Temperature Effects in Conventional and RAFT Photopolymerization.

Photochemical processes are often thought to be temperature-independent. However, photochemical polymerization involves photochemical processes such as light-driven radical generation coupled with thermal-driven reactions such as monomer propagation. The apparent activation energy of propagation, ( ), of a series of three monomers, methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and styrene (STY), are deduced from Arrhenius analysis of conventional and RAFT photopolymerization of these monomers across a range of corresponding temperatures.

Nanofiltration Membranes for Efficient Lithium Extraction from Salt-Lake Brine: A Critical Review.

The global transition to clean energy technologies has escalated the demand for lithium (Li), a critical component in rechargeable Li-ion batteries, highlighting the urgent need for efficient and sustainable Li extraction methods. Nanofiltration (NF)-based separations have emerged as a promising solution, offering selective separation capabilities that could advance resource extraction and recovery. However, an NF-based lithium extraction process differs significantly from conventional water treatment, necessitating a paradigm shift in membrane materials design, performance evaluation metrics, and process optimization.

Slow-Release Pharmaceutical Implants in Ecotoxicology: Validating Functionality across Exposure Scenarios.

Pharmaceutical contaminants have spread in natural environments across the globe, endangering biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and public health. Research on the environmental impacts of pharmaceuticals is growing rapidly, although a majority of studies are still conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. As such, there is an urgent need to understand the impacts of pharmaceutical exposures on wildlife in complex, real-world scenarios.

Circulating lipocalin-2 across the adult lifespan.

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a hormone produced by adipocytes, osteoblasts, and renal tubular cells, is implicated in age-related diseases, including cardio-metabolic disease. To understand the role LCN2 may play in pathological states, we first need to elucidate the relationship between circulating LCN2 with indices of cardio-metabolic health during "normal" aging. This study examined the relationship between serum levels of LCN2, age, and cardio-metabolic measures across the adult lifespan in males and females.

Identifying High-Risk Populations for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Cluster Analysis.

Background: This study aimed to identify subpopulations of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) with distinct sexual behavioral patterns and explore their correlations with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Methods: We recruited 892 eligible MSM in Xi'an, China, collecting sociodemographic, sexual behavior, and STI data. Cluster analysis identified distinct sexual behavioral patterns, allowing us to examine STI differences across clusters.

Predicting right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implant: A novel approach.

Aims: Right ventricular (RV) failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Modern, data-driven approaches for defining and predicting RVF have been under-utilized.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-two patients were identified with a mean age of 55 years; 40 (17%) were women, 132 were (59%) Caucasian and 74 (32%) were Black.

The Rapid Rise of Silicosis in Victoria, Australia Associated With Artificial Stone Countertop Industry Work.

Background: The fabrication and installation of artificial (engineered) stone countertops is a relatively new cause of silicosis. Our aim was to investigate silicosis rates in Victoria, Australia, and the association with stone countertop industry work.

Methods: Workers' compensation claims for silicosis from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2022 were analyzed across 8-year time periods.

Update to the PRISMA guidelines for network meta-analyses and scoping reviews and development of guidelines for rapid reviews: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to develop a list of items for potential inclusion in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines for network meta-analysis (NMA), scoping reviews (ScRs), and rapid reviews (RRs).

Introduction: The PRISMA extensions for NMA and ScRs were published in 2015 and 2018. However, since then, their methodologies and innovations, including automation, have evolved.

Clinical toxicity of nitazene detections in two Australian emergency department toxicosurveillance systems.

Introduction: Nitazenes are a group of potent synthetic opioids that have had increasing prominence as novel psychoactive drugs in the last 5 years. We describe emergency department nitazene-related presentations.

Methods: This is a prospective series of patients with analytically confirmed nitazene presentations identified by the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia and Emerging Drugs Network of Australia Victoria.

Developing, Piloting and Evaluating a Patient Support Portal for Men With Prostate Cancer in Victoria: An Action Research Study.

Introduction: Men with prostate cancer (PCa) and their support providers face challenges in accessing high-quality, impartial information tailored to their specific needs to enhance their overall care and decision-making. We describe the development, piloting and evaluation of the co-designed web portal 'BroSupPORT'.

Methods: IT teams developed and integrated BroSupPORT into the Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry (PCOR-Vic) electronic patient-reported outcome follow-up process.

Quantum food and nutrition: Subatomic approaches to nourishment for health and well-being.

