Category Archives: Life Extension

Last month, this publication was introduced to Apeel Sciences a Gates Foundation-backed company responsible foran innovative plant-derived solution that reportedly slows down the rate of water loss and oxidation in perishable foods. Fin Slater caught up with Michelle Masek,Communications Advisor atApeel Sciencesto discuss scalability, single-use plastics, and the future of food packaging.

Could you give us an introduction to the Apeel product?

Apeel is a plant-derived solution that doubles to triples the shelf life of many types of fresh produce reducing reliance on refrigeration, plastic packaging, and controlled atmosphere throughout the supply chain. Made of materials found in every bite of fruit, Apeel creates an exceptionally thin, edible peel on the outside of produce, creating an optimal microclimate inside fruits and vegetables that slows the rate of water loss and oxidation the primary causes of spoilage. Apeel Sciences is fighting the global food waste crisis by using natures tools to extend the freshness of produce, prevent waste and promote more sustainable practices. Apeel is FDA GRAS, approved for USDA Certified Organic and conventional produce, and in 2019 gained regulatory approval by the European Commission.

For suppliers and retailers, Apeel is the only postharvest solution that creates an optimal microclimate inside every fruit or vegetable, maintaining quality, extending shelf life, and transportability with reduced reliance on refrigeration and controlled atmosphere.

What was the R&D process that lead up to the creation of the product?

While working on his Ph.D. in Materials, Apeel Sciences founder and CEO, James Rogers, will tell you he spent a few years watching paint dry in an effort to develop an energy-harvesting solar paint that would help democratize clean energy.

One day, while driving through lush farmland on his way home to Santa Barbara from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, he heard a story on the radio about global hunger and wondered how can so many people be hungry if were able to grow such an abundance of food?

It turns out that there isnt an issue with growing the food we needthe culprit is spoilage. James wondered if a barrier could be created for food that would slow down the rate of spoilage and discovered that the materials needed already exist in every bite of food we eat. The result was a breakthrough application of materials science to food preservation, and Apeel Sciences was born.

Apeel Sciences was founded in 2012 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a product to reduce post-harvest food loss in developing countries. Today, Apeel Sciences has developed products for multiple USDA Organic Certified and conventional produce categories, and the company works with partners ranging from smallholder farmers and local organic growers to the worlds largest food brands to make better quality fruits and vegetables available for all.

Apeel is made of plant-derived materials lipids and glycerolipids that exist in the peels, seeds, and pulp of all the fruits and vegetables we already eat. When creating Apeel, we specifically target these materials.

Key factors that determine the shelf life of produce, such as water loss and ripening rates, are governed by their surface properties, including native wax composition, wax crystal density and size, roughness, and porosity. We consider all of these factors when we optimize a formulation for a particular category of produce, where molecularly, we adjust the combination of lipids in the formulation to be best suited to a given produce surface to maintain shelf-life.

What applications/demand does the product seek to meet?

Food waste in Europe has reached a staggering 88 million tonnes annually, with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros. By using Apeel as a solution for extending produce shelf life and helping reduce food waste, U.S. retailers have been able to sell Apeel-treated avocados at no additional charge to the shopper or member.

In trials, weve seen a doubling to tripling of shelf-life across many dozens of types of fruits and vegetables. The length of shelf life extension depends on the type of produce, its age, and the conditions it is subject to along the supply chain, among other factors.

What makes Apeel technologically innovative/interesting?

Nature is our greatest teacher, and we have successfully proven that we can use these learnings to improve and prolong the quality of produce while reducing waste. From strawberries to peppers, every fruit and vegetable has a protective peel or skin that nature uses to keep it fresh. By enhancing this with a little extra peel, Apeel can double to triple the shelf life of many types of fresh produce, which promotes more sustainable growing practices and less food waste from farm to retail shelf to home.

In addition to food waste reduction, Apeels technology has the ability to reduce single-use plastic waste in the produce industry. In fall 2019, Apeel announced a partnership with world-renowned supplier Houwelings Group, providing them access to Apeels plant-derived technology to replace the single-use plastic wraps on its English cucumbers while still maintaining the vegetables shelf life. This partnership is expected to reduce plastic waste from reaching our landfills by over 60,000 pounds per year.

How does this product fit into the sustainable future of the packaging industry?

Apeel's technology is enabling the shift to more sustainable solutions a priority for everyone across the food supply chain. Fruits and vegetables already have packaging in the form of skins and peels, and Apeel is drawing on what nature already creates in order to help the industry increase the sustainability of its offerings. By extending the shelf life of produce, transformations and savings at every stage of the supply chain can occur. One recent example of this is Apeel Asparagus a vegetable which currently depends heavily on air freight for transport. Apeel reduces reliance on air freight by maintaining quality for longer, opening up the possibilities of arrivals by sea resulting in approximately 1/10 of the cost of transport and 1/8 the GHG emissions when compared to air.

What are your expectations for the future of the product?

Coming off of the heels of our European expansion, we hope to be a global company, servicing many more countries around the world. In the U.S., Apeel avocado retail programs have demonstrated a 50% reduction in retail waste on average and were eager to make these food waste reduction benefits a reality for suppliers and retailers around the world. We are excited about continuing to unlock the potential of plant-derived technology to help solve some of the biggest challenges we are facing right now in the area of food waste and its impact on climate change.

Read more:

Using "nature's tools" to fight the global food waste crisis - Packaging Europe

The Jan. 30 Science on Screen Lives of Cows and Cowboys event at the Midwest Theater will feature a documentary film about modern working cowboys on big outfit western ranches, alongside a panel discussion with a beef genetics specialist, a range and forage specialist, and a cowboy poet.

At 7:30 p.m., UNL Animal Science Professor and Extension Beef Genetics Specialist Matt Spangler, UNL Assistant Professor and Range and Forage Management Specialist Mitch Stephenson, and cowboy poet Tim Nolting will take the stage for a discussion of the science, art, and life of rangeland cattle ranching. Following the discussion and audience Q&A, the film Cowboys A Documentary Portrait will screen.

This event is open to the public, and admission is FREE, thanks to event sponsors and partners, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center, B&W, Inc., Attitudez Salon, Murdochs Ranch and Home Supply, Nebraska Arts Council, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Every audience member will get a free ticket for a chance at winning a raffle prize. Science on Screen is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

WHAT: FREE Science on Screen discussion and screening of Cowboys A Documentary Portrait

WHEN: Thurs., Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Midwest Theater, 1707 Broadway, Scottsbluff

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

More:

Science on Screen film event features science and art of ranching and the cowboy life - Scottsbluff Star Herald

Text Size:A- A+

Hello, dears. Stay blessed dears. This year, December has come in January and I have to surrender.

Today,I have a heavy heart, not because I have to move on,mere pyare Pakistaniyo,but because I am worriedaboutPakistan, which is passing through such a critical phase in its history, and I dont know if itcan stomach my loss.

NewYear2020has brought new beginnings for strays or those wayward like me. My boss gottheextension, I didnt.This is surprising because, given thecurrentsituation with India and the impending World War3, my tenureshould have been extendedfor twomore terms at least.

After all, it isIwho protects you with my tweetswhileyou comfortably sleep. But not everything in life is fair, even if I believethateverything is fair in love and war.

