bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of the perceived value of organic dining
Authors: Lu Lu , Chi Christina Geng-qing
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the perceived hedonic and utilitarian value of organic dining along with its antecedents and dining outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two groups of US consumers who had recently visited a quick-service or upscale restaurant to consume organic menu items. Data were analyzed using factor analysis and hierarchical regression analyses using Hayes’ PROCESS procedure.

Findings

Perceived hedonic value has two dimensions (dining-centered excitement and social attention and escapism), as does utilitarian value (tangible value and intangible value). Involvement with organic food is a significant antecedent of perceived value. Satisfaction exhibits various mediating effects on behavioral intention, depending on the value factor considered.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to knowledge regarding the perceived dining value of consuming organic food at restaurants. Findings shed light on the importance of understanding perceived value in predicting diners’ behavioral intentions across two restaurant segments. Consumers’ value perceptions of organic dining differ from those related to general organic food shopping.

Practical implications

The findings provide clear ways for restaurants to increase the perceived utilitarian and hedonic value of organic food dishes. This study assists restaurant practitioners in managing customer satisfaction and loyalty by prioritizing the effort invested in developing different value perceptions.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first attempts to delve into consumers’ dining experiences with organic food across two major restaurant segments.
Modelling productivity shocks and economic growth using the Bayesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium approach
Authors: Liu Anyu , Song Haiyan , Blake Adam
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Most existing studies on the impact of tourism on economic growth adopt an econometric approach that is insufficient to confirm that tourism actually leads to economic growth. Moreover, it cannot explain the causalities of different variables. Taking Mauritius as an example, this study aims to use the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium approach to investigate the contribution of tourism to economic growth when there is a productivity shock in the tourism sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-sector, small, open economy is modelled under the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium framework. The model is estimated using the Bayesian method based on real tourism and macroeconomic data from Mauritius for the period from 1999 to 2014. The impulse response functions are used to simulate the contribution of tourism to economic growth when there is a productivity shock in the tourism sector.

Findings

The simulation results show that the Mauritian gross domestic product (GDP) would increase by 0.09 per cent if the productivity of tourism is improved by 1 per cent, indicating that tourism could lead to economic growth. Considering the average annual growth rate of the Mauritian GDP, the contribution of tourism to its economic growth is significant. Furthermore, the effects of tourism on economic growth are moderated by price elasticities in international tourism demand.

Originality/value

This is the first study that estimates the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model using the Bayesian method in tourism economic field. By correcting the prior information with real tourism and macroeconomic data, the estimation and simulation results are more robust compared with the calibration method, which has been used frequently in tourism studies.
Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Food Products: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Olaimat Amin N. , Al‐Holy Murad A. , Shahbaz Hafiz M. , Al‐Nabulsi Anas A. , Abu Ghoush Mahmoud H. , Osaili Tareq M. , Ayyash Mutamed M. , Holley Richard A.
Published: August 2018

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that has been involved in several deadly illness outbreaks. Future outbreaks may be more difficult to manage because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products. The present review summarizes the available evidence on the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products and the possible ways this resistance has developed. Furthermore, the resistance of food L. monocytogenes isolates to antibiotics currently used in the treatment of human listeriosis such as penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, has been documented. Acquisition of movable genetic elements is considered the major mechanism of antibiotic resistance development in L. monocytogenes. Efflux pumps have also been linked with resistance of L. monocytogenes to some antibiotics including fluoroquinolones. Some L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products are intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. However, factors in food processing chains and environments (from farm to table) including extensive or sub‐inhibitory antibiotics use, horizontal gene transfer, exposure to environmental stresses, biofilm formation, and presence of persister cells play crucial roles in the development of antibiotic resistance by L. monocytogenes.
Risk Assessment and Juvenile Justice
Authors: Campbell Christina , Papp Jordan , Barnes Ashlee , Onifade Eyitayo , Anderson Valerie
Published: August 2018

Research Summary

In this study, we examine the interaction between race, gender, and risk assessment score on risk for recidivism. We used the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) to measure criminogenic risk among a sample of delinquent youth. The results of multivariate Cox regression revealed a significant interaction between race, gender, and risk score when predicting recidivism. The findings indicated that the slope of the relationship between risk score and recidivism differed significantly for Black youth as compared with White youth and that this interaction was even more pronounced for the subsample of males. These findings suggest that there may be social or other policy/enforcement‐related factors that increase risk for recidivism for Black youth.

