Digital Commons Network^™

Targeting Of The Oncogenic Fusion Ewsr1-Fli1 In Ewing Sarcoma By Crispr/Dcas9 Silencers, Shahama Taifour, Chee Wai Wong, Christopher Wallis, Edina Wang, Ash W.J. Tie, Eleanor Woodward, Charlene Waryah, Mahnaz Hosseinpour, Dilys Lam, Ryan Lister, Larissa Dymond, Andrew Woo, Peter J. Houghton, K. Swaminathan Iyer, Marck Norret, Cameron W. Evans, Louise Winteringham, Silvana Gaudieri, Pilar Blancafort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the revolutionary impact of genome engineering tools in medicine, the safe and effective intracellular delivery of CRISPR remains a major obstacle to clinical applications. Here, we utilize precision molecular targeting and delivery strategies based on CRISPR-nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) systems adapted for epigenetic repression (dCas9-Krüppel-associated box [KRAB]) to silence oncogenic drivers with high selectivity. As proof of principle, we target the EWSR1-FLI1 translocation, which encodes a chimeric and hard-to-drug oncogenic transcription factor driving approximately 85% of the cases of Ewing sarcoma (EWS)—an aggressive childhood malignancy. We describe the development of a programmable, non-viral polymeric system for the delivery of dCas9-KRAB …

When Dying Patients Fall Silent: How Nurses Navigate Decision-Making In The Last Days Of Life—A Qualitative Study, Tricia O'Connor, Aileen Collier, Karen Strickland, Carla Thamm, Catherine Paterson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To explore nurses' perspectives on decision-making processes and influencing factors when caring for unresponsive dying patients in the last days of life. Design: A qualitative interpretive study.

Methods: Using purposive recruitment and informal peer referral, twenty-one nurses from a specialist palliative care service in a metropolitan city in Australia were interviewed between July 2024 and January 2025. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Decision-making theory was used as an interpretive lens.

Findings: Two themes were generated: ‘The patient as an absent presence’ and ‘Enacting agency through embodied cognition and relational attunement’, together with five interconnected subthemes. The analysis …

Wuthuga (Dugong) Population Status In Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) Sea Country, Holly Raudino, Amanda Hodgson, Chris Cleguer, Kym Reeve, Molly Moustaka, Osmar Luiz, Simone Strydom, Kathy Murray, Neilisha Oakley, Tariq Mcdonald, Abby Leyendekkers, Jay Hayes, Marlee Hutton, Julian A. Tyne, Kelly Waples

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Monitoring trends in wildlife populations and their response to pressures is integral but challenging for conservation managers. Wuthuga (dugongs (Dugong dugon)) are increasingly vulnerable as extreme climatic events, such as marine heatwaves and flooding, intensify with a warming climate and increasingly impact the seagrass they are dependent upon.

Methods: This study estimated wuthuga abundance using two methodologies: conventional observer aerial surveys, as part of a time-series of surveys, alongside aerial imagery, in Gathaagudu (Shark Bay), Western Australia in 2023. We compare the contemporary abundance estimates with long term monitoring data (1989 – 2018) to identify temporal trends in abundance …

Application Of Generative Artificial Intelligence By Nurse Academics In Higher Education: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Hamilton, Martina Costello, Lesley Barr, Simon Cooper, Martin Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To systematically map existing research on nurse academics incorporation of generative artificial intelligence when developing teaching and learning resources in higher education and to identify knowledge gaps and future research. Background: Generative artificial intelligence technology is rapidly evolving in healthcare and it's use in nursing higher education is developing. However, concerns regarding its adoption in higher education relate to academic integrity and ethical considerations, including privacy, confidentiality, bias and critical thinking development. Generative artificial intelligence tools present new pedagogy possibilities in nursing higher education; however, the scope and impact of its adoption is unclear. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute …

Beta-Band Modulation Reveals The Cortical Dynamics Of Auditory Statistical Learning In Children, Jarrad A.G Lum, Christine N. Moreau, Li Ann Leow, Welber Marinovic, Sarah J. Lum, Marc F. Joanisse, Laura J. Batterink

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children's ability to extract statistical regularities from speech is considered fundamental to lexical, syntactic, and grammatical development. However, the neural oscillatory mechanisms supporting this process in childhood remains poorly understood. While beta-band oscillations have been linked to statistical learning in visual and motor domains, it is unclear whether similar dynamics support auditory statistical learning in children. In this study, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) from children aged 8–12 years as they listened to a continuous stream of trisyllabic nonwords (e.g., dapiku), where syllable order within each nonword was fixed (high predictability), but transitions between nonwords were variable (low predictability). Beta power …

Between Guidelines And Guilt: Parenting Through The Chaos Of Screen-Time Discourse, Stephanie C. Milford

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Digital parenting today is shaped by shifting guidelines, moralised discourse, and often unstable institutional advice, leaving families navigating uncertainty without meaningful support. Drawing on governmentality theory and media studies, this piece examines how screentime discourse can position parents as primarily responsible for risks that are in part, produced by systems outside the home. Using the Australian policy reversal on YouTube as a case study, it highlights how inconsistent guidance can erode parental confidence and at times sustain cycles of shame and surveillance. Rather than consistently addressing structural factors such as platform design and algorithmic amplification, media and policy narratives displace …

Culture, Community, And Development: Unpacking The ‘Socio-Cultural Milieu Dynamics’ Of Solomon Islands And Their Influence On Australia's Aid Localisation, Mark Opoku Amankwa, Gladys Nangira Murruka, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Vicki Frances Banham, Clement Amponsah, Emmanuel Enyinful

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Using public ethnography anchored in the post-development theory and interpretivist epistemological paradigm, this study examines what we term the ‘socio-cultural milieus dynamics’ (SCMD) of the Solomon Islands (SI) and how these shape meaning, discourse, and practice in ways that influence Australia's aid localisation efforts and aid outcomes. The findings indicate that local communities are deeply entrenched in complex SCMD with heterogeneous networks of decision-makers within the ecosystem. These SCMD, we argue, are evident in the structural and contested roles associated with the gendered composition of local committees, the power asymmetries between dominant local elites and subalternised groups, and the relationalities …

Effectiveness Of Prophylactic Foam Dressings In The Prevention Of Sacral Pressure Injuries In At-Risk Hospitalised Patients (Eepoc): A Randomised Control Trial, Rachel M. Walker, Wendy Chaboyer, Lukman Thalib, Sharon Latimer, Haitham Tuffaha, Marie Cooke, Brigid M. Gillespie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a serious patient safety issue with the sacrum the most common location. Silicone foam border dressings are increasingly used in hospitalised patients, yet their clinical and cost-effectiveness in preventing pressure injuries is unclear in some patient cohorts. Objective: To determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a silicone foam border dressing in preventing sacral hospital acquired pressure injuries in at-risk medical-surgical patients. Methods: A prospective, multi-site, parallel group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial was conducted in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Medical-surgical adult patients (≥ 18 years) at-risk of pressure injury were recruited and randomly allocated to either …

Drone Endurance In Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid Technologies: Power Architectures And Design Strategies, Yaw Chong Tak, Tarek Abedin, Johnny Koh Siaw Paw, Jagadeesh Pasupuleti, Tan Jian Ding, Tiong Sieh Kiong, K. Kadirgama, F. Benedict, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study delivers an exhaustive exploration of novel and hybrid power systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) aimed at improving endurance, efficiency, and mission performance. In the wake of increasing requirements for long-endurance and high-performance UAVs, traditional battery systems are limited by their energy density and lifetime. To overcome this, the research compares four primary power sources: hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-based batteries, photovoltaic cells, and supercapacitors, with a focus on their hybrid architecture integration. The originality of this research is in the relative comparison of these power sources in multi-mode UAV operations, with an emphasis on their performance, energy management …

Effects Of Exercise Interventions On Motor Coordination In Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dcd): A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Changhui Peng, Jinrong He, Kai Xu, Xueping Wu, Dandan Wang, Lei Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Exercise interventions are recognized as an established therapeutic approach for children with DCD. This review aims to quantify the effectiveness of exercise interventions and examine the influence of potential moderating factors on outcomes. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCO from inception to November 1, 2025. All studies were rigorously screened based on predefined eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using ROB 2 and ROBINS-I. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges’ g (g) and pooled under a random-effects model, and potential moderators were examined through subgroup and regression analyses. Results A …

Examining The Factors Influencing Citizen Adoption Of E-Government Chatbot Services In Jordan: A Longitudinal Survey Study, Ibrahim Mohamad, Laurie Hughes, Ali Abdallah Alalwan, Tegwen Malik, Yogesh K. Dwivedi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Many governments are focusing on adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based chatbot technology to enhance work efficiency and improve e-government services. Jordan was among the first Middle Eastern countries to implement AI chatbots to offer various e-services to its citizens. While previous studies have examined the adoption of AI chatbots, they have not explored citizen adoption within the Jordanian context. This research investigates the key factors influencing citizen adoption of e-government chatbot services in Jordan by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) theory with additional external variables. A longitudinal survey of 319 Jordanian citizens was conducted, …

Facilitators To The Implementation Of Exercise Into Cancer Care: A Systematic Review, Georgia L. White, Mary A. Kennedy, Brent J. Cunningham, Riley Dunn, Jason Martin, Meegan Walker, Craig T. Wallington-Gates, Hattie Wright, Bryan Chan, Grace L. Rose

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Although governing bodies urge the importance of integrating exercise into routine cancer care, facilitators to implementation have not been systematically identified and collated. This review aimed to summarise facilitators to implement exercise services within real-world settings. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies was conducted (three databases, 13th September 2024). Reports were included if they documented the implementation of co-located exercise services (delivered onsite within cancer centres) or referral pathways to external exercise services from cancer centres. The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0) was used to code and synthesise facilitators. Results: Of 8544 …

How I Cook With No Kitchen: An Investigation Of How #Microapartment Kitchens Are Depicted On Tiktok, Joelie Mandzufas, Karen Lombardi, Dorian Winter, Sarah Foster, Siobhan Hickling, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Physical constraints of small apartment kitchens and the influence of the surrounding community food environment may impact food practices of apartment residents. Social media portrayal of these features may influence public perception of apartment living. Aim: This project aimed to describe the public depiction of small apartment kitchen and cooking facilities. Methods: Content analysis of TikTok videos posted with small apartment-related hashtags was determined the portrayal of kitchen facilities, residents’ food practices, and hypothesised barriers to healthy cooking and eating practices. Current residents of small apartments compared these video depictions to their own experience. Results: We found TikTok videos …

Implementation Strategies For Evidence-Based Healthcare Interventions In Rural And Remote Settings: A Scoping Review, Anna Chapman, Cadeyrn J. Gaskin, Hannah Beks, Charlene Wright, Skye Marshall, Elizabeth A. Johnston, Rebecca J. Bergin, Sharina Riva, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Camille E. Short, Nicole Kiss, Sze Lin Yoong, Nicolas H. Hart, Anna Wong Shee, Helena Rodi, Hannah Jongebloed, Anna Ugalde

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Globally, people living in rural and remote areas experience poorer healthcare access and outcomes than urban populations. Applying implementation strategies that support the translation of evidence-based healthcare interventions may help reduce these inequities; however, real-world implementation is complex, and it remains unclear how strategies are applied and tailored to rural and remote contexts. This scoping review synthesised evidence on implementation strategies for healthcare interventions in rural and remote settings of high-income countries. Five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 1/1/2000 and 25/10/2024. Extracted data were synthesised using a descriptive …

