Future Proofing Tomorrow\u27s Accounting Graduates: Skills, Knowledge and Employability

The future of work has generated robust debate among governments, industry, academics and social commentators. The intensity of these debates has extended to the accounting profession. Accordingly, and drawing on the experiences and interpretations of accounting professionals, tertiary students, and academics involved in a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience, the present research problematises tensions and gaps between employer skill and knowledge expectations and student interpretations of what employers want. The research unpacks how tertiary curriculum development and learning, and teaching practice innovations can meet employer skill and knowledge expectations. Key findings include students interpreting that highly developed technical skills and grades would enhance their post-degree employability. In contrast and problematically, employers were seeking graduates with highly developed soft skills. The research findings have significant implications for graduate employability and can inform contemporary tertiary accounting curriculum development

Online prevention of disordered eating in at-risk young-adult women: A two-country pragmatic randomized controlled trial

This article has been published in a revised form in Psychological Medicine. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press 2017. This author accepted manuscript is made available following 6 month embargo from date of publication (Dec 2017) in accordance with the publisher’s copyright policyDisordered eating (DE) is a widespread, serious problem. Efficacious prevention programs that can be delivered at-scale are needed. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of two online programs was conducted. Participants were young-adult women from Australia and New Zealand seeking to improve their body image. Media Smart-Targeted (MS-T) and Student Bodies (SB) were both 9-module interventions released weekly, whilst control participants received positive body image information. Primary [Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire (EDE-Q) Global], secondary (DE risk factors) and tertiary (DE) outcome measures were completed at baseline, post-program, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Baseline was completed by 608 women (M age = 20.71 years); 33 were excluded leaving 575 randomized to: MS-T (N = 191); SB (N = 190) or control (N = 194). Only 66% of those randomized to MS-T or SB accessed the intervention and were included in analyses with controls; 78% of this sample completed measures subsequent to baseline. Primary intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses revealed no differences between groups, while measure completer analyses found MS-T had significantly lower EDE-Q Global than controls at 12-month follow-up. Secondary ITT analyses found MS-T participants reported significantly higher quality of life–mental relative to both SB and controls (6-month follow-up), while MS-T and controls had lower clinical impairment relative to SB (post-program). Amongst measure completers, MS-T scored significantly lower than controls and SB on 5 variables. Of those with baseline DE, MS-T participants were significantly less likely than controls to have DE at 12-month follow-up. Given both programs were not therapist-moderated, MS-T has potential to achieve reductions in DE risk at low implementation costs

Variation of the omega-3 content of Australian food products

Abstract from the 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 30 November - 3 December 2008, Glenelg, Australia

Use of Leishmania major parasites expressing a recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi antigen as live vaccines against Chagas disease

INTRODUCTION: METHODS: We generated recombinant RESULTS: We demonstrate that mice inoculated with these recombinant TS-expressing DISCUSSION: Altogether, these data indicate tha

Understanding a Low Vitamin D State in the Context of COVID-19

While a low vitamin D state has been associated with an increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in addition to an increased severity of COVID-19 disease, a causal role is not yet established. Here, we review the evidence relating to i) vitamin D and its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease ii) the vitamin D status in the Irish adult population iii) the use of supplemental vitamin D to treat a deficient status and iv) the application of the Bradford-Hill causation criteria. We conclude that reverse causality probably makes a minimal contribution to the presence of low vitamin D states in the setting of COVID-19. Applying the Bradford-Hill criteria, however, the collective literature supports a causal association between low vitamin D status, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and severe COVID-19 (respiratory failure, requirement for ventilation and mortality). A biologically plausible rationale exists for these findings, given vitamin D’s role in immune regulation. The thresholds which define low, deficient, and replete vitamin D states vary according to the disease studied, underscoring the complexities for determining the goals for supplementation. All are currently unknown in the setting of COVID-19. The design of vitamin D randomised controlled trials is notoriously problematic and these trials commonly fail for a number of behavioural and methodological reasons. In Ireland, as in most other countries, low vitamin D status is common in older adults, adults in institutions, and with obesity, dark skin, low UVB exposure, diabetes and low socio-economic status. Physiological vitamin D levels for optimal immune function are considerably higher than those that can be achieved from food and sunlight exposure alone in Ireland. A window exists in which a significant number of adults could benefit from vitamin D supplementation, not least because of recent data demonstrating an association between vitamin D status and COVID-19. During the COVID pandemic, we believe that supplementation with 20-25ug (800–1000 IU)/day or more may be required for adults with apparently normal immune systems to improve immunity against SARS-CoV-2. We expect that higher monitored doses of 37.5–50 ug (1,500–2,000)/day may be needed for vulnerable groups (e.g., those with obesity, darker skin, diabetes mellitus and older adults). Such doses are within the safe daily intakes cited by international advisory agencies

Lesion environments direct transplanted neural progenitors towards a wound repair astroglial phenotype in mice.

