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Membrane fatty acid desaturase (FADS)‐like superfamily proteins (FADSs) are essential for the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Recently, studies on FADS in fishes have mostly focused on marine species, and a comprehensive analysis of the FADS superfamily, including the FADS, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD), and sphingolipid delta 4‐desaturase (DEGS) families, in freshwater economic fishes is urgently required. To this end, we conducted a thorough analysis of the number, gene/protein structure, chromosomal location, gene linkage map, phylogeny, and expression of the FADS superfamily. We identified 156 FADSs genes in the genome of 27 representative species. Notably, FADS1 and SCD5 were lost in most freshwater fish and other teleosts. All FADSs proteins contain 4 transmembrane helices and 2–3 amphipathic α‐helices. FADSs in the same family are often linked on the same chromosome; moreover, FADS and SCD or DEGS are frequently collocated on the same chromosome. In addition, FADS, SCD, and DEGS family proteins share similar evolutionary patterns. Interestingly, FADS6, as a member of the FADS family, exhibits a similar gene structure and chromosome location to that of SCD family members, which may be the transitional form of FADS and SCD. This study shed light on the type, structure, and phylogenetic relationship of FADSs in freshwater fishes, offering a new perspective into the functional mechanism analysis of FADSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Levels of the minor FA DGLA are 2-fold higher than AA in term rabbit placentas. • In rabbit placentas, FADS2 and ELOVL5 are expressed at higher levels than in livers. • FADS1 and ELOVL2 are expressed at lower levels in rabbit placentas than in livers. • These gene expression changes may facilitate DGLA production and healthy pregnancies. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are essential for both fetal and placental development. We characterized the FA composition and gene expression levels of FA-metabolizing enzymes in rabbit placentas. Total FA compositions from term rabbit placentas (n = 7), livers, and plasma (both n = 4) were examined: among LCPUFAs with more than three double bonds, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) was the most abundant (11.4 ± 0.69 %, mean ± SE), while arachidonic acid was the second-most rich component (6.90 ± 0.56 %). DGLA was barely detectable (<1 %) in livers and plasma from term rabbits, which was significantly lower than in placentas (both p < 0.0001). Compared with the liver, transcript levels of the LCPUFA-metabolizing enzymes FADS2 and ELOVL5 were 7- and 4.5-fold higher in placentas (both p < 0.05), but levels of FADS1 and ELOVL2 were significantly lower (both p < 0.01). Our results suggest a placenta-specific enzyme expression pattern and LCPUFA profile in term rabbits, which may support a healthy pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have over recent decades, become an integral tool in commercial tuna fisheries due to their increased efficiency over free school catches. Technological development has further aided in their increased usage and reliance by many fleets. The negative consequences of FADs include higher rates of non-target species such as juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tunas. Management of this negative consequence has to date been undertaken by spatial and/or temporal closures to fishing. These closures can result in an economic burden to fishermen via reduced catch rates, coastal states trying to sell access rights to fishing grounds at the same rate with no closure in place, and canneries through variability in supply and subsequent volatility in market prices. This paper examines the economic benefits of replacing closures with FAD set limits which place a hard limit on the total number of FAD sets that can be made in any given period. The analysis indicates that economic gains can be achieved at all levels of the supply chain from the fishing vessel through to the consumer. Highlights • FAD closures cause an economic burden on all parts of the supply chain. • FAD set limits can achieve the same environmental outcome. • FAD set limits can reduce the economic burden across the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As well as physical technology in society and digital technology in society, there is also technology in society within the non-conscious human mind. In particular, unconscious preference for least cognitive effort and subconscious preference for least social resistance can coincide in groupthink about technology in society, which include fads, hype, lock-ins, path dependencies and success traps. Ideation concerned with new applications of technology in society is often constrained by groupthink. In this paper, an exploratory study addressing the influence of these constraints on ideation is reported. The study involved use of nine science-based techniques across the "preparation-incubation-illumination-verification" model of ideation. Findings indicate that the constraining influence of groupthink can be reduced, but much work may be required to do so. Hence, it can be anticipated that technology in society within the non-conscious human mind will continue to exert influence over new applications