195 research outputs found

    Regional surnames and genetic structure in Great Britain

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    Following the increasing availability of DNA-sequenced data, the genetic structure of populations can now be inferred and studied in unprecedented detail. Across social science, this innovation is shaping new bio-social research agendas, attracting substantial investment in the collection of genetic, biological and social data for large population samples. Yet genetic samples are special because the precise populations that they represent are uncertain and ill-defined. Unlike most social surveys, a genetic sample's representativeness of the population cannot be established by conventional procedures of statistical inference, and the implications for population-wide generalisations about bio-social phenomena are little understood. In this paper, we seek to address these problems by linking surname data to a censored and geographically uneven sample of DNA scans, collected for the People of the British Isles study. Based on a combination of global and local spatial correspondence measures, we identify eight regions in Great Britain that are most likely to represent the geography of genetic structure of Great Britain's long-settled population. We discuss the implications of this regionalisation for bio-social investigations. We conclude that, as the often highly selective collection of DNA and biomarkers becomes a more common practice, geography is crucial to understanding variation in genetic information within diverse populations

    Quality Evaluation of Plant-Derived Foods Ⅱ

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    Dear Colleagues, It is well established that preference (but not exclusivity) for plant-derived foods can result in both health and environmental benefits. However, it must be acknowledged that not all plant-derived foods present the same quality to consumers. Hence, traditional and novel tools to assure high-quality standards have to be applied to these types of foods. At the same time, the definition of quality may be different from product to product and must be studied accordingly. Hence, the contents of bioactive compounds, amount of fat or fatty acid profiles, vitamins, carbohydrates, volatile compounds, and microbial safety or sensorial characteristics are some of the parameters that can provide an insight into plant-derived food quality. Of course, this type of food is usually subject to some kind of postharvest processing or storage, which can alter their properties. This has also led to the need to study how these procedures change the characteristics of the original food. This Special Issue on “Quality Evaluation of Plant-Derived Foods Ⅱ” focuses on the topic of the quality assessment of plant-derived foods. This includes novel approaches to this line of research, but also the use of the established methodologies for novel plant foods, understudied species, or new data on known plant foods

    Functional genomic characterization of fruit quality traits in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh)

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    Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThe domesticated apple (Malus x domestica Borkh), belonging to the Malusgenus of the Rosaceae family, is one of the edible pomaceous fruits. Since it is one of the important commercial fruit crops worldwide, the quality of the fruit is crucial to breeders and farmers as it ultimately determines acceptance of a cultivar for consumption. Fruit quality is also a critical determinant factor that is used to estimate the potential of apples to have a long shelf lifeSouth Afric

    Influences of Music Genre and Components on Food Perception and Acceptance

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    Managers of consumer goods companies (i.e., restaurants, grocery stores, and bars) have the potential to effectively utilize environmental factors to stimulate desired consumer behaviors. Background music has been identified as one of the most readily manipulated and influential elements to which a shopper or consumer may be exposed to in a service setting. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of background sound on food perception and acceptance. This research sought whether background music genre and musical components can alter food perception and acceptance, but also to determine how the effect can vary as a function of food type (i.e., emotional vs. non-emotional) and source of music editor (i.e., single vs. multiple). In Experiment 1, single and multiple editors transposed the traditional music piece, Air on the G String, into four genres: classical, rock, hip-hop, and jazz. The same music piece was edited into contrasting ends of musical components of tempo, pitch, and volume for Experiment 2. According to a preliminary survey centering on the association between food and emotion, milk chocolate (emotional), and bell pepper (non-emotional) were selected as food stimuli for both experiments. Following consumption, participants rated flavor intensity, flavor pleasantness, texture liking, and overall liking using 15-cm line scales. In Experiment 1, participants liked food stimuli significantly more with the jazz stimulus as opposed to the hip-hop stimulus. Ratings of flavor pleasantness and overall impression for food stimuli only differed between the single editor genres. In Experiment 2, participants liked bell pepper flavor and texture significantly more with the fast tempo versus the slow tempo stimulus. Ratings of chocolate texture and bell pepper overall impression significantly heightened in the low pitch condition. In the loud volume condition, participants\u27 evaluated flavor pleasantness, texture impression, and overall impression of chocolate significantly higher in comparison to the quiet and silent conditions. In summary, the present thesis presents new empirical evidence that music genre, components, and editor, along with food type can modulate food perception and acceptance. Furthermore, our findings assist food service industries in creating the most appropriate atmosphere by explaining observed consumer behaviors induced by musical stimuli

    Optimization of rapid and simple HPLC-DAD method for analysis of glycoalkaloids solanine and chaconine in potatoes

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    A simple and rapid HPLC-DAD method has been developed for separation of glycoalkaloids solanine and chaconine in potatoes. Several HPLC method variables have been tested, including series of mobile phases with different amount of organic modifier acetonitrile in the mobile phase, the effect of buffer concentration and pH, as well as the effect of temperature and flow rate on the retention and resolution of the analysed analytes. Separation of solanine and chaconine was performed on a Shimadzu Shim-pack GIST C18 column (250 mm × 4 mm I.D., 5 μm particle size). Satisfactory resolution and relatively short analysis time were obtained when separation was performed at ambient temperature with isocratic elution, using the optimal mobile phase consisting of 30 % (v/v) acetonitrile and 70 % KH2PO4 with concentration of 20 mM and pH 6,57. The flow rate on the mobile phase was 1 mL/min and detection of solanine and chaconine was performed on a wavelength of 204 nm

    Effect of boron (B) nutrition on development of gray mold in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

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    Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in humid and warm conditions is susceptible to the development of diseases, especially gray rot, caused by Botrytis cinerea. Adequate fertilization that provides sufficient boron (B) in plant tissues, especially in the fruit, is suggested as an alternative to control the pathogen. The effect of the microelement boron (B) on the development of gray mold in hot pepper, variety Fortes, was determined. The survey was conducted in commercial greenhouses, with hot water heating, in locality of Bansko, Republic of Macedonia, during 2022. Foliar application of fungicides and boron (B), in the form of 11% borethanolamine, showed phytotoxicity symptoms from boron (B) on the leaves of pepper plants and increased disease development. Further research should be done to determine the relationship between fungicides and the microelement boron, which in mutual treatment cause phytotoxicity in pepper

    Phenolic profile of Macedonian red wines

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    Wine possess a variety of recognized beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-aging effects, as well as prevention of cardiovascular diseases. All these effects are due to the high content of phenolic compounds, such as stilbenes, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids. In this study, red wines from Vranec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties (V. Vinifera L.) have been analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and on line mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD–ESI-MS and MS/MS) in order to determine their phenolic profile. All wines presented a complex phenolic profile represented by anthocyanins, pyranoanthocyanins, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives, stilbenes, gallic acid and flavan-3-ols. Vranec wine, which is characterized with deep red colour, showed highest concentration of all phenolic families compared to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, indicating the important role of variety in differentiation of phenolic composition

    Optimisation of the digital radiographic imaging of suspected non-accidental injury.

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    Aim: To optimise the digital (radiographic) imaging of children presenting with suspected non-accidental injury (NAI).;Objectives: (i) To evaluate existing radiographic quality criteria, and to develop a more suitable system if these are found to be inapplicable to skeletal surveys obtained in suspected NAI. (ii) To document differences in image quality between conventional film-screen and the recently installed Fuji5000R computed radiography (CR) system at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, (iii) To document the extent of variability in the standard of skeletal surveys obtained in the UK for suspected NAI. (iv) To determine those radiographic parameters which yield the highest diagnostic accuracy, while still maintaining acceptable radiation dose to the child, (v) To determine how varying degrees of edge-enhancement affect diagnostic accuracy. (vi) To establish the accuracy of soft compared to hard copy interpretation of images in suspected NAI.;Materials and Methods: (i) and (ii) Retrospective analysis of 286 paediatric lateral spine radiographs by two observers based on the Commission of European Communities (CEC) quality criteria, (iii) Review of the skeletal surveys of 50 consecutive infants referred from hospitals throughout the United Kingdom (UK) with suspected NAI. (iv) Phantom studies. Leeds TO. 10 and TO. 16 test objects were used to compare the relationship between film density, exposure parameters and visualisation of object details, (iv) Clinical study. Anteroposterior and lateral post mortem skull radiographs of six consecutive infants were obtained at various exposures. Six observers independently scored the images based on visualisation of five criteria, (v) and (vi) A study of diagnostic accuracy in which six observers independently interpreted 50 radiographs from printed copies (with varying degrees of edge-enhancement) and from a monitor.;Results: The CEC criteria are useful for optimisation of imaging parameters and allow the detection of differences in quality of film-screen and digital images. There is much variability in the quality and number of radiographs performed as part of skeletal surveys in the UK for suspected NAI. The Leeds test objects are either not sensitive enough (TO. 10) or perhaps over sensitive (TO. 16) for the purposes of this project. Furthermore, the minimum spatial resolution required for digital imaging in NAI has not been established. Therefore the objective interpretation of phantom studies is difficult. There is scope for reduction of radiation dose to children with no effect on image quality. Diagnostic accuracy (fracture detection) in suspected NAI is generally low, and is not affected by image display modality.;Conclusions: The CEC quality criteria are not applicable to the assessment of clinical image quality. A national protocol for skeletal surveys in NAI is required. Dedicated training, close supervision, collaboration and consistent exposure of radiologists to cases of NAI should improve diagnostic accuracy. The potential exists for dose reduction when performing skeletal surveys in children and infants with suspected NAI. Future studies should address this issue

    What we achieved - where we will go

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    On the way to a new systemic research approach for organic food quality and health More than 50 researchers and supporters of the organic food sector met at the 1st scientific FQH conference from November 28th to 29th at the FQH research member institution FIBL in Frick (Switzerland). The two days were filled with presentations of latest research results of well-named scientists from across Europe covering topics from farm to table such as quality parameters of organic food, human health, the definition of quality and consumer expectations and legal legislation for organic food. The conference was embedded in two scientific discussions about the scientific future of organic quality research chaired by Hardy Vogtmann (president of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation) and Angelika Ploeger (FQH chairperson), respectively. As a clear baseline both discussions revealed that there is an absolute need for a new organic quality concept and for more international scientific communication prior to the development of new research programmes

    Sounds of consumption : the influence of nonmusical sounds on services and retail settings

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    Previous literature shows that sensory stimulation, such as pictures and scents, can affect consumers’ choices in a retail setting. Visual stimulation (i.e., pictures of fruit), for example, make people choose more healthy foods, especially when they are hungry (Forwood, Ahern, Hollands, Ng, & Marteau, 2015). Following the same logic, sound might also trigger consumers’ choices and perceptions, meaning that specific products are expected to be chosen more frequently when congruent sounds are played. However, the extant literature has paid little attention to this role of sound. This work therefore focuses on auxiliary sounds (nonmusical) in the shopping environment, especially those intentionally set using audio systems to improve and compose the experiential shopping environment. More specifically, this research investigates whether auxiliary sounds influence people’s choice, decisions, and perceptions through the semantic properties (meanings) of sounds. Five studies were conducted to investigate these effects of auxiliary sounds; the first is a field experiment and the other four are lab studies. The field study showed exploratory results on the effect of auxiliary sounds on people’s choice behavior The first lab study (Study 1) considered a service context choice, where sounds were set in the “soundscape” of a fictitious travel agency. When city sounds were played as the background sound in the environment, the city destination was chosen more than the beach destination. Study 2 showed that congruence between sounds and options increase the choice of those options, even when more options are available. Study 3 found that when sound is strongly associated with product appeal or positioning, and this association is perceived by the consumer, it increases people’s intention to buy the product. The last study showed that, for an experiential positioning, congruent sounds can improve people’s intentions to visit the store by improving people’s attitudes toward the store. These results shed light on the study of auxiliary sounds in retail and services environments, bringing to surface some effects that serve as an initial parameter on the study of this phenomenon. It also has managerial contributions as sounds can be strategically used by marketers in order to promote a richer consumption experience.Estímulos sensoriais como imagens e aromas, podem afetar a escolha dos consumidores no varejo. Pistas visuais (ex.: imagens de frutas), por exemplo, fazem com que as pessoas escolham mais comidas saudáveis, especialmente quando estão com fome (Forwood et al., 2015). Seguindo esta lógica, o som também pode ativar escolhas e percepções dos consumidores. No entanto, a literatura existente tem dado pouca atenção ao papel do som. O presente trabalho trata dos sons auxiliares (não musicais) no ambiente de compra, especificamente aqueles colocados intencionalmente no ambiente de compra. Mais especificamente, o trabalho busca investigar se os sons auxiliares influenciam as escolhas, decisões e percepções das pessoas por meio das propriedades semânticas (significados) dos sons. Cinco estudos foram realizados no sentido de investigar estes efeitos dos sons auxiliares, onde o primeiro estudo foi um experimento de campo, enquanto que os demais foram estudos de laboratório. O estudo de campo, com caráter mais exploratório, demonstrou que os sons auxiliares podem ter um efeito sobre o comportamento de escolha dos clientes. O primeiro estudo de laboratório (Study 1) considerou o processo de escolha no contexto de serviços de agência de viagem, onde os sons influenciaram a escolha dos consumidores (ex.: sons de cidade fizeram com que os destinos turísticos de cidade fossem mais escolhidos, comparado com os destinos de praia). O estudo 2 (Study 2) verificou a influência dos sons auxiliares em um ambiente com mais opções disponíveis para escolha O estudo evidenciou que a congruência entre os sons e as opções disponíveis podem influenciar a escolha dos consumidores, mesmo com uma maior gama de opções. No estudo 3 (Study 3) a associação feita pelo consumidor entre som e o apelo/posicionamento do produto aumenta a intenção de compra dos consumidores em relação ao produto. O último estudo (Study 4) demonstrou que o uso dos sons auxiliares congruentes com o posicionamento de uma loja, fazem com que o consumidor tenha atitudes mais positivas em relação à loja, e consequentemente aumenta a intenção de visitar a loja. No entanto, este resultado foi significativo apenas para lojas com posicionamento experiencial. Estes resultados são um primeiro passo no estudo dos sons auxiliares nos ambientes de varejo e serviço, trazendo à tona alguns efeitos que servem como um parâmetro inicial no do estudo deste fenômeno. Isto reflete também em aplicações estratégicas dos sons musicais no ambiente de compra de modo a enriquecer a experiência de compra do cliente
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