Deakin University

About: Deakin University is a education organization based out in Burwood, Victoria, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 12118 authors who have published 46470 publications receiving 1188841 citations. The organization is also known as: Deakin.

Compositional Effects of Large Graphene Oxide Sheets on the Spinnability and Properties of Polyurethane Composite Fibers

Abstract: Recent advances in wearable electronics, technical textiles, and wearable strain sensing devices have resulted in extensive research on stretchable electrically conductive fibers. Addressing these areas require the development of efficient fiber processing methodologies that do not compromise the mechanical properties of the polymer (typically an elastomer) when nanomaterials are added as conductive fillers. It is highly desirable that the addition of conductive fillers provides not only electrical conductivity, but that these fillers also enhance the stiffness, strength, stretchability, and toughness of the polymer. Here, the compatibility of polyurethane (PU) and graphene oxide (GO) is utilized for the study of the properties of elastomeric conductive fibers prepared by wet-spinning. The GO-reinforced PU fibers demonstrate outstanding mechanical properties with a 200-fold and a threefold enhancement in Young's modulus and toughness, respectively. Postspinning thermal annealing of the fibers results in electrically conductive fibers with a low percolation threshold (≈0.37 wt% GO). An investigation into optimized fiber's electromechanical behavior reveals linear strain sensing abilities up to 70%. Results presented here provide practical insights on how to simultaneously maintain or improve electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical properties in conductive elastomer fibers.

Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses—Part II

Abstract: Background Quality of life (QoL) is commonly assessed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); the relationship of QoL within IBD states and relative to others has not been comprehensively evaluated. This systematic review, published across 2 papers, evaluates 5 key QoL comparisons. Part I, presented here, examines between-disease comparisons: (1) IBD/healthy(general) population and (2) IBD/other medically ill groups. Part II examines within-disease comparisons: (3) active/inactive disease, (4) ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, and (5) change over time. Outcomes using generic vs IBD-specific QoL measures were also examined. Methods Adult and pediatric studies were identified through systematic searches of 7 databases from the 1940s (where available) to October 2015. Results Of 6173 abstracts identified, 466 were selected for final review based on controlled design and validated measurement; 30 unique studies (23 adult, 7 pediatric) addressed the between-disease comparisons. The pooled mean QoL scores were (1) lower in adult and pediatric IBD samples compared with healthy controls (n = 19), and for both mental and physical QoL, where measured; and (2) higher but not significant for those with IBD compared with various medically ill controls (n = 15). Findings were consistent across IBD-specific and generic QoL measures. Study quality was generally low to moderate. The most common measures of QoL were the disease-specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and generic SF-36 (adults), and the generic PedsQL (children). Conclusions There was robust confirmation that QoL for individuals with IBD was poorer than for healthy individuals, for both adults and children. QoL in IBD may be better relative to some other gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI medical conditions for children.

Student enrollment, motivation and learning performance in a blended learning environment: The mediating effects of social, teaching, and cognitive presence

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of student enrolment and learning motivation on learning performance in a blended learning setting at the university level with social, teaching, and learning presence as mediating factors. Data samples were collected from 96 students taking blended learning course and 111 students taking a traditional course. The comparison between these two groups does not show a significant difference in the three presences and learning performance. Structural equation modelling results revealed that student enrolment has a positive impact on social presence and cognitive presence. Enrolment also positively influences learning performance through the above two presences. Learning motivation positively influence social presence only. Learning motivation also plays a vital role in enhancing the enrolment but does not directly influence learning performance in a blended learning setting. Teaching presence was found to have direct positive impacts on the cognitive presence and social presence, and indirect positive impacts on learning performance. These findings highlight the importance of student enrolment and course design from the teaching perspective in a blended learning setting.

Sedentary lifestyle as a risk factor for low back pain: a systematic review

Abstract: To review systematically studies examining the association between sedentary lifestyle and low back pain (LBP) using a comprehensive definition of sedentary behaviour including prolonged sitting both at work and during leisure time. Journal articles published between 1998 and 2006 were obtained by searching computerized bibliographical databases. Quality assessment of studies employing a cohort or case–control design was performed to assess the strength of the evidence. Using pre-determined keywords, we identified 1,778 titles of which 1,391 were considered irrelevant. Then, 20 of the remaining 387 publications were scrutinized for full review after an examination of all the 387 abstracts. Finally, 15 studies (10 prospective cohorts and 5 case–controls) were included in the methodological quality assessment, of which 8 (6 cohorts and 2 case–controls; 53%) were classified as high-quality studies. One high-quality cohort study reported a positive association, between LBP and sitting at work only; all other studies reported no significant associations. Hence, there was limited evidence to demonstrate that sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for developing LBP. The present review confirms that sedentary lifestyle by itself is not associated with LBP.