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How Families’ Use of Digital Technology Can Be a Tool for Reducing Loneliness and Improving Food Intake among Older Adults
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore how a technical solution implemented among older adults and connected with an app supervised by an app administrator can reduce loneliness, prevent malnutrition, and inspire social eating and networking. In October 2020, a survey was distributed to 3500 administrators of the one-button computer communication tool Komp. Komp consists of a screen placed with older adults and an app used by the administrator of the tool. The survey addresses aspects that can provide new insights into how older adults can use digital solutions as a link to family and external networks. The study results show that due to COVID-19, 65% of respondents said they used Komp more frequently than before, but only 5% of current use was associated with eating meals together. However, 54% of the app administrators indicated that this could be a good future activity. Furthermore, 88% thought Komp could contribute to more socializing through shared meals. This study elicited almost 1650 constructive comments on experience, use, and recommendations. The study results show that digital solutions can be a link between older adults and their families and external network. Such tools can address needs connected to loneliness, social isolation, and food intake.How Families’ Use of Digital Technology Can Be a Tool for Reducing Loneliness and Improving Food Intake among Older AdultspublishedVersio
Towards a cellular food future: Final recommendations from the Protein 2.0 project to Norwegian policy makers and food system actors
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Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified sterile VIRGIN® Atlantic salmon for use in research trials in aquaculture sea-cages
Get PDFOne of the substantial environmental challenges posed by the aquaculture industry is the escape of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which can mate with wild Atlantic salmon and alter the genetic composition of the wild populations. One potential solution to mitigate this issue is the cultivation of sterile salmon in aquaculture. Atlantic salmon can be made sterile by pressure or temperature treatment of newly fertilized eggs to produce triploids, which are functionally sterile due to their unpaired chromosomes. However, these triploids often perform poorly on commercial fish farms and the production of triploid salmon in Norway is put on hold due to welfare issues of the fish. In this application, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, seeks to rear genetically modified sterile Atlantic salmon (VIRGIN® salmon) in a marine aquaculture environment from the post-smolt stage until harvest. The research trials are to take place in small, open sea cages (net pens) at the IMR Matre Aquaculture Research Station from autumn 2023 until February 2025. The Norwegian Environment Agency has asked VKM to assess the environmental risks associated with this field trial according to the Gene Technology Act and using risk assessment guidance from the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA.Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified sterile VIRGIN® Atlantic salmon for use in research trials in aquaculture sea-cagespublishedVersio
Bioavailability of iodine from a meal consisting of sushi and a wakame seaweed salad—A randomized crossover trial
Get PDFThe consumption of seaweed is on the rise in the Western world. Seaweeds may contain substantial amounts of iodine, and some species could serve as a potential dietary iodine source. However, limited data on the iodine content and in vivo bioavailability of iodine from seaweeds exist. The objective was to assess whether iodine from a meal consisting of sushi with nori, (Porphyra spp) and a wakame seaweed salad (Undaria pinnatifida) had similar bioavailability as a potassium iodide reference supplement of similar iodine content. A randomized 2 × 2 crossover trial (AB/BA model) was conducted in 20 healthy young women. One intervention arm consisted of a meal with sushi and wakame salad (231 μg iodine), and the other of potassium iodide (KI) supplement (225 μg iodine). Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured at 11 different time points for 48 h after the interventions. The UIC increased after consumption of both the sushi and wakame meal and the KI supplement, but the median UIC was higher after ingestion of the KI supplement. The estimated bioavailability of iodine during the first 24 h was 75% from sushi with wakame and 97% from the KI supplement. The bioequivalence analyses confirmed that the KI supplement had higher estimated bioavailability than the sushi and wakame meal, however, with small margins. Our findings on iodine bioavailability imply that sushi and wakame could be potential iodine sources in the diet, which may be favorable for population groups at risk for iodine deficiency. However, further research is needed to account for the variability of iodine content in seaweeds by different locations and degree of processing, to assure that the iodine levels are stable and predictable for the consumers.Bioavailability of iodine from a meal consisting of sushi and a wakame seaweed salad—A randomized crossover trialpublishedVersio
Decision tree scoring system to guide selection for consumer preference in sweetpotato breeding trials
Get PDFBACKGROUND Previously, a lexicon and protocol for quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was established for the Uganda sweetpotato breeding program. The implication of QDA scores for priority sensory attributes on consumer preference should be determined to interpret results efficiently and make decisions effectively. The present study aimed to develop a gender-responsive decision tree to obtain an overall sweetpotato eating quality score to facilitate demand-led targeted breeding selection. It focused on Kamuli and Hoima districts (Uganda) and uses pre-lease advanced clones (‘NKB3’, ‘NKB105’, ‘NKB135’, ‘D11’ and ‘D20’), released varieties (‘NASPOT 8’ and ‘NAROSPOT 1’) and landraces (‘Muwulu-Aduduma’, ‘Umbrella’). RESULTS Including boiled sweetpotato sensory characteristics, namely mealy, sweet taste, sweetpotato smell, firm and not fibrous, in breeding design would benefit end-users, especially women given their role in varietal selection, food preparation and marketing. ‘D20’, ‘NASPOT 8’ and ‘NAROSPOT 1’ were most liked in both districts. ‘NKB3’ and ‘D11’ were the least liked in Hoima, whereas ‘Muwulu-Aduduma’ was the least liked in Kamuli. There was a positive correlation between color and overall liking (r2 = 0.8) and consumers liked the color (average rating ≥ 6 on a nine-point hedonic scale) of all genotypes. Threshold values (average rating on 11-point scales) for consumer acceptability were identified (sweet taste = 6, sweetpotato aroma and flavor = 6, firmness = 3, and mealiness = 4). A regression decision tree tool was created to calculate an eating quality selection index when screening lines in breeding programs using the values. CONCLUSION Decision trees that include consumer needs and gender considerations would facilitate demand-led breeding and make varietal selection in sweetpotato breeding programs more effective. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.Decision tree scoring system to guide selection for consumer preference in sweetpotato breeding trialspublishedVersio
Mechanical processing of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Tetraselmis chui biomass affects phenolic and antioxidant compound availability, nutrient digestibility and deposition of carotenoids in Atlantic salmon
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Effect of Season and Increased Temperature on Survival, Roe Enhancement, and Reproductive Cycle of the Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) Collected from Four Relatively Close Sites in Northern Norway
Get PDFA series of three trials were conducted in the North of Norway at different times of the year. The trials consisted of harvesting sea urchins from four sites, situated within 5 km of each other and then holding them in land-based enhancement facilities. They were held at ambient seawater temperatures as well as ambient plus 3.0°C. Samples were taken from the wild at the time of collection and at the end of the enhancement period as well as from the enhanced sea urchins from each site. Results showed that utilising the sea urchins from a variety of sites, even from areas where there is an abundance of sea urchins (sea urchin barrens) and the Gonad Index (GI) is almost always low, is viable in terms of the final, post roe enhancement GI. The results of the study indicate that differences in initial and final GI and the increase in GI between the sites, despite the relatively close proximity, show site selection is most likely not as important as ease of harvesting and sea urchin availability and the positive environmental impact from removal of sea urchins and these are the factors that harvesting strategies should focus on. The study has shown that it is possible to have a relatively consistent roe enhancement from S. droebachiensis from the North of Norway regardless of seasonality (time of year), site selection, and initial GI. Relatively small changes (up to 3°C) in the seawater temperature appear to have a slightly negative impact on enhancement efforts. However, this may vary when larger differences in temperature are experienced.Effect of Season and Increased Temperature on Survival, Roe Enhancement, and Reproductive Cycle of the Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) Collected from Four Relatively Close Sites in Northern NorwaypublishedVersio
Bruk og etterbruk av rensefisk i norsk lakseoppdrett fra et samfunnsøkonomisk perspektiv
Get PDFBruk av rensefisk, spesielt rognkjeks (Cyclopterus lumpus), i norsk lakseoppdrett har økt kraftig som følge av strengere miljøkrav og økende kostnader til lusebekjempelse. Mange oppdrettere opplever en god effekt av metoden, men samtidig skaper den utfordringer. I merden sammen med laks er rensefisk utsatt for stress, sykdommer og skader, noe som fører til høy dødelighet. I tillegg er praksisen med destruering av fisk etter bruk omstridt. Vi bidrar til diskusjon om bruk av rensefisk med en samfunnsøkonomisk analyse gjennomført etter krav i Utredningsinstruksen. Studien viser at det er stor usikkerhet ved kvantifisering av effektene for oppdrettere, miljø, fiskevelferd og leverandører. Velferd av rensefisk er betydelig redusert mens bidrag til lusebekjempelse for hele industrien ikke er bekreftet. Metodiske implikasjoner for måling av samfunnsnytten av tiltak i miljøforvaltningen er drøftet.publishedVersio
Characterization of vasskveite (water halibut) syndrome for automated detection
Get PDFIn recent years, cases of vasskveite (water halibut) syndrome in halibut have been increasing. At the moment, there exists no way to screen for the syndrome immediately after capture, which is problematic for both exporters and purchasers. In this article, we compared good quality halibut and halibut exhibiting the syndrome using a variety of techniques. Hyperspectral imaging was used to quantify the relative amounts of fat and water in the tissue. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to characterize tissue structure. Histology was performed to provide direct visual characterization of the tissue. Results indicate the muscle fibers in afflicted fish exhibit disordered growth and the tissue is lacking in fat. These results are in line with the current theory that the syndrome stems from a nutritional deficiency in the halibut diet. Hyperspectral imaging appears to be a promising technology to rapidly identify afflicted halibut immediately after capture.publishedVersio
