19683 research outputs found
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Updated Systematic Review of Suicide in Autism: 2018–2024
No full textPurpose of review: The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive update of literature published between January 2018 and April 2024, examining suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) prevalence, risk factors, theoretical models, and interventions in autism. Recent findings: We identified four recent meta-analyses and two systematic reviews. Pooled prevalence estimates in autism ranged from 34.2% for suicide ideation to 24.3% for suicide attempts. Autistic traits, interpersonal factors, and depressive symptoms were identified as STB risk factors, with elevated risk observed across the lifespan. Summary: We included 80 studies examining STB in diagnosed autistic people or autistic traits in non-clinical samples. Autistic people were found to have an up to eightfold increased risk of death by suicide compared to non-autistic people, although reported rates varied considerably between studies; co-occurring mental health conditions, social, psychological, and cognitive factors exacerbated risk. Validated STB assessment tools and interventions for autistic people were notably scarce.</p
Monitoring and reporting of adverse effects of testosterone prescribing for gender affirmation at general practice clinics - Data from the PUSH! Audit
No full textIntroduction: Prescribing testosterone for gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has been increasing in Australia with much of this practice done by general practitioners (GPs) and there are current AusPATH guidelines on how this can be done appropriately. There has been limited data collected from GPs about how well these patients are monitored and the adverse effects (AEs) that are experienced by this population of patients. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to collect data about monitoring and adverse effects of GAHT provided in GP settings. Methods: The PUSH! Audit was a cross-sectional study that collected data from 9 GP Clinics across 5 Australian cities who provided GAHT with testosterone. Data was also collected about cisgender men who were prescribed testosterone for testosterone deficiency (TD) as a comparison group (n = 209). Results: The patients in the GAHT group (n = 277) tended to be younger (29.8 vs 54.9), with significant prevalence of smoking (21.8%) and anxiety/depression (37.2%) although this was not significantly higher that the comparison group. Most of the GAHT group had a testosterone level recorded in their file (90.6%) and the most common route of administration of testosterone was by intra-muscular injection (89.9%). The testosterone levels were mainly in the target range for males (75.7%) with only a small percentage registering levels above the target range (5.6%). Of the measured AEs, whilst there were significant prevalence of liver abnormalities and hypercholesterolemia, this was not significantly different to the TD group. The hypertension prevalence was lower in the GAHT group. Of the reported AEs, acne (10.1%) and balding (4.7%) were the only two AEs that were significantly reported. Conclusion: This study shows that GAHT with testosterone can be provided effectively in general practice with high levels of success and very low levels of AEs.</p
Pollination by birds, non-flying mammals, and European honeybees in a heathland shrub, Banksia catoglypta (Proteaceae)
No full textAbstract: Vertebrate pollination has evolved in many plant lineages, with pollination by birds the most prevalent strategy. However, in Banksia (Proteaceae) many species are visited by a combination of nectarivorous birds, non-flying mammals (NFMs), and insects, though the relative importance of these pollen vectors for reproduction remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the contribution to fruit set of birds, NFMs, and insects in Banksia catoglypta—a heathland shrub from south-west Australia. This species flowers in winter and produces large, golden-yellow inflorescences that are typically presented near the ground and consist of rigid, strongly scented flowers with a long stigma-nectary distance—suggesting pollination by vertebrates. The primary floral visitors were white-cheeked honeyeaters (Phylidonyris niger), honey possums (Tarsipes rostratus), house mice (Mus musculus), and introduced European honeybees (Apis mellifera), all of which carried B. catoglypta pollen. Banksia catoglypta was found to be obligately outcrossing with no evidence of pollen limitation. Selective exclusion of flying pollinators revealed that inflorescences pollinated solely by NFMs produced 50% fewer fruit than open-pollinated controls. Therefore, while mammals are pollinators of B. catoglypta, they may contribute comparatively little to fruit set in some Banksia species displaying floral traits considered adaptations to NFM pollination. Exclusion of vertebrate pollinators had no effect on fruit set, demonstrating that European honeybees can be effective pollinators of some primarily vertebrate-pollinated plants.</p
Estimating Long-Term Expected Returns
No full textEstimating long-term expected returns as accurately as possible is of critical importance. Researchers typically base their estimates on yield and growth, valuation, or a combined yield, growth, and valuation (“three-component”) framework. We run a horse race of the abilities of different frameworks and input proxies within each framework to estimate 10- and 20-year out-of-sample returns. The three-component model based on the TRCAPE valuation proxy outperforms estimates based on historical mean benchmark returns, with mean square error improvements exceeding 30%. Using this approach in asset allocation decisions results in an improvement in Sharpe ratios of more than 50%
Nurses’ work in relation to patient health outcomes: an observational study comparing models of primary care
