Editorial to Special Issue—Composition and biological properties of bee products

Honey continues to be the most studied bee product, with 60% of articles addressing this thematic and, more specifically, its biological properties. Only one article was focused on the effect of heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotic residues on the quality of honey, and only one article had the honey of the African stingless bee Meliponula ferruginea as its study objective [...].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Color identifying system for color blind people

In the most developed States colorblindness affects 10% of the male population. This handicap incurs limitations as well as uncomfortable personal and social situations for those afflicted that depend on others to choose products in which color is a predominant factor, such as pieces of apparel and decoration. A sample group of colorblind people showed in a recent study found relevant the development of a system which would allow them to identify colors. The development of a graphic color identification system was the answer to this need, its concept and structure make it universal, easy to communicate and memorize. This system can be used in a variety of products and allow the colorblind to reduce or even eliminate their dependence on others

Poly(ethylene oxide)-sodium dodecyl sulfate interactions studied using static and dynamic light scattering

Static and dynamic light scattering measurements have been made on poly(ethy1ene oxide) (PEO) in the presence of the ionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in aqueous solution over a range of relative concentrations. The purpose was, in part, to demonstrate the polyelectrolyte effecte which arise in PEO on formation of the charged complex between the components in solution in which small SDS micelles are incorporated into the flexible PEO coil. The influence of the ionic strength of the medium was studied. Static light scattering measurements show that the radius of gyration changes as a function of SDS concentration and the ionic strength of the medium. Diffusion coefficients from dynamic light scattering (DLS) reflect changes in the pair interaction potential as the SDS and ionic strength are altered. Laplace inversion of the DLS time correlation function gives relaxation time distributions consisting of the PEO/SDS complex as the main component and free SDS micelles as the minor component. Changes in peak areas are related to the increase in the degree of binding between SDS and PEO as the relative concentrations change and also the increase in SDS micellar size with increase in the ionic strength of the medium

Improvisation in tightly controlled work environments: The case of medical practice

We present a qualitative analysis of organizational improvisation and provide a preliminary insight into the following question: how is improvisation present in tightly controlled work environments? We conducted in situ observations of, and interviews with, several emergency medical teams and complemented this information with statistical and media data. Using grounded theory, we developed four propositions that were arranged into a model that allowed the identification of two use levels of established routines: (1) the visible side that accommodates contextual requirements, and (2) the improvisational side that provides a response to activity characteristics. This dual process is related to the existence of pressures that operate at the institutional level with practical needs emerging from the operational domain. In contrast with most of the literature, this study reveals that the presence of a broad procedural organizational memory does not restrict improvisation but enables a bureaucratic system to produce flexible improvised performance.Nova Foru

Vitamin C content of citrus from conventional versus organic farming systems

Fertilization in citrus is a cultural practice with great importance as it affects significantly the quality of fruit. In this work we evaluated the effects of organic versus conventional farming systems on internal and external characteristics of citrus, with particular emphasis on vitamin C content. The study was carried out in different orchards of the Algarve region, in the south of Portugal. Fruits of different orchards were harvested at physiological maturity and submitted to physical and chemical analyses. The results showed that mineral fertilization led to fruits with greater weight and diameter, a thicker peel and a more intense colour. Compared with conventional production, fruits from organic farming had more soluble solids and a lower maturation index. The highest concentrations of vitamin C were recorded in fruits from organic farming, but the response depended on species and cultivar

Structuring the service encounter : a test of alternatives

Purpose – This paper analyses the influence of three different forms of structuring the service encounter (standardization, spontaneity, minimal structure) on the perception of service quality and job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – A simulation of service interaction was elaborated, where individuals received different instructions related to the structure they should consider (standardization, spontaneity, minimal structure). This study was complemented by a correlational one that accessed the type of structure used and satisfaction with the service interaction. Findings − The results suggest that higher levels of job satisfaction and service quality exist when minimal structures are used. Research limitation/implications – The first part of the study is a simulation. Practical implications – The findings help practitioners make more informed choices concerning the structures they adopt to manage service encounters. Originality/value – The study empirically explores the application of minimal structures to the service encounter.N/

Probing solute distribution and acid-base behaviour in water-in-oil microemulsions by fluorescence techniques

The distribution and acid-base behaviour of the four solutes harmine, chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate, disodium salt), 2-naphthol and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [4-trimethylammonium)phenyl]-21H,23H-porphine tetra-p-tosylate (TTMP) have been studied in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions using fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. Carbon tetrachloride is a quencher of fluorescence of these compounds, and studies using this as oil phase in microemulsions show that chromotropic acid is located in the water domain, TTMP at the surfactant-water interface, while the distribution of harmine or 2-naphthol depends on the degree of protonation. Detailed studies have been made on harmine. In water/AOT/cyclohexane microemulsions the cationic form is observed up to much higher apparent pH than in aqueous solutions. An important factor is shown to be the compartmentalisation of hydroxide ions between water pools. Similar effects are observed with the other probes, and it is suggested that compartmentalisation of hydrogen or hydroxide ions is a major effect in many acid-base reactions in microemulsions. The validity of the concept of pH in microemulsions under these conditions is questioned. Fluorescence lifetime measurements are also shown to provide information on the dynamics of the processes, and demonstrate the importance of diffusion of solutes from organic solvent to the microemulsion pool. A comparison is made of the behaviour of harmine in water/AOT/cyclohexane and water/lecithin/cyclohexane microemulsions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFR-416K8BS-12/1/1e48ace7f73afe3996e2e8a782a190d

Probing solute distribution and acid-base behaviour in water-in-oil microemulsions by fluorescence techniques

The distribution and acid-base behaviour of the four solutes harmine, chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate, disodium salt), 2-naphthol and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [4-trimethylammonium)phenyl]-21H,23H-porphine tetra-p-tosylate (TTMP) have been studied in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions using fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. Carbon tetrachloride is a quencher of fluorescence of these compounds, and studies using this as oil phase in microemulsions show that chromotropic acid is located in the water domain, TTMP at the surfactant-water interface, while the distribution of harmine or 2-naphthol depends on the degree of protonation. Detailed studies have been made on harmine. In water/AOT/cyclohexane microemulsions the cationic form is observed up to much higher apparent pH than in aqueous solutions. An important factor is shown to be the compartmentalisation of hydroxide ions between water pools. Similar effects are observed with the other probes, and it is suggested that compartmentalisation of hydrogen or hydroxide ions is a major effect in many acid-base reactions in microemulsions. The validity of the concept of pH in microemulsions under these conditions is questioned. Fluorescence lifetime measurements are also shown to provide information on the dynamics of the processes, and demonstrate the importance of diffusion of solutes from organic solvent to the microemulsion pool. A comparison is made of the behaviour of harmine in water/AOT/cyclohexane and water/lecithin/cyclohexane microemulsions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFR-416K8BS-12/1/1e48ace7f73afe3996e2e8a782a190d

Indexação automática e ontologias: identificação dos contributos convergentes na ciência da informação

A indexação, humana e automática, foi desde sempre uma preocupação da área da ciência da informação (CI). A falta de consistência na indexação humana e de semântica na automática são apontadas como as grandes desvantagens. Uma possibilidade de dotar sistemas computacionais com maior capacidade de inferência reside na utilização de ontologias. Desta proposição objetiva-se identificar e analisar os estudos na área da CI que abordem as contribuições das antologias na indexação automática. Pretende-se (i) identificar os trabalhos científicos, nas bases Library & Information Science Source e Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts que abordem este assunto, a sua distribuição temporal e geográfica; (ii) identificar e descrever a centralidade da abordagem temática aos dois conceitos (indexação automática e ontologias), e a abordagem metodológica dos respetivos artigos; (iii) identificar as contribuições presentes nos artigos que constituem o corpus relativamente às potencialidades da utilização conjunta dos dois conceitos. Partiu-se de um estudo exploratório assente numa revisão sistemática da literatura. Os resultados apontam como contribuições das ontologias na indexação automática: (i) desambiguar termos homógrafos e polissémicos; (ii) maior capacidade de integração de relações semânticas de forma automatizada; (iii) uma navegação e expansão de consultas através de relações semânticas; (iv) uma recuperação mais precisa e exaustiva da informação. Conclui-se que o desenvolvimento de sistemas que utilizam o potencial das ontologias na indexação automática procura contornar a sua falta de capacidade semântica. Apesar dos resultados promissores nesta matéria, infere-se que é ainda prematuro e inadequado falar de uma indexação semântica efetiva

Using Lanthanides as Probes for Polyelectrolyte-Metal Ion Interactions. Hydration Changes on Binding of Trivalent Cations to Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFM-4SWFNW8-1/1/aadd2972e76576ca7bf5c347abd5a68