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Development of a plant-based whipped cream using wheat gliadin colloid particles as a substitute for sodium caseinate: whipping performance, physical characteristics and oral friction behaviour
No full textIn this study, the application of wheat gliadin colloidal particles (GCPs) as a substitute for sodium caseinate in making plant-based whipped cream has been explored. The whipping performance, shape-retention ability, microstructure, partial fat coalescence rate, rheology, creep recovery, texture and oral friction behaviour of GCPs-based whipped creams were systematically evaluated. The results indicate that GCPs prepared through an anti-solvent method performs as well as a sodium caseinate substitute without additional modification. Plant-based whipped cream with good shape-forming ability was successfully prepared when the GCPs concentration exceeded 0.2% (w/v). The overrun of the whipped cream initially increased and then decreased with increasing GCPs concentration. This trend can be attributed to larger droplet sizes hindering migration to the bubble surface and partial fat coalescence at low GCPs concentrations, while excessively thick interfacial layers at higher concentrations inhibited partial coalescence. The optimised whipping performance was realized at a GCPs concentration 0.3% (w/v). The GCPs-stabilised whipped cream exhibited comparable fat droplet size, whipping performance, texture, and oral friction behaviour with sodium caseinate-based whipped cream. Moreover, after 60 days of refrigerated storage, the whipping creams maintained the whipping performance and shape-retention ability imparted prior to storage. These findings demonstrate the promising prospect of using GCPs as a sodium caseinate substitute to make plant-based whipped cream. This study expands the application of gliadin colloidal particles in whipped cream production, providing a facile and cost-effective strategy for the preparation of plant-based whipped cream
Multinational strategy, institutions and spillovers: the role of institutions in knowledge spillovers in emerging markets
Get PDFThis paper delves into the pivotal role of institutions in facilitating knowledge spillovers, particularly in the context of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and knowledge transfer. While extant literature highlights the positive
correlation between good institutional quality and knowledge transfer, this paper introduces a nuanced perspective.
It argues for an inverted U-shaped relationship, suggesting that MNEs may exhibit reluctance in knowledge transfer to subsidiaries not only in environments with low institutional quality, as conventionally discussed, but also in those characterized by high institutional quality. In fact, there are beneficial implications of good institutions for domestic firms as well, enabling greater capacity to absorb knowledge and thereby emerge as competitors of MNEs. The paper demonstrates an inverted U-shaped relationship between spillovers, to capture knowledge transfer, and the quality of local institutions. This study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of knowledge spillovers, emphasizing the multifaceted influence of institutional environments on knowledge dissemination and economic development
“Takeaway Night”: understanding UK families’ consumption of takeaway food for family mealtimes
Get PDFTakeaway food is typically of poor nutritional quality and its increasing availability and consumption is considered a contributor to the obesity crisis. Shared family mealtimes are associated with a wealth of positive outcomes for children and adolescents, and are valued by family members. Parents describe prioritising health when planning family meals and consuming takeaway food seems incongruent with this goal. This study aimed to investigate UK families’ consumption of takeaway food for family mealtimes and explore the interplay between the nutritional harms of occasional takeaway food for family mealtimes and the broader benefits arising from sharing meals with family. An online survey was completed by 189 parents diverse in key socio-demographic characteristics. Results showed that consumption of takeaway food for family mealtimes is common (96% did so at least occasionally) but for most families relatively infrequent (74% did so less than weekly). Content analysis of responses to open-ended questions revealed that parents considered takeaway food for family mealtimes a convenient, enjoyable treat associated with togetherness and connectedness. Logistic regression analysis indicated a non-linear association between frequent consumption of takeaway food for family mealtimes, household income and neighbourhood deprivation, with low household income and high neighbourhood deprivation significantly associated with frequent consumption. This study is the first to examine the consumption of takeaway food for family mealtimes. The positivity with which parents described “takeaway night” suggests it is an important part of family culture and may not be readily given up. Given this, policies and interventions would most effectively focus on improving the nutritional quality of takeaway food
Logic science and engineering in Wittgenstein’s Tractatus
Get PDFThe Tractatus is widely held as showing that logic is a sui generis discipline, independent of the empirical and the psychological. Logic deals in
tautologies, independent of and not representative of the world, and true in
all circumstances. The logic proposed is however deemed to be irreparably
flawed because the key notion object is inconsistent/unsatisfiable, and because elementary propositions are not independent of one another (colour
exclusion problem).
