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Natural toxins have been traditionally used to trigger several diseases among which bee venom (HBV) is of great importance. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of honeybee venom (HBV) on alloxan and glucose fluid-induced Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, a total of 20 adult laboratory male mice (Mus musculus) were selected, acclimated, and divided into four equal groups (n=5). Initially, 15 mice were fasted for 12 hrs and injected with alloxan at a single dose of 150 mg/kg of body weight. The animals were exposed to drinking glucose fluid in the morning for 4 days. Then, the blood glucose was measured. The studied animals having blood glucose of £200 mg/dl were considered non-diabetic and re-subjected to injecting alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) and drinking glucose fluid for another 4 days. Four groups of mice population included, Group 1: non-diabetic and untreated with HBV, Group 2: diabetic and received no HBV as the potential therapeutic agent, Group 3: diabetic and received a low level of HBV at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, Group 4: diabetic and received a high level of HBV at a dose of 1 mg/kg. At the end of the 35-day testing period, blood samples were tested to determine the levels of insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles [cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)] using Sandwich ELISA kits. The results indicated a significant increase in blood glucose in the diabetic group compared to that of the control one, while both concentrations of HBV significantly reduced the level of blood glucose compared to that of the diabetic group. Furthermore, the level of insulin was significantly decreased in the diabetic group compared to that of the controls, while HBV significantly increased the level of insulin compared to that of the diabetic group. Moreover, the diabetic mice demonstrated a significant increase in the concentration of cholesterol and TG compared to that of control mice which were significantly reversed in response to HBV treatment. The level of HDL was significantly decreased in the diabetic group compared to that of the control group which was modulated by treatment, while no significant differences were seen between all the studied groups regarding the level of LDL. Histological examination of diabetic mice revealed a significant alteration in acinar cells and destruction of b-cells of pancreatic sections with marked lacerations in the liver extended to all structures of the organ. The present study concluded that HBV could be a potential therapeutic agent to prevent and manage diabetes and its complication.

Ship accidents are a matter that needs special attention. This paper aims to provide information about tanker accidents that cause oil spills at sea. The ship accidents in question are the Erika Ship and the Prestige Ship. The impact of this accident is an oil spill at sea that damages the ecosystem of both animals and plants. Overcoming the problem of oil spills at sea can be done in several ways, such as using chemical liquids, mechanical, in situ burning, and bioremediation. As a result of this incident, the European Union issued new regulations related to improving ship safety named Erika Package I, II, and III.

The keratinolytic activities of dermatophyte species are accompanied by the secretion of enzymes, such as serine proteases, which are coded by the Subtilisin (SUB) genes. This study aimed to determine the presence of the SUB genes in the clinical and nonclinical samples of Trichophyton verrucosum and Microsporum gypseum. Isolation was carried out by direct and laboratory examination. Following that, for the determination of the presence of the SUB gene, polymerase chain reaction with specific primers was conducted. The frequencies of the SUB gene were observed in almost 66% of the isolates. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the presence of the SUB gene and the samples collected from human, animals, and soil (p ˂0.005). The current investigation has been the first study of the presence/absence of the SUB gene in the clinical and nonclinical isolates of T. verrucosum and M. gypseum in Iran which may be a new step to perform further studies.

Spiders are one of the most important orders of Arachnida comprising more than 48,000 species in the world. Except for families Uloboridae and Holarchaeidae, all others are classified as the venomous spider. However, only about 200 species are medically relevant and cause public health problems or even death. In Iran, there are 51 families and 763 species of spiders, of which the families, Theridiidae and Sicariidae are dangerous for the human being, and the first one is more prevalent. The Latrodectus is considered one of the most poisonous spiders in the world and Iran. This genus has five species in Iran, among which Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (black widow spider or “Dolmak”) is considered one of the most poisonous spiders in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this species in the Northwest of Iran (West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil provinces, Iran). Spatial distribution maps were prepared using GIS 9.4. In the current study, five adult female spiders were collected from Germi and Ardabil cities (Ardabil Province), Ahar County (East Azerbaijan province), and Urmia city (West Azerbaijan province) of Iran. These species were first observed in Ardabil province, Iran. Therefore, the presence of Latrodectus species under the rocks in wheat farms in this corner of Iran may be a threat to farms and visitors. People in these areas should wear gloves and avoid any activity that disturbs the spiders and make them aggressive.