No full textBackground: Māori are over-represented in Aotearoa New Zealand morbidity and mortality statistics. Other populations with high health needs include Pacific peoples and those living with material deprivation. General practice has evolved into seven models of primary care: Traditional, Corporate, Health Care Home, Māori, Pacific, Trusts / Non-governmental organisations (Trust/NGOs) and District Health Board / Primary Care Organisations (DHB/PHO). We describe nurse work in relation to these models of care, populations with high health need and patient health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study (at 30 September 2018) of data from national datasets and practices at patient level. Six primary outcome measures were selected because they could be improved by primary care: polypharmacy (≥ 65 years), glucose control testing in adults with diabetes, immunisations (at 6 months), ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations (0–14, 45–64 years) and emergency department attendances. Analysis adjusted for patient and practice characteristics. Results: Nurse clinical time, and combined nurse, nurse practitioner and general practitioner clinical time, were substantially higher in Trust/NGO, Māori, and Pacific practices than in other models. Increased patient clinical complexity was associated with more clinical input and higher scores on all outcome measures. The highest rates of preventative care by nurses (cervical screening, cardiovascular risk assessment, depression screening, glucose control testing) were in Māori, Trust/NGO and Pacific practices. There was an eightfold difference, across models of care, in percentage of depression screening undertaken by nurses and a fivefold difference in cervical screening and glucose control testing. The highest rates of nurse consultations afterhours and with unenrolled patients, improving access, were in PHO/DHB, Pacific, Trust/NGO and Māori practices. Work not attributed to nurses in the practice records meant nurse work was underestimated to an unknown degree. Conclusions: Transferring work to nurses in Traditional, Health Care Home, and Corporate practices, would release general practitioner clinical time for other work. Worse patient health outcomes were associated with higher patient need and higher clinical input. It is plausible that there is insufficient clinical input to meet the degree of patient need. More practitioner clinical time is required, especially in practices with high volumes of complex patients.</p
The Bold and the Beautiful: Effects of Behavioural Traits and Glucocorticoids on Post-Translocation Survival in the Greater Stick-Nest Rat
No full textSubmitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Characterising the role of immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in breast cancer
No full textSubmitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree Doctor of Philosophy to La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
The power of 'Third Space' collaboration for open education projects
No full textA short panel presentation by Julian Pakay and Steven Chang as part of an event called Exploring the Power of Collaboration in Open Education, hosted online by PressBooks and the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) OER Collective on 30th October 2024.It describes the 'Third Space' collaborative partnership that enabled the development of two OER published by the La Trobe eBureau:Threshold Concepts in BiochemistryFoundations of Biomedical Science: Quantitative Literacy Theory and Problems</p
The future of prison visits? An autoethnographic perspective on the developments of the digitisation of prison visits during COVID-19
No full textThis article explores the current status, evolution, and envisaged future of prison visits, analysing the shift in paradigm from traditional models to an increasingly digital format that demands specific policy amendments and fosters an empathetic approach towards incarceration. The discourse begins with an in-depth examination of the current prison visitation models, delving into the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of both in-person and video visitations. This exploration uncovers the critical shortcomings of in-person visits, such as limited accessibility due to geographical and logistical constraints, and the rising potential of video visits to bridge these gaps. Simultaneously, we highlight the challenges in implementing video visitation systems, focusing on issues such as equitable access to technology, appropriate surveillance, and privacy regulations. It underscores the need for considering both sides of the coin, i.e., the convenience and feasibility of video visits versus the potential risks to the privacy and dignity of incarcerated people and their families. The article then delves into the policy considerations necessary to ensure a smooth transition to video visitations, exploring regulatory and statutory amendments needed to safeguard incarcerated individuals' rights and ensure a more humane prison system. The analysis uncovers a pressing need for a robust framework that not only respects privacy rights and promotes familial ties but also supports an important goal of prisons – effective rehabilitation of incarcerated people. Proposing an idealised future model for prison visits, the discourse presents a hybrid approach that skilfully combines the strengths of both in-person and video connections. This innovative model reimagines the future of prison visits, suggesting a shift from punitive and impersonal methods to empathetic and relationship-focused practices that align with contemporary understandings of rehabilitation.</p
The Effects of ‘Hot-desking’ on Staff Morale: An Exploratory Literature Scoping Review
No full textIntroduction: This scoping review investigated literature from both national and international databases to identify any published literature noting the effect and efficiency of “hot-desking” among health and wellbeing professionals. Aims/purpose: The aim of this report was to provide a review of the literature that addresses the utilisation of hot-desking — specifically, the effects of hot-desking upon productivity and staff morale of health and wellbeing professionals. Method: To successfully conduct this study, a modified scoping review framework from Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was utilised, namely: (i) identification of the research question, (ii) developing an exclusion and inclusion criterion, (iii) categorising relevant studies, (iv) charting data, and (v) assembling, summarising and reporting the results. Results: Four key themes were identified throughout the sourced literature: (i) teamwork, (ii) communication, (iii) impact of the work environment and (iv) productivity. Discussion: Currently there is minimal literature relating to the effects and efficiency of hot-desking among health and wellbeing professionals. However, key findings suggest that while there may be some benefits in hot-desking, there is an overall negative impact on staff morale due to teamwork, communication, and productivity being reduced within the workplace, when compared to staff having individually assigned desks. Conclusion: The limited number of specialist literature obtainable in relation to health and wellbeing professionals indicates a need for further research on the impact of hot-desking. While further research in this field is warranted, this exploratory scoping review suggests that, overall, even given some benefits of hot-desking, there should be considerable concern for the mental wellbeing of personnel due to increased workplace distractions, an increase in staff absenteeism, subsequent reduced levels of communication and interaction, as well as a reduction in staff moral.</p