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The ward round (WR) is an important opportunity for interprofessional interaction and communication enabling optimal patient care. Pharmacists' participation in the interprofessional WR can reduce adverse drug events and improve medication appropriateness and communication. WR participation by clinical pharmacists in Australia is currently limited. This study aims to explore what is impacting clinical pharmacists' participation in WRs in Australian hospitals. A self-administered, anonymous national survey of Australian clinical pharmacists was conducted. This study describes the outcomes from qualitative questions which were analyzed thematically in NVivo-2020 according to Braun and Clarke's techniques. Five themes were constructed: "Clinical pharmacy service structure", "Ward round structure", "Pharmacist's capabilities", "Culture" and "Value". A culture supportive of pharmacist's contribution with a consistent WR structure and flexible delivery of clinical pharmacy services enabled pharmacists' participation in WR. Being physically "absent" from the WR due to workload, workflow, and self-perception of the need for extensive clinical knowledge can limit opportunities for pharmacists to proactively contribute to medicines decision-making with physicians to improve patient care outcomes. Bidirectional communication between the interprofessional team and the pharmacist, where there is a co-construction of each individual's role in the WR facilitates consistent and inter-dependent collaborations for effective medication management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to fill the research gap on how B2B global service firms integrate dynamic capabilities within their omnichannel management to influence positive word of mouth (WOM), customer engagement (CE) and customer equity. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the dynamic capability and WOM theories, a model has been developed that defines the subjects of the empirical test. The paper reports on data collected from 312 service-oriented global firms in Australia, through a cross-sectional survey. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings: The findings suggest that content management (i.e. information consistency, source trustworthiness and endorsement) and concerns management (i.e. privacy, security and recovery) capabilities are the two significant antecedents of positive WOM within a B2B omnichannel setting in international marketing. The findings also confirm the key mediating role of CE between positive WOM and customer equity. Originality/value: The findings extend dynamic capability theory in the context of international marketing by linking WOM, CE and customer equity. The findings add further theoretical rigor by establishing the nomological chain between positive WOM and customer equity, in which CE plays a key mediating role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is considered to be genetically diverse, with a relatively small circular single-stranded DNA genome of 2 kb that encodes for a capsid protein (Cap) and a replication initiator protein (Rep). Australasia is known to be the origin of diverse species of the Order Columbiformes, but limited data on the PiCV genome sequence has hindered phylogeographic studies in this species. To fill this gap, this study was conducted to investigate PiCV in 118 characteristic samples from different birds across Australia using PCR and sequencing. Eighteen partial PiCV Rep sequences and one complete PiCV genome sequence were recovered from reservoir and aberrant hosts. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that PiCV circulating in Australia was scattered across three different subclades. Importantly, one subclade dominated within the PiCV sequenced from Australia and Poland, whereas other PiCV sequenced in this study were more closely related to the PiCV sequenced from China, USA and Japan. In addition, PiCV Rep sequences obtained from clinically affected plumed whistling duck, blue billed duck and Australian magpie demonstrated natural spillover of PiCV unveiled host generalist characteristics of the pigeon circovirus. These findings indicate that PiCV genomes circulating in Australia lack host adapted population structure but demonstrate natural spillover infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Columbid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CoHV1) is associated with oral or upper respiratory tract lesions, encephalitis, and occasional fatal systemic disease in naive or immunosuppressed pigeons. Clinical disease is often reported with CoHV1 and coinfecting viruses, including pigeon circovirus (PiCV), which may cause host immunosuppression and augment lesion development. A natural outbreak of CoHV1 and PiCV coinfection occurred in a flock of 60 racing rock pigeons (Columba livia), in which 4 pigeons succumbed within 7 d of clinical onset. Lesions included suppurative stomatitis, pharyngitis, cloacitis, meningitis, and tympanitis, with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent with herpesviral infection. In addition, large numbers of botryoid intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were present in the skin, oral mucosa, and bursa of Fabricius, suggestive of circoviral infection, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The concurrent viral load of CoHV1 and PiCV was high in liver, oropharynx, and bursa of Fabricius. We found PiCV in oro-cloacal swabs from 44 of 46 additional birds of variable clinical status, PiCV alone in 23 birds, and coinfection with CoHV1 in 21 birds. Viral copy numbers were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) for both viruses in clinically affected pigeons than in subclinical qPCR-positive birds. The CoHV1-induced lesions might have been exacerbated by concomitant PiCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a common diagnostic tool used to investigate patients for various indications including seizure disorders. Aims: To investigate factors that predict the presence of epileptiform abnormalities on EEG and review the common indications for ordering an EEG. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all routine adult EEG performed in a hospital over a 6‐month period. Data collated included patient demographics, clinical indication for EEG, setting in which EEG was performed, activation procedures utilised, history of epilepsy, and whether the patient was on antiepileptic medication. Our primary objective was to evaluate the factors that were predictive of an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. Results: Two hundred and thirty‐nine routine EEG were included with indications, including first seizure (25.9%), known epilepsy (25.1%), cognitive change (15.9%), syncope (15.0%), movement disorder (6.7%), psychogenic non‐epileptic events (5.4%), unresponsiveness/intensive care unit (4.6%) and psychiatric presentation (1.3%). Most (48.1%) EEG were normal; 8.9% of the EEG demonstrated epileptiform abnormalities. Using multivariate logistic regression, three variables proved significant in predicting an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. Any seizure as an indication (first seizure or seizure in known epileptic), increasing patient age, and EEG conducted in an inpatient setting and within 48 h of seizure event were all statistically more likely to yield epileptiform abnormalities on EEG. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that careful selection of patients based on appropriate indications for EEG referral would likely improve the yield of an EEG. Depending on the indication, a normal EEG result can be of similar usefulness to an abnormal EEG demonstrating epileptiform abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Australian study determined factors affecting clinical pharmacists' participation in hospital ward rounds. A self-administered, anonymous national survey of Australian clinical pharmacists was conducted, and responses were analysed thematically. Five themes were constructed: "Clinical pharmacy service structure", "Ward round structure", "Pharmacist's capabilities", "Culture", and "Value". It was determined that a culture that was supportive of a pharmacist's contribution, that had a consistent ward round structure and flexible delivery of clinical pharmacy services enabled pharmacists' participation in ward rounds. Being absent from the ward round due to workload, and self-perception of the need for extensive clinical knowledge were found to be barriers to pharmacists contributing to medicines decisionmaking with physicians. Bidirectional communication between the interprofessional team and the pharmacist is necessary for effective medication management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In one of the South Pars projects barely six months after commissioning, 3 out of 4 operating MEG regenerators experienced severe scale deposition problems with extensive damages to the internals of the still columns that went out of service in quick succession. Several operators of gas-condensate fields in Bass strait, Australia also reported similar damages to MEG regenerators. This study compares the conditions in both cases and investigates the reasons for the same. Operators from Bass Strait noted that iron carbonate which was one of the two corrosion products deposited in their MEG regenerators. They observed regular carry under of condensate into the still columns that resulted in occasional column ‘burping’ leading to the collapse of the internals. In South Pars it was an unforeseen occurrence of calcite deposition and the only corrosion product was iron sulphide. On careful analysis of the solids and liquids from different locations of the facilities after ‘burping’, we established that a part of the CaCO 3 mud lost in the reservoir has returned causing the problems. Iron sulphide did not precipitate inside the columns in both cases. Preferentially oil wetting nature of iron sulphide is the likely reason of condensate carry under to the columns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines, from a qualitative perspective, some public opinion related to issues associated with the management of a tensed situation. In that process, it identifies some of the subtle differences in the Anglo-Latino cultural expectations. Martin, an Argentine tourist, contracted the Gullien-Barre syndrome in Australia, while enjoying his honeymoon vacation on a Tasmanian island with his partner Carolina. With the passing of days, Martin lost his mobility and was finally hospitalized in emergency. Doctors induced Martin into a coma temporarily because his muscles were paralyzed by the action of the virus. Health costs were more expensive than the family could absorb in Australia. The family had to request the intervention of the Argentine embassy and chancellery for help. In other words, this incident contrasts two world views: hospitality as the institution that historically developed to care and protect