ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5537-6385
Current Organisations
Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
,
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
,
Western University
,
University of Melbourne
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Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
Date: 09-10-2022
DOI: 10.1149/MA2022-0211724MTGABS
Abstract: Al alloys with far-from-equilibrium compositions and microstructures are reported to possess high corrosion resistance and strength. These alloys produced are by non-equilibrium processing techniques such as high-energy ball milling, sputtering, and ion implantation. Depending on the processing techniques and conditions, the microstructure of the alloys could be heterogeneous. For ex le, alloys produced by high-energy ball milling and subsequent consolidation comprise a matrix with high solid solubility of the solute and uniformly distributed secondary phases. Such a heterogeneous microstructure is expected to influence the passive film composition and localized corrosion mechanisms. In the present study, passive film composition on the ball-milled alloys was studied using a combination of scanning transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Additionally, pits and regions near pits were investigated which helped in understanding factors causing pit initiation and repassivation.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 04-2021
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.51004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-12-2022
DOI: 10.1002/AJS4.252
Abstract: In 2020, Australia's successful COVID‐19 public health restrictions comprised a national “initial lockdown” (March–May) and “ongoing lockdown” (July–November) for metropolitan Victorian residents only. We evaluated associations between ongoing lockdown and family finances and mental health. In the June and September 2020 Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Polls, caregivers of children in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) reported the following: job/income loss material deprivation (inability to pay for essential items) income poverty mental health (Kessler‐6) perceived impact on caregiver/child mental health and caregiver/child coping. Data from caregivers ( N = 1207/902) in June/September were analysed using difference‐in‐difference modelling (NSW provided the comparator). During Victoria's ongoing lockdown, job/income loss increased by 11% (95%CI: 3%–18%) Kessler‐6 poor mental health by 6% (95%CI: −0.3%–12%) and perceived negative mental health impacts by 14% for caregivers (95%CI: 6%–23%) and 12% for children (95%CI: 4%–20%). Female (vs. male) caregivers, metropolitan (vs. regional/rural) families, and families with elementary school‐aged children (vs. pre‐/high‐school) were the most affected. The ongoing lockdown was associated with negative experiences of mental health, employment and income, but not deprivation or poverty, likely because of government income supplements introduced early in the pandemic. Future lockdowns require planned responses to outbreaks and evidence‐informed financial and mental health supports.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-01-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41529-021-00215-Z
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging technology to produce engineering components. However, the major challenge in the practical application of AM is the inconsistent properties of additively manufactured components. This research presents a strategy of feedstock modification to improve the corrosion performance of selective laser melted (SLM) 316L stainless steel (SS). Modified feedstock powders were produced by ball-milling of commercial-316LSS powder with 1wt.% chromium nitride (CrN). The SLM coupons produced from modified feedstock powders (SLM-316L/CrN) exhibited significantly improved corrosion performance, as evident from the high pitting and repassivation potentials and absence of metastable pitting. The microstructural characterization revealed fine oxide-inclusions comprising Si, Mn, and S in SLM-316L and only Si and Mn in SLM-316L/CrN. The absence of sulfur-containing oxide-inclusions in SLM-316L/CrN and refined cellular structure, and the change in chemical composition were attributed to corrosion resistance enhancement due to the CrN addition.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJPO-2021-001390
Abstract: There are calls for research into the mental health consequences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia’s initial, effective suppression of COVID-19 offers insights into these indirect impacts in the relative absence of the disease. We aimed to describe the mental health experiences of Australian caregivers and children over 12 months, reporting differences related to demographic, socioeconomic and lockdown characteristics. Data were from Australia’s only nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional survey of caregivers with children (0–17 years). N=2020 caregivers participated in June 2020, N=1434 in September 2020 and N=2508 in July 2021. Caregivers reported their mental health (poor vs not, Kessler-6), and perceived impacts of the pandemic on theirs and their children’s mental health (negative vs none ositive). Data were weighted to approximate population distributions of caregiver age, gender, sole caregiving, number and ages of children, state/territory and neighbourhood-level disadvantage. Perceived impacts on mental health were more frequently negative for female (vs male) caregivers and older (vs younger) children. Poor caregiver mental health (Kessler-6) was more common for families experiencing socioeconomic adversity (especially financial), while perceived impacts were more frequently negative for more socially advantaged groups. Caregivers who experienced the least total lockdown reported similar mental health over time. Otherwise, poor mental health and perceived negative impacts increased over time with increasing total length of lockdown. Despite Australia’s low infection rates, the negative mental health experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic are real and concerning. Addressing poor mental health must be central to ongoing pandemic recovery efforts for families and children.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-05-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 20-08-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.15.21262087
