Search

A content analysis of 62 job postings for East Asian studies librarians in the United States and Canada during 2008-2019 demonstrates that major job responsibilities have expanded to include collection development and management, reference and research assistance, instruction, liaison work, and outreach; relationship building and collaboration are emerging roles; skills and abilities have been progressively occupying a larger proportion than knowledge and experience in the required qualifications; top frequently required abilities and skills are generic and behavioral; and professional experiences are often preferred rather than required. The results of this research are of practical relevance to subject specialists in other areas.

Aiming to understand how scholars of East Asian Studies use East Asian sources (mainly in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) in their research, this citation study analyzed bibliographies of 213 PhD dissertations from 32 (East) Asian Studies programs in the United States and Canada from 2013 to 2015. The study examined the number and percentage of East Asian sources cited in each bibliography, as well as format and publication year of each East Asian source cited. The results have important and practical implications for collection development and management.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of test material format and smoking regimens on comparative toxicity testing of cigarette smoke. Total particulate matter (TPM) or whole smoke (WS) generated from three test cigarettes under International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or Health Canada Intensive (HCI) regimens were assessed for cytotoxicity using the neutral red uptake (NRU) cytotoxicity assay. Under both ISO and HCI regimens, the relative differences of cytotoxicity among the test cigarettes indicated by the EC50 values in WS were significantly higher than those in TPM. For TPM testing, cytotoxicity was decreased going from ISO regimen to HCI regimen, consistent with the reported reductions of toxicant output on a per unit of TPM basis under the HCI regimen. For WS, cytotoxicity increased for the two lower TPM cigarettes, and decreased for the higher TPM cigarette going from HCI regimen to ISO regimen. Results from this study demonstrated WS should be the preferable test material format for smoke toxicity testing whenever possible. Intensive smoking regimens, such as HCI, are less likely to underestimate smoke toxicant intakes by smokers, and should be included in the comparative toxicological testing strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Composition of genetically modified (GM) rapeseed events in Shanghai port was identified among 27 lots of rapeseed samples imported from Canada and Ukraine. Event - specific real - time PCR methods suitable for known GM rapeseeds RT73, T45, Oxy235, Topasl9/2, MS1 x RF1, MS1 x RF2 and MS8 x RF3 were employed in this study. Results showed that 25 lots of rapeseeds, accounting for 92. 6% of total, were positive by detection of the exogenous gene bar, PAT, GOX and NPTII. GM rapeseeds RT73 and MS8 x RF3 were detected in all 25 positive lots, indicating that they were the major imported rapeseed events. MS1 x RF1 and MS1 x RF2 events could be detected in 40% lots. T45, Oxy235 and Topas19/2 could be detected in a few lots. The results indicated that all the seven GM rapeseed events licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture of People's Republic of China existed in imported rapeseed samples in Shanghai port. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried roots of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) are highly valued by Asian cultures as an herbal medicine. In Ontario, there is smallscale, commercial processing of ginseng, typically using modified tobacco kilns to dry freshly harvested root to about 10% moisture. The objective of our research is to improve control of the drying process so that quality factors (e.g., ginsenoside content, colour and shape) are preserved and drying time is reasonable.The first part of this research showed that three-stage (38–50–38 °C) temperature control reduced drying time by 40% relative to conventional practice which sets a maximum drying air temperature of 38 °C. Quality in terms of root colour and ginsenoside concentrations was comparable for the three-stage and constant 38 °C processes. Red striations (i.e., “red” root) did not develop on root surfaces as long as the drying air temperature was low when moisture content was above 55% (wet basis). Internal colour, measured as average L* values of root cross-sections, was not significantly different for the two drying processes. Dried roots contained about 75% of the total ginsenoside levels of fresh roots but there was no significant difference between the two drying processes. The two ginsenoside fractions with substantial reductions were the Re fraction (50% lower in dried roots) and Rb1 fraction (18% reduction). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]