Sub-micron moulding topological mass transport regimes in angled vortex fluidic flow.

Shear stress in dynamic thin films, as in vortex fluidics, can be harnessed for generating non-equilibrium conditions, but the nature of the fluid flow is not understood. A rapidly rotating inclined tube in the vortex fluidic device (VFD) imparts shear stress (mechanical energy) into a thin film of liquid, depending on the physical characteristics of the liquid and rotational speed, , tilt angle, , and diameter of the tube. Through understanding that the fluid exhibits resonance behaviours from the confining boundaries of the glass surface and the meniscus that determines the liquid film thickness, we have established specific topological mass transport regimes.

The interaction of size-selected Ru clusters with RF-deposited TiO: probing Ru-CO binding sites with CO-temperature programmed desorption.

Small Ru clusters are efficient catalysts for chemical reactions such as CO hydrogenation. In this study 3-atom Ru clusters were deposited onto radio frequency (RF)-deposited TiO which is an inexpensive, nanoparticulate form of TiO. TiO substrates are notable in that they form strong metal-substrate interactions with clusters.

Spine biomechanical testing methodologies: The controversy of consensus vs scientific evidence.

Biomechanical testing methodologies for the spine have developed over the past 50 years. During that time, there have been several paradigm shifts with respect to techniques. These techniques evolved by incorporating state-of-the-art engineering principles, in vivo measurements, anatomical structure-function relationships, and the scientific method.

2020 Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Consensus Recommendations on the Use of P2Y Receptor Antagonists in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The unique characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome in the Asia-Pacific region mean that international guidelines on the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) cannot be routinely applied to these populations. Newer generation P2Y inhibitors (i.e.

Establishing the South Australian Macrobenthic Traits (SAMT) database: A trait classification for functional assessments.

Trait-based approaches are increasingly used as a proxy for understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Macrobenthic fauna are considered one of the major providers of ecosystem functions in marine soft sediments; however, several gaps persist in the knowledge of their trait classification, limiting the potential use of functional assessments. While trait databases are available for the well-studied North Atlantic benthic fauna, no such trait classification system exists for Australia.

The ClpP activator ONC-212 (TR-31) inhibits BCL2 and B-cell receptor signaling in CLL.

Despite advances in therapy, a significant proportion of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) relapse with drug resistant disease. Novel treatment approaches are required, particularly for high risk disease. The imipridones represent a new class of cancer therapy that has been investigated in pre-clinical and clinical trials against a range of different cancers.

Prognostic Value of Abdominal Aortic Calcification: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Background The prognostic importance of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) viewed on noninvasive imaging modalities remains uncertain. Methods and Results We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE and Embase) until March 2018. Multiple reviewers identified prospective studies reporting AAC and incident cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality.

Au-rGO nanocomposite: immobilization of phosphine-protected gold nanoclusters on reduced graphene oxide without aggregation.

Graphene supported transition metal clusters are of great interest for potential applications, such as catalysis, due to their unique properties. In this work, a simple approach to deposit Au(PPh)Cl (AuNC) on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) an method is presented. Reduction of graphene oxide at native pH (pH ≈ 2) to rGO was performed under aqueous hydrothermal conditions.

Recent and rapid anthropogenic habitat fragmentation increases extinction risk for freshwater biodiversity.

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation is often implicated as driving the current global extinction crisis, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. The genetic signal of recent population isolation can be confounded by the complex spatial arrangement of dendritic river systems. Consequently, many populations may presently be managed separately based on an incorrect assumption that they have evolved in isolation.

Composition and properties of RF-sputter deposited titanium dioxide thin films.

The photocatalytic properties of titania (TiO) have prompted research utilising its useful ability to convert solar energy into electron-hole pairs to drive novel chemistry. The aim of the present work is to examine the properties required for a synthetic method capable of producing thin TiO films, with well defined, easily modifiable characteristics. Presented here is a method of synthesis of TiO nanoparticulate thin films generated using RF plasma capable of homogenous depositions with known elemental composition and modifiable properties at a far lower cost than single-crystal TiO.

Physician and patient perceptions of fecal microbiota transplant for recurrent or refractory in the first 6 years of a central stool bank.

Background And Aim: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for recurrent or refractory infection (rCDI). Despite inclusion in society guidelines, the uptake of FMT therapy has been variable. Physician and patient attitudes may be a barrier to evidence-based uptake of therapies; however, data assessing attitudes regarding FMT for rCDI are limited.

Endothelial, pericyte and tumor cell expression in glioblastoma identifies fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as an excellent target for immunotherapy.

Objectives: Targeted immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are emerging as attractive treatment options for glioblastoma, but rely on identification of a suitable tumor antigen. We validated a new target antigen for glioblastoma, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), by undertaking a detailed expression study of human samples.

Methods: Glioblastoma and normal tissues were assessed using immunostaining, supported by analyses of published transcriptomic datasets.

Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations.

