Showing papers by "University of Bedfordshire published in 2010"
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration1, Silver Spring Networks2, James Cook University3, University of the Virgin Islands4, University of East Anglia5, Mote Marine Laboratory6, Simón Bolívar University7, University of the French West Indies and Guiana8, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez9, University of North Carolina at Wilmington10, University of Bedfordshire11, University of Havana12, Griffith University13, University of Magdalena14, University of Miami15, Spanish National Research Council16, Nova Southeastern University17, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute18, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory19, University of Puerto Rico20, University of Exeter21, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences22, National Autonomous University of Mexico23, Boston University24, University of Queensland25, The Nature Conservancy26, University of the West Indies27, Australian National University28, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland29, Florida Institute of Technology30, University of California, Los Angeles31, University of Los Andes32, Central University of Venezuela33, Brown University34, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu35
TL;DR: Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity.
Abstract: Background: The rising temperature of the world's oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the iming and location of researchers' field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. Conclusions/Significance: Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate.
755 citations
TL;DR: Benefits of thermal processing include inactivation of food-borne pathogens, natural toxins or other detrimental constituents, prolongation of shelf-life, improved digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients, improved palatability, taste, texture and flavour and enhanced functional properties.
Abstract: The manuscript reviews beneficial aspects of food processing with main focus on cooking/heat treatment, including other food-processing techniques (e.g. fermentation). Benefits of thermal processing include inactivation of food-borne pathogens, natural toxins or other detrimental constituents, prolongation of shelf-life, improved digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients, improved palatability, taste, texture and flavour and enhanced functional properties, including augmented antioxidants and other defense reactivity or increased antimicrobial effectiveness. Thermal processing can bring some unintentional undesired consequences, such as losses of certain nutrients, formation of toxic compounds (acrylamide, furan or acrolein), or of compounds with negative effects on flavour perception, texture or colour. Heat treatment of foods needs to be optimized in order to promote beneficial effects and to counteract, to the best possible, undesired effects. This may be achieved more effectively/sustainably by consistent fine-tuning of technological processes rather than within ordinary household cooking conditions. The most important identified points for further study are information on processed foods to be considered in epidemiological work, databases should be built to estimate the intake of compounds from processed foods, translation of in-vitro results to in-vivo relevance for human health should be worked on, thermal and non-thermal processes should be optimized by application of kinetic principles.
392 citations
TL;DR: The existing access methods for femtocells together with their benefits and drawbacks are explained and the need for hybrid access methods and several models are presented.
Abstract: Femtocells are a solution that helps to reduce the capital and operational expenditure of a mobile network while enhancing system coverage and capacity. However, the avoidance of interference is still an issue that needs to be addressed to successfully deploy a femtocell tier over existing macrocell networks. Moreover, interference is strongly dependent on the type of access control, which decides if a given user can or cannot connect to the femtocell. In this article the existing access methods for femtocells together with their benefits and drawbacks are explained. A description of the business model and technical impact of access methods in femto/macro networks is also provided. Finally, the need for hybrid access methods and several models are presented.
385 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine knowledge transfer among attractions in Cornwall, England, paying attention to the significance of spatial clustering and product similarity, and demonstrate that spatial proximity, product similarity and market similarity generally facilitate knowledge transfer and innovation spillovers, at the local and the regional scales.
211 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors attempt to answer the question of whether bacteriophages are now delivering on their potential, and the question is answered by the use of a set of applications for bacteriaphage agents for the healthcare, veterinary and agricultural sectors.
Abstract: Bacteriophages are bacterial viruses and have been used for almost a century as antimicrobial agents. In the West, their use diminished when chemical antibiotics were introduced, but they remain a common therapeutic approach in parts of eastern Europe. Increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria has driven the demand for novel therapies to control infections and led to the replacement of antibiotics in animal husbandry. Alongside this, increased pressure to improve food safety has created a need for faster detection of pathogenic bacteria. Hence, there has been a resurgence of interest in bacteriophage applications, and this has encouraged the emergence of a large number of biotech companies hoping to commercialize their use. Research in Europe and the United States has increased steadily, leading to the development of a range of applications for bacteriophage agents for the healthcare, veterinary and agricultural sectors. This article will attempt to answer the question of whether bacteriophages are now delivering on their potential.
