Digital Commons Network^™

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Supplementation Supports Motor Coordination And Affects Myelination In Preterm Pigs, Line I Christiansen, Gemma C Ventura, Bo Holmqvist, Karoline Aasmul-Olsen, Sandy E H Lindholm, Matthew D Lycas, Yuki Mori, Jan Bojsen-Møller Secher, Douglas G Burrin, Thomas Thymann, Per T Sangild, Stanislava Pankratova

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: Preterm infants have increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment to which reduced systemic levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the weeks after birth may play a role. Hence, we hypothesized that postnatal IGF-1 supplementation would improve brain development in preterm pigs, used as a model for preterm infants.

METHODS: Preterm pigs delivered by cesarean section received recombinant human IGF-1/IGF binding protein-3 complex (rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3, 2.25 mg/kg/day) or vehicle from birth to postnatal day 19. Motor function and cognition were assessed by monitoring of in-cage and open field activities, balance beam test, gait parameters, novel object recognition and operant conditioning …

Toward More Rigorous And Informative Nutritional Epidemiology: The Rational Space Between Dismissal And Defense Of The Status Quo, Andrew W Brown, Stella Aslibekyan, Dennis Bier, Rafael Ferreira Da Silva, Adam Hoover, David M Klurfeld, Eric Loken, Evan Mayo-Wilson, Nir Menachemi, Greg Pavela, Patrick D Quinn, Dale Schoeller, Carmen Tekwe, Danny Valdez, Colby J Vorland, Leah D Whigham, David B Allison

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To date, nutritional epidemiology has relied heavily on relatively weak methods including simple observational designs and substandard measurements. Despite low internal validity and other sources of bias, claims of causality are made commonly in this literature. Nutritional epidemiology investigations can be improved through greater scientific rigor and adherence to scientific reporting commensurate with research methods used. Some commentators advocate jettisoning nutritional epidemiology entirely, perhaps believing improvements are impossible. Still others support only normative refinements. But neither abolition nor minor tweaks are appropriate. Nutritional epidemiology, in its present state, offers utility, yet also needs marked, reformational renovation. Changing the status quo …

Gaps In Behavioral Health Care In Rural Primary Care Clinics And The Promise Of Vbhi: Perspectives From Clinic Staff, Monique Gill

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Anticipating Environmental Losses: Effects On Place Attachment And Intentions To Move, Zoe Leviston, Justine Dandy, Pierre Horwitz, Deirdre Drake

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Environmental change is often accompanied by non-tangible, non-economic losses, including loss of valued attributes, connection to place, and social cohesion through migration in the face of such changes. Over two studies we sought to test whether imagining the loss of valued environmental characteristics influences intentions to migrate elsewhere and/or engage in place-protective actions, and whether this can be accounted for by changes to place attachment, using the city of Perth, Western Australia as a case study. In Study 1 (N = 148) we found imagined environmental loss significantly increased intentions to move away, and significantly decreased place attachment. There was …

Australian Highlevel Public Policy Preparedness For Population-Based Triage During The Pandemic, Zachary Horn, Lily Gapp Duckett, Kaitlin Webber

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to scarce clinical resource allocation via secondary population-based triage (S-PBT) throughout the international healthcare community. Experiences overseas highlighted the importance of coordinated and consistent approaches to allocating resources when facing overwhelming demand, particularly for critical care. Noting the importance of consistency and the system of devolved governance deployed in Australia, this study aimed to identify and analyse sources of high-level policy that affect Australia’s health system preparedness for the operationalisation of S-PBT. Of the 39 documents reviewed, 17 contained potential references to S-PBT. There was a lack of clear recommendations and guidance to inform S-PBT …

Development Of A Tool To Identify Barriers And Enablers To Practice Innovation In Midwifery: A Participatory Action Research Study, Sara D. Davis, Sara Bayes, Sadie Geraghty

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Transferring research evidence into midwifery practice is fraught with challenges and obstacles. Implementation tools can streamline the process and are most effective when they are discipline-specific; however, there are currently no midwifery specific implementation tools. The aim of this study was to develop a midwifery specific tool to identify barriers and enablers to evidence-informed practice change within the clinical setting. Methods: Participatory action research methodology was employed to ensure potential end-users contributed to content and format of the tool. Purposeful sampling ensured participants were selected from a range of midwifery practice settings in Western Australia and the United Kingdom. …

