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Relationships between external- and internal-workload variables in an elite female netball team and between playing positions
No full textScanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697PURPOSE: To examine relationships between external- and internal-workload variables in an elite female netball team, with consideration of positional differences. METHODS: Nine elite female netball athletes had their weekly workloads monitored across their preseason and competition phases of a season. Internal workload was determined using summated heart-rate (HR) zones and session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE), whereas external workload was determined using inertial movement units and included absolute PlayerLoad (PL), relative PL (PL per minute), accelerations (ACCEL), decelerations (DECEL), jumps, changes of direction (COD), high-intensity events, medium-intensity events, low-intensity events, PL in the forward direction, PL in the sideways direction, and PL in the vertical direction. Relationships between external- and internal-workload variables in the team and relative to playing position were examined. RESULTS: Across the team, the strongest external workloads that correlated with summated HR zones were PL (r = .65), COD (r = .64), ACCEL (r = .61), and DECEL (r = .61). The strongest external workloads that correlated with sRPE were COD (r = .79), followed by jumps (r = .76), ACCEL (r = .75), and DECEL (r = .75). For all positions, except-goal shooter, the strongest correlation was between PL and sRPE (r = .88-.94). In the goal-shooter position, the strongest correlation was between summated HR zones and DECEL (r = .89). CONCLUSIONS: The inertial movement unit-derived external-workload variables are strongly related to common internal-workload variables. In particular, COD and sRPE appear to provide a good monitoring combination of external and internal training loads for elite netball players
Book review of Informed is best: How to spot fake news about your pregnancy, birth and baby by Amy Best
No full textCapper, TS ORCiD: 0000-0003-3464-1423Book review of Informed is best: How to spot fake news about your pregnancy, birth and baby by Amy Best
Loot Boxes: Are they grooming youth for gambling?
No full textBrowne, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-2668-6229; Hing, N ORCiD: 0000-0002-2150-9784; Lole, LR ORCiD: 0000-0001-7756-3176; Rockloff, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-0080-2690; Russell, AM ORCiD: 0000-0002-3685-7220This report outlines research aimed at understanding the risks posed by loot boxes to adolescents (12-17) and young adults (18-24) in NSW. Loot boxes are a growing concern due to the risk and reward properties that closely align them with traditional gambling, the potential for encouraging greater gambling involvement, and the potential for associated gambling harm. Broadly, this research revealed:
• Loot boxes are common in the best-selling video games. Our exploration included a selection of 82 best selling video games and revealed 62% (51) had loot boxes.
• In our survey sample, almost all of the respondents played at least one video game with loot boxes within the last 12 months (93.2%).
• About a third (32.9%) of the survey respondents who played games with loot boxes within the last 12 months had also purchased a loot box, and their median monthly expenditure was 72 for young adults.
• Compared to other purchasers, young adults who more recently first purchased loot boxes were more likely to have gambling problems. Conversely, there was no evidence that earlier experiences with loot boxes predict later gambling problems.
• Both adolescents and young adults who had either opened, bought or sold loot boxes within the last 12 months were also more likely to have: 1) gambled in the last 12 months (young adults), 2) gambled more frequently (young adults), 3) spent more money gambling (young adults), 4) suffered more gambling problems (adolescents and young adults), 5) suffered more gambling-related harm (young adults), and 6) endorsed more positive attitudes towards gambling (adolescents and young adults).Associated Grant:NSW Responsible Gambling Fun
Evaluation of sustainable transport research in 2000–2019
No full textZhao, X ORCiD: 0000-0003-0153-5173The transport sector has extensive environmental, social and economic impacts on society and thus it is imperative for this sector to embrace the concept of sustainable development. Since 2000, a significant number of sustainable transport research outcomes have been published. The objectives of this study are to identify the hot research topics, explore knowledge gaps and recommend future directions in the domain of sustainable transport through a holistic review of the literature published in 2000–2019. A total of 882 bibliometric records of journal articles were searched from the Web of Science core collection database. Both quantitative scientometric analysis and qualitative discussion were undertaken to analyse the sustainable transport research. The analysis results showed nine hot research topics: 1) sustainable transport indicators and performance model, 2) sustainable transport policy, 3) involvement of stakeholders, 4) supply chain and logistics management, 5) environmental impact, 6) travel behaviour, 7) new fuels for vehicles, 8) transport strategic planning, and 9) bicycle and public transport. In addition, four knowledge gaps were identified relating to social sustainability of transport, use of information and communication technology, sustainability benefits, and resilient transport to deliver sustainability. Furthermore, future research directions were proposed to bridge these knowledge gaps. This review focuses on the journal articles in English only and may overlook some significant research published in other languages and conferences. Nevertheless, this study still benefits academics, industry practitioners and policy makers by providing an understanding of status quo, hot research topics, knowledge gaps and future research directions in the domain of sustainable transport
Why do nurses miss infection control activities? A qualitative study
No full textWillis, EM ORCiD: 0000-0001-7576-971XBackground: Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) increase length of hospital stay and lead to poorer clinical outcomes. HAIs are viewed as preventable through risk monitoring and prevention of transmission. These activities are frequently missed. This study explores missed infection control activities through the lens of missed or rationed care. Aim: To determine the factors that contribute to infection control activities being missed. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven nurses with infection control expertise. Findings: Four major factors were identified as contributing to infection control activities being missed. These are systemic factors such as poor staffing and skillmix which contribute to time constraints and difficulties with identifying signs of infection; environmental factors such as ward layout and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); organisational factors including lack of managerial support and interprofessional relationships; and personal factors, primarily the priority given to infection control by the nurse and knowledge, understanding and application of the principles of infection control. Discussion: Policy responses to HAI frequently focus upon surveillance and education however, resourcing, organisational and interprofessional support and hospital layout all contribute to infection control activities being missed. Conclusion: Further research is required into the impact of systemic factors upon infection control activities being missed. © 2019 Australian College of Nursing Lt
Can it be done? A process evaluation of the acceptability, feasibility and affordability of a school-based resilience intervention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
No full textBenveniste, TC ORCiD: 0000-0002-7189-5118; Langham, EM ORCiD: 0000-0002-1824-5108; Mccalman, JR ORCiD: 0000-0002-3022-3980Internationally, schools have recognised the need for supporting and improving the resilience of students, particularly those facing a multiplicity of challenges. However, social and emotional learning programmes, including those aimed at enhancing resilience, are often not evaluated thoroughly nor detail process and economic evaluations. This paper evaluates a multi-component integrated intervention designed to strengthen the resilience of remote-living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending boarding schools. This evaluation is largely process-based, focussing on the acceptability, feasibility, preliminary outcomes and affordability of implementation of the intervention. Fourteen boarding or teaching staff members, eight female and six who identified as Aboriginal, were interviewed. The interviews were conducted with staff members at eight Queensland boarding sites where the intervention was delivered. Qualitative inductive thematic analysis was used to evaluate feasibility and acceptability and outcomes described by staff. A descriptive analysis of the costs (AU$ 2018) was performed in Microsoft Excel 2013. This evaluation identified multiple major themes around feasibility and acceptability, including sharing experience across sites, staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, and perceived student achievement, leadership and relationships. Implementation of the resilience intervention was considered feasible and affordable, and embraced by boarding providers. School-based participatory action research interventions aimed at improving culturally appropriate support structures for Indigenous boarding students are achievable with the appropriate resourcing and time to implement and embed change
Plant functioning in a changing global atmosphere
No full textTausz-Posch, S ORCiD: 0000-0002-1213-7907Editorial, Plant Biology, Volume 22, Issue S1, Special Issue: Plant Functioning in a Changing Global Atmoshphere
Long-term variability in potential evapotranspiration, water availability and drought under climate change scenarios in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
No full textKoech, RK ORCiD: 0000-0002-0563-6687Understanding the hydrological processes of a watershed in response to climate change is vital to the establishment of sustainable environmental management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the variability of potential evapotranspiration (PET) and water availability in the Awash River Basin (ARB) under different climate change scenarios and to relate these with long-term drought occurrences in the area. The PET and water availability of the ARB was estimated during the period of 1995–2009 and two future scenarios (2050s and 2070s). The representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) simulations showed an increase in the monthly mean PET from March to August in the 2050s, and all the months in the 2070s. The study also identified a shortage of net water availability in the majority of the months investigated and the occurrence of mild to extreme drought in about 40–50% of the analysed years at the three study locations (Holetta, Koka Dam, and Metehara). The decrease in water availability and an increase in PET, combined with population growth, will aggravate the drought occurrence and food insecurity in the ARB. Therefore, integrated watershed management systems and rehabilitation of forests, as well as water bodies, should be addressed in the ARB to mitigate climate change and water shortage in the area
A combinational approach to restore cytokine balance and to inhibit virus growth may promote patient recovery in severe COVID-19 cases
No full textTaylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348The COVID-19 pandemic has led to twin public health and economic crises around the world. Not only has it cost hundreds of thousands of lives but also severely impacted livelihoods and placed enormous strain on community healthcare and welfare services. In this review, we explore the events associated with SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and host immunopathological reactivity due to the clinical manifestations of this coronavirus infection. We discuss that the metallopeptidase enzyme ADAM17, also known as tumor necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme, TACE, is responsible for shedding of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and membrane-bound interleukin (IL)-6 receptor. This leads to elevated pro-inflammatory responses that result in cytokine storm syndrome. We argue that cytokine balance may be restored by recovering an IL-6 trans-signaling neutralizing buffer system through the mediation of recombinant soluble glycoprotein 130 and recombinant ADAM17/TACE prodomain inhibitor. This cytokine restoration, possibly combined with inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry as well as replication and coagulopathy, could be introduced as a novel approach to treat patients with severe COVID-19. In cases of co-morbidity, therapies related to the management of associated disease conditions could ameliorate those clinical manifestations
COVID-19 therapy: Could a chlorophyll derivative promote cellular accumulation of Zn2+ ions to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis?
No full textTaylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348While zinc is known as an antiviral, for which it is taken as a dietary supplement, the therapeutic potential of Zn2+ chlorophyll derivatives to treat viral infections such as SARSCoV-2 has not been explored. The rapid uptake of zinc pheophorbide a, a breakdown product of chlorophyll, and consequent release of Zn2+ ions has been shown to have a beneficial therapeutic effect on human adenocarcinoma cell lines through inhibiting viral replication. We propose that a similar approach could be adopted to target SARS-CoV-2-infected lung epithelial cells in vitro. This would pave the way for future clinical therapy to be delivered deep inside human lungs, offering a potential treatment of symptomatic COVID-19 patients