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KRIOTA: A framework for Knowledge-management of dynamic Reference Information and Optimal Task Assignment in hybrid edge–cloud environments to support situation-aware robot-assisted operations
No full textEnabling an autonomous robotic system (ARS) to be aware of its operating environment can equip the system to deal with unknown and uncertain situations. While several conceptual models have been proposed to establish the fundamental concepts of situational awareness, it remains a challenge to make an ARS situation aware, in particular using a combination of low-cost resource-constraint robots at the tactical edge and powerful remote cloud nodes. This paper proposes a dynamic reference information (DRI) based knowledge management and optimal task assignment framework that manages knowledge extracted from DRI to assess the current situation as per given mission objectives and assigns tasks to different computing nodes, which include a combination of edge robots, edge computing nodes and cloud-hosted services. The proposed framework is referred to as KRIOTA. The framework has been designed using an architecture-centric approach. We have designed ontologies to classify and structure different elements of DRI hierarchically and associate the processing components of an ARS with the DRI. We have devised algorithms for the ARS to optimally assign tasks to relevant processing components on robots, edge computing nodes and cloud-hosted services for adaptive behaviour. We have evaluated the framework by demonstrating its implementation in a testbed named RoboPatrol. We have also demonstrated the performance, effectiveness and feasibility of the KRIOTA framework.</p
Scattering approaches to unravel protein solution behaviors in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents: From basic principles to recent developments
No full textProteins in ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in various fields, including biocatalysis, bioseparation, biomolecular delivery, and structural biology. Scattering approaches including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) have been used to understand the solution behavior of proteins at the nanoscale and microscale. This review provides a thorough exploration of the application of these scattering techniques to elucidate protein properties in ILs and DESs. Specifically, the review begins with the theoretical foundations of the relevant scattering approaches and describes the essential solvent properties of ILs and DESs linked to scattering such as refractive index, scattering length density, ion-pairs, liquid nanostructure, solvent aggregation, and specific ion effects. Next, a detailed introduction is provided on protein properties such as type, concentration, size, flexibility and structure as observed through scattering methodologies. This is followed by a review of the literature on the use of scattering for proteins in ILs and DESs. It is highlighted that enhanced data analysis and modeling tools are necessary for assessing protein flexibility and structure, and for understanding protein hydration, aggregation and specific ion effects. It is also noted that complementary approaches are recommended for comprehensively understanding the behavior of proteins in solution due to the complex interplay of factors, including ion-binding, dynamic hydration, intermolecular interactions, and specific ion effects. Finally, the challenges and potential research directions for this field are proposed, including experimental design, data analysis approaches, and supporting methods to obtain fundamental understandings of complex protein behavior and protein systems in solution. We envisage that this review will support further studies of protein interface science, and in particular studies on solvent and ion effects on proteins.</p
Impact of Holder Pasteurisation on the Composition and Bioactivity of Human Milk
No full textDr Mori studied Holder pasteurisation's effects on human milk, revealing altered molecular bonds, peptide and fatty acid composition, protein functionality, and antioxidant capacity. The process also promoted beneficial intestinal bacteria growth and metabolites, highlighting both advantages and drawbacks. These findings provide insights to optimise human milk banking methods.</p
My body under capitalism
No full textThis creative-critical personal essay unpacks the structural mechanisms and invisible biases that allow gendered violence and the whore stigma to flourish. I embody my role as unsympathetic victim-survivor of sexual assault, refusing to conform to societal pressures around virtue and propriety. Resisting the temptation to point the finger at any one perpetrator, I explore the co-option of women’s bodies and my demons with a subversive literary arsenal, using humor, volatility and disruption as weapons. This essay-in-fragments explores consent culture, objectification and the commodification of my body as I engage in transactional sex and sex for pleasure, with an aim to subvert expectations around sex workers, who are often accused of “asking for” rape.</p
A deep eutectic solvent is an effective cryoprotective agent for platelets
No full textThe most widely used method of platelet cryopreservation requires the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; Me2SO) as a cryoprotective agent (CPA) and pre-freeze removal of Me2SO before freezing to mitigate toxicity. However, alternative CPAs such as deep eutectic solvents (DES), which are less toxic could simplify this process. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a Proline-Glycerol (Prol–Gly 1:3) DES as a platelet CPA. Platelets were cryopreserved at −80 °C using 10 % Prol–Gly 1:3 (DES; n = 6), or in the absence of a cryoprotectant (no CPA; n = 6). Platelets were also cryopreserved according to the gold-standard blood-banking method using 5.5 % Me2SO (n = 6), with centrifugation and pre-freeze removal of the excess Me2SO. Platelet quality was assessed by flow cytometry and thromboelastography (TEG). Post-thaw recovery was similar between the three groups. The abundance of labile platelet glycoproteins GPIbα and GPVI were highest in the DES group, however, markers of activation (CD62P and annexin-V) were also higher in this group. In terms of function, the strength of the clot (maximum amplitude; TEG) and extent of clot retraction was better with DES platelets compared to no CPA, but lower than Me2SO platelets. DES provides a cryoprotective advantage to platelets when compared to no CPA. Importantly, when compared to Me2SO platelets, most quality parameters were similar in DES platelets. The major advantage with using a DES is biocompatibility, therefore it does not need to be removed prior to transfusion. This greatly simplifies the freezing and thawing process, avoiding the toxic effects of Me2SO.</p
