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[In Press] The strength and power profile of junior and senior female rugby league athletes
No full textThe purpose of this study was to compare the lower-body strength and power profiles of the various female rugby league (RL) competition levels, thereby establishing normative data for these athletes. Seventy-nine female RL athletes from 3 different competition levels: junior-state (n = 45, age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years), senior-state (n = 15, age: 24.3 ± 3.7 years), and senior-national (n = 19, age: 25.4 ± 4.0 years) participated in this study. All testing was completed in a single session at the beginning of preseason, with the following assessments performed: countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and bilateral and unilateral isometric hip adduction and abduction strength. One-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc analyses, revealed that junior-state athletes exhibited significantly lower IMTP peak force (PF) and relative PF (rPF), and CMJ height compared with the senior-state and senior-national athletes. Importantly, senior-national athletes demonstrated significantly greater body mass (80.9 ± 14.6 kg) than senior-state athletes (70.9 ± 8.1 kg), but no significant differences were identified between these athletes for any IMTP or CMJ measure. Finally, the senior-national athletes possessed significantly lower unilateral hip adduction rPF (0.13 ± 0.04 N·BW-1) and adduction to abduction strength ratio (0.92 ± 0.14) than senior-state athletes (0.17 ± 0.03 N·BW-1and 1.04 ± 0.13, respectively), which may have implications for noncontact lower-body injury risk. This study highlights the importance of practitioners prescribing training to increase the lower-body strength and power of junior-state RL athletes. Whereas, for senior-state athletes progressing to senior-national levels, the focus should on maintaining or improving relative strength and power, while increasing their body mass to enhance preparedness for the greater contact demands at that level
Effect of polypropylene fibers on the bond-slip performance of HSS bars in HPC and UHPC
No full textTo control the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) members, enough bonding between rebars and concrete should be provided. Different parameters affect the bond interaction between rebars and concrete. This investigation tends to assess the bonding resistance behaviour of high-strength steel (HSS) bars in concrete considering the effect of two types of concrete: high-performance concrete (HPC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). In addition to the type of concrete, the effect of fibers incorporation is measured. For this aim, a total of thirty-six specimens were cast and evaluated. Two diameters (12 mm and 16 mm) and three embedded lengths (1, 2, and 3 times the diameter of rebars) were also used, and the impact of the rebar’s diameter and embedded length on the load-bearing capacity, stress and slip of rebars were examined. To boost the bonding characteristics of reinforcements, three various polypropylene fibres (PF) contents were added: 0%, 0.5% and 1%. A pull-out test was carried out on samples. In addition, the obtained results and previous models proposed by literature have been employed to generate new models to predict the bond-slip characteristics of HSS bars in HPC and UHPC when different PF contents are incorporated. The results showed that the maximum peak of slip between the HSS bars and concrete deteriorated with the utilisation of PF, and this peak declined more for UHPC. Additionally, the load capability of specimens was significantly enhanced when PF were added. Finally, the model suggested in this paper may be used to forecast the ultimate stress and bond-slip characteristics of HSS bars in conventional and PF-reinforced HPC and UHPC, with a good level of correctness with the experimental results
Urban Transformation Summer School: Mount Druitt
No full textThe Urban Transformation Summer School: Mount Druitt was delivered by WSU, supported by Holdmark in partnership with Powerhouse. The exhibition titled “Urban Transformation Summer School: Mount
Druitt” was held from Wednesday 20th March until 7th April, 2024 at Paramatta Engineering Innovation Hub
Relative bioavailability of lutein and zeaxanthin in the presence of Omega-3- supplements and oxidative stress levels in humans
No full textLutein and zeaxanthin (LZ) are the major constituents of macular pigment (MP), helping to protect the human retina from blue light and oxidative damage(1). Many studies have suggested that higher concentrations of retina LZ may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and improve retinal health(1–3). MP and serum L have shown positive linear response with L dose(4) but the combined effect (LZ + omega-3 suppl) has not been fully explored in healthy Australian adults. Understanding their bioavailability in relation to the effect of omega-3 fatty acid intakes along with LZ supplements could provide a useful indication of the potential to reduce the risk of AMD, preserve vision, and improve retinal health. LZ uptake and the associated oxidative stress levels were evaluated in two groups fed with commercially sourced supplements. The control group was given only LZ, while the intervention group was given LZ combined with omega-3 supplements containing Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 10 men and 6 women with an average age of 31.4 ± 1.3yrs participated in this randomised, non-blinded controlled study for a total of 19-d. The control group (9) consumed the LZ supplement (12mg/d) only, while the intervention group (7) consumed the LZ supplement along with 900mg/d of an omega-3 supplement (540mg EPA + DHA 360mg). Each group adhered to a comprehensive low-carotenoid and omega-3 diet list for the 12-d intervention period and the 7-d washout period. Participants reported daily foods consumed in their diet logbooks, and Automated Self-Administered 24 diet assessment log over the study period. The body composition of each subject from the two groups was assessed before and after the study using a SECA body composition analyser and blood samples (2-time point) collected over a 12-d test period. Mean ± SEM for serum LZ ranged from 2.23 ± 0.24 – 2.98 ± 0.24µg/ml for the control group and 1.10 ± 0.21–3.02 ± 0.73µg/ml for the intervention group. Percentage change in serum LZ concentration from (T0-T312h) and (T312h-T456h) were 26% and 34% (control) and 139% and 175% for (intervention), respectively. The Area Under the Curve (AUC0-456h) differed significantly (P0.05) effect of omega-3-supplement addition on oxidative stress levels was observed. Omega-3- addition to intakes of supplement LZ was responsible for the increased absorption (intervention) observed but did not affect oxidative stress levels and the Red Blood Cell omega-3-status
The prognostic and predictive utility of CDX2 in colorectal cancer
No full textCaudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) is a gastrointestinal cancer biomarker that regulates epithelial development and differentiation. Absence or low levels of CDX2 have been associated with poor prognosis and proposed as a chemotherapy response predictor. Tumour tissue samples from 668 patients with stage I–IV colorectal cancer were stained for CDX2 and stratified into two subgroups according to expression levels. Statistical tests were used to evaluate CDX2’s relationship with survival and chemotherapy response. Of 646 samples successfully stained, 51 (7.9%) had low CDX2 levels, and 595 (92.1%) had high levels. Low CDX2 staining was associated with poor differentiation and the presence of lymphovascular or perineural invasion and was more common in colon and right-sided tumours. Overall survival (p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (p = 0.009) were reduced in patients with low CDX2 expression. Multivariable analysis validated CDX2 as an independent poor prognostic factor after excluding confounding variables. There was no statistically significant improvement in survival with adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer (p = 0.11). In the rectal cohort, there was no relationship between CDX2 levels and therapy response. While confirming the prognostic utility of CDX2 in colorectal cancer, our study highlights that larger studies are required to confirm its utility as a predictive chemotherapy biomarker, especially in left-sided and rectal cancers
Lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue and sleep disturbances
No full textFatigue, insomnia and sleep disturbances are common after cancer diagnosis, and have a negative impact on quality of life and function. This narrative review synthesised evidence on lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue, insomnia and sleep disturbances in cancer survivors. There is strong evidence in support of aerobic and strength exercise for the relief of cancer-related fatigue. Yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, Tai Chi and qigong can also be recommended for cancer-related fatigue. The evidence on yoga, acupuncture and massage therapy for sleep disturbances in cancer is mixed, while exercise appears to have a modest favourable effect. There is insufficient evidence on nutrient supplements or dietary interventions for cancer-related fatigue or insomnia and other sleep disturbances after cancer. Beyond alleviating cancer-related fatigue and insomnia-related symptoms, integrative oncology and lifestyle interventions have potential to effect multiple other benefits, such as improvement in symptoms such as pain and menopausal symptoms. There is a need for well-designed randomised controlled trials of interventions, particularly in the areas of diet and nutrient supplements, and for implementation studies of interventions already supported by evidence
Amicus Curiae Observations by Law for Palestine Pursuant to Rule 103
No full textLaw for Palestine hereby presents its observations in response to the Pre-Trial Chamber’s (PTC) ‘Order deciding on the United Kingdom’s request to provide observations pursuant to Rule 103(1) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and setting deadlines for any other requests for leave to file amicus curiae observations’ of 27 June 2024, ICC-01/18-173
[In Press] The political in the anthropocene : reflections on a Ministerial veto, 2021
No full textThis article was prompted by a Ministerial veto (2021) of the Australian Research Council’s decision to fund a research project by the authors to explore the student-led climate movement in Australia. It was also prompted by criticism of the veto which accused the Minister of bringing “politics” into what was represented as a scholarly matter. It addresses two questions: How should we understand this idea of “politics” in the context of Australian climate politics since the 1990s? Secondly it considers dominant ways of thinking about “the political” devised by ancient Greek writers and politicians which still inform the European liberal tradition. We question how fit for purpose this approach is in the Anthropocene? Our key argument is that the western tradition of thinking about “the political” is deeply anthropocentric. Historical traditions have encouraged inegalitarian and anti-democratic accounts of who can be political by excluding different kinds of people from political life. The Anthropocene requires a new, critically reflexive account of “the political” that is inclusive of people currently marginalized and excluded as well as nonhumans and nonliving components of ecosystems on which we all depend. This extends the idea of democracy beyond the human and points to a politics of climate justice
CEP hormones at the nexus of nutrient acquisition and allocation, root development, and plant-microbe interactions
No full textA growing understanding is emerging of the roles of peptide hormones in local and long-distance signalling that coordinates plant growth and development as well as responses to the environment. C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) signalling triggered by its interaction with CEP RECEPTOR 1 (CEPR1) is known to play roles in systemic nitrogen (N) demand signalling, legume nodulation, and root system architecture. Recent research provides further insight into how CEP signalling operates, which involves diverse downstream targets and interactions with other hormone pathways. Additionally, there is emerging evidence of CEP signalling playing roles in N allocation, root responses to carbon levels, the uptake of other soil nutrients such as phosphorus and sulfur, root responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant immunity, and reproductive development. These findings suggest that CEP signalling more broadly coordinates growth across the whole plant in response to diverse environmental cues. Moreover, CEP signalling and function appear to be conserved in angiosperms. We review recent advances in CEP biology with a focus on soil nutrient uptake, root system architecture and organogenesis, and roles in plant-microbe interactions. Furthermore, we address knowledge gaps and future directions in this research field
[In Press] Environmental, social, and governance performance and enterprise sustainable green innovation : evidence from China
No full textSustainable development is a common development model pursued by countries around the world. The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concept has garnered significant interest across industries globally. This study extends on existing research (Fang & Hu, 2023), from the perspective of innovation sustainability, and investigates the impact of ESG performance on enterprise sustainable green innovation (SGI). For the data of 1140 Chinese A-share listed enterprises from 2009 to 2019, the estimated result shows that the coefficient of ESG performance is 0.6640 (p < 0.05). This means that ESG advantages significantly promote enterprise SGI. And the environmental dimension performance has a bigger promoting effect. The impact of ESG on SGI is significantly positive for growth and maturity stages, state-owned, and non-heavy pollution industry enterprises. Green investor and environmental subsidy are important ways for ESG performance to affect SGI. In addition, the executive environmental protection experience moderates the relationship between ESG performance and SGI in a significant and beneficial way. This study proposes that government agencies should implement differentiated ESG regulation measures and enterprises can increase their reliance on stakeholders and social resources to acquire additional resources. Theoretical and practical implications of this contribute to the enhancement of enterprise SGI