Digital Commons Network^™

Bone, Muscle, And Physical Function Measures In Older Adults According To Levels Of Social Disadvantage: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jason Talevski, Sharon Brennan-Olsen, Stefanie Bird, Sara Vogrin, Alison Beauchamp, Mizhgan Fatima, Cassandra Smith, Gustavo Duque

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: This cross-sectional study of 300 older adults (aged ≥ 50 years) found that less education, lower income, and health care card ownership are associated with reduced bone, muscle, and physical function measures. This underscores the need for targeted preventive strategies for osteoporosis and sarcopenia that address socioeconomic-related disparities. Purpose: The prevalence of chronic diseases follows a social gradient, although this is unclear in musculoskeletal conditions. This study aims to examine the association between social disadvantage and diagnostic measures of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A single-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted in adults (≥ 50 years) residing …

Depression, Psychological Distress, And Coping Strategies Among African Migrants In Australia: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, Lillian Mwanri, Edith N. Botchway-Commey, David Chisanga, Agness Tembo, Nnaemeka Meribe, Kathomi Gatwiri, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Kerrie P. Doyle, Frank Darkwa Baffour, Ahmed A. Moustafa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: African migrants constitute a significant proportion of the Australian population. While migration and resettlement offer opportunities, the associated stressors may adversely affect the mental health and well-being of African migrants. This study explored, for the first time, the prevalence of depression and psychological distress among African migrants in Australia and the relationship between coping mechanisms and mental health outcomes. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey of adult African migrants in Australia was conducted between February and May 2022. Participants (N = 167) who did not have a refugee status who resided in Australia for at least 12 months were recruited …

Do Flywheel Exercises Provide Eccentric-Overload Training?, Darjan Spudić, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Interests in eccentric resistance exercises have been increasing in both research and practice. However, implementing eccentric resistance exercise training is often challenging due to the mechanical limitations of traditional training equipment. To address this, flywheel (FW) devices emerged as a practical alternative. FW devices are commonly considered to provide eccentric-overload training, in which the load is greater in eccentric than concentric phase. However, this is not always the case. In this article, we summarize the mechanical and physiological factors influencing the effectiveness of FW devices in achieving eccentric overload. Then, we discuss a significant limitation of FW resistance exercise in …

Methylated Cfdna May Distinguish Between High- And Intermediate-Risk Uveal Melanoma: A Pilot Study, Mike Wu, Daniël P. De Bruyn, Ruben G. Boers, Aaron B. Beasley, Daan M. Hazelaar, Stavros Makrodimitris, Joachim B. Boers, Jolanda Vaarwater, Ronald O.B. De Keizer, Robert M. Verdijk, Nicole C. Naus, Dion Paridaens, Saskia M. Wilting, Elin S. Gray, Wilfred F.J. Van Ijcken, Joost Gribnau, Annelies De Klein, Erwin Brosens, Emine Kiliç

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a metastatic risk that depends on the molecular subclass. This subclass can be determined through molecular characterization of tumor-derived tissue. With eye-sparing treatments, tumor tissue is rarely available for molecular testing. We hypothesized that minimal invasive biomarkers such as methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be used for prognosis and monitoring of patients. Methods: Plasma cfDNA was isolated from healthy blood donors (HBDs, N = 19) and UM patients (N = 22). Plasma was collected at baseline (localized disease, N = 13) and during follow-up (metastatic …

Nanofluid-Assisted Enhanced Sealing Containment Of Caprocks For Efficient Geological Co2 Storage, Muhammad Ali, Nurudeen Yekeen, Mujahid Ali, Nilanjan Pal, Mohammed Al Kobaisi, Alireza Keshavarz, Hussein Hoteit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Millions of tons of CO2 are stored annually in geological formations in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, relying on caprock as a seal to prevent CO2 leakage. The wettability of caprock is crucial for its effectiveness, and can be altered by organic acids present in the storage media. The present study investigates the impact of stearic acid on the CO2 wettability of shale, along with the potential of alumina nanofluids to reverse this effect. Using contact angle measurements, X-ray diffraction, and other analytical methods, the study reveals that stearic acid increases the CO2 wettability of shale, making it more …

