The role universities can play in supporting the state sector

Over recent decades most of the developed world has invested significantly in lifting the proportion of the population that has a tertiary education, with a view to increasing what is commonly referred to as human capital. The OECD defines human capital as ‘the knowledge, skills, competencies and attributes embodied in individuals that facilitate the creation of personal, social and economic well-being’ (OECD, 2001) New Zealand spends around 1% of its the proportion of the population with a GDP on tertiary education (OECD, tertiary qualification over the past couple 2014) and has seen a significant rise in the proportion of the population with a tertiary qualification over the past couple of decades. In 1991, 8.2% of the working-age population had a degree at bachelor’s level or higher (Statistics New Zealand, 1991). By 2013 this had risen to 26.1%. In 1991, having a degree was a way of differentiating oneself to an employer; now it is an expectation for many jobs, including an increasing number in the state sector. This article considers the educational profile of the state sector’s employees at the time of the 2013 census, and examines the ways universities are contributing to this profile and to lifting the human capital available to the state sector. • Chris Whelan is the Executive Director of Universities New Zealand – Te Päkai Tara

Active charge air cooling

Boosted IC engine development, both diesel and gasoline, is driving the need for better charge air temperature control. Charge air temperature directly and indirectly influences engine performance, fuel economy & emissions. To date charge air temperature control has, in the main, been passive; aiming only to reduce temperatures towards, but still above, ambient temperature. Driven by increasing specific output, the opportunities for sub-ambient charge cooling need to be investigated. For some real world driving conditions it is also desirable to raise the charge temperature. Air Cycle Technology ltd (ACT), working with the University of Huddersfield (UoH) are developing a controllable charge air cooling system, which will deliver charge air at sub-ambient temperature over a wide engine operating range. The system uses a turbo-expander to deliver air-cycle cooling in a simple and practical way. The system can be enhanced by combination with a charge air heating process. Accurate charge temperature control over as wide an engine operating range as possible is also addressed. The system is fully compatible with the operational, packaging and cost needs of vehicle OEMs. The paper presents the principle, process and application of a controllable charge air cooling/heating system. It covers the design and operation of the turbo-expander which delivers sub-ambient charge temperatures, the option of charge air heating and possible control methods. Examples of specific engine applications are presented to clearly indicate the opportunities for improvements in engine performance and fuel economy

Continuous-flow laboratory simulation of stream water quality changes downstream of an untreated wastewater discharge.

In regions of the world with poor provision of wastewater treatment, raw sewage is often discharged directly into surface waters. This paper describes an experimental evaluation of the fate of two organic chemicals under these conditions using an artificial channel cascade fed with a mix of settled sewage and river water at its upstream end and operated under continuous steady-state conditions. The experiments underpin an environmental risk assessment methodology based on the idea of an “impact zone” (IZ) – the zone downstream of wastewater emission in which water quality is severely impaired by high concentrations of unionised ammonia, nitrite and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Radiolabelled dodecane-6-benzene sulphonate (DOBS) and aniline hydrochloride were used as the model chemical and reference compound respectively. Rapid changes in 14C counts were observed with flow-time for both these materials. These changes were most likely to be due to complete mineralisation. A dissipation half-life of approximately 7.1 h was observed for the 14C label with DOBS. The end of the IZ was defined as the point at which the concentration of both unionised ammonia and nitrite fell below their respective predicted no-effect concentrations for salmonids. At these points in the cascade, approximately 83 and 90% of the initial concentration of 14C had been removed from the water column, respectively. A simple model of mineral nitrogen transformations based on Michaelis–Menten kinetics was fitted to observed concentrations of NH4, NO2 and NO3. The cascade is intended to provide a confirmatory methodology for assessing the ecological risks of chemicals under direct discharge co

Patient experiences of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder: a longitudinal qualitative study

Background Frozen shoulder is a condition associated with severe shoulder pain and loss of function impacting on a persons' physical and mental health. Hydrodistension treatment that has been widely adopted within the UK National Health Service for the condition. However, evidence of clinical effectiveness and understanding of the patient experiences of this treatment are lacking. This study explored the experiences of people with a frozen shoulder who received hydrodistension treatment. Methods A qualitative design with repeat semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants' experiences of hydrodistension treatment. Participants were interviewed 2-4 weeks and again at 8-10 weeks after treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research. Results 15 participants were interviewed online or over the phone. Three themes were identified: 'Preparing for and having a hydrodistension', 'Physiotherapy after hydrodistension', and 'Outcome of hydrodistension '. Participants believed hydrodistension would benefit them, was well tolerated by many, and the effects were apparent to most within the first week. Physiotherapy still seemed to be valued to support recovery beyond this timepoint, despite these early effects. Some participant's experienced harms including severe procedural pain and blood sugar dysregulation. Conclusion This is the first study to investigate the experiences of people who undergo hydrodistension for frozen shoulder. Hydrodistension appears an acceptable treatment to participants with a frozen shoulder, acceptability is enhanced through adequate shared decision making. Further high-quality research is required to understand the comparative effectiveness of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder, including adverse events, and the benefit of treatment by a physiotherapist after hydrodistension

