Substitution and Complementarity in the Creation and Communication of Australian University Research

The generation of research is one of the major functions of the University sector. In most disciplines, journal articles continue to be the main outlet for the communication of research findings. However, in Australia, government induced distortions have rewarded refereed conference papers an equal status to refereed journal papers. The aim of this paper is to explore the association between research published in journals and research published in conference proceedings. We use a panel dataset of the research output of 36 Australian universities, for the period 1995-2004. Cobb-Douglas research production functions are estimated, as well as a system of research production functions that allows for simultaneity. The results indicate that journals and conferences are contemporaneous substitutes – an expansion in conference publications displaces journal publications. There is also a “DEST effect”. On average, conference papers are not converted into subsequent journal papers. The DEST effect is found also through analysis of the publication histories of 152 business and law academics. Post-graduate enrollments are shown to contribute only to conferences and have no effect on journal publications. Research income has a positive effect on both conferences and journal publications.Journals, conferences, DEST effect, research production functions, Australian

John Ficca

Emeritus Professor, School of Theater Arts John Ficca taught full time in the School of Theater Arts from 1956-2002 and was also Director of the School of Theater Arts. Ficca comments on entering the Army during the Korean War and his decisions about his education afterwards. He also speaks about the Theatre and Speech programs being part of the English Department at the start of his tenure and how the programs evolved afterwards. Other memories include performances at different theaters on campus and invited guests; curricular requirements, including a Summer Theater; and changes in campus leadership, governance and institutional benefits

DAMPAK NEGATIF TAYANGAN SINETRON REMAJA DITELEVISI TERHADAP PERILAKU MORAL SISWA DILINGKUNGAN SEKOLAH (Studi Deskriptif kelas VII A dan VIII A di SMP Raudah Barmawiyah Tangerang)

Penelitian ini membahas mengenai dampak negatif tayangan sinetron remaja ditelevisi terhadap perilaku moral siswa dilingkungan sekolah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk memperoleh gambaran mengenai dampak-dampak apa saja yang terdapat dalam tayangan sinetron bagi perilaku moral siswa di SMP Raudah Barmawiyah Tangerang. Moral yang berasal dari kata mores artinya mengungkapkan dapat atau tidaknya suatu perbuatan atau tindakan diterima sesamanya dalam hidup kemasyarakatan. Masalah-masalah penelitian ini seperti banyaknya siswa yang meniru adegan-adegan yang terdapat di dalam tayangan sinetron sehingga dapat berdampat terhadap perilaku moral siswa. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui sejauh mana dampak dari tayangan sinetron terhadap perilaku moral siswa. Penelitian ini di lakukan dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif, dan pendekatan kualitatif. Pengumpulan data dengan observasi, wawancara, angket, dan dokumentasi. Temuan penelitian bahwa terdapat dampak negatif dari tayangan sinetron remaja ditelevisi terhadap perilaku moral siswa di SMP Raudah Barmawiyah Tangerang, siswa yang mentonton tayangan televisi berdampak negatif terhadap perilaku moral disekolah bila peserta didik menonton secara berlebihan adapun upaya yang dilakukan pihak sekolah dalam mengatasi menurunyanya perilaku moral siswa yang diakibatkan dari adanya tayangan sinetron ditelevisi yaitu dengan mengawasi siswa dalam menyaksikan tayangan dengan di dampi orang tua, dengan memberikan sanksi oleh guru bila ada peserta didik yang melanggar peraturan sekolah. Kata kunci: Dampak negatif tayangan sinetron, Perilaku moral sisw

Assessment of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase1 (PARP1) expression and activity in cells purified from blood and milk of dairy cattle

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PAR) is a post-translational protein modification catalysed by enzyme member of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) family. The activation of several PARPs is triggered by DNA strand breakage and the main PARP enzyme involved in this process is PARP1. Besides its involvement in DNA repair, PARP1 is involved in several cellular processes including transcription, epigenetics, chromatin re-modelling as well as in the maintenance of genomic stability. Moreover, several studies in human and animal models showed PARP1 activation in various inflammatory disorders. The aims of the study were (1) to characterize PARP1 expression in bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (2) to evaluate PAR levels as a potential inflammatory marker in cells isolated from blood and milk samples following different types of infection, including mastitis. Our results show that (i) bovine PBMC express PARP1; (ii) lymphocytes exhibit higher expression of PARP1 than monocytes; (iii) PARP1 and PAR levels were higher in circulating PBMCs of infected cows; (iv) PAR levels were higher in cells isolated from milk with higher Somatic Cell Counts (SCC > 100,000 cells/mL) than in cells from milk with low SCCs. In conclusion, these findings suggest that PARP1 is activated during mastitis, which may prove to be a useful biomarker of mastitis

Medicines in schools: a cross-sectional survey of children, parents, teachers and health professionals

To describe how individual schools manage medicines and strategies for implementation of guidance, to determine the nature of problems perceived by children, parents, teachers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in relation to medicines management in schools and to highlight differences between these perceptions. A cross-sectional survey study in which questionnaires were completed by children, their parents and carers, groups of HCPs and head teachers. There were 158 respondents to this survey. The management of medicines varies between schools and this reflects how policy guidance is interpreted and is revealed by the differences in experience described. Head teachers acknowledge that there is a lack of expertise about medicines among their staff and they rely on interpretation of and adherence to policy and procedure and compliance with training was used as a measure of good medicines management. There are inconsistencies in how information about medicines is communicated between the healthcare team, families and schools, and there is evidence that this communication is not always timely or effective. This results in problems with medicines at school. Parents emphasised the need for staff at school to understand their child's condition and their medicines. There are differences between how individual schools manage medicines and interpret policy guidance and discrepancies between the views of each stakeholder group. There is some evidence that medicines management does not always meet the needs of children and their families. Fewer than half of parents and HCPs are satisfied with how medicines are dealt with in schools

A Limited area model intercomparison on the "Montserrat-2000" flash-flood event using statistical and deterministic methods

In the scope of the European project Hydroptimet, INTERREG IIIB-MEDOCC programme, limited area model (LAM) intercomparison of intense events that produced many damages to people and territory is performed. As the comparison is limited to single case studies, the work is not meant to provide a measure of the different models' skill, but to identify the key model factors useful to give a good forecast on such a kind of meteorological phenomena. This work focuses on the Spanish flash-flood event, also known as "Montserrat-2000" event. The study is performed using forecast data from seven operational LAMs, placed at partners' disposal via the Hydroptimet ftp site, and observed data from Catalonia rain gauge network. To improve the event analysis, satellite rainfall estimates have been also considered. For statistical evaluation of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs), several non-parametric skill scores based on contingency tables have been used. Furthermore, for each model run it has been possible to identify Catalonia regions affected by misses and false alarms using contingency table elements. Moreover, the standard "eyeball" analysis of forecast and observed precipitation fields has been supported by the use of a state-of-the-art diagnostic method, the contiguous rain area (CRA) analysis. This method allows to quantify the spatial shift forecast error and to identify the error sources that affected each model forecasts. High-resolution modelling and domain size seem to have a key role for providing a skillful forecast. Further work is needed to support this statement, including verification using a wider observational data set

Developing excitement for political activism

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to identify strategies for infusing information related to health care systems and health policy into BSN and MSN curricula. The IOM report specifically calls for nurses to have higher education and to be better prepared to deal with a complex society. To ensure the delivery of safe, patient-centered care across settings, the nursing education system must be improved. Patient needs have become more complicated, and nurses need to attain requisite competencies to deliver high-quality care. These competencies include leadership, health policy, system improvement, research and evidence-based practice, and teamwork and collaboration, as well as competency in specific content areas including community and public health and geriatrics (IOM report, 2010). Methods : The goals for this curricular wide focus are for students to understand the political process and its use in nursing practice and health policy, to be aware of the impact of the political process and health policy on clients, and to advocate for the health of the people of the nation, state, and local area. In the BSN curriculum the focus on political advocacy begins early with students being involved in activities at the local level and then progresses to an understanding of and involvement in state and national governments. At the graduate level students are expected to assess the health concerns within the community and develop programs in collaboration with local governments/agencies. In addition the focus for both levels includes an emphasis on involvement in professional organizations. Results/Conclusion : At the conclusion of these curricular initiatives students have developed knowledge about the political process and how policy impacts individuals, families, aggregates, and communities through direct observation of the process. In addition, students demonstrate enthusiasm and excitement about being politically active and are civically engaged as a nurse and a citizen