181 citations
TL;DR: This paper provides a survey of related techniques which have been proposed and shown to be promising for resource scheduling and interference mitigation in 3GPP LTE networks.
Abstract: Among the goals of 3GPP LTE networks are higher user bit rates, lower delays, increased spectrum efficiency, support for diverse QoS requirements, reduced cost, and operational simplicity. Resource scheduling and interference mitigation are two functions which are key to achieving these goals. This paper provides a survey of related techniques which have been proposed and shown to be promising. A brief discussion of the challenges for LTE-Advanced, the next step in the evolution, is also provided.
178 citations
03 Nov 2010
TL;DR: The main lessons learned were the need to factor in the maintenance costs while designing the system; to look carefully at software and hardware interactions; and the need for continuous interaction with domain scientists which allows for unexpected optimizations.
Abstract: As sensor network technologies become more mature, they are increasingly being applied to a wide variety of applications, ranging from agricultural sensing to cattle, oceanic and volcanic monitoring. Significant efforts have been made in deploying and testing sensor networks resulting in unprecedented sensing capabilities. A key challenge has become how to make these emerging wireless sensor networks more sustainable and easier to maintain over increasingly prolonged deployments.In this paper, we report the findings from a one year deployment of an automated wildlife monitoring system for analyzing the social co-location patterns of European badgers (Meles meles) residing in a dense woodland environment.We describe the stages of its evolution cycle, from implementation, deployment and testing, to various iterations of software optimization, followed by hardware enhancements, which in turn triggered the need for further software optimization. We report preliminary descriptive analyses of a subset of the data collected, demonstrating the significant potential our system has to generate new insights into badger behavior. The main lessons learned were: the need to factor in the maintenance costs while designing the system; to look carefully at software and hardware interactions; the importance of a rapid initial prototype deployment (this was key to our success); and the need for continuous interaction with domain scientists which allows for unexpected optimizations.
173 citations
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149 citations
TL;DR: The findings suggest that different coping tendencies may underpin the divergent relationship between self-oriented and socially prescribed dimensions of perfectionism and athlete burnout.
Abstract: Recent research indicates that some dimensions of perfectionism are positively related to athlete burnout, whereas others are negatively related to athlete burnout. The divergent relationship between these dimensions of perfectionism and athlete burnout may be explained by different coping tendencies. The present investigation examined whether different coping tendencies mediate the relationship between self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism and burnout. Two-hundred and six junior elite athletes (M age=15.15 years, SD=1.88 years, range=11-22 years) completed measures of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, coping tendencies, and athlete burnout. Structural equation modeling indicated that the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and athlete burnout was mediated by different coping tendencies. Higher levels of socially prescribed perfectionism was related to higher levels of avoidant coping which, in turn, was related to higher levels of athlete burnout. In contrast, higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism was related to higher levels of problem-focused coping and lower levels of avoidant coping which, in turn, was related to lower levels of athlete burnout. The findings suggest that different coping tendencies may underpin the divergent relationship between self-oriented and socially prescribed dimensions of perfectionism and athlete burnout.
144 citations
TL;DR: Welfare indices for elephants have been developed from two main sources: studies of suffering humans, and of research animals deliberately subjected to challenges known to affect emotional state.
Abstract: Animal welfare (sometimes termed "well-being") is about feelings - states such as "suffering" or "contentment" that we can infer but cannot measure directly. Welfare indices have been developed from two main sources: studies of suffering humans, and of research animals deliberately subjected to challenges known to affect emotional state. We briefly review the resulting indices here, and discuss how well they are understood for elephants, since objective welfare assessment should play a central role in evidence-based elephant management. We cover behavioral and cognitive responses (approach/avoidance; intention, redirected and displacement activities; vigilance/startle; warning signals; cognitive biases, apathy and depression-like changes; stereotypic behavior); physiological responses (sympathetic responses; corticosteroid output - often assayed non-invasively via urine, feces or even hair; other aspects of HPA function, e.g. adrenal hypertrophy); and the potential negative effects of prolonged stress on reproduction (e.g. reduced gametogenesis; low libido; elevated still-birth rates; poor maternal care) and health (e.g. poor wound-healing; enhanced disease rates; shortened lifespans). The best validated, most used welfare indices for elephants are corticosteroid outputs and stereotypic behavior. Indices suggested as valid, partially validated, and/or validated but not yet applied within zoos include: measures of preference/avoidance; displacement movements; vocal/postural signals of affective (emotional) state; startle/vigilance; apathy; salivary and urinary epinephrine; female acyclity; infant mortality rates; skin/foot infections; cardio-vascular disease; and premature adult death. Potentially useful indices that have not yet attracted any validation work in elephants include: operant responding and place preference tests; intention and vacuum movements; fear/stress pheromone release; cognitive biases; heart rate, pupil dilation and blood pressure; corticosteroid assay from hair, especially tail-hairs (to access endocrine events up to a year ago); adrenal hypertrophy; male infertility; prolactinemia; and immunological changes.