Background As Canada continues to address challenges related to the opioid crisis, individuals suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD) can be especially vulnerable to physical and psychological destabilization after surgery. Adopting a harm reduction approach postoperatively can be a success factor for safe recovery and satisfactory analgesia. Purpose We present the case of a 40-year-old patient (referred to as DC) with OUD using illicit fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone preoperatively and admitted for an elective liver resection for steroid-induced hepatoma. Despite a preoperative anesthesia assessment and the initiation of a standard balanced multimodal analgesic regimen, suboptimal analgesia was evident in the first 24 h postoperatively. This lack of analgesic efficacy precipitated DC’s use of illicit self-injected intravenous (IV) opioid and significant emotional distress. To address this, a nurse practitioner and anesthesiologist within the Toronto General Hospital acute and transitional pain program and the surgical team quickly met and adopted a harm reduction approach to manage DC’s postoperative pain and emotional distress. The ultimate goal was to eliminate self-administration of illicit IV opioids and prevent DC from attempting to leave hospital against medical advice. Following an interprofessional team discussion that included DC, IV fentanyl was offered via a patient-controlled analgesia pump to DC’s satisfaction (exceeding standard settings), providing acceptable pain relief. To our knowledge, DC did not self-administer additional illicit drugs during the remainder of hospitalization. Outcome This harm reduction approach resulted in DC’s safe recovery, achievement of postoperative functional milestones, and continued engagement with outpatient pain treatment.

El artículo estudia cómo la fenomenología puede contribuir al quehacer teológico. A tal fin, el prof. Gilbert comienza por identificar los inicios de la fenomenología (Hegel, Husserl). Seguidamente, presenta lo que él denomina fenomenología “descriptiva” (Durkheim, Caillois, Otto), marcada por las ciencias humanas, que sirvió para reconocer las características esenciales de la religión. Pero la fenomenología puede dar un paso más, ya estrictamente filosófico, para elaborar un modo de fenomenología “especulativa”. Finalmente, el artículo indica las aportaciones de esta esta fenomenológica al desarrollo de la teología, estudiando las propuestas de Michel Henry, Jean-Luc Marion y Emmanuel Falque.

In this article, metal structures can be partially or completely destroyed during the corrosion of building and building structures. Prepared buildings and structures, pipes, tanks, and other structural materials corrode (rust, collapse, and collapse) during operation, causing great damage to the manufacturing industry. The corrosion rate is unknown, and methods have been developed to combat corrosion.

The major working housing of potato digging machines is a plowshare on which energy costs and the quality of potato digging depend. The examination aims to justify the parameters of the plowshare and the divider of the combined digging working body. The constructive scheme of a potato-digging machine with a combined digging working body, the results of theoretical studies on the substantiation of the primary parameters of the main and intermediate plowshares and the divider, are presented. A special laboratory installation was used to conduct experiments. During the experiments, dividers with different capture widths were made, and the angle of the plowshare installation to the horizon was changed. The degree of damage and loss of the tuber and the traction resistance of the plowshares were taken as evaluation criteria. The outcome of the experimental investigation to determine the parameters of the plowshare is presented. Based on theoretical studies, analytical dependencies, and mathematical models were obtained that allow determining the parameters of the plowshare and the divider of the potato digging machine. It was found that for intensive destruction of the tuberous formation with minimal energy consumption and uniform transportation, the width of the colter of the combined working housing must be 45 cm, the perspective of the plowshare razor solution 90°, the perspective of inclination of the plowshare to the skyline within 27-30°, the length of the plowshare 40 cm, the width of the divider should be 45 cm, its length 39 cm, the angle the solution is 60°, the angle of installation of the working surface to the horizon in the transversely vertical plane is 65° and the range from the toe of the intermediate plowshare to the divider is 32.6 cm.

