Unusual pegmatoid crystallisations in a nephelinite plug, near Round Lagoon, eastern Central Plateau, Tasmania

Pegmatoids in a Late Oligocene olivine nephelinite plug near Round Lagoon form a complex low-pressure fractionation suite. The host nephelinite contains meta-peridotite and meta-wehrlite mantle xenoliths and its composition (Mg# 0.63) may reflect both mantle and then limited fractionation. The pegmatoids range from ultramafic through mafic to feldspathic assemblages in a progressive, but discontinuous, fractionation sequence ~ olivine ~ sodalite ijolite, nepheline syenite ~ alkali syenite). Within this sequence, olivine and clinopyroxene compositions decrease in content, while clinopyroxene becomes increasingly Na- and Fe-rich to produce late stage aegirine-augite and aegirine. Nepheline is prominent in the sequence and crystallised over a wide temperature range from 10000 to <500°C. The presence of sodalite suggests volatile Cl-rich fluxing. Mg-rich spinel crystallised in assemblages, distinct from Fe- and Ti-rich oxides of the magnetite-ulvospinel series in later assemblages. The Round Lagoon low-pressure pegmatoids developed by fractionation in a narrow, vertical feeder rather than in broad lava ponds such as those noted in nephelinite flows at Inverell, New South Wales, and at La Madera, Argentina

The speciation and genotyping of Cronobacter isolates from hospitalised patients

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised all Cronobacter species as human pathogens. Among premature neonates and immunocompromised infants, these infections can be life-threatening, with clinical presentations of septicaemia, meningitis and necrotising enterocolitis. The neurological sequelae can be permanent and the mortality rate as high as 40 – 80 %. Despite the highlighted issues of neonatal infections, the majority of Cronobacter infections are in the elderly population suffering from serious underlying disease or malignancy and include wound and urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis, bacteraemia and septicaemia. However, no age profiling studies have speciated or genotyped the Cronobacter isolates. A clinical collection of 51 Cronobacter strains from two hospitals were speciated and genotyped using 7-loci multilocus sequence typing (MLST), rpoB gene sequence analysis, O-antigen typing and pulsed- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The isolates were predominated by C. sakazakii sequence type 4 (63 %, 32/51) and C. malonaticus sequence type 7 (33 %, 17/51). These had been isolated from throat and sputum samples of all age groups, as well as recal and faecal swabs. There was no apparent relatedness between the age of the patient and the Cronobacter species isolated. Despite the high clonality of Cronobacter , PFGE profiles differentiated strains across the sequence types into 15 pulsotypes. There was almost complete agreement between O-antigen typing and rpoB gene sequence analysis and MLST profiling. This study shows the value of applying MLST to bacterial population studies with strains from two patient cohorts, combined with PFGE for further discrimination of strains

Trial-and-error, Googling and talk: Engineering students taking initiative out of class

A review of the science education literature identifies the importance of outreach in raising public awareness of science while providing students with contextually relevant and meaningful science in ways that enhance their school experiences. The National Virtual School of Emerging Sciences (NVSES) provided just such an opportunity. Established throughout 2012-2014, it enabled 429 secondary students from across Australia to engage with the emerging sciences of Astrophysics and Nanotechnology. Creation of 'virtual' science classrooms allowed small groups of students to connect synchronously twice a week under the guidance of subject specialist teachers. To prepare for this context, teachers modified their face-to-face pedagogies to suit the range of technologies readily accessible in the virtual classroom. This chapter discusses how these different pedagogies were utilised by the NVSES teachers to develop lessons that created unique experiences for students within the virtual classroom environment. Data collected from pre and post student surveys, interviews with the NVSES teachers and access to digitally-recorded lessons demonstrate that while NVSES was highly successful, there were challenges for all involved

Surface-initiated growth of copper using isonicotinic acid-functionalized aluminum oxide surfaces

