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Using Generative Artificial Intelligence in learning and teaching: An empirical analysis on academic staff's perspectives
No full textThe use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in higher education has garnered significant attention from scholars and researchers since the release of ChatGPT, one of the prominent GAI tools, in late 2022. While academic communities are increasingly recognizing the potential of GAI in teaching and learning, concerns persist regarding the impact of individual backgrounds and employment statuses on attitudes toward GAI, particularly in private higher education. This paper examines the perspectives of academic staff across different disciplines and employment statuses on their familiarity with and incorporation of GAI technologies in teaching. It emphasizes how to integrate GAI technologies effectively into teaching while upholding academic integrity and ensuring the quality of education. The findings, derived from an online survey and descriptive analysis, reveal significant variation in GAI familiarity among disciplines, as well as differing approaches to integrating GAI tools into teaching practices and formulating policies to maintain academic integrity. Notably, full-time staff are generally more familiar with GAI than their casual counterparts. While most teaching staff are open tom students using GAI in their studies, concerns about potential breaches of academic integrity, particularly in assessments, remain prominent. To address these concerns, we recommend developing a transparent academic integrity policy along with clear guidelines for GAI use tailored to different disciplines and employment statuses. Such measures would foster an innovative and creative learning environment while safeguarding the quality of education
Exploring the Molecular Interactions of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone and Its Derivatives with TrkB and VEGFR2 Proteins
No full text7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is a TrkB receptor agonist, and treatment with this flavonoid derivative brings about an enhanced TrkB phosphorylation and promotes downstream cellular signalling. Flavonoids are also known to exert an inhibitory effect on the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) family of tyrosine kinase receptors. VEGFR2 is one of the important receptors involved in the regulation of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis and has also been implicated to exhibit various neuroprotective roles. Its upregulation and uncontrolled activity is associated with a range of pathological conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and various proliferative disorders. In this study, we investigated molecular interactions of 7,8-DHF and its derivatives with both the TrkB receptor as well as VEGFR2. Using a combination of molecular docking and computational mapping tools involving molecular dynamics approaches we have elucidated additional residues and binding energies involved in 7,8-DHF interactions with the TrkB Ig2 domain and VEGFR2. Our investigations have revealed for the first time that 7,8-DHF has dual biochemical action and its treatment may have divergent effects on the TrkB via its extracellular Ig2 domain and on the VEGFR2 receptor through the intracellular kinase domain. Contrary to its agonistic effects on the TrkB receptor, 7,8-DHF was found to downregulate VEGFR2 phosphorylation both in 661W photoreceptor cells and in retinal tissue
Survival of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on and Bt toxin expression in various parts of transgenic Bt cotton (Bollgard II) plants
No full textThere is no conclusive evidence that Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Australia have evolved significant levels of resistance to Bollgard II® cotton (which expresses two Bt toxin genes, cry1Ac and cry2Ab). However, there is evidence of surviving larvae on Bollgard II cotton in the field. The distribution and survival of early-instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were examined on whole Bollgard II and non-Bt cotton plants in greenhouse bioassays. The expression of Cry toxins in various parts of Bollgard II plants was compared to the survival of larvae in those locations. Only 1% of larvae survived after 6 days on greenhouse-grown Bollgard II plants compared to 31% on non-Bt cotton plants. Overall, and across all time intervals, more larvae survived on reproductive parts (squares, flowers, and bolls) than on vegetative parts (leaves, stems, and petioles) on Bollgard II plants. The concentration of Cry1Ac toxin did not differ between plant structures, whereas Cry2Ab toxin differed significantly, but there was no relationship between the level of expression and the location of larvae. This study provides no evidence that lower expression of Cry toxins in the reproductive parts of plants explains the survival of H. armigera larvae on Bollgard II cotton
Reliability of the running vertical jump test in female team sport athletes