This Consensus Statement provides recommendations on the prescription of pain medication at discharge from hospital for opioid-naïve adult patients who undergo elective surgery. It encourages health care providers (surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses/nurse practitioners, pain teams, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and trainees) to (1) use nonopioid therapies and reduce the prescription of opioids so that fewer opioid pills are available for diversion and (2) educate patients and their families/caregivers about pain management options after surgery to optimize quality of care for postoperative pain. These recommendations apply to opioid-naïve adult patients who undergo elective surgery. This consensus statement is intended for use by health care providers involved in the management and care of surgical patients. A modified Delphi process was used to reach consensus on the recommendations. First, the authors conducted a scoping review of the literature to determine current best practices and existing guidelines. From the available literature and expertise of the authors, a draft list of recommendations was created. Second, the authors asked key stakeholders to review and provide feedback on several drafts of the document and attend an in-person consensus meeting. The modified Delphi stakeholder group included surgeons, anesthesiologists, residents, fellows, nurses, pharmacists, and patients. After multiple iterations, the document was deemed complete. The recommendations are not graded because they are mostly based on consensus rather than evidence.

It is undisputed that fewer and fewer people own and control more and more of the total material wealth of the world, and conversely, that more and more people—the vast majority of mankind—own and control less and less of it, which situation is rapidly worsening. This paper identifies and examines the primary instrumental cause (i.e., prescinding from human avarice) for that phenomenon, which we argue is the usurpation of the sovereign right of money creation, known as seigniorage (from the Old French seigneuriage, “right of the lord to mint money”). This usurpation has been accomplished by a cunning and complex banking technique known as fractional reserve banking, which enables banks to make loans based on the fraudulent representation that they possess sufficient reserves to back the loans (described in detail in the article). Originally considered criminal, and its practitioners even subject to the death penalty, over the last three centuries by hook or by crook fractional reserve banking has been legalized in nearly all the nations of the world, to the benefit of bankers and the harm of all other economic sectors and the public. The article then examines the deleterious effects of fractional reserve banking on capitalism, and how its extirpation may be accomplished, thereby reforming capitalism—“which is not of its nature vicious”—into a more just economic system. Finally we note how socialism—in any of its various stripes—is radically contrary to the private ownership of material goods necessary for proper human liberty, and rooted as it is in the purely materialistic notion that man should be subject to the State or society in order to to maximize production, cannot be acceptably reformed. Economics is not necessarily a zero sum game: even when vitiated by fractional reserve banking capitalism will result in greater total wealth, but shared more and more unequally, whereas socialism inevitably results in less total wealth, recalling Winston Churchill’s apt observation that: “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of the miseries.”

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis and is of medical importance in pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients. In recent years, many methods have been developed for the detection of infection caused by this parasite; however, most of the developed methods are not adequately sensitive. The dense granular antigen (GRA) 7 is a highly immunogenic protein that is used as a specific antigen for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. This study was designed to produce recombinant GRA7 (rGRA7) antigen in bacterial system in order to be applied as an antigen for developing a simple and rapid lateral flow immunoassay test strip using a gold nanoparticle-pAb conjugate probe to detect Toxoplasma IgG-specific antibodies in human sera. After the extraction of genomic DNA from RH strain tachyzoites, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers considering restriction sites and BglII and XhoI enzymes. Subsequently, the GRA7 gene was cloned in pET-32a (+) expression vector, and then pET-32a(+)-GRA7 was transformed into E. coli Rosetta (DE3). The induction of protein production was accomplished by IPTG, and the product was finally purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. In order to make the strip test, the anti-human gold nanoparticle conjugate was applied on conjugate pad, rGRA7 antigen was immobilized to a nitrocellulose membrane as the capture agent, and sample and absorbance pads were assembled on a backing card. For the analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the assay, the selected patients’ sera samples were tested by standard chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method, and then compared with TOXO-IgG strip results. The findings showed that the use of rGRA7 is an accurate, sensitive, and inexpensive technique for the rapid detection of anti-Toxo­plasma IgG in human sera. Therefore, rGRA7 can be applied as a diagnostic agent in laboratories.

El Ediacárico terminal inlcuye una serie de cambios drásticos en los ciclos biogeoquímicos, muchos de los cuales se asocian con modificaciones evolutivas en los registros fósiles correspondientes. Entre ellos destacan las condiciones redox, las cuales pueden haber causado un impacto profundo en la evolución animal temprana. Este trabajo destaca el significado de la lito-, bio- y quimioestratigrafía en la investigación geobiológica del tiempo profundo.

