A comparative assessment of local municipal food policy integration in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT

Local governments around the world increasingly engage in food governance, aiming to address food system challenges such as obesity, food waste, or food insecurity. However, the extent to which municipalities have actually integrated food across their policies remains unknown. This study addresses this question by conducting a medium-n systematic content analysis of local food policy outputs of 31 Dutch municipalities. Policy outputs were coded for the food goals and instruments adopted by local governments. Our analysis shows that most municipalities integrate food to a limited extent only, predominantly addressing health and local food production or consumption. Furthermore, municipalities seem hesitant to use coercive instruments and predominantly employ informative and organizational instruments. Nonetheless, a small number of municipalities have developed more holistic approaches to address food challenges. These cities may prove to be a leading group in the development of system-based approaches in Dutch local food policy.     

Super-Resolution Imaging of the A- and B-Type Lamin Networks: A Comparative Study of Different Fluorescence Labeling Procedures

A- and B-type lamins are type V intermediate filament proteins. Mutations in the genes encoding these lamins cause rare diseases, collectively called laminopathies. A fraction of the cells obtained from laminopathy patients show aberrations in the localization of each lamin subtype, which may represent only the minority of the lamina disorganization. To get a better insight into more delicate and more abundant lamina abnormalities, the lamin network can be studied using super-resolution microscopy. We compared confocal scanning laser microscopy and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy in combination with different fluorescence labeling approaches for the study of the lamin network. We demonstrate the suitability of an immunofluorescence staining approach when using STED microscopy, by determining the lamin layer thickness and the degree of lamin A and B1 colocalization as detected in fixed fibroblasts (co-)stained with lamin antibodies or (co-)transfected with EGFP/YFP lamin constructs. This revealed that immunofluorescence staining of cells does not lead to consequent changes in the detected lamin layer thickness, nor does it influence the degree of colocalization of lamin A and B1, when compared to the transfection approach. Studying laminopathy patient dermal fibroblasts (LMNA c.1130G>T (p.(Arg377Leu)) variant) confirmed the suitability of immunofluorescence protocols in STED microscopy, which circumvents the need for less convenient transfection steps. Furthermore, we found a significant decrease in lamin A/C and B1 colocalization in these patient fibroblasts, compared to normal human dermal fibroblasts. We conclude that super-resolution light microscopy combined with immunofluorescence protocols provides a potential tool to detect structural lamina differences between normal and laminopathy patient fibroblasts.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of alpha-GalCer epimers

alpha-GalCer (also known as KRN7000) is an immunomodulatory glycolipid that is known to potently activate invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells upon CD1d-mediated stimulation. Because Th1 and Th2 cytokines, which are released after alpha-GalCer presentation, antagonize each other's effects, alpha-GalCer analogues that induce a biased Th1/Th2 response are highly awaited. In this context, we report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of alpha-Gal-D-xylo-Cer and two alpha-Gal-L-lyxo-Cer analogues, one with the natural acyl chain, the other with a truncated chain.     

Increasing robustness against changes in the interferent structure by incorporating prior information in the augmented classical least-squares framework

A class of multivariate calibration methods called augmented classical least squares (ACLS) has been proposed which combines an explicit linear additive model with the predictive power of inverse models, such as principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS). Because of its use of the explicit linear additive model, ACLS provides an interesting framework to incorporate different sources of prior information, such as measured pure component spectra, in the model. In this study, the predictive power of ACLS models incorporating different amounts of prior information has been compared to that of PCR and PLS using two examples, a designed experiment and one with biological samples. In both cases, the ACLS models showed predictive power comparable to PLS under idealized validation conditions. When a different interferent structure was present in the validation samples, the predictive power of the inverse models (PCR and PLS) dramatically decreased, with an increase in root-mean-squared error of prediction by a factor of 3.5 for the first example and a factor of 2 in the second example. The incorporation of prior information in the ACLS framework was found to considerably reduce or even completely remove these dramatic effects, especially when the pure component contributions for the interferents were taken into account.     

