Showing papers by "Monash University published in 1993"
TL;DR: The results suggest that the products of APETALA1 and another gene, LEAFY, are required to ensure that primordia arising on the flanks of the inflorescence apex adopt a floral fate, as opposed to becoming an inflorescence shoot.
Abstract: Mutations in the APETALA1 gene disturb two phases of flower development, flower meristem specification and floral organ specification. These effects become manifest as a partial conversion of flowers into inflorescence shoots and a disruption of sepal and petal development. We describe the changes in an allelic series of nine apetala1 mutants and show that the two functions of APETALA1 are separable. We have also studied the interaction between APETALA1 and other floral genes by examining the phenotypes of multiply mutant plants and by in situ hybridization using probes for several floral control genes. The results suggest that the products of APETALA1 and another gene, LEAFY, are required to ensure that primordia arising on the flanks of the inflorescence apex adopt a floral fate, as opposed to becoming an inflorescence shoot. APETALA1 and LEAFY have distinct as well as overlapping functions and they appear to reinforce each other's action. CAULIFLOWER is a newly discovered gene which positively regulates both APETALA1 and LEAFY expression. All functions of CAULIFLOWER are redundant with those of APETALA1. APETALA2 also has an early function in reinforcing the action of APETALA1 and LEAFY, especially if the activity of either is compromised by mutation. After the identity of a flower primordium is specified, APETALA1 interacts with APETALA2 in controlling the development of the outer two whorls of floral organs.
757 citations
TL;DR: There was a positive correlation between reporting abuse and greater levels of psychopathology on a range of measures, but in most cases its effects could only be understood in relationship to the context from which it emerged.
Abstract: The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adult life was investigated in a random community sample of women. There was a positive correlation between reporting abuse and greater levels of psychopathology on a range of measures. Substance abuse and suicidal behaviour were also more commonly reported by the abused group. Childhood sexual abuse was more frequent in women from disrupted homes as well as in those who had been exposed to inadequate parenting or physical abuse. While elements in the individual's childhood which increased the risks of sexual abuse were also directly associated to higher rates of adult psychopathology, abuse emerged from logistic regression as a direct contributor to adult psychopathology. Severity of abuse reported was related to the degree of adult psychopathology. The overlap between the possible effects of sexual abuse and the effects of the matrix of disadvantage from which it so often emerges were, however, so considerable as to raise doubts about how often, in practice, it operates as an independent causal element. Further, many of those reporting childhood sexual abuse did not show a measurable long-term impairment of their mental health. Abuse correlated with an increased risk for a range of mental health problems, but in most cases its effects could only be understood in relationship to the context from which it emerged.
671 citations
TL;DR: In a proportion of adults who present with NIDDM, a slowly evolving autoimmune insulitis can be revealed by testing for anti-GAD, which could have important connotations not only for early intervention, but also for the correct classification of diabetes.
Abstract: The classification of adults with diabetes mellitus can be invalidated by patients who initially present as NIDDM but who later become frankly insulin dependent. In some of these, the pathogenesis could be similar to that in IDDM, namely autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells. We studied 102 patients > 35 yr of age at diabetes onset who had initially been nonketotic and non-insulin-dependent for > or = 6 mo. They were classified according to glucagon-stimulated C-peptide levels into an insulin-deficient group (n = 33) and a non-insulin-deficient group (n = 69). We measured antibodies to GAD, islet cell cytoplasm, thyroid antigens, and gastric parietal cells in both groups. Anti-GAD was significantly higher in the insulin deficient group, 76% (25 of 33), than in the non-insulin deficient group, 12% (8 of 69), and this difference was substantially greater than that shown for ICAs. Thus, in a proportion of adults who present with NIDDM, a slowly evolving autoimmune insulitis can be revealed by testing for anti-GAD. This could have important connotations not only for early intervention, but also for the correct classification of diabetes.
