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Detecting and attributing climate change effects on vegetation: Australia as a test case
No full textSocietal Impact Statement
Climate change is contributing to vegetation changes that threaten life support systems. Yet, inherent climatic variability and past and present human actions—such as clearing, burning and grazing regimes—also alter vegetation and complicate understanding of vegetation change. Australian ecosystems exemplify such complexity. To predict future vegetation changes, proactively guide management and ensure persistent drivers do not disrupt intended outcomes, we need to untangle the effects of these various change drivers on vegetation. Such attribution of change, which is rarely done, requires historical context, long‐term datasets of vegetation and environmental drivers and integrating data with process‐based understanding.
Summary
Climate change is expected to affect vegetation: associated rising atmospheric CO2, higher temperatures and more variable and extreme rainfall regimes can all cause major shifts in vegetation composition, structure and function. Such effects need to be detected to confirm understanding and to inform models that can predict future vegetation change and guide management efforts. However, many change drivers—some related to, and others distinct from, climate change—simultaneously affect vegetation. These drivers include altered land management practices and shifts in fire and grazing regimes. Untangling the signals of climate‐change‐induced vegetation change from these other drivers of variation poses significant challenges. These challenges are amplified in regions with high interdecadal climate variability and enduring legacies of shifting human activities. Here, we assess attempts to detect and attribute vegetation change across Australia, a continent that exemplifies such complexities. We develop a scheme to classify attribution efforts according to whether they consider (1) qualitative or quantitative evidence, (2) mechanistic explanations and (3) alternative plausible change drivers. While a significant body of evidence demonstrates vegetation change in Australia, we find that it is difficult to confidently attribute changes to recent climate shifts—noting that few studies have attempted to do so. Several recommendations emerge that may improve attribution worldwide, including explicitly considering attribution strength, committing to long‐term monitoring of vegetation and change drivers and recognising multiple drivers of change, especially past and present human influences. Finally, achieving the strongest level of attribution requires linking observations and mechanistic models
Determining the metrics of competence in robotic hysterectomy: a systematic review
No full textWith the rapidly increasing use of robotic-assisted surgery in gynecology, there is a clear need for a structured robotic hysterectomy curriculum. To develop an effective training program, valid performance metrics that reliably assess skill level is required. As part of robotic curriculum development with IMRA using Kern's framework, this systematic review aims to identify proposed metrics of competence and assess their validity within the context of robotic hysterectomy training. A systematic literature search of OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, with keywords related to 'hysterectomy', 'robot-assisted', and 'metric'. The study aims, methods, outcomes, description of metrics, measurements of metrics, and metrics validity were extracted and analyzed. The initial search yielded 531 articles, of which 3 were included. Three additional articles were identified through citation and website searching, resulting in a total of six articles being included in this review. Development and identification of both simulator and intraoperative metrics greatly varied between the studies. Several studies utilized an expert consensus-based methodology, such as a modified Delphi methodology, to develop performance metrics. All metrics were assessed for content, construct, and predictive validity. Two studies were able to demonstrate predictive validity; however, there was limited correlation between virtual reality simulator metrics and intraoperative scores. This review highlights the lack of standardized and validated metrics specific to robotic hysterectomy, as well as the inability of established assessment tools to differentiate between robotic surgical skill level. This forms the context for ongoing work at IMRA to develop a granular assessment tool to assess skill acquisition as part of a robotic hysterectomy curriculum
