Recent publications
Parametric Design enables designers to formulate and explore new ideas through parameters, typically by manipulating numerical values. However, visualising and exploring the design space of an established parametric design solution is natively difficult through desktop displays for designers due to screen space constraints and requiring familiarity with visual-language programming interfaces. Thus, we sought to explore Virtual Reality (VR), inspired by Natural User Interfaces (NUI), to develop and explore new interfaces departing from traditional programming interfaces, that could complement the spatial and embodied affordances of contemporary VR devices. Informed by two industry-led focus groups with architects we developed and
examined the usability of three different interfaces: 1) Paramaxes, an axes-based interface that allows designers to distribute and manipulate parameter visualisations around them in physical space; 2) ParamUtter, a Voice-based User Interface (VUI) that allows designers to manipulate parameter visualisations through natural languages; 3) Control Panel, which presents the parameters as sliders in a scrollable pane and acts as baseline comparison. We ran an exploratory study with experts and found that the Control Panel was ultimately the preferred interface for a design manipulation task. However, participants commented favourably towards qualities in the unconventional interfaces, with ParamUtter scoring highest in System Usability Scores (SUS),
and participants valuing the potential of using physical space to explore design spaces with Paramaxes.
Importance
Despite its relevance for pediatric blood pressure (BP) screening, the long-term predictive utility and natural progression of pediatric BP classification remain understudied.
Objective
To evaluate BP tracking from childhood to midadulthood using the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) thresholds and estimate transition probabilities among BP classifications over time considering multiple time points.
Design, Setting, and Participants
The analyses were performed in 2023 using data gathered from September 1980 to August 2018 within the longitudinal Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Participants had BP examined 9 times over 38 years, from childhood (aged 6-12 years) or adolescence (15-18 years) to young adulthood (21-27 years), late young adulthood (30-37 years), and midadulthood (39-56 years).
Exposures
BP classifications (normal, elevated, hypertension) were based on AAP guidelines for children and adolescents and the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for adults.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Outcomes were BP classifications at follow-up visits. Tracking coefficients were calculated using generalized estimated equations. Transition probabilities among BP classifications were estimated using multistate Markov models.
Results
This study included 2918 participants (mean [SD] baseline age, 10.7 [5.0] years; 1553 female [53.2%]). Over 38 years, the tracking coefficient (odds ratio [OR]) for maintaining elevated BP/hypertension was 2.16 (95% CI, 1.95-2.39). Males had a higher probability than females of progressing to and maintaining hypertension and a lower probability of reverting to normal BP from childhood to midadulthood (transition probability: from normal BP to stage 2 hypertension, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.17-0.22 vs 0.08; 95% CI, 0.07-0.10; maintaining stage 2 BP, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.27-0.39 vs 0.14; 95% CI, 0.09-0.21; from stage 2 hypertension to normal BP, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.19-0.26 vs 0.58; 95% CI, 0.52-0.62. For both sexes, the probability of transitioning from adolescent hypertension to normal BP in midadulthood was lower (transition probability, ranging from 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14-0.19 to 0.44; 95% CI, 0.39-0.48) compared with childhood hypertension (transition probability, ranging from 0.23; 95% CI, 0.19-0.26 to 0.63; 95% CI, 0.61-0.66). The probability of maintaining normal BP sharply decreased in the first 5 to 10 years, stabilizing thereafter. Children with normal BP generally maintained this status into adolescence (male: transition probability, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.60-0.67; female: transition probability, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.79-0.84) but decreased by young adulthood (male: transition probability, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.39-0.44; female: transition probability, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.67-0.71).
Conclusion and Relevance
Results of this cohort study reveal an enduring association of childhood and adolescent BP (AAP thresholds) with later BP. Although childhood normal BP tends to be maintained into adolescence, the probability of reverting to and sustaining normal BP decreases notably from adolescence to young adulthood. The findings of this study underscore the importance of prevention to maintain normal BP starting in childhood, suggesting adolescence as a potential critical period. The results suggest the potential for less frequent screenings for children with initially normal BP.
Reporting of adverse drug events (ADEs) to regulatory authorities remains low, particularly among consumers.
To explore stakeholders’ views on the development and use of a digital platform to improve ADE reporting by consumers to the regulatory authority in Australia, i.e., the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and co-design workshops with consumers, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and regulators. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analysed thematically according to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour model. Findings of the FGDs and co-design workshops were incorporated to enhance and complement the insights gathered from the interviews.
A total of 39 participants took part in the study (54 % consumers, 41 % HCPs, and 5 % regulators). Uncovered themes related to ADE reporting in general were: difficulty recognizing ADEs and health literacy, awareness about reporting ADEs (Capability); visibility of ADE reporting, professionals’ views on consumer ADE reporting, consumer education (Opportunity); the common good, benefit to the reporter, identifying ADEs worth reporting, and concern about reporting (Motivation). Additional identified themes specific to a new digital platform were: physical abilities (Capability); features that facilitate intuitive use, convenience and accessibility, user experience, integration with existing systems, trust, sharing experiences with others (Opportunity); and concern about using a reporting platform, and feedback loop (Motivation).
A cross-section of attitudes and values were obtained regarding ADE reporting in general and a new ADE reporting digital platform for consumers in Australia, which will inform its development, implementation and evaluation.
Salespeople play a critical role in new product selling. Owing to the time lag between sales efforts and accounting outcomes, salespeople under budget pressure created by outcome-based control systems may engage in myopic revenue management by prioritizing the selling of existing products. While increasing sales efforts through activity-based control systems has been considered effective in alleviating this problem, opponents argue that it results in micromanagement and undermines new product selling. Recognizing these issues, this study conducted an empirical analysis using repeatedly measured objective data from an electronic component trading company in Japan to examine the feasibility of a sales management control system redesign. The analysis revealed that sales effort quantity had a negative effect on sales quotas but was positively related to revenue mileposts, such as project generation and closing. Furthermore, the effects of sales effort quantity on revenue mileposts weaken as sales effort quality increases. The results imply that outcome-based control systems are more effective for smart workers with high sales effort quality and activity-based control systems are more effective for hard workers with low sales effort quality.
Femtosecond laser inscription of fluoride Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) has enabled the realization of all-fiber laser sources at mid-infrared wavelengths. However, many fundamental aspects of the fabrication process remain unknown, which hinders further development. In this paper, we for the first time reveal the physical mechanisms that underpin the laser-induced permanent refractive index change in the periodic grating elements that constitute an FBG. Quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry and micro-reflectivity measurements are introduced as techniques for the full characterization of the refractive index change profile of the grating structure. The fundamental processes that eventually result in a permanent index change were found to differ significantly between the chemically closely related fluoroindate and fluorozirconate glass families. In fluoroindate fibers, the index change can almost entirely be attributed to elemental migration, whereas in fluorozirconate fibers the involved processes are more intricate and include the selective migration of fluorine ions as well as the formation of F-centers, more specifically unpaired electrons trapped in anion vacancies. In addition, in fluorozirconate fibers, the formation of dynamic stress regions in-between the grating planes was observed, more specifically a build-up of higher stress in areas adjacent to positive index-change regions and of lower stress in areas adjacent to negative index-change regions, which for the first time explains the unusual annealing behavior of mid-IR FBGs.
This study investigated the performance of ChatGPT-4.0o in evaluating the quality of positioning in radiographic images. Thirty radiographs depicting a variety of knee, elbow, ankle, hand, pelvis, and shoulder projections were produced using anthropomorphic phantoms and uploaded to ChatGPT-4.0o. The model was prompted to provide a solution to identify any positioning errors with justification and offer improvements. A panel of radiographers assessed the solutions for radiographic quality based on established positioning criteria, with a grading scale of 1-5. In only 20% of projections, ChatGPT-4.0o correctly recognized all errors with justifications and offered correct suggestions for improvement. The most commonly occurring score was 3 (9 cases, 30%), wherein the model recognized at least 1 specific error and provided a correct improvement. The mean score was 2.9. Overall, low accuracy was demonstrated, with most projections receiving only partially correct solutions. The findings reinforce the importance of robust radiography education and clinical experience.
Background
Emerging technologies and societal changes create new ethical concerns and greater need for cross-disciplinary and cross–stakeholder communication on navigating ethics in research. Scholarly articles are the primary mode of communication for researchers, however there are concerns regarding the expression of research ethics in these outputs. If not in these outputs, where should researchers and stakeholders learn about the ethical considerations of research?
Objectives
Drawing on a scoping review, analysis of policy in a specific disciplinary context (learning and technology), and reference group discussion, we address concerns regarding research ethics, in research involving emerging technologies through developing novel policy that aims to foster learning through the expression of ethical concepts in research.
Approach
This paper develops new editorial policy for expression of research ethics in scholarly outputs across disciplines. These guidelines, aimed at authors, reviewers, and editors, are underpinned by:
a cross-disciplinary scoping review of existing policy and adherence to these policies;
a review of emerging policies, and policies in a specific discipline (learning and technology); and,
a collective drafting process undertaken by a reference group of journal editors (the authors of this paper).
Results
Analysis arising from the scoping review indicates gaps in policy across a wide range of journals (54% have no statement regarding reporting of research ethics), and adherence (51% of papers reviewed did not refer to ethics considerations). Analysis of emerging and discipline-specific policies highlights gaps.
Conclusion
Our collective policy development process develops novel materials suitable for cross-disciplinary transfer, to address specific issues of research involving AI, and broader challenges of emerging technologies.
Metal nanoparticles sensitize cancers to radiotherapy however their mechanisms of action are complex. The conceptual inspiration arose from theories of physical dose deposition but various chemical and biological factors have also been identified. Interpretation of data has been limited by challenges in measuring true DNA damage compared to DNA damage repair factors. Here, we applied a new assay, STRIDE, for the first time to measure DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in 4T1 cells as a model of triple negative breast cancer exposed to gold nanoparticles and radiation, and compared this to the common γH2AX assay for DSB repair. The STRIDE assay showed no increase in DSB detection 15 mins after irradiation for cells containing nanoparticles compared to cells without. Gold nanoparticles led to prolonged detection of DSBs after irradiation and delayed the DSB repair. The data show no evidence of increased radiation dose deposition with nanoparticles, but rather enhanced radiobiological effects resulting from nanoparticles which includes disruption of the recruitment of essential DDR machinery, thereby impairing DNA repair processes.
Background and Objectives
Screening for elder abuse can improve detection, but many health providers lack the necessary skills and confidence. To address this, training for health providers on elder abuse screening was co-designed as part of a trial aimed at improving elder abuse detection and response.
Research Design and Methods
Between March and April 2023, 7 health providers and 10 older people and family carers participated in two national Australian online codesign workshops. Using the World Café method, discussions focused on what knowledge and skills health providers needed for screening; clinical and social issues affecting screening and referral; and support older people needed throughout the process. Data were thematically analyzed.
Results
Participants said health providers should take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to screening, and explain the limits of confidentiality to older people. Clinical, social, and systemic issues such as dementia, ethnic diversity, and housing availability complicated screening and referrals. To facilitate disclosure, participants said health providers needed to reflect on whether they held ageist views. There were differing opinions on the length of the training and if all health providers or only social workers should screen for abuse.
Discussion and Implications
Participants’ feedback on trauma-informed care, consent, and cognitive impairment concorded with evidence on best practice responses to elder abuse and were integrated in the training. Given operational constraints in health services, feedback from health providers about the training length and the inclusion of all health providers in screening were prioritized. The training is being evaluated in a national trial.
Purpose of the review
Breathlessness may evoke existential threat but may also affect the person with serious illness or their caregiver/s in other important ways which can be considered ‘existential’. This review explores existential aspects of breathlessness in people with serious illness and presents recent studies of assessment and management of associated distress and suffering.
Recent findings
Both existential distress and breathlessness are multidimensional and include a range of constructs, many of which have behavioural consequences. Existential distress tracks closely with distressing breathing potentially due to shared underlying neurobiological processing. Paradoxically ‘contagious’ and isolating effects of breathlessness and related distress have been recently highlighted. Approaches to screening and assessment vary. Preliminary studies have investigated novel approaches to breathing-related anxiety and existential distress.
Summary
Studies with existential constructs as outcome measures in people with breathlessness are scarce. Interventions for existential distress developed for those with malignant disease may be beneficial for those with non-malignant conditions, but adaptations may be required. Recently proposed taxonomies of existential distress/concerns may guide assessment and direct novel therapeutic interventions in people living with serious illness and breathlessness-related distress. Neglecting existential aspects of breathlessness represents a missed opportunity to support holistic well-being in people with serious illness.
Approximately one in three older adults (aged 65 years and over) experience pain, negatively impacting their quality of life. Opioid analgesics are commonly prescribed to manage pain; however, balancing the benefits and harms of these high-risk analgesics can be challenging for both healthcare professionals and patients. This is particularly true for older adults, as factors such as polypharmacy, age-related physiological changes and cognitive decline may impact upon opioid safety and efficacy. Deprescribing is the patient-centred process of reducing or discontinuing a medication that is no longer appropriate, or where the risks of continuation are deemed to outweigh the anticipated benefits. Opioid deprescribing has been proposed as a mechanism to reduce individual and societal opioid-related harm; however, to date, research has predominantly focused on the general adult population, rather than older adults. This current opinion aims to summarise the existing opioid deprescribing literature, discussing its applicability for older adults. Drawing on a non-systematic review of the literature, it identifies unique challenges and considerations for this population, highlights international initiatives to enhance opioid deprescribing in clinical practice and proposes future directions to advance the field.
