Goulburn Base Hospital

Pollen pellets collected from honey bees foraging at 62 floral species were analysed for protein and amino acid content and their value for honey bee nutrition was determined. The crude protein levels of all pollen pellets analysed ranged from 9.2% for Hypochoeris radicata (flatweed) to 37.4% for Echium plantagineum (Paterson’s curse) with a mean of 25.9%. Pollen pellets from 15 species were identified as providing protein levels below those acknowledged to satisfy honey bee dietary requirements when they are the only source of pollen available to the honey bee colony. Pollens collected from species of the same genus demonstrated similar protein profiles. Isoleucine was deficient in 38% of the pollens with 69% of eucalypts and related species demonstrating a significant isoleucine deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women in Cameroon are very scarce, especially in the rural milieu. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with HBV infection, and the infectivity of rural pregnant women in the Far North Region of Cameroon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three rural health facilities of the Guidiguis health district between December 2013 and March 2014. We consecutively recruited 325 pregnant women attending antenatal consultations. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and factors associated with HBV infection. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were determined using commercial test strips. Regression analyses were used to assess correlates of HBV infection. RESULTS: The mean age was 24.4 (SD5.6) years. Most women were married (97.2%) and housewives (96.4%), with less than secondary education level (80%). Only 4 women (1.2%) had been vaccinated against HBV. Thirty-three women (10.2%) were HBsAg-positive, of whom 4 (12.1%) were positive to HBeAg. The prevalence of HIV infection was 2.5% (8/325). Overall, 5 (1.5%) women were co-infected with HIV and HBV. Independent correlates of HBV infection included history of blood transfusion (adjusted odd ratio 12.59, 95% CI 1.46-108.89; p = 0.021) and concurrent infection by HIV (adjusted odd ratio 22.53, 95% CI 4.76-106.71; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in this rural milieu is high. History of blood transfusion and HIV infection are highly associated with HBV infection. The relative low rate of women positive to both HBsAg and HBeAg suggests that perinatal transmission of HBV might not be the prevailing mode of HBV transmission in this area.

The current shortage of health personnel in rural Australia is compounded by the difficulty in recruiting and retaining new graduate health professionals in rural practice. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of five new graduate occupational therapists who began their careers in rural New South Wales (NSW). Data were collected via semi-structured, individual interviews. Results indicated that new graduates were attracted to their rural positions by multiple factors, especially their previous rural experience. Participants experienced low self-confidence during their transition from student to therapist. Rewarding and challenging aspects of rural practice were identified. New graduates valued challenging aspects of rural practice as opportunities for skill development. Results suggest that increasing the number of occupational therapy graduates with rural experience may attract more graduates to rural practice. Furthermore, enhancing the support available to new graduates in rural positions may help retain graduates in rural practice.

SUMMARY The growth of wheat seedlings which were already mycorrhizal when transplanted to a field deficient in phosphorus was improved compared with non‐mycorrhizal controls, and grain yield was increased three‐fold by the fungus, indicating that Endogone stimulated growth and increased yield. Differences between mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal wheat were eliminated by the application of phosphate fertilizer, indicating that the fungus does not enhance wheat growth in soils containing enough available phosphate. It is probable that the mycorrhizal effect is primarily to improve the supply of phosphate. There were clear relationships between spore number in the soil and mycorrhizal development and between the extent of root infection and increased growth. The extent of root infection was greatest in mycorrhizal plants in soil not supplemented with phosphate and it decreased in inoculated plants in the plot supplemented with superphosphate. The non‐centrospermous and non‐zygophyllaceous weeds growing on the experimental field had typical vesicular arbuscular infection and indigenous Endogone spores in their rhizospheres. The centrospermous plants were non‐mycorrhizal and had no Endogone spores in their rhizospheres.

SUMMARY Three commercial coal tips in the Illawarra region of New South Wales were investigated for the incidence of VA mycorrhizas in plants growing on them. All the plants examined except species of Personia and Banksia (Proteaceae) were infected by VA mycorrhizal fungi. Infection level ranged from 0 to 88%. Three main types of fungal endophytes, namely Glomus macrocarpus var. macrocarpus, Glom us mosseae , and Sclerocystis rubiformis , were identified. The possible role of VA mycorrhizas in plant colonization of coal spoil areas is discussed. The method of colorimetric quantification of VA infection was found a useful alternative to the slow and tedious method of clearing and staining. But the pigment‐extraction method is reliable only for measuring mycorrhizal infection in controlled short term experiments. This method, however, cannot be used to analyse infection in field‐grown, long established roots.

