bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the application of an automatic milking system on buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Faugno Salvatore , Pindozzi Stefania , Okello Collins , Sannino Maura
Published: April 2015

The automatic milking systems (AMS) have been deeply studied in dairy cows applications, but not in the case of buffaloes; although, a few applications to the species can be found in literature. The objective of this study is to compare some important functional aspects of AMS with the conventional milking systems. Aspects such as adaptation of buffalo to AMS and the possible relationship between milking frequency and daily milk yield were evaluated. Two groups of Bubalus bubalis were reared in the same barn, in a farm located in Piana del Sele (SA) southern Italy. Fourty primiparous buffaloes were milked using an AMS, and at the same time another herd of 40 were milked twice a day using traditional milking system (tandem). The adaptation period of buffaloes to AMS was 2 months. Milking frequency with the AMS was significantly higher compared to the one of traditional methods (2.3±0.17 times/d vs 2 times/d). Daily milk yield with the AMS was observed to be significantly higher than with traditional milking system (7.9±1.3 kg/d vs 6.9±1.06 kg/d). In this study, there was no significant relationship between the increase of daily milking frequency and daily milk yield. We can conclude that a positive AMS effect on daily milk yield and milking frequency is possible and so we can expect successful applications of the AMS to dairy buffalo farms.
The influence on biogas production of three slurry-handling systems in dairy farms
Authors: Coppolecchia Damiano , Gardoni Davide , Baldini Cecilia , Borgonovo Federica , Guarino Marcella
Published: April 2015

Handling systems can influence the production of biogas and methane from dairy farm manures. A comparative work performed in three different Italian dairy farms showed how the most common techniques (scraper, slatted floor, flushing) can change the characteristics of collected manure. Scraper appears to be the most neutral choice, as it does not significantly affect the original characteristics of manure. Slatted floor produces a manure that has a lower methane potential in comparison with scraper, due to: a lower content of volatile solids caused by the biodegradation occurring in the deep pit, and a lower specific biogas production caused by the change in the characteristics of organic matter. Flushing can produce three different fluxes: diluted flushed manure, solid separated manure and liquid separated manure. The diluted fraction appears to be unsuitable for conventional anaerobic digestion in completely stirred reactors (CSTR), since its content of organic matter is too low to be worthwhile. The liquid separated fraction could represent an interesting material, as it appears to accumulate the most biodegradable organic fraction, but not as primary substrate in CSTR as the organic matter concentration is too low. Finally, the solid-liquid separation process tends to accumulate inert matter in the solid separated fraction and, therefore, its specific methane production is low.
Late Wisconsinan and Holocene development of Grand Lake Meadows area and southern reaches of the Saint John River Valley, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Broster Bruce E. , Dickinson Pamela J.
Published: April 2015

A 67 m near-continuous stratigraphic core was recovered from drilling at Grand Lake Meadows, located near the junction of Grand Lake and the Saint John River, approximately 40 km south of Fredericton, New Brunswick. From analyses of recovered samples and finite radiocarbon dating, four phases of development of the study site and surrounding environs were identified to have occurred following the Late Wisconsinan glacial maximum. Phase I, related to the formation of the DeGeer Sea, commenced more than 15 000 calyBP from deglaciation accompanied by marine transgression. Phase II began ~14 000 calyBP and continued until approximately ~8000 calyBP during which time there was major isostatic readjustment in the region and formation of a stratified, mostly brackish, ancestral Grand Lake and transformation into a mostly freshwater, Lake Acadia. Phase III began shortly after 8000 calyBP and continued until after 3000 calyBP accompanied by return of the Saint John River to a fluvialdominated system after down-cutting an outlet at the Reversing Falls gorge, and draining much of Lake Acadia. During phase IV, ~3000 calyBP to present, estuarine conditions were initiated as marine water advanced upstream over the Reversing Falls, leading to the development of the modern river system and Grand Lake Meadows.
Moser–Trudinger inequality in grand Lebesgue space
Authors: Černý Robert
Published: April 2015

Let

n \in \mathbb N

,

n ≥ 2

and let

\Omega \subset \mathbb R^n

be a bounded domain. We study sharp constants for the Moser–Trudinger inequality in the Sobolev-type space

W_0L^{n)}(\Omega)

, where

L^{n)} \Omega

is so called grand

L^n

space introduced in [9]. In particular, we obtain our results with respect to two quantities introduced in [8].
Some remarks on a linearized Schrödinger equation
Authors: Busoni Giorgio , Prati Laura
Published: April 2015

In the present paper we propose four systems of linear Partial Differential Equations that can be deduced from the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for the propagation of light in optical fibers in the frame of the recently-proposed Combined Regular-Logarithmic Perturbation method. The unknown function in the Schrödinger equation is the optical field envelope; it is a complex-valued function. Following the Combined Regular-Logarithmic Perturbation method, proposed by Secondini, Forestieri and Menyuk, we look for complex solutions of the Schrödinger equation in the form of a perturbed continuous wave that relates three unknown real-valued functions. Since the Schrödinger equation is complex, we split it into two real equations, both in the three real unknowns. We linearize these two equations and add a third linear equation that relates the same three unknown quantities. We propose four different choices for the third equation, therefore we obtain four di¤erent real systems of linear Partial Di¤erential Equations and we analyze the corresponding systems of Ordinary Differential Equations for the Fourier transforms of the unknowns. One of the four systems we obtain is equivalent to that studied by the quoted authors. We add to it other three choices that could be useful to model di¤erent situations. Again, we consider the real part of the Ordinary Differential Equations and we present solutions in recursive form. We also suggest solutions for the complex-valued Fourier transforms by using Bessel functions.
Reflexões acerca da educação continuada em catalogação descritiva: um estudo em bibliotecas universitárias
Authors: Castro Fabiano Ferreira de , Santos Sandra Vieira
Published: April 2015

