花湖中的3个49m2,深度为1.5m的围隔进行生物水质净化和除藻研究。1#围隔为对照,2#围隔水体中加入无根萍,3#围隔水体中喷洒酵母菌和光合细菌。与1#围隔比较,2#围隔水面的无根萍的数目在300L×5×103 L-1,3#围隔的喷洒复合菌数目酵母菌(300L×4×105L-1)和红螺菌(300 L×8×108 L-1)。本实验结果表明:在30 d内,2#和3#围隔中的TP分别下降40%、25%;TN分别下降43%、16%;叶绿素含量分别下降51%、31%。透明

Distribuição volumétrica de calda produzidas pelas pontas pulverização XR, TP e TJ sob diferentes condições operacionais

Foram avaliados os perfis de distribuição volumétrica das pontas de pulverização de jato plano Extended Range XR 8004, Teejet TP 8004 e TwinJet TJ60-8004, em mesa de teste construída segundo a norma ISO 5.682-1:1996, sendo as pontas de pulverização posicionadas a 30, 40 e 50 cm de altura da mesa coletora, submetidas à pressão de 200 e 300 kPa, e posicionadas com ângulos de 30 e 45º nos sentidos horário e anti-horário e na posição vertical (0º). As pontas TJ60-8004 foram analisadas nas mesmas alturas, porém somente na posição vertical. Avaliaram-se 10 unidades de cada tipo de ponta, instaladas isoladamente na mesa. A distribuição média do volume pulverizado, coletado nas provetas, foi inserida em programa computacional, que permitiu a simulação do perfil de distribuição de uma barra pulverizadora com 24 bicos, em espaçamentos variáveis, obtendo-se ao final o coeficiente de variação, o desvio-padrão e a média do volume. Os resultados mostraram que a uniformidade de distribuição é menos influenciada pela variação da altura da barra quando o espaçamento entre bicos é reduzido e que há necessidade de adequação do espaçamento quando se utiliza ângulo na barra pulverizadora.

The Exeter Hip. 40 Years of Innovation in Total Hip Arthroplasty

* Propoerties and use of acrylic cement * Design and biomechaniscs of a cemented hip replacement * The science of loosening, lysis and wear * Preparation of patients for surgery * Potential complications and their avoidance * Modern primary surgical techniques and new developments * Complex primary hip replacement and specialist techniques * Outcomes of cemented hip replacement * Principles of revision hip replacement * Basic science of bone grafting in revision surgery * Femoral acetabular impaction bone grafting techniques * Results of revision with bone graft and cement

Assessing the effectiveness of water sensitive urban design in Southeast Queensland

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems have the potential mitigate the hydrologic disturbance and water quality concerns associated with stormwater runoff from urban development. In the last few years WSUD has been strongly promoted in South East Queensland (SEQ) and new developments are now required to use WSUD systems to manage stormwater runoff. However, there has been limited field evaluation of WSUD systems in SEQ and consequently knowledge of their effectiveness in the field, under storm events, is limited. The objective of this research project was to assess the effectiveness of WSUD systems installed in a residential development, under real storm events. To achieve this objective, a constructed wetland, bioretention swale and a bioretention basin were evaluated for their ability to improve the hydrologic and water quality characteristics of stormwater runoff from urban development. The monitoring focused on storm events, with sophisticated event monitoring stations measuring the inflow and outflow from WSUD systems. Data analysis undertaken confirmed that the constructed wetland, bioretention basin and bioretention swale improved the hydrologic characteristics by reducing peak flow. The bioretention systems, particularly the bioretention basin also reduced the runoff volume and frequency of flow, meeting key objectives of current urban stormwater management. The pollutant loads were reduced by the WSUD systems to above or just below the regional guidelines, showing significant reductions to TSS (70-85%), TN (40-50%) and TP (50%). The load reduction of NOx and PO4 3- by the bioretention basin was poor (<20%), whilst the constructed wetland effectively reduced the load of these pollutants in the outflow by approximately 90%. The primary reason for the load reduction in the wetland was due to a reduction in concentration in the outflow, showing efficient treatment of stormwater by the system. In contrast, the concentration of key pollutants exiting the bioretention basin were higher than the inflow. However, as the volume of stormwater exiting the bioretention basin was significantly lower than the inflow, a load reduction was still achieved. Calibrated MUSIC modelling showed that the bioretention basin, and in particular, the constructed wetland were undersized, with 34% and 62% of stormwater bypassing the treatment zones in the devices. Over the long term, a large proportion of runoff would not receive treatment, considerably reducing the effectiveness of the WSUD systems.

