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Life course-informed theories of development suggest it is important to integrate information about positive and negative aspects of the social environment into studies of child and parental wellbeing, including both stressors that compromise health and resources that promote well-being. We recruited a sample of 169 pairs of caregivers and young children (birth to 5 years) from a community health clinic and administered survey questions to assess stressors and resources. We constructed inventories of stressors and resources and examined the relationships between these inventories and caregivers' depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep problems, and young children's medical diagnoses derived from electronic health records. Cumulative stressors and resources displayed bivariate and adjusted associations with caregivers' depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep problems. For depressive and anxiety symptoms, these associations were evident in models that included stressors and resources together. Caregivers with high stressors and low resources displayed the highest levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and sleep problems. In terms of children's health outcomes, only modest trends were evident for developmental/mental health outcomes, but not other diagnostic categories. Future studies are needed to examine stressors and resources together in larger samples and in relation to prospectively assessed measures of child well-being.

Methods for calculating health indicators profoundly influence understanding of and action on population health and inequities. Age-standardization can be useful and is commonly applied to account for differences in age structures when comparing health indicators across groups. Age-standardized rates have well-acknowledged limitations, including that they are relative indices for comparison, and not accurate measures of actual rates where the age structures of groups diverge. This paper explores these limitations, and demonstrates alternative approaches through a case study quantifying mortality rates within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) population of Australia and inequities compared with the non-Indigenous population, over 2001-16. Applying the Australian Standard Population, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander age-standardized mortality rate was more than double the crude mortality rate in 2001 and 2016, inflated through high weighting of older age groups. Despite divergent population age structures, age-standardized mortality rates remain a key policy metric for measuring progress in reducing Indigenous-non-Indigenous inequities in Australia. Focusing on outcomes age-standardized to the total population can obscure inequities, and denies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities valid, actionable information about their health and well-being. Age-specific statistics convey the true magnitude of health risks and highlight high-risk subgroups. When requiring standardization, standardizing to a population-specific standard (here, an Indigenous standard) generates metrics centred around and reflective of reality for the population of focus, supporting communities' self-determination to identify priorities and informing resource allocation and service delivery. The principles outlined here apply across populations, including Indigenous and other populations internationally.

Discrimination has consistently been associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Like other psychosocial stressors, discrimination is thought to impact health through stress-related physiologic pathways including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, dysregulation of inflammation responses, and accelerated cellular aging. Given growing attention to research examining the biological pathways through which discrimination becomes embodied, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes empirical evidence examining relationships between self-reported discrimination and four biomarker outcomes (i.e., cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and telomere length) among studies that have used the Everyday Discrimination Scale. We conducted a systematic review of studies discussing self-reported, everyday, or chronic discrimination in the context of health by searching Medline / PubMed (National Library of Medicine, NCBI), PsycInfo (APA, Ebsco) and Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate). Twenty-five articles met the criteria for meta-analysis, with several reporting on multiple outcomes. Discrimination was associated with elevated CRP levels (r = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20, k = 10), though not cortisol (r = 0.05; 95% CI: -0.06, 0.16, k = 9), IL-6 (r = 0.05; 95% CI: -0.32, 0.42, k = 5), or telomere length (r = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.07, k = 6). We identify several points of consideration for future research including addressing heterogeneity in assessment of biomarker outcomes and the need for longitudinal assessments of relationships between discrimination and biomarker outcomes.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that racism is a fundamental contributor to poor health and inequities. There is consistent evidence of high exposure to discrimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australian) peoples, but impacts have not been fully quantified, in part due to limited measurement tools. We aim to validate instruments developed to measure interpersonal discrimination. METHODS: Instruments were discussed at five focus groups and with experts, and field tested in developing Mayi Kuwayu: The National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing. Data from 7501 baseline survey participants were analysed. Acceptability was assessed according to extent of missingness, construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability using Cronbach's alpha. Associations between each instrument and outcomes conceptually understood to be closely (community-level racism) or less closely (family wellbeing) related were quantified to test convergent and discriminant validity. RESULTS: An 8-item instrument captures experiences of discrimination in everyday life and a 4-item instrument experiences in healthcare, each followed by a global attribution item. Item missingness was 2.2-3.7%. Half (55.4%) of participants reported experiencing any everyday discrimination, with 65.7% attributing the discrimination to Indigeneity; healthcare discrimination figures were 34.1% and 51.1%. Items were consistent with two distinct instruments, differentiating respondents with varying experiences of discrimination. Scales demonstrated very good reliability and convergent and divergent validity. CONCLUSION: These brief instruments demonstrate face validity and robust psychometric properties in measuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults' experiences of interpersonal discrimination in everyday life and in healthcare. They can be used to quantify population-level experiences of discrimination, and associated wel

