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Zero-sum beliefs reflect the perception that one party's gains are necessarily offset by another party's losses. Although zero-sum relationships are, from a strictly theoretical perspective, symmetrical, we find evidence for asymmetrical zero-sum beliefs: The belief that others gain at one's own expense, but not vice versa. Across various contexts (international relations, interpersonal negotiations, political partisanship, organizational hierarchies) and research designs (within- and between-participant), we find that people are more prone to believe that others' success comes at their own expense than they are to believe that their own success comes at others' expense. Moreover, we find that people exhibit asymmetric zero-sum beliefs only when thinking about how their own party relates to other parties but not when thinking about how other parties relate to each other. Finally, we find that this effect is moderated by how threatened people feel by others' success and that reassuring people about their party's strengths eliminates asymmetric zero-sum beliefs. We discuss the theoretical contributions of our findings to research on interpersonal and intergroup zero-sum beliefs and their implications for understanding when and why people view life as zero-sum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the highlights of the 13th virtual Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium (RRMHS) in Australia in November 2021. Topics include the effects of COVID-19 on rural mental health service reform and the benefits of physical health, vaccination and social well-being as components of a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Presenters include Doctors Ruth Vine and Leanne Beagley and nurse Jo Rasmussen.

The article presents the discussion on rural health in Australia. Topics include rural health being prominent in most state and national health plans and workforce strategies; and widely dispersed rural health workforce in pharmacy, allied health, and general practitioner small businesses supported by the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Objective: To investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health and well‐being of rural paramedics, police, community nursing and child protection staff. Method: An online survey was distributed to investigate the sources of stress and support across individual, task and organisational domains. Setting and Participants: The survey was completed by 1542 paramedics, police, community nurses and child protection workers from all states and territories of Australia. This study describes the data for the 632 rural participants. Main outcome measures: The main measures of well‐being were the Public Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD7), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), workplace engagement, intention to quit and COVID‐19–related stress. Results: The mean depression and anxiety scores were 8.2 (PHQ9) and 6.8 (GAD7). This is 2–3 times that found in the general community. Over half (56.1%) of respondents showed high emotional exhaustion (burnout). The emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment mean scores were 28.5, 9.3 and 34.2, respectively. The strongest associations with burnout and psychological distress were workload, provision of practical support, training and organisational communication. A significant proportion of respondents were seriously considering quitting (27.4%) or looking for a new job with a different employer (28.5%) in the next 12 months. Conclusions: COVID‐19 has increased the workload and stress on rural front‐line community staff. The major sources of stress were related to organisations' responses to COVID‐19 and not COVID‐19 per se. The data suggest the most effective mental health interventions are practical and preventive, such as firstly ensuring fair and reasonable workloads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urgent action is required to combat rabies in both humans and animals in Myanmar as it is now more common than malaria [[6]]; the WHO target of achieving zero human deaths secondary to dog-mediated rabies in Myanmar is certainly in jeopardy [[7]]. Community engagement and empowerment Democracy signifies "the rule of the people"; the coup d'état has removed the voice of the people of Myanmar and is the strongest form of disempowerment. Strengthening health systems The Myanmar healthcare system has been systematically undermined by the previous military leadership, which leaves it at risk of "profound health system collapse" [[13]]. [Extracted from the article]

This paper highlights some key actions social workers can take to help improve the physical health of people living with mental illness. Despite an 80% comorbidity rate, many people living with mental illness still do not receive a physical health check-up. For this and other reasons, people living with mental illness die, on average, 10–20 years prematurely. This early death is usually preceded by years or decades of poor health. Using a collective impact approach, this paper discusses actions to increase autonomy, advocate for better access to quality physical health care, and minimise iatrogenic harm for people living with mental illness. IMPLICATIONS This paper highlights the key opportunities for social workers to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness. Using a collective impact approach, it highlights the vital role social workers can play in enacting the essential elements of the Equally Well national consensus statement, such as advocating equity of access to physical health care services, supporting quality care, and reducing stigma and discrimination for people living with mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on the COVID-19, leadership and lessons from physics. Topics include the times of crisis and major disruption bring leadership values into focus, particularly the values of political and public service leaders, the leader needs clarity about their personal and organizational values, and the history of dealing with changing demands, health services have experience in deploying and redeploying staff and resources in response to rapidly changing circumstances.