The essay presupposes interreligious violence as a daily phenomenon in the world. It attributes to the religions themselves the responsibility of this reality. At the same time it claims that these same religions also have the potential to contribute to peace and its construction. The focus of its attention is on the Middle East, highlighting religious identity, community, and religious fundamentalism as matrices of this ambiguity. It also focuses its attention on the religious realities in Sri Lanka, characterizing the significance of the religions present there. It concludes that, beyond differences, disputes and hostilities, religions can (re)discover and empower themselves in the works for dialogue, communion, justice and world peace.

In the present study, the stress-stain behaviour of confined concrete made with nano-silica (nano-SiO2) were taken up. The stress-strain behaviour was studied for the M30 and M50 grades nano-silica (nano-SiO2) concrete mixes confined with steel rebars. The confinement was given in the form of steel hoops in the cylinders, 3 hoops (0.8%), 4 hoops (1.1%), 5 hoops (1.3%) and 6 hoops (1.6%). The addition of nano-silica (nano-SiO2) along with confinement of concrete with steel hoops enhanced the compressive strength, indicating further confinement effect in the concrete. It is observed that the addition of nano-silica (nano-SiO2) is helpful in lower confinements only. Beyond 1.1% confinement, doesn’t show any effect on compressive strengths. From the stress-strain behaviour of all types of concrete mixes, it is concluded that the ultimate load-carrying capacity and strains at peak stresses are more in nano-silica (nano-SiO2) concrete with steel hoops for mixes up to 1.1% confinement. The addition of nano-silica (nano-SiO2) to concrete has increased the ductility in both confined and unconfined states

This Effects of cutting angle of conical picks affecting on rock breaking capacity was researched to calculate the low construction efficiency of the conical picks at hard rock cutting. Firstly, according to the construction situation of the conical picks, the rotary milling test bench of rock was built. Secondly, the physical and mechanical properties of four kinds of rocks (blue sandstone, red sandstone, limestone, granite.) were measured, and the brittleness index of the four kinds of rocks was calculated. Finally, four kinds of rocks were tested at six cutting angles, respectively. The results of the experiments indicate that the radial force is the largest, the tangential fore is the second, and the lateral force is the smallest in the three-axis of the pick against the four rocks over 50MPa. With the increase of the rock compressive strength, the ratio of radial force to tangential force increases gradually. Therefore, more down-force of machine is needed to improve the impact penetration ability of the pick. Taking milling resistance and specific energy consumption as index, the cutting angle of 63 for the green sandstone and red sandstone, and the cutting angle of 58 for the limestone and granite are helpful to improve the operation efficiency of the whole machine.

In this paper, the study of the influence of nano-silica (nano-SiO2) on the properties of the interface between CSH gel and cement particles and its effect on nano-mechanical properties of the products at the interface zone was examined. In this paper M50 grade SCC mixes were developed using 5% micro-silica and various percentages of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% nano-SiO2. For 1.0% nano-SiO2 addition to M50 grade SCC mix, the compressive strength is maximum. Similarly concrete quality using non-destructive techniques, water absorbtion capacity and porosity are also assessed.

El artículo nos introduce en una narración inédita del trasfondo humanístico que marcó la actividad filosófica, social y educativa de Guillermo Hoyos-Vásquez. Relata la historia formativa que contribuyó a forjar su carácter de auténtico humanista desde el bachillerato hasta los estudios universitarios, por medio de la lectura de clásicos, la Historia del Arte y la música. Evoca la imagen del filósofo y educador en su profunda sensibilidad por todo lo humano y, en particular, por el ser humano concreto y real.