“It's a risk-benefit analysis”: Qualitative perspectives on barriers and enablers to post-treatment vaccination from adults affected by a haematological malignancy in Australia
No full textBACKGROUND: People affected by haematological malignancies are at high risk of morbidity and mortality caused by vaccine-preventable infections. However, vaccination commencement and completion following anti-cancer treatment is sub-optimal for this population. Innovation relating to vaccination delivery and schedules, informed by the needs and preferences of the target population, may improve uptake of vaccinations. This study explored barriers and enablers to vaccinations, novel vaccines and vaccination schedules, from the perspectives of this cohort. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study at an Australian specialist cancer hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients via telephone or videoconferencing, exploring experiences of, and views regarding, vaccination after anti-cancer treatment, and barriers and enablers to vaccination. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected prior to interviews and analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were analysed inductively using template analysis, then mapped to the COM-B model of behaviour change, and barriers and enablers identified. RESULTS: Twenty blood cancer patients participated. Participants described barriers including poor care coordination, travel, time, and financial costs, concerns regarding potential side effects and injury, intervention and appointment fatigue, and concerns regarding vaccine development processes. Enablers included: consultative conversations, information available in various formats, automated appointments and reminders, hybrid and shared models of care, being linked-in with trusted health professionals, confidence in public health advice and vaccine development processes, and seeing vaccinations as central to their recovery. CONCLUSION: Barriers and enablers to vaccination identified suggest ways in which vaccination services for this population can be improved. While patients receiving vaccinations at their treating centre reported coordinated care that made access straightforward, other participants described being hampered by lack of coordinated care and continuity. A lack of condition-specific information coupled with common vaccine misconceptions resulted in concerns regarding vaccinations. These findings offer opportunities to address barriers to vaccination uptake through targeted service innovation and education and information interventions
Nonhuman Animal Dignity
No full textABSTRACT
The concept of nonhuman animal dignity is much less discussed than human dignity but is starting to attract philosophical interest. This paper examines ‘animal dignity’ and details four possible kinds, namely dignity as inherent worth and/or high moral significance, dignity related to flourishing animal natures and justice, social dignity, and honour‐based dignity. The paper reviews criticisms of animal dignity and offers some replies. It considers possible implications of recognising dignity for animals and for our treatment of them
TMS-EEG Shows Mindfulness Meditation Is Associated With a Different Excitation/Inhibition Balance in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
No full textAbstract
Objectives
Mindfulness meditation is associated with functional brain changes in regions subserving higher order cognitive processes such as attention. However, no research to date has probed these areas in meditators using combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG). This study aimed to investigate whether cortical reactivity to TMS differs in a community sample of experienced mindfulness meditators when compared to matched controls.
Method
TMS was applied to the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 19 controls and 15 meditators while brain responses were measured using EEG. TMS-evoked potentials (P60 and N100) were compared between the groups using repeated measures ANOVAs and Mann–Whitney U tests where appropriate, and exploratory analyses using the whole EEG scalp field were performed to test whether TMS-evoked global neural response strength or the distribution of neural activity differed between groups.
Results
Meditators were found to have statistically larger P60/N100 ratios in response to both left and right hemisphere DLPFC stimulation compared to controls (both left and right p
FDR < 0.01, BF
10
> 39). No differences were observed in P60 or N100 amplitudes when examined independently. We also found preliminary evidence for differences in the spatial distribution of neural activity 269–332 ms post stimulation.
