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When Voice Meets Touch: Conflict Analysis in Mobile Applications
Get PDFThe recent advancement of the automatic speech recognition (ASR) contributes to the voice user interface (VUI), which is broadly embedded into mobile apps. The VUI implemented on modern mobile operating systems like Android naturally involves multiple threads, and brings new race issues and challenges in defining and identifying them. Specifically, when the GUI and VUI (GV) actions both access to the same resource simultanously, the data race named GV-race may occur. GV-race can lead to wrong behavior and even crashes. However, to the best of our knowledge, this problem has not been adequately studied. In this paper, we present the first study of GV-race on Android apps. However, the involvement of the VUI complicates the concurrency model, affects the temporal relationship and brings state space explosion in global analysis. To tackle these challenges, we firstly define primitives and their happen-before rules to abstract GV interaction patterns. Using these primitives, we are able to characterize and formally define GV-race. We then develop Roma (GV-race detector on mobile apps) to detect both app-level and system-level GV-race automatically. Through static program analysis, Roma extracts GV related call graphs for each pair of conflicting GV actions to reduce the state space, and generates a universal GV interaction graph using our pre-defined primitives. It encodes happen-before constraints to formally specify the freeness of GV-race, so that the detection of GV-race can be reduced to constraint solving with SMT solvers. We apply Roma to analyze 266 apps. Roma finds 52 apps with app-level GV-race and 56 apps with system-level GV-race. We confirm that 101 apps are true positives.Full Tex
Study of topical anaesthetic for paediatric laser procedures (STAPLE): a protocol for a feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Cutaneous vascular anomalies and scars can cause significant physical and psychosocial difficulties for children, but can be ameliorated with pulsed dye laser (PDL) and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser treatment. Given that multiple rounds of treatment are often required, and that the procedures are painful, achieving adequate analgesia is imperative in this setting. Paediatric procedural pain management guidelines suggest that multimodal non-pharmacological and pharmacological analgesia should be used for such procedures; however, the place of topical anaesthetic (TA) within this paradigm has not been adequately studied.This feasibility and pilot trial will investigate the feasibility of performing a randomised, placebo-controlled trial assessing pain intensity in children receiving TA in conjunction with other multimodal analgesic methods for laser procedures. The primary objective of the trial will be to assess feasibility, and secondary objectives will be to assess pain intensity, acceptability of trial procedures to participating families and their clinical team, to assess the laser treatment response, and obtain data necessary for full-scale trial sample size calculations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The trial will include 50 children aged 0-18 years old who are undergoing awake PDL and/or Nd:YAG laser treatment for scars or vascular anomalies. Patients will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TA cream (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% (Numit 5% cream, Ego Pharmaceuticals, Braeside, VIC, Australia)) or a placebo, along with our unit's standard multimodal analgesic agents for laser treatment (including paracetamol, ibuprofen or oxycodone and intraprocedural sucrose solution or intranasal fentanyl). Investigators, participants and their caregivers, and clinicians will be blinded to participant allocation.The primary outcome of the trial will be trial feasibility based on pre-specified criteria. The secondary outcome of pain intensity will be assessed by observer, caregiver and self-reported measures, and the secondary outcome of trial method acceptability with a Theoretical Framework of Acceptability questionnaire. The assessment of laser treatment response will be assessed with lesion-specific evaluation tools. Feasibility and acceptability data will be summarised using descriptive statistics. The association between treatment groups and pain scores, treatment groups and laser treatment response will be investigated using a univariable linear regression model, with the effect estimate reported as mean difference and 95% CI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has undergone ethical review and has been granted approval by the Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (ref HREC/23/QCHQ/91002) and the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (ref 2023/308). The protocol has been prospectively registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000494639). Results of this trial may be presented at scientific meetings and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Participating families that have indicated an interest in trial results will receive a plain-language summary of the trial results by email. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12623000494639.Full Tex
Life outcomes of being born with anorectal malformation: a systematic review of intersectional reporting, mental health co-morbidities, and psychosocial experiences in adulthood
Get PDFPURPOSE: Anorectal malformations exist across a spectrum of abnormalities involving the rectum, distal anus, genital and urinary tracts, and occur in approximately one in 5,000 live births. The purpose of this study was to investigate intersectional reporting, mental health co-morbidities, and psychosocial experiences of adults born with anorectal malformation. METHODS: A systematic quantitative literature review was utilized to collect and analyze data. Articles were required to discuss population demographics, mental health comorbidities, or psychosocial experiences associated with anorectal malformation in adulthood. A total of 94 articles were found suitable for review. RESULTS: Patient ethnicity, culture, sexuality, and spirituality were significantly underrepresented. Mental health co-morbidities such as anxiety and depression were discussed but rarely transitioned to intervention. Psychological challenges included psychosexual anxiety and limited professional knowledge. Sociological challenges included navigating health services and social settings. Literature prioritized continence outcomes that diminished psychosocial complexities. CONCLUSIONS: The intersectionality, mental health concerns, and psychosocial experiences of adults born with anorectal malformation remain largely unknown. Allied health professionals such as social workers can improve ongoing support provision, with interventions that enhance psychosocial functioning and emotional wellbeing.Full Tex
Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of a unique amide library based on the marine natural product 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzoic acid
No full textChemical investigations of the Australian marine sponge Ianthella basta resulted in the isolation of six known secondary metabolites, which included bastadins 4 (1), 5, (2) 8 (3) and 13 (4), 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid (5) and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzoic acid (6). The screening of these metabolites for inhibitory activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain PAO1) for planktonic cell growth and biofilm formation identified metabolite 6 as a biofilm inhibitor. Based on these data a 13 membered semisynthetic amide library was generated using metabolite 6 as a scaffold for medicinal chemistry studies. Whilst none of the new semisynthetic compounds increased inhibitory activity towards PAO1 compared to the original scaffold, additional screening of the natural and semisynthetic library against the clinically relevant strain PDO300 showed that some of the secondary metabolites inhibited planktonic growth and biofilm formation. Furthermore, all semisynthetic compounds displayed increased inhibitory activity of planktonic growth with N,N'-((butane-1,4-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzamide) (19) displaying 46 % planktonic inhibition and 3,5-dibromo-N-(4-fluorophenethyl)-4-methoxybenzamide (14) inhibiting biofilm formation by 21 % at 50 μM. All semisynthetic derivatives were obtained in yields ranging from 3 % to 79 %, and in purities >95 %. All new natural product derivatives were fully characterized following 1D/2D NMR, LRESIMS and HRESIMS data analysis; two semisynthetic compounds were crystalline, which enabled X-ray diffraction studies. The new chemistry and biology reported here indicate that the bastadin and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzoic acid motifs warrant further investigation against P. aeruginosa.Full Tex
Can physical performance food labels encourage healthier food choices among physically active people?
