20000 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring regional complex adaptive ecosystems (CAE): case of tourism micro-enterprise engagement
No full textTourism, vital to many world economies, contributed over US$7.6 trillion globally to GDP in 2016 and comprises a high proportion of micro-enterprises (MEs) compared to other industries. Currently, tourism MEs are attracting academic interest following major worldwide industry disruption from online marketing platforms such as UBER and Airbnb resulting in millions of new ME operators. In this evolving global context, where tourism’s international body, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, calls for regional engagement of all-sizes of enterprises for sustainable tourism growth, this research seeks to explore micro-business engagement in regional tourism development programs. While the benefits of regional firm engagement are well-recognised and numbers of MEs often dominate totals of regional enterprises, many MEs have little interaction with their over-arching regional organisations. An absence of literature exists on understanding ME engagement in government and private sector regional development initiatives. This thesis addresses this knowledge gap and aims to explore ME engagement in regional business ecosystems, using a tourism context. Adopting a case study design, the qualitative framework draws on complex adaptive system theory and business relationship literature, to investigate ME business engagement interactions. The research focuses on a rapidly growing ME tourism accommodation sector, known as short-term rental accommodation (STRA) owned by private individuals, to explore the research problem: how do MEs engage in regional tourism systems? Using an interaction perspective of actor bonds, activities and resources (AAR) to understand micro-business engagement practices in regional complex adaptive ecosystems (CAE), a multi-level case study investigates the nature and perceived factors influencing ME regional tourism engagement. Three Australian case regions are investigated, to explore ME engagement in tourism initiatives, such as local tourism organisations, networks, marketing, events and skills training. Data collection focuses on in-depth face-to-face interviews with Stage 1 ‘tourism experts’ and Stage 2 ‘STRA operators’. Analysis of qualitative interviews and secondary information develops deep and rich insights of STRA interactions in regional initiatives, to help understand tourism MEs' regional ecosystem engagement. Tourism documents and website observations were analysed to provide background information and validity. Key findings identify several barriers and enablers influencing ME engagement in tourism business ecosystems undergoing disruption from sharing economy platforms, tourism power shifts and governance changes. Results highlight challenges and opportunities associated with ME engagement in complex adaptive ecosystems and provide practical guidance to government and business to improve regional tourism outcomes. This research makes a theoretical and applied contribution to academia, policymakers and practitioners
Finding authenticity in an altruistic identity: The "lived" experience of health care humanitarians deployed to the 2014 Ebola crisis
No full textThe 2014 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, West Africa, was a public health crisis that triggered international fear, border shutdowns, and a declaration of an unprecedented international public health emergency. However, no known research has explored the subjective experience of international humanitarian health care workers deployed to provide on-the-ground support during the Ebola epidemic. This phenomenological study explored the subjective interpretations of 5 career-international Red Cross/Red Crescent health care delegates who deployed to the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, transcribed, and analyzed using the protocols of interpretative phenomenological analysis. One superordinate theme: Beyond human fear and catastrophe: I can't save you, but I am here; overarched four subordinate themes: Calm amidst hysteria; Living in a pressure cooker; Journeying alone; Altruistic authenticity. These themes reflect the heavy burden felt by these participants in response to a strong altruistic call-"Who will go if I do not?" "Like no other" humanitarian deployment, unquestionable allegiance and trust among in-the-field colleagues were the only barriers against sudden and untreatable death. Official and societal criticism postdeployment precipitated social retreat wherein feelings of isolation and invalidation threatened psychological well-being. However, a strong sense of altruistic commitment remained unwavering and protective against psychological debilitation, as did positive support from the deploying organization. Despite daily confrontation with death, hypervigilance, and fear, altruistic purpose remained the beacon for professional and personal integrity in these participants. It counterbalanced the distress of isolation and invalidation from societal criticism. We recommended that strength-based predeployment humanitarian training is prioritized by deploying organizations
Acupressure to improve sleep quality of older people in residential aged care: a randomised controlled trial protocol
No full textBackground: Sleep disturbance in older people is an important health issue that is associated with many other health problems. Effective interventions are required to address sleep problems in this group. Acupressure has been suggested as a potential therapeutic technique to improve sleep. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of
an acupressure intervention on sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among older persons in residential aged care facilities within an Australian context. Methods/design: This is a randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups in a pre- and post-test study. Study participants will be older people living in residential aged care facilities. They will be assigned to intervention and control groups using computer-generated random numbers. The intervention group will receive 12-min acupressure three times per week for four consecutive weeks, applied on three acupoints: HT7, PC6, and SP6. The control group will receive only routine care. The primary outcome measure is sleep quality, and secondary outcomes include anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Data will be collected before the intervention, immediately after the end of the intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention. Discussion: This study targets a poorly met healthcare need of older people who are experiencing sleep disturbance and its negative consequences. To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study evaluating acupressure in an Australian aged care context, using specific acupoints and a standardised acupressure protocol. If the results show positive outcomes, acupressure could be used to manage sleep disturbances for older people in the Australian context as well as in the global ageing population. This will contribute to reducing negative consequences of sleep disturbance and use of sleep medications. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12619000262101. Registered on 20 February 2019
The use of video technology in the classroom among Jordanian secondary school teachers in Amman: an integrative mixed methods study
No full textThis thesis investigates the usage of Video Technology (VT) by teachers in Secondary Schools in Amman, Jordan. An integrative mixed methods (IMM) design gathered data from 378 participant questionnaires and 24 semi-structured interviews to explore the extent to which these teachers use video-based technology as a tool for teaching, drawing on the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework.