Nutrition science has been represented as biomedical, environmental, societal and economic field, but quantum biology is sidestepped, thereby obscuring cognate problems and solutions. We are generally nourished for health, optimal well-being, longevity and personal security through sustainable livelihoods. Our nourish-ments include not only food and energy but also light from the sun, the firmament and the earth itself, along with information transmitted in subatomic particles and electromagnetic wave forms.

Using artificial intelligence to semi-automate trustworthiness assessment of randomized controlled trials: A case study.

Purpose: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine. Unfortunately, not all RCTs are based on real data. This serious breach of research integrity compromises the reliability of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, leading to misinformed clinical guidelines and posing a risk to both individual and public health.

Incorporating ethics into infectious disease clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Incorporating ethics into clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) can be challenging. This is particularly evident for infectious diseases (ID) CPGs due to the complexity of ID ethics (IDE) and the multiplicity of populations at-risk for infections.

Objectives: The OPENING project (IncOrPorating Ethics iN ClINical Guidelines: Practical Indications) was initiated by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Ethics Advisory Committee (EEAC) in collaboration with the ESCMID Guidelines Subcommittee to generate guidelines for the systematic inclusion of ethics principles into ID CPGs.

Developing an Australian Value Set for the Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) instrument using Discrete Choice Experiment with Duration.

Objectives: The Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) instrument was designed to measure the quality of life outcomes for people over 16 years of age with mental health problems. We aim to elicit societal preferences for the ReQoL-UI health states to facilitate better decision-making in Australia.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) with duration was embedded in a self-complete online survey and administered to a representative sample (n=1019) of the Australian adult population aged 18 years and more, stratified for age, sex and geographic location.

Optimising CPAP and oxygen levels to support spontaneous breathing in preterm rabbits.

Background: Very preterm infants often require respiratory support after birth with current recommendations suggesting the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 4-8 cmHO and an initial fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) of 0.21-0.3.

Optical signatures of lattice strain in chemically doped colloidal quantum wells.

Lattice strain plays a vital role in tailoring the optoelectronic performance of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with exotic geometries. Although optical identifications of lattice strain in irregular-shaped NCs or hetero-structured NCs have been well documented, less is known about optical signatures of the sparsely distributed lattice mismatch in chemically-doped NCs. Here, we show that coherent acoustic phonons (CAPs) following bandgap optical excitations in Cu-doped CdSe colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) offer a unique platform for indirectly measuring the dopant-induced lattice strain.

Profiles of testosterone and pre-androgens and sexual function in premenopausal women.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence as to the role of testosterone and pre-androgens in premenopausal female sexual function, and reported associations between blood concentrations of these hormones and female sexual function vary in strength.

Aim: To examine the patterns of testosterone and pre-androgen concentrations and variations in sexual function in premenopausal eumenorrheic women.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a sample of 588 premenopausal eumenorrheic women from the Grollo-Ruzzene Foundation Young Women's Health Study.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. These pathogens easily acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR), further highlighting their clinical significance. Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (eg, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp), multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are the most problematic and have been identified as priority pathogens.

Mechanisms of bla dissemination across diverse carbapenem resistant clinical isolates.

Objective: The IMP-4 carbapenemase is an endemic cause of carbapenem resistance in the Asia-Pacific region. Our aim was to determine the dissemination mechanism of the bla gene.

Methods: Twelve representative Australian IMP-4 clinical isolates from The Alfred Hospital, were characterised using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and genome and plasmid assemblies analysed.

Reduced PI3K(p110α) induces atrial myopathy, and PI3K-related lipids are dysregulated in athletes with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Elucidating mechanisms underlying atrial myopathy, which predisposes individuals to atrial fibrillation (AF), will be critical for preventing/treating AF. In a serendipitous discovery, we identified atrial enlargement, fibrosis, and thrombi in mice with reduced phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in cardiomyocytes. PI3K(p110α) is elevated in the heart with exercise and is critical for exercise-induced ventricular enlargement and protection, but the role in the atria was unknown.

A deep learning approach versus expert clinician panel in the classification of posterior circulation infarction.

Background: Posterior circulation infarction (POCI) is common. Imaging techniques such as non-contrast-CT (NCCT) and diffusion-weighted-magnetic-resonance-imaging commonly fail to detect hyperacute POCI. Studies suggest expert inspection of Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP) improves diagnosis of POCI.