Risk factors for surgical site infections following hepatobiliary surgery: An umbrella review and meta-analyses

Background In the hepatobiliary (HPB) surgical cohort, surgical site infections (SSI) can extend hospital stays, result in higher morbidity, and poor patient outcomes. This umbrella review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the evidence for the association between clinical and patient risk factors and SSI in patients following HPB surgery. Methods We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus from January 2000 to April 2023 to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses where patient and/or clinical factors of SSIs following HPB surgery were reported. The summary effect size, its 95 % CI and the 95 % PI were calculated for each meta-analysis using random-effects models. 30-day cumulative SSI incidence was presented as the pooled estimate with 95 % CIs. Between-study heterogeneity was explored using the I2 statistic. Results Nine systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Our findings suggest open surgical approach, type of pancreas procedure, preoperative biliary drainage, older age, male sex and high BMI (>25mg/k2) as statistically significant factors for increasing a patient's risk of SSI following HPB surgery. The cumulative incidence of SSI in the HPB cohort of 43,296 was 11 % (95 % CI 6%–20 %), with substantial variation between the reviews. Conclusion We identified several patient and clinical factors, however only one was graded as a high level of evidence.Full Tex

Non-Western Airpower: Diverse, Dissimilar and Disruptive

Non-Western users of airpower are moving beyond the paradigms established last century. Peter Layton examines the application of coercive airpower by China, Iran, Hamas, the Houthis and Russia. These disparate cases share three characteristics: diversity in the actors employing airpower; dissimilarity in the varied technology being used; and disruptiveness to traditional, well-established ideas about airpower. These characteristics are useful for discussing the broad implications of the emerging non-Western style of air operations.Full Tex

Survey of pharmacists' perspectives on preparing discharge medicine lists: a cross-sectional single-centre study

Objectives This study explored South-East Queensland Australian pharmacists’ perspectives on preparing discharge medicine lists, specifically involvement of pharmacy assistants, use of electronic medication management software, and expanding pharmacists’ scope during discharge. Methods Electronic survey distributed to pharmacists during December 2021 and data collected over 3 weeks. Key findings Pharmacists supported increased involvement of pharmacy assistants (with structured collaborative training), pharmacist-led medication reconciliation, and producing the discharge medicine list directly from the electronic record. Conclusions Increased scope of pharmacy assistants to complete technical tasks will improve pharmacists’ capacity to integrate with the medical team and perform discharge medication reconciliation.No Full Tex

Pain(ful) research: Hyperembodiment and the value of lived experience of pain in qualitative research

Qualitative research methods play a central role in pain and health research, especially in enhancing understandings of lived experiences. This article focuses on the experiences of a researcher living with a chronic pain condition completing in-depth qualitative interviews exploring knee pain and osteoarthritis experiences, treatment and management. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, the article considers how the lived experience of the researcher (i.e. I), as a person living with pain and (dis)ability, impacted the research process. To do so, the research team (i.e. we) critically reflect on three important moments in interviews with participants and introduce the notion of hyperembodiment to explore responses that the research process elicited for the researcher. We advocate for hyperembodied reflexive approaches in qualitative research and outline the importance of researcher-centred ethics-of-care frameworks more broadly in health research, and especially in studies involving people with lived experiences of health conditions as researchers.Full Tex

China in Asia in 2025 – a reliable rock in a stormy sea?

We are living in an era of constant surprises and shifting power dynamics. From Trump’s political resurgence and abrupt US trade shifts to the unravelling of global alliances, disruption has become the new normal. China, too, has delivered seismic shocks, upending assumptions about its economic trajectory, technological ambitions, and global influence. Once a powerhouse of growth, it now faces sluggish consumer demand, deflation, and a deepening real estate crisis. Yet, at the same time, it is driving breakthroughs in AI—with DeepSeek challenging US dominance by producing open-source models that rival top Western AI systems at a fraction of the cost. The question is no longer whether disruptions will happen, but how to interpret them—and seize opportunities. Just as evaluating a company requires weighing both assets and liabilities, understanding China demands a balanced view of risks and opportunities. This report takes an Asia-Pacific perspective, providing a strategic, holistic view of China’s evolving role. Four key issues define the opportunities and challenges of understanding China: its growing global influence, green transition, technological advancements, and economic trajectory. How the region navigates these complexities—grounded in sustainable development—will determine whether it fosters peace and prosperity or faces rising tensions and instability.Full Tex

Linearly multiplexed Photon Number Resolving single-photon detectors array

Photon Number Resolving Detectors (PNRDs) are devices capable of measuring the number of photons present in an incident optical beam, enabling light sources to be measured and characterized at the quantum level. In this paper, we explore the performance and design considerations of a linearly multiplexed photon number-resolving single-photon detector array, integrated on a single mode waveguide. Our investigation focus on defining and analyzing the fidelity of such an array under various conditions and proposing practical designs for its implementation. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we show how propagation losses and dark counts may have a strong impact on the performance of the system and highlight the importance of mitigating these effects in practical implementations.Full Tex

Beyond the farm gate: addressing labour and human right issues occurring downstream in the textiles and apparel value chain

Purpose Our research seeks to understand how actors in the Australian cotton industry can address downstream labour and human rights risks in the textiles and apparel value chain. Design/methodology/approach Taking the Australian cotton industry as the site of our action research project, we conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of 19 interviews, supplemented by industry engagement and desktop research. Findings We identify seven opportunities for action by the Australian cotton industry to address downstream labour and human rights risks, which are articulated in the context of a strategic enforcement approach. Originality/value The research focuses on opportunities for action to address downstream labour and human rights risks, thereby going beyond the traditional interventions by fashion brands and retailers that target upstream actors.No Full Tex

Impact of mild hypercapnia in critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis

Purpose Clinical trials focusing on critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis, a common exclusion criterion is the presence of a PaCO2 > 45 mmHg. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mild hypercapnia on patient characteristics, severity, and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis. Material and methods Multicentre, retrospective, observational study conducted in 12 intensive care units (ICUs) in Queensland, Australia. Patients with metabolic acidosis and concurrent vasopressor requirement were included and the exposure of interest was the PaCO2 level at the time of meeting the eligibility criteria divided in two groups: PaCO2 ≤ 45 mmHg and PaCO2 46–50 mmHg. Primary clinical outcome was major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30). Results We studied 5601 patients, with 3605 (64.4 %) in the PaCO2 ≤ 45 mmHg group and 1996 (35.6 %) in the PaCO2 46–50 mmHg group. The incidence of MAKE30 was lower in the PaCO2 46–50 mmHg group (29 % vs. 34 %; OR, 0.79 [95 %CI, 0.69 to 0.90]; p < 0.001) as was the use of renal replacement therapy, and the incidence of acute kidney injury. After adjustment for confounders, no outcome was different between the groups. The maximum fall of pH associated with an increase of 1 mmHg of PaCO2 in the PaCO2 46–50 mmHg group was 0.006. Conclusion In patients with metabolic acidosis, after adjustment for potential confounders, mild hypercapnia does not increase the MAKE-30 rate and does not have a major impact on pH.Full Tex

The role of oxidants in the activation of methane to methanol over a Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst

A commercially available Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst was evaluated for its effectiveness in the partial CH4 oxidation to methanol by using various oxidants, including O2, H2O, and N2O. The main products from the reactions were methanol, formaldehyde, hydrogen and carbon oxide gases. The study revealed that the one-step activation of CH4 into oxygenates on the Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst depended on the type of oxidant utilized. The research examined how the mobility and storage of lattice oxygen within the catalyst influenced its performance in methane conversion. High oxygen storage and release improved catalytic activity but reduced selectivity. Methane conversion without oxygenated products occurred when H2O or N2O was used, while O2 promoted the formation of COx. The highest methanol yield was obtained at a 2 : 1 molar ratio of oxidant to methane, at reaction temperatures of 250 °C and 350 °C. When H2O was used, significant quantities of H2 and CO were produced, likely due to a simultaneous reforming reaction. Partial oxidation of nickel and molybdenum was observed under H2O and N2O conditions. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) indicated the transformation of higher-valence oxides into different sub-oxides. In temperature-programmed reduction–oxidation (TPRO), three peaks were detected, corresponding to oxygen surface sites and two framework locations. These peaks shifted to lower temperatures with N2O, suggesting improved oxygen migration from the bulk to the surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified an active α-NiMoO4 phase, which facilitated oxygen termination on molybdenum atoms. Under O2 conditions, nickel also underwent oxidation. Overall, the Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst showed notable methanol productivity, reaching up to 9.85 g of methanol per gram of catalyst per hour with N2O as the oxidant, surpassing other catalysts reported in the literature.No Full Tex

Nonlinear modeling and machine learning techniques are needed for accurate prediction of contaminant sorption

This study examined the accuracy of linearized and nonlinearized forms of kinetics and isotherm models in fitting methylene blue (MB) adsorption by waste-derived biochar. The biochars were effective at MB removal, achieving adsorption capacities of 4.15–34.39 mg/g. The best fitting model was assessed using determination coefficient (R2) and four error functions. Nonlinearized models provided a better data fit, showing higher determination coefficients (R2) of 0.86–0.999 compared to linearized models (0.229–0.988) and lower errors (9.57–36% versus 15.75–48.5%). The use of linearized forms should be avoided since modern common software readily supports nonlinear fitting. Additionally, a regression tree model was developed using machine learning to identify key factors influencing MB adsorption and offer accurate estimations of MB adsorption. Regression tree modelling exhibited excellent predictive capability (R2 = 0.99). Using feature importance analysis, the strongest predictors of adsorption capacity were initial concentration > carbon and nitrogen contents > adsorber pH > contact time. Regression tree modelling can capture process parameters and adsorbent characteristics into an easy-to-use model which can be used in process operations and optimization. The study revealed that treating of 1 m3 of dye-contaminated wastewater cost was estimated at AUD $27–230. Biochars reusability for 3 cycles was evaluated, noting a significant reduction in effectiveness (p <  < 0.001). Despite the observed decrease in adsorption capacity, waste-derived biochars continue to offer a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable solution aligning with the concept of "treating waste with waste”. The study highlights potential of using non-conventional materials to reduce the environmental impacts and cost of wastewater treatment, alongside the benefits of machine learning for process optimization.No Full Tex