AUT Research Repository (Auckland Univ. of Technology)
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Australian Podiatry Research in Rheumatology: A Bibliometric Analysis
No full textBACKGROUND: To conduct a bibliographic analysis of English language foot and ankle research pertaining to rheumatology published by Australian authors. METHODS: The Scopus database search was conducted to identify all Australian rheumatology articles published by podiatric authors in English from 1970 to 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using an open-source tool based on the R language. Citations, journals, authors, institutions and countries were described. Publications were manually categorised according to research type, level of evidence and funding source. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 89 eligible articles, which received a total of 2438 citations and were published by 200 authors. The most frequent journals were Arthritis Care & Research and Osteoarthritis and Cartilage each with 9 articles or 10% of total publications. The most published institution was La Trobe University (affiliation of 151 authors). Most of the Australian rheumatology articles focused on the evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions (n = 35; 39%) and 11 articles (12%) provided Level I evidence. Forty-two publications (47%) were supported by Category 1 funding, however, 29 (33%) reported no research funding. CONCLUSION: Rheumatology represents just 5% of Australian podiatry research. Despite this, it attracts high citation rates relative to number of publications and is well supported by Category 1 funding in comparison to other research fields. Funding sources outside of competitive Category 1 grants appear to be limited however, and research scope is narrow with a high number of evaluative studies conducted. Rheumatology research would benefit from an increase in available funding sources and a broader research scope that informs disease prevention and evidence-based clinical care
Preparing Graduate Entry Nursing Students to Successfully Complete Research Projects: A Scoping Review
No full textThis scoping review investigates how graduate entry nursing (GEN) programs prepare students to successfully complete research projects. For many decades, GEN programs have been offered internationally as an accelerated pathway to nursing registration for graduates. Students who enrol have completed a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree in a prior discipline, but previous research experience is not a prerequisite. Our review spans GEN programs where English is the language of instruction. With a focus on teaching interventions, the databases included ERIC, Taylor & Francis, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Sage, CINAHL, Medline and EMcare, with additional citation searching. We followed Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework for scoping reviews. Of the initial 537 studies, five were identified for inclusion. The findings show considerable variation in what aspects of literacy were taught and how literacy teaching was integrated into programs. The reported benefits include improvements to program progression and completion, academic performance, as well as a heightened sense of belonging and positive learning experiences. However, the absence of detail about literacy practices, and reporting on findings only within one course – rather than across a program – poses future difficulties for generating recommendations about program design or refinement. In this regard, specific areas of future research are suggested
Characteristics of Candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) and Daikon Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
No full textBackground: This study investigates the physicochemical properties of candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) and daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to explore their potential as natural healing remedies as practised by local communities in Malaysia. Both plants have been used in traditional medicine, but there is limited research on their bioactive compounds and how their characteristics contribute to anti-inflammatory effects.
Results: Colour analysis for fresh candlenut exhibited significantly higher L* value (67.70 ± 0.11) compared to its extract (43.21 ± 0.00). This indicated that fresh candlenut had more whitish hue. Likewise, fresh daikon radish showed more whitish hue compared to its extract. Yellowish hue was more pronounced in fresh candlenut (25.46 ± 2.92) compared to its extract (0.45 ± 0.02). Hydroxyl (O–H), alkenyl (C=C), iso-dimethyl (–CH3), and oxygen-bonded (C–O) functional groups were found in both samples using the FTIR method. Significantly higher tannin content was found in candlenut (91.77 ± 12.18 mg/L), compared to daikon radish (2.13 ± 3.00 mg/L). Similarly, alkaloid concentrations were significantly higher in candlenut (10.30 ± 0.59 mg/L) than in daikon radish (3.56 ± 0.12 mg/L). Phenolic analysis using HPLC identified gallic acid concentrations of 273.43 ± 17.23 mg/L in candlenut and 27.39 ± 20.39 mg/L in daikon radish. Daikon radish detected vanillic acid (28.43 ± 11.92 mg/L) and p-coumaric acid (3.04 ± 0.12 mg/L), which was not detected in candlenut.