Policy Implications

We found that although there were no differences in overall risk score across White and Black youth, Black males were at increased risk for future recidivism. These findings should inform practice and policies in four primary ways. First, court practitioners, like juvenile court officers and judges, should pay special attention to responsivity factors that may minimize barriers to treatment and success. Second, court officers and service providers should implement policies that require tracking how risk assessment information is used in the decision‐making process. Third, the use of reassessments to monitor changes in dynamic criminogenic risk is necessary. Finally, future research should be aimed at investigating the extent to which policies, practices, and enforcement moderate the validity of risk assessment tools across race and gender.
Can We Downsize Our Prisons and Jails Without Compromising Public Safety?
Authors: Bartos Bradley J. , Kubrin Charis E.
Published: August 2018

Research Summary

Our study represents the first effort to evaluate systematically Proposition 47's (Prop 47's) impact on California's crime rates. With a state‐level panel containing violent and property offenses from 1970 through 2015, we employ a synthetic control group design to approximate California's crime rates had Prop 47 not been enacted. Our findings suggest that Prop 47 had no effect on homicide, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, or burglary. Larceny and motor vehicle thefts, however, seem to have increased moderately after Prop 47, but these results were both sensitive to alternative specifications of our synthetic control group and small enough that placebo testing cannot rule out spuriousness.

Policy Implications

As the United States engages in renewed debates regarding the scale and cost of its incarcerated population, California stands at the forefront of criminal justice reform. Although California reduced its prison population by 13,000 through Prop 47, critics argue anecdotally that the measure is responsible for recent crime upticks across the state. We find little empirical support for these claims. Thus, our findings suggest that California can downsize its prisons and jails without compromising public safety.
Victim Compensation Policy and White‐Collar Crime
Authors: Galvin Miranda A. , Loughran Thomas A. , Simpson Sally S. , Cohen Mark A.
Published: August 2018

Research Summary

We use survey data from a nationally representative sample to explore public support for taxpayer‐funded victim compensation programs for financial fraud, consumer fraud, identity theft, and burglary. We use contingent valuation (willingness‐to‐pay) methodology to infer preferences for compensation programs and explore predictors of those preferences. Overall, our findings reveal that the public strongly supports the implementation of victim compensation programs. Our results also indicate, however, that this support may be driven in part by perceptions of benefiting from this program directly in the future. Additionally, a small but notable minority of respondents exhibit preferences for programs without compensation.

Policy Implications

Our findings suggest that the general public is supportive of restitutive compensation programs, not only as paid for by offenders but also as paid for by the government. We suggest that policy makers may seek to extend victim compensation funds to white‐collar crimes, which may otherwise be more financially damaging than traditional crimes.
Building the Legitimacy of Whistleblowers: A Multi‐Case Discourse Analysis
Authors: Stolowy Hervé , Gendron Yves , Moll Jodie , Paugam Luc
Published: August 2018

Evidence suggests that society still does not view whistleblowers as wholly legitimate—despite legal protections now offered in some jurisdictions, such as the United States. Drawing on a discourse analysis (i.e., an examination of statements), we investigate the well‐publicized stories of seven whistleblowers from 69 sources, including books, first‐ and second‐hand interviews, websites, and videos. Our focus is to examine how whistleblower discourses can build legitimacy by more tightly defining the whistleblower role and demonstrating its alignment with social norms. Using whistleblower self‐narratives, we identify four narrative patterns: (i) Trigger(s)—the event(s) leading to whistleblowing; (ii) Personality traits—whistleblower's morality, resourcefulness, and determination; (iii) Constraints—barriers requiring regulatory and organizational change; and (iv) Consequences—the longer term positive impact of the whistleblowing act. These patterns rely on symbolic, analogical, and metaphorical framing to allow others to better understand the role of whistleblowers and enlist their support. Exploring a data set of 1,621 press articles, we find indications that these narrative patterns resonate in the media—which provide a form of support and may be instrumental in legitimizing the whistleblower role. Grounded on these results, we develop a legitimacy construction model of the whistleblower role, that is, a representation of how role legitimacy is produced and sustained. From this model, we identify a number of important areas for future research.
A novel dual glucagon‐like peptide and glucagon receptor agonist SAR425899: Results of randomized, placebo‐controlled first‐in‐human and first‐in‐patient trials
Authors: Tillner Joachim , Posch Maximilian G. , Wagner Frank , Teichert Lenore , Hijazi Youssef , Einig Christine , Keil Stefanie , Haack Torsten , Wagner Michael , Bossart Martin , Larsen Philip J.
Published: August 2018

Aims

To evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SAR425899, a novel polypeptide, active as an agonist at both the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor (GLP‐1R) and the glucagon receptor (GCR), in healthy volunteers and in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Subcutaneous administrations of SAR425899 were tested in two randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trials. In the first trial, healthy overweight volunteers (body mass index [BMI] 25‐30 kg/m2; n = 32) received single‐ascending doses (0.01‐0.1 mg) of SAR425899 or placebo. In the second, a multiple‐ascending‐dose trial (NCT02411825), healthy normal‐ to overweight volunteers (BMI 20‐30 kg/m2; n = 40) and overweight/obese patients with T2D (BMI 28‐42 kg/m2; n = 36) received daily doses of SAR425899 or placebo over 21 or 28 days, respectively.

Results

The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal; gastrointestinal side effects were less pronounced in patients with T2D compared with healthy volunteers. SAR425899 significantly reduced levels of fasting plasma glucose (P < 0.05 vs. placebo) and glycated haemoglobin (P < 0.001 versus placebo) in patients with T2D. Additionally, SAR425899 led to reductions in body weight, with a maximal reduction of 5.32 kg in healthy volunteers and 5.46 kg in patients with T2D (P < 0.001 vs. placebo) at end of treatment.

Conclusions

SAR425899 was well tolerated and led to favourable glycaemic effects in patients with T2D and weight reduction in both healthy volunteers and patients. Whether dual GLP‐1R/GCR agonism represents a treatment method that is superior to pure GLP‐1R agonists for obesity and diabetes treatment remains to be confirmed.
Harvest date and leaf:stem ratio determine methane hectare yield of miscanthus biomass
Authors: Mangold Anja , Lewandowski Iris , Möhring Jens , Clifton‐Brown John , Krzyżak Jacek , Mos Michal , Pogrzeba Marta , Kiesel Andreas
Published: August 2018

The suitability of miscanthus biomass for anaerobic digestion has already been confirmed by several studies. However, it is rarely used as feedstock in biogas plants, mainly due to uncertainty about the optimal harvest regime with regard to the long‐term methane hectare yield and resilience of the crop to green cutting. The recommended green‐cut date for the only commercially available genotype Miscanthus × giganteus (M×g) ranges from September to November. This timeframe is too broad for agricultural practice and needs to be both narrowed down and further specified for different genotypes. The aim of this study was to identify the most suitable harvest window for an autumn green cut of miscanthus, which delivers both a high dry matter and methane yield while securing the long‐term productivity of the crop. A further objective was to quantify the effect of genotypic differences, such as leaf to stem ratio, on the substrate‐specific biogas and methane yield. For these purposes, a field trial with four genotypes (M×g, GNT1, GNT3, Sin55) was conducted over 2 years (2016/2017) and harvested at 2‐week intervals on three dates between mid‐September to mid‐October. Methane hectare yield ranged from 3,183 m³ CH4 ha−1 a−1 (Sin55) to 5,265 m³ CH4 ha−1 a−1 (M×g), which is mainly influenced by dry matter yield. The substrate‐specific methane yield was higher for the leaf (311.0 ml CH4 (g oDM)‐1) than the stem fraction (285.1 ml CH4 (g oDM)‐1) in all genotypes due to lower lignin content of leaves. Of all genotypes, M×g showed the highest and Sin55 the lowest nutrient use efficiency. We conclude that miscanthus in Germany should be harvested in October to maximize methane yields and nutrient recycling and minimize yield reduction. Additionally, to increase methane hectare yields even further, future miscanthus breeding should focus on a higher leaf proportion.
Life cycle assessment of ethanol production from miscanthus: A comparison of production pathways at two European sites
Authors: Lask Jan , Wagner Moritz , Trindade Luisa M. , Lewandowski Iris
Published: August 2018

Lignocellulosic ethanol represents a renewable alternative to petrol. Miscanthus, a perennial plant that grows on marginal land, is characterized by efficient use of resources and is considered a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to determine the environmental impacts of ethanol production from miscanthus grown on marginal land in Great Britain (Aberystwyth) and an average‐yield site in Germany (Stuttgart; functional unit: 1 GJ). As the conversion process has substantial influence on the overall environmental performance, the comparison examined three pretreatment options for miscanthus. Overall, results indicate lower impacts for the production in Stuttgart in comparison with the corresponding pathways in Aberystwyth across the analysed categories. Disparities between the sites were mainly attributed to differences in biomass yield. When comparing the conversion options, liquid hot water treatment resulted in the lowest impacts, followed by dilute sulphuric acid. Dilute sodium hydroxide pretreatment represented the least favourable option. Site‐dependent variation in biomass composition and degradability did not have substantial influence on the environmental performance of the analysed pathways. Additionally, implications of replacing petrol with miscanthus ethanol were examined. Ethanol derived from miscanthus resulted in lower impacts with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, fossil resource depletion, natural land transformation and ozone depletion. However, for other categories, including toxicity, eutrophication and agricultural land occupation, net scores were substantially higher than for the fossil reference. Nevertheless, the results indicate that miscanthus ethanol produced via dilute acid and liquid hot water treatment at the site in Stuttgart has the potential to comply with the requirements of the European Renewable energy directive for greenhouse gas emission reduction. For ethanol production at the marginal site, carbon sequestration needs to be considered in order to meet the requirements for greenhouse gas mitigation.
Sleep Disorders and Migraine: Review of Literature and Potential Pathophysiology Mechanisms
Authors: Vgontzas Angeliki , Pavlović Jelena M.
Published: August 2018

Migraine shares a complex and poorly understood relationship with sleep. Patients consistently report poor sleep prior to migraine attacks and during them, identifying poor sleep as a migraine trigger. However, anecdotally, sleep is reported to serve a therapeutic role in terminating headache. Are the associations between migraine and sleep simply the result of various bidirectional relationships? A growing body of evidence suggests there may be a common underlying etiology as well. Our objective was to review studies of sleep and migraine from the last 2 decades utilizing validated subjective and objective measures of sleep and to explore potential mechanisms underlying this complex relationship by incorporating recent advances in neuroscience. We specifically focus on insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, sleep related movement disorders, and REM sleep related disorders and their relationship to migraine. Parts of brainstem‐cortical networks involved in sleep physiology are unintentionally being identified as important factors in the common migraine pathway. Recent discoveries on anatomic localization (the hypothalamus as a key and early mediator in the pathophysiology of migraine), common mediating signaling molecules (such as serotonin and dopamine), and the discovery of a new CNS waste removal system, the glymphatic system, all point to a common pathophysiology manifesting in migraine and sleep problems.
Contemporary review of severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Adams Heath S. L. , Ashokkumar Srikkumar , Newcomb Andrew , MacIsaac Andrew I. , Whitbourn Robert J. , Palmer Sonny
Published: August 2018

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valvular heart disease in the developed world, with a rising prevalence due to an ageing Australian population. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a less invasive option for the treatment of severe AS, with evidence supporting TAVI compared with medical therapy in inoperable patients and superior with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high‐risk patients. Equal outcomes have been observed in all‐comer intermediate‐risk populations. The Heart Team utilises a shared decision‐making approach between physicians and surgeons in risk‐stratifying patients and reduces the intrinsic bias that may occur if decisions are made in isolation. Geriatric assessment is useful for identifying preoperative frailty, a major risk factor for death post‐aortic valve intervention. In severe AS, a decision can be made collaboratively to pursue TAVI, SAVR, a Ross Procedure or conservative management. The learning curve associated with TAVI has improved markedly, with overall complication rates decreasing around the world. Contemporary changes in practice, such as conscious sedation without general anaesthesia, expedited recovery and early discharge, will likely improve cost‐effectiveness. In 2018, TAVI is a well‐established procedure in Australia that has revolutionised the management of severe AS. In the future, with an expanding elderly population, the number of patients to benefit from transcatheter therapies for severe AS is hypothesised to increase 4–10‐fold. Heart Team assessment is crucial in patients with severe AS to direct appropriate management.
Interpoint Distance Classification of High Dimensional Discrete Observations
Authors: Guo Lingzhe , Modarres Reza
Published: August 2018

Classification is a multivariate technique that is concerned with allocating new observations to two or more groups. We use interpoint distances to measure the closeness of the samples and construct new rules for high dimensional classification of discrete observations. Applicable to high dimensional data, the new method is non‐parametric and uses test‐based classification with permutation testing. We propose a modification of a test‐based rule to use relative values with respect to the training samples baseline. We compare the proposed rule with parametric methods, such as likelihood ratio rule and modified linear discriminate function, and non‐parametric techniques such as support vector machine, nearest neighbour and depth‐based classification, under multivariate Bernoulli, multinomial and multivariate Poisson distributions.
Enhanced electrical properties related to structural distortion of CaBi2Nb2O9‐based piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Xie Juan , Zhong Jianqiang , Wu Chao , Shi Yulin , Wang Dan , Liu Gang , Liang Dayun , Wang Bo , Zhu Jianguo , Chen Qiang
Published: August 2018

CaBi2Nb2O9 (CBN)‐based high Curie temperature piezoelectric ceramics with formula Ca0.8‐xSrx(Li0.5Ce0.15Bi0.35)0.2Bi2Nb1.94Ta0.04W0.02O9 were prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction method. The effects of strontium substitution for calcium in CBN pseudo‐perovskite structure A‐site were systematically studied. Results showed that the addition of Sr2+ ions lead to an improvement of the tetragonality of lattice structure, which resulted in an enhancement of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties together with high Curie temperature TC and good resistance to thermal depolarization. The analysis of dielectric spectrums revealed that the space charge polarization induced an additional dielectric anomaly occurred below TC. The composition with x = 0.025 showed good integrated performance, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 and TC were ~17.5 pC/N and ~917°C, respectively. Even though the as‐studied ceramics underwent high depolarizing temperature reached up to 875°C, d33 decreased by 8% merely. The remanent polarization 2Pr and the resistivity ρ at 650°C were on the order of ~10 μC/cm2 and 3 × 105 Ω cm, respectively.
25‐Hydroxycholesterol protects against acute lung injury via targeting MD‐2
Authors: Ouyang Wei , Zhou Hui , Liu Chao , Wang Shiwei , Han Yu , Xia Jingyan , Xu Feng
Published: August 2018

Acute lung injury (ALI) is mainly caused by uncontrolled inflammatory response, and it remains without effective therapeutic options. 25‐hydroxycholesterol (25HC) has been reported to be a potent regulator of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 25HC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with 25HC intraperitoneally before intratracheal exposure to LPS. Our results showed that 25HC pretreatment improved survival rate, attenuated the pathological changes of the lung and decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines in mice. Consistently, 25HC reduced expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR4)‐mediated inflammatory cytokines in vitro. These effects of 25HC were obtained by preventing LPS binding to TLR4 via interaction with myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD‐2). Crystal structure analysis suggested that 25HC could bind MD‐2 with high affinity into its hydrophobic pocket. Furthermore, LPS‐induced activation of Akt/NF‐κB pathway was partially down‐regulated by 25HC pretreatment. In summary, this study demonstrates that 25HC could inhibit the overwhelming inflammatory response through MD‐2 interaction, which suppresses Akt/NF‐κB signalling pathway. These findings suggest 25HC may be a promising candidate for ALI prevention.
Effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment of atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Congrete Soontharee , Bintvihok Maythawee , Thongprayoon Charat , Bathini Tarun , Boonpheng Boonphiphop , Sharma Konika , Chokesuwattanaskul Ronpichai , Srivali Narat , Tanawuttiwat Tanyanan , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: August 2018

Background/objectives

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have an increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear if patients with OSA carry a higher risk of recurrent AF after successful catheter ablation. This meta‐analysis was conducted (1) to evaluate the association between OSA and recurrent AF after catheter ablation, and (2) to assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the risk of recurrent AF in patients with OSA.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases from inception through July 2017 to identify studies that evaluated the risk of recurrent AF after successful catheter ablation in patients with OSA were included. Effect estimates from the individual study were extracted and combined using random‐effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

Seven observational studies with a total of 4572 patients AF after successful catheter ablation were enrolled. Compared to patients without OSA, the pooled OR of recurrent AF in patients with OSA was 1.70 (95% CI, 1.40‐2.06, I2 = 0). Among OSA patients with AF after successful catheter ablation, the use of CPAP was significantly associated with decreased risk of recurrent AF with pooled OR of 0.28 (0.19‐0.40, I2 = 0). Egger's regression asymmetry test was performed and showed no publication bias for the associations of OSA and CPAP with recurrent AF.

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis suggested a significant association between OSA and recurrent AF after catheter ablation. The use of CPAP in patients with OSA is associated with reduced risk of recurrent AF after catheter ablation.
Influencing Control: Jawboning in Risk Arbitrage
Authors: JIANG WEI , LI TAO , MEI DANQING
Published: August 2018

In an “activist risk arbitrage,” a shareholder attempts to improve terms of an announced M&A through public campaigns. Activists target deals with low premiums and those susceptible to managerial conflicts of interest, including going‐private deals and deals in which CEOs receive outsized payments. Activist arbitrageurs are associated with a significant decrease in the probability that targets will be sold to the announced bidders, and an increase in the premium paid, both ex post among surviving deals and ex ante among all deals. Activist arbitrage serves as a governance mechanism in M&A and earns higher returns than passive arbitrage.
Use of experienced panelists and the projective mapping task in comparison to trained panelists and naïve consumers
Authors: Morin Maude , Hayward Lydia , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: August 2018

Projective mapping (PM) is rapid sensory method that is becoming more popular among sensory scientists to obtain general product descriptions. This study compares the results of a descriptive analysis panel completed by trained panelists to the results of a PM task completed by experienced panelists (n = 22) and naïve consumers (n = 79), using cookies made with alternative grains as a model. The experienced panelists in this trial were considered as those who have experience with the PM task; however, they do not experience with the products being tested. There was no correlation between the naïve consumers and experienced panelists (RV = 0.297). The RV coefficient between the experienced panelists and the trained panelists was 0.665, indicating a high similarity. These results indicate that experience with the sensory task has drastic effects on the panelists' evaluations. Future work needs to explore when experienced panelists are the most suitable group of assessors to be used.

Practical applications

Experienced panelists are panelists who have extensive knowledge and experience with a particular sensory method. However, in this trial, they do not possess knowledge or training about the products being assessed. This study investigates how experienced panelists performing the PM task compare to naïve consumers and trained panelists. There was no correlation between the naïve consumers and the experienced panelists; however, there was a correlation between the trained and experienced panelists. Further examination is necessary; however, research may indicate that when time, resources, or product is limited, experienced panelists may be a good surrogate population for trained panelists.
A conflict that did not happen: revisiting the Javakhk affair in Georgia
Authors: Ter‐Matevosyan Vahram , Currie Brent
Published: August 2018

During and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, several violent conflicts erupted in different parts of its (former) territory. The South Caucasus region has experienced three ethnically rooted violent conflicts, yet other ethnic disputes in the same region remained dormant. Despite an extensive literature on the South Caucasus conflicts, research on those ethnic disputes that could have erupted during the collapse of the Soviet Union is scarce. This article discusses the case of the Armenian populated region of Javakhk (Javakheti) in Georgia. It explores the questions of how, unlike the Abkhazian and South Ossetian movements that were able to effectively mobilize against Georgian calls for sovereignty leading up to the Soviet collapse, Armenian populated territories in Georgia remained relatively quiet. Considering that the primary ethnic minority groups within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic could each be linked by concerns over demographic shifts, economic discrimination/resource allocation, and political representation, the absence of conflict in Javakhk, as well as in Kvemo Kartli, is somewhat surprising. Based on existing theories of nationalism and ethnic conflicts and field interviews with the leaders of the popular movements in Javakhk, the paper examines the underlying reasons for the lack of conflict there.
Sovereign wealth funds and macroeconomic stability in oil‐exporting African countries
Authors: Rasaki Mutiu Gbade , Malikane Christopher
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the effectiveness of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in reducing macroeconomic volatility occasioned by oil price shocks in oil‐exporting African countries. The oil price boom‐bust cycles complicate fiscal operations, distort budget implementation and trigger macroeconomic instability in oil exporting African countries. We formulate and simulate a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model that features SWFs and the fiscal sector. We compare a baseline model without the SWFs to a model with the SWFs. The simulation analysis suggests that the establishment of SWFs can mitigate the vulnerability of oil‐exporting African countries to oil price shocks. In particular, SWFs can reduce fiscal expenditure and real exchange rate volatility. Furthermore, SWFs can stabilise the level of external debt and reduce the level of money supply thereby sterilising the oil revenue. Since oil price shock is one of the important external shocks inducing economic instability in oil‐exporting African countries, the creation of SWFs can insulate these economies from external shocks.
Psychologists’ Willingness to Provide Services to Individuals at Risk of Suicide
Authors: Groth Taylor , Boccio Dana E.
Published: August 2018

Objective

This study examined psychologists’ willingness to accept a new client into their private practice as a function of the client's clinical presentation (with or without overt suicidality). Psychologists’ openness to working with a client at risk of suicide was evaluated in the context of potential barriers to treatment provision, such as practitioners’ endorsement of stigmatizing attitudes, concerns over liability and inadequate training, and limited access to community resources.

Method

Eighty‐six licensed psychologists practicing within the United States were surveyed via e‐mail and randomly assigned to one of two conditions, consisting of exposure to a vignette describing either a client reporting current suicidal ideation and a history of attempts or a client without explicitly elevated suicide risk. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their likelihood of accepting the hypothetical client into their practice and examining possible explanations for disinclination to provide treatment.

Results

Psychologists were less willing to work with a client experiencing suicidality than an individual without elevated suicide risk. Those indicating a reluctance to provide services reported greater concerns over the adequacy of their suicide‐related skills and training and fewer resources in the community.

Conclusions

Recommendations for improving the responsiveness of private practitioners are provided, with an emphasis on enhancing clinical training and increasing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources.
New HLA‐C alleles identified in two donors from the Colombian public umbilical cord blood bank
Authors: González‐Acero Lorena X. , Camacho Bernardo , Perdomo‐Arciniegas Ana M.
Published: August 2018

Two novel HLA‐class I alleles discovered: HLA‐C*08:162 and HLA‐C*03:296:02.
Prevalence of zoonotic parasites in feral cats of Central Virginia, USA
Authors: Taetzsch Sara J. , Gruszynski Karen R. , Bertke Andrea S. , Dubey Jitender P. , Monti Katelynn A. , Zajac Anne M. , Lindsay David S.
Published: August 2018

Felis catus, the domestic cat, is the definitive host for parasites that may result in adverse health outcomes in humans. Prevalence data of zoonotic parasites in feral cats, which are free‐roaming domestic cats that are born and live in the wild, are limited. The objective of this study was to assess seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and copro‐prevalence of potentially zoonotic parasites in feral cats and to evaluate risk factors for seropositivity and faecal excretion of parasites. In this cross‐sectional survey, 275 feral cats at Trap‐Neuter‐Release clinics in Central Virginia were tested for parasites via faecal flotation, direct immunofluorescence assay (faeces) and modified agglutination testing (serum). Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence was 22.35% (95% CI: 17.47–27.86). Faecal prevalence of T. gondii‐like oocysts was 1.04% (95% CI: 0.13–3.71), Toxocara cati 58.85% (95% CI: 51.54–65.89), Ancylostoma spp. 18.75% (95% CI: 13.49–25.00), Giardia duodenalis 5.73% (95% CI: 2.89–10.02) and Cryptosporidium spp. 3.33% (95% CI: 1.37–7.24). Female cats were more likely than males to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.34–6.17). Adults were more likely than immature cats to be seropositive (OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.11–3.97) and to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.10–5.99). However, immature cats were more likely than adults to excrete T. cati eggs (OR 6.79; 95% CI: 3.31–13.90) and to excrete one or more potentially zoonotic species (OR 4.67; 95% CI: 2.28–9.55) in faeces. Results of this study have implications for human and animal health and highlight the importance of collaboration between public health, medical and veterinary communities in preventive efforts.
Integration of an Electrolysis Unit for Producer Gas Conditioning in a Bio-Synthetic Natural Gas Plant
Authors: Mesfun Sennai , Lundgren Joakim , Toffolo Andrea , Lindbergh Göran , Lagergren Carina , Engvall Klas
Published: August 2018

Producer gas from biomass gasification contains impurities like tars, particles, alkali salts, and sulfur/nitrogen compounds. As a result, a number of process steps are required to condition the producer gas before utilization as a syngas and further upgrading to final chemicals and fuels. Here, we study the concept of using molten carbonate electrolysis cells (MCEC) both to clean and to condition the composition of a raw syngas stream, from biomass gasification, for further upgrading into synthetic natural gas (SNG). A mathematical MCEC model is used to analyze the impact of operational parameters, such as current density, pressure and temperature, on the quality and amount of syngas produced. Internal rate of return (IRR) is evaluated as an economic indicator of the processes considered. Results indicate that, depending on process configuration, the production of SNG can be boosted by approximately 50–60% without the need of an additional carbon source, i.e., for the same biomass input as in standalone operation of the GoBiGas plant.
Determining Subject-Specific Lower-Limb Muscle Architecture Data for Musculoskeletal Models Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Authors: Charles James P. , Moon Chan-Hong , Anderst William J.
Published: August 2018

Accurate individualized muscle architecture data are crucial for generating subject-specific musculoskeletal models to investigate movement and dynamic muscle function. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as a promising method of gathering muscle architecture data in vivo; however, its accuracy in estimating parameters such as muscle fiber lengths for creating subject-specific musculoskeletal models has not been tested. Here, we provide a validation of the method of using anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI to gather muscle architecture data in vivo by directly comparing those data obtained from MR scans of three human cadaveric lower limbs to those from dissections. DTI was used to measure fiber lengths and pennation angles, while the anatomical images were used to estimate muscle mass, which were used to calculate physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA). The same data were then obtained through dissections, where it was found that on average muscle masses and fiber lengths matched well between the two methods (4% and 1% differences, respectively), while PCSA values had slightly larger differences (6%). Overall, these results suggest that DTI is a promising technique to gather in vivo muscle architecture data, but further refinement and complementary imaging techniques may be needed to realize these goals.
Nonparametric Identification of Nonlinear Piezoelectric Mechanical Systems
Authors: Yuan Tian-Chen , Yang Jian , Chen Li-Qun
Published: August 2018

Two novel nonparametric identification approaches are proposed for piezoelectric mechanical systems. The novelty of the approaches is using not only mechanical signals but also electric signals. The expressions for unknown mechanical and electric terms are given based on the Hilbert transform. The signals are decomposed and re-assembled to obtain smooth stiffness and damping curves. The current mapping approach is developed to identify accurately a piezoelectric mechanical system with strongly nonlinear electric terms. The developed identification approaches are successfully implemented to simulate signals obtained from different nonlinear piezoelectric mechanical systems, including Duffing nonlinearity, softening and hardening nonlinearity, and Duffing nonlinearity with strong nonlinear electric terms. The proposed approaches are successfully applied to experimental signals of a circular laminated plate device in order to identify the nonlinear stiffness functions, damping functions, electromechanical coupling functions, and equivalent capacitance functions. The results show both softening and hardening nonlinearity in the stiffness characteristic and weak nonlinearity in electric characteristics. The results of the Hilbert transform based approach and the current mapping approach are compared, and the outcomes show good agreements.
Numerical Investigation of Natural Convection Heat Transfer From a Stack of Horizontal Cylinders
Authors: Rath Subhasisa , Dash Sukanta Kumar
Published: August 2018

Natural convection heat transfer from horizontal solid cylinders has been studied numerically by varying the Rayleigh number in the range of (104≤Ra≤108) and (1010≤Ra≤1013) for both laminar and turbulent flows, respectively. The computations were carried out for three different geometries of three, six, and ten cylinders in a stack arranged in a triangular manner having same characteristic length scale. The present numerical investigation on natural convention is able to capture a very interesting flow pattern and temperature field over the stack of horizontal cylinders which has never been reported in the literature so far. Visualization of plume structure over the horizontal cylinders has also been obtained pictorially in the present work. From the numerical results, it has been observed that the total heat transfer is marginally higher for three-cylinder stack in the laminar range. In contrast, for turbulent flow, starting from Ra = 1010, heat transfer for six-cylinder case is higher but when Ra exceeds 5 × 1011, heat transfer for ten cylinders stack is marginally higher. The average surface Nusselt number is higher for the stack of three cylinders compared to six- and ten-cylinder cases for all range of Ra in both laminar and turbulent regimes. A correlation for the average Nusselt number has also been developed as a function of Rayleigh number which may be useful for researchers and industrial purposes.
Patient-Robot-Therapist Collaboration Using Resistive Impedance Controlled Tele-Robotic Systems Subjected to Time Delays
Authors: Sharifi Mojtaba , Salarieh Hassan , Behzadipour Saeed , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: August 2018

In this paper, an approach to physical collaboration between a patient and a therapist is proposed using a bilateral impedance control strategy developed for delayed tele-robotic systems. The patient performs a tele-rehabilitation task in a resistive virtual environment with the help of online assistive forces from the therapist being provided through teleoperation. Using this strategy, the patient's involuntary hand tremors can be filtered out and the effort of severely impaired patients can be amplified in order to facilitate their early engagement in physical tasks. The response of the first desired impedance model is tracked by the master robot (interacting with the patient), and the master trajectory plus a deviation as the response of the second impedance model is tracked by the slave robot (interacting with the therapist). Note that the first impedance model is a virtual mass-damper-spring system that has a response trajectory to the combination of patient and therapist forces. Similarly, the second impedance model is a virtual mass-damper-spring system that generates the desired slave–master deviation trajectory as its response to the therapist force. Transmitted signals through the communication channels are subjected to time delays, which exist in home-based rehabilitation (i.e., tele-rehabilitation). Tracking of the impedance models responses in the presence of modeling uncertainties is achieved by employing a nonlinear bilateral adaptive controller and proven using a Lyapunov analysis. The stability of delayed teleoperation system is also proven using the absolute stability criterion. The proposed control method is experimentally evaluated for patient–therapist collaboration in resistive/assistive tasks. In these experiments, a healthy human operator simulates a poststroke patient behavior during the interaction with the master robot.
Assessment of the Combustion and Emission Behavior of Crushed Corn Cob Pellets in a Fixed-Bed Combustor
Authors: El-Sayed Saad A. , Khairy M.
Published: August 2018

The ignition, combustion, and emission behavior of crushed corn cob pellets of different shapes and sizes with a chemical binder (Epoxy1092) under certain operating conditions in a fixed-bed combustor were investigated in this study. Also, chemical kinetic parameters are determined by using thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analysis data for both pellet and binder. It was found that the activation energy value is 129.82 kJ mol−1 for pellets, while the activation energy value is 109.62 kJ mol−1 for epoxy 1092. The surface and central pellet temperatures histories, the mass loss rates, conversion rate as well as a simple combustion ash analysis are recorded and analyzed. It was found that increasing the starting air temperature and air velocity and decreasing the size of pellet lead to a decrease in devolatilization time, time to reach maximum temperature, char combustion time, and an increase in the total combustion rate. Regarding to emissions; it was found that the CO2 content increased with increasing the starting air temperature and flow velocity and the maximum CO concentration reaches to 49 ppm at 9.6 ± 1.04% O2. The fouling, slagging indices, and ash viscosity were investigated. The corn cob pellets show a relatively high fouling inclination (FI) and a medium slagging inclination.
Improved Performance of Asymptotically Optimal Rapidly Exploring Random Trees
Authors: Boardman Beth , Harden Troy , Martínez Sonia
Published: August 2018

Three algorithms that improve the performance of the asymptotically optimal Rapidly exploring Random Tree (RRT*) are presented in this paper. First, we introduce the Goal Tree (GT) algorithm for motion planning in dynamic environments where unexpected obstacles appear sporadically. The GT reuses the previous RRT* by pruning the affected area and then extending the tree by drawing samples from a shadow set. The shadow is the subset of the free configuration space containing all configurations that have geodesics ending at the goal and are in conflict with the new obstacle. Smaller, well defined, sampling regions are considered for Euclidean metric spaces and Dubins' vehicles. Next, the Focused-Refinement (FR) algorithm, which samples with some probability around the first path found by an RRT*, is defined. The third improvement is the Grandparent-Connection (GP) algorithm, which attempts to connect an added vertex directly to its grandparent vertex instead of parent. The GT and GP algorithms are both proven to be asymptotically optimal. Finally, the three algorithms are simulated and compared for a Euclidean metric robot, a Dubins' vehicle, and a seven degrees-of-freedom manipulator.