Digital Commons Network^™

Follow-Up Plasma Apolipoprotein E Levels In The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers And Lifestyle Flagship Study Of Ageing (Aibl) Cohort, Veer B. Gupta, V.B, Andrea C. Wilson, Samantha Burnham, Eugene Hone, Steve Pedrini, Simon M. Laws, Wei L.F. Lim, Alan Rembach, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, David Ames, Lynne Cobiac, S L. Macaulay, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Ashley I. Bush, Ralph Martins, Aibl Research Group

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing socioeconomic problem worldwide. Early diagnosis and prevention of this devastating disease have become a research priority. Consequently, the identification of clinically significant and sensitive blood biomarkers for its early detection is very important. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a well-known and established genetic risk factor for late-onset AD; however, the impact of the protein level on AD risk is unclear. We assessed the utility of plasma ApoE protein as a potential biomarker of AD in the large, well-characterised Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing (AIBL) cohort. Methods: Total plasma ApoE levels were …

The Role Of Apoe-Ε4 And Beta Amyloid In The Differential Rate Of Recovery From Ect : A Review, T. A. Sutton, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, S. M. Bird, M. Weinborn, Ralph Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Individual biological differences may contribute to the variability of outcomes, including cognitive effects, observed following electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). A narrative review of the research literature on carriage of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE-ε4) and the protein biomarker beta amyloid (Aβ) with ECT cognitive outcome was undertaken. ECT induces repeated brain seizures and there is debate as to whether this causes brain injury and long-term cognitive disruption. The majority of ECT is administered to the elderly (over age 65 years) with drug-resistant depression. Depression in the elderly may be a symptom of the prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease …

Failure Of Science, Death Of Nature, H.F. Recher

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

As a people, Australians have lost contact with the world of nature, Risking the collapse of civilization. One factor in the alienation of nature in Australia is the failure of the scientific community to take responsibility for the technology created by the knowledge generated from scientific research. Science has failed to protect Australia's flora and fauna. Scientists must communicate more widely with society, but need to be educated on how to communicate and on their ethical responsibilities to others and other species. Government needs to show leadership in environmental management and nature conservation, while conservationists need to 'invert the paradigm', …

Volume Reduction Of Municipal Solid Wastes Contaminated With Radioactive Cesium By Ferrocyanide Coprecipitation Technique, Y. Fujikawa, H. Ozaki, H. Tsuno, P. Wei, A. Fujinaga, R. Takanami, S. Taniguchi, S. Kimura, R.R. Giri, Paul Lewtas

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Municipal solid wastes (MSW) with elevated concentrations of radioactive cesium (rad-Cs hereafter) have been generated in some areas of Japan in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1 hereafter) accident. Both recycling and final disposal of the contaminated MSW have become a difficult problem in the affected areas, resulting in accumulation of treated residues in the treatment facilities. The rad-Cs in MSW, especially fly ash, often showed a high leaching rate. Extraction of contaminated MSW with water or hot oxalic acid followed by selective removal of rad-Cs from the extract using ferrocyanide (Fer hereafter) coprecipitation technique could …

A Preliminary Investigation Into The Relationship Between Functional Movement Screen Scores And Athletic Physical Performance In Female Team Sport Athletes, R.G. Lockie, A.B. Schultz, Samuel J. Callaghan, C.A. Jordan, T.M. Luczo, M.D. Jeffriess

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

There is little research investigating relationships between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and athletic performance in female athletes. This study analyzed the relationships between FMS (deep squat; hurdle step [HS]; in-line lunge [ILL]; shoulder mobility; active straight-leg raise [ASLR]; trunk stability push-up; rotary stability) scores, and performance tests (bilateral and unilateral sit-and-reach [flexibility]; 20-m sprint [linear speed]; 505 with turns from each leg; modified T-test with movement to left and right [change-of-direction speed]; bilateral and unilateral vertical and standing broad jumps; lateral jumps [leg power]). Nine healthy female recreational team sport athletes (age = 22.67 ± 5.12 years; height = …

Psychological Distress And Quality Of Life In Lung Cancer: The Role Of Health-Related Stigma, Illness Appraisals And Social Constraints, Suzanne Chambers, P. Baade, P. Youl, J. Aitken, S. Occhipinti, S. Vinod, P.C. Valery, G. Garvey, K.M. Fong, D. Ball, H. Zorbas, J. Dunn, D.L. O'Connell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Health-related stigma is associated with negative psychological and quality of life outcomes in lung cancer patients. This study describes the impact of stigma on lung cancer patients' psychological distress and quality of life and explores the role of social constraints and illness appraisal as mediators of effect. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey examined psychological distress and quality of life in 151 people (59% response rate) diagnosed with lung cancer from Queensland and New South Wales. Health-related stigma, social constraints and illness appraisals were assessed as predictors of adjustment outcomes. Results: Forty-nine percent of patients reported elevated anxiety; 41% were …

A New Qualitative Typology To Classify Treading Water Movement Patterns, Christophe Schnitzler, Chris Button, James L. Croft, Ludovic Seifert

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study proposes a new qualitative typology that can be used to classify learners treading water into different skill-based categories. To establish the typology, 38 participants were videotaped while treading water and their movement patterns were qualitatively analyzed by two experienced biomechanists. 13 sport science students were then asked to classify eight of the original participants after watching a brief tutorial video about how to use the typology. To examine intra-rater consistency, each participant was presented in a random order three times. Generalizability (G) and Decision (D) studies were performed to estimate the importance variance due to rater, occasion, video …

Improving Processing By Adaption To Conditional Geostatistical Simulation Of Block Compositions, R. Tolosana-Delgado, Ute A. Mueller, K. G. Van Den Boogaart, C. Ward, J. Gutzmer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Exploitation of an ore deposit can be optimized by adapting the beneficiation processes to the properties of individual ore blocks. This can involve switching in and out certain treatment steps, or setting their controlling parameters. Optimizing this set of decisions requires the full conditional distribution of all relevant physical parameters and chemical attributes of the feed, including concentration of value elements and abundance of penalty elements. As a first step towards adaptive processing, the mapping of adaptive decisions is explored based on the composition, in value and penalty elements, of the selective mining units. Conditional distributions at block support are …

Evolution Of Testosterone Treatment Over 25 Years: Symptom Responses, Endocrine Profiles And Cardiovascular Changes, Malcolm Carruthers, Paul Cathcart, Mark R. Feneley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Testosterone treatment has evolved rapidly over the past 25 years as new, more effective and convenient methods have become available. This study reports experience with seven different methods, introduced on the market in the UK. Aim: To establish the symptom response when testosterone treatment was initiated on the basis of clinical features and symptoms of androgen deficiency, and the resulting endocrine, biochemical and physiological responses. Methods: Of 2693 patients attending the 3 Men’s Health Centers – The UK Androgen Study (UKAS), 2247 were treated. Treatments included pellet implants, oral testosterone undecanoate (Testocaps), mesterolone (Proviron), testosterone gel (Testogel), testosterone scrotal …

A Comparison Of Two Gluteus Maximus Emg Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction Positions, Bret Contreras, Andrew D. Vigotsky, Chris Beardsley, John B. Cronin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background. The purpose of this study was to compare the peak electromyography (EMG) of the most commonly-used position in the literature, the prone bent-leg (90°) hip extension against manual resistance applied to the distal thigh (PRONE), to a novel position, the standing glute squeeze (SQUEEZE). Methods. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the upper and lower gluteus maximus of thirteen recreationally active females (age = 28.9 years; height = 164 cm; body mass = 58.2 kg), before three maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) trials for each position were obtained in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. Results. No statistically significant (p …

Alzheimer's Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers Are Not Influenced By Gravity Drip Or Aspiration Extraction Methodology, Alan Rembach, Lisbeth A. Evered, Qiao-Xin Li, Tabitha Nash, Lesley Vidaurre, Christopher J. Fowler, Kelly K. Pertile, Rebecca L. Rumble, Brett O. Trounson, Sarah Maher, Francis Mooney, Maree Farrow, Kevin Taddei, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Simon Laws, S. Lance Macaulay, William Wilson, David G. Darby, Ralph N. Martins, David Ames, Steven Collins, Brendon Silbert, Colin L. Masters, James D. Doecke

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, although of established utility in the diagnostic evaluation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are known to be sensitive to variation based on pre-analytical sample processing. We assessed whether gravity droplet collection versus syringe aspiration was another factor influencing CSF biomarker analyte concentrations and reproducibility. Methods Standardized lumbar puncture using small calibre atraumatic spinal needles and CSF collection using gravity fed collection followed by syringe aspirated extraction was performed in a sample of elderly individuals participating in a large long-term observational research trial. Analyte assay concentrations were compared. Results For the 44 total paired samples of gravity …

Amyloid-Related Memory Decline In Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease In Dependent On Apoe Ε4 And Is Detectable Over 18-Months, Christine Thai, Yen Ying Lim, Victor L. Villemagne, Simon Laws, David Ames, Kathryn A. Ellis, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Ralph Martins, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Paul Maruff, Australian Imaging, Biomarkers And Lifestyle (Aibl) Research Group

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

High levels of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain and carriage of the APOE ε4 allele have each been linked to cognitive impairment in cognitively normal (CN) older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cerebral Aβ level, APOE ε4 carrier status, and cognitive decline over 18 monthes, in 317 cognitively healthy (CN) older adults (47% males, 52.4% females) aged between 60 and 89 years (Mean = 69.9, SC = 6.8). Cognition was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery (CBB) and the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II). Planned comparisons indicated that CN older adults …

Association Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associates With Decreased Immunosuppressive Potential Of The Igg Glycome, Franco Vukovic, Jasminka Krištić, Ivan Gudelj, Maria Teruel, Toma Keser, Marija Pezer, Maja Pučić-Baković, Jerko Štambuk, Irena Trbojević-Akmačić, Clara Barrios, Tamara Pavić, Cristina Menni, Youxin Wang, Yong Zhou, Liufu Cui, Haicheng Song, Qiang Zeng, Xiuhua Guo, Bernardo A. Pons-Estel, Paul Mckeigue, Alan Leslie Patrick, Olga Gornik, Tim D. Spector, Miroslav Harjaček, Marta Alarcon-Riquelme, Miriam Molokhia, Wei Wang, Gordan Lauc

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Glycans attached to the Fc portion of IgG are important modulators of IgG effector functions. Interindividual differences in IgG glycome composition are large and they associate strongly with different inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. IKZF1, HLA–DQ2A/B, and BACH2 genetic loci that affect IgG glycome composition show pleiotropy with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), indicating a potentially causative role of aberrant IgG glycosylation in SLE. We undertook this large multicenter case–control study to determine whether SLE is associated with altered IgG glycosylation. Methods: Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis of released glycans, we analyzed the composition of the IgG glycome in 261 SLE …

The Partnering With Patients Model Of Nursing Interventions : A First Step To A Practice Theory, Wendy Moyle, Claire M. Rickard, Suzanne K. Chambers, Wendy Chaboyer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The development of a body of knowledge, gained through research and theory building, is one hallmark of a profession. This paper presents the “Partnering with Patients Model of Nursing Interventions”, providing direction towards how complex nursing interventions can be developed, tested and subsequently adopted into practice. Coalescence of understanding of patient-centred care, the capabilities approach and the concept of complex healthcare interventions led to the development of the model assumptions and concepts. Application of the model to clinical practice is described, including presentation of a case study, and areas for future research including understanding both patients’ and nurses’ perceptions and …

Analysis Of Road Sprint Cycling Performance, Paolo Menaspa

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Sprint cycling ability is a key determinant of road cycling performance, with many races designed specifically for sprinters. The ability to excel in the final sprint is relevant for both individual riders and teams. Despite the importance of sprints within professional road cycling, the characteristics of professional road sprints and sprinters have yet to be extensively described. Thus, the overall objective of the five research studies contained within this doctoral thesis was to describe road cycling sprint performance and improve the general understanding of the physical, technical and tactical factors associated with such performances.

The first two descriptive field studies …

Old Testament Survey, Steelman Library, Gerry White Dr.

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Hebrew Wisdom Literature, Steelman Library, Gerry White Dr.

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Drawing 1, Steelman Library, Jon Seals

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Fundamentals Of Speech, Steelman Library, Chris Clark

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Fundamentals Of Speech, Steelman Library, Chris Clark

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Fundamentals Of Speech, Steelman Library, Sheila Skipper

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Fundamentals Of Speech, Steelman Library, Sheila A. Skipper Apr

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Western Art Appreciation, Steelman Library, Jon Seals

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Photography, Steelman Library, Chad Neuman

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Photography, Steelman Library, Chad Neuman

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

A System Dynamics View Of The Acute Bed Blockage Problem In The Irish Healthcare System, Waleed Abo Hamad, Wael Rashwan, Amr Arisha

Articles

Global population ageing is creating immense pressures on hospitals and other healthcare services, compromising their abilities to meet the growing demand from elderly patients. Current demand–supply gaps result in prolonged waiting times in emergency departments (EDs), and several studies have focused on improving ED performance. However, the overcrowding in EDs generally stems from delayed patient flows to inpatient wards – which are congested with inpatients waiting for beds in post-acute facilities. This problem of bed blocking in acute hospitals causes substantial cost burdens on hospitals. This study presents a system dynamics methodology to model the dynamic flow of elderly patients …

Engineering Students’ Perceptions Of Their Preparation For Engineering Practice, Eileen Goold Dr

Conference Papers

A common theme in the scholarly literature describing engineering is associated with the conception of the term global engineer where the role of the engineer has become quite broad. This study investigates engineering students’ perceptions of their future careers and their preparation for professional practice. This is important information for engineering educators as students with heightened interest in professional practice demonstrate more cognitive engagement. Additionally many graduate engineers are challenged by the transition into engineering practice. A mixed methods approach is employed. The degree competencies are required and learned by electronic engineering students, at the Institute of Technology Tallaght Dublin, …

A Critical Realist Approach To Engineering Ethics, Eddie Conlon

Conference papers

This paper is focused on the teaching of engineering ethics (EE). Through a focus on safety and the lens of what sociologists call the agency/ structure relationship it examimes various approaches to this teaching. Drawing on Critical Realism it argues there are deficiencies in both the dominant approach and a number of proposed alternatives as they suffer from various forms of conflationism . By drawing on Critical Realism (CR) a more robust agenda for teaching engineering ethics can be developed. It is argued that CR offers a basis for understanding the range of factors which lead to accidents and disasters. …

The Microtonal Guitars Of Harry Partch, John Schneider

Soundboard Scholar

Known as an "American Maverick," Harry Partch (1901–1974) was surely one of the United States's most colorful composers. His dissatisfaction with the scales and instruments of Western music inspired him to design and build an orchestra of over two dozen handcrafted "microtonal" instruments that were tuned to his notorious "monophonic" scale of forty-three tones per octave. Between 1934 and 1952, Partch created four different adapted guitars, using them in fifteen compositions ranging from solo song cycles (Barstow, December 1942, U.S. Highball, Three Intrusions) to chamber music, dances, and four of his five major …

Full Issue 44(1)

International Journal of Speleology

No abstract provided.