Repeated Disasters and Chronic Environmental Changes Impede Generational Transmission of Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous coastal communities are interdependent with the environment and families are vulnerable to the environmental changes that disrupt culture, continuity, and livelihood. The purpose of this study was to elucidate meaning from shared cultural perceptions of experiencing repeated disasters and other environmental changes among a United States Indigenous coastal community. This study is part of a larger community- engaged study and reports results from phenomological semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews (n=19). Participants were enrolled tribal members with a strong ethnic identity and earned a majority of their income from subsistence activities. The results highlight that discrimination, which is part of the broader context of historical oppression, has set the stage for heightened vulnerability in Indigenous communities. Indigenous families are highly connected to their place and environment, yet environmental changes (e.g. repeated disasters, chronic land loss, and climate change) creates barriers for many elder participants pass on traditional knowledge and lifeways to their grandchildren and future generations. Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the land is spiritual, cultural, and place-specific. Interruption of Indigenous Peoples’ ability to interact with the land acculturation, lack of self-determination and discrimination are contemporary forms of trauma

Competition of Multinationals from Different Cultural Backgrounds: Does Familiarity Breed Contempt?

This paper considers competition between two multinationals (U, J) who compete in a third market (K). The multinationals have similar cost structures, but differ in that J comes from a country that is "culturally similar" to K, and hence produces products that match more closely the preferences of K residents.  This similarity gives J an advantage in K’s market and, if only one firm may enter, J can earn higher profits.  However, we show: (i)K may benefit more from the entry of the dissimilar firm (U), and (ii)in a strategic competition between the two firms, the cultural similarity may be a strategic disadvantage.

Elimination of the light shift in rubidium gas cell frequency standards using pulsed optical pumping

Changes in the intensity of the light source in an optically pumped, rubidium, gas cell frequency standard can produce corresponding frequency shifts, with possible adverse effects on the long-term frequency stability. A pulsed optical pumping apparatus was constructed with the intent of investigating the frequency stability in the absence of light shifts. Contrary to original expectations, a small residual frequency shift due to changes in light intensity was experimentally observed. Evidence is given which indicates that this is not a true light-shift effect. Preliminary measurements of the frequency stability of this apparatus, with this small residual pseudo light shift present, are presented. It is shown that this pseudo light shift can be eliminated by using a more homogeneous C-field. This is consistent with the idea that the pseudo light shift is due to inhomogeneity in the physics package (position-shift effect)

Strategies for replacing saturated fat in meat products: A review

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of how to replace saturated fat in meat products due to concerns about its high amounts as health consciousness improves and consumers look for changes. In particular, we focused on various approaches and technologies to replace saturated fat in meat products. A systematic literature review was conducted using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus based on existing papers. The use of vegetable oils in meat products, oleogel and emulsion gel technologies, as well as application of protein substitutes were reviewed. The results show that the mentioned methods are potentially effective techniques for reducing the saturated fat content of meat products. As research on new approaches to fat substitutes continues to attract interest, we would like to highlight the research needs for the development of healthy meat products in the long term.This paper aims to provide a better understanding of how to replace saturated fat in meat products due to concerns about its high amounts as health consciousness improves and consumers look for changes. In particular, we focused on various approaches and technologies to replace saturated fat in meat products. A systematic literature review was conducted using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus based on existing papers. The use of vegetable oils in meat products, oleogel and emulsion gel technologies, as well as application of protein substitutes were reviewed. The results show that the mentioned methods are potentially effective techniques for reducing the saturated fat content of meat products. As research on new approaches to fat substitutes continues to attract interest, we would like to highlight the research needs for the development of healthy meat products in the long term

Psychometrically Valid Relationships between Acculturation and Neuropsychological Factors

