http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/ The University of Queensland en Fez http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:79496 The branched-chain amino acids are synthesized by plants, fungi and microorganisms, but not by animals. Therefore, the enzymes of this pathway are potential target sites for the development of antifungal agents, antimicrobials and herbicides. Most research has focused upon the first enzyme in this biosynthetic pathway, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) largely because it is the target site for many commercial herbicides. In this review we provide a brief overview of the important properties of each enzyme within the pathway and a detailed summary of the most recent AHAS research, against the perspective of work that has been carried out over the past 50 years. 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z McCourt, J. A. og Duggleby, R. G. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:117163 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and C-13 MAS NMR spectroscopy have been used to investigate the acetylation of raw cotton samples with acetic anhydride without solvents in the presence of different amounts of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) catalyst. This is a continuation of our previous investigation of acetylation of commercial cotton in an effort to develop hydrophobic, biodegradable, cellulosic sorbent materials for cleaning up oil spills. The FTIR data have again provided a clear evidence for successful acetylation. The NMR results further confirm the successful acetylation. The extent of acetylation was quantitatively determined using the weight percent gain (WPG) due to acetylation and by calculating the ratio R between the intensity of the acetyl C=O stretching band at 1740-1745 cm(-1) and the intensity of C-O stretching vibration of the cellulose backbone at about 1020-1040 cm(-1). The FTIR technique was found to be highly sensitive and reliable for the determination of the extent of acetylation. The level of acetylation of the raw cotton samples was found to be much higher than that of cotton fabrics and the previously studied commercial cotton. The variation of the R and WPG with reaction time, amount of DMAP catalyst and different samples of raw cotton is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 2007-10-17T00:00:00Z Adebajo, MO og Frost, RL http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:201849 2010-04-07T00:00:00Z Flaim, Sarah N. og McCulloch, Andrew D. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:161684 2009-01-23T00:00:00Z Dlamini, M. F. og Powell, M. S. og Meyer, C. J. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:163306 2009-02-06T00:00:00Z Chanson, Hubert http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:193667 2010-01-22T00:00:00Z Rodriguez‐Baño, Jesus og Paterson, David L. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:129879 Neuronal nAChRs are a diverse family of pentameric ion channels with wide distribution throughout cells of the nervous and immune systems. However, the role of specific subtypes in normal and pathological states remains poorly understood due to the lack of selective probes. Here, we used a binding assay based on acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP), a homolog of the nicotinic acetylcholine ligand- binding domain, to discover a novel alpha-conotoxin (alpha-TxIA) in the venom of Conus textile. alpha-TxIA bound with high affinity to AChBPs from different species and selectively targeted the alpha(3)beta(2) nAChR subtype. A co-crystal structure of Ac- AChBP with the enhanced potency analog TxIA(A10L), revealed a 201 backbone tilt compared to other AChBP - conotoxin complexes. This reorientation was coordinated by a key salt bridge formed between Arg5 (TxIA) and Asp195 (Ac-AChBP). Mutagenesis studies, biochemical assays and electrophysiological recordings directly correlated the interactions observed in the co-crystal structure to binding affinity at AChBP and different nAChR subtypes. Together, these results establish a new pharmacophore for the design of novel subtype-selective ligands with therapeutic potential in nAChR-related diseases. 2008-02-18T00:00:00Z Dutertre, S. og Ulens, C og Buttner, R og Fish, A og van Elk, R og Kendel, Y og Hopping, G. og Alewood, P. F. og Schroeder, C. og Nicke, A og Smit, AB og Sixma, TK og Lewis, R. J. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:164151 2009-02-12T00:00:00Z Purcell, C. R. og Balasubramanyam, R. og Burton, M. G. og Walsh, A. J. og Minier, V. og Hunt-Cunningham, M. R. og Kedziora-Chudczer, L. L. og Longmore, S. N. og Bains, I. og Hill, T. og Barnes, P. J. og Busfield, A. L. og Calisse, P. og Crighton, N. H. M. og Curran, S. J. og Davis, T. M. og Dempsey, J. T. og Derragopian, G. og Fulton, B. og Hidas, M. G. og Hoare, M. G. og Lee, J.-K. og Ladd, E. F. og Lumsden, S. L. og Moore, T. J. T. og Murphy, M. T. og Oudmaijer, R. D. og Pracy, M. B. og Rathborne, J. og Robertson, S. og Schultz, A. S. B. og Shobbrook, J. og Sparks, P. A. og Storey, J. og Travouillion, T. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:171521 Objectives: To describe the development and performance of an instrument for health assessment of older Australian veterans and war widows, including: (a) the underlying dimensions of the assessment instrument, (b) problems identified and (c) associations with health related quality of life. Method: Participants were randomly selected veterans and war widows aged 70 years and over, living independently in 10 regions of NSW and QLD. The intervention consisted of a series of preventive care home visit health assessments by health professionals using a specially developed 113-item screening checklist, together with targeted health education materials, telephone follow-up and computer generated reports to the veteran's local medical officer. Main outcome measures were underlying facets of the checklist, and associations with self reported quality of life. Results: 904 home visit assessments were conducted using the checklist. Problems identified included having no recent hearing check, poor rate of vaccination against pneumonia and tetanus vaccination, and problems with feet. Exploratory factor analysis of the checklist reported four main factors, explaining 31% of the variance. Three out of four checklist scales were significantly associated with both physical and mental component scores of the SF-36 quality of life measure. 2009-03-24T00:00:00Z Byles, J. og Tavener, M. og Fitzgerald, P. og Nair, B. og Higginbotham, N. og Jackson, C. og Heller, R. og Newbury, J. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:135179 The management of landscapes for biological conservation and ecologically sustainable natural resource use are crucial global issues. Research for over two decades has resulted in a large literature, yet there is little consensus on the applicability or even the existence of general principles or broad considerations that could guide landscape conservation. We assess six major themes in the ecology and conservation of landscapes. We identify 13 important issues that need to be considered in developing approaches to landscape conservation. They include recognizing the importance of landscape mosaics (including the integration of terrestrial and aquatic areas), recognizing interactions between vegetation cover and vegetation configuration, using an appropriate landscape conceptual model, maintaining the capacity to recover from disturbance and managing landscapes in an adaptive framework. These considerations are influenced by landscape context, species assemblages and management goals and do not translate directly into on-the-ground management guidelines but they should be recognized by researchers and resource managers when developing guidelines for specific cases. Two crucial overarching issues are: (i) a clearly articulated vision for landscape conservation and (ii) quantifiable objectives that offer unambiguous signposts for measuring progress 2008-04-14T00:00:00Z Lindenmayer, D. og Hobbs, R. J. og Montague-Drake, R. og Alexandra, J. og Bennett, A. og Burgman, M. og Cale, P. og Calhoun, A. og Cramer, V. og Cullen, P. og Driscoll, D. og Fahrig, L. og Fischer, J. og Franklin, J. og Haila, Y. og Hunter, M. og Gibbons, P. og Lake, S. og Luck, G. og MacGregor, C. og McIntyre, S. og MacNally, R. og Manning, A. og Miller, J. og Mooney, H. og Noss, R. og Possingham, H. og Saunders, D. og Schmiegelow, F. og Scott, M. og Simberloff, D. og Sisk, T. og Tabor, G. og Walker, B. og Wiens, J. og Woinarski, J. og Zavaleta, E. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:101649 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Woodruff, A.R. og Sah, P. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:242187 2011-06-16T00:00:00Z Keddie, A http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:99190 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z Hanrahan, S.J. og Cerin, E. og Hartel, C. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:165303 Background: Physical activity is a major public health issue as trends show inadequate levels of physical activity for health and rising levels of obesity. Understanding motivation for physical activity in youth by assessing their motivational profiles associated with school physical education could inform future interventions. Aims: To investigate goal orientation and perceived competence profiles in young adolescents and to test the nature of differences between clusters on motivational and physical activity measures. Sample: Boys (N = 427) and girls (N = 391), aged 11-14 years, from two comprehensive schools in England. Method: Cross-sectional survey using cluster analysis. Results: Clusters reflecting 'highly', 'moderately', and 'lowly' motivated youth were found. Physical activity, incremental sport ability beliefs, and self-determined motivation were highest in the highly motivated cluster. Girls were under-represented in this cluster. Conclusions: High motivation towards physical activity is characterised by high task and high ego orientation, and high perceived competence. With only 38% of this group being girls, interventions are required to boost motivation for girls based on goal and self-determination approaches 2009-02-27T00:00:00Z Wang, C.K. John og Chatzisarantis, Nikos L.D. og Spray, Christopher M. og Biddle, Stuart J.H. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:170444 This paper reviews the effectiveness of Aboriginal health care programs, and identifies the programs and strategies that appear to work. The authors use a process of literature review and a focus on specific projects in each Australian jurisdiction to achieve their aim. Although much of the literature is found to be inconclusive and key health indicators appear to show little improvement in the health of Indigenous Australians, the paper identifies improvements in underlying health infrastructure and an encouraging increase in government commitment to dealing with the problem. The paper recommends longer program funding cycles and more rigorous evaluation of program data as ways of improving organisational stability and program outcomes. 2009-03-18T00:00:00Z Shannon, C. og Wakerman, J. og Hill, P. og Griew, R. og Barnes, A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:171370 2009-03-23T00:00:00Z Shannon, C. og Wakerman, J. og Hill, P. og Barnes, T. og Griew, R. og Ritchie, A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:134939 2008-04-09T00:00:00Z Dieters, Mark og Nikles, D. G. og Keys, M. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:99385 DMAPS (Distributed Multi-Agent Planning System) is a planning system developed for distributed multi-robot teams based on MAPS(Multi-Agent Planning System). MAPS assumes that each agent has the same global view of the environment in order to determine the most suitable actions. This assumption fails when perception is local to the agents: each agent has only a partial and unique view of the environment. DMAPS addresses this problem by creating a probabilistic global view on each agent by fusing the perceptual information from each robot. The experimental results on consuming tasks show that while the probabilistic global view is not identical on each robot, the shared view is still effective in increasing performance of the team. 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z Chang, M. M. og Wyeth, G. F. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:202557 2010-04-12T00:00:00Z Keniger, M. D. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:63962 Super vision probably does have benefits both for the maintenance and improvement of clinical skills and for job satisfaction, but the data are very thin and almost non-existent in the area of alcohol and other drugs services. Because of the potential complexity of objectives and roles in super vision, a structured agreement appears to be an important part of the effective supervision relationship. Because sessions can degenerate easily into unstructured socialization, agendas and session objectives may also be important. While a working alliance based on mutual respect and trust is an essential base for the supervision relationship, procedures for direct observation of clinical skills, demonstration of new procedures and skills practice with detailed feedback appear critical to super vision's impact on practice. To ensure effective super vision, there needs not only to be a minimum of personnel and resources, but also a compatibility with the values and procedures of management and staff, access to supervision training and consultation and sufficient incentives to ensure it continues. 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z Kavanagh, D. J. og Spence, S. H. og Wilson, J. og Crow, N. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:102883 Tourism has had, and is continuing to have, a profound impact upon destinations, economically, environmentally and socially. The negative impacts of tourism have been attributed, among other things, to inadequate or non-existent planning frameworks for tourism development, and it has therefore been advocated that tourism planning is vital to offset some of these negative impacts. While several different approaches have been supported over the years, tourism planning based on the philosophies of sustainability has emerged as one ofthe most comprehensive approaches. However, two critical concepts have been identified as precursors to sustainable development: a strategic Qrientation towards tourism planning and enhanced levels of multiple stakeholder participation in the tourism planning process (Simpson 2001 ). While both strategic tourism planning and stakeholder participation and collaboration, have received considerable attention in the academic literature, there has been relatively little written about its practical application. However, the somewhat recent emergence of the strategic visioning concept as a destination planning tool may provide the necessary practical framework for incorporating stakeholder collaboration into destination strategic planning and management. This paper will provide a synthesis of the stakeholder collaboration, strategic planning and strategic visioning literatures, before conceptually examining the potential applicability._ of the strategic visioning process in achieving meaningful stakeholder participation and collaboration in destination planning. 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Ruhanen, L. M. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:100987 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Yuan, Z. og Keller, J. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:164012 In this Letter we present experimental results and a simple analytic theory on the first continuous (long pulse) Raman atom laser. We analyze the flux and brightness of a generic two state atom laser with an analytic model that shows excellent agreement with our experiments. We show that, for the same source size, the brightness achievable with a Raman atom laser is at least 3 orders of magnitude greater than achievable in any other demonstrated continuously outcoupled atom laser. 2009-02-11T00:00:00Z Robins, N. P. og Figl, C. og Haine, S. A. og Morrison, A. K. og Jeppesen, M. og Hope, J. J. og Close, J. D. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:104124 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Minnery, J. R. og Low Choy, D. C. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:56018 Objective To determine the costs and benefits of interventions for maternal and newborn health to assess the appropriateness of current strategies and guide future plans to attain the millennium development goals. Design Cost effectiveness analysis. Setting Two regions classified by the World Health Organization according to their epidemiological grouping: Afr-E, those countries in sub-Saharan Africa with very high adult and high child mortality, and Sear-D, comprising countries in South East Asia with high adult and high child mortality. Data sources Effectiveness data from several sources, including trials, observational studies, and expert opinion. For resource inputs, quantifies came from WHO guidelines, literature, and expert opinion, and prices from the WHO choosing interventions that are cost effective database. Main outcome measures Cost per disability adjusted life year (DALY) averted in year 2000 international dollars. Results The most cost effective mix of interventions was similar in Afr-E and Sear-D. These were the community based newborn care package, followed by antenatal care (tetanus toxoid, screening for pre-eclampsia, screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and syphilis); skilled attendance at birth, offering first level maternal and neonatal care around childbirth; and emergency obstetric and neonatal care around and after birth. Screening and treatment of maternal syphilis, community based management of neonatal pneumonia, and steroids given during the antenatal period were relatively less cost effective in Sear-D. Scaling up all of the included interventions to 95% coverage would halve neonatal and maternal deaths. Conclusion Preventive interventions at the community level for newborn babies and at the primary care level for mothers and newborn babies are extremely cost effective, but the millennium development goals for maternal and child health will not be achieved without universal access to clinical services as well. 2007-08-13T00:00:00Z Adam, T. og Lim, S. S. og Mehta, S. og Bhutta, Z. A. og Fogstad, H. og Mathai, M. og Zupan, J. og Darmstadt, G. L. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:56160 2007-08-13T00:00:00Z Evans, David B. og Lim, Stephen S. og Adam, Taghreed og Edejer, Tessa Tan-Torres http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:193908 2010-01-27T00:00:00Z Bye, A. R. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:171647 Achilles tendon injury (tendinopathy) and pain occur in active individuals, when the tendon is subject to high or unusual load. Achilles tendinopathy can be resistant to treatment, and symptoms may persist despite both conservative and surgical intervention. The pathology of overuse tendinopathy is non-inflammatory, with a degenerative or failed healing tendon response. The diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy requires excellent differential diagnosis and an understanding of the role of tendon imaging. Conservative treatment must include exercise, with a bias to eccentric contractions. Surgical treatment is effective after complete tendon rupture, but may not assist recovery from overuse tendinopathy. Further research into the clinical aspects of Achilles tendinopathy is required. 2009-03-24T00:00:00Z Cook, J. L. og Khan, K. M. og Purdam, C. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:200372 The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. Because most Achilles tendon injuries take place in sports and there has been a general increase in popularity of sporting activities, the number and incidence of the Achilles tendon overuse injuries and complete, spontaneous ruptures has increased in the industrialized countries during the last decades. The most common clinical diagnosis of Achilles overuse injuries is tendinopathy. The basic etiology of the Achilles tendinopathy is known to be multi-factorial. Although histopathologic studies have shown that ruptured Achilles tendons have clear degenerative changes before the rupture, many Achilles tendon ruptures take place suddenly without any preceding signs or symptoms. 2010-03-23T00:00:00Z Jarvinen, Tero A. H. og Kannus, Pekka og Maffulli, Nicola og Khan, Karim M. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:195467 2010-02-16T00:00:00Z Smith, Anthony http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7950 2006-11-06T00:00:00Z Hoy, Wendy E. og Kondalsamy Chennakesavan, Srinivas og Scheppingen, Joanne og Sharma, Suresh og Katz, Ivor http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:81341 Compounds that activate host plant defence responses potentially offer socio-environmentally sound alternative methods for disease control. In a series of glasshouse trials over 2 years, pre-harvest sprays with acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were tested for suppression of post-harvest infection of cut Freesia hybrida L. flowers by Botrytis cinerea. For the ASM treatments, variability in reducing the incidence of B. cinerea disease was observed between years freesia varieties, incubation temperatures and ASM concentrations. In the first year, the greatest reductions in lesion numbers on ASM-treated var. 'Cote d'Azur' were recorded using 2.86 mM ASM. For three different post-harvest temperature regimes, the relative reductions in lesion numbers, compared to untreated controls, were 45% at 5 degrees C, 40% at 12 degrees C and 30% at 20 degrees C, respectively. In the second year, lesion numbers were most reduced using 1.43 mM ASM to treat freesia var. 'Dukaat' flowers. Here, the relative reductions were to 44% at 5 degrees C, 26% at 12 degrees C and 51% at 20 degrees C. MeJA treatments were, in general, more consistently effective than ASM treatments in reducing lesion numbers and lesion diameters on cut freesia flowers. MeJA-treated (0.2 mM) freesia flowers (var. 'Dukaat') incubated at 20 degrees C showed relative reductions of 62%, and 45% for lesion number and lesion diameter, respectively. The differing efficacy between ASM and MeJA treatments could be attributed to their differential abilities to induce the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated vs. the jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated host defence pathways, respectively. 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z Darras, AI og Joyce, DC og Terry, LA http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:165057 During exposure to elevated water CO2 levels (hypercapnia), blood pH and tissue intracellular pH (pHi) in fish are initially reduced due to the rapid development of a respiratory acidosis. Blood pH recovery is associated with acid–base relevant ion transfer at the gills (i.e., Na+/H+ or Cl−/HCO3−), and generally occurs over 24–48 h during which time pHi recovery closely follows pH recovery of the blood. In the armoured catfish, Liposarcus pardalis, hypercapnia induces a large respiratory acidosis, but intracellular pH (pHi) of tissues such as the liver, heart and muscle is tightly regulated despite large reductions in plasma pH. Using an in situ perfused heart preparation, maximum cardiac performance (power output, cardiac output and stroke volume) was maintained at levels of up to 5% CO2 in L. pardalis. Maintenance of heart function under these conditions was associated with preferential pHi regulation. Following exhaustive exercise and 2 h of anoxia, there was little evidence for lactate incorporation into the skull or bony plates, but liver, heart and brain pHi were preferentially regulated despite a large uncompensated plasma acidosis, indicating that the type of acidosis does not alter the pattern of acid–base regulation in this species. This pattern of preferential pHi regulation differs markedly from that of most fish investigated to date; however, it has also been observed in two other facultative air-breathing fishes, Synbranchus marmoratus and Amia calva, and may be associated with the evolution of air-breathing. 2009-02-25T00:00:00Z Brauner, C. J. og Baker, D. og Hanson, L. og Kuchel, L. og Jackson, D. og Farrell, A. P. og Val, V. L. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:102168 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Kapitzke, D. og Hermanussen, S.F. og Jenkins, N. og Hua, S. og Vetter, I. og Monteith, G.R. og Cabot, P.J. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:134275 2008-04-02T00:00:00Z Gasparon, M. og Smedley, A. og Jong, T. og Costagliola, P. og Benvenuti, M. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:171544 2009-03-24T00:00:00Z Colditz, P. B. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:97957 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z Saffigna, P. G. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:102021 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Walker, P. O. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:165816 2009-03-03T00:00:00Z Bradshaw, Debbie og Norman, Rosana og Schneider, Michelle http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:194062 2010-01-28T00:00:00Z Younger, John F. og Walsh, Simon J. og Harbinson, Mark T. og Herity, Niall A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:98819 The Java programming language supports concurrency. Concurrent programs are hard to test due to their inherent non-determinism. This paper presents a classification of concurrency failures that is based on a model of Java concurrency. The model and failure classification is used to justify coverage of synchronization primitives of concurrent components. This is achieved by constructing concurrency flow graphs for each method call. A producer-consumer monitor is used to demonstrate how the approach can be used to measure coverage of concurrency primitives and thereby assist in determining test sequences for deterministic execution. 2007-08-24T00:00:00Z Long, B. J. og Strooper, P. A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:61431 The vascular and bryophyte floras of subantarctic Heard Island were classified using cluster analysis into six vegetation communities: Open Cushion Carpet, Mossy Feldmark, Wet Mixed Herbfield, Coastal Biotic Vegetation, Saltspray Vegetation, and Closed Cushion Carpet. Multidimensional scaling indicated that the vegetation communities were not well delineated but were continua. Discriminant analysis and a classification tree identified altitude, wind, peat depth, bryophyte cover and extent of bare ground, and particle size as discriminating variables. The combination of small area, glaciation, and harsh climate has resulted in reduced vegetation variety in comparison to those subantarctic islands north of the Antarctic Polar Front Zone. Some of the functional groups and vegetation communities found on warmer subantarctic islands are not present on Heard Island, notably ferns and sedges and fernbrakes and extensive mires, respectively. 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z Bergstrom, D. M. og Whinam, J. og Belbin, L. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:103210 2007-08-23T00:00:00Z Kastelle, T. H. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:177191 2009-04-22T00:00:00Z Diederich, J. A. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:13299 Dwarf galaxies have attracted increased attention in recent years, because of their susceptibility to galaxy transformation processes within rich galaxy clusters. Direct evidence for these processes, however, has been difficult to obtain, with a small number of diffuse light trails and intra-cluster stars, being the only signs of galaxy disruption. Furthermore, our current knowledge of dwarf galaxy populations may be very incomplete, because traditional galaxy surveys are insensitive to extremely diffuse or compact galaxies. Aware of these concerns, we recently undertook an all-object survey of the Fornax galaxy cluster. This revealed a new population of compact members, overlooked in previous conventional surveys. Here we demonstrate that these 'ultra-compact' dwarf galaxies are structurally and dynamically distinct from both globular star clusters and known types of dwarf galaxy, and thus represent a new class of dwarf galaxy. Our data are consistent with the interpretation that these are the remnant nuclei of disrupted dwarf galaxies, making them an easily observed tracer of galaxy disruption. 2007-04-02T00:00:00Z Drinkwater, Michael John og Gregg, Michael D. og Hilker, Michael og Bekki, Kenji og Couch, Warrick J. og Ferguson, Henry C. og Jones, J. Bryn og Phillipps, Steve http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:81391 In this letter, we propose a class of self-stabilizing learning algorithms for minor component analysis (MCA), which includes a few well-known MCA learning algorithms. Self-stabilizing means that the sign of the weight vector length change is independent of the presented input vector. For these algorithms, rigorous global convergence proof is given and the convergence rate is also discussed. By combining the positive properties of these algorithms, a new learning algorithm is proposed which can improve the performance. Simulations are employed to confirm our theoretical results. 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z Ye, M. og Fan, X. Q. og Li, X. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:69955 OBJECTIVES We sought to develop and validate a risk score combining both clinical and dobutamine echocardiographic (DbE) features in 4,890 patients who underwent DbE at three expert laboratories and were followed for death or myocardial infarction for up to five years. BACKGROUND In contrast to exercise scores, no score exists to combine clinical, stress, and echocardiographic findings with DbE. METHODS Dobutamine echocardiography was performed for evaluation of known or suspected coronary artery disease in 3,156 patients at two sites in the U.S. After exclusion of patients with incomplete follow-up, 1,456 DbEs were randomly selected to develop a multivariate model for prediction of events. After simplification of each model for clinical use, the models were internally validated in the remaining DbE patients in the same series and externally validated in 1,733 patients in an independent series. RESULTS The following score was derived from regression models in the modeling group (160 events): DbE risk = (age (.) 0.02) + (heart failure + rate-pressure product <15,000) (.) 0.4 + (ischemia + scar) (.) 0.6. The presence of each variable was scored as 1 and its absence scored as 0, except for age (continuous variable). Using cutoff values of 1.2 and 2.6, patients were classified into groups with five-year event-free survivals >95%, 75% to 95%, and <75%. Application of the score in the internal validation group (265 events) gave equivalent results, as did its application in the external validation group (494 events, C index = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS A risk score based on clinical and echocardiographic data may be used to quantify the risk of events in patients undergoing DbE. (C) 2004 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z Marwick, TH og Case, C og Poldermans, D og Boersma, E og Bax, J og Sawada, S og Thomas, JD http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:63195 Aims The new cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors, celecoxib (Celebrex®) and rofecoxib (Vioxx®), have been widely prescribed since their launch. No reviews currently appear in the literature of prescribing patterns in Australia. This paper describes a self-audit of the clinical use of selective COX-2 inhibitor therapy undertaken with rural general practitioners (GPs) in Australia. Methods A structured audit form was developed and distributed to interested GPs. The form was self-administered and focused on issues about COX-2 inhibitors and the types of patients who were receiving them, e.g. indications, patient demographics, risk factors and drug interactions. Results A total of 627 patients were recruited (569 celecoxib and 58 rofecoxib). A range of doses was prescribed. Osteoarthritis was the most common indication (68.1%). Risk factors known for the nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were identified in 65.1% of patients, with the most common being advanced age, hypertension and previous peptic ulcer disease. Potential drug interactions were common. A variety of reasons for initiation of therapy was identified; these included perceived increased efficacy, safety and failure of other treatment. Conclusions These results show that COX-2 inhibitors are being prescribed for patients with multiple risk factors that may place the patient at increased risk of adverse drug reactions to a COX-2 inhibitor. The perception of improved safety and efficacy was common and is of concern. Limitations of the study include the reliance on self-reporting. 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z Cutts, C. og La Caze, A. og Tett, S. E. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9508 The clinical development unit (CDU) has been recognized as an effective strategy to progress creativity and resoucefulness in nursing practice to improve patient outcomes. Clinical development units, through transformational leadership, promote staff development, the use of research evidence and dissemination of research findings through publication and presentations. The aim of this paper is to clearly articulate the processes (in particular, research and education initiatives) related to the development of staff that address issues in the everyday workplace and, accordingly, have been instrumental in the success of the creation of a CDU in cardiology. These units aim to achieve and promote excellence in an identifiable area of nursing using a systematic, transparent and defensible approach. A review of acute coronary syndrome informed the needs and direction of staff activities in the cardiology unit of a tertiary referral hospital. Through a collaborative staff approach, evidence was carefully examined to plan its appropriate adoption into the clinical area. Nursing practice and education resulting from this review was scheduled into staff career progression. These initiatives have been incorporated into staff development learning, enabling the integration of research into practice, which ultimately has a positive impact on patient outcomes. 2005-06-10T00:00:00Z Boyde, Mary og Jen, Colleen og Henderson, Amanda og Winch, Sarah http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:78326 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z Cheney, Joyce og Barber, Scott og Altamirano,Luis og Cheney, Marise og Williams, Chris og Jackson, Mary og Yates, Patsy og O'Rourke, Peter og Wainwright, Claire