Digital Commons Network^™

Intake Of Total, Classes, And Subclasses Of (Poly)Phenols And Risk Of Lymphoid Neoplasms: A Prospective Analysis In The Epic Cohort, Enrique Almanza-Aguilera, David Guananga-Álvarez, Yolanda Benavente, Alexandra Nieters, Caroline Besson, Fatemeh Saberi Hosnijeh, Cecilie Kyrø, Nicola P. Bondonno, Christina C. Dahm, Elisabete Weiderpass, Therese Truong, Mariem Louati-Hajji, Xuan Ren, Verena Katzke, Matthias B. Schulze, Fabrizio Pasanisi, Claudia Vener, Giovanna Masala, Maria Teresa Giraudo, Rosario Tumino, Amaia Aizpurua, Maria Jose Sánchez, José María Huerta, Marcela Guevara, Cristina Lasheras, Paolo Vineis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Existing epidemiological evidence regarding the potential role of (poly)phenol intake in lymphoma development is limited. Methods: We investigated the associations between the intake of total and individual classes and subclasses of (poly)phenols and the risk of lymphoma, including main frequent subtypes in the EPIC cohort using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During a mean 14-year follow-up (time frame: from 1990–1994 to 2008–2013), 2394 incident lymphoma cases were diagnosed from a total of 367,463 individuals. No significant associations were observed between total intakes of (poly)phenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and overall lymphoma risk. Total (poly)phenols, phenolic acid and hydroxycinnamic …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Adolescent Parent Perceptions On Sustainable Career Opportunities And Building Employability Capitals For Future Work, Denise Jackson, Claire Lambert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As primary career influencers, parents must support adolescent children in navigating evolving and increasingly challenging employment landscapes. Using a capitals lens, this study explores secondary school parents’ capacity to provide informed career advice and their perceptions on factors known to enhance youth employability and employment prospects. Survey data were collected from 301 Australian secondary school parents to examine their understanding of sustainable youth career opportunities, what can aid youth’s employment prospects, and their utilisation of available resources to support career advice for adolescents. While parents’ perceptions of opportunities by sector and industry aligned with wider thinking, many lacked awareness of …

Equity And Inclusion In Work-Integrated Learning: Participation And Outcomes For Diverse Student Groups, Denise Jackson, Bonnie Amelia Dean, Michelle Eady

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Universities support students in their transition to work and future career through programmes such as work-integrated learning (WIL). WIL engages students in authentic industry-based experiences and is considered valuable for preparedness for work, including professional socialisation and developing skills prioritised by graduate employers. Research shows, however, that access and participation in WIL is not equal among all student groups. This paper reports on the responses of over 151,000 recent graduates in an Australian-wide survey. It investigates participation in different types of WIL and its influence on self-perceptions of employability and the employment outcomes of graduates from different backgrounds. Findings show …

The Impacts Of Covid-19 Restrictions On Care-Givers Of People With Cognitive Impairment And Their Support Needs: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review, Loretta Baldassar, Thi N. M. Nguyen, Bronte Jones, Catriona Stevens, Lukasz Krzyzowski, Silvia Lozeva, Simone Marino, Maria G. C. Du Plooy, Johanne Eldridge, Osvaldo P. Almeida, Manonita Ghosh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions/lockdowns have caused significant physical and psychological consequences for people with cognitive impairment who are heavily dependent on their care-givers. However, little is known about the impact on care-givers, the factors that exacerbate their situation and what supports they need. The aims of this paper are threefold: (a) to examine the impact of COVID-19 physical restrictions on both formal and informal care-givers of people with cognitive impairment; (b) to identify attributing factors influencing this impact; and (c) to recognise their support needs. Further, this paper informs future research, policy and practice. Guided by the Joanna …

Talking About Relational Youth Work: Why Language Matters, Trudi Cooper, Tim Corney, Hilary Tierney, Jamie Gorman, John Sutcliffe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The literature on youth work emphasises the importance of ‘relationship’ to good practice, moreover, the characteristics of the youth-work relationship have been posited as a defining feature of youth work in the British-influenced tradition. Despite this, little attention is paid to the choice of language used to describe how professional youth workers relate to young people, or how language choices reflect political framing of youth work and of power relationships within their practice. Language choice has implications for how youth workers perceive their professional identity, for how accountability is construed, and for inter-professional working. In this article we undertake a …

She Speaks: Amplifying Women's Voices For Wellbeing, Narelle Lemon

Reports accepted as research outputs

Executive Summary

The SheSpeaks project successfully transformed how 223 Western Australian women understand and practice self-care, demonstrating  that targeted wellbeing literacy interventions can create lasting change  in women’s relationship with their own wellbeing. Funded by the Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future program, this innovative initiative combined evidence-based workshops with authentic podcasting to challenge the pervasive cultural narrative that positions women’s self-care as selfish  or impossible.

