Implanting sustainability in business strategies : CSR, ethics or the law

This paper elucidates the conundrum faced by Australian businesses in developing &lsquo;sustainable&rsquo; business strategies that are acceptable to a multiplicity of stakeholders. A content analysis of the web pages for leading Australian companies indicates that there is little tangible evidence that sustainable business practices are being implemented. The authors propose several directions for research into substantive issues between ethical behaviour, corporate social responsibility and environmentally sustainable behaviour for businesses. Each of these areas is developing research in relative isolation. However, we argue that this paradigmatic divide is limiting the opportunities for research to provide real insight into seemingly intractable problems.<br /

Implementation of environmental sustainability in business: suggestions for improvement

Abstract This paper discusses the options for implementing &apos;sustainable&apos; environmental business strategies that are acceptable to a multiplicity of stakeholders. To evaluate the current situation in Australia a content analysis of the web pages for leading companies indicates that there is little tangible evidence that sustainable business practices are being implemented. The authors propose several directions for research into substantive issues between ethical behaviour, corporate social responsibility and environmentally sustainable behaviour for business. Each of these areas is developing research in relative isolation. However, we argue that this paradigmatic divide is limiting the opportunities for research to provide real insight into seemingly intractable problems

Applications of the cumulative rate to kidney cancer statistics in Australia

Cancer incidence and mortality statistics in two populations are usually compared by using either the age-standardised rate or the cumulative risk by a certain age. We argue that the cumulative rate is a superior measure because it obviates the need for a standard population, and is not open to misinterpretation as is the case for cumulative risk. Then we illustrate the application of the cumulative rate by analysing incidence and mortality data for kidney cancer in Australia using the cumulative rate. Kidney cancer, which is also known as malignant neoplasm of kidney, is one of the less common cancers in Australia. In 2012, approximately 2.5% of all new cases of cancer were kidney cancer, and approximately 2.1% of all cancer related deaths in Australia were due to kidney cancer. There is variation in incidence and mortality by sex, age, and geographical location in Australia. We examine how the cumulative rate performs in measuring the variation of this disease across such sub-populations. This is part of our e�ort to promote the use of the cumulative rate as an alternative to the age-standardised rates or cumulative risk. In addition we hope that this statistical investigation will contribute to the aetiology of the disease from an Australian perspective

The Role of Anorexia in Resistance and Tolerance to Infections in Drosophila

Infections initiate a signaling loop in which sick animals become anorexic, and the resulting change in diet alters the body's ability to fight infections in good and bad ways

Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy is associated with birth weight, but not gestational age, 1962-1992: a cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exposure to air pollutants is suggested to adversely affect fetal growth, but the evidence remains inconsistent in relation to specific outcomes and exposure windows.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using birth records from the two major maternity hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne in northern England between 1961 and 1992, we constructed a database of all births to mothers resident within the city. Weekly black smoke exposure levels from routine data recorded at 20 air pollution monitoring stations were obtained and individual exposures were estimated via a two-stage modeling strategy, incorporating temporally and spatially varying covariates. Regression analyses, including 88,679 births, assessed potential associations between exposure to black smoke and birth weight, gestational age and birth weight standardized for gestational age and sex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant associations were seen between black smoke and both standardized and unstandardized birth weight, but not for gestational age when adjusted for potential confounders. Not all associations were linear. For an increase in whole pregnancy black smoke exposure, from the 1^st(7.4 μg/m³) to the 25^th(17.2 μg/m³), 50^th(33.8 μg/m³), 75^th(108.3 μg/m³), and 90^th(180.8 μg/m³) percentiles, the adjusted estimated decreases in birth weight were 33 g (SE 1.05), 62 g (1.63), 98 g (2.26) and 109 g (2.44) respectively. A significant interaction was observed between socio-economic deprivation and black smoke on both standardized and unstandardized birth weight with increasing effects of black smoke in reducing birth weight seen with increasing socio-economic disadvantage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this study progress the hypothesis that the association between black smoke and birth weight may be mediated through intrauterine growth restriction. The associations between black smoke and birth weight were of the same order of magnitude as those reported for passive smoking. These findings add to the growing evidence of the harmful effects of air pollution on birth outcomes.</p

Implementation of environmental sustainability in business: Suggestions for improvement

