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Study of pea protein gelation mechanism for broader applications as food and biodegradable materials
No full textPea protein is an alternative protein source that has gained considerable attention yet its inferior gelling capacity has limited its applications. The objective of this research was to develop gel-based systems with enhanced and novel properties from pea protein as well as to understand the gel formation mechanisms to expand the potential applications of pea protein as both food and biodegradable materials. In the first study, pH shifting process was utilized as a pretreatment to modulate pea protein unfolding and aggregation, followed by heat-induced gelation. The results revealed that the extension of holding time at pH 12 resulted in the formation of robust three-dimensional (3D) coagulum structure of pea protein that remained intact upon adjusting pH back to neutral. Microstructural observation showed a uniform polymer-like network of the heat-induced pea protein gels, leading to a significant increase in gel mechanical strength, elasticity and water-holding capacity (over 95%), which is comparable to the gels derived from some animal proteins.
In the second study, conditions for developing thermo-reversible pea protein gels were investigated using pea protein isolate extracted through a modified salt precipitation method. The presence of higher content of hydrophilic proteins led to improved solubility of the pea protein, especially at lower pH (pH 2.4 - 4.2), which favored the formation of thermo-reversible molecular interactions. This resulted in transparent pea protein gels exhibiting thermo-reversibility, as confirmed by rheological measurements during repeated heating and cooling cycles between 80 °C and 4 °C. This pea protein gel has provided great opportunities of replacing gelatin in various food formulations as gelling agent to provide clarity and texture.
In the third study, combined with 3D printing technology, the potential of thermo-reversible pea protein gels for generating emulsion gels as printing inks was investigated. Conditions including oil fraction, pH value and protein concentration were confirmed as key factors in modulating rheological properties, and consequently, the printability of prepared emulsion gels. Thermally reversible emulsion gels were obtained with oil volume fractions (ϕ) ranging from 0.2 to 0.65, which displayed strong shear-thinning and thixotropic recovery behavior. 3D printing test has further demonstrated excellent printability of emulsion-filled gel with ϕ 0.4, comparable to high internal phase emulsion (HIPE).
Finally, to further expand the applications of pea protein gelation beyond food sector, a bioadsorbent sponge was developed through the gelation of pea protein using liquid foam templating. The formed hydrogel foam was reinforced by enhancing hydrophobic interactions through soaking in ammonium sulfate (AS) solution to generate compressible sponge. The results showed that the pore structure could be modulated by adjusting the concentration of AS solution, which affected the extent of hydrophobic interactions, resulting in difference in mechanical strength and water absorption capacity of the sponges. Surface modification using polyethyleneimine (PEI) further increased the surface area and porosity that showed favorable adsorption capacity of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) ions. The pea protein sponge also demonstrated great reusability and biodegradability, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable option for potential environmental and biomedical applications.
This research has advanced methods and expanded the understanding of pea protein gelation mechanisms at molecular levels to improve gel properties, enabling broader applications and increasing the value of plant-based crops. By investigating pea protein gelation at its molecular level, this study provides insights into controlling protein unfolding and aggregation through reinforcement of various molecular interactions, enabling the development of gels with diverse properties. The study of pH-shifting modification was shown to effectively regulate protein unfolding and aggregation process to enhance hydrophobic interactions, resulting in gels with great elasticity. Similarly, the study is the first to report thermally reversible gels from pea protein, achieved through the molecular design of strengthened hydrogen bonds. These findings were strategically applied to modulate gel properties, which was further utilized to regulate rheological properties of emulsion system for 3D printing applications. In addition, the first implementation of pea protein gels to environmental application as bio-adsorbents has provided opportunities to utilize protein from by-product streams, creating value-added solutions and promoting sustainable use of agricultural resources
Ukrainian Mosaics in the Face of Russian Appropriation: the Legacy of the Sixtiers and the Role of Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretskyi
No full textMosaic art in Ukraine created during the Soviet period has been neglected and under the threat of destruction due to the indifference caused by the legacy of the political and cultural dominance of Russia. This study aims to identify and reclaim Ukrainian mosaic art created between the 1960s and 1990s as Ukrainian. To do so, I began with the following question: why are Soviet-era mosaics in Ukraine, particularly by Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretskyi, neglected and under the threat of destruction, and what impact has Russian propaganda had on the preservation and cultural perception of these artworks today? To further define my thesis, I posed four subsequent queries: what is the history and political context that influenced the evolution of mosaic art from its global origins to its development in Soviet era of Ukraine; who were the dominant mosaic artists during the Soviet period in Ukraine; in what ways did Ukrainian monumental artists, particularly Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretskyi, preserve and promote Ukrainian culture, thus opposing Soviet ideology; and what are the current issues related to the preservation and interpretation of mosaics in Ukraine created during the Soviet period.
