bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional evaluation of marine micro-algae Amphidinium carterae extract
Authors: Kim Hae-Mi , Oh Hyeonhwa , Jeong Jong Hoon , Lee Sang-Cheon , Moon Hye-Jung , Jeong Yong-Seob
Published: October 2017

In this study, the antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Amphidinium carterae ethanol extract (AE) was evaluated for using as a functional food ingredient. Chlorella ethanol extract (CE) was used to the comparison as a control. Anticancer activities of the AE and CE were analyzed by HepG2 and HT-29 human cancer cell. The AE showed antimicrobial activities for all tested bacterial strains. Whereas, CE showed antimicrobial activities for several tested bacterial strains only. The CE showed higher total phenolics contents, DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities (47.36 mg/g, 22.42% and 28.58%, respectively) than those of AE (8.88 mg/g, 20.16% and 17.69%, respectively). AE showed anti-diabetic effect on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with dose-dependantly manner. The cell viability of AE (125 μg/mL) on HepG2 and HT-29 human cancer cells were 38.12% and 11.27%, respectively. It was demonstrated that ethanol was efficient solvent for extracting functional components from A. carterae. These results indicated that AE can be described as a good candidate for using as a functional food ingredient.
Acetic acid fermentation properties and antioxidant activity of lemongrass vinegar
Authors: Yi Mi-Ran , Kang Chang-Hee , Bu Hee-Jung
Published: October 2017

This study investigated acetic acid fermentation properties and antioxidant activity of vinegar by addition of lemon grass to develop high quality vinegar by using lemongreass. Traditional brown rice wine contained 5% lemongrass powder and had an alcohol content of 7.2%. The wine was fermented by Acetobacter. sp. RIC-V and made into lemongrass vinegar (LV). The pH and total acidity of the LV were 3.13% and 7.21%, respectively. Fructose was detected whereas glucose, sucrose, and maltose were not detected. Among organic acids, acetic acid was highest at 3658.6 mg%; trace amounts of lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and oxalic aicd were detected. Of the 17 free amino acids, glutamic acid, histidine, alanine, and proline were mainly detected. To conduct total polyphenol content and ABTS radical scavenging activity, 3% and 5% lemongrass powder (P3LV, P5LV) and 1%, 2%, and 3% of lemongrass extract (E1LV, E2LV, E3LV) were added to LV, respectively. Total phenolics increased as the added lemongrass powder and extract increased. Total phenolics were 490.9, 559.4, and 895.7 μg gallic acid equivalents/mL in brown rice vinegar, LV, P5LV. ABTS radical scavenging activities were 43.2%, 58.0%, and 91.0% in brown rice vinegar, LV, P5LV, respectively. These results show that lemongrass vinegar has considerable potential as a high quality functional vinegar with antioxidative effects.
Physicochemical properties of Doenjang using grain type Meju fermented by Aspergillus oryzae and protease
Authors: Gil Na-Young , Choi Bo-Young , Park Shin-Young , Cho Yong-Sik , Kim So-Young
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiochemical properties of Doenjang was fermented by added with fungi and protease. The moisture content and pH of Doenjang added with protease (WP) were lower than those of control w/o protease while the contents of titratable acidity, reducing sugar, and amino-type nitrogen in WP were higher than control. The α-amylase activities of Doenjang added with single and mixed Protease B were the highest at 4 weeks of fermentation period and protease activity of WP was about 4 times higher than that of control. The 4-9 kinds of free amino acids (proline, isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine etc.) in WP was increased in comparison with control. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol content were higher in WP than control. Total aerobic bacterial and fungal numbers were decreased depending on fermentation time regardless of addition of protease. In conclusion, the protease can be used as additives improving the quality and taste of fermented Doenjang.
Fermentative characteristics of yogurt using lactic acid bacteria isolated from Korean traditional fermented food
Authors: Park Na-Young , Lee Shin-Ho
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study was to select yogurt starter from Korean traditional fermented foods. The 2 strains (KM24, KM32) among 50 strains of isolated lactic acid bacteria selected as starter based on milk clotting ability, antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, tolerance in artificial gastric and bile juice and growth in 10 % skimmed milk. The strains were identified as Lacobacillus plantarum (KM32) and Pediococcus pentosacesus (KM24) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Viable cell number of yogurt fermented with mixed strains (KM24 and KM32) was 9.66 log CFU/mL after fermentation for 48 h and maintained 109 CFU/mL during fermentation for 72 h at 37℃. The pH and titratable acidity of mixed cultured yogurt were 4.25% and 0.83% after fermentation for 48 h at 37℃, respectively. The physico-chemical characteristics of mixed cultured yogurt after fermentation for 48 h were 38.45 μg/mL (polyphenol content), 48.57% (DPPH radical scavenging activity) and 465.40 cp (viscosity), respectively. The mixed cultured yogurt maintained 109 CFU/mL of lactic acid bacteria during storage 10 days at 4℃. The viable cell number of yogurt prepared with mixed culture(KM32+KM24) maintained higher and than that of control (L. casei) during storage. These results indicated the potential use of selected strains (KM32+KM24) isolated from kimchi as a yogurt starter with strong acid tolerance and probiotics properties.
Precise excitation-inhibition balance controls gain and timing in the hippocampus
Authors: Bhatia Aanchal , Moza Sahil , Bhalla Upinder S.
Published: October 2017

Excitation-inhibition (EI) balance controls excitability, dynamic range, and input gating in many brain circuits. Subsets of synaptic input can be selected or ‘gated’ by precise modulation of finely tuned EI balance, but assessing the granularity of EI balance requires combinatorial analysis of excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Using patterned optogenetic stimulation of hippocampal CA3 neurons, we show that hundreds of unique CA3 input combinations recruit excitation and inhibition with a nearly identical ratio, demonstrating precise EI balance at the hippocampus. Crucially, the delay between excitation and inhibition decreases as excitatory input increases from a few synapses to tens of synapses. This creates a dynamic millisecond-range window for postsynaptic excitation, controlling membrane depolarization amplitude and timing via subthreshold divisive normalization. We suggest that this combination of precise EI balance and dynamic EI delays forms a general mechanism for millisecond-range input gating and subthreshold gain control in feedforward networks.
Scaling read aligners to hundreds of threads on general-purpose processors
Authors: Langmead Ben , Wilks Christopher , Antonescu Valentin , Charles Rone
Published: October 2017

General-purpose processors can now contain many dozens of processor cores and support hundreds of simultaneous threads of execution. To make best use of these threads, genomics software must contend with new and subtle computer architecture issues. We discuss some of these and propose methods for improving thread scaling in tools that analyze each read independently, such as read aligners. We implement these methods in new versions of Bowtie, Bowtie 2 and HISAT. We greatly improve thread scaling in many scenarios, including on the recent Intel Xeon Phi architecture. We also highlight how bottlenecks are exacerbated by variable-record-length file formats like FASTQ and suggest changes that enable superior scaling.
Polarization Vision—Overcoming Challenges of Working with a Property of Light We Barely See
Authors: Foster James J. , Temple Shelby E. , How Martin J. , Daly Ilse M. , Sharkey Camilla R. , Wilby David , Roberts Nicholas W.
Published: October 2017

In recent years, the study of polarization vision in animals has seen numerous breakthroughs, not just in terms of what is known about the function of this sensory ability, but also in the experimental methods by which polarization can be controlled, presented and measured. Once thought to be limited to only a few animal species, polarization sensitivity is now known to be widespread across many taxonomic groups, and advances in experimental techniques are, in part, responsible for these discoveries. Nevertheless, its study remains challenging, perhaps because of our own poor sensitivity to the polarization of light, but equally as a result of the slow spread of new practices and methodological innovations within the field. In this review, we introduce the most important steps in designing and calibrating polarized stimuli, within the broader context of areas of current research and the applications of new techniques to key questions. Our aim is to provide a constructive guide to help researchers, particularly those with no background in the physics of polarization, to design robust experiments that are free from confounding factors.
Cerebral blood flow predicts differential neurotransmitter activity
Authors: Dukart Juergen , Holiga Štefan , Chatham Christopher , Hawkins Peter , Forsyth Anna , McMillan Rebecca , Myers Jim , Lingford-Hughes Anne R , Nutt David J , Merlo-Pich Emilio , Risterucci Celine , Boak Lauren , Umbricht Daniel , Schobel Scott , Liu Thomas , Mehta Mitul A , Zelaya Fernando O , Williams Steve C , Brown Gregory , Paulus Martin , Honey Garry D , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh , Hipp Joerg , Bertolino Alessandro , Sambataro Fabio
Published: October 2017

Application of metabolic magnetic resonance imaging measures such as cerebral blood flow in translational medicine is limited by the unknown link of observed alterations to specific neurophysiological processes. In particular, the sensitivity of cerebral blood flow to activity changes in specific neurotransmitter systems remains unclear. We address this question by probing cerebral blood flow in healthy volunteers using seven established drugs with known dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic mechanisms of action. We use a novel framework aimed at disentangling the observed effects to contribution from underlying neurotransmitter systems. We find for all evaluated compounds a reliable spatial link of respective cerebral blood flow changes with underlying neurotransmitter receptor densities corresponding to their primary mechanisms of action. The strength of these associations with receptor density is mediated by respective drug affinities. These findings suggest that cerebral blood flow is a sensitive brain-wide in-vivo assay of metabolic demands across a variety of neurotransmitter systems in humans.
Novel prosthecate bacteria from the candidate phylum Acetothermia revealed by culture-independent genomics and advanced microscopy
Authors: Hao Li-Ping , McIlroy Simon Jon , Kirkegaard Rasmus Hansen , Karst Søren Michael , Fernando Warnakulasuriya Eustace Yrosh , Aslan Hüsnü , Meyer Rikke , Albertsen Mads , Nielsen Per Halkjær , Dueholm Morten Simonsen
Published: October 2017

Members of the candidate phylum Acetothermia are globally distributed and detected in various habitats. However, little is known about their physiology and ecological importance. In this study, an OTU belonging to Acetothermia was detected at high abundance in two full-scale anaerobic digesters. The first closed genome from this phylum was obtained by differential coverage binning of metagenomes and scaffolding with nanopore data. Genome annotation and metabolic reconstruction suggested an anaerobic chemoheterotrophic lifestyle in which the bacterium obtain energy and carbon via fermentation of peptides, amino acids, and simple sugars to acetate, formate, and hydrogen. The morphology was unusual and composed of a central rod-shaped cell with bipolar prosthecae as revealed by fluorescencein situhybridization combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We hypothesize that these prosthecae allow for increased nutrient uptake by greatly expanding the cell surface area, providing a competitive advantage under nutrient-limited conditions.
Novel Techniques to Study Ancient Micro Amber from Tropical Beach Sand Reveal a Treasurehouse of Exceptionally Well Preserved Fossilized Microfungi
Authors: Sujata Dabolkar , Nandkumar Kamat
Published: October 2017

Simple, novel techniques developed for separation and simultaneous direct morphometric study of Amber micro fragments (AMF) from tropical beach sand are reported yielding rich information on unidentified fossilized microfungi. Sieves of different mesh sizes were used to separate AMF from tropical beach sand. Fractions below 150 μm which proved rich in AMF were used for manual retrieval using stereomicroscope. A handprinted slide microarray having 4 X 12 squares used for microscopic examination of multiple AMF mounts revealed AMF having either rough or smooth surfaces and with or without microinclusions. The microinclusions could be morphologically attributed to fungi. The potential for systematic and comprehensive studies to retrieve and examine AMF at high frequency from tropical beach sand in the world and especially those which are threatened due to sea level rise due to climate change was demonstrated. The potential of retrievable AMF from tropical beach sand in microbiological, metagenomic studies and as biological proxies to reconstruct bygone biospheres has been highlighted.

Novel techniques for retrieval of AMF and visualization using slide microarray are described. Sand samples from various locations from Goa were collected by pool sampling method. Microscopic study helped to reveal that fraction between 150 and below 53 μm contained microscopic fragments of Amber ranging from size of within the size range of 70 μm or below and with or without bio inclusions. AMF Specimens with microinclusions such as fungi were identified and studied using standard keys.
Leveraging Transcriptomics Data for Genomic Prediction Models in Cassava
Authors: Lozano Roberto , del Carpio Dunia Pino , Amuge Teddy , Kayondo Ismail Siraj , Adebo Alfred Ozimati , Ferguson Morag , Jannink Jean-Luc
Published: October 2017

Background

Genomic prediction models were, in principle, developed to include all the available marker information; with this approach, these models have shown in various crops moderate to high predictive accuracies. Previous studies in cassava have demonstrated that, even with relatively small training populations and low-density GBS markers, prediction models are feasible for genomic selection. In the present study, we prioritized SNPs in close proximity to genome regions with biological importance for a given trait. We used a number of strategies to select variants that were then included in single and multiple kernel GBLUP models. Specifically, our sources of information were transcriptomics, GWAS, and immunity-related genes, with the ultimate goal to increase predictive accuracies for Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) severity.

Results

We used single and multi-kernel GBLUP models with markers imputed to whole genome sequence level to accommodate various sources of biological information; fitting more than one kinship matrix allowed for differential weighting of the individual marker relationships. We applied these GBLUP approaches to CBSD phenotypes (i.e., root infection and leaf severity three and six months after planting) in a Ugandan Breeding Population (n = 955). Three means of exploiting an established RNAseq experiment of CBSD-infected cassava plants were used. Compared to the biology-agnostic GBLUP model, the accuracy of the informed multi-kernel models increased the prediction accuracy only marginally (1.78% to 2.52%).

Conclusions

Our results show that markers imputed to whole genome sequence level do not provide enhanced prediction accuracies compared to using standard GBS marker data in cassava. The use of transcriptomics data and other sources of biological information resulted in prediction accuracies that were nominally superior to those obtained from traditional prediction models.
Synaptic and transcriptionally downregulated genes are associated with cortical thickness differences in autism
Authors: Romero-Garcia Rafael , Warrier Varun , Bullmore Edward T. , Baron-Cohen Simon , Bethlehem Richard A.I.
Published: October 2017

Differences in cortical morphology - in particular, cortical volume, thickness and surface area - have been reported in individuals with autism. However, it is unclear what aspects of genetic and transcriptomic variation are associated with these differences. Here we investigate the genetic correlates of global cortical thickness differences (ΔCT) in children with autism. We used Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) on structural MRI data from 548 children (166 with autism, 295 neurotypical children and 87 children with ADHD) and cortical gene expression data from the Allen Institute for Brain Science to identify genetic correlates of ΔCT in autism.

We identify that these genes are enriched for synaptic transmission pathways and explain significant variation in ΔCT. These genes are also significantly enriched for genes dysregulated in the autism post-mortem cortex (Odd Ratio (OR) = 1.11, Pcorrected< 10−14), driven entirely by downregulated genes (OR = 1.87, Pcorrected< 10−15). We validated the enrichment for downregulated genes in two independent datasets: Validation 1 (OR = 1.44, Pcorrected= 0.004) and Validation 2 (OR = 1.30; Pcorrected= 0.001). We conclude that transcriptionally downregulated genes implicated in autism are robustly associated with global changes in cortical thickness variability in children with autism.
Retinal specializations to a micro-predatory and crypto-benthic life-style in the Mediterranean triplefin blennyTripterygion delaisi
Authors: Fritsch Roland , Collin Shaun P. , Michiels Nico K.
Published: October 2017

The environment and lifestyle of a species are known to exert selective pressure on the visual system, often demonstrating a tight link between visual morphology and ecology. Many studies have predicted the visual requirements of a species by examining the anatomical features of the eye. However, among the vast number of studies on visual specializations in aquatic animals, only a few have focused on small benthic fishes that occupy a heterogeneous and spatially complex visual environment. This study investigates the general retinal anatomy including the topography of both the photoreceptor and ganglion cell populations and estimates the spatial resolving power of the eye of the Mediterranean triplefinTripterygion delaisi. Retinal wholemounts were prepared to systematically and quantitatively analyze photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell densities using design-based stereology. To further examine the retinal structure, we also used magnetic resonance imaging and histological examination of retinal cross sections. Observations of the triplefin's eyes revealed them to be highly mobile, allowing them to view the surroundings without body movements. A rostral aphakic gap and the elliptical shape of the eye extend its visual field rostrally and allow for a rostro-caudal accommodatory axis, enabling this species to focus on prey at close range. Single and twin cones dominate the retina and are consistently arranged in one of two regular patterns, which may enhance motion detection and color vision. The retina features a prominent, dorso-temporal, convexiclivate fovea with an average density of 104,400 double and 30,800 single cones per mm2, and 81,000 retinal ganglion cells per mm2. Based on photoreceptor spacing, spatial resolving power was calculated to be between 6.7 and 9.0 cycles per degree. Location and resolving power of the fovea would benefit the detection and identification of small prey in the lower frontal region of the visual field.
Molecular Identification of some Indian Muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) based on mitochondrial gene COII
Authors: Singh Devinder , Achint Ramandeep
Published: October 2017

Taxonomic identification of flies having medical and veterinary importance is often complicated due to the lookalike morphological characters. Molecular identification of five Indian muscid flies (Musca domestica,Musca sorbens,Musca crassirostris,Stomoxys calcitransandHaematobia irritans) has been attempted on the basis of mitochondrial COII gene. Sequences of 500-520 bp were analysed and found to be A+T rich. Rate of transitions was higher than transversions. The average haplotype diversity was 0.833 and nucleotide diversity was 0.02547 within the different species, which were calculated with the DnaSP Version 5.0. The genetic distances calculated by K2P model, showed the interspecific distances range more than 8.2%, while the intraspecific distance range had not exceed 0.8%. The 1000 bootstrapped Neighbour-joining tree and Maximum likelihood tree were constructed to establish the phylogenetic relationship between the different muscid species. The results show the robustness of COII gene as a diagnostic marker. The data obtained from this study would be worthy for medical and veterinary entomologists for precise identification of imperative muscid species.
Evaluating genetic ancestry and self-reported ethnicity in the context of carrier screening
Authors: Shraga Roman , Yarnall Sarah , Elango Sonya , Manoharan Arun , Rodriguez Sally Ann , Bristow Sara , Kumar Neha , Niknazar Mohammad , Hoffman David , Ghadir Shahin , Vassena Rita , Chen Serena H , Hershlag Avner , Grifo Jamie , Puig Oscar
Published: October 2017

Background

Current professional society guidelines recommend genetic carrier screening be offered on the basis of ethnicity, or when using expanded carrier screening panels, they recommend to compute residual risk based on ethnicity. We investigated the reliability of self-reported ethnicity in 9138 subjects referred to carrier screening. Self-reported ethnicity gathered from test requisition forms and during post-test genetic counseling, and genetic ancestry predicted by a statistical model, were compared for concordance.

Results

We identified several discrepancies between the two sources of self-reported ethnicity and genetic ancestry. Only 30.3% of individuals who indicated Mediterranean ancestry during consultation self-reported this on requisition forms. Additionally, the proportion of individuals who reported Southeast Asian but were estimated to have a different genetic ancestry was found to depend on the source of self-report. Finally, individuals who reported Latin American demonstrated a high degree of ancestral admixture. As a result, carrier rates and residual risks provided for patient decision-making are impacted if using self-reported ethnicity.

Conclusion

Our analysis highlights the unreliability of ethnicity classification based on patient self-reports. We recommend the routine use of pan-ethnic carrier screening panels in reproductive medicine. Furthermore, the use of an ancestry model would allow better estimation of carrier rates and residual risks.
Genetics oftrans-regulatory variation in gene expression
Authors: Albert Frank W. , Bloom Joshua S. , Siegel Jake , Day Laura , Kruglyak Leonid
Published: October 2017

Heritable variation in gene expression provides a critical bridge between differences in genome sequence and the biology of many traits, including common human diseases. However, the sources of most regulatory genetic variation remain unknown. Here, we used transcriptome profiling in 1,012 yeast segregants to map the genetic basis of variation in gene expression with high statistical power. We identified expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) that together account for over 70% of the total genetic contribution to variation in mRNA levels, allowing us to examine the sources of regulatory variation comprehensively. We found that variation in the expression of a typical gene has a complex genetic architecture involving multiple eQTL. We also detected hundreds of eQTL pairs with significant non-additive interactions in an unbiased genome-wide scan. Although most genes were influenced by a local eQTL located close to the gene, most expression variation arose from distant,trans-acting eQTL located far from their target genes. Nearly all distant eQTL clustered at 102 “hotspot” locations, some of which influenced the expression of thousands of genes. Hotspot regions were enriched for transcription factor genes and altered expression of their target genes though both direct and indirect mechanisms. Many local eQTL had no detectable effects on the expression of other genes intrans. These results reveal the complexity of genetic influences on transcriptome variation in unprecedented depth and detail.
Structural basis of antigen recognition: crystal structure of duck egg lysozyme
Authors: Langley David Brent , Crossett Ben , Schofield Peter , Jackson Jenny , Zeraati Mahdi , Maltby David , Christie Mary , Burnett Deborah , Brink Robert , Goodnow Christopher , Christ Daniel
Published: October 2017

Duck egg lysozyme (DEL) is a widely used model antigen owing to its capacity to bind with differential affinity to anti-chicken egg lysozyme antibodies. However, no structures of DEL have so far been reported, and the situation had been complicated by the presence of multiple isoforms and conflicting reports of primary sequence. Here, the structures of two DEL isoforms from the eggs of the commonly used Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) are reported. Using structural analyses in combination with mass spectrometry, non-ambiguous DEL primary sequences are reported. Furthermore, the structures and sequences determined here enable rationalization of the binding affinity of DEL for well documented landmark anti-lysozyme antibodies.
Crystal structures of serum albumins from domesticated ruminants and their complexes with 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid
Authors: Bujacz Anna , Talaj Julita A. , Zielinski Kamil , Pietrzyk-Brzezinska Agnieszka J. , Neumann Piotr
Published: October 2017

Serum albumin (SA) is the most abundant protein in plasma and is the main transporter of molecules in the circulatory system of all vertebrates, with applications in medicine, the pharmaceutical industry and molecular biology. It is known that albumins from different organisms vary in sequence; thus, it is important to know the impact of the amino-acid sequence on the three-dimensional structure and ligand-binding properties. Here, crystal structures of ovine (OSA) and caprine (CSA) serum albumins, isolated from sheep and goat blood, are described, as well those of their complexes with 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid (DIS): OSA–DIS (2.20 Å resolution) and CSA–DIS (1.78 Å resolution). The ligand-free OSA structure was determined in the trigonal space groupP3221 at 2.30 Å resolution, while that of CSA in the orthorhombic space groupP212121was determined at 1.94 Å resolution. Both albumins are also capable of crystallizing in the triclinic space groupP1, giving isostructural crystals that diffract to around 2.5 Å resolution. A comparison of OSA and CSA with the closely related bovine serum albumin (BSA) shows both similarities and differences in the distribution of DIS binding sites. The investigated serum albumins from domesticated ruminants in their complexes with DIS are also compared with the analogous structures of equine and human serum albumins (ESA–DIS and HSA–DIS). Surprisingly, despite 98% sequence similarity, OSA binds only two molecules of DIS, whereas CSA binds six molecules of this ligand. Moreover, the binding of DIS to OSA and CSA introduced changes in the overall architecture of the proteins, causing not only different conformations of the amino-acid side chains in the binding pockets, but also a significant shift of the whole helices, changing the volume of the binding cavities.
Urban tourist motivations: why visit Ljubljana?
Authors: Bozic Sanja , Kennell James , Vujicic Miroslav D. , Jovanovic Tamara
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new perspective on urban tourist motivations by applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model to help to understand how tourists make decisions about which destinations to visit.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was based on 30 one-hour-long structured interviews with visitors to Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Respondents were asked to express their preferences between different pull-factor motives for their visit, using Saaty’s scale, and further qualitative data were collected to examine these preferences in more depth.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that the most relevant criteria and thus predominant factors in motivation for visits to Ljubljana are the Cultural and Nightlife pull factors, while religious and business motives are the lowest ranked factors. The paper argues that the results show the value of applying the AHP model to understand the role of pull factors in urban tourism destination choice.

Research limitations/implications

As a single-destination case study, it is important that the findings of this research are evaluated against similar studies in other cities. A limitation of this research is the fact that sub motives within major groups of pull-factor motives have not been explored in this study and this should be the subject of future, more detailed research.

Originality/value

This research shows the value of applying an under-used methodology to understand urban tourist motivations and knowledge gained through applying this method will be of value to destination marketing organisations as well as to researchers conducting future studies.
Factors influencing patronage of traditional festivals in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Omoike Abiodun Adebola , Omisore Emmanuel Olufemi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Festivals in many regions of the world are sources of attraction to tourists. Festivals have become of great significance to many people especially in areas where tradition, norms and values of the society are still being upheld of which Yoruba land in Nigeria is not an exception. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the patronage and factors influencing patronage of Olojo and Ojude Oba festival, in Southwestern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling technique was used to select Ojude Oba and Olojo festivals based on popularity among other identified festivals in the study areas. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select 210 and 114 Patrons from Ojude Oba and Olojo festivals, respectively. Preliminary survey showed that there were 4,294 and 3,124 buildings around the venues of the festivals in Ijebu-Ode and Ile-Ife, respectively. Therefore, systematic sampling technique was employed to select one out of every 40th buildings (2.5 per cent) where a household head will be sampled for questionnaire administration. Consequently, 107 and 78 household heads were sampled, respectively, from Ijebu-ode and Ile-Ife. This gave a total of 324 patrons and 185 residents for the study.

Findings

Findings established that the factors influencing patronage of cultural festival comprises festival anxiety, promotion of community cultural heritage, socio-cultural development, infrastructural development, improved town liveability, ethno-cultural unity, entertainment, income generation and public enlightenment factors accounting for 14.78, 13.20, 10.44, 6.20, 5.68, 5.59, 5.00, 4.93 and 4.88 per cent variations of the total factors that influenced patronage of Olojo and Ojude Oba festival.

Originality/value

The implication of the findings is that patrons attended the festival and events for leisure purpose, whereas the aspiration, promotion of community cultural heritage, socio-cultural development, infrastructural development, improved town liveability, ethno-cultural unity, entertainment, income generation and public enlightenment are the underlining factors of motivation to purchase and repurchase the festival.
Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil
Authors: Anjos Francisco Antonio dos , Pereira Melise de Lima , Tennenberg Florença Fiedler Pichler Von
Published: October 2017

Purpose

In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016.

Findings

Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination.

Originality/value

This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Factors influencing the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination: a case study of Penang, Malaysia
Authors: Mohaidin Zurina , Wei Koay Tze , Ali Murshid Mohsen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors of environmental attitude, motivation, destination image, word-of-mouth, and perceived service quality to predict the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination. It also aims to investigate the moderating effect of knowledge on the relationship between environmental attitude and the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey design, 300 self-administrated questionnaires (both online/hard copy) were distributed to both local and international tourists at different tourism locations in Penang state in Malaysia. A total of 161 questionnaires were returned and analysed by using SPSS and smart PLS software.

Findings

The findings found that environmental attitude, motivation, and word-of-mouth significantly influenced the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination, while destination image and perceived service quality have not a significant influence in this study. Furthermore, this study proved that knowledge negatively moderates the positive effect of the environmental attitude on tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer important managerial implications for managers of tourism destinations and decision makers in understanding what motivates influence tourists’ intention in selecting sustainable tourism destination. The research scope was limited to convenient sampling and one city (Penang). Thus, the results could not be generalised to all Malaysia or other countries.

Originality/value

This research contributes to extending knowledge in sustainable tourism destination in the context of emerging markets, especially Malaysia. Moreover, this study found a way to examine the relationship between the environmental attitude and tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination.
Medical tourism in Nigeria: a multivariate analysis of challenges faced by patrons
Authors: Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Omisore Emmanuel Olufemi , Odunsi Oluwafemi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine multivariate analysis of challenges faced by patrons of medical tourism in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 15 specialized private hospitals and 14 Public hospitals in the study area, resulting to a sample size of 29 hospitals. Ten patrons were contacted in each of the selected hospitals; consequently, 290 patrons were sampled.

Findings

The major challenges faced across the selected hospitals in the study area as revealed by this study included time spent in transit to hospital (PKI=3.96 and Mean Dev.=0.77), payment procedure is quick and simple (PKI=3.86 and Mean Dev.=0.67), package pricing is not transparent (PKI=3.76 and Mean Dev. =0.57), hospital facilities and equipment are not easily accessible (PKI=3.63 and Mean Dev.=0.44), Doctors do not pay enough attention to patrons (PKI=3.61 and Mean Dev.=0.42), Doctors do not give adequate explanation of patrons condition (PKI=3.49 and Mean Dev.=0.30), High cost of treatments (PKI=3.32 and Mean Dev.=0.13). The result of multiple regression analysis that produced (R2=0.933, F=296.080, p=0.000) meaning that challenges faced by patrons explain 99.3 percent variation of their destination choice.

Originality/value

The study revealed that challenges face by patrons determine their destination choice.
Overcoming counter-knowledge through telemedicine communication technologies
Authors: Cegarra-Sanchez Jorge , Cegarra-Navarro Juan-Gabriel , Wensley Anthony , Diaz Manzano Jose
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Knowledge acquired from sources of unverified information such as gossip, partial truths or lies, in this paper it is termed as “counter-knowledge.” The purpose of this paper is to explore this topic through an exploration of the links between a Hospital-in-the-Home Units (HHUs) learning process (LP), counter-knowledge, and the utilization of communication technologies. The following two questions are addressed: Does the reduction of counter-knowledge result in the utilization of communication technologies? Does the development of counter-knowledge hinder the LP?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the relevance of communication technologies to the exploration and exploitation of knowledge for 252 patients of a (HHU) within a Spanish regional hospital. The data collected was analyzed using the PLS-Graph.

Findings

To HHU managers, this study offers a set of guidelines to assist in their gaining an understanding of the role of counter-knowledge in organizational LPs and the potential contribution of communication technologies. Our findings support the proposition that the negative effects of counter-knowledge can be mitigated by using communication technologies.

Originality/value

It is argued in this paper that counter-knowledge may play a variety of different roles in the implementation of LPs. Specifically, the assignment of communication technologies to homecare units has given them the means to filter counter-knowledge and prevent users from any possible problems caused by such counter-knowledge.
Visual service scape aesthetics and consumer response: a holistic model
Authors: Kumar Deepak S. , Purani Keyoor , Sahadev Sunil
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce subjective dimensions of appraising visual servicescape aesthetics and to empirically test their influence on the consumer’s affective responses and preference, thus providing a holistic model to evaluate visual servicescape aesthetics from consumer’s viewpoint. It also tests the moderating role of service contexts in the modelled relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 350 respondents using a laboratory-like experimental design, with one-shot treatment using photographic surrogates of services capes in four different service contexts.

Findings

Results indicate the visual servicescape aesthetics dimensions significantly and positively influence consumers’ affective states of arousal and pleasure. Also, service context moderates the relationship between servicescape aesthetics and affective responses.

Research limitations/implications

As the subjective dimensions of visual servicescape aesthetics are borrowed from environmental psychology and introduced in marketing literature, it is likely to trigger a stream of research in service marketing domain.

Practical implications

Findings provide marketing practitioners insights into servicescape design, evaluation and selection decisions to improve return on such investments.

Originality/value

The study contributes to theory by introducing more appropriate holistic servicescape aesthetics variables borrowed from environment psychology and empirically establishing relationships between them, consumers’ affective responses and preference to the servicescape.
The need to succeed – learning experiences resulting from the implementation of value-based healthcare
Authors: Nilsson Kerstin , Bååthe Fredrik , Erichsen Andersson Annette , Sandoff Mette
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study has been to explore learning experiences from the two first years of the implementation of value-based healthcare (VBHC) at a large Swedish University Hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative design was used in this study. Individual open-ended interviews were carried out with 19 members from four teams implementing VBHC. Qualitative analysis was used to analyse the verbatim transcripts of the interviews.

Findings

Three main themes pinpointing learning experiences emerged through the analysis: resource allocation to support implementation, anchoring to create engagement and dedicated, development-oriented leadership with power of decision. Resource allocation included the need to set aside time and administrative resources and also the need to adjust essential IT-systems. The work of anchoring to create engagement involved both patients and staff and was found to be a never-ending task calling for deep commitment. The hospital top management’s explicit decision to implement VBHC facilitated the implementation process, but the team leaders’ lack of explicit management mandate was experienced as obstructing the process. The development process contributed not only to single-loop learning but also to double-loop learning.

Originality/value

Learning experiences drawn from implementing VBHC have not been studied before, and thus the results of this study could be of importance to managers and administrators wanting to implement this concept in their respective organizations.
Public sector audit in the absence of political competition
Authors: Mir Monir , Fan Haiwei , Maclean Ian
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to explore whether different models of public sector audit exist in China without adhering to the goals and objectives of public sector audit systems in democratic jurisdictions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a single embedded case study involving multiple methods of data collection including public documents, semi-structured interviews and site visits. The research methods and the analytical framework of the study draw on the concepts of political competition, public sector accountability and audit independence.

Findings

The study finds that the Chinese National Audit Office’s (CNAO) objectives derive from the neo-classical economic discourse and not from ideas of public accountability, as is the case in democratic parliamentary jurisdictions. The study finds that public sector audit in China functions in ways which are similar to that of internal audit. The CNAO may provide limited political and public accountability for Chinese public officials indirectly by enhancing their managerial accountabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The study goes against the prevailing view that supreme audit institutions which are part of the executive will lead to poor accountability of the public sector and increased public sector corruption.

Practical implications

The study suggests that enhancing managerial accountability in non-democratic (and pseudo-democratic) jurisdictions through public sector audit can by itself be of significant benefit. Further, such enhancements may also strengthen public sector accountability.

Originality/value

This paper fills a research gap by exploring public sector audit independence in a developing country with a unitary system of government.
Coordination model of quality risk control of the aquatic supply chain based on principal-agent theory
Authors: Yan Bo , Chen Zhuo , Kang Hanwen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the risk factors that affect aquatic product quality in the “farming-supermarket docking” condition. This paper investigates how the investment scale can affect earnings and aquatic product quality assurance level. Also, it aims to determine an effective method for increasing aquatic product assurance level, coordinate the supply chain and improve management of the entire supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct a coordination model for quality risk control of the aquatic supply chain by simulating the model in a tilapia supply chain using the case study method. They applied Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions to analyze upstream enterprises (breeding base) and downstream enterprises (corresponding supermarket) under the conditions of sufficient or insufficient funds, Further, they consider the relationships among revenue, optimum quality assurance and investment scale at different capital positions; discuss the best cooperation conditions in four cases; and draw conclusions on ways to control quality risk.

Findings

The proposed coordination model is found to be effective in controlling aquatic product quality risk. The simulation results show that when the enterprise funds are sufficient, the sales prices, product freshness, quality assurance ability, collaboration and quality test ability have a positive influence on quality assurance level, whereas coefficient and price sensitivity have a negative influence on it. Additionally, it can obtain high-quality assurance levels and earnings in both breeding bases and supermarkets under the condition of adequate investment.

Originality/value

The study built a coordination model combined with the characteristics of the aquatic supply chain by adding the quality penalty mechanism, product freshness parameters and cost function in the “farming-supermarket docking” mode into the traditional principal–agent model. Research results are beneficial to enhancing the quality assurance level of the aquatic supply chain and improving the coordination level of the supply chain.
Visual tracking via crossing-bin histogram Bhattacharyya similarity
Authors: Sun Qiao , Zhang Shengxiu , Cao Lijia , Li Xiaofeng , Qi Naixin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the robustness of the traditional Bhattacharyya metric for the effect of histogram quantization in the histogram-based visual tracking. However, the traditional Bhattacharyya metric neglects the correlation of crossing-bin and is not robust for the effect of histogram quantization.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a visual tracking method via crossing-bin histogram Bhattacharyya similarity in the particle filter.

Findings

A crossing-bin matrix is introduced into the traditional Bhattacharyya similarity for measuring the reference histogram and the candidate histogram, and the basic tasks of measure such as maximum similarity of self and the triangle inequality are proven. The authors use the proposed measure in the particle filter visual tracking framework and address a model update strategy based on the crossing-bin histogram Bhattacharyya similarity to improve the robustness of visual tracking.

Originality/value

In the experiments using the famous challenging benchmark sequences, precision of the proposed method increases by 12.8 per cent comparing the traditional Bhattacharyya similarity and the cost time decreases by 38 times comparing the incremental Bhattacharyya similarity. The experimental results show that the proposed method can track the object robustly and rapidly under illumination change and occlusion.