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Well-poised hypergeometric transformations of Euler-type multiple integrals
No full textSeveral new multiple-integral representations are proved for well-poised hypergeometric series and integrals. The results yield, in particular, transformations of the multiple integrals that cannot be achieved by evident changes of variable. All this generalizes some classical results of Whipple and Bailey in analysis and, on the other hand, certain analytic constructions with known connection to irrationality proofs for values of Riemann's zeta function at positive integers
Achieving best practice in small footprint on-site wastewater management systems
No full textMound systems offer the smallest footprint combination of secondary treatment and land application. In addition mound systems offer a sustainable on-site wastewater management option for many constrained sites. This paper reviews current practice in regulation, design and construction of mound systems in Australia for both domestic and commercial applications and reviews recent advances in comparable practice in the United States. A number of innovations with potential to enhance mound performance are described. These include refinements in wastewater application systems and modified construction for improved in-mound storage, evapotranspiration and nutrient removal. The paper concludes by providing some direction for regulatory reform to embrace best practice
Nurses’ and Midwives’ Contributions to a Public Health Response to Keeping Children Safe from Abuse and Neglect – a Delphi Study
No full textNurses and midwives can be instrumental to global efforts to address child abuse and neglect through a public health approach of prevention and early intervention. However, there is limited understanding of nurses' and midwives' roles, and no international or local guidelines to inform and evaluate their safeguarding practices. The aim of this modified Delphi study was to build consensus on the nature and scope of nursing and midwifery practice in safeguarding children in Australia. Sixty-four statements located within seven clusters were developed from a literature review and nursing and midwifery practice standards. Participants (N = 102) were nurses and midwives working with children in diverse contexts. They were asked to indicate the importance of each statement to their practice setting. Consensus (80%) was achieved on all statements in Round Two. Findings highlight that participating nurses and midwives agreed safeguarding children is a core component of their practice in diverse child-focussed settings. Findings can inform ongoing discussions about development of nursing and midwifery practice standards and guide effective workforce preparation, education, support and resourcing. Further research about ongoing development of nursing and midwifery roles in safeguarding children is essential to explore how to most effectively mobilise these professions to prevent child abuse and neglect
Mental health of the mining industry in Ghana and Australia
No full textBackground The mining industry is a significant contributor to the economy of Ghana and Australia. Although employment is protective for mental health, the mining industry is however classified among the hazardous industries with potential negative consequences on the mental health of employees. The workplace therefore provides a unique opportunity to both recognize and promote an effective response to mental health problems. Aim The primary purpose of this thesis research was to understand mental health problems, the available support systems and report empirical data regarding mental health in the mining industry in Ghana and Australia. Additionally, it provided the opportunity to examine cross-cultural aspects of occupational mental health and the application of understandings across diverse geographic and cultural settings. Four studies were conducted to answer the research aim. The Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) and the Biopsychosocial Model of Health form the theoretical foundations supporting this research. Methods A mixed methods approach was used in this study. A cross-sectional quantitative survey (in English) and a qualitative study were conducted to answer the study questions. The Ghana Chamber of Mines (the minerals industry association) aided and facilitated introduction to mining companies in Ghana. Mining employees were invited to participate in the quantitative study and managers were invited to participate in the qualitative study. Pre-existing Australian coal data were also used for the study. Sociodemographic, work factors, work attitudes and help-seeking behaviour items were collected alongside validated measures of mental health-related symptoms including: the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from managers at each mining company. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression models, propensity score analysis and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Results The first study result showed that few (N=7) mining companies had mental health support and interventions available to address mental health needs of employees. These interventions are categorised into organisational and individual-focused approaches. Whereas organisational approaches targeted interventions for large groups of employees, individual approaches used interventions to meet individual mental health needs. Study two examined the mental health, workplace factors and social network of Ghanaian mining employees. A total of 1165 employees from 5 mines in Ghana participated in the study, 87% male and 13% female. The survey response rate was 78%. Majority of the employees were aged 25-44 years with tertiary qualifications. Psychological distress was categorized as low (62.6%), moderate (24.3%), high (10.0%) and very high (3.2%). Shift type, psychosocial working conditions