Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Neuromorphic Olfactory Approach For High-Accuracy Classification Of Malts, Anup Vanarse, Adam Osseiran, Alexander Rassau, Peter Van Der Made

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Current developments in artificial olfactory systems, also known as electronic nose (e-nose) systems, have benefited from advanced machine learning techniques that have significantly improved the conditioning and processing of multivariate feature-rich sensor data. These advancements are complemented by the application of bioinspired algorithms and architectures based on findings from neurophysiological studies focusing on the biological olfactory pathway. The application of spiking neural networks (SNNs), and concepts from neuromorphic engineering in general, are one of the key factors that has led to the design and development of efficient bioinspired e-nose systems. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on …

Feasibility And Therapeutic Efficacy Of A Two-Week Low-Level Laser Acupuncture Therapy For Shoulder And Neck Pain In Office Workers: Protocol For A Pilot, Single-Blind, Doublearmed, Randomised Controlled Trial, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Lisa Whitehead, Travis Cruickshank, Johnny Lo, Jianhong Xia, Jun Wen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Shoulder and neck pain (SNP) is common in office workers and represents a serious public health problem given its detrimental impact on quality of life, physical functioning, personal finances, employers, and the health care system. Management with painkillers has adverse implications such as tolerance, addiction, and opioid abuse. Safe, sustainable, cost-effective, and evidence-based solutions are urgently needed. The non-invasive, painless, noninfectious, and safe modality of low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) has shown promise for SNP management.

Objective:

The overarching aim of this study is to provide evidence of the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of LLLA for office workers with SNP. …

Determinants Of Sme’S Social Media Marketing Adoption: Competitive Industry As A Moderator, Ghazanfar Ali Abbasi, Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim, Hongyan Wu, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Benjamin Ng Chee Keong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In light of the growing role of social media marketing in the success of businesses and its low adoption rate among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this study aims to identify determinants of SMEs’ social media marketing adoption by considering the competitive industry as a moderator. Data were collected from 214 SMEs in Malaysia. Unlike extant literature, this study proposed a dual-stage analysis involving partial least squares (PLS) technique and artificial intelligence named deep artificial neural network (ANN). The application of deep ANN architecture is used to predict 91% of accuracy for the proposed model. The results showed that perceived …

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 …

Haemodiafiltration And Haemodialysis Should Be Reported Separately By Kidney Replacement Therapy Registries, Ulrich Steinwandel, Hugh Davies, Nicholas Gibson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Into The Measurement Properties Of The King-Devick Eye Tracking System, M. Hecimovich, D. King, Myles Murphy, K. Koyoma

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Eye tracking has been gaining increasing attention as a possible assessment and monitoring tool for concussion. The King-Devick test (K-DT) was expanded to include an infrared video-oculography-based eye tracker (K-D ET). Therefore, the aim was to provide evidence on the reliability of the K-D ET system under an exercise condition. Methods: Participants (N = 61; 26 male, 35 female; age range 19-25) were allocated to an exercise or sedentary group. Both groups completed a baseline K-D ET measurement and then either two 10-min exercise or sedentary interventions with repeated K-D ET measurements between interventions. Results: The test-retest reliability of …

Automatic And Fast Classification Of Barley Grains From Images: A Deep Learning Approach, Syed Afaq Ali Shah, Hao Luo, Putu Dita Pickupana, Alexander Ekeze, Ferdous Sohel, Hamid Laga, Chengdao Li, Blakely Paynter, Penghao Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia has a reputation for producing a reliable supply of high-quality barley in a contaminant-free climate. As a result, Australian barley is highly sought after by malting, brewing, distilling, and feed industries worldwide. Barley is traded as a variety-specific commodity on the international market for food, brewing and distilling end-use, as the intrinsic quality of the variety determines its market value. Manual identification of barley varieties by the naked eye is challenging and time-consuming for all stakeholders, including growers, grain handlers and traders. Current industrial methods for identifying barley varieties include molecular protein weights or DNA based technology, which are …

Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound Is Associated With All-Cause And Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Independent Of Hip Bone Mineral Density, Abadi K. Gebre, R.L. Prince, J.T. Schousboe, D.P. Kiel, P.L. Thompson, K. Zhu, W.H. Lim, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: Osteoporosis has been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease previously. However, few studies have detailed bone and vascular information. In a prospective study of older women, we demonstrated heel quantitative ultrasound measures were associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, independent of established cardiovascular risk factors. Introduction: Osteoporosis and low bone mineral density (BMD) have been previously linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is used to evaluate bone material properties, especially in older women. However, it is uncertain whether it is related to risk of mortality. This study was aimed to investigate the …

Exercise Medicine For Cancer Cachexia: Targeted Exercise To Counteract Mechanisms And Treatment Side-Effects, Georgios Mavropalias, Marc Sim, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvao, Nigel Spry, William Kraemer, Keijo Häkkinen, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Cancer-induced muscle wasting (i.e., cancer cachexia, CC) is a common and devastating syndrome that results in the death of more than 1 in 5 patients. Although primarily a result of elevated inflammation, there are multiple mechanisms that complement and amplify one another. Research on the use of exercise to manage CC is still limited, while exercise for CC management has been recently discouraged. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding that exercise is not a single medicine, but mode, type, dosage, and timing (exercise prescription) have distinct health outcomes. The purpose of this review was to examine the effects …

Geostatistical Tools To Assess Shifts In Recreational Fishing, Shannon J. Burchert, Glenn A. Hyndes, Karina Ryan, Ute Mueller

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of geostatistical indices to examine fishery-dependent data over time is novel. We assess the value of a range of these indices for describing trends in boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia and areas of high effort and catches for two demersal species with varying biological characteristics, life histories and distributions. The number of blocks (10- × 10-nautical mile (~19- × 19-km) area) visited decreased by 40%, while the number of fishing trips with demersal species catch increased by 15%. Spatial indices showed a south-easterly shift in demersal catch per unit effort (CPUE) across survey years. The southerly shift …

Realistic Motion Avatars Are The Future For Social Interaction In Virtual Reality, Shane L. Rogers, Rebecca Broadbent, Jemma Brown, Allan Fraser, Craig P. Speelman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study evaluated participant self-reported appraisal of social interactions with another person in virtual reality (VR) where their conversational partner was represented by a realistic motion avatar. We use the term realistic motion avatar because: 1. The avatar was modelled to look like the conversational partner it represented, and 2. Full face and body motion capture was utilised so that the avatar mimicked the facial and body language of the conversational partner in real-time. We compared social interaction in VR with face-to-face interaction across two communicative contexts: 1. Getting acquainted conversation, and 2. A structured interview where the participant engaged …

Matrilateral Bias Of Grandparental Investment In Grandchildren Persists Despite The Grandchildren’S Adverse Early Life Experiences, Samuli Helle, Antti O. Tanskanen, David A. Coall, Mirkka Danielsbacka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Evolutionary theory predicts a downward flow of investment from older to younger generations, representing individual efforts to maximize inclusive fitness. Maternal grandparents and maternal grandmothers (MGMs) in particular consistently show the highest levels of investment (e.g. time, care and resources) in their grandchildren. Grandparental investment overall may depend on social and environmental conditions that affect the development of children and modify the benefits and costs of investment. Currently, the responses of grandparents to adverse early life experiences (AELEs) in their grandchildren are assessed from a perspective of increased investment to meet increased need. Here, we formulate an alternative prediction that …

A New Comprehensive Dimensionless Inflow Performance Relationship For Gas Wells, Azim Kalantariasl, Isa Farhadi, Soosan Farzani, Alireza Keshavarz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prediction of gas well deliverability is important for reservoir management. Conventional flow after flow, isochronal or modified isochronal tests are common methods for calculation of well deliverability. Single-point test using Vogel-type dimensionless inflow performance relationships (IPR) was also proposed to overcome the need for multi-point tests. However, analysis of field data showed that existing dimensionless IPR correlations fail to accurately predict well deliverability for some reservoir conditions. In this study, a wide range of reservoir rock and fluid data was used to develop a comprehensive dimensionless IPR correlation for calculation of gas well deliverability from single-point test data. Multi-point well …

