19683 research outputs found
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Geographic variation in the dorsal patterns of Jacky dragons (<i>Amphibolurus muricatus</i>)
No full textProject examining intraspecific variation of the dorsal patterns of Amphibolurus muricatus lizards within the context of relevant observers. Using multi-spectral photography, contemporary analysis software and specifically constructed visual models for the Jacky dragon and avian predators, evidence is provided that indicates variation in the patterns of that is detectable to relevant observers, and that this variation in not continuous between the tested observers.</p
Micro-patronage for research communication: the Lingthusiasm podcast as a case study of a sustainable funding model
No full textMicro-patronage provides a new model of funding for research communication. This article uses the Lingthusiasm podcast as a case study to describe how micro-patronage can work and some of the benefits and challenges involved. The authors draw on their own experience of micro-patronage to demonstrate how to create sustainable projects. They also discuss how it sits alongside university funding structures, while also providing a measure of independence from those structures.</p
Perceptions and Experiences of Consumers With Severe Mental Illness, Carers and Clinicians Related to Compulsory Treatment Orders (CTOs): An Integrative Review
No full textCompulsory Treatment Orders (CTOs) are commonly used for individuals with severe mental illness. Consumers often perceive CTOs as coercive, resulting in stress and disempowerment. Research on the perspectives of consumers, carers and clinicians is limited. This integrative review explored international evidence on perceptions and experiences of CTOs among consumers, carers and clinicians. This resulted in an integrative review of 18 articles (from 664 identified). A protocol was registered with Open Science Framework. The search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Four themes were identified: (1) Consumers' perceptions of lack of autonomy; (2) Carers' perceptions of the impact on the consumer; (3) Clinicians' and other service providers' understanding of CTO management; and (4) The efficacy of CTOs. Consumers reported feeling restricted, uninformed and distressed, while viewing CTOs as punitive. Carers cited communication barriers and lack of support. Clinicians prioritised mitigating consumer risk over autonomy. Although CTOs can offer consistent monitoring, their overall usefulness remains uncertain, and they may contribute to trauma. A need exists for holistic, trauma informed CTO processes. Enhancing clarity around CTOs could improve understanding and outcomes for all stakeholders. A need exists to develop agreement for standardised procedures and national oversight. Education needs to be provided to consumers, carers and clinicians.</p
Morphological Evidence for a Directional Flow Mechanoreceptor in Olive-Headed Sea Snakes (Hydrophis major)
No full textThe sense of touch (mechanoreception) in snakes is not widely appreciated despite emerging evidence of tactile specialisation among sea snakes. This is partly due to the challenges in quantifying small (By using a novel application of gel-based 3D profilometry (GelSight scanner) in combination with histology and scanning electron microscopy, we comprehensively quantified the morphology and distribution of scale mechanoreceptors in the olive-headed sea snake, Hydrophis major (Hydrophiinae), for the first time. H. major is one of the few predators to eat eel-tailed catfishes (Plotosidae), which have venomous spines that they lock into erect positions during defence. We discovered that in addition to the radially symmetrical smooth, dome-shaped mechanoreceptors typically found in sea snakes, H. major has asymmetrical, peak-shaped mechanoreceptors that are significantly larger but rarer. Smooth domes are distributed in decreasing density antero-posteriorly on the head with the highest densities on the snout and labial scales. Asymmetrical peaks are rarer; they are detected only on the dorsal and lateral sides of the head, are most dense behind the eye, and their associated dermal papilla (that contains mechanosensitive cells) is spatially offset from the stiff peak. Based on their morphology and distribution, we suggest functional differences in mechanosensory modalities: (1) smooth domes for direct touch used in prey handling to avoid dangerous spines of catfish prey, and (2) asymmetrical peaks that create a lever system capable of amplifying directional water flow. The latter might allow H. major to detect the C-start escape response of free-swimming catfish and/or enhance kinaesthesia for the snake's perception of self-motion during foraging and predatory strikes, but physiological studies are needed to investigate these functional hypotheses further.</p
A Heat Sensitivity Scale for People with Parkinson's Disease
No full textBackground: People living with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience heat sensitivity—worsening symptoms and restricted daily activities in heat. Objective: This study aimed to develop a scale of heat sensitivity for people with PD. Methods: Through a search of the scientific literature and online forums, we developed 41 items relating to experiences of heat for people with PD to assess heat sensitivity. A panel of experts was then consulted to review the scale items critically. After two rounds of review, the scale was refined to 36 items with an overall scale content validity index of 0.89. Via an online survey, 247 people with PD responded to the items. Results: The items were examined with exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factors therein. After several iterations, a simple structure was achieved with 29 items loading uniquely onto one of four factors: daily activities, sweating and exercise, heat-related illness, and symptoms and medications. The model had acceptable to excellent fit statistics (root mean square error of approximation = 0.073 [90% confidence interval 0.067–0.081], root mean square of the residuals = 0.03, comparative fit index = 0.93, and Tucker-Lewis index = 0.91), and each factor showed high reliability (Cronbach's α ≥0.89). Factor and total scale scores were significantly higher among those reporting sensitivity to heat and poor health status. Conclusion: This new heat sensitivity scale for people living with PD can enable health professionals and clients to assess the severity and impact of heat sensitivity.</p
Robust Multiuser Physical Layer Security for Grant-Free mMTC in Beyond 5G/6G Networks
No full textIndustry 5.0 introduces human–machine collaboration and resilient automation, demanding secure, low-latency connectivity for ultradense industrial IoT (IIoT). Grant-free massive machine-type communications (mMTC) supports such connectivity but faces challenges including dense multiuser access, passive eavesdropping, and imperfect channel state information (CSI), which undermine physical layer security (PLS). This article proposes a robust and low-complexity multiuser PLS scheme tailored for grant-free mMTC under CSI uncertainty. The scheme leverages dynamic user clustering based on spatial correlation and real-time interference to enable scalable, interference-aware beamforming. Furthermore, a joint optimisation of receive beamforming and adaptive artificial noise injection is performed, and enhanced by a regularised minimum mean square error (MMSE) framework to mitigate bounded CSI errors. Simulation results show that the scheme consistently outperforms existing benchmarks across secrecy capacity, bit error rate, and secrecy outage probability under different channel models, together with analyses of SOP sensitivity to CSI error and scalability to dense users/eavesdroppers, confirms its robustness, efficiency, and applicability to large-scale, secure IIoT communications in beyond 5G/6G networks aligned with Industry 5.0 requirements.</p
Experience-based co-design of a smartphone app for post-stroke aphasia self-management: a process evaluation
No full textBackground: Experience-based co-design (EBCD) is a well-established method to engage patients, family members and healthcare professionals in the co-design of interventions. A key principle of EBCD is equal partnership. For adults with acquired communication disabilities, additional measures are required to ensure authentic, rather than tokenistic, engagement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the co-design process from the perspectives of co-designers (individuals with aphasia (impaired language/communication), family members, speech pathologists), and researchers (speech pathologists and technology developer) participating in EBCD workshops, with respect to co-designer involvement, engagement, experiences and personal outcomes. Workshops represented the co-design phase in the EBCD of a novel technology for self-management of post-stroke aphasia. Methods: Mixed methods process evaluation within a convergent-parallel research design was conducted. Twelve co-designers participated in 15 EBCD workshops. Co-designers completed personal outcome surveys and semi-structured interviews pre- and post-workshops, with a pulse survey midway. Researcher reflections were recorded during a debriefing session. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for pre-post comparisons. Semi-structured interviews and researcher reflections were analysed using the Framework Method and qualitative content analysis. Results: Overall, findings indicated co-designers had positive experiences during EBCD and believed their ideas were integrated into the interface design. Suggestions to improve communication accessibility were provided. Conclusions: With appropriate support, persons with aphasia can meaningfully participate in EBCD.</p
Alcohol’s harm to others: A new paradigm seeking its application
No full textResearch documenting the reach and varieties of alcohol's harm to others than the person who drinks has emerged in the last 20 years, with studies in over 40 countries. Population surveys have asked respondents about harm to themselves or their children from others’ drinking. Staff of societal response agencies – police, hospitals, child protection agencies – have also been interviewed, along with studies of agency records and social cost analyses of alcohol's harm to others. While a few studies have compared cross-sectionally the relation between alcohol policies in countries or states and rates of specific harms from others’ drinking, analysis has been limited of how alcohol policies or other legal changes may reduce such rates. The new focus on alcohol's harm to others has rarely been noticed in broader public health policy research. Neither has it received public notice; a study of the broad British newspaper discourse around minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol in Scotland found considerable mention of alcohol's harm to others, but without any reference to the findings of the relevant research literature. This paper reviews the situation and considers paths forward. One advance would be leveraging more data collection from the caseloads of health and other response agencies. For particular areas of harm, those controlling the relevant space need to be involved in the policy changes – e.g., employers and unions in workplaces. Alongside research on the prevalence, studies of policy change and related impacts on harm from others’ drinking, studies of policy processes and attitudes towards the harm to others paradigm amongst opinion leaders and the general public should be undertaken. To move public health interests in alcohol policy forward, alliances should be built, for example with women's movements concerning harm to women from men's drinking.</p
Fluoride and freedom: The social costs of efforts to de-fluoridate Queensland’s public water supplies
No full textNo description supplied.</p
Father and non-birth parent experience of child and family health services: a systematic review and meta-synthesis
No full textBackground: This study aimed to synthesise global research examining the experiences of fathers and non-birth parents using child and family health services, and to identify the facilitators and barriers to father- and non-birth parent-inclusive practice. Methods: A systematic review, using the Joanna Briggs Institute mixed-methods approach, and meta-synthesis of the data were performed. We undertook a quality appraisal of the research using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies (QuADS) tool. An initial systematic search was conducted of four scientific databases (ProQuest Central, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE) in January 2023, and updated in February 2024. Results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines with no patient or public contribution. Results: We identified thirty-five studies for inclusion. Thirty-one papers identified barriers to inclusive practice, such as program design (n = 15), traditional gender roles and gatekeeping (n = 11), and lack of workforce knowledge and skills (n = 11). Facilitators of inclusive practice included factors such as explicit inclusion (n = 14), support with transition to parenthood (n = 11), connection with other fathers (6), and attention to the father’s health and well-being (n = 13). The four papers that concerned same-sex parents identified additional and specific barriers experienced by same-sex parents, including discrimination and homophobic attitudes. Conclusion: We found barriers and facilitators of father and non-birth parent engagement in child and family health services at individual, community, and health service levels, with organisational and cultural barriers impacting inclusive practice. Inclusive practice for fathers and non-birth parents entails the development of environments, policies, and programs that actively involve and support the father and non-birth parent in all aspects of parenting and family life. Strategies include systematic outreach to fathers and non-birth parents, customising activities to fathers’ and non-birth parents’ preferences, and addressing their needs.</p