Digital Commons Network^™

Working Sandwich Generation Women Utilize Strategies Within And Between Roles To Achieve Role Balance, Kiah Evans, J. L. Millsteed, Janet E. Richmond Phd, Marita Falkmer, Torbjorn Falkmer, Sonya Girdler

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Increasingly, women simultaneously balance the roles of mother, parental carer and worker. However, individual role balance strategies among these working 'sandwich' generation women have not been thoroughly explored. Eighteen women combining these three roles were interviewed about their individual role balance strategies. Findings were identified through the framework analysis technique, underpinned by the Model of Juggling Occupations. Achieving and maintaining role balance was explained as a complex process accomplished through a range of strategies. Findings revealed the women used six within-role balance strategies: living with integrity, being the best you can, doing what you love, loving what you do, remembering …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Very Early Rehabilitation In Speech After Stroke, Erin Godecke, Elizabeth Armstrong, Tapan Rai, Sandy Middleton, Natalie Ciccone, Anne Whitworth, Miranda Rose, Audrey Holland, Fiona Ellery, Graeme Hankey, Dominique Cadilhac, Julie Bernhardt

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Rationale:

The efficacy of rehabilitation therapy for aphasia caused by stroke is uncertain.

Aims and hypothesis:

The Very Early Rehabilitation of Speech (VERSE) trial aims to determine if intensive prescribed aphasia therapy (VERSE) is more effective and cost saving than non-prescribed, intensive (usual care-plus) and non-intensive usual care (UC) therapy when started within 15 days of stroke onset and continued daily over four weeks. We hypothesize that aphasia therapy when started very early after stroke and delivered daily could enhance recovery of communication compared with UC.

Sample size estimates:

A total of 246 participants (82 per arm) will provide 80% …

Engaging Australian Aboriginal Narratives To Challenge Attitudes And Create Empathy In Health Care: A Methodological Perspective, Toni D. Wain, Moira Sim, Dawn Bessarab, Donna Mak, Colleen Hayward, Cobie Rudd

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Unconscious bias and negative attitudes towards minority groups have detrimental effects on the way health care is, or is not, provided to these groups. Recognition of racist attitudes and behaviours as well as understanding clients' experiences of health and health care are pivotal to developing better health care strategies to positively impact on the quality and safety of care provided to Indigenous people. Indigenous research demands inclusive research processes and the use of culturally appropriate methodologies. This paper presents a methodological account of collecting narratives which accurately and respectfully reflect Aboriginal Australians' experiences with health care in Western Australia. …

Effects Of Exercise Interventions And Physical Activity Behavior On Cancer Related Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic Review, Philipp Zimmer, Freerk Baumann, Max Oberste, Peter Wright, Alexander Garthe, Alexander Schenk, Thomas Elter, Daniel A. Galvao, Wilhelm Bloch, Sven Hübner, Florian Wolf

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This systematic review analyzes current data on effects of exercise interventions and physical activity behavior on objective and subjective cancer related cognitive impairments (CRCI). Out of the 19 studies which met all inclusion criteria, five RCTs investigated rodents, whereas the other 14 trials explored humans and these included six RCTs, one controlled trial, two prospective noncontrolled trials, one case series, one observational study, and three cross-sectional studies. The results from animal models revealed positive effects of exercise during and after chemotherapy or radiation on structural alterations of the central nervous system, physiological as well as neuropsychological outcomes. The overall study …

A Review Of Current Neuromorphic Approaches For Vision, Auditory, And Olfactory Sensors, Anup Vanarse, Adam Osseiran, Alexander Rassau

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Conventional vision, auditory, and olfactory sensors generate large volumes of redundant data and as a result tend to consume excessive power. To address these shortcomings, neuromorphic sensors have been developed. These sensors mimic the neuro-biological architecture of sensory organs using aVLSI (analog Very Large Scale Integration) and generate asynchronous spiking output that represents sensing information in ways that are similar to neural signals. This allows for much lower power consumption due to an ability to extract useful sensory information from sparse captured data. The foundation for research in neuromorphic sensors was laid more than two decades ago, but recent developments …

Forest As Place In The Album Canopy: Culturalising Nature Or Naturalising Culture?, Robin Ryan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract available

Sensitivity Of Composite Scores To Amyloid Burden In Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: Introducing The Z-Scores Of Attention, Verbal Fluency, And Episodic Memory For Nondemented Older Adults Composite Score, Yen Ying Lim, Peter J. Snyder, Robert H. Pietrzak, Albulene Ukiqi, Victor L. Villemagne, David Ames, Olivier Salvado, Pierrick Bourgeat, Ralph N. Martins, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Paul Maruff

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

Cognitive composite scores developed for preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) often consist of multiple cognitive domains as they may provide greater sensitivity to detect β-amyloid (Aβ)-related cognitive decline than episodic memory (EM) composite scores alone. However, this has never been empirically tested. We compared the rate of cognitive decline associated with high Aβ (Aβ+) and very high Aβ (Aβ++) in cognitively normal (CN) older adults on three multidomain cognitive composite scores and one single-domain (EM) composite score.

