Digital Commons Network^™

Sparse Seagrass Meadows Are Critical Dugong Habitat: A Novel Rapid Assessment Of Habitat-Wildlife Associations Using Paired Drone And In-Water Surveys, Nicole E. Said, Christophe Cleguer, Paul Lavery, Amanda J. Hodgson, Connor Gorham, Julian A. Tyne, Ankje Frouws, Simone Strydom, Johnny Lo, Holly C. Raudino, Kelly Waples, Kathryn Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Understanding the fine-scale behavioural and feeding ecology of marine megafauna is imperative for effective management of their habitat areas; however, obtaining the relevant data can be both costly and challenging. Here we integrate the use of small drones for dugong surveys with underwater benthic habitat assessment techniques at the local spatial scale (∼30 km2), to determine the drivers of dugong (Dugong dugon) distribution across three locations in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Paired assessment data was collected three times over two years. Benthic habitat (percent cover), seagrass nutritional quality and environmental parameters (temperature, water clarity, water current, water depth) were tested …

The Effect Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions On Cognitive Function In Cancer: An Overview Of Systematic Reviews, Darren Haywood, Ashley M. Henneghan, Alexandre Chan, Raymond J. Chan, Haryana M. Dhillon, Maryam B. Lustberg, Janette L. Vardy, Moira O’Connor, Norah Elvidge, Evan Dauer, Oscar Y. Franco-Rocha, Shradha Vasan, James Murray, Megan Crichton, Helen Wilding, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: A significant number of cancer survivors experience cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which can impact their ability to think, reason, make decisions, and perform daily actions. In recent years, non-pharmacological interventions for CRCI have gained significant attention. These interventions include exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive training/remediation, dietary, mind–body, and multi-modal/complex interventions. This umbrella review provides a critical overview to inform guidelines and current practice, identify the most promising interventions, and uncover gaps in the research literature.

Methods: This umbrella review of systematic reviews was pre-registered on Open Science Framework and PROSPERO. Six databases were searched. Systematic reviews (SR) assessing any …

The Mascc Cog-Impact: An Unmet Needs Assessment For Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment Impact Developed By The Multinational Association Of Supportive Care In Cancer, Darren Haywood, Alexandre Chan, Raymond J. Chan, Frank D. Baughman, Evan Dauer, Haryana M. Dhillon, Ashley M. Henneghan, Blake J. Lawrence, Maryam B. Lustberg, Moira O’Connor, Janette L. Vardy, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) can have a profound impact on the lives of cancer survivors. A multitude of subjective and objective assessment tools exist to assess the presence and severity of CRCI. However, no purpose-built tool exists to assess the unmet needs of cancer survivors directly relating to CRCI. This paper details the development and initial validation of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer - Unmet Needs Assessment of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment Impact (the MASCC COG-IMPACT).

Methods: A multistep mixed-methods measurement development and validation approach was taken with a strong emphasis on co-design. Qualitative interviews were conducted …

A Child-Centred Research Checklist To Improve The Design And Reporting Of Paediatric Research Studies: A Descriptive Mixed Methods Study, Mandie Foster, Lisa Whitehead, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Julie Hill, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: No internationally developed child-centred research checklist is currently available to enhance the quality and transparency of the development, reporting and evaluation of research undertaken with children. Objective: To develop an internationally relevant, expert informed child-centred research checklist. Design: A descriptive mixed methods study was undertaken in five sequential phases, including a Delphi component. Setting(s): Academic/international context. Methods: This study involved five sequential stages: 1. Literature review using four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO) and analysis to identify key themes in child-centred research (January 2020). 2. Generate a questionnaire based on the key themes for international experts in child research …

Bayesian Belief Networks: Redefining Wholesale Electricity Price Modelling In High Penetration Non-Firm Renewable Generation Power Systems, Martin J. Maticka, Thair S. Mahmoud

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The transition of electricity generation from firm to non-firm renewable generation is driving changes in wholesale electricity price dynamics that are increasingly challenging to model due to the stochastic nature of wind and solar as the primary energy source. Robust pricing models are essential for optimising financial performance in liberalised electricity markets. The novelty of this paper is the application of Bayesian Belief Networks in the modelling of wholesale electricity price formation, specifically in power systems with a high penetration of non-firm renewable generation. This paper links the mathematical Bayesian representation to established statistical and computational approaches using a functional …