Body Composition And Muscle Health Changes After Providing Vascular Imaging Results In Older Adults: Secondary Analysis Of A Randomised Controlled Trial, Jack Dalla Via, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Marc Sim, Abadi K. Gebre, Catherine P. Bondonno, Kun Zhu, Shelby Mullin, John T. Schousboe, Richard J. Woodman, Markus P. Schlaich, Moira Sim, Pawel Szulc, Douglas P. Kiel, Wai H. Lim, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Provision of vascular imaging results has been investigated to prompt changes towards healthy lifestyle behaviours, but effects on body composition and muscle health are unknown. Aim: This secondary analysis of a 12-week parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to explore body composition and muscle health effects of providing healthy lifestyle education (Ed) with and without abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) results. Methods: A total of 240 Australian community-dwelling older men and women (mean ± SD age 68 ± 5 years; 58% female; 57.1% with evidence of AAC) were randomised to AAC + Ed (n = 121) or Control + Ed …

Discriminative Performance Of Externally Validated Dementia Risk Prediction Models: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Blossom C.M. Stephan, Jacob Brain, Kaarin J. Anstey, Tanya Buchanan, Claire V. Burley, Elissa Burton, Jennifer Dunne, Linda Errington, Matthew Gorringe, Zhongyang Guan, Bronwyn Myers, Serena Sabatini, Marc Sim, William Stephan, Eugene Yee Hing Tang, Narelle Warren, Mario Siervo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Data on the external validation of current dementia risk prediction models has not yet been systematically synthesised. This systematic review and meta-analysis collated results from three previous reviews to evaluate the predictive discriminative performance of dementia risk models when validated in population-based settings. Methods: Embase (via Ovid), Medline (via Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 2022 with an updated search conducted up to November 2024. Included studies (1) had a population-based cohort design; (2) assessed incident late-life (i.e. ≥ 60 years) dementia; and (3) reported predictive performance of at least one dementia risk …

Enhancing Independence And Social Connection: The Impact Of A Tailored Exercise Program On New Residents Transitioning Into Australian Residential Care Facilities, Stacey Scott, Annette Raynor, Julie Dare, Jennifer Grieve, Leesa Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Transitioning from independent living to a residential care facility often results in a significant loss of independence, autonomy, and connectedness, leaving new residents with profound feelings of loss and grief. In light of these challenges, this study explored the potential benefits of a tailored in-house exercise program for new residents. Methods: The study took place in an Australian residential care facility and included four new residents (aged 72 to 88, 75% female), who participated in a 12-week tailored exercise program led by an exercise physiologist. A focused ethnographic approach was used to obtain a comprehensive data set, drawing on …

Experiences In Building Social Connectedness And Sense Of Belonging: Voices From African Migrants In Australia, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, Kelechukwu Enyinnaya Ahaiwe, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Anayochukwu Edward Anyasodor, Kerrie E. Doyle

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Strategies to address social exclusion often involve promoting social connectedness and a sense of belonging. Drawing from existing literature on social inclusion, social connectedness, and belonging, including the use of primary data, this study explored the experiences of African migrants regarding their sense of connectedness and belonging in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with 16 African migrants living in Australia. Using purposive sampling, participants were recruited through community groups across various towns and cities. Interviews were conducted via Teams and Zoom video calls, and subsequently transcribed manually for thematic analysis. Findings highlight the necessity for interventions targeting isolation and …

Suicide Ideation Detection Using Social Media Data And Ensemble Machine Learning Model, Erol Kina, Jin Ghoo Choi, Abid Ishaq, Rahman Shafique, Monica Gracia Villar, Eduardo Silva Alvarado, Isabel De La Torre Diez, Imran Ashraf

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Identifying the emotional state of individuals has useful applications, particularly to reduce the risk of suicide. Users’ thoughts on social media platforms can be used to find cues on the emotional state of individuals. Clinical approaches to suicide ideation detection primarily rely on evaluation by psychologists, medical experts, etc., which is time-consuming and requires medical expertise. Machine learning approaches have shown potential in automating suicide detection. In this regard, this study presents a soft voting ensemble model (SVEM) by leveraging random forest, logistic regression, and stochastic gradient descent classifiers using soft voting. In addition, for the robust training of SVEM, …

A Genomic Approach For Accurate Identification Of Closely Related Species With Next-Generation Sequencing Samples, Nour Al Dain Marzouka, Amira Al-Aamri, Fatima Alshamsi, Mariam Khalili, Sarah El Hajj Chehadeh, Meera S. Mohamed, Yassir Mohammed Eltahir, Rafeek Koliyan, Mohamed Moustafa Abdelhalim, Assem Attia, Mira Mousa, Guan Tay, Habiba Alsafar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Accurate species identification from Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data remains challenging, particularly for closely related species such as sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus). Through analysis of mapping quality metrics and Kraken2 taxonomic classification of 40 WGS sheep and goat samples, we demonstrate that conventional approaches yield ambiguous results, with overlapping alignment rates and inconclusive taxonomic assignments. We present a robust comparative genomic approach that uses species-specific genomic regions to distinguish these species in WGS samples. We define species-specific regions as those exhibiting distinctive coverage patterns: average coverage when samples are aligned to their matching reference genome but absent/low …

A Global Image-Based Data Repository Of Killer Whale Interactions With Elasmobranchs, Emma Luck, Isabella L. Reeves, Maeva Terrapon, Rebecca Wellard, Stephanie K. Venables, Alison V. Towner, Alison A. Kock, Charlotte Hussain, Molly Altschwager, Rosie Ballard, Evans Baudin, Nancy Black, Evan Brodsky, Jade Cantrall, Julio Cardoso, Matt I.D. Carter, Oliver Clarke, Santiago Diaz-Pazmino, David Donnelly, Georgina Cabayol Ferraz, Arlaine Francisco, Laura González García, Mark Jackman, Aimee Jan, Eric Martin, Dane Mcdermott, James Moskito, Blair Ranford, Jesús Erick Higuera Rivas, Jasmin O’Brien, Anton Oleynik, Hernán Orellana-Vásquez, Daniela Alarcón Ruales, Gemma Sharp, Jade Sharp, Alisa Schulman-Janiger, Colleen M. Talty, Paul Tixier, John A. Totterdell, Steve Truluck, Jennah Tucker, Tara Weberg, M. Fernanda Urrutia-Osorio, Machi Yoshida, Jochen R. Zaeschmar, Lauren Meyer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are cosmopolitan apex predators that interact with numerous species, including sharks, skates, and rays (subclass Elasmobranchii). Interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs have garnered attention from the scientific community, but the dynamics of these events are poorly understood, as interactions are often challenging to observe. In this study, we collated imagery of interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs to create the first image-based repository of interspecific interactions between marine predators. A total of 320 photos and videos from 82 unique interactions were collected from 12 countries. A minimum of 18 elasmobranch species across 16 genera were …

Eccentric Exercise: Muscle Damage To The New Normal, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Adding A Weight To Constrain The Trunk Increases Knee Joint Kinetics During Sidestep Cutting In Female Athletes, Daniel Kadlec, J. Jordan, Jacqueline Alderson, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sidestep cutting exposes the knee to high multiplanar loads that both challenge tissue capacity and provide an opportunity to develop resilience through progressive exposure. This study investigated task constraints applied at the trunk and preparatory step and changes in lower-body joint kinetics associated with ACL injury risk during sidestepping in female athletes. Twenty-one trained female athletes performed six sidestep conditions: pre-planned and unplanned sidesteps, each with and without trunk (holding ~ 5–7.5% body mass at chest level) and preparatory-step (ducking under an adjustable rope at eye height) constraints. Relative joint power at the hip, knee, and ankle was analysed using …

Association Of Glycd147 With Carotid Atherosclerosis: Evidence From Integrative Analyses, Cuihong Tian, Yang, Xingang Li, Hongxia Zhang, Jieyi He, Jinxiu Zhu, Yequn Chen, Xuerui Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory cardiovascular disease that progresses with ageing. Glycosylation plays a significant role in inflammation and contributes to the pathogenesis of ageing-related diseases, including atherosclerosis. Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), a glycosylated agonist of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), serves as an inducer of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. However, the effect of glycosylated CD147 (GlyCD147) on atherosclerosis remains unclear. This research aims to identify whether GlyCD147 is associated with atherosclerosis. Methods: To begin with, a clinical case-control study was designed to assess the differences of CD147 and GlyCD147 between 69 carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) cases and 69 controls. Traditional atherosclerotic …

Enhanced Carbon Burial In Seagrass Meadows Under Ocean Acidification Revealed By Carbon Dioxide Vents, Theodor Kindeberg, Teixidó, Steeve Comeau, Jean Pierre Gattuso, Beat Gasser, Alice Mirasole, Samir Alliouane, Ioannis Kalaitzakis, Denisa Berbece, Christopher Cornwall, Pere Masque

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass meadows are natural carbon sinks, yet the effect of ocean acidification on their carbon burial capacity remains poorly understood. Here we investigated natural carbon dioxide vents in Ischia, Italy to assess how seawater pH influences carbon burial in an area dominated by the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Organic carbon burial rates (mean ± standard error) between 1954 – 2021 were low under ambient conditions (1.5 ± 0.5 g m-2 yr-1) but increased sharply under acidified conditions (7 ± 1 g m-2 yr-1), reaching sevenfold higher values under extreme acidification (10 ± 3 g m-2 yr-1). Stable isotopes suggest that these …

Bridg-Ics: Ai-Grounded Knowledge Graphs For Intelligent Threat Analytics In Industry 5.0 Cyber-Physical Systems, Padmeswari Nandiya, Ahmad Mohsin, Ahmed Ibrahim, Iqbal H. Sarker, Helge Janicke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Industry 5.0’s increasing integration of IT and OT systems is transforming industrial operations but also expanding the cyber–physical attack surface. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) face escalating security challenges as traditional siloed defenses fail to provide coherent, cross-domain threat insights. We present BRIDG-ICS (BRIDge for Industrial Control Systems), an AI-enriched Knowledge Graph (KG) framework for context-aware threat analysis and quantitative assessment of cyber resilience in smart manufacturing environments. BRIDG-ICS fuses heterogeneous industrial and cybersecurity data into an integrated Industrial Security Knowledge Graph linking assets, vulnerabilities, and adversarial behaviors with probabilistic risk metrics (e.g., exploit likelihood, attack cost). This unified graph representation …

Thermophysical Characteristics Evaluation Of Carbon And Metal Oxide-Based Hybrid Phase Change Materials For Thermal Energy Storage Applications, Utpol K. Paul, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Md Golam Kibria, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Phase change materials (PCM) have limited practical applications due to their low heat conductivity. The main goal of this work is to improve the thermophysical properties of PCM by adding different compositions of hybrid carbon and metal oxide-based nanoparticles for incorporation into hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar systems to accommodate the built environment and thermal energy storage as a building envelope for thermal comfort. Three types of nanoparticles have been selected including Graphene, Al2O3, and ZnO and synthesized samples with the combinations of 0.5 wt% Al2O3 + 2 wt% ZnO, 0.75 wt% Al2O3 + 2 wt% ZnO, 1 wt% Al2O3 + 2 …

Autonomous Smart Vertical Farming: A Systems-Level Synthesis Of Iot And Solar Energy Integration For Sustainable Agriculture, Mahmuda Khatun Mishu, Md Rokonuzzaman, Boon Kar Yap, Tofan Agung Eka Prasetya, Md Arif Hossain, Asif Islam, Kazi Sajedur Rahman, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Rapid urbanization, land degradation, and climate variability are increasingly constraining food production, especially in densely populated urban regions. Vertical farming (VF), which grows crops in stacked layers under controlled conditions, is gaining recognition as a potential solution for sustainable urban agriculture. However, high energy requirements and questions surrounding long-term resource efficiency continue to challenge its scalability and environmental viability. This review explores the potential of smart vertical farming (SVF) systems, enhanced by the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and hybrid green energy-harvesting systems such as photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies. This research analyzes how real-time data-driven …

Co-Creating An Intervention To Prevent Injuries In Police Force Recruits: A Concept Mapping Study Of Police Force Recruits, Police Force Staff, Health Professionals, And Research Experts, Myles Murphy, Andrea B. Mosler, Garth Allen, Alex Donaldson, Clare L. Ardern, Carolyn A. Emery, Martin Hägglund, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joanne L. Kemp, Debra Langridge, Tiffany Mcalinden, Thomas Mirco, Sophia Nimphius, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Kiera Staley, Vanessa Sutton, Evert Verhagen, Andrea M. Bruder

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Police force recruits have a high musculoskeletal injury burden, which results in a substantial economic burden and can lead to attrition. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise the strategies perceived as important and feasible to reduce the prevalence, incidence, and burden of injury in police force recruits. Design: Mixed-methods concept mapping study. Methods: Forty-eight participants were recruited from four broad groups: police force recruits/officers; police force staff; health professionals; and research experts. Participants brainstormed statements in response to a prompt (“To prevent injury and/or reduce the impact of injury on law enforcement recruit training, I …

Reducing Water Absorption Of Cement Mortar By Using Modified Clay Brick Waste, Nuntaporn Kongkajun, Somyote Kongkarat, Wannasa Phukutnam, Warittha Sujaritpanich, Edward A. Laitila, Parinya Chakartnarodom

Michigan Tech Publications

Cement mortar is inherently hydrophilic due to its porous structure, which allows water penetration and adversely affects its durability and long-term performance. To mitigate this issue, hydrophobic cementitious materials can be developed by incorporating hydrophobic substances during mixing to provide hydrophobic properties throughout the material, achieved by introducing a wet chemical method using stearic acid-modified clay brick waste (MCBW) as a hydrophobic agent. The MCBW is prepared by treating clay brick waste with stearic acid (SA) and subsequently used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates. The effects of the MCBW incorporation on compressive strength and water resistance are investigated. …

Effects Of Resisted Movement Training On Change-Of-Direction Speed In Recreationally Active And Trained Individuals: A Systematic Review With Network Meta-Analysis And Meta-Regression, Mingyang Zhang, Urs Granacher, Ruixiang Yan, Hallvard Nygaard Falch, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Kai Xu, Xing Zhang, Jinming Li, Shubo Xu, Yulin Luo, Duanying Li, Jian Sun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The ability to change directions quickly is critical for performance and injury prevention in multidirectional sports, yet the influence of resisted movement training (R-MT) on change-of-direction (COD) speed remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effectiveness of various R-MT methods on COD speed in individuals ranging from recreational to international level and to determine the relationship between test angle and COD adaptations. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception to August 2025. Random-effects pairwise meta-analyses and a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) synthesized effects of vertically resisted plyometric and …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of A Food Education Intervention To Promote Plant-Based Foods: A Partially Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Henna Vepsäläinen, Satu Kinnunen, Sari Niinistö, Leena Forma, Suvi T. Itkonen, Tuuli E. Korhonen, Liisa Korkalo, Heli Kuusipalo, Jelena Meinilä, Kaija Nissinen, Susanna Raulio, Ros Sambell, Mari Åkerlund, Suvi M. Virtanen, Maijaliisa Erkkola

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Legumes can substitute for meat and are thus a particularly important food group for environmental sustainability. As the use of legumes among Finnish children is marginal, there is potential for a substantial increase in their consumption. However, food education delivered through early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings has rarely focused specifically on environmentally sustainable foods, such as legumes. This study describes the implementation and effectiveness of an ECEC-delivered food education intervention within the FoodStep study. Methods: The partially cluster-randomized FoodStep intervention aimed to increase the supply of vegetables, legumes, fruits, berries, and sustainable fish while reducing the provision …

Graft Survival And Rejection With Repeated Human Leukocyte Antigen (Hla) Mismatch In Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Multicentre Cohort Study Protocol, Henry Guo, William Mulley, Narelle Watson, Rhonda Holdsworth, Anne Taverniti, Jon Downing, Alycia Thornton, Lucy Sullivan, Fiona Hudson, Christopher E. Davies, Ryan Gately, Armando Teixeira-Pinto, Germaine Wong, John Kanellis, Wai Lim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Candidates awaiting repeat kidney transplantation face substantial immunological barriers due to prior human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allo-sensitisation. Re-exposure to previously mismatched HLA antigens may increase the risk of acute rejection and premature graft loss. Although avoidance of repeat HLA mismatches (RMM) has been standard practice, emerging evidence suggests this risk varies according to the specific HLA allelic RMM and anti-HLA antibody profile to the RMM. Here we describe the protocol for a retrospective registry-based cohort study that aims to determine the differences in graft outcome between recipients who received kidney transplants with and without RMM, and to examine the …

Preventive Behaviors Associated With Fall Incidence Among Older Adults Living In Rural Communities Of Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rujira Nonsa-Ard, Sirapat Khodseewong, Kasama Wongprachum, Chaiwut Bourneow, Ploypailin Aneknan, Sumattana Glangkarn, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The escalating population of older adults poses a significant challenge, particularly in lower-middle-income countries like Thailand. Falls represent a critical public health concern in this demographic. This study aimed to identify risk factors influencing fall occurrence in older adults within a specific rural community context, where the majority of participants remain engaged in farm work.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving 1,256 participants recruited by the multistage random sampling approach. Data were collected via a questionnaire that included: demographic information, the Thai version of the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Thai Fall Risk Assessment Tool …

The Impact Of Virtual Reality Simulation On Developing Competence And Confidence In Non-Technical Skills In Nursing. A Scoping Review, Katie Janz, Karen Clark-Burg, Khaya Morris-Binelli, Brennen Mills, Amanda Graf

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Medical errors are a global concern and can compromise patient safety, with up to 80% of these errors directly linked to non-technical skills (NTS) failures. Traditional simulation using mannikins is resource-intensive, and virtual reality simulation (VR) has the potential to offer comparable outcomes with enhanced consistency and lowered resource requirements, but the effectiveness of VR to teach and enhance NTS has been underexplored.