An in silico analysis of the mitochondrial protein import apparatus of plants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An <it>in silico </it>analysis of the mitochondrial protein import apparatus from a variety of species; including <it>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</it>, <it>Chlorella variabilis, Ectocarpus siliculosus</it>, <it>Cyanidioschyzon merolae</it>, <it>Physcomitrella patens</it>, <it>Selaginella moellendorffii, Picea glauca</it>, <it>Oryza sativa </it>and <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>was undertaken to determine if components differed within and between plant and non-plant species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The channel forming subunits of the outer membrane components Tom40 and Sam50 are conserved between plant groups and other eukaryotes. In contrast, the receptor component(s) in green plants, particularly Tom20, (<it>C. reinhardtii, C. variabilis, P. patens, S. moellendorffii, P. glauca, O. sativa and A. thaliana</it>) are specific to this lineage. Red algae contain a Tom22 receptor that is orthologous to yeast Tom22. Furthermore, plant mitochondrial receptors display differences between various plant lineages. These are evidenced by distinctive motifs in all plant Metaxins, which are absent in red algae, and the presence of the outer membrane receptor OM64 in Angiosperms (rice and Arabidopsis), but not in lycophytes (<it>S. moellendorffii</it>) and gymnosperms (<it>P. glauca</it>). Furthermore, although the intermembrane space receptor Mia40 is conserved across a wide phylogenetic range, its function differs between lineages. In all plant lineages, Tim17 contains a C-terminal extension, which may act as a receptor component for the import of nucleic acids into plant mitochondria.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is proposed that the observed functional divergences are due to the selective pressure to sort proteins between mitochondria and chloroplasts, resulting in differences in protein receptor components between plant groups and other organisms. Additionally, diversity of receptor components is observed within the plant kingdom. Even when receptor components are orthologous across plant and non-plant species, it appears that the functions of these have expanded or diverged in a lineage specific manner.</p

Assisting first homebuyers: an international policy review

This research reviewed first homebuyer (FHB) assistance programs in Australia and seven comparator countries: Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore and the UK. It considered to what degree such assistance are effective in expanding access to home ownership to those whose entry would be otherwise delayed or impossible, or in making more affordable and less risky the cost of home ownership. Current Australian first homebuyer assistance measures primarily act to bring forward first home purchase for households already close to doing so, rather than opening home-ownership access to households otherwise excluded. In doing so, these measures add to demand and hence to house prices. An ‘effective’ FHB-assistance mechanism or instrument is one that can be credited with ‘additionality’, as it makes first home ownership possible for people who would be otherwise excluded or—in fact far more likely—significantly accelerates access to owner-occupation. An ‘efficient’ initiative is one that is effective at an acceptably modest unit cost and with minimum administrative complexity. FHB interventions can be demand-side or supply side measures. A demand-side intervention involves a benefit directly received by the consumer, effectively boosting FHB-purchasing power, and include homebuyer grants and tax concessions, low-deposit mortgage products and shared equity arrangements). Supply-side interventions directly relate to the provision or use of housing; this covers the disposal of government-owned assets, funding channelled through property developers or suppliers, and regulatory instruments that affect housing production or use of housing assets. The eight countries assessed have substantial diversity in terms of policy approaches to supporting home ownership; supply-side approaches are more common in a number of comparator countries. Australia stands out as it is overwhelmingly reliant on demand-side instruments and lacks a strategic framework

The dual targeting ability of type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases arose early in land plant evolution