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Бұл мақалада мәмілешарт түсінігі туралы қарастырылған. Екі немесе одан да көп жақтың азаматтық құқықтар мен міндеттерді анықтау, өзгерту немесе тоқтату туралы келісімі ретіндегі келісімшарт. Бұл анықтамада мәмілешарт туралы айтылғаны анық. Келісімдер, шарт ретінде, заңдық фактілерден айырмашылығы да, мазмұны да жоқ. Оған тек келісімшарттан шыққан келісімдік құқықтық қатынас ғана ие. Сонымен қоса, басқа да құқықтық қатынастардағыдай келісім мазмұнын контрагенттердің өзара құқықтары мен міндеттері құрайды. Әдебиетте құқықтық қатынастардың пайда болу негізі ретіндегі келісім түсінігі мәселесі бойынша бір біріне сәйкес келе бермейтін көзқарастар білдірілген болатын. Мысалы, ресейлік заңгер- ғалымдар М.И. Брагинский мен В.В. Витрянский АҚШ Бірыңғай сауда кодексіне көңіл аударады. ҚР Азаматтық кодексінде «шарт» және «келісім » ұғымдарымен қатар тағы бір ұғым кеңінен қолданылады – ол «келісім беру » ұғымы. «Келісім беру » «келісім » ұғымына қарағанда заңдық фактілерге тән салдарды туындатпайды.

В статье раскрываются теоретические аспекты понятия территориального спора, проводится сравнительная характеристика территориального спора и спора, связанного с решением вопросов территориального характера. Автор рассматривает различные точки зрения относительно определения понятия территориального спора. Автор приводит примеры из международной практики, касающейся территориальных споров. Так, в статье обращается внимание на судебную практику Международного Суда ООН по спору между Индией и Португалией о праве прохода через Индию и пример разрешения территориального спора, связанного с делимитацией границ континентального шельфа между ФРГ и Данией, с одной стороны, и между ФРГ и нидерландами – с другой.

В данной статье раскрываются основные понятия, роль и значение консультативных заключений Международного Суда ООН. В статье рассмотрены основные проблемы международно-правовой регламентации, а также процедурные вопросы, в рамках которых происходит деятельность Суда по вынесению консультативных заключений. В статье подробно анализируются права организаций и государств в отношении того, как они должны запрашивать консультативные заключения Суда по тем или иным вопросам, а также юридические последствия вынесения консультативного заключения. Автор приходит к выводу о том, что роль и значение консультативных заключений представляются существенными в свете того, что они дают запрашивающим органам правильное толкование многих международно-правовых вопросов, которые исходят от Международного Суда ООН.

Республика Казахстан и государства-члены экономического сообщества ЕврАзЭС превратились в привелирующую основу внешней политки, так как Казахстан и члены сообщества, в связи с обеспечением развития экономики повысили уровень гарантии безопасности. В рамках сообщества национальная экономика обязана быть единичной и взаимодополняющей основой создания глубокой интеграционной системы, зависеть от основы развития международного права ЕврАзЭС. Интеграция в рамках ЕврАзЭС перешагнула стадию свободной торговой зоны, и приближается к развитию таможенного союза. Таможенный союз изначально планировался развиваться между странами СНГ (Казахстан, Россия, Беларусь) в 2010 году, а Республика Кыргызстан и Таджикистан планировали вступить после подготовительной стадии. Следующая стадия интеграции Таможенного союза заключалась в развитии единого рынка с последующим развитием единого экономического пространства.

Человечество в последние годы сталкивалось со многими проблемами, связанными с вопросами экологической защиты. Происходят необратимые ускоренные процессы, как сжигание не восстанавливаемых энергетических источников, загрязнение окружающей человека среды, сокращение пахотных земель, засоленение почвы, сокращение пресной воды и потеря биоразнообразия. Все страны мира в некоторой степени сталкиваются с этими компонентами глобального экологического кризиса. Защита экологических прав граждан также требует новых подходов, особенно с точки зрения истины, что в настоящее время ведущие страны мира не имеют единого подхода к экологическим проблемам, таким, которым могли бы соответствовать большинство государств. Только через совместный подход к решению экологических проблем мир может создать основу для глобальной защиты окружающей человека среды. Статья посвящается анализу правовой защиты экологических прав граждан государств-членов Европейского Союза, которые установлены рядом деклараций, конвенций и многосторонних соглашений.

Fundamentalmente, juicios emitidos por el Dr. R. González Fragoso acerca del Prof. B. Lázaro como inatendible micólogo, espigados en las cartas del primero al Dr. C. Pau conservadas en el Institut Botànic de Barcelona.

