Queensland University of Technology

About: Queensland University of Technology is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 14188 authors who have published 55022 publications receiving 1496237 citations. The organization is also known as: QUT.

The Pathomechanics of Plantar Fasciitis

Abstract: Plantar fasciitis is a musculoskeletal disorder primarily affecting the fascial enthesis. Although poorly understood, the development of plantar fasciitis is thought to have a mechanical origin. In particular, pes planus foot types and lower-limb biomechanics that result in a lowered medial longitudinal arch are thought to create excessive tensile strain within the fascia, producing microscopic tears and chronic inflammation. However, contrary to clinical doctrine, histological evidence does not support this concept, with inflammation rarely observed in chronic plantar fasciitis. Similarly, scientific support for the role of arch mechanics in the development of plantar fasciitis is equivocal, despite an abundance of anecdotal evidence indicating a causal link between arch function and heel pain. This may, in part, reflect the difficulty in measuring arch mechanics in vivo. However, it may also indicate that tensile failure is not a predominant feature in the pathomechanics of plantar fasciitis. Alternative mechanisms including 'stress-shielding', vascular and metabolic disturbances, the formation of free radicals, hyperthermia and genetic factors have also been linked to degenerative change in connective tissues. Further research is needed to ascertain the importance of such factors in the development of plantar fasciitis.

Tools and methods for capturing Twitter data during natural disasters

Abstract: During the course of several natural disasters in recent years, Twitter has been found to play an important role as an additional medium for many-to-many crisis communication. Emergency services are successfully using Twitter to inform the public about current developments, and are increasingly also attempting to source first-hand situational information from Twitter feeds (such as relevant hashtags). The further study of the uses of Twitter during natural disasters relies on the development of flexible and reliable research infrastructure for tracking and analysing Twitter feeds at scale and in close to real time, however. This article outlines two approaches to the development of such infrastructure: one which builds on the readily available open source platform yourTwapperkeeper to provide a low-cost, simple, and basic solution; and one which establishes a more powerful and flexible framework by drawing on highly scaleable, state-of-the-art technology.

Particle emission characteristics of office printers.

Abstract: In modern society, printers are widely used in the office environment This study investigated particle number and PM25 emissions from printers using the TSI SMPS, TSI CPC 3022 and 3025A TSI P-Trak and DustTrak The monitoring of particle characteristics in a large open plan office, conducted continuously for over 48 hours, showed that particles generated by printers can significantly (p = 001) affect the submicrometer particle number concentration levels in the office An investigation of the submicrometer particle emissions produced by each of the 62 printers used in the office building was also conducted In terms of emission levels, the printers were divided into four classes of non-emitters, low, medium and high emitters, based on the particle concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the printers, after a short printing job It was found that about 60% of the investigated printers did not emit submicrometer particles and of the 40% that did emit particles, 27% were high particle emitters Particle emission characteristics from three different laser printers were also studied in an experimental chamber, which showed that particle emission rates are printer type–specific and are affected by toner coverage and cartridge age The average particle number emission rates from a printer in the class “low emitter‿ were 004×109 particle min-1 (new cartridge with 5% toner coverage); 421×109 particle min-1 and 954×109 particle min-1 for a “medium emitter‿ (old cartridge with 5% and 50% toner coverage, respectively); and 411×109 particle min-1 (old cartridge, 5% toner coverage), 928×109 particle min-1 (old cartridge, 50% toner coverage), 763×109 particle min-1 (new cartridge, 5% toner coverage) and 159×109 particle min-1 (new cartridge, 50% toner coverage) for a “high emitter‿ Particle size distributions indicated that the higher emitters tended to generate more ultrafine particles (< 01 µm) than the lower emitters whilst the trend in PM25 emissions was different, with the “low emitter‿ in having a PM25 emission rate of (029 ±007 µg min-1) and the “high emitter‿ showing nearly zero mass emissions While a more comprehensive study is still required to provide a better database of printer emission rates, as well as their chemical characteristics, the results from this study imply that submicrometer particle concentration levels in an office can be reduced by a proper choice of the printers

Theorising a model for teaching and assessing reflective learning in higher education

Abstract: The importance of reflection in higher education and across disciplinary fields is widely recognised and it is generally included in university graduate attributes, professional standards and programme objectives. Furthermore, reflection is commonly embedded into assessment requirements in higher education subjects, often without necessary scaffolding or clear expectations for students. Despite the rhetoric around the importance of reflection for ongoing learning, there is scant literature on any systematic, developmental approach to teaching reflective learning across higher education programmes/courses. Given that professional or academic reflection is not intuitive, and requires specific pedagogic intervention to do well, a programme/course-wide approach is essential. This paper draws on current literature to theorise a new, transferable and customisable model for teaching and assessing reflective learning across higher education, which foregrounds and explains the pedagogic field of higher education a...

PARP Inhibitors: Clinical Relevance, Mechanisms of Action and Tumor Resistance.

Abstract: The Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family has many essential functions in cellular processes, including the regulation of transcription, apoptosis and the DNA damage response. PARP1 possesses Poly (ADP-ribose) activity and when activated by DNA damage, adds branched PAR chains to facilitate the recruitment of other repair proteins to promote the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) were the first approved cancer drugs that specifically targeted the DNA damage response in BRCA1/2 mutated breast and ovarian cancers. Since then, there has been significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms behind sensitization of tumors to PARP inhibitors and expansion of the use of PARPi to treat several other cancer types. Here, we review the recent advances in the proposed mechanisms of action of PARPi, biomarkers of the tumor response to PARPi, clinical advances in PARPi therapy, including the potential of combination therapies and mechanisms of tumor resistance.