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Understanding the Transition Between Age-Specific Measures of Health-Related Quality of Life: Evidence on the Relationship Between and Comparative Performance of the EQ-5D-Y-5L and EQ-5D-5L.
Get PDFOBJECTIVES: The EQ-5D-5L is widely used to measure adults' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The EQ-5D-Y-5L is a corresponding measure adapted for children/adolescents, in principle allowing HRQoL to be measured consistently from childhood to adulthood. However, little is known about how their measurement properties compare. This study investigated the relationship between EQ-5D-Y-5L and EQ-5D-5L in adolescents and compared their psychometric performance. METHODS: The Australian Pediatric Multi-Instrument Comparison Study includes a sample of 591 adolescents (aged 12-18) who completed both EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-Y-5L. Responses were compared descriptively and HRQoL summarized using the level sum score. Acceptability, feasibility, ceiling effects, convergence, test-retest reliability, and known-group validity were assessed overall and in subgroups defined by special healthcare needs (SHCN), mental health concerns (MHC), and age (12-13, 14-16, and 17-18 years). RESULTS: Ceiling effects were lower for EQ-5D-Y-5L than EQ-5D-5L. The EQ-5D-Y-5L better differentiated between adolescents with and without SHCN and MHC than EQ-5D-5L, whereas EQ-5D-5L showed better test-retest reliability in adolescents with SHCN and MHC. We found strong correlations between dimensions anticipated to be correlated. EQ-5D-Y-5L identified a higher incidence of self-reported HRQoL problems than EQ-5D-5L both overall and particularly in mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Although both instruments are valid for measuring HRQoL in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, EQ-5D-Y-5L had some psychometric advantages. The instruments are closely related, but differences in their descriptive systems produce differences in self-reported HRQoL. Results highlight potential discontinuities in HRQoL measured using age-specific instruments, which may be important for their use in economic models that involve transitions between age groups
Optimized hybrid energy systems for sustainable net-zero communities: Modelling, framework design and performance analysis
Get PDFIdentifying a cost-effective pathway to achieve net zero energy in remote Australian communities is crucial for meeting the country's net zero target by 2050. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) offer a sustainable and economical alternative to traditional power sources by lowering capital costs and improving renewable energy efficiency. This paper presents a sustainable HRES modelling and theoretical framework for designing and optimizing net-zero communities with emerging energy technologies. It examines a PV-Wind hybrid system with various storage technologies to meet energy demands in remote areas of Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Multiple future scenarios are evaluated based on technical, economic, and environmental criteria. The results show that the hybrid system, consisting of PV, wind, battery and hydrogen energy, is the most viable, achieving net zero energy (NZE) with a cost of energy (COE) of $0.0957/kWh and zero CO2 emissions. The results obtained over time underscore that COE, carbon emission reduction and renewable integration play a crucial role in sustainable energy development and economic growth enhancing energy security and lowering operational costs. Overall, this study highlights the potential of optimized HRES configurations for diverse locations and climates, supporting Australia's transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future
Examining the effectiveness of teaching political activism to undergraduate nursing students: A scoping review.
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: The aim of this scoping review was to identify, examine and synthesise published literature reporting on the teaching of political activism to undergraduate nursing students. INTRODUCTION: As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses are well-positioned to address complex sociopolitical issues that influence the healthcare landscape. Nurses have a known history of activism, including advocating for and acting to influence policy changes that improve healthcare access, health justice and patient outcomes. Activism requires competence or astuteness to be enacted successfully, so it is, therefore, essential to understand how nursing education programs currently develop students' skills in activism to prepare graduates to meet professional expectations. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR and JBI guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC and EMBASE databases. The data from the included papers were analysed inductively, with findings presented narratively. RESULTS: Of the 401 studies identified, eight met the inclusion criteria. Varied approaches for teaching politics and political activism to nursing students were reported in the included papers. Key outcomes included knowledge acquisition, attitudinal change and increased confidence in activism. Few of the papers described rigorous evaluation methods, with only two using validated instruments to measure effectiveness, and three having conducted formal data analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Political activism education is purported to be effective in developing undergraduate nursing students' political astuteness and capacity for political participation. However, the current evidence base is limited, highlighting the need for more rigorous research to support this assertion and to inform curricula
Shaping Pedagogy Through Practice: Reflections on the Spanish Program iInternational Studies at UTS
Get PDFAs the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) celebrates 30 years of the Bachelor of International Studies (BIS), I reflect on my journey leading the Spanish program. This reflection examines the implementation of genre-based pedagogy inspired by Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), which has been instrumental in bridging gaps in traditional teaching methods and fostering academic literacy. Drawing on collaborations with Spanish universities and integrating cutting-edge resources, I have witnessed the transformative impact of these initiatives on students’ preparation for in-country study and their ability to navigate academic and cultural challenges. These experiences have also shaped my teaching philosophy, highlighting the value of research-informed practices in enhancing language proficiency and intercultural competence
Queer Theories in/and Global Governance
No full textThis chapter introduces queer theories as a lens for understanding global governance, focusing on international law and the global economy. Through case studies, we show how queer approaches challenge how law and politics govern, exposing their role in reproducing racialised, heteronormative, and economic hierarchies. Queer perspectives extend beyond gender and sexuality to critique power relations that uphold ‘normalcy’. As feminist and queer international relations scholars, we present queer approaches that transcend disciplinary boundaries, informed by feminist, decolonial, and critical perspectives. We explore how queer scholarship disrupts regulatory and often violent governance practices by interrogating core queer concepts and reimagining global governance. Specifically, we consider how queer thought queers global political economy, international relations, and international law, offering crucial challenges to status quo responses. Using two case studies, we highlight how queer theories enrich and problematise global governance scholarship and practices. We conclude by reflecting on the future(s) of global governance and queer theory
Advanced impact resistance design through 3D-Printed concrete technology: Unleashing the potential of additive manufacturing for protective structures
Get PDFThe emerging technology of 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) is driving a revolution in the construction industry. This paper provides a comprehensive review of how 3DPC technology can be harnessed to enhance the impact resistance of concrete structures. The typical composition of 3DPC, which includes a high binder content blended with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) of high pozzolanic activity, limited coarse aggregate size, and various types of fibers, combined with a low water-to-binder ratio, forms the foundation for developing impact-resistant concrete structures. Novel design concepts such as bio-inspired structures, topology optimization, and functional gradients, grounded in a new theoretical framework, offer fresh insights into achieving superior impact resistance. The inherent flexibility of 3DPC technology shows promising potential for constructing a new generation of impact-resistant structures, characterized by complex and uniquely designed internal architectures based on these innovative concepts
Women's Perceptions of Maternity Care Responses to Domestic and Family Violence and Abuse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.