BACKGROUND: The analgesic effect of capsaicin (the active ingredient in Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae]) had been reported in several studies. Current research is being directed at producing analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents with better side effect profile. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if either the ethyl acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) or capsaicin (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) (in addition to the known analgesic properties) has any anti-inflammatory effect comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDS). METHODS: The effects of ethyl acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) and capsaicin (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) was examined on rat hind paw. Inflammation was induced in the rat's hind paw by subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg). Diclofenac (100 mg/kg) was used as the reference anti-inflammatory agent for comparison, while distilled water was used as the placebo. The leucocytes count, corticosterone and C - reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured as biomarkers of inflammation. Data obtained were pooled and analysed using repeated ANOVA, in a general linear model with the CPSS software. RESULTS: Sub-plantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg) produced profound and time-related oedema in the rat hind paw of the 'control' rats. Diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and reference capsaicin (CPF, 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited paw swelling at (p<0.05-0.001) (CI 95%) compared to distilled water-treated 'controls'. While the corticosterone levels were all very low in 7 rats treated with capsaicin, the leucocytes count was within normal range in 9 rats. However, in 16 specimens randomly assigned for CRP levels, there were very high CRP readings, up to a magnitude of 10 times the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Capsaicin in both forms (CFE and CPF) produced anti-inflammatory effects that were comparable to diclofenac in the experimental rat model at p<0.05. It may be concluded that capsaicin has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Excessive generation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and related conditions. The PAI-1 (-675 4G/5G) promoter polymorphism (rs1799889) affects transcriptional activity and is a putative genetic risk factor for pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was identify, appraise and synthesise the available evidence for the association of the PAI-1 (-675 4G/5G) polymorphism with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of genetic association studies. RESULTS: We found 12 eligible genetic association studies in which a total of 1511 women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome and 3492 controls participated. The studies were generally small (median number of cases 102, range 24 to 403) and underpowered to detect plausible association sizes. Meta-analysis of all of the studies detected statistically significant gene-disease associations in the recessive [pooled odds ratio 1.28 (95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.50); population attributable risk 7.7%] and dominant [pooled odds ratio 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.44); population attributable risk 13.7%] models. We did not find evidence of statistical heterogeneity, funnel plot asymmetry or small study bias. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the fibrinolytic pathway regulated by the PAI-1 gene may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and related conditions. This association, if confirmed in larger genetic association studies, may inform research efforts to develop novel interventions or help to prioritise therapeutic targets that merit evaluation in randomised clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occur at among the highest rates in the world in Aboriginal Australians of the Northern Territory. AIMS: To follow-up a previously-described cohort of Aboriginal children with RHD, in order to understand better the outcome of ARF and RHD in this population, and to identify areas where the impact of these diseases might be lessened METHODS AND RESULTS: Of a cohort of 33 children seen between 1980 and 1984, 27 survived until July, 1984. Twenty-five of the survivors were followed up for a mean of 10.6 years to a mean age of 24.1 years. The two deaths during follow-up were both due to RHD. Six people underwent valve replacement surgery; all were clinically healthy when last seen. Complications included two thromboembolic events and two episodes of endocarditis. Deterioration of RHD severity was associated with ARF recurrences (relative risk 3.6; 95% CI 1.7-7.6), and resolution of RHD was associated with having only mild valve lesions initially (risk difference 0.58; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.86). During follow-up, valve lesions tended either to resolve or to become more complex and severe, with a higher proportion of aortic valve lesions and multiple valve lesions. Of seven children with suspected past ARF, excluded from the original cohort because of normal cardiac findings at the time, three developed RHD, including one who died due to RHD and two with moderate or severe valve lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In Aboriginal Australians, poor outcomes of RHD are common, and are associated with ARF recurrences and early onset of more severe valve lesions. A coordinated ARF and RHD control programme is needed in this region, using a centralised register of patients, and concentrating on strategies to improve adherence to secondary prophylaxis regimens, better clinical care (including newer surgical techniques) and education of patients, families, and health staff.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical safety and efficacy of alfaxalone in bitches undergoing caesarean section (CS) and their puppies when it is administered for induction of anaesthesia followed by maintenance with isoflurane and oxygen and in conjunction with perioperative pharmaceuticals. DESIGN: A multicentre, randomised, positive-controlled clinical study. METHODS: A total of 74 bitches were enrolled in the study with 48/74 (65%) and 26/74 (35%) receiving alfaxalone and propofol, respectively, for induction of anaesthesia. Bitches were examined prior to induction and monitored during induction, surgery and recovery. Assessments were made for quality of induction, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia. Assessments were made on pup viability for suction, dorsal flexion, withdrawal and anogenital reflexes. RESULTS: Of the 48 bitches receiving alfaxalone, 47 (98%) and 39 (81%) scored a top score of excellent for induction and anaesthesia effectiveness, respectively. For the same parameters with propofol in 26 bitches, 23 (88%) and 17 (65%) scored excellent. Average scores for recovery were not different between the two treatment groups with alfaxalone 46/48 (96%) and 25/26 (96%) of propofol induced bitches scoring a good or excellent rating. Bitches tolerated a number of concurrent medications throughout the peri-operative period. No bitch fatalities were observed in this study. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups for the puppy variables. Live puppies born by CS to bitches having been administered alfaxalone or propofol had similar survival rates 24 h after birth (i.e. 205/213 (96%) and 124/131 (95%), respectively). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the safety and efficacy of alfaxalone for the purpose of anaesthetic induction for CS in the bitch. In addition, alfaxalone had a negligible effect on the neonate with >95% of puppies alive 24 h after the bitch had recovered from anaesthesia with alfaxalone induction.

