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Are you being served? An examination of chemical risks posed by compostable single-use food service items
No full textData source: supplementary files, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5VA00195AThe banning of single-use plastic food service items has led to a shift towards single-use, compostable alternatives. Globally, decision-makers are grappling with balancing the largely uncharacterised risk of compostable single-use food service items with the potential benefits of diverting additional food waste from landfills. To help close this gap in regulatory understanding, food service items were collected from semi-closed locations that only allow compostable items and analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Collected items represented the broad range of material and item types associated with 'compostable' single-use food service items, including food service vessels, straws, cutlery, napkins, sandwich bags and wraps. Analysis determined the likely systematic inclusion of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across a range of sugarcane bagasse samples with a maximum detected concentration of 86 200 mu g kg-1. Additionally, food service item components such as plastic linings and lids were often found to contain common, non-compostable plastics. Findings indicate that at present, single-use plastic item bans have shifted manufacturers of single-use food service items towards material choices that do not possess viable resource recovery pathways. This paper emphasises the need for policymakers to consider likely market shifts and the risks associated with likely alternative materials prior to taking action on single-use plastic items
Teaching and learning foreign language conversation in the virtual classroom : interactional and pedagogical considerations /
No full text1 ethesis (xxvi, 327 pages) :colour illustrations.Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-232)This study explores interaction in a tertiary Italian language course mediated by Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom (VC) software without participant video. Conversation Analysis was used to transcribe and analyse screen-recorded synchronous voice/text chat, identifying learning processes, behaviours, interactional patterns and pedagogical practices. Findings indicate that participants combined voice/text to foster interaction and mutual understanding, using pauses to manage turn-taking. Students preferred code switching and try-marking for conversational repair and valued the lecturer’s exposed and embedded repair. Overall, the VC offered more affordances than constraints for foreign language conversation, such as its ability to support rapport building, assist vocabulary recall and afford repair and repetition for language learning. Pedagogical implications for VC teaching are offered.Thesis (PhD(Education)Languages and Linguistics)(DUCIER)--University of South Australia, 2025
Keeping it in the family: measures and drivers of portfolio brand cohesion
No full textThis research examines Portfolio Branding Cohesion (PBC) by applying Ward et al.'s (Int J Market Res, 2024) PBC metric (PBCM) to the United Kingdom's packaged-goods sector, across nine categories, 125 brands, and 1023 products. On average, brands use their branding elements with 65% consistency. We observe significant variations in PBCM across categories, highlighting that visual cohesion depends on the brand. Factors such as an increasing number of visual elements, the presence of sub-brands, and whether the brand is a private label negatively impact PBCM, reducing cohesion across product portfolios. Our findings show that larger portfolios struggle to maintain cohesion, as expansion often introduces inconsistent design elements. Sub-brands typically weaken cohesion, which could affect long-term brand architecture. These insights offer practical implications for marketers, emphasising the need for careful portfolio management, thoughtful sub-brand strategies, and stronger visual identities for private label brands. Strengthening PBCM allows brands to build a cohesive visual identity, boosting consumer recognition and loyalty. In addition, by replicating and extending Ward et al.'s (2024) PBCM, we enhance its validity and reliability across broader contexts
Modeling of soil cracks in electroosmosis
No full textElectroosmosis is a dewatering technique for fine-grained soils that, by means of an electric current passing through a series of electrodes, moves a volume of pore water from the anodes toward the cathodes. The dewatering process can effectively reduce the soil water content but often results in the formation of surface cracks. The cracks collectively reduce the passage of the electric current, thereby diminishing the dewatering efficiency. To optimize dewatering, crack formation must be studied. A numerical model to predict soil cracks formed during the electroosmosis dewatering process is developed in this paper. This model considers the unsaturated conditions during dewatering and combines the constitutive surface of unsaturated soils with the Mohr–Coulomb failure envelope to determine cracking. This model also accounts for the nonlinear variations in soil properties, the degree of saturation, and cracking. This model is validated against laboratory test results and is applied to various example problems. The research outcomes result in the assessment of crack evolution and the identification of factors that affect crack development.Qianli Zheng, An Deng, Mark Jaks
Aspirin, cardiovascular events, and major bleeding in older adults: extended follow-up of the ASPREE trial
No full textAvailable online 12 August 2025Background and Aims: Guidelines recommend against routine initiation of low-dose aspirin in older adults for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. This study aimed to estimate long-term and post-trial effects of aspirin on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major haemorrhage using extended follow-up of participants from the ASPREE trial. Methods: In-trial (2010–17) and post-trial (2017–22) data were analysed. At enrolment, participants were aged ≥70 years (≥65 years for US minorities) without prior cardiovascular events, dementia, or independence-limiting physical disability. Randomization was to daily low-dose aspirin or matching placebo for the 4.7 years of the trial. Results: Of the 19 114 participants randomized (9525 aspirin, 9589 placebo), 15 668 without in-trial MACE consented to post-trial follow-up. No long-term benefit of randomization to aspirin was observed for MACE for the entire in-trial and post-trial period [hazard ratio (HR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) .94, 1.15]. However, during the post-trial period (median 4.3 years), there was a higher rate of MACE (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01, 1.36) in those randomized to aspirin compared with placebo. Over the entire period, a higher rate of major haemorrhage was observed in the randomized aspirin group compared with placebo (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.10, 1.39). Conclusions: The present study provides novel evidence concerning long-term MACE and haemorrhage following aspirin use in initially healthy older adults. The finding of no long-term MACE benefit needs to be considered in clinical decision-making if aspirin is being considered for use in this context.Rory Wolfe, Jonathan C. Broder, Zhen Zhou, Anne M. Murray, Joanne Ryan, Andrew T. Chan, Mark R. Nelson, Robyn L. Woods, Michael E. Ernst, Suzanne G. Orchard, Brenda Kirpach, Christopher M. Reid, Raj C. Shah, Nigel Stocks, Karen L. Margolis, Johannes T. Neumann, Michelle Wilson, Sharyn Fitzgerald, Suzanne E. Mahady, Erica M. Wood, Shara Ket, Charles B. Eaton, Peter Hand, Mobin Malik, Walter P. Abhayaratna, Prasanna Venkataraman, Peter Chan, Geoffrey C. Cloud, Geoffrey A. Donnan, Jeff D. Williamson, and Andrew M. Tonki
National review into work conditions & discrimination for pregnant and parent workers in Australia
No full textPregnant and parent workers represent a substantial proportion of the workforce. Previous research has shown that these workers experience high levels of workplace discrimination, which can lead to adverse effects on mental health. There is a pressing need for up-to-date evidence regarding the specific types of self-perceived discrimination, disadvantage, and bias encountered by pregnant and parent workers. As such, this paper presents findings from a national study of 1048 workers across Australia who completed a comprehensive online survey. Overall, 89% of respondents reported experiencing work-related self-perceived discrimination, disadvantage and/or bias during pregnancy, 84.7% during parental leave and 91.8% during their return-to-work phase.
Analysis revealed high prevalence rates for various forms of self-perceived discrimination, disadvantage and bias pertaining to aspects such as—but not limited to—accessing leave entitlements, breastfeeding facilities, and career progression opportunities. Future research must prioritise understanding the disconnect and de-coupling between Australian anti-discrimination legislation, workplace action (i.e., policy implementation) and these reported experiences from pregnant and parent workers; with respect to the underlying factors that open and sustain this disconnect. Exploring the conditions that have contributed to this disconnection is critical for ensuring worker safety during pregnancy and parenting
New materialist affirmations: creative research interventions in methods and practice
No full textPositions processes of making and doing, in creative and critical practice, within a feminist new materialist framework
This international collection brings together arts-based researchers to explore how new materialisms have changed creative research practice. Grounded in a framework of affective and conceptual creativity, it makes existing and emerging pathways in research visible to challenge dualistic modes of thought-in-practice.With a focus on the methods employed by individual researchers, the coverage is interdisciplinary, including screen and sound production, dance, literary theory, social media, creative writing and community arts. The collection explores transformations in scholarly practice through methods of ‘crimping’ which reflect the 4 thematic sections: bending, joining, making waves and holding
23Na-MRI for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring: a scoping review
No full textBackground: Variations in intracellular and extracellular sodium levels have been hypothesized to serve as biomarkers for tumour characterization and therapeutic response. While previous research has explored the feasibility of 23Na-MRI, a comprehensive review of its clinical utility in breast cancer is lacking. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing literature on the potential role of 23Na-MRI in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring
Methods: This review included English-language studies reporting on quantitative applications of 23Na-MRI in breast cancer. Systematic searches were conducted across PubMed, Emcare, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Medline.
Results: Seven primary studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting the ability of 23Na-MRI to differentiate between malignant and benign breast lesions based on elevated total sodium concentration (TSC) in tumour tissues. 23Na-MRI also showed potential in early prediction of treatment response, with significant reductions in TSC observed in responders. However, the studies varied widely in their protocols, use of phantoms, field strengths, and contrast agent application, limiting inter-study comparability.
Conclusion: 23Na-MRI holds promise as a complementary imaging modality for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. However, standardization of imaging protocols and technical optimization are essential before it can be translated into clinical practice
A Critical Analysis and Roadmap for the Development of Industry 4-Oriented Facilities for Education, Training, and Research in Academia
No full textThe development of Industry 4-oriented facilities in academia for training and research purposes is playing a significant role in pushing forward the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This study can serve academic staff who are intending to build their Industry 4 facilities, to better understand the key features, constraints, and opportunities. This paper presents a systematic literature review of 145 peer-reviewed studies published between 2011 and 2023, which are identified across Scopus, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. As a result, we emphasise the significance of developing Industry 4 learning facilities in academia and outline the main design principles of the Industry 4 ecosystems. We also investigate and discuss the key Industry 4-related technologies that have been extensively used and represented in the reviewed literature, and summarise the challenges and roadblocks that current participants are facing. From these insights, we identify research gaps, outline technology mapping and maturity level, and propose a strategic roadmap for future implementation of Industry 4 facilities. The results of the research are expected to support current and future participants in increasing their awareness of the significance of the development, clarifying the research scope and objectives, and preparing them to deal with inherent complexity and skills issues.</jats:p
Discontinuation categories underlying gaps in dispensing for six medication groups
No full textData source: supporting information, https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.70142Purpose: Accurately identifying medication discontinuations at scale is important for developing evidence about deprescribing. Gaps in dispensing often serve as proxies for discontinuation but are imprecise. We categorize reasons for gaps in dispensing to inform data-based methods to accurately identify medication discontinuations.
Methods: Using pharmacy dispensing data, we purposively sampled from a population of adults age 65+ with 2+ chronic conditions who experienced a 90-day gap in dispensing—with and without subsequent fills—of oral diabetes drugs, statins, proton pump inhibitors, drugs with anticholinergic properties, anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, or antihypertensives. We reviewed clinical documentation (e.g., visit notes, communications, medication orders) from last dispensing through the 90-day gap plus 120 days to classify dispensing gaps as true discontinuations (clinically intended) or non-discontinuations (no evidence of intent to discontinue), and then into subcategories. Medications with no documented explanation for the gap in dispensing and continued listing on the patient's medication list were classified as non-discontinuations.
Results: Of N = 1906 records reviewed, there were 1068 (56%) true discontinuations and 838 (44%) non-discontinuations. Subcategories within true discontinuations included provider intent to discontinue, provider substitutions, intentional stops followed by restarts, and agreeing with a colleague's or patient's decision to discontinue. Non-discontinuations included documented low adherence, changes in dose, changes in pharmacy formulary, and changes in drug formulation. Proportions of drugs in categories and subcategories varied by medication group.
Conclusion: Using gaps in dispensing as proxy measures for medication discontinuation may introduce bias through misclassification, and varied reasons for discontinuation may complicate causal interpretations