Professional Athletes Using Their Social Media and Public Image to Effectively Facilitate Social Change

Athlete activism has been a long-standing tradition of standing up for injustices taking place within the United States. American sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards documented four waves of athlete activism starting in the 1930s through the 2010s and predicted a fifth one, which we are now watching come to fruition in the present day. This ongoing tradition stems from an unspoken responsibility for athletes of color to step up and speak up on behalf of those who came before them who were silenced, also referred to as The Heritage. This paper highlights Colin Kaepernick as the catalyst for the fourth wave of athlete activists and recognizes LeBron James as a leading figure that inspired the fifth wave of athlete activists. The increasing prominence and power of social media has enabled the newer waves of athletes to influence and inspire more people than ever before. By analyzing the social justice work of these men and the reactions from professional athletes and sports leagues, the research proves that athlete activism is effective in facilitating social change. Despite the public opinion and controversy surrounding the purposeful intersection of politics and sport, the social justice efforts of professional athletes will not fade anytime soon

Biodiversity Study on Wild Food Plants Traditionally Consumed in the Area of Bologna (Emilia romagna Region, Italy) and in the Middle Agri Valley (Basilicata Region, Potenza Province, Italy)

The aim of this project was to record the Traditional Local Knowledge (TLK) concerning the traditional uses of wild food plants together with all the practices linked as gathering, processing, cooking, including the therapeutic uses, to re-discover plant species often under-utilized or neglected and to identify those with new or underestimated healthy effects for human people. This research was performed in two areas belonging to the province of the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy) and in the Middle Agri Valley (Potenza province, Basilicata region, Southern Italy). Up to now no research has been carried out on the use of wild edibles in these territories and, therefore, this study represents the first attempt to collect and save from oblivion an important part of the cultural heritage preserved by these populations. Using an ethnobotanical approach, people still retaining TLK about wild food plants were interviewed recording the edible species and related practices used. By means of the Relative Frequency of Citation index (RFC), it was possible to state that Crepis vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia (Thuill) Thell and Cichorium intybus L. were the most recognised and important wild food species respectively in the area of Bologna and in the Middle Agri Valley. The results of the two investigated areas were compared. The ethnobotanical study was followed by a metabolic screening of 34 plants samples mentioned by the informants (13 collected in Bologna’s area and 21 in Middle Agri Valley). Sanguisorba minor Scop. showed the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content; Mentha spicata L. exhibited the highest flavonoid content; Sinapis arvensis L. revealed the highest content of chlorophylls and carotenoids and Clematis vitalba L. the highest protein content. Finally, the most considerable and cited species in the area of Bologna, Crepis vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia (Thuill) Thell, was analysed by an untargeted metabolomics approach

The State of Preschool 2009

Provides data on state-funded pre-K programs for the 2008-09 school year and examines the recession's effects on expanding enrollment and raising standards. Ranks states by percentage of children enrolled, funding per child, and quality benchmarks met

Comparison of some chemical parameters of a naturally debittered olive (Olea europaea L.) type with regular olive varieties

Some olives grown in Karaburun peninsula in the west part of Turkey and mostly coming from Erkence variety lose their bitterness while still on the tree and are called Hurma among locals. This olive type does not require further processing to remove the bitter compounds. In this study, sugar, organic acid and fatty acid profiles of Hurma, Erkence (not naturally debittered) and Gemlik (commonly consumed as table olive) olives were determined throughout 8 weeks of maturation period for two consecutive harvest seasons, and the results were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA of sugar and organic acid data revealed a differentiation in terms of harvest year but not on variety. Hurma olive is separated from others due to its fatty acid profile, and it has higher linoleic acid content compared to others. This might be an indication of increased desaturase enzyme activity for Hurma olives during natural debittering phase.TUBITAK (TOVAG-110O780

The Consumption of Wild Edible Plants

Wild edible plants are of great importance in both former and current human societies. Their use embodies evolutionary trends, continuing interactions between men and nature, relevant traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage. A conceptual approach to wild edible plants, including the contribution of such species to people's diets and daily lives, focusing on nutritional and cultural value, food sovereignty and security, as well as the huge legacy for future generations, leads to a general overview of new tendencies and availability of wild plant resources according to geographic regions. The potential benefits and the continual need for conservation strategies of plants, habitats, and associated knowledge are also discussed, enhancing biodiversity and biocultural patrimony. Finally, some examples of culturally significant edible wild plants are described, emphasizing the importance of knowledge transmission and sustainable uses in a changing world.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wild food plants traditionally consumed in the area of Bologna (Emilia Romagna region, Italy)

BACKGROUND: This research was performed in an area belonging to the province of the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy). The purpose of the present survey was to record the local knowledge concerning traditional uses of wild food plants and related practices, such as gathering, processing, cooking, therapeutic uses, with the aim of preserving an important part of the local cultural heritage. METHODS: Thirty-nine people still retaining Traditional Local Knowledge (TLK) were interviewed between March-April 2012 and September - October 2013 by means of open and semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews. For each plant species mentioned, we recorded the botanical family, the English common name, the Italian common and/or folk names, the parts of the plant used, the culinary preparation, and the medicinal usage. The relative frequency of citation index (RFC), a tool that measures the local cultural importance of a plant species, was also included. RESULTS: The folk plants mentioned by the respondents belonged to 33 botanical families, of which the Rosaceae (14 plants) and the Asteraceae (9 plants) were the most representative. The species with the highest RFC index (0.77) were Crepis vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia (Thuill) Thell and Taraxacum officinale Weber. Eleven folk plants were indicated as having therapeutic effects. T. officinale Weber, C. vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia (Thuill) Thell and Sonchus spp., which are used as food, were reported to be depurative, blood cleaning, refreshing, diuretic and laxative. The most commonly used species was Urtica spp, which was also the most frequently cited for medicinal uses. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey documented the wild food plant traditional knowledge of an area belonging to the province of the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy). The general perception obtained is that on one side the TLK related to wild food plants has strongly been eroded, mainly due to immigration and urbanization phenomena, whereas on the other side these plants are revaluated today because they are perceived as healthy and also because they represent the preservation of biodiversity and a way of getting back to nature. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1746-4269-10-69) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users