Digital Commons Network^™

2025 Fall Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Preparing Tourism, Hospitality And Events Graduates To Be Industry Ready: Extending The Three-Factor Model Of Authentic Learning, Eliza Kitchen, Edmund Goh, Effie Steriopoulos, Tracy Harkison, Colin Drake, Martin Robertson, Erwin Losekoot, Lynn Waterston

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Authentic learning is a critical pedagogy and curriculum requirement in higher education to better prepare students for future workforce requirements. As such, educators adopt a range of authentic learning tasks such as work-integrated learning, industry reports, and field trips to enable student engagement in current industry issues. Although such actions are practical and have valuable impact on students, there has been little effort to narrow the theoretical gap. The present study addresses this by extending the authentic learning three-factor model (construction of knowledge, disciplined inquiry, and value beyond school) to evaluate the perceptions of educators in THE higher education towards …

Still Hungry, Not Enough: The Past, Present, And Future Of Food Tourism Scholarship, Eerang Park, Sangkyun Kim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper provides a state-of-the-art critical review of past and current food tourism scholarship and offers key insights and directions to establish a more comprehensive perspective on the field. The food tourism scholarship evolved, transformed, and progressed from earlier intellectual discussions and scholarly discourses on ‘food in tourism’. Through a rapid transition from ‘food in tourism’ to ‘food for tourism’ and ‘tourism for food’ as the current status quo, this paper proposes four directions for future food tourism research. These are: the application of contextualism philosophy with particular attention to the localities and peculiarities of emerging and/or new food tourism …

Ecological Grief: How Can We Bear This Together?, Susan Bailey, Nicholas Gerrish

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The impacts of human activity on ecosystems are increasingly evident through ecological degradation and climate change. Despite this, in many jurisdictions across the world, action to address and curtail destructive human activities is slow and resisted at all levels. In this article, we suggest that this resistance is connected to deep ecological grief. We introduce a dual approach to understanding ecological grief, using concepts of unprecedented and unacknowledged grief. Unprecedented grief is felt in response to the loss of our ecosystems and unacknowledged grief connected to the anticipated loss of lifestyle necessary to curtail destructive human behaviour. Drawing upon an …

Intervention Accuracy And Perception Of Fatigue In State-Level Australian Football Umpires, Corey Wilson, Mark Scanlan, Duncan G. Bradbury, Oliver R. Barley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This investigation examined intervention accuracy and perception of fatigue associated with umpiring state-level Australian Rules football (AF). 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) employed by the Western Australian Football Commission, were recruited. Intervention accuracy (whether given free kicks were correct) was analysed post-event by the lead investigator using footage of the matches, with two umpire coaches being used for reliability. Perception of fatigue was assessed pre- and post-match using a questionnaire. Data was collected in 22 Western Australian Football League matches in the 2023 season. 384 free …

An Uphill Battle: School Library Professionals Fostering Student Reading Engagement, Margaret Kristin Merga, Saiyidi Mat Roni

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Reading engagement influences students’ literacy attainment. School library professionals provide resources, environments and guidance to promote reading for pleasure, but little is known about how this role is currently supported or challenged. Drawing on mixed methods survey responses from 971 school library professionals from 63 countries, integrated findings suggest that younger students had greater access to the library, and that limiting access may negatively influence student engagement. The educative value of reading aloud and reading for pleasure may be poorly understood in some schools. Most parents had no access to the school library; in some contexts, this was due to …

Application Of Enterprise Architecture To Guide The Integration Of Health Information Systems In Namibia, Laizah Mutasa, Martin Mabeifam Ujakpa, Wandisa Nyikana, Irja Shaanika, Tiko Iyamu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Namibia is characterized by a fragmented health-care system that has led to data inconsistencies and duplication of efforts. It has also become costly to health-care institutions to maintain these fragmented, standalone systems. This study examined how enterprise architecture (EA) can be applied to guide the integration of health information systems (HISs) in the Namibian health-care context. A qualitative approach was applied to collect data from two cases using semi structured interviews and an interpretive approach in the analysis. From the analysis, the constructs of requirements clarity, information systems and technology (IS/T) project management, systems documentation, and communication were discovered to …