Abstract: In 2020, Australia’s successful COVID-19 public health restrictions comprised a national ‘initial lockdown’ (March-May), and ‘ongoing lockdown’ (July-November) for metropolitan Victorian residents only. We evaluated the relationships between ongoing lockdown and family finances and mental health. In the June and September 2020 Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Polls, caregivers of children in Victoria and New South Wales reported: job/income loss material deprivation (inability to pay for essential items) income-poverty mental health (Kessler-6) perceived impact on caregiver/child mental health and caregiver/child coping. Data from N=1207/902 caregivers in June/September were analysed using Difference-in-Difference modelling (New South Wales provided the comparator). During Victoria’s ongoing lockdown, job/income loss increased by 11% (95%CI: 3-18%) Kessler-6 poor mental health by 6% (95%CI: -0.3-12%) and perceived negative mental health impacts by 14% for caregivers (95%CI: 6-23%) and 12% for children (95%CI: 4-20%). Female (versus male) caregivers, metropolitan (versus regional/rural) families, and families with elementary school-aged children (versus pre-/high-school) were most affected. Ongoing lockdown was associated with negative experiences of mental health, employment, and income, but not deprivation or poverty, likely because of government income supplements introduced early in the pandemic. Future lockdowns require planned responses to outbreaks, and evidence-informed financial and mental health supports.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 29-08-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.26.21262708
Abstract: There are calls for research into the mental health consequences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia’s initial, effective suppression of COVID-19 offers insights into these indirect impacts in the relative absence of the disease. We aimed to describe the mental health experiences of Australian caregivers and children over 12 months, reporting differences related to demographic, socioeconomic and lockdown characteristics. Data were from Australia’s only nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional survey of caregivers with children (0-17 years). N=2020 caregivers participated in June 2020, N=1434 in September 2020, and N=2508 in July 2021. Caregivers reported their mental health (poor versus not, Kessler-6), and perceived impacts of the pandemic on theirs and their children’s mental health (negative versus none ositive). Data were weighted to approximate population distributions of caregiver age, gender, sole-caregiving, number and ages of children, state/territory and neighbourhood-level disadvantage. Perceived impacts on mental health were more frequently negative for female (versus male) caregivers and older (versus younger) children. Poor caregiver mental health (K6) was more common for families experiencing socioeconomic adversity (especially financial), while perceived impacts were more frequently negative for more socially advantaged groups. Caregivers who experienced the least total lockdown reported similar K6 over time. Otherwise, poor mental health and perceived negative impacts increased over time with increasing total length of lockdown. Despite Australia’s low infection rates, the negative mental health experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic are real and concerning. Addressing poor mental health must be central to ongoing pandemic recovery efforts for families and children. - The global evidence shows that, for general adult populations, psychological distress peaked in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic before appearing to improve. - Less is known about mental health over time of living through the pandemic, especially for caregivers and children. There are urgent calls for research. - Due to low infection rates, Australia’s experience can provide insight into the mental health impacts of lockdown with minimal compounding harms of the virus. - From June 2020 to July 2021, Australia’s lockdowns were detrimental for caregiver and child mental health. - Negative mental health experiences differed by caregiver gender, child age and family socioeconomic characteristics. - Pandemic response and recovery planning must consider both family mental health and socioeconomic security.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-09-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.13677
Abstract: To assess a national s le of Australian parental confidence in general practitioner (GP) care for illness and injury for their children. Cross-sectional, internet-based survey of a national, representative s le of parents of children birth - 17 years in Australia was used. Purposeful recruitment was used to achieve a national, representative s le of 2100 Australian parents, reflective of demographic and geographic distribution based on census data. Parents were asked to indicate their degree of confidence in a GP to handle medical problems as well as their preference for, and use of, paediatric speciality care for their children. Fewer than half of parents (44%) reported that they were completely confident in a GP to provide general care as defined as 'can handle almost all general health issues for my child'. A slightly greater proportion of parents (56%) were completely confident in a GP to provide care for minor injuries, defined as injuries not requiring an X-ray. Greater confidence in general care was seen among parents >40 years of age and those whose GP is always bulk billed. Parental confidence in GPs is an important issue. Our findings that fewer than half of parents are completely confident in their GP to provide general care to their child may be an influencing factor on current health-care utilisation trends. The potential implications of low parental confidence in GPs are greater numbers of emergency department presentations for children with lower urgency conditions and increased referrals of children for specialty care.
Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
Date: 07-07-2022
DOI: 10.1149/MA2022-01161005MTGABS
Abstract: Characteristics of the passive film and the ability of an alloy to repassivate in any event of passive film breakdown control the corrosion. Studying the passive film has been of great interest since late 1836 when first-time iron was called altered iron. Significant progress in understanding the passive film composition and factors causing breakdown, pit growth and repassivation has been made over the past several decades. However, the role of metallurgical parameters on the passive film structure, composition, crystallinity, chloride ion interaction needs further research attention. The composition and structure of the passive film in Al alloys and stainless steels have been studied using advanced analytical techniques with high depth and spatial resolution have been presented herein. We have used a combination of time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy to study the passive film and pits. The surface film was studied after potentiostatic polarization as well as immersion tests in NaCl solution with immersion time varying from 30 minutes to four weeks. The crystallinity of the passive film was dependent on the composition and microstructure of the alloy. The incorporation of chloride and its distribution in the passive film was dependent on the material and conditions used to produce the passive film. The thickness of the passive film was found to depend on the microstructure of the underlying substrate. The role of the microstructure on passive film structure, breakdown, and repassivation or pit growth will be discussed.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-02-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41529-022-00225-5
Abstract: Supersaturated solid solutions of Al and corrosion-resistant alloying elements (M: V, Mo, Cr, Ti, Nb), produced by non-equilibrium processing techniques, have been reported to exhibit high corrosion resistance and strength. The corrosion mechanism for such improved corrosion performance has not been well understood. We present a fundamental understanding of the role of V in corrosion of an Al-V alloy, which will provide a theoretical background for developing corrosion-resistant Al alloys. High-energy ball milling of the elemental powder of Al and V produced an in situ consolidated Al-V alloy, which exhibited high solid solubility of V. The corrosion resistance of Al-V alloy was significantly higher than that of pure Al, which was attributed to the (1) enrichment of V at the passive film/substrate interface, (2) incorporation of V into the passive film, and (3) deposition of V on the iron-containing cathodic particles and therefore, retardation of cathodic reaction.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-04-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.15974
Abstract: To understand parental awareness and appetite for virtual health modalities, including asynchronous communication and remote monitoring. To understand which socio‐demographic characteristics are associated with greater awareness and appetite for virtual health. Nationally representative survey of Australian parents, recruited via an online panel in February 2021 as part of the Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll. Participants were randomly selected from the consumer panel. 1981 (59.4% response rate) parents completed the survey. 39.9% were aware of virtual health care, defined by digital technology and medical devices to support remote monitoring. Higher levels of awareness were associated with being male, having previous teleconsultation experience, higher education attainment and employment. Most parents reported an appetite for asynchronous communication using an app or website to either provide information prior to a consult (65.9%), provide a photo of a rash or similar (61.7%) or receive medical advice (58.1%). Appetite for wearable devices was similar at 59.9%. Whilst awareness of virtual healthcare was low, appetite exists amongst Australian parents to use technology to support their child's health care. Health‐care models, which incorporate asynchronous communication or symptom monitoring through apps, are likely to be acceptable and offer an accessible and sustainable alternative to traditional face‐to‐face health care.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
Date: 09-04-2023
DOI: 10.5006/4245
Abstract: Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), a metal additive manufacturing technique, was conducted on feedstock-modified 316L stainless steel (316L) powder produced by ball-milling of commercial 316L and 1 wt% additive (cerium oxide—CeO2, lanthanum (III) nitrate hexahydrate—La(NO3)3·6H2O, and chromium nitride—CrN). The feedstock-modified LPBF-316L specimens were sensitized at 675°C for 24 h, and the influence of additives on intergranular corrosion (IGC) was investigated following ASTM G108-94 and A262-14 standards. The LPBF-316L with La(NO3)3·6H2O showed higher IGC resistance. The microstructure of the LPBF specimen was investigated and correlated to understand the improved IGC resistance of LPBF-316L with La(NO3)3·6H2O additive.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1002/TRC2.12200