of physical and virtual technology in society. • Fads, hype, lock-ins, path dependencies, and success traps involve groupthink. • Groupthink often constrains ideation concerned with new applications of technology in society. • Use of multiple techniques can reduce the constraining influence of groupthink during ideation. • Reducing the constraining influence of groupthink on ideation involves much extra work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) can be conceptualized as a conservation and development fad. • Rather than truly novel, many fads appear as part of a larger agenda characterized by (struggling) market-based approaches. • Enthusiasm in FLEGT VPAs is waning and evidence suggests that the next 'latest and greatest' initiative is imminent. • Future initiatives must confront the overarching political economy driving natural resource dilemmas. • And perpetuating business-as-usual in development and conservation funding and implementation. Abstract There has been recent debate around the role of 'fads' in global conservation measures, and the lessons they hold for achieving desired conservation and development outcomes. Fads are characterized by initially widespread enthusiasm and major mobilization of resources followed by abandonment in favor of the next fad. Debate centers less on whether such fads exist, but rather on whether they represent opportunities for incremental policy learning, or are symptomatic of the more systemic failure of a market-based conservation agenda and the reinforcement of existing power inequalities. The European Union (EU)'s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan aims to prevent the trade of illegal timber among the EU and its trading partners especially in the 'Global South'. Fifteen years since launching the Action Plan, we ask whether the processes and outcomes of FLEGT, and specifically the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), resonate with the dynamics observed in other processes dubbed 'fads' within conservation and development arenas, and if so, what we can learn from this. Drawing from interviews, grey literature, and scholarship, we examine FLEGT VPAs as following three key stages of a fad: (1) there is initial enthusiasm by a wide range of actors for FLEGT as something 'new' or ground-breaking, (2) discrepancies and disagreements emerge about its end goals, i.e. whether it's core purpose is to distinguish legal from illegal wood in the EU marketplace, or to achieve deeper governance reforms; while the means for achieving those goals borrow heavily from previous market-based initiatives (3) actors and champions become fatigued, yet at the same time frame elements of their own involvement as a 'success'. Identifying these fad-like characteristics calls into question the 'newness' of FLEGT, by uncovering its many similarities to other market-based measures such as certification that exacerbate inequalities. Hence, branding FLEGT a success without challenging its role in the unequal concentration of power and resources, is likely to further entrench these inequalities in subsequent conservation fads, while a focus on incremental learning misses the larger failures and injustices of market-based approaches and can reinforce their re-emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, little information is available at the Mediterranean scale about the environmental impact of anchored fish aggregating devices (aFADs) such as abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). These devices, mainly made of plastic, are used to concentrate high densities of some pelagic species during fishing activities, representing an important source of marine litter pollution. Based on the scientific literature and the regulatory framework on the Mediterranean dolphinfish FAD fishery, the aim of this work was to describe the Italian context of the FAD fishery and in particular to report a paradoxical situation. We describe the good practices adopted in Sicily for reducing and managing marine litter coming from fisheries using anchored FADs, while on the other hand we report how some of the Italian Ministry's policies have made it impossible for fishermen to comply with the rules. This situation is seriously compromising the efforts made by local communities, with effects on the environment and/or local socio-economic context. These observations underline more than ever the importance of all fishery stakeholders and policy makers working synergistically to manage fishery activities in the best possible way, both from the environmental and socio-economic perspective. Otherwise, sustainable fisheries management will be compromised. The present research proposes new tools for improving management measures in the study area. In particular, work is already in progress to implement, for the first time in Europe, a new fully sustainable FAD. The experience could be transferred to other Mediterranean areas and improve other fishery sectors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• One of the first GWAS of red blood cell fatty acid (RBC-FA) levels. • Many results confirmed findings of another GWAS of RBC-FA. • Twelve genes were identified including ELOVL6 and ACSL6. Despite their widespread associations with a wide variety of disease phenotypes, the genetics of red blood cell fatty acids remains understudied. We