No full textLabeling food options in workplace cafeterias is a cost-effective way of promoting healthy eating. Prior findings on the effectiveness of food labels are mixed. This study develops and empirically tests a new approach: signaling which aspects of physical performance are enhanced by which food item. The study focuses on physically active individuals eating at workplace cafeterias. Study 1 (survey experiment, N = 513) investigates how the new labeling strategy is perceived by physically active participants in a simulated work cafeteria setting. Study 2 (an eye-tracking study, N = 60) tests whether adding messages that leverage personal goals or social identity to the labels increases attention to the labels and their effectiveness. Findings suggest that the new labels outperform current nutritional and physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labels in terms of positive perception, emotional reactions, and self-reported usage. However, self-reported label use did not align with actual food selections, likely due to a simplified cafeteria task that failed to reflect real-life decision-making. Study 2 addressed this with a more realistic setup, showing that the new labels led to significantly healthier food choices compared to no label condition. Adding additional messaging to the labels to further increase their impact did not prove effective. The findings imply that simple, performance-aligned labels might be more effective than existing labels in promoting healthier food choices for physically active individuals.Full Tex
Volunteers’ perceptions of delivering on-field mental health and wellbeing workshops within a youth sports development program
No full textYouth sports development programs provide an opportunity to reach young people in diverse communities with mental health and wellbeing programs. However, ensuring that mental health and wellbeing programs can be integrated into sports programs in a sustainable and engaging format for young people can be challenging. Embedding mental health and wellbeing content within on-field sports activities that can be delivered by local volunteer coaches may overcome some of these barriers. This study examined the perceptions of volunteer coaches delivering on-field mental health and wellbeing workshops within a junior rugby league development program and whether more coaching experience influenced coaches’ perceptions. Of the 48 volunteer coaches recruited, 28 coaches completed the survey: 12 (43%) with more than 10 years coaching experience; 16 (57%) with less than 10 years coaching experience. Compared to less experienced coaches, those with more coaching experience reported significantly more benefit in terms of coaches learning, enjoyment, and engagement from delivering the on-field workshops and having more confidence in completing some online post-workshop protocols. All coaches, regardless of coaching experience, reported high levels of benefit, acceptability, and credibility of the workshops for players. Assessing volunteer coaches’ experience in coaching youth sports may be important for determining their understanding and engagement in delivering mental health and wellbeing programs within youth sports programs.Full Tex
Trends in the Range of Zero Alcohol Products Available in Supermarkets and Alcohol Stores in Australia
No full textINTRODUCTION: With some exceptions, alcohol cannot be sold in Australian supermarkets. The emerging availability of zero alcohol products (ZAP) in supermarkets is therefore introducing alcohol brands into this previously protected domain. The aims of the present study were to examine the prevalence of ZAPs in supermarkets, compare this to the prevalence of ZAPs in alcohol stores, and assess the extent to which ZAPs available in supermarkets share branding with alcohol products. METHODS: ZAPs available for sale in large supermarket and alcohol chain stores in Australia were assessed in 2022 and 2024. Analyses examined: (i) ZAPs available in each store type; (ii) alcohol brand extension ZAPs available in supermarkets; (iii) overlap in ZAP brands between supermarkets and alcohol stores; and (iv) changes in (i)-(iii) over time. RESULTS: The number of unique ZAPs available for sale in supermarkets remained roughly stable between 2022 (n = 70) and 2024 (n = 66). A substantial increase in ZAPs prevalence was observed in alcohol stores (n = 110 in 2022 to n = 261 in 2024). By 2024, ZAPs with alcohol brands dominated supermarkets, representing 59% of available ZAPs, up from 37% in 2022. The percentage of unique ZAPs that were available in both supermarkets and alcohol stores remained stable over the period at 18%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The new dominance of alcohol branded ZAPs in supermarkets demonstrates how alcohol branding is increasingly permeating the supermarket environment in Australia. The resulting increased exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol-related stimuli should be considered in ZAPs policies to minimise adverse outcomes.Full Tex
Seven days of warm-water immersion enhances resting irisin and BDNF, but not klotho, in older men
