The Use of Glass to Optimize Bitumen Absorption of Hot Mix Asphalt Containing Recycled Construction Aggregates.

Asphalt mixtures containing recycled construction aggregates (RCA) have the problem of high bitumen absorption. This paper characterizes the effects of glass on the bitumen absorption and volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures containing 25% and 50% RCA through laboratory investigation. The materials used in the test program include C320 bitumen, RCA and recycled glass.

Comparative Proteomic Study of the Antiproliferative Activity of Frog Host-Defence Peptide Caerin 1.9 and Its Additive Effect with Caerin 1.1 on TC-1 Cells Transformed with HPV16 E6 and E7.

Caerin is a family of peptides isolated from the glandular secretion of Australian tree frogs, the genus , and has been previously shown to have anticancer activity against several cancer cells. In this work, we used two host-defence peptides, caerin 1.1 and caerin 1.

Manganese contamination affects the motor performance of wild northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus).

Neuromotor deficits are an important sign of manganese (Mn) toxicity in humans and laboratory animals. However, the impacts of Mn exposure on the motor function of wild animals remains largely unknown. Here, we assessed the impact of chronic exposure to Mn from active mining operations on Groote Eylandt, Australia on the motor function of the semi-arboreal northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), an endangered species.

Enabling appropriate personnel skill-mix for progressive realization of equitable access to assistive technology.

Background And Methods: This paper reviews the current capacity of personnel in enabling access to assistive technology (AT) as well as the systems and processes within which they work, and was reviewed, discussed, and refined during and following the Global Research, Innovation, and Education in Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit.

Findings: Key concepts addressed include a person-centred team approach; sustainability indicators to monitor, measure, and respond to needs for service design and delivery; education, research, and training for competent practice, using the six rehab-workforce challenges framework; and credentialing frameworks. We propose development of a competence framework and associated education and training programs, and development and implementation of a certification framework for AT personnel.

Integrated versus nOn-integrated Peripheral inTravenous catheter. Which Is the most effective systeM for peripheral intravenoUs catheter Management? (The OPTIMUM study): a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are frequently used in hospitals. However, PIVC complications are common, with failures leading to treatment delays, additional procedures, patient pain and discomfort, increased clinician workload and substantially increased healthcare costs. Recent evidence suggests integrated PIVC systems may be more effective than traditional non-integrated PIVC systems in reducing phlebitis, infiltration and costs and increasing functional dwell time.

A randomized control trial of an asthma self-management program for adolescents in Taiwan: A study protocol.

Uncontrolled asthma in adolescents can be explained by developmental changes and lack of priority for self-care activities. Limited reports on asthma self-management programs for adolescents to enhance prevention behaviors in Taiwan were found. The protocol paper presents a two-armed, randomized controlled trial aiming to test the effectiveness of a newly developed self-management program for 112 adolescents with asthma in Taiwan.

A retrospective explanatory case study of the implementation of a bleeding management quality initiative, in an Australian cardiac surgery unit.

Background: Bleeding management in cardiac surgery is challenging. Many guidelines exist to support bleeding management; however, literature demonstrates wide variation in practice. In 2012, a quality initiative was undertaken at The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia to improve bleeding management for cardiac surgery patients.

Exercise Professionals with Advanced Clinical Training Should be Afforded Greater Responsibility in Pre-Participation Exercise Screening: A New Collaborative Model between Exercise Professionals and Physicians.

Regular exercise improves health but can also induce adverse responses. Although such episodes are rare, many guidelines for pre-participation exercise screening have historically had a low threshold for recommending medical clearance prior to the commencement of exercise, placing the responsibility for decision making about exercise participation on physicians. The 'clearance to exercise' model still occurs widely in practice, but creates cost burdens and barriers to the uptake of exercise.

Trunk and lower limb coordination during lifting in people with and without chronic low back pain.

Differences in synchronous movement between the trunk and lower limb during lifting have been reported in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients compared to healthy people. However, the relationship between movement coordination and disability in CLBP patients has not been investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare regional lumbar and lower limb coordination between CLBP (n = 43) and control (n = 29) groups.

Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition.

This study aimed to describe the body composition and physiological changes which take place during the in-season and recovery periods of a group of natural bodybuilders. Natural male bodybuilders (n = 9) were assessed 16 (PRE16), 8 (PRE8), and 1 (PRE1) week(s) before, and 4 (POST4) weeks after a bodybuilding competition. Assessments included body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), serum hormones, and 7-day weighed food and training diaries.

Atomically Dispersed Transition Metals on Carbon Nanotubes with Ultrahigh Loading for Selective Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are the smallest entities for catalytic reactions with projected high atomic efficiency, superior activity, and selectivity; however, practical applications of SACs suffer from a very low metal loading of 1-2 wt%. Here, a class of SACs based on atomically dispersed transition metals on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (MSA-N-CNTs, where M = Ni, Co, NiCo, CoFe, and NiPt) is synthesized with an extraordinarily high metal loading, e.g.

Web-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Distressed Cancer Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Web-based interventions present a potentially cost-effective approach to supporting self-management for cancer patients; however, further evidence for acceptability and effectiveness is needed.

Objective: The goal of our research was to assess the effectiveness of an individualized Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention on improving psychological and quality of life outcomes in cancer patients with elevated psychological distress.

Methods: A total of 163 distressed cancer patients (111 female, 68.

An exploratory study examining factors underpinning postural instability in older adults with idiopathic neck pain.

There is limited understanding of potential mechanisms underpinning postural control deficits in people with neck pain. This study examined several characteristics that might explain impaired postural stability in a group of older adults with neck pain, and compared the results in this cohort with that of asymptomatic controls. In this cross-sectional study we compared physical activity, lower limb motor and sensory function, vestibular and visual function, falls efficacy and dizziness handicap in 84 older adults with (n=35, age 69.

Systemic antibody response to infection in patients either infected or reinfected with different serovars.

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiological agent for the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in both developed and developing countries. The aim of present study was to characterize the antibody response between two groups of individuals, having either a single C. trachomatis infection and or repeated infections.

Ion-Exchange-Induced Selective Etching for the Synthesis of Amino-Functionalized Hollow Mesoporous Silica for Elevated-High-Temperature Fuel Cells.

As differentiated from conventional synthetic processes, amino-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica (NH-HMS) has been synthesized using a new and facile strategy of ion-exchange-induced selective etching of amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (NH-meso-silica) by an alkaline solution. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and in situ time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveal that ion-exchange-induced selective etching arises from the gradient distribution of OH in the NH-meso-silica nanospheres. Moreover, the ion-exchange-induced selective etching mechanism is verified through a successful synthesis of hollow mesoporous silica.

Interprofessional simulation of birth in a non-maternity setting for pre-professional students.

Background: Simulation-based learning is an approach recommended for teaching undergraduate health professionals. There is a scarcity of research around interprofessional simulation training for pre-professional students in obstetric emergencies that occur prior to arrival at the maternity ward.

Objectives: The primary aims of the study were to examine whether an interprofessional team-based simulated birth scenario would improve undergraduate paramedic, nursing, and midwifery students' self-efficacy scores and clinical knowledge when managing birth in an unplanned location.

'Popping nana back into bed' - a qualitative exploration of paramedic decision making when caring for older people who have fallen.

Background: Older fallers constitute a large proportion of ambulance work, and as many as 25% are not transported to hospital following paramedic assessment. The objective of this study was to explore the decision making process used by paramedics when caring for older fallers.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using constructivist grounded theory methodology.

A structure, process and outcome evaluation of the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention model of care: a study protocol.

Background: Emergency departments are chaotic environments in which complex, frail older persons living in the community and residential aged care facilities are sometimes subjected to prolonged emergency department lengths of stay, excessive tests and iatrogenic complications. Given the ageing population, the importance of providing appropriate, quality health care in the emergency department for this cohort is paramount. One possible solution, a nurse-led, physician-championed, emergency department gerontological intervention team, which provides frontload assessment, early collateral communication and appropriate discharge planning, has been developed.

Individualised dietary strategies for Olympic combat sports: Acute weight loss, recovery and competition nutrition.

Olympic combat sports separate athletes into weight divisions, in an attempt to reduce size, strength, range and/or leverage disparities between competitors. Official weigh-ins are conducted anywhere from 3 and up to 24 h prior to competition ensuring athletes meet weight requirements (i.e.

Do clinical tests of spasticity accurately reflect muscle function during walking: A systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to establish the ecological validity of clinical tests of lower limb spasticity by determining whether the range of motion (ROM) and speed of limb movement during the assessment accurately replicate muscle function and joint biomechanics during walking.

Methods: An electronic search of ten databases was performed to identify all relevant articles. The reference lists of all included articles were also searched.

Concordance between somatic copy number loss and down-regulated expression: A pan-cancer study of cancer predisposition genes.

Cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) are a class of cancer genes in which germline variants lead to increased risk of cancer. Research has revealed that copy number variation (CNV) may be linked to cancer susceptibility in CPGs. In this pan-cancer analysis, we explored the relationship between somatic CNV and gene expression changes in CPGs.