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The experimental investigation of the Ag-Ge-Zn phase diagram was performed by using combined microstructural and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analyses. The samples were subjected to thermal cycles by a heat-flux DSC apparatus with heating and cooling rate of 0.5 or 0.3°C/min. The microstructure of the samples, both after annealing and after DSC analysis, was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) analysis. Considering the slow heating and cooling rate adopted, the isothermal section at room temperature was established. No ternary compounds were observed. On the basis of the experimental investigations the invariant reactions were identified. Combining the thermodynamic data on the Ag-Ge, Ag-Zn and Ge-Zn liquid phases by means of Butler’s model the surface tension of Ag-Ge-Zn alloys was calculated.

Surface tension and density measurements of liquid Ag-Sb-Sn alloys were carried out over a wide temperature range by using the sessile drop method. The surface tension experimental data were analyzed by the Butler thermodynamic model in the regular solution approximation. The wetting characteristics of these alloys on Cu and Ni substrates have been also determined. The new experimental results were compared with the calculated values as well as with data available in the literature.

Introduction Capacity development (CD) in food and nutrition is more than formal training. It also includes human resource development, and organisational, institutional and legal framework development with the aim of [...], Background/Objectives: Capacity development (CD) in food and nutrition is much more than formal training and includes human resource development, and organisational, institutional and legal framework development with the aim of enhancing nutrition-relevant knowledge and skills to support infrastructural development. The goal of the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) Network of Excellence has been to develop and integrate food composition data throughout Europe. EuroFIR joined forces in CD with the United Nations (UN) University and UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition, the Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, the Central and Eastern European Countries Food Data Systems network and with the Middle East and North African Capacity Building Initiative. The aim of this paper is to discuss an inventory of the status of food composition databases (FCDBs) and the training needs of compilers in non-EuroFIR countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and to present the CD achieved through EuroFIR and other network collaborations. Subjects/Methods: Two online questionnaires were created addressing the FCDB status and specific training needs in countries of the targeted regions. Data were collected during 2006-2008 and then analysed. Subsequently, CD activities were organised. Results: Contacts were established in 19 CEE and 7 MENA countries, of which several had national food composition tables, but no electronic versions. Education, training, workshops, networking and the sharing of experiences were uniformly requested. Subsequently, CD activities in EuroFIR were organised focussing on food composition courses, exchange visits, workshops and individual training for PhD students, junior scientists and other staff categories, as well as conferences linked to food composition research and food information. To facilitate CD activities, EuroFIR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Estonia. Conclusions: EuroFIR has created training activities that complement national activities. Collaboration with other networks has provided an overview of FCDB status and training needs, providing directions for CD activities in those countries. This provides a platform for new funding and further development and networking for CD, which would be conducive to European Commission objectives and public health strategies for CD. European journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, S134-S138; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.224 Keywords: capacity development; food composition database; EuroFIR

Introduction Most countries in Europe have established their own nutrient recommendations. As yet, there is no standard approach for deriving nutrient recommendations; they vary from country to country. The EURRECA [...], Background: The EURRECA (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned) Network of Excellence collated current micronutrient recommendations. A user-friendly tool, Nutri-RecQuest, was developed to allow access to the collated data and to create a database source for use in other nutritional software tools. Methods: Recommendations, that is, intakes of micronutrients sufficient to meet the requirements of the majority of healthy individuals of that population, from 37 European countries/organizations and eight key non-European countries/regions comprising 29 micronutrients were entered into a database. General information on the source of the recommendations, as well scientific background information, was added. Results: A user-friendly web-based interface was developed to provide efficient search, comparison, display, print and export functions. Conclusion: Easy access to existing recommendations through the web-based tool may be valuable for bodies responsible for setting recommendations, as well as for users of recommendations including scientists, policy makers, health professionals and industry. Adding related dietary reference values such as average nutrient requirements and upper limits may extend the utility of the tool. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, S43-S47; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.60 Keywords: micronutrients; recommendations; dietary reference intakes; database; web-based tool; EURRECA

Introduction Planning nutritious menus for individuals and groups is a complex task that researchers have tried to computerize since the early 1960s (Eckstein, 1967), and a number of applications have [...], Background/Objectives: 'NutPlan' is developed within the EURRECA Network of Excellence (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (http://www.eurreca.org). It is a user-friendly software programme with multiple functions: individual and group nutrition planning, recipe calculation, creating food labels, diet planning and nutrient intake assessment. This paper describes the newly developed software and its features. Subjects/Methods: 'NutPlan' contains the following databases: foods, dish recipes, meals, menus, average menus and glossary. These databases enable diet planning and diet analysis by comparing foods, dishes, meals or menus with currently available nutritional recommendations accessible by a link to EURRECA tool Nutri-RecQuest to meet individual/group nutritional needs. The software is upgraded by inserting new items (for example, foods, dishes, meals) and for a connection to other software programmes, thus allowing more advanced calculations to be completed. Conclusion: 'NutPlan' might be the software of choice for individual and group diet planning. It is aimed particularly at Eastern European and West Balkan countries, which currently lack dietary software. It is envisaged for use by small and medium enterprises in the food industry, as well as by health professionals, researchers and policy makers, and can be recommended for educational purposes. Given its characteristics of being upgraded to include new country-specific food data/database, it can be recognized as an important tool in nutritional capacity development in the Central Eastern European and other regions. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, S38-S42; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.59 Keywords: nutrition software; EURRECA; micronutrient recommendations; capacity development; NutPlan