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 …

Insulin Resistance As A Mediator Of Physical Activity's Effects On Beta-Amyloid Accumulation And Tau Phosphorylation: A Scoping Review, Michael G. Slee, Joanne Scotney, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Kirk I. Erickson, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Giuseppe Verdile, Belinda M. Brown

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased Alzheimer’s disease risk and brain beta amyloid (Aβ) burden, suggesting an underlying mechanistic relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes. Animal studies show exercise reduces levels of brain Aβ and tau, and while human studies are somewhat limited, some studies have reported physical activity is associated with lower brain Aβ and tau levels. Exercise has well established links to reductions in insulin resistance; thus, as physical activity can impact both insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease pathology and/or biomarkers, it is reasonable to hypothesise that a mediating relationship may exist. The objective …

Lack Of Increase In Mercury Contamination In Coastal Western Australia Since European Settlement, Martin Dahl, Larissa Schneider, Harald Biester, Richard Bindler, Antonio Martinez Cortizas, Paul S. Lavery, Miguel A. Mateo, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Current knowledge of long-term mercury (Hg) deposition is predominantly based on studies from the Northern Hemisphere, leading to a geographical bias in the comprehension of the global Hg cycle. Aiming to contribute to fill this knowledge gap, our study presents a high-resolution Hg record of a seagrass Posidonia australis sedimentary archive encompassing the last 3300 years in the Waychinicup estuary (Western Australia, WA). This setting is an ideal site for studying the natural Hg cycle, as it is located in the southwest of the state, outside the prevailing wind patterns that transport emissions from major Hg sources. Our results show …

Leveraging Consumer Socialisation Agents To Increase Indigenous Student Participation In Higher Education, Melissa Fong-Emmerson, Braden Hill, Claire Lambert, Maria M. Ryan, Rebekah Dougan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose – Socialisation agents, including family, peers, Elders, teachers, mass media and community networks, significantly influence students’ decisions to pursue higher education (HE). This paper aims to further explore how these agents, within the framework of consumer socialisation theory, act as influential forces at the early stages of the decision-making process, shaping perceptions and providing motivation for Indigenous students’ educational choices. Design/methodology/approach – A three-phase narrative inquiry method was used, including autobiographical accounts from students, yarning sessions with peers and one-on-one interviews. This participatory approach centred Indigenous knowledges to inform culturally responsive social marketing strategies. Findings – The study identified …

Measuring Cancer Equity Globally: Harmonising International Rural-Urban Classifications For Exploring Cancer Outcomes, Charlene Wright, Sharina Riva, Megan Crichton, Helena Rodi, Hannah Jongebloed, Lucy Leigh, Elizabeth A. Johnston, Rebecca J. Bergin, Anna Chapman, Laura Alston, Fiona Crawford–Williams, Nicolas H. Hart, Joel Rhee, Lan Gao, Kate Gunn, Harry Gasper, Anna Ugalde, Skye Marshall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Geographic disparities in cancer outcomes represent a critical health equity challenge, with rural populations consistently experiencing poorer outcomes than urban populations. The lack of harmonised rurality measures creates substantial barriers to evidence synthesis and has precluded meta-analyses. This perspectives paper discusses concepts of rurality, identifies rurality classification systems used by cancer researchers in OECD countries that can be harmonised with the OECD Extended Typology, and develops recommendations for consistent rural-urban coding. Targeted searches of grey and published literature on cancer policy and rurality classification systems were conducted. The secondary analysis examined studies identified through systematic database searching of OVID Medline, …

