bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations: Legal, Ethical, and Public Policy Issues for International Marketing
Authors: LeClair Debbie Thorne , Ferrell O.C. , Ferrell Linda
Published: January 2019

The authors discuss the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, which focus on the prevention and punishment of organizational misconduct. The guidelines have provisions that mitigate penalties for organizations that demonstrate due diligence and create an effective compliance program to prevent misconduct. A compliance program should assist marketers in developing strategy that aligns corporate objectives and standards with the legal, ethical, and societal expectations of various markets and countries. U.S. cooperative enforcement efforts with the European Union, NAFTA, and Japan extend the requirements for compliance beyond national boundaries.
Marketing and Development in the Transition Economies of Southeast Asia: Policy Explication, Assessment, and Implications
Authors: Shultz Clifford J. , Pecotich Anthony
Published: January 2019

Geopolitical events have forced many countries in Southeast Asia to transform from centrally planned to market-oriented economies. The authors review the literature and introduce a model to help explain the forces and factors that seem to affect the success of Southeast Asian transition policies. The authors submit that though Southeast Asian gradualism or constrained capitalism continues to produce positive macroeconomic results and consumption opportunities, more expansive reform policies eventually could be required if these transition economies are to continue to prosper and enhance the welfare of their people. They conclude by discussing marketing implications and directions for further research.
A Model of the Influence of Marketing Objectives on Pricing Strategies in International Countertrade
Authors: Paun Dorothy A. , Compeau Larry D. , Grewal Dhruv
Published: January 2019

As international markets become increasingly more competitive, firms must employ innovative marketing strategies merely to survive. One such strategy is the use of international countertrade. Offering to countertrade or responding to countertrade offers not only can enable a firm to survive, but also can provide the firm with the opportunity to achieve its marketing objective. Because countertrading involves complex exchanges of widely disparate products with debatable values, the pricing strategy employed is an important factor. The authors develop and empirically test a model of the influence of marketing objectives on buyers’ price expectations and sellers’ pricing strategies in international countertrade. Qualitative interviews provide insight into the world of countertrading and assist the articulation of the model and research methodology. A mail survey involving 108 countertrade practitioners from 23 countries offers support for 22 of the 24 hypotheses. The authors develop implications for policymakers and managers.
Human Development and Humane Consumption: Weil-Being beyond the “Good Life”
Authors: Ger Güliz
Published: January 2019

In pursuit of the “good life, ” less affluent societies focus on the material—that is, consumption and economic development. The author discusses human and environmental consequences of this focus. She suggests alternative emergent ideologies, structures and processes, and practices to enable the enhancing potential of goods and thus move toward well-being, which she proposes to entail humane consumption embedded in human development.
Children's Understanding of the Intent of Advertising: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Martin Mary C.
Published: January 2019

The author conducts a meta-analysis investigating the extent to which children understand the intent of advertising. The results show several study characteristics that have contributed to variance in results of prior research efforts. The author uses these results to develop suggestions for further research and implications for public policymaking.
Food and Nutrition Messages Communicated through Prime-Time Television
Authors: Avery Rosemary J. , Mathios Alan , Shanahan James , Bisogni Carole
Published: January 2019

The authors use manifest and latent content analyses to identify the nutrient profile of foods appearing on prime-time television and implied messages about these foods communicated through characters and settings. The sample consists of 276 prime-time television programs airing over a two-week period on four major network channels. Results indicate that (1) beverages are the most prevalently portrayed item on television; (2) four of the five most frequently portrayed food categories are in the four major food groups; (3) candy and salty snacks are far less prevalent than previous studies indicate; (4) the most frequently portrayed foods in meals have average amounts of fat and slightly lower than average sugars, calories, and sodium; (5) snack foods are significantly less nutritious than foods portrayed in meals; and (6) characters with different demographic characteristics are portrayed with significantly different foods and send different messages regarding the taste and appeal of food.
Displaying Common but Previously Neglected Health Claims on Product Labels: Understanding Competitive Advantages, Deception, and Education
Authors: Burke Sandra J. , Milberg Sandra J. , Moe Wendy W.
Published: January 2019

An aim of the Food and Drug Administration food labeling regulations is to ensure that manufacturers aid consumers in making choices regarding their diets by eliminating “hollow” health claims. Of particular concern are health claims made by one brand when the claim is inherent to the product category but has not been featured previously in advertisements or on packaging. There is concern that consumers will use information provided by one brand about such an attribute to infer that the other brands in the product category do not possess the attribute and thus be misled. Results from three experiments show that this practice can mislead consumers and affect consumer inferences, use of the target attribute, and choice in favor of the brands displaying the attribute. However, consumer understanding regarding the typicality of the attribute in the product category was improved when this practice was employed. Furthermore, it was shown that improved consumer education can be achieved without the deception associated with narrow (brand-specific) health claims by using broader (category-defined) claims. Finally, it was shown that an incentive should remain for manufacturers to use broader claims whenever consumers are likely to be choosing between alternatives from broadly defined product categories (e.g., cooking oils versus peanut oils).
The Effect of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs on Retail Gross Margins: Empirical Evidence and Public Policy Implications
Authors: Kopp Steven W. , Sheffet Mary Jane
Published: January 2019

