The many ways to have a quintuple bond.

The existence and persistence of five-fold (quintuple) bonding in isomers of model RMMR molecules of quite different geometry are examined theoretically. The molecules studied are RMMR, with R = H, F, Cl, Br, CN, and CH3; M = Cr, Mo, and W. The potential energy surface of these molecules is quite complex, containing two, three, even four local minima.

Species assignation amongst morphologically cryptic larval Digenea isolated from New Zealand topshells (Gastropoda: Trochidae).

In New Zealand, a single morphotype, comprising three genetically distinct opecoelid species, infects four sympatric species of trochid snails. Two species (a and b) are specific to Diloma subrostrata while the third (c) is more general, capable of infecting three species, most commonly D. aethiops but never D.

Solid memory: structural preferences in group 2 dihalide monomers, dimers, and solids.

The link between structural preferences in the monomers, dimers, and extended solid-state structures of the group 2 dihalides (MX(2): M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and X = F, Cl, Br, I) is examined theoretically. The question posed is how well are geometric properties of the gas-phase MX(2) monomers and lower order oligomers "remembered" in the corresponding MX(2) solids. Significant links between the bending in the MX(2) monomers and the D(2)(h)()/C(3)(v)() M(2)X(4) dimer structures are identified.

Gillespie syndrome: two further cases.

We describe two unrelated male children with Gillespie syndrome, a rare genetic disorder consisting of cerebellar ataxia, partial aniridia, and psychomotor delay. One was more severely affected than the other, but neither had evidence of neuroregression. Partial aniridia was a key diagnostic marker, present at birth in both patients.

Electronic compressibility and polarizability: origins of a correlation.

Recently, two new chemical concepts have been introduced, namely, the atomic compressibility beta' = r4/Z(eff) and the corresponding group (molecular) compressibility Gbeta' = summation(i)N=1n(i)beta'(i). Here, r is the radius of the atom, Z(eff) is the effective nuclear charge, n is the number of atoms of a given element i, and N is the total number of different elements in the molecule. The physical meaning of these two compressibility parameters is examined briefly in this work.

Cladogenesis as the result of long-distance rafting events in South Pacific topshells (Gastropoda, Trochidae).

We used DNA sequences of lecithotrophic monodontine topshells, belonging to the genera Diloma, Melagraphia, and Austrocochlea, to ascertain how this group became established over a large area of the South Pacific Ocean. The phylogeny of the topshells was estimated using portions of two mitochondrial genes (16S and cytochrome oxidase 1) and one nuclear gene (actin). A range of divergence rates was used to estimate the approximate timing of cladogenetic events within their phylogenetic tree.

Effect of an on-site emergency physician in a rural emergency department at night.

Introduction: The problem of emergency department (ED) overcrowding is an issue of some concern and staffing profile has been identified as a contributing factor. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of having an emergency physician on-site at night in a rural base hospital ED in terms of the ED length of stay, waiting times, admissions, specialist consultations, the use of diagnostic tests, and ED representations within 7 days.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of the ED database at Tamworth Base Hospital in rural New South Wales, Australia.

Secular trends in mortality rates for diabetes in Australia, 1907-1998.

Aims: To characterise long-term mortality trends for diabetes in Australia during the 20th century, and to provide suggestions to health policy-makers.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using existing dataset. Deaths due to diabetes, as underlying cause of death, from 1907 to 1998 were tallied, according to the ICD-9.

The phylogeny and taxonomy of austral monodontine topshells (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae), inferred from DNA sequences.

The systematics of topshells (family Trochidae) is currently unresolved: at present even the generic boundaries within this group are poorly defined. In this study, we used sequence data of two mitochondrial genes (16S and cytochrome oxidase 1, COI) and one nuclear gene (actin) to resolve the phylogeny of a closely related subgroup of the Trochidae, 30 species of largely Southern Hemisphere monodontine topshells. The phylogenies constructed revealed five well-supported generic clades: a South African clade (genus Oxystele Philippi, 1847), which lay basally to four internal Pacific clades (genera Chlorodiloma Pilsbry, 1889; Monodonta Lamarck, 1799; Austrocochlea Fischer, 1885; and Diloma Philippi, 1845).

Self management beliefs--attitudes and behaviour of adults with severe life threatening asthma requiring an admission to hospital.

Background: Adults who have had an admission for severe life threatening asthma are at high risk of future attacks or death. Optimal self management is the key to reducing this risk but relies on people recognising the severity of symptoms and engaging in specific health care behaviour.

Methods: We used a focus group to examine self management beliefs, attitudes and behaviours in five adults admitted to hospital for asthma.

Duodenal perforation: an interesting case report.

We describe a young child presenting with vomiting and altered neurological status. An incidental finding of pneumoperitoneum on abdominal X-ray led to laparotomy and the discovery of a duodenal perforation. We describe the difficulties in making the diagnosis of duodenal perforation in children and some of the factors that led to the delay in diagnosis in this case.

Host specificity and molecular phylogeny of larval Digenea isolated from New Zealand and Australian topshells (Gastropoda: Trochidae).

