The University of Queensland

This study utilized surface sediments from a potentially less polluted transboundary Himalayan River (Brahmaputra: China-India-Bangladesh) to investigate the abundance of 15geochemically and ecologically significant elements and to predict their sources and ecological consequences. INAA was applied to determine the elemental concentrations. The average abundances (µg.g-1) of Rb (94.20), Cs (4.49), Th (20.31), & U (2.73) were 1.12-2.26 folds elevated than shale. Environmental indices disclosed a pollution status ranging from "uncontaminated to moderately contaminated," with minimal Rb, U, and Th enrichment in the downstream zone. Consensus-based sediment quality guideline (SQG) threshold values suggested that only Cr (60% samples > TEL) may impose rare biological effects. Ecological risk indices suggested "minor to no" possible eco-toxicological risks for the accounted elements (Cr, Co, Mn, Zn, Sb, & As). The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model predicated the predominance of geogenic or crustal contributions (~72.69%) for Al, K, Na, Ti, Co, Zn, Ba, Cs, As, Rb, Th, & U derived from elemental fractionations, mineral weathering, and bio-geo-chemical mobilization. The relative contributions of anthropogenic sources (~27.31%; such as the construction of roads, settlement expansion, litter disposal, municipal waste discharge, mining activities, agricultural encroachment, etc.) on elemental distribution were significantly lower. The abundance of Cr and Mn was mainly influenced by anthropogenic sources. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of utilizing geo-environmental guidelines and receptor models in discriminating the natural & anthropogenic origins of metals in the complex riverine sediments of a less anthropogenically affected river.

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy has been extensively researched in endodontics, particularly in cleaning and shaping the root canal system. Research advances have primarily focused on the design, shape, and geometry of the NiTi files as well as metallurgy and mechanical properties. So far, extensive investigations have been made surrounding surface and thermomechanical treatments, however, limited work has been done in the realm of surface functionalization to augment its performance in endodontics. This review summarizes the unique characteristics, current use, and latest developments in thermomechanically treated NiTi endodontic files. It discusses recent improvements in nano-engineering and the possibility of customizing the NiTi file surface for added functionalization. Whilst clinical translation of this technology has yet to be fully realized, future research direction will lie in the use of nanotechnology.

We investigate the Abnormal Sub‐Auroral Ion Drifts (ASAID) developed in the postmidnight (1‐4) magnetic local time sector in 2013. Shown by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F15 horizontal ion velocity measurements, we specified 21 antisunward (eastward) ASAID flow channels (FCs) based on their respective underlying polar convections. Overall, the polar convection formed a two‐cell pattern with its convection axis tilted in the morning‐evening direction because of the underlying B Y <0 conditions. Its dawn cell intruded into the duskside from the dawnside where the eastward ASAID flows were streaming antisunward, opposite to the dawn cell sunward convection flows. Mostly, the ASAID FC appeared in the coinciding ring‐current‐related ionospheric trough and flow‐stagnation‐related main ionospheric trough in the South American sector because of the favorable conditions created by the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly promoting also the development of Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arc. Rarely observed, the ASAID FC was associated with the SAR arc detected over Rothera. Detected in the Mid Pacific longitude sector, a pair of northern‐southern ASAID FCs demonstrated northern‐southern conjugacy. With correlated observations, demonstrating magnetosphere‐ionosphere conjugacy, the inward (earthward) ASAID electric (E) field could also be investigated. These reveal the ASAID E field’s fast‐time development by short‐circuiting when the hot‐ring‐current—cold‐plasmasphere interface developed and became impacted by finite Larmor radius effects because of the earthward intrusion of hot ring current protons. The ASAID E field’s inner‐magnetosphere environment was characterized by the hot zone where heating was generated by low‐frequency waves and auroral kilometric radiations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Well-designed language education programs are foundations for effective learning and teaching. University-school partnerships, integrated into high-quality secondary and tertiary language programs, have the potential to meet key education goals in order to achieve greater continuity of language learning, foster aspiration for language teaching, and produce job-ready graduates. This chapter reports on a university-school partnership to deliver an internship program for university students with advanced Japanese skills in local high schools in Brisbane, Australia. We begin by detailing language policy settings in Australia and at the state level in Queensland. We argue that it is particularly pertinent to advancing two elements of these policy settings, the promotion of language study and intercultural learning in secondary language education, and the goal for universities to integrate graduate employability skills into all programs.