Discrimination is a fundamental determinant of health and health inequities. However, despite the high prevalence of discrimination exposure, there is limited evidence specific to Indigenous populations on the link between discrimination and health. This study employs a validated measure to quantify experiences of everyday discrimination in a national sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Australia's Indigenous peoples) adults surveyed from 2018 to 2020 (≥16 years, n = 8108). It quantifies Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for wellbeing outcomes by level of discrimination exposure, and tests if associations vary by attribution of discrimination to Indigeneity. Of the participants, 41.5% reported no discrimination, 47.5% low, and 11.0% moderate-high. Discrimination was more commonly reported by younger versus older participants, females versus males, and those living in remote versus urban or regional areas. Discrimination was significantly associated in a dose-response manner, with measures of social and emotional wellbeing, culture and identity, health behaviour, and health outcomes. The strength of the association varied across outcomes, from a 10-20% increased prevalence for some outcomes (e.g., disconnection from culture (PR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.14), and high blood pressure (1.20; 1.09, 1.32)), to a five-fold prevalence of alcohol dependence (4.96; 3.64, 6.76), for those with moderate-high versus no discrimination exposure. The association was of consistent strength and direction whether attributed to Indigeneity or not-with three exceptions. Discrimination is associated with a broad range of poor wellbeing outcomes in this large-scale, national, diverse cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. These findings support the vast potential to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' wellbeing, and to reduce Indigenous-non-Indigenous inequities, by reducing exposure to discrimination.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the proportion of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients identified as having advanced Parkinson's disease (APD) according to physician's judgement in Australia. METHODS: This cross-sectional, non-interventional observational study was performed in movement disorder clinics from 18 countries. Results from Australia are presented. Participants included consecutive adults with PD attending routine clinical visits, or inpatients, who could speak English. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients diagnosed with APD via physician judgement. RESULTS: 100 patients were recruited in Australia: 61.0% (95% CI 51.4-70.6%) diagnosed with APD by physician judgement. Patients were 66.6 ± 8.5 years, 65% were male, were living at home (97%), and diagnosed with PD for median 10.7 years (0-30.5 years). Motor fluctuations were present in 68%. For those with APD, referral was predominantly to enable access to device assisted therapies (DAT) (49%), while for non-APD, referral was largely for diagnostic purposes (41%). Patients had a median follow-up at the movement disorder clinic of 4.8 years for those with APD, or 3.6 years for non-APD. While 62% were eligible for DAT, only two-thirds of these received them. The most commonly used DAT was deep brain stimulation (64.3%). There was fair agreement between physician's judgement and the APD criteria by Delphi method (Cohen's kappa) 0.325 (95% CI 0.150-0.500) in the Australian subset. CONCLUSIONS: The definition of APD requires refinement in order to facilitate greater agreement among movement disorder specialists. A third of APD patients eligible for DAT remain untreated. Better referral and education of patients with APD is needed.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to early adversity carries long term harmful consequences for children's health and development. This study aims to 1) estimate the prevalence of childhood adversity for Australian children from infancy to 10-11 years, and 2) document inequalities in the distribution of adversity according to socioeconomic position (SEP), Indigenous status, and ethnicity. METHODS: Adversity was assessed every 2 years from 0-1 to 10-11 years in the nationally representative birth cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 5107). Adversity included legal problems; family violence; household mental illness; household substance abuse; harsh parenting; parental separation/divorce; unsafe neighborhood; family member death; and bullying (from 4 to 5 years). Adversities were examined individually and summed for a measure of multiple adversity (2+ adverse experiences). RESULTS: By 10-11 years, 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 51.0-54.7) of children had been exposed to 2 or more adversities. When combined with low SEP, children from ethnic minority and from Indigenous backgrounds had 4 to 8 times the odds of exposure to 2 or more adversities than children from higher SEP Anglo-Euro backgrounds, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% CI 2.8-6.6 and OR 8.1, 95% CI 4.4-14.8). Ethnic minority and Indigenous children from higher SEP backgrounds had increased odds of exposure to multiple adversity than similarly advantaged Anglo-Euro children (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.3 and OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.3, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing early adversity is a significant opportunity to promote health over the life course, and reduce health inequalities experienced by marginalized groups of children.

