Showing papers by "University of New South Wales published in 1992"

Doctors Talking with Patients/Patients Talking with Doctors: Improving Communication in Medical Visits

Abstract: The verbal and nonverbal exchanges that take place between doctor and patient affect both participants, and can result in a range of positive or negative psychological reactions-including comfort, alarm, irritation, or resolve. This updated edition of a widely popular book sets out specific principles and recommendations for improving doctor-patient communications. It describes the process of communication, analyzes social and psychological factors that color doctor-patient exchanges, and details changes that can benefit both parties. Medical visits are often less effective and satisfying than they would be if doctors and patients better understood the communication most needed for attainment of mutual health goals. The verbal and nonverbal exchanges that take place between doctor and patient affect both participants, and can result in a range of positive or negative psychological reactions-including comfort, alarm, irritation, or resolve. Talk, on both verbal and non-verbal levels, is shown by extensive research to have far-reaching impact. This updated edition of a widely popular book helps us understand this vital issue, and facilitate communications that will mean more effective medical care and happier, healthier consumers. Roter and Hall set out specific principles and recommendations for improving doctor-patient relationships. They describe the process of communication, analyze social and psychological factors that color doctor-patient exchanges, and detail changes that can benefit both parties. Here are needed encouragement and principles of action vital to doctors and patients alike. far-reaching impact.

The split-attention effect as a factor in the design of instruction

Abstract: SUMMARY. Cognitive load theory suggests that many conventional inStructional formats are ineffective as they involve extraneous cognitive activities, which interfere with learning. The split­ attention effect provides one example of the consequences of inappropriate cognitive activities. caused by poor instructional design. Learners are often forced to split their attention between and mentally integrate disparate sources of information (e.g., text and diagrams) before the instruc­ tional material can be rendered intelligible. This preliminary process of mental integration, while :m esse~tial precursor to.l~arning, is likely to impose a heavy extrane,?~s cognitive load. Physical IntegratIOn (e.g., combInIng text and dlagrams) may reduce cognItlve load and so facilitate learning. This study reports findings from two experiments investigating the split-attention effect. Using an engineering programming language (Numerical Control programming), the first experiment investigated the possible advantage of physically integrating text and diagrams. In a normal training environment, the integrated instructions group outperformed the conventional group. Experiment 2 was designed to see if the split-~ttention effect would generalise to an area where mutually referring segments of text are conventIOnally separated, namely, empirical reports in psychology and education. In a laboratory study, Experiment 2 showed that students in an integrated group spent less time processing instructions yet still outperformed students in a conventional group on test questions. The consequences of these results for cognitive load theory and for instruction design are discussed.

The crystal structure of diphtheria toxin

Abstract: The crystal structure of the diphtheria toxin dimer at 2.5 A resolution reveals a Y-shaped molecule of three domains. The catalytic domain, called fragment A, is of the alpha + beta type. Fragment B actually consists of two domains. The transmembrane domain consists of nine alpha-helices, two pairs of which are unusually apolar and may participate in pH-triggered membrane insertion and translocation. The receptor-binding domain is a flattened beta-barrel with a jelly-roll-like topology. Three distinct functions of the toxin, each carried out by a separate structural domain, can be useful in designing chimaeric proteins, such as immunotoxins, in which the receptor-binding domain is substituted with antibodies to target other cell types.

Changes in the Public Sector: A Review of Recent“Alternative” Accounting Research

Abstract: Reviews some recent contributions to “alternative” accounting research in relation to the changes which have taken place in the public sector, and which have altered the structure of the sector. An important task for the authors therefore has been to define what they view as comprising the public sector. Concludes that there is still a paucity of research in this domain. There are huge opportunities, and great need, for evaluative work and international comparisons. There is also a need to focus on different phases in the institutional financial cycle. Raises series of questions about the emergence of the “new” accounting and the ways in which it is institutionalized and maintained.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in southern China: identification of early childhood as the critical period for acquisition.

Abstract: A large cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence and possible modes of transmission of Helicobacter pylori was done in southern China. Serum samples (1727) were collected from Guangzhou city and three rural areas of Guangdong Province, and the prevalence of H. pylori infection was determined using an ELISA. Each subject completed a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 44.2%; a significantly higher prevalence was found in Guangzhou (52.4%) than in the rural areas (38.6%). This difference was generally reflected in the group 0-5 years old, but the rate of increase in seroprevalence for H. pylori over 5 years of age was similar (1%/year). This study provides important new data on the acquisition of H. pylori, particularly in the early years of life, and shows that density of living conditions is a prime determinant in the acquisition of H. pylori.

Optimal Control Theory and Static Optimization in Economics

Abstract: Optimal control theory is a technique being used increasingly by academic economists to study problems involving optimal decisions in a multi-period framework. This textbook is designed to make the difficult subject of optimal control theory easily accessible to economists while at the same time maintaining rigour. Economic intuitions are emphasized, and examples and problem sets covering a wide range of applications in economics are provided to assist in the learning process. Theorems are clearly stated and their proofs are carefully explained. The development of the text is gradual and fully integrated, beginning with simple formulations and progressing to advanced topics such as control parameters, jumps in state variables, and bounded state space. For greater economy and elegance, optimal control theory is introduced directly, without recourse to the calculus of variations. The connection with the latter and with dynamic programming is explained in a separate chapter. A second purpose of the book is to draw the parallel between optimal control theory and static optimization. Chapter 1 provides an extensive treatment of constrained and unconstrained maximization, with emphasis on economic insight and applications. Starting from basic concepts, it derives and explains important results, including the envelope theorem and the method of comparative statics. This chapter may be used for a course in static optimization. The book is largely self-contained. No previous knowledge of differential equations is required.

Frequency and neighborhood effects on lexical access: Lexical similarity or orthographic redundancy?

Abstract: Five experiments investigated the effects of word frequency, neighborhood size, and bigram frequency on lexical decision and word-naming performance

Affect in Social Judgments and Decisions: A Multiprocess Model

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter proposes a new, comprehensive model of social judgmental processes, based on a review of the historical and theoretical background of the field, as well as the results of empirical research program. Specifically, the model attempts to deal with: (1) processing strategies available to people when performing a social judgment; (2) conditions most likely to be used; (3) role of affect in people's processing preferences; (4) and how affects influence the outcome of social judgments under each of the processing alternatives. The model distinguishes between four alternative processing strategies available to judges: (1) direct access of crystallized judgments; (2) motivated processing in the service of a preexisting goal; (3) heuristic or simplified processing; (4) and the substantive or elaborate processing. The theory also specifies how eight specific features of the target, the judge, and the situation are likely to influence processing choices. The studies illustrated in this chapter emphasize on the complex and the constructive character of social judgments and the interactive role of affect and other variables in determining the processing choices. The chapter ends with a conclusion that there is enough information related to the processing consequences of affect, however less is known about the interaction of affect and stimulus characteristics.

Mapping of angiotensin II receptor subtype heterogeneity in rat brain

Abstract: Angiotensin II (Ang II) exerts a number of central actions on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, autonomic activity, and neuroendocrine regulation. In order to evaluate likely sites where these actions are mediated, Ang II receptor binding was localized in rat brain by in vitro autoradiography with the aid of the antagonist analogue l25I-[Sar1, Ile8]Ang II. Two subtypes of Ang II receptor have been identified using recently developed peptide and nonpeptide antagonists. In the periphery, the receptor subtypes differ in distribution, second messenger coupling, and function. Brain Ang II receptor subtypes were therefore differentiated into AT-1 (type I) and AT-2 (type II) subtypes by using unlabelled nonpeptide antagonists specific for the two Ang II subtypes. AT-1 binding was determined to be that inhibited by Dup 753 (10 μM) and AT-2 binding to be that inhibited by PD 123177 (10 μM). The reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) decreased binding to AT-1 receptors and enhanced binding to AT-2 receptors. Many brain structures, such as the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, median preoptic nucleus, area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, which are known to be related to the central actions of Ang II, contain exclusively AT-1 Ang II receptors. By contrast, the locus coeruleus, ventral and dorsal parts of lateral septum, superior colliculus and subthalamic nucleus, many nuclei of the thalamus, and nuclei of the inferior olive contain predominantly AT-2 Ang II receptors. The detailed binding characteristics of each subtype were determined by competition studies with a series of analogues of angiotensin and antagonists. The pharmacological specificity obtained in rat superior colliculus and the nucleus of the solitary tract agreed well with published data on AT-1 and AT-2 receptors, respectively. There was a high degree of correlation between the distribution of Ang II binding sites with published data on Ang II-immunoreactive fields and on the sites of Ang II-responsive neurons. The present study also reveals pharmacological heterogeneity of brain Ang II receptors. The subtype-specific receptor mapping described here is relevant to understanding the role of angiotensin peptides in the central nervous system and newly discovered central actions of nonpeptide Ang II receptor antagonists.

