19683 research outputs found
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Metabolic syndrome is prevalent and undiagnosed in clients attending private practice physiotherapy: a cross-sectional study
No full textObjectives: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in clients presenting for primary care physiotherapy within private practice settings, and the factors that may be associated with metabolic syndrome. The secondary aim was to determine client's attitudes towards lifestyle change. Design: A cross-sectional study in which self-report and biometric data were collected. The study was conducted in physiotherapy private practices across metropolitan and regional areas, Australia. Participants: 230 clients (mean age 54 (SD18) years, 64% women) presenting for physiotherapy participated. Main outcome measures: Participant socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected. Metabolic syndrome presence was determined by the existence of three or more risk factors on physical examination and capillary blood sample: abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated random blood glucose, elevated triglycerides and/or reduced HDL cholesterol. Results: Thirty-seven percent of participants had metabolic syndrome, but none knew they had it. Metabolic syndrome was associated with older age and poorer socio-economic status and may have been associated with lower levels of physical activity but not diet. Of those identified as having hypertension and elevated triglycerides, many were undiagnosed (56% and 29% respectively). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is prevalent and undiagnosed in clients attending private practice physiotherapy. Clients felt lifestyle change was important and they were willing to make changes. This study highlights the need for greater screening of metabolic risk factors in primary care and presents an opportunity for physiotherapists in private practice to identify risk and intervene to improve the overall health of their clients and contribute to chronic disease prevention. </p
A novel framework for crash frequency prediction: Geographic support vector regression based on agent-based activity models in Greater Melbourne
No full textThe field of spatial analysis in traffic crash studies can often enhance predictive performance by addressing the inherent spatial dependence and heterogeneity in crash data. This research introduces the Geographical Support Vector Regression (GSVR) framework, which incorporates generated distance matrices, to assess spatial variations and evaluate the influence of a wide range of factors, including traffic, infrastructure, socio-demographic, travel demand, and land use, on the incidence of total and fatal-or-serious injury (FSI) crashes across Greater Melbourne's zones. Utilizing data from the Melbourne Activity-Based Model (MABM), the study examines 50 indicators related to peak hour traffic and various commuting modes, offering a detailed analysis of the multifaceted factors affecting road safety. The study shows that active transportation modes such as walking and cycling emerge as significant indicators, reflecting a disparity in safety that heightens the vulnerability of these road users. In contrast, car commuting, while a consistent factor in crash risks, has a comparatively lower impact, pointing to an inherent imbalance in the road environment. This could be interpreted as an unequal distribution of risk and safety measures among different types of road users, where the infrastructure and policies may not adequately address the needs and vulnerabilities of pedestrians and cyclists compared to those of car drivers. Public transportation generally offers safer travel, yet associated risks near train stations and tram stops in city center areas cannot be overlooked. Tram stops profoundly affect total crashes in these areas, while intersection counts more significantly impact FSI crashes in the broader metropolitan area. The study also uncovers the contrasting roles of land use mix in influencing FSI versus total crashes. The proposed framework presents an approach for dynamically extracting distance matrices of varying sizes tailored to the specific dataset, providing a fresh method to incorporate spatial impacts into the development of machine learning models. Additionally, the framework extends a feature selection technique to enhance machine learning models that typically lack comprehensive feature selection capabilities.</p
From symptoms to surgery—A pathway through uncertainty and hope: An interview study of women facing ovarian surgery
