bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderating roles of customer characteristics on the link between service factors and satisfaction in a buffet restaurant
Authors: Ramanathan Ramakrishnan , Di Yun , Ramanathan Usha 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– In service sector, measuring quality of services is generally acknowledged to be difficult as it involves many psychological features. Hence, identifying the determinants of service quality and linkages with customer satisfaction is a challenging research topic. In this study, the authors take up a research study to address this challenge. The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of factors influencing customer satisfaction in the context of a Chinese buffet restaurant in the UK.Design/methodology/approach– The authors use a questionnaire based on the SERVQUAL instrument for the purpose. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the authors have found that service quality could be grouped into four main factors – service, food, ambience and price.Findings– Using multiple-regression analysis, the authors have found that food is the most significant factor influencing customer satisfaction, followed by price, ambience and service, respectively. Using a multi-group analysis, the authors have found interesting moderating roles of age, gender and annual income on the influence of the four factors on satisfaction: ambience is considered significant by male customers while it is not significant for female customers; the influence of price on satisfaction is much higher for female customers than for male customers; food and service factors are important for younger customers while price is important for older customers; price is important for customers with lower levels of income but not important for high-income customers.Practical implications– These results are useful to restaurant managers in allocating appropriate levels of resources to different factors based on their contributions to customer satisfaction in order to maximize customer satisfaction efficiently and effectively.Originality/value– Analysis and findings of this research are based on the customers’ survey data of a Chinese buffet restaurant in the UK. The authors have found an interesting ranking of the importance of service factors: food followed by price, ambience and service. The results on the moderating role of customer characteristics provide newer insights in the literature on service quality. The research findings can help the hotel management to improve their service levels to attain maximum customer satisfaction.
A methodology for analyzing shipyard supply chains and supplier selection
Authors: Vlachakis Nikolaos , Mihiotis Athanassios , Pappis Costas P , Lagoudis Ioannis N 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to focus on shipyard supply chains in order to identify the processes that take place and evaluate the risks associated with suppliers.Design/methodology/approach– For this analysis two methodologies are applied. The first is the understand, document, simplify, optimize, where the first two steps are used for analysing the processes and the documentation of the best practices, which take place in the daily operations. The second tool is Kraljic’s matrix, which is applied for the identification of supplier selection and associated risks.Findings– The analysis shows that strategic co-operations between shipyards suppliers are essential for improved supply chain performance since supplier improvement in terms of lead times and product quality are achieved. It is also seen that the shipyard supply chain performance can be improved by adjusting the best practices to the needs dictated each time by the project’s specifications.Practical implications– The findings provide valuable insights for practitioners, as well as academicians, policy makers and also integrate supplier selection under the supply chain. Managers can acquire reliable information about those suppliers who exhibit best practice.Originality/value– A number of key processes and best practices have been identified, which are essential for the upstream and downstream coordination of the shipyard supply chain. The present work is an approach to evaluating the risks associated with the shipyard’s suppliers and assists in benchmarking their risk profile.
Incorporating Stage-Specific Drug Action into Pharmacological Modeling of Antimalarial Drug Treatment
Authors: Hodel Eva Maria , Kay Katherine , Hastings Ian M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Pharmacological modeling of antiparasitic treatment based on a drug's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties plays an increasingly important role in identifying optimal drug dosing regimens and predicting their potential impact on control and elimination programs. Conventional modeling of treatment relies on methods that do not distinguish between parasites at different developmental stages. This is problematic for malaria parasites, as their sensitivity to drugs varies substantially during their 48-h developmental cycle. We investigated four drug types (short or long half-lives with or without stage-specific killing) to quantify the accuracy of the standard methodology. The treatment dynamics of three drug types were well characterized with standard modeling. The exception were short-half-life drugs with stage-specific killing (i.e., artemisinins) because, depending on time of treatment, parasites might be in highly drug-sensitive stages or in much less sensitive stages. We describe how to bring such drugs into pharmacological modeling by including additional variation into the drug's maximal killing rate. Finally, we show that artemisinin kill rates may have been substantially overestimated in previous modeling studies because (i) the parasite reduction ratio (PRR) (generally estimated to be 10
4
) is based on observed changes in circulating parasite numbers, which generally overestimate the “true” PRR, which should include both circulating and sequestered parasites, and (ii) the third dose of artemisinin at 48 h targets exactly those stages initially hit at time zero, so it is incorrect to extrapolate the PRR measured over 48 h to predict the impact of doses at 48 h and later.
Compensatory Mutations of Rifampin Resistance Are Associated with Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Genotype Strains in China
Authors: Li Qin-jing , Jiao Wei-wei , Yin Qing-qin , Xu Fang , Li Jie-qiong , Sun Lin , Xiao Jing , Li Ying-jia , Mokrousov Igor , Huang Hai-rong , Shen A-dong 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
can acquire resistance to rifampin (RIF) through mutations in the
rpoB
gene. This is usually accompanied by a fitness cost, which, however, can be mitigated by secondary mutations in the
rpoA
or
rpoC
gene. This study aimed to identify
rpoA
and
rpoC
mutations in clinical
M. tuberculosis
isolates in northern China in order to clarify their role in the transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The study collection included 332 RIF-resistant and 178 RIF-susceptible isolates. The majority of isolates belonged to the Beijing genotype (95.3%, 486/510 isolates), and no mutation was found in
rpoA
or
rpoC
of the non-Beijing genotype strains. Among the Beijing genotype strains, 27.8% (89/320) of RIF-resistant isolates harbored nonsynonymous mutations in the
rpoA
(
n
= 6) or
rpoC
(
n
= 83) gene. The proportion of
rpoC
mutations was significantly higher in new cases (
P
= 0.023) and in strains with the
rpoB
S531L mutation (
P
< 0.001). In addition, multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains with
rpoC
mutations were significantly associated with 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable-number tandem-repeat clustering (
P
= 0.016). In summary, we believe that these findings indirectly suggest an epistatic interaction of particular mutations related to RIF resistance and strain fitness and, consequently, the role of such mutations in the spread of MDR
M. tuberculosis
strains.
Targeting Fibronectin To Disrupt In Vivo Candida albicans Biofilms
Authors: Nett Jeniel E. , Cabezas-Olcoz Jonathan , Marchillo Karen , Mosher Deane F. , Andes David R. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

