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Law Library Blog (November 2020): Legal Beagle's Blog Archive, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Law Library Newsletters/Blog

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Climate Change And Human Activity On Soil Landscapes Over The Past 12,300 Years, Leo Rothacker, Anthony Dosseto, Alexander Francke, Allan Chivas, Nathalie Vigier, Anna M. Kotarba-Morley, Davide Menozzi

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Soils are key to ecosystems and human societies, and their critical importance requires a better understanding of how they evolve through time. However, identifying the role of natural climate change versus human activity (e.g. agriculture) on soil evolution is difficult. Here we show that for most of the past 12,300 years soil erosion and development were impacted differently by natural climate variability, as recorded by sediments deposited in Lake Dojran (Macedonia/Greece): short-lived ( < 1,000 years) climatic shifts had no effect on soil development but impacted soil erosion. This decoupling disappeared between 3,500 and 3,100 years ago, when the sedimentary record suggests an unprecedented erosion event associated with the development of agriculture in the region. Our results show unambiguously how differently soils evolved under natural climate variability (between 12,300 and 3,500 years ago) and later in response to intensifying human impact. The transition from natural to anthropogenic landscape started just before, or at, the onset of the Greek 'Dark Ages' (~3,200 cal yr BP). This could represent the earliest recorded sign of a negative feedback between civilization and environmental impact, where the development of agriculture impacted soil resources, which in turn resulted in a slowdown of civilization expansion.

Earliest Known Hominin Activity In The Philippines By 709 Thousand Years Ago, Thomas Ingicco, Gerrit D. Van Den Bergh, C Jago-On, J-J Bahain, M G. Chacón, Noel Amano, H Forestier, C King, K Manalo, Sebastien Nomade, A Pereira, M C. Reyes, A M. Semah, Q Shao, P Voinchet, C Falgueres, P C.H Albers, M Lising, George A. Lyras, Dida Yurnaldi, P Rochette, Angel Bautista, John De Vos

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Over 60 years ago, stone tools and remains of megafauna were discovered on the Southeast Asian islands of Flores, Sulawesi and Luzon, and a Middle Pleistocene colonization by Homo erectus was initially proposed to have occurred on these islands. However, until the discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2003, claims of the presence of archaic hominins on Wallacean islands were hypothetical owing to the absence of in situ fossils and/or stone artefacts that were excavated from well-documented stratigraphic contexts, or because secure numerical dating methods of these sites were lacking. As a consequence, these claims were generally treated with scepticism. Here …

Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity Is Associated With Liver Insulin Sensitivity In Obese Non-Diabetic Men, Daniel L.T Chen, Rachael Brown, Carsten Liess, Anne Poljak, Aimin Xu, Jialiang Zhang, Michael Trenell, Arthur Jenkins, Donald B. Chisholm, Dorit Samocha-Bonet, Vaughan G. Macefield, Jerry R. Greenfield

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Introduction: Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may play a role in insulin resistance in obesity. However, the direction and nature of the relationship between MSNA and insulin resistance in obesity remain unclear. We hypothesized that resting MSNA would correlate inversely with both muscle and liver insulin sensitivity and that it would be higher in insulin-resistant vs. insulin-sensitive subjects.

Materials and methods: Forty-five non-diabetic obese subjects were studied. As no significant relationships were found in women, the data presented in on 22 men aged 48 ± 12 years. Two-step (15 and 80 mU/m2/min) hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps were performed using deuterated …

Antarctic Moss Biflavonoids Show High Antioxidant And Ultraviolet-Screening Activity, Melinda J. Waterman, Ari Satia Nugraha, Rudi Hendra, Graham E Ball, Sharon A. Robinson, Paul A. Keller

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Ceratodon purpureus is a cosmopolitan moss that survives some of the harshest places on Earth: from frozen Antarctica to hot South Australian deserts. In a study on the survival mechanisms of the species, nine compounds were isolated from Australian and Antarctic C. purpureus. This included five biflavonoids, with complete structural elucidation of 1 and 2 reported here for the first time, as well as an additional four known phenolic compounds. Dispersion-corrected DFT calculations suggested a rotational barrier, leading to atropisomerism, resulting in the presence of diastereomers for compound 2. All isolates absorbed strongly in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, e.g., biflavone …

