Digital Commons Network^™

The Value Of Saltbush Revegetation For Biodiversity In A Highly Fragmented Landscape, Robert A. Davis, Michael D. Craig, Tim S. Doherty, Jonathan D. Majer, Eddie J.B. Van Etten

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Secondary salinization is a significant global issue affecting up to 1 billion hectares of land, impacting biodiversity and particularly vegetation. One form of revegetation that can provide a return to landholders is saltbush (Atriplex spp.), which provides forage for a wide range of livestock. The effectiveness of saltbush plantings in providing useful habitat for fauna in agricultural landscapes suffering from secondary salinity is poorly understood. We aimed to address this knowledge gap by surveying bird, ant, and spider communities, and quantifying vegetation structure and floristic composition in saltbush and native woodlands in agricultural landscapes affected by secondary salinization in Western …

Multidimensional Sleep Health And Sleep Environment Factors In Individuals With Cancer Undergoing Outpatient Chemotherapy: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis, Sam Adams, D. Clay, Arman Hasani, Mitchell Turner, Travis Cruickshank

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Sleep problems are common amongst individuals with cancer receiving chemotherapy and are associated with poorer health outcomes. Considerable research to date has investigated specific sleep domains or symptomology, with little attention given to overall sleep health, which is more closely associated with overall health. This exploratory cross-sectional study aimed to characterize multidimensional sleep health in individuals with cancer reporting sleep complaints whilst undergoing chemotherapy, with exploratory examination of environmental associations. Patients and Methods: Twenty-three participants were included in this exploratory cross-sectional analysis. Participants were diagnosed with cancer within the last 6 months, undergoing outpatient chemotherapy at time of study …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Cephalexin, Amoxicillin, And Phenol Red Using A Green-Synthesized Folic Acid–Zno–Bi2o3 Nanoporous System, M. Sarani, Haghighi, P. Tamaddon, A. Najafidoust, P. Faghani-Eskandarkolaei, N. Sattarahmady

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The persistent presence of pharmaceutical pollutants like amoxicillin (AMX) and cephalexin (CPX), and industrial dyes such as phenol red (PR) in wastewater poses serious ecological and public health risks, including antibiotic resistance. It necessitates efficient and low-cost remediation technologies. Photocatalysts employing innovative and engineered nanomaterials such as bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures exhibit considerable potential for eliminating pollutants. This study focused on the photodegradation of AMX, CPX, and PR utilizing green-synthesized folic acid–ZnO–Bi2O3 nanoparticles (F-Zn-Bi NPs) under visible light irradiation. Characterization of the synthesized photocatalyst was conducted using various techniques of powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission …

S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide: Its Effects On Cardiometabolic Outcomes In High-Fat Fed C57bl/6 Mice And Relevance To Human Health, Caroline R. Hill, Balmer, Hayley Abbiss, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Armaghan Shafaei, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

S-Methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) is an organosulfur compound with demonstrated hypocholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant benefits in rodents. However, the doses used have limited translatability for humans. We explored whether SMCSO could blunt development of diet-induced metabolic syndrome features in mice using doses that are potentially more translatable and achievable in humans. Male mice (C57BL/6; n = 54) were randomly assigned into one of five groups: [1] normal-diet; [2] high-fat-diet; or high-fat-diet with [3] 60 mg kg⁻¹, [4] 170 mg kg⁻¹, or [5] 350 mg per kg per body weight (BW) of SMCSO, respectively. Doses were administered …

High Coral Thermal Tolerance At A Potentially Climate-Resistant Reef, Kate M. Quigley, C. Siqueira, Kira Brereton, Andrew H. Baird

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Ecosystems globally are under increasing pressure from warming caused by climate change. However, some locations appear resistant to impacts. Although rare, these locations might be able to better resist damage from thermal stress. In marine environments, coral bleaching is widely viewed as one of the most pervasive stress responses threatening reef health, structure, and function. Yet we still have a poor understanding of the drivers of spatial and temporal variation in the scale and severity of coral bleaching. Here, we characterize a prolonged, intense, and widespread marine heatwave event and uncover a conspicuous lack of bleaching at the southernmost coral …

