Censorship rules: The Topology and Data Topography of Australian Adult Websites

This paper presents the results of preliminary research into the topology and data topography (amount of content per location) of Australian adult content websites. The research was conducted as part of a larger research project into the effectiveness and compliance implications of the Australian Government\u27s Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act 1999

A critical analysis of the review on antimicrobial resistance report and the infectious disease financing facility

Over the past year, two major policy initiatives have been introduced focusing on stimulating antibiotic development for human consumption. The European Investment Bank has announced the development of the Infectious Disease Financing Facility (IDFF) and the British government commissioned the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, led by Jim O’Neill. Each constitutes a major effort by the European community to address the evolving crisis of antimicrobial resistance. Though both have similar goals, the approaches are unique and worthy of consideration. This manuscript utilizes a previously published framework for evaluation of antibiotic incentive plans to clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal. The merits of each proposal are evaluated in how they satisfy four key objectives: 1) Improve the overall net present value (NPV) for new antibiotic projects; 2) Enable greater participation of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SME); 3) Encourage participation by large pharmaceutical companies; 4) Facilitate cooperation and synergy across the antibiotic market. The IDFF seeks to make forgivable loans to corporations with promising compounds, while the O’Neill group proposes a more comprehensive framework of early stage funding, along with the creation of a stable global market. Ultimately, the proposals may prove complementary and if implemented together may form a more comprehensive plan to address an impending global crisis. Substantial progress will only be made on these efforts if action is taken at an international level, therefore we recommend consideration of these efforts at the upcoming G20 summit

Hand transplants, daily functioning, and the human capacity for limb regeneration

Unlike some of our invertebrate and vertebrate cousins with the capacity to regenerate limbs after traumatic loss, humans do not have the ability to regrow arms or legs lost to injury or disease. For the millions of people worldwide who have lost a limb after birth, the primary route to regaining function and minimizing future complications i

Pre-treatment clinical features in central retinal vein occlusion that predict visual outcome following intravitreal ranibizumab

Background: Predicting how patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) will respond to intravitreal anti-VEGF is challenging. The purpose of this study was to identify pre-treatment clinical features in CRVO that predict visual acuity (VA) following intravitreal ranibizumab. Methods: Medical records, fundus images and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of treatment naïve patients with CRVO receiving PRN intravitreal ranibizumab were retrospectively reviewed. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) VA and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded at baseline, 3 and 12 months after starting therapy. Regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of VA at 3 and 12 months follow-up. Possible predictors included baseline VA, age, presence of cotton wool spots (CWS), haemorrhages (few scattered or multiple deep), foveal detachment, CRT, time from presentation to treatment, number of injections given, presence of RAPD, and cause of CRVO. Results: Data from 52 eyes of 50 patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for CRVO were analyzed. The mean pre-treatment VA was 43.3 (SD 22.5) letters, which improved to 52.0 (SD 24.3) letters at 3 months, then dropped to 42.0 (SD 30.26) at 12 months. Baseline CRT reduced from 616.7 μm (SD 272.4) to 346.0 μm (SD 205.2) at 3 months and 304.0 μm (SD 168.3) at 12 months. The following features were predictive of poorer VA after starting intravitreal ranibizumab: Poorer pretreatment VA (3-months, P = 0.010; 12-months, P = 0.006), increasing age (3-months, P = < 0.001; 12-months, P = 0.006), and presence of CWS (3-months, P < 0.001; 12-months, P = 0.045). Conclusion: Pre-treatment VA, older age, and presence of CWS are easily identifiable clinical features in the hospital setting which help predict visual outcome in patients with CRVO receiving intravitreal ranibizumab

Future considerations in the diagnosis and treatment of compressive neuropathies of the upper extremity

Compressive neuropathies of the upper extremity are among the most common conditions seen by hand surgeons. The diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome have traditionally been made by a combination of history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. However, findings can be nonspecific and electrodiagnostic testing is invasive for the patient. The diagnosis of compressive neuropathies continues to evolve as technology advances, and newer diagnostic modalities predominantly focus on preoperative diagnostic imaging with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging/neurography. With the advent of cheaper, faster, and less invasive imaging, the future may bring a paradigm shift away from electrophysiology as the gold standard for the preoperative diagnosis of compressive neuropathies. Intraoperative imaging of nerve health is an emerging concept that warrants further investigation, whereas postoperative imaging of nerve recovery with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging currently has a limited role because of nonspecific findings and potential for misinterpretation. Advances in surgical treatment of compressive neuropathies appear to center around the use of imaging for less invasive neurolysis techniques and other adjunctive treatments with nerve decompression. The management of failed peripheral nerve decompressions and recurrent compressive neuropathies remains challenging

Characterization of the dorsal ulnar corner in distal radius fractures : implication for surgical decision making

Poster presented at the 2017 Health Sciences Research Day which was organized and sponsored by the University of Missouri School of Medicine Research Council and held on November 9, 2017.Conclusions: 3D segmentation software is effective in producing 3D distal radius fracture models that can be used for analysis. The study demonstrated a pattern in dorsal ulnar corner fragment shape, though the study population size should be increased to improve the power of the results. The data will improve understanding of the morphology and size of the dorsal ulnar corner fracture fragment, which is critical to understanding the optimal method of operative fixation. This information will also lead to development of more accurate intra-articularfracture models for biomechanical studies

WHO cone bioassay boards with or without holes: relevance for bioassay outcomes in long-lasting insecticidal net studies

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay is a key method used to evaluate the bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) used for malaria control. These tests also play an important role in LLIN product prequalification and longitudinal monitoring. Standardization of these assays is therefore important. While many parameters for WHO cone bioassays are defined in the respective WHO guidelines, others are not. One of these undefined parameters is the exact configuration of the bioassay boards. In cone bioassays, LLIN samples are pinned onto a bioassay board for testing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bioassay boards with holes behind the LLIN samples lead to greater exposure to insecticide, as the mosquitoes are ‘forced to stand on the net material’. This may increase the key assay outcomes of 60 min knockdown (KD60) and 24 h mortality (M24). The present study tested this hypothesis in two facilities using two fully susceptible mosquito colonies. Methods: WHO cone bioassays were performed using bioassay boards with holes and boards without holes in parallel, following WHO guidelines. Five brands of LLINs with four new and unwashed whole net samples per brand were used (total of n = 20 whole nets). Five pieces per whole net sample were prepared in duplicate resulting in a total of n = 100 pairs. Knock-down (KD) was recorded in 10 min intervals within the first hour after exposure and mortality was recorded at 24 h. Assays with Anopheles farauti were done at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) and assays with Aedes aegypti were done at James Cook University, Australia. Results: Results varied not only with bioassay board configuration but also with mosquito colony. In particular, with An. farauti, a significantly higher M24 was observed when boards with holes were used, while this was not observed with Ae. aegypti. WHO cone bioassay results were systematically biased between the two facilities such that the use of An. farauti at PNGIMR predicted higher KD60 and M24. Conclusion: The present study highlights the need for further harmonization of WHO cone bioassay methodology. Parameters such as bioassay board configuration and mosquito species systematically affect the observations, which impedes generalizability of WHO cone bioassay outcomes