136 citations
TL;DR: The key factors affecting TKT are explored, verified, and mapped out using a four-component framework in the context of publically funded knowledge transfer projects to help practitioners develop a more focused approach in dealing with the most significant factors in KT.
TL;DR: An interference avoidance technique based on the use of Intracell HandOvers (IHOs) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) femtocells is proposed.
Abstract: There are two main access policies (open and closed) to Femtocell Access Points (FAPs), being closed access the customers favorite. However, closed access is the root cause of crosstier interference in cochannel deployments of two-tier networks (i.e., macrocells and femtocells). Further, the effect of this problem is remarkably serious in the downlink of outdoor users not subscribed to any femtocell. Open access has been considered as a potential solution to this problem. However, this increases signaling in the network due to the elevated number of HandOvers (HOs) that mobile users have to perform. Therefore, this paper proposes an interference avoidance technique based on the use of Intracell HandOvers (IHOs) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) femtocells. It is shown that a proper combination of IHO and power control techniques reduces the outage probability for nonsubscribers compared with that of closed and open access. In addition, the impact of several network parameters such as the femtocell penetration is also considered in the analysis.
TL;DR: IL-6 responded quickly to the carefully monitored exercise intervention (within weeks) and required only moderate- intensity exercise, whereas ALT took longer to change and/or required more vigorous-intensity exercise.
Abstract: Regular exercise may improve systemic markers of chronic inflammation, but direct evidence and dose-response information is lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the effect and time course of changes in markers of chronic inflammation in response to progressive exercise training (and subsequent detraining). Forty-one sedentary men 45-64 yr of age completed either a progressive 24-wk exercise intervention or control followed by short-term removal of the intervention (2-wk detraining). Serum IL-6 fell by -0.4 pg/ml (SD 0.6) after 12 wk and responded to moderate-intensity exercise. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity fell -7 U/l (SD 11) at 24 wk although there was no evidence of any change by week 12 (and therefore ALT required more vigorous-intensity activity and/or a more prolonged intervention). The effect on IL-6 was lost after 2-wk detraining whereas the change in ALT was retained. The temporal fall and rise in IL-6 with training and subsequent detraining in men with high IL-6 at baseline provided a retrospective opportunity to examine parallel genomic changes in peripheral mononuclear cells. A subset of 53 probes was differentially regulated by at least twofold after training with 31 of these changes being lost after detraining (n = 6). IL-6 responded quickly to the carefully monitored exercise intervention (within weeks) and required only moderate-intensity exercise, whereas ALT took longer to change and/or required more vigorous-intensity exercise. Further work is required to determine whether any of the genes that temporally changed in parallel with changes in IL-6 are a cause or consequence of this response.
TL;DR: The notion that exercise is regulated by pain perception, and increased pain tolerance can improve exercise capacity is supported, and completion time was significantly faster.
Abstract: To establish whether acetaminophen improves performance of self-paced exercise through the reduction of perceived pain, 13 trained male cyclists performed a self-paced 10-mile (16.1 km) cycle time trial (TT) following the ingestion of either acetaminophen (ACT) or a placebo (PLA), administered in randomized double-blind design. TT were completed in a significantly faster time (t(12) = 2.55, P 0.05) was observed. Using acetaminophen, participants cycled at a higher mean PO, with an increased HR and B[La], but without changes in perceived pain or exertion. Consequently, completion time was significantly faster. These findings support the notion that exercise is regulated by pain perception, and increased pain tolerance can improve exercise capacity.
