Search Results (526)

Additively manufactured continuous fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) offer promising mechanical properties for engineering applications, including aerospace and automotive load-bearing structures. However, challenges such as weak interlayer bonding and low strength compared to traditional composites remain. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the effects of nitrogen (N₂) purging during printing and thermal annealing after printing on the tensile performance of additively manufactured CFRPs. Tensile tests were conducted on Onyx specimens produced by material extrusion and reinforced with continuous carbon fibre filaments (CFF), glass fibre filaments (GFF), or Kevlar fibre filaments (KFF). Results showed that N₂-purging and post-annealing had different effects on the tensile properties of various CFRPs. Particularly, N₂-purging, post-annealing, and their combination enhanced both the Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of KFF/Onyx specimens. For GFF/Onyx specimens, both treatments had a minor effect on the Young’s modulus but enhanced UTS. CFF/Onyx specimens exhibited improved Young’s modulus with N₂-purging, while both treatments reduced UTS. The different response of the CFRPs was associated with diverse governing failure mechanisms, as proved by microstructural and fracture surface inspection. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses also revealed the thermal behaviour and crystal structures that influence the mechanical properties of CFRPs. Full article

This essay explores the convergence of Decadence, queer sociality, and Pacific imagery in the work of American travel writer Charles Warren Stoddard and Japanese poet Yone Noguchi. For these writers, the “South Seas” seemed to epitomize a prelapsarian sexual innocence, exempted (at least provisionally) from capitalist calculations of value and the impositions of Victorian bourgeois morality. As such, the Pacific furnished a shared imaginary in which they could articulate transgressive homosocial intimacies, both with each other and with others in their bohemian circle. But these expressions of queer, cosmopolitan kinship also depended on well-worn stereotypes about native decline, in which Indigenous peoples were seen to embody an irrecoverable past—one doomed to disappear in the onward march of modernity. Drawing on postcolonial conceptions of extinction discourse and Indigenous agency, this essay will thus contend with one potential “misuse” of Decadence: that is, as the driver of an exoticism that perpetuated imperialist narratives about the inevitable extinction of Indigenous peoples. Full article

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) production has increased around the world, but crop quality and yield are threatened by fungal pathogens. Botrytis cinerea is a filamentous fungus that infects over 1400 species of crops, causing gray mold disease with devastating losses to horticulture worldwide, including strawberry. The heavy reliance on synthetic fungicides in the strawberry industry has led to the emergence of fungicide resistance in B. cinerea. Therefore, understanding the fundamental biology of B. cinerea is an important step in the search for novel antifungals. Although B. cinerea is one of the most serious pathogens of strawberry, this pathosystem is understudied compared to other plant hosts. Consequently, further evidence is needed on pathogen penetration and early disease development in strawberry tissues. Here, we adapted and advanced assays using detached strawberry leaves, fruits, and petals to study B. cinerea infection. These assays allow the comparison of the treatment effect on the same fruit, avoiding confounding from differential ripening, and facilitate the screening of fungicides or biocontrol agents. Through chlorophyll fluorescence analysis and scanning electron and confocal microscopy, we quantified lesions caused by B. cinerea in the early stages of infection in fruit and petals, and demonstrated that B. cinerea penetrates through the stomata of strawberry achenes, revealing a previously unrecognized infection route in this host. These data provide a deeper understanding of the B. cinerea–strawberry interaction and will serve as a foundation for future studies seeking novel antifungal treatments against B. cinerea. Full article

Background: More than 1500 genes are associated with developmental delay and intellectual disability, with variants in many of these genes contributing to a shared phenotype. The discovery of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) found in these genes during genetic testing can lead to ambiguity and further delay in diagnosis and medical management. Phenotyping, additional genetic testing, and functional studies can all add valuable information to help reclassify these variants. Here we demonstrate the clinical utility of epigenetic signatures in prioritizing variants of uncertain significance in genes associated with developmental delay (DD) and intellectual disability (ID). Methods: Genome sequencing was performed in a male with developmental delay. He was found to have VUSs in both PHF6 and DDB1 genes, linked with Börjeson–Forssman–Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) and White–Kernohan syndrome (WHIKERS), respectively. These two disorders share a similar phenotype but have distinct inheritance patterns and molecular pathogenic mechanisms. DNA methylation profiling (DNAm) of whole blood was performed using the clinically validated EpiSign assay. Results: The proband’s methylation profile demonstrated a strong correlation with the BFLS methylation signature, supporting the PHF6 variant as a likely cause of his neurodevelopmental disorder. Conclusions: Epigenetic testing for disorders with distinct methylation patterns can provide diagnostic utility when a patient presents with variants of uncertain significance in genes associated with developmental delay. Epigenetic signatures can also guide genetic counselling and family planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Genetic testing is important for diagnosing inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), but further evidence is needed on the utility of singleton genetic testing in an Australian cohort. Methods: A consecutive series of individuals with clinically diagnosed IRDs without prior genetic testing underwent commercial panel-based sequencing (Invitae or Blueprint Genetics), clinical assessment, and multimodal imaging. Retinal images were graded using the Human Phenotype Ontology terms. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate clinical predictors of a positive molecular diagnosis. Results: Among 140 participants (mean age 49 ± 19 years), genetic testing was undertaken, on average, 23 ± 17 years after the initial clinical IRD diagnosis. Of the 60% who received a probable molecular diagnosis, 40% require further phase testing, highlighting the limitations of singleton genetic testing. USH2A, ABCA4, and RPGR were the most common encountered genes; 67% of the probably solved participants had causative genes with targeted experimental treatments in ongoing human clinical trials. Symptom onset before the age of 30 (OR = 3.06 [95% CI: 1.34–7.18]) and a positive IRD family history (OR = 2.87 [95% CI: 1.27–6.78]) were each associated with higher odds of receiving a molecular diagnosis. Diagnostic rates were comparable across retinal imaging phenotypes (atrophy and autofluorescence patterns in widespread IRD, and the extent of dystrophy in macular IRDs). Conclusions: In an Australian IRD population without prior genetic testing, commercial panels yielded higher diagnostic rates in individuals with IRD onset before the age of 30 and those with an IRD family history. Further research is needed to understand the genetic basis of IRDs, especially isolated and late-onset cases, to improve diagnosis and access to emerging therapies. Full article

Strong competencies in actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) support lifelong physical activity. However, assessing MC is time-consuming, requiring multiple AMC and PMC evaluations. Streamlining these assessments would improve efficiency at a national level. This study used machine learning (ML) classification to (1) identify AMC assessments that can be accurately predicted in an Irish context using other AMC and PMC assessments, and (2) examine prediction accuracy differences between genders. AMC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (3rd Edition) and the Victorian Fundamental Motor Skills Manual, while PMC was assessed with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence. Five ML classification models were trained and tested on an Irish MC dataset (n = 2098, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04) to predict distinct AMC assessment outcomes. The highest prediction accuracies (>85%) were found for the Catch (female and gender-combined subsets) and Bounce (male subset) AMC assessments. These assessments could potentially be removed from the current Irish testing battery for their respective gender groups. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of ML classification in optimising Irish MC assessment procedures, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency. Full article

Human corneal endothelial cell therapy has recently emerged as a novel solution to treat corneal endothelial diseases. We previously demonstrated the potential of utilizing non-cultured primary corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) isolated from donor corneas with low endothelial cell density for simple non-cultured endothelial cell injection (SNEC-I) therapy. This study aimed to develop a robust and semi-automated approach for cell counting, characterize the extent of cellular manipulation, and evaluate the translational workflow. To address this, we evaluated manual and automated cell counting approaches and characterized the extent of manipulation of CEnCs through the analysis of cell cycle status, gene expressions, and transcriptomic profiles with single-cell RNA-sequencing. The translational feasibility and functionality of SNEC-I therapy were examined using an established rabbit model of bullous keratopathy. Manual hemocytometry and automated cell-counters exhibited comparable accuracy and reproducibility. Analysis of cell cycle status, cell cycle genes (n = 11), and transcriptomic profiles revealed close resemblance between the native corneal endothelium and its donor-matched SNEC-I-harvested cells. Successful resolution of bullous keratoplasty in the pre-clinical model supports the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of SNEC-I therapy. In conclusion, SNEC-I therapy serves as an attractive corneal endothelial therapeutic approach (from a regulatory standpoint) in view of the minimal extent of cellular manipulation. Full article