591 citations
TL;DR: The globalization of business is making it more important than ever to understand how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can operate more effectively as discussed by the authors, and a major component of this understanding appears in this paper.
437 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a framework of strategic international human resource management (SIHRM) for multinational enterprises (MNEs), which anchors SIHRM in the strategic components of MNEs.
Abstract: The globalization of business is making it more important than ever to understand how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can operate more effectively. A major component of this understanding appears to be the field of human resource management and, in particular, the field of international human resource management (Brewster, 1991; Hendry, 1992; Desatnick and Bennett, 1978; Dowling, 1986; Dowling and Schuler, 1990; Evans, 1986; Evans, 1989; Laurent, 1986; Tung, 1984). The trend over the past few years has been to identify the linkage of human resource management with strategy and offer an understanding of how single country or domestic human resource management can facilitate organizational understanding and effectiveness (Wright and McMahan, 1992). In this article we attempt to extend this line of work into the international arena. We do this by offering a framework of strategic international human resource management (SIHRM). Anchoring SIHRM in the strategic components of MNEs, namely their interunit link...
322 citations
TL;DR: It is found that serine esterase release and cytokine production are susceptible to TCR antagonism similarly to lysis, and Ca2+ flux, an early event in signaling, is also inhibited by antagonists but may be more resistant to the antagonist effect than downstream responses.
Abstract: A previous report showed that the proliferative response of helper T cells to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigens can be inhibited by analogues of the antigen, which act as T cell receptor (TCR) antagonists. Here we define and analyze peptide variants that antagonize various functions of class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. Of 64 variants at individual TCR contact sites of the Kb-restricted octamer peptide ovalbumin257-264 (OVAp), a very high proportion (40%) antagonized lysis by three OVAp-specific CTL clones. This effect was highly clone specific, since many antagonists for one T cell clone have differential effects on another. We show that this inhibition of CTL function is not a result of T cell-T cell interaction, precluding veto-like phenomena as a mechanism for antagonism. Moreover, we present evidence for direct interaction between the TCR and antagonist-MHC complexes. In further analysis of the T cell response, we found that serine esterase release and cytokine production are susceptible to TCR antagonism similarly to lysis. Ca2+ flux, an early event in signaling, is also inhibited by antagonists but may be more resistant to the antagonist effect than downstream responses.
267 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that for well-learnt, predictable sequences the basal ganglia provide a non-specific internal cue that is necessary for switching between one movement and the next in a movement sequence, and also for development of preparatory activity for each sub-movement in the sequence.
Abstract: SUMMARY Our animal studies suggest that the basal ganglia provide an internal non–specific cue to trigger movement and imply that Parkinson‘s disease involves a deficiency in this cueing mechanism. Indeed parkinsonian patients typically rely upon external visual cues. To assess the effects of such non–specific cueing mechanisms on movement, we examined patients utilization of a variety of auditory cues. Ten patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and their matched controls, pressed buttons at a series of two–way choice points sequentially down a pathway, both when the latter remained illuminated throughout its length, and when it had to be followed from memory alone. In other experimental conditions, auditory cues were also provided, either contingent upon the previous response, at its initiation (a medium level of advance information) or at its completion (a low level of advance information), or as a series of regularly paced (non–contingent) auditory cues (from a metronome). In addition to error data, we recorded down time (DT, time to initiate each next response) and movement time (MT, time to execute each next response). However, both DT and MT measurements showed that parkinsonian patients were enormously disadvantaged by the absence of external cues. While contingent auditory cues were of some help, the performance of patients with Parkinson‘s disease was dramatically improved by the provision of non–contingent auditory information. Moreover, parkinsonian patients, unlike controls, were greatly affected by the length of individual sub–movements, especially in the absence of external cues. When the pathway to be followed remained illuminated, sub–movement length had little effect. We conclude that for well–learnt, predictable sequences the basal ganglia provide a non–specific internal cue that is necessary for switching between one movement and the next in a movement sequence, and also for development of preparatory activity for each sub–movement in the sequence.
