19325 research outputs found
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The potential of the underutilized pulse bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) for nutritional food security
No full textBambara groundnut is an underutilized pulse that can make a positive contribution to food and nutritional security at the regional and global level, particularly in tropical developing countries where the crop is currently grown. Improvement of the crop is constrained by limited understanding of variation in its nutritional composition compared with other pulses. We analysed available nutritional data for bambara groundnut in comparison with four related commodity pulses. This included comparison of concentrations of proximate components and detailed composition of carbohydrate, fibre, seed storage protein and amino acids, fatty acid, phytosterols, minerals, and anti-nutritional factors. The levels of starch (up to 53% of seed), the amylose content of its starch (15.7–35.3% of starch), and dietary fibre content (up to 10.3% of seed), make this crop a desirable food for inclusion into diets for management of diabetes and high cholesterol. There is also potential to develop high protein cultivars, as there exists a large variation for crude protein concentration within the species genepool, reported as 9.6–30.7% of seed. With a more comprehensive base of nutritional information, breeding strategies that have proven successful for crops such as chickpea and soybean can be established for bambara groundnut
A review on the current status of boiler inspection and safety issues in Bangladesh
No full textThis paper presents an overview of boilers scenario, standard practice of inspection, registrations, and safety issues in Bangladesh. Boilers are one of the main driving powers in the industrial revolution in Bangladesh, for example, textile industries, pharmaceuticals industries, manufacturing industries, and food processing industries. The total number of registered in operation boilers in Bangladesh is 6071 (2017-18). The office of the chief inspector of boiler under the ministry of industries are the responsible government authority for the safe operation of boilers in the whole country. This brief will focus on the boiler uses, acts, rules, regulations, inspections, registration procedures, and the boiler inspectorate functions in Bangladesh. Additionally, the last five years data on boiler accidents and registrations in Bangladesh are briefly described in this paper
A study of staff engagement in dimensions of distributed leadership, organizational commitment and perception of autonomy in Singaporean primary schools
No full textUsing surveys and questionnaires, the aim of this study was to examine distributed leadership in Singaporean schools. Exploratory factor and regression analyses identified that distributed leadership was related to affective organisational commitment and teachers’ perceptions of autonomy. The study also found that organisational commitment could be predicted by school culture and participative decision-making. However, autonomy could only be predicted by participative decision-making. Based on these findings, distributed leadership in Singaporean schools supported similar international research. Singaporean schools may look to foster a culture that is open to teachers at different levels and profiles to participate in decision-making for stronger organisational commitment
When is the gift given? Organ donation, social representations, and an opportunity to register
No full textThe gift of life doctrine underpins Australia\u27s approach to organ donation: in legislation, clinical practice, community awareness campaigns, and educational activities. In this paper, we present an approach that situates an understanding of organ donation within a social representation framework as a system of values, ideas, and practices. In cadaveric donation, the final giving‐of‐the‐gift can never be by the donor, leading us to ask where the potential donor\u27s decision to give the gift really lies. We present research from three studies that explored the relationship between what was socially understood about organ donation and the registration of donation intent. Drawing from three socially and culturally diverse populations, we asked people working in a corporate city institution and those attending two football matches in the outer city area to complete a word‐association task and Likert‐scale belief questions about organ donation—followed by an opportunity to register immediately on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Driven by the interdependent themata of life/death and self/other, the gift of life doctrine is inextricably linked with the loss of life emerging as both positive and negative beliefs allowing their relationship to actual registration behaviour to be observed. Our findings suggest that in many instances, the potential donor\u27s genuine desire to give the gift lies in the tension between positive and negative beliefs, manifesting as a consent registration when the positive beliefs about donation prevail and an immediate opportunity to register is available
Rice Galaxy: an open resource for plant science
No full textBACKGROUND: Rice molecular genetics, breeding, genetic diversity, and allied research (such as rice-pathogen interaction) have adopted sequencing technologies and high-density genotyping platforms for genome variation analysis and gene discovery. Germplasm collections representing rice diversity, improved varieties, and elite breeding materials are accessible through rice gene banks for use in research and breeding, with many having genome sequences and high-density genotype data available. Combining phenotypic and genotypic information on these accessions enables genome-wide association analysis, which is driving quantitative trait loci discovery and molecular marker development. Comparative sequence analyses across quantitative trait loci regions facilitate the discovery of novel alleles. Analyses involving DNA sequences and large genotyping matrices for thousands of samples, however, pose a challenge to non-computer savvy rice researchers.FINDINGS: The Rice Galaxy resource has shared datasets that include high-density genotypes from the 3,000 Rice Genomes project and sequences with corresponding annotations from 9 published rice genomes. The Rice Galaxy web server and deployment installer includes tools for designing single-nucleotide polymorphism assays, analyzing genome-wide association studies, population diversity, rice-bacterial pathogen diagnostics, and a suite of published genomic prediction methods. A prototype Rice Galaxy compliant to Open Access, Open Data, and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible principles is also presented.CONCLUSIONS: Rice Galaxy is a freely available resource that empowers the plant research community to perform state-of-the-art analyses and utilize publicly available big datasets for both fundamental and applied science
