Diabetes, Grand Rapids Restaurants and Hospitality and Tourism Research?

This work-in-progress paper outlines the instructional approach that is being used with a new Hospitality and Tourism Research course introduced into the Grand Valley State University hospitality and tourism management curriculum (Winter 2012). The course, which is at the Junior-Senior level, is intended to provide students with; an understanding of the relationship between general theory and applied research; the purposes and applications, procedures, constraints and management of applied research; and to help students compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research. Twenty-two students have registered for the course. In the sections of this paper that follow a conceptual framework for instruction; the methods used in instruction; and how transformational learning will be assessed are outlined

How Clear is Your Lens? A Discussion About Diversity and Strategies for Inclusion Both In and Beyond the Classroom

We come to GVSU with our individual perspectives on life and learning based on our home environment, our journey and all the things that make us who we are. The same is true for our students. How do we create an environment of inclusion given our diversity, our biases and our lens, our world view? This workshop examines ways of creating an inclusive instructional environment and techniques for helping students enhance their skills in creating an inclusive workplace on graduation

Energetic Benefits of Sociality Offset the Costs of Parasitism in a Cooperative Mammal

We thank the owners for access to their property for animal capture and KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service for issuing the capture permit. This research was funded by the NRF-SAR Chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to NCB and University of Pretoria PDRF's to MS and HL. Many assistants were involved with fieldwork but we would especially like to thank Marietjie Oosthuizen and Craig Jackson for their help. This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation-South African Research Chairs Initiative Chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to N.C.B. and University of Pretoria Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to M.S. and H.L. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A randomized triple blind trial to assess the effect of an anthelmintic programme for working equids in Morocco

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastro-intestinal parasitism has been identified as a significant cause of disease in working equids in many countries. This randomized triple-blind trial was designed to assess the impact of an anthelmintic treatment programme (using oral ivermectin and fenbendazole) comparing treated and placebo control populations of working donkeys, mules and horses in field conditions in Morocco. In particular, we assessed animal body weight and condition score, together with a questionnaire-based owner evaluation of number of subjective animal health parameters. Faecal worm egg count was also measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>239 animals completed the full study, 130 in the treatment group and 109 in the control group. Although the average animal weight increased during the study, this change was not significantly different between the two groups. Animals in the treatment group had a significantly lower strongyle worm egg count and increased in body condition score compared to animals in the control group at each examination during the study period. Owners of animals in the treatment group reported improvement in health and work ability and a beneficial effect on pruritus during the early period of the study. These differences in owner perception between treatment groups had disappeared in the latter stages of the study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrated that a routine anthelmintic treatment programme of three treatments annually can have a significant effect on faecal worm egg count. There may be beneficial consequences for the animal health and productivity. Further research on other populations of working equids in different environments would facilitate the objective planning of effective parasite control strategies for specific situations and provide better understanding of the likely clinical benefits of such programmes.</p

Host movement dominates the predicted effects of climate change on parasite transmission between wild and domestic mountain ungulates

Climate change is shifting the transmission of parasites, which is determined by host density, ambient temperature and moisture. These shifts can lead to increased pressure from parasites, in wild and domestic animals, and can impact the effectiveness of parasite control strategies. Understanding the interactive effects of climate on host movement and parasite life histories will enable targeted parasite management, to ensure livestock productivity and avoid additional stress on wildlife populations. To assess complex outcomes under climate change, we applied a gastrointestinal nematode transmission model to a montane wildlife–livestock system, based on host movement and changes in abiotic factors due to elevation, comparing projected climate change scenarios with the historic climate. The wildlife host, Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex), undergoes seasonal elevational migration, and livestock are grazed during the summer for eight weeks. Total parasite infection pressure was more sensitive to host movement than to the direct effect of climatic conditions on parasite availability. Extended livestock grazing is predicted to increase parasite exposure for wildlife. These results demonstrate that movement of different host species should be considered when predicting the effects of climate change on parasite transmission, and can inform decisions to support wildlife and livestock health.<br/

Energetic benefits of sociality offset the costs of parasitism in a cooperative mammal

