Edith Cowan University

About: Edith Cowan University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4040 authors who have published 13529 publications receiving 339582 citations. The organization is also known as: Edith Cowan & ECU.

Central motor drive and perception of effort during fatigue in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: To determine if task performance and fatiguability during repeated low-level contractions of an intrinsic hand muscle differ in a group of MS subjects compared with a control group, and what central changes accompany the development of fatigue and the period of recovery, whether these measures are related to subjective ratings of fatigue or perception of effort. Force of index finger abduction, rating of perceived effort, and motor evoked potential amplitude and silent period duration were measured during and after a 20-min. intermittent submaximal (40%) contraction of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in 23 clinically definite MS subjects with mild-moderate symptoms, and 15 controls. Rating of perceived effort increased at a greater rate in the MS group than in control subjects during exercise, and this was associated with larger increases in both MEP amplitude and silent period duration. Submaximal fatiguing exercise is associated with an enhanced central motor drive and increased perception of effort in MS. MS subjects can increase central drive during fatiguing exercise to a greater degree than controls, but this is associated with greater perceived exertion. These factors may underlie the more general complaint of fatigue experienced by people with MS.

Olfactory discrimination predicts cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults.

Abstract: The presence of olfactory dysfunction in individuals at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease has significant diagnostic and screening implications for preventive and ameliorative drug trials. Olfactory threshold, discrimination and identification can be reliably recorded in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The current study has examined the ability of various olfactory functions in predicting cognitive decline in a community-dwelling sample. A group of 308 participants, aged 46–86 years old, were recruited for this study. After 3 years of follow-up, participants were divided into cognitively declined and non-declined groups based on their performance on a neuropsychological battery. Assessment of olfactory functions using the Sniffin’ Sticks battery indicated that, contrary to previous findings, olfactory discrimination, but not olfactory identification, significantly predicted subsequent cognitive decline (odds ratio=0.869; P<0.05; 95% confidence interval=0.764−0.988). The current study findings confirm previously reported associations between olfactory and cognitive functions, and indicate that impairment in olfactory discrimination can predict future cognitive decline. These findings further our current understanding of the association between cognition and olfaction, and support olfactory assessment in screening those at higher risk of dementia.

Predator-baiting experiments for the conservation of rock-wallabies in Western Australia: a 25-year review with recent advances

Abstract: Predation is widely believed to be the main threatening process for many native vertebrates in Australia. For 25 years, predator-baiting experiments have been used in the Western Australian Central Wheatbelt to control red fox predation on rock-wallabies and other endangered marsupial prey elsewhere. We review here the history of a series of baiting experiments designed to protect rock-wallaby colonies by controlling red foxes with 1080 poison baits. We continue to support the conclusion that red foxes can reduce or exterminate rock-wallaby populations in Western Australia. Research trials from 1990 to 2008 have uniformly shown a dramatic recovery of rock-wallaby populations once red foxes are baited. Baiting experiments are often black boxes and their success should not blind us to their weaknesses. Ideally, what we would like to measure are the functional responses of predators to prey abundance directly. As a contribution towards this goal, we describe new technology that enables one to determine which predator killed which prey, at exactly what time, with improved research and management outcomes.

Living with Huntington's disease: Need for supportive care

Abstract: Huntington's disease is a genetic, neurological disorder characterized by mid-life onset, involuntary movements, cognitive decline, behavioral disturbance, and inexorable progression. The impact of Huntington's disease is devastating for individuals and their families as it is a disease with a long trajectory; many young people are aware that they may develop the illness for years before there are obvious symptoms. There is therefore ample opportunity to plan and choreograph the care and supportive services for people with Huntington's disease and their families. The present study was conducted to explore the needs for palliative (supportive) care service provision of people with Huntington's disease and their families/informal carers. Six people with the disease, 19 informal carers and seven health care workers with specialized knowledge took part in individual, semistructured interviews, which were analyzed thematically. Themes were: (i). adjusting to the impact of the illness; (ii). surviving the search for essential information; (iii). gathering practical support from many sources; (iv). bolstering the spirit; (v). choreographing individual care and; (vi). fearing the future. Our findings demonstrate that palliative care services for people with Huntington's disease and their informal carers need to provide expert psychological and practical support and perhaps most importantly, be flexible, adequately planned and choreographed.

Spatial Patterns in Herbivory on a Coral Reef Are Influenced by Structural Complexity but Not by Algal Traits

Abstract: Background: Patterns of herbivory can alter the spatial structure of ecosystems, with important consequences for ecosystem functions and biodiversity. While the factors that drive spatial patterns in herbivory in terrestrial systems are well established, comparatively less is known about what influences the distribution of herbivory in coral reefs. Methodology and Principal Findings: We quantified spatial patterns of macroalgal consumption in a cross-section of Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia). We used a combination of descriptive and experimental approaches to assess the influence of multiple macroalgal traits and structural complexity in establishing the observed spatial patterns in macroalgal herbivory, and to identify potential feedback mechanisms between herbivory and macroalgal nutritional quality. Spatial patterns in macroalgal consumption were best explained by differences in structural complexity among habitats. The biomass of herbivorous fish, and rates of herbivory were always greater in the structurally-complex coral-dominated outer reef and reef flat habitats, which were also characterised by high biomass of herbivorous fish, low cover and biomass of macroalgae and the presence of unpalatable algae species. Macroalgal consumption decreased to undetectable levels within 75 m of structurally-complex reef habitat, and algae were most abundant in the structurally-simple lagoon habitats, which were also characterised by the presence of the most palatable algae species. In contrast to terrestrial ecosystems, herbivory patterns were not influenced by the distribution, productivity or nutritional quality of resources (macroalgae), and we found no evidence of a positive feedback between macroalgal consumption and the nitrogen content of algae. Significance: This study highlights the importance of seascape-scale patterns in structural complexity in determining spatial patterns of macroalgal consumption by fish. Given the importance of herbivory in maintaining the ability of coral reefs to reorganise and retain ecosystem functions following disturbance, structural complexity emerges as a critical feature that is essential for the healthy functioning of these ecosystems.