Identifying factors affecting work-integrated learning opportunities in exercise science and exercise physiology
- Buchan, Jena, Pitcher, Christian, Pascoe, Deborah, McGowan, Courtney, Clanchy, Kelly, Sealey, Rebecca
- Authors: Buchan, Jena , Pitcher, Christian , Pascoe, Deborah , McGowan, Courtney , Clanchy, Kelly , Sealey, Rebecca
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning Vol. 24, no. 2 (2023), p. 241-259
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- Description: Support from industry professionals is essential to meet the increasing demand for high-quality work-integrated learning (WIL) that forms a core component of university curriculum in various health professions. This qualitative study used an online survey to investigate the current landscape of exercise science and physiology WIL opportunities in Australia, building from a previous 2013 study. Factors were identified from 76 practicum supervisors that restrict and promote willingness to provide WIL opportunities, with recommendations made on how to better support and engage current and future supervisors. Fifteen factors were identified that influenced supervisor WIL engagement, with four factors reported as 'promote', six factors reported as 'restrict' and five factors identified as promoting and restricting. Using these findings, recommendations were made around five key issues related to supporting sustainable, engaging future WIL opportunities. An update was also provided on status of recommendations resulting from the 2013 research and remaining areas for action. © 2023 International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Buchan, Jena , Pitcher, Christian , Pascoe, Deborah , McGowan, Courtney , Clanchy, Kelly , Sealey, Rebecca
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning Vol. 24, no. 2 (2023), p. 241-259
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- Description: Support from industry professionals is essential to meet the increasing demand for high-quality work-integrated learning (WIL) that forms a core component of university curriculum in various health professions. This qualitative study used an online survey to investigate the current landscape of exercise science and physiology WIL opportunities in Australia, building from a previous 2013 study. Factors were identified from 76 practicum supervisors that restrict and promote willingness to provide WIL opportunities, with recommendations made on how to better support and engage current and future supervisors. Fifteen factors were identified that influenced supervisor WIL engagement, with four factors reported as 'promote', six factors reported as 'restrict' and five factors identified as promoting and restricting. Using these findings, recommendations were made around five key issues related to supporting sustainable, engaging future WIL opportunities. An update was also provided on status of recommendations resulting from the 2013 research and remaining areas for action. © 2023 International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. All rights reserved.
Identifying public healthcare priorities in virtual care for older adults : a participatory research study
- Pu, Dai, Palmer, Victoria, Greenstock, Louise, Pigott, Cathie, Peeters, Anna, Sanci, Lena, Callisaya, Michele, Browning, Colette, Chapman, Wendy, Haines, Terry
- Authors: Pu, Dai , Palmer, Victoria , Greenstock, Louise , Pigott, Cathie , Peeters, Anna , Sanci, Lena , Callisaya, Michele , Browning, Colette , Chapman, Wendy , Haines, Terry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 20, no. 5 (2023), p.
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- Description: There has been increasing adoption and implementation of virtual healthcare in recent years, especially with COVID-19 impacting the world. As a result, virtual care initiatives may not undergo stringent quality control processes to ensure that they are appropriate to their context and meet sector needs. The two objectives of this study were to identify virtual care initiatives for older adults currently in use in Victoria and virtual care challenges that could be prioritised for further investigation and scale-up and to understand why certain virtual care initiatives and challenges are prioritised over others for investigation and scale-up. Methods: This project used an Emerging Design approach. A survey of public health services in the state of Victoria in Australia was first carried out, followed by the co-production of research and healthcare priorities with key stakeholders in the areas of primary care, hospital care, consumer representation, research, and government. The survey was used to gather existing virtual care initiatives for older adults and any associated challenges. Co-production processes consisted of individual ratings of initiatives and group-based discussions to identify priority virtual care initiatives and challenges to be addressed for future scale-up. Stakeholders nominated their top three virtual initiatives following discussions. Results: Telehealth was nominated as the highest priority initiative type for scaling up, with virtual emergency department models of care nominated as the highest priority within this category. Remote monitoring was voted as a top priority for further investigations. The top virtual care challenge was data sharing across services and settings, and the user-friendliness of virtual care platforms was nominated as the top priority for further investigation. Conclusions: Stakeholders prioritised public health virtual care initiatives that are easy to adopt and address needs that are perceived to be more immediate (acute more so than chronic care). Virtual care initiatives that incorporate more technology and integrated elements are valued, but more information is needed to inform their potential scale-up. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Pu, Dai , Palmer, Victoria , Greenstock, Louise , Pigott, Cathie , Peeters, Anna , Sanci, Lena , Callisaya, Michele , Browning, Colette , Chapman, Wendy , Haines, Terry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 20, no. 5 (2023), p.
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- Description: There has been increasing adoption and implementation of virtual healthcare in recent years, especially with COVID-19 impacting the world. As a result, virtual care initiatives may not undergo stringent quality control processes to ensure that they are appropriate to their context and meet sector needs. The two objectives of this study were to identify virtual care initiatives for older adults currently in use in Victoria and virtual care challenges that could be prioritised for further investigation and scale-up and to understand why certain virtual care initiatives and challenges are prioritised over others for investigation and scale-up. Methods: This project used an Emerging Design approach. A survey of public health services in the state of Victoria in Australia was first carried out, followed by the co-production of research and healthcare priorities with key stakeholders in the areas of primary care, hospital care, consumer representation, research, and government. The survey was used to gather existing virtual care initiatives for older adults and any associated challenges. Co-production processes consisted of individual ratings of initiatives and group-based discussions to identify priority virtual care initiatives and challenges to be addressed for future scale-up. Stakeholders nominated their top three virtual initiatives following discussions. Results: Telehealth was nominated as the highest priority initiative type for scaling up, with virtual emergency department models of care nominated as the highest priority within this category. Remote monitoring was voted as a top priority for further investigations. The top virtual care challenge was data sharing across services and settings, and the user-friendliness of virtual care platforms was nominated as the top priority for further investigation. Conclusions: Stakeholders prioritised public health virtual care initiatives that are easy to adopt and address needs that are perceived to be more immediate (acute more so than chronic care). Virtual care initiatives that incorporate more technology and integrated elements are valued, but more information is needed to inform their potential scale-up. © 2023 by the authors.
Impact of traditional and embedded image denoising on CNN-based deep learning
- Kaur, Roopdeep, Karmakar, Gour, Imran, Muhammad
- Authors: Kaur, Roopdeep , Karmakar, Gour , Imran, Muhammad
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied sciences Vol. 13, no. 20 (2023), p.