249 citations
TL;DR: The formation of metamorphic core complexes may have been triggered by plutonic activity during episodes of continental extension as mentioned in this paper, and rapid cooling of deforming mylonites formed at shallow crustal levels in the thermal aureoles of intruded sills (or sill swarms).
Abstract: The formation of metamorphic core complexes may be triggered by plutonic activity during episodes of continental extension. Pulses of ductile deformation have taken place during short-lived thermal events initiated by the heat input from intruded plutons, sills, or dikes. Such intrusions may be the underlying cause for differential uplift of the footwall during tectonic denudation of metamorphic core complexes. Fast cooling inferred from 40 Ar/ 39 Ar apparent ages may have taken place after periods of magma arrival, and need not be the result of rapid erosional or tectonic denudation. Heterogeneity of 40 Ar/ 39 Ar apparent ages can be explained by rapid cooling of deforming mylonites formed at shallow crustal levels in the thermal aureoles of intruded sills (or sill swarms). Under such circumstances, apparently isothermal decompression paths may actually link pressure-temperature points set during periods of transient mineral growth during and after periods of igneous activity.
240 citations
TL;DR: This article examined whether the often-reported benefits of childhood bilingualism extend to children whose experience with second language is considerably more limited, and if so, whether this metalinguistic advantage flows on to reading acquisition.
Abstract: This study examined whether the often-reported metalinguistic benefits of childhood bilingualism extend to children whose experience with a second language is considerably more limited, and if so, whether this metalinguistic advantage flows on to reading acquisition. Its purpose was to provide direct evidence of a causal role for metalinguistic awareness in reading acquisition. The study focused on the developing word awareness skills of two groups of preparatory and grade 1 children: one group was strictly monolingual in English; the other, the “marginal bilingual” group, consisted of English monolingual who were participating in a second language program that provided I hour of Italian instruction each week.After only 6 months of instruction in Italian, the marginal bilingual children showed a significantly higher level word awareness than their monolingual counterparts. This advantage weakened across grade 1, as both groups approached ceiling levels of performance. Nonetheless, the initial advantage flows through to the first major step in reading acquisition, with the grade 1 marginal bilinguals showing significantly greater word recognition skill than the monolinguals, thus strengthening the argument for a causal role in reading acquisition for word awareness.
220 citations
TL;DR: The Body without Organs (BwO) project of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus as discussed by the authors is an attempt to denaturalize the human body and to place it in direct relations with the flows or particles of other bodies or entities.
Abstract: This chapter deals with critical feminist judgment in order to "enter into" the project articulated in Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus. It explores how this text might possibly be used by and for feminist theoretical projects, which involves some commitment to their overarching framework, basic presuppositions, and central concepts. Deleuze and Guattari's work raises a number of crucial questions about the political investments of specific positions within feminism—liberal, Marxist, and socialist forms—which can be seen to participate in a molarization, a process of reterritorialization, a sedimentation of women's possibilities of becoming. The chapter focuses on a relatively small cluster of concepts that may overlap with feminist interests: the notions of rhizome, assemblage, machine, desire, multiplicity, becoming, and the Body without Organs (BwO). Deleuze and Guattari's notion of the BwO constitutes their attempt both to denaturalize the human body and to place it in direct relations with the flows or particles of other bodies or entities.
172 citations
TL;DR: The results from this study show that women receiving Norplant have significantly increased endometrial microvascular density compared to controls, and that bleeding in Norplant users often occurred from thin atrophic endometrium.
