Search

Highlights: [•] Higher faecal cortisol levels were recorded during drought compared to post-flood. [•] Drought diets were mainly composed of species with high leaf moisture. [•] Low minimum temperatures increased faecal cortisol concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, evolution of the size distribution of fine and ultra-fine particles emitted from vehicles on a busy road is investigated experimentally. In particular, several different modes (distinct maxima) of the particle size distribution are investigated as a function of the distance from the road. An unusual and complex evolution of these modes is discovered. In particular, it is demonstrated that some of the modes tend to shift towards smaller particle size, which has never been reported previously. Complex correlation between the modes is determined experimentally. In addition, for the first time, the total number concentration is clearly shown to go through a significant maximum at some distance from the road. This could have significant influence on the assessment of exposure to fine and ultra-fine particles in the vicinity of busy roads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) is standard treatment for acute ischaemic stroke in Australia for those who meet the criteria. Its benefit, in terms of favourable outcome, is restricted to approximately 50% of patients with the remainder left severely disabled or dead. In 2012 the DRAGON score was developed and based on pre-treatment clinical parameters to predict the functional outcome post-thrombolysis in acute stroke. We aim to validate the DRAGON score in an Australian Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke (SITS) cohort and further refine parameters to enhance its prognostic power. We performed a retrospect review of 1561 thrombolysis patients (853 male, 708 female) from 15 Australian hospitals registered in the SITS registry between 2004 and June 2013. Relevant pre-treatment DRAGON score variables and 3 month outcome data were available for 1172 patients (649 male, 523 female). Further refinement of the score was achieved via analysis to estimate effect of independent variables on good versus miserable outcome. Logistic regression with clustering (with respect to different participating hospitals and their location) was used to derive the improved DRAGON score. Further comparison of the DRAGON scores was conducted by means of the receiver operating characteristic curve approach. As a result of the conducted logistic regression analysis, the original DRAGON score has been validated and refined (including the new weights for the considered risk factors) in the Australian context of a SITS cohort. Complete results will be presented at ANZAN Annual Scientific meeting 2014. The DRAGON score is an important pre-treatment prognostic tool to predict the functional outcome of patients undergoing thrombolysis for acute stroke and is validated in an Australian SITS cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: An important treatment goal for burn wounds is to promote early wound closure. This study identifies factors associated with delayed re-epithelialization following pediatric burn. Methods: Data were collected from August 2011 to August 2012, at a pediatric tertiary burn center. A total of 106 burn wounds were analyzed from 77 participants aged 4–12 years. Percentage of wound re-epithelialization at each dressing change was calculated using Visitrak™. Mixed effect regression analysis was performed to identify the demographic factors, wound and clinical characteristics associated with delayed re-epithelialization. Results: Burn depth determined by laser Doppler imaging, ethnicity, pain scores, total body surface area (TBSA), mechanism of injury and days taken to present to the burn center were significant predictors of delayed re-epithelialization, accounting for 69% of variance. Flame burns delayed re-epithelialization by 39% compared to all other mechanisms (p =0.003). When initial presentation to the burn center was on day 5, burns took an average of 42% longer to re-epithelialize, compared to those who presented on day 2 post burn (p <0.000). Re-epithelialization was delayed by 14% when pain scores were reported as 10 (on the FPS-R), compared to 4 on the first dressing change (p =0.015) for children who did not receive specialized preparation/distraction intervention. A larger TBSA was also a predictor of delayed re-epithelialization (p =0.030). Darker skin complexion re-epithelialized 25% faster than lighter skin complexion (p =0.001). Conclusions: Burn depth, mechanism of injury and TBSA are always considered when developing the treatment and surgical management plan for patients with burns. This study identifies other factors influencing re-epithelialization, which can be controlled by the treating team, such as effective pain management and rapid referral to a specialized burn center, to achieve optimal outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we report the results of the detailed monitoring and analysis of combustion emissions from fast moving diesel trains. A new highly efficient monitoring methodology is proposed based on the measurements of the total number concentration (TNC) of combustion aerosols at a fixed point (on a bridge overpassing the railway) inside the violently mixing zone created by a fast moving train. Applicability conditions for the proposed methodology are presented, discussed and linked to the formation of the stable and uniform mixing zone. In particular, it is demonstrated that if such a mixing zone is formed, the monitoring results are highly consistent, repeatable (with typically negligible statistical errors and dispersion), stable with respect to the external atmospheric turbulence and result in an unusual pattern of the aerosol evolution with two or three distinct TNC maximums. It is also shown that the stability and uniformity of the created mixing zone (as well as the repeatability of the monitoring results) increase with increasing length of the train (with an estimated critical train length of ~10 carriages, at the speed of ~150km/h). The analysis of the obtained evolutionary dependencies of aerosol TNC suggests that the major possible mechanisms responsible for the formation of the distinct concentration maximums are condensation (the second maximum) and thermal fragmentation of solid nanoparticle aggregates (third maximum). The obtained results and the new methodology will be important for monitoring and analysis of combustion emissions from fast moving trains, and for the determination of the impact of rail networks on the atmospheric environment and human exposure to combustion emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Initial teacher education (ITE) influences the stability of the teaching workforce. • ITE influences beginning teachers' satisfaction with the teaching profession. • The school support beginning teachers need closely links to ITE programmes. • ITE impacts professional interrelationships with colleagues, parents and students. • Evidence links ITE to expectations and realities concerns of beginning teachers. Initial teacher education (ITE) impacts the preparedness of beginning teachers. A large scale mixed methods investigation (n = 2145) offers perceptions through surveys of beginning teachers in their first five years of teaching (n = 1362) and their school leaders (n = 736) and one-on-one semi-structured interviews (n = 47) with beginning teachers (n = 38) and school leaders (n = 9). The findings offer a deeper understanding of ITEs influence on beginning teachers' preparedness. Qualitative analysis of survey open questions and the quantitative analysis of beginning teachers (n = 504) and school leaders' (n = 306) completed Likert scale surveys items unveiled perceptions about ITEs impact on beginning teachers' satisfaction levels, expectations and realities; professional support and mentoring offered at school level; and professional interrelationships within schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]