Digital Commons Network^™

Baseline Habitual Dietary Nitrate Intake And Alzheimer's Disease Related Neuroimaging Biomarkers In The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers And Lifestyle Study Of Ageing, Anjana Rajendra, Nicola P. Bondonno, Kevin Murray, Liezhou Zhong, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Samantha L. Gardener, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Vincent Doré, Victor L. Villemagne, Simon M. Laws, Belinda M. Brown, Kevin Taddei, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Ralph N. Martins, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Catherine P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Dietary nitrate, as a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, may support brain health and protect against dementia. Objective: Our primary aim was to investigate whether dietary nitrate is associated with neuroimaging markers of brain health linked with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Participants: Study participants were cognitively unimpaired individuals from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing (AIBL) who had β-amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scans (n = 554) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (n = 335) and had completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire at baseline. Methods: Source-specific nitrate intakes were estimated using comprehensive nitrate food composition databases. Rates …

Co-Designing Health-Related Digital Tools With Children: A Scoping Review Of Current Practice, Pauline Roberts, Fiona Boylan, Patricia Collins, Lennie Barblett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An increased focus on research with rather than on or of participants provides challenges with the implementation of such research with children. This extends to participatory practices in which co-design is implemented towards developing a technology-based product or solving a problem particularly in the domain of health literacy. This systematic scoping review aimed to examine the practices of co-design with children to inform an interdisciplinary research team as they embarked on the development of a digital health literacy tool for young learners. While there were limited sources identified in the review (n = 11), it was ascertained the process of …

Consumers' Perspectives On The Design Of A New Digital Frailty Education Course, ‘Focus On Frailty’: A Qualitative Co-Design Study, Kristiana Ludlow, Benignus Logan, Jhalak Arora, Sarah Martin, Elizabeth Miller, Ruth E. Hubbard, Nicola Warren, Olivia Gallagher, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Frailty-focused care in hospitals is hindered by systemic barriers, ageism and stereotypes about older adults and frailty. There is a need for frailty education to increase healthcare professionals' and students' understanding of frailty. Objective: As part of a larger study to co-design a new digital frailty education course, ‘Focus on Frailty’, this study aimed to explore consumers' and caregivers' perspectives on (i) how frailty and older adults should be represented in frailty education and (ii) what healthcare professionals should be taught about caring for older adults and people who are frail in hospitals. Design: This was a qualitative co-design …

Longitudinal Associations Between Self-Reported Exercise Levels And Cognition In Adad, Kelsey R. Sewell, James D. Doecke, Ralph N. Martins, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Jeremiah Peiffer, Samantha L. Gardener, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Kirk I. Erickson, Belinda M. Brown

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: This study examined longitudinal associations between self-reported exercise and cognition, with moderation by sex, in individuals with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) mutations. We also examined whether changes in exercise over time differed in ADAD mutation carriers versus non-carriers in the years preceding first cognitive symptom onset. Methods: Participants (n = 491) were ADAD mutation carriers (63%) and non-carriers (37%) from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network aged 37.6 ± 11.1 years. Participants reported their average time partaking in various leisure-time exercise activities over the past 12 months. Results: Greater baseline exercise predicted better longitudinal cognitive performance. Sex did not …

Clostridioides (Clostridium) Difficile In Hospitalised Children In Cambodia, Lengsea Eng, Kefyalew Addis Alene, Deirdre A. Collins, Su Chen Lim, Viso Srey, Choeung Chea, Sotera Yohn, Setha Leng, Archie C.A. Clements, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Children may play an important role in disseminating Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile within hospital and community settings. In many parts of the world, there has been a recent increase in interest in C. difficile infection (CDI) in paediatric populations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, risk factors for, and molecular types of C. difficile in hospitalised children in Cambodia. Methods: Stool samples were collected from children at the National Paediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, between June 2022 and March 2023, for C. difficile culture. Toxin gene PCR and PCR ribotyping were performed on all isolates. Results: …

Development And Validation Of Competencies For Home-Based Nursing Care: An E-Delphi Study, Khairul Dzakirin Bin Rusli, Ying Lau, Siew Tiang Lau, Laura Schmidt Tham, Michelle Mong Nee Kee, Qi Wen Ng, Shu Fen Ong, Karen Strickland, Sok Ying Liaw

