Digital Commons Network^™

Vaginal Microbial Profiling In A Preterm Birth High-Risk Cohort Using Shallow Shotgun Metagenomics, Alishum Ali, Claus T. Christophersen, Jeffrey A. Keelan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Preterm birth (PTB) is a significant health problem globally, with an estimate of 15 million cases annually. Approximately 10% of neonates born early will die prematurely, while a subset will develop severe life-long morbidities. Unfortunately, preterm birth's syndromic nature has evaded prevention strategies, and it continues to impose a high burden on healthcare systems and families. The role of vaginal bacteria in triggering biomolecular causes of PTB has been recognised for years. However, translating this knowledge to practical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies has remained elusive. New techniques in high-throughput sequencing have improved our understanding of the nature and role of …

Kynurenic Acid May Underlie Sex-Specific Immune Responses To Covid-19, Yuping Cai, Daniel J. Kim, Takehiro Takahashi, David I. Broadhurst, Hong Yan, Shuangge Ma, Nicholas J. W. Rattray, Arnau Casanovas-Massana, Benjamin Israelow, Jon Klein, Carolina Lucas, Tianyang Mao, Adam J. Moore, M. Catherine Muenker, Ji Eun Oh, Julio Silva, Patrick Wong, Albert I. Ko, Sajid A. Khan, Akiko Iwasaki, Caroline H. Johnson, Yale Impact Research Team

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has poorer clinical outcomes in males than in females, and immune responses underlie these sex-related differences. Because immune responses are, in part, regulated by metabolites, we examined the serum metabolomes of COVID-19 patients. In male patients, kynurenic acid (KA) and a high KA–to–kynurenine (K) ratio (KA:K) positively correlated with age and with inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and negatively correlated with T cell responses. Males that clinically deteriorated had a higher KA:K than those that stabilized. KA inhibits glutamate release, and glutamate abundance was lower in patients that clinically deteriorated and correlated with immune responses. Analysis of …

Factors Driving The Compositional Diversity Of Apis Mellifera Bee Venom From A Corymbia Calophylla (Marri) Ecosystem, Southwestern Australia, Daniela Scaccabarozzi, Kenneth Dods, Thao T. Le, Joel P. A. Gummer, Michele Lussu, Lynne Milne, Tristan Campbell, Ben Pan Wafujian, Colin Priddis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Bee venom (BV) is the most valuable product harvested from honeybees ($30 - $300 USD per gram) but marginally produced in apiculture. Though widely studied and used in alternative medicine, recent efforts in BV research have focused on its therapeutic and cosmetic applications, for the treatment of degenerative and infectious diseases. The protein and peptide composition of BV is integral to its bioactivity, yet little research has investigated the ecological factors influencing the qualitative and quantitative variations in the BV composition. Bee venom from Apis mellifera ligustica (Apidae), collected over one flowering season of Corymbia calophylla (Myrtaceae; marri) was characterized …

Effect Of Goji Berry On The Formation Of Extracellular Senile Plaques Of Alzheimer's Disease, Warnakulasuriya M. A. D. B. Fernando, Ke Dong, Rosalie Durham, Regine Stockmann, Vijay Jayasena

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and a major source of morbidity and mortality. Currently, no therapy nor drug can cure or modify AD progression, but recent studies suggest that nutritional compounds in certain foods can delay or prevent the onset of AD. Diets with high antioxidants is one of the examples which is believed to influence AD pathogenesis through direct effect on amyloid beta levels. Compared to other fruits and vegetables, goji berry (GB) has high levels of polyphenolic substances with antioxidant activities which have shown some positive effects on cognitive function while its mechanism …

Quantifying 210po/210pb Disequilibrium In Seawater: A Comparison Of Two Precipitation Methods With Differing Results, Montserrat Roca-Martí, Viena Puigcorbé, Maxi Castrillejo, Núria Casacuberta, Jordi Garcia-Orellana, J. Kirk Cochran, Pere Masqué

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The disequilibrium between lead-210 (210Pb) and polonium-210 (210Po) is increasingly used in oceanography to quantify particulate organic carbon (POC) export from the upper ocean. This proxy is based on the deficits of 210Po typically observed in the upper water column due to the preferential removal of 210Po relative to 210Pb by sinking particles. Yet, a number of studies have reported unexpected large 210Po deficits in the deep ocean indicating scavenging of 210Po despite its radioactive mean life of ∼ 200 days. Two precipitation methods, Fe(OH)3 and Co-APDC, are typically used to concentrate Pb and Po from seawater samples, and deep …