BACKGROUND: Specific phobia (SP) is a relatively common disorder associated with high levels of psychiatric comorbidity. Because of its early onset, SP may be a useful early marker of internalizing psychopathology, especially if generalized to multiple situations. This study aimed to evaluate the association of childhood generalized SP with comorbid internalizing disorders. METHODS: We conducted retrospective analyses of the cross-sectional population-based World Mental Health Surveys using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Outcomes were lifetime prevalence, age of onset, and persistence of internalizing disorders; past-month disability; lifetime suicidality; and 12-month serious mental illness. Logistic and linear regressions were used to assess the association of these outcomes with the number of subtypes of childhood-onset (< 13 years) SP. RESULTS: Among 123,628 respondents from 25 countries, retrospectively reported prevalence of childhood SP was 5.9%, 56% of whom reported one, 25% two, 10% three, and 8% four or more subtypes. Lifetime prevalence of internalizing disorders increased from 18.2% among those without childhood SP to 46.3% among those with one and 75.6% those with 4+ subtypes (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 2.3-2.5, p < 0.001). Twelve-month persistence of lifetime internalizing comorbidity at interview increased from 47.9% among those without childhood SP to 59.0% and 79.1% among those with 1 and 4+ subtypes (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.4-1.5, p < 0.001). Respondents with 4+ subtypes also reported significantly more disability (3.5 days out of role in the past month) than those without childhood SP (1.1 days) or with only 1 subtype (1.8 days) (B = 0.56, SE 0.06, p < 0.001) and a much higher rate of lifetime suicide attempts (16.8%) than those without childhood SP (2.0%) or with only 1 subtype (6.5%) (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.7-1.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This large international study shows that childhood-onset generalized SP is related to adverse outcomes in t

