Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit: Supporting innovative research, planning and policy formulation in Australia through the provision of high-quality linked-data services.

As a member of the Population Health Research Network Australia, being an Australian collaboration established to support the use of linked data for research and other purposes, the Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit [TDLU) provides linked-data services in Australia's smallest state, and as part of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the state's only University, the University of Tasmania. The TDLU works in close collaboration with the Tasmanian Government Department of Health and other key stakeholders both in Tasmania and Australia representing government, education, research, and the community sector. The TDLU is one of the newest data linkage services in Australia, and the smallest node of the PHRN having operated for almost nine years by less than three full time equivalent staff. However, despite its size and relative maturity as a provider of linked-data services, the TDLU continues to grow the number of datasets linked on a routine and ad-hoc basis, the number of projects completed, the size of its Master Linkage Map and number of 'keys' stored in this Map. The TDLU places high-emphasis on security, privacy preservation, innovation, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement and providing responsive and exemplary services to users of linked-data.

Growth and geographical variation in the use of cardiac imaging in Australia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Growth rates and regional differences in the use of cardiac imaging are potential metrics of quality of care. This study sought to define growth and regional variation in outpatient cardiac imaging in Australia. METHODS: Analyses are based on the rate of outpatient transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and stress echocardiography (SE) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) per 100 000 people in each geographic insurance region in Australia (Medicare local, ML). Numbers of tests from 2002 to 2013 were obtained from Medicare Australia Statistics, and the number of doctors was obtained from the Health Workforce data. Demographic data (total population, rural areas and quintiles of disadvantage) were obtained from census data. RESULTS: Over the past 11 years, TTE reimbursements/100 000 people increased from 1780 to 3497 (8.8% annualised growth), TOE from 33 to 61, SE from 181 to 947 and SPECT from 287 to 337. SE had the biggest increment, an average growth rate of 38.5%/year. The relationships between the use of each cardiac imaging techniques and demographic, medical and illness factors were analysed in outpatient tests reimbursed in 2012. For each additional medical practitioner per 1000 people, there was an increase in the rate of TTE (ß = 1.25 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.17-1.33), P < 0.001), and TOE use (ß = 1.13 (1.04-1.24), P = 0.005), independent of regional burden of cardiovascular disease and social determinants. For SPECT the largest independent correlate for testing was the percentage of women within the ML; each additional percentage increase resulted in doubling of the rate of testing (ß = 2.25 (1.72-2.94), P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Variation in the use of TTE in Australia does not appear illness related and may be evidence of under- and overutilisation. An appropriate use process may contain this variation.

"Sitting in different chairs:" roles of the community health workers in the Poder es Salud/Power for Health Project.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluations of Community Health Worker programs consistently document improvements in health, yet few articles clearly describe the roles of Community Health Workers (CHWs) from the CHWs' perspective. This article presents the CHWs' points of view regarding the various roles they played in a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project, Poder es Salud/Power for Health in Portland, Oregon, including their roles as community organizers and co-researchers. METHODS: Authors draw from an analysis of transcript data from in-depth interviews conducted with CHWs to present a description of the strategies employed by the CHWs to build leadership skills and knowledge among community members. CHWs also discuss their own personal and professional development. RESULTS: The analysis of the interviews suggests that CHWs valued their multiple roles with Poder es Salud/Power for Health and their participation on the project's Steering Committee. Based on CHWs' descriptions of their work, this type of involvement appears to build the CHWs' leadership skills and sense of efficacy to create change in their communities. CONCLUSION: By serving as community organizers and participating as producers of research, rather than acting merely as a deliverer of the intervention activities, the CHWs were able to build skills that make them more successful as CHWs.

Quantitative trait loci for key defensive compounds affecting herbivory of eucalypts in Australia.

* Formylated phloroglucinols (FPCs) are key defensive compounds that influence herbivory by mammals and arthropods in eucalypts. However, the genetic architecture underlying variation in their levels remains poorly understood. * Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for the concentrations of two major FPCs, sideroxylonal A and macrocarpal G, was conducted using juvenile leaves from 112 clonally duplicated progenies from an outcross F2 of Eucalyptus globulus. * Two unlinked QTL were located for macrocarpal, while another unlinked QTL was located for sideroxylonal. The sideroxylonal QTL collocated with one for total sideroxylonal previously reported using adult Eucalyptus nitens foliage, providing independent validation in a different evolutionary lineage and a different ontogenetic stage. * Given the potential widespread occurrence of these QTL, their ontogenetic stability, and their impact on a range of dependent herbivores, it is possible that they have extended phenotypic effects in the Australian forest landscape.

Clinical evaluation of the ACS:180 cardiac troponin I assay.

All patients admitted to the coronary care unit with suspected acute coronary syndromes were evaluated by serial electrocardiography and blood draws on admission and at 4 and 12h from admission. Diagnosis was based on conventional WHO criteria. Samples were measured for creatine kinase (CK), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), myoglobin, CK isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). A set of samples from individuals undergoing extreme endurance training was also examined. Analytical imprecision was consistent with published quality goals. Samples were stable for cTnI under a range of storage conditions, including multiple freeze thaw cycles. CK-MB, cTnI and cTnT were equally efficient for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, irrespective of the final diagnostic criteria used. Both cTnI and cTnT were of equal efficiency in the identification of a high-risk subgroup of patients with unstable angina. Significant elevations of cTnI were not seen in an e ndurance-training group.