Temporal Variation In The Genetic Composition Of An Endangered Marsupial Reflects Reintroduction History, Rujiporn Thavornkanlapachai, Harriet R. Mills, Kym Ottewell, J. Anthony Friend, W. Jason Kennington

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The loss of genetic variation and genetic divergence from source populations are common problems for reintroductions that use captive animals or a small number of founders to establish a new population. This study evaluated the genetic changes occurring in a captive and a reintroduced population of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) that were established from multiple source populations over a twelve-year period, using 21 microsatellite loci. While the levels of genetic variation within the captive and reintroduced populations were relatively stable, and did not differ significantly from the source populations, their effective population size reduced 10–16-fold over the duration of this …

Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective Against Stress And Isolation Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Emotional Health And Wellbeing Needs Of Perinatal Women, Jacqueline A. Davis, Lisa Y. Gibson, Natasha L. Bear, Amy L. Finlay-Jones, Jeneva L. Ohan, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and well-being and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also …

Major Genetic Discontinuity And Novel Toxigenic Species In Clostridioides Difficile Taxonomy, Daniel R. Knight, Korakrit Imwattana, Brian Kullin, Enzo Guerrero-Araya, Daniel Paredes-Sabja, Xavier Didelot, Kate E. Dingle, David W. Eyre, César Rodríguez, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains an urgent global One Health threat. The genetic heterogeneity seen across C. difficile underscores its wide ecological versatility and has driven the significant changes in CDI epidemiology seen in the last 20 years. We analysed an international collection of over 12,000 C. difficile genomes spanning the eight currently defined phylogenetic clades. Through whole-genome average nucleotide identity, and pangenomic and Bayesian analyses, we identified major taxonomic incoherence with clear species boundaries for each of the recently described cryptic clades CI–III. The emergence of these three novel genomospecies predates clades C1–5 by millions of years, rewriting the …

Causal Inference Multiple Imputation Investigation Of The Impact Of Cannabinoids And Other Substances On Ethnic Differentials In Us Testicular Cancer Incidence, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Ethnic differences in testicular cancer rates (TCRs) are recognized internationally. Cannabis is a known risk factor for testicular cancer (TC) in multiple studies with dose-response effects demonstrated, however the interaction between ancestral and environmental mutagenic effects has not been characterized. We examined the effects of this presumed gene-environment interaction across US states. Methods: State based TCR was downloaded from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) website via SEERStat. Drug use data for cigarettes, alcohol use disorder, analgesics, cannabis and cocaine was taken from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health a nationally representative study conducted annually by …

Influence Of Rock Wettability On Thf Hydrate Saturation And Distribution In Sandstones, Ghazanfer Raza Abbasi, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Abubakar Isah, Alireza Keshavarz, Sefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Natural gas trapped in hydrate deposits is a potentially enormous source of energy which can in principle be extracted from the underground reservoir structures. These reserves can potentially also catastrophically release very large quantities of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. One key parameter which is well known to strongly influence fluid distribution, saturation, and production is rock wettability. However, the effect of wettability on gas hydrate in sediments has not been investigated yet. We thus used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry to measure relaxation times (T₂ and T₁) and the corresponding surface relaxivity of tetrahydrofuran hydrate …