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- Description: In digital image processing, filtering noise is an important step for reconstructing a high-quality image for further processing such as object segmentation, object detection, and object recognition. Various image-denoising approaches, including median, Gaussian, and bilateral filters, are available in the literature. Since convolutional neural networks (CNN) are able to directly learn complex patterns and features from data, they have become a popular choice for image-denoising tasks. As a result of their ability to learn and adapt to various denoising scenarios, CNNs are powerful tools for image denoising. Some deep learning techniques such as CNN incorporate denoising strategies directly into the CNN model layers. A primary limitation of these methods is their necessity to resize images to a consistent size. This resizing can result in a loss of vital image details, which might compromise CNN’s effectiveness. Because of this issue, we utilize a traditional denoising method as a preliminary step for noise reduction before applying CNN. To our knowledge, a comparative performance study of CNN using traditional and embedded denoising against a baseline approach (without denoising) is yet to be performed. To analyze the impact of denoising on the CNN performance, in this paper, firstly, we filter the noise from the images using traditional means of denoising method before their use in the CNN model. Secondly, we embed a denoising layer in the CNN model. To validate the performance of image denoising, we performed extensive experiments for both traffic sign and object recognition datasets. To decide whether denoising will be adopted and to decide on the type of filter to be used, we also present an approach exploiting the peak-signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNRs) distribution of images. Both CNN accuracy and PSNRs distribution are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the denoising approaches. As expected, the results vary with the type of filter, impact, and dataset used in both traditional and embedded denoising approaches. However, traditional denoising shows better accuracy, while embedded denoising shows lower computational time for most of the cases. Overall, this comparative study gives insights into whether denoising will be adopted in various CNN-based image analyses, including autonomous driving, animal detection, and facial recognition.
- Authors: Kaur, Roopdeep , Karmakar, Gour , Imran, Muhammad
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied sciences Vol. 13, no. 20 (2023), p.
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- Description: In digital image processing, filtering noise is an important step for reconstructing a high-quality image for further processing such as object segmentation, object detection, and object recognition. Various image-denoising approaches, including median, Gaussian, and bilateral filters, are available in the literature. Since convolutional neural networks (CNN) are able to directly learn complex patterns and features from data, they have become a popular choice for image-denoising tasks. As a result of their ability to learn and adapt to various denoising scenarios, CNNs are powerful tools for image denoising. Some deep learning techniques such as CNN incorporate denoising strategies directly into the CNN model layers. A primary limitation of these methods is their necessity to resize images to a consistent size. This resizing can result in a loss of vital image details, which might compromise CNN’s effectiveness. Because of this issue, we utilize a traditional denoising method as a preliminary step for noise reduction before applying CNN. To our knowledge, a comparative performance study of CNN using traditional and embedded denoising against a baseline approach (without denoising) is yet to be performed. To analyze the impact of denoising on the CNN performance, in this paper, firstly, we filter the noise from the images using traditional means of denoising method before their use in the CNN model. Secondly, we embed a denoising layer in the CNN model. To validate the performance of image denoising, we performed extensive experiments for both traffic sign and object recognition datasets. To decide whether denoising will be adopted and to decide on the type of filter to be used, we also present an approach exploiting the peak-signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNRs) distribution of images. Both CNN accuracy and PSNRs distribution are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the denoising approaches. As expected, the results vary with the type of filter, impact, and dataset used in both traditional and embedded denoising approaches. However, traditional denoising shows better accuracy, while embedded denoising shows lower computational time for most of the cases. Overall, this comparative study gives insights into whether denoising will be adopted in various CNN-based image analyses, including autonomous driving, animal detection, and facial recognition.
Implementing a participatory model of place-based stewardship for inclusive wetland management : a community case study
- Reeves, Jessica, Bonney, Patrick
- Authors: Reeves, Jessica , Bonney, Patrick
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Water Vol. 5, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: The inclusion of local values and an appreciation for different ways of knowing are increasingly considered core principles in wetland management but can be difficult to achieve in practice. This Community Case Study describes the development and impacts of a participatory action research (PAR) project focused on the creation of a community-led stewardship and knowledge sharing in a rural coastal community in Victoria, Australia. The project, Living Bung Yarnda, was designed around four dimensions: vision, knowledge, narrative, and capacity—that align with key principles of PAR and guided the process of knowledge building and exchange. Working with a range of stakeholders, including environmentally-focussed community members, government agencies and Traditional Owners groups, we aimed to discover pathways for the inclusion of local knowledge, lived experience, and acts of care by community members in governance processes. The case description illustrates how embedded knowledge in this community is currently undervalued by management agencies but, if harnessed, can contribute to more holistic and equitable forms of wetland management. We conclude with reflections on the development of the project, emphasizing the role of academic researchers in fostering relationships between community and management authorities that is built on trust, humility and a willingness to find a common language. Copyright © 2023 Reeves and Bonney.
- Authors: Reeves, Jessica , Bonney, Patrick
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Water Vol. 5, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: The inclusion of local values and an appreciation for different ways of knowing are increasingly considered core principles in wetland management but can be difficult to achieve in practice. This Community Case Study describes the development and impacts of a participatory action research (PAR) project focused on the creation of a community-led stewardship and knowledge sharing in a rural coastal community in Victoria, Australia. The project, Living Bung Yarnda, was designed around four dimensions: vision, knowledge, narrative, and capacity—that align with key principles of PAR and guided the process of knowledge building and exchange. Working with a range of stakeholders, including environmentally-focussed community members, government agencies and Traditional Owners groups, we aimed to discover pathways for the inclusion of local knowledge, lived experience, and acts of care by community members in governance processes. The case description illustrates how embedded knowledge in this community is currently undervalued by management agencies but, if harnessed, can contribute to more holistic and equitable forms of wetland management. We conclude with reflections on the development of the project, emphasizing the role of academic researchers in fostering relationships between community and management authorities that is built on trust, humility and a willingness to find a common language. Copyright © 2023 Reeves and Bonney.
Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation
- Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Dolšak, Nives, Prakash, Aseem, Mundkur, Taej, Harris, Paul, Mitchell, Ronald, Davidson, Nick, Hansen, Birgita, Woodworth, Bradley, Fuller, Richard, Price, Melissa, Petkov, Nicky, Mauerhofer, Volker, Morrison, Tiffany, Watson, James, Chowdhury, Sayam, Zöckler, Christoph, Widerberg, Oscar, Yong, Ding, Klich, Daniel, Smagol, Vitaliy, Piccolo, John, Biggs, Duan
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
Improved model predictive torque control with reduced active prediction vectors for voltage source inverter driven induction motor drives
- Nahin, Nahin, Biswas, Shuvra, Hosain, Md Kamal, Bin Islam, Md Anas, Islam, Md Rabiul, Shah, Rakibuzzaman
- Authors: Nahin, Nahin , Biswas, Shuvra , Hosain, Md Kamal , Bin Islam, Md Anas , Islam, Md Rabiul , Shah, Rakibuzzaman
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 2023 IEEE International Conference on Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices, ASEMD 2023, Tianjin, China, 27-29 October 2023, 2023 IEEE International Conference on Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices, ASEMD 2023
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- Description: High-performance control, precise torque regulation, and minimal stator current total harmonic distortion (THD) of induction motor drives (IMDs) have always been considered an industrial concern. The conventional finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) strategy suffers from high computational complication, increased torque ripple, and stator current THD, which is employed to drive the voltage source inverter (VSI) based IMD. This paper proposes an optimized method of selecting prediction vectors to minimize the computational cost of the traditional FCS-MPC for a two-level VSI-based IMD. By minimizing the number of prediction vectors from six to three utilizing the proposed strategy, the cost function is assessed for only four vectors. The proposed improved model predictive control (MPC) is based on finite control set predictive torque control (FCS-PTC). The proposed improved MPC strategy also prioritizes the selection of the zero vector by avoiding the phase arm that carries the high current. © 2023 IEEE.
