Strategic planning for the upgrade of the power system in Nhulunbuy

The power distribution system servicing the town of Nhulunbuy has undergone limited upgrade since the completion of the town in 1971. As a consequence a large number of key system components are operating close to their capacity limits. The issue is further amplified by major expansion of accommodation facilities within the town. This paper discusses the long term load forecast of this distribution system and proposes two options for upgrade of the system to ensure continuing security of supply. Currently there is monitoring of the condition of the system through regular load and protection surveys, however whilst these reports identify key issues with the system the recommendations are difficult to incorporate into the budgeting process as they indicate the current state of the system only, providing no opportunity for planning of upgrades. The desired outcome of this project is to provide an overview of the system improvement required as the town demand increases. This plan will also develop options for the improvement of current system limitations

Interleukin-15; a potential factor in lung cancer establishment and progression of lung cancer

Background: Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, that plays a major role in stimulating immune effector cells following microbial and viral infection. IL-15 exhibits broad activity and induces the differentiation and proliferation of T, B and natural killer (NK) cells. IL-15 is primarily expressed by antigen presenting cells; however, in areas where there are high microbial loads, such as the lungs and colon, epithelial cells may also express IL-15 and its receptor (IL-15Ra). The expression of IL-15 and IL-15Ra by the lung epithelium facilitates immune responses by inducing local proliferation of NK and CD8+ T-cells in response to infection. Here we determine the status of IL-15 and IL-15Ra on lung cancers and assess their ability to stimulate the proliferation of these immune cells. Methods: Western blotting, ELISA and qPCR were used to determine the expression of IL-15 and IL-15Rα in 6 human lung cancer cell lines and 1 normal human bronchial epithelial cell (HBEC) line. Further, mRNA from 146 primary lung cancers of all stages and tissues from 45 normal lungs were examined by multiplex qPCR for the expression of IL-15 and IL-15Rα. NK and T-cell proliferation assays were performed to determine the effects of IL-15 expression by the cell lines on these immune cells. Results: IL-15 expression by lung cancer cell lines was significantly reduced compared to the HBEC cell line. Similar results were seen when we examined the expression of IL-15 in primary tumors, with lung cancer expressing less IL-15 than normal lung (P stage I> stage II> stage III> stage IV. In contrast, IL-15Rα expression levels in the tumor samples were found to be largely unchanged across stage, P=0.417. Decreases in IL-15 with increasing stage may represent one mechanism in which lung cancers limit the immune response directed at the tumor and may aid in metastatic progression. In order to assess the immune effects of a reduction in IL-15 expression, we examined the ability of the lung cancer cell lines and HBEC to induce the proliferation of NK and T-cells following co-incubation. We found that the lung cancer cell lines significantly inhibited the proliferation of either NK or T-cells compared to HBEC. Conclusion: Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-15 are important for the induction of lung immunity. Decreases in IL-15 expression may reduce immune responses thereby aiding in the escape of lung cancer from immune detection and the dissemination of tumor. The differential expression of IL-15 across lung cancer stages and retention of IL-15Rα expression may make lung cancer a target for IL-15-based treatments and opens the potential for IL-15 to be used as a predictive biomarker in early stage patients

Neonatal mortality risk for vulnerable newborn types in 15 countries using 125.5 million nationwide birth outcome records, 2000–2020

Objective: To compare neonatal mortality associated with six novel vulnerable newborn types in 125.5 million live births across 15 countries, 2000–2020. Design: Population-based, multi-country study. Setting: National data systems in 15 middle- and high-income countries. Methods: We used individual-level data sets identified for the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We examined the contribution to neonatal mortality of six newborn types combining gestational age (preterm [PT] versus term [T]) and size-for-gestational age (small [SGA], 90th centile) according to INTERGROWTH-21st newborn standards. Newborn babies with PT or SGA were defined as small and T + LGA was considered as large. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and population attributable risks (PAR%) for the six newborn types. Main outcome measures: Mortality of six newborn types. Results: Of 125.5 million live births analysed, risk ratios were highest among PT + SGA (median 67.2, interquartile range [IQR] 45.6–73.9), PT + AGA (median 34.3, IQR 23.9–37.5) and PT + LGA (median 28.3, IQR 18.4–32.3). At the population level, PT + AGA was the greatest contributor to newborn mortality (median PAR% 53.7, IQR 44.5–54.9). Mortality risk was highest among newborns born before 28 weeks (median RR 279.5, IQR 234.2–388.5) compared with babies born between 37 and 42 completed weeks or with a birthweight less than 1000 g (median RR 282.8, IQR 194.7–342.8) compared with those between 2500 g and 4000 g as a reference group. Conclusion: Preterm newborn types were the most vulnerable, and associated with the highest mortality, particularly with co-existence of preterm and SGA. As PT + AGA is more prevalent, it is responsible for the greatest burden of neonatal deaths at population level