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Showing papers by "Edith Cowan University published in 2015"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an as-fabricated Al-12Si alloy with controllable ultrafine microstructure and excellent mechanical properties can be achieved by using selective laser melting and subsequent solution heat treatment.

479 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
10 Sep 2015-Cell
TL;DR: It is shown that murine and human melanomas contain PD-1-expressing cancer subpopulations and demonstrated that melanoma cell-intrinsic PD- 1 promotes tumorigenesis, even in mice lacking adaptive immunity, and suggested that blocking melanoma-PD-1 might contribute to the striking clinical efficacy of anti-PD -1 therapy.

476 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors investigated best practice in the classroom and placement activities which develop employability skills and identified factors impeding skill performance during WIL, based on survey data from 131 undergraduates across different disciplines in an Australian university.
Abstract: Work-integrated learning (WIL) is widely considered instrumental in equipping new graduates with the required employability skills to function effectively in the work environment. Evaluation of WIL programs in enhancing skill development remains predominantly outcomes-focused with little attention to the process of what, how and from whom students acquire essential skills during work placement. This paper investigates best practice in the classroom and placement activities which develop employability skills and identifies factors impeding skill performance during WIL, based on survey data from 131 undergraduates across different disciplines in an Australian university. What students actually experienced during placement, or what they felt was important to their learning, broadly aligns with best practice principles for WIL programs and problems experienced in performing certain skills during placement can be largely attributed to poor design. Implications for academic and professional practitioners are di...

446 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A literature search was conducted to identify molecular commonalities between obesity, diabetes, and AD and found the chronic inflammatory response and oxidative stress associated with T2DM, amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction link T2 DM and AD.
Abstract: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and insulin resistance are age-related conditions and increased prevalence is of public concern. Recent research has provided evidence that insulin resistance and impaired insulin signalling may be a contributory factor to the progression of diabetes, dementia, and other neurological disorders. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common subtype of dementia. Reduced release (for T2DM) and decreased action of insulin are central to the development and progression of both T2DM and AD. A literature search was conducted to identify molecular commonalities between obesity, diabetes, and AD. Insulin resistance affects many tissues and organs, either through impaired insulin signalling or through aberrant changes in both glucose and lipid (cholesterol and triacylglycerol) metabolism and concentrations in the blood. Although epidemiological and biological evidence has highlighted an increased incidence of cognitive decline and AD in patients with T2DM, the common molecular basis of cell and tissue dysfunction is rapidly gaining recognition. As a cause or consequence, the chronic inflammatory response and oxidative stress associated with T2DM, amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction link T2DM and AD.

356 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data suggest that an exosomal miRNA signature may have potential to be developed as a suitable peripheral screening tool for AD.
Abstract: There is no consensus for a blood-based test for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Expression profiling of small non-coding RNA's, microRNA (miRNA), has revealed diagnostic potential in human diseases. Circulating miRNA are found in small vesicles known as exosomes within biological fluids such as human serum. The aim of this work was to determine a set of differential exosomal miRNA biomarkers between healthy and AD patients, which may aid in diagnosis. Using next-generation deep sequencing, we profiled exosomal miRNA from serum (N=49) collected from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study (AIBL). Sequencing results were validated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR; N=60), with predictions performed using the Random Forest method. Additional risk factors collected during the 4.5-year AIBL Study including clinical, medical and cognitive assessments, and amyloid neuroimaging with positron emission tomography were assessed. An AD-specific 16-miRNA signature was selected and adding established risk factors including age, sex and apolipoprotein ɛ4 (APOE ɛ4) allele status to the panel of deregulated miRNA resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 77%, respectively, for predicting AD. Furthermore, amyloid neuroimaging information for those healthy control subjects incorrectly classified with AD-suggested progression in these participants towards AD. These data suggest that an exosomal miRNA signature may have potential to be developed as a suitable peripheral screening tool for AD.

