Digital Commons Network^™

The Metaverse And Sport Fandom: Revolutionising Sport Consumption, Ashlee Morgan, Anthony Kerr

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article explores the potential transformative impact of the metaverse on sport consumption. While traditional sport environments cultivate a sense of communitas and liminality, where attendees experience unity and solidarity, the digital shift is redefining these dynamics. The metaverse offers new ways for sport consumers to engage, experience, and enter into an exchange. We present a model that conceptualises the multifaceted elements reshaping how sport is consumed, while also providing a framework to critically assess the implications of this transformation. We address both the opportunities and challenges presented with the expansion of virtual sport consumption and highlight legal and ethical …

White Supremacy On The Whiteboard: Teachers’ Responses To The Christchurch Mosque Attacks, Genaro Oliveira, Abdelhamid Safa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article explores how pre-service and secondary teachers in New Zealand have responded to the themes of white supremacy and terrorism in the aftermath of the Christchurch Mosque attacks on 15 March 2019. The research questions focus on teachers’ views on the role of schools and teachers in addressing white supremacy and violent extremism. The study utilises a mixed-methods approach drawing on a survey of social sciences secondary teachers nationwide and first-hand accounts from pre-service teachers during the attacks. While the immediate responses of New Zealand politicians, police officers, firefighters, and the Muslim community garnered significant attention, this research aims …

3d Engineered Scaffolds Of Conjugated Polymers/Metal Organic Frameworks For Biomedical Applications, Amin Hosseini Sharifabad, Roham Ghanbari, Mohammad Reza Saeb, Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare, Filippo Rossi, Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi, Pooyan Makvandi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The extracellular matrix can be replicated by 3D scaffolds, providing a favorable environment for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Despite their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity, the poor mechanical strength of 3D scaffolds limits their use for heavy loads. This creates a bottleneck in the supply of scaffolds with enhanced mechanical strength and all the previously mentioned characteristics. Conjugated polymers have emerged as a promising option for 3D scaffold construction due to their electrical conductivity, adjustable surface qualities, and ability to transfer bioactive molecules. Moreover, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a rapidly emerging class of nanomaterials due to their uniform porosity, excellent …

Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction In Hypertensive Adults: A 3pm-Based Evaluation Of Insulin Resistance And Arterial Stiffness, Yulong Lan, Zhaogui Wu, Dan Wu, Lingyu Xu, Hongfa Wei, Chutao Wu, Youren Chen, Xiaolan Li, Shouling Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Hypertension management remains challenging due to coexisting insulin resistance (IR) and arterial stiffness—two silent yet synergistic drivers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to evaluate their joint impact on ASCVD risk and assess their utility in predictive, preventive, and personalized strategies. Methods: In this prospective cohort study of 30,094 adults with hypertension, IR was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (calculated as ln [TG (mg/dL) × FBG (mg/dL)/2]) and arterial stiffness via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Time-to-event analyses examined their individual and combined associations with ASCVD incidence. Results: Over a median 5.6-year follow-up, 1655 ASCVD cases …

A Scoping Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials Of Vaccines That Recruited Care Home Residents: Lessons For Future Trials, Selvarani Selvarani Subbarayan, Imogen Smith-Dodd, Gabriel Nicolson, Jennifer Kirsty Burton, Janet T. Scott, Seshadri S. Vasan, Susan D. Shenkin, Roy L. Soiza

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Older care home (CH) residents are particularly vulnerable to infections and often experience adverse outcomes. Despite this group being frequently prioritised for vaccinations, trials of vaccines rarely recruit CH residents. Given that the social and biological characteristics of CH residents may influence vaccine effectiveness, it is crucial to test vaccines in this population.

