220861 research outputs found
Sort by
Regional differences in type 2 diabetes prevention priorities for women with previous gestational diabetes: A multi-methods consensus study
No full textObjectives: To identify values, principles, and research priorities for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevention in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) across five regions, and evaluate the appropri- ateness of modified Delphi and nominal group consensus methods in diverse cultural settings. Study design: Mixed-methods. Methods: Health professionals and women with previous GDM from five regions were invited to participate in the priority-setting activities according to a modified Delphi process and nominal group technique. The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative was used to develop the assessment criteria, which included answerability, effectiveness, deliverability, the maximum potential for improving the health and well-being of postpartum mothers, and the effect on equity. Participants ranked items in three rounds of the Delphi process. Evaluation surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand participants’ experiences of the process. Results: Fifty health professionals and 50 women with previous GDM participated in the priority-setting process and evaluation survey, with 11 individuals also taking part in interviews. Regional differences emerged in pri- ority rankings for values and principles. Africa emphasised cost-effectiveness and capacity building; the Americas prioritised people-centred approaches and continuity of care; Asia focused on equity-driven services and family support; Europe highlighted combating misinformation; Oceania emphasised planning skills. Consensus methods were feasible and acceptable across the regions. Conclusion: T2DM prevention priorities for women with a history of GDM vary across geographical regions, suggesting a need for local and tailored approaches for effective implementation. Consensus approaches involving the community in implementation efforts are acceptable across diverse geographical contexts.Gebresilasea Gendisha Ukke, Maureen Makama, Elysa Ioannou, Helen Skouteris, Cynthia Montanaro, Melaku Taye Amogne, Bhagiaswari Kodapally, Lisa J. Moran, Ahmed Reja, Sharleen L. O'Reilly, Leanne M. Redman, Elezebeth Mathews, Jacqueline A. Boyle, Siew Li
Integrating Cross-Reality Technologies Into The Digital Workplace
No full textPaper No. 387Cross-Reality (CR) systems integrate technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), PCs, and mobile devices into unified environments. As business communication accelerates and technology evolves, organisations must stay adaptable. CR systems support digital transformation by integrating emerging technologies into existing ecosystems, enabling enhanced collaboration, and facilitating new ways to work. This theoretical paper explores how organisations can leverage CR systems to enhance collaboration and communication. To support this, a research plan and user study design are presented. Despite barriers like cost, interoperability, and multitasking limitations, CR systems offer flexible alternatives, connecting different technologies along the reality-virtuality continuum. Arguably, systems that unify traditional and emergent technologies enable new collaborative processes - including asynchronous collaboration, and multitasking across different devices.Jason Dow, Mark Billinghurst, Sarah Chua,Grant Wigle
How does mandatory CSR disclosure affect labor investment decisions?
No full textThis paper investigates the impact of the 2008 mandatory CSR disclosure in China on the labor investment efficiency of the disclosing firms. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we find that the disclosing firms improved labor investment efficiency compared with non-disclosing firms, particularly in the overinvested group. The efficiency gain is more prominent in companies facing greater employee retention challenges and higher labor adjustment costs. The overinvested firms face higher spending on staff protection and public relations, reflecting greater societal and political pressure to “do good” and compelling them to curb overinvestment. Our results suggest that the improved labor efficiency is a considered response by the overinvested firms to alleviate the financial burden imposed by the mandate.Min Bai, Mingwei Sun, Alfred Yawso
