7440 research outputs found
Sort by
The Effect of introducing a minimum price on the distribution of alcohol purchase : a counterfactual analysis
No full textWe use counterfactual analysis techniques to evaluate the impact of a 2 MUP significantly reduces the purchases of at-risk households by up to −0.92 [90% CI: −1.55, −0.28] standard drinks at the highest quantiles and has substantially less effect on households purchasing at light and moderate levels. A $2 MUP may reduce the proportions of male and female shoppers purchasing at the public health threshold of more than two standard drinks per household member per day by −3.03 [90% CI: −4.83, −1.22] percentage points (relative variation: −17%); and −1.85 [90% CI: −2.60, −1.10] percentage points (relative variation:−22%), respectively. Implementing an MUP on alcohol thus promises significant positive impacts on public health.19 page(s
Imaging anisotropic layering with Bayesian inversion of multiple data types
No full textAzimuthal anisotropy is a powerful tool to reveal information about both the present structure and past evolution of the mantle. Anisotropic images of the upper mantle are usually obtained by analysing various types of seismic observables, such as surface wave dispersion curves or waveforms, SKS splitting data, or receiver functions. These different data types sample different volumes of the earth, they are sensitive to different length scales, and hence are associated with different levels of uncertainties. They are traditionally interpreted separately, and often result in incompatible models. We present a Bayesian inversion approach to jointly invert these different data types. Seismograms for SKS and P phases are directly inverted using a cross-convolution approach, thus avoiding intermediate processing steps, such as numerical deconvolution or computation of splitting parameters. Probabilistic 1-D profiles are obtained with a transdimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme, in which the number of layers, as well as the presence or absence of anisotropy in each layer, are treated as unknown parameters. In this way, seismic anisotropy is only introduced if required by the data. The algorithm is used to resolve both isotropic and anisotropic layering down to a depth of 350 km beneath two seismic stations in North America in two different tectonic settings: the stable Canadian shield (station FFC) and the tectonically active southern Basin and Range Province (station TA-214A). In both cases, the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary is clearly visible, and marked by a change in direction of the fast axis of anisotropy. Our study confirms that azimuthal anisotropy is a powerful tool for detecting layering in the upper mantle.25 page(s
Law, evolution and the organic state : intellectual sources of industrial arbitration in Australia
No full textRecent scholarship has demonstrated the importance of the ‘new liberalism’ in the development of industrial arbitration in Australia. While some of this scholarship has focused on the influence of T.H. Green’s critique of contract, little attention has been paid to the evolutionary background to the new liberal reforms and to conceptions of the state in late nineteenth- and early twentieth century jurisprudence. This article situates the debates over industrial arbitration within the context of British and Australian political and legal thought of the period, covering themes including British idealism, evolutionary theory, historical jurisprudence and theories of group personality. While in Britain there was some resistance to the extension of state power in the form of pluralist political thought, the overwhelming trend in the Australian case was towards state regulation of industrial affairs.15 page(s
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - not always cost effective for the chronically ill
No full text2 page(s
Identifying factors associated with the uptake of home dialysis : observational study methodology
No full textBackground: The use of home dialysis has been declining in Australia, despite the considerable advantages for patients. Little is known about the factors that contribute to the successful uptake of home dialysis, although increased utility costs have been identified as one possible factor affecting the decision to take up home dialysis. Objectives: This Australian multicentre observational study will identify factors that either facilitate or inhibit the uptake of home dialysis from patients' perspectives, including the evaluation of whether the current levels of financial support impacts on their decision. Design: Factors influencing decisions about home or hospital dialysis will be explored from the patients' perspective through survey and interviews. Initially, participants will be recruited from participating dialysis centres and invited to complete a survey. Staff will collect clinical data for all those participating. A subsection of patients will be invited to participate in an individual interview or focus group to gather more information. Participants: Participants will be recruited from dialysis centres affiliated with the HOME Network, a national initiative to engage health care professionals in the field of home dialysis. Measurements: Combining the analysis of individual and group data that is both reported and observed will offer an in-depth understanding of patients' perception of home dialysis that will inform policy and practice at both participating centres and in the broader clinical community.6 page(s
Rose Bengal-conjugated gold nanoparticles: quantification of singlet oxygen generation in photodynamic therapy
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 44-50.1. Introduction -- 2. Photodynamic therapy background -- 3. Instrumentation and analysis methods for nanomaterials characterization -- 4. Experimental procedure, results and discussion -- 5. Conclusions and future works -- List of acronyms/abbreviations -- References.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an advanced novel methodology for the treatment of cancers using photosensitizers (PSs) which upon irradiating light generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and kills cancer cells. The utilization of photosensitizers has some restrictions, like low coefficient of extinction, low ¹O₂ generation efficiency and cannot be used for treating deep-seated tumours. Nanoparticles (NPs) have various properties that can be applied in PDT to overcome the limitations of PSs.The main aim of this work is, therefore, to enhance the ¹O₂ generation efficiency of the photosensitizer Rose Bengal (RB) by conjugating it with the Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The quantitative measurement of ¹O₂ generation is carried out on photosensitizer RB, AuNPs, and Au-NPs conjugated RB (AuRB). The fluorescence probe Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green (SOSG) was used to detect the ¹O₂. In a systemic study, the dependence of fluorescence on AuRB conjugation with different PS concentrations and the light-irradiation time for ¹O₂ generation are performed. Finally, the singlet oxygen quantum yield (SOQY) measurements are carried from the calculation of the rate of reaction and discussed. The results of the project state the improvement in ¹O₂ generation efficiency of PS on conjugation with the NPs.The successful NP-PS conjugation and high SOQY give the motivation for further studies on the development of the new photosensitizer drugs to treat the cancer cells.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xii, 50 pages) diagrams, graph
Testing Tilly’s theory of collective violence against the Syrian conflict: a model framework?