Methods: The Widening Access to Trials in Care Homes project was established to develop best practice guidance on designing and conducting vaccine trials in the CH population. As part of this project, a scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was conducted to identify vaccine trials …

Beyond Gatekeeping: Web Series As Entrepreneurial Emancipation In The Contemporary Streaming Era, Sarah De Possesse, Brian Yecies, Steinar Ellingsen, Sue Turnbull

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explores fictional web series as a disruptive alternative to traditional television industry gatekeeping systems, offering actor/producers unprecedented pathways to creative agency and entrepreneurial career development. This research documents how practitioners, industry bodies, broadcasters, and audiences define “successful” web series, examining how “value” is generated beyond traditional economic metrics. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with a cross-section of Australian screen industry representatives, it applies an “entrepreneuring as emancipation” framework to reconceptualize the industrial significance of web series as vehicles for challenging established hierarchies. Finally, it analyzes how the low-budget format enables actor/producers to develop entrepreneurial identities through digital platforms while …

Distinct Contributions Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers To Cognitive Impairment And Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In Young-Onset Dementia, Wei Hsuan Chiu, Anita M.Y. Goh, Dhamidhu Eratne, Charles B. Malpas, Matthew J.Y. Kang, Wendy Kelso, Mark Walterfang, Dennis Velakoulis, Samantha M. Loi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Young-onset dementia (YOD), defined by symptom onset before age 65, encompasses diverse aetiologies and presents with prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) that often accompany or exacerbate cognitive decline. However, the pathological mechanisms linking NPS, cognition, and biomarkers remain unclear. It was hypothesised that relationships between NPS and cognition would be mediated or moderated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker levels in individuals with YOD. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 46 participants with YOD (24 with Alzheimer's disease [AD], 22 with non-AD dementias) diagnosed at the Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital. NPS were measured using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale …

It Was Either Food Or Petrol: Financial Hardship During Professional Experience For Pre-Service Teachers, Tammy Green, Christina Gray, Kirsten Lambert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Many pre-service teachers prolong studies or fail to complete teaching degrees due to financial hardship. This attrition exacerbates the teacher shortage in Australian schools. Our research uses critical theory to explore the challenges for pre-service teachers as they complete the compulsory professional experience component of initial teacher education. This phenomenological study, based on interviews with eight pre-service teachers at a university in Western Australia, gives voice to pre-service teachers experiencing placement poverty, revealing the difficulties faced in their quest to become teachers. The findings highlight the importance of addressing the financial barriers that hamper students’ abilities to become quality teachers.

Navigating Ethical Complexities In Health Education: Exploring Challenges In Teaching Food And Health, E. Oljans, M. Quennerstedt, D. Barker, A. Caldeborg, V. Varea

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teaching food and health may be challenging, especially in classrooms where young people from different cultures, ethnicities, and religions meet. This article explores teachers’ navigation of ethical complexities when teaching food and health in classrooms with immigrant students. Five didactical strategies were identified: (1) The educare strategy, (2) The tiptoeing strategy, (3) The collegial support strategy, (4) The intercultural strategy, and (5) The pluralistic strategy. These didactical strategies are embedded in various educational settings. Our results demonstrate that a further focus on ethical and intercultural competence should be carefully supported and implemented in teacher education and continual professional development programmes …

Navigating Technological Disruptions: The Interplay Of Ai-Based Stakeholder Engagement, Marketing Agility, And Firm Performance, Ali N. Tehrani, Sanjit K. Roy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose – This study aims to examine how artificial intelligence (AI)-based stakeholder engagement can enhance marketing agility and improve firm performance, particularly in environments with high technological turbulence. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a survey of 335 companies across diverse industries in Australia, using validated scales for AI-based stakeholder engagement, marketing agility, firm performance and technology turbulence. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Findings – The results indicate that engaging stakeholders through AI technologies positively influences marketing agility, which in turn enhances firm performance. These effects are amplified in conditions of high technology …

Playgrounds On Paper: Children’S Drawings As A Window Into Outdoor Play Preferences, Sebnem Cetken-Aktas, Serap Sevimli-Celik

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children’s creativity in expressing themselves through traditional media, such as drawing, remains strong and reflects their keen awareness of their surroundings. Involving children in the design process provides a valuable opportunity to understand their perspectives. This study engaged 47 five-year-old children to explore their preferences for outdoor play environments through their drawings. The methodology involved analysing these drawings to gain insights into the children’s understanding and desires related to playground experiences. Conducted in multiple stages, the study revealed significant aspects of children’s preferences. The findings highlighted the children’s interest in imaginative features that extend beyond traditional playground structures, as well …

Practices And Perceptions In Hamstring Training For Injury Prevention And Enhancement Of Athletic Performance: A Qualitative Analysis, Steven Ross, Nicholas J. Ripley, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. Previously, the current authors have reported practices and perceptions of training for the mitigation of HSIs, however such practices are highly nuanced. In this study, the authors utilised semi-structured interviews to further understand applied practitioner perceptions and identify how evidence is translated into practice. Twelve practitioners (one physiotherapist and eleven strength and conditioning [S&C] coaches including one dual accredited S&C coach and physiotherapist) working in a range of sporting disciplines were interviewed across six broad categories of questioning (practitioner profile, job role challenges, resistance training, high-speed running …

Sorghum And Sorghum-Based Products: Nutritional Composition, Prebiotic Potential And Health Benefits In Gut Microbiota Interactions, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando, Rasheed A. Abdulraheem, Kalmee Pramoda Kariyawasam, Amal Sudaraka Samarasinghe, W. M.Kendrea T. Fernando, Hannah Barnes, Malina Robertson, D. P.W. Jayatunga, B. G.D.N.K. De Silva, Vijay Jayasena

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a member of the Poaceae family and is the fifth most important crop globally. Sorghum grains (SGs) are rich in health-promoting macro- and micronutrients and phytochemicals. SGs are commonly consumed as food or as ingredients in food, especially in African countries. Therefore, food products such as ogi, bread and flour have been and are still being developed from SGs to provide nutritional and health benefits. However, the nutritional and prebiotic potential of SGs, especially the pigment pericarps, has not been fully exploited. This review describes micronutrients in different varieties of sorghum and the health benefits …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Students’ Ict Skills For Online Assessments (Naplan): Influences And Impact, Cindy Carboni, Susan Main

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This convergent mixed-methods study investigated Australian teachers’ perspectives on the computing competencies required for online National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). A total of 107 teachers completed surveys examining how socio-educational backgrounds and classroom practices shape students’ readiness for high-stakes online assessments. Quantitative analysis revealed significant associations between socio-educational advantage and students’ proficiency in seven essential NAPLAN ICT online skills, including typing, navigation, and on-screen manipulation. Qualitative findings highlighted teachers’ concerns about limited exposure to computing tools and insufficient practice time, which many believed hindered student performance in online assessments. Teachers also noted that inequities in skill development …

The Monstrous-Digital: Data Necropolitics, Social Media, And The Assassination Of Brian Thompson, Laura Glitsos

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research article examines the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the ensuing social media attention on the alleged shooter Luigi Mangione. I argue that the incident can be read as a cultural moment that captures the essence of an emergent sensibility that I call the “monstrous-digital” because of its layered and complex interconnections with the digital apparatus as a space of control and contestation. Specifically, I connect it to the biopolitical weaponization of computational systems, McQuillan’s (2015) algorithmic states of exception, and Pele and Mulholland’s (2023) data necropolitics. I approach this research using a qualitative case study method, …

The Teacher Wellbeing Turn: Neuropolitics, Education And The Psy-Complex, Andrew W. Wilkins, Antonio Olmedo, Brad Gobby, Saul Karnovsky

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Across the globe, governments are responding to a ‘teaching crisis’ marked by high attrition rates and labour shortages. This crisis can be attributed to macro changes in the economy (intensified by the shift towards high inflation, low growth economies post-COVID) and micro changes to the organisation and funding of schools with teachers experiencing stagnating wages and unmanageable workloads in punishing accountability environments. In this paper we examine how government and other authorities in England seek to manage the teaching crisis through diagnostic tools and skills training designed to measure and improving teacher wellbeing. This includes inciting new teacher subjectivities, namely …

Towards Equitable Cancer Outcomes For Rural And Remote Communities: Reflections, Lessons And Recommendations, Anna Ugalde, Hannah Jongebloed, Charlene Wright, Helena Rodi, Anna Chapman, Skye Marshall, Drew Aras, Rebecca J. Bergin, Sophie Boffa, Anna Boltong, Michele Conlin, Fiona Crawford–Williams, Carl De Wet, Wasek Faisal, Lan Gao, Harry Gasper, Kate Gunn, Nicolas H. Hart, Theresa Hayes, Florian Honeyball, Elizabeth A. Johnston, Deme Karikios, Nicole Kiss, Lucy Leigh, Patricia M. Livingston, Carmel O'Kane