A live-streamed teaching strategy that can be applied to all areas of medicine and many clinical scenarios The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in unprecedented challenges to hospitals, the community and society. Although the necessary focus has been to care for patients and communities, the profound effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have disrupted medical education and required intense and prompt attention from medical educators. COVID-19 poses unique challenges to the clinical clerkship model that is fundamental to medical students' education and has the potential to change forever how future physicians are educated.1 For more than a decade, medical schools have been working to transform pedagogy by reducing live face-to-face didactic lectures; using technology and simulation; implementing team-facilitated, active and self-directed learning; and promoting individualised and interprofessional education.2, 3 However, as described by Sir William Osler, clinical teaching of medical students at the bedside remains vitally important: "to study the phenomena of disease without books is to sail an uncharted sea, while to study without patients is not to go to sea at all".4 Medical graduates must function in a team-based, collaborative work environment, have sound knowledge and clinical skills, and have a capacity for lifelong learning.5 In response to COVID-19, there has been rapid development of the "boot camp" model of accelerated learning for final year medical students to support their swift transition to assistants in medicine. However, it is unclear how medical schools will manage students from the middle years of medical school, where clinical exposure is a vital part of clinical education. Typically, during years 3 and 4 of the Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Newcastle, students spend about 50% of their time attached to wards, clinics, operating theatres and other clinical exposure opportunities. How can this clinical education continue while medical students are omitted from the clinical environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Further, given that social distancing is anticipated to last many months, clinical teaching rounds with multiple medical students are unlikely to be able to recommence soon. The clinical teaching team from the University of Newcastle at John Hunter Hospital have developed the concept of "live-streamed ward rounds". The initiative addresses the challenge of maintaining the clinical clerkship model of education while students are excluded from the hospital for several months during the vital early years of clerkship training. This model of education has three phases (Box 1), which broadly align to advanced cognitive levels of learning expected of medical students. The Hunter New England Local Health District Ethics Committee confirmed that ethics approval was not required for this project. Clinicians undertake routine ward rounds with medical students in attendance as part of routine inpatient care. During live-streamed ward rounds, a medical student is engaged securely (password-protected) via mobile phone to participate in the ward round, including discussion before and after a patient visit. In addition to participating in discussions, similar to face-to-face teaching, the student can be shown clinical records (eg, pathology results, observation charts, medical imaging, intraoperative photographs) on video via platform-agnostic streaming software (eg, Skype for Business, Pexip, Zoom) to broaden engagement with the clinical interaction. When the patient is visited, the patient provides verbal consent for student involvement in the live-streamed round before the consultation. This is documented in the clinical record of each patient. After obtaining verbal consent, student introduction occurs by turning the phone around so the patient can see the student and vice versa. After the introduction, the phone is turned back to the clinician so the student can see the clinician holding the phone to observe non-verbal cues. No streaming of the clinical examination occurs during the patient encounter. When the consultation is complete, the phone is turned briefly to the patient to facilitate eye contact when the student thanks them for permission to participate in the encounter. This process is repeated with each patient on the ward round, after which the student is involved in the post-round clinical discussion that occurs routinely as part of multidisciplinary patient care. The phone is muted or disconnected during the patient encounter if the patient declines student involvement. During the live-streamed ward round, the student is directed to take detailed notes so they can formulate a series of case presentations for the subsequent student case-based ward round. The medical student obtains any missing medical information from the junior medical officer at the completion of Phase 1. Clinical records are not available electronically for the students. The aim is to prepare the student for the role of a junior medical officer in the ward environment. This element of the learning cycle is typically held later in the week of the live-streamed clinical round at a time when three to 40 students can be engaged simultaneously for 60–90 minutes through videoconferencing software. The student who attended the live-streamed clinical round presents each patient to the group as if they were a junior medical officer performing clinical handover. A clinician educator is present to facilitate case-based discussion. After each patient is discussed, the student presents what actually occurred on the clinical round and presents the plan for ongoing care with justification. This element of the interaction is designed to emphasise patient-centred care. We have conducted live-streamed rounds at John Hunter Hospital in obstetrics, gynaecology and birth suite handover rounds. Approval was provided by the hospital executive after review by the local health district privacy team — student involvement by phone using a secure application (Skype for Business) was thought to be similar to student involvement with telehealth consultations in outpatient clinics. The benefits and challenges experienced with live-streamed ward rounds are summarised in Box 2. After completion of 50 live-streamed rounds, an informal evaluation was conducted via an anonymous voluntary Qualtrics online survey. Most of the 25 student respondents and clinicians provided positive feedback. Key findings from this survey are presented in the Supporting information . Clinical teaching is a fundamental component of medical education, particularly for developing tangible and intangible skills of medical students.6 Bedside teaching is a key opportunity for medical students, with the presence of the medical teacher, to develop medical knowledge, history taking and physical examination skills, clinical data gathering and clinical decision making.7 While students cannot participate in the clinical examination component of the patient interaction during live-streamed ward rounds, they can hear the relevant history taking. Evidence indicates that physicians can collect 60–80% of the information relevant for a diagnosis just by taking a medical history, leading to a final diagnosis in more than 70% of cases.8 Previous studies investigating factors that are most important in creating an effective learning environment for medical students found that the level of participation students are afforded in the workplace is vital in clinical practice learning.9 Greater participation in the workplace facilitates greater confidence and competency, especially in clinical practice.9, 10 A recent Australian study11 of final year medical students found the top six responses as to why students found clinical venues the most educationally useful include: Tutorials in a clinical setting also allow for professional development to be taught, such as communication, teamwork and ethics.12 Students require teaching in real clinical settings to develop skills for success in the real clinical environment. The structured live-streamed ward round stimulates student participation and effectively develops clinical knowledge, enhances depth and permanency of learning, and enriches the stability and dependability of the knowledge attained. Being able to follow up patients to discharge is the ideal ending to these scenarios, where the student can see how effective the management plan was, as well as its implementation and results.11 We identified quality supervision as a key factor for maximising the educational value of clinical learning in live-streamed ward rounds. Supervisors who are experienced and engaging make students more motivated to critically analyse patients' clinical conditions, encourage their learning about these presentations, and formulate management plans.13, 14 Live-streamed clinical encounters should inspire us to revisit and prioritise the development of virtual clinical encounters, involving detailed scenarios that can be delivered flexibly, are always accessible and adaptive, and prioritise individualised learning. There are many advantages to live-streamed clinical encounters, including their cost-effectiveness in both set-up and maintenance, the possibility of increasing access and usability of streaming technology, and allowing for the nuance of expertise and immediate feedback. As demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be rapidly implemented and use principles of adult learning. The live-streamed teaching strategy can be applied to all areas of medicine and many clinical scenarios, including ward rounds and clinical handover rounds. Recommendations on how to introduce this innovative teaching method are summarised in Box 3. This strategy is one of the many that the University of Newcastle plans to use to provide ongoing clinical teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being adaptable and flexible, cognisant of costs and driven by evidence are critical features of delivering medical education and contemporary medical practice.15 We acknowledge the support of Brian Kelly and Michael Hensley in this teaching initiative and of William Lai for the informal evaluation of this initiative. We thank our patients and teaching fellows for their participation during the development of this model of teaching. No relevant disclosures. Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Concentrations of mefloquine in plasma and breast milk were measured in 2 women following the administration of one Lariam tablet (250 mg mefloquine). The milk-to-plasma ratio of mefloquine based on the area under the plasma and milk concentration curves was 0.13 and 0.16. After a maternal mefloquine dose of 3.73 mg/kg and assuming a daily milk ingestion of 1 litre over a week, the maximum amount of drug ingested by an infant would be 0.14 mg/kg. During lactation the plasma clearance and apparent volume of distribution of mefloquine were about 50% less than the same parameters calculated after lactation had ceased.

Summary The effects of the widespread vesicular‐arbuscular (VA) endophytes, namely Glomus macrocarpus var macrocarpus, Glomus mosseae , and Sclerocystis rubiformis and those of E 3 (a strain of Endogone introduced from Rothamsted Experimental Station) on growth of onions were compared in unsterilized coal washery waste from the Coal‐Cliff Collieries in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. Mycorrhizal onions were significantly larger (P &lt; 0.05), with respect to all the growth measurements than NM controls. Different VA endophytes had quantitatively different effects on the growth; the S. rubiformis was always poorest and E 3 most consistently good. This is because S. rubiformis produced more localized infection, while the growth of E 3 was more general producing, under similar conditions, more extramatrical hyphae than any other endophyte used. Among widespread species G. mosseae was the most efficient at stimulating plant growth. The possible role of VA mycorrhizas in plant colonization of coal spoil areas is discussed.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions during anaesthesia are a major cause for concern for anaesthetists. However, as individual practitioners encounter such events so rarely, the rapidity with which the diagnosis is made and appropriate management instituted varies considerably. OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of a previously described core algorithm "COVER ABCD-A SWIFT CHECK", supplemented by a specific sub-algorithm for anaphylaxis, in the management of severe allergic reactions occurring in association with anaesthesia. METHODS: The potential performance of this structured approach for each of the relevant incidents among the first 4000 reported to the Australian Incident Monitoring Study (AIMS) was compared with the actual performance as reported by the anaesthetists involved. RESULTS: There were 148 allergic reactions among the first 4000 incidents reported to AIMS. It was considered that, properly applied, the structured approach would have led to a quicker and/or better resolution of the problem in 30% of cases, and would not have caused harm had it been applied in all of them. CONCLUSION: An increased awareness of the diverse clinical manifestations of allergy seen in anaesthetic practice, together with the adoption of a structured approach to management should improve and standardise the treatment and improve follow up of patients suspected of having suffered a significant allergic reaction under anaesthesia.

Abstract Background and objectives Steamed bread is a staple food in northern China and is also popular in the south of China and many Asian countries. It is a fermented food made from wheat flour, and the steaming process gives a product with a thin, white skin, an upright profile, and internal crumb ranging from dense and firm to open and soft, depending on the style and region. Findings This review presents an overview of the major manufacturing methods in commercial production and the factors influencing product quality, including processing and flour quality. Forty years of research has helped refine wheat quality requirements for the different styles of steamed bread, but there are still conflicting reports on basic wheat quality requirements and ingredient effects which hinder progress in the field. Conclusions In order for manufacturers to obtain the flour quality they require, all sectors of the chain must work to understand the interaction of production method and flour quality for each style of steamed bread and each region. This includes development and implementation of objective methods of steamed bread quality assessment. Significance and novelty By considering both the style of steamed bread and method of manufacture as described in this review, it is possible to select the most appropriate methods and quality evaluation parameters. This should enable future researchers to present conclusions which may be useful to later workers.

Influenza in persons aged > or = 65 years is associated with an increased risk of severe complications. Residents in aged care facilities have a higher proportion of chronic illnesses and within closed settings there is an increased risk of transmission. In July 2002, a 50 bed aged care facility reported an influenza-like illness (ILI) among residents and staff despite over 90 per cent influenza vaccine coverage among residents. A total of 17 of 49 residents and 9 of 43 staff met the case definition for ILI with onset on or after 26 June 2002. Seven people required hospitalisation and two died. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from symptomatic residents and staff, and influenza A was detected in six residents and two staff. Five unimmunised residents and 33 unimmunised staff were offered influenza vaccine and all residents and staff were offered oseltamivir prophylaxis of 75mg daily for 10 days. Subsequently, of 41 residents tested, seven demonstrated a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titres specific to H3N2 yet reported no symptoms. All seven had been immunised at least eight weeks previously, and had taken oseltamivir prophylaxis. This outbreak was characterised by a high attack rate of ILI in a well-immunised community. The ability to access rapid diagnostic testing enabled the prompt initiation of antiviral prophylaxis, which may have a role in controlling influenza in this setting.