The biogeographic distribution of diversity among populations of threatened mammalian species is generally investigated using population genetics. However, intraspecific phenotypic diversity is rarely assessed beyond taxonomy-focused linear measurements or qualitative descriptions. Here, we use a technique widely used in the evolutionary sciences-geometric morphometrics-to characterize shape diversity in the skull of an endangered marsupial, the northern quoll, across its 5,000 km distribution range along Northern Australia.

A survey of Australian sonographer psychomotor teaching practices.

Objective: To report on the findings of a survey of sonographer skill-teaching practices in Australia using the SonoSTePs tool.

Method: A cross-sectional survey of all qualified sonographers registered with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.

Results: The 528 responses showed the use of a two-step skill-teaching approach to teach scanning skills and the incorporation of additional instructional practices to support a learner's initial acquisition of scanning skills, which include: providing coaching and guidance as the skill is practised; performing physical guidance; providing immediate error correction; and providing end-task feedback.

Push and pull factors impacting the pedagogical approaches used by sonographers to teach scanning skills.

Objective: To report the qualitative findings of the inaugural survey of sonographer skill-teaching practices in Australia using the SonoSTePs tool.

Method: A national cross-sectional survey of all qualified sonographers registered with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. A mix of quantitative and qualitative data was collected.

Education across the life-course and hypertension in adults from Southern Brazil.

The present study examines the association between life-course socioeconomic position (SEP) and hypertension (SAH), focusing on the health impacts of childhood SEP (SEPc), adult SEP (SEPa), as well as SEP mobility. Data from the Brazilian EpiFloripa Cohort Study (n = 1,720; 56% women; 55% <= 30 years) were analyzed. SAH was determined by the average of two measures of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, previous medical diagnosis or use of anti-hypertensive medication (43% of the sample was hypertensive).

Shifting spaces: Which disparity or dissimilarity measurement best summarize occupancy in multidimensional spaces?

Multidimensional analysis of traits are now common in ecology and evolution and are based on trait spaces in which each dimension summarizes the observed trait combination (a morphospace or an ecospace). Observations of interest will typically occupy a subset of this space, and researchers will calculate one or more measures to quantify how organisms inhabit that space. In macroevolution and ecology, these measures called disparity or dissimilarity metrics are generalized as space occupancy measures.

Are prolonged sitting and sleep restriction a dual curse for the modern workforce? a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Prolonged sitting and inadequate sleep are a growing concern in society and are associated with impairments to cardiometabolic health and cognitive performance. However, the combined effect of prolonged sitting and inadequate sleep on measures of health and cognitive performance are unknown. In addition, the circadian disruption caused by shiftwork may further impact workers' cardiometabolic health and cognitive performance.

Sub-monolayer Au cluster formation pulsed nozzle cluster deposition.

Submonolayer coverages of chemically synthesised triphenylphosphine-protected Au clusters on mica and TiO substrates were achieved through the development of a Pulsed Nozzle Cluster Deposition (PNCD) technique under high vacuum conditions. This method offers the deposition of pre-prepared, solvated clusters directly onto substrates in a vacuum without the potential for contamination from the atmosphere. AFM and TEM were used to investigate the rate of gold cluster deposition as a function of cluster solution concentration and the number of pulses, with pulse number showing the most effective control of the final deposition conditions.

Until There Is a Resolution of the Pro-LNT/Anti-LNT Debate, We Should Head Toward a More Sensible Graded Approach for Protection From Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation.

Current regulation of ionizing radiation is based on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model where any radiation dose increases cancer risk and is independent of dose rate, resulting in large amounts of time and money being spent protecting from extremely small radiation exposures and hence extremely small risk. There are animal studies which demonstrate that LNT is incorrect at low doses, supporting a threshold or hormesis model and thus indicating that there is no need to protect from very low doses. This has led to a sometimes bitter debate between pro-LNT and anti-LNT camps, and the debate has been at a stalemate for some time.

Design, Construction, and Early Results of a Formal Local Revision Knee Arthroplasty Registry.

National registries for primary and revision knee arthroplasty in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe have been successful in ensuring quality control and providing information to drive crucial research. However, they face challenges in delivering the granularity of data useful at a local hospital level. Our aim was to address these challenges by designing and initiating a local revision knee arthroplasty registry and combining the data with national figures to better evaluate the types of revisions undertaken, and improve patient outcomes and care.

Vortex fluidic mediated synthesis of polysulfone.

Polysulfone (PSF) was prepared under high shear in a vortex fluidic device (VFD) operating in confined mode, and its properties compared with that prepared using batch processing. This involved reacting the pre-prepared disodium salt of bisphenol A (BPA) with a 4,4'-dihalodiphenylsulfone under anhydrous conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) established that in the thin film microfluidic platform, the PSF particles are sheet-like, for short reaction times, and fibrous for long reaction times, in contrast to spherical like particles for the polymer prepared using the conventional batch synthesis.