Methods:

CN older adults (n = 423) underwent Aβ neuroimaging and completed neuropsychological assessments at baseline, and at 18-, 36-, 54-, …

Autoantibody Production In Cancer—The Humoral Immune Response Toward Autologous Antigens In Cancer Patients, Pauline Zaenker, Elin Solomonovna Gray, Melanie Ruth Ziman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A link between autoimmune responses and cancer via autoantibodies was first described in the 1950s. Since, autoantibodies have been studied for their potential use as cancer biomarkers, however the exact causes of their production remain to be elucidated. This review summarizes current theories of the causes of autoantibody production in cancer, namely:

1) defects in tolerance and inflammation,

2) changes in protein expression levels,

3) altered protein structure, and

4) cellular death mechanisms.

We also highlight the need for further research into this field to improve our understanding of autoantibodies as biomarkers for cancer development and progression.

1h-Nmr Urinary Metabolomic Profiling For Diagnosis Of Gastric Cancer, Angela W. Chan, Pascal Mercier, Daniel Schiller, Robert Bailey, Sarah Robbins, Dean T. Eurich, Michael B. Sawyer, David Broadhurst

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Metabolomics has shown promise in gastric cancer (GC) detection. This research sought to identify whether GC has a unique urinary metabolomic profile compared with benign gastric disease (BN) and healthy (HE) patients.

Methods:

Urine from 43 GC, 40 BN, and 40 matched HE patients was analysed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy, generating 77 reproducible metabolites (QC-RSD < 25%). Univariate and multivariate (MVA) statistics were employed. A parsimonious biomarker profile of GC vs HE was investigated using LASSO regularised logistic regression (LASSO-LR). Model performance was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results:

GC displayed a clear discriminatory biomarker profile; the BN profile overlapped with GC and HE. LASSO-LR identified …

Aboriginal Health Worker Perceptions Of Oral Health: A Qualitative Study In Perth, Western Australia, Angela Durey, Dan Mcaullay, Barry Gibson, Linda Slack-Smith

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Improving oral health for Aboriginal Australians has been slow. Despite dental disease being largely preventable, Aboriginal Australians have worse periodontal disease, more decayed teeth and untreated dental caries than other Australians. Reasons for this are complex and risk factors include broader social and historic determinants such as marginalisation and discrimination that impact on Aboriginal people making optimum choices about oral health. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study conducted in the Perth metropolitan area investigating Aboriginal Health Workers’ (AHWs) perceptions of barriers and enablers to oral health for Aboriginal people.

Methods:

Following extensive consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders, …

Association Between Igf2bp2 Polymorphisms And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study And Meta-Analysis, Ping Rao, Hao Wang, Honghong Fang, Qing Gao, Jie Zhang, Manshu Song, Yong Zhou, Youxin Wang, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) found that IGF2BP2 rs4402960 and rs1470579 polymorphisms were associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. Many studies have replicated this association, but yielded inconsistent results.

Materials and Methods:

A case-control study consisting of 461 T2DM patients and 434 health controls was conducted to detect the genetic susceptibility of IGF2BP2 in a northern Han Chinese population. A meta-analysis was to evaluate the association more precisely in Asians.

Results:

In the case-control study, the carriers of TT genotype at rs4402960 had a higher T2DM risk than the G carriers (TG + GG) (adjusted …

Closing The Gap In Nursing Education: Comparing Nursing Registration Systems In Australia And China, Carol Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim:

To provide a better understanding of how the nursing registration process in China compares to that of Australia and to identify common features and potential barriers that may affect or facilitate the development of China's ever-demanding need for healthcare and nursing education.

