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The study objective was to assess acceptability, feasibility, likeability, and applicability of interactive virtual reality with feedback loops (VR) to teach and assess veterinary anesthesia machine operation. Data from 60 students were analyzed. Students learned and trained how to use the anesthesia machine components and connections and performed safety checks (such as the pressure check) using real and VR machines. Competency was assessed with oral/practical and VR exams. A questionnaire survey gathered student affective skill perception toward VR for education. Students perceived VR for veterinary education as positive, useful, likeable, and helpful to learn the anesthesia machine. VR appeared to increase cognitive load, inducing lower VR exam scores of 100 (92.4-97.9) when compared to oral/practical exams of 100 (98-99.8) with p = .018. Training times with either real or VR anesthesia machines were similar ( p = .71). A positive correlation was found between VR training times and VR exam scores (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.5; p < .001). No correlations were identified between oral/practical exam scores and training times. Seventy two percent of the students ( n = 43) had never used VR before. Prior VR experience was not necessary to train using VR. Computer glitches and cybersickness are important drawbacks to consider when using VR for education. The study demonstrated that interactive, immersive VR received favorable reactions from students. The VR incorporated educational feedback loops can be utilized as a simulation trainer for veterinary education. However, inherent limitations should be considered.

This study assesses the nutritional status of Maasai pastoralists living in a period of great social, economic and ecological changes in Kajiado County, southern Kenya. Data on weight, height, skinfolds, and circumferences were collected from 534 individuals in the year 2000. The data were used to describe mean differences in human nutrition between ages, sexes, and within and among three Group Ranches. Nutritional data and diet recall data were compared with past studies of Maasai nutrition from 1930 to 2000. Results indicate that nutritional status is poor and has remained so despite numerous changes to the social-ecological system including livelihood diversification, sedentarization, human population growth and decreased access to vegetation heterogeneity. Imbirikani Group Ranch had better access to infrastructure and markets and some measures of nutritional status were better than for individuals in other group ranches. However, nutritional status remains poor despite transitioning to greater market integration.