Satellite Observations Reveal Ecosystem Resistance And Resilience To Short-Term Water Stress Driven By Dominant Vegetation Along A Rainfall Gradient In Australia, Huanhuan Wang, Qiaoyun Xie, Sally E. Thompson, Caitlin E. Moore, David L. Miller, Erik J. Veneklaas, Richard P. Silberstein, Xing Li, Jingfeng Xiao, Belinda E. Medlyn, William K. Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Climate change is projected to intensify water stress in many ecosystems and poses threats to their stability, which can be quantified through ecosystem resistance and resilience. Relevant studies mostly focused on multi-year or annual droughts, and in spatially homogeneous or species-specific ecosystems. However, resilience and resistance within complex ecosystems, where different plants exhibit different adaptations and recovery behaviours, are less understood. Using productivity data from satellite-derived GOSIF (Global Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 Solar-Induced Fluorescence) and flux towers, we examined vegetation responses to short-term (<1 year) water stress events from 2000 to 2018 along the North Australia Tropical Transect, which spans a 1600 mm rainfall gradient and transitions from seasonal mesic to non-seasonal arid ecosystems. We define resistance as productivity maintained during stress relative to a multi-year average baseline, and resilience as the extent to which productivity recovered one year after stress relative to the same baseline. Our results show that ecosystem resistance to water stress was lowest in semi-arid regions but higher in both arid and mesic regions, while ecosystem resilience showed the opposite pattern. These spatial patterns occurred regardless of seasonality and were mainly associated with dominant vegetation type. Woody savanna-dominated mesic regions exhibited highest resistance (0.82 ± 0.13, p < 0.001) and lowest resilience (0.26 ± 0.19, p < 0.001), shrublands in arid areas had intermediate values of both resistance (0.81 ± 0.14, p < 0.001) and resilience (0.27 ± 0.22, p < 0.001), while the grasslands in semi-arid regions had low resistance (0.78 ± 0.15, p < 0.001) and high resilience (0.38 ± 0.24, p < 0.001). The highest likelihood (>75.0 %) of full recovery (i.e., exceeding baseline after one year) occurred during the wet season in …

The Strategic Competence Of Secondary Mathematics Teachers Solving Algebraic Word Problems, Vesife Hatisaru, Steven Richardson, Helen Chick, John Sevier

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We examined the strategic competence of 22 secondary mathematics teachers by considering their solutions to an algebraic word problem involving simultaneous equations. The analyses have shown that although the majority could solve the problem, the strategic competence of the participants varied, with some teachers having greater fluency with an algebraic solution, and the others less likely to address simultaneity. Overall, many of the teachers had relatively limited capacity to identify additional solution approaches. The study highlights the usefulness of a strategic competence scheme with key indicators that may reveal areas for further teacher development, with the specific findings suggesting the …

Towards Carbon Geosequestration: Comparing The Wettability Performance Of Western Australian Altered Basaltic Rock/Co2/Water Systems, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Rossen Sedev, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Trevor Beardsmore, Heather Howard, Joel Sarout, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Geosequestration of carbon dioxide in basaltic rock formations is considered to have the potential to safely and permanently store significant quantities of this greenhouse gas and thereby mitigate its potential global warming effect. The success of this storage method is primarily dependent on the wettability behaviour of the rock-water-CO2 system, which significantly affects fluid distribution, fluid transport, storage capacity and containment security. This study investigates the wettability performance of several Western Australian altered basaltic rocks, of similar geochemistry, porosity and inter-connection. The wettability behaviour of the basaltic materials is assessed using water containing ions that have been leached from the …

Under-Five Mortality Estimation Methods: A Methodological Systematic Review, Bereket Kefale, Jonine Jancey, Amanuel T. Gebremedhin, Daniel Gashaneh Belay, Gavin Pereira, Gizachew A. Tessema

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose This methodological systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise the existing under-five mortality (U5M) estimation methods globally. Methods We searched seven databases including Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Global Health, and ProQuest Central, as well as grey literature sources from inception to September 25, 2025. The review protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42023465476). Results Fifty-six studies were included in this review. The most frequently employed child mortality estimation method was the indirect method (n = 16), followed by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study method (n = 12) …

Unraveling The Significance Of Fecal Microrna Profile In Alzheimer’S Disease, Kavisha Katuwawala, Prashant Bharadwaj, Ian Martins, B. G.D.N.K. De Silva, Vincent Ho, Asiri Dissanayake, Ralph N. Martins, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. …