Sociality and particularly advanced forms of sociality such as cooperative breeding (living in permanent groups with reproductive division of labour) is relatively rare among vertebrates. A suggested constraint on the evolution of sociality is the elevated transmission rate of parasites between group members. Despite such apparent costs, sociality has evolved independently in a number of vertebrate taxa including humans. However, how the costs of parasitism are overcome in such cases remains uncertain. We evaluated the potential role of parasites in the evolution of sociality in a member of the African mole-rats, the only mammal family that exhibits the entire range of social systems from solitary to eusocial. Here we show that resting metabolic rates decrease whilst daily energy expenditure and energy stores (i.e. body fat) increase with group size in social Natal mole rats (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis). Critically, larger groups also had reduced parasite abundance and infested individuals only showed measurable increases in energy metabolism at high parasite abundance. Thus, in some circumstances, sociality appears to provide energetic benefits that may be diverted into parasite defence. This mechanism is likely to be self-reinforcing and an important factor in the evolution of sociality.Conceived and designed the experiments: HL MS. Performed the experiments: HL MS. Analyzed the data: HL MS JRS. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: JRS NCB. Wrote the paper: HL MS NCB JRS.This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation-South African Research Chairs Initiative Chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to N.C.B. and University of Pretoria Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to M.S. and H.L. We thank the owners for access to their property for animal capture and KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service for issuing the capture permit. This research was funded by the NRF-SAR Chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to NCB and University of Pretoria PDRF’s to MS and HL.www.plosone.orgam2013ab201

Remote and technology-mediated working during the COVID-19 pandemic : A qualitative exploration of the experiences of nurses working in general practice (the GenCo Study)

Aim To explore how nurses working in general practice experienced remote and technology-mediated working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Exploratory qualitative study with nursing team members working in general practices in England and national nurse leaders. Methods Data were collected between April and August 2022. Forty participants took part in either semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis informed by the PERCS (Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services) Framework. University of York ethics approval [HSRGC/2021/458/I] and Health Research Authority approval were obtained [IRAS:30353. Protocol number: R23982. Ref 21/HRA/5132. CPMS: 51834]. The study was funded by The General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust. Results Participants continued to deliver a significant proportion of patient care in-person. However, remote and technology-mediated care could meet patients' needs and broaden access in some circumstances. When remote and technology-mediated working were used this was often part of a blended model which was expected to continue. This could support some workforce issues, but also increase workload. Participants did not always have access to remote technology and were not involved in decision-making about what was used and how this was implemented. They rarely used video consultations, which were not seen to add value in comparison to telephone consultations. Some participants expressed concern that care had become more transactional than therapeutic and there were potential safety risks. Conclusion The study explored how nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic engaged with remote and technology-mediated working. It identifies specific issues of access to technology, workload, hybrid working, disruption to therapeutic relationships, safety risks and lack of involvement in decision-making. Changes were implemented quickly with little strategic input from nurses. There is now an opportunity to reflect and build on what has been learned in relation to remote and technology-mediated working to ensure the future development of safe and effective nursing care in general practice. Impact The paper contributes to understanding of remote and technology-mediated working by nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicates to employers and policy makers how this can be supported moving forward. Reporting method Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (O'Brien et al., 2014). Patient or public contribution This was a workforce study so there was no patient or public contribution. Implications for the profession and patient care The paper highlights specific issues which have implications for the development of remote, technology-mediated and blended working for nurses in general practice, care quality and patient safety. These require full attention to ensure the future development of safe and effective nursing care in general practice moving forward

The well-being of nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic : A qualitative study (The GenCo Study)

