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A randomised, placebo-controlled trial in healthy humans of modified cellulose or psyllium evaluating the role of gelation in altering colonic gas production during inulin co-administration
No full textDietary fibre is vital for a healthy diet, yet many people avoid it because of symptoms induced by colonic gas. Slowing rapid fermentation decreases colonic distention and reduces symptoms, allowing for better tolerance of prebiotics. Co-administration of inulin, a fermentable fibre, with psyllium, a gel-forming fibre, reduces gas production in irritable bowel syndrome patients compared to administering inulin alone, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We hypothesise that psyllium polysaccharides’ physically cross-linked gel resists gastrointestinal shear forces and impairs microbial access to inulin, thereby delaying fermentation. Methylcellulose is another physically cross-linked fibre ingredient, widely used in food production for its tunability and affordability. Our aim was to develop a preparation of methylcellulose of comparable functionality to psyllium. A formulation of methylcellulose with comparable rheological and inulin release behaviour was developed in vitro. We subsequently performed a randomised, three-way, placebo-controlled non-inferiority study with healthy volunteers (n = 30), comparing the slowing of fermentation of inulin by co-administering with psyllium, methylcellulose or a control maltodextrin. Fermentation in vivo was assessed by breath hydrogen measurements for 24 hours after ingestion. While psyllium significantly reduced initial breath hydrogen production compared to the placebo, a non-inferior effect on reduction in initial breath hydrogen with methylcellulose was not demonstrated. Despite similar physicochemical properties, psyllium and methylcellulose hydrogels exhibited different transit behaviour based on the breath hydrogen time to rise >10 ppm and time to peak. We hypothesise that the fast reformation of psyllium's polysaccharide network or “self-healing” properties after deformation by intestinal pressure waves may underpin its effectiveness in slowing fermentation. The clinical trial registry number is NCT05911347 (https://clinicaltrials.gov)
Decolonial existence: exploring sacred geographies in Baghmara reserved forest of Meghalaya, India
No full textThe Garos of Baghmara Reserved Forest (BRF) in North-East India (NEI) perceive any human activity, including cash cropping of areca and cashew, as harmful to the sacred landscapes amid changes in socio-cultural realm. When humans, particularly forest dwellers, are recognised as a primary cause of ecological destruction, the environment friendly indigenous practices become significant. In the context of a previously colonised world, sacred groves can be seen as a conduit for uncovering the ontologies and epistemologies of native peoples that were disregarded by colonial policymakers, scientists, and botanists. Decolonial engagement, prioritising indigenous epistemologies and ontologies, offers insights into existing environmental practices distinct from Western knowledge and discourses. In this light, I introduce non-Western epistemologies for thinking about conservation and environmental ethics prevalent in BRF in NEI, in the interest of a comprehensive appreciation and recognition of indigenous ecological knowledges through fragmented and entangled practices. By engaging in the Garo animist practices of Asi Raka and Jong·dik, I demonstrate that tribal indigenous forest dwellers of BRF have been engaging in decolonial practices by maintaining and preserving sacred landscapes, revealing the interweaving of Christian beliefs and indigenous religious practices. In addition, the paper demonstrates that the beliefs and practices associated with Songsarek provide ontologically distinct avenues of engagement with the landscape, differing from modern-day epistemologies employed in conservation
Why sociology?– comparing the driving forces behind university degree choice in Norway, Hungary and England
Get PDFThis paper pinpoints the driving forces behind university degree choice in social sciences in three European countries. Using an international comparative design, the paper draws on both administrative secondary data to explore enrolment patterns in Hungary, Norway and England, as well as semi-structured interviews comparing perceptions of Bachelors, Masters and PhD sociology students of their subject choice (NHU = 17; NNO = 12; NEN = 9). Enrolment figures for institutions offering sociology as a subject between 2008 and 2018 show that in England social sciences in general, and sociology in particular seem to be somewhat larger disciplines compared to Hungary or Norway. Based on student interviews the paper provides a typology along the axes of sociology focusing on oneself or others, and it being a generic or specific discipline. The resultant typology for degree choice ranges from an explanation for personal experience; to gaining tools to understand society, politics and broader inequalities; to sociological studies being a general basis for a career; and to hope for changing others’ inequalities. The paper demonstrates that these diverse motivations are indeed relevant for curriculum planning and facilitating extracurricular participation, for sociology and also the broader social sciences. Students’ motivations are not underpinned by a narrow and individualised understanding of financial returns to a degree: students aim for a meaningful job exploring, analysing and aiming to effect change in their broader or narrower societal context