- Authors: Nahin, Nahin , Biswas, Shuvra , Hosain, Md Kamal , Bin Islam, Md Anas , Islam, Md Rabiul , Shah, Rakibuzzaman
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 2023 IEEE International Conference on Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices, ASEMD 2023, Tianjin, China, 27-29 October 2023, 2023 IEEE International Conference on Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices, ASEMD 2023
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- Reviewed:
- Description: High-performance control, precise torque regulation, and minimal stator current total harmonic distortion (THD) of induction motor drives (IMDs) have always been considered an industrial concern. The conventional finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) strategy suffers from high computational complication, increased torque ripple, and stator current THD, which is employed to drive the voltage source inverter (VSI) based IMD. This paper proposes an optimized method of selecting prediction vectors to minimize the computational cost of the traditional FCS-MPC for a two-level VSI-based IMD. By minimizing the number of prediction vectors from six to three utilizing the proposed strategy, the cost function is assessed for only four vectors. The proposed improved model predictive control (MPC) is based on finite control set predictive torque control (FCS-PTC). The proposed improved MPC strategy also prioritizes the selection of the zero vector by avoiding the phase arm that carries the high current. © 2023 IEEE.
Improving soil stability with alum sludge : an ai-enabled approach for accurate prediction of california bearing ratio
- Baghbani, Abolfazl, Nguyen, Minh, Alnedawi, Ali, Milne, Nick, Baumgartl, Thomas, Abuel-Naga, Hossam
- Authors: Baghbani, Abolfazl , Nguyen, Minh , Alnedawi, Ali , Milne, Nick , Baumgartl, Thomas , Abuel-Naga, Hossam
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 8 (2023), p.
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- Description: Alum sludge is a byproduct of water treatment plants, and its use as a soil stabilizer has gained increasing attention due to its economic and environmental benefits. Its application has been shown to improve the strength and stability of soil, making it suitable for various engineering applications. However, to go beyond just measuring the effects of alum sludge as a soil stabilizer, this study investigates the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) methods for predicting the California bearing ratio (CBR) of soils stabilized with alum sludge. Three AI methods, including two black box methods (artificial neural network and support vector machines) and one grey box method (genetic programming), were used to predict CBR, based on a database with nine input parameters. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of AI methods in predicting CBR with good accuracy (R2 values ranging from 0.94 to 0.99 and MAE values ranging from 0.30 to 0.51). Moreover, a novel approach, using genetic programming, produced an equation that accurately estimated CBR, incorporating seven inputs. The analysis of parameter sensitivity and importance, revealed that the number of hammer blows for compaction was the most important parameter, while the parameters for maximum dry density of soil and mixture were the least important. This study highlights the potential of AI methods as a useful tool for predicting the performance of alum sludge as a soil stabilizer. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Baghbani, Abolfazl , Nguyen, Minh , Alnedawi, Ali , Milne, Nick , Baumgartl, Thomas , Abuel-Naga, Hossam
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 8 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
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- Description: Alum sludge is a byproduct of water treatment plants, and its use as a soil stabilizer has gained increasing attention due to its economic and environmental benefits. Its application has been shown to improve the strength and stability of soil, making it suitable for various engineering applications. However, to go beyond just measuring the effects of alum sludge as a soil stabilizer, this study investigates the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) methods for predicting the California bearing ratio (CBR) of soils stabilized with alum sludge. Three AI methods, including two black box methods (artificial neural network and support vector machines) and one grey box method (genetic programming), were used to predict CBR, based on a database with nine input parameters. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of AI methods in predicting CBR with good accuracy (R2 values ranging from 0.94 to 0.99 and MAE values ranging from 0.30 to 0.51). Moreover, a novel approach, using genetic programming, produced an equation that accurately estimated CBR, incorporating seven inputs. The analysis of parameter sensitivity and importance, revealed that the number of hammer blows for compaction was the most important parameter, while the parameters for maximum dry density of soil and mixture were the least important. This study highlights the potential of AI methods as a useful tool for predicting the performance of alum sludge as a soil stabilizer. © 2023 by the authors.
In vitro and in silico analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness as prognostic markers of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
- Sharma, Revati, Balta, Showan, Raza, Ali, Escalona, Ruth, Kannourakis, George, Prithviraj, Prashanth, Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Authors: Sharma, Revati , Balta, Showan , Raza, Ali , Escalona, Ruth , Kannourakis, George , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cancers Vol. 15, no. 9 (2023), p.
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- Description: The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves the phenotypic transformation of cells from epithelial to mesenchymal status. The cells exhibiting EMT contain features of cancer stem cells (CSC), and the dual processes are responsible for progressive cancers. Activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is fundamental to the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and their role in promoting EMT and CSCs is crucial for ccRCC tumour cell survival, disease progression, and metastatic spread. In this study, we explored the status of HIF genes and their downstream targets, EMT and CSC markers, by immunohistochemistry on in-house accrued ccRCC biopsies and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy. In combination, we comprehensively analysed the expression of HIF genes and its downstream EMT and CSC-associated targets relevant to ccRCC by using publicly available datasets, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the clinical proteome tumour analysis consortium (CPTAC). The aim was to search for novel biological prognostic markers that can stratify high-risk patients likely to experience metastatic disease. Using the above two approaches, we report the development of novel gene signatures that may help to identify patients at a high risk of developing metastatic and progressive disease. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Sharma, Revati , Balta, Showan , Raza, Ali , Escalona, Ruth , Kannourakis, George , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cancers Vol. 15, no. 9 (2023), p.
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- Description: The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves the phenotypic transformation of cells from epithelial to mesenchymal status. The cells exhibiting EMT contain features of cancer stem cells (CSC), and the dual processes are responsible for progressive cancers. Activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is fundamental to the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and their role in promoting EMT and CSCs is crucial for ccRCC tumour cell survival, disease progression, and metastatic spread. In this study, we explored the status of HIF genes and their downstream targets, EMT and CSC markers, by immunohistochemistry on in-house accrued ccRCC biopsies and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy. In combination, we comprehensively analysed the expression of HIF genes and its downstream EMT and CSC-associated targets relevant to ccRCC by using publicly available datasets, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the clinical proteome tumour analysis consortium (CPTAC). The aim was to search for novel biological prognostic markers that can stratify high-risk patients likely to experience metastatic disease. Using the above two approaches, we report the development of novel gene signatures that may help to identify patients at a high risk of developing metastatic and progressive disease. © 2023 by the authors.
Incontinence during and following hospitalisation : a prospective study of prevalence, incidence and association with clinical outcomes
- Campbell, Jill, Hubbard, Ruth, Ostaszkiewicz, Joan, Green, Theresa, Coyer, Fiona, Mudge, Alison
- Authors: Campbell, Jill , Hubbard, Ruth , Ostaszkiewicz, Joan , Green, Theresa , Coyer, Fiona , Mudge, Alison
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Age and Ageing Vol. 52, no. 9 (2023), p.
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- Description: Background: Incontinence is common in hospitalised older adults but few studies report new incidence during or following hospitalisation. Objective: To describe prevalence and incidence of incontinence in older inpatients and associations with clinical outcomes. Design: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive consenting inpatients age 65 years and older on medical and surgical wards in four Australian public hospitals. Methods: Participants self-reported urinary and faecal incontinence 2 weeks prior to admission, at hospital discharge and 30 days after discharge as part of comprehensive assessment by a trained research assistant. Outcomes were length of stay, facility discharge, 30-day readmission and 6-month mortality. Results: Analysis included 970 participants (mean age 76.7 years, 48.9% female). Urinary and/or faecal incontinence was self-reported in 310/970 (32.0%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 29.0-35.0]) participants 2 weeks before admission, 201/834 (24.1% [95% CI 21.2-27.2]) at discharge and 193/776 (24.9% [95% CI 21.9-28.1]) 30 days after discharge. Continence patterns were dynamic within the peri-hospital period. Of participants without pre-hospital incontinence, 74/567 (13.1% [95% CI 10.4-16.1) reported incontinence at discharge and 85/537 (15.8% [95% CI 12.8-19.2]) reported incontinence at 30 days follow-up. Median hospital stay was longer in participants with pre-hospital incontinence (7 vs. 6 days, P = 0.02) even in adjusted analyses and pre-hospital incontinence was significantly associated with mortality in unadjusted but not adjusted analyses. Conclusion: Pre-hospital, hospital-acquired and new post-hospital incontinence are common in older inpatients. Better understanding of incontinence patterns may help target interventions to reduce this complication. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Campbell, Jill , Hubbard, Ruth , Ostaszkiewicz, Joan , Green, Theresa , Coyer, Fiona , Mudge, Alison
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Age and Ageing Vol. 52, no. 9 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
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- Description: Background: Incontinence is common in hospitalised older adults but few studies report new incidence during or following hospitalisation. Objective: To describe prevalence and incidence of incontinence in older inpatients and associations with clinical outcomes. Design: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive consenting inpatients age 65 years and older on medical and surgical wards in four Australian public hospitals. Methods: Participants self-reported urinary and faecal incontinence 2 weeks prior to admission, at hospital discharge and 30 days after discharge as part of comprehensive assessment by a trained research assistant. Outcomes were length of stay, facility discharge, 30-day readmission and 6-month mortality. Results: Analysis included 970 participants (mean age 76.7 years, 48.9% female). Urinary and/or faecal incontinence was self-reported in 310/970 (32.0%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 29.0-35.0]) participants 2 weeks before admission, 201/834 (24.1% [95% CI 21.2-27.2]) at discharge and 193/776 (24.9% [95% CI 21.9-28.1]) 30 days after discharge. Continence patterns were dynamic within the peri-hospital period. Of participants without pre-hospital incontinence, 74/567 (13.1% [95% CI 10.4-16.1) reported incontinence at discharge and 85/537 (15.8% [95% CI 12.8-19.2]) reported incontinence at 30 days follow-up. Median hospital stay was longer in participants with pre-hospital incontinence (7 vs. 6 days, P = 0.02) even in adjusted analyses and pre-hospital incontinence was significantly associated with mortality in unadjusted but not adjusted analyses. Conclusion: Pre-hospital, hospital-acquired and new post-hospital incontinence are common in older inpatients. Better understanding of incontinence patterns may help target interventions to reduce this complication. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.
Individual-specific relationship between external training and match load and creatine-kinase response in youth national team soccer players
- Schuth, Gabor, Szigeti, Gyorgy, Dobreff, Gergely, Pasic, Alija, Gabbett, Tim, Szilas, Adam, Pavlik, Gabor
- Authors: Schuth, Gabor , Szigeti, Gyorgy , Dobreff, Gergely , Pasic, Alija , Gabbett, Tim , Szilas, Adam , Pavlik, Gabor
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 15, no. 5 (2023), p. 700-709
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external load and creatine-kinase (CK) response at the team level. This study aimed to build individualized CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players. Hypothesis: The CK response of youth soccer players can be categorized as being sensitive to micromovements (MM), high-velocity (HV) parameters, or the combination of both, measured during training sessions and matches. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: A total of 25 U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were monitored during training sessions and matches using global positioning system (GPS) units. Individual CK values were measured every morning from whole blood. The data set consisted of 57 ± 17 individual datapoints per player. Individual prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external load and consecutive CK changes. Numerous models were built for each player using MM, HV parameters, or the combination of both. The performance of the models was described by the R2 and the root mean square error (RMSE, U/l for CK values). Results: The MM models were superior for 8 players (R2 = 0.68; RMSE = 113 U/l), followed by HV (8 players; R2 = 0.69; RMSE = 88 U/l) and the combined models (2 players; R2 = 0.64; RMSE = 141 U/l). For the remaining 7 players, the R2 of the models was <0.5. The recovery time between efforts was more important in the HV model. Conclusion: Players could be categorized on sensitivity to MM, HV movements, or the combination of both. Clinical Relevance: These findings can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and to optimize weekly training periodization to maximize match performance. © 2022 The Author(s).
- Authors: Schuth, Gabor , Szigeti, Gyorgy , Dobreff, Gergely , Pasic, Alija , Gabbett, Tim , Szilas, Adam , Pavlik, Gabor
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 15, no. 5 (2023), p. 700-709
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external load and creatine-kinase (CK) response at the team level. This study aimed to build individualized CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players. Hypothesis: The CK response of youth soccer players can be categorized as being sensitive to micromovements (MM), high-velocity (HV) parameters, or the combination of both, measured during training sessions and matches. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: A total of 25 U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were monitored during training sessions and matches using global positioning system (GPS) units. Individual CK values were measured every morning from whole blood. The data set consisted of 57 ± 17 individual datapoints per player. Individual prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external load and consecutive CK changes. Numerous models were built for each player using MM, HV parameters, or the combination of both. The performance of the models was described by the R2 and the root mean square error (RMSE, U/l for CK values). Results: The MM models were superior for 8 players (R2 = 0.68; RMSE = 113 U/l), followed by HV (8 players; R2 = 0.69; RMSE = 88 U/l) and the combined models (2 players; R2 = 0.64; RMSE = 141 U/l). For the remaining 7 players, the R2 of the models was <0.5. The recovery time between efforts was more important in the HV model. Conclusion: Players could be categorized on sensitivity to MM, HV movements, or the combination of both. Clinical Relevance: These findings can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and to optimize weekly training periodization to maximize match performance. © 2022 The Author(s).
Influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on tropical cyclones affecting Tonga in the Southwest Pacific
- Tu’uholoaki, Moleni, Espejo, Antonio, Sharma, Krishneel, Singh, Awnesh, Wandres, Moritz, Damlamian, Herve, Chand, Savin
- Authors: Tu’uholoaki, Moleni , Espejo, Antonio , Sharma, Krishneel , Singh, Awnesh , Wandres, Moritz , Damlamian, Herve , Chand, Savin
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atmosphere Vol. 14, no. 7 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The modulating influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on tropical cyclones (TCs) has been examined globally, regionally, and subregionally, but its impact on the island scale remains unclear. This study investigates how TC activity affecting the Tonga region is being modulated by the MJO, using the Southwest Pacific Enhanced Archive of Tropical Cyclones (SPEArTC) and the MJO index. In particular, this study investigates how the MJO modulates the frequency and intensity of TCs affecting the Tonga region relative to the entire study period (1970–2019; hereafter referred to as all years), as well as to different phases of the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Results suggest that the MJO strongly modulates TC activity affecting the Tonga region. The frequency and intensity of TCs is enhanced during the active phases (phases six to eight) in all years, including El Niño and ENSO-neutral years. The MJO also strongly influences the climatological pattern of genesis of TCs affecting the Tonga region, where more (fewer) cyclones form in the active (inactive) phases of the MJO and more genesis points are clustered (scattered) near (away from) the Tonga region. There were three regression curves that best described the movement of TCs in the region matching the dominant steering mechanisms in the Southwest Pacific region. The findings of this study can provide climatological information for the Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) and disaster managers to better understand the TC risk associated with the impact of the MJO on TCs affecting the Tonga region and support its TC early warning system. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Tu’uholoaki, Moleni , Espejo, Antonio , Sharma, Krishneel , Singh, Awnesh , Wandres, Moritz , Damlamian, Herve , Chand, Savin
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atmosphere Vol. 14, no. 7 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The modulating influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on tropical cyclones (TCs) has been examined globally, regionally, and subregionally, but its impact on the island scale remains unclear. This study investigates how TC activity affecting the Tonga region is being modulated by the MJO, using the Southwest Pacific Enhanced Archive of Tropical Cyclones (SPEArTC) and the MJO index. In particular, this study investigates how the MJO modulates the frequency and intensity of TCs affecting the Tonga region relative to the entire study period (1970–2019; hereafter referred to as all years), as well as to different phases of the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Results suggest that the MJO strongly modulates TC activity affecting the Tonga region. The frequency and intensity of TCs is enhanced during the active phases (phases six to eight) in all years, including El Niño and ENSO-neutral years. The MJO also strongly influences the climatological pattern of genesis of TCs affecting the Tonga region, where more (fewer) cyclones form in the active (inactive) phases of the MJO and more genesis points are clustered (scattered) near (away from) the Tonga region. There were three regression curves that best described the movement of TCs in the region matching the dominant steering mechanisms in the Southwest Pacific region. The findings of this study can provide climatological information for the Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS) and disaster managers to better understand the TC risk associated with the impact of the MJO on TCs affecting the Tonga region and support its TC early warning system. © 2023 by the authors.
Initial state of excavated soil and rock (ESR) to influence the stabilisation with cement
- Lu, Yi, Xu, Changhao, Baghbani, Abolfazl
- Authors: Lu, Yi , Xu, Changhao , Baghbani, Abolfazl
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Construction and Building Materials Vol. 400, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper investigates the initial state of excavated soil and rock (ESR). These initial states include dry density, organic content, water content (Wc), cement content (Cc), liquid index (LI), dry or wet mixing method. Three ESRs collected from tunnelling projects and kaolin were used in this study to compare. The specimens (i.e., 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height) were prepared in the laboratory and cured at 7 and 14 days, and then assessed by the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. The analysis shows that the ratio of Wc/Cc is the primary factor to obtain different UCS for high LI ESR and a simple equation is proposed for quick prediction. For ESR with a more general LI, predictive equations are also proposed in terms of artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic programming (GP) for 7-days curing time. The results indicate that the both ANN models with Bayesian Regularization (BR) algorithm outperform ANN with Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) and GP model are accurate to predict UCS of mixtures. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
- Authors: Lu, Yi , Xu, Changhao , Baghbani, Abolfazl
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Construction and Building Materials Vol. 400, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper investigates the initial state of excavated soil and rock (ESR). These initial states include dry density, organic content, water content (Wc), cement content (Cc), liquid index (LI), dry or wet mixing method. Three ESRs collected from tunnelling projects and kaolin were used in this study to compare. The specimens (i.e., 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height) were prepared in the laboratory and cured at 7 and 14 days, and then assessed by the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. The analysis shows that the ratio of Wc/Cc is the primary factor to obtain different UCS for high LI ESR and a simple equation is proposed for quick prediction. For ESR with a more general LI, predictive equations are also proposed in terms of artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic programming (GP) for 7-days curing time. The results indicate that the both ANN models with Bayesian Regularization (BR) algorithm outperform ANN with Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) and GP model are accurate to predict UCS of mixtures. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Intentional paediatric poisoning presentations to emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Gatenby, Jennnifer, Low, Gary, Rahman, Muhammad, Salter, Mark, Bhurawala, Habib
- Authors: Gatenby, Jennnifer , Low, Gary , Rahman, Muhammad , Salter, Mark , Bhurawala, Habib
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia Vol. 35, no. 4 (2023), p. 642-651
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To characterise paediatric poisoning presentations to EDs and determine if the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased intentional paediatric poisoning presentations. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of paediatric poisoning presentations to three EDs (two regional and one metropolitan). Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association between COVID-19 and intentional poisoning events. In addition, we calculated the frequency with which patients reported various psychosocial risk factors as being an implicating factor in engaging in an intentional poisoning event. Results: A total of 860 poisoning events met inclusion criteria during the study period (January 2018–October 2021), with 501 being intentional, and 359 unintentional. There was an increased proportion of intentional poisoning presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic (261 intentional and 218 unintentional in the pre-COVID-19 period vs 241 intentional and 140 unintentional during the COVID-19 period). In addition, we found a statistically significant association between intentional poisoning presentations and an initial COVID-19 lockdown (adjusted odds ratio 26.32, P < 0.05). ‘The COVID-19 lockdown’ or ‘COVID-19’ was reported to be implicating factor for psychological stress in patients who presented with intentional poisonings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Intentional paediatric poisoning presentations increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in our study population. These results may support an emerging body of evidence that the psychological strain of COVID-19 disproportionately impacts adolescent females. © 2023 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
Intentional paediatric poisoning presentations to emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors: Gatenby, Jennnifer , Low, Gary , Rahman, Muhammad , Salter, Mark , Bhurawala, Habib
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia Vol. 35, no. 4 (2023), p. 642-651
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To characterise paediatric poisoning presentations to EDs and determine if the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased intentional paediatric poisoning presentations. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of paediatric poisoning presentations to three EDs (two regional and one metropolitan). Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association between COVID-19 and intentional poisoning events. In addition, we calculated the frequency with which patients reported various psychosocial risk factors as being an implicating factor in engaging in an intentional poisoning event. Results: A total of 860 poisoning events met inclusion criteria during the study period (January 2018–October 2021), with 501 being intentional, and 359 unintentional. There was an increased proportion of intentional poisoning presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic (261 intentional and 218 unintentional in the pre-COVID-19 period vs 241 intentional and 140 unintentional during the COVID-19 period). In addition, we found a statistically significant association between intentional poisoning presentations and an initial COVID-19 lockdown (adjusted odds ratio 26.32, P < 0.05). ‘The COVID-19 lockdown’ or ‘COVID-19’ was reported to be implicating factor for psychological stress in patients who presented with intentional poisonings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Intentional paediatric poisoning presentations increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in our study population. These results may support an emerging body of evidence that the psychological strain of COVID-19 disproportionately impacts adolescent females. © 2023 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
Intersex awareness and education : what part can health and physical education bodies of learning and teaching play?
