Influences of tailings water, sediments, macrophytes and detritus on zoobenthic community development in constructed wetlands –Results of a reciprocal transplant study

Constructed wetlands using oil sand process materials are being used by the oil sands mining corporations to reclaim the post-mining landscape. A reciprocal sediment transplant study was conducted to measure effects of sediment, water, plant cover, detritus mass and year to year variation on zoobenthic richness, density and relative abundance. Density did not change between wetlands, but the oil sand process water-affected wetland had lower richness than the reference wetland. Zoobenthic relative abundance was influenced by water type, macrophyte density and amount of accumulated detritus in sediment. Zoobenthos density was significantly positively associated with amount of plant cover and detritus combined. Sediment did not directly influence zoobenthic abundance or richness. However, its inhibition of plant percent cover caused an indirect effect

e-Research Symposium 2014

This one-day multi-disciplinary event brought together Swinburne staff, researchers, PhD students, software developers, and project managers involved in e-Research activities across the University

Seasonal influenza vaccine policies, recommendations and use in the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region

Objective: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza and its severe outcomes. The objective of our study was to synthesize information on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011 for all countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO).\ud \ud Methods: Data were collected via a questionnaire on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011.\ud \ud Results: Thirty-six of the 37 countries and areas (97%) responded to the survey. Eighteen (50%) reported having established seasonal influenza vaccination policies, an additional seven (19%) reported having recommendations for risk groups for seasonal influenza vaccination only and 11 (30%) reported having no policies or recommendations in place. Of the 25 countries and areas with policies or recommendations, health-care workers and the elderly were most frequently recommended for vaccination; 24 (96%) countries and areas recommended vaccinating these groups, followed by pregnant women (19 [76%]), people with chronic illness (18 [72%]) and children (15 [60%]). Twenty-six (72%) countries and areas reported having seasonal influenza vaccines available through public funding, private market purchase or both. Most of these countries and areas purchased only enough vaccine to cover 25% or less of their populations.\ud \ud Discussion: In light of the new WHO position paper on influenza vaccines published in 2012 and the increasing availability of country-specific data, countries and areas should consider reviewing or developing their seasonal influenza vaccination policies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with annual epidemics and as part of ongoing efforts for pandemic preparedness