Digital Commons Network^™

Monitoring Quality Of Care In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Modified Delphi Consensus, Ashika D. Maharaj, John Lubel, Eileen Lam, Paul J. Clark, Oliver Duncan, Jacob George, Gary P. Jeffrey, Lara Lipton, Howard Liu, Geoffrey Mccaughan, Eu-Ling Neo, Jennifer Philip, Simone I. Strasser, Katherine Stuart, Alexander Thompson, Jonathan Tibballs, Thomas Tu, Michael C. Wallace, Alan Wigg, Marnie Wood, Amany Zekry, Elysia Greenhill, Liane J. Ioannou, Golo Ahlenstiel, Kaye Bowers, Stephen J. Clarke, Anouk Dev, Michael Fink, Mark Goodwin, Christos S. Karapetis, Miriam T. Levy, Kate Muller, James O'Beirne, David Pryor, James Seow, Nicholas Shackel, Caroline Tallis, Nick Butler, John K. Olynyk, Kate Reed-Cox, John R. Zalcberg, Stuart K. Roberts

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Although there are several established international guidelines on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is limited information detailing specific indicators of good quality care. The aim of this study was to develop a core set of quality indicators (QIs) to underpin the management of HCC. We undertook a modified, two-round, Delphi consensus study comprising a working group and experts involved in the management of HCC as well as consumer representatives. QIs were derived from an extensive review of the literature. The role of the participants was to identify the most important and measurable QIs for inclusion in an HCC …

Resistant Starch As A Dietary Intervention To Limit The Progression Of Diabetic Kidney Disease, Anna M. Drake, Melinda T. Coughlan, Claus T. Christophersen, Matthew Snelson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and as the number of individuals with diabetes increases there is a concomitant increase in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Diabetes contributes to the development of DKD through a number of pathways, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and the gut-kidney axis, which may be amenable to dietary therapy. Resistant starch (RS) is a dietary fibre that alters the gut microbial consortium, leading to an increase in the microbial production of short chain fatty acids. Evidence from animal and human studies indicate that short chain fatty acids are able to attenuate inflammatory …

The Effects Of Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise And Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp On Osteoglycin Levels In Young And Middle-Aged Men, Carlie Bauer, Alexander Tacey, Andrew Garnham, Cassandra Smith, Mary N. Woessner, Xuzhu Lin, Navabeh Zarekookandeh, David L. Hare, Joshua R. Lewis, Lewan Parker, Itamar Levinger

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Osteoglycin (OGN) is a leucine-rich proteoglycan that has been implicated in the regulation of glucose in animal models. However, its relationship with glucose control in humans is unclear. We examined the effect of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp on circulating levels of OGN as well as whether circulating OGN levels are associated with markers of glycemic control and cardio-metabolic health. Serum was analyzed for OGN (ELISA) levels from 9 middle-aged obese men (58.1 ± 2.2 years, body mass index [BMI] = 33.1 ± 1.4 kg∙m ^{− 2}, mean ± SEM) and 9 young men (27.8 ± 1.6 …

Spectrophotometric Methods For Measurement Of Antioxidant Activity In Food And Pharmaceuticals, Marios C. Christodoulou, Jose C. Orellana Palacios, Golnaz Hesami, Shima Jafarzadeh, José M. Lorenzo, Rubén Domínguez, Andres Moreno, Milad Hadidi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of antioxidants in food and pharmaceuticals due to their association with beneficial health effects against numerous oxidative-related human diseases. The antioxidant potential can be measured by various assays with specific mechanisms of action, including hydrogen atom transfer, single electron transfer, and targeted scavenging activities. Understanding the chemistry of mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of the methods is critical for the proper selection of techniques for the valid assessment of antioxidant activity in specific samples or conditions. There are various analytical techniques available for determining the antioxidant activity of biological …

Apoe Ε2 Resilience For Alzheimer’S Disease Is Mediated By Plasma Lipid Species: Analysis Of Three Independent Cohort Studies, Tingting Wang, Kevin Huynh, Corey Giles, Natalie A. Mellett, Thy Duong, Anh Nguyen, Wei L. F. Lim, Alex A. T. Smith, Gavriel Olshansky, Gemma Cadby, Joseph Hung, Jennie Hui, John Beilby, Gerald F. Watts, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Ian Martins, Simon Laws, Ashley I. Bush, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Kevin Taddei, Vincent Doré, Jürgen Fripp, Matthias Arnold, Gabi Kastenmüller, Kwangsik Nho, Andrew J. Saykin, Rebecca Baillie, Xianlin Han, Ralph N. Martins, Eric K. Moses, Rima Kaddurah-Daouk, Peter J. Meikle

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. However, its effect on lipid metabolic pathways, and their mediating effect on disease risk, is poorly understood.

Methods:

We performed lipidomic analysis on three independent cohorts (the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle [AIBL] flagship study, n = 1087; the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative [ADNI] 1 study, n = 819; and the Busselton Health Study [BHS], n = 4384), and we defined associations between APOE ε2 and ε4 and 569 plasma/serum lipid species. Mediation analysis defined the proportion of the treatment effect of the APOE …

Everyday Life With Childhood Functional Constipation: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Parents' Experiences, Gunilla Flankegård, Evalotte Mörelius, Patrik Rytterström

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Childhood functional constipation (FC) is a worldwide problem with treatment regiments affecting everyday life. Aim: To explore parents´ experiences of living with a child with FC and its impact on everyday family life. Method: A qualitative phenomenological interview study using a reflective lifeworld research approach. Interviews with 15 parents of otherwise healthy children aged 1–14 years affected by FC. Findings: Shame is the driving force making parents put everyday life on hold. The quest for control, self-imposed loneliness, guilt, inadequacy, and frustrating battles become essential parts of everyday life to protect it from FC-related shame. Conclusion: FC has as great …

Factors Impacting Sme Business Resilience Post-Covid-19, Kerry Brown, Ferry Jie, Thi Le, Jalleh Sharafizad, Fleur Sharafizad, Subhadarsini Parida

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The ability of an organization to respond to a crisis with agility is vital for business leaders to maintain business continuity. Our paper examined how business owners responded to the challenges caused by the pandemic. Using online surveys for data collection, we investigated a critical agility issue of supply chain risks through understanding the interrelationship of various business capability factors. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was applied to a sample of 220 participants who were owners of micro, small, and medium businesses in Western Australia. The findings showed that the businesses’ efficiency, financial strength, and flexibility in sourcing affected …

Force Plate-Derived Countermovement Jump Normative Data And Benchmarks For Professional Rugby League Players, John J. Mcmahon, Nicholas J. Ripley, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an important test in rugby league (RL), and the force plate is the recommended assessment device, as it permits the calculation of several variables that explain jump strategy, alongside jump height. The purpose of this study was to produce normative CMJ data and objective benchmarks for professional RL forwards and backs. Normative data for jump height, modified reactive strength index, and jump momentum are provided for 121 professional RL players (66 forwards and 55 backs) who completed CMJ testing on a portable force plate during preseason training. Standardized T-scores (scaled from 0 to 100) were …

A Review On N-Doped Biochar For Oxidative Degradation Of Organic Contaminants In Wastewater By Persulfate Activation, Yaxuan Gao, Wenran Gao, Haonan Zhu, Haoran Chen, Shanshan Yan, Ming Zhao, Hongqi Sun, Junjie Zhang, Shu Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Persulfate-based advanced oxidation process is the most efficient and commonly used technology to remove organic contaminants in wastewater. Due to the large surface area, unique electronic properties, abundant N functional groups, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness, N-doped biochars (NBCs) are widely used as catalysts for persulfate activation. This review focuses on the NBC for oxidative degradation of organics-contaminated wastewater. Firstly, the preparation and modification methods of NBCs were reviewed. Then the catalytic performance of NBCs and modified NBCs on the oxidation degradation of organic contaminants were discussed with an emphasis on the degradation mechanism. We further summarized the detection technologies …

