Despite advances in pharmacological treatment, heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of hospitalization, mortality, and healthcare costs. HF often coexists with chronic kidney disease (CKD), impacting diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This study aims to evaluate correlations between bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), ultrasound via VExUS, biomarkers (Ca125), and clinical outcomes assessing congestion and predicting cardiovascular mortality in patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS).&#xD;Approach: This prospective observational study included 85 patients with HF and CKD assessed at the Endocardiorenal Unit of Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital. Patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation including BIVA (AKERN BIA 101 BIVA® device), ultrasound assessment (General Electric Vivid T8 system device) for VexUS evaluation, and biomarkers (Ca125, NT-proBNP). BIVA measurements were taken using a 50 kHz phase-sensitive impedance analyzer to measure resistance (R) and reactance (Xc). Statistical analysis involved Pearson's correlation and Cox regression to determine the relationships between these methods and mortality risk. &#xD;Main Results: Among the 85 patients (mean age 75.2 ± 8.4 years, 58.8% men), 11 cardiovascular and 8 non-cardiovascular deaths occurred over a 12-month follow-up. Strong statistically significant association was found between age, low hemoglobin levels, NYHA dyspnea, and mortality. Moderate statistically significant association was observed between BIVA hydration (HYDRAGRAM® calculated by device) and VExUS (r=0.51, p<0.001), with a hydration cut-off point of 78.7% predicting cardiovascular mortality. There was also a significant association between reactance (p = 0.03) and phase angle (p = 0.006) with mortality. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with higher hydration had 5.43 times the risk of mortality compared to those with lower hydration (HR=5.43, 95% CI: 1.36-21.61, p=0.016). &#xD;Significance: Integrating BIVA, VExUS, and Ca125 effectively assesses congestion in CRS patients. A BIVA-derived hydration threshold >78.7% was independently associated with 12-month cardiovascular mortality, supporting its value for risk stratification and improving patient management.&#xD.

Abstract Introduction: The therapeutic arsenal for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has grown in recent years. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) p19 subunit inhibitors represent an emerging therapy for these patients. Risankizumab is an IL-23 inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness, survival, and short- and long-term safety of risankizumab in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of Crohn's disease patients from the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital and the Regional University Hospital of Málaga treated with risankizumab. The primary endpoint was the clinical remission rate, calculated using the Harvey Bradshaw (HBI) clinical index. Results: A total of 51 patients were included. Clinical remission rates at 12, 26, and 52 weeks were 43.1%, 45.1%, and 49%, respectively. The median duration of treatment was 18 months, with a 12-month survival rate of 84% and a 24-month survival rate of 75%. Only one patient experienced treatment-related side effects requiring discontinuation. Conclusion: In this cohort of patients from routine clinical practice, risakizumab treatment was effective in inducing and maintaining remission, with a good safety profile.

Abstract Introduction Endoscopic treatments offer minimally invasive techniques for management of Zenker’s Diverticulum (ZD) or Cricopharyngeal (CP) muscle dysfunction. Selected cases, may require open surgery due to patient or pouch factors. We describe our experience of managing ZD/CPMD with surgical images to depict how we manage an open surgical approach. Methods A retrospective case series was conducted at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. Theatre records from 2024–2025 were reviewed. ZD were classified using the Van Overbeek staging system. Results Twelve patients were included with 7 males and 5 females with a mean age of 73. Endoscopic surgery was attempted in all cases with 8 (67%) requiring no further management. Four (33%) subsequently required external approach surgery with diverticulectomy and CP myotomy due to anatomical limitations preventing safe endoscopic management. The Van Overbeek staging score did not correlate with need for open surgery (P &amp;gt; 0.05). All 4 patients (100%) demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvement with a return to normal diet within 10 days. Conclusions Endoscopic surgery is an effective first-line treatment for ZD. Anatomical features may preclude endoscopic surgery and open surgery offers a safe, effective alternative management strategy.

Abstract Background Bone anchored hearing devices have been utilised in clinical practice in SIVUH since 2013. These devices are beneficial for patients with conductive hearing loss who are not suitable candidates for conventional hearing aids. This study aims to evaluate all patients referred for assessment to the BAHA unit for eligibility and quality-of-life outcomes following BAHA implantation. Methods A retrospective review was conducted at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, examining patient charts and theatre records from 2014 to 2025. Data for BAHA eligibility was recorded including audiological and patient centred criteria. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed between 2023 and 2025 using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) to evaluate functional benefit and quality-of-life changes following BAHA implantation. Results 490 patients were assessed for BAHA eligibility. Of these, 238 proceeded to implantation, and 252 were deemed unsuitable for the procedure. Quality of life outcomes were measured for patients implanted from 2023 onwards, 30 patients completed the GBI. Analysis demonstrated improvements in quality of life among recipients in the post operative period. Conclusions BAHA implantation can provide significant quality-of-life benefits for appropriately selected patients. However, more than half of those assessed were unsuitable. Careful preoperative selection ensures BAHA implantation delivers meaningful quality-of-life benefits.

An emphasis on international connections and standings during the development of tertiary institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand has created an academic culture that is reliant on, and necessitates, staff “business” air travel. Three New Zealand tertiary institutions – University of Otago, Auckland Institute of Technology, and Victoria University of Wellington - agreed to share their travel data to derive operational insights that can be applied to the management of business air travel, particularly in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. In connecting empirical and theoretical knowledge, this project aims to explore business air travel in the university context and facilitate further collaboration and research between tertiary institutes on this topic.

As TikTok becomes a dominant global platform, concerns regarding its impact on higher education have increased. This study explores the intersection of TikTok usage, study habits, and academic performance among undergraduates at Victoria University, Kampala. It moves beyond the distraction critique to examine the role of Creative Digital Agency (CDA) in student engagement. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with a stratified random sample of 100 students across five faculties. Data were collected using the Palsane and Sharma Study Habits Inventory (PSSHI) and an Academic Performance Scale (APS). Analysis was performed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Findings show that TikTok use is widespread (65% regular users), yet intensive use is rare, with 58% spending less than one hour daily. No significant correlation was found between TikTok use and GPA (r = -0.095, p = 0.347) or study habits (r = 0.073, p = 0.471). Crucially, 51.3% of students utilized TikTok for academic learning, and 48.7% reported enhanced creativity. The results suggest that students at Victoria University effectively manage their digital behaviors through CDA, balancing entertainment with academic responsibilities. The study concludes that TikTok serves as a dual-purpose tool both recreational and instructional and does not inherently degrade academic performance. Universities should therefore focus on fostering digital agency rather than implementing restrictive social media policies.

Background:Operating rooms (ORs) produce more than 30% of a hospital’s total waste, with plastic accounting for 20% of that waste. Our project aimed to reduce OR plastic waste by encouraging patients at London Health Sciences Centre sites to bring reusable bags for their belongings and reusable water bottles.Methods:We used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality-improvement method, conducting 3 PDSA cycles, first at Nazem Kadri Surgical Centre, and then at Victoria Hospital and University Hospital. Educational interventions informed staff and encouraged patients to bring their own reusable items. Outcome measures included environmental carbon footprint savings, waste savings, and cost savings over a 1-year period. Process measures included the percentage of patients who brought their own reusable bags and water bottle, the percentage of plastic belongings bags purchased, and the percentage of patients informed to bring their own reusables. Balancing measures assessed patient satisfaction and administrative workflow changes.Results:In PDSA cycle 3 at University Hospital and Victoria Hospital, 60.0% and 78.0% of patients brought their own reusable bags for belongings, and 15.7% and 57.8% brought a reusable water bottle. There was a 45.7% reduction of plastic bags for patient belongings purchased annually, which equated to a reduction of 2141 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents, 10 393 km driven equivalent emissions, $1259.55 saved, and 252 kg of waste saved. Most patients and staff agreed that bringing reusable bags for surgery is easy.Conclusion:This quality-improvement initiative achieved high patient uptake of reusable items and resulted in substantial reductions in plastic use, waste, and associated carbon emissions. Transitioning to reusable bags for patient belongings and reusable water bottles is an environmentally friendly initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of an OR.

The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has increased alarmingly among young people, often perceived as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco. Studies demonstrating that these are not harmless products are essential to raise awareness of their potential health risks. A pre-post exposure experimental study was conducted between March and June 2024 at Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Málaga, Spain, in 40 healthy regular EC users aged ≥18 years. Respiratory parameters (FeNO, spirometry, oscillometry) and ophthalmological assessments (Schirmer test, Optical Coherence Tomography, and Pentacam) were evaluated before and after acute EC exposure (40-60 inhalations). Following acute exposure, a statistically significant decrease in FeNO was observed from 21.88 ± 22.01 to 18.05 ± 18.08 ppb (p=0.019), particularly in non-smokers (p=0.003), suggesting an airway inflammatory response. In dual users, a significant increase in pulmonary resistance from 0.21 ± 0.36 to 0.35 ± 0.48 kPa/L∙s (p=0.028) was detected. At the ocular level, the Schirmer test showed reduced tear secretion in 47.5% of participants. Additionally, significant changes were found in macular flow density (p=0.024) and inferior macular choroidal thickness (p=0.015), suggesting a possible retinal hemodynamic alteration. Acute use of ECs induces measurable changes in both respiratory function and ocular parameters. These findings underscore the need to raise awareness about the potential adverse effects of vaping and highlight the importance of further research into its long-term consequences.

The higher education sector is one of the most competitive sectors in the economy. Due to rapid changes in society, universities are being asked to adapt to attract students. One of the things that some universities have done is to change the way they teach to make the learning process more accessible and to attract students who find it suitable. Based Methodology of Teaching (BMT), an innovative teaching method in higher education, has shown great potential to improve student performance. This study uses a case study approach and collects data from five institutions that have implemented BMT: the University of Salford, the University of Colorado, Heriot University, Victoria University, and Quest University. Thematic analysis of the data collected resulted in a scoring system with 14 positive and seven negative BMT outcomes organized into eight categories. Implications of the findings for research and practitioners are also reported here.

Past ATLAANZ President and ATLAANZ Journal Editor, and current ATLAANZ Life Member, Deborah Laurs reflects on over two decades as a learning advisor and leader at Victoria University of Wellington, championing student resilience, peer-assisted learning, and professional advocacy through ATLAANZ, while navigating evolving educational challenges and fostering inclusive, research-informed support for diverse learners.

This is a revised and footnoted version of the Sir Ivor Richardson Lecture delivered at Victoria University of Wellington on 4 September 2024. Professor McLauchlan argues that when we ask the questions "is there a contract?" and, if so, "what does it mean?", essentially the same principles apply in New Zealand as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Bathurst Resources Ltd v L&amp;M Coal Holdings Ltd. This represents a departure from the law in other common law countries, notably the United Kingdom and Australia, where the courts continue to draw a sharp distinction between the principles governing formation of contracts and those governing their interpretation. Nevertheless, Professor McLauchlan suggests that the New Zealand development is to be welcomed because it improves the transparency and coherence of the law of contract and brings that law into line with the best international practice.

Much has been written and discussed about artificial intelligence (AI) and growing sentiment suggests it is here to stay. How should AI be used, positioned, developed and governed? Will AI be the solution to persistent and inconceivable challenges, positioning early adopters for competitive advantage and economic growth? Questions and concerns abound but it is time we move beyond debate and come to resolution regarding ethical AI standards and policies to influence and govern use. Co-sponsored by the Information Policy and Information Ethics special interest groups (SIGs), this proposal is for a pair of 90-minute speaker panels, facilitated by the respective SIG convenors. This joint-panel presents a continuous conversation to strengthen our resolve of ethical AI standards and policies. Panelists will present intercultural and geopolitical perspectives to frame an ethical stance that will be workshopped across panels for an ethical pedagogical position to inform policy. The first panel, AI Ethical Standards: Resolving to make AI ethical decisions, will feature four speakers focusing on ethical considerations. Kyle Jones (Indiana University Indianapolis) will present his development of the course “AI for Information Professionals,” focusing primarily on the boundaries (and lack thereof) of pedagogical ethics when designing a course for and with generative AI tools. Clara Belitz (University of Illinois) will present research on the usage of AI in middle and high school mathematics classes in the United States, centering student experiences with these systems, speaking to how “AI fairness” is conceptualized and measured. John Burgess (University of Alabama) will speak on human dignity and AI from a sustainability ethics perspective, drawing on the work of Emmanuel Levinas. Finally, Spencer Lilley (Victoria University of Wellington) will speak on ethics from an Indigenous perspective, including transparency of training AI, the use of this data to spread mis-/disinformation about Indigenous peoples, and implications for indigenous intellectual and cultural property rights. We acknowledge and appreciate the individual and collective decolonizing efforts and commitments of our SIG members. Our conversations reflect complex intercultural challenges, which we discuss with an ethic of care, confidentiality, and intellectual curiosity and respect for divergent perspectives and practices.

The 18th International Ichnofabric Workshop took place in Granada (Spain), from May 26th to 31st, hosted at the Carmen de la Victoria (University of Granada). This edition, one of the largest in the history of the conference, gathered 45 researchers, including ten students, from 16 countries. A total of 52 scientific contributions were presented, comprising 33 oral presentations and 19 posters. The meeting covered a broad range of ichnological topics, with a special emphasis on ichnofabric analysis. Field activities complemented the indoor sessions, including an intra-meeting trip to Ordovician and Toarcian outcrops in the Iberian Massif and a two-day post-meeting excursion to Miocene–Pliocene deposits in the Province of Almería, both fostering lively scientific discussion in the field. Beyond the scientific program, participants also enjoyed cultural and social events. Overall, the 18th International Ichnofabric Workshop was a resounding success, combining highquality scientific exchange, field-based learning, and cultural immersion, and further strengthening the global ichnological community.

This study analysed the contribution of work environment to employee satisfaction in selected private universities in Uganda within the framework of corporate governance. Guided by the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), 2001, which mandates governance structures such as university councils and boards of trustees. The study explores how these roles influence workplace conditions and employee satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods, exploratory approach was employed. The study focused on four private universities: Kampala International University (KIU), Ndejje University (NDU), Victoria University (VU), and Nkumba University (NU) with university staff (academic and administrative) as the unit of analysis. Out of a population of 610, a sample size of 242 was selected using Slovin’s formula at a 95% confidence level and 0.05 precision. Simple random sampling was used for survey participants, while purposive sampling selected 12 key informants for interviews. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires, and qualitative data through interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25.0, with linear regression and Pearson correlation applied to analyse the contribution of work environment (independent variable) to employee satisfaction (dependent variable). Findings revealed a moderate positive contribution of work environment to employee satisfaction (r = .485, p &lt; 0.01). The model explained 23.5% (R² = 0.235) of the variance in employee satisfaction attributed to the work environment. University councils, boards of trustees, and management were identified as key actors in creating policies and conditions that support employee satisfaction. However, aspects such as promotions, supervision, and rewards were noted as gaps needing further investigation. The null hypothesis that work environment has no significant effect on employee satisfaction was rejected (β = .553, p &lt; 0.01), underscoring the importance of governance in fostering conducive work environments in private universities.

