FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: HOMEOWNERSHIP AND SOCIAL CAPITAL AMONG LOW‐ TO MODERATE‐INCOME FAMILIES

ABSTRACT: This research explores whether homeownership leads to increased individual social capital among low‐ to moderate‐income families. Social capital refers to social resources a person can access through contacts with others in his or her social networks. We theorize that homeownership can motivate interactions with others in one's neighborhood and therefore build social capital. Using a sample of low‐ and moderate‐income homeowners and a matched sample of renters, we collect data on overall social resources and neighborhood‐specific social resources. We find that homeowners have more total social capital resources and more neighborhood social capital resources than renters. Neighborhood group involvement has an indirect effect on social capital, but explains only a small amount of the influence of homeownership. These findings hold when controlling for household‐level and neighborhood‐level sociodemographic variables, as well as when using statistical models that account for endogeneity. Based on this evidence, we conclude that homeownership gives people access to social capital via increased social ties to others. We discuss the implications of this finding for housing policy and suggest new directions for research on social capital.     

STATE ANTIPREDATORY LENDING LAWS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FORECLOSURE RATES

ABSTRACT: In this study, we examine the impact of state antipredatory lending laws (APLs) on neighborhood foreclosure and delinquency rates using a set of panel data regression models. We find strong evidence that neighborhoods have lower default rates in states with laws that extended federal coverage and/or restricted more mortgage contract terms, in states with broader coverage of subprime loans with high points and fees, and in states with more restrictive regulations on prepayment penalties. A typical APL lowers neighborhood default rates by between 3.8% and 18%, depending on the default risk measure considered. The findings remain consistent when we restrict the analysis to cross‐border neighborhoods, suggesting that they are not due solely to unobservable market variation.     

Calculation of the variation of the heat of desorption with moisture content on the basis of the BET theory

Data of water desorption on different food products were analysed from the point of view of the BET theory. A plot of log C against 1/T as used for the independent evaluation of E₁-E_L and the pre-exponential a₁b₂/b₁a₂, in the expression for the constant C of the BET theory. It was found that a₁b₂/b₁a₂, may range from 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁶ and the E₁ - E_L values are correspondingly much higher than usual. An equation has been obtained within the framework of the BET theory for the dependence of the net heat of desorption on moisture content. In the present analysis the variation of the monolayer value with temperature is considered by means of a simple empirical equation. The results are compared with the heats of desorption calculated directly by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.     

STARCH MOBILIZATION AND SUCROSE ACCUMULATION IN THE PULP OF KEITT MANGOES DURING POSTHARVEST RIPENING

Sugar is a determinant for the quality of mangoes, but information about its accumulation is scarce. Although starch can contribute to sugar production during ripening, not much is known about the enzymes involved. This work presents the changes in carbohydrate and enzymes during the development and ripening of Keitt mangoes. Starch disappearance was concomitant to a fivefold increase of sucrose, the most abundant sugar of the ripe fruits. The activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, phosphorylase and isoamylase were detected in the pulp, and while α-amylase increased parallel to the starch content, β-amylase presented a 20-fold increase during ripening. On the other hand, high phosphorylase activity was observed when fruits were still accumulating starch, and lowered during ripening. Isoamylase was detected during development and increased slightly during ripening, which would be in agreement to the expected role for isoamylases as acting on both subproduct of starch synthesis and degradation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The present work reinforces our previous works that Keitt mangoes do not ripen when attached to the tree. This fact allowed us to study all the starch degradation after mango harvesting which does not occur with the other cultivars. Data obtained in this work reinforce the role of α-amylase, β-amylase and isoamylase rather than the starch phosphorylases on starch granule degradation in mangoes, and the subsequent soluble sugar accumulation.     

Determination of Individual Simple Sugars in Aqueous Solution by Near Infrared Spectrophotometry

An approach is presented for using near infrared region (NIR) spectrophotometry to determine the individual simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) in aqueous solutions ranging from 3 - 52% (w/w). The 95% confidence limits of the method for glucose, fructose, and sucrose were ≦ 1.3, 1.0, 0.9%, respectively.     

Solute Effects at High Water Activity on Nonenzymatic Browning of Glucose-Lysine Solutions

The effect of different polyols (glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, 1,3-butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol200, and polyethylene glycol 400) and various alkali metal chlorides (KCl, NaCl, LiCl, and CsCl) on the kinetics of nonenzymatic browning in glucose-lysine solutions, of high water activity (a_w) was studied. No particular inhibitory or promoting effect on browning of glucose-lysine solutions, when adjusting a, with the various polyols, was found. The alkali metal chlorides had a significant influence on the rate of browning and the relative effect of cations (Li > Na > K, Cs) paralleled the hydrated ionicradii in solutions.     

Comparison between Measured and Model ( LBLand BRE) Predicted Infiltration Rates for a Passive Solar Test Cell

The pressurization technique is applied to the test cell at the JRC, Ispra, and important parameters for the LBL and BRE air infiltration models are calculated. The predictions of these models are compared with the tracer gas (SF₆) measurements. The differences between measured and predicted values of the air infiltration rates axe quite large. When the model parameters calculated from the tracer gas measurements are used, both models predict infiltration rates in good agreement with the field measurements. This means the physical models are acceptable but there is a need to refine the procedure for determination of model parameters.     

Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG addition in ice cream

A 2⁴ full factorial experimental design was applied to verify the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) addition in retail-manufactured ice cream stored at two different freezing temperatures (−16°C and −28°C) and containing two different levels of sugar (15–22%) and fat (5–10%). In addition to microbial counts, the pH, acidity, viscosity of the mixes and functional properties of the ice creams were evaluated. Both fresh and frozen-thawed LGG cells underwent preliminary resistance tests to bile, antibiotics and acidity. The LGG strain proved to be highly resistant to most of the stress factors. When the micro-organism was added to ice cream mixes in a quantity of 10⁸ cfu/g, it did not change the overrun, firmness or melting behaviour of the finished product. Regardless of formulation, no count decay of LGG cells was observed in ice cream stored for up to 1 year.