Algo más acerca de Francisco de Paula Jiménez Munuera y su abandono de la Scientia amabilis.- Se revisa la correspondencia entre Francisco de Paula Jiménez Munuera, botánico español de Cartagena, y Pius Font i Quer. Se revelan y analizan las circunstancias internas y los detalles más cercanos de la donación del herbario Jiménez Munuera a la Sección de Botánica del Museo de Ciencias de Barcelona, futuro Instituto Botánico.

The submission of the Guaraní language in the aftermath of Paraguayan independence. From the 17th century on, with a peak in the 18th century, vast amounts of literature written in Guaraní language were produced in the Jesuit-Guaraní settlements or Reductions of Paraguay. Some of the texts were published back then, but many remain in manuscript form in archives or libraries. This literature does not only deal with religious matters (catechisms, sermons, or devotional books). It also reflects the political, social and cultural life of the Guaraní people. In fact, these documents are not only written in Guaraní, but also written by Guaraní, and they continued to surface even after the Jesuits had been expelled from the settlements in 1768. Jesuitic Guaraní therefore seems to have outlived the Jesuits’ actual presence. By some strange paradox, after the proclamation of Paraguayan independence in 1811, Guaraní texts were no longer found, even though Paraguayans went on communicating in Guaraní language on a daily basis, as reported by numerous travellers who visited the country in the 19th century.

The objective of this paper was to establish the determinants of the consumption of fresh pasteurized milk in the city of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. A one-time retrospective survey was conducted in 120 households selected by stratified sampling. To analyze the results, two econometric models were used: the probit model to assess the probability of fresh pasteurized milk consumption, and Heckman’s simple linear model to assess the level of expenses devoted to the consumption of this product. Results showed that, among the studied variables, the major factors that influenced the consumption of fresh pasteurized milk were taste, availability, income, and size of household. The income was the main constraint to the consumption of fresh pasteurized milk. The study also showed that fresh pasteurized milk and imported UHT milk were “luxury” products mainly consumed by high income households. On the other hand, condensed milk and local fermented milk were mostly consumed by low income households. The consumption of yoghurt and dry milk seemed to depend less on the income level. To increase the supply of fresh milk in Ouagadougou’s markets, processors should propose a good quality product (i.e. with a recognized good taste), with high accessibility, in particular in high income districts.

L’île Rodrigues est connue pour ses produits traditionnels fabriqués à base de porc. Cependant, et contrairement à la production agricole y compris l’élevage porcin (1, 2, 3), le secteur de la transformation de la viande porcine a été peu étudié. Cette étude a été menée pour préciser les caractéris­tiques du secteur de la transformation de la viande de porc, notamment les profils socio-économiques des transforma­teurs, les types de produits fabriqués, les matières premières, ingrédients et additifs utilisés, les techniques et matériel de fabrication, ainsi que les modes de stockage et de condi­tionnement des produits finis. Une évaluation du niveau de conformité des unités de fabrication a également été effec­tuée au regard de la réglementation mauricienne sur l’hygiène alimentaire. Une enquête auprès de tous les transformateurs de porc recensés (n = 57) a été réalisée de décembre 2010 à janvier 2011 à l’aide d’un questionnaire et d’une liste de contrôle. Excepté pour deux unités semi-industrielles, le secteur est constitué de petites unités de fabrication de charcuterie, opérant majoritairement à temps partiel (96 p.100), et gérées principalement par des hommes (65 p.100). Les principaux produits fabriqués sont la saucisse chinoise, le jambon rodriguais et le boudin noir (figure 1). Le kitouz, le boucané, le rôti de porc, le porc salé, la galantine, la saucisse créole et le bacon rodriguais sont également produits mais surtout pour des occasions festives. Les techniques de fabri­cation les plus utilisées sont le salage et le séchage, la cuisson n’étant employée que pour certains produits, comme le rôti de porc et le boudin noir. La viande de porc provient d’élevages locaux, alors que les ingrédients comme les épices, le sel et le sucre sont importés de l’île Maurice. Tous les artisans charcutiers recensés (n = 57) fabriquaient leurs produits dans la cuisine familiale à l’aide de matériel de faible coût, et en adoptant une technologie rudimentaire et empirique, et des recettes traditionnelles. La plupart des transformateurs ne suivaient pas les codes de bonnes pratiques de fabrication et étaient bien en-deçà des normes d’hygiène requises par la réglementation mauricienne. Quatre-vingts pour cent d’entre eux n’avaient pas de système de contrôle de leur procédé de fabrication. Ainsi, par exemple dans la fabrication des sau­cisses chinoises, le degré de hachage de la viande pouvait varier d’un hachage grossier à très fin. Les quantités d’ingré­dients étaient mesurées de façon approximative en utilisant des cuillères et des tasses. Parmi ces artisans, 88 p.100 n’éti­quetaient pas leurs produits après l’emballage. Par ailleurs, en début de la chaîne de fabrication, l’abattage du porc s’effec­tuait souvent dans des conditions insalubres augmentant ainsi les risques de contamination microbiologiques de la carcasse. La plupart des artisans (95 p.100) stockait la viande fraîche à température ambiante, favorisant ainsi la multiplication des germes. Pour ces diverses raisons, les produits finis étaient clai­rement hétérogènes au niveau des dimensions, de la teneur en gras, de la couleur, de l’aspect général et de la durée de conservation. En conclusion, les fabricants devront mettre en oeuvre les bonnes pratiques de fabrication et d’hygiène de base, afin d’assurer une qualité standard des produits finis et d’améliorer leur qualité sanitaire. Une étude ultérieure sera réalisée pour mieux définir la qualité microbiologique des produits.

