19683 research outputs found
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Symbiosis or Precarity? Digital Platforms’ Role on Australian Digital-Native Journalism and Their Funding Models
No full textLegacy media outlets, especially newspapers, have confronted significant challenges this century due to the shift of advertising revenues to digital platforms like Facebook and Google. Major events like the Global Financial Crisis (2007–2009) and Covid-19 pandemic intensified the financial strain, resulting in further downsizing and newsroom closures. Despite these difficulties, digital-native journalism has experienced widespread growth globally. This article explores funding models of selected digital-native journalism in Australia, drawing on platform dependency theory to address questions of what role digital technology platforms and nascent regulation have played in shaping the state of digital-native journalism in Australia. Australia’s concentrated media ownership landscape and its introduction of the world-first News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC), provide a unique backdrop to examine the economic and regulatory environment that impacts Australia’s digital-native journalism. Using a case-study approach, the research explores seven diverse digital-native news outlets over six years across three time periods: several years after the Global Financial Crisis (2017), just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic (2020–), and after the introduction of the NMBC (2023). Expert interviews provide insights into the role of digital platforms in shaping digital-only media. The digital native fail rate in this study is high (>40%). But we also find that of those that endure, the most successful placed a premium on building a distinctive brand (often through specialized reporting), adopting a diversified (hybrid) funding model, and growing audience share through trust. Most benefited from regulation in the form of the NMBC to increase newsroom resources, yet were also cautious of platform dependency.</p
Calcium ions have a detrimental impact on the boundary lubrication property of hyaluronic acid and lubricin (PRG-4) both alone and in combination
No full textCartilage demineralisation in Osteoarthritis (OA) patients can elevate calcium ion levels in synovial fluid, as evidenced by the prevalence of precipitated calcium phosphate crystals in OA synovial fluid. Although it has been reported that there is a potential connection between elevated concentrations of calcium ions and a deterioration in the lubrication and wear resistance of cartilage tissues, the mechanism behind the strong link between calcium ion concentration and decreased lubrication performance is unclear. In this work, the AFM friction, imaging, and normal force distance measurements were used to investigate the lubrication performances of hyaluronic acid (HA), Lubricin (LUB), and HA-LUB complex in the presence of calcium ions (5 mM, 15 mM, and 30 mM), to understand the possible mechanism behind the change of lubrication property. The results of AFM friction measurements suggest that introducing calcium ions to the environment effectively eliminated the lubrication ability of HA and HA-LUB, especially with relatively low loading applied. The AFM images indicate that it is unlikely that structural or morphological changes in the surface-bound layer upon calcium ions addition are primarily responsible for the friction results demonstrated. Further, the poor correlation between the effect of calcium ions on the adhesion forces and its impact on friction suggests that the decrease in the lubricating ability of both layers is likely a result of changes in the hydration of the HA-LUB surface bound layers than changes in intermolecular or intramolecular binding. This work provides the first experimental evidence lending towards the relationship between bone demineralisation and articular cartilage degradation at the onset of OA and the mechanism through which elevated calcium levels in the synovial fluid act on joint lubrication
Seroprevalence and molecular characterisation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in broiler farms in Sabah, Malaysia
No full textBackground: Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is classified as a highly contagious viral agent that causes acute respiratory, reproductive and renal system pathology in affected poultry farms. Molecular and serological investigations are crucial for the accurate diagnosis and management of IBV. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of IBV and to characterise the circulating IBV in poultry farms in Sabah Province, Malaysia. Methods: To determine IBV antibodies, a total of 138 blood samples and 50 organ samples were collected from 10 commercial broiler flocks in 3 different farms by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IDEXX Kit) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by sequencing. Results: A total of 94.2% (130/138) of the samples were seropositive for IBV in the vaccinated flock, and 38% (52/138) of the birds was the IBV titre for infection. The selected seropositive samples for IBV were confirmed by RT-PCR, with 22% (11/50) being IBV positive amplified and sequenced by targeted highly conserved partial nucleocapsid (N) genes. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis constructed using amplified sequences again exposed the presence of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Chinese QX variants circulating in poultry farms in Sabah, Malaysia. Conclusions: The unexpectedly increasing mean titres in serology indicated that post infection of IBV and highly prevalent IBV in selected farms in this study. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of multiple IBV variants circulating in Malaysian chicken farms in Sabah, which further monitoring of genetic variation are needed to better understand the genetic diversity
Pain, function and quality of life are impaired in adults undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for hip dysplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Hip dysplasia is a common condition in active adults with hip pain that can lead to joint degeneration. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a common surgical treatment for hip dysplasia. The effect of this surgery on pain, function and quality of life (QOL) has not been systematically analysed. Purpose: In adults with hip dysplasia: (1) evaluate differences in pain, function and QOL in those undergoing PAO and healthy controls; (2) evaluate pre- to post-PAO changes in pain, function and QOL; (3) evaluate differences in pain, function and QOL in those with mild versus severe dysplasia, undergoing PAO; and (4) evaluate differences in pain, function and QOL in those having primary PAO versus those with previous hip arthroscopy. Methods: A comprehensive, reproducible search strategy was performed on 5 different databases. We included studies that assessed pain, function and QOL in adults undergoing PAO for hip dysplasia, using hip-specific patient reported outcomes measures. Results: From 5017 titles and abstracts screened, 62 studies were included. Meta-analysis showed PAO patients had worse outcomes pre- and post-PAO compared to healthy participants. Specifically, pain (standardised mean difference [SMD] 95% confidence interval [CI]): −4.05; −4.78 to −3.32), function (−2.81; −3.89 to −1.74), and QOL (−4.10; −4.43 to −3.77) were significantly poorer preoperatively. Meta-analysis found patients experienced improvements following PAO. Pain improved from pre-surgery to 1-year (standardised paired difference [SPD] 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02–1.67) and 2 years postoperatively (1.35; 1.16–1.54). For function, the activities of daily living scores at 1 year (1.22; 1.09–1.35) and 2 years (1.06; 0.9–1.22) and QOL at 1 year (1.36; 1.22–1.5) and 2 years (1.3; 1.1–1.5) all improved. No difference was found between patients undergoing PAO with mild versus severe dysplasia. Conclusions: Before undergoing PAO surgery, adults with hip dysplasia have worse levels of pain, function and QOL compared to healthy participants. These levels improve following PAO, but do not reach the same level as their healthy participants. </p
Support Planning with People with Disabilities
No full textPerson-centred planning is often seen as a panacea, but without the addition of thoughtful processes and person-centred actions, it too often becomes a meaningless paper exercise. Planning has many purposes: from determining funding and setting broad life goals to creating detailed blueprints for the delivery of a specific type of support. Whatever its purpose, planning with people with disabilities requires collaboration, time, skilled facilitation and knowledge about the person and their support networks. This chapter discusses the nature of support planning, outlines its core principles and processes and considers these in the context of service systems and disability support organisations.</p
An exponentially shrinking problem
No full textThe Jarník-Besicovitch theorem is a fundamental result in metric number theory which concerns the Hausdorff dimension for some limsup sets. We investigate a related problem of estimating the Hausdorff dimension of a liminf set. Let τ>0 and {qj}j≥1 be a sequence of integers. We calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the set Λdθ(τ)={x∈[0,1)d:‖qjxi−θi
Epistemology and axiology in cross-cultural health literacy research with resettled refugees from Myanmar living in Melbourne: A reflexive approach to cross-cultural research
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Evaluating regional/rural community pharmacists’ confidence and views of prescribing melatonin: A qualitative study
No full textAbstract:Background: With recent changes to regulations in Australia allowing community pharmacists to prescribe melatonin to people aged 55 and older as a schedule 3 or ‘over the counter’ medicine, their knowledge of insomnia and the safety of melatonin needs to be assessed. Objective: The study aims to investigate the perceptions and confidence of community pharmacists on the supply of melatonin to patients with sleep issues. Methods: Ten community pharmacists located in regional Victoria participated in semi structured interviews. Interviews were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Transcriptions were de-identified and thematically analysed. Results: Five overarching themes were identified: (1) the accessibility and practicality of pharmacists prescribing melatonin, (2) a lack of confidence in assessing sleep issues (3) a high confidence in the safety of melatonin (4) barriers to prescribing and (5) future recommendations. The results showed that the perceived barriers to pharmacists’ safe supply of melatonin included time constraints, the need for supply of melatonin to be recorded and this data shared across pharmacies, as well as the need for dedicated education and training for pharmacists in sleep issues. However, despite these barriers, community pharmacists perceived themselves as suitable prescribers of melatonin, and that with appropriate education and training in insomnia and melatonin safety, their supply of melatonin could be expanded to include other age groups. Conclusion: Community pharmacists perceived themselves as being in an appropriate position to supply over the counter melatonin for patients aged 55 years and over. However, there is a need for expanded education and resources to enhance the confidence of community pharmacists in the identification of insomnia presentations and safe supply of melatonin.</p
General practitioners’ management of mastitis in breastfeeding women: a mixed method study in Australia
No full textBackground: Mastitis is a common reason new mothers visit their general practitioner (GP). In Australia, the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic provides practical advice to GPs managing a range of infections, including mastitis. It is not known if Australian GPs prescribe antibiotics and order investigations as recommended for the management of mastitis. Methods: A convergent mixed methods design integrated quantitative analysis of a general practice dataset with analysis of interviews with GPs. Using the large-scale primary care dataset, MedicineInsight, (2021–2022), antibiotics prescribed and investigations ordered for mastitis encounters were extracted. Mastitis encounters were identified by searching ‘Encounter reason’, ‘Test reason’ and ‘Prescription reason’ free text field for the term ‘mastitis’; ‘granulomatous mastitis’ was excluded. Clinical encounters for mastitis occurring within 14 days of a previous mastitis encounter were defined as belonging to the same treatment episode. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Australian GPs using Zoom or telephone in 2021–2022, and analysed thematically. The Pillar Integration Process was used to develop a joint display table; qualitative codes and themes were matched with the quantitative items to illustrate similarities/contrasts in findings. Results: During an encounter for mastitis, 3122 (91.7%) women received a prescription for an oral antibiotic; most commonly di/flucloxacillin ([59.4%]) or cefalexin (937 [27.5%]). Investigations recorded ultrasound in 303 (8.9%), blood tests (full blood examination [FBE]: 170 [5.0%]; C-reactive protein [CRP]: 71 [2.1%]; erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]: 34 [1.0%]) and breast milk or nipple swab cultures in approximately 1% of encounters. Analysis using pillar integration showed consistency between quantitative and qualitative data regarding mastitis management. The following themes were identified: - GPs support continued breastfeeding. - Antibiotics are central to GPs' management. - Antibiotics are mostly prescribed according to Therapeutic Guidelines. - Analgesia is a gap in the Therapeutic Guidelines. - Low use of breast milk culture. Conclusions: Prescribing antibiotics for mastitis remains central to Australian GPs’ management of mastitis. Interview data clarified that GPs were aware that antibiotics might not be needed in all cases of mastitis and that delayed prescribing was not uncommon. Overall, GPs followed principles of antibiotic stewardship, however there is a need to train GPs about when to consider ordering investigations.</p