A atividade de catalogação nas bibliotecas sempre evoluiu conforme as tecnologias utilizadas em cada época. Nas bibliotecas universitárias, o uso dos catálogos online permite melhor qualidade e celeridade na organização das informações. Para o bibliotecário responsável por essa atividade é fundamental acompanhar essas atualizações de forma a garantir a padronização no processo da descrição bibliográfica e de seus pontos de acesso. Verifica-se, no cenário atual, que o mercado de trabalho vem exigindo profissionais atualizados, impulsionando ao desenvolvimento da Educação Continuada. Nesse contexto, a pesquisa busca estudar a Educação Continuada em Catalogação Descritiva desenvolvida em Sergipe, no período de dez anos na esfera das bibliotecas universitárias públicas e privadas, com os objetivos de verificar a importância da Educação Continuada na Catalogação Descritiva, seus benefícios para o bibliotecário e sua influência na qualidade do Tratamento Descritivo da Informação (TDI). A metodologia caracteriza-se por ser descritiva e exploratória, a fim de buscar conhecimento teórico e empírico acerca do tema, utilizando-se da aplicação de questionário e o levantamento documental, para identificar e caracterizar o perfil do bibliotecário sergipano e suas necessidades de educação continuada. A análise dos resultados evidenciou que os bibliotecários e os órgãos de classe não reconhecem de forma efetiva a necessidade da Educação Continuada na Catalogação Descritiva, o que nos levou a definir que se faz necessária a união das organizações, dos órgãos de classe e das instituições de ensino, na criação de medidas que visem à promoção e à participação nesse processo. Assim, recomenda-se a proposta de criação e de desenvolvimento de um curso lato sensu que sustente e promova ações efetivas para a educação continuada dos bibliotecários no estado de Sergipe.
O desafio da formação de auxiliares de biblioteca no Brasil: relato de uma experiência pioneira de educação profissional no sertão paraibano
Authors: Almeida Jobson Louis Santos de , Freire Gustavo Henrique de Araújo
Published: April 2015

Relata uma experiência inédita de interiorização da educação profissional no sertão paraibano voltada para o contexto da formação de trabalhadores para bibliotecas, ocorrida no âmbito do Programa de Acesso ao Ensino Técnico e Emprego (PRONATEC) ofertado pelo Instituto Federal da Paraíba – Campus Sousa. Descreve-se o perfil e as características particulares do curso Auxiliar de Biblioteca no supracitado contexto social e geográfico. Trata-se de uma pesquisa participante comunicada na forma de relato de experiência. Utilizou-se da pesquisa documental tanto para descrever com rigor e detalhes o perfil do curso analisado, quanto para elucidar as oportunidades de emprego no serviço público para tal segmento. A pesquisa bibliográfica possibilitou a contextualização e fundamentação teórica da abordagem. E a partir dos dados coletados, descritos e analisados foi possível refletir criticamente acerca do potencial dos cursos de formação inicial e continuada para a geração de oportunidades de emprego, transformação cultural e inclusão social. O estudo aponta para novos cenários e novas perspectivas de atuação do bibliotecário como agente socialmente responsável por projetos educativos. Conclui-se que a oferta de cursos de formação de auxiliares de biblioteca em regiões longínquas dos centros urbanos financeiros do país, tal como é o sertão paraibano, além de formar profissionais qualificados para atuarem em bibliotecas, possibilita a disseminação da cultura do livro, da leitura e das bibliotecas, inerente à responsabilidade social da Biblioteconomia e da Ciência da Informação.
Estudo do Comportamento Informacional dos usuários da Médiathèque Simone de Beauvoir da Aliança Francesa João Pessoa
Authors: Figueiredo Dijanice Alves , Paiva Eliane Bezerra
Published: April 2015

