The Chemical Mechanism of a Brown-Rot Decay Mimtic System and its Application in Paper Recycling Processes

This work is aimed at improving our current knowledge of the non-enzymatic inecl~anisins involved in brown-rot decay, as well as the exploration of potential applications of a brown-rot mimetic model system in paper recycling processes. The study was divided into two parts. The first part focussed on the chemical mechanisms involved in chelation and reduction of iron by a low molecular weight chelator (isolated from the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllz~m tmbeum) and its model compound 2,3- dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA). Chelation as well as free radical generation mediated by this system were studied by ESR measurement. The results indicate that the effects of the chelator/iron ratio, the pH, and other reaction parameters on hydroxyl radical generation by a Fenton type system could be determined using ESR spin-trapping techniques. The results also support the hypothesis that superoxide radicals are involved in the chelator-mediated Fenton process. In the second part of the study, the effect of a chelator-mediated Fenton system for the improvement of deinking efficiency and the n~odification of fiber and paper properties was studied. For the deinking study, copy paper was laser printed with an identical standard pattern. Then repulping and flotation operations were performed to remove ink particles. Under properly controlled deinking conditions, the chelator mediated treatment (CMT) resulted in a reduction in dirt count over that of conventional deinking procedures with no significant loss of pulp strength. To study the effect of the chelator system treatment on the quality of pulp with different fines content, a fully bleached hardwood kraft pulp was beaten to different freeness levels and treated with the chelator-mediated free radical system. The result shows that virgin fiber and heavily beaten fiber respond differently to the free radical treatment. Unbeaten fibers become more flexible and easier to collapse after free radical treatment, while beaten fibers show a reduction in fines and small materials after mild free radical treatment.

The Texas driver responsibility program: A preliminary analysis of the impact on impaired driving and trauma system funding

Objective. In 2003, the State of Texas instituted the Driver Responsibility Program (TDRP), a program consisting of a driving infraction point system coupled with a series of graded fines and annual surcharges for specific traffic violations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI). Approximately half of the revenues generated are earmarked to be disbursed to the state's trauma system to cover uncompensated trauma care costs. This study examined initial program implementation, the impact of trauma system funding, and initial impact on impaired driving knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. A model for targeted media campaigns to improve the program's deterrence effects was developed. ^ Methods. Data from two independent driver survey samples (conducted in 1999 and 2005), department of public safety records, state health department data and a state auditor's report were used to evaluate the program's initial implementation, impact and outcome with respect to drivers' impaired driving knowledge, attitudes and behavior (based on constructs of social cognitive theory) and hospital uncompensated trauma care funding. Survey results were used to develop a regression model of high risk drivers who should be targeted to improve program outcome with respect to deterring impaired driving. ^ Results. Low driver compliance with fee payment (28%) and program implementation problems were associated with lower surcharge revenues in the first two years ($59.5 million versus $525 million predicted). Program revenue distribution to trauma hospitals was associated with a 16% increase in designated trauma centers. Survey data demonstrated that only 28% of drivers are aware of the TDRP and that there has been no initial impact on impaired driving behavior. Logistical regression modeling suggested that target media campaigns highlighting the likelihood of DWI detection by law enforcement and the increased surcharges associated with the TDRP are required to deter impaired driving. ^ Conclusions. Although the TDRP raised nearly $60 million in surcharge revenue for the Texas trauma system over the first two years, this study did not find evidence of a change in impaired driving knowledge, attitudes or behaviors from 1999 to 2005. Further research is required to measure whether the program is associated with decreased alcohol-related traffic fatalities. ^

[Eastern and Oriental book list, 1790]

Folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten lists of books on the recto and verso. One side contains a list marked "Orient. Dict'y Biblioth. &c," and other side contains a list marked "Eastern." Entries contain the author's last name, abbreviated title, and imprint year. The lists are written on a repurposed account book leaf marked, "Shares of the Fines and Forfeitures recovered in the 1750."

