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Background: Animal studies and in vitro experiments indicate that vitamin D is involved in a diverse range of neurobiological functions. We had the opportunity to examine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] levels and performance on various cognitive tasks, based on a large, representative community sample. Methods: Three age groups were available from the population-based NHANES III survey: adolescent group (n = 1,676, age range 12–17 years), adult group (n = 4,747, 20–60 years), elderly group (n = 4,809, 60–90 years). The associations between eight psychometric measures and serum 25(OH)D were assessed. Results: In the adolescent and adult groups, none of the psychometric measures were associated with 25(OH)D levels. In the elderly group there was a significant difference between 25(OH)D quintiles performance on a learning and memory task; however, those with the highest quintile of 25(OH)D were most impaired on the task, contrary to the hypotheses. Conclusion: Lower 25(OH)D levels were not associated with impaired performance on various psychometric measures. While it remains to be seen if chronic exposure to low 25(OH)D levels alters brain function in the long term, this cross-sectional study suggests that 25(OH)D levels do not influence neurocognitive performance. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported course of illness predicts vocational recovery in a representative sample of persons with DSM-III-R diagnosed schizophrenia after adjusting for 13 clinical, and 8 non-clinical predictors chosen on the basis of a recent literature review. Design: Data from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Australia (a survey of people living with psychotic illness) 1997-1998 were analyzed. Participants (n = 380) were characterized by a diagnosis of schizophrenia, outpatient or short-stay inpatient status, known educational attainment, and an employed or unemployed status at the time of interview. Results: Self-reported course of illness emerged as a practical and low cost predictor of vocational recovery. In contrast to previous controlled studies in the United States, educational attainment and age contributed to predicting vocational recovery in Australia. Conclusions: More severe courses of illness, disrupted education, and age exceeding 44 years, suggest more intensive forms of vocational assistance may be required. Although promising, further work is needed to validate the potential utility of self-reported course of illness in vocational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined clinical and non-clinical predictors of vocational recovery among Australians diagnosed with DSM III R psychotic disorders, using data from the study on low-prevalence disorders, part of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Australia 1997-1998. Implications of the study findings for rehabilitation professionals and researchers; Unemployment rate for people with psychotic disorder; Limitations of the study.

This paper argues for a discourse theoretical re-evaluation of the dominant ideology debate. Drawing on the findings of a 1986 survey on themes and issues from text by right-wing groups and parties, it examines the degree to which New Right agendas are acceptable in Australia and accepted by whom. Such agendas are shown to be widely accessible and acceptable in varying degrees to a majority of the sample. This appears to extend across structural positions such as 'class'. Concerns about the Australian moral, social and economic order and national identity are seen as constituting the discursive terrain upon which hegemony is contested by opposing forces. While there are multiple possibilities for alternative constructions and resistance to specific imperatives, the New Right appears to be dominant. Its cobbling together of issues of lifestyle, national identity, reformist programs and economics consti tutes what might be referred to as a dominant ideology. Put another way, subjects are seen as drawing upon and being shaped by the discursive resources available to them in their interaction in concrete social situations. Thus while as a dom inant discourse the New Right is negotiated and contested by social actors, it may also be seen as a socially educative insti tution which offers a'commonsensical' knowledge position for subjects and structured positions of dominance and subordina tion. The paper concludes with a brief review of possibilities for change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Birth weight is known to fluctuate with season of birth, however, there is little information about seasonal variation in neonatal anthropometric measures. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine seasonal fluctuations in birth weight and selected anthropometric measures. Study design and subjects: The birth weight of singletons born after at least 37 weeks gestation was extracted from a perinatal register in south-east Queensland (n =350,171). Mean monthly birth weights for this period were examined. Based on a separate birth cohort, principal component analysis was undertaken on neonatal anthropometric measures (n =1233). Seasonality was assessed by (a) spectral analysis of time series data, (b) monthly and seasonal comparison of outcomes. Results: Based on register data, birth weight displayed clear annual periodicity. Birth weight differed significantly when compared by month and season. Infants born in October were the heaviest (3484 g), while May-born infants were the lightest (3459 g; P =0.001). Based on the cohort anthropometric data, three components were identified related to (a) overall size, (b) limb length, and (c) head size and skin-fold thickness. Each of these components displayed significant seasonal variation. In particular, prominent seasonal fluctuations in limb length were identified, with peak limb length associated with winter/spring birth. Conclusion: Environmental factors that have regular seasonal fluctuation influence both the size and shape of neonates. Animal experiments suggest that prenatal hypovitaminosis D may underlie greater limb length. Because birth weight and limb length are associated with a broad range of important health outcomes, the seasonal exposures underlying these effects warrant further scrutiny from a public health perspective., Anthropology

This study examined various psychological correlates of belief in, and experience of, anomalous phenomena. Anomalous experiences are those that, although they may be experienced by a considerable number of individuals--such as experiences considered to be telepathic--are thought to diverge from ordinary experiences or from established accounts of reality. One hundred and seventy-three participants (114 females and 59 males) were classified as anomalous experiencers (n = 125), anomalous believers (n = 39) and non-believers (n = 9), according to their responses on a Measure of Anomalous Experiences and Beliefs. Focusing on the Experiencer group, correlational analyses were conducted with fantasy proneness, dissociation, paranormal beliefs, and the personality correlates of "intuition" and "feeling." Analyses revealed significant correlations between fantasy proneness and five of the seven subscales of paranormal belief and significant moderate (to low) correlations with both the "intuition" and "feeling" dimensions of the MBTI. Dissociation was also related to global paranormal belief and to the subscales of psi, superstition, and extraordinary life forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between reported out-of-body experiences, certain psychological variables and personality characteristics. One hundred and sixty-seven participants completed a series of questionnaires to investigate differences amongst those participants reporting out-of-body experiences and those who were classified as believers or non-believers on: fantasy proneness, paranormal beliefs, psychological absorption, psychological association, somatoform dissociation, certain personality characteristics and OBE experience sensations. The findings revealed that experients were more fantasy prone, higher in their belief in the paranormal and displayed greater somatoform dissociation. Psychological absorption and dissociation were higher for believers than for either experients or non-believers and in relation to experients, fantasy proneness, paranormal beliefs and the personality dimensions of institution and feeling were significantly related, as were psychological absorption, psychological dissociation and somatoform dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate factors influencing career experiences and career choices made by former general practitioner registrars and to ascertain the reasons for these career decisions., Method: A postal questionnaire was sent to all former registrars who completed the RACGP Training Program between 1994 and 1996. In addition 21 selected respondents were interviewed to obtain deeper insights into the comments recorded in returned questionnaires. All data were analysed for variance according to age, gender, state and locality of current general practice (i.e. whether metropolitan, rural or remote)., Results: Altogether, 472 of the 988 questionnaires distributed were completed and returned. Of the respondents, 62.3% were female and 36.4% male; 68% were aged 30-34 years. Most (85.4%) lived with a partner, and 53.8% had at least one child. The majority (87.9%) of respondents gained their primary medical qualification in Australia. In addition to the FRACGP, 35.6% had also gained a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A number of other qualifications were recorded. Three-quarters (75.6%) of participants were currently working as group GPs, two-thirds of whom were employees; 5.9% were solo GPs; 3.4% locums; and 1.3% rural hospital medical officers. About one-third (32.4%) held a second job; most of these were in subspecialty clinics or attachments. Sixty-six percent were currently in metropolitan practice, 17.6% in rural and 2.7% in remote practice. The two highest ranked career options were continued professional development (70.8%) and performance of minor procedures (67.2%). Family and domestic circumstances stood out as the most influential factor for 79.0% of GPs. The majority (75.8%) felt that vocational training had exerted a positive effect on their careers through, for example, exposure to varied practice types and good overall clinical training., Conclusion: While general practice experience in undergraduate education is an important factor in career choice, vocational training strongly influences preparation for, and the type of general practice undertaken. Nevertheless, family circumstances were reported as the most important consideration, although male and female work patterns differed markedly. It is concluded that these differences reflect different priorities in balancing professional and personal demands. The particular needs of the growing proportion of female practitioners have strong implications for future educational and workforce planning.