O presente artigo é o relato de uma pesquisa que objetivou analisar o comportamento de busca e uso da informação dos usuários da Médiathèque Simone de Beauvoir da Aliança Francesa João Pessoa, Estado da Paraíba, a partir do modelo desenvolvido por David Ellis. A metodologia adotada incluiu uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre Estudos de Usuário e comportamento de busca e uso da informação e uma pesquisa de campo, correspondendo à aplicação de questionários a usuários da midiateca. A amostra correspondeu a 45 alunos (41,6%) do universo de 108 alunos matriculados nos estágios B1 e B2 da Aliança Francesa. A pesquisa revelou que o comportamento informacional dos usuários se assemelhou às categorias estabelecidas no modelo de Ellis, pois, durante a busca estes seguiram os passos apontados pelo autor. Os usuários da midiateca pesquisada realizam suas buscas para suprirem suas necessidades informacionais acerca do estudo em língua francesa e usam a midiateca a fim de solucionar questões que até então eram desconhecidas, assim contribuindo para seu aprendizado e conhecimento sobre a língua e cultura francesas. O mapeamento do comportamento de busca e uso da informação dos usuários da midiateca apontou que eles utilizam a Internet de forma marcante: desde o início até o encadeamento da busca por informação, utilizam referências apresentadas na Internet, que consideram uma importante fonte de informação e confiam nos sites oficiais. Concluiu-se que o uso da Internet é uma característica do comportamento informacional dos usuários na atualidade.
A geração e o gerenciamento de referências bibliográficas com o Mecanismo Online para Referências - MORE
Authors: Felisberto Proxério Manoel , Marcelino Roderval , Alves Maria Bernardete Martins , Alves João Bosco da Mota , Silva Juarez Bento da , Gruber Vilson
Published: April 2015

A produção científica e a elaboração de trabalhos acadêmicos revestem-se de formalidades próprias. Destas formalidades busca-se, neste trabalho, abordar as que se referem à forma de concessão dos méritos aos autores das obras utilizadas no embasamento teórico, através das citações e referências bibliográficas. O que se pretende é o auxilio aos usuários de biblioteca na geração e gerenciamento de referências fazendo uso de uma ferramenta web desenvolvida para esta finalidade. Vários são os aplicativos, sejam eles desktop e/ou disponibilizados através da web, que poderiam suprir esta necessidade. No entanto, alguns requerem a aquisição de algum tipo de licença onerosa para desfrutar de todas as suas possibilidades. Outros possuem a versão gratuita, todavia, são muito limitadas e por vezes não contemplam a geração de referências nos moldes especificados pela ABNT. Existem outras que não disponibilizam a funcionalidade de armazenamento das referências geradas para serem utilizadas em momento posterior. No intuito de suprir esta lacuna foi desenvolvido e disponibilizado ao público em geral, através da web, o Mecanismo Online para Referências (MORE), no ano de 2006. Entretanto, o rápido avanço tecnológico aliado ao aumento do número de usuários do sistema contribuíram para a necessidade de atualização do mesmo, realizada recentemente. Ressalta-se que todo o trabalho foi desenvolvido, exclusivamente, com o uso de tecnologias gratuitas e popularmente consagradas. Inicialmente, buscou-se identificar quais são as principais ferramentas geradoras e/ou gerenciadoras de referências bibliográficas disponíveis para uso e quais tecnologias gratuitas poderiam ser utilizadas na construção de sistemas web interativos. Na sequência descreve-se, de forma sucinta o processo de reengenharia a que o MORE foi submetido, sua nova estrutura, novos requisitos implementados com sua remodelagem e ampliação do seu portfólio de funcionalidades. Finalizando, faz-se uma síntese dos resultados alcançados atualmente em contrapartida aos resultados anteriores à sua atualização.
A Inserção Social dos Programas Stricto Sensu em Administração das Universidades Públicas e a Coprodução do Bem Público
Authors: Salm José Francisco , Da Silva Maria Helena
Published: April 2015

O artigo discute as ações de inserção social dos programas de pós-graduação stricto sensu em administração sob a supervisão da CAPES, a partir dos modelos de coprodução. Os dados utilizados ao longo do artigo são do aplicativo Coleta da CAPES, no período de 2007, 2008 e  2009. As ações de inserção social identificam-se como coprodução funcional (eficiência e eficácia formal) e coprodução simbólica (presença formal do poder público) e raras ações de coprodução representativa com sustentabilidade (integração sustentável com a sociedade). Evidencia, também, que essas ações de inserção social são realizadas mediante a solicitação de serviços aos programas, assistência à sociedade sob diversas formas e por meio de ajuste mútuo entre os programas e a sociedade. Os dados contidos no aplicativo Coleta não comprovam que esses programas diretamente promovem a transformação social (ausência de acompanhamento de egressos). Também demonstram que muitos programas não têm uma compreensão precisa sobre o que é inserção social e como ela deve ser realizada para os efeitos de avaliação da CAPES.
Produção Científica em Finanças: mapeamento das publicações em periódicos Qualis A no Brasil
Authors: Herling Luiz Henrique , Moritz Gilberto de Oliveira , Soares Thiago Coelho , Andrade de Lima Marcus Venicius
Published: April 2015