Abstract: Dementia is currently one of the leading causes of mortality globally, and mortality due to dementia will likely increase in the future along with corresponding increases in population growth and population aging. However, large inconsistencies in coding practices in vital registration systems over time and between countries complicate the estimation of global dementia mortality. We meta‐analyzed the excess risk of death in those with dementia and multiplied these estimates by the proportion of dementia deaths occurring in those with severe, end‐stage disease to calculate the total number of deaths that could be attributed to dementia. We estimated that there were 1.62 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 0.41–4.21) deaths globally due to dementia in 2019. More dementia deaths occurred in women (1.06 million [0.27–2.71]) than men (0.56 million [0.14–1.51]), largely but not entirely due to the higher life expectancy in women (age‐standardized female‐to‐male ratio 1.19 [1.10–1.26]). Due to population aging, there was a large increase in all‐age mortality rates from dementia between 1990 and 2019 (100.1% [89.1–117.5]). In 2019, deaths due to dementia ranked seventh globally in all ages and fourth among in iduals 70 and older compared to deaths from other diseases estimated in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Mortality due to dementia represents a substantial global burden, and is expected to continue to grow into the future as an older, aging population expands globally.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-09-2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-02-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JAC/DKZ448
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is increasing globally, largely due to high rates of antibiotic use and misuse. Factors that influence frequent antibiotic use in children are poorly understood. This study describes rates of antibiotic use in Australian children and investigates parental factors including knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that influence antibiotic use. An online questionnaire relating to antibiotic use was administered as part of the Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll to a randomly recruited nationwide s le of parents or guardians of children aged 0–17 years in Australia. Data on antibiotic use in children and parental knowledge of appropriate indications for antibiotics and behaviours were collected. Standard binary logistic regression was used to assess associations between parent demographics and behaviour with antibiotic administration. The survey was completed by 2157 parents (64% completion rate), of which 1131 (52%) reported having given oral antibiotics to one or more of their children in the preceding 12 months. Of the 3971 children represented overall, 1719 (43%) had received at least one course of antibiotics. The average number of courses per child was 0.86 overall and 1.96 courses per child among those with reported antibiotic use. Notably, 194/1131 (17%) parents reported giving antibiotics to their child without a prescription. Poor parental knowledge of antibiotic indications was associated with antibiotic use. Reducing excessive use of antibiotics in children is necessary in the global strategy for preventing antimicrobial resistance. This study identified areas for public health interventions to educate parents and increase regulation of access to antibiotics.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
Date: 07-07-2022
DOI: 10.1149/MA2022-01161013MTGABS
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging technology that can build 3d-component in a single step via the layer-by-layer process. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a popular powder bed fusion (PBF) – AM technique that involves rapid heating and cooling cycles with broad temperature gradients and complex thermal history. Moreover, the SLM components are often reported to have lower build densification due to stochastic porosity. The complex thermal cycles and stochastic porosity can negatively influence the corrosion performance of SLM printed 316L Stainless steel (SLM-316L) alloys. The corrosion performance of SLM-316L can be improved by optimizing the SLM processing parameters to improve the density and/or performing post-processing. However, post-processing increases the cost and time to deliver the components and is desired to avoid. Therefore, modifying the feedstock to increase corrosion resistance and therefore tolerance of the pores would help streamline the workflow and eliminate expensive post-manufacturing steps. In this research, the feedstock modification was conducted using ball milling of various additives and 316L powder. Corrosion performance of the SLM specimen was dependent on the additive used to modify the feedstock. Some of the additives imparted significantly improved corrosion performance, as evident from the high pitting and repassivation potentials and absence of metastable pitting. Observed corrosion performance was correlated with the microstructure which was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to study the surface film. Role of additives on microstructure and corrosion performance will be discussed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Abstract: To determine the early dental service utilisation patterns among Australian children and investigate barriers to care. Randomly selected adults aged 18 years and older who were parents or caregivers of children under 18 years of age completed an online nationally representative cross-sectional survey which was then analysed using descriptive statistics. A total 2,048 parents of 3,660 children, including 1,179 aged between one and six years, completed the survey. Utilisation of professional dental care was low among children under six years of age, with just 118 (27.3%) at one year of age having ever received professional dental care. The most frequently reported reasons for lack of professional dental care were that the child was too young, their teeth were healthy or that the child would be scared. Cost was the fourth most frequently reported reason in young children. Only 459 (22.4%) parents knew that the first dental visit should be at one year of age or earlier. Parents are unaware that children should have their first dental visit at 12 months, and therefore most children miss out on essential early health promotion. As many parents are unaware of the importance of early dental visits, integrating and strengthening oral health promotion screening and referral within broader early childhood health services is essential.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-06-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.16453
Abstract: The primary aim of the study was to assess parental awareness and understanding of childhood sepsis. Secondary aims included parental knowledge of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and what parents would do if they suspected sepsis in their own child. An online questionnaire was administered as part of The Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll. The Poll is a quarterly online survey of a s le of Australian families with at least one child aged 0–17 years old, representative by age, sex and state of residence. The questionnaire collected information on parental sepsis awareness, and for those defined as sepsis aware, information was gathered on sepsis knowledge, signs and symptoms, and how they would respond if they thought their child had sepsis. Signs and symptoms highly likely to be suggestive of sepsis were predefined based on published sepsis guidelines and awareness c aigns. The questionnaire was completed by 3352 parents. Of those, 2065 (61.6%) had heard of the term sepsis and 2818 (84.1%) had heard of at least one alternate term for sepsis and were classified as ‘sepsis aware’. Of the ‘sepsis aware’ parents, 82.9% knew that sepsis was a life‐threatening condition, but only 33.8% knew that once diagnosed, sepsis may not be curable. Only 27.8% thought that they could recognise the signs of sepsis in their own child. Less than half of respondents correctly identified signs and symptoms that were highly likely to be suggestive of sepsis. Seventy‐one per cent of parents said they would seek urgent care at a hospital emergency department or other facility if they thought their child had sepsis, but only 37.3% said they would consider calling an ambulance. There are considerable knowledge gaps in parental awareness and knowledge of sepsis, particularly sepsis recognition. Parental education should target these knowledge gaps in order to improve healthcare‐seeking behaviour and communication between parents and healthcare providers in order to facilitate early sepsis diagnosis and treatment.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-10-2013
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.12396
Abstract: Australia is a erse society: 26% of the population were born overseas, a further 20% have at least one parent born overseas and 19% speak a language other than English at home. Paediatricians are frequently involved in the assessment and management of non-English-speaking-background children with developmental delay, disability or learning issues. Despite the ersity of our patient population, information on how children learn additional or later languages is remarkably absent in paediatric training. An understanding of second language acquisition is essential to provide appropriate advice to this patient group. It takes a long time (5 years or more) for any student to develop academic competency in a second language, even a student who has received adequate prior schooling in their first language. Refugee students are doubly disadvantaged as they frequently have limited or interrupted prior schooling, and many are unable to read and write in their first language. We review the evidence on second language acquisition during childhood, describe support for English language learners within the Australian education system, consider refugee-background students as a special risk group and address common misconceptions about how children learn English as an additional language.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-10-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.16230
Abstract: To explore the effects of COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions varying in severity and duration on health‐related behaviours in children aged 5–17 years. We used data from the Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll, an online cross‐sectional survey of Australian caregivers. The survey assessed 1222 caregivers' perceived changes in health‐related behaviours (physical activity, sleep, screen‐time, diet, outdoor activity, family and peer connectedness) of 2011 children aged 5–17 years in a typical week from June to September 2020 (when jurisdictions experienced varying restriction severity and duration) compared to retrospective reports of behaviour before March 2020 (pre‐pandemic). To compare the effects of varying restriction severity in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and other states and territories on health‐related behaviours binary logistic regression was used, adjusting for caregiver demographics and weighted to reflect Australia's parent population. Compared to pre‐pandemic, Victoria's restrictions had a greater impact on child health‐related behaviours compared to NSW restrictions and an even stronger impact compared to other states and territories which experienced few or no restrictions. A greater proportion of Victorian children reported more recreational screen time (71.3%) than NSW (53.9%) and other states and territories (34.5%) and less physical activity (57.2%) than NSW (30.3%) and other states and territories (26.5%). Victorian children reported less outdoor activity (62.6%) than NSW (32.0%) and other states and territories (25.2%), and less social connectedness (68.0%) than NSW (35.4%) and other states and territories (27.3%). More severe and longer COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions are associated with greater impacts and predominantly more negative impacts to children's health‐related behaviours. These should be mitigated through policies and programs to encourage healthier life‐styles.
Location: Netherlands
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
No related grants have been discovered for Abolfazl Avan.