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Grape Guard: A YOLO-based mobile application for detecting grape leaf diseases
Get PDFGrape crops are a great source of income for farmers. The yield and quality of grapes can be improved by preventing and treating diseases. The farmer's yield will be dramatically impacted if diseases are found on grape leaves. Automatic detection can reduce the chances of leaf diseases affecting other healthy plants. Several studies have been conducted to detect grape leaf diseases, but most fail to engage with end users and integrate the model with real-time mobile applications. This study developed a mobile-based grape leaf disease detection (GLDD) application to identify infected leaves, Grape Guard, based on a TensorFlow Lite (TFLite) model generated from the You Only Look Once (YOLO)v8 model. A public grape leaf disease dataset containing four classes was used to train the model. The results of this study were relied on the YOLO architecture, specifically YOLOv5 and YOLOv8. After extensive experiments with different image sizes, YOLOv8 performed better than YOLOv5. YOLOv8 achieved 99.9 % precision, 100 % recall, 99.5 % mean average precision (mAP), and 88 % mAP50–95 for all classes to detect grape leaf diseases. The Grape Guard android mobile application can accurately detect the grape leaf disease by capturing images from grape vines
IFOMPT's Educational Standards and International Monitoring: A member survey and review
Get PDFBackground
The International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) membership requires accreditation of countries postgraduate musculoskeletal physiotherapy programmes to meet IFOMPT's Educational Standards through International Monitoring. The Educational Standards and International Monitoring are both being reviewed.
Objectives
To seek insight and feedback from IFOMPT's membership on the Educational Standards and International Monitoring to inform the current review.
Design
Online survey of registered members, external assessors, programme leaders, international delegates.
Method
IFOMPT members were invited to participate in the Educational Standards and International Monitoring survey, between December 2023–January 2024. Content validity was assessed to refine the survey. The survey was offered in 14 languages. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used for closed questions; content analysis was used for open questions.
Results
869 participants were eligible and completed the survey. IFOMPT's membership clearly valued both the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, and believe they are contemporary and evidence-informed. However, opinion was divided regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring and whether the Educational Standards represented a minimum or maximum standard. Constructive recommendations were provided for the improvement of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, including reduction of size and complexity, with increased flexibility to ensure they are fit for purpose into the future and serve towards the growth of IFOMPT.
Conclusions
This was the largest member-wide survey of IFOMPT examining the Educational Standards and International Monitoring. The findings of the survey are extremely valuable to inform the current review of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, particularly given the divided opinion concerning the useability and content of the Educational Standards
A Proposed New Multi-Dimensional Factor Fraud Framework for International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs): A Vietnam Perspective
No full textA systematic literature review methodology reviewed not only Cressey’s fraud triangle, and associated theoretical studies during 1950–2023, to identify gaps in the literature, but also International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 240, and practice. A new holistic fraud frameworkhaving broader scope and criteria contributes at the international level for the INGO/NPO sector in Vietnam to prevent accounting fraud.First, the new framework is the first global scope fraud evaluation framework dedicated to the INGO/NPO sector. Second, the new framework includes different fraud occurrence stages criteria (undetected, suspected, actual/detected, and future) that uses a multi-dimensional approach (individual-level, organizational-level, industry-level, and country-level factors) for addressing these fraud stages.