This study examined the relationship between corporate governance roles and work environment in selected private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Uganda. Using the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), 2001 as the regulatory foundation, corporate governance was introduced to address institutional challenges and improve management structures. While the Act led to the creation of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and university councils with clear governance responsibilities, little attention has been given to how these structures influence employee satisfaction and workplace conditions. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods, exploratory approach was employed. The study focused on four private universities: Kampala International University (KIU), Ndejje University (NDU), Victoria University (VU), and Nkumba University (NU) with university staff (academic and administrative) as the unit of analysis. Out of a population of 610, a sample size of 242 was selected using Slovin’s formula at a 95% confidence level and 0.05 precision. Simple random sampling was used for survey participants, while purposive sampling selected 12 key informants for interviews. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires, and qualitative data through interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25.0, with linear regression and Pearson correlation applied to examine the relationship between corporate governance roles (independent variable) and work environment (dependent variable). The results indicate a moderate positive relationship between corporate governance roles and work environment (r = .651, p &lt; 0.01). Policies formulated by university councils were perceived to promote stable environments, with 55.7% strongly agreeing. Supervisory roles and university philosophies also positively influenced motivation and performance. However, welfare policies were perceived less favorably, with 36.8% disagreeing they create a positive attitude. The model summary showed R² = 0.424, indicating that 42.4% of the variation in work environment is explained by corporate governance practices. The null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between corporate governance roles and work environment was rejected (β = .651, p &lt; 0.01), supporting the conclusion that corporate governance roles play a critical role in shaping employee experiences in private universities.

Purpose Youth workers play an important role in the social and educational development of young people across sectors. These sectors include schools, out-of-homecare, child protection, community-based settings, advocacy and sports. Youth workers in Australia can be trained in the Vocational and Educational Training (VET) and the Higher Education (HE) systems. In the state of Victoria in Australia, students who want to study youth work in the VET system can obtain a Certificate IV in Youth Work (AQF level 4) and a Diploma in Youth Work (AQF level 5). Design/methodology/approach This study explored the types of skills and knowledge needed by youth work students to engage proactively with young people and children who have experienced trauma in their lives. Participants in the study included both current and graduate students from the Certificate IV in Youth Work at Victoria University, TAFE (Technical and Further Education). All the students undertook a trauma aware unit (CHCMHS007) – Work effectively in trauma informed care) as part of their youth work course. The design utilised a qualitative methodology. Findings Data findings indicated that TAFE teachers play an important role in modelling a trauma aware approach. The use of role plays was seen as an important pedagogical tool in the development of trauma aware skills needed to be a successful youth worker. A key concern to emerge from the data was that many of the participants lacked insight into how to access trauma aware networks to support students in school settings. Research limitations/implications There has been limited research on TAFE students and graduate students who have completed trauma education units of study. Practical implications The research implications provide recommendations for TAFE teachers who are teaching trauma educations units. Social implications Youth work teachers who have a trauma aware mindset are more likely to have a positive impact on young people with lived experiences of trauma. Originality/value There has been no research of this kind in technical and further education in Australia.

Breast cancer is the most common non cutaneous cancer in Irish women. Diagnosis offers a key opportunity to promote lifestyle change. This study assessed awareness of modifiable lifestyle risk factors and acceptability of secondary risk reduction services amongst breast cancer survivors and healthcare professionals.A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2021. Surveys were developed using previously validated questionnaires: the Mitchelstown Cohort Survey and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A survey was offered to healthcare professionals working in and patients attending the early breast cancer outpatient clinic at the South Infirmary Victoria and Cork University Hospitals', Ireland.322 patients and 29 healthcare professionals participated. Many patients met at-risk lifestyle factors; body mass index >25kg/m2 (66 % [n = 203/313]), low physical activity (19 % [n = 60/322]), frequent consumption of high fat, sugar and salt containing foods (42 % [n = 135/320]), increased alcohol consumption (39 % [n = 125/322]) and current smoker (5 % [n = 17/322]). 83 % of patients and HCPs agreed that modifiable lifestyle risk factors are important in cancer prevention. Only 17 % (n=5/29) of HCPs had training in secondary risk reduction; however, 90 % were willing to refer to services. Patients who had increased alcohol intake or weight gain since diagnosis were more likely to engage with services (44 %, n = 15/34 [p=<0.008]) and (74 %, n = 99/134, [p = <0.001]).A large proportion of patients met at-risk lifestyle criteria. Gaps in knowledge of at-risk lifestyle behaviours exist. Patients intended engagement with some secondary risk reduction services was associated with their lifestyle behaviours. Our study highlights the challenges of implementing survivorship health promotion programs.

