Digital Commons Network^™

Recent Developments In Solar Energy-Harvesting Technologies For Building Integration And Distributed Energy Generation, Mikhail Vasiliev, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We present a review of the current state of the field for a rapidly evolving group of technologies related to solar energy harvesting in built environments. In particular, we focus on recent achievements in enabling the widespread distributed generation of electric energy assisted by energy capture in semi-transparent or even optically clear glazing systems and building wall areas. Whilst concentrating on recent cutting-edge results achieved in the integration of traditional photovoltaic device types into novel concentrator-type windows and glazings, we compare the main performance characteristics reported with these using more conventional (opaque or semi-transparent) solar cell technologies. A critical overview …

“I Feel Very Fortunate To Still Be Doing What I Love”: Later Career Performing Arts Teachers Still Keen And Committed, Christina Gray, Geoffrey Lowe, Peter Prout, Sarah Jefferson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The problem of attrition among early-career teachers has generated a substantial body of research. However, less research has been devoted to later-career teachers who survive and thrive. This article explores the career experiences of four later-career performing arts teachers who remain keen and committed to teaching. Informed by seminal studies by Huberman (1989, 1993) and Day and Gu (2007, 2009) into teacher career trajectories, and using a phenomenological ‘lens’ of portraiture methodology, members of the research team undertook a series of in-depth interviews to gain insight into how these teachers maintain their positivity and commitment to teaching. Four key themes …

Recurrence Of Clostridium Difficile Infection In The Western Australian Population, M. Alfayyadh, Deirdre A. Collins, S. Tempone, R. Mccann, P. K. Armstrong, Thomas V. Riley, A. Cook

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Clostridium difficile, the most common cause of hospital-associated diarrhoea in developed countries, presents major public health challenges. The high clinical and economic burden from C. difficile infection (CDI) relates to the high frequency of recurrent infections caused by either the same or different strains of C. difficile. An interval of 8 weeks after index infection is commonly used to classify recurrent CDI episodes. We assessed strains of C. difficile in a sample of patients with recurrent CDI in Western Australia from October 2011 to July 2017. The performance of different intervals between initial and subsequent episodes of CDI was investigated. …

A Multi-Center Comparison Of Vo2 Peak Trainability Between Interval Training And Moderate Intensity Continuous Training, Camilla J. Williams, Brendon J. Gurd, Jacob T. Bonafiglia, Sarah Voisin, Zhixiu Li, Nicholas Harvey, Ilaria Croci, Jenna L. Taylor, Trishan Gajanand, Joyce S. Ramos, Robert G. Fassett, Jonathan P. Little, Monique E. Francois, Christopher M. Hearon, Satyam Sarma, Sylvan L. J. E. Janssen, Emeline M. Van Craenenbroeck, Paul Beckers, Véronique A. Cornelissen, Nele Pattyn, Erin J. Howden, Shelley E. Keating, Anja Bye, Dorthe Stensvold, Ulrik Wisloff, Ioannis Papadimitriou, Xu Yan, David J. Bishop, Nir Eynon, Jeff S. Coombes

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

There is heterogeneity in the observed VO_2peak response to similar exercise training, and different exercise approaches produce variable degrees of exercise response (trainability). The aim of this study was to combine data from different laboratories to compare VO_2peak trainability between various volumes of interval training and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT). For interval training, volumes were classified by the duration of total interval time. High-volume High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) included studies that had participants complete more than 15 min of high intensity efforts per session. Low-volume HIIT/Sprint Interval Training (SIT) included studies using less than 15 min …

Strength Training Improves Metabolic Health Markers In Older Individual Regardless Of Training Frequency, Johanna K. Ihalainen, Alistair Inglis, Tuomas Mäkinen, Robert U. Newton, Heikki Kainulainen, Heikki Kyröläinen, Simon Walker