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The expected competencies of nurses in home-based care remain unclear. A list of professional competencies that are agreed upon by a panel of content expert are needed to offer some form of standardized expectations among nurses and home-based care stakeholders. Objectives: To evaluate the content validity of the professional competencies identified for home-based nursing care. Design: An e-Delphi method was used. Settings: A purposive sampling of local and international experts in home-based nursing care or community nursing. Methods: Preliminary competency items were developed inductively from earlier studies and deductively by a steering committee. Sixteen experts performed two rounds of …

Enhanced Removal Of Microplastic Fibres Using Aluminium And Chitosan-Based Coagulants Assisted With Microbubble Technology, Nimesha Thathsarani, Mehdi Khiadani, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a threat to drinking water quality, where fibres are the dominant type of MPs found in drinking/wastewater treatment plant influents. The potential of MP removal through conventional treatment has not been vastly studied. Accordingly, this study investigates the removal of MP fibres using two-hybrid methods: coagulation-flocculation followed by sedimentation (CFS); and coagulation-flocculation combined with flotation using microbubbles (CFm) in the presence of two different water matrices, deionised water (DI) containing surfactants and DI water in the presence of humic acid (HA). A typically used Aluminium-based coagulant (AlCl3.6H2O) and a green-based coagulant, Chitosan, were employed …

Consumer Acceptance Of Halal Food Traceability Systems: A Novel Integrated Approach Using Modified Utaut And Delone & Mclean Models To Promote Sustainable Food Supply Chain Practices, Aries Susanty, Nia Budi Puspitasari, Ferry Jie, Fauzan Akbar Akhsan, Sumunar Jati

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

With the growing demand for sustainable and transparent food supply chains, consumer awareness of Halal integrity is rising, highlighting the need for a Halal food traceability system to enhance consumer confidence by providing detailed production information. However, the factors influencing consumer acceptance of such systems in Indonesia remain unclear. This study addresses three key objectives: (1) assessing consumer intention to use a Halal food traceability system; (2) exploring the relationships between system quality, information quality, service quality, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and trust and consumer behavioural intention; and (3) evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated model combining the …

Development And Feasibility Of A Driving Training Program For Autistic Student Drivers, Priscilla Vindin, Reinie Cordier, Nathan J. Wilson, Lauren Parsons, Hoe Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Driving licencing rates remain lower for autistic individuals capable of driving a motor vehicle, which can limit achieving independence in community mobility. However, there is limited autism-specific guidance in current driver training. The development and evaluation of the feasibility of an autism-specific Driving Training Program (DTP) intervention was conducted to improve the likelihood that autistic student drivers will safely and successfully learn to drive a motor vehicle and gain a driver’s licence. The DTP intervention was developed using a modified stepped approach for developing complex skills-based interventions. The Goals for Driving Education framework for explaining driving training behaviour modification formed …

Effect Of Relative Isometric Strength On Countermovement Jump Performance In Professional And Semi-Professional Soccer Players, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Jack Fahey, Nabil Hassim, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As powerful actions commonly proceed goal scoring opportunities within soccer, enhancing powerful actions could be essential to optimize performance. There is a large body of evidence supporting the positive associations between maximal isometric mid-thigh pull force-generating qualities and jump performance. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if relative maximal isometric force production can discriminate between higher- and lower-performing jumpers among professional and semi-professional soccer players. As such, it was hypothesized that stronger players would have a greater jump performance than weaker players. Methods: An observational cross-sectional research design was used to assess ballistic and isometric force production …

Performance In Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments In Male And Female Crossfit® Athletes, James R. Jowsey, G. Gregory Haff, Paul Comfort, Nicholas Joel Ripley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: CrossFit^® aims to be equitable between both males and female athletes, supporting equal representation and equal prize money at international events. However, to date, limited information is known on CrossFit^® athletes’ performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMR-J), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) when assessed using force plates, and if there are any differences between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe whether any sex-based differences and relationships exist between performance within these assessments. Methods: A total of CrossFit athletes (43 male = 32.8 ± 9.0 years; height 1.78 ± …

Support Networks And Care Needs: Insights From Older Vietnam-Born Australians Living With Chronic Disease, Thi Ngoc Minh Nguyen, Rosemary Saunders, Gordana Dermody, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explored the support networks and care needs of older Vietnam-born adults living in Australia, using focused ethnography, and guided by Leininger's Culture Care theory. Data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews over 7 months in Perth, Western Australia, and analyzed thematically. Twelve participants were included. Two themes emerged: “The collectivist context of disease management” and “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Chronic disease self-management primarily took place within family and community settings, with ethnic communities playing a significant role. Migration-related stigma influenced perceived care needs, creating a gap between perceived and actual support. Findings …

Leadership And Capacity Building In International Osteopathic Research: Introducing Strengthening Osteopathy Leadership And Research (Solar) Program, Cindy Mcintyre, Gopi Anne Mcleod, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Francesco Cerritelli, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Jack Feehan, Michael Fleischmann, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Chantal Morin, Lee Muddle, Niklas Sinderholm Sposato, Oliver P. Thomson, Loïc Treffel, Nicholas Tripodi, Brett Vaughan, Amie Steel, Jon Adams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research evidence has become the foundation of modern health services. Health professionals rely on sound research to provide safe and effective care for patients, for the development of innovative diagnostic and treatment practices and to develop policies supporting the provision of optimal healthcare. Osteopathy is an established profession with an emerging research evidence base. The Strengthening Osteopathic Leadership and Research (SOLAR) program is a recent international initiative aiming to further build the evidence base and research capacity of the osteopathy profession. The program was developed by The Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM) at the University of …

Building The Australian Counselling Profession's Research Capacity For The Future: A Collaborative Strategic Approach, Nathan Beel, E. A. Cocodia, Katrina Andrews, Stephani Stephens, Sonam Pelden, Shannon Hodges

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: This paper presents an analysis of the current research landscape within the Australian counselling profession, identifying key challenges and proposing a strategic approach to building research capacity. Problem Statement: Written by a taskforce of educational leaders, it reports their perceptions and experiences of the multifaceted challenges hindering research development. These challenges encompass the limited pipeline of future doctoral-trained counselling educators, the barriers to promotion opportunities for current counsellor educators, and the impact these deficits may have on the profession overall. Proposed Solutions: To address these challenges, the paper proposes a series of targeted strategies aimed at stakeholders across the …

On The Causality Between Cognitive Stress And Physiological Stress: The Stroop Test As A Case Study, Abdelmounaam Rezgui

Faculty Publications - Information Technology

Wearable devices are revolutionizing smart computing in healthcare. In particular, electroencephalography (EEG) devices (e. g., electrode cap bundles, headbands) are currently enabling many healthcare applications that require real-time monitoring of brain electrical activity. Examples of those applications include: epilepsy diagnosis, sleep disorder diagnosis, tumor detection, autonomous navigation (e. g., to control wheelchairs), and stress reduction. In many of these applications, the use of clinical-grade EEG devices may not be feasible because of factors such as high cost, privacy concerns, and inconvenience. In this paper, we used the Granger causality test to study whether consumer-grade EEG devices can detect levels of …

Blood And Mettle: The Effects Of Civil Unrest On Economic Mobility, Nathan D. Parks

Honors Projects

Civil unrest is a global phenomenon that often emerges through a combination of grievances and opportunity sparking change. Civil unrest is often used as a tool by the populace to initiate political, societal, or economic transformation. Economic mobility or the belief in it is a key contributor to mitigating individuals’ level of grievances. This paper uses lagged panel analysis to investigate the question of how civil unrest affects economic mobility beyond the time of unrest. Civil unrest is associated with changes in economic mobility, varying between positive and negative associations based on the type of unrest. Analysis was conducted using …

Floating Wind Turbine Foundation, Clayton Lahodny, Dillon Nelson, Trevor Ortega, Andrew Cervantes

Mechanical Engineering

The 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) has introduced a new element to their Turbine Design Competition: a floating foundation. In previous years, foundations have been fixed-bottom in a box of sand and water. The Cal Poly Wind Power Club, who competes in the CWC every year, requires a floating foundation to be designed, manufactured, and tested to assist in winning the competition. The foundation is a large, hollow, cylindrical barge with a hanging spar (heavy mass). The barge will provide a restoring moment using buoyancy, and the heavy spar provides additional restoring moment. Four cables will be attached at the …

Hydropower Collegiate Competition, Aiden D. Foster, Devon Bountry, Joanna Vo, Timothy Rinker, Amanda Rodriguez, Minh Nguyen, Eli Haushalter, Sophie Watkinson, Maiya Holton, Breanne Evans

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly SLO HCC team presents a feasibility study and engineering design review package for retrofitting the non-powered Ritschard Dam in Colorado into a hydroelectric facility as part of the 2025 Hydropower Collegiate Competition. Through a rigorous and multi-staged assessment of plausible dam sites in the western US, the team has chosen the Ritschard Dam in Colorado to implement an electromechanical component designed to accommodate a large range of flowrates stemming from a large variance in upper reservoir capacity due to geographical and climate effects. The team evaluated non-powered dams based on technical feasibility, electric grid proximity, power generation …

Bridgeless To Better Burnside: Reclaiming Burnside, Reconnecting The West Side, Michael Azierski, Brian Bill, Eric Gasper, Alex Gill, Jackson Morrison, Michel Rojas

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

This report, produced for Better Block PDX, is a resource for shaping the future of lower West Burnside Street during and after the 2028–2033 Burnside Bridge closure. It captures current conditions, community input, principles of transportation planning and placemaking, and recommended interventions to build a shared vision for transforming the corridor from a barrier into a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant street. Framed around a two-phase timeline, temporary interventions during the bridge closure and permanent improvements after the new bridge opens, it offers a snapshot of community visions and a blueprint for turning those visions into action. Recommended interventions for the new bridge …

Farmnav-Uav: A Field-Ready Autonomous Uav For Tracking Static And Dynamic Trajectories In Agricultural Applications, Veera Venkata Ram Murali Krishna Rao Muvva

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study presents the design and development of a custom-built uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for precision agriculture. Unlike commercial UAVs, which are often constrained by proprietary systems and limited hardware customization, the proposed platform emphasizes modularity, upgradeability, and cost-effectiveness. The UAV is equipped with a Cube Blue flight controller for reliable low-level actuation and a Raspberry Pi 4 companion computer that executes a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for high-level trajectory optimization and stability enhancement.

Most conventional UAV autopilot systems rely on non-optimal control strategies, such as proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers, which can be inadequate for dynamic or resource-constrained environments. …

Environmental-Friendly Consumption: Measuring The Impact Of Lifestyle On Household Carbon Emissions, Faisal Madjid Alyasa, Adam Hawari, Afif Akbar Syawala, Estro Dariatno Dariatno Sihaloho

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

In 2060, Indonesia aims for a clean, emissions-free society. However, achieving this goal requires understanding how lifestyle choices affect household carbon emissions. This study, based on data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey 2014, examines the impact of different diets (plant-based, vegetarian, Mediterranean, full meat-based, and mixed) on carbon emissions. Using Ordinary Least Square Panel Data Regression, the research finds that plant-based and vegetarian diets have a lower carbon footprint compared to mixed and full meat-based diets. The findings suggest that transitioning to more environmentally friendly consumption patterns can help reduce carbon emissions and benefit the environment.

Scoring Large Muscle Movements In Pediatric Sleep Studies: An Educational Module For Sleep Technologists, Shauna Michelle Vandoren, David G. Ingram

Posters

Introduction Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD) has recently been recognized as a distinct sleep disorder, with Large Muscle Movement (LMM) scoring being a crucial component of its diagnostic criteria. This project aimed to develop and implement an online educational module to enhance the knowledge and skills of sleep technologists to accurately score LMMs. Methods We constructed an online learning module that included training on the identification and scoring of LMMs in pediatric sleep studies. The module consisted of a 10-question pre-assessment, the educational content (which explained the background of RSD diagnosis, the role of LMMs in diagnostic criteria, and current scoring …

Cornelius Nepos: Fortune, Biography, And The Late Roman Republic, William H. Merrick

History Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract: This paper examines ancient biography and the late Roman Republic by analyzing the surviving writings of Cornelius Nepos. Cornelius Nepos was a late Republican intellectual and friend of several of the most prominent literary figures of his day. The literature on Nepos tended to be dismissive of the author until the 1980s, when it began to shift towards viewing Nepos through the lens of ancient biography. By examining the theme of fortuna [fortune] throughout Nepos’ work and contrasting it with usage of the theme in other Latin authors or Greek historians, this paper demonstrates that Nepos adapts a longstanding …