Aim Exploration of experiences of nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate the impact on nurses' professional well-being. Design An exploratory qualitative study comprised of case studies of three general practice sites in England and a nationwide interview study of nurses working in general practice and nurse leaders. The study was funded by The General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust. University of York ethics approval (HSRGC/2021/458/I) and Health Research Authority approval was obtained (IRAS: 30353, Protocol number: R23982, Ref 21/HRA/5132, CPMS: 51834). Methods Forty participants took part. Case site data consisted of interviews/focus groups and national data consisted of semi-structured interviews. Data collection took place between April and August 2022. Analysis was underpinned by West et al.'s (The courage of compassion. Supporting nurses and midwives to deliver high-quality care, The King's fund, 2020) ABC framework of nurses' core work well-being needs. Findings The majority of participants experienced challenges to their professional well-being contributed to by lack of recognition, feeling undervalued and lack of involvement in higher-level decision-making. Some participants displayed burnout and stress. Structural and cultural issues contributed to this and many experiences pre-dated, but were exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions By mapping findings to the ABC framework, we highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of nurses working in general practice and contributing workplace factors. The issues identified have implications for retention and for the future of nursing in general practice. The study highlights how this professional group can be supported in the future. Impact The study contributes to our understanding of the experiences of nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Findings have implications for this skilled and experienced workforce, for retention of nurses in general practice, the sustainability of the profession more broadly and care quality and patient safety. Reporting Method Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (O'Brien et al. in Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 89(9), 1245–1251, 2014). Patient or Public Contribution As this was a workforce study there was no patient or public contribution

Medulloblastoma has a global impact on health related quality of life: Findings from an international cohort.

BackgroundUnderstanding the global impact of medulloblastoma on health related quality of life (HRQL) is critical to characterizing the broad impact of this disease and realizing the benefits of modern treatments. We evaluated HRQL in an international cohort of pediatric medulloblastoma patients.MethodsSeventy-six patients were selected from 10 sites across North America, Europe, and Asia, who participated in the Medulloblastoma Advanced Genomics International Consortium (MAGIC). The Health Utilities Index (HUI) was administered to patients and/or parents at each site. Responses were used to determine overall HRQL and attributes (ie specific subdomains). The impact of various demographic and medical variables on HRQL was considered-including molecular subgroup.ResultsThe majority of patients reported having moderate or severe overall burden of morbidity for both the HUI2 and HUI3 (HUI2&nbsp;=&nbsp;60%; HUI3&nbsp;=&nbsp;72.1%) when proxy-assessed. Self-care in the HUI2 was rated as higher (ie better outcome) for patients from Western versus Eastern sites, P&nbsp;=&nbsp;.02. Patients with nonmetastatic status had higher values (ie better outcomes) for the HUI3 hearing, HUI3 pain, and HUI2 pain, all P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;.05. Patients treated with a gross total resection also&nbsp;had better outcomes for the HUI3 hearing (P&nbsp;=&nbsp;.04). However, those who underwent a gross total resection reported&nbsp;having worse outcomes on the HUI3 vision (P&nbsp;=&nbsp;.02). No differences in HRQL were evident as a function of subgroup.ConclusionsBy examining an international sample of survivors, we characterized the worldwide impact of medulloblastoma. This is a critical first step in developing global standards for evaluating long-term outcomes

Season but not sex influences burrow length and complexity in the non-sexually dimorphic solitary Cape mole-rat (Rodentia : Bathyergidae)

Little is known about how environmental factors such as season influence burrowing activity, burrow structure or reproductive behaviour in subterranean mammals. We excavated burrow systems of male and female Georychus capensis, a solitary, subterranean rodent, in winter (wet season) and summer (dry season) to investigate whether any seasonal differences due to putative mate-seeking behaviour of males were apparent. Burrow structure did not differ between sexes, but did differ between seasons. For both sexes, summer burrows were shorter in length and covered a smaller area but explored the surrounding environment more efficiently than did winter burrows. Summer burrows had fewer mounds present indicating less expansion of the burrow systems in this season. We discuss these differences in exploration and use of the environment between seasons but not between sexes in terms of mating strategies of G. capensis and observed levels of sexual dimorphism in our populations. This study supports recent concepts regarding female competition and selection that may favour the expression of female exaggerated traits, which affect a female’s ability to acquire reproductive resources that often appear similar to that selected for by males.This research was supported by the University of Pretoria, by the SARChI Chair of Behavioural Ecology and Physiology and by the National Research Foundation, South Africa to NCB.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1469-7998hb2016Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog