Sharon Nielsen

• Master of Philosophy
• Fellow at The University of Adelaide

Minirhizotron tubes were installed to monitor root growth dynamics of mature Shiraz grapevines in a rootstock trial established in the hot climate Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The vertical root distribution and seasonal root growth dynamics of Shiraz on own-roots and Shiraz grafted on the rootstocks Ramsey, 140 Ruggeri and Schwarz...

Minirhizotron tubes were installed to monitor root growth dynamics of mature Shiraz grapevines in a rootstock trial established in the hot climate Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The vertical root distribution and seasonal root growth dynamics of Shiraz on own-roots and Shiraz grafted on the rootstocks Ramsey, 140 Ruggeri and Schwarz...

Context Unusually wet weather in eastern Australia during the 2021 spring resulted in prolonged preharvest germination of a large proportion of cereal crops. An estimated 40–45% of wheat grown in New South Wales was downgraded from human consumption to feed-wheat. Similarly, preharvest germination of barley renders it unsuitable for malting or brew...

Hordeum spp. (barley grass) and Bromus spp. (brome grass) are annual weed species that achieve long‐distance seed dispersal via attachment to sheep, but also lead to sheep carcass damage due to the penetration of seeds into animal tissues. Range expansion of invasive weed populations predicted as a consequence of climate change may be associated wi...

Synovial infections (SI) are common in horses of all ages and can be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Identifying factors influencing survival and return to function may be useful for management of affected individuals and determination of prognosis. The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with surviva...

This project explores the differences in the intra-amniotic umbilical cord vein peak velocity (UCVPV) between three birthweight categories: large (LGA), appropriate (AGA) and small for gestational age.

Fine roots can grow more rapidly at certain points during the day depending on species and environmental conditions. The grapevine is a large perennial that has an extensive below-ground structural system; however its diurnal root growth pattern has received little attention. The aim of this study was to characterize the diurnal fine root growth dy...

Objective To characterize the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered by a commercial human CPAP device on respiratory function in foals with pharmacologically induced respiratory suppression. Design Prospective randomized, cross‐over study comparing CPAP with spontaneous respiration and oxygen insufflation. Setting Univer...

Near infrared spectra are highly correlated, complex and noisy, and potentially have many more predictor variables than are required to estimate a parsimonious calibration equation. It is difficult to appreciate the implication of pre-processing choices that are made during calibration, especially in connection with the relationship between the tra...

Aim The aim of this study is to determine the clinical rates of the demonstration of the inframammary angle (IMA) on the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view of the breast on digital mammograms and to compare the outcomes with current accreditation standards for compliance. Relationships between the IMA, age, the posterior nipple line (PNL) and compress...

Some plant species demonstrate a pronounced 24 h rhythm in fine root growth but the endogenous and exogenous factors that regulate these diel cycles are unclear. Photoperiod and temperature are known to interact with diel patterns in shoot growth but it is uncertain how these environmental factors are interrelated with below-ground growth. In this...

Objectives: (1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and compli...

Berseem clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is an important forage legume and is the primary winter forage crop in Pakistan. There are significant gaps in yield potential among varieties of berseem clover, as well as yields obtained at research stations and on-farm. To address this problem a survey of farmers was undertaken in the districts of Kasu...

Aim To construct gestational age (GA)‐related reference ranges of the intra‐amniotic umbilical cord vein (UCV) diameter, peak velocity (PV) and blood flow (Qucv) using a Central West New South Wales population. Materials and Methods This was a prospective, quasi‐experimental study of low risk, singleton pregnancies (n = 321) between 16 and 42 week...

This study was performed to determine the consistency of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), pH and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) measurements in asymptomatic horses and to define the influence of environmental and animal factors on these variables. Intra- and inter-day consistency for both H2O2 and pH measurements were adequate, with...

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive age-related brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, with no cure for AD currently available. Plants from the Lamiaceae have been used traditionally for improving memory. Nineteen Mentha taxa were screened for in vitro antioxidant and acetyl- (AChE) and butyryl-cholinesterase (BuChE) and histone deacetyl...

Reasons for performing the study: Limited data are available on the relative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different omeprazole formulations. Objectives: To compare pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of a novel omeprazole formulation against a currently registered product. Study design: Masked two period, two treatment cros...

Objective: With increasing demands to provide a cost efficient nursing service, changes to nursing skill mix are being implemented globally. Team nursing as a model of care is seen as a way to address both patient care and safety issues. The aim of this study was to explore job satisfaction (JS) and stress outcomes of nursing staff when introducing...

Aims: The primary aim of this study is to document the use of paediatric immobilisation techniques in medical imaging. Secondary aims are to investigate differences between current practice of paediatric and non-paediatric facilities and radiographer gender and to investigate immobilisation protocols. Methods: A SurveyMonkey link was distributed...

