136986 research outputs found
Sort by
An exploration of serious falls after stroke using a large international stroke rehabilitation database
No full textBACKGROUND: Falls are common after stroke and can have serious consequences such as hip fracture. Prior research shows around half of individuals will fall within the 12 months post stroke, and these falls are more likely to cause serious injury compared to people without stroke. However, there is limited research on risk factors collected in the immediate post-stroke period that may relate to falls risk. Furthermore, the circumstances and consequences surrounding falls resulting in serious adverse events (serious falls) is underexplored. AIMS: Using longitudinal cohort data from A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT), we aimed to describe the occurrence, consequences, and circumstances of serious falls over 12 months post stroke and examine potential risk factors associated with these serious falls. METHODS: Data from participants included in the AVERT trial (n = 2104; recruited from 56 stroke units across five countries) were analyzed. Serious falls were defined as those resulting in death, were life threatening, or required/prolonged hospitalization. Baseline variables included: demographics, pre-morbid function, stroke severity, hemi-neglect, functional independence, and mobility. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, Fisher's tests, and Firth's logistic regressions (adjusting for age, stroke severity, and AVERT intervention group). RESULTS: Of the 2104 participants, 85 (4%) experienced at least one serious fall (mean age 78.1 years, 45 male), with 91 individual falls. Fifty-five (60%) serious falls resulted in fracture, with 23 (42%) being hip fractures. Two (2%) falls resulted in death. Serious falls were most common during the day (26 of 38 reported), at home (30 of 63 reported) and while ambulating (22 of 42 reported). More serious falls were experienced by participants who were older, had worse pre-morbid mobility, were unable to walk 10 m independently in the first 24 hours post stroke, or required longer than 14 days to walk 50 m unassisted. CONCLUSION: This large international prospective study found 1 in 25 stroke survivors experienced serious falls in the first year after stroke. Fractures were a common outcome of these falls, but the true post-stroke fracture rate is likely to be underestimated due to our study methods, such as the exclusion of individuals with poor pre-morbid mobility and the absence of data on fractures not relating to falls or leading to an inpatient hospital admission. Clear associations between older age, impaired pre- and early post-stroke mobility and heightened risk of serious falls were found. Integrating these factors into post-stroke screening tools could improve identification of individuals at greater risk of serious falls and lead to more focused rehabilitation and injury prevention
Curating as care
No full text© 2025 Natalie Rebecca King“Curating as Care” charts the role of care in Natalie King’s curatorial practice spanning 25+ years with a focus on 3 distinctive, exhibition case studies: Destiny Deacon: Walk & don’t look blak (2004), Museum of Contemporary, Sydney and touring internationally; Up Close: Carol Jerrems with Larry Clark, Nan Goldin and William Yang, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne (2010) and Yuki Kihara: Paradise Camp, 59th Venice Biennale 2022 & Powerhouse Museum, Sydney 2023. The document considers care as an interdependent curatorial modality that actively reconfigures creative relationships and build sustainable collaborations
Development of polymer inclusion beads (PIBs) for metal separation and catalysis
No full text© 2025 Leda Alejandra Hidalgo VilcaThis study investigates the fabrication of new polymer inclusion beads and core-shell materials, focusing on their dual applications: the recovery of valuable metal such as, Zn(II), from simulated industrial wastewaters and its potential use in catalysis applications.
The recovery of Zn(II) from industrial wastewaters is important for reducing waste discharge into the environment while also promoting resource recycling. The present study reports a novel approach for Zn(II) recovery from acidic wastewaters (i.e., simulated electroplating waste solutions) using polymer inclusion beads (PIBs) of an average diameter of 620 +/- 32 um, developed by modifying existing phase inversion microfluidic fabrication methods, with a submillimeter diameter range suitable for industrial applications. Fabricated PIBs contained poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as base polymer and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the extractant. PIBs with an optimal composition of 70 wt% D2EHPA and 30 wt% PVC were characterised by a smooth and spherical appearance. These PIBs exhibited effective Zn(II) extraction from feed solutions at pH 3.0, and Zn(II) was completely back-extracted in 1 M HCl receiving solution. The PIBs were reusable for at least seven complete extraction/back-extraction cycles and exhibited a high selectivity for Zn(II) over Cu(II) and Ni(II) when applied to separation from simulated electroplating solutions. This indicated the PIBs suitability for practical applications.
Additionally, this study investigates the fabrication and performance of large core-shell beads (CS-PIBs) with an average core and shell diameter of 579 +/- 68 um. Their outer shell - a 22.5 +/- 3.0 um thin layer. CS-PIBs were fabricated using a 10 w/v% core solution in THF with 60:40 PVC:DOP mass ratio, and a 4 w/v% shell solution in THF with a D2EHPA:PVC mass ratio of 70:30. CS-PIBs were successfully fabricated following adjustments and optimisation of the modified microfluidic system. Both PIBs and CS-PIBs were evaluated not only for Zn(II) extraction, but also for Pd(II) extraction, which was subsequently reduced to Pd(0) to form palladium nanoparticle-coated CS-PIBs. CS-PIBs and PIBs extracted Pd(II), respectively, and successfully formed PdNPs upon reduction with ascorbic acid, forming PdNPPIBs and PdNPCS-PIBs coatings. Under optimised Suzuki-Miyaura reaction conditions, PdNPPIBs achieved 4-acetylbiphenyl yield of 96%, compared to 76% product yield for PdNPCS-PIBs catalyst. Overall, the application of PdNPPIBs demonstrated promising catalytic performance with a high yield in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction using water as the sole solvent and operating under mild conditions. These findings demonstrate that production of the above mentioned PIBs and CS-PIBs have significant promise for future industrial applications.
Additionally, PIBs mass of 0.888 +/- 0.013 g were packed into a column, referred to here as PIB-column, which was subsequently used for online Zn(II) extraction and back-extraction in the first study of PIB-column-based separation. Zn(II) was completely back-extracted into a 150 mL of 1 M HCl stripping solution stream at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min^-1 which resulted in an 8.6-fold Zn(II) pre-concentration. Long-term stability of the PIB-column was demonstrated in five consecutive extraction/back-extraction cycles, involving the use of 10.0 L of feed solution and 1.4 L of 1 M HCl stripping solution, where Zn(II) recoveries from 95% to 99% were achieved in each extraction/back-extraction cycle, with only a minor D2EHPA loss. The PIB-column was successfully applied to the selective recovery of Zn(II) from a simulated electroplating waste solution containing Zn(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II), which demonstrated the potential of the PIB-column for industrial applications
A Nonrandomized Pilot Study to Investigate the Acceptability and Feasibility of LivR Well: A Multifaceted 28-Day Home-Based Liver Optimization Program for Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has a 22%-74% 28-day mortality rate and 30%-40% 30-day readmission rate. We investigated the acceptability and feasibility of a multimodal community intervention for ACLF. METHODS: A single-arm nonrandomized pilot study of consecutive participants with ACLF was conducted in a tertiary health service. Participants received weekly medical and nursing reviews, dietetics, physiotherapy, pharmacy, social work, addiction medicine, and neuropsychiatry, where indicated. A digital platform included remote weight monitoring and online surveys. The primary outcome was acceptability/feasibility. Secondary outcomes included safety, mortality, readmission, liver disease severity, and costs. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled with median age 51 years (interquartile range (IQR): 45-59); majority alcohol etiology (74%),and median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Sodium score 16 (IQR: 12-21). LivR Well was acceptable with low attrition (8 of 59), adherence to the program including home visits (mean 8.4 ± 4.2) and consultations (mean 2.4 ± 1.5) per patient. This was supported by positive feedback and themes identified through a qualitative subanalysis. Feasibility was demonstrated by recruitment rate of 4.94 patients/month and 86% completion. Mortality was lower than expected at 3%, 30-day readmission rate was 15%, and median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Sodium score reduced to 15 (P = .01). Median 6-month costs reduced from 21,953-17,657 (42,876) (P = .009). The total 6-month health-care cost was 2,518,227 (95% confidence interval 1,959,610-3,076,844). CONCLUSION: LivR Well was acceptable, feasible, and safe with low short-term mortality and readmission rates. Health-care costs were reduced by 26% driven by a 40% reduction in 30-day readmission. Further evaluation includes a randomized controlled trial of LivR Well compared to standard care
New diagnosis in psychiatry: Beyond heuristics
No full textBackground Diagnosis in psychiatry faces familiar challenges. Validity and utility remain elusive, and confusion regarding the fluid and arbitrary border between mental health and illness is increasing. The mainstream strategy has been conservative and iterative, retaining current nosology until something better emerges. However, this has led to stagnation. New conceptual frameworks are urgently required to catalyze a genuine paradigm shift. Methods We outline candidate strategies that could pave the way for such a paradigm shift. These include the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), and Clinical Staging, which all promote a blend of dimensional and categorical approaches. Results These alternative still heuristic transdiagnostic models provide varying levels of clinical and research utility. RDoC was intended to provide a framework to reorient research beyond the constraints of DSM. HiTOP began as a nosology derived from statistical methods and is now pursuing clinical utility. Clinical Staging aims to both expand the scope and refine the utility of diagnosis by the inclusion of the dimension of timing. None is yet fit for purpose. Yet they are relatively complementary, and it may be possible for them to operate as an ecosystem. Time will tell whether they have the capacity singly or jointly to deliver a paradigm shift. Conclusions Several heuristic models have been developed that separately or synergistically build infrastructure to enable new transdiagnostic research to define the structure, development, and mechanisms of mental disorders, to guide treatment and better meet the needs of patients, policymakers, and society
Real-world Cohort Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of Filgotinib Use in Ulcerative Colitis
No full textBACKGROUND: Filgotinib is a small molecule with preferential inhibition of Janus kinase type 1, approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in Scotland in May 2022. We present the first real-world experience on its use in clinical practice. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational, cohort study we assessed patients with active ulcerative colitis who received filgotinib in NHS Lothian, Scotland. Baseline demographic, phenotype, and follow-up data were collected via review of electronic medical records. RESULTS: We included 91 patients with median treatment duration of 39 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 23-49). Among the cohort, 67% [61/91] were biologic- and small molecule-naïve, and 20.9% [19/91] had failed one and 12.1% [11/91] two or more classes of advanced therapy. Of the biologic- and small molecule-naïve patients, 18% [11/61] were also thiopurine-naïve. Clinical remission [partial Mayo score <2] was achieved in 71.9% [41/57] and 76.4% [42/55] of patients at Weeks 12 and 24 respectively. Biochemical remission [C reactive protein ≤5 mg/L] was achieved in 87.3% [62/71] at Week 12 and 88.9% [40/45] at Week 24. Faecal biomarker [calprotectin <250 µg/g] remission was achieved in 82.8% [48/58] at Week 12 and 79.5% [35/44] at Week 24. At the end of follow-up, median 42 weeks [IQR 27-50], 82.4% [75/91] of patients remained on filgotinib. Severe adverse events leading to drug discontinuation occurred in 2.2% [2/91] and there were 8.8% [8/91] moderate adverse events that required temporary discontinuation. CONCLUSION: These are the first reported data on the real-world efficacy and safety of filgotinib in ulcerative colitis. Our findings demonstrate that filgotinib is an effective and low-risk treatment option for these patients
High Prevalence and Genetic Heterogeneity of Anaplasma marginale in Smallholder Bovine Populations of Pakistan, and Its Implications
No full textBovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, is a major tick-borne disease in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, leading to significant production losses. Prolonged convalescence periods are common and surviving animals often become subclinical carriers. This study aimed to detect and characterise A. marginale in bovines in smallholder dairy farms across diverse climatic zones of Pakistan using molecular methods. In total, 321 blood DNA samples from apparently healthy cattle (n = 174) and buffaloes (n = 147) from six districts in Pakistan were tested for A. marginale using a nested PCR assay, targeting part of the major surface protein B gene (msp1β) as a genetic marker, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis and selective sequencing of amplicons from test-positive samples. Of the 321 DNA samples tested, 135 (42.1%) were test-positive for A. marginale. Prevalence was significantly higher in cattle (64.4%; 112/174) than in buffaloes (15.6%; 23/147), and female bovines (43.5%; 108/248) were more frequently infected than males (37%; 27/73). Phylogenetic analysis of the msp1β sequence data (n = 42) revealed that A. marginale from Pakistan clustered with those from Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, and the USA. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of A. marginale from bovines from diverse agroecological zones of Pakistan and will further stimulate population genetic studies of A. marginale and investigations into the economic impact of subclinical infections in bovines in smallholder farming systems
Governance in Technology Licensing: Managing Collaboration Problems
No full text© 2025 Amir HassanzadeganThis thesis examines the governance of technology licensing, a critical yet understudied form of business-to-business exchange that enables firms to access, develop, and commercialize technologies beyond their internal capabilities. Technology licensing plays a dual role in innovation strategy, allowing for both inbound acquisition of external knowledge and outbound commercialization of proprietary technologies. Despite its growing strategic and financial significance—evident in a global market exceeding USD 320 billion—technology licensing often fails due to governance challenges such as contractual incompleteness, misaligned incentives, and difficulties in monitoring compliance.
