Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Mapk Pathway Inhibition Into Standard-Of-Care Therapy For Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma, Erin E Crotty, Aimee A Sato, Mohamed S Abdelbaki

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) are a group of tumors largely driven by alterations in a single genetic pathway, known as the RAS-RAF-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Recent biologic insights and therapeutic targeting of MAPK-alterations have dramatically shifted the treatment approach in pLGG. While chemotherapy remains front-line therapy for unresectable pLGG in most scenarios (with the notable exception of

Sensorimotor Faculties Bias Choice Behavior, Jan Kubanek, Lawrence H Snyder, Richard A Abrams

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Decision-making is a deliberate process that seemingly evolves under our own volition. Yet, research on embodied cognition has demonstrated that higher-order cognitive processes may be influenced, in unexpected ways, by properties of motor and sensory systems. Here we tested whether and how decisions are influenced by handedness and by asymmetries in the auditory system. Right- and left- handed participants performed an auditory decision task. In the task, subjects decided whether they heard more click sounds in the right ear or in the left ear, and pressed a key with either their right or left index finger, according to an instructed …

"I Feel Like People Would Look At Me Like I'M Dirty Or Like I'M A Thief:" A Qualitative Exploration Of Interpersonal And Intrapersonal Experiences That Influence Recovery Among Adults At Risk Of Opioid-Related Overdose, Hannah S Szlyk, Sara Jones, Jordan Michener, Zhuoran Zhang, Nina Kaiser, Heidi Holtz, Melody Rachel Konadu Frempong, Husain Lateef, William Hutson, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Due to the nature of early termination of treatment and the transient lifestyles of many people who use substances, many providers are unaware of the factors that may have contributed to their client's engagement in treatment. Treatment providers and researchers need a better understanding of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that impact recovery from the clients' perspective. This study uses qualitative methods to explore these factors.

METHODS: Eligible participants were adults who had used opioids and/or stimulants and were receiving treatment at a consenting facility. Participants completed one-month follow-up interviews after using a mobile health intervention. Transcripts were analyzed using …

Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing A Task-Sharing Mental Health Intervention For Sickle Cell Disease Populations In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Analysis Using The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research (Cfir), John Patena, Leah Elster, Tania Hameed, Sumedha Kulkarni, Alden Yuanhong Lai, Annika C Sweetland, Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Angela Odoms-Young, Charmaine Royal, Emmanuel Peprah

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: People living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) experience higher rates of common mental disorders (CMD). There is an alarming treatment gap in the provision of adequate mental health services for CMDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). One solution is the implementation of task-sharing interventions such as the Friendship Bench which utilizes concepts of problem-solving therapy (PST). This investigation uses a qualitative study design to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a PST-based task-sharing mental health intervention for SCD populations in LMICs using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

METHODS: Purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling strategies were …

The Perfect Storm: Unraveling The Interplay Of Genetic Predisposition And Viral Triggers In Type 1 Diabetes Pathogenesis, Daniel A Veronese-Paniagua, Jeffrey R Millman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells, leaving patients reliant on exogenous insulin to establish normoglycemia. Despite advancements in glucose management, the precise pathological mechanisms linking genetic predisposition and environmental triggers to the loss of immune tolerance remain incompletely understood, hindering the development of preventative therapies. This comprehensive review synthesizes clinical, experimental, and epidemiological data to detail the intricate pathogenesis of T1D, focusing on the convergence of autoimmunity, high-risk genetics, and enteroviral infection. We discuss how T1D is fundamentally a disease caused by failures in central and …

Morphometric Characterization Of Invasive Diaphorina Citri Infesting Citrus And Orange Jasmine In Ghana, Kodwo Dadzie Ninsin, Maxwell Kelvin Billah, Bernard Agyeman Boateng, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Fred Kormla Ablormeti, Samuel Opuni-Basoa, Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor, George Edusei, Steve B.S. Baleba, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Morphometric analysis plays a crucial role in the accurate identification and classification of insect pests, which is essential for implementing effective management strategies. The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species and a known vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus,’ the bacterial pathogens associated with Huanglongbing (HLB), has recently emerged as a pest of concern in Ghana. Despite its significance, little is known about the biological traits of field populations in the region. In this study, we examined morphometric variation in D. citri populations infesting citrus and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) across different …

