Digital Commons Network^™

The Safety And Efficacy Of Using Moxibustion And Or Acupuncture For Cancer-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomised Controlled Trials, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Ellen Yichun Han, Mark Jenkins, Xuepei Hong, Shuqin Pang, Lisa Whitehead, Deborah L. Kirk, Anne Williams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

This study aimed to synthesise the best available evidence on the safety and efficacy of using moxibustion and/or acupuncture to manage cancer-related insomnia (CRI).

Methods:

The PRISMA framework guided the review. Nine databases were searched from its inception to July 2020, published in English or Chinese. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of moxibustion and or acupuncture for the treatment of CRI were selected for inclusion. Methodological quality was assessed using the method suggested by the Cochrane collaboration. The Cochrane Review Manager was used to conduct a meta-analysis.

Results:

Fourteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Twelve RCTs used the Pittsburgh Sleep …

Investigating Secondary Mathematics Teachers’ Analogies To Function, Vesife Hatisaru

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Effect Of Auricular Acupressure On Acute Pain In Nursing Home Residents With Mild Dementia: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study, Jun Jun Zhang, Li Yu, Jun Hui Mei, Hong Xin Wang, Hai Xiang Gao, Ju Fang Fu, Ye Cheng, Lu Lu Gao, Lei Bu, Jian Qiang Yu, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Yu Xiang Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction. Acute pain is a prevalent problem for dementia residents in nursing homes. A variety of intervention strategies have been applied to address this problem. However, there remains an issue of inadequate pain control. This study aims to explore the analgesic efficacy of auricular acupressure (AA) for dementia residents with acute pain in nursing homes. Methods. A multicenter, single-blind, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial was performed in three nursing homes in Yinchuan, China. All of the 206 eligible patients with acute pain were randomly divided into two groups for real AA therapy or sham AA (at sham point stimulation) therapy. …

Asymmetrical Trusted Technology Networks In Developing Economies: A Case Study On Critical Infrastructure In Bhutan, Pratima Pradhan, Bal Subba, Thinley Jamtsho, Ganga Ram Ghimiray, David M. Cook

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Developing Nations are subject to amplified challenges in terms of the integration of technology, and the exposure to non-domestic opportunism from larger neighboring economies. These challenges are recognizable as asymmetrical differences between what is seen as the normative list of critical infrastructures, and the specialisms that can dominate an emerging economy with early maturity technology networks. This paper discusses the case of Bhutan and demonstrates the need for strengthened approaches to trusted networks to ensure the reliability and continuity of the Nation's critical infrastructures. The paper also links the importance of trusted information sharing networks as part of an overarching …

Do Bird Communities Differ With Post-Fire Age In Banksia Woodlands Of South-Western Australia?, Robert A. Davis, Leonie E. Valentine, Michael D. Craig

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prescribed fire is a widespread management practice in fire-prone ecosystems that can have significant effects on fauna. To inform the development of appropriate prescribed burning regimes, we explored bird responses to time since fire in threatened Banksia woodlands in south-western Australia. We used area searches to estimate bird densities on 20 plots ranging from 1 to 26 years post fire. Fire had no significant effect on the overall bird community or any foraging guilds and there was no clear post-fire succession. Of the 26 frequently occurring species analysed, only two showed responses to fire, with yellow-rumped thornbills more abundant in …

Americas Supply Chain: Unforcasted Commerce Challenges Or Leadership Failure, Jon Tobias

Integrated Studies

The current supply chain disruptions are affecting commerce in some manner which leads to scarcities of products and labor globally. The research will show that supply chain issues are directly related to commerce and leadership which plays an important role in our economy. Supply chain operations are defined, and the different levels of supply chain activities are explained. Possible points of failure within the system as well as probable causes leading to empty shelves and unavailable products is explained in detail. The research describes how massive labor shortages, high petroleum prices, and shortages of essential sub-components has led to this …

Epidemiology Of ∆8thc-Related Carcinogenesis In Usa: A Panel Regression And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of ∆8THC is increasing at present across the USA in association with widespread cannabis legalization and the common notion that it is “legal weed”. As genotoxic actions have been described for many cannabinoids, we studied the cancer epidemiology of ∆8THC. Data on 34 cancer types was from the Centers for Disease Control Atlanta Georgia, substance abuse data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, ethnicity and income data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and cannabinoid concentration data from the Drug Enforcement Agency, were combined and processed in R. Eight cancers (corpus uteri, liver, gastric cardia, breast …

