Isotopic Study of Siderite Concretion, Tuscarawas County, Ohio

Author Institution: Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Ohio State University ; Division of Geological Survey, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Fountain SquareA carbonate concretion from the shale bed overlying the No. 5 coal of Pennsylvanian age in Tuscarawas County is composed of siderite and contains pyrite, barite, sphalerite and traces of calcite in its interior and in fractures. The siderite has 8I 3C= +0.65%o, Sr=289 ppm and 87Sr/86Sr=0.7110±0.0009- These results indicate that the siderite was deposited from brackish water in the pore spaces of the sediment and discredit the hypothesis that the carbonate ions originated by oxidation of peat or organic material. The barite has 8 S=— 4.6%o, indicating that it was not precipitated from sea water. Pyrite and sphalerite have 8 S= — 10.8%o and — 4.6%o, respectively, and were not deposited in isotopic equilibrium with each other. The sulfur in all three minerals is enriched in l6S as a result of bacterial reduction of sulfate to sulfide

The Role of Civil Society in Spotlighting Nutrition

Implementation of nutrition interventions and agendas must be accompanied by a good understanding of nutrition among political players, policymakers and the general public. Civil society has a unique role of creating demand and building consciousness towards the importance of nutrition at all levels and among all key stakeholders in nutrition development. Awareness-raising and demand creation are key components of the story of change that has seen public involvement in an issue as important to development as nutrition. As a result, there has been meaningful involvement of the population, especially beneficiaries who are key in determining which interventions should receive most emphasis to bring about lasting improvements in nutrition status. A nutrition-conscious population will always seek for what is best in terms of nutrition, including holding to account duty bearers in the implementation process through effective monitoring mechanisms

Analyses of Ohio coals, 1977-1978

Chiefly tables

In vitro determination of the protein quality of maize varieties cultivated in Malawi using the INFOGEST digestion method

There is an urgent need to alleviate protein deficiencies in low-income countries where cereal-based diets dominate. The objective of this study was to use the INFOGEST static digestion method and a recently established analytical workflow to determine the in vitro amino acid digestibility and protein quality of seven maize varieties grown in Malawi. Protein quality was measured using the in vitro digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). Amino acid digestibility was higher for the dehulled, low fibre, provitamin A maize flour (66%), compared to whole grain maize flours (51 – 61%), suggesting that the presence of fibre reduced digestibility (p < 0.05). Lysine was the limiting amino acid in all varieties, with the following DIAAS values for each variety; Provitamin A maize – 24, SC 719 – 32, Mtsikinya – 37, SC 167 – 39, Quality protein maize (QPM) – 40, Bantum – 40, SC 403 – 44. In addition to the variety of maize, protein quality was dependent on the level of processing and the agronomic practice applied with higher protein quality for the SC 403 variety in which zinc enriched fertiliser was applied. Comparing protein quality data with published in vivo data showed that DIAAS data were in closer agreement than amino acid digestibility data, which was slightly lower than published values, with mean in vitro amino acid digestibilities of 56 - 70% compared to a mean in vivo value of 77%. Overall, the in vitro method was able to correctly predict both the direction and magnitude of response. The INFOGEST digestion method coupled with the new analytical workflow will therefore be useful in the screening of high protein cereal crops and subsequent development of cereal-based foods with high protein quality

Psychological Co-morbidity in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Epidemiology, Mechanisms and Management

Functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) is one of the commonest digestive diseases worldwide and leads to significant morbidity and burden on healthcare resource. The putative bio-psycho-social pathophysiological model for FGID underscores the importance of psychological distress in the pathogenesis of FGID. Concomitant psychological disorders, notably anxiety and depressive disorders, are strongly associated with FGID and these psychological co-morbidities correlate with severity of FGID symptoms. Early life adversity such as sexual and physical abuse is more commonly reported in patients with FGID. There is mounting evidence showing that psychological disorders are commonly associated with abnormal central processing of visceral noxious stimuli. The possible causal link between psychological disorders and FGID involves functional abnormalities in various components of the brain-gut axis, which include hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, serotonergic and endocannabinoid systems. Moreover, recent studies have also shown that psychological distress may alter the systemic and gut immunity, which is increasingly recognized as a pathophysiologic feature of FGID. Psychotropic agent, in particular antidepressant, and psychological intervention such as cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation have been reported to be effective for alleviation of gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in FGID patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and management of co-morbid psychological disorders on the long-term clinical outcome and disease course of FGID