Central to the thesis is an examination of the monumental works of the Sixtiers movement, focusing on those created by Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretskyi, two pivotal figures of Ukrainian monumental art during the Soviet era. Their work serves as a crucial analysis of the artists of the monumental in Ukraine, particularly those who fought against the repressive regime and bear witness to the challenges faced in preserving Ukrainian culture. The study demonstrates how mosaics from the Soviet period in Ukraine were created, how they emphasize Ukrainian culture and identifies the current challenges facing the preservation and interpretation of the past.
The findings suggest that Ukraine struggles to accept its cultural heritage of mosaics because of Russian propaganda and that propaganda led to equating the Soviet culture narrative with the Russian narrative, leading to the appropriation of many Ukrainian artists and their works.
The concluding discussion explains the challenges facing Ukraine's mosaic heritage, particularly the ongoing Russian shellings, property owner vandalism, and government inaction. This study argues for the urgent need to identify and protect the cultural significance of Ukrainian mosaics of the Sixtiers, positioning them as integral to the nation’s cultural identity. This research advocates for recognizing and preserving a vital aspect of Ukraine's cultural history by reclaiming the narratives surrounding Ukrainian mosaics
Joking Seriously: Exploring key themes in stand-up comedy from Immigrants to Canada
No full textStand-up comedy sets are humorous performances delivered to a live audience primarily for entertainment purposes. Although people consume this kind of media for leisure, the content of these jokes is often layered with deeper messages that address social concerns. Past studies have explored how comedians use humor and satire to negotiate social realities. Through a content analysis approach informed by Critical Discourse Analysis and thematic coding, this study aims
to investigate how stand-up comedians who are immigrants to Canada use comedy to articulate the complexities of immigrant life, identity, and belonging. To investigate this inquiry, this study asks questions like: What are the dominant narratives and discourses in the scripts of stand-up comedians who are immigrants in Canada? Do any insights emerge from these performances that would be useful for policymakers working in the area of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)?
The inductive content analysis of 25 stand-up comedy videos posted on social media platforms (TikTok, YouTube and Instagram) reveals several recurring themes, including observations about Canada’s harsh climatic conditions, racial stereotyping, problems of assimilation and belongingness, the overly bureaucratic nature of some immigration policies, cultural misrecognition, and ignorance. Altogether, the research finds that these comedians challenge dominant narratives by using humor as a tool of both critique and connection. Their performances reflect layered tensions between visibility and belonging, as well as between pride in one’s heritage and the pressure to conform to ‘mainstream’ Canadian society. By
foregrounding these complexities, the study highlights how immigrant comedians not only entertain but also contribute to broader social discourse, offering valuable cultural insights that EDI practitioners and policymakers may overlook. Ultimately, this research affirms the political and pedagogical power of comedy in shaping inclusive public conversations around migration, identity, and representation in contemporary Canada
Greenhouse gas flux data for peatlands in Northwest Territories and Northern Alberta, 2021
No full textClosed-chamber greenhouse gas fluxes (methane, CH4; carbon dioxide, CO2) were measured in July and August of 2021 from peatland subsites (peat plateaus, bogs, and fens) at the research sites Lutose (AB), Scotty Creek (NWT), and Smith Creek (NWT).
All CO2 fluxes are calculated as the change in concentration in the closed chamber over a 3-minute period. All CH4 fluxes are calculated as the change in concentration in the closed chamber over a 20-minute period.