BACKGROUND: While numerous validated questionnaires measuring psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) are available, a quick multifaceted screening tool is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To generate the Brief Psychiatric Questionnaire (BPQ) that quickly screens for depression, anxiety, and apathy and to evaluate its content validity against three reference scales. METHODS: Forty-seven questions were drafted and measured against the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y2) (STAI-Y2), and Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES). Data were reduced by principal component analysis and linear regression. Content validity and repeatability were assessed in a second cohort. RESULTS: Data from ninety-five patients were used for BPQ development. Variation explained by the final linear regression models was 52% for GDS (R 2 = 0.521, F(2,94) = 49.97, p < 0.0001), 65% for STAI-Y2 (R 2 = 0.652, F(4,94) = 42.08, p < 0.0001), and 14% for AES (R 2 = 0.135, F(1,94) = 14.51, p < 0.0001). From the initial pool, only five questions remained for further testing. BPQ questions correctly identified 88% in the second cohort of 33 patients scoring more than five on GDS and 91% who scored in the highest decile of STAI-Y2, but only 51% who scored in the highest decile of AES. Moderate to strong correlation (r = 0.464 - 0.733, p < 0.004) between predicted scores based on BPQ questions and actual scores of three validated questionnaires was demonstrated. Good repeatability of BPQ questions was demonstrated by moderate to high intraclass correlation coefficients (0.47-0.772, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BPQ questions were able to accurately identify patients at risk of depression and anxiety but not apathy. It is brief and multifaceted and can act as a preconsultation tool to prompt further psychiatric assessment.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine how management practices on California dairies may be associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves. A convenience sample of 100 dairies throughout California, providing a study population of 4,636 calves, were visited between May 2014 and April 2016. During each farm visit, in-person interviews with the herd manager or calf caretaker were conducted to collect information about herd demographics, maternity pen, colostrum and calf management, herd vaccinations, and dust abatement. A random sample of preweaned calves was identified and evaluated for the presence of BRD using a standardized tool. A survey-adjusted generalized linear mixed model with a logit link function was fitted with calf as the unit of analysis and dairy as the random effect. Mean study herd size (±SE) was 1,718 (±189.9) cows. Survey-adjusted estimates of breed types in the sample were 81.6% (±0.6) Holstein, 13.1% (±0.4) Jersey, and 5.3% (±0.5) crossbred or other purebred breeds, and calf sex proportions were 73.8% (±1.0) female and 26.2% (±1.0) male. Overall survey-adjusted BRD prevalence in the study herds was 6.91% (±0.69). Housing factors positively associated with BRD were metal hutches compared with wood hutches [odds ratio (OR) = 11.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.80-44.78], calf-to-calf contact in calves >75 d of age (OR = 9.95, 95% CI = 1.50-65.86), feeding Holstein calves <2.84 L of milk or replacer per day (OR = 7.16, 95% CI = 1.23-41.68), and lagoon water used for flushing manure under hutches compared with no flush (OR = 12.06, 95% CI = 1.93-75.47). Providing extra shade over hutches (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.02-0.37), feeding calves at least 90% saleable milk (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.13-0.54) or pasteurized milk (OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03-0.36), and feeding >5.68 L of milk or replacer per day to Jersey calves (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.01-0.28) were negatively associated with BRD. Our study identif

OBJECTIVE: Clinicopathological studies over the last decade have broadened the clinical spectrum of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) to include several distinct clinical syndromes. We examined the cognitive profiles of patients with PSP-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS) and two atypical 'brainstem predominant' PSP phenotypes (PSP-parkinsonism, PSP-P; and PSP-pure akinesia with gait freezing, PSP-PAGF) using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. METHODS: Fourteen patients diagnosed as PSP-RS, three patients with PSP-P and four patients with PSP-PAGF were assessed using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: The typical PSP-RS subgroup demonstrated greater impairments in processing speed [t(19) = -4.10, p = 0.001 (d =1.66)] and executive function [t(19) = -2.63, p = 0.02 (d = 1.20)] compared to the 'brainstem predominant' PSP phenotype. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study to demonstrate that PSP-RS and 'brainstem predominant' PSP phenotypes can be differentiated on cognitive grounds. These differences correspond with variations in pathological profiles reported in the literature.

In Australia 1% of individuals aged over 50 years have Parkinson disease (PD). Guidance for commencing device-assisted therapies (DAT) for PD in Australia was developed based on a review of European recommendations and their relevance to the local clinical setting. An online survey and teleconference discussions were held by a group of eight local movement disorder experts to develop consensus. Referral to a movement disorder specialist and consideration of DAT is appropriate when motor fluctuations cause disability or reduced quality of life, response to treatment is inconsistent or motor fluctuations and dyskinesias require frequent treatment adjustment without apparent benefit and levodopa is required four or more times daily. Three types of DAT are available in Australia for patients with PD: continuous subcutaneous apomorphine; continuous levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion; and deep brain stimulation. All improve consistency of motor response. The most important aspects when considering which DAT to use are the preferences of the patient and their carers, patient comorbidities, age, cognitive function and neuropsychiatric status. Patients and their families need to be provided with treatment options that are suitable to them, with adequate explanations regarding the recommendations and comparison of potential device-related complications. DAT are best managed, where possible, in a specialist centre with experience in all three types of therapy. Proactive and early management of symptoms during disease progression is essential to maintain optimally motor responses and quality of life in patients with PD.

