Biological and ultrastructural studies on herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in eggs.

The relevant published literature concerning the nature of herpes simplex virus and its growth in fertile hens' eggs was reviewed. Laboratory strains and fresh isolates of types 1 and 2 were grown on the chorioallantoic membrane of fertile hens' eggs and examined by biological, histological and ultra-structural techniques. The type 1 strains induced small discreet pocks, gave no haemorrhage of the chorioallantoic membrane, or embryo, embryos did not die and virus was recovered only from the inoculated membrane. Similar inoculation with the type 2 strains induced large necrotic pocks and haemorrhage of the chorioallantoic membrane as well as haemorrhage and death of the embryo; virus was recovered from the inoculation site, allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid and various selected organs of the embryo. Inoculation of either virus type into the allantoic cavity did not result in spread to the embryo. The effects of adaptation to growth in eggs were examined. Temperature marker tests in eggs showed that fresh isolates of type 1 grew less readily on the chorioallantoic membrane at elevated temperatures than those of type 2. There was no difference in the capacity of laboratory strains of either type to grow in eggs at these temperatures. Primary chick embryo fibroblasts and other egg-derived cell cultures were used to examine the growth characteristics of a strain of each virus type; the results obtained in vitro could not be entirely predicted from those in ovo. The structure of the chorioallantoic membrane and the lesions produced by each virus type following inoculation were examined by optical and electron microscopy. The type 1 induced lesion was basically proliferative and confined primarily to the chorion with some inflammatory cell infiltration into the mesoderm, particularly following prolonged incubation. With the type 2 lesion, reaction occurred throughout the entire thickness of the membrane and haemorrhages, necroses, ulceration and cellular infiltration of the mesoderm were the most prominent features. The fine structure of the herpesvirus lesions and of viral morphogenesis was examined. Inoculation with type 2 virus resulted in many more infected chorion cells compared with type 1, whilst the cells of the mesoderm and the blood vessels also became infected with type 2 virus but not type 1. Features specific to type 2 virus infected cells were the presence of two types of intra-nuclear granules and lattice structures in both nuclei and cytoplasm. Cores with various structured forms were also found in type 2 capsids but not in those of type 1. The results of this study were discussed in relation to other published work

Internet motives of users in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Korea: a cross-cultural replication of the WMI

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Human capital externalities, departmental co-authorship and research productivity

Lucas (1988) hypothesised that human capital externalities explain persistent productivity growth and become manifest via interactions between workplace colleagues. Consistent with the first part of this hypothesis, Fox and Milbourne (2006) concluded that an increase in the average level of human capital in Australian economics departments raised the research productivity of departmental members. This paper tests the robustness of this finding by using a direct, rather than a proxy, measure of human capital and confirms the existence of human capital externalities within Australian economics departments. But we go further by investigating the second part of Lucas’ hypothesis. Whilst there are numerous ways in which departmental colleagues may interact, we investigate whether the externality becomes manifest via co-authorship. We find no evidence that this type of interaction significantly enhances research productivity, especially for higher quality outputs

The contribution of Australian academia to the world’s best economics research: 2001-2010

This paper investigates the output of top-tier economics research by Australian academic economists from 2001 to 2010. By constructing and analysing a unique database of all substantive publications in the world’s top 45 economics journals, we compare Australia’s output with those of over 100 other countries, determine whether Australia’s output has increased since 2001, and rank Australian universities based on their output. Our analysis suggest that Australia’s output of top-tier economics research, both in absolute and relative terms, increased over the study period and that on a per capita basis, appears to be converging to the levels of the most research intensive countries. Our analysis also suggests that the long standing dominance of the top one or two Australian universities is diminishing

Eagles and turkeys: Human capital externalities, departmental co-authorship and research productivity

Lucas (1988) hypothesised that human capital externalities explain persistent productivity growth and become manifest via interactions between workplace colleagues. Consistent with the first part of this hypothesis, Fox and Milbourne (2006) concluded that an increase in the average level of human capital in Australian economics departments raised the research productivity of departmental members. This paper tests the robustness of this finding by using a direct, rather than a proxy, measure of human capital and confirms the existence of human capital externalities within Australian economics departments. But we extend the analysis in two important dimensions. Firstly, we investigate the second part of Lucas\u27 hypothesis by testing whether the externality becomes manifest via co-authoring. We find no evidence that this type of interaction is associated with higher research productivity, especially for higher quality outputs. Secondly, we control for the likely endogeneity of one\u27s peer group via instrumental variables estimation. In this case, we find that the peer group effect disappears completely for the highest quality outputs but remains for research output more broadly defined

Electronic Clinical Quality Measures of Health Information Technology and Hospital Performance: Evidence of U.S. Hospitals

Electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) are an integral part of health information technology (HIT). This study explores the effect of eCQM implementation on hospital performance. The study proposes hospital profitability, efficiency, and quality to measure hospital performance. Based on the literature, this research hypothesizes that implementing eCQMs would positively impact hospital profitability, efficiency, and quality. The sample data are drawn from the 2017 American Hospital Association (AHA) U.S. Hospital Survey datasets (N = 6282), the 2017 AHA U.S. Hospital I.T. Survey dataset (N = 3451), and the 2017 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) datasets (N = 4345). This paper also analyzes the effect of four control variables in the profitablity models – hospital bed size, location, ownership, and teaching status. The study uses multiple regression models to test the hypotheses. Data strongly supports Hypothesis 1 (profitability), moderately supports Hypothesis 2 (efficiency), and does not support Hypothesis 3 (quality). Control variables show mixed results. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Implications and future directions for this research shed light on the potential benefits of implementing eCQMs in hospitals

Effects of national housing quality standards on hospital emergency admissions: a quasi-experiment using data-linkage

Background National housing quality standards are now being applied throughout the UK. The Welsh Government has introduced the Welsh Housing Quality Standards. A housing improvement programme in Wales has been delivered through one local authority to bring 9500 homes up to standard. Homes received multiple elements, including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors, boilers, insulation, and wiring, through an 8 year rolling work programme. The study aimed to determine the impacts of the different housing improvements on hospital emergency admissions for residents over 60 years of age. Methods Intervention homes (council homes that received at least one element of work) were data linked to individual health records of residents. Counts of admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and for falls and burns, were obtained retrospectively for each individual in a dynamic housing cohort (Jan 1, 2005, to March 31, 2015). The criterion for the intervention cohort was for someone to have lived in any one of the 9500 intervention homes for at least 3 months within the intervention period. Counts were captured for up to 123 consecutive months for 7054 individuals in the intervention cohort and analysed in a multilevel approach to account for repeated observations for individuals, nested within geographical areas. Negative binomial regression models were constructed to determine the effect on emergency admissions for those living in homes compliant for each element of work compared with those living in homes that were non-compliant at that time. We adjusted for background trends in the regional general population, and for other confounding factors. Findings For residents 60 years old and over there was a reduction in admissions for people with compliant boilers (rate ratio 0·71, 95% CI 0·67–0·76), loft insulation (0·87, 0·80–0·95), wall insulation (0·74, 0·69–0·80), and windows and doors (0·56, 0·52–0·61) compared with those living in homes that were non-compliant for those work elements. Interpretation Improving housing to national standards reduces the number of emergency admissions to hospital for older residents. Strengths of the data-linkage approach included the retrospective collection of complete baseline and follow-up data using routine data for a long-term intervention, and large scale regional adjustment

DC/DC converter 3D assembly for autonomous sensor nodes

This paper reports on the design and the manufacturing of an integrated DCDC converter, which respects the specificity of sensor node network: compactness, high efficiency in acquisition and transmission modes, and compatibility with miniature Lithium batteries. A novel integrated circuit (ASIC) has been designed and manufactured to provide regulated Voltage to the sensor node from miniaturized, thin film Lithium batteries. Then, a 3D integration technique has been used to integrate this ASIC in a 3 layers stack with high efficiency passives components, mixing the wafer level technologies from two different research institutions. Electrical results have demonstrated the feasibility of this integrated system and experiments have shown significant improvements in the case of oscillations in regulated voltage. However, stability of this output voltage toward the input voltage has still to be improved

Does frequent residential mobility in early years affect the uptake and timeliness of routine immunisations? An anonymised cohort study

Background: There are conflicting findings regarding the impact of residential mobility on immunisationstatus. Our aim was to determine whether there was any association between residential mobility andtake up of immunisations and whether they were delayed in administration. Methods: We carried out a cohort analysis of children born in Wales, UK. Uptake and time of immunisationwere collected electronically. We defined frequent movers as those who had moved: 2 or more times inthe period prior to the final scheduled on-time date (4 months) for 5 in 1 vaccinations; and 3 or moretimes in the period prior to the final scheduled on-time date (12 months) for MMR, pneumococcal andmeningitis C vaccinations. We defined immunisations due at 2–4 months delayed if they had not beengiven by age 1; and those due at 12–13 months as delayed if they had not been given by age 2. Results: Uptake rates of routine immunisations and whether they were given within the specified time-frame were high for both groups. There was no increased risk (odds ratios (95% confidence intervals)between frequent movers compared to non-movers for the uptake of: primary MMR 1.08 (0.88–1.32);booster Meningitis C 1.65 (0.93–2.92); booster pneumococcal 1.60 (0.59–4.31); primary 5 in 1 1.28(0.92–1.78); and timeliness: primary MMR 0.92 (0.79–1.07); booster Meningitis C 1.26 (0.77–2.07);booster pneumococcal 1.69 (0.23–12.14); and primary 5 in 1 1.04 (0.88–1.23). Discussion: Findings suggest that children who move home frequently are not adversely affected in termsof the uptake of immunisations and whether they were given within a specified timeframe. Both werehigh and may reflect proactive behaviour in the primary healthcare setting to meet Government coveragerates for immunisation