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 64-69.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Literature review -- Chapter 3. Syria case study -- Chapter 4. Analysis -- Chapter 5. Conclusion -- Works cited.This thesis explores the patterns of collective violence in the Syrian conflict through the lens of Charles Tilly’s theory on the subject. Since its publication in 2003, Tilly’s The Politics of Collective Violence has been one of the most influential works within the social sciences on violence and contentious politics. The thesis assesses the extent to which Tilly’s conceptual framework explains the patterns of collective violence in Syria, highlighting both its continuing relevance as well as some of its limitations. This thesis argues that evidence from the Syrian conflict suggests that Tilly’s framework does not adequately address the influence of external powers and the role of technology and social media. As such, this research aims to strengthen and update Tilly’s framework by combining fresh insights on the pattern of collective violence from the Syrian conflict and other scholars of international relations.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (69 pages
Decision usefulness of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in financial reports: evidence from Australian bank-lending officers
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 57-64.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Literature review -- Chapter 3. Research method -- Chapter 4. Results and discussion -- Chapter 5. Conclusions, limitations and further research -- References -- Appendixes.The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) reports that the objective of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is to ensure that the financial information provided by companies is useful for the economic decision-making for a variety of users (IASB,2015). It is anticipated that bank-lending officers may not perceive all the disclosures, recognition and measurement concepts in IFRS financial reports and the subsequent amendments relating to disclosures as being primarily useful for assessing the credit risk or creditworthiness of companies when granting a term loan. Therefore, two primary objectives guide the overall study – determining whether bank-lending officers perceive the accounting disclosures and measurement requirements of the IFRS useful for making their lending decisions, and whether the bank-lending officers perceive the subsequent amendments to the IFRS to be useful. The study employs a mixed methods approach of data collection, that is, a combination of quantitative data, collected through questionnaire surveys, and qualitative data, collected through semi-structured interviews.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (80 pages) table
Corporate eligibility to conduct initial public offerings in Indonesia: an examination of the disclosure principle
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 65-70.Chapter I. Introduction -- Chapter II. Regulating publicly listed companies through mandatory disclosure -- Chapter III. Implementing mandatory disclosure requirements in Indonesia -- Chapter IV. Legal non-compliance disclosure -- Chapter V. Conclusion -- Bibliography.In capital markets, disclosure is the main source of information for investors. One of the most important types of information in disclosure is information about a company’s legal non-compliance. Information about a company’s legal non-compliance is not only socially significant but also financially important as it may lead to hefty penalties, loss of contract and other economic effects. However, in contrast to financial information which is quantitatively measured, the consequences of non-compliance often involve a qualitative aspect making it difficult to articulate its materiality.This study is doctrinal legal research and it sets out to evaluate whether the enforcement by the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) of its disclosure policy on legal non-compliance is sufficient to protect the investing public. The study aims to mitigate the impact of information asymmetry due to incomplete disclosure of corporate legal non-compliance as well as to enhance corporate accountability to shareholders for company illegality. It argues that factors such as materiality, regulatory capture, and the roles of securities lawyers have been creating inconsistencies in OJK’s implementation of its legal non-compliance disclosure policy. The outcome of this study would be useful to articulate lessons for other developing capital markets, particularly those with conditions of legal uncertainty similar to those in Indonesia, in advancing the goal of disclosure.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (70 pages