O atual campo da administração financeira está ligado diretamente à ciência da Administração, herdando traços de seu então anterior berço: as ciências econômicas. Muitos são os estudos publicados em finanças ao longo dos anos, porém o que a administração financeira estuda não é algo de simples evidenciação. Há 70 anos, pesquisadores da área questionam e tentam fazer uma aproximação do que esse campo de atuação trata. Através de um estudo descritivo, buscou-se entender como estão as publicações na área de administração financeira nas revistas classificadas de alto impacto, de acordo com o último qualis publicado pela Capes no ano de 2012. Através da pesquisa verificou-se que, entre 2010 até 2012, existe uma concentração maior de pesquisas nas subáreas Finanças de Curto Prazo, Finanças de Longo Prazo e Mercados e Instituições Financeiras; que os pesquisadores com maior produtividade são da Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie e da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (EAESP/FGV) e que as revistas RAUSP e RAE apresentam a maior quantidade de artigos publicados sobre finanças.
Vapor wall deposition in Teflon chambers
Authors: Zhang X. , Schwantes R. H. , McVay R. C. , Lignell H. , Coggon M. M. , Flagan R. C. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Teflon chambers are ubiquitous in studies of atmospheric chemistry. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation can be underestimated, owing to deposition of SOA-forming vapors to the chamber wall. We present here an experimental protocol and a model framework to constrain the vapor–wall interactions in Teflon chambers. We measured the wall deposition rates of 25 oxidized organic compounds generated from the photooxidation of isoprene, toluene, α-pinene, and dodecane in two chambers that had been extensively used and in two new unused chambers. We found that the extent of prior use of the chamber did not significantly affect the sorption behavior of the Teflon films. Among the 25 compounds studied, the maximum wall deposition rate is exhibited by the most highly oxygenated and least volatile compounds. By optimizing the model output to the observed vapor decay profiles, we identified that the dominant parameter governing the extent of wall deposition of a compound is its wall accommodation coefficient (αwi), which can be correlated through its volatility with the number of carbons and oxygens in the molecule. By doing so, the wall-induced deposition rate of intermediate/semi-volatile organic vapors can be reasonably predicted based on their molecular constituency. The extent to which vapor wall deposition impacts measured SOA yields depends on the competition between uptake of organic vapors by suspended particles and the chamber wall. The timescale associated with vapor wall deposition can vary from minutes to hours depending on the value of αw,i. For volatile and intermediate volatility organic compounds (small αw,i), gas-particle partitioning will dominate wall deposition for typical particle number concentrations in chamber experiments. For compounds characterized by relatively large αw,i, vapor transport to particles is suppressed by competition with the chamber wall even with perfect particle accommodation.
An algorithm for the numerical solution of the multivariate master equation for stochastic coalescence
Authors: Alfonso L.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. In cloud modeling studies, the time evolution of droplet size distributions due to collision-coalescence events is usually modeled with the kinetic collection equation (KCE) or Smoluchowski coagulation equation. However, the KCE is a deterministic equation with no stochastic fluctuations or correlations. Therefore, the full stochastic description of cloud droplet growth in a coalescing system must be obtained from the solution of the multivariate master equation, which models the evolution of the state vector for the number of droplets of a given mass. Unfortunately, due to its complexity, only limited results were obtained for certain type of kernels and monodisperse initial conditions. In this work, a novel numerical algorithm for the solution of the multivariate master equation for stochastic coalescence that works for any type of kernels, multivariate initial conditions and small system sizes is introduced. The performance of the method was checked by comparing the numerically calculated particle mass spectrum with analytical solutions of the master equation obtained for the constant and sum kernels. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the turbulent hydrodynamic kernel, and true stochastic averages were compared with numerical solutions of the kinetic collection equation for that case. The results for collection kernels depending on droplet mass demonstrates that the magnitude of correlations are significant, and must be taken into account when modeling the evolution of a finite volume coalescing system.
Climate intercomparison of GPS radio occultation, RS90/92 radiosondes and GRUAN from 2002 to 2013
Authors: Ladstädter F. , Steiner A. K. , Schwärz M. , Kirchengast G.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Observations from the GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) satellite technique and from the newly established GCOS Reference Upper Air Network (GRUAN) are both candidates to serve as reference observations in the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). Such reference observations are key to decrease existing uncertainties in upper-air climate research. There are now more than 12 years of data available from GPSRO, with the recognized properties high accuracy, global coverage, high vertical resolution, and long-term stability. These properties make GPSRO a suitable choice for comparison studies with other upper-air observational systems. The GRUAN network consists of reference radiosonde ground stations (16 at present), which adhere to the GCOS climate monitoring principles. In this study, we intercompare GPSRO temperature and humidity profiles and Vaisala RS90/92 data from the "standard" global radiosonde network over the whole 2002 to 2013 time frame. Additionally, we include the first years of GRUAN data (using Vaisala RS92), available since 2009. GPSRO profiles which occur within 3 h and 300 km of radiosonde launches are used. Overall very good agreement is found between all three data sets with temperature differences usually less than 0.2 K. In the stratosphere above 30 hPa, temperature differences are larger but still within 0.5 K. Day/night comparisons with GRUAN data reveal small deviations likely related to a warm bias of the radiosonde data at high altitudes, but also residual errors from the GPSRO retrieval process might play a role. Vaisala RS90/92 specific humidity exhibits a dry bias of up to 40% in the upper troposphere, with a smaller bias at lower altitudes within 15%. GRUAN shows a marked improvement in the bias characteristics, with less than 5% difference to GPSRO, up to 300 hPa. GPSRO dry temperature and physical temperature are validated using radiosonde data as reference. We find that GPSRO provides valuable long-term stable reference observations with well-defined error characteristics for climate applications and for anchoring other upper-air measurements.
IGCM4: a fast, parallel and flexible intermediate climate model
Authors: Joshi M. , Stringer M. , van der Wiel K. , O'Callaghan A. , Fueglistaler S.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The IGCM4 (Intermediate Global Circulation Model version 4) is a global spectral primitive equation climate model whose predecessors have extensively been used in areas such as climate research, process modelling and atmospheric dynamics. The IGCM4's niche and utility lies in its speed and flexibility allied with the complexity of a primitive equation climate model. Moist processes such as clouds, evaporation, atmospheric radiation and soil moisture are simulated in the model, though in a simplified manner compared to state-of-the-art global circulation models (GCMs). IGCM4 is a parallelised model, enabling both very long integrations to be conducted and the effects of higher resolutions to be explored. It has also undergone changes such as alterations to the cloud and surface processes and the addition of gravity wave drag. These changes have resulted in a significant improvement to the IGCM's representation of the mean climate as well as its representation of stratospheric processes such as sudden stratospheric warmings. The IGCM4's physical changes and climatology are described in this paper.
Charles Henri Ford'sBlues:
Authors: Howard Alexander
Published: April 2015

