bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of self-reported sun exposure in Canadian women and estimation of lifetime exposure to vitamin D from sun and diet
Authors: Cook Linda S , Moon Bevin L , Dong Yan , Neilson Heather K 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the inter-method reliability of the Ovarian Cancer in Alberta (OVAL) survey developed to estimate adult vitamin D exposure from sun and diet for every tenth year, against the longer Geraldton Skin Cancer Prevention Survey (the assumed ‘gold standard’). We also estimated total vitamin D exposure using the OVAL survey.DesignA randomized crossover design to assess the inter-method reliability of sun exposure (OVAL v. Geraldton survey), using intra-class correlation and estimated total vitamin D exposure from sun and diet.SettingCalgary, Alberta, Canada.SubjectsRandomly selected women (n 90) aged 40–79 years.ResultsThe average lifetime sun exposure of 13 913 h (average 411 h/year) from the Geraldton survey was not significantly different from the 13 034 h (average 385 h/year) from the OVAL survey for periods with sufficient UV radiation to stimulate vitamin D production. The intra-class correlation coefficient for average lifetime sun exposure was 0·77 (95 % CI 0·69, 0·86); the annual average was 0·60 (95 % CI 0·47, 0·74). Estimated vitamin D from diet and supplements increased with age.ConclusionsOur OVAL survey reliably estimated adult sun exposure relative to the Geraldton survey, suggesting that assessing sun exposure every tenth year is a reliable and efficient method for estimating sun contributions to lifetime vitamin D exposure.
Comparative genomics of two ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter’ clades performing biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Flowers Jason J , He Shaomei , Malfatti Stephanie , del Rio Tijana Glavina , Tringe Susannah G , Hugenholtz Philip , McMahon Katherine D 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Members of the genus Candidatus Accumulibacter are important in many wastewater treatment systems performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The Accumulibacter lineage can be subdivided phylogenetically into multiple clades, and previous work showed that these clades are ecologically distinct. The complete genome of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis strain UW-1, a member of Clade IIA, was previously sequenced. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of Candidatus Accumulibacter spp. strain UW-2, a member of Clade IA, assembled following shotgun metagenomic sequencing of laboratory-scale bioreactor sludge. We estimate the genome to be 80–90% complete. Although the two clades share 16S rRNA sequence identity of &gt;98.0%, we observed a remarkable lack of synteny between the two genomes. We identified 2317 genes shared between the two genomes, with an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 78.3%, and accounting for 49% of genes in the UW-1 genome. Unlike UW-1, the UW-2 genome seemed to lack genes for nitrogen fixation and carbon fixation. Despite these differences, metabolic genes essential for denitrification and EBPR, including carbon storage polymer and polyphosphate metabolism, were conserved in both genomes. The ANI from genes associated with EBPR was statistically higher than that from genes not associated with EBPR, indicating a high selective pressure in EBPR systems. Further, we identified genomic islands of foreign origins including a near-complete lysogenic phage in the Clade IA genome. Interestingly, Clade IA appeared to be more phage susceptible based on it containing only a single Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats locus as compared with the two found in Clade IIA. Overall, the comparative analysis provided a genetic basis to understand physiological differences and ecological niches of Accumulibacter populations, and highlights the importance of diversity in maintaining system functional resilience.
Road Block to Risk Management — Investigating Class I Milk Cross‐Hedging Opportunities
Authors: Newton John , Thraen Cameron S. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study examines the risk management opportunities for fluid milk market participants in the United States through the use of milk futures contracts. We estimate the nature of basis risk from 2002–2011 using modern time‐series and econometric techniques. The results of this investigation reveal that at sufficient hedging intervals, using class III manufacturing milk futures contracts to cross‐hedge fluid milk has the ability to reduce risk and provide revenue stability to market participants. When used in conjunction with milk futures, prediction algorithms for the closing basis facilitate more direct management of fluid milk price risk.