Also read: This Pakistani General had seen everything by age of 4. He now wants you to read his doctrine

Mydetractors think theyhavethe last laughjust because I have been replaced as DG ISPR. Let them think that. But what they wont be able to explain ishowcome anirrelevant tweeter, with no significant reach, become a championof fifth-generationwarfare(5GW)? I have crowned myself not only the King of5GW but also the master of7GW, 9GW, and 11GW. If you dont believe me,thenyou cantake a look at the patriotism in my jeans. No money in the world can buy my jeans. I am the inventor of the hybridfifth-generation jeans.

Peoplecallmy behaviour uncouth,complain aboutmy street-fighting abilities and my repellent personality. But look at the positive side:with me around,you dont needan insectrepellent.

You have called me Ghafoora/Ghafoorey, General Zoro (after my dog), General Fookra and General 5GW. I wear all these titles like badges of honour, my dears.

Many have said that I was thrown out for not followingthe Twitter rule of dont drink and tweet.I mean, do youevenknow me at all? I drinkonly whenI have to tweet! Why elsewoulda handsomemanlike me openhisheartbeforethewholeworld and tweet to Deepika Padukone on her bravery? (Of course,braveryki tareeftohbahana tha, asal maqsad Deepika ka attentionpaana tha.)But my boss,jealous that DP mightlike my tweet, or god forbid, post areply,forced me to delete the tweet. Such is life, I tell you.

Ihad to delete myfistfightwith a journalist, but never mind I invited my trolls over tea to manage the situation online. Theytrendedhashtags against the two and told me that the tea was fantastic.Although,I have lost a battalion ofTwitter soldiersin the process and itboils my blood every time I think of these two.

To be fair,thelast few months have been tough, but exhilarating,for a national hero like me. I killed 60 Indian soldiers onTwitter;hadsocial mediaaccounts glorify my existenceandhelp me winPakistans second-highest civilianaward,Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence); made myfirst patriotic item number(not with a Pakistani but an Indian girl, mind you);tweeted day and night with #BeginningOfTheEnd;and asked:should an already butchered be butchered again?(Thatlast onedidnt godownwell for me,at homeoroutside, but with so many hits, you are bound to have a miss.My critics dontget this simple logic.)

These perennial fault-finders also dontunderstand other basic stuff, like whyI wantedpeaceforchange:I needed somechange.

Therefore,I suggestyoufocus on your studies so that one day you dont end up like me. After all, who doesnt want to be like me (other than, probably, me)?

Also read: This Pakistan Twitter General protects his people with tweets & only follows himself

Inthethree years and one month of my serviceas DG ISPR,I taught journalists about ethics and ethos,kept Endian journalists on my radar, and also gave lessons to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on how to do stories, which they clearly did not know until I told them: Before undertaking the story, an interaction is suggested to know the facts. I cant teachangrezito theangrez, but I can teach them journalism.

I have also tried to teachtheIndianArmy how to stay out of politics. Who knowsitbetter than me:my use of aQuranic verseAur Allah Jise Chahe Izzat De, Aur Jise Chahe Zillat Deon the eve of the 2018 general electionwas so subtle that I celebrated the win of Imran Khan and the ouster of Nawaz Sharif without anyone getting my drift. Except, perhaps, the new Indian Army chief, Gen M.M. Naravane, who is learning how to use my rhetoric. But my advice to him would be to not jump the gun yet: the next parliamentary election in India is still more than four years away, so no need for rhetoric yet. I do pity these Indian military people, though; they dont get to engineer elections the way Pakistani Army does here.

In the name of Kashmir, I gave jobs to the jobless such as Veena Malik, Shahid Afridi, British boxer Amir Khan and Accent music group, which, frankly, no one in Pakistan knows about and so I had to tell the group members that Pakistanis are their fans.

Also read: Top Pakistan general & Bajwas successor forced to resign after weeks in house arrest

My replacement, the new DG ISPR Babar Iftikhar, has big shoes to fill. I say that with humility. My tenure touched newer heights, although never of the kind that my tweets did. But I have a feeling Babar will do well. In the first photograph of him doing rounds on social media, he clearly looks like he is a single malt down. It sure is a good start and signals his intent to take off from where I left.

My advice to Babar will be to never take the high roadIneverdid andnow lookwhere I stand. It was the first time in the history of Pakistan thatpeople came out todeclare #ISPROurProud. WillBabar unfollow me from the official DG ISPR account? I don think so.

My time is up,dears. I will now head toOkara. But no goodbyes,my dears. If in the luscious Okara farms you find a truck full of burnol,dont be surprised because that would beforme.My favourite strays need special attention inthewinters. I am sad but I am telling my supporters, #NoIssueLayloTissue.

Pakistani dears, as you voluntarilytrend#TributeToAsifGhafoor Salam Asif Ghafoor on Twitter, I want to apologise to your relatives and their relatives and their neighbours to whom I could not personally respond. You know it was not out of arrogance but just lack of time.

If India and Afghanistan were not our neighbours, Pakistan would have been a peaceful nation.But then again,if India and Afghanistan were not our neighbours,then in all probability,we would haveaborder with Germany and Japan,and there would have been no DG ISPR. So,thank god for the small mercies. From here on, if you dont hear from me, just remember that silence is also an expression. Stay blessed dears. Sleep well Beta. #PakistanZindabad #BeginningOfMyEnd.

This is part of an occasional, irreverent take on Pakistani issues by General Twitter. The real name of the authors will not be disclosed because they dont want to be taken too seriously. Views are personal.

ThePrint is now on Telegram. For the best reports & opinion on politics, governance and more, subscribe to ThePrint on Telegram.

More here:

Boss Bajwa got extension, I didnt. But dont worry Pakistani dears, I will be Gen Twitter - ThePrint

Carole Scheerbaum, Hancock County WVU Extension Agent, with an Energy Express project students made her about five years ago. Scheerbaum read a book about what was in a lunchbox and the students crafted a lunchbox, complete with food items for Scheerbaum as that days art project. (Photo by Julie Riedel)

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. Getting children excited about reading is what Energy Express is all about. The six-week summer reading program encourages kids to express their creativity while instilling a love for reading.

I think that our youth when they come, they find it fun because the books are fun, the mentors are fun, the activities are fun and they end up reading and learning in a way that doesnt feel like Im learning. I just feel like Im having fun. But they are learning, said Carole Scheerbaum, WVU Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development Extension Service Hancock County.

Energy Express is run by West Virginia Extension Service. The program was introduced by the state in 1994 to help children, between grades one and six, maintain reading levels in rural and low-income communities.

It really helps reduce what we call the summer slide. And that means, unfortunately a lot of kiddos when they leave for the summer and dont have the everyday academic routine, their academic skills can slide back a month, or even up to three months over the summer, said Erica Sauer, director of special programs for the Hancock County School District. So, by attending Energy Express were helping to prevent that slide, and not only prevent it, but actually help to gain skills for the next grade level.

Hancock County got involved with Energy Express in 2009. Scheerbaum specializes in youth development extension programs and was hired for the job in July 2008. A community member told her about Energy Express and encouraged her to bring it to the county for the following summer.

The state allows 80 Energy Express sites each year. To qualify for the program, the county must have more than 50 percent of the children in a school community eligible for free or reduced-price meals and be able to supply 30 percent of the funding needed for the program.

Each of the six weeks is a theme picked by the state, which usually relates to family, community or making the world better. The students also receive a book for their own library related to the weeks theme.

