19683 research outputs found
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Harnessing the Metaverse for corporate training: Identifying critical competencies through SF-BBWM and GINA
No full textWhile conventional technologies like Zoom have limitations in interpersonal communication and a risk-free training environment in delivering comprehensive corporate training, the Metaverse provides immersive, face-to-face, interactive, and simulated learning opportunities. However, the literature highlights significant Metaverse adoption barriers and emphasises the need for interdisciplinary research-driven competency integration solutions. Furthermore, the present study investigates essential competencies human resource development professionals need to develop to implement Metaverse-based training, as a literature research gap. Anchored in the Critical Success Factor theory, the study has utilised the Spherical Fuzzy-Bayesian Best Worst Method and Grey Influence Analysis to prioritise and analyse the influential relations of the identified competencies. The findings highlight the significance of technical and gamification competency categories and competencies related to privacy and security, content loss, scripting, playability, and ethical and social responsibility. These findings signify the competencies for implementing the Metaverse for training by the human resource development professionals.</p
Beliefs of People With Patellofemoral Pain About Their Condition and Treatments Before and After Self‐Directed Access to a Web‐Based Education Platform
No full textObjectives: To evaluate the beliefs of people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) about their condition's development and persistence, and treatment options, before and after self-directed access to a web-based education platform. Design: Pre- and post-intervention trial. Methods: Fifty-eight people with PFP completed custom questionnaires (open-ended and multiple choice) before and 6 weeks after accessing the “My Knee Cap” web-based education platform. Questions covered beliefs about causes and persistence of pain, effectiveness of treatments, and willingness to undergo surgery. Open-ended responses were analysed thematically. McNemar's test with Yates correction compared changes between pre- and post-intervention for multiple choice questions. Results: At baseline and 6 weeks, PFP onset was primarily attributed to loading. At baseline, pain persistence was linked to loading, structure, and muscle impairments, with muscle impairments being replaced by sedentary behaviour at the 6-week follow-up. At baseline, most participants (69%–81%) believed that taping, bracing, foot orthoses, and exercises were effective treatment options. Fewer participants (16%–22%) believed that dry needling, injections, ultrasound, and surgery were effective. At 6 weeks, beliefs about the effectiveness of exercise (16% increase, ES = 0.15), injections (13% decrease, ES = 0.44), and ultrasound (15% decrease, ES = 0.50) changed. At baseline and 6 weeks, most participants (93%–95%) believed exercise was more effective than surgery, and 46%–59% were willing to undergo surgery if imaging revealed abnormalities. Conclusion: Beliefs about the causes and persistence of PFP centred on loading and pathoanatomical factors, remaining largely unchanged after self-directed web-based education. Web-based education may help to promote the benefits of exercise and reduce beliefs that injection and ultrasound are helpful.</p
Nationwide Screening for Arthropod, Fungal, and Bacterial Pests and Pathogens of Honey Bees: Utilizing Environmental DNA from Honey Samples in Australia
No full textThe European honey bee (Apis mellifera) significantly contributes to Australian agriculture, especially in honey production and the pollination of key crops. However, managed bee populations are declining due to pathogens, agrochemicals, poor forage, climate change, and habitat loss. Major threats include bacteria, fungi, mites, and pests. With the increasing demand for pollination and the movement of bee colonies, monitoring these threats is essential. It has been demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of environmental DNA. Environmental DNA in honey comes from all organisms that either directly or indirectly aid in its production and those within the hive environments. In this study, we extracted eDNA from 135 honey samples and tested for the presence of DNA for seven key honey bee pathogens and pests—Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius (bacterial pathogens), Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae (microsporidian fungi), Ascosphaera apis (fungal pathogen), Aethina tumida, and Galleria mellonella (arthropod pests) by using end-point singleplex and multiplex PCR assays. N. ceranae emerged as the most prevalent pathogen, present in 57% of the samples. This was followed by the pests A. tumida (40%) and G. mellonella (37%), and the pathogens P. larvae (21%), N. apis (19%), and M. plutonius (18%). A. apis was detected in a smaller proportion of the samples, with a prevalence of 5%. Additionally, 19% of the samples tested negative for all pathogens and pests analysed. The data outlines essential information about the prevalence of significant arthropod, fungal, and bacterial pathogens and pests affecting honey bees in Australia, which is crucial for protecting the nation’s beekeeping industry.</p
Evaluation of the Park IT Program
No full text"Despite active school travel being one of the most accessible forms of physical activity for children, participation is often stymied by car-dependent habits among families, which subsequently cause traffic and parking congestion challenges around schools."</p
A contemporary approach to improve understanding of the midwifery student continuity of care experience: designing an infographic using appreciative inquiry
No full textBackground: Continuity of Care Experience is a mandated inclusion in all Australian degrees leading to registration as a midwife. Aim: Translating the objectives and learning outcomes of the midwifery student Continuity of Care Experience learning model into practice via an infographic. Design: Underpinned by an Appreciative Inquiry approach, this process used a strengths-based approach to engage participants to develop the design of an infographic. Method: Participants were Australian midwives working in a healthcare clinical or academic setting and were invited to provide feedback via an online survey on the design elements to inform the development of an infographic. Results: An expert midwifery panel included 11 participants representing midwives in clinical practice and academic positions. Content analysis of the survey identified strengths such as flow and visual appeal and what design elements needed improvement to enhance the sense-making of the infographic. Discussion: This study describes a process that engages participants meaningfully to contribute to how research findings are communicated. The process used in this study engaged participants meaningfully to develop an infographic for the midwifery student Continuity of Care Experience. This infographic provides a visual representation of learning objectives and outcomes for this learning model to aid translation into practice. Conclusion: Infographics are an effective tool in education and healthcare settings. Engaging participants in how an infographic is depicted can enhance the translation of learning outcomes and objectives of the midwifery student Continuity of Care Experience in education settings.</p
Accelerated genomic-assisted breeding for safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Sink strength, nutrient allocation, cannabinoid yield and associated transcript profiles vary in two drug-type Cannabis chemovars
No full textAbstract: Cannabis sativa L. is one of the oldest domesticated crops. Hemp-type cultivars, which predominantly produce non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD), have been selected for their fast growth, seed, and fibre production, while drug-type chemovars were bred for high accumulation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We investigated how the generation of CBD-dominant chemovars by introgression of hemp- into drug-type Cannabis impacted plant performance. The THC-dominant chemovar showed superior sink strength, higher flower biomass, and demand-driven control of nutrient uptake. By contrast, the CBD-dominant chemovar hyperaccumulated phosphate in sink organs leading to reduced carbon and nitrogen assimilation in leaves, which limited flower biomass and cannabinoid yield. RNA-seq analyses determined organ- and chemovar-specific differences in expression of genes associated with nitrate and phosphate homeostasis as well as growth-regulating transcription factors that were correlated with measured traits. Among these were genes positively selected for during Cannabis domestication encoding an inhibitor of the phosphate starvation response, SPX DOMAIN GENE3, nitrate reductase, and two nitrate transporters. Altered nutrient sensing, acquisition, or distribution are likely a consequence of adaption to growth on marginal, low-nutrient-input lands in hemp. Our data provide evidence that such ancestral traits may become detrimental for female flower development and consequently overall CBD yield in protected cropping environments.</p
Social Vulnerability and Disparities in Perinatal Health for Victorian Women: Determining Gaps in Outcomes, Access, and Equity
No full textSubmitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.This thesis was a recipient of the Nancy Millis Award for theses of exceptional merit.</p
Mining Lipidomics Data for Biological Insight
No full textA thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.</p
Indigenous Engagement in The Canadian Armed Forces
No full textEpisode 6: Indigenous Engagement in The Canadian Armed Forces with Federica Caso and Grazia Scoppio Guest host Daniel Brant, Daniel J. Brant & Associates (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON), is joined by speakers Federica Caso, Lecturer - La Trobe University and Grazia Scoppio, Professor - RMC Canada. Brant interviews Caso and Scoppio about their pilot research project on the contribution of the CAF to reconciliation. Caso and Scoppio conducted over 30 informal consultations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Defence stakeholders in Canada to understand the policies and initiatives that support Defence's contribution to reconciliation and the lived experiences.</p