New drug targets are of great interest for the treatment of fungal biofilms, which are routinely resistant to antifungal therapies. We theorized that the interaction of
Candida albicans
with matricellular host proteins would provide a novel target. Here, we show that an inhibitory protein (FUD) targeting
Candida
-fibronectin interactions disrupts biofilm formation
in vitro
and
in vivo
in a rat venous catheter model. The peptide appears to act by blocking the surface adhesion of
Candida
, halting biofilm formation.
Development of an
Ex Vivo
Tissue Platform To Study the Human Lung Response to Coxiella burnetii
Authors: Graham Joseph G. , Winchell Caylin G. , Kurten Richard C. , Voth Daniel E. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Coxiella burnetii
is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes human Q fever, an acute debilitating flu-like illness that can also present as chronic endocarditis. Disease typically occurs following inhalation of contaminated aerosols, resulting in an initial pulmonary infection. In human cells,
C. burnetii
generates a replication niche termed the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) by directing fusion with autophagosomes and lysosomes.
C. burnetii
requires this lysosomal environment for replication and uses a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to generate the large PV. However, we do not understand how
C. burnetii
evades the intracellular immune surveillance that triggers an inflammatory response. We recently characterized human alveolar macrophage (hAM) infection
in vitro
and found that avirulent
C. burnetii
triggers sustained interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production. Here, we evaluated infection of
ex vivo
human lung tissue, defining a valuable approach for characterizing
C. burnetii
interactions with a human host. Within whole lung tissue,
C. burnetii
preferentially replicated in hAMs. Additionally, IL-1β production correlated with formation of an apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC)-dependent inflammasome in response to infection. We also assessed potential activation of a human-specific noncanonical inflammasome and found that caspase-4 and caspase-5 are processed during infection. Interestingly, although inflammasome activation is closely linked to pyroptosis, lytic cell death did not occur following
C. burnetii
-triggered inflammasome activation, indicating an atypical response after intracellular detection. Together, these studies provide a novel platform for studying the human innate immune response to
C. burnetii
.
Frequency and aetiology of hypercalcaemia
Authors: McNeilly J D , Boal R , Shaikh M G , Ahmed S F 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundHypercalcaemia is rare in children and may present with characteristic signs/symptoms or coincidentally following investigations for a variety of non-specific conditions. The aetiologies of childhood hypercalcaemia are diverse. Untreated sustained hypercalcaemia has serious clinical consequences. However there is limited data regarding the true frequency and aetiologies of childhood hypercalcaemia.AimTo determine the frequency of severe childhood hypercalcaemia in routine clinical practice.MethodsThe laboratory database was searched for all children (0–17 years) with severe hypercalcaemia defined as non-adjusted ≥2.90 mmol/L from 2007–2012. Hypercalcaemia was categorised as either transient (1 day) or sustained (≥2 consecutive days). Retrospective analysis of all cases of sustained severe hypercalcaemia was performed to identify the underlying aetiology.ResultsOver the 5 year period, 206 children were identified as severely hypercalcaemic ≥2.90 mmol/L (0.3% all 61 380 calcium requests). Of these 131 (63.3%) children were classified as having sustained hypercalcaemia. The frequency of severe hypercalcaemia was highest in neonates (42% of sustained cases) and was inversely related to age. Sepsis was the most common aetiology (24%), particularly in neonates where it accounted for 41% of all causes of neonatal hypercalcaemia. Endocrine aetiologies included congenital adrenal hyperplasia (2 cases), fat necrosis (1), Addison's disease (2). A genetic cause was identified in 3 children (2 familial hypocalciuria hypercalcaemia, 1 Williams syndrome).ConclusionsSustained hypercalcaemia affects 1 in 500 children in a general hospital setting. The frequency was highest in neonates and underlying aetiology differed markedly with age. All children with sustained hypercalcaemia require thorough investigation to determine the underlying aetiology to ensure appropriate management.
Photodissociation of water on rutile (110): A wave packet approach based on first principles
Authors: Mitschker Jan , Klüner Thorsten 
Published: February 2016