Periodontitis During Pregnancy: The Effect On The Gut Microbiome And Intestinal Inflammation, Richard Bright, G. Macowan, Keyuan Tian, Tracy Fitzsimmons, Rebecca L. Wilson, Claire T. Roberts, Claus T. Christophersen, Peter M. Bartold, Stephen P. Kidd, Peter S. Zilm

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Periodontitis has been epidemiologically associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but causality remains difficult to establish in humans due to confounding factors. This study uses a controlled murine model to examine the effects of experimentally induced periodontitis on the composition of the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal inflammation during pregnancy. Methods: Periodontitis was induced in pregnant BALB/c mice via oral inoculation with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum before conception (n = 20 per group). Pregnancy outcomes, gut histology, systemic inflammatory markers, and microbiome composition, assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing, were evaluated at gestational Day 18. Results: Periodontitis was confirmed by significant …

Risk Factors Associated With Delayed Secretory Activation In A Cohort Of Nulliparous Women In Western Australia, Cassandra Cuffe, Giglia, Julie Hill, Matthew N. Cooper, Anita M. Moorhead, Joshua R. Lewis, Deborah Ireson, Therese A. O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Delayed secretory activation can negatively impact maternal and child health through increasing the risk of early cessation of breastfeeding. Early cessation of breastfeeding is known to be associated with increased health risks. Aim: To determine the occurrence of, and risk factors associated with, delayed secretory activation in nulliparous women in Western Australia. Methods: This analysis used a subset of participants (n = 183) enrolled in a multicentre trial. Nulliparous low-risk pregnant women were enrolled between 28–32 weeks’ gestation and followed until 1 week after birth. The association between self-reported delayed secretory activation status (onset 4 days or more postpartum) …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2025, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This Overview provides a summary of the most recent indicators of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (of all ages, where data are available). The topics included in the Overview cover chronic health conditions which are featured on the HealthInfoNet website. Over the years as additional funding has been obtained and in consultation with HealthInfoNet networks, more topics have been covered on the website and are now included in the Overview. The topics aim to reflect the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health over this period and going forward.

Exploring The Dairy Milk Matrix Beyond Isolated Nutrients—A Narrative Review, Therese A. O’Sullivan, Analise Nicholl

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The concept of the food matrix considers individual components along with how they are structured, interact, and are modified during processing. There is increasing interest around the health effects of individual nutrients versus whole foods, creating a need to better understand how the matrix may influence health outcomes. This narrative review explores the dairy milk matrix and compares health effects with those of isolated components, with additional comparisons to plant-based milk alternatives. Comparative evidence suggests that while calcium from food and supplements generally has similar effects (depending on the form of the supplemental calcium), consumption of food-based sources such as …

Eligibility For Anti-Amyloid Treatment In A Multiethnic Community-Based Study, Lydia Trudel, Joseph Therriault, Arthur C Macedo, Karin L Meeker, Meredith N Braskie, Arthur W Toga, Serge Gauthier, Paolo Vitali, Suzanne E Schindler, Sid E O'Bryant, Pedro Rosa-Neto

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The approval of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including lecanemab and donanemab, represents a significant advance in disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for early Alzheimer's disease (AD). While appropriate use recommendations (AURs) have been established to guide clinical decision-making, the proportion of individuals with cognitive impairment in real-world, multiethnic populations meeting eligibility criteria remains unknown, as do potential differences in treatment-related risks across ethnic groups.

METHODS: We included 513 cognitively impaired individuals from the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities study, a multiethnic community-based cohort. Eligibility for lecanemab and donanemab was determined using published AUR criteria. Counts of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities were …

Alzheimer's Disease Stage 1 And 2: Biology, Diagnostics, And Treatment, Suzanne E. Schindler, Sarah M. Hartz, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Criterion And Convergent Validity Of Plasma Biomarkers In Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Initial Findings From Leads, Dustin B Hammers, Kyle Womack, Erik Musiek, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Concordance Of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, Whole-Exome Sequencing, And Chromosomal Microarray For Evaluating High-Risk Molecular Features In Meningiomas, Brenndan Crumley, Emilie Russler-Germain, Sonika Dahiya

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, classified into three WHO grades based on histologic and/or molecular criteria. cIMPACT-NOW Update 8 underscores the increasing importance of molecular testing in grading and risk stratification, noting that morphologically WHO grade 1 tumors with concurrent 1p and 22q losses demonstrate clinical behavior comparable to WHO grade 2 meningiomas. This study aimed to assess the concordance of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and whole-exome sequencing (WES) in defining the molecular risk profile of meningiomas.

METHODS: A total of 113 meningiomas were analyzed by WHO grade to assess the …

Characterization Of The Spatiotemporal Representations Of Visual, Semantic, And Memorability Features In The Human Brain, Yue Wang, Peter Brunner, Jon T. Willie, Runnan Cao, Shuo Wang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Object recognition requires integrated processing that extends beyond the visual cortex, incorporating semantic and memory-related processes. However, it remains unclear how different attributes, such as visual, semantic, and memorability features, are encoded and interact during perception. Here, we recorded intracranial electroencephalography from 5,143 channels while participants viewed natural object images. We systematically characterized the spatiotemporal patterns of neural encoding for visual, semantic, and memorability attributes and showed that memorability was encoded in a distributed manner, which can be dissociated from visual and semantic coding. While the ventral temporal cortex (VTC) was engaged in encoding all three attributes, the representations were …

Promoting The Concept Healthy Ageing For Use In Gerontological Health And Social Care Policy And Practice, Claire Donnellan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: The concept of healthy or successful ageing dates back to the 1960s, where its goal is more realistic in today's ageing society as a result of effective interventions to control and reduce disability and health risks. The aim of this paper is to outline the importance of defining ageing, the semantics and indicators used, and to identify common challenges for health professionals' understanding and application of a healthy ageing approach in their everyday clinical practice. Design and Methods: This discursive paper demonstrates how realistic ageing indicators are for highlighting the variation and impact of challenges associated with ageing. It …

Towards A Person-Centred Holistic Consultation Framework For Paramedics Attending Non-Acute Presentations: A Multidisciplinary Commentary, Robbie King, Angela Martin, Alan M. Batt, Sonia Louise Martin, Nigel Barr, Caroline Hwang, Bill Lord, Peter O’Meara, Louise Reynolds, Staffan Hammarbäck, Shaun Hosein, Julie Kempton, Brendan Shannon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Traditional rapid-assessment models may not be fully suited for the complex non-acute presentations that paramedics commonly encounter. As paramedicine evolves to meet non-acute patient needs, extended practice community paramedic roles are emerging to deliver holistic and collaborative community-based healthcare. Purpose: This commentary outlines the need for a person-centred holistic clinical consultation framework for paramedics attending complex non-acute presentations. A framework that provides a structured and systematic process for paramedics, particularly those who are transitioning into extended practice community paramedic roles, to guide them in conducting holistic person-centred assessments. This commentary highlights the importance of understanding the biopsychosocial factors influencing …

Where’S My Tweed Jacket With Leather Elbow Patches? The Challenges Of Aging Gracefully In Higher Education, John A. O’Rourke, Christina Gray

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents an examination of one veteran academics’ experience in higher education. Via an autoethnographic reflection of a two-decade career, the work-related situations that impact on job enjoyment and challenge motivation to bring enthusiasm year-after-year are discussed. Veteran academics have seen higher education transform dramatically during their tenure and the pressure points that impact on wellbeing are discussed and aligned to contemporary research. In response to the challenges associated with aging in higher education, this paper examines how veteran academics need to prioritize self-care and explores ways that universities can maximize the accumulated knowledge and pedagogical skillset of these …

Emancipatory Research In Social Work: What Does Critical Realism Offer?, Shajimon Peter, Lynne Soon Chean Park, Liz Beddoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: Critical realism offers a promising philosophical framework for emancipatory research in social work. Emancipatory research recognizes that people experience multiple realities and necessitates an inclusive participatory approach. However, these experiences are shaped by powers inherent in objectively existing structures, systems, and processes that must be identified and addressed for true emancipation. This theoretical article suggests a critical realism-informed methodology for emancipatory social work research. Findings: The critical realist framework acknowledges a stratified ontology and relativist epistemology that recognizes both subjective experiences and objective structures, bridging the subject–object binary created by objectivist and constructivist approaches. This allows for a radical …

It Makes Me Feel Dysphoric: Transgender And Non-Binary Students’ Perspectives Of Gendered Grouping Practices And Curriculum Provision In Secondary School Physical Education In England, Shaun D. Wilkinson, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study foregrounds the voices of transgender (trans) and non-binary students in a large-scale mixed-methods investigation of gendered grouping practices and curriculum provision in secondary school physical education (PE) in England. Theoretically, the research brought together an interdisciplinary framework for educational inclusion and the trans inclusion staged model to pursue conceptualisations and expressions of inclusion that disrupt cisnormative policies and structures. A survey of 14 co-educational secondary schools generated data from 36 students who identified as trans (n = 18) or non-binary (n = 18). The findings revealed that most trans (n = 16) and all non-binary students expressed preferences …

Can Dna Be Glycosylated?, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

The Hows And Whys Of Gendered Grouping Practices In Primary Physical Education In England, Shaun D. Wilkinson, Annette Stride, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Single- and mixed-sex grouping have long been a focus of attention in physical education (PE) and are matters often at the fore of discussions about curriculum planning, teaching, and learning. Nonetheless, there remains little consensus or guidance on which approach (or combination of approaches) should be preferred in PE in primary and secondary schools in England. Further, while single- and mixed-sex grouping have been extensively researched in PE in secondary schools, hitherto there remains an absence of research examining these practices in PE in primary schools. This research sought to address gaps in the literature to build a stronger …

Embodying Policy Work: An Exploration Of Contexts, Actions And Meanings Towards New Possibilities For Physical Education Teacher Education (Pete), Victoria Evans, David Aldous, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This theoretical paper presents a heuristic framework that is directed towards transformative thinking and practices in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). The research focus and direction, embodying policy work, applies and extends Bernstein’s concepts of the pedagogic and corporeal device to offer new directions for inquiry and explore the considerations these raise for PETE professionals and their practices. The paper affirms the importance of policy work in PETE, while recognising a need for more nuanced and critical understandings of the complex interrelationships between contexts and actions, and the potential meanings generated and ascribed to different forms of policy work and …

Indigenous Stewardship And Co-Management In Action: A Case Study On Blue Carbon From A Mangrove Ecosystem On The Great Barrier Reef, Micheli D.P. Costa, I. Noyan Yilmaz, Pawel Waryszak, Rory Crofts, Melissa Wartman, Pere Masqué, Brian Singleton, Gavin Singleton, Ashlyn Skeene, Lucy Friend, Peter I. Macreadie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Blue carbon ecosystems play a vital role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through their capacity to sequester and store organic carbon. Queensland, Australia, contains over 500,000 ha of mangroves, much of it under the stewardship of Traditional Custodians. The mangrove forests of the Bidakarra (Barron River) estuary provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate how Indigenous leadership, scientific research, and local industry partnerships can advance both ecological and cultural outcomes. We present a co-designed case study from Kukujum (Ellie Point), an area co-managed by Cairns Airport, Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation, and the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Program through Dawul …

Influence Of Chronotype On Cycling Performance In Simulated 20-Km Time Trials—A Pilot Study, Sabrina Forster, Sascha Schwindling, Chris Abbiss, Fabienne Döringer, Andreas Klütsch, Anne Hecksteden, Tim Meyer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The chronotype (CT) refers to an individual's diurnal preference towards morningness (M) or eveningness (E). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of chronotype on 20-km cycling performance throughout the day. Seventy-six competitive male cyclists and triathletes completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire to determine chronotype. Only participants categorised as ‘definite’ M- (n = 10) and E-types (n = 7) were included in the study. In a randomised order and separated by 2–7 days, participants performed four self-paced 20-km cycling time trials at four different times of the day (06:00 h, 12:00 h, 18:00 h, 22:00 h). Mental readiness …

Single Joint Posterior Chain Isometric Testing Using Force Plates: A Systematic Review Of The Methodologies And Reliability Of Testing Methods, Jack T. Fahey, Christopher Bramah, Richie Barber, James Williams, John J. Mcmahon, Paul Comfort, Nicholas J. Ripley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The posterior chain muscles (i.e. hamstring and gluteal) play an important role in performance and injury prevention. Posterior chain muscle injuries lead to time lost from training, competition and increased reinjury risk. Force plates enable valid and reliable assessment, current methods assessing isometric posterior chain (IPC) force production using force plates have yet to be reviewed. This review was designed to systematically review methods of single joint IPC force plate testing; establish existing reliability; and summarise descriptive data. A literature search was conducted using the following search terms: ‘force plat*’ AND ‘isometric’ AND (‘hamstring*’ OR ‘knee flex*’ OR ‘posterior chain’ …