Management of Co-existing Dementia and Hearing Loss in Social Care Settings: A Focus Group Study
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Dementia and hearing loss are highly prevalent and increase in prevalence and severity with age. Hearing loss is often overlooked in people living with dementia, resulting in under-diagnosis and lack of appropriate management. Both conditions present substantial challenges for individuals and healthcare systems more broadly. The presence of both conditions can mask each other, presenting challenges for both diagnosis, treatment and support.The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience, needs and opinions of how to manage hearing loss in people living with dementia in social care settings from multiple perspectivesResearch Design and Methods: A qualitative study using focus group with key stakeholder groups was conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants included seven social care professionals (aged 25-68), six informal carers (aged 56-92) and one person living with dementia and hearing loss (aged 69) (m=21%,f=79%).Results:Five themes were identified: i) inclusion; ii) communication, iii) hearing aids, iv) health services and v) training of care staff. Discussion and Implications: Findings highlight the need for comprehensive training to help support the management of hearing loss in people living with dementia. Training on the use and maintenance of hearing aids would be particularly valuable for staff. Due to the progressive nature of both conditions, individuals in receipt of social care should be reviewed regularly to ensure that care needs are adapted to suit the progressive nature of the conditions
Social media campaigning across multiple platforms: evidence from the 2024 European elections
Get PDFPoliticians have a rational incentive to keep up with voters’ growing use of social media platforms. How they do so is important for democratic political communication. The article examines how the shifting nature of social media campaigning is being realised in the context of the European Parliament, benefitting from variation in the legislature’s broad cross-national and multi-party context. Sourcing original data on the digital footprints of all outgoing members of the 9th European Parliament (2019-24), it explores differences in campaigning and user engagement across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Findings indicate that while more established and centrist legislators engage with voters across more platforms, extremist Eurosceptic voices were more dominant during the 2024 election campaign. This result has important implications for who controls the narrative of European integration. It can be extended to digital campaigning in other contexts, where extremist voices may be more likely to drive user engagement and virality
Mu Opioid Receptor Activation Is Required for NMDA Receptor Antagonist Effects on Stress-Induced Maladaptive Behavior
Get PDFBackgroundContradictory evidence has emerged regarding the role of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) in the antidepressant actions of (R,S)-ketamine.MethodsHere, we used the long acting MOR-selective antagonist methocinnamox (MCAM) to determine the contribution of MOR to the actions of (R,S)-ketamine and the more selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist fluoroethylnormemantine (FENM) against stress-induced maladaptive behaviors. (R,S)-ketamine enantiomers and metabolites and FENM were assessed for their ability to directly activate MOR in cell signaling assays. (R,S)-ketamine and FENM were tested in various behavioral paradigms with vehicle or MCAM pretreatment. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to determine the effects of MOR antagonism on ventral hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA3) glutamatergic activity after (R,S)-ketamineadministration.Results(R,S)-ketamine and its enantiomers showed weak partial agonism of MOR, whereas the potency and efficacy of FENM were negligible. The antinociceptive effect of (R,S)-ketamine were both more potent and more sensitive to blockade by MCAM than that of FENM. When given either before or after stress, both (R,S)-ketamine and FENM reduced behavioral despair. MCAM prevented the effects of both NMDAR antagonists given before or after stress, despite their differences in direct MOR activity and antinociception.ConclusionsMOR activation is required for the efficacy of both (R,S)-ketamine and FENM against stress-induced maladaptive behavior, suggesting that these compounds function through an indirect effect of NMDAR antagonism on endogenous opioid signaling
General anaesthesia in non-human great apes: a scoping review