Using the tax system to collect fines

In this article we consider the possibility that fines could be collected through the tax and social welfare systems in the same way as higher education contributions and child support payments are currently administered. We argue that the existing system of fine collection and enforcement leads to high default rates and reduces the usefulness of fines as a sanction. We consider a range of models for the implementation of an income-related fine collection system, and discuss their possible implications for issues including judicial independence, the time taken to repay fines and aggregate fine revenue.

Simultaneous liquid chromatographic determination of doxorubicin and its major metabolite doxorubicinol in parrot plasma

A new microscale method is reported for the determination of doxorubicin and its active metabolite, doxorubicinol, in parrot plasma. Sample workup involved acetonitrile protein precipitation, ethyl acetate extraction, followed by back extraction into HCl. Separations were achieved on a phenyl-hexyl column at 30 degrees C using acetonitrile (17%, v/v) in 0.01 M orthophosphoric acid (83%, v/v) delivered via a linear flow program. Fluorometric detection wavelengths were 235 nm (excitation) and 550 nm (emission). Calibration plots were linear (1 2 > 0.999), and recoveries were 71-87% from 20 to 400 ng/mL. Assay imprecision was

The self-reported impact of legal and non-legal sanctions on a group of recidivist drink drivers

Concern remains regarding the efficacy of legal sanctions to reduce drink driving behaviours among repeat offenders. The present study examined the impact of traditional legal sanctions (e.g., fines and licence disqualification periods), nonlegal sanctions, alcohol consumption and the frequency of recent offending behaviour(s) on intentions to re-offend for a group of recidivist drink drivers (N=166). The analysis indicated that participants perceived legal sanctions to be severe, but not entirely certain nor swift. In addition, self-reported recent drink driving behaviours and alcohol consumption levels were identified as predictors of future intentions to drink and drive. The findings of the study confirm the popular assumption that some repeat offenders are impervious to the threat and application of legal sanctions and suggests that additional interventions such as alcohol treatment programs are required if the drinking and driving sequence is to be broken for this population. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Composition of noble gases in sediments and metasediments

Solar-type helium (He) and neon (Ne) in the Earth's mantle were suggested to be the result of solarwind loaded extraterrestrial dust that accumulated in deep-sea sediments and was subducted into the Earth's mantle. To obtain additional constraints on this hypothesis, we analysed He, Ne and argon (Ar) in high pressure-low temperature metamorphic rocks representing equivalents of former pelagic clays and cherts from Andros (Cyclades, Greece) and Laytonville (California, USA). While the metasediments contain significant amounts of 4He, 21Ne and 40Ar due to U, Th and K decay, no solar-type primordial noble gases were observed. Most of these were obviously lost during metamorphism preceding 30 km subduction depth. We also analysed magnetic fines from two Pacific ODP drillcore samples, which contain solar-type He and Ne dominated by solar energetic particles (SEP). The existing noble gas isotope data of deep-sea floor magnetic fines and interplanetary dust particles demonstrate that a considerable fraction of the extraterrestrial dust reaching the Earth has lost solar wind (SW) ions implanted at low energies, leading to a preferential occurrence of deeply implanted SEP He and Ne, fractionated He/Ne ratios and measurable traces of spallogenic isotopes. This effect is most probably caused by larger particles, as these suffer more severe atmospheric entry heating and surface ablation. Only sufficiently fine-grained dust may retain the original unfractionated solar composition that is characteristic for the Earth's mantle He and Ne. Hence, in addition to the problem of metamorphic loss of solar noble gases during subduction, the isotopic and elemental fractionation during atmospheric entry heating is a further restriction for possible subduction hypotheses.

Extraction and detection of mycotoxins in medicinal and aromatic plants: a case study with Aloysia citrodora P.

Plants frequently suffer contaminations by toxigenic fungi, and their mycotoxins can be produced throughout growth, harvest, drying and storage periods. The objective of this work was to validate a method for detection of toxins in medicinal and aromatic plants, through a fast and highly sensitive method, optimizing the joint co-extraction of aflatoxins (AF: AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) by using Aloysia citrodora P. (lemon verbena) as a case study. For optimization purposes, samples were spiked (n=3) with standard solutions of a mix of the four AFs and OTA at 10 ng/g for AFB1, AFG1 and OTA, and at 6 ng/g of AFB2 and AFG2. Several extraction procedures were tested: i) ultrasound-assisted extraction in sodium chloride and methanol/water (80:20, v/v) [(OTA+AFs)1]; ii) maceration in methanol/1% NaHCO3 (70:30, v/v) [(OTA+AFs)2]; iii) maceration in methanol/1% NaHCO3 (70:30, v/v) (OTA1); and iv) maceration in sodium chloride and methanol/water (80:20, v/v) (AF1). AF and OTA were purified using the mycotoxin-specific immunoaffinity columns AflaTest WB and OchraTest WB (VICAM), respectively. Separation was performed with a Merck Chromolith Performance C18 column (100 x 4.6 mm) by reverse-phase HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector (FLD) and a photochemical derivatization system (for AF). The recoveries obtained from the spiked samples showed that the single-extraction methods (OTA1 and AF1) performed better than co-extraction methods. For in-house validation of the selected methods OTA1 and AF1, recovery and precision were determined (n=6). The recovery of OTA for method OTA1 was 81%, and intermediate precision (RSDint) was 1.1%. The recoveries of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 ranged from 64% to 110% for method AF1, with RSDint lower than 5%. Methods OTA1 and AF1 showed precision and recoveries within the legislated values and were found to be suitable for the extraction of OTA and AF for the matrix under study.

Harmonisation of OH&S regulations

Policy instruments of education, regulation, fines and inspection have all been utilised by Australian jurisdictions as they attempt to improve the poor performance of occupational health and safety (OH&S) in the construction industry. However, such policy frameworks have been largely uncoordinated across Australia, resulting in differing policy systems, with differing requirements and compliance systems. Such complexity, particularly for construction firms operating across jurisdictional borders, led to various attempts to improve the consistency of OH&S regulation across Australia, four of which will be reviewed in this report. 1. The first is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Commonwealth) which enabled certain organisations to opt out of state based regulatory regimes. 2. The second is the development of national standards, codes of practice and guidance documents by the National Occupational Health and Safety Council (NOHSC). The intent was that the OHS requirements, principles and practices contained in these documents would be adopted by state and territory governments into their legislation and policy, thereby promoting regulatory consistency across Australia. 3. The third is the attachment of conditions to special purpose payments from the Commonwealth to the States, in the form of OH&S accreditation with the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner. 4. The fourth is the development of national voluntary codes of OHS practice for the construction industry. It is interesting to note that the tempo of change has increased significantly since 2003, with the release of the findings of the Cole Royal Commission. This paper examines and evaluates each of these attempts to promote consistency across Australia. It concludes that while there is a high level of information sharing between jurisdictions, particularly from the NOSHC standards, a fragmented OH&S policy framework still remains in place across Australia. The utility of emergent industry initiatives such as voluntary codes and guidelines for safer construction practices to enhance consistency are discussed.

The significance of owner participation in a successful detached housing development in Malaysia: A literature review

The detached housing scheme is a unique and exclusive segment of the residential property market in Malaysia. Generally, the product is expensive and for many Malaysians who can afford them, owning a detached house is a once in a lifetime opportunity. In spite of this, most of the owners fail to fully comprehend the specific need of this type of housing scheme, increasing the risk of it being a problematic project. Unlike other types of pre-designed ‘mass housing’ schemes, the detached housing scheme may be built specifically to cater the needs and demands of its owner. Therefore, maximum owner participation is vital as the development progresses to guarantee the success of the project. In addition, due to it’s unique design the house would have to individually comply with the requirements and regulations of relevant authorities. Failure of owner to recognise this will result in delays, fines and penalties, disputes and ultimately cost overruns. These circumstances highlight the need for a model to guide the owner through the entire development process of a detached house. Therefore, this research aims to develop a model for a successful detached housing development in Malaysia through maximising owner participation during it’s various development stages. To achieve this, questionnaire surveys and case studies methods shall be employed to acquire the detached housing owners’ experiences in developing their detached houses in Malaysia. Relevant statistical tools shall be applied to analyse the responses. The results gained from this study shall be synthesised into a model of successful detached housing development for the reference of future detached housing owners in Malaysia.