Background Antibiotic resistance is a major global threat to mankind. Inappropriate antibiotic use has been identified as one of the greatest contributors to antibiotic resistance. There is currently a paucity of data on antibiotic use in aged care facilities, globally and in the Australian setting. Aim To investigate the current antibiotic prescr...

The effects of grain type (barley [B] or sorghum [S]); particle size (ground grain [G] or ground grain from which the coarse fraction had been separated and re-ground, then added back to the fine fraction [R]), and diet form (mash [M], or pellet [P]), on average daily intake (ADI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, feed:gain as...

Background In the central west NSW region, there are variations in population density, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Aims Compare and contrast the maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of an obstetric population in central west New South Wales to district, state and national data. Materials and methods A prospective cross‐sectiona...

Riding is considered to be an arousing activity for horses. It has been suggested that wither scratching may be a more useful tool for relaxation compared with the common practice of neck patting. In the current study, 18 horses were exposed to 3 treatments, including control or no interaction, neck patting, and wither scratching, for 1 min each fo...

Practical methods to provide respiratory support to bovine neonates in a field setting are poorly characterised. This study evaluated the response of healthy neonatal calves with pharmacologically induced respiratory suppression to nasal oxygen insufflation and to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered via an off-the-shelf device. Ten...

Animal scientists and their funding organisations need to ensure investment in research is maximised by strict adherence to the scientific method and the rigorous design and analysis of experiments. Statisticians should be considered as equals in the research process, engaged from the beginning of research projects and appropriately funded. The imp...

IntroductionManagement of chronic disease patients is a complex continuum, led by doctors, but delivered by a range of health professionals at different levels of care, including primary care. Success is dependent upon adherence to the holistic therapy and on the accessibility and affordability of services.AimThe aim of this study is to investigate...

Proper performance monitoring of cows on pasture-based diets is crucial to inform nutritional recommendations that minimize undesirable effects of high ruminant CH4 emissions into the environment. The prediction of linkages between rumination patterns, methane emissions, and correlated production traits of cows in a pasture-based automatic milking...

Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In 2011, there were approximately 247 000 reports of suspected ADRs reported to the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration. It has been reported that in 2003, 2–4% of all hospital admissions were medication-related, and up to 75% of these were th...

The aim of this pilot study is to examine whether patients with a diagnosis of dementia are less likely to receive pro re nata (PRN) analgesics than patients of the same age without a diagnosis of dementia when they are admitted to an acue care facility with a bone fracture. This pilot study used a quantitative methodology and a correlational desig...

Little is known of the current status of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) populations in the Murrumbidgee catchment and other west-flowing rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin. Platypus distribution in the Murrumbidgee catchment was determined from sightings, reports by government departments, the literature and a capture-release study. The platyp...

Sows (n = 1205) were artificially inseminated with semen from single sires (n = 166). Semen was previously analysed for sperm concentration, motility, velocity, morphology (using DIC microscopy) and membrane integrity, sperm clump score, temperature on arrival and pH. Percent normal sperm influenced both numbers of pigs born alive (P < 0.01) and li...

Objective: To compare the effects of 2 NSAIDs (phenylbutazone and meloxicam) on renal function in horses. Animals: 9 Thoroughbred or Standardbred mares (mean ± SD age, 5.22 ± 1.09 years [range, 2 to 12 years]; mean body weight, 470 ± 25 kg [range, 442 to 510 kg]). Procedures: A randomized blinded placebo-controlled crossover study was conducte...

Background In Australia, standardized chronic disease management algorithms are available for medical practitioners, nursing practitioners and nurses through a range of sources including prescribing software, manuals and through government and not-for-profit non-government organizations. There is currently no standardized algorithm for pharmacist i...

Stem cell therapies offer huge potential for the treatment of tendon injury in horses. However, the factors influencing clients willingness to use these therapies has not yet been investigated. This study examines the willingness of a population of horse owners to choose stem cell therapy for the treatment of equine tendon injuries and the factors...

Tests were applied to extended, chilled boar semen to further define those factors associated with return to estrus in inseminated female pigs (sows and gilts). Females were each inseminated twice with the same batch of extended chilled single-sire semen that was concurrently assessed at the Charles Sturt University Andrology Laboratory (CSUAL) in...

Background: Idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) in children has been associated with ankle equinus. Although equinus has been linked to foot deformity in adults, there has been limited investigation of the impact of equinus on structural foot change in children. We used the weightbearing lunge test and the six-item version of the Foot Posture Index (FPI-...

Measuring the benefits obtained from the use of executive and organisational coaching is of interest both to coaching service providers and to the organisations who engage their services. Survey instruments, designed to measure coaching effectiveness, have emerged as a means of easy access to information on the success of the coaching provided to i...

This study aimed to investigate any differences between the motor skills and sensory processing abilities of children between the ages of 4 and 8, who do and do not have an idiopathic toe walking gait. Children in each cohort were tested with a number of norm referenced assessments. A total of 60 children participated, 30 within each cohort. Those...