and financial factors were significantly associated with psychological distress. Job resources were equal or outweighed job demands. Five percent of the sample drank alcohol at risky or hazardous levels. A high proportion of social support reported was between medium to high (92%). Majority of participants consulted non-professional support to discuss their mental health problems more than professional support. Findings are partly in support of the JDCS model and the Biopsychosocial Model of Health as used in the thesis research. These models enhanced contextual understanding and applicability in cross-cultural settings. Study three compared the patterns of mental health problems, workplace factors and help-seeking behaviours between mining Ghana and Australia mining employees. There were a total of 2622 participants from Australia (N=1457) and Ghana (N=1165). Analysis showed there was no significant difference between countries on the K10, however, Ghanaian mining employees had increased odds of psychological distress and job demands outweighed job resources when compared to Australian mining employees. Ghanaian mining employees were significantly less likely to drink at risky levels than Australian mining employees. Social support was higher among the Ghanaian sample than the Australian sample. In the fourth study, semi-structured interviews were completed with 19 managers about their views on the factors that influence the mental health of employees and the available support systems. Thematic analysis identified five themes capturing the factors associated with mental health: personal factors; health factors; psychological distress; workplace factors; and resources. There was limited specific mental health intervention and support for employees; any form of mental health intervention was implied in other health activities organised by the mining company. Conclusion This research has made an original contribution to the body of knowledge on mental health of employees in the Ghanaian mining industry as the first and largest mental health study in the industry. The evidence presented in this thesis research suggests that a significant proportion of mining employees experience psychological distress arising from workplace factors with limited mental health support. It provides evidence towards the development of appropriate workplace interventions and strategies to assist in improving mental health in this population. A major strength of this thesis is the cross-cultural occupational mental health issues that were highlighted and the rare opportunity to understand global occupational mental health problems, which afforded the recommendation of effective solutions applicable in comparable settings. The implication of this thesis research identifies that mental health investment is limited and suggests increased focus on mental health from mining companies as part of the broader health and safety policy. This would assist in improving the mental health and well-being of employees.</p
Dehumanisation, politicisation and growth: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of refugee and asylum seeker detention
No full textMaritime asylum seekers arriving in Australia are subject to mandatory immigration detention and perpetual temporary protection restrictions, regardless of Refugee Status Determination. Despite compounding traumatic events and high rates of psychopathology associated with these policies, limited qualitative research has explored how individuals make sense of their experiences. This study sought positive and negative interpretative insights from five refugees and asylum seekers with lived experiences of immigration detention. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a qualitative methodology examining idiographic accounts of poorly understood phenomena. One superordinate theme: Destroyed Humanity, Criminalised Vulnerability and Reclaiming Self, encompassed five subordinate themes: Human Debris: Politicised, Criminalised and Betrayed; Trapped in Limbo: Temporary and Stigmatised; Longevity of Disconnect; Gender Minimisation; and Reclaiming Authentic Self. Participants interpreted their experiences of detention and temporary protection as dehumanising and punitive, eroding their sense of vitality, potential and integral self. An ongoing state of existential suspension and politicising social discourse dismissive of their suffering added to participants’ sense of betrayal, continuing trauma, social dislocation and diminished self-worth. Specific to female participants’ experiences, gender minimisation compounded the disempowerment of indefinite detention with an omnipotent threat of structurally sanctioned sexual violence. Paradoxically however, faith, hopefulness and refugee pride energised all participants’ advocacy and reassertion of agency. Compartmentalised trauma in juxtaposition to their external realities challenged Western notions of psychological healing. Clinical implications include differential evaluation of psychopathology in the context of continuing trauma, acknowledging gender-directed harm in detention and cognitive processing to engage with psychological growth.</p
Relating the Friedman test adjusted for ties, the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel mean score test and the ANOVA F test
No full textThe Friedman test is used to nonparametrically test the null hypothesis of equality of the treatment distributions in the randomized block design. The simple form of the test statistic is for data that is untied within blocks. When ties occur and mid-ranks are used, an adjustment to the simple form of the test statistic is needed. Here such adjustments are given, and it is shown that the Friedman tests, both with untied rank data and with tied data using mid-ranks, are Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel mean score tests. Additionally, for the randomized block design, the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel mean score statistic is shown to be a simple function of the ANOVA F statistic. Using this relationship for the Friedman tests is shown to give more accurate p-values close to the nominal significance level. Moreover, since the ANOVA F test null hypothesis specifies equality of mean treatment ranks, so does the Friedman test. Therefore the null hypothesis of the Friedman test is sharper than equality of the treatment distributions