TL;DR: An introduction is given to the physics of mixed biopolymer solutions and the behaviour of their phases, with a view to highlighting the unique aspects of such materials in comparison to other liquid-liquid mixtures, and also the more interesting topics for future research in these fascinating materials.
TL;DR: Under physiological conditions, it is found that pre-adsorbed in vitro salivary film on hydrophobic surfaces is present as a highly hydrated viscoelastic layer, and upon exposure to deionised water, a collapse of the film occurs that was associated with the loss of water contained within the adsorbed layer.
TL;DR: A faster dynamic stretch component appears to prepare an athlete for a more optimum performance, related to increases in heart rate and core temperature with slow dynamic stretches, while the greater increase in performance for the fast dynamic stretch intervention is linked to greater nervous system activation.
Abstract: Dynamic stretching has gained popularity, due to a number of studies showing an increase in high intensity performance compared to static stretch modalities. Twenty-four males (age mean 21 ± 0.3 years) performed a standardised 10 min jogging warm-up followed by either; no stretching (NS), slow dynamic stretching at 50 b/min (SDS) or fast dynamic stretching at 100 b/min (FDS). Post-warm-up, squat, countermovement and depth jumps were performed. Heart rate, tympanic temperature, electromyography (EMG) and kinematic data (100 Hz) were collected during each jump. Results indicated that the FDS condition showed significantly greater jump height in all tests compared to the SDS and NS conditions. Further, the SDS trial resulted in significantly greater performance in the drop and squat jump compared to the NS condition. The reasons behind these performance changes are multi-faceted, but appear to be related to increases in heart rate and core temperature with slow dynamic stretches, while the greater increase in performance for the fast dynamic stretch intervention is linked to greater nervous system activation, shown by significant increases in EMG. In conclusion, a faster dynamic stretch component appears to prepare an athlete for a more optimum performance.
TL;DR: It is argued that e-learning take-up represents adoption of an innovation in educational services, rather than just an IT technology, and that only perceived compatibility and trialability have significant influence on e- learning adoption intention.
Abstract: This research aims to examine, from an innovation adoption perspective, Chinese students' intention of taking up e-learning degrees. A survey of Chinese students was conducted to reveal their perceptions concerning innovation attributes relevant to e-learning and their intentions of taking e-learning programmes provided by UK universities. Given the rapid development in e-learning and its potential impact on how learning takes place, this research argues that e-learning take-up represents adoption of an innovation in educational services, rather than just an IT technology. It therefore examined e-learning adoption using Rogers's relational model of perceived innovation attributes. Rogers's model was adapted to the e-learning context. A questionnaire survey was developed to collect data from a sample of Chinese students (n=215). Prior to final analysis the dimensionality and validity of the implementation of Rogers relational model was assessed. Findings suggested that only perceived compatibility and trialability have significant influence on e-learning adoption intention.
TL;DR: This paper explored how two interscholastic soccer coaches incorporated teaching games for understanding (TGfU) into their coaching practice and found that it offered a way for practitioners to challenge their practice, move from a "comfort zone" and open themselves up to self-reflection.
Abstract: Background: Coaches’ knowledge and actions are both the product and manifestation of a personally experienced involvement with the coaching process; they are linked to the coach's history and both are attributable to how they were learned. Changing established coaching practice can be problematic, particularly as coaching lacks a critical tradition, and coaches are more likely to be seen sticking with ‘safer’, ‘tried and tested’, traditional methods. Butler recently noted in 2005 that approaches such as Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) offer a way for practitioners to challenge their practice, move from a ‘comfort zone’ and open themselves up to self-reflection. Purpose: With this in mind, the purpose of this study was to explore how two interscholastic soccer coaches incorporated TGfU into their coaching practice. Methods: Two interscholastic soccer coaches; Brad, an experienced Head coach of the program and coach of the varsity team (n = 18), and Jeff, a first-year coach in the program and the co...
TL;DR: It was found that the Heart-Age message significantly differed from percentage CVD risk score in risk perceptions and was more emotionally impactful in those participants at higher actual CVDrisk levels.
