Studying in Australia at The University of Sydney:Bachelor of Applied Science(Medical Radiation Sciences) Diagnostic Radiography

The University of Sydney offers a range of undergraduate courses in the area of health sciences,including the Bachelor of Applied Science(MRS) Diagnostic Radiography.The degree prepares students for clinical practice as diagnostic radiographers, working in places such as emergency wards or private clinics.According to a medical practitioner’s request, radiographers aim to work closely with radiologists

The association of diet quality and physical activity with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 85,545 older Australians:A longitudinal study

Background:A quality diet and an active lifestyle are both important cornerstones of cardiovascular disease(CVD)prevention.However,despite their interlinked effects on metabolic health,the 2 behaviors are rarely considered jointly,particularly within the context of CVD prevention.We examined the independent,interactive,and joint associations of diet and physical activity with CVD hospitalization,CVD mortality,and all-cause mortality.Methods:CVD-free Australian participants aged 4574 years(n=85,545)reported physical activity,diet,sociodemographic,and lifestyle characteristics at baseline(20062009)and follow-up(20122015),and data were linked to hospitalization and death registries(03/31/2019 for CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality and 12/08/2017 for CVD mortality).Diet quality was categorized as low,medium,and high based on meeting dietary recommendations.Physical activity was operationalized as(a)total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)as per guidelines,and(b)the composition of MVPA as the ratio of vigorous-intensity physical activity(VPA)to total MVPA.We used a left-truncated cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model using time-varying covariates.Results:During a median of 10.7 years of follow-up,6576 participants were admitted to the hospital for CVD and 6581 died from all causes(876 from CVD during 9.3 years).A high-quality diet was associated with a 17%lower risk of all-cause mortality than a low-quality diet,and the highest MVPA category(compared with the lowest)was associated with a 44%and 48%lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality,respectively.Multiplicative interactions between diet and physical activity were non-significant.For all outcomes,the lowest risk combinations involved a high-quality diet and the highest MVPA categories.Accounting for total MVPA,some VPA was associated with further risk reduction of CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality.Conclusion:For CVD prevention and longevity,one should adhere to both a healthy diet and an active lifestyle and incorporate some VPA when possible.

ATP-binding cassette transporters as possible targets for the intervention of neurodegenerative diseases

ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters are ubiquitous membrane-bound proteins that are responsible for the translocation of a broad spectrum of substrates across cellular membranes,including lipids,amino acids,nucleosides,sugars,and xenobiotics.Interestingly,ABC transporters are highly expressed in the brain.While their functions in the brain still need to be elucidated,several members are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases,including Alzheimer’s disease(AD),Parkinson’s disease(PD),and frontotemporal dementia.In this perspective,we will review current knowledge of ABC transporters in the central nervous system in terms of physiological functions and pathology in neurodegeneration.Furthermore,we will explore the possibilities of ABC transporters as potential targets in the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.

The Media Logic and Cultural Impact of WeChat

Through its media logic, which is defined by programmability, pervasiveness, connectivity, and datafication, WeChat establishes a non-linear, interactive, and user-dominated media environment. This media logic enhances the influence of each user within WeChat’s narrative landscape and revolutionises traditional media narration methods by enabling them to generate and distribute content. In such an environment, users are able to edit, receive, and send information without constraints of time or distance, which enables delayed interactions that broaden the potential for human communication and dissemination. Additionally, WeChat partially replaces social behaviours and institutions, thereby modifying their original structures and characteristics. As individuals become more accustomed to this media environment, they progressively adjust to the forms that are appropriate for media representation on WeChat, thereby completing the mediatization of culture and society. In this process, individuals are becoming more dependent on media and media logic, with WeChat’s influence permeating social and cultural activities through its media logic. This interaction has a substantial impact on society and culture, thereby aiding in their reconstruction.

TOWARDS A NEW MODEL FOR CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST CHANCELLERY

INTRODUCTION The ecology and climate of South East Queensland has inspired the development of innovative building design and construction practices for well over a century.A modern regional architecture has evolved since the 1970s where the building form and fabric embrace a climate responsive approach to design.This is becoming an increasingly important part of creating ecologically sustainable buildings and development.A core philosophy is to harmonise the building form and fabric with the site and climate thereby reducing ecological impacts and achieving energy effi ciency whilst providing human health and comfort and creating opportunities for social interaction and a productive learning environment.The University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland,Australia,has embraced an ecological vision from its inception.From the first steps of its master planning through to its newest building,the Chancellery,the University demonstrates an evolution of innovation that embodies the principles of climate responsive ecological design.

Global kinematics of tectonic plates and subduction zones since the late Paleozoic Era

Detailed global plate motion models that provide a continuous description of plate boundaries through time are an effective tool for exploring processes both at and below the Earth's surface. A new generation of numerical models of mantle dynamics pre-and post-Pangea timeframes requires global kinematic descriptions with full plate reconstructions extending into the Paleozoic(410 Ma). Current plate models that cover Paleozoic times are characterised by large plate speeds and trench migration rates because they assume that lowermost mantle structures are rigid and fixed through time. When used as a surface boundary constraint in geodynamic models, these plate reconstructions do not accurately reproduce the present-day structure of the lowermost mantle. Building upon previous work, we present a global plate motion model with continuously closing plate boundaries ranging from the early Devonian at 410 Ma to present day.We analyse the model in terms of surface kinematics and predicted lower mantle structure. The magnitude of global plate speeds has been greatly reduced in our reconstruction by modifying the evolution of the synthetic Panthalassa oceanic plates, implementing a Paleozoic reference frame independent of any geodynamic assumptions, and implementing revised models for the Paleozoic evolution of North and South China and the closure of the Rheic Ocean. Paleozoic(410-250 Ma) RMS plate speeds are on average ～8 cm/yr, which is comparable to Mesozoic-Cenozoic rates of ～6 cm/yr on average.Paleozoic global median values of trench migration trend from higher speeds(～2.5 cm/yr) in the late Devonian to rates closer to 0 cm/yr at the end of the Permian(～250 Ma), and during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic(250-0 Ma) generally cluster tightly around ～1.1 cm/yr. Plate motions are best constrained over the past 130 Myr and calculations of global trench convergence rates over this period indicate median rates range between 3.2 cm/yr and 12.4 cm/yr with a present day median rate estimated at～5 cm/yr. For Paleozoic times(410-251 Ma) our model results in median convergence rates largely～5 cm/yr. Globally,～90% of subduction zones modelled in our reconstruction are determined to be in a convergent regime for the period of 120-0 Ma. Over the full span of the model, from 410 Ma to 0 Ma,～93% of subduction zones are calculated to be convergent, and at least 85% of subduction zones are converging for 97% of modelled times. Our changes improve global plate and trench kinematics since the late Paleozoic and our reconstructions of the lowermost mantle structure challenge the proposed fixity of lower mantle structures, suggesting that the eastern margin of the African LLSVP margin has moved by as much as ～1450 km since late Permian times(260 Ma). The model of the plate-mantle system we present suggests that during the Permian Period, South China was proximal to the eastern margin of the African LLSVP and not the western margin of the Pacific LLSVP as previous thought.

Effects of insoluble Zn,Cd,and EDTA on the growth,activities of antioxidant enzymes and uptake of Zn and Cd in Vetiveria zizanioides

A root-bag experiment was conducted to study the effects of insoluble Zn, Cd, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid （EDTA） on the plant growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes, proline, glutathione （GSH）, water-soluble proteins and malondialdehyde （MDA） of Vetiveria zizanioides. The V. zizanioides uptake capacity of Zn and Cd also determined. The results showed that plant growth of V. zizanioides was inhibited by Zn and Cd. The shoot dry weight （SDW） and root dry weight （RDW） decrease by 14.2%, 14.1%, 17.0% and 17.3%, 32.5%, 35.7%, respectively, compared to the control without EDTA addition. After adding EDTA, shoot and root dry weight decreased over 10% and 15%, respectively. The toxicity from insoluble Zn and Cd in soil on SDW and RDW of V. zizanioides was in order： Zn＋Cd 〉 Cd 〉 Zn. The activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD） and catalase （CAT）, and contents of MDA and proline increased significantly, while the contents of GSH and water-soluble proteins decreased markedly with increasing Zn and Cd toxicity. With EDTA, shoot and root Zn concentrations increased in the Zn treatment by 7.3% and 37.4%, and Cd concentrations in the combined Zn and Cd treatment increased by 18.6% and 391.9% compared to the treatment without EDTA. However, Zn and Cd concentrations in shoot and roots decreased in the Cd treatment compared to the plants grown in absence of EDTA, with exception of root Cd concentration in the presence of EDTA.

Significance of hepatitis virus infection in the oncogenicinitiation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a major risk factor in the development of the HCC, independently from excessive alcohol abuse and metabolic disease. Since the biology of HBV and HCV is different, their oncogenic effect may go through different mechanisms, direct and/or indirect. Viral hepatitis infection is associated with cellular inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, that may lead to subsequent hepatic injuries such as chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and finally HCC. Direct oncogenic properties of these viruses are related with their genotypic characteristics and the ability of viral proteins to interact with host proteins, thus altering the molecular pathways balance of the cells. In addition, the integration of HBV DNA, especially the gene S and X, in a particular site of the host genome can disrupt chromosomal stability and may activate various oncogenic mechanisms, including those in hematopoietic cells. Recently, several studies also had demonstrated that viral hepatitis could trigger the population of hepatic cancer stem cells. This review summarize available pre-clinical and clinical data in literature regarding oncogenic properties of HBV and HCV in the early initiation of HCC.

State of the Art of Micro-CT Applications in Dental Research

This review highlights the recent advances in X-ray microcomputed tomography （Micro-CT） applied in dental research. It summarizes Micro-CT applications in mea- surement of enamel thickness, root canal morphology, evaluation of root canal preparation, craniofacial skeletalstructure, micro finite element modeling, dental tissue engineering, mineral density of dental hard tissues and about dental implants. Details of studies in each of these areas are highlighted along with the advantages of Micro-CT, and finally a summary of the future applications of Micro-CT in dental research is given.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastric cancer? A review of the epidemiological,meta-analytic, and experimental evidence

Since the discovery of Carnpylobacter-like organisms （Helicobacter pylori） more than two decades ago the possibility of a relationship with gastric cancer has been postulated, tested and supposedly proven. There have been numerous human studies of various designs from many countries around the world. Several meta-analyses have been published and more recently a small number of experimental animal studies were reported looking at the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer. Over the years, the human epidemiological studies have produced conflicting results; the metaanalyses have as one would expect produced similar pooled estimates; while the early experimental animal studies require replication. The exact mechanisms by which H pylori might cause gastric cancer are still under investigation and remain to be elucidated.

The experience of transition from nursing students to newly graduated registered nurses in Singapore

Objectives:To investigate the experience of newly graduated registered nurses(NGRNs)in Singapore following their initial 6-12 months of transition from nursing student to registered nurse.Methods:This mixed-methods study consisted of two phases.In the first phase,data were collected via the administration of the online survey to 30 NGRNs.The questionnaire contained 42 items of the fourpoint Likert scale survey.In the second phase,a focus group interview was conducted with 5 NGRNs to gather complementary information regarding the major findings from the first phase.Results:The survey revealed despite most NGRNs(80%)in this study expressed overall satisfied with their transition,the item score was(2.97±0.61)out of 4,the majority(83.3%)also perceived their transition to professional practice being stressful,the item score was(3.07±0.74)out of 4.Three themes emerged from the interview,'personal transition experience','professional transition experience',and'organizational transition experience',which are entwined to construct overall NGRNs'transition experiences.Conclusions:This study reaffirms the theory-practice gap phenomenon.This signifies the need for closer collaboration between educational,healthcare industry and regulatory stakeholders to examine and address factors that influence their transition experience to better support them for workforce readiness.

Recent Progress in the Fabrication, Properties, and Devices of Heterostructures Based on 2D Materials

With a large number of researches being conducted on two?dimen?sional(2D) materials, their unique properties in optics, electrics, mechanics, and magnetics have attracted increasing attention. Accordingly, the idea of combining distinct functional 2D materials into heterostructures naturally emerged that pro?vides unprecedented platforms for exploring new physics that are not accessible in a single 2D material or 3D heterostructures. Along with the rapid development of controllable, scalable, and programmed synthesis techniques of high?quality 2D heterostructures, various heterostructure devices with extraordinary performance have been designed and fabricated, including tunneling transistors, photodetectors, and spintronic devices. In this review, we present a summary of the latest progresses in fabrications, properties, and applications of di erent types of 2D heterostruc?tures, followed by the discussions on present challenges and perspectives of further investigations.

Flexible,Highly Thermally Conductive and Electrically Insulating Phase Change Materials for Advanced Thermal Management of 5G Base Stations and Thermoelectric Generators

Thermal management has become a crucial problem for high-power-density equipment and devices.Phase change materials(PCMs)have great prospects in thermal management applications because of their large capacity of heat storage and isothermal behavior during phase transition.However,low intrinsic thermal conductivity,ease of leakage,and lack of flexibility severely limit their applications.Solving one of these problems often comes at the expense of other performance of the PCMs.In this work,we report core–sheath structured phase change nanocomposites(PCNs)with an aligned and interconnected boron nitride nanosheet network by combining coaxial electrospinning,electrostatic spraying,and hot-pressing.The advanced PCN films exhibit an ultrahigh thermal conductivity of 28.3 W m^(-1)K^(-1)at a low BNNS loading(i.e.,32 wt%),which thereby endows the PCNs with high enthalpy(>101 J g^(-1)),outstanding ductility(>40%)and improved fire retardancy.Therefore,our core–sheath strategies successfully balance the trade-off between thermal conductivity,flexibility,and phase change enthalpy of PCMs.Further,the PCNs provide powerful cooling solutions on 5G base station chips and thermoelectric generators,displaying promising thermal management applications on high-power-density equipment and thermoelectric conversion devices.

Structural and functional aspects of the liver and liver sinusoidal cells in relation to colon carcinoma metastasis

Nowadays, liver metastasis remains difficult to cure. When tumor cells escape and arrive in the liver sinusoids, they encounter the local defense mechanism specific to the liver. The sinusoidal cells have been widely described in physiologic conditions and in relation to metastasis during the past 30 years. This paper provides an “overview” of how these cells function in health and in diseases such as

The Impacts of Simulated Microgravity on Rat Brain Depended on Durations and Regions

Objective To explore the dynamic impacts of simulated microgravity(SM) on different vital brain regions of rats. Methods Microgravity was simulated for 7 and 21 days, respectively, using the tail-suspension rat model. Histomorphology, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and the expression of some key proteins were determined in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum. Results 21-day SM decreased brain derived neurotrophic factor and induced neuron atrophy in the cerebral cortex. Strong oxidative stress was triggered at day 7 and the oxidative status returned to physiological level at day 21. Inflammatory cytokines were gradually suppressed and in striatum, the suppression was regulated partially through c-Jun/c-Fos. Conclusion The results revealed that the significant impacts of SM on rat brain tissue depended on durations and regions, which might help to understand the health risk and to prevent brain damage for astronauts in space travel.

Arthritis and the role of endogenous glucocorticoids

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis,the most common forms of arthritis,are chronic,painful,and disabling conditions.Although both diseases differ in etiology,they manifest in progressive joint destruction characterized by pathological changes in the articular cartilage,bone,and synovium.While the potent anti-inflammatory properties of therapeutic(i.e.,exogenous)glucocorticoids have been heavily researched and are widely used in clinical practice,the role of endogenous glucocorticoids in arthritis susceptibility and disease progression remains poorly understood.Current evidence from mouse models suggests that local endogenous glucocorticoid signaling is upregulated by the pro-inflammatory microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis and by aging-related mechanisms in osteoarthritis.Furthermore,these models indicate that endogenous glucocorticoid signaling in macrophages,mast cells,and chondrocytes has anti-inflammatory effects,while signaling in fibroblast-like synoviocytes,myocytes,osteoblasts,and osteocytes has pro-inflammatory actions in rheumatoid arthritis.Conversely,in osteoarthritis,endogenous glucocorticoid signaling in both osteoblasts and chondrocytes has destructive actions.Together these studies provide insights into the role of endogenous glucocorticoids in the pathogenesis of both inflammatory and degenerative joint disease.