No full textDomestic and family violence (DFV) disproportionately affects women in the perinatal period. Routine DFV screening is known to improve DFV identification, however, it is crucial to understand women's views of routine DFV inquiry and their post-disclosure needs specific to the maternity care setting. The aim of this qualitative meta-synthesis was to explore perinatal women's perceptions and experiences of routine DFV screening and post-disclosure practices in antenatal care. Comprehensive searches of seven relevant databases and subsequent hand searches were conducted in September 2023 and April 2025 for primary qualitative peer-reviewed journal articles published in English from 2013 onward. Fourteen articles were included in this review. Data derived from semi-structured interviews within included articles were thematically analyzed and synthesized by two independent reviewers. Review findings evidence that women were generally in favor of routine antenatal DFV screening, preferably within a midwifery continuity of care model. Women emphasized the need for a trusting relationship with their screening professional and impressed the need for supportive post-disclosure services. Further research examining the distinct perspectives and needs of refugee and minority groups on the topic, as well as the longer-term outcomes of routine DFV screening and post-disclosure interventions, is required. Findings of this review may guide future funding and policy decisions around routine screening in maternity services to improve disclosure and outcomes for women experiencing DFV
Deforestation Increases Vegetation Vulnerability to Drought Across Biomes
Get PDFLand use and land cover changes have altered terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage, but their impacts on ecosystem sensitivity to drought and temperature fluctuations have not been evaluated spatially over the globe. We estimate drought and temperature sensitivities of ecosystems using vegetation greenness from satellite observations and vegetation biomass from dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM) simulations. Using a space-for-time substitution with satellite data, we first illustrate the effects of vegetation cover changes on drought and temperature sensitivity and compare them with the effects estimated from DGVMs. We also compare simulations forced by scenarios with and without land cover changes to estimate the historical land cover change effects. Satellite data and vegetation models both show that converting forests to grasslands results in a more negative or decreased positive sensitivity of vegetation greenness or biomass to drought. Significant variability exists among models for other types of land cover transitions. We identify substantial effects of historical land cover changes on drought sensitivity from model simulations with a generally positive direction globally. Deforestation can lead to either an increased negative sensitivity, as drought-tolerant forests are replaced by grasslands based on model ensemble mean, or a decreased negative sensitivity, since forests under current land cover are predicted to exhibit greater drought resistance compared to those under pre-industrial land cover. Overall, our findings emphasize the critical role of forests in maintaining ecosystem stability and resistance to drought and temperature fluctuations, thereby implying their importance in stabilizing the carbon stock under increasingly extreme climate conditions
A Comprehensive Review of the Botany, Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Leptospermum.
No full textThere is increasing interest in research and application of natural bioactive compounds due to the growing demand for functional ingredients from the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. A major challenge is finding suitable natural plant resources for the development of functional ingredients. Leptospermum, a genus of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is primarily native to Australia. This genus has been traditionally used for the treatment of a range of ailments, such as colds, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, skin, inflammation, stomach disorder and both internal and external pain. Manuka honey, known for its medicinal properties, is produced from the nectar of Leptospermum flowers, and the leaves of some species are used for essential oil production. Various volatiles, such as pinene, citral and citronellal, have been identified in Leptospermum essential oils. In addition, various non-volatile compounds like leptosperin, cyanidin, quercetin, ellagic acid, delphinidin and myricetin have been isolated from Leptospermum extracts. Preliminary studies have linked Leptospermum essential oils and extracts with various health-promoting properties, such as antimicrobial activity, antidiabetes, anticancer and anti-Alzheimer's disease activities, revealing potential applications of Leptospermum as functional ingredients. To provide a comprehensive understanding of Leptospermum for future research and applications, this review presents an overview of its botanical features, outlines volatile and non-volatile active molecules identified in the genus, reviews potential health benefits and finally proposes trends for future studies on Leptospermum
PROMPTHEUS: A Human-Centered Pipeline to Streamline Systematic Literature Reviews with Large Language Models
Get PDFThe growing volume of academic publications poses significant challenges for researchers conducting timely and accurate systematic literature reviews (SLR), particularly in fast-evolving fields like artificial intelligence. This growth of academic literature also makes it increasingly difficult for lay people to access scientific knowledge effectively, meaning academic literature is often misrepresented in the popular press and, more broadly, in society. Traditional SLRs are labor-intensive and error-prone, and they struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of new research. To address these issues, we developed PROMPTHEUS: an AI-driven pipeline solution that automates the systematic literature review (LR) process using large language models (LLMs). We aimed to enhance efficiency by reducing the manual workload while maintaining the precision and coherence required for comprehensive literature synthesis. PROMPTHEUS automates key SLR stages, including systematic searches, data extraction, and topic modeling using BERTopic and summarization with transformer models. Evaluations across five research domains demonstrated that PROMPTHEUS reduces review time, achieves high precision, and provides coherent topic organization, offering a scalable and effective solution for conducting literature reviews in an increasingly crowded research landscape
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