Australia and the EU in the multilateral round: defining the common ground

[Conclusion]: There is much in common between the EU and Australia in the multilateral round. In fact we agree on far more issues than we disagree on. Indeed we are both deeply committed to an open and transparent multilateral trading system – in which all WTO members can participate and from which all can benefit. We have common interests in mobilising support for the Doha round, and we want to work together towards that end. The Doha Round gives us the chance to work with Europe on services, industrials, the dispute settlement understanding, and a range of proposals to assist developing countries. Even on the topic of agriculture where our views diverge, we have a productive and frank dialogue. Because, fundamentally, our differences on issues like agriculture are set against the backdrop of historic ties and pragmatic cooperation that characterises Australian relations with the EU. I am confident that, together, we can help chart a path to the successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations at the WTO

HEALTH ISSUES AND AGING IN AMERICAN INDIAN OLDER ADULTS: RESILIENCE THROUGH ADVERSITY

The average life expectancy of American Indian (AI) older adults has paralleled mainstream aging trends and is set to continue growing as global increases in longevity continue to improve (Jervis, Boland, & Fickenscher, 2010). However, the disproportionately high levels of chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases) observed in this group may outstrip the coping resources of some individuals, potentially leading to unsuccessful aging outcomes such as adverse mental health outcomes (specifically depression). As described in Goins and Pilkerton (2010, p. 346), comparatively higher rates of chronic health conditions have created an “expansion of morbidity,” where American Indians are developing chronic diseases earlier and living with them for longer periods of time. In the present study, secondary analyses were conducted with 158 AI older adults and elderly (aged 50 years or older) to determine how demographic variables, physical health factors, and personal coping resources influence the development of depression symptoms as measured by the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A multiple hierarchical linear regression with nine predictors was used to examine CES-D scores as a continuous variable. The overall three-step linear model accounted for significant variance in total CES-D scores [R2 = .485, R2 change = .106, p \u3c .001], with education status, number of reported chronic health conditions, self-reported health status, perceived social support, and personal mastery emerging as significant predictors. A multiple hierarchical logistic regression was also conducted to assess the model’s ability to differentiate asymptomatic (i.e., CES-D ≤ 15) from symptomatic (i.e., CES-D ≥ 16) depression subgroups. The three-step logistic model added statistically significant improvement over the constant-only model [χ2 (9, N = 157) = 62.671, p \u3c .001]. In the full three-step logistic model, only chronic health conditions and personal mastery were found to differentiate the two depression subgroups. These findings are discussed in the context of enhancing resiliency against depression in late life

THE RESILIENCE OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE OLDER ADULTS IN THE CONTEXT OF MAJOR HEALTH DISPARITIES IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, ASTHMA, AND ARTHRITIS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Background: Multiple major health disparities have been documented in Indian Country, including cardiovascular disease (Howard et al., 1999), diabetes (Acton et al., 2003), asthma (Mannino et al., 2002), and arthritis (Barbour et al., 2017). Prior research has shown that the prevalence rates of these conditions in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are among the highest in the United States. Given these health disparities, aging older adults in Indian Country may be especially vulnerable to the development of concurrent negative mental health outcomes, particularly depression (Garrett et al., 2015). Nonetheless, AI/AN older adults continue to age successfully and exhibit substantial mental health resilience in the face of the major health disparities (Lewis, 2016; Schure et al., 2013). Methods: The current study begins with a detailed overview of CVD, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma in Indian Country. The study transitions to a narrative review of resilience in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Canadian First Nations older adults (50 years and older). The goals of the narrative review are to: (a) examine the state of knowledge of resilience in these populations; (b) assess the degree to which the available resilience literature attends to CVD, diabetes, asthma, and arthritis; and (c) use the available literature to identify resilience strategies that can be used to enhance resilience in AI/AN/FN older adults with chronic health conditions. Results: Based on systematic reviews of PsycINFO and PubMed, 14 individual articles and 6 literature reviews were identified. The individual studies included five quantitative studies, eight qualitative studies, and one mixed qualitative-quantitative design. The current state of knowledge on resilience in AI/AN/FN older adults is summarized, including seven common themes. Currently, research on the overlap between these four specific health disparities and resilience is essentially non-existent in these populations. Sources of resilience and resilience strategies in AI/AN/FN older adults are presented under four main themes: (a) social support, connectedness, family, and community; (b) Indigenous culture and identity; (c) spiritual connection and strength; and (d) positive coping and personal healing. The review concludes with a critical examination of the limitations of the current literature and outlines future research directions