Loss of the vitamin D receptor in human breast and prostate cancers strongly induces cell apoptosis through downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Vitamin D co-regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in numerous tissues, including cancers. The known anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic actions of the active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D [1,25（OH）2D] are mediated through binding to the vitamin D receptor （VDR）. Here, we report on the unexpected finding that stable knockdown of VDR expression in the human breast and prostate cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and PC3, strongly induces cell apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation in vitro. Implantation of these VDR knockdown cells into the mammary fat pad （MDA-MB-231）, subcutaneously （PC3） or intra-tibially （both cell lines） in immune-incompetent nude mice resulted in reduced tumor growth associated with increased apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation compared with controls. These growth-retarding effects of VDR knockdown occur in the presence and absence of vitamin D and are independent of whether cells were grown in bone or soft tissues. Transcriptome analysis of VDR knockdown and non-target control cell lines demonstrated that loss of the VDR was associated with significant attenuation in the Wnt/0-catenin signaling pathway. In particular, cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin protein levels were reduced with a corresponding downregulation of downstream genes such as Axin2, Cyclin D1, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and IL-8. Stabilization of 0-catenin using the GSK-3β inhibitor BIO partly reversed the growth-retarding effects of VDR knockdown. Our results indicate that the unliganded VDR possesses hitherto unknown functions to promote breast and prostate cancer growth, which appear to be operational not only within but also outside the bone environment. These novel functions contrast with the known anti-proliferative nuclear actions of the liganded VDR and may represent targets for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in breast and prostate cancer.

Design of multi-layered porous fibrous metals for optimal sound absorption in the low frequency range

We present a design method for calculating and optimizing sound absorption coefficient of multi-layered porous fibrous metals （PFM） in the low frequency range. PFM is simplified as an equivalent idealized sheet with all metallic fibers aligned in one direction and distributed in periodic hexagonal patterns. We use a phenomenological model in the literature to investigate the effects of pore geometrical parameters （fiber diameter and gap） on sound absorption performance. The sound absorption coefficient of multi- layered PFMs is calculated using impedance translation theorem, To demonstrate the validity of the present model, we compare the predicted results with the experimental data. With the average sound absorption （low frequency range） as the objective function and the fiber gaps as the design variables, an optimization method for multi-layered fibrous metals is proposed. A new fibrous layout with given porosity of multi-layered fibrous metals is suggested to achieve optimal low frequency sound absorption. The sound absorption coefficient of the optimal multi-layered fibrous metal is higher than the single- layered fibrous metal, and a significant effect of the fibrous material on sound absorption is found due to the surface Dorosity of the multi-layered fibrous.

Review of Global Ocean Intermediate Water Masses: 1.Part A, the Neutral Density Surface (the ‘McDougall Surface’) as a Study Frame for Water-Mass Analysis

This review article commences with a comprehensive historical review of the evolution and application of various density surfaces in atmospheric and oceanic studies. The background provides a basis for the birth of the neutral density idea. Attention is paid to the development of the neutral density surface concept from the nonlinearity of the equation of state of seawater. The definition and properties of neutral density surface are described in detail as developed from the equations of state of seawater and the buoyancy frequency when the squared buoyancy frequency N2 is zero, a neutral state of stability. In order to apply the neutral density surface to intermediate water-mass analysis, this review also describes in detail its practical oceanographic application. The mapping technique is focused for the first time on applying regularly gridded data in this review. It is reviewed how a backbone and ribs framework was designed to flesh out from a reference cast and first mapped the global neutral surfaces in the world’s oceans. Several mapped neutral density surfaces are presented as examples for each world ocean. The water-mass property is analyzed in each ocean at mid-depth. The characteristics of neutral density surfaces are compared with those of potential density surfaces.

Synthesis of graphene materials by electrochemical exfoliation: Recent progress and future potential

Synthesis of structurally controlled graphene materials is critical for realizing their practical applications.The electrochemical exfoliation of graphite has emerged as a simple method to produce graphene materials.This review examines research progress in the last 5 years,from 2015 to 2019.Graphene material synthesis methods generally have a trade‐off between increasing production yield and achieving better material property control.The synthesis conditions for synthesizing pristine graphene,graphene oxide(GO),and graphene composites are significantly different.Thus,in this review,we first discuss synthesis methods for graphene materials with high C/O ratios from four aspects:graphite electrodes,equipment engineering,electrolytes,and additional reduction methods.Next,we survey synthesis methods for GO and examine how the pretreatment of the graphite electrodes,electrolytes,and operation parameters,such as applied voltages,electrolyte temperatures,and mechanical forces,affect the quality of GO.Further,we summarize electrochemical exfoliation methods used to dope graphene materials,introduce covalent functional groups,incorporate various nanoparticles,and assembly of graphene architectures.For all synthesis methods,we compare the properties of resulting graphene materials such as C/O ratios,lateral size,layer numbers,and quality characterized by Raman spectroscopy.Lastly,we propose our perspectives on further research.We hope this review stimulates more studies to realize the on‐demand production of graphene materials with desired properties using electrochemical exfoliation methods.