310 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data demonstrate that ctDNA is a useful biomarker of response to kinase inhibitor therapy and can be used to monitor tumor evolution and detect the early appearance of resistance effectors.
Abstract: // Elin S. Gray 1 , Helen Rizos 2,8 , Anna L. Reid 1 , Suzanah C. Boyd 2,8 , Michelle R. Pereira 1 , Johnny Lo 3 , Varsha Tembe 4 , James Freeman 1 , Jenny H.J. Lee 4,5 , Richard A. Scolyer 6,8 , Kelvin Siew 9 , Chris Lomma 9 , Adam Cooper 5 , Muhammad A. Khattak 10,11 , Tarek M. Meniawy 9,11 , Georgina V. Long 7,8 , Matteo S. Carlino 5,8 , Michael Millward 9,11 and Melanie Ziman 1,12 1 School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 3 School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia 4 Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Sydney at Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia 5 Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia 6 Disciplines of Pathology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 7 Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 8 Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 9 Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia 10 Department of Medical Oncology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia 11 School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia 12 School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia Correspondence to: Elin Gray, email: // Keywords : melanoma, ctDNA, acquired resistance, MAPK inhibition, immunotherapy Received : August 03, 2015 Accepted : August 31, 2015 Published : September 22, 2015 Abstract Repeat tumor biopsies to study genomic changes during therapy are difficult, invasive and data are confounded by tumoral heterogeneity. The analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can provide a non-invasive approach to assess prognosis and the genetic evolution of tumors in response to therapy. Mutation-specific droplet digital PCR was used to measure plasma concentrations of oncogenic BRAF and NRAS variants in 48 patients with advanced metastatic melanoma prior to treatment with targeted therapies (vemurafenib, dabrafenib or dabrafenib/trametinib combination) or immunotherapies (ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab). Baseline ctDNA levels were evaluated relative to treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS). Tumor-associated ctDNA was detected in the plasma of 35/48 (73%) patients prior to treatment and lower ctDNA levels at this time point were significantly associated with response to treatment and prolonged PFS, irrespective of therapy type. Levels of ctDNA decreased significantly in patients treated with MAPK inhibitors ( p < 0.001) in accordance with response to therapy, but this was not apparent in patients receiving immunotherapies. We show that circulating NRAS mutations, known to confer resistance to BRAF inhibitors, were detected in 3 of 7 (43%) patients progressing on kinase inhibitor therapy. Significantly, ctDNA rebound and circulating mutant NRAS preceded radiological detection of progressive disease. Our data demonstrate that ctDNA is a useful biomarker of response to kinase inhibitor therapy and can be used to monitor tumor evolution and detect the early appearance of resistance effectors.

278 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that a "climate-adjusted" provenancing strategy should combine genetic diversity and adaptability, targeting projected climate change directions whilst allowing for uncertainty in such projections as well as unforeseen selective agents.
Abstract: Investments in ecological restoration are estimated at $US 2 trillion per annum worldwide and are increasing rapidly ( Cunningham, 2008 ; Williams et al., 2014 ). These investments are occurring in an environment of accelerated climate change that is projected to continue into the next century, yet they currently take little account of such change. This has significant implications for the long-term success of restoration plantings across millions of hectares, with germplasm used in current restoration efforts potentially poorly-adapted to future climates. New approaches that optimize the climate-resilience of these restoration efforts are thus essential ( Breed et al., 2013 ; Williams et al., 2014 ; Havens et al., 2015 ). A promising, but as yet untapped, opportunity for enhancing the climate-resilience of restoration investments rests in the exploitation of natural genetic variability of plant species. The capacity of plants to adapt to environmental change through plasticity, selection, or gene flow is only beginning to be explored ( Nicotra et al., 2010 ; Hoffmann and Sgro, 2011 ; Aitken and Whitlock, 2013 ; Alberto et al., 2013 ). Informed strategies for sourcing germplasm that capitalize on inherent genetic diversity and adaptive capacity offer significant promise for improving the success of extensive plantings to restore landscapes that are eroded, salinized, desertified, highly fragmented or degraded through introduced competitors, herbivores, or diseases. Here we describe a new strategy for sourcing germplasm for ecological restoration to promote adaptation in a changing climate. We argue that a "climate-adjusted" provenancing strategy (Figure 1A ) should combine genetic diversity and adaptability, targeting projected climate change directions whilst allowing for uncertainty in such projections as well as unforeseen selective agents. We introduce climate-adjusted provenancing in the context of historical approaches to provenancing, and highlight emerging research to test this strategy.

238 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A functional classification of seagrass habitats based on modes of resilience to inform management for all seagRass communities is adopted, which has world-wide relevance as the Australian case-studies have many analogues throughout the world.

