bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Horizontal transfer of microbial toxin genes to gall midge genomes
Authors: Verster Kirsten I. , Tarnopol Rebecca L. , Akalu Saron M. , Whiteman Noah K.
Published: February 2021

A growing body of evidence points to a role for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the evolution of animal novelties. Previously, we discovered the horizontal transfer of the gene encoding the eukaryotic genotoxin cytolethal distending toxin B (CdtB) from theAcyrthosiphon pisumSecondary Endosymbiont (APSE) bacteriophage to drosophilid and aphid genomes. Here, we report thatcdtBis also found in the nuclear genome of the gall-forming ‘swede midge’Contarinia nasturtii(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). We subsequently searched genome sequences of all available cecidomyiid species for evidence of microbe-to-insect HGT events. We found evidence of pervasive transfer of APSE-like toxin genes to cecidomyiid nuclear genomes. Many of the toxins encoded by these horizontally transferred genes target eukaryotic cells, rather than prokaryotes. In insects, catalytic residues important for toxin function are conserved. Phylogenetic analyses of HGT candidates indicated APSE phages were often not the ancestral donor of the toxin gene to cecidomyiid genomes, suggesting a broader pool of microbial donor lineages. We used a phylogenetic signal statistic to test a transfer-by-proximity hypothesis for HGT, which showed, that prokaryotic-to-insect HGT was more likely to occur between taxa in common environments. Our study highlights the horizontal transfer of genes encoding a new functional class of proteins in insects, toxins that target eukaryotic cells, which is potentially important in mediating interactions with eukaryotic pathogens and parasites.

Significance Statement

The diversity of genes encoded by phages infecting bacterial symbionts of eukaryotes represents an enormous, relatively unexplored pool of new eukaryotic genes through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). In this study, we discovered pervasive HGT of toxin genes encoded byAcyrthosiphon pisumsecondary endosymbiont (APSE) bacteriophages and other microbes to the nuclear genomes of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). We found five toxin genes were transferred horizontally from phage, bacteria, or fungi into genomes of several cecidomyiid species. These genes wereaip56, cdtB, lysozyme, rhs, andsltxB. Most of the toxins encoded by these genes antagonize eukaryotic cells, and we posit that they may play a protective role in the insect immune system.
Thermal flexibility is a repeatable mechanism to cope with environmental stressors in a passerine bird
Authors: Robertson Joshua K. , Mastromonaco Gabriela F. , Burness Gary
Published: February 2021

For many vertebrates, urban environments are characterised by frequent environmental stressors. Coping with such stressors can demand that urban individuals activate energetically costly physiological pathways (e.g. the fight-or-flight response) more regularly than rural-living conspecifics. However, urban environments also commonly demand appreciable expenditure toward thermoregulation, owing to their often extreme climatic variations. To date, whether and how vertebrates can balance expenditure toward both the physiological stress response and thermoregulation, and thus persist in an urbanising world, remains an unanswered and urgent question among ecologists.

In some species, changes in body surface temperature (Ts) and peripheral heat loss (qTot) that accompany the stress response are thought to balance energetic expenditure toward thermoregulation and responding to a stressor. Thus, augmentation of stressinduced thermal responses may be a mechanism by which urban individuals cope with simultaneously high thermoregulatory and stress-physiological demands.

We tested whether stress-induced changes in Tsand qTot: (1) differed between urban- and rural-origin individuals, (2) reduce thermoregulatory demands in urban individuals relative to rural conspecifics, and (3) meet an essential first criterion for evolutionary responses to selection (variability among, and consistency within, individuals).

Using the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus; n = 19), we show that neither rapid nor chronic changes in Tsand qTotfollowing exposure to randomised stressors differed between urban- and rural-origin individuals (nurban= 9; nrural= 10). Nevertheless, we do find that stress-induced changes in Tsand qTotare highly repeatable across chronic time periods (RTs= 0.61; RqTot= 0.67) and display signatures of stabilising or directional selection (i.e. reduced variability and increase repeatability relative to controls).

Our findings suggest that, although urban individuals appear no more able to balance expenditure toward thermoregulation and the stress response than rural conspecifics, the capacity to do so may be subject to selection in some species. To our knowledge this is also the first study to report repeatability of any theorised stress-induced trade-off.
Unfazed: parent-of-origin detection for large and smallde novovariants
Authors: Belyeu Jonathan R. , Sasani Thomas A. , Pedersen Brent S. , Quinlan Aaron R.
Published: February 2021

Unfazedis a command-line tool to determine the parental gamete of origin forde novomutations from paired-end Illumina DNA sequencing reads.Unfazeduses variant information for a sequenced trio to identify the parental gamete of origin by linking phase-informative inherited variants tode novomutations using read-based phasing. It achieves a high success rate by chaining reads into haplotype groups, thus increasing the search space for informative sites. Unfazed provides a simple command-line interface and scales well to large inputs, determining parent-of-origin for nearly 30,000de novovariants in under 60 hours.

Availability

Unfazed is available athttps://github.com/ibelyeu/unfazed.
TheC. elegansDAF-19M module: a shift from general ciliogenesis to ciliary and behavioral specialization
Authors: Ahn Soungyub , Yang Heeseung , Son Sangwon , Park Dongjun , Yim Hyunsoo , Swoboda Peter , Lee Junho
Published: February 2021

In animals, cilia are important for the interaction with environments and the proper function of tissues and organs. Understanding the distinctive identities of each type of ciliated cell is essential for therapeutic solutions for ciliopathies, complex disorders with impairments of various organs caused by defective cilia development and function. Here, we report a regulatory module consisting of a cascade of transcription factors and their target genes that confer the cell type-specific ciliary identities on the IL2 ciliated neurons inC. elegans. We found that DAF-19M, isoform of the soleC. elegansRFX transcription factor DAF-19, through X-box promoter motif variants, heads a regulatory module in IL2 neurons, comprising the core target genesklp-6(kinesin),osm-9(TRP channel), andcwp-4(novel); under the overall control of terminal selector proteins UNC-86 and CFI-1. Considering the conservation of this DAF-19M module in IL2 neurons for nictation, a dauer larva-specific behavior, and in male-specific neurons for mating behavior, we propose the existence of an evolutionarily adaptable, hard-wired genetic module for distinct behaviors that share the feature “recognizing the environment.”
Integrated DC-AC and AC-DC converter using H-converter for wide range voltage applications
Authors: R. Saravanan , S. Vijayshankar , Sathyaseelan Sathyaseelan , K. Suresh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose Hidden Converter (H-Converter) combined with dual port 3Ø inverter for energy storage application to produce wide range of voltage. Some of the application required wide range of voltages, but problem from E-chopper is either boost or buck mode of operations, both modes are not possible. To overcome this drawback, H-Converter is combined with dual port 3Ø inverter controlled by carrier-based pulse width modulation (CB-PWM) technique is added with zero sequence injection.

Design/methodology/approach

Hidden converter is a bidirectional DC-DC chopper used to convert fixed DC to variable DC and vice versa in both buck and boost modes of operations. Dual port inverter is combined with hidden DC-DC converter can produce wide range of voltages.

Findings

The bidirectional DC-AC converter requires less power for processing and consumes less power losses by using modest carrier built- pulse width modulation scheme through proposed zero structure addition.

Originality/value

By using this proposed strategy H-Converter can produce wide range of voltage in both the sides and mostly power is processed in the 3Ø inverter with a one stage conversion with less power loss. As a result, with one stage power conversion has more efficiency because of less power loss. This proposed converter has designed by analysis, and the real time result is tested in an experiment.
Stakeholder interaction for sustainability in seaports. Analysing the implementation and its linkages to overarching interaction efforts
Authors: Fobbe Lea , Hilletofth Per
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyse how and to what extent stakeholder interaction for sustainability is implemented in organisations and the linkages to the overarching interaction efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in the context of seaports. To examine interaction activities with stakeholders for sustainability and how they are implemented, the study uses content analysis of sustainability reports.

Findings

The results show that the majority of ports recognise the importance of stakeholder interaction to create value and guide organisational sustainability; however, it is implemented to varying levels and degrees, which affects the form and extent of the overarching interaction efforts. The paper proposes four categories of implementing stakeholder interaction, showing the linkages to the number of stakeholder groups involved, sustainability dimensions covered and interaction approaches used.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to sustainability, stakeholder and management literature by highlighting different levels of implementation of stakeholder interaction for sustainability and its linkages to overarching efforts that may affect the sustainable development of an organisation. The results of this study provide a better understanding of stakeholder interaction within organisational sustainability approaches and implementation in sustainability-oriented business models. As organisations seek to increase their sustainability performance, these insights may be useful for both academia and practice.
Entropy generation analysis of electrical magnetohydrodynamic flow of TiO2-Cu/H2O hybrid nanofluid with partial slip
Authors: M. Venkata Subba Rao , Gireesha B.J. , Gangadhar Kotha , P. Manasa Seshakumari , Sindhu S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow of hybrid mixture across a stretching surface under the influence of electric field.

Design/methodology/approach

The local similarity transformations are implemented to reformulate the governing partial differential equations into coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations of higher order. The numerical solutions are obtained for the simplified governing equations with the aid of finite difference technique.

Findings

The velocity, temperature and entropy generation are examined thoroughly for the effects of different budding parameters related to present analysis by means of graphs. It is obtained that owing to the effect of magnetic field along with slip factor, the fluid motion slowdown. However, the flow velocity enhances for the rising estimations of an electric field which tends to resolve sticky effects.

Originality/value

The three-dimensional plots are drawn to understand the nature of physical quantities. To ensure the precision, the obtained solutions are compared with the existing one for certain specific conditions. A good concurrence is observed between the proposed results and previously recorded outcomes.
A three-dimensional shoulder protector based on ergonomics for workers
Authors: Eom Ran-i , Lee Yejin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The use of shoulder protectors is strongly recommended when carrying objects on the shoulder to ensure the health and safety of workers. Thus, this study aimed to develop and verify an ergonomic shoulder protector that considers human body shape and carrying posture from an ergonomic perspective. Ultimately, this study will present a shoulder protector with enhanced fit and safety for carrying workers at construction sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The shoulder protector was designed and printed using three-dimensional printing technology with variable side neck points and shoulder point heights to reflect the human body's shoulder line shape and to position the carried object stably on the shoulder. The developed shoulder protectors were evaluated in terms of their fit according to the work posture of the carrier, adherence upon motion and durability through structural analysis.

Findings

The design of the shoulder protector for carrying workers followed the shoulder line. It is best placed above the side neck point by 1.0 cm and above the shoulder point by 2.0 cm. Its length is slightly shorter than the human shoulder for superior fit and safety.

Originality/value

The final shoulder protector (FSP) for carrying workers reflects the body curvature while enhancing fit and safety by considering activity and protective factors. As functional studies and evaluations on the need for protectors are scarce, this study provides fundamental data in the evaluation of protective gears.
The pattern design of fabrics produced by three-channel rotor-spun colorful melange yarn
Authors: Pan Bo , Yang Xiao Yi , Yang Rui Hua
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to design and make fabrics with colorful melange yarns spun by a three-channel rotor spinning machine.

Design/methodology/approach

The three-channel digital rotor-spun machine controls the blending proportion by adjusting the feeding of three-primary color fiber slivers online, so that a piece of colorful yarn presents a variety of colors along the longitudinal direction where constant yarn linear density can be produced flexibly. Various fabric patterns can be produced by three-channel rotor-spun colorful melange yarn with different periods of color.

Findings

The fabric, made by the rotor-spun colorful melange yarn, is rich in color, clear in layers, soft in the hand and has a hazy three-dimensional effect. The product is environmentally friendly and saves energy.

Originality/value

An innovative idea to develop various colorful fabrics is proposed by combining their pattern with colorful melange yarn produced by a three-channel rotor spinning machine.
Measuring personality congruency effects on consumer brand intentions in celebrity-endorsed brands
Authors: Arora Nilesh , Prashar Sanjeev , Tata Sai Vijay , Parsad Chandan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Brand managers frequently use well-known celebrities to position their brands and capture consumers’ attention to improve the brand’s market share. The attachment of a celebrity with a brand creates a human image for a brand and helps in personifying its image. The consumer perceives the brand as an individual and relates his personality, as well as the personality of the celebrity with that of the brand. It becomes pertinent for marketers to understand how brand-celebrity personality congruence and brand-consumer personality congruence affect the brand reputation, uniqueness and purchase intentions. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between the two personality congruence aspects – brand & celebrity personalities and brand & consumer personalities, and their impact on the reputation of the brand and its uniqueness. Further, the paper aims to examine the impact of the brand reputation and brand uniqueness on purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses Aaker’s five-factor personality scale to study the personality congruence effects on brand reputation, brand uniqueness and purchase intentions. The literature review was carried out to categorize factors related to celebrity personality, brand personality and consumer personality. The data for this study was collected through questionnaires from 1,235 respondents. In the first step, congruencies between celebrity, brand and consumer personality were determined. This was followed by a two-stage structural equation modelling for assessing the model fit and testing the hypotheses.

Findings

From the study results, it is observed that brand-celebrity congruency influences brand reputation and brand uniqueness. However, brand-consumer congruency had an effect only on brand reputation and not on brand uniqueness. Both brand reputation and uniqueness have favourable impact on consumers purchase intentions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on celebrity endorsement by extending the discussion with personality-based congruence. The research deciphered two aspects of identification, i.e. consumer-brand personality congruence and brand-celebrity congruence. The paper hypothesized the favourable association between brand personality and consumer personality congruence and brand uniqueness. However, it was observed that brand personality-consumer personality identification had an insignificant influence on brand uniqueness. This is contrary to the findings of some studies in the literature. Further investigation of this relationship in the future may add a new dimension to the identification context.
Exploring lack of closure as a brand transgression
Authors: Burgess Jacqueline , Jones Christian
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to research into narrative brands by investigating if the lack of closure in the ambiguous season two’s ending of the Australian television series, Wanted, constituted a brand transgression.

Design/methodology/approach

Comments on posts about Wanted from social media accounts associated with the series were downloaded and analysed using thematic analysis informed by non-participatory netnography.

Findings

Audiences found the ambiguous ending of Wanted season two disappointing and it did not fulfil implied promises and their expectations, which fits the description of a brand transgression, and so they engaged in behaviours indicative of a brand transgression such as spreading negative word of mouth online. The ambiguous ending could have been a cliff-hanger to lead into a third season that was not guaranteed when the final episode aired, or the ending for the entire series. Although a third season was eventually made and positively received by audiences, viewer numbers declined by nearly a third, illustrating the importance of brand management for narrative brands.

Practical implications

This research has implications for the creators of television series, particularly if they do not know if it will be renewed. Not providing audiences with their expected closure can constitute a brand transgression and damage the narrative brand’s residual brand equity and potential earnings from streaming or a revival at a later date.

Originality/value

Prior research has focused on audiences’ responses to definitive endings, rather than ambiguous endings, which is the focus of this research. Furthermore, narrative brands are still an under-researched context.
Viability of artisanal timber milling: cases from Ghana
Authors: Wongnaa Camillus Abawiera , Nyarko Michael , Addison Monica , Awunyo-Vitor Dadson
Published: February 2021

Purpose

A key strategy in the policy of saw millers and artisanal millers supplying the domestic market with legal and sustainable lumber is the transformation of chainsaw operators into legal artisanal millers to stop the production of illegal timber and supply only authorized wood to local trade points. The challenge, however, is how to develop the concept of its viability and acceptability to the chainsaw operators. Specifically, existing and potential investors’ knowledge about the possible costs and revenue is non-existent. This study aims to examine the financial and economic viability of the artisanal timber milling (ATM) business in rural Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from three operational artisanal milling companies in Ghana, net present value, internal rate of return, profitability index and payback period were used in analyzing the viability of artisanal timber milling.

Findings

The results showed that the ATM business is financially and economically viable, attractive and profitable.

Social implications

ATM business has the potential to create more jobs in the timber industry, reduce illegalities in the forestry sector and improve the living standard of individuals used by the sector.

Originality/value

As part of ATM’s medium and long-term strategies, the study encourages stakeholders to consider assisting existing and potential actors who have the passion to venture into this business to acquire concessions and financial support from financial institutions.
Action design research as a means for organizing workplace learning: case studies of e-learning platforms
Authors: Haj-Bolouri Amir , Master Östlund Christian , Rossi Matti , Svensson Lars
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Although there is a large body of literature available on the foundations of workplace learning (WPL), little is known about designated research methods that systematically combine intervention, design and learning at work. The purpose of this study is to propose action design research as an alternative method for organizing WPL in general and facilitating pedagogically rich activities in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a case study approach to focus the action design research method and exemplify its utility through two case studies that emphasize WPL in general and how the method can be used to facilitate pedagogically rich activities in particular.

Findings

The results of the case studies indicate that the action design research method had a significantly positive effect on organizing WPL in organizations systematically, as well as creating a narrative that structures the research process and its outcomes.

Originality/value

The findings help scholars that are in need of organizing WPL research in a systematic way. The findings do also help practitioners in organizations to solve real-world problems and develop new knowledge jointly together with scholars. Consequently, the findings contribute to the existing literature by exemplifying how to facilitate pedagogically rich activities and disseminate the outcomes of doing so in a formalized way.
Water-based binder preparation and full-color printing implementation of a self-developed 3D printer
Authors: Li Junchao , Yan Ran , Yang Yanan , Xie Feng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prepare water-based binders, which aimed to avoid printhead blockage and to improve dimensional accuracy of inkjet 3D printing (3DP) technology, and a feasible algorithm of full-color printing was realized.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-developed color 3D printer was made by using a piezoelectric printhead of Epson Dx-5. Several water-based binders and corresponding gypsum composite powders were prepared, and the optimum binder-powder assembly was then determined through elementary adhesive testing and roller paving testing. Full-color printing was implemented based on halftoning algorithms that used different threshold matrices for different ink channels, and the performances of various algorithms were evaluated in terms of both subjective and objective indices.

Findings

The optimum binder-powder assembly can solve the jamming problem of printhead and realize agreeable dimensional accuracy with the relative error less than 2.5% owing to the satisfying boundary diffusion control ability. And the determined halftone algorithm was verified to be agreeable for 3D color printing.

Originality/value

The prepared approach of water-based binders and gypsum composite powders can be applied to similar 3DP systems even if different materials are introduced. And the used halftone algorithms provide feasible guidelines to the implementation of 3D full-color printing.
Challenges and opportunities concerning Environmental Goods (EGs): a case study and business perspective
Authors: Ahsan Md Rajibul
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Given the current global climate change concerns, environmental goods (EGs) exported from developing countries have been declining in recent years despite the growing economic importance of these nations. Researchers believe that the problem lies in the nature of technology and border-related constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

This research work considers a relatively modern approach known as the “stochastic frontier gravity-type model” to examine opportunities and challenges involving Bangladesh EGs exports.

Findings

It is evident that Bangladesh, despite its close links to the other East Asian economies, has not realized the true potential of EGs exported between 2001 and 2015.

Originality/value

This study highlights the removal of border-related constraints that will improve the country’s exports. The findings will make it possible to explain the constraints of the export of environmental goods.
Study of mechanical properties of pultruded jute-glass reinforced unsaturated polyester bio-composites with hybrid filler loading
Authors: Kumar Navin , Walia Ravinderjit Singh , Angra Surjit
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop jute-glass hybrid fibre reinforced polyester-based bio-composites using an indigenously developed pultrusion set-up and to present a detailed discussion on their mechanical characterization.

Design/methodology/approach

The work was carried out to observe the hybridization effect of natural and synthetic fibres in combination with hybrid fillers loading mainly on strength and other properties. The used hybrid fillers were a combination of 9 Wt.% of carbon black%, 6 Wt.% of eggshell ash powder and 6 Wt.% of coconut coir ash powder. A lab-based developed pultrusion set-up was used to develop these hybrid GJFRP composites of 1,500 mm length. The developed composites were tested for tensile strength, compressive strength and impact strength.

Findings

The maximum tensile, compressive and impact strength obtained are 88.37 MPa, 56.13 MPa and 731.91 J/m from 9 Wt.%, 9 Wt.% and 0 Wt.% of hybrid fillers loading, respectively. Breaking energy was found maximum as 7.31 J in hybrid glass-jute hybrid fibre reinforced plastic composites with no filler loading and it was observed that filler loading was decreasing the impact strength of developed hybrid composites. Shrinkage and its variations in the diameter of the finally developed cylindrical shape composites were observed after cooling and solidification. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the internal cracks, bonding of fibres and resin, voids, etc.

Originality/value

Development of hybrid filler based novel eco-friendly bio-composites and its experimental investigation on the impact strength, tensile strength and compressive strength has not been attempted yet.
Horizontal transmission of a murine retrovirus is driven by males within semi‐natural enclosures
Authors: Cornwall Douglas H. , Ruff James S. , Zachary Elizabeth R. , Young Chloe P. , Maguire Kathleen M. , Painter Rachel J. , Trujillo Sophie M. , Potts Wayne K.
Published: February 2021

Transmission is a key component of a pathogen's life history, but it is often difficult to obtain reliable ecological estimates of the dominant mode(s) of transmission and how host traits, such as sex, influence transmission dynamics.

Here, we have developed a robust system pairing the use of semi‐natural populations of house mice Mus musculus with modern molecular viral titering approaches to evaluate the transmission dynamics of Friend Virus Complex (FVC).

Semi‐natural populations were founded with female and male mice that were either ‘index’ (initially infected via intraperitoneal injection) or ‘contact’ (uninfected at the start of experiment). Three experimental population designs were implemented: female index only, male index only and both female and male index.

Utilizing these enclosures, we found male–male transmission to be the predominant mode of transmission, with low rates of horizontal female transmission and no evidence of vertical transmission. Additionally, contact males that became infected harbour higher titres than females while suffering a similar amount of spleen enlargement; this, paired with a strong correlation between titre and spleen size in males, and no correlation in females, indicates FVC viral dynamics differ between the sexes.

Lastly, natural transmission may be an impediment to FVC replication as infected contact animals have a lower viral titre than index animals. These results illuminate the complex life history of murine leukaemia viruses and demonstrate the important role of host sex on pathogen transmission dynamics.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Life Satisfaction and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health in Older Adults
Authors: KIM ERIC S. , DELANEY SCOTT W. , TAY LOUIS , CHEN YING , DIENER ED , VANDERWEELE TYLER J.
Published: February 2021

Policy Points

Several intergovernmental organizations (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, World Health Organization, United Nations) are urging countries to use well‐being indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) in addition to traditional economic indicators when making important policy decisions.

As the number of governments implementing this new approach grows, so does the need to continue evaluating the health and well‐being outcomes we might observe from policies aimed at improving life satisfaction.

The results of this study suggest that life satisfaction is a valuable target for policies aiming to enhance several indicators of psychosocial well‐being, health behaviors, and physical health outcomes.

Context

Several intergovernmental organizations (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, World Health Organization, United Nations) are urging countries to use well‐being indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) in addition to traditional economic indicators when making important policy decisions. As the number of governments implementing this new approach grows, so does the need to continue evaluating the health and well‐being outcomes we might observe from policies aimed at improving life satisfaction.

Methods

We evaluated whether positive change in life satisfaction (between t0;2006/2008 and t1;2010/2012) was associated with better outcomes on 35 indicators of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health and well‐being (in t2;2014/2016). Data were from 12,998 participants in the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study—a prospective and nationally representative cohort of US adults over age 50.

Findings

Participants with the highest (versus lowest) life satisfaction had better subsequent outcomes on some physical health indicators (lower risk of pain, physical functioning limitations, and mortality; lower number of chronic conditions; and higher self‐rated health) and health behaviors (lower risk of sleep problems and more frequent physical activity), and nearly all psychosocial indicators (higher positive affect, optimism, purpose in life, mastery, health mastery, financial mastery, and likelihood of living with spouse/partner; and lower depression, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, negative affect, perceived constraints, and loneliness) over the 4‐year follow‐up period. However, life satisfaction was not subsequently associated with many specific health conditions (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, overweight/obesity, or cognitive impairment), other health behaviors (i.e., binge drinking or smoking), or frequency of contact with children, family, or friends.

Conclusions

These results suggest that life satisfaction is a valuable target for policies aiming to enhance several indicators of psychosocial well‐being, health behaviors, and physical health outcomes.
Encapsulation of oyster protein hydrolysates in nanoliposomes: Vesicle characteristics, storage stability, in vitro release, and gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Xu Jinjin , Jiang Suisui , Liu Li , Zhao Yuanhui , Zeng Mingyong
Published: February 2021

In this study, oyster protein hydrolysates (OPH) were obtained from oyster meat by hydrolysis using animal complex proteases and then encapsulated in nanoliposomes. The physicochemical properties, stability, and digestive characteristics of OPH‐loaded nanoliposomes were evaluated. The average size and zeta potential ranged from 95.64 to 102.39 nm and from −47.36 to −36.43 mV, respectively. Liposomes containing 4 mg/mL OPH had the highest encapsulation efficiency (74.53%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that effective ionic complexation and hydrogen bonding existed between phospholipid and peptides. The liposomes exhibited the highest stability when stored at 4 °C. Liposomal encapsulation may protect the antioxidant peptides in OPH during storage and simulated digestion. The nanoliposomes were not hydrolyzed and the structural integrity was maintained in gastric digestion, but exhibited lower stability in the intestinal phase. A prolonged release of OPH from nanoliposomes was also observed as compared with free OPH. Liposome containing protein hydrolysates may be used as a formula in functional foods.

Practical Application

This study provides some useful information on the application of oyster protein hydrolysates or peptides in functional foods. The incorporation into liposomes may protect the hydrolysates against harsh conditions during storage and digestion, and also prolong the release time.
Studies on functional properties of wheat starch in the presence of Lepidium perfoliatum and Alyssum homolocarpum seed gums
Authors: Rahimi Ghazale , Hedayati Sara , Mazloomi Seyed Mohammad
Published: February 2021

This study was performed to investigate the influence of Lepidium perfoliatum seed gum (LPSG) and Alyssum homolocarpum seed gum (AHSG) on functional properties of wheat starch. Various concentrations of gums (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% dry starch weight basis) were added to wheat starch, and their influences on water absorption, pasting properties, gel strength, freeze–thaw stability and color parameters were investigated. The results showed that both gums improved water absorption, freeze–thaw stability, pasting parameters, gel hardness, gumminess, and chewiness whereas springiness was not affected and cohesiveness was decreased by the incorporation of gums and LPSG more effective than AHSG. Color parameters were also affected by the concentration of gums. The L value decreased whereas a value and b value increased in the presence of both gums. However, the changes were more obvious in samples containing LPSG.

Practical Application

Starch is one of the most important carbohydrate materials in the food industry. However, native starch has shortcomings, such as sensitivity to shear or syneresis that limit its applications in food processing. Incorporation of hydrocolloids is an effective strategy to improve functional properties of starch. LPSG and AHSG are two novel sources of hydrocolloids which can be used to modify the properties of starch in food products.
Impact of polymerized whey protein/pectin thickening (PP) system on physical properties and volatile compounds of goat milk kefir mild and kefir
Authors: Wang Hao , Wang Ce , Guo Mingruo
Published: February 2021

Polymerized whey protein and low‐methoxyl pectin were used as thickening agents in fermented dairy food formulations. Effects of polymerized whey protein and pectin (PP) system on particle size distributions, rheological properties, molecular weight distributions of polysaccharides, microstructures, and volatile compounds of goat milk kefir mild and kefir were investigated. Clustering analysis indicated that the PP system addition could increase the particle size distributions and rheological properties of both kefir products. Molecular weight distributions of polysaccharides shown that an intermolecular aggregation occurred between pectin and exopolysaccharides (produced by microorganisms from starter cultures). Micrographs suggested that polymerized whey protein interacted with casein network to form a dense structure. Meanwhile, PP system did not change the characteristics flavor of goat milk kefir mild and kefir. Results indicated that the PP system may be a good combination to improve the physical properties of kefir products.

Practical Application

Goat milk kefir has gained more and more attention due to its specific flavor and functional properties. However, poor texture of milk curd limits the consumption of fermented goat milk. As a new combination of thickening agents, PP system could specifically improve the particle size distributions and rheological properties of fermented goat milk. And the characteristic flavor of goat milk kefir was not changed. Results indicated that PP system can be used as thickening agents for formulations of different fermented goat milk products.
Culture, After All
Authors: O’Connor Brendan H.
Published: February 2021

Over twenty years after González (1999) asked anthropologists of education “What will we do when culture does not exist anymore?” the author reflects on the stubborn persistence of culture in his life and his students’ lives. Although anthropologists have productively deconstructed the culture concept, this paper argues that the field must grapple with a different question: What do we make of the fact that “culture” persists, despite our best efforts to do without it?
A model for analyzing clustered occurrence data
Authors: Hwang Wen‐Han , Huggins Richard , Stoklosa Jakub
Published: February 2021

Spatial or temporal clustering commonly arises in various biological and ecological applications, for example, species or communities may cluster in groups. In this paper, we develop a new clustered occurrence data model where presence–absence data are modeled under a multivariate negative binomial framework. We account for spatial or temporal clustering by introducing a community parameter in the model that controls the strength of dependence between observations thereby enhancing the estimation of the mean and dispersion parameters. We provide conditions to show the existence of maximum likelihood estimates when cluster sizes are homogeneous and equal to 2 or 3 and consider a composite likelihood approach that allows for additional robustness and flexibility in fitting for clustered occurrence data. The proposed method is evaluated in a simulation study and demonstrated using forest plot data from the Center for Tropical Forest Science. Finally, we present several examples using multiple visit occupancy data to illustrate the difference between the proposed model and those of N‐mixture models.
The Persistence of Union Membership within the Coalfields of Britain
Authors: Beynon Huw , Blakely Helen , Bryson Alex , Davies Rhys
Published: February 2021

Spatial variance in union membership has been attributed to the favourable attitudes that persist in areas with an historical legacy of trade unionism. Within the United Kingdom, villages and towns located in areas once dominated by coalmining remain among the strongest and most durable bases for the trade union movement. This article empirically examines the effect of living within or near these areas upon union membership. Those residing in ex‐mining areas retain an increased propensity for union membership. However, this effect diminishes sharply with distance. The analysis reveals that particular places can serve as conduits of trade unionism, long after employment within traditional industries has vanished.
Land privatization and deforestation in a commodity production frontier
Authors: Faingerch Melina , Vallejos María , Texeira Marcos , Mastrangelo Matías E.
Published: February 2021

Conservation policies often promote land privatization to reduce incentives for deforestation. However, empirical evidence on the relationship between land‐tenure form and forest conservation outcomes is inconclusive. We combined key informant mapping and geospatial analyses to test the association between the area under tenure and the area deforested by extra‐local private and local nonprivate agents in the Argentine Dry Chaco over four decades (1976–2016). The study area is a typical commodity production frontier within a global deforestation hotspot. We found a strong spatial and temporal coupling between the area under tenure and the area deforested by extra‐local private agents from 1987 to 2006, when a 59% increase in the former was accompanied by a 508% increase in the latter. Local private agents maintained high levels of forest cover, similarly to local nonprivate agents. Our findings have implications for the adaptive design of the Forest Law in the Argentine Dry Chaco.
An investigation into the relationship between equine behaviour when tacked‐up and mounted and epaxial muscle hypertonicity or pain, girth region hypersensitivity, saddle‐fit, rider position and balance, and lameness
Authors: Dyson S. , Bondi A. , Routh J. , Pollard D.
Published: February 2021

Background

Reasons for abnormal behaviour during tacking‐up and mounting are poorly documented.

Objectives

To relate behavioural abnormalities during tacking‐up or mounting to epaxial muscle hypertonicity or pain, girth region hypersensitivity, ill‐fitting tack, rider position and balance, or equine musculoskeletal pain.

Study design

Prospective observational study; convenience sample of 193 horses.

Methods

The behaviour of horses in a stable or tied up was observed for ≥8 min before systematic palpation of the thoracolumbosacral and girth regions. Owners were asked to tack‐up and mount using their normal regime. A purpose‐designed protocol for assessment of behaviour during tacking‐up and mounting was applied. Lameness was evaluated in‐hand and during ridden exercise. Static and dynamic saddle‐fit were assessed. A static saddle‐fit score was the sum of any saddle‐fit abnormality. Rider position in the saddle, balance and size relative to the saddle were evaluated during ridden exercise. Multivariable negative binomial regression modelling was used to assess the relationship between the sum of tacking‐up and mounting behaviours and horse, rider and tack‐fit variables.

Results

Riding School horses comprised only 12% of the sample population, but had higher rates of abnormal behaviours during both tacking‐up (P<0.0001) and mounting (P = 0.007) compared with General Purpose horses. The rate of abnormal behaviour during tacking‐up for horses with moderate or severe lameness was 1.4 times higher (P = 0.02) than for nonlame horses. Horses with lameness in‐hand or ridden had 1.5 times higher rates of abnormal behaviour during mounting than nonlame horses. Tight tree points (P = 0.03) and epaxial muscle pain (P<0.001) were associated with higher behaviour scores during tacking‐up. Higher static saddle‐fit scores were associated with higher behaviour scores during mounting.

Main limitations

Oral examination was not performed.

Conclusions

The display of many behaviours during tacking‐up or mounting is likely to reflect lameness or tack‐associated discomfort. Owners must be better educated to recognise these behaviours.
TOWARDS A TENTATIVE TYPOLOGY OF THE LITERARY REFUSENIK
Authors: Schaffner Anna Katharina
Published: February 2021

Literary history teems with refusenik figures who, in one way or another, and for one reason or another, ‘prefer not to’ partake in many of society's most sacrosanct pursuits and who therefore rebel against fundamental social values, for the most part passively. Yet there is arguably only one pure refusenik in literary history; that is, a figure who is defined by nothing but his act of radical refusal, uncontaminated by any active and positive desires: Melville's Bartleby (1853). Apart from his grand gesture of refusal, Bartleby is a man without qualities, preferences or history, who, in the end, as Deleuze puts it, ‘dies of “civil disobedience”’. Comparatively speaking, Ivan Goncharov's Ivan Ilytch Oblomov (1859) is a feebler kind of refusenik, for he remains positively attached to repose, nostalgia (both for Tsarist Russia and for his childhood), and his gourmandise. Thomas Mann's Gustav von Aschenbach (1912), however, engages once again in a more unadulterated Bartlebian act of primary refusal. In this article I consider some of the primary features and poetological and ideological functions of a range of literary refusenik figures. All of them raise wider ethical questions about the social values against which they openly rebel. These include, above all, the values of productivity and industriousness, and the subscription to a work ethic that endows work with profound existential or spiritual significance.

In der Literaturgeschichte wimmelt es von ‘Refusenik’‐Charakteren, die es auf unterschiedliche Weisen und aus unterschiedlichen Gründen vorziehen, zentrale gesellschaftliche Ziele nicht aktiv zu verfolgen, und die somit, zumeist passiv, gegen grundlegende soziale Werte rebellieren. Es gibt jedoch nur einen reinen, absoluten Ur‐Refusenik in Form einer Figur, die durch nichts als ihren Akt der Verweigerung gekennzeichnet ist, und die keinerlei aktive oder positive Begehren und Ziele hat: Melvilles Bartleby (1853). Abgesehen von seiner dramatischen, allumfassenden Verweigerungsgeste bleibt Bartleby ein Mann ohne Eigenschaften, Präferenzen und Geschichte, der, wie Deleuze es formulierte, am Ende an seinem psycho‐sozialen zivilen Ungehorsam zugrunde geht. Ivan Goncharovs Ivan Ilytch Oblomov (1859) ist im Vergleich nur ein halbherziger Refusenik, da er Konzepten wie Müßiggang, Nostalgie und der Schlemmerei positiv verhaftet bleibt. Thomas Manns Gustav von Aschenbach hingegen zelebriert einen nachdrücklicheren Akt der Ablehnung, der Bartlebys Totalverweigerung näher kommt. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht anhand von Fallbeispielen die zentralen poetologischen und ideologischen Funktionen und Charakteristika bedeutsamer literarischer Refusenik‐Figuren. Alle werfen tiefgreifende Fragen zu ethischen Themen auf sowie zu den spezifischen sozialen Werten, gegen die sie rebellieren. Zu diesen gehören vor allem Produktivität und Aktivität und eine Arbeitsethik, die Arbeit streng mit spiritueller und existenzieller Bedeutung verkoppelt.