Abstract: The mechanisms that underlie progestogen-induced endometrial breakthrough bleeding are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to quantify endometrial microvascular density in 54 controls and 42 women with 3-12 months' exposure to Norplant (levonorgestrel subdermal contraceptive implant) and to correlate it with bleeding pattern, endometrial histology, and peripheral plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Endometrial biopsies were processed routinely and sections immunostained using anti-CD34 antibody to identify vascular endothelial cells. Menstrual record card data were analysed using World Health Organization definitions. The mean microvascular density (+/- SEM) for control samples was 186 +/- 8 vessels/mm2, and there were no significant differences across the cycle. Norplant user's endometrial microvascular density was significantly elevated above controls (294 +/- 18 vessels/mm2, P = 3.36 x 10(-8)). Endometrial microvascular density in Norplant users did not correlate with oestrogen concentrations prior to biopsy, bleeding patterns or endometrial histology. The results from this study show that women receiving Norplant have significantly increased endometrial microvascular density compared to controls. Another finding from this study was that bleeding in Norplant users often occurred from thin atrophic endometrium. These results provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms that may be involved in progestogen-induced endometrial bleeding.
TL;DR: In this paper, transgenic mice were generated that express the beta subunit of the H/K ATPase under the control of the major histocompatibility complex class II I-Ek alpha promoter.
Abstract: Many autoimmune diseases are characterized by autoantibody reactivities to multiple cellular antigens. Autoantigens are commonly defined as targets of the autoimmune B cell response, but the role, if any, of these autoantigens in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases is generally unknown. Murine experimental autoimmune gastritis is a CD4+ T cell-mediated organ-specific autoimmune disease induced by neonatal thymectomy of BALB/c mice. The murine disease is similar to human autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia, and is characterized by parietal and chief cell loss, submucosal mononuclear cell infiltrates, and autoantibodies to the alpha and beta subunits of the gastric H/K ATPase. However, the specificity of T cells that cause the disease is not known. To examine the role of the H/K ATPase in this T cell-mediated disease, transgenic mice were generated that express the beta subunit of the H/K ATPase under the control of the major histocompatibility complex class II I-Ek alpha promoter. We show that transgenic expression of the gastric H/K ATPase beta subunit specifically prevents the onset of autoimmune gastritis after neonatal thymectomy. In addition, thymocyte transfer experiments suggest that tolerance of pathogenic autoreactive T cells is induced within the thymus of the transgenic mice. We conclude that the beta subunit of the gastric H/K ATPase is a major T cell target in autoimmune gastritis and that thymic expression of a single autoantigen can abrogate an autoimmune response to multiple autoantigens.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the induction and subsequent prevention of seminiferous epithelial damage will serve as an important in vivo and in vitro approach for studies on the androgen‐mediated changes in Sertoli cell biology during phases of impairment and recovery of their function.
Abstract: Rapid and complete withdrawal of intratesticular testosterone was achieved via the destruction of all Leydig cells with the specific Leydig cell cytotoxin ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS). Restoration of testosterone levels was accomplished by administration of a single dose (25 mg) of testosterone esters (T) known to reverse the antispermatogenic effects of androgen withdrawal. Quantitation of the degenerating germ cells in cross sections of seminiferous tubules (ST) at stages IV-V, VII, IX, and X-XI of the spermatogenic cycle was used as a sensitive biological index of the effects of testosterone withdrawal and restoration upon the function of the Sertoli cells. Compared to control testicular tissues, the mean numbers of pyknotic germ cells per ST cross section at stages VII, IX and X-XI increased significantly (P < 0.01-0.001) between 4 to 8 days post-EDS treatment, but only in stage VII tubules was this trend reversed significantly (P < 0.005) within 2 days by T supplementation. In EDS-treated rats, stages VII, VIII, IX, and X-XI also exhibited significant (P < 0.05-0.001) increases (compared to controls) in the volumetric proportions by which intraepithelial vacuoles appeared within the seminiferous tubules. Again, in EDS+T supplemented rats, the appearance of vacuoles was significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed in stage VII and VIII. In contrast to tubules at stages VII-XI, those at stages IV-V were completely unaffected by testosterone withdrawal or replacement. The results show that at selected time intervals after EDS treatment, testosterone supplementation is capable of preventing/reversing these morphological changes within 2 days in stage VII tubules. It is suggested that the induction and subsequent prevention of seminiferous epithelial damage will serve as an important in vivo and in vitro approach for studies on the androgen-mediated changes in Sertoli cell biology during phases of impairment and recovery of their function. Manipulation of adult Sertoli cell function as provided by our model should permit identification of androgen-regulated gene products together with an understanding of their role(s) in normal and abnormal spermatogenesis.