Get PDFInjury rates to the lower limb have increased over the past 40 years, coinciding with increases in female sport participation rates. Sport specific tests such as the running vertical jump (RVJ) are utilised for injury risk profiling, however the test-retest reliability is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the thorax, pelvis and lower limb joint angular kinematics and kinetics for the RVJ test in female team sport athletes. Design: Three-dimensional motion capture with force plate integration was utilised as participants performed five trials on each limb on three separate days. Setting: Testing occurred in a biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Thirty-four females (Australian Rules Football = 15, Netball = 12, Soccer = 7) participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), effect sizes and typical errors (TE) of segment and joint angular kinematics and kinetics were calculated. Results: Poor to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.12 e 0.92), small to large effect sizes (0.00e0.90) and TE (0.02e289.24) were observed across segment and joint angular kinematics and kinetics Conclusions: The RVJ test is recommended when analysing ground reaction forces and joint angular kinematics in female team sport athletes
Exploring the utility of bioaerosol metagenomics compared to PCRs for swine pathogen surveillance
No full textIntroduction: Pathogen introduction and transmission at the farm, regional, or national level are associated with reduced animal welfare and negative impacts on herd economics. Ongoing infectious disease surveillance, active or passive, is therefore of high importance. For optimal resolution, each pig is sampled individually, for example by collecting blood or nasal swabs. In recent years, oral fluids have become very useful for population surveillance at the pen level. Another alternative is sampling the air to capture pathogens circulating across the entire barn via bioaerosols.Objective: This study aimed to examine the potential utility of bioaerosol metagenomics for pathogen detection on pig farms.Methods: Bioaerosols via automated air sampler, and oral fluid via pen-based ropes, were collected from each of two Scottish indoor pig farms. All samples were subjected to conventional routine bacterial isolation. Total genomic nucleic acids were extracted for PCR screening for three pig DNA viruses, three bacterial Mycoplasma species and an RNA virus. Illumina shotgun metagenomic sequencing was also conducted.Results: Oral fluids contained more DNA compared to bioaerosol samples. DNA integrity exhibited limited impact on PCR or sequence yield. While Streptococcus suis could be cultured from a single oral fluid sample, reads mapped to S. suis were detectable in all metagenomic samples. Other bacterial pig pathogens, including Mycoplasma hyorhinis, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyosynoviae, were detected in oral fluid and aerosols by PCR and metagenomics. One of the two farms was PRRSV positive, and the virus was detectable via PCR in oral fluids but not in bioaerosols. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene profiles had less variation between bioaerosols and oral fluids. Some identified AMR genes had strikingly similar abundance overall.Conclusion: Overall, these findings indicate that there is potential utility of bioaerosol metagenomics for pathogen surveillance on pig farms; however, more research is needed for technical and cost optimization to allow for routine pathogen detection on livestock farms
Functional localization of the human color center by decreased water displacement using diffusion-weighted fMRI
Get PDFIntroduction: Decreased water displacement following increased neural activity has been observed using diffusion-weighted functional MRI (DfMRI) at high b-values. The physiological mechanisms underlying the diffusion signal change may be unique from the standard blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast and closer to the source of neural activity. Whether DfMRI reflects neural activity more directly than BOLD outside the primary cerebral regions remains unclear. Methods: Colored and achromatic Mondrian visual stimuli were statistically contrasted to functionally localize the human color center Area V4 in neurologically intact adults. Spatial and temporal properties of DfMRI and BOLD activation were examined across regions of the visual cortex. Results: At the individual level, DfMRI activation patterns showed greater spatial specificity to V4 than BOLD. The BOLD activation patterns were more prominent in the primary visual cortex than DfMRI, where activation was localized to the ventral temporal lobe. Temporally, the diffusion signal change in V4 and V1 both preceded the corresponding hemodynamic response, however the early diffusion signal change was more evident in V1. Conclusions: DfMRI may be of use in imaging applications implementing cognitive subtraction paradigms, and where highly precise individual functional localization is required
Evidence for cryptic molting behavior in the trilobite Toxochasmops vormsiensis from the Upper Ordovician Katian Kõrgessaare Formation, Estonia
No full textDocumentation of cryptic trilobite behavior has presented important insights into the paleoecology of this fully extinct arthropod group. One such example is the preservation of trilobites inside the remains of larger animals. To date, evidence for trilobites within cephalopods, gastropods, hyoliths, and other trilobites has been presented. Importantly, most of these interactions show trilobite molts, suggesting that trilobites used larger animals for protection during molting. To expand the record of molted trilobites within cephalopods, we present a unique case of a Toxochasmops vormsiensis trilobite within the body chamber of a Gorbyoceras textumaraneum nautiloid from the Upper Ordovician Kõrgessaare Formation of Estonia. By examining this material, we present new insights into the ecology of pterygometopid trilobites, highlighting how these forms used large cephalopods as areas to successfully molt