Background:

Chinese nursing graduates are increasingly being used to augment the shortage of nurses in other countries, including Australia. However, China is desperately in need of strategies to cope with its current challenges in healthcare and nursing education. There is little discussion concerning the differences in nursing registration systems between countries, such as China and …

Consistent Prebiotic Effect On Gut Microbiota With Altered Fodmap Intake In Patients With Crohn's Disease: A Randomised, Controlled Cross-Over Trial Of Well-Defined Diets, Emma P. Halmos, Claus T. Christophersen, Anthony R. Bird, Susan J. Shepherd, Jane G. Muir, Peter R. Gibson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVES:

Altering FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) intake has substantial effects on gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate effects of altering FODMAP intake on markers of colonic health in patients with Crohn’s disease.

METHODS:

After evaluation of their habitual diet, 9 patients with clinically quiescent Crohn’s disease were randomised to 21 days of provided low or typical (“Australian”) FODMAP diets with ≥ 21-day washout in between. Five-day fecal samples were collected at the end of each diet and analyzed for calprotectin, pH, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bacterial abundance. Gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded daily.

RESULTS:

Eight participants …

Supporting Positive School Culture Through Interpersonal Engagement: Phase One Report: Mindarie Senior College April 2016, Geoffrey Lummis, Julia Morris, Graeme Lock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Industry Collaboration Project, ‘Supporting Positive School Culture Through Interpersonal Engagement’ is a joint project between Edith Cowan University, Hampton Senior High School, Kinross College and Mindarie Senior College. The project aims to empower school leaders to co-create, implement and evaluate professional learning programs that promote enhanced staff relationships. Supporting school leaders to improve staff relationships is important because staff (both teaching and school support) are key stakeholders in children’s educational outcomes (Stringer, 2013). Ensuring school staff feel valued in their school community is also of ongoing importance, particularly as staff accountability and burnout rises in the teaching profession both …

Corporate Governance And Environmental Disclosure In The Indonesian Mining Industry, Terri Trireksani, Hadrian Geri Djajadikerta

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Sustainability and corporate governance issues are now considered to be important and integral aspects of company performance. Both have established themselves as well-studied topics in the organisational and accountability areas. While there has been a growing interest to study the relationship between these two areas, research publication in this topic is still mainly focused on the Western societies. This study focuses on the corporate governance and sustainability disclosure practices in one of the emerging economies, Indonesia, and assesses the relationships between corporate governance variables and the extent of environmental disclosures made by the mining companies listed in the Indonesia Stock …

Reductions In Circulating Levels Of Il-16, Il-7 And Vegf-A In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Abdolamir Landi, David Broadhurst, Suxanne D. Vernon, D. Lorne J. Tyrell, Michael Houghton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Recently, differences in the levels of various chemokines and cytokines were reported in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as compared with controls. Moreover, the analyte profile differed between chronic ME/CFS patients of long duration versus patients with disease of less than 3 years. In the current study, we measured the plasma levels of 34 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in 100 chronic ME/CFS patients of long duration and in 79 gender and age-matched controls. We observed highly significant reductions in the concentration of circulating interleukin (IL)-16, IL-7, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) in ME/CFS patients. All …

Protocol Of The Australasian Malignant Pleural Effusion-2 (Ample-2) Trial: A Multicentre Randomised Study Of Aggressive Versus Symptom-Guided Drainage Via Indwelling Pleural Catheters, Maree Azzopardi, Rajesh Thomas, Sanjeevan Muruganandan, David C.L Lam, Luke Garske, Benjamin Kwan, Muhammad Redzwan S Rashid Ali, Phan Nguyen, Elaine Yap, Fiona Horwood, Alexander Ritchie, Michael Bint, Claire Tobin, Ranjan Shrestha, Francesco Piccolo, Christian De Chaneet, Jenette Creaney, Robert Newton, Delia Hendrie, Kevin Murray, Catherine Read, David Feller-Kopman, Nick Maskell, Y C Gary Lee

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) can complicate most cancers, causing dyspnoea and impairing quality of life (QoL). Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are a novel management approach allowing ambulatory fluid drainage and are increasingly used as an alternative to pleurodesis. IPC drainage approaches vary greatly between centres. Some advocate aggressive (usually daily) removal of fluid to provide best symptom control and chance of spontaneous pleurodesis. Daily drainages however demand considerably more resources and may increase risks of complications. Others believe that MPE care is palliative and drainage should be performed only when patients become symptomatic (often weekly to monthly). Identifying the …

Peer Learning A Pedagogical Approach To Enhance Online Learning: A Qualitative Exploration, Anita Raymond, Elizabeth Jacob, Darren Jacob, Judith Lyons

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Flexible online programs are becoming increasingly popular method of education for students, allowing them to complete programs in their own time and cater for lifestyle differences. A mixture of delivery modes is one way which allows for enhanced learning. Peer learning is another method of learning which is shown to foster collaboration and prepare healthcare students for their future careers. This paper reports on a project to combine peer and online learning to teach pharmacology to nursing students.

