The extent and measurement of VCR time shifting : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Marketing at Massey University

The validity and accuracy of television programme ratings are critical to media planners and broadcasters alike. Media planners use ratings to select programmes that will satisfy certain reach and frequency objectives, which in turn contribute to an advertising campaign's overall goals. Broadcasters deliver audiences to advertisers, and base programme scheduling and pricing decisions on ratings data. At present, ratings are delivered within 24 hours of viewing and do not include adjustments for time shift viewing. Time shifting occurs when a television programme is videotaped and replayed at a later date. Given that VCR penetration in New Zealand has increased to over 75 percent of households, it is clear that programme ratings may be higher than the current overnight ratings suggest. This thesis explored the extent and measurement of time shifting in New Zealand. More specifically, it used AGB McNair's people meter data to examine: the scale of time shifting, the current methods of measuring time shifting, and future methods of estimating time shift viewing. The study aimed to identify whether patterns of time shifting behaviour exist, and whether these patterns could be used to model more inclusive overnight ratings. The findings suggest that, although the overall effect of time shifting on programme ratings is small, some programmes have very high levels of time shift viewing, prompting the need to include time shift viewing in the overnight ratings. The main constraint impeding the inclusion of VCR ratings in the overnight ratings is the difficulty in estimating time shift audiences overnight. This study proposed a number of methods of estimating VCR ratings overnight, including the recording level adjustment method, the same day playback adjustment method, and the genre/station correction method. While further research is required to compare the predictive ability of the methods, in the meantime implementing any of the methods is likely to provide more accurate overnight estimates of total audiences

Local-level governance in the Pacific

Throughout Melanesia and many parts of the Pacific, systems of government continue to be reviewed and restructured. Decentralisation of state powers and responsibilities from the national to provincial and lower levels of government is a recurring theme. The major rationale is that it is both more democratic and more efficient to locate decision-making powers closer to the people. A good deal of thought and effort by government planners and constitutional engineers has gone into central - local relations, particularly into the division of powers and financial arrangements between the two levels. From one country to another the resulting models of decentralisation have varied considerably. In all of this effort however, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the nature and shape of local-level government. In the years since independence, it is clear that in many Pacific countries local-level institutions have decayed and the quality of their governance has deteriorated. Now - in light of the apparent inability of national governments to provide stability, consistent services and good governance - the demand for the reform and strengthening of government at the local level is increasing. In May 2003, the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project hosted the Local-level Governance in the Pacific Workshop at the Australian National University. This discussion paper comprises the papers presented by two key speakers, Dr Penelope Schoeffel and Professor Mark Turner. Taken together they provide insights into models, structures and processes of local governance and how these might be developed in countries where governmental systems are under review.AusAI

Biologically active kigamicin analogues by sequential palladium catalysed C-O and C-C bond construction

This thesis describes the study of the synthesis and biological evaluation of analogues of the kigamicin natural products. Chapter One gives a background to pancreatic cancer and explains the anti-austerity strategy for new therapeutics. It then describes the kigamicins and their biological activity, focusing on why they are thought to be clinically applicable. Other structurally related, tetrahydroxanthone containing, natural products are also discussed. Chapter Two focuses on the synthesis of the tetrahydroxanthone nucleus. Existing methodology is initially utilised, before exploring formation of the tetrahydroxanthone using milder, metal catalysed routes. Copper and palladium are both explored for this transformation and an underlying uncatalysed process is revealed and fully investigated. This methodology is extended to tandem catalysis for the synthesis of 7-arylated tetrahydroxanthones through combination of this chemistry with Suzuki-Miyaura couplings. Examples of Sonogashira and Heck couplings as well as alternative substitution patterns, are also presented. Chapter Three discusses the attempted synthesis of the fused rings of the kigamicins. Our efforts towards suitable substrates are detailed. Chapter Four outlines the anti-austerity assays established to evaluate the potency and selectivity of analogues synthesised in Chapter Two. Kigamicin C is tested in this assay to compare with literature values and validate our assay. The potency and selectivity of our analogues are reported and compared to the natural product. The anti-austerity effect of kibdelone C and analogues, is investigated for the first time. Attempted isolation of the natural product is also described. Chapter Five details the experimental procedures and characterisation data for the novel compounds produced

Identification of Morpholino Thiophenes as Novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis Inhibitors, Targeting QcrB

With the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> there is a pressing need for new oral drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Herein, we describe the identification of a novel morpholino–thiophenes (MOT) series following phenotypic screening of the Eli Lilly corporate library against <i>M. tuberculosis</i> strain H37Rv. The design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationships of a range of analogues around the confirmed actives are described. Optimized leads with potent whole cell activity against H37Rv, no cytotoxicity flags, and in vivo efficacy in an acute murine model of infection are described. Mode-of-action studies suggest that the novel scaffold targets QcrB, a subunit of the menaquinol cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidoreductase, part of the bc1-aa3-type cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase complex that is responsible for driving oxygen-dependent respiration

