Griffith University

Excessive nitrogen runoff from agricultural and urban sources poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems. Elevated dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) levels contribute to algal blooms, hypoxia, and coral degradation, undermining the health and resilience of the reef system. In addition to land-based management, bivalve aquaculture has been proposed as a potential solution for mitigating nitrogen loads in coastal environments. However, studies assessing the suitability, scale, and potential benefits of such production for reducing impacts of nitrogen runoff are often lacking. This study evaluated the potential of bivalve aquaculture (tropical black-lipped oyster, (Saccostrea echinata)) to mitigate DIN loads using a case study of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). By combining spatial information on environmental, biophysical, and socio-economic constraints, we identified 818.9km2 of suitable bivalve aquaculture area along Queensland's coastline. Developing just 43% (352.9km2) of the suitable area could remove 77.9% (4145tonnes) of the GBR's total anthropogenic load, closing the critical nutrient management gap left by currently insufficient land-based mitigation measures. Economically, this could translate to a potential AUD $809.7 million in oyster market value and AUD $871.6 million in Reef Credits for nitrogen annually. These findings highlight the potential for bivalve aquaculture to contribute meaningfully to regional water quality targets by complementing land-based management measures. Our model and results can inform planning and investment decisions by policymakers, regulators, and industry, both within Australia and in other coastal regions facing similar challenges of nitrogen pollution and climate-resilient food production.

Localized delivery of molecular hydrogen (H2) in bone tissue engineering remains largely unexplored, despite its potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we present a multifunctional collagen membrane reinforced with micro-magnesium wires coated with metal-phenolic networks (Col-MMW), designed for guided bone regeneration (GBR). The embedded magnesium wires provide mechanical reinforcement, enhancing the membrane's structural integrity and space-maintaining capability during early healing. Concurrently, magnesium degradation enables sustained, site-specific release of H2 and magnesium ions (Mg2+), offering a synergistic strategy to modulate the osteoimmune environment. Col-MMW attenuates intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reprograms cellular metabolism from glycolysis toward oxidative phosphorylation, thereby activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2)-mediated redox balance pathway and suppressing nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway-driven inflammation. This osteoimmunometabolic reprogramming leads to a significant reduction in inflammatory responses. In vivo studies, including rat subcutaneous implantation and calvarial defect models, demonstrated that the immunoregulatory effects of Col-MMW significantly promoted osteogenesis. By integrating mechanical reinforcement with localized metabolic and immune modulation, Col-MMW redefines the design paradigm of GBR membranes. These findings highlight Col-MMW as a next-generation biomaterial that combines structural integrity with targeted osteoimmunomodulation, addressing the unmet need for intelligent biomaterials for bone repair.

We examine whether athletes’ performance on low-level circuits can predict success on a top-level circuit to assist endorsement preemption decisions. As athletes compete during their inaugural season on the second-tier tour, their tournament performances provide cumulative information that allow us to make weekly predictions about the probability of players’ future success on the first-tier tour. Combining several high-caliber data sets, including information for every player from every PGA TOUR tournament during the 2002–2019 period, we employ 106 success predictors using random forests, a machine learning algorithm. Our results allow us to identify the endorsers whose future value will be highest on the first-tier tour of the PGA TOUR many months, or in some case years, before athletes achieve it. We argue that predicting athlete’s probability of success can enhance the value of athlete endorsements because it helps identify scarce talent before its market price skyrockets.

Chemical investigations of the Australian marine sponge Ianthella basta resulted in the isolation of six known secondary metabolites, which included bastadins 4 ( 1 ), 5, ( 2 ) 8 ( 3 ) and 13 ( 4 ), 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid ( 5 ) and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzoic acid ( 6 ). The screening of these metabolites for inhibitory activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain PAO1) for planktonic cell growth and biofilm formation identified metabolite 6 as a biofilm inhibitor. Based on these data a 13 membered semisynthetic amide library was generated using metabolite 6 as a scaffold for medicinal chemistry studies. Whilst none of the new semisynthetic compounds increased inhibitory activity towards PAO1 compared to the original scaffold, additional screening of the natural and semisynthetic library against the clinically relevant strain PDO300 showed that some of the secondary metabolites inhibited planktonic growth and biofilm formation. Furthermore, all semisynthetic compounds displayed increased inhibitory activity of planktonic growth with N,N' -((butane-1,4-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzamide) ( 19 ) displaying 46 % planktonic inhibition and 3,5-dibromo- N -(4-fluorophenethyl)-4-methoxybenzamide ( 14 ) inhibiting biofilm formation by 21 % at 50 μM. All semisynthetic derivatives were obtained in yields ranging from 3 % to 79 %, and in purities >95 %. All new natural product derivatives were fully characterized following 1D/2D NMR, LRESIMS and HRESIMS data analysis; two semisynthetic compounds were crystalline, which enabled X-ray diffraction studies. The new chemistry and biology reported here indicate that the bastadin and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxybenzoic acid motifs warrant further investigation against P. aeruginosa . • Chemical investigations were carried out on the marine sponge Ianthella basta . • One natural product was used as a scaffold for medicinal chemistry. • 13 new amide derivatives were synthesised and fully characterised. • All compounds were evaluated for Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity. • One compound showed moderate P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation inhibition.

In Aotearoa, geothermal resource management requires assessing sustainability trends across environmental, cultural, social, and economic dimensions, as mandated by legislation. While triple-bottom-line approaches are well-established for evaluating environmental, social, and economic impacts, cultural impacts are typically assessed separately. This report introduces a novel decision-support tool that integrates all four dimensions, offering a comprehensive quadruple-bottom-line impact assessment specifically for the geothermal industry. The tool adapts the Mauri Model Decision Making Framework, traditionally used for engineering projects, by identifying a transferable set of indicators tailored to geothermal developments in the Central North Island. The tool was developed through a combination of mātauranga Māori and Western knowledge, employing diverse research methodologies. Cultural indicators and thresholds were informed by over 16 h of wānanga (collaborative workshops) with Māori participants and augmented by literature reviews, as detailed in Taute, Morgan ( Taute et al., 2022 ; Taute et al., 2023 ). Environmental, social, and economic indicators were developed through participatory action research, including consultations with 14 industry professionals from organisations such as GNS Science, the New Zealand Geothermal Association, and major geothermal companies. Over 500 potential indicators were reviewed, with expert feedback refining the final indicator set and thresholds for industry alignment. The final set contained 112 indicators with thresholds. This tool ensures that cultural impacts are systematically evaluated together with conventional sustainability metrics, addressing a critical gap in geothermal impact assessments. It offers a robust framework for holistic decision-making in geothermal resource management. • A novel decision-support tool integrates cultural, environmental, social, and economic impacts. • The tool adapts the Mauri Model for geothermal project sustainability assessments. • Over 500 sustainability indicators were reviewed and refined through expert engagement. • A quadruple-bottom-line approach ensures cultural impacts are assessed alongside others. • Worldview sensitivity analysis quantifies stakeholder perspectives on sustainability.

To evaluate the validity of the 3-item visual analog scale (3VAS) and 4-item VAS (4VAS) and determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and minimal detectable change (MDC) for each measure using data from 3 phase III randomized clinical trials of guselkumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Pooled data (1405 participants) from the DISCOVER-1, DISCOVER-2, and COSMOS studies were used. 3VAS/4VAS MCID and MDC were estimated using established formulas. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify 3VAS/4VAS thresholds for low, moderate, and high disease activity. Criterion validity was assessed by correlating 3VAS/4VAS with other PsA measures. Mixed models evaluated the association between changes from baseline in 3VAS/4VAS at week 8 of guselkumab treatment with the total PsA-modified Sharp-van der Heijde (SvdH) score through week 100. 3VAS/4VAS showed moderate-to-strong correlation with all outcome measures assessed, with coefficients ranging from 0.56/0.62 for Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index to 0.92/0.94 for patient global assessment. MCID was 0.9 for both 3VAS (range 0.7-1.3 depending on method used) and 4VAS (0.6-1.3); MDC was 3.1 and 3.0, respectively. 3VAS cutoffs for low, moderate, and high disease activity were 2.1, 3.3, and 4.8, respectively, and 2.1, 3.4, and 5.0 for 4VAS. Change in 4VAS at week 8 of guselkumab treatment significantly associated with change in SvdH score through week 100 (P = 0.04). These analyses support the validity of 3VAS/4VAS as multidimensional measures of PsA disease activity. 4VAS may be preferred owing to its greater face validity and separate measurements of the 2 cardinal aspects of PsA (joint/skin disease) and pain.

• Investigating the settlement of high embankments under HSR train loads. • Applying an advanced simulation model by Plaxis API with Python remote scripting. • Developing a reliable settlement estimation using the GEP algorithm. • Optimising the design of the GRPS system with geocell reinforcement. The construction of high-speed railway (HSR) embankments on soft ground areas is a geotechnical challenge due to excessive settlement and long-term deformation. Thus, this study evaluates the effectiveness of deep cement mixing (DCM) piles reinforced by a geocell system (GPRS) as a ground improvement method. An advanced automated simulation framework using Python remote scripting was developed to examine the effects of train load, embankment height, soft soil thickness, and the number of geocell layers. Approximately 336 data points on the settlement of the HSR embankment was extracted from Plaxis analysis. The highest equivalent train load was 100 kN/m 2 and the settlement of the embankment fluctuated from 22 to 65 mm. A Gene Expression Programming (GEP) algorithm was then applied to develop a reliable regression among the key variables with high accuracy (R = 0.99) and low errors. The parametric study indicated that the geocell reinforcement could significantly improve the lateral resistances, mobilise the membrane effect within the fill material, and reduce vertical stress and cumulative settlement. The research findings provide critical insights for improving the design process, optimising GRPS reinforcement using geocell, and enhancing predictive capabilities for HSR embankment settlement under various ground conditions.