The children come in the morning, they are greeted by their mentor and they have breakfast as a group and then they go into their classrooms and they are engaged in activities on reading, writing, art, and drama, said Scheerbaum. We also get them outside every day for 20 to 30 minutes of what we call noncompetitive recreation. I call it good old-fashioned rip and tear time. We play a lot of tag and so the children are engaged all day long with a lot of activities and its all about motivating them to want to read.

Energy Express is set up to be a half day, with the program starting with breakfast and ending with lunch. The children are placed into groups of eight with one mentor. Each group has about three ages within it, and they spend the summer together reading and working on writing, art and acting projects to help bring the books they read to life. At the end of the day, students sit down with another person to read for about 20 minutes in a one-on-one setting. They also have celebrity readers come in to read to the whole group.

Scheerbaum applies for two sites in Hancock County. She is currently working on the 2020 paperwork to maintain sites at Allison Elementary and Weirton Elementary. This year she is planning on 88 spots. Scheerbaum would like to see that number grow to as many children as the sites can handle.

To function as an Energy Express site there needs to be space for each group to split off, a cafeteria, and at least one area for large group functions. In Hancock County, Scheerbaum looks for locations with multiple classrooms so each group has a home room, a cafeteria and multiple community spaces. Those requirements are how Allison and Weirton Elementary Schools were selected.

Even though were a small county, it is bigger than what you think. I mean when you live in Weirton and you have to drive to Chester or live in Chester and have to drive to Weirton its a little bit of a hike, and its hard, it makes it hard on the families. So, its nice to have the two locations.

In the 2019 season the Hancock County Energy Express sites managed a three-month reading level gain.

This gain was measured through a standardized process, that involved a test and a random sample of children from each site across the state. The children were tested at the beginning and end of the summer program, and then their results were measured. This year also included additional research based evaluation for the program where five counties participated. The state asked those five counties to select students who werent participating in Energy Express and to give them a pre and post study to determine broad reading achievement. The students who didnt participate in Energy Express on average achieved one half month reading gains, but the students in the Hancock County program achieved reading gains of 3.1 months.

So, we were very elated with those results and seeing the benefits that the children receive in working within small groups with an AmeriCorps mentor, said Scheerbaum.

Scheerbaum shared the accomplishment during presentations during the Nov. 14, Hancock County Commission meeting and Dec. 16, Hancock County Board of Education meeting. During the Hancock County Board of Education presentation, Scheerbaum asked if the school would like to continue its partnership with Energy Express and extension.

Since 2012, Hancock County Schools have partnered with Energy Express to benefit Hancock County youth. The school district helps the program by providing the locations, custodial services, and two buses to help transport students.

Hancock County Schools partners with Scheerbaum on a number of other programs, including the Storybook Cafe. The Storybook Cafe is an interactive and mobile learning center, that travels throughout the county. It is another way the county encourages educational growth over the summer. Storybook Cafe runs for three months during the summer. Its schedule overlaps with Energy Express, providing another opportunity to engage students academically. Sauer leads Storybook Cafe with Scheerbaum providing Extension Service volunteers, usually college students, who help lead activities. For 2019 the Extension Service volunteers ran Stem themed activities. Scheerbaum and Sauer also work to bring various seminars to students including a personal finance class, and Scheerbaum helps to engage students at the school districts alternative learning center.

What excites me about energy express is that it, while its very academically focused, its also very creative. Each room has a theme and they spend a lot of time with hands on activities. And I think especially for summer, thats so enticing to kids. When I come to visit throughout the summer, theyre always happy and engaged and having a good time, said Sauer. I dont see any kids whose parents are having to coerce and bribe and drag them to Energy Express. Theyre excited to come and its very summer camp feeling theyre with the same kids every day, in the same classroom and their classroom has its theme and its very active. The day goes by very fast and the kids are very interested and engaged in what theyre doing.

The state outlines the expectations for Energy Express and provides program directors with guidelines to run their sites. The state also partners with a number of organizations to make the program possible. Those partners include the Department of education, AmericCorps and the Library Commission among others. With the help of partners the program receives funding, staffing, books and the ability to provide students with two meals a day.

They do train us. They do provide us with, with an extensive amount of technical assistance, and the model that the program uses in order to ensure that we are making our goals for this summer. I liken the model to a box. You can play in a box in a number of different ways, but you stay within the box. And, the box is very creative, which is what is probably the most wonderful about it, said Scheerbaum.

The 2020 program will run from June 22 to July 31. It is the twelfth year for Energy Express in Hancock County. Every year Scheerbaum hires mentors, location directors, and community coordinators to help run the sites. Scheerbaum relies on college students to function as mentors, she said education students gravitate to the summer program, but she has worked with students from all fields of study. Energy Express also relies on community volunteers to read one-on-one with students. Community members can also be celebrity readers or can donate books for the program to use.

It really does take an incredible team and its not just the team thats on site, but my office staff as well as the community, said Scheerbaum. All of us are a part of that team, to bring Energy Express to the county every summer and we really enjoy it. We have a great love for the program here in the office. We see the benefit that it has and it is truly a joy to bring this to the county each summer.

jriedel@reviewonline.com

LISBON After recalculating the jail credit of Justin M. Lamp, the Summitville man recently convicted of a ...

LISBON Several arrests were made Thursday in connection to a 2018 methamphetamine investigation, which began in ...

WELLSVILLE The Buckeye Water District adopted a 2020 general fund budget of nearly $4 million after ending last ...

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. The water and sewer committee met Monday to discuss upcoming projects.The board ...

MIDLAND, Pa. The Midland Womens Civic Club will host The Chemistry of Change, Beaver Countys ...

LISBON New village Mayor Peter Wilson is wasting little time seeking funding for some projects.Wilson told ...

Original post:

Energy Express: A creative way to learn | News, Sports, Jobs - The Review

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (Ero or the Company) (TSX: ERO)is pleased to announce its 2019 updated National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) compliant mineral reserve and resource estimate along with updated life of mine (LOM) production, capital and operating cost projections for its 97.6% owned NX Gold Mine, located in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The update incorporates the results of the first systematic drill exploration effort undertaken since the mine commenced operations in 2012, and includes the Santo Antonio Vein discovery. Highlights of the update include:

Commenting on the update, David Strang, President & CEO stated, Our strategy for the NX Gold Mine at the outset of 2019 was to secure an initial mine life extension of three to five years at low-cost production for the Company. We are pleased with the result of this effort as we now see a strong foundation of gold production on which to build longer-term growth. The fact that this was achieved over only eight months of drilling in what amounts to the first real exploration effort undertaken at the property since 2012, speaks to the opportunity we see at NX Gold to continue to organically grow the mineral reserves and resources, extend mine life and ultimately significantly increase production volumes from the mine.

Over the next year, we will continue to expand upon the success of the Santo Antonio Vein discovery adding incremental mine life through resource conversion of our significant inferred mineral resource base, drill testing new extensions of the Santo Antonio, Bras and Matinha veins as well as undertaking the first regional exploration program ever conducted on the extensive land package controlled by NX Gold.

