Performing in Palau : the politics of intercultural theater

International arts festivals are political. The bringing together of artists, productions and exhibitions from various countries inevitably becomes an exercise in national representation rather than individual expression, and, as such, invariably involves some form of regulatory approval. This is particularly true for the small island nations of Oceania, where the financial support needed for artistic creation, for transporting and accommodating a group of artists is difficult to obtain. It falls on government to subsidize such an endeavour, and with that subsidy comes a measure of control

A play : the Meke.

The play addresses the problem of incorporating indigenous cultural material into a Western theatre aesthetic

Immune response mechanisms against Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with mucosal immunization with protein antigens in a rat model of acute lung infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomal and community acquired chronic infections in subjects with compromised respiratory function. The microbe is environmentally ubiquitious and has a high level of innate antimicrobial resistance. This has led researchers to investigate vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent and treat P. aeruginosa infections. Seven cytosolic non-integral proteins were studied as vaccine candidates in an acute lung infection model in the rat. Five of these (amidase, amidopeptidase, KatE, KatE and Pa13 a novel 13 kDa protein) enhanced bacterial clearance from the lung compared to control animals following challenge and are worthy of further study. Immune mechanisms stimulated by these proteins in response to both immunization and infection varied. The most pronounced degree of bacterial clearance from the lung was associated with antigens, which demonstrated greater surface exposure and induced an increase in phagocyte recruitment, in particular, an increased proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Lymphocytic proliferation and specific antibody responses in the absence of enhanced clearance were less informative as immune correlates

Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The nature of certain musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is unclear. Understanding impairments within TMD subgroups is important to guide management. Objectives: Characterise local musculoskeletal impairments in adults with persistent TMD. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 12 January 2020. Bibliographies were searched for additional articles, including grey literature. Case-control and interventional studies reporting temporomandibular range of motion (ROM), muscle function (MF) or proprioception in TMD and control groups were included. Risk of bias was assessed using SIGN checklist for case-control studies. Results were pooled using random-effects model. Confidence in cumulative evidence was determined using American Academy of Neurology guidelines. Results: Sixty-six studies were included, most rated moderate risk of bias. Twelve primary outcomes were assessed, with partial scope for meta-analysis. Significant reductions were found for active maximal mouth opening (P <.00001, MD=−4.65 mm), protrusion (P <.0001, MD=−0.76 mm) and maximum bite force (P <.00001) in TMD versus controls. Subgroup analysis scope was limited. Reduced AMMO was found in myogenic TMD subgroups versus controls (P =.001, MD= −3.28 mm). Few studies measured proprioception, with high methodological variability. Confidence in cumulative evidence ranged from high to very low. Conclusion: ROM and bite force impairments accompany TMD. Insufficient data were available to investigate impairments within TMD subgroups. Implications: Several musculoskeletal impairments have been identified, which may guide clinical management of TMD. Lack of subgroup data, and data for proprioception and MF, highlights future direction for research. PROSPERO: CRD42020150734

Immunisation with non-integral OMPs promotes pulmonary clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that can cause fatal acute lung infections in critically ill individuals. Lung damage due to chronic infections in cystic fibrosis sufferers is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this group. The bacterium produces various immunomodulatory products that enable it to survive in the lung. Innate and increasing resistance to antibiotic therapy shown by this organism heightens the need for development of a vaccine. This study reports the identification of six non-integral protein antigens; Pa13, azurin, acyl carrier protein (ACP), amidase, aminopeptidase and KatE, purified from a mucoid strainof P. aeruginosa. N-terminal amino acid sequencing was used to identify these proteins and, based on their ascribed functions, determined that their normal cellular location was cytosolic. A rat model of acute pulmonary infection was used to investigate the ability of these protein antigens to enhance pulmonary clearance of a live P. aeruginosa challenge. Mucosal immunisation with four of the six antigens significantly enhanced bacterial clearance from both the lavage fluid and lung tissue. The greatest level of clearance was demonstrated for the antigens; KatE, aminopeptidase and amidase. Enhanced bacterial clearance was maintained when the antigens amidase and aminopeptidase were produced in recombinant form. When delivered parenterally, aminopeptidase demonstrated its continued efficacy as a vaccine candidate. This study has demonstrated that non-integral outer membrane proteins are antigenic and protective and warrant further investigation as potential components of a vaccine

Living with uncertainty : transition from university student to early childhood professional

Transitions are inevitable, and are part of a continuous process of invention and exploration that is often linked to disequilibrium and dissonance (Stacey, 1992). Beginning professionals are often frustrated with the uncertainty and realities of their profession. This paper reports on a case study that aimed to identify early childhood education students’ transition issues and to enhance their transition from the final semester of study into professional practice. The project aimed to develop a framework for supporting the transition journey for these students as they found a place within the field to develop and construct identities that align with the community in which they are socially situated. Three phases of transition (Bridges, 2003) were identified. 1) First, as students left university to transition into professional practice, they experienced feelings of insecurity, and a sense of loss and uncertainty. Also, they perceived personal and professional attributes as interchangeable. 2) Second, graduates struggled with their new identities, and searched for answers to their insecurities. Some searched for answers from their university peers; others sought out peer mentoring and professional development opportunities in their sites. 3) Third, graduates were able to separate personal and professional qualities, and could begin to look back on their transition experiences in a more reflective way. Findings from this work have informed the provision of learning opportunities, experiences and approaches which have been strategically embedded in the final year units of study at university

Supporting transitions from student to professional : a mentoring case study from early childhood education

Transitions are inevitable in professional practice. In the context of adult learning, transitions are part of a continuous process of invention and exploration that is often linked to disequilibrium and dissonance. The impetus for this mentoring project arose from staff discussions around the delivery of final year units in QUT's reconceptualised Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). As the first cohort in the new course were about to begin their final year of study, we saw advantages in preparing students for teaching and learning using principles and practices underpinning transitions - valuing notions such as dilemmas, loss, identities, uncertainty, professional resilience and sense-making. This chapter reflects on this mentoring and transition project

A rehabilitation programme for people with multimorbidity versus usual care: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Background: Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions, is common in clinical practice. Rehabilitation for people with multimorbidity may provide access to a rehabilitation programme that can address common symptoms and risk factors for multiple chronic diseases. Objective: The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the feasibility of a rehabilitation programme compared to usual medical care (UMC) in people with multimorbidity and (2) gather preliminary data regarding clinical effects and impact on functional exercise capacity, activities of daily living, health related quality of life and resource utilization. Design: A pilot feasibility parallel randomized controlled trial was undertaken. Adults with multimorbidity were randomized to the rehabilitation programme (intervention) or UMC (control). The duration of the rehabilitation programme was 8 weeks and comprised exercise (1 h, twice weekly) and education (1 h, once weekly). The UMC group did not participate in a structured exercise programme. Results: One hundred people were screened to recruit 16 participants, with a 71% completion rate for the intervention group. The rehabilitation group achieved a mean (standard deviation) improvement in 6-minute walk distance of 44 (41) m and the UMC group of 23 (29) m. Conclusions: This study suggests that it would be feasible to conduct a larger randomized control trial investigating a rehabilitation programme for people with multimorbidity. Low uptake of the study suggests that refinement of the inclusion criteria, recruitment sources and programme model will be needed to achieve the number of participants required