No full textBackground: Diagnosis of an adnexal mass might be a sign of ovarian cancer, with an overall poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore women’s experiences and perceptions of facing ovarian surgery due to an adnexal mass, and expectations on life after surgery. Methods: Individual in-depth interviews with 15 women facing ovarian surgery due to an adnexal mass. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: An overarching theme, From symptoms to surgery–a pathway through uncertainty and hope, was identified. The theme was made up of three categories; I. The road to diagnosis, II. Striving for information and guidance, and III. Balancing emotions of hope and fear. The period between discovering the adnexal mass and surgery was often described as chaotic and difficult to manage. However, the diagnostic procedures were mostly described as timely and efficient, and participants felt safe and cared for. Person-centred care was considered crucial when being in this vulnerable situation, and the nurse navigator was described as a key person to approach for any queries. While participants expressed overall satisfaction with the information provided by health professionals, some reported a lack of information regarding the surgery’s potential impact on hormonal production and sexuality. Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic forced participants to attend healthcare visits alone, and some wished that health professionals had taken more responsibility for informing their relatives. Many participants focused on the positive aspects of the information gained about the adnexal mass, and that the entire situation gave perspective of what was important in life. Conclusions: Waiting for surgery on a possibly malignant adnexal mass can be very stressful, however person-centred care and the guidance of a nurse navigator can make the process more manageable. To improve women’s experience, health professionals may involve relatives more often and make sure to inform of potential hormonal loss and sexuality after ovarian surgery.</p
Allied health assistant management of people with hip fracture is feasible and may improve patient adherence to hip fracture mobilisation guidelines: a feasibility randomised controlled trial
No full textObjectives: Determine the feasibility of allied health assistant (AHA) management of people with hip fracture an acute hospital. Design: Assessor-blind, parallel, feasibility randomised controlled trial with qualitative component. Setting: Acute orthopaedic ward. Participants: People with surgically-managed hip fracture, who walked independently pre-fracture and had no cognitive impairment. Interventions: Rehabilitation from an AHA, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, compared with rehabilitation from a physiotherapist. Main outcome measures: Feasibility was evaluated according to focus areas of demand, acceptability, practicality and implementation. Secondary outcomes included estimates of effect of adherence to hip fracture mobilisation guidelines, discharge destination, 30-day readmission, functional activity, and length of stay. Results: Fifty people were allocated to receive rehabilitation from an AHA (n = 25) or physiotherapist (n = 25). AHA rehabilitation had high demand with 60% of eligible participants recruited. Satisfaction with AHA rehabilitation was comparable with physiotherapy rehabilitation (acceptability). The AHA group received an average of 11 min (95% CI 4 to 19) more therapy per day than the physiotherapy group (implementation). The AHA group may have had lower cost of acute care (MD -$3 808 95% CI −7 651 to 35) and adverse events were comparable between groups (practicality). The AHA group may have been 22% (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.61) more likely to walk on any day and may have had a shorter length of stay (MD −0.8 days, 95% CI −2.3 to 0.7). Conclusions: AHA management of patients with hip fracture was feasible and may improve adherence to mobilisation guidelines and reduce cost of care and length of stay. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12620000877987. Contribution of the paper: • It is feasible for allied health assistants, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, to manage the acute care of people with hip fracture who walked independently pre-fracture and had no cognitive impairment. • Delegating acute management of people with hip fracture to allied health assistants may improve adherence to hip fracture mobilisation guidelines and reduce length of stay and cost of acute care, however, further trials are needed to confirm these effects
The Association Between the Development of Cam Morphology During Skeletal Growth in High-Impact Athletes and the Presence of Cartilage Loss and Labral Damage in Adulthood: A Prospective Cohort Study With a 12-Year Follow-up
No full textBackground: Cam morphology develops during skeletal growth, but its influence on cartilage and the labrum in high-impact athletes later in life is unknown. Purpose: To (1) explore the association between the presence and duration of cam morphology during adolescence and the cartilage and labral status 7 to 12 years later and (2) report the prevalence of cartilage loss and labral damage in a population of young male athletes (<32 years old) who played professional soccer during skeletal growth. Study Design: Cohort study (Prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 89 healthy male academy soccer players from the Dutch soccer club Feyenoord (aged 12-19 years) were included at baseline. At baseline and 2.5- and 5-year follow-ups, standardized supine anteroposterior pelvis and frog-leg lateral radiographs of each hip were obtained. At 12-year follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging of both hips was performed. Cam morphology was defined by a validated alpha angle ≥60° on radiographs at baseline or 2.5- or 5-year follow-up when the growth plates were closed. Hips with the presence of cam morphology at baseline or at 2.5-year follow-up were classified as having a “longer duration” of cam morphology. Hips with cam morphology only present since 5-year follow-up were classified as having a “shorter duration” of cam morphology. At 12-year follow-up, cartilage loss and labral abnormalities were assessed semiquantitatively. Associations were estimated using logistic regression, adjusted for age and body mass index. Results: Overall, 35 patients (70 hips) with a mean age of 28.0 ± 2.0 years and mean body mass index of 24.1 ± 1.8 participated at 12-year follow-up. Cam morphology was present in 56 of 70 hips (80%). The prevalence of cartilage loss was 52% in hips with cam morphology and 21% in hips without cam morphology (adjusted odds ratio, 4.52 [95% CI, 1.16-17.61]; P =.03). A labral abnormality was present in 77% of hips with cam morphology and in 64% of hips without cam morphology (adjusted odds ratio, 1.99 [95% CI, 0.59-6.73]; P =.27). The duration of cam morphology did not influence these associations. Conclusion: The development of cam morphology during skeletal growth was associated with future magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with cartilage loss in young adults but not with labral abnormalities
Investigating cultural conflicts in everyday self-care among Chinese first-time pregnant migrants in Australia
No full textAbstract:-
Background:Given the fast-growing migration and globalisation trends in the last decades, women increasingly experienced pregnancy as migrants and often faced complex and unique challenges related to both migration and pregnancy in a foreign land, affecting their psychological wellbeing during pregnancy. Cultural conflicts between pregnant migrants’ home and host cultures could play a critical role affecting their pregnancy experiences and psychological wellbeing.
Aims: This study aimed to explore cultural conflicts that challenge Chinese first-time expectant mothers living in Australia regarding their pregnancy self-care and their psychological wellbeing.
Method: A qualitative methodology was adopted utilising interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants were 18 Chinese-born first-time pregnant migrants in Australia. A semi-structured interview schedule focused on their pregnancy self-care and psychological wellbeing and any effects of Chinese-Western/Australian cultural conflicts.
Findings: Two psychosocial approaches were identified to explain how all the participants were psychologically challenged by self-care cultural conflicts to some extent: 1) challenging decision-making processes about self-care cultural conflicts and 2) interpersonal tension if the decisions conflicted with someone's advice/beliefs/opinions.
Conclusion: Emotional, cognitive, and social factors were relevant in shaping the participants’ engagement with and their experiences of various pregnancy self-care activities.</p
The impact of group art therapy in post-acute cancer care: A longitudinal qualitative study
No full textNo description supplied</p
Landscape-level Patterns in Urban Bird Communities - Raw Bird Data File
No full textThe raw bird data collected during Jacinta Humphrey's PhD project entitled: "Life in the Suburbs: Landscape-level Patterns in Urban Bird Communities": https://doi.org/10.26181/25661601</p
What is the point of Beast Philanthropy?
No full textThis article is free to read on the publisher's website here: https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.1855
Jimmy ‘MrBeast’ Donaldson is the most watched person on earth. There are undeniably far worse figures who could be commanding such attention, but there remains uncertainty about his methods of philanthropic giving and what Beast Philanthropy ultimately hopes to achieve. Beast Philanthropy claims that, through entertainment-based giving, they are inspiring a new generation of young people to be more civic-minded. However, this jars harshly with the hedonistic indulgence of many MrBeast videos, which delight in spectacular wastefulness and luxury consumerism. Moreover, Beast Philanthropy fosters both passive and romanticized notions of generosity, conditioning viewers to think of their attention as a gift and that giving should be always and endlessly fun. Finally, the insistent anti-politicism of Beast Philanthropy entails a refusal to offer even the slightest of opinions on the underlying causes of suffering and inequality. This deliberately incurious worldview may promote a narrow and stunted perspective on how meaningful social and political change is achieved. However, there are reasons to be optimistic and open-minded, and philanthropic foundations should not outright dismiss the prospects for Beast-style giving.
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Robust Split Learning for IoT with Privacy Enhancement and Computation Reduction
No full textSubmitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p