© 2016 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Background: Despite the widespread use of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Rating Scale (PSPRS), it is not known what change in this scale is meaningful for patients. Methods: We analyzed data from a large clinical trial in PSP-Richardson's syndrome (AL-108-231) to calculate minimal clinically important worsening. This was defined as the difference in mean change of PSPRS in subjects rated “a little worse” and those rated “unchanged” on the Clinicians' Global Impression of Change Scale. A multivariate analysis using logistic regression assessed the relationship between clinical worsening, PSPRS, depression, and activities of daily living. Results: The minimal clinically important worsening on the PSPRS was 5.7 points, corresponding to the mean decline over 6 months in the trial. Changes in activities of daily living and PSPRS were significantly associated with clinical worsening. Conclusions: Clinically meaningful change is measurable on the PSPRS over 6 months. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Purpose Few studies have examined discrimination and mental health in the UK, particularly by migrant status and in urban contexts with greater demographic diversity. This study aims to (1) describe the prevalence of discrimination experiences across multiple life domains; (2) to describe associations between discrimination experiences and common mental disorder (CMD); (3) to determine whether or not the relationship between discrimination and CMD varies by migrant status and ethnicity. Methods Data on major, anticipated and everyday discrimination and CMD symptoms were collected from an ethnically diverse prospective sample of 1052 participants followed up from 2008 to 2013 in the South East London Community Health study, a population-based household survey. Results With few exceptions, discrimination was most prevalent among those in the Black Caribbean group. However, those in the White Other ethnic group had similar or greater reporting major and anticipated discrimination to Black or mixed ethnic minority groups. The effects of discrimination on CMD were most pronounced for individuals who had recently migrated to the UK, an ethnically heterogeneous group, and for Black and Mixed ethnic minority groups in partially adjusted models. Prior CMD accounted for differences between the Mixed and White British ethnic groups, but the strength of the association for the most recent migrant group and the Black ethnic groups remained two or more times greater than the reference groups. Conclusions The strength of the relationship suggests a need for more consideration of migration status along with ethnicity in examining the impact of discrimination on mental disorder in community and clinical samples.

Purpose Few studies have examined discrimination and mental health in the UK, particularly by migrant status and in urban contexts with greater demographic diversity. This study aims to (1) describe the prevalence of discrimination experiences across multiple life domains; (2) to describe associations between discrimination experiences and common mental disorder (CMD); (3) to determine whether or not the relationship between discrimination and CMD varies by migrant status and ethnicity. Methods Data on major, anticipated and everyday discrimination and CMD symptoms were collected from an ethnically diverse prospective sample of 1052 participants followed up from 2008 to 2013 in the South East London Community Health study, a population-based household survey. Results With few exceptions, discrimination was most prevalent among those in the Black Caribbean group. However, those in the White Other ethnic group had similar or greater reporting major and anticipated discrimination to Black or mixed ethnic minority groups. The effects of discrimination on CMD were most pronounced for individuals who had recently migrated to the UK, an ethnically heterogeneous group, and for Black and Mixed ethnic minority groups in partially adjusted models. Prior CMD accounted for differences between the Mixed and White British ethnic groups, but the strength of the association for the most recent migrant group and the Black ethnic groups remained two or more times greater than the reference groups. Conclusions The strength of the relationship suggests a need for more consideration of migration status along with ethnicity in examining the impact of discrimination on mental disorder in community and clinical samples.

Previous research suggests that many people receiving mental health treatment do not meet criteria for a mental disorder but are rather 'the worried well'.