An International Survey On The Use Of Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator/Dnase Therapy For Pleural Infection, Estee P.M. Lau, Matin Eshraghi, Kirstie Dootson, Cindy Yeoh, Wint Ywe Phu, Gary Y.C. Lee, Natalia D. Popowicz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) combined with human recombinant DNase (DNase) could be an effective alternative to surgery in managing pleural infection, as demonstrated in the Multi-centre Intrapleural Sepsis Trial (MIST)-2. However, the optimal delivery regimen is still unknown. The aim of this survey was to identify the current practice of tPA/DNase use by physicians with published interests in pleural infection, and their opinions on dose de-escalation of tPA/DNase therapy. Methods Potential participants were identified using four search strategies. Only practising physicians who were managing patients with pleural infections and either actively involved in pleural research and publications, or …

Application Of Benchtop Humidity And Temperature Chamber In The Measurement Of Water Vapor Sorption In Us Shales From Mancos, Marcellus, Eagle Ford And Wolfcamp Formations, Hesham Abdulelah, Berihun Mamo Negash, Atta Dennis Yaw, Tareq M. Al-Shami, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Eswaran Padmanabhan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A benchtop humidity and temperature chamber was used to assess water vapor sorption in four US shale samples at 90 °C. Water sorption isotherms were measured at relative humidity ranging from 10 to 99% and temperature of 90 °C. Shale fractal properties were then evaluated, and capillary pressure (ranging from 1.70 to 386 MPa) was obtained using Kelvin relationship. The results show that Mancos shale, from the US, adsorbed more absorbed water due to its high clay concentration and low TOC. However, Wolfcamp shale, from the US, has the lowest TOC and clay concentration, adsorbing the lowest amount of water. …

Barriers And Facilitators To Exercise Among Adult Cancer Survivors In Singapore, Alexandre Chan, Kayleen Ports, Patricia Neo, Mothi Babu Ramalingam, Ang Tee Lim, Benedict Tan, Nicolas H. Hart, Raymond J. Chan, Kiley Loh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

Exercise can help cancer survivors manage sequela, treatment side effects, improve overall quality of life, and is recommended for most. The purpose of this study was to investigate exercise behavior and factors influencing exercise engagement among cancer survivors at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCCS).

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was inclusive of survivors of all cancer types and stages who were at least 21 years of age and had undergone chemotherapy at the NCCS. Surveys were utilized to assess survivor barriers and facilitators to exercise and to retrospectively assess physical activity and exercise behaviors at 4 cancer-related time periods …

Exercise In Advanced Prostate Cancer Elevates Myokine Levels And Suppresses In-Vitro Cell Growth, Jin Soo Kim, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão, Nicolas H. Hart, Elin Gray, Charles J. Ryan, Stacey A. Kenfield, Fred Saad, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Altering the systemic milieu through exercise has been proposed as a potential mechanism underlying exercise-driven tumour suppression. It is not yet known whether men with advanced prostate cancer can elicit such adaptations following a program of exercise. The purpose is to examine myokine levels of serum acquired from metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients recruited to the INTERVAL-GAP4 trial before and after 6 months of exercise and its tumour-suppressive effect.

Methods:

Twenty-five men with mCRPC (age = 74.7 ± 7.1 yrs) were randomised to supervised multimodal (aerobic and resistance) exercise (EX) or self-directed exercise control group (CON). Body composition …

Modeling Digital Camera Monitoring Count Data With Intermittent Zeros For Short-Term Prediction, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Ute Mueller

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Digital camera monitoring has revolutionised survey designs in many fields, as an important source of information. The extended sampling coverage offered by this monitoring scheme makes it preferable compared to other traditional methods of survey. However, data obtained from digital camera monitoring are often highly variable, and characterized by sparse periods of zero counts, interspersed with missing observations due to outages. In practice, missing data of relatively shorter duration are mostly observed and are often imputed using interpolation techniques, ignoring long-term trends leading to inherent estimation biases. In this study, we investigated time series forecasting methods that adequately handle intermittency …

Navigating Loss And Value Trade-Offs In A Changing Climate, Karen Paiva Henrique, Petra Tschakert, Chantal Bourgault Du Coudray, Pierre Horwitz, Kai Daniel Christian Krueger, Alexander James Wheeler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Climate change puts at risk what people value in their everyday lives, with evidence of harm and suffering already taking place across all regions of the world. As societies slowly come to grips with the possibility of not being able to save everything that is valued, there is an urgent need to identify what is most important for individuals and groups, to prioritise action and prevent or minimise intolerable losses. Yet, people's priorities vary greatly; individual choices are contingent on what people hold dear in the places they inhabit, which in turn is shaped by their positioning in society and …

Threat Assessment, Sense Making, And Critical Decision-Making In Police, Military, Ambulance, And Fire Services, Greg Penney, David Launder, Joe Cuthbertson, Matthew B. Thompson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Military and emergency response remain inherently dangerous occupations that require the ability to accurately assess threats and make critical decisions under significant time pressures. The cognitive processes associated with these abilities are complex and have been the subject of several significant, albeit service specific studies. Here, we present an attempt at finding the commonalities in threat assessment, sense making, and critical decision-making for emergency response across police, military, ambulance, and fire services. Relevant research is identified and critically appraised through a systematic literature review of English-language studies published from January 2000 through July 2020 on threat assessment and critical decision-making …

Do Liquid Assets Lure Managers? Evidence From Corporate Misconduct, Rashid Zaman, Nader Atawnah, Muhammad Nadeem, Stephen Bahadar, Irfan H. Shakri

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We examine the effect of asset redeployability on corporate misconduct and find a significant positive relationship. Utilizing a large sample of public US firms for the period of 2001 to 2015, we find that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in the proportion of redeployable assets leads to a 7.2% increase in corporate fines. We also find that the positive association between asset redeployability and corporate misconduct varies across types of misconduct and industrial heterogeneity. In our channel analysis, we find that managerial risk-taking is a potential mechanism through which asset redeployability is associated with misconduct. Additional tests reveal that …

Positive Family Relationships In A Digital Age: Hearing The Voice Of Young People, Nicola F. Johnson, Zoe Francis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study focused on young people's perspectives about family relationships and how they can be strengthened or weakened through digital media practices. Located in Melbourne, Australia, 20 participants aged between 13 and 17 years were interviewed about how digital devices and practices shaped the way they interacted with family. The thematic analysis points to the young people's commitment to family cohesion. This was demonstrated through responsible use of social media, admitting the need for device-free time, acknowledging the challenges of being online, and their sense of responsibility as a family member, which informed and shaped the way they individually acted.

Developing, Monitoring, And Reporting Of Fidelity In Aphasia Trials: Core Recommendations From The Collaboration Of Aphasia Trialists (Cats) Trials For Aphasia Panel, Nicholas Behn, Madeleine Harrison, Marian C. Brady, Caterina Breitenstein, Marcella Carragher, Julius Fridriksson, Erin Godecke, Argye Hillis, Helen Kelly, Rebecca Palmer, Miranda L. Rose, Shirley Thomas, Donna Tippett, Linda Worrall, Frank Becker, Katerina Hilari

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Developing, monitoring, and reporting of fidelity are essential and integral components to the design of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in stroke and aphasia. Treatment fidelity refers to the degree to which an intervention is delivered as intended and is directly related to the quality of the evidence generated by RCTs. Clear documentation of treatment fidelity in trials assists in the evaluation of the clinical implications of potential benefits attributed to the intervention. Consideration of the implementation requirements of a research-based intervention as intended in a clinical context is necessary to achieve similar outcomes for a clinical population. Despite this, …

Exercise In Preventing Falls For Men With Prostate Cancer: A Modelled Cost-Utility Analysis, Kim Edmunds, Paul Scuffham, Robert U. Newton, Daniel A. Galvão, Haitham Tuffaha

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Men who receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) are a vulnerable falls population due to the side effects of treatment. The purpose of this paper is to determine the cost-effectiveness of exercise in preventing falls and fractures for this high-risk population in Australia.