Mitochondrial DNA population structure of the scalloped lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus 1758) from the West Indian Ocean
Authors: Farhadi Ahmad , Farhamand Hamid , Nematollahi Mohammad Ali , Jeffs Andrew , Lavery Shane D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractFarhadi, A., Farhamand, H., Nematollahi, M. A., Jeffs, A., and Lavery, S. D. 2013. Mitochondrial DNA population structure of the scalloped lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus 1758) from the West Indian Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . The scalloped spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a highly valuable species with a widespread global distribution, ranging from South Africa around the Persian Gulf, and across the Indo-Pacific as far as Japan and French Polynesia. Throughout its range, the species is an important fisheries species with global annual landings in the order of 3000 t. Mitochondrial control region DNA sequences (625 bp) were used to investigate the population genetic structure of this species in the West Indian Ocean (WIO), using 137 individuals collected from four sites, including two locations along the south coast of Iran, and sites along the coast of the Sultanate of Oman in the Arab Sea, as well as Tanzania in eastern Africa. High levels of haplotype diversity (H = 0.997) were observed in all populations, although nucleotide diversity was relatively low (pi = 0.035). The hypothesis of a single stock in this region was rejected, with highly significant genetic differentiation revealed between Tanzania and the remaining locations (overall ΦST = 0.039, p < 0.00001), as well as slight genetic structure in the Arabian Sea region. Historical population expansion was inferred from Tajima's D and Fu's F tests. The results reveal at least two distinct genetic stocks in WIO and may have major implications for fisheries management.
Policy rationing in rural credit markets
Authors: Turvey Calum G. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a discussion on the idea of “policy rationing”. Policy rationing refers to constraining impacts on farm credit through policy action or inaction. To present the ideas the author discusses ten themes in policy rationing, ranging from macro‐finance policies to smart lending and financial inclusion.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is developed as a narrative on agricultural credit policies based largely on existing literature.FindingsThis paper argues that the various critiques of rural credit policy in favor of free market principles have generally not worked in developing economies. Large numbers of farmers do not have access to formal credit. It is argued that there is a role for government and credit programs.Research limitations/implicationsThe opinions expressed in this paper are based on existing literature and not all ideas hold with general agreement across researchers and practitioners. The discussion is not exhaustive and in some cases the ideas might have been parsed further.Practical implicationsIn this paper the author discusses ten themes that he thinks are relevant for a balanced discussion of farm credit in a development context. These themes illustrate a variety of complexities with respect to rural credit policy. The author ends by restating the themes in the form of ten questions that should be asked in whole, or in part, before any farm credit policy is field‐implemented.Social implicationsThis paper deals with a broad range of issues on rural credit policy. It is directed towards a reformation of ideas about credit policy, especially in developing economies. It is argued that, all things considered, on balance there is a role for government in rural credit policy.Originality/valueThere is much discourse amongst development economist about the role of government and credit policy in agricultural development. By thinking of government action or inaction as a form of policy rationing, some clarification is brought to the policy debate.
New perspectives on dark tourism
Authors: Biran Avital , Hyde Kenneth F. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the papers in this Special Issue of IJCTHR on dark tourism. These papers take either a demand‐side, supply‐side, or integrated demand‐and‐supply side perspective to understanding dark tourism. Collectively, the papers explore tourist experiences at dark sites, the management of dark sites, ethical issues in profit making, and the involvement of indigenous peoples in site management.Design/methodology/approachThis editorial draws lessons from the papers presented in the Special Issue.FindingsJust as we contemplate our mortality in different ways in our daily lives, so we contemplate death in different ways in tourism praxis. The papers presented here stretch the boundaries of the current definition of dark tourism. We move beyond a discussion of classifications of dark tourism to recognise dark tourism as both an individual experience and a complex socio‐cultural phenomenon.Originality/valueThe move from a purely descriptive to an experiential and critical investigation of dark tourism bodes well for the development of a dark tourism body of knowledge. This paper suggests several avenues for future research on dark tourism.
Contextualising migrant black business women ' s work-life balance experiences
Authors: Forson Cynthia 
Published: July 2013

Purpose– Employing a feminist relational lens, the purpose of this paper is to explore the work-life balance experiences of black migrant women entrepreneurs, examining the relationship between macro, meso and micro levels of business activity. The paper examines the obstacles raised and opportunities enabled by the confrontation and negotiation between the private and public space.Design/methodology/approach– Qualitative methods are used and the paper draws on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 29 black women business owners in the legal and black hairdressing sectors in London. The analysis of the paper is informed by a relational approach that recognises the embedded nature of business activity in differing levels of social action.Findings– The analysis reveals that ability of the women in the study to manage their work-life balance was shaped by power relations and social interactions between and within cultural, structural and agentic dimensions of small business ownership.Originality/value– This paper contributes to the literature on business and entrepreneurial behaviour of women by embedding work-life balance experiences of black migrant women in context of relations between and within macro, meso and micro levels. It conceptualises the behaviour of the women in the study in terms of confrontations, negotiations and dialogue between notions of motherhood, femininity, family and entrepreneurship at the societal, institutional and individual levels. In so doing the paper expands the literature on minority entrepreneurship and underscores the interconnected nature of these three levels to produce unique experiences for individual migrant women.
