Validation of methane measurement using headspace-GC-MS and quantification by a stable isotope-labeled internal standard generated in situ.

A previous study has shown the possibility to identify methane (CH4 ) using headspace-GC-MS and quantify it with a stable isotope as internal standard. The main drawback of the GC-MS methods discussed in literature for CH4 measurement is the absence of a specific internal standard necessary to perform quantification. However, it becomes essential to develop a safer method to limit the manipulation of gaseous CH4 and to precisely control the injected amount of gas for spiking and calibration by comparison with external calibration. To avoid the manipulation of a stable isotope-labeled gas, we have chosen to generate a labeled gas as an internal standard in a vial on the basis of the formation of CH4 by the reaction of Grignard reagent methylmagnesium chloride with deuterated water. This method allows precise measurement of CH4 concentrations in gaseous sample as well as in a solid or a liquid sample after a thermodesorption step in a headspace vial. A full accuracy profile validation of this method is then presented.

Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force Report, August 2008

The Rebuild Iowa Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force respectfully submits its report to the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission (RIAC) for its consideration of the impacts of the tornadoes, storms, and flooding on Iowans and their cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations and records collections and archives. As the RIAC fulfills its obligations to guide the recovery and reconstruction of Iowa, the cknowledgement that culture and records as Iowa���s identity is important, and that if these items of cultural heritage vanish from Iowa���s landscape, the items that Iowans associate with their history, traditions, and sense of place also disappears. Iowa is certainly not the only state that has experienced this type of disaster; however, many states have not recognized culture and records as critical concerns as part of the recovery and rebuilding process. When rebuilding Iowa stronger, smarter, and safer, quality of life is an important consideration for attracting new residents, making it a necessity to keep culture alive and thriving in Iowa. Additionally, the cultural arts constitute a vital economic industry, providing employment to thousands of Iowa���s citizens and generating millions of dollars in local and government revenue across the state. In the case of records, these items are irreplaceable and provide important information for the daily workings of government and life in our state, and maintain vital records of Iowa���s heritage and traditions. This report provides background information on the damages incurred in Iowa from the disasters and additional context for policy and rebuilding discussions. It also offers recommendations to the RIAC for steps that might be taken to address the significant and important challenges faced by Iowa���s cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations; individual artists and other cultural workers; and records retention entities and officials.

Rebuild Iowa Office Quarterly Performance Report 3rd Quarter, April 2009

As the anniversaries of 2008 tornado���s and floods approach, the Rebuild Iowa Office vision of a safer, stronger and smarter Iowa is coming into sharper focus. While much more remains to be done, hundreds of displaced Iowans and businesses are on the road to recovery and the building blocks for communities coming together. While recovery is a marathon and not a sprint, the work done so far couldn���t have been accomplished without an extensive recovery planning effort and an unprecedented level of cooperation among local, state and federal governments, private citizens, businesses and non-profit organizations, there is a rebirth and recovery underway in Iowa.

Iowa Truck Information Guide, 2008-2009

the Iowa Department of Transportation and the offices of Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Motor Carrier Services, Vehicle Services, and Drivers Services want to make your travels into and through our state safer, legal and less complicated. This book will address and clarify many of the rules and regulations concerning the operation of commercial vehicles in the state of Iowa. However, it is not possible to include every rule and regulation that may apply. If any questions exist, the reader is encouraged to contact other sources, including the agencies listed on page 4 and 5 of this book.

Supplemental Information to the August 2008 Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force Report, August 2008

The Rebuild Iowa Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force respectfully submits its report to the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission (RIAC) for its consideration of the impacts of the tornadoes, storms, and flooding on Iowans and their cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations and records collections and archives. As the RIAC fulfills its obligations to guide the recovery and reconstruction of Iowa, the cknowledgement that culture and records as Iowa���s identity is important, and that if these items of cultural heritage vanish from Iowa���s landscape, the items that Iowans associate with their history, traditions, and sense of place also disappears. Iowa is certainly not the only state that has experienced this type of disaster; however, many states have not recognized culture and records as critical concerns as part of the recovery and rebuilding process. When rebuilding Iowa stronger, smarter, and safer, quality of life is an important consideration for attracting new residents, making it a necessity to keep culture alive and thriving in Iowa. Additionally, the cultural arts constitute a vital economic industry, providing employment to thousands of Iowa���s citizens and generating millions of dollars in local and government revenue across the state. In the case of records, these items are irreplaceable and provide important information for the daily workings of government and life in our state, and maintain vital records of Iowa���s heritage and traditions. This report provides background information on the damages incurred in Iowa from the disasters and additional context for policy and rebuilding discussions. It also offers recommendations to the RIAC for steps that might be taken to address the significant and important challenges faced by Iowa���s cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations; individual artists and other cultural workers; and records retention entities and officials. Supplement to main report.