Serum YKL-40 and Interleukin 6 Levels in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Purpose Serum levels of the inflammatory markers YKL-40 and IL-6 are increased in many conditions, including cancers. We examined serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), a tumor with strong immunologic reaction to relatively few tumor cells, especially in nodular sclerosis HL. Experimental Design We analyzed Danish and Swedish patients with incident HL (N=470) and population controls from Denmark (N= 245 for YKL-40; N= 348 for IL-6). Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA, and log-transformed data were analysed by linear regression, adjusting for age and sex. Results Serum levels of YKL-40 and IL-6 were increased in HL patients compared to controls (YKL-40: 3.6-fold, IL-6: 8.3-fold; both p<0.0001). In samples from pre-treatment HL patients (N=176), levels were correlated with more advanced stages (ptrend 0.0001 for YKL-40 and 0.013 for IL-6) and in those with B symptoms, but levels were similar in nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity subtypes, by EBV status, and in younger (<45 years old) and older patients. Patients tested soon after treatment onset had significantly lower levels than pre-treatment patients, but even >6 months after treatment onset, serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels remained significantly increased, compared to controls. In patients who died (N=12), pre-treatment levels for both YKL-40 and IL-6 were higher than in survivors, although not statistically significantly. Conclusions Serum YKL-40 and IL-6 levels were increased in untreated HL patients and those with more advanced stages but did not differ significantly by HL histology. Following treatment, serum levels were significantly lower.

The spirit of the tent embassy : 40 years on

Presentation Given at the NAIDOC Corporate Breakfast, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 04 July 2012

40 years of cancer nursing in Australia : the emergence of a specialty

Over the past 40 years, the nature and scope of cancer nursing practice has been shaped to a large extent by scientific and medical advances, as well as by social, economic and political factors. Nurses’ role in cancer care has evolved from being predominantly functional and dependent in its approach to being a specialty with clearly defined standards of practice underpinned by a growing evidence base and an agreed set of professional performance capabilities. The unique contribution that nurses make to minimising the effects of cancer on a person’s life and improving the patient experience is now well established and Australian cancer nurses are recognised as leaders in the field internationally. Nurses have achieved improved outcomes for people affected by cancer as part of a multidisciplinary team. By being active participants in the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia for at least 30 of the organisation’s 40 year history, Australian cancer nurses have been provided unique opportunities for professional development and inter-professional collaboration. To meet future challenges in delivering quality cancer care, cancer nurses will need to be full partners with consumers and with other health professionals in redesigning health care systems that are more responsive to changes in social, demographic, scientific and technological contexts.

