The perceived influence of some trainee characteristics and conditions for transfer on training outcomes

While training is an important organisational development strategy, training transfer is increasingly being recognised as a key issue in ensuring the effectiveness of training and obtaining a return on investment. This study examines the transfer of training following on from a specific experiential learning program that was aimed at increasing the skills of a group of staff within a unique public sector organisation in Western Australia. The aim of this course was that staff would then be able to achieve a key performance indicator for the organisation at the identified target of 99.99% performance. The study is based on the perceived influence of two trainee characteristics (motivation to work, and organisational commitment), and two conditions for transfer ( supervisor support, and opportunity to use) on training transfer as an outcome. The study first examined the issue of training evaluation and proceeded to conduct a more thorough examination of the literature on training transfer. Three popular and dominant models were examined for their strengths and weaknesses, which formed the basis for the conceptual framework proposed in this study. The four research questions focus on each of the four independent variables. The data collection for this study was based on previously used scales in each of the 4 variables and data gathered through a questionnaire from the staff of the Information Services Directorate of Lotterywest who formed the sample for the study. Early reliability analysis required some items from the survey instrument to be deleted from future analyses. Factor analysis suggested the existence of sub scales within each of the variables. Subsequent regression analyses suggested that motivation to work (2%) did not impact on training transfer in this study, but the other three predictor variables; organisational commitment, supervisor support, and opportunity to use each had significant influence on training transfer and ranged from over 20% to almost 50% of the variance in the model. Collectively, the results suggest that approximately 50% of the variance in the model is attributed to the influence these variables have on training transfer. There are some limitations to this study which are discussed in detail and must be considered due to the unique nature of the sample who took part in the study and the public sector agency in which this study was conducted. In addition, implications for human resource practitioners and organisational development practitioners are discussed in detail. There are several opportunities for further research to be conducted within this particular industry (to which this public sector agency belongs) as it appears that no such research has previously been conducted of this nature within this industry, either in Australia or in the rest of the world

Hysteroscopy Findings in Women with Thin Endometrium Scheduled for In Vitro fertilization in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

The effect of endometrial thickness on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome is still a subject of debate. It is unclear why a thin endometrium reduces IVF success rates. Our objective was to analyze the hysteroscopic findings in women scheduled for IVF who had an endometrial thickness less than 7 mm. Relevant data of patients scheduled for IVF cycles and found to have an endometrial thickness (ET) of <7 mm on transvaginal ultrasound scan (TVS) between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2017, at a private fertility and minimal access surgery unit in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, were retrieved and documented. A total of 41 patients had ET <7 mm during the study period. These patients accounted for 2.8% of the 1487 IVF cycles performed during the same period. All 41 patients had office hysteroscopies performed, constituting 4.1% of the 1,002 hysteroscopies performedduring the study period. The age range of the patients was 23 – 50 years with a mean of 39.9 ± 6.9 years, and the duration of infertility ranged from 3 to 13 years with a mean of 7.2 ± 2.5 years. Most of the patients (32, 78.1%) had secondary infertility. Sixteen patients (39.0%) had intrauterine adhesions. A thin endometrium, though infrequent during IVF treatment cycles, might be associated with undiagnosed intrauterine adhesions. Keywords: Thin, endometrium, hysteroscopy, IVF, infertility, adhesions L'effet de l'épaisseur de l'endomètre sur le résultat de la fécondation in vitro (IVF) est toujours un sujet de débat. On ne sait pas pourquoi un endomètre mince réduit les taux de réussite de la IVF. Notre objectif était d'analyser les résultats hystéroscopiques chez les femmes devant subir une FIV qui avaient une épaisseur endométriale inférieure à 7 mm. Données pertinentes des patientes programmées pour des cycles de IFV et ayant une épaisseur endométriale (ET) <7 mm à l'échographie transvaginale (TVS) entre le 1er avril 2010 et le 31 mars 2017, dans une unité de chirurgie privée de fertilité et d'accès minimal à la région du Niger-Delta au Nigeria, ont été récupérées et documentées. Un total de 41 patients avaient ET <7 mm au cours de la période d'étude. Ces patients représentaient 2,8% des 1487 cycles de IVF effectués au cours de la même période. Les 41 patients ont subi une hystéroscopie en cabinet, ce qui représente 4,1% des 1 002 hystéroscopies réalisées au cours de la période d'étude. La tranche d'âge des patients était de 23 à 50 ans avec une moyenne de 39,9 ± 6,9 ans, et la durée de l'infertilité variait de 3 à 13 ans avec une moyenne de 7,2 ± 2,5 ans. La plupart des patients (32, 78,1%) avaient une infertilité secondaire. Seize patients (39,0%) avaient des adhérences intra-utérines. Un endomètre mince, bien que peu fréquent pendant les cycles de traitement de IVF, pourrait être associé à des adhérences intra-utérines non diagnostiquées. Mots-clés: Mince, endomètre, hystéroscopie, IVF, infertilité, adherence

Improved Method for Detecting Local Discontinuities in CMB data by Finite Differencing

An unexpected distribution of temperatures in the CMB could be a sign of new physics. In particular, the existence of cosmic defects could be indicated by temperature discontinuities via the Kaiser-Stebbins effect. In this paper, we show how performing finite differences on a CMB map, with the noise regularized in harmonic space, may expose such discontinuities, and we report the results of this process on the 7-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures; Text has been edited, in line with the PRD articl