- Hunter, Lisa, Zavros-Orr, Agli, Brömdal, Annette, Hand, Kirstine, Hart, Bonnie
- Authors: Hunter, Lisa , Zavros-Orr, Agli , Brömdal, Annette , Hand, Kirstine , Hart, Bonnie
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sport, Education and Society Vol. 28, no. 9 (2023), p. 1047-1067
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: It is well-documented that schools fail to adequately engage with contemporary content about intersex awareness and education or inclusion of people with intersex variations. Where sexuality and relationships education are the remit of Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in countries such as Australia, the learning area shows little obligation/response-ability towards the needs of students with intersex variations. It also fails to pay nuanced attention to non-dominant issues, knowledge, or people with respect to sex, gender and sexuality. Similarly, the normative endosex nature/focus of HPE/PE/sport and related professional education bodies (e.g. in teaching and coaching) ignore the need for relevant and affirming content about intersex bodies. A recent project reported here, created a collective narrative addressing how such HPE bodies of learning and teaching can advocate for and enact approaches that are inclusive, affirming, visible, and supportive in promoting and upholding the human rights and health needs of students with intersex variations. The research question driving the project was: What part can HPE bodies of learning and teaching play concerning intersex awareness and education? This original empirical research draws on the methodology and theory of narrative inquiry. The narrative was created between artefacts from a cohort of second year Australian pre-service HPE teacher education students in dialogue with teacher/researcher/expert/author bodies. The paper employs a recently developed Strategic Framework for intersex inclusion that promotes a positive whole-school approach, for educational institutions to be more inclusive, humane, safe and educationally relevant for people with intersex variations. This framework assists critical reflection on project findings. We argue that such engagement, as illustrated in this project’s scope, promotes a positive and diverse understanding about intersex in educational spaces, curriculum and pedagogies, guidelines, and policies, and ultimately reflect Australian Human Rights Commission recommendations and Australian anti-discrimination legislation. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Hunter, Lisa , Zavros-Orr, Agli , Brömdal, Annette , Hand, Kirstine , Hart, Bonnie
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sport, Education and Society Vol. 28, no. 9 (2023), p. 1047-1067
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: It is well-documented that schools fail to adequately engage with contemporary content about intersex awareness and education or inclusion of people with intersex variations. Where sexuality and relationships education are the remit of Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in countries such as Australia, the learning area shows little obligation/response-ability towards the needs of students with intersex variations. It also fails to pay nuanced attention to non-dominant issues, knowledge, or people with respect to sex, gender and sexuality. Similarly, the normative endosex nature/focus of HPE/PE/sport and related professional education bodies (e.g. in teaching and coaching) ignore the need for relevant and affirming content about intersex bodies. A recent project reported here, created a collective narrative addressing how such HPE bodies of learning and teaching can advocate for and enact approaches that are inclusive, affirming, visible, and supportive in promoting and upholding the human rights and health needs of students with intersex variations. The research question driving the project was: What part can HPE bodies of learning and teaching play concerning intersex awareness and education? This original empirical research draws on the methodology and theory of narrative inquiry. The narrative was created between artefacts from a cohort of second year Australian pre-service HPE teacher education students in dialogue with teacher/researcher/expert/author bodies. The paper employs a recently developed Strategic Framework for intersex inclusion that promotes a positive whole-school approach, for educational institutions to be more inclusive, humane, safe and educationally relevant for people with intersex variations. This framework assists critical reflection on project findings. We argue that such engagement, as illustrated in this project’s scope, promotes a positive and diverse understanding about intersex in educational spaces, curriculum and pedagogies, guidelines, and policies, and ultimately reflect Australian Human Rights Commission recommendations and Australian anti-discrimination legislation. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Investigating near-surface hydrologic connectivity in a grass-covered inter-row area of a hillslope vineyard using field monitoring and numerical simulations
- Krevh, Vedran, Filipović, Lana, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Bogunović, Igor, Zhang, Yonggen, Kovač, Zoran, Barton, Andrew, Filipović, Vilim
- Authors: Krevh, Vedran , Filipović, Lana , Defterdarović, Jasmina , Bogunović, Igor , Zhang, Yonggen , Kovač, Zoran , Barton, Andrew , Filipović, Vilim
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Land Vol. 12, no. 5 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The interplay of surface and shallow subsurface fluxes plays a critical role in controlling water movement in hillslope agroecosystems and impacting soil and plant health during prolonged dry periods, demonstrating a need for in-field monitoring. This study was conducted for two years (2021–2022) by combining field monitoring of the grass-covered inter-row area (passive wick lysimeter, surface runoff, and meteorological data), laboratory determination of soil hydraulic properties (SHPs), and numerical modeling with the aim to explore near-surface fluxes at the SUPREHILL Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) located on a hillslope vineyard. Additionally, sensitivity analysis for basic root water uptake (RWU) parameters was conducted. The model was evaluated (R2, RMSE, and NSE) with lysimeter (hillslope) and runoff (footslope) data, producing good agreement, but only after the inverse optimization of laboratory estimated hydraulic conductivity was conducted, demonstrating that adequate parameterization is required to capture the hydropedological response of erosion-affected soil systems. Results exhibit the dependence of runoff generation on hydraulic conductivity, rainfall, and soil moisture conditions. The data suggest different soil-rewetting scenarios based on temporal rainfall variability. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that Leaf Area Index (LAI) was the most responsive parameter determining the RWU. The study offers an approach for the investigation of fluxes in the topsoil for similar sites and/or crops (and covers), presenting the methodology of self-constructed soil–water collection instruments. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Krevh, Vedran , Filipović, Lana , Defterdarović, Jasmina , Bogunović, Igor , Zhang, Yonggen , Kovač, Zoran , Barton, Andrew , Filipović, Vilim
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Land Vol. 12, no. 5 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The interplay of surface and shallow subsurface fluxes plays a critical role in controlling water movement in hillslope agroecosystems and impacting soil and plant health during prolonged dry periods, demonstrating a need for in-field monitoring. This study was conducted for two years (2021–2022) by combining field monitoring of the grass-covered inter-row area (passive wick lysimeter, surface runoff, and meteorological data), laboratory determination of soil hydraulic properties (SHPs), and numerical modeling with the aim to explore near-surface fluxes at the SUPREHILL Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) located on a hillslope vineyard. Additionally, sensitivity analysis for basic root water uptake (RWU) parameters was conducted. The model was evaluated (R2, RMSE, and NSE) with lysimeter (hillslope) and runoff (footslope) data, producing good agreement, but only after the inverse optimization of laboratory estimated hydraulic conductivity was conducted, demonstrating that adequate parameterization is required to capture the hydropedological response of erosion-affected soil systems. Results exhibit the dependence of runoff generation on hydraulic conductivity, rainfall, and soil moisture conditions. The data suggest different soil-rewetting scenarios based on temporal rainfall variability. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that Leaf Area Index (LAI) was the most responsive parameter determining the RWU. The study offers an approach for the investigation of fluxes in the topsoil for similar sites and/or crops (and covers), presenting the methodology of self-constructed soil–water collection instruments. © 2023 by the authors.