Ethical fashion : the human stories driving a fashion movement

This paper examines and compares two stories, the novel Helen Fleetwood (Elizabeth, 1841) and the film China Blue (Teddy Bear Films, 2005), in relation to the Ethical Fashion movement. In 2005, more than 50 designers from around the world took part in The Ethical Fashion Show in Paris. This movement dictates that designers ensure that their garments are produced in an ethical manner, rather than support the ‘sweatshop’ environments of some industrialists determined to make a profit at the expense of workers rights. The momentum of the Ethical Fashion movement suggests that it is possible for fashion to be ethical, desirable and profitable in the 21st century. In 1841, after extensive research, Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna (using the pseudonym Charlotte Elizabeth) began to write about the atrocities of the factory system in industrialised England. Her novel, Helen Fleetwood, is one of the earliest examples of this kind of work, providing the reader with an extensive insight into the life of English factory workers in the mid-19th century. The story is about the Widow Green and her orphan dependents who are led, through circumstance, to leave their rural home and take up employment in the cotton mills of Manchester, with the hope of having an independent existence. Instead they discover the realities of factory life – extremely long hours, unsafe conditions, poor wages and a steady decline into extreme poverty. In his film China Blue (Teddy Bear Films, 2005), director Micha X. Peled tells an alarmingly similar tale set in 21st century China. This ‘docu-drama’ (a recreation from actual interviews and diary entries) tells the story of ‘Little Jasmine’ who leaves her family’s farm to pursue an independent life in Southern China’s manufacturing district. It is not long before the realities of modern factory life are revealed to the teenage ‘heroine’ – crowded dormitories, long working hours, arbitrary fines and wages that do not compare with those of workers in the Western world. While much of the human story remains unchanged, there have been significant improvements in technology and safety in the last 165 years that result in the reality that not all clothing manufacture is performed in ‘sweatshop’ conditions. After a recent visit to a manufacturing plant in China, consultation with peers in the industry and having worked in the Australian fashion industry for many years, the author compares these stories with her own experiences.

Perturbative corrections for staggered four-fermion operators

We present results for one-loop matching coefficients between continuum four-fermion operators, defined in the Naive Dimensional Regularization scheme, and staggered fermion operators of various types. We calculate diagrams involving gluon exchange between quark fines, and ''penguin'' diagrams containing quark loops. For the former we use Landau-gauge operators, with and without O(a) improvement, and including the tadpole improvement suggested by Lepage and Mackenzie. For the latter we use gauge-invariant operators. Combined with existing results for two-loop anomalous dimension matrices and one-loop matching coefficients, our results allow a lattice calculation of the amplitudes for KKBAR mixing and K --> pipi decays with all corrections of O(g2) included. We also discuss the mixing of DELTAS = 1 operators with lower dimension operators, and show that, with staggered fermions, only a single lower dimension operator need be removed by non-perturbative subtraction.

