Digital Commons Network^™

Perceived Professional Identity Formation And Influencing Characteristics Among Speech Pathology Students, Abigail Lewis, Denise Jackson, Dawn Bennett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While professional identity formation (PIF) is an important facet of employability and becoming a health professional, there has been little research on PIF among speech pathology (SP) students. This single group, cross-sectional study explored perceived PIF among SP students at a large, urban, Australian university selected via stratified sampling from a four-year undergraduate program. Using an established online self-assessment tool to measure perceived employability, the study reports on seven related constructs relevant to PIF. The self-assessment has previously been found to have strong validity and reliability and the subset used in this study likewise had strong validity and reliability. There …

The Effects Of Interventions On Health-Related Quality Of Life Of People Living With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review, Amineh Rashidi, Lisa Whitehead, Lisa Newson, Helen Walthall, Clare Van Miert, Vivien Kemp, Ian Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To synthesise the evidence from randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of interventions to improve health-related quality of life in people living with cardiovascular disease. Design: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data Sources: A systematic search of eight databases was conducted to identify relevant papers that were published in English and peer-reviewed. Review Methods: The titles and abstracts of the articles were screened by two independent reviewers. The remaining articles underwent full text screening, followed by quality appraisal conducted by two independent reviewers. Results: This review included 13 studies. The intervention in all studies was cardiac rehabilitation. In spite …

Young Children Moving Through Ecological Anxiety And Grief: Dancing With Demolition, Jane Merewether, Jo Pollitt, Mindy Blaise

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As the extent of planetary unraveling becomes increasingly apparent, scholars are beginning to document responses to the loss of ecological systems, mass extinctions, and climate change. However, there are few studies documenting children’s eco-anxiety responses. In this study, children’s eco-anxiety and grief became apparent when they expressed dismay at the imminent demolition of a derelict building. Children were concerned for the fate of the building, the land on which it stood, and the myriad others it sheltered. Using participatory and creative methodologies including dance, this project worked with children to tell a more-than-human story of becoming-with children-building-weeds-graffiti-dust-researchers-unhoused-bacteria-rats-and unloved others, which …

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

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

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

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

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

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

Modelling The Impacts Of Recreational Catch-And-Release Variability On Fish Stock Dynamics, Brett Crisafulli

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recreational fisheries often lack sufficient data for robust stock assessments, and post-release mortality (PRM) of discarded fish, particularly demersal species, poses a significant threat to sustainability. Because demersal fish often experience higher PRM (often due to barotrauma and stress), the substantial global interest in their recreational fisheries (e.g., Australia, Gulf of Mexico, Western Baltic Sea) raises conservation concerns. This study employs three distinct modelling approaches, applied to four reef-dwelling demersal species, to support effective recreational fisheries management by addressing data uncertainty, unintended consequences of management changes, and PRM effects. Specifically, this thesis (1) evaluates variability in average weights of recreationally-caught …

Optimal Bag Valve Mask Ventilation Efficacy Of Smart Bag Ventilation Compared To Traditional Adult And Paediatric Bag Valve Ventilation During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Ian Dawson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is one of the world’s leading causes of mortality. Survival rates are low, ranging from 3.1–20.4% internationally. The most effective oxygenation method for patients during pre-hospital cardiac arrest is ventilating using a self- inflating Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM). Yet, extensive research has identified a lack of compliance with ventilator guidelines during OHCA cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As a result, clinicians often ventilate patients too aggressively using the BVM, delivering breaths excessively higher than the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommended rate of 10 breaths per minute (BPM). Hyperventilation can lead to complications such as aspiration, barotrauma, and …

Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy After Stroke: A Process Evaluation Of Implementation In An Early-Supported Discharge Rehabilitation Service, Ashan Bimalka Weerakkody

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) improves upper limb (UL) function after stroke, but its routine delivery in rehabilitation settings remains limited.

Aims

The objectives were to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of implementing mCIMT within an early-supported discharge (ESD) rehabilitation service, using existing resources and staffing.

Aims were to:

• Develop and deliver a multi-modal behaviour change intervention to clinicians to increase mCIMT delivery.
• Explore the acceptability of mCIMT among stroke survivors, carers, therapists, and allied health managers.
• Identify program adaptations to better suit stakeholder needs.
• Evaluate the process of implementing mCIMT in the ESD service.

Methods

This thesis …

Early, Standardised, And Precise Treatment Of Copd Exacerbations And Covid-19, Sanjay Ramakrishnan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common chronic condition causing significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with COPD report sudden episodes of deteriorating respiratory symptoms called exacerbations, often presumed to be precipitated by infections. COPD is in the top 5 causes of death globally. COPD exacerbations drive a large proportion of these deaths. Despite this, there is no standardised model of care for the sickest patients who need hospitalisations for exacerbations. Meanwhile, treatment for COPD exacerbations continues to be guided by symptoms, instead of underlying biology. Most patients are treated with unnecessary and harmful systemic corticosteroids. During the …

Athlete Monitoring And Training Modification Decision-Making: Insights From High-Level Endurance Sports Coaches, Wouter Piet Timmerman