Discovery Of A Missense Mutation (Q222k) Of The Apoe Gene From The Australian Imaging, Biomarker And Lifestyle Study, Blaine R. Roberts, Scott B. Laffoon, Anne M. Roberts, Tenielle Porter, Chris Fowler, Colin L. Masters, Edward A. Dratz, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

After age, polymorphisms of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are the biggest risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). During our investigation to discovery biomarkers in plasma, using 2D gel electrophoresis, we found an individual with and unusual apoE isoelectric point compared to APOE ϵ2, ϵ3, and ϵ4 carriers. Whole exome sequencing of APOE from the donor confirmed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 4, translating to a rare Q222K missense mutation. The apoE ϵ4 (Q222K) mutation did not form dimers or complexes observed for apoE ϵ2 ϵ3 proteins.

Genomic Epidemiology And Transmission Dynamics Of Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection In Western Australia, Daniel R. Knight, Korakrit Imwattana, Deirdre A. Collins, Su-Chen Lim, Stacey Hong, Papanin Putsathit, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recurrent cases of Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) remain one of the most common and serious challenges faced in the management of CDI. The accurate distinction between a relapse (caused by infection with the same strain) and reinfection (caused by a new strain) has implications for infection control and prevention, and patient therapy. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the epidemiology of 94 C. difficile isolates from 38 patients with rCDI in Western Australia. The C. difficile strain population comprised 13 sequence types (STs) led by ST2 (PCR ribotype (RT) 014, 36.2 %), ST8 (RT002, 19.1 %) and ST34 (RT056, …

Muscle Strength And Activity In Men And Women Performing Maximal Effort Biceps Curl Exercise On A New Machine That Automates Eccentric Overload And Drop Setting, James L. Nuzzo, Matheus D. Pinto, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

Connected adaptive resistance exercise (CARE) machines are new equipment purported to adjust resistances within and between repetitions to make eccentric (ECC) overload and drop sets more feasible. Here, we examined muscle strength, endurance, electromyographic activity (EMG), and perceptions of fatigue during unilateral bicep curl exercise with a CARE machine and dumbbells. We also tested for sex differences in muscle fatigability.

Methods:

Twelve men and nine women attempted 25 consecutive coupled maximal ECC – concentric (CON) repetitions (ECCmax – CONmax) on a CARE machine. Participants also completed a CON one repetition maximum (1RM) and repetitions-to-failure tests with 60 and 80 …

The Effect Of Regular Consumption Of Reformulated Breads On Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Clinical Trials, Alena M. Schadow, Ingrid Revheim, Ulrike Spielau, Jutta Dierkes, Lukas Schwingshackl, Jan Frank, Jonathan M. Hodgson, André Moreira-Rosário, Chris J. Seal, Anette E. Buyken, Hanne Rosendahl-Riise

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bread is a major source of grain-derived carbohydrates worldwide. High intakes of refined grains, low in dietary fiber and high in glycemic index, are linked with increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other chronic diseases. Hence, improvements in the composition of bread could influence population health. This systematic review evaluated the effect of regular consumption of reformulated breads on glycemic control among healthy adults, adults at cardiometabolic risk or with manifest T2DM. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Eligible studies employed a bread intervention …

Transition Of Transnational Social Workers: A Critical Realist Perspective On The Need For A Response From The Profession, Shajimon Peter, Allen Bartley, Liz Beddoe, Lynne Soon-Chean Park, Liyun Wendy Choo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article examines the absence of a profession-wide response for facilitating the transition of transnational social workers (TSWs) into the host country. TSWs work with various racial, ethnic, and cultural groups and often in unfamiliar socio-political, policy and practice contexts. A qualitative study was undertaken in New Zealand, which involved six focus groups, three with managers of TSWs and three with TSWs themselves and a face-to-face semi-structured interview with a manager who was also a TSW. Coding and analysis of data were informed by critical realism (CR). We found that TSWs’ transitions are framed within an employer-employee relationship in the …

Vitamin K1 Intake And Incident Diabetes In The Danish Diet Cancer And Health Study: Supplemental Information, Pratik Pokharel, Jamie W. Bellinge, Frederik Dalgaard, Kevin Murray, Marc Sim, Bu B. Yeap, Emma Connolly, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Joshua Lewis, Gunnar Gislason, Anne Tjønneland, Kim Overvad, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Carl Schulz, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

