Network analysis of the RASFF database: a mycotoxin perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Petroczi ◽  
T. Nepusz ◽  
G. Taylor ◽  
D. Naughton
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Assessment Period ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Impact

Analysis of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) provides useful trend analyses such as identification of transgressor and detector nations, and determination of seasonal variations in contamination patterns. This approach may inform a nation's testing regimes along with trade intelligence to secure safe food supplies. The aim of this investigation was to explore the use of descriptive statistics coupled to network analysis to provide a user friendly approach to allow interrogation of the RASFF database. Categorisation of notifications by contaminant type reveals that some 30% of all notifications are generated owing to mycotoxins with aflatoxins being the major contributor. In the period between January 2008 and October 2010, the order of nations reported for mycotoxin contamination appeared in the order Turkey, China, Iran and USA. Network analysis allows rapid determination of trends in the RASFF database as each contaminant type can be filtered to focus on nations acting as transgressors and detectors. In addition, the impact of each nation can be assigned as the network tool incorporates a consideration of frequency counts as well as number of countries involved. This approach rapidly identifies the key detectors and transgressors, confirming Turkey, China and Iran as key transgressor nations for mycotoxins. Changes over time, during the assessment period, reveal that Iran is improving in the longer term in contrast to Turkey and China where further remedial action is warranted. In summary, a network tool has several advantages over descriptive statistics. It can rapidly identify trends in detector and transgressor nations for each category of contaminant. It can also provide an impact score for each nation providing weekly updates to help identify emerging issues either as nations and/or contaminant type.

scholarly journals Prevalence and mitigation of aflatoxins in Kenya (1960-to date)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.K. Mutegi ◽  
P.J. Cotty ◽  
R. Bandyopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Documented Information ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact

Aflatoxins are highly toxic metabolites of several Aspergillus species widely distributed throughout the environment. These toxins have adverse effects on humans and livestock at a few micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) concentrations. Strict regulations on the concentrations of aflatoxins allowed in food and feed exist in many nations in the developing world. Loopholes in implementing regulations result in the consumption of dangerous concentrations of aflatoxins. In Kenya, where ‘farm-to-mouth’ crops become severely contaminated, solutions to the aflatoxins problem are needed. Across the decades, aflatoxins have repeatedly caused loss of human and animal life. A prerequisite to developing viable solutions for managing aflatoxins is understanding the geographical distribution and severity of food and feed contamination, and the impact on lives. This review discusses the scope of the aflatoxins problem and management efforts by various players in Kenya. Economic drivers likely to influence the choice of aflatoxins management options include historical adverse health effects on humans and animals, cost of intervention for mitigation of aflatoxins, knowledge about aflatoxins and their impact, incentives for aflatoxins safe food and intended scope of use of interventions. It also highlights knowledge gaps that can direct future management efforts. These include: sparse documented information on human exposure; few robust tools to accurately measure economic impact in widely unstructured value chains; lack of long-term impact studies on benefits of aflatoxins mitigation; inadequate sampling mechanisms in smallholder farms and grain holding stores/containers; overlooking social learning networks in technology uptake and lack of in-depth studies on an array of aflatoxins control measures followed in households. The review proposes improved linkages between agriculture, nutrition and health sectors to address aflatoxins contamination better. Sustained public awareness at all levels, capacity building and aflatoxins related policies are necessary to support management initiatives.

scholarly journals A Simple and Reliable Strategy for BK Virus Subtyping and Subgrouping

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 1177-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Morel ◽  
Elodie Martin ◽  
Catherine François ◽  
François Helle ◽  
Justine Faucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Bk Virus ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Associated Diseases ◽  
Viral Subtype ◽  
Subtype Identification ◽  
One Step ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT BK virus (BKV)-associated diseases in transplant recipients are an emerging issue. However, identification of the various BK virus subtypes/subgroups is a long and delicate process on the basis of currently available data. Therefore, we wanted to define a simple and effective one-step strategy for characterizing all BK virus strains from the VP1 gene sequence. Based on the analysis of 199 available complete DNA VP1 sequences, phylogenetic trees, alignments, and isolated polymorphisms were used to define an effective strategy for distinguishing the 12 different BK virus subtypes/subgroups. Based on the 12 subtypes identified from the 199 complete BKV VP1 sequences (1,089 bp), 60 mutations that can be used to differentiate these various subtypes/subgroups were identified. Some genomic areas were more variable and comprised mutational hot spots. From a subregion of only 100 bp in the VP1 region (1977 through 2076), we therefore constructed an algorithm that enabled rapid determination of all BKV subtypes/subgroups with 99% agreement (197/199) relative to the complete VP1 sequence. We called this domain of the BK viral genome the BK typing and grouping region (BKTGR). Finally, we validated our viral subtype identification process in a population of 100 transplant recipients with 100% efficiency. The new simpler method of BKV subtyping/subgrouping reported here constitutes a useful tool for future studies that will help us to more clearly understand the impact of BKV subtypes/subgroups on diagnosis, infection, and BK virus-associated diseases.

Rapid Determination of Tryptophan in Intact Proteins by Derivative Spectrophotometry

1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1168-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios J Fletouris ◽  
Nickos A Botsoglou ◽  
Georgios E Papageorgiou ◽  
Antonios J Mantis
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Suspended Material ◽  
Feed Ingredient ◽  
Intact Proteins ◽  
Sample Extract ◽  
Tryptophan Residues ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Fourth Derivative ◽  
Uv Absorption Spectrum

Abstract A method for rapid determination of total tryptophan in intact proteins was developed. Sample is homogenized with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide, and the homogenate, if it contains suspended material, is centrifuged. Tryptophan is directly quantified in sample extract on the basis of its fourth-derivative UV absorption spectrum. Protein hydrolysis and/or extract purification is not required because the fourth-derivative transformation of the conventional analytical band around 285.5 nm virtually eliminates interferences arising from both tyrosine and other UV-absorbing components. When pure proteins were analyzed by the method, the values of tryptophan residues found coincided well with literature data based on sequence analysis. The applicability of the method was also tested on several food and feed ingredient samples selected to include a range of protein content and a variety of protein sources. Owing to its simplicity and reliability, the method is particularly recommended for everyday analysis of a large number of samples.

A suspension weighing technique for the rapid determination of specific gravity of eggs

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (37) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAE Pym
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Salt Solutions ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Closed Population ◽  
Impact Device ◽  
The Impact

A suspension weighing technique, developed for the rapid determination of the specific gravity of eggs, is described and compared with one using salt solutions of known density. A simple impact device was used to determine shell strength for correlation with the results of specific gravity determinations. Eggs were obtained from three strains of domestic fowl : White Leghorn, .Australorp, and Synthetic (a closed population in its eighth generation originally based on White Leghorn-Australorp crosses). The numbers of eggs examined in one hour by suspension weighing, salt solutions, and the impact device were 400, 200, and 100 respectively. Repeatabilities of specific gravity based on three eggs per hen were slightly higher for suspension weighing than for salt solutions. Correlations between specific gravity and breaking strength ranged from +0.72 to +0.78 for the three strains. Correlations between egg weight and specific gravity and between egg weight and breaking strength were effectively zero. It is concluded that for routine work, measurement of specific gravity by suspension weighing is a reliable and rapid method of estimating shell strength.