A Systematic Review on Human Thermal Comfort and Methodologies for Evaluating Urban Morphology in Outdoor Spaces
No full textThe exponential growth of urban populations and city infrastructure globally presents distinct patterns, impacting climate change forecasts and urban climates. This study conducts a systematic review of the literature focusing on human thermal comfort (HTC) in outdoor urban environments. The findings indicate a significant surge in studies exploring HTC in open urban spaces in recent decades. While historically centered on Northern Hemisphere cities, there is a recent shift, with discussions extending to various metropolitan contexts in the Southern Hemisphere. Commonly employed urban categorization systems include Sky View Factor (SVF), Height × Width (H/W) ratio, and the emerging Local Climate Zones (LCZs), facilitating the characterization of urban areas and their usage. Various thermal indices, like Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and Standard Effective Temperature (SET), are frequently utilized in evaluating external HTC in metropolitan areas. These indices have undergone validation in the literature, establishing their reliability and applicability.</p
Enhancing Disability Nursing Practice in Australia: Addressing Educational Preparedness
No full textPeople with intellectual disabilities (IDs) face significant health challenges, including poor outcomes, limited access to health care, and a 26-year life expectancy gap compared with the general population. This highlights the need for improved public health and social policies to enhance the quality of care in hospital and community settings. An integrated literature review was conducted to examine the state of disability nursing practice in Australia following the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Support (NDIS) scheme. The review included English-language studies published from 2010 to 2023. Systematic searches in five databases resulted in a final sample of 28 studies. The data were then thematically analysed, and the following three themes emerged: Workforce development and professional standards, hospital experience and support needs of individuals with IDs, and nursing curriculum and ID. Study findings suggest that nurses lack preparation for effective health communication with individuals with IDs and their families. Evidence is insufficient to guide nursing practice and policies in ID care. Varying understandings of practice standards exist among nurses. Nursing curriculums in Australia fail to adequately prepare students to manage the unique needs of individuals with IDs, perpetuating the high mortality rates in this population. Specialised nursing practice areas are vital for meeting the complex needs of individuals with IDs. Reintroducing a disability nursing specialty and integrating dedicated study units and clinical placements in undergraduate programmes are recommended steps to improve care outcomes and support the overall well-being of this population.</p
Disproportionate mental health presentations to emergency departments in a coastal regional community in Australia of first nation people
No full textEmergency department (ED) presentations for mental health (MH) help-seeking have been rising rapidly in recent years. This research aims to identify the service usage demographic for people seeking MH care in the ED, specifically in this case, to understand the usage by First Nation people. This retrospective cohort study examined the sociodemographic and presentation characteristics of individuals seeking MH care in two EDs between 2016 and 2021. Data were collected using existing records and analysed using descriptive univariate analysis with statistical significance between the two sites determined using chi-squared test, p </p
Biodiverse coffee plantations provide co-benefits without compromising yield
No full textIntroduction: Coffee is a ubiquitous global commodity that is cultivated with a wide range of practices, each with different, yet poorly understood trade-offs between management intensity, yield, and biodiversity. For example, monocultures prioritise coffee production, but do not necessarily deliver the highest coffee yields, nor the greatest profits. Understanding these trade-offs is key to informing sustainable coffee production. Methods: We synthesized the literature on these relationships, finding that agroforestry farming systems support greater biodiversity while often producing coffee yields that are comparable to monoculture systems. Results: Over half of studies (57%) failed to detect a trade-off between yield and biodiversity in agroforestry systems. Of the 16 cases that investigated pollinators and yield, 85% showed a positive relationship. Farm proximity to natural forests also improved both biodiversity outcomes and coffee yields. Conclusion: Studies in our data set revealed that agroforestry systems can deliver additional ecosystem services including carbon sequestration and pest control, with economic benefits accrued through income diversification and improvements to coffee bean quality. Our results illustrate how agroforestry systems within the coffee sector can return positive socio-ecological outcomes
2024 Women for Media Report: ‘An Unfinished Story’
No full textThis isn’t just another report – it’s the largest study to date on persistent gender bias in Australian newsrooms.
Led by WLIA Fellow Professor Andrea Carson, this report analyses over 200,000 articles using cutting-edge machine-learning techniques to examine women’s voices in Australian news – both as news story creators and as expert sources.
The results?
While some progress has been made, there is a long shadow of gender bias. Women are still sidelined to less-visible pages, given fewer words, and disproportionately assigned to ‘soft news’ topics like entertainment and lifestyle. Meanwhile, men dominate coverage in high-impact areas such as politics, economics and foreign affairs.
The gap extends beyond just who’s writing the stories. On the other side of media coverage – the quoted experts, the people who are bestowed with authority in the media – the same old story persists. As in past reports, men dominate the quotes, and they tend to quote other men more often. Women are better at quoting their fellow women