Cereal Fibre Intake In Australia: A Cross Sectional Analysis Of The 2011-12 National Nutrition And Physical Activity Survey, Eden Barrett, Yasmine Probst, Eleanor J. Beck

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Extensive evidence supports health benefits of cereal fibre, however globally no national intake data exists. This study aimed to determine estimates of intake and food sources of cereal fibre, and relationships to dietary fibre intake in an Australian sample population. A cereal fibre database was applied to dietary intake data from the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n ¼ 12,153). Usual intake based on 2-day intake data was weighted to infer population results. Median daily cereal fibre intake was 6.4 g/d (9.7 g/10 MJ/d) for adults (19-85 years) and 6.2 g/d (10.2 g/10 MJ/d) for children/adolescents (2-18 years). …

Use Of Facebook By Local Health Departments: Activity And Focus Areas, Rakhi Trivedi, Gulzar H. Shah

Health Policy and Management Faculty Presentations

This presentation was given at the Keeneland Conference for Public Health Systems and Services Research.

Diarylacylhydrazones: Clostridium-Selective Antibacterials With Activity Against Stationary-Phase Cells, Chao Chen, Naveen K. Dolla, Gabriele Casadei, John B. Bremner, Kim Lewis, Michael J. Kelso

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Current antibiotics for treating Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), that is, metronidazole, vancomycin and more recently fidaxomicin, are mostly effective but treatment failure and disease relapse remain as significant clinical problems. The shortcomings of these agents are attributed to their low selectivity for C. difficile over normal gut microflora and their ineffectiveness against C. difficile spores. This Letter reports that certain diarylacylhydrazones identified during a high-throughput screening/counter-screening campaign show selective activity against two Clostridium species (C. difficile and Clostridium perfringens) over common gut commensals. Representative examples are shown to possess activity similar to vancomycin against clinical C. difficile strains and to …

A New Protoberberine Alkaloid From Meconopsis Simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers With Potent Antimalarial Activity Against A Multidrug Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum Strain, Phurpa Wangchuk, Paul A. Keller, Stephen G. Pyne, Wilford Lie, Anthony C. Willis, Roonglawan Rattanajak, Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Ethnopharmacological relevance The aerial components of Meconopsis simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers are indicated in Bhutanese traditional medicine for treating malaria, coughs and colds, and the infections of the liver, lung and blood. This study is to validate the ethnopharmacological uses of this plant and also identify potent antimalarial drug leads through bioassays of its crude extracts and phytochemical constituents.

Materials and methods Meconopsis simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers was collected from Bhutan and its crude MeOH extract was subjected to acid-base fractionation. Through repeated extractions, separations and spectroscopic analysis, the alkaloids obtained were identified and tested for their antimalarial and cytotoxicity …

Impact Of Community-Based Participatory Initiative On Children's Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity, Rahma Ajja, Rohan Shah, Falon Tilley, R Glenn Weaver, Daria Winnicka, Morgan Hughey, Collin A. Webster, Aaron Beighle, Russell R. Pate, Ruth Saunders, Michael W. Beets

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Abstract of poster that presented at 2013 AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition, Charlotte, NC , 23-27 April 2013.

A Comprehensive Coordinated Approach To Increasing Physical Activity In Afterschool Programs, Morgan Hughey, R Glenn Weaver, Falon Tilley, Rahma Ajja, Rohan Shah, Daria Winnicka, Collin A. Webster, Aaron Beighle, Russell R. Pate, Ruth Saunders, Michael W. Beets

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Abstract of poster that presented at 2013 AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition, Charlotte, NC , 23-27 April 2013.

Competency-Based Professional Development Training Impact On Physical Activity Promotion, R Glenn Weaver, Falon Tilley, Rahma Ajja, Rohan Shah, Daria Winnicka, Morgan Hughey, Collin A. Webster, Aaron Beighle, Russell R. Pate, Ruth Saunders, Michael W. Beets

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Abstract of poster that presented at 2013 AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition, Charlotte, NC , 23-27 April 2013.

Using Interviews And Peer Pairs To Better Understand How School Environments Affect Young Children's Playground Physical Activity Levels: A Qualitative Study, Anne-Maree Parrish, Heather Yeatman, Donald Iverson, Ken Russell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

School break times provide a daily opportunity for children to be active; however, research indicates this time is underutilized. Reasons for low children’s playground activity levels have primarily focused on physical barriers. This research aimed to contribute to physical environmental findings affecting children’s playground physical activity levels by identifying additional variables through the interview process. Thirteen public schools were included in the sample (total 2946 children). Physical activity and environmental data were collected over 3 days. Environmental variables were manually assessed at each of the 13 schools. Observational data were used to determine which three schools were the most and …

The Impact Of Complex Survey Design On Prevalence Estimates Of Intakes Of Food Groups In The Australian National Children's Nutrition And Physical Activity Survey, Sandy Burden, Yasmine Probst, David G. Steel, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

C-Amp Dependent Protein Kinase A Inhibitory Activity Of Six Algal Extracts From South Eastern Australia And Their Fatty Acid Composition, Ana Zivanovic, Danielle Skropeta

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

c-AMP dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A, PKA) is an important enzyme involved in the regulation of an increasing number of physiological processes including immune function, cardiovascular disease, memory disorders and cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the PKA inhibitory activity of a range of algal extracts, along with their fatty acid composition. Six algal species were investigated including two Chlorophyta (Codium dimorphum and Ulva lactuca), two Phaeophyta (Phyllospora comosa and Sargassum sp.) and two Rhodophyta (Prionitis linearis and Corallina vancouveriensis), with the order of PKA inhibitory activity of their extracts identified as follows: brown seaweeds > red …

Bioregional Assessment Project: Sydney Metropolitan, Southern Rivers And Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchments: Data Collation Phase To Study The Impact Of Mining Activity And Coal Seam Gas On Environmental Assets, John Bradd, Tim Cohen, Sam Marx, Sol Buckman, Emma Burkhardt, A Clarke, Nicole Cook, Stephen Cullen, James Daley, Alexi Gavin, Ren Hu, Emma Kiekebosch-Fitt, Matt Lemcke, Andrew Lowe, Thomas Mcmahon, Luke Mcneilage, Kaitlyn O'Mara, Garth Nagle, Sam Robson, Carolyn Silveri, Joe Stammers

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

This study was commissioned by the Hawkesbury-Nepean (HNCMA), Sydney Metropolitan (SMCMA) and Southern Rivers (SRCMA) Catchment Management Authorities and undertaken by the University of Wollongong to collate existing data and to provide a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) and coal mining activities on environmental assets within the three CMA regions, where environmental assets were defined under three broad themes; water, land and biodiversity. This study formed part of the Australian Federal Government’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) Bioregional Assessment initiative within regions potentially affected by CSG and coal mining activities. …

An Indoor Localisation And Motion Monitoring System To Determine Behavioural Activity In Dementia Afflicted Patients In Aged Care, Matthew D'Souza, Montserrat Ros, Mohanraj Karunanithi

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dementia is highly prevalent among the older population. Most patients with dementia are admitted to an aged care facility due to wandering behaviour which tends to result in dangerous scenarios such as straying away from the facility and being seriously injured. Due to the decreasing availability of carers in aged care, there is a need to prioritise monitoring of patients that have a severe case of wondering. The challenge is to allow carers to monitor the status of such patients in terms of position localisation and motion behavioural status, in real-time. The long term behavioural analysis of such patients would …

Physical Activity And Energy Expenditure In Haemodialysis Patients: An International Survey, Carla Maria Avesani, Stanislas Trolonge, Patrik Deleaval, Flavia Baria, Denise Mafra, Gerd Faxen-Irving, Phillipe Chauveau, Daniel Teta, Maria Ayako Kamimura, Maria Chan, Lilian Cuppari, Olof Heimburger, Denis Fouque

