University of the Sunshine Coast
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Multiple interaction nodes define the post‐replication repair response to UV‐induced DNA damage that is defective in melanomas and correlated with UV signature mutation load
No full textUltraviolet radiation‐induced DNA mutations are a primary environmental driver of melanoma. The reason for this very high level of unrepaired DNA lesions leading to these mutations is still poorly understood. The primary DNA repair mechanism for UV‐induced lesions, the nucleotide excision repair pathway, appears intact in most melanomas. We have previously reported a post‐replication repair mechanism that is commonly defective in melanoma cell lines. Here we have used a genome wide approach to identify the components of this post‐replication repair mechanism. We have used differential transcript polysome loading to identify transcripts that are associated with the UV response, then functionally assessed these to identify novel components of this repair and cell cycle checkpoint network. We have identified multiple interaction nodes, including global genomic nucleotide excision repair and homologous recombination repair, and previously unexpected MASTL pathway as components of the response. Finally, we have used bioinformatics to assess the contribution of dysregulated expression of these pathways to the UV signature mutation load of a large melanoma cohort. We show that dysregulation of the pathway, especially the DNA damage repair components, are significant contributors to UV mutation load, and that dysregulation of the MASTL pathway appears to be a significant contributor to high UV signature mutation load
The effects of redundancy in user-interface design on older users
No full textThis paper presents an experiment designed to investigate if redundancy in an interface has any advantage over either words-based or symbols-based interfaces for older people during early or intermittent encounters with a device. Although older people used all three interfaces more slowly and less intuitively than younger ones, interestingly there were no age differences in terms of errors made on the words-based interface. In terms of differences between interfaces, older people (65+) completed tasks on the words-based interface faster and more intuitively than on the redundant (words and symbols) interface. Younger participants completed tasks faster on the redundant interface. Overall, this research suggests that a simple words-based interface is most effective for older users and that recommendations to use redundant interfaces for greater usability for older people may need to be re-visited
Additively Manufactured Iron-Manganese for Biodegradable Porous Load-Bearing Bone Scaffold Applications
No full textSelective laser melting (SLM) can produce complex hierarchical architectures paving the way for highly customisable biodegradable load-bearing bone scaffolds. For the first time, an in-depth analysis on the performance of SLM-manufactured iron-manganese bone scaffolds suitable for load-bearing applications is presented. Microstructural, mechanical, corrosion and biological characterisations were performed on SLM-manufactured iron-manganese scaffolds. The microstructure of the scaffold consisted primarily of γ-austenite, leading to high ductility. The mechanical properties of the scaffold were sufficient for load-bearing applications even after 28 days immersion in simulated body fluids. Corrosion tests showed that the corrosion rate was much higher than bulk pure iron, attributed to a combination of the manufacturing method, the addition of Mn to the alloy and the design of the scaffold. In vitro cell testing showed that the scaffold had good biocompatibility and viability towards mammalian cells. Furthermore, the presence of filopodia showed good osteoblast adhesion. In vivo analysis showed successful bone integration with the scaffold, with new bone formation observed after 4 weeks of implantation. Overall the SLM manufactured porous Fe-35Mn implant showed promise for biodegradable load-bearing bone scaffold applications
A gym workout for your brain: how mindfulness can help improve mental health
No full textNo abstract available
Parametric human modelling to determine body surface area covered by sun-protective clothing
No full textSolar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the main environmental risk-factor for cancer of the skin. Sun-protective clothing provides a physical barrier that reduces the UVR dose reaching the skin and European and Australian standards for sun-protective clothing set minimum clothing coverage requirements. Body Surface Area Coverage by clothing (BSAC) is calculated by means of indirect or direct methods, which are laborious and do not support computer-based apparel design. To support the sun-safe specification and design of garments, parametric digital human models and protective clothing mesh covering the minimum Body Surface Area specified in AS/NZS 4399:2017, were created making use of MakeHuman v1.1.1 and Blender software. The Whole Body Surface Area (WBSA) and the BSAC were calculated employing code developed in Blender. Thus, different groups of subjects were analysed to explore BSAC. The method assists in the evaluation of exposed body areas in a wider spectrum of different occupations
‘Speaking up for safety’: A graded assertiveness intervention for first year nursing students in preparation for clinical placement: Thematic analysis
No full textBackground: The international literature highlights patient safety as a critical issue in contemporary health care. Poor interpersonal relationships and ineffective health care team communication are identified as dominant human factors contributing to clinical errors and adverse events. Of concern is that some students appear to lack the skills to speak up for themselves, their patients and others when witnessing unsafe practice on clinical placement. Study aims: To elicit student and staff perspectives on the quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of an assertiveness-based communication activity prior to clinical placement. Design: The study used a qualitative design. A communication module was offered in the second week of the practice laboratory and involved the use of two graded assertiveness frameworks. Setting: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, at a regional university in South East Queensland, Australia. Participants: Of the 535 first year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the laboratory courses, 73 (13.6%) completed an anonymous online survey. Individual interviews were conducted with a university student wellbeing coordinator and student mentor to gain their perspectives of the data. Methods: An evaluation survey with seven qualitative questions and individual semi-structured interviews were employed. Data was analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Five major themes emerged from the survey data: vicarious learning, establishing boundaries, support in practice, advocacy awareness and practice utility. Three themes emerged from the interviews: empowerment and confidence; support and preparation for advocacy; and authentic learning. Conclusions: Findings indicate that teaching assertiveness skills and establishing a preparatory framework for ‘speaking up for safety’ early in a nursing student's tertiary education can have important psychosocial implications for their confidence, empowerment and success. The activity provided an authentic learning experience with perceived practical application to the workplace and, has the potential to enhance first year curricula by improving communication tools used for students preparing for practice
Correlates of sport‐related concussion in male junior rugby union: A concurrent analysis of biopsychosocial factors
No full textObjective:
Sport‐related concussion (SRC) is a multi‐faceted issue that should be considered in context, with consideration for the biological, psychological, and sociocultural (i.e., biopsychosocial) factors which influence the incidence of injury in contact sports such as rugby union (rugby). Through the concurrent assessment of individual variables within a multi‐measure cross‐sectional research design, the current study aimed to contextualise the individual factors associated with SRC in male junior (ages 11–17 years) rugby.
Method:
Self‐ and parent‐report measures were used to assess athletes' psychological and behavioural functioning. Sociocultural influences were considered in terms of duration of participation, involvement of immediate family, and participation in other sports. Biological measures included athlete age, BMI, aerobic fitness, and in‐utero testosterone exposure (2D:4D).
Results:
Athlete age was positively correlated with concussion incidence, with adolescent (14–17‐year‐old) athletes 1.4 times more likely to report a history of SRC than pre‐adolescent (11–13‐year‐old) athletes. Multi‐sport participation and immediate family participation were found to positively predict SRC incidence. No psychological measures were identified as significant correlates to concussive injury, however, this may be due to the homogeneity of the sample scores.
Conclusions:
The concurrent assessment of biopsychosocial factors associated with SRC presents the opportunity for a comprehensive analysis of the injury context. The findings from this study suggest that SRC in junior rugby cannot be predicted using individual variables. Future research directions are discussed
The Transformation and Integration of Society; Developing Social Work Pedagogy through Jürgen Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action
No full textThe Routledge Handbook of Critical Pedagogies for Social Work traverses new territory by providing a cutting-edge overview of the work of classic and contemporary theorists, in a way that expands their application and utility in social work education and practice; thus, providing a bridge between critical theory, philosophy, and social work. Each chapter showcases the work of a specific critical educational, philosophical and/or social theorist including: Henry Giroux, Michel Foucault, Cornelius Castoriadis, Herbert Marcuse, Paulo Freire, bell hooks, Joan Tronto, Iris Marion Young, Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci and many others to elucidate the ways in which their key pedagogic concepts can be applied to specific aspects of social work education and practice. The text exhibits a range of research-based approaches to educating social work practitioners as agents of social change. It provides a robust and much needed, alternative paradigm to the technique-driven ‘conservative revolution’ currently being fostered by neoliberalism in both social work education and practice. The volume will be instructive for social work educators who aim to teach for social change, by assisting students to develop counter-hegemonic practices of resistance and agency, and reflecting on the pedagogic role of social work practice more widely. The volume holds relevance for both postgraduate and undergraduate/qualifying social work and human services courses around the world. [Book Synopsis
Defining Crime
No full textWhat is crime? How much crime is there in our community? Why do people offend? How do we prevent crime? The text is written by leading Australian criminologists and aims to answer these questions.
This book is for university students (particularly suited to first-year students) and others interested in crime to the fields of criminology and criminal justice. Each chapter is written by one or more of Australia’s most widely respected authorities on criminology, lending this collection legitimacy and currency.
The contributors to this volume guide readers through contemporary research on crime and criminality from Australia and overseas. The large majority of chapters do not simply summarise current knowledge but include data from the authors’ original research, as well as offering distinctive insights and policy recommendations.
The content in the text is a blend of Australian and international research, content and context.
This text can be delivered via Revel, offering an interactive learning experience available on all devices. Revel is an additional cost and not included in the book's price. [Book Synopsis
Nurse practitioner interventions for smokers with chronic hepatitis C
No full textBackground: Smoking is a grossly overlooked risk factor for people with chronic hepatitis C with regard to disease progression. It is unclear whether current smoking cessation interventions are effective for this population. Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) intervention for smokers with chronic hepatitis C to quit or reduce rates of smoking.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants randomized and stratified according to heaviness of smoking. Ninety-two eligible adults who smoked cigarettes and attended hepatology outpatient clinics were recruited. The intervention included NRT and telephone counseling compared with telephone counseling alone. Data collection occurred from December 2010 to November 2011. Data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks to assess smoking cessation. Change scores were analyzed using analysis of variance to examine the differences between smoking interventions. Results: At 6 weeks, both control and intervention groups had quit or reduced the number of cigarettes smoked daily. However, over 12 weeks, the intervention group showed sustained quitting or reduced smoking, with 5.8 (confidence interval [CI]: 2.4, 9.3) fewer cigarettes smoked per day from baseline. The control group maintained an average reduction of 1.6 (CI: 21.9, 5.2) fewer cigarettes per day. Implications for practice: Nicotine replacement therapy and individualized telephone counseling interventions increase the prospects of smoking cessation. Interventions such as these, introduced at routine clinic appointments in the outpatients’ setting, by a nurse practitioner (hepatology) showed clinically important results for smoking cessation in this population