4-Factor-criticality of vertex-transitive graphs

A graph of order $n$ is $p$-factor-critical, where $p$ is an integer of the same parity as $n$, if the removal of any set of $p$ vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. 1-factor-critical graphs and 2-factor-critical graphs are well-known factor-critical graphs and bicritical graphs, respectively. It is known that if a connected vertex-transitive graph has odd order, then it is factor-critical, otherwise it is elementary bipartite or bicritical. In this paper, we show that a connected vertex-transitive non-bipartite graph of even order at least 6 is 4-factor-critical if and only if its degree is at least 5. This result implies that each connected non-bipartite Cayley graphs of even order and degree at least 5 is 2-extendable.Comment: 34 pages, 3 figure

Exploring Heterogeneity in Consumers’ Meat Store Choices in an Emerging Market

Chinese consumers’ choices among meat stores are examined through a model that can capture consumer heterogeneities both in their opinion of various store attributes and in how much weight they attach to each attribute. This approach not only informs store managers as to what attributes should receive focus for improving their store images, but also provides insight about which specific attribute could be improved to achieve the most effective result. Based on the individual-level parameters obtained through an empirical Bayes analysis, managers or competitors are able to strategically target their store promotions to specific individual consumers based on their demographic characteristics.heterogeneity, individual-level parameters, logit models, meat store, Livestock Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Dollars or Cents: Impacts of Rescaling Data on a Mixed Logit Model with Normally and Lognormally Distributed Coefficients

It is a common practice to rescale data to assist the model estimation process. This paper describes a case where care is called upon when interpreting the results after rescaling. The case is shown as associated with the lognormally distributed coefficient in a mixed logit model. Implications of rescaling data on a normally distributed coefficient are also given for comparison.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Modeling Yeah- and Nay-Saying to Alternatives in Conjoint Experiments

Using a series of hurdle choice models, this study considers both nay-saying and yeah-saying to alternatives offered in a conjoint experiment. These behaviors are characterized by respondents persistently choosing the no-choice alternative or choosing at least one of the non-empty options offered in a survey. Results show that jointly consider nay-saying and yeah-saying in a two-hurdle model drastically improves model fit; welfare implications based on hurdle models are also different from those based on models without hurdle specification.conjoint experiment, hurdle choice model, yeah and nay-saying, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, D12, C25,

Effects of Endogenous Task Complexity and the Endowed Bundle on Stated Choice

Conventionally, studies examining the impacts of choice complexity only consider complexity introduced exogenously from the tasks respondents face. In the context of a stated conjoint survey, this article establishes endogenous complexity measures through decision-makers' experience known as the endowed bundle before the survey. Results show that complexity should not only be defined exogenously. Endogenous complexity measures are important in determining the utility associated with an alternative and the decision of whether to participate in the market. In addition, some of these complexity effects are nonlinear. We also show that exogenous complexity simultaneous affects the choice consistency.Complexity, Endowed Bundle, Random Utility, Stated Choice, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, C81, D12,

3-Factor-criticality of vertex-transitive graphs

A graph of order $n$ is $p$-factor-critical, where $p$ is an integer of the same parity as $n$, if the removal of any set of $p$ vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. 1-Factor-critical graphs and 2-factor-critical graphs are factor-critical graphs and bicritical graphs, respectively. It is well known that every connected vertex-transitive graph of odd order is factor-critical and every connected non-bipartite vertex-transitive graph of even order is bicritical. In this paper, we show that a simple connected vertex-transitive graph of odd order at least 5 is 3-factor-critical if and only if it is not a cycle.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

FEM analysis on the deformation behavior of flange portion during early stage in deep drawing of dúplex embossed sheet metal

Duplex embossed sheet metals are very useful due to their high rigidity. Furthermore, it is very interesting that the periodic configurations given by embossing brings a new macroscopic feature into a sheet metal. In this study, in order to confirm the effect of only sub-macroscopic structure, which was the configuration given to sheet metal by duplex embossing process, the material was set to isotropy, and FEM simulation was carried out to investigate about the deformation ehavior of flange portion during the early stage in deep drawing of duplex embossed sheet

AT-HOME SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION IN KENTUCKY: A DOUBLE-HURDLE MODEL APPROACH

This study investigates demographic and socioeconomic factors contributing to at-home consumption of seafood in Kentucky through a 2010 survey. The Tobit and Cragg’s double-hurdle model are analyzed and tested. Numbers of people in the household, household income, race and employment status are significant determinants of at-home seafood consumption in Kentucky.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Seafood consumption, At-home, Kentucky, Double-Hurdle Model,