Hasil untuk "Home economics"

Jonathan I. Dingel, Brent Neiman

Evaluating the economic impact of “social distancing” measures taken to arrest the spread of COVID-19 raises a fundamental question about the modern economy: how many jobs can be performed at home? We classify the feasibility of working at home for all occupations and merge this classification with occupational employment counts. We find that 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home, with significant variation across cities and industries. These jobs typically pay more than jobs that cannot be done at home and account for 46% of all US wages. Applying our occupational classification to 85 other countries reveals that lower-income economies have a lower share of jobs that can be done at home.

Akeem Olalekan Adelu, Margret Iyabode Dania

This study investigated the proximate composition, mineral content, physicochemical characteristics, bacterial viability, and sensory attributes of soybean–coconut composite milk yoghurts formulated in different ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) of soybean to coconut milk, codename SCMY01 to SCMY05. The moisture content of approximately 86% with no significant difference among the samples, dominates the proximate results. A gradual reduction in protein (3.79–1.21%) was observed with higher coconut substitution. Sample SCMY05 had the highest fat content (6.48%). Ash, crude fibre, and carbohydrate were highest in sample SCMY01 (0.71, 0.41, and 7.11%). Mineral analysis revealed that soybean-dominant samples were richer in calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, whereas potassium levels were significantly higher in coconut-rich formulations (202.25 to 220.10mg/100g). Physicochemical assessment revealed a decline in pH (4.35–3.90) and an increase in titratable acidity (0.70–1.05%) as the coconut content increased, accompanied by a substantial improvement in total solids (12.00–21.25%). No significant difference was observed in total soluble solid results. Microbial counts ranged from (7.2–8.5 log₁₀ cfu/ml), with soybean-based samples supporting relatively higher microbial growth. Sensory analysis revealed that 100% coconut milk yoghurt was most favoured in terms of colour, taste, flavour, and overall acceptability, whereas soybean-based yoghurt, despite being nutritionally superior, was less accepted due to its pronounced beany flavour. This study highlight soybean–coconut composite yoghurt as a sustainable and health-promoting alternative to dairy yoghurt, with prospects for broader consumer acceptance and commercialization.

Annie McGrew, Yana Rodgers

With the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many U.S. employers announced they would reimburse employees for abortion-related travel expenses. This action complements increasingly common employer policies subsidizing employee access to assisted reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilization and egg freezing. This article reflects on why employers offer these benefits and whether they enhance or undermine reproductive justice. From the employer's perspective, abortion and assisted reproductive technologies help women to plan childbearing around the demands of their jobs. Both are associated with delayed childbirth and reduced fertility, which lower the costs of motherhood to employers. However, firm subsidization of these services does not further reproductive justice because it reifies structures which incentivize women to delay childbirth and reduce fertility, and it reinforces economic and reproductive inequalities. We conclude by questioning whether reproductive justice is possible without transforming the economy so that it prioritizes care over profits.

Y. Miyauchi, Kentaro Nakajima, Stephen J. Redding

We develop a tractable quantitative framework for modelling the rich patterns of spatial mobility observed in smartphone data. We show that travel is frequently undertaken as part of a travel itinerary, defined as a journey starting and ending at home that can include more than one intermediate stop on a given day. We show that these travel itineraries provide microfoundations for consumption externalities and generate both complementarity and substitutability between locations. We show that the consumption externalities implied by travel itineraries are central to matching quasi-experimental evidence from the shift to WFH. We find that these consumption externalities are key drivers of the agglomeration of economic activity in central cities and shape the relative welfare gains from alternative transport improvements in favor of investments in central cities.

Xuejie Gao, Xuejie Gao, Yuyun Chen et al.

ObjectiveThis study examines the association between serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in adolescents, along with potential modifying factors.MethodsData from 950 adolescents aged 12–18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 were analyzed. MAFLD was defined using hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunction criteria. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured, and weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were applied to assess their association with MAFLD risk. Stratified analyses were also conducted.ResultsLower serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with higher MAFLD risk (p < 0.001), showing a nonlinear dose-response relationship. Adolescents with 25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L had a 57% lower risk of MAFLD compared to those with levels < 50 nmol/L. Stratified analysis indicated that the protective effect of vitamin D was more evident in individuals with higher retinol levels, though retinol alone was not significantly associated with MAFLD.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with MAFLD in adolescents, with a nonlinear dose-response relationship modulated by retinol status. These findings underscore the potential role of vitamin D in MAFLD prevention and provide a basis for further prospective or intervention studies.