Effects of simulated domestic and international air travel on sleep, performance, and recovery for team sports

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The present study examined effects of simulated air travel on physical performance. In a randomized crossover design, 10 physically active males completed a simulated 5-h domestic flight (DOM), 24-h simulated international travel (INT), and a control trial (CON). The mild hypoxia, seating arrangements, and activity levels typically encountered during air travel were simulated in a normobaric, hypoxic altitude room. Physical performance was assessed in the afternoon of the day before (D-1 PM) and in the morning (D+1 AM) and afternoon (D+1 PM) of the day following each trial. Mood states and physiological and perceptual responses to exercise were also examined at these time points, while sleep quantity and quality were monitored throughout each condition. Sleep quantity and quality were significantly reduced during INT compared with CON and DOM (P0.05). Compared with baseline, physiological and perceptual responses to exercise, and mood states were exacerbated following the INT trial (P<0.05). Attenuated intermittent-sprint performance following simulated international air travel may be due to sleep disruption during travel and the subsequent exacerbated physiological and perceptual markers of fatigue

Endorsement by City Principals

Articles concerning the endorsement of simplified spelling by city principals

Effects of northbound long-haul international air travel on sleep quantity and subjective jet lag and wellness in professional Australian soccer players

© 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc. The current study examined the effects of 10-h northbound air travel across 1 time zone on sleep quantity, together with subjective jet lag and wellness ratings, in 16 male professional Australian football (soccer) players. Player wellness was measured throughout the week before (home training week) and the week of (away travel week) travel from Australia to Japan for a preseason tour. Sleep quantity and subjective jet lag were measured 2 d before (Pre 1 and 2), the day of, and for 5 d after travel (Post 1-5). Sleep duration was significantly reduced during the night before travel (Pre 1; 4.9 [4.2-5.6] h) and night of competition (Post 2; 4.2 [3.7-4.7] h) compared with every other night (P 0.90). Moreover, compared with the day before travel, subjective jet lag was significantly greater for the 5 d after travel (P 0.90), and player wellness was significantly lower 1 d postmatch (Post 3) than at all other time points (P 0.90). Results from the current study suggest that sleep disruption, as a result of an early travel departure time (8 PM) and evening match (7:30 PM), and fatigue induced by competition had a greater effect on wellness ratings than long-haul air travel with a minimal time-zone change. Furthermore, subjective jet lag may have been misinterpreted as fatigue from sleep disruption and competition, especially by the less experienced players. Therefore, northbound air travel across 1 time zone from Australia to Asia appears to have negligible effects on player preparedness for subsequent training and competition

Effects of sleep hygiene and artificial bright light interventions on recovery from simulated international air travel

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Purpose: Despite the reported detrimental effects of international air travel on physical performance, a paucity of interventions have been scientifically tested and confirmed to benefit travelling athletes. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of sleep hygiene and artificial bright light interventions on physical performance following simulated international travel. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 13 physically active males completed 24 h of simulated international travel with (INT) and without (CON) the interventions. The mild hypoxia and cramped conditions typically encountered during commercial air travel were simulated in a normobaric, hypoxic room. Physical performance, subjective jet-lag symptoms and mood states were assessed in the morning and evening on the day prior to and for two days post-travel. Sleep quantity and quality were monitored throughout each trial. Results: Sleep duration was significantly reduced during travel in both trials (P  0.05) performance, were significantly reduced the evening of day 1 and 2 post-travel, with no differences between trials (P > 0.05). Furthermore, vigour was significantly greater (P = 0.04) the morning of day 2 in INT [5.3 (3.9–6.7)] compared to CON [2.8 (1.4–4.2)], and subjective jet-lag symptoms and mood states were significantly worse on day 2 in CON only (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Whilst reducing travel-induced sleep disruption may attenuate travel fatigue, no improvements in the recovery of physical performance were apparent

Letter from David Felmley, R. H. Halsey, J. F. Millspaugh, and E. O. Vaile

Letter concerning a circular explaining a movement in the National Educational Association