Synopsis Of An Integrated Guidance For Enhancing The Care Of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia: An Australian Perspective, Gerald F. Watts, David R. Sullivan, David L. Hare, Karam M. Kostner, Ari E. Horton, Damon A. Bell, Tom Brett, Ronald J. Trent, Nicola K. Poplawski, Andrew C. Martin, Shubha Srinivasan, Robert N. Justo, Clara K. Chow, Jing Pang, Zanfina Ademi, Justin J. Ardill, Wendy Barnett, Timothy R. Bates, Lawrence J. Beilin, Warrick Bishop, J. Andrew Black, Alex Brown, John R. Burnett, Christina A. Bursill, Alison Colley, Peter M. Clifton, Elif I. Ekinci, Gemma A. Figtree, Brett H. Forge, Jacquie Garton-Smith, Dorothy F. Graham, Ian Hamilton-Craig, Christian R. Hamilton-Craig, Clare Heal, Charlotte M. Hespe, Amanda J. Hooper, Laurence G. Howes, Jodie Ingles, Edward D. Janus, Nadarajah Kangaharan, Anthony C. Keech, Andrew B. Kirke, Leonard Kritharides, Campbell V. Kyle, Paul Lacaze, Stephen C. H. Li, Stjepana Maticevic, Brendan M. Mcquillan, Sam Mirzaee, Trevor A. Mori, Allison C. Morton, David M. Colquhoun, Joanna C. Moullin, Paul J. Nestel, Kristen J. Nowak, Richard C. O'Brien, Nicholas Pachter, Michael M. Page, Peter J. Psaltis, Jan Radford, Nicola J. Reid, Elizabeth N. Robertson, Jacqueline D. M. Ryan, Mitchell N. Sarkies, Carl J. Schultz, Russell S. Scott, Christopher Semsarian, Leon A. Simons, Catherine Spinks, Andrew M. Tonkin, Frank Van Bockxmeer, Kathryn E. Waddell-Smith, Natalie C. Ward, Harvey D. White, Andrew M. Wilson, Ingrid Winship, Ann Marie Woodward, Stephen J. Nicholls, Peter Brett, Luke Elias, Wynand Malan, John Irvin, Kirsten Lambert, Annette Pedrotti, Fh Australasia Network Consensus Working Group

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common, heritable and preventable cause of premature coronary artery disease, with significant potential for positive impact on public health and healthcare savings. New clinical practice recommendations are presented in an abridged guidance to assist practitioners in enhancing the care of all patients with FH. Main recommendations Core recommendations are made on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of adults, children and adolescents with FH. There is a key role for general practitioners (GPs) working in collaboration with specialists with expertise in lipidology. Advice is given on genetic and cholesterol testing and risk notification of …

Association Of Β-Amyloid Level, Clinical Progression And Longitudinal Cognitive Change In Normal Older Individuals, Laura M. Van Der Krall, Thanh Truong, Samantha C. Burnham, Vincent Doré, Rachel S. Mulligan, Svetlana Bozinovski, Fiona Lamb, Pierrick Bourgeat, Jurgen Fripp, Stephanie Schultz, Yen Y. Lim, Simon M. Laws, David Ames, Christopher Fowler, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins, Olivier Salvado, Joanne Robertson, Paul Maruff, Colin L. Masters, Victor L. Villemagne, Christopher C. Rowe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective To determine the effect of β-amyloid (Aβ) level on progression risk to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and longitudinal cognitive change in cognitively normal (CN) older individuals. Methods All CN from the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle study with Aβ PET and ≥ 3 years follow-up were included (n = 534; age 72 ± 6 years; 27% Aβ positive; follow-up 5.3 ± 1.7 years). Aβ level was divided using the standardized 0–100 Centiloid scale: < 15 CL negative, 15–25 CL uncertain, 26–50 CL moderate, 51–100 CL high, > 100 CL very high, noting > 25 CL approximates a positive scan. Cox proportional hazards analysis and linear mixed effect models were used to assess …

A Narrative Review Of The Pharmacological, Cultural And Psychological Literature On Ibogaine, Martie S. Underwood, Stephen J. Bright, B. Les Lancaster

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid contained in the West African plant Tabernanthe iboga. Although preliminary, evidence suggests that ibogaine could be effective in the treatment of certain substance use disorders, specifically opioid use disorder. This narrative review concentrated on the pharmacological, cultural and psychological aspects of ibogaine that contribute to its reputed effectiveness with a specific focus on the ibogaine state of consciousness. Although the exact pharmacological mechanisms for ibogaine are still speculative, the literature highlighted its role as an NMDA antagonist in the effective treatment of substance use disorders. The cultural aspects associated with the use of ibogaine pose …

Numerical Assessment Of The Overall Heat Transfer And Pressure Drop Performances Of An Aqueous Ammonia Base-Nanofluids In Rectangular Microchannel Heat Sinks, Ahmed Mohammed Adham, Hussein A. Mohammed

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper, the thermal and hydrodynamic performances of an aqueous ammonia base-nanofluid (Al2O3-NH3(aqu)) cooled in a rectangular microchannel heat sink was numerically investigated. The range of Reynolds number used in the investigation were between 140-1400. In order to assess the performance of the system during the employment of the proposed nanofluid, H2O and Al2O3-H2O were also tested and their performances were compared to Al2O3-NH3(aqu) performance in terms of thermal resistance and pressure drop. Results from the simulation showed that the proposed nanofluid outperformed pure water and slightly higher than Al2O3-H2O in terms of thermal resistance (for Re = 1400, …