TL;DR: The efficacy of helmet use was evaluated by comparison of crashes and injuries (AIS-1985) in 366 helmeted (261 Australian Standard approved and 105 non-approved) and 1,344 unhelmeted casualties treated from 1987 through 1989 at Melbourne and Geelong hospitals or dying before hospitalization.
Abstract: During the 1980s, a sustained campaign increased the rates of helmet use of Victorian bicyclists. The efficacy of helmet use was evaluated by comparison of crashes and injuries (AIS-1985) in 366 helmeted (261 Australian Standard approved and 105 non-approved) and 1,344 unhelmeted casualties treated from 1987 through 1989 at Melbourne and Geelong hospitals or dying before hospitalization. Head injury (HI) occurred in 21.1% of wearers of approved helmets and in 34.8% of non-wearers (p < 0.001). The AIS scores were decreased for wearers of approved helmets (p < 0.001), face injuries were reduced (p < 0.01), and extremity/pelvic girdle injuries increased (p < 0.001) and the overall risk of HI was reduced by at least 39% and face injury by 28%. When casualties with dislodged helmets were excluded, HI was reduced 45% by approved helmets. Head injury reduction by helmets, although substantial, was less than that found in a similar study in Seattle, Washington.
TL;DR: Although the specific content of children's and adolescents' normative fears in the 1990s has changed (now including fear of AIDS and of nuclear war), the fears found to be most prevalent continue to relate to death and danger.
Abstract: This article reports the findings of a normative fear investigation involving a sample of 918 Australian children and adolescents, ranging in age from 7-18 years. The Fear Survey Schedule for Children and Adolescents-II (FSSC-II) was administered to determine self-reported prevalence, intensity, and content of fear. Consistent with past research, girls generally reported significantly higher levels of fearfulness than boys. Age differences also were found; younger children reported a higher intensity and a greater number of fears than older children and adolescents. Qualitative differences in normative fear were found, with younger children reporting more animal fears and older children reporting more fears relating to social evaluation or psychic stress. Significantly, although the specific content of children's and adolescents' normative fears in the 1990s (as compared with the 1960s) has changed (now including fear of AIDS and of nuclear war), the fears found to be most prevalent continue to relate to death and danger. These findings are discussed within the context of the prepotency and preparedness concepts of fear.
TL;DR: The authors The Sociology of School Effectiveness: Vol. 14, No. 3, No 3, pp. 333-345, with a focus on the social aspects of education.
Abstract: (1993). The Sociology of School Effectiveness. British Journal of Sociology of Education: Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 333-345.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the basal ganglia play an important role in the automatic execution of serially ordered complex movements in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
Abstract: A study of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease can provide an indication of the motor functions of the basal ganglia. Basal-ganglia diseases affect voluntary movement and can cause involuntary movement. Deficits are often manifested during the coordination of fine multi-joint movements (e.g., handwriting). The disturbances of motor control (e.g. akinesia, bradykinesia) caused by basal-ganglia disorders are illustrated. Data suggest that the basal ganglia play an important role in the automatic execution of serially ordered complex movements.
TL;DR: The present demonstration of an age-related point mutation adds to the growing list of mutations in human mitochondrial DNA, till now almost exclusively large deletions, that accumulate in human tissues as a function of age.
TL;DR: The classic social associations of preterm birth—low socioeconomic status, extremes of maternal age, primiparity, being unmarried—apply to extremely preterm and moderately preterm births as well as to the mildly preterm group.