The use of engineered cementitious composite with polyvinyl alcohol fiber has shown excellent potential in building facilities due to its strain-hardening and multiple-cracking features. However, when polyvinyl alcohol fiber melts at around 230°C, spalling behavior of engineered cementitious composite may occur, weakening the mechanical properties and reducing ductility of high strength engineered cementitious composite. Thus, investigating the fire resistance is of great significance. By adding steel fibers to cementitious composites, qualitative and quantitative comparisons were done through observing appearance changes, spalling extent, surface cracking, mass loss, and residual mechanical properties. Results indicate that steel fiber can increase the risk of spalling and surface cracking in high strength engineered cementitious composite, improve residual mechanical abilities also. The ductility varies with steel fiber content at different elevated temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy results show that more hydration products are produced on the surface of steel fiber at 400°C, which improves interface transition zones between fiber and cementitious materials. However, an oxidation film found on the surface of steel fiber at 800°C triggers negative effect on bridging.

We have derived the extended Korteweg-de Vries equation describing the long gravity waves without limitation to surface deviation. The only restriction to the surface deviation is connected with the stability condition for appropriate solutions. The derivation of extended KdV equation is based on the Euler equations for inviscid irrotational and incompressible fluid. It is shown that the extended KdV equation reduces to standard KdV equation for small amplitude of the waves. We have also generalized the extended KdV equation for describing the decaying effect of the waves. Quasi-periodic and solitary wave solutions for extended KdV equation with decaying effect are found as well. We also demonstrate that the fundamental approach based on the inverse scattering method is applicable for solving the extended KdV equation in the case when decaying effect is negligibly small. Such case always occur for restricted propagation distances of the waves.

Background Many families and individuals do not meet criteria for a known hereditary cancer syndrome but display unusual clusters of cancers. These families may carry pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes and be at higher risk for developing cancer. Methods This multi-centre prospective study recruited 195 cancer-affected participants suspected to have a hereditary cancer syndrome for whom previous clinical targeted genetic testing was either not informative or not available. To identify pathogenic disease-causing variants explaining participant presentation, germline whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a comprehensive cancer virtual gene panel analysis were undertaken. Results Pathogenic variants consistent with the presenting cancer(s) were identified in 5.1% (10/195) of participants and pathogenic variants considered secondary findings with potential risk management implications were identified in another 9.7% (19/195) of participants. Health economic analysis estimated the marginal cost per case with an actionable variant was significantly lower for upfront WGS with virtual panel ($8744AUD) compared to standard testing followed by WGS ($24,894AUD). Financial analysis suggests that national adoption of diagnostic WGS testing would require a ninefold increase in government annual expenditure compared to conventional testing. Conclusions These findings make a case for replacing conventional testing with WGS to deliver clinically important benefits for cancer patients and families. The uptake of such an approach will depend on the perspectives of different payers on affordability.

Background Dioecious plants have male and female flowers on separate plants. Jojoba is a dioecious plant that is drought-tolerant and native to arid areas. The genome sequence of male and female plants was recently reported and revealed an X and Y chromosome system, with two large male-specific insertions in the Y chromosome. Results A total of 16,923 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified between the flowers of the male and female jojoba plants. This represented 40% of the annotated genes in the genome. Many genes, including those responsible for plant environmental responses and those encoding transcription factors (TFs), were specific to male or female reproductive organs. Genes involved in plant hormone metabolism were also found to be associated with flower and pollen development. A total of 8938 up-regulated and 7985 down-regulated genes were identified in comparison between male and female flowers, including many novel genes specific to the jojoba plant. The most differentially expressed genes were associated with reproductive organ development. The highest number of DEG were linked with the Y chromosome in male plants. The male specific parts of the Y chromosome encoded 12 very highly expressed genes including 9 novel genes and 3 known genes associated with TFs and a plant hormone which may play an important role in flower development. Conclusion Many genes, largely with unknown functions, may explain the sexual dimorphisms in jojoba plants and the differentiation of male and female flowers.

