bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concepts of hospitality and its application in the built space
Authors: Pereira de Oliveira Josildete , Torres Tricárico Luciano , de Mello Rossini Diva , Tomelin Carlos Alberto
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study began with the following question: how hospitality concepts have contributed to the quality of cities and to the qualification of urban tourist destinations. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the historical evolution of the concepts of hospitality and their implications in the contemporary concept of the hospitality of the built space.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study an analytical empirical approach was used, focusing on the concepts and paradigms that support the studies of the hospitality of built space. The method was based on the representation of hospitality as spatial reading indexes according to the categories of analysis: identity, accessibility, and readability, as stated by Grinover (2007), Raymond (1997) and Lynch (1997). The empirical study, in the Brazilian context, took as its object of analysis the urban hospitality of the three cities that were capitals of Brazil throughout its history: Salvador da Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.

Findings

The results of the research confirm the pertinence of the categories of analysis proposed for the understanding of hospitality of the built space and proposes other categories of analysis related to accessibility in its interfaces with identity and readability.

Practical implications

This study can contribute with new understandings in the field of the hospitality of the built space as support to public managers and trade tourist managers that can give quality to the urban space for tourists, and for the citizens as well. Because, in the Brazilian context, the formulation of public policies for public transport services, mobility, accessibility and recreation areas are linked to public managers; in the same way that private initiatives and incentives for leisure, entertainment, and tourism are linked to the managers of the tourist trade.

Originality/value

New possibilities of the understanding of urban hospitality in tourist destinations by the categories of analysis listed – identity, readability and accessibility. Accessibility was the spatial condition that most needed attention as urban hospitality in the Brazilian tourist destinations studied. Otherwise, a contribution was made to the area of study in urban hospitality, given the scarcity of scientific literature on the subject.
Effects of consumers’ construal levels on post-impulse purchase emotions
Authors: Togawa Taku , Ishii Hiroaki , Onzo Naoto , Roy Rajat
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how abstract vs concrete mindsets impact consumers’ post-purchase affective states. Drawing on construal level theory, the study examines when consumers experience “pleasure” or “guilt” after impulse buying.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic premises of this research was tested using multiple studies. Study 1 was conducted in the field, the second study engaged an online survey, while the third study used a laboratory experiment.

Findings

After impulse buying, consumers with abstract mindsets reported strong feelings of pleasure, whereas those with concrete mindsets experienced profound guilt.

Research limitations/implications

Research on affective responses (i.e. pleasure and guilt) following impulse purchase is limited. However, the present study helps understand an important research question: when do consumers feel pleasure (or guilt) after impulse buying?

Practical implications

Marketers can frame messages that align with abstract mindsets to enhance pleasure and reduce guilt after impulse buying.

Social implications

Policymakers can persuade consumers to refrain from making impulsive decisions through communication that reminds them of past impulse purchase behaviour, by triggering a concrete mindset.

Originality/value

This research extends the literature on post-purchase effects by demonstrating that consumers’ mindsets determine the intensity of their affective state after impulse buying.
Performance appraisal systems and public sector efficiency in small island developing states
Authors: Loga Patricia , Chand Anand
Published: December 2019

Purpose

There is extant literature on performance appraisal systems (PAS) in public sector globally; however, most of the literature focuses on PAS in public sector in large developed and large developing countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is scant literature on PAS in the public sector of small developing countries. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to fill the research gap and analyse employee perceptions of the annual performance appraisal (APA) system and its implications in the Fiji’s public sector. It examines the APA more specifically in the case study of Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was undertaken and information collected from each research method was triangulated to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings.

Findings

This study found that the APA system shows promise of delivering on the expected outcomes for PAS. Similarly, staff morale was found to increase while employee behaviour improved with employee involvement and simple key performance indicators. However, much work needs to be done at the macro, meso and micro level of policy planning and implementation in order to ensure the success of APA.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this research are that it is based solely on Fiji’s experience and future research could expand this study to other developing country contexts, especially small island states.

Originality/value

After conducting a literature review on developed nations and research in a small developing country (Fiji), this paper produces two models: a PAS model in the developed country context and another in Fiji’s small developing country context. This paper contributes to the existing literature of PAS in the public sector and more specifically in the context of developing small island countries.
Non-Islamist parties in post-2011 Egypt: winners in an MB-free political sphere
Authors: Hussein Ebtisam
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Years after the 2011 uprising Egypt, it seems that the country’s non-Islamist parties are still included in the political game. After significant alterations in their political sphere by mid-2013 at the advent of the Muslim Brother exclusion and the subsequent discrediting of Salafi al-Nour party, non-Islamist parties took clear part in the mobilization for presidential elections (2014, 2018) and competed for legislative seats in 2015. Nonetheless, it is difficult to expect them to turn into long-term key political players with clear-cut ideological postures, unique platforms and strong grass root mobilization. With the exception of the electoral gains scored by numbered parties like Free Egyptians’ party and Nation’s Future in 2015 legislative elections, these parties seem to be lagging behind esp. in terms of their popular base; who became winners at the advent of the radical exclusion of the MB from July 2013 onwards.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on archival research and guided by basic assumptions of rational choice institutionalism, mainly game-theoretic versions of the approach. It is divided into four sections, three of them are chronological and the last one is thematic.