Neural progenitor cells (NPC) represent potential cell transplantation therapies for CNS injuries. To understand how lesion environments influence transplanted NPC fate in vivo, we derived NPC expressing a ribosomal protein-hemagglutinin tag (RiboTag) for transcriptional profiling of transplanted NPC. Here, we show that NPC grafted into uninjured mouse CNS generate cells that are transcriptionally similar to healthy astrocytes and oligodendrocyte lineages. In striking contrast, NPC transplanted into subacute CNS lesions after stroke or spinal cord injury in mice generate cells that share transcriptional, morphological and functional features with newly proliferated host astroglia that restrict inflammation and fibrosis and isolate lesions from adjacent viable neural tissue. Our findings reveal overlapping differentiation potentials of grafted NPC and proliferating host astrocytes; and show that in the absence of other interventions, non-cell autonomous cues in subacute CNS lesions direct the differentiation of grafted NPC towards a naturally occurring wound repair astroglial phenotype

What do the terms wellness and wellbeing mean in dietary practice: an exploratory qualitative study examining women\u27s perceptions

Background Wellness and wellbeing are terms associated with health within dietetic discourse. More broadly, these terms are found in social discourse as represented in food and nutrition consumer communications. With the increasing requirement for evidence-based healthcare, there is an imperative to understand whether these terms are meaningful to individuals typically targeted for nutrition interventions and whether there are any implications for dietetic education. Methods To explore the understanding of these terms, eight semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 32 female participants (age range 23-79 years) who were actively engaged in managing their health. Overall understanding of the terms, factors that impacted perceptions and any relationships with food behaviour were investigated with the groups. Group discussions were transcribed verbatim and each transcript was examined by two researchers. Inductive analysis linking codes into main thematic categories was conducted using the constant comparison approach across the full data set. Results Wellness and wellbeing were identified as meaningful terms associated with health. A theoretical framework of wellness and wellbeing reflecting these meanings was developed linking four dominant thematic areas. These were Desired outcomes (most sought after result); Taking control (self management strategies); Internal influences (various personal inner factors influencing behaviours); and External influences (plethora of peripheral factors influencing behaviours). Conclusions Wellness and wellbeing are terms that are relevant and aspirational for individuals typically targeted for nutrition intervention. A theoretical framework of dominant areas of influence on notions of wellness and wellbeing was identified. This theoretical framework is worthy of further research to determine usefulness and effectiveness in dietetic practice settings

Consumer understanding and responses to the terms \u27wellness\u27 and \u27wellbeing\u27

Wellness and wellbeing are terms that have a long history of use related to health and capacity for individuals and the community within a broad range of disciplines. However understanding how individuals might interpret these terms within nutrition communications has not been clarified. Eight issue-focussed focus semi-qualitative focus groups and seven issue-focussed semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenient non-probability purposive sample of 31 women. Final thematic analysis found a mixed response to terms ranging from assurance through confusion and distrust depending on the context and the deliverer of the terms

Quantification of total mercury in liver and heart tissue of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) from Alaska USA

This study quantified the Hg levels in the liver (n=98) and heart (n=43) tissues of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) (n=102) harvested from Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island Alaska. Mercury tissue dry weight (dw) concentrations in the liver ranged from 1.7 to 393 ppm. dw, and in the heart from 0.19 to 4.99 ppm. dw. Results of this study indicate liver and heart tissues\u27 Hg ppm dw concentrations significantly increase with age. Male Harbor Seals bioaccumulated Hg in both their liver and heart tissues at a significantly faster rate than females. The liver Hg bioaccumulation rates between the harvest locations Kodiak Island and Prince William Sound were not found to be significantly different. On adsorption Hg is transported throughout the Harbor Seal\u27s body with the partition coefficient higher for the liver than the heart. No significant differences in the bio-distribution (liver:heart Hg ppm dw ratios (n=38)) values were found with respect to either age, sex or geographic harvest location. In this study the age at which Hg liver and heart bioaccumulation levels become significantly distinct in male and female Harbor Seals were identified through a Tukey\u27s analysis. Of notably concern to human health was a male Harbor Seal\u27s liver tissue harvested from Kodiak Island region. Mercury accumulation in this sample tissue was determined through a Q-test to be an outlier, having far higher Hg concentrarion (liver 392. Hg. ppm. dw) than the general population sampled. © 2011 Elsevier Inc