Conclusions: These results suggested that candlenut contains higher alkaloids, tannins and gallic acid compared to daikon radish. Vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid, however, were detected in daikon radish only. All three phenolic acids can act as an antioxidant. However, gallic acid was found in higher proportion in candlenut; hence, it has higher potential against oxidative damage condition. This research supports the traditional use of these plants in managing inflammatory conditions and highlights their potential for nutraceutical applications. It may be a useful to eliminate trigger in inflammatory with interaction with receptors. These interactions occur in NF-κB signalling in inflammation pathway usually, and its dysregulation is an important factor for many inflammatory-related diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, gout, diabetes, cancer and many more
Dynamic TRM Estimation with Load–Wind Uncertainty Using Rolling Window Statistical Analysis for Improved ATC
No full textThe rapid integration of renewable energy sources (RES), particularly wind, together with fluctuating demand, has introduced significant uncertainty into power system operation, challenging traditional approaches for estimating Transmission Reliability Margin (TRM) and Available Transfer Capability (ATC). This paper proposes a fully adaptive TRM estimation framework that leverages rolling-window statistical analysis of net-load forecast errors to capture real-time uncertainty fluctuations. By continuously updating both the confidence factor and window length based on evolving forecast-error statistics, the method adapts to changing grid conditions. The framework is validated on the IEEE 30-bus system with 80 MW wind (42.3% penetration) and assessed for scalability on the IEEE 118-bus system (40.1% wind penetration). Comparative analysis against static TRM, fixed-confidence rolling-window, and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS)-based methods shows that the proposed approach achieves 88.0% reliability coverage (vs. 81.8% for static TRM) while providing enhanced transfer capability for 31.5% of the operational day (7.5 h). Relative to MCS, it yields a 20.1% lower mean TRM and a 2.5% higher mean ATC, with an adaptation ratio of 18.8:1. Scalability assessment confirms preserved adaptation (12.4:1) with sub-linear computational scaling (1.82 ms to 3.61 ms for a 3.93× network size increase), enabling 1 min updates interval.</jats:p
International ECE Student Teachers on Practicum in Aotearoa New Zealand: Fostering Ethnorelative Understandings
No full textIn Aotearoa New Zealand, an increasing number of international students are choosing to study through initial teacher education programmes and staying to teach after they have graduated. However, to date, little research has focused on the practicum experiences of international early childhood education student teachers and how to effectively support their professional growth in ways that foster ethnorelative understandings. In this article, Yanan Li shares insights and recommendations drawing on her experience of having been an international ECE student teacher from China and her current role as a Visiting Lecturer. The aim of this article is to foster ethnorelative understandings between international student teachers and those who work with them, to enhance communication, relationships, and mentoring in the early childhood education practicum space
Release of β-casomorphin-7 in A1/A1 and A2/A2 Dairy Systems: Insights From Simulated Semi-dynamic Gastrointestinal Digestion
No full textThe study aimed to determine the amount of β-casomorphin-7 released during semi-dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of A1/A1 and A2/A2 milk, yogurt, and Cheddar cheese. Samples were collected at 10 and 120 min during the intestinal phase for each of the four gastric emptying points, following the INFOGEST digestion model. β-Casomorphin-7 was quantified using liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The levels of β-casomorphin-7 were similar in A1/A1 (8.65–11.72 μg/100 g protein) and A2/A2 (9.64–15.29 μg/100 g protein) milk digests, higher in A1/A1 yogurt, while A1/A1 cheese digest exhibited the highest levels among all samples (36.19–62.73 μg/100 g protein), nearly ten times higher than A2/A2 cheese digest. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of a serving size of the studied dairy products the released amounts may not align with levels required for in vivo opioid activity. However, further human clinical trials are warranted
You Are What You Read – A Critical Discourse Analysis of Falun Dafa
No full textThe phenomenal growth of the Chinese modern religion Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) provides an opportunity to explore how modern religious texts are constructed and how ideologies rise in text. This paper employs a critical discourse analysis (CDA) methodology to investigate whether the perception of Zhuan Falun by its followers is in accord with the presentation of the script itself, aiming to highlight how language use is an integral part of the dissemination of religious discourse and its ideology. The study uses corpus analysis and interviews as complementary methods. Corpus analysis is based on the Falun Gong text ‘Zhuan Falun’. Interviews are conducted with 10 participants in Taiwan and 10 participants from China who reside in New Zealand. Findings demonstrate that despite the participants’ differences in nationality, generally, the text’s oriented style leads the members to recognise themselves as ‘elite’ as opposed to ‘ordinary people’ by intertextually connecting existing Chinese religious presuppositions. This study shows the characteristics of Falun Dafa and aims to enhance our understanding of how religious discourse operates in the 21st century
Hypermethylation of OPRM1: Deregulation of the Endogenous Opioid Pathway in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
No full textMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are debilitating disorders with overlapping symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. Dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system, particularly µ-opioid receptor function, may contribute to their pathophysiology. This study examined whether epigenetic modifications, specifically µ-opioid receptor 1 gene (OPRM1) promoter methylation, play a role in this dysfunction. Using a repeated-measures design, 28 ME/CFS/FM patients and 26 matched healthy controls visited the hospital twice within four days. Assessments included blood sampling for epigenetic analysis, a clinical questionnaire battery, and quantitative sensory testing (QST). Global DNA (hydroxy)methylation was quantified via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and targeted pyrosequencing was performed on promoter regions of OPRM1, COMT, and BDNF. ME/CFS/FM patients reported significantly worse symptom outcomes. No differences in global (hydroxy)methylation were found. Patients showed significantly higher OPRM1 promoter methylation, which remained after adjusting for symptom severity and QST findings. Across timepoints, OPRM1 methylation consistently correlated with BDNF Promoter I and Exon III methylation. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study examining OPRM1 methylation in ME/CFS/FM. Increased OPRM1 methylation in patients, independent of symptoms or pain sensitivity measures, supports the hypothesis of dysregulated opioidergic signaling in these conditions
Reorienting Aotearoa New Zealand Secondary School Geography Towards Decolonisation and Indigenisation
No full textSecondary school geography in Aotearoa New Zealand has a Western-centric curriculum due to the British colonial influence. Despite being the knowledge system of the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) has been sidelined from geography curricula. A recent system-wide review and overhaul of the national curriculum and assessment system aimed for equal status for mātauranga Māori, respecting it and addressing its exclusion and denigration, and added aspects of decolonising geography, such as critiquing power, to the secondary school geography curriculum. This study investigated how Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school geography teachers understand decolonising and indigenising geography. Qualitative data were gathered through an online survey of 47 geography teachers and analysed using content analysis and reflexive thematic analysis. The study findings are presented as three orientations that teachers take when decolonising geography: decolonising and indigenising geography in the classroom, engaging with Indigenous people to decolonise geography and reflexivity for decolonising geography. In doing so, the research outlines practical implications for geography teachers, initial teacher education and policy.</jats:p
Automated Vulnerability Scanning and Prioritisation for Domestic IoT Devices/Smart Homes: A Theoretical Framework
No full textThe expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in domestic smart homes has created new conveniences but also significant security risks. Insecure firmware, weak authentication and weak encryption leave households exposed to privacy breaches, data leakage and systemic attacks. Although research has addressed several challenges, contributions remain fragmented and difficult for non-technical users to apply. This work addresses the following research question: How can a theoretical framework be developed to enable automated vulnerability scanning and prioritisation for non-technical users in domestic IoT environments? A Systematic Literature Review of 40 peer-reviewed studies, conducted under PRISMA 2020 guidelines, identified four structural gaps: dispersed vulnerability knowledge, fragmented scanning approaches, over-reliance on technical severity in prioritisation and weak protocol standardisation. The paper introduces a four-module framework: a Vulnerability Knowledge Base, an Automated Scanning Engine, a Context-Aware Prioritisation Module and a Standardisation and Interoperability Layer. The framework advances knowledge by integrating previously siloed approaches into a layered and iterative artefact tailored to households. While limited to conceptual evaluation, the framework establishes a foundation for future work in prototype development, household usability studies and empirical validation. By addressing fragmented evidence with a coherent and adaptive design, the study contributes to both academic understanding and practical resilience, offering a pathway toward more secure and trustworthy domestic IoT ecosystems.</jats:p