Methods:

A decision analytic model was constructed to evaluate the cost utility of an exercise intervention compared to usual care from a health system perspective. The intervention comprised two 1-h sessions of supervised exercise per week over 1 year for men with non-metastatic PCa receiving curative radiation therapy and ADT. A Markov model …

Sulfur Compounds: From Plants To Humans And Their Role In Chronic Disease Prevention, Caroline R. Hill, Armaghan Shafaei, Lois Balmer, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, A. Harvey Millar, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sulfur is essential for the health of plants and is an indispensable dietary component for human health and disease prevention. Its incorporation into our food supply is heavily reliant upon the uptake of sulfur into plant tissue and our subsequent intake. Dietary requirements for sulfur are largely calculated based upon requirements for the sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), cysteine and methionine, to meet the demands for synthesis of proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, vitamins, and hormones. SAA are found in abundance in animal sources and are relatively low in plants. However, some plants, particularly cruciferous and allium vegetables, produce many protective sulfur-containing secondary …

An Initial Investigation Into Parental Perceptions Surrounding The Impact Of Mobile Media Use On Child Behavior And Executive Functioning, Stephanie C. Milford, Lynette Vernon, Joseph J. Scott, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children demonstrate increasing early engagement with mobile media facilitated by its portability and interactivity. Parents are known to employ a range of mediation strategies for mobile media use but continue to have limited awareness about the impact of mobile media on their child’s executive functioning. Mobile media use has previously been shown to be negatively correlated with the executive functioning development of a child; however, little is known of how parents approach their child’s mobile media use. This study employed a survey design (N = 281) to examine how parents access information related to mobile media and document their perspectives …

Assessing The Benefit Of Adopting Erp Technology And Practicing Green Supply Chain Management Toward Operational Performance: An Evidence From Indonesia, Ruben Wahyu Santoso, Hotlan Siagian, Zeplin Jiwa Husada Tarigan, Ferry Jie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The recent concern on the environmental protection and COVID-19 issue is increasingly affecting the manufacturing industry. This research assessing the benefit of adopting ERP technology and practicing green supply chain management toward operational performance in manufacturing industry. The study is essential to provide insight for the manufacturing industry regarding the consequences and benefits of practicing the green supply chain and adopting ERP technology amid the current constraints of the environmental protection issue and the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has surveyed 122 companies domiciled in Indonesia. Data collection used a questionnaire designed with a seven-point Likert scale. Questionnaire created in Google …

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 …

Evaluation Of The Mechanical Properties And Drilling Of Glass Bead/Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide 66 (Pa66)-Based Hybrid Polymer Composites, Recep Demirsöz, Nafiz Yasar, Mehmet Erdi Korkmaz, Mustafa Günay, Khaled Giasin, Danil Yorievich Pimenov, Muhammad Aamir, Huseyin Unal

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this study, mechanical testing of glass bead (GB), glass fiber (GF), and hybrid (GB/GF) composites was carried out. Following that, drilling tests were undertaken on glass bead/fiber-reinforced hybrid Polyamide 66 (PA66) polymer composites. The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanical properties of the cutting elements and the effect of cutting parameters (spindle speed and feed rate) and reinforcement ratios on thrust force and surface roughness (Ra). The contribution of the cutting parameters to the investigated outcomes was determined using statistical analysis. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to inspect the hole quality and …

Identifying Effective Interventions To Promote Consumption Of Protein-Rich Foods From Lower Ecological Footprint Sources: A Systematic Literature Review, Rimante Ronto, Golsa Saberi, Gianna Maxi Leila Robbers, Stephanie Godrich, Mark Lawrence, Shawn Somerset, Jessica Fanzo, Josephine Chau

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Addressing overconsumption of protein-rich foods from high ecological footprint sources can have positive impacts on health such as reduction of non-communicable disease risk and protecting the natural environment. With the increased attention towards development of ecologically sustainable diets, this systematic review aimed to critically review literature on effectiveness of those interventions aiming to promote protein-rich foods from lower ecological footprint sources. Five electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Global Health) were searched for articles published up to January 2021. Quantitative studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on actual or intended consumption of protein-rich animal-derived and/or …