Evaluation des effets de la campagne de pr��vention "Mission : possible" de l'Aide suisse contre le sida (2008)

L'Office f��d��ral de la sant�� publique (OFSP) a donn�� pour mandat �� l'IUMSP d'��valuer la campagne " Mission : Possible " de l'Aide suisse contre le sida (ASS), r��alis��e en 2008. Il s'agit d' une campagne de pr��vention du VIH/sida s'adressant exclusivement aux hommes qui ont des relations sexuelles avec des hommes (HSH). Elle a ��t�� mise en oeuvre par l'Aide suisse contre le sida, sur mandat de l'Office f��d��ral de la sant�� publique. L'objectif strat��gique de " Mission: Possible " consiste �� freiner la propagation du VIH parmi les HSH. Actuellement, une partie importante des infections �� VIH sont le fait de rapports sexuels non prot��g��s avec des partenaires sexuels en phase de primo-infection, c'est-��-dire la phase suivant directement le contage et durant laquelle la quantit�� de virus dans le sang est particuli��rement ��lev��e. L'ambition de la campagne Mission Possible ��tait de briser les cha��nes d'infection ainsi cr����es en incitant tous les HSH �� observer strictement les r��gles du safer sex, trois mois durant, soit le temps n��cessaire pour que les personnes r��cemment infect��es sortent de la phase de primo-infection. Ainsi, le risque de nouvelles transmissions diminuerait de fa��on globale et l'��pid��mie serait ralentie. Au terme des trois mois, les HSH ��taient incit��s �� faire un test VIH gratuit (sur pr��sentation d'un bon �� pr��senter dans les centres de d��pistage et conseils anonymes : policliniques universitaires et certaines antennes de l'ASS). La campagne reposait sur une importante mobilisation communautaire, c'est-��-dire l'implication de tous les acteurs de la sc��ne gaie en Suisse (journaux et sites internet, associations et ��tablissements gais). [Introd. du r��sum�� p. 9] Site internet de la campagne "Mission : possible": http://www.missionp.ch/fr/home/

Iowa Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan, September 2006

In Iowa, hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured on our public roadways each year despite decades of efforts to end this su���ffering. Past safety e���efforts have resulted in Iowans bene���fiting from one of the best state roadway systems in the nation. Due to multi-agency e���efforts, Iowa has achieved 90 percent compliance with the state���s mandatory front seat belt use law, earned the nation���s second-lowest percent of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes and made safety gains in system-wide roadway design and operational improvements. Despite these ongoing e���efforts, the state���s annual average of 445 deaths and thousands of life-changing injuries is a tragic toll and an unacceptable public health epidemic in our state. To save more lives on our roadways, Iowans must be challenged to think ���differently about lifesaving measures addressing young drivers, safety belts, and motorcycle helmet use and accept innovative designs such as roundabouts. Iowa must apply evidence-based strategies and create a safety culture that motivates all citizens to travel more responsibly. They must demand a lower level of tolerance for Iowa���s roadway deaths and injuries. The Iowa Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan (CHSP) engages diverse safety stakeholders and charts the course for this state, bringing to bear sound science and the power of shared community values to change the culture and achieve a standard of safer travel for our citizens. How many roadway deaths and injuries are too many? Iowa���s highway safety stakeholders believe that, ���One death is one too many��� and e���effective culture-changing policy and program strategies must be implemented to help reduce this death toll from an annual average of 445 to 400 by the year 2015.

Use of human MAR elements to improve retroviral vector production.

