75079 research outputs found
Sort by
Fatty infiltration in the musculoskeletal system : pathological mechanisms and clinical implications
No full textFatty infiltration denotes the anomalous accrual of adipocytes in non-adipose tissue, thereby generating toxic substances with the capacity to impede the ordinary physiological functions of various organs. With aging, the musculoskeletal system undergoes pronounced degenerative alterations, prompting heightened scrutiny regarding the contributory role of fatty infiltration in its pathophysiology. Several studies have demonstrated that fatty infiltration affects the normal metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, leading to substantial tissue damage. Nevertheless, a definitive and universally accepted generalization concerning the comprehensive effects of fatty infiltration on the musculoskeletal system remains elusive. As a result, this review summarizes the characteristics of different types of adipose tissue, the pathological mechanisms associated with fatty infiltration in bone, muscle, and the entirety of the musculoskeletal system, examines relevant clinical diseases, and explores potential therapeutic modalities. This review is intended to give researchers a better understanding of fatty infiltration and to contribute new ideas to the prevention and treatment of clinical musculoskeletal diseases
Magnetically circular layered triboelectric nanogenerators by advanced self-sensing composites
No full textThis paper provides a numerical simulation study of Magnetically Circular Layers of Triboelectric Nanogenerators (MCL-TENGs) for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. The MCL-TENGs generate electrical energy by means of the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy through contact electrification and electrostatic induction. This paper concentrates on the numerical modeling of the copper/aluminum MCL-TENG and compares simulation results with experimental findings. The voltage comparison of copper MCL-TENGs (OC) between experimental and numerical simulations at 2000, 2500, and 3000 rpm showed Cu-EXP configuration voltages ranging from 4.1 to 4.4 V and Cu-FEM setup voltages ranging from 4 to 4.4 V. Meanwhile, aluminum MCL-TENGs showed Al-EXP configuration voltages ranging from 4.08 to 4.35 V and Al-FEM setup voltages ranging from 4 to 4.3 V across the third layer. The system can enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of coastal bridge infrastructure by harvesting surplus energy from mechanical motion and converting it to electricity for self-powered sensing and monitoring systems
Introduction to digital pedagogy : a proposed framework for design and enactment
No full textThe discussion on the use of technology in education remains contentious even after decades of efforts in this area. One of the main challenges is digital pedagogy, which refers to the pedagogical applications of digital technologies. In this special issue, we highlighted the agentic actions of teachers that can be the catalysts of change in designing and enacting digital pedagogies in various contexts. We also contributed to this effort by proposing a digital pedagogy framework for the design and enactment of using technology in teaching and learning. This framework aims to bring researchers’ and educators’ attention to factors that could affect the design of technology integra tion into classrooms, including teacher pedagogical orientation, attitudes towards and competency of using educational technology, and identification of underpinning pedagogical theories or principles. It also examines the use of TPACK to design technology-mediated learning environments. The preparation of the enactment of the design can also be facilitated by identifying the potential observable students’ behaviours and other evidence for the achievement of intended outcomes. By bringing forth pedagogic expertise from various countries and contexts, we hope this special issue can support researchers and educators in enhancing learning mediated by a wide range of digital technologies
[In Press] Primary care practitioner and patient perspectives on care following bariatric surgery : a meta-synthesis of qualitative research
No full textPrimary care is central to ongoing health care following bariatric surgery and patients indicate a reference for receiving follow-up support by their primary care practitioner (PCP). This meta-synthesis investigates the perspectives of both PCPs and patients in post-bariatric surgery care provided by PCPs. The aim was to synthesize themes from qualitative research to recommend improvements in post-bariatric surgery clinical care in primary care settings. Systematic searches of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar resulted in the inclusion of eight papers in the meta-synthesis. Papers were critiqued using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) and thematically coded in Quirkos Cloud. Seven themes were reached by author consensus including stigma and judgment; clinician barriers and facilitators; patient-related support needs; communication considerations; patient context or determinants; health care setting; and adapting to life after surgery. PCPs reported barriers including poor communication and guidance from bariatric surgery centers, limited knowledge and training in bariatric patient care, and patients who may have unrealistic outcomes and poor health literacy. Patients seek comprehensive care from their PCP, however, barriers hindering the provision of this care include adverse surgical outcomes, a poor relationship with their PCP, and limited and short-term follow-up care from the PCP. Insights from this meta-synthesis offer actionable recommendations for PCPs and bariatric surgery centers to enhance patient care immediately
[In Press] Mental health and wellbeing of international students in Australia : a systematic review
No full textBackground: concerns have been raised that international students are at high risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Aims: the aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the mental health and wellbeing of international students in Australia. Methods: A literature search was conducted using ciNAHl, MeDliNe, PsyciNFO, and Academic Search complete using eBScOhost interface for articles published from 2000. A pre-determined set of eligibility criteria was used to screen articles and eligible articles were quality appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool. Due to considerable heterogeneity, the data was narratively analysed, considering the statistical significance and the text narratives. Nineteen studies (N = 19) met the inclusion criteria. Results: Mental health issues experienced by international students included anxiety (2.4-43%, N = 5), depression (3.6-38.3%, N = 6), psychological stress/distress (31.6-54%, N = 9) and gambling problems (3.3-50.7%, N = 3). Factors affecting student wellbeing included loneliness/isolation (60-65%, N = 4), work/financial difficulties (15.4-95%, N = 4) and discrimination/safety concerns (9-50%, N = 3). Other factors affecting students included cross-cultural transition experiences, language difficulties, social interaction, university belonging, technology difficulties, self-harm, use of counselling services and mental health literacy. Conclusion: international students in Australia experience various issues affecting their mental health and wellbeing. More effort needs to be made to better support students
Cultivating gresilience : climate change & sustainable agriculture
No full textClimate change is upon us — and is affecting global food production, forcing us to devise various adaptation strategies. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that climate change could push 122 million more people, mainly farmers, into extreme poverty by 2030 and increase cereal prices by 29% by 2050, among other adverse effects.1 Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and alterations in pest and disease dynamics pose formidable challenges to global agricultural systems
Participation in physical activity and sport in adolescent girls from Middle Eastern backgrounds
No full textObjectives: This study investigated the barriers and facilitators to physical activity and sport participation among adolescent girls from Middle Eastern backgrounds. These factors were explored through the perspectives of both adolescent girls and parents of adolescent girls, living in Australia.