The SLR methodology helps demonstrate that the multi-dimensional approach is likely to contribute to fraud evaluation in the Vietnamese INGO/NPO sector. This new holistic fraud framework may make a timely multiple contribution to the literature. First, the new framework may enhance the quality of the ISA 240 standard revision process, which is currently being in progress, with the final approval due in the first half of 2025. Finally, the new international fraud framework has practical implications for future research for Vietnam, and elsewhere. Future research should not only investigate accounting fraud prevention but also the array of fraud occurrences, including predicting future fraud
Multiprofessional education on musical care: Expanding clinical psychology trainees' therapeutic repertoire
No full textThere is an urgent need for innovative solutions to address the global burden of mental illness. Evidence for the positive impact of music on mental health is growing; therefore, music may aid in engagement and intervention outcomes as an adjunct to psychological therapy. Psychologists’ intentional use of music within their practice is uncommon and not typically part of psychology training. Drawing on the authors’ disciplinary expertise in clinical psychology, music therapy, community music, and music education, this study aimed to investigate trainee clinical psychologists’ perspectives on the use of musical care as an adjunct to talk therapy. We used a convergent mixed-methods design to investigate trainees’ knowledge, confidence, and willingness to integrate musical care into clinical practice pre- and post- a three-hour experiential education session delivered to three trainee cohorts. Quantitative results indicate the session significantly improved trainees’ knowledge of using musical care, including understanding of the role of music therapy, confidence in using music in therapy, and willingness to incorporate musical care into their future clinical practice. Further, the education session improved student understanding of what music therapists do and increased trainees’ perception of the benefits of referring clients to music therapists. Qualitative analysis revealed that while most trainees used music personally, few incorporated it into therapy sessions. Key barriers included insufficient training and resources, with trainees requesting more evidence-based techniques, case examples, and clearer referral pathways for interprofessional collaboration. These findings highlight the effectiveness of a brief experiential multiprofessional education in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding therapeutic toolkits. This study presents a practical approach for integrating musical care education—led by music professionals—into clinical psychology training programs
Old Wine in New Bottles for Australian Readers: Captain Cook and Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey in Children’s Picture Books
No full textThis article explores a famous but controversial figure in the Australian imaginary, Captain James Cook, and his representation in children’s books over different periods. We examine three representative examples of children’s books that explore James Cook and his first voyage to the South Pacific: The Story of Captain Cook: An Adventure from History (Ladybird Books, 1958), Excuse Me, Captain Cook: Who Did Discover Australia? (Salmon, 1988) and Meet … Captain Cook (Murdie and Nixon, 2011). Each book was created by the respective authors and artists at different points in time, so we analyse the stories using Joseph Campbell’s three-stage metaphor of the “Hero’s Journey”, a canonical structure that he identified in mythological narratives or monomyths that resonate across cultures and epochs. Our analysis demonstrates that representations of Cook in children’s picture books are largely conservative, drawing the reader’s attention away from contentious alternative perspectives of his story
Balancing freedom of religion with anti-discrimination legislation: a comparative study of religiously affiliated law schools
No full textThe purpose of this thesis is to investigate how freedom of religion rights are balanced with anti-discrimination laws in legal education by first examining selected religiously affiliated law schools, and then questioning why and how faith-based law schools exist in predominately secular Western democracies. Evidently, there are inconsistencies in the raison d’ệtre and operations of religiously affiliated law schools across Australia, Canada, and the United States. There are 47 religiously affiliated law schools in the United States of America, with two in Australia and none in Canada. How the religiously affiliated law schools operate and distinguish themselves differs greatly, despite the fact that all law schools in the three different countries teach the law in a common law system, have similar common core legal subjects, and aim to achieve similar outcomes for students (ie, provide them with the qualifications and skills necessary to eventually practise law). This comparative study will analyse the distinct constitutional and legislative approaches of the different countries examined, all of which have a federal internal governance system in common, and, in addition to utilising a comparative research methodology, a doctrinal research methodology will also be applied to answer the distinct research questions posed. In the end, the research will reveal how existing religiously affiliated law schools reconcile traditions of faith, service, and (for the most part) Christian values within a predominately secular university education system. It will also answer the question of why Canada remains the only country examined in this study that continues to exist without a religiously affiliated law school
