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Fermentation-Induced Changes in Nutritional, Antinutritional, and Microbial Characteristics of Calabash Fruit (Crescentia cujete L.) Seeds
No full textThis study shows that fermenting calabash fruit seeds improves their food value. Fermentation increased protein and fat, reduced harmful antinutrients, and developed a strong aroma. Beneficial bacteria drove the process, making the seeds safer, more nutritious, and suitable for use as a traditional seasoning or condiment.This study evaluated the fermentation of calabash fruit (Crescentia cujete L.) seeds over 0, 24, 48, and 72 h to produce a daddawa-type condiment. Samples were analysed for proximate composition, antinutritional factors, morphological characteristics, and microbial profiles. Fermentation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced moisture content from 16.37% to 7.67%, carbohydrates from 34.73% to 22.93%, and crude fibre from 7.13% to 3.10%, while protein increased from 12.39% to 21.99%, fat from 24.86% to 28.69%, and ash from 4.02% to 7.62%. Antinutritional factors were also markedly reduced, with phytate decreasing from 2.23 mg/g to 0.24 mg/g, tannins from 0.17 mg/g to 0.03 mg/g, trypsin inhibitors from 3.14 mg/g to 0.17 mg/g, and saponins from 16.86 mg/g to 3.21 mg/g. Morphological analysis revealed fragmented clusters with intergranular pores, and functional amine groups responsible for the characteristic pungent aroma were detected. Bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus and Lysinibacillus spp., with DNA sequencing confirming Bacillus spp. as the dominant fermenting organisms. These findings demonstrate that fermentation improves the nutritional quality, reduces antinutritional factors, and enhances the functional and culinary potential of calabash fruit seeds as a condiment.</p
Introducing new cats to multi-cat households: Results of a representative survey of Danish cat owners
No full textBased on a quantitative questionnaire survey aimed at Danish cat owners representing the background population regarding a number of demographic parameters, we examined: 1) The use of different introduction techniques for new cats in multi-cat households; 2) the correlation between recommended practices for introducing new cats to resident cats in homes and the cats’ reactions to each other within the first month after introduction. Of 1507 cat-owning respondents, 308 had introduced new cat(s) to resident cat(s) among the cats living in their house at the time of the survey, and the study focused on these. Firstly, descriptive statistics served to map the prevalence of (i) 16 different introduction techniques and (ii) the new and resident cats’ reactions. Secondly, the study applied exploratory binary phi correlation tests (i) between new and resident cats’ reactions to each other and (ii) between applied introduction practices and reactions. Moreover, we also took the age of the cats into account, by disaggregating our analyses on age classes of the new and resident cats. We identified two main ways new cats are introduced: putting the cats together from the beginning (56 % of respondents); and following recommended introduction techniques, including separation, use of barriers and scent exchange, exploration of each other’s areas, and using calming scents / pheromones / supplements / food. In general, the statistically significant associations between introduction practices and cats' subsequent reactions were not strong. However, the findings suggest that when both the new and resident cats are juvenile and/or young adults (< 4 years) applying separation, allowing the cats to explore the others’ areas, use of barriers, swapping scent and using calming scent pheromones are associated with agonistic reactions in the first month after introduction. On the other hand, if both the new and resident cats are mature (5 + years), use of barriers, engaging the cats in play in the same room and introducing additional resources are associated with affiliative relations. The reason for these results, especially in young cats, requires further investigation. Possible explanations for recommended introduction practices appearing counterproductive include that owners anticipate problems or apply the techniques after the cats have already displayed agonistic reactions to each other.</p
GWAS for behavioral traits in golden retrievers identifies genes implicated in human temperament, mental health, and cognition
No full textDogs display temperamental and behavioral variation between individuals, just as psychiatric, temperamental, and cognitive traits vary in humans. In both species, these traits are highly heritable, yet causal genes remain incompletely understood. We performed 14 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for behavioral traits quantified using the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) in ~1,000 golden retrievers, identifying 12 genome-wide significant loci (P −6) for 8 traits and 9 additional loci exceeding a suggestive threshold (P −5). A human phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) showed that most of the 18 canine positional candidate genes identified were associated with one or more of 190 psychiatric, temperamental, or cognitive traits in humans (7/12 genes at genome-wide loci and 5/9 at suggestive loci). For example, a genome-wide significant locus near PTPN1 (dog-directed aggression) overlapped with human measures of Intelligence, Educational attainment, and major depressive disorder. The gene ROMO1 was within a genome-wide significant locus for trainability in dogs and associated with intelligence, depression, irritability, and sensitivity/hurt feelings in humans. Other genes located at genome-wide significant loci associated with behavioral, psychiatric, temperamental, or cognitive traits in both species included PRDX1(dog-directed fear), VWA8 (touch sensitivity), ITPR2, and ADGRL2/LPHN2 (trainability), and ADD2 (stranger-directed fear). From suggestive loci we also found cross-species associations for HUNK, and ZC3H12C, (dog-directed fear), SLC35F6 and IGSF11 (separation-related problems). These results suggest that shared genetic and molecular mechanisms underlie complex behavioral and temperamental states across species and may inform our understanding of emotional states driving undesirable behaviors in dogs.</p
Is self-disgust an implicit or explicit emotional schema?
No full textSelf-disgust, a negative self-conscious emotional schema that is associated with mental health difficulties in both clinical and non-clinical populations, is typically assessed with self-reported measures that target physical and behavioural aspects of the self. The aim of the present research was to develop and validate a novel implicit self-disgust measure (ISDM) using an Implicit Association Task (IAT) paradigm, across three studies. Study 1 developed a list of disgust-related and positive words that were rated for emotional valence and arousal and informed the content of the ISDM. Study 2 developed and examined the ISDM using the single-target IAT in a non-clinical population and showed that scores in the ISDM were significantly associated with self-reported self-disgust. Study 3 partly replicated the findings of Study 2 among participants with trauma-related experiences and following a mood induction paradigm, showing a significant association between the ISDM and the physical aspect of self-reported self-disgust. These findings are significant because they have implications about the automaticity of self-disgust in people with traumatic experiences which can further inform clinical practice and interventions targeting self-disgust.</p
Till Tales
No full textTill Tales is an Artists' Book project by Barrie Tullett and David Thompson at the University of Lincoln that collects 241 short stories written as fictional lists of purchased items, all designed to be read as a shopping list.The viewer is invited to invent or infer meanings from the products and their context amongst the other words on each list.</p
Anticipation and Imagined Futures in Conflict and Peace Processes
No full textConflict is a periodic feature of complex social systems. Despite the near-general consensus that violence is not the ideal way to address conflict issues, many societies experience violent conflict. Time is an important element of conflict, and this study explores the role of the future and how imagined futures were depicted in complex conflict and peace processes. The study also investigates how future imaginaries changed or stayed the same over time, and how the imagined futures and anticipations of select conflict stakeholder groups related to their conflict approaches, whether largely violent, pacific, or mixed. The research is qualitative, exploratory, and retrospective; creating descriptions of what was anticipated and imagined about the future in the cases of the Northern Ireland and South Africa conflicts and peace processes. The descriptions of future imaginaries were drawn from largely extant, primary sources. Original, semi-structured interviews were conducted as complementary data. In total 307 sources were reviewed from different social sectors, ranging from political texts to song lyrics to legal documents and more. The analytic approach taken was narrative analysis with stories about different futures as narrative. The coding and theme development cycled between deduction and induction to identify narratives based on three categories, (1) hoped for and desirable futures, (2) feared or undesirable futures, and (3) anticipation. 1241 passages of text were deemed relevant to the three main future categories and contributed to the generation of codes and future-themes. The cases underwent an intra- and cross-case analysis, identifying and describing future imaginaries from three perspectives in each case and across both cases. The first perspective was a broad overview of recurrent future themes; this was the highest level of analysis as it described future imaginaries aggregated from a large dataset. The second perspective highlighted future imaginaries from a few groups, organised by their conflict approach. The third focused on future imaginaries over time. This study builds a tapestry of the future imaginaries of two societies that had experienced points of bitter violence and somehow managed to move towards less violent futures. Therefore, the study builds on and adds detail to the literature about the role of temporality and the future in conflict, peace processes, and transitions to new norms. This research contributes new knowledge in the unique way that it frames the change dynamics of conflict and peace through the prism of future imaginaries and time. It frames these dynamics through the three interrelated and intersecting concepts of: change beliefs (what are the beliefs about agency, violence, and non-violence?); time and the future (what is the sense of time urgency or time iii luxury, what are the time horizons?); and imagined futures (what is the content of imagined futures, how are they created and communicated, and how and under what circumstances does anticipation connect to conflict behaviour?). Approaching conflict and peace processes through this frame could reveal insights about conflict that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, helping in the overall pursuit of more peaceful futures.</p
Weight loss practices in Chinese national and international-level Sanda athletes
