RMIT University

About: RMIT University is a education organization based out in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 40468 authors who have published 82923 publications receiving 1729499 citations. The organization is also known as: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology & Melbourne Technical College.

Serum vitamin D and falls in older women in residential care in Australia

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older people in residential care and the influence that the level of vitamin D may have on their incidence of falls. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Residential care facilities for older people in several states of Australia. Participants: Six hundred sixty-seven women in low-level care and 952 women in high-level care, mean age 83.7 years. Measurements: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) levels and recognized risk factors for falls including current medication use, a history of previous fractures, weight, tibial length (as a surrogate for height), cognitive function, walking ability, and frequency of going outdoors were determined. The women in low-level care and high-level care were followed for an average of 145 and 168 days, respectively. Falls were recorded prospectively in diaries completed monthly by residential care staff. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (defined as a serum 25D level below 25 nmol/L) was present in 144 (22%) women in low-level care and 428 (45%) in high-level care. After excluding 358 bed-bound residents and adjusting for weight, cognitive status, psychotropic drug use, previous Colles fracture, and the presence of wandering behavior, log serum 25D level remained independently associated with time to first fall. The adjusted hazards ratio was 0.74 (95% confidence interval=0.59–0.94; P=.01), implying a 20% reduction in the risk of falling with a doubling of the vitamin D level. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common in residential care in Australia. A low level of serum vitamin D is an independent predictor of incident falls.

The relationship between salivary biomarkers and state-trait anxiety inventory score under mental arithmetic stress: a pilot study.

Abstract: Measurement of stress hormones is a common objective method for assessment of mental stress. However, the stress of blood sampling alone may also increase stress hormone levels. In the present study, we sampled salivary biomarkers from healthy volunteers under noninvasive conditions and determined t

Chemical composition and value-adding applications of coffee industry by-products: A review

Abstract: Processing urban waste is becoming a major challenge, with the current state and forecasted increase in urbanisation. Finding novel approaches to reduce and recycle this waste, using value-adding applications, is paramount if we are to meet the needs of a growing population. Organic waste is of particular concern, as much of this can be treated and recycled for horticulture practices, but most find their final sink in landfill. With coffee now the second largest commodity worldwide, recycling these nutrient-rich by-products could reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfill, whilst producing value adding products. Some chemical compounds present in these by-products, such as caffeine, tannins and chlorogenic acid are of ecotoxicological concern and can limit their value-adding applications. The aim of this literature review was to 1) characterise the waste obtained from the coffee industry; 2) outline the current value adding applications; 3) highlight limitations that prevent full utilization of coffee by-products and 4) discuss possible solutions that could maximize by-product utilization and ameliorating their negative environmental impacts. It was concluded that full utilization of these by-products is not always achieved, even though there is evidence to support their potential. This was mainly due to a lack of infrastructure and cross-chain networks between applications.

Short-term plyometric training improves running economy in highly trained middle and long distance runners.

Abstract: Fifteen highly trained distance runners VO(2)max 71.1 +/- 6.0 ml.min(-1).kg(-1), mean +/- SD) were randomly assigned to a plyometric training (PLY; n = 7) or control (CON; n = 8) group. In addition to their normal training, the PLY group undertook 3 x 30 minutes PLY sessions per week for 9 weeks. Running economy (RE) was assessed during 3 x 4 minute treadmill runs (14, 16, and 18 km.h(-1)), followed by an incremental test to measure VO(2)max. Muscle power characteristics were assessed on a portable, unidirectional ground reaction force plate. Compared with CON, PLY improved RE at 18 km.h(-1) (4.1%, p = 0.02), but not at 14 or 16 km.h(-1). This was accompanied by trends for increased average power during a 5-jump plyometric test (15%, p = 0.11), a shorter time to reach maximal dynamic strength during a strength quality assessment test (14%, p = 0.09), and a lower VO(2)-speed slope (14%, p = 0.12) after 9 weeks of PLY. There were no significant differences in cardiorespiratory measures or VO(2)max as a result of PLY. In a group of highly-trained distance runners, 9 weeks of PLY improved RE, with likely mechanisms residing in the muscle, or alternatively by improving running mechanics.

The Constitution of Poverty: Toward a Genealogy of Liberal Governance

Abstract: The discourse of the poor the problem of idleness the policing of the poor population, subsistence, poverty the Malthusian effect from morality to economy the moral economy of Adam Smith the condition of poverty pauperism and the labour-market pauper-land the mechanisms of prevention.