This research presents a constitutive model for the macro scale simulation of masonry structures. The model is containing an orthotropic plane stress assumption, which appears as an appropriate assumption for the in-plane analysis of masonry walls. The material model is based upon damage mechanics, split into tensile and compression parts. The novelty herewith is the consistent mapping of the damage evolution laws. Aim of this research is to develop a simple but accurate constitutive law, suitable to simulate large scale structures and buildings with reasonable computational costs. The developments are presented and compared with available literature examples from laboratory testings.

Microbes play a critical role in the development and health of marine invertebrates, though microbial dynamics across life stages and host generations remain poorly understood in most reef species, especially in the context of climate change. Here, we use a 4‐year multigenerational experiment to explore microbe–host interactions under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)‐forecast climate scenarios in the rock‐boring tropical urchin Echinometra sp. A . Adult urchins (F 0 ) were exposed for 18 months to increased temperature and p CO 2 levels predicted for years 2050 and 2100 under RCP 8.5, a period which encompassed spawning. After rearing F 1 offspring for a further 2 years, spawning was induced, and F 2 larvae were raised under current day and 2100 conditions. Cross‐generational climate effects were also explored in the microbiome of F 1 offspring through a transplant experiment. Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, we determined that each life stage and generation was associated with a distinct microbiome, with higher microbial diversity observed in juveniles compared to larval stages. Although life‐stage specificity was conserved under climate conditions projected for 2050 and 2100, we observed changes in the urchin microbial community structure within life stages. Furthermore, we detected a climate‐mediated parental effect when juveniles were transplanted among climate treatments, with the parental climate treatment influencing the offspring microbiome. Our findings reveal a potential for cross‐generational impacts of climate change on the microbiome of a tropical invertebrate species.

Background The aim of this study was to investigate an in vitro dynamic bioreactor model by evaluating the antimicrobial effect of clinically relevant amoxicillin doses on polymicrobial microcosm biofilms derived from subgingival plaque. Methods Biofilms from pooled subgingival plaque were grown for 108 hours in control and experimental dynamic biofilm reactors. Amoxicillin was subsequently infused into the experimental reactor to simulate the pharmacokinetic profile of a standard 500 mg thrice‐daily dosing regimen over 5 days and biofilms were assessed by live/dead staining, scanning electron microscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Following establishment of the oral microcosm biofilms, confocal imaging analysis showed a significant increase in dead bacteria at 8 hours ( p = 0.0095), 48 hours ( p = 0.0070), 96 hours ( p = 0.0140), and 120 hours ( p < 0.0001) in the amoxicillin‐treated biofilms compared to the control biofilms. Nevertheless, viable bacteria remained in the center of the biofilm at all timepoints. Significant reductions/elimination in Campylobacter rectus , Tannerella forsythia , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was observed among the amoxicillin‐treated biofilms at the 96 and 120 hour timepoints. Conclusion A novel in vitro dynamic model of oral microcosm biofilms was effective in modeling the antimicrobial effect of a pharmacokinetically simulated clinically relevant dose of amoxicillin.

