Digital Commons Network^™

The Plastic Footprint Of Sugar: Microplastic Contamination In Bangladesh’S Commercial Sugar, Sadia Afrin, Nayon Hossain, Mostafizur Rahman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in food has emerged as an environmental and public health concern, yet evidence regarding their occurrence in refined dietary commodities remains limited. This study assesses microplastic contamination in commercially available sugar and estimates the daily intake of MPs. Seven branded and non-branded sugar products were analysed using stereomicroscopy for particle characterization and FTIR spectroscopy for polymer identification. Microplastics were detected in 95% of samples, with concentrations ranging from 210 to 508 particles/kg. Branded sugar contained 322 ± 109.53 particles/kg, while non-branded sugar exhibited 403 ± 148.5 particles/kg, indicating comparatively higher contamination in freely available market …

What Makes An Analogy Effective For Students’ Learning Of Mathematics? Conceptualising Analogy Effectiveness For Teaching Mathematics, Vesife Hatisaru, Steven Richardson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Analogies are commonly used in mathematics teaching as a means to promote understanding of new potentially abstract concepts, by linking them to well-understood contexts. Despite strong intuition that analogies are helpful in supporting students’ learning of mathematics, there is a lack of agreement on how to objectively judge the utility or conceptual affordances of these analogies. In this paper, we aim to conceptualise how to assess the effectiveness of an analogy by employing Gentner’s structure-mapping theory to analogies and explore two teacher-made analogies (the ‘child-mother’ and the ‘machine’) for learning the formal definition of a function as illustrative examples. By …

Underfunded And Undervalued: Community-Based Health Promotion Practitioners’ Experiences Of Western Australia’S Prevention Sector, Ruth M. Wallace, Leesa N. Costello, Elizabeth J. Cook

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prevention is a central policy focus of contemporary health promotion, offering cost-effective strategies to reduce disease burden and improve population well-being. Despite this, Australia allocates a small proportion of its health budget to prevention, with funding models characterized by short-term cycles and competitive tendering. While the consequences for public health are well documented, the impact on the health promotion workforce remains underexplored. Workforce health and stability are critical for program delivery, ethical practice, continuity of relationships with communities, and the capacity to sustain long-term prevention efforts. This qualitative study examined the experience of 19 community-based health promotion practitioners in Western …

A Novel Mesoscopic Modelling Approach For Steel Fibre-Reinforced Concrete: Investigating The Effects Of Fibre Alignment On Flexural Performance, Ayman Mansour, Themelina Paraskeva, Nuha S. Mashaan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Traditional finite element modelling of Steel Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) relies on homogenised macroscopic models that overlook localised effects such as fibre orientation. Although three-dimensional (3D) mesoscopic frameworks for SFRC have been developed, direct comparisons with homogenised macroscopic models under the EN 14651 flexural test configuration remain limited, particularly for variations in fibre orientations. Consequently, a comparative evaluation is essential to assess the mesoscopic model under EN 14651 conditions. To address this, this work introduces a 3D tensor-controlled mesoscopic modelling approach for SFRC that explicitly simulates individual fibres with random and preferential alignment, offering a more realistic representation of fibre bridging …

Allochthonous Particulate Organic Carbon In Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Implications For Accounting, Stability, And Policy, Anirban Akhand, Inés Mazarrasa, Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, K. M.G. Mostofa, Abhra Chanda, Hongbin Liu, Hiroshi Sakugawa, Si Liang Li, Cong Qiang Liu, Catherine E. Lovelock, Paul Lavery, Hilary Kennedy, Peter I. Macreadie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) store a significant amount of organic carbon (OC) in their soils, including OC sequestered by other ecosystems and transported into these ecosystems, referred to as allochthonous OC. This study reviews the state-of-the-art knowledge on the abundance and sources (including still unexplored ones) of allochthonous particulate organic carbon (POC) and reviews the ways allochthonous POC is managed under the current blue carbon policy frameworks for carbon benefits accounting in blue carbon restoration and conservation projects. Based on a review of 102 studies, we find that 56 ± 25% of the soil organic carbon (SOC) deposits in BCEs …

Associations Between Dietary Vitamin K1 And K2 Intake And Incident Dementia: Findings From The Danish Diet, Cancer, And Health Cohort, Negar Ghasemifard, Marc Sim, Pratik Pokharel, Chengfeng Li, Allan Linneberg, Anne Ahrendt Bjerregaard, Anja Olsen, Christina C. Dahm, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Simon M. Laws, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:Vitamin K is hypothesised to support vascular integrity and neuronal function through vitamin K-dependent proteins, yet epidemiological evidence for its role in dementia, particularly distinguishing vitamin K1 and K2, is limited. This aetiological study examined associations between dietary vitamin K1 and K2 with incident dementia in a large Danish cohort.

