Tamworth Hospital

Seventy-six Angus steers chosen from breeding lines divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) were studied to quantify the relationship between RFI and the daily rate of methane production (MPR). A 70-d feeding test using a barley-based ration was conducted in which the voluntary DMI, feeding characteristics, and BW of steers were monitored. The estimated breeding value (EBV) for RFI (RFI(EBV)) for each steer had been calculated from 70-d RFI tests conducted on its parents. Methane production rate (g/d) was measured on each steer using SF(6) as a tracer gas in a series of 10-d measurement periods. Daily DMI of steers was lower during the methane measurement period than when methane was not being measured (11.18 vs. 11.88 kg; P = 0.001). A significant relationship existed between MPR and RFI when RFI (RFI(15d)) was estimated over the 15 d when steers were harnessed for methane collection (MPR = 13.3 x RFI(15d) + 179; r(2) = 0.12; P = 0.01). Animals expressing lower RFI had lower daily MPR. The relationship established between MPR and RFI(15d) was used to calculate a reduction in daily methane emission of 13.38 g accompanied a 1 kg/d reduction in RFI(EBV) in cattle consuming ad libitum a diet of 12.1 MJ of ME/kg. The magnitude of this emission reduction was between that predicted on the basis of intake reduction alone (18 g x d(-1) x kg of DMI(-1)) and that predicted by a model incorporating steer midtest BW and level of intake relative to maintenance (5 g x d(-1) x kg of DMI(-1)). Comparison of data from steers exhibiting the greatest (n = 10) and lowest (n = 10) RFI(15d) showed the low RFI(15d) group to not only have lower MPR (P = 0.017) but also reduced methane cost of growth (by 41.2 g of CH(4)/kg of ADG; P = 0.09). Although the opportunity to abate livestock MPR by selection against RFI seems great, RFI explained only a small proportion of the observed variation in MPR. A genotype x nutrition interaction can be anticipated, and the MPR:RFI(EBV) relationship will need to be defined over a range of diet types to account for this.

Salinity affects durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.)] more than it affects bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and results in lower yield for durum wheat cultivars grown on salt-affected soils. A novel source of salt tolerance in the form of a sodium exclusion trait, identified previously in a screen of tetraploid wheat germplasm, was mapped using a QTL approach. The trait, measured as low Na+ concentration in the leaf blade, was mapped on a population derived from a cross between the low Na+ landrace and the cultivar Tamaroi. The use of AFLP, RFLP and microsatellite markers identified a locus, named Nax1 (Na exclusion), on chromosome 2AL, which accounted for approximately 38% of the phenotypic variation in the mapping population. Markers linked to the Nax1 locus also associated closely with low Na+ progeny in a genetically unrelated population. A microsatellite marker closely linked to the Nax1 locus was validated in genetically diverse backgrounds, and proven to be useful for marker-assisted selection in a durum wheat breeding program.

Obesity in women of reproductive age is increasing at an unprecedented rate in western societies. Maternal obesity is associated with an unequivocal increase in maternal and fetal complications of pregnancy. Excessive maternal weight gain in pregnancy also appears to be an independent risk factor, regardless of prepregnancy weight. Few guidelines exist regarding appropriate weight gain in pregnancy in obese women. We review the association of maternal obesity with pregnancy complications. We also suggest that appropriate diet and lifestyle intervention can enable women with severe prepregnancy obesity to safely achieve quite strict targets for limited weight gain in pregnancy.

Summary For forty‐one soils (pH > 5.0) from southern England and eastern Australia, the Langmuir equation was an excellent model for describing P adsorption from solutions < 10 ‐3 M P, if it was assumed that adsorption occurs on two types of surface of contrasting bonding energies. For most of these soils, which were relatively undersaturated with P, this equation may be written as: image where x = adsorption, k = adsorption/desorption equilibrium constant, x m = monolayer adsorption capacity, and c = equilibrium solution concentration. The relative magnitude of the parameters for each surface were approximately: x m = 0.3 x ″ m =0.3 and k′= 100 k. More than 90 per cent of the native adsorbed P occurs on the high‐energy surface in most soils.