The study explored five aspects of video usage. Use involved decisions regarding Video Based Learning. Selection involved choice of appropriate video technologies and content for teaching and learning. Video games represented an innovative tool for facilitation of teaching and student learning. Teachers have a clear role in developing and using VT and they attach value, appraising its use in teaching content knowledge and facilitating pedagogical activities. These aspects of video-based technology provided a context for assessment of TPACK. These teachers used smartphones, laptops and personal computer devices most frequently, particularly female teachers and those in private schools. They used these devices during morning classes. Teacher group and years of teaching; type of schools, teaching grade and subject taught; location and school districts; and access to Internet and ICT support all had statistically significant effects on aspects of video usage. Interestingly, the gender differences among teachers had no significant effect on video usage while the mean scores were significantly higher among private school teachers. Correlation analysis suggests a positive relationship between aspects of video usage, such that a higher score in one aspect of video usage suggests increase in other aspects. Qualitative interview data indicated how these teachers were integrating video-based technologies while also highlighting the challenges they face.
The current study suggests that there is a need to encourage teachers to use video-based technology in their teaching. Future studies may be required to complement and compare the current research findings with a view to advance knowledge in video-based TPACK and its relevance for teaching practice
Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild
No full textUnderstanding the mechanisms facilitating coexistence within species assemblages is a key consideration for conservation as intact assemblages are necessary for maintaining full ecosystem function. The African large predator guild represents one of the few remaining functionally intact large predator assemblages on Earth, and as such, represents a unique study system to understand competitive interactions. Yet, relatively little is known of the coexistence mechanisms between some of its intermediately sized members, particularly leopards (Panthera pardus). Here, we use overlapping spatio-temporal activity and GPS data on lions (Panthera leo), leopards, African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to examine spatial interactions and temporal partitioning between leopards and other guild members in northern Botswana. We found that at the population level, male leopard space use and activity patterns were largely unaffected by intraguild competitors. Leopards showed minimal movement coherence with competitors (avoidance or attraction) when moving through areas of home ranges shared with intraguild species. Moreover, we found evidence to support the hypothesis that guild species' activity patterns are primarily driven by light availability rather than predator avoidance. Our results suggest predator avoidance has a limited impact on broad-scale leopard spatio-temporal niches, with aspects of the leopards' ecology and life history likely facilitating its ability to thrive in close proximity to competitors. Considered alongside other studies, our results suggest that landscape-level approaches to conservation may be suitable for aiding leopard conservation
Risk factors, management, and outcomes of amniotic fluid embolism: a multicountry, population-based cohort and nested case-control study
No full textBackground: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) remains one of the principal reported causes of direct maternal mortality in high-income countries. However, obtaining robust information about the condition is challenging because of its rarity and its difficulty to diagnose. This study aimed to pool data from multiple countries in order to describe risk factors, management, and outcomes of AFE and to explore the impact on the findings of considering United Kingdom, international, and United States AFE case definitions. Methods and Findings: A population-based cohort and nested case-control study was conducted using the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS). Secondary data on women with AFE (n = 99-218, depending on case definition) collected prospectively in population-based studies conducted in Australia, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the UK were pooled along with secondary data on a sample of control women (n = 4,938) collected in Australia and the UK. Risk factors for AFE were investigated by comparing the women with AFE in Australia and the UK with the control women identified in these countries using logistic regression. Factors associated with poor maternal outcomes (fatality and composite of fatality or permanent neurological injury) amongst women with AFE from each of the countries were investigated using logistic regression or Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The estimated incidence of AFE ranged from 0.8-1.8 per 100,000 maternities, and the proportion of women with AFE who died or had permanent neurological injury ranged from 30%-41%, depending on the case definition. However, applying different case definitions did not materially alter findings regarding risk factors for AFE and factors associated with poor maternal outcomes amongst women with AFE. Using the most liberal case definition (UK) and adjusting for the severity of presentation when appropriate, women who died were more likely than those who survived to present with cardiac arrest (89% versus 40%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 10.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.93-28.48, p p p = 0.035) and were less likely to have had an obstetrician and/or anaesthetist present at the time of the AFE (61% versus 75%, aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.90, p = 0.027). Limitations of the study include limited statistical power to examine factors associated with poor maternal outcome and the potential for residual confounding or confounding by indication. Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest that when an AFE is suspected, initial supportive obstetric care is important, but having an obstetrician and/or anaesthetist present at the time of the AFE event and use of interventions to correct coagulopathy, including the administration of an adequate dose of tranexamic acid, may be important to improve maternal outcome. Future research should focus on early detection of the coagulation deficiencies seen in AFE alongside the role of tranexamic acid and other coagulopathy management strategies