Design: A qualitative study design was used to understand perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity and sport in adolescent girls. Participants were 18 adolescent girls and 9 parents of adolescent girls, all of Middle Eastern backgrounds, living in Western Sydney, Australia. Data were collected through five focus groups and four one-on-one interviews, separated for girls and parents. Data were analysed using an inductive approach and thematic analysis.
Results: Three main themes (family, social support, religion and culture) and nine subthemes were identified. The main facilitators for physical activity and sport included the values and presence of an active family role model, religion to encourage lifelong physical activity skills, and promotion of physical activity from peers, school, and social media. The predominant barriers to physical activity and sport included established cultural norms and traditional gender roles, which were often influenced by religion and culture, and extended time using technology.
Conclusion: The findings of the current study show the complex relationships between family, religion, and culture when promoting physical and sport participation. Such factors highlight the need to develop culturally tailored physical activity interventions that consider the perceived barriers and facilitators for adolescent girls' participation from Middle Eastern backgrounds
The protective role of resilience in the reporting of post-concussive symptoms within a non-clinical sample
No full textObjective: Despite being common following a brain injury, post-concussive symptoms (PCS) are highly prevalent in healthy and non-concussed individuals. Psychosocial factors likely subserve the maintenance of symptoms, and numerous studies have identified prominent risk factors associated with post-concussive symptom reporting (e.g. history of depression). However, few studies have investigated protective factors in this context. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between resilience and PCS, and to identify the factors subserving resilience within this relationship. Method: Healthy and non-concussed participants (n = 283, Mage = 22.70 years) completed questionnaires examining PCS (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire) and resilience (Resilience Scale for Adults), together with a screener of background demographic/clinical factors. Results: Resilience negatively predicted PCS above and beyond the effect of demographic and clinical factors previously implicated in the reporting of PCS. Interestingly, heightened “perception of self” was the resilience factor uniquely associated with PCS symptoms. The final model accounted for 33% of the variance in PCS. Overall, female gender, a history of headaches, and diagnoses of ADHD and depression, and reduced “perception of self” were all predictive of greater PCS (ps < .05). Conclusion: Resilience, particularly perception of self, is a positive protective factor in the reporting of PCS. These findings highlight the importance of early identification of less resilient individuals following trauma—such as an mTBI and provide a potential rationale for the incorporation of resilience-based rehabilitation programs into the recovery process, particularly those that promote greater self-efficacy and self-competency
Writing themselves in : Indigenous gender and sexuality diverse Australians online
No full textThere has been limited exploration into the online engagements of people who are Indigenous and gender and sexuality diverse. There are, however, two separate bodies of literature that provide substantial insights into the digital involvement of Indigenous Australians, and gender and sexuality diverse people. Each has identified a myriad of complex negotiations, interactions and resistances that take place through the affordances of digital spaces, along with identifying impacts on well-being. This scoping review discusses dominant themes within existing research on these topics, and documents research that discusses an online blog entitled Archiving the Aboriginal Rainbow that is designed to foreground representations of Indigenous gender and sexuality diverse people. To contextualise this discussion, the paper begins with a review of scholarly literature that articulates and challenges the ongoing colonisation of Indigenous peoples’ gender and sexuality. The literature reviewed exposes new research directions. Namely, the importance of exploration into Indigenous gender and sexuality diverses peoples’ online engagements, and their interrelationship with well-being
Encapsulated Rose Bengal enhances the photodynamic treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells
No full textAmong breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer stands out as the most aggressive, with patients facing a 40% mortality rate within the initial five years. The limited treatment options and unfavourable prognosis for triple-negative patients necessitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative treatment that can effectively target triple-negative neoplastic cells such as MDA-MB-231. In this in vitro study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the PDT killing rate of unbound Rose Bengal (RB) in solution versus RB-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles to determine the most effective approach for inducing cyto-toxicity at low laser powers (90 mW, 50 mW, 25 mW and 10 mW) and RB concentrations (50 μg/mL,25 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL and 5 μg/mL). Intracellular singlet oxygen production and cell uptake were also determined for both treatment modalities. Dark toxicity was also assessed for normal breast cells. Despite the low laser power and concentration of nanoparticles (10 mW and 5 μg/mL), MDA-MB-231 cells experienced a substantial reduction in viability (8 ± 1%) compared to those treated with RB solution (38 ± 10%). RB nanoparticles demonstrated higher singlet oxygen production and greater uptake by cancer cells than RB solutions. Moreover, RB nanoparticles display strong cytocompatibility with normal breast cells (MCF-10A). The low activation threshold may be a crucial advantage for specifically targeting malignant cells in deep tissues