}

    /**
     * Escapes special characters in the value for use in Fess queries.
     *
     * @param value the value to escape
     * @return the escaped value
     */
    protected String escapeQueryValue(final String value) {
        if (value == null) {
            return "";
        }
        final StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder(value.length() + 16);
        for (int i = 0; i < value.length(); i++) {