The photodissociation of water on rutile (110) is studied from first principles. Using an embedded cluster approach, the motion of one hydrogen atom with a fixed OH group served as a model system. The ground and an electronically excited state are calculated on a CASSCF level of theory, explicitly accounting for the multi-reference character of the wave function during bond breaking. The dynamics is simulated by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for a wave packet moving on the electronic potential energy surface. Photodissociation probabilities of water are calculated for hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, thereby revealing significant isotope effects.
Association Between a Healthy Heart Score and the Development of Clinical Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Women
Authors: Sotos-Prieto Mercedes , Mattei Josiemer , Hu Frank B. , Chomistek Andrea K. , Rimm Eric B. , Willett Walter C. , Eliassen A. Heather , Chiuve Stephanie E. 
Published: February 2016

Background—
The prevailing efforts for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention focused on treatment of common CVD risk factors rather than primordial prevention of risk factors through health behaviors. The previously validated Healthy Heart Score effectively predicted the 20-year risk of CVD in midadulthood; however, it is unknown whether this risk score is associated with clinically relevant CVD risk factors.

Methods and Results—
We analyzed the association between the Healthy Heart Score and the incidence of clinical CVD risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia among 69 505 US women in the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII; 1991–2011). The Healthy Heart Score estimates the 20-year CVD risk based on 9 lifestyle factors; thus, a higher score reflected a higher predictive CVD risk. During 20 years, we documented 3275 incident cases of diabetes mellitus, 17 420 of hypertension, and 24 385 of hypercholesterolemia. Women with higher predicted CVD risk based on the Healthy Heart Score (highest quintile versus lowest quintile) had significantly greater risk of each clinical risk factor individually (hazard ratios: 18.1 [95% confidence interval, 14.4–22.7] for diabetes mellitus, 5.10 [4.66–5.57] for hypertension, and 2.57 [2.40–2.75] for hypercholesterolemia). The hazard ratio for developing the high-CVD profile was 52.5 (33.6–82.1). These associations were most pronounced among women who were younger, were nonsmokers, or had optimal weight.

Conclusions—
An absolute 20-year risk of CVD, estimated by the Healthy Heart Score, was strongly associated with the development of CVD clinically relevant risk factors. This risk score may serve as the first step for CVD risk assessment in primordial prevention.
Mandatory Sperm Donor Registration
Authors: Weyers Heleen 
Published: February 2016

Seven European countries prohibited anonymous sperm donation. This article looks at the similarities and differences of these laws. The laws share the structure of a prohibition and an obligation. Another common characteristic is that they all lack the legal provision to inform children that they are donor offspring. This suggests that the laws are merely symbolic.
The laws differ regarding their orientation. The Swedish and Norwegian laws are value-oriented. They explicitly aim at the best interest of the child and try to guarantee that the child will grow up under good conditions. The Dutch law is merely process-oriented.
To decide whether the laws are instrumental or symbolic, the missing provision of the laws is discussed. Next to that, the ultimate goal of the laws is considered. The conclusion is that a deeper look in to parliamentary debates is needed to determine the characters of the laws.
Knowledge and the Norm of Assertion
Authors: Turri John 
Published: February 2016

Language is a human universal reflecting our deeply social nature. Among its essential functions, language enables us to quickly and efficiently share information. We tell each other that many things are true—that is, we routinely make assertions. Information shared this way plays a critical role in the decisions and plans we make. In Knowledge and the Norm of Assertion, a distinguished philosopher and cognitive scientist investigates the rules or norms that structure our social practice of assertion. Combining evidence from philosophy, psychology, and biology, John Turri shows that knowledge is the central norm of assertion and explains why knowledge plays this role.
Concise, comprehensive, non-technical, and thoroughly accessible, this volume quickly brings readers to the cutting edge of a major research program at the intersection of philosophy and science. It presupposes no philosophical or scientific training. It will be of interest to philosophers and scientists, is suitable for use in graduate and undergraduate courses, and will appeal to general readers interested in human nature, social cognition, and communication.
Coherent Structures in the Boundary and Cloud Layers: Role of Updrafts, Subsiding Shells, and Environmental Subsidence
Authors: Park Seung-Bu , Gentine Pierre , Schneider Kai , Farge Marie 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Coherent structures, such as updrafts, downdrafts/shells, and environmental subsidence in the boundary and cloud layers of shallow convection, are investigated using a new classification method. Using large-eddy simulation data, the new method first filters out background turbulence and small-scale gravity waves from the coherent part of the flow, composed of turbulent coherent structures and large-scale transporting gravity waves. Then the algorithm divides this coherent flow into “updrafts,” “downdrafts/shells,” “subsidence,” “ascendance,” and four other flow structures using an octant analysis. The novel method can systematically track structures from the cloud-free boundary layer to the cloud layer, thus allowing systematic analysis of the fate of updrafts and downdrafts. The frequency and contribution of the coherent structures to the vertical mass flux and transport of heat and moisture can then be investigated for the first time. Updrafts, subsidence, and downdrafts/subsiding shells—to a lesser extent—are shown to be the most frequent and dominant contributors to the vertical transport of heat and moisture in the boundary layer. Contrary to previous perspective, environmental subsidence transport is shown to be weak in the cloud layer. Instead, downdrafts/shells are the main downward transport contributors, especially in the trade inversion layer. The newly developed method in this study can be used to better evaluate the entrainment and detrainment of individual—or an ensemble of—coherent structures from the unsaturated boundary layer to the cloud layer.
Modified “Rule N” Procedure for Principal Component (EOF) Truncation
Authors: Wilks Daniel S. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Principal component analysis (PCA), also known as empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, is widely used for compression of high-dimensional datasets in such applications as climate diagnostics and seasonal forecasting. A critical question when using this method is the number of modes, representing meaningful signal, to retain. The resampling-based “Rule N” method attempts to address the question of PCA truncation in a statistically principled manner. However, it is only valid for the leading (largest) eigenvalue, because it fails to condition the hypothesis tests for subsequent (smaller) eigenvalues on the results of previous tests. This paper draws on several relatively recent statistical results to construct a hypothesis-test-based truncation rule that accounts at each stage for the magnitudes of the larger eigenvalues. The performance of the method is demonstrated in an artificial data setting and illustrated with a real-data example.
Male-to-female transitions: Implications for occupational performance, health, and life satisfaction
Authors: Bar Michal Avrech , Jarus Tal , Wada Mineko , Rechtman Leora , Noy Einav 
Published: February 2016

Background. People who undergo a gender transition process experience changes in different everyday occupations. These changes may impact their health and life satisfaction. Purpose. This study examined the difference in the occupational performance history scales (occupational identity, competence, and settings) between male-to-female transgender women and cisgender women and the relation of these scales to health and life satisfaction. Method. Twenty-two transgender women and 22 matched cisgender women completed a demographic questionnaire and three reliable measures in this cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions. Findings. The results indicate lower performance scores for the transgender women. In addition, occupational settings and group membership (transgender and cisgender groups) were found to be predictors of life satisfaction. Implications. The present study supports the role of occupational therapy in promoting occupational identity and competence of transgender women and giving special attention to their social and physical environment.
Public Policy and Religious Diversity
Authors: Giumbelli Emerson 
Published: February 2016

Recently in Brazil, diversity has become a guiding principle in formulating public policy, and “interreligious spaces” have been established in public hospitals for the use of religious groups of various kinds. An examination of the use of these spaces in two major public hospitals in Porto Alegre makes it clear that religious diversity has fundamental political dimensions involving the representation and recognition of social groups and that a commitment to religious pluralism does not rule out other hegemonies. Recentemente no Brasil, a diversidade tornou-se um princípio norteador para a formulação de políticas públicas. Consequentemente, “espaços interreligiosos” veem sendo estabelecidos em hospitais públicos para serem utilizados por diversos grupos religiosos. Uma análise dessa utilização, em dois importantes hospitais na cidade de Porto Alegre, demonstra com clareza que a diversidade religiosa apresenta dimensões políticas fundamentais que abarcam a representação e o reconhecimento de grupos sociais. Ademais, atesta que o comprometimento com o pluralismo religioso não exclui outras hegemonias.