Longitudinal Trajectories In Cortical Thickness And Volume Atrophy: Superior Cognitive Performance Does Not Protect Against Brain Atrophy In Older Adults, Samantha Gardener, Michael Weinborn, Hamid R. Sohrabi, James Doecke, Pierrick Bourgeat, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Kai-Kai Shen, Jurgen Fripp, Kevin Taddei, Paul Maruff, Olivier Salvado, Greg Savage, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Ralph Martins, Aibl Research Group

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Previous research has identified a small subgroup of older adults that maintain a high level of cognitive functioning well into advanced age. Investigation of those with superior cognitive performance (SCP) for their age is important, as age-related decline has previously been thought to be inevitable.

Objective:

Preservation of cortical thickness and volume was evaluated in 76 older adults with SCP and 100 typical older adults (TOAs) assessed up to five times over six years.

Methods:

Regions of interest (ROIs) found to have been associated with super-aging status (a construct similar to SCP status) in previous literature were investigated, followed …

Heterogeneous Tidal Marsh Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation Among And Within Temperate Estuaries In Australia, Connor Gorham, Paul S. Lavery, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Pere Masque, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The scarcity of data on tidal marsh soil accumulation rates (SAR) and soil organic carbon accumulation rates (CAR) globally precludes a comprehensive assessment of the role of tidal marshes in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Particularly few data exist from the southern hemisphere and for Australia in particular, which contains ~24% of globally recognised tidal marsh extent. Here we estimate SAR and CAR over the last 70 years using 210Pb-based geochronologies in temperate estuarine tidal marsh ecosystems in southern Western Australia (WA). Specifically, we assessed tidal marsh ecosystems situated in two geomorphic settings (marine vs. fluvial deltas) within 10 wave-dominated, …

Oat Intake And Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease And All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Faina Wehrli, Petek E. Taneri, Arjola Bano, Lia Bally, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Weston Bussler, Brandon Metzger, Beatrice Minder, Marija Glisic, Taulant Muka, Hua Kern

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain the top disease and mortality burdens worldwide. Oats have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health and improve insulin resistance. However, the evidence linking oat consumption with CVD, T2D and all-cause mortality remains inconclusive. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to evaluate the associations between oat consumption and risks of T2D, CVD and all-cause mortality in the general population. Five electronic databases were searched until September, 2020. Study specific relative risks (RR) were meta-analyzed using random effect models. Of 4686 relevant references, we included 9 articles, …

Enhancing Adaptions To Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training Interventions, Anthony J. Blazevich, David F. Collins, Guillaume Y. Millet, Marco A. Vaz, Nicola A. Maffiuletti

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied to skeletal muscles is an effective rehabilitation and exercise training modality. However, the relatively low muscle force and rapid muscle fatigue induced by NMES limit the stimulus provided to the neuromuscular system and subsequent adaptations. We hypothesize that adaptations to NMES will be enhanced by the use of specific stimulation protocols and adjuvant interventions.

Evidence Of Large Increases In Sedimentation Rates Due To Fish Trawling In Submarine Canyons Of The Gulf Of Palermo (Sw Mediterranean), Sarah Paradis, Claudio Lo Iacono, Pere Masqué, Pere Puig, Albert Palanques, Tommaso Russo, The Island Cruise Tem

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Bottom trawling in submarine canyons can affect their natural sedimentation rates, but studies addressing this issue are still scarce. In the Gulf of Palermo (SW Mediterranean), bottom trawling occurs on the slope around Oreto, Arenella and Eleuterio canyons. Analyses of excess 210Pb concentrations and grain size fractions in sediment cores from their canyon axes revealed that sedimentation rates and silt contents increased in all canyons in the 1980s, due to the expansion of more powerful trawlers ( > 500 HP) to deeper fishing grounds. In Eleuterio and Arenella canyons, sedimentation rates increased by an order of magnitude (0.1-1.4 cm·yr-1), whereas they …

Searching For A Technology-Driven Acute Rheumatic Fever Test: The Start Study Protocol, Anna P. Ralph, Rachel Webb, Nicole J. Moreland, Reuben Mcgregor, Anthony Bosco, David Broadhurst, Timo Lassmann, Timothy C. Barnett, Rym Benothman, Jennifer Yan, Bo Remenyi, Julie Bennett, Nigel Wilson, Mark Mayo, Glenn Pearson, Tobias Kollmann, Jonathan R. Carapetis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

The absence of a diagnostic test for acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a major impediment in managing this serious childhood condition. ARF is an autoimmune condition triggered by infection with group A Streptococcus. It is the precursor to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a leading cause of health inequity and premature mortality for Indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand and internationally.

