19683 research outputs found
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Challenges of using data analytics in health services
No full textPurpose of the review: This review will discuss the challenges associated with using data analytics in health services.
Recent findings: The integration of data analytics in health services holds promise for transforming healthcare delivery, enhancing patient outcomes, and optimizing operational efficiency. However, this Undertaking is associated with challenges that include ethical, legal, financial, and organizational domains. Ethical concerns arise from biases in algorithms and the imperative for transparency in decision-making processes. Legal complexities include navigating stringent regulations to safeguard patient privacy and data security. Financial implications involve the substantial costs of infrastructure development, resource allocation, and ongoing maintenance required for effective data analytics implementation. Moreover, resistance to change among healthcare professionals poses a significant barrier, driven by concerns over unfamiliarity with data-driven methodologies. Summar:y Addressing these challenges requires adopting best practices and innovative solutions. Establishing robust data governance frameworks and adherence to ethical guidelines are crucial steps to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in data analytics practices. Technological advancements, including cloud computing and advanced analytics platforms, offer scalable solutions to enhance data integration and interoperability across healthcare systems. Leadership support, comprehensive training programs, and effective communication strategies are essential for overcoming resistance to change and fostering a data-driven culture within healthcare organizations.</p
Targeting Efferocytosis in Inflammaging
No full textRapid removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a process known as efferocytosis, is key for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, the resolution of inflammation, and tissue repair. However, impaired efferocytosis can result in the accumulation of apoptotic cells, subsequently triggering sterile inflammation through the release of endogenous factors such as DNA and nuclear proteins from membrane permeabilized dying cells. Here, we review the molecular basis of the three key phases of efferocytosis, that is, the detection, uptake, and degradation of apoptotic materials by phagocytes. We also discuss how defects in efferocytosis due to the alteration of phagocytes and dying cells can contribute to the low-grade chronic inflammation that occurs during aging, described as inflammaging. Lastly, we explore opportunities in targeting and harnessing the efferocytic machinery to limit aging-associated inflammatory diseases.</p
Fire regime impacts on soil microbes, soil organic carbon and ground cover in an Australian tropical savanna
No full textBackground: Soil microbes drive the carbon cycle, yet are understudied in relation to long-term fire regimes in tropical savannas. Aim: Explore the impact of fire regime on soil microbes and organic carbon. Methods: We sampled topsoils (0–10 cm) of a tropical savanna near Darwin, Australia, where the frequency and season of fire had been experimentally managed for 17 years. We measured the effects of fire regime on microbial abundance, fungal-to-bacterial (F:B) ratio, soil physicochemistry (organic carbon, total nitrogen, C:N ratio, pH) and vegetative ground cover (grasses, leaf litter). Key results: Microbial abundance was most influenced by fire season, minimally affected by fire frequency and reduced by both grass and litter cover; the magnitude of grass cover effect differed among paleoecological groups (i.e. ancient and modern). Soil organic carbon was not affected by fire treatments, nor was the F:B ratio. Conclusions: Our data indicate that soil organic carbon, microbial abundance and F:B ratio are slow to change in a tropical savanna despite 17 years of imposed fire regimes. Implications Soil microbes in savanna ecosystems may have evolved resilience to variable fire regimes and the potential for soil carbon sequestration in Australia from fire suppression is likely limited within human timescales.</p
A Consideration of the Consonant Chart in the International Phonetic Alphabet
No full texthttps://assta.org/sst-2024/proceedings/ </p
We the hunted
No full textClassic depictions of human evolutionary ecology cast Homo as predator and other hominins, including Paranthropus robustus, as prey. Such hypotheses rest on a small number of fossils that exhibit evidence of carnivore predation, including the iconic SK 54 cranium from Swartkrans in South Africa. Here we demonstrate that the SK 54 cranium shares its closest affinities with H. erectus sensu lato rather than P. robustus. Demonstrating that Homo was prey for leopards at Swartkrans weakens the historically significant hypothesis that Homo was better able to avoid predation because of being behaviourally and technologically advanced compared to Paranthropus. Subsequent ideas about hominin palaeobiology derived from this hypothesis warrant reconsideration.</p
"Safe, connected, supported in a complex system." Exploring the views of women who had a First Nations baby at one of three maternity services offering culturally tailored continuity of midwife care in Victoria, Australia. A qualitative analysis of free-text survey responses
No full textBackground: In Australia, continuity of midwife care is recommended for First Nations women to address the burden of inequitable perinatal outcomes experienced by First Nations women and newborns. Aims: This study aimed to explore the experiences of women having a First Nations baby who received care at one of three maternity services in Naarm (Melbourne), Victoria, where culturally tailored midwife continuity models had been implemented. Methods: Women having a First Nations baby who were booked for care at one of three study sites were invited to participate in an evaluation of care. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from responses to free-text, open ended questions that were included in a follow-up questionnaire at 3–6 months after the birth. Results: In total, 213 women (of whom 186 had continuity of midwife care) participated. The global theme for what women liked about their care was ‘Safe, connected, supported’ including emotional and clinical safety, having a known midwife and being supported ‘my way’. The global theme for what women did not like about their care was ‘A complex, fragmented and unsupportive system’ including not being listened to, things not being explained, and a lack of cultural safety. Conclusions: Culturally tailored caseload midwifery models appear to make maternity care feel safer for women having a First Nations baby, however, the mainstream maternity care system remained challenging for some. These models should be implemented for First Nations women, and evidence-based frameworks, such as the RISE framework, should be used to facilitate change.</p
Investigating the Pharmacological, Cell‐Autonomous and Non‐Cell‐Autonomous Regulation of Apoptotic Body Formation
No full textA thesis submitted 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.This thesis was a recipient of the Nancy Millis Award for theses of exceptional merit.</p
Biomedical research grant resubmission: rates and factors related to success - a scoping review
No full textOBJECTIVES: Most first-time biomedical research grant applications are not funded. In the challenging research funding climate, resubmitting a grant application is a necessary task for scientists. Identifying which factors influence their decision to resubmit and the success of resubmissions will inform funders and applicants. However, data on resubmissions are fragmented and under-reported. In this scoping review, we aimed to summarise (1) the outcomes of resubmitting biomedical research grant applications and (2) the demographic characteristics of scientists who resubmitted grant applications. DESIGN: Scoping review with reporting informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Registrar of Controlled Trials CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and grey literature sources were searched through November 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included peer-reviewed and grey literature records from the biomedical sciences that reported outcomes of the resubmission process (eg, resubmission success rate, rate of resubmission) and information about the scientists who resubmit grant applications (eg, sex, race, career stage). DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The data were cross-referenced and any conflicts were resolved via consensus. Data were summarised descriptively and presented in tables and figures. RESULTS: Resubmissions represented a substantial proportion of applications (lowest prevalence rate: 4%; highest prevalence rate: 56%) in a given funding cycle and were reliably more successful than first-time applications (lowest success rate: 16%; highest success rate: 82%)-a phenomenon associated with several sociodemographic, institutional and project-related factors. There was conflicting evidence about the relationship of sociodemographic-related, institution-related and project-related factors to resubmission likelihood and success. CONCLUSION: The resubmission process is a time-consuming and often frustrating experience for researchers. Our review identified opportunities to streamline and improve the process to enhance the biomedical research landscape.</p
The Early Effects of a Focal Subthreshold Nanosecond Laser on Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Retrospective Case Series
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science to the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Between Hell and Damnation: An Examination of the Reality of Everyday Life in the Trenches of Petersburg 1864-1865 Using the Techniques of History, Ethnography and Landscape Archaeology
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p