Evaluating Flue Gas Geo-Sequestration And Eor In Fractured Reservoirs Through Simulated Synergistic Reservoir Characteristics And Injection Kinetics, Mehdi Nassabeh, Zhenjiang You, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The global reliance on hydrocarbon resources and fossil fuels has resulted in a significant surge in carbon dioxide emissions, necessitating urgent measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating CO2 storage with enhanced oil recovery (EOR) presents a promising solution for reducing emissions and enhancing oil recovery by sequestering CO2 within oil reservoirs, especially in fractured carbonate reservoirs. The research utilized the Eclipse simulator to model different gas injection scenarios in a crude oil reservoir, focusing on assessing the effectiveness of CO2 and flue gas geo-sequestration and EOR, performing sensitivity analyses on reservoir characteristics, and evaluating the impact of varying injection …

How Valuable Is An Implementation Toolkit For Midwives? An Exploratory Study, Annemarie (Annie) De Leo, Linda Sweet, Peter Palamara, Dianne Bloxsome, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Incorporating evidence-based approaches in maternity care throughout the entire trajectory from pregnancy through to the postnatal phase is integral to good public health. Yet, despite developing theories, frameworks, and models to guide midwives’ implementation efforts, implementing new evidence-based practices in midwifery practice settings remains challenging. Methods: An exploratory study design was used to conduct an initial assessment of the appeal and suitability of an implementation ‘how to’ Toolkit for Australian change-leader midwives. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention by evaluating midwives’ experience of using the Toolkit, and report on the usability of the Toolkit in maternity …

Impact Of Multidimensional Presence On User Well-Being In Metaverse Communities, Arslan Rafi, Sanjit K. Roy, Mohsin Abdur Rehman, Muhammad Junaid Shahid Hasni

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In metaverse communities, users engage in various activities, such as socializing, gaming, and exploration. Presence in such communities refers to the feeling of being there and being fully immersed. This study examines the role of various dimensions of presence (e.g., social, spatial, and self) in driving user well-being in metaverse communities. Moreover, the study tests the mediating roles of social connectedness and social support. The data set comprised responses from 357 metaverse users. Data were analyzed using multigroup analysis (MGA), necessary condition analysis, partial least squares path modeling, and artificial neural network analysis. Results show that social presence, spatial presence, …

Nursing Student Reflections On A Research Internship: A Reflective Discussion Following The Gibbs' Reflective Cycle, Francine Antoinette Ocampo, Brianne Genevieve Mcintyre, Debbie Massey, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Evidence-based practice underscores the importance of utilising research-based skills in the delivery of care. However, entry-to-practice nursing curriculums in Australia currently do not provide students with practical research opportunities. Acknowledging this gap, an Australian university initiated a two-month summer research internship that aim to expose undergraduate nursing students to clinical research under the mentorship of a nursing academic. Aim: To understand the opportunities and challenges of a research internship and its contribution to developing research knowledge and skills for future nursing practice and leadership. Design: A reflective discussion following the six stages of the Gibbs' Reflective Cycle. Settings: A …

The Various Forms Of Anger About Climate Change In Australia And Their Relations With Self-Reported Actions, Intentions, And Distress, Samantha K. Stanley, Zoe Leviston, Teaghan L. Hogg, Iain Walker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Action on societal issues is often precipitated by feelings of anger. This has been demonstrated reliably for responses to social inequality, but less for other issues. We build on nascent research documenting the links between climate anger, pro-environmental action, and psychological distress, by focusing on the contents of eco-anger. Using a sample of 5244 Australians, we found that 48.6% reported being at least ‘somewhat’ angry about climate change. Content analyses of the focus of this anger revealed diverse reasons for people's anger. The most common focus was others' inaction and apathy on climate change, followed by anger directed at deniers, …

Bgp Anomaly Detection As A Group Dynamics Problem, Ben A. Scott, Michael N. Johnstone, Patryk Szewczyk, Steven Richardson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Understanding group information and collective behaviors is an ongoing area of research, encompassing natural phenomena and human dynamics. Quantifying interactions and interdependencies at the group level can be valuable for understanding complex and dynamical systems. The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the default inter-domain routing protocol for the Internet, operates within a large, complex, and dynamic system vulnerable to security threats. Traditional BGP anomaly detection focuses on single observables from individual Autonomous Systems (ASes), which inadequately addresses the multidimensional, multi-viewpoint nature of the Internet and interdomain routing. This paper introduces a novel approach for quantifying group AS-level information and dynamics. We …

