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The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Exercise on Salivary S100B Protein Indicated Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability:A Pilot Study
No full textOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and exercise on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in humans as assessed through the quantification of the salivary protein biomarker S100B. It was hypothesized that active tDCS would induce a significant increase in salivary S100B concentration when compared with sham stimulation and no stimulation. It also was hypothesized that the increase in salivary S100B concentration would be greater after active tDCS and exercise than after tDCS or exercise alone.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 healthy adults (five male, eight female), ranging in age from 21 to 32 years, underwent three experimental conditions (active tDCS, sham tDCS, inactive control). To assess exercise- and tDCS-induced changes in BBB permeability, S100B in saliva was measured. Saliva samples were taken before tDCS, after tDCS, and immediately after a ramped cycling time-to-exhaustion (TTE) task. Active tDCS involved the application of anodal stimulation over the primary motor cortex for 20 minutes at 2 mA.RESULTS: S100B concentrations in the control condition did not differ significantly from the active condition (estimate = 0.10, SE = 0.36, t = 0.27, p = 0.79) or the sham condition (estimate = 0.33, SE = 0.36, t = 0.89, p = 0.38). Similarly, S100B concentrations at baseline did not differ significantly from post-intervention (estimate = -0.35, SE = 0.34, t = -1.03, p = 0.31) or post-TTE (estimate = 0.66, SE = 0.34, t = 1.93, p = 0.06).CONCLUSIONS: This research provides novel insight into the effect of tDCS and exercise on S100B-indicated BBB permeability in humans. Although the effects of tDCS were not significant, increases in salivary S100B after a fatiguing cycling task may indicate exercise-induced changes in BBB permeability.</p
Online Graded Motor Imagery is Effective in Women Diagnosed With Pelvic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
No full textObjective. Effective therapeutic strategies are crucial for managing genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD), a condition presenting challenges for both patients and health care providers. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an online graded motor imagery (GMI) program in alleviating pain intensity and improving sexual function in women diagnosed with GPPPD. Methods. Eighty-seven women were randomly assigned to either an online GMI group or a control group. The online GMI protocol involved engaging participants in 2-week segments of left/right judgment exercises, mental simulation of movements, and gradual exposure therapy. After 6 weeks, we assessed pain intensity and sexual function. The control group gained access to the program upon study completion. Results. The online GMI group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity, coupled with improvements in sexual function. Notably, participants with enhanced movement imagery abilities experienced greater improvements, while those with negative beliefs and thoughts regarding vaginal penetration showed lower sexual function scores. Conclusion. An online GMI program is effective in alleviating the pain burden faced by women dealing with GPPPD. Impact. Effectively addressing pelvic pain in patients remains a daunting challenge for physical therapists. Therefore, implementing efficient and easily accessible strategies is crucial. The incorporation of GMI intervention proves to be an effective approach for improving both pain and sexual functioning in women with GPPPD.</p
EEG-based Cognitive Load Estimation of Acoustic Parameters for Data Sonification
Get PDFSonification is a data visualization technique which expresses data attributes via psychoacoustic parameters, which are non-speech audio signals used to convey information. This paper investigates the binary estimation of cognitive load induced by psychoacoustic parameters conveying the focus level of an astronomical image via Electroencephalogram (EEG) embeddings. Employing machine learning and deep learning methodologies, we demonstrate that EEG signals are reliable for (a) binary estimation of cognitive load, (b) isolating easy vs difficult visual-to- auditory perceptual mappings, and (c) capturing perceptual similarities among psychoacoustic parameters. Our key findings reveal that (1) EEG embeddings can reliably measure cognitive load, achieving a peak F1-score of 0.98; (2) Extreme focus levels are easier to detect via auditory mappings than intermediate ones, and (3) psychoacoustic parameters inducing comparable cognitive load levels tend to generate similar EEG encodings.</p
An ecosystem approach to the evaluation and impact analysis of heterogeneous preventive and/or early interventions projects for veterans and first responders in seven countries
No full textBACKGROUND: Cumulative exposure to critical incidents and life-threatening events leads to significant risk for Veterans and First Responders (VFRs) developing mental ill health and disorders. Philanthropic organisations, Movember and Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, funded 15 organisations to conduct early intervention Projects across seven countries. The Projects aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of VFRs, their families/significant others. This paper describes the novel external evaluation and impact analysis methods to identify effective Projects having positive impact on VFRs and their families, provide return on investment and the overall Grant Program.METHODS: We take an ecosystem real-world approach, which recognises the context and aims to manage the complexities involved, uses a complexity and systems perspective, multi-step mixed methods and approaches. The evaluation is from three perspectives of: Projects; Project comparisons; Grant program. Embedded in the evaluation design are methods, knowledge sharing and organisational learning activities for all stakeholders. Data is collected by the Projects and evaluation team on input, throughputs, and output indicators. Analysis tools include Global Impact Analytics Framework, multi-layered statistical analysis, performance evaluation using an efficient decision support approach, Project and Grant program social return on investment, visual linking and data connection platform and assessment of gendered lens approaches.IMPLICATIONS: The complexity and heterogeneity of Projects implemented in the real world continues to present significant evaluation challenges and limitations for project leads, stakeholders, researchers and evaluators. Our ecosystem approach and novel evaluation methodology will reduce the uncertainty around real world implementation, provide key learnings for project stakeholders and more broadly implementation researchers.</p