Butterfly is a poetry film commissioned by Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) to celebrate the opening edition of the Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival (APFF) in 2023. The film was shot at VUW, Toi Whakaari (New Zealand Drama School) and other iconic Wellington locations including Te Ahumarangi Hill, which offers commanding views of the city centre, Princess Bay in the south coast, and the city’s CBD. In Butterfly, the Wellington locations are not a mere scenic background to the action but rather fulfil a specific aesthetic purpose as they are deployed to signify different stages in Butterfly’s life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of heel lifts in people with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. DESIGN: This was a parallel-group randomized, sham-controlled, participant- and assessor-blinded trial conducted at a single center (Victoria University, Institute for Health and Sport, Melbourne, Australia). METHODS: One hundred and eight participants (38 females and 70 males; mean age, 48 years; standard deviation, 10 years) with midportion Achilles tendinopathy, diagnosed clinically and confirmed by ultrasound, were randomly allocated to either a heel lift (n = 54) or sham intervention (n = 54) group. The primary outcome was pain intensity (11-point numerical rating scale) at 12 weeks. Differences between groups were analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach with analysis of covariance. RESULTS: There was 100% follow-up of participants at 12 weeks. Pain intensity reduced by a mean of 3.7 points in the heel lifts group and 2.5 points in the sham intervention group. On average, there was a significant between-group difference in favor of heel lifts for reducing pain intensity (adjusted mean difference, -0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.7, -0.2; P = .02), which approximated, but did not meet the predetermined minimum important difference of 1.5 points. The primary analysis was not robust to sensitivity analysis when controlling for expectation (adjusted mean difference -0.7; 95% CI: -1.5, 0.0; P = .06). CONCLUSION: In adults with midportion Achilles tendinopathy, heel lifts demonstrated greater efficacy than a sham intervention for reducing pain intensity at 12 weeks, but this benefit was small and may not be clinically meaningful. These results do not support the use of heel lifts for the primary management of Achilles tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(9):1-10. Epub 1 August 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.13422.

ABSTRACTBackgroundMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a heterogeneous group of haematological neoplasms characterized by ineffective haematopoiesis and a variable risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Elevated serum ferritin (SF), a marker of iron overload (IO), has been linked to poorer outcomes in MDS. However, the impact of pre‐treatment SF levels on azacytidine (AZA) response and survival outcomes remains unclear.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients with World Health Organization‐defined MDS or AML with 20%–30% bone marrow blasts treated with AZA at the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital (Málaga, Spain) from 2007 onwards. Patients were stratified into three groups based on pre‐treatment SF levels: < 500 ng/mL, 500–1000 ng/mL and > 1000 ng/mL. Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier methods were used to analyse overall response (OR) and overall survival (OS).ResultsAmong 240 patients, 190 with available SF data were analysed. Patients with SF > 1000 ng/mL showed significantly lower OR (24.2%) and shorter OS (median: 10.1 months) compared to those with SF < 500 ng/mL (OR: 71.4%, OS: 18.2 months) and 500–1000 ng/mL (OR: 82.6%, OS: 20.5 months) (p < 0.0001 for OR, p = 0.001 for OS). Multivariate analysis confirmed elevated SF as an independent predictor of poorer outcomes.ConclusionsElevated pre‐treatment SF levels are strongly associated with reduced response and survival in patients with MDS or AML treated with AZA. Early IO management, such as iron chelation, may improve treatment outcomes.