54,968="54,968" dementia-free="dementia-free" participants="participants" (47.5%="(47.5%" male,="male," aged="aged" 50–65="50–65" years)="years)" from="from" the="the" danish="Danish" diet,="Diet," cancer,="Cancer," and="and" health="Health" cohort="cohort" (1993–1997)="(1993–1997)" with="with" dietary="dietary" vitamin="vitamin" k1="K1" (µg/day),="(µg/day)," and="and" k2="K2" (µg="(µg" phylloquinone="phylloquinone" equivalent/day)="equivalent/day)" intakes="intakes" estimated="estimated" from="from" a="a" 192-item="192-item" food="food" frequency="frequency" questionnaire.="questionnaire." incident="Incident" and="and" early-onset="early-onset" dementia="dementia" were="were" identified="identified" through="through" national="national" registries.="registries." cox="Cox" proportional="proportional" hazard="hazard" models="models" with="with" restricted="restricted" …

Characterising The Beyond 50 Cohort: Preliminary Exploration Of Physical And Psychosocial Health Factors And Substance Use Among A Cohort Of Community Dwelling Adults Aged 50–70 Years, Rose Laing, Tina Lam, Bosco Rowland, Paul Dietze, Aislinn Lalor, Keith D. Hill, Laura Alfrey, Nadine E. Andrew, Shalini Arunogiri, Stephen Bright, Louisa Picco, Suzanne Nielsen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Older adults exhibit unique risks associated with poor mental health and substance use. The Beyond 50 study is a longitudinal cohort investigating the determinants of healthy ageing, including relationships between physical and psychosocial health and substance use. We aim to characterise the Beyond 50 cohort and explore patterns of physical and psychosocial health and substance use. Methods: Baseline data collection was completed between September 2023 and August 2024. Annual follow-up data collection commenced in September 2024. Descriptive statistics will be used to characterise the cohort at the time of baseline survey completion. Results: Of the 1059 participants, the mean …

Culturally Safe Nursing: Transformative Learning Experiences Through Critical Reflection Assessment, Lesley Andrew, Michelle Pedlow, Bev Ewens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To explore the transformative learning experiences of postgraduate nursing students engaging in an Aboriginal culture and history module, through an analysis of a critical reflection assessment, in particular the student development of cultural awareness and culturally safe practice.

Background: Despite mandated inclusion of Aboriginal cultural content in Australian nursing curricula, culturally unsafe practices and racism persist. Transformative learning, underpinned by critical reflection, can challenge fixed assumptions and promote cultural awareness and culturally safe care.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study using thematic analysis. Methods: Written critical reflections from 15 consenting postgraduate nursing students who completed the Ngany Kalyakal Katatjiny Boordawan …

Disrupted Trajectories: Covid-19, Transnational Youth Mobility And Unequal Transitions To Adulthood, Simon Chambers, Anita Harris, Loretta Baldassar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While the impact of COVID-19 on youth development has been widely studied, less is known about its effects on transnationally mobile young adults. This longitudinal study of Australian outbound and inbound mobility examines how the pandemic disrupted this population's experiences abroad as they navigated transitions to adulthood. It draws on two waves of survey data collected using a convenience sample between July 2020 and September 2022. Our findings reveal that COVID-19 presented significant challenges to young adults living away from home, with disruptions to their future plans, social connections, and well-being. However, these impacts were not uniform. The pandemic magnified …