Neuropsychological tests play a significant role in detecting brain dysfunction and treatment planning for patients. However, discrepancies in neurocognitive tests among ethnic minorities continue to perplex neuropsychologists and place ethnic minorities at a greater risk for misdiagnoses (Byrd et al., 2006). The aim of this study was to ascertain significant acculturation predictors influencing neuropsychological performance in ethnic minorities, particularly verbally mediated tasks which were known to be more susceptible to discrepancies in acculturation level were examined (Razani et al., 2007). Healthy participants from Hispanic (n = 52), Asian (n = 52), and Middle-Eastern (ME; n = 68) descents between the ages of 18 and 69 years were recruited. Participants were administered the acculturation scale (i.e., ARSMA) and seven neuropsychological tests (i.e., COWAT-FAS and Animals; BNT; Stroop A and B; and WASI Vocabulary and Similarities subtests). Results from reliability and exploratory factor analyses indicated that ARSMA was a reliable measure and revealed a three-factor solution (Factor 1 = Ethnic Identity, Factor 2 = Ethnic Preference, Factor 3 = Language/Heritage) as well as a higher-order factor (Acculturation). Neuropsychological measures also produced a two-factor solution (Factor 1 = Verbal Abilities, Factor 2 = Verbal Processing Speed) and a higher-order factor (Language), which were determined to be cross-culturally equivalent. When acculturation factors were regressed onto neuropsychological constructs, results indicated that Language/Heritage was the best predictor for Verbal Abilities (􀈕 = .601, p \u3c .001) and Language (􀈕 = .599, p \u3c .001); and Ethnic Preference was the best predictor for Verbal Processing Speed (􀈕 = -.194, p \u3c .05). Also, Acculturation was a significant predictor for Verbal Abilities (􀈕 = .528, p \u3c .001), Verbal Processing Speed (􀈕 =-.138, p \u3c .05), and Language (􀈕 = .371, p \u3c .001) The findings of this study are consistent with previous research demonstrating differences between Anglo-Americans and other cultural groups in neuropsychological performance (Harris et al., 2003; Manly et al., 2002; Razani et al., 2007). It is clear that similar to other demographic factors, acculturation level also needs to be taken into account when interpreting neuropsychological assessment data, to reduce misdiagnosing ethnic minorities in clinical settings

Origins of choice-related activity in mouse somatosensory cortex.

During perceptual decisions about faint or ambiguous sensory stimuli, even identical stimuli can produce different choices. Spike trains from sensory cortex neurons can predict trial-to-trial variability in choice. Choice-related spiking is widely studied as a way to link cortical activity to perception, but its origins remain unclear. Using imaging and electrophysiology, we found that mouse primary somatosensory cortex neurons showed robust choice-related activity during a tactile detection task. Spike trains from primary mechanoreceptive neurons did not predict choices about identical stimuli. Spike trains from thalamic relay neurons showed highly transient, weak choice-related activity. Intracellular recordings in cortex revealed a prolonged choice-related depolarization in most neurons that was not accounted for by feed-forward thalamic input. Top-down axons projecting from secondary to primary somatosensory cortex signaled choice. An intracellular measure of stimulus sensitivity determined which neurons converted choice-related depolarization into spiking. Our results reveal how choice-related spiking emerges across neural circuits and within single neurons

Microalgae as alternative proteins for the sustainable food industry: A review

This paper reviews the nutritional properties and consumer perceptions of microalgae foods through various recent studies on alternative protein sources. Food choices, including meat consumption, are a common concern for humanity. Thus, we focused on whether microalgae foods have a sufficient value as a protein source and what nutritional benefits they have. Based on existing papers, we conducted a systematic review using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus to comprehensively investigate and summarize the nutritional characteristics of microalgae, sustainable diets, and awareness of microalgae as an alternative protein source. Research has shown that microalgae have been consumed by humans as a protein source since ancient times, and contain enough protein to be used as an alternative protein source. They also have many other nutritional benefits, such as vitamins. We have found that consumers are increasingly interested in alternative protein sources, and the more they learn about microalgae, the more accepting they become. These results may suggest a need for further research to improve microalgae as an alternative protein source in the long run and develop them into a variety of foods

Quantitative Kinetic Energy Estimated from Disdrometer Signal

The kinetic energy of the rain drops was predicted in a relation between the rain rate and rain quantity, derived directly from the rain drop size distribution (DSD), which had been measured by a disdrometer located in the eastern state of Alagoas-Brazil. The equation in the form of exponential form suppressed the effects of large drops at low rainfall intensity observed at the beginning and end of the rainfall. The kinetic energy of the raindrop was underestimated in almost rain intensity ranges and was considered acceptable by the performance indicators such as coefficient of determination, average absolute error, percent relative error, mean absolute error, root mean square error, Willmott's concordance index and confidence index