Objective: This study examines consumer engagement with a social marketing digital media strategy designed to support the implementation of Equally Well--a program to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness. Design: A four-stage strategic analysis and intervention mix were used as the theoretical framework to assess stakeholder needs and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Setting: Online and digital media. Participants: Mental health consumers, carers, clinicians and service managers. Interventions: A digital media, social marketing intervention to support those seeking to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness. The strategy was developed using a co-design methodology and provided links to self-care resources, access to service providers, clinical tools for health professionals and links to existing successful rural programs. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were the number of people from each category accessing the media, making connections and downloading resources. Results: The program has resulted in more than 24 500 website hits per annum, 3500 tweets and 14.5 million Twitter impressions with good bounce and download rates. The analysis suggested the materials were mostly used by clinicians and service managers using desktop computers. Conclusions: Using a co-design approach, the study demonstrated the potential of a social marketing digital media strategy as a health promotion methodology. The paper has provided a framework for implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of digital social media campaigns that can help consumers, carers, clinicians and service planners address the challenges of rural health service delivery and the tyranny of distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An available and effective rural mental health workforce is critical to the provision of contemporary mental health care. During the last 5 years new mental health plans and strategies have been released every state and territory of Australia. This policy analysis examines the extent to which workforce, and particularly rural workforce issues are considered in these policies. The analysis revealed that rural workforce issues receive scant attention in state and territory mental health plans. Rural Australians comprise 28% of the total population, yet rural workforce issues are canvased, on average only 6% of the time general workforce issues are addressed. National mental health workforce plans do focus on the rural workforce, but these are not referenced in the state or territory strategies or workforce plans. Given the rural mental health workforce shortages, and consumer challenges in accessing rural mental health services, more planning and consideration to supporting and developing a rural workforce appears warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the older people's mental health workforce development, policy development and implementation process and quantifies the rural service delivery and access impacts over a 15‐year period in New South Wales. It highlights the factors that are considered to be critical to successful rural service development such as commitment to funding parity, investment in strong local service leadership, and development of innovative, locally adapted rural service models. Building on these foundations, the Older People's Mental Health Program in New South Wales was able to address key challenges relating to service access in rural health and develop new, sustainable specialist older people's mental health service networks. A sustained focus on policy and implementation which explicitly supports rural older people's mental health service enhancement, and development of evidence‐based models of care, has significantly improved access to specialist mental health care for older people in rural areas. It has delivered 23 new rural older people's mental health community teams and a 440% increase in the number of people accessing these teams. It has also doubled the number of acute inpatient units and established new specialist mental health‐residential aged care partnership services in rural New South Wales. It has resulted in increased access to services for the "older old," while not diminishing older people's rates of access to general adult mental health services. It has also supported innovative, sustainable rural service models such as "hub and spoke" models and step‐up step‐down inpatient services that build on existing health and hospital infrastructure and link geographically dispersed specialist clinicians and services together in rural service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the strengths and challenges facing rural health research in Australia. Topics discussed include the importance of addressing the inequities of health research funding in the country, advantages of the Australian rural health teaching and research infrastructure, and implications of the proposed open access revisions by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for rural health outcomes.

An editorial is presented on the public health policy and leadership matters. The article discusses that the extraordinary situation of COVID-19 has mobilized health experts in concert with our political leaders, whose duty it is to convert expert advice to regulation and action; and COVID-19 has been the catalyst for (mostly) rapid and decisive public health action.

