Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 – Biosecurity and Sustainable Solutions

An incursion of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) was identified on a farm in the Tully region in March 2015. The wet tropical coast region, including Tully, produces 96% of Australia’s banana crop worth approximately $600 million annually and sustains regional communities in coastal north Queensland. Fusarium wilt of banana – also known as Panama disease – is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense and is regarded as one of the most destructive diseases of banana and has devastated banana production in many countries around the world. Very few varieties are resistant to the Foc TR4 strain of the pathogen and despite years of breeding no commercially acceptable varieties have proven to be fully resistant. This project has aimed to deliver new science, information and practices to address key areas of need for the banana industry to: • Successfully contain the disease and prevent further spread of the pathogen through the adoption of robust, science‐based biosecurity practices and • Identify and investigate options to facilitate the development of economically viable production systems, capable of minimising inoculum build up, that are suitable for use on infected or at risk farms. The adoption of effective biosecurity practices on north Queensland banana farms has been significantly supported by project activities identifying risk pathways for spread of the pathogen, research identifying the most effective disinfectant products, research activities outlining how to monitor and manage their use and replenishment and how to effectively destroy inoculum in infected plants to minimise build up in the soil. The project has also significantly progressed development of methods for assessment of plant stress and its influence on Foc infection, identified possible rotation crops that suppress Foc populations in the soil and the influence of ground cover and nitrogen management practices on the soil microbiome and its capacity to suppress Foc. Significant extension and communication efforts have been made to keep the banana industry informed of the latest results as they became available and a biosecurity Best Management Practice guide has been produced with input from banana producers and regulatory agency staff that can assist banana growers to benchmark their biosecurity practices and identify potential improvements. Evaluation activities have shown that the project has significantly influenced knowledge change and practice adoption in the banana industry

Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 – Biosecurity and Sustainable Solutions

An incursion of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) was identified on a farm in the Tully region in March 2015. The wet tropical coast region, including Tully, produces 96% of Australia’s banana crop worth approximately $600 million annually and sustains regional communities in coastal north Queensland. Fusarium wilt of banana – also known as Panama disease – is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense and is regarded as one of the most destructive diseases of banana and has devastated banana production in many countries around the world. Very few varieties are resistant to the Foc TR4 strain of the pathogen and despite years of breeding no commercially acceptable varieties have proven to be fully resistant. This project has aimed to deliver new science, information and practices to address key areas of need for the banana industry to: • Successfully contain the disease and prevent further spread of the pathogen through the adoption of robust, science‐based biosecurity practices and • Identify and investigate options to facilitate the development of economically viable production systems, capable of minimising inoculum build up, that are suitable for use on infected or at risk farms. The adoption of effective biosecurity practices on north Queensland banana farms has been significantly supported by project activities identifying risk pathways for spread of the pathogen, research identifying the most effective disinfectant products, research activities outlining how to monitor and manage their use and replenishment and how to effectively destroy inoculum in infected plants to minimise build up in the soil. The project has also significantly progressed development of methods for assessment of plant stress and its influence on Foc infection, identified possible rotation crops that suppress Foc populations in the soil and the influence of ground cover and nitrogen management practices on the soil microbiome and its capacity to suppress Foc. Significant extension and communication efforts have been made to keep the banana industry informed of the latest results as they became available and a biosecurity Best Management Practice guide has been produced with input from banana producers and regulatory agency staff that can assist banana growers to benchmark their biosecurity practices and identify potential improvements. Evaluation activities have shown that the project has significantly influenced knowledge change and practice adoption in the banana industry

The Effect of a One Time Imagery Intervention on Self-Efficacy and Exercise Frequency in a Non-Exercising Population

We all know physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, yet many people are still living sedentary lifestyles. One theory used to explain why some people exercise, while others do not is self-efficacy theory. Past research has indicated that people\u27s self-efficacy may be related to their exercise behavior. It has also been shown that imagery can positive affect self-efficacy. Past research has shown that there is a relationship between imagery, self-efficacy, and exercise frequency, however no intervention studies have assessed this relationship. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a one time imagery intervention on self-efficacy beliefs and exercise frequency in a currently inactive population. Fifty-four participants were separated into three different groups, an imagery group, a group that received information on exercise, and a control group. Participants completed an exercise information and background form, the Exercise Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the Exercise Information Inventory-Revised and companion scale, pre-intervention (time 1), and then again seven days later (time two), and fourteen days later (time 3). Results revealed that the exercise frequency level increased for all groups. Those in the exercise information group increased their exercise frequency significantly more from time one to time three than those in the imagery group. For scheduling self-efficacy, regardless of the group the participants were in their scheduling self-efficacy scores significantly increased from time one to time three. Although the findings of this study were unexpected, they still add valuable information to the discussion on imagery, self-efficacy, and exercise. Specifically, because this is the first study to assess the above relationship through intervention based research, the findings have highlighted potential limitations for imagery interventions, but more importantly the findings have indicated what future research should focus on including imagery intervention length, individualization of the scripts, and matching the script to the persons current behavior level (e.g., adoption versus maintenance)