The study of Diophantine equations, and in particular the erroneously-named Pell equation, has a long and intriguing history. In this work, we investigate solutions to the Pell equation and to a closely related quantity called the fundamental unit. Though it is somewhat simple to show these equations have non-trivial solutions, finding unconditionally correct solutions and being able to express them is extremely challenging, both from a theoretical and a computational perspective. We develop improvements to the algorithm presented by de Haan, Jacobson, and Williams [21, 22] which unconditionally verifies the regulator of a real quadratic number field and refinements to the concept of a compact representation of a quadratic integer, originally given by Buchmann, Thiel, and Williams [12]. In addition, we consider the well-known applications of this theory to principal ideal testing, finding integer points on elliptic curves, finding solutions to Diophantine equations, and some particular cryptographic applications.

BACKGROUND: Corticobasal syndrome (CBS), which encompasses cortical sensory loss, alien limb, bradykinesia, rigidity, limb apraxia and dystonia, is the classic presentation of corticobasal degeneration (CBD). It may occur in other neurodegenerative disorders including sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Current CBD diagnostic criteria outline features of CBS but fail to distinguish CBD from other causative pathologies. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the CBS presentation of sCJD (sCJD-CBS) in the context of existing CBD diagnostic criteria. METHOD: Data of two new cases of sCJD-CBS and seven patients identified from the Australian National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry database was reviewed. Additional data from 11 published cases was incorporated to illustrate the natural history of sCJD-CBS. Comparison was made with pathologically diagnosed CBD cases with ante-mortem CBS presentation (CBD-CBS). RESULTS: sCJD-CBS accounts for 1.8% of all Australian sCJD cases. Compared to CBD-CBS, disease progression is more rapid in sCJD-CBS (median time to diagnosis 48 vs.1.5 months, p < 0.001; and disease duration until death 68 vs. 5 months, p < 0.001). Although no clinical features separate the two, alien limb and myoclonus tend to occur early in sCJD-CBS following initial 'sensory' disturbance in the affected limb. Consistent with sCJD, distinctive diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging may also occur in sCJD-CBS. CONCLUSION: sCJD should be suspected in patients presenting with CBS when clinical progression is rapid and accompanied by DWI abnormalities, even without cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein detection and electroencephalographic periodic sharp wave complexes. We propose the addition of rapid (<12 months) progression to akinetic-mutism or death and DWI abnormalities as exclusions in future CBD diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND: Progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson's disease have characteristic clinical and neuropathologic profiles, but also share overlapping clinical features. This study aimed to analyze the gait of people with progressive supranuclear palsy (n=19) and compare it with people with Parkinson's disease (n=20) and healthy older adults (n=20). METHODS: Gait was recorded at self-selected preferred, fast, very fast, slow and very slow speeds. Stride length was normalized to leg length. Linear regression analyses were carried out between cadence and stride length. Other gait variables were compared for each participant's 'walk' which had stride length closest to 1.4. RESULTS: All groups showed a strong linear relationship between stride length and cadence with no difference between groups (p>0.05). The intercept between cadence and stride length was lowest in the progressive supranuclear palsy group and highest for older adults (p<0.001). The progressive supranuclear palsy group had higher cadence than older adults (p>0.05), and greater step width and greater double support phase compared with the other two groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The temporal-spatial gait characteristics of progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson's disease are largely similar, with similar disruption to scaling of stride length. The additional findings of increased step width and double support percentage suggest increased severity of gait abnormality compared to Parkinson's disease, despite similar disease duration. The findings are consistent with the clinical features of greater instability and more rapid disease progression in progressive supranuclear palsy compared to Parkinson's disease and implicates the early pathological involvement of brain regions involved in gait control.

High-cadence Halpha blue wing observations of a C9.6 solar flare obtained at Big Bear Solar Observatory using the Rapid Dual Imager are presented. Wavelet and time-distance methods were used to study oscillatory power along the ribbon, finding periods of 40 - 80 s during the impulsive phase of the flare. A parametric study found statistically significant intensity oscillations with amplitudes of 3% of the peak flare amplitude, periods of 69 s (14.5 mHz) and oscillation decay times of 500 s. These measured properties are consistent with the existence of flare-induced acoustic waves within the overlying loops.

A mild and highly efficient cyclization of β-hydroxy amides to oxazolines is described using DAST and Deoxo-Fluor reagents. A one-pot protocol for the synthesis of oxazoles from β-hydroxy amides is also presented.

The paper describes a study of the application of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying the extent of the surface plasticisation of a poly(ether ether ketone) by a known plasticising solvent, toluene. Spectra are described for the solvent-polymer system and compared with the spectra for the polymer alone at various temperatures. The data tentatively indicate that the surface state of the polymer, when in contact with toluene at 25°C, corresponds to a fictive temperature of the solvated polymer at about 120°C. The polymer may thus be regarded as being extensively plasticised in these solvent environments. © 1991.

The paper describes a study of the application of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying the extent of the surface plasticisation of a poly(ether ether ketone) by a known plasticising solvent, toluene. Spectra are described for the solvent-polymer system and compared with the spectra for the polymer alone at various temperatures. The data tentatively indicate that the surface state of the polymer, when in contact with toluene at 25°C, corresponds to a fictive temperature of the solvated polymer at about 120°C. The polymer may thus be regarded as being extensively plasticised in these solvent environments. © 1991.

When very intense stimuli in the long-wavelength region of the visual spectrum are viewed continuously, they change in hue from red, through yellow, to green. The relation of the time course of these changes to the intensity of the stimulus is reported.

When very intense stimuli in the long-wavelength region of the visual spectrum are viewed continuously, they change in hue from red, through yellow, to green. The relation of the time course of these changes to the intensity of the stimulus is reported.

George Kenneth Williams was born at Tarnagulla Victoria in 1896 and studied mining engineering at the University of Melbourne and he gained his Doctorate of Engineering in 1934. He began his working career at Broken Hill Associated Smelters it was during his employment here that he first started looking at developing more efficient processes in the separation of lead bullion from gold or silver. In 1921 Williams was transferred to Port Pirie where he worked with O.H. Woodward and he and was quickly promoted to a supervisory role. During the late 1920s and 1930s Williams worked on his continuous refining process and received support for testing from Colin Fraser (BHAS). The tests were a success and the process was patented. Williams was appointed as Metalurgist at BHAS in 1933 where he worked on perfecting the blast furnace technology, in 1947 he moved to London and worked as a Metalurgist Consultant with Consolidated Zinc Corporation. Later he moved back to Melbourne and was employed by Consolidated Zinc Pty Ltd (Conzinc Riotinto of Australia) He retired in 1966 and was elected as fellow at the University of Melbourne in 1967. The university established the GG Williams laboratory for extractive metallurgy. He died on 6 April 1974.

1 p., ill., April 10 2002

Eucalyptus globulus is the main eucalypt species grown in Australian plantations. The focus on seedling deployment systems, coupled with exploitation of large, open-pollinated base populations for breeding purposes over the last two decades, has required a detailed understanding of the reproductive biology of this species. We review our research on the reproductive biology of E. globulus, with a focus on it’s breeding system and advances made in seed production systems. While most improved seed is still obtained from open-pollinated seedling or grafted seed orchards, the development of the one-stop/single-visit pollination procedure has revolutionised the breeding and deployment of this species. The reduced costs of controlled pollination has meant full pedigree-control can now be maintained in large advanced generation breeding populations and E. globulus is one of the few eucalypt species where large-scale production of manually pollinated seed for family forestry is being undertaken.