Abstract: Summary Secular trends in the prevalence of preterm birth and international comparisons of the rates of preterm birth are difficult to interpret because of differences, both formal and informal, in the registration of extremely preterm births. Accurate estimation of gestational age is another problem in the measurement of preterm birth. Preterm birth is heterogeneous in several ways. It is heterogeneous in terms of the extent to which the birth is preterm (20–27 weeks, 28–31 weeks or 32–36 weeks of gestation); in whether the birth was elective or spontaneous; and among spontaneous idiopathic preterm births, in whether there was preterm labour or premature rupture of the membranes. Case-control study designs taking account of these subgroups have been a recent feature of epidemiologic approaches. The classic social associations of preterm birth—low socioeconomic status, extremes of maternal age, primiparity, being unmarried—apply to extremely preterm and moderately preterm births as well as to the mildly preterm group. The strength of these associations is small compared with factors in the prior reproductive history and with medical and obstetric complications of the current pregnancy. Recent epidemiological research activities have focused on the ways in which risk factors such as physical workload, drugs and alcohol, lack of social support and infection might be mediating factors between socio-demographic status and preterm birth. As Eastman (1947) pointed out almost 50 years ago, ‘only when the factors causing prematurity are clearly understood can any intelligent attempt at prevention be made'.
TL;DR: Until the risk‐benefit trade‐off from the use of low‐dose aspirin in the elderly is established with an appropriate clinical trial, caution should be exercised when this compound is used for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in this age group.
Abstract: The adverse effects of low-dose aspirin (100 mg daily) in the elderly were studied over a 12-month period in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 400 subjects who were 70 years of age or older and had no preexisting major vascular diseases at the time of entry. Subjects were randomized so that 200 subjects received low-dose enteric-coated aspirin (100 mg daily) and 200 subjects received placebo. Compliance with medication, assessed by pill count, was 86%. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 18% (n = 36) of participants receiving aspirin and 13% (n = 26) of those receiving placebo. Clinically evident gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 3% (n = 6) of subjects receiving aspirin and none receiving placebo. Aspirin-treated subjects had a significant decrease in mean hemoglobin levels of 0.33 gm/dl during the 12-month study period, which was significantly greater than the decrease in the placebo-treated group (0.11 gm/dl; p < 0.05). These rates of unwanted symptoms are comparable with previous studies that used higher doses of aspirin. Until the risk-benefit trade-off from the use of low-dose aspirin in the elderly is established with an appropriate clinical trial, caution should be exercised when this compound is used for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in this age group.
TL;DR: In the case of Zirconia, there is no essential structural difference between the cationrelated vacancy and the anion-related vacancy, and their effects on the stabilization of zirconium are additive as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Introduction of nitrogen into zirconia creates oxygen vacancies in the anion sublattice as required by charge neutrality when N3− replaces for O2− in the structure, being similar to those obtained by lower valency cation substitution for zirconium. There is no essential structural difference between the cation-related vacancy and the anion-related vacancy, and their effects on the stabilization of zirconia are additive. The zirconia structure can, when formed in the Zi─Y─O─N system, tolerate a total of 6% of vacancies in the anion lattice without deviating from the original fluorite structure; above this limit, ZrN precipitates. Therefore, both partially and fully stabilized zirconia can dissolve a certain amount of nitrogen when these phases react with either atmospheric nitrogen or a solid nitride at high temperatures.
TL;DR: This paper found that personality measures correlated more highly with job context stressors than with job content stressors, suggesting that the major source of stress for police officers come from the organization in which they work.
Abstract: Groups of police officers from two Australian police forces completed a number of psychological tests to determine the stressors of police life and to assess the impact of a number of personality variables on stress appraisals. Work stresses were found to fall into two discernible categories: job content stressors — those which arise from the duties police officers carry out — and job context stressors — those which derive from the nature of the police organizations in which officers perform their duties. All personality measures correlated more highly with job context stressors than with job content stressors, suggesting that the major source of stress for police officers come from the organization in which they work.
TL;DR: Results lead to the conclusion that pencil-and-paper tests of empathy cannot incorporate the range of complex cognitive, emotional and behavioural components of the empathy construct and a research study designed to evaluate a two-stage measurement technique.
Abstract: Empathy is an important skill for the medical practitioner or medical students to develop when interviewing patients. It helps the interviewer establish effective communication, which is important for accurate diagnosis and patient management. Two facets of medical education limit students' development of accurate empathy: the traditional format of interviewing training and the social ethos of medical training and medical practice, which stress clinical detachment. A number of researchers and educators have developed consulting skills training programmes, designed to enhance students' empathic skills and ability. One difficulty for researchers has been the conceptual complexity of the term 'empathy' and greater difficulty in measuring the dimension. This paper reviews the range of approaches to the measurement of empathy and reports on a research study designed to evaluate a two-stage measurement technique, involving a pencil-and-paper test of empathy and independent observer ratings of medical students' actual interview behaviours. Results lead to the conclusion that pencil-and-paper tests of empathy cannot incorporate the range of complex cognitive, emotional and behavioural components of the empathy construct. On the other hand, trained observers have been able to use items on a specially developed History-taking Rating Scale to discriminate between the empathic behaviours of a group of students trained in consulting skills with those of a group of control students who each carried out videotaped history-taking interviews with hospitalized patients.
TL;DR: In this article, an industry-wide, cross-sectional study concentrates on recent foreign exchange risk management practice and product usage of large Australian-based firms, using an empirical field study of seventytwo firms operating in Australia.
Abstract: This industry-wide, cross-sectional study concentrates on recent foreign exchange risk management practice and product usage of large Australian-based firms. Results are discussed from an empirical field study of seventy-two firms operating in Australia. Based on a statistical analysis of five firm-specific variables with six management-practice variables, conclusions are drawn on the foreign exchange risk management practices and financial product usage of firms operating in Australia.
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: In this article, the authors performed numerical simulation of the interaction between a circular cylinder and its wake during both forced and free, vortex-induced, oscillation using a spectral element method in which the computational mesh was fixed to the cylinder and the Navier-Stokes equations solved in this accelerating reference frame.
Abstract: Numerical simulation of the interaction between a circular cylinder and its wake during both forced and free, vortex-induced, oscillation have been performed using a spectral element method in which the computational mesh was fixed to the cylinder and the Navier-Stokes equations solved in this accelerating reference frame. So far, work has focused on cross flow, rather than in-line oscillations; with forced oscillation the lock-in phenomenon was observed over a range of reduced velocities near critical, while for the freely-vibrating cylinder the amplitude-limiting phenomenon observed in experiments was reproduced. A comparison of free and forced oscillation has been performed in which the forced oscillation amplitude and frequency were set to match those achieved in free vibration; the forces exerted on the cylinder by the fluid were similar in each case. Initial simulations were two-dimensional but the method may also be applied to three-dimensional flows by employing a spectral element/Fourier representation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the history of the IMPACT Project, an initiative of the Australian Industry (formerly Industries Assistance) Commission in association with a number of Australian universities, which has been instrumental in securing the widespread acceptance of the applied general equilibrium (GE) method in applied policy economics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the stress-coping strategies used by a large sample of Australian police personnel and found that most officers utilize problem-focused, direct action coping strategies, with more limited use of social supports, self-blame and wishful thinking.
Abstract: Police officers, in the performance of their duties, face a range of potentially stressful situations and events. These have the capacity to cause significant personal distress, leading to short — and long-term changes in mood, psychological functioning and social activity. In response to the stresses of the job, officers must utilize any number of coping strategies to deal with their occupational stress. The aim of the present study was to examine the stress-coping strategies used by a large sample of Australian police personnel. Responses to the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist showed that most officers utilize problem-focused, direct action coping strategies, with more limited use of social supports, self-blame and wishful thinking. While their coping behaviours may help them moderate problem-focused stress concerns, the data suggest that many officers may not deal effectively with their emotion-focused concerns. These data are examined in the light of the research literature detailing the so-called police personality.