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

People living in rural and remote areas continue to face significant inequities in cancer outcomes compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Despite advances in cancer control, these disparities persist across the cancer trajectory. This personal view consolidates findings from our Equitable Cancer Outcomes for Rural and Remote Communities series, highlighting survival disadvantages, challenges in measuring and reporting rurality, barriers to implementing evidence-based interventions, and shortcomings in historical policy. We argue for place-based, system-level reform that genuinely partners with rural communities, leverages local strengths, and embeds rural voices in research, policy, and service delivery. Key recommendations include adopting a formal partnership position …

Western Australian Graduate Teacher Perceptions Of Teacher Performance Assessments, Janine E. Wyatt, Caroline Mansfield, Paula Mildenhall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined the views of 1593 first-year graduates from five Western Australian universities concerning three nationally endorsed teacher performance assessment (TPA) instruments. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained through the Department of Education Western Australia’s annual first year graduate teacher surveys from 2021-2023 was used. Study findings revealed that overall, most graduates were satisfied that the TPA supported their classroom readiness and understanding of the graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and that mentors/supervisors played a critical role in these perceptions. We recommend incorporating the first-year graduates’ insights into the refinement of TPAs. Our study advocates for …

Integrated Sensing And Covert Communications With Ris Adaptive And Non-Adaptive Modes, Jia Zhang, Dengfeng Zhang, Ke Liu, Jiande Sun, Min Li, Shihao Yan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this work, we consider an integrated sensing and covert communication (ISACC) system with a finite blocklength L aided by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) with N elements. Specifically, with the aid of RIS, a transmitter Alice is to sense the potential existence of a target, and she is also probabilistically trying to send information to a receiver Bob covertly (i.e., trying to hide her transmissions from a warden Willie). Meanwhile, Willie is to detect whether Alice is sensing the target only or conducting ISACC. We consider two RIS operation modes, i.e., a non-adaptive mode, where RIS employs a common …

The Paradoxical Effect Of Job Autonomy On Communication Overload: A Pathway To Innovative Work Behaviour, Oualid Abidi, Rupali Bhagat, Hamsa Sarhan, Mirna Safi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This research aims to propose autonomy as a job characteristic that alleviates communication overload, thereby fostering the innovative work behaviours exhibited by knowledge workers. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey was administered to 277 knowledge workers from diverse sectors in Kuwait. To analyse the interrelations among the three constructs of the research model, i.e. job autonomy, innovative work behaviours and communication overload, the structural equation modelling method was applied, and mediation analysis was conducted using a bootstrapping method to examine the indirect effect of communication overload. Findings – The findings indicate that the level of job autonomy has a significant …

Seagrasses Are Most Vulnerable To Marine Heatwaves In Tropical Zones: Local-Scale And Broad Climatic Zone Variation In Thermal Tolerances, Nicole Said, Chanelle Webster, Simone Strydom, Natasha Dunham, Matthew P. Adams, Kathryn Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Under a changing climate, it is imperative that we understand how species may respond to temperature impacts, which can differ among populations of the same species due to local drivers. Thermal tolerance data, which can be used to assess an organism's upper thermal limits, is valuable to identify species and/or populations' susceptibility to thermal stress. This study assessed the variation in thermal tolerance of six seagrass species at both broad latitudinal (c. 500–1000 km) and local scales (c. 25 km). Photosynthesis–temperature curves (15–45°C) were conducted, by measuring oxygen in closed incubation chambers, and thermal optima (Topt) was extracted. We found …

To Discard Or Not To Discard 1pns? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis On 291,474 Embryos, T. Lee, F. Qi, K. Peirce, J. Natalwala, V. Chapple, P. J. Mark, K. Sanders, Y. Liu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Unlike embryos that display two pronuclei (2PN), monopronucleated (1PN) embryos are assumed to be haploid and can be routinely discarded. Although there are reports of live births after 1PN embryo transfer, the developmental and clinical prognosis of 1PN embryos has not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this review was to elucidate the developmental, clinical and neonatal outcomes of 1PN embryos compared with 2PN embryos. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The blastulation rate was lower in 1PN embryos compared with 2PN embryos [risk ratio (RR) 0.50, 95% CI 0.48–0.51]. The live birth rate was lower in 1PN blastocysts when …

