Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation of Pongamia pinnata

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients required by plants as a major component of all nucleic acids and proteins such as enzymes which control and enable their growth and reproduction. While much research has been conducted on the legume tree Pongamia (a candidate source for renewable biofuel), there is only a handful of studies on the mechanisms and regulation of nitrogen fixation, which is considered as one of the most important domestication traits that needs to be investigated.  Steps to optimize the symbiotic nitrogen fixation of Pongamia is, firstly, to select the best rhizobial isolates as inoculum among the naturally-occurring pool of bacteria in soils across Queensland. There have been reports on rhizobia nodulating Pongamia isolated from Western Australia and India but not in Queensland, Australia. This study is the first to report such rhizobia isolates that nodulated Pongamia.  Secondly, is to establish efficient nodulation by studying the factors such as nitrate and salinity. The published literature has provided extensive details on the effects of these factors in nodulation and their mechanisms in various legumes. However, only one preliminary study was published from our laboratory; the present study is the in-depth continuation of that effort. Lastly, nitrogen fixation in Pongamia must be assessed to determine if fixed nitrogen is sufficient to support its growth and reproduction. Acetylene reduction assay is the simplest and most common method of assessing fixed nitrogen but in this research, different methods were explored in order to compare both qualitative and quantitative results. This review summarises the current knowledge related to Pongamia, rhizobia, nodulation and nitrogen fixation

The listening project: a qualitative study on the experiences of pre-registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland

Background: Due to the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths, academic institutes worldwide were forced to shift to distance learning. Within the period of global lockdown and isolation, student nurses were one of the groups who faced unique challenges due to the limited practical learning environment caused by the transition to online learning and the emergency hiring of nursing students to fill shortages in many health facilities and help in the COVID-19 response. Aim: To explore the experiences and perceptions of pre-registered nurses in relation to their university education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Underpinned by Lizzio’s (2011) five senses of student success model, a qualitative approach using peer-to-peer discussion was utilized to explore the experiences of pre-registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who are on their second and final year in the nursing program were invited to participate. Interviews were conducted and transcribed using an online meeting platform. Data were analyzed using the five main stages of framework analysis. Results: Eleven peer-to-peer discussion with 22 students were conducted. The five themes are linked with the five senses student success model: capability, connectedness, purpose, resourcefulness, and culture, which was strongly linked to their satisfaction in their program. Six sub-themes emerged in the data: confidence and learning process under capability, building relationships and communication under connectedness, and student health professional and mental health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic under purpose. Conclusion: The situation was a learning opportunity for the students and the university to further support students and build resilience during a pandemic. It is essential for the university to include concepts of transition, pandemic preparedness, work with practitioners, and provide catch up sessions to analyze gaps on their skills and areas where they need further support

Dance and Its Effect on the Mental Health of Performing Arts Students

This study is aimed to describe dance's effect and its different forms on mental health. The respondents of this study are students taking Bachelor of Performing Arts at City College of Angeles. The Mental Effect of Dance Questionnaire was utilized to gather data through an online survey. The said questionnaire has undergone pilot testing α =.975 and .946, which confirms that the instrument can be utilized. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the effects of dance and its different forms on mental health. Independent T-Test Analysis, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H analyses were utilized to determine the difference between groups in the cognitive effect of the dance and its genre regarding gender and year level. After data were obtained from 83 students, the results showed that dance positively affects their mental health. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between groups regarding gender and year level regarding the mental effect of the dance and its genres. Results found that most BPeA students answered that dance has a good impact and benefits them, especially in their mental health. From the results obtained, this study suggests providing different seminars and exposures for the students to gain knowledge about the benefits of dance based on various dance forms to students' mental health. These findings provide new information to students and professionals interested in researching dance and mental health. Further investigation is also recommended to support this research study

Cost of Attendance and Competitive Balance in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) justifies its power and regulatory structure as necessary to promote competitive balance. Despite this, there is limited research on the efficacy of NCAA policies that were implemented with the intention of supporting more parity in Division I conferences. This study examined whether the 2015 cost of attendance (COA) policy was associated with competitive balance in various groups within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Through the lenses of the Matthew Effect and policy design theory, this study aimed to understand how NCAA policies may hurt or help inequality in college sport. Although not all findings were significant, meaningful conclusions were drawn from observing the differences between Power 5 and Group of Five conferences, as well as between men’s and women’s sports. This descriptive study found that COA had little effect on competitive balance; rather, it may have only served to further perpetuate the college athletics arms race and inequality in the NCAA. Keywords: Competitive balance, cost of attendance, NCAA policy, cumulative inequality, college athletics arms rac

PENGARUH KONSERVATISME AKUNTANSI DAN BONUS PLAN TERHADAP INCOME SMOOTHING PADA PERUSAHAAAN MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI TAHUN 2019-2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberikan bukti empiris terkait pengaruh konservatisme akuntansi dan bonus plan terhadap income smoothing pada perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) tahun 2019- 2021. Jenis penelitian ini tergolong dalam penelitian kuantitatif dengan melakukan analisis laporan keuangan perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia tahun 2019-2021. Jumlah perusahaan yang dijadikan sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 179 perusahaan dengan masa penelitian 3 tahun sehingga diperoleh 537 data perusahaan. Metode analisis dalam penelitian ini menggunakan analisis regresi berganda untuk melihat pengaruh dari variabel independen yaitu konservatisme akuntansi dan bonus plan serta variabel kontrol cash holding. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa konservatisme akuntansi berpengaruh negatif terhadap income smoothing, bonus plan tidak berpengaruh terhadap income smoothing, dan cash holding berpengaruh positif terhadap income smoothing pada perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2019-202

The listening project: A qualitative study on the experiences of pre-registered nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland

BackgroundDuring the COVID 19 pandemic academic institutes worldwide were forced to shift to online or socially distanced learning. Nursing students faced unique challenges due to the limited practical learning environment and removal of supernumerary status to meet increased pressure on health care resources.AimTo explore the experiences and perceptions of pre-registered nurses in relation to their university education during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsUnderpinned by Lizzio (2006) [1] five senses of student success model, a novel qualitative approach using peer-to-peer discussion was utilized to explore the experiences of pre-registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who were on their second and final year in the nursing program were invited to participate. Interviews were conducted and transcribed using an online meeting platform. Data were analyzed using the five main stages of framework analysis.ResultsEleven peer-to-peer discussion with 22 students were conducted. The five themes were linked with the five senses student success model: capability, connectedness, purpose, resourcefulness, and culture. Six sub-themes emerged in the data: confidence and learning process, building relationships, communication, student as health professional and mental health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionWhilst there was strength in university provision, the pandemic was an opportunity for students and academics to reflect and learn about how to further programme resilience and enhance student support processes. We recommend that nursing programmes should include concepts of transition, pandemic preparedness, collaboration with professional partners, and provision of catch-up sessions to analyse gaps on their skills and knowledge

Native Leaders Round Table

This event was a Zoom meeting, a pre-summit to start conversations that will take place at the first Native Summit set for Spring 2023. The main file is the event description, and the supplemental files include 5 pictorial summaries of the output. Long overdue, Portland State University is on a journey to becoming an Indigenous affirming institution, a place with authentic relationships and partnerships with the nations/tribes in our area and a place that invites and, is supportive of, Native students who graduate at equitable rates, equipped to advance their communities and the world. Part of the Tribal relations work and an important part of PSU’s journey involves relationship building and deep listening with tribes. To this end, we wish to host our first Native summit in the Spring of 2023. In advance of this process, we would like to start the conversation with critical leaders from the Native Community at a virtual roundtable that will inform the summit and our work by dreaming of a thriving future, helping design the summit, and sharing insights into their current priorities in the areas of education, workforce, and economic development. These initial insights will be shared at the MACRO Convening of BIPOC communities, funders, civic, and governmental agencies in November, and will form the basis of the summit agenda. These efforts include the Indigenous Traditional and Ecological Knowledge work led by Judy Bluehorse Skelton, the Indigenous Nations studies program, the Native American student and community center, which is celebrating its 20 year anniversary and strong student organizations who put on the annual pow wow. As a regional serving institute, the Institute for Tribal Government at PSU has deep expertise, connections and experience and is well positioned to support Portland State University in its efforts. ITG is currently leading a process that will provide recommendations to support the establishment of a tribal relations program, and provides capacity building opportunities such as the certificate for tribal relations to assist PSU and other leaders in engaging meaningfully and respectfully with tribes and understanding an indigenous worldview. Related Materials: Five affinity-based convenings: Latiné Futures Convening Convening on the Future of Black Thriving & Joy Convening for a Thriving Future for Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American Communities (PIAA) Convening for a Prosperous Future for Middle East, North African and South Asian Community (MENASA) Native Leaders Roundtable Time to Act Events:The Future and Thriving of BIPOC Communities: A Time to Act Macroconvening(Affinity groups met in-person November 2022)Time 2 Act: Continuing Action for a Just and Equitable PSU(Video - Winter Symposium 2021) Time to Act: Envisioning and Creating a Just and Equitable PSU(Video - Virtual Equity Summit, October 30, 2020) Equity Plan: Time to Act: Plan for Equity & Racial Justice 2021 - 2024 (PDF - Report, 2021