In the past decade, manufacturers of prescription drug products have begun advertising their products directly to consumers. Among the controversies surrounding this practice is its effect on prescription drug prices. The authors examine the effects of manufacturers’ direct-to-consumer advertising on retail gross margins to determine what the effect of such advertising has been on retailers’ margins. The authors test a hypothesis that is based on the “dual-stage ” theory, which describes a relationship between manufacturers’ advertising and the retail gross margins of advertised brands, and, on the basis of the results, discuss public policy implications.
Regulatory Positions toward Advertising Puffery of the Uniform Commercial Code and the Federal Trade Commission
Authors: Preston Ivan L.
Published: January 2019

The author compares recent developments involving the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the legal treatment of puffery claims in advertising. The author offers the opinion that changes now being made in the UCC will create a more appropriate approach to puffery than the longstanding unchanged position of the FTC.
Disclosure of Odds Information: An Experimental Investigation of Odds Format and Numeric Complexity
Authors: Sprott David E. , Hardesty David M. , Miyazaki Anthony D.
Published: January 2019

Although disclosure of odds information is ubiquitous in the marketplace, no public policy initiatives have been implemented regarding the manner in which odds information should be disclosed. Considering that behavioral decision research has shown that the format of information affects consumers’ processing and evaluation of that information, simply making odds available to consumers in the marketplace does not guarantee that this information is processable or that it aids consumer decision making. After investigating marketplace practices regarding the disclosure of odds information, the authors establish in the first study—an experiment building on basic decision research—that the number-colon-number (i.e., “1:10”) and the phrase (i.e., “One in 10”) formats outperform the decimal (i.e., “0.1”) format, regardless of the numeric complexity or magnitude of the odds information. In the second experiment, the authors investigate a more readily processed format (i.e., a sentence explaining the odds), which is found to increase consumers’ understanding of odds disclosures when presented as a low-complexity number. Implications for public policymakers include several trade-offs that must be made between information provision and cost, as well as between accuracy and processability.
Developing and Assessing Alcohol Warning Content: Responses to Quantitative Information and Behavioral Recommendations in Warnings with Television Beer Advertisements
Authors: Slater Michael D. , Karan David , Rouner Donna , Murphy Kevin , Beauvais Frederick
Published: January 2019

The authors develop, pretest, and experimentally examine alcohol warnings that include quantitative information and behavioral recommendations across three topics (drunk driving, alcohol and cancer, and alcohol-drug interactions). Findings indicate that the effects of quantitative information were contingent on the warning topic and outcome measure used; behavioral recommendations had little effect.
“Not Manufactured or Authorized by …”: Recent Federal Cases Involving Trademark Disclaimers
Authors: Jacoby Jacob , Morrin Maureen
Published: January 2019

After discussing the value of trademarks to consumers and businesses, the authors outline the major objectives of trademark law. The authors review recent federal trademark infringement cases that involve the use of disclaimers, in terms of the extent to which disclaimers reduce the likelihood of consumer confusion. The authors then note recent trends and provide suggestions for further research.
Continuing Duty to Warn: Public Policy and Managerial Views
Authors: Boedecker Karl A. , Morgan Fred W. , Saviers Allen B.
Published: January 2019

The authors explicitly consider the public policy issues related to the question of post-sale warnings and offer suggestions on how marketers should handle these issues.
Analyzing the Impact of the Liquor Industry's Lifting of the Ban on Broadcast Advertising
Authors: Bang Hae-Kyong
Published: January 2019

Using evidence from available academic studies, the author provides insight into three issues of the liquor advertising policy debate: (1) Will hard liquor advertising increase hard liquor consumption? (2) What effect will hard liquor advertising have on public beliefs? and (3) Will warning labels or massages be effective? The author also provides recommendations for policymakers and advertisers.
Characteristics and Beliefs Associated with Probable Pathological Gambling: A Pilot Study with Implications for the National Gambling Impact and Policy Commission
Authors: Netemeyer Richard G. , Burton Scot , Cole Leslie K. , Williamson Donald A. , Zucker Nancy , Bertman Lisa , Diefenbach Gretchen
Published: January 2019