Blood Biomarker Profiles In Young-Onset Neurocognitive Disorders: A Cohort Study, Oneil G. Bhalala, Jessica Beamish, Dhamidhu Eratne, Patrick Summerell, Tenielle Porter, Simon M. Laws, Matthew J.Y. Kang, Aamira J. Huq, Wei Hsuan Chiu, Claire Cadwallader, Mark Walterfang, Sarah Farrand, Andrew H. Evans, Wendy Kelso, Leonid Churilov, Rosie Watson, Nawaf Yassi, Dennis Velakoulis, Samantha M. Loi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Young-onset neurocognitive symptoms result from a heterogeneous group of neurological and psychiatric disorders which present a diagnostic challenge. To identify such factors, we analysed the Biomarkers in Younger-Onset Neurocognitive Disorders cohort, a study of individuals < 65 years old presenting with neurocognitive symptoms for a diagnosis and who have undergone cognitive and biomarker analyses. Methods: Sixty-five participants (median age at assessment of 56 years, 45% female) were recruited during their index presentation to the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuropsychiatry Centre, a tertiary specialist service in Melbourne, Australia, and categorized as either early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (n = 18), non-Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration (n = 23) or primary psychiatric disorders (n = 24). Levels of neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein …

Comprehensive Assessment Instruments For Place-Based Sustainable Agriculture: A Scoping Review, Rebecca Voisin, Stephanie Godrich, David Blake, Ros Sambell, Saranne Herrington, Janine Joyce, Pierre Horwitz, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A rapid transformation to sustainable agricultural production systems is necessary, requiring on-farm monitoring and measurements of key agricultural sustainability indicators. While many assessment methods for agricultural sustainability incorporate a three-pillar model of sustainability: environment, economic, and social, a step beyond this is required to support both human and planetary health. This review takes the position that a more nuanced, yet broader framing of agricultural sustainability is warranted, and identifies the measurement of additional pillars including health and nutrition, production, and responsible governance, plus overlooked aspects including Indigenous cultures. A peer-reviewed and grey literature search was conducted identifying articles (n = …

Copolyamide-Based Modified Atmosphere Packaging Attenuates Phenolic Degradation And Maintains Postharvest Quality Of Rubus Berries, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Shah, Zora Singh, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Andrew Woodward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The highly perishable nature of Rubus berries, particularly their susceptibility to water loss and earlier senescence, significantly limits their shelf life. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic role of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the physiochemical quality, phenolic metabolism, and antioxidant potential of blackberries and raspberries during cold storage (2 ± 1 °C) for 12 and 10 days, respectively. Modified atmosphere (MA)-packed Rubus berries exhibited higher total phenolics accompanied by higher activities of shikimate dehydrogenase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Furthermore, MA-packed Rubus berries demonstrated lower hydrogen peroxide by maintaining higher catalase activity and delayed lipid peroxidation during the entire period …

Do Anxiety, Depression, Fear Of Movement And Fear Of Achilles Rupture Correlate With Achilles Tendinopathy Pain, Symptoms Or Physical Function?, George White, Fletcher Bright, Ebonie K. Rio, Ruth L. Chimenti, Myles C. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To determine if psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, fear of movement and fear of rupture are associated with increased tendon-related disability, quantified by the Tendinopathy Severity Assessment-Achilles (TENDINS-A). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Online Qualtrics survey. Participants: Sixty-eight participants (54% female) with Achilles tendinopathy and a mean (standard deviation) age of 40.1 (12.6) years. Main Outcome Measures: The TENDINS-A (including subscales of pain; symptoms such as stiffness; physical function), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and fear of tendon rupture. Associations were evaluated using generalised linear models (adjusting for age and sex), with significance accepted when …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Serious Game To Deliver Health Education About Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Clustered Randomized Controlled Equivalence Trial, Lauren Bloomfield, Julie Boston, Martin Masek, Lesley Andrew, Donna Barwood, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease that can be life-threatening. Teaching adolescents about the early detection and prevention of IMD can be challenging in a school environment, with educators reporting they lack confidence or expertise to cover this in the classroom environment. Professional guest educators are an alternative to cover specialist topics such as IMD; however, time and resourcing constraints can mean that these educators are not always available. Serious games may be an alternative to face-to-face education, where complex health information may be delivered via self-directed gameplay. Objective: This study aims to develop a …

