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.

Achieving convergence, causality preservation, and intention preservation in real-time cooperative editing systems

Abstract: Real-time cooperative editing systems allow multiple users to view and edit the same text/graphic/image/multimedia document at the same time for multiple sites connected by communication networks. Consistency maintenance is one of the most significant challenges in designing and implementing real-time cooperative editing systems. In this article, a consistency model, with properties of convergence, causality preservation, and intention preservation, is proposed as a framework for consistency maintenance in real-time cooperative editing systems. Moreover, an integrated set of schemes and algorithms, which support the proposed consistency model, are devised and discussed in detail. In particular, we have contributed (1) a novel generic operation transformation control algorithm for achieving intention preservation in combination with schemes for achieving convergence and causality preservation and (2) a pair of reversible inclusion and exclusion transformation algorithms for stringwise operations for text editing. An Internet-based prototype system has been built to test the feasibility of the proposed schemes and algorithms

An assessment of self-reported physical activity instruments in young people for population surveillance: Project ALPHA

Abstract: The assessment of physical activity is an essential part of understanding patterns and influences of behaviour, designing interventions, and undertaking population surveillance and monitoring, but it is particularly problematic when using self-report instruments with young people. This study reviewed available self-report physical activity instruments developed for use with children and adolescents to assess their suitability and feasibility for use in population surveillance systems, particularly in Europe. Systematic searches and review, supplemented by expert panel assessment. Papers (n = 437) were assessed as potentially relevant; 89 physical activity measures were identified with 20 activity-based measures receiving detailed assessment. Three received support from the majority of the expert group: Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children/Adolescents (PAQ-C/PAQ-A), Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance Survey (YRBS), and the Teen Health Survey. Population surveillance of youth physical activity is strongly recommended and those involved in developing and undertaking this task should consider the three identified shortlisted instruments and evaluate their appropriateness for application within their national context. Further development and testing of measures suitable for population surveillance with young people is required.

Donepezil for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease

Abstract: Background Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. One of the aims of therapy is to inhibit the breakdown of a chemical neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, by blocking the relevant enzyme. This can be done by a group of chemicals known as cholinesterase inhibitors. Objectives The objective of this review is to assess whether donepezil improves the well-being of patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Search methods The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register was searched using the terms 'donepezil', 'E2020' and 'Aricept' on 5 April 2006. This Register contains up-to-date records of all major health care databases and many ongoing trial databases. Members of the Donepezil Study Group and Eisai Inc were contacted. Selection criteria All unconfounded, double-blind, randomized controlled trials in which treatment with donepezil was compared with placebo for patients with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Data collection and analysis Data were extracted by one reviewer (JSB), pooled where appropriate and possible, and the pooled treatment effects, or the risks and benefits of treatment estimated. Main results 24 trials are included, involving 5796 participants, of which 15 reported results in sufficient detail for the meta-analyses. Most trials were of 6 months or less duration in selected patients. Patients in 20 trials had mild to moderate disease, in two trials moderate to severe, and in two severe disease. Available outcome data cover domains including cognitive function, activities of daily living, behaviour, global clinical state, adverse events and health care resource costs. For cognition there is a statistically significant improvement for both 5 and 10 mg/day of donepezil at 24 weeks compared with placebo on the ADAS-Cog scale (-2.01 points MD, 95%CI -2.69 to -1.34, P < 0.00001); -2.80 points, MD 95% CI -3.74 to -2.10, P < 0.00001) and for 10 mg/day donepezil compared with placebo at 24 weeks (5.55 SIB points, 95% CI 3.60 to 7.49, p<0.00001) and 52 weeks (1.84 MMSE points, 95% CI, 0.53 to 3.15, P =0.006). The results show some improvement in global clinical state (assessed by a clinician) in people treated with 5 and 10 mg/day of donepezil compared with placebo at 24 weeks for the number of patients showing improvement (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.78 to 3.19, P = < 0.00001, OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.35, P < 0.00001). Benefits of treatment were also seen on measures of activities of daily living and behaviour, but not on the quality of life score. There were significantly more withdrawals before the end of treatment from the 10 mg/day (289/1125 24% 10 mg/day vs 219/1079 20% placebo, OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.65, P = 0.003) but not the 5 mg/day, (100/561 18% 5 mg/day vs 109/568 19% placebo, OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.24, P = 0.56) donepezil group compared with placebo which may have resulted in some overestimation of beneficial changes at 10 mg/day. Benefits on the 10 mg/day dose were marginally larger than on the 5 mg/day dose. The results were similar for all severities of disease. Two studies presented results for health resource use, and the associated costs. There were no significant differences between treatment and placebo for any item, the cost of any item, and for the total costs, and total costs including the informal carer costs. Many adverse events were recorded, with more incidents of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue and anorexia (significant risk associated with treatment) in the 10 mg/day group, compared with placebo. There were more incidents of anorexia, diarrhoea, and muscle cramps in the 5 mg/day group compared with placebo, but not of dizziness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting. Very few patients left a trial as a direct result of the intervention. Authors' conclusions People with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease treated for periods of 12, 24 or 52 weeks with donepezil experienced benefits in cognitive function, activities of daily living and behaviour. Study clinicians rated global clinical state more positively in treated patients, and measured less decline in measures of global disease severity. There is some evidence that use of donepezil is neither more nor less expensive compared with placebo when assessing total health care resource costs. Benefits on the 10 mg/day dose were marginally larger than on the 5 mg/day dose. Taking into consideration the better tolerability of the 5 mg/day donepezil compared with the 10 mg/day dose, together with the lower cost, the lower dose may be the better option. The debate on whether donepezil is effective continues despite the evidence of efficacy from the clinical studies because the treatment effects are small and are not always apparent in practice.