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Food demand and food supply have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand changes in households’ behavior related to the pandemic, we investigated the willingness to pay for local organic apples before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the changes that occurred within families, estimating separate models for the two members of a couple. Our findings show that respondents have a positive price premium for local organic apples, whose consumption helps reduce the environmental costs associated with food production. The median estimated values during the pandemic ranged from 34% to 250%. Overall, respondents show a positive mean willingness to pay, which increased with the pandemic. The socio-economic variables are the most important in explaining the willingness to pay, while the behavioral variables have more heterogeneous results, even if lifestyle and the request for information through the label are also important variables. The pandemic tended to narrow the gaps in preferences between members of a couple. In conclusion, the local and organic dimensions are embodied in the short chain, in which knowledge and trust in the producer are crucial elements in the consumer’s choices.

In the context of spreading interest in textbook outcome (TO) evaluation in different fields, we aimed to investigate an uncharted procedure, that is, laparoscopic microwave ablation (MWA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Absence of post-MWA complications, a hospital stay of three days, no mortality nor readmission within 30 days, and complete response of the target lesion at post-MWA CT scan defined TO achievement. Patients treated between January 2014 and March 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and of the 521 patients eligible for the study, 337 (64.7%) fulfilled all the quality indicators to achieve the TO. The absence of complications was the main limiting factor for accomplishing TO. At multivariable analysis, Child–Pugh B cirrhosis, age of more than 70 years old, three nodules, and MELD score ≥ 15 were associated with decreased probabilities of TO achievement. A score based on these factors was derived from multivariable analysis, and patients were divided into three risk groups for TO achievement. At survival analysis, overall survival (OS) was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in patients who achieved TO than those who did not. Moreover, OS evaluation in the three risk groups showed a trend coherent with TO achievement probability. The present study, having assessed the first TO for laparoscopic MWA for HCC, encourages further broader consensus on its definition and, on its basis, on the development of clinically relevant tools for managing treatment allocation.

Background The MicroWave Ablation (MWA) is a mini-invasive technique, based on dielectric heating, used to treat small hepatic tumors or liver metastases in the adult population. The heat-energy is delivered to the target area, causing tumor necrosis, usually under ultrasound or computed tomography guidance. This procedure can be performed as pure percutaneous or with laparoscopic assistance. Operative technique A laparoscopic US-guided microwave ablation of the pancreatoblastoma hepatic metastasis was performed in an 11-year old girl. A standard three-port laparoscopic technique was used: the camera port at the umbilicus, and two working port at the upper right quadrant. After adhesiolysis, the intra-operative liver ultrasonography confirmed the pre-operative morphological imaging study and the nodules ablation was performed by using microwaves (MWA), emitted by AMICA probe (Apparatus for MICrowave Ablation; HS Hospital Service, Aprilia, LT, Italy), set at 40 W. Conclusions Laparoscopic MWA is a tissue-sparing technique to treat in a mini-invasive fashion unresectable liver tumors or metastases. This technique has been extensively described in adult population, and rarely in children. These preliminary and satisfactory results make MWA promising when treating pediatric patients with malignant primary or secondary liver tumors. Further studies may provide data on its long-term efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVES: Early tracheotomy, defined as a procedure performed within 10 days from intubation, is associated with more ventilator free days, shorter ICU stay, and lower mortality than late tracheotomy. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it was especially important to save operating room resources and to have a shorter ICU stay for patients, when ICUs had insufficient beds. In this context of limited resources, early percutaneous tracheostomy could be an effective way to manage mechanically ventilated patients. Nevertheless, current recommendations suggest delaying or avoiding the tracheotomy in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Aim of the study was to analyze the hospital mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 patients who had received early percutaneous tracheostomy and factors associated with removal of tracheostomy cannula at ICU discharge.DESIGN: Cohort study.SETTING: Coronavirus disease 2019 ICU.PATIENTS: Adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 3 days after ICU admission.INTERVENTIONS: None.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three days after ICU admission, 164 patients were present in ICU and included in the analysis. One-hundred and twenty-one patients (74%) were tracheostomized, whereas the other 43 (26%) were managed with translaryngeal intubation only. In multivariable analysis, early percutaneous tracheostomy was associated with lower hospital mortality. Sixty-six of tracheostomized patients (55%) were discharged alive from the hospital. Age and male sex were the only characteristics that were independently associated with mortality in the tracheostomized patients (45.5% and 62.8% in tracheostomized and nontracheostomized patients, respectively; p = 0.009). Tracheostomy tube was removed in 47 of the tracheostomized patients (71%). The only variable independently associated with weaning from tracheostomy at ICU discharge was a faster start of spontaneous breathing after tracheotomy was performed.CONCLUSIONS: Early percutaneous tracheostomy was safe and effective in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, giving a good chance of survival and of weaning from tracheostomy cannula at ICU discharge.

Extra virgin olive oil sustainability shows that it is strictly connected to local production and certifications. However, consumers&rsquo, behaviour toward a local product is tied with the information exchange between producers and consumers. The aim of the research is to analyse, using a logistic regression model, if the attitudes, habits, and behaviours of the consumers influence their opinion on the sustainability of local extra virgin olive oil, relative to the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, socio-cultural, and economic). This study tries to combine studies about agri-food sustainability and consumers&rsquo, behaviour about local consumption, in an attempt to evaluate their attitude towards an agroecology food regime. Indeed, this information can be useful in order to plan adequate and specific interventions to improve the sustainability of the extra virgin olive oil production. The results indicate that the opinion about the sustainability of local extra virgin olive oil is linked to the information exchange between producers and consumers. This confirms that local alternative trade channels require numerous interventions in order to simplify and improve such exchange, both from a managerial and political point of view. Moreover, it can be useful to develop the information and communication technologies, in order to ensure the reliability, the transparency, and the security of the information exchange. This can also be useful to prevent frauds that are very common for this product.

Data-center topologies interconnect an ever larger number of servers using a high number of alternative paths to provide high bandwidth and a high degree of resiliency. The state-of-the-art routing strategy is based on Equal-cost multipath (ECMP) which employs static hashing mechanism over packet header fields to spread the traffic over multiple paths. Routing the traffic without considering the size of the flows and the utilization of the paths might cause congestion due to the collision of multiple large flows on a same downstream path. We present CEDRO, an in-switch mechanism to detect and reschedule colliding large flows. By exploiting the latest advances in SDN programmable network devices, we offload to the network the detection of both the elephant flows and the path congestion conditions and the rescheduling mechanism. CEDRO is able to promptly cope with path congestion and failures directly from the dataplane, regardless of the availability of the external controller. We implemented CEDRO in an emulated SDN network and tested it against realistic traffic scenarios. Numerical evaluation shows CEDRO is able to improve the average and 95-th percentile of the Flow Completion Time compared to ECMP.

We homogeneously analyse $\sim 3.2\times 10^5$ photometric measurements for $\sim 1100$ transit lightcurves belonging to $17$ exoplanet hosts. The photometric data cover $16$ years 2004--2019 and include amateur and professional observations. Old archival lightcurves were reprocessed using up-to-date exoplanetary parameters and empirically debiased limb-darkening models. We also derive self-consistent transit and radial-velocity fits for $13$ targets. We confirm the nonlinear TTV trend in the WASP-12 data at a high significance, and with a consistent magnitude. However, Doppler data reveal hints of a radial acceleration about $(-7.5\pm 2.2)$~m/s/yr, indicating the presence of unseen distant companions, and suggesting that roughly $10$ per cent of the observed TTV was induced via the light-travel (or Roemer) effect. For WASP-4, a similar TTV trend suspected after the recent TESS observations appears controversial and model-dependent. It is not supported by our homogeneus TTV sample, including $10$ ground-based EXPANSION lightcurves obtained in 2018 simultaneously with TESS. Even if the TTV trend itself does exist in WASP-4, its magnitude and tidal nature are uncertain. Doppler data cannot entirely rule out the Roemer effect induced by possible distant companions., Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, 6 tables; revised manuscript submitted to MNRAS; online-only supplements are in the download archive

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the modes of organizing the technological knowledge (make, buy and hybrid organization) in the decision to innovate the production process. Design/methodology/approach The study first develops a conceptual framework drawing the concept of mode of organization from the Transaction Cost Economics. The three research questions are coherently formulated which concern: the influence of the modes of organization on the decision to innovate and to invest in supporting instruments; the variability of this influence and the complementarity degree between the decision to innovate and to invest. The empirical analysis is carried out with respect to the olive oil sector considering a representative sample of olive millers (Umbria, Central Italy) and a complementary accidental sample drawn from an existing database. Findings The main results of the study provide evidence for the role of modes of organization in the knowledge acquisition finalized to the process innovation. The role of the “buy” option is important, while the collaboration – the “hybrid” organization – seems to influence strongly the innovation and the related investment decision. The important role of the information sources appears effective and articulated. Finally, despite the great economic importance of the quality requirements, the millers appear to be more sensitive to the difficulties to build up a clear process vision in terms of technology. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study is that it refers to a specific supply system including small enterprises and does not account for the pattern of innovation in other olive oil production systems. Moreover, one of the samples that was observed and analyzed is accidental in nature and does not allow a clear and robust comparison for the representative sample. Practical implications The findings of this study can contribute to the identification of organizational constraints to the rate on process innovation. Originality/value The originality of the study is based on the main focus, i.e. the attention to the role of the modes of organization in the decision to innovate, which provides complementary information to the extant literature on the choice of modes of organizing the technological knowledge acquisition. Moreover, the conceptual framework and findings are connected to the current research on the variety of the agribusiness organizations which is still a partially explored field of inquiry.

Purpose This is an exploratory study on consumer information and behaviour towards green, health, local, social and environmental credentials on labels. It focusses on many dimensions of sustainability in the food products that affect consumer choices with a dual purpose: to identify and define “sustainable consumption” behaviour in broad sense and to investigate empirically the factors affecting the real consumption behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on consumers’ understanding, motivation and use of sustainable labelling in order to understand the role sustainability information plays in the food products market. Design/methodology/approach Two focus groups in order to investigate consumer motivation and behaviour in-depth and to prepare the questionnaire. Identification of the outcomes that could summarize sustainable consumption combining: purchase of local products, consume only seasonal fruit, prefer products with recyclable packaging, attention to the fat content in foods, give importance to traceability and purchase products only in the place of origin. Identification of the “at risk” virtuous consumer, using a binary logistic regression approach, taking into account demographic characteristics, the food and nutrition value system, experience, knowledge, institutional factors and marketing. Findings Results from the focus groups are mainly in line with the empirical analysis, highlighting the key role of education in influencing consumer attitude and behaviour. Consumers give little attention to information provided on the label for sustainable food consumption and environmental protection and have little knowledge of environmental problems. The virtuous consumer appears to give importance to a better food nutrition value system, to pay more attention to ingredients and instructions on the label, to be more attentive to environmental and sustainable attributes, to be concerned about product quality and to be slightly influenced by brands and special offers. Research limitations/implications The findings from the empirical analysis confirm the results from focus groups even if it was not possible from the empirical analysis to investigate in-depth the marketing aspects concerning the food choice. This limit probably comes from the low number of observations. Further research will focus on these marketing aspects. Practical implications Products with sustainable attributes can become a strategic variable and allow companies to gain a competitive advantage, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises. This may encourage the development of new marketing channels based on the direct relationship between producer and the new consumer demand, increasingly sensitive to the food security issues. Social implications There is a potential interest and sensitiveness to having sustainable behaviour in a broad sense, but there is a lack of knowledge about how to behave to be sustainable. In the absence of binding rules, it is necessary that government promote information and campaigns to generate greater awareness on sustainability, aiming at increasing knowledge to drive the consumer’s choices. This may lead to virtuous results in terms of reducing social costs related to an unhealthy diet, food waste and unsustainable consumption. Originality/value The results show that despite the appearance of attention to the environment and to healthy food which is associated with this emerging critical consumer in the literature, there remains the problem of the consumer giving little attention to information provided on the label for sustainable food consumption and environmental protection. This is the problem of “rules of thumb” in purchasing decisions that prevail in the following situations: when consumers have an overload of information that exceeds their processing limits; when they tend to base their decision making on heuristics, focussing their choices on brands as a proxy for high-quality, product-related characteristics.

BACKGROUND The phenomenon of asymmetric information is central in the agri-food sector, in which often there is not full information transparency about product quality. This condition is particularly complex considering the high-end products. In particular, there are specific attributes (credence attributes) that are not assessable by consumers. For these reasons, a clear information about certification can give to consumers the possibility to make a rational choice. A company can choose voluntarily to participate in certification programs that can be viewed also as a simplification of some organization issues. Often the incentives to participate in voluntary programs arise from the need to have a positive economic performance of the firm. On the one hand, the firm may have benefits from the technical assistance of the certification, which allows it to reduce costs of controlling particular sensible steps of the process. On the other hand, the firm may provide a new certification label, in order to ensure a greater transparency of its processes. METHODS The research aims to understand the characteristics of firms oriented to use voluntary certifications as a tool to reduce information asymmetries between producers and final consumers. In particular, we want to consider two contexts of analysis: a structural one, considering some specific internal aspects and investment choices of the firms (typology, size, extraction system, storage system, material investments, immaterial investments); a second one that takes into account some decisions related to market relationships (sale to consumers, sale to HoReCa, sale to wholesalers, sale to purchasing groups, sale to GDO, export activity). The study concerns small and medium olive oil company of Southern Italy. We apply two logit models in order to show the determinants in the choice to introduce a voluntary certification. RESULTS The results show significant values in both the two dimensions considered. Among the first one, there are significances in immaterial company investments but also in physical assets related to the olive oil process. There are several scientific developments relevant to the olive oil process and some of these patents have been reviewed in this paper. Regarding the physical assets, the storage system is a clear representation of the asset importance in the decision to participate in the certification program. Furthermore, the presence of considerable immaterial investments is important in the certification decision, which confirms the idea that voluntary certification can be viewed as a strategic tool. In the second part of analysis there are significances in some distribution channels (direct sale to final consumer, to wholesalers and to purchasing groups) as well as in the export activity. CONCLUSION This work aims to contribute to the debate about the addressing of quality policy for a reduction of asymmetric information in the high-end products. Because of small dimensions of firms in Southern Italy, not always we can find conditions about the presence of specific assets. Indeed, the small dimensions of the companies make quality investments complicated. The incentive to invest, both in terms of control of product and in terms of immaterial investment, can help in a participation in voluntary certification programs. Further, it is important to investigate the three distribution channels resulting from the research because of their importance in terms of information asymmetry.

Objective To establish muscle-specific cut-off values for ultrasound-based detection of low muscle mass, and to assess its prevalence in a population of frail older subjects when applying the cut-points of different muscles and those of different sarcopenic indices. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Geriatric outpatient clinic and clinical research laboratory. Methods A total of 44 older adults (30 women and 14 men, mean age 82 years, range 67-93 years) and 60 younger individuals (30 women and 30 men, mean age 26 years, range 20-36 years) participated. Body composition and thickness of 4 lower limb muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius) were respectively assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasonography. Main Outcome Measurements Site-specific cut-points for ultrasound-based assessment of low muscle mass (muscle thickness values 2 standard deviations below the gender-specific means of our sample of younger subjects) and comparative prevalence rates of low muscle mass. Results The following site-specific cut-points for muscle thickness were identified: rectus femoris: 20 mm in men and 16 mm in women; vastus lateralis: 17 mm in men and 15 mm in women; tibialis anterior: 23 mm in men and 22 mm in women; and medial gastrocnemius: 13 mm in both men and women. The prevalence of low muscle mass in older adults was highly dependent on the muscle being investigated; it varied from 86% for thigh muscles to 30% for leg muscles. Moreover, the prevalence of low muscle mass was highly dependent on the applied diagnostic criterion and on the adopted cut-off value; it ranged from 2% to 75% for different BIA-derived criteria. Conclusions We suggest that muscle ultrasonography provides physiatrists with a practical and accurate tool for identifying individuals with low muscle mass. However, the usability of cut-off values established in our group of healthy younger subjects of white ethnicity to identify low muscle mass in older individuals of different ethnic groups remains to be demonstrated in future studies.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to present an attempt to evaluate Italian olive oil brand competition thought the analysis of consumers’ visual perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Through the implementation of a new information technology system called “Visual Marketing REL”, which furnishes eye-tracking measures, the authors were able to produce important information relative to the layout organization of to the Italian olive oil shelf, a strategic product of the agro-food chain. The research uses the “in situ” testing of the software developed. Findings – The research, following up the thesis of sensorial marketing affecting choices, intends to identify an IT tool to facilitate the design of the shelf by increasing the efficiency of the retail mix. Results highlight that specific positioning could impact the differentiation effect and orientate consumers’ choices, thus increasing the efficiency of the retail mix. Research limitations/implications – To generalize the results would require many repetitions of different product categories. In this case, it would be possible to quantify the levels of correlation between visual information and sales. Practical implications – This work opens important considerations in terms of strategic management of modern distribution, leaders and minor brands competitive relationship, as well as opportunities for producers of high-quality products, which could address their strategies to differentiation and niche market in cooperation with retailers. Social implications – The research aims to encourage the process of consumer choice and reduce information asymmetries. Originality/value – The most important result is the connection among choices, visualization, differentiation strategy and positioning/ordering on the shelf. The layout management, in fact, could be used as a joint strategy of retailers as well as producers to emphasize quality and price differentiation, thereby increasing sales. Moreover, the study provides for the first time the outcomes of a brand new software “Visual Marketing REL”, highlighting its limits and positive elements.

