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A University of Queensland (Australia) new agribusiness curriculum is described. The curriculum was designed in response to the concerns and wishes of Australian agribusiness employers and government policy of increased international competitiveness. The program's centerpiece is an internship in overseas market research with a commercial firm. (MSE)

This study examines the heterogeneity of the Mn-hyperaccumulative trait in natural stands of the Australian rainforest tree species Gossia bidwillii (Myrtaceae). It is the only known Mn hyperaccumulator from Australia, and has an unusual spatial distribution of Mn in its leaves. G. bidwillii occurs naturally on a range of Mn-containing substrates including ultramafic soils. Leaf samples were collected from individual trees and four small stands, over a longitudinal range of ∼600 km. While no variation in the spatial distribution of foliar Mn was detected, considerable variation in Mn concentration was found. G. bidwillii was shown to accumulate Mn when growing on a variety of substrates, and dry weight (DW) foliar Mn concentrations of all trees sampled ranged between 2,740 and 27,470 μg g−1. The majority of samples exceeded 10,000 μg g−1, the threshold value for Mn hyperaccumulation. The overall frequency distribution of foliar Mn concentration was found to be bimodal, with a small outlier of extreme hyperaccumulators. Highest values were obtained from trees growing on a basaltic krasnozem clay, not ultramafic soil. Soil Mn concentrations were measured, and no relationship was found between foliar Mn concentrations and extractable Mn concentrations in host substrates. Some of the variation in the Mn-hyperaccumulative trait in G. bidwillii throughout its large natural distribution may reflect the unresolved taxonomy of this most widespread species in the genus Gossia. Ability to hyperaccumulate Mn may serve as an additional diagnostic tool for resolving this taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interest in addictive eating continues to grow from both a research and clinical perspective. To date, dietary assessment alongside food addiction status is limited, with management options for addictive eating behaviours variable, given the overlap with myriad conditions. The aim of this study was to report the dietary intake and quality-of-life outcomes from a personality-targeted motivational interviewing intervention delivered by dietitians using telehealth., Methods: The study was conducted in adults exceeding their healthy-weight range with symptoms of addictive eating, as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale. The 52 participants were randomised to either intervention or control, with 49 participants commencing the intervention. Individuals participated in the 3-month, three-session FoodFix interventions, with dietary outcomes assessed by the Australian Eating Survey and quality of life assessed using the SF-36 at baseline and 3 months., Results: There were small-to-moderate effect sizes, specifically in the intervention group for decreased added sugar intake, increased protein intake, increased meat quality and increased vegetable servings per day. Six out of eight quality-of-life domains had small-to-moderate effect sizes., Conclusions: This intervention has highlighted the need for further research in larger sample sizes to assess dietary behaviour change by those who self-report addictive eating., (© 2024 British Dietetic Association.)