Aim: This scoping review explores the existing literature on VR simulation as a method for teaching NTS in nursing to evaluate whether VR simulation yields positive learning outcomes, particularly in comparison to traditional training methods such …

A Deep Learning Based Three-Stage Fusion Neural Network With Composite Adaptive Momentum Optimizer For Bangla Cyberbully Identification, Mahin Montasir Afif, Abdullah Al Noman, Kazi Abdullah Jarif, Md Emamul Arefin Islam, Sathya Narayana Sharma K, Mahfujur Rahman, Dipta Gomes, Kazi Tanvir, Md Obaidur Rahaman, Syed Mohammed Shamsul Islam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cyberbullying in Bangla social media is an increasingly critical issue, posing severe risks to mental health and online safety. Despite the growing need for automated detection systems, challenges such as limited linguistic resources and the nuanced characteristics of the Bangla language hinder model performance. In this study, we propose TriB-FNN, a novel and explainable three-stage fusion neural network, designed to effectively capture cyberbully in Bangla social media texts. The model integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), and Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs) in a hierarchical pipeline. To optimize training, we employ a Composite Adaptive Momentum (CAM) Optimizer, …

A Serial Parallel Mediation Analysis Of Pathways To Green Entrepreneurial Intention Via Educational Interventions, Teaching Methods And Personality Traits, Emefa Akua Amponsah, Victor Fannam Nunfam, Hafiz Adam, Maajid Zakaria Suleiman, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The complex interplay linking educational interventions with personality development in fostering green entrepreneurial intention (GEI) remains insufficiently explored within African higher education contexts. In addressing this gap, we examine the mediation effect of teaching methods (TM) and personality traits (PT) in the relationship among entrepreneurship curriculum (EC), university entrepreneurship support (UES), and students’ GEI in Ghana’s technical university ecosystem. Combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with Social Cognitive Career Theory, we employed an explanatory cross-sectional design to investigate these relationships. Data collected from 1329 students across four Ghanaian technical universities were analysed using PLS-SEM to test a novel serial-parallel mediation …

Abcb5⁺ Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enable High-Ratio Cellular Augmentation Of Bone Grafts Without Loss Of Osteogenic Function, Jakob Hofmann, Tim Niklas Bewersdorf, Ulrike Sommer, Kai Borcherding, Karsten Thiel, Christoph Ganss, Matthias Gerstner, Markus H. Frank, Gerhard Schmidmaier, Mark Andreas Kluth, Tobias Grossner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Autologous bone grafting remains the standard for reconstruction of bone defects but is constrained by limited graft volume and loss of osteogenic capacity when expanded with acellular materials. We hypothesized that allogeneic ABCB5⁺ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can serve as a biologic cell source to augment bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC) populations without impairing osteogenesis. Primary human BM-MSCs from five donors were combined with GMP-manufactured ABCB5⁺ MSCs at graded replacement ratios (0–95%) and cultured under osteogenic conditions for 21 days. Osteogenic potential was evaluated using complementary assays of mineralization, biochemical activity, and matrix composition. Robust osteogenesis was maintained across all groups, …

From Proteome To Palate: Proteomics-Led Insights Into Sensory Quality In Oats (Avena Sativa L.), Clare E. O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Haelee Fenton, Dini Ganesalingam, Allan Rattey, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a rapidly expanding ingredient in plant-based beverages, snacks and fermented products, where texture, flavour, aroma and colour shape consumer acceptance. A comparatively high lipid content (2–10% w/w) reduces milling efficiency and predisposes products to oxidative rancidity, while textural variation, bitterness and colour instability further constrain product development. The molecular basis for these processing and sensory challenges lies in the globulin-dominant grain proteome.

Scope and approach: This review synthesises advances in liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics to quantitatively profile the four protein groups shaping oat sensory quality: storage, grain softness-related, lipid-associated, and metabolic and …