Influence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak of 2016 on poultry meat consumption

Between November 2016 and April 2017, 240 H5N8 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been registered in Hungary resulting in the culling of 3.45 million poultry. Aiming at the prevention of the reoccurrence of the public scare experienced in regard of the H5N1 outbreak in 2006, in 2016 a more proactive and responsive communication activity has been implemented, which resulted in a total of 1661 media appearances. For consistent and credible information, all press inquiries were answered by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Hungary, and journalists received the requested information usually within 8 hours. In order to understand how effective communication methods help to stop decrease of poultry meat consumption, determinative factors according to consumer risk perception and changes in poultry meat consumption were identified. Analysis of the consumer survey conducted in 2016 showed that education and gender were the most important socio-demographic variables, though poultry consumption was almost completely undisturbed. The results of the 2016 consumer survey were compared to a corresponding dataset published on the 2006 avian influenza public scare, which showed 12.6% increase in the number of those respondents, who have not changed their consumption behaviour due to avian influenza

Nonlinear elasticity of stiff biopolymers connected by flexible linkers

Networks of the biopolymer actin, cross-linked by the compliant protein filamin, form soft gels. They can, however, withstand large shear stresses due to their pronounced nonlinear elastic behavior. The nonlinear elasticity can be controlled by varying the number of cross-links per actin filament. We propose and test a model of rigid filaments decorated by multiple flexible linkers that is in quantitative agreement with experiment. This allows us to estimate loads on individual cross-links, which we find to be less than 10 pN. © 2009 The American Physical Society

Possibilities of targeting in food chain safety risk communication

In recent years, there have been many changes in the food market, which have greatly transformed our approach to food chain supervision. The increasing complexity of the food chain (e.g. globalization of food trade, expansion of raw materials and additives, technical advancement), the frequent changes in food consumption trends and the phenomenon of food crime belong to the most challenging issues for food chain control institutions. These factors require the re-evaluation of the role of consumers in the food chain. The overall aim of this research was to explore consumers’ risk perception and risk avoidance for a more efficient, targeted risk communication. In the survey 1003, face-to-face interviews were made using questionnaire. The statistical analysis of data was followed by the identification and characterization of 4 relevant target groups with cluster analysis method: disinterested youngsters (17.0%), conscious elders (39.4%), food adepts (27.5%), and soul of the family (16.1%). Results indicated, that the Hungarian society can be segmented regarding to food associated risk perception and avoidance. It has been also proven, that risk perception is influenced by demographic factors. Furthermore, we have also managed to conclude that efficient risk communication would require a well-aimed and focused communication strategy

Visualizing the strain field in semiflexible polymer networks: strain fluctuations and nonlinear rheology of F-actin gels

We image semi-flexible polymer networks under shear at the micrometer scale. By tracking embedded probe particles, we determine the local strain field, and directly measure its uniformity, or degree of affineness, on scales of 2-100 micron. The degree of nonaffine strain depends on polymer length and crosslink density, consistent with theoretical predictions. We also find a direct correspondence between the uniformity of the microscale strain and the nonlinear elasticity of the networks in the bulk.Comment: 9 pages (double-spaced) of text, 4 figures + 1 supplementary figur

Glioma Expansion in Collagen I Matrices: Analyzing Collagen Concentration-Dependent Growth and Motility Patterns

Kaufman, L. J., C. P. Brangwynne, K. E. Kasza, E. Filippidi, V. D. Gordon, T. S. Deisboeck, and D. A. Weitz. “Glioma Expansion in Collagen I Matrices: Analyzing Collagen Concentration-Dependent Growth and Motility Patterns.” Biophysical Journal 89, no. 1 (July 2005): 635–50. doi:10.1529/biophysj.105.061994. -- C. P. Brangwynne, K. E. Kasza, and E. Filippidi, are with the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts -- L. J. Kaufman, V. D. Gordon (currently with UT Austin), and D. A.Weitz are with the Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts -- T. S. Deisboeck is with the Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts and {Complex Biosystems Modeling Laboratory, Harvard-MIT (HST) Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts -- L. J. Kaufman is with the Center for Imaging and Mesoscale Structures, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; andWe study the growth and invasion of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in three-dimensional collagen I matrices of varying collagen concentration. Phase-contrast microscopy studies of the entire GBM system show that invasiveness at early times is limited by available collagen fibers. At early times, high collagen concentration correlates with more effective invasion. Conversely, high collagen concentration correlates with inhibition in the growth of the central portion of GBM, the multicellular tumor spheroid. Analysis of confocal reflectance images of the collagen matrices quantifies how the collagen matrices differ as a function of concentration. Studying invasion on the length scale of individual invading cells with a combination of confocal and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy reveals that the invasive GBM cells rely heavily on cell-matrix interactions during invasion and remodeling.Chemistr

Kinetics of concurrent desorption and diffusion into the solid: D/Zr(0001)

Rapid adsorbate diffusion into the solid is known to suppress the desorption yield measured in a thermal desorption experiment. We show that this suppression can be controlled (at least partly) by pulsed-laser heating at rates in excess of 10(10) K/s. As an example, we analyze the D/Zr system. In this case, deuterium adsorbed on a surface rapidly diffuses into the bulk of Zr with increasing temperature, and the deuterium desorption probability measured with conventional heating rates (beta less than or equal to 100 K/s) is as low as approximate to 10(-4) for polycrystalline Zr foils (deuterium desorption is not observed at all from single-crystal Zr from which dissolved H/D has been removed). Heating the Zr(0001) surface by pulsed-laser thermal excitation with beta similar or equal to 10(11) K/s is demonstrated to result in the increase of the deuterium desorption probability up to approximately 0.01. To interpret this observation, general equations for describing associative desorption accompanied by adsorbate diffusion into the solid are simplified by employing the specifics of the temperature-programmed kinetic regimes with a linear increase of temperature. The desorption yield calculated without any adjustable parameters is in good agreement with the experimental results

Teaching young consumers in Europe: a multicentre qualitative needs assessment with educators on food hygiene and food safety

Aim: Foodborne illnesses have a significant global burden and can be life-threatening, with higher risk in vulnerable groups such as children. SafeConsume is an EU-funded, transdisciplinary project aiming to improve consumers’ food safety behaviour. Developing educational resources on food safety for use in schools has potential to improve teaching of our young consumers. The aim of this study was to explore school educators’ attitudes, behaviours and knowledge towards food hygiene, safety and education. Methods: Focus groups and interviews in England, France, Portugal and Hungary explored educator knowledge, skills, intentions and beliefs around educating young people (11–18 years) about food safety. Data were analysed using NVivo and emerging themes were applied to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results: A total of 48 educators participated. Knowledge, confidence and skills to teach food safety to young people varied depending on background and training. Educators reported they had a role to teach food safety to young people, were positive about delivering education and optimistic they could improve students’ food safety behaviour. Barriers to teaching included lack of national curriculum coverage, limited time and money, and lack of facilities. Educators reported that social influences (family, celebrity chefs, public health campaigns and social media) were important opportunities to improve young peoples’ awareness of food safety and consequences of foodborne illness. Conclusion: Educator food safety expertise varied; training could help to optimise educator knowledge, confidence and skills. Ministries of Health and Education need encouragement to get food safety incorporated further into school curricula across Europe, so schools will be motivated to prioritise these topics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio