Multi-objective Waste Load Allocation Model for Optimizing Waste Load Abatement and Inequality Among Waste Dischargers

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - This work focuses on the effects of two commercial formulations of dispersants on juvenile turbot after 48&;nbsp;h of contamination and 15&;nbsp;days of...     

Framework for intake simulation of functional ingredients

OBJECTIVE: To create a general framework for the simulation of intakes from mandatory or voluntary fortification, which will make outcomes of simulation studies more comparable and give insight on uncertainties. DESIGN: A general framework was developed based on methods used in already published case studies of mandatory fortification. The framework was extended to be suitable for the simulation of voluntary fortification. Case studies of folic acid fortification were used to illustrate the general framework. RESULTS: The developed framework consists of six steps. First, the definition of the fortification strategy (step 1), followed by the identification of potential carrier products (step 2), and the definition of fortification levels or ranges (step 3). Thereafter, virtual food/supplement composition data are created (step 4) and food/supplement consumption data are required (step 5). Finally, the intake of the functional ingredient from functional foods, other foods and dietary supplements is calculated during the simulation resulting in total habitual intake distributions (step 6). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation of both mandatory and voluntary folic acid fortification in The Netherlands showed that the general framework is applicable. Also with incomplete data or data from different sources, the (habitual) intake distributions can be estimated using assumptions, statistical procedures or probabilistic modelling approaches. It is important that the simulation procedure is described well, so that an insight on uncertainties and knowledge gaps to be filled is given.     

Introgressive Hybridization in Potato Revealed by Novel Cytogenetic and Genomic Technologies

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world and is crucial to ensure food security. However, increasing biotic and abiotic stresses jeopardize its stable production. Fortunately, breeders count on a rich pool of wild relatives that provide sources for disease resistance and tolerance to environmental stresses. To use such traits effectively, breeders require tools that facilitate exploration and exploitation of the genetic diversity of potato wild relatives. Introgression programs to incorporate such alien chromatin into the crop have so far relied on cytogenetic and genetic studies to tap desired traits from these wild resources. The available genetic and cytogenetic tools, supplemented with more recent genomic technologies, can assist in the use of potato relatives in pre-breeding. This information can also facilitate cisgenesis and genome editing to improve potato cultivars. Despite the abundant and rapidly growing genomic information of potato, that of its wild relatives is still limited.     

Development of a method for detection of latent European fruit tree canker (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neonectria ditissima</Emphasis>) infections in apple and pear nurseries

Fruit tree canker caused by Neonectria ditissima is a serious problem in apple-producing regions with moderate temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year; especially in northwestern Europe, Chile, and New Zealand. Control measures are applied to protect primary infection sites, mainly leaf scars, from invasion by external inoculum. However, latent infections may occur when young apple trees are infected symptomlessly during propagation. This study aimed to develop a method for detection of latent fruit tree canker infections. Inoculations with conidiospore suspensions of N. ditissima were carried out in tree nurseries on the main stems of two-year-old trees of three apple cultivars and one pear cultivar. The inoculations were carried out during the natural abscission period in the autumn. No visible lesion or canker formations were present at the time when the inoculated trees were uprooted. It appeared that the infections may remain latent during the period from infection to uprooting (2 months) and during the subsequent 4 months of cold storage of the trees. Nevertheless, symptoms were generally induced within 8 weeks after transfer of infecting planting material from the nursery field into a climate chamber with high temperature and high relative humidity. The methodology presented is developed to detect latent infections of N. ditissima in nursery trees, prior to planting in the orchards, and it may contribute in reducing the problem with European fruit tree canker in commercial production.     

Presence of avian influenza risk birds in and around poultry free-range areas in relation to range vegetation and openness of surrounding landscape

Free-range areas contribute to the welfare of poultry. Chickens are most likely to use these areas if there is sufficient cover by trees. However, wild birds in free-range areas may infect the chickens with avian influenza (AI). This study aimed to investigate the relation between the presence of AI risk birds and woody vegetation within the range areas as well as in the landscape surrounding the range areas. During two seasons all wild birds were counted in the free-range areas of 11 poultry farms and their immediate surroundings. More high-risk birds were observed in free-range areas with less than 5% woody cover, compared to free-range areas with more woody cover. Furthermore, more high-risk birds were observed in the surroundings of free-range areas in open landscapes, compared to half-open landscapes. As for low-risk birds, no relation was found between woody cover or openness of the landscape and the presence of these birds in free-range areas or surroundings. However, interpretation of the results was hampered by the incomplete factorial design, which did not allow to differentiate between the effect of woody cover within the range area and openness of the surrounding landscape. The results of this pilot study need to be confirmed with further experimental research on the relation between the presence of AI risk birds and woody vegetation in and around poultry free-range areas.     

Porphyra tenera Protects against PM2.5-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction with the Regulation of Gut Function

To evaluate the biological effects of Porphyra tenera (P. tenera), we tried to confirm the possibility that the intake of P. tenera could modulate cognitive and intestinal functions in PM_2.5-induced cognitive decline mice. P. tenera attenuated PM_2.5-induced learning and memory impairment through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the mitochondrial function and TLR-initiated NF-κB signaling. In addition, P. tenera effectively alleviated Aβ production/tau phosphorylation by inhibiting the JNK phosphorylation. Also, the bioactive constituents of P. tenera determined the sulfated galactan, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and chlorophyll derivatives. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of P. tenera by gut fermentation protected against gut dysbiosis and intestinal tight junction damage with a decrease in inflammatory response and short-chain fatty acid production. Based on these results, our findings suggest that P. tenera with sulfated galactan and MAAs is a potential material for cognitive function improvement.