Correlation Of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings With Clinical Outcomes In Acute Transverse Myelitis: A Comprehensive Retrospective Study, Anjlee Shankar, Faheem Soomro, Dipanty Khastoori, Tahira Maqsood, Sajjad Jalbani, Alam Ibrahim Siddiqui

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and Objective: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an inflammatory spinal cord disorder presenting with motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic value of spinal MRI findings and treatment timing in predicting neurological outcomes in patients with acute transverse myelitis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 90 patients diagnosed with ATM at Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, between January 2021 and December 2023. All patients underwent spinal MRI at presentation, and imaging characteristics—including lesion location, longitudinal extent, and enhancement pattern—were recorded. Clinical outcomes were assessed at one month, three months, and …

Impact Of Physical Exercise On Reducing The Frequency And Severity Of Migraine Without Aura: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study, Amir Hamza, Abdul Wahid, Abdul Bari, Mohammad Azam, Riaz Ahmed, Ikram Ullah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and Objective: Migraine without aura is the most common subtype of migraine and causes significant distress to its sufferers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of physical exercise in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks in patients with migraine without aura.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to February 2025 in departments of neurology and medicine in two tertiary care hospitals in Quetta and Khuzdar. A total of 384 adults age 18–60 years with migraine without aura, diagnosed using ICHD-3 criteria, were selected through consecutive sampling. Patients with other headache …

Raising Awareness In South Punjab: The Importance Of Consulting Neurologists For Neurological Disorders, Muhammad Fahad Saleem, Mohammad Wasay, Sohaib Hassan, Muhammad Wahab Qureshi, Muhammad Hamza Khan, Muhammad Wazir

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Enhancing The Virtual Learning Center With Springshare Tools, Beryl White-Bing

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

This presentation at the Springshare Booth at ALA shows how the Virtual Learning Center (VLC) at the University of North Florida leverages Springshare tools to streamline access, instruction, and assessment for immersive learning experiences. It shows how LibCal, LibWizard, and LibGuides enhance the VLC’s instructional impact, improve user experience, and provide valuable usage data for continuous improvement.

The Compassionate H.E.A.R.T. Of Relationship-Centered Care, Dustin Willis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The patient-provider interaction (PPI) represents a critical dimension of healthcare delivery that significantly influences clinical outcomes, yet the nuanced dynamics of compassionate care remain operationally elusive. This dissertation presents the Compassionate H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Ease, Alleviate, & Relieve Therapeutically) framework—a novel theoretical model for understanding and enhancing relationship-centered care—and examines its validity, reliability, and therapeutic impact.

Through four interconnected studies, this research explores the multifaceted nature of compassionate care. First, a comprehensive literature review excavates the landscape of patient-provider interactions, highlighting terminological inconsistencies, incomplete theoretical frameworks, and methodological challenges in measuring these ethereal qualities. Second, the Compassionate H.E.A.R.T. model is introduced, …

Sunlight Exposure And The Risk Of Mortality And Breast Cancer Incidence, Noor Nadhim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. However, multiple sunlight-related health benefits have been identified. The overall impact of sun exposure on mortality is not clear. Sunlight could be associated with breast cancer risk via stimulating vitamin D photosynthesis; however, evidence has been mixed. Objectives: To investigate the association of time spent outdoors in daylight (in warmer and cooler months, and the total [annual]) and UV irradiance using the residential locations of participants with the risks of mortality (all-cause and cause-specific: cancer, cardiovascular [CVD], and non-cancer non-CVD) and primary invasive breast cancer.

Methods: This research …

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function In Individuals With Chronic Motion Sensitivity, Oluwaseun Ibitunde Ambode

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objective: The purpose of this study was to 1) determine whether Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) integrity is different between young adults with and without chronic motion sensitivity (CMS), 2) assess correlation between VOR integrity and postural stability in young adults with and without CMS; and 3) Compare postural stability across different levels of physical activity in young adults with and without CMS.

Design: A Cross-sectional study design.

Methods: Forty healthy young adult men and women (age, 20-40 years) were stratified into CMS and Non-CMS groups, VOR integrity was assessed using Bertec Vision Advantage (BVA), postural stability was assessed …