Antidepressants in pregnancy (letter)
No full textEditor, – Current research and information is essential in determining the need for pharmacotherapy of depression during pregnancy and postpartum (Aust Prescr 2007;30:125–7). Therapeutic Guidelines provides a framework for practitioners to address the decision of whether or not to prescribe a psychotropic drug. This includes the risks of prescribing as well as the risks of not prescribing. Another useful resource is the Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS), which is funded by the National Prescribing Service. By calling 1300 138 677, health professionals can obtain advice regarding individual patients in a timely manner. This information is provided by drug information pharmacists with access to current medical literature and clinical training to assist with questions relating to drug use during pregnancy and lactation
Association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems with initiation of tobacco use in individuals aged < 20 years. A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: This systematic review described the association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) use among non-smoking children and adolescents aged 2: 82⋅3%), and current cigarette use had over two times the risk (ARR 2⋅56 (95% CI: 1⋅61, 4⋅07; p2: 77⋅3%) at follow up. Among current ENDS/ENNDS users, there was a significant association with ever (ARR 2⋅63 (95% CI: 1⋅94, 3⋅57; p2: 21⋅2%)), but not current cigarette use (ARR 1⋅88 (95% CI: 0⋅34, 10⋅30; p = 0⋅47, I2: 0%)) at follow up. For other tobacco use, ARR ranged between 1⋅55 (95% CI 1⋅07, 2⋅23) and 8⋅32 (95% CI: 1⋅20, 57⋅04) for waterpipe and pipes, respectively. Additionally, two studies examined the use of ENNDS (non-nicotine devices) and found a pooled adjusted RR of 2⋅56 (95% CI: 0⋅47, 13⋅94, p = 0.035). Conclusion: There is an urgent need for policies that regulate the availability, accessibility, and marketing of ENDS/ENNDS to children and adolescents. Governments should also consider adopting policies to prevent ENDS/ENNDS uptake and use in children and adolescents, up to and including a ban for this group
'Scientific literacy': an exercise in model building
No full text'Literacy' and 'science' are power words and the interaction between them is of potential interest to people working at other boundaries between text and content, such as that characterising wider disciplinary literacy. 'Scientific literacy' has a deep enough literature base to support an attempt to build a model of these interactions. If robust, such a model could synthesise existing literature and resolve differences within a narrower range of journals. This quantitative review suggests such a model based on a wide review of previous literature and then challenges it by comparing publication patterns in premium international journals dealing specifically with research in science education. The emergent model comprises interaction between Use of, Engagement with and Access to science and its application revealed changes in publication patterns both within and between the five science education research journals surveyed. The use of power words can obscure, rather than clarify, discussions that lead to curriculum and pedagogical decisions. Robust models can resolve multiple components of a complex field and make it easier to understand for newcomers, easier to explain when change seems necessary to those more deeply involved, and then expedite the prediction of fruitful areas for further work
Super-resolution fluorescence imaging of arabidopsis thaliana transfer cell wall ingrowths using pseudo-schiff labelling adapted for the use of different dyes
No full textTo understand plant growth and development, it is often necessary to investigate the organization of plant cells and plant cell walls. Plant cell walls are often fluorescently labeled for confocal imaging with the dye propidium iodide using a pseudo-Schiff reaction. This reaction binds free amine groups on dye molecules to aldehyde groups on cellulose that result from oxidation with periodic acid. We tested a range of fluorescent dyes carrying free amine groups for their ability to act as pseudo-Schiff reagents. Using the low-pH solution historically used for the Schiff reaction, these alternative dyes failed to label cell walls of Arabidopsis cotyledon vascular tissue as strongly as propidium iodide but replacing the acidic solution with water greatly improved fluorescence labeling. Under these conditions, rhodamine-123 provided improved staining of plant cell walls compared to propidium iodide. We also developed protocols for pseudo-Schiff labeling with ATTO 647N-amine, a dye compatible for super-resolution Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) imaging. ATTO 647N-amine was used for super-resolution imaging of cell wall ingrowths that occur in phloem parenchyma transfer cells of Arabidopsis, structures whose small size is only slightly larger than the resolution limit of conventional confocal microscopy. Application of surface-rendering software demonstrated the increase in plasma membrane surface area as a consequence of wall ingrowth deposition and suggests that STED-based approaches will be useful for more detailed morphological analysis of wall ingrowth formation. These improvements in pseudo-Schiff labeling for conventional confocal microscopy and STED imaging will be broadly applicable for high-resolution imaging of plant cell walls