Choice Research Articles

The Digital Maze Test (dMaze) Reveals Subtle Decision‐Making Difficulties in MCI: Hurrying to Keep Up?

AbstractBackgroundTraditional Maze tests are time‐consuming and insensitive to early AD cognitive changes. We combine behavior capture using a digitizing pen with novel test design to produce person‐centric/relative metrics that disembed cognitive from motor speeds. This enables comparison of complex decision‐making behavior across difficulty levels within a single test. We compare traditional measures with our person‐centric/relative measures.MethodParticipants were healthy (HC = 22), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI = 37), Alzheimer’s (AD = 39), and Parkinson’s (PD = 43) volunteers (N = 141). Diagnosis was determined by consensus using standard of care data (neuropsychological/neurological evaluations, MRI and DAT scans). Participant groups differed in age: HC (52.27) younger than PD (64.07), MCI (75.05) and AD (75.38) oldest. Groups differed in the expected direction for DCTclock and MoCA scores.The dMaze test contains a path‐following condition without choice points, followed by a choice (CH) condition with identical solution paths/motor demands. CH contains simple and complex choices. Relative measures use the participant’s overall speed to normalize within‐test speed deviations. We examined: Total Time (TTime) to completion, Max motor speed (MaxSpd) and Median speed (MedSpd), Choice point Average Speed (AveSpd) and Relative Average Speed (rAveSpd).ResultTTime in seconds differentiated (p = .001) AD (141.24) from HC (52.98) and PD (77.35), not MCI (103.16). MaxSpd was slowest (p = .004) for HC (59.82mm/sec) compared to all clinical groups (MCI = 76.71mm/sec, PD = 77.11, AD = 85.52). Groups did not differ for MedSpd or choice point AveSpd. Simple choice point rAveSpd differentiated only AD (p = .001) from HC, PD & MCI. Complex choice point rAveSpd differentiated HC from MCI (p = .05) and AD (p = .001). HC and PD did not differ, suggesting simple motor speed did not account for ink speed differences.ConclusionFast completion time despite slow maximum speed and relative average speed across choice points suggests HC use a modulated approach balancing speed and task difficulty. MCI faster relative maximum speed (hurrying) with completion time similar to HC, suggests a less well‐modulated approach. Relative speed differences for more complex choices may be sensitive to preclinical cognitive change even when total completion time is not. The ability to precisely measure and parse person‐centric motor and cognitive test behaviors provides opportunity to improve preclinical detection, disease monitoring and treatment efficacy.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms Among Patients with Relapsed or Refractory AL Amyloidosis Treated with Ixazomib-Dexamethasone Versus Physician's Choice: Results from a Randomized Phase 3 Trial

Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms Among Patients with Relapsed or Refractory AL Amyloidosis Treated with Ixazomib-Dexamethasone Versus Physician's Choice: Results from a Randomized Phase 3 Trial

Transition to E - Learning : By Choice or By Force – A Cross - Cultural and Trans-National Assessment

Purpose : This study focused on the transition to e-learning in these turbulent times and its adaptation mode. The study aimed to measure teachers' and students' satisfaction and adoption levels towards e-learning in KSA and India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a nutshell, we intended to address three primary research questions: What were the factors affecting the satisfaction and adoption level of teachers & students towards e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic? Does choice moderate the associations between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, satisfaction, and behavioral intention to use? Does satisfaction mediate the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention to use? Methodology : Four hundred seventy-six faculty members and students from KSA and India were considered as the sample. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the same. Findings : The findings suggested that Perceived Usefulness (PU) had a significant impact on Satisfaction (SAT) and Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU). Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) did not have a substantial effect on Satisfaction (SAT), but had a significant impact on Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU). Further, Satisfaction (SAT) and Choice (CHO) too had a substantial effect on Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU). Satisfaction (SAT) mediated the relationship between Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) and Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU). Again, Choice (CHO) moderated the relationship between Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) and Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU). Originality : This study was unique in comparing the impact of different cultures, economies, and governance models on this transition to e-learning. It provided a cross-cultural, trans-national, and cross-sectional analysis with a futuristic e-learning framework.

O4.2. THE PREVENTION OF RELAPSE AND HOSPITALIZATION IN FIRST EPISODE AND EARLY PHASE SCHIZOPHRENIA: RESULTS FROM THE PRELAPSE TRIAL

BackgroundEven with early intervention services, a third or more of first-episode patients are hospitalized over the first 2 yrs. of treatment. Non-adherence is a major factor in increasing risk of hospitalization. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI’s) have shown effectiveness in addressing this concern in both mirror image and cohort studies. However, randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) have reported mixed results. RCT’s can change the ecology of care and do not reflect “real world” conditions, particularly when adherence is a focus of study. The large simple trial (LST) is a design intended to address such concerns.MethodsThe PRELAPSE trial was a LST involving cluster randomization of 39 clinics. 19 sites were randomized to provide LAI treatment-the Aripiprazole Once Monthly (AOM) condition and 20 sites to treatment as usual-Clinician’s Choice (CC). The primary hypothesis was that the opportunity for treatment with AOM would significantly delay time to first hospitalization. Inclusion criteria were: 1) schizophrenia diagnosis confirmed by a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Research Version (SCID-5); 2) <5 years lifetime antipsychotics, 3) age 18 – 35 yrs; 4) informed consent. Consistent with a LST, rating scale assessments were done (by centralized raters using live, two-way video) only at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Participants were interviewed via phone every other month for data on hospitalizations/ER visits.A key challenge in conducting this study was facilitating the acceptance of LAI’s among early phase patients at the experimental sites. AOM-specific training included information on the role of non-adherence in relapse/hospitalization, the effectiveness of LAIs in this context, the rationale for LAI use and selection of aripiprazole; shared decision-making principles; discussing LAIs with patients/ families; discussion of transition to LAI’s and prescribing guidelines consistent with the package insert for AOM. Training included providing suggested “scripts,” frequently asked questions, role-playing and overcoming logistical barriers to the use of LAIs across different healthcare settings.ResultsThe 489 participating subjects had a mean age of 25, 75% were male, 44% African-American and 35% Caucasian. 46.0% had <=1 year lifetime antipsychotic exposure. As a result of the staff training at AOM sites only 14% of potential subjects declined participation because of the LAI treatment, and 91% of eligible subjects received at least one LAI treatment within the first three months of study.There were 489 subjects (234 AOM and 255 CC). A total of 52 AOM subjects had at least one hospitalization (22.2%) and 90 CC subjects had a least one (35.3%). For time to first hospitalization, under the proportional hazards assumption, the hazard ratio was HR=0.56 (95% CI = 0.34, 0.92), p=0.02.The estimated survival probabilities and 95% CI’s from the Cox model were 0.73 (0.65, 0.83) for AOM subjects and 0.58 (0.50, 0.67) for CC subjects. This translates to a number needed to treat (NNT) for prevention of one additional hospitalization for every 6.67 subjects treated with AOM relative to CC.DiscussionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of engaging the overwhelming majority of early phase patients in the use of LAI’s if clinical staff are well trained. The use of LAI’s in this population produced a significant delay in time to hospitalization and a NNT of 7 for the prevention of hospitalization.

EOSINOPHILIC MUCIN RHINOSINUSITIS MASQUERADING AS MALIGNANCY

Introduction: Extensive inammatory nasal masses with orbital and intracranial extension can mimic nasal malignancies and their management generally require extensive open surgical approaches. However with good imaging, preoperative knowledge of histology and use of endos copi c approa ches with powered instruments, such extensive open surgeries can be avoided. Case report: We are reporting a case of an extensive unilateral nasal mass with orbital and intracranial extension which on initial evaluation appeared to be a malignant lesion. It was managed with endoscopic sinus surgery. Final histopathology and microbiology were suggestive of an inammator y lesion - eosinophilicmucinrhinosinusitis (EMRS). Conclusion: EMRS is an inammatory nasal mass and it can be extensive mimicking a malignancy. Conservative endoscopic approach is now the treatment of choi ce for most of these inammatory nasal masses and even intracranial, extensive supraorbital and orbital extensions can be excised endoscopically. Keywords: Rhinosinusitis, Nasal polyps, Mucin, Eosinophil, EMRS

Diversification of Biscuit Product using Moringa Oleifera Flour as an Additional Source of Nutrition

Nicknames for the Moringa tree include the Miracle Tree, the Tree of Life, and the Amazing Tree. One of the most prominent content of Moringa plants is antioxidants, especially in leaves that contain the highest antioxidants. This research is entitled Biscuit Product Development by utilizing Moringa Oleifera Flour as an additional source of nutrition, this study refers to the research master plan of the Sriwijaya State Polytechnic which aims to obtain useful products that can be marketed and increase product added value. The main objective of this research was to determine the effect of adding Moringa leaf flour to the quality of biscuits. The results showed that the addition of moringa leaf flour affected the water content, ash content, protein, calcium and vitamin C. The panelist cho ice biscuits were formula F2 biscuits with the addition of 2 grams of Moringa leaf flour or 0.1% and the result of formula F2 analysis was the water content by 3.85%, Ash content 0.78%, Protein 6.37% Calcium 164 mg/g sample, vitamin C 0.13%.