Expression of the low-affinity p75 nerve growth factor receptor in the developing rat pituitary gland

We investigated, by means of in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled RNA probe, the expression of the low-affinity p75 nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) in the developing pituitary primordium of the rat. In 13-day pc embryos, intense staining of p75 NGFR mRNA was present in the cytoplasm of all cells of Rathke's pouch. In day-17 pc embryos p75 NGFR expression was present primarily in the cells of the intermediate lobe. In the newborn rat pituitary only very weak staining was observed, predominantly in the intermediate lobe. In neural structures the staining at day 13 pc was comparable to that of day 17 pc. Since p75 expression is seen very early during pituitary development and declines during the time the expression of pituitary hormonal phenotypes are steadily increasing, we suggest that the p75 NGFR expression in Rathke's pouch may play a temporally defined role in the commitment rather than in the differentiation of the various pituitary cell types.     

Cover Image,Volume 93, Issue 8

The cover image, by Marie AF Delgove et al., is based on the Research Article Application of a thermostable Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase for the synthesis of branched polyester precursors, DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5623 .

     

Investigating the relationship between success factors and student participation in online and blended learning in adult education

Online and blended learning (OBL) is valued, but it also offers challenges. Literature indicates that OBL can enhance access to education and increase flexibility for students. However, the reported dropout rates indicate that student participation in OBL programmes is a concern. Scientifically valid knowledge about how factors that help students participate in OBL are related to student participation is necessary for quality improvement of OBL. This knowledge can help professionals determine what they need to improve in their institution and how to prioritize those improvements. In this study, we report on the validation of a quality instrument with indicators related to quality dimensions present in quality management frameworks and important success factors that aid student participation in OBL. These success factors are as follows: credibility, transparency, flexibility, accessibility, interactivity, personalization, and productivity. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) method is suitable for validating complex models in studies where predictive accuracy is important. According to adult students, all success factors, except flexibility, are important for aiding OBL participation. Adult students perceive that the quality dimensions of learning activities and student support (related to interactivity) deserve priority in improving participation in OBL in adult education.     

Numerical and experimental analysis of the vibration serviceability of the Bears’ Cage footbridge

The Bears’ Cage footbridge is a slender steel structure with a single span. Its dynamic behaviour is predicted based on a refined finite-element (FE) model and the vibration serviceability is assessed according to the current codes of practice. The assessment indicates a high susceptibility to human-induced vibrations with disturbing vibration levels even for sparse pedestrian densities. To validate the predicted behaviour of the structure, an extensive experimental study is performed including static deflection and dynamic vibration tests. The analysis shows that statically, the longitudinal movement of the supports on one side of the span can be considered unconstrained, indicating a behaviour of the sliding pot bearings as designed. Due to the footbridge’s arch-like shape, the longitudinal stiffness of the supports highly influences the natural frequency of the fundamental bending mode. The analysis shows that the longitudinal stiffness of sliding pot bearings and the structural inherent damping ratio of the fundamental mode significantly reduces once an initial friction level in the sliding pot bearings is overcome as the result of a significant movement at the supports. The vibration serviceability is reassessed based on the calibrated FE model and shows that even for high pedestrian densities, maximum vibration comfort is ensured.     

Access to premium content on mobile television platforms: The case of mobile sports

As broadcasting sports content has proved to be a popular strategy for driving the growth of the digital premium content marketplace in the past, mobile service operators aim to enter the sports rights market. However, as the markets for live sports broadcasting are still dominated by established broadcasters, mobile network operators are facing significant barriers to access premium content creating bottlenecks in the construction of business models. Therefore, content regulation is seen as essential for the development of mobile television platforms. This article aims to stress the strategic importance of content in the development of sustainable business models for mobile broadcasting services and will discuss the implications of bundling strategies and regulations for the viability of these emerging platforms.