Crispr/Cas-Mediated Editing Of Cis-Regulatory Elements For Crop Improvement, Sumbul Saeed, Babar Usman, Su-Hyeon Shim, Shahid Ullah Khan, Sabzoi Nizamuddin, Sundus Saeed, Yasira Shoaib, Jong-Seong Jeon, Ki-Hong Jung

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To improve future agricultural production, major technological advances are required to increase crop production and yield. Targeting the coding region of genes via the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated Protein (CRISPR/Cas) system has been well established and has enabled the rapid generation of transgene-free plants, which can lead to crop improvement. The emergence of the CRISPR/Cas system has also enabled scientists to achieve cis-regulatory element (CRE) editing and, consequently, engineering endogenous critical CREs to modulate the expression of target genes. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified the domestication of natural CRE variants to regulate complex agronomic quantitative traits and …

Increased Nitrate Intake From Beetroot Juice Does Not Alter Soluble Cellular Adhesion Molecules And Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines In Individuals With Treated Hypertension: A Randomised, Controlled Trial, Kyle Raubenheimer, Alex H. Liu, Henrietta Koch, Erika Bosio, Nicola P. Bondonno, Vance Matthews, Marc Sim, Lauren Blekkenhorst, Richard J. Woodman, Kevin Murray, Kevin Croft, Oliver Neubauer, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Catherine P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Dietary nitrate, found predominantly in green leafy vegetables and other vegetables such as radish, celery, and beetroot, has been shown to beneficially modulate inflammatory processes and immune cell function in animals and healthy individuals. The impact of increased nitrate intake on soluble inflammatory mediators in individuals with hypertension is unclear. We assessed whether the daily consumption of dietary nitrate via beetroot juice for 1-week lowered levels of circulating inflammatory markers in men and women with treated hypertension. Twenty-seven male and female participants were recruited to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. The effects of 1-week intake of nitrate-rich beetroot juice …

Applications Of Disruptive Digital Technologies In Hotel Industry: A Systematic Review, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Morteza Ghobakhloo, Mehrbakhsh Nilashi, Ming-Lang Tseng, Elaheh Yadegaridehkordi, Nelson Leung

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aims to review and synthesise the contributions of disruptive digital technologies to hotel performance. A sample of 3,914 articles was extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. After screening by two content assessors, a total of 79 articles related to the applications and adverse impacts of digital technologies in the hotel industry were identified and reviewed. The study synthesised the literature on the contributions of various technologies to six hotel performance dimensions: financial, competitiveness, quality of service, resource utilisation, flexibility, and innovation. The directions for future studies were suggested based on the identified gaps in existing …

Comparison Of Protein Extraction Protocols And Allergen Mapping From Black Soldier Fly Hermetia Illucens, Utpal Bose, James A. Broadbent, Angéla Juhász, Shaymaviswanathan Karnaneedi, Elecia B. Johnston, Sally Stockwell, Keren Byrne, Vachiranee Limviphuvadh, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Andreas L. Lopata, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Exploration of important insect proteins — including allergens — and proteomes can be limited by protein extraction buffer selection and the complexity of the proteome. Herein, LC-MS/MS-based proteomics experiments were used to assess the protein extraction efficiencies for a suite of extraction buffers and the effect of ingredient processing on proteome and allergen detection. Discovery proteomics revealed that SDS-based buffer yields the maximum number of protein groups from three types of BSF samples. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that buffer composition and ingredient processing could influence allergen detection. Upon applying multi-level filtering criteria, 33 putative allergens were detected by comparing the detected …

Genetic Correlation And Causality Assessment Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Coronary Artery Disease-Related Traits, Wole Akosile, Emmanuel Adewuyi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Consistent evidence from observational studies supports a risk-increasing association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the mechanisms underlying their relationship remain poorly understood. This study assesses the genetic correlation and potential causal relationship between PTSD and CAD-related traits. We analysed genome-wide associated study summary data of PTSD (cases = 23,212, controls = 151,447) with CAD-related traits (sample size up to 408,458 individuals) to achieve our study objectives. Findings revealed a significant and positive genetic correlation between PTSD and CAD (rG = 0.19, p = 3.47 × 10 – 2), and between PTSD and CAD traits …

