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The effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on depression and anxiety: systematic review with meta-analysis
No full textExercise can reduce physiological and psychological symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. However, it is unknown which mode of exercise, if any, is more beneficial. To determine whether aerobic, resistance, or aerobic and resistance exercise improves depressive and/or anxiety symptoms in individuals diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Five electronic databases were searched, until February 24, 2024. Studies were included for analysis based on satisfying quality appraisal standards and the established inclusion criteria associated with aerobic or resistance exercise in adults with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Random effects meta-analysis was performed where possible. Thirty-two randomised controlled trial studies (n = 3243 participants) met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, and 26 studies (n = 2681 participants) were included in the meta-analyses. For the 25 studies assessing the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms, the pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) favoured exercise as a beneficial treatment of depression
MTCEA : guiding multi-modal entity alignment via entity-type information
No full textMulti-modal entity alignment aims to identify equivalent entities across diverse knowledge graphs by leveraging multiple modalities of entity information. This process is crucial for the fusion of multi-modal knowledge graphs. While current research primarily investigates how to utilize side information from entity visuals, relations, and attributes, it often overlooks the significant role of entity-type information. Furthermore, multi-modal data embedding encounters noise that negatively impacts the performance of the entity alignment task. To address these gaps, this paper introduces MTCEA, a multi-modal entity alignment method guided by entity-type information. The proposed method captures the constraints associated with entities based on the entity-type information obtained from knowledge graph ontology; then, it utilizes two embedding strategies for type constraints to enhance the model's performance in knowledge representation. This allows effective modal fusion that integrates more fine-grained semantic constraints related to types, which improves the alignment accuracy across various cross-lingual knowledge graphs. MTCEA is validated on three subsets of DBP15K. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves good results overall on the Hits@1, Hits@10, and MRR metrics. In an experimental setting without using entity name, MTCEA outperforms state-of-the-art baselines. © 2025 World Scientific Publishing Company
MTCEA : guiding multi-modal entity alignment via entity-type information
No full textMulti-modal entity alignment aims to identify equivalent entities across diverse knowledge graphs by leveraging multiple modalities of entity information. This process is crucial for the fusion of multi-modal knowledge graphs. While current research primarily investigates how to utilize side information from entity visuals, relations, and attributes, it often overlooks the significant role of entity-type information. Furthermore, multi-modal data embedding encounters noise that negatively impacts the performance of the entity alignment task. To address these gaps, this paper introduces MTCEA, a multi-modal entity alignment method guided by entity-type information. The proposed method captures the constraints associated with entities based on the entity-type information obtained from knowledge graph ontology; then, it utilizes two embedding strategies for type constraints to enhance the model's performance in knowledge representation. This allows effective modal fusion that integrates more fine-grained semantic constraints related to types, which improves the alignment accuracy across various cross-lingual knowledge graphs. MTCEA is validated on three subsets of DBP15K. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves good results overall on the Hits@1, Hits@10, and MRR metrics. In an experimental setting without using entity name, MTCEA outperforms state-of-the-art baselines. © 2025 World Scientific Publishing Company
Improving the p-wave velocity determination by considering the effects of joint properties in artificial rock samples
No full textThis paper presents an experimental-statistical study investigating the influence of five joint properties: density, filling type, angle, aperture, and roughness on the longitudinal wave velocity (LWV) of concrete samples. To achieve this, each of the five properties is categorized into distinct groups with specific intervals. Concrete samples measuring 15×15×15 cm are prepared in the laboratory based on an optimal combination of 75% sand, 15% cement, and 10% water. The LWV values of these samples are then measured. The experimental results indicate that joint density, roughness, and aperture have an inverse relation with LWV, resulting in reductions of 82%, 22.5% and 49%, respectively. Additionally, an approximate sinusoidal relationship between LWV and joint angle is established, leading to a variation of approximately 10% in LWV values for different joint angles. To evaluate the effect of joint filling on LWV, various filling materials, including iron oxide, calcite, silica, clay, and gypsum are used, resulting in approximately a 34% variation in LWV values. It was found that gypsum filling yields the highest LWV value while iron oxide filling produces the lowest. Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirms that a polynomial quadratic equation best represents the relation between LWV and each of the joint characteristics, with determination coefficient (R2) values ranging from 0.694 to 0.99. Finally, a verification study using "validation samples" demonstrates the acceptable accuracy for the proposed equations, with minimum relative errors ranging from 3% to 13%, a low root mean square error of 189.08 m/s, and a high R2 value of 0.926. This research enhances understanding of wave propagation through jointed rock masses with varying joint characteristics and provides theoretical support for rock reorganization and dynamic stability analysis of rock masses. © 2025, Shahrood University of Technology. All rights reserved
Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
No full textBackground: Despite the well documented consequences of obesity during childhood and adolescence and future risks of excess body mass on non-communicable diseases in adulthood, coordinated global action on excess body mass in early life is still insufficient. Inconsistent measurement and reporting are a barrier to specific targets, resource allocation, and interventions. In this Article we report current estimates of overweight and obesity across childhood and adolescence, progress over time, and forecasts to inform specific actions. Methods: Using established methodology from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021, we modelled overweight and obesity across childhood and adolescence from 1990 to 2021, and then forecasted to 2050. Primary data for our models included 1321 unique measured and self-reported anthropometric data sources from 180 countries and territories from survey microdata, reports, and published literature. These data were used to estimate age-standardised global, regional, and national overweight prevalence and obesity prevalence (separately) for children and young adolescents (aged 5–14 years, typically in school and cared for by child health services) and older adolescents (aged 15–24 years, increasingly out of school and cared for by adult services) by sex for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. Prevalence estimates from 1990 to 2021 were generated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression models, which leveraged temporal and spatial correlation in epidemiological trends to ensure comparability of results across time and geography. Prevalence forecasts from 2022 to 2050 were generated using a generalised ensemble modelling approach assuming continuation of current trends. For every age-sex-location population across time (1990–2050), we estimated obesity (vs overweight) predominance using the log ratio of obesity percentage to overweight percentage. Findings: Between 1990 and 2021, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents doubled, and that of obesity alone tripled. By 2021, 93·1 million (95% uncertainty interval 89·6–96·6) individuals aged 5–14 years and 80·6 million (78·2–83·3) aged 15–24 years had obesity. At the super-region level in 2021, the prevalence of overweight and of obesity was highest in north Africa and the Middle East (eg, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait), and the greatest increase from 1990 to 2021 was seen in southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (eg, Taiwan [province of China], Maldives, and China). By 2021, for females in both age groups, many countries in Australasia (eg, Australia) and in high-income North America (eg, Canada) had already transitioned to obesity predominance, as had males and females in a number of countries in north Africa and the Middle East (eg, United Arab Emirates and Qatar) and Oceania (eg, Cook Islands and American Samoa). From 2022 to 2050, global increases in overweight (not obesity) prevalence are forecasted to stabilise, yet the increase in the absolute proportion of the global population with obesity is forecasted to be greater than between 1990 and 2021, with substantial increases forecast between 2022 and 2030, which continue between 2031 and 2050. By 2050, super-region obesity prevalence is forecasted to remain highest in north Africa and the Middle East (eg, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait), and forecasted increases in obesity are still expected to be largest across southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (eg, Timor-Leste and North Korea), but also in south Asia (eg, Nepal and Bangladesh). Compared with those aged 15–24 years, in most super-regions (except Latin America and the Caribbean and the high-income super-region) a greater proportion of those aged 5–14 years are forecasted to have obesity than overweight by 2050. Globally, 15·6% (12·7–17·2) of those aged 5–14 years are forecasted to have obesity by 2050 (186 million [141–221]), compared with 14·2% (11·4–15·7) of those aged 15–24 years (175 million [136–203]) We forecasted that by 2050, there will be more young males (aged 5–14 years) living with obesity (16·5% [13·3–18·3]) than overweight (12·9% [12·2–13·6]); while for females (aged 5–24 years) and older males (aged 15–24 years), overweight will remain more prevalent than obesity. At a regional level, the following populations are forecast to have transitioned to obesity (vs overweight) predominance before 2041–50: children and adolescents (males and females aged 5–24 years) in north Africa and the Middle East and Tropical Latin America; males aged 5–14 years in east Asia, central and southern sub-Saharan Africa, and central Latin America; females aged 5–14 years in Australasia; females aged 15–24 years in Australasia, high-income North America, and southern sub-Saharan Africa; and males aged 15–24 years in high-income North America. Interpretation: Both overweight and obesity increased substantially in every world region between 1990 and 2021, suggesting that current approaches to curbing increases in overweight and obesity have failed a generation of children and adolescents. Beyond 2021, overweight during childhood and adolescence is forecast to stabilise due to further increases in the population who have obesity. Increases in obesity are expected to continue for all populations in all world regions. Because substantial change is forecasted to occur between 2022 and 2030, immediate actions are needed to address this public health crisis. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Sheikh Alif and Muhammad Aziz Rahman" are provided in this record*
Dynamic simulation of heat distribution and losses in cement kilns for sustainable energy consumption in cement production
Get PDFSustainable energy consumption in cement production involves practises and strategies aimed at reducing energy use and minimising environmental impact. The efficiency of a cement kiln is dependent on the kiln design, fuel type, and operating temperature. In this study, a dynamic simulation analysis is used to investigate heat losses and distribution within kilns with the aim of improving energy efficiency in cement production. This study used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Conjugate Heat Transfer, Turbulent Flow, and the Realisable
High speed motion planning with practical constraints for robot manipulators
Get PDFRobot motion planning is crucial for enabling robot manipulators to perform tasks efficiently and safely within complex environments. The incorporation of task-specific constraints further augments the capabilities of these robots, allowing them to navigate intricate spaces while fulfilling specialized objectives. This thesis pursues three primary research objectives. The first two objectives delve into robot motion planning with an emphasis on task-specific constraints. The first objective aims to achieve high-speed and safe transportation of a grasped object by constraining the end-effector’s spatial acceleration during the motion and integrating this constraint into a motion planning scheme for evaluation. The second objective focuses on preventing spillage when transporting a liquid-filled, open container by constraining the gripper’s pose during movement while maintaining a fast completion time. The third objective proposes a novel approach to collision avoidance in motion planning, utilizing a robust and intuitive mathematical framework. The motion planning framework employed in this thesis leverages the feasibility horizon of a given motion optimization problem to devise a high-speed resulting trajectory. For the first research objective, the recursive Newton-Euler algorithm is applied to formulate the constraints on end-effector spatial acceleration. The Jacobian matrix is used to formulate the task-specific constraint for the second objective concerning the gripper’s pose. For the third objective, the thesis explores the potential of geometric algebra as an alternative framework for robotics, developing a collision avoidance scheme that benefits from the geometrical robustness of geometric algebra. A comprehensive comparison with traditional matrix algebra approaches is also conducted to demonstrate the advantages of geometric algebra. Applying the proposed methods to robot motion planning scenarios demonstrated several improvements. The research produces motion paths exhibiting beneficial characteristics tailored to their respective tasks, such as safely constrained spatial acceleration of the end-effector, stability of the end-effector’s pose, and collision-free trajectories. Additionally, the use of the time-efficient motion planning framework contributes to the overall time efficiency of the resulting motions. This thesis makes significant contributions to the field of robot motion planning. Firstly, it highlights the critical role of task-specific constraints in shaping the trajectory planning process. Secondly, by proposing the adoption of geometric algebra, the research offers a novel approach to addressing the collision avoidance challenge in motion planning. The findings have important implications for the design and implementation of robotic systems, paving the way for more efficient and robust motion planning algorithms. Through this research, I aim to inspire further investigation into the integration of task-specific constraints and the adoption of geometric algebra in robot motion planning, informing future research directions and leading to advancements in robot manipulation and navigation capabilities.Master of Engineering Scienc
Characterisation of a novel sustainable wood-geopolymer masonry units
Get PDFMasonry units have been fundamental to building construction for over 6000 years, making them one of the oldest and most widely used materials in the industry. However, their production using ordinary Portland cement has significant environmental impacts, including high carbon dioxide emissions and depletion of natural resources. This highlights the need for more sustainable alternatives. One promising option is the use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste in masonry unit manufacturing. This paper investigates the use of chipped waste timber as aggregates, bound together with geopolymer cement made from industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag. The result is a new type of masonry units, referred to as wood geopolymer masonry units (WGMUs), which were evaluated against established standards and compared with conventional masonry units (CMUs). The innovative WGMUs demonstrated improved ductility and reduced density compared to CMUs, making them easier to handle and lighter in construction. They also have a distinctive, rustic texture and consistent dimensions that meet Australian standards. Although WGMUs exhibited higher water absorption and drying contraction due to their wood content, these characteristics generally remain within acceptable limits, supporting their potential as eco-friendly construction materials. •Study the performance and characteristics of wood-geopolymer masonry units.•The presence of wood affects all the thermo-physical properties and durability.•Wood-geopolymer masonry units demonstrate remarkable ductility, characterised by a gradual failure pattern.•The size of the masonry units has a significant effect on the compressive strength.•The thermal conductivity of the wood-geopolymer masonry units ranged from 0.17 to 0.321 W/m.K at 23.8 °C
A case study to evaluate the effectiveness of chronic disease management plan on self-management among patients with diabetes mellitus at general practice settings
Get PDFThe chronic disease management (CDM) plan is designed to support people with chronic medical conditions. This plan provides a targeted, comprehensive approach, allowing individuals to receive the necessary care and support to manage their condition. With this plan, patients can access various health services, including visits to their general practitioner and allied health services. These provide the necessary support and care to manage their condition effectively. However, patients with chronic conditions are often poorly served by the current Australian healthcare system, which fails to coordinate care across different service providers. Aim The primary aim of this study was to examine whether the use of CDM plans can improve self-management among patients with diabetes. Method A mixed method collective case study was undertaken. It focused on identifying patients’ predisposing and biometric factors, exploring patients’ and health professionals’ perceptions of the CDM plan and examining the CDM plan’s clinical documentation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken among patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals in a general practice setting in Victoria, Australia. Results Three main issues emerged from the study: the rigidity of the funding model, system and organisational constraints and the lack of person-centred care. Conclusion To enhance self-management support through CDM plans, it is crucial to understand interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. Organisational structures can apply a powerful contextual influence on how patients and healthcare professionals interact, but individualised CDM plans with tailored allied health services, regular follow-up and review are essential for the sustainability of health outcomes. Primary care settings and services in Australia need to be reformed to meet the needs of high-cost health users with complex chronic conditions. Moving beyond fee-for-service funding can stimulate innovation in service delivery and configuring person-centred care. Payment and funding reform is needed, particularly for people with ongoing complex needs and comorbidities. The study has highlighted the lack of a clear coordination framework guiding CDM plans, lead to inconsistency and poorer patient outcomes. Keywords: Self-management, diabetes mellitus, diabetes self-management, chronic disease management plan, person-centred care plan, integrated care plan, multidisciplinary care plan approach, Andersen Behavioural Model of Health Service UseDoctor of Philosoph
Factors influencing kidney transplantation experiences for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds : a qualitative study
Get PDFBackground: Disparities in aspects of chronic kidney disease progression and management exist for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, including with treatment and outcomes for kidney transplantation. Objective: This study aimed to explore factors that impact kidney transplant outcomes from the perspective of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) from CALD backgrounds and their family caregivers. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was utilised. Participants were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with KTRs who were born overseas in countries where English is not the primary language. Interviews were also conducted with family caregivers. Analysis was guided by the Framework Method, and emergent subcategories were mapped into the categories identified in Andersen's Health Service Utilisation Model. Results: Data from 21 KTRs and five caregivers were grouped under the categories of Population Characteristics, Environment, Health Behaviour and Outcomes. KTRs believed that neither culture nor religious beliefs impacted how they managed their transplant or healthcare utilisation. KTRs expressed satisfaction with their care, felt no inequity with how they were treated by health professionals and expressed gratitude for the Australian healthcare system. Language did not necessarily impact transplant outcomes, but there was a reliance on interpreters for non-English-speaking patients as most written information was in English. Caregivers were instrumental in providing support but discussed the challenges involved. Conclusion: This study explored factors influencing kidney transplantation for KTRs from a CALD background. The study provided insight into how to deliver quality healthcare to these patients, highlighting the importance of health services providing information that is written in the patient's own language and respectively asking KTRs about their health beliefs or customs. Caregivers were instrumental in supporting KTRs, but there is a need to better prepare them for this role. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient and public involvement was integrated into the design and delivery of the study. KTRs from CALD backgrounds assisted with framing the research questions and offering advice on the recruitment and data collection process. © 2024 The Author(s). Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd