19683 research outputs found
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The development of the spiritual and intellectual life in Bitola/Manastir during the Ottoman centuries
No full textSubmitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Historical and European Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Socioeconomic correlates of urban mobility trends in two Australian cities during transitional periods of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, both government-mandated lockdowns and discretionary changes in behaviour combined to produce dramatic and abrupt changes to human mobility patterns. To understand the socioeconomic determinants of intervention compliance and discretionary behavioural responses to epidemic threats, we investigate whether changes in human mobility showed a systematic variation by socioeconomic status during two distinct periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. We analyse mobility data from two major urban centres and compare the trends during mandated stay-at-home policies and after the full relaxation of nonpharmaceutical interventions, which coincided with a large surge of COVID-19 cases. We analyse data aggregated from de-identified global positioning system trajectories, collated from providers of mobile phone applications and aggregated to small spatial regions. Our results demonstrate systematic decreases in mobility relative to the pre-pandemic baseline with the index of education and occupation, for both pandemic periods. On the other hand, the index of economic resources was not correlated with mobility changes. This result contrasts with observations from other national contexts, where reductions in mobility typically increased strongly with indicators of wealth. Our analysis suggests that economic support policies in place during the initial period of stay-at-home orders in Australia facilitated broad reductions in mobility across the economic spectrum.</p
Which emerging autism features at 12 months of age are associated with later parent-child interaction?
No full textBackground: Parent-child interactions (PCI) in infants with an elevated likelihood (EL) of autism start to diverge from other infants toward the end of the first year. This divergence is often attributed to emerging features of autism impacting infant social interactions in ways that become increasingly amplified. The aim was to identify which, if any, 12-month autism features were associated with later PCI qualities. Method: Twelve-month-old infants (N = 103) with early autism features (3+ on the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised tool) were assessed on the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) at 12 and 18 months, and on free play PCI using the Manchester Assessment of Caregiver-Infant Interaction at 18 months. Results: AOSI autism features at 12-months were associated with 18-month PCI qualities, independent of 18-month autism features. Specifically, infants with emerging features in social attention areas later showed less attentiveness to parents and lower dyadic mutuality. By contrast, infants with emerging sensorimotor atypicality/delay later showed increased attentiveness to parents and lower negative affect, their parents were more sensitively responsive, and their interactions were more mutual. Emotional regulation scores had no significant association with later PCI. Conclusions: The findings support the notion that PCI changes in EL infants are rooted in the transactional impact of early emerging autism-related features, which may have differential effects on PCI. Pending replication in a larger sample using a detailed measure of early autism features, the findings suggest that early autism features may amplify or elicit interactions.</p
Development of MHz X‐ray phase contrast imaging at the European XFEL
No full textWe report on recent developments that enable megahertz hard X-ray phase contrast imaging (MHz XPCI) experiments at the Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument of the European XFEL facility (EuXFEL). We describe the technical implementation of the key components, including an MHz fast camera and a modular indirect X-ray microscope system based on fast scintillators coupled through a high-resolution optical microscope, which enable full-field X-ray microscopy with phase contrast of fast and irreversible phenomena. The image quality for MHz XPCI data showed significant improvement compared with a pilot demonstration of the technique using parallel beam illumination, which also allows access to up to 24 keV photon energies at the SPB/SFX instrument of the EuXFEL. With these developments, MHz XPCI was implemented as a new method offered for a broad user community (academic and industrial) and is accessible via standard user proposals. Furthermore, intra-train pulse diagnostics with a high few-micrometre spatial resolution and recording up to 128 images of consecutive pulses in a train at up to 1.1 MHz repetition rate is available upstream of the instrument. Together with the diagnostic camera upstream of the instrument and the MHz XPCI setup at the SPB/SFX instrument, simultaneous two-plane measurements for future beam studies and feedback for machine parameter tuning are now possible.</p
Impact of data sources and ascertainment methods on reporting paediatric genetic condition prevalence: A scoping review
No full textBackground: Genetic conditions significantly impact health and contribute to paediatric morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements, accurate estimation of the burden of genetic conditions remains complex. Objective: To determine how different data sources and ascertainment methods influence the prevalence of paediatric monogenic and chromosomal conditions in Australia and internationally. Method: Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for scoping reviews, a systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar identified peer-reviewed studies (2004–2024) including snowballing of references. Studies were included if they reported on at least one monogenic and/or chromosomal condition, involved children under 6 years of age, identified the data source, reported prevalence, and were conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Europe or North America. Data sources, type of case ascertainment and prevalence of genetic conditions were extracted from eligible studies. Descriptive analysis was used to summarise study characteristics, including year of publication, region, condition type, data sources and ascertainment methods. Results: Of 58 included studies, 57% originated in Europe, 5% in Australia and 78% were published post-2010. Overall, 36.2% examined monogenic disorders and 29.3% chromosomal. Registries were the most common data source (62.1%), with 78% using active case ascertainment. Main strategies included medical record abstraction (30%), genetic testing (27.5%) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-coded data (27.5%). In Australia, genetic testing and medical records yielded higher prevalence than ICD-coded data; internationally, disease-specific registries which use active ascertainment approaches reported greater prevalence than passive ascertainment approaches. Conclusion: Findings highlight how data source selection and ascertainment methods influence prevalence estimates, risking under-ascertainment when relying solely on ICD-coded data. In Australian studies, disease registries were not utilised, reflecting the need to address Australia’s fragmented surveillance infrastructure by integrating Orphanet nomenclature of rare diseases (ORPHAcodes) with ICD-coded data and expanding registries. Implications for health information management practice: Strengthening national coordination, training in genetic coding, nomenclature and inheritance mechanisms, and broader workforce competency will improve prevalence estimates of genetic conditions.</p
Getting it just right–developing and piloting a speech pathology education package about facilitation in community aphasia groups
No full textBackground: Community aphasia groups (CAGs) can contribute significantly to the long-term psychosocial wellbeing of people living with aphasia. However, they may also contribute to negative outcomes for group members if they are not skilfully facilitated. CAG facilitation is complex and challenging, and many speech pathologists (SPs) report low knowledge, skills and confidence to facilitate. Despite this, limited facilitation training and education is available. It is likely that high-quality facilitation training for SPs may contribute to increasing the number, sustainability and quality of CAGs available in the community. However, no research has investigated the development or impact of such training. Drawing on CAG, group theory and instructional design literature, we designed and developed an evidence-based education package for SPs. The package aims to improve SPs’ self-rated competence to facilitate CAGs themselves, and their skills, knowledge and attitudes to train other CAG facilitators. Aims: To investigate the acceptability of the first iteration of the education package, and the feasibility of the research design. Methods & procedures: We conducted a mixed-methods phase I acceptability and feasibility pilot study. Acceptability was evaluated using quantitative satisfaction survey data analysed with descriptive statistics, and qualitative focus group data analysed using Framework Analysis. Feasibility was evaluated using recruitment rates, completion rates, and suitability of the outcome measure planned for use in a phase II study. SPs (n = 9) from a range of workplace settings and CAG experience levels participated in the pilot. Outcomes & results: The education package demonstrated very high acceptability, with a mean survey score of 4.33/5 or higher for all satisfaction domains. Focus group responses reinforced this finding, expanded on factors that contributed to learner satisfaction, and provided a range of suggestions for modification. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: the learning experience was a positive one; multi-modal delivery enhanced the learning experience; implementation questions were front of mind for learners; and cohesion between Part 1 and Part 2 of the package could be improved. The study design and outcome measures were found to be feasible. Conclusions: This phase I pilot demonstrated high acceptability and feasibility for our CAG facilitation education package and provided suggestions for further improvement. Findings support progression to a planned phase II trial of the education package investigating preliminary efficacy. It is our hope that the development and future dissemination of CAG facilitation education will contribute to the proliferation of confident, competent facilitators and high-quality CAGs available to people with aphasia.</p
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy: How and when supervisor bottom‐line mentality hinders employee creativity
No full textBased on the conservation of resources theory, this study investigates how and when supervisor bottom-line mentality (i.e., one-dimensional thinking that exclusively focuses on economic bottom-line goals to the neglect of competing priorities) relates to employee creativity. We propose that supervisor bottom-line mentality reduces employee psychological availability, resulting in decreased employee creativity. Additionally, psychological detachment, which allows employees to recover from job strain and to regain physical energy and psychological resources, serves as a buffer that weakens the indirect negative relationship between supervisor bottom-line mentality and employee creativity through psychological availability. Empirical analyses using time-lagged data from 540 employees of a hospital in eastern China (sample A) and 306 academic graduate students in Chinese universities (sample B) support all hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.</p
Occupational Balance of Occupational Therapy Students Before and After Occupational Disruption Caused by COVID-19
No full textAbstract:-Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions have caused occupational disruption, yet little is known about their relationship with occupational balance, student satisfaction, and stress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the occupational balance of occupational therapy students in the state of Victoria, Australia, and its association with measures of life satisfaction and distress. Method: Participants completed the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11) twice (once rating their occupational balance before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and again during the time these restrictions were in place); the Global Life Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Wilcoxon-Pratt and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: Fifty-one participants revealed significant decreases in total scores on the OBQ-11 (Z = 3.0, 95% C.I. = 1 to 4.5; p Conclusion: COVID-19 restrictions have impacted students’ occupational balance. Occupational therapy students may not have the necessary knowledge of occupational therapy philosophies to maintain occupational balance.</p
Nitrogen-induced suppression of methane uptake is alleviated by biochar in a subtropical forest soil
No full textNo description supplied.</p
Conflicting Definitions of Self-Regulation in Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review
No full textAims: To understand how occupational therapy literature conceptualizes, discusses, describes, implies, and operationalizes self-regulation. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and JBI methodology guided the review. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo and ERIC databases were searched with studies from 2000 - June 2023 deemed eligible. Two reviewers extracted data with results presented in figurative, tabular, and narrative synthesis. Critical appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for systematic reviews. Content analysis of construct descriptions was conducted. Results: A total 4159 articles were screened for eligibility, and eighty-one assessed at full text. Nine additional studies were retrieved through hand-searching. Sixty-four studies were included and underwent critical appraisal. Content analysis revealed five self-regulation constructs and associated terms in the occupational therapy literature, including self-regulation, executive function, emotion regulation, interoception and social-emotional learning. Conclusions: Five distinct self-regulation constructs were analyzed in the occupational therapy literature, with various terms used to describe and define these. Self-regulation and executive function were often described as linked constructs. Similarly, lack of congruence between self-regulation measures, identified interventions and the underlying self-regulation construct was identified.</p