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Resumen Introduccion y objetivos HeartLogic es un algoritmo multiparametrico incorporado a desfibriladores automaticos implantables (DAI). La alerta asociada predice descompensaciones de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Nuestro objetivo es analizar la asociacion entre alertas y eventos clinicos bajo un protocolo de seguimiento comun en un registro multicentrico. Metodos Se evaluaron la fase 1 (investigadores ciegos al estado de la alerta) y las fases 2 y 3 (tras la activacion de HeartLogic, segun practica local y un protocolo comun respectivamente). Resultados Se incluyo a 288 pacientes en 15 centros. En fase 1, tras una media de observacion de 10 meses, hubo 73 alertas (0,72 alertas/paciente-ano), con 8 hospitalizaciones y 2 visitas a urgencias por IC (0,10 eventos/ano-paciente). No hubo hospitalizaciones fuera del periodo de alerta. Las fases activas tuvieron una media de seguimiento de 16 (IC95%, 15-22) meses, con 277 alertas (0,89 alertas/ano-paciente); 33 se asociaron con hospitalizaciones o muerte por IC, 46 con descompensaciones menores y 78 con otros eventos. La tasa de alertas inexplicables fue 0,39/ano-paciente. Fuera del estado de alerta solo hubo una hospitalizacion y una descompensacion menor. La mayoria de las alertas (el 82% en fase 2 y el 81% en fase 3; p = 0,861) se gestionaron a distancia. La mediana de NT-proBNP fue superior en estado de alerta que fuera de el (7.378 frente a 1.210 pg/ml; p Conclusiones El indice HeartLogic se asocio con descompensaciones de IC y otros eventos relevantes, con baja tasa de alertas inexplicables. Un protocolo estandarizado permitio detectar y actuar a distancia con seguridad sobre las alertas.

Summary Water‐soluble polymers (WSPs) are a versatile group of chemicals used across industries for different purposes such as thickening, stabilizing, adhesion and gelation. Synthetic polymers have tailored characteristics and are chemically homogeneous, whereas plant‐derived biopolymers vary more widely in their specifications and are chemically heterogeneous. Between both sources, microbial polysaccharides are an advantageous compromise. They combine naturalness with defined material properties, precisely controlled by optimizing strain selection, fermentation operational parameters and downstream processes. The relevance of such bio‐based and biodegradable materials is rising due to increasing environmental awareness of consumers and a tightening regulatory framework, causing both solid and water‐soluble synthetic polymers, also termed ‘microplastics’, to have come under scrutiny. Xanthan gum is the most important microbial polysaccharide in terms of production volume and diversity of applications, and available as different grades with specific properties. In this review, we will focus on the applicability of xanthan gum in agriculture (drift control, encapsulation and soil improvement), considering its potential to replace traditionally used synthetic WSPs. As a spray adjuvant, xanthan gum prevents the formation of driftable fine droplets and shows particular resistance to mechanical shear. Xanthan gum as a component in encapsulated formulations modifies release properties or provides additional protection to encapsulated agents. In geotechnical engineering, soil amended with xanthan gum has proven to increase water retention, reduce water evaporation, percolation and soil erosion – topics of high relevance in the agriculture of the 21st century. Finally, hands‐on formulation tips are provided to facilitate exploiting the full potential of xanthan gum in diverse agricultural applications and thus providing sustainable solutions.

Aims: There are controversial data on the ability of the components of mineral metabolism (vitamin D, phosphate, parathormone [PTH], fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF23], and klotho) to predict cardiovascular events. In addition, it is unknown whether they add any prognostic value to other well-known biomarkers. Methods and results: In 969 stable coronary patients, we determined plasma levels of all the aforementioned components of mineral metabolism with a complete set of clinical and biochemical variables, including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Secondary outcomes were ischaemic events (any acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack) and heart failure or death. The primary outcome was a composite of the secondary outcomes. Median follow-up was 5.39 years. Age was 60 (52–72) years. Median glomerular filtration rate was 80.4 (65.3–93.1) mL/min/1.73 m2. One-hundred and eighty-five patients developed the primary outcome. FGF23, PTH, hs-TnI, and NT-proBNP were directly related with the primary outcome on univariate Cox analysis, while Klotho and calcidiol were inversely related. On multivariate analysis, only PTH (HR 1.058 [CI 1.021–1.097]; P = 0.002) and NT-proBNP (HR 1.020 [CI 1.012–1.028]; P 85.5 RU/mL) (P, This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Fondos FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional) European Union (PI05/0451, PI14/1567, PI17/01615, and PI17/01495); Spanish Society of Cardiology; Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis; RECAVA (Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares) (RD06/0014/0035); and Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER (FJD biobank: RD09/0076/00101). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Background and importance Deep brain stimulation of the posteromedial hypothalamus (PMH DBS) appears to be an effective treatment for drug-resistant aggressiveness. Weaver syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder in which patients develop some degree of intellectual disability and rarely severe behavioral alterations that may benefit from this procedure. Clinical presentation We present the case of a 26-yr-old man diagnosed with WS presenting with uncontrollable self and heteroaggressiveness and disruptive behavior refractory to pharmacological treatment and under severe physical and mechanical restraining measures. The patient was successfully treated with bilateral PMH DBS resulting in affective improvement, greater tolerance for signs of affection, regularization in his sleep pattern and appetite disturbances at 12-mo follow-up. A detailed description and video of the procedure are presented, and a review of the clinical characteristics of WS and the utility and benefits of PMH DBS for refractory aggressiveness are reviewed. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first case of refractory aggressiveness described in WS as well as the first patient with WS successfully treated with PMH DBS.

Background Several studies suggest that statins, besides reducing cardiovascular disease, have anti-inflammatory properties which might provide a benefit in downregulating the immune response after a respiratory viral infection (RVI) and, hence, decreasing subsequent complications. We aim to analyse the effect of statins on mortality after RVI. Methods A single-centre, observational and retrospective study was carried out including all adult patients with a RVI confirmed by PCR tests from October 2, 2017 to May 20, 2018. Patients were divided between statin users and non-statin users and followed-up for 1 year, and all causes of death were recorded. In order to analyse the effect of statin treatment on mortality after RVI we planned two different approaches, a multivariate Cox regression model with the overall population and a univariate Cox model with a propensity-score matched population. Results We included 448 patients, 154 (34.4%) of whom were under statin treatment. Statin users had a worse clinical profile (older population with more comorbidities). During the 1-year follow-up, 67 patients died, 17 (11.0%) in the statin group and 50 (17.1%) in the non-statin group. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that statins were associated with mortality benefit (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26–0.83; p=0.01). In a matched population (101 statins users and 101 non-statins users) statins also remained associated with mortality benefit (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.72; p=0.006). Differences were mainly driven by non-cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13–0.73; p=0.004). Conclusions Chronic statin treatment was associated with reduced 1-year mortality in patients with laboratory-confirmed RVI. Further studies are needed to determine the exact role of statin therapy after RVI., Statin treatment is associated with reduced 1-year mortality after respiratory viral infections, despite the higher risk profile of patients on statins. Statins seem a good candidate to be tested during the current global pandemic. https://bit.ly/36t0tDh

Introduction There is scarce real-world experience regarding direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) perioperative management. No study before has linked bridging therapy or DOAC-free time (pre-plus postoperative time without DOAC) with outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate real-world management and outcomes. Methods RA-ACOD is a prospective, observational, multicenter registry of adult patients on DOAC treatment requiring surgery. Primary outcomes were thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Follow-up was immediate postoperative (24–48 hours) and 30 days. Statistics were performed using a univariate and multivariate analysis. Data are presented as odds ratios (ORs [95% confidence interval]). Results From 26 Spanish hospitals, 901 patients were analyzed (53.5% major surgeries): 322 on apixaban, 304 on rivaroxaban, 267 on dabigatran, 8 on edoxaban. Fourteen (1.6%) patients suffered a thrombotic event, related to preoperative DOAC withdrawal (OR: 1.57 [1.03–2.4]) and DOAC-free time longer than 6 days (OR: 5.42 [1.18–26]). Minor bleeding events were described in 76 (8.4%) patients, with higher incidence for dabigatran (12.7%) versus other DOACs (6.6%). Major bleeding events occurred in 17 (1.9%) patients. Bridging therapy was used in 315 (35%) patients. It was associated with minor (OR: 2.57 [1.3–5.07]) and major (OR: 4.2 [1.4–12.3]) bleeding events, without decreasing thrombotic events. Conclusion This study offers real-world data on perioperative DOAC management and outcomes in a large prospective sample size to date with a high percentage of major surgery. Short-term preprocedural DOAC interruption depending on the drug, hemorrhagic risk, and renal function, without bridging therapy and a reduced DOAC-free time, seems the safest practice.

Introduction and objectives Information regarding long-term outcomes in patients surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is scarce. Our aim was to study the long-term clinical outcomes of a large cohort of OHCA patients surviving until hospital discharge and to identify predictors of mortality and cardiovascular events. Methods Consecutive OHCA patients admitted in the Acute Cardiac Care Unit who survived at least until hospital discharge between 2007 and 2019 were included. All received therapeutic hypothermia according to the local protocol. Pre- and intra-hospital clinical and analytical variables were analyzed, as well as the clinically relevant events during follow-up. Results A total of 201 patients were included, with a mean age of 57.6 ± 14.2 years, 168 (83.6%) were male. Thirty-six (17.9%) died during a median follow-up of 40.3 months (18.9–69.1), the most frequent causes of death being cardiovascular and neurological, followed by cancer. We calculated a predictive model for mortality during follow-up using Cox regression that included the following variables: poor neurological outcome [HR 3.503 (1.578–7.777)], non-shockable rhythm [HR 2.926 (1.390–6.163)], time to onset of CPR [HR 1.063 (0.997–1.134)], older age [1.036 (1.008–1.064)) and worse ejection fraction at discharge [1.033 (1.009–1.058)]. Conclusions Even though few patients experience recurrent cardiac arrest events, survivors after OHCA face high morbidity and mortality during long-term follow-up. Therefore, they may benefit from multidisciplinary teams providing an integral management and ensuring continuity of care.

En este trabajo se presenta una nueva propuesta docente para las clases de dibujo técnico (expresión gráfica), en la que se incorpora el “Proceso de Diseño” al aula. Se ha trabajado la metodología de forma experimental, a través de un seminario-taller con un grupo de estudiantes del Máster en Profesorado de Educación Secundaria (especialidad en “Dibujo, Imagen y Artes Plásticas”) de la Universidad de Almería (España). El objetivo es brindar al futuro profesorado perspectivas y herramientas alternativas que proyecten un mayor dinamismo a la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la materia. El seminario se desarrolló siguiendo un planteamiento de co-participación (docente-alumnado). Además, inicialmente se reflexionó sobre el concepto de diseño y sus dificultades para abordar su definición. Con respecto al análisis de la experiencia, se han relacionado diferentes procedimientos metodológicos: índice NPS (Net Promoter Score), escala Likert de 0-10 puntos y estadísticos descriptivos. Los hallazgos obtenidos apuntan a que el enfoque metodológico propuesto es útil para el futuro profesorado de la asignatura de dibujo técnico, y favorece el desarrollo de la creatividad entre el alumnado. Esta propuesta podría inscribirse dentro de la incipiente filosofía educativa “STEAM”, interrelacionando diferentes disciplinas profesionales, como por ejemplo la ingeniería, el arte y el diseño.

Background High incidence of cardiovascular events has been described among patients with COVID-19 and since the beginning of the pandemic concerns have been expressed with medical treatments for cardiovascular disease, as they could contribute to the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19. We aim to analyze the effect of chronic treatment with calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers on COVID 19 severity in a Spanish cohort during the 2020 pandemic. Methods Observational study including all consecutive patients (≥40 years old) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 through PCR in the microbiology laboratory of our hospital, from March 2nd to 20th 2020. Clinical characteristics and drugs were recorded. The Primary end-point (PE) was all-cause death and the secondary end-point (SE) was the combined of death or the need for orotracheal intubation until 30 days of infection symptoms onset. Results We included 704 patients in our study. Baseline characteristics of the overall cohort can be seen in the table. Median age was 61 years old (IQR 52.9–72.9); 52.7% were female. 34.7% and 12.6% had hypertension and diabetes respectively. After a median follow-up of 111.5 days, 58 patients (8.2%) needed orotracheal intubation and 133 patients (18.9%) died. Secondary endpoint (all-cause death or need for orotracheal intubation) was reached by 164 patients (23.3%). The table described clinical differences between survivors and deceased patients. After multivariate Cox modeling, age, male gender, diabetes, previous lung disease, BMI and the chronic intake of calcium channel blockers (HR 1.74, 95% CI (1.11–2.75), p=0.016) and beta-blockers (HR 1.71, 95% CI (1.07–2.76), p=0.026) were independently related with mortality. Other cardiovascular drugs (Antiplatelets, anticoagulants, diuretics, mineralcorticoid-receptor antagonists, angiotensin-receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins) did not influence survival after SARS-CoV 2 infection (Figure). The secondary outcome was reached by 164 patients (23.3%) and chronic treatment with calcium channel blockers remains as an independent predictor of mortality (HR 1.55, 95% CI (1.01–2.37), p=0.044). Conclusions Chronic treatment with calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are independent predictors of mortality after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to confirm these results. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Description of studied populationOdds-ratio and CI for all-cause death

Background On January 2020, the first patient with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in Spain. Since then, 3 280 000 cases have been confirmed and 75.305 people have died. We aimed to clarify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics related with poor short-term prognosis in patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Methods Observational, retrospective single-center study including consecutive patients (≥40yo) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 through PCR, since March 2nd to 20th 2020 in our center in Spain. The primary endpoint (PE) was the combined of all-cause death or need for orotracheal intubation within the first 30 days of infection symptoms. Results 704 patients were included (table). A follow-up period of thirty-days was fully completed in 692 of 704 patients (98.3%). At the end of this period, 148 patients (21.4%) met the PE; they were older, more frequently male, obese and smokers. Patients who met the PE had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, peripheral and cerebrovascular disease, cancer and lung pathologies. They received more frequently therapies with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, betablockers, calcium channel blockers and statins, as well as antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR 1.99 for every 10 years, 95% CI [1.637–2.4], p Conclusion In our group of patients with SARS-CoV-2, age, male sex, diabetes, lung disease and obesity were found to be independent predictors of the combined of all case death or need for orotracheal intubation within the first 30 days of infection symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Description of studied populationOdds-ratio and CI for the combined PE

Background Questions emerged about safety renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)) in patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our objective was to evaluate the safety of this treatment in a Spanish cohort during 2020 pandemic. Methods Observational study including all consecutive patients (≥40 years old) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 through PCR in the microbiology laboratory of our hospital, since March 2nd to 20th 2020. Clinical characteristics and drugs were recorded. Primary end-point (PE) was the combined of all-cause death or need for orotracheal intubation until 30 days of infection symptoms onset. To assess the effect of RAS inhibitors, we performed a double statistical approach, with multivariate logistic regression and propensity-score matching. Results We included 704 patients (table). Median age was 61 years old (IQR 52.9–72.9); 52.7% were female. 34.7% and 12.6% had hypertension (HTA) and diabetes (DM) respectively. 92 patients (13.1%) and 87 patients (12.4%) were taking ACEI and ARB respectively. Baseline characteristics of both subgroups are shown in the table. Patients on RAS inhibitors treatment had a worse clinical profile: were older, more males and with higher prevalence of HTA, DM, dyslipemia, ischemic heart disease and heart failure. There were no differences in terms of respiratory nor neoplasic disease. After 30 days, 112 patients (15.9%) had died, 148 (21.4%) had died or had required invasive mechanical ventilation (PE); 390 patients (55.4%) had needed hospital admission. PE was reached in 33.3% patients under ACEI treatment (vs. 19.6% in control group, p=0.005) and in 41.9% patients under ARB treatment (vs. 18.5% in control group, p Using a propensity-score approach 79 patients under ACEI treatment and 72 patients under ARB treatment were matched 1:1 with control patients (characteristics of matched population are described in the table) Logistic binary regression showed no significant differences on incidence of the PE in patients under ACEI treatment (OR 0.84, 95% CI [0.43–1.63], p=0.613) nor ARB treatment (OR 1.82, 95% CI [0.92–3.60], p=0.085). Nevertheless, there was a trend towards worse prognosis in ARB patients. Kaplan-Meier curves of survival free of death or need for mechanical ventilation in matched population (ACEI and ARB treatment) are shown in the figure. Conclusions We have not found any correlation between the severity of the disease and the treatment with ACEI nor ARB. We do not recommend the withdrawal of these drugs during the current epidemic situation. Further studies are needed to assess this finding. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Description of studied populationKaplan-Meier curve in matched population

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels are increased in patients with cancer. In this paper, we test whether NT-proBNP may identify patients who are going to receive a future cancer diagnosis (CD) in the intermediate-term follow-up. We studied 962 patients with stable coronary artery disease and free of cancer and heart failure at baseline. This sample represents a re-analysis of a previous work expanding the sample size and the follow-up. NT-proBNP, galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTnI), and calcidiol (vitamin D) plasma levels were assessed. The primary outcome was new CD. After 5.40 (2.81–6.94) years of follow-up, 59 patients received a CD. NT-proBNP [HR 1.036 CI (1.015–1.056) per increase in 100 pg/mL, p = 0.001], previous atrial fibrillation (HR 3.140 CI (1.196–8.243), p = 0.020), and absence of previous heart failure (HR 0.067 CI (0.006–0.802), p = 0.033) were independent predictors of receiving a CD in the first three years of follow-up. None of the variables analyzed predicted a CD beyond this time. The number of patients developing heart failure during follow-up was 0 (0.0%) in patients receiving CD in the first three years of follow-up, 2 (6.9%) in those receiving a CD diagnosis beyond this time, and 40 (4.4%) in patients not developing cancer (p = 0.216). These numbers suggest that future heart failure was not a confounding factor. In patients with coronary artery disease, NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of CD in the first three years of follow-up but not later, suggesting that it could be detecting subclinical undiagnosed cancers.

Online peer-to-peer platforms empower individual users and facilitate value-oriented exchanges. Personal profiles are the main point of contact with consumers on these platforms. Although individual sellers can use these profiles to market their own products, the optimal communication strategies that maximize their revenues remain uncertain. In line with construal-level theory, a self-presentation strategy that reduces social distance might increase sellers’ revenues. An empirical validation, based on 6,074 Airbnb listings, affirms that self-presentation that evokes social values leads to higher revenues. The length of the self-presentation also exerts a notable impact. Specifically, an inverted U-shaped effect on revenues reaches its peak at 424 words. This research has rich managerial implications, in that it demonstrates how sellers on peer-to-peer platforms can increase their revenues simply by emphasizing social values in their self-presentations.

Noting increasingly independent traveling by tourists, as well as changes on the tourist activity worldwide due to the 2008 economic crisis, this study analyzes the relationships between an economic crisis, tourist’s self-organization in trip planning, and tourist’s trip satisfaction. Data from a panel (2006–2011) on how residents in Spain complete their accommodation and transport bookings are used, including data on their trip satisfaction. The study identifies a negative relationship between the 2008 economic crisis and trip satisfaction, a positive relationship between self-organization and satisfaction, as well as positive moderating effects of the crisis on the relationship between self-organization and satisfaction.

Clinical data indicate that patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels higher than 2 mg per liter suffer from persistent inflammation, which is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We determined whether a panel of biomarkers associated with CVD could predict recurrent events in patients with low or persistent inflammation and coronary artery disease (CAD). We followed 917 patients with CAD (median 4.59 ± 2.39 years), assessing CRP, galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin-I plasma levels. The primary outcome was the combination of cardiovascular events (acute coronary syndrome, stroke or transient ischemic event, heart failure or death). Patients with persistent inflammation (n = 343) showed higher NT-proBNP and MCP-1 plasma levels compared to patients with CRP &lt, 2 mg/L. Neither MCP-1 nor NT-proBNP was associated with primary outcome in patients with CRP &lt, 2 mg/L. However, NT-proBNP and MCP-1 plasma levels were associated with increased risk of the primary outcome in patients with persistent inflammation. When patients were divided by type of event, MCP-1 was associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic events. A significant interaction between MCP-1 and persistent inflammation was found (synergy index: 6.17 (4.39–7.95)). In conclusion, MCP-1 plasma concentration is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with persistent inflammation.

53 pages, 10 figures, 20 tables, This paper provides an overview of the last 40 years of use, and in many cases abuse, of the natural resources in Catalonia, a country that is representative of European countries in general, and especially those in the Mediterranean region. It analyses the use of natural resources made by mining, agriculture, livestock, logging, fishing, nature tourism, and energy production and consumption. This use results in an ecological footprint, i.e., the productive land and sea surface required to generate the consumed resources and absorb the resulting waste, which is about seven times the amount available, a very high number but very similar to other European countries. This overexploitation of natural resources has a huge impact on land and its different forms of cover, air, and water. For the last 25 years, forests and urban areas have each gained almost 3% more of the territory at the expense of agricultural land; those municipalities bordering the sea have increased their number of inhabitants and activity, and although they only occupy 6.7% of the total surface area, they account for 43.3% of the population; air quality has stabilized since the turn of the century, and there has been some improvement in the state of aquatic ecosystems, but still only 36% are in good condition, while the remainder have suffered morphological changes and different forms of nonpoint source pollution; meanwhile the biodiversity of flora and fauna remains still under threat. Environmental policies do not go far enough so there is a need for revision of the legislation related to environmental impact and the protection of natural areas, flora, and fauna. The promotion of environmental research must be accompanied by environmental education to foster a society which is more knowledgeable, has more control and influence over the decisions that deeply affect it. Indeed, nature conservation goes hand in hand with other social and economic challenges that require a more sustainable vision. Today’s problems with nature derive from the current economic model, which is environmentally unsustainable in that it does not take into account environmental impacts. Lastly, we propose a series of reasonable and feasible priority measures and actions related to each use made of the country’s natural resources, to the impacts they have had, and to their management, in the hope that these can contribute to improving the conservation and management of the environment and biodiversity and move towards sustainability, This research was funded by the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC). With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

Customers’ evaluation of hotel prices has received increasing attention in hospitality research. Beyond the specific attributes of the offer, internal norms related to prior experiences affect customers’ response to price. Drawing on the behavioral price literature, this study investigates the effect of travel frequency and reference price on the formation of travelers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for accommodation. The study presents a novel methodological approach introducing the concept of instantaneous indirect effect. Results offer support for an inverted U-shaped relationship between travel frequency and WTP, mediated by the internal reference price. WTP reaches its peak when the customer has booked an accommodation 6 times in the past 2-year period. The findings provide clear implications for practitioners. Monitoring customers’ travel frequency and integrating it into dynamic pricing models will create a better alignment of room rates with travelers’ WTP, which will make revenue management techniques more customer centric and, ultimately, enhance profitability.

Quality assurance in higher education is one of the cornerstones of the Bologna agenda and the Lisbon strategy, which aims at establishing the world’s most competitive knowledge economy. Extensive literature up to now has addressed quality assurance as a regulatory and policy mechanism and has presented quality assurance and market forces as antagonistic. However, what policymakers in the field fail to see is that the ‘official’ quality assurance processes also have implications in terms of competition. Indeed, higher education institutions are using the results of these, in principle aseptic, non-market-related evaluation processes, as a way to achieve competitive advantage. This paper analyses the case of higher education institutions in engineering in France. The institutional websites of 163 higher education institutions have been analysed through code-based content analysis techniques and Multiple Correspondence Analysis. This study shows that the analysis of institutional websites can be used as a tool to gauge the importance of the different dimensions of quality assurance for higher education institutions in a given national system. Furthermore, a clear association has been found between the ranking position of an institution and its communication behaviour. The results have been interpreted in the light of Neoinstitutional Theory and Porter’s generic competitive strategies. Practical implications for quality assurance practitioners and managers at higher education institutions have been highlighted

This data article contains the data related to the research article entitled “Long-term neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted-temperature management” (Caro-Codon et al., 2018). In this dataset, we report details regarding the flow chart of the included patients and the specific exclusion criteria. We also include information on the difference between the patients who attended the structured personal interview (and therefore were finally included in the study) and those who did not attend. Neuropsychiatric and functional data before and after cardiac arrest are also reported. Finally, we list all the “de novo” focal neurological deficits identified after cardiac arrest in the related population.

Changes over the last century in the economic model of European countries and the development of the market economy have led to intense shifts in land occupation patterns. Agricultural abandonment is an important consequence of these processes and has modified natural and cultural landscapes, involving side-effects for society. Understanding how environmental and socio-economic factors influence the abandonment process can provide useful insights for managing investments, whether from the public or the private sector. In Spain, the Pyrenees and the Ebro Depression are two differentiated areas in terms of land-use dynamics, particularly in terms of the agricultural model carried out. In this paper we have analyzed the agricultural abandonment in these areas during the 1987–2012 period in relation to several potential explanatory factors. The analysis focuses on the abandonment of rainfed and irrigated herbaceous crops in order to derive specific explanations according to the crop type and geographical region. Crop covers were classified from four Landsat scenes, and conditions were described by topographic variables, human factors and drought occurrence. Boosted regression trees (BRT) were used to identify the most important variables and to describe the relationships between agricultural abandonment and key factors. Topography derived variables were found to be the main determinants, except for irrigated crops in the Ebro Basin, where locational factors play a more important role. BRT models allowed us to identify other significant patterns such as: the vulnerability of irrigated crops to drought; the higher dependence of agricultural activity in the Pyrenees on internal networks; pattern shifts of land abandonment in the analyzed sub-periods, and; evidence of the importance of economic diversification for maintaining cropland.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the potential impact of need for touch (NFT) on perceived product quality and the possible roles of purchasers’ social (subjective norms), personal (buying impulsiveness) and epistemic (e-commerce orientation) factors, as well as the likely interaction effect of the shopping channel.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study is based on 540 observations, analysed in a partial least squares structural equation model.FindingsThe link between the NFT and perceived quality tends to be negative, especially for online purchases. E-commerce orientation reduces the need to touch products, but subjective norms and buying impulsiveness have no significant effects.Research limitations/implicationsThe NFT scale might be improved by adding more items. Some of the structural model coefficients indicate a low effect size. Finally, the results are limited to Spanish purchasers of the focal product.Practical implicationsFirms should appeal to purchasers’ e-commerce orientation to reduce the negative implications of a need to touch products among consumers shopping online.Originality/valueThe need to touch a product may be an obstacle to online purchases, yet few studies deal with its impact in online, relative to offline, contexts to evaluate product quality. This study also integrates personal, social and epistemic factors.

We currently live in a globalized world where the imperative need to both generate added value and new products and services has been strengthened. Some of the problems pending to solve can be properly faced from the field of “Design”. However, and up to now, there is no design science serving as a knowledge pivot for developing and building the solutions required. On the other hand, design is cross-cuttingly present in the different activities of a country like Spain, where one of the most important sectors is agriculture. Starting from this context, a survey about the role of design in the agri-food industry has been developed through the well-known Delphi method, constituting a panel of experts from the private sector of Andalusia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which a forum of these characteristics has aimed to involve both CEOs and managers of agri-food businesses and design professionals to work together around this topic. The results obtained suggest that design component in the agri-food industry is mainly present in activities related to graphic design, showing less presence in the industrial-product design or, specially, in the environment design. They also point out that design is an important tool to explore in the agri-food sector since it might provide both tangible and intangible benefits. The findings of this work seem to be very valuable as a diagnostic to characterize the design component, also contributing to uncover and develop the design as an important factor of dynamization.

The bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), causes severe post-harvest losses in the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. The control of this insect is still poor and involves the use of conventional insecticides. There is an increasing demand in the search for new active substances and products for pest control towards reduction of adverse effects on human health and the environment. The protection of grains with alternative products, such as essential oils, is a possible alternative to meet the needs described above. Therefore, this investigation evaluated the applications of basil, Ocimum basilicum, and citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus, essential oils for A. obtectus control. These essential oils significantly reduced the bean weight losses and the number of beans damaged by A. obtectus at higher doses than 60 or 120 &mu, L/sample. The number of holes per bean did not differ between the doses of basil essential oil, not even at the dose of 60 &mu, L, while it was higher at 120 &mu, L, probably due to a lower capacity of movement of the insects treated with this dose and/or the oil&rsquo, s direct or indirect effects on the insects. Basil and citronella oils exhibited similar patterns of insecticidal activity over the insect, both directly in adult insects or indirectly over bean seeds. These essential oils affected the development of A. obtectus since the greatest doses applied on beans decreased the emergence of the bean weevil. The results prove the insecticidal capacity of the tested essential oils and hence their potential as active substances against A. obtectus in environmentally low risk pest control strategies. Supplementary trials should be conducted under real storage conditions.

20 pages, 2 tables.-- This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, A key requirement for the successful implementation of the Landing Obligation is the need to monitor and regulate unwanted catches at sea. This issue is particularly challenging because of the large number of vessels and trips that need to be monitored and the remoteness of vessels at sea. Several options exist in theory, ranging from patrol vessels to onboard observers and self-sampling. Increasingly though, technology is developing to provide remote Electronic Monitoring (EM) with cameras at lower costs. This chapter first provides an overall synthesis of the pro’s and con’s of several monitoring tools and technologies. Four EM technologies already trialled in EU fisheries are then summarised. We conclude that it is now possible to conduct reliable and cost-effective monitoring of unwanted catches at sea, especially if various options are used in combination. However, effective monitoring is a necessary condition for the successful implementation of the Landing Obligation but insufficient unless it is implemented with a high level of coverage and with the support of the fishing industry, This chapter is largely based on work carried out in the DiscardLess project and the Life iSEAS project. The DiscardLess project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement DiscardLess No 633680. The Life iSEAS project has been co-funded under the LIFE+Environment Program of the European Union (LIFE13 ENV/ES/000131). This support is gratefully acknowledged

This study proposes as a key cause of the high failure rates in the implementation of analytical projects for marketing decisions, the discrepancy in the information quality (DIQ) perceived between producers (information technology [IT]) and users (marketing) of knowledge. Given that the DIQ between agents is a determining factor in the success of the ability to data analytics, this study focuses on examining this concept and its causes, specifically the resources related to data analytics that influence DIQ. The results of the surveys carried out with the IT and marketing managers of 95 companies in Spain, analyzed with a comparative methodological approach (dyadic), reveal the sources of the discrepancy, namely, the quality of the data, the technological capabilities, the talent, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) support, and alignment of the data plan with the marketing plan. JEL CLASSIFICATION M31; M15; D82; L10

Target temperature management (TTM) has shown to reduce brain damage after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA), but the time to neurological recovery is not defined yet. We sought to determine the time these patients need to regain consciousness, as well as factors associated with a late post-arrest awakening.We performed a retrospective analysis of patients cooled to 32-34°C during 24h after CA, who regained neurological responsiveness after rewarming. We measured the time until awakening, defined as obedience to verbal commands.We included 163 CA survivors (84.7% male, 60.2 years) who regained consciousness after TTM: target temperature was either 32°C (36.2%), 33°C (56.4%) or 34°C (6.7%). Mean time of awakening was 3.8 days. Thirty-four patients (20.9%) regained neurological responsiveness after 5 days after CA. All of them had been cooled to either 32°C (18 patients) or 33°C (16), and no patient cooled to 34°C awakened after day 5. A lower target temperature was associated with a later awakening (p0.001). The time to advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was shorter among the early awakers (p=0.04), but we found no other predictors of an earlier awakening.A high proportion of CA survivors induced to TTM regained consciousness after 5 days, and cooling to a lower target temperature may influence on a late neurological recovery. Therefore, withdrawal of life supporting treatment should be delayed to more than 5 days in patients cooled to 33°C or less. Time to advanced CPR was found to be a predictor of early awakening.

This paper details the process of generating the 2017 Land Use/Land Cover Map of Catalonia (MUCSC) using automatic classification of satellite imagery and auxiliary cartographic and remote sensing data. A total of 60 images (6 dates for each of the 10 tiles covering Catalonia) captured by the Sentininel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellites were used. These images as well as texture variables, terrain models derived from lidar processing, and vegetation and wetness indices were classified using the k-Nearest Neighbor algorithm (kNN) to obtain a map with 25 categories. The categories related to urbanized areas (urban areas, urbanizations and industrial zones/ commercial areas), road infrastructures and burned areas were edited using official cartographic datasets of the Catalan Government [Generalitat]. The results have an overall accuracy greater than 98 %, which was evaluated with a set of more than 8.6 million independent test pixels. This work represents an important milestone in terms of the computational effort it involves due to the territorial extension (32 000 km2), the spatial detail of between 2 and 20 m, the use of up to 58 variables, the relative completeness of the legend and the level of success achieved. The MUCSC 2017, which is part of a 30-year quinquennial series beginning in 1987, can be downloaded in different formats (also in MMZX: new ISO 19165-2) and at resolutions of 10 m and 30 m pixel side from the Ministry of Territory and Sustainability website of the Catalan Government.

Introduction: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with early and severe atherosclerosis. However, few biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events in this population. Methods: We followed 964 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), assessing plasma levels of galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at baseline. The secondary outcomes were acute ischemia and heart failure or death. The primary outcome was the combination of the secondary outcomes. Results. Two hundred thirty-two patients had T2DM. Patients with T2DM showed higher MCP-1 (144 (113&ndash, 195) vs. 133 (105&ndash, 173) pg/mL, p = 0.006) and galectin-3 (8.3 (6.5&ndash, 10.5) vs. 7.8 (5.9&ndash, 9.8) ng/mL, p = 0.049) levels as compared to patients without diabetes. Median follow-up was 5.39 years (2.81&ndash, 6.92). Galectin-3 levels were associated with increased risk of the primary outcome in T2DM patients (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.57 (1.07&ndash, 2.30), p = 0.022), along with a history of cerebrovascular events. Treatment with clopidogrel was associated with lower risk. In contrast, NT-proBNP and MCP-1, but not galectin-3, were related to increased risk of the event in nondiabetic patients (HR 1.21 (1.04&ndash, 1.42), p = 0.017 and HR 1.23 (1.05&ndash, 1.44), p = 0.012, respectively), along with male sex and age. Galectin-3 was also the only biomarker associated with the development of acute ischemic events and heart failure or death in T2DM patients, while, in nondiabetics, MCP-1 and NT-proBNP, respectively, were related to these events. Conclusion: In CAD patients, galectin-3 plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM, and MCP-1 and NT-proBNP in those without T2DM.

Background This study aimed to assess long-term cognitive and functional outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with targeted-temperature management, investigate the existence of prognostic factors that could be assessed during initial admission and evaluate the usefulness of classic neurological scales in this clinical scenario. Methods Patients admitted due to OHCA from August 2007 to November 2015 and surviving at least one year were included. Each patient completed a structured interview focused on the collection of clinical, social and demographic data. All available information in clinical records was reviewed and a battery of neurocognitive and psychometric tests was performed. Results Seventy-nine patients were finally included in the analysis. Forty-three patients (54.4%) scored below the usual cut-off points for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, even though most of these deficits went unnoticed when patients were assessed using CPC and modified Rankin scale. Nineteen (24%) developed certain degree of impairment in their attention capacity and executive functions. A significant proportion developed new memory-related disorders (43%), depressive symptoms (17.7%), aggressive/uninhibited behavior (12.7%) and emotional lability (8.9%). A greater number of weekly hours of intellectual activity and a qualified job were independent protective factors for the development of cognitive impairment. However, being older at the time of the cardiac arrest was identified as a poor prognostic factor. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of long-term cognitive deficits and functional limitations in OHCA survivors. Most commonly used clinical scales in clinical practice are crude and lack sensitivity to detect most of these deficits.

Resumen basado en el de la publicación Título, resumen y palabras clave también en inglés Desarrollado en el marco de un proyecto de innovación educativa para la adaptación de la Universidad de Almería al EEES, tiene como objetivo general el estudio del potencial de los entornos inmersivos 3D para la enseñanza-aprendizaje a distancia. En este sentido se ha evaluado el uso de la plataforma Second Life para complementar y reforzar las clases presenciales de la asignatura Diseño Asistido por Ordenador mediante una alternativa eficaz y ágil para la comunicación a distancia a través de la WWW, manteniendo, en la medida de lo posible, el sentimiento de pertenencia a una clase de todas las personas participantes. El estudio se llevó a cabo a lo largo de tres fases diferenciadas. En la primera, se diseñó y planificó el procedimiento para la investigación experimental. En la segunda, se llevaron a cabo las diferentes sesiones programadas en el marco del proyecto y se procedió a la obtención de las valoraciones del alumnado. En la tercera fase se adaptó y aplicó el conocido modelo de Kano para obtener una evaluación cuantitativa de la satisfacción del grupo de estudiantes tanto con la interfaz del entorno inmersivo 3D empleado como con el propio método de enseñanza síncrona a distancia. En líneas generales la respuesta del alumnado participante en relación a la componente teórica de la asignatura ha sido ampliamente positiva, inclinándose por una docencia presencial en el caso de la componente puramente práctica o aplicada. Los hallazgos obtenidos pueden ser de utilidad para el profesorado/personal investigador interesado en el diseño y recreación de aulas virtuales análogas, así como para avanzar en estrategias que promuevan de una forma efectiva la enseñanza B-Learning apoyada en entornos inmersivos 3D. ESP

This article addresses the potential of reputable brands to overcome the lack of tangibility that characterizes the process of e-commerce through an experiment-based analysis. In a sequential argument, the authors propose that (1) the brand becomes more important in online than in offline channels, as a consequence of the intangibility or lack of physical contact in online purchasing processes; (2) the limitations associated with the need for touch and the lack of access to the physical product during the buying process does not have equal importance across all product categories and (3) the role of the brand in online channels thus is more relevant if the product category is associated with a higher need for touch. The study based on the experimental design reveals that leading brands enjoy an advanta in consumers' quality assessments, regardless of the objective attributes that characterize the products. This advantage may be greater in online channels, though only for product categories for which the lack of physical contact with the product during the purchase process is an important limitation. In such cases, brand associations can compensate for intangibility during purchase.

Purpose – This article aims to seek to provide a performance measurement scale for customer relationship management (CRM) software. The CRM concept is wide, yet prior literature offers only specific approaches. This scale goes beyond specific scenarios, to cover the various perspectives on CRM and provide quantitative validation of the measures. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the complete process for conceptualizing and operationalizing this reflective second-order construct, including a thorough literature review, qualitative research and a quantitative study with 208 companies that have implemented CRM software. Findings – Three main, interconnected constructs emerge to measure CRM software performance: customer life cycle, firm performance and operational performance. Retention, loyalty and satisfaction indicators form the customer life-cycle dimension. Firm performance refers to market share, efficiency, product adaptation, and new product launch indicators. The operational dimension includes improvement in sales performance, marketing campaigns, customer service and analysis of customer information. Research limitations/implications – This scale guides every element involved in CRM software implementation, toward a common objective. Practical implications – The CRM scale supports CRM software industry players and firms that intend to implement CRM software. The three model constructs provide guidelines about which improvements should be noted with a CRM implementation. Social implications – This scale help the companies who intend to implement CRM software conduct their agreement with the other parts involved (consultants, software developers and the firm). Originality/value – This paper meets an identified need, namely, to provide a CRM software performance measurement scale. The huge, unique sample is exclusive and obtained from a dedicated CRM software developer.

Objective To determine the influence of demographics, medical, and surgical variables on 30-day mortality in patients who need continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Materials and methods A retrospectively-followed study was conducted using the data of 112 patients admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit who required CRRT, between August 2006 and August 2011, and followed-up for 30 days. The following information was collected: age, gender, history of HBP, DM, cardiovascular disease, CKD, urgent surgery, surgical speciality, organic dysfunction according to the SOFA scale, the number of organs with dysfunction, use of mechanical ventilation, diagnostic and origin of sepsis, type of CRRT, and 30-day mortality. General linear models were used for estimating the strength of association (relative risk [RR], and 95% confidence interval [CI]) between variables and 30-day mortality. Results In the univariant analysis, the following variables were identified as risk factors for 30-day mortality: age (RR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01–1.06; p = .0005), and history of cardiovascular disease (RR 1.57; 95% CI 1.02–2.41; p = .039). Among the variables included in the multivariable analysis (age, history of cardiovascular disease, sepsis, and number of organs with dysfunction), only age was identified as an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (RR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p = .007). Conclusion Thirty-day mortality in postoperative, critically ill patients who require CRRT is high (41.07%). Age has been identified as an independent risk factor, with renal failure as the most common indication for the use of these therapies.

Resumen Objetivo Determinar la influencia de las variables demograficas, medicas y quirurgicas sobre la mortalidad a 30 dias en pacientes que requieren la aplicacion de tecnicas continuas de reemplazo renal (TCRR) en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Posquirurgicos. Materiales y metodos Estudio de seguimiento retrospectivo. Datos de 112 pacientes admitidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos que requirieron TCRR, entre agosto de 2006 y agosto de 2011 y seguidos durante 30 dias. Se recogio la siguiente informacion: edad, genero, historia de HTA, DM, enfermedad cardiovascular e IRC, cirugia urgente, especialidad quirurgica, disfuncion organica de acuerdo con la escala SOFA, numero de organos con disfuncion, uso de ventilacion mecanica, diagnostico y origen de la sepsis, modalidad de TCRR y mortalidad a 30 dias. Se utilizaron modelos lineales generales para estimar la fuerza de la asociacion (riesgo relativo [RR] e intervalo de confianza [IC] al 95%) entre las diferentes variables y la mortalidad a 30 dias. Resultados En el analisis univariante se identificaron como factores de riesgo para la mortalidad a 30 dias la edad (RR 1,04; IC 95% 1,01-1,06; p = 0,0005) y la presencia de enfermedad cardiovascular previa (RR 1,57; IC 95% 1,02-2,41; p = 0,039). Entre las variables incluidas en el analisis multivariante (edad, historia de enfermedad cardiovascular previa, presencia de sepsis y numero de organos con disfuncion), solo la edad se identifico como factor de riesgo independiente para mortalidad a 30 dias (RR 1,03; IC 95% 1,00-1,05; p = 0,007). Conclusion La mortalidad a 30 dias en los pacientes criticos posquirurgicos que necesitan TCRR es alta (41,07%), identificandose la edad como factor de riesgo independiente, siendo la insuficiencia renal aguda la principal indicacion para el uso de estas terapias.

Summary Merchandising at point of sale comprises a set of techniques aimed at encouraging the purchase at the point of sale. This paper analyzes the impact on sales of two of these techniques, especially used in the context of non-specialized food stores and rarely distinguished in academic research: (1) the presentation of product in the ends of the aisles or main aisles, leading from the side aisle access and, (2) the presentation of the product in islands within the main aisles. This research combines cross-sectional and longitudinal data and analyzes specific information on sales and commercial stimulus for all references in two large categories of products from a hypermarket over ten weeks. Results show that both the ends of aisle and the islands have a positive effect on sales and their relative importance depends on the nature of the category analyzed. There are also greater synergies between ends of aisle and price promotions. Finally, the results provide some evidence into the impact of the extension or termination of these merchandising stimuli.

The creation of strong brands interests manufacturers and distributors, as well as researchers. However, previous investigations of brand equity have focused almost exclusively on manufacturers’ brands, without considering the brand equity of store brands. A few exceptions analyse store brands from an aggregate perspective, without differentiating their types. The present study instead considers the effect of store brand tiers (e.g. generics, standard, premium) on brand equity. An experimental design compares scores for different store and manufacturer brands across branded and unbranded tests. Store brands, including premium ones, suffer a brand equity disadvantage compared with manufacturers’ brands. Generic store brands are at a clear disadvantage; premium store brands do not differ from standard store brands in terms of brand equity.

Multiresolution segmentation (MRS) has been pointed out as one of the most successful image segmentation algorithms within the object-based image analysis (OBIA) framework. The performance of this algorithm depends on the selection of three tuning parameters (scale, shape and compactness) and the bands combination and weighting considered. In this work, we tested MRS on a WorldView-3 bundle imagery in order to extract plastic greenhouse polygons. A recently published command line tool created to assess the quality of segmented digital images (AssesSeg), which implements a modified version of the supervised discrepancy measure named Euclidean Distance 2 (ED2), was used to select both the best aforementioned MRS parameters and the optimum image data source derived from WorldView-3 (i.e., panchromatic, multispectral and atmospherically corrected multispectral orthoimages). The best segmentation results were always attained from the atmospherically corrected multispectral WorldView-3 orthoimage.

Summary The application of beneficial, plant‐associated microorganisms is a sustainable approach to improving crop performance in agriculture. However, microbial inoculants are often susceptible to prolonged periods of storage and deleterious environmental factors, which negatively impact their viability and ultimately limit efficacy in the field. This particularly concerns non‐sporulating bacteria. To overcome this challenge, the availability of protective formulations is crucial. Numerous parameters influence the viability of microbial cells, with drying procedures generally being among the most critical ones. Thus, technological advances to attenuate the desiccation stress imposed on living cells are key to successful formulation development. In this review, we discuss the core aspects important to consider when aiming at high cell viability of non‐sporulating bacteria to be applied as microbial inoculants in agriculture. We elaborate the suitability of commonly applied drying methods (freeze‐drying, vacuum‐drying, spray‐drying, fluidized bed‐drying, air‐drying) and potential measures to prevent cell damage from desiccation (externally applied protectants, stress pre‐conditioning, triggering of exopolysaccharide secretion, ‘helper’ strains). Furthermore, we point out methods for assessing bacterial viability, such as colony counting, spectrophotometry, microcalorimetry, flow cytometry and viability qPCR. Choosing appropriate technologies for maintenance of cell viability and evaluation thereof will render formulation development more efficient. This in turn will aid in utilizing the vast potential of promising, plant beneficial bacteria as sustainable alternatives to standard agrochemicals.

Understanding the determinants of consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) is an important challenge especially for practitioners. This study evaluates the effect of external information (eWOM valence and volume) and internal information (internal reference price) on consumers’ WTP for an accommodation. The results of an online experiment (n = 766) show a direct effect of valence on WTP which is strengthened by both volume and the internal reference price. Consumers with high reference prices are more sensitive to the effect of an increase in valence. Moreover, internal reference price has a non-linear influence on WTP. The findings suggest the relevant role of eWOM as well as internal reference price in determining consumers’ WTP. The inclusion of these two variables in dynamic pricing strategies could lead to greater benefits for hospitality managers.

A recent trend characterizing the retail industry is the rapid growth of store brands; many retailers now manage a store brand portfolio that incorporates multiple value propositions, such as a generic, a standard, and a premium brand. Yet current literature has not investigated whether the motivations and benefits sought differ among consumers of national brands and those of different types of store brand. This study analyses the shopping expenditures and motivational characteristics of customers of two major chains in the Spanish retail industry. The positioning of store brands moderates the benefits sought by store brand shoppers, such that each brand attracts different customer segments. Moreover, the overlap between these segments tends to be lower than their overlap with segments of national brand buyers. Therefore, any reference to store brands as a whole appears overly simplistic; an adequately selected portfolio of store brands instead may help retailers steal purchases from national brands, without cannibalizing their own brands' sales.

The aim of this research is to ascertain whether a firm’s environmental motivations may help to predict how complete or incomplete its environmental management will be, understanding incomplete management to be that which neglects one or more of the three keys aspects of such management, namely, monitoring, action and results. We specifically posit that while motivations based on the search for legitimation lead to more incomplete styles of environmental management, competitive motivations entail a more complete management. The analyses conducted with a sample of 1,902 plants provide empirical evidence in favour of such reasoning. The contribution this research makes, therefore, is not restricted solely to showing the effect motivations have on the environmental performance of organisations, as it also introduces a new dimension of environmental management—the degree of completeness, which needs to be considered when understanding and evaluating this effect.

Firms invest considerable resources to control any of their operations that may have environmental impacts in an attempt to reduce such impacts but also generate economic value. Various studies of the basic creation or destruction of monetary value through environmental performance offer contradictory evidence. Therefore, the present study proposes a new definition of environmental management as the transformation of inputs (resources assigned) into outputs (valuable results). Both inputs and outputs should be taken into account to explain financial outcomes; further consideration should also include a third aspect, namely, ‘environmental management productivity’, which describes the relationship between the outputs and inputs of environmental management. Empirical analyses of Spanish firms with a certified environmental management system subject to the European Union's CO2 emissions trading system provide evidence that all three aspects must be considered in combination to achieve a more comprehensive view of the impact of environmental management on financial performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Different programs designed to develop rural areas in Europe grant significant funds to support several economic activities. In particular, rural lodging establishments have been key recipients of many development investments. Therefore, identifying the determinants of business success for these establishments is important for authorities, who must allocate their funding accordingly. The establishments themselves can benefit from such knowledge as well. This article examines the influence of three general factors related to the business and the entrepreneur—product, knowledge, and promotional tools—on performance, measured as occupancy, prices, sales, and profits. A survey conducted in a rural Spanish region produces results that largely confirm the proposed hypotheses.

Summary Background Current guideline recommendations encourage culprit vessel only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease. However, recent studies have shown a better clinical outcome in patients who receive multivessel PCI. Aim To measure and compare clinical outcomes between partial revascularization (PR) versus complete revascularization (CR) in patients with STEMI and multivessel disease who underwent a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 282 patients with STEMI and multivessel disease who received PR or CR and were subsequently enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation programme between July 2006 and November 2013 at La Paz University Hospital. The incidences of cardiovascular events, new PCI, hospital admissions for cardiovascular reasons and mortality were compared between the PR and CR groups. Results Overall, 143 patients received PR and 139 received CR. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, except for mean age (59.3 vs. 56.7 years; P = 0.02), diabetes mellitus prevalence (34.3% vs. 20.1%; P = 0.01) and number of arteries with stenosis (2.6 vs. 2.3; P = 0.001). During the mean follow-up of 48.0 ± 25.9 months, a cardiovascular event occurred in 23 (16.1%) PR patients and 20 (14.4%) CR patients, with no statistically significant differences in the early (hazard ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.19–1.89) or late (hazard ratio: 1.40, 95% confidence interval: 0.62–3.14) follow-up periods. Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus and number of affected coronary vessels, showed no difference in new cardiovascular event risk. Conclusions There were no statistical differences in clinical outcomes between PR and CR among patients who received cardiac rehabilitation.

The factors that influence decision making in severe aortic stenosis (AS) are unknown. Our aim was to assess, in patients with severe AS, the determinants of management and prognosis in a multicenter registry that enrolled all consecutive adults with severe AS during a 1-month period. One-year follow-up was obtained in all patients and included vital status and aortic valve intervention (aortic valve replacement [AVR] and transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI]). A total of 726 patients were included, mean age was 77.3 ± 10.6 years, and 377 were women (51.8%). The most common management was conservative therapy in 468 (64.5%) followed by AVR in 199 (27.4%) and TAVI in 59 (8.1%). The strongest association with aortic valve intervention was patient management in a tertiary hospital with cardiac surgery (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 4.1, p

Recent empirical evidence regarding the relationship between store brand purchase and store loyalty suggests a nonmonotonic relationship (inverted U): positive up to a certain store brand consumption level, after which it becomes negative. To investigate this idea further, this research analyzes the role of (1) the retailer's competitive positioning, and specifically its price positioning, and (2) the product category. On the one hand, the more price oriented the retailer's positioning, the more favorable is the relationship between store brand consumption and store loyalty. The threshold level of store brand purchasing at which the relationship becomes negative occurs later, and this negative relationship is less prominent. On the other hand, the relationship between store brand consumption and store loyalty appears to differ across product categories as a consequence of several factors, including perceived risk. The relationship therefore appears more favorable for risky categories. An empirical study of ten retailers that adopt different price positions corroborates these propositions.

Despite extensive research, the relationship between store brand loyalty and store loyalty remains uncertain. Recent research suggest a nonmonotonic relationship between store brand loyalty and store loyalty: positive up to a certain store brand loyalty level, after which it becomes negative (inverted U). However, existing arguments suggest this relationship may relate to the competitive positioning of store brands, especially their price–quality positioning. The more quality-oriented the store brand positioning, the more favorable the effect of store brand loyalty appears to be on store loyalty. An empirical study, focused on retailers that simultaneously offer several store brands with different price–quality positions, corroborates this proposition. The store brand loyalty level at which store brand loyalty induces a negative effect on store loyalty occurs earlier when the store brand positioning stresses price instead of quality.

The main objective of this research was to determine the feasibility to treat the azo dye direct blue 2 together with municipal wastewater in a biological aerated filter (BAF) using lava stones as support of the microorganisms and under combined anaerobic/aerobic conditions. A 3 m high pilot biological aerated filter was fed with municipal wastewater and, after several weeks, the azo dye direct blue 2 was added to the wastewater to reach a final concentration of 50 mg/L (34 mgCOD/L). Under continuous operation, two strategies were tested: Alternating aeration (12 h anaerobic and 12 h aerobic) and combined aeration (the lower part of the filter anaerobic and the upper part aerobic). The results indicate that municipal wastewater acted as a good electron donor resulting in satisfactory COD and dye removal rates. Better dye removal (61%) was obtained with combined aeration than with alternating aeration (45%). After beginning the azo dye addition, the COD removal rates decreased from 87 to 81% for both alternating and combined aeration procedures. The average ammonia nitrogen removal, without the addition of the dye, was 73% and increased to 90% shortly after beginning the dye addition, then it decreased to 81% during the combined aeration period. Excellent nitrification was observed in the upper aerobic part of the filter. For the combined aeration phase, the conditions change from anaerobic to aerobic does not seem to affect the behavior of the COD and TSS curves.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the effects of price and non-price promotional incentives on market shares of brands within a product category, in an attempt to differentiate between cannibalization and competitive effects. The question is to what extent the growth in market share derived from a promotion comes at the expense of other product-sizes of the same brand within the category (cannibalization) or comes at the expense of the other brands within the category (competition). The article proposes a method to quantify these effects from sales data aggregated at store level, and describes an empirical application in a real context. The empirical results show that the modeling proposal is a useful analytical tool to reveal cannibalization and competition effects. Specifically, cannibalization effects across size-based formats of promotional incentives are higher than competitive effects in the product category analyzed, namely, soft drinks. This may be a result of a high degree of brand loyalty in this product category and/or a low degree of differentiation within the product line of each brand in this product category. At present, sales promotion is one of the marketing variables with the greatest scope and competitive potential. Measuring the difference between cannibalization and competitive effects is a major issue for manufacturers to be able to assess the suitability of a promotional campaign.