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Why are solar microgrids not the norm in remote Central Australia? Exploring local perception on solar energy and health
No full textAustralia has immense potential to harness solar energy. Despite this potential, the electricity sector still contributes to one-third of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Solar projects are important in remote Aboriginal communities because remote residents regularly face energy poverty and energy insecurity. Frequent power disconnections affect people's health and daily life activities. This study explores the enablers and barriers to solar energy adoption and the benefits of having solar microgrids in remote Australia. Three sets of data, which included researcher observations and two sets of qualitative data were triangulated for the purpose of this study. Qualitative data included – i) virtual semi-structured interviews with professional and policy experts with experience in promoting and implementing solar projects in Central Australia and ii) one-to-one ‘yarns’ or community ‘yarning circles’ with Aboriginal residents of very remote communities of central Australia. The collected qualitative data were coded deductively, whereby similar codes were placed into broader themes. Seven renewable energy industry and policy experts participated in the interviews. Thirty community members from across three very remote locations in central Australia were engaged through one-to-one yarning and group yarning activities. There is clear evidence from all three communities that the environmental costs of using diesel-powered generators are largely unknown to residents. While power costs and energy poverty were discussed as issues in the three communities, industry expert opinion was that residents’ economic motivation to switch from diesel to solar power was masked by the fact that power costs were not dependent on the source of power, but were provided at subsidised rates in remote Australia. In general, community yarns were mostly around the need for energy security in remote households, rather than the need to switch to clean energy sources. The study concludes that small solar microgrids and rooftop solar technology have the potential to improve energy and climate resilience in remote Australia. However, to effectively promote such investments in very remote settings, there is a need to appropriately engage with local community members and evaluate and communicate the overall social, environmental, and economic benefits of transitioning to solar.</p
Are there sensitive periods for physical activity to influence the development of executive function in children?
No full textExecutive functions emerge throughout childhood and shape multiple cognitive and behavioral outcomes across the lifespan. Given the importance of these functions, there is considerable interest in understanding the role of environmental enrichment to support their development. The past 20 years have seen the emergence of a body of evidence around the beneficial effects of engaging in physical activity for executive functioning in children. Despite this, there are still unanswered questions, particularly about the confounding effects of the timing and dose of exercise-based interventions. During development, sensitive periods with heightened neural plasticity and sensitivity to environmental influences can offer an optimal time to introduce enrichment interventions. As such, sensitive periods for executive function could indicate an ideal time to introduce physical activity or be a potential confounder to study results if not considered. This narrative review discusses the potential presence of sensitive periods in preadolescent development where physical activity has greater benefits for executive function. Initially, we briefly review the largely parallel fields investigating the presence of sensitive periods for executive function and the effects of physical activity on executive function outcomes. We then bring together these 2 concepts to discuss the theoretical basis for developmentally sensitive periods during which children may be particularly amenable to physical activity-based interventions and offer potential ways forward to investigate this phenomenon. We hope this review will attract researchers to collaborate in the area and extend our current understanding of the development of executive functions as well as interventions like physical activity.</p
Assessing the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on 64 notifiable infectious diseases in Australia:A Bayesian Structural Time Series model
No full textBACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in Australia and globally. However, to our knowledge none have sufficiently explored their impact on other infectious diseases with robust time series model. In this study, we aimed to use Bayesian Structural Time Series model (BSTS) to systematically assess the impact of NPIs on 64 National Notifiable Infectious Diseases (NNIDs) by conducting a comprehensive and comparative analysis across eight disease categories within each Australian state and territory, as well as nationally.METHODS: Monthly data on 64 NNIDs from eight categories were obtained from the Australian National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. The incidence rates for each infectious disease in 2020 were compared with the 2015-2019 average and then with the expected rates in 2020 using a BSTS model. The study investigated the causal effects of 2020 interventions and analysed the impact of government policy restrictions at the national level from January 2020 to December 2022.RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic interventions in Australia, there was a 38 % (95 % Credible Interval [CI] [9 %, 54 %]) overall relative reduction in incidence reported across all disease categories compared to the 2015-2019 average. Significant reductions were observed in bloodborne diseases: 20 % (95 % CI [10 %, 29 %]), respiratory diseases: 79 % (95 % CI [52 %, 91 %]), and zoonoses: 8 % (95 % CI [1 %, 17 %]). Conversely, vector-borne diseases increased by 9 % over the same period. Reductions and intervention effects varied by state and territory, with higher policy stringency linked to fewer cases for some diseases.CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 NPIs also impacted the transmission of other infectious diseases, with varying effects across regions reflecting diverse outcomes in response strategies throughout Australia. The findings could inform public health strategies and provide scientific evidence to support the development of early warning systems for future disease outbreaks.</p