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background. The assessment of physical activity and energy expenditure is relevant to the care of maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate measurements of physical activity and energy expenditure in MHD patients from different centres and countries and explored the predictors of physical activity in these patients. Methods. In this cross-sectional multicentre study, 134MHD patients from four countries (France, Switzerland, Sweden and Brazil) were included. The physical activity was evaluated for 5.0 6 1.4 days (mean 6 SD) by a multisensory device (SenseWear Armband) and comprised the assessment of number of steps per day, activity-related …

Influence Of 18ghz Microwave Radiation On The Enzymatic Activity Of Escherichia Coli Lactate Dehydrogenase And Cytochrome C Oxidase, Yuri Shamis, Alex Traub, Rodney J. Croft, Russell Crawford, Elena Ivanova

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The catalytic activity of two common bacterial enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) from Escherichia coli, was examined following bacterial exposure to microwave (MW) radiation under well-defined experimental conditions. The experiments were conducted in a specialised microwave processing apparatus, with an exposure frequency of 18 GHz, and a temperature profile that was restricted to below 40oC to avoid thermal degradation of the bacteria. The absorbed power was calculated to be 1500 kW/m3 and the electric field was determined to be 300 V/m. Both values were theoretically confirmed using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio 3D Electromagnetic Stimulation …

Activity Counts From Accelerometers Do Not Add Value To Energy Expenditure Predictions In Sedentary Overweight Individuals During Weight Loss Interventions, Sze Yen Tan, Marijka Batterham, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Knowing the total energy expenditure (TEE) of overweight adults is important for prescribing weight loss interventions. However, objective measurements of TEE may not always be readily available and can be expensive. This study aimed to investigate the validity of RT3 accelerometers in predicting the TEE of sedentary overweight adults, and to identify any sensitivity to anthropometric changes. Methods: The analysis used data from a 12-week weight loss study. At baseline and 12-week, TEE was predicted using RT3 accelerometers during whole room calorimeter stays. Bias between 2 methods was compared at and between the baseline and 12-week measurement points. Multiple …

Relationship Between Plantar Pressures, Physical Activity And Sedentariness Among Preschool Children, Karen J. Mickle, Dylan P. Cliff, Bridget J. Munro, Anthony D. Okely, Julie R. Steele

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

It has been speculated that high plantar pressures might cause foot pain and discomfort which, in turn, may discourage children from being physically active and result in them spending more time in sedentary activities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether plantar pressure distributions generated by preschool children were correlated with objectively measured time spent in physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Dynamic plantar pressures were measured for 33 preschool children (age = 4.3±0.6 years; height = 1.06±0.1 m; mass = 18.4±2.9 kg; 17 boys) as they walked across an emed AT-4 pressure platform. Physical activity was objectively assessed …

Effects Of Dairy Products On Crohn's Disease Symptoms Are Influenced By Fat Content And Disease Location But Not Lactose Content Or Disease Activity Status In A New Zealand Population, Deborah Nolan, Linda C. Tapsell, Rong Hu, Dug Yeo Han, Lynnette Ferguson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Dairy products have been perceived as having the potential to cause adverse effects in individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD) and are often avoided, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis and related morbidity associated with inadequate dietary calcium intake. Objective To evaluate the self-reported effects of dairy products on CD symptoms and to determine whether these effects differed between types of dairy products consumed and disease state or location. Design Secondary analysis of dietary survey and clinical data from participants in the Genes and Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease study based in Auckland, New Zealand. Subjects/setting One hundred and sixty-five …

Declining Physical Activity Levels As An Unintended Consequence Of Abolishing Mandatory Campus Service Fees, Sandra C. Jones, Lance R. Barrie