Dataset parameters include measurement date, study site, subsite, collar (plot) number, light/dark measurement status, air temperature, gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, net ecosystem exchange, and methane flux
Sex and Gender Considerations for Mind-Body Internet and Mobile-Based Interventions for Chronic Physical Conditions
No full textIntroduction: Mind-body mobile and internet-based interventions (IMIs) are digitally delivered wellness interventions that can include any combination of mindful movement (yoga, qi gong, or tai chi), breathwork, meditation, and/or psychoeducation (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy). These interventions have shown promise in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, specifically for people living with chronic physical conditions. While participant sex and gender have been thought to influence participant adherence and experiences with mind-body IMIs, no studies have yet explored this intersection using either quantitative or qualitative methodology.
Objectives: The purpose of these studies was to (1) assess the extent and nature of reporting of sex and/or gender in randomized controlled trials retrieved by a primary systematic review of mind-body IMIs assessing depression and anxiety symptoms among adults living with chronic physical conditions (Chapter 3) and (2) explore how sex and gender factors contribute to the overall experience of participants in a 12-week mind-body IMI, EMPOWER (Chapter 4).
Methods: Chapter Three was a secondary analysis of a systematic review, where six databases were systematically searched, from database inception to March 2023. Sex and gender reporting quality was assessed across the included randomized controlled trials, and assessment tools followed published criteria. Each study was assessed on the following characteristics of sex and gender reporting: (1) non-binary use (i.e., > 2 categories used for both sex and gender definitions) (2) use of appropriate categories (i.e., sex = male/female/intersex, gender = man/woman/gender-diverse) and (3) non-interchangeable use of sex or gender terms throughout the study. A narrative review was also conducted surrounding any available attrition and recruitment data, as well as sex and/or gender-based stratification of mental health outcomes. Chapter 4 utilized a qualitative descriptive approach to explore sex and gender factors in relation to the EMPOWER trial. Participants were invited for a semi-structured interview following completion of their program, with questions guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model. Thematic analysis followed an in vivo and open coding scheme.
Results: Chapter Three included 56 randomized controlled trials. No studies met all three sex/gender criteria; two (4%) studies defined sex or gender using non-binary categorization, Twenty-eight (50%) studies used appropriate categories to define sex or gender, and twenty-five (45%) studies used sex and gender terms non-interchangeably. One study provided stratified mental health scores. Eleven (20%) studies cited sex or gender imbalances in their samples as a potential factor contributing to mental health outcome differences. Chapter 4 included 37 participants purposively sampled by gender (n = 24 (64.9%) women, n = 12 (32.4%) men, and 1 (2.7%) identifying as gender queer). Three themes emerged in which gender differences are explored: (1) perceptions of program accessibility, which highlights gender differences in how participants appreciated various aspects of program convenience, (2) reconceptualizing the relationship between mind-body exercise and wellness, which explores gender differences in responses to mind-body practices, and (3) breaking away from gender norms, which discusses gendered responses to acceptance and transitions away from gender roles and expectations in response to the EMPOWER program.
Conclusions: Despite low sex and gender uptake across mind-body IMI literature, these participant factors represent an important opportunity to explore for maximization of program adherence and experiences. Mind-body IMIs are effective for all genders of individuals living with a chronic condition, however these factors must be considered for future research in exploring areas of priority by sex and gender, as qualitative evidence revealed gender differences in priorities and experiences with the EMPOWER program. In order to fully capture sex and gender constructs, quantitative and qualitative methodologies should be utilized
LLMR: Knowledge Distillation with a Large Language Model-Induced Reward
No full textLarge language models have become increasingly popular and demonstrated remarkable performance in various natural language processing (NLP) tasks. However, these models are typically computationally expensive and difficult to be deployed in resource-constrained environments. In this paper, we propose LLMR, a novel knowledge distillation (KD) method based on a reward function induced from large language models. We conducted experiments on multiple datasets in the dialogue generation and summarization tasks. Empirical results demonstrate that our LLMR approach consistently outperforms traditional KD methods in different tasks and datasets