The NX Gold mineral reserve and resource estimate is shown in the following table:

Mineral Reserve & Resource Notes:1. Mineral Resource effective date of August 31, 2019.2. Mineral Reserve effective date of September 30, 2019.3. Presented mineral resources inclusive of mineral reserves. All figures have been rounded to the relative accuracy of the estimates. Summed amounts may not add due to rounding.4. Mineral resource gold cut-off grade of 1.90 grams per tonne (gpt) gold. Mineral resources have been estimated using ordinary kriging inside 2.5m x 2.5m x 0.5m block sizes and minimum stope dimensions of 1.25m x 1.25m x 1.50m. The mineral resource estimates were prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014 (the CIM Standards), and the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines, adopted by CIM Council on November 23, 2003 (the CIM Guidelines), using geostatistical and/or classical methods, plus economic and mining parameters appropriate to the deposit.5. Mineral reserve estimates were prepared in accordance with the CIM Standards and the CIM Guidelines, using geostatistical and/or classical methods, plus economic and mining parameters appropriate for the deposit. Mineral reserves are based on a long-term gold price of US$1,350 per ounce (oz), and a USD:BRL foreign exchange rate of 3.80. Mineral reserves are the economic portion of the Indicated mineral resources. Mineral reserve estimates include operational dilution of 10% plus planned dilution of approximately 10% within each stope. Assumes mining recovery of 90% and pillar recovery of 60%. Practical mining shapes (wireframes) were designed using geological wireframes / mineral resource block models as a guide.

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

UPDATED LOM PRODUCTION PLAN

The Companys updated LOM production plan, prepared in conjunction with the updated mineral resource and mineral reserve estimate, provides a pathway for average annual production of approximately 40,000 ounces of gold over the next three years.

(*) 2019 production outlines the mineral reserve schedule for the three months from the effective date of September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

UPDATED LOM OPERATING & CAPITAL COSTS

The updated production plan has resulted in changes to the forecast operating and capital cost estimates. The tables below show the operating and capital costs for the updated LOM production schedule.

C1 Cash Cost Notes:1. 2019 cash costs presented for the three months of the mineral reserve schedule from the effective date of September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2019. 2. Assumes USD:BRL FX rate of 3.80.3. Assumes gold price of US$1,400 per ounce and silver price of US$17.00 per ounce.4. C1 cash costs per ounce of gold produced is a non-IFRS measure, as more particularly discussed under the Technical and Scientific Information section of this press release.

Capital Expenditure Notes:1. 2019 capital expenditure presented for the three months of the mineral reserve schedule from the effective date of September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2019.2. Capital expenditures presented in Brazilian real (BRL)3. Amounts shown do not include discretionary greenfield or brownfield exploration in years 2020 through 2022.

TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Mineral Resources

Block model tonnage and grade estimates for the NX Gold Mine were classified according to the CIM Standards and the CIM Guidelines by Sr. Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez of GE21 Consultoria Mineral Ltda. (GE21) who is an independent qualified person as such term is defined under NI 43-101.

Cut-off grades of 1.90 gpt gold were used for the mineral resource estimate based on gold price of US$1,900 per ounce of gold, underground mining and processing costs of US$115.30 per tonne of ore mined and processed. Mineral resources were estimated using ordinary kriging within 2.5 meter by 2.5 meter by 0.5 meter block sizes and were constrained using a minimum stope dimension of 1.25 meters by 1.25 meters by 1.50 meters. Mineral resources are shown inclusive of mineral reserves.

Mineral Resource effective date of August 31, 2019.

Mineral Reserves

The mineral reserves for the NX Gold Mine are derived from the Indicated mineral resource as defined within the resource block model following the application of economic and other modifying factors further described below. Inferred mineral resources, where unavoidably mined within a defined mining shape have been assigned zero grade. Dilution occurring from Indicated resource blocks was assigned grade based upon the current mineral resource grade of the blocks included in the dilution envelope. Mineral reserves were classified according to the CIM Standards and the CIM Guidelines by Sr. Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez of GE21, an independent qualified person as such term is defined under NI 43-101.

Mineral reserve cost assumptions are based on actual operating cost data during the 8-month period from January 1, 2019 to August 30, 2019. The USD:BRL rate of 3.80 was selected.

Mineral reserve cut-off grades and parameters applied to the mineral reserve estimate are summarized below:

Mineral reserve cut-off cost parameters are expressed as per tonne of ore mined and processed (run of mine ROM):

Other modifying factors considered in the determination of the mineral reserve estimate include:

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company utilizes certain non-IFRS measures, including C1 cash cost of gold produced, which are not measures recognized under IFRS. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

C1 cash cost of gold produced (per ounce) is the sum of production costs, net of capital expenditure development costs and silver by-product credits, divided by the gold ounces produced. By-product credits are calculated based on actual precious metal sales during the period divided by the total ounces of gold produced during the period. C1 cash cost of gold produced per pound is a non-IFRS measure used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance of the Companys operating mining unit and is widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance but does not have a standardized meaning and is disclosed in addition to IFRS measures.

QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL

Database QA/QC Validation

In order to validate the current mineral resource estimate, GE21 selected a series of quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) samples, including blanks, duplicate and standard control samples from those performed by NX Gold. The set of samples was taken from the current mineral resource estimate zone as well as adjacent areas. In the opinion of GE21, blank, standard and duplicate sample analysis was found to be within the acceptance limits for the classification of mineral resources. No sample or database biases were detected. This work was supplemented by drill hole database validation performed using the Geovia Surpac software database tool which looks to validate final depth, overlapping results and drill hole collar information. No inconsistencies or errors were found in the drill database review.

QA/QC Program

Drill core is logged, photographed and split in half using a diamond core saw at NX Golds secure core logging and storage facilities. Half of the drill core is retained on site and the other half-core is used for analysis, with samples collected on a minimum of 0.2 meters and a maximum of 2.0 meters with an average length of 0.5 meters. Sampling commences at least 1.0 meter before the start of the mineralized zone and continues at least 1.0 meters beyond the limit of the mineralized zone. All sample preparation is performed in NX Golds secure on-site laboratory. Gold content is determined using fire assay. All sample results used in the preparation of the 2019 updated mineral resource and reserve estimate have been monitored through a QA/QC program that includes the insertion of certified standards, blanks, and pulp and reject duplicate samples at a rate of one standard, one blank, and one duplicate pulp sample per every 20 samples for a blended rate of approximately 5%.

Qualified Persons and the NI 43-101 Technical Report

Sr. Porfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, MAIG, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Rodriguez is independent of the Company and is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

The Company will file the associated NI 43-101 compliant report on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Companys website (www.erocopper.com) within 45 days of this press release, which will serve as an update to the technical report entitled Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimate of the NX Gold Mine, Nova Xavantina prepared by Porfrio Cabaleiro Rodriguez, MAIG, Leonardo Apparicio da Silva, MAIG and Leonardo de Moraes Soares, MAIG all of GE21, who are independent qualified persons under NI 43-101 (the 2018 Technical Report)

ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP

Ero Copper Corp, headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., is focused on copper production growth from the Vale do Cura Property, located in Bahia, Brazil. The Companys primary asset is a 99.6% interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Minerao Caraba S.A. (MCSA), 100% owner of the Vale do Cura Property with over 40 years of operating history in the region.The Company currently mines copper ore from the Pilar and Vermelhos underground mines. In addition to the Vale do Cura Property, MCSA owns 100% of the Boa Esperana development project, an IOCG-type copper project located in Par, Brazil and the Company, directly and indirectly, owns 97.6% of the NX Gold Mine, an operating gold and silver mine located in Mato Grosso, Brazil.Additional information on the Company and its operations, including technical reports on the Vale do Cura, Boa Esperana and NX Gold properties, can be found on the Companys website (www.erocopper.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as may, could, would, will, should, intend, target, plan, expect, budget, estimate, forecast, schedule, anticipate, believe, continue, potential, view or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, updated LOM production plan, updated operating and capital cost estimates including for the LOM plan detailed herein including expected costs and timing of future exploration efforts, the nature of any mineralization which has yet to be defined, mine life extension, and future exploration including specific target areas and regional drilling.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this press release including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to advance the production, development and exploration of the Companys properties and assets; future prices of copper, gold, silver and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of any mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the geology of the Vale do Cura Property being as described in the technical report for the property; production costs; the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; the price of other commodities such as fuel; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; availability of equipment; positive relations with local groups and the Companys ability to meet its obligations under its agreements with such groups; and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Companys current loan arrangements. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks include, without limitation the risk factors listed under the heading Risk Factors in the Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018, dated March 14, 2019.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information contained herein. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

CAUTIONARY NOTES REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES In accordance with applicable Canadian securities regulatory requirements, all mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company disclosed or incorporated by reference in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and are classified in accordance with the CIM Standards.

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Pursuant to the CIM Standards, mineral resources have a higher degree of uncertainty than mineral reserves as to their existence as well as their economic and legal feasibility. Inferred mineral resources, when compared with Measured or Indicated mineral resources, have the least certainty as to their existence, and it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration. Pursuant to NI 43-101, Inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of any economic analysis. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral resource exists, will ever be converted into a mineral reserve, or is or will ever be economically or legally mineable or recovered.

See the original post:

Ero Copper announces updated high-grade mineral reserve with average production of 40500 ounces over initial three-year mine life extension at the NX...

A Texas Air National Guard fighter squadron flying F-16s is one of the first units to paint its planes in a new, radar-absorbing paint scheme. The paint signals the Air Forces reluctant decision to keep old F-16s flying through the 2020s, at least.

The Air National Guards paint facility in Sioux City, Iowa in mid-December 2019 rolled out a Block 30 F-16C with the new version the Have Glass paint jobs. The F-16C, a Block 30 model, belongs to the 149th Fighter Wing flying out of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The new, single-color paint scheme is a recent departure from the older two-tone gray paint scheme normally associated with F-16s that belong to the United States Air Force, the Pentagon stated.

Most American F-16s for decades have worn a mostly light-gray paint scheme. Since around 2012, however, the Air Force under the Have Glass V initiative slowly has been applying a new, single-tone, dark-gray livery to some F-16s

The new ferromagnetic paint, which can absorb radar energy, first appeared on some of the roughly 200 F-16s the Air Force assigns to the dangerous suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses, or SEAD, mission. SEAD squadrons reside in Minnesota, South Carolina, Germany and Japan.

The Texas Air National Guard F-16 apparently is the first Block 30 F-16 to receive a variant of the Have Glass V paint. Where previous Have Glass V paint jobs included a lighter-tone radar radome, the current scheme covers both the radome and the rest of the plane in the same, dark tone.

No paint can compensate for a plane's shape. In particular, the shapes of its wings, engine inlet and engine nozzle. Square shapes, right angles and perpendicular planes such as engine turbines strongly reflect radar waves.

Even with Have Glass, the F-16 on average has a 1.2-square-meter radar cross-section, according to Globalsecurity, while the F-22 and F-35 boast RCSs smaller than .005 square meters.

So the Have Glass V F-16s arent stealth fighters. But they are stealthier than are F-16s with older paint schemes. Since Have Glass V undoubtedly is expensive, the Air Force logically prioritized repainting planes in units flying the dangerous SEAD mission.

Its noteworthy that Block 30 F-16s, which first appeared in 1986, also are getting Have Glass V treatment. The roughly 300 Block 30s are some of the oldest fighters in the Air Force inventory, and strictly fly with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units.

The Air Force for years struggled to define a replacement plan for the Block 30 F-16s, which on average have accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours. The F-35 eventually could replace the Block 30s. But with F-35 production rates fall far below projections, even under the best of circumstances it could take a decade or more to replace all the Block 30s.

The 149th Fighter Wing is one of several Air National Guard units that for years has lobbied the Air Force to bump it higher in the list for new F-35s. But the flying branch so far has tapped Guard wings in Vermont, Wisconsin and Alabama to get F-35s, leaving a couple dozen other units in limbo for the time being.

Conceding that it cannot acquire F-35s fast enough, the Air Force now plans to conduct a service-life extension on more than 800 of its roughly 900 F-16s, apparently skipping over only the oldest Block 25 models that entered service in the early 1980s.

The life-extension could help the Block 30s fly for a few years longer. Some Block 30s also are receiving new electronically-scanned-array radars to replace their old analogue units. Stealther paint also helps the aging F-16s stay relevant.

The U.S. Air Force isnt the only air arm to apply radar-absorbing paint to otherwise non-stealthy fighters. The Chinese air force in early 2019 also began applying ferromagnetic paint to its roughly 50 J-16s fighters.

The J-16 is an upgraded version of the older J-11 fighter that China copied from the Russian Su-27.

David Axe serves as Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is theauthor of the graphic novelsWar Fix,War Is BoringandMachete Squad.

Read the rest here:

Did the F-16 Just Go Stealth? - The National Interest Online

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- Ryan Becwar remembers hearing talk of extending Ridge Road when he was in high school.

Its just been a long time coming, he said.

And now its finally happening.

I was completely shocked and surprised after so many years it was such a relief that hey this thing is going to go through, Becwar said.

Becwar is part of the Citizens for The Ridge Road Extension group that pushed for the project for so long. And now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finally issued the project permits.

It take Ridge Road in New Port Richey and extend it east to the Suncoast Parkway and eventually all the way U.S. 41 in Land O Lakes. Part of the reason it took decades to become reality were environmental concerns about what would happen to Pascos wetlands.

Officials say the four-lane road way will heave 16 bridges to designed to maintain the habitat below.

Supporters of the project say extending Ridge Road gives the county another much needed hurricane evacuation route, reducing evacuation times by nearly 30 percent. They say it will also help drive business, connecting New Port Richey to Land O Lakes and the booming Connerton area.

Its important for our citizens quality of life matters to our citizens and this is going to help make their daily commutes a little bit easier, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The first phase from New Port Richey to the Suncoast is underway now. The section to US 41 will begin in late 2022.

You can click here for more information on the project.

Visit link:

Driving Tampa Bay Forward Pasco County's Ridge Road Extension Project finally starting Erik Waxler 6:55 - ABC Action News

Dive Brief:

Cargill and Renmatix have agreed to jointly explore new approaches for upcycling plant materials into functional food ingredients. They will use a proprietary water-based technology from Renmatix called the Plantrose Process and Cargill's preferred feedstocks to develop alternatives for emulsifiers and hydrocolloids.

The six-month partnership will test this technology for processing unused plant materials and converting them into functional food ingredients to be used in baked goods, dairy, soups, sauces and meat products, according to Food Ingredients 1st. The process doesn't require any harsh solvents, acids or costly enzymes.

Renmatix CEO Mike Hamilton said in a release the food industry is turning more to plant-based ingredients in order to deliver taste, functionality and label-friendly appeal."Upcycling, the process of transforming unused feedstocks into new, higher-value materials, is the next step in creating a more sustainable value chain and generating exciting new product benefits," he said.

This joint development agreement could benefit both Cargill and Renmatix. The former has access to plenty of raw plant-based materials that might otherwise be wasted, while the latter has developed a patented process to break down biomass into more environmentally friendly ingredients using just water pressure and heat.

Because Renmatix's process is so different than the chemical-based ways of making such ingredients, it could appeal to consumers wanting cleaner labels and more reused materials.

Renmatix has already developed a product called Nouravant, which is made from upcycled maple fiber. It is used for emulsification and shelf life extension two sought-after qualities for CPG manufacturers in products including baked goods. The company said in a May releasethat its plant-based Nouravant isn't subject to price and supply volatility as animal-based ingredients, so it could save food makers 25% to 50% by using it instead of conventional ingredients, like using Nouravant to replace eggs in cookies.

Manufacturers may also be interested in potential savings from new ingredients developed through this joint agreement. More natural products might help avoid commonly used emulsifiers such as mono- and diglycerides and could help trim operational costs and improve product performance, Renmatix CEO Mike Hamilton told Food Ingredients 1st.

Cargill Global Texturizers and Specialties Strategic Marketing Lead Yusuf Wazirzada told Food Navigator the company had identified some raw materials it will focus on with Renmatix's water-based technology, but did not say what they are for competitive reasons.

Other ingredients companies are working on using upcycled ingredients and they're tapping into the growing market for sustainability.According to Future Marketing Insights, the food waste business is worth $46.7 billion in 2019 and could grow 5% during the next decade.

There are many startups and Big Food players getting into this trend.Planetarians has developed a protein flour from defatted sunflower seeds left over from oil extraction, AB InBev has invested in beverage startup Canvas on fiber-rich drinks using spent grains and ReGrained has used them in granola bars.

Besides a large supply of raw plant-based materials corn and wheat are two major ones Cargill also offers its significant influence and reach within the food and ingredients industry. This could mean a greater focus on reducing the problem of food waste and pushing upcycling into becoming an even bigger trend in 2020 and beyond.

Continue reading here:

Cargill and Renmatix collaborate to develop upcycled ingredients - Food Dive

Our (if you consider SSS and South Side Hit Pen fam, and if you do, it would be nice if you could show us some familial love) James Fox dropped a bomb early Monday:

A Robert extension has been bandied about practically since the Cuban phenom was first signed in 2017, and his otherworldly 2019 season has made locking up the Center Fielder of the Future a priority.

Eight years would keep the 22-year-old on the South Side through the 2027 season. If Eloy Jimnezs 2019 preseason eight-year, $75 million extension is the model (presumptively the model James is using in his estimate), the White Sox offer to Robert is closer to $80 million than $90 million. But either grand total would take a player already set for life with a $26 million signing bonus and give his future children and grandchildren lifetime security.

One difference between the two phenoms statuses is Roberts bloated signing bonus, which Eloy did not match ($2.8 million). Robert already has some serious White Sox money in the bank, which is long given as a reason he (or Yon Moncada) would not need to jump at an extension.

On the other hand, Robert has averaged just 61 games per season in his career and his 122 in 2019 nearly doubled his previous career high. While that average is pulled down by both short Cuban National Series seasons and IL stints, Robert is not exactly immune to the injury bug; it might not be the silliest notion to cash in now, at the risk of being underpaid (see: Tim Anderson) in future years.

Excerpt from:

White Sox rumors: Luis Robert has an extension offer on the table - South Side Sox

As we enter a new year and the beginning of a new decade, theres no better time to make sure your digestive health aisle is well-stocked: Products that heal and nourish the gut are likely the helping hand your customers will need to achieve all their health resolutions in 2020. The composition of the gut microbiome influences every aspect of our physiology and regulatory processes, which affects not only digestive health but also systemic health and ones risk for developing diseases, asserts Samantha Ford, Business Development Director, AIDP Inc.

Indeed, over the past decade, study after study has uncovered new ways that the trillions of bacteria in the gut can influence everything from nutrition absorption to hormone balance to protection against pathogens like the flu virus. People typically consider probiotics for digestive health. However, based on scientific research it is becoming increasingly clear that they have other health benefits as well, notes Andrew G. Swick, M.S., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Life Extension. A healthy gut microbiome promotes healthy immunity, metabolism, mood, heart, liver and other organ systems.

All told, this growing awareness of the microbiome has the digestive health market booming, and it stands to soar even higher in the coming decade: A report by Grand View Research Inc. projects global sales of digestive health products will reach $57.5 billion by 2025a big jump from the $31.2 billion of 2017 (1). Significant growth is anticipated in the digestive health category, affirms Hank Cheatham, Vice President, Daiwa Health Development. With the awareness of the connection between gut health, overall health and cognitive function as well as athletic performance, growth seems to be a sure thing. In addition, researchers have only just begun to identify methodology to define a healthy microbiome; as this investigation evolves, growth in the market will occur, not only in personalized medicine, but overall.

That said, its not just probiotics and other microbiome-nourishing supplements fueling the market. Theres also a big opportunity to gain loyal customers who are dealing with specific digestive complaints like IBS, GERD and leaky gut and want to avoid the side effects and costs associated with traditional OTC and prescription treatments. According to the Natural Marketing Institutes (NMI)/Nielsens recently published report Opportunities in Digestive Health, 37% of consumers consider themselves to be managing some type of digestive health issue, Cheatham notes. People look to digestive remedies to help with the side effects of unhealthy diets and stressful lifestyles.

To help you navigate this increasingly flooded market so you can point your customers in the right direction to optimize their health, we tapped leading industry insiders for the low-down on the most promising new trends and technological advances in probiotics and microbiome support, as well as the research-backed natural options for the most common digestive concerns.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology posited that if everyone in the U.S. took probiotics, health care payers would save an estimated $373 million in medical bills and sick days would be reduced by 54.5 million, saving the economy approximately $1.4 billion per year in medical costs and lost productivity (2). And thats just savings associated with probiotics immune-boosting ability to fend off respiratory tract infections that cause cold and flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.

With recent scientific advances, probiotics for obesity, dental health, diabetes and even heart disease could become a reality over the next decade. A wide variety of probiotic strains are being investigated for viability in specific health areas, such as oral health, mood/cognitive support, cholesterol management and more, notes Sam Michini, Vice President of Marketing & Strategy, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. Condition-specific action and support is the future of probiotics.

Dr. Swick agrees. With advancing technology, scientists have been able to select specific strains of organisms to accomplish precise tasks. Here, just a few strains shown to deliver targeted benefits that are already on the market:

Immune support. More than 70% of your immune system is in your gut, says Dr. Swick. He recommends a probiotic blend like Life Extensions Immune Support that combines B. lactis BS01, L. plantarum LP01, L. plantarum LP02, L. rhamnosus LR04, and L. rhamnosus LR05, which have been demonstrated to promote a healthy immune response.

Mood support. Experts estimate that up to 90% of the bodys serotonin is produced in the gut. Clinical and pre-clinical studies indicate that gut microbes can support mood and behavior by affecting the gut-brain axis, a complex communication network that links your gut with your brain, explains Dr. Swick, noting that innovative probiotic strains, L.helveticus Rosell-52 and B. longum Rosell-17, which are found in Life Extensions Florassist Mood Improve, are particularly helpful here: In two randomized controlled trials, study participants given these strains reported significant mood, stress response and emotional balance support as compared to placebo.