Get PDFObjectiveTo identify anaesthesia-related risk between common domestic species and humans by analysing peer-reviewed and other literature on anaesthesia in great apes in both human care and free-ranging settings and thereby to identify knowledge gaps.Databases usedWe conducted literature searches in the CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE and Zoological Record databases, as well as conference proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, the British Veterinary Zoological Society and the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians.ResultsOf the 142 studies reviewed, 51 were conference abstracts and 91 were peer-reviewed journal articles. There was a steady increase in the number of published papers since 1960, surpassing 30 papers per decade since 2000. Case studies and series made up 79% of included studies, and 91–94% for all species except chimpanzees. Although data for chimpanzees appeared extensive, data for bonobos, eastern gorillas, and Sumatran orangutans were notably lacking. Infant great ape anaesthesia and anaesthesia in free-ranging settings were underrepresented in the literature. Over 50 anaesthetic drugs were reported in the literature, with ketamine, tiletamine/zolazepam, midazolam, medetomidine and isoflurane being most frequently reported. There is a notable lack of reporting of anaesthesia-related adverse events (AEs), and many studies failed to report key details, which limits reproducibility. Respiratory and cardiovascular AEs were reported most frequently. The incidence of prolonged recoveries and excitation on recovery was higher than in other domestic species, and there was a notable lack of hypothermia reported as an AEs.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis is the first evidence synthesis on general anaesthesia in great apes, and findings highlight the need for targeted research on underrepresented species and improved reporting of anaesthesia practices and AEs
Degradation and projected lifetime of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules after 10 years of field exposure in the Atacama Desert
Get PDFThis study quantifies degradation and projects the useful lifetime of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules operating in the Atacama Desert, using I–V measurements taken after ten years of field exposure. The methodology included a visual inspection, outdoor I–V curve measurements, STC correction by IEC 60891 standard, and the evaluation of four key parameters V oc, I sc, P mpp, and FF by comparing 2024 data with initial manufacturer specifications and ten long-term field studies conducted in comparable desert climates. Statistical analysis of the large-sample dataset (64 strings encompassing 1216 modules) yielded a mean degradation rate of 1.32%/year in P mpp, corresponding to a projected lifetime of 15.15 years to the 80% power threshold, while a sensitivity analysis of realistic commissioning-time deviations in the initial power broadens the degradation rate to the range 0.87–1.58%/year and the associated lifetime to approximately 13–23 years. Common failure modes included cell cracking as an irreversible structural failure at the cell level, and environmental soiling as an optics-driven loss mechanism affecting the module frontsheet. These results emphasise the need for operation and maintenance strategies adapted to Atacama conditions and provide an STC-normalised benchmark that can support reliability assessment and warranty evaluation of PV plants in hyper-arid and other high-irradiance desert environments
Tourists' Regret as Moral Emotional Experience
Get PDFEthical and responsible tourism have been widely examined, yet there is little research exploring emotional consequences of tourists’ morally questionable actions. By focusing on regret experiences, this study aims to understand how tourists perceive and reflect on the morality of their behaviour. The research draws on naturalistic data from 82 travel blogs that reveal how regret experiences reflect moral consciousness and explains how regret is constructed as a moral emotional experience, developing from negative affect of moral judgement (i.e., empathy, unease, shock/surprise) to a negative sense of self through moral reflection (i.e., guilt, self-disappointment/shame). Tourists’ regret experience goes beyond counterfactual thinking, highlighting its dynamic nature in response to different moral concerns in tourism interactions, offering insights for theory and practice
Users’ Perceptions of Public Space Quality in Urban Waterfront Regeneration: A Case Study of the South Bank of the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, China
Get PDFMega-event-led urban waterfront regeneration has played a key role in shaping public open spaces, particularly in newly developed areas within the Chinese context. However, public perceptions and their influence on the use of newly built open spaces created through mega-event-led regeneration have not been examined in existing research. To address this gap, this study establishes an integrated assessment framework to evaluate the quality of urban waterfront open spaces. A mixed methods approach was adopted, including direct observations and 770 online questionnaires collected between July and October 2024 at the South Bank of the Qiantang River (SBQR) in Hangzhou, China. Spatial analysis and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) were employed to determine priority improvement areas that should inform future waterfront regeneration strategies. The results indicate that inclusiveness emerged as the most important factor for enhancing waterfront open space quality, while spatial aesthetics ranked the lowest. Among the sub-sub factors, elements related to improving water accessibility, enhancing natural surveillance, providing artificial shelters and diverse seating options, introducing distinctive water features, and shaping collective memory through digital technologies are the key priorities for improvement in the future urban waterfront regeneration policies. Finally, the study highlights that the intangible legacies of the Asian Games and the adaptive reuse of informal built heritage have the potential to reshape a distinctive new city image and collective memory, even in the absence of tangible and formally recognised heritage buildings
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