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Analysis of parent and teacher Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC) ratings on a combined sample of 1,536 Dutch and Australian children (ages 3-22) with mild to profound intellectual disabilities produced five subscales: Disruptive/Antisocial, Self-Absorbed, Communication Disturbance, Anxiety, and Social Relating. Internal consistency of the subscales ranged from .66 to .91. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The linear form of the nondimensional complementary relationship (CR) follows from an isenthalpic process of evaporation under a constant surface available energy and unchanging wind. Mixing of external moisture into the boundary layer (BL) alters the dry‐end second‐type boundary condition yielding a polynomial that can be further generalized into a three‐parameter (Priestley‐Taylor α, a, b) power function (PF3), capable of responding to the level of such admixing. With the help of FLUXNET data and setting a = 2 for a possible recapture of the linear and/or polynomial versions of the CR, it is demonstrated that the resulting two‐parameter PF (i.e., PF2) excels among the CR‐based two‐parameter models considered in this study. PF2 is then employed with a globally set constant value of α = 1.1 and 0.5° monthly data across Australia, while calibrating b against the multiyear water‐balance evaporation rate on a cell‐by‐cell basis. The resulting bi‐modal histogram peaks first near b = 2 (recapturing the polynomial CR) when moisture admixing is significant, and then at b → 1 (yielding the linear CR) when mixing effects are negligible. Unlike the linear or polynomial CR versions, PF2 can respond to the general efficiency of external moisture admixing through its parameter b, making it applicable even near sudden discontinuities in surface moisture. A new duality emerges with the PF2: while α accounts for the effect of entrainment of free tropospheric drier air into the BL on the resulting wet‐environment evaporation rate, b does so for moisture on the drying‐environment evaporation rates. Plain Language Summary: The power‐function expansion of the polynomial complementary relationship of evaporation can account for the effect of large‐scale moisture transport into the drying region thus making it more versatile in practical applications. Key Points: The power‐function formulation of the nondimensional complementary relationship (CR) accounts for moisture advectionWhen such admixing is negligible an existing linear version of the nondimensional CR is evokedOtherwise, calibration of the power‐function often recaptures an existing polynomial version of the CR [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to identify risk factors for sporadic campylobacteriosis in Australia, and to compare these for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli infections.Methods: In a multi-jurisdictional case-control study, we recruited culture-confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis reported to state and territory health departments from February 2018 through October 2019. We recruited controls from notified influenza cases in the previous 12 months that were frequency matched to cases by age group, sex, and location. Campylobacter isolates were confirmed to species level by public health laboratories using molecular methods. We conducted backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression to identify significant risk factors.Results: We recruited 571 cases of campylobacteriosis (422 C. jejuni and 84 C. coli) and 586 controls. Important risk factors for campylobacteriosis included eating undercooked chicken (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 70, 95% CI 13-1296) or cooked chicken (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8), owning a pet dog aged < 6 months (aOR 6.4, 95% CI 3.4-12), and the regular use of proton-pump inhibitors in the 4 weeks prior to illness (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.3). Risk factors remained similar when analysed specifically for C. jejuni infection. Unique risks for C. coli infection included eating chicken pâté (aOR 6.1, 95% CI 1.5-25) and delicatessen meats (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.3). Eating any chicken carried a high population attributable fraction for campylobacteriosis of 42% (95% CI 13-68), while the attributable fraction for proton-pump inhibitors was 13% (95% CI 8.3-18) and owning a pet dog aged < 6 months was 9.6% (95% CI 6.5-13). The population attributable fractions for these variables were similar when analysed by campylobacter species. Eating delicatessen meats was attributed to 31% (95% CI 0.0-54) of cases for C. coli and eating chicken pâté was attributed to 6.0% (95% CI 0.0-11).Conclusions: The main risk factor for campylobacteriosis in Australia is consumption of chicken meat. However, contact with young pet dogs may also be an important source of infection. Proton-pump inhibitors are likely to increase vulnerability to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpretation of 2014–2015 deep crustal seismic reflection and magnetotelluric data has revised the architecture and geodynamic framework of western Queensland, with implications for the assembly and dispersal of the supercontinents Nuna, Rodinia and Gondwana. In the Mount Isa Province, crustal-scale boundaries of the Leichhardt River Domain, Kalkadoon-Leichhardt Domain and Eastern Subprovince are mapped in the third dimension. The Leichhardt River and Kalkadoon-Leichhardt domains have similar Nd isotopic T 2DM model ages to provinces to the west, indicating they were part of ancestral North Australian Craton (NAC); the Eastern Subprovince is a separate terrane, with the Pilgrim Fault a collisional suture. The Gidyea Suture Zone separates the Mount Isa Province from the subsurface Numil Seismic Province. To the east, the west-dipping Yappar Fault separates east-dipping structures in the west from west-dipping structures in the east, forming a classic doubly vergent orogen within the upper plate of a convergent margin. The northwestern boundary of the Bernfels Seismic Province, the Kynuna Fault, truncates the Gidyea Suture Zone, implying this seismic province was welded to the NAC prior to initial deposition of the Etheridge Province. The Cork Fault truncates the north-south grain of the Mount Isa Province; the easternmost part of the NAC has been excised, presumably during breakup of Nuna. The subsurface Brighton Downs Seismic Province, formerly part of the northern Thomson Orogen, is a discrete seismic province, located between the NAC and the Thomson Orogen, and welded to the NAC during the accretion of Rodinia. Basement to the Thomson Orogen is a collage of microplates, accreted to the Brighton Downs Seismic Province during the assembly of Gondwana. By 530 Ma, eastern Australia faced an open Pacific Ocean, with the Thomson Orogen in a backarc setting. Thus, northeastern Australia contains a record of repeated continental accretion and breakup over at least three supercontinent cycles. • Interpretation of 2014–2015 deep crustal seismic reflection data in western Queensland. • Two new discrete seismic provinces discovered in the subsurface. • At least four Paleoproterozoic terranes recognised in easternmost North Australian Craton. • Part of