CONSOLIDATION IN THE FRESH FLORIDA GRAPEFRUIT PACKING INDUSTRY

First-order, homogeneous, stationary Markov models are used to compare patterns of adjustment among Florida fresh grapefruit packers between the 1970/71-1983/84 and 1987/88-1999/00 periods, and 1970/71-1994/95 and 1995/95-1999/00 periods, respectively. Despite sweeping aggregate trends impacting fresh produce markets, there was insufficient evidence to identify significant differences in the patterns of adjustment in the packing sector during the later time periods. Comparisons with actual firm numbers are indicative of an industry near equilibrium. While individual firms enter and exit the different states, currently there are no profound structural changes pointing to major concentration.Industrial Organization,

Fresh Grapefruit Supply-Chain Adjustments: Consolidation in Produce Packing?

This study evaluates long-term structural adjustments in fresh grapefruit packing under aggregate market pressures, including those from retail concentration. While individual firms enter and exit, Markov-model results are indicative of an industry near equilibrium with little expectation of change in the distribution of firm sizes given existing patterns of sector adjustment. Estimation of Lorenz curves and corresponding Gini coefficients fully support Markov analysis findings. Lags in the packing sector adjustment process in the face of sweeping forces of change in fresh produce markets are likely to put this sector at a relative disadvantage within the supply chain.Crop Production/Industries,

Impact of Psychological Contract Violations: Stories from Educators

Psychological contracts have been researched for over 50 years and have been used as the basis for studies in business, industry, and education. In this study, the researchers aimed to share the impact of psychological contract violations (PCV) upon individuals in educational institutions. Psychological contract literature is focused primarily on the impact of the breach on employee morale, organizational commitment, and work product. This study adds to the literature by giving voice to educators, allowing them to share their stories and provides a foundation for a more extensive research project later. Using a focus group methodology, the researcher allowed the participants to respond to questions pertaining to psychological contract breaches or violations in writing and then followed by an openended question session to give the participants the opportunity to provide additional detail. The educators who took part in the focus groups were asked if they had ever experienced a psychological contract breach related to teaching, service, or research. If they answered yes, they were asked to describe the situation. Teachers enter the profession for many reasons; however, the teachers who leave the profession before retirement often cite workplace issues as a reason for leaving. Understanding the role of PCVs have on the attrition may lead to more teachers remaining in the field, saving institutions financial resources related to the loss of teachers from the field

COMBINING TASTE PANELS WITH FOCUS GROUPS TO ELICIT CONSUMER PREFERENCES TOWARD A NEW SHRIMP PRODUCT

Consumer/Household Economics,

Perceptions and Practices of Key Worker Stakeholder Groups in Hospital Animal- Assisted Intervention Programs on Occupational Benefits and Perceived Risks

Background: Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs, used widely for patient benefit, have increasingly been used for healthcare workers (HCW) to reduce occupational stress. However, there are barriers to these programs which limit their utilization, for both patients and HCW, specifically infectious disease concerns. The aim of the research project is to identify barriers and facilitators to AAI program use for healthcare worker benefit, and determine knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding infectious disease risk and control policies, in order to understand the contextual parameters of program implementation. Methods: We collected perceptions of key stakeholders involved with hospital AAI programs (HCW and AAI workers) through semi-structured in-depth interviews. We used framework analysis to guide thematic coding, completed independently by three researchers. Results: We interviewed 37 participants in this study. We divided our themes into two topic areas: program use for HCW and perceived infectious disease risk. Use for healthcare workers included perspectives on the benefits for HCW and program barriers and facilitators (specifically collaboration and leadership). Perceived risk included opinions on infection concerns with AAI, thoughts on control measures to reduce this risk, and responsibility for safety during these programs. Conclusions: While significant benefits were reported for HCW, they were limited by administrative barriers and hazard concerns. Facilitators to surmount these barriers are best implemented with collaboration across the hospital and appropriate leadership roles to direct safe program implementation. By addressing these barriers through targeted facilitators in the form of evidence-backed guidelines, AAI programs can be used to benefit both patients and HCW

Parentage of Hydatidiform Moles

We were presented with the STR (short tandem repeat) profiles from two separate paternity trios. Each trio consisted of a mother, an alleged father, and products of conception (POC) that contained a hydatidiform mole but no visible fetus. In both cases, antecedent pregnancies had followed alleged sexual assaults. Mole classification and pathogenesis are described in order to explain the analyses and statistical reasoning used in each case. One mole exhibited several loci with two different paternal alleles, indicating it was a dispermic (heterozygous) mole. Maternal decidua contaminated the POC, preventing the identification of paternal obligate alleles (POAs) at some loci. The other mole exhibited only one paternal allele/locus at all loci and no maternal alleles, indicating it was a diandric and diploid (homozygous) mole. In each case, traditional calculations were used to determine paternity indices (PIs) at loci that exhibited one paternal allele/locus. PIs at mole loci with two different paternal alleles/locus were calculated from formulas first used for child chimeras that are always dispermic. Combined paternity indices in both mole cases strongly supported the paternity of each suspect.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155886/1/jfo14291.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155886/2/jfo14291_am.pd

Multicentre, randomised clinical trial of paediatric concussion assessment of rest and exertion (PedCARE): a study to determine when to resume physical activities following concussion in children.

