Researchers interested in developing new multivariate statistical methods often need to be able to generate multivariate datasets with specific characteristics to test the effectiveness of their data analysis algorithms under specific conditions. In this paper, we present a family of methods for generating multivariate centred datasets by simultaneously controlling features of the cross-product matrices X inverted perpendicular X and XX inverted perpendicular. This provides an interesting trade-off to control for the variance structure in the data, important for the family of algorithms that operate on the data matrix, like, e.g., Principal Component Analysis, and control for the distances among objects, important for algorithms that operate on the distance matrix, like Multidimensional Scaling. The proposed methods form a general framework that can be understood as a jigsaw puzzle, joining pieces obtained from the spectral decomposition of a target covariance matrix and the singular value decomposition of a target data matrix. These methods have in common that they are derived from a two-sided orthogonal Procrustes problem.

Background: This study investigates the impact of social support on resilience and affect among Ukrainian individuals affected by war (non-displaced persons and refugees), one year after the onset of the conflict. Method: A total of 344 participants were recruited and categorized into two groups: non-displaced individuals and refugees. Measures included the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Rigorous back-translation was conducted for the BRCS and MSPSS to ensure solid psychometric properties. Results: Findings revealed higher levels of both positive and negative affect in the non-displaced group compared to refugees, along with significant disparities in perceived social support. Path modeling using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) demonstrated the interconnections between the studied variables. It is worth noting that the 'family' subscale of the MSPSS emerged as the most influential predictor of affect. Conclusions: Social support demonstrated an effect on resilience and affect. Resilience was identified as a dynamic and potentially mediating factor. This underscores the importance of social support networks, particularly familial support, in promoting well-being among populations affected by conflict.

High-dimensional and multivariate data sets often contain missing data and/or cellwise/rowwise outliers. Whereas several solutions have been proposed to deal with each one of these issues independently, the number of suitable techniques that simultaneously confront these phenomena is drastically reduced. In this paper, we introduce RadarTSR, a Robust Adaptation for Data with Anomalous Rows and/or cells of the Trimmed Scores Regression method, which is based on a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). RadarTSR detects cellwise and rowwise outliers, imputes missing data without the harmful effect of outliers, and, if grouped rowwise outliers are detected, RadarTSR imputes them with their own model. The performance of RadarTSR is compared to the MacroPCA algorithm; as far as we are concerned, the only proposal that deals with missing data and contemplates these two different types of outliers. Several simulated and real data sets are used. The RadarTSR code is available in Matlab.

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the main steps for algorithmic sensor signal quality assessment, which can enhance the decision-making process for water resource recovery facility (WRRF) operation and optimization. It introduces the concept of redundancy as the basis for data quality assessment. It also explains the typical data processing pipeline, which consists of preliminary analysis, data pre-processing, and specific algorithmic approaches. Each of these processes is presented and discussed in three separate sections. Importantly, this chapter introduces the main approaches for data quality assessment, provides guidelines for selecting the most suitable one and the key performance indicators to evaluate them and explains how to collect metadata through such an algorithmic approach.

Service-dominant logic (SDL) and the concept of customer value (CCV) are both phenomenological approaches to value creation, deeply applied to tourism services. Conceptual and empirical models linking CCV value types (efficiency, excellence, status, esteem, play, aesthetics, ethics, escapism) and SDL actors (firm, employees, and customers) are tested (340 hotels’ guests). We build higher-order indexes with PLS to test interactivity and contextuality. Indexes of value proposition (firm), value offering (employees) and perceived-value-in-use (consumer) are combined into a reflective-formative-formative index (experiential co-created value). Results show balanced integration of the three actors, positive effect of travel frequency, negative of educational level, and non- significant for gender.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of older patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) programme could improve clinical outcomes during hospital admission. Methods: A before-and-after study in ≥70-year-old patients electively admitted for colorectal cancer resection was designed. In total, 213 patients were included in the ERAS® group, and 158 were included in the control group. Results: The average age was 77.9 years old (SD 5.31) and 57.14% of them were men, with a Charlson Index score of 3.42 (SD 3.32). The ERAS® group presented a lower transfusion rate of 42 (19.7%), compared to 75 (47.5%) in the control group (p < 0.001). The crude odds ratio (OR) for transfusion was 0.27 (95% CI 0.17–0.43; p < 0.001), and the adjusted odds ratio was 0.26 (95% CI 0.14–0.48; p < 0.001). The ERAS® group had a lower percentage of patients with moderate–severe malnutrition on admission, at 23.4% (37 patients) against 36.2% in the control group (42 patients) (p = 0.023), with an OR of 0.47 (95% CI 0.29–0.75; p < 0.002) and an adjusted OR of 0.48 (95% CI 0.29–0.78; p = 0.003). The number of patients who required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) was also markedly lower: 54 from the ERAS® group (25.4%) versus 71 from the control group (44.9%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The inclusion of ≥70-year-old adults in the ERAS® programme resulted in a decrease in transfusions, number of erythrocyte concentrates transfused, and number of ICU admissions, along with improved nutritional status.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus was a worldwide phenomenon, which was unprecedented in modern times. The restriction measures can be perceived as a heavy burden for mental health during this period, particularly for some groups. The aim of this study is to examine a positive mental health model across ages, where a moderated mediation model is proposed involving sex differences and confidence in coping with COVID-19. Two independent samples were studied during the second and sixth waves in Spain: n = 2861 and n = 2462, respectively. The main conclusions can be described as follows: (i) while age was not related to mental health during the second wave, a positive relationship was found between it and the sixth one; (ii) age was positively related to the confidence in coping with COVID-19 during both of the waves; (iii) women showed worse scores for the variables in the study than the men did during the second wave, but this pattern was reversed in the sixth one; (iv) after a moderated mediation model on the relationship between age and positive mental health in terms of confidence in coping with COVID-19 and sex, an interaction was found for the second wave but not for the sixth one. These results suggest that older adults and women would develop more strategies and resources for a positive mental health across time.

Background: Malnutrition increases worse outcomes during hospital admission for elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery in older adults. Methods: This work was designed an observational, monocentric, case-control study nested in a cohort of patients undergoing elective surgery for CRC disease at the Hospital Universitario de la Ribera (HULR) (Alzira, Valencia, Spain) between 2011 and 2019. The study considered patients with a CONUT score in the range of moderate to severe malnutrition (>4 points), with control patients with normal nutritional situations or mild malnutrition. Results: Moderate-to-severe malnutrition cases presented a greater length of stay (LOS), a higher incidence of adverse events (both medical and surgical complications), a higher incidence of surgical-wound infection, a greater need for blood transfusion, and a greater amount of transfused packed red blood cells. During hospitalization, the percentage of patients without nutritional risk decreased from 46 to 9%, and an increase in mild, moderate, and severe risk was observed. Patients with severe nutritional risk at hospital admission had significantly increased mortality at 365 days after discharge (HR: 2.96 (95% CI 1.14–7.70, p = 0.002)). After adjusting for sex, age, and Charlson index score, patients with severe nutritional risk at admission maintained a higher mortality risk (HR: 3.08 (95% CI 1.10–8.63, p = 0.032)). Conclusion: Malnutrition prevalence is high in older adults undergoing CRC elective surgery. Furthermore, this prevalence increases during hospital admission. Malnutrition is linked to worse outcomes, such as LOS, surgical and clinical complications, and mortality. For this reason, nutritional interventions are very important in the perioperative period

Despite the wide acknowledgment of consumer value as a dynamic concept in marketing and tourism literature, few studies have addressed its dynamicity. This article provides an approach to the dynamic nature of value in a hotel experience by proposing a conceptual framework that seeks to explain the influence of value types on customer satisfaction and loyalty as being concatenated rather than simultaneous effects, as more usually described. The concatenation of effects is based on the distinction between active versus reactive values and is tested in a structural model consisting of eight types of value (Efficiency, Service Quality, Status, Esteem, Entertainment, Aesthetics, Ethics, and Escapism). The experiences of 585 hotel guests were analyzed with SEM-PLS (structural equation modeling–partial least squares). Although a direct effect persists between Service Quality and Satisfaction, and Efficiency does not directly affect Loyalty, the chain of Reactive Values–Active Values–Satisfaction–Loyalty is empirically validated shedding light on research in value co-creation processes.

USING SPREADSHEETS AND MONTE CARLO SIMULATION TO TEACH CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS AND PROGRAM EVALUATION AND REVIEW TECHNIQUES IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Different analyses show that the design of vaccination policies should especially protect the most vulnerable social groups, since the level of acceptance is determined by the population’s knowledge, attitude and concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The objective of this work will be to detect the most socially vulnerable groups with respect to COVID-19 and to analyze the factors that influence predisposition to vaccination. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) on the Effects and Consequences of Coronavirus (Study 3346 of December 2021). Sociodemographic variables (sex, age, employment status, studies and subjective class identification) were extracted, as well as the answers to the questions indicating the attitude towards vaccination, corresponding to questions 7,8,10 and 11 of the study. The most vulnerable group was lower class women (self-perceived), under 45 years of age with lower educational level, unemployed or performing unpaid work in the home. Most of them are not predisposed to vaccinate only because of the obligation to do so, mainly due to lack of belief in the power and efficacy of vaccines, as well as fear of health risks/collateral side effects. The lower vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population group may be due to a lack of awareness and lower trust in the authorities, as well as the benefits of the vaccine, which could be related to a lack of policy targeting the most socially vulnerable populations.

A STUDY ON MOOD INSTABILITY THOUGH NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AFTER THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

OBJECTIVES The study goal was to examine whether there are sex-related differences in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality in CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) recipients. BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated sex-related benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Moreover, data on sex-related differences in the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in this population are limited. METHODS A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 460 patients (355 male subjects and 105 female subjects) from the UMBRELLA (Incidence of Arrhythmia in Spanish Population With a Medtronic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Implant) national registry. Patients were followed up through remote monitoring after the first implantation of a CRT-D during a median follow-up of 2.2 +/- 1.0 years. Sex differences were analyzed in terms of ventricular arrhythmia-treated incidence and death during the follow-up period, with a particular focus on primary prevention patients. RESULTS Baseline New York Heart Association functional class was worse in women compared with that in men (67.0% of women in New York Heart Association functional class III vs. 49.7% of men; p = 0.003), whereas women had less ischemic cardiac disease (20.8% vs. 41.7%; p < 0.001). Female sex was an independent predictor of ventricular arrhythmias (hazard ratio: 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.19 to 0.86; p = 0.020), as well as left ventricular ejection fraction and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Mortality in women was one-half that of men, although events were scarce and without significant differences (2.9% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS Women with left bundle branch block and implanted CRT have a lower rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias than men. All-cause mortality in patients is, at least, similar between female and male subjects. (C) 2021 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

M. Pérez-Bermejo , M.M. Aranda-Jurado , F. Arteaga Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir (SPAIN)

Deviating multivariate observations are used typically to test the performance of outlier detection methods. Yet, the generation of outlying cases itself usually appears as a secondary methodological step in methods comparison. In the literature, outliers are defined using certain distribution parameters which differ from those of the clean or reference data. However, these parameters change among authors, leading to a lack of a standard and measurable definition of the characteristics simulated outliers. This makes the comparison between methods hard and its results dependent on the procedure followed to simulate the data. In order to set a standard procedure, a framework to simulate outliers is defined here. Since it is based on certain specifications for both the Squared Prediction Error (SPE) and Hotelling’s T2 statistics from a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model, tuning them becomes a simple and efficient task. This procedure has been implemented in a set of Matlab functions.

Information about the paper titled "UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE CONCEPT OF STATISTICAL POWER IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE MINIMUM SAMPLE SIZE IN AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION: REVERSING THE METHOD" at IATED Digital Library

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamic nature of consumer value by proposing a causal model that shows the existence of sequentiality in value dimensions and in their influence on satisfaction and loyalty. The paper focuses on intrinsic dimensions of value (play, aesthetics, ethics and escapism), which are fully experiential, and therefore less studied in the literature. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model proposed was empirically tested in tourist hotel accommodations. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, analyzing the experiences of 285 hotel guests with structural equation modeling-partial least squares. Findings The results reveal that the reactive dimensions of value (aesthetics and escapism) influence the active ones (play and ethics), which in turn affect consumers’ satisfaction and loyalty. Research limitations/implications This paper is exploratory and focuses on the intrinsic dimensions of value. Future research should consider the entire extrinsic/intrinsic value duality. This paper is based on a convenience sample consisting solely of hotel accommodation. Further studies based on a random sample and on other hospitality contexts would be required to generalize the results. Practical implications This paper can help hotel managers to understand the role and importance of each intrinsic dimension of value to successfully implement their relationship marketing strategies, defined by the chain value-satisfaction-loyalty. Originality/value This paper depicts the dynamic nature of value, with concatenated (and not simultaneous) effects of value dimensions on satisfaction and loyalty, which supports research in value co-creation.

Studying the value concept turns out to be necessary and useful in Marketing because it is academically endemic and professionally relevant. However, despite decades of research, authors denounce a certain vicious circle of conceptual and methodological difficulties in Value research. This work reviews and categorizes these difficulties around agreements and controversies, it provides evidence of the complex nomological network that has been built in years around the value concept. Besides, empirically explores three causal models of relationships between dimensions of Value, Satisfaction and Loyalty, tested with PLS on a sample of 340 hotel customers. The results do not allow to conclude strongly which variable is best explained –Satisfaction or Loyalty– although it does confirm more robust effects of value dimensions (such as Entertainment) on Loyalty, when satisfaction mediates this relationship. We conclude, contextually for this study, on the existence of direct effects (doubled on both Satisfaction and Loyalty) on variable paths) for some Value dimensions and indirect of others in the chain Satisfaction-Loyalty. Managerial implications deriving from results point out the relevance of Entertainment (Play), Esteem, Efficiency, Aesthetics, Ethics and Escapism as key divers for hotel management strategy to enhance, through customer Value, both customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.

Information about the paper titled "RAW DATA, STATISTICAL METHODS, INTERMEDIATE CALCULATIONS, RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS COEXISTING AND INTERACTING IN AN ECOSYSTEM DESIGNED TO APPLY AND UNDERSTAND STATISTICS IN EXCEL" at IATED Digital Library

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) operate in a competitive environment in which the universities must address issues of customer satisfaction and loyalty. This process requires that educational institutions carefully analyse the key factors contributing to student loyalty in all its dimensions and develop strategies accordingly. Customer loyalty is a consistent commitment deeply held by customers to re-purchasing and/or recommending the product or service. This paper aims at understanding the different levels of student loyalty towards HEIs through an empirical study run with 705 graduate students from a small University. According to the students' personal and situational characteristics (age and choice of degree course), we expect significant differences in the level of loyalty. We may also draw conclusions about the management of HEIs in terms of positive word of mouth among students.