Semiautomatic Generation of Code Ontology Using ifcOWL in Compliance Checking

Code compliance checking is a very important step in engineering construction, but most of code compliance checking relies on manual review at present. With the development of semantic web technology, ontology can be used to represent code information and check the code automatically. However, code ontology is established manually by researchers who have sufficient domain knowledge, in which it is easy to cause poor hierarchical structure of classes. It is also possible for code ontology not being suitable for compliance check. This paper proposes a semiautomatic construction method of railway code ontology based on ifcOWL. The railway code ontology is developed by converting ifcOWL which extends semantic information of railway code. This method can ensure the completeness of the hierarchical relationship of the classes in code ontology with good scalability, which makes use of taxonomy in ifcOWL. The establishment of ontology is divided into two processes with low coupling, namely, extension and conversion, which reduces the domain knowledge requirements of the researchers. Finally, a practical specification is selected to generate a code ontology that achieves some clauses checking.

HPLC-UV Estimation of Folic Acid in Fortified Rice and Wheat Flour using Enzymatic Extraction and Immunoaffinity Chromatography Enrichment: An Interlaboratory Validation Study

Background: In India, fortification of cereals with folic acid has been voluntary for many years. However, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s recent Fortification of Foods Regulations (2018) has prompted us to develop and validate a simple analytical method for estimation of folic acid in fortified cereals. Objective: The aim was to develop and validate a simple and rugged HPLC–UV method for quantitative analysis of folic acid in fortified rice and wheat flour. Methods: The enzymatic sample extract was diluted with phosphate buffer, centrifuged, filtered, and then passed slowly through an immunoaffinity cartridge for cleanup. Folic acid in the sample extract was retained by the cartridge and subsequently eluted with 30% acetonitrile [+0.2% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)]. The elute was collected and analyzed by HPLC–UV at 280 nm. The chromatographic separation of folic acid was achieved on an Agilent Poroshell SB-C18 column (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm) with 0.1% TFA in methanol as mobile phase. Results: The linearity range of the vitamin was established in the concentration range of 50–800 µg/L, and the regression coefficient was more than 0.999. The LOQ was 5 µg/L. The average spike recovery values of folic acid in rice and wheat flour samples were 90.9 and 80.5%, respectively. The method was subjected to an interlaboratory validation; eight accredited food testing laboratories across India participated in it and resulted in satisfactory z-scores for the reported results. Conclusions: The method will be useful in regulatory compliance testing of folic acid in fortified cereals and processed products. Highlights: A sensitive analysis method is reported for estimation of folic acid in fortified rice and wheat flour. The scope, selectivity, repeatability, and reproducibility of the method establishes it as fit for regulatory compliance check purposes.

Youth Access to Tobacco Products in the United States, 2016-2018

Objectives: In 2018, approximately 4.9 million US middle and high school students reported past 30-day use of any tobacco product. This study describes how and where youth obtained tobacco products and whether refusal of sale occurred during 2016-2018. Methods: Data from 3 annual waves (2016-2018) of the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a school-based survey of US youth in grades 6-12, were analyzed among current (past 30-day) tobacco product users aged 9 to 17 years. Results: During 2016-2018, youth tobacco product users most commonly obtained tobacco products from social sources. Although the percentage of users who reported buying tobacco products significantly decreased from 2016 to 2018 (2016: 15.6%; 2018: 11.4%), no significant differences in the prevalence of being refused sale were observed (2016: 24.7%; 2018: 25.5%). Conclusions: Whereas the number of youth users who report buying tobacco products has declined, sales of tobacco products to youth remain a public health concern, as only one in 4 youth who attempted to buy were refused sale in 2018. Monitoring youth tobacco product purchases, retailer compliance check inspections, and retailer penalties for sales to minors remain important for reducing youth access at retail sources.

Performance

This chapter analyzes the technique of performance. “Performance” refers to a set of activities the defendant is instructed by the court or prosecution to undertake and later to present as a successful achievement demonstrating responsibility and governability. It explores a wide range of such tasks—from in-patient drug treatment to community service—and shows how these duties are assigned and evaluated as performances revealing the defendant's character or capacity to be directed by official rules. The unifying logic behind disparate performance activities is evaluating how a defendant has executed the act. The technique of performance seeks normalization but does not involve constant engagement and supervision: it entails a command and a sanction-backed compliance check.