The Rolled Towel Method for Hormone Response Assays in Maize.

The rolled towel assay (RTA) is a soil-free method to evaluate juvenile phenotypes in crops such as maize and soybean. Here, we provide an updated RTA-based protocol to phenotype maize seedling responses to chemicals of interest. We exemplify the protocol with two synthetic auxin herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and picloram), an auxin precursor (indole-3-butyric acid), and an auxin inhibitor (-1-naphthylphthalamic acid), but the method can be used with other hormones or plant growth regulators that are soluble in growth media.

Regulation of the sonography profession and patient safety: A comparative study between Australia and New Zealand with implications for statutory regulation.

Introduction: The primary aim of statutory regulation in healthcare is patient safety. Few studies examine health professionals' perceptions of statutory regulation and its impact on patient safety. Statutory regulation of sonographers is different in Australia and New Zealand which affords a unique opportunity to compare and contrast regulation and its impact.

ZmPILS6 is an auxin efflux carrier required for maize root morphogenesis.

Plant root systems play a pivotal role in plant physiology and exhibit diverse phenotypic traits. Understanding the genetic mechanisms governing root growth and development in model plants like maize is crucial for enhancing crop resilience to drought and nutrient limitations. This study focused on identifying and characterizing ZmPILS6, an annotated auxin efflux carrier, as a key regulator of various crown root traits in maize.

Australian radiographer roles in the emergency department; evidence of regulatory compliance to improve patient safety - A narrative review.

Objectives: Using a narrative approach, this paper aims to determine the extent of Australian radiographers' regulatory compliance to improve patient safety when performing appendicular X-ray and non-contrast brain computed tomography (CT) in the Emergency Department (ED).

Key Findings: A narrative review explored relevant literature and key regulatory policy. Ten documents were identified, three main themes were developed related to the radiographer roles in X-ray request justification, dose optimisation and preliminary image evaluation (PIE).

Australian sonographers' perceptions of patient safety in ultrasound imaging: Part two - translation into practice.

Introduction: A lack of patient safety research hampers capacity to improve safety in healthcare.Ultrasound is often considered 'safe' as it does not use ionising radiation, a simplistic view of patient safety. Understanding sonographers' actions towards patient safety is crucial; however, self-reported measures cannot always predict behaviour.

Roles of auxin pathways in maize biology.

Phytohormones play a central role in plant development and environmental responses. Auxin is a classical hormone that is required for organ formation, tissue patterning, and defense responses. Auxin pathways have been extensively studied across numerous land plant lineages, including bryophytes and eudicots.

Australian sonographers' perceptions of patient safety in ultrasound imaging: Part 1 - identifying the main safety concerns, a qualitative study.

Introduction: Patient safety has been an undervalued component of quality healthcare but is a challenging area of research.Ultrasound is the most common imaging modality in the world. Research on patient safety in ultrasound is generally focused on bioeffects and safe operation of ultrasound equipment.

Designing a breast support device for phase contrast tomographic imaging: getting ready for a clinical trial.

Objective: To design a device that can support the breast during phase-contrast tomography, and characterise its fit parameterisation and comfort rating.

Methods: 27 participants were recruited to trial a system for breast support during simulated phase contrast imaging, including being positioned on a prone imaging table while wearing the device. Participants underwent a photogrammetry analysis to establish the geometric parameterisations.

The role of the sonographer - An investigation into the scope of practice for the sonographer internationally.

Introduction: There is global variance in the role of a practicing sonographer. Literature examining global sonographic roles and scope of practice is limited, despite the international applicability of ultrasound imaging. This study aimed to examine the common and divergent features of a practicing sonographer internationally, and their impact upon the development of a global standard of practice.

Regulation of healthcare and medical imaging in Australia: A narrative review of the evolution, function and impact on professional behaviours.

Objectives: This review explores the literature about the status and influence of statutory regulation in healthcare with a focus on medical imaging. It summarises the status of regulation in Australia for radiographers and sonographers, with brief reference to the global situation. The role of regulation is explored in terms of its evolution, function and effect on professional behaviours.

Glutaredoxin represses transcriptional and developmental responses to nitrate in roots.

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small oxidoreductase enzymes that can reduce disulfide bonds in target proteins. The class III GRX gene family is unique to land plants, and has 21 class III GRXs, which remain largely uncharacterized. About 80% of class III GRXs are transcriptionally regulated by nitrate, and several recent studies have suggested roles for these GRXs in nitrogen signaling.