Taiwanese Elementary School Teachers’ Mindset Of Content And Language Integrated Learning (Clil) Instruction, Chin-Wen Chien

Journal of English Learner Education

Teachers need to undergo a mindset shift in language learning and teaching. This study used both qualitative and quantitative data to explore seven Taiwanese Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) teachers’ mindsets and led to the following major findings. First, the CLIL teachers had a stronger mindset regarding their instructional strategies, lesson preparations, and efficacy, compared to their more moderate mindset regarding their CLIL training and preparation. Secondly, the CLIL teachers had a different mindset regarding language use in their CLIL instruction due to their learners’ English proficiency levels. Finally, their lesson designs were lacking a 4Cs culture. Based on …

Empowering Multilingual Families By Reconceptualizing Family Engagement, Melissa J. Cuba, Carolyn Waters, Luciana C. De Oliveira

Journal of English Learner Education

One of the most pressing issues in U.S. public schools is the engagement of multilingual families with children who are multilingual learners. So much so, federal policies, such as the Parent and Family Engagement Provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act, prioritize and financially support activities and professional development focused on family engagement. In addition, these policies provide opportunities for families to contribute to agreed-upon school district policy that can reshape family engagement. However, as we reflect on the current sociopolitical context in the U.S., how are school systems creating opportunities for multilingual families to contribute and inform local family …

Literacy Instruction For English Language Learners In Indiana Elementary Schools Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Haiyan Li, Wayne E. Wright, Trish Morita-Mullaney

Journal of English Learner Education

This mixed-methods study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on elementary school literacy instruction for multilingual learners officially classified as English Language Learners (ELLs) across 35 teachers in four Indiana school districts. Classroom lesson videos and observation rubrics for 19 teachers were collected from the beginning of 2020-2021 school year (during the pandemic) and compared with those collected pre-pandemic from 16 teachers at the beginning of school years of 2018-2019 (n=7) and 2019-2020 (n=9). Findings demonstrate schools made efforts during the pandemic to offer quality literacy instruction within socially distanced classrooms, online synchronous instruction, and hybrid learning environments. However, teachers spent …

Formation, Operation, And Maintenance Of A Community Advisory Board For Research With Lgbtq+ Parents, Aubrey Jones, Olivia S. Yinger, Rachel H. Farr, Keisa Fallin-Bennett, Sabrina Beiring, Cassi Crouse, Carolyn Greenstrom

Transforming Communities

Community-engaged research is becoming increasingly popular to promote health equity. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe the formation, operation, and maintenance of a community advisory board (CAB) of LGBTQ+ parents and healthcare providers who work with LGBTQ+ parents. Method: Using Newman and colleagues outline, we describe the formation, operation, and maintenance phases of our CAB process. Inclusion criteria for CAB members is as follows, CAB members must be 18 years of age or older, live in the U.S., and (a) self-identify as LGBTQ+ and have had a child in the NICU more than five years prior to …

A More Sustainable Future For Dentistry, Jillian Bulter

Virginia Dental Journal

Jillian Bulter, a biomedical engineering major, became involved in a research project at VCU focused on developing biodegradable plastics to replace single-use plastics in dental clinics. Collaborating with Dr. Eser Tüfekçi and Dr. Todd Kitten, the team tested the effectiveness of these novel plastics in preventing bacterial contamination. Although initial results indicated the need for further development, the project represents a significant step towards more sustainable dental practices.

Vcu Enhances Cultural Competency And Provides Better Care For Patients, Giovanni Flores

Virginia Dental Journal

The Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is working to improve healthcare for Hispanic communities by addressing language barriers and promoting cultural competency. With Hispanics making up 19.1% of the U.S. population but only a small percentage of the dental workforce, VCU's HSDA provides Spanish dental terminology booklets and hosts Spanish workshops for students, faculty, and staff. These efforts aim to enhance communication with Spanish-speaking patients and improve their overall healthcare experience.

Your Vda Membership Could Easily Be Paying For Itself, Karen Wood

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) membership offers significant savings through various endorsed vendors. Members can save on malpractice and group health insurance with RK Tongue, reduce credit card processing fees with BestCard, and get discounts on website design with Prosites. Additional savings are available on encrypted file transfers with iCore Exchange and dental supplies through Torch Dental. These benefits can easily cover the cost of annual dues, making the membership a valuable investment. For personalized assistance, members can contact Karen Wood, Director of Operations.

Sustainable Dentistry: A Two-Fold Strategy To Recession-Proofing Your Dental Practice, Ashli Klingaman

Virginia Dental Journal

The document outlines strategies for recession-proofing a dental practice by focusing on both internal and external tools. Internally, it emphasizes the importance of using a robust practice management system (PMS) with automation features to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effective supply chain management to mitigate financial risks. Externally, it highlights the benefits of digital marketing, telehealth services, and community partnerships to attract and retain patients. By adopting these strategies, dental practices can ensure growth and stability even during economic downturns.

Virginia Board Of Dentistry Meeting Notes March 8, 2024, Ursula Klostermyer Dds, Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Board of Dentistry meeting on March 8, 2024, covered various topics, including the approval of previous meeting minutes and a report from DHP Director Arne W. Owens on legislative activities and staffing changes. Dr. Bryant shared insights from recent dental conferences, while Yetty Shobo, Ph.D., presented workforce data showing trends in the demographics, income, and debt of dentists and dental hygienists. The report highlighted an increase in younger dentists and a decline in dental hygienists since 2022. Regulatory updates and disciplinary actions were also discussed, with 135 new cases received and 154 cases closed, including 11 with violations.