Due to their complex and fluctuating needs requiring multiple transitions of care through different services and systems, the early postdischarge period is one of the vulnerabilities for people with acquired neurological disability. This study aimed to (1) map and examine system-level care transitions, including change in transition patterns and service use among people with acquired neurological disability during the first 12 months postdischarge and (2) explore the relationship between early perceptions (3 months postdischarge) of obstacles and difficulty with health service access to the pattern of care transitions. From July 2019 to March 2020, this study recruited 93 participants with acquired neurological disability resulting from acquired brain (44%) or spinal cord injury (56%) from a tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia. Data linkage methods were used to capture system-level care transitions as movements between three levels of health care: primary, specialist, and emergency care. Health service use during care transitions was also characterised. Standardised questionnaires were used to measure obstacles and difficulty accessing health services in relation to transportation, finance, and resource availability at 3 months postdischarge. The median number of care transitions was 8 (range: 0–47), and the most frequent category of care transition pattern was where participants transit between all levels of care: primary, specialist, and emergency (n = 51/93, 54.8%). However, the frequency, direction, and sequence of transitions between different levels of care were diverse amongst participants. Most participants used primary (96%) and specialist (97%) services, while 59% used emergency services. Overall, postdischarge care transitions were common and highly variable for people with acquired neurological disability. Early perceptions of transportation being an obstacle to service access was a marginally significant contributor ( p = 0.051 ) to more care transitions. Further research to delineate the characteristics and complications of care transitions and service use will aid in developing more personalised, coordinated postdischarge trajectories.

Background Executive function (EF) impairments are prevalent post stroke and are associated with white matter (WM) damage on MRI. However, less is known about the relationship between poststroke EF and WM damage on CT imaging. Objective To investigate the relationship between poststroke EF and WM damage associated with stroke lesions and WM hypointensities (WMHs) on clinically acquired CT imaging. Method This study analyzed data from the Oxford Cognitive Screening Program, which recruited individuals aged ≥18 years with a confirmed stroke from an acute stroke unit. The individuals completed a follow-up assessment 6 months post stroke. We included individuals with a CT scan showing a visible stroke who completed follow-up EF assessment using the Oxford Cognitive Screen–Plus rule-finding task. We manually delineated stroke lesions and quantified then dichotomized WM damage caused by the stroke using the HCP-842 atlas. We visually rated then dichotomized WMHs using the Age-Related White Matter Changes Scale. Results Among 87 stroke survivors (M age = 73.60 ± 11.75; 41 female; 61 ischemic stroke), multivariable linear regression showed that stroke damage to the medial lemniscus ( B = –8.86, P < 0.001) and the presence of WMHs ( B = –5.42, P = 0.005) were associated with poorer EF 6 months post stroke after adjusting for covariates including age and education. Conclusion Poorer EF was associated with WM damage caused by stroke lesions and WMHs on CT. These results confirm the importance of WM integrity for EF post stroke and demonstrate the prognostic utility of CT-derived imaging markers for poststroke cognitive outcomes.

Issue Addressed Referral to supervised physical activity (PA) programs is an effective treatment for military service veterans (MSVs) suffering from a range of chronic diseases. However, many MSVs fail to maintain PA regimes once discharged from supervision. This pilot study assessed Active Choices , a stepped‐down program to support MSVs in the transition from allied health treatment to self‐managed PA. Methods Participants were 34 Australian MSVs (mean [SD] age = 61 [15.8] years) who were completing supervised referral to an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. MSVs stepped‐down to Active Choices and received a 12‐week, evidence‐based PA support program (2020–2021). Analyses compared within‐group changes in accelerometer‐assessed PA at three time points (Weeks 0, 12, and 24; linear mixed model). Program retention, PA choices, and allied healthcare service costs were also evaluated. Results Relative to baseline (64 [26] min/day), mean (SD) moderate‐to‐vigorous PA increased (74 [28] min/day; p < .05) and was maintained (62 [28] min/day) at weeks 12 and 24, respectively. Retention in the program was high (86% [29/34 participants] completion rate at 12 weeks), with water‐based group activities the most popular PAs of choice (14/24 activities). Average allied healthcare service costs during the study were lower than typical costs for MSVs (60.51 vs. 97.06 AUD/week). Conclusion The findings highlight the potential of Active Choices to support MSVs in the transition from supervised to self‐managed MVPA. So What? The program could promote the health of veterans and reduce costs for ongoing referral if impact is replicated at scale.

