Showing papers by "Geelong Football Club published in 1996"

Streptokinase for Acute Ischemic Stroke With Relationship to Time of Administration

Abstract: Objectives —To determine whether the administration of 15 million units of streptokinase intravenously within 4 hours of the onset of acute ischemic stroke would reduce morbidity and mortality at 3 months and whether outcomes may be better for those receiving therapy within 3 hours of stroke onset compared with those receiving it after 3 hours Design —Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 3-month follow-up Participants —A total of 340 patients, aged 18 to 85 years, with moderate to severe strokes were randomized from 40 centers throughout Australia from June 1992 to November 1994 Intervention —Administration of 15 million units of streptokinase or placebo intravenously in 100 mL of normal saline over 1 hour Main Outcome Measure —Combined death and disability score (Barthel index Results —Using an intention-to-treat analysis with a combined death and disability score at 3 months after stroke as the primary end point, we found a nonsignificant overall trend toward unfavorable outcomes for streptokinase vs placebo (relative risk [RR] of unfavorable outcome, 108; 95% confidence interval [CI], 074-158) and an excess of hematomas (132% [126% symptomatic] in the treated group, 3% [24% symptomatic] for placebo [P Conclusion —The administration of streptokinase within 4 hours of acute ischemic stroke increased morbidity and mortality at 3 months While treatment within 3 hours of stroke was safer and associated with significantly better outcomes than later treatment, it showed no significant benefit over placebo The timing of thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke is critical

ITA, a vertebrate homologue of IAP that is expressed in T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Apoptosis plays a crucial role in both the development and the control of the immune system. During T lymphocyte development, thymocytes undergo apoptosis as part of the process of elimina...

Integrating machine learning with knowledge acquisition through direct interaction with domain experts

Abstract: Knowledge elicitation from experts and empirical machine learning are two distinct approaches to knowledge acquisition with differing and mutually complementary capabilities. Learning apprentices have provided environments in which a knowledge engineer may collaborate with a machine learning system allowing for a synergy between the complementary approaches. The Knowledge Factory is a knowledge acquisition environment that allows a domain expert to collaborate directly with a machine learning system without the need for assistance from a knowledge engineer. This requires a different form of environment to the learning apprentice. The paper describes techniques for supporting such interactions and their implementation in a knowledge acquisition environment called The Knowledge Factory.

Tension Measurements in Weaving of Singles Worsted Wool Yarns

Abstract: The variation of tension in weaving 25 tex singles worsted wool yarns is investigated using a commercial on-line tension measuring device. The maximum rate of tension change in warp yarns is 35 to ...

Financial management of the elderly: Legal issues and the role of neuropsychological assessment

Abstract: This article examines the legal framework in Australia for dealing with financial management of elderly people facing increasing difficulties in managing their own financial affairs. Such difficulties may arise as a result of various conditions which affect mental capacity in old age such as Alzheimer's Disease. The legal mechanisms that exist in Victoria to assist with cases of this type are enduring powers of attorney and Administration Orders. The effective use of each of these mechanisms is dependent on ascertaining a person's level of “competence” to manage his or her own affairs. The law has struggled over the years with ascertaining what “competence” does and should mean for these purposes. The article examines legal notions of “competence” which have been adopted in Australia It also considers the importance of neuropsychological assessments as evidence supporting findings of “competence” or “incompetence” at law. The potential uses and limitations of such assessments in this context are evaluated.

Mothers' emotional needs and difficulties after childbirth

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To set up and evaluate weekly group sessions for mothers experiencing difficulties after childbirth. METHOD These sessions were held at Barwon Region Child Health Centre in Geelong, Victoria, with input from a general practitioner and a clinical psychologist. RESULTS Questionnaires confirmed the group sessions were effective in allaying the mothers' concerns about their babies' health, and that the mothers had low self esteem. Records of the meetings indicated that mothers were mainly concerned about their babies' health, anxiety, lifestyle changes, depression, relationship problems, their own health, the birth experience and lack of support. Social factors often predisposed mothers to these problems. CONCLUSION There is clearly scope for the general practitioner to be involved in the diagnosis and management of postnatal problems and group sessions are an effective way of achieving this.

Communications: “engineering” the extensibility and formability of wool fabrics to improve garment appearance

Abstract: Observes that the formability of woven fabric has a major effect on the appearance of garments, in that seams sewn from fabrics with low formability are more likely to pucker than those sewn from fabric with high formability. Describes the concept of formability and illustrates the relationship between this parameter and seam pucker, the difficulty of a particular sewing operation and the appearance of structured jackets. Notes that the formability of wool fabrics is most appropriately controlled in finishing by modifying the extensibility of the fabric. Discusses the difficulties associated with engineering, the extensibility of woven fabrics and the implications for other fabric properties, such as relaxation shrinkage.

Ozone odours and phototherapy

Abstract: As dalji analysis is often used iti systematic reviews, the poleiilial tor mislcnding results needs to be considered.' Egger and Davey Smith suggest that trials which support a beneficial effeet are cited more frequenlly than unsupportive trials and are thus more likely to be located for meta-analysis. He also suggests that small positive trials are more likely to be published than negative ones. The suggestion that meta-analysis based on small trials should be distrusted and that careful sensitivity analysis should always be done is also stressed. All this may seem too difficult to us as clinicians, at first glance. However, there are problems with leaving this process of writing systematic reviews entirely to epidemiologists who are not familiar with the content of our specialty of dermatology. Co-operation between clinicians and epidemiologists will be served by training clinicians in our specialty, more formally, in these skills of critical review.