Aims: To assess oestrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in stage I ovarian adult-type granulosa cell tumours (AGCTs) and correlate the findings with clinical outcome. Methods: ERα, ERβ and PR immunohistochemistry was performed on 56 primary, stage I AGCTs. Twelve cases (21%) recurred and hormone receptor staining...

This study investigated the vibration perception differences between children with an idiopathic toe walking gait and their non-toe walking peers. Sixty children, between the ages of four and eight years, were grouped into an idiopathic toe walking group and non-toe walking group. Vibration perception threshold was assessed at the right hallux. A h...

Concerns exist that selection for increased clean fleece weight (CFW) is expected to reduce body fatness. Such an effect is likely to impact on reproduction; however, all previous studies have examined non-reproductive yearlings or hoggets. The present study, using adult reproductive dams examined the impact of phenotype [based on high or low pheno...

The challenge the meat industry faces when increasing processing efficiency is to maintain or enhance eating quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both stretching, using a pre-production prototype device, and ageing on meat tenderness of warm tunnel boned legs from sheep carcases. To test this effect 40 sheep from several con...

Milk production and milk composition were measured in 1056 crossbred ewes managed under pasture grazing in a lamb production system. Most ewes were milked on three occasions at ~3, 4 and 12 weeks of lactation. The ewes were the progeny of mainly Merino dams and 91 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, East Friesian...

The challenge with increasing processing efficiency is to maintain or enhance eating quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both stretching using a pre-production prototype device and ageing on meat tenderness of warm boned sheep topsides. To test this effect, 40 sheep from 3 consignments were assessed. Left and right topsides...

Previous work identified that a large number of domestic lamb carcases processed in Australia do not meet the recommended pH/temperature window during chilling. New medium voltage electrical stimulation technology has been developed to alleviate this problem. This study used an optimised setting (800mA with a pulse width 0.5ms) to evaluate the effe...

The carcasses of 136 Merino wether lambs from a single bloodline were studied to determine the impact of phenotypic selection for clean fleece weight (CFW) and bodyweight (BWT) on meat quality characteristics. The lambs were the progeny of sires and dams that were selected for high or low CFW and high or low BWT using hogget phenotypic data, where...

The challenge with increasing processing efficiency is to maintain or enhance eating quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both stretching using a pre-production prototype device and ageing on meat tenderness of warm boned sheep topsides. To test this effect, 40 sheep from 3 consignments were assessed. Left and right topsides...

The growth rate of 667 single cross lambs from birth to 4 weeks (Period 1) and 4 weeks to weaning at 12 weeks (Period 2) was measured, along with the milk production of their 520 primiparous crossbred ewe dams over 3 years. The lambs were the progeny of Poll Dorset rams and first cross ewes lambing for the first time at 12 and 19 months of age. The...

The aim of this work was to benchmark the rate of pH and temperature decline in lamb carcasses (particularly the temperature at pH 6.0) at 3 commercial abattoirs across New South Wales. In total, 1197 carcasses were monitored over 13 months for pH and temperature decline. The lambs were sourced from a variety of regions, either direct from the padd...

The aim of this work was to examine the effectiveness of a commercial electrolyte mixture in alleviating dehydration and improving carcass characteristics of adult sheep under commercial processing conditions. Two separate experiments were conducted to investigate this aim. Experiment 1 had 2 hydration treatments (water with and without electrolyte...

Milk production and milk composition were studied in 520 primiparous Merino crossbred ewes that were the progeny of 30 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, Coopworth, Finnsheep and East Friesian. The ewes were born in 3 years (1997, 1998, and 1999), with 3 sires used in every year to provide genetic links. The cro...

Maximising digestible energy (DE) yield from cereals is fundamental to optimising efficiency in pig and poultry production systems. Given the potential interaction between grain structure and composition and DE (or AME) yields in monogastrics, consideration must be given to cost–effective interventions that may improve available energy supply from...

Cereal grains with their high starch content are fed to livestock predominantly as a source of energy for rapid growth or high milk yield and also for subsistence in times of poor pasture availability. Results from the Premium Grains for Livestock Program show there are large variations across cereal grain species, cultivars, individual grain sampl...

Results from the Premium Grains for Livestock Program were analysed to identify variation in the energy value for laying hens and broiler chickens of cereal grains including wheat, barley, oats, triticale, sorghum and rice. There was wide variation in apparent metabolisable energy (AME) within and between grain species for both layers and broilers....

The progeny (N=377) of a group of three syndicate mated high LAMBPLAN Carcase Plus Index (CPI) rams selected for high growth rates, leanness and high muscling were compared post slaughter to the progeny of three rams of similar high CPI selected for high growth rates, leanness but low muscling. Both groups were joined to randomised first cross ewes...