To address these challenges, this thesis draws on insights from marketing, law, and economics to study how licensing agreements are structured and managed. The first essay investigates why licensing parties combine legally enforceable and non-legally enforceable provisions—so-called “braided contracts.” Using a longitudinal dataset of high-tech licensing agreements, it shows how different uncertainties (technological, partner, and legal) shape the inclusion of braided provisions, and how licensing experience moderates these effects. The second essay develops a multi-method empirical study of double-sided agency problems, revealing how payment structures such as royalties and fixed fees can be tailored to mitigate opportunism by both licensors and licensees. Evidence from archival data and a conjoint experiment demonstrates that payment forms not only influence contractual design but also shape compliance with agreed standards, offering actionable guidance for practitioners.
Overall, this thesis provides an integrative framework for understanding the governance of technology licensing across setup, process, and outcome stages. By conceptualizing licensing as a dynamic exchange shaped by multiple layers of uncertainty and bounded by time-compressed contracts, it clarifies how firms can better design agreements to safeguard knowledge, foster collaboration, and enhance compliance. These findings advance interorganizational governance theory, extend marketing’s domain into the management of technology exchange, and offer practical insights for managers seeking to capture the strategic benefits of licensing while mitigating its risks
Cecelia: a multifunctional image analysis toolbox for decoding spatial cellular interactions and behaviour
No full textWith the ever-increasing complexity of microscopy modalities, it is imperative to have computational workflows that enable researchers to process and perform in-depth quantitative analysis of the resulting images. However, workflows that allow flexible, interactive and intuitive analysis from raw images to analysed data are lacking for many experimental use-cases. Notably, integrated software solutions for analysis of complex 3D and live cell images are sorely needed. To address this, we present Cecelia, a toolbox that integrates various open-source packages into a coherent data management suite to make quantitative multidimensional image analysis accessible for non-specialists. We describe the application of Cecelia to several immunologically relevant scenarios and the development of an unbiased approach to distinguish dynamic cell behaviours from live imaging data. Cecelia is available as a software package with a Shiny app interface (https://github.com/schienstockd/cecelia). We envision that this framework and its approaches will be of broad use for biological researchers
Habenula contributions to negative self-cognitions
No full textSelf-related cognitions are integral to personal identity and psychological wellbeing. Persistent engagement with negative self-cognitions can precipitate mental ill health; whereas the ability to restructure them is protective. Here, we leverage ultra-high field 7T fMRI and dynamic causal modelling to characterise a negative self-cognition network centred on the habenula - a small midbrain region linked to the encoding of punishment and negative outcomes. We model habenula effective connectivity in a discovery sample of healthy young adults (n = 45) and in a replication cohort (n = 56) using a cognitive restructuring task during which participants repeated or restructured negative self-cognitions. The restructuring of negative self-cognitions elicits an excitatory effect from the habenula to the posterior orbitofrontal cortex that is reliably observed across both samples. Furthermore, we identify an excitatory effect of the habenula on the posterior cingulate cortex during both the repeating and restructuring of self-cognitions. Our study provides evidence demonstrating the habenula's contribution to processing self-cognitions. These findings yield unique insights into habenula's function beyond processing external reward/punishment to include abstract internal experiences