Assessing the impact of country culture on the socio-cultural practice of radiography.

Introduction: Diagnostic radiography is a deceptively similar occupation regardless of country and yet there are wide varieties of scopes of practice, levels of autonomy, respect and understanding of what a radiographer does.

Methods: A socio-cultural comparative ethnographic study was carried out in seven culturally diverse countries observing and interviewing radiographers in one regional hospital in each country. The thick descriptions collected were thematically analysed.

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Latent factor structure and growth of latent mean scores over time.

Background: Very little research exists that looks at the Ages and Stages Questionnaire simultaneously from a modern latent variable point of view and by looking at its psychometric properties over time.

Aims: To explore the latent factor structure of the ASQ using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling techniques for ordinal data and investigate its change over time using the method of vertical scaling from multidimensional Item Response Theory.

Study Design: Longitudinal, with the same children being assessed at multiple timepoints.

Early developmental outcomes predicted by gestational age from 35 to 41weeks.

Background: Recent studies have indicated that children born only a few weeks earlier than their due date experience more health and cognitive problems than previously realized.

Aims: Our study investigated whether gestational age (GA) at birth (35-41weeks) predicted developmental outcomes at 8, 12, 20, or 24months of age.

Study Design: Archival records of developmental screening scores collected between 2006 and 2012 were analyzed using negative binomial and logistic regressions models.

Australian trachoma surveillance annual report, 2013.

Australia remains the only developed country to have endemic levels of trachoma (a prevalence of 5% or greater among children) in some regions. Endemic trachoma in Australia is found predominantly in remote and very remote Aboriginal communities. The Australian Government funds the National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit to collate, analyse and report trachoma prevalence data and document trachoma control strategies in Australia through an annual surveillance report.

Relationship between Community Drug Administration Strategy and Changes in Trachoma Prevalence, 2007 to 2013.

Background: Australia is the only high income country with persisting endemic trachoma. A national control program involving mass drug administration with oral azithromycin, in place since 2006, has some characteristics which differ from programs in low income settings, particularly in regard to the use of a wider range of treatment strategies, and more regular assessments of community prevalence. We aimed to examine the association between treatment strategies and trachoma prevalence.

National trachoma surveillance annual report, 2012.

Australia remains the only developed country to have endemic levels of trachoma (a prevalence of 5% or greater among children) in some regions. Endemic trachoma in Australia is found predominantly in remote and very remote Aboriginal communities. The Australian Government funds a National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit to collate, analyse and report trachoma prevalence data and document trachoma control strategies in Australia through an annual surveillance report.

Control of trachoma in Australia: a model based evaluation of current interventions.

Background: Australia is the only high-income country in which endemic trachoma persists. In response, the Australian Government has recently invested heavily towards the nationwide control of the disease.

Methodology/principal Findings: A novel simulation model was developed to reflect the trachoma epidemic in Australian Aboriginal communities.

The masked educator-innovative simulation in an Australian undergraduate Medical Sonography and Medical Imaging program.

Introduction: Clinical learning experiences for sonography and medical imaging students can sometimes involve the practice of technical procedures with less of a focus on developing communication skills with patients. Whilst patient-based simulation scenarios have been widely reported in other health education programmes, there is a paucity of research in sonography and medical imaging. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of Mask-Ed™ (KRS Simulation) in the learning and teaching of clinical communication skills to undergraduate medical sonography and medical imaging students.

Australian trachoma surveillance annual report, 2011.

Australia remains the only developed country to have endemic trachoma in some regions. Endemic levels of trachoma in Australia are found predominantly in remote and very remote Aboriginal communities. Data are collected from Aboriginal communities designated at risk for endemic trachoma (defined as a prevalence of 5% or greater among children) in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Australian trachoma surveillance annual report, 2010.

Endemic trachoma continues to exist in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. The National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit, established in 2006, is responsible for the collation, analysis and reporting of trachoma prevalence data and the documentation of trachoma control strategies in Australia. Data were collected from Aboriginal communities designated at-risk for endemic trachoma (defined as prevalence of 5% or greater among children) within the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Health human resources: consider the health technology professions.

Any analysis of health human resources must take into account the critical shortages in the health technology professions, such as medical laboratory technology, medical radiation technology, respiratory therapy and other allied health professions. These professions are often overlooked or invisible to patients, but they provide a vital role in diagnostic and therapeutic services. If projected shortages are not addressed, there will be a major impact on patient care.