Effect of a health claim on consumer acceptance of milk-based dessert containing omega-3

This study was to evaluate the influence of information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits in the acceptance of dairy dessert. The hedonic thresholds methodology was applied in two trials: blind and open-label. In the blind trial, no information was provided to consumers regarding the formulation of the flans. In the open-label trial, consumers received the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. The value of compromised acceptance threshold (CAT) was not influenced by the information on the addition of omega-3 and its health benefits. However, there was a high increase in the value of hedonic rejection threshold (HRT) when the consumers were informed of the benefits of omega-3, and it was possible to increase the addition of the compound in the flans by up to 21.03% without causing product rejection, confirming the positive effect of information on health benefits in accptance.

Plastic ingestion as an evolutionary trap: Toward a holistic understanding

Human activities are changing our environment. Along with climate change and a widespread loss of biodiversity, plastic pollution now plays a predominant role in altering ecosystems globally. Here, we review the occurrence of plastic ingestion by wildlife through evolutionary and ecological lenses and address the fundamental question of why living organisms ingest plastic. We unify evolutionary, ecological, and cognitive approaches under the evolutionary trap theory and identify three main factors that may drive plastic ingestion: (i) the availability of plastics in the environment, (ii) an individual’s acceptance threshold, and (iii) the overlap of cues given by natural foods and plastics.

Use of Underexploited Flours for the Reduction of Glycaemic Index of Gluten-Free Biscuits: Physicochemical and Sensory Characterization

The type and the amount of starch present in bakery products affect their glycaemic index. The control of glycaemic index in our diet can be relevant to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. The use of alternative flours to rice, maize, and their starches may improve the nutritional quality of gluten-free baked goods by reducing the glycaemic index. This work aimed at the formulation of satisfactory gluten-free biscuits by using underexploited flour mixes (from cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes), at the evaluation of their physical properties, starch digestibility and subsequent estimation of the glycaemic index. The presence of chickpea flour increased biscuit hardness and gluten-free flours darkened biscuit surface. The greatest differences in starch composition and its digestion were found between gluten-free samples and wheat-containing control. Experimental biscuits had also a lower predicted glycaemic index compared to commercial products, whereas experimental formulations presented similar values between each other. Consumers’ acceptance and sensory profiling by Check All That Apply questionnaire were carried out. All formulations but one were above the acceptance threshold (50); crumbliness and easiness to swallow were drivers of acceptance, whereas sandiness exerted a negative impact on liking score.

An Algorithmic Approach to Identify the Optimum Network Architecture and WLAN Protocol for VoIP Application

To determine the optimal network architecture between the Basic Service Set, the Extended Service Set and the Independent Basic Service Set, this study established a new algorithm to assess Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) metrics of different IEEE 802.11 technologies. An important coefficient for each VoIP metric parameter has been invented to rank the different IEEE 802.11 standards and to identify the most efficient one for the VoIP application. The best overall network performance that offers good voice quality is ensured by determining the optimum network architecture and technology. Moreover, for the VoIP efficiency parameters, it meets the acceptance threshold values. This algorithm was implemented in different sizes of rooms ranging from 1 × 1 m to 10 × 10 m, and the number of nodes varied from 1 to 65. End to end delay, jitter, throughput and packet loss were the quality of service parameters used.

The Effects of Facial Expressions on Face Biometric System’s Reliability

The human mood has a temporary effect on the face shape due to the movement of its muscles. Happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and other emotional conditions may affect the face biometric system’s reliability. Most of the current studies on facial expressions are concerned about the accuracy of classifying the subjects based on their expressions. This study investigated the effect of facial expressions on the reliability of a face biometric system to find out which facial expression puts the biometric system at greater risk. Moreover, it identified a set of facial features that have the lowest facial deformation caused by facial expressions to be generalized during the recognition process, regardless of which facial expression is presented. In order to achieve the goal of this study, an analysis of 22 facial features between the normal face and six universal facial expressions is obtained. The results show that the face biometric systems are affected by facial expressions where the disgust expression achieved the most dissimilar score, while the sad expression achieved the lowest dissimilar score. Additionally, the study identified the five and top ten facial features that have the lowest facial deformations on the face shape in all facial expressions. Besides that, the relativity score showed less variances between the sample using the top facial features. The obtained results of this study minimized the false rejection rate in the face biometric system and subsequently the ability to raise the system’s acceptance threshold to maximize the intrusion detection rate without affecting the user convenience.

The evolution of conspecific acceptance threshold models

How do organisms balance different types of recognition errors when cues associated with desirable and undesirable individuals or resources overlap? This is a fundamental question of signal detection theory (SDT). As applied in sociobiology, SDT is not limited to a single context or animal taxon, therefore its application can span what may be considered dissimilar systems. One of the applications of SDT is the suite of acceptance threshold models proposed by Reeve (1989), which analysed how individuals should balance acceptance and rejection errors in social discrimination decisions across a variety of recognition contexts, distinguished by how these costs and benefits relatively combine. We conducted a literature review to evaluate whether these models' specific predictions have been upheld. By examining over 350 research papers, we quantify how Reeve's models (Reeve 1989 Am. Nat. 133 , 407–435 ( doi:10.1086/284926 )) have influenced the field of ecological and behavioural recognition systems research. We found overall empirical support for the predictions of the specific models proposed by Reeve, and argue for further expansion of their applications into more diverse taxonomic and additional recognition contexts. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Signal detection theory in recognition systems: from evolving models to experimental tests’.

To accept or reject heterospecific mates: behavioural decisions underlying premating isolation

Premating isolation in animals involves decision-making processes that affect whether individuals accept or reject heterospecific mates. An integrative understanding of the behavioural processes underlying heterospecific acceptance can clarify the conditions under which premating isolation evolves. As an illustration, we review how Reeve's (Reeve 1989 Am. Nat. 133 , 407–435. ( doi:10.1086/284926 )) acceptance threshold model can help make sense of patterns of premating isolation in nature. This model derives a threshold trait value for acceptance for rejection of recipients of an action (e.g. mating) based on the fitness consequences of these decisions. We show that the maintenance of partial reproductive isolation can be an outcome of optimal acceptance thresholds, even in the face of reinforcement. We also use this model to clarify how the composition of multispecies communities can shape premating isolation. The acceptance threshold model can also be viewed as the behavioural underpinning of reproductive character displacement and cascading reinforcement. Finally, we highlight potential limitations of the acceptance threshold model with respect to investigating the role of sexual selection in speciation, and we propose that integration of behavioural models in speciation research will help us gain a full picture of the mechanisms underlying premating isolation. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Signal detection theory in recognition systems: from evolving models to experimental tests’.

Signal detection and optimal acceptance thresholds in avian brood parasite–host systems: implications for egg rejection

Signal detection theory addresses the challenge of successfully identifying informative signals in noisy information contexts, allowing optimal behavioural decisions in diverse ecological contexts. The optimal acceptance threshold hypothesis proposed by Reeve (Reeve 1989 Am. Nat. 133 , 407–435. ( doi:10.1086/284926 )) is an elegant theoretical model to predict the flexibility of acceptance thresholds for conspecific discrimination. This model has provided a robust framework used to explore recognition systems in a broad range of contexts such as animal communication, nest-mate discrimination or anti-parasitic host responses. In this review, we discuss key concepts related to the optimal acceptance threshold hypothesis applied to egg rejection decisions in avian brood parasite–host interactions. We explore those factors determining signal detectability in parasitized nests and how hosts adjust their rejection decisions to both the risk of parasitism and the potential costs associated with egg rejection. In addition, we discuss recent results that challenge some traditional assumptions of the optimal acceptance threshold hypothesis and provide a novel perspective to explore rejection decisions, such as the existence of single-threshold decision rules or acceptance decisions. An integrative view combining current evidence with traditional theory is needed to further advance the comprehension of optimal acceptance thresholds. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Signal detection theory in recognition systems: from evolving models to experimental tests'.

Algorithmic Identification of the Best WLAN Protocol and Network Architecture for Internet-Based Applications

This research developed a novel algorithm to evaluate internet-based services such as VoIP, Video Conferencing, HTTP and FTP, of different IEEE 802.11 technologies in order to identify the optimum network architecture among Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS) and the Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). The proposed algorithm will yield the rank order of different IEEE 802.11 technologies. By selecting the optimum network architecture and technology, the best overall network performance that provides good voice, video and data quality is guaranteed. Furthermore, it meets the acceptance threshold values for the VoIP, Video Conferencing, HTTP and FTP quality metrics. This algorithm was applied to various room sizes ranging from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and the number of nodes ranged from 1 to 65. The spatial distributions considered were circular, uniform and random. The Quality of Service (QoS) metrics used were delay, jitter, throughput and packet loss.