Minority ethnic women in the Australian labour market.

Despite its predominant focus on gender equity, the present managing diversity discourse in Australia generally overlooks multi-racial feminist perspectives. Consequently equal opportunity legislation and practices, designed for “mainstream” Australian women, do not take into account the diversity of ethnic and socio-cultural contexts and experiences of the “other” women.Australia; diversity; equal opportunity; gender; minority ethnic women

Nonparametric Predictive Inference for Ordinal Data and Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests

This thesis considers Nonparametric Predictive Inference (NPI) for ordinal data and accuracy of diagnostic tests. We introduce NPI for ordinal data, which are categor- ical data with an ordering of the categories. Such data occur in many application areas, for example medical and social studies. The method uses a latent variable representation of the observations and categories on the real line. Lower and upper probabilities for events involving the next observation are presented, with specic attention to comparison of multiple groups of ordinal data. We introduce NPI for accuracy of diagnostic tests with ordinal outcomes, with the inferences based on data for a disease group and a non-disease group. We intro- duce empirical and NPI lower and upper Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the corresponding areas under the curves. We discuss the use of the Youden index related to the NPI lower and upper ROC curves in order to deter- mine the optimal cut-o point for the test. Finally, we present NPI for assessment of accuracy of diagnostic tests involving three groups of real-valued data. This is achieved by developing NPI lower and upper ROC surfaces and the corresponding volumes under these surfaces, and we also consider the choice of cut-o points for classications based on such diagnostic tests

Anaesthetic management of a young patient with homocystinuria

Homocystinuria is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease. It is caused by a deficiency in cystathionine-b-synthase leading to a defect in methionine metabolism. High levels of plasma homocysteine are associated with vascular injury via mechanisms of oxidative damage, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, promotion of platelet activation and aggregation,and disruption of normal procoagulant-anticoagulant balance favouring thrombosis. This is a case of 8 years old boy, a known case of homocystinuria, who was scheduled for bilateral lensectomy and intraocular lens placement. The major anaesthetic considerations include the development of thromboembolism, need to avoid nitrous oxide in balanced anaesthesia regimen and hypoglycaemia

Innovative Work Practices: A Time to Go Beyond Experimentation

In the US there have been three major evolutionary steps in the development of organizations after World War II. The first stage is with management as a function, the second is with the command and control organization and the third is decentralization and distinction between policy and operations. The third stage is evolving away from the command-and-control organization to knowledge-based organizations. Organizations implement innovative work practices that create knowledge-based organizations. This paper discusses some of these practices and the issues faced in implementing them. The authors conclude by pointing out that aside from entities such as civil society and unions etc., institutional support and support from public policy bodies is crucial to implementing innovative work systems that create sustainable organizations

The large-time structure of the solution to initial-value problems for a class of Burgers' equations with time dependent coefficients

In this thesis we use the method of matched asymptotic coordinate expansions to examine in detail the structure of the large-time solution of initial-value problems based on a class of Burgers’ equations with time dependent coefficients. The normalized nonlinear paritial differential equation considered is given by u$_t$ + t$^δ$uu$_x$ = u$_x$$_x$, −∞0. where x and t represent dimensionless distance and time respectively, and δ (> −1) is a constant. In particular, we are interested in the emergence of coherent structures (com- posed of the expansion wave, Taylor shock wave profile, Rudenko-Soluyan wave profile, and the error function wave profile) in the large-time solution of the problems considered

Role of lysyl oxidase like-2 in post-traumatic osteoarthritis and cartilage regeneration

INTRODUCTION: While the progressive joint disease osteoarthritis (OA) affects a significant portion of the US population, there remain a few therapeutic options. Identifying agents that promote cartilage regeneration and protect against cartilage damage could provide breakthroughs for OA prevention and treatment. However, there are no chondroprotective agents approved for clinical application. In the previous studies from our lab, we showed that lysyl oxidase like-2(LOXL2) is elevated in the regenerative response during fracture healing in mice and has a critical role in chondrogenic differentiation. Indeed, LOXL2 is an anabolic effector that attenuates proinflammatory signaling in OA cartilage of the TMJ and knee joint, and induces chondroprotective and regenerative responses (Alshenibr, Tashkandi et al. 2017). The goal of the present study is to evaluate the role of LOXL2 in post-traumatic OA in destabilized medial meniscus mouse (DMM) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The approval to obtain human tissues was obtained from Institutional Review Board, and animal experiments were approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Boston University. In order to evalute loss of LOXL2 function, Tamoxifen inducible cartilage-specific LOXL2 mice were generated. At 5-6 months of age, the destabilized medial meniscus (DMM) surgeries to induce OA was performed (n=48 mice).Tamoxifen injection was administered to delete LOXL2 (LOXL2-cKO) and vehicle injection (LOXL2-VC) was performed, The gain of LOXL2 function were performed in by administering intra-articular injections of adenoviral-LOXL2 (Adv-RFP-LOXL2) and respective control (Adv-RFP-Empty) followed by an treadmill exhaustion test, allodynia, immunostaining, safranin-O staining, and RT-qPCR to determine knee joint functional and structural analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of data from LOXL2-cKO group compared to the respective control (LOXL2-VC) showed that LOXL2 and aggrecan have reduced levels in DMM LOXL2-cKO mouse model. The comparison of sham surgery group showed LOXL2-cKO has reduction of ACAN and LOXL2 compared to LOXL2-VC . Thus, LOXL2-cKO mice with DMM-operated knee joint has severe changes compared to LOXL2-VC. Safranin-O-staining for proteogylcan and immunostaining and its quantification data shows that DMM surgery in LOXL2-cKO knee cartilage reduced proteoglycan, aggrecan, LOXL2, lubricin whereas elevated MMP13 and IL-1 β compared to LOXL2-VC. In another study the role of adenovirus delivered LOXL2 in the knee joint, the treadmill exhaustion test showed that the treadmill running for time and distance are impaired in the group with Adv-RFP-EMPTY injected group and rescued in Adv-RFP-LOXL2 injected group. CONCLUSION: LOXL2 appears to protect mice from DMM-OA-induced impaired functional changes. Cartilage-specific deletion of LOXL2 shows defects in proteoglycan and aggrecan expression. As expected, LOXL2 overexpression restored knee joint function and impaired structural changes. Earlier studies from our laboratory showed that LOXL2 could have interaction with epigenetic regulators such as lysine-specific demethylase 1. We showed in the current study that LOXL2 could restore structure and function in Lsd1 knockout mice knee joint, and the mechanism must be through LSD1. We have identified novel role of LOXL2 in the mechanism of OA; our studies will provide more information for therapeutic application.

Prevalence of Menstrual Dysfunction and its Comparative Correlation with Anaemia

To find out prevalence and pattern of menstrual abnormalities and its contribution to anaemia in teen age students and compare it with other causes of anaemia in them.Methods: In this observational cross sectional study,317 students were included after taking their consent. All girls included in the study; were students ranging from school to medical college, and aged 10-19 years . Details of menarche and menstrual cycle, history of passage of worms in stools, thyroid disease, liver disorder and bleeding clotting disorders were noted .Results: Out of 317 cases 159(50.6%) were anemic. Sixty percent of adolescents belonged to relatively better socio-economic group, 90% were unmarried, 87.4% non-vegetarian, body mass index (BMI) >25 was present in 53/317 cases, <19 in 29/317. All these variables had no significant relationship with anemia statistically (p-value >0.05).Mean age of menarche was 12.95 years in anaemic adolescents and 12.83 in those without anaemia.Out of 317 menstrual cycle was normal in 60.9%, scanty menstruation in 0.3%, irregular normal flow 6.6%, while 15.8 % had irregular heavy menses, 3.5%: heavy regular menses. Heavy menstrual bleeding both regular & irregular was highly associated with anaemia (p-value <0.001).Dysmenorrhea was present in 57.9% anaemic teens (p-value <0.001).Worm infestation was present in 10.1% cases (p-value <0.001) indicating highly significant association with anaemia. p-value for bleeding/clotting disorders was 0.014 showing significant link with anemia.Conclusion:Menstrual dysfunction is the main contributor to anaemia in female adolescents other factors being worm infestation and bleeding/clotting disorders. It needs urgent attention of parents and healthcare providers to correct anaemia according to cause and improve their quality of life and ensure healthy mothers in future

Community Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices Associated with Urogenital Schistosomiasis among School-Aged Children in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania

Background: On the Zanzibar islands, United Republic of Tanzania, elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis is strived for in the coming years. This qualitative study aimed to better understand community knowledge, perceptions, and practices associated with schistosomiasis among school-aged children on Unguja and Pemba islands, in order to inform the development of behavior change interventions contributing to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis. Methodology: In 2011, we conducted 35 children’s discussion groups, 41 in-depth interviews with parents and teachers, and 5 focus group discussions with community members in Zanzibar. Using a modified-grounded theory approach, we transcribed and coded the narrative data followed by thematic analysis of the emergent themes. Principal Findings: Urogenital schistosomiasis is a common experience among children in Zanzibar and typically considered a boys’ disease. Children engage in multiple high-risk behaviors for acquiring schistosomiasis because of poor knowledge on disease transmission, lack of understanding on severity of disease-associated consequences, and lack of alternative options for water related activities of daily living and recreational play. Local primary school teachers had little to no training about the disease and no teaching tools or materials for students. Conclusions/Significance: Conducting activities in open natural freshwater contaminated by S. haematobium larvae compromises the health of school-aged children in Zanzibar. The perception of urogenital schistosomiasis as a minor illness rather than a serious threat to a child’s well-being contributes to the spread of disease. Understanding community perceptions of disease along with the barriers and facilitators to risk reduction behaviors among children can inform health promotion activities, campaigns, and programs for the prevention, control, and elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Zanzibar

Sudden Maternal Death from Suspected Amniotic Fluid Embolism and a Dead Baby Delivered with Natal Teeth

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare presentation in obstetric emergencies that carries great risk for the life of both mother and fetus. It is usually characterized by sudden cardiovascular collapse, respiratory distress and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Here we present a case of sudden death of a pregnant woman due to suspected AFE. We also present a rare finding of natal teeth in her deceased baby, which along with reported AFE in the mother, is an unlikely event in the medical literature

Causes of Stress and Burnout among Working Mothers in Pakistan

Review of literature revealed that there is lack of empirical studies on the job burnout particularly among working mothers in Pakistan. The present study therefore examined the main causes and reasons of job burnout among working mothers in Pakistan. In this study, the lived experiences of working mothers in twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi towards stress and burnout were examined. This qualitative study interviewed 12 Pakistani working mothers. By using phenomenological method several themes and sub themes emerged which provided a description of the experience. Four themes work health factor, work overload, work environment, work family conflict and six sub themes emerged from the data. This work explores the reasons of the burnout among working mothers and provides recommendations for further examination. Interview results show that participants are going through the same level of stress at the certain stage