The Intervening Effect of Current Knowledge Enhancement on Attitude and Intention to Choose Accounting Career

The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is an influence from the attitude of accounting students to the intention to choose an accounting career through the intention to increase current knowledge as an intervening variable. This study used a survey online method to test the research model. A total of 503 questionnaire responses were obtained from accounting students spread across Java, which are known as the millennial generation in this era. Data analysis and hypothesis testing using partial least square as part of the structural equation model technique. The results of this study are in accordance with the Theory of Planned Behavior that attitudes have a positive and significant influence on the intentions of accounting students, both in terms of increasing current knowledge and choosing accounting careers. This study also supports Social Cognitive Career Theory that educational background and learning experience can increase the intention of accounting students to pursue careers in accounting. The existence of different generations will lead to different perceptions of students regarding accounting careers, therefore further research is needed to identify these differences. The results of this study suggest that accounting educators always update their curriculum, adapted to the current development and demands of graduate users. The rapid development of technology has had a great influence on the accounting profession

U.S. ADOLESCENTS FOOD PURCHASING BEHAVIOR IN URBAN SETTINGS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE INTERVENTIONS

117 pagesObesity rates in U.S. adolescents continue to increase over the years and poor diet is an important risk factor. Adolescents’ autonomy in food purchasing decisions contributes to diet and is especially important in urban areas where adolescents have greater access to food stores. Current understanding on adolescents’ foods/beverages purchasing is lacking at the national level, and it is not known to what extent other food store types are being utilized by adolescents. Additionally, interventions in urban food stores aiming to improve healthy foods purchasing, typically referred to as healthy food retail programs (HFRP), rarely target adolescents specifically. Research is needed to better understand what factors and strategies are essential for HFRP to successfully improve adolescents’ purchasing behavior. The aims of this dissertation are to 1) understand the state of adolescents’ purchasing behavior in urban settings, namely the foods/beverages purchased and food store types visited, 2) identify associations between purchasing behavior and sociodemographic characteristics, 3) examine associations between foods/beverages purchases and store types, 4) explore factors that contribute to the successes and challenges of implementing HFRP, and 5) identify strategies to tailor such interventions for adolescents in urban settings. Chapter 1 of this dissertation reviews what is known about what and where adolescents purchase food/beverages, highlighting the importance of U.S. urban settings. Chapter 2 describes adolescents’ purchasing behaviors in urban places nationally, and how they vary by sociodemographic characteristics based on the National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey 2012-13 dataset. Results reveal older adolescents should be prioritized for healthy food purchasing initiatives. Chapter 3 expands on this research by examining how the types of and nutritional quality of foods/beverages purchased vary by store types. Results suggest that adolescents are more likely to purchase certain items in certain food stores. In Chapter 4, strategies promoting HFRP success, common challenges, and solutions were discussed based on qualitative interviews. Future interventions need to target distribution systems to ensure healthy foods are affordable. Additionally, involving adolescents in developing HFRP through youth advocacy programs can ensure relevant programming. In Chapter 5, implications of findings for policy, practice, and further research were described.2025-09-0

The development of a quantitative assay for the detection of grapevine red blotch-associated virus in Vitis vinifera identifies significant differences in virus distribution

Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) is associated with red blotch disease which undermines optimal growth and development of grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Despite GRBaV’s significant economical and biological impacts, existing diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and consistency. This study has developed, optimized and employed a reliable quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection of GRBaV in a variety of host tissue types. Primers specific to GRBaV and an internal host control (NADP-dependent Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)) were selected for use in qPCR based on their performance in initial validation tests. Controls consisted of 1) the internal GAPDH which served as relative reference of total input DNA and as a marker for template quality, 2) a dilution series of cloned target viral DNA, and 3) negative controls of water and total nucleic acid from uninfected vines. This method was then used to quantify the amount of GRBaV in multiple infected greenhouse- (GG) and field- (FG) grown vines. Absolute and relative quantification methods were shown to be strongly correlated (R2 > 0.84) for both GG and FG. Viral DNA quantities varied in different tissue types and from one plant to another between and within a location, but most significantly between GG and FG, where only 56.0% of the total samples from the latter were determined as positive compared to 98.4% for the former. Petioles were consistently found to contain higher amounts of GRBaV compared to their corresponding leaves (P≤0.0368). Leaves proximal to the main stem were also found to contain higher amounts of GRBaV compared to leaves located in the apical part of the cane (P≤0.0017). Based on these findings, it is recommended that total nucleic acid extracted from multiple petioles of fully developed leaves are used for robust and reliable GRBaV diagnosis using qPCR. The described qPCR assay and recommended sampling procedures will contribute to efforts in GRBaV containment and red blotch disease control

U.S. Adolescents’ Diet Consumption Patterns Differ between Grocery and Convenience Stores: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018

Among U.S. adolescents, foods/beverages that are store-bought (i.e., from grocery and convenience stores) are significant contributors of energy intake. However, it remains unclear (1) what foods/beverages are consumed by U.S. adolescents from grocery and convenience stores and (2) if there are differences in foods/beverages consumed by store type. Therefore, we analyzed 29,216 eating occasions from adolescents (12–19 years; n = 4065) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018 to report food/beverage groups and nutrients consumed from grocery and convenience stores. Differences in food/beverage groups and nutrient densities by store type were calculated using multiple logistic and linear regressions. Adolescents were more likely to consume “Beverages” and “Snacks and Sweets” and less likely to consume “Grains”, “Protein”, “Milk and Dairy”, “Condiments and Sauces”, and “Fruits” from convenience compared to grocery stores (all p < 0.0025). Foods/beverages from convenience stores were higher in carbohydrates, total sugar, and added sugar and lower in protein, fat, saturated fat, sodium, and fiber than those from grocery stores (all p < 0.0025). In conclusion, while foods/beverages from convenience stores are more energy-dense and nutrient-poor, there is a critical need to increase the availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthier foods/beverages in both store types to encourage healthier dietary behaviors among U.S. adolescents

Learning environment, students attitude and intention to enhance current knowledge in the context of choosing accounting career

Purpose This research examines the influence of the learning environment and students attitudes towards choosing an accounting career mediated by intention to enhance the current knowledge. Design/methodology/approach The online survey is adopted to test the research model of this research. There are 503 useable responses collected with the effective response rate of 72 per cent. Data analysis and hypothesis testing use Partial Least Square as part of the Structural Equation Modelling technique. Findings The results of this research indicate that accounting students possess positive attitude both towards the intention to enhance the current knowledge and choosing their accounting career. The learning environment includes educators and friends who give significant influence on students intention. Besides, current knowledge enhancement is also discovered to be able to mediate the link between attitude, learning environment and intention to choose accounting career. Research limitations/implications Different generations may generate either different perception or different orientation in choosing accounting career. Therefore, future research can consider wider coverage and more updated object. Practical implications Findings of this research suggest that periodic improvement and renewal are necessary to administer to create an optimum learning environment, in term of teachers capacity, teaching materials and supporting social environment. Originality/value This research contributes to any research related to attitudes towards choosing an accounting career. This study is the leading study that combines students attitudes, learning environment, current knowledge enhancement, and career choice in one single model