The New Economy and the Dollar Puzzle: the Case of Australia

The revolutionary changes in information technology (IT), globalisation and financial innovation have overturned the Solow productivity paradox and spawned a New Economy (NE) in Australia in the late 1990s. Both growth accounting estimates and the use of the information superhighway ranks Australia next to the USA as a NE. Australia is an avid user but not a producer of IT that propels the NE. The debate on the need for a new paradigm for the new economy on the grounds that key mechanisms of the old paradigm have become obsolete is reviewed. The breakdown of the short-run Phillips curve tradeoff and the redundancy of the long-run speed limits to growth are examined and dismissed as poppycock both on theoretical and empirical grounds. The IT technology because it is subject to severe diminishing returns and problems of information overload fails to rank with the great inventions of the past and will not be a harbinger of the Third Industrial Revolution. Nonetheless, on the basis of the 'delay hypothesis' the dismissal of the case for a new paradigm for the NE may be premature at this stage. The paper also examines the puzzling nose-dive of the dollar during the first half of the year 2001. This occurred despite the strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the emergent NE. The paper concludes commenting on the policy reaction function for a small open NE committed to inflation targeting.

Compassion on University Degree Programmes at a UK University: The Neuroscience of Effective Group work

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/ licences/by/4.0/legalcodePurpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the neuroscience that underpins the psychology of compassion as a competency. We explain why this cognitive competency is now taught and assessed on modules of different degree subjects in a UK university. Design/methodology/approach The paper is divided into first, an exploration of recent psychology and neuroscience literature that illuminates the differences, and relationship, between empathy and compassion for safeness building in teams. Within that, the role of oxytocin in achieving social and intellectual rewards though the exercise of cognitive flexibility, working memory and impulsive inhibitory control (Zelazo, et al, 2016) is also identified. The literature findings are compared against relevant qualitative data from the above university’s, so far, nine years of mixed methods action research on compassion-focused pedagogy (CfP). Findings These are that the concept and practice of embedding compassion as a cognitive competency into assessed university group work is illuminated and rationalised by research findings in neuroscience. Research limitations/implications The limitations of the study are that, so far, fMRI research methods have not been used to investigate student subjects involved in the compassion-focused pedagogy now in use. Practical implications The paper has implications for theory, policy and practice in relation to managing the increasing amount of group work that accompanies widening participation in Higher Education. Originality/value A review of this kind specifically for student assessed group and its implications for student academic achievement and mental health has not, apparently, been publishedPeer reviewe

Two dimensional chromatographic analysis as a quality measure Of herbal extracts – Salvia Officinalis

Abstract: Background Homoeopathic mother tinctures and herbal extracts are used worldwide for medicinal purposes on the basis that the plant extract contains the active components essential for medicinal use. Quality analysis of samples ensures that the correct active components are present for medicinal use. Thin layer chromatography has been used extensively to determine the quality of plant extracts and could just as readily be applied to the assessment of quality of homoeopathic mother tinctures. The development of a multidimensional technique allows for greater quality analyses of these extracts. Materials and Methods The Salvia officinalis sample was extracted and the one dimensional thin layer chromatographic plate development of extracted sample was performed according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP). Before the two dimensional thin layer chromatographic plates where run, different solvent systems were tested through a comparison of the resultant one dimensional thin layer chromatographic plates with that of the plate developed according to the GHP. The two dimensional thin layer chromatographic plate was developed in one direction using the eluent given in the GHP, the plate was then rotated 90 degrees and further developed using neat dichloromethane. Results and Conclusion The two dimensional thin layer chromatogram for the selected sample Salvia officinalis was successfully established. This results in a more extensive profile regarding the identification of the individual components present in the homoeopathic mother tincture. The further production of two dimensional chromatograms is essential to the expanded detailed analysis of individual products and potential raw material production of even higher standards

“Girls Go Green”- A Pre-College Summer Experience Focusing on Energy and the Environment [abstract]

Only abstract of poster available.Track III: Energy InfrastructureResearch has shown that female high school students are concerned about the environment and the impact they will have on it in the future. In the summer of 2008, the Missouri S&T Women's Leadership Institute and the Geological Engineering program co-sponsored a new pilot pre-college summer program for rising junior and senior girls interested in learning more about careers in engineering and science that specifically address these energy conservation and environmental issues. Twenty female high school students (12 seniors and 8 juniors), participated in a week-long residential camp featuring hands-on demonstrations from the Geological Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Nuclear Engineering programs. Several field trips were conducted including one to a hydroelectric dam and another to a renewable energy research site which featured a wind turbine and a photovoltaic array. At the end of the week, students gave presentations about energy- or environment-related topics that they had developed during the week. All 12 seniors have applied for admission to Missouri S&T beginning in Fall 2009, and 8 of the 12 have expressed interest in enrolling in energy and environmental degree programs. The inaugural experience of this program has led to plans for recruiting a larger number of participants in the summer of 2009. The pre-college program may be a small step to addressing two important national goals: 1) attracting more high school students, especially girls, to study engineering and science; and 2) providing formal studies in green issues for future professionals

Dynamical hologram generation for high speed optical trapping of smart droplet microtools

This paper demonstrates spatially selective sampling of the plasma membrane by the implementation of time-multiplexed holographic optical tweezers for Smart Droplet Microtools (SDMs). High speed (>1000fps) dynamical hologram generation was computed on the graphics processing unit of a standard display card and controlled by a user friendly LabView interface. Time multiplexed binary holograms were displayed in real time and mirrored to a ferroelectric Spatial Light Modulator. SDMs were manufactured with both liquid cores (as previously described) and solid cores, which confer significant advantages in terms of stability, polydispersity and ease of use. These were coated with a number of detergents, the most successful based upon lipids doped with transfection reagents. In order to validate these, trapped SDMs were maneuvered up to the plasma membrane of giant vesicles containing Nile Red and human biliary epithelial (BE) colon cancer cells with green fluorescent labeled protein (GFP)-labeled CAAX (a motif belonging to the Ras protein). Bright field and fluorescence images showed that successful trapping and manipulation of multiple SDMs in x, y, z was achieved with success rates of 30-50% and that subsequent membrane-SDM interactions led to the uptake of Nile Red or GFP-CAAX into the SDM

Behaviour of non-donor specific antibodies during rapid re-synthesis of donor specific HLA antibodies after antibody incompatible renal transplantation

Background: HLA directed antibodies play an important role in acute and chronic allograft rejection. During viral infection of a patient with HLA antibodies, the HLA antibody levels may rise even though there is no new immunization with antigen. However it is not known whether the converse occurs, and whether changes on non-donor specific antibodies are associated with any outcomes following HLA antibody incompatible renal transplantation. Methods: 55 patients, 31 women and 24 men, who underwent HLAi renal transplant in our center from September 2005 to September 2010 were included in the studies. We analysed the data using two different approaches, based on; i) DSA levels and ii) rejection episode post transplant. HLA antibody levels were measured during the early post transplant period and corresponding CMV, VZV and Anti-HBs IgG antibody levels and blood group IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were quantified. Results: Despite a significant DSA antibody rise no significant non-donor specific HLA antibody, viral or blood group antibody rise was found. In rejection episode analyses, multiple logistic regression modelling showed that change in the DSA was significantly associated with rejection (p = 0.002), even when adjusted for other antibody levels. No other antibody levels were predictive of rejection. Increase in DSA from pre treatment to a post transplant peak of 1000 was equivalent to an increased chance of rejection with an odds ratio of 1.47 (1.08, 2.00). Conclusion: In spite of increases or decreases in the DSA levels, there were no changes in the viral or the blood group antibodies in these patients. Thus the DSA rise is specific in contrast to the viral, blood group or third party antibodies post transplantation. Increases in the DSA post transplant in comparison to pre-treatment are strongly associated with occurrence of rejection

A Novel, All-Optical Tool for Controllable and Non- Destructive Poration of Cells with Single-Micron Resolution

We demonstrate controllable poration within ≈1 µm regions of individual cells, mediated by a near-IR laser interacting with thin-layer amorphous silicon substrates. This technique will allow new experiments in single-cell biology, particularly in neuroscience. As our understanding of the fundamental mechanistic processes underpinning biology expands, so does the need for high-precision tools to allow the dissection of the heterogeneity and stochastic processes that dominate at the single- and sub-cellular level. Here, we demonstrate a highly controllable and reproducible optical technique for inducing poration within specific regions of a target cell’s plasma membrane, permitting localized delivery of payloads, depolarization and lysis experiments to be conducted in unprecedented detail. Experiments support a novel mechanism for the process, based upon a thermally-induced change triggered by the interactions of a near-IR laser with a biocompatible thin film substrate at powers substantially below that used in standard optoporation experiments