Is The Reputation Of Eucalyptus Plantations For Using More Water Than Pinus Plantations Justified?, Donald A. White, Shiqi Ren, Daniel S. Mendham, Francisco Balocchi-Contreras, Richard P. Silberstein, Dean Meason, Andrés Iroumé, Pablo Ramirez De Arellano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The effect of Eucalyptus plantations on water balance is thought to be more severe than for commercial alternatives such as Pinus species. Although this perception is firmly entrenched, even in the scientific community, only four direct comparisons of the effect on the water balance of a Eucalyptus species and a commercial alternative have been published. One of these, from South Africa, showed that Eucalyptus grandis caused a larger and more rapid reduction in streamflow than Pinus patula. The other three, one in South Australia and two in Chile, did not find any significant difference between the annual evapotranspiration of E. …

Industrial Attachment And Human Capital Of Higher Education Students: Constraints Of Ghanaian Technical Universities, Victor Fannam Nunfam, Norbert Adja Kwabena Adjei, Hafiz Adam, John Frank Eshun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The paucity of empirical evidence on the limitations of the industrial attachment programme of technical universities for enhancing students' human capital in Africa tends to thwart concrete policy options. Design/methodology/approach: The study used the convergent mixed methods including 594 surveys, two focus groups and in-depth interviews to assess and accentuate the research gap in this study. Findings: Evidence of constraints linked to the industrial attachment programme for developing students' human capital needs include limited funding, logistics and incentive for supervision, incompatible placement and exploitation and sexual harassment of students. Insufficient duration and intrusion of the industrial attachment programme due …

Contrasting Particle Fluxes And Composition In A Submarine Canyon Affected By Natural Sediment Transport Events And Bottom Trawling, Sarah Paradis, Marta Arjona-Camas, Miguel Goñi, Albert Palanques, Pere Masqué, Pere Puig

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Submarine canyons are important conduits of sediment and organic matter to deep-sea environments, mainly during high-energy natural events such as storms, river floods, or dense shelf water cascading, but also due to human activities such as bottom trawling. The contributions of natural and trawling-induced sediment and organic matter inputs into Palamós Canyon (NW Mediterranean) were assessed from three instrumented moorings deployed in the axis and northern flank of the canyon covering the trawling closure (February) and the trawling season (March-December) of 2017. During the trawling closure, large sediment fluxes with high contents of labile marine organic matter content were registered …

Benefits Of Supportive Strategies For Carers Of People With High-Grade Glioma: A Systematic Review: Strategies For Addressing The Needs Of High-Grade Glioma Carers, Diana Jones, Mark B. Pinkham, Matthew P. Wallen, Nicolas H. Hart, Ria Joseph, Esben Strodl, Tamara Ownsworth, Vanessa Beesley, Megan Crichton, Raymond J. Chan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3–4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers …

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is A Risk Factor For Lower-Limb And Back Injury In Law Enforcement Officers Commencing Their Basic Training: A Prospective Cohort Study, Myles C. Murphy, Nicole Merrick, Andrea B. Mosler, Garth Allen, Paola Chivers, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We aimed to report the epidemiology of lower-limb and lumbosacral injuries in Police Force recruits. We performed a cohort study of Police Force recruits undergoing a six-month training program with prospective injury data collected between 2018 and 2021. Cardiorespiratory fitness was quantified by the beep-test and police-specific-functional-capacity was quantified using a specifically designed physical performance evaluation (PPE) tool. Injury frequency and prevalence were reported. Fifteen percent (n = 180) of study Police Force recruits (n = 1,181) sustained a lower-limb or lumbosacral injury. The six-month training program significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001) and functional capacity (p < 0.001). Increased cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline decreased injury risk (OR = 0.8, 95%CI: 0.66–0.97, p = 0.019). Injury rates decreased over time and females were injured significantly earlier than males (HR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.52 to 0.95, p = 0.021). Interventions that can pre-condition Police Force recruits prior to the commencement of their basic physical training may reduce the number of lower-limb and lumbosacral injuries.

