Fumonisin contamination of maize in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Maize throughout the world is frequently contaminated with a family of mycotoxins, the fumonisins, produced by species of Fusaria. The study investigated the level of fumonisin contamination of maize samples from village farms and large market traders in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Maize samples (5 kg) from each of five to six large storage barns from farms in five villages in the district of N'Dorola, Kénédougou province, western Burkina Faso, were sampled (n = 26) in Jan 1999 (> 1 year storage), and a further 26 maize samples from the same farms were collected directly from the field in October 1999. In addition, 72 maize samples were obtained in July 1999 from large markets in Bobo Dioulasso. Fumonisins were extracted from dried maize, derivatized with o-phthaldialdehyde and quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. All 26 samples from the first (mean 1170 microg kg(-1), range 110-3120 microg kg(-1)) and from the second (mean 130 microg kg(-1), range 10-450 microg kg(-1)) village collection were fumonisin positive. All 72 maize samples from the large markets were also positive for fumonisins, and had the highest levels of contamination (mean 2900 microg kg(-1), range 130-16,040 microg kg(-1)). As fumonisins were a ubiquitous contaminant of maize and given that this crop is a dietary staple in this region, chronic exposure is likely.     

Beitrag zur Theorie der Kapazitätssonde

Übersicht In der Arbeit wird ein Ersatzschema für die Methoden, die eine Kapazitätssonde zum Ausmessen des Hochspannungsfeldes verwenden, angegeben. Es werden weiter aus diesem Ersatzschema einige Bedingungen für die Messung abgeleitet, sowie eine Gleichung, die als Maß für die Genauigkeit der Methode dienen kann. Am Ende werden einige von den bekannten Methoden der Genauigkeit nach geprüft. Die angeführten Ausdrücke und theoretischen Ergebnisse sind noch nicht experimentell bestätigt, und es wäre daher wünschenswert, eine derartige Bestätigung durchzuführen.Mit 7 Textabbildungen     

Strategic environmental assessment in Romania: between benefits and constraints

This paper offers an overall picture of the importance of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Romania and its opportunities and constraints. The role, scope and effectiveness of SEA in Romania are presented in two good practice examples and examined in order to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the procedure at national and local scale. In practice, the number of SEA procedures is very high due to the legislation in force, and it is increasingly effective in decision-making about programmes and plans. SEA can be viewed as a great opportunity for the implementation of sustainable development in practice. It also continues to be an important procedural and decisional instrument for management and monitoring of socioeconomic development, spatial planning and environmental protection in Romania.     

基于改进核范数的2DPCA人脸识别算法研究

传统的二维主成分分析法广泛应用于图像特征提取,为了使此算法更加有效,提出了一种结构化二维算法,即核范数2DPCA算法(N-2-DPCA).该算法基于核范数重构误差准则,将核范数最优化问题转化为基于F范数的最优化问题,然后通过采用迭代方法寻找到最佳投影矩阵,最后运用最小欧氏距离规则识别出待识别人脸的身份.在此基础之上,将N-2-DPCA扩展到基于双边投影的算法(N-B2-DPCA),采用曲线搜索算法寻找到双边投影矩阵,继而进行识别.最后将提出的算法在FERET和Yale B人脸数据库中进行人脸识别评估,实验结果表明所提出的算法与L1-2DPCA相比,重建误差降低了2.19％,识别率提高了2.03％,性能更好.     

HBMPPT与TOPO协同萃取三价镧系元素的机理研究

用新合成的４－苯甲酰基－２,４－氢－５－甲基－２－基基－３Ｈ－吡唑硫酮－３（ＨＢＭＰＰＴ）作为萃取剂、三正辛基氧化膦（ＴＯＰＯ）作为协萃剂,研究其在硝酸介绍中对三阶镧系元素的萃取行为及温度、萃取剂浓度及本酸度等各种影响因素对萃取分配比的影响,并对萃取配合物的化学组成及萃取机理进行了分析和探讨。     

SEPARATION OF METAL IONS AS CHELATES OF 1N2,7O3,6S IN THE PRESENCE OR ABSSENCE OF TBA+ BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

Separation and determination of metal ions based on the formation of chelate anions with 1-Ni-troso-2, 7-dihydrexynaphthalene-3, 6-disulfonic acid (1N2, 7O3, 6S) was studied by using HPCE of the nine metal ions examined, the ions that can be detected sensitively -with 1-Nitroso-2, 7-dihydrexynaphthalene-3, 6-disul-fonic acid were Fe2 , Co2 .Cu2 . Ni2 ,Zn2 and Pd2 , The cobalt chelate could exist in two oxidation states of     

Fractionation at pilot-plant scale of an haemoglobin hydrolysate by strong anionic exchange chromatography Application to the preparation of an amphiphilic peptide

The development and the scale-up of high performance anion chromatography to obtain 1 milligram to 1 gram yields of a peptide fraction from a complex peptic haemoglobin hydrolysate is described here. The chromatographic conditions were developed using a 1 cm³ Mono Q analytical column and progressively scaled-up to a 6 dm³ Q Sepharose Fast Flow column. For easy recovery of peptide and easy adjustment of conditions for final purification, a volatile buffer, ethanolamine/HCl buffer 20 mmol dm⁻³, pH 10·5, was employed; desalting was carried out by a pilot-plant scale electrodialysis which permitted the elimination of 99% NaCl without important loss of peptide (less than 15%). A combination of these techniques with reverse phase HPLC proved a useful strategy for fractionation of a complex peptide mixture and enabled pure peptides to be obtained in sufficient quantities for further analyses and biological tests. The example of preparation and purification of an amphiphilic peptide is described. Its ability to solubilize an insoluble photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX, was determined in order to study its utilization as a carrier for photochemotherapy. © 1998 SCI.     

A Complex Evaluation of the In-Vivo Biocompatibility and Degradation of an Extruded ZnMgSr Absorbable Alloy Implanted into Rabbit Bones for 360 Days

The increasing incidence of trauma in medicine brings with it new demands on the materials used for the surgical treatment of bone fractures. Titanium, its alloys, and steel are used worldwide in the treatment of skeletal injuries. These metallic materials, although inert, are often removed after the injured bone has healed. The second-stage procedure—the removal of the plates and screws—can overwhelm patients and overload healthcare systems. The development of suitable absorbable metallic materials would help us to overcome these issues. In this experimental study, we analyzed an extruded Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr (wt.%) alloy on a rabbit model. From this alloy we developed screws which were implanted into the rabbit tibia. After 120, 240, and 360 days, we tested the toxicity at the site of implantation and also within the vital organs: the liver, kidneys, and brain. The results were compared with a control group, implanted with a Ti-based screw and sacrificed after 360 days. The samples were analyzed using X-ray, micro-CT, and a scanning electron microscope. Chemical analysis revealed only small concentrations of zinc, strontium, and magnesium in the liver, kidneys, and brain. Histologically, the alloy was verified to possess very good biocompatibility after 360 days, without any signs of toxicity at the site of implantation. We did not observe raised levels of Sr, Zn, or Mg in any of the vital organs when compared with the Ti group at 360 days. The material was found to slowly degrade in vivo, forming solid corrosion products on its surface.