TL;DR: Findings are consistent with the suggestion that isolated systolic hypertension represents a state of increased aortic stiffness which may contribute to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Abstract: Aortic mechanical properties were assessed in a group of elderly subjects with untreated isolated systolic hypertension using two-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiographic (two-dimensional and Doppler) assessment of left ventricular structure and function was also made. Ten subjects (mean age 71.7 +/- 1.9 years, 20% male, mean clinic blood pressure 163.6/79.2 +/- 1.2/2.0 mmHg) were compared with 16 normotensive subjects of similar age (69.4 +/- 1.6 years, 38% male, mean clinic blood pressure 129.8/78.2 +/- 3.2/2.9 mmHg). Aortic distensibility at the level of the transverse aortic arch was significantly reduced among subjects with isolated systolic hypertension. The thickness of the interventricular septum was approximately 20% greater in the hypertensive subjects (P < 0.01) and the average wall thickness to radius ratio was increased by 30%. Patterns of transmitral diastolic flow were also different in subjects with isolated systolic hypertension. Deceleration time was significantly greater (P < 0.01) and the ratio of early to late transmitral diastolic peak flow velocities was significantly less in the hypertensive (P < 0.05) than in the normotensive group. Left ventricular systolic function was well preserved. These findings are consistent with the suggestion that isolated systolic hypertension represents a state of increased aortic stiffness which may contribute to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Whether this increase in aortic stiffness is the cause or effect of the elevated systolic blood pressure remains unresolved.
TL;DR: The assay is capable of detecting and identifying therapeutic and toxic amounts of barbiturates, anti-convulsants, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfonylurea anti-diabetic drugs, theophylline, and analgesic drugs.
Abstract: A class-independent drug screen, that is suitable for use in clinical and forensic toxicology and uses gradient-elution high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection, is presented. The assay is capable of detecting and identifying therapeutic and toxic amounts of barbiturates, anti-convulsants, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfonylurea anti-diabetic drugs, theophylline, and analgesic drugs. The assay has been successfully used to screen over 1000 postmortem blood specimens.
TL;DR: Older patients and those receiving flucloxacillin for longer than two weeks are at a substantially greater risk of jaundice and careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio is required when flucl oxacillin is used in these settings.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES--To identify risk factors predisposing to the development of flucloxacillin associated jaundice. DESIGN--Case-control study. Medical records of cases and controls were reviewed and information recorded on standard data collection forms. SETTING--Alfred Hospital recruiting subjects from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. SUBJECTS--Cases were defined as patients who had developed jaundice within eight weeks of stopping flucloxacillin, biochemical test results suggesting cholestasis, normal calibre bile ducts, and not been taking recognised hepatotoxic drugs. 51 of the 53 patients referred were included in the study. Four controls for each case were randomly selected from the patient register of the prescribing doctor. These were defined as patients who had been prescribed flucloxacillin without developing jaundice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Demographic characteristics, medical history, indication for flucloxacillin, dose, route and duration of treatment, other drugs, smoking, and previous drug allergies or use of flucloxacillin. RESULTS--Increasing age and a prolonged duration of flucloxacillin treatment were found to be risk factors for the development of jaundice. Patients aged over 55 years had an odds ratio of 18.61 (95% confidence interval 5.16-67.17) compared with patients under 30. The odds ratio for patients prescribed flucloxacillin for over 14 days was 7.13 (2.90 to 17.58) compared with patients treated for 14 days or less. Dose and route of administration were not related to the risk of jaundice. CONCLUSIONS--Older patients and those receiving flucloxacillin for longer than two weeks are at a substantially greater risk of jaundice. Careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio is required when flucloxacillin is used in these settings.