237 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2015-BJUI
TL;DR: This is the first study to date that has investigated the potential role of exercise in preventing ADT toxicity rather than recovering from established toxicities.
Abstract: Objective To determine if supervised exercise minimises treatment toxicity in patients with prostate cancer initiating androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). This is the first study to date that has investigated the potential role of exercise in preventing ADT toxicity rather than recovering from established toxicities. Patients and methods Sixty-three men scheduled to receive ADT were randomly assigned to a 3-month supervised exercise programme involving aerobic and resistance exercise sessions commenced within 10 days of their first ADT injection (32 men) or usual care (31 men). The primary outcome was body composition (lean and fat mass). Other study outcomes included bone mineral density, physical function, blood biomarkers of chronic disease risk and bone turnover, general and prostate cancer-specific quality of life, fatigue and psychological distress. Outcomes were compared between groups using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values. Results Compared to usual care, a 3-month exercise programme preserved appendicular lean mass (P = 0.019) and prevented gains in whole body fat mass, trunk fat mass and percentage fat with group differences of -1.4 kg (P = 0.001), -0.9 kg (P = 0.008) and -1.3% (P Conclusion Commencing a supervised exercise programme involving aerobic and resistance exercise when initiating ADT significantly reduced treatment toxicity, while improving social functioning and mental health. Concurrent prescription of supervised exercise when initiating ADT is therefore advised to minimise morbidity associated with severe hypogonadism.

229 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the wear properties of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) parts produced using selective laser melting (SLM) and casting, and they found that SLM-produced CP-Ti parts have martensitic (α΄) microstructure, whereas cast-produced PC-Ti samples exhibit plate-like (α)-microstructure.

