Iron and zinc nutrition in the economically-developed world : a review

This review compares iron and zinc food sources, dietary intakes, dietary recommendations, nutritional status, bioavailability and interactions, with a focus on adults in economically-developed countries. The main sources of iron and zinc are cereals and meat, with fortificant iron and zinc potentially making an important contribution. Current fortification practices are concerning as there is little regulation or monitoring of intakes. In the countries included in this review, the proportion of individuals with iron intakes below recommendations was similar to the proportion of individuals with suboptimal iron status. Due to a lack of population zinc status information, similar comparisons cannot be made for zinc intakes and status. Significant data indicate that inhibitors of iron absorption include phytate, polyphenols, soy protein and calcium, and enhancers include animal tissue and ascorbic acid. It appears that of these, only phytate and soy protein also inhibit zinc absorption. Most data are derived from single-meal studies, which tend to amplify impacts on iron absorption in contrast to studies that utilize a realistic food matrix. These interactions need to be substantiated by studies that account for whole diets, however in the interim, it may be prudent for those at risk of iron deficiency to maximize absorption by reducing consumption of inhibitors and including enhancers at mealtimes.<br /

Anaerobic digestion potential of urban organic waste: a case study in Malmo

A study of existing organic waste types in Malmo, Sweden was performed. The purpose was to gather information about organic waste types in the city to be able to estimate the potential for anaerobic treatment in existing digesters at the wastewater treatment plan (WWTP). The urban organic waste types that could have a significant potential for anaerobic digestion amount to about 50 000 tonnes year(-1) (sludge excluded). Some of the waste types were further evaluated by methane potential tests and continuous pilot-scale digestion. Single -substrate digestion and co-digestion of pre-treated, source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste, wastewater sludge, sludge from grease traps and fruit and vegetable waste were carried out. The experiments showed that co-digestion of grease sludge and WWTP sludge was a better way of making use of the methane potential in the grease trap sludge than single-substrate digestion. Another way of increasing the methane production in sludge digesters is to add source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SSOFMSW). Adding SSOFMSW (20% of the total volatile solids) gave a 10-15% higher yield than could be expected by comparison with separate digestion of sludge respective SSOFMSW Co-digestion of sludge and organic waste is beneficial not just for increasing gas production but also for stabilizing the digestion process. This was seen when co-digesting fruit and vegetable waste and sludge. When co-digested with sludge, this waste gave a better result than the separate digestion of fruit and vegetable waste. Considering single-substrate digestion, SSOFMSW is the only waste in the study which makes up a sufficient quantity to be suitable as the base substrate in a full-scale digester that is separated from the sludge digestion. The two types of SSOFMSW tested in the pilot-scale digestion were operated successfully at mesophilic temperature. By adding SSOFMSW, grease trap sludge and fruit and vegetables waste to sludge digesters at the wastewater treatment plant, the yearly energy production from methane could be expected to increase from 24 to 43 GWh

DROID: A mission concept to accompany and characterize Apophis through its 2029 Earth closest approach

International audienc

Cutting Edge Bionics in Highly Impaired Individuals: A Case of Challenges and Opportunities

Highly impaired individuals stand to benefit greatly from cutting-edge bionic technology, however concurrent functional deficits may complicate the adaptation of such technology. Here, we present a case in which a visually impaired individual with bilateral burn injury amputation was provided with a novel transradial neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis comprising skeletal attachment via osseointegration and implanted electrodes in nerves and muscles for control and sensory feedback. Difficulties maintaining implant hygiene and donning and doffing the prosthesis arose due to his contralateral amputation, ipsilateral eye loss, and contralateral impaired vision necessitating continuous adaptations to the electromechanical interface. Despite these setbacks, the participant still demonstrated improvements in functional outcomes and the ability to control the prosthesis in various limb positions using the implanted electrodes. Our results demonstrate the importance of a multidisciplinary, iterative, and patient-centered approach to making cutting-edge technology accessible to patients with high levels of impairment

Albedo and color variegations on 67/P Churyumov-Gerasimenko as observed by OSIRIS/Rosetta

he ESA Rosetta spacecraft is in orbit around its target 67/P Churyumov-Gerasimenko since August 6th 2014. The OSIRIS camera system composed of the NAC (Narrow angle camera) and the WAC (Wide angle Camera) has the capability to image both the nucleus and the coma at different wavelengths from 0.245 microns up to 1 micron using filters. First images acquired from 100km distance have already revealed a very complex shape and potential areas with photometric variations. From August 2014 to the Philae landing event in November 2014, the nucleus surface will be mapped at multiple resolutions (1m up to 20 cm), helping in the landing site selection process. Such images will be obtained at very different incidence, emission and phase angles, allowing us to correct from topographical features the photometric properties of the surface. This presentation will focus on the albedo and colors variations, and on the spectral slopes derived from the OSIRIS filters. Of particular interest will be the identification of ices on the surface, and the mineralogical differences between different areas characterized by different topographic features