Digital Commons Network^™

Sleeping Tablet Study: The Attitude Of Patients Over 65 Years To Ceasing Long Term Sleeping Tablets, Fiona Williams, Carl Mahfouz, Andrew D. Bonney, Russell W. Pearson, Bastian Seidel, Bridget R. Dijkmans-Hadley, Judy Mullan, Rowena G. Ivers

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

The aim of this project was to assess elderly patients’ use and knowledge of sleeping tablets and their attitude to stopping them.

Evaluating The Guideline Enhancement Tool (Get): An Innovative Clinical Training Tool To Enhance The Use Of Hypertension Guidelines In General Practice, Chinthaka Balasooriya, Joel Rhee, Boaz Shulruf, Rosa Canalese, Nicholas Zwar

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background: This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative educational intervention in enhancing clinical decision making related to the management of hypertension in general practice. The relatively low level of uptake of clinical practice guidelines by clinicians is widely recognised as a problem that impacts on clinical outcomes. This project addresses this problem with a focus on hypertension guidelines. Hypertension is the most frequently managed problem in general practice but evidence suggests that management of Hypertension in general practice is sub-optimal. Methods/design: This study will explore the effectiveness of an educational intervention named the 'Guideline Enhancement Tool (GET)'. …

A Review Of Informal Volunteerism In Emergencies And Disasters: Definition, Opportunities And Challenges, Joshua Whittaker, Blythe Mclennan, John Handmer

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Despite highly specialised and capable emergency management systems, ordinary citizens are usually first on the scene in an emergency or disaster, and remain long after official services have ceased. Citizens often play vital roles in helping those affected to respond and recover, and can provide invaluable assistance to official agencies. However, in most developed countries, emergency and disaster management relies largely on a workforce of professionals and, to varying degrees, volunteers affiliated with official agencies. Those who work outside of such systems have tended to be viewed as a nuisance or liability, and their efforts are often undervalued. Given increasing …

How Do Women's Diets Compare With The New Australian Dietary Guidelines?, Gita D. Mishra, Danielle A. J. M Schoenaker, Seema Mihrshahi, Annette Dobson

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Objective To compare women's diets with recommended intakes from the new Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG 2013).

Design Cross-sectional study using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Diet was assessed using a validated FFQ.

Setting Two nationally representative age cohorts of Australian women.

Subjects Women in the young cohort (born 1973-1978, aged 31-36 years) and mid-age cohort (born 1946-1951, aged 50-55 years). Women (n 18 226) were categorised into three groups: 'young women' (n 5760), young 'pregnant women' at the time or who had given birth in the 12 months prior to the survey (n 1999) and 'mid-age …

Interactions Between Stretch And Startle Reflexes Produce Task-Appropriate Rapid Postural Reactions, Jonathan Shemmell

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Neural pathways underpinning startle reflex and limb stretch reflexes evolved independently and have served vastly different purposes. In their most basic form, the pathways responsible for these reflex responses are relatively simple processing units that produce a motoric response that is proportional to the stimulus received. It is becoming clear however, that rapid responses to external stimuli produced by human and non-human primates are context-dependent in a manner similar to voluntary movements. This mini review discusses the nature of startle and stretch reflex interactions in human and non-human primates and the involvement of the primary motor cortex in their regulation.

No Interstitial Telomeres On Autosomes But Remarkable Amplification Of Telomeric Repeats On The W Sex Chromosome In The Sand Lizard (Lacerta Agilis), Kazumi Matsubara, Yoshinobu Uno, Kornsorn Srikulnath, Yoichi Matsuda, Emily Miller, Mats M. Olsson

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Telomeres are repeat (TTAGGG)n sequences that form terminal ends of chromosomes and have several functions, such as protecting the coding DNA from erosion at mitosis. Due to chromosomal rearrangements through evolutionary history (e.g., inversions and fusions), telomeric sequences are also found between the centromere and the terminal ends (i.e., at interstitial telomeric sites, ITSs). ITS telomere sequences have been implicated in heritable disease caused by genomic instability of ITS polymorphic variants, both with respect to copy number and sequence. In the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), we have shown that telomere length is predictive of lifetime fitness in females but not …

