scholarly journals Traditional Human Populations and Nonhuman Primates Show Parallel Gut Microbiome Adaptations to Analogous Ecological Conditions

mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e00815-20
Author(s):  
Ashok K. Sharma ◽  
Klara Petrzelkova ◽  
Barbora Pafco ◽  
Carolyn A. Jost Robinson ◽  
Terence Fuh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Hunter Gatherers ◽  
Western Lowland Gorilla ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Dietary Niche

ABSTRACTCompared with urban-industrial populations, small-scale human communities worldwide share a significant number of gut microbiome traits with nonhuman primates. This overlap is thought to be driven by analogous dietary triggers; however, the ecological and functional bases of this similarity are not fully understood. To start addressing this issue, fecal metagenomes of BaAka hunter-gatherers and traditional Bantu agriculturalists from the Central African Republic were profiled and compared with those of a sympatric western lowland gorilla group (Gorillagorilla gorilla) across two seasons of variable dietary intake. Results show that gorilla gut microbiomes shared similar functional traits with each human group, depending on seasonal dietary behavior. Specifically, parallel microbiome traits were observed between hunter-gatherers and gorillas when the latter consumed more structural polysaccharides during dry seasons, while small-scale agriculturalist and gorilla microbiomes showed significant functional overlap when gorillas consumed more seasonal ripe fruit during wet seasons. Notably, dominance of microbial transporters, transduction systems, and gut xenobiotic metabolism was observed in association with traditional agriculture and energy-dense diets in gorillas at the expense of a functional microbiome repertoire capable of metabolizing more complex polysaccharides. Differential abundance of bacterial taxa that typically distinguish traditional from industrialized human populations (e.g., Prevotella spp.) was also recapitulated in the human and gorilla groups studied, possibly reflecting the degree of polysaccharide complexity included in each group’s dietary niche. These results show conserved functional gut microbiome adaptations to analogous diets in small-scale human populations and nonhuman primates, highlighting the role of plant dietary polysaccharides and diverse environmental exposures in this convergence.IMPORTANCE The results of this study highlight parallel gut microbiome traits in human and nonhuman primates, depending on subsistence strategy. Although these similarities have been reported before, the functional and ecological bases of this convergence are not fully understood. Here, we show that this parallelism is, in part, likely modulated by the complexity of plant carbohydrates consumed and by exposures to diverse xenobiotics of natural and artificial origin. Furthermore, we discuss how divergence from these parallel microbiome traits is typically associated with adverse health outcomes in human populations living under culturally westernized subsistence patterns. This is important information as we trace the specific dietary and environmental triggers associated with the loss and gain of microbial functions as humans adapt to various dietary niches.

Societal discontent will increase in Bahrain

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Social Protest ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Arab Uprisings ◽  
Base Level

Significance Although large-scale social protest in Bahrain has been cowed over the ten years since the ‘Arab uprisings’, small-scale demonstrations recur, reflecting a base level of discontent. Mobilising issues include economic pressures, limited political representation (especially of the Shia majority) and, most recently, ties with Israel. Impacts Despite protests, Israel’s and Bahrain’s respective ambassadors will keep up high-profile activity and statements. The authorities are likely to exaggerate the role of Iranian interference in order to deepen the Sunni-Shia divide. If Riyadh manages to extricate itself from the Yemen war, that could partly reduce the pressure on Manama.

Hunter-gatherers on the best-seller list: Steven Pinker and the “Bellicose School's” treatment of forager violence

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Hunter Gatherers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lethal Violence ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Hunting And Gathering ◽  
History Of ◽  
Early Farmers ◽  
Philosophical Debates

Purpose – The question of violence in hunter-gatherer society has animated philosophical debates since at least the seventeenth century. Steven Pinker has sought to affirm that civilization, is superior to the state of humanity during its long history of hunting and gathering. The purpose of this paper is to draw upon a series of recent studies that assert a baseline of primordial violence by hunters and gatherers. In challenging this position the author draws on four decades of ethnographic and historical research on hunting and gathering peoples. Design/methodology/approach – At the empirical heart of this question is the evidence pro- and con- for high rates of violent death in pre-farming human populations. The author evaluates the ethnographic and historical evidence for warfare in recorded hunting and gathering societies, and the archaeological evidence for warfare in pre-history prior to the advent of agriculture. Findings – The view of Steven Pinker and others of high rates of lethal violence in hunters and gatherers is not sustained. In contrast to early farmers, their foraging precursors lived more lightly on the land and had other ways of resolving conflict. With little or no fixed property they could easily disperse to diffuse conflict. The evidence points to markedly lower levels of violence for foragers compared to post-Neolithic societies. Research limitations/implications – This conclusion raises serious caveats about the grand evolutionary theory asserted by Steven Pinker, Richard Wrangham and others. Instead of being “killer apes” in the Pleistocene and Holocene, the evidence indicates that early humans lived as relatively peaceful hunter-gathers for some 7,000 generations, from the emergence of Homo sapiens up until the invention of agriculture. Therefore there is a major gap between the purported violence of the chimp-like ancestors and the documented violence of post-Neolithic humanity. Originality/value – This is a critical analysis of published claims by authors who contend that ancient and recent hunter-gatherers typically committed high levels of violent acts. It reveals a number of serious flaws in their arguments and use of data.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of volunteers in social care for older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Eleanor K. Johnson ◽  
Paul B. Willis ◽  
Liz Lloyd ◽  
Randall Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South West

Purpose This paper aims to report the findings of a study that explores the contribution volunteers make to social care for older adults, identifying lessons for the social care sector and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study design was used to capture the perspectives and experiences of managers of services, volunteer co-ordinators, volunteers, paid care staff and older people. Seven diverse social care organisations took part in the study drawn from three locations in the South West of England. Findings This study identified three distinct models of volunteer contribution to social care services for older people. Although the contributions made by volunteers to services are valued, the study drew attention to some of the challenges related to their involvement. Research limitations/implications The organisations taking part in this small-scale study were all based in the South West of England, and the findings are therefore not generalisable but contribute to the growing evidence base related to this important field. Practical implications This study demonstrates the importance of the volunteer co-ordinator role and suggests that it is properly funded and resourced. It also confirms the importance of volunteers receiving appropriate training and support. Originality/value Given the increasing involvement of volunteers in the provision of social care, this paper provides lessons to ensure the role of volunteers in social care enhances rather than diminishes the quality of care provided.

Entrepreneurial orientation and the mediating role of organisational learning amongst Indian S-SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 641-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanzin Mantok ◽  
Harjit Sekhon ◽  
Gurjeet Kaur Sahi ◽  
Paul Jones
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Organisational Learning ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
Competitor Orientation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine organisational learning as a mediator among small-scale manufacturing enterprises (S-SMEs) which comprise the majority of economic activity in an emergent/developing economy. This study offers further understanding regarding the mediating role of organisational learning in developing world economies, due to its potential regional influence. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of Indian S-SMEs was undertaken from the District Industrial Center. The study employed a systematic sampling technique to contact owner/managers. Overall, 204 S-SMEs owners/managers participated in the study and 192 usable survey instruments were received. Findings The study offers novel insights to the following questions. First, the factors that prompt entrepreneurial orientation to achieve superior business performance, i.e. the antecedents of entrepreneurial orientation? The results reveal competitor orientation is an antecedent of entrepreneurial orientation that leads to an S-SME’s business performance. Second, the outcomes of entrepreneurial orientation, i.e. the consequences of entrepreneurial orientation? The study reveals organisational learning and business performance are the corollary of entrepreneurial orientation. Third, the examination of whether organisational learning mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance? The findings found the effects of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance are, in part, mediated by organisational learning. Research limitations/implications Three study limitations are recognised. First, other strategic orientations, including technology orientation, production orientation and selling orientation are not included. Second, other constructs have a potentially significant relationship with market and entrepreneurial orientation, such as organisational capabilities, innovation and social context, were not considered. Third, the study is industry-sector specific and does not consider alternative sectors which also may play a potential role in economic development. Originality/value This study enhances the existing S-SME literature by identifying factors contributing to entrepreneurial orientation and its repercussions on business performance. For S-SMEs it adds credence to the role played by organisational learning in mediating the link between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance which potentially encourages owner/managers to dedicate increased time and resources towards creating and maintaining a conducive learning environment. The results support entrepreneurs in acknowledging the importance of competitor orientation during the emergence and development of entrepreneurial orientation, specifically in emerging economy contexts.

“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” Drones

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Peter Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Common Term ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Looking Glass

Purpose The word “drone” is the common term for an unmanned aerial vehicle – a robot that combines flight with sensors (usually cameras) to allow for unprecedented freedom in observing and interacting with the world. Design/methodology/approach This column will explore the technology that makes modern drones possible, what makes drones useful and the role of libraries in making drones accessible to their patrons, now and in the future. Findings Many of these applications are equally appealing to hobbyists and professionals. For some small-scale gardeners, drones can be used to scare away pests, such as deer, or take aerial photographs that provide a new perspective of their garden. Originality/value For the agriculture industry, drones already account for $864.4 million in spending per year and are expected to grow to account for over $4 billion by 2022, as they are used not only to monitor and plan crops but also to plant seeds and provide accurate pesticide control (Wood, 2016).

scholarly journals An integrated host-microbiome response to atrazine exposure mediates toxicity in Drosophila

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Brown ◽  
Sasha A. Langley ◽  
Antoine M. Snijders ◽  
Kenneth H. Wan ◽  
Siti Nur Sarah Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Environmental Chemical ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Integrated Omics ◽  
Herbicide Atrazine ◽  
Exogenous Compounds ◽  
Integrative Omics

AbstractThe gut microbiome produces vitamins, nutrients, and neurotransmitters, and helps to modulate the host immune system—and also plays a major role in the metabolism of many exogenous compounds, including drugs and chemical toxicants. However, the extent to which specific microbial species or communities modulate hazard upon exposure to chemicals remains largely opaque. Focusing on the effects of collateral dietary exposure to the widely used herbicide atrazine, we applied integrated omics and phenotypic screening to assess the role of the gut microbiome in modulating host resilience in Drosophila melanogaster. Transcriptional and metabolic responses to these compounds are sex-specific and depend strongly on the presence of the commensal microbiome. Sequencing the genomes of all abundant microbes in the fly gut revealed an enzymatic pathway responsible for atrazine detoxification unique to Acetobacter tropicalis. We find that Acetobacter tropicalis alone, in gnotobiotic animals, is sufficient to rescue increased atrazine toxicity to wild-type, conventionally reared levels. This work points toward the derivation of biotic strategies to improve host resilience to environmental chemical exposures, and illustrates the power of integrative omics to identify pathways responsible for adverse health outcomes.

scholarly journals Chinese entrepreneurs and workers at the crossroad: the role of social networks in ethnic industrial clusters in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Biggeri ◽  
Lisa Braito ◽  
Annalisa Caloffi ◽  
Huanhuai Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Industrial Clusters ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Entrepreneurs ◽  
Worker Exploitation ◽  
Chinese Worker

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the evolution of Chinese industrial ethnic clusters in Italy, by focusing on the role of social networks and the processes behind the phenomenon of Chinese worker exploitation and entrepreneur “self-exploitation”.Design/methodology/approachThe case study is a sub-cluster of micro and small enterprises owned by Chinese entrepreneurs within the leather industrial district of Florence, Italy. This research adopts the following mixed methods: a small-scale survey to capture the characteristics of the sub-cluster and a social network analysis to describe cluster evolution, complemented by life-course interviews conducted with key informants and entrepreneurs.FindingsMigrant social capital and social networks play a central role in the evolution of the case study sub-cluster. Social networks play a supportive role in migration, job creation, entrepreneurship formation and the creation of business opportunities. Simultaneously, they enhance the phenomenon of worker exploitation and entrepreneur self-exploitation. Furthermore, the more the business community grows, the more the economic performance of ethnic enterprises depends on agglomeration forces produced by the cluster.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest a series of potential policies to upgrade the ethnic enterprises' capacities, to increase their formality and inclusion in the Italian social and economic systems and sub-cluster.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to examine the evolution of social networks in relation to the phenomenon of Chinese worker exploitation and entrepreneur self-exploitation in an ethnic industrial sub-cluster.

Estimation of aircraft turbofan engine exhaust emissions with environmental and economic aspects at a small-scale airport

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Halil Yalcin Akdeniz
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Exhaust Emissions ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Economic Aspects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hc Emissions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to estimate the nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions and their environmental and economic aspects during the actual landing and take-off operations (LTO) of domestic and international flights at a small-scale airport. In this regard, the aircraft-induced NOx, CO and HC emissions analyses, the global warming potential (GWP) estimations of exhaust emissions and the life cycle assessment (LCA)-based environmental impact (EI) estimations of exhaust emissions, and the eco-cost estimation of exhaust emissions are measured. Design/methodology/approach Estimations and calculations are performed in parallel with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Engine Emission Databank and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change approaches. Also, to assess the environmental effect of the pollutants, the GWP and the EI analyses which is based on the LCA approaches are used. Finally, the eco-cost approach has been used to discuss the economic aspects of these emissions. Findings The total emissions of air pollutants from aircraft are estimated as 601.067 kg/y for HC, 6,074.905 kg/y for CO and 4,156.391 kg/y for NOx at the airport. Also, emissions from international flights account for 79% of emissions from all flights. The Airbus A321 type of aircraft has accounted for more than half of the total HC, CO and NOx emissions. The total amount of emissions from the B738 type of aircraft is estimated as 24%. It is noticed that the taxi phase constitutes 52% of the total HC, CO and NOx emissions. Because of this, it is selected the five different alternative taxi times to observe the effects of pollution role of taxiing time in detail and re-estimated accordingly. According to the re-estimated results with variations in taxiing time, when the taxiing time at the airport is 24 min instead of the original value, this case contributes to a decrease in total LTO emissions of approximately 4%. Also, when the taxiing time is decreased by 2 min, HC, CO and NOx emission amounts decrease by approximately 3.9%, 5.9% and 1.2%, respectively. At this point, the polluting role of taxiing time will be helpful to reduce the aircraft-induced HC, CO and NOx emissions for other larger-scale airports. On the other hand, it is estimated that the GWP of the A321 is 1,066.29 t CO2e whilst the GWP of B738 is 719.50 t CO2e. The eco-cost values of the A321, B738, A320 and CL60-type of aircraft are estimated as almost 61,049.42, 41,086.02, 18,417.43 and 6,163.59 Euros, respectively. Practical implications With the detailed results of this study, the polluting role of taxiing time on total HC, CO and NOx emissions in a small-scale airport will be helpful to reduce aircraft-induced emissions for other larger-scale airports. Also, in the future, this study and its results will be helpful to create an emission inventory at the airport examined. Originality/value In this study, different from some previous studies, air pollutants from aircrafts are evaluated with different aspects such as the EI and eco-cost and GWP. Also, this study will be making a helpful contribution to the literature as it covers the more diversity of the different types of aircrafts in the analyses.