The argument presented aims to reconstruct the logic offered within the
resources available in the text to show that Wittgenstein was aware of these
difficulties and that he had responses to them.
Chapter 1 presents logic as Wittgenstein inherited it from Russell, as
universalist, non-psychologistic, and somehow related to science. Chapters 2
and 3 consider the logical system as formal/uninterpreted, but as intended
to be applicable and thus consistent. Tensions between logic as wholly sui
generis or as somehow involved in the empirical are discussed. What is
formal and what is empirical, and what is necessary and what accidentally
general, are clearly demarcated.
Chapter 4 relates to tensions between objects as nameable individuals,
and the context principle. It is argued that Wittgenstein does not think in familiar terms of quantification/first-order logic. A critical difference between
Russellian propositional functions and Tractarian functions, and between
quantification and generalisation, is brought out.
Chapters 5, 6, and 7 discuss logical space as a space of possibilities,
and how this together with the logical treatment of probability enables a
probabilistic account of laws of nature. The account relies on totalities of
objects and propositions, deploying S5B.
In Chapter 8 models are presented based on nineteenth century structural chemistry (for objects) and a relational view of space (exclusion problems) to show how the logical system can be regarded as consistent
Is the NHS ready for a four-day week?
Get PDFKEY MESSAGES
● Studies from other sectors demonstrate the potential of a four-day week to improve service quality and efficiency and generate savings. However, benefits may not offset costs in a healthcare setting.
● Absenteeism, high staff turnover, and burnout that reduce service quality and increase healthcare costs are all likely to improve under a four-day week.
● Improved scheduling and team-based productivity could enhance efficiency, helping to maintain or improve delivery. If absenteeism, turnover and errors are reduced, savings may accrue.
● The NHS will need rigorous sector-specific evidence of the potential impact of a four-day week on workforce, service quality and productivity, as well as on its costs, risks and challenges, before considering implementation
Importance of dietary fibre, strategies for increasing intake and maintenance of the supply chain in the UK
Get PDFCurrently, dietary fibre intakes within UK populations are far below those recommended for reducing chronic disease risk. Dietary fibre is present predominantly in plant-based foods and is not digested or absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, passing to the colon where it may be fermented by the gut microbiota. Types, contents and properties (notably solubility, viscosity and fermentability) of fibre vary considerably between food sources, which may result in different effects on human physiology. There is strong evidence for the benefits of dietary fibre, particularly cereal fibre and wholegrain, in reducing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and colorectal cancer by increasing faecal mass, fermentation to short-chain fatty acids, lowering blood lipids and improving glycaemic control. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop effective strategies to increase the intake of dietary fibre across the UK population. Here, we consider strategies comprising better nutritional education, public health messaging, more informative and effective food labelling, food reformulation, food fortification and biofortification, policy change and maintenance of the supply chain. Engagement of multiple stakeholders within the food system in this common ambition is essential for success. This requires transformation of the UK food system to ensure the sustainable availability of palatable, affordable, fibre-rich foods, ideally accompanied by individual motivation for dietary change
Reforming supranational institutions: insights from a conjoint experiment in 16 countries
Get PDFContemporary international organizations face pressure to be more effective and accountable. But reforming them is challenging given stringent supermajority voting requirements and increasingly critical publics. Some argue that institutional preferences are endogenous to policy, or policy-elastic. Are there policy-inelastic institutional preferences? And are there viable European Union (EU) reform packages? We tackle these questions through a conjoint experiment in 16 EU countries. The evidence shows that majoritarian institutional reforms and stronger legal enforcement powers are supported independently of policy. Finally, results from a Bayesian finite mixture model identify combinations of institutional and policy reforms that could command broad public support. The study is significant for the understanding of institutional preferences, as well as for EU reform processes