Fringe dwelling in autobiographical memory:Writers' perspectives
No full textThis essay includes collated contributions from practising writers, participants in a Creative Writing|Neuroimaging Exploratory Study, Ideasthetic Imagining – Mapping the Brain’s Microstates Using Magnetoencephalography (MEG), conducted at Swinburne University (2023, Melbourne, Australia). The study investigates neural activity in participants’ brains while undertaking a creative writing workshop. Participants write imaginatively from short and long-term memory. The research team utilises MEG neuroimaging technology to determine where and how the brain is processing information at distinct stages of the workshop. The creative writing workshop at the heart of the study involves imaginative approaches to life writing, transforming unresolved memories through creative practice. As participants engage in the workshop, the research team measures activity in target regions of the brain. The researchers then analyse the interaction between distinct regions of the brain at various stages. The following essay gathers the voices of the experimental group (practising writers), asking them to reflect upon their experience of writing a long-term memory, as they experienced it at the time and, subsequently, from a perspective other than their own. In this exercise, particular regions of the brain are activated (to a far greater extent) in the experimental group (practising writers) as opposed to the control group (non- writers)
Discrimination and calibration performances of non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based cardiovascular risk predictions:a systematic review
No full textBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This review compares non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction equations in populations targeted for primary prevention.DESIGN: Systematic review.METHODS: We searched five databases until 12 March 2024 and used prediction study risk of bias assessment tool to assess bias. Data on hazard ratios (HRs), discrimination (paired c-statistics) and calibration were extracted. Differences in c-statistics and HRs were analysed.PROTOCOL: PROSPERO (CRD42021291936).RESULTS: Nine studies (1 238 562 participants, 46 cohorts) identified six unique CVD risk equations. Laboratory predictors (eg, cholesterol and diabetes) had strong HRs, while body mass index in non-laboratory models showed limited effect. Median c-statistics were 0.74 for both models (IQR: lab 0.77-0.72; non-lab 0.76-0.70), with a median absolute difference of 0.01. Calibration measures between laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based equations were similar, although non-calibrated equations often overestimated risk.CONCLUSION: The discrimination and calibration measures between laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based models show minimal differences, demonstrating the insensitivity of c-statistics and calibration metrics to the inclusion of additional predictors. However, in most reviewed studies, the HRs for these additional predictors were substantial, significantly altering predicted risk, particularly for individuals with higher or lower levels of these predictors compared with the average.</p
Sharing knowledge on implementing mental health and wellbeing projects for veterans and first responders
No full textPurpose: The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge to action and knowledge transfer approaches used in an international mental health research funding program and its outcomes. A key goal of the evaluation was to maximise organisational learning and knowledge sharing to inform future implementation projects. Methods: A series of interactive knowledge sharing workshops focused on five key themes: peer support; psychoeducation; the involvement of family, friends, and significant others; retreat, residential, or group-based programs; and organisational change. Qualitative descriptive analysis was used to code, summarise and describe themes. Findings: Key learnings that influenced the success of mental health initiatives include building relationships across all organisational levels, involving Veterans and First Responders with lived experience in the design and implementation process, and understanding the unique workplace culture and operations. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for collaborative, informed approaches tailored to the culture, organisation and mental health support needs of Veteran and First Responder. These insights enhance understanding of the factors that impact the successful implementation of mental health prevention and support programs for those exposed to work-related trauma.</p
Noninvasive brain stimulation beyond the motor cortex:a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring effects on quantitative sensory testing in clinical pain
Get PDFBackground: Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been investigated increasingly as a means of treating pain. The effectiveness of NIBS in the treatment of pain has traditionally focused on protocols targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). However, over time, the effectiveness of M1 NIBS has been attributed to effects on interconnected cortical and subcortical sites rather than on M1 itself. Although previous reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of non-M1 NIBS in improving subjective reports of pain intensity, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely understood. As chronic pain is associated with pain hypersensitivity and impaired endogenous descending pain modulation, it is plausible that non-M1 NIBS promotes analgesic effects by influencing these processes. Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore to evaluate the effect of NIBS over non-M1 sites on quantitative sensory testing measures in clinical pain populations. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted from inception to January 2024. Included articles (13 trials, n = 565 participants) were appraised with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and a random-effects model was used to meta-analyze outcomes where possible. Results: A small number of studies found that NIBS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex might improve pain modulation in patients with fibromyalgia and that stimulation of the posterior superior insula and prefrontal cortex could improve pain sensitivity in chronic neuropathic and osteoarthritic pain, respectively. However, findings varied among studies, and there remains a paucity of primary research. Conclusion: This review indicates that current literature does not provide clear evidence that NIBS over non-M1 sites influences pain processing.</p