Yhlas Sovbetov, Mohamed Moussa

This paper studies the macroeconomic impact of economic freedom on foreign direct investments inflows in both global and regional panel analyses involving 156 countries through the period of 1995-2016. Unlike to prior literature, it includes often neglected nations such as Fragile and Conflict-Affected states, Sub-Saharan, Oceanian, and Post-Soviet countries. The paper finds a positive impact of economic freedom on FDI under fixed-effects model in global case where a unit change in economic freedom scales FDI inflows up to 1.15 units. More specifically, all 9 regions also refer to positive and significant impact of economic freedom on FDI. The highest impact is recorded in European countries, whereas the lowest ones are documented in Fragile-Conflict affected states, Sub-Saharan zone, and Oceanian countries.

Bahram Adrangi, Arjun Chatrath, Saman Hatamerad et al.

This study investigates the relationship between the market volatility of the iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and economic and market sentiment indicators from the United States, China, and globally during periods of economic uncertainty. Specifically, it examines the association between AIA volatility and key indicators such as the US Economic Uncertainty Index (ECU), the US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (EPU), China's Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (EPUCH), the Global Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (GEPU), and the Chicago Board Options Exchange's Volatility Index (VIX), spanning the years 2007 to 2023. Employing methodologies such as the two-covariate GARCH-MIDAS model, regime-switching Markov Chain (MSR), and quantile regressions (QR), the study explores the regime-dependent dynamics between AIA volatility and economic/market sentiment, taking into account investors' sensitivity to market uncertainties across different regimes. The findings reveal that the relationship between realized volatility and sentiment varies significantly between high- and low-volatility regimes, reflecting differences in investors' responses to market uncertainties under these conditions. Additionally, a weak association is observed between short-term volatility and economic/market sentiment indicators, suggesting that these indicators may have limited predictive power, especially during high-volatility regimes. The QR results further demonstrate the robustness of MSR estimates across most quantiles. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between market volatility and economic/market sentiment, offering practical implications for investors and policymakers.

Yhlas Sovbetov, Muhittin Kaplan

Although empirical literature regarding the Phillips curve is sizeable enough, there is still no wide consensus on its validity and stability. The literature shows that the Phillips relationship is fragile and varies across countries and time periods; a statistical relationship that appears strong during one decade (country) may be weak the next (other). This variability might have some grounds for idiosyncrasy of a country and its economic environment. To address it, this paper scrutinizes the Phillips relationship over 41 countries over the period 1980-2016, paying attention to how inflation dynamics behave during tranquil and recessionary periods. As a result, the paper confirms the variability of the Phillips relationship across countries, as well as time periods. It documents that the relationship holds in the majority of developed countries, while it fails to hold in emerging and frontier economies during tranquil periods. On the other hand, the relationship totally collapses during recessionary periods, even in developed markets. This shows that tranquillity of economic environment is significantly important for the Phillip trade-off to work smoothly. Moreover, both backward- and forward-looking fractions of inflation remarkably increase during recessionary periods as a result of the Phillips coefficient loses its significance within the model. This indicates that markets become more inflation-sensitive during these periods.

Tiantian Zhao, Guowan Su, Lijun Zhang et al.

Abstract Food‐derived peptides have garnered significant attention in research due to their multifaceted functionalities, abundant availability, efficient utilization of agricultural by‐products, and environmentally sustainable preparation methods. These peptides play a crucial role in human health, yet their precise mechanisms of action remain largely unexplored, posing challenges in their screening, preparation, and effective application utilizing protein‐based raw materials. This review offers an extensive examination of 19 types of bioactive peptides derived from food. The sources of food‐derived bioactive peptides are well concluded and the classifications are made according to their potential health benefit based on five primary systems: general bodily functions, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the metabolic system, and the immune system. This review specifically highlights the multifaceted impacts of tasty peptides on human health, extending beyond their gustatory effects. Furthermore, it explores the interplay between various functions of bioactive peptides, noting a progression from basic to advanced functionalities. Antioxidant activity and the modulation of key enzymes are identified as fundamental actions that are interconnected with other functional properties. This implies that a single bioactive peptide could exhibit multiple beneficial effects. The key role of antioxidant capabilities is underscored based on their broad influence and straightforward assessment. This comprehensive analysis aims to deepen the systematic understanding of the diverse benefits offered by various food‐derived peptides.