Consolidating The Evidence On The Effectiveness Of Strategies To Promote Vegetable Intake In Priority Settings: An Overview Of Systematic Reviews, Paige G. Brooker, Astrid A.M. Poelman, Katherine M. Livingstone, Clare E. Collins, Seema Mihrshahi, Ros Sambell, Jason H.Y. Wu, Gilly A. Hendrie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Effective interventions to increase vegetable intake are urgently needed. This systematic rapid review aimed to summarise the effectiveness of interventions targeting increased vegetable intakes across diverse settings. Methodology: The review was guided by the conduct of rapid reviews from the Cochrane Handbook. The literature was searched in February 2024 across PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Central for systematic review articles published since 2014. The Risk of Bias In Systematic Reviews tool was used and characteristics of reviews synthesised narratively with intervention effectiveness results were summarised. Results: A total of 20 systematic reviews met the eligibility criteria. Most targeted …

Simultaneous Detection And Quantification Of Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, And Levofloxacin In Municipal Lake Water Via Deep Learning Analysis Of Complex Raman Spectra, Quan Yuan, Xin Ru Wen, Wei Liu, Zhang Wen Ma, Jia Wei Tang, Qing Hua Liu, Muhammad Usman, Yu Rong Tang, Xiang Wu, Liang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In recent years, the misuse of antibiotics has led to severe pollution in water environments, with excessive residues in lake water damaging ecosystems and promoting the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, rapid detection of antibiotic residues in the environment is crucial. This study introduces a novel method for the simultaneous quantification of mixed antibiotics in lake water using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) combined with deep learning methods. To demonstrate the accuracy of our experiments, we tested four lake water samples collected from four distinct sampling points of an artificial lake in a municipal city in China. We independently analyzed each …

S-Methyl-L-Cysteine Sulfoxide And Glucosinolate Levels In Australian-Sourced Brassica Vegetables Before And After Domestic Cooking, Caroline R. Hill, Armaghan Shafaei, Mary C. Boyce, Liezhou Zhong, Lois Balmer, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Currently no data exists on S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) levels in Australian-sourced vegetables and limited data exists for glucosinolates. The effect of various cooking methods on the retention of SMCSO and glucosinolates in Australian-sourced vegetables is also limited. This study measured SMCSO and ten glucosinolates in a selection of Australian-sourced Brassica vegetables, both raw and after steaming. We additionally measured SMCSO and glucosinolate levels in broccoli after microwaving, stir-frying and boiling. SMCSO contributed greater dry weight (0.6–1.9 %) than total glucosinolates combined (0.3–1.2 %) in these raw cruciferous vegetables. SMCSO levels from highest to lowest were: Brussels sprouts > broccoli > red cabbage …

When Charlie Met Joan: The Tragedy Of The Chaplin Trials And The Failings Of American Law (2025), Diane Kiesel

Books

Charlie Chaplin, the silent screen’s “Little Tramp,” was beloved by millions of movie fans until he starred in a series of salacious, real-life federal courtroom dramas. The 1944 trial was described by ace New York Daily News reporter Florabel Muir as “the best show in town.” The leading lady was a woman under contract to his studio—red-haired ingénue Joan Barry, Chaplin’s protégée and former mistress. Although he beat the federal criminal trial, Chaplin lost a paternity case and had to pay child support despite blood type evidence that proved he was not the child’s father.

A decade later during the …

Hands-On Parallel & Distributed Computing With Rasperry Pi Devices And Clusters, Elizabeth Shoop, Suzanne J. Matthews, Richard Brown, Joel C. Adams

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Parallel and distributed computing (PDC) concepts are now required topics for accredited undergraduate computer science programs. However, introducing PDC into the CS curriculum is challenging for several reasons, including an instructor’s lack of PDC knowledge and difficulties in accessing PDC hardware. This paper addresses both of these challenges by presenting free, interactive, web-based PDC teaching modules using inexpensive Raspberry Pi single board computers (SBCs). Our materials include a free disk image that makes it possible for instructors to build Raspberry Pi clusters in minutes and use our software in a variety of curricular contexts. Our multi-year assessment of these materials …

A Micro-Computed Tomographic Evaluation Of Dentine Thicknesses Of First Molar Roots: A Review Of The Literature With Illustrative Cases, Marisca Meyer, Casper Jonker, Sandeepa Rajbaran-Singh, Anna Catherina Oettlé

Peninsula Dental School

Thin dentinal walls of first molars can significantly impact the success and outcomes of endodontic procedures, including root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is commonly performed on first molars, which are prone to decay due to their early eruption and complex occlusal structure. The treatment entails a series of mechanical and chemical disinfection techniques where the root canal spaces are enlarged and can be compromised by perforations leading to infection, inflammation, and eventual tooth loss. The thinner the dentine, the greater the likelihood of perforation. ‘Danger zones’ have been identified as the distal aspect of mesial/mesiobuccal roots and the mesial …

Sex-Specific Divergences In The Types And Timing Of Infiltrating Immune Cells During The Intervertebral Disc Acute Injury Response And Their Associations With Degeneration, Sade W Clayton, Remy E Walk, Laura Mpofu, Garrett W D Easson, Simon Y Tang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Inadequate repair of the intervertebral disc (IVD) contributes to low back pain. Infiltrating immune cells into damaged tissues are critical mediators of repair, yet little is known about the identities, roles, and temporal regulation following IVD injury. By analyzing transcripts of immune cell markers, histopathologic analysis, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, we aimed to define the temporal cascade of infiltrating immune cells and their associations with IVD degeneration.

METHODS: Caudal IVDs from 12-week-old C57BL6/J mice were injured and monitored for 42 days post-injury. Transcriptional markers identifying myeloid, B, and T immune cells, and angiogenic factors were measured from the IVDs …

Environmental Sustainability In The Outpatient Clinic Setting, Matthew M Sattler, Monica Abd El Nour, Virginia R Mckay, Jason P Burnham

2020-Current year OA Pubs

This article will highlight recent efforts published in the medical literature to promote environmental sustainability in the outpatient clinic setting, which are likely to be feasible for health professionals to implement in their own practices. These potential efforts are divided into 3 broad categories: (1) reducing travel to the clinic when feasible, (2) reducing waste production in the clinic, and (3) optimizing the use of high-value diagnostics and therapeutics. As research specifically related to interventions to promote environmental sustainability in outpatient clinics is relatively limited, health professionals are encouraged to continue sharing success stories from their own practice.

Improvement On The Slopes: The Impact Of An Adaptive Snow Sports Program On Children And Young Adults With Disabilities., Stephanie M. Barton, Matthew J. Mclaughlin, Mark T. Fisher

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PurposeThis retrospective cohort study sought to examine participant skill and functional progression in an adaptive snow sports program for children and young adults with disabilities.MethodsOne hundred twelve individuals, majority male, who participated in at least 2 adapted ski or snowboard sessions were evaluated by trained adaptive instructors. The primary outcome measure was standardized skill level ranging from 1-novice to 9-expert. Secondary outcome measures of cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and independence scores, were rated on a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the highest.ResultsThe median number of sessions per participant was 4 (range 2-65 sessions) and median participation duration was 2 …

Comfort And Knowledge As Predictors Of An Accurate Diagnosis Of Factitious Disorder Imposed On Another Among Counseling Professionals, Ari Gartin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative predictive study examined comfort and knowledge as predictors of an accurate Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA) diagnosis among master-level mental health counseling professionals in Washington State. This study also explores why researchers have struggled to develop a collective body of knowledge that can predict an accurate diagnosis of FDIA. The person-centered theory model guided this research. Data from the online platform SurveyMonkey was used to collect participant demographics, answers to the diagnostic questionnaire, and answers to the knowledge and comfort survey. All data collection took place between June and July 2024 and all data collected was electronically …

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Prescription-Based Virtual Reality Solution For Chronic Pain Management, Adesina Adegoke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The gap in practice addressed in this educational project was that the staff at the project site in central Massachusetts did not have adequate knowledge of how virtual reality (VR) technology can be a treatment alternative to pain medication. According to a survey in 2010, approximately 24% of the adult population of Massachusetts had chronic pain and may often depend on opioids for pain management. The problem question was: Does educating the mental health staff on VR technology as a viable alternative to opioid medication improve knowledge as evidenced from pre- to postsurvey? With this evidence-based educational project, I aimed …

Relationship Between Non-Affirmation Of Gender Identity, Healthcare Stereotype Threat, And Perceived Employment Inequities, Len M. Meyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) population faces barriers when seeking healthcare and perceived employment inequities for simply identifying as their gender identity. This study examined the relationships between non-affirmation of gender identity, healthcare stereotype threat, and perceived employment inequities for TGD people across the United States. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, quasi-experimental study was to determine if there was a relationship between non-affirmation of gender identity, healthcare stereotype threat, and perceived employment inequities. This study was guided by the sexual citizenship theory devised by T.H. Marshall, which examines three elements of the model: (a) civil society, (b) political society, …

Effective Business Promotion Strategies Small Business Owners Use To Improve Revenue And Increase Business Viability, Shirley Owusu-Ankomah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses are vital to national and local economies, yet many struggle to sustain operations in the long term. A significant concern for small business owners is the lack of effective promotion strategies, a key factor in business failure. Grounded in open system theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate the promotion strategies employed by small business owners to improve revenue and increase business viability. The participants were six small business owners from Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region, who successfully utilized strategies to improve revenue and maintain their businesses. Data sources included semistructured interview data and …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Awareness And Perceptions Of African Immigrant Men Regarding Hpv Vaccine Uptake In Children To Prevent Cervical Cancer, Netsai Nancy Mariga Andere

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance remains one of the most crucial disparities in the US by country of origin among children. The study aims to qualitatively explore the HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and perceptions among African immigrant men to help reduce the HPV-related cervical cancer burden among African immigrants living in the US. The health belief model (HBM) was used for this basic qualitative study of self-reported awareness and perception among African immigrant men in the US with responses from 11 individual interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data collected from the interview responses. Six themes …

Patient Satisfaction And Nurse Communication Pre- And Posthospital Mergers And/Or Acquisitions, Shakeeya Sorrells

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Amid continuing mergers and/or acquisitions (M&As) of their institutions, U.S. hospital leaders have found it challenging to maintain favorable patient satisfaction Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to explore the correlation between patient satisfaction (identified as the “likelihood to recommend” metric) and “nurse communication” HCAHPS scores pre- and post-hospital M&As. Donabedian’s theoretical framework and triad model of structure, process, and outcomes within health care quality served as the foundation for the evaluation. HCAHPS and 2019 change of hospital ownership data were obtained from the Centers for Medicaid …

Childhood Religious Participation As Mediator For Posttraumatic Symptoms And A Joyful Disposition In Adulthood, Kara S. Mccoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals who have experienced trauma may have varying life experience outcomes based on trauma histories and other factors. Little to no study has been done to determine whether childhood religious involvement can be a mediating factor. The purpose of this quantitative study was to test if any potential mediating effects exist between childhood religious attendance, the presence of joyfulness in life, and adult posttraumatic symptoms. The theoretical framework utilized in this study was Kenneth Pargament’s theory of religious coping. Data were collected in a secure fashion utilizing Survey Monkey, and all participants voluntarily answered questions that utilized the short posttraumatic …

Relationship Between Parental Neglect, Socioeconomic Status, And Aggression In Adolescents, Chemarin Eve Boyd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aggressive behavior among adolescents poses significant challenges for families, educators, and communities, often stemming from complex interactions between parental behavior and environmental factors. This quantitative nonexperimental study examined the relationship between parental neglect, socioeconomic status (SES), and adolescent aggression, guided by the parental acceptance-rejection theory. Data were collected from 250 parents of adolescents age 12-18 divided into two groups: those reporting no to low levels of aggression and those reporting moderate to high levels. Binary logistic regression was employed to predict the likelihood of adolescent aggression based on parental neglect (categorical) and SES (scale). The results demonstrated that parental neglect …

Risk Factors For Peripheral Artery Disease-Related Amputations Among Black Americans, Darnell L. Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence suggests that Black Americans (BAs) are at a significantly higher risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD)-related amputations. This study aimed to examine risk factors for non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (NTLEA) among BAs with PAD addressing a significant knowledge gap regarding racial disparities in PAD outcomes. Grounded in Bandura's social cognitive theory, which posits the interplay among personal factors, environmental influences, and behavior, this study examines how age, gender, income, and comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetes influence NTLEA across various insurance types (private, Medicaid, Medicare, self-pay). This quantitative cross-sectional study used the 2020 National Inpatient Sample, 1% …

Understanding Grief Experiences Of Pet Loss Among African Americans, Michele Lisa Whitney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disenfranchised grief responses and associated stigma from pet loss have been documented among researchers; however, the unique lived experiences of African American adults facing pet bereavement have been underrepresented in research. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to deepen the understanding of grief responses after pet loss, specifically focusing on African Americans’ experiences of human–pet bereavement. Grounded in the dual process model of coping with bereavement, which emphasizes the oscillation between loss- and restoration-oriented coping strategies, this study explored how African American pet owners experience and make meaning of grief following pet loss. A phenomenological design was employed with a purposeful …