Introduction: People living with mental illness have poorer physical health and die on average 20 years younger than the general population. Most of this poor health and early death is due to preventable chronic health conditions. Using a collective impact model, Equally Well, provides examples of, how with the support of a backbone organisation, leadership is distributed to enable the development of new collaborative initiatives that are 'fit-for-purpose' and not imposed by a central agency. This presentation provides examples from Australia, New Zealand and UK on how the collective impact approach has been adapted and implemented. Aims, Objectives, Theory or Methods: The aim of Equally Well is to facilitate increased coordination and integration between a diverse range of partner organisations toward a common goal. Based on the theory and methods of the collective impact model, Equally Well looks to enhance the way organisations work together towards the ultimate objective of improving the physical health and reducing the life expectancy gap for people living with mental illness. A variety of methods were used, such as a national audit to identify and share best practice; and continuous communication to increase awareness of the issue, initiatives and opportunities to address this problem. Highlights or Results or Key Findings: A comprehensive national environmental scan and audit revealed 387 projects and initiatives underway to implement the recommendations of the Equally Well National Consensus Statement. The most effective and sustainable initiatives were then identified and highlighted through webinars, symposia, and social media. This served as a catalyst for partners to network, collaborate and share learnings and resources. In addition, policy, implementation and clinical delivery communities of practice were established as a forum to discuss these projects and their associated processes and challenges. As a result, new crossjurisdictional and inter-sectorial partnerships were established across the government, nongovernment, and research sectors. This distributed leadership and light-touch governance model means that contextually appropriate new partnerships can form according the context and capability of each organisation at the time. This presentation will outline case examples illustrating how this process facilitated collaborative partnerships to provide integrated holistic care. Conclusions: Supported by a strong policy framework, this experience demonstrated the capability of agencies to self-organise to form strong integrative partnerships. Further, this light-touch approach, means partnerships can develop to best suit their unique situational context, and combined with a shared, agreed goal, this results in better and sustainable 'fit-for-purpose' solutions. Implications for applicability/transferability, sustainability, and limitations: The processes and methods of a collective impact approach can be applied to a range of care scenarios to facilitate enhanced integration and collaboration. Working through local place-based leaders results in a more sustainable approach that works to focus, mobilize and coordinate existing capacity towards a common agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People diagnosed with mental illness have relatively poor physical health and die earlier than their counterparts in the general population. People living with mental illness in rural Australia have three times the risk of premature death than the total population. This article reviews recent international, Australian and New Zealand research, identifies the increased risk of early death of people living with mental health issues in rural settings and looks at the need for policy and practice responses. The 'Equally Well' national initiatives are described in Australia and New Zealand, which seek to systematically address this inequity as a matter of priority. Finally, it argues for co‐design and consumer participation in policy development, program implementation and research. Improved understanding of the perspectives and priorities of people with experience of mental illness is vital if change is to be fully realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the 11th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium that was held between 28 and 30 October 2019 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia (SA) to discuss mental health. It mentions that the rate of suicide is much higher in rural communities; and also mentions that to be effective, mental health policy development must include stakeholders from rural communities.

The article presents the discussion on Peter Brown, a Commonwealth public servant organising major Australian cultural events such as ballet, orchestral performances, and film showings in China and analysing cultural and social developments in the country.

The article acknowledges the evolution of the Internet and how it affects the economy in areas such as business and industrial transformation. It emphasizes the importance of digital revolution in the field of medicine, transportation, and education. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is acknowledged for his views on Internet evolution and humanity. A concern is raised regarding its negative effect on workforce.

The QuickTox Kit for QuickScan Aflatoxin FREE uses competitive lateral flow technology and a reader based system for quantitative determination of total aflatoxins in varied matrixes. Aqueous based extraction protocols are used for corn and wheat, reducing use of solvents. Fifty percent ethanol (Reagent Alcohol) extraction is used for oats, sorghum, and barley. Eighty percent ethanol (Reagent Alcohol) extraction is used for whole peanut, peanut seed, and peanut hull samples. Matrix specific assay procedures and calibration curves are used to enable analyses across multiple sample types. The performance of this assay was examined using naturally contaminated aflatoxin corn samples and spiked samples of barley, oats, sorghum, wheat, whole peanut, peanut seed, and peanut hull samples. All data were judged against previously established acceptance criteria. Performance was evaluated in linearity, selectivity, matrix, lot consistency, and robustness experiments in the sponsor's laboratory. Results produced in all studies except robustness were within acceptable ranges. Out of range robustness study results reflected simultaneous deviation in sample volume and assay development time compared to the standard assay procedures. Aflatoxin B1, B2, and G1 were detected with approximately equal sensitivity; sensitivity for G2 was 64% that of B1. The presence of other common mycotoxins did not interfere with the assay. Matrix studies in an independent laboratory examined corn and barley to challenge both aqueous and ethanol based extraction procedures. All data points in these studies fell within the ranges defined in the acceptance criteria. The assay exhibited a linear dose response over the range tested, 0-100 ppb, with R2 values exceeding 0.93 and RSDr values for results ranging from 2.27 to 23.84%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a reprint of the article "Austerity Versus Stimulus" by Russell Roberts, which appeared in the "European." The author discusses the impact of the government spending on the military sector on private consumption and economy in the country. He also mentions the analysis of several economists regarding the outcome of U.S. President Barack Obama's stimulus package on the economic condition in the country.

Quantitative, reader-based lateral flow technology is utilized for determination of ochratoxin contamination levels in wheat by the QuickTox Kit for QuickScan Ochratoxin-A. Naturally contaminated wheat samples were used to challenge the assay in the range of 0-100 ppb in linearity, selectivity, robustness, and stability, and in internal and external matrix studies. Performance was judged against criteria established by the AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested MethodSM program prior to beginning the validation studies. All data produced during this work conformed to the acceptance criteria. Linear dose responses with R² exceeding 0.97 and RSDr values between 6.22 and 17.10% for positive samples were observed in linearity and internal and external matrix studies. Ochratoxin A (OTA) and ochratoxin B (OTB) were detected by the assay. Assay sensitivity towards OTB was approximately 50% relative to OTA detection. Other common mycotoxins did not affect assay results. Variations in assay timing, temperature, and sample volume encompassed in the robustness study did not yield results outside the acceptable range. Determination of ochratoxin in wheat is facilitated using the QuickTox Kit for QuickScan Ochratoxin-A kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the goals of the Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH) which is to promote scholarly discourse on research, policy and rural health projects and through this promote and improve the health of rural communities. It mentions that the Original research often has a larger sample size and a series of controls that are important to the accurate reporting of reliable, valid and meaningful results.

An interview with professor Russell Roberts of George Mason University is presented. He says that the YouTube videos featuring Billy Scafuri as John Maynard Keynes and Adam Lustik as F. A. Hayek in "Fear the Boom and Bust," and its sequel "Fight of the Century" in which the characters argue their sides in a rap music, is the idea of John Pola. He added that knowing teachers are using the video in teaching economics is very satisfying.

Objective: To see if a new model of service delivery ensures that individuals with a mental illness in rural and remote settings could be assessed, treated and cared for in a more appropriate way. Design: Community mental health teams (CMHTs), general practitioners (GP) and other agencies were provided with clinical and broader support services by consultant psychiatrists from public and private sectors. The occasions of service were logged, audited and relevant provider groups were interviewed. Ethics approval was provided by Human Research Ethics Community of University of New South Wales. Setting: Far West Area Health Service (FWAHS), remote New South Wales. Participants: An enhanced service was provided for residents, specialist mental health and other healthcare providers. Results: • Regular access to psychiatrists for primary and secondary care was achieved in remote communities in FWAHS. • 3908 new patients were seen by CMHTs between July 2002 and December 2003 and 380 by visiting psychiatrists between January 2002 and July 2003. • Secondary consultation, mentoring and education opportunities were made available by tele-conference and face-to-face for CMHTs and others in FWAHS. • GPs and CMHTs in remote settings were satisfied with improved access to psychiatrist care. Conclusions: This model appears to be sustainable with reasonable levels of funding in FWAHS and may be applicable to other remote contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on an editorial is presented on researching for better health for regional and rural Australians. Topic include effective use of the personnel, infrastructure and clinical expertise; and developing new medicines and innovative treatments, the health of communities is about control.

The article offers information on 10th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium held in Hobart, Tasmania on October 15-17, 2018. Topics discussed include need to address mental health literacy, importance of good physical health to mental health and well-being and ways to effectively incorporate and integrate the volunteer and career support. It also mentions need to provide reliable professional support to mental health workers to delivery to rural and remote communities.

In order to understand how acidosis might predispose to loss of lean body mass it is important to recognise that body protein is in a dynamic state with a daily turnover of approximately 300 g of protein in a 60 kg man. This is significantly greater than the daily protein intake at a level of 1 g.kg-1.day-1. Loss of lean body mass occurs when the balance between whole body protein synthesis and breakdown is negative. Measurement of whole body protein turnover is possible using either boluses or primed constant infusions of isotopically labelled amino acids. Previously, a variety of in vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that acidosis increases protein degradation and amino acid oxidation. Several research groups including our own have used amino acid tracer techniques to examine whether protein degradation is increased in vivo in human subjects with acidosis and chronic renal failure. The results from these studies have shown a remarkable concordance with increased protein degradation in all groups of patients studied. However, the results for protein synthesis have been more difficult to interpret, with only a few studies directly measuring the effects of acidosis on amino acid incorporation into protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suggests ways to communicate good economics to the open-minded skeptic. How the numerical impact of exports on job growth is measured by the United States Department of Commerce; Argument of economist and writer Frederic Bastiat on trade balance; Conclusion.

The article presents an obituary for social scientist and economist Gary Becker.

Evaluates the effect of acidosis on a number of fundamental systems of the body including nutrition. Importance of hydrogen ion concentrate on aspects of cellular function; Observation of a non-anion gap acidosis; Severity of renal impairment.

This paper demonstrates that plausible cost-based explanations exist for what are commonly perceived to be cases of price discrimination. We explain such commonly discussed problems as the price spreads of retail gasoline products, the "high" price of dinners at restaurants, the "high" price of popcorn at movie theaters, and the fact that airline ticket prices vary with how long the ticket is purchased before the flight's departure. Our explanations benefit from not relying on consumer ignorance or implicit collusion among numerous sellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of Medicare on rural Australia since established in 1983. Topics include the tendency for health disparities such as access to health services, disease burden and life expectancy to be worse for rural Australians than for those in more urban areas, the need for collaborative service planning within the Medicare system, and the Medicare system's failure to encourage health promotion or illness prevention.

The article offers information on the Rural Health Conference in Hobart held in March 2019 which showcased how people have made a difference in rural health. Topics include that the conference showcased research studies demonstrating how innovative services improved health; an discusses that many of the presentations reported the result of short‐term projects, and described years, and often decades of engagement, planning and implementation and evaluation.

An editorial is presented that discussed the impact of extreme temperatures on rural Australia as in result with the drought, drying rivers, algal blooms and fish kills. It discussed the re-emergence on social media of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) program that shows the levels of collusion, non-compliance and also presents the development of a national rural and remote mental health strategy.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including a community development continuum model that can be used in rural health and rural health advocacy.

The article focuses on issue of meddling. It mentions that motives play a very important role in the daily activities of a person. It says that stranger don't understand the motive of a person as they don't have the knowledge of an individuals need, desires and dreams. It says than time should take a humble approach to intervene into others life.

The author discusses information about the Stronger Rural Health Strategy and associated budget released in Australia in May 2018. Topics mentioned include the strategy's lack in actions to improve the availability of medical specialists in rural communities, priority for training students close to their place of residence, and the importance of supporting rural health workers to maintain and develop their skills.

In this editorial, the author talks about importance of authorship. Topics discussed include its impact on conception, design, analysis and writing of the study; describing contribution and intellectual input of persons involved in research; and criteria drafted by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors for evaluating the same.

An editorial is presented on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report entitled "Mortality of people using mental health services and prescription medications" which was released on September 2017. It states that ABS it reports on the mortality of people who are gaining access to the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised mental health-related treatments.

The author reflects on the growing number of people 85 years and older in Australia, and its impact of the said increase in longevity. The author says that the rapid increase of older people in the country will result to high demand for health services; thus, leads to health care crisis. He also discusses the factors to influence the rise of longevity, the community participation and voluntary labour by older Australian, and the high rate of depression in residential aged-care facilities.

NewAccess is a low-intensity cognitive behavioural program which was recently trialled for the first time in Australia for clients aged under 18. Given that accessing support earlier tends to result in better outcomes for people with mild-to-moderate mental health issues, having NewAccess available for young people has the potential to reduce the likelihood of mild-to-moderate mental health concerns developing into more serious, or chronic mental illness over time for some clients, while also freeing up resources for those with more severe support needs. This mixed methods approach presents the findings of an independent evaluation of the program delivered out of two regional headspace centres in 2017-2019. From an initial sample of 165 young participants aged between 12 and 25, 109 completed the program. Of those who completed the program 60 were under the age of 18. The standardised assessment and outcome measures indicated a very good response to the program, with the majority showing significant improvements in their depression, anxiety and psychological distress scores. The overall 'reliable improvement' and 'recovery rates' were 64.2% and 72.3% respectively. Overall, the results indicated this program was an acceptable and efficacious intervention for young people in rural settings, when delivered in a 'youth-friendly' service environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the 14th National Rural Health Conference in Cairns. It is stated that increasing the investment in research and evidence-based practice and increasing the number of collaborative rural health research projects were recommended at the conference. It is noted that some initial directions for developing agreed collaborative research priorities were provided by these recommendations.

The author comments on the proposed introduction of a Rural Health Commissioner in Australia to enhance the health care of rural Australians. The author stresses the importance of independence, rural credibility, political support and longevity of the Rural Health Commission in order to succeed. The author warns about health workers' lack of living and working in rural areas and points out the need of the commission to remain above politics.