Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Social Threat, Negative Beliefs, And Altered Social Learning Underpin Paranoia In Adolescents, Jessica L. Kingston, Ellett, Linda Richards, Henry Burgess, Joseph M. Barnby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Adolescent social adversity (discrimination, bullying) enhances paranoia—the perception others want to harm or upset you. In this preregistered study (AsPredicted No. 154322), we tested the impact of prior social adversity and current social exclusion on paranoia, self/other beliefs, and latent social-learning processes in UK mid-adolescents (15-17 years, N = 502). In an experimental design, participants completed baseline social-adversity measures before random allocation to a social inclusion/exclusion manipulation (Cyberball), after which the Intentions Game assessed cognitive flexibility. We tested (a) whether adversity and exclusion interact to increase paranoia (b) via (mediated) negative self/other beliefs and (c) if this was moderated by …

Thermoregulation And Associated Disorders: 3pm-Guided Holistic Approach Bridging Innovative And Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuo Wang, Liu, Yueqiang Xu, Weijie Cao, Youxin Wang, Haifeng Hou, Xiuhua Guo, Olga Golubnitschaja, Wei Wang, Yuguang Du, Suboptimal Health Study Consortium, European Association For Predictive, Preventive, Personalised Medicine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Accurately performed thermoregulation is life-important for the human body. Therefore, a relatively narrow temperature range of 36.5–37 °C, which all our biochemical reactions are adapted to, is rigorously kept by the body allowing for the most effective kinetics of all physiological processes. In contrast, feeling inappropriately cold or too hot in the environment with comfortable temperature ranges are symptoms of an altered or even disordered thermoregulation described for a number of syndromes as well as patient cohorts. The rationale of the paper is to contribute to the paradigm shift from reactive to proactive healthcare considering thermoregulation deficits as an important …

Unlocking Students’ Creative Confidence Through Design Thinking Practices: A Parallel Mediation Of Collaboration And Diversity, And Creativity, Faisal Iddris, Agyapong, Emmanuel Mensah Kparl, Philip Opoku Mensah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the consensus in the literature that design thinking practices spark innovation, research has yet to examine the creative confidence outcomes of design thinking practices. Integrating the Resource-Based Theory and the Componential Theory of Creativity, we hypothesised a parallel mediation model in which design thinking practices are associated with creative confidence via collaboration and diversity, and creativity. Based on a sample of 419 tertiary students in a Ghanaian University, it was found that design thinking facilitates students’ creative confidence. Also, collaboration and diversity partially mediate the relationship between design thinking and creative confidence. The study also found support for the …

Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Epilepsy, 1990–2021: A Global Burden Of Disease Study, Jinqing Zhao, Qiannan Chen, Jiahan Dong, Meng Gao, Siqi Ge, Anxin Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterised by spontaneous seizures without an identifiable cause, leading to high morbidity and a significant public health burden. Understanding trends in its incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. We aim to describe global trends in epilepsy over the past 32 years and explore the impact of sociodemographic index (SDI) levels on disease burden using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data. Methods: We analysed the global burden of epilepsy (1990–2019) using age-standardised rates (ASRs) and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). We assessed …

Health Determinant Effects Of Audience Experiences At Live First Nations Music Events In Central Australia, Naomi Sunderland, Kristy Apps, Brigitta Scarfe, Ping Zhang, Darren Garvey, Rae Cooper, Brydie Leigh Bartleet, Phil Graham, Glenn Barry

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: First Nations musicians often describe live performance as a means of fostering social, cultural, and political change that shapes determinants of health (DoH) for First Nations Peoples. This study examined how audience experiences of First Nations live music events in Central Australia may influence those DoH–including intercultural understanding, social cohesion, and community wellbeing–and explored the durability of such effects over time. Design: Guided by an Indigenist mixed‑methods approach, we conducted a pilot survey at two arts festivals featuring diverse First Nations musicians, followed by optional six‑month “mini yarn” interviews to explore immediate and longer‑term audience experiences. Quantitative analyses included …