travelers versus hospitality as the commercial practice of exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of natural fat in sheep's skin varies significantly, and this depends upon the animal origin, sex, age, etc. In wool acquired from sheep's skin from Australia and New Zealand, this content can account for up to 50% of dry skin weight. Fats are triglycerides of saturated fatty acids. These fats can cause complications in the presence of excessive natural fat, rancidification and oxidation; due to tanning, dyeing and finishing operations become tedious. The defects reveal themselves in the form of spume and objectionable odor in leather. If the natural fat content in the raw material is high, as is usually the case with sheep's skin, it must be removed. The process of fat or grease removal is called degreasing which is best carried out after pickling process. Fat dissolving solvents such as kerosene, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene are employed for degreasing. Since these solvents are water insoluble, they cannot be effectively used for degreasing wet pelts. These solvents are therefore used along with emulsifiers (preferably non-ionic), which disperse the solvent in water, thus facilitating its entry inside the pelt. This paper attempts to study the degreasing action of secondary butyl ether and formulation (solvent and emulsifier) in comparison with a commercial product which is the global market leader in leather degreasing segment. This experimental study shows that an improved degreasing action was achieved with the formulation comparable to the commercial degreasing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's role in the dispersal of modern humans can be explored by investigating its oldest inhabitants: the tribal people. The Soliga people of the Biligiri Rangana Hills, a tribal community in Southern India, could be among the country's first settlers. This forest-bound, Dravidian speaking group, lives isolated, practicing subsistence-level agriculture under primitive conditions. The aim of this study is to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the Soligas in relation to 29 worldwide, geographically targeted, reference populations. For this purpose, we employed a battery of 15 hypervariable autosomal short tandem repeat loci as markers. The Soliga tribe was found to be remarkably different from other Indian populations including other southern Dravidian-speaking tribes. In contrast, the Soliga people exhibited genetic affinity to two Australian aboriginal populations. This genetic similarity could be attributed to the 'Out of Africa' migratory wave(s) along the southern coast of India that eventually reached Australia. Alternatively, the observed genetic affinity may be explained by more recent migrations from the Indian subcontinent into Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of allergic diseases in Australian children is high, but few studies have assessed the potential role of outdoor air pollution in allergic sensitization. We investigated the association between outdoor air pollution and the prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization in a national cross-sectional study of Australian children aged 7–11 years. Children were recruited from 55 participating schools in 12 Australian cities during 2007–2008. Parents completed a detailed (70-item) questionnaire. Outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), as a proxy for exposure to traffic-related emissions, was estimated using measurements from regulatory monitors near each school and a national land-use regression (LUR) model. Three averaging periods were assessed, using information on duration of residence at the address, including lifetime, previous (lifetime, excluding the last year), and recent (the last year only). The LUR model was used as an additional source of recent exposure estimates at school and home addresses. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed to measure sensitization to eight common aeroallergens. Multilevel logistic regression estimated the association between NO 2 and sensitization (by individual allergens, indoor and outdoor allergens, and all allergens combined), after adjustment for individual- and area-level covariates. In total, 2226 children had a completed questionnaire and SPT. The prevalence of sensitization to any allergen was 44.4%. Sensitization to house dust mites (HDMs) was the most common (36.1%), while sensitization to Aspergillus was the least common (3.4%). Measured mean (±s.d.) NO 2 exposure was between 9 (±2.9) ppb and 9.5 (±3.2) ppb, depending on the averaging period. An IQR (4 ppb) increase in measured previous NO 2 exposure was associated with greater odds of sensitization to HDMs (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01–1.43, P = 0.035). We found evidence of an association between relatively low outdoor NO 2 concentrations and sensitization to HDMs, but not other aeroallergens, in Australian children aged 7–11 years. Image 1 • Air pollution may affect aeroallergen sensitization, but evidence is inconsistent. • We performed a national cross-sectional study of Australian children. • We found that outdoor NO 2 was associated with sensitization to house dust mites. • We did not find associations between NO 2 and other aeroallergens. We have added new results to the relatively scarce evidence base on the effects of low-level urban air pollution and aeroallergen sensitization in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]