If the public face of the Top 30, as expressed in their websites, is not providing evidence of sustainability by implication this is not occurring in practice. This suggests that research into what might be an acceptable common framework for business decision making is urgently needed. Environmental sustainability will not come about through serendipity. If legislation is required to effect change, some upstream marketing may be required. If a code of conduct will provide the framework, this needs to be developed in conjunction with the stakeholders based on some clear theoretically sound principles. However, each of these will require an inter-disciplinary approach. Specifically, we propose that the eight dimensions (Table 1) and their underlying assumptions are tested through further research. These firms may be practising a form of green-washing, either deliberately or otherwise; if so, this practice should be exposed, enlightenment provided and guidelines provided for the various stakeholders

Mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition facilitates bladder cancer metastasis : role of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) increases cell migration and invasion, and facilitates metastasis in multiple carcinoma types, but belies epithelial similarities between primary and secondary tumors. This study addresses the importance of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in the formation of clinically significant metastasis. The previously described bladder carcinoma TSU-Pr1 (T24) progression series of cell lines selected in vivo for increasing metastatic ability following systemic seeding was used in this study. It was found that the more metastatic sublines had acquired epithelial characteristics. Epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes were confirmed in the TSU-Pr1 series by cytoskeletal and morphologic analysis, and by performance in a panel of in vitro assays. Metastatic ability was examined following inoculation at various sites. Epithelial characteristics associated with dramatically increased bone and soft tissue colonization after intracardiac or intratibial injection. In contrast, the more epithelial sublines showed decreased lung metastases following orthotopic inoculation, supporting the concept that EMT is important for the escape of tumor cells from the primary tumor. We confirmed the overexpression of the IIIc subtype of multiple fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) through the TSU-Pr1 series, and targeted abrogation of FGFR2IIIc reversed the MET and associated functionality in this system and increased survival following in vivo inoculation in severe combined immunodeficient mice. This model is the first to specifically model steps of the latter part of the metastatic cascade in isogenic cell lines, and confirms the suspected role of MET in secondary tumor growth

Applications of the cumulative rate to kidney cancer statistics in Australia

Cancer incidence and mortality statistics in two populations are usually compared by use of either age-standardised rates or cumulative risk by a certain age. We argue that the cumulative rate is a superior measure because it obviates the need for a standard population, and is not open to misinterpretation as is the case for cumulative risk. Then we illustrate the application of the cumulative rate by analysing incidence and mortality data for kidney cancer in Australia using the cumulative rate. Kidney cancer is also known as malignant neoplasm of kidney: we use the term kidney cancer in this paper. We define kidney cancer as the disease classified as C64 according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD10) by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Kidney cancer is one of the less common cancers in Australia. In 2012, approximately 2.5% of all new cases of cancer were kidney cancer, and approximately 2.1% of all cancer related deaths in Australia are due to kidney cancer. There is variation in incidence and mortality by sex, age, and geographical location in Australia. We examine how the cumulative rate performs in measuring the variation of this disease across such subpopulations. This is part of our effort to promote the use of the cumulative rate as an alternative to the age-standardised rates or cumulative risk. In addition we hope that this statistical investigation will contribute to the aetiology of the disease from an Australian perspective

Position statement: a clinical approach to the management of adult non-neurogenic overactive bladder

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent medical condition that has an adverse impact on various health-related quality-of-life domains, including a significant psychosocial and financial burden. This position statement, formulated by members of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand and the UroGynaecological Society of Australasia, summarises the current recommendations for clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies in patients with non-neurogenic OAB, and guides clinicians in the decision-making process for managing the condition using evidence-based medicine.Main recommendations:Diagnosis and initial management should be based on thorough clinical history, examination and basic investigations to exclude underlying treatable causes such as urinary tract infection and urological malignancy.Initial treatment strategies for OAB involve conservative management with behavioural modification and bladder retraining.Second-line management involves medical therapy using anticholinergic or beta 3 agonist drugs provided there is adequate assessment of bladder emptying.If medical therapy is unsuccessful, further investigations with urodynamic studies and cystourethroscopy are recommended to guide further treatment.Intravesical botulinum toxin and sacral neuromodulation should be considered in medical refractory OAB.Changes in management as result of this statement:OAB is a constellation of urinary symptoms and is a chronic condition with a low likelihood of cure; managing patient expectations is essential because OAB is challenging to treat.At present, the exact pathogenesis of OAB remains unclear and it is likely that there are multiple factors involved in this disease complex.Current medical treatment remains far from ideal, although minimally invasive surgery can be effective.Further research into the pathophysiology of this common condition will hopefully guide future developments in disease management