North Australian Craton excised at Cork Fault during breakup of Nuna. • Northeast Australia records continental assembly and breakup over three supercontinent cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet‐surface evaporation equations related to the Penman equation can be represented graphically on vapor pressure (e) versus temperature (T) graphs (Qualls & Crago, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019wr026766). Here, actual regional evaporation is represented graphically on (e, T) graphs using the Complementary Relationship (CR) between actual and apparent potential evaporation. The CR proposed by the authors can be represented in a simple and intuitive geometric form, in which lines representing the regional latent heat flux, LE, and the wet surface (Priestley & Taylor, 1972, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1972)100<0081:otaosh>2.3.co;2) evaporation rate, LEPT, intersect at e = 0. This approach allows a graphical estimate of LE (or the corresponding mathematical formulation), provided available energy, wind speed, air temperature and humidity, and roughness lengths for momentum and sensible heat are available. The wet surface temperature is needed, and a calculation method for it is provided. The formulation works well using monthly data from seven sites in Australia, even when the same value of the Priestley & Taylor parameter α is used for all sites. Overall, compared to eddy covariance measurements, root mean square difference averaged 19 W m−2; this compares favorably with the CR formulation proposed by Brutsaert (2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015wr017720). Plain Language Summary: The Complementary Relationship (CR) between actual regional evaporation and apparent potential evaporation has received considerable support in recent years. Here, a representation of one version of the CR is developed and expressed on a single temperature/vapor pressure graph. Features such as available energy, wet surface temperature, actual surface temperature, potential temperature, and apparent potential temperature are all clearly represented graphically. The method is compared with that proposed by Brutsaert (2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015wr017720). Both methods performed well, but the graphical method has lower root mean squared errors. Key Points: Latent heat flux or evaporation can be depicted on graphs of vapor pressure (e) versus temperature (T)The Complementary Relationship (CR) of evaporation can be expressed graphically using an e versus T graphThe CR performs well with data from seven sites in Australia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite recommendations that pre‐school children use toothpaste containing 500–550 ppm of fluoride, there has been an increase in non‐fluoridated toothpastes marketed for children. This study investigated children's toothpaste in Australia. Methods: A comprehensive audit of all toothpastes marketed for pre‐school children and available in store in the Macarthur region of NSW, Australia, was carried out. All toothpastes available for purchase were obtained and examined; size and price were catalogued, along with ingredient lists and fluoride levels. Results: One hundred and seven individual toothpastes were identified in the audit, with 67 (62.6%) containing no fluoride. Of the 40 fluoridated toothpastes, only 11 (10.3%) contained the recommended level of fluoride of 500–550 ppm. Twenty‐two (20.6%) of all toothpastes were made in Australia, all of which were non‐fluoridated. Six (5.6%) of the toothpastes studied contained excessive levels of fluoride (1350–1500 ppm). Seventeen of the 20 least expensive toothpastes contained fluoride, while 18 of the 20 most expensive toothpastes were non‐fluoridated. Conclusions: Despite expert recommendations, the majority of children's toothpaste available in Australia contains either no fluoride or the wrong levels of fluoride. Further study is needed to determine why this change is occurring and what is influencing the increase in non‐fluoride toothpastes on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pimelea poisoning of cattle, historically known as St. George Disease or Marree Disease, is a prevailing issue in arid grazing regions of inland Australia. Ingestion of the toxic native Pimelea species that contain the secondary metabolite simplexin, a diterpene orthoester with potent protein kinase C activity, induces diarrhoea, characteristic oedema and potentially fatal right-sided heart failure in cattle. Outbreaks of toxic Pimelea in the grazing field depend on seasonal prevalence. However, all stages of the plant carry the toxin, from seeds, juvenile plants to dead plant material. Livestock generally avoid consuming green Pimelea plants and only consume toxic Pimelea when pasture is minimal or where Pimelea growing through grass tussocks results in inadvertent ingestion. Our knowledge base of Pimelea poisoning has greatly improved with past research, yet the health hazards for livestock grazing in Pimelea affected pastures remains a significant issue whilst the ongoing search to develop effective strategies to mitigate poisoning continues. The goal of this review is to collate historical and recent research giving an overview of the current understandings of Pimelea poisoning, the toxin, its toxic effects and progress made towards remedies to alleviate the effects of Pimelea intoxication. Image 1 • Native Pimelea plants in semi-arid Australia contain the toxin simplexin, a daphnane orthoester. • Simplexin has potent protein kinase C activity and is responsible for Pimelea poisoning of cattle. • Field weathered seed retains toxicity and poisoning occurs even in the absence of living plants. • No known cure exists resulting in significant annual economic losses. • Ongoing research may provide strategies to mitigate or eliminate poisoning events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential (wet surface) evaporation is the basis for many methods to estimate actual evaporation. Penman's (1948, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1948.0037) combination of energy budget with mass and energy transfer equations can be depicted on temperature‐vapor pressure graphs. Key to this depiction is two straight lines on the graph representing constant enthalpy of the air at measurement height and at the surface skin, with the gap between the lines representing a combination of aerodynamic resistance variables and available energy. The equations on which Penman based his formula are easily solved numerically (without need for Penman's famous assumption) for T0w, the temperature the surface would have if it was saturated, keeping all other variables constant. Wet surface evaporation is proportional to the vapor pressure difference between the measurement height and the surface skin. Equilibrium evaporation, based on the slope of the vapor pressure curve at T0w, is also easily represented in the graph. The difference between the correct wet surface evaporation rate and Penman's approximation is immediately visible on the graphs. The different wet surface evaporation rates are compared using data from a tropical savanna in Australia. Implications for the classic two‐component interpretation of Penman's equation are discussed. Key Points: Penman's (1948) combination method for wet surface evaporation does not require his famous linearization assumption in order to be usefulWet surface evaporation equations can be depicted easily on graphs of vapor pressure versus temperaturePenman's equation consistently underestimates the correct wet surface evaporation rate; graphs explain why this must be the case [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support coastal planning through improved understanding of patterns of biotic and abiotic surrogacy at broad scales, we used gradient forest modeling (GFM) to analyze and predict spatial patterns of compositional turnover of demersal fishes, macroinvertebrates, and macroalgae on shallow, temperate Australian reefs. Predictive models were first developed using environmental surrogates with estimates of prediction uncertainty, and then the efficacy of the three assemblages as biosurrogates for each other was assessed. Data from underwater visual surveys of subtidal rocky reefs were collected from the southeastern coastline of continental Australia (including South Australia and Victoria) and the northern coastline of Tasmania. These data were combined with 0.018-resolution gridded environmental variables to develop statistical models of compositional turnover (beta diversity) using GFM. GFM extends the machine learning, ensemble tree-based method of random forests (RF), to allow the simultaneous modeling of multiple taxa. The models were used to generate predictions of compositional turnover for each of the three assemblages within unsurveyed areas across the 6600 km of coastline in the region of interest. The most important predictor for all three assemblages was variability in sea surface temperature (measured as standard deviation from measures taken interannually). Spatial predictions of compositional turnover within unsurveyed areas across the region of interest were remarkably congruent across the three taxa. However, the greatest uncertainty in these predictions varied in location among the different assemblages. Pairwise congruency comparisons of observed and predicted turnover among the three assemblages showed that invertebrate and macroalgal biodiversity were most similar, followed by fishes and macroalgae, and lastly fishes and invertebrate biodiversity, suggesting that of the three assemblages, macroalgae would make the best biosurrogate for both invertebrate and fish compositional turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective arbovirus surveillance is essential to ensure the implementation of control strategies, such as mosquito suppression, vaccination, or dissemination of public warnings. Traditional strategies employed for arbovirus surveillance, such as detection of virus or virus-specific antibodies in sentinel animals, or detection of virus in hematophagous arthropods, have limitations as an early-warning system. A system was recently developed that involves collecting mosquitoes in CO2-baited traps, where the insects expectorate virus on sugar-baited nucleic acid preservation cards. The cards are then submitted for virus detection using molecular assays. We report the application of this system for detecting flaviviruses and alphaviruses in wild mosquito populations in northern Australia. This study was the first to employ nonpowered passive box traps (PBTs) that were designed to house cards baited with honey as the sugar source. Overall, 20/144 (13.9%) of PBTs from different weeks contained at least one virus-positive card. West Nile virus Kunjin subtype (WNVKUN), Ross River virus (RRV), and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) were detected, being identified in 13/20, 5/20, and 2/20 of positive PBTs, respectively. Importantly, sentinel chickens deployed to detect flavivirus activity did not seroconvert at two Northern Territory sites where four PBTs yielded WNVKUN. Sufficient WNVKUN and RRV RNA was expectorated onto some of the honey-soaked cards to provide a template for gene sequencing, enhancing the utility of the sugar-bait surveillance system for investigating the ecology, emergence, and movement of arboviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: With ongoing national concern about food security, the aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and to identify associated characteristics in a cohort of older Australians. Design, setting and participants: The Blue Mountains Eye Study is a cohort study of community living participants aged 49 + years. The 12-item food security survey was completed by 3068 participants in the cross sectional study which comprised 2335 survivors from baseline and the recruitment of an additional 1174 eligible residents. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of self reported food insecurity was calculated and multivariate logistic regression provided odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to determine risk factors. Results: Overall prevalence of food insecurity was 13%. Women (15.7%) compared with men (9.4%) and younger participants, aged <70 years (15.7%) than older participants, ≥70 years (8.4%), were significantly more likely to report being food insecure. Characteristics for reporting food insecurity included participants living in rented accommodation (OR 4.10, 95% CI: 2.83, 5.89) and those living on a pension only (OR 1.90, 95%CI: 1.30, 2.78). Conclusions: A relatively high level of food insecurity among this representative population of older Australians should be an issue of concern for policy makers and health and welfare service providers. Addressing food insecurity should be a priority of integrated national food and nutrition policies and this should in turn inform health and welfare service provision to this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotic introductions are an ongoing disruption for many ecosystems. For passively dispersed freshwater zooplankton, transcontinental introductions have been common but are poorly studied in the southern hemisphere. Here we assess the hypothesis of recent introduction for populations of the Chydorus sphaericus group (Crustacea: Cladocera) in Australia. We analyzed 254 sequences (63 original sequences) from the cytochrome oxidase I region of mitochondrial DNA of Chydorus sp., which included global representation. Three Australian populations were connected with separate clades in the northern hemisphere, suggesting multiple colonization events for Australia. The timescale of the divergences was consistent with recent (Quaternary) dispersal. As Australian populations are exposed to migrating birds from the northern hemisphere, both avian and anthropogenic sources are candidates for dispersal vectors. We concluded that recent cross-hemisphere dispersal in the Chydorus sphaericus group is more common than previously believed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on Australian general practitioners (GP) to find out when, why and to whom they refer patients with symptoms related to cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer. The study also sought to determine what factors in the GP and in the patient determine whether the latter will get sent to either a gynecologist or gynecological oncologist. It states that data was compiled through a survey of GPs from April 1 to August 31, 2009, and presents the results and conclusions.