Exploring The Relationship Between Melanopsin Gene Variants, Sleep, And Markers Of Brain Health, Ayeisha Milligan Armstrong, Eleanor O'Brien, Tenielle Porter, Vincent Dore, Pierrick Bourgeat, Paul Maruff, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Melanopsin is a photopigment with roles in mediating sleep and circadian-related processes, which are often disrupted in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Melanopsin also impacts cognition and synaptogenesis. This study investigated the associations between melanopsin genetic variants, sleep, and markers of brain health. METHODS: Linear regression analyses examined the relationship of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the melanopsin gene (OPN4), with cortical amyloid beta (Aβ), cognition, brain volumes, and self-reported sleep traits in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Further analyses assessed whether sleep traits x OPN4 SNP interactions were associated with markers of brain health. RESULTS: OPN4 SNPs rs2355009 and rs3740334 were associated …

Game-Based Learning Contributions To Clinical Leadership In Times Of Resource Scarcity, Scott James Andrews, Olivia Gallagher, Alecka Miles, Carol Crevacore, Jessica Watson, Sean Cashman, Wyatt De Souza, Martin Masek, Julie Boston, Lisa Holmes, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Early progression of Registered Nurses into leadership roles is commonplace in clinical settings. Student nurses can prepare for leadership by gaining exposure through simulation-based learning. A novel and expanding modality are Game-based learning (GBL) simulation.

Aim: To understand if a GBL simulation is useful in preparing student nurses for leadership roles during times of resource scarcity, student nurses were asked to evaluate a novel GBL simulation requiring learners to manage patient triage and hospital resources during a pandemic.

Methods: The study design leveraged Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model. Nursing students (n = 74) from one university in Perth, Western Australia, …

Is There A Relationship Between Rapid Weight Changes And Self-Reported Injury In Combat Sports Athletes? A 14-Month Study Of 24 Combat Sports Events, Colin S. Doherty, Oliver R. Barley, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To explore the potential association between rapid weight changes and self-reported injury status (presence or absence of injury) 7 days following competitive events among male and female combat sports competitors.

Design: A 14-month study of 24 events.

Methods: A weight management questionnaire was completed 1-day post-competition, and an injury questionnaire was completed 7 days post-competition. These online questionnaires provided data on body mass and injury status. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse the odds ratios of rapid weight change variables and their impact on athletes' self-reporting as injured or non-injured.

Results: There were 172 responses (155 …

Mathematical Practices (Commonly Used By Mathematicians) In Mathematics Teachers’ Solutions To Algebraic Problems, Vesife Hatisaru, Steven Richardson, Jon R. Star

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A teacher of mathematics knows mathematics as a teacher and as a mathematician. Whilst the existing research on teacher knowledge contributes to our understanding of the ways of knowing mathematics as a teacher, little is known about ways of knowing mathematics as a mathematician. Guided by the conceptual framework of mathematical practices (MPs) (commonly used by mathematicians), this case study aimed to contribute to fill this gap. The study examined solutions generated by two secondary teachers of mathematics to a set of algebraic problems to determine which MPs are apparent, or not, in the teachers’ work. Data were content analyzed …

Naming Māori Learning Spaces, Georgina Tuari Stewart, Leon Benade, Valance Smith, Alastair Wells, Amanda Yates

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Following up on our recent article in this journal, this research note discusses the range of names used in Māori school settings for flexible learning spaces (FLS) and innovative learning environments (ILE), There are various existing Māori names for FLS/ILE, which fall into two types: individual names and category names. We consider several of these names as a way to explore this concept and provide a background for positing ‘he wāhi ako’ as a generic name for Māori FLS/ILE, which translates into English as ‘Māori learning space(s).’

Neoadjuvant Anti-Pd-1 Alone Or In Combination With Anti-Tigit Or An Oncolytic Virus In Resectable Stage Iiib–D Melanoma: A Phase 1/2 Trial, Reinhard Dummer, Caroline Robert, Richard A. Scolyer, Janis M. Taube, Michael T. Tetzlaff, Alexander M. Menzies, Andrew Hill, Jean Jacques Grob, David C. Portnoy, Celeste Lebbe, Muhammad A. Khattak, Jonathan Cohen, Gil Bar-Sela, Inderjit Mehmi, Ronnie Shapira-Frommer, Nicolas Meyer, Andrea L. Webber, Yixin Ren, Mizuho Fukunaga-Kalabis, Clemens Krepler, Georgina V. Long