On the multifractal analysis of measures

Abstract: The multifractal formalism is shown to hold for a large class of measures.

A model of brand awareness and brand attitude advertising strategies

Abstract: A model is described that helps guide advertising strategy, based upon careful attention to brand awareness and brand attitude. In this model, an important distinction is drawn between recognition brand awareness and recall brand awareness. Brand attitude strategy is seen as reflecting an interaction between a potential consumer's involvement with the purchase decision and the underlying motivation to purchase. Applications of the model are discussed.

Comparison of cognitive-behavioral group treatment and an alternative non-psychological treatment for chronic low back pain.

Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the relative efficacy of cognitive-behavioral group treatment, including relaxation training, in comparison with a control condition in a sample of 20 outpatients with chronic low back pain. Subjects in both conditions also received the same physiotherapy back-education and exercise program. The control condition included a control for the attention of the therapist in the cognitive-behavioral treatment. The combined psychological treatment and physiotherapy condition displayed significantly greater improvement than the attention-control and physiotherapy condition at post-treatment on measures of other-rated functional impairment, use of active coping strategies, self-efficacy beliefs, and medication use. These differences were maintained at 6 month follow-up on use of active coping strategies and, to a lesser degree, on self-efficacy beliefs and other-rated functional impairment.

A comparison of caregivers for elderly stroke and dementia victims

Abstract: Objective To compare elderly co-resident caregivers of stroke and dementia patients on measures of burden and psychological morbidity. Design Cohort study. Setting Caregivers interviewed at home. Subjects Convenience sample, 99 co-resident caregivers of dementia and stroke patients registered with a community rehabilitation and geriatric service and who were 60 years or over. Main Outcome Measures Caregiver burden as measured by self-administered questionnaire and subsequent interview, using the Relatives Stress Scale (RSS) and psychological morbidity as measured on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Results Forty-six percent of caregivers had significant psychological morbidity (GHQ >4). Mean RSS score was 12.2 (SD 5.4). No significant differences were found between stroke and dementia caregivers on these measures. Caregiver burden was significantly correlated with psychological morbidity in both caregiver groups. Behavior and mood disturbance in the patient was significantly correlated with burden (dementia caregivers r = 0.66; stroke caregivers r = 0.49, P < 0.0001) and psychological morbidity (dementia caregivers r = 0.44, P < 0.01; stroke caregivers r = 0.30, P < 0.05). Caregiver's dissatisfaction with participation in life activities was correlated with burden (dementia caregivers r = 0.58; stroke caregivers r = 0.63, P < 0.0001) and psychological morbidity (dementia caregivers r = 0.67, stroke caregivers r = 0.56, P, 0.0001). Conclusion Elderly co-resident caregivers for stroke and dementia patients experience similar degrees of burden and high levels of psychological morbidity. Psychiatric aspects of chronic disability, rather than physical aspects, were found to be more stressful to caregivers. All assessments of the disabled elderly should include measures of caregiver burden and psychological distress.