This article focuses on the early editorial and literary career of Charles Henri Ford (1908–2002). Spanning much of the twentieth century, Ford's multiform aesthetic sensibility incorporated poetry, visual art, filmmaking, photography, and magazine editing. Despite the breath and depth of his interests and achievements, little critical attention has been paid to Ford. My article addresses this imbalance. It recovers an unfairly marginalized poet and editor whose little magazine sought to renovate modernism along decidedly queer lines. The first section contextualizes Ford and his second-generation modernist little magazine. The subsequent sections chart the magazine's trajectory.
RUPTURA BILATERAL DO QUADRÍCEPS NA DOENÇA RENAL CRÔNICA
Authors: Tomazini Gabriel Canto , Carstens Lucas Daniel , Stieven Filho Edmar , Castro Júnior Marco Aurélio Taucci
Published: April 2015

A ruptura bilateral do tendão do quadríceps é uma lesão rara, mas pode ser encontrada em pacientes com doença renal crônica após traumas mínimos. Este relato apresenta um caso de ruptura bilateral do tendão do quadríceps de uma mulher de 32 anos de idade, portadora de doença renal crônica após queda de mesmo nível. A correção cirúrgica foi realizada com âncoras fixadas ao tendão esuturadas pela técnica de Krackow. No pós-operatório, a reabilitação foi realizada com fisioterapia e ao longo da evolução adquiriu satisfatória amplitude de movimento ativa.
Kennis en waar de nieuwe beleidsideeën vandaan komen
Authors: van Beek Krijn
Published: April 2015

Kennis en waar de nieuwe beleidsideeën vandaan komen

Om iets met de uitdagingen van morgen aan te kunnen, zullen onze overheden radicaal nieuwe beleidsvormen moeten ontwikkelen. Hiertoe zullen ze bewust op zoek moeten naar nieuwe ontwerpen en nieuwe combinaties van beleid. Er is een veelheid aan ontwerppraktijken waaruit ze kunnen putten. Maar dan zullen ze eerst wel moeten erkennen dat beleid maken een creatief proces is en het ook als zodanig vormgeven.
Application of Methyl Silane Coated Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles for Solid-Phase Extraction and Determination of Fat-Soluble Vitamins by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Momenbeik Fariborz , Yazdani Elham
Published: April 2015

Methyl silane coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were used for simultaneous extraction of the fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs). The amounts of extracted vitamins were determined by HPLC. The synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with silica and then modified withtrimethoxymethylsilane (TMMS). The prepared particles were characterized by different methods. The best amounts of silica and TMMS in sorbent synthesis were1.2 and 0.5 mL, respectively. The optimum pH values for the sample solution and washing buffer were 5 and 3, respectively. Application of 100 mg sorbent, 700 μL tetrahydrofuran, 5-fold dilution of the sample solution, and 1 min for sorption and desorption times were among the best conditions. At the optimum conditions, the calibration plots for each vitamin were obtained with good linearity (R2 >0.9992) and suitable linear ranges. This method has a low LOD (<76.1 μg/mL), acceptable repeatability (RSD <5.63%) and reproducibility (RSD<4.71%), and good accuracy (recovery >90.3%). Preconcentration of low concentrations of vitamin D3 was performed, and results showed 3.7 times greater sensitivity after preconcentration. Finally, the amounts of the FSVs in pharmaceutical formulations were determined using the proposed method, and results showed good agreement with those reportedby manufacturers.
Quantitative Analysis of Paraquat in Vegetation by Stable Isotope Dilution and Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Schaner Angela , Hickes Heidi
Published: April 2015

The method presented is a suitable approach for routine testing of paraquat in difficult sample types, such as winter wheat and alfalfa plant tissue, typically found with accidental spray drift. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography and ultra-performance LC is utilized with tandem quadrupole MS in the positive electrospray ionization mode. Three precursor-product ion transitions are measured in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, and paraquat d8 is added as an internal standard at the beginning of the extraction procedure to correct for losses in recovery and/or matrix effects in instrument response. A 5 g portion is digested with 6 M HCl in a 100°C water bath for 1 h. An aliquot is removed and adjusted to pH 7–8 prior to loading on a mixed mode weak cation-exchange SPE cartridge, and paraquat is eluted with formic acid–acetonitrile (10 + 90, v/v). Average recoveries of paraquat fortified at 0.020–0.080 ppm in winter wheat and alfalfa ranged from 80 to 114% (RSD 12–30%). Result data from naturally incurred paraquat (0.027–0.51 ppm) in composite garden plants, potato leaves, tree leaves, and alfalfa are presented. The LOQ is 0.020 ppm.
Simultaneous Determination of 24 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Edible Oil by Tandem Solid-Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography Coupled/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xu Ting , Tang Hua , Chen Dazhou , Dong Haifeng , Li Lei
Published: April 2015

