University of the Sunshine Coast
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Associations between Facial Emotion Recognition and Mental Health in Early Adolescence
No full textResearch shows that adolescents with mental illnesses have a bias for processing negative facial emotions, and this may play a role in impaired social functioning that often co-exists with a mental health diagnosis. This study examined associations between psychological and somatic problems and facial emotion recognition in early adolescence; as any processing biases in this age-group may be an early indicator of later mental illnesses. A community sample of 40 12-year-olds self-rated their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization via two mental health screeners. They also completed a computerized emotion recognition task in which they identified photographs of 40 faces showing expressions of anger, fear, sadness, happiness, or neutral expression. Results showed that increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization were significantly associated with fewer correct responses to angry expressions. These symptoms were also associated with faster and more accurate recognition of fearful expressions. However, there was no association between mental health and recognition of sad affect. Finally, increased psychological and/or somatic symptomology was also associated with better identification of neutral expressions. In conclusion, youth with increased psychological and/or somatic problems exhibited a processing bias for negative anger and fear expressions, but not sadness. They showed better processing of neutral faces than youth with fewer psychological and/or somatic problems. Findings are discussed in relation to indicators of mental illnesses in early adolescence and the potential underpinning neural mechanisms associated with mental health and emotional facial recognition
Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef
No full textExcess sediment and nutrient yields from degraded rangelands have detrimental off-site ecological and on-site economic impacts, yet the effect of reduced grazing pressure on water quality is not fully understood. This study compares 15-year records of runoff, sediment and nutrient yields amongst three ephemeral headwater catchments (10.5-13.5 km2) with similar wet/dry tropical climate and landform characteristics, but contrasting cattle grazing pressure. The catchments are located within the Burdekin River basin which is the largest source of sediment and particulate nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Estimated mean annual suspended sediment (TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads are: 0.6 t ha-1, 1.3 and 0.3 kg ha year-1, respectively, in a catchment from which cattle were excluded over the study period (‘Main Creek’); 1.5 t ha-1, 1.4 and 0.4 kg ha year-1, respectively, in a catchment where grazing pressure was reduced from approximately 25 to 13 cattle per km2 at the commencement of monitoring (‘Weany Creek’); and 1.4 t ha-1, 3.0 and 0.5 kg ha year-1, respectively, in a catchment which maintained higher levels of grazing pressure (‘Wheel Creek’, approximately 25 head per km2). Higher annual sediment loads in the grazed catchments compared to the ungrazed catchment are likely due to degradation of soil water storage capacity, soil surface protection and gully erosion rates, but could also be influenced by differences in catchment geomorphic attributes (e.g., hydrological and sediment connectivity). Events with runoff greater than 20 mm (16-25% of all events) generated 79-85% of the total runoff volume and 71-78% of the total TSS, TN, and TP loads. At the event timescale, there are not clear differences in runoff, sediment and nutrient loads among the catchments, attributed to variability in catchment conditions (e.g., antecedent soil moisture, rainfall intensity, vegetation) that occur within- and between events. It is concluded that recovery of degraded savanna rangelands following reduction in livestock grazing pressure takes decades and is strongly influenced by climate. Measuring water quality responses to land management change in variable climates requires nested spatial monitoring over long time scales that also includes factors that can influence the change (e.g., climate, soil properties, vegetation and land use)
Application of transcriptomics in non-model crustacean species: Understanding of crustacean neurohormonal pathway
No full textThe objective of this Thesis research was to advance our understanding of the decapod crustaceans neurohormonal pathways using RNA-sequencing technology and bioinformatics, with a focus on neuropeptides and their receptors. Neuropeptides serve as important components of the neuroendocrine signalling system across Bilateria, regulating many complex developmental processes such as reproduction, sexual maturation, feeding, foraging and growth. Neuropeptides act as ligands, mainly operating through activating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) found on the plasma membrane of target cells. Several studies conducted within the framework of this Thesis delineated the gene expression pattern of neuropeptides and their receptors in transcriptomes of three different decapod crustacean species, and with a focus on their involvement in sexual maturation. These species include the Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and the Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), representing three distinct clades of the decapod order, from two separate infraorders. While the number of known extant decapod crustacean species is finite (~15,000 species), they present a bewildering diversity in life cycles, habitats and morphologies. The three studied species each hold commercial and ecological significance, lending them to explore transcriptomic resources with the aim to cross compare between them and see how the neuroendocrine networks relate to different species-specific adaptation, while identifying the common denominators among all three.
Due to the heavy utilization of next generation sequencing technology in this research (i.e. Illumina RNA-seq), the first published chapter of this Thesis outlines what I deem as optimal guidelines for RNA-seq based research in non-model decapod crustaceans. Following that, the second published chapter did characterize the neuropeptide genes expressed in the eyestalk ganglia of C. quadricarinatus and predicted which neuropeptides are involved in sexual maturation. N. norvegicus is commercially the most important crustacean species in Europe, yet very little molecular tools have been established. This gap was addressed by assembling and characterizing a comprehensive reference transcriptome based on 5 tissues of both male and female individuals. Three published chapters were forthcoming from this database through a comparison between (i) males and females, (ii) immature and mature females, and (iii) the identification of a repertoire of neuropeptides and GPCRs supported by spatial-temporal expression. Taken together, these three publications encompass a comprehensive molecular toolkit to better understand neuroendocrine pathways in N. norvegicus and through comparison with other species, also across decapods. Finally, in the P. monodon, an analysis of the transcriptomic changes between pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic females across 4 tissues was performed, with insights into the neuropeptidome and GPCR repertoire. The use of a hybrid clustering with phylogenetic approach was helpful in addressing several deficiencies in using just a phylogenetic method alone.
In conclusion, the findings presented in this Thesis have broadened the knowledgebase of neuropeptides and their GPCRs in decapods, expanding the molecular toolbox for functional studies that may assist in crustacean restocking and maturation/reproduction regulation.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2020
Requirement Analysis for the Design of Smart Logistics in SMEs
No full textThis open access book explores the concept of Industry 4.0, which presents a considerable challenge for the production and service sectors. While digitization initiatives are usually integrated into the central corporate strategy of larger companies, smaller firms often have problems putting Industry 4.0 paradigms into practice. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess neither the human nor financial resources to systematically investigate the potential and risks of introducing Industry 4.0. Addressing this obstacle, the international team of authors focuses on the development of smart manufacturing concepts, logistics solutions and managerial models specifically for SMEs. Aiming to provide methodological frameworks and pilot solutions for SMEs during their digital transformation, this innovative and timely book will be of great use to scholars researching technology management, digitization and small business, as well as practitioners within manufacturing companies. [Book Synopsis
APCAT: Australasian Paramedic Competency Assessment Tool
No full textThe Australasian Paramedic Competency Assessment Tool (APCAT) has been designed to be used by assessors to assess the competence of undergraduate paramedic students while on clinical placement. Assessor is defined as any person who has the responsibility of completing the APCAT. The APCAT resource manual is the source document that provides information on how to use the assessment tool. The manual provides assessors from ambulance services and allied health care with information on how to use the APCAT, actions to take during the assessment process, including provision of feedback. It is up to the discretion of the academic in charge of the university course as to whether the resource manual is sent out with the APCAT.Please cite this record using the following DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25907/5e5462e46de4c</a
The Nominal Group Technique: Generating Consensus in Nursing Research
No full textThe purpose of this article is to describe the Nominal Group Technique and its application as a consensus-generating approach in nursing research. The approach incorporates face-to-face meetings to explore opinions, generate ideas, and determine priorities. The nominal group technique process, which is based on a study designed to develop a nursing student clinical placement (clinical practicum) evaluation tool, is described. Advantages of the approach include creative face-to-face discussions with minimal resource demands. The nominal group technique is beneficial and can be used to achieve consensus in nursing research, but a lack of anonymity may preclude the process in some investigations
Effects of whole body vibration training on the physical function of the frail elderly: an open, randomised control trial
No full textObjective:
To investigate the feasibility and benefits of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exercise as a safe and effective training-tool for countering sarcopenia and age-related declines in mobility and function in the frail elderly.
Design:
An open, randomised control trial.
Setting:
Residential care-facilities
Participants:
117 male and female volunteers (82.5 ± 7.9 years)
Interventions:
After pre-screening for contra-indications, participants were randomly allocated to a Control (CON), Simulated-WBV (SIM) or WBV-exercise (WBV) group. All participants received regular care, whilst WBV- and SIM- participants also underwent thrice-weekly exercise sessions for 16 weeks. Delivered by overload principle, WBV-training began with 5 x 1-min bouts at 6 Hz/2 mm (1:1min exercise:rest), progressing to 10 x 1-min at up-to 26 Hz/4 mm, maintaining knee-flexion. Training for SIM participants mimicked WBV-exercise stance and duration only
Main outcome measures:
Timed-Up-and-Go, Parallel Walk and 10-m Timed-Walk test performance were assessed, in addition to the Barthel Index Questionnaire, at baseline, 8- and 16-weeks of exercise, and 3-, 6- and 12-months post-exercise.
Results:
High levels of compliance were reported in SIM (89%) and WBV-training (93%), with ease-of-use and no adverse effects. In comparison to baseline-levels, WBV-training elicited clinically-important treatment-effects in all parameters compared to SIM and CON groups. Treatment-effects remained apparent up-to 12-months post-intervention for Parallel Walk and 6-months for 10-m Timed-Walk. Functional-test performance declined during- and post-intervention in non-WBV groups.
Conclusions:
Findings indicate that 16-weeks of low-level WBV-exercise provides easily-accessible, adequate stimulus for the frail elderly to attain improved levels of physical functionality
An exploration of physiotherapists' perceived benefits and barriers towards using psychosocial strategies in their practice
No full textBackground This study aimed to determine what physiotherapists perceive are the benefits of using psychosocial strategies in their own practice, and whether perceived barriers extend beyond practitioner and contextual barriers. Methods Content analysis of two open-ended questions was conducted. Australian physiotherapists (n = 206) provided written comments. Results Three key categories of benefits emerged: patient benefits, shared patient and physiotherapist benefits, and physiotherapist benefits. Patient benefits included improved rehabilitation experience, improved patient wellbeing and improvement of psychosocial responses. Specifically, increased patient enjoyment, improved self-management and improved understanding of the links between their physical and psychological health. Therapeutic alliance appeared as a shared patient and physiotherapist benefit, with specific reference to enhanced partnerships and improved patient-centred practice. Physiotherapist benefits comprised of improved needs assessment and occupational benefits such as reduced load. Three key categories of physiotherapist barriers, contextual barriers, and patient barriers emerged. Time, knowledge, confidence, lack of expertise, and limited formal training, were the main barriers, specifically a lack of practical training, and for more complex strategies. Physiotherapists acknowledged patient barriers such as patient resistance, lack of understanding, and complex mental health needs. Conclusions These findings contribute novel information with regard to the benefits and barriers of psychosocial approaches from a physiotherapist perspective. Physiotherapists may benefit from further support in their use of psychosocial approaches, to emphasize the benefits for their own practice. Furthermore, to potentially reduce patient barriers and improve outcomes, patient education concerning a biopsychosocial model of care could be valuable
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L., 1758) Gut Microbiota Profile Correlates with Flesh Pigmentation: Cause or Effect?
No full textIn Tasmania (Australia), during the marine phase, it has been observed that flesh pigmentation significantly drops in summer, possibly due to high water temperatures (> 20 °C). Although this deleterious effect of summer temperatures has been ascertained, there is a lack of knowledge of the actual mechanisms behind the impaired uptake and/or loss of pigments in Atlantic salmon in a challenging environment. Since the microbial community in the fish intestine significantly changes in relation to the variations of water temperature, this study was conducted to assess how the gut microbiota profile also correlates with the flesh color during temperature fluctuation. We sampled 68 fish at three time points covering the end of summer to winter at a marine farm in Tasmania, Australia. Flesh color was examined in two ways: the average color throughout and the evenness of the color between different areas of the fillet. Using 16S rRNA sequencing of the v3–v4 region, we determined that water temperature corresponded to changes in the gut microbiome both with alpha diversity (Kruskal-Wallis tests P = 0.05) and beta diversity indices (PERMANOVA P = 0.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between the microbiota and the color of the fillet (PERMANOVA P = 0.016). There was a high abundance of Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Microbacteriaceae, and Vibrionaceae in the pale individuals. Conversely, carotenoid-synthesizing bacteria families (Bacillaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Pseudomonas, Phyllobacteriaceae, and Comamonadaceae) were found in higher abundance in individuals with darker flesh color