Private-sector caesarean sections in perspective

No Abstract

Material Contribution to Justice - Toxic Causation after Resurfice Corp. v. Hanke

The vast universe of chemicals in the Canadian environment is presently understood only poorly by science. For many thousands of chemicals, important data regarding chronic toxicity are lacking. As a result, the requirement that the plaintiff in a negligence action prove causation of illness on a but-for standard has frequently been unattainable. In Resurfice Corp. v. Hanke, the Supreme Court of Canada articulated an important exception to the but-for test. In circumstances where but-for causation is unprovable due to limits in scientific knowledge, proof that a defendant materially contributed to the plaintiff\u27s risk of incurring the type of injury that was ultimately suffered will satisfy the causation element. This reform is an important first step in the evolution of a tort regime that is capable of doing justice in the chemical era

Neoliberalism : strategy for development or a development paradox? : the case of the Mexican maquiladoras

123 leaves ; 29 cm.Includes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references.Since the 1970s and the economic crisis in the West, export processing zones have become an integral part of a neoliberal development strategy. As corporations in the West began relocating production facilities abroad via policies of economic liberalization, EPZs were, at the same time, advocated by free-market economists and large international financial institutions (IFIs) as in the interest of every country and everyone. However, it remains unclear the impact of liberalization on workers, specifically women workers, who come in search of employment in EPZs. This thesis looks at quality of work in the Mexican maquiladoras, paying particular attention to the role of gender in the restructuring process. Field-research was carried out and interviews were undertaken with workers and activists in Tijuana, Mexico in order to paint a picture of EPZ life and to assess, more broadly, the neoliberal model of development

Creating the essential links for educating the evidence-based medical practitioner of the 21st century

A new postgraduate Medical (MBBS) program at the University of Queensland has been the catalyst for the development of a range of University of Queensland (UQ) Cybrary initiatives, in areas of information resources, services and support. Over the past seven years the UQ Cybrary has successfully integrated library services into the problem-based learning and the e-learning environment of the MBBS Program. Information and communications technology developments have been harnessed by the Cybrary to support the needs of the Program which are dispersed throughout the vast state of Queensland. In particular, there has been a focus on using information and communications technology (ICT) to provide efficient and equitable access for all those involved with UQ city and rural health education. The Cybrary has risen to the challenge of providing information services and resources to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and lifelong learning, ultimately contributing towards achieving an outstanding medical workforce for the 21st Century. This paper will outline how the UQ Cybrary has addressed these issues, particularly in the areas of integration of online materials in the e-learning environment, the development and delivery of tailored information literacy programs and the use of ICT to support access to information and services

Development and Construction of Low-Cacking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) Bridge Decks: Construction Methods, Specifications, and Resistance to Chloride Ion Penetration

The development, construction, and evaluation of Low-Cracking High- Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) bridge decks are described based on laboratory test results and experiences gained through the construction of 14 LC-HPC bridge decks. The study is divided into three parts covering (1) an evaluation of the chloride penetration into concrete using long-term salt-ponding tests, (2) a comprehensive discussion of specifications for LC-HPC construction and standard practices in Kansas, and (3) the description of the construction and the preliminary evaluation of LC-HPC bridge decks in Kansas. This report emphasizes the construction process; a companion report provides a detailed discussion of the influence of material properties on the performance of LC-HPC bridge decks. The first portion of the study involves evaluating the effect of paste content, curing period, water-cement (w/c) ratio, cement type and fineness, mineral admixtures (ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume), a shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA), and standard DOT bridge deck mixtures on chloride penetration into solid concrete, tested in accordance with AASHTO T 259. The evaluation includes a total of 33 individual concrete batches and 123 test specimens. The results indicate that for concrete containing only portland cement, reductions in paste content result in increased permeability. A reduced paste content and increased w/c ratio result in increased permeability, whereas the presence of mineral admixtures (ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume) and longer curing periods result in decreased permeability. Concrete made with medium or coarse ground Type II cement has greater permeability than concrete made with Type I/II cement. It is not clear how the presence of an SRA affects concrete permeability. LC-HPC mixtures have lower permeability than standard DOT mixtures. The second portion of the study describes the specifications for the LC-HPC and Control bridge decks in Kansas. The focus is on the construction methods, including the evolution of the specifications over time. The third portion of the study details the development and construction of 14 LC-HPC and 12 conventional Control bridge decks built in Kansas. The design details, construction experiences, and lessons learned from the LC-HPC bridge decks are described in detail, and an overview of the materials is presented; the design and construction data for each Control deck is provided; and initial crack survey results are evaluated for various construction-related parameters. The results indicate that that successful LC-HPC bridge deck construction is repeatable and that clear and consistent communication between the contractor, owner, and testing personnel is vital for successful construction of LC-HPC decks. Preliminary evaluation of cracking indicates that at early ages, LC-HPC decks are performing better than the Control decks, as well as earlier monolithic decks in Kansas

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm - a pilot study in six medical schemes

No Abstract

Development and Construction of Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) Bridge Decks: Construction Methods, Specifications, and Resistance to Chloride Ion Penetration

The development, construction, and evaluation of Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) bridge decks are described based on laboratory test results and experiences gained through the construction of 14 LC-HPC bridge decks. The study is divided into three parts covering (1) an evaluation of the chloride penetration into concrete using long-term salt-ponding tests, (2) a comprehensive discussion of specifications for LC-HPC construction and standard practices in Kansas, and (3) the description of the construction and the preliminary evaluation of LC-HPC bridge decks in Kansas. This report emphasizes the construction process; a companion report provides a detailed discussion of the influence of material properties on the performance of LC-HPC bridge decks. The first portion of the study involves evaluating the effect of paste content, curing period, water-cement (w/c) ratio, cement type and fineness, mineral admixtures (ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume), a shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA), and standard DOT bridge deck mixtures on chloride penetration into solid concrete, tested in accordance with AASHTO T 259. The evaluation includes a total of 33 individual concrete batches and 123 test specimens. The results indicate that for concrete containing only portland cement, reductions in paste content result in increased permeability. A reduced paste content and increased w/c ratio result in increased permeability, whereas the presence of mineral admixtures (ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume) and longer curing periods result in decreased permeability. Concrete made with medium or coarse ground Type II cement has greater permeability than concrete made with Type I/II cement. It is not clear how the presence of an SRA affects concrete permeability. LC-HPC mixtures have lower permeability than standard DOT mixtures. The second portion of the study describes the specifications for the LC-HPC and Control bridge decks in Kansas. The focus is on the construction methods, including the evolution of the specifications over time. The third portion of the study details the development and construction of 14 LC-HPC and 12 conventional Control bridge decks built in Kansas. The design details, construction experiences, and lessons learned from the LC-HPC bridge decks are described in detail, and an overview of the materials is presented; the design and construction data for each Control deck is provided; and initial crack survey results are evaluated for various construction-related parameters. The results indicate that that successful LC-HPC bridge deck construction is repeatable and that clear and consistent communication between the contractor, owner, and testing personnel is vital for successful construction of LC-HPC decks. Preliminary evaluation of cracking indicates that at early ages, LC-HPC decks are performing better than the Control decks, as well as earlier monolithic decks in Kansas