Microorganism growth profiles during fermentation of Gayo Arabica wine coffee

Coffee is a non-alcoholic beverage that is consumed globally due to its specific flavour and functional properties. Nowadays coffee is diversified based on its coffee varieties, brewing methods, and bean processing techniques. Wine coffee is a commercial name for fermented coffee, a new coffee diversification product. Wine coffee is produced by fermenting coffee cherries for 30 to 60 days. As a new product, the process is not well studied. This research aims to explore the microorganisms’ activity and its profile growth during 30 days of fermentation. The documentation of pH and temperature, and microbial sampling during coffee cherry fermentation were conducted seven times, started at 0 days; 2 days; 4 days; 6 days; 8 days; 10 days; 12 days; 14 days; 16 days; 20 and 30 days. The results showed that pH decreases and temperature increases during fermentation. pH started from 5.0 and down to 3.9 when fermentation is terminated after 30 days, whilst the temperature slightly changes from 25°C to 30°C. The microorganism’s population shows the presence of yeast, lactic acid (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) in wine coffee production. The yeast population increases in the mid fermentation as the cherries are damaged and provide suitable nutrition for the yeast. LAB also co-exists at a similar stage. Further research should be done, especially to understand the interaction mechanism between yeast and yeast, yeast and LAB, and yeast and AAB.

Contextualizing four-stage legal transitions in convergent evolution

Summary This article posits that both Roman and early Chinese states underwent four stages in their multiple-step transformations from local states to major empires during the classical period. For both states, at stage 2, one dominant state formed alliance with a group of smaller autonomous polities, and at stage 3 that dominant state deepened its regulation of the smaller polities whose autonomy was curtailed. There existed striking similarities between Rome and China (early Han Empire) at stages 2 and 3 regarding the constitutional rules enforced by the two central governments to control the newly-acquired subordinate territories, which were the Macedonian/Greek states for Rome and the vassal kingdoms in eastern territories for Han Empire. In particular, this article discusses: (i) why Macedonian/Greek states have been chosen for comparative studies; (ii) similar constitutional rules at stage 2 governing the two empires’ relationships with their subordinate polities; (iii) similar legal rules at stage 3 aiming at dividing up the territories of the subordinate polities and restraining their self-rule; (iv) similar stage-3 constitutional rules that preserved some autonomy for the subordinate polities; and (v) similar stage-3 legal rules that regulated certain economic activities of the subordinate polities. After analyzing Roman governance of Macedonia/Greece within the broader context of Roman institutions for territorial integration, the article explores the underlying trends and deeper mechanism that led to such convergent evolution of legal rules.

The development and experimental assessment of medical devices protecting eviscerated abdominal organs using the eventration model

On an experimental model of eventration in small and large animals (94 rats and 12 pigs), the safety and effectiveness of samples of aseptic protective dressings made of nanomaterials with impregnations used to prevent the development of complications from abdominal organs and tissues in comparison with control ones gauze medical sterile ones were evaluated. After 3 hours, 3 and 7 days after surgery, the viability of the intestinal wall and the presence of complications were assessed on the basis of laboratory, experimental, instrumental and morphological techniques. The assessment of microcirculation (perfusion) of the intestine was carried out using the apparatus LAKK-02. It was found that according to the complex of clinical and laboratory, microbiological, morphological, microcirculatory data and expert assessment, the safest and most effective for the protection of abdominal organs was an aseptic bandage made of non-woven material spunbond impregnated with vinylin + silicone. The initial values of microcirculation parameters in the pig groups were: 18.4 [17.1; 19] perfusion units in the experimental group and 15.6 [6.8; 17.7] perfusion units in the control group. After applying the bandage in the experimental group, the level of microcirculation did not significantly change. In the control group, after 3-hour exposure to the bandage, a decrease in the level of microcirculation was observed to 6.5 [5.1; 8] perfusion units (p 0.05 compared to the initial and similar stage in the experimental group). Thus, an aseptic bandage made of spunbond nanomaterial impregnated with vinylin + silicone retains the necessary moisture and protects the eventrated abdominal organs, demonstrates safe adhesive properties and prevents the development of local and general complications in the early postoperative period.

COVID-19 in Slovenia, from a Success Story to Disaster: What Lessons Can Be Learned?

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, Slovenia was among the least affected countries, but the situation became drastically worse during the second wave in autumn 2020 with high numbers of deaths per number of inhabitants, ranking Slovenia among the most affected countries. This was true even though strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to control the progression of the epidemic were being enforced. Using a semi-parametric Bayesian model developed for the purpose of this study, we explore if and how the changes in mobility, their timing and the activation of contact tracing can explain the differences in the epidemic progression of the two waves. To fit the model, we use data on daily numbers of deaths, patients in hospitals, intensive care units, etc., and allow transmission intensity to be affected by contact tracing and mobility (data obtained from Google Mobility Reports). Our results imply that though there is some heterogeneity not explained by mobility levels and contact tracing, implementing interventions at a similar stage as in the first wave would keep the death toll and the health system burden low in the second wave as well. On the other hand, sticking to the same timeline of interventions as observed in the second wave and focusing on enforcing a higher decrease in mobility would not be as beneficial. According to our model, the ‘dance’ strategy, i.e., first allowing the numbers to rise and then implementing strict interventions to make them drop again, has been played at too-late stages of the epidemic. In contrast, a 15–20% reduction of mobility compared to pre-COVID level, if started at the beginning and maintained for the entire duration of the second wave and coupled with contact tracing, could suffice to control the epidemic. A very important factor in this result is the presence of contact tracing; without it, the reduction in mobility needs to be substantially larger. The flexibility of our proposed model allows similar analyses to be conducted for other regions even with slightly different data sources for the progression of the epidemic; the extension to more than two waves is straightforward. The model could help policymakers worldwide to make better decisions in terms of the timing and severity of the adopted NPIs.

How Were Thralls Used?

Since we don’t have any contemporary written sources, and the Old Norse sagas and poetry must be considered problematic as to a valid description of slaves life in the Viking Age, we have difficulties in reconstructing how slaves were used in Viking-Age society. Therefore, comparative analyses with neighboring societies with written sources, and societies on a similar “stage” as Viking-Age Scandinavia, become important. We have a couple of very important Arabic sources from around AD 900, which empazise how Rūs (Scandinavians?) took concubines. The chapter also discusses the sexual exploit of young women within this Scandinavian slave society.

Unexpected Prosperity

Only a handful of economies have successfully transitioned from middle to high income in recent decades. One such case is Spain. How did it achieve this feat? Despite its relevance to countries that have yet to complete that transition, this question has attracted only limited attention. As a result, Spain’s development into a prosperous society is a success story largely underreported and often misunderstood. This book turns on their head the questions that usually frame the debate about Spain’s economic development. Instead of asking why Spain’s catching up was delayed, this book asks how it happened in the first place. Instead of focusing on how bad institutions undermined economic prospects, as the literature has done, this book explains how growth took place even in the presence of poor institutions. This wider lens opens up new perspectives on Spain’s development path. For example, comparisons are drawn not only with the richest countries but also with those that were in a similar stage of development as Spain. Drawing on a wide range of material, from archival sources to text analytics, the book provides a new account of why reforms were adopted, the role of external and internal factors, as well as that of unintended consequences. The result is an original interpretation of the economic rise of Spain that speaks also to the wider literature on the political economy of reform, the role of industrial and public policy more broadly, and the enduring legacy of political violence and conflict.

Effect of natural pre-luteolytic prostaglandin F2α pulses on the bovine luteal transcriptome during spontaneous luteal regression

The pulsatile pattern of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) secretion during spontaneous luteolysis is well-documented, with multiple pulses of exogenous PGF necessary to induce regression using physiologic concentrations of PGF. However, during spontaneous regression, the earliest pulses of PGF are small and not associated with detectable changes in circulating progesterone (P4), bringing into question what, if any, role these early, subluteolytic PGF pulses have during physiologic regression. To investigate the effect of small PGF pulses, luteal biopsies were collected throughout natural luteolysis in conjunction with bihourly blood samples to determine circulating P4 and PGF metabolite to retrospectively assign biopsies to early and later regression. Whole transcriptome analysis was conducted on CL biopsies. Early PGF pulses altered the luteal transcriptome, inducing differential expression of 210 genes (Q < 0.05) during early regression, compared to 4615 differentially expressed genes during later regression. In early regression, few of these differentially expressed genes were directly associated with luteolysis, rather there were changes in local steroid and glutathione metabolism. Most (94%) differentially expressed genes from early regression were also differentially expressed during later regression, with 98% of these continuing to be altered in the same direction compared to CL at a similar stage of the cycle that had not yet been exposed to PGF. Thus, early, subluteolytic PGF pulses impact the luteal transcriptome, though not by altering steroidogenesis or causing direct inhibition of cellular function. Rather, small pulses alter pathways resulting in removal of cellular support systems, which may sensitize the CL to later pulses of PGF.