No full textWe examined whether seven consecutive days of warm-water immersion could elevate resting and exercise-induced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin and klotho in older adults. These biomarkers support cognitive and metabolic health, but their levels decline with age. Passive heat exposure, like warm-water immersion, may offer a promising alternative to exercise for enhancing cellular-level physiological resilience in populations where exercise is limited. Twelve habitually active older men (median [IQR] age: 68 [64–73] years;̇ VO2 peak : 34.1 [29.4–36.1] mL O2 · kg−1 ·min−1 ) completed seven consecutive days of ∼90-min warm-water immersion (∼40◦C),with rectal temperature maintained at ∼38.5◦C for the final 60 min. Before and after the warm-water immersion intervention, participants completed a standardized exercise–heat stress test consisting of three 30-min cycling bouts (150, 200 and 250 W· m−2 ), each separated by 15-min rest. Blood samples were collected at baseline and post-exercise to assess circulating BDNF, irisin, and klotho. Repeated warm-water immersion increased resting BDNF by 2.43 ng · mL−1 (95% CI: 0.64–4.23;P = 0.005; 1.73-fold) and irisin by 0.94 ng · mL−1 (95% CI: 0.25–1.63; P = 0.005;1.65-fold). Resting klotho concentration did not change (mean difference: +0.05 ng· mL−1 ; 95% CI: –0.05 to 0.14; P = 0.539). No significant exercise-induced changes in any cytoprotective hormones were observed (P ≥ 0.053). Seven consecutive days of warm-water immersion elevated resting levels of BDNF and irisin, but not klotho, in older males. Passive heat acclimation may offer a non-exercise strategy to upregulate biomarkers linked to cognitive and metabolic health, reflecting activation of cellular pathways associated with physiological resilience.Full Tex
Real-time picomolar dopamine biosensing in vitro and in vivo enabled by synergistic Fe-Ni nanoalloy electron transport on N-doped carbon nanotubes
No full textNeurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers enabling proper nervous system function, with dopamine (DA) playing a central role in regulating cognition, emotion, and motor control. Abnormal DA levels are implicated in numerous disorders, underscoring the need for highly sensitive and selective detection strategies in fundamental research and clinical diagnostics. The development of high-performance catalysts is key to enhancing the sensitivity of electrochemical sensors, yet achieving ultra-low detection limits and high specificity for DA remains challenging. Herein, we synthesized a promising alloy catalyst by embedding Fe/Ni alloy nanoparticles onto nitrogen-doped, highly graphitized carbon nanotubes (Fe/Ni/N-CNT) using a one-pot method. The strong synergistic interaction between Fe and Ni atoms improved catalytic activity toward DA oxidation, while N-CNT provided effective conductive support for electron transfer. The Fe/Ni/N-CNT-based DA biosensor exhibited an ultra-low detection limit of 0.5 pM and outstanding anti-interference capability. Its practical applicability was validated across various biological models, including pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, wound tissues, brain implants, and normal human serum samples. Computational analyses confirmed that the synergistic electron transport between Fe and Ni atoms significantly enhanced catalytic performance. This study demonstrates the rational design and synthesis of heteroatom-doped carbon materials that support the controlled growth of transition metal alloys. The Fe/Ni/N-CNT-based sensing platform offers a promising, low-cost approach for ultrasensitive detection of DA and early-stage clinical diagnostics in biomedical applications.Full Tex
Insomnia and progression to total joint replacement in hip (41 737) and knee pain (81 958): a prospective UK biobank cohort study
No full textObjective Insomnia often co-exists with hip or knee pain and is associated with greater pain severity. However, there is limited evidence on whether insomnia contributes to progression to joint replacement. Using data from the UK Biobank, we tested whether symptoms of insomnia among people with hip or knee pain are associated with undergoing total hip or knee joint replacement surgery. Methods UK Biobank data from participants with hip (n=41737) or knee pain (n=81958) in the past 3 months were included. Using self-reported baseline data, participants were classified as ‘never’, ‘sometimes’ or ‘usually’ having insomnia symptoms (ie, trouble falling asleep or waking in the night). We examined associations between baseline symptoms of insomnia and undergoing total hip or knee replacement surgery using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results In knee pain, ‘usually’ experiencing insomnia symptoms was associated with undergoing total knee replacement (adjusted HR 1.14 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.25)), within, but not beyond, 4.7 years of enrolment, compared with ‘never’ experiencing insomnia symptoms. No association was observed for ‘sometimes’ experiencing insomnia symptoms and total knee replacement among individuals with knee pain, nor for insomnia symptoms (‘usual’ or ‘sometimes’) and total hip replacement among individuals with hip pain. Conclusion Insomnia may be a modifiable factor contributing to earlier progression to knee replacement. Targeting insomnia through interventions could form part of a holistic approach to managing chronic knee pain. Further research is needed to determine whether managing insomnia can reduce the risk of knee replacement surgery.Full Tex