Including parents in school governance: rhetoric or reality
Authors: Wing Ng Shun 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report a qualitative study exploring how parents have been included in school governance in Hong Kong and in what ways their roles have been evolving in state education.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative method was adopted in this exploratory study, the findings of which help provide insights for conceptualization of phases of progression of the development of how parents have been included in state education in Hong Kong. The method of exploration is two‐fold. First, evidence was obtained through examining Hong Kong's educational policy documents with regard to parent‐school relations in the last two decades and taking reference to the literature and research studies on parent involvement in Hong Kong. Second, two focus group interviews were conducted with parents and teachers respectively, in order to obtain data of development of the relationship between home and school in times of reforms.FindingsDerived from the findings, four phases of development of how parents are included in school governance are conceptualized. They are: parents as unwelcome guests – separate responsibilities; parents as volunteers – encouraging participation; parents as clients: accountability approach; and parents as school governors – shared responsibilities. The issue of whether including parents in school governance is reality or rhetoric emerging from the data was discussed.Originality/valueThe findings of this study contribute to the international studies on parent involvement in school governance, so as to formulate an effective policy that helps facilitate parents as “real” but not “rhetorical” school governors.
The need for private universities in Japan to be agents of change
Authors: Zhang Rong , McCornac Dennis C. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine a number of current innovations made by private higher educational institutions in Japan to counter decreased enrollments and financial constraints.Design/methodology/approachThe design of this study is both descriptive and conceptual, based on the latest data available. Additional information was obtained through informal surveys of private institutions.FindingsEfforts on all fronts will be required to resolve some of the more glaring problems facing private higher education in Japan today. While some of the factors contributing to the deterioration of educational standards, such as the economy and demographic changes are beyond the control of the institutions themselves, efforts to staunch the rapid deterioration of educational quality are essential. Renovation in Japanese private university higher education should start with improvements in teaching and faculty development. Private universities must realize that reinvigorating the system will need the cooperation of both faculty members and administrators if universities are to survive in the new economic and social environment.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the need for private universities to be the agents of change to address the dire straits of higher education in Japan and it is imperative that new and innovative approaches be implemented.
Qualitative analysis of factors leading to clinical incidents
Authors: Smith Matthew D. , Birch Julian D. , Renshaw Mark , Ottewill Melanie 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the common themes leading or contributing to clinical incidents in a UK teaching hospital.Design/methodology/approachA root‐cause analysis was conducted on patient safety incidents. Commonly occurring root causes and contributing factors were collected and correlated with incident timing and severity.FindingsIn total, 65 root‐cause analyses were reviewed, highlighting 202 factors implicated in the clinical incidents and 69 categories were identified. The 14 most commonly occurring causes (encountered in four incidents or more) were examined as a key‐root or contributory cause. Incident timing was also analysed; common factors were encountered more frequently during out‐hours – occurring as contributory rather than a key‐root cause.Practical implicationsIn total, 14 commonly occurring factors were identified to direct interventions that could prevent many clinical incidents. From these, an “Organisational Safety Checklist” was developed to involve departmental level clinicians to monitor practice.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that comprehensively investigating incidents highlights common factors that can be addressed at a local level. Resilience against clinical incidents is low during out‐of‐hours periods, where factors such as lower staffing levels and poor service provision allows problems to escalate and become clinical incidents, which adds to the literature regarding out‐of‐hours care provision and should prove useful to those organising hospital services at departmental and management levels.
Quality of pathology services: new strategic directions required
Authors: Isouard Godfrey 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges faced in Australia to maintain and sustain quality in pathology services, and present new strategic directions to address such challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a review of the literature on pathology services and its quality of delivery and emerging issues.FindingsMajor issues are emerging in pathology services which threaten to impact on the quality of future service delivery. These issues include workforce shortages, growth in inappropriate testing, advancing technology, rural and remote region servicing, and a negative image of the sector. New strategic directions are shown to be necessary in terms of workforce planning and addressing the escalation of new technology and innovation. In order to sustain quality of services, a significant change from current practice is recommended, with strong leadership as the change driver.Practical implicationsThis paper highlights the potential impact of emerging issues on future pathology‐service quality. Significant implications for service delivery and patient care quality are reviewed.Originality/valueThis paper provides valuable information on current strategic and planning issues impacting on pathology services. It provides new solutions from the perspective of leadership of health and health services.