Consistent with a specific objective of the National Gambling Impact and Policy Commission Act (Public Law 104–169, 100 Stat., Section 4), this article examines some background, psychological, comorbidity, and personality characteristics and beliefs associated with pathological gambling. The authors develop hypotheses pertaining to differences between probable pathological gamblers and the general population. These hypotheses are tested using two samples: (1) a sample of gamblers, composed of members of Gamblers Anonymous and persons clinically diagnosed and in treatment for pathological gambling (n = 44) and (2) a random sample from the three-state area in which the study was conducted. The results show marked differences between these groups. The authors address implications for consumer welfare and public policy.
Juvenile Delinquents’ Use of Consumption as Cultural Resistance: Implications for Juvenile Reform Programs and Public Policy
Authors: Ozanne Julie L. , Hill Ronald Paul , Wright Newell D.
Published: January 2019

Each year, the juvenile justice system spends billions of dollars to handle approximately 700,000 youths. Yet the rate of recidivism remains high and suggests that this problem and its solutions are not understood fully. The problem of juvenile delinquency exacts a high toll on society in terms of the loss of property, life, and, each year, more disaffected youth. Using ethnographic data as a basis, the authors explore the experiential world of a group of institutionalized, young offenders. By focusing on the meaning of crime and consumption for these youths, the authors hope to shed light on how crime and consumption are used to produce a style of resistance. In the meaning of their possessions, these juvenile delinquents both affirm and disaffirm some of the dominant values in society. The authors use these impulses in the youths’ lives to inform the conduct of current reform programs, as well as public policy.
Consumers’ Attributions of Proenvironmental Behavior, Motivation, and Ability to Self and Others
Authors: Pieters Rik , Bijmolt Tammo , van Raaij Fred , de Kruijk Mark
Published: January 2019

A computerized survey (n = 1658) in The Netherlands shows that consumers attribute more proenvironmental behavior and motivation, but less ability, to themselves than to other households, the government, agriculture, and industry. Consumers believe that ability has a stronger effect, and motivation a weaker effect, on their own than on others’ behavior. In addition, consumers’ own behavior is influenced by the behavior and ability of other households. The authors offer implications for public policy and marketing communications.
FTC Regulatory Activity and the Information Content of Advertising
Authors: Abernethy Avery M. , Franke George R.
Published: January 2019

Meta-analysis of studies examining more than 66,000 U.S. advertisements indicates that advertisements contained significantly fewer objective information claims during a period of strict advertising regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (1971–1981) than in the subsequent, less stringent period (1982–1992). The results do not appear to be due to spurious effects of atypical studies, other contemporaneous trends in the United States, or global economic factors. An important implication for public policy is that strict advertising regulation may have reduced the amount of advertising information available to consumers.
Comparative Price Advertising: An Integrative Review
Authors: Compeau Larry D. , Grewal Dhruv
Published: January 2019

After two decades of research, public policymakers, researchers, and managers still have questions regarding the use, abuse, and overall effectiveness of comparative price advertising. Using an integrative review of the literature as a basis, the authors examine the state of substantive knowledge regarding comparative price advertising effects. They use meta-analytical procedures to assess the effects of (1) presence of an advertised reference price, (2) advertised reference price levels, and (3) advertised sale price levels on consumers’ internal reference price, perceived value, price offer believability, purchase likelihood, and search intentions. Evidence indicates that comparative price advertising is a powerful advertising tool, with a strong opportunity for deception, that requires careful management and monitoring.
Generalized Exchange and Public Policy: An Illustration of Support for Public Schools
Authors: Marshall Kimball P.
Published: January 2019

Generalized exchange, or indirect transfers in a univocal exchange system, is not researched widely but is common in situations involving public policies and not-for-profit organizations. Using survey data on support for a school tax, the author assesses the influences of perceptions of community benefits, organization performance, and social responsibility. The results partially support the utility of distinguishing between generalized and restricted exchange situations.
Drugs or Dietary Supplements: FDA's Enforcement of DSHEA
Authors: Mason Marlys J.
Published: January 2019

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act broadened the definition of a dietary supplement and loosened the restrictions for health claims on supplement labeling. The Act has left an unclear boundary between supplements and drugs. In this article, the author examines the legal debate surrounding the definition and regulation of drugs and supplements. The author also discusses recent Food and Drug Administration enforcement activities and court challenges.
Developments in Copyright Policy and Network Technologies: The First Generation
Authors: Kopp Steven W. , Suter Tracy A.
Published: January 2019

There has been tremendous attention devoted to the medium of the Internet. However, the technologies that constitute the Web have created a legal environment that has and will continue to compel changes in traditional approaches to several issues, including copyright. The objective of this article is to review and discuss case and statutory law in copyright policy recently developed in the context of network technologies.
Pricing and Public Policy: A Research Agenda and an Overview of the Special Issue
Authors: Grewal Dhruv , Compeau Larry D.
Published: January 2019

