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ItemGlobal meaning and its implications for emotional adjustment following a cancer diagnosis( 2007)This thesis examined the course of global meaning following diagnosis with cancer and explored its role in emotional adjustment using Janoff-Bulman’s (1992) assumptive world model. The study aimed to find evidence that there is a normative tendency to hold unrealistically positive global meanings which are contradicted by an adverse life event and the resultant emotional distress is resolved either through reinterpreting the event in a more positive light (assimilation) or revising meanings to be more realistic (accommodation). Assimilation is thought to be associated with favorable emotional functioning while accommodation has been linked to worse emotional outcomes (Janoff-Bulman, 1992). Using a longitudinal design, 86 adults with a hematologic cancer were assessed three times: following diagnosis; after primary treatment and: one year postdiagnosis (N=63). Data collected included six indices of emotional adjustment (depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, joviality, self-assurance and serenity); a measure of global meaning, the World Assumptions Scale (Janoff-Bulman, 1992) and, demographic and medical information. Three sets of analyses were conducted. The first set of analyses examined the course of emotional outcomes and global meaning over the year-long study period. Anxiety was the only emotional outcome showing overall change (decrease) while randomness was the only meaning displaying change (increase) over time. The study samples’ world assumptions were also compared with those of general community groups and motor vehicle accident survivors. At study entry, the sample displayed more positive bias in self and benevolence meanings than the other groups. By study exit, they showed less positive bias in contingency assumptions than the comparison groups, a pattern consistent with accommodation. The second set of analyses assessed whether global meaning predicted emotional outcomes when effects of demographic and medical factors had been accounted for. Meaning was implicated in all six emotional outcomes, with variability in their predictive power relative to the outcome measure and time of assessment. Self-worth and luck assumptions were the strongest predictors with justice and randomness also showing some predictive power. The final set of analyses used longitudinal data to focus on the association between global meaning and trajectories of emotional adjustment over time. The findings indicated that self-worth was associated with better outcomes for anxiety and TSS; luck was associated with depression while people benevolence was associated with anxiety. The directions of associations for all but people benevolence were consistent with the expectation that more positive bias in meanings is related to more favorable outcomes. The finding of a significant increase in randomness provides some support for the hypothesis that positively biased global meanings are challenged by the cancer experience and accommodate to become more realistic, although randomness did not predict worse emotional outcomes over time. Self-worth and luck, which were relatively high compared to other groups and stayed stable over the study period, were most strongly implicated in adjustment. The results also provide some impetus for a reconceptualization of the meaning in adversity models to take into account state-like variability in global meaning constructs.
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ItemOccupation, resistance & the law: Was armed resistance to the occupation of Iraq justified under international Law?( 2009)The 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq triggered a plethora of legal questions. This study focuses upon two: Was Iraqi resistance to the invasion and occupation justified under the laws of war? If so, by whom and for how long? ('The research questions') These are questions that the UN Security Council deliberately avoided when it responded to the intervention. Given that most States and commentators regarded the intervention as a violation of the UN Charter, the legality of armed resistance to the invasion and occupation warrants analysis. The present study examines, inter alia, whether Iraq was justified in using force against Coalition forces in the exercise of rights under the jus ad hellum. It considers whether self-defence and self determination provided a juridical foundation for armed resistance to the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. Attention is also paid to the jus in hello. Issues addressed include: the nature of the conflict(s) during the occupation; whether members of various resistance forces qualified as combatants; and the issue of compliance with the jus in hello during resistance operations. In order to address these matters with precision, the occupation of Iraq is considered in several stages: 1. The immediate aftermath of the ouster of the Ba'ath regime (April-May 2003); 2. Post-UNSCR 1483; 3. Post-UNSCR 1511; and 4. Post-UNSCR 1546 (and pre-28 June 2004). The fourth stage highlights a matter of fundamental importance to this study the end point of the occupation. The position adopted here is that the occupation was terminated, with UNSC approval, upon the transfer of power to an Iraqi government on 28 June 2004. Thereafter, armed resistance could not have been justified under the right of national self-defence, as this right is exercisable by governments, not insurgent forces. While it may be argued that military occupation continued, as a matter of fact, beyond the transfer of power, this writer's view is that, as a matter of law, the occupation was terminated on 28 June 2004, in accordance with UNSCR 1546. Discussion of 'the legality of resistance to occupation' is thus confined to the period between the collapse of the Ba'ath regime in April 2003 and the transfer of power on 28 June 2004. In addressing the research questions, a range of contemporary legal issues are highlighted. They include: 1. Unresolved tensions within the laws of war over the precise parameters of 'lawful resistance' to foreign occupation; 2. Overlap and convergence of the jus in hello and the }us ad hellum in the context of armed resistance to occupation. (The clearest example is the right of peoples to fight for self determination against alien occupation which falls within both branches of the laws of war); 3. Whether the right of self-defence may be overridden by the UNSC; 4. Whether UNSC resolutions depend for their validity upon their conformity with jus cogens norms; and 5. Whether armed resistance to UN-authorized forces is, by its nature, a breach of the UN Charter and therefore an unlawful use of force.
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ItemSpiders of wheat agroecosystems of southern Victoria, Australia( 2008)Spiders are important predators of insects in all terrestrial ecosystems. Their great diversity, broad diet and varied foraging strategies make their role in food webs complex and dynamic and are therefore not an easy group to utilise in biological pest control. Spiders have been extensively studied in wheat systems, revealing great diversity in the guild structure of spiders in this environment. This study is the first direct investigation into spider populations in Australian wheat systems, and the third from the southern hemisphere. As no prior information was available for spiders in this cereal crop, the primary aim was to collate a foundation of ecological information about the community. The composition of the spider community in Australian winter wheat fields differed from those of Europe and New Zealand as there were very few members of the Linyphiidae family detected. Instead, the Australian fauna was more comparable to Canada and Hungary, where the Lycosidae family dominates. In this study, spiders comprised a substantial proportion of the invertebrate community and were the most numerous predatory group. Three families comprised the majority of mature individuals across the region – Lycosidae, Miturgidae and Gnaphosidae. Five species made up more than 80% of mature spiders in each year. Although they were also found in surrounding non-crop habitat, many of the common species showed an affinity for the crop habitat, particularly late in the crop cycle. The limited utilisation of adjacent non-crop habitat was further evidenced by the lack of any aggregations of the common spider species near the edges of fields. Spiders were present in the crop area throughout the year, although the phenology and activity patterns of resident species differed. Notably, the most commonly collected species, the lycosid Venatrix pseudospeciosa, began reproductive activity several months earlier than less numerous species. The spider community differed dramatically between two consecutive years, a heavy reduction in the density and diversity of spiders, which was most likely due to extremely low rainfall in the second year. The central similarity between the two crop seasons was the dominance of the ground hunting guild. In accordance with their relative abundance, this guild may have the greatest impact on prey populations. However, abundance alone does not determine the predatory role of spiders. Features such as prey preference, consumption rate, temporal and spatial synchronicity with pests and response to increasing prey densities together influence their impact in the trophic food web. Laboratory feeding trials on V. pseudospeciosa suggested that the species may be capable of foraging on a wide array of prey types but may be less likely to feed on co-existing natural enemy taxa. This commonly occurring species also appeared to have a high capacity to kill large numbers of prey, although this was not explored in the field. Providing management recommendations on how to maximise the use of spiders in Australian broadacre cropping was beyond the scope of this project. Instead, the intended goal was to inform future work into the use of spiders in biological pest management. This project attracted both industry funding and grower interest, reflecting an appreciation that this knowledge will contribute to establishing ways in which ecosystem services provided by naturally occurring enemies of pests can best be harnessed. As chemical based pest control reveals escalating inadequacies, an understanding of the organisms that live in agricultural habitats becomes increasingly crucial in the quest to sustainably feed the human population.
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ItemInfluence of allergen-specific immunotherapy on allergen-specific IgG subclasses in dogs with atopic dermatitis( 2008-03-03)Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common pruritic skin diseases in dogs and is diagnosed based on compatible history, clinical signs and exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is widely used to treat AD but the precise mechanism of action is unknown. The aims of our study were to investigate the influence of ASIT on levels of Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) specific IgG (D. farinae-IgG) subclasses and to explore whether changes in IgG subclasses are associated with the efficacy of ASIT. Sera from 98 dogs were collected before and during ASIT (duration of at least 2 years) with D. farinae. All dogs had serum IgE specific for D. farinae (imovet bg assay). Atopic dogs were divided into two groups: ASIT Group (n=48, ASIT as the sole therapy) and ASIT+ Group (n=50, insufficient control with ASIT requiring additional glucocorticoid treatment). A control group (CTRL Group, n=32) consisted of dogs without dermatological disease. Allergen-specific IgG subclass antibodies were detected by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies specific for canine IgG1 – IgG4. D. farinae-IgG1 and IgG4 were detected in >78% of all sera before ASIT while D. farinae-IgG2 and IgG3 were found in < 31%. Prior to therapy, dogs from the ASIT Group had significantly higher serum D. farinae-IgG1 than dogs in the ASIT+ Group (p<0.05). ASIT led to a significant increase in D. farinae-IgG1 in dogs from the ASIT (p<0.05) and ASIT+ (p<0.01) groups. D. farinae-IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 concentrations were comparable for all groups before and during ASIT. Allergen-specific IgE concentration was not influenced by ASIT and the concentrations of IgG1 and IgG4 specific to an irrelevant antigen (Betula; birch pollen) were not influenced by ASIT against D. farinae. We conclude that long term ASIT increases levels of D. farinae-IgG1 and that dogs responding well to ASIT have a higher D. farinae-IgG1 concentration before therapy than partial responders.
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ItemProteomic and genomic characterisation of venom proteins from Oxyuranus species( 2005-06-30)The genus Oxyuranus includes three of the largest and most feared Australasian snakes, and are listed within the top ten of the world's most venomous snakes. This genus includes Oxyuranus microlepidotus (inland taipan), Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus (coastal taipan) and the subspecies Oxyuranus scutellatus canni (Papuan taipan). Despite comparative differences in the proportions of venom components the Oxyuranus species have been reported to be more closely related to each other than to those of any other large Australian elapid snakes. Nevertheless, differences in the clinical presentation of envenomed patients have been described between species. It has also been shown that the antivenom (produced from O. s. scutellatus) may not be as effective in bite victims of O. microlepidotus or O. s. canni compared to O. s. scutellatus. This project was a comparative study designed to substantially build upon previous research into the venom of Oxyuranus species. The objectives of this study were: firstly, to conduct a comparative study of the composition of venom proteins from the three Oxyuranus species; secondly to clone and characterise venom specific proteins. This study was primarily conducted utilising fundamental proteomic tools including chromatography, one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequence determination. The third objective was to use a cDNA expression library, constructed using mRNA from a venom gland of O. s. scutellatus, to screen with taipan antivenom in order to isolate nucleotide sequences important within the venom. The venoms from Oxyuranus showed remarkable complexity and stability. It was shown that the three Oxyuranus venoms share strong similarities in the protein patterning of major proteins. O. s. scutellatus and O. s. canni venoms exhibited identical protein patterning throughout electrophoretic, fractionation and immunobinding analysis. The venom similarities, together with previous comparative research using mitochondrial DNA sequencing and morphology studies indicated O. canni is not a subspecies but the same species of O. s. scutellatus. O. microlepidotus on the other hand, though sharing major proteins, revealed patterns distinctly different to O. s. scutellatus through electrophoretic and fractionation examinations. Immunobinding studies showed the major banding differences in O. microlepidotus were antigenic against taipan antivenom (CSL). These results also indicated that diet, feeding and habitat (captive/wild) do not play a major role in contributing to the venom compositions of the taipan, opposing literature stating the contrary in other species. Variation within the venom composition between the species may be due, instead, to the geographic distances and habitat pressures between the species. From these comparisons, an antigenic 300 kDa glycoprotein from O. s. scutellatus was identified using 15% SDS-PAGE and was isolated using size exclusion and affinity