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The role of game-based learning simulation to enhance leadership in pandemic preparedness for nursing students
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses around the world suffered with the impact of resource scarcity on the provision of quality nursing care to patients. Nursing staff were at higher risk of infection than all other healthcare workers, with working conditions during the pandemic resulting in significant staffing pressures. The challenges faced by staff during the pandemic inevitably influenced the quality and delivery of clinical education, highlighting the need for innovative solutions such as digital learning to address emerging training needs. Further, the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on clinical education has highlighted the benefits of digital learning environments as alternatives to traditional educational strategies.
The literature highlights the critical need for professional development in pandemic preparedness and response, particularly in the areas of personnel and inventory resource management. This need arises from the observed gaps in the ability of healthcare systems to cope with the demands of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 crisis. Game-based learning (GBL) simulation is suggested as an engaging and effective training tool to enhance nurse preparedness for future pandemics.
The aim of this thesis was to understand the role and/or value of GBL as it can contribute to pandemic preparedness and leadership for nursing students. The methodology for this study adopted mixed methods to collect data from users on their experience of a clinical leadership simulation within a game based pandemic scenario. Evaluation of student nurses’ interaction with the GBL simulation was guided by Kirkpatrick’s Training Evaluation Model. Online surveys pre- and post-GBL simulation were adopted. The pre-GBL survey evaluated existing knowledge and confidence. The post-GBL survey evaluated user satisfaction and usability and provided a measure to compare knowledge and confidence gained through comparison to pre-GBL simulation data. Open ended survey questions explored user satisfaction and perceived application to clinical practice.
Significant differences in self-reported confidence and identified regulation were observed (p \u3c 0.05) and participants reported moderate usability and user satisfaction with the gaming experience. The content analysis resulted in three key themes in relation to the nursing students experience with the GBL simulation; (1) GBL simulation increasing pandemic preparedness and leadership; (2) Technical issues impacting the user experience; and (3) A safe learning environment to practice without fear of failing.
GBL can deliver effective leadership preparedness and resource management training for nursing students. Findings indicate GBL simulation of real-world pandemic scenarios in a low-risk setting could provide learning benefit through integration into nursing education curricula. Content analysis of data collected in this study underscores the potential of GBL simulation as a valuable educational tool in nursing education. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of GBL simulation on students\u27 skills and confidence in real-world settings
Social Work Honours Thesis - Judith C Maechler
No full textThe dataset comprises a coding book (Excel), a summary table, and a summary table of the studies included in the research
Global patterns and drivers of seagrass biomass, net primary production and meadow structure
No full textAim: We decipher global patterns in seagrass growth and structure to advance seagrass science, facilitate multidisciplinary research, and promote effective management strategies and policy development for seagrass habitats. Location: Global. Time period: 1975 to 2024. Major taxa studied: Seagrasses—marine angiosperms. Methods: A global data set on seagrass total biomass, total net primary productivity (NPP), shoot density, and percent cover was compiled across 11 genera. We tested how these variables change across seagrass genera, life-history strategy, and geographic location; and then modelled the environmental drivers (temperature, nutrients, light availability) of the patterns observed. Results: The mean (±SE) total biomass of seagrasses globally was estimated at 340 ± 10 g DW m−2 and total NPP was estimated at 5.4 ± 0.4 g DW m−2 d−1. Mean shoot density across all genera was 1,780 ± 67 shoots m−2 and percent cover was 42% ± 1%. Persistent genera showed the highest total biomass followed by opportunistic then colonising genera, whereas shoot density was higher for colonising than persistent, which had the highest percent cover. Latitudinal and bioregional patterns were identified for some genera and were mostly driven by genus-specific traits, followed by localised environmental factors. Main Conclusions: Trends in seagrass meadow ecology were largely influenced by seagrass genera and their life-history strategy, with localised environmental factors, such as temperature and nutrients, also playing a role. Global estimates of seagrass biomass and NPP were 2-times higher than previously reported. Seagrass life-history strategies modulate the trade-offs between NPP and biomass to thrive in specific habitats. This study provides the most updated global synthesis of patterns in seagrass growth and structure