Safety and technical success of transradial access in prostatic artery embolisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textOnlinePublObjectives Transradial access (TRA) has become an alternative vascular access site for a range of procedures in interventional radiology. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the safety and technical success of TRA for prostate artery embolisation (PAE). Materials and Methods A systematic search of the Medline, Embase and Scopus databases was performed in November 2024. Primary studies describing outcomes in TRA for PAE involving ten or more adult patients were included. The primary efficacy outcome was technical success, defined as bilateral PAE meaning successful embolization of both prostate arteries, and primary safety outcome was 30-day mortality. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess risk of bias, and the GRADE framework was used to assess the strength of evidence. Results Six retrospective studies were included in this review (n=1208 patients). Random effects meta-analysis was performed, demonstrating a 96.5% technical success rate of TRA for PAE. Four (0.3%) major complications and 53 (4.4%) minor complications occurred. Mean fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and air kerma via TRA were all comparable to other access sites. Moderate between-study heterogeneity was present (I2 = 41.3%). Overall risk of bias was moderate; however, no significant publication bias was present. The strength of evidence was moderate. Conclusion The findings of this study support TRA as a feasible alternative access route for PAE with similar complication rates, procedure times and radiation doses compared to transfemoral access (TFA). However, further prospective, controlled studies are required to evaluate TRA head-to-head with TFA to establish whether one approach is superior.Nicholas Brummer, Minh Chau, Samuel J. Whit
The legacy of heart failure – A case study on a patient’s experience composing heartbeat-inspired music
No full textThe use of amplified cardiopulmonary recordings (ACPR) in music therapy legacy creation is traditionally offered to patients in palliative care. Many studies have also shown positive results especially in pre-bereavement and bereavement work. However, this intervention may also be offered to patients who are dealing with serious and chronic illness who are not nearing the end-of-life as a commemorative item as well as a coping tool for hospitalization journey and beyond. The purpose of this case study was to examine if heartbeat music composition as legacy in music therapy reduces depression and anxiety of the patient and whether it provides meaning and purpose in life to the patient facing probable end-of-life decision. The participant was a 50-year-old Caucasian patient admitted for decompensated cardiac failure along with pulmonary oedema, and cardiorenal syndrome. The participant received 30–45 min individualized music therapy intervention on an average of 3 times per week with a total of 17 sessions between last week of May 2025 to the first week of July 2025. The composition was improvised based on a theme created by the patient and concurrently recorded with the patient’s heartbeat during the session. The heartbeat served as a metronomic background rhythm and the same heartbeat recording used by the therapist during the session was recorded and subsequently layered onto the composition recording for the final audio file presented to the patient and his mother. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as well as a Music Therapy Survey were used to assess patient’s awareness of music therapy and legacy creation, music therapy and heartbeat composition as well as overall hospital stay experience. Results indicate a reduction in depression and anxiety scores. Survey findings indicate positive experience with music therapy and legacy making intervention. Music therapy alleviate anxiety and enhances relaxation, and heartbeat as legacy in music therapy is a meaningful keepsake and the intervention gives patient a new purpose and meaning in life. These positive experiences have enhanced patient’s overall comfort throughout hospitalization.Patsy Tan, Antonina Maria Lin, J. Allyn Ze
Learning through play: Educators’ autoethnography on gamification in medical radiation science
No full textAbstract available in English and FrenchIntroduction/Background: Gamification, the integration of game elements into non-game settings, is gaining attention in health pro- fessions education. Its use in Medical Radiation Science (MRS) is still emerging, though early evidence suggests benefits for student engage- ment, knowledge retention, and clinical reasoning. Methods: This study explores the implementation of gamification techniques, such as escape rooms and Jeopardy-style quizzes, in an Australian MRS program using collaborative autoethnography. Au- toethnographic data were collected across multiple semesters from re- flective teaching journals, lesson plans, and student feedback. The analysis focused on recurring themes including engagement, knowl- edge retention, and stress reduction, and was contextualised against relevant literature. Results: Findings indicate that gamification may foster active partic- ipation, enhance learning, and reduce student anxiety. Specific tech- niques like escape rooms encouraged teamwork and critical thinking, while quiz-based formats increased motivation. Discussion: Challenges were also identified, including the need to balance educational