The core element of a free-market economy is price competition. When firms engage in pricing behaviors such as price collusion, price fixing, deceptive price advertising, predatory pricing, resale price maintenance, price confusion, and price discrimination, the pricing practices of firms have an enormous impact on public welfare. It is not surprising then that a great deal of government legislation and judicial decisions focuses on the pricing behavior of firms. Moreover, federal, state, and even local government agencies continually monitor firms’ pricing practices because consumers can be harmed. Economics researchers long have investigated the effects of pricing practices on specific markets, the economy, and consumer welfare. Marketing researchers only recently have begun to research pricing practices and their public policy implications actively. In this article, the authors review and organize the main public policy issues associated with pricing and identify research questions that need to be addressed.
Econometric Analysis in FTC v. Staples
Authors: Baker Jonathan B.
Published: January 2019

Econometric evidence played an important part in the litigation of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) successful challenge to the proposed merger of Staples and Office Depot. In this article, the author describes the motivation and methods behind the FTC's econometric analyses of pricing. He also sets forth lessons for the process of relying on econometric evidence in merger investigations.
Some Lessons Learned from FTC v. Staples
Authors: Monroe Kent B.
Published: January 2019

In this article, the author briefly reviews four substantive issues in the analysis of the effects of the proposed merger of office superstores Staples and Office Depot. One apparent issue in FTC v. Staples was the availability of relevant information to support the claims of the merging firms and the appropriate methods of analyzing the information. To manage prices effectively requires the collection, analysis, and dissemination to decision makers of relevant information. The author provides a prescription for the minimum information that firms should collect and place in a pricing information system as simply good managerial practice.
Consumer Evaluation of Reference Price Advertisements: Effects of Other Brands’ Prices and Semantic Cues
Authors: Biswas Abhijit , Pullig Chris , Krishnan Balaji C. , Burton Scot
Published: January 2019

Although consumer behavior and policy researchers have contributed to legislation and legal decisions for reference price advertising, there is hardly any research on how “other” external price information may influence the effects of reference prices and associated semantic cues. The authors study these issues with two 3 × 2 × 2 experiments. Results of the first study indicate that consumer evaluations are influenced by other external price information within a plausible reference price range. In addition, presence of other external price information results in more positive perceptions of the offer when respondents are exposed to an abstract semantic cue. The results of the second study show that other external price information has no effect when the respondents are exposed to implausible or highly implausible prices, but the reference price level affects consumers’ perceptions of value, attitude toward the deal, and search intentions. The authors discuss the possible public policy and managerial implications.
Toward a Fair and Just Marketplace for all Consumers: The Responsibilities of Marketing Professionals
Authors: Karpatkin Rhoda H.
Published: January 2019

The author argues that certain unethical and anticonsumer business practices are accepted by some in business as part of the normal functioning of a market economy. The author argues that marketing professionals have a professional and ethical responsibility to ensure that their work contributes to a fair and just marketplace.
The Role of Consumer Research and Consumer Advocacy in Defining and Promoting the Consumer Interest
Authors: Pappalardo Janis K.
Published: January 2019

In response to Karpatkin 's (1999) article, the author identifies and discusses two critical but often overlooked questions for policymakers, consumer advocates, and consumer researchers. First, what exactly is the consumer interest? Second, what is the role of consumer research and consumer advocacy in promoting that interest? Using the minimum wage as an example, the author argues that policies adopted to improve consumer welfare often harm some of the very people they are intended to help. She raises the question of whether a universal “consumer interest” exists in a world of heterogeneous consumers. She further discusses the complementary but distinct roles of advocacy and research in identifying and promoting policies that improve social welfare.
Cigarette Smoking and Perceived Risk: A Multidimensional Investigation
Authors: Rindfleisch Aric , Crockett David X.
Published: January 2019

In this study, the authors use marketing's perceived risk literature to specify and examine the influence of five different types (i.e., addiction, financial, health, time, and social) of perceived risk on young adults’ cigarette smoking behavior. Using a cross-sectional design, they survey the smoking perceptions and behavior of 292 college students, 18 to 25 years of age. Although bivariate analysis suggests that smokers have lower perceptions for all five types of risks than nonsmokers do, a multivariate analysis reveals that only addiction and financial risks are related significantly to current smoking status. In addition, the impact of addiction risk on smoking behavior is moderated by a person's level of risk acceptability. The authors discuss the implications of the findings for public policymakers and offer a set of issues for further research in this domain.
A Means–End Analysis of Mothers’ Infant Feeding Choices
Authors: Gengler Charles E. , Mulvey Michael S. , Oglethorpe Janet E.
Published: January 2019