Estimating plant biomass: A review of techniques

Abstract: Many different techniques have been used to estimate biomass for ecological, agricultural and forestry research The most suitable technique depends on available budget, accuracy required, structure and composition of the vegetation, and whether species and component biomass are required A survey of the methods that have been used to estimate biomass is given, and the advantages and disadvantages of direct sampling, calibrated visual estimation and double sampling techniques are discussed The relative cost and accuracy of each technique are summarized and recommendations are made for the use of the techniques in different vegetation complexes, such as discrete shrubs or trees, patchy vegetation, homogeneous vegetation, and species-rich inhomogeneous heathland

Learning to fly

Abstract: This paper describes experiments in applying inductive learning to the task of acquiring a complex motor skill by observing human subjects A flight simulation program has been modified to log the actions of a human subject as he or she flies an aircraft The log file is used to create the input to an induction program The output from the induction program is tested by running the simulator in autopilot mode where the autopilot code is derived from the decision tree formed by induction The autopilot must fly the plane according to a strictly defined flight plan

A phospholipid-beta 2-glycoprotein I complex is an antigen for anticardiolipin antibodies occurring in autoimmune disease but not with infection.

Abstract: Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) purified from patients with autoimmune disease have recently been shown to interact with a phospholipid-binding plasma protein, beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI). The aim of this study was to determine whether aCL purified from patients with infection also interact with beta 2-GPI. aCL purified from 23 patients with malaria, infectious mononucleosis, tuberculosis, hepatitis A or syphilis did not require the presence of beta 2-GPI to bind cardiolipin (CL). In contrast, aCL were purified from 11 out of 12 patients with autoimmune disease that bound CL only in the presence of beta 2-GPI. Thrombotic complications appear to be associated with aCL occurring in autoimmune disease but not with aCL associated with infections. We postulate that this increased risk of thrombosis in the autoimmune group may be due to the presence of aCL that bind CL in association with beta 2-GPI, a plasma protein with anticoagulant activity.

Diurnal tear cycle: evidence for a nocturnal inflammatory constitutive tear fluid.

Abstract: To investigate the tear film in the closed eye, microliter tear samples were collected without overt reflex stimulation throughout the diurnal cycle, with closed eye samples recovered immediately upon eye opening. Samples were subjected to agarose, polyacrylamide, and two-dimensional electrophoresis, coupled with immunofixation, immunoblot, and lectin blot assays. Major protein constituents were densitometrically and immunologically quantified. Results revealed a distinct progression in composition from reflex to open to closed eye tear samples. Total protein increased from 6.0 to 9.0 to 18.0 mg/ml, secretory IgA increased from less than 0.23 to 0.85 to 8.40 mg/ml, and serum albumin increased from 0.02 to 0.06 to 1.10 mg/ml. In contrast, concentrations of the major reflex tear components (lysozyme, lactoferrin, and tear specific prealbumin) remained essentially static. Immunoblot assay for complement C3 and C3c revealed that eye closure was associated with C3 activation. Results indicate that: (1) the reflex and closed eye tear layers represent opposite extremes in composition and likely origins, with open eye tear film suggesting an intermediate origin; (2) reflex tears are derived from a neurologically inducible lacrimal or accessory gland secretion composed almost exclusively of lysozyme, lactoferrin, tear specific prealbumin, and a minor mixed alpha to beta globulin fraction; (3) upon eye closure, reflex secretion ceases or greatly diminishes, with ongoing slower flow maintained by a constitutive secretion composed almost exclusively of secretory IgA; (4) the closed eye environment induces a subclinical inflammation, accounting in part for the marked rise in albumin concentration. This increase, coupled with that of secretory IgA, may play a critical role in protecting the closed eye environment from pathogens. However, this may render the closed eye environment particularly vulnerable to inflammatory and immune-mediated pathological processes, such as those seen with extended wear soft contact lenses.

Inducibility of the response of yeast cells to peroxide stress.