Pyrethroid resistance in field populations of Australian Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is primarily a consequence of the overproduction of esterase isoenzymes which metabolise and sequester pyrethroid insecticides. Biochemical studies have shown that pyrethroid-resistance-associated esterases in H armigera are inhibited by the insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Esterase inhibition by PBO did not occur immediately after dosing, but exhibited maximum inhibition 3-4 h after dosage. Esterase activity subsequently recovered until full activity was restored by 24 h. Topical bioassays using a pre-treatment of PBO showed that maximum H armigera mortality was achieved with pre-treatment times corresponding to maximum esterase inhibition. These results demonstrated that, with correct temporal application, PBO can restore pyrethroid efficacy against H armigera. It would also be expected that restoration of efficacy with other conventional insecticides, currently compromised by esterase-based resistance mechanisms, would occur.

Nitrogen fixation by field-grown soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) was assessed by the natural (15)N abundance and ureide methods. The field sites (five) and genotypes (six, plus two levels of inoculation on Bragg) were chosen to provide a range of proportions of plant N derived from nitrogen fixation (P). Genotypes K466, K468, nts1007, and nts1116 and Davis were included on the basis of their reported tolerance of the suppressive effects of nitrate on nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Bragg was included as a ;nitrate-sensitive' genotype. Seeds of all genotypes were inoculated at sowing with Bradyrhizobium japonicum CB1809 (USDA136). Amounts of nitrate in the soil profile (0-1.2 meter depth) at sowing ranged from 70 (site 3) to 278 kilograms per hectare (site 5), resulting in large effects on plant nodulation, on the delta(15)N values of nodulated plants, on the relative abundance of ureide-N in vacuum-extracted sap (VES) and stem extracts, and finally on the estimates of P. There was no relationship between amount of soil nitrate at sowing and the delta(15)N of the plant-available soil N. Correlation matrices of the measured and calculated parameters indicated generally weak correlations between crop growth (dry matter and N) and the parameters of symbiotic activity (nodule weight, delta(15)N, relative ureide-N); correlations were strong and highly significant between nodulation and the measures of nitrogen fixation (delta(15)N, relative ureide-N; r = 0.79-0.92). Estimates of P ranged between 0 and 68% (delta(15)N) and between 6 and 56% (ureide) and were highly correlated (r = 0.97). Results indicated that the ureide method can be used with confidence to assess P by field-grown crops of soybean.

ABSTRACT To obtain an indication of the effect of increasing the starch amylose content above normal levels (27–74%) and increasing the percentage of B‐type starch granules (11–60%) on durum dough properties and the quality of the spaghetti derived from these doughs, the reconstitution approach was used. Reconstituted flours were prepared from a common Wollaroi gluten, solubles and tailings fraction combined with starches containing varying B‐granule contents, or with starches from maize with varying amylose content. An increased B‐granule content increased farinograph water absorption. Cooked spaghetti firmness was highest with B‐type granules at 32–44% (volume percentage basis), which is ≈10–15% higher than normally found in durum starch. Increasing the amylose content in the starch caused the dough to be more extensible, increased spaghetti firmness, and decreased water absorption with optimum quality of amylose at 32–44%. The information indicates there would be benefit in producing durum wheats with slightly elevated B‐granule and amylose contents.

This paper reviews the literature concerning the spatial distribution of weeds; highlighting the limitations of our current sampling and analytical methodologies, and suggesting how these inadequacies can be addressed. Most research studies have used discrete sampling, i.e. weeds are counted within a quadrat, on a grid basis. Few have mapped weeds at a whole‐field scale, either with a resolution appropriate to spraying operations or key ecological processes. Statistical analyses used to describe the data can be divided into two main types, spatially implicit (also at the scale of the sampling unit) or spatially explicit, in which the location of individuals is included in the analyses. Spatially implicit methods can be strongly affected by quadrat size and mean density and are of doubtful benefit. More attention is required to address sampling resolution issues for spatially explicit methods. Our understanding of the formation and dynamics of spatial pattern, as well as predicting the consequences of site‐specific management, can be improved with models. Unfortunately, most models consider only newly expanding patches and appear incapable of predicting spatial distributions when an area has been fully invaded. More detailed biological information is required if models are to become more realistic and informative. We also need to ensure that we understand the spatial processes in the context of the whole field environment, to optimize the success of site‐specific weed management in the longer term.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes comprising released cultivars, advanced breeding lines, and landraces of Australian, Mediterranean basin, Indian, and Ethiopian origin were evaluated at 5 representative sites (Merredin, WA; Minnipa, SA; Walpeup, Vic.; Tamworth, NSW; Warwick, Qld) over 2 years. Data on plant stand, early vigour, phenology, productivity, and yield components were collected at each site. Site yields ranged from 0.3 t/ha at Minnipa in 1999 to 3.5 t/ha at Warwick in 1999. Genotype by environment (G × E) interaction was highly significant. Principal components analysis revealed contrasting genotype interaction behaviour at dry, low-yielding sites (Minnipa 1999, Merredin 2000) and higher rainfall, longer growing-season environments (Tamworth 2000). Genotype clusters performing well under stress tended to yield well at all sites except Tamworth in 2000, and were characterised by early phenology and high harvest index, but were not different in terms of biomass or early vigour. Some of these traits were strongly influenced by germplasm origin. The material with earliest phenology came from Ethiopia, and southern and central India, with progressively later material from northern India and Australia, and finally the Mediterranean. There was a delay between the onset of flowering and podding at all sites, which was related to average temperatures immediately post-anthesis (r = –0.81), and therefore larger in early flowering material (>30 days at some sites). Harvest index was highest in Indian and Ethiopian germplasm, whereas crop height was greatest in Australian and Mediterranean accessions. Some consistently high yielding genotypes new to the Australian breeding program were identified (ICCV 10, BG 362), and the existing cultivar Lasseter was also confirmed to be very productive.

Summary The two‐surface Langmuir equation was used to study P adsorption by 24 calcareous soils (pH 7.2‐7.6; 0.8‐24.2 per cent CaCO 3 ) from the Sherborne soil series, which are derived from Jurassic limestone. High‐energy P adsorption capacities ( x ″ m ) ranged from 140–345 μg P/g and were most closely correlated with dithionite‐soluble Fe. Hydrous oxides therefore appear to provide the principal sites, even in calcareous soils, on which P is strongly adsorbed ( x ″ m 6–51 ml/μg P). The low‐energy adsorption capacities ( x ″ m ) ranged from 400–663 μg P/g and were correlated with organic matter contents and the total surface areas of CaCO 3 but not with per cent CaCO 3 , pH, or dithionite‐soluble Fe. Total surface areas of CaCO 3 in the soils ranged from 4.0 to 8.5 m 2 /g soil. Low‐energy P adsorption capacities agree reasonably with values (100 pg P/m 2 ) for the sorption of phosphate on Jurassic limestones but phosphate was bonded much less strongly by soil carbonates ( k ″= 0.08–0.45 ml/μg P) than by limestones ( k ∼10.0 ml/μg P). Low‐energy P adsorption in these soils is tentatively ascribed to adsorption on sites already occupied by organic anions (and probably also by bicarbonate and silicate ions) which lessen the bonding energy of co‐adsorbed P.

Abstract In 1983, at the onset of pyrethroid resistance in Australian Helicoverpa armigera , three resistance mechanisms were identified. They were: a strong nerve insensitivity ( Super ‐ Kdr ), penetration resistance ( Pen ), and a factor which was overcome by piperonyl butoxide ( PBO ). Super ‐ Kdr nerve insensitivity appeared to be a major cause of pyrethroid resistance and contributed to high‐order resistance (> 100‐fold). From 1987 to 1990, to monitor the effect of the Australian Helicoverpa insecticide resistance management strategy on insecticide resistance, we conducted a survey of the frequencies of these mechanisms in field‐collected H. armigera . The relative importance of the Pen and Pbo mechanisms in resistant H. armigera have increased but Pen and Pbo confer only low order (∼ 20‐fold) resistance. We found no evidence of the 1983 Super ‐ Kdr mechanism in the latest samples, but, instead, found another distinct Kdr ‐type mechanism. This mechanism was correlated with very low‐order nerve insensitivity and was of little toxicological significance. The impact of the Helicoverpa insecticide resistance management strategy on pyrethroid resistance in H. armigera is discussed.

ABSTRACT The effects of varying the gluten composition at constant protein, protein content at constant composition, and glutenin‐to‐gliadin (glu/gli) ratio on durum semolina rheological properties and the quality of the spaghetti derived from these doughs was investigated using the reconstitution method. Reconstituted flours were built up from a common durum starch and water‐soluble fraction but with varying gluten types from a range of wheats at both 12 and 9% total protein. A 10‐g mixograph and microextensigraph properties were affected by the source of the gluten, which was related to glutenin composition and polymeric molecular weight distribution. Cooked pasta firmness was highly correlated to mixograph development time (MDDT). Furthermore, varying the protein content (9–20%) showed an increase in mixograph peak resistance (PR) with no effect on extensigraph Rmax. Pasta firmness increased and stickiness decreased with increasing protein content. In another experiment, the glutenin and gliadin fractions isolated from durum wheat were added to the respective base semolina to investigate the effect of varying the glu/gli ratio by 1.3–1.6 fold. Increasing the ratio increased MDDT but had no effect on PR and resistance breakdown. Variable effects were obtained for spaghetti firmness. The information obtained should prove useful to durum breeders by providing further evidence for the importance of protein to pasta quality.

Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) has been demonstrated to be effective in amelioration of cardiovascular and central nervous system sequelae of local-anaesthetic and non-local-anaesthetic drug toxicity in animal models. Sequestration of lipophilic toxins to an expanded plasma lipid phase is credited as the predominant beneficial mechanism of action of ILE. Systematic review of published human experience is however lacking. We determined to report a comprehensive literature search of all human reports of ILE application in drug poisoning. Forty-two cases of ILE use (19 local-anaesthetic, 23 non-local-anaesthetic) were identified, with anecdotal reports of successful resuscitation from cardiovascular collapse and central nervous system depression associated with ILE administration in lipophilic toxin overdose. Although significant heterogeneity was observed in both agents of intoxication, and reported outcomes; case report data suggest a possible benefit of ILE in potentially life-threatening cardio-toxicity from bupivacaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, haloperidol, tricyclic antidepressants, lipophilic beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Further controlled study and systematic evaluation of human cases is required to define the clinical role of ILE in acute poisonings.

Digital audio broadcasting offers the potential to give every radio in Europe the sound quality of a compact disc. To accomplish this, it requires a rugged method of transmission. The coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) modulation system was developed to meet this need. The paper describes the reasons why a new modulation process was needed, and explains how the COFDM system has been optimised to meet the requirements.

The relationship between the relative abundance of ureides ([ureide-N/ureide-N plus nitrate-N] x 100) in the shoot axis (stems plus petioles), nodulated roots and leaflets of "Bragg" soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) and the symbiotic dependence of these plants was examined under glass-house conditions. Plants, inoculated with effective Rhizobium japonicum CB1809, were grown with their roots exposed continuously to a nutrient solution containing either 0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 or 12.0 millimolar NO(3)-N per liter. Nodulation and N(2)-acetylene fixation were correlated inversely with the level of nitrate. Seasonal acetylene reduction profiles for each of the nitrate treatments were integrated and the symbiotic dependence ([N(2) fixed per total plant N] x 100) determined using a conversion ratio of 1.5:1 (acetylene reduced:N(2) fixed), calculated from the zero NO(3) treatment. Examination of the nitrogenous solutes of the shoot axis and nodulated roots showed linear relationships between the relative abundance of ureides and the symbiotic dependence of the plants. Two standard curves, depicting these relationships during vegetative and reproductive growth, were drawn for each plant part. The overriding effect of plant age invalidated any attempt to develop a standard relationship for leaflets. Data from two diurnal studies suggested that relative ureides were insensitive to diurnal fluctuations, thus simplifying sampling procedures. Plant material could be stored at ambient temperatures (20-30 degrees C) for up to 24 h without affecting the relative concentration of ureides and nitrate. It is suggested that the shoot axis provides the most suitable target organ when using this technique as a quantitative assay for N(2) fixation because of ease of sampling of these tissues, especially with field-grown plants.

Fish in dryland rivers must cope with extreme variability in hydrology, temperature and other environmental factors that ultimately have a major influence on their patterns of distribution and abundance at the landscape scale. Given that fish persist in these systems under conditions of high environmental variability, dryland rivers represent ideal systems to investigate the processes contributing to and sustaining fish biodiversity and recruitment in variable environments. Hence, spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure was examined in 15 waterholes of the Warrego River between October 2001 and May 2003. Fish assemblages in isolated waterholes were differentiated at the end of the dry 2001 winter but were relatively similar following high summer flows in January 2002 as a consequence of high hydrological connectivity among waterholes. Small, shallow waterholes supported more species and higher abundances than large-deep waterholes. Large, deep waterholes provided important refuge for large-bodied fish species such as adult yellowbelly, Macquaria ambigua, and the eel-tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus. Recruitment patterns of bony bream (Nematalosa erebi), Hyrtl’s tandan (Neosilurus hyrtlii) and yellowbelly were associated with high flow events and backwater inundation; however recruitment of yellowbelly and bony bream was also evident following a zero-flow period. Departures from typical flood-induced seasonal spawning patterns may reflect opportunistic spawning behaviours appropriate to the erratic patterns of flooding and dry spells in dryland rivers.