In 2001-2002, a multicenter, prospective case-control study involving 1,714 participants ≥5 years of age was conducted in Australia to identify risk factors for Campylobacter infection. Adjusted population-attributable risks (PARs) were derived for each independent risk factor contained within the final multivariable logistic regression model. Estimated PARs were combined with adjusted (for the ≥5 years of age eligibility criterion) notifiable disease surveillance data to estimate annual Australian Campylobacter case numbers attributable to each risk factor. Simulated distributions of credible values" were then generated to model the uncertainty associated with each case number estimate. Among foodborne risk factors, an estimated 50,500 (95% credible interval 10,000--105,500) cases of Campylobacter infection in persons ≥5 years of age could be directly attributed each year to consumption of chicken in Australia. Our statistical technique could be applied more widely to other communicable diseases that are subject to routine surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parthenogenetic female of a new anomopod crustacean, Notothrix halsei gen. n. et sp. n., is described from Lake Angove and found in five other sites in SW Australia. Although macrotrichid-like at first glance, a detailed morphological study including thoracic appendages revealed a set of primitive characters and similarities with primitive families, in particular with the Eurycercidae and Acantholeberidae. Ancestral traits of Notothrix gen. n. comprise: (i) a single large head pore; (ii) second maxilla; (iii) incomplete dorsal merger of valves; (iv) second antenna with a three- and a four-segmented branch; (v) six trunk limbs; (vi) two setae on a sixth endite in the first limb, vs. complete row of posterior setae on the second limb; (vii) large number of setae on exopodites III–V; (viii) well-developed gnathobase V; and (ix) massive postabdomen with wide, telson-like terminus between end-claws that show complex spinulation but no basal spine. Analysis of the complete 18S (SSU) rRNA gene sequence including taxa from all but four anomopod families and using Ctenopoda as an outgroup, confirms our separation of the new taxon, the Nototrichidae fam. n. Although different alignments resulted in different trees, the analyses confirm an isolated position of Notothrix, which has the shortest SSU rRNA gene length known for anomopods. However, the phylogenies derived from a comparison of 18S rRNA gene sequences between families of the order Anomopoda, does not resolve the descent of the various family groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hailstorms are by far the costliest insured natural hazard in Australia. Major metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Brisbane, located in mid-latitude coastal Eastern Australia, are especially vulnerable due to building exposure and geographical location. Results are presented using data from metropolitan Sydney and Brisbane for seven recent severe storms, including the April 1999 Sydney hailstorm. The focus of this study is on comparisons between the radar-derived pattern of hail kinetic energy and damage to residential buildings in the form of insurance claims. CAPPI (Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicators) reflectivities were generated from S-band radar at low storm levels (1.5 km) and the hail kinetic energy was calculated. High reflectivity hail cells (≥55 dBZ) were investigated during the time they passed over occupied urban areas causing damage on the ground to insured assets. The preferred area for hail damage was found to be located to the left side and towards the rear left flank with respect to the storm movement. Higher claim costs were identified within storms that produced “follow up cells.” Two damage variables were derived from insurance claims on a 2×2 km grid: average cost and spatial average loss ratio. The radar fields were shifted horizontally in order to maximise correlations between the damage on the ground and the radar signal aloft. Correlation coefficients improved on average from 0.09 before shift to 0.47 after optimal shift for average cost; corresponding values for spatial average loss ratio improved from 0.06 to 0.43. These improvements in correlation are gratifying, especially considering the limitations of the data. Nonetheless, our general conclusion, when looking at all storms, is that hail kinetic energy as calculated in this study cannot by itself provide a robust, consistent and reliable predictor of insured losses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim Conflicting perceptions of past and present rangeland condition and limited historical data have led to debate regarding the management of vegetation in pastoral landscapes both internationally and in Australia. In light of this controversy we have sought to provide empirical evidence to determine the trajectory of vegetational change in a semi-arid rangeland for a significant portion of the 20th century using a suite of proxy measures. Location Ambathala Station, approximately 780 km west of Brisbane, in the semi-arid rangelands of south-western Queensland, Australia. Methods We excavated stratified deposits of sheep manure which had accumulated beneath a shearing shed between the years 1930 and 1995. Multi-proxy data, including pollen and leaf cuticle analyses and analysis of historical aerial photography were coupled with a fine resolution radiocarbon chronology to generate a near annual history of vegetation on the property and local area. Results Aerial photography indicates that minor (< 5%) increases in the density of woody vegetation took place between 1951 and 1994 in two thirds of the study area not subjected to clearing. Areas that were selectively or entirely cleared prior to the 1950s (approximately 16% of the study area) had recovered to almost 60% of their original cover by the 1994 photo period. This slight thickening is only partially evident from pollen and leaf cuticle analyses of sheep faeces. Very little change in vegetation is revealed over the nearly 65 years based on the relative abundances of pollen taxonomic groups. Microhistological examination of sheep faeces provides evidence of dramatic changes in sheep diet. The majority of dietary changes are associated with climatic events of sustained above-average rainfall or persistent drought. Most notable in the dietary analysis is the absence of grass during the first two decades of the record. Main conclusions In contrast to prevailing perceptions and limited research into long-term vegetation change in the semi-arid areas of eastern Australia, the record of vegetation change at the Ambathala shearing shed indicates only a minor increase in woody vegetation cover and no decrease in grass cover on the property over the 65 years of pastoral activity covered by the study. However, there are marked changes in the abundance of grass cuticles in sheep faeces. The appearance and persistence of grass in sheep diets from the late 1940s can be attributed to the effects of periods of high rainfall and possibly some clearing