In this research, the authors focus on the choice of an infant feeding method as a public policy issue and present the results of a qualitative study of mothers’ motivations to initiate and terminate breastfeeding. Means-end theory provides a framework for understanding mothers’ motivations, and the authors interview 73 mothers using a qualitative technique called “laddering.” The results of this study could help improve promotional campaigns and training programs by reinforcing the benefits of breastfeeding. This may encourage more mothers to breastfeed, as well as reinforce the efforts of women already breastfeeding to continue during this stressful and demanding time. Marketing strategies and public policy programs must be directed toward preventing premature discontinuation that deprives many infants of the full benefits of breastfeeding.
Product Liability Obligations of Component Parts Suppliers
Authors: Morgan Fred W.
Published: January 2019

Suppliers of components parts play an important role in the development and distribution of products for end users. These suppliers provide a variety of inputs for finished products that occasionally can turn out to be defective. In this article, the author discusses the judicial system's treatment of component parts suppliers in terms of their product liability exposure. He also reviews public policy perspectives that might alter this legal treatment.
Marketing and the Tragedy of the Commons: A Synthesis, Commentary, and Analysis for Action
Authors: Shultz Clifford J. , Holbrook Morris B.
Published: January 2019

The authors contend that solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges will result from understanding and solving social traps such as the commons dilemma. They propose a synthesis for analysis and action to suggest that marketing's stakeholders can cooperate to contribute solutions and ultimately develop programs that help ameliorate the tragedy of the commons.
Improving Service Encounters through Resource Sensitivity: The Case of Health Care Delivery in an Appalachian Community
Authors: Lee Renée Gravois , Ozanne Julie L. , Hill Ronald Paul
Published: January 2019

Pierre Bourdieu's work on the political economy of symbolic power is particularly relevant to marketing and public policy aimed at ameliorating consumer vulnerability and persistent social inequities. This theoretical framework highlights various resources, or capital, that individuals possess and how these resources (or lack of) affect power relations. The authors use an ethnographic study of women's health care encounters in a rural Appalachian coal mining community to explore and demonstrate the usefulness of this approach. Specifically, in some health care encounters, social inequality is reinforced through the interplay of different forms of capital between the service provider and consumer. However, practices that are sensitive to capital increase the possibility of more successful and just service encounters. In this article, the authors examine health care practices that are resource sensitive and insensitive and offer recommendations.
A Market-Based Solution to Acid Rain: The Case of the Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Trading Program
Authors: Dhanda Kanwalroop Kathy
Published: January 2019

In this article, the author presents a unique market—that of sulfur dioxide (SO2) allowances. This market aims to reduce the national level of SO2 emissions at the lowest possible cost. The author presents and analyzes the results of this allowance program over a period of six years.
Parents’ Experiences of Information and Decision Making in the Care of Their Child With Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Population Survey
Authors: Beernaert Kim , Lövgren Malin , Jeppesen Jørgen , Werlauff Ulla , Rahbek Jes , Sejersen Thomas , Kreicbergs Ulrika
Published: January 2019

Objective:

This study aims to assess the experiences and wishes of parents of children with severe spinal muscular atrophy regarding information and decision-making throughout the course of the illness.

Study Design:

A full population survey, conducted in 2015, among parents of children with severe spinal muscular atrophy who were born in Denmark between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013. We used a study-specific questionnaire with items about experiences and wishes concerning the provision of information about diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.

Results:

Among the 47 parents that were identified, 34 parents of 21 children participated. Eleven of them were nonbereaved and 23 were bereaved parents. All parents stated that health care staff did not take any decisions without informing them. A proportion of parents indicated that they were not informed about what spinal muscular atrophy entails (32%), possible treatment options (18%), or the fact that their child would have a short life (26%) or that death was imminent (57%). Most of the bereaved parents who had wishes concerning how and where their child would pass away had their wishes fulfilled.

Conclusions:

The study showed that health care staff did not take treatment decisions without parents being informed. However, there is room for improvement concerning information about what spinal muscular atrophy entails, treatment options, and prognosis. Possibilities of palliative care and advance care planning should be investigated for these parents, their child, and health care staff.
The Role of Hypoxia on the Neuronal Differentiation of Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Transcriptional Study
Authors: Gugliandolo Agnese , Diomede Francesca , Scionti Domenico , Bramanti Placido , Trubiani Oriana , Mazzon Emanuela
Published: January 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in stem cell therapy for regenerative purposes. Oral-derived MSCs, such as gingival MSCs (GMSCs), deriving from the neural crest seem more suitable to differentiate toward the neuronal lineage. In addition, the preconditioning of MSCs may improve their beneficial effects. Since it is known that hypoxia may influence stem cell properties, we were interested in evaluating the effects of hypoxia preconditioning on the neuronal differentiation of GMSCs. With this aim, we evaluated the transcriptional profile of GMSCs exposed to basal and neuroinductive medium both in normoxia and in cells preconditioned for 48 h in hypoxia. We compared their transcriptional profile using Next Generation Sequencing. At first we observed that hypoxia did not alter cell morphology compared with the GMSCs cultured in a normoxic condition. In order to understand hypoxia preconditioning effects on neuronal differentiation, we screened genes with Log2 fold change ≥2 using the database Cortecon, that collects gene expression data set of in vitro corticogenesis. We observed that hypoxia preconditioning induced the expression of more genes associated with different stages of cortical development. The common genes, expressed both in normoxia and hypoxia preconditioning, were involved in developmental and neuronal processes. Interestingly, a larger number of genes associated with development biology and neuronal process was expressed in GMSCs differentiated after hypoxia preconditioning compared with those in normoxia. In addition, hypoxic-preconditioned differentiated GMSCs showed a higher expression of nestin, PAX6, and GAP43. Our data demonstrated that hypoxia preconditioning enhanced the differentiation potential of GMSCs and induced the activation of a higher number of genes associated with neuronal development. In conclusion, hypoxia may be used to improve MSCs’ properties for stem cell therapy.
Influence of structure and composition in the mechanical properties of textile polymeric fabrics
Authors: dos Santos Thiago Felix , da Silva Santos Caroliny Minely , da Fonseca Rubens Tavares , dos Santos Vinicius Silva , Grosschopf Mariana Guisdana , de Aquino Marcos Silva
Published: January 2019

Knitting is a very important textile sector in the area of technological development and also for the economy. The knitted have special characteristics that allow their use in different situations. To use them with better use, it is important to know what these properties are and so apply them for a particular purpose. This work investigates several types of knitted 100% cotton and blend 67% cotton/33% polyester and evaluates its behavior when subjected to mechanical analysis (friction, abrasion, and traction) under the respective standards ASTM D 4970 adapted to ISO 12945-2 and ASTM D 5034. The obtained results show that, for the mechanical properties analyzed, the types of loops present in the structure and the composition of the knitted are fundamental factors for optimizing stress and strain as well as reducing mass loss and the propensity to pilling formation. The double piquet structures have a higher sensitivity to the tests, especially when we insert the polyester synthetic polymer that significantly alters the mechanical behavior.
Sweeping it under the rug: How government parties deal with deteriorating economic conditions
Authors: De Vries Catherine E , Solaz Hector
Published: January 2019

Party competition in advanced industrial democracies is generally characterized as a two-dimensional space consisting of an economic and non-economic dimension. This study examines (a) the extent to which parties strategically place more emphasis on one of these dimensions vis-à-vis the other, something we coin relative emphasis, and (b) the extent to which voters perceive such shifts in relative emphasis. Our specific focus here is on government parties. We expect government parties to shift emphasis away from the economic to the non-economic dimension when economic conditions deteriorate. In doing so, they aim to reduce the importance voters attach to the economy and the degree to which voters attribute responsibility for the economy to the government. By combining expert data for 232 parties with survey data for roughly 30,000 individuals in 28 European countries in 2014, our analysis shows that while government parties generally pay more attention to the economic dimension, they shift attention to the non-economic dimension when economic conditions deteriorate. In contexts where government parties have shifted attention away from the economic to the non-economic dimension, voters overall attach less importance to the economy and attribute less responsibility to the government for the state of the economy.
An “old fight”: A case study of enduring struggle in early childhood education
Authors: Nagasawa Mark
Published: January 2019

This is a case study of political struggles over early care and education in the USA using a combination of archival, interview, and observational data from a study conducted in the US state of Arizona. This case analysis illustrates how a combination of the episodic nature of public attention paid to early care and education in the USA, internal tensions within US early care and education between its educational and caring purposes, and competition over scarce resources has worked to undermine the development of universal early care and education in the USA. The study is framed by Dorothy Holland and Jean Lave’s ideas of enduring struggles and locally contested practice, and uses an analytic strategy informed by Bakhtinian theory to illustrate how understanding the cultural logics involved in locally contested practice can be of use to the practice of policy advocacy, specifically engaging adversaries with what Bakhtin called an “excess of seeing” - understanding beneath the surface. While focused on one state in one national context, this analysis may have transnational relevance by raising comparative questions about early care and education policies and policy practice in other localities.
Effect of engine size, speed, and dilution method on thermal stratification of premixed homogeneous charge compression–ignition engines: A large eddy simulation study
Authors: Sofianopoulos Aimilios , Rahimi Boldaji Mozhgan , Lawler Benjamin , Mamalis Sotirios , Dec John E
Published: January 2019