This work compares the different methods of transport used to import pellets, through a case study of pellets imported into Italy. The objective was to evaluate the economic and environmental sustainability of the different transport methods, the former via a cost analysis, and the latter via an LCA analysis. In particular, the method of transport by sea from Virginia (USA) was compared to overland transport from some European locations. Industrial pellet markets strictly depend on the import of wood pellets from outside the EU-27. The analysis of transport phase is therefore crucial, for inspecting the consequences of transporting such a commodity along considerable distances and allowing decision makers to make strategic decisions about trade planning, optimize international routes, and choose the most sustainable transport methods. The economic analysis showed that road transport cost ranged from 18 to 112 € t−1, while sea cost from 68 to 82 € t−1. Concerning the environmental evaluation, the impact categories most involved were Fossil Fuels, Respiratory Inorganics and Land Use, showing that the critical points in the transport phase are the oil consumption per km and the production of high quantities of SO2 and NOx. Basically, transport by sea appeared to be better, from the economic viewpoint, and for what concerns one of the major environmental impacts involved (fossil fuels) and primary energy consumption, compared to road transport from some of the European locations normally supplying the Italian market. On the contrary, road transport was preferred if transporting pellets from locations nearest to Italy.

Context. In 2009, the Sun and the Earth passed through the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites. It was the equinox on Jupiter. This occurrence made mutual occultations and eclipses between the satellites possible. Experience has shown that the observations of such events provide accurate astrometric data able to bring new information on the dynamics of the Galilean satellites. Observations are made under the form of photometric measurements, but need to be made through the organization of a worldwide observation campaign maximizing the number and the quality of the data obtained. Aims. This work focuses on processing the complete database of photometric observations of the mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter made during the international campaign in 2009. The final goal is to derive new accurate astrometric data. Methods. We used an accurate photometric model of mutual events adequate with the accuracy of the observation. Our original method was applied to derive astrometric data from photometric observations of mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter. Results. We processed the 457 lightcurves obtained during the international campaign of photometric observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter in 2009. Compared with the theory, for successful observations, the r.m.s. of O-C residuals are equal to 45.8 mas and 81.1 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively; the mean O-C residuals are equal to -2 mas and -9 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively, for mutual occultations; and -6 mas and +1 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively, for mutual eclipses. © ESO, 2014. Arlot J.-E. 1 Emelyanov N. 2 1 Varfolomeev M. I. 2 Amossé A. 3 Arena C. 4 Assafin M. 40 Barbieri L. 5 Bolzoni S. 6 Bragas-Ribas F. 54 Camargo J. I. B. 54 Casarramona F. 8 Casas R. 37 Christou A. 9 Colas F. 1 Collard A. 3 Combe S. 10 Constantinescu M. 11 Dangl G. 12 De Cat P. 34 Degenhardt S. 13 Delcroix M. 14 Dias-Oliveira A. 54 Dourneau G. 15 57 Douvris A. 16 Druon C. 3 Ellington C. K. 17 Estraviz G. 8 Farissier P. 10 Farmakopoulos A. 16 Garlitz J. 18 Gault D. 19 George T. 20 Gorda S. Yu. 42 Grismore J. 21 Guo D. F. 22 Herald D. 56 Ida M. 23 Ishida M. 23 Ivanov A. V. 24 Klemt B. 7 Koshkin N. 25 Le Campion J. F. 15 57 Liakos A. 26 Liao S. L. 27 Li S. N. 27 Loader B. 28 Lopresti C. 29 Lo Savio E. 4 Marchini A. 30 Marino G. 4 Masi G. 53 Massallé A. 8 Maulella R. 29 McFarland J. 9 Miyashita K. 32 Napoli C. 4 Noyelles B. 33 1 3 Pauwels T. 34 Pavlov H. 35 Peng Q. Y. 36 Perelló C. 8 Priban V. 38 Prost J. 39 Razemon S. 3 Rousselle J. P. 3 ⋆ Rovira J. 8 Ruisi R. 41 Ruocco N. 31 Salvaggio F. 4 Sbarufatti G. 43 Shakun L. 25 Scheck A. 44 Sciuto C. 4 da Silva Neto D. N. 55 V Sinyaeva N. 45 Sofia A. 4 Sonka A. 11 Talbot J. 46 Tang Z. H. 27 Tejfel V. G. 45 Thuillot W. 1 Tigani K. 16 Timerson B. 47 Tontodonati E. 48 Tsamis V. 16 Unwin M. 49 Venable R. 50 Vieira-Martins R. 54 1 40 Vilar J. 51 Vingerhoets P. 34 Watanabe H. 52 Yin H. X. 22 Yu Y. 27 Zambelli R. 29 1 Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides-Observatoire de Paris, UMR 8028 CNRS, UPMC, USTL , 77 avenue Denfert-Rochereau , 75014 Paris , France 2 Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University , 119991 Moscow , Russia 3 Association Jonckheere-Les Amis de l’Observatoire de Lille, 1 Impasse de l’Observatoire , 59000 Lille , France 4 Gruppo Astrofili Catanesi , 95128 Catania , Italy 5 Associazione Astrofili Bolognesi , 95128 Bologna , Italy 6 viale L.Pirandello, 26 , 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA) , Italy 7 Im Erlenhof 2a , 51429 Bergisch Gladbach , Germany 8 Agrupació Astronómica de Sabadell, Carrer Prat de la Riba, s/n, 08206 Sabadell , Catalonia , Spain 9 Armagh Observatory , College Hill , Armagh BT61 9DG , UK 10 CALA, Place de la nation , 69120 Vaulx-en-Velin , France 11 Observatorul Astronomic Amiral Vasile Urseanu , no.21, Lascar Catargiu Boulevard , 71111 Bucharest , Romania 12 Nonndorf 12 , 3830 , Austria 13 2112 Maple Leaf Trail , Columbia , TN , 38401 , USA 14 2 rue de l’Ardèche , 31170 Tournefeuille , France 15 Univ. Bordeaux, LAB, UMR 5804 , 33270 Floirac , France 16 Astronomical Union of Sparta , 23100 Sparta , Greece 17 Plantation, FL , USA 18 1155 Hartford St Elgin , Oregon 97827 , USA 19 22 Booker Road , Hawkesbury Heights NSW 2777 , Australia 20 136 Rio Senda , Umatilla , Oregon 97882 , USA 21 Bartlesville , Oklahoma , USA 22 Shandong University at Weihai , 264209 Weihai , PR China 23 1-4-17, Okino, Higashi-Ohmi , 527-0034 Shiga , Japan 24 Central Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences , St. Petersburg , Pulkovo , Russia 25 Astronomical observatory of Odessa University , Marazlievskaya st. 1-B , Odessa , Ukraine 26 Department of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics, University of Athens , 15784 Zografos , Athens , Greece 27 Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 200030 Shanghai , PR China 28 14 Craigieburn Street , 7510 Darfield , New Zealand 29 Istituto Spezzino Ricerche Astronomiche , 19125 La Spezia , Italy 30 Astronomical Observatory University of Siena , 53100 Siena , Italy 31 Astrocampania , 80063 Piano di Sorrento , Italy 32 4368-1, Akashina-Nanaki, Azumino, 399-7104 Nagano , Japan 33 University of Namur , NAmur Center for CompleX SYStems (naXys), Rempart de la Vierge 8 , 5000 Namur , Belgium 34 Koninklijke Sterrenwacht van België, Ringlaan 3 , 1180 Brussels , Belgium 35 45/192 Vimiera Rd , Marsfield , NSW 2122 , Australia 36 Department of computer Science, Jinan University , 510632 Guangzhou , PR China 37 Institut de Ciéncies de l’Espai (IEEC-CSIC), Campus UAB, Facultat de Ciéncies , Torre C5 parell 2n pis, 08193 Bellaterra , Catalonia , Spain 38 Observatory and Planetarium Praha , Kralovska obora 233 170 21 Praha 7 , Czech Republic 39 26 impasse des Forsythias , 06560 Valbonne , France 40 Observatório do Valongo/UFRJ , Ladeira Pedro Antonio 43, RJ 23. 070-200 Rio de Janeiro , Brazil 41 Organizzazione Ricerche e Studi di Astronomia , Palermo , Italy 42 Kourovskaya observatory of the Ural Federal University , Prospect Lenina 51 , 620000 Ecaterinbourg , Russia 43 Gruppo Astrofili di Piacenza , Italy 44 Scaggsville , Maryland , USA 45 Fessenkov Astrophysical Institute , Alma-Ata , Kazakhstan 46 RASNZ Occultation Section, 3 Hughes Street , Waikanae Beach , New Zealand 47 Newark , New York , USA 48 Associazione Iblea Divulgazione Astronomica , 497100 Ragusa , Italy 49 9 Payling Lane, 8052 Christchurch , Christchurch , New Zealand 50 PO Box 117 , Chester , GA 31012 , USA 51 8 rue des Ormes , 67450 Mundolsheim , France 52 281, Kasadashinden, Inabe , Mie , 511-0205 , Japan 53 Virtual Telescope Project , Via Madonna de Loco 47 , 03023 Ceccano (FR) , Italy 54 Observatorio Nacional/MCTI , R. General Jose Cristino 77, RJ 20. 921-400 Rio de Janeiro , Brazil 55 Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste , Av. Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga 1203, RJ 23. 070-200 Rio de Janeiro , Brazil 56 3 Lupin Pl , Murrumbateman , NSW 2582 , Australia 57 CNRS, LAB, UMR 5804 , 33270 Floirac , France ⋆ J. P. Rousselle died in 2009. e-mail: Jean-Eudes.Arlot@imcce.fr 09 12 2014 09 12 2014 12 2014 572 aa/2014/12 A120 20 3 2014 15 5 2014 © ESO, 2014 2014 ESO Context. In 2009, the Sun and the Earth passed through the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites. It was the equinox on Jupiter. This occurrence made mutual occultations and eclipses between the satellites possible. Experience has shown that the observations of such events provide accurate astrometric data able to bring new information on the dynamics of the Galilean satellites. Observations are made under the form of photometric measurements, but need to be made through the organization of a worldwide observation campaign maximizing the number and the quality of the data obtained. Aims. This work focuses on processing the complete database of photometric observations of the mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter made during the international campaign in 2009. The final goal is to derive new accurate astrometric data. Methods. We used an accurate photometric model of mutual events adequate with the accuracy of the observation. Our original method was applied to derive astrometric data from photometric observations of mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter. Results. We processed the 457 lightcurves obtained during the international campaign of photometric observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter in 2009. Compared with the theory, for successful observations, the r.m.s. of O–C residuals are equal to 45.8 mas and 81.1 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively; the mean O–C residuals are equal to –2 mas and –9 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively, for mutual occultations; and –6 mas and +1 mas in right ascension and declination, respectively, for mutual eclipses. astronomical databases: miscellaneous planets and satellites: general occultations eclipses ephemerides idline A&A 572, A120 (2014) cover_date December 2014 first_month 12 last_month 12 first_year 2014 last_year 2014 This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 12-02-00294), by The European contract ESPaCE (FP7-grant agreement 263466), by the Scientific Council of Paris Observatory, by the CNRS PICS 3840 France-Russia, by the Programme National de Planétologie (CNES and CNRS) and by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No 11273014) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

In this chapter, the authors study agro food SMEs and especially SMEs in the wine sector, which combine several common characteristics, and they make a comparison between e-marketing strategies and e-commerce adoption in wine SMEs in two European countries: Italy and Greece. Taking into account the existing literature about the use of the Internet for wine marketing, this study identifies the online marketing strategies and the Website features used by the Greek and Italian wine producers.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the structural characteristics, the governance and the performance of two French and Italian groups of wine cooperatives, with two objectives in mind. On one hand, the study will analyse the presence of similarities between the characteristics of the two groups of companies which were founded in the same period within a similar legal framework; on the other, it will study the presence of links between the strategic policy of the companies and their structural, governance and performance characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses survey data obtained from interviews with 25 wine cooperatives. It covers the topics of their structure, organisation, strategies, management and performance in Italy (specifically in Umbria, a region in the centre of Italy), and in France (in Languedoc‐Roussillon, a region in southern France). Other indicators of performance, calculated from the balance sheets of the companies, were added to this analysis, and a careful analysis was drawn up to check the factors which condition the performance of the companies.FindingsThe main finding underlines some strong differentiating elements between those cooperatives selling the biggest part of their production as bulk wine and those selling it as packaged wine. But the first situation does not lead automatically to inferring a decline or an involution of these cooperatives. On the contrary, the mitigated performances that were found clearly question whether there is a strategic evolution towards more specialisation (intermediate phases of product transformation, leading to business‐to‐business differentiation strategies) which could be more profitable for their growers‐owners than further integration towards packaged wine sales.Originality/valueThe analysis deals with the problem of performance and governance of the transformation cooperative companies in the wine sector, which produce more than 50 percent of the entire wine production both in France and Italy.

Nutrition related diseases have reached epidemic proportions in Western Countries. Because of the huge economic costs and the impact on human well-being, nutrition and related disease have become a major public health concern. In this research paper we analyse the factors determining obesity, starting from the ISTAT multipurpose survey “Aspects of italian daily life” on the households, carried out in 2012. The analysis was based on multiple correspondence analysis and using logistic regression models. Starting from the main variables related to nutritional habits, eating habits and eating out, sedentary lifestyle, socio-economic status indicators that imply a different diet we have tried to shed light on the main factors responsible for obesity. From this evidence we tried to suggest the policy interventions can be implemented in order to act on the problem.

As many research studies confirm, the importance of collective reputation is increasing, especially in the agro-food chain. Currently, the reputation of firms and brands is the main key driver for companies׳ competitiveness and success in modern markets. This paper empirically investigates the determinants of reputation of PDO wines in Central Italy. In particular, it uses the qualitative assessment expressed by the National Association of Sommeliers and proposes a synthetic indicator of reputation. By using different statistical sources, we also evaluate the impact of some variables on the reputation levels of individual PDO areas. We looked at the structural characteristics of the designation (number of producers, age of the designation, etc.), the minimum quality standards, and the characteristics of the economic vitality of the territories. The study aims to contribute to the debate on the role of the quality proposed by firms and reputation built over time.

Consumers’ attitude towards the biological attribute of food and their purchase behaviour are important aspects influencing the organic agro-food supply chain. Particularly, the factors that influence consumers’ purchase intentions play a fundamental role. This research analyses this last aspect by examining seven determinants, including food safety, attention to human health, knowledge of organic products, influence of family and social context, attention to environmental protection and socioeconomic development via agricultural activity, and perception of the intrinsic quality of food. The methodology approach follows the theory of planned behaviour and findings of previous research on organic food consumption. The questionnaires were distributed among Italian consumers, and 600 valid questionnaires were obtained. The outcomes how that the factors that could influence consumers’ purchase intentions are well described, and the strongest are environmental concerns, perceived intrinsic quality, food safety and socioeconomic opportunities for farms