Evaluation of a pilot of legally assisted and supported family dispute resolution in family violence cases

Evidence of the prevalence of a history of past and/or current family violence among separated parents, and the presence of ongoing safety concerns for themselves and their children as a result of ongoing contact with the other parent, has created an impetus for the family law system to find more effective ways of dealing with families affected by family violence. In July 2009, the Federal Government announced funding for a pilot program to provide assistance, including family dispute resolution (FDR), to such families. Subsequently, Women’s Legal Service Brisbane (and other consultants) were funded by the Attorney- General’s Department (AGD) to develop a model for coordinated family dispute resolution (CFDR). CFDR is a service for separated families who need assistance to resolve parenting disputes where there has been a history of past and/or current family violence. It is being implemented in five sites/lead agencies across Australia: Perth (Legal Aid Western Australia), Brisbane (Telephone Dispute Resolution Service [TDRS], run by Relationships Australia Queensland), Newcastle (Interrelate), Western Sydney (Unifam) and Hobart (Relationships Australia Tasmania). TDRS made adaptions to the model to accommodate its telephone-based service. The pilot commenced operation at most sites in the final quarter of 2010. Implementation in one location (Brisbane) was delayed until mid-2011 to allow time to finalise the composition of the partnership. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of this process

Chironomid Midges as Indicators of Organic Pollution in the Scioto River Basin, Ohio

Author Institution: Department of Zoological and Biomedical Sciences, Ohio UniversityFaunal and water chemistry data were derived from an extensive survey of streams in the Scioto River basin, Ohio and analyzed to determine biotic indicators of water quality. The data for 11 water chemistry characteristics were simplified by means of factor analysis, which generated three new axes (alkalinity-hardness, enrichment (sewage), agricultural runoff) that explained 71.5% of the total variance. The distributions of 14 common larval chironomid genera were then placed upon these new axes, based on coordinates generated for each sample site. These genera were found to occupy significantly different environments. Heuristic analysis of the data identified five groups of genera, each indicating particular water quality conditions: 1) Stictocbironomus—hard, alkaline unpolluted water; 2) Pentaneura, Cricotopus, and Tanytarsus—sewage enriched water; 3) Procladius and Dicrotendipes—high agricultural runoff; 4) Ablabesmyia and Tribelos —general organic pollution, soft acid water; and 5) Micropsectra, Microtendipes, Glyptotendipes, Chironomus, Polypedilum, and Cryptochironomus — facultative genera

East-West Trade Regulation in the United States (1974 Trade Act, Title IV)

The Orchard Sports Injury Classification System (OSICS) is one of the world’s most commonly used systems for coding injury diagnoses in sports injury surveillance systems. Its major strengths are that it has wide usage, has codes specific to sports medicine and that it is free to use. Literature searches and stakeholder consultations were made to assess the uptake of OSICS and to develop new versions. OSICS was commonly used in the sports of football (soccer), Australian football, rugby union, cricket and tennis. It is referenced in international papers in three sports and used in four commercially available computerised injury management systems. Suggested injury categories for the major sports are presented. New versions OSICS 9 (three digit codes) and OSICS 10.1 (four digit codes) are presented. OSICS is a potentially helpful component of a comprehensive sports injury surveillance system, but many other components are required. Choices made in developing these components should ideally be agreed upon by groups of researchers in consensus statements

Reproductive ecology and population dynamics of two sympatric species of Macoma (Bivalvia)

Populations of the sympatric intertidal bivalves, Macoma secta and M. nasuta are compared as to reproductive ecology and population dynamics. Histological examination of seasonal gonadal changes indicate that both species undergo dormancy in the winter months and rapid gamete proliferation in the spring. However, the timing of spawning differs. The M. secta population synchronously spawned in August while the M. nasuta population spawned lightly in late spring and more heavily in the fall. Fecundity estimates indicate M. nasuta adds 140% of winter weight in gametes and M. secta only adds 43% of winter weight in gametes. Spat fall was detected in January for both species and was light in intensity, for either species only 24 per m2. Nursery areas were determined for M. nasuta, which corresponds to adult distributions, and for M. secta, which correspond to the upper and lower fringes of the intertidal distribution but not the center. Analysis of variance on distributional data indicate the temporal stability of density and size for M. secta. M. nasuta densities were also temporally stable but sizes were not. Both species demonstrated significant changes in density with tidal height. A measure of seasonal population variability, the Population-Time Mean Square, was found to have zero correlation with tidal height for M. secta, meaning that environmental stress was the same for individuals at each tidal height . This is believed related to the gradient of calm size to tidal height. An argument for density dependence in M. secta is given with emphasis on individual growth and realized population fecundity; the null hypothesis: As density increases, the resources per individual decrease, therefore the growth rate of individuals decreases. Analysis of sympatric populations indicate differing patterns of life history, pointing out that selection has favored these two species coexistence. Analysis of population dynamics indicated that in comparison to M. nasuta (Low Tide Horizon), M. secta (Mid Tide Horizon) was more stable (terminology from Ricketts, Calvin and Hedgpeth, 1969). This supports Castenholz’ (1967) idea that where climates are mild, the intertidal communities are more stable than the subtidal communities