Megastigmus spp. are tiny wasps (bodies 2.5- 6.5mm in length) from the hymenopteran family Torymidae that destroy the seed of forest trees (Elliott and deLittle 1984). Many studies have examined their destructive effect on seed production in conifers, such as: Pseudotsuga; Abies; Cedrus; Cupressus; Juniperus; Larix and Picea (Roques and Skrzypczynska 2003). In Australia, they have been reported to feed on the seed of at least seven eucalypt species. However, despite reports of losses both in openpollinated seed orchard and controlled crossed seed of Eucalyptus globulus extending over many years, little is known of the biology and taxonomy of these insect species, nor the extent of the decrease in seed production they cause. The only study available suggests that the female wasps lay their eggs in eucalypt flowers (Drake 1974). After hatching, each small larva tunnel down into the developing seeds and gradually consume the content of a seed. The larva goes through several instars and the pupa develops within the seed coat. Fully-grown adult wasps emerge from the seed coat through a circular exit hole, and then exit through the top or side of the capsule usually before it opens. In this study we quantified the percentage of seed damaged by Megastigmus spp. predation in 384 seedlots of Eucalyptus globulus and examined whether there was a genetic basis to differences in the levels of seed predation observed.

While clonal propagation is used to establish some plantations of Eucalyptus globulus in countries such as Chile and Portugal, the majority of plantations worldwide are established from seed (Tibbits et al. 1997; Griffin 2001). The genetically improved seed used in industrial plantations is usually derived from open pollinated seed orchards (seedling or grafted), but with the advent of single-visit (Williams et al. 1999) and one-stop (Harbard et al. 1999) pollination procedures an increasing component is now derived from large-scale controlled pollination programs producing elite polymix or full-sib families. Regardless of the system, seed production varies markedly between trees and in most cases the choice of female can strongly influence the profitability of seed production (Leal and Cotterill 1997). In addition, as E. globulus has a mixed mating system (Griffin et al. 1987; Eldridge et al. 1993) and selfing results in severe inbreeding depression for growth traits (Hardner and Potts 1995), outcrossing rate is a key factor. Outcrossing rate will affect the genetic quality of seeds obtained from seed orchards and whether predicted additive genetic gains will be realised. One of the main drivers of the outcrossing rate is the level of self-incompatibility of the female tree (Patterson et al. 2001), which varies widely in the species (Potts and Savva 1988; Pound et al. 2002a,b, 2003). This paper reports the results of two studies aimed at determining whether there is a genetic basis to variation in traits affecting sexual reproduction in E. globulus. The first study examined the genetic basis of variation in the quantity and quality of open pollinated seed from over 800 seed orchard trees of E. globulus. The second study examined the genetic basis of the large variation in self-incompatibility observed within the species.

George Kenneth Williams was born at Tarnagulla Victoria in 1896 and studied mining engineering at the University of Melbourne and he gained his Doctorate of Engineering in 1934. He began his working career at Broken Hill Associated Smelters it was during his employment here that he first started looking at developing more efficient processes in the separation of lead bullion from gold or silver. In 1921 Williams was transferred to Port Pirie where he worked with O.H. Woodward and he and was quickly promoted to a supervisory role. During the late 1920s and 1930s Williams worked on his continuous refining process and received support for testing from Colin Fraser (BHAS). The tests were a success and the process was patented. Williams was appointed as Metalurgist at BHAS in 1933 where he worked on perfecting the blast furnace technology, in 1947 he moved to London and worked as a Metalurgist Consultant with Consolidated Zinc Corporation. Later he moved back to Melbourne and was employed by Consolidated Zinc Pty Ltd (Conzinc Riotinto of Australia) He retired in 1966 and was elected as fellow at the University of Melbourne in 1967. The university established the GG Williams laboratory for extractive metallurgy. He died on 6 April 1974.

Crew of Station #1 just after returning from a Sunday evening fire in a garage behind 11 East Del Norte Street. The outside temperature was eleven degrees below zero. Standing from left to right: Maurice Tisler, Ralph Nice, Rodger Fay, Captain Delbert Green, and Jim Taylor. In front: Clyde Norman.