A systematic review of climate change education: giving children and young people a ‘voice’ and a ‘hand’ in redressing climate change
No full textThe reality of anthropogenic climate change has been established ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ by leading scientists worldwide. Applying a systematic literature review process, we analysed existing literature from 1993 to 2014 regarding climate change education for children and young people, with the aim of identifying key areas for further research. While a number of studies have indicated that young people’s understandings of climate change are generally limited, erroneous and highly influenced by mass media, other studies suggest that didactic approaches to climate change education have been largely ineffectual in affecting students’ attitudes and behaviour. The review identifies the need for participatory, interdisciplinary, creative, and affect-driven approaches to climate change education, which to date have been largely missing from the literature. In conclusion, we call for the development of new forms of climate change education that directly involve young people in responding to the scientific, social, ethical, and political complexities of climate change
The impact of an immersion programme in Cambodia for Australian pre-service teachers
No full textAustralian teachers are required to teach students from diverse cultures, and pre- service teachers are reported to feel culturally unprepared. The Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan aims to increase pre-service teachers’ cultural competency by providing funding for cultural and educational experiences in the Asian-Pacific region. This paper reports on the impact a short-term cultural immersion programme in Cambodia had on the development of cultural competence for ten pre-service teachers. The programme included visits to Cambodian schools and a university, and cultural immersion activities such as Khmer lessons and visiting cultural icons. The cultural competency framework was used to analyse the impact of the programme on pre-service teachers’ cultural competence before, during, and after the programme. Findings show that the programme had a significant impact upon meaning-making as the pre-service teachers reflected upon their experiences in Cambodia. The use of focus groups was found to be powerful, supporting pre-service teachers in a safe environment to learn from each other. The article contributes to the growing interest in the effectiveness of immersion programmes in enhancing the development of cultural competency in pre-service teachers. Recommendations include evaluation of the long-term impact of such programmes on pre-service teacher cultural competence
Wave energy drives biotic patterns beyond the surf zone: Factors influencing abundance and occurrence of mobile fauna adjacent to subtropical beaches
No full textManagement of beach ecosystems often focuses on geomorphic and socio-economicissues. Yet understanding patterns and processes affecting fishes and invertebratesin this dynamic inshore environment will better inform ecosystem management. We used Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs) to survey fish and mobile invertebrate assemblages immediately beyond the surf zone (in 5–8 m depth) across 12 beaches of varying energy and geomorphology, to assess drivers of abundance and occurrence. These beaches in subtropical eastern Australia were categorised based on various morphological, energy, connectivity and management characteristics. Characteristics associated with wave energy (aspect, exposure, modal value) were the strongest drivers of assemblages and functional groups overall. Patterns were strongest for crabs, with high relative abundance of Diogenid crabs (hermit crabs) at low energy beaches, and high relative abundance of Matutid crabs (moon crabs) at higher energy beaches. Bony fish and elasmobranchs were also predominantly influenced by energy characteristics, but these patterns were highly variable. This habitat beyond the surf zone was richer in species relative to adjacent deeper unconsolidated habitats, especially for elasmobranchs. It included target fished species and was a juvenile nursery for several Carangid species. These patterns and values should be considered when management actions are undertaken
Patient and family experiences of same day discharge following percutaneous coronary intervention
No full textBackground: Evaluating patient and family experiences of care received is increasingly important in healthcare. Despite same day discharge (SDD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) being a safe option and acceptable to patients and families, their experiences have not been well examined. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore patient and family experiences during SDD process. Methods: This mixed-methods interpretative study was undertaken in the cardiac service of an Australian tertiary hospital. Semi-structured phone interviews with 31 patients and 23 families were conducted. Binary responses were coded and quantified in numbers (percentages). Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results: Thirty-one patients who were initially eligible for SDD before the procedure participated in the study, of whom, 17 went home the same day. Approximately 50% patients and families were informed of the possibility of SDD. Two-thirds of patients received discharge instructions while most families did not. Content analysis revealed that most patients and families regarded SDD as a preferred option because of being more comfortable at home and more convenient. Several SDD patients and families expressed uncertainty towards SDD as feeling nervous and apprehensive. Only those patients who were initially eligible for SDD but subsequently required overnight admission following PCI and their families related negative experiences of SDD due to the fear of complications. Conclusion: Most patients and families perceived SDD as a good option. The identified experiences provide guidance for healthcare providers in developing strategies to promote positive hospital experiences of SDD for patients and families