High-School Satisfaction Scale (H-Sat Scale): Evaluation of Contextual Satisfaction in Relation to High-School Students' Life Satisfaction.

Recent literature on positive psychology underlines the crucial role of schools to create a psychologically healthy environment and to set programs and strategies fostering adolescents’ well-being. The aim of the present study is to validate a scale that measures scholastic satisfaction since a scientific evaluation and interventions on school satisfaction can help professionals to support adolescents’ positive development and school adjustment. We adapted the College Satisfaction Scale (CSS) and confirmed the previous five-dimensional structure also in a high school students’ sample (n = 792). The High-school Satisfaction Scale (H-Sat Scale) evaluates five dimensions of school satisfaction: appropriateness of choice (CH), quality of school services (SE), relationships with classmates (RE), effectiveness of study habits (ST) and usefulness for a future career (CA). The questionnaire consists of 20 items; it showed good psychometric features and, consistent with previous literature, confirmed its validity in relation to life satisfaction and quality of life of high school students. Compared with previous scales, the H-Sat evaluates two innovative areas of school satisfaction since it gives a measure of satisfaction in career path (appropriateness of choice and usefulness for future career) could help school counsellors to set interventions in this field.

Experience in the treatment of liver abscesses.

The paper presents the results of diagnosis and treatment of patients with liver abscesses. In the surgery of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Hospital named after І.І. Mechnikov 183 patients diagnosed with liver abscess aged 18 to 81 years were treated. In 118 (64.5%) patients the period from the first complaints to the diagnosis was up to 1 month, in 48 (26,2%) from 1 to 3 months , in 15 (8,2%) from 3 to 6 months , in 2 (1.1%) from 6 to 12 . To diagnos e abscesses of the liver ultrasound of abdominal cavity, computer tomography, laparoscopy were used. Treatment of liver abscesses included both conservative therapy and surgical intervention. Only 14 (7.6%) patients received conservative treatment. Surgical treatment included minimally invasive interventions under U.S. control, laparoscopic, open drainage and resection techniques. The method of cho ice of surgical treatment for patients with uncomplicated liver abscesses with a diameter of 3 cm or more was echocontrolled peritoneal pelvic drainage, performed in 146 (79.8%) patients. Complications of surgical treatment were found in 15 (8.2%) cases: drainage dislocation – in 12 (6.6%) patients, purulent fistula – in 1 (0.5%), intestinal obstruction – in 1 (0.5%), peritonitis – in 1 (0.5%).

A Proposed Framework to Understand the Intrinsic Motivation Factors on University Students’ Behavioral Intention to Use a Mobile Application for Learning

Aim/Purpose: By integrating a motivational perspective into the Technology Acceptance Model, the goal of this study is to empirically test the causal relationship of intrinsic motivational factors on students’ behavioral intention to use (BIU) a mobile application for learning. Background: Although the Technology Acceptance Model is a significant model, it largely remains incomplete as it does not take into consideration the motivation factors and/or outside influences in the adoption of new technology. Methodology: A Mobile Application Motivation Instrument (MAMI) was developed from a comprehensive review of literature on intrinsic motivation and verified using a formalized card sorting procedure. Four intrinsic motivation scales were developed: perceived competence (COM), perceived challenge (CHA), perceived choice (CHO), and perceived interest (INT). Consequently, a scale to assess students’ behavioral intention (BIU) to use mobile applications was developed using existing scales from prior TAM instruments. Contribution: Incorporating the motivational factors into TAM may provide better explanation and prediction of student acceptance and usage of mobile applications. A potential contribution of this study is the development of a reliable and valid instrument that could be further used by a growing community of researchers, instructional designers, and instructors. Findings: Data were collected from 193 participants to test the causal relationship of perceived competence (COM), perceived challenge (CHA), perceived choice (CHO), and perceived interest (INT) on students’ behavioral intention to use (BIU) a mobile application, using a structural equation modeling approach. The structural path model indicated that perceived competence (COM), perceived challenge (CHA), perceived choice (CHO), and perceived interest (INT) had a significant influence on students’ behavioral intention to use (BIU) a mobile application for learning. Implications of this study are important for researchers and educational practitioners. Future Research: One environmental dimension, understudied but with likely implications for intrinsic motivation, is the social environment.

Analysis of the Utility of Economic Sectors in Achieving Agricultural Development: Applying an Analytic Hierarchy Process

According to article 44 of the I.R. of Iran Constitution, the Iranian economy consists of three sectors; the state, the cooperative, and the private sectors. The aim of this study wa s to present a hierarchy of criteria for selecting the best economic sector for agricultural development. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to calculate the relative importance of either criteria or their alternatives (economic sectors) with regard to the aggregate opinions of experts. Using a structured questionnaire, data were obtained from experts in economic sciences, social sciences, agricultural extension and rural development (n=25) and analyzed using Expert Choice software. Results indicated that entrepreneurship, employment and social justice were the most important criteria to consider when selecting the best economic sector. Moreover, the study demonstrated that based on the criteria, the cooperative sector was the best and the optimum cho ice. Nevertheless, the gap between cooperative and private sectorswas small.

Super-threshold Procedures and Their Application to the Search Problem

The paper examines a choice problem in case of large number of alternatives characterized by a set of criteria. Very often existing choice procedures cannot be used due to their computational complexity. In contrast, the approach proposed in this paper utilizes a set of easy to use techniques having complexity less than the quadratic. We apply super-threshold procedures sequentially in order to find the best alternatives. The application to learning to rank problem is also considered. Finally, two methods of defining thresholds and order of criteria in super-threshold procedures are studied. While the first method is based on the etalon criterion, the second method uses the distribution function. Both methods developed are mainly oriented on the cho ice of search results in search engines and capable of processing large amount of data in networks, but can also be applied to any system in which the alternatives are represented by a set of criteria.

Voluntary selection of starter feed ingredients offered separately to nursing calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether calves exposed to different ingredients would consume solid feed in a similar manner than those offered the same ingredients mixed in a starter concentrate. Thirty-eight Holstein calves (initial live weight 41.0kg and 7 days of age) were randomly assigned to a control (CTR) treatment consisting of a starter feed composed of ground corn (47.2%), soybean meal (20%), oats meal (11%), barley meal (10.1%), soybean hulls (8%), and full fat soybean (1.2%), or to a choice (CH) treatment consisting of 6 ingredients, that composed the starter of CTR calves, offered in separated buckets to each animal. Intake was recorded daily, and calves were weighed twice a week. Samples of fresh feed were taken every week and pooled for subsequent determination of nutrient composition. No differences were observed between treatments on total dry matter intake (DMI), solid feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed ratio. However, animals in the CH group consumed more crude protein (CP; P<0.01) and fat (P<0.01) than CTR calves. On the other hand, CH calves ingested less non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC; P<0.01) than those in the CTR group. Despite these differences in nutrient intake, there were no differences in total metabolizable energy (ME) intake between CH and CTR animals. However, the CP to ME ratio was greater (P<0.01) in CH (81g of CP/Mcal of ME) than in CTR calves (53g of CP/Mcal of ME). Calves in CH group consumed less (P<0.01) corn and oats meal, and more (P<0.01) full fat soybean than CTR animals. Within the CH group of calves, soybean meal was most (P<0.01) preferred (32.8% of solid feed intake), whereas oats meal (3.5% of solid feed intake) was the least preferred (P<0.01). In terms of total amount consumed, no differences were observed among corn meal, full fat soybean, and barley meal. In conclusion, compared with calves fed a single starter feed, calves that were offered a choice of ingredients selected a diet with greater levels of CP and fat, and lower in NFC. Despite differences in nutrient consumption of the final diet consumed, no differences were observed in total DMI, solid feed intake, ADG, and gain to feed ratio. It is concluded that young calves are unable to select ingredients based on their nutrient requirements.

Petri Nets and Ladder Logic for Fully-Automating and Programmable Logic Control of Semi-Automatic Machines and Systems

Problem statement: Automating semi-automatic dynamic machines and complex systems, where some functionalities are already automated bu t the machine doesn't run fully in automatic mode, represents another challenge to automating dy namic and manual complex systems. This study deals with a special case of this general problem, where the system's semi-automatic and automatic functionalities run separately in a sequence with e ither automatic and/or semi-automatic functionality running at any point of time, but not both. Approach: Petri-nets can successfully represent the operations of both the semi-automated and fully-au tomated functionalities of such dynamic systems. Three roles for the programmable logic controllers were suggested: (a) Ignoring the presence of the semi-automatic part, (b) simulating the semi-automa tic part and recognizing discrepancies and(c) simulating the semi-automatic functionalities and s upporting it, where the last choice was most costl y and most reliable. Results: This study presents a case study for a PVC mixing dynamic process to illustrate the three suggested controller design po ssibilities, where a Petri net model and related l adder logic program were developed to show these three controller design options. In this respect, the semi- automatic functionality is an intermediate step bet ween the two automated functionalities, within whic h an important decision should be made to end the pre vious automatic step and to begin the next automati c step. Conclusion/Recommendations: The automation method that was introduced in this s tudy is applicable to a large number of machines within ind ustrial and mechanical systems that were built usin g older semi-automatic control systems. Various decis ion analyses {DA1, DA2, DA3} were shown to produce basic choices for such types of application s. Petri-nets and ladder logic in this respect can successfully represent the operations of both the s emi-automated and fully-automated functionalities, where a Petri net model and the consequent ladder logic program, used to program the utilized programmable logic controller, are developed to sho w three possible controller designs, where the choi ce between three designs depend on the designers obje ctive of cost, reliability and fault tolerance.

Chiral molecule formation in interstellar ice analogs: alpha-aminoethanol NH2CH(CH3)OH

Aims. Aminoalcohol molecules such as alpha-aminoethanol NH 2 CH(CH 3)OH may be aminoacid precursors. We attempt to charac-terize and detect this kind of molecules which is important to establish a possible link between interstellar molecules and life as we know it on Earth. Methods. We use Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to study the formation of alpha-aminoethanol NH 2 CH(CH 3)OH in H 2 O:NH 3 : CH 3 CHO ice mixtures. Isotopic substitution with 15 NH 3 and ab-initio calculation are used to confirm the identification of alpha-aminoethanol. Results. After investigating the thermal reaction of solid NH 3 and acetaldehyde CH 3 CHO at low temperature, we find that this reac-tion leads to the formation of a chiral molecule, the alpha aminoethanol NH 2 CH(CH 3)OH. For the first time, we report the infrared and mass spectra of this molecule. We also report on its photochemical behavior under VUV irradiation. We find that the main photo-product is acetamide (NH 2 COCH 3). Data provided in this work indicates that alpha-aminoethanol is formed in one hour at 120 K and suggests that its formation in warm interstellar environments such as protostellar envelopes or cometary environments is likely.

Bi-axial flexural strength of dual-polymerizing agents cemented to human dentin after photo-activation with different light-curing systems.

This study aimed to assess the bi-axial flexural strength of two dual-polymerizing resin luting agents cemented to human dentin when photo-activated with different light-curing units. Two dual-cured resin cements: choice (CH) and Variolink II (VL) were tested. Hybrid composite resin (Z-250) discs (12×1.5mm) were fabricated. Three types of light-curing units were used halogen-curing unit (QTH), light-emitting diode (LED) and plasma arc (PAC). Sixty dentin discs of 0.5mm thickness were prepared from extracted human teeth. A circular mold (2.5mm in height and 12mm diameter) was utilized to create supporting structure for dentin, resin cement complex. The resin luting cement (0.5mm) was placed on the previously prepared dentin discs and covered with the prefabricated composite discs. Photo-activation of cements was performed for 40s with QTH and LED units and for 3s with PAC. The specimens were divided into 12 groups (20 specimens for each light source). Six groups were kept in distilled water for 24h and the rest were stored for 6weeks. Bi-axial flexural strength was determined using Instron machine. The data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey test for comparison. The findings indicated that the bi-axial flexural strength values for both cements CH and VL were higher for 24h over 6weeks but not statistically significant when cured with QTH. Meanwhile, when LED light was used for photo-activation the cements, the flexural strength values reported were statistically higher of 24h over 6weeks storage at P=0.4(E-6) However, PAC light did not record any statistically significant difference between two duration for the CH cement although when used for polymerization of VL the reported value for 6weeks were statistically significantly higher value than 24h duration at P=0.002. When high immediate flexural strength is preferred in clinical situation photo-activation the cements with LED reported the greatest value.

The Effect of Different Light-Curing Methods on Temperature Changes of Dual Polymerizing Agents Cemented to Human Dentin

This in vitro study aims to measure the temperature changes of resin luting cements cemented to human dentin when using different light curing systems for photo-activation. The three different types of light-curing units (LCUs) used for photoactivation were quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH), light emitting diode (LED), and plasma arc (PAC). Two types of dual cure resin cements were used [Variolink II (VL) and Choice (CH)]. Feltik Z250 composite resin material was used to prepare composite discs. Thirty human dentin specimens were prepared for each resin luting cement (ten for each light source). A total of 60 specimens were fabricated. Resin cement was applied on a dentin bridge and covered with the prepared composite disc where specimens were fabricated. Temperature change was recorded with a digital thermometer. The lowest temperature was recorded when VL and CH were photo-activated with the PAC unit. The PAC unit produced significantly lower recorded temperatures than the LED and QTH units. No significant difference appeared between QTH and LED units in terms of recorded temperature. The PAC unit produced significantly lower temperature changes compared to QTH and LED curing units. The risk for temperature rise should be taken into consideration during photo-polymerization of adhesive resins with LED or QTH in deep cavities when dentin thickness is 0.5 mm.

Diet selection by growing lambs offered whole barley and a protein supplement, free choice: Effects on performance and digestion

Feeding whole barley and a protein supplement at choice to early weaned lambs (15 kg initial weight) was studied in four experiments. In a first experiment whole barley and a pelleted soybean meal-based supplement (348 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)) were given either at choice (CH) or mixed in a 75 / 25 ratio (M) and compared to a pelleted compound feed containing the same ingredients and supplemented with barley straw (C). The effect of allowing free access to straw in the CH treatment (CHS) was tested in a second experiment. Rumen fermentation was also studied in six lambs per treatment slaughtered after the growing period, and digestibility and allantoin excretion were determined in other four lambs per treatment. In Experiments 3 and 4 supplements containing 253–264 (L), 341–329 (M) and 424–427 (H) g CP/kg DM were offered at choice with whole barley to lambs penned individually (Experiment 3) or in a group (Experiment 4) and diet selection and lamb performance were recorded. The protein supplement was selected in proportions of 0.28 and 0.34 (S.E. 0.021) of concentrate intake with treatments M and CH (Experiment 1) and 0.45 and 0.52 (S.E. 0.033) with treatments CH and CHS (Experiment 2). The concentration of rumen ammonia increased ( P < 0.05) to 28 and 56 (S.E. 8.6) mg/l compared to 12 mg/l in treatment C. Rumen pH also increased ( P < 0.001) from 4.95 to 5.48 and 5.60 (S.E. 0.080) with treatments CH and CHS while the concentration of volatile fatty acids and the acetate to propionate ratio tended to decrease ( P < 0.1). Organic matter digestibility and allantoin excretion were higher with whole barley feeding (0.82 vs. 0.75 (S.E. 0.18) and 13.1 vs. 7.7 (S.E. 1.06) mmol/d) but decreased with straw supplementation (0.78 and 10.2 mmol/d). Daily weight gain of male lambs (but not of females) tended ( P = 0.08) to be higher with whole barley than with the compound feed due to higher concentrate intake ( P < 0.05), which was also depressed by straw supplementation of whole barley reducing the rate of gain ( P = 0.06). Incidence of hyperparakeratosis and ulceration of rumen wall was high with all treatments (0.80 and 0.36) but papillary clogging was less frequent ( P < 0.01) with whole barley (0.16) than with the compound feed (0.70) and tended ( P = 0.01) to be reduced by straw supplementation. In Experiments 3 and 4 the proportion of protein supplements selected ranked in reverse order to their CP content, resulting in diets of similar CP concentration (180–200 g/kg DM). It is concluded that choice feeding of whole barley may be a practical alternative that offers some advantages over conventional compound feeding of growing lambs.

Does Corporate Performance Determine Capital Structure and Dividend Policy?

We present an integrated theory of capital structure and dividend policy in which both financial policy choices are driven by the same underlying factors and jointly determined as implicit governance mechanisms to allocate control over real (project ch oice) decisions between managers and investors. At one extreme is a very highly levered firm with very little equity. Such a firm puts the maximum control over project choice in the hands of investors. At the other extreme is an all-equity firm that pays no dividends. Such a firm puts the maximum control in the hands of the manager. Between these two extremes is a continuum of control allocations determined by different debt-equity ratios and different dividend payout ratios. Higher debt-equity ratios a nd higher dividend payouts lead to greater investor control. Control matters even though there are no agency or asymmetric information problems because of a divergence of beliefs between the manager and investors that could lead to disagreement over the valuemaximizing project choice. The extent of the potential disagreement depends upon the firm’s prior performance. The manager sets the firm’s dividend policy and capital structure to optimally trade off the value he attaches to being in control of project choice against the decline in stock price from taking control away from investors. We generate testable predictions from the theory and then test them empirically. These tests provide strong support for the theory.

Influence of quality classification, aging period, blade tenderization, and endpoint cooking temperature on cooking characteristics and tenderness of beef gluteus medius steaks.

Top sirloin butts (n = 162) were used to investigate the influence of quality classification, aging period, blade tenderization passes, and endpoint cooking temperature on the tenderness of gluteus medius steaks. Top sirloin butts (gluteus medius) from Select (SEL), Choice (CHO), and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) carcasses were obtained, aged for 7, 14, or 21 d, and either not tenderized or blade tenderized one or two times. Three steaks from each top sirloin butt were randomly selected and assigned to a final endpoint cooking temperature of 65.5, 71.0, or 76.6 degrees C. Cooking characteristics and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were analyzed as a split-plot with a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial treatment structure of quality classification, aging period, and tenderization passes in the whole plot and endpoint cooking temperature in the subplot. Sensory panel data for CHO steaks cooked to 70 degrees C were analyzed with a 3 x 3 factorial treatment structure of aging period and tenderization passes. Thawing loss was greater (P < 0.05) for steaks aged 7 d than those aged 21 d. Cooking loss was greater (P < 0.05) for steaks aged for 14 and 21 d than those aged 7 d, and increased (P < 0.05) with each increasing endpoint temperature. Each increase in aging period resulted in lower (P < 0.05) WBSF values. In addition, steaks blade tenderized two times had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF values than steaks blade tenderized once or not at all. Within each quality classification, WBSF values increased (P < 0.05) as endpoint cooking temperature increased. When cooked to 71 or 76.6 degrees C, CHO and CAB steaks had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF than SEL steaks. Steaks blade tenderized one or two times received higher (P < 0.05) sensory panel ratings for myofibrillar and overall tenderness than steaks not blade tenderized. Connective tissue amount and overall tenderness ratings were higher (P < 0.05) for steaks aged 21 vs. 7 d. Postmortem aging and blade tenderization of gluteus medius steaks can improve tenderness, as measured by WBSF and sensory panel, without decreasing flavor or juiciness. When cooking to higher endpoint temperatures, higher quality classifications should be selected to minimize toughness due to cooking.

Effects of quality grade, aging period, blade tenderization, and degree of doneness on tenderness of top sirloin butt steaks (2000)

We used 162 top sirloin butts to determine the influence of different quality grades, postmortem aging periods, blade tenderization passes, and degree of doneness on thawing and cooking losses and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS, tenderness). Select (SEL), Choice (CHO), and Certified Angus Beef™ (CAB) top sirloin butts (n=54 for each) were aged for 7, 14, or 21 days and not tenderized (OX) or blade tenderized one (1X) or two (2X) times. Steaks from each top sirloin butt were assigned randomly to final endpoint cooking temperatures of 150, 160, and 170°F. Each longer aging period resulted in lower (P<.05, more tender) WBS. In addition, steaks blade tenderized 2X had lower (P<.05) WBS than steaks not tenderized or blade tenderized 1X. Within each quality grade, WBS increased (P<.05) as endpoint cooking temperature increased. When cooked to 160 or 170°F, CHO and CAB steaks had lower (P<.05) WBS than SEL steaks. Increased aging periods and blade tenderization passes of top sirloin butt steaks improved tenderness. When cooking to higher endpoint temperatures, using higher quality grades will minimize toughness caused by cooking.