Delivering job search services in rural labour markets: the role of ICT

This paper reports original research on job seekers in two contrasting rural areas in Scotland: one a remote rural area; the other semi-rural with strong metropolitan connectivity. It seeks to answer two key questions. Firstly, what are the potential benefits and barriers associated with the delivery of services for rural job seekers through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based systems? And following from this, what is the nature and extent of the 'digital divide' affecting unemployed job seekers and what policies are required to address this problem? Rural labour markets in the United Kingdom, like those across Europe, have recently experienced a period of continuous and rapid change. The decline of primary sector industries has been accompanied by increases in service employment, especially in tourism. However, in the UK, as elsewhere, this economic transition has not been without its difficulties. Whilst social exclusion is less prevalent in rural areas than in many cities, instances f poverty remain. Unemployment, and particularly long-term unemployment, has been cited as an important factor explaining the continuing problem of social exclusion in many rural areas. Recent research has suggested that an important barrier to work faced by unemployed people in rural areas relates to the absence of locally-based job search and advice services. The Employment Service (the main public agency in the UK dealing with job seekers) has argued thagiven the remote and sparsely populated nature of many rural labour markets, ICT-based job search and advice services (e.g. delivered through telephone helplines and the Internet) may offer the most efficient and cost-effective policy solution in many areas. However, the viability of this policy is dependent on the level of ICT awareness and access among job seekers. Interviews were conducted with over 400 job seekers in the two areas. The Caithness and Sutherland area in northern Scotland is among the most remote and least densely populated in Europe, with unemployment rates well above the national average. West Lothian, in contrast, is situated near to Scotland's economic centre and is a major centre of manufacturing activity with unemployment below the national average. The interviws examined the level of ICT skills possessed, attitudes towards and access to ICT, and additionally collected information on a range of personal skills and attitudes. Evidence of relatively low levels of ICT awareness and access was found in both communities Although those residing in the more remote study area were also more likely to have Internet access, a significant minority did not even have access to a telephone at home. The paper concludes that, if ICT is to prove to be the waforward in delivering services for job seekers in rural areas, community-based access and support facilities must be provided, along with appropriate training for job seekers in basic and higher level ICT skills.

Preliminary Performance of the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT): Association Between ADAT Scores and Other Variables for Applicants to Residency Programs at a U.S. Dental School

Historically, dental residency programs have used numerical assessment criteria to evaluate and identify qualified candidates for admission. Recent elimination of such assessment tools has undermined many programs’ holistic evaluation process. The Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) was developed and recently piloted in hopes of addressing this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary performance and validity of the ADAT by exploring the association between ADAT scores and other variables for a sample of applicants to residency programs. The WebAdMIT admissions database was used to identify the test scores and educational and demographic information of 92 individuals who completed the pilot ADAT and were seeking a 2017 postgraduate specialty position at Indiana University School of Dentistry. The results showed that the ADAT had strong to weak correlations with certain applicant variables (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for age, race, school location, or country of origin. However, males performed better than females (p<0.05), and non-Hispanics performed better than Hispanics (p<0.01). ADAT component scores were also higher for individuals with a history of research activity (p<0.05). This study found that significant associations existed between the ADAT and indices typically associated with competitive applicants. These findings suggest that the ADAT may serve as a useful numerical assessment instrument, with the potential to identify high-performing candidates. Furthermore, the ADAT seemed to be a plausible option for programs seeking to incorporate a quantitative assessment instrument as part of a holistic candidate selection process

Developing sustainable banana production systems: a case study from tropical Australia

The north Queensland banana industry is under pressure from government and community expectations to exhibit good environmental stewardship. The industry is situated on the high-rainfall north Queensland coast adjacent to 2 natural icons, the Great Barrier Reef to the east and World Heritage-listed rain forest areas to the west. The main environmental concern is agricultural industry pollutants harming the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to environmental issues the banana industry also suffers financial pressure from declining margins and production loss from tropical cyclones. As part of a broader government strategy to reduce land-based pollutants affecting the Great Barrier Reef, the formation of a pilot banana producers group to address these environmental and economic pressures was facilitated. Using an integrated farming systems approach, we worked collaboratively with these producers to conduct an environmental risk assessment of their businesses and then to develop best management practices (BMP) to address environmental concerns. We also sought input from technical experts to provide increased rigour for the environmental risk assessment and BMP development. The producers' commercial experience ensured new ideas for improved sustainable practices were constantly assessed through their profit-driven 'filter' thus ensuring economic sustainability was also considered. Relying heavily on the producers' knowledge and experience meant the agreed sustainable practices were practical, relevant and financially feasible for the average-sized banana business in the region. Expert input and review also ensured that practices were technically sound. The pilot group producers then implemented and adapted selected key practices on their farms. High priority practices addressed by the producers group included optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce runoff water nitrification, developing practical ground cover management to reduce soil erosion and improving integrated pest management systems to reduce pesticide use. To facilitate wider banana industry understanding and adoption of the BMP's developed by the pilot group, we conducted field days at the farms of the pilot group members. Information generated by the pilot group has had wider application to Australian horticulture and the process has been subsequently used with the north Queensland sugar industry. Our experiences have shown that integrated farming systems methodologies are useful in addressing complex issues like environmental and economic sustainability. We have also found that individual horticulture businesses need on-going technical support for change to more sustainable practices. One-off interventions have little impact, as farm improvement is usually an on-going incremental process. A key lesson from this project has been the need to develop practical, farm scale economic tools to clarify and demonstrate the financial impact of alternative management practices. Demonstrating continued profitability is critical to encourage widespread industry adoption of environmentally sustainable practice