Digital Commons Network^™

Solving Water Scarcity Challenges In Arid Regions: A Novel Approach Employing Human-Based Meta-Heuristics And Machine Learning Algorithm For Groundwater Potential Mapping, Seyed Vahid Razavi-Termeh, Abolghasem Sadeghi-Niaraki, Farbod Farhangi, Mehdi Khiadani, Saied Pirasteh, Soo Mi Choi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Addressing water scarcity challenges in arid regions is a pressing concern and demands innovative solutions for accurate groundwater potential mapping (GPM). This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of advanced modeling techniques to enhance the precision of GPM. This study, conducted in the Zayandeh Rood watershed, Iran, employed a spatial database comprising 16 influential factors on groundwater potential and data from 175 wells. This study introduced an innovative approach to GPM by enhancing the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. This enhancement involved integrating three metaheuristic algorithms inspired by human behavior: ICA (Imperialist Competitive Algorithm), TLBO (Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization), and SBO (Student Psychology Based …

Mining Safely: Examining The Moderating Role Of Safety Climate On Mineworkers' Mental Health And Safety Behavior Nexus, Emmanuel K. Amoako, Saviour A. Nubuor, Abdul-Razak Suleman, Amin A. Bawa, Bridget Akwetey-Siaw

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The study aims to investigate the impact of anxiety and depression (dimensions of mental health) on mineworkers' safety behaviors (safety compliance and safety participation) while examining the moderating role of safety climate on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research approach with an explanatory cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. A total of 274 purposively selected mineworkers participated in the study. Responses were obtained from participants through a structured questionnaire which was analyzed using the partial least square structural equation modeling. Findings: Anxiety had a significant negative effect on safety compliance but not participation. However, depression was found to have …

I Think I Can, I Think I Can’T: Design Principles For Fostering A Growth Mindset In The Early Years, Fiona Boylan, Lennie Barblett, Marianne Knaus

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

“I think I can, I think I can’ puffed “The Little Engine That Could.” The American folktale taught the value of optimism and hard work reflecting a growth mindset belief about abilities. A growth mindset positively impacts academic achievement, motivation, and children’s agency for learning. Few studies have explored how early childhood teachers can develop children’s growth mindsets. We report on a study that developed design principles to assist early childhood teachers to foster a growth mindset in children in early childhood classrooms at one school in Western Australia using design-based research. Two iterations of the principles were designed and …

Minimising The Risk: Teen Perspectives On Sexual Choking In Pornography, Giselle Woodley, Kelly Jaunzems

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sexual choking / strangulation encompasses a range of practices where pressure is applied to the neck to restrict air or blood flow during a sexual encounter. While choking is most commonly associated with the application of hands around a person’s neck, other limbs or ligatures, such as the forearm or rope, may also be used (Herbenick et al., Frequency 3122; Herbenick et al., Prevalence 1059). This article will predominantly use the term “choking” or “sexual choking” to match teen vernacular and public discourse. These terms, however, may be used interchangeably with other more context-specific terms used in the literature such …

It Was Difficult To Understand The System: Developing A Coordinator Role To Support International Nursing Students- A Qualitative Study, Nick Gibson, Amanda Graf, Tania Beament, Neil Ferguson, Esther Adama, Deborah Kirk, Joyce Muge-Sugutt, Kylie Mccullough

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

International students are an important component of the host country and universities bringing economic, social, and community contributions. International students are the most vulnerable students with challenges related to academic expectations, language proficiency, and socio-cultural integration. This study explores the challenges of international students in a Western Australian School of Nursing and Midwifery. An exploratory questionnaire (n=10), three focus groups (n=15) and a quality improvement survey (n=80) informed this study. Four themes emerged: stress in the first weeks, incorrect and/or late enrolments, lack of guidance and support, and system navigation nightmares. Other issues included: accommodation, culture shock, financial concerns, information …

Beyond Standard Treatment: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Cancer Patients' Perceptions Of Hypnotherapy In Cancer Care, Malwina Szmaglinska, Lesley Andrew, Debbie Massey, Deborah Kirk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and purpose: Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Australia. The number of new cancer cases diagnosed each year is expected to surpass 200,000 by 2033. This marks a significant increase from about 88,000 cases in 2000 to an estimated 165,000 cases in 2023. Despite advancements in treatment, emotional and psychological challenges in cancer care are often overlooked. This study focuses on hypnotherapy, a complementary therapy recognized for its efficacy for physical and emotional symptoms, yet underutilized in Australian cancer care. The research aims to explore patients' perceptions of hypnotherapy and identify barriers to its integration, contributing to …