Objectives:

To explore undergraduate nursing student opinions of working in peer groups for online learning sessions in a pharmacology course.

Design: …

The Heat Treatment Analysis Of E110 Case Hardening Steel, Majid Tolouei Rad, Eric Lichter

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper investigates mechanical and microstructural behaviour of E110 case hardening steel when subjected to different heat treatment processes includingquenching, normalizing and tempering. After heat treatment samples were subjected to mechanical and metallographic analysisand the properties obtained from applying different processes were analysed. The heat treatment process had certain effects on the resultant properties andmicrostructures obtained for E110 steel which are described in details. Quenching produced a martensitic microstructure characterized by significant increase in material’s hardness and a significant decreased in its impact energy. Annealed specimens produced a coarse pearlitic microstructure with minimal variation in hardness and impact energy. For …

Abcb5-Targeted Chemoresistance Reversal Inhibits Merkel Cell Carcinoma Growth, Sonja Kleffel, Nayoung Lee, Cecilia Lezcano, Brian Wilson, Kristine Sobolewski, Karim Saab, Hansgeorg Mueller, Qian Zhan, Christian Posch, Christopher Elco, Andrew Dorosario, Sarah Garcia, Manisha Thakuria, Yaoyu Wang, Linda Wang, George Murphy, Markus Frank, Tobias Schatton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with profound but poorly understood resistance to chemotherapy, which poses a significant barrier to clinical MCC treatment. Here we show that ATP-binding cassette member B5 (ABCB5) confers resistance to standard-of-care MCC chemotherapeutic agents and provide proof-of-principle that ABCB5 blockade can inhibit human MCC tumor growth through sensitization to drug-induced cell cytotoxicity. ABCB5 expression was detected in both established MCC lines and clinical MCC specimens at levels significantly higher than those in normal skin. Carboplatin- and etoposide-resistant MCC cell lines exhibited increased expression of ABCB5, along with enhanced ABCB1 and …

Investigating The Impact Of Naplan On Student, Parent And Teacher Emotional Distress In Independent Schools, Shane Rogers, Lennie Barblett, Ken Robinson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Concerns have been raised about the impact Australia’s national standardised testing, the National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), has upon the well-being of students, parents and teachers. To date, research evidence is unclear as to the level and extent of emotional distress experienced by stakeholders during testing. Despite an unclear evidence base, the prevailing view is that NAPLAN has a general negative impact upon stakeholder well-being. In a pilot study that surveyed all stakeholder groups across 11 independent schools in Western Australia, we found evidence of a minimal impact from the testing. We also found evidence for a small positive …

Using Comparative Judgement And Online Technologies In The Assessment And Measurement Of Creative Performance And Capability, Pina Tarricone, Christopher P. Newhouse

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper we argue that comparative judgement delivered by online technologies is a viable, valid and highly reliable alternative to traditional analytical marking. In the past, comparative judgement has been underused in educational assessment and measurement, particularly in large-scale testing, mainly due to the lack of supporting technologies to facilitate the large number of judgements and judges. We describe the foundations of comparative judgement and dispel many of the old issues regarding its use in regards to time, cost and training for large-scale assessment. Studies in the use of comparative judgement and online technologies for the assessment and measurement …

Effect Of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Density On The Water Flux And Salt Rejection In Desalination Membranes, Samarth Trivedi, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper, vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) membranes of different densities are developed and their performances are investigated. VACNT arrays of densities 5 × 109, 1010, 5 × 1010 and 1011 tubes cm−2, are initially grown on 1 cm × 1 cm silicon substrates using chemical vapour deposition. A VACNT membrane is realised by attaching a 300 μm-thick 1 cm × 1 cm VACNT array on silicon to a 4″ glass substrate, applying polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through spin coating to fill the gaps between the VACNTs, and using a microtome to slice the VACNT–PDMS composite into 25-μm-thick membranes. Experimental results …

Addressing The Yield Gap In Rainfed Crops: A Review, Walter Anderson, Chris Johansen, Kadambot Siddique

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The problems and challenges of rapidly increasing world population, global climate change, shortages of water suitable for irrigation and degradation of agricultural land are increasing the demand to improve grain production from rainfed arable lands. Specific challenges include estimating the size and thus the value of the yield gap, identifying the factors limiting current average production and designing profitable remedial strategies for a range of agro-ecological regions. This review of the rainfall-limited potential yields and the gap between actual or average yields of cereal and legume crops and the rainfall-limited potential indicates that there is still substantial room to increase …