Epidemiological Patterns Of Cannabis- And Substance- Related Congenital Uronephrological Anomalies In Europe: Geospatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Recent reports linking prenatal and community cannabis exposure to elevated uronephrological congenital anomaly (UCA) rates (UCAR’s) raise the question of its European epidemiology given recent increases in community cannabinoid penetration there.

Methods:

UCAR data from Eurocat. Drug use data from European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income from World bank.

Results:

UCAR increased across Spain, Netherlands, Poland and France. UCAR’s and cannabis resin THC increased simultaneously in France, Spain, Netherlands and Bulgaria. At bivariate analysis all UCA’s were related to cannabis herb and resin THC concentrations. All UCAR’s were bivariately related to cannabis metrics ordered by median …

Human Journeys In The Digital Age: Advances And Challenges In Digital Historical Migration Studies, Paul Longley Arthur, Isabel Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Accelerations in migration, mobility, and processes of globalization in recent decades have intersected with parallel developments in information and communications technology (ICT). These advances have had profound influences on historical and cultural research. With reference to a diverse range of international projects, this paper outlines major directions and opportunities in the growing field of Digital Historical Migration Studies (DHMS). The “digital turn” brings opportunities for integrating data on macro and micro scales, and finding new ways to combine and explore tensions between quantitative and qualitative materials, and between external observations of migrants and migration and self-representations by migrants. The plural …

Insight Into Nano-Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery From Carbonate Reservoirs Using Environmentally Friendly Nanomaterials, Ali Ahmadi, Abbas Khaksar Manshad, Jagar A. Ali, Stefan Iglauer, S. Mohammad Sajadi, Alireza Keshavarz, Amir H. Mohammadi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes is very effective in reducing the interfacial tension (IFT) and surface tension (ST) and altering the wettability of reservoir rocks. The main purpose of this study was to use the newly synthesized nanocomposites (KCl / SiO₂ / Xanthan NCs) in EOR applications. Several analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were applied to confirm the validity of the synthesized NCs. From the synthesized NCs, nanofluids were prepared at different concentrations of 100-2000 ppm and characterized using electrical conductivity, IFT, …

The Effects Of A Unilateral Strength And Power Training Intervention On Inter-Limb Asymmetry And Physical Performance In Male Amateur Soccer Players, Francesco Bettariga, Luca Maestroni, Luca Martorelli, Paul Jarvis, Anthony Turner, Chris Bishop

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the effects of a unilateral training program in reducing inter-limb asymmetry in male soccer players; (b) to explore such effects on measures of physical performance and unilateral inter-limb asymmetry. Twenty-four soccer players, randomly assigned to a 6-week unilateral strength and power training (UNI) (n = 12) or a control group (CON) (n = 12), performed single countermovement jump (SLCMJ), single leg broad jump (SLBJ), single leg drop jump (SLDJ), 10-m sprint, and 505 change of direction (COD) speed test. Raw jump scores revealed small to large improvements in SLCMJ, SLBJ, and …

Death At Sea - The True Rate Of Occupational Fatality Within The Australian Commercial Fishing Industry, Greg Penney, William Byrne, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Although the safety performance of the Australian commercial fishing industry has been the subject of multiple investigations, it has ultimately remained undefined. While most Australian industries notify industry regulators of significant workplace incidents and injuries in their operations, the majority of persons in the commercial fishing industry are contractors who are paid piecework and in some jurisdictions specifically excluded from the worker compensation legislation, meaning that most occupational injuries, including fatalities, are not captured in the centralized worker compensation data sets. This study presents the analysis of a systematic review of industry databases, published academic, and, Australian coroners reports to …

Dysnatremia Is Associated With Increased Risk Of All-Cause Mortality Within 365 Days Post-Discharge In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Without Heart Failure: A Prospective Cohort Study, Yan Zhou, Dong Lin, Shiwan Wu, Jiaxin Xiao, Min Yu, Zhongbo Xiao, Muli Wu, Zhisheng Chen, Cuihong Tian, Rongbing Chen, Yequn Chen, Xuerui Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum sodium concentrations at hospital admission and all-cause mortality within 365 days post-discharge in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) without heart failure (HF). Methods: The prospective cohort study enrolled 1,446 patients with AF without HF between November 2018 and October 2020. A follow-up was performed 30, 90, 180, and 365 days after enrollment through outpatient visits or telephone interviews. All-cause mortality was estimated in three groups according to serum sodium concentrations: hyponatremia ( < 135 mmol/L), normonatremia (135 – 145 mmol/L), and hypernatremia ( > 145 mmol/L). We estimated the risk of all-cause mortalities using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional …

Nursing In A Different World: Remote Area Nursing As A Specialist–Generalist Practice Area, Kylie Mccullough, Sara Bayes, Lisa Whitehead, Anne Williams, Vicki Cope

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective

Remote area nurses provide primary health care services to isolated communities across Australia. They manage acute health issues, chronic illness, health promotion and emergency responses. This article discusses why their generalist scope of practice should be formally recognised as a specialist nursing practice area.

Design

Constructivist grounded theory, using telephone interviews (n = 24) with registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

Setting

Primary health care clinics, in communities of 150–1500 residents across Australia.

Participants

A total of 24 nurses participated in this study.

Results

Nurses' perceived their clinical knowledge and skill as insufficient for the advanced, generalist, scope of …

Non-Destructive Evaluation Of Mortar With Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Blended Cement Using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, Chi Kang Loke, Barry Lehane, Farhad Aslani, Subhra Majhi, Abhijit Mukherjee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Non-destructive evaluation using ultrasonic pulse velocity (V_p) testing has extensive applications in the concrete industry. With advances in construction technology, the use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as a partial replacement to cement in a concrete mix is growing in popularity primarily because it reduces the initial capital cost of raw materials and the associated energy costs. This paper investigates the effect of the water-to-cement (w_c) ratio and the cement content replaced by GGBFS on the development with time of the ultimate compressive strength ((Formula presented.)) and the compression wave velocity (V …

Location Verification For Future Wireless Vehicular Networks: Research Directions And Challenges, Shihao Yan, Ullah Ihsan, Robert Malaney, Linlin Sun, Stefano Tomasin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vehicle location information obtained through the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) will play a pivotal role in emerging vehicular networks. This vital information is, however, susceptible to a host of unwanted manipulations, especially if a malicious entity is involved. The most obvious example of such manipulations is the forwarding by a malicious vehicle of false GNSS locations to other members of the network. Such events can lead to poor operational outcomes for the vehicular network, and in extreme cases even lead to catastrophic safety violations. Here, we highlight research efforts pursued in the past few years that have attempted to …

Children’S Identity Work In Daily Singing-Based Music Classes: A Case Study Of An Australian Boys’ School, Jason Goopy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Music can be a powerful activity and resource in a child’s ongoing identity construction. Rather than something that people have, musical identities are understood to be something people enact and continually work on. The correlation between musical identities and developing music skills raises serious questions regarding the possibilities and responsibilities for school music education and music teachers to positively contribute to children’s emerging identities. This study investigates how daily singing-based music classes at an Australian boys’ school shape and support children’s identity work. Research was conducted using one-on-one semistructured interviews incorporating a “draw and tell” artifact elicitation technique with seven …

Prevalence Of Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis In An Australian Adult Population: A Community-Based Study, Lisia B. Ferreira, João M. Furtado, Jason Charng, Maria Franchina, Janet M. Matthews, Aus A. L. Molan, Michael Hunter, David A. Mackey, Justine R. Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is the most common clinical manifestation of an infection with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Up to 50 % of the human population is estimated to be infected with T. gondii; however, the epidemiology of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis has not been widely reported. We sought to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in Australia using data that were collected as part of the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study. Design: oss-sectional, community-based, prospective cohort study. Participants: 5020 Australian adults (2264 men and 2756 women; age range, 45–69 years, and median age, 58 years). Methods : Retinal color photographs, centered on …