How Expert Designers Foster Expertise: A Study Of Professional Visual Communication Practice, Grant Ellmers, Marius Foley, Juliana Peloche

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While design expertise has been widely studied across domains such as industrial design, engineering and architecture, visual communication design has received limited attention. Earlier research examined novice designers’ development of reflective capability, and its link to expertise progression. This study extends that work by investigating how expertise manifests and is fostered among experienced designers within visual communication design practice. Through in-depth interviews with five experienced designers (20–35 years’ industry experience), this qualitative case study employed thematic analysis grounded in Schön’s reflective-practice theory and Lawson and Dorst’s (2013) design-expertise model. This approach enabled close examination of how reflective processes, mentoring structures …

It Was Part Of The Plan, So I Showed Up: An Exploration Of Patient Experiences With An Embedded Exercise Referral Process During Cancer Treatment, Mary A. Kennedy, Jack Dalla Via, Kim Edmunds, Pam Eldridge, Yvonne Zissiadis, Lauren Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Exercise is a key part of cancer care, yet its integration into routine practice remains limited. This study explored the experiences of people living with and beyond cancer, with an updated, opt-out referral model embedded within a supportive oncology setting, focusing on initial engagement with exercise physiology appointments. Through this model, patients were automatically scheduled for a consultation with an in-house exercise professional during their cancer treatment. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design comprised of two focus groups with 13 participants was employed to explore views across pre-defined elements of the model: referral to exercise, appointments, counselling, and tailoring. Results: …

Methodological Considerations For Studies In Sport And Exercise Science With Women As Participants Part Ii: Guidance For Applied Studies In Elite Female Athletes, Kirsty J. Elliott-Sale, Richard J. Burden, Kathryn E. Ackerman, Louise M. Burke, Naama Constantini, Anthony C. Hackney, Rachel Harris, Franco M. Impellizzeri, Xanne A.K. Janse De Jonge, Constance M. Lebrun, Clare Minahan, Sophia Nimphius, Stuart M. Phillips, Sarianna Sipilä, Juliette A. Strauss, Paul Swinton, Craig Sale

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this statement is to guide the design and conduct of high-quality sport and exercise science studies investigating the effects of varied ovarian hormone profiles on the health and athletic performance of elite female athletes. Beyond the menstrual cycle, these athletes present with a wide range of ovarian hormone profiles, including those associated with puberty and menarche, menstrual dysfunction, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. To effectively integrate knowledge of ovarian hormone profiles into high-performance sport and address the diverse needs of female athletes, future research and educational initiatives must encompass this broader spectrum …

Mobility Of Hydrophilic And Hydrophobic Nanoparticles In Carbonate Reservoirs: Application To Subsurface Projects, Zain Ul Abedin Arain, Sarmad Al-Anssari, Muhammad Ali, Faisal Ur Rahman Awan, Alireza Keshavarz, Jitendra Sangwai, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been suggested for subsurface projects, including enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen storage, due to their small size, high surface energy, controlled surface properties, and significant effects on the underground formation properties. Silica is an excellent NP that efficiently modifies the surface properties of subsurface formations for incremental oil recovery and to derisk carbon and hydrogen leaks. However, the retention of injected NPs in a narrow area near the injection inlet can limit a project’s feasibility. In the present study, hydrophobic (hybrid) NPs were produced via silanization of silica NPs, and the …

Scope And Adherence To The Consider Statement In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Injury Prevention Research In Australia, Bep Uink, Michelle Barrett, Courtney Ryder, Aleina Humphreys, Graham Peter Barker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Effective injury prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hinges on the availability of culturally safe policies, resources and programmes, alongside best-practice research. Contemporary injury prevention research has increasingly centred Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, yet there is still room for improvement. Identification of relevant resources, policies and programmes, as well as the extent to which injury prevention research meets international criteria for ethical research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will provide practitioners with critical insights into best-practice injury prevention initiatives. Method: We examined the breadth and scope of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander injury-related …