Retroviral vectors have many favorable properties for gene therapies, but their use remains limited by safety concerns and/or by relatively lower titers for some of the safer self-inactivating (SIN) derivatives. In this study, we evaluated whether increased production of SIN retroviral vectors can be achieved from the use of matrix attachment region (MAR) epigenetic regulators. Two MAR elements of human origin were found to increase and to stabilize the expression of the green fluorescent protein transgene in stably transfected HEK-293 packaging cells. Introduction of one of these MAR elements in retroviral vector-producing plasmids yielded higher expression of the viral vector RNA. Consistently, viral titers obtained from transient transfection of MAR-containing plasmids were increased up to sixfold as compared with the parental construct, when evaluated in different packaging cell systems and transfection conditions. Thus, use of MAR elements opens new perspectives for the efficient generation of gene therapy vectors.

7

La triangulation des donn��es sur la vie nocturne fait partie du projet de Safer Nightlife Suisse (SNS) en accord avec l'Office f��d��ral de la sant�� publique. Cette ann��e, c'est la premi��re fois qu'un ��tat des lieux est disponible pour un projet de triangulation des donn��es. L'id��e d'une triangulation des donn��es compl��mentaire sur la base des chiffres pertinents de la pr��valence de la consommation de substances dans la vie nocturne en Suisse, dont les sources divergent beaucoup, vise �� estimer la r��alit�� de la consommation. Dans ce premier rapport de triangulation, il s'agit d'une int��gration des diff��rentes donn��es nationales disponibles sur la consommation de substances ainsi que de leur pond��ration selon leur pertinence. On trouvera la description du processus, la pr��sentation des donn��es disponibles ainsi qu'une premi��re synth��se des ��valuations de la tendance de la consommation de substances en Suisse.

Evaluation of risk perception related to drug use during pregnancy: a Swiss survey

Introduction Health care professionals' perception of risk mayimpact on therapeutic management of women during pregnancy.Since the thalidomide tragedy, the use of drugs during pregnancygenerates fear. This concern might affect the estimation of the riskassociated with drug intake during pregnancy, leading to prematurediscontinuation of a required treatment, superfluous anxiety orpointless termination of a desired pregnancy. Although data regardingthe security of drugs during pregnancy are still scarce, a few specializedinformation sources exist providing reliable recommendationsfor daily practice. This study aimed at characterizing therisk perception associated with drugs during pregnancy in a sample ofSwiss health care professionals.Materials & Methods An online French and German survey was sentby email to the Swiss professional societies of Pharmacists, Gynecologists,Mid-wives and Pediatricians. The questionnaire wasconstructed to assess (a) the characteristics of the population and theopinion of the professionals regarding the medication use pattern intheir pregnant patients, (b) to evaluate the sources of information usedduring their practice and finally (c) to assess their risk perceptionassociated with drugs during pregnancy. Results were analyzed bydescriptive statistics.Results A total of 1,310 questionnaires were collected (18% responserate). Most health care professionals believe that 30-60% of theirpregnant patients are taking at least one treatment during their pregnancyand that 80% are adherent to it. A large majority think,however, that women are anxious when they must take their medication.More than 80% of health professionals commonly use theSwiss Drug Reference Book (Compendium) to assess the risk associatedwith drugs during pregnancy, despite the uniformly low levelof credibility and utility they express about this reference. Except forsome gynecologists, the majority of professionals are not aware of ordo not use specialized books. The majority of participants thinkwrongly that more than 30% of drugs are teratogenic. About 20% ofthem are not aware of the risk associated with paracetamol intakeduring pregnancy. More than 70% agree that phytotherapeutic mixturesare not safer than conventional drugs, with the exception of midwiveswho tend to overestimate the safety of such drugs. With thenotable exception of gynecologists, the risk related to drug intake wasoverall overestimated.Discussion & Conclusion Swiss professionals differ in their perceptionof the risk associated with drugs during pregnancy and tend tooverestimate it. The differences might be attributed to the level oftraining and awareness of specialized sources offering a realisticestimation of the risk. Further efforts are needed to expand thetraining and the tools for health care professionals to optimize druguse during pregnancy.