Neuromotor function following lower-limb muscle or tendon injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textPurpose: Alterations in neuromotor function occur following lower-limb injuries and might be a factor in recurrent injury. We evaluated if adults with previous lower-limb muscle or tendon injury demonstrate differences in neuromotor function compared with uninjured or control limbs. Methods: A systematic search of health databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus was conducted from inception until the end of April 2024. Studies evaluating neuromotor function of adults with a history of lower-limb muscle or tendon injury compared to an uninjured contralateral or control limb were included. Inverse variance, random effects meta-analyses were used to generate effect estimates for neuromotor outcomes. A best evidence synthesis determined the level of evidence (LOE) and summary estimates for changes in neuromotor function. Results: Sixty-three studies (1 796 participants) were included, with injuries to Achilles, gluteal and patella tendons and adductor, calf, hamstring and rectus femoris muscles. Below one quarter (21%) of 232 neuromotor outcomes identified were amenable to data pooling. Evidence for changes in neuromotor function were found, notably, a reduction in lateral hamstring activation during isokinetic contractions (LOE: strong) and knee joint position sense (2 studies: control SMD = 1.11, 95% CI = [0.61, 1.61]; p \u3c 0.000 1; 2 studies: uninjured SMD = 0.98, 95% CI = [0.37, 1.58]; p = 0.002; LOE: strong) in hamstring strain injury. Conclusions: Differences in neuromotor function were present in injured compared to control and uninjured limbs, including reduced muscle activation and proprioception in hamstring muscle injury. Methodological diversity was common, however, and variable results were found. As such, the overall impact of lower-limb muscle or tendon injury on neuromotor function remains uncertain
The impact of due diligence legislation on international trade and business: Analysis of potential trade-offs
No full textAs countries increasingly adopt due diligence legislation to promote human rights, labor standards, and environmental sustainability in global value chains, a complex dilemma arises. While these laws commendably aim to address moral and political issues in international trade, they may also impose significant costs on companies, potentially disincentivizing investment and trade. This study examines the impact of due diligence laws on international trade and business, analyzing some 60 cases. We explore their unintended consequences, including the potential withdrawal of investors from partner countries, reduced trade, including strategic commodities, and increased costs of compliance leading to competitiveness concerns. Our research categorizes different forms of legislation, investigating whether current due diligence laws are well-designed to achieve their goals without producing unwanted side effects. We end with a brief set of suggestions for a future research agenda
Theory and theoretical contribution in tourism research: Confusions and clarifications
No full textConfusions in understanding what theory is and what constitutes a theoretical contribution are commonly found in the literature. Such confusions may be more harmful for a relatively young field such as tourism. This editorial paper identifies some typical confusions in understanding theory and theoretical contribution and provides conceptual clarifications for tourism researchers. In clarifying the confusions, this paper proposes two definitions of theory: the general definition (Type I) and the special definition (Type II). Type I theories are broad and loose in use and refer to abstract reflections and the underlying laws/rules of phenomena and observations. These theories may include speculation, disillusion, perspective, concept, formula, process, and relationship and comprise both the colloquial use of theory and the professional use of the perspective/lens theories in the context of academic research. Type II theories involve clearly defined concepts and postulate on the interrelationships between/among concepts that explain how and why some phenomena occur. In understanding theoretical contributions in tourism, a prescience perspective valuing relevance to practice is advocated; tourism researchers are also advised to differentiate theoretical contributions from knowledge contributions, and regard tourism as a context in both theory application and theory building. It is hoped the clarifications in this paper can benefit researchers in training and early career researchers in the field of tourism to develop better understanding of theory and theoretical contribution
Pre-storage application of oxalic acid and modified atmosphere packaging delays degradation of cell wall polysaccharides in persimmon fruit
No full textPersimmon is a climacteric fruit that is highly prone to chilling injury (CI) and softening, which limits its long-term marketability. This study investigated the effectiveness of treatments on persimmon fruit: a 5 mM oxalic acid (OA) dip treatment for 2 min, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), their combination (OA + MAP), and untreated fruits were considered as control, followed by storage at 0 ± 1 °C for up to 60 days with subsequent 1 day at shelf conditions. The combined OA + MAP treatment alleviated CI incidence, followed by MAP alone and OA treatment in persimmon fruit. Additionally, the OA + MAP treatment significantly suppressed the ethylene production rate (EPR), minimised weight loss (WL), and maintained better fruit texture, including hardness and chewiness. The treatment also effectively reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) production and the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX), as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in persimmons. Analysis of cell wall components revealed that OA + MAP-treated fruit maintained higher levels of total pectin (TP), chelate soluble pectin (CSP), sodium carbonate soluble pectin (NSP), and cellulose. Furthermore, separate application of OA or MAP and the combined OA + MAP treatment delayed the activities of pectin methyl esterase (PME), pectate lyase (PL), polygalacturonase (PG), and cellulase (CEL) in comparison with control fruit during storage. These findings demonstrate that the combined application of OA + MAP effectively enhances chilling tolerance and preserves cell wall integrity in persimmons
Prevalent vertebral fracture is associated with incident cardiovascular disease events in older individuals referred for bone densitometry