Direito à saúde e judicialização de medicamentos: a experiência de Niterói

Este trabalho teve como objetivos conhecer as demandas judiciais relacionadas à obtenção de medicamentos no município de Niterói no ano de 2010 e as estratégias desenvolvidas pela gestão municipal para lidar com este problema. Foi realizado estudo exploratório-descritivo, de abordagem quali-quantitativa, que seguiu dois caminhos metodológicos complementares: (1) levantamento e análise das demandas judiciais para obtenção de medicamentos registrados junto à Superintendência de Assessoria Jurídica da FMS, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2010; e (2) entrevistas com 11 profissionais, gerentes e gestores envolvidos com os fluxos de atendimento das demandas judiciais no município em questão. Das 123 ações judiciais contra a FMS para obtenção de produtos e procedimentos em saúde em 2010, 98 (80,3%) visavam à obtenção de medicamentos, correspondendo a 342 medicamentos solicitados e 182 fármacos diferentes. destacaram-se, pela frequência nas ações, os seguintes medicamentos: losartana potássica, sinvastatina, ácido acetilsalicílico, furosemida e cloridrato de metformina, utilizados para problemas de saúde de elevada prevalência na população e frequentemente atendidos na atenção básica. Cabe ser assinalado que 48,6% dos medicamentos solicitados faziam parte de algum tipo de lista oficial, indicando possíveis problemas com a gestão da assistência farmacêutica no município. Os relatos dos entrevistados apontaram, entre outros: (a) dificuldades importantes presentes na gestão da Assistência Farmacêutica local, onde convivem o desabastecimento da rede e restrições orçamentárias e financeiras, como elementos que ajudam a agravar a situação estudada; (b) problemas no atendimento dos usuários pela via dos processos administrativos que, criados para facilitar o acesso do usuário aos medicamentos não disponíveis na rede, acabam sendo fontes de ações judiciais; (c) necessidade de maior empenho dos gestores na busca de soluções através de articulações interinstitucionais. O acesso a medicamentos pela via judicial tem contribuído para o desvio de recursos da atenção básica, assim como de outras contas municipais, através das multas e bloqueios determinados pelo Poder Judiciário, em decorrência do não-cumprimento dos mandados judiciais em tempo oportuno. O fenômeno da judicialização de medicamentos é um problema que dificilmente será resolvido em curto espaço de tempo e eventuais abusos que envolvem esse fenômeno devem ser identificados e combatidos de forma rigorosa. Entretanto, o Poder Público, por meio das diversas esferas governamentais, deve proporcionar à população meios eficazes para acesso aos medicamentos necessários e adequados aos pacientes. Apenas dessa maneira será possível reduzir a demanda judicial, sem comprometer o direito constitucional à saúde.

Determination of phthalate acid esters plasticizers in plastic by ultrasonic solvent extraction combined with solid-phase microextraction using calix[4]arene fiber

Ultrasonic solvent extraction combined with solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with calix[4]arene/hydroxy-terminated silicone (C[4]/OHTSO) oil coated fiber was used to extract phthalate acid esters (PAEs) plasticizers in plastic, such as blood bags, transfusion tubing, food packaging bag, and mineral water bottle for analysis by gas chromatography (GC). Both extraction parameters (i.e. extraction time, extraction temperature, ionic strength) and conditions of the thermal desorption in a GC injector were optimized by analysis of eight phthalates. The fiber shows wonderful sensitivity and selectivity to the tested compounds. Owing to its high thermal stability (380 degreesC), the carryover effect that often encountered when using conventional fibers can be reduced by appropriately enhancing the injector temperature. The method showed linear response over two to four orders of magnitude with correlation coefficients (r) better than 0.996, and limits of detection (LOD) ranged between 0.006 and 0.084 mug l(-1). The relative standard deviation values obtained were less than or equal to 10%. bis-2-Ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was the sole analyte detected in these plastics and recoveries were in the ranges 95.5-101.4% in all the samples. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for the extraction of imiquimod from biological samples using a template analogue strategy

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) against imiquimod, a highly potent immune response modifier used in the treatment of skin cancer, were synthesised using a template analogue strategy and were compared with imprints of the drug itself. An investigation of the complexation between the functional monomer and the template analogue revealed an association constant of 1,376 ± 122 M-1, significantly higher than previously reported values for similar systems. The binding characteristics of the synthesised imprinted polymers were evaluated and extremely strong binding for imiquimod was observed while imprinting factors as high as 17 were calculated. When applied as sorbents in solid-phase extraction of imiquimod from aqueous, urine and blood serum samples, clean extracts and recoveries up to 95% were achieved, and it is concluded that while imiquimod imprints exhibited higher capacity for the drug, template analogue imprints are more selective. The results obtained suggest potential applications of imiquimod imprints as sorbents in rapid extraction and monitoring of undesirable systemic release of the drug.