225 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview on integrated assessment and modelling (IAM) for environmental problems examines the ten key dimensions of integration in IAM including what is being integrated, why and how and discusses how the integration dimensions fit into the IAM process.
Abstract: Integrated assessment and its inherent platform, integrated modelling, present an opportunity to synthesize diverse knowledge, data, methods and perspectives into an overarching framework to address complex environmental problems. However to be successful for assessment or decision making purposes, all salient dimensions of integrated modelling must be addressed with respect to its purpose and context. The key dimensions include: issues of concern; management options and governance arrangements; stakeholders; natural systems; human systems; spatial scales; temporal scales; disciplines; methods, models, tools and data; and sources and types of uncertainty. This paper aims to shed light on these ten dimensions, and how integration of the dimensions fits in the four main phases in the integrated assessment process: scoping, problem framing and formulation, assessing options, and communicating findings. We provide examples of participatory processes and modelling tools that can be used to achieve integration. This is an overview on integrated assessment and modelling (IAM) for environmental problems.We examine the ten key dimensions of integration in IAM including what is being integrated, why and how.We discuss how the integration dimensions fit into the IAM process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, selective laser melting (SLM) was used to produce commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti-TiB composite parts with three different porosity levels (i.e., 10, 17, and 37%).
Abstract: Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti–TiB composite parts with three different porosity levels (i.e. 10%, 17% and 37%) were produced by selective laser melting (SLM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations show that martensitic (α′) microstructure exists in SLM-processed CP-Ti parts, whilst SLM-processed Ti–TiB composites present needle-shape TiB particles distributed in α-Ti matrix. Mechanical properties of these porous samples decrease with porosity level increasing. The yield strength and elastic modulus of porous CP-Ti parts range 113–350 MPa and 13–68 GPa respectively, which are much lower than those for porous Ti–TiB counterparts (234–767 MPa and 25–84 GPa respectively) mainly due to the strengthening effect induced by TiB particles in Ti–TiB samples. Compression stress–strain curves of 37% porous CP-Ti parts show a typical three-stage behavior of ductile porous metals. Also, the elastic moduli of both 37% porous CP-Ti and Ti–TiB samples are similar to that of human bone. SEM investigations of the porous CP-Ti samples after compression testing show that no crack presents until 50% compressive strain and most of deformation is absorbed by porous areas. In contrast, μ-CT investigations indicate that all porous Ti–TiB samples fail at early stages of compression testing due to cracks resulting from insufficient ductility of struts of porous areas, because they are not able to accommodate high strains of the deformation at high strengths.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that BMD and lean body mass, as measured using DXA were significant predictors of episodic memory and List A learning from California Verbal Learning Test both at baseline and at follow up assessment.
Abstract: Cognitive decline and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been associated with genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. A number of potentially modifiable risk factors should be taken into account when preventive or ameliorative interventions targeting dementia and its preclinical stages are investigated. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition are two such potentially modifiable risk factors, and their association with cognitive decline was investigated in this study. 164 participants, aged 34–87 years old (62.78 ± 9.27), were recruited for this longitudinal study and underwent cognitive and clinical examinations at baseline and after 3 years. Blood samples were collected for apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was conducted at the same day as cognitive assessment. Using hierarchical regression analysis, we found that BMD and lean body mass, as measured using DXA were significant predictors of episodic memory. Age, gender, APOE status, and premorbid IQ were controlled for. Specifically, the List A learning from California Verbal Learning Test was significantly associated with BMD and lean mass both at baseline and at follow up assessment. Our findings indicate that there is a significant association between BMD and lean body mass and episodic verbal learning. While the involvement of modifiable lifestyle factors in human cognitive function has been examined in different studies, there is a need for further research to understand the potential underlying mechanisms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Clinical and experimental pieces of evidence that link type-2 diabetes with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are reviewed, and underlying mechanisms are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the trajectories of carbon stocks associated with one of the longest monitored seagrass restoration projects globally were reconstructed and it was shown that sediment carbon stocks erode following seagranass loss and that revegetation projects effectively restore seagrase carbon sequestration capacity.
Abstract: Summary Seagrass meadows are sites of high rates of carbon sequestration and they potentially support ‘blue carbon’ strategies to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Current uncertainties on the fate of carbon stocks following the loss or revegetation of seagrass meadows prevent the deployment of ‘blue carbon’ strategies. Here, we reconstruct the trajectories of carbon stocks associated with one of the longest monitored seagrass restoration projects globally. We demonstrate that sediment carbon stocks erode following seagrass loss and that revegetation projects effectively restore seagrass carbon sequestration capacity. We combine carbon chronosequences with 210Pb dating of seagrass sediments in a meadow that experienced losses until the end of 1980s and subsequent serial revegetation efforts. Inventories of excess 210Pb in seagrass sediments revealed that its accumulation, and thus sediments, coincided with the presence of seagrass vegetation. They also showed that the upper sediments eroded in areas that remained devoid of vegetation after seagrass loss. Seagrass revegetation enhanced autochthonous and allochthonous carbon deposition and burial. Carbon burial rates increased with the age of the restored sites, and 18 years after planting, they were similar to that in continuously vegetated meadows (26.4 ± 0.8 gCorg m−2 year−1). Synthesis. The results presented here demonstrate that loss of seagrass triggers the erosion of historic carbon deposits and that revegetation effectively restores seagrass carbon sequestration capacity. Thus, conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows are effective strategies for climate change mitigation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the most promising screening tools for Alzheimer's disease can be found in this paper, including neuropsychometric, clinical, blood, and neurophysiological tests, with a focus on early and potentially more effective therapeutic and preventative strategies.
