Griffith University

About: Griffith University is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 13830 authors who have published 49318 publications receiving 1420865 citations.

Physical activity and obesity in children

Abstract: Globally, obesity is affecting an increasing proportion of children. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of becoming overweight and obese in childhood and adolescence, and reducing the risk of obesity in adulthood. Puberty and the following adolescent period are acknowledged as particularly vulnerable times for the development of obesity due to sexual maturation and, in many individuals, a concomitant reduction in physical activity. In many Western settings, a large proportion of children and adolescents do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines and, typically, those who are more physically active have lower levels of body fat than those who are less active. Active behaviours have been displaced by more sedentary pursuits which have contributed to reductions in physical activity energy expenditure. Without appropriate activity engagement there is an increased likelihood that children will live less healthy lives than their parents. Owing to the high risk of overweight adolescents becoming obese adults, the engagement of children and adolescents in physical activity and sport is a fundamental goal of obesity prevention.

On the Hermitian Optical Phase Operator

Abstract: It has long been believed that no Hermitian optical phase operator exists. However, such an operator can be constructed from the phase states. We demonstrate that its properties are precisely in accord with the results of semiclassical and phenomenological approaches when such approximate methods are valid. We find that the number-phase commutator differs from that originally postulated by Dirac. This difference allows the consistent use of the commutator for inherently quantum states. It also leads to the correct periodic phase behaviour of the Poisson bracket in the classical regime.

Oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

Abstract: Several therapeutic agents have been investigated for the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). Among these are corticosteroids, retinoids, cyclosporine, and phototherapy, in addition to other treatment modalities. A systematic review of clinical trials showed that particularly topical corticosteroids are often effective in the management of symptomatic OLP lichen planus. Systemic corticosteroids should be only considered for severe widespread OLP and for lichen planus involving other mucocutaneous sites. Because of the ongoing controversy in the literature about the possible premalignant character of OLP, periodic follow-up is recommended. There is a spectrum of oral lichen planus-like ("lichenoid") lesions that may confuse the differential diagnosis. These include lichenoid contact lesions, lichenoid drug reactions and lichenoid lesions of graft-versus-host disease. In regard to the approach to oral lichenoid contact lesions the value of patch testing remains controversial. Confirmation of the diagnosis of an oral lichenoid drug reaction may be difficult, since empiric withdrawal of the suspected drug and/or its substitution by an alternative agent may be complicated. Oral lichenoid lesions of graft-versus-host disease (OLL-GVHD) are recognized to have an association with malignancy. Local therapy for these lesions rests in topical agents, predominantly corticosteroids.

Multi-objective ant lion optimizer: a multi-objective optimization algorithm for solving engineering problems

Abstract: This paper proposes a multi-objective version of the recently proposed Ant Lion Optimizer (ALO) called Multi-Objective Ant Lion Optimizer (MOALO). A repository is first employed to store non-dominated Pareto optimal solutions obtained so far. Solutions are then chosen from this repository using a roulette wheel mechanism based on the coverage of solutions as antlions to guide ants towards promising regions of multi-objective search spaces. To prove the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed, a set of standard unconstrained and constrained test functions is employed. Also, the algorithm is applied to a variety of multi-objective engineering design problems: cantilever beam design, brushless dc wheel motor design, disk brake design, 4-bar truss design, safety isolating transformer design, speed reduced design, and welded beam deign. The results are verified by comparing MOALO against NSGA-II and MOPSO. The results of the proposed algorithm on the test functions show that this algorithm benefits from high convergence and coverage. The results of the algorithm on the engineering design problems demonstrate its applicability is solving challenging real-world problems as well.

Inter‐biome comparison of factors controlling stream metabolism

Abstract: 'SUMMARY 1. We studied whole-ecosystem metabolism in eight streams from several biomes in North America to identify controls on the rate of stream metabolism over a large geographic range. The streams studied had climates ranging from tropical to cool-temperate and from humid to arid and were all relatively uninfluenced by human disturbances. 2. Rates of gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R) and net ecosystem production (NEP) were determined using the open-system, two-station diurnal oxygen change method. 3. Three general patterns in metabolism were evident among streams: (1) relatively high GPP with positive NEP (i.e. net oxygen production) in early afternoon, (2) moderate primary production with a distinct peak in GPP during daylight but negative NEP at all times and (3) little or no evidence of GPP during daylight and a relatively constant and negative NEP over the entire day. ', 4. Gross primary production was most strongly correlated with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). A multiple regression model that included log PAR and stream water soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration explained 90% of the variation in log GPP. 5. Ecosystem respiration was significantly correlated with SRP concentration and size of the transient storage zone and, together, these factors,explained 73% of the variation in R. The rate of R was poorly correlated with the rate of GPP. 6. Net ecosystem production was significantly correlated only with PAR, with 53% of the variation in log NEP explained by log PAR. Only Sycamore Creek, a desert stream in Arizona, had positive NEP (GPP: R > I), supporting the idea that streams are generally net sinks rather than net sources of organic matter.