The zwitterion nature of ampholytic polymers provides features that are useful in environmental and industrial applications, e. g. ion-exchange membrane, as flocculants in sewage treatment and in oil recovery processes. In the latter case, the increase in viscosity which is observed in the presence of brine (anti -polyelectrolyte behavior) make them ideal candidates for high salinity media. The aqueous solution properties of a series of ampholytic terpolymers based on sodium-2-acrylamido-2- rilethylpropanesulfonate (NaAMPS), Methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride (MADQUAT) and acrylamide (AM), prepared in inverse micro emulsions have been investigated by viscometry and light scattering experiments. The distribution of the net charge among the chains was varied by adjusting the initial monomer composition and the degree of conversion. The effect of this distribution on the solubility of the samples and on the chain conformation was studied. It was found that samples with a narrow distribution of net charges were soluble in water even if the average net charge is small. Addition of salt produces a transition from an extended conformation to a more compact one in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. A practically alternated NaAMPS- MADQUAT copolymer prepared in homogeneous solution and with a small average net charge shows a behaviour quite similar to that of the terpolymers. La nature zwitterioniquedes polymères ampholytes présente des caractéristiques qui sont utiles dans les applications environnementales et industrielles, comme les membranes d'échange ionique, les floculants dans le traitement des eaux usées et dans les procédés de récupération de pétrole. Dans ce dernier cas, l'augmentation de viscosité qui est observée en présence de saumure (comportement antipolyélectrolyte) en fait des candidats idéaux pour des milieux de salinité élevée. Les propriétés de la solution aqueuse d'une série de terpolymères ampholytes à base de 2-acrylamido-méthylpropanesulfate de sodium (NaAMPS), le chlorure de méthacryloyloxyéthyltriméthylammonium (MADQUAT) et l'acrylamide (AM), préparés en microémulsions inverses ont été étudiées par viscométrie et diffusion de lumière. La répartition des charges le long des chaînes a été modifiée en ajustant la composition en monomères initiale et le degré de conversion. L'effet de cette répartition sur la solubilité des échantillons et sur la conformation de la chaîne a été étudié. On a constaté que des échantillons avec une répartition étroite de charge nette étaient solubles dans l'eau même si la charge moyenne nette est faible. L'addition de sel produit une transition entre une conformation étirée et une conformation plus compacte en accord qualitatif avec les prédictions théoriques. Un copolymère NaAMPS-MADQUAT pratiquement alterné préparé en solution homogène et avec une faible charge moyenne nette présente un comportement assez similaire à celui des terpolymères.

A fatigue interface damage model is presented that is based on combining a fatigue evolution law with a static interface damage model. The fatigue model elegantly enables the simulation of crack initiation and propagation in a computationally efficient and accurate way, accounting for mixed-mode loading conditions and fatigue loading of variable amplitude. The main features of the fatigue model are explained and demonstrated by means of an illustrative numerical example.