What Makes An Airbnb Experience Memorable? A Text Analysis Using Leximancer, Eunjung Kim, Songshan Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explores the factors that contribute to memorable experiences in the context of Airbnb. An open-ended question, ‘Please describe your most memorable experience with Airbnb’, was asked in the survey, and a total of 824 valid responses were obtained. The qualitative analysis of the data was conducted using Leximancer. The findings highlight the significance of the ‘Stay’, ‘Home’, ‘Family’, ‘Host’, ‘Beach’, and ‘Use’ themes, each playing a vital role in creating memorable experiences. In particular, the present study extends these findings by offering a more nuanced understanding of these dimensions, with specific themes emerging in relation to different demographic …

When The Going Gets Tough, Who Gets Going? Relational Embeddedness, Institutional Support And Entrepreneurial Continuance: Evidence From China's Small Business Owners, Tenghao Zhang, Pi Shen Seet, Janice Redmond, Jalleh Sharafizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose – This study investigates how relational embeddedness and perceived institutional support influence entrepreneurs' intention to keep entrepreneurial ventures going in an emerging transition economy, China, during a major disruption, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach – We surveyed 295 small business owners in China during its second COVID-19 wave. Covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) was used to evaluate the model. Findings – The study found that relational embeddedness and perceived institutional support both significantly influenced their intention for entrepreneurial continuance (IEC) through the mediating effects of the three Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) determinants. It also found that relational …

Work-Integrated Learning As A Landscape Of Practice, Denise Jackson, Karsten E. Zegwaard, David Drewery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article proposes that work-integrated learning (WIL) is a Landscape of Practice (LoP) within the wider higher education ecosystem. It applies concepts from the LoP literature to present a new perspective on WIL programs and ecosystems. It further emphasizes that students are central within the WIL LoP, developing knowledge as they traverse individual communities including industry partners, professional accrediting bodies, careers services, academics, curriculum, and support staff connected to WIL. Additionally, the article highlights the role of higher education institutions in addressing tensions of difference between communities comprising the WIL LoP. The article contributes to the literature on WIL and …

A Climate Justice Analysis Of Western Australian Government Funding For Collie’S Transition From Coal, 2019-2024, Emma O’Donovan, Naomi Joy Godden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The WA Government will close its State owned coal-fired power stations in Collie by 2030, and has committed AU$692 million for Collie’s energy transition. At the request of Wilman and Kaneang Elders and community members, Edith Cowan University’s Centre for People, Place and Planet conducted desktop research about how Collie’s transition funding was allocated between January 2019 and July 2024. This report is a climate justice analysis of publicly-available funding announcements for Collie’s transition during this period to assess whether the distribution of transition resources is equitable and just.

Can The Ability To Infer Relevance Account For Dimensional Psychoticism? An Exploration Of A Representative Community Sample, Adam Schwarz, Frank D. Baughman, Evan Dauer, Ruby Koyllor Alarcon Gleeson, Jennifer Haywood, Bo Huei Huang, Karen H. Heslop, Barbara A. Mullan, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart, Darren Haywood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Psychoticism is a common feature of psychological disorders. Deficits in perceptual inference have been associated with the development of psychotic symptoms. Traditional testing of perceptual inference has had low ecological validity, limiting the ability to infer functional relationships. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between the capacity to infer relevance in dynamic environments and dimensional psychoticism, as well as to investigate the association between inferring relevance and dimensional psychoticism. Method: Four hundred participants, representative of the general population of the USA, completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Brief Symptom Inventory, as well as demographic …

Metadata Makes Big Data Useful For Ai/Ml-Ready, Equitable Pandemic Response, Sudarshan Anand, Miae Lee, Seshadri S. Vasan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While genomic data helps understand the pathogen and its evolution, patient metadata is critical to get the host side of the picture, so that the pandemic response is effective and equitable.

Clinical Relevance: We highlight the importance of patient stratification and metadata to help develop diagnostics, therapies and vaccines as the pathogen (virus) evolves.