Chunge Cao, Dajun Cai, Hao Liu et al.

IntroductionThe relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and cervical cancer is inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between SUA levels and cervical cancer incidence, and to evaluate the potential role of nutritional interventions in cervical cancer prevention.MethodsWe conducted a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genetic instruments from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of individuals of predominantly European ancestry. Methods such as inversevariance weighted, weighted-median, weighted model, and MR-Egger were applied. Sensitivity tests, including leave-one-out, MR-PRESSO, and Cochran’s Q test, assessed heterogeneity and pleiotropy.ResultsOur findings revealed that a high SUA concentration significantly increased the risk of malignant cervical cancer: a 1 mg/mL increase in SUA was associated with a 71% higher risk (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.10–2.67; p = 0.018). Stratification by histological type showed a significant causal effect on cervical adenocarcinoma risk (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.14–5.73; p = 0.023). However, no clear evidence was found for a causal effect of cervical cancer on SUA levels.ConclusionThis study identified a causal relationship between elevated SUA levels and the risk of malignant cervical cancer, particularly cervical adenocarcinoma. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of cervical carcinogenesis and suggest that managing SUA levels could be a potential strategy for cervical cancer prevention through dietary management.

Angel Alois Osorio Manyari, Azucena Lirio Armas Alvarez, Joel Davis Osorio Manyari et al.

Background: The effect of metabolic surgery on long-term diabetes remission in Asian patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 has not been widely reported. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from inception to June 2024. All clinical trials and observational studies involving the effect of metabolic surgery in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and BMI <30 kg/m2 were considered. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Of the 1175 studies screened, 21 studies (11 prospective and 10 retrospective), including 1005 patients, were selected. Only one study had a control group. The longest follow-up was 60 months. The results showed significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), fasting C-peptide, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and a reduction in the use of oral hypoglycemic agents/insulin at 12, 24, 36, and 60 months after metabolic surgery. The most common surgical complications observed were anemia (2.1 %–33 %), marginal ulcer (4.2 %–17.3 %), gastrointestinal bleeding (1.9 %–12 %), anastomotic leak (2.1 %–3.5 %), anastomotic stenosis (2.1 %–3.5 %), reoperation (1.18 %), and a mortality rate of zero. Conclusions: Long-term diabetes remission, along with improvements in HbA1c, 2hPG, FBG, and HOMA-IR, with an acceptable rate of complications, was observed in Asian patients with BMI <30 kg/m2 after metabolic surgery. Future research with controlled studies should focus on preoperative patient selection criteria beyond just the BMI cutoff.

Alicja Kucharska, Beata Irena Sińska, Mariusz Panczyk et al.

IntroductionDietary fiber is a key component of a healthy diet, associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, chronic inflammation, or depression. The aim of the study was to perform an in-depth analysis of dietary fiber intake in the Polish population, taking account of the consumption of groups of products that are fiber sources and identify any age-related differences in the dietary fiber intake of the subjects.MethodsWe analyzed data obtained from two representative cross-sectional studies on the diet and nutritional status of adult Polish residents including the total of 4,000 individuals aged 19 years and more. Two 24-h recalls were used per individual to assess the diet using the computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) technique. Total fiber content and fiber contained in cereal products, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds were calculated. Fiber intake was compared to the recommendations: 25 g/d for adults up to 65 years of age and 20 g/d for those aged 66 years and older. All statistical analyses, including the Pearson’s chi-squared test, the Student’s t-test, and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), were conducted using STATISTICA™ version 13.3, with the results being adjusted for demographic distribution biases to enhance the representativeness.ResultsThe average daily fiber intake was 17.83 ± 0.14 g/day (78% of the recommended intake), with 20.5% of respondents meeting the requirement. More men than women (27.05% vs. 14.3%;) met the requirement and men were characterized by a higher average intake (19.34 ± 0.20 g/day) than women (16.43 ± 0.19 g/day). The main fiber sources were cereals (44.1%), vegetables (23.6%), and fruits (16.0%). As regards men, the sources included refined bread (25.8%), vegetables (23.1%), and fruits (10.2%) and for women, they were vegetables (24.0%), fruits (17.2%), and refined bread (16.3%). Although refined bread is not recommended as a primary fiber source due to its lower fiber content compared to whole grain bread, its high consumption significantly contributed to the total fiber intake.ConclusionThe prevalence of widespread dietary fiber deficiency calls for the intensification of educational efforts that address the health advantages and sources of dietary fiber, as well as methods for its inclusion in daily meals.

Silvia Andrés González-Moralejo

Abstract This study analyzes the changes that have occurred in food logistics in the three years since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the one year since the war in Ukraine commenced. Food logistics companies are highly sensitive to demand shocks, energy prices, and staff availability. In this study, “first-hand” information was collected in the Iberian Peninsula, and it showed a process of Schumpeterian transformation. This crisis environment in which food logistics companies have been operating has opened a unique opportunity to renew operating procedures and seek new solutions, products, and markets. Therefore, food logistics companies have developed more effective communication strategies and innovative, profitable, and forward-looking commercial strategies to adapt to the new needs of their clients, applied more efficient transport planning and management methods, implemented new technologies to increase automation and digitization in warehouses, transport platforms, and trucks, and boosted market concentration and investment in infrastructure. Therefore, public authorities and top executives must focus on promoting and facilitating these improvements.

Sebastian T. Braun, Jan Stuhler

Despite millions of war widows worldwide, little is known about the economic consequences of being widowed by war. We use life history data from West Germany to show that war widowhood increased women's employment immediately after World War II but led to lower employment rates later in life. War widows, therefore, carried a double burden of employment and childcare while their children were young but left the workforce when their children reached adulthood. We show that the design of compensation policies likely explains this counterintuitive life-cycle pattern and examine potential spillovers to the next generation.

Mingming Qiu, Elie Najm, Rémi Sharrock et al.

A smart home is realized by setting up various services. Several methods have been proposed to create smart home services, which can be divided into knowledge-based and data-driven approaches. However, knowledge-based approaches usually require manual input from the inhabitant, which can be complicated if the physical phenomena of the concerned environment states are complex, and the inhabitant does not know how to adjust related actuators to achieve the target values of the states monitored by services. Moreover, machine learning-based data-driven approaches that we are interested in are like black boxes and cannot show the inhabitant in which situations certain services proposed certain actuators' states. To solve these problems, we propose a hybrid system called HKD-SHO (Hybrid Knowledge-based and Data-driven services based Smart HOme system), where knowledge-based and machine learning-based data-driven services are profitably integrated. The principal advantage is that it inherits the explicability of knowledge-based services and the dynamism of data-driven services. We compare HKD-SHO with several systems for creating dynamic smart home services, and the results show the better performance of HKD-SHO.

David Boto‐García, J. F. Baños Pino

Second-home tourism is a popular tourism activity by which people spend leisure time away from home at second residences. Given the budget constraint, savings from not having to pay for the accommodation might produce expenditure reallocation effects on other items. This paper examines the differences in expenditure between tourists who stay at market accommodations versus those at second homes considering distinct categories. Using microdata for around 37,000 tourists in Spain travelling in the summer periods of 2017, 2018 and 2019, we estimate Craggit-type regressions to study potential reallocation effects in recreational activities, bars and restaurants, and other items including purchases at supermarkets and goods for personal care. We find that tourists at second homes spend significantly less in bars and restaurants, tourism activities and other items. There is no evidence of reallocation effects in expenditure at destination, suggesting that the economic contribution of second-home tourism is lower than typically assumed.

EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM), Dieter Schrenk, Margherita Bignami et al.

Abstract The European Commission requested EFSA to provide an assessment of the processing conditions which make Ambrosia seeds non‐viable in feed materials and compound feed. This assessment also includes information on a reliable procedure to verify the non‐viability of the seeds. Ambrosia seeds are known contaminants in feed with maximum levels set in the Directive 2002/32/EC. The manufacturing processes and processing conditions applied to the feed may affect the viability of the Ambrosia seeds. Therefore, the CONTAM Panel compared these conditions with conditions that have been shown to be sufficient to render Ambrosia seeds non‐viable. The Panel concluded with a certainty of 99–100% that solvent extraction and toasting of oilseed meals at temperatures of 120°C with steam injection for 10 min or more will make Ambrosia seeds non‐viable. Since milling/grinding feed materials for compound feed of piglets, aquatic species and non‐food producing animals would not allow particles of sizes ≥1 mm (the minimum size of viable Ambrosia seeds) passing the grinding process it was considered very likely (with ≥ 90% certainty) that these feeds will not contain viable Ambrosia seeds. In poultry, pig, and possibly cattle feed, particle sizes are ≥ 1 mm and therefore Ambrosia seeds could likely (66–90% certainty) survive the grinding process. Starch and gluten either from corn or wheat wet milling would not contain Ambrosia seeds with 99–100% certainty. Finally, ensiling fresh forages contaminated with A. artemisiifolia seeds for more than 3 months is very likely to render all seeds non‐viable. The Panel concluded that a combination of the germination test and a subsequent triphenyl‐tetrazolium‐chloride (TTC) test will very likely (with ≥ 90% certainty) verify the non‐viability of Ambrosia seeds. The Panel recommends that data on the presence of viable Ambrosia seeds before and after the different feed production processes should be generated.

