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Context. Epiphytes are typically associated with wet forests and are seldom documented in drylands. This absence is presumed to reflect moisture limitations to their establishment and survival. Aims. In response to a large body of epiphyte observations made by a pastoralist in collaboration with local Indigenous people, we investigated and documented an unusually high concentration of woody epiphytes from semi-arid eastern Australia and describe this in relation to ecological and cultural factors. Methods. We searched for, recorded and measured epiphytic trees and shrubs in semi-arid eucalypt woodlands of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Factors influencing their distribution were examined. Key results. Eucalypts growing along the Barwon River palaeochannels host 21 species of shrubs and trees. Over 95% of the 712 woody epiphytes documented were alive, and some appeared decades old; 70% were growing in trees that had been modified by humans, and at least half of the host sites were directly anthropogenically created. Epiphytes are widely, but typically sparsely, distributed in other semi-arid eucalypt woodlands, with a further 311 found during regional surveys. Conclusions. The large trees of the Barwon palaeochannels, their extensive human modification to create favourable sites for epiphyte establishment, and the diversity of understorey shrubs providing a propagule source have combined to create this epiphyte-rich woodland. Their association with Culturally Modified Trees and the relatively low density of epiphytes elsewhere suggest that Aboriginal people have played a direct role in creating this landscape, to which they remain deeply connected. Implications. Epiphytes may be more widespread in drylands than previously recognised.We hope that this study stimulates further research on their distribution, characteristics, and ecological and cultural associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A bone's strength is determined by its size, shape, and amount of mass contained within the periosteal envelope. Therefore, to understand how bones adapt to high intensity exercise, measurements [...]

The article offers the different perspectives of the University of York's Wounds Research Group and University of Worcester Professor of Tissue Viability Richard White on the type of evidence needed in tissue viability in England. The Wounds Research Group cites that without the input of epidemiologists and medical statisticians, trials are of poor quality and observational research will be dangerous. White notes that randomised controlled trials' evidence must be considered and realistic.

The radiative lifetimes, scalar and tensor polarizabilities of low lying S, P and D states of lithium are obtained using a Coulomb approximation. The calculated lifetimes agree very well with the handful of experimental values listed in the literature. The ground state polarizability is also close to the measured result. This method requires substantially less computational time than ab initio theory, thereby permitting the study of nearly 40 states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was developed for the specific detection of genes coding for type II polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases. The primer-pair, I-179L and I-179R, was based on the highly conserved sequences found in the coding regions of Pseudomonas phaC1 and phaC2 genes. Purified genomic DNA or lysate of colony suspension can serve equally well as the target sample for the PCR, thus affording a simple and rapid screening of phaC1/C2-containing microorganisms. Positive samples yield a specific 540-bp PCR product representing partial coding sequences of the phaC1/C2 genes. Using the PCR method, P. corrugata 388 was identified for the first time as a medium-chain-length (mcl)-PHA producer. Electron microscopic study and PHA isolation confirmed the production of mcl-PHA in P. corrugata 388. The mcl-PHA of this organism has a higher molecular weight than that of similar polymers produced by other pseudomonads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regression type methods for analysing proportions, known as probit and logit analyses, are compared with the British Standard BS 3518 (part 5) recommendations for analysis of staircase designs. All these methods are found to give similar results. Different experimental strategies, involving fixed sample sizes for load levels chosen in advance, are compared with staircase designs. Recommendations for practice are made. Finally, the versatility of the logit analysis for investigating the effects of additional variables, such as additional treatments during manufacture, is demonstrated through a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely promoted as a treatment for full thickness wounds; however, there is a lack of high-quality research evidence regarding its clinical and cost effectiveness. A trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III/IV pressure ulcers would be worthwhile but premature without assessing whether such a trial is feasible. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III and IV pressure ulcers and to pilot all aspects of the trial. Methods This was a two-centre (acute and community), pilot randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomised to receive either NPWT or standard care (SC) (spun hydrocolloid, alginate or foam dressings). Outcome measures were time to healing of the reference pressure ulcer, recruitment rates, frequency of treatment visits, resources used and duration of follow-up. Results Three hundred and twelve patients were screened for eligibility into this trial over a 12-month recruitment period and 12/312 participants (3.8%) were randomised: 6 to NPWT and 6 to SC. Only one reference pressure ulcer healed (NPWT group) during follow-up (time to healing 79 days). The mean number of treatment visits per week was 3.1 (NPWT) and 5.7 (SC); 6/6 NPWT and 1/6 SC participants withdrew from their allocated trial treatment. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 (NPWT) and 5.0 (SC) months. Conclusions This pilot trial yielded vital information for the planning of a future full study including projected recruitment rate, required duration of follow-up and extent of research nurse support required. Data were also used to inform the cost-effectiveness and value of information analyses, which were conducted alongside the pilot trial. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN69032034.