Validity of the Polar V800 heart rate monitor to measure RR intervals at rest

Purpose To assess the validity of RR intervals and short-term heart rate variability (HRV) data obtained from the Polar V800 heart rate monitor, in comparison to an electrocardiograph (ECG). Method Twenty participants completed an active orthostatic test using the V800 and ECG. An improved method for the identification and correction of RR intervals was employed prior to HRV analysis. Agreement of the data was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman limits of agreement (LoA), and effect size (ES). Results A small number of errors were detected between ECG and Polar RR signal, with a combined error rate of 0.086 %. The RR intervals from ECG to V800 were significantly different, but with small ES for both supine corrected and standing corrected data (ES 0.999 for both supine and standing corrected intervals. When analysed with the same HRV software no significant differences were observed in any HRV parameters, for either supine or standing; the data displayed small bias and tight LoA, strong ICC (>0.99) and small ES (≤0.029). Conclusions The V800 improves over previous Polar models, with narrower LoA, stronger ICC and smaller ES for both the RR intervals and HRV parameters. The findings support the validity of the Polar V800 and its ability to produce RR interval recordings consistent with an ECG. In addition, HRV parameters derived from these recordings are also highly comparable

Toward Human-Carnivore Coexistence: Understanding Tolerance for Tigers in Bangladesh

Fostering local community tolerance for endangered carnivores, such as tigers (Panthera tigris), is a core component of many conservation strategies. Identification of antecedents of tolerance will facilitate the development of effective tolerance-building conservation action and secure local community support for, and involvement in, conservation initiatives. We use a stated preference approach for measuring tolerance, based on the ‘Wildlife Stakeholder Acceptance Capacity’ concept, to explore villagers’ tolerance levels for tigers in the Bangladesh Sundarbans, an area where, at the time of the research, human-tiger conflict was severe. We apply structural equation modeling to test an a priori defined theoretical model of tolerance and identify the experiential and psychological basis of tolerance in this community. Our results indicate that beliefs about tigers and about the perceived current tiger population trend are predictors of tolerance for tigers. Positive beliefs about tigers and a belief that the tiger population is not currently increasing are both associated with greater stated tolerance for the species. Contrary to commonly-held notions, negative experiences with tigers do not directly affect tolerance levels; instead, their effect is mediated by villagers’ beliefs about tigers and risk perceptions concerning human-tiger conflict incidents. These findings highlight a need to explore and understand the socio-psychological factors that encourage tolerance towards endangered species. Our research also demonstrates the applicability of this approach to tolerance research to a wide range of socio-economic and cultural contexts and reveals its capacity to enhance carnivore conservation efforts worldwide

M A G N E T I C R E S O N A N C E I M A G I N G R O L E I N Q U A N T I F I C A T I O N O F L I V E R F A T I N D I A B E T I C P A T I E N T S IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE

Introduction: Liver steatosis, a condition characterized by excessive liver fat accumulation, is linked to metabolic syndromes like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing liver steatosis, but it is invasive and carries risks. Advanced MRI techniques, like Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF), offer accurate, non-invasive measurements of hepatic fat. This study aims to assess the utility of MRI in measuring liver fat in diabetic patients, apopulation prone to liver steatosis. Conventional MRI techniques have limitations, such as reduced accuracy and confounding factors. Objectives: to quantify liver fat using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in diabetic patients and investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and relationship between diabetes mellitus and fatty liver disease. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted to quantify hepatic fat using MRI in diabetic cases A total of 60 cases were included. MRI Procedure: Based on inclusion criteria with informed consent MRI was taken with the required MR sequences. Results: On assessing the association between the age and two groups (DM present and DM absent), there was no remarkable association, noted. On assessing the association between the gender and two groups(DM present and DM absent), there was no remarkable association, noted. Mean difference in BMI between groups was not significant. On assessing the association between the grades of steatosis among the diabetics and non diabetics, there was a remarkable association, noted. Mean PDFF in the diabetic cases were 21.4% and non diabetic cases were 15.6%. Mean difference in PDFF between groups was significant. Among diabetic individuals, the mean PDFF was reported as 18.3 and 22.3 among the steatosis grades < 2 and ≥ 2, respectively. Notably, the mean difference in PDFF was significantly differs with severity of steatosis. Among non diabetic individuals, the mean PDFF were 12.3 and 16.3 among the steatosis grade < 2 and ≥ 2, respectively. On assessing the mean difference there was a significant difference noted. Conclusions: Severity of steatosis and PDFF were significantly linked with the presence of DM. We infer that all cases with diabetes mellitus showed remarkably high PDFF and hence all subjects with DM can be subjected for assessment of PDFF, periodically. Additionally, long term multicentric studies can be performed in order to get a in depth picture