Sustainable bioenergy cropping concepts : optimizing biomass provision for different conversion routes

Today energy from biomass already contributes to a considerable share to the global energy consumption. In particular, certain modern bioenergy streams like biogas, biofuels for transportation etc., are of increasing relevance. However, several of the beneficial aspects, which were initially attributed to the utilization of todays bioenergy, had to be relativized and the controversies regarding environmental and socio-economic drawbacks have, in the meanwhile, been on the rise. Alongside a shift to advanced conversion technologies, the improvement of bioenergy cropping systems towards a sustainable biomass provision is a key element of future bioenergy production. Against this background, the present thesis assessed various aspects in terms of biomass production, biomass provision and biomass conversion mainly addressing the two bioenergy streams 2nd generation biofuels and biogas. For biogas, the thesis addresses aspects regarding the development of alternative cropping systems, the evaluation of novel crops for biogas purpose, and the assessment of regional biogas potentials using a crop growth model. The second focus of the thesis was set on biofuels while special attention was given to the production of microbial biodiesel, and the characterization and evaluation of potential feedstocks for this purpose.Die Nutzung von Biomasse zur Energieproduktion leistet bereits heute einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur globalen Energieversorgung, wobei insbesondere einige moderne Formen der Bioenergienutzung zunehmende Bedeutung erfahren. Der verstärkte Ausbau der Bioenergienutzung basierte im Wesentlichen auf zwei zukunftsrelevanten Zielsetzungen Energiesicherheit und Klimaschutz. Mittlerweile wurden jedoch einige der positiven Eigenschaften, die der Nutzung von Bioenergie zugeschrieben werden, relativiert und die Debatten über ökologische und sozio-ökonomische Defizite der Bioenergienutzung haben zugenommen. Neben Konversionsverfahren, die den Übergang zur Bioenergie der zweiten Generation darstellen, ist die Weiterentwicklung von Anbausystemen für die Biomasse-produktion ein wesentliches Element im Hinblick auf eine nachhaltige Bioenergieproduktion. Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich mit verschiedenen Aspekten der Biomasseproduktion, Biomassebereitstellung sowie Biomassekonversion unter spezieller Berücksichtigung der Bioenergieformen Biogas und Biokraftstoffe der zweiten Generation. Der Fokus im Bereich Biogasproduktion und -nutzung lag auf der Entwicklung alternativer Anbausysteme, der Untersuchung und Beurteilung neuartiger mehrjähriger Bioenergiepflanzen sowie der Abschätzung regionaler Biogaspotentiale unter Verwendung eines Pflanzenwachstumsmodells. Ein zweiter Schwerpunkt der Dissertation lag im Bereich Biokraftstoffe, insbesondere auf der Charakterisierung und Evaluierung potentieller Biomasserohstoffe für die mikrobielle Biodieselproduktion

Wachstumsverlauf und Ertrag verschiedener Smallanthus sonchifolius Genotypen

The tuberous root plant yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is native to the Andean region. It produces eatable roots, which contain roughly 70 % carbohydrates in dry matter. Nearly all of them are fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are not digested by the human intestinal tract and do not cause an increase of the blood glucose level (Lachman et al. 2003). In order to identify the potential of yacon for temperate climates two yacon genotypes were investigated in a field trial located in South-West Germany. In this field trial the focus was set on tuber yield and plant development. The results of 2015 showed significant differences in tuber yield of a red (3.3 kg per plant) and a brown genotype (2.5 kg per plant). A revers picture has been found for the aboveground biomass. The brown genotype formed significantly more leafs, while plant height of the red genotype was significantly higher at harvest. No significant differences were determined between the numbers of tuberous roots per plant

Acrylamid-Bildungspotenzial ökologisch erzeugter Getreidearten und Sorten

By heating up carbohydrate-rich food, like cereals and potatoes, Acrylamide (AA), a probably carcinogen food ingredient, will be created due to a reaction of free Asparagine (Asn) and reducing sugar within the Maillard-Reaction. Up to now two opportunities to decrease AA are discussed. Firstly by changing technological food processing steps e.g. receipt modifications and secondly by plant production e.g. finding species and cultivars low in the content of precursors of AA. For cereals, free Asn is the limiting factor for formation of AA. By investigations of conventionally produced wheat-, spelt- and rye samples differences were found in the amount of Asn both in species and cultivars. It was assumed that these differences could also be found in organically produced cereals. However, up to now no study has investigated the AA content of organically produced cereals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate i) are there species and cultivars low in free Asn And, ii) is there a correlation between the content of free Asn and the formed AA? To clarify these aspects, organically produced grain samples (mainly wheat, spelt and rye) of a 2-yr field trial were analysed of free Asn and the AA-Formation Potential (AA-FP). The results showed differences in the content of free Asn within species and cultivars, indicated by a strong correlation between Asn and the AA-FP. In conclusion, an option for reducing AA in organic products could be the selection of species and cultivars low in free Asn

Cognitive Functioning and Vitality among the Oldest Old: Implications for Well-Being

This chapter clarifies and differentiates changes in cognitive functioning among the oldest old at the group and individual levels. Cross-sectionally, the oldest old demonstrate normative differences of being more physically and cognitively frail compared to younger groups. More variation and successful aging is observed at the individual level. Some oldest-old individuals can perform at the same levels as adults 20 to 40 years younger. Recent literature has recognized that the concept of cognitive vitality transcends the absence of dementia or dementing processes. We seek to clarify the concept of cognitive vitality because it has not been well defined in the literature either theoretically or operationally. This chapter addresses the following questions: 1) What is cognitive vitality and how does it contribute to the well-being of older adults? 2) What factors or resources contribute to cognitive vitality among the oldest old? and 3) What new directions can be identified for future research

Anchoring tick salivary anti-complement proteins IRAC I and IRAC II to membrane increases their immunogenicity

Tick salivary proteins are promising targets for the development of anti-tick vaccines. Recently, we described two paralogous anti-complement proteins, called Ixodes ricinus anti-complement (IRAC) proteins I and II, that are co-expressed in tick I. ricinus salivary glands. However, our previous attempts to immunize rabbits against IRAC via infection with recombinant Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) vectors invariably failed although both recombinants expressed high levels of functional IRAC proteins in vitro. As IRAC are soluble monovalent antigens, one of the possible explanations is that monovalent ligation of the B-cell receptor induces receptor activation but fails to promote antigen presentation, a phenomenon that is thought to induce a state of B-cell tolerance. In the present study, we tried to increase IRAC immunogenicity by expressing them as oligovalent antigens. To this end, IRAC were fused to membrane anchors and BoHV-4 vectors expressing these recombinant forms were produced. The immunization potentials of recombinant viruses expressing either secreted or transmembrane IRAC proteins were then compared. While the former did not induce a detectable immune response against IRAC, the latter led to high titres of anti-IRAC antibodies that only marginally affected tick blood feeding. All together, the data presented in this study demonstrate that the immunogenicity of a soluble antigen can be greatly improved by anchoring it in membrane

Corticosteroid injections for non-spinal musculoskeletal conditions. Consideration of local and systemic adverse drug reactions and side effects

© New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives CC BY-NC-ND licence, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Following specialist training, physiotherapists in some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Norway perform landmark, and ultrasound guided, soft tissue and joint injections for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Whether they inject or not, physiotherapists may wish to recommend injections, and people requiring care commonly seek physiotherapist’s opinions on injection therapy. Globally, there has been a substantial increase in the use of corticosteroid injections to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Those performing injections or providing advice need be cognisant of the possible harms of the procedures and communicate this information sensitively to those considering the procedures. This review synthesises evidence for local and systemic adverse reactions and side effects related to corticosteroid injections in the treatment of non-spinal musculoskeletal conditions. Multiple databases including PubMed, Medline, PEDro, Cinahl were searched, and all levels of evidence were included if they added to the review. Serious adverse events appear to be rare, possibly in part, due to under-reporting of side effects. Where available, suggestions for minimising risk and aftercare have been made. As substantial gaps in the evidence were found, areas for further research are suggested and a decision-making tool is included to facilitate whether to proceed to injection, proceed with precaution or no injection.Peer reviewe

The genome of a tortoise herpesvirus (testudinid herpesvirus 3) has a novel structure and contains a large region that is not required for replication in vitro or virulence in vivo

Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV-3) is the causative agent of a lethal disease affecting several tortoise species. The threat that this virus poses to endangered animals is focusing efforts on characterizing its properties, in order to enable the development of prophylactic methods. We have sequenced the genomes of the two most studied TeHV-3 strains (1976 and 4295). TeHV-3 strain 1976 has a novel genome structure and is most closely related to a turtle herpesvirus, thus supporting its classification into genus Scutavirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae. The sequence of strain 1976 also revealed viral counterparts of cellular interleukin-10 and semaphorin, which have not been described previously in members of subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. TeHV-3 strain 4295 is a mixture of three forms (m1, m2, and M), in which, in comparison to strain 1976, the genomes exhibit large, partially overlapping deletions of 12.5 to 22.4 kb. Viral subclones representing these forms were isolated by limiting dilution, and each replicated in cell culture comparably to strain 1976. With the goal of testing the potential of the three forms as attenuated vaccine candidates, strain 4295 was inoculated intranasally into Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). All inoculated subjects died, and PCR analyses demonstrated the ability of the m2 and M forms to spread and invade the brain. In contrast, the m1 form was detected in none of the organs tested, suggesting its potential as the basis of an attenuated vaccine candidate. Our findings represent a major step towards characterizing TeHV-3 and developing prophylactic methods against it. IMPORTANCE: Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV-3) causes a lethal disease in tortoises, several species of which are endangered. We have characterized the viral genome, and used this information to take steps towards developing an attenuated vaccine. We have sequenced the genomes of two strains (1976 and 4295), compared their growth in vitro, and investigated the pathogenesis of strain 4295, which consists of three deletion mutants. The major findings are: (i) TeHV-3 has a novel genome structure; (ii) its closest relative is a turtle herpesvirus; (iii) it contains interleukin-10 and semaphorin genes, the first time these have been reported in an alphaherpesvirus; (iv) a sizeable region of the genome is not required for viral replication in vitro or virulence in vivo; and (v) one of the components of strain 4295, which has a deletion of 22.4 kb, exhibits properties indicating that it may serve as the starting point for an attenuated vaccine

Skin mucus of Cyprinus carpio inhibits cyprinid herpesvirus 3 binding to epidermal cells

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the aetiological agent of a mortal and highly contagious disease in common and koi carp. The skin is the major portal of entry of CyHV-3 in carp after immersion in water containing the virus. In the present study, we used in vivo bioluminescence imaging to investigate the effect of skin mucus removal and skin epidermis lesion on CyHV-3 entry. Physical treatments inducing removal of the mucus up to complete erosion of the epidermis were applied on a defined area of carp skin just before inoculation by immersion in infectious water. CyHV-3 entry in carp was drastically enhanced on the area of the skin where the mucus was removed with or without associated epidermal lesion. To investigate whether skin mucus inhibits CyHV-3 binding to epidermal cells, tail fins with an intact mucus layer or without mucus were inoculated ex vivo. While electron microscopy examination revealed numerous viral particles bound on the fins inoculated after mucus removal, no particle could be detected after infection of mucus-covered fins. Finally, anti-CyHV-3 neutralising activity of mucus extract was tested in vitro. Incubation of CyHV-3 with mucus extract reduced its infectivity in a dose dependent manner. The present study demonstrates that skin mucus removal and epidermal lesions enhance CyHV-3 entry in carp. It highlights the role of fish skin mucus as an innate immune protection against viral epidermal entry

The pill questionnaire in a nondemented Parkinson's disease population

We assessed the Pill Questionnaire as a screen for mild cognitive impairment in nondemented Parkinson's disease patients. The relationship between ability to remember medications for Parkinson's disease in the Pill Questionnaire, mild cognitive impairment, and deficits on neuropsychological tests performed 2–3 weeks later blind to Pill Questionnaire results was assessed in movement disorders clinic patients. In 109 subjects, inaccurate medication reporting on the Pill Questionnaire was associated with lower scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease–Cognition and with deficits in memory, attention, executive function‐inhibitory control, processing speed, visuospatial function, and language. Inaccurate medication reporting was also associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.4 (95% CI, 0.91–5.88; P = .06) for mild cognitive impairment, with a specificity of 80% and sensitivity of 41%. The Pill Questionnaire is neither sensitive nor specific enough to be used as the sole screening or diagnostic tool for mild cognitive impairment. However, inaccurate medication reporting is associated with deficits spanning many cognitive domains and should alert a clinician to a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment. © 2012 Movement Disorder SocietyPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93736/1/25124_ftp.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93736/2/MDS_25124_sm_SuppTables.pd

Looking for a “Now-Time” in Family Film Footage: Appropriating and Activating Archival Images in the Present

This article presents an ongoing project, Mneme‐Automaton/Memory‐Machine , which involves collaborative interventions with an existing body of amateur family film footage and written texts. As an integral part of engaging with this material, we identify our different relationships to it: one author as a direct descendant of its producers, the other with no personal connection to the collection. Although both of us are remote in time and space from the original contexts of its production, our intention is to identify a Benjaminian “now‐time” for the material to activate it in the present and render it visible and legible in new ways. In this article, we describe and appropriate selections of the film footage, thereby transforming it into an archive that evokes subjective and affective sensations and experiences that extend beyond the “historical index” of the source material