Integrating Indigenous Perspectives In The Drama Class: Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions And Attitudes, Elisa M. Williams, Julia Morris

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Currently, educational bodies are recognising the importance of integrating Australian Indigenous cultures in education to promote intercultural understanding and improve outcomes for Indigenous students. In drama, learning about Indigenous perspectives can be integrated through sharing cultural stories, with this integration mandated by the Australian curriculum. However, teachers are struggling to achieve this directive due to a lack of knowledge in Indigenous content and concerns surrounding permission and cultural appropriation. This qualitative study used a focus group interview to determine non-Indigenous pre-service drama teachers' perceptions about integrating Indigenous perspectives in their praxis. Inductive analysis of the data revealed participants strongly believed …

Association Of Immunoglobulin G N-Glycosylation With Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Phenotypes And Actual Clinical Cardiovascular Events: A Study Protocol For A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study, Cuihong Tian, Gehendra Mahara, Hongxia Zhang, Xuerui Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Immune-inflammatory response plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. IgG N-glycosylation is reported to be associated with the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the relationship of IgG glycosylation with actual clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and plaque phenotypes has rarely been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to understand whether IgG glycosylation traits are correlated with actual clinical CVD events and plaque phenotypes. Methods and analysis Designed to verify the efficacy of IgG glycosylation as a risk for CVD events and screen potential biomarkers of CVD to prevent atherosclerosis occurrence, this longitudinal prospective …

Stem Cell Therapy For Insulin-Dependent Diabetes: Are We Still On The Road?, Lu Yang, Zhu-Meng Hu, Fang-Xu Jiang, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In insulin-dependent diabetes, the islet β cells do not produce enough insulin and the patients must receive exogenous insulin to control blood sugar. However, there are still many deficiencies in exogenous insulin supplementation. Therefore, the replacement of destroyed functional β cells with insulin-secreting cells derived from functional stem cells is a good idea as a new therapeutic idea. This review introduces the development schedule of mouse and human embryonic islets. The differences between mouse and human pancreas embryo development were also listed. Accordingly to the different sources of stem cells, the important research achievements on the differentiation of insulin-secreting β …

Exploring Food Supply Chain Trends In The Covid-19 Era: A Bibliometric Review, Abderahman Rejeb, Karim Rejeb, Andrea Appolloni, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Horst Treiblmaier, Sandeep Jagtap

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recently, the food supply chain (FSC) has been severely disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, putting the vital flow of food products from farmers and producers to the ultimate consumers at risk. Furthermore, due to the pandemic, several food organizations have been prompted to rethink their strategies for the future. Although the literature on FSC research in the COVID-19 era is increasing, no attempt has been made to summarize this stream of research using bibliometric techniques. This paper fills this knowledge gap and looks at the current scholarly discourse around the FSC and COVID-19. Applying bibliometric techniques, 287 journal articles …

Online Brand Detraction In An Online Opinion Platform, Violetta Wilk, Claire Lambert, Stephanie Meek

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While most studies focus on positive consumer-driven brand outcomes, this study set out to understand a negative consumer-driven brand outcome - online brand detraction (OBD). Through the lens of social exchange theory, OBD was operationalized and compared to its direct opposite manifestation - online brand advocacy (OBA). A big data, qualitative analysis, with a longitudinal approach was used to understand OBD in an online opinion platform (OOP). Four key dimensions of OBD were found: brand negativity, brand attack, negative brand knowledge and experience sharing, and virtual visual cues. These dimensions are polar opposites of OBA - a highly sought-after organic …

The Slow Movements: Informetric Mapping Of The Scholarship And Implications For Tourism And Hospitality, Anton Klarin, Eerang Park, Sangkyun Kim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Slow food and the consequent slow movements are becoming more evident in research and media with the recognition of its implications for sustainability in many spheres of society. This study—the first systematic literature review of this topic—offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary investigation into slow movements which allows us to gain a systems view of the scholarship; stakeholder-oriented insights; and a holistic understanding of slowness while recognizing the various movements within and providing future research directions for tourism and hospitality researchers. This study identifies that slowness has extended to most aspects of our everyday life, such as the slow city, slow management, …

Application Of Critical Realism In Social Work Research: Methodological Considerations, Lynne Soon-Chean Park, Shajimon Peter

