def map_attributes(hmap, row)
      hmap.inject({}) do |return_hash, hash_element| 
        attribute = hash_element[0]
        value = hash_element[1]
        if !value["map"].nil? && value["map"].to_s.match(/^\d/) #begins with digit or fk relationship
          temp = translate_composite(row, value["map"].to_s).to_s.strip
          temp = value["default"].to_s.strip if temp.blank?
        else # !value[:default].nil?
          temp = value["default"].to_s.strip
        end
        return_hash[attribute] = temp
        return_hash
      end
    end

vs.

    def map_attributes(hmap, row)
      hmap.inject({}) do |return_hash, hash_element| 
        attribute = hash_element[0]
        value = hash_element[1]
        return_hash[attribute] = translate_composite(row, value["map"].to_s) || value["default"]
        return_hash
      end
    end