Findings

Egypt’s non-Islamists engaged in the post-2011 political sphere, with strong Islamist rivals crippling their political chances in the first two years following the 2011 uprising. They surely capitalized on the exclusion and discrediting of the latter, but they suffered lack of ideological clarity and fragmentation from 2011 onwards with no enough evidence these weaknesses were surpassed after Islamists were “out of their way”. The only strand of non-Islamist parties which came out as “game winners” were those possessing the resources and enjoying overt “friendly” relations with al-Sisi regime. Nonetheless, internal conflicts inside key secularist parties shed light on their capacity to turn into long-term players in Egypt’s political sphere.

Originality/value

Very few papers were published on Egypt’s secularists parties after the 2011 uprising from the perspective of the alteration that occurred in their political environment affecting their political weight and gains. More generally, literature on non-ruling parties in authoritarian contexts mostly reduce these parties to secondary roles allocated by ruling regimes. The paper seeks to overcome both shortages.
Crude palm oil prices and default risk: an analysis of Indonesia’s listed agricultural firms
Authors: Abubakar Arlyana , Purwoko Agung Bayu , Werdaningtyas Hesti , Ardiyono Sulistiyo Kadam , Sinurat Frida Yunita
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine how crude palm oil (CPO) price impacts corporate default risk (CDR) of agricultural firms in Indonesia’s palm oil industry.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying a dynamic panel regression on listed CPO-based firms, the authors find that CPO price fluctuations are insignificant in explaining CDR.

Findings

The main determinants of CDR are internal factors, namely, excess stock market returns and return on assets. External factors do not play any role in influencing the CDR in the case of Indonesia. The results highlight the importance of completing risk analysis at the macro level with firm-specific factors.

Research limitations/implications

The contributions aside, an important limitation of this study is that there is a small sample of listed firms. Most of these firms have the ability to mitigate risks. Therefore, further studies are needed to identify the default predictions for non-listed firms.

Practical implications

In the context of macro prudential policy in Indonesia, the findings imply that financial stability surveillance needs to be carried out in two areas: macroeconomic indicators and firm-specific indicators. Given the lack of listed CPO firms in Indonesia, the object of surveillance should focus on not only listed firms but also non-listed firms with large bank loans.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of completing risk analysis at the macro level with firm-specific factors in Indonesia as commodity exporting country.
Single Currency in ECOWAS: Is the Proposed Fiscal Convergence Criterion Pro‐Growth?
Authors: Amadou Akilou , Kebalo Léleng
Published: December 2019

To facilitate the introduction of a single currency in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the fiscal convergence criterion currently proposed by countries limits the public deficit to 3 per cent of GDP. According to the literature, the limitation of the public deficit to a given threshold is the most fundamental norm of the various convergence pacts existing and needed for monetary integration. Through a nonlinear panel data model, this paper tests the validity of the threshold by determining the public deficit threshold not to be exceeded so that fiscal policy has a positive effect on economic growth. Over the decade 2007–2016, this threshold is estimated at 4.74 per cent of GDP. Thus, the paper concludes that the proposed convergence criterion of 3 per cent of GDP is pro‐growth. However, in relation to the estimated threshold, there is a room for manoeuvre that can be used for supporting economic growth. Thus, the proposed threshold could be readjusted upward. The analysis also reveals that only four countries in ECOWAS are on the track to respect in the future, the proposed fiscal criterion and therefore are taking an important step toward the adoption of the future currency. The other countries need to make significant fiscal consolidation operations before hoping to adopt the single currency on the basis of fiscal discipline.
Regional Integration, Bilateral Diplomacy and African Trade: Evidence from the Gravity Model
Authors: Afesorgbor Sylvanus Kwaku
Published: December 2019

The paper examines the impact of two main instruments of economic diplomacy — regional integration and commercial diplomacy on export flows among African states. We test whether there is any evidence of a trade‐off or complementary interaction between these two instruments in trade facilitation using the gravity model for 45 African states over the period 1980–2005. The results show that bilateral diplomatic exchange is a more significant determinant of bilateral exports among African states compared to regional integration. We also find that the trade–stimulating effect of diplomatic exchange is less pronounced among African countries that shared membership of the same regional bloc.
Adaptation and validation of an Arabic version of a 10‐item patient‐reported outcome measure of physical function in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Farrag Shaza Mohamed , Abdelnaby Mai Mohamed , Mohamed Aly Elsayed
Published: December 2019

Aim

To adapt and validate an Arabic version of the short form of physical function measure (PF‐10a), a generic questionnaire for physical function, in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

After standardized linguistic validation of the Arabic version of PF‐10a, with forward and backward translation, the questionnaire was completed by 70 Egyptian RA patients who were diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria, on two occasions 3‐5 days apart. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and intra‐class correlation. The content validity of the Arabic PF‐10a was tested against Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ‐DI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR). In addition, serology results, hand radiographs, and treatments received were all recorded.

Results

Most of our patients were female (88.6%) with a mean age of 49.2 ± 10.5 years. They had a mean disease duration of 7.3 ± 7 years and an active disease with a mean CDAI of 33.1 ± 12.6. The mean value of PF‐10a was 34.6 ± 6.2. The Cronbach's alpha for Arabic PF‐10a was 0.904. Intra‐CLASS CORRELATION was 0.897. Arabic PF‐10a correlated strongly with HAQ‐DI (−0.746), moderately with CDAI, patient global assessment, and pain (−0.457, −0.417, and −0.371 respectively).

Conclusion

The validation study showed that the Arabic PF‐10a had acceptable psychometric characteristics, in terms of internal consistency and construct validity. The Arabic PF‐10a is a reliable and valid instrument to be used by Arabic RA patients.
The clinical performance of midline catheters—An observational study
Authors: Bundgaard Madsen Emma , Sloth Erik , Skov Illum Britta , Juhl‐Olsen Peter
Published: December 2019

Background

The use of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) is hampered by short dwell time, and central venous catheters (CVCs) are often preferred for medium‐ to long‐time intravenous treatment. Ultrasound techniques allow for easy catheter insertion into the major veins of the upper arm. A new generation of midline catheters, PowerGlide Pro, utilises a one‐hand Seldinger technique and can be inserted by one single operator without assistance. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of the PowerGlide Pro midline catheter.

Methods

Consecutively inserted midline catheters were followed in a prospective, observational quality control study. Endpoints were dwell time, the incidence of premature catheter removal, causes of catheter removal and the dwell time and incidence rates of predefined subgroups representing potential effect modifiers.

Results

Hundred midline catheters, of which 98 were accessible to follow‐up, were inserted in 70 patients. Median dwell time was 8 days and 60 catheters were removed before the indication for intravenous therapy had ceased. The overall incidence for premature catheter removal was 71.8/1000 days and no significant effects of subgroups (sex, body mass index, catheter reinsertions, significant comorbidity, anticoagulant therapy, irritant infusions) were identified for either dwell time or the incidence rate for premature midline catheter removal. The most frequent reasons for premature catheter removal were pain during infusion, clotted catheter or signs of infection.

Conclusion

The median dwell time of the midline catheters was 8 days with substantial variation, whereas the incidence for premature catheter removal was 71.8/1000 catheter days. The majority of midline catheters were removed prematurely.
“English Is Out There—You Have to Get with the Program”: Linguistic Instrumentalism, Global Citizenship Education, and English‐Language Voluntourism
Authors: Jakubiak Cori
Published: December 2019

English‐language voluntourism is a practice in which Global North, often young and inexperienced, volunteers teach English in the Global South on a short‐term basis as a form of alternative travel. Like other forms of volunteer tourism, English‐language voluntourism is characterized as global citizenship education for visiting volunteers and as development assistance for host communities. Drawing upon data collected as a part of a larger, multisited ethnography—which included participant‐observation in three different contexts, qualitative interviews with current and former volunteers, and a content analysis of English‐language voluntourism promotional materials—I argue that the practice’s dominant discourses promote a limited view of language ‐in ‐education and development and the role(s) of civic action in social change. By framing short‐term, unskilled, English language teaching (ELT) as a Global South development initiative, English‐language voluntourism discourse extends to vulnerable others the same, individualistic, market‐based logic to which volunteers, themselves, are increasingly exposed. This logic defines nation‐states as economic competitors rather than guarantors of rights, and it casts the ideal citizen‐subject as a shape‐shifting, risk‐taking, life‐long learner who can mitigate economic volatility alone. For the most part, volunteer participants take up these discourses and frame their service as meeting one of two goals: increasing a nation‐state’s competitive advantage by building its English language capacity, or helping individual people escape poverty alone by equipping them with the value‐added skill, English. Global citizenship education through English‐language voluntourism thus aligns with the interests of neoliberal governance rather than other, more progressive, social agendas, and it does little to help volunteers engage with the cultural politics of global ELT.
Plasma metabolic alterations in patients with severe obesity and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Cabré Noemí , Luciano‐Mateo Fedra , Baiges‐Gayà Gerard , Fernández‐Arroyo Salvador , Rodríguez‐Tomàs Elisabet , Hernández‐Aguilera Anna , París Marta , Sabench Fàtima , Del Castillo Daniel , López‐Miranda José , Menéndez Javier A. , Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge
Published: December 2019

Background

Obesity can influence hepatic mitochondrial function, and cause non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Diagnosis and follow‐up rely on invasive liver biopsy so blood‐based markers are urgently required.

Aim

To investigate whether values of circulating metabolites from energy and one‐carbon (1‐C) metabolism may: (a) reflect hepatic mitochondrial flexibility failure and (b) act as NASH biomarkers.

Methods

Patients with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery (n = 270) were investigated using quantitative targeted plasma metabolomics. Comparisons were with non‐obese controls without liver disease (n = 50). Obese patients with NASH (n = 53) and without NASH (n = 130) representing extreme groups of liver disease were assessed to test the diagnostic ability of the measured circulating metabolites. Paired liver biopsy and plasma samples from NASH patients were available 1 year post‐surgery and were evaluated to monitor metabolomic changes with liver damage resolution.

Results

We identified correlations between human liver metabolism and obesity. High‐plasma α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) and lactate concentrations in NASH patients indicating citric acid cycle replenishment via glutaminolysis might also be a crucial point in NASH onset. Plasma measurements of α‐KG, β‐hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate and oxaloacetate reduced the uncertainty in clinical diagnosis of NASH [area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.826] and predicted NASH resolution without ambiguity (AUC of 0.999).

Conclusion

Changes in plasma mitochondrial metabolites appear to be associated with NASH. These metabolic responses may be dynamically remodelled following resolution of liver damage through massive weight loss.
Placental transporter‐mediated drug interactions and offspring congenital anomalies
Authors: Ellfolk Maria , Tornio Aleksi , Niemi Mikko , Leinonen Maarit K. , Lahesmaa‐Korpinen Anna‐Maria , Malm Heli
Published: December 2019

Aims

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are efflux transporters expressed in the placenta, limiting their substrates from reaching the foetus. Our aim was to investigate if concomitant prenatal exposure to several substrates or inhibitors of these transporters increases the risk of congenital anomalies.

Methods

The national Drugs and Pregnancy database, years 1996–2014, was utilized in this population‐based birth cohort study. In the database, the Medical Birth Register, the Register on Induced Abortions, the Malformation register and the Register on Reimbursed Drug Purchases have been linked. The University of Washington Metabolism and Transport Drug Interaction Database was used to identify substrates and inhibitors of P‐gp and BCRP. We included singleton pregnancies ending in birth or elective termination of pregnancy due to foetal anomaly. Known teratogens were excluded. We identified women exposed 1 month before pregnancy or during the first trimester to P‐gp/BCRP polytherapy (n = 21 186); P‐gp/breast cancer resistance protein monotherapy (n = 97 906); non‐P‐gp/BCRP polytherapy (n = 78 636); and unexposed (n = 728 870). We investigated the association between the exposure groups and major congenital anomalies using logistic regression adjusting for several confounders.

Results

The prevalence of congenital anomalies was higher in the P‐gp/BCRP polytherapy group (5.5%) compared to the P‐gp/BCRP monotherapy (4.7%, OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05–1.21), the non‐P‐gp/BCRP polytherapy (4.9%, OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.06–1.22), and to the unexposed groups (4.2%, OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.15–1.31).

Conclusion

The results suggest a role of placental transporter‐mediated drug interactions in teratogenesis.
The Medication Adherence Report Scale: A measurement tool for eliciting patients' reports of nonadherence
Authors: Chan Amy Hai Yan , Horne Rob , Hankins Matthew , Chisari Claudia
Published: December 2019

Aims

This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties of a questionnaire measure of patients' adherence to medications to elicit patients' report of medication use in a variety of clinical samples. The reliability and validity were assessed in patients with hypertension. Additional analyses were performed on other patient groups.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional study design, a 10‐item version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (©Professor Rob Horne) was piloted in two samples of patients receiving treatment for hypertension (n = 50 + 178), asthma (n = 100) or diabetes (n = 100) at hospital outpatient or community clinics in London and the south‐east of England. Following principal components analysis, five items were retained to form MARS‐5 (©Professor Rob Horne). Evaluation comprised internal reliability, test‐retest reliability, criterion‐related validity (relationship with blood pressure control) and construct validity (relationship with patients' beliefs about medicines).

Results

The MARS‐5 demonstrated acceptable reliability (internal and test‐retest) and validity (criterion‐related and construct validity) in these patient groups. Internal reliability (Cronbach's α) ranged from 0.67 to 0.89 across all patient groups; test‐retest reliability (Pearson's r) was 0.97 in hypertension. Criterion‐related validity was established with more adherent hypertension patients showing better blood‐pressure control (χ2 = 4.24, df = 1, P < .05). Construct validity with beliefs about medicines was demonstrated with higher adherence associated with stronger beliefs in treatment necessity and lower treatment concerns.

Conclusions

The MARS‐5 performed well on several psychometric indicators in this study. It shows promise as an effective self‐report tool for measuring patients' reports of their medication use across a range of health conditions.
Conflicting perspectives mediate the relation between parents’ and preschoolers’ self‐referent mental state talk during collaboration
Authors: McLoughlin Niamh , Leech Kathryn A. , Chernyak Nadia , Blake Peter R. , Corriveau Kathleen H.
Published: December 2019

We examined the relations between the referent of parents and preschoolers’ mental state talk during a collaborative puzzle‐solving task (N = 146 dyads;n = 81 3‐year‐olds,n = 65 4‐year‐olds). The results showed that parents’ references to their own knowledge and beliefs (self‐referent cognitive talk), and references to their child’s knowledge and beliefs (child‐referent cognitive talk) were both related to children’s (primarily self‐referent) cognitive talk. We then tested whether any of the observed relations could be explained by the presence of conflicting perspectives within the collaborative interaction. Mediational analyses revealed that conflicting perspectives mediated the positive relation between parents’ production of self‐referent cognitive talk and child cognitive talk. By contrast, the positive relation between parents’ production of child‐referent cognitive talk and child cognitive talk did not depend on the presence of this type of conflict. These findings highlight an important mechanism through which parents’ references to their own mind might promote children’s developing mental state talk in collaborative contexts.
Changes in neurocognitive function and central nervous system structure in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia survivors after treatment: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Chendan , Zhuang Yong , Lin Xingjie , Michelson Alan D. , Zhang Aijun
Published: December 2019

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. Although the survival rate has increased dramatically over the last decades, patients struggle with the adverse side effects of treatment. Treatment for ALL includes chemotherapy and irradiation ‐ both of which are linked to cognitive impairments and alterations in central nervous system (CNS) structure and function detected by neuroimaging and in neurocognitive studies. The present article is a meta‐analysis of the existing evidence for the mechanisms underlying changes in the CNS and neurocognitive function in ALL survivors after treatment. We found that compared with controls, ALL survivors develop: (i) cognitive sequelae in intelligence, academics, attention, memory, processing speed and executive function domains; (ii) decreased grey and white matter volume in cortical and several subcortical brain regions, with functional changes particularly in frontal regions and the hippocampus; (iii) neurocognitive impairments related to CNS changes; and (iv) reduction, but not resolution, of late neurocognitive sequelae in patients in whom prophylactic irradiation was replaced by systemic/intrathecal chemotherapy. Continued work with advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques will hopefully allow the detection of early CNS changes as biomarkers to help guide early diagnosis and intervention for neurocognitive defects in patients with childhood ALL.
When transgressors intend to cause harm: The empowering effects of revenge and forgiveness on victim well‐being
Authors: Strelan Peter , Van Prooijen Jan‐Willem , Gollwitzer Mario
Published: December 2019

When people are transgressed against, they are usually motivated to restore personal power that was threatened by the transgression. We argue and test the new idea that while revenge and forgiveness responses are typically seen as opposites, both may be empowering, depending on the offender’s intent to harm. Across two studies, one experimental (N = 381) and one employing an autobiographical recall paradigm (N = 251), we tested a moderated mediation model. Notably, we found that revenge is empowering at high levels of intent and forgiveness is empowering regardless of intent. Importantly, we also demonstrate that empowerment provides an explanation for the process by which getting revenge and forgiving are each associated with improved affective outcomes for victims.
Complementary strengths of spatially‐explicit and multi‐species distribution models
Authors: Lany Nina K. , Zarnetske Phoebe L. , Finley Andrew O. , McCullough Deborah G.
Published: December 2019

Species distribution models (SDMs) project the outcome of community assembly processes – dispersal, the abiotic environment and biotic interactions – onto geographic space. Recent advances in SDMs account for these processes by simultaneously modeling the species that comprise a community in a multivariate statistical framework or by incorporating residual spatial autocorrelation in SDMs. However, the effects of combining both multivariate and spatially‐explicit model structures on the ecological inferences and the predictive abilities of a model are largely unknown. We used data on eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis and five additional co‐occurring overstory tree species in 35 569 forest stands across Michigan, USA to evaluate how the choice of model structure, including spatial and non‐spatial forms of univariate and multivariate models, affects ecological inference about the processes that shape community composition as well as model predictive ability.

Incorporating residual spatial autocorrelation via spatial random effects did not improve out‐of‐sample prediction for the six tree species, although in‐sample model fit was higher in the spatial models. Spatial models attributed less variation in occurrence probability to environmental covariates than the non‐spatial models for all six tree species, and estimated higher (more positive) residual co‐occurrence values for most species pairs. The non‐spatial multivariate model was better suited for evaluating habitat suitability and hypotheses about the processes that shape community composition. Environmental correlations and residual correlations among species pairs were positively related, perhaps indicating that residual correlations were due to shared responses to unmeasured environmental covariates. This work highlights the importance of choosing a non‐spatial model formulation to address research questions about the species–environment relationship or residual co‐occurrence patterns, and a spatial model formulation when within‐sample prediction accuracy is the main goal.
Antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 and its pro‐form, hCAP18, in desquamated epithelial cells of human whole saliva
Authors: Aidoukovitch Alexandra , Dahl Sara , Fält Felicia , Nebel Daniel , Svensson Daniel , Tufvesson Ellen , Nilsson Bengt‐Olof
Published: December 2019

The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 is active against oral bacteria and has been demonstrated to be present in human saliva, but its distribution in different fractions of saliva is not known. LL‐37 is formed from its intracellular pro‐form, hCAP18, in an extracellular enzymatic reaction catalyzed by proteinase 3 and kallikrein 5. Here, we prepared cell‐containing and cell‐free fractions of unstimulated human whole saliva by centrifugation after depolymerization of mucins with dithiothreitol, and measured the levels of hCAP18/LL‐37 in these fractions using ELISA. Cellular expression of hCAP18/LL‐37 was determined by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The ELISA analyses demonstrated that both cells and cell‐free saliva contained hCAP18/LL‐37. Western blot analysis of cell‐pellet homogenates showed a strong band corresponding to hCAP18 at the correct molecular weight and a weak band corresponding to LL‐37. Phase‐contrast and light microscopy revealed that the cells consisted of desquamated epithelial cells. These cells expressed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for hCAP18/LL‐37. The peripheral part of the cytoplasm, corresponding to the plasma membrane, was particularly rich in hCAP18/LL‐37 immunoreactivity. No immunoreactivity was observed after omission of the primary antibody. We conclude that desquamated epithelial cells of human whole saliva contain antimicrobial hCAP18/LL‐37, suggesting that these cells may take part in the innate immune system by harboring and releasing these peptides.
A context‐awareness model for activity recognition in robot‐assisted scenarios
Authors: Rodriguez Lera Francisco J. , Martín Rico Francisco , Guerrero Higueras Angel Manuel , Olivera Vicente Matellán
Published: December 2019

Context awareness in ambient assisted living programmes for the elderly is a cornerstone in the current scenario of noncustomized service robots distributed around the world. This research proposes a context‐awareness system for a human–robot scene interpretation based on seven primary contexts and the American Occupational Therapy Association. The context‐awareness system defined here proposes an inference mechanism for the activity recognition supported on hierarchical Bayesian networks. However, when the information from sensors increases, the computational cost associated also increases. Thus, an evaluation of different Bayesian network models is necessary for decreasing its impact over the robot performance. Two topological models have been modelled and tested using OpenMarkov application: a two‐level approach of an input–observations layer and the activity recognition layer, and a three‐layer model setting apart a primary contexts layer, the input–observations layer, and the activity recognition layer. The qualitative and quantitative results presented here show better performance in terms of memory and memory in a three‐layer model. Besides, its effect on a hybrid architecture of a robotic platform is presented.
Endoscopy report mining for intelligent gastric cancer screening
Authors: Pan Jinxin , Ding Shuai , Yang Shanlin , Li Gang , Liu Xiao
Published: December 2019

Endoscopy is an important tool for gastric cancer screening. Due to the lack of effective decision support system for endoscopy, the detection of gastric cancer in the clinic is usually with low sensitivity. In this paper, we propose a Genetic Algorithm optimized Neural Network (GAoNN) approach for gastric cancer detection based on endoscopy reports mining. Considering the fact that gastric cancer sensitivity can significantly improve the 5‐year survival rate of patients, both the prediction accuracy and the sensitivity are employed to construct a multiobjective optimization model for enhancing the classification performance of GAoNN. In particular, we extended an effective genetic algorithm Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA‐II) to train a neural network and reduced the complexity in training hyperparameters and improved the efficiency by substituting the computationally intensive stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm in a neural network. Specifically, we designed the novel crossover and mutation operators and modified the nondominated ranking and crowding distance sorting procedures in NSGA‐II for GAoNN. Through testing on 8,546 real‐world endoscopy reports, we show that GAoNN achieves a prediction accuracy up to 83.74%, which is better than several competitors by significantly increasing sensitivity to 83.14%. GAoNN also reduces the training time by 30.94% when compared with conventional SGD‐based training, which indicates the feasibility of GAoNN in clinical practice.
Parenting after Weight Loss Surgery: A Conceptual Model and Two Case Reports
Authors: Gibbs Elise L. , Runfola Cristin D. , Dickens Caroline E. , Welch Hannah , Safer Debra L. , Sadeh‐Sharvit Shiri
Published: December 2019

The ways families approach eating, shape, and weight can result in stress for individual family members and challenge the overall functioning of the family. This is further complicated among families with a parent who has history of obesity or undergone weight loss surgery (WLS). Although WLS can positively impact other family members, it can also exacerbate conflicts regarding feeding and weight. Such conflicts can involve uncertainty regarding the extent to which the entire family should make the dietary changes recommended for the post‐WLS parent. Conflict might also center on the appropriate level of concern regarding the children’s risk of developing (or maintaining) obesity. This paper uses two case examples to describe the application of a specialized, time‐limited intervention: Parent‐Based Prevention following Bariatric Surgery (PBP‐B). The program was developed to address the unique challenges and concerns that arise after, or are exacerbated by, WLS. Each detailed case example illustrates a common child‐feeding challenge and the employment of key PBP‐B strategies throughout the course of treatment. In the first case, the parent who had undergone WLS believed the family’s current eating behaviors were the same as those that had led to her own overeating, obesity, and co‐occurring psychiatric symptoms, while her husband disagreed. In the second case, both parents were concerned about their son’s weight, yet due to their prior eating histories, they felt unable to construct boundaries around the feeding experience. Both cases follow families through the entire intervention and illustrate key points and challenges. These cases underscore the need for novel treatment modalities to support families following parental WLS.
Pneumatic Slug Manifold Design and Practical Considerations
Authors: Reeves Donald M. , Buszka Tanten T. , Wayt Madison E. , Greene Daniel G.
Published: December 2019

Article impact statement: Simple, non‐commercial pneumatic slug manifold design for standard 5 cm (2 in.) monitoring wells that is easy to replicate and assemble.
RECLAIMING DAMASCUS: RESCRIPTING ISLAMIC TIME AND SPACE IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY
Authors: SAJDI DANA
Published: December 2019

Disconnected from the original place and time of Islam and its own glorious early‐Islamic history, medieval Damascus felt like a temporally and spatially distant city. Through participating in newer hadith practices that facilitated the compression of time, Damascene scholars were able to diminish temporal distance to be closer to the Prophet. They also devised new spatial descriptions that enabled them to redefine space so that it could be easily occupied and revalued. Having inherited traditions of both the later hadith practices and the newer spatial discourses, the sixteenth‐century Damascene scholar, Shams al‐Din Ibn Tulun (d. 1546) combines them to provide chronotopic solutions to address personal and collective voids precipitated by Damascene distance, which were further intensified by the new Ottoman condition. Ibn Tulun locates the Prophet in the crevices of Damascus and allows himself and the Damascenes to be the exclusive cultivators and preservers of a local “iconographical” effort to conjure up the Prophet.
Formation and optimization of deposition surface shape during fused silica glass synthesis by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Huang Yaosong
Published: December 2019

This paper investigates the effects of deposition surface shape on temperature distribution of fused silica glass by SiCl4 chemical vapor deposition and performs the optimization of deposition surface shape to obtain the glass with a small temperature gradient. The computational model is first developed to describe the complicated physical and chemical phenomenon in the system. Numerical simulations are then performed to evaluate the effects of SiCl4 injection position on flame characteristics and SiO2 deposition rate. It is found that the SiO2 deposition rates with the unimodal, uniform, and bimodal distributions are obtained when SiCl4 is injected from the central, secondary layer and fourth layer nozzles, respectively. The deposition surface shape is mainly determined by the gas temperature gradient and particle number density near the deposition surface. Thereafter, the temperature distributions in synthetic silica glass are presented for the cases with convex, flat, and concave deposition surface shapes. Large temperature gradients exist at the side of glass if the convex and concave surfaces are formed, although a high temperature uniformity is obtained in the center of glass for the convex deposition surface. The optimal surface shape that has a very small temperature gradient in glass is obtained by the optimization of deposition surface depth.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour with vascular differentiation: a report of four cases
Authors: Morphopoulos G.D. , Banerjee S.S. , Ali H.H. , Stewart M. , Vasudev K.S. , Eyden B.P. , Harris M.
Published: December 2019

Four cases of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour showing vascular differentiation are described. One case was associated with neurofibromatosis 1 and contained angiosarcomatous, cartilaginous and rhabdomyoblastic elements. The other cases occurred in patients without neurofibromatosis and showed a spectrum of vascular lesions ranging from lobulated, haemangioma‐like structures to angiosarcoma. These are the first recorded examples of this phenomenon not associated with neurofibromatosis. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated the endothelial nature of the lesions in all cases and revealed cells positive for α‐smooth muscle actin, probably pericytes, closely apposed to the endothelium.
CAD/CAM: Applications for transitional bonding to restore occlusal vertical dimension
Authors: LeSage Brian P.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Explore the best technique for achieving stable and comfortable occlusion. This is critical for long‐term oral health and the foundation of durable esthetic, restorative, periodontal, and prosthodontic treatments.

Clinical considerations

Various techniques and therapies have been proposed for establishing, determining, and restoring ideal centric relation (CR) and vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) in patients who require restorations and/or full‐mouth rehabilitation. An interim prosthesis phase can help establish and stabilize an enhanced esthetics and/or functional outcome for a limited period of time before the definitive dental restorations are placed. Transitional direct composite bonding and its additive nature have provided clinicians and patients with advantages when establishing a physiologic CR and VDO in interim restorations. However, it is time consuming, tedious, and challenging chairside. The author has been using additive CAD/CAM designed and milled restorations for over 10 years to make transitional bonding more efficient, manageable, and predictable.

Conclusion

Transitional bonded prostheses are significantly important to providing patients with an interim therapy to determine if the proposed esthetic outcome and occlusal scheme will function as expected, or if adjustments are needed prior to the delivery of the definitive long‐term restorations. CR and VDO are essential for establishing a functional and healthy occlusion, ideal restoration proportions and smile design, and treatment planning esthetic and prosthodontic restorations for long‐term durability.

Clinical significance

This article reviews CR, VDO, and the characteristics of a CAD/CAM transitional bonding technique in reversing the signs and symptoms of a compromised dentition and reestablishing an ideal esthetic and functional occlusal outcome. Transitional bonded prostheses are significantly important to providing patients with an interim therapy to determine if the proposed esthetic outcome and occlusal scheme will function as expected, or if adjustments are needed prior to the delivery of the definitive long term restorations.
Millet milk: A comparative study on the changes in nutritional quality of dairy and nondairy milks during processing and malting
Authors: Nair U. K. Aruna , Hema Vincent , Sinija V. R. , Hariharan S.
Published: December 2019

The effect of different processing like pasteurization, chilling, freezing, cooling and hardening on the protein and fat content of millet milk in comparison to that of dairy milk and plant milk such as coconut milk was studied. When compared to dairy milk, the millet milk showed higher energy (383 kcal) and comparable level of carbohydrates (78%). While the millet milk has higher crude fiber (0.9%) than dairy milk (0.73), it has lesser fiber content than coconut milk (2.26%). Owing to its mineral content, millet milk also exhibited high ash content (0.35%). The low temperature processes resulted in a very slight reduction of protein (8.5–7.8%) and fat content (0.74–0.6%) when compared to that of unprocessed millet milk (9.1%) yet it still stood much higher than that of dairy milk (2.4–1.8% protein and 1.2–1.1% fat) even after being processed. There was also an increase in TSS and a decrease in viscosity with lower temperatures. Malted milk showed an increase in protein and fiber content whereas an increase in ash content. The malting process proves beneficial since it results in a product with increased protein and decreased fat levels.

Practical applications

When considering a millet milk as a replacement for dairy milk, the replacement capability of the millet milk should be studied in order to know in which kind of products it can be applied. Toward the same purpose, it is essential to study the changes in nutritional quality through processing at different temperatures. Since nutritional as well as pH, TSS and viscosity play the major role right from flavor to texture in case of milk products, they were studied upon mainly in this case.
Effect of soy protein isolate on the techno‐functional properties and protein conformation of low‐sodium pork meat batters treated by high pressure
Authors: Li Yan‐ping , Sukmanov Valerii , Kang Zhuang‐Li , Ma Hanjun
Published: December 2019

In this study, the changes of color, emulsion stability, rheological property, and protein secondary structure attributes of pork meat batters (1% sodium chloride) treated by high pressure with different soy protein isolate were investigated. Three batters with 0, 2, and 4% soy protein isolate were prepared under 200 MPa for 10 min, respectively. The pH, emulsion stability, L* and b* values were significantly improved when added soy protein isolate, the a* value was significantly (p < .05) decreased. The pH and color were not significantly different (p > .05) with soy protein isolate increased, but emulsion stability was increased (p < .05). Added soy protein isolate and treated by high pressure delayed the thermal denaturation of meat protein and declined the pre‐gel effects generated by the denaturation of myosin tails from 53°C to 59°C, and induced the α‐helix structure changed into β‐sheet, β‐turn, and random coil structures. Especially, the content of the random coil structure was significantly increased (p < .05) from 11.42 ± 0.26% to 14.22% ± 0.29 with soy protein isolate increased. Overall, the 2% soy protein isolate addition could improve the techno‐functional properties and emulsion stability of pork meat batters treated by high pressure.

Practical applications

The pork meat batters with soy protein isolate treated by high‐pressure processing should be adopted for lowering sodium content in meat processing industry.