Monitoring the Content of Nitrates in Vegetables and the Influence of the Pickling Technology on the Denitrification Process

The aim of the work was to determine the concentration of nitrites in vegetable products (tomatoes, cucumbers, white cabbage, table beet, carrot, potatoes, onion and green onion, lettuce, spinach and parsley), realized at markets of the cities Ternopil, Kamianets-Podilskyi and Chernivtsi (Ukraine), to separate the distribution of nitrates in vegetables and also to study the influence of lactic microflora on the nitrate content at pickling tomatoes. It was established, that vegetables with the maximum exceed of maximum permissible concentration (MPC) by the nitrate content up to 1,6 times for products of closed soil are realized at markets. For open soil MPC exceed was in average 2,1 times. It was revealed, that most realized samples of tomatoes and leaf salad vegetables have the over-normative exceed of nitrates up to 35 %, and onion – the least one – 20 %. It was established, that nitrates accumulate in different parts of a fruit. In cucumbers, carrot, potato and table beet, the least quantity of nitrates accumulate in the external part of vegetables (near the surface), and the most one – in the central part. At the same time in cabbage and tomatoes, on the contrary, the least quantity – in the central part, the most one – in the area near the base of vegetables (stump). It was established, that at pickling tomatoes with the nitrate content within MPC lactic fermentation takes place with the intensive growth of titrated acidity, the decrease of the nitrate content takes place at this process. Under conditions of pickling tomatoes with the nitrate content two times more than MPC, the pickling process is a bit decelerated, but the nitrate content decreases to the safe level in a finished product. It was established, that vegetables with the nitrates quantity within 1500 mg/kg and more cannot be used in the pickling technology because of the bacteriological influence of nitrates on lactic microflora. Vegetables with such nitrate content must be obligatory condemned

Peran Imbuhan Pakan Komersial (Maxi-Yeast®) pada Ayam Pedaging yang ditantang dengan Campylobacter Jejuni terhadap Gambaran Darah

Pakan merupakan faktor utama pemeliharaan ayam pedaging yang menempati 75% dari biaya produksi. Pakan dengan kandungan AGP menyebabkan resistensi pada manusia dan hewan. Oleh karena itu, dikembangkan alternatif non-antibiotik seperti probiotik yeast. Salah satu mikroorganisme patogen unggas yaitu C. jejuni yang merupakan bakteri patogen zoonosis. Tujuan penelitian mengetahui efek imbuhan pakan pada ayam pedaging dengan parameter gambaran darah setelah diinfeksi C. jejuni. Penelitian ini menggunakan 36 ekor ayam yang dipelihara pada umur satu hari (DOC) sampai 36 hari. Ayam dikelompokkan menjadi 3 perlakuan berdasarkan pemberian pakan: kelompok pakan komersial (I), pakan komersial + AGP (II), dan pakan komersial + imbuhan pakan (maxi-yeast) (III). Selanjutnya, dibagi lagi menjadi 2 perlakuan yaitu (A) uji tantang dan (B) tanpa uji tantang. Proses pencampuran pakan dilakukan secara manual, air minum diberikan secara ad libitum, dan vaksinasi dilakukan sesuai program lapangan. Uji tantang C. jejuni dilakukan pada hari ke 22 (1x109 CFU/mL), dan pengambilan darah dilakukan pada hari 21 dan 35. Hasil gambaran darah antara kelompok tidak memiliki perbedaan yang signifikan (P>0,05). Disimpulkan bahwa gambaran darah secara keseluruhan (sebelum dan sesudah uji tantang) memberikan hasil yang berbeda namun tidak signifikan setelah diberikan pakan berdasarkan kelompok

Residents’ interest to form a “green” territory brand

The main aim of this article is to examine the residents’ interest of a region to form a territorial “green” brand. It refers to the region of Rostov where there is a continuous attempt to develop the territory based on sustainable green initiatives. The article reveals if the residents are aware on the authorities’ efforts and how the population supports the initiatives as well as how active the residents are to develop the territory. The results of this research allow to forecast the success of the “green” brand formation with certain correction of the priorities concerning the informational and communication work to explain the significance of the given process to the residents and possibly the improvement of the population’s standard of living.peer-reviewe

Understanding fatigue in Sjögren’s Syndrome: Outcome measures, biomarkers and possible interventions

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the salivary and lacrimal glands. Symptoms range from dryness to severe extra-glandular disease involving manifestations in the skin, lungs, nervous system, and kidney. Fatigue occurs in 70% of patients, characterizing primary SS (pSS) and significantly impacting the patient’s quality of life. There are some generic and specific instruments used to measure fatigue in SS. The mechanisms involved with fatigue in SS are still poorly understood, but it appears fatigue signaling pathways are more associated with cell protection and defense than with pro-inflammatory pathways. There are no established pharmacological treatment options for fatigue in pSS. So far, exercise and neuromodulation techniques have shown positive effects on fatigue in pSS. This study briefly reviews fatigue in pSS, with special attention to outcome measures, biomarkers, and possible treatment options.publishedVersio

Dispersion Properties of TM and TE Modes of Gyrotropic Magnetophotonic Crystals

This chapter discusses the propagation of TM and TE waves in the one-dimensional gyrotropic magnetophotonic crystals with ferrite and plasma-like layers. Elements of the transfer matrix are calculated in closed analytical form on the base of electrodynamic problem rigorous solution for arbitrary location of the gyrotropic elements on the structure period. Dispersion equation of the layered periodic structure with gyrotropic elements is obtained. Dispersion properties of the structure for TE and TM modes are analyzed for different configurations of magnetophotonic crystals (ferrite and plasma-like layers). Existence areas of transmission bands for surface and bulk waves are obtained. The effect of problem parameters on the dispersion properties of magnetophotonic crystals for TM and TE modes is investigated. Regimes of complete transmission of wave through limited magnetophotonic crystal are analyzed for bulk and surface waves

Effects of solar irradiation on thermally driven CO2 methanation using Ni/CeO2-based catalyst

Utilization of the renewable energy sources is one of the main challenges in the state-of-the-art technologies for CO2 recycling. Here we have taken advantage of the solar light harvesting in the thermocatalytic approach to carbon dioxide methanation. The large-surface-area Ni/CeO2 catalyst produced by a scalable low-cost method was characterized and tested in the dark and under solar light irradiation conditions. Light-assisted CO2 con-version experiments as well as in-situ DRIFT spectrometry, performed at different illumination intensities, have revealed a dual effect of the incident photons on the catalytic properties of the two-component Ni/CeO2 catalyst. On the one hand, absorbed photons induce a localized surface plasmon resonance in the Ni nanoparticles fol-lowed by dissipation of the heat to the oxide matrix. On the other hand, the illumination activates the photo-catalytic properties of the CeO2 support, which leads to an increase in the concentration of the intermediates being precursor for methane production. Analysis of the methane production at different temperatures and illumination conditions has shown that the methanation reaction in our case is controlled by a photothermally- activated process. The used approach has allowed us to increase the reaction rate up to 2.4 times and conse-quently to decrease the power consumption by 20 % under solar illumination, thus replacing the conventional thermal activation of the reaction with a green energy source

Technology enhanced assessment: Ottawa consensus statement and recommendations

INTRODUCTION In 2011, a consensus report was produced on technology-enhanced assessment (TEA), its good practices, and future perspectives. Since then, technological advances have enabled innovative practices and tools that have revolutionised how learners are assessed. In this updated consensus, we bring together the potential of technology and the ultimate goals of assessment on learner attainment, faculty development, and improved healthcare practices. METHODS As a material for the report, we used the scholarly publications on TEA in both HPE and general higher education, feedback from 2020 Ottawa Conference workshops, and scholarly publications on assessment technology practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The group identified areas of consensus that remained to be resolved and issues that arose in the evolution of TEA. We adopted a three-stage approach (readiness to adopt technology, application of assessment technology, and evaluation/dissemination). The application stage adopted an assessment ‘lifecycle’ approach and targeted five key foci: (1) Advancing authenticity of assessment, (2) Engaging learners with assessment, (3) Enhancing design and scheduling, (4) Optimising assessment delivery and recording learner achievement, and (5) Tracking learner progress and faculty activity and thereby supporting longitudinal learning and continuous assessment.Peer reviewe

Survey of Farmers Market Managers in California: Food Safety Perspectives

We conducted a survey to characterize certified California farmers markets (FMs) regarding location, seasonality, size, product, product labeling, advertising methods, postharvest practices, regulations governing vendors, training offered, and training interests. Data obtained from the survey highlight the need for improvement regarding food safety and can serve as a basis for development of collaborative education by Extension educators, regulatory agencies, and FMs. Extension professionals can play a proactive role in such training opportunities, focusing outreach efforts for training according to applicable findings and including online training venues to maximize reach to stakeholders

A Self-administered version of the functioning assessment short test for use in population-based studies: A pilot study

Background: The Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) is an interviewer-administered scale assessing functional impairment originally developed for psychiatric patients. Objectives: To adapt the FAST for the general population, we developed a self-administered version of the scale and assessed its properties in a pilot study. Methods: The original FAST scale was translated into German via forward and backward translation. Afterwards, we adjusted the scale for self-administered application and inquired participants from two ongoing studies in Germany, 'STAAB' (Würzburg) and 'BiDirect' (Münster), both recruiting subjects from the general population across a wide age range (STAAB: 30-79 years, BiDirect: 35-65 years). To assess reliability, agreement of self-assessment with proxy-assessment by partners was measured via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) over the FAST score. Construct validity was estimated by conducting correlations with validated scales of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and health-related quality of life (SF-12) and regression analyses using these scales besides potentially disabling comorbidities (e.g. Chronic Back Pain (CBP)). Results: Participants (n=54) had a median age of 57.0 years (quartiles: 49.8, 65.3), 46.3% were female. Reliability was moderate: ICC 0.50 (95% CI 0.46-0.54). The FAST score significantly correlated with PHQ-9, GAD-7, and the mental sub-scale of SF-12. In univariable linear regression, all three scales and chronic back pain explained variance of the FAST score. In multivariable analysis, only CBP and the SF-12 remained significant predictors. Conclusion: The German self-administered version of the FAST yielded moderate psychometric properties in this pilot study, indicating its applicability to assess functional impairment in the general population