Forty Years In The Making: Reporting On The Co-Creation Of A National Roadmap For Birthing On Country Services For The Best Start To Life, Res Mccalman, Anneka J. Bowman, Roianne West, Kristie Watego, Jyai Allen, Claire Clack, Sue Kildea, Sue Kruske, Melanie Briggs, Cleone Wellington, Rebecca Coddington, Yu Gao, Isabella Garti, Sascha Kowalenko, Sarah Ireland, Catherine Austin, John D. Boffa, Marah Prior, Kelsie Kahl, Bettina Chaseling, Sarah Khaw, Emily Armstrong, Donna Hartz (Kamilaroi), Yvette Roe (Njikena Jawuru)

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

For over 40 years, First Nations communities in Australia have called for community-controlled birthing and maternal–infant health programs that restore First Nations-led, community-controlled birthing systems grounded in cultural authority and sovereignty. ‘Birthing on Country’ services have demonstrated improved First Nations maternal–infant health outcomes, more babies kept out of the child protection system, and reduced health system costs. Restoration and expansion of Birthing on Country services across regions has been inconsistent, and has lacked support for national implementation. In 2022, a large national gathering (‘Best Start to Life’) was co-hosted in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). The focus was Birthing on Country service …

Is The Crisis Over? Fostering Innovative Work Behavior In Response To The Constant Pressure Of Resource-Deficiency For Street Level Bureaucrats: The Impact Of Psychosocial Safety Climate, Teamwork, And Work Engagement, Yvonne Brunetto, Matthew Xerri, Geremy Farr-Wharton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There is conflicting evidence about the pathways Street Level Bureaucrats’ (SLBs’) use to engage Innovative Work Behavior (IWB). This study uses Street Level Bureaucrat (SLB) and Conservation of Resources (COR) to examine the extent to which SLBs’ work engagement and/or burnout mediates the relationship between Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) and teamwork, and IWB. The methods comprised a sample of 259 healthcare SLBs (doctors, nurses, allied health) collected at two times, and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that the variance of PSC and teamwork explained a third of engagement, and engagement-burnout mediated the impact of PSC and teamwork …

Learning, Play, And The Shifting Expectations Of Childhood: Insights From Young Children In Australian Schools, Amelia Ruscoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The experience of childhood is not static. It is subject to changing social, cultural, and economic demands. In 2009, the Australian Government heeded the advice of internationally acclaimed economists and ‘reconceptualised’ childhood as a critical period for investment to secure a stronger economic future. In response, a revised school-based childhood emerged, echoing neoliberal ideology through a national curriculum that heightened focus on the “well-being” and “well-becoming” of young children. Alteration to the expectations of school-based childhood in Australia beckons researchers to examine the undiluted perspectives of young children. Using a qualitative approach, visual-dialogic methodology supported by children’s drawn and embodied …

Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca) In The Indo-Pacific: A Review Of Their Distribution, Population Structure, And Ecology, Paola Lacetera, Paul Tixier, Isabella M. Reeves, Maeva Terrapon, Aaron Barnes, Christophe Guinet, Simon H. Elwen, John Totterdell, Jennah Tucker, Paul Cross, Georgia K. Bisset, John Dickie, John P.Y. Arnould

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: Killer whales, Orcinus orca, are cosmopolitan top predators showing highly variable ecology and behaviour across populations. In the Indo-Pacific, baseline knowledge in general remains scarce, limiting the assessment of their vulnerability to the accelerated environmental changes, including expanding fisheries this region is undergoing.

Methodology: This review synthesises 170 sources found between 2000–2025 to evaluate the current knowledge on distribution, population structure, and feeding ecology (including depredation) of killer whales in the Indo-Pacific, and to identify priorities for future research and management.

Results: Occurrence was highly variable, from sporadic sightings in most tropical sectors to seasonal and year-round presence at …

Metabolomics In Renal Cystic Disease: Links To Mechanisms And Identification Of Pathways For Potential Prediagnosis, Liyan Chen, David Broadhurst, Armaghan Shafaei, Jacqueline K. Phillips, Shijie Tang, Hayley Abbiss

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common hereditary kidney disorder with an insidious onset and complex mechanisms, making early diagnosis challenging. Current diagnostic methods, including imaging and genetic testing, have limitations. Imaging detects cysts only once formed, and genetic testing is costly, labor-intensive, and unable to guarantee complete diagnostic accuracy or predict onset and progression. Metabolomics may offer an approach to uncover PKD mechanisms by detecting metabolic alterations that precede clinical manifestations, enabling identification of disease-specific biomarkers, and providing earlier and more practical detection than imaging or genetic testing. This review synthesizes existing metabolomics studies of human PKD and renal …

Rank, Degrading Treatment, And The Italy-Albania Agreement, Jamal Barnes, Obed Adonteng-Kissi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In November 2023, Italy signed a five-year agreement with Albania to transfer asylum seekers intercepted in international waters by Italian vessels to Italian-run detention centres in Albania for asylum processing and deportation. The agreement has been controversial and raises several human rights issues. This article examines these human rights concerns and argues that the agreement is degrading by design. Analysing policy documents, legal cases, speeches, international human rights and refugee law, and philosophical and legal scholarship on the concept of degrading treatment, this article argues that the cumulative effect of subjecting people to unnecessary suffering, discrimination, and dehumanisation creates a …

Study Designs For Interpath-002 And Interpath-009 Of Adjuvant Intismeran Autogene Plus Pembrolizumab For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Jonathan D. Spicer, Solange Peters, Justin F. Gainor, Jamie E. Chaft, Christine M. Bestvina, Jay M. Lee, Thomas U. Marron, Muhammad A. Khattak, Laureen S. Ojalvo, Joydeep K. Banerjee, Zheng Wang, Xuan Deng, Nazly Shariati, Steven M. Keller, Tina Cascone

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Neoantigens are immunogenic molecules arising from patient-specific tumor mutations. Intismeran autogene (intismeran; formerly V940, mRNA-4157), an mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy (INT) encoding ≤34 neoantigens unique to each patient's tumor, is designed to promote an antitumor immune response. In early-phase studies, adjuvant intismeran plus pembrolizumab showed antitumor activity with solid tumors. Standard-of-care therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors ≥4 cm includes platinum-based chemotherapy and pembrolizumab given after (adjuvant) or both before and after (perioperative) surgical resection. We describe study designs for the INTerpath-002 and INTerpath-009 studies evaluating the addition of intismeran to adjuvant pembrolizumab-based therapy in stage II-IIIB …

Thermal Management Of Heat Sinks Equipped With Internal Cooling Mechanism: A Comparison With Advanced Heat Dissipation Techniques, Saif Ullah Khalid, Muhammad Ali Nasir, Mehmet Karahan, Muhammad Saleem Khan, Furqan Jamil

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Thermal management devices aim to remove extra heat from heat generation devices. There are numerous ways of heat rejection from the source, including active and passive cooling. The cooling techniques may be natural or forced, and the popular tools are heat pipes, heat sinks, and heat exchangers. In this piece of literature, several heat pipe and heat sink configurations are tested, including a novel internally cooled configuration using mono and hybrid nanofluids. Among heat sinks, solid finned and hollow finned configurations are mainly compared with the state-of-the-art heat pipes and thermal management systems for broader comparisons. Solid cylindrical fins are …

Acute Hamstring Fatigue In Elite Male Sixes Lacrosse Players Following A Single Competitive Match, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Jack Fahey, Matthew W. Collier, Christopher Bramah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background/Objectives: Decreases in hamstring isometric strength have been observed post-competition, but research has currently focused only on soccer players. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe if acute reductions in isometric hamstring force production in elite male lacrosse players occur post-match.

Methods: Peak isometric force measurements were collected from ten male outfielders from the British Lacrosse squad (24.6 ± 2.3 years, 1.80 ± 0.08 m, 86.3 ± 4.5 kg) using force plates. The 90:90 isometric assessment was conducted before and after a single sixes lacrosse match to observe changes in hamstring force production. Bayesian paired sample’s t-test …

Application Of Tailings From Aluminium, Copper, And Iron Extraction As Asphalt Mixture Materials: A Review, Daniel Oguntayo, Temitope Awolusi, Samuel Gboyega Arowolo, Paul Terkumbur Adeke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing global demand for pavement infrastructure has intensified the consumption of non-renewable construction materials, particularly natural aggregates and soils, raising significant environmental and resource sustainability concerns. In response, there is a growing need to explore alternative materials that can reduce reliance on these finite resources. Mine tailings, generated in large volumes from mining operations, have emerged as a promising substitute due to their potential to enhance asphalt concrete performance while mitigating environmental impacts associated with their disposal. This study presents a comprehensive review of the application of selected mine tailings in asphalt mixtures. It critically examines their physicochemical properties …

Advances In Particle-Reinforced High-Entropy Alloys: Preparation, Particle Characterization, Properties, And Prospects, Yu Zhuo Bai, Bai Xin Dong, Hong Yu Yang, Feng Qiu, Shi Li Shu, Qi Chuan Jiang, Liang Yu Chen, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have received substantial attention due to their unique multi-element chemistry and excellent combination of properties, but further enhancement in properties is often required for demanding applications. Particle reinforcement has emerged as a promising approach to strengthen HEAs and tailor their behavior. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in particle-reinforced HEAs, covering in-situ precipitation of particles and ex-situ introduction of reinforcements. It reviews a range of synthesis strategies including powder metallurgy and laser-based additive manufacturing. This article also compares their effectiveness in controlling microstructure, particle dispersion, densification, and scalability. The effects of various reinforcement …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Home-Care And Community Nursing: A Scoping Review, Haiying Wang, Grace Y. Wang, Tao Wang, Lori Delaney, Jonathan Bayuo, Mengyuan Li, Jing Yu Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied across healthcare, but empirical evidence on its use in home-care and community nursing remains fragmented across technologies, clinical contexts, nursing roles, and stages of implementation. This scoping review aimed to map current AI applications in home-care and community nursing and synthesize reported implementation experiences, benefits, challenges, and future considerations.

Methods: Guided by Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported according to PRISMA-ScR, eight databases and grey literature via ProQuest were searched for English-language empirical studies published from 1 January 2020 to 14 May 2026. Retrieved records were screened independently by two reviewers, with …

Assessing Transdisciplinary Work-Integrated Learning For Sustainable Development: A Programmatic Approach, Denise Jackson, Claire Lambert, Sonja Coetzee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This conceptual article responds to the growing need for universities to embed sustainability education within programs to develop graduates capable of addressing complex global challenges. Drawing on the literature relating to education for sustainable development, transdisciplinary work-integrated learning (TWIL), programmatic assessment, and the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), it explores how assessment can support the development and evaluation of capabilities required for sustainable development. TWIL is presented as a curriculum-based pedagogy in which students and academics from multiple disciplines collaborate with external partners to address authentic environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. The article argues for a programmatic …

Association Of The Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value-To-Albumin Ratio As A Novel Cardiovascular Disease Predictor In Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study, Fangyuan Liu, Xinghua Yang, Bo Gao, Yanxia Luo, Lixin Tao, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain at high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) integrates circulating neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes but does not capture albumin-related nutritional and inflammatory reserve. We investigated associations between the PIV-to-albumin ratio (PIVA) and incident CVD, cardiovascular mortality, and disease progression in individuals with T2D.

Methods: This prospective study included 15,355 UK Biobank participants with T2D and no baseline CVD. PIVA was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts and serum albumin and was natural log-transformed. Fine–Gray competing-risk and cause-specific Cox models were used to evaluate incident CVD and cardiovascular mortality. Multi-state …

Bioactive Peptides From The Cucurbitaceae Family: From Identification And Health-Promoting Functions To Industrial Utilization, Himani R. Kekiri Obada Gamage, Mahya Bahmani, Utpal Bose, Mekhala Vithana, Michelle L. Colgrave, Angéla Juhász

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cucurbitaceae is a major plant family within the kingdom Plantae, encompassing popular food crops such as zucchini, squash, pumpkins, and melons. With the growing interest in discovering novel bioactive peptides (BPs) from various plant sources, Cucurbitaceae crops have emerged as a popular candidate for isolating nutrient-enriched peptides due to their diverse applications in the nutritional and pharmaceutical sectors, with experimentally evidenced antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. However, current investigations are limited to a few economically important species and are seed-centric within this family, with limited in vivo and clinical validations for their in vitro functional properties. In this review, …