Strengthening Ocean Literacy: Marine Science Education And Training To Ensure Australia's Blue Future, Prue Francis, Rachel Kelly, Louise Swanson, Tanveer M. Adyel, Benjamin Arthur, Kirsten Benkendorff, Melanie J. Bishop, Helen Bostock, Marnie L. Campbell, Emma Church, Corrine Condie, Vaibhavi Dwivedi, Michelle Dyer, Matthew England, Liam Fullbrook, Charlie Huveneers, Malcolm Johnson, Brianna Le Busque, Rebecca R. Mcintosh, Amelie Meyer, Benjamin Mos, Jana Mrazova, Allyson O'Brien, Gretta T. Pecl, Amandine Schaeffer, Rebecca J. Shellock, Grant A. Smith, Scott Smithers, Ana Vila-Concejo, Graham Wood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This white paper sets out a national vision for advancing ocean literacy in Australia and outlines the role of marine science in fostering an informed, engaged society capable of addressing the challenges and opportunities of our changing oceans. As environmental pressures intensify, and marine resource demands increase, Australians’ capacity to engage with ocean issues, understand risks and opportunities, and participate in marine decision-making has never been more urgent. Marine science will play a central role in building ocean literacy by delivering credible, actionable science, and strengthening education and training systems that enhance understanding of, and connection to, the ocean. Our …

The Prevalence Of Varus Thrust: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haonan Shen, Nicole D'Souza, Claire E. Hiller, Marnee J. Mckay, Kun Hu, Zhiyong Wang, Milena Simic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To determine the prevalence of varus thrust in adults with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA), including across clinically relevant subgroups. A secondary objective was to explore whether varus thrust prevalence varied according to age, body mass index (BMI), and knee pain severity, where sufficient data were available. Design: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five electronic databases and Google Scholar were searched from inception to January 21, 2025. Studies reporting varus thrust during gait in adults, assessed using clinical observation methods, were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Results: …

Methodological Approaches To Assessing Clinical Reasoning In Simulation-Based Education: An Integrative Review, Dhanya Anand Anil Kumar, Natasya Raja Azlan, Hugh Davies, Debbie L. Massey, Karen Strickland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Clinical reasoning is a critical skill for nurses, developing progressively through structured education and clinical experience. Simulation-based learning provides nursing students with a safe, immersive environment to develop this skill if it is thoughtfully designed and rigorously implemented. This review addresses a key gap in nursing education research by exploring methodological trends and key elements to consider for developing simulations to assess clinical reasoning in nursing students. Design: An integrative review using Whittemore and Knafl's framework. Data sources: Six databases (CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, PsycInfo and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published from 2014 to September 2025. Review …

Understanding Barriers And Motivators For Fruit And Vegetable Intake In Female Stroke Survivors: A Qualitative Study, Caroline R. Hill, Jack Dalla Via, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Montana Dupuy, Rosanne Freak-Poli, Liezhou Zhong, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Moira Sim, Mandy Stanley, Amanda Devine, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Adequate fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is the foundation of a healthy diet; however, intake is especially low among stroke survivors. This study explores barriers and motivators to FV intake in female stroke survivors and informs strategies to improve well-being.

Methods: Female stroke survivors completed questionnaires and attended either a focus group or an interview, with the resulting transcripts analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Ten female stroke survivors aged (mean [SD]) 66.3 [17.1] years completed the study. Across the focus groups (n = 3) and interviews (n = 2), three themes emerged: (1) “Navigating alone,” reported that survivors …

When Does The Peak Countermovement Jump Performance Occur? Mapping Peak-Trial Timing Across Six Clustered Repetitions, Karol Kruczek, Szymon Karpęcki, Tim Gabbett, Jason Lake, Michał Nowak

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Force-plate countermovement jump (CMJ) testing is widely used to assess neuromuscular status, yet monitoring interpretation often relies on best-trial values from abbreviated protocols, potentially biasing conclusions when the session maximum occurs beyond the sampled attempts. We mapped peak-trial timing across a six-trial clustered (3 + 3) CMJ protocol for seven outcome and strategy force–time metrics, and tested whether this peak-trial pattern was preserved between personal best (PB) and typical state (TS) monitoring sessions, both defined using modified reactive strength index (mRSI) as the primary selection variable. Retrospective dual-force-plate data (1000 Hz; August 2020–December 2025) were analysed from 314 athletes who …

Young Motherhood In Crisis: Multidimensional Childcare Challenges In Accra’S Old Fadama And African Eleven Slums, Portia Nana Ama Brempong, Victus Gyambiby, Gladys Aboagye Asamoah, Kingsley Saa-Touh Mort, Margaret Mensah, Florence Akosua Agyemang, Abena Oforiwaa Ampomah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Young mothers in urban slums face multifaceted challenges in raising their children due to poverty, limited access to basic services, and weak social support systems. However, limited qualitative research in Ghana has specifically examined their lived experiences within their ecological contexts.

Objectives: This study aimed to address these gaps by exploring the multidimensional challenges young mothers face in raising their children in the Old Fadama and African Eleven slums in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: A qualitative research design utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to explore the multidimensional challenges faced by young mothers in the Old Fadama and African …

Co-Designing Impact: Student-Led Prevention Messaging For The Primary Prevention Of Violence Against Women, Narelle Lemon, Lisa Holmes, Christina C. Gray, Jason Goopy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Executive Summary:

Violence against women remains one of Western Australia's most serious and persistent social problems, and young adults aged 18–24 represent a pivotal demographic for primary prevention — the work of stopping violence before it starts. The Co-Designing Impact project, funded by the Department of Communities' Family and Domestic Violence Primary Prevention Grants Program 2024/2026 and delivered in partnership between Yourtoolkit.com and Edith Cowan University (ECU), engaged university students aged 18–24 in a six-session co-design program. Participants learned about the drivers of violence against women and the principles of primary prevention, then co-designed social media messaging intended to shift …

Converging Demands, Diverging Experiences: Gendered Leadership In The Australian Mining, Oil And Gas Sector During A Prolonged Crisis, Michael Mayom Ajith, Andrei Alexander Lux, Michelle Striepe, Tim Bentley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Effective leadership during a prolonged crisis requires significant emotional and moral labour. Prior literature has examined gendered differences in leadership behaviour and performance during a crisis, yet less is known about how leaders experience gendered expectations during a prolonged crisis. This study therefore examines gender differences in middle-level leaders’ experiences during a protracted crisis in the Australian extractive industry.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a sequential qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 middle-level leaders in the Australian mining, oil and gas industry. The full data set was first analysed thematically to establish a broad account of leadership experiences. …

A Metabolite-Dependent Mechanism By Which Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis Promotes Bacteroides Colonization, Khashayar Shahin, Liang Wang, Zihan He, Bomin Lv, Arya Van Alin, Richard Lo-Man, Hao Wu, Philippe Sansonetti, Jean Marc Collard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prokaryote-prokaryote symbiotic relationships influence interactions within microbial communities, affecting colonization, survival, and organization. Unlike competition, consortium species facilitate growth via metabolite cross-feeding. This study explored interactions between two early human gut colonizers: partially aerotolerant Bifidobacterium spp. and strict anaerobic Bacteroides spp., using omics techniques. Promotion of Bacteroides spp. growth by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis was demonstrated through co-culture experiments in anaerobic conditions. Metabolomic analysis revealed over 150 unique metabolites present in B. animalis subsp. lactis supernatants are absent in other Bifidobacterium species, including 3-hydroxycapric acid, D-alanyl-D-alanine, 2-isopropylmalic acid, and D-glucose 2-phosphate. These compounds served as nutritional substrates, including carbon and …

Multiparametric Flow Cytometry Immune Profiling Of Pulmonary And Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis Reveals Distinct Blood-Based Biomarker Signatures, Kalaiarasan Ellappan, Prakash Babu Narasimhan, Harriet N. Garlant, Seshadri Vasan, Komal Jain, Saka Vinod Kumar, Vishnukanth Govindaraj, Vir Singh Negi, Karen E. Kempsell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigated immune cell distributions, cell-specific immune markers, and selected biomarker targets in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) using multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC). Whole blood was collected from 45 individuals, including healthy controls (HC), EPTB, and PTB patients (n = 15/group). Peripheral blood leukocytes were analysed by MFC to characterize CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK), invariant NKT (iNKT) and NKT cells, classical (CM), intermediate (IM) and non-classical monocytes (NCM), and activated monocytes (AM). Expression of GBP1, CALCOCO2, IFIT3, SNX10, ARG1, PD-1, and PD-L1 was assessed across these immune subsets. Increased frequencies of NK, NKT, …

A Service Ecosystems Approach For Sustainable Volunteer Engagement: Developing Insights From Covid-19 Disruptions, Ingrid O'Brien, Fazlul K. Rabbanee, Eunjung Kim, Megan Paull, Kirsten Holmes, Jo Anne Kestel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this paper is to develop foundational propositions designed to reflect success factors in the recruitment and retention of volunteers for future longevity. Using insights gathered from three universities' experiences of student volunteering during COVID-19, plus capturing the experiences of volunteer involving organizations, we draw on existing theories, as well as service ecosystem literature, to identify critical emerging trends. We argue that conceptualizing volunteer pathways as a set of linear, sequential stages linked to a single volunteering experience does not adequately capture the complexity of the volunteer ecosystem, including the dynamic inter-relationships among actors and the multiple roles …

A Universal Hybrid Model-Free Deep Quantum–Transfer Learning Controller Enhanced By Grey Wolf Optimization For Dc–Dc Boost Converters With Hardware-In-Loop Validation, Seyyed Morteza Ghamari, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper proposes a universal hybrid model-free quantum–transfer learning controller with enhanced online grey wolf optimization algorithm (GWO–QTL) for DC–DC boost converter. This system has the characteristics of non-minimum phase behavior, parasitic effects, and fractional-order dynamics because of high frequency operation. These characteristics make analytical modeling complicated and make it difficult to have a single traditional controller that will operate reliably over different converter types. This motivates the creation of a unified model-free control framework that is able to learn directly from the behavior of the converter without relying on the topology specific models. Reinforcement learning, where an agent interacts …

Associations Between Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors And Abdominal Aortic Calcification In The Uk Biobank Imaging Study, Nicola P. Bondonno, Abadi K. Gebre, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Jonathan Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Richard Woodman, John P. Kemp, James Webster, Carl Schultz, Cassandra Smith, Afsah Saleem, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Emma L. Duncan, Joseph Hung, Wai H. Lim, Parminder Raina, John T. Schousboe, Nicholas C. Harvey, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) reflects subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but its lifestyle determinants remain uncertain. We investigated how a Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) relates to AAC and whether AAC mediates the HLS-ASCVD association. Methods and results: Participants from the UK Biobank Imaging study were assessed for AAC from DXA images. A Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS), based on smoking, physical activity, diet quality, alcohol consumption, sleep, and BMI was developed, and categorised as low, moderate and high. Cross-sectional associations with (i) any AAC (AAC≥1) and (ii) high AAC (AAC≥6) were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The …

Blue Poppy Study: Frequency Of Ptsd In The West Australian Police Force, Daniel Talbot, Peter Drummond, Christopher Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: As exposure of police officers to traumatic incidents has increased in recent years, the aim was to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated distress in the West Australian (WA) Police Force. Method: Participants were 1,278 sworn officers from the Western Australia (WA) Police Force, recruited via advertisements placed in the WA Police Union newsletter. This sample represented approximately 18.5% of the WA Police workforce. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), administered through an online survey platform. This study employed a cross-sectional correlational design. Factors related to PTSD were assessed using …

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Syndrome Through The Lens Of Gut‑Derived Uremic Toxins, Chudan Xu, Matthew Snelson, Francine Z. Marques

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) syndrome represents a complex, interconnected cluster of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. These conditions share overlapping metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular pathways, with the gut microbiome increasingly recognised as a key contributor and common underlying risk factor. Uremic toxins, traditionally considered waste products of host and microbial metabolism, are now recognised as active mediators of tissue damage across the CKM spectrum, particularly in the context of impaired renal function. Their production and accumulation are amplified by disrupted intestinal barrier integrity, chronic inflammation, and reduced renal clearance, collectively driving systemic …

Combined Effects Of Cumulative Triglyceride-Glucose And Blood Pressure On Stroke In Middle-Aged And Older Chinese Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis, Xinyue Wang, Wen Zheng, Xiangqian Jin, Hongzhi Liu, Jiheng Hao, Liyong Zhang, Yuanyuan Gu, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has increasingly been recognised an indicator for stroke risk. We aimed to explore the relationship between TyG and blood pressure (BP) and the combined effects of cumulative TyG (CumTyG) and cumulative BP (CumBP) on stroke risk in a cohort of Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We enrolled 5138 participants from the 2011–2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Cumulative TyG and BP exposures were recorded between 2011 and 2015, and stroke incidence was then followed up until 2018. We conducted a cross-lagged panel analysis to address the temporal and directional relationships …

Configuring For Success: A Conceptual Framework Of Project Portfolio Management Archetypes And Capability Bundles, Masoud Aghajani, Ashkan Memari, Olabode Emmanuel Ogunmakinde

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Project portfolio management (PPM) is critical for achieving strategic objectives but has been studied in fragmented silos. We propose a configuration-theoretic perspective that views project portfolios as coherent clusters of practices and capabilities. Drawing on the literature on portfolio success and dynamic capabilities, we identify four archetypal project portfolio configurations– innovation-driven, governance-driven, alignment-driven, and balanced-adaptive –each combining distinct success determinants (e.g., stakeholder engagement, formal processes, agility, culture). The proposed conceptual framework maps how these configurations mobilize sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities to realize different dimensions of portfolio success. The paper contributes a holistic model that unifies disparate findings, generates formal …

Design And Technology Pre-Service Teachers’ University Course Lived Experiences In Western Australia, Carol K. Puddicombe, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Design and Technology (D&T) education, historically rooted in industrial and manual arts, now integrates design-focused thinking with the practical processes of prototyping and making. Drawing on a doctoral study, this article examines the university course experiences of ten pre-service D&T teachers in Western Australia and how these shaped emerging beliefs and professional identities. Using an interpretivist framework and interpretative phenomenological analysis, interviews with ten final-year pre-service teachers were analysed. Five interrelated themes are examined in this article: knowledgeable lecturers, hands-on practical learning, curriculum breadth, peers, and internal concerns. The findings highlight the importance of current, school-connected lecturers; structured learning that …

Development Of A Clinical Prediction Model To Guide The Selective Use Of Spect/Ct In Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Liya Zhu, Junik Son, Lu Wang, Haifeng Hou, Byeong Cheol Ahn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Radioiodine whole-body scan (WBS) is routinely performed after radioiodine therapy in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), but its two-dimensional nature limits anatomical localization. The addition of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) improves diagnostic accuracy; however, routine use exposes patients to additional radiation, longer imaging time, and higher costs. This study aimed to establish a predictive model to identify which patients with PTC are more likely to benefit by adding SPECT/CT imaging after WBS, enabling selective rather than routine use. Methods: This retrospective study included 265 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC who underwent postoperative radioiodine therapy followed by WBS and …