Current experiences and educational preferences of general practitioners and staff caring for people with dementia living in residential facilities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Residential care is important for older adults, particularly for those with advanced dementia and their families. Education interventions that achieve sustainable improvement in the care of older adults are critical to quality care. There are few systematic data available regarding the educational needs of Residential Care Facility (RCF) staff and General Practitioners (GPs) relating to dementia, or the sustainability of educational interventions. We sought to determine participation in dementia education, perceived levels of current knowledge regarding dementia, perceived unmet educational needs, current barriers, facilitators and preferences for dementia education.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A mixed methods study design was utilised. A survey was distributed to a convenience sample of general practitioners, and staff in 223 consecutive residential care facilities in Perth, Western Australia. Responses were received from 102 RCF staff working in 10 facilities (out of 33 facilities who agreed to distribute the survey) and 202 GPs (19% of metropolitan GPs). Quantitative survey data were summarised descriptively and chi squared statistics were used to analyse the distribution of categorical variables. Qualitative data were collected from general practitioners, staff in residential care facilities and family carers of people with dementia utilizing individual interviews, surveys and focus groups. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among RCF staff and GPs attending RCF, participation in dementia education was high, and knowledge levels generally perceived as good. The individual experiences and needs of people with dementia and their families were emphasised. Participants identified the need for a person centred philosophy to underpin educational interventions. Limited time was a frequently mentioned barrier, especially in relation to attending dementia care education. Perceived educational needs relating to behaviours of concern, communication, knowledge regarding dementia, aspects of person centred care, system factors and the multidisciplinary team were consistently and frequently cited. Small group education which is flexible, individualized, practical and case based was sought.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The effectiveness and sustainability of an educational intervention based on these findings needs to be tested. In addition, future interventions should focus on supporting cultural change to facilitate sustainable improvements in care.</p

Online information and support needs of women with advanced breast cancer: A qualitative analysis

Purpose: Women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) face significant adjustment challenges, yet few resources provide them with information and support, and attendance barriers can preclude access to face to face psychosocial support. This paper reports on two qualitative studies examining (i) whether information and support-seeking preferences of women with ABC could be addressed in an online intervention, and (ii) how an existing intervention for patients with early stage cancer could be adapted for women with ABC. Methods: Women with ABC participated in telephone interviews about their information and support- seeking preferences (N = 21) and evaluated an online intervention focused on early-stage cancer (N = 15). Interviews were transcribed and underwent thematic analysis using the framework method to identify salient themes. Results: Participants most commonly sought medical, lifestyle-related, and practical information/support; however, when presented with an online intervention, participants most commonly gave positive feedback on content on coping with emotional distress. Difficulty finding information and barriers to using common sources of information/support including health professionals, family and friends, and peers were reported; however, some women also reported not wanting information or support. All participants evaluating the existing intervention gave positive feedback on various components, with results suggesting an online intervention could be an effective means of providing information/support to women with ABC, given improved specificity/relevance to ABC and increased tailoring to individuals circumstances and preferences. Conclusions: Adaptation of an existing online intervention for early stage cancer appears a promising avenue to address the information and support needs of women with ABC

Recreational and occupational field exposure to freshwater cyanobacteria – a review of anecdotal and case reports, epidemiological studies and the challenges for epidemiologic assessment

Cyanobacteria are common inhabitants of freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout the world. Under favourable conditions, certain cyanobacteria can dominate the phytoplankton within a waterbody and form nuisance blooms. Case reports and anecdotal references dating from 1949 describe a range of illnesses associated with recreational exposure to cyanobacteria: hay fever-like symptoms, pruritic skin rashes and gastro-intestinal symptoms are most frequently reported. Some papers give convincing descriptions of allergic reactions while others describe more serious acute illnesses, with symptoms such as severe headache, pneumonia, fever, myalgia, vertigo and blistering in the mouth. A coroner in the United States found that a teenage boy died as a result of accidentally ingesting a neurotoxic cyanotoxin from a golf course pond. This death is the first recorded human fatality attributed to recreational exposure to cyanobacteria, although uncertainties surround the forensic identification of the suspected cyanotoxin in this case. We systematically reviewed the literature on recreational exposure to freshwater cyanobacteria. Epidemiological data are limited, with six studies conducted since 1990. Statistically significant increases in symptoms were reported in individuals exposed to cyanobacteria compared to unexposed counterparts in two Australian cohort studies, though minor morbidity appeared to be the main finding. The four other small studies (three from the UK, one Australian) did not report any significant association. However, the potential for serious injury or death remains, as freshwater cyanobacteria under bloom conditions are capable of producing potent toxins that cause specific and severe dysfunction to hepatic or central nervous systems. The exposure route for these toxins is oral, from ingestion of recreational water, and possibly by inhalation. A range of freshwater microbial agents may cause acute conditions that present with features that resemble illnesses attributed to contact with cyanobacteria and, conversely, acute illness resulting from exposure to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxins in recreational waters could be misdiagnosed. Accurately assessing exposure to cyanobacteria in recreational waters is difficult and unreliable at present, as specific biomarkers are unavailable. However, diagnosis of cyanobacteria-related illness should be considered for individuals presenting with acute illness following freshwater contact if a description is given of a waterbody visibly affected by planktonic mass development