Comparing User Experiences Of Teleportation, Slide-Walk, And Walk-In-Place Locomotion Across Two Virtual Reality Games, Shane L. Rogers, Brett Ryder, Stephen Palmisano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Virtual reality (VR) locomotion methods differ substantially in their implications for usability, presence, and comfort. Although previous research has compared a range of locomotion techniques, relatively little attention has been given to whether locomotion experiences generalise across different VR experiences. The present study compared user experiences of three locomotion methods (teleportation, slide-walk, and walk-in-place) across two VR applications (Nature Treks VR, an exploration-focused environment, and Ancient Dungeon VR, an action-oriented game). Sixty-three participants were recruited, with analyses based on the forty-five participants who completed all study conditions. During each 10-min condition (comprising a 2-min familiarisation period followed by an 8-min …

Development And Psychometric Validation Of The Multidimensional Measure Of Purpose In Life Ii (Mmop-Ii), Louis Fang, Alfred Allan, Joanne M. Dickson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose in life is a central motivational construct that has a profound influence on wellbeing. However, existing measures lack the breadth and precision needed to accurately capture this complex construct. In the present study, we aimed to develop a new measure rooted in a holistic, systems-based theoretical framework of purpose in life: the 18-item Multidimensional Measure of Purpose in Life II (MMOP-II). In Study 1, our confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of 303 university students (female = 82.5.%, white = 78.5%) supported a strong five-factor higher-order model fit, outperforming the three-factor and unidimensional alternatives. The Study 2 results replicated …

Migrant Background Youth And Hazardous Drinking: Drinking To Fit Into Australian Society?, Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong, Justine Dandy, Amanda M. George

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: In this study, we proposed that migrant youth might have acculturation reasons to drink alcohol and explored the role of acculturative gap conflict and perceived drinking culture in predicting hazardous drinking. We examined proximal acculturation reasons for drinking in terms of drinking to fit into Australian culture and drinking to cope with parental/community expectations.

Methods: We conducted an online survey with 470 participants (age range 18–25 years). Data from those who reported having tried alcohol (n = 383; 65% female, 71% born in Australia) were analysed. We grouped participants under those who came from similar alcohol consumption environments to …

Modernisation In Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining (Asm): Governance, Technology, Market Integration And Contested Development Pathways, Michael Mayom Ajith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is increasingly recognised as a critical source of livelihoods and minerals required for the global energy transition. Yet despite decades of formalisation, the sector remains highly informal, with uneven governance, gender bias and persistent inequality due to a multitude of reasons. Therefore, this systematic integrative review analyses the interplay of governance, technological modernisation and market integration factors in shaping ASM modernisation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from an interdisciplinary perspective. Sixty-five peer-reviewed studies published between 2006 and 2026 were analysed using a thematic synthesis and Gioia-inspired coding. Six interrelated questions about the drivers behind informality, licensing …

New Zealand Osteopaths And The Management Of Older Adults: Outcomes From A Practice-Based Research Network, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Michael Fleischmann, Lee Muddle, Jack Feehan, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Brett Vaughan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Older adults represent a growing proportion of healthcare consumers, and yet little is known about the osteopathic practitioners who regularly manage this population. This study set out to understand what characteristics are common among New Zealand osteopaths who regularly treat older adults. This cross-sectional, exploratory study was a secondary analysis of questionnaire data collected through a practice-based research network. The questionnaire captured osteopaths’ demographic characteristics, practice settings, and clinical management approaches. Of the 277 osteopaths who completed the questionnaire, 188 (67.9%) reported frequently treating older adults. Those most likely to do so were based in urban areas, treated wrist and …

Optimization-Based Energy Management Of A Standalone Hybrid Power Plant Using A Hybrid Iheo–Pso Metaheuristic Framework, Muhammad Zeeshan Tariq, Asma Aziz, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The current study combines solar photovoltaic (PV) power, energy storage batteries and wind power to propose a novel and effective method for energy management and optimisation of hybrid renewable energy systems. Optimising the management and coordination of many energy sources is becoming essential, as the world moves towards sustainable energy choices. This study seeks to improve system performance, reliability and operating costs, using a unique hybrid control and power management paradigm, the Improved Human Evolutionary Optimisation (IHEO) algorithm, presented as a novel optimisation method that balances energy flow, generation, storage and consumption. This study shows that the proposed model greatly …