Assessment of acquired brain injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: guidance for DisabilityCare Australia

In early 2013, Brain Injury Australia was funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme\u27s (NDIS) Practical Design Fund to develop a culturally appropriate NDIS assessment process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons living with an acquired brain injury (ABI).This project was co-managed by Brain Injury Australia and Synapse (Brain Injury Association of Queensland, Inc.). The research was undertaken by researchers from James Cook University.The key results of this research were:guidelines for appropriate protocols for engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the assessment process;a four-stage Planning and Assessment framework that describes the appropriate actions that DisabilityCare Australia Planners and/or Local Area Coordinators need to take during the assessment process when determining eligibility to DisabilityCare Australia; a prototype instrument toolkit (requiring scientific validation before use), containing cognitive and functional assessments that are culturally acceptable for assessment of acquired brain injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; and the identification of necessary training components for the professional development of DisabilityCare staff, including cultural awareness, competency and ABI training programmes and coursework.Authored by India Bohanna, Anne Stephens, Rachael Wargent, Juliette Catherall, Carolyn Timms, Deborah Graham and Alan Clough

Academic and social experiences of female community college transfer students in engineering fields at Midwestern University

Currently, there remains a shortage of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields despite recent efforts to increase numbers. The Department of Commerce is predicting that STEM job openings will grow 17% by 2018, which is a much faster rate than most other careers. These are among the highest-paying fields, in part because of the rising demand. Educational institutions in the United States will have to address this issue in order to compete economic leadership globally. High schools, community colleges, and four year institutions must increase awareness and efforts to recruit and retain more women in STEM majors. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of female transfer engineering students at Midwestern University. Participants were asked what were their experiences as female engineering students at both the community college and the four-year institution? They were also asked to share about the community college transfer process, student involvement, relationship with faculty and advisors, sense of belonging, interaction with Faculty and staff/mentorship, peer interactions, and academic performance. Qualitative methods were used provide in-depth information regarding each student's negative and positive experiences at both the community college and Midwestern University as a female transfer engineering student to provide a better understanding the different experiences of being an female engineering student at Midwestern University after transferring from a community college. Students reported how their interest in STEM was discovered early in their educational journey. They shared how their interest in STEM was cultivated in high school, but not so much in college. They also shared how participating in more social academic groups helped them to be more successful. Findings of the study suggested that there are common threads among the transfer process regarding their sense of belonging, interaction with faculty and staff, and family support. Students noted that, once they made the transition to college, there were not many individuals who continued to motivate them to continue in STEM. However, several participants shared that they had at least one mentor with whom they remained connected for guidance, motivation, and support. A few pointed to the lack of involvement of faculty and staff at both the community college and Midwestern University. Recommendations for practice include that it is essential to have services in place for students during and after they make the transfer to Midwestern University. Having a successful and smooth transfer experience can impact the student to turn a potential negative experience into a positive one.</p

Establishing smoke-free homes in the Indigenous populations of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States: a systematic literature review

A smoke-free home can have multiple benefits by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), supporting quit attempts among active smokers, and discouraging adolescents from taking up smoking. The aim of this review was to summarize the literature on the establishment of smoke-free homes in Indigenous populations and identify the supporting influences and barriers, using the Social Cognitive Theory lens. A search of the Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Collaboration and PyscINFO databases and manual searches of relevant peer-reviewed literature was completed, focusing on Indigenous populations in developed economies of North America and Oceania. Of 2567 articles identified, 15 studies were included. Ten studies included Indigenous participants only, and of these just three focused entirely on SHS in the home. Knowledge of the harms associated with SHS was the most common theme represented in all the studies. This knowledge fueled parents' motivation to protect their children from SHS by establishing smoke-free homes. Individuals who approached implementation with confidence, coupled with clear communication about smoke-free home rules were more successful. Barriers included challenges for families with multiple smokers living in the same dwelling. There is limited research regarding managing smoking behaviors in the home among Indigenous populations, even though this approach is a successful catalyst for smoking prevention and cessation. Research to understand the influences that support the establishment of smoke-free homes is required for better-informed intervention studies

Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) Vinyl Complexes as Highly Sensitive and Selective Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Probes for the Sensing of Carbon Monoxide in Air

[EN] The detection of carbon monoxide in solution and air has been achieved using simple, inexpensive systems based on the vinyl complexes [M(CH=CHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (R=aryl, BTD=2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). Depending on the nature of the vinyl group, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled the presence of this odourless, tasteless, invisible, and toxic gas. Solutions of the complexes in CHCl3 underwent rapid change between easily differentiated colours when exposed to air samples containing CO. More significantly, the adsorption of the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the naked-eye detection of CO in the gas phase. Structural data for key species before and after the addition of CO were obtained by means of single X-ray diffraction studies. In all cases, the ruthenium and osmium vinyl complexes studied showed a highly selective response to CO with exceptionally low detection limits. Naked-eye detection of CO at concentrations as low as 5 ppb in air was achieved with the onset of toxic levels (i.e., 100 ppm), thus resulting in a remarkably clear colour change. Moreover, complexes bearing pyrenyl, naphthyl, and phenanthrenyl moieties were fluorescent, and greater sensitivities were achieved (through turn-on emission fluorescence) in the presence of CO both in solution and air. This behaviour was explored computationally using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) experiments. In addition, the systems were shown to be selective for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic solvents. Supporting the metal complexes on cellulose strips for use in an existing optoelectronic device allows numerical readings for the CO concentration to be obtained and provision of an alarm system.The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Spanish Government (project MAT2012-38429-C04) and Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for their support. M.E.M. is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for an FPU grant and a short-stay fellowship, which allowed this profitable collaboration. C.M.-H. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her grant. A.T. gratefully acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2012-634) for a studentship. The authors thank Prof. C. K. Williams, Prof. N. J. Long, and Dr P. Hunt (Imperial College, UK) for the use of apparatus and assistance.Toscani, A.; Marín-Hernández, C.; Moragues Pons, ME.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Dingwall, P.; Brown, NJ.; Martínez-Máñez, R.... (2015). Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) Vinyl Complexes as Highly Sensitive and Selective Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Probes for the Sensing of Carbon Monoxide in Air. Chemistry - A European Journal. 21(41):14529-14538. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201501843S1452914538214

(Benzophenone imine-κN)­chlorido(hydrido­tripyrazolyl­borato)­(triphenyl­phosphine)ruthenium(II) diethyl ether solvate

The reaction of RuCl(Tp)(Ph3P)2, where Tp is [(CH)3N2]3BH, with benzophenone imine leads to the formation of the title compound, [Ru(C9H10BN6)Cl(C13H11N)(C18H15P)]·C4H10O. The environment about the Ru atom corresponds to a slightly distorted octa­hedron and the bite angle of the Tp ligand produces an average N—Ru—N angle of 86.3 (9)°. The three Ru—N(Tp) bond lengths [2.117 (2), 2.079 (2) and 2.084 (2) Å] are slightly longer than the average distance (2.038 Å) in other ruthenium–Tp complexes

A good life for people living with disability: the story from Far North Queensland

Purpose: People with disability in regional, rural and remote Australia have poorer service access compared to people from metropolitan areas. There is urgent need for reform. This study’s aim was to explore the needs and aspirations of people with lived experience of disability in Far North Queensland (FNQ) to inform a new service framework. Materials and methods: Twenty-five individuals with diverse experience of disability were engaged in semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited from four sites that differed geographically, culturally, and socioeconomically. Using an inductive then deductive thematic approach to data analysis, statements of needs and aspirations were compiled and aligned with three pre-determined vision statements. Results: Needs and aspirations aligned well with the vision statements which were to: feel “included, connected, safe and supported”; have “opportunities to choose one’s own life and follow one’s hopes and dreams”; and have “access to culturally safe services close to home.” To realise this vision in FNQ, support to navigate and coordinate services across sectors is essential. Conclusion: People of FNQ of all abilities, need and aspire to experience “a good life” like their fellow Australians. Any new service model must focus on providing service navigation and co-ordination amid the complexities of service delivery in FNQ

FNQ Connect: Connecting people, connecting care. A proposal for reform of disability, rehabilitation and lifestyle services for children, young people, adults and older people of FNQ

[Extract] FNQ Connect was created in response to a groundswell of interest and concern from FNQ people with lived experience of disability, their families and communities, together with stakeholders responsible for supporting them. They expressed an urgent need for service reform: current supply of services is outweighed by needs and is well below national standards; inaccuracies in national data conceal these inequities. Existing government, non-government and private services are largely fragmented; opportunities created by NDIS have added another layer of fragmentation. At the same time, demand for services is relentlessly increasing. To ensure quitable investment in services and continuity of care for the people of FNQ, accurate data and integration of services, were required

Incidence of emergency department presentations for traumatic brain injury in Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents aged 15–64 over the 9-year period 2007–2015 in North Queensland, Australia

