This study explores the environmentally responsible behavior of tourists engaged in ecotourism. It proposes a behavioral model in which perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement with ...respect to the eco-travel experience shape the tourist's environmentally responsible behavior. Unlike other studies that view environmentally responsible behavior as a generic trait, this study explores whether the level of environmentally responsible behavior can actually change as a result of the eco-travel experience. A total of 328 valid questionnaires were obtained and analyzed using partial least squares. The results show that perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement can promote environmentally responsible behavior of tourists. While perceived value directly affects environmentally responsible behavior, satisfaction and involvement play the roles of partial mediators in the behavioral model. Thus, enhancing tourist's value perception about the eco-travel activity is the first in a sequence of steps that would strengthen environmentally responsible behavior via increasing the ecotourist's activity involvement and satisfaction levels. Finally, the implications for the key stakeholders in the ecotourism industry are discussed.
•We developed a new model as to how to promote traveler's environmentally responsible behavior.•Tourist's perception of value is a direct determinant of environmentally responsible behavior.•Involvement and satisfaction partially mediate the impact of value perception on environmentally responsible behavior.•Overall travel experience can affect tourist's environmentally responsible behavior.•We provide managerial implication for sustainable ecotourism.
•Public participation GIS used to elicit residents’ values for green open space.•Respondents assign a range of values to green open spaces simultaneously.•Values assigned to parks were related ...statistically to landscape characteristics.•Distance from water is important but park management classification less so.•Theoretical, statistical and practical challenges exist when applying PPGIS.
Planning for green space is guided by standards and guidelines but there is currently little understanding of the variety of values people assign to green spaces or their determinants. Land use planners need to know what values are associated with different landscape characteristics and how value elicitation techniques can inform decisions. We designed a Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) study and surveyed residents of four urbanising suburbs in the Lower Hunter region of NSW, Australia. Participants assigned dots on maps to indicate places they associated with a typology of values (specific attributes or functions considered important) and negative qualities related to green spaces. The marker points were digitised and aggregated according to discrete park polygons for statistical analysis. People assigned a variety of values to green spaces (such as aesthetic value or social interaction value), which were related to landscape characteristics. Some variables (e.g. distance to water) were statistically associated with multiple open space values. Distance from place of residence however did not strongly influence value assignment after landscape configuration was accounted for. Value compatibility analysis revealed that some values co-occurred in park polygons more than others (e.g. nature value and health/therapeutic value). Results highlight the potential for PPGIS techniques to inform green space planning through the spatial representation of complex human-nature relationships. However, a number of potential pitfalls and challenges should be addressed. These include the non-random spatial arrangement of landscape features that can skew interpretation of results and the need to communicate clearly about theory that explains observed patterns.
Various internal and external factors negatively affect the homeostatic equilibrium of organisms at the molecular to the whole-body level, inducing the so-called state of stress. Stress affects an ...organism's welfare status and induces energy-consuming mechanisms to combat the subsequent ill effects; thus, the individual may be immunocompromised, making them vulnerable to pathogens. The information presented here has been extensively reviewed, compiled, and analyzed from authenticated published resources available on Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, and other scientific databases. Stress levels can be monitored by the quantitative and qualitative measurement of biomarkers. Potential markers of stress include thermal stress markers, such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), innate immune markers, such as Acute Phase Proteins (APPs), oxidative stress markers, and chemical secretions in the saliva and urine. In addition, stress biomarkers also play critical roles in the prognosis of stress-related diseases and disorders, and therapy guidance. Moreover, different components have been identified as potent mediators of cardiovascular, central nervous system, hepatic, and nephrological disorders, which can also be employed to evaluate these conditions precisely, but with stringent validation and specificity. Considerable scientific advances have been made in the detection, quantitation, and application of these biomarkers. The present review describes the current progress of identifying biomarkers, their prognostic, and therapeutic values.
To quantitatively determine levels of upper extremity movement impairment by using a cluster analysis of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) with and without reflex items.
...Secondary analysis.
University and research centers.
Individuals (N=247) with chronic stroke (>6mo poststroke).
Not applicable.
Cutoff scores defined by FMA-UE total scores of clusters identified by 2 hierarchical cluster analyses performed on the full sample of FMA-UE individual item scores (with and without reflexes). Patterns of motor function defined by aggregate item scores of clusters.
FMA-UE scores ranged from 2 to 63 (mean, 26.9±15.7) with reflex items and from 0 to 57 (mean, 22.1±15.3) without reflex items. Three clusters were identified. The distributions of the FMA-UE scores revealed considerable overlap between the clusters; therefore, 4 distinct stroke impairment levels were derived.
For chronic stroke, the cluster analysis of the FMA-UE supports either a 3- or a 4-impairment level classification scheme.
This paper is concerned with initial-boundary-value problems (IBVPs) for a class of nonlinear Schrödinger equations posed either on a half line R+ or on a bounded interval (0,L) with nonhomogeneous ...boundary conditions. For any s with 0≤s<5/2 and s≠1/2, it is shown that the relevant IBVPs are locally well-posed if the initial data lie in the L2-based Sobolev spaces Hs(R+) in the case of the half line and in Hs(0,L) on a bounded interval, provided the boundary data are selected from Hloc(2s+1)/4(R+) and H(s+1)/2loc(R+), respectively. (For s>12, compatibility between the initial and boundary conditions is also needed.) Global well-posedness is also discussed when s≥1. From the point of view of the well-posedness theory, the results obtained reveal a significant difference between the IBVP posed on R+ and the IBVP posed on (0,L). The former is reminiscent of the theory for the pure initial-value problem (IVP) for these Schrödinger equations posed on the whole line R while the theory on a bounded interval looks more like that of the pure IVP posed on a periodic domain. In particular, the regularity demanded of the boundary data for the IBVP on R+ is consistent with the temporal trace results that obtain for solutions of the pure IVP on R, while the slightly higher regularity of boundary data for the IBVP on (0,L) resembles what is found for temporal traces of spatially periodic solutions.
L'article est consacré à l'étude de problèmes avec conditions initiales et aux limites pour une classe d'équations de Schrödinger non linéaires considérées soit sur la demi-droite R+, soit sur un intervalle borné 0,L, avec des conditions aux limites non homogènes. Pour tout s vérifiant 0≤s<5/2 et s≠1/2, on montre que le problème avec conditions initiales et aux limites est localement bien posé si la donnée initiale est dans l'espace de Sobolev Hs(R+) dans le cas de la demi-droite, et dans Hs(0,L) dans le cas de l'intervalle borné, pourvu que les données aux limites soient choisies dans Hloc(2s+1)/4(R+) et Hloc(s+1)/2(R+), respectivement. Pour s>12, les données initiales et les données aux limites doivent être compatibles. Le caractère globalement bien posé est également discuté quand s≥1. Du point de vue de la théorie des problèmes bien posés, les résultats obtenus ici révèlent une différence significative entre les problèmes considérés sur R+ et ceux sur 0,L. La théorie sur la demi-droite fait penser à celle développée pour les problèmes avec données initiales sur la droite, tandis que celle sur un intervalle borné s'apparente à celle développée pour les problèmes sur un domaine périodique. En particulier, la régularité requise pour les données aux limites dans le cas de la demi-droite est cohérente avec les résultats de régularité des traces temporelles des solutions d'un problème avec donnée initiale sur R, tandis que la régularité légèrement supérieure requise pour les données aux limites dans le cas de l'intervalle 0,L ressemble à celle obtenue pour les traces temporelles des solutions périodiques en espace.
Presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype) has been shown to be beneficial as a sepsis marker in adults. Nevertheless, very few data are available in neonates. The aim of the present study was to determine ...reference ranges of presepsin in term and preterm neonates.
Healthy term neonates and preterm neonates without clinical signs of infection admitted to the Neonatal Unit were consecutively enrolled. Presepsin concentrations in whole blood were measured using a point-of-care assay system located in the Unit. Demographic data, antenatal and perinatal variables commonly affecting C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values were considered.
Of the 684 neonates enrolled in the study, 484 (70.8%) were born at term and 200 (29.2%) were preterm (24-36 weeks' gestation). In term infants, presepsin median value was 603.5 pg/mL (interquartile range: 466.5-791 pg/mL; 5th and 95th centiles: 315 and 1178 pg/mL respectively). In preterm infants, presepsin median value was slightly higher, equal to 620 pg/mL (interquartile range: 503-864 pg/mL; 5th and 95th centiles: 352 and 1370 pg/mL respectively). The reference ranges of presepsin we determined were much higher than those seen in healthy adults. No correlation between presepsin levels and postnatal age was observed, as well as no significant difference was demonstrated in preterm neonates at different gestational ages. None of the variables analyzed affected presepsin levels at a clinical significant extent.
For the first time, this study provides reference ranges of presepsin in term and preterm neonates. Having reliable reference values is crucial for obtaining an adequate diagnostic accuracy. Based on our results, most variables commonly affecting C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values do not affect presepsin levels, which suggests that presepsin could be an effective sepsis marker. Further investigations in large groups of neonates with sepsis are needed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of this biomarker.
This book explores sustainable urban development, addressing the challenges and opportunities encountered in the 21st century. It addresses topics such as resilience, blockchain architecture, and ...green roofs, offering insights into urban challenges and opportunities. The research provides innovative strategies and best practices for sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban communities. The collection emphasizes stakeholder integration, community engagement, and the importance of addressing specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations. As a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students, this publication aims to foster informed conversations about the future of urban planning and design, and inspire further research and dialogue on sustainable urban development, paving the way for more sustainable urban communities worldwide.
Reports of neglected and underutilized crops' (NUS) potential remain mostly anecdotal with limited and often incoherent research available to support them. This has been attributed to lack of clear ...research goals, limited funding directed at NUS and journal apathy toward publishing work on NUS. The latter points also explain the lack of interest from emerging and established researchers. Additionally, the NUS community's inability to articulate a roadmap for NUS' promotion may have unintentionally contributed to this. The current study is a sequel to an initial study that assessed the status of NUS in South Africa. The objective of this follow-up study was then to (i) identify priority NUS, and (ii) articulate a strategy and actionable recommendations for promoting NUS in South Africa. The study identified 13 priority NUS, categorized into cereals, legumes, root, and tuber crops and leafy vegetables based on drought and heat stress tolerance and nutritional value. It is recommended that the available limited resources should be targeted on improving these priority NUS as they offer the best prospects for success. Focus should be on developing value chains for the priority NUS. This should be underpinned by science to provide evidence-based outcomes. This would assist to attract more funding for NUS research, development and innovation in South Africa. It is envisaged that through this roadmap, NUS could be transformed from the peripheries into mainstream agriculture. This study provides a template for developing a roadmap for promoting NUS that could be transposed and replicated among the 14 other southern African states.
Magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) is important in the diagnosis of early gastric cancers (EGCs) but requires expertise to master. We developed a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) system to assist ...endoscopists in identifying and delineating EGCs.
We retrospectively collected and randomly selected 66 EGC M-NBI images and 60 non-cancer M-NBI images into a training set and 61 EGC M-NBI images and 20 non-cancer M-NBI images into a test set. After preprocessing and partition, we determined 8 gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) features for each partitioned 40 × 40 pixel block and calculated a coefficient of variation of 8 GLCM feature vectors. We then trained a support vector machine (SVMLv1) based on variation vectors from the training set and examined in the test set. Furthermore, we collected 2 determined P and Q GLCM feature vectors from cancerous image blocks containing irregular microvessels from the training set, and we trained another SVM (SVMLv2) to delineate cancerous blocks, which were compared with expert-delineated areas for area concordance.
The diagnostic performance revealed accuracy of 96.3%, precision (positive predictive value PPV) of 98.3%, recall (sensitivity) of 96.7%, and specificity of 95%, at a rate of 0.41 ± 0.01 seconds per image. The performance of area concordance, on a block basis, demonstrated accuracy of 73.8% ± 10.9%, precision (PPV) of 75.3% ± 20.9%, recall (sensitivity) of 65.5% ± 19.9%, and specificity of 80.8% ± 17.1%, at a rate of 0.49 ± 0.04 seconds per image.
This pilot study demonstrates that our CADx system has great potential in real-time diagnosis and delineation of EGCs in M-NBI images.
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