Isonicotinate self-assembled monolayers (SAM) were prepared on alumina surfaces (A) using isonicotinic acid (iNA). These functionalized layers (iNA-A) were used for the seeded growth of copper films (Cu-iNA-A) by hydrazine hydrate-initiated electroless deposition. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and advancing contact angle measurements. The films are Cu0 but with surface oxidation, and show a faceted morphology, which is more textured (Rq = 460 ± 90 nm) compared to the SAM (Rq = 2.8 ± 0.5 nm). In contrast, growth of copper films by SnCl2/PdCl2 catalyzed electroless deposition, using formaldehyde (CH2O) as the reducing agent, shows a nodular morphology on top of a relatively smooth surface. No copper films are observed in the absence of the isonicotinate SAM. The binding of Cu2+ to the iNA is proposed to facilitate reduction to Cu0 and create the seed for subsequent growth. The films show good adhesion to the functionalized surface

Subjective Distresses of Nasogastric Tube Feeding

Health care professionals assume that tube feeding is an unpleasant, distressing experience for patients, which is only partially substantiated by experience. Thirty patients were interviewed via a tube feeding and hospital experience checklist (a 47–item interview schedule). Common experiences were operationally defined as those felt by at least 50%; subjectively distressful experiences were those identified by patients as causing distress. The most common and most distressful experiences of nasogastric tube feeding were: sensory irritations and sensory deprivation. The psychosensory irritation experiences were: thirst, sore nose or throat, dry mouth, runny nose, a tube in the nose, taking food through a tube, breathing through the mouth, breathing with a tube in the nose, taking food in a treatment type container, and taking food with a different texture and smell than usual. The psychosensory deprivation experiences were: an unsatisfied appetite for certain foods, deprivation of tasting, chewing, swallowing food, and drinking liquids, limited mobility, and deprivation of regular food. Except for burping, gastrointestinal symptoms were not common though they were usually distressful. This information has been used to develop teaching programs which are being tested for effectiveness in reducing distress associated with nasogastric tube feeding.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68702/2/10.1177_014860717900300204.pd

Understanding organisational development, sustainability, and diffusion of innovations within hospitals participating in a multilevel quality collaborative

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Between 2004 and 2008, 24 Dutch hospitals participated in a two-year multilevel quality collaborative (MQC) comprised of (a) a leadership programme for hospital executives, (b) six quality-improvement collaboratives (QICs) for healthcare professionals and other staff, and (c) an internal programme organisation to help senior management monitor and coordinate team progress. The MQC aimed to stimulate the development of quality-management systems and the spread of methods to improve patient safety and logistics. The objective of this study is to describe how the first group of eight MQC hospitals sustained and disseminated improvements made and the quality methods used.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The approach followed by the hospitals was described using interview and questionnaire data gathered from eight programme coordinators.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MQC hospitals followed a systematic strategy of diffusion and sustainability. Hospital quality-management systems are further developed according to a model linking plan-do-study-act cycles at the unit and hospital level. The model involves quality norms based on realised successes, performance agreements with unit heads, organisational support, monitoring, and quarterly accountability reports.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is concluded from this study that the MQC contributed to organisational development and dissemination within participating hospitals. Organisational learning effects were demonstrated. System changes affect the context factors in the theory of organisational readiness: organisational culture, policies and procedures, past experience, organisational resources, and organisational structure. Programme coordinator responses indicate that these factors are utilised to manage spread and sustainability. Further research is needed to assess long-term effects.</p

Immunolocalization of the short neuropeptide F receptor in queen brains and ovaries of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insect neuropeptides are involved in diverse physiological functions and can be released as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators acting within the central nervous system, and as circulating neurohormones in insect hemolymph. The insect short neuropeptide F (sNPF) peptides, related to the vertebrate neuropeptide Y (NPY) peptides, have been implicated in the regulation of food intake and body size, and play a gonadotropic role in the ovaries of some insect species. Recently the sNPF peptides were localized in the brain of larval and adult <it>Drosophila</it>. However, the location of the sNPF receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), has not yet been investigated in brains of any adult insect. To elucidate the sites of action of the sNPF peptide(s), the sNPF receptor tissue expression and cellular localization were analyzed in queens of the red imported fire ant, <it>Solenopsis invicta </it>Buren (Hymenoptera), an invasive social insect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the queen brains and subesophageal ganglion about 164 cells distributed in distinctive cell clusters (C1-C9 and C12) or as individual cells (C10, C11) were immuno-positive for the sNPF receptor. Most of these neurons are located in or near important sensory neuropils including the mushroom bodies, the antennal lobes, the central complex, and in different parts of the protocerebrum, as well as in the subesophageal ganglion. The localization of the sNPF receptor broadly links the receptor signaling pathway with circuits regulating learning and feeding behaviors. In ovaries from mated queens, the detection of sNPF receptor signal at the posterior end of oocytes in mid-oogenesis stage suggests that the sNPF signaling pathway may regulate processes at the oocyte pole.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The analysis of sNPF receptor immunolocalization shows that the sNPF signaling cascade may be involved in diverse functions, and the sNPF peptide(s) may act in the brain as neurotransmitter(s) or neuromodulator(s), and in the ovaries as neurohormone(s). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the cellular localization of a sNPF receptor on the brain and ovaries of adult insects.</p

