bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The contribution of theme parks and attractions to the social and economic sustainability of destinations
Authors: Milman Ady , Okumus Fevzi , Dickson Duncan 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the contribution made by this theme issue to the question: how far do theme parks and attractions contribute to social and economic sustainability of destinations?Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews some of the key contributions emerging from this theme issue.FindingsTheme parks and attractions will continue growing globally. There seem to be many internal and external reasons that may lead to success and failure of theme parks and attractions. It is evident that theme parks and attractions contribute greatly to sustainability of destinations in many areas including investments in infrastructure, job creation, tax revenues, tourism revenues, donations, and community support. However, it is also evident that failure of a theme park may result in a major decline or failure of a destination.Research limitations/implicationsIt also emerges that more research is needed into development and management of theme parks and attractions globally.Practical implicationsThere are many stakeholders in developing theme parks and attractions in destinations. It is essential to ensure active participation, coordination, and support from all stakeholders to ensure that theme parks and attractions deliver intended outcomes. Careful and long‐term planning and coordination are necessary to ensure that theme parks and attractions created and managed well so that they contribute to sustainability of destinations.Originality/valueThis current theme issue is perhaps one of the first journal issues that specifically focus on theme parks and attractions and their impact on destinations. This final paper highlights emerging conclusions from this theme and offers practical and theoretical implications to the theme park industry.
Multi‐objective feature selection using a Bayesian artificial immune system
Authors: Castro Pablo A.D. , Von Zuben Fernando J. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply a multi‐objective Bayesian artificial immune system (MOBAIS) to feature selection in classification problems aiming at minimizing both the classification error and cardinality of the subset of features. The algorithm is able to perform a multimodal search maintaining population diversity and controlling automatically the population size according to the problem. In addition, it is capable of identifying and preserving building blocks (partial components of the whole solution) effectively.Design/methodology/approachThe algorithm evolves candidate subsets of features by replacing the traditional mutation operator in immune‐inspired algorithms with a probabilistic model which represents the probability distribution of the promising solutions found so far. Then, the probabilistic model is used to generate new individuals. A Bayesian network is adopted as the probabilistic model due to its capability of capturing expressive interactions among the variables of the problem. In order to evaluate the proposal, it was applied to ten datasets and the results compared with those generated by state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.FindingsThe experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the multi‐objective approach to feature selection. The algorithm found parsimonious subsets of features and the classifiers produced a significant improvement in the accuracy. In addition, the maintenance of building blocks avoids the disruption of partial solutions, leading to a quick convergence.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper relies on the proposal of a novel algorithm to multi‐objective feature selection.
Constraint learning using adaptive neural‐fuzzy inference system
Authors: Sadoghi Yazdi Hadi , Pourreza Reza , Sadoghi Yazdi Mehri 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new method for solving parametric programming problems; a new scheme of constraints fuzzification. In the proposed approach, constraints are learned based on deductive learning.Design/methodology/approachAdaptive neural‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is used for constraint learning by generating input and output membership functions and suitable fuzzy rules.FindingsThe experimental results show the ability of the proposed approach to model the set of constraints and solve parametric programming. Some notes in the proposed method are clustering of similar constraints, constraints generalization and converting crisp set of constraints to a trained system with fuzzy output. Finally, this idea for modeling of constraint in the support vector machine (SVM) classifier is used and shows that this approach can obtain a soft margin in the SVM.Originality/valueProperties of the new scheme such as global view of constraints, constraints generalization, clustering of similar constraints, creation of real fuzzy constraints, study of constraint strength and increasing the degree of importance to constraints are different aspects of the proposed method.
Research of a kind of improved immune controller based immune network
Authors: Mo Hongwei , Fu Dongmei , Xu Lifang 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to verify that improved immune network can be used to design new controller for engineering.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the definition of artificial immune controller is given out. Second, the disadvantage of Varela immune network which is not fit for control system is pointed out. Third, based on the analysis, the Varela immune network is modified for the purpose of designing controller with the mechanisms of immune network. And an immune controller based on improved Varela immune network (improved Varela immune network model (IVINM)‐AIC) is designed out. Its theoretic background is described in detail.FindingsBased on the theoretic analysis and experiment of motor speed control, it is found that Varela immune work can be used to design immune controller. The experiments results show that IVINM‐AIC is much more robust, stable and anti‐delay and less overshoot than classical proportion, integration, and differentiation controller. It is good at controlling nonlinear system which is single input single output (SISO) system. The limitation of IVINM‐AIC is that it is used for simple SISO system.Originality/valueThe theoretic analysis of improved Varela immune network controller is original and it is useful for the analysis and design of new and complex immune controller. The experiment design is useful for comparison of new test in future.
An empirical study on the positioning point of successful retail enterprises in China
Authors: Fei Li , Bu Mi , Gao Wang , Xiang Li 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the positioning points of successful retail enterprises in China, and to try to conclude the general law for selecting the positioning points.Design/methodology/approachBy analyzing the evaluation data of countrywide samples and the impact factors of customer satisfaction, the authors select some successful retail enterprises in China to be the study samples. On the base of that, the performance concerning positioning points of the samples are discussed.FindingsThe paper reaches five valuable conclusions: first, successful retail enterprises have definite positioning points; second, successful retail enterprises commonly have a main positioning point and a second best positioning point; third, successful retail enterprises could choose commodity, service, price or shopping environment as their positioning point; fourth, retail enterprises in the same retail format could have different positioning points; fifth, the non‐positioning points of successful retail enterprises are usually above the industry average level, while those of retail enterprises in successful tendency could hardly reach the industry average level.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of samples (only large‐scale supermarkets) might still make the practical applications on other retail formats limited. Meanwhile, the criteria for identifying the successful enterprises in this paper are mainly customer satisfaction and loyalty, without considering the financial performance.Practical implicationsThe conclusions in this paper have great significance for Chinese retail enterprises to establish a unique competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe conclusion concerning positioning points of this paper might be the first to answer the key issues in Chinese retail enterprises' positioning strategies.
Preclinical activity of a novel multiple tyrosine kinase and aurora kinase inhibitor, ENMD‐2076, against multiple myeloma
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Sinn Anthony L. , Pollok Karen , Sandusky George , Zhang Shuhong , Chen Li , Liang Jing , Crean Colin D. , Suvannasankha Attaya , Abonour Rafat , Sidor Carolyn , Bray Mark R. , Farag Sherif S. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryENMD‐2076 is a novel, orally‐active molecule that has been shown to have significant activity against aurora and multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. We investigated the activity of ENMD‐2076 against multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and in vivo. ENMD‐2076 showed significant cytotoxicity against MM cell lines and primary cells, with minimal cytotoxicity to haematopoietic progenitors. ENMD‐2076 inhibited the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/AKT pathway and downregulated survivin and X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis as early as 6 h after treatment. With longer treatment (24–48 h), ENMD‐2076 also inhibited aurora A and B kinases, and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest. In non‐obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice implanted with H929 human plasmacytoma xenografts, oral treatment with ENMD‐2076 (50, 100, 200 mg/kg per day) resulted in a dose‐dependent inhibition of tumour growth. Immunohistochemical staining of excised tumours showed significant reduction in phospho‐Histone 3 (pH3), Ki‐67, and angiogenesis, and also a significant increase in cleaved caspase‐3 at all dose levels compared to tumours from vehicle‐treated mice. In addition, a significant reduction in p‐FGFR3 was observed on Western blot. ENMD‐2076 shows significant activity against MM cells in vitro and in vivo, and acts on several pathways important for myeloma cell growth and survival. These results provide preclinical rationale for clinical investigation of ENMD‐2076 in MM.
Perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout among nursing staff in residential elder care
Authors: Juthberg Christina , Eriksson Sture , Norberg Astrid , Sundin Karin 
Published: June 2010

juthberg c., eriksson s., norberg a. & sundin k. (2010) Perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout among nursing staff in residential elder care. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1708–1718.AbstractTitle.  Perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout among nursing staff in residential elder care. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of patterns of perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout in relation to occupational belonging among Registered Nurses and nursing assistants in municipal residential care of older people.Background.  Stress and burnout among healthcare personnel and experiences of ethical difficulties are associated with troubled conscience. In elder care the experience of a troubled conscience seems to be connected to occupational role, but little is known about how Registered Nurses and nursing assistants perceive their conscience, stress of conscience and burnout.Method.  Results of previous analyses of data collected in 2003, where 50 Registered Nurses and 96 nursing assistants completed the Perceptions of Conscience Questionnaire, Stress of Conscience Questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory, led to a request for further analysis. In this study Partial Least Square Regression was used to detect statistical predictive patterns.Result.  Perceptions of conscience and stress of conscience explained 41·9% of the variance in occupational belonging. A statistical predictive pattern for Registered Nurses was stress of conscience in relation to falling short of expectations and demands and to perception of conscience as demanding sensitivity. A statistical predictive pattern for nursing assistants was perceptions that conscience is an authority and an asset in their work. Burnout did not contribute to the explained variance in occupational belonging.Conclusion.  Both occupational groups viewed conscience as an asset and not a burden. Registered Nurses seemed to exhibit sensitivity to expectations and demands and nursing assistants used their conscience as a source of guidance in their work. Structured group supervision with personnel from different occupations is needed so that staff can gain better understanding about their own occupational situation as well as the situation of other occupational groups.
Determining the double‐K fracture parameters for three‐point bending notched concrete beams using weight function
Authors: KUMAR SHAILENDRA , BARAI S. V. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTParameters of universal form of weight functions having four terms and five terms are derived for edge cracks in finite width of plate. The standard Tada Green's function is taken as the basis for the derivation. The shape of universal form of weight functions considered enables closed form expressions for cohesive toughness of three‐point bending test geometry of notched concrete beams due to linear cohesive stress distribution in the fictitious fracture zone. This solution provides a viable method to determine the double‐K fracture parameters: the initiation toughness,  and the unstable toughness  for mode I fracture of concrete beam. A comparison with existing analytical method shows that the weight function method for determination of the double‐K fracture parameters yields results without any appreciable error. The use of weight function will not only simplify the calculation to obtain the double‐K fracture parameters,  and  but also it will avoid the need of skilled numerical integration technique due to singularity problem at the integral boundary.
Numerical modelling of fatigue crack initiation and growth of martensitic steels
Authors: JEZERNIK N. , KRAMBERGER J. , LASSEN T. , GLODEŽ S. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a numerical simulation of micro‐crack initiation that is based on Tanaka‐Mura micro‐crack nucleation model. Three improvements were added to this model. First, multiple slip bands where micro‐cracks may occur are used in each grain. Second improvement deals with micro‐crack coalescence by extending existing micro‐cracks along grain boundaries and connecting them into a macro‐crack. The third improvement handles segmented micro‐crack generation, where a micro‐crack is not nucleated in one step like in Tanaka‐Mura model, but is instead generated in multiple steps. High cycle fatigue testing was also performed and showed reasonably good correlation of proposed model to experimental results. Because numerical model was directed at simulating fatigue properties of thermally cut steel, edge properties of test specimens were additionally inspected in terms of surface roughness and micro‐structural properties.
Listening to urban soundscapes: Physiological validity of perceptual dimensions
Authors: Irwin Amy , Hall Deborah A. , Peters Andrew , Plack Christopher J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPredominantly, the impact of environmental noise is measured using sound level, ignoring the influence of other factors on subjective experience. The present study tested physiological responses to natural urban soundscapes, using functional magnetic resonance imaging and vector cardiogram. City‐based recordings were matched in overall sound level (71 decibel A‐weighted scale), but differed on ratings of pleasantness and vibrancy. Listening to soundscapes evoked significant activity in a number of auditory brain regions. Compared with soundscapes that evoked no (neutral) emotional response, those evoking a pleasant or unpleasant emotional response engaged an additional neural circuit including the right amygdala. Ratings of vibrancy had little effect overall, and brain responses were more sensitive to pleasantness than was heart rate. A novel finding is that urban soundscapes with similar loudness can have dramatically different effects on the brain's response to the environment.
The antidepressant phenelzine protects neurons and astrocytes against formaldehyde‐induced toxicity
Authors: Song Mee‐Sook , Baker Glen B. , Dursun Serdar M. , Todd Kathryn G. 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1405–1413.AbstractReactive aldehydes have been implicated in the etiology of several neurological and psychiatric disorders, and there is considerable interest in drugs to counteract the actions of these aldehydes. Increased formaldehyde (FA) and up‐regulation of semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase, which forms FA from methylamine, have been implicated in disorders such as cerebrovascular disorders, alcohol abuse, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Phenelzine (PLZ), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, is an antidepressant that has recently received attention for its neuroprotective/neurorescue properties. We investigated FA‐induced toxicity and the effects of PLZ using rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes and found that FA induced toxicity in neurons and astrocytes by multiple means. In astrocytes, FA decreased glutamate transporter expression, inhibiting glutamate uptake. PLZ reversed the decrease of glutamate uptake and the alteration of the second messengers, AKT and p38, induced by FA. PLZ alone affected the GLT‐1 glutamate transporter in opposite directions in astrocytes and neurons. Thus, PLZ has multiple actions in neurons and astrocytes that may contribute to its neuroprotection.
Neurotoxic mechanisms of DNA damage: focus on transcriptional inhibition
Authors: Hetman Michal , Vashishta Aruna , Rempala Grzegorz 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1537–1549.AbstractAlthough DNA damage‐induced neurotoxicity is implicated in various pathologies of the nervous system, its underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Transcription is a DNA transaction that is highly active in the nervous system. In addition to its direct role in expression of the genetic information, transcription contributes to DNA damage detection and repair as well as chromatin organization including biogenesis of the nucleolus. Transcription is inhibited by DNA single‐strand breaks and DNA adducts. Hence, transcription inhibition may be an important contributor to the neurotoxic consequences of such types of DNA damage. This review discusses the existing evidence in support of the latter hypothesis. The presented literature suggests that neuronal DNA damage interferes with the RNA‐Polymerase‐2‐dependent transcription of genes encoding proteins with critical functions in neurotransmission and intracellular signaling. The latter category includes extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatases whose lowered expression results in chronic activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 and its reduced responsiveness to physiological stimuli. Conversely, DNA damage‐induced inhibition of RNA‐Polymerase‐1 and the subsequent disruption of the nucleolus induce p53‐mediated apoptosis of developing neurons. Finally, decreasing nucleolar transcription may link DNA damage to chronic neurodegeneration in adults.
COMPARISON OF GROUND RAW SOYBEAN AND SOYBEAN MEAL DIETS ON CARCASS TRAITS OF GILTS
Authors: SYKES DANIEL J. , COUVILLION JOHN S. , MARTIN JAMES M. , ALTHEN THOMAS G. , RUDE BRIAN J. , CRENSHAW MARK , GERARD PAT , RYAN PETER L. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT As part of an ongoing reproductive efficiency study with gilts fed a raw soybean (RSB) diet, an assessment of carcass traits was performed to measure the effect of antinutritional factors present in RSB. Yorkshire × Landrace crossbred gilts (n = 20) were assigned to balanced isonitrogenous (crude protein 14%), isocaloric diets using either soybean meal (SBM, n = 10) or ground RSB (n = 10) as the protein supplement. Gilts were fed to day 35–45 of gestation and then harvested for recovery of the reproductive tract and carcass assessment. Carcass trait values included: a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in hot carcass weight of RSB gilts, but no differences in carcass length, back fat thickness (cm) at 1st rib, 10th rib, last rib, last lumbar and average back fat. Loin area cm2, % fat free lean, muscle score and United States Department of Agriculture grade scores did not differ (P > 0.05). Thus, supplementing diets of prepubertal gilts through to early gestation with ground RSB had no observed adverse effects on carcass quality traits.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRaw soybeans (RSB) are not commonly used in swine diets due to known presence of antinutritional factors that may retard growth in young swine and may also affect carcass quality. However, the effect of using RSB on carcass quality in older swine has yet to be examined. The data from this study show that supplementation of swine diets with RSB can be used in gilts 155 days of age and older without affecting carcass quality.
CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THERMOTOLERANT LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM COOKED SAUSAGES AS BIOPROTECTIVE CULTURES
Authors: RAMÍREZ‐CHAVARÍN NORMA L. , WACHER‐RODARTE CARMEN , PÉREZ‐CHABELA M. LOURDES 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are employed in meat products preservation and fermentation. Some strains can survive thermal treatment in cooked meat products, where their bioprotective properties can be used to inhibiting other spoilage flora. A total of 68 presumptive LAB were isolated from commercial cooked sausages collected in Mexico City supermarkets. Based on biochemical tests, 22 strains were selected and their thermotolerant capacity and DT values were determined in water baths. Only 10 strains were considered as thermotolerant after survive thermal treatments (70C at 30 min). Thermotolerant strains were identified by both phenotypic (API system) and genotypic (16S rRNA) analysis. The genera identified were Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Aerococcus and Enterococcus. Differences in phenotypic and genotypic in some strains were found, because of a close phylogenetic proximity between the strains. Nonetheless, all the identified thermotolerant LAB strains are natural microflora of meat products and can be employed as bioprotective strains inoculating them before thermal processing in cooked meat products.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe isolation and identification of LAB strains as the native and dominant flora of meat and meat products could be useful in the looking of bacteria as bioprotective cultures, as LAB inhibit other spoilage and pathogen microorganisms. Thermotolerant capacity of these LAB isolated from cooked meat products is important as the application of these strains as starters during processing before thermal treatment ensures their role as dominant flora during storage. In addition, the potential probiotic of these thermotolerant LAB strains can be useful in functional cooked meat products manufacture.
Pollution in the coastal waters of Hong Kong: case studies of the urban Victoria and Tolo Harbours
Authors: Nicholson S. , Hui Y. H. , Lam P. K. S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractRapid population growth and industrialisation resulted in severe pollution in Hong Kong's urban harbours. Victoria Harbour is located in the centre of Hong Kong and received substantial discharges of untreated sewage and industrial effluents but even the formerly rural Tolo Harbour experienced serious pollution as a consequence of excessive nutrient loadings from livestock wastes and wastewaters following the development of new towns around its shores. This paper provides an overview of the marine ecological disturbance and pollution pressures in Hong Kong coastal waters and discusses the measures adopted to intercept and improve wastewater discharges that consequently led to improvements in coastal water quality in local harbours.