High heat release rates limit the operating range of homogeneous charge compression–ignition engines to low and medium loads. Thermal stratification has been shown to stagger autoignition, lower heat release rates, and extend the operating range of homogeneous charge compression–ignition engines. However, the dependence of naturally occurring thermal stratification on the engine size, speed, and internal residual dilution is not fully understood. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model with large eddy simulations and detailed chemical kinetics was developed using CONVERGE. This model was used to simulate two different engines: (1) a light-duty 2.0 GM Ecotec Engine modified for homogeneous charge compression–ignition combustion in one of the cylinders and (2) a medium-duty Cummins B-series engine modified for homogeneous charge compression–ignition combustion in one of the cylinders. For the light-duty engine, five consecutive modeled cycles were compared with experimental data from 300 consecutive cycles using residual gas dilution at 2000 r/min. For the medium-duty engine, five consecutive modeled cycles were compared with experimental data from 100 consecutive cycles using air dilution with intake heating at 1200 r/min. In the light-duty engine, it was found that incomplete mixing between fresh charge and residual gas increased thermal stratification early in the compression stroke for residual dilution compared to air dilution. Residual stratification at the onset of ignition was small and not directly coupled with thermal stratification. Heat losses to the walls were the dominant source of thermal stratification at the onset of ignition. The reduced oxygen concentration due to residual dilution, increased the temperature requirement for autoignition, which increased heat transfer losses and increased the thermal stratification around top dead center. The thermal stratification before ignition reduced when the engine speed increased because of the lower heat transfer losses. The light-duty engine was found to have larger portion of the fuel energy lost to heat transfer than the medium-duty engine, which resulted in larger thermal stratification before ignition.
Should I Cast an Ill-Informed Ballot? Examining the Contours of the Normative Obligation to Vote
Authors: Doherty David , Dowling Conor M. , Gerber Alan S. , Huber Gregory A.
Published: January 2019

Proparticipatory norms play a central role in driving turnout. However, a broad norm that people are supposed to vote cannot explain why some people fail to participate or why rates of participation vary sharply across elections. We argue that the norm of voting extends beyond the mere act of voting. We present empirical evidence supporting the position that the social rewards for participating are conditional. The social rewards for casting an ill-informed vote are far smaller than those associated with casting an informed ballot. Moreover, some low-information voting strategies are viewed as less desirable than simply abstaining. Our findings illustrate an important constraint on the capacity of social norms to foster turnout. The effectiveness of efforts to translate norms into higher rates of turnout may depend on ensuring that voters are informed enough to cast a meaningful ballot.
Binomial Logistic Regression and Artificial Neural Network Methods to Classify Opioid-Dependent Subjects and Control Group Using Quantitative EEG Power Measures
Authors: Erguzel Turker Tekin , Noyan Cemal Onur , Eryilmaz Gul , Ünsalver Barış Önen , Cebi Merve , Tas Cumhur , Dilbaz Nesrin , Tarhan Nevzat
Published: January 2019

Logistic regression (LR) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) are widely referred approaches in medical data classification studies. LR, a statistical fitting model, is suggested in medical problems because of its well-established methodology and coefficients contributing to the evaluation of clinical interpretations. ANNs are graphical models structured with node networks interconnected with arcs each of which is expressed in terms of weights discovered throughout the modeling process. Since ANNs have a complex structure with its layers and nodes in the layers, which provides ANNs the ability to model any data with complex relationships. Among the various models having origins in statistics and computer science, LR and ANNs have prevailed in the area of mass medical data classification. In this study, we introduce the 2 aforementioned approaches in order to generate a model dichotomizing 75 opioid-dependent patients and 59 control subjects from each other. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) absolute power value of each electrode were calculated for 4 consecutive frequency bands namely delta, theta, alpha, and beta with the frequencies, 0.5 to 4, 4 to 8, 8 to 12, and 12 to 20 Hz, respectively. Significant independent variables contributing to the classification were underlined in LR while a feature selection (FS) method, genetic algorithm, is being applied to the ANN model to reveal more informative features. The performances of the classifiers were finally compared considering overall classification accuracies, area under receiver operating characteristic curve scores, and Gini coefficient. Although ANN-based classifier outperformed compared with LR, both models performed satisfactorily for absolute power measure in beta frequency band. Our results underline the potential benefit of the introduced methodology is promising and is to be treated as a clinical interface in dichotomizing substance use disorders subjects and for other medical data analysis studies.
The Three Nociceptive Responses of the Orbicularis Oculi Reflex in Alzheimer’s Disease: State of the Evidence and Meta-analysis
Authors: Leon-Ariza Juan S. , Prada Diddier G. , Leon-Ariza Daniel S. , Castillo Camilo , Leon-Sarmiento Fidias E.
Published: January 2019

There is an emerging belief that electrically elicited blink reflexes (BR) may distinguish Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from other disorders characterized by memory dysfunction. To qualitatively and quantitatively distinguish the effects that electrical stimulation has over the blink reflex (eBR) recorded from patients with AD and healthy controls (HCs), we did a systematic review of the literature, and conducted a meta-analysis. Following our selected criteria, 94 AD patients and 97 HCs were identified from articles published in English between 1950 and 2017. Although the 3 responses (R1, R2 and R3) of the eBR were studied in a number of patients, only the R2 response was quantified in all studies. Thresholds and stimulation intensities parameters were found to be used in a miscellaneous form, and the majority of times, such parameters deviated from validated guidelines. The stimulation frequencies used to elicit the BR responses ranged between 0.14 and 0.2 Hz. These frequencies favored HCs compared with AD patients (odds ratio = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.30-1.85), I2 = 0% [ P = .99]; Q = 271.89 [ df = 7, P < .000]). Egger’s regression test suggested publication bias (intercept = 32.38; 95% CI = −8.98 to −3.2; P = .001). Our results unveiled key shortcomings in the data reported; such shortcomings need to be corrected in future AD research looking for obtaining more reliable and reproducible eBR studies; otherwise, interventions may be misleading.
Species identification of felis and vulpes by a novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay in fur products
Authors: Yu Shunji , Gu Wenjia , Yu Yi , Qu Qinfeng , Zhang Yi’nan
Published: January 2019

In the chaotic market of fur goods, genetic distinction is increasingly important for identifying species. A vast diversity of species identification methods has been proposed, while little is developed, particularly those easy, fast, and cost-effective ones. In this study, a simple and reliable novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for identifying cytochrome c oxidase I of felis and vulpes was established. It saves laborious post–polymerase chain reaction procedures and shortens the time for high-fidelity gene amplification. The sensitivity of this method for felis and vulpes identification, which is well matched to quantitative polymerase chain reaction, could be 10 or 1.0 pg, respectively. Predominantly, the sensitivity of loop-mediated isothermal amplification is more tolerant to those polymerase chain reaction inhibitors such as pigments, dyes, or other fur ingredients, compared to quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Even without costly specialized equipment, a water bath is sufficient for genetic distinction. Our approach is a new technique with broad application perspective, such as on-site species identity tests, commercial fraud, and wildlife crimes.
High prevalence of exercise-induced ischemia in the asymptomatic limb of patients with apparently strictly unilateral symptoms and unilateral peripheral artery disease
Authors: Henni Samir , Bauer Pascal , Le Meliner Tanguy , Hersant Jeanne , Papon Xavier , Daligault Mickael , Chretien Jean-Marie , Ammi Myriam , Picquet Jean , Abraham Pierre
Published: January 2019

Background:

The prevalence of exercise-induced ischemia in the asymptomatic limb of patients with unilateral claudication based on history and treadmill evaluation, and with unilateral ipsilateral peripheral artery disease (i.e ankle-to-brachial systolic pressure index <0.90) is unknown.

Methods:

We detected exercise-induced ischemia in the asymptomatic limb of patients with apparently unilateral claudication. Among 6059 exercise-oximetry tests performed in 3407 nondiabetic and 961 diabetic patients. We estimated the intensity of ischemia in the both limb (buttocks and calves) using the lowest minimum value of the decrease from rest of oxygen pressure (DROP; limb changes minus chest changes from rest), with significant ischemia defined as DROP lower than −15 mmHg.

Results:

We found 152 tests performed in 142 nondiabetic patients and 40 tests performed in 38 diabetic patients. The asymptomatic limb showed significant ischemia in 46.7% and 37.5% of the tests. Strictly unilateral exercise-induced claudication with apparently unilateral peripheral artery disease was rare (<4% of all tests). However, among these highly selected tests, significant ischemia was found in the asymptomatic limb in more than one-third of cases.

Conclusion:

The asymptomatic limb of patients with peripheral artery disease should not be considered a normal limb.
Efficacy and safety of fexapotide triflutate in outpatient medical treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Shore Neal , Tutrone Ronald , Roehrborn Claus G.
Published: January 2019

Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is an increasingly important problem for the majority of late middle aged and elderly men. Fexapotide triflutate (FT) is a first in-class compound given by local injection via the transrectal intraprostatic route under ultrasound guidance. Data from >1700 FT and control injections in prospective randomized blinded controlled multicenter trials are reviewed and discussed in relation to current developments in the field of treatments for LUTS associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Long-term studies of FT in the United States have shown statistically significant improvement in BPH symptoms and objective outcomes including significant reduction in both spontaneous acute urinary retention as well as the subsequent incidence of BPH surgery. FT has been shown to be well tolerated with an excellent safety profile, and is an efficacious clinic-based treatment for BPH involving an intraprostatic injection that requires only a few minutes to administer, with no catheter nor anesthesia requirements.