and thinning of vegetation. Lower stock numbers may have allowed grass to persist through later drought years. The relative abundances of major groups of plant pollen have not changed significantly over the past 65 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni isolates obtained from infected patients in Australia have not been detected in studies of isolates from specific geographic areas. The Australian government has prohibited the use of fluoroquinolone in food-producing animals. To assess the impact of this policy, we have examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from 5 Australian states. Methods. We conducted a period-prevalence survey of the susceptibility of C. jejuni isolates to 10 antimicrobial agents. C. jejuni isolates obtained from 585 patients from5 Australian states (Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) were identified by means of notifiable disease databases and were systematically selected from September 2001 to August 2002. Results. Among locally acquired infections, only 2% of isolates (range, 0%–8% in different states) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The locally acquired isolates also exhibited resistance to sulfisoxazole (55%), ampicillin (46%), roxithromycin (38%), tetracycline (7%), nalidixic acid (6%), chloramphenicol (3%), erythromycin (3%), gentamicin (2%), and kanamycin (0.2%). Treatment with antimicrobial agents in the 4 weeks before onset was not associated with ciprofloxacin resistance. Conclusions. The very low level of ciprofloxacin resistance in C. jejuni isolates likely reflects the success of Australia's policy of restricting use of fluoroquinolones in food-producing animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the description of a new species of bdelloid rotifer, Adineta ricciae n. sp., which emerged from dry mud of Ryan’s billabong, Victoria, Australia. Its conspicuous frontal eyes easily diagnose the species; it differs from A. oculata (Milne) by the position of the eyes and its general habitus. The animal came to our attention because it is exceptionally easy to culture, so that the species already is being used in diverse experimental studies utilising bdelloid rotifers as model organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Extended Linear Expenditure System is reformulated to yield private per capita net worth as the basic explanatory variable. As a by-product the model implies that the marginal propensity to consume/save out of permanent income varies with the rate of interest. In the estimation, account is taken of inconsistencies in data compiled from different sources by explicity including the savings relationship in the system. Parameter estimates based on Australian data are presented. In this paper we suggest that the standard procedure for implementing ELES may be modified in at least three respects. Firstly, ELES is reformulated in a way which demonstrates that the basic exogenous variable should be private per capita net worth. Such a series has been recently published (Helliwell and Boxall, 1978) and is to be preferred to the usual practice of utilizing an ad hoc proxy to permanent income. Secondly, this reformulation also accentuates the role of the rate of interest as an exogenous variable, and suggests that the usual procedure of incorporating it into a parameter of the system cannot be justified. Thirdly, it is pointed out that, although in theory the savings relation is a residual and could be ignored in estimation, in practice data from different sources need not be consistent. Thus usual estimates of ELES in fact ignore the endogeneity of the savings decision and discard useful information on the important intertemporal aspect of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the incidence of poverty among the young is explained in terms of their labour force experience, educational attainment, gender, and living arrangements. The availability of the Australian Longitudinal Survey data enables the incomes of individuals to be related to many other socioeconomic variables over a number of years. Generally the poor do not have high levels of education. About half of those classified as poor, endured a poverty spell of one year. But less than five per cent of the poor were so in each of the four survey years. Many of the poor were studying. Their low current incomes were presumably endured in the anticipation of high future earnings. The young women who were poor, many with children, were typically living in households offering them no additional financial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on aspects related to effect of reactive strength on agility among football players of Australia. Topics discussed include selection of field based agility tests and defensive agility, reactivity of strength groups, plyometric training for physical fitness, and defensive agility.

Calanoid copepods from billabongs near Wodonga, Victoria, Australia were found to be infested with a disc-shaped mobiline peritrich ciliate belonging to the genus Trichodina. Biometrical data, including mean body diameter (43.6 Mum), mean adhesive disc diameter (35.9 Mum), mean denticle ring diameter (20.1 Mum), modal denticle number (17), modal number of radial pins per denticle (9), and denticle shape and dimensions, indicate that the species is T. diaptomi Basson & Van As (1991). This is the first record of T. diaptomi from Australasia. Adults of Boeckella fluvialis and B. minuta were infected, but adult Calamoecia lucasi were not. Levels of infestation were higher on B. fluvialis (67.5% of females, 54.5% of males) than B. minuta (47.4% of females, 33.3% of males). Mean numbers of Trichodina per adult B. fluvialis were 7.68 (range 0-78) for females and 4.06 (range 0-43) for males,and differed significantly between sexes. Although calanoid copepodswere present in the plankton from January to early December 1991, Trichodina infestations occurred during October and November only, peaking during late November just before the copepods disappeared from the plankton. Whether the infestation was a cause of the copepod decline, developed because the copepods were rendered susceptible to infection by some other cause, or was determined by physical and/or chemical environmental factors is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The leaves of Planchonia careya (F. Muell.) R. Knuth (Lecythidaceae) have been traditionally implemented in the treatment of wounds by the indigenous people of northern Australia, although the compounds responsible for the medicinal properties have not been identified. In this study, antibacterial compounds from the leaf extracts were isolated and characterized, and the biological activity of each compound was assessed. Materials and methods: Compounds were isolated from the leaf extracts using HPLC-piloted activity-guided fractionation. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were assessed with plate-hole diffusion assays, and the cytotoxicity was determined with MTT assays using monkey kidney epithelial (MA104) cells. Results: Six known compounds were isolated from the leaf extracts and were identified as 1, (+)-gallocatechin; 2, gallocatechin-(4α→8)-gallocatechin; 3, 9(S)-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (α-dimorphecolic acid); 4, 2α,3β,24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (hyptatic acid-A); 5, 3β-O-cis-p-coumaroyltormentic acid; and 6, 3β-O-trans-p-coumaroyltormentic acid. Compounds 5 and 6 were weakly selective for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) compared with eukaryotic cells, with an MIC of 59.4μg/mL and a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 72.0μg/mL for MA104 cells. Conclusions: The isolation of six antibacterial compounds from the leaves of Planchonia careya validates the use of this species as a topical wound-healing remedy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The accurate assessment of trends in the woody structure of savannas has important implications for greenhouse accounting and land-use industries such as pastoralism. Two recent assessments of live woody biomass change from north-east Australian eucalypt woodland between the 1980s and 1990s present divergent results. The first estimate is derived from a network of permanent monitoring plots and the second from woody cover assessments from aerial photography. The differences between the studies are reviewed and include sample density, spatial scale and design. Further analyses targeting potential biases in the indirect aerial photography technique are conducted including a comparison of basal area estimates derived from 28 permanent monitoring sites with basal area estimates derived by the aerial photography technique. It is concluded that the effect of photo-scale; or the failure to include appropriate back-transformation of biomass estimates in the aerial photography study are not likely to have contributed significantly to the discrepancy. However, temporal changes in the structure of woodlands, for example, woodlands maturing from many smaller trees to fewer larger trees or seasonal changes, which affect the relationship between cover and basal area could impact on the detection of trends using the aerial photography technique. It is also possible that issues concerning photo-quality may bias assessments through time, and that the limited sample of the permanent monitoring network may inadequately represent change at regional scales. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Health departments routinely investigate cases of gastroenteritis through interviews to determine the source of infection. However, validation studies of dietary questionnaires typically focus on quantities consumed and don't assess questions designed to identify sources of foodborne illness. We aimed to assess the accuracy and reliability of information collected by surveys of food history recall for gastroenteritis investigations. A questionnaire was developed to investigate the sources of foodborne gastroenteritis in Australia, with questions on food exposures selected for validation. Fifty-five participants photographed all foods consumed and food receipts obtained during a seven-day observation period. These photographs were uploaded to an online survey or emailed to the researcher. Participants were contacted 14 days later for a telephone interview about foods consumed in the seven-day period. Questionnaire responses were compared to uploaded photographs. Kappa statistics (κ) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Sixty-two questions were assessed, including those targeting foods considered high-risk for foodborne gastroenteritis. Potential risk factors covered by these questions included: meats (poultry, beef, pork, and deli meats), the state of poultry purchased (raw versus precooked), and the number of meals eaten outside of the home. Several questions targeting high-risk foods were found to have substantial-to-almost perfect agreement (κ ≥ 0.610) between what was eaten and what was reported by participants, with most questions showing at least a moderate level of agreement (κ = 0.410–0.600). Questions regarding exposure to different types of meat showed a high level of consistency. The only question with poor participant recall (κ < 0.000) was that relating to consumption of undercooked beef or veal. Several questions designed for investigation of gastroenteritis were found to provide at least a moderate level of accurate and reliable recall, even after a delay until interview. These questions are suitable for investigating sources of foodborne gastroenteritis. • Recall of exposure to high-risk foods was assessed. • Most questions showed at least a moderate level of agreement. • Dining locations were assessed as having consistently high recall. • Questions that quantified consumption in number of days had poorer validity. • Questions and results can inform surveys for investigation of gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the standard is critical to the derivation of reliable U–Pb zircon ages by micro-beam analysis. For maximum reliability, it is critically important that the utilised standard be homogeneous at all scales of analysis. It is equally important that the standard has been precisely and accurately dated by an independent technique. This study reports the emergence of a new zircon standard that meets those criteria, as demonstrated by Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP), isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass-spectrometry (IDTIMS) and excimer laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass-spectrometry (ELA–ICP–MS) documentation. The TEMORA 1 zircon standard derives from the Middledale Gabbroic Diorite, a high-level mafic stock within the Palaeozoic Lachlan Orogen of eastern Australia. Its 206Pb/238U IDTIMS age has been determined to be 416.75±0.24 Ma (95% confidence limits), based on measurement errors alone. Spike-calibration uncertainty limits the accuracy to 416.8±1.1 Ma for U–Pb intercomparisons between different laboratories that do not use a common spike. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pimelea poisoning of cattle causes distinct symptoms and frequently death, attributable to the toxin simplexin. Pimelea poisoning was induced via addition of ground Pimelea trichostachya plant to the daily feed in a three-month trial with Droughtmaster steers. The trial tested four potential mitigation treatments, namely, biochar, activated biochar, bentonite, and a bacterial inoculum, and incorporated negative and positive control groups. All treatments tested were unable to prevent the development of simplexin poisoning effects. However, steers consuming a bentonite adsorbent together with Pimelea showed lesser rates-of-decline for body weight ( P < 0.05) and four hematological parameters ( P < 0.02), compared to the positive control group fed Pimelea only. Microbiome analysis revealed that despite displaying poisoning symptoms, the rumen microbial populations of animals receiving Pimelea were very resilient, with dominant bacterial populations maintained over time. Unexpectedly, clinical edema developed in some animals up to 2 weeks after Pimelea dosing was ceased.

Objectives: Aneurysm number (An) is a novel prediction tool utilizing parameters of pulsatility index (PI) and aneurysm geometry. An has been shown to have the potential to differentiate intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture status. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of An for IA rupture status prediction using Australian based clinical data., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted across three tertiary referral hospitals between November 2017 and November 2020 and all saccular IAs with known rupture status were included. Two sets of An values were calculated based on two sets of PI values previously reported in the literature., Results: Five hundred and four IA cases were included in this study. The results demonstrated no significant difference between ruptured and unruptured status when using An ≥1 as the discriminator. Further analysis showed no strong correlation between An and IA subtypes. The area under the curve (AUC) indicated poor performance in predicting rupture status (AUC1 = 0.55 and AUC2 = 0.56)., Conclusions: This study does not support An ≥1 as a reliable parameter to predict the rupture status of IAs based on a retrospective cohort. Although the concept of An is supported by hemodynamic aneurysm theory, further research is needed before it can be applied in the clinical setting., Advances in Knowledge: This study demonstrates that the novel prediction tool, An, proposed in 2020 is not reliable and that further research of this hemodynamic model is needed before it can be incorporated into the prediction of IA rupture status., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Institute of Radiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Globally, food is acknowledged as a primary focus for addressing challenges facing cities. City councils create and support food-related policies or strategies to enhance healthy and sustainable environments, and multiple food practitioners engage closely with these initiatives. However, the visibility of educational aspects of food within governments, policy development, public spaces, or across society is limited. There is a lack of evidence about how pedagogical frameworks can inform these initiatives. This study aims to develop a draft food pedagogies framework, whose application can inform food initiatives beyond the classroom to increase adults' awareness of, engagement with and empowered action relating to food, with the goal to advance societal health and sustainability. A qualitative approach included semi-structured interviews with 39 experienced food leaders from diverse food-related fields in Australia. Using thematic analysis, five key themes to assist adults learn about food in everyday life settings were identified: (1) Making use of (in)formal pedagogical spaces in communities; (2) Encouraging interactions with a range of people related to food; (3) Creating enjoyable and practical experiences as part of daily lives; (4) Developing supportive and transparent systems that reflect communities' needs; and (5) Utilizing broader social issues. A proposed framework, based on the five themes and existing theoretical frameworks, can be used to inform policy makers and diverse food practitioners to develop urban food strategies that aim to create food-centred changes within urban settings toward societal health and sustainability., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked recessive condition is maternally inherited in two-thirds of affected boys. It is important to establish carrier status of female relatives to restore reproductive confidence for non-carriers and facilitate reproductive options and cardiac surveillance for carriers. This study investigates disease incidence within an Australian model of cascade screening and evolving genetic diagnostic technologies. A retrospective population-based cohort study of all genetically and/or histopathologically confirmed males with DMD, born in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory was undertaken from 2002-2012. Cases were identified using state-wide molecular laboratory and clinical databases. The annual disease incidence and "theoretically" preventable cases were extrapolated over the study period. Proband genotype/phenotype, pedigree analysis, carrier-risk and extent of cascade screening were also determined. The cumulative incidence of disease was 19.7 per 100,000 male live births and 1 in 5076 live born males were diagnosed with DMD. Differences in disease incidence were not statistically different when compared between 2002-2007 and 2008-2012 (incidence rate ratio = 1.13, 95% CI 0.76-1.69, p = 0.52). The incidence rate ratio of theoretically preventable cases did not significantly change between 2002-2007 and 2008-2012 (incidence rate ratio = 2.07, 95% CI 0.58-9.21, p = 0.23). Current diagnostic and cascade screening models have limitations in their impact on disease incidence, due to a spectrum of logistical, patient and condition related factors. Innovative approaches to reduce DMD incidence may be better achieved by preconception or early pregnancy carrier screening, prenatal exome sequencing and newborn screening., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Abstract: Collison, J, Debenedictis, T, Fuller, JT, Gerschwitz, R, Ling, T, Gotch, L, Bishop, B, Sibley, L, Russell, J, Hobbs, A, and Bellenger, CR. Supramaximal interval running prescription in Australian Rules Football players: A comparison between maximal aerobic speed, anaerobic speed reserve and the 30-15 intermittent fitness test. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3409-3414, 2022-Accurate prescription of supramaximal interval running during Australian Rules Football (AF) preparatory periods is important to facilitate the specific targeting of physiological and neuromuscular adaptation. This study compared the variability in supramaximal interval running performance prescribed by proportion of maximal aerobic speed (MAS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), and 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15IFT) terminal speed. Seventeen male junior AF players first completed assessments of MAS, ASR, and 30-15IFT in a randomized order. They subsequently performed supramaximal interval running trials (15 seconds on: 15 seconds off until volitional exhaustion) at 120% MAS, 20% ASR, and 95% 30-15IFT in a randomized order. Variability in time to exhaustion (TTE) for each prescription method was calculated as the mean of the square root of the squared difference between the individual value and the mean value, and it was compared via repeated-measures analysis of variance with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Time to exhaustion during supramaximal interval running was not different between the prescription methods ( p = 0.58). Time to exhaustion residuals were reduced when prescribed by ASR compared with MAS (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.47; 29%); however, confidence intervals about this reduction indicated that there was some uncertainty in this finding (SMD = -1.03 to 0.09; p = 0.09). Trivial differences in TTE residuals were present when prescribed by 30-15IFT compared with MAS (SMD = -0.05 ± 0.59; p = 0.86). Although there was some uncertainty about the reduction in supramaximal interval running performance variability when prescribed by ASR compared with MAS, the 29% reduction exceeds the inherent error in TTE efforts (i.e., ∼9-15%) and may thus be considered practically meaningful. Reducing supramaximal interval running performance variability ensures similar physiological demand across individuals, potentially facilitating similar degrees of physiological adaptation., (Copyright © 2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

This document provides consensus-based recommendations for general physicians and primary care physicians who diagnose and manage patients with mitochondrial diseases (MD). It builds on previous international guidelines, with particular emphasis on clinical management in the Australian setting. This statement was prepared by a working group of medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals with clinical expertise and experience in managing Australian patients with MD. As new treatments and management plans emerge, these consensus-based recommendations will continue to evolve, but current standards of care are summarised in this document., (© 2021 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.)

The present study aims to investigate the effect of wholegrain and legume consumption on the incidence of age-related cataract in an older Australian population-based cohort. The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a population-based cohort study of eye diseases among older adults aged 49 years or older (1992-1994, n 3654). Of 2334 participants of the second examination of the BMES (BMES 2, 1997-2000), 1541 (78·3 % of survivors) were examined 5 years later (BMES 3) who had wholegrain and legume consumption estimated from the FFQ at BMES 2. Cataract was assessed using photographs taken during examinations following the Wisconsin cataract grading system. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess associations with the 5-year incidence of cataract from BMES 2 (baseline) to BMES 3. The 5-year incidence of cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract was 18·2, 16·5 and 5·9 %, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex and other factors, total wholegrain consumption at baseline was not associated with incidence of any type of cataract. High consumption of legumes showed a protective association for incident PSC cataract (5th quintile: adjusted OR 0·37; 95 % CI 0·15, 0·92). There was no significant trend of this association across quintiles (P = 0·08). In this older Australian population, we found no associations between wholegrain intake at baseline and the 5-year incidence of three cataract types. However, intake of legumes in the highest quintile, compared with the lowest quintile, may protect against PSC formation, a finding needing replication in other studies.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies to identify locally relevant risk factors for sporadic campylobacteriosis in Australia and New Zealand., Methods: We searched Medline, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google Scholar using PRISMA guidelines. Reference lists and grey literature were hand-searched. Meta-analyses were conducted in the R package 'metafor' using published odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals., Results: We identified 325 articles, from which we included 10 that described case-control studies. Four risk factors were statistically significant in the meta-analysis: eating undercooked poultry (OR=4.28, 95%CI 3.09-5.93); eating poultry cooked outside the home (OR=2.13, 95%CI 1.66-2.72); having pet chickens (OR=3.29, 95%CI 2.12-5.10); and overseas travel (OR=5.55, 95%CI 3.20-9.63). Among children, having pet dogs showed elevated but not significant risk (OR=1.57, 95%CI 0.99-2.49)., Conclusions: We identified consumption of chicken meat and contact with domestic chickens as important risk factors for campylobacteriosis in Australia and New Zealand. Implications for public health: While consumption of chicken meat is a well-known risk factor for campylobacteriosis, zoonotic transmission is often overlooked. This research indicates a greater need for public health awareness surrounding zoonotic campylobacteriosis, especially for young children., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Purpose: Short-term trials indicate inorganic nitrate and nitrate-rich vegetables may have vascular health benefits. However, few observational studies have explored the relationship between nitrate intake and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association of nitrate intake from vegetables with CVD mortality in a sample of older Australians., Methods: A subgroup of participants without diabetes or major CVD at baseline (1992-1994) were included from the Blue Mountains Eye Study, a population-based cohort study of men and women aged ≥ 49 years. Diets were evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline, 5 years and 10 years of follow-up. Vegetable nitrate intake was estimated using a comprehensive vegetable nitrate database. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between vegetable nitrate intake and CVD mortality., Results: During 14 years of follow-up, 188/2229 (8.4%) participants died from CVD. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, participants in quartile 2 [69.5-99.6 mg/day; HR 0.53 (95% CI 0.35, 0.82)], quartile 3 [99.7-137.8 mg/day; HR 0.51 (95% CI 0.32, 0.80)], and quartile 4 [> 137.8 mg/day; HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.41, 0.95)] of vegetable nitrate intake had lower hazards for CVD mortality compared to participants in quartile 1 (< 69.5 mg/day)., Conclusions: In older Australian men and women, vegetable nitrate intake was inversely associated with CVD mortality, independent of lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors. These findings confirm a recent report that intake of vegetable nitrate lowers the risk of CVD mortality in older women and extend these findings to older men.

Introduction: Postcraniotomy pain protocols use opioids, which are considered suboptimal analgesia following this procedure. Multimodal analgesia components are sparse. Our null hypothesis states that sumatriptan is not different to placebo in addition to usual intravenous opioids, for the treatment of acute postcraniotomy pain., Methods and Analysis: This is a prospective single-centre randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial comparing subcutaneous sumatriptan injection in the recovery area with placebo for the treatment of postcraniotomy pain. Eligible adult patients (18 years and older) undergoing craniotomy will be identified preoperatively. Both patient groups will receive a subcutaneous injection at a point where recovery-nursing staff would initiate the usual intravenous opioid analgesia as per standardised pain management protocol. In both groups, further pain management will be followed by the usual intravenous opioid administration. Primary outcome will consist of the difference in pain experienced by the two groups of patients in recovery area 60 min after the study drug administration. Postcraniotomy pain will be measured at regular intervals using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in recovery area. The minimal clinically important difference of 10 mm on the VAS between the two groups will be considered as statistically significant. We will include selected clinical and patient-reported outcomes as secondary endpoints. Univariate regression will be conducted on each one of the clinically plausible potential confounders. We will enrol a total 136 patients, with the study duration of 2 years. This trial will commence recruitment on the 1 July 2019., Ethics and Dissemination: This trial protocol has achieved approval by the Austin Health Research Committee, HREC/17/Austin/596. This trial was prospectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on the 10/05/2018 with a unique trial identifier U1111-1209-9072 and registration Number ACTRN12618000793213P. Findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed academic journals., Trial Registration Number: U1111-1209-9072, ACTRN12618000793213P., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)