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of frequency, thereby increasing training volume, of resistance training on body composition, inflammation markers, lipid and glycemic profile in healthy older individuals (age range 65–75 year). Ninety-two healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups; performing strength training one- (EX1), two- (EX2), or three- (EX3) times-per-week and a non-training control (CON) group. Whole-body strength training was performed using 2–5 sets and 4–12 repetitions per exercise and 7–9 exercises per session. All training groups attended supervised resistance training for 6 months. Body composition was measured by dual …

Children Exhibit A More Comparable Neuromuscular Fatigue Profile To Endurance Athletes Than Untrained Adults, Bastien Bontemps, Enzo Piponnier, Emeric Chalchat, Anthony J. Blazevich, Valérie Julian, Olivia Bocock, Martine Duclos, Vincent Martin, Sébastien Ratel

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The present study compared neuromuscular fatigue profiles between children, untrained adults and adult endurance athletes during repeated maximal muscle contractions. Eighteen prepubertal boys, 19 untrained men and 13 endurance male athletes performed 5-s maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor contractions (MVICs) interspersed with 5-s recovery until MVIC reached 60% of its initial value. Single and doublet magnetic stimulations were delivered to the femoral nerve to quantify the time course of potentiated twitch amplitude (T_tw,pot), high-frequency torque (T_{100 Hz}) and the low-to-high frequency torque ratio (T_{10 Hz}/T_{100 Hz}), i.e., indicators of peripheral fatigue. M-wave-normalized …

Achieving Economic Sustainability For Niche Social Profession Courses In The Australian Higher Education Sector: Final Report, Trudi Cooper, Miriam Rose Brooker

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The purpose of this fellowship was to develop a nationwide collaborative strategy to improve the economic sustainability and geographic availability of niche social profession courses. The niche courses in social professions examined in this program meet specialist social needs in disability services, social gerontology, and youth work. Specialist courses in social professions have limited availability across the Australian university sector and availability has declined over the last decade. This is despite a continuing need for specialist graduates, as attested by the relevant professional bodies, and by policy implementation reviews in the areas where graduates from these courses might provide stronger …

The Landscape Of Movement Control In Locomotion: Cost, Strategy, And Solution, James L. Croft, Ryan T. Schroeder, John E. A. Bertram

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Features of gait are determined at multiple levels, from the selection of the gait itself (e.g., walk or run) through the specific parameters utilized (stride length, frequency, etc.) to the pattern of muscular excitation. The ultimate choices are determined neurally, but what is involved with deciding on the appropriate strategy? Human locomotion appears stereotyped not so much because the pattern is predetermined, but because these movement patterns are good solutions for providing movement utilizing the machinery available to the individual (the legs and their requisite components). Under different circumstances the appropriate solution may differ broadly (different gait) or subtly (different …

Development Of An In-Field Method For The Detection Of Barium In Various Water Samples Using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, Samantha Ridgway, Magdalena Wajrak

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This work presents a reliable, cost-effective, rapid and in-field voltammetric method for the detection of barium. The optimized method consists of an ultrathin mercury film deposited in situ on a glassy carbon electrode in dilute potassium chloride without deoxygenation, using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP-ASV). Application of the method allowed for the quantitative determination of barium concentration in a variety of waters and brake pad dust samples. Comparative analysis of sample results from DP-ASV with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) showed a mean percent difference of 1.8%.

Training And Development In Small Professional Services Firms, Pattanee Susomrith, Alan Coetzer, Emmanuel Ampofo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether participation in training and development (T&D) events is associated with employees’ affective commitment and propensity to enact innovative behaviours in small professional services firms. The study also investigates associations between both attitudes towards T&D and policy and practice supportive of T&D and levels of participation in T&D events.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 203 employees in small professional services firms employing 50 or fewer staff were analysed using regression analysis and PROCESS macro.

Findings

Only policy and practice supportive of T&D was associated with participation levels. Participation in T&D events was positively related to affective …

Optimization Of Well Pad Design And Drilling - Well Clustering, Aleksandr Abramov

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A model accounting for more than 30 parameters of drilling projects, and a computer program to enumerate groupings of the wells of a pad with consequent calculations of technical-economic characteristics, are developed and tested. Seven drilling scenarios for a 24-well pad with different starting oil flow rates for the wells are studied. Optimal well groupings in terms of Net Present Value (NPV) for three discount rates and five oil production decline rates have been found. The results show that: NPV-maximizing well pad designs with unequal (varying) numbers of wells in groups (clusters) may require only slight alterations …

Facile Synthesis Of Di-Mannitol Adipate Ester-Based Zinc Metal Alkoxide As A Bi-Functional Additive For Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Yuepeng Li, Degang Li, Wenyuan Han, Manqi Zhang, Bing Ai, Lipeng Zhang, Hongqi Sun, Zhen Cui

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A new di-mannitol adipate ester-based zinc metal alkoxide (DMAE-Zn) was synthesized as a bi-functional poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermal stabilizer for the first time. The materials were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Characterization results confirmed the formation of Zn–O bonds in DMAE-Zn, and confirmed that DMAE-Zn had a high decomposition temperature and a low melting point. The thermal stability of DMAE-Zn on PVC also was tested by a conductivity test, a thermal aging test, and a UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) test. PVC stabilized by DMAE-Zn had a good initial color and excellent long-term stability. UV-VIS also …

Neuromeasure: A Software Package For Quantification Of Cortical Motor Maps Using Frameless Stereotaxic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Michael B. Gerber, Alasdair C. Mclean, Samuel J. Stephen, Alex G. Chalco, Usman M. Arshad, Gary W. Thickbroom, Josh Silverstein, K. Zoe Tsagaris, Amy Kuceyeski, Kathleen Friel, Taiza E. G. Santos, Dylan J. Edwards

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The recent enhanced sophistication of non-invasive mapping of the human motor cortex using MRI-guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) techniques, has not been matched by refinement of methods for generating maps from motor evoked potential (MEP) data, or in quantifying map features. This is despite continued interest in understanding cortical reorganization for natural adaptive processes such as skill learning, or in the case of motor recovery, such as after lesion affecting the corticospinal system. With the observation that TMS-MEP map calculation and quantification methods vary, and that no readily available commercial or free software exists, we sought to establish and make …

Encouraging Students To Draw On Work Experiences When Articulating Achievements And Capabilities To Enhance Employability, Denise A. Jackson, Susan Edgar

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Employability drives higher education policy yet despite the investment in developing ‘rounded’ graduates, students experience difficulties in articulating their achievements and capabilities during graduate recruitment. The purpose of this research was to trial and evaluate a career development intervention aimed at drawing on work experiences when applying for graduate roles. Students (N = 136) from two contrasting disciplines, Business and Physiotherapy, and two institutions participated in a two-staged intervention. A focus group was also conducted with career advisors (N = 9) to examine student engagement with career development learning. Findings indicated that students were confident in their ability …

Phase Separation And Enhanced Wear Resistance Of Cu88fe12 Immiscible Coating Prepared By Laser Cladding, Shuzhen Zhao, Shengfeng Zhou, Min Xie, Xiaoqin Dai, Dongchu Chen, Laichang Zhang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In order to eliminate the microstructure segregation of Cu–Fe immiscible alloys which characterized with a liquid miscible gap, the Cu88Fe12 (wt.%) immiscible coating was prepared by laser cladding. The phase separation characteristic and wear resistance of the Cu88Fe12 (wt.%) immiscible coating were also investigated. The results show that the size of the milled Cu88Fe12 composite powder is reduced comparing to that of the un-milled powder due to fracturing during mechanical milling. Moreover, the demixing or delamination disappears in the Cu88Fe12 immiscible coating and a large amount of face-centered-cubic (fcc) γ-Fe and body-centered-cubic (bcc) α-Fe particles are dispersed in the face-centered-cubic …

Fingerprinting Blue Carbon: Rationale And Tools To Determine The Source Of Organic Carbon In Marine Depositional Environments, Nathan R. Geraldi, Alejandra Ortega, Oscar Serrano, Peter I. Macreadie, Catherine E. Lovelock, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Hilary Kennedy, Paul S. Lavery, Michael L. Pace, Joeri Kaal, Carlos M. Duarte

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Blue carbon is the organic carbon in oceanic and coastal ecosystems that is captured on centennial to millennial timescales. Maintaining and increasing blue carbon is an integral component of strategies to mitigate global warming. Marine vegetated ecosystems (especially seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and tidal marshes) are blue carbon hotspots and their degradation and loss worldwide have reduced organic carbon stocks and increased CO₂ emissions. Carbon markets, and conservation and restoration schemes aimed at enhancing blue carbon sequestration and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, will be aided by knowing the provenance and fate of blue carbon. We review and critique current …

Effect Of Pretreatment Process On Scale Formation In The Re-Boiler Section Of Monoethylene Glycol Regeneration Plant, Ammar Al Helal, Adam Soames, Stefan Iglauer, Ahmed Barifcani, Rolf Gubner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) regeneration plants often use pretreatment vessels to precipitate divalent cations, such as Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, in order to avoid or reduce fouling in downstream reboilers and heat exchangers. This pretreatment process operates under alkaline conditions and moderate temperatures (~ 80 °C) to accelerate the formation of low-solubility divalent salts. The objective of the present research was to determine whether the pretreatment process could be minimized, without negatively impacts on the MEG regeneration process from to the formation of scale on the heater bundle in the presence of low concentrations of …

Geographical Variations In Prostate Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review Of International Evidence, Paramita Dasgupta, Peter D. Baade, Joanne F. Aitken, Nicholas Ralph, Suzanne K. Chambers, Jeff Dunn

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Previous reviews of geographical disparities in the prostate cancer continuum from diagnosis to mortality have identified a consistent pattern of poorer outcomes with increasing residential disadvantage and for rural residents. However, there are no contemporary, systematic reviews summarizing the latest available evidence. Our objective was to systematically review the published international evidence for geographical variations in prostate cancer indicators by residential rurality and disadvantage.

Methods: Systematic searches of peer-reviewed articles in English published from 1/1/1998 to 30/06/2018 using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Informit databases. Inclusion criteria were: population was adult prostate cancer patients; outcome measure was PSA testing, prostate …

Establishment Of Coral-Bacteria Symbioses Reveal Changes In The Core Bacterial Community With Host Ontogeny, Rachele Bernasconi, Michael Stat, Annette Koenders, Andrea Paparini, Michael Bunce, Megan J. Huggett

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Bacterial communities are fundamental symbionts of corals. However, the process by which bacterial communities are acquired across the life history of corals, particularly in larval and early juvenile stages, is still poorly characterized. Here, transfer of bacteria of the Scleractinian coral Acropora digitifera from adults to spawned egg-sperm bundles was analyzed, as well as acquisition across early developmental stages (larvae and newly settled spat), and 6-month-old juveniles. Larvae were reared under manipulated environmental conditions to determine the source (maternal, seawater, or sediment) of bacteria likely to establish symbiotic relationships with the host using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. …

Using Local Rural Knowledge To Enhance Stem Learning For Gifted And Talented Students In Australia, Julia Morris, Eileen Slater, Michael T. Fitzgerald, Geoffrey W. Lummis, Eddie Van Etten

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In order to supply a future Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, Australia needs to engage its most capable and gifted secondary students in quality STEM learning, either within school or through extra-curricular opportunities, so that they will continue into STEM-based tertiary degrees. High-achieving students in rural communities may face additional barriers to STEM learning that can limit their ability to pursue advanced STEM studies and occupations. This small-scale research project sought to explore a group of gifted lower secondary students’ engagement and experiences in a STEM programme designed around a local rural knowledge model as reported by Avery …