No full textBackground: It is unknown if prevalent vertebral fracture (PVFx) captured on bone density vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) images predicts incident CVD events. Methods: 11,760 individuals (mean [SD] age 75.7 [6.8] years, 94 % female) had VFA contemporaneously with bone densitometry in Manitoba, Canada, between February 2010 and December 2017, of whom 1919 (16.3 %) had ≥1 PVFx. This cohort was followed over a mean (SD) 3.8 (2.3) years for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE, composite of hospitalization for myocardial infarction, non-hemorrhagic stroke, or all-cause mortality) and other CVD events (hospitalization for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, or coronary bypass/stenting). Proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for incident MACE and other CVD events in those with compared to those without PVFx. Results: Adjusted for age and sex, those with PVFx had HR for incident MACE of 1.34 (95 % C·I. 1.19, 1.51), hospitalization for myocardial infarction (HR 1.35, 95 % C.I. 1.02, 1.79), all-cause mortality (HR 1.36, 95 % C.I, 1.19, 1.56), and other CVD events (HR 1.40, 95 % C.I. 1.21, 1.61). These associations were only slightly attenuated with further adjustment for prior CVD disease and additional CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Prevalent vertebral fracture identified on VFA images in routine clinical practice is robustly associated with incident MACE, independent of other risk factors including AAC which can be simultaneously ascertained on the same images. VFA may have utility for prediction of fractures and CVD outcomes via ascertainment of both prevalent vertebral fracture and AAC
Comprehensive understanding of the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on early life immune development
No full textGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) account for about 14% of all metabolic diseases in pregnant women and has been associated with dysregulated metabolic, hyperglycemia and maternal immune activation. However, the impact of the in-utero exposure to this metabolic environment on the developing immune system of the infant is not known. This is important for the future health of the child as an altered immune development places the infant at an increased risk of infections and other complicated diseases. The thesis presents a number of studies to understand the role of GDM on the maternal and infant immune profile in the first 3 months of life. Chapter 1 of the thesis is an introduction and review of the literature, which reviews the occurrence of GDM and demonstrates how GDM could influence the infant immune development, and the mechanisms involved, while Chapter 2 describes the methods and approaches employed in the thesis. The study was designed to address three aims, which will be covered in this thesis. Firstly, the maternal immune environment was assessed using a 48-plex cytokine Luminex assay, flow cytometry to identify several immune subsets and phenotypes and RNA sequencing to explore the transcriptome (Chapter 3). Secondly, the effect of the maternal environment on the immune profile of infants in the first 3-7 days of life was assessed (chapter 4) and finally, the last aim was to model the status of the infant immune profile at 3 months of life on in-utero exposure to GDM accounting for maternal obesity (chapter 5). Lastly, Chapter 6 provides a general discussion of findings, limitations, recommendations, and opportunities for improving infant immune development.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, we found an anti-inflammatory bias, characterised by increased IL-1ra in GDM positive women (p = 0.021), with no changes in immune cells and subsets but an increased CD25 expression on CD4+ regulatory T cells (p = 0.047). After accounting for maternal obesity, the most upregulated gene was the Humanin-like protein 1 which is thought to protect cells from stress induced damage and apoptosis, regulate insulin sensitivity and protect against diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The most downregulated gene was cytochrome P450 family 26 subfamily B member 1 (CYP26B1) which codes for enzymes involved in retinoic acid (RA) conversion into inactive forms, reducing RA availability in pregnant mothers. In infants in the first 3-7 days of life, no changes in immune cells were observed (p \u3e 0.05 for all immune subsets). Similar as found in mothers, we found an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile characterised by decreased pro-inflammatory TNF-β in infants in the first week of life (p = 0.039), which remained significant after accounting for obesity (p = 0.0378). TNF-α also increased in the first week of life (p = 0.0451), however, this was non-significant after accounting for obesity (p = 0.0939). Higher CD11c and CD25 MFI were found on classical monocytes and CD4 Tregs respectively, however this was non-significant after accounting for maternal obesity in infants in the first 3-7 days of life. At 3 months of life, we found an enhanced pro-inflammatory environment characterised by higher MCP-1/MCAF (p = 0.0302) and PDGF-bb (p = 0.0260), which both remained significant after accounting for obesity. Overall, less effect of GDM on the transcriptome of infants at 3 months of life was observed and immune cell changes remained comparable at this time point. The findings of this thesis support the prevailing hypotheses that a tightly balanced maternal immune environment may be required for infant development and may not be strongly influenced by environmental factors such as GDM
Creating equitable literacy learning environments: A transformative model
No full textThis groundbreaking book introduces the Model for Equitable Literacy Learning Environments (MELLE), a comprehensive framework that integrates evidence-based instruction with culturally responsive pedagogy to create truly equitable learning environments for all children.
Despite decades of reading instruction reform, persistent achievement disparities remain between students from marginalised communities and their more privileged peers. Drawing on extensive international research across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the author examines how three key dimensions—quality instruction, opportunity to read, and authentic representation in reading materials - must work together within supportive cultural and community contexts. Interwoven with real-classroom examples, the text showcases how this framework can be applied to address persistent achievement gaps and promote inclusive education.
Moving beyond polarised literacy debates, this book is a must-read for educators seeking practical solutions to create equitable learning environments that empower learners from a range of backgrounds