Ensuring the continued functionality of essential critical infrastructure industries by estimating the workforce impacts of COVID-19

This economic impact assessment was compiled on April 9, 2020 for the Colorado Food Supply Task Force by Jude Bayham and Alexandra E. Hill. Last updated April 9, 2020.Food Systems, Colorado State University

Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Dumpsites within Umuahia, Nigeria

Communication In Physical Sciences 2020, 5(2): 124 -135 Authors: Jude C. Nnaji, and E. ChukwuReceived 15 March 2020/Accepted 28 April 2020 Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals at five dumpsites (1 – 5) in Umuahia, Nigeria was carried out. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0, 5 and 10 m from each dumpsite and from a control site. Samples of water leaf and African Spinach leafwere also collected and analysed for heavy metal ions. Soil physicochemical parameters were determined using official and recommended methods while heavy metal ion concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results obtained indicated that the texture of soil samples were predominantly sandy loam while pH values ranged from 6.21±0.37 to 7.70±0.29. Organic matter content ranged from 1.65±0.52 to 4.15±0.36 % while electrical conductivity had a range of 98.47±7.25 – 201.57±15.86µS/cm across the dumpsites. Mean concentrations of heavy metal ions in soils from the dumpsites weresignificantly higher (P < 0.05) than those from the control site. Average metal pollution indices showed that soils in the dumpsites are unpolluted except cadmium in Dumpsites 4 and 5. Degree of contamination values showed low degrees of contamination but enrichment factors for Pb, Cd and Cr in some Dumpsites indicated significant enrichments. All dumpsites had geo-accumulation indices less than 1.00 indicating unpolluted soil except Pb and Cr in some Dumpsites which showed moderate pollution. Ecological risk and potential ecological risk indices indicated low ecological risk. Mean concentrations of cadmium ions in the two vegetables from the dumpsites exceeded the Codex maximum limits for Cd in leafy vegetables. Although severe pollution is not pronounced for soils within the study dumpsites, it is recommended that measures should be engaged to control waste disposal in these dumpsites since heavy metals can bioaccumulate and increase in concentration to severe the environmental quality of thedumpsites in the near future. &nbsp

Using Geographic Information System to Select Suitable Landfill Sites For Megacities (Case Study of Lagos, Nigeria)

Proper landfill site selection is the fundamental step in sound waste disposal and the protection of the environment, publichealth and quality of life. Proper landfill site selection determines many of the subsequent steps in the landfill process,which, if properly implemented, should ensure against nuisances and adverse long-term effects. For example, a well-selectedlandfill site will generally facilitate an uncomplicated design and provide ample cover material, which would facilitate anenvironmentally and publicly acceptable operation at a reasonable cost. The criteria involved in landfill site selection includeenvironmental, economic and sociopolitical criteria, some of which may conflict. With increased environmental awareness,new legislation and certain other developments over time, the landfill site selection process has become much moresophisticated, as new procedures and tools have been developed (Ball, 2005). Increased environmental awareness anddeepening environmental concerns in recent years have forced attention on the need to move towards a more sustainablesociety. These changes in attitudes in many parts of the world have been supported by changes in laws and policies onenvironment and waste disposal. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with landfill by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations publicsatisfaction, environmental safety and economic practicality. This situation has created a need for more consistent andobjective methods for making decisions; improved access to, and better management of environmental information. At theinternational level, criteria of differing degrees of detail exist as guidelines for the optimum siting of landfills (Baban andFlannagan, 1998). The role of Geographic Information Systems in solid waste management is very large as many aspects ofits planning and operations are highly dependent on spatial data. In general, Geographic Information Systems plays a keyrole in maintaining account data to facilitate collection operations; customer service; analyzing optimal locations for transferstations; planning routes for vehicles transporting waste from residential, commercial and industrial customers to transferstations and from transfer stations to landfills; locating new landfills and monitoring the landfill. Geographic informationsystem is a tool that not only reduces time and cost of the site selection, but also provide a digital data bank for futuremonitoring program of the site (Yagoub and Buyong, 2008). This research evaluates existing landfill sites in Lagos,establishes the need for new dumpsites and proposes candidate landfill sites, using Geographic information system as tooland World Bank standard of landfill sitting as criteria.Keywords - Social networks, threats, security, intrusion and attacks

Building a Better Vector: The Manipulation of AAV Virions

This review will focus on research directed at manipulating the virion of adeno-associated virus (AAV) with the goals of circumventing the immune response of the virion, as well as retargeting the virus to specific cell types of interest. The use of five AAV serotypes for addressing questions of Ab neutralization, novel tropism, as well as providing natural templates for targeting by virion modification will be discussed

Antidepressant activity of ethanol extract of Zea mays husk

Background and aims: Zea mays L. (Poaceae) husk extract is used traditionally in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria, pains, inflammatory diseases and central nervous system disorders. Methods: The husk extract (187-748 mg/kg) was evaluated for antidepressant activity in mice using open field, force swimming and tail suspension tests. Determination of median lethal dose (LD50) and phytochemical screening of the husk extract were also carried out using standard methods. Results: The husk extract increased significantly the line crossing, walling and rearing activities of mice in open field test (P<0.05-0.001) and reduced significantly the immobility time in force swimming test (P<0.05-0.001). However, the immobility time in tail suspension tests was significantly increased by the extract (P<0.05-0.001). Conclusion: The husk extract of Z. mays has prominent antidepressant activity which is due to the activities of its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic compounds