Protocol For The Development And Initial Validation Of The Cog-Impact Tool: A Purpose-Built Unmet Needs Assessment For Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment, Darren Haywood, Moira O’Connor, Frank D. Baughman, Alexandre Chan, Raymond J. Chan, Evan Dauer, Haryana M. Dhillon, Ashley M. Henneghan, Blake J. Lawrence, Maryam Lustberg, Janette L. Vardy, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

(1) Background: A significant proportion of cancer survivors report experiencing a cognitive ‘fog’ that affects their ability to think coherently and quickly, and reason with clarity. This has been referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). CRCI has extensive impacts on the daily lives of people living with or beyond cancer, including occupational, social, and psychological functioning. Oncology health professionals report feeling under-resourced to effectively assess the needs of an individual with CRCI and then provide optimal care and referral. (2) Methods: The objective of this project is to develop and provide an initial validation of the first purpose-built unmet …

Positive Association Between Patients’ Perception Of Chronic Pain Rehabilitation As A Personally Meaningful Experience And The Flourishing Aspect Of Well-Being, Katrina J. Liddiard, Cary A. Brown, Annette J. Raynor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Chronic pain rehabilitation helps to reduce pain and restore valued life roles. Patients may have more positive outcomes when they perceive rehabilitation to be personally meaningful. This study examined associations between self-reported, personally meaningful rehabilitation and well-being. A pilot study was conducted using an online survey of people with chronic pain and experiences of rehabilitation. The PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 8a and The Flourishing Scale were used to explore well-being. A modified self-report measure, the Meaningfulness in Rehabilitation Scale, was pilot-tested for construct validity and used in the survey. Of the 48 participants (81% female; 19% male), most attended …

Purpose In Life And Associated Cognitive And Affective Mechanisms, Louis Fang, Alfred Allan, Joanne M. Dickson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose in life is a well-established contributor to positive well-being. However, for a more comprehensive understanding of purpose in life, further exploration is needed about the processes implicated in purpose from a cognitive and affective perspective. This scoping review aims to identify the cognitive and/or affective mechanisms (CAMs) correlating with purpose in life and to examine these relationships based on relevant existing literature. Using search terms related to CAMs and purpose in life, we conducted a comprehensive search across five databases (Web of Science, Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, and psycinfo) to identify those examining the relationship between these constructs. Ninety-nine manuscripts …

Resting State Electrophysiological Profiles And Their Relationship With Cognitive Performance In Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Brenda Chino, David López-Sanz, Sandra Doval, Lucía Torres-Simón, Jaisalmer De Frutos Lucas, Lydia Giménez-Llort, Jonathan Zegarra-Valdivia, Fernando Maestú

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Aging is a complex and natural process. The physiological decline related to aging is accompanied by a slowdown in cognitive processes, which begins shortly after individuals reach maturity. These changes have been sometimes interpreted as a compensatory sign and others as a fingerprint of deterioration. Objective: In this context, our aim is to uncover the mechanisms that underlie and support normal cognitive functioning in the brain during the later stages of life. Methods: With this purpose, a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, which identified 781 potential articles. After applying inclusion and …

Alexithymia Profiles And Depression, Anxiety, And Stress, David A. Preece, Ashish Mehta, Kate Petrova, Pilleriin Sikka, Ethan Pemberton, James J. Gross

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Alexithymia is a multidimensional trait comprised of difficulties identifying feelings, difficulties describing feelings, and externally orientated thinking. It is regarded as an important risk factor for emotional disorders, but there are presently limited data on each specific facet of alexithymia, or the extent to which deficits in processing negative emotions, positive emotions, or both, are important. In this study, we address these gaps by using the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) to comprehensively examine the relationships between alexithymia and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Methods: University students (N = 1250) completed the PAQ and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Pearson …