Background
Perinatal borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common condition in perinatal mental health settings with few specialised treatment options, and little is known about the enduring effects of available treatment programs. This study explored the follow-up experiences of women with BPD after completing Mother-Infant Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (MI-DBT).
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women who had completed MI-DBT 3 years prior. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the interviews to gain a richer understanding of these mothers’ lived experience.
Results
A thematic analysis generated four main themes which indicated that participants found that MI-DBT improved their ability to hold their child in mind, be aware of their own internal state and behaviours, manage their own emotional reactions and stay calm, and manage interpersonal interactions within adult relationships. Mothers with perinatal borderline personality disorder also highlighted the need for ongoing support in the context of parenting.
Conclusions
This study is the first of its kind to explore the longer-term experiences of mothers following such an intervention, giving voice to this vulnerable group of women. The findings of this study provide a greater understanding of the complex challenges experienced as part of parenting for mothers with borderline personality disorder, and provides both insight into mothers’ experiences of life after MI-DBT and the impact of the program on their lives. The clinical and research implications of the study’s findings are discussed.
Trial registration
This research was retrospectively registered on 07/03/2024, ACTRN12624000225516.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the healthcare professionals and paid caregivers toward non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) for managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Australian residential aged care homes (RACHs). Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by RACH staff and physicians over the period 6 March-31 August 2023. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results. Results: Ninety-six respondents participated (41.7% aged 35-54 years, 80.2% female, 38.5% nurses). While 50-65% of the respondents were extremely familiar with 15 of NPIs, only 22% believed there was a sufficient funding for their implementation, and 6% felt there were sufficient human resources. Although 66% of the respondents viewed NPIs as more useful than medications, only 46% expected consistent positive outcomes from NPIs. The most used NPIs were redirection, behaviour management, and validation therapy. Conclusions: The study highlights that barrier such as inadequate funding, limited human resources, skepticism about NPIs' effectiveness, unfamiliarity with certain NPIs, and unfavourable attitude toward NPIs are likely to slow NPI adoption for BPSD management. Clinical implication: To improve practice, it is essential to address these barriers through targeted education, and training, increased funding, and enhancement of the workforce.
Background: Fatigue manifests as a decline in performance during high-intensity and prolonged exercise.
With technological advancements and the increasing adoption of inertial measurement units (IMUs) in sports biomechanics, there is an opportunity to enhance our understanding of running-related fatigue beyond controlled laboratory environments.
Research question: How have IMUs have been used to assess running biomechanics under fatiguing conditions?
Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, our literature search covered six databases without date restrictions until September 2024. The Population, Concept, and Context criteria were used: Population (distance runners ranging from novice to competitive), Concept (fatigue induced by running a distance
over 400 m), Context (assessment of fatigue using accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or magnetometer wearable devices). Biomechanical outcomes were extracted and synthesised, and interpreted in the context of three main study characteristics (cohort ability, testing environment, and the inclusion of physiological outcomes) to explore their potential role in influencing outcomes.
Results: A total of 88 articles were included in the review. There was a high prevalence of treadmill-based studies (n=46, 52%), utilising only 1-2 sensors (n=69, 78%), and cohorts ranged in experience, from sedentary to elite-level runners, and were largely comprised of males (69% of all participants). The majority
of biomechanical outcomes assessed showed varying responses to fatigue across studies, likely attributable to individual variability, exercise intensity, and differences in fatigue protocol settings and prescriptions. Spatiotemporal outcomes such as stride time and frequency (n=37, 42 %) and impact accelerations (n=55,
62%) were more widely assessed, with a fatigue response that appeared population and environment specific.
Significance: There was notable heterogeneity in the IMU-based biomechanical outcomes and methods evaluated in this review. The review findings emphasise the need for standardisation of IMU-based outcomes and fatigue protocols to promote Interpretable metrics and facilitate inter-study comparisons
Using a transnational framework to focus on women educators in the mid-twentieth century, this chapter explores Minette Jee’s (1918–2002) working life from the late 1930s to the 1980s, problematising her national identity and the dynamics of progressive education. Graduating from Gipsy Hill Training College as a modern British woman teacher in 1939, Jee took advantage of expanding opportunities for work in teacher education and school inspection in Britain, transnational humanitarian agencies such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Morocco between 1959 and 1962, then the Kindergarten Union of South Australia and the British Pre-school Playgroups Association in the 1970s. Jee’s working life was enmeshed in national and international politics, and this chapter demonstrates that whatever the institutional context, Jee’s racialised national identity as a white-British middle-class woman educator was intertwined with her decision-making, relationships and commitments to a universalising model of childhood and progressive education.
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