Research on Controlled Release Technology of the Anti-Icing Modifier in Asphalt Mixture

2014 ◽  
Vol 1049-1050 ◽  
pp. 309-315
Author(s):  
Miao Miao Tian ◽  
Yan Hua Cao ◽  
Rui Nan Jiang ◽  
Bao Lin Zhu ◽  
Gui Xiang Ling
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Release Rate ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Asphalt Mixture ◽  
Chloride Ion ◽  
Ion Content ◽  
The Impact

The agent with a function of controlling the release rate of the anti-icing modifier used in the asphalt mixture was researched in this paper. The purpose is to make the salt components’ release rate controllable and extend the usage life of the anti-icing modifier. Apply the “Rapid Determination of Chloride Ion Content Instrument” to assess the release rate of the different agents. Research and analyze the impact on the anti-icing modifier’s durability brought by the different agents.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward Products Preventing Microfiber Pollution in Aquatic Environments as a Result of the Domestic Washing of Synthetic Clothes

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laure Herweyers ◽  
Camilla Catarci Carteny ◽  
Linda Scheelen ◽  
Regan Watts ◽  
Els Du Bois
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
User Perspective ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Consumer Perspective ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Impact

Microfibers released by synthetic clothes have a significant negative effect on the environment. Several solutions have been proposed and evaluated for their effectiveness, but studies have failed to address the human-centered aspects of these products. In this research, the possibilities and needs from a consumer perspective for a new filtering system for domestic washing machines were examined. First, a quantitative (questionnaire) and a qualitative (interviews and observations) exploration were done to understand the desired requirements from a user perspective. Next, the acceptance of various existing solutions for microfiber catching was investigated. To verify these requirements, a new concept was designed and evaluated with a questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It can be concluded that the problem of microfibers is not well known, and the impact of people’s washing behavior is underestimated. Since microfibers are almost invisible, the effectiveness needed to be proven. Effectiveness is seen as the most important characteristic of a product that captures microfibers, followed by durability. Both factors ensure long-term usage. However, changing washing habits is not evident, and usage should be straightforward and user-friendly to save time, especially considering the new cleaning actions, which should be clear and unambiguous.

Weak Beam Imaging and Diffraction Studies of Stacking Faults in Silicon

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 590-591
Author(s):  
T. Y. Tan ◽  
W. K. Tice
Keyword(s):  
Fast Neutron ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Stacking Faults ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Large Reduction ◽  
Dislocation Loops ◽  
Fringe Spacing ◽  
Weak Beam ◽  
Kinematical Theory

In studying ion implanted semiconductors and fast neutron irradiated metals, the need for characterizing small dislocation loops having diameters of a few hundred angstrom units usually arises. The weak beam imaging method is a powerful technique for analyzing these loops. Because of the large reduction in stacking fault (SF) fringe spacing at large sg, this method allows for a rapid determination of whether the loop is faulted, and, hence, whether it is a perfect or a Frank partial loop. This method was first used by Bicknell to image small faulted loops in boron implanted silicon. He explained the fringe spacing by kinematical theory, i.e., ≃l/(Sg) in the fault fringe in depth oscillation. The fault image contrast formation mechanism is, however, really more complicated.

The Role of Web Based Accounting Online System 2.0 as the Company's Income and Expense Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Nur Azizah ◽  
Dedeh Supriyanti ◽  
Siti Fairuz Aminah Mustapha ◽  
Holly Yang
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Bank Account ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Online System ◽  
Version 2.0 ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Company

In a company, the process of income and expense of money must have a profit-generating goal base. The success of financial management within the company, can be monitored from the ability of the financial management in managing the finances and utilize all the opportunities that exist with as much as possible with the aim to control the company's cash (cash flow) and the impact of generating profits in accordance with expectations. With a web-based online accounting system version 2.0, companies can be given the ease to manage money in and out of the company's cash. It has a user friendly system with navigation that makes it easy for the financial management to use it. Starting from the creation of a company's cash account used as a cash account and corporate bank account on the system, deletion or filing of cash accounts, up to the transfer invoice creation feature, receive and send money. Thus, this system is very effective and efficient in the management of income and corporate cash disbursements.   Keywords:​Accounting Online System, Financial Management, Cash and Bank

Methods for rapid determination of pecan (Carya illinoensis) seed viability

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-464
Author(s):  
T.T. Xue ◽  
J. Liu ◽  
Y.B. Shen ◽  
G.Q. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Carya Illinoensis
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