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Critical realism (CR) provides a unique and robust philosophical framework for social work researchers by attending to the role of individual agency and social structure; however, little practical guidance is available regarding how the ontology and epistemology of CR can be applied as a methodological framework for qualitative research. APPROACH: In this article, we explain what CR is in relation to other ontological and epistemological positions and provide some practical suggestions for CR-informed research by drawing on relevant examples from a study that examined the causes of trust among Korean migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that …

Improving Musculoskeletal Injury Surveillance Methods In Special Operation Forces: A Delphi Consensus Study, Joanne Stannard, Caroline F. Finch, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Musculoskeletal injury mitigation is a priority in military organisations to protect personnel health and sustain a capable workforce. Despite efforts to prevent injury, inconsistencies exist in the evidence used to support these activities. There are many known limitations in the injury surveillance data reported in previous Special Operation Forces (SOF) research. Such studies often lack accurate, reliable, and complete data to inform and evaluate injury prevention activities. This research aimed to achieve expert consensus on injury surveillance methods in SOF to enhance the quality of data that could be used to inform injury prevention in this population. A Delphi study …

Exploring Scientists’ Perceptions Of Citizen Science For Public Engagement With Science, Stephanie A. Collins, Miriam Sullivan, Heather J. Bray

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

It is often assumed that citizen science is inherently participatory in nature. However, citizen science projects exist along a continuum from data contribution to full co-creation. We invited 19 biologists to explore their conceptions of citizen science. Almost all participants defined citizen science as involving non-scientists in data collection. This definition acted as a barrier for scientists who did not see how citizen science could suit their research objectives. While interviewees perceived many societal and experiential benefits of contributory citizen science, deliberate design is needed to realise the full potential of citizen science for public engagement

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Sport-Specific Crossover Point Differences During A Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test, Joseph R. Stanzione, George A. Brooks, Michael L. Bruneau, Duncan N. French, Jennifer A. Nasser, Sinclair A. Smith, Stella L. Volpe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction/Purpose: The crossover point occurs during exercise when one transitions energy substrates from fat to carbohydrate predominance. The crossover point varies in an intensity-dependent manner; however, less is known about its specificity in sports with varying metabolic demands. The purpose of our study was to determine if various sports yield differences in the time to crossover and heart rate and percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (V O2max) at crossover during a standardized exercise protocol.

Methods: A total of 77 athletes (39 women, 38 men; 39.1 + 10.4 yr of age) were measured for respiratory exchange ratio during a modified Taylor …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Gender-Specific Psychological And Social Impact Of Covid-19 In Pakistan, Fauziah Rabbani, Hyder Ali Khan, Suneel Piryani, Areeba Raza Khan, Fahad Abid

Community Health Sciences

Background: COVID-19 has rapidly spread across the world. Women may be especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic.
Aims: This study attempted to assess how gender affects risk perceptions, anxiety levels and behavioural responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, to recommend gender-responsive health policies.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and questions on their risk perceptions, preventive behaviour and information exposure. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of factors such as age, gender and …

An Optimal Charging Solution For Commercial Electric Vehicles, Bassam Al-Hanahi, Iftekhar Ahmad, Daryoush Habibi, Pravakar Pradhan, Mohammad A.S. Masoum

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

New government regulations and incentives promote the deployment of commercial electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions from gasoline-fueled vehicles. For commercial electric vehicles (CEVs) operating in a fleet, charging processes are often performed at the depot where they begin and end their daily driving cycles, as well as at public stations on their routes. With the large penetration of CEVs in depots, simultaneous charging increases peak demand, which in turn impacts the electric network and increases the demand cost of a facility. These depot charging conditions influence the charging schedules of CEVs along their routes and the total service cost …

Higher Consumption Of Fruit And Vegetables Is Associated With Lower Worries, Tension And Lack Of Joy Across The Lifespan, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Marc Sim, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Nicola P. Bondonno, Catherine P. Bondonno, Richard Woodman, Joanne M. Dickson, Craig Harms, Dianna J. Magliano, Jonathan E. Shaw, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Aims: Higher total fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes have been
associated with lower perceived stress. However, the relationship of FV intake with domains of perceived stress is unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between consumption of FV and four perceived stress domains (worries, tension, lack of joy and demands) in a population-based cohort of Australian adults.

Methods: Participants (n = 8,640) were men and women aged ≥ 25 years from
the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 74-item validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Perceived stress domains …

Summary Of Diabetes Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet, Kathy Ride

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This publication, in plain language, is based on information presented in the Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2022). This short, visual report summarises the key findings and concepts from the review to provide a holistic picture of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a quick source of information covering:

• the social and cultural context of diabetes, and the behavioural and biomedical factors that contribute to diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• the extent of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including incidence and prevalence data; hospitalisations; mortality …

Injury Surveillance In Community Cricket: A New Inning For South Africa, Benita Olivier, Oluchukwu L. Obiora, Candice Macmillan, Caroline Finch

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Published injury rates amongst elite and club-level youth cricketers highlight the need to implement injury risk-reducing strategies amongst the youth cricketing population. Data from sports injury surveillance systems are a prerequisite for the development and evaluation of strategies to reduce injury risk. Therefore, collecting injury surveillance data is a positive move towards reducing injuries in cricket. In South Africa, a systematic, standardised, evidence-informed injury surveillance system currently does not exist for community levels of play, namely, in cricket-playing high schools and cricket clubs. Although injury surveillance systems exist at elite levels, the obvious differences in elite versus community cricket settings …

Summary Of Cannabis Use Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This Summary is based on the Review of cannabis use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The review summarises the evidence from journal publications, government reports, national data collections and national surveys accessed through the HealthInfoNet’s database of publications. Please note that statistics presented do not always include all states and territories, see sources for details. ...

The Development Of The Western Australian Haemodialysis Vascular Access Complexity Instrument, Linda L. Coventry, Jon Hosking, Evelyn Coral, Mark Jenkins, Chandra P. Salgado Kent, Doris Chan, Wai Lim, Diane E. Twigg, Claire M. Rickard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background The Western Australian Haemodialysis Vascular Access Classification instrument was developed to classify the cannulation complexity of the arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft as simple, challenging, or complex. Although the instrument was developed by experts in haemodialysis nursing, the instrument had not undergone formal validity or reliability testing. Objectives Evaluate the Western Australian Haemodialysis Vascular Access Classification instrument for content validity, interrater and test–retest reliability. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Content validity was assessed by haemodialysis nursing experts (n = 8). The reliability testing occurred in one in-centre and one satellite haemodialysis unit in Western Australia from September to November …

Bridging The Gap Between Clinical Service And Academic Education Of Hand-Splinting Practice: Perspectives And Experiences Of Thai Occupational Therapists, Anuchart Kaunnil, Veerawat Sansri, Surachart Thongchoomsin, Kannika Permpoonputtana, Mandy Stanley, Piyawat Trevittaya, Chirathip Thawisuk, Peeradech Thichanpiang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A gap in knowledge about current splinting practice exists between the educational program and clinical service. To bridge this gap, we investigated the perspectives and experiences of Thai occupational therapists regarding contemporary hand splinting practices in clinical use. A mixed-method study was designed. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. In the first quantitative phase, a survey questionnaire was mailed to occupational therapists. The questions were regarding contemporary hand splinting practices in clinical use at seven hospitals in the capital city of Bangkok and outskirt areas. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were completed to explore expert occupational therapists' …

Congenital Anomaly Epidemiological Correlates Of Δ8thc Across Usa 2003–16: Panel Regression And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8THC) is marketed in many US states as ‘legal weed’. Concerns exist relating to class-wide genotoxic cannabinoid effects. We conducted an epidemiological investigation of Δ8THC-related genotoxicity expressed as 57 congenital anomaly (CA) rates (CARs) in the USA. CARs were taken from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia. Drug exposure data were taken from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, with a response rate of 74.1%. Ethnicity and income data were taken from the US Census Bureau. National cannabinoid exposure was taken from Drug Enforcement Agency publications and multiplied by state cannabis use data to derive state-based …

It’S A Matter Of Trust: Ngāi Tahu Democratic Processes And Māori Pākehā Research Partnership, Janine Joyce, Hine Forsyth

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Ngāi Tahu indigenous Māori community of Aotearoa/New Zealand successfully maintained 150 years of legal grievance against the British Crown following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and colonization. The importance of women leaders, the guiding role of elders, the long-term commitment to intergenerational health for all tribal members, the democratic processes in the current context for Ngāi Tahu iwi within Aotearoa and engagement with the legal system was crucial in building towards a post-conflict society. Alongside this there were and are creative empowerment processes that nourished cultural vitality. This paper shares a ‘conversational exchange’ about the processes that …