Conclusions
These differences in the distribution of neural activity around 300 ms after stimulation suggest that meditators may have differences in connectivity between cortical and subcortical brain regions, potentially reflecting greater inhibitory activity in frontal regions. This research contributes to our current understanding of the neurophysiology of mindfulness and highlights opportunities for further exploration into the mechanisms underpinning the benefits of mindfulness meditation.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered
Volatile organic compounds in regular and organic vaping liquids: a public health concern
No full textAbstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are a growing public health concern. Vaping liquids used in e-cigarettes emit a range of chemicals, including potentially hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOCs is associated with adverse effects including asthma attacks, neurological disorders, and increased risk of cancer. This study investigated the VOCs emitted into the headspace of a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer from e-cigarette vaping liquids, identified potentially hazardous compounds, and compared emissions between regular and organic versions. Vaping liquids (n = 25) were randomly selected from the market and analysed for their volatile emissions using headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The products were available for sale in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, and included regular (flavoured and flavourless) and organic (flavoured) versions. Results revealed that the vaping liquids collectively emitted 162 VOCs with 47 classified as potentially hazardous. Notably, all of the flavoured vaping liquids (regular and organic) emitted one or more VOCs classified as potentially hazardous. Further, among the 47 VOC occurrences classified as potentially hazardous, none were listed on any vaping liquid label or related product website. We found no significant difference in VOCs emitted between the regular (flavoured) and organic (flavoured) vaping liquids, and 40% of the hazardous VOCs detected were the same among these regular and organic versions. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that vaping liquids are a source of exposure to numerous volatile compounds, including potentially hazardous VOCs such as benzene, toluene and xylene. Moreover, the long-term health effects of vaping liquids are not well understood, highlighting the need for improved information on ingredients and health risks
Towards Coproduction in Mental Health Academia: A Cooperative Inquiry
No full textCoproduction has emerged as an important means of effective mental health service delivery. Unfortunately, this term is commonly misunderstood, with tokenistic participation too often presented as coproduction. Funding and resourcing have been identified as significant, and often insurmountable, barriers to achieving coproduction. This paper presents findings from a cooperative inquiry project, addressing ideas and strategies for working towards coproduction within an academic unit. Three consumer/lived Experience academics and three nonconsumer academics (from Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Social Work) participated in a series of in-depth conversations to consider and identify potential strategies to advance the faculty's progress towards coproduction. Conversations were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. Five main themes were identified: importance of coproduction; preparing for coproduction; barriers to coproduction; the need for university transformation; and power. A belief in the inherent value of coproduction was shared among the group, and strategies were identified to clarify the level of participation. Radical transformation of universities, aligned with contemporary industry practice, is essential to achieving coproduction. Strategies such as allocating vacant academic positions for health professionals to consumer academics are indicative of measures required for genuine aspirations for coproduction to be realised and to address the seemingly insurmountable funding issues. Universities must recognise power differences and remain honest about their position according to participation ladders. These findings provide guidance for academics who acknowledge the value of coproduction to address the commonly identified barriers to its implementation
Expert Position Statement: Defining the Role of Intestinal Ultrasound in Assessing Constipation and Faecal Loading
No full textBACKGROUND: Intestinal ultrasound has been proposed as a tool to assess non-inflammatory functional gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation and faecal loading. However, well-defined sonographic criteria for these conditions are currently lacking. AIM: To identify and establish specific sonographic parameters that could be used to assess constipation and faecal loading with intestinal ultrasound. METHODS: We conducted a Research and Development/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness method exercise. A multidisciplinary, international panel comprising 14 experts in adult and paediatric gastroenterology and one radiologist experienced in gastrointestinal imaging rated the appropriateness of 57 statements using a 9-point Likert scale over two rounds of voting. Based on the median panel rating and level of disagreement, statements were categorised as appropriate, inappropriate or uncertain. RESULTS: 43 statements were deemed appropriate after two rounds of voting, while three were rated as inappropriate and five as uncertain. Intestinal ultrasound was determined to be an appropriate modality for the assessment of faecal loading. Posterior acoustic shadowing and echogenic reflections were considered important sonographic parameters for the assessment of faecal loading. A rectal diameter of 30 mm was considered appropriate to define faecal loading in paediatric patients, although no recommendation was made for adult patients due to a paucity of data. CONCLUSION: The expert panel considered intestinal ultrasound an appropriate modality for evaluating constipation and faecal loading. Further prospective research is required, especially in adult patients, to define sonographic metrics of luminal contents to broaden its application in the assessment of functional gastrointestinal disorders
Investigating the Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches to Guide Early Intervention
No full text© 2025 Joshua FrostBackground: Research indicates that elite-level coaches encounter specific performance, organisational and personal stressors that can influence their mental health. To date, however, little is known about their mental health experiences and factors that influence mental health help-seeking. Such information is needed to guide the development of evidence-based supports, particularly those that focus on early intervention strategies, to protect the mental health of elite-level coaches.