INTRODUCTION: Rest until symptom-free, followed by a progressive stepwise return to activities, is often prescribed in the management of paediatric concussions. Recent evidence suggests prolonged rest may hinder recovery, and early resumption of physical activity may be associated with more rapid recovery postconcussion. The primary objective is to determine whether the early reintroduction of non-contact physical activity beginning 72 hours postinjury reduces postconcussive symptoms at 2 weeks in children following an acute concussion as compared with a rest until asymptomatic protocol. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a randomised clinical trial across three Canadian academic paediatric emergency departments. A total of 350 participants, aged 10-17.99 years, who present within 48 hours of an acute concussion, will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the study intervention protocol (resumption of physical activity 72 hours postconcussion even if experiencing symptoms) or physical rest until fully asymptomatic. Participants will document their daily physical and cognitive activities. Follow-up questionnaires will be completed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postinjury. Compliance with the intervention will be measured using an accelerometer (24 hours/day for 14 days). Symptoms will be measured using the validated Health and Behaviour Inventory. A linear multivariable model, adjusting for site and prognostically important covariates, will be tested to determine differences between groups. The proposed protocol adheres to the RCT-CONSORT guidelines. DISCUSSION: This trial will determine if early resumption of non-contact physical activity following concussion reduces the burden of concussion and will provide healthcare professionals with the evidence by which to recommend the best timing of reintroducing physical activities

Microbial sharing between pediatric patients and therapy dogs during hospital animal-assisted intervention programs

Microbial sharing between humans and animals has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. However, the extent of microbial sharing that occurs within the healthcare setting during animal-assisted intervention programs is unknown. Understanding microbial transmission between patients and therapy dogs can provide important insights into potential health benefits for patients, in addition to addressing concerns regarding potential pathogen transmission that limits program utilization. This study evaluated for potential microbial sharing between pediatric patients and therapy dogs and tested whether patient-dog contact level and a dog decolonization protocol modified this sharing. Patients, therapy dogs, and the hospital environment were sampled before and after every group therapy session and samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize microbial communities. Both patients and dogs experienced changes in the relative abundance and overall diversity of their nasal microbiome, suggesting that the exchange of microorganisms had occurred. Increased contact was associated with greater sharing between patients and therapy dogs, as well as between patients. A topical chlorhexidine-based dog decolonization was associated with decreased microbial sharing between therapy dogs and patients but did not significantly affect sharing between patients. These data suggest that the therapy dog is both a potential source of and a vehicle for the transfer of microorganisms to patients but not necessarily the only source. The relative contribution of other potential sources (e.g., other patients, the hospital environment) should be further explored to determine their relative importance

Border skirmishes and the question of belonging: An authoethnographic account of everyday exclusion in multicultural society

Transnational migration has transformed most European countries, making the problem of how to 'integrate' an increasingly popular topic in public debates and social policy. It is assumed that as long as the newcomer learns the language, adapts to the local customs and finds work, s/he will be integrated and welcomed with open arms as a full-fledged member of society. Based on an autoethnography of our experiences as US-born, long-term and fully 'integrated' residents of the Netherlands, one of Europe's most multicultural societies, we have explored some of the subtle, well-intentioned practices of distancing and exclusion that are part of the fabric of everyday life. We will show how, contrary to the official discourse of integration, 'Dutch-ness' as a white/ethnic national identity is continuously constructed as a 'we', which excludes all 'others'. And, indeed, we have discovered that, paradoxically, the closer the 'other' comes to being completely assimilated into Dutch society, the more the symbolic borders of national belonging may need to be policed and tightened. © The Author(s) 2011

Prospectus, February 22, 1984

MILLER SAYS TAX ABATEMENT NOT EQUITABLE FOR OTHER COUNTIES: REQUEST FOR TAX ABATEMENT DENIED BY PARKLAND BOARD; News Digest; Mayor Markland concered about area landfill issue; Meet the Prospectus Staff; PC Happenings: Professor to speak at Parkland, Testing for self knowledge, Computer workshop offered at Parkland, EMT workshop at Parkland; Which is better juvenile and pointless; Letter; Sonja Williams--views on Nicaragua; Yaxley scholarship; In the Library-- PS section; \u27I was only gone a minute\u27; Contraceptives--become aware of your choices; Internships produce anxieties; Did You Know...; Archaeology trip a success; Alabama shines at Assembly Hall; Creative Corner...Especially for you!!: Fleeting Moments, Untitled, Reflections and contemplations, Down, down, down, The Talkers , My Grandfather, Windows From the Soul, Realities, Banging heads on the floor with you...; Moore of the same; \u27Alabama\u27 succeeds at local concert; \u27I Write Your Name\u27 Carroll album released; Hitchcock\u27s classic revisited in the film \u27Vertigo\u27; Classifieds; More than tickets...; I.M.; Movie Magazine in next issue; Men\u27s Basketball season 20-11; Men\u27s track team places third; Parkland to host basket ball tournament; Women\u27s track team 2nd in region; Fitness Center to openhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1984/1030/thumbnail.jp