The Relationship Between Diet, Depression, And Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review, Hilal Salim Said Al Shamsi, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Samantha L. Gardener, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Rodrigo Canovas, Ralph N. Martins, Warnakulasuriya Mary Ann Dipika Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose of Review: This narrative review evaluates the role of diet in the relationship between depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent Findings: AD and depression are often comorbid, and depression appears to independently increase the future risk of AD. Evidence suggests diet influences the risk of both conditions directly and indirectly. Diet impacts neurochemical and biological processes that may affect the development and progression of depression and cognitive dysfunction. The dietary components offering the greatest protection against depression and AD are yet to be determined. Current evidence highlights the importance of polyphenolic compounds, folate, B vitamins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, …

Children And Young People's Self-Reported Experiences Of Asthma And Self-Management Nursing Strategies: An Integrative Review, H. Kemble, Mandie Foster, J. Blamires, R. Mowat

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To explore children and young people's (CYP) (5–24 years of age) self-reported experiences of asthma self-management strategies (ASMS) with nursing involvement across various settings. Background: Childhood asthma is an increasingly significant health issue, highlighting the importance of acquiring self-management skills to optimise future health outcomes. Registered nurses play a pivotal role in delivering appropriate, personalized self-management support. Methods: This integrative review searched four electronic databases: Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature via Elton B. Stephens Company, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Object, View and Interactive Design (OVID), and PubMed, that followed the Preferred Reporting …

The Palliative Care Service Enhancement Program: Specialised Palliative Care Services For People With Behaviours And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia In Australia, Mustafa Atee, Thomas Morris, Daniel Whiting, Marie Alford

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

The Mccusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory (Mcsci): A Novel Measure Of Perceived Cognitive Decline, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Brandon E. Gavett, Michael Weinborn, Craig P. Speelman, Romola S. Bucks, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), i.e. self/other-reported concerns on one’s cognitive functioning without objective evidence of significant decline, is an indicator of dementia risk. There is little consensus on reliability and validity of the available SCD measures. Therefore, introducing a novel and psychometrically sound measure of SCD is timely.

Objective: The psychometric properties of a new SCD measure, the McCusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory–Self-Report (McSCI-S), are reported.

Methods: Through review of previously published measures as well as our clinical and research data on people with SCD, we developed a 46-item self-report questionnaire to assess concerns on six cognitive domains, namely, …

Transdermal Oestradiol And Exercise In Androgen Deprivation Therapy (Estracise): Protocol, Ilkka Jussila, Juha P. Ahtiainen, Eija K. Laakkonen, Aino Siltari, Antti Kaipia, Tiina Jokela, Minta Kärkkäinen, Rob Newton, Truls Raastad, Heini Huhtala, Teemu J. Murtola, Heikki Seikkula

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To report the protocol of a study evaluating the efficacy of transdermal oestradiol (E2) gel in reducing the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), specifically on sexual function, and to assess the utility of E2 in combination with supervised exercise. Study Design and Methods: The primary endpoint of this open-label Phase IIA randomized controlled trial is the efficacy of transdermal E2 gel. Secondary endpoints include: (i) the occurrence of ADT-induced adverse effects; (ii) the safety and tolerability of E2; (iii) the impact of E2 with or without exercise on physical, physiological, muscle, and systemic biomarkers; and (iv) quality …

Trust Dynamics In Sharing Economy Services During A Crisis: A Comparison Between Airbnb And Uber, Alireza Amrollahi, Tyge F. Kummer, Mehdi Rajaeian, Arghavan Hadinejad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigates trust dynamics in sharing economy services during the COVID-19 crisis, comparing Airbnb and Uber as prominent representatives of accommodation and transportation services in tourism. Guided by two research questions, the study first explores the antecedents and mechanisms of trust creation on these platforms and then examines how the global pandemic affected trust in these services. The findings reveal that structural assurance, privacy protection, and social influence (only for Uber) are key antecedents of trust. Trust, in turn, significantly influences perceived usefulness and the intention to use both platforms. The results also show that perceived risk, heightened by …

Perceived Barriers And Enablers To Utilising The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme For Adults With An Intellectual Disability And Their Families: A Scoping Review, Alice Zubrinich, Gideon De Jong, Nasim Salehi, Richard Lakeman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia in 2013 promised significant improvements in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. Although the scheme enables support, there are challenges associated with establishing eligibility and administering funds. This scoping review explored perceived barriers and enablers to effectively utilising the NDIS for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Method: A scoping review of the empirical literature on the NDIS and intellectual disabilities included nine studies in this review. These papers were subjected to thematic analysis and the findings were presented as a narrative synthesis. Results: The key …