chromatography. This protein was comprised of a homo trimer, three subunits of 100kDa joined by disulphide bonds. N-terminal sequence shared homology to a previously identified serine protease. This protein cleaved chromogenic substrate S-2288 and Michaelis-Menten kinetics revealed this protein to undergo allosteric interactions. Results of inhibition profiles, pH optimum and kinetic studies confirmed this to be a trypsin-like serine protease. It was highly sensitive to benzamidine and PMSF and was inhibited only by high concentrations of alkylating and reducing agents NEM and iodoacetamide. Metal chelators 1,10-phenanthroline, EGTA and EDTA showed little inhibition; whereas SDS was the only reagent to completely prevent any activity. Based on this evidence it is proposed all three subunits are required for activity. This protease appeared to be present in the venoms of both O. microlepidotus and O. s. canni and may represent another coagulative enzyme within the venom. Sequencing studies elucidated the nucleotide sequences of a variety of clones from an O. s. scutellatus cDNA library. These clones, translated into full-length protein sequences, included homologous matches to characterised proteins including polymerases, carboxylases, dehydrogenases, Protein disulphide isomerases (PDI's), Heat shock proteins (HSP's) and myosin. Based on the sequences obtained, six PLA2 toxins, two post-synaptic toxins and the complete factor V component of a prothrombin activator (scutelarin) were proposed. This study represents the first report of full-length amino acid sequences of taipan venom proteins; previous studies have been conducted using isolated venom proteins that lack the nucleotide and transit peptide sequences. cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences were compared with those of other snake species. These comparisons conformed to the established primary structures found within the differing peptide classes and, within the putative pre-synaptic neurotoxins, conformed to the evolutionary outline suggested for these sequences.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAhliat va Masir (Roots and Routes)- Narratives of identity and adaptation from Persian Bahá’í refugees in Australia( 2009)This study aims to discover what oral history narratives reveal about the post-migration renegotiation of identity for seven Persian Bahá’í refugees and to assess the ensuing impact on their adaptation to Australia. Oral history interviewing was used as the methodology in this research and a four-part model of narrative classification was employed to analyse the oral history interviews. This small-scale, case study research offers in-depth insights into the process of cross-cultural renegotiation of identities and of adaptation to new situations of a group who do not reflect the generally negative outcomes of refugees. Such a method fosters greater understanding and sensitivity than may be possible in broad, quantitative studies. This research reveals the centrality of religion to the participants’ cosmopolitan and hybrid identities. The Bahá’í belief system facilitates the reidentification and adaptation processes through advocating such aspects as intermarriage and dispersal amongst the population. The dual themes of separateness and belonging; continuity and change; and communion and agency also have considerable heuristic value in understanding the renegotiation of identity and adaptation. Participants demonstrate qualities of agency by becoming empowered, self-made individuals, who are represented in well-paid occupations with high status qualifications. It seems that their motivation to adapt is dominated by their desire to become functioning citizens as well as effective Bahá’ís. Despite the appearance of, almost model adaptation, these participants, like other refugees, have experienced enormous challenges and suffered humiliation and frustration through such factors as work discrimination, lack of self-esteem and culture shock. Although it is politely muted, there is also evidence of a strain to find aspects of value in the host culture, of a grappling with uninhibited freedom and individuality, of a struggle to tolerate slights and exclusionary practices, and of the experience of disempowerment in the face of diminished language facility.
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ItemKnow your product: an informational analysis of the higher education contribution scheme in Australia( 2005)Between 1989 and 2004, the Australian University system was increasingly financed through a tuition fee and loans scheme referred to as the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). This research explores perceptions of the HECS as reported by 346 current and former students carrying HECS liabilities in an online survey conducted in 2004-05. Their reported perceptions of the HECS were considered against representations of the scheme as 'fair and equitable' by policy makers and in official documentation. These representations comprised the data for an informational analysis (Bell 1973; Castells 1996) of the HECS debt contracting and repayment processes. The findings of informational asymmetry and inadequacy continue to be valid — perhaps even more so in the context of the introduction in 2005 of the Higher Education Loans Program (HELP).