Background: This protocol describes a study of the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults living in residential aged care (RAC) facilities in Australia. Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in this population, yet the benefits of CBT for reducing such symptoms in RAC facilities have not been widely investigated. Elders at Ease (ELATE) is a 16-session CBT intervention designed for implementation in RAC facilities. The intervention includes cognitive, behavioural and reminiscence strategies and is delivered by mental health trainees (MHTs) in collaboration with RAC facility staff and residents' family., Methods and Analysis: ELATE will be evaluated using a cluster randomised trial comparing outcomes for residents who participate in the intervention with those living in usual care control facilities. The participants are RAC residents aged 65 years or above, with depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 ≥ 3) and normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment (Standardised Mini Mental Status Examination ≥ 21). They are assessed at four time points: baseline prior to randomisation (T1), mid-treatment (T2; 2.5 months post randomisation), post-treatment (T3; 5 months post-randomisation) and 3-month follow-up (T4; 8 months post randomisation). The primary outcome is change in depressive symptoms between T1 and T3. Secondary outcomes are depressive symptoms at T4, anxiety, suicide ideation, sleep problems, quality of life, staff and family knowledge of late-life depression, stress levels and efficacy in caring for residents, and MHT levels of geropsychology competencies. Residents receiving the intervention are hypothesised to report a greater decrease in depressive symptoms between T1 and T3 compared to residents receiving usual care. The primary analysis is a regression, clustered over site to account for correlated readings, and independent variables are condition and depressive symptoms at T1. A cost-utility analysis is also undertaken., Discussion: ELATE is a comprehensive CBT intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in RAC residents. It is designed to be implemented in collaboration with facility staff and residents' families, individually tailored to residents with normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment and delivered by trainee therapists. ELATE offers a model that may be widely applicable across the RAC sector., Trial Registration: Trial registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) Number ACTRN12619001037190, prospectively registered on 22 July 2019., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Advancement within the Medical Radiation Profession has seen an increased need for Medical Radiation Practitioners (MRPs) to develop research skills to provide and access relevant and accurate information to maintain best practice. The aim of this study was to ascertain the current research demographics of Australian Medical Radiation Practitioners (MRPs), determine perceived barriers to participating in research and to establish needs-based initiatives to support MRPs in undertaking research., Methods: A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional survey of Australian MRPs using an electronic survey tool was distributed between November and December 2020. Participants were recruited via an invitation email sent to Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) members. A chain-referral sampling technique was adopted for data collection., Results: A total of 431 participants responded to the survey, representing 2.3% of Australian MRPs. The majority of respondents had a bachelor's degree or higher (71.9%) with 8.4% having postgraduate research qualifications (PhD- 3.2%; Professional Doctorate- 0.7%; Masters- 4.5%). Of the respondents, 15.4% plan to undertake postgraduate research in the future, with 68.2% having no plans for postgraduate research. Respondents identified lack of time (47.0%), lack of interest (33.4%), cost (24.2%) and workplace support (23.9%) as contributing factors for not undertaking postgraduate research., Conclusion: The number of MRPs who have been awarded or will be awarded a postgraduate degree has increased over recent decades. However, many still indicate a lack of interest in being actively involved in research. Targeted support mechanisms should be implemented to address perceived or real barriers to continue to grow research capacity within the profession., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in individuals with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU); therefore, an assessment of dietary intake is critical. A lack of nutrients including protein, zinc and vitamins C and D have all been associated with poor wound healing. However, the comprehensive dietary intake of Australian adults with DFU is poorly understood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the dietary intake of adults with DFU in an Australian setting., Methods: Participants (n = 115) with diabetes (type 1 and 2), a mean body mass index of 36 and current foot ulceration were recruited from across New South Wales, Australia. Dietary intake was assessed using the Australian Eating Survey, a self-reported validated food frequency questionnaire., Results: The mean (SD) reported energy intake was 9.57 (±SD 4.43) MJ day -1 . A mean protein intake of 104 (±SD 49) g day -1 is below recommended intake for wound healing; however, the mean protein intake contribution to energy (19%E) was within recommendations for normal populations. The mean carbohydrate intake (43%E) was within recommended ranges for healthy populations; however, the mean total fat intake (36%E) was above recommendations. Micronutrient intake was adequate, apart from folate, which was below the recommended intake, and sodium, vitamin C, vitamin A and selenium, which were above the recommended intake., Conclusions: A lack of adequate folate may have a negative impact on healing, with folate proposed to play a role in tissue repair. Wound management of individuals with DFU should include a regular assessment of dietary intake to recognise deficiencies in macro- and micronutrients, and subsequently address these inadequacies to optimise healing., (© 2021 The British Dietetic Association.)