Modeling screening, prevention, and delaying of Alzheimer's disease: an early-stage decision analytic model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alzheimer's Disease (AD) affects a growing proportion of the population each year. Novel therapies on the horizon may slow the progress of AD symptoms and avoid cases altogether. Initiating treatment for the underlying pathology of AD would ideally be based on biomarker screening tools identifying pre-symptomatic individuals. Early-stage modeling provides estimates of potential outcomes and informs policy development.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A time-to-event (TTE) simulation provided estimates of screening asymptomatic patients in the general population age ≥55 and treatment impact on the number of patients reaching AD. Patients were followed from AD screen until all-cause death. Baseline sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 and 0.78, with treatment on positive screen. Treatment slowed progression by 50%. Events were scheduled using literature-based age-dependent incidences of AD and death.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The base case results indicated increased AD free years (AD-FYs) through delays in onset and a reduction of 20 AD cases per 1000 screened individuals. Patients completely avoiding AD accounted for 61% of the incremental AD-FYs gained. Total years of treatment per 1000 screened patients was 2,611. The number-needed-to-screen was 51 and the number-needed-to-treat was 12 to avoid one case of AD. One-way sensitivity analysis indicated that duration of screening sensitivity and rescreen interval impact AD-FYs the most. A two-way sensitivity analysis found that for a test with an extended duration of sensitivity (15 years) the number of AD cases avoided was 6,000-7,000 cases for a test with higher sensitivity and specificity (0.90,0.90).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study yielded valuable parameter range estimates at an early stage in the study of screening for AD. Analysis identified duration of screening sensitivity as a key variable that may be unavailable from clinical trials.</p

Effectiveness of physiotherapy exercise following total knee replacement: Systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2015 Artz et al. Background: Rehabilitation, with an emphasis on physiotherapy and exercise, is widely promoted after total knee replacement. However, provision of services varies in content and duration. The aim of this study is to update the review of Minns Lowe and colleagues 2007 using systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of post-discharge physiotherapy exercise in patients with primary total knee replacement. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL to October 4th 2013 for randomised evaluations of physiotherapy exercise in adults with recent primary knee replacement. Outcomes were: patient-reported pain and function, knee range of motion, and functional performance. Authors were contacted for missing data and outcomes. Risk of bias and heterogeneity were assessed. Data was combined using random effects meta-analysis and reported as standardised mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD). Results: Searches identified 18 randomised trials including 1,739 patients with total knee replacement. Interventions compared: physiotherapy exercise and no provision; home and outpatient provision; pool and gym-based provision; walking skills and more general physiotherapy; and general physiotherapy exercise with and without additional balance exercises or ergometer cycling. Compared with controls receiving minimal physiotherapy, patients receiving physiotherapy exercise had improved physical function at 3-4 months, SMD -0.37 (95% CI -0.62, -0.12), and pain, SMD -0.45 (95% CI -0.85, -0.06). Benefit up to 6 months was apparent when considering only higher quality studies. There were no differences for outpatient physiotherapy exercise compared with home-based provision in physical function or pain outcomes. There was a short-term benefit favouring home-based physiotherapy exercise for range of motion flexion. There were no differences in outcomes when the comparator was hydrotherapy, or when additional balancing or cycling components were included. In one study, a walking skills intervention was associated with a long-term improvement in walking performance. However, for all these evaluations studies were under-powered individually and in combination. Conclusion: After recent primary total knee replacement, interventions including physiotherapy and exercise show short-term improvements in physical function. However this conclusion is based on meta-analysis of a few small studies and no long-term benefits of physiotherapy exercise interventions were identified. Future research should target improvements to long-term function, pain and performance outcomes in appropriately powered trials