Investigating the effectiveness of novel support vector neural network for anomaly detection in digital forensics data
- Islam, Umar, Alwageed, Hathal, Farooq, Malik, Khan, Inayat, Awwad, Fuad, Ali, Ijaz, Abonazel, Mohamed
- Authors: Islam, Umar , Alwageed, Hathal , Farooq, Malik , Khan, Inayat , Awwad, Fuad , Ali, Ijaz , Abonazel, Mohamed
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 23, no. 12 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: As criminal activity increasingly relies on digital devices, the field of digital forensics plays a vital role in identifying and investigating criminals. In this paper, we addressed the problem of anomaly detection in digital forensics data. Our objective was to propose an effective approach for identifying suspicious patterns and activities that could indicate criminal behavior. To achieve this, we introduce a novel method called the Novel Support Vector Neural Network (NSVNN). We evaluated the performance of the NSVNN by conducting experiments on a real-world dataset of digital forensics data. The dataset consisted of various features related to network activity, system logs, and file metadata. Through our experiments, we compared the NSVNN with several existing anomaly detection algorithms, including Support Vector Machines (SVM) and neural networks. We measured and analyzed the performance of each algorithm in terms of the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Furthermore, we provide insights into the specific features that contribute significantly to the detection of anomalies. Our results demonstrated that the NSVNN method outperformed the existing algorithms in terms of anomaly detection accuracy. We also highlight the interpretability of the NSVNN model by analyzing the feature importance and providing insights into the decision-making process. Overall, our research contributes to the field of digital forensics by proposing a novel approach, the NSVNN, for anomaly detection. We emphasize the importance of both performance evaluation and model interpretability in this context, providing practical insights for identifying criminal behavior in digital forensics investigations. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Islam, Umar , Alwageed, Hathal , Farooq, Malik , Khan, Inayat , Awwad, Fuad , Ali, Ijaz , Abonazel, Mohamed
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 23, no. 12 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: As criminal activity increasingly relies on digital devices, the field of digital forensics plays a vital role in identifying and investigating criminals. In this paper, we addressed the problem of anomaly detection in digital forensics data. Our objective was to propose an effective approach for identifying suspicious patterns and activities that could indicate criminal behavior. To achieve this, we introduce a novel method called the Novel Support Vector Neural Network (NSVNN). We evaluated the performance of the NSVNN by conducting experiments on a real-world dataset of digital forensics data. The dataset consisted of various features related to network activity, system logs, and file metadata. Through our experiments, we compared the NSVNN with several existing anomaly detection algorithms, including Support Vector Machines (SVM) and neural networks. We measured and analyzed the performance of each algorithm in terms of the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Furthermore, we provide insights into the specific features that contribute significantly to the detection of anomalies. Our results demonstrated that the NSVNN method outperformed the existing algorithms in terms of anomaly detection accuracy. We also highlight the interpretability of the NSVNN model by analyzing the feature importance and providing insights into the decision-making process. Overall, our research contributes to the field of digital forensics by proposing a novel approach, the NSVNN, for anomaly detection. We emphasize the importance of both performance evaluation and model interpretability in this context, providing practical insights for identifying criminal behavior in digital forensics investigations. © 2023 by the authors.
Investigation of hillslope vineyard soil water dynamics using field measurements and numerical modeling
- Krevh, Vedran, Groh, Jannis, Weihermüller, Lutz, Filipović, Lana, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Kovač, Zoran, Magdić, Ivan, Lazarević, Boris, Baumgartl, Thomas, Filipović, Vilim
- Authors: Krevh, Vedran , Groh, Jannis , Weihermüller, Lutz , Filipović, Lana , Defterdarović, Jasmina , Kovač, Zoran , Magdić, Ivan , Lazarević, Boris , Baumgartl, Thomas , Filipović, Vilim
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Water (Switzerland) Vol. 15, no. 4 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Soil heterogeneities can impact hillslope hydropedological processes (e.g., portioning between infiltration and runoff), creating a need for in-depth knowledge of processes governing water dynamics and redistribution. The presented study was conducted at the SUPREHILL Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) (hillslope vineyard) in 2021. A combination of field investigation (soil sampling and monitoring campaign) and numerical modeling with hydrological simulator HYDRUS-1D was used to explore the water dynamics in conjunction with data from a sensor network (soil water content (SWC) and soil-water potential (SWP) sensors), along the hillslope (hilltop, backslope, and footslope). Soil hydraulic properties (SHP) were estimated based on (i) pedotransfer functions (PTFs), (ii) undisturbed soil cores, and (iii) sensor network data, and tested in HYDRUS. Additionally, a model ensemble mean from HYDRUS simulations was calculated with PTFs. The highest agreement of simulated with observed SWC for 40 cm soil depth was found with the combination of laboratory and field data, with the lowest average MAE, RMSE and MAPE (0.02, 0.02, and 5.34%, respectively), and highest average R2 (0.93), while at 80 cm soil depth, PTF model ensemble performed better (MAE = 0.03, RMSE = 0.03, MAPE = 7.55%, R2 = 0.81) than other datasets. Field observations indicated that heterogeneity and spatial variability regarding soil parameters were present at the site. Over the hillslope, SWC acted in a heterogeneous manner, which was most pronounced during soil rewetting. Model results suggested that the incorporation of field data expands model performance and that the PTF model ensemble is a feasible option in the absence of laboratory data. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Krevh, Vedran , Groh, Jannis , Weihermüller, Lutz , Filipović, Lana , Defterdarović, Jasmina , Kovač, Zoran , Magdić, Ivan , Lazarević, Boris , Baumgartl, Thomas , Filipović, Vilim
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Water (Switzerland) Vol. 15, no. 4 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Soil heterogeneities can impact hillslope hydropedological processes (e.g., portioning between infiltration and runoff), creating a need for in-depth knowledge of processes governing water dynamics and redistribution. The presented study was conducted at the SUPREHILL Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) (hillslope vineyard) in 2021. A combination of field investigation (soil sampling and monitoring campaign) and numerical modeling with hydrological simulator HYDRUS-1D was used to explore the water dynamics in conjunction with data from a sensor network (soil water content (SWC) and soil-water potential (SWP) sensors), along the hillslope (hilltop, backslope, and footslope). Soil hydraulic properties (SHP) were estimated based on (i) pedotransfer functions (PTFs), (ii) undisturbed soil cores, and (iii) sensor network data, and tested in HYDRUS. Additionally, a model ensemble mean from HYDRUS simulations was calculated with PTFs. The highest agreement of simulated with observed SWC for 40 cm soil depth was found with the combination of laboratory and field data, with the lowest average MAE, RMSE and MAPE (0.02, 0.02, and 5.34%, respectively), and highest average R2 (0.93), while at 80 cm soil depth, PTF model ensemble performed better (MAE = 0.03, RMSE = 0.03, MAPE = 7.55%, R2 = 0.81) than other datasets. Field observations indicated that heterogeneity and spatial variability regarding soil parameters were present at the site. Over the hillslope, SWC acted in a heterogeneous manner, which was most pronounced during soil rewetting. Model results suggested that the incorporation of field data expands model performance and that the PTF model ensemble is a feasible option in the absence of laboratory data. © 2023 by the authors.
Investigation of oscillation and resonance in the renewable integrated DC-microgrid
- Habibullah, Mohammad, Mithulananthan, Nadarajah, Shah, Rakibuzzaman, Islam, Md Radiul, Muyeen, S.
- Authors: Habibullah, Mohammad , Mithulananthan, Nadarajah , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Islam, Md Radiul , Muyeen, S.