Adena R. Rissman, Ana Fochesatto, Erin B. Lowe et al.

Perennial grasslands, including prairie and pasture, have declined with tremendous environmental and social costs. This decline reflects unequal policy support for grasslands and managed grazing compared to row crops. To create a resource for community partners and decision-makers, we reviewed and analyzed the policy tools and implementation capacity that supports and constrains grasslands and managed grazing in the U.S. Upper Midwest. Risk reduction subsidies for corn and soybeans far outpace the support for pasture. Some states lost their statewide grazing specialist when the federal Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative lapsed. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service support for lands with prescribed grazing practices declined after 2005 but remained relatively steady 2010–2020. These results reveal the policy disadvantage for grasslands and managed grazing in comparison with row crop agriculture for milk and meat production. Grassland and grazing policies have an important nexus with water quality, biodiversity, carbon and outdoor recreation policy. Socially just transitions to well-managed, grazed grasslands require equity-oriented interventions that support community needs. We synthesized recommendations for national and state policy that farmers and other grazing professionals assert would support perennial grasslands and grazing, including changes in insurance, conservation programs, supply chains, land access, and fair labor. These policies would provide critical support for grass-based agriculture and prairies that we hope will help build soil, retain nutrients, reduce flooding and enhance biodiversity while providing healthy food, jobs, and communities.

Gopika Ajaykumar, Chien-Ming Huang

Artificial intelligence technologies that can assist with at-home tasks have the potential to help older adults age in place. Robot assistance in particular has been applied towards physical and cognitive support for older adults living independently at home. Surveys, questionnaires, and group interviews have been used to understand what tasks older adults want robots to assist them with. We build upon prior work exploring older adults' task preferences for robot assistance through field interviews situated within older adults' aging contexts. Our findings support results from prior work indicating older adults' preference for physical assistance over social and care-related support from robots and indicating their preference for control when adopting robot assistance, while highlighting the variety of individual constraints, boundaries, and needs that may influence their preferences.

Demi Ryan, Anna Karpinska, Patrick J. Forrestal et al.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant macro-nutrient applied to soil in agriculture, mainly sourced from non-renewable mined phosphate-rock, of which readily accessible reserves are currently under pressure, while global food demand continues to grow. Meanwhile, an abundance of P is lost in waste-streams. Hence, bio-based fertilizers are increasingly produced using nutrient-recovery technologies and evaluated as a sustainable fertilizer alternative. However, there is little knowledge of how these products affect soil microorganisms. In this study, four new phosphate bio-based fertilizers (two struvite and two incinerator ashes) were assessed in permanent grassland-plots to understand their impact on soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode community responses. The experiment consisted of 40 plots (each 6 × 2 m2) of 8 treatments (2 struvite, 2 ash, cattle slurry, 100% mineral fertilizer, zero P fertilizer, and a control without fertilization) with 5 replications arranged in a randomized complete block design. Community data were obtained by amplicon sequencing of DNA extracted from soil samples and subsequent analysis of community composition, diversity, structure and influencing environmental variables. Diversity of the soil microorganisms was maintained by all bio-based fertilizer treatments. Results showed that soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode communities of the struvite-treatments were similar to those in 100% mineral treatment. Communities in ash-treatments were more disturbed in their compositions, abundances and structures, possibly due to their high pH and heavy metal content. From canonical correspondence analysis, available P, K, and Mg, as well as plant P uptake and biomass yield, were identified as factors significantly influencing bacterial and nematode communities across different treatment groups. In particular, the abundance of environmental disturbance sensitive nematodes (e.g., Dorylaimida) was significantly reduced by one of the ash products. Overall, results indicate that both struvites are benign to soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode communities and can be safely applied as a source of renewable P to meet crop nutrition requirement. The ash products require further investigations before recommending their regular application as fertilizer. As the application of novel bio-based fertilizers will increase in the foreseeable future, the findings of this study would be valuable to feed into developing environmental risk assessment protocols.