A Review On Knowledge And Information Extraction From Pdf Documents And Storage Approaches, Salvador D. Atagong, Henri Tonnang, Kennedy Senagi, Mark Wamalwa, Komi M. Agboka, John Odindi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction: Automating the extraction of information from Portable Document Format (PDF) documents represents a major advancement in information extraction, with applications in various domains such as healthcare, law, or biochemistry. However, existing solutions face challenges related to accuracy, domain adaptability, and implementation complexity. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to examine approaches and trends in PDF information extraction and storage approaches. Results: The review revealed three dominant methodological categories: rule-based systems, statistical learning models, and neural network-based approaches. Key limitations include the rigidity of rule-based …

Insect Biological Control: A Global Perspective, Lessando M. Gontijo, Jorge B. Torres, Paul K. Abram, Armando Alfaro-Tapia, Hugo C. Arredondo-Bernal, Antonio Biondi, Raymond A. Cloyd, Alejandro C. Costamagna, Nicolas Desneux, Marie D’Ottavio, Michael J. Furlong, Nancy M. Greco, Roselyne Labbe, Martin Hill, Blas Lavandero, Tian Hao Li, José R. Lomelí-Flores, Eric Lucas, Gerben J. Messelink, Margarita Rocca, Marcela Rodriguez-Garcia, José R.P. Parra, Ainara Peñalver-Cruz, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Sean Thackeray, Alberto Urbaneja, German Vargas, Myron P. Zalucki, Lian Sheng Zang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The intentional use of biological control agents to manage arthropod pests dates back to as early as 304 AD, when Chinese farmers used weaver ants to manage citrus pests. Over time, biological control has evolved into distinct approaches: classical, augmentation, and conservation. Prior to the advent of pesticides, most insect pest management relied on natural and classical biological control. The most common strategy used at first, despite regional variations, was the importation of biological control agents. Nonetheless, due to issues with unintentional non-target impacts, numerous failures in the introduction, and longer periods required for implementation, augmentative and conservation approaches have …

The Effectiveness Of Tech Support Fraud In Damaging Older Individual’S Financial Security, Vanessa Perera

Theses : Honours

This study discovers the tactics employed to create detrimental effects upon older people impacted from fraudulent tech-support incidents. It examines social engineering, and financial confusion of older people. This is significant considering adaptations towards digital banking and payment management. This research looked at online and active over 65s. Using largely qualitative approaches over 65s were interviewed and responses validated against cyber-professionals’ responses. This identified three key findings: older adults feel confused and misunderstand tech support scams; threat actors build trust by pretending to offer technical help but use this to deceive their victims; and older adults face serious social and …

Cochlear Implantation With Sporadic Inner Ear Schwannomas: Outcomes In 106 Patients From An International Multi-Institutional Study, John P. Marinelli, Torsten Rahne, James R. Dornhoffer, Christine M. Lohse, Justin Cottrell, J. Thomas Roland, Nicholas J. Thompson, Kevin D. Brown, Jacob C. Lucas, Seilesh C. Babu, Nathan R. Lindquist, Elizabeth L. Perkins, Donald Tan, John I. Lane, Jacob B. Hunter, Erin Harvey, Nicholas L. Deep, Samantha Y. Cerasiello, Matthew L. Kircher, Mana Espahbodi, Evan L. Tooker, Niels Cramer West, Per Caye-Thomasen, Matthew L. Carlson, Stefan K. Plontke

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cochlear implant speech perception among patients with sporadic inner ear schwannoma who underwent ipsilateral implantation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-institutional cohort study.

SETTING: Eleven tertiary academic medical centers across Germany, Denmark, and the United States.

PATIENTS: One hundred six patients with sporadic inner ear schwannoma who received an ipsilateral cochlear implant from 2011 to 2022.

INTERVENTIONS: Ipsilateral cochlear implantation with observation, stereotactic radiosurgery, or microsurgery for tumor management.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Monosyllabic speech perception testing scores and rates of open-set speech perception.

RESULTS: Among 106 patients studied, 101 (95%) achieved open-set speech perception with a median of 24 …

Exodus. Teacher's Edition: Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, Jiri Moskala

All Books

No abstract provided.

Challenging Behaviour In The Early Years: Investigating Teacher Perceptions, Gillian Anne Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

An upward national trend in challenging behaviour amongst young children in Australian schools has prompted widespread concern and garnered frequent media scrutiny. Scholars have established that child-teacher relationships are central to understanding and mitigating challenging behaviour; however, exploration of teacher perceptions of children’s challenging behaviour in the early years has been limited. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating how early childhood teachers perceive and respond to young children’s challenging behaviour in Western Australia’s Kindergarten to Year 2 settings. The research was grounded in Attachment Theory and Ecological Systems Theory, highlighting the relational and environmental factors influencing teacher …

Return Serve: Exploring The Dialogism Of The Australia-China Relationship In Media Coverage Between 2020-2022, Jordan Hogan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Australia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have a dynamic bilateral relationship that is defined by interdependency and mutual political scepticism. This thesis provides an analysis of Australian and Chinese news media perspectives on this relationship. Via an in-depth examination of opinion pieces from national press, I map the significant developments of a period of deteriorating relations between 2020 and 2022. My study captures the more prominent, parochial and vitriolic media coverage of the unravelling relationship, and investigates the motivations, developments, differences, and similarities in the online publications of Australia’s national daily newspaper The Australian, and China’s Global Times. …

Transforming Urban Dynamics: Harnessing Large Language Models For Smarter Mobility, Hao Xue, Ming Jin, Shirui Pan, Flora Salim, Guansong Pang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to analyze mobility data and make mobility systems smarter by leveraging diverse data sources such as geospatial data, transportation logs, and real-time sensor data to optimize traffic flow, enhance public transportation systems, and support the development of autonomous vehicles. With the newly emerged generative AI paradigm, exemplified by large language models (LLMs), there is great potential to transform the current AI applications in mobility, transportation, and urban domains. This article provides an overview of recent efforts and aims to shed light on the challenges and future opportunities to facilitate the adaptation of LLMs for …

Constitutional Comparisons And Language, De Maartje Visser

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Language can be seen as an intuitive challenge for those who embark on comparative constitutional research: its intricate entanglement with law is often overlooked and not engaged with explicitly. This chapter argues that this is a missed opportunity at best, and arguably presents a hazard for the collective quality of the scholarly discourse. It discusses four ways in which language matters when engaging in constitutional comparisons: the problem of literal translation; the problem of legal-conceptual translation; a multilingual discourse that is marked by fragmentation; and expectations in communication with a foreign or international readership. The approach taken is constructive, with …

Ai Characterisations And Their Legal Implications, Jerrold Tsin Howe Soh

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This chapter examines the difficult legal characterisation problems that artificially intelligent systems raise and explores how different characterisations of artificial intelligence (AI) shape practical legal outcomes. Three reasons are offered for the legal difficulty with characterising AI. First, answers to characterisation problems are inherently subjective and perspective-driven, particularly when the subject is an intangible technological system. Second, AI technology is especially difficult to define since the field typically proceeds on inexact anthropomorphic metaphors. Third, AI characterisation problems raise difficult sub-problems, particularly in determining how autonomous an AI system is. The chapter thus argues that a range of plausible AI characterisations …

Attribute-Based Encryption With Searchable Encryption, Yang Yang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Attribute-based encryption (ABE) with searchable encryption is a notion that inherits the advantages of both ABE (Goyal et al., 2006) and searchable encryption (SE) (Boneh et al., 2004; Boneh and Waters, 2007) mechanisms to realize secure share and search for the outsourced data. ABE creates fine-grained access control system to prevent sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized user or external attacker (Bethencourt et al., 2007). SE generates encrypted index for outsourced data such that it can be searched by a keyword trapdoor (or token) (Shi et al., 2007; Naveed et al., 2014), where the outsourced content and search keyword(s) …

An End-To-End Bi-Objective Approach To Deep Graph Partitioning, Pengcheng Wei, Yuan Fang, Zhihao Wen, Zheng Xiao, Binbin Chen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Graphs are ubiquitous in real-world applications, such as computation graphs and social networks. Partitioning large graphs into smaller, balanced partitions is often essential, with the biobjective graph partitioning problem aiming to minimize both the“cut” across partitions and the imbalance in partition sizes. However, existing heuristic methods face scalability challenges or overlook partition balance, leading to suboptimal results. Recent deep learning approaches, while promising, typically focus only on node-level features and lack a truly end-to-end framework, resulting in limited performance. In this paper, we introduce a novel method based on graph neural networks (GNNs) that leverages multilevel graph features and addresses …