Empowering The Next Generation Of Actors Through The Creation Of Student-Centred Self-Devised Dramatic Work, Andrew Lewis, Lyndall Adams

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

There has been a demise of many Australian theatre companies over the past 20 years, along with a decrease in long-form television series. As a result, there is less work available for graduating actors from conservatoires. In this precarious landscape, acting conservatoires need to appraise how actors are trained and assess how to better empower them as independent artists. One such approach is the development of devised theatre work within a conservatoire actor training structure. This article charts the development of a new devised work and the dynamics involved in theatre co-creation via student-centred collaboration. Our research examines the existing …

The Incidence, Prevalence, Nature, Severity And Mechanisms Of Injury In Elite Female Cricketers: A Prospective Cohort Study, Nirmala Kanthi Panagodage Perera, Alex Kountouris, Joanne L. Kemp, Corey Joseph, Caroline F. Finch

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objectives

Incidence, prevalence, nature, severity and mechanisms of injury in elite female cricketers over two seasons from March 2014 to March 2016, inclusive.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Injury data collected via Cricket Australia’s Athlete Management System on all elite female players over two seasons were analysed. Profiles of the nature, anatomical location and mechanism of injuries were presented according to dominant player position. Injury incidence rates were calculated based on match playing hours.

Results

There were 600 medical-attention injuries; with 77.7% players reporting ≥1 injury. There were 79.5% acute injuries compared to gradual onset injuries. Of the all medical-attention …

Measuring Food Provision In Western Australian Long Day Care (Ldc) Services: A Weighed Food Record Method/Protocol At A Service Level, Ros Sambell, Ruth Wallace, Leesa Costello, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

There are currently 1.3 million children utilising Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services in Australia. Long day care (LDC), family day care and out of school hours care currently provide this service in different environments. This research reports findings from a LDC perspective. Children can consume 40–67% of their food intake whilst at LDC services, this highlights the importance of monitoring food provision at a service level. There are several methods to measure food provision which typically focus on intake at an individual level. There is limited evidence of measuring food provision accurately at a service level and …

Evaluation Of Dyslipidaemia Using An Algorithm Of Lipid Profile Measures Among Newly Diagnosed Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study At Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana, Enoch Odame Anto, Christian Obirikorang, Max Efui Annani-Akollor, Eric Adua, Sampson Donkor, Emmanuel Acheampong, Evans Adu Asamoah

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background and Objectives: Dyslipidaemia and its associated complications have been reported to increase mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, there is a dearth of data on the incidence of dyslipidemia among Ghanaian patients with T2DM. This study evaluated dyslipidemia among newly diagnosed T2DM patients at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 215 participants at the Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa-Ghana. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data. Predisposing factors of dyslipidemia such as BMI, hypertension, and family history of diabetes were also obtained. Lipid profile was performed on the …

Neuromuscular Factors Contributing To Reductions In Muscle Force After Repeated, High-Intensity Muscular Efforts [Journal Article], Benjamin J. C. Kirk, Gabriel S. Trajano, Timothy S. Pulverenti, Grant Rowe, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Multiple neuromuscular processes contribute to the loss of force production following repeated, high-intensity muscular efforts; however, the relative contribution of each process is unclear. In Experiment 1, 16 resistance trained men performed six sets of unilateral isometric plantar flexor contractions of the right leg (3 s contraction/2 s rest; 85% maximal voluntary contraction torque; 90-s inter-set rest) until failure with and without caffeine ingestion (3 mg kg^-1) on two separate days. Corticospinal excitability and cortical silent period (cSP) were assessed before and immediately, 10 and 20 min after the exercise. In Experiment 2, electrically evoked tetanic force and …

Chemical Profile And In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation Of Unripe Citrus Aurantifolia Essential Oil, Christian K. Adokoh, Du-Bois Asante, Desmond O. Acheampong, Yohei Kotsuchibashi, Francis A. Armah, Ignatius H. Sirikyi, Keisuke Kimura, Edward Gmakame, Sey Abdul-Rauf

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (syn. C. MEDICA var. ACIDA Brandis) (family: Rutaceae) essential oil is one of the cheapest oils found in local markets. Although, it is generally accepted as non-toxic to vital organs and cells, majority of people are cynical about it usage. Herein, the present study reports the chemical composition and in vivo oral toxicity study of unripe C. aurantifolia essential oil found in Ghana. The toxicity of C. aurantifolia essential oil extract was investigated via oral administration using two methods: The acute toxicity single dose study (SDS) and the repeated dose method. The oil exhibited no acute …

Cross-Sectional Changes In Weight Status And Weight Related Behaviors Among Australian Children And Australian Indigenous Children Between 2010 And 2015, Louise L. Hardy, Rona Macniven, Tuguy Esgin, Seema Mihrshahi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Since 2006 there has been substantial long-term investment in school-based child obesity prevention programs in New South Wales (Australia). Whether these programs have led to population level improvements in children's weight status and weight-related behaviors are yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to describe changes in children's weight status and weight-related behaviors, including Indigenous children, who are at greater risk of poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous children.

METHODS: Representative cross-sectional population surveys conducted in 2010 and 2015 among children age 5-16 years (n = 15,613). Objective measurements included height, weight, waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness, and …

Foam Rolling As A Recovery Tool Following Eccentric Exercise: Potential Mechanisms Underpinning Changes In Jump Performance, Eric J. Drinkwater, Christopher Latella, Christopher Wilsmore, Stephen P. Bird, Melissa Skein

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is paramount in sports performance. Foam rolling (FR) has been suggested to improve acute performance; however, the ability to facilitate recovery from eccentric (ECC) exercise remains unclear.

Methods: Eleven males undertook 6 × 25 ECC knee extensions to induce muscular damage. Immediately, 24, 48, and 72 h post-training countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), pressure-pain threshold (PPT), knee flexion range of motion (ROM), and mid-thigh circumference (MTC) were assessed. Neurophysiological measures included voluntary activation (VA), peak twitch torque (PTT), time to peak twitch (PTT_time), and rate of twitch torque …

The Capacity Of The Fecal Microbiota From Malawian Infants To Ferment Resistant Starch, Yanan Wang, Elissa K. Mortimer, Kondwani G. H. Katundu, Noel Kalanga, Lex E. X. Leong, Geetha L. Gopalsamy, Claus T. Christophersen, Alyson C. Richard, Aravind Shivasami, Guy C. J. Abell, Graeme P. Young, Geraint B. Rogers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), weaning is associated with environmentally acquired and inflammation-associated enteric disorders. Dietary intake of high amylose maize starch (HAMS) can promote commensal fermentative bacteria and drive the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). By stabilizing commensal gut microbiology, and stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory metabolites, HAMS supplementation might therefore influence enteric health. However, the extent to which the gut microbiota of LMIC infants are capable of fermenting HAMS is unclear. We assessed the capacity of the fecal microbiota from pre-weaning and weaning Malawian infants to ferment HAMS and produce SCFAs using an in vitro …

The Not-So-Sterile Womb: Evidence That The Human Fetus Is Exposed To Bacteria Prior To Birth, Lisa F. Stinson, Mary C. Boyce, Matthew S. Payne, Jeffrey A. Keelan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The human microbiome includes trillions of bacteria, many of which play a vital role in host physiology. Numerous studies have now detected bacterial DNA in first-pass meconium and amniotic fluid samples, suggesting that the human microbiome may commence in utero. However, these data have remained contentious due to underlying contamination issues. Here, we have used a previously described method for reducing contamination in microbiome workflows to determine if there is a fetal bacterial microbiome beyond the level of background contamination. We recruited 50 women undergoing non-emergency cesarean section deliveries with no evidence of intra-uterine infection and collected first-pass meconium …