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: This study investigates the effect of the introduction of voluntary student unionism and subsequent increase in campus facility fees on engagement in physical activity on campus. Participants: Participants were 1,904 students from a large regional NSW (Australia) university across 3 time periods (926 in 2005, 504 in 2006, and 474 in 2007). Methods: Students completed a survey across the 3 time periods, responding to questions about physical activity levels, use of on-campus and off-campus facilities, and barriers to facility use. Results: Participation in physical activity at university facilities was low overall, and declined substantially between 2005 and 2007, with …

Beat It: Diabetes Lifestyle And Physical Activity Program - The Effects And Affordability Of A 12-Week Community Based, Physical Activity Program For People With Or At Risk Of Diabetes, Bronwyn Penny, Joel Tuccia, Marc A. Brown

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Polysaccharopeptide Enhances The Anticancer Activity Of Doxorubicin And Etoposide On Human Breast Cancer Cells Zr-75-30, Jennifer Man-Fan Wan, Wai Hung Sit, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In search of natural bioactive microbial compounds with adjuvant properties, we have previously showed that the polysaccharopeptide (PSP), isolated from Chinese medicinal mushroom Coriolus versicolor, was able to enhance the cytotoxicity of certain S-phase targeted-drugs on human leukemic HL-60 cells via some cell-cycle and apoptotic-dependent pathways. The present study aimed to investigate whether the synergism of mechanisms of PSP with certain chemotherapeutic drugs also applies to human breast cancer. PSP treatment enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (Doxo), etoposide (VP-16) but not cytarabine (Ara-C). Bivariate bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd)/DNA flow cytometry analysis estimated a longer DNA synthesis time (Ts) for the PSP treated …

Evaluating The Impact Of The Environment On The Physical Activity Levels Of People With Dementia In Aged Care Facilities, Loren Devries, Victoria Traynor, Nancy Humpel

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

To evaluate the impact of the environment on the physical activity levels of people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities

Do Australian Primary School Environments Affect Children's Playground Physical Activity Levels?, Anne-Maree Parrish, Donald Iverson, Kenneth Russell, Heather Yeatman

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Depression And Quality Of Life In Cancer Survivors: Is There A Relationship With Physical Activity?, Nancy Humpel, Donald Iverson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Evidence is growing on the benefit of physical activity to improve well-being following a cancer diagnosis. This study examined changes in physical activity from pre to post diagnosis and explored this relationship with quality of life and depression. Methods Participants were recruited by posters and by letter of invitation. The questionnaire was completed by 59 prostate and 32 breast cancer survivors. Results Physical activity decreased by 72 minutes per week from pre to post diagnosis, although 20.9% reported having increased activity post diagnosis. Over 30% were considered depressed. Breast cancer participants who increased physical activity post diagnosis reported higher …

Plasminogen Binding And Activation At The Breast Cancer Cell Surface: The Integral Role Of Urokinase Activity, Gillian E. Stillfried, Darren Saunders, Marie Ranson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

INTRODUCTION: The regulation of extracellular proteolytic activity via the plasminogen activation system is complex, involving numerous activators, inhibitors and receptors. Previous studies on monocytic and colon cell lines suggest that plasmin pre treatment can increase plasminogen binding, allowing the active enzyme to generate binding sites for its precursor. Other studies have shown the importance of pre formed receptors such as annexin II heterotetramer. However, few studies have utilised techniques which exclusively characterise cell surface events and these mechanisms have not been investigated at the breast cancer cell surface. METHODS: We have studied plasminogen binding to MCF 7 in which uPAR …

Scaling Of Na+, K+-Atpase Molecular Activity And Membrane Fatty Acid Composition In Mammalian And Avian Hearts, Anthony J. Hulbert, Paul Else, Kurt Haga, Nigel Turner

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

We have examined Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase molecular activity and membrane fatty acid composition in the heart of six mammalian and eight avian species ranging in size from 30 g in mice to 280 kg in cattle and 13 g in zebra finches to 35 kg in emus, respectively. Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity scaled negatively with body mass in both mammals and birds. In small mammals, the elevated enzyme activity was related to allometric changes in both the concentration and molecular activity (turnover rate) of Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase enzymes, while in small birds, higher Na …