Developing the Mental Effort and Load–Translingual Scale (MEL-TS) as a Foundation for Translingual Research in Self-Regulated Learning
No full textAssessing cognitive demand is crucial for research on self-regulated learning; however, discrepancies in translating essential concepts across languages can hinder the comparison of research findings. Different languages often emphasize various components and interpret certain constructs differently. This paper aims to develop a translingual set of items distinguishing between intentionally invested mental effort and passively perceived mental load as key differentiations of cognitive demand in a broad range of learning situations, as they occur in self-regulated learning. Using a mixed-methods approach, we evaluated the content, criterion, convergent, and incremental validity of this scale in different languages. To establish content validity, we conducted qualitative interviews with bilingual participants who discussed their understanding of mental effort and load. These participants translated and back-translated established and new items from the cognitive-demand literature into English, Dutch, Spanish, German, Chinese, and French. To establish criterion validity, we conducted preregistered experiments using the English, Chinese, and German versions of the scale. Within those experiments, we validated the translated items using established demand manipulations from the cognitive load literature with first-language participants. In a within-subjects design with eight measurements (N = 131), we demonstrated the scale's criterion validity by showing sensitivity to differences in task complexity, extraneous load manipulation, and motivation for complex tasks. We found evidence for convergent and incremental validity shown by medium-size correlations with established cognitive load measures. We offer a set of translated and validated items as a common foundation for translingual research. As best practice, we recommend four items within a reference point evaluation
"When I Was Three, I Told Them I Was A Girl”: Gendered Perspectives, Experiences, and Pedagogy of Early Childhood Teachers in Australia
No full textAlthough Australian early childhood guiding documents now promote the inclusion of children who are gender diverse, little is known about the sector’s competence to support these children and the impact of gender pedagogy on children and the community. Individuals openly assert diverse gender identities with increasing frequency, and this awareness often emerges during the early childhood years. Despite growing visibility, people who are trans and gender diverse (TGD) continue to face oppression and various forms of discrimination, leading to some of the poorest mental health outcomes among minority groups. This research project adopts a critical trans theoretical framework, transgender theory to respectfully contextualise the embodied transgender experience and critical theory as a social justice framework seeking equality. This framework is used to examine gender inclusion in early childhood settings at both macro and micro levels. The survey adopted a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data from 734 degree-qualified early childhood teachers (ECTs) from across Australia. Participants shared insights into their beliefs, professional pedagogy, and experiences working with children who defy binary gender norms. Complementing this broad perspective, case study methodology was employed to delve deeply into the approaches of a single service dedicated to supporting a transgender child. This whole-service approach involved gathering data from educators, management, the transgender child and their parent, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of inclusion efforts and their impacts. Survey results showed evidence of children ECTs described as gender expansive in early years services across Australia. Effective inclusion of these children was significantly influenced by educators’ beliefs regarding gender diversity and their familiarity with gender-inclusive pedagogy. Alarmingly, harmful practices such as reinforcing binary gender stereotypes and dismissing the relevance of gender to children were found to persist. In contrast, the case study illuminated the positive effects of empathetic, high-quality early childhood pedagogy, benefiting not only the transgender child but also enhancing peer and community acceptance. This research highlights a promising exemplar of best-practice gender inclusion in early childhood. It underscores the critical need for supporting educators to confront and challenge their unconscious biases surrounding gender while providing education on strategies that foster healthy gender identity development in all children
Bees Under Stress: A Study of PFOS Exposure and Protected Cropping Stress Effects on the Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