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Previous studies have shown that males have a higher incidence than females, and Indigenous populations have a higher rate than non-Indigenous. To date, no study has compared the incidence rate of TBI between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for any cause. Here we add to this rather sparse literature. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from North Queensland Emergency Departments between 2007 and 2015 using Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates for North Queensland residents aged 15-64 years as denominator data. Outcome measures include incidence rate ratios (IRR) for TBI presentations by Indigenous status, age, sex, year of presentation, remoteness, and socio-economic indicator. Results: Overall incidence of TBI presentations per 100,000 population was 97.8. Indigenous people had an incidence of 166.4 compared to an incidence in the non-Indigenous population of 86.3, providing an IRR of 1.93 (95% CI 1.77-2.10; p < 0.001). Males were 2.29 (95% CI 2.12-2.48; p < 0.001) times more likely to present than females. Incidence increased with year of presentation only in the Indigenous male population. Conclusions: The greater burden of ED presentations for TBI in the Indigenous compared with the non-Indigenous population is of concern. Importantly, the need to provide quality services and support to people living with TBI in remote and very remote areas, and the major role of the new National Disability Insurance Scheme is discussed.Adrian Esterman, Fintan Thompson, Michelle Fitts, John Gilroy, Jennifer Fleming, Paul Maruff, Alan Clough and India Bohann

Indigenous traumatic brain injury research: responding to recruitment challenges in the hospital environment

Background: Hospitals are common recruitment sites for injury and disability studies. However, the clinical and rehabilitation environment can create unique challenges for researchers to recruit participant populations. While there is growing injury and disability focused research involving Indigenous people to understand the types of services and supports required by this population to enhance their recovery experiences, there is limited knowledge of researchers' experiences implementing recruitment processes in the tertiary hospital environment. This paper reflects on the specific challenges of recruiting Indigenous patients following a traumatic brain injury from two tertiary hospitals in Northern Australia. Methods: Between July 2016 and April 2018, research staff recruited eligible patients from one hospital in Queensland and one hospital in the Northern Territory. Qualitative records summarising research staff contact with patients, family members and clinical hospital staff were documented. These qualitative records, in addition to field trip notes and researcher reflections were reviewed to summarise the main challenges in gaining access to patients who fit the eligibility criteria. Results: During the recruitment process, there were five main challenges encountered: (1) Patients discharging against medical advice from hospital; (2) Discharge prior to formal emergence from Post Traumatic Amnesia as per the Westmead Post Trauma Amnesia Scale; (3) Patients under adult guardianship orders; (4) Narrow participant eligibility criteria and (5) Coordinating around patient commitments and treatment. Details of how the recruitment processes were modified throughout the recruitment phase of the study to ensure greater access to patients that met the criteria are described. Conclusion: Based on our recruitment experiences, several recommendations are proposed for future TBI studies with Indigenous Australians. In addition to treatment, Indigenous TBI patients have wide range of needs that must be addressed while in hospital. Patient engagement and data collection processes should be flexible to respond to patient needs and the hospital environment. Employment of a centralized recruiter at each hospital site may help to minimise the challenges researchers need to navigate in the hospital environment. To improve recruitment processes in hospitals, it is essential for researchers examining other health or injury outcomes to describe their recruitment experiences.Michelle S. Fitts, Taeha Condon, John Gilroy, Katrina Bird, Erica Bleakley, Lauren Matheson, Jennifer Fleming, Alan R. Clough, Adrian Esterman, Paul Maruff, and India Bohann

Quantitative 7T Phase Imaging in Premanifest Huntington Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In vivo MRI and postmortem neuropathological studies have demonstrated elevated iron concentration and atrophy within the striatum of patients with Huntington disease (HD), implicating neuronal loss and iron accumulation in the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder. We used 7T MRI to determine whether quantitative phase, a putative marker of these endpoints, is altered in subjects with premotor HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Local field shift (LFS), calculated from 7T MR phase images, was quantified in 13 subjects with premotor HD and 13 age- and gender-matched controls. All participants underwent 3T and 7T MRI, including volumetric 3T T1 and 7T gradient-recalled echo sequences. LFS maps were created from 7T phase data and registered to caudate ROIs automatically parcellated from the 3T T1 images. HD-specific neurocognitive assessment was also performed and compared to LFS. RESULTS: Subjects with premotor HD had smaller caudate nuclear volume and higher LFS than controls. A significant correlation between these measurements was not detected, and prediction accuracy for disease state improved with inclusion of both variables. A positive correlation between LFS and genetic disease burden was also found, and there was a trend towards significant correlations between LFS and neurocognitive tests of working memory and executive function. CONCLUSION: Subjects with premotor HD exhibit differences in 7T MRI phase within the caudate nuclei that correlate with genetic disease burden and trend with neurocognitive assessments. Ultra-high field MRI of quantitative phase may be a useful marker for monitoring neurodegeneration in premanifest HD