Design thinking and innovation: synthesising concepts of knowledge co-creation in spaces of professional development

This paper explores how design thinking connects to concepts of knowledge creation and innovation. A case study of a knowledge sharing network in the social services sector is used to illustrate how design thinking supports Ba, the spaces for knowledge creation. Further exploration of the four enabling conditions for Ba resulted in delineation of two distinct types: relational and structural. Relational enablers support three groups of enabling conditions: interaction, shared values and communication. It is proposed that design thinking aligns well with relational enabling conditions for Ba to create the ideal spaces for knowledge creation. The group of structural enablers can assist or obstruct change and relate to the culture and management approaches of an organization, which may or may not be assisted by design thinking. However, to ensure that design thinking is not undermined, and innovation is achieved, the presence of an appropriate structural enabler is critical for success

Managing and imagining migration: The role of Facebook groups in the lives of “new” Italian migrants in Australia

This thesis explores the role that Facebook groups play in the lives of the so called “new” wave of Italian migrants in Australia both pre- and post-migration. Over the last decade, especially since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, large numbers of young Ita¬lians have been arriving in Australia, however little is known about their migratory experiences. Similarly, while scholars in the field of technology and migration have shown that online communication can facilitate the process of migration, it is still unclear whether it can also influence migrants’ expectations before they have even left their home countries. Therefore, in order to elucidate whether – ¬and how – Facebook groups shape pre-migration expectations and subsequent post-migration experiences, two data sources have been employed: a thematic analysis of the wallposts made to three public, user-created Facebook groups dedicated to “new” Italians in Australia, and in-depth interviews with members of these groups. Findings show that these Facebook groups are online communities where “new” Italian migrants come together at various stages of the migration process in order to prepare for, manage and imagine the experience of migrating to Australia. By joining Facebook groups prior to migrating, “new” Italian migrants can gain access to social support, relevant, practical information, and insider knowledge about how to prepare for everyday life in Australia and what to expect upon arrival. Likewise, belonging to Facebook groups can help “new” Italian migrants manage their post-migration experiences by providing them with opportunities for employment and socialisation, and for regaining social capital. Overall, the first-hand migration stories and images posted by those already in Australia construct a hyper-reality, that is, a space or window for pre-migrants to imagine what it is like to be an Italian migrant in Australia today and, in turn, shape realistic expectation

Answer Me That

This is a collection of five works of short fiction and one creative non-fiction essay

Portrayal vs. reality: images of African Americans in magazine advertisements

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2001The images of African Americans in magazine advertisements are changing. As these images change, researchers question whether or not African American socioeconomic and familial status are being accurately represented. George Gerbner's cultivation theory suggests that media play a role in shaping people's perceptions of minority groups. Using content analysis, this study compares the portrayal of African American socioeconomic and familial status in magazine advertisements with 1999 United States Census Bureau socioeconomic statistics of African Americans in the United States. This study found that a discrepancy exists between the portrayal and the reality of African American socioeconomic and familial status than United States Census Bureau statistics show. These results provide a basis for further research into the social ramifications of African American misrepresentation in media

Immunoglobulin concentrations in serum and secretions of vitamin A-deficient broiler chicks following Newcastle disease virus vaccination

Chicks depleted of hepatic vitamin A reserves were maintained on diets supplemented with either 2 ug retinol, 2 ug all-trans retinoic acid (RA), or 0.2 ug retinol/g of diet. Chicks were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) at 2 weeks of age. Serum samples were obtained weekly for determination of serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations. At 7 weeks of age, RA-fed chicks were further divided into three treatment groups. One group remained on the RA control diet (2 ug/g of diet); the other two groups were fed either 0 or 0.2 ug RA/g of diet. Chicks fed 0.2 ug retinol/g of diet were changed to a vitamin A-free diet. Chicks fed the retinol control diet (2 ug retinol/g of diet) remained on this diet throughout the experiment. At 2, 4, or 6 days after final diet changes were made, chicks were revaccinated with Newcastle disease virus;At 7 weeks of age, serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations were significantly greater in the retinol deficient and RA control chicks as compared with retinol control chicks. Eight days after the second NDV vaccination, serum IgG and IgM concentrations were significantly higher in chicks fed a retinol or RA deficient diet as compared with chicks fed either 2 ug of retinol or RA/g of diet, respectively. Serum IgA concentrations were greater in retinol deficient chicks after revaccination but lower or similar amounts of IgA were detected in the serum of RA deficient chicks as compared with controls. Despite an increase in serum immunoglobulin concentrations, serum antibody titer in response to the second NDV vaccination was significantly decreased in chicks fed a vitamin A deficient diet as compared with controls;Secretory IgA (SIgA) concentrations in bile, intestine, and trachea 8 days after revaccination were lower in vitamin A deficient chicks as compared with controls. In contrast to the low SIgA concentrations in tissues, significantly greater concentrations of IgM and IgG were found in intestine and trachea of vitamin A deficient chicks than in controls;Serum IgG, IgM, IgA, biliary IgA, and serum antibody responses were greater in chicks fed diets supplemented with 2 ug RA/g of diet than in chicks fed an equivalent amount of vitamin A in the form as retinol

Solving the Obesity Problem One Bite at a Time: A Review of Interventions

Resource limitations contribute to obesity in southern rural populations. An examination of published research provides evidence related to factors that lead to obesity and to related health consequences. Resource limitations in southern rural areas include a lack of access to healthy foods, a lack of safe areas to exercise or fitness equipment, and a lack of funding to promote the hiring of adequate numbers of healthcare workers to implement prevention programs and treat obesity related diseases. An investigation of obesity rates in Mississippi and Louisiana demonstrate that high rates of obesity exist. Through an exploration of published interventions in both states, many types of obesity focused interventions have been found that address the resource limitations of these areas. Mississippi and Louisiana were used as the study areas in this investigation. Statistics related to rural obesity used in this study were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine obesity prevalence in these states. In addition, intervention strategies published in the targeted states in the past ten years were analyzed on their ability to meet resource limitations

Estimation of the Number of Days Required to Determine Usual Antioxidant Intakes and Assessment of the Prevalence of Nutrient Inadequacy Among College Students

High intake of antioxidant rich foods has been shown to decrease risk factors of chronic disease. Young adulthood may be crucial in establishing healthy lifestyles including adequate nutrient consumption. The present study was designed 1) to estimate usual nutrient intakes, 2) to calculate the number of days required to estimate usual antioxidant intake, and 3) to assess intake adequacy from diet and diet + supplement sources by using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). The USDA Flavonoid and Proanthocyanidin databases, food consumption data, and dietary supplement use data from 60 students aged 18-25 years at the University of Connecticut were utilized. After applying the Goldberg cut-off equation defined for this population, 27% of participants were classified as misreporters of intake. Males consumed higher mean intakes than females for 13 of the 27 nutrients after adjusting for energy intake (P\u3c0.05). After adjusting for energy and gender, a 7-day dietary recall was adequate to achieve r ³ 0.9 for fat, carbohydrate, protein, lycopene, and proanthocyanidin. More than 40% of females had intakes below the EAR for vitamins D and E, calcium, and magnesium. With the addition of a supplement, supplement users consumed more for all nutrient intakes except vitamin A (P\u3c0.05). Nutritional adequacy of users improved for vitamins D and E, and magnesium compared to non-users (P\u3c0.05). Overall, more than 7 days would be required to estimate usual nutrient intakes, students were consuming intakes below adequacy for most nutrients, and supplement usage increased nutrient intake and adequacy compared to nonusers