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Neoadjuvant immunotherapies have shown antitumor activity in melanoma. Substudy 02C of the global, rolling-arm, phase 1/2, adaptive-design KEYMAKER-U02 trial is evaluating neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) alone or in combination, followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab, for stage IIIB–D melanoma. Here we report results from the first three arms: pembrolizumab plus vibostolimab (anti-TIGIT), pembrolizumab plus gebasaxturev (coxsackievirus A21) and pembrolizumab monotherapy. Pathologic complete responses occurred in 10 of 26 patients (38%) with pembrolizumab plus vibostolimab, 7 of 25 (28%) with pembrolizumab plus gebasaxturev and 6 of 15 (40%) with pembrolizumab monotherapy. Major pathologic responses occurred in 13 (50%), 10 (40%) and 7 (47%) patients, …

Social Relational Notions Of Successful Aging: Contesting Dominant Individualized Conceptions Of Successful Aging By Examining Migrant Intergenerational Lived Experiences, Hien Thi Nguyen, Loretta Baldassar, Raelene Wilding, Bronte Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Objectives: Critiques of the concept of successful aging (SA) include attention to its foundation on an individualized western medical approach that emphasizes personal choice, agency, and lifestyle. This paper aims to examine how individual notions of SA can be linked to, and co-constituted by, relational and intergenerational notions of personhood within the broader socioeconomic, familial, and cultural contexts of migration. Research Design and Methods: Qualitative research was conducted in Australia (2020–2021) with 42 Vietnamese migrants using ethnographic interviews and participant observation. Data analysis applied inductive reasoning and intersectional analysis to investigate the notion of SA from the perspectives …

Some Comply While Some Defy: Elementary Teachers’ Responses To Leadership Mandates On Reading Comprehension Instruction, Reid J. Smith, Pamela C. Snow, Tanya A. Serry, Lorraine S. Hammond

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: We report the qualitative findings from a survey of elementary teachers regarding reading instruction. The purpose is to extend on quantitative findings in a previously described survey to gain a more in-depth understanding of Australian elementary teachers’ approaches to the literacy block in their schools: how this is used, who makes instructional decisions, and how teachers respond to these. Method: A web-based survey was used to collect data from Australian elementary teachers about their perspectives regarding reading comprehension instruction. Of the 284 respondents, 182 (64.1%) provided free-text comments in response to open-ended questions. Responses were coded and analyzed for …

Sub-Bituminous Coal As A Peculiar Adsorbent For Dye Removal From Wastewater, Z. H. Rada, H. R. Abid, M. B. Ahmed, M. Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Coal, an abundant and cost-effective adsorbent, is explored for its potential in environmentally friendly greenhouse gas storage. Herein, the adsorption of anionic (methyl orange) and cationic (methylene blue) dyes on sub-bituminous coal was intensively studied. This study is the first application of sub-bituminous coal to examine the removal of different concentrations of dyes from water. The properties of the coal were studied using advanced analytical techniques. The initial dye concentration, solution pH, and adsorbent-adsorbate contact time were investigated for their influence on the adsorption efficiency of the dyes. Adsorption kinetics were then studied by applying common kinetic models and the …

The Changes In Health-Related Quality Of Life After Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Systematic Review Of The Perspective Of Patients Living With Heart Disease, Amineh Rashidi, Lisa Whitehead, Helena Halton, Lisa Munro, Ian Jones, Lisa Newson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Although the benefits of engaging in cardiac rehabilitation are well established, patient perceptions of the changes in their health-related quality of life are poorly documented. This systematic review synthesized qualitative studies on patients’ perspectives of change in their health-related quality of life after attending cardiac rehabilitation. Objective To identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the perspective of patients living with heart disease about the changes in their health-related quality of life after attending cardiac rehabilitation. Methods Eight databases were used to identify relevant papers published in English and peer-reviewed, and no date restrictions were considered for the …

Weight Stigma Amongst Nurses And Nursing Students: A Scoping Review Of Direct And Comparative Evidence, Mahshid Fonoudi, Beverley Ewens, Amanda Towell-Barnard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To map both direct and comparative research on weight stigma amongst nurses and nursing students by identifying the extent, range and nature of studies and identify the gaps in this area. Design: Scoping review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. Data Sources: Seven databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library, in addition to Google Scholar and Open Access Theses and Dissertations were systematically searched in August 2023. Methods: Inclusion criteria comprised nurses or nursing students as participants, weight stigma as the concept and any context. After uploading all search results into EndNote …

Effectiveness, Acceptability, And Cost-Effectiveness Of Digital Health Interventions For Diabetes Self-Management In Adults With Or Without Hypertension: An Umbrella Review Protocol, Min Zhang, Jiahui Ge, Xinrong Yu, Tian Wang, Fenglan Wang, Madalo Gloria Kalero Kuchawo, Li Ge

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This review will synthesize evidence on the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions in implementing and maintaining effective self-management among adults (≥ 18 years) with diabetes, with or without comorbid hypertension. Introduction: Diabetes and hypertension are becoming the most challenging global health burdens. Growing evidence underscores the effectiveness of digital health interventions for diabetes and hypertension. However, it is unclear whether these strategies can be recommended to improve diabetes self-management among adults with or without hypertension in primary health care. Inclusion criteria: We will include systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis) examining the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness …

Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Artificial Intelligence Systems: A Systematic Literature Review, Ahmad A. Khanfar, Reza Kiani Mavi, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Denise Gengatharen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Despite the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to increase revenue, reduce costs and enhance performance, their adoption by organisations has fallen short of expectations, leading to unsuccessful implementations. This paper aims to identify and elucidate the factors influencing AI adoption at both the organisational and individual levels. Developing a conceptual model, it contributes to understanding the underlying individual, social, technological, organisational and environmental factors and guides future research in this area. Design/methodology/approach: The authors have conducted a systematic literature review to synthesise the literature on the determinants of AI adoption. In total, 90 papers published in the field …

Live Streaming In Hospitality And Tourism: A Hybrid Systematic Review And Way Forward, Yuhong Shao, Songshan (Sam) Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study aims to provide a timely review of hospitality and tourism live streaming (HTLS) research, aiming to understand the intellectual foundation in the past and identify opportunities for future research. Design/methodology/approach: This study collected 56 papers from journals in the Social Science Citation Index database or the Australian Business Deans Council journal quality list and adopted a hybrid systematic literature review combining bibliometric analysis and the theory-context-characteristics-method framework-based approach. Additionally, a cross-tabulation analysis was conducted to compare the research on two specific forms of HTLS – tourism e-commerce live streaming (TEcLS) and travel live streaming. Findings: The study …

Exploring How Nutrition Students Used The Relational Employability Framework To Reflect On Their Micro-Placement Experiences, Elizabeth J. Cook, Ros Sambell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As the world grapples with multiple challenges, workforces increasingly require university graduates who can navigate complexity to facilitate positive change. The relational employability framework (REF) is used by educators to help students develop an awareness of their human and more-than-human career interactions, contributions and possibilities, in addition to developing their foundational employability skills and attributes. This case study, situated in a third-year community nutrition unit at Edith Cowan University, explores how students applied the REF in their final written reflection assessment following a micro-placement. Eighteen students reflected on their micro-placement experience and developing relational employability using Gibbs’ reflective cycle. Codebook …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2024, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2024 (Overview) aims to provide a comprehensive outline of the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The early sections of the Overview present information about the social and cultural context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social determinants, the structure of the population, and measures of population health including births, deaths and hospitalisations.

The remaining sections of the Overview consist of selected health conditions and risk/protective factors that contribute to the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These sections include a brief …

A Researcher’S Journey To The Use Of Ai For Qualitative Data Analysis: Findings From A Test Case With Chatgpt, Catherine Ferguson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has mostly focused on issues associated with teaching and assessment. In this paper I used AI to support the analysis of data which consisted of public comments on a newspaper article. This small, low risk research was chosen to demonstrate the potential use of AI and how it may support qualitative data analysis. I present my journey from a naïve user of AI to a position whereby I would consider using it as a support for future data analysis. My article touches on some of the ethical and accountability issues for …

Activity Behaviours And Quality Of Life In Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusion, Bianca M. Iacopetta, David C.L. Lam, Jenny C.L. Ngai, Johnny W.M. Chan, Fifian Chiang, Macy M.S. Lui, W. L. Law, Ken K.P. Chan, Joanne Mcveigh, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Y. C.Gary Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and objective Accelerometery is used to measure activity behaviours in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). This study aimed to evaluate physical activity and sedentary behaviour profiles of patients with MPE in Hong Kong, and to explore relationships between activity behaviours and quality of life (QoL). We also compared clinician-recorded performance status measures with objective measures of activity levels. Methods Participants wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer continuously for 7 consecutive days. The EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) was used to assess five dimensions of QoL and correlate with activity behaviours. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status …