Background: Type II NAD(PH) dehydrogenases are located on the inner mitochondrial membrane of plants, fungi, protists and some primitive animals. However, recent observations have been made which identify several Arabidopsis type II dehydrogenases as dual targeted proteins. Targeting either mitochondria and peroxisomes or mitochondria and chloroplasts. Results: Members of the ND protein family were identified in various plant species. Phylogenetic analyses and subcellular targeting predictions were carried out for all proteins. All ND proteins from three model plant species Arabidopsis, rice and Physcomitrella were cloned as N- and C-terminal GFP fusions and subcellular localisations were determined. Dual targeting of plant type II dehydrogenases was observed to have evolved early in plant evolution and to be widespread throughout different plant species. In all three species tested dual targeting to both mitochondria and peroxisomes was found for at least one NDA and NDB type protein. In addition two NDB type proteins from Physcomitrella were also found to target chloroplasts. The dual targeting of NDC type proteins was found to have evolved later in plant evolution. Conclusions: The functions of type II dehydrogenases within plant cells will have to be re-evaluated in light of this newly identified subcellular targeting information

The impact of introducing hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder in a primary care musculoskeletal service: a retrospective audit

Introduction Hydrodistension, where a relatively high volume of local anaesthetic, corticosteroid, and sterile saline are injected into the shoulder joint, is a treatment of interest for frozen shoulder. In the UK National Health Service this is typically provided in the hospital setting. In 2017 we introduced hydrodistension into our physiotherapy led musculoskeletal service. This report describes the findings from our audit of onward referral for orthopaedic assessment following the introduction of hydrodistension to our frozen shoulder treatment pathway. Methods A retrospective audit of data from 102 patients who followed our hydrodistension treatment pathway for frozen shoulder since 2017 was conducted. All 102 patients received at least one hydrodistension procedure performed by a physiotherapist. This involved injecting the glenohumeral joint with a combination of local anaesthetic, corticosteroid, and saline under ultrasound guidance with a total volume of 25–35 mls. This data was compared to the outcomes of 102 patients who presented with frozen shoulder prior to 2017 who did not receive hydrodistension. Results Of 102 patients who received hydrodistension within the musculoskeletal service, six patients required onward referral to orthopaedics. Of the 102 patients who did not receive hydrodistension prior to 2017, 58 required onward referral to orthopaedics. Conclusion We report a reduction in onward referral to orthopaedics following the introduction of hydrodistension to our physiotherapist-led treatment pathway for patients with frozen shoulder. This preliminary data identifies the need to further evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of hydrodistension performed by physiotherapists for patients with frozen shoulder

Patient experiences of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder: a longitudinal qualitative study

BackgroundFrozen shoulder is a condition associated with severe shoulder pain and loss of function impacting on a persons{\textquoteright} physical and mental health. Hydrodistension treatment that has been widely adopted within the UK National Health Service for the condition. However, evidence of clinical effectiveness and understanding of the patient experiences of this treatment are lacking. This study explored the experiences of people with a frozen shoulder who received hydrodistension treatment.MethodsA qualitative design with repeat semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants{\textquoteright} experiences of hydrodistension treatment. Participants were interviewed 2-4 weeks and again at 8-10 weeks after treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research.Results15 participants were interviewed online or over the phone. Three themes were identified: {\textquoteleft}Preparing for and having a hydrodistension{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}Physiotherapy after hydrodistension{\textquoteright}, and {\textquoteleft}Outcome of hydrodistension {\textquoteleft}. Participants believed hydrodistension would benefit them, was well tolerated by many, and the effects were apparent to most within the first week. Physiotherapy still seemed to be valued to support recovery beyond this timepoint, despite these early effects. Some participant{\textquoteright}s experienced harms including severe procedural pain and blood sugar dysregulation.ConclusionThis is the first study to investigate the experiences of people who undergo hydrodistension for frozen shoulder. Hydrodistension appears an acceptable treatment to participants with a frozen shoulder, acceptability is enhanced through adequate shared decision making. Further high-quality research is required to understand the comparative effectiveness of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder, including adverse events, and the benefit of treatment by a physiotherapist after hydrodistension

Quantifying tropical peatland dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using UV-visible spectroscopy

UV–visible spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful technique for determining dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. However, at present we are unaware of any studies in the literature that have investigated the suitability of this approach for tropical DOC water samples from any tropical peatlands, although some work has been performed in other tropical environments. We used water samples from two oil palm estates in Sarawak, Malaysia to: i) investigate the suitability of both single and two-wavelength proxies for tropical DOC determination; ii) develop a calibration dataset and set of parameters to calculate DOC concentrations indirectly; iii) provide tropical researchers with guidance on the best spectrophotometric approaches to use in future analyses of DOC. Both single and two-wavelength model approaches performed well with no one model significantly outperforming the other. The predictive ability of the models suggests that UV–visible spectroscopy is both a viable and low cost method for rapidly analyzing DOC in water samples immediately post-collection, which can be important when working at remote field sites with access to only basic laboratory facilities