First flush behaviour in urban residential catchments

The current state of knowledge in relation to first flush does not provide a clear understanding of the role of rainfall and catchment characteristics in influencing this phenomenon. This is attributed to the inconsistent findings from research studies due to the unsatisfactory selection of first flush indicators and how first flush is defined. The research study discussed in this thesis provides the outcomes of a comprehensive analysis on the influence of rainfall and catchment characteristics on first flush behaviour in residential catchments. Two sets of first flush indicators are introduced in this study. These indicators were selected such that they are representative in explaining in a systematic manner the characteristics associated with first flush. Stormwater samples and rainfall-runoff data were collected and recorded from stormwater monitoring stations established at three urban catchments at Coomera Waters, Gold Coast, Australia. In addition, historical data were also used to support the data analysis. Three water quality parameters were analysed, namely, total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). The data analyses were primarily undertaken using multi criteria decision making methods, PROMETHEE and GAIA. Based on the data obtained, the pollutant load distribution curve (LV) was determined for the individual rainfall events and pollutant types. Accordingly, two sets of first flush indicators were derived from the curve, namely, cumulative load wash-off for every 10% of runoff volume interval (interval first flush indicators or LV) from the beginning of the event and the actual pollutant load wash-off during a 10% increment in runoff volume (section first flush indicators or P). First flush behaviour showed significant variation with pollutant types. TSS and TP showed consistent first flush behaviour. However, the dissolved fraction of TN showed significant differences to TSS and TP first flush while particulate TN showed similarities. Wash-off of TSS, TP and particulate TN during the first 10% of the runoff volume showed no influence from corresponding rainfall intensity. This was attributed to the wash-off of weakly adhered solids on the catchment surface referred to as "short term pollutants" or "weakly adhered solids" load. However, wash-off after 10% of the runoff volume showed dependency on the rainfall intensity. This is attributed to the wash-off of strongly adhered solids being exposed when the weakly adhered solids diminish. The wash-off process was also found to depend on rainfall depth at the end part of the event as the strongly adhered solids are loosened due to impact of rainfall in the earlier part of the event. Events with high intensity rainfall bursts after 70% of the runoff volume did not demonstrate first flush behaviour. This suggests that rainfall pattern plays a critical role in the occurrence of first flush. Rainfall intensity (with respect to the rest of the event) that produces 10% to 20% runoff volume play an important role in defining the magnitude of the first flush. Events can demonstrate high magnitude first flush when the rainfall intensity occurring between 10% and 20% of the runoff volume is comparatively high while low rainfall intensities during this period produces low magnitude first flush. For events with first flush, the phenomenon is clearly visible up to 40% of the runoff volume. This contradicts the common definition that first flush only exists, if for example, 80% of the pollutant mass is transported in the first 30% of runoff volume. First flush behaviour for TN is different compared to TSS and TP. Apart from rainfall characteristics, the composition and the availability of TN on the catchment also play an important role in first flush. The analysis confirmed that events with low rainfall intensity can produce high magnitude first flush for the dissolved fraction of TN, while high rainfall intensity produce low dissolved TN first flush. This is attributed to the source limiting behaviour of dissolved TN wash-off where there is high wash-off during the initial part of a rainfall event irrespective of the intensity. However, for particulate TN, the influence of rainfall intensity on first flush characteristics is similar to TSS and TP. The data analysis also confirmed that first flush can occur as high magnitude first flush, low magnitude first flush or non existence of first flush. Investigation of the influence of catchment characteristics on first flush found that the key factors that influence the phenomenon are the location of the pollutant source, spatial distribution of the pervious and impervious surfaces in the catchment, drainage network layout and slope of the catchment. This confirms that first flush phenomenon cannot be evaluated based on a single or a limited set of parameters as a number of catchment characteristics should be taken into account. Catchments where the pollutant source is located close to the outlet, a high fraction of road surfaces, short travel time to the outlet, with steep slopes can produce high wash-off load during the first 50% of the runoff volume. Rainfall characteristics have a comparatively dominant impact on the wash-off process compared to the catchment characteristics. In addition, the pollutant characteristics also should be taken into account in designing stormwater treatment systems due to different wash-off behaviour. Analysis outcomes confirmed that there is a high TSS load during the first 20% of the runoff volume followed by TN which can extend up to 30% of the runoff volume. In contrast, high TP load can exist during the initial and at the end part of a rainfall event. This is related to the composition of TP available for the wash-off.

A snapshot of 40 years in early childhood education and care through oral histories

The year 2012 marked 40 years since the introduction of the Child Care Act 1972 and the federal government introduced financial support for the provision of child care services in Australia. Significant changes have occurred in social, political and theoretical contexts of early childhood education and care (ECEC) during this time. Bringing these to life, this paper investigates archival data of key changes in ECEC in association with oral histories of staff, parents and children associated with The Gowrie Qld during the years 1972‒2012. With narrative analysis considered alongside historical information, two dominant issues emerge as integral to ECEC in the past, now and the future. These are: 1) what constitutes effective teaching and learning in the educational program and 2) professional expectations in ECEC. Building an historical picture, this paper provides for critical reflection on the past to inform current and future practices.