Also of interest for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth: The probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 is backed by clinical data in mood and anxiety support post-partum, says Ford. AIDPs Actazin in combination with HN001 has been shown to fuel the growth by as much as 140% in-vitro.

Fitness performance: Our spore-forming probiotic strain, Bacillus subtilis DE111, has the science to show its viability in fitness and athletic achievement, notes Michini. He points to a recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research that showed DE111, in conjunction with adequate post-workout nutrition, produced statistically significant improvements in the reduction of body fat percentage, and a strong trend indicating improved performance of the deadlift exercise (3.) In a separate study, DE111 was also found to promote tissue recovery and reduce the likelihood of injury.Weight management.Studies have suggested that there is an association between gut bacterial diversity and body weight, notes Dr. Swick. While specific strains are still being investigated, L. rhamnosus and L. gasseri show great promise in preliminary studies.

Whether your customers are shopping for a general health probiotic or a benefit-specific one, its better to focus on getting a diverse mix of bacteria strains rather the quantity or number of live active cultures, advises Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA, Senior Nutrition Education Manager, NOW Foods. Diversity and variety are important for gut health. A healthy gut will have no fewer than 50 to 100 probiotic strains present and that amount is actually at the low end of whats required. He notes that NOW Foods generally provides between at least 8 to 10 strains in their probiotic formulas to help foster this diversity.

Diversity can also be achieved by combining targeted strains found in a supplement along with probiotic food sources like yogurt, kimchi, kombucha and kefir, as well as functional snacks enriched with heat-resistant microbes like Kerrys spore-forming probiotic GanedenBC30. Some experts also recommend changing up the brand or formula of your probiotic supplement every few months to introduce new strains to the microbiome.

Trisha Sugarek MacDonald, BS, MS, Sr. Director of Research & Development/National Educator, Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation, adds that its also critical to understand the quality of the probiotic, and each strains specific applications. Genetic DNA identification is the only way to ensure that you are getting the most effective probiotic strains, she says, noting that all probiotic strains in Bluebonnets Advanced Choice SingleDaily Probiotic formulas have been genetically identified and characterized by the Pasteur Institute, the scientific non-profit foundation dedicated to the study of microorganisms. Depending on ones food sensitivities, dietary benefits, such as made with non-GMO ingredients and free of most allergens, may also be important to look for on the label.

Survivability through the GI tract is also a consideration, but Levin believes theres little need to sweat it. We all know that probiotic foods are often effective without special delivery systems, and fortunately for both consumers and manufacturers, many modern probiotics are robustly acid-tolerant. For example, acidophilus literally means acid loving, he notes. Acidophilus and other common strains such as bifidobacteria have been tested for their ability to survive stomach acid for an hour at body temperature, and are rated at over 90% survivability. That can eliminate the need for enteric coatings, which contain some controversial ingredients and add to costs.

Many of the health-promoting effects of a balanced microbiome come not from the probiotics themselves, but from the short-chain fatty acids that are produced when bacteria ferment indigestible fibers, dubbed prebiotics, as food. Fermentation of certain fibers leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids, other metabolites and some vitamins, explains Kyle Krause, Product Manager, Functional Fiber and Carbohydrates, Beneo. Science demonstrates that short-chain fatty acids, achieved through this prebiotic fermentation, can reach the brain and other organs directly through the blood, or indirectly via the stimulation of immune cells, the hormonal or nervous system and the release of messenger substances. As a result, the gut microbiota can influence digestive health, an individuals inner well-being and overall health.

These prebiotic fibers play a critical role in helping good gut bacteria to thrive and multiply. While its possible to get sufficient prebiotics from food sources (onion, garlic, artichokes, bananas, barley, oats, beans and apples are all good sources of inulin and other soluble fibers and resistant starches), Michael Bush, President and CEO, Prenexus Health and Executive Board Member of the International Probiotics Association (IPA), cautions that most people struggle to get enough through diet alone. Dietary fiber is great but only 5% of Americans consume the recommended amount of dietary fiber, so supplemental prebiotics are necessary to properly feed the good bacteria that is already found in the gut. Plus, notes Cheryl Myers, Chief of Scientific Affairs and Education at EuroPharma, Inc., Supplemental prebiotics have the benefit of being consistentwhich is exactly what probiotics need to thrive.

Fortunately, theres no shortage of ingredients on the market that are effective in small doses and can be easily snuck into functional food and beverage. For instance, inulin and oligofructose, such as BENEOs chicory root fiber-derived Orafti Inulin and Oligofructose, can be easily and undetectably added to food and drink products, and have been shown to contribute to better digestive health and inner well-being by first and foremost selectively promoting the growth of beneficial microbiota, notes Krause. Studies also show improvements in bowel regularity as well as in calcium absorption and thus bone health. BENEOs prebiotic fibers have been proven to support weight management. This all results in an improved quality of life.

Xylooligoscacharides, or XOS, found in AIDPs propeitary ingredient PreticX, also show promising health perks. PreticX selectively feeds beneficial bacteria, without feeding the bad bacteriacausing a favorable alteration in gut microbiome, notes Ford. This is a tremendous advantage over other, higher dose prebiotics, which tend to feed all the bacteria, without a meaningful impact in the gut ratio. She points to a clinical trial which found that a dose of 2 grams of PreticX daily significantly increased levels of the bacteroidete B. fragilis strain, without increasing the firmicutes strain Lactobacillus. This suggests that PreticX may foster a more beneficial Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, which has been linked to improved metabolic response and benefits to weight management.

Consumers who are sensitive to starch or fiber based prebiotics may want to consider emerging phage technology, advises Michini. Phages are minuscule bundles of DNA or RNA enrobed in a protein shell. Phages are diverse and abundant: there are 10-fold more phages than bacteria populations in the human body. The role of each type of phage is to overtake a specific bacterium. He explains that phages, like those found in Deerlands PreforPro, work as a dual action prebiotic. These compounds destabilize the cell wall of the bad bacteria, which then provides nutrients as well as space for the good bacteria to grow. Whats more, he notes, PreforPro is effective in a small dose (15 mg) and does not incur bloating or flatulence because it doesnt become fermented.

Also showing promise as a prebiotic: Antioxidants like anthocyanins from berries, notes Melanie Bush, Director of Science, Artemis International, Inc. Studies have shown that flavonoids essentially behave as prebiotics and modulate a healthy balance of good bacteria in the gut. Additionally, researchers studied how gut microbes can metabolize berry flavonoids into metabolites that have significant health benefits.

SOS for digestive distress

Chronic digestive issues, including inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux and food intolerances, can be painful, frustrating and downright embarrassing. And often, the long-term side effects of the OTC and prescription treatments can be as troubling as the condition itself. Case in point: An alarming new study published in the BMJ found that extended use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are routinely prescribed to treat heartburn, ulcers and acid reflux, was associated with a 17% increased risk of early death (4). No wonder so many Americans are trying to get off their PPIs. A new survey from the University of Michigan Medical School revealed that 79% of patients had at least some concern about PPI side effects, even if they couldnt necessarily name any specific side effects, and 83% had attempted to get off of the meds without a doctors recommendation (5).