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of digital stories about aged care residents on staff knowledge and understanding regarding those residents., Background: More than a quarter of a million older Australians live in residential aged care facilities. This living arrangement can inhibit the expression of a person's sense of identity. Without objects and cues that reflect the person's selfhood, it can be difficult for a person to express their uniqueness. Staff may not sufficiently appreciate the resident's individuality and therefore may not be able to customise care for the resident., Design: This study used a single-arm trial design., Methods: The study was conducted in four residential aged care facilities. Short digital life stories (3-4 min) of eight residents were constructed by student volunteers over 6 months. Participants (n = 53 care staff) completed a self-report measure of their knowledge and understanding of a resident before and after watching the resident's story. The study adhered to guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) (see Appendix S1)., Results: Pre- and post-test scores of the measure were compared using paired samples t-tests. These scores changed significantly, showing an improvement of knowledge and understanding regarding residents., Conclusions: Watching digital life stories were associated with improvements in knowledge and understanding by staff, and hence have the potential to foster a greater level of understanding of residents by such staff, and more person-centred care practices within residential aged care facilities., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Digital stories about aged care residents are quick and efficient methods for improving aged care staff members' knowledge and understanding of the residents under their care. With such understanding, staff may be able to better customise care for residents, thereby validating residents' sense of identity and elevating residents' quality of life., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Radiation therapy has a highly complex pathway and uses detailed quality assurance protocols and incident learning systems (ILSs) to mitigate risk; however, errors can still occur. The safety culture (SC) in a department influences its commitment and effectiveness in maintaining patient safety., Methods: Perceptions of SC and knowledge and understanding of ILSs and their use were evaluated for radiation oncology staff across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). A validated healthcare survey tool (the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture) was used, with additional specialty-focussed supporting questions. A total of 220 radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists participated., Results: An overall positive SC was indicated, with strength in teamwork (83.7%), supervisor/manager/leader support (83.3%) and reporting events (77.1%). The weakest areas related to communication about error (63.9%), hospital-level management support (60.5%) and handovers and information exchange (58.0%). Barriers to ILS use included 'it takes too long' and that many respondents must use multiple reporting systems, including mandatory hospital-level systems. These are generally not optimal for specific radiation oncology needs. Varied understanding was indicated of what and when to report., Conclusion: The findings report the ANZ perspective on ILS and SC, highlighting weaknesses, barriers and areas for further investigation. Differences observed in some areas suggest that a unified state, national or bi-national ILS specific to radiation oncology might eliminate multiple reporting systems and reduce reporting time. It could also provide more consistent and robust approaches to incident reporting, information sharing and analysis., (© 2021 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.)

Introduction: Regular tumour-specific peer review meetings (TPRMs) were established by our group during 2016. A dedicated Quality Assurance Radiation Therapist (QART) was employed in 2018 to co-ordinate the meetings and for each patient, complete the Peer Review Audit Tool (PRAT) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). The aim of the current quality assurance study was to investigate the impact of the TPRMs and appointment of the QART on compliance to relevant RANZCR Radiation Oncology Practice Standards (ROPS)., Methods: Tumour-specific peer review meetings for eight tumour sites were assessed across our group's three hospitals from January 2017 to December 2019. Data from meetings were collected using the PRAT or from paper-based minutes and assessed against four ROPS (ROPS 3, 4, 8 and 9). Compliance with each of the four standards was measured by presence of the required documentation and presentation at TPRM, as recorded by the PRAT., Results: There was an increase in the overall number of peer review cases audited from 173 in the 2017 calendar year to 469 in 2018 and 619 in 2019, representing 7%, 18% and 22% of all treatment courses started during these years, respectively. Staging was the most incompletely documented item across all years for audited patients. The request for radiation treatment plan modifications increased year-on-year: modifications were requested for 5% of plans in 2017 (8/172), 18% in 2018 (81/452) and 19% (119/619) in 2019., Conclusion: This study has shown that an increase in the number of cases for peer-review audit corresponded to the QART-facilitated TPRMs. Application of the PRAT has identified radiation treatment plan modifications that would otherwise go undetected and without opportunity to improve the quality of patients' treatment or avoid harm., (© 2021 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.)

Research in the area of food addiction is continuing to increase with recent reviews suggesting that food addiction is a distinctive condition that has many symptoms similar to substance use disorders. The current study explored the perspectives and experiences of Australian adults seeking treatment for addictive eating. Quantitative data for this study was collected via self-report questionnaires completed online, including demographics, the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Qualitative data was collected via semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions about the individual experience of food addiction and perspectives regarding intervention and recovery. Interview data was available for 34 participants, with the majority (n = 33) being females who were overweight, (mean ± SD age = 42.9 ± 13.2 years, BMI=36.5 ± 6.8 kg/m 2 ). Stress (19.9 ± 11.4 out of 21) and depression (16.8 ± 10.2 out of 21) were the most prominent negative emotional states. Thematic analysis identified two themes of compulsion and control. Compulsion distinguished the participants' experiences related to addictive eating behaviours, in particular the notion of craving. Control encompassed their perception of both the processes and outcomes of overcoming their addictive eating. The two themes identified were not mutually exclusive, and relationships between them and their influence on each other were observable. This study provides a unique contribution to understanding adults' experience of food addiction by highlighting the strong desire to be in control of eating behaviours, and the inability of participants to overcome their compulsions to eat specific food despite minimal anticipation of positive effect., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective This study aims to assist hospitals contemplating digital transformation by assessing the reported qualitative effects of rapidly implementing an integrated eHealth system in a large Australian hospital and determining whether existing literature offers a reliable framework to assess the effects of digitisation. Methods A qualitative, single-site case study was performed using semistructured interviews supplemented by focus groups, observations and documentation. In all, 92 individuals across medical, nursing, allied health, administrative and executive roles provided insights into the eHealth system, which consisted of an electronic medical record, computerised decision support, computerised physician order entry, ePrescribing systems and wireless device integration. These results were compared against a known framework of the effects of hospital digitisation. Results Diverse, mostly positive, effects were reported, largely consistent with existing literature. Several new effects not reported in literature were reported, namely: (1) improvements in accountability for care, individual career development and time management; (2) mixed findings for the availability of real-time data; and (3) positive findings for the secondary use of data. Conclusions The overall positive perceptions of the effects of digitisation should give confidence to health services contemplating rapid digital transformation. Although existing literature provides a reliable framework for impact assessment, new effects are still emerging, and research and practice need to shift towards understanding how clinicians and hospitals can maximise the benefits of digital transformation. What is known about the topic? Hospitals outside the US are increasingly becoming engaged in eHealth transformations. Yet, the reported effects of these technologies are diverse and mixed with qualitative effects rarely reported. What does this paper add? This study provides a qualitative assessment of the effects of an eHealth transformation at a large Australian tertiary hospital. The results provide renewed confidence in the literature because the findings are largely consistent with expectations from prior systematic reviews of impacts. The qualitative approach followed also resulted in the identification of new effects, which included improvements in accountability, time management and individual development, as well as mixed results for real-time data. In addition, substantial improvements in patient outcomes and clinician productivity were reported from the secondary use of data within the eHealth systems. What are the implications for practitioners? The overall positive findings in this large case study should give confidence to other health services contemplating rapid digital transformation. To achieve substantial benefits, hospitals need to understand how they can best leverage the data within these systems to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. As such, both research and practice need to shift towards understanding how these systems can be used more effectively.

Background: Type XI collagen, which is expressed in developing tendons and is encoded by the COL11A1, COL11A2 and COL2A1 genes, shares structural and functional homology with type V collagen, which plays an important role in collagen fibril assembly. We investigated the association of these three polymorphisms with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and whether these polymorphisms interact with COL5A1 to modulate the risk of AT., Methods: 184 participants diagnosed with chronic AT (TEN) and 338 appropriately matched asymptomatic controls (CON) were genotyped for the three polymorphisms., Results: Although there were no independent associations with AT, the TCT pseudohaplotype constructed from rs3753841 (T/C), rs1676486 (C/T) and rs1799907 (T/A) was significantly over-represented (p=0.006) in the TEN (25.9%) compared with the CON (17.1%) group. The TCT(AGGG) pseudohaplotypes constructed using these type XI collagen polymorphisms and the functional COL5A1 rs71746744 (-/AGGG) polymorphism were also significantly over-represented (p<0.001) in the TEN (25.2%) compared with the CON (9.1%) group., Discussion: The genes encoding structural and functionally related type XI (COL11A1 and COL11A2) and type V (COL5A1) collagens interact with one another to collectively modulate the risk for AT. Although there are no immediate clinical applications, the results of this study provide additional evidence that interindividual variations in collagen fibril assembly might be an important molecular mechanism in the aetiology of chronic AT.

Background: Illness accounts for a significant proportion of consultations with a team physician travelling with elite athletes., Objective: To determine if international travel increases the incidence of illness in rugby union players participating in a 16-week tournament., Setting: 2010 Super 14 Rugby Union tournament., Participants: 259 elite rugby players from eight teams were followed daily over the 16-week competition period (22 676 player-days)., Assessment: Team physicians completed a logbook detailing the daily squad size and illness in any player (system affected, final diagnosis, type and onset of symptoms, training/match days lost and suspected cause) with 100% compliance. Time periods during the tournament were divided as follows: located and playing in the home country before travelling (baseline), located and playing abroad in countries >5 h time zone difference (travel) and located back in the home country following international travel (return)., Main Outcome Measurement: Incidence of illness (illness per 1000 player-days) during baseline, travel and return., Results: The overall incidence of illness in the cohort was 20.7 (95% CI 18.5 to 23.1). For all teams, the incidence of illness according to location and travelling was significantly higher in the time period following international travel (32.6; 95% CI 19.6 to 53.5) compared with the baseline (15.4; 95% CI 8.7 to 27.0) or after returning to their home country (10.6; 95% CI 6.1 to 18.2)., Conclusions: There is a higher incidence of illness in athletes following international travel to a foreign country that is >5 h time difference and this returns to baseline on return to the home country.

Background: Illness accounts for a significant proportion of consultations with a team physician travelling with elite athletes., Objective: To determine the incidence, type, cause and consequences of illness in Rugby Union players participating in a 16-week tournament., Setting: 8 teams participating in the 2010 Super 14 Rugby tournament Participants A cohort of 259 elite rugby players from eight teams was recruited., Assessment: All players were followed daily over the 16-week competition period (22 676 player days). Each day, team physicians completed an illness log with 100% compliance. Information included the daily squad size and illness details including system affected, final diagnosis, type and onset of symptoms, training/match days lost and suspected cause., Main Outcome Measurement: Incidence of illness (illness per 1000 player days)., Results: The incidence of illness in the cohort was 20.7/1000 player days (95% CI 18.5 to 23.1) with the highest incidence of illness in the respiratory system (6.4: 95% CI 5.5 to 7.3), gastrointestinal system (5.6: 95% CI 4.9 to 6.6) and the skin and subcutaneous tissue (4.6; 95% CI 4.0 to 5.4). Infections accounted for 54.5% of all illness and 26.1% of illness resulted in time loss of ≥1 day. In over 50% of illnesses, symptoms were present for ≥1 day before being reported to the team physician., Conclusion: Infective illness involving the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract together with dermatological illness was common in elite rugby players participating in this international tournament. A delay in reporting of symptoms >24 h could have important clinical implications in player medical care.

Between 1960 and 1968 low-level radioactive waste was buried in a series of shallow trenches near the Lucas Heights facility, south of Sydney, Australia. Groundwater monitoring carried out since the mid 1970s indicates that with the exception of tritium, no radioactivity above typical background levels has been detected outside the immediate vicinity of the trenches. The maximum tritium level detected in ground water was 390 kBq/L and the median value was 5400 Bq/L, decay corrected to the time of disposal. Since 1968, a plume of tritiated water has migrated from the disposal trenches and extends at least 100 m from the source area. Tritium in rainfall is negligible, however leachate from an adjacent and fill represents a significant additional tritium source. Study data indicate variation in concentration levels and plume distribution in response to wet and dry climatic periods and have been used to determine pathways for tritium migration through the subsurface.

Aim: To determine the extent to which a multifaceted venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis program, coordinated by a dedicated nurse practitioner, improves the level of appropriate prophylaxis in patients hospitalised with an acute medical illness., Methods: A multicentre clinical audit was conducted in 16 hospitals across Australia. Approximately 9600 acutely ill medical patients over 18 years of age hospitalised for at least 3 days. A 4-month programme implemented by a VTE Nurse Educator to raise awareness of the risk of VTE, the importance of risk assessment and the appropriate prophylactic management of high-risk medical patients with local VTE prophylaxis audit result feedback., Results: The effect of this programme on the proportion of high-risk medical patients receiving appropriate thromboprophylaxis according to current guidelines., Conclusions: The VTE Task Force Audit will be the first multicentre clinical audit in Australia to evaluate thromboprophylaxis use in acutely ill medical patients and the effects of employing a nurse educator. Based on published results from clinical audits conducted overseas, it is expected that thromboprophylaxis will be underutilised in these patients. It is hypothesised that an active multifaceted programme will improve the rate of thromboprophylaxis among eligible medical patients through the effective implementation of evidence-based guidelines.