Evaluation of melanin-targeted radiotherapy in combination with radiosensitizing drugs for the treatment of melanoma

The incidence of malignant melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer in the United States. An [131I]-labeled benzamide - [131I]MIP-1145 - selectively targets melanin, reduces melanoma tumor burden and increases survival in preclinical models. Our purpose was to determine the potential of radiosensitizers to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of [131I]MIP-1145. Melanotic (A2058) and amelanotic (A375 and SK-N-BE(2c)) cells were treated with [131I]MIP-1145 as a single agent or in combination with drugs with radiosenitizing potential. Cellular uptake of [131I]MIP-1145 and toxicity were assessed in monolayer culture. The interaction between radiosensitizers and [131I]MIP-1145 was evaluated by combination index analysis in monolayer cultures and by delayed growth of multicellular tumor spheroids. [131I]MIP-1145 was taken up by and was toxic to melanotic cells but not amelanotic cells. Combination treatments comprising [131I]MIP-1145 with the topoisomerase inhibitor topotecan or the PARP-1 inhibitor AG014699 resulted in synergistic clonogenic cell kill and enhanced delay of the growth of spheroids derived from melanotic melanoma cells. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib had no synergistic cytotoxic effect with [131I]MIP-1145 and failed to enhance the delay of spheroid growth. Following combination treatment of amelanotic cells, neither synergistic clonogenic cell kill nor enhanced growth delay of spheroids was observed

Enabler operator station

The objective of this project was to design an onboard operator station for the conceptual Lunar Work Vehicle (LWV). This LWV would be used in the colonization of a lunar outpost. The details that follow, however, are for an earth-bound model. Several recommendations are made in the appendix as to the changes needed in material selection for the lunar environment. The operator station is designed dimensionally correct for an astronaut wearing the current space shuttle EVA suit (which includes life support). The proposed operator station will support and restrain an astronaut as well as provide protection from the hazards of vehicle rollover. The threat of suit puncture is eliminated by rounding all corners and edges. A step-plate, located at the front of the vehicle, provides excellent ease of entry and exit. The operator station weight requirements are met by making efficient use of grid members, semi-rigid members and woven fabrics

Second District update: a moderate recovery is in progress

After a prolonged recession, the Second District's economy began to expand in the second half of 1993. Several indicators—the growing volume of exports from the region, strong earnings on Wall Street, and job growth at newly formed businesses—suggest that the recovery can be sustained in the quarters immediately ahead. In a supplemental analysis, the authors find that new small firms are the primary source of job generation in New York State, although they note that such firms also carry a higher risk of failure.Federal Reserve District, 2nd

Arbeiterfragen und Lohnpolitik in Australasien.

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The role of copper in disulfiram-induced toxicity and radiosensitisation of cancer cells.

Abstract Disulfiram has been used for several decades in the treatment of alcoholism. It now shows promise as an anti-cancer drug and radiosensitizer. Proposed mechanisms of action include the induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of proteasome activity. Our purpose was to determine the potential of disulfiram to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of external beam -irradiation and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG), a radiopharmaceutical used for the therapy of neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: The role of copper in disulfiram-induced toxicity was investigated by clonogenic assay after treatment of human SK-N-BE(2c) neuroblastoma and UVW/NAT glioma cells. Synergistic interaction between disulfiram and radiotherapy was evaluated by combination index analysis. Tumor growth delay was determined in vitro using multicellular tumor spheroids and in vivo using human tumor xenografts in athymic mice. Results: Escalating disulfiram dosage caused a biphasic reduction in the surviving fraction of clonogens. Clonogenic cell kill after treatment with disulfiram concentrations less than 4 M was copper-dependent, whereas cytotoxicity at concentrations greater than 10 M was caused by oxidative stress. The cytotoxic effect of disulfiram was maximal when administered with equimolar copper. Likewise, disulfiram’s radiosensitization of tumor cells was copper-dependent. Furthermore, disulfiram treatment enhanced the toxicity of 131I-MIBG to spheroids and xenografts expressing the noradrenaline transporter. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that (i) the cytotoxicity of disulfiram was copper-dependent; (ii) molar excess of disulfiram relative to copper resulted in attenuation of disulfiram-mediated cytotoxicity; (iii) copper was required for the radiosensitizing activity of disulfiram and (iv) copper-complexed disulfiram enhanced the efficacy not only of external beam radiation but also of targeted radionuclide therapy in the form of 131I-MIBG. Therefore disulfiram may have anti-cancer potential in combination with radiotherapy