If customers come in looking for a natural solution to digestive problems, be sure to advise them to talk to their healthcare practitioner about transitioning off meds, notes Levin. But there is natural help to be found for GERD and IBD, and its largely compatible with OTC meds, notes Myers. Some consumers choose to take their OTC and the natural product together for a week or two, then slowly wean off the OTC drug. Once inflammation (especially 5-LOX inflammation, seen in many inflammatory bowel diseases) is under control or eliminated with natural products, the digestive relief and symptom remission is going to be much more sustainablewithout the potential side effects of OTCs.

Help for heartburn, acid reflux or GERD. Myers notes that the PPIs typically used to treat reflux and heartburn shut down acid production, which may temporarily stop the pain, but used long term, it leaves users vulnerable to other problems, including increased susceptibility to food poisoning, bone density loss, and increased rates of other infections. Stomach acidity is a natural barrier against microbes entering the body along with food or liquids since the low pH discourages the growth or most organisms, explains Levin. If the acidity level is too weak, foods wont be properly digested and that immune barrier would be compromised.

Whats more, Levin notes, its been estimated that perhaps half of those taking antacids have insufficient stomach acid production to enable digestion (and provide a proper immune barrier). The clinical pearl that clinical nutritionists learn is to consider the timing of heartburn after a meal. Delayed onset heartburn is an indication to look at the probability of the acid being too weak to actually digest the food, especially protein. When this is the case, he recommends exploring a supplement with betaine HCl to supplement the stomachs own acid production and pepsin, the stomach main digestive enzyme.

Other reflux soothers: Two of the best ingredients to fight heartburn and GERD naturally are d-limonene and sea buckthorn, says Myers. D-limonene is a clinically tested component of citrus oil that appears to coat and protect the stomach walls and mucosa from the potential damage of stomach acid (without interfering with acid production), and supports healthy peristalsisthe muscle action of the intestines that moves food through the digestive system. In one study, she notes, 19 adults with a history of mild to moderate symptoms of heartburn or GERD were asked to discontinue their OTC or prescription medications and take d-limonene instead. By the second day of taking d-limonene, 32% of the participants experienced symptom relief. After 14 days, 89% of the participants were symptom free.

Seabuckthorn works another way, Myers continues. It has a protective effect on the stomach and actually helps prevent and heal gastric ulcers. It also soothes the mucosal in the digestive tract. Similarly protective of the esophagus is deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) extract, adds Levin. Licorice has been shown to support healthy concentrations of compounds that promote mucus production, which may provide an improved protective barrier between the delicate lining of the esophagus and the acidic stomach contents.

Help for inflammatory bowel disease. One of the most effective botanicals for dealing with IBS or other digestive issues is boswellia, says Myers. She notes that this botanical, found in BosMed Intestinal Bowel Support, fights 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inflammation. Inflammation through the small bowel and colon may be one of the physical causes and effects of IBS and other diseases. Because boswellia stops the 5-LOX cascade, it is a valuable ally. For example, in the case of Crohns disease, individuals were treated with either boswellia or the drug mesalazine (a drug commonly used to treat Crohns, ulcerative colitis, and IBS). Boswellia performed as well as the drug, but without the dangerous side effects.

Another smart supplement: Zinc L-carnosine offers a comprehensive approach to protect your stomach lining and promote gastric health, notes Levin. Several clinical studies showed that 150mg daily of zinc L-carnosine significantly reduced factors associated with gastric discomfort within eight weeks.

Help for food sensitivities or intolerances. A broad-spectrum enzyme blend can be a great solution for those who experience digestive discomfort when they eat, as it helps facilitate better digestion of the many components of a mealfats, carbohydrates and proteins, says Michini. But if a food sensitivity is claimed by your customer to be an issue, point them to supplements containing specific enzymes. Deerland makes a trio of targeted enzyme ingredients, ProHydrolase, Dairylytic and Glutalytic, that can help customers consume hard-to-digest protein peptides (like those in meat or protein powders), dairy and gluten with fewer digestive symptoms. Glutalytic is also clinically proven to reduce levels of IgA and CRP, supporting a proper immune response, he notes.

Help for leaky gut. Leaky gut is caused when inflammatory compounds (like gluten in people with gluten intolerances) and other toxins damage the digestive tract lining, creating microscopic tears that allow endotoxins and waste to leak out of the GI tract and into the bloodstream. This is notoriously difficult to treat, but Miles Sarill, National Educator, CV Sciences, sees big potential for a raw CBD component called cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) for speedier healing. He explains that this compound, which is found in CV Sciences new raw CBD oil, is a non-psychoactive precursor to CBD that has been shown in preliminary animal studies to actually facilitate healing of the digestive health tract. CBDA cant cross the blood-brain barrier, so it goes to work within the body along with 500 other anti-inflammatory compounds in a full spectrum oil, he explains. Full spectrum raw CBD oil can be deeply supportive for both inflammation response, as well as that gut barrier and the microbiome.

When it comes to growing your digestive health sales, Dr. Swick notes, It is important to educate consumers about the importance of probiotics and how they play a beneficial role within and outside the gut. Specifically, with respect to condition specific probiotic strains and how they can complement other interventions. For example if you are promoting mood support with traditional herbs or amino acids, also consider a probiotic product that has been studied and demonstrated to support the same health concern.

Myers agrees, Having printed materials that explain the connection between gut health and overall wellness are essential, too. It gives customers something to think aboutand ideally, some other lifestyle and supplemental optionsthat can encourage them to return to the store. Also, stores can invite guest speakers and experts to talk about the connection between gut health and well-being that may resonate in more direct ways than printed material.

Dont be afraid to make use of the complexity of the digestive health in illustrations or imagesthey can draw customers in, adds Michini. The gut is the bodys main manufacturing facilityit processes all the raw materials taken in from food, beverages, supplements to pharmaceuticals. This concept works well for visual storytelling, which can be used in store on a white board or other display, as well as in social media. Get the consumer involved in a way that rewards him or her. WF

References

Grand View Research, Digestive Health Products Market Size Worth $57.54 Billion By 2025,GrandViewResearch.com. Posted 2/19. Accessed 12/3/19. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-digestive-health-products-market

Lenoir-Wijnkoop, et al. Probiotics Reduce Health Care Cost and Societal Impact of Flu-Like Respiratory Tract Infections in USA,Frontiers in Pharmacology. Published 8/28/19. Accessed 12/3/2019. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00980/full

Toohey, et al. Effects of Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) Supplementation During Offseason Resistance Training in Female Division I Athletes,The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Published 06/26/18. Accessed 12/3/2019. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/publishahead/Effects_of_Probiotic__Bacillus_subtilis_.95273.aspx

Kristina Sauerwein, Heartburn drugs linked to fatal heart and kidney disease, stomach cancer, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Publised 5/30/19. Accessed 12/3/19. https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/popular-heartburn-drugs-linked-to-fatal-heart-disease-chronic-kidney-disease-stomach-cancer/

Jina Sawani, Many Americans Are Worried About Taking PPIs and Have Tried Stopping Them Without Doctor Approval, University of Michigan Health Lab. Published 5/22/19. Accessed 12/3/19. https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/many-americans-are-worried-about-taking-ppis-and-have-tried-stopping-them-without

Read the original here:

A Healthier New Year Starts in the Gut - WholeFoods Magazine