Integrating Environmental Awareness In Underwater Acoustic Networks: A Comprehensive Review, Sadaf Vahabli, Iftekhar Ahmad, Quoc Viet Phung, Daryoush Habibi, Walid K. Hasan, Ruba Zaheer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Underwater Acoustic Networks (UANs) are critical for enabling long-range underwater communication, supporting a wide range of applications, such as environmental monitoring, resource exploration, disaster prevention and marine security. Unfortunately, UANs operate within a limited acoustic spectrum, where these spectrums often overlap with those used by marine animals for communication, navigation and foraging. Additionally, anthropogenic noise from industrial activities contributes to acoustic pollution, intensifying this problem. This frequency overlap poses significant risks to marine life. Therefore, this review highlights the urgent need to develop environmentally aware UANs that minimize harmful acoustic interference with marine mammals, fish and invertebrates. Further, it focuses …

Limited Site-Specific Blue Carbon Recovery Following Tropical Seagrass Restoration In Thailand, Ratchanee Kaewsrikhaw, Milica Stankovic, Pere Masqué, Mathew A. Vanderklift, Tipamat Upanoi, Anchana Prathep

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass restoration is gaining popularity as a nature-based method for climate change mitigation, owing to its effectiveness in capturing and storing organic carbon (Corg). However, demonstrating blue carbon additionality — defined as a measurable increase in carbon stocks directly attributable to restoration activities — remains challenging. This research assessed sedimentary Corg stocks and carbon accumulation rates in restored tropical seagrass meadows throughout Thailand. Despite successful restoration at multiple sites, sediment analysis showed little Corg accumulation, low Corg and organic matter content, with non-significant differences among restored seagrass areas, patchy natural meadows, and nearby bare sand areas. Limited sediment accumulation was …

Tea And Coffee Intakes, Copd, Adult Asthma, And Lung Function In The Uk Biobank, Nicola P. Bondonno, Pratik Pokharel, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Alysha S. Thompson, Amy Jennings, Kevin Murray, Howraman Meteran, Jonathan Hodgson, Tilman Kühn, Aedín Cassidy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Previous studies suggest non-linear associations between tea and coffee intake and respiratory health, with lower risks at low-to-moderate intakes but higher, unexplored risks at high intakes. This study aims to investigate associations between tea and coffee intake and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adult-onset asthma. Methods: Among 366 869 participants of the UK Biobank, intakes of tea and coffee were derived from both a food frequency questionnaire and from repeated 24 hour diet assessments. Cross-sectional associations with measures of lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC] and …

C2p-M: Critical Connection Protection In Multiplex Graphs, Conggai Li, Wei Ni, Ming Ding, Youyang Qu, Jianjun Chen, Wenjie Zhang, Thierry Rakotoarivelo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Multiplex graphs represent diverse real-world interactions among entities, where multiple relationship types coexist within the same set of entities. These graphs introduce privacy risks, as data collectors can exploit cross-layer dependencies to infer hidden and sensitive connections. In this work, we propose a C2P-M framework that identifies and protects critical connections while preserving the structural information in multiplex graphs. Unlike conventional methods for single-layer graphs that perturb all edges uniformly, C2P-M selectively protects critical connections, maintaining the analytical usability of the graph. To achieve this, we introduce the multiplex p-cohesion model, which incorporates new score functions that account for both …

Decline In Offspring Quantity But Not Quality From Successive Matings In Male Rainforest Drosophila, With No Evidence For Genetic Divergence In Male Mating Behaviour Along Elevational And Density Gradients, Andrew D. Saxon, Eleanor K. O'Brien, Natalie E. Jones, Jon Bridle

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Fertilisation success is a major component of male fitness, meaning males should capitalise on all opportunities for mating. However, other sources of variation in fitness mean that males often evolve life histories that limit their ability to mate frequently. We quantified mating latency, mating duration, and offspring production in males of the tropical fly Drosophila birchii when presented with up to 4 females consecutively. Males were sourced from isofemale lines from the extremes of 2 elevational gradients (20–1100 m) that show substantial differences in population density, temperature, and humidity. Total offspring sired increased with number of matings achieved, demonstrating substantial …