Declining grassland productivity is a major concern in southern temperate Australia. Continuous grazing is thought to be a primary contributor to this decline, which is associated with the loss of perennial grasses. Landholders are evaluating grazing management strategies that might curb the loss of perennials and increase long-term productivity. This study reports on a comparison between continuous grazing and time-control grazing with sheep and cattle using a paired-paddock design at 5 locations in south-eastern Australia (lat. 30–42°S) over 6 years (1994–99). Pasture herbage mass, grassland species composition and basal cover of perennial grasses were assessed at 6-monthly intervals. Species abundance data were analysed by ANOVA, ordination (multi-dimensional scaling) and splining procedures to assess comparative trends between the 2 management treatments at each site. Species were categorised into major functional groups for analysis. Over all 5 sites there were few consistent differences between management treatments (continuous grazing v. time-control grazing). Basal cover was greater on the time-control grazing management compared with continuous grazing for most of the experimental period at 3 sites, but the initial values were also greater, resulting in a non-significant management × time interaction. Based on this study, we conclude that there was no apparent medium-term benefit of a multi-paddock rotational (time-control grazing) grazing system over continuous grazing for encouraging and maintaining a favourable botanical composition. The benefits for land managers from employing systems such as time-control grazing may accrue through other mechanisms. The study also highlights some of the difficulties with conducting on-farm paired-paddock research.

A review of the development of criminal profiling demonstrates that profiling has never been a scientific process. It is essentially based on a compendium of common sense intuitions and faulty theoretical assumptions, and in practice appears to consist of little more than educated guesses and wishful thinking. While it is very difficult to find cases where profiling made a critical contribution to an investigation, there exist a number of cases where a profile, combined with investigative and prosecutorial enthusiasm, derailed the investigation and even contributed to serious miscarriages of justice. As a result, police agencies should carefully consider whether the development of in-house profiling capability, or use of external consultants to provide such services, is justified.

Objective To assess the feasibility of offering community testing for carrier status of ΔF508, a gene mutation associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). Design Prospective pilot survey. Setting General practice, the two main high schools and workplaces in the country towns of Young and Harden (combined population, 14940; with 7707 people aged 16–55 years) in New South Wales (NSW). Participants Individuals aged 16 years and over. Main outcome measures Number of ΔF508 carriers, test uptake rates, mode of learning about the testing, motivation for testing, retention of knowledge about CF, and test results and emotional effects of knowledge about carrier status. Results We tested 610 people (8% of the population aged 16–55 years) and identified 47 carriers (20% of the expected number in the 7707 people aged 16–55 years). Testing in schools had the highest uptake. Retention of knowledge was high; all ΔF508-positive individuals recalled their carrier status accurately. Anxiety was transient among carriers; over 90% of all respondents felt they had made the right decision to be tested. Conclusions We recommend community testing for carrier detection and suggest targeting those with a family history of CF and girls aged over 16 in high schools.

The use of solvent extraction or petroleum spirits to extract lipids (fats) from 172 samples of honey bee-collected pollens provided a range of lipid contents from 0% for Eucalyptus macrorhyncha to 11.2% for Hypochoeris radicata. The mean for all 172 samples, representing 61 species, was 2.52%. The mean from 31 endemic species was 1.78%, whereas the mean for 30 exotic species was 4.13%. When pollens from 1 species, Echium plantagineum, were extensively surveyed, the lipid levels could be predictably estimated, falling within a range of 0.6 to 2.46% and a mean of 1.6%. A number of pollens from particular species consistently showed high levels of lipids, which were observed to be highly favoured by foraging honey bees. The pollens noted to be particularly attractive to foraging honey bees included Brassica napus (mean 7.1%), Sisymbrium officinale (mean 5.8%), Rapistrum rugosum (mean 6%) and Hypochoeris radicata (mean 7.2%).

Epizootics of congenital neurological defects in calves have been recorded at various intervals in south eastern New South Wales for over 40 years. In 1974 a particularly severe outbreak occurred. Field observations of the clinical entities, their time of appearance, distribution and incidence were recorded in an attempt to determine an epidemiological pattern. The neurological entities observed occupied different time spans in the epizootic, the order of appearance being polioencephalomyelitis, arthrogryposis, hydranencephaly and micrencephaly. The probable period of infection correlated well with the likely presence of Culiciodes brevitarsus in the epizootic area and the distribution and incidence of neurologic cases likewise correlated well with the expected geographical and climatic distribution of C. brevitarsus in this period. The probable association of Akabane virus infection and the outbreak of stillbirths and abortions which preceded the neurologic entities is discussed.