An efficient and fast tandem SPE method followed by GC/MS/MS has been developed for the determination and the quantification of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in edible oil. This method includes the monitoring of 15 + 1 PAHs designated as a priority by the European Union in their 2005/108/EC recommendation and 16 PAHs listed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The sample preparation procedures were based on SPE in which PAH-dedicated cartridges with molecularly imprinted polymers and graphitized carbon black were used in series. The novel tandem SPE combination of selective extraction and purification of light and heavy PAHs provided highly purified analytes. Identification and quantification of 24 target PAHs were performed using GC/MS/MS with the isotope dilution approaches using D-labeled and 13C-labeled PAHs. The advantages of GC/MS/MS as compared to other detection methods include high sensitivity, selectivity, and interpretation ability. The method showed satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.998) over the range assayed (0.5–200 μg/kg); the LODs ranged from 0.03 to 0.6 μg/kg, and LOQs from 0.1 to 2.0 μg/kg. The recoveries using this method at three spiked concentration levels (2, 10, and 50 μg/kg) ranged from 56.8 to 117.7%. The RSD was lower than 12.7% in all cases. The proposed analytical method has been successfully applied for the analysis of the 24 PAHs in edible oil.
Stability-Indicating Spectrofluorometric Method for the Determination of Some Cephalosporin Drugs via Their Degradation Products
Authors: Mostafa Nadia M , Abdel-Fattah Laila , Weshahy Soheir A , Hassan Nagiba Y , Boltia Shereen A
Published: April 2015

A stability-indicating spectrofluorometric method was investigated for the determination of three cephalosporin drugs, namely, cefpodoxime proxetil (CPD), cefixime trihydrate (CFX), and cefepime hydrochloride (CPM), via their acid and alkali degradation products. The three drugs were determined via their acid degradation at 432, 422, and 435 nm using an excitation wavelength of 310, 330, and 307 nm for CPD, CFX, and CPM determination, respectively, and via their alkali degradation at 407, 411, and 405 nm using an excitation wavelength of 310, 305, and 297 nm for CPD, CFX, and CPM determination, respectively. Linearity was achieved in the ranges of 0.35–3.50,0.4–4.0, and 0.3–3.0 μg/mL for the acid degradation products of CPD, CFX, and CPM, respectively, and in ranges of 0.05–0.5, 0.1–1.0, and 0.08–0.80 μg/mL for the alkali degradation products of CPD, CFX, and CPM, respectively. The method was validated for various parameters according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The method was successfullyapplied for the determination of these cephalosporindrugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms with good accuracy and precision. The results obtained by the proposed spectrofluorometric method were compared with good agreement to the official HPLC method.
Development and Validation of a Simple and Robust Method for Arsenic Speciation in Human Urine Using HPLC/ICP-MS
Authors: Sen Indranil , Zou Wei , Alvaran Josephine , Nguyen Linda , Gajek Ryszard , She Jianwen
Published: April 2015

In order to better distinguish the different toxic inorganic and organic forms of arsenic (As) exposure in individuals, we have developed and validated a simple and robust analytical method for determining the following six As species in human urine: arsenous (III) acid (As-III), As (V) acid, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine. In this method, human urine is diluted using a pH 5.8 buffer, separation is performed using an anion exchange column with isocratic HPLC, and detection is achieved using inductively coupled plasma-MS. The method uses a single mobile phase consisting of low concentrations of both phosphate buffer (5 mM) and ammonium nitrate salt (5 mM) at pH 9.0; this minimizes the column equilibration time and overcomes challenges with separation between AsB and As-III. In addition, As-III oxidation is prevented by degassing the sample preparation buffer at pH 5.8, degassing the mobile phase online at pH 9.0, and by the use of low temperature (–70 °C) and flip-cap airtight tubes for long term storage of samples. The method was validated using externally provided reference samples. Results were in agreement with target values at varying concentrations and successfully passed external performance test criteria. Internal QC samples were prepared and repeatedly analyzed to assess the method's long-term precision, and further analyses were completed on anonymous donor urine to assess the quality of the method's baseline separation. Results from analyses of external reference samples agreed with target values at varying concentrations, and results from precision studies yielded absolute CV values of 3–14% and recovery from 82 to 115% for the six As species. Analysis of anonymous donor urine confirmed the well-resolved baseline separation capabilities of the method for real participant samples.
Optimization and Validation of an HPLC-Photodiode Array Detector Method for Determination of Organic Acids in Vinegar
Authors: Zong Yingying , Lin Jia , Xu Hua , Jia Zhihui , Yang Xiupei , Choi Martin M F
Published: April 2015