Temporary Traffic Control and Enforcement of Traffic Laws in Closed Road Sections, June 2007

Public travel by motor vehicles is often necessary in road and street sections that have been officially closed for construction, repair, and/or other reasons. This authorization is permitted in order to provide access to homes and businesses located beyond the point of closure. The MUTCD does address appropriate use of specific regulatory signs at the entrance to closed sections; however, direct guidance for temporary traffic control measures within these areas is not included but may be needed. Interpretation and enforcement of common practices may vary among transportation agencies. For example, some law enforcement officers in Iowa have indicated a concern regarding enforcement and jurisdiction of traffic laws in these areas because the Code of Iowa only appears to address violations on roadways open to ���public travel.��� Enforcement of traffic laws in closed road sections is desirable to maintain safety for workers and for specifically authorized road users. In addition, occasional unauthorized entry by motor vehicles is experienced in closed road areas causing property damage. Citations beyond simple trespass may be advisable to provide better security for construction sites, reduce economic losses from damage to completed work, and create safer work zones.

Senior Drivers' Workbook, April 21, 2009

This booklet is part of the Iowa Department of Transportation���s ���Choices Not Chances - The Road to Driving Safer and Longer��� series. These booklets and video were developed to help Iowa drivers remain safe and mobile as they age. For more information, contact the Department of Transportation���s Office of Driver Services.

Driving with Diminished Skills, August 6, 2007

Because driving is a complex task, drivers need to be sure they have the mental and physical capacity for driving safely as they experience changes with aging. Most drivers who are aware of their changing capacity to drive can adjust their driving plans and improve their driving habits to drive safer and longer.

Iowa Truck Information Guide, July 2011-December 2011

the Iowa Department of Transportation and the offices of Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Motor Carrier Services, Vehicle Services, and Drivers Services want to make your travels into and through our state safer, legal and less complicated. This book will address and clarify many of the rules and regulations concerning the operation of commercial vehicles in the state of Iowa. However, it is not possible to include every rule and regulation that may apply. If any questions exist, the reader is encouraged to contact other sources, including the agencies listed on page 4 and 5 of this book.

Nanoinventory : a representative survey of nanoparticle usage in Suisse industry

Background Addressing the risks of nanoparticles requires knowledge about their hazards, which is generated progressively, but also about occupational exposure and liberation into the environment. However, currently such information is not systematically collected, therefore the risk assessment of this exposure or liberation lacks quantitative data. In 2006 a targeted telephone survey among Swiss companies (1) showed the usage of nanoparticles in a few selected companies but did not provide data to extrapolate on the totality of the Swiss workforce. The goal of this study was to evaluate in a representative way the current prevalence and level of nanoparticle usage in Swiss industry, the health, safety and environment measures, and the number of potentially exposed workers. Results A representative, stratified mail survey was conducted among 1,626 clients of the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA). SUVA insures about 80,000 manufacturing firms, which represent 84% of all Swiss manufacturing companies. 947 companies answered the survey (58.3% response rate). Extrapolation to all Swiss manufacturing companies results in 1,309 workers (95%-confidence interval, 1,073 to 1,545) across the Swiss manufacturing sector being potentially exposed to nanoparticles in 586 companies (95%-CI: 145 to 1'027). This corresponds to 0.08% (95%-CI: 0.06% to 0.09%) of all Swiss manufacturing sector workers and to 0.6% (95%-CI: 0.2% to 1.1%) of companies. The industrial chemistry sector showed the highest percentage of companies using nanoparticles (21.2% of those surveyed) and a high percentage of potentially exposed workers (0.5% of workers in these companies), but many other important sectors also reported nanoparticles. Personal protection equipment was the predominant protection strategy. Only a minority applied specific environmental protection measures. Conclusions This is the first representative nationwide study on the prevalence of nanoparticle usage across a manufacturing sector. The information about the number of companies can be used for quantitative risk assessment. Furthermore it can help policy makers designing strategies to support companies in the responsible development of safer nanomaterial use. Noting the low prevalence of nanoparticle usage, there would still seem to be time to introduce necessary protection methods in a proactive and cost effective way in Swiss industry. But if the predicted "nano-revolution" becomes true, now is the time to take action.