No full textBees provide pollination services to managed and wild ecosystems, thereby contributing to a $711 B (US) global food crop industry and the preservation of biodiversity. Bees, however, face numerous stressors including chemical and physical threats, such as exposure to environmental contaminants, and intensive agriculture. This thesis examines two emerging concerns for honey bee viability, one chemical threat, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and one emerging physical threat, protected cropping systems. Perfluorooctane sulfonate is a persistent organic pollutant that accumulates and biomagnifies up the food chain, is toxic to bees and has been detected in various environmental media in almost every region of the globe. Bee exposure routes to PFOS are unclear and bee response to chronic sublethal PFOS concentrations, has not been confirmed. Intensive agriculture, specifically protective netting, and the monocultures contained in the protected environment, pose a threat to bees and are reported to cause declines in colony size and resource storage, but few replicated studies exist. Firstly, individual bee response to PFOS was studied in a Y-maze system using unspiked and PFOS spiked sugar syrup at a range of concentrations detected in water at contaminated sites. Bee response regarding choice behaviour and drink duration was recorded, whereby determining avoidance or consumption of PFOS spiked syrup. Bees displayed significant avoidance of the PFOS spiked syrup at concentrations of 61 and 103 µg L-1, when given a choice with unspiked syrup, compared with the control. When the choice of consuming unspiked syrup was removed, the bees drank PFOS spiked syrup at all the PFOS concentrations tested, and avoidance was not evident. The consumption of PFOS spiked syrup, with no significant avoidance, at concentrations that are frequently reported in PFOS contaminated water, and are known to be detrimental to bee health, has serious implications for the viability of bee colonies in contaminated regions. Secondly, the impact of sublethal chronic PFOS exposure on a range of behavioural, biological and biomolecular markers was assessed to provide new lines of evidence regarding bee response at a colony and cellular level. Using a novel cage system, whole bee colonies were exposed chronically to sublethal PFOS concentrations of 5 to 20 µg L-1 PFOS in sugar syrup for 25 days. Although the colonies appeared healthy, produced brood and stored resources, significant life stage development, behavioural and intergenerational effects were observed even at the lowest PFOS concentration of 5 µg L-1. Fewer and smaller next generation bees were produced, and reduced honey production occurred in colonies exposed to PFOS at all exposure concentrations, compared with the control. Perfluorooctane sulfonate accumulated in adult and newly emerged bee tissue with a bioaccumulation factor of 1.72 and 0.69 respectively, transferred to honey and was eliminated from the bee body, at all PFOS exposure concentrations, indicating that accumulation and subsequent magnification did occur. The protein signature was differentially expressed in the 10 (n = 2) and 20 µg L-1 (n = 15) exposure treatments, with the greatest impact on proteins associated with cellular processes and function, hormone and pheromone production, fertility, pupal development, and metabolic and central nervous system function. To understand the influence of protected cropping, specifically protective netting, on honey bee colony viability, a field experiment was conducted on blueberry farms in Northern New South Wales, Australia, for a period of 12 weeks. Bee access to outside resources, resource storage and colony size, both outside of and under anti-hail and anti-bird netting was studied. Anti-hail and anti-bird netting adversely impacted honey bee access to outside resources by inhibiting bee movement through the nets. Hives under net cover displayed reduced pollen storage and hive weight when compared to those outside of net cover, evident within four weeks of placement under net cover. This research demonstrates that individual honey bees will consume PFOS contaminated sugar syrup at concentrations that significantly exceed values considered toxic. This behaviour has implications for bee resilience and adaption to a changing climate and the associated impact on floral resources. At a colony level, chronic sublethal PFOS exposure detrimentally impacts a range of intergenerational and biochemical responses, essential for colony survival and accumulates in bee tissue (including adults produced during the experiment), is partially eliminated in faeces and transfers to honey. At a cellular level, chronic sublethal PFOS exposure alters proteins in the honey bee head identified as essential for honey bee development and function. This research also shows that the protected cropping environment, in particular antihail and anti-bird netting compromises honey bee colony viability. Bees take more time to exit netting and hence have less time to forage and this is impacting brood metrics. Perfluorooctane sulfonate guidelines for invertebrate pollinators do not currently exist, nor do guidelines for the protection of pollinators in protected cropping systems. Guideline development is hindered by insufficient data regarding the routes of exposure to and impact of PFOS, and protective covers on honey bee health. Guidelines are urgently needed to protect the health and viability of the pollinators upon which agriculture relies, and consumers of bee products, thereby supporting human health, the economic stability of agricultural industries, and food security