"Canadian Experience' and Other Barriers to Immigrants' Labour Market Integration: Qualitative Evidence of Newcomers From the Former Soviet Union

Employment has always been the primary settlement need for most newcomers. However, more recent immigrants’ labour market integration achievements have generally not matched that of the Canadian-born, despite the fact that, on average, immigrants arrive in Canada better educated and at a similar stage of their career as those born in the country. Lack of recognition of international credentials, insufficient language proficiency and lack of Canadian experience are the most commonly cited barriers to immigrants obtaining employment commensurate with their skills level. This puts immigrants in a classic Catch 22 situation: unable to gain appropriate employment without Canadian experience, but unable to get this experience. As a result, many highly-skilled immigrants spend years trying to break into the skills commensurate labour market, and the longer it takes, the more difficult it becomes to have their skills and experience recognized. This study was designed to identify the nature and scope of the barriers that prevent foreign-trained professionals from practicing their professions and contributing more meaningfully to their new society. In particular, the study seeks to explore experiences of main applicants who came to Canada under the Skilled Workers category from the republics of the former Soviet Union.

"Canadian Experience' and Other Barriers to Immigrants' Labour Market Integration: Qualitative Evidence of Newcomers From the Former Soviet Union

Employment has always been the primary settlement need for most newcomers. However, more recent immigrants’ labour market integration achievements have generally not matched that of the Canadian-born, despite the fact that, on average, immigrants arrive in Canada better educated and at a similar stage of their career as those born in the country. Lack of recognition of international credentials, insufficient language proficiency and lack of Canadian experience are the most commonly cited barriers to immigrants obtaining employment commensurate with their skills level. This puts immigrants in a classic Catch 22 situation: unable to gain appropriate employment without Canadian experience, but unable to get this experience. As a result, many highly-skilled immigrants spend years trying to break into the skills commensurate labour market, and the longer it takes, the more difficult it becomes to have their skills and experience recognized. This study was designed to identify the nature and scope of the barriers that prevent foreign-trained professionals from practicing their professions and contributing more meaningfully to their new society. In particular, the study seeks to explore experiences of main applicants who came to Canada under the Skilled Workers category from the republics of the former Soviet Union.

Similar stage-dependent survival and outcome in sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma

Context Long-term data are scarce on large cohorts with sporadic (sMTC) and hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (hMTC). Objectives To compare long-term disease-specific survival (DSS) and outcomes between sMTC and hMTC groups. Design Retrospective analysis Setting German tertiary referral center Patients 673 patients with MTC that underwent surgery from January 1974 to July 2019 Intervention None (observational study) Main Outcome Measure Differences between sMTC and hMTC in long-term, stage-dependent survival and outcomes Results Surgery was performed at median ages of 49 years for sMTC (n=477, 44% male) and 29 years for hMTC (n=196, 43% male; p<0.0001). The mean follow-up times were 9.2±8.0 (sMTC) and 14.6±10.3 years (hMTC). Age and tumor stage at diagnosis were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.0001). The sMTC and hMTC groups had different overall DSS (log rank, p=0.0183), but similar stage-dependent DSS (log rank, p=0.1242 to 0.8981). In a multivariate analysis, sMTC and hMTC did not differ in DSS (HR=1.56, 95%CI=0.94-2.57), but in both groups, a worse DSS was significantly associated with age at diagnosis (HR=1.04, 95%CI=1.02-1.05), male sex (HR=0.49, 95%CI=0.32-0.76), and stages III and IV at diagnosis (HR=20.00, 95%CI=2.74-145.91 and HR=97.47, 95%CI=13.07-726.67, respectively). The groups had significantly different (p<0.0001) outcomes (i.e., cured, minimal residual disease, structural detectable disease, and death), but similar stage-dependent outcomes (p=0.9449 to 0.0511), except for stage III (p=0.0489). Conclusion Patients with sMTC and hMTC had different ages of onset, but similar stagedependent DSS and outcomes after the MTC diagnosis. This finding suggested that tumor behavior was similar in sMTC and hMTC. Précis This observational study of 673 patients with sporadic (n=477) and hereditary MTC (n=196) revealed similar disease-specific survival rates and outcomes, which suggested similar tumor behavior.