No full text Background: Sanda is an unarmed combat sport (CS) comprises punching, kicking, throwing, wrestling, and defensive techniques that has increased in popularity. To ensure athletes compete against opponents of similar body size and weight for fairness, Sanda competition is classified according to weight classes. Previous studies revealed that CS athletes tend to intentionally lose weight to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. However, little is known about weight loss (WL) practices in Sanda athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the WL practices of Chinese Sanda athletes. Methods: In total, 169 (96 males, 73 females) national and international-level Sanda athletes completed the Rapid WL Questionnaire. Participants were categorized by sex (male, female), age (junior, senior), competition weight categories, and competitive levels (national, international). Results: Over half (56%) of athletes purposefully implemented WL practices pre- competition. Their mean habitual WL was 7.6 ± 3.7%, and mean highest WL was 10.8 ± 4.2%. Participants usually allocated 15+ days pre-competition for WL (64%). Their rapid WL score (RWLS) was 30.4 ± 6.4. There were no significant differences across Sanda athletes concerning habitual WL% (p = 0.386, p = 0.542, p = 0.207), high est WL% (p = 0.631, p = 0.232, p = 0.091), RWLS (p = 0.055, p = 0.395, p = 0.736) between junior and senior athletes, across weight categories, or between competitive levels. There were no significant differences in habitual WL% across WL time (p = 0.135). However, male athletes habitual WL% (p = 0.009), highest WL% (p = 0.002), number of WL in the last year between sexes (p = 0.048), and RWLS (p = 0.011) were significantly higher than female athletes. International athletes more frequently con ducted WL per year than national athletes (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in age groups (p = 0.447) and weight categories (p = 0.585). Participants usually allocated 15+ days before the competition for WL (64%), followed by 11–14 days (21%), 8–10 days (5%), 6–7 days (4%), 4–5 days (4%), and 1–3 days (1%). Training in plastic suits (87.4%), increasing exercise (85.2%), skipping meals (56.8%), limiting fluid intake (75.8%), gradually dieting (60.0%), and training in a heated room (54.7%) were the most frequently used WL practices for Sanda athletes. Sports coach (68.5%), strength and conditioning coaches/physical trainers (42.1%), other athletes (same sport) (39.0%), and parents (32.6%) were considered to have the highest impact on athletes’ WL practices. Conclusions: This study found the prevalence of WL is relatively low among Chinese national and international Sanda athletes, but the magnitudes are very high compared to other combat sports. Given that coaches have the greatest influence, the wider athlete support team must work cohesively with coaches to ensure that appropriate, individua lized, and safe WL practices are applied. </p
A preliminary survey of ethnic diversity and experience of discrimination in forensic science in the UK
No full textBringing in diverse people to a scientific workplace can result in many different benefits including improved innovation and impact. This study investigates the current ethnic diversity in forensic science in the UK using an online questionnaire. The preliminary data collected were compared to census figures for scientific occupations, and it was found that minoritised individuals are under-represented. The survey also looked at whether forensic science workplaces have appropriate diversity training and employee support groups in place. In addition, 30 % of respondents disclosed that they have experienced discrimination in the workplace. We also examined the ethnicities of the top 100 most-cited forensic science researchers in the UK according to Scopus. This study is an important first step in tackling the ethnicity gaps present in forensic science. Further research is suggested on the specific barriers faced by minoritised individuals wishing to study, work, or progress within forensic science as well as intersectionality with other protected characteristics. </p
Cinematography Practice: Film Friendly South Kesteven
No full textCinematography practice. I was hired by Lincolnshire Country Council via Location Lincs, to film for their promotional film to boost both film tourism in the country and promote the county as a place to film for major film and HETV shows. My research and practice into sustainable cinematography was key. Unable to use vast amounts of equipment and working with a small crew. I was tasked with recreating shots from famous film and TV shot in various locations as well as showing the adventure the cast (who are film tourists) are on. My refined practice and knowledge of cinematography was key. To enable me to recreate the frames from eye. Knowing when i would need to adapt as the technology has changed since some films were shot (i am on digital. When they shot on film). Shooting natural and available light. As well as using a single source when required was key to the shoots success. Fully embodying my research into new naturalism. From the website:where history meets HollywoodDiscover rich heritage, picturesque landscapes, and world-class filming locations with a trip to Lincolnshire’s South Countryside - a hidden gem for film enthusiasts! From the grand halls of Belvoir Castle, featured in The Crown, to the charming streets of Stamford, the backdrop for Pride & Prejudice. Explore majestic stately homes, picture perfect towns and villages, and rolling countryside that have brought countless stories to life on screen. If you love period dramas, Lincolnshire’s Southern Countryside should take centre stage.</p
European patient advocacy group
No full textThe poster describes the work of the European pagient advocacy groups, Commonly referred to as ePAGs these are representatives of patient groups who are actively involved in the 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs). They bring together rare disease / variation patient advocates that work in partnership with clinicians and researchers. Each of the 24 Networks focuses on a particular disease area and has its own ePAGs.</p