Dynamic behavior and deformation of calcareous sand under cyclic loading
Get PDFCalcareous sand undergoes substantial cumulative deformation under cyclic loading conditions, which may affect the safety and performance of marine structures exposed to wind and waves. To investigate this phenomenon, a series of drained cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on calcareous sand under varying confining pressures (σc), initial deviatoric stress ratios (ηs) and cyclic dynamic stress ratios (ηd). The results reveal that cumulative axial strain in calcareous sand increases with the number of loading cycles, while the rate of increase gradually diminishes, indicating a transition to a plastic stability stage. Most of the cumulative axial strain occurs within the first 100 cycles, with minimal incremental strain in subsequent cycles. Furthermore, the stress-strain curves become progressively denser as the number of cycles loading increases. Among the influencing factors, cyclic stress ratio and initial deviatoric stress ratio have a more significant effect on cumulative axial strain compared to confining pressure. Based on the experimental data, a model for predicting the cyclic cumulative deformation of saturated calcareous sand was developed. The model's predictions closely align with the experimental results, confirming its reliability. These findings enhance the understanding of cumulative deformation behavior in calcareous sand under cyclic loading and provide valuable insights for the design and maintenance of marine infrastructure
LGBT+ concerns of ageing and accessing aged care services in Australia: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFObjective
People older than 65 years are anticipated to comprise a steadily increasing proportion of the Australian population. This older adult population is also made up of other sub-populations that may experience similar, different or additional needs to the ‘average’ older adult, such as LGBT+ people. Given the well-documented history of oppression, stigma and discrimination, research is critically needed to understand how to best support the concerns and needs of populations such as LGBT+ people.
Method
The present cross-sectional study aimed to explore the concerns of ageing and accessing aged care services among 171 LGBT+ people in Australia.
Results
The results revealed that LGBT+ people were most concerned about their health and physical functioning, including feelings of isolation, loneliness and abandonment as they age. The results also indicated a range of specific concerns for accessing aged care services, including feeling respected and service quality and discrimination, particularly from religiously run organisations.
Conclusions
Despite a relatively small and homogenous sample, this study was able to identify important beliefs and experiences held by this cohort to help shape advocacy, policy, procedures and education
Behaviour and moment capacity of built-up back-to-back CFS channel members bent about the minor axis
No full textBuilt-up back-to-back cold-formed steel (CFS) channel members (BBC members) have been increasingly used in building structures in recent years. However, the knowledge and understanding of BBC members bent about the minor axis are still limited. In this research study, the behaviour and design of BBC members bent about the minor axis were investigated based on finite element (FE) analyses. In the first stage, experimental results from previous tests on the minor-axis bending of BBC members were reviewed. Later, FE models were developed and validated against these results. Using the validated FE models, a parametric study was conducted. It showed that the built-up screw spacing had minimal impact on BBC members with pinned warping-fixed ends, while these members exhibited considerably higher moment capacities than the sum of their individual members. The FE analysis results also proved that the existing direct strength method (DSM) design rules in the current CFS design standards are over-conservative. Consequently, new DSM-based design equations were proposed, offering more accurate and reliable predictions. Finally, design recommendations were also provided to support the efficient and economical use of BBC members in practice
Precision Global Forum on Polymer Science and Engineering (PPOLY2025)
No full textThe pursuit of sustainable materials in engineering has led to a growing interest in bio-composites derived from natural fibres. This keynote presentation explores the innovative use of powdered macadamia nutshells - an under-utilised by-product of the food industry - in the development of composite cores and sandwich structures. By processing these nutshells into specific particle sizes and integrating them into a suitable resin matrix, we have fabricated composite cores and sandwich panels reinforced with carbon fabric skins. The resulting materials demonstrate enhanced flexural and shear strength, positioning them as promising alternatives to conventional materials in high-performance sectors such as aerospace and automotive. This research highlights the potential of agricultural wastes like macadamia nutshells to contribute to sustainable manufacturing practices, offering a viable pathway for waste utilisation and the advancement of eco-friendly engineering solutions. Future studies will aim to optimise particle sizes, weight ratios, and assess long-term durability, further unlocking the potential of these novel composite materials