present one of the first genome-wide association studies of red blood cell fatty acid levels, using the Women's Health Initiative Memory study – a prospective cohort of N = 7,479 women aged 65–79. Approximately 9 million SNPs were measured directly or imputed and, in separate linear models adjusted for age and genetic principal components of ethnicity, SNPs were used to predict 28 different fatty acids. SNPs were considered genome-wide significant using a standard genome-wide significance level of p < 1 × 10–8. Twelve separate loci were identified, seven of which replicated results of a prior RBC-FA GWAS. Of the five novel loci, two have functional annotations directly related to fatty acids (ELOVL6 and ACSL6). While overall explained variation is low, the twelve loci identified provide strong evidence of direct relationships between these genes and fatty acid levels. Further studies are needed to establish and confirm the biological mechanisms by which these genes may directly contribute to fatty acid levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses several aspects of urban farming in relation to distressed cities in places such as the U.S., and it mentions various fads and social and cultural movements in America. Victory Gardens and the production of agricultural goods are mentioned, along with organic farming and local food movements across the U.S. Other topics include farmers' markets, environmental movements, and sustainable development in America.

Abstract: Female humans and rodents have been shown to have higher 22:6n-3 status and synthesis than males. It is unclear which sex hormone is involved. We investigated the specificity of the effects of physiological concentrations of sex hormones in vitro on the mRNA expression of genes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthesis and on the conversion of [d5]-18:3n-3 to longer chain fatty acids. Progesterone, but not 17α-ethynylestradiol or testosterone, increased FADS2, FADS1, ELOVl 5 and ELOVl 2 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells, but only FADS2 in primary human hepatocytes. In HepG2 cells, these changes were accompanied by hypomethylation of specific CpG loci in the FADS2 promoter. Progesterone, not 17α-ethynylestradiol or testosterone, increased conversion of [d5]-18:3n-3 to 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. These findings show that progesterone increases n-3 PUFA biosynthesis by up-regulating the mRNA expression of genes involved in this pathway, possibly via changes in the epigenetic regulation of FADS2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article addresses the music making of Korean Americans, focusing on their place within the emergent social media environment that has exploded in the last five years and comparing this with the very different environment of the previous decade. Biographical coverage of the careers of three Korean American musicians, two of whom have extensive social media presence, demonstrates how these media, particularly YouTube, represent a fundamental shift in the popular music profession, providing equalizing opportunities that are enabling some to circumvent racial barriers that have long existed and still persist in the major music and entertainment industries in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corruption and talking about it, of late, has become the fad of the present times. In the same row of things the present paper attempts to discuss the issue of corruption in political arena which impairs the entire democratic set up, and resultantly retards the developmental process in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article focuses on the study of fads, fashions and bandwagons that understand imitation behavior and implications for practice, education as well as research in the health care strategy. It states that fads, fashions and bandwagons are the results of systematic analysis which are distinguished from strategic responses to regulatory requirements and efficient strategic choices. On other hand, anecdotal and empirical evidence points to a significant number of imitation behavior in health care strategy.

Fads are a serious problem in education. Fads are destructive because they are quickly abandoned, and therefore, some promising innovations are dismissed before they have been given a fair trial. Innovations become fads partly because there is a tendency for teachers and policy-makers to ignore educational research. This occurs because the education profession has no efficient mechanisms for translation of research findings into practice; teacher education programs have not been successful in convincing teachers of the practical importance of research; many teacher educators lack expertise in, and fail to value, research; much existing educational research is of poor quality; and the debate between advocates of quantitative and qualitative research has diverted attention from performing and publishing excellent research of either kind. More importantly, an innovation may take on fad status because it lacks a logical connection to theory, or because advocates fail to clearly communicate the connections between a particular innovation and its theoretical foundations. Some possible solutions to the problem of fads in education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]