Blue Haze Research Articles

Ultra-sensitive detection of triethylamine (TEA) using LMR/LSPR based fiber optic probe

The excessive intake and inhalation of Triethylamine (TEA), which is an essential ingredient of pharmaceuticals, emulsifiers, dyestuff, soaps, rubber production etc, can cause health hazards such as blue haze, blurry vision, nausea, headache, and faintness; and to prevent the human beings from these hazards, it is crucial to detect TEA level. The present study explores the detection of TEA, using ZnO nanorods and porphyrin coated optical fiber probes. These probes have been synthesized and the topography, composition and morphology of different layers have been confirmed using FESEM, EDX and NMR characterizations. The sensitivity of this hybrid material-based probe has been estimated and was found to be 7-fold to the sensitivity of the metal oxide (ZnO nanorods) based fiber optic probe. The selectivity study has also been performed and it was observed that the analyte TEA has highest response (83.495 nm shift in peak wavelength) compared to other analytes such as the ethanol. This hybrid material-based fiber-optic probe offers the better selectivity and sensitivity for TEA and provides a very quick response time.

Morphological observation of trypan blue rupturing dead or dying cells leading to over-estimation of viability

Background & Aim Determining cell viability is an essential component in immuno-oncology and cellular therapy. The traditional method for cell viability measurement is the trypan blue exclusion assay, which utilizes a hemacytometer to manual enumerate trypan blue stained cells. However, trypan blue exclusion assays can be time-consuming, tedious, and have user-dependent variation. We have previously showed that trypan blue can alter the morphology of dead immune cells to a diffuse shape, which can lead to over-estimation of viability. Here, we investigate the origin of dim and diffuse objects after trypan blue staining. Methods, Results & Conclusion Utilizing image and video acquisition, we show real-time transformation of cells into diffuse objects when stained with trypan blue. The formation of these diffuse objects is monitored and counted over time as cells die outside of the incubator. Results showed that as cells begin to die in a cell culture, dying cells displayed large blue haze when stained with trypan blue that may be missed during manual cell count. The same phenomenon was not observed when staining cells with propidium iodide. We also demonstrated co-localization of trypan blue and propidium iodide, confirming these diffuse objects as cells that contain nuclei. We hypothesize and demonstrate that rapid water influx may have caused the cells to rupture and disappear. In conclusion, we were able to observe morphological changes in immune cells using image-based cytometry. Since some dead cells disappear after trypan blue staining, the total can be under-counted, leading to over-estimation of cell viability. This inaccuracy could affect outcomes of cellular therapies, which require accurate measurement of immune cells that will be infused back into patients. Determining cell viability is an essential component in immuno-oncology and cellular therapy. The traditional method for cell viability measurement is the trypan blue exclusion assay, which utilizes a hemacytometer to manual enumerate trypan blue stained cells. However, trypan blue exclusion assays can be time-consuming, tedious, and have user-dependent variation. We have previously showed that trypan blue can alter the morphology of dead immune cells to a diffuse shape, which can lead to over-estimation of viability. Here, we investigate the origin of dim and diffuse objects after trypan blue staining. Utilizing image and video acquisition, we show real-time transformation of cells into diffuse objects when stained with trypan blue. The formation of these diffuse objects is monitored and counted over time as cells die outside of the incubator. Results showed that as cells begin to die in a cell culture, dying cells displayed large blue haze when stained with trypan blue that may be missed during manual cell count. The same phenomenon was not observed when staining cells with propidium iodide. We also demonstrated co-localization of trypan blue and propidium iodide, confirming these diffuse objects as cells that contain nuclei. We hypothesize and demonstrate that rapid water influx may have caused the cells to rupture and disappear. In conclusion, we were able to observe morphological changes in immune cells using image-based cytometry. Since some dead cells disappear after trypan blue staining, the total can be under-counted, leading to over-estimation of cell viability. This inaccuracy could affect outcomes of cellular therapies, which require accurate measurement of immune cells that will be infused back into patients.

A New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Eastern Woodrat, Neotoma floridana (Rodentia: Cricetidae), from Arkansas, USA, and a Summation of Eimerians from North American Woodrats.

North American woodrats or packrats (genus Neotoma) are excellent hosts of coccidians and several species remain to be reported as hosts. Eleven species of Eimeria have been previously described from Neotoma spp. However, it has been nearly 35years, since the last eimerian (E. ladronensis Reduker and Duszynski, 1985) was described from any woodrat species. Six adult eastern woodrats, Neotoma floridana (Ord, 1818) were collected with Sherman live traps from Blue Haze Vista, Polk County, Arkansas, USA. Fecal specimens or rectal contents were examined for coccidia. Measurements were taken on 30 sporulated oöcysts and photographs were taken using brightfield optics. One (17%) eastern woodrat was found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria machardyi n. sp. as well as three (50%) with Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens, and Kruidenier, 1957, and two (33%) with Eimeria glauceae Wheat and Ernst, 1974. We provide a description of a new species of Eimeria from eastern woodrats, Neotoma floridana, the first photomicrograph of E. glauceae, and additional information on E. albigulae. A summation of the eimerians of North American woodrats is also provided. Nine of 13 (69%) species of packrats north of México have now been reported to harbor 12 species of eimerians. Additional surveys of Neotoma spp. which have not yet been reported as hosts, particularly those from México and Central America, should yield more eimerians and distributional records as well as the possibility of discovery of new species.

Linking with W. R. Bion

In his evocatively named “Attacks on Linking,” originally published in theInternational Journal of Psycho-Analysisin 1959, W. R. Bion describes patients who produce symptoms—hallucinations, stutters, sleepiness—designed, unconsciously, to destroy closeness with the analyst. In a numbered list of “clinical examples,” Bion describes incidents from his own practice: one patient sees a blue haze filling the room. Another reports two probability clouds floating in the air. A third tries to agree with what Bion has said, but stammers so markedly that he cannot get the words out. A fourth hallucinates that a piece of iron falls to the floor. The haze, the clouds, the stuttering, the “dead piece of iron,” initially inexplicable, become in Bion's hands “attacks on linking”: ways not to see, not to speak, not to connect, not to think.

Ozonolysis of <i>α</i>-phellandrene – Part 1: Gas- and particle-phase characterisation

Abstract. The ozonolysis of α-phellandrene, a highly reactive conjugated monoterpene largely emitted by Eucalypt species, is characterised in detail for the first time using a smog chamber at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Gas-phase species were monitored by a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF), with yields from a large number of products obtained, including formaldehyde (5–9 %), acetaldehyde (0.2–8 %), glyoxal (6–23 %), methyl glyoxal (2–9 %), formic acid (22–37 %) and acetic acid (9–22 %). Higher m∕z second-generation oxidation products were also observed, with products tentatively identified according to a constructed degradation mechanism. OH yields from α-phellandrene and its first-generation products were found to be 35 ± 12 and 15 ± 7 %, respectively, indicative of prominent hydroperoxide channels. An average first-generation rate coefficient was determined as 1.0 ± 0.7 × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 298 K, showing ozonolysis as a dominant loss process for both α-phellandrene and its first-generation products in the atmosphere. Endocyclic conjugation in α-phellandrene was also found to be conducive to the formation of highly condensible products with