No indications of persistent oxidative stress in response to an ironman triathlon

Introduction: Training for and competing in ultraendurance exercise events is associated with an improvement in endogenous antioxidant defenses as well as increased oxidative stress. However, consequences on health are currently unclear. Purpose: We aimed to examine the impact of training- and acute exercise-induced changes in the antioxidant capacity on the oxidant/antioxidant balance after an ironman triathlon and whether there are indications for sustained oxidative damage. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 42 well-trained male triathletes 2 d before an ironman triathlon, then immediately postrace, 1, 5, and 19 d later. Blood was analyzed for conjugated dienes (CD), malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), oxLDL:LDL ratio, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), AOPP:total protein (TP) ratio, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), uric acid (UA) in plasma, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes. Results: Immediately postrace, there were significant increases in CD, AOPP, TEAC, UA (for all P < 0.001), and AOPP:TP (P < 0.01). MDA rose significantly (P < 0.01) 1 d postrace, whereas CD (P < 0.01), AOPP (P = 0.01), AOPP:TP (P < 0.05), and TEAC (P < 0.001) remained elevated. OxLDL:LDL trended to increase, whereas oxLDL significantly (P < 0.01) decreased 1 d postrace. Except for GSH-Px (P = 0.08), activities of SOD (P < 0.001) and CAT (P < 0.05) significantly decreased postrace. All oxidative stress markers had returned to prerace values 5 d postrace. Furthermore, several relationships between training status and oxidative stress markers, TEAC, and antioxidant enzyme activities were noted. Conclusions: This study indicates that despite a temporary increase in most (but not all) oxidative stress markers, there is no persistent oxidative stress in response to an ironman triathlon, probably due to training- and exercise-induced protective alterations in the antioxidant defense system.

Limited utility of exercise stress testing in the evaluation of suspected acute coronary syndrome in patients aged less than 40 years with intermediate risk features

Objective National guidelines for management of intermediate risk patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, in whom AMI has been excluded, advocate provocative testing to final risk stratify these patients into low risk (negative testing) or high risk (positive testing suggestive of unstable angina). Adults less than 40 years have a low pretest probability of acute coronary syndrome. The utility of exercise stress testing in young adults with chest pain suspected of acute coronary syndrome who have National Heart Foundation intermediate risk features was evaluated Methods A retrospective analysis of exercise stress testing performed on patients less than 40 years was evaluated. Patients were enrolled on a chest pain pathway and had negative serial ECGs and cardiac biomarkers before exercise stress testing to rule-out acute coronary syndrome. Chart review was completed on patients with positive stress tests. Results The 3987 patients with suspected intermediate risk acute coronary syndrome underwent exercise stress testing. One thousand and twenty-seven (25.8%) were aged less than 40 years (age 33.3 ± 4.8 years). Four of these 1027 patients had a positive exercise stress test (0.4% incidence of positive exercise stress testing). Of those, three patients had subsequent non-invasive functional testing that yielded a negative result. One patient declined further investigations. Assuming this was a true positive exercise stress test, the incidence of true positive exercise stress testing would have been 0.097% (95% confidence interval: 0.079–0.115%) (one of 1027 patients). Conclusions Routine exercise stress testing has limited value in the risk stratification of adults less than 40 years with suspected intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome

Should the 40-year-old practice of releasing virulent myxoma virus to control rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be continued?

Release of virulent myxoma virus has been a key component of rabbit-control operations in Queensland, Australia, since the 1960s but its use rests on anecdotal reports. During a routine operation to release virulent myxoma virus we found no evidence to support the continued regular use of the technique in south-west Queensland. Radio-tagged rabbits inoculated with virulent myxoma virus contracted the disease but failed to pass enough virus to other rabbits to spread the disease. Rabbits with clinical signs of myxomatosis that were shot were infected with field strain derived from the original laboratory strain released in 1950 rather than the virulent strain that has been released annually. There was no change in rabbit survival or abundance caused by the release. Nevertheless, the release of virulent virus may be useful against isolated pockets of rabbits mainly because field strains are less likely to be present. Such pockets are more common now that rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus is established in Queensland.