Optical Fiber Sensors In Physical Intrusion Detection Systems: A Review, Gary Andrew Allwood, Graham Wild, Steven Hinkley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Fiber optic sensors have become a mainstream sensing technology within a large array of applications due to their inherent benefits. They are now used significantly in structural health monitoring, and are an essential solution for monitoring harsh environments. Since their first development over 30 years ago, they have also found promise in security applications. This paper reviews all of the optical fiber-based techniques used in physical intrusion detection systems. It details the different approaches used for sensing, interrogation, and networking, by research groups, attempting to secure both commercial and residential premises from physical security breaches. The advantages and the disadvantages …

The Effectiveness Of Self-Management Mobile Phone And Tablet Apps In Long-Term Condition Management: A Systematic Review, Lisa Whitehead, Philippa Seaton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Long-term conditions and their concomitant management place considerable pressure on patients, communities, and health care systems worldwide. International clinical guidelines on the majority of long-term conditions recommend the inclusion of self-management programs in routine management. Self-management programs have been associated with improved health outcomes; however, the successful and sustainable transfer of research programs into clinical practice has been inconsistent. Recent developments in mobile technology, such as mobile phone and tablet computer apps, could help in developing a platform for the delivery of self-management interventions that are adaptable, of low cost, and easily accessible.

Objective:

We conducted a systematic review …

Musculoskeletal Asymmetry In Football Athletes: A Product Of Limb Function Over Time, Nicolas H. Hart, Sophia Nimphius, Jason Weber, Tania Spiteri, Timo Rantalainen, Michael Dobbin, Robert Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

Asymmetrical loading patterns are commonplace in football sports. Our aim was to examine the influence of training age and limb function on lower-body musculoskeletal morphology.

Methods

Fifty-five elite football athletes were stratified into less experienced ( ≤ 3 yr; n = 27) and more experienced ( > 3 yr; n = 28) groups by training age. All athletes underwent whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans and lower-body peripheral quantitative computed tomography tibial scans on the kicking and support limbs.

Results

Significant interactions between training age and limb function were evident across all skeletal parameters (F16, 91 = 0.182, P = 0.031, …

An Approach To Measuring And Encouraging Research Translation And Research Impact, Andrew M. Searles, Chrisotpher M. Doran, John R. Attia, Darryl A. Knight, John H. E. Wiggers, Simon Deeming, Joërg Mattes, Brad Webb, Steve Hannan, Rod Ling, Kim Edmunds, Penny Reeves, Michael Nilsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Research translation, particularly in the biomedical area, is often discussed but there are few methods that are routinely used to measure it or its impact. Of the impact measurement methods that are used, most aim to provide accountability - to measure and explain what was generated as a consequence of funding research. This case study reports on the development of a novel, conceptual framework that goes beyond measurement. The Framework To Assess the Impact from Translational health research, or FAIT, is a platform designed to prospectively measure and encourage research translation and research impact. A key assumption underpinning FAIT …

Furthering The Quality Agenda In Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services: Understanding The Relationship Between Accreditation, Continuous Quality Improvement And National Key Performance Indicator Reporting, Beverly Sibthorpe, Karen Gardner, Daniel Mcaullay

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A rapidly expanding interest in quality in the Aboriginal-community-controlled health sector has led to widespread uptake of accreditation using more than one set of standards, a proliferation of continuous quality improvement programs and the introduction of key performance indicators. As yet, there has been no overarching logic that shows how they relate to each other, with consequent confusion within and outside the sector. We map the three approaches to the Framework for Performance Assessment in Primary Health Care, demonstrating their key differences and complementarity. There needs to be greater attention in both policy and practice to the purposes and alignment …

Compliance, Palatability And Feasibility Of Paleolithic And Australian Guide To Healthy Eastin Diets In Healtthy Women: A 4-Week Dietary Intervention, Angela Genoni, Johnny Lo, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

(1) Background/Objectives:

The Paleolithic diet has been receiving media coverage in Australia and claims to improve overall health. The diet removes grains and dairy, whilst encouraging consumption of fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and nuts. Our aim was to compare the diet to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) in terms of compliance, palatability and feasibility;

(2) Subjects/Methods:

39 healthy women (age 47 ± 13 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m²) were randomised to an ad-libitum Paleolithic (n = 22) or AGHE diet (n = 17) for 4-weeks. A food checklist was completed daily, with mean discretionary consumption …