Coarse bubble mixing in anoxic zone greatly stimulates nitrous oxide emissions from biological nitrogen removal process.

The biological nitrogen removal process in wastewater treatment inevitably produces nitrous oxide (NO), a potent greenhouse gas. Coarse bubble mixing is widely employed in wastewater treatment processes to mix anoxic tanks; however, its impacts on NO emissions are rarely reported. This study investigates the effects of coarse bubble mixing on NO emissions in a pilot-scale mainstream nitrite shunt reactor over a 50-day steady-state period.

Motives for Physical Activity in Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Exploration.

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for both the physical and psychological health of prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. This study identified and examined motives for PA in a cross-section of PCa survivors, including both men in remission and those receiving treatment in the form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Sixteen PCa survivors from Auckland, New Zealand were individually interviewed.

Rapid rise in atmospheric CO marked the end of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age.

Atmospheric CO is thought to play a fundamental role in Earth's climate regulation. Yet, for much of Earth's geological past, atmospheric CO has been poorly constrained, hindering our understanding of transitions between cool and warm climates. Beginning ~370 million years ago in the Late Devonian and ending ~260 million years ago in the Permian, the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age was the last major glaciation preceding the current Late Cenozoic Ice Age and possibly the most intense glaciation witnessed by complex lifeforms.

Exploring the relationship between melanopsin gene variants, sleep, and markers of brain health.

Introduction: Melanopsin is a photopigment with roles in mediating sleep and circadian-related processes, which are often disrupted in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Melanopsin also impacts cognition and synaptogenesis. This study investigated the associations between melanopsin genetic variants, sleep, and markers of brain health.

Antimicrobial consumption in food animals in Fiji: Analysis of the 2017 to 2021 import data.

Introduction: Globally, the demand for animal protein for human consumption has beenQ7 Q6increasing at a faster rate in the last 5 to 10 decades resulting in increasedantimicrobial consumption in food producing animals. Antimicrobials arefrequently used as part of modern methods of animal production, which mayput more pressure on evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Despite theserious negative effects on animal and human health that could result fromusing antibiotics, there are no assessment of antimicrobials consumed by thelivestock sector in Fiji as well as other Pacific Island Countries.

Perceived Barriers to Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among Physically Active Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To investigate barriers to leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) for physically active people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Prospective cross-sectional.

Setting: General community.

Tail Tales: How Ecological Context Mediates Signal Effectiveness in a Lizard.

Animal signals are complex, comprising multiple components influenced by ecological factors and viewing perspectives that together impact their overall effectiveness. Our study explores how these factors affect the efficacy of multi-component signals in the Qinghai toad-headed agama, Phrynocephalus vlangalii. Using 3D animations, we simulated natural environments to evaluate how tail coiling and tail lashing-two primary tail displays-vary in effectiveness from both conspecific and predator perspectives under different ecological conditions.

Closing the air gap: the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology.

Techniques for non-invasive sampling of ecophysiological data in wild animals have been developed in response to challenges associated with studying captive animals or using invasive methods. Of these, drones, also known as Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and their associated sensors, have emerged as a promising tool in the ecophysiology toolkit. In this review, we synthesise research in a scoping review on the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology using the PRISMA-SCr checklist and identify where efforts have been focused and where knowledge gaps remain.

Resource availability for CNS tumor diagnostics in the Asian Oceanian region: A survey by the Asian Oceanian Society of Neuropathology committee for Adapting Diagnostic Approaches for Practical Taxonomy in Resource-Restrained Regions (AOSNP-ADAPTR).

The shift toward a histo-molecular approach in World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors (WHO CNS5) emphasizes the critical role of molecular testing, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA methylation profiling, for accurate diagnosis. However, implementing these advanced techniques is particularly challenging in resource-constrained countries. To address this, the Asian Oceanian Society of Neuropathology committee for Adapting Diagnostic Approaches for Practical Taxonomy in Resource-Restrained Regions (AOSNP-ADAPTR) was initiated to help pathologists in resource-limited regions to implement WHO CNS5 diagnoses using simpler diagnostic tools, mainly immunohistochemistry.

Halophyte-based crop managements induce biochemical, metabolomic and proteomic changes in tomato plants under saline conditions.

Halophytes display distinctive physiological mechanisms that enable their survival and growth under extreme saline conditions. This makes them potential candidates for their use in saline agriculture. In this research, tomato (Solanum lycopersium Mill.

Supporting young adults experiencing psychosis with their employment: A qualitative exploration of occupational therapists' experiences.

Introduction: Young adults experiencing psychosis have the same plans for work and future careers as their peers; however, many find themselves unable to participate. While there is research available about interventions used to support employment of young adults with psychosis, there is little evidence regarding the experience of occupational therapists working in this field and the vocational rehabilitation interventions and practices they use.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was used to explore the perspectives of occupational therapy practitioners who support young adults experiencing psychosis with employment.

New connective tissue structure of the wrist area - research on fetal material.

The correct function of the upper limb depends on the cooperation and coordination of the muscular and skeletal systems as well as the connective tissue elements present in it. Connective tissue forms fascia, connective tissue membranes and ligaments. Connective tissue mostly develops from the mesenchyme.

Beyond COVID-19: Reported clinical practices in maternity care in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for the future - A statewide review.

Background: In Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic many routine pregnancy visits were replaced by telehealth, along with changes to routine screening and visitor policies. Many providers plan to continue these changes.

Aims: Describe changes to maternity care provision across the state of Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recurrent peripheral intravenous catheterization in neonates: A case series.

Neonatal peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) can be difficult to insert, often requiring multiple attempts, with each attempt causing pain and delaying treatment. The aim of this study was describe the clinical characteristics of neonates requiring multiple PIVCs during hospitalization. A secondary case series of neonates requiring three or more PIVCs during their admission were identified from a cohort admitted to an Australian Neonatal Unit between October 2020 and February 2021.

Understanding glucose metabolism and insulin action at the blood-brain barrier: Implications for brain health and neurodegenerative diseases.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective, semipermeable barrier critical for maintaining brain homeostasis. The BBB regulates the transport of essential nutrients, hormones, and signaling molecules between the bloodstream and the central nervous system (CNS), while simultaneously protecting the brain from potentially harmful substances and pathogens. This selective permeability ensures that the brain is nourished and shielded from toxins.

Association of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors With Estimated Dietary Salt Consumption in Bangladeshi Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study.

This population-based, nationally representative cross-sectional study assessed the daily salt consumption status and its associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors using weighted data from the STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance conducted in 2018 in Bangladesh. It included a non-institutionalized adults' population of 6189 men and women aged 18-69 years. Their daily salt consumption was estimated using the spot urine sodium concentration following the Tanaka equation and reported according to the standard nomenclature proposed by the World Hypertension League and partner organizations involved in dietary salt reduction.

From preschool to policy: A scoping review of recommended interventions for a systems approach to improve dietary intake in early childhood.

Early childhood is a key opportunity to establish healthy eating behaviors and prevent future non-communicable diseases associated with poor diets. How to effectively intervene in the system of the many determinants influencing children's dietary intake remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to map the determinants of nutrition and eating that have been addressed in early childhood nutrition interventions and identify which of these improve dietary intake.

Large-scale and long-term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis.

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, and potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use of wildlife cameras (2012-2022) with a case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using a multifaceted approach. We (i) synthesised information from a literature review; (ii) conducted an online questionnaire of 132 professionals; (iii) hosted an in-person workshop of 28 leading experts representing academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government; and (iv) mapped camera trap usage based on all sources.

Differential recruitment drives pathogen-mediated competition between species in an amphibian chytridiomycosis system.

Pathogens that infect multiple host species have an increased capacity to cause extinctions through parasite-mediated apparent competition. Given unprecedented and continuing losses of biodiversity due to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the causative fungus of the amphibian skin disease chytridiomycosis, a robust understanding of the mechanisms driving cross-species infection dynamics is essential. Here, we used stage-structured, susceptible-infected compartmental models to explore drivers of Bd-mediated apparent competition between two sympatric amphibians, the critically endangered Litoria spenceri and the non-threatened Litoria lesueurii.

Comparison of Influence of Office and 24-h Central Aortic Blood Pressure on Target Organ Damage in Hypertension.

The aim of this study was to explore whether 24-h ambulatory central (aortic) blood pressure (BP) has an advantage over office central aortic BP in screening for hypertension-mediated target organ damage (HMOD). A total of 714 inpatients with primary hypertension and the presence of several cardiovascular risk factors or complications involving clinical HMOD were enrolled. Twenty-four hour central aortic BP was measured by means of a noninvasive automated oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph).

Paediatric Acute Urinary Retention in Central Queensland.

Background: The aetiology of paediatric acute urinary retention (PAUR) is poorly documented across English medical literature and none from Australasia. This study aimed to document incidence, aetiology and associated time to diagnoses and treatment of PAUR in regional Australia.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of children aged 0-17 years at presentation to two regional hospitals from 01.

Evaluating primary care expenditure in Australia: the Primary Care Spend (PC Spend) model.

Objectives: To assess the distribution of health care expenditure (public and private) for primary care and primary health care as proportions of overall health care funding.

Study Design: The Primary Care Spend model; estimated distribution of expenditure for three tiers of primary care services by provider and function.

Setting: Primary Care Spend model applied to Australian health expenditure, public and private, 2020-21, from a health sector perspective, as recorded by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Inhibition of chondroitin sulphate-degrading enzyme Chondroitinase ABC by dextran sulphate.

Chondroitin sulphate (CS) is a sulphated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) polysaccharide found on proteoglycans (CSPGs) in extracellular and pericellular matrices. Chondroitinase ABC (CSase ABC) derived from Proteus vulgaris is an enzyme that has gained attention for the capacity to cleave chondroitin sulphate (CS) glycosaminoglycans (GAG) from various proteoglycans such as Aggrecan, Neurocan, Decorin etc. The substrate specificity of CSase ABC is well-known for targeting various structural motifs of CS chains and has gained popularity in the field of neuro-regeneration by selective degradation of CS GAG chains.

How are the Spiritual Resources and Needs of Mental Health Consumers Identified and Documented by Staff upon Admission to an Australian Mental Health Service? A Mixed Methods Study.

This study investigated how the spiritual resources and needs of Australian mental health consumers are identified by staff during admission at an inner-city acute care hospital. A mixed-methods study was conducted incorporating an audit of medical records (n = 205), and a staff focus group (n = 6). The results revealed that information collected during admission is often limited to factors such as medical and social history.

Polarized Calu-3 Cells Serve as an Intermediary Model for SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Human nasal epithelium (HNE) organoid models of SARS-CoV-2 infection were adopted globally during the COVID-19 pandemic once it was recognized that the Vero cell line commonly used by virologists did not recapitulate human infection. However, the widespread use of HNE organoid infection models was hindered by the high cost of media and consumables, and the inherent limitation of basal cells as a scalable continuous source of cells. The human Calu-3 cell line, generated from a lung adenocarcinoma, was shown to largely recapitulate infection of the human epithelium and to preserve the SARS-CoV-2 genomic fidelity.