Abstract: Current state-of-the-art diagnostic measures of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are invasive (cerebrospinal fluid analysis), expensive (neuroimaging) and time-consuming (neuropsychological assessment) and thus have limited accessibility as frontline screening and diagnostic tools for AD. Thus, there is an increasing need for additional noninvasive and/or cost-effective tools, allowing identification of subjects in the preclinical or early clinical stages of AD who could be suitable for further cognitive evaluation and dementia diagnostics. Implementation of such tests may facilitate early and potentially more effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for AD. Before applying them in clinical practice, these tools should be examined in ongoing large clinical trials. This review will summarize and highlight the most promising screening tools including neuropsychometric, clinical, blood, and neurophysiological tests.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance toward progress to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as discussed by the authors, and the current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures.
Abstract: The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance toward progressing to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Blood-based biomarkers have potential to overcome access and cost barriers and greatly facilitate advanced neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker approaches. Despite the fact that preanalytical processing is the largest source of variability in laboratory testing, there are no currently available standardized preanalytical guidelines. The current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures (SOPs). It is anticipated that these guidelines will be updated as additional research findings become available. The statement provides (1) a synopsis of selected preanalytical methods utilized in many international AD cohort studies, (2) initial draft guidelines/SOPs for preanalytical methods, and (3) a list of required methodological information and protocols to be made available for publications in the field to foster cross-validation across cohorts and laboratories.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is proposed that understanding a previous experience allows the nurse researcher an “insider view” and hence a deeper understanding of the issues that arise in the relationship between participant and researcher.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, high-dense bulk Cu-10Sn bronze specimens have been fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and their (micro)structure and mechanical properties have been investigated and compared with the corresponding material produced by casting.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper evaluated the extinction risk of the world's 590 freshwater crayfish species using the IUCN Categories and Criteria and found that 32% of all species are threatened with extinction, with proportionally more threatened species in the Parastacidae and Astacidae than in the Cambaridae.
Abstract: Rates of biodiversity loss are higher in freshwater ecosystems than in most terrestrial or marine ecosystems, making freshwater conservation a priority. However, prioritization methods are impeded by insufficient knowledge on the distribution and conservation status of freshwater taxa, particularly invertebrates. We evaluated the extinction risk of the world's 590 freshwater crayfish species using the IUCN Categories and Criteria and found 32% of all species are threatened with extinction. The level of extinction risk differed between families, with proportionally more threatened species in the Parastacidae and Astacidae than in the Cambaridae. Four described species were Extinct and 21% were assessed as Data Deficient. There was geographical variation in the dominant threats affecting the main centres of crayfish diversity. The majority of threatened US and Mexican species face threats associated with urban development, pollution, damming and water management. Conversely, the majority of Australian threatened species are affected by climate change, harvesting, agriculture and invasive species. Only a small proportion of crayfish are found within the boundaries of protected areas, suggesting that alternative means of long-term protection will be required. Our study highlights many of the significant challenges yet to come for freshwater biodiversity unless conservation planning shifts from a reactive to proactive approach.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a starting powder mixture influenced by milling time and its effect on the particle morphology (especially the shape) and, consequently, density and compression properties of in situ Ti-TiB composite materials produced by selective laser melting (SLM) technology was studied.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence of interactions between invasive predators and six key threats is reviewed, showing that impacts of invasive predators can be classified as either functional or numerical, and that they interact with other threats through both habitat- and community-mediated pathways.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall, the method used to assess theRFD during an isometric midthigh clean pull impacts the reliability of the measure and predetermined RFD time bands should be used to quantify the RFD.
Abstract: Twelve female division I collegiate volleyball players were recruited to examine the reliability of several methods for calculating the rate of force development (RFD) during the isometric midthigh clean pull All subjects were familiarized with the isometric midthigh clean pull and participated in regular strength training Two isometric midthigh clean pulls were performed with 2 minutes rest between each trail All measures were performed in a custom isometric testing device that included a step-wise adjustable bar and a force plate for measuring ground reaction forces The RFD during predetermined time zone bands (0-30, 0-50, 0-90, 0-100, 0-150, 0-200, and 0-250 milliseconds) was then calculated by dividing the force at the end of the band by the band's time interval The peak RFD was then calculated with the use of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 milliseconds sampling windows The average RFD (avgRFD) was calculated by dividing the peak force (PF) by the time to achieve PF All data were analyzed with the use of intraclass correlation alpha (ICCα) and the coefficient of variation (CV) and 90% confidence intervals All predetermined RFD time bands were deemed reliable based on an ICCα >095 and a CV <4% Conversely, the avgRFD failed to meet the reliability standards set for this study Overall, the method used to assess the RFD during an isometric midthigh clean pull impacts the reliability of the measure and predetermined RFD time bands should be used to quantify the RFD