Human dexterity and brains evolved hand in hand
Get PDFLarge brains and dexterous hands are considered pivotal in human evolution, together making possible technology, culture and colonisation of diverse environments. Despite suggestions that hands and brains coevolved, evidence remains circumstantial. Here, we reveal a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates using Bayesian phylogenetic methods. Most hominins, including Homo sapiens , have uniquely long thumbs, yet they and other tool-using primates conform to the broader primate relationship with brain size. Within the brain, we surprisingly find no link with cerebellum size, but a strong relationship with neocortex size, perhaps reflecting the role of motor and parietal cortices in sensorimotor skills associated with fine manipulation. Our results emphasise the role of manipulative abilities in brain evolution and reveal how neural and bodily adaptations are interconnected in primate evolution
‘English-only’ English medium instruction: mixed views in Thai and Vietnamese higher education
Get PDFEmerging from the growing body of work on English medium instruction (EMI) in higher education are challenges to policy implementation, particularly when it is implemented top-down without a careful needs analysis or when it fails to address problems associated with ‘English-only’ implementation and so-called ‘native speaker’ norms. Our study responds to this need by exploring the role of English in EMI classrooms. We draw on data collected from 17 universities in Thailand and Vietnam using questionnaires with 1,377 students, 83 teachers of English for academic purposes (EAP), and 148 content teachers, as well as interviews with 35 students, 31 EAP teachers, and 28 content teachers. We also draw on data from 14 focus groups with teachers and students at seven universities in Vietnam. Findings reveal differences in attitudes amongst stakeholders and highlight that the L1 in EMI classrooms in Thailand and Vietnam, albeit used sparingly, is a useful pedagogical tool. Overall, however, participants preferred native-accented teachers with experience abroad, and English-only instruction. This study calls for more research into raising awareness of Global Englishes and translanguaging practices to challenge such attitudes, university language policies, and teacher recruitment practices that seem to reflect native-speakerism and discourage bilingual instruction or L1 use in EMI classes
Effects of dietary flavonoids on mood and mental health: a systematic review
Get PDFContext Collective evidence has highlighted the strong interplay of the diet with mood and mental health. The diet is a topic of interest from a public health perspective as it may provide an adoptable lifestyle approach for improving mental health in the population. Among dietary constituents, flavonoids have been identified as particularly relevant for mental health. Objective The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of dietary flavonoids on mental health in healthy populations across the lifespan. Data sources Experimental human trials with study participants of any age, sex, or ethnicity were eligible for inclusion in this review if they included supplementation with at least 1 flavonoid-rich food (<15 mg/100 g/mL flavonoid constituents) either as lyophilized powder or whole food and measured at least 1 mood outcome. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched with no restriction on publication start date to October 2024. The Evidence Analysis Manual Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library® was used to assess methodology and risk of bias. Data extraction A total of 38 experimental studies met eligibility criteria, 13 exploring acute effects of flavonoids and 25 utilising a chronic design. Data analysis The included studies explored a range of flavonoid-containing foods, with a majority (n = 9) utilizing cocoa as an intervention vehicle. Five of the 13 acute studies reported benefits (3 wild blueberry, 1 purple grape juice, 1 orange juice); and 12 of 25 chronic studies showed findings in favor of flavonoid supplementation (2 cocoa, 2 blueberry, 2 cherry, 1 peppermint, 1 orange juice, 1 walnut, 1 green tea, and 2 mixed foods), suggesting chronic supplementation may benefit mood and mental health. Conclusions Further studies are required to understand the effects of dietary flavonoids utilizing consistent methodology and dosing, as well as to explore mechanistic links with mental health across the lifespan