The maintenance of strict host specificity by parasites when several closely related host species live in sympatry is poorly understood. Species of intertidal trochid snails in the genera Diloma, Melagraphia and Austrocochlea often occur together and are parasitised by a single digenean morphotype (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda), tentatively placed in Opecoelidae. Of the 10 trochid species (6 from New Zealand, 4 from Australia) we examined, six were found to be infected, and the prevalence of infection was as high as 17.

Quantification of gene transcription and enzyme activity for functionally important proteolytic enzymes during early development in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Gene transcripts and enzyme activities were quantified for a selection of functionally important aminopeptidases at 2-day intervals throughout the first 72 days of development in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and cathepsin B (CathB) gene transcripts were quantified using fluorogenic ('real time') PCR. LAP and CathB gene transcripts were detected at all time points.

Climate variability and transmission of Japanese encephalitis in eastern China.

A time-series analysis was conducted to study the impact of climate variability on the transmission of Japanese encephalitis in eastern China. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between monthly climatic variables and monthly incidence of Japanese encephalitis in Jieshou County, China over the period 1980-96. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall were all associated with the transmission of Japanese encephalitis in the county.

Climatic variables and transmission of malaria: a 12-year data analysis in Shuchen County, China.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the impact of climate variability on the transmission of malaria, a vector-borne disease, in a county of China and provide suggestions to similar regions for disease prevention.

Methods: A time-series analysis was conducted using data on monthly climatic variables and monthly incidence of malaria in Shuchen County, China, for the period 1980-1991.

Results: Spearman's correlation analysis showed that monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures, two measures of monthly mean relative humidity, and monthly amount of precipitation were positively correlated with the monthly incidence of malaria in the county.

Climate variability and Ross River virus transmission.

Objectives: (1) To examine the feasibility to link climate data with monthly incidence of Ross River virus (RRv). (2) To assess the impact of climate variability on the RRv transmission.

Design: An ecological time series analysis was performed on the data collected between 1985 to 1996 in Queensland, Australia.

Hospital funding and services in Queensland.

The Queensland health sector has been characterised as unique. The population has traditionally relied on the public sector to provide necessary hospital and other health services across the vast distances that make up the state, although there is a strong non-government sector also. More recently, and over the last 5-6 years stability and drive at the management level in the public sector has supported reform and progress, consistent with the national agenda.

Climatic, reservoir and occupational variables and the transmission of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in China.

Background: Being a zoonosis, the transmission of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is influenced by climatic, reservoir and occupational factors. This paper has quantified the incidence and potential risk factors of HFRS in Yingshang County, a low-lying epidemic focus of the disease in China.

Methods: Correlation and regression analyses were conducted among climatic variables, the density of mice, autumn crop production and annual incidence of HFRS during the autumn-winter seasons in the County over the period 1980-1996.

HIV gp120 receptors on human dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of their roles during transmission and also maintenance of immune competence. Furthermore, DCs are a key cell in the development of HIV vaccines. In both these settings the mechanism of binding of the HIV envelope protein gp120 to DCs is of importance.

Geographic variation of notified Ross River virus infections in Queensland, Australia, 1985-1996.

The spatial and temporal variations of Ross River virus infections reported in Queensland, Australia, between 1985 and 1996 were studied by using the Geographic Information System. The notified cases of Ross River virus infection came from 489 localities between 1985 and 1988, 805 between 1989 and 1992, and 1,157 between 1993 and 1996 (chi2(df = 2) = 680.9; P < 0.

Transcript analysis of the genes encoding aminopeptidase N and alanine aminotransferase, two enzymes involved in protein turnover, in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.

Molecular probes have been developed to detect aminopeptidase N (ApN) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) transcripts in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Degenerate primers were designed using ApN and ALAT sequences stored in the EMBL database. Amplification of C.

Expansion and diversification of medical education in Australia, 1951-2000.

Australia's present diverse and dynamic medical education environment has been shaped by: university funding increases by governments in the 1960s and 70s to promote Australia as a "clever" country; the Karmel Report's recommendations of increases in student numbers, new medical schools and a community focus for medical education; the successful innovations in entrance requirements and curricula of the most recent medical schools -Newcastle and Flinders; the formation of the Australian Medical Council, with a mandate to replace the British General Medical Council's accreditation of and restrictions on Australian medical school courses; the Doherty Report, which identified the close relationship between medical education, funding and workforce issues; the change to graduate entry and a four-year course for several Australian medical schools; and changing patterns of healthcare delivery, the imperative for increasing access to healthcare in rural areas, and the communication revolution made possible by information technology.

The establishment of an industry-based education program in public health.

Commonwealth reforms have led to staff of the Department of Health and Aged Care needing a greater knowledge of public health, to more effectively evaluate evidence and to quickly acquire competence in new emerging areas. The department's requirements of a training program could not be met by existing university-based public health courses. A consortium of five universities and the department worked together to develop an industry-based course that would meet the Commonwealth's needs.