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Athlete monitoring technology has proliferated in the last decades. However, much of what is known about athlete monitoring tends to come from unpublished personal experiences and anecdotal information. In the last decade, considerable athlete monitoring research has been conducted, leading to multiple reviews and consensus statements mainly on athlete monitoring tools and methods. Recognising that athlete monitoring is a human-driven process, typically with the coach as the decision-maker, it is imperative to study coaches given their extensive knowledge and expertise. The overall aim of the thesis was to gain insights into why and how high-level endurance sports coaches use athlete …

Determining Space Requirements For Small And Sick Newborns And Their Mothers In Health Facilities: A Systematic Review, Natalie Strobel, Georgia Whisson, Derek Swe, Rajesh Mehta, Amy Budrikis, Karen Edmond

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background There are currently no World Health Organization and United Nations Children Fund benchmarks or ‘norms’ for scaling up small and sick newborn (SSN) service delivery in health facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Specifically, there is limited evidence on optimal bed space requirements in SSN units such as special care nurseries and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Through this systematic review, we aimed to gather evidence on the optimal space requirements needed for SSNs and their mothers in health facilities, particularly at level 2 district hospitals. Methods We included simulation, experimental, and observational studies, as well as guidelines …

Enhancing Summative Assessment And Pedagogy Of Senior Secondary Dance Education Through Digital Technologies, Maria Gamble, Nicola F. Johnson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite advances in digital technology, summative assessment in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) Dance syllabus remain shaped by historical structures and practices. This study explores how digital technologies might better support fair, valid, and reliable assessment in senior secondary dance education. Through semi-structured interviews with six Australian experts in ATAR Dance curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, the research highlights a shared interest in using technology to enhance learning and address assessment challenges. Participants acknowledged constraints imposed by traditional models but expressed openness to explore new possibilities and adapt to the current climate. The findings suggest that digital tools could foster …

Browsing Within An Academic Library, Holt Zaugg, Jillian Bunderson

Faculty Publications

Purpose – Browsing library resources is a method long used by researchers to expand their understanding of ill-defined projects and to have serendipitous research discoveries. This study sought to understand the browsing activities of students in an academic library. Design/methodology/approach – The study used two methods. First, a link to an online survey was posted on posters throughout the library inviting students to share their browsing experience. Second, library security officers (student employees) were asked to count the number of people browsing within the stacks as they conducted their hourly walk-throughs of the library. Browsing was broadly defined as anyone …

Associations Of Vegetable And Potato Intakes With Markers Of Type 2 Diabetes Risk In The Ausdiab Cohort, Pratik Pokharel, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Kevin Murray, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Dianna J. Magliano, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan E. Shaw, Joshua Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Context: The associations of vegetable and potato intakes with type 2 diabetes (T2D) appear to be nuanced, depending on vegetable types and preparation method, respectively.

Objective: We investigated the associations of total vegetable, vegetable subgroup, and potato intakes with (1) markers of T2D at baseline and (2) incident T2D cumulative over a 12-year follow-up period in Australian adults.

Methods: Using data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study, intakes of vegetables and potatoes were assessed via a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Associations between vegetable intake and (1) fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload plasma glucose (PLG), updated homeostasis …

Masculinism, Institutional Violence And #Metoo: Understanding Australian University Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily Gray, Jacqueline Ullman, Mindy Blaise, Jo Pollitt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article offers an analysis of data from the project Sexism, Higher Education, and Covid-19: The Australian Perspective. The authors argue that the gendered impact of the pandemic in Higher Education Institutions constitutes a form of institutionally perpetrated sexist harassment, and that raising awareness of the ways in which institutions themselves enable and perpetrate such harassment is consistent with the aims of the #MeToo movement. This article is intended to act as testament to the ways in which Australian universities function as masculinist institutions that, during this time of crisis, deployed tactics that were experienced by women and minority-identifying research …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Rapid Weight Loss Across Combat Sports And The Relationships Between Methods And Magnitude, Oliver R. Barley, Craig A. Harms

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined rapid weight loss (RWL) habits across combat sports (CS) and how common usage of different methods was related to the magnitude of RWL. Competitors (N = 256) from CS including boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai/kickboxing (MT/KB), wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, taekwondo, and karate participated in the study. Athletes completed an online survey which included questions on their regular weight loss habits, including magnitudes of weight loss over different time periods and types of methods utilised. Athletes typically started losing weight in their early 20s and engaged in RWL on average three times a year. Magnitudes …

Review Of Applications Of Deep Learning In Veterinary Diagnostics And Animal Health, Sam Xiao, Navneet K. Dhand, Zhiyong Wang, Kun Hu, Peter C. Thomson, John K. House, Mehar S. Khatkar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Deep learning (DL), a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), involves the development of algorithms and models that simulate the problem-solving capabilities of the human mind. Sophisticated AI technology has garnered significant attention in recent years in the domain of veterinary medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the research dedicated to leveraging DL for diagnostic purposes within veterinary medicine. Our systematic review approach followed PRISMA guidelines, focusing on the intersection of DL and veterinary medicine, and identified 422 relevant research articles. After exporting titles and abstracts for screening, we narrowed our selection to 39 primary research articles directly applying …

Why Do We Pursue The Personal Goals We Do? The Relationships Between Distinct Goal Motives And Subjective Well-Being, Joanne M. Dickson, Vanessa Tan, Christopher D. Huntley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Personal motives drive and energize goal behavior. However, the relationships between distinct goal motives and subjective well-being (SWB) are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate how distinct goal motives related to SWB in a cross-national study. The sample comprised 197 participants (n = 95 Australians; n = 102 Singaporeans). Participants generated their two most important and meaningful idiographic goals that they were currently pursuing. They then completed an accompanying self-report goal motive questionnaire in relation to each listed personal goal, and a measure of SWB. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted. As predicted, relational autonomous motives were significantly …

Faculty Of Radiation Oncology 2022 Workforce Census, Hon Trinh, Nathan Stevens, Gerard Adams, Raphael Chee, Tuan Ha, Marcel Knesl, Jack Mitchell, Sakshi Nagpal, Edward Sia, Daniel Xing

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: This paper reports the key findings of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2022 workforce census. This is the first census since the COVID-19 pandemic and questions have been updated to assess the impact on RANZCR trainees and fellows. This report focuses on the analysis of respondents from Australia, New Zealand and overseas members, with a separate paper to follow focusing exclusively on New Zealand respondents. Method: The census was conducted in mid-late 2022 with many questions repeated from previous censuses. New questions were asked about theranostics, working remotely, hypofractionation and the impact of COVID-19 on work practices. Results: The …

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, …

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 …

Plasma Nfl And Cognitive Functioning In Older Adults: The Moderating Role Of Hdl Cholesterol, Ramkrishna K Singh, Semere Bekena, Yiqi Zhu, Carlos Cruchaga, Steven E Arnold, Beau M Ances, Ganesh M Babulal

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a marker of neuroaxonal injury associated with cognitive decline. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has neuroprotective properties, but its interaction with neurodegeneration remains unclear. This study examined whether HDL moderates the association between NfL and cognitive performance.

METHODS: Baseline data from 417 participants in the Aging Adult Brain Connectome study were analyzed. Plasma NfL and HDL were measured via Simoa and enzymatic assays; cognition was assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC). Generalized linear models were used to evaluate NfL and HDL interactions, adjusting for demographics. Sensitivity …

Variations In Greater Trochanter Height As A Relation To Patient Demographics: Implications For Femoral Nail Design, Jordan A Haber, Amogh I Iyer, Matthew Dulas, Douglas Weaver, Jason A Strelzow

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Intramedullary nail fixation is the "gold standard" for surgical intervention of femoral fractures. While many aspects of nail design and patient anatomy have received specific focus, anatomic variations in proximal femoral geometry and greater trochanteric height variation have been poorly studied. Understanding the potential relationship of the greater trochanter to patient demographics may provide an opportunity to improve implant placement. Retrospective review of x-ray and computed tomography images of the proximal femur was performed. Inclusion criteria consisted of skeletally mature patients over 18 years old with imaging of the proximal femur. Inclusion criteria identified 296 patients. Mean age of included …

Characterization Of Plasma At(N) Biomarkers Among A Racial And Ethnically Diverse Community-Based Cohort: An Habs-Hd Study, Melissa E Petersen, Beau M Ances, Et Al

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers of Amyloid(A), Tau(T), and Neurodegeneration(N) have been increasingly studied to fill the gap in our understanding of racial and ethnic differences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between plasma AT(N) biomarkers and (1) AT(N) neuroimaging biomarkers, (2) demographics, (3) medical comorbidities, and (4) cognitive diagnosis.

METHODS: Data were analyzed from

RESULTS: Differences in the AT(N) biomarkers were found across racial/ethnic groups. Plasma Aβ42/40 was found to be associated with PET amyloid positivity only among NHW participants, while plasma NfL was found to correlate with Meta-ROI among NHB and Hispanic participants. Ptau181 was associated with …

Acute Metabolic Decompensation After Liver Transplant In A Patient With Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Shao Ching Tu, Marium Khan, Katie Wolfe, Sakil S Kulkarni, Elizabeth Toolan, Dorothy K Grange

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism characterized by the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) caused by a defect in the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Liver transplant is an effective therapy for MSUD, and patients can usually tolerate a regular diet after transplant without symptomatic metabolic decompensation. Most post-transplant patients do not follow a sick-day diet. We report a case of a 7-year-old male with MSUD Type IA, status post-liver transplant at 2 years of age, who presented with profound encephalopathy following poor oral intake and vomiting for 3 days. Broad …

An Emerging Obstacle To Childhood Obesity Control And Prevention, Queeneth C. Edwards, Jian Zhang

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

The rise of telehealth has created both opportunities and challenges as healthcare providers seek to balance the convenience of telemedicine with the need for effective and comprehensive care.1-3 This commentary highlights the implications of telehealth for addressing pediatric obesity, a pressing public health issue.