Understanding ambivalence in help-seeking for suicidal-people with comorbid depression and alcohol misuse
No full textHelp-seeking prior to a suicide attempt is poorly understood. Participants were recruited from a previous research trial who reported a history of suicidal behaviours upon follow-up. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six adults to understand their lived experience of a suicide attempt and the issues affecting help-seeking prior to that attempt. Participants described being aware of personal and professional supports available; however, were ambivalent about accessing them for multiple reasons. This paper employs an ecological systems framework to better understand the complex and multi-layered interpersonal, societal and cultural challenges to help-seeking that people with suicidal ideation can experience
TAPES: A tool for assessment and prioritisation in exome studies
No full textNext-generation sequencing continues to grow in importance for researchers. Exome sequencing became a widespread tool to further study the genomic basis of Mendelian diseases. In an effort to identify pathogenic variants, reject benign variants and better predict variant effects in downstream analysis, the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) published a set of criteria in 2015. While there are multiple publicly available software's available to assign the ACMG criteria, most of them do not take into account multi-sample variant calling formats. Here we present a tool for assessment and prioritisation in exome studies (TAPES, https://github.com/a-xavier/tapes), an open-source tool designed for small-scale exome studies. TAPES can quickly assign ACMG criteria using ANNOVAR or VEP annotated files and implements a model to transform the categorical ACMG criteria into a continuous probability, allowing for a more accurate classification of pathogenicity or benignity of variants. In addition, TAPES can work with cohorts sharing a common phenotype by utilising a simple enrichment analysis, requiring no controls as an input as well as providing powerful filtering and reporting options. Finally, benchmarks showed that TAPES outperforms available tools to detect both pathogenic and benign variants, while also integrating the identification of enriched variants in study cohorts compared to the general population, making it an ideal tool to evaluate a smaller cohort before using bigger scale studies
Effects of different types of classroom physical activity breaks on children's on-task behaviour, academic achievement and cognition
No full textAim: This study examined the effects of different types of classroom physical activity breaks on children's on-task behaviour, academic achievement and cognition. Methods: Participants were 87 Australian primary school students (mean age 9.11 ± 0.62 years), recruited from one school. Three classes were randomly assigned either to activity breaks only (n = 29), activity breaks and mathematics combined (n = 29), or control conditions involving only mathematical content (n = 29). Students were engaged in five minutes of classroom physical activity breaks, three times per week, for four weeks (divided into two minutes at the beginning of the usual mathematics curriculum lesson and three minutes in the middle of the lesson). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-test. Results: Significant group-by-time effects were found for on-task behaviour (active engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p = 0.001; activity breaks versus control, p = 0.001; activity breaks and mathematics combined versus activity breaks, p = 0.037; passive engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p = 0.001) and mathematics scores (activity breaks versus control, p = 0.045). Conclusion: Physical activity breaks with and without integrated mathematics content were effective in improving children's on-task behaviour and learning scores
Consumer understanding, perception and interpretation of serving size information on food labels: a scoping review
No full textThe increase in packaged food and beverage portion sizes has been identified as a potential factor implicated in the rise of the prevalence of obesity. In this context, the objective of this systematic scoping review was to investigate how healthy adults perceive and interpret serving size information on food packages and how this influences product perception and consumption. Such knowledge is needed to improve food labelling understanding and guide consumers toward healthier portion size choices. A search of seven databases (2010 to April 2019) provided the records for title and abstract screening, with relevant articles assessed for eligibility in the full-text. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria, with relevant data extracted by one reviewer and checked for consistency by a second reviewer. Twelve studies were conducted in North America, where the government regulates serving size information. Several studies reported a poor understanding of serving size labelling. Indeed, consumers interpreted the labelled serving size as a recommended serving for dietary guidelines for healthy eating rather than a typical consumption unit, which is set by the manufacturer or regulated in some countries such as in the U.S. and Canada. Not all studies assessed consumption; however, larger labelled serving sizes resulted in larger self-selected portion sizes in three studies. However, another study performed on confectionary reported the opposite effect, with larger labelled serving sizes leading to reduced consumption. The limited number of included studies showed that labelled serving size affects portion size selection and consumption, and that any labelled serving size format changes may result in increased portion size selection, energy intake and thus contribute to the rise of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Research to test cross-continentally labelled serving size format changes within experimental and natural settings (e.g., at home) are needed. In addition, tailored, comprehensive and serving-size-specific food literacy initiatives need to be evaluated to provide recommendations for effective serving size labelling. This is required to ensure the correct understanding of nutritional content, as well as informing food choices and consumption, for both core foods and discretionary foods