MPEG-2 is an extension of the MPEG-1 international standard for digital compression of audio and video signals. MPEG-1 was designed to code progressively scanned video at bit rates up to about 1.5 Mbit/s for applications such as CD-I (compact disc interactive). MPEG-2 is directed at broadcast formats at higher data rates; it provides extra algorithmic `tools' for efficiently coding interlaced video, supports a wide range of bit rates and provides for multichannel surround sound coding. This tutorial paper introduces the principles used for compressing video according to the MPEG-2 standard, outlines the general structure of a video coder and decoder, and describes the subsets (`profiles') of the toolkit and the sets of constraints on parameter values (`levels') defined to date.

The potential effect of orlistat on cardiovascular co-morbidities may have been previously underestimated. This study assesses the efficacy of orlistat therapy for weight loss and cardiovascular risk factor reduction in obese patients with cardiovascular risk. This was a 54-week, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel group study with 531 patients being randomised. Mean weight loss was significantly greater with orlistat than with placebo (5.8% vs 2.3%; p<0.0001). Orlistat was also associated with significantly greater improvements than placebo in diastolic BP (-5.5 vs -3.1 mmHg; p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (-6.0 vs -2.3 mmHg; p<0.01), oral glucose tolerance test (-0.37 vs +0.09 mmol/l; p<0.05), fasting glucose (-0.19 vs +0.06 mmol/l; p<0.05), total cholesterol (-1.31% vs +3.78%; p<0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (-7.09% vs -0.55%; p<0.0001) and waist circumference (-5.99 vs -2.60 cm; p<0.0001). Orlistat was well tolerated. Orlistat weight loss is associated with improvements in cardiovascular co-morbidities, and hence cardiovascular risk.

Occupational violence is a worldwide, multifaceted problem affecting all industries, including healthcare. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the experiences of 158 allied health professionals, 135 doctors, and 1229 nurses working in a rural area in eastern Australia. Response rates were 72 percent for allied health professionals and 62 percent for general practitioners (GPs) and nurses. Proportionately more nurses experienced occupational violence than did allied health providers and GPs. During the past 12 months (August 2001 to July 2002), 68 percent of nurses, compared with 47 percent of allied health providers and 48 percent of GPs, reported violence. All three professional groups indicated that the most distressing occupational violence was perpetrated by patients, followed by patients' relatives. The most frequent form of occupational violence was verbal abuse, followed by threatening behavior, physical violence, and obscene behavior. No statistically significant difference in the prevalence of violence was found among the different allied health professional disciplines or fields of nursing. Health services management strategies addressing occupational violence need to be comprehensive and multidisciplinary in scope. Strategies to minimize violence need to focus on resource allocation, cultural change, and perseverance. Systems to monitor violence are a priority. Further research into the determinants of this pattern of violence is required.

AIMS: To identify the prevalence of constipation in children with nocturnal enuresis presenting to a tertiary paediatric outpatient service and to assess parental and clinician recognition of constipation. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of children with nocturnal enuresis at presentation to a continence service. Data relating to the child's bowel habits, pattern of enuresis and other history items were obtained from parental questionnaires and paediatrician assessments. Presence and severity of constipation was assessed independently by parents and clinicians. Kappa was used to compare agreement between parental reporting and clinician assessment of constipation. RESULTS: Of the 277 participants aged 4.8-17.5 years (median 8.6 years), 36.1% (n = 95) were identified as constipated by the clinician-based scoring method ('Constipation Score') compared with 14.1% from parental reporting (Kappa = 0.155, P = 0.003). Despite the poor overall recognition of constipation by parents, parental and clinician assessment of frequency of bowel motions (Kappa = 0.804) and soiling (Kappa = 0.384) were similar. Major factors influencing parental reporting of constipation were frequency of bowel motions and soiling with less emphasis on straining and stool consistency. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of constipation was high among children with nocturnal enuresis as assessed by clinicians despite poor identification by parents. This may limit optimal diagnosis and management.