A novel isocratic RP–HPLC method with UV photodiode array detection for the determination of seven organic acids in vinegar samples was developed and optimized. Samples were analyzed on a C18 (150 × 4.6 mm id, 5 μm) analytical column. Methanol–0.010 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer adjusted with H3PO4 to pH 2.80 (2 + 98, v/v), was used as the mobile phase. The column oven temperature was optimized at 23.0°C, the flow rate was 0.80 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. Matrix-matched calibration curves were prepared for all analytes, and the correlation coefficients were greater than 0.99. LOD and LOQ ranged from 0.10 to 10.0 and 0.30 to 30.0 μg/mL, respectively. The results for interday and intraday precision and accuracy fell within the ranges specified. Vinegar samples were quantified by the standard addition method. The main advantages of this method are its selectivity, which is one of themain weaknesses of most methods when determining organic acids in complex matrixes, and its simplicity since little sample preparation is needed. Moreover,it is safe and inexpensive with low organic solvent usage.
Driving Factors in the Colonization of Oceania: Developing Island-Level Statistical Models to Test Competing Hypotheses
Authors: Bell Adrian V. , Currie Thomas E. , Irwin Geoffrey , Bradbury Christopher
Published: April 2015

Migration is a key driver of human cultural and genetic evolution, with recent theoretical advances calling for work to accurately identify factors behind early colonization patterns. However, inferring prehistoric migration strategies is a controversial field of inquiry that largely relies on interpreting settlement chronologies and constructing plausible narratives around environmental factors. Model selection approaches, along with new statistical models that match the dynamic nature of colonization, offers a more rigorous framework to test competing theories. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by developing an Island-Level Model of Colonization adapted from epidemiology in a Bayesian model-selection framework. Using model selection techniques, we assess competing colonization theories of Near and Remote Oceania, showing that models of exploration angles and risk performed considerably better than models using inter-island distance, suggesting early seafarers were already adept at long-distance travel. These results are robust after artificially increasing the uncertainty around settlement times. We show how decades of thinking on colonization strategies can be brought together and assessed in one statistical framework, providing us with greater interpretive power to understand a fundamental feature of our past.
Du castor cosmique au castor travailleur : histoire d’un transfert culturel
Authors: Delâge Denys
Published: April 2015

Nous partons des travaux de François-Marc Gagnon sur les images des castors canadiens aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, pour élaborer sur l’éthologie du castor et sa place dans l’univers symbolique autochtone. Nous traitons ensuite du castor dans la traite des pelleteries, puis de la perception coloniale du castor. Nous y analysons les mécanismes de transfert culturel d’un mythe autochtone du castor acteur primordial de la genèse, à celui, profane, d’un ordre social hiérarchique ou républicain fondé sur l’éthique du travail à la manière des castors. S’y greffe, la conviction de l’existence d’une société des castors analogue à celle des « Sauvages », toutes deux condamnées à disparaître devant l’avance du progrès et de la civilisation.
Les Cercles de fermières : cent ans d’expertise et d’engagement dans les arts textiles
Authors: Mathieu Jocelyne
Published: April 2015

À l’occasion du centième anniversaire des Cercles de Fermières, ce texte traite des savoirs et des savoir-faire qui ont contribué à construire leur renommée jusqu’à aujourd’hui, notamment dans les arts textiles. Il s’attarde aux différentes revues publiées au cours de leur histoire, à leur contenu et à la formation relative à l’artisanat par diverses activités d’information et de diffusion. Il souligne le rôle de quelques-unes des femmes particulièrement engagées dans l’Association et fait valoir la contribution des Fermières à l’éducation populaire dans une dynamique d’échange et de partage et selon des aspirations au progrès et à la modernité.
À propos de Jean Chauvin (1895-1958) et de son livre Ateliers (1928)
Authors: Lacroix Laurier
Published: April 2015

Le journaliste et directeur de La Revue populaire, Jean Chauvin, publie en 1928 un ouvrage qui fait date en histoire de l’art du Québec. Ateliers regroupe un ensemble de comptes rendus de visites auprès de peintres, sculpteurs et architectes, principalement montréalais. La publication est rendue possible grâce à l’ambitieux programme éditorial de Louis Carrier, propriétaire des Éditions du Mercure, qui ne ménage aucun effort pour faire de ce livre une des publications parmi les plus réussies portant sur l’art moderne au pays.

Chauvin a déjà fait paraître onze entretiens dans son magazine en 1927 mais,
pour cette publication, il double le nombre d’artistes rencontrés dans leur atelier. Le
résultat offre une suite de portraits intimistes des créateurs observés dans leur lieu de
travail. L’auteur concentre ses questions sur des aspects liés à leur formation, à leur
production courante, aux genres traités, aux influences reçues et à l’autoperception
de chacun par rapport à la scène artistique locale et canadienne. Il combine les figures
d’artistes chevronnés avec celles d’intervenants plus jeunes, ce qui fournit l’image
d’un milieu en transformation alors que les intérêts des aînés pour certains types de
sujets se transforment en raison d’autres préoccupations envers la vie contemporaine
traitée avec de nouveaux moyens formels.

Dans la transcription de ces conversations, Chauvin cite directement ou
indirectement les artistes, mais il insère également des notes tirées d’autres critiques
ou historiens d’art ou encore des observations provenant de la littérature. Il en résulte
un portrait d’une société de créateurs bien au fait des enjeux qui concernent l’art et
son rôle dans la société. Le livre tiré à 1 000 exemplaires connut une importante
réception critique à la hauteur de la réputation de Chauvin, un homme engagé dans
le milieu culturel et fort respecté pour ses actions en journalisme et auprès des
institutions artistiques.
Biological impact of recurrent sexually transmitted infections on HIV seroconversion among women in South Africa: results from frailty models
Authors: Wand Handan , Ramjee Gita
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Understanding the impact of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on HIV transmissibility is essential for effective HIV prevention programs. Investigating the impact of longitudinally measured recurrent STIs on HIV seroconversion is the interest of the current paper.

Methods

In this prospective study, data from a total of 1456 HIV‐negative women who enrolled in a HIV biomedical trial were used. It was hypothesized that women who had recurrent STI diagnoses during the study share a common biological heterogeneity which cannot be quantified. To incorporate this “unobserved” correlation in the analysis, times to HIV seroconversion were jointly modelled with repeated STI diagnoses using Cox regression with random effects.

Results and discussion

A total of 110 HIV seroconversions were observed (incidence rate of 6.00 per 100 person‐years). In a multivariable model, women who were diagnosed at least once were more likely to seroconvert compared to those who had no STI diagnosis [hazard ratio (HR): 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 2.57]; women who had recurrent STI diagnoses during the study were 2.5 times more likely to be at increased risk of HIV infection (95% CI: 1.35, 4.01) with an estimatedfrailtyvariance of 1.52, withp<0.001, indicating strong evidence that there is a significant correlation (heterogeneity) among women who had recurrent STIs. In addition to this, factors associated with incidence of STIs, namely not being married and having a new sexual partner during the study follow‐up, were all significantly associated with increased risk for HIV seroconversion (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.76, 5.01 and HR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.63, 3.83 respectively).

Conclusions

The results indicated that women who were at risk for STIs were also at risk of HIV infection. In fact, they share the similar risk factors. In addition to this, repeated STI diagnoses also increased women’s susceptibility for HIV infection significantly. Decreasing STIs by increasing uptake of testing and treatment and reducing partner change plays a significant role in the trajectory of the epidemic.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM23 regulates adipocyte differentiation via stabilization of the adipogenic activator PPARγ
Authors: Watanabe Masashi , Takahashi Hidehisa , Saeki Yasushi , Ozaki Takashi , Itoh Shihori , Suzuki Masanobu , Mizushima Wataru , Tanaka Keiji , Hatakeyama Shigetsugu
Published: April 2015

Adipocyte differentiation is a strictly controlled process regulated by a series of transcriptional activators. Adipogenic signals activate early adipogenic activators and facilitate the transient formation of early enhanceosomes at target genes. These enhancer regions are subsequently inherited by late enhanceosomes. PPARγ is one of the late adipogenic activators and is known as a master regulator of adipogenesis. However, the factors that regulate PPARγ expression remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that a novel ubiquitin E3 ligase, tripartite motif protein 23 (TRIM23), stabilizes PPARγ protein and mediates atypical polyubiquitin conjugation. TRIM23 knockdown caused a marked decrease in PPARγ protein abundance during preadipocyte differentiation, resulting in a severe defect in late adipogenic differentiation, whereas it did not affect the formation of early enhanceosomes. Our results suggest that TRIM23 plays a critical role in the switching from early to late adipogenic enhanceosomes by stabilizing PPARγ protein possibly via atypical polyubiquitin conjugation.
Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound Evaluation of Residual Blood Flow to Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Treatment With Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Drug‐Eluting Beads
Authors: Shaw Colette M. , Eisenbrey John R. , Lyshchik Andrej , O'Kane Patrick L. , Merton Daniel A. , Machado Priscilla , Pino Laura , Brown Daniel B. , Forsberg Flemming
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy and change over time of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging for assessing residual blood flow after transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with drug‐eluting beads at 2 different follow‐up intervals.

Methods

Data from 16 tumors treated by transarterial chemoembolization with drug‐eluting beads were successfully obtained. As part of the study, patients provided consent to undergo contrast‐enhanced US examinations the morning before embolization, 1 to 2 weeks after embolization, and the morning before follow‐up contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) (1 month after embolization). Blinded review of contrast‐enhanced US and MRI/CT studies were performed by 2 radiologists who evaluated residual flow as no change, partial change, or no residual flow. Inter‐ and intra‐reader variability rates were calculated before discordant individual reads were settled by consensus.

Results

The only adverse event reported during the contrast‐enhanced US examinations was a single episode of transient back pain. Contrast‐enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks after embolization (n = 14) resulted in 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy. Contrast‐enhanced US 1 month after embolization (n = 15) resulted in 75% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 92% negative predictive value, and 93% accuracy. Inter‐reader agreement was 86% for contrast‐enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks, 93% for contrast‐enhanced US at 1 month, and 100% for contrast‐enhanced MRI/CT at 1 month, whereas intra‐reader agreement was 71% for contrast‐enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks, 87% for contrast‐enhanced US at 1 month, and 91% for MRI/CT.

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced US imaging at 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure may be a viable alternative to MRI/CT for evaluating residual blood flow after transarterial chemoembolization with drug‐eluting beads, albeit with a higher degree of reader variability.