Enhancing Electric Wheelchair Safety Via Battery State Of Charge Estimationwith Pcc–Nssr–Lstm Method, Chi Wing, Alex Tsang, Xiaoying Lu

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

This study explores a novel algorithm created to predict the state of charge (SOC) of batteries in electric wheelchairs (EWs) to improve EW safety by adjusting SOC thresholds and reducing consumer range anxiety. It involves collecting experimental data from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells over 1500 cycles at 25◦C, encompassing various parameters. With the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), a select set of key parameters including voltage, temperature, dQ/dV (capacity increase to voltage increase ratio) are chosen as inputs for non-linear state space reconstruction long short-term memory (NSSR-LSTM) neural networks, facilitating precise SOC predictions. The study showcases the precision of …

Transforming Chiller Plant Efficiency With Sc+Bas: Case Study In A Hong Kong Shopping Mall, Ming Lun, Alan Fong, Baonan Nelson Li

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

The imperative for building managers, in the face of high-density urban environments, is to drive existing chiller plants to greater operational efficiency through the application of advanced technological interventions. The case for applying Supervisory Control (SC) and a Building Automation System (SC+BAS) for optimizing chiller plants is the subject of investigation here, through the lens of a typical commercial shopping mall in the highdensity infrastructure of Hong Kong. The application of SC+BAS falls into the realm of advanced Trim/Respond algorithms coupled with sophisticated sequencing algorithms that allow for refined optimization of the chiller operations in response to the dynamic demands …

The Effectiveness Of Local Updates For Decentralized Learning Under Data Heterogeneity, Tongle Wu, Zhize Li, Ying Sun

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We revisit two fundamental decentralized optimization methods, Decentralized Gradient Tracking (DGT) and Decentralized Gradient Descent (DGD), with multiple local updates. We consider two settings and demonstrate that incorporating local update steps can reduce communication complexity. Specifically, for  $\mu$-strongly convex and $L$-smooth loss functions, we proved that local DGT  achieves communication complexity {}{$\tilde{\mathcal{O}} \Big(\frac{L}{\mu(K+1)} + \frac{\delta + {}{\mu}}{\mu (1 - \rho)} + \frac{\rho }{(1 - \rho)^2} \cdot \frac{L+ \delta}{\mu}\Big)$}, where $K$ is the number of additional local update}, $\rho$ measures the network connectivity and $\delta$ measures the second-order heterogeneity of the local losses. Our results reveal the tradeoff between communication and …

Therapeutic Potential Of Brassica Carinata Microgreens Extract In Alleviating Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes In Wistar Rats, Lilian Nakakaawa, Ifeoluwa D. Gbala, Joel L. Bargul, Xavier Cheseto, John M. Wesonga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Microgreens of Brassica plants have attracted increasing research interest in the management of the prevailing epidemic of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because of their high nutritional value. This study evaluated the antidiabetic effects of Brassica carinata Microgreens Ethanolic Extract (BMEE) in type-2 diabetic rats. For the normoglycemic assay, rats were divided into five groups and received a single oral dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BMEE while the control groups received distilled water and Glibenclamide. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined on a weekly basis for 28 days in diabetic rats after treatment with BMEE at …

Governing Intelligence: Singapore’S Evolving Ai Governance Framework, Jason G. Allen, Jane Loo, Jose Luna

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This paper provides an outline analysis of the evolving governance framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Singapore. Across the Singapore government, AI solutions are being adopted in line with Singapore’s “Smart Nation Initiative” to leverage technology to make impactful changes to the nation and the economy. In tandem, Singaporean authorities have been assiduous to release a growing number of governance documents, which we analyse together to chart the city-state’s approach to AI governance in international comparison. Characteristics of Singapore’s AI governance approach include an emphasis on consensusbuilding between stakeholders (particularly government and industry but also citizens) andvoluntary or “quasi” regulation, …

Human Rights At Sea: Analyzing States' Responses To Cruise Ships During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lixin Chen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment of cruise ships by coastal states was inconsistent, with some ships being allowed to dock while others were not. To that end, this Note focuses on the obligations that a coastal state owes to the individuals onboard the cruise ships in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rights to life and health. It further considers whether and how such rights are to be balanced with other countervailing considerations of such states, such as the risk of transmission to the local communities. This author concludes with the view that …

She Speaks: Amplifying Women's Voices For Wellbeing, Narelle Lemon

Reports accepted as research outputs

Executive Summary

The SheSpeaks project successfully transformed how 223 Western Australian women understand and practice self-care, demonstrating  that targeted wellbeing literacy interventions can create lasting change  in women’s relationship with their own wellbeing. Funded by the Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future program, this innovative initiative combined evidence-based workshops with authentic podcasting to challenge the pervasive cultural narrative that positions women’s self-care as selfish  or impossible.

Automated Methods For Estimating Blood Alcohol Concentration Level From Facial Cues, Ensiyeh Keshtkaran

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates different approaches for detecting alcohol intoxication in drivers by analysing facial video data. Tackling this issue necessitates the creation of a novel dataset to overcome the limitations of existing datasets. The dataset constructed in this study is the first to include RGB video recordings of individual faces at varying levels of alcohol intoxication during simulated driving, featuring 60 participants with BAC levels ranging from 0 to 0.165 g/100ml. The constructed dataset not only supports this thesis, but also offers the broader scientific community a valuable resource for further study and development.

Building on this, this thesis presents …

A Tale Of Two Publishing Houses, Linda Martin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research explores the use of creative nonfiction in writing an account of two publishing houses established decades apart, and demonstrates how a hybrid approach that incorporates multiple voices can contribute to the field of biographies and memoirs on publishing. Using practice-led research as its primary methodology, ‘A tale of two publishing houses’ is a creative nonfiction work that focusses on the publishing experiences of Fremantle Arts Centre Press (now Fremantle Press) in its first decade of publishing from 1975, alongside present publishing experiences of Night Parrot Press in its formative years of publishing from 2019. The accompanying reflexive exegesis …

Investigation Of Under-Frequency Load Shedding Prevention Of Isolated Medium-Sized Power Systems Using Energy Storage, Dilan Indoopa Manamperi

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Due to the rapid uptake of distributed photovoltaic generation, the visible load to transmission operators in distribution feeders is reducing. Traditional load-shedding schemes are facing challenges due to this low-load situation. The required amount of load reduction cannot be achieved with the same load-shedding scheme as before. In some situations, with reverse power flows, load shedding can further increase the generation reduction. On the other hand, increased Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) due to low inertia can result in false activation of under-frequency load shedding (UFLS) relays. These challenges can cause a serious problem with the power system security. …

Enhancing Energy Efficiency In Solar Thermal Systems: The Role Of Hybrid Nanofluids In Sustainable Energy Harvesting And Storage, Seyedehzahra Haeri

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Global energy demand continues to grow, making the reliance on fossil fuels increasingly unsustainable due to dwindling reserves and environmental impacts. Among these, solar thermal systems have emerged as a practical and environmentally friendly solution, with applications ranging from industrial heating and solar water heating to concentrated solar power (CSP) plants and solar desalination units. Solar-based thermal systems offer a promising alternative, with nanofluids (NFs) emerging as a transformative solution. Engineered by dispersing nanoparticles into base fluids, NFs enhance thermal conductivity, heat absorption, and efficiency. Notably, nanoparticles such as titanium nitride also act as nano-catalysts, improving chemical reactions and reducing …

Family Members’ Experiences Of Post-Cardiac Surgery Delirium In The Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Inquiry, Amber Coral Mclean

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Aim: This study explores delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) following cardiac surgery from the perspective of family members.

Background: Delirium is a common complication affecting 28-52% of people following cardiac surgery in the ICU, which can lead to distress for both the person and their family members. While research has been conducted on clinical outcomes of family involvement in delirium care, there is a lack of understanding of how delirium impacts the family members themselves. This study seeks to provide detailed narrative accounts of families’ experience of witnessing delirium in their loved one following cardiac surgery in the …