On line forums: implications for mental health nurses
Authors: Mitchell Ann , Rowe John , Counihan Sheila 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the evidence for the use of on‐line forums within education and their use in working with service users with mental health problems. The paper also outlines the key characteristics of the online facilitator. The authors propose that nurse education is well placed to develop students on‐line forum participation and moderation programme.Design/methodology/approachThe authors reviewed the literature to assess the current evidence.FindingsMuch of the literature was international, mainly from Asia Pacific, the USA and Europe but there was limited research and position papers from the UK. The use of forums was discussed but there is a paucity of research, particularly in relation to the use of on‐line forums within mental health. The literature identifies and gives an insight into the complexities of using on‐line forums.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations: this is a systematic literature review but only English language papers were consulted. Also the authors drew on their personal experiences of working with students in an on‐line learning environment to inform this paper. Implications: educators need to develop a change in attitude with regard to the use of on‐line learning. Many are used to face‐to‐face teaching and still regard it as the most stimulating and appropriate way for knowledge development. Specific collaborative and interactive skills are considered to be desirable when engaging in on‐line forums. These have to be learned by both the moderator and the students. Mental health nurses should be encouraged to perceive the skills of forum facilitation in a positive way when engaging with service users and can add to their repertoire of skills.Practical implicationsThe authors suggest that more research is needed within this area on on‐line forums, with particular emphasis on how student nurses engage in on‐line forums. It is felt that nurses, given proper preparation and effective training, are well placed to carry out the role. Partnership working could be developed with universities and NHS Trusts to develop Trust's staff skills and expertise in the moderation of forums, as universities have the skills and experience. However supervision would be essential for moderators to develop appropriate pedagogic tools to facilitate what is a complex process.Social implicationsThe authors suggest making better use of available technology and empowering the service user to take ownership of the way they engage with professionals.Originality/valueThis appears to be an area that is under researched and considering the increasing usage of social networking as a means of peer support, there is scope for this to be transferred to professional practice.
Addressing mental health nursing workforce issues in Australia: a case study analysis
Authors: Hungerford Catherine , Hodgson Donna 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report findings of a review of a unique program that has helped to address workforce needs and support Registered Nurses (RNs) working in a public mental health service in Australia. RNs are employed, facilitated to gain clinical experience in diverse mental health settings, and funded to study a graduate diploma in mental health nursing. Upon completion, there is no obligation to continue working for the health service, but most RNs have chosen to do so.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was taken to review the Program, using the focus group method of data collection. Past and present Program participants, and also their mentors and managers, were interviewed about the Program's benefits and challenges.FindingsThe findings highlight the many successes of the Program and also suggest areas for development. One of these is the need to examine the curriculum content of the graduate diploma and consider requirements around clinical experience. Another area of concern is the “us/them” culture identified, which involves RNs who have no postgraduate tertiary qualifications marginalising RNs undertaking further study. Such a culture has the potential to undermine the profession locally and also more broadly.Originality/valueFindings of the review provide valuable insights for other health services and also academic providers who seek to address ongoing workforce issues related to mental health nursing.
Hybrid MCDM approach for vendor ranking
Authors: Palanisamy P. , Abdul Zubar H. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe study aims to present the hybrid approach of multiple MCDM techniques with strategic perspective to assist the vendor ranking process.Design/methodology/approachMultiple MCDM techniques such as fuzzy QFD, mathematical modelling and ANP (analytical network process) are integrated in the model for vendor ranking. Multiple phases in vendor ranking such as pre‐qualification and final selection are dealt with using the above techniques.FindingsCompared to individual approaches, the proposed hybrid model effectively assists the vendor ranking process. The efficacy of the proposed approach is evident from the case study of an automotive components manufacturer involving 20 vendors comprising pre‐qualification by fuzzy QFD and final selection by ANP. This set of potential vendors is evaluated based on three main criteria and eight sub criteria.Originality/valueFuzzy QFD is employed for qualifying supplier to form a supplier pool, as it is helpful in converting qualitative information into quantitative parameters. This data is then combined with other quantitative data to form a mathematical model. The mathematical model is solved by the method of integer programming, using TORA. ANP with BOCR (benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks) is proposed for evaluating and selecting appropriate supplier. ANP model is solved using Super Decision package.