Digital Commons Network^™

Allelic Variants Within The Abo Blood Group Phenotype Confer Protection Against Critical Covid-19 Hospital Presentation, Herbert F. Jelinek, Mira Mousa, Nawal Alkaabi, Eman Alefishat, Gihan Daw Elbait, Hussein Kannout, Hiba Alhumaidan, Francis Amirtharaj Selvaraj, Hala Imambaccus, Stefan Weber, Maimunah Uddin, Fatema Abdulkarim, Bassam Mahboub, Guan Tay, Habiba Alsafar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease severity differs widely due to numerous factors including ABO gene-derived susceptibility or resistance. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of the ABO blood group and genetic variations of the ABO gene with COVID-19 severity in a heterogeneous hospital population sample from the United Arab Emirates, with the use of an epidemiological and candidate gene approach from a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 646 participants who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were recruited from multiple hospitals and population-based (quarantine …

Fabrication And Characterization Of A Ph-Sensitive Intelligent Film Incorporating Dragon Fruit Skin Extract, Nurnabila Afiqah Azlim, Abdorreza Mohammadi Nafchi, Nazila Oladzadabbasabadi, Fazilah Ariffin, Pantea Ghalambor, Shima Jafarzadeh, A. A. Al-Hassan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A novel intelligent pH-sensing indicator based on gelatin film and anthocyanin extracted from dragon fruit skin (Hylocereus polyrhizus) (DFSE) as a natural dye was developed to monitor food freshness by the casting method. Anthocyanin content of DFSE was 15.66 ± 1.59 mg/L. Dragon fruit bovine gelatin films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moisture content, mechanical properties, water solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), light transmittance, color, and pH-sensing evaluations were evaluated for potential application. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the extracted anthocyanin could interact with the other film components through hydrogen …

Walking Football During Ramadan Fasting For Cardiometabolic And Psychological Health Benefits To The Physically Challenged And Aged Populations, Sueziani Binte Zainudin, Dee Dee A. Salle, Abdul Rashid Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Concurrent exercise and intermittent fasting regimens for long periods have been shown to enhance cardiometabolic health in healthy individuals. As exercise and fasting confer health benefits independently, we propose that Muslims who are fasting, especially those experiencing health and clinical challenges, continually engage in physical activity during the Ramadan month. In this opinion piece, we recommend walking football (WF) as the exercise of choice among Muslims who are fasting. WF can be played by any individual regardless of the level of fitness, skills, and age. WF has been shown to elicit cardiovascular and metabolic stress responses, which are suitable for …

Ranging Patterns And Site Fidelity Of Snubfin Dolphins In Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, Alexandra D’Cruz, Chandra Salgado Kent, Kelly Waples, Alexander M. Brown, Sarah A. Marley, Deborah Thiele, Holly C. Raudino, Yawuru Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate, Broome, Wa, Australia

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

For long-lived species such as marine mammals, having sufficient data on ranging patterns and space use in a timescale suitable for population management and conservation can be difficult. Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay in the northwest of Western Australia supports one of the largest known populations of Australian snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni)—a species with a limited distribution, vulnerable conservation status, and high cultural value. Understanding the species’ use of this area will inform management for the long-term conservation of this species. We combined 11 years of data collected from a variety of sources between 2007 and 2020 to assess the ranging patterns …

Breakthrough Of Glycobiology In The 21st Century, Gehendra Mahara, Cuihong Tian, Xiaojia Xu, Jinxiu Zhu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As modern medicine began to emerge at the turn of the 20th century, glycan-based therapies advanced. DNA- and protein-centered therapies became widely available. The research and development of structurally defined carbohydrates have led to new tools and methods that have sparked interest in the therapeutic applications of glycans. One of the latest omics disciplines to emerge in the contemporary post-genomics age is glycomics. In addition, to providing hope for patients and people with different health conditions through a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of common complex diseases, this new specialty in system sciences has much to offer to communities involved …

Impacts Of Atmospheric Stilling And Climate Warming On Cyanobacterial Blooms: An Individual-Based Modelling Approach, Mohammad Hassan Ranjbar, David P. Hamilton, Amir Etemad-Shahidi, Fernanda Helfer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Harmful algal blooms of the freshwater cyanobacteria genus Microcystis are a global problem and are expected to intensify with climate change. In studies of climate change impacts on Microcystis blooms, atmospheric stilling has not been considered. Stilling is expected to occur in some regions of the world with climate warming, and it will affect lake stratification regimes. We tested if stilling could affect water column Microcystis distributions using a novel individual-based model (IBM). Using the IBM coupled to a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, we assessed responses of colonial Microcystis biomass to wind speed decrease and air temperature increase projected under a …