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics (Switzerland) Vol. 12, no. 7 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper assessed the small-signal stability performance of a multi-converter-based direct current microgrid (DCMG). The oscillation and potential interactions between critical modes are evaluated. First, the complete analytical model of the DCMG is developed with the converter and associated controllers. Three methodologies, impedance scanning, eigenvalue analysis, and time-domain simulation, along with the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis, have been used to comprehensively investigate the oscillations and interactions. The simulation results show inherent weak modes, with a wide range of oscillations in the studied DCMG, which may destabilize the system under disturbances. Based on the sensitivity analysis, controller gains and DC-link capacitance are identified as the most critical parameters and substantially influence the weak modes leading to oscillations, interactions, and resonance. Finally, the performance of the various control synthesis methods is compared. This examination would help the researchers, planning, and design engineers to design and stably operate a multi converter-based DC microgrid. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Habibullah, Mohammad , Mithulananthan, Nadarajah , Shah, Rakibuzzaman , Islam, Md Radiul , Muyeen, S.
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Electronics (Switzerland) Vol. 12, no. 7 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper assessed the small-signal stability performance of a multi-converter-based direct current microgrid (DCMG). The oscillation and potential interactions between critical modes are evaluated. First, the complete analytical model of the DCMG is developed with the converter and associated controllers. Three methodologies, impedance scanning, eigenvalue analysis, and time-domain simulation, along with the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis, have been used to comprehensively investigate the oscillations and interactions. The simulation results show inherent weak modes, with a wide range of oscillations in the studied DCMG, which may destabilize the system under disturbances. Based on the sensitivity analysis, controller gains and DC-link capacitance are identified as the most critical parameters and substantially influence the weak modes leading to oscillations, interactions, and resonance. Finally, the performance of the various control synthesis methods is compared. This examination would help the researchers, planning, and design engineers to design and stably operate a multi converter-based DC microgrid. © 2023 by the authors.
IoT-based emergency vehicle services in intelligent transportation system
- Chowdhury, Abdullahi, Kaisar, Shahriar, Khoda, Mahbub, Naha, Ranesh, Khoshkholghi, Mohammad, Aiash, Mahdi
- Authors: Chowdhury, Abdullahi , Kaisar, Shahriar , Khoda, Mahbub , Naha, Ranesh , Khoshkholghi, Mohammad , Aiash, Mahdi
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 23, no. 11 (2023), p. 5324
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Emergency Management System (EMS) is an important component of Intelligent transportation systems, and its primary objective is to send Emergency Vehicles (EVs) to the location of a reported incident. However, the increasing traffic in urban areas, especially during peak hours, results in the delayed arrival of EVs in many cases, which ultimately leads to higher fatality rates, increased property damage, and higher road congestion. Existing literature addressed this issue by giving higher priority to EVs while traveling to an incident place by changing traffic signals (e.g., making the signals green) on their travel path. A few works have also attempted to find the best route for an EV using traffic information (e.g., number of vehicles, flow rate, and clearance time) at the beginning of the journey. However, these works did not consider congestion or disruption faced by other non-emergency vehicles adjacent to the EV travel path. The selected travel paths are also static and do not consider changing traffic parameters while EVs are en route. To address these issues, this article proposes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) guided priority-based incident management system to assist EVs in obtaining a better clearance time in intersections and thus achieve a lower response time. The proposed model also considers disruption faced by other surrounding non-emergency vehicles adjacent to the EVs' travel path and selects an optimal solution by controlling the traffic signal phase time to ensure that EVs can reach the incident place on time while causing minimal disruption to other on-road vehicles. Simulation results indicate that the proposed model achieves an 8% lower response time for EVs while the clearance time surrounding the incident place is improved by 12%.
- Authors: Chowdhury, Abdullahi , Kaisar, Shahriar , Khoda, Mahbub , Naha, Ranesh , Khoshkholghi, Mohammad , Aiash, Mahdi
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 23, no. 11 (2023), p. 5324
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Emergency Management System (EMS) is an important component of Intelligent transportation systems, and its primary objective is to send Emergency Vehicles (EVs) to the location of a reported incident. However, the increasing traffic in urban areas, especially during peak hours, results in the delayed arrival of EVs in many cases, which ultimately leads to higher fatality rates, increased property damage, and higher road congestion. Existing literature addressed this issue by giving higher priority to EVs while traveling to an incident place by changing traffic signals (e.g., making the signals green) on their travel path. A few works have also attempted to find the best route for an EV using traffic information (e.g., number of vehicles, flow rate, and clearance time) at the beginning of the journey. However, these works did not consider congestion or disruption faced by other non-emergency vehicles adjacent to the EV travel path. The selected travel paths are also static and do not consider changing traffic parameters while EVs are en route. To address these issues, this article proposes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) guided priority-based incident management system to assist EVs in obtaining a better clearance time in intersections and thus achieve a lower response time. The proposed model also considers disruption faced by other surrounding non-emergency vehicles adjacent to the EVs' travel path and selects an optimal solution by controlling the traffic signal phase time to ensure that EVs can reach the incident place on time while causing minimal disruption to other on-road vehicles. Simulation results indicate that the proposed model achieves an 8% lower response time for EVs while the clearance time surrounding the incident place is improved by 12%.
Key issues of health and safety for workers in residential aged care : an expert study
- Seaward, Liz, Morgan, Damian, Thomson, Alana
- Authors: Seaward, Liz , Morgan, Damian , Thomson, Alana
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 10, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Residential aged care (RAC) represents a fast-growing sector within Australia's health care system and is characterized by high levels of workplace injury. To better understand this injury problem, this study investigated key informant perspectives concerning sector occupational health and safety (OHS) focused on key issues associated with the risk of worker injury. Method: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine key informants representing (OHS) specialists, healthcare employers, regulators, worker association representatives, and academic researchers in OHS or healthcare. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: This study identified six themes on OHS within RAC including (i) the physical and emotional nature of the work, (ii) casualization of employment, (iii) prioritization, (iv) workforce profile, (v) OHS role construction, and (vi) clinical standards. The study highlighted differences in OHS roles between RAC and other safety-critical sectors regarding governance and management of OHS. The key informants identified a propensity within RAC to downplay or disregard worker OHS issues justified through prioritizing resident safety. Further, neither OHS professional nor institutional logics are prominent in RAC leadership and decision-making where the emphasis is placed on mandatory standards to maintain funding purposes. Several recommendations are made to address identified issues. Copyright © 2023 Seaward, Morgan and Thomson.
- Authors: Seaward, Liz , Morgan, Damian , Thomson, Alana
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 10, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: Residential aged care (RAC) represents a fast-growing sector within Australia's health care system and is characterized by high levels of workplace injury. To better understand this injury problem, this study investigated key informant perspectives concerning sector occupational health and safety (OHS) focused on key issues associated with the risk of worker injury. Method: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine key informants representing (OHS) specialists, healthcare employers, regulators, worker association representatives, and academic researchers in OHS or healthcare. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: This study identified six themes on OHS within RAC including (i) the physical and emotional nature of the work, (ii) casualization of employment, (iii) prioritization, (iv) workforce profile, (v) OHS role construction, and (vi) clinical standards. The study highlighted differences in OHS roles between RAC and other safety-critical sectors regarding governance and management of OHS. The key informants identified a propensity within RAC to downplay or disregard worker OHS issues justified through prioritizing resident safety. Further, neither OHS professional nor institutional logics are prominent in RAC leadership and decision-making where the emphasis is placed on mandatory standards to maintain funding purposes. Several recommendations are made to address identified issues. Copyright © 2023 Seaward, Morgan and Thomson.