Antecedents Of Employee Service Innovation Behaviour Through The Resource-Based View, Ataul Karim Patwary, Md Sazzad Hossain, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, T. Ramayah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study applies the Resource-Based View (RBV) to explore how strategic, tactical, and internal green marketing orientations foster employee service innovation behaviour in the hospitality sector. It examines green trust and responsibility feelings as key internal resources and investigates their mediating roles. Using PLS-SEM analysis on 778 responses from Malaysian hotel employees, the findings indicate that internal green marketing orientation significantly enhances green trust and responsibility feelings, which, in turn, positively influence employee service innovation behaviour. By integrating psychological constructs into RBV, this research offers new insights into the role of green marketing in driving organizational sustainability. However, the study …

Brilliant Little Things: Drama-Based Mindfulness To Support Pre-Service Teacher Wellbeing, Christina C. Gray, John O’Rourke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a critical concern in teacher education, yet pre-service teachers remain vulnerable to stress, burnout, and early attrition. This study examines Brilliant Little Things, an arts-based wellbeing initiative embedded within a drama education program. Using a phenomenological approach, the research draws on interviews, reflective journals, group chat posts, photographs, and artwork to explore how drama-based mindfulness practices can support the wellbeing of drama educators. Findings reveal how the production fostered reflection, connection, and emotional insight, offering a space for mindfulness and community. Narratives highlight the value of creative, relational pedagogies in strengthening resilience. This research contributes …

Covert Performance Of Star-Ris Aided Thz Communication System With Rsma And Phase Errors, Xiangbin Yu, Yue Zhou, Shihao Yan, Yun Rui, Xiaoyu Dang, Chau Yuen, Mohsen Guizani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this paper, the covert performance of the simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surface (STAR-RIS) aided Terahertz (THz) communication systems with rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) over the generalized α-μ fading channel is studied, where the discrete phase error and noise power uncertainty are considered. By means of the Gaussian approximation and Gamma distribution, the closed-form outage probability (OP) of the legitimate users is firstly derived. Then, the covert performance of the system is analyzed, and average detection error probability (ADEP) is deduced for the warden, and resultant closed-form ADEP is obtained. By minimizing the ADEP, the optimal detection threshold …

Design Of Artificial Interference Signal Waveforms For Covert Communication Aided By Multiple Friendly Nodes, Xuyang Zhao, Wei Guo, Yongchao Wang, Shihao Yan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this work, we consider a covert communication scenario with multiple friendly interference nodes. The goal is to hide a legitimate communication link from a transmitter to a receiver under a warden’s surveillance. Firstly, we propose a novel strategy for generating artificial noise (AN) signals and formulate a corresponding design problem, aiming to minimize the adverse effects of AN on the legitimate receiver while enhancing communication covertness. Specifically, we optimize the basis matrix for AN signal space using statistical information of the involved channel coefficients, when precise channel state information are unavailable. Secondly, we analyze the geometric structure of the …

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 …

Association Of Sarcopenic Obesity With Dementia Risk In A Cohort Of Older Women, Zhongyang Guan, Blossom C.M. Stephan, Lorenzo M. Donini, Joshua R. Lewis, Carla M. Prado, Richard L. Prince, David Scott, Kun Zhu, Marc Sim, Mario Siervo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Longitudinal studies have explored the association between sarcopenic obesity (SO) and the risk of cognitive impairment, yet findings remain mixed. This study aimed to investigate the associations of SO with risk of incident dementia in older women, using two diagnostic models: the Sarcopenic Obesity Global Leadership Initiative (SOGLI) and the load-capacity model. Methods: We analysed data from 900 community-dwelling women (aged ≥70 years). SO was defined using two models: (1) the SOGLI criteria, based on low handgrip strength (HGS), low appendicular lean soft tissue to body weight (ALST/W) ratio, and high fat mass percentage (%FM); and (2) …