Sinking Seaweed In The Deep Ocean For Carbon Neutrality Is Ahead Of Science And Beyond The Ethics, Aurora M. Ricart, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Kasper Hancke, Nichole N. Price, Pere Masqué, Carlos M. Duarte

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sinking vast amounts of seaweed in the deep ocean is currently being proposed as a promising ocean carbon dioxide removal strategy as well as a natural-based solution to mitigate climate change. Still, marketable carbon offsets through large-scale seaweed sinking in the deep ocean lack documentation and could involve unintended environmental and social consequences. Managing the risks requires a number of urgent actions.

Walking Improvement In Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury With Exoskeleton Robotic Training (Wise): A Randomized Controlled Trial, Dylan J. Edwards, Gail Forrest, Mar Cortes, Margaret M. Weightman, Cristina Sadowsky, Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Kimberly Furman, Amy Bialek, Sara Prokup, John Carlow, Leslie Vanhiel, Laura Kemp, Darrell Musick, Marc Campo, Arun Jayaraman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Study design:

Clinical trial.

Objective:

To demonstrate that a 12-week exoskeleton-based robotic gait training regimen can lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in independent gait speed, in community-dwelling participants with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).

Setting:

Outpatient rehabilitation or research institute.

Methods:

Multi-site (United States), randomized, controlled trial, comparing exoskeleton gait training (12 weeks, 36 sessions) with standard gait training or no gait training (2:2:1 randomization) in chronic iSCI ( > 1 year post injury, AIS-C, and D), with residual stepping ability. The primary outcome measure was change in robot-independent gait speed (10-meter walk test, 10MWT) post 12-week intervention. Secondary …

Faces Of Pain In Dementia: Learnings From A Real-World Study Using A Technology-Enabled Pain Assessment Tool, Mustafa Atee, Kreshnik Hoti, Paola Chivers, Jeffery D. Hughes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Pain is common in people living with dementia (PLWD), including those with limited verbal skills. Facial expressions are key behavioral indicators of the pain experience in this group. However, there is a lack of real-world studies to report the prevalence and associations of pain-relevant facial micro-expressions in PLWD. In this observational retrospective study, pain-related facial features were studied in a sample of 3,144 PLWD [mean age 83.3 years (SD = 9.0); 59.0% female] using the Face domain of PainChek®, a point-of-care medical device application. Pain assessments were completed by 389 users from two national dementia-specific care programs and 34 Australian …

Dosage, Intensity, And Frequency Of Language Therapy For Aphasia: A Systematic Review-Based, Individual Participant Data Network Meta-Analysis, The Rehabilitation And Recovery Of People With Aphasia After Stroke (Release) Collaborators

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Purpose: Optimizing speech and language therapy (SLT) regimens for maximal aphasia recovery is a clinical research priority. We examined associations between SLT intensity (hours/week), dosage (total hours), frequency (days/week), duration (weeks), delivery (face to face, computer supported, individual tailoring, and home practice), content, and language outcomes for people with aphasia.

Methods: Databases including MEDLINE and Embase were searched (inception to September 2015). Published, unpublished, and emerging trials including SLT and ≥ 10 individual participant data on aphasia, language outcomes, and time post-onset were selected. Patient-level data on stroke, language, SLT, and trial risk of bias were independently extracted. …

A Framework Of Lightweight Deep Cross-Connected Convolution Kernel Mapping Support Vector Machines, Qi Wang, Zhaoying Liu, Ting Zhang, Shanshan Tu, Yujian Li, Muhammad Waqas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Deep kernel mapping support vector machines have achieved good results in numerous tasks by mapping features from a low-dimensional space to a high-dimensional space and then using support vector machines for classification. However, the depth kernel mapping support vector machine does not take into account the connection of different dimensional spaces and increases the model parameters. To further improve the recognition capability of deep kernel mapping support vector machines while reducing the number of model parameters, this paper proposes a framework of Lightweight Deep Convolutional Cross-Connected Kernel Mapping Support Vector Machines (LC-CKMSVM). The framework consists of a feature extraction module …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Material Discovery For Clean Energy Future, Reza Maleki, Mohsen Asadnia, Amir Razmjou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted materials design and discovery methods can come to the aid of global concerns for introducing new efficient materials in different applications. Also, a sustainable clean future requires a transition to a low-carbon economy that is material-intensive. AI-assisted methods advent as inexpensive and accelerated methods in the design of new materials for clean energies. Herein, the emerging research area of AI-assisted material discovery with a focus on developing clean energies is discussed. The applications, advantages, and challenges of using AI in material discovery are discussed and the future perspective of using AI in clean energy is studied. This …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Preterm Birth Among Pregnant Women Admitted At The Labor Ward Of The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana, Enoch Odame Anto, Wina Ivy Ofori Boadu, Stephen Opoku, Ebenzer Senu, Valentine Christian Kodzo Tsatsu Tamakloe, Augustine Tawiah, Frank Ankobea, Emmanuel Acheampong, Agartha Odame Anto, Michael Appiah, Yaw Amo Wiafe, Max Efui Annani-Akollor, Christian Obirikorang, Otchere Addai-Mensah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Preterm birth is a global epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of preterm birth among women attending the labor ward for delivery at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among a cohort of 209 pregnant women admitted to the labor ward of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Pregnant women who delivered between 28 and 36 completed weeks of gestation were classified as preterm delivery whereas those who delivered after 37–42 completed weeks were described as term. Sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data were …

Validation Of The Multi-Dimensional Student Perceptions Of School Questionnaire (Mspsq): Early Findings And Next Steps, Mary-Anne Macdonald, Eyal Gringart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research in Indigenous and non-Indigenous education in Australia over the last two decades has begun to turn towards quantitative methods of understanding various factors affecting student outcomes. The current article presents a new measurement instrument, the Multi-Dimensional Student Perceptions of School Questionnaire (MSPSQ), validated with a moderate-sized sample of secondary students in Western Australia (Indigenous: n = 244; non-Indigenous: n = 258; not stated: n = 34). The MSPSQ aimed to measure student perceptions of select experiences within the family, community and school which may factor in school engagement and beliefs regarding normative education behaviour and likely outcomes. Exploratory factor …

Optimum Geological Storage Depths For Structural H2 Geo-Storage, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

H₂ geo-storage has been suggested as a key technology with which large quantities of H₂ can be stored and withdrawn again rapidly. One option which is currently explored is H₂ storage in sedimentary geologic formations which are geographically widespread and potentially provide large storage space. The mechanism which keeps the buoyant H₂ in the subsurface is structural trapping where a caprock prevents the H₂ from rising by capillary forces. It is therefore important to assess how much H₂ can be stored via structural trapping under given geo-thermal conditions. This structural trapping capacity is thus …

Reference-Free Differential Histogram-Correlative Detection Of Steganography: Performance Analysis, Natiq M. Abdali, Zahir M. Hussain

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of utilizing neural networks for detect tampering in images. However, because accessing a database is complex, which is needed in the classification process to detect tampering, reference-free steganalysis attracted attention. In recent work, an approach for least significant bit (LSB) steganalysis has been presented based on analyzing the derivatives of the histogram correlation. In this paper, we further examine this strategy for other steganographic methods. Detecting image tampering in the spatial domain, such as image steganography. It is found that the above approach could be applied successfully to other kinds of steganography with different …

Changes In Body Composition In Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma And The Relationship With Activity Levels And Dietary Intake, Emily Jeffery, Y. C. Gary Lee, Robert U. Newton, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Joanne Mcveigh, Deirdre B. Fitzgerald, Leon Straker, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Skeletal muscle loss is common in advanced cancer and is associated with negative outcomes. In malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), no study has reported body composition changes or factors associated with these changes. This study aimed to describe changes in body composition over time and its relationship with activity levels, dietary intake and survival.

Methods:

The study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a longitudinal observational study of patients with MPM. Participants completed 3-month assessments for up to 18 months. Participants with two dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were included. Changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and …

Connectivity Shapes Functional Diversity And Maintains Complementarity In Surf Zones On Exposed Coasts, Christopher J. Henderson, Ben L. Gilby, Andrew D. Olds, Jesse Mosman, Rod M. Connolly, Glenn Hyndes, Brendan Kelaher, Brooke Maslo, Alan Williams, Thomas A. Schlacher

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Habitat complexity and connectivity can influence the number of species and their diversity across a landscape. For the surf zones of ocean-exposed beaches, globally one of the longest habitat interfaces, the assumed low structural complexity, and apparent homogeneity, of the sandy seafloor habitats predicts low taxonomic and functional diversity. Here, we assessed how the configuration of the seascape and the context of different beach structure functional diversity and functional niche space of fish assemblages in surf zones. We expected that beaches that were well connected with highly productive and complex estuarine and reef habitats would support a greater level of …

Comparison Of Weightlifting, Traditional Resistance Training And Plyometrics On Strength, Power And Speed: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Stephanie J. Morris, Jon L. Oliver, Jason S. Pedley, G. Gregory Haff, Rhodri S. Lloyd

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Weightlifting training (WLT) is commonly used to improve strength, power and speed in athletes. However, to date, WLT studies have either not compared training effects against those of other training methods, or been limited by small sample sizes, which are issues that can be resolved by pooling studies in a meta-analysis. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of WLT compared with traditional resistance training (TRT), plyometric training (PLYO) and/or control (CON) on strength, power and speed.

Methods:

The systematic review included peer-reviewed articles that employed a WLT intervention, a comparison group …

Quadriceps Muscle Fatigue Reduces Extension And Flexion Power During Maximal Cycling, Steven J. O'Bryan, Janet L. Taylor, Jessica M. D'Amico, David M. Rouffet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

To investigate how quadriceps muscle fatigue affects power production over the extension and flexion phases and muscle activation during maximal cycling.

Methods:

Ten participants performed 10-s maximal cycling efforts without fatigue and after 120 bilateral maximal concentric contractions of the quadriceps muscles. Extension power, flexion power and electromyographic (EMG) activity were compared between maximal cycling trials. We also investigated the associations between changes in quadriceps force during isometric maximal voluntary contractions (IMVC) and power output (flexion and extension) during maximal cycling, in addition to interindividual variability in muscle activation and pedal force profiles.

Results:

Quadriceps IMVC (−52 ± 21%, …

Determinants Of Sme’S Social Media Marketing Adoption: Competitive Industry As A Moderator, Ghazanfar Ali Abbasi, Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim, Hongyan Wu, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Benjamin Ng Chee Keong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In light of the growing role of social media marketing in the success of businesses and its low adoption rate among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this study aims to identify determinants of SMEs’ social media marketing adoption by considering the competitive industry as a moderator. Data were collected from 214 SMEs in Malaysia. Unlike extant literature, this study proposed a dual-stage analysis involving partial least squares (PLS) technique and artificial intelligence named deep artificial neural network (ANN). The application of deep ANN architecture is used to predict 91% of accuracy for the proposed model. The results showed that perceived …

Investigating Secondary Mathematics Teachers’ Analogies To Function, Vesife Hatisaru

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigates the analogies used by a sample of secondary mathematics teachers when they described the concept of function. The study is concerned with understanding what analogies were used by the participant teachers and conceptions of functions positioned in those analogies. Using examples from a set of responses to five open-ended questionnaire items, the article presents the main analogies found in the descriptions of the participant teachers and examines ways in which these are structurally mapped to function by applying Gentner’s structure-mapping theory of analogy. Among those discussed are the child–mother linkage and machine/factory analogies. Of interest is the …

Haemodiafiltration And Haemodialysis Should Be Reported Separately By Kidney Replacement Therapy Registries, Ulrich Steinwandel, Hugh Davies, Nicholas Gibson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Into The Measurement Properties Of The King-Devick Eye Tracking System, M. Hecimovich, D. King, Myles Murphy, K. Koyoma

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Eye tracking has been gaining increasing attention as a possible assessment and monitoring tool for concussion. The King-Devick test (K-DT) was expanded to include an infrared video-oculography-based eye tracker (K-D ET). Therefore, the aim was to provide evidence on the reliability of the K-D ET system under an exercise condition. Methods: Participants (N = 61; 26 male, 35 female; age range 19-25) were allocated to an exercise or sedentary group. Both groups completed a baseline K-D ET measurement and then either two 10-min exercise or sedentary interventions with repeated K-D ET measurements between interventions. Results: The test-retest reliability of …