Abstract: SUMMARY: Exponential phase cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae when treated with a non-lethal concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 0·2 mM) for 60 min adapted to become resistant to the lethal effects of a higher dose of H2O2 (2 mM). From studies using cycloheximide to inhibit protein synthesis it appears that protein synthesis is required for maximal induction of resistance but that some degree of protection from the lethal effects of peroxide can be acquired in the absence of protein synthesis. Treatment of cells with 50 μg cycloheximide ml-1 alone led to them acquirng some protection from peroxide. Cells subjected to heat shock became more resistant to 2 mM-H2O2; however, peroxide pretreatment did not confer thermotolerance. L-[35S]Methionine labelling of cells subjected to 0·2 mM-H2O2 stress showed that synthesis of at least ten polypeptides was induced by peroxide treatment. Some of these were also induced in cells subjected to heat shock (23 to 37 °C shift) but the synthesis of at least four polypeptides (45,39·5,38 and 24 kDa) was unique to peroxide-stressed cells. Resistance to peroxide was also inducible in an isogenic petite and an isogenic strain with a mutation in the HAP1 gene, indicating that the adaptive response does not require functional mitochondria.

Coke formation in high-silica zeolites

Abstract: The formation of coke during hydrocarbon transformations over acid zeolite catalysts has important practical consequences for a growing number of industrial processes. This review presents available material on the formation, nature and properties of coke in high silica zeolite catalysts, and on the resulting deactivation and regeneration of the catalysts. Techniques for analyzing and characterizing coke, the role of acid sites in coke formation and the chemistry of coke formation are discussed, with particular emphasis on the methanol to gasoline process.

Evolution of late Pleistocene and Holocene climates in the circum-South Pacific land areas

Abstract: Paleovegetation maps were reconstructed based on a network of pollen records from Australia, New Zealand, and southern South America for 18 000, 12000, 9000, 6000, and 3000 BP and interpreted in terms of paleoclimatic patterns. These patterns permitted us to speculate on past atmospheric circulation in the South Pacific and the underlying forcing missing line mechanisms. During full glacial times, with vastly extended Australasian land area and circum-Antarctic ice-shelves, arid and cold conditions characterized all circum-South Pacific land areas, except for a narrow band in southern South America (43° to 45°S) that might have been even wetter and moister than today. This implies that ridging at subtropical and mid-latitudes must have been greatly increased and that the storm tracks were located farther south than today. At 12000 BP when precipitation had increased in southern Australia, New Zealand, and the mid-latitudes of South America, ridging was probably still as strong as before but had shifted into the eastern Pacific, leading to weaker westerlies in the western Pacific and more southerly located westerlies in the eastern Pacific. At 9000 BP when, except for northernmost Australia, precipitation reached near modern levels, the south Pacific ridges and the westerlies must have weakened. Because of the continuing land connection between New Guinea and Australia, and reduced seasonality, the monsoon pattern had still not developed. By 6000 BP, moisture levels in Australia and New Zealand reached their maximum, indicating that the monsoon pattern had become established. Ridging in the South Pacific was probably weaker than today, and the seasonal shift of the westerlies was stronger than before. By 3000 BP essentially modern conditions had been achieved, characterized by patterns of high seasonal variability.

Physiological factors associated with injurious falls in older people living in the community.

Abstract: Performance in six tests of sensorimotor function was measured in 50 subjects who were admitted to an acute hospital because of a fall (ICD codes E880–888), but who did not suffer a fracture of the lo

Helicobacter muridarum sp. nov., a microaerophilic helical bacterium with a novel ultrastructure isolated from the intestinal mucosa of rodents.

Abstract: Helical organisms with novel ultrastructural characteristics were isolated from the intestinal mucosa of rats and mice. These bacteria were characterized by the presence of 9 to 11 periplasmic fibers which appeared as concentric helical ridges on the surface of each cell. The cells were motile with a rapid corkscrewlike motion and had bipolar tufts of 10 to 14 sheathed flagella. The bacteria were microaerophilic, nutritionally fastidious, and physiologically similar to Helicobacter species and Wolinella succinogenes but could be differentiated from these organisms by their unique cellular ultrastructure. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we found that strain ST1T (T = type strain) was related to previously described Helicobacter species, “Flexispira rappini,” and W. succinogenes. The closest relatives of strain ST1T were Helicobacter mustelae and “F. rappini” (average similarity value, 96%). On the basis of phylogenetic data, strain ST1T (= ATCC 49282T) represents a new species of the genus Helicobacter, for which we propose the name Helicobacter muridarum.