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Test–retest variability of mesopic microperimetry-associated parameters in patients with retinitis pigmentosa: REPEAT Study Report No. 2
No full textPURPOSE: Understanding test-retest variability (TRV) of mesopic microperimetry is critical for defining meaningful treatment effects in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) trials. This study uniquely evaluates intra- and intervisit TRV and coefficients of repeatability (CoRs) for microperimetry parameters in RP patients with varying best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) levels. METHODS: In this single-centre prospective cohort study, RP patients were assessed on two visits, 14.0 days apart. Patients were grouped by BCVA: low (≤20/50 Snellen; ≥0.4 logMAR) or moderate (>20/50 Snellen; <0.4 logMAR). Using Bland-Altman analyses, the CoRs for intra- and intervisit variability were determined for pointwise (dB), mean (dB), and volume sensitivity (dB*deg2) on mesopic microperimetry. RESULTS: Intravisit CoRs for mean, volume, and pointwise sensitivity were 1.7 dB, 353.2 dB*deg2, and 8.6 dB, respectively, in the low-BCVA group (n = 32), and 0.9 dB, 254.5 dB*deg2, and 7.3 dB in the moderate-BCVA group (n = 15). Intervisit CoRs for mean, volume, and pointwise sensitivity were 2.4 dB, 355.2 dB*deg2, and 10.2 dB in the low-BCVA group (n = 31). The moderate-BCVA group (n = 16) showed smaller CoRs of 1.6 dB, 386.8 dB*deg2, and 7.7 dB for mean, volume, and pointwise sensitivity. BCVA and mean sensitivity, but not fixation stability, are predictors of TRV for volume sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Due to significant TRV, pointwise sensitivity is an unreliable endpoint for RP patients, irrespective of BCVA. Mean sensitivity is suitable as an endpoint when BCVA is relatively preserved. Volume sensitivity provides additional spatial information, and shows promise as a clinical endpoint for assessing macular sensitivity changes on mesopic microperimetry in patients with RP
Inclusive learning spaces in Australian schools: an exploration of stakeholder participation, perspectives and priorities
No full textMost Australian children with disability who attend school are enrolled in mainstream schools, yet insights into their spatial experiences of school environments are limited. This research explored the experiences of students with disability in various school settings, focusing on the physical enablers and barriers to their participation (C. Imms et al., 2017). Data were collected via 18 focus groups with stakeholder groups that included students and young adults with disability (18+ years), parents, disability representative organisations, special school principals and educators. Focus groups were analysed by a team with backgrounds in education, architecture, and health/disability, using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Analysis revealed three themes: 1) genuine commitment to inclusive education, 2) spaces that are available, accessible and adaptable, offering variety and choice, and 3) recognising diversity and the need for responsive settings for teaching and learning. The findings highlighted the need for spaces that can adapt to individual learners, emphasising the importance of forming partnerships with key stakeholders. Co-design processes involving people with disabilities were seen as vital for identifying barriers and enablers to students' meaningful participation. Teacher professional development focused on supporting students' spatial and environmental needs was also recognised as essential for inclusive education
Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy Reveals Trace Elemental Indicators of Life History in Marsupial Teeth
No full textAs teeth develop, their mineralised composition is a bio-recorder of diet, environment, and growth. High-resolution elemental mapping provides a tool to reveal records of life history within teeth. The relative concentrations of a range of trace elements change between in utero development, birth, and weaning in eutherian mammals. Marsupials, however, have a different mode of development: altricial birth and growth within the pouch facilitated by compositional transitions in milk. How these differences alter patterns of elemental mineralisation and become recorded in marsupial teeth is previously unknown. This study analyses the distribution of calcium (major element), zinc (actively incorporated trace element), and strontium (passively incorporated trace element) in the teeth of five species of diprotodontian marsupial using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy. We find that the diprotodontian lower incisor concatenates elemental variation from across the molariform dentition, preserving a prolonged record of life history in four of the five species. Patterns of elemental incorporation in enamel, dentine, and cementum are presented, with Ca, Zn, and Sr having differing distributions. Zn accretion indicates a role in mineralisation and/or prevention of tooth degradation. Zn also demarcates incremental cementum lines. Sr is shown to be passively incorporated into marsupial teeth, with increasing Sr concentration in milk recorded in dental tissues formed contemporaneously. Older individuals have oscillatory signals in Sr that appear linked to seasonality. These findings highlight some similarities between eutherian and marsupial trace element incorporation, particularly in the distribution of Zn. Sr signals in marsupial teeth record key aspects of life history
Co-creating the future through design thinking: Deconstructing the consumer co-creation process
No full textAbstract
Consumer co‐creation, an approach in which consumers and organizations jointly innovate, can yield valuable knowledge about consumers' needs and how to satisfy these needs. Yet, innovating with consumers is challenging due to their varying levels of commitment, skills, and motivations. In this research, we focus on challenges we cluster as cognition‐ and affect‐driven and examine how these challenges can be addressed using a design thinking approach. Building on the insights gained from interviews with key co‐creation stakeholders (n = 73) and three focus groups with experts in design thinking and co‐creation, we develop a grounded process model facilitating co‐creation with consumers. More specifically, we distill three co‐creation phases (labeled as co‐creating context, content, and confluence), consisting of eight constituent activities and resulting dynamics that are cognitive or affective in nature. The distilled affective dynamics manifest in ideation confidence, empathy for diverse perspectives, pleasurable engagement, and being creatively inspired; the distilled cognitive dynamics manifest in an expanded knowledge base and an enhanced ability to analyze and evaluate information. Our grounded model is integrative and responds to calls to further examine affective influences within innovation and organization. Furthermore, our research advances the theoretical substance of design thinking by explaining underlying mechanisms at play that make design thinking an effective approach. Finally, our results add to the literature on consumer co‐creation by developing a robust process model that leverages design thinking and adopts a multistakeholder approach to optimize consumer co‐creation outcomes. In terms of managerial implications, our research presents a structured framework with phases and (micro)activities that will help organizations to actively involve consumers in their innovation process
How Do Psychology Journals Handle Postpublication Critique? A Cross-Sectional Study of Policy and Practice
No full textPostpublication critique, such as letters to the editor, can contribute to the validity and trustworthiness of scientific research. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the policy and practice of postpublication critique in (a) randomly selected (N = 100) and (b) prominent (N = 100) psychology journals. In 2023, an explicit submission option for postpublication critique was available at 23% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [16%, 32%]) of randomly sampled psychology journals and 38% of the most prominent psychology journals. Journals sometimes imposed limits on the length and time allowed to submit critiques. We manually inspected two random samples of empirical articles published in 2020 (articles per sample: N = 101), estimating the prevalence of postpublication critique to be 0% (95% CI = [0%, 3.7%]) in psychology journals generally and 1% (95% CI = [0.2%, 5.4%]) in the most prominent psychology journals. The policy and practice of postpublication critique is seriously neglected in psychology journals
Characterisation of in vitro resistance selection against second-/last-line antibiotics in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 strain
No full textBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing occurrence of MRSA clinical isolates harbouring reduced susceptibility to mainstay antibiotics has escalated the use of second and last line antibiotics. Hence, it is critical to evaluate the likelihood of MRSA developing clinical resistance to these antibiotics. Our study sought to characterize the development of resistance to vancomycin (VAN), daptomycin (DAP) and linezolid (LZD) in MRSA ATCC 43300 in vitro and further determine the mechanisms underpinning resistance. METHODS: MRSA was exposed to increasing concentrations of VAN, DAP and LZD for 20 days, with eight replicates for each antibiotic conducted in parallel. The resulting day 20 (D20) isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing, autolysis assays, and growth curves to determine bacterial fitness. RESULTS: Exposure to VAN or LZD for 20 days resulted in a subtle 2-fold increase in the MIC, whereas DAP exposure yielded DAP-non-susceptible isolates with up to 16-fold MIC increase. The MIC increase was accompanied by variable changes in relative fitness and reduced resistance to autolysis in some isolates. D20 isolates harboured mutations in genes commonly associated with resistance to the respective antibiotics (e.g. walK for VAN, mprF and rpoB for DAP, rplC for LZD), along with several previously unreported variants. Introduction of key mutations to these identified genes in the parental strain via allelic exchange confirmed their role in the development of resistance. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro selection against VAN, DAP or LZD resulted in the acquisition of mutations similar to those correlated with clinical resistance, including the associated phenotypic alterations
The role of the nitrate transporter NRT1.1 in plant iron homeostasis and toxicity on ammonium
No full textAmmonium (NH4+) is toxic to root growth in most plants, and NH4+ toxicity has been linked to disruptions in plant Fe homeostasis. However, only a few genes have been linked to the disruption of Fe homeostasis under NH4+ nutrition, and pathway details have as yet to be resolved. Here, using RNA-seq analysis and RT-qPCR, we explore the response of different genes expressed in the roots of Fe-replete and Fe-starved Arabidopsis plants under NH4+ conditions. The Nitrate Transporter 1.1 (NRT1.1) gene, known to code for a dual-affinity nitrate transporter, but not other NRTs genes, was specifically induced in Fe-replete plants in response to NH4+ provision. NRT1.1 antagonizes NH4+-dependent Fe accumulation, and this antagonism requires NO3- supply. Constitutively expressing NRT1.1 confers higher NO3- uptake and reduces NH4+-dependent Fe accumulation by increasing pH in the rhizosphere. Building on previous evidence establishing the involvement of root Fe accumulation in the root growth response to elevated NH4+, our study shows that NRT1.1-mediated nitrate uptake curtails symptoms of NH4+ toxicity under elevated NH4+ and in the presence of NO3-, by increasing rhizospheric pH, offering new insights into possible pathways for improving the tolerance to NH4+ toxicity in plants
Radicalized Trump Supporters: Construing, Identity Fusion, and Hypothetical and Actual Extremism
No full textIn May 2021, four months after the fatal insurrection of the “Save America” rally at Capitol Hill, 420 supporters of Donald Trump participated in an online study. Although it was not possible to recruit specifically for those involved, a subsample reported being present and active in the insurrection (n = 38), with several involved in the storming of the Capitol Building (n = 28). Individuals’ construing was examined through the repertory grid technique, combined with measures of fusion to the group and willingness to undertake hypothetical extreme pro-group actions. Relatively low cognitive complexity was observed in those actually or hypothetically willing to be involved in the most extreme actions, suggesting that they were the least able to adapt to the world around them. A more positive and meaningful view of the self was developed on becoming a Trump supporter, and fellow Trump supporters were construed more positively than anti-Trump activists. Repertory grid and fusion scores were associated with both actual and hypothetical extreme action. Findings assist in the advancement of understanding why some individuals undertake extreme acts on behalf of a political leader, whilst others do not. With political environments becoming increasingly polarized around the globe, such knowledge is vital
Cellular interactions in maintaining an inflammatory microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis
No full textRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and progressive joint destruction, driven by complex pathogenic mechanisms. Aberrant activation of various cellular components and their dynamic interactions contribute significantly to the onset and progression of RA. Key cell types involved include non-immune cells, such as fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and macrophage-like synoviocytes (MLS), innate immune cells (neutrophils, dendritic cells, and macrophages) and adaptive immune cells (B cells and T cells). These cells collectively release high levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, GM-CSF, and lymphotoxins), chemokines (e.g., CCL17, CCL22, CXCL8 and CXCL10), growth factors (e.g., PDGF, and TGF-β), pro-angiogenic factors (e.g., VEGF and FGF), matrix metalloproteinases (e.g., MMP2 and MMP9), and autoantibodies (e.g., RF and ACPA) that collectively contribute to maintaining an inflammatory microenvironment in RA joints. These molecular mediators recruit and activate distinct cellular subsets that perpetuate inflammation. This review provides an overview of the major cellular subpopulations and their intricate interactions within the RA synovium that ultimately lead to sustained synovial inflammation, bone erosion and cartilage damage. In addition, some insights into the potential disruption of such cellular activations and interactions as therapeutic strategies to achieve better treatment outcomes are also provided
“I could be one of those people that’s alive and happy”: a qualitative exploration of a co-designed group therapy program targeting gender minority stress for trans young people (TAG TEAM)
No full textBackground: TAG TEAM is a novel group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for trans young people which targets gender minority stress. It aims to improve mental health through provision of CBT strategies and facilitation of trans peer connection. This qualitative study was embedded in a larger study, which examined the feasibility and acceptability of the TAG TEAM program in trans young people. Aim: We aimed to explore participants’ experience of the TAG TEAM program and its impact on their mental health. Methods: We conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with trans young people who had attended the TAG TEAM program as part of a larger feasibility study (M = 15.3 years; SD = 0.8; range = 14-16 years). The interviews were conducted on Zoom and explored participants’ experience of different features of the program (e.g. content, facilitators) and its impact on their mental health and wellbeing. We recorded and transcribed the interviews and analyzed them using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Overall, the reflexive thematic analysis of the data generated four themes: (1) A new way of coping with transphobia, (2) The complexity of group connection, (3) The experiences of program delivery, and (4) The shadow of the waitlist. Overall, the TAG TEAM program allowed trans young people to develop a new way of coping with transphobia, and to generate a more prideful, hopeful outlook. However, participants’ experiences of the program were also shaped by the complexity of community connection and the presence of the waiting time to access gender affirming care