Financing village enterprises in rural Bangladesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vange Mariet Ocasio
Keyword(s):  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Enterprise Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Enterprise Growth ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Credit Program

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that determine non-farm enterprise revenue and to empirically test the association between access to credit, credit source and firm performance among poor entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach Using a Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and World Bank survey from over 1,700 households in rural Bangladesh, a panel data model is used to control for unobserved heterogeneity among households and explore the determinants of non-farm revenue. Findings The findings suggest that village infrastructure and household labor assets have a positive impact on enterprise development. The findings reveal that the use of rural credit as a production input is important in augmenting revenue for the non-farm enterprise, but there are differential effects by credit source. Research limitations/implications Because the study uses data from a quasi-experimental survey design, unobserved effects that can bias the results must be controlled for. Also, as credit program impacts can be location-specific, caution in generalizing the results of this study must be exercised. Practical implications This study provides evidence on the positive effects of microcredit, family assets and family social capital on economic outcomes and microenterprise growth for poor entrepreneurial households. If enterprise growth is important for development, greater understanding of the determinants of microenterprise performance and the role of credit in the success of microfirms is beneficial for policymakers and the institutions that finance small-scale production. Social implications If it is agreed that entrepreneurship is important in promoting development, self-sufficiency and positive economic outcomes (Yunus, 2007), then credit program design should focus on both the credit needs of the poor and the dynamics inherent in enterprise development for this group of entrepreneurs. Originality/value This paper expands the limited literature on the determinants of microenterprise growth and the role of credit in microenterprise development by tracing a positive link between village infrastructure, family demographics and access to credit. The identification of the factors that determine non-farm enterprise revenue is important for policymakers because enterprise growth is perceived as essential for economic development.

Mentor teachers as leaders and followers in school-based contexts in the Republic of Ireland

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Clarke ◽  
Maureen Killeavy ◽  
Ruth Ferris
Keyword(s):  
School Context ◽  
Mentor Teachers ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Contexts ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to exploratory small-scale study is to examine the intertwined leadership and followership aspects of the roles performed by school-based mentors in the Republic of Ireland. Design/methodology/approach – In order to investigate mentor teachers’ perceptions of their role with reference to leadership and followership in their school contexts, a questionnaire was distributed to the full cohort of 56 mentor teachers who participated in the National Programme for Teacher Induction. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with four mentor teacher facilitators from different regions across Ireland who were also mentors in their respective schools. Findings – The findings from this exploratory small-scale study suggest that the hierarchical nature of the school context influenced mentor teachers’ perceptions of their leadership and followership roles. They regarded themselves as leaders in a general sense and considered that all members of staff had something to contribute to the leadership process in the school. However, the school context moderated their own perceptions about their individual approaches to leadership. Participants in this study were unclear about the term followership and were reluctant to use it. They considered themselves to be performing a supportive role in the hierarchical structure of the school context. Research limitations/implications – As this is an exploratory qualitative study with a small sample size in a country where the role of a mentor teacher in schools is a relatively new concept, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Future research would benefit from multi-method approaches to data collections that examine variations in followership perceptions from individuals prior to becoming mentors in order for comparisons to be made. Practical implications – The practical implications of this study from a management perspective suggest that followership needs to be considered very carefully in school contexts as a way of contributing to the co-construction of leadership which engages all members of staff. It is clear that there is a need to move away from hierarchical interpretations of middle management posts of responsibility. More emphasis should be placed on the ways in which teachers construct their roles within schools as this impacts upon leadership processes and organizational effectiveness. Equally important is an open acknowledgement of the tensions involved in developing such roles and responsibilities. Originality/value – Followership is not researched widely in schools, particularly with reference to the role of mentor teachers. This is an interesting group as the very nature of their work involves maintaining boundaries and managing multiple relationships. They are generally collaborative in their approach and are well placed to co-construct leadership with their colleagues and their principals with appropriate supports in the school context.

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