Aims and objectives: This thesis aims to advance the current discourse by investigating four research aims, including: (1) examining rates of mental health symptoms; (2) identifying risk and protective factors that shape mental health outcomes; (3) investigating perceptions and attitudes regarding mental health; and (4) exploring factors that influence mental health help-seeking among elite-level coaches.
Methods: Five studies were conducted to address the research questions, beginning with a systematic scoping review to assess what is currently known about the mental health of elite-level coaches (Chapter 2). Using a qualitative research design, 14 semi-structured interviews were then performed to explore the perceived risk and protective factors that influence the mental health of Australian elite coaches (Chapter 3). Such insights were utilised to inform a cross-sectional online survey, examining rates of mental ill-health and associated organisational risk factors among an international sample of elite coaches (n=158) (Chapter 4). The survey also explored perceptions and attitudes that elite coaches (n=143) hold regarding mental health, investigating their ability to identify depression and burnout, beliefs regarding sources and methods of support, and perceptions of mental health stigma among coaches and athletes, using a vignette methodology (Chapter 5). Lastly, a group concept mapping study was conducted with 10 Olympic/Paralympic coaches and 9 mental health professionals to identify perceived challenges to mental health help-seeking among Olympic and Paralympic coaches (Chapter 6).
Results: The systematic scoping review indicated that current research has primarily investigated burnout and mental wellbeing compared to mental health symptoms and disorders among elite coaches. Several multi-level risk and protective factors were also identified using a socio-ecological framework. Insights from Chapter 3 supported these findings, as Australian coaches described a range of individual, interpersonal and organisational factors that shaped their mental health. Notably, participants primarily reported demands emanating from organisational sources, such as job insecurity and poor work-life balance. Findings from Chapter 4 indicated that the minority of elite coaches reported experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms, risky alcohol consumption and suicidal ideation, with job insecurity the only organisational risk factor associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. In Chapter 5, findings indicated that elite coaches could detect depression among athlete and coach vignettes more accurately than burnout. Additionally, coaches viewed medical/psychological interventions (e.g. talking to a mental health professional) to be more helpful for coaches and athletes experiencing depression, while activity-based interventions (e.g. taking leave) were considered more appropriate for burnout. When seeking help, the ‘pressures and instability within high-performance sports environments’ were identified as the most important but least feasible barrier to address for Olympic and Paralympic coaches in Chapter 6.
Conclusions: The studies from this thesis suggest that tailored mental health supports are needed to safeguard the mental health of elite-level coaches, with a particular emphasis on organisational factors, such as job insecurity. Given the range of mental health symptoms reported by participants, limitations with levels of mental health literacy and perceived barriers to help-seeking, sports organisations should make efforts to develop psychologically safe environments where elite coaches can disclose mental health challenges when they arise, promote early intervention strategies so that coaches know how (and from whom) to access help when needed, and work to establish high-performance cultures that minimise – as far as possible – factors that can undermine or damage the mental health of their coaching staff
How FAIR is metadata for human pluripotent stem cells?
No full textThe rapid and global expansion of stem cell research over the last two decades necessitates coordinated and effective management of information describing stem cell lines and accompanying data resources. Here, we evaluate the maturity of the field by applying FAIR data principles-findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable-to assess the quality of information describing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in dedicated data infrastructure. We identified a lack of coordination across different jurisdictions that prevents effective information sharing, such as the absence of persistent digital identifiers, inconsistent data standards, and restrictive sharing policies. Using Australia, the United States, Japan, and Europe as case studies, we underscore the need for national infrastructure to support comprehensive cell line cataloging. This is the first systematic evaluation of FAIR principles in the field and indicates that improving metadata standardization and cross-platform coordination will enhance data reuse and strengthen the value of local resources