Abstract: BackgroundAlthough percentage risk formats are commonly used to convey cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, people find it difficult to understand these representations.AimsTo compare the impact of providing a CVD risk message in either a traditional format (% risk) or using an analogy of risk (Heart-Age) on participants' risk perceptions and intention to make lifestyle changes.MethodsFour hundred and thirteen men and women were randomly allocated to one of two conditions; CVD risk as a percentage or as a Heart-Age score (a cardiovascular risk adjusted age).ResultsThere was a graded relationship between perceived and actual CVD risk only in those participants receiving a Heart-Age message (P<0.05). Heart-Age was more emotionally impactful in younger individuals at higher actual CVD risk (P<0.01). Self-reported emotional reactions further mediated the relationship between risk perception and intention to make lifestyle changes.ConclusionThis study found that the Heart-Age message significantly differed from ...
TL;DR: In this article, a cross-sectional survey research design was used to gather primary data using self-administered questionnaires from six hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Abstract: Purpose – The overall purpose of this study is to investigate impact of managerial characteristics on key performance indicators in the Kenyan hotel industry.Design/methodology/approach – A cross‐sectional survey research design was used to gather primary data using self‐administered questionnaires. A sample of 160 hospitality managers was selected proportionately by simple random sample method from six hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa. A custom factorial univariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the data.Findings – Hospitality managers in Kenya are still focusing on financial and result measures of performance while ignoring non‐financial and determinant measures. Managerial demographic characteristics; age, education, current position, functional area, and performance appraisal influence managers' choice of key performance indicators.Research limitations/implications – The model violated assumptions of homogeneity of variances. Literature review revealed a severe lack of Kenyan‐based research in ...
TL;DR: In this article, women in Islamic Pakistan face particular barriers to becoming entrepreneurs; these barriers can be reduced by women-only training in entrepreneurial competences, and the impact of capacity-building programs on the establishment and performance of the women's enterprises.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the gender-related challenges of Pakistani women entrepreneurs, to explore these women's particular capacity-building needs, and to assess the impact of capacity-building programs on the establishment and performance of the women's enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a review of various theoretical contexts through which to understand women's entrepreneurship in an Islamic socio-cultural context. From this, the paper derived two working propositions: women in Islamic Pakistan face particular barriers to becoming entrepreneurs; these barriers can be reduced by women-only training in entrepreneurial competences. These propositions are examined in a three-part longitudinal process: a field survey to gather information about the training needs of current and potential women entrepreneurs, the design and delivery of a women-only training module, a follow-up survey with participants, 18 months later. Subjects and participants were randomly selected, and segmented according to entrepreneurial factors and characteristics.
Findings – Results confirm that the barriers perceived by women entrepreneurs in Islamic Pakistan can be alleviated through women-only training that allows participants to develop capital and competences. Greater clarity about learning outcomes desired and achieved by women entrepreneurs in an Islamic socio-cultural context can be a basis for designing improved training and education programmes, with a view to women's economic empowerment.
Practical implications – For women entrepreneurs living in an Islamic society, this analysis has implications for understanding the importance and effectiveness of entrepreneurial training especially in a women-only setting. For policy makers, it turns the spotlight on the need for creating an environment conducive to female entrepreneurship consistent with socio-cultural structures and gender asymmetries.
Originality/value – There are no comparable previous data on the learning preferences and outcomes of this particular
TL;DR: A real time control algorithm for autonomous operation of a quadrotor unmanned air vehicle that incorporates two key aspects of autonomy; trajectory planning and trajectory following is proposed.
Abstract: This paper proposes a real time control algorithm for autonomous operation of a quadrotor unmanned air vehicle. The quadrotor is a small agile vehicle, which as well as being a excellent test bed for advanced control techniques could also be suitable for internal surveillance, search and rescue and remote inspection. The proposed control scheme incorporates two key aspects of autonomy; trajectory planning and trajectory following. Using the differentially-flat dynamics property of the system, the trajectory optimization is posed as a non-linear constrained optimization within the output space in the virtual domain, not explicitly related to the time domain. A suitable parameterization using a virtual argument as opposed to time is applied, which ensures initial and terminal constraint satisfaction. The speed profile is optimized independently, followed by the mapping to the time domain achieved using a speed factor. Trajectory following is achieved with a standard multi-variable control technique and a digital switch is used to re-optimize the reference trajectory in the event of infeasibility or mission change. The paper includes simulations using a full dynamic model of the quadrotor demonstrating the suitability of the proposed control scheme.
TL;DR: Results show that excretion should not be overlooked in LCA studies dealing with diet shifts and studies aimed at identifying the life cycle hotspots of food products, and human excretion as a life cycle stage has been found to be important in EP due to the emissions of nutrients in treated sewage.
Abstract: Background, aim and scope
The aim of this work is to find out to what extent human excretion is relevant in the context of a Spaniard’s overall food intake. A case study dealing with the average Spanish diet is carried out, including the whole life cycle of food: agricultural and animal production, industrial processing, distribution and retail, home storage and cooking, solid waste management and human excretion.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent to which higher education institutions in the United Kingdom meet the minimum standards recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the management of work-related stressors.
Abstract: Drawing on the findings of a recent national survey, this article examines the extent to which higher education institutions in the United Kingdom meet the minimum standards recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the management of work-related stressors. A comparison is also made between the average weekly working hours reported in the current survey with those found in two previous studies of the higher education sector (1998 and 2004). A sample of 9,740 academic and academic-related employees working in higher education institutions in the UK completed a measure of seven job-related stressors (or psychosocial hazards) (that is, demands, control, support from colleagues and managers, interpersonal relationships, role clarity and involvement in organisational change). With one exception (job control), levels of job-related stressors in the higher education sector exceeded the benchmarks stipulated by the HSE. Stressors relating to change, role, job demands and managerial support were particularly high. Recommendations made by the HSE for interim and longer-term targets to be achieved for the management of each stressor category are provided. Findings also revealed that average working hours remain high in the sector, with many employees continuing to exceed the weekly limit set by the UK Working Time Directive. The utility of the HSE approach in higher education institutions and ways in which the sector might work towards meeting the HSE management standards and consequently enhance employee well-being are considered.
TL;DR: Water utilities are urged to consider the influence of organizational culture on the success and sustainability of WSP adoption, and better understand how effective leadership can mould culture to support implementation.
TL;DR: A review of the ways in which the Hebrew and Christian scriptures (i.e. the Old and New Testaments) have interpreted disasters, particularly those caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, can be found in this paper.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that when the overall tourism research study involves the use of mixed methods, an initial exploratory stage conducted as part of a sequential research process, requires a systematic approach to achieve a reliable platform for further investigation.
Abstract: Exploratory studies in the social sciences are being increasingly advocated, particularly in relation to new research themes or when addressing an existing issue from a new perspective. Although exploration is usually the starting point, it is frequently part of a sequence of research stages. However, until recently the actual process of conducting such exploratory research within the leisure and tourism field has received little attention. This is due not just to perceptions that exploration is merely the initial step in a longer research process, but significantly, because there is a lack of guidance on how to conduct such research. This paper argues that when the overall tourism research study involves the use of mixed methods, an initial exploratory stage conducted as part of a sequential research process, requires a systematic approach to achieve a reliable platform for further investigation. The paper shows how and why a systematic research design process in the exploratory stage can enhance the value of studies, when the initial qualitative stage is to be followed by a quantitative phase. Three phases of an exploratory qualitative research design process are identified: preparation, development and refinement. Criteria for assessing the suitability of qualitative data collection techniques are proposed. It is argued that careful attention to the process of designing the initial exploratory qualitative stage constitutes the necessary condition for achieving results that will form a sound basis for the next quantitative sequence of research.
TL;DR: Data identify Cys as the single target for PPD-HSA binding, and show that PPD protein adducts are antigenic determinants in patients with contact dermatitis.
TL;DR: Analytical expressions for the modeling of path loss and shadow fading in residential indoor-to-outdoor scenarios have been calibrated using channel power measurements at the radio frequencies of common cellular systems and are suitable for channel modeling in femtocell networks.
Abstract: This letter introduces analytical expressions for the modeling of path loss and shadow fading in residential indoor-to-outdoor scenarios. The formulas have been calibrated using channel power measurements at the radio frequencies of common cellular systems and are thus suitable for channel modeling in femtocell networks. The expressions presented here can be used as a simple propagation model in system-level simulators (SLS), as well as for comparison to other models. Furthermore, its compact formulation simplifies its use for theoretical studies of two-tier networks, while its empirical nature strengthens its validity.