Background: Rundle’s curve describes the natural progression of disease as gradually worsening before reaching a peak and stabilizing. This study aimed to investigate whether Rundle’s curve could be applied to keratoconus over a five-year follow-up period. Methods: Longitudinal study. Patients with keratoconus who underwent Pentacam tomography imaging from the Australian Study of Keratoconus were included in this study. Patients who received surgical treatment for keratoconus were excluded. Latent class analysis was performed for five parameters: Kmean front, Kmean back, pachymetry pupil, pachymetry minimum and pachymetry apex. A total of 522 patients and 1041 eyes were included for analysis. Most parameters were stable. However, worsening keratoconus in a minority of patients (less than 5% of the population) was observed across the last year of follow-up. The patients that showed progression in the final year were younger in age and had higher baseline parameters. Results: This study suggests keratoconus does not conform to the classic Rundle’s curve of disease progression. Instead, keratoconus exhibits a distinct course characterized by an increased risk of progression among younger individuals and eyes with higher baseline parameter values. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of considering treatments that halt disease progression, such as corneal collagen crosslinking, particularly in this specific subgroup of patients. Full article

Aboriginal communities in Australia have long advocated for self-determination in child protection. This includes appeals for greater structural authority in systems of care and protection, with Aboriginal children in the care of Aboriginal agencies. Advocacy from agencies, including the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA), has resulted in legislative and funding reforms in Victoria that place Victorian Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) at the forefront of responses supporting Aboriginal children and families. This article provides an overview of that advocacy, the context in which the reform arose. Then, it details how VACCA has implemented the reforms by developing a model for Aboriginal child protection centred on culture, self-determination and human rights. Importantly, it discusses the process and negotiation of transferring authority exercised by the government to ACCOs and offers insights for the system and practice transformation. This article outlines how ACCOs like VACCA are shifting the language, culture and practice of child protection. Full article

In this article, I investigate the ontological status of the minor working-class character Mrs. McNab, the cleaner in “Time Passes", the middle section of Virginia Woolf’s tripartite novel To the Lighthouse. Woolf regarded this section as the connecting block between the two outer blocks, “The Window” and “The Lighthouse”, in which she aimed to depict an empty house, devoid of human presence, and to highlight the passage of time. This section has often been analysed by literary-stylistic criticism as if written from a non-anthropocentric worldview. However, the presence of a lower-class cleaner and the absence of the upper middle-class characters who predominate in the other two blocks has also raised much debate in the literary arena. Literary critics agree that this character is given a narrative voice, but how this voice functions, and whether this character is granted narrative agency in terms of the class issues and social relations in the period of transition between Victorian England and the early twentieth-century, is an issue which still remains open. Drawing upon cognitive stylistics, I suggest reading this character both as a category-based and person-based character, and as a narrative device. First, I carry out the analysis of the repetitive she-clusters and their semantic prosodies; then, through samples of the section “Time Passes", I analyse how viewpoint blending between narrator/author and character concur to grant narrative agency to Mrs. McNab and to what extent such agency may be limited by our perception of her through the social schemata of a servant, or whether such a perception may undergo a process of schema refreshment. Last, I suggest that this character may also be viewed as a narrative agent by means of which the reader can activate mental processes of TIME and SPACE blending between the three different blocks of the novel. This blending process allows for the completion of the narrative design of the novel: the journey to the lighthouse. Full article

Lava rises, locally known as stony rises, are Pliocene–Holocene volcanic landforms occurring throughout the Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP) in Victoria, Australia. Stony rises are not only important to understanding the geological history of Victoria but are culturally significant to Aboriginal Australians and have ecological importance. Currently, the mapping of stony rises is manually performed at a case study level rather than a landscape level. Remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR data, satellite imagery, and aerial imagery allow for the mapping of stony rises from an aerial perspective. This paper aims to map stony rises using remotely sensed and geophysical data at a landscape level on a younger lava flow (~42,000 years old) within the Victorian Volcanic Plain (the Warrion Hill and Red Rock Volcanic Complex) by utilizing an object based random forest machine learning approach. The results show that stony rises were successfully identified in the landscape to an accuracy of 78.9%, with 2716 potential new stony rises identified. Out of 34 predictor variables, we found the most important variables to be slope gradient, local elevation, DEM of Difference (change in height), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Clay Mineral Ratio, the concentration of radiometric elements (Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium), Total Magnetic Intensity, and Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC). The results from this study highlight the ability to detect a volcanic landform at a landscape scale using an ensemble of predictor variables that include topographic, spectral information and geophysical data. This lays the foundation towards a uniform approach for mapping stony rises throughout the VVP and similar landforms (such as tumuli) worldwide. Full article

The nutritional needs of anadromous fish species must be met for successful annual spawning migration and reproduction. Despite its widespread distribution throughout Europe, little is known about the composition of the twaite shad, Alosa fallax, diet in freshwater ecosystems. To redress this, we studied the composition of stomach contents extracted from 287 A. fallax sampled during their spawning migration from the Baltic Sea to the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania). We found that the diet comprised 32 types of prey, with Insecta (unknown Order), Chironomidae and Daphniidae being the most prevalent taxonomic categories consumed. Our analyses revealed significant differences in the abundance of prey categories (Chironomidae, Insecta—unknown order, and Mysidae) among several size groups of A. fallax, associated with stage of maturity inferred from body length. Despite this being a spawning aggregation, juveniles were also present among the A. fallax we collected. The results imply that feeding behavior and morphometry may be responsible for the differences observed, and further investigation of this topic is warranted. Full article

Fast microwave pyrolysis technology can effectively convert brown coal into hydrogen-rich syngas. However, the unique pyrolysis behaviour of brown coal under microwave conditions is not fully understood in comparison with conventional pyrolysis. This study used Victorian brown coal as a raw material to conduct pyrolysis experiments under conventional and microwave heating methods. The results demonstrate that the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of Victorian brown coal can selectively crack polar functional groups, enhancing H₂ and CO production via radical-driven secondary reactions and gasification, while conventional heating favours the formation of tar containing phenols and fewer aromatic compounds. The result is a high-quality syngas (75.03 vol.%) with a hydrogen yield of 10.28 (mmol Gas/g Coal (daf)) at 700 °C under microwave heating, offering a scalable route for valorising low-rank coals. Full article

Background: Endophthalmitis is a rare, sight-threatening condition resulting from infection inside the eye. This study more accurately characterises the cytokines upregulated in human endophthalmitis, and for the first time demonstrates a correlation with cytokine elevation in the serum. Methods: We recruited 39 patients, 17 with endophthalmitis and 22 controls. We compared cytokine expression quantified through cytometric bead assays for both vitreous and serum. Conclusions: The cytokine profile in the vitreous of patients with infectious endophthalmitis was suggestive of a highly inflammatory environment, as 23/26 cytokines examined were significantly elevated. In the patient sera, MMP-9, MPO, Calprotectin, NGAL, SAA (HVIP1), and MCP-1 (HIP1) were all significantly elevated in endophthalmitis samples, which was unexpected as pathology was thought to be localised with minimal systemic effects. Overall, many of the observed cytokines in endophthalmitis are associated with neutrophil responses, and we believe that this deserves further investigation with a view to developing immunomodulatory therapies to prevent endophthalmitis or improve clinical outcomes. Furthermore, our novel demonstration that cytokine elevation associated with endophthalmitis can be demonstrated in serum may allow for novel and rapid interventions. Full article