outcomes with entertainment and ensure align- ment with learning objectives. These reflections provide early insight into gamification’s role in MRS education, while acknowledging that results are drawn from a single institutional context. Conclusion: Further research is needed to examine its broader impact and long-term value in clinical and professional practice = Introduction/Contexte: La ludification, qui consiste àintégrer des éléments de jeu dans des contextes non ludiques, suscite un intérêt croissant dans le domaine de la formation aux professions de santé. Son utilisation dans le domaine des sciences de la radiation médicale (SRM) en est encore àses débuts, mais les premières données suggèrent qu’elle présente des avantages en termes d’engagement des étudiants, de rétention des connaissances et de raisonnement clinique. Méthodologie: Cette étude explore la mise en oeuvre de techniques de ludification, telles que les jeux d’évasion et les quiz de type Jeopardy, dans un programme australien de SRM àl’aide de l’auto-ethnographie collaborative. Les données auto-ethnographiques ont étérecueillies sur plusieurs semestres àpartir de journaux pédagogiques réflexifs, de plans de cours et de commentaires des étudiants. L’analyse s’est con- centrée sur des thèmes récurrents, notamment l’engagement, la réten- tion des connaissances et la réduction du stress, et a étécontextualisée par rapport àla littérature pertinente. Résultats: Les résultats indiquent que la ludification peut favoriser la participation active, améliorer l’apprentissage et réduire l’anxiétédes étudiants. Des techniques spécifiques telles que les jeux d’évasion ont encouragéle travail d’équipe et la pensée critique, tandis que les for- mats basés sur des quiz ont accru la motivation. Discussion: Des défis ont également étéidentifiés, notamment la nécessitéd’équilibrer les résultats éducatifs et le divertissement, et de garantir la cohérence avec les objectifs d’apprentissage. Ces réflexions fournissent un premier aperçu du rôle de la ludification dans l’enseignement des SRM, tout en reconnaissant que les résultats sont tirés d’un contexte institutionnel unique. Conclusion: Des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour examiner l’impact plus large de la ludification et sa valeur àlong terme dans la pratique clinique et professionnelle.M. Chau and E. Arruzz
Tracking the coastal bioinvasion by mussels in Hong Kong
No full textInvasive species are key drivers of global biodiversity decline and threats to marine conservation. Hong Kong, being a trade and transport hub with large volumes of shipping traffic, is particularly susceptible to marine bioinvasions and the subsequent ecological and economic consequences. While invasive bivalves have been recorded in Hong Kong, notably the mussel Xenostrobus securis, their distribution and population characteristics have not been recently documented. Here, we used field surveys to update occurrence records of this mussel and found it persists at sites in Tolo Harbour where it was previously recorded, and also occurs at multiple sites within Tolo Harbour where it was previously absent, and in Victoria Harbour where previous records did not exist. Population characteristics of X. securis were similar to those quantified at survey sites where it was recorded previously, indicating the species has reached a relatively stable equilibrium. We also found that the similar native species, Brachidontes spp., had increased in abundance, and the abundance of another significant invader, Mytilopsis sallei, had reduced. Notably, we documented the occurrence of another invasive bivalve, Mytella strigata, which was previously unreported in Hong Kong, highlighting the persistent risk of the arrival of novel species. With the increasingly widespread documentation of X. securis and record of yet another invasive species within the region, we suggest more research is required for monitoring and management of these species, and efforts should be made to quantify their ecological and economic effects
Medical progress, relaxed natural selection, and adolescent obesity: implications for global health
No full textPublished online: 17 Dec 2025Objective: To examine the role of relaxed natural selection, measured using the Henneberg Index (Ibs), in influencing adolescent obesity prevalence across 191 countries. Methods: Population-level variables, including adolescent obesity prevalence, Ibs (Henneberg Index), GDP PPP, urbanization, and calorie intake, were obtained from United Nations sources. The relationship between the Henneberg Index and adolescent obesity was analyzed using curvilinear and linear regression models with raw and log-transformed data to address non-homoscedasticity. Regional correlations were explored by grouping countries. Results: A significant correlation (r∼0.5) between the Henneberg Index and adolescent obesity was found and remained consistent through third-order polynomial regression and partial correlations after adjusting for GDP PPP, urbanization, and calorie intake. The correlation was stronger in developing countries compared to developed ones. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified the Henneberg Index as the second most significant predictor of adolescent obesity, following GDP PPP. Calorie intake did not significantly predict adolescent obesity in the models. Conclusions: Reduced natural selection, facilitated by medical practices allowing individuals with obesity-linked traits to reproduce, may contribute to the population-level accumulation of these traits, increasing adolescent obesity. These findings underscore the need to consider evolutionary and genetic factors alongside environmental and socioeconomic determinants in developing obesity prevention strategies.Wenpeng You and Maciej Henneber
Reliability and validity of strength‑based language modifications to the autism self‑efficacy scale for teachers (ASSET)
No full textIn Australia, there is a systemic shift towards creating inclusive education environments for all students. Hence, in-service and pre-service teachers need to have the necessary knowledge and skills to implement inclusive education, to cater for the diversity in their classrooms. Instruments to measure in-service and pre-service teacher self-efficacy for inclusive educational practice have been used widely over the past decade across many countries, however, instruments to measure in-service and pre-service teacher self-efficacy for teaching autistic students specifically are less common. This study aimed to modify a pre-existing scale, known as the Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers (ASSET) to establish a questionnaire instrument that could explore Australian in-service and pre-service teacher self-efficacy for inclusive teaching of autistic students using strengths-based language. The total sample for this study comprised 813 participants, including 161 in-service teachers and 652 pre-service teachers. Through measurement invariance analysis conducted in IBM SPSS Amos version 31, this study found that although full scalar invariance was not established separate confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) demonstrated that all tested items accurately reflected the ASSET scale across both groups, indicating strong internal consistency and construct validity following language modifications. The instrument offers initial teacher education (ITE) providers and schools a practical way to benchmark and monitor teacher capability for autism-inclusive practice, target professional learning, and inform future inclusive practices, extending the paper’s implications for policy and practice.Jo Shearer, Tom Porta, Cheryl Mangan, Nicole Torres, Abu Nawas, Chris Champion, Emma Goodal
Vasoactive drug use in children with community acquired septic shock in Australia and New Zealand
No full textBackground Vasoactive agents are a critical supportive therapy for children with sepsis. We describe the choice and use patterns of vasoactive agents in children with sepsis. Methods Prospective observational study conducted in 11 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand through the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network from April 2021 to December 2023. Children aged 0–<18 years with suspected sepsis were included. Children admitted to hospital and treated with parenteral antibiotics and either 1) a provisional diagnosis of sepsis, and/or 2) treatment for suspected sepsis (fluid bolus to treat poor perfusion). The frequency and sequence of use of vasoactive agents, and contributors to the choice of initial vasoactive were collected. Findings 6232 children with suspected sepsis were included; median age of 2.1 years (IQR 0.3–7.1 years), in-hospital mortality of 60 (1.0%), in whom a subset of 306 (4.9%) met Phoenix sepsis criteria. Vasoactive agents were used in 179 (2.9%) children overall and in 144 (45.8%) of those meeting Phoenix sepsis criteria. The most used first, second, and third-line vasoactive agents were adrenaline (90/179; 50.3%), noradrenaline (49/91; 53.8%), and vasopressin (16/40; 40.0%). When comparing noradrenaline vs adrenaline as first line agents, increasing age was associated with preferential use of noradrenaline (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.09; p < 0.001). Interpretation Children with suspected community acquired sepsis rarely received treatment with vasoactive agents. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were the most used agents, though there was substantial variation in their use and sequencing. FundingElliot Long, Stephen Hearps, Amanda Williams, Ben Gelbart, Warwick Butt, Thomas Rozen, Sarah McNab, Meredith L. Borland, Simon Erickson, Shefali Jani, Marino Festa, Eunicia Tan, Natalie Phillips, Sainath Raman, Amit Kochar, Subodh Ganu, Simon Craig, Anna Lithgow, Arjun Rao, Emma Whyte, Stuart R. Dalziel, Shane George, Fran Balamuth, Scott L. Weiss, Nathan Kuppermann, and Franz E. Bab