The Experiences And Perceptions Of Healthy Siblings Of Children With A Long-Term Condition: Umbrella Review, Julie Blamires, Mandie Foster, Shayne Rasmussen, Maggie Zgambo, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: The lives of healthy siblings living with a sibling with a long- term condition are often shaped by the family, type of illness, length of illness, age of the child, caregiver demands, and support provided to the family, ill sibling, and healthy sibling. While the experiences of healthy siblings are documented in the literature by parent proxy, literature on healthy siblings self-reported experiences of living with a sibling who has a long-term condition remains scarce. Purpose: This umbrella review aims to synthesize reviews on the self-reported experiences of healthy siblings of children living with a sibling who has a …

Identification Of Core Competencies For Exercise Oncology Professionals: A Delphi Study Of United States And Australian Participants, Mary A. Kennedy, Kelley Covington Wood, Anna Campbell, Melanie Potiaumpai, Christopher M. Wilson, Anna L. Schwartz, Jessica Gorzelitz, Maxime Caru, Kathryn H. Schmitz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies required for an exercise professional to be qualified to work with adults undergoing active cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: A three-round modified electronic Delphi process was used. In Round 1, an international group of 64 exercise oncology stakeholders (i.e., exercise oncology professionals (n = 29), clinical referrers (n = 21), and people with lived experience (n = 14)) responded …

Impact Of Psychic Distance Stimuli On International Tourist Flows: A Cross-Country Analysis, Yuhong Shao, Songshan (Sam) Huang, Tingting Huo, Rui Huang, Zhiyong Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research on psychic distance in tourism studies has mainly focused on perceived psychic distance, while little attention has been paid to psychic distance stimuli. Applying the Cultural-Administrative-Geographic-Economic (CAGE) distance framework, this study employs a gravity model framework to investigate the relationship between psychic distance stimuli and international tourist flows and the moderating role of Internet popularity in such a relationship based on information asymmetry theory. Further, this study investigates the effects of psychic distance stimuli along the cultural, administrative, geographic, and economic dimensions. The empirical analysis is based on a panel dataset of bilateral tourist flows between 56 countries from …

The Behavioral Contagion Effect Of Tourists’ Risk Decision-Making, Jiangchi Zhang, Chaowu Xie, Feifei Lai, Songshan Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigated the contagion effect of other tourists' risk-seeking behavior on tourists' risk decision-making. It further examined the mediation of two contrasting motivational systems (approach-avoidance), and the moderation of destination management deterrence. Four experiments were conducted focusing on the risk decision-making of tourists in the context of undeveloped natural areas and tidal-bore watching settings. Independent samples t-tests, regression, and multivariate analysis of covariance were utilized to examine the proposed conceptual model. The results of Experiment 1 (n = 226) demonstrated that seeing other tourists' risk-seeking behavior had a contagion effect on tourists' risk decisions; specifically, other tourists' risk-seeking behavior …

Improving Students’ Generative Ai Literacy: A Single Workshop Can Improve Confidence And Understanding, Miriam Sullivan, Michael Mcauley, Danielle Degiorgio, Paul Mclaughlan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (genAI), it has become increasingly important to ensure that students are equipped with AI literacy to use these tools effectively and appropriately. We ran a 90-minute, optional workshop for students to demonstrate how to use genAI in the assessment process appropriately. By the end of the workshop, participants felt significantly more confident in using genAI, had more intentions to use genAI, and understood the University’s genAI policy better. The types of genAI use that participants envisioned shifted from general academic and life uses to specific, acceptable uses for learning. Students could identify some …

Association Of Basal Forebrain Atrophy With Cognitive Decline In Early Alzheimer Disease, Ying Xia, Vincent Dore, Jurgen Fripp, Pierrick Bourgeat, Simon M. Laws, Christopher J. Fowler, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins, Christopher Rowe, Colin L. Masters, Elizabeth J. Coulson, Paul Maruff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Objectives: In early Alzheimer disease (AD), β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition is associated with volume loss in the basal forebrain (BF) and cognitive decline. However, the extent to which Aβ-related BF atrophy manifests as cognitive decline is not understood. This study sought to characterize the relationship between BF atrophy and the decline in memory and attention in patients with early AD.

Methods: Participants from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study who completed Aβ-PET imaging and repeated MRI and cognitive assessments were included. At baseline, participants were classified based on their clinical dementia stage and Aβ status, yielding groups …

Efficacy And Safety Of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation For The Management Of Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial In China, Weiting Liu, Yanting Ding, Honggang Xie, Hansheng Liu, Changhao Liang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) is a common menstrual concern with significant physical and psychosocial impacts. The effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in alleviating PD symptoms remain uncertain due to insufficient evidence. This single-centre, parallel, randomised controlled study intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TEAS for PD management. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 60 participants aged 18-40 years diagnosed with moderate to severe PD will be recruited from Tai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and randomly assigned to either a TEAS group or a TEAS-sham group (1:1). The TEAS group will undergo 12 sessions of TEAS …

Risk And Protective Factors Of Self-Harm And Suicidality In Adolescents: An Umbrella Review With Meta-Analysis, Rebecca Richardson, Tanya Connell, Mandie Foster, Julie Blamires, Smita Keshoor, Chris Moir, Irene S. Zeng

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Suicide remains the second most common cause of death in young people aged 10–24 years and is a growing concern globally. The literature reports a vast number of factors that can predispose an adolescent to suicidality at an individual, relational, community, or societal level. There is limited high-level research identifying and understanding these risk and protective factors of adolescent suicidality. The present study used an umbrella review and meta-analysis to synthesize evidence from the review literature in the past 20 years on risk and protective factors of self-harm and suicidality (behavior and ideation) in adolescents. The umbrella review included 33 …

A Mixed-Method Analysis Of The Contribution Of Informal Sport To Public Health In Australia, Ruth Jeanes, Justen O'Connor, Dawn Penney, Ramon Spaaij, Jonathan Magee, Eibhlish O' Hara, Lisa Lymbery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Informal sport is a growth area of sport participation but there has been limited examination of how informal and unstructured forms of participation may contribute to health outcomes that are important for public health. This article aims to address the current lack of data examining the health outcomes associated with informal sport participation and consider the potential role of informal sport within efforts to promote healthier communities through sport. The article seeks to broaden understanding of how informal sport participation can contribute to health outcomes, particularly with regard to increasing physical activity and enhancing mental health and social connection. The …

Protocol: Factors Influencing The Implementation Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Behaviours And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia In Residential Aged Care Homes: A Systematic Review And Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, Hunduma D. Ayeno, Gizat M. M. Kassie, Mustafa Atee, Tuan Nguyen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review. The objectives are as follows. This paper aims to describe a protocol for a systematic review that will synthesise the qualitative evidence regarding factors influencing the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) management in residential aged care homes (RACHs). The planned systematic review aims to answer the research question: ‘What are the factors influencing the implementation of NPIs in the management of BPSD at RACHs?’. Additionally, the planned systematic review also aims to generate recommendations to guide stakeholders (e.g., clinicians and aged care staff) and …

The Contributions Of Executive Functioning To Handwritten And Keyboarded Compositions In Year 2 Children, Debora S. Valcan, Anabela Malpique, Deborah Pino-Pasternak, Mustafa Asil, Timothy Teo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Writing is a multifaceted skill, recruiting varied cognitive processes that involve working memory, attention shifting and inhibition, also known as executive functioning (EF). Despite emerging research examining associations between EF and handwritten composition, the mediating role of transcription skills on the relation between EF and text composition remains underexplored. Even less is understood about the nature of these potential mediation mechanisms in keyboard-based text composing, a writing modality that is becoming pervasive during the first years of schooling. This study investigated whether the automaticity of inscription skills (handwriting and keyboarding) and spelling mediate the relation between children's EF and text …

Supports Desired By Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Males In Fatherhood: Focussing On The Social And Cultural Determinates Of Health And Well-Being, Jacob Prehn, Michael Andre Guerzoni, Huw Peacock, Mick Adams, Bhiamie Williamson, Len Collard, Kootsy Canuto

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, there is insufficient exploration and understanding of how we can strengthen the critical role played by Indigenous fathers. This paper argues that for Indigenous fathers to feel supported in childrearing, greater attention must be given to their social and cultural determinants of health and well-being. To gain insights into the challenges experienced by Indigenous fathers and the support they require in fatherhood, we primarily apply thematic analysis to data from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). The findings reveal that most fathers identify a social or cultural health and well-being determinant challenging their fatherhood journey. We examine …