2CUZ-FM
No full textThis is a work of indigenous knowledge. It involves creating an experience into Country and culture. This experience is specifically linked to Gundabooka corroboree place, the Baarka river, to Bourke, and to the voices coming through 2CUZ-FM outback radio. The research aim is to see how Country speaks and what it says, which includes what it says through the cultural productions of Barkindji and other people in town. We are using a mass-media setting and technology – radio, and now print – to discuss and send out messages about Barkindjiness, Country, history and modernity. It’s about using the master’s tools to dismantle the master’s preconceptions. By bringing poets Jen Crawford and Paul Magee into the discussion and space, we are investigating communication between Barkindji Country and Barkindji people with white society. The discussion was broadcast live.</p
The paleobiology of a new osmeriform fish species from Australia
Get PDFOsmeriformes represent an important component of freshwater ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand yet are poorly represented in the fossil record in these countries. Here we describe Ferruaspis brocksi gen. et sp. nov. from the Miocene of New South Wales, Australia. Phylogenetic analyses place the species as a basal member of the southern radiation of Osmeriformes. The fossils are embedded and mineralized in the iron oxide-hydroxide mineral goethite, resulting in an unusual degree of structural preservation. Preserved stomach contents indicate an opportunistic benthopelagic diet, evidenced by the remains of numerous phantom midge larvae (Chaoborus), two insect wings, and a bivalve. Another bivalve (Unionidae) was found attached to the tail of one of the specimens. The preservation of melanosomes indicates that the species was counter-shaded with two lateral stripes. Discovering this species west of the Great Dividing Range, with a population that includes a range of body sizes, suggests that at least this population if not the species spent its entire life in freshwater, unlike most extant Osmeriformes. The description of F. brocksi highlights the ability of specimens with preserved soft tissues to reveal aspects of the paleobiology of extinct species
Protocol for a Field Trial of a Hearing and Vision Support Intervention for People Living in Long-Term Care in Australia
No full textINTRODUCTION: Hearing and vision impairments are prevalent among residents in long-term care settings. Hearing and vision impairments frequently go unsupported, affecting residents' quality of life and healthcare costs. This paper describes the protocol for a pre-post evaluation and process evaluation of a pragmatic sensory support intervention (SSI) that was developed with residents, informal caregivers and long-term care workers.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective pre-post-intervention trial within long-term care will be conducted, including three groups: residents (n = 87), informal caregivers (n = 87) and long-term care workers (n = 40). Outcome measures include health-related quality of life and well-being measures relevant to each group measured at baseline, 3- and 6-months post-intervention. Health resource and sensory device utilisation will be captured from routine data and by direct observation. Qualitative interviews, including a representative sample of residents and informal caregivers, will be conducted as part of a simultaneous process evaluation. Generalised linear models and paired t-tests will be used to evaluate the effects on residents' and caregivers' quality of life and sensory device use. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be examined using within-trial analysis, economic modelling and budget impact assessment. A process evaluation will use descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to assess the intervention's reach, adoption, implementation, acceptability, mechanisms of change and contextual influences.CONCLUSION: Hearing and vision impairments are common but under-supported in older adults in long-term care. This protocol involves a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation challenges of a pragmatic SSI to optimise hearing and vision function and improve the quality of life for long-term care residents and their caregivers.</p
Nobody hates light rail, but it's not going to fix Canberra's transport woes
Get PDFWith suburbs growing at Yass, Goulburn, Gunning, Murrumbateman, Sutton, Gundaroo, and elsewhere in the regions surrounding the ACT, the light rail is barely a drop in the ocean in solving Canberra's transport problem
Provenancing ancient materials with lead isotopes:overlap uncovered
No full textLead isotope analysis has been used to provenance metals such as lead, silver and bronze for many decades. Different approaches to interpret lead isotope ratios were proposed, and various limitations of the method have been discussed and addressed. Overlap in composition between different possible ore sources is always mentioned as a major limitation in lead isotope studies. However, it has never been comprehensively studied using a multivariate statistical approach. In this paper, the kernel density estimation (KDE) approach previously proposed by the authors is applied to calculate overlap between possible ore source regions. Firstly, the copper and lead ores of the same regions are compared, to assess if they are consistent and thus can be combined to increase sample size for provenance studies. Secondly, the pair-wise overlap between all the mining regions is calculated to determine if the distinction can actually be made between those ore fields. The use of one-dimensional KDE’s is very effective for calculation and assessment of the overlap between ore sources. This study argues that merging the lead and copper ore data might increase the reliability of a region’s KDE’s in most cases, but the overlap should be assessed beforehand. Furthermore, the study provides useful tools to verify for every pair of possible ore sources if it is theoretically possible to discriminate between them, and to what extent.</p