Introduction The Dental Caries Utility Index (DCUI) is a new oral health–specific health state classification system for adolescents, consisting of 5 domains: pain/discomfort, difficulty eating food/drinking, worried, ability to participate in activities, and appearance. Each domain has 4 response levels. This study aims to generate an Australian-specific utility algorithm for the DCUI. Methods An online survey was conducted using a representative sample of the adult Australian general population. The discrete choice experiment (DCE) was used to elicit the preferences on 5 domains. Then, the latent utilities were anchored onto the full health-dead scale using the visual analogue scale (VAS). DCE data were modeled using conditional logit, and 2 anchoring procedures were considered: anchor based on the worst health state and a mapping approach. The optimal anchoring procedure was selected based on the model parsimony and the mean absolute error (MAE). Results A total of 995 adults from the Australian general population completed the survey. The conditional logit estimates on 5 dimensions and levels were monotonic and statistically significant, except for the second level of the “worried” and “appearance” domains. The mapping approach was selected based on a smaller MAE between the 2 anchoring procedures. The Australian-specific tariff of DCUI ranges from 0.1681 to 1. Conclusion This study developed a utility algorithm for the DCUI. This value set will facilitate utility value calculations from the participants’ responses for DCUI in economic evaluations of dental caries interventions targeted for adolescents. Highlights Preference-based quality-of-life measures (PBMs), which consist of a health state classification system and a set of utility values (a scoring algorithm), are used to generate utility weights for economic evaluations. This study is the first to develop an Australian utility value set for the Dental Caries Utility Index (DCUI), a new oral health–specific classification system for adolescents. The availability of a utility value set will enable using DCUI in economic evaluations of oral health interventions targeted for adolescents and may ultimately lead to more effective and efficient planning of oral health care services.

This paper gives an explicit version of Selberg’s mean-value estimate for the prime number theorem in intervals, assuming the Riemann hypothesis [25]. Two applications are given to short-interval results for primes and for Goldbach numbers. Under the Riemann hypothesis, we show there exists a prime in $(y,y+32\,277\log ^2 y]$ for at least half the $y\in [x,2x]$ for all $x\geq 2$ , and at least one Goldbach number in $(x,x+9696 \log ^2 x]$ for all $x\geq 2$ .

Construction of two-dimensional nanosheets into three-dimensional regular structures facilitates the mass transfer and exploits the maximum potential of two-dimensional building blocks in applications such as catalysis. Here, we report the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks with an orthogonal nanosheet array. The assembly involves the epitaxial growth of single crystalline metal-organic framework nanosheets with a naturally non-preferred facet exposure as the shell on a cubic metal-organic framework as the core. The nanosheets, despite of two typical shapes and crystallographic orientations, also form a single crystalline orthogonally arrayed framework. The density and size of nanosheets in the core-shell-structured composite metal-organic frameworks can be well adjusted. Moreover, metal-organic frameworks with a single composition and hollow orthogonal nanosheet array morphology can be obtained. Benefiting from the unusual facet exposure and macroporous structure, the designed structure exhibits improved electrocatalytic oxygen evolution activity compared to conventional nanosheets.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been mostly conducted in populations of European ancestry, which currently limits the transferability of their findings to other populations. Here, we show, through theory, simulations and applications to real data, that adjustment of GWAS analyses for polygenic scores (PGSs) increases the statistical power for discovery across all ancestries. We applied this method to analyze seven traits available in three large biobanks with participants of East Asian ancestry (n = 340,000 in total) and report 139 additional associations across traits. We also present a two-stage meta-analysis strategy whereby, in contributing cohorts, a PGS-adjusted GWAS is rerun using PGSs derived from a first round of a standard meta-analysis. On average, across traits, this approach yields a 1.26-fold increase in the number of detected associations (range 1.07- to 1.76-fold increase). Altogether, our study demonstrates the value of using PGSs to increase the power of GWASs in underrepresented populations and promotes such an analytical strategy for future GWAS meta-analyses.