A Model For Children’S Digital Citizenship In India, Korea, And Australia: Stakeholder Engagement Principles, Emma Jayakumar, Kylie Stevenson, Harrison See, Yeonghwi Ryu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This white paper communicates research activities and findings investigating digital safety and digital citizenship through multistakeholder collaborations in three countries—India, South Korea, and Australia. Performed by an Edith Cowan University-based research team from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, supported by the LEGO Group, this research additionally responds to many recent policy and practice reviews arguing for institutional and policy engagement in the Asia Pacific (APAC) that build children’s digital safety, literacy and citizenship. These include the UNESCO data-driven report, Digital Kids Asia Pacific (DKAP): Insights into children’s digital citizenship (UNESCO, 2019), an earlier UNESCO review of …

John Buchan's Race Through Life, Chased By His Only Foe - Illness, Jill Felicity Durey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article examines John Buchan's experience of gastric illness, dyspepsia and duodenal ulcers within the medical context of his life during the first half of the twentieth century. In tracing some of the different and changing approaches to gastric illness over the intervening decades, it compares the medical knowledge and practices of that period with medical knowledge and treatment today. The article's low key empirical intersectional examination, too, touches on both ethics and justice. Its importance lies not only in its discussion on past and present medicine, but also in its scrutiny of Buchan's extraordinarily dutiful approach to his active …

The Role Of Inclusive Leadership In Fostering Organisational Learning Behaviour, Mehran Nejati, Azadeh Shafaei

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Organisational learning is fundamental in establishing a fearless organisation, creating a competitive advantage and maintaining a sustained growth. While research suggests that leaders can influence organisational learning, there is currently no empirical evidence on how inclusive leadership fosters organisational learning behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between inclusive leadership and organisational learning behaviour. It also seeks to explore the mediating role of psychological safety and climate for initiatives in the mentioned relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a two-wave quantitative examination with 317 respondents. Online survey was used to collect data from randomly selected …

Clinical Practice Guidelines On Hemochromatosis: Asian Pacific Association For The Study Of The Liver, Darrell H. G. Crawford, Grant A. Ramm, Kim R. Bridle, Amanda J. Nicoll, Martin B. Delatycki, John K. Olynyk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hereditary hemochromatosis is the result of pathogenic variants in multiple genes that can result in increased body iron stores with excess iron deposited in various organs, including the liver, pancreas, and heart. The two most important advances in the field over the past 30 years have been the identification of the HFE gene (and the associated p.Cys282Tyr substitution), and the discovery of the hormone hepcidin, which is inappropriately low in this condition and is the pathophysiological basis of the increased iron absorption. The identification of mutations in the HFE gene and subsequent studies have reshaped diagnostic algorithms resulting in a …

Connective Adaptive Resistance Exercise (Care) Machines For Accentuated Eccentric And Eccentric-Only Exercise: Introduction To An Emerging Concept, James L. Nuzzo, Matheus Daros Pinto, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Eccentric resistance exercise emphasizes active muscle lengthening against resistance. In the past 15 years, researchers and practitioners have expressed considerable interest in accentuated eccentric (i.e., eccentric overload) and eccentric-only resistance exercise as strategies for enhancing performance and preventing and rehabilitating injuries. However, delivery of eccentric resistance exercise has been challenging because of equipment limitations. Previously, we briefly introduced the concept of connected adaptive resistance exercise (CARE)—the integration of software and hardware to provide a resistance that adjusts in real time and in response to the individual’s volitional force within and between repetitions. The aim of the current paper is to …

Driving With Retinitis Pigmentosa, Rachael C. Heath Jeffery, Johnny Lo, Jennifer A. Thompson, Tina M. Lamey, Terri L. Mclaren, John N. Deroach, Miguel S. Kabilio, Fred K. Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: To establish the proportion of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) meeting the Australian fitness to drive (FTD) visual standards. Methodology: A prospective consecutive case series of patients with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of RP. Data on age at symptom onset, current driving status, inheritance pattern, better eye visual acuity (BEVA), binocular Esterman visual field (BEVF) parameters, genotype and ability to meet the driving standards based on BEVA and BEVF were collected. Outcome measures included the proportion of RP patients overall meeting the standards and clinical predictors for passing. A sub-analysis was performed on those RP patients who reported …

Editorial: Viral Infection, Tumor Development And Host Immune Response, Xin Li, Liwei An, Yucui Jin, Jun Gui, Weitao Lin, Zhenke Wen, Muzaffer Ahmad Kassab, Jie Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cancer is a devastating disease that remains a leading cause of death worldwide. According to recent statistics, cancer was responsible for 10 million deaths in 2020 alone (Ferlay et al., 2021). Of these cases, viral infections associated cancers have been found to contribute to a significant proportion, with chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) being particularly noteworthy. Inflammation and immune response are also closely linked to tumorigenesis, making it crucial to understand how viral infections and host immune response contribute to cancer development …

‘Male Circumcision’ And ‘Female Genital Mutilation’: Why Parents Choose The Procedures And The Case For Gender Bias In Medical Nomenclature, James L. Nuzzo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cutting of boys’ and girls’ genitalia is a debated human rights topic. Here, the first aim was to summarise why parents choose to have these procedures performed on their children. Results from 22 survey studies on ‘male circumcision’ and 27 studies on ‘female genital mutilation’ revealed that non-medical reasons, such as tradition, are prominent in the decisions for both procedures. The second aim was to describe researchers’ use of medical words (i.e. ‘circumcision’) and non-medical words (i.e. ‘cutting’, ‘mutilation’) when referring to these procedures. Relevant phrases were searched in titles and abstracts of articles indexed in PubMed. Total article count …

Microvascular And Macrovascular Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Exome Wide Association Analyses, Afnan Mansour, Mira Mousa, Dima Abdelmannan, Guan Tay, Ahmed Hassoun, Habiba Alsafar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, metabolic disorder in which concomitant insulin resistance and β-cell impairment lead to hyperglycemia, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. T2DM is associated with long-term complications that have contributed to the burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of this manuscript is to conduct an Exome-Wide Association Study (EWAS) on T2DM Emirati individuals to improve our understanding on diabetes-related complications to improve early diagnostic methods and treatment strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 310 Emirati participants that were stratified according to their medically diagnosed diabetes-related complications: diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic …

Needing More, Needing Less: Unravelling Why A Prompt Dependency Cycle Forms In Neurodiverse Relationships, Bronwyn Maree Wilson, Susan Main, John O’Rourke, Eileen Slater

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Social interaction is a fundamental component of relationships; however, the key features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include marked and lifelong impairments in social interaction that adversely affects abilities to fulfil this essential relationship requirement. Despite the momentum of worldwide research on ASD, there is insufficient empirical study on adults with ASD and their relationships. This research examined the reported social interaction needs of adults when involved in neurodiverse relationships (relationships that include adults with ASD and neurotypical (NT) adults). The use of an advocacy/participatory approach allowed for a detailed investigation of the characteristics of participants’ interpersonal communication. It was …

Perceived Nexus Between Non-Invigilated Summative Assessment And Mental Health Difficulties: A Cross Sectional Studies, Amanda Graf, Esther Adama, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly led to changes in the mode of teaching, learning and assessments in most tertiary institutions worldwide. Notably, non-invigilated summative assessments became predominant. These changes heightened anxiety and depression, especially among individuals with less resilient coping mechanism. We explored the perceptions and experiences of mental health difficulties of students in tertiary education regarding non-invigilated alternative assessments in comparison to invigilated assessments. A pragmatic, mixed method cross sectional design was conducted online via Qualtrics. Thematic analysis of text was carried out using NVivo 12. In the quantitative analysis, univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic models were used to examine …

Rf Coverage Planning And Analysis With Adaptive Cell Sectorization In Millimeter Wave 5g Networks, Md Maruf Ahamed

Theses and Dissertations

The advancement of Fifth Generation Network (5G) technology is well underway, with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) globally commencing the deployment of 5G networks within the mid-frequency spectrum range (3GHz–6GHz). Nevertheless, the escalating demands for data traffic are compelling MNOs to explore the high-frequency spectrum (24GHz–100GHz), which offers significantly larger bandwidth (400MHz-800 MHz) compared to the mid-frequency spectrum (3GHz–6GHz), which typically provides 50MHz-100MHz of bandwidth. However, it is crucial to note that the higher-frequency spectrum imposes substantial challenges due to exceptionally high free space propagation loss, resulting in 5G cell site coverage being limited to several hundred meters, in contrast to …

Matlab-Based Simulation Of A Hybridized Tri-Generation Geothermal-Wind-Solar System In Bowman County, North Dakota, Moones Alamooti

Theses and Dissertations

Bowman County, North Dakota, currently relies on coal for over half of its electricity, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions. This study employs advanced MATLAB-based modeling to assess the feasibility of transitioning to a hybrid renewable energy system. The designed system includes capacities of 85.7 MW for wind, 24.4 MW for solar PV, 2.03 MW for geothermal, and 195 MWh for storage, tailored to meet the county's growing daily energy demands. Simulations confirm the system's ability to fulfill over 90% of projected daily loads by 2040, with a competitive levelized cost of $105.226/MWh over 15 years. This customized solution reduces …

The Effect Of Metacognition On Medical Laboratory Science Students' Perceived Feelings Of Self-Efficacy, Rebecca Simone Bakke

Theses and Dissertations

Medical laboratories across the United States have been experiencing a workforce shortage for the past several decades. While the causes of this shortage are numerous, one of the contributing factors is high turnover and attrition rates due to low workplace satisfaction. Research has shown that higher levels of self-efficacy lead to increased job satisfaction and performance outcomes. Therefore, increasing the self-efficacy of medical laboratory science (MLS) students as they prepare to transition into the workforce may help address the labor shortage.To explore a potential exercise to increase self-efficacy among MLS students, a metacognitive learning strategy—reflective journaling—was implemented during the final …

A Case Study On Implementation And Teacher Perceptions Of A Systematic Multi-Tiered System Of Support (Mtss) Model Within A Suburban Midwestern School District, Christine Breen

Theses and Dissertations

Disproportionate representation of African American students in Federal Setting III special education programming as well as disproportionate disciplinary removals of this same population were in part the catalyst for the Suburban Midwestern School District to implement a systematic Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework district wide to ensure the district was meeting the needs of all learners. The researcher utilized the Suburban Midwestern School District as a case study to investigate how systematic and consistent implementation of a MTSS can reduce disproportionate identification, evaluation, and representation of subgroups within special education and simultaneously studied the perceptions of staff implementing the …

Transforming Educational Landscapes: How Student Choice Influences Achievement, Engagement, And Instructional Objectives, Alissa Kaye Carter

Theses and Dissertations

This case study addresses how to invigorate student motivation and engagement, which suffered a serious decline after an extended period of remote learning due to COVID-19. Conventional teaching methods have demonstrated shortcomings in meeting these challenges, so this research highlights the potential efficacy of student choice in reshaping educational dynamics and improving scholastic achievement. Utilizing a case study research approach, this investigation was conducted in an International Baccalaureate (IB) private school in Munich, Germany. Data was aggregated from a sample of 89 students, aged 12 to 14 years, from four Grade 7 humanities classes.Student choice was introduced to the curriculum …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Soybean Feedstock-Based Composite Systems For Sustainable Material Application., Temofeh Nathaniel Esenamunjor

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of soybean-based composites with a focus on their potential for sustainable material applications. Soybean meal (SBM), known for its high protein content, is blended with the biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA) using eco-friendly manufacturing processes. The solvent casting and hot-pressing methods are employed to fabricate composites, and their mechanical and thermal properties are investigated. Tensile strength of the composites decreases with higher concentrations of soybean meal, while thermal properties remain comparable to PLA. The hot press method, optimized at 250°C and 235 MPa, shows promising results in enhancing compressive strength with increased SBM concentration …

Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions Of Team-Based Learning And Flipped Classroom Learning Activities, Madeline Carriere Graff

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature has highlighted various teaching methodologies that have been utilized within higher education that may assist with promoting learning. This literature identifies team-based learning and the flipped classroom as common teaching strategies utilized within allied medical fields such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and medical school (Carson & Mennenga, 2019; Frame et al., 2015; Jdaitwaki, 2019; Merlin-Knoblich, Harris & Mason, 2019; Wallace, 2015). However, the current literature lacks research on the different teaching strategies utilized specific to occupational therapy. There is also an abundance of research surrounding the factors associated with student academic success in various medical …