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the diet of the feral cat across Australia and on Australian territorial islands, seeking to identify biogeographical patterns in dietary composition and diversity, and use the results to consider how feral cats may best be managed.
Abstract: Aim Reducing the impacts of feral cats (Felis catus) is a priority for conservation managers across the globe, and success in achieving this aim requires a detailed understanding of the species’ ecology across a broad spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions. We reviewed the diet of the feral cat across Australia and on Australian territorial islands, seeking to identify biogeographical patterns in dietary composition and diversity, and use the results to consider how feral cats may best be managed. Location Australia and its territorial islands. Methods Using 49 published and unpublished data sets, we modelled trophic diversity and the consumption of eight food groups against latitude, longitude, mean temperature, precipitation, environmental productivity and climate-habitat regions. Results We recorded 400 vertebrate species that feral cats feed on or kill in Australia, including 28 IUCN Red List species. We found evidence of continental-scale prey-switching from rabbits to small mammals, previously recorded only at the local scale. The consumption of arthropods, reptiles, rabbits, rodents and medium-sized native mammals varied with different combinations of latitude, longitude, mean annual precipitation, temperature and environmental productivity. The frequency of rodents and dasyurids in cats’ diets increased as rabbit consumption decreased. Main conclusions The feral cat is an opportunistic, generalist carnivore that consumes a diverse suite of vertebrate prey across Australia. It uses a facultative feeding strategy, feeding mainly on rabbits when they are available, but switching to other food groups when they are not. Control programmes aimed at culling rabbits could potentially decrease the availability of a preferred food source for cats and then lead to greater predation pressure on native mammals. The interplay between cat diet and prey species diversity at a continental scale is complex, and thus cat management is likely to be necessary and most effective at the local landscape level.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings indicate that different mechanical properties are required to produce a faster COD and agility performances, and the importance of a greater strength capacity to enable greater mechanical adjustment through force production and body control, during different directional changes.
Abstract: Change of direction (COD) and agility require the integration of multiple components to produce a faster performance. However, the mechanisms contributing to a faster performance without the confounding factor of athlete expertise or gender is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess body composition, strength, and kinetic profile required for a faster COD and agility performance across multiple directional changes. Six faster and 6 slower (n 12) elite female basketball athletes completed a maximal dynamic back squat; eccentric and concentric only back squat; isometric midthigh pull; whole-body scan to determine lean, fat, and total mass; 505 COD test; T-test; and a multidirectional agility test over in-ground force plates to obtain relevant kinetic measures. Group (faster and slower) by test (2 × 3) multivariate analyses of variance with follow-up analyses of variance were conducted to examine differences between faster and slower groups and each COD and agility test (p ≤ 0.05). Faster athletes during the 505 COD test produced significantly greater vertical force (p 0.002) and eccentric and isometric strength capacity (p 0.001). Faster agility and T-test athletes demonstrated significantly shorter contact times (p 0.001), greater propulsive impulse (p 0.02), isometric strength, and relative lean mass compared with slower athletes. Differences between faster athletes across each test seem to be attributed to the mechanical demands of the directional change, increasing force and impulse application as the degree of directional change increased. These findings indicate that different mechanical properties are required to produce a faster COD and agility performances, and the importance of a greater strength capacity to enable greater mechanical adjustment through force production and body control, during different directional changes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These results provide additional support for the deleterious effect of elevated Aβ levels on cognitive function in preclinical AD and suggest that elevated anxiety symptoms moderate the effect of Aβ on cognitive decline in pre clinical AD, resulting in more rapid decline in several cognitive domains.
Abstract: Importance Alzheimer disease (AD) is now known to have a long preclinical phase in which pathophysiologic processes develop many years, even decades, before the onset of clinical symptoms. Although the presence of abnormal levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) is associated with higher rates of progression to clinically classified mild cognitive impairment or dementia, little research has evaluated potentially modifiable moderators of Aβ-related cognitive decline, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms. Objective To evaluate the association between Aβ status and cognitive changes, and the role of anxiety and depressive symptoms in moderating Aβ-related cognitive changes in the preclinical phase of AD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this multicenter, prospective cohort study with baseline and 18-, 36-, and 54-month follow-up assessments, we studied 333 healthy, older adults at hospital-based research clinics. Main Outcomes and Measures Carbon 11–labeled Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB)–, florbetapir F 18–, or flutemetamol F 18–derived measures of Aβ, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, and comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that yielded measures of global cognition, verbal memory, visual memory, attention, language, executive function, and visuospatial ability. Results A positive Aβ (Aβ+) status at baseline was associated with a significant decline in global cognition, verbal memory, language, and executive function, and elevated anxiety symptoms moderated these associations. Compared with the Aβ+, low-anxiety group, slopes of cognitive decline were significantly more pronounced in the Aβ+, high-anxiety group, with Cohen d values of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.33-1.23) for global cognition, 0.54 (95% CI, 0.10-0.98) for verbal memory, 0.51 (95% CI, 0.07-0.96) for language, and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.05-0.83) for executive function. These effects were independent of age, educational level, IQ, APOE genotype, subjective memory complaints, vascular risk factors, and depressive symptoms; furthermore, depressive symptoms and subjective memory complaints did not moderate the association between Aβ and cognitive decline. Conclusions and Relevance These results provide additional support for the deleterious effect of elevated Aβ levels on cognitive function in preclinical AD. They further suggest that elevated anxiety symptoms moderate the effect of Aβ on cognitive decline in preclinical AD, resulting in more rapid decline in several cognitive domains. Given that there is currently no standard antiamyloid therapy and that anxiety symptoms are amenable to treatment, these findings may help inform risk stratification and management of the preclinical phase of AD.