Effects of residual astigmatism in contact lens wear on visual discomfort in VDT use.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the residual astigmatism of contact lens wearers on the visual comfort of these individuals when using a video display terminal (VDT). We hypothesized that small amounts of uncorrected residual astigmatism of the type that is normally left uncorrected produce visual discomfort in the use of these devices even though visual acuity is relatively unaffected. Twelve subjects (ages 18 to 36 years) with corrected visual acuities of at least 20/25 (in each eye at distance with their contact lens correction) participated. All subjects were soft contact lens wearers who reported comfortable, well-adapted lens wear for a minimum of 1 year prior to the study. All subjects had between 0.50 and 1.00 D of residual astigmatism in each eye (mean = 0.68D). Our double-masked cross-over experiment included two 25-minute periods during which the subject read from a VDT. In a trial frame over their contact lens correction, the subjects were randomly assigned to wear either a test lens pair or a control lens pair (+0.12 DS) during the first period and the alternative pair during the second period. The test lens pair corrected all residual astigmatism (the over refraction). The control lens pair was considered a placebo. A questionnaire was used to obtain ratings of visual discomfort. Our analysis of the data indicated greater reported visual comfort for the test lens pair (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p less than 0.01). These results suggest careful consideration be given to the correction of residual astigmatism of contact lens wearers who are VDT users.

Visual discomfort and astigmatic refractive errors in VDT use.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of small amounts of uncorrected astigmatism on the visual comfort of video display terminal (VDT) users. We hypothesized that these small errors produce visual discomfort in the use of these devices even though visual acuity is relatively unaffected. Eight subjects (ages 23-35 years) with corrected visual acuities of 20/20 participated. Our double-masked cross-over experiment included two 25-minute periods during which the subject read from a VDT. The subjects were randomly assigned to wear either the test lens pair (+0.50 D x 090) or a control lens pair (+0.12 DS) over their best correction during the first period and the alternative pair during the second period. A questionnaire was used to obtain ratings of visual discomfort. Our analysis of the data indicated greater reported eyestrain for the test lens pair (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.01). These results suggest careful consideration be given to the correction of small amounts of astigmatic errors for VDT users.

Education and support for the newly diagnosed cardiac family: a vital link in rehabilitation.

In eastern Canadian small cities, community programming for cardiac rehabilitation is in its infancy. As professional awareness of the special needs of cardiac clients has grown, some components of cardiac rehabilitation programmes have developed, albeit autonomously from one another, e.g. in-hospital education, home visiting, exercise programmes, and support groups. Attempts are being made to establish communication channels among the health personnel involved in the different agencies in order to achieve a better availability and coordination of services for the benefit of cardiac clients and their families. To address needs arising after the first hospitalization or first diagnosis of cardiac disease, an education and support programme has been established by a university nursing faculty through the efforts of its junior students. This programme takes the form of 8-week series of informal classes. Objectives, methods and outcomes are outlined. Some recommendations for future community cardiac rehabilitation efforts emerge from clinical practice and programme evaluation. Implications for health professionals in such future activities are discussed.

Implicit Theories Of Personality: An Individual Differences Approach.

Twenty ratees were described on 20 bipolar personality trait adjectives by 51 raters in an own-control design in which both complete strangers and close friends were judged. The trait factor structures were extremely similar for both friend descriptions and stranger descriptions. Although the ratees were not distinguished in terms of acquaintanceship (friends vs, strangers), they were differentiated along physiognomic and personality dimensions reminiscent of Sheldon's typology. Individual differences among the raters were largely due to different fraternity membership and associated personality characteristics. A three mode factor analysis indicated an interaction among rater, ratee and trait dimensions.

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SEMANTIC SPACE: A REPLICATION AND EXTENSION.

Using a rating task and a method of analysis which allows for individual differences in the use of semantic differential scales, substantial individual differences were found to emerge. In addition, the group average structure corresponded closely to that which has been found in traditional semantic differential research. These two findings replicate previous results. To test the usefulness of an individual differences approach, evaluative scores based on an individual's own evaluative dimension and evaluative scores based on the group average evaluative dimension were used to predict political preferences. Although both sets of scores were highly correlated with preferences, predictive power was not improved by the individual difference approach.

AFFECTIVE MEANING SYSTEMS: A MULTIVARIATE APPROACH.

A three-mode factor analysis was applied to the semantic differential ratings by 100 subjects of 20 concepts on 76 bipolar adjeotival scales. Four scale factors, five concept factors, and two subject factors emerged f m the analysis. On the basis of the interrelationships among these three types of factors it was concluded that different types of subjwts tend to utilize the basic scalar dimensions of meaning in different ways when applying khese scales across concepts. Further, thris differential application of scale dimen- sions varied with the class of concept being rated.