Automatic And Fast Classification Of Barley Grains From Images: A Deep Learning Approach, Syed Afaq Ali Shah, Hao Luo, Putu Dita Pickupana, Alexander Ekeze, Ferdous Sohel, Hamid Laga, Chengdao Li, Blakely Paynter, Penghao Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia has a reputation for producing a reliable supply of high-quality barley in a contaminant-free climate. As a result, Australian barley is highly sought after by malting, brewing, distilling, and feed industries worldwide. Barley is traded as a variety-specific commodity on the international market for food, brewing and distilling end-use, as the intrinsic quality of the variety determines its market value. Manual identification of barley varieties by the naked eye is challenging and time-consuming for all stakeholders, including growers, grain handlers and traders. Current industrial methods for identifying barley varieties include molecular protein weights or DNA based technology, which are …

Multimedia Security And Privacy Protection In The Internet Of Things: Research Developments And Challenges, Wencheng Yang, Song Wang, Jiankun Hu, Nickson M. Karie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

With the rapid growth of the internet of things (IoT), huge amounts of multimedia data are being generated from and/or exchanged through various IoT devices, systems and applications. The security and privacy of multimedia data have, however, emerged as key challenges that have the potential to impact the successful deployment of IoT devices in some data-sensitive applications. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive survey on multimedia data security and privacy protection in the IoT. First, we classify multimedia data into different types and security levels according to application areas. Then, we analyse and discuss the existing multimedia data protection …

An International Survey On The Use Of Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator/Dnase Therapy For Pleural Infection, Estee P.M. Lau, Matin Eshraghi, Kirstie Dootson, Cindy Yeoh, Wint Ywe Phu, Gary Y.C. Lee, Natalia D. Popowicz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) combined with human recombinant DNase (DNase) could be an effective alternative to surgery in managing pleural infection, as demonstrated in the Multi-centre Intrapleural Sepsis Trial (MIST)-2. However, the optimal delivery regimen is still unknown. The aim of this survey was to identify the current practice of tPA/DNase use by physicians with published interests in pleural infection, and their opinions on dose de-escalation of tPA/DNase therapy. Methods Potential participants were identified using four search strategies. Only practising physicians who were managing patients with pleural infections and either actively involved in pleural research and publications, or …

Challenging And Confronting: The Role Of Humanities In Fostering Critical Thinking, Cultural Competency And An Evolution Of Worldview In Enabling Education, Lydia Edwards, Brendan Ritchie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Humanities discourse forms part of several Australian academic enabling programs, either embedded within the broader curriculum, or as part of a standalone unit. Within Edith Cowan University’s UniPrep course, an introductory Humanities unit is offered to students as one of two electives alongside three other core units. The unit introduces students to key concepts within the Humanities, exploring disciplines such as ethics, philosophy, language, history, religion, politics, law, Indigenous studies and fine arts. In addition to offering students an understanding of these disciplines, studying Humanities within the context of an academic enabling program can provide students with several other benefits. …

Modeling Digital Camera Monitoring Count Data With Intermittent Zeros For Short-Term Prediction, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Ute Mueller

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Digital camera monitoring has revolutionised survey designs in many fields, as an important source of information. The extended sampling coverage offered by this monitoring scheme makes it preferable compared to other traditional methods of survey. However, data obtained from digital camera monitoring are often highly variable, and characterized by sparse periods of zero counts, interspersed with missing observations due to outages. In practice, missing data of relatively shorter duration are mostly observed and are often imputed using interpolation techniques, ignoring long-term trends leading to inherent estimation biases. In this study, we investigated time series forecasting methods that adequately handle intermittency …

Physical Activity And Glioma: A Case–Control Study With Follow-Up For Survival, Zohreh Basiri, Yi Yang, Fiona J. Bruinsma, Anna K. Nowak, Kerrie L. Mcdonald, Katharine J. Drummond, Mark A. Rosenthal, Eng-Siew Koh, Rosemary Harrup, Elizabeth Hovey, David Joseph, Geza Benke, Robyn Leonard, Robert J. Macinnis, Roger L. Milne, Graham G. Giles, Claire M. Vajdic, Brigid M. Lynch

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

High-grade disease accounts for ~ 70% of all glioma, and has a high mortality rate. Few modifiable exposures are known to be related to glioma risk or mortality.

Methods:

We examined associations between lifetime physical activity and physical activity at different ages (15–18 years, 19–29 years, 30–39 years, last 10 years) with the risk of glioma diagnosis, using data from a hospital-based family case–control study (495 cases; 371 controls). We followed up cases over a median of 25 months to examine whether physical activity was associated with all-cause mortality. Physical activity and potential confounders were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. …