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TL;DR: A review of the factors that contribute to such a potentially insecure environment, together with the identification of the vulnerabilities, is important for understanding why these vulnerabilities persist and what the solution space should look like.
Abstract: The increased connectivity to existing computer networks has exposed medical devices to cybersecurity vulnerabilities from which they were previously shielded. For the prevention of cybersecurity incidents, it is important to recognize the complexity of the operational environment as well as to catalog the technical vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity protection is not just a technical issue; it is a richer and more intricate problem to solve. A review of the factors that contribute to such a potentially insecure environment, together with the identification of the vulnerabilities, is important for understanding why these vulnerabilities persist and what the solution space should look like. This multifaceted problem must be viewed from a systemic perspective if adequate protection is to be put in place and patient safety concerns addressed. This requires technical controls, governance, resilience measures, consolidated reporting, context expertise, regulation, and standards. It is evident that a coordinated, proactive approach to address this complex challenge is essential. In the interim, patient safety is under threat.

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TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of the processing parameters on the quality and mechanical properties of a biomedical titanium alloy (Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn) scaffolds fabricated by selective laser melting was investigated.
Abstract: This study investigated the effect of the processing parameters on the quality and mechanical properties of a biomedical titanium alloy (Ti–24Nb–4Zr–8Sn) scaffolds fabricated by selective laser melting. Optimal manufacturing parameters were then determined through analysing the pores distribution, geometrical accuracy and the mechanical properties of the produced components. The evaporation of tin during the process is thought to be the main cause of pore generation at higher incident energy densities. Using the optimal processing conditions, the strength of the scaffold reached 51 MPa at a scaffold density of 3 and a high solid strut relative density of ~99.3%. Fracture surface analysis found that the main reason for strut early failure was the weaknesses of struts caused by the presence of pores as well the thickness of strut and internal unmelted powders. **Co-corresponding author.

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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a social-ecological conceptual framework to integrate theoretically and empirically derived risk and protective factors that potentially mediate adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration.

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TL;DR: Evidence is mounting to support the concept that coconut may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia, elevated LDL, insulin resistance and hypertension – these are the risk factors for CVD and type 2 diabetes, and also for AD.
Abstract: Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., is a tree that is cultivated to provide a large number of products, although it is mainly grown for its nutritional and medicinal values. Coconut oil, derived from the coconut fruit, has been recognised historically as containing high levels of saturated fat; however, closer scrutiny suggests that coconut should be regarded more favourably. Unlike most other dietary fats that are high in long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil comprises medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). MCFA are unique in that they are easily absorbed and metabolised by the liver, and can be converted to ketones. Ketone bodies are an important alternative energy source in the brain, and may be beneficial to people developing or already with memory impairment, as in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Coconut is classified as a highly nutritious ‘functional food’. It is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals; however, notably, evidence is mounting to support the concept that coconut may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia, elevated LDL, insulin resistance and hypertension ‐ these are the risk factors for CVD and type 2 diabetes, and also for AD. In addition, phenolic compounds and hormones (cytokinins) found in coconut may assist in preventing the aggregation of amyloid-b peptide, potentially inhibiting a key step in the pathogenesis of AD. The purpose of the present review was to explore the literature related to coconut, outlining the known mechanistic physiology, and to discuss the potential role of coconut supplementation as a therapeutic option in the prevention and management of AD.