Methods and analysis:

Searching for a Technology-Driven Acute Rheumatic Fever Test' (START) is a biomarker discovery study that aims to detect and test a biomarker signature that distinguishes ARF cases from non-ARF, and use systems biology and serology to …

No Casual Relationship Between T2dm And The Risk Of Infectious Diseases: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study, Huachen Wang, Zheng Guo, Yulu Zheng, Chunyan Yu, Haifeng Hou, Bing Chen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: In epidemiological studies, it has been proven that the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to an increased risk of infectious diseases. However, it is still unclear whether the relationship is casual. Methods: We employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to clarify the causal effect of T2DM on high-frequency infectious diseases: sepsis, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and genito-urinary infection (GUI) in pregnancy. And then, we analyzed the genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of European-descent individuals and conducted T2DM-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs) that were associated with …

A Review Of Enhancement Of Biohydrogen Productions By Chemical Addition Using A Supervised Machine Learning Method, Yiyang Liu, Jinze Liu, Hongzhen He, Shanru Yang, Yixiao Wang, Jin Hu, Huan Jin, Tianxiang Cui, Gang Yang, Yong Sun

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this work, the impact of chemical additions, especially nano‐particles (NPs), was quan-titatively analyzed using our constructed artificial neural networks (ANNs)‐response surface methodology (RSM) algorithm. Fe‐based and Ni‐based NPs and ions, including Mg2+, Cu2+, Na+, NH4+, and K+, behave differently towards the response of hydrogen yield (HY) and hydrogen evolution rate (HER). Manipulating the size and concentration of NPs was found to be effective in enhancing the HY for Fe‐based NPs and ions, but not for Ni‐based NPs and ions. An optimal range of particle size (86–120 nm) and Ni‐ion/NP concentration (81–120 mg L−1) existed for HER. Meanwhile, the manipulation …

Comparison Of Experiences In Two Birth Cohorts Comprising Young Families With Children Under Four Years During The Initial Covid-19 Lockdown In Australia And The Uk: A Qualitative Study, Lisa Y. Gibson, Bridget Lockyer, Josie Dickerson, Charlotte Endacott, Sally Bridges, Rosemary R. C. Mceachan, Kate E. Pickett, Sarah Whalan, Natasha L. Bear, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott, Jacqueline A. Davis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study aims to understand the experience and impact of the initial COVID-19 lock-down in young families with children aged below 4 years. Free text questions were administered to participants in the ORIGINS (Australia) and Born in Bradford (UK) cohort studies to collect qualitative information on worries, concerns and enjoyable experiences during the pandemic. A total of 903 (400 for ORIGINS and 503 for BiB) participants completed the two surveys during April 2020. Despite varying in geography, levels of socio-economic disadvantage and their situational context during the pandemic, respondents from both cohorts reported similar worries and challenges during the lockdown …

Potential Role Of Exercise Induced Extracellular Vesicles In Prostate Cancer Suppression, Ying Zhang, Jin-Soo Kim, Tain-Zhen Wang, Robert U. Newton, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert A. Gardiner, Michelle M. Hill, Dennis Taaffe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Physical exercise is increasingly recognized as a valuable treatment strategy in managing prostate cancer, not only enhancing supportive care but potentially influencing disease outcomes. However, there are limited studies investigating mechanisms of the tumor-suppressive effect of exercise. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as a therapeutic target for cancer as tumor-derived EVs have the potential to promote metastatic capacity by transferring oncogenic proteins, integrins, and microRNAs to other cells and EVs are also involved in developing drug resistance. Skeletal muscle has been identified as an endocrine organ, releasing EVs into the circulation, and levels of EV-containing factors have been …

Co2 – Brine – Sandstone Wettability Evaluation At Reservoir Conditions Via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements, Auby Baban, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Alireza Keshavarz, R. Amin, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

CO₂-rock wettability is a key parameter which governs CO₂ trapping capacities and containment security in the context of CO₂ geo-sequestration schemes. However, significant uncertainties still exist in terms of predicting CO₂ rock wettability at true reservoir conditions. This study thus reports on wettability measurements via independent Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments on sandstone (CO₂–brine systems) to quantify Wettability Indices (WI) using the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) scale. The results show that CO₂ (either molecularly dissolved or as a separate supercritical phase) significantly reduced the hydrophilicity of the sandstone from strongly …

Editorial: Integrated Water Management For Enhanced Water Quality And Reuse To Create A Sustainable Future, Eldon R. Rene, Veeriah Jegatheesan, Li Shu

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Safe drinking water and sanitation are very important for the survival of human life. With the rapid proliferation of industries, growth in population and different forms of pollution, i.e. in water, air, soil and sediments, the living environment and the ecosystem is constantly polluted. In this context, integrating different water resources for enhanced water quality and reuse is important to solve the persisting problems and challenges in developing and the developed nations. Integrated water management offers environmental, economic and social benefits because it aims at maximizing the existing resources and prevents further depletion of the ecosystem.

Habitat Selection By Vulnerable Golden Bandicoots In The Arid Zone, Cheryl A. Lohr, Kristen Nilsson, Colleen Sims, Judy Dunlop, Michael T. Lohr

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In 2010, vulnerable golden bandicoots (Isoodon auratus) were translocated from Barrow Island, Western Australia, to a mainland predator-free enclosure on the Matuwa Indigenous Protected Area. Golden bandicoots were once widespread throughout a variety of arid and semiarid habitats of central and northern Australia. Like many small-to-medium-sized marsupials, the species has severely declined since colonization and has been reduced to only four remnant natural populations. Between 2010 and 2020, the reintroduced population of golden bandicoots on Matuwa was monitored via capture–mark–recapture data collection, which was used in spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis to monitor their abundance over time. In 2014, we used …

Sensitive And Quantitative Determination Of Short-Chain Fatty Acids In Human Serum Using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Armaghan Shafaei, Veronica Vamathevan, Jessica Pandohee, Nathan G. Lawler, David Broadhurst, Mary C. Boyce

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are increasingly being monitored to elucidate the link between gut health and disease. These metabolites are routinely measured in faeces, but their determination in serum is more challenging due to their low concentrations. A method for the determination of eight SCFAs in serum is described here. High-resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography were used to identify the presence of isomeric interferences, which were then overcome through a combination of chromatographic separation and judicious choice of MS fragment ion. The SCFAs were derivatised to form 3-nitrophenylhydrazones before being separated on a reversed-phase column and then detected using …

Neutron Scattering: A Subsurface Application Review, Mirhasan Hosseini, Muhammad Arif, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Geomaterials and filling fluids properties that are pertinent to a geologic porous media can be characterized using a range of methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, X-rays, infrared spectroscopy, and neutron scattering (NS). In this context, NS features as an important tool elucidate key properties of a porous medium, which has recently gained significant attention. Key rock properties that can be measured by NS include: rock texture (i.e. crystallographic preferred orientation), mechanical properties (i.e. stress and strain) as well as porous medium properties (pore porosity, pore size and connectivity). In addition, NS imaging can help elucidate the phase behaviour of …

The Role Of Aerodynamic Resistance In Thermal Remote Sensing-Based Evapotranspiration Models, Ivonne Trebs, Kaniska Mallick, Nishan Bhattarai, Mauro Sulis, Jamie Cleverly, William Woodgate, Richard Silberstein, Nina Hinko-Najera, Jason Beringer, Wayne S. Meyer, Zhongbo Su, Gilles Boulet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aerodynamic resistance (hereafter ra) is a preeminent variable in evapotranspiration (ET) modelling. The accurate quantification of ra plays a pivotal role in determining the performance and consistency of thermal remote sensing-based surface energy balance (SEB) models for estimating ET at local to regional scales. Atmospheric stability links ra with land surface temperature (LST) and the representation of their interactions in the SEB models determines the accuracy of ET estimates. The present study investigates the influence of ra and its relation to LST uncertainties on the performance of three structurally different SEB models. It used data from nine Australian OzFlux eddy …