Sand Lizard (Lacerta Agilis) Phenology In A Warming World, Gabriella Ljungstrom, Erik Wapstra, Mats M. Olsson

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background: Present-day climate change has altered the phenology (the timing of periodic life cycle events) of many plant and animal populations worldwide. Some of these changes have been adaptive, leading to an increase in population fitness, whereas others have been associated with fitness decline. Representing short-term responses to an altered weather regime, hitherto observed changes are largely explained by phenotypic plasticity. However, to track climatically induced shifts in optimal phenotype as climate change proceeds, evolutionary capacity in key limiting climate-and fitness-related traits is likely to be crucial. In order to produce realistic predictions about the effects of climate change on …

Developmental Plasticity In An Unusual Animal: The Effects Of Incubation Temperature On Behavior In Chameleons, Cissy Ballen, Richard Shine, Mats M. Olsson

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

The thermal environment within a reptile nest can affect the phenotypic traits of hatchlings, and hence (potentially) their fitness. Research on this topic needs to measure phenotypic traits relevant to the species involved; and hence, studies on unusual species need to measure unusual traits. We investigated the effects of two incubation temperatures on the morphology and behaviour of hatchling veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Colder-incubated eggs exhibited a longer incubation period, but produced larger faster-growing hatchlings. Incubation treatment also affected a chameleon's activity level and its unique foraging tactics. Cold-incubated animals were more sedentary, caught prey faster, and extended their tongues …

The More Pieces, The Better The Puzzle: Sperm Concentration Increases Gametic Compatibility, Craig D. Sherman, Emi Ab Rahim, Mats M. Olsson, Vincent Careau

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

The genetic benefits individuals receive from mate choice have been the focus of numerous studies, with several showing support for both intrinsic genetic benefits and compatibility effects on fertilization success and offspring viability. However, the robustness of these effects have rarely been tested across an ecologically relevant environmental gradient. In particular, sperm environment is a crucial factor determining fertilization success in many species, especially those with external fertilization. Here, we test the importance of sperm environment in mediating compatibility-based selection on fertilization using a factorial breeding design. We detected a significant intrinsic male effect on fertilization success at only one …

Luminescence Dating, Single-Grain Dose Distribution, Richard G. Roberts, Zenobia Jacobs

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

The graphical display of single-grain or single-aliquot equivalent dose values can be accomplished in various ways, of which the radial plot provides an effective means of assessing all of the salient information at a glance. After an initial visual inspection of the distribution, one or more statistical "age models" can be used to estimate the equivalent dose for the population of grains (or aliquots) related most closely to the event of interest. Such models should be supported by well-established statistical theory, but the choice of model depends fundamentally on the scientific context of each sample and on the purpose of …

Three And Six Grams Supplementation Of D-Aspartic Acid In Resistance Trained Men, Geoffrey W. Melville, Jason Siegler, Paul W. Marshall

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background

Although abundant research has investigated the hormonal effects of d-aspartic acid in rat models, to date there is limited research on humans. Previous research has demonstrated increased total testosterone levels in sedentary men and no significant changes in hormonal levels in resistance trained men. It was hypothesised that a higher dosage may be required for experienced lifters, thus this study investigated the effects of two different dosages of d-aspartic acid on basal hormonal levels in resistance trained men and explored responsiveness to d-aspartic acid based on initial testosterone levels.

Methods

Twenty-four males, with a minimum of two years’ experience …

Organisational Interventions For Promoting Person‐Centred Care For People With Dementia, Lynn Chenoweth, Jane Stein-Parbury, Samuel Lapkin, Yueping Wang

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective: To determine the effectiveness of organisation‐wide interventions to implement person‐centred care for people with dementia, in relation to reduction of behavioural symptoms such as agitation and depression, improvement in quality of life and functional capabilities, alterations in the use of restraint (physical and/or chemical) and reduction in adverse events. Secondary objective: To identify the variety, quality, and feasibility of person‐centred care approaches for people with dementia, with specific reference to organisational factors which promote and constrain the implementation of person‐centred care.

The Effect Of Targeted Social Information Resources On Older Patient Attitudes Towards Gp Registrars, Andrew D. Bonney, Sandra C. Jones, Lyn Phillipson, Julie Hall, Elizabeth A. Smyth

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Recent research has shown a significant reluctance by older patients to see a GP registrar for chronic problems. A key factor in this is older patients’ knowledge about GP registrars; their qualifications and what their role is in general practice. This study used targeted information resources about GP registrars to assess older patient attitudes and behaviours regarding GP registrars.

Weighing In General Practice: Does It Have An Impact On Weight Management? Results Of An Innovative Research Study, Duncan Mackinnon, Andrew D. Bonney, Darren J. Mayne, Stephen Barnett, Bridget R. Dijkmans-Hadley

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Patients were weighed each time they presented to the practice over a 12 month period. 198 patients aged between 20 to 70 were recruited from six general practices.

Incidence Of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia In Australasian Intensive Care Units: Use Of A Consensus-Developed Clinical Surveillance Checklist In A Multisite Prospective Audit, Doug Elliott, Rosalind Elliott, Anthony Burrell, Peter Harrigan, Margherita Murgo, Kaye D. Rolls, David Sibbritt

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Objectives: With disagreements on diagnostic criteria for ventilator-Associated pneumonia (VAP) hampering efforts to monitor incidence and implement preventative strategies, the study objectives were to develop a checklist for clinical surveillance of VAP, and conduct an audit in Australian/New Zealand intensive care units (ICUs) using the checklist. Setting: Online survey software was used for checklist development. The prospective audit using the checklist was conducted in 10 ICUs in Australia and New Zealand. Participants: Checklist development was conducted with members of a bi-national professional society for critical care physicians using a modified Delphi technique and survey. A 30-day audit of adult patients …

Mindfulness And Transition Pedagogy, Sarah Tillott, Marcus O'Donnell, Jocelyn R. Harper, Eeva K. Leinonen-Davies

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Mindfulness practices, which focus on developing concentration and self- awareness skills through a set of meditative techniques derived from Buddhism, have been shown to have a wide variety of positive effects in clinical and educational settings. This article describes a developing project at the University of Wollongong to devise and integrate a variety of approaches to mindfulness into curriculum development and co-curricular activities. It describes a pilot mindfulness-training project for low SES students and a theoretical framework for integrating mindfulness approaches with transition pedagogies.

Association Between Homa-Ir And Cancer, Ezinne Oyidia Igwe, Ahmad Azman, Abdul Nordin, Norhafizah Mohtarrudin

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background: Type 2 diabetes which has insulin resistance as a major risk factor among other non-communicable diseases is a major public health concern with increased significance and prevalence worldwide. Cancer on the other hand was a leading cause of death worldwide in 2008 based on data from the WHO and also 3rd leading cause of death in Malaysia ministry of health hospitals. Studies have found links between carcinogenesis and insulin resistance which has been attributed to hyperinsulinemia. However, studies on the South-east Asian/ Malaysia population are largely absent. Insulin sensitivity is known to differ across different ethnicities with South-east Asians …

Re: Inquiry Into Chronic Disease Prevention And Management In Primary Health Care, Andrew D. Bonney

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

University of Wollongong's submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health inquiry into chronic disease prevention and management in primary health care.

A Stone Age "Rosetta Stone", Richard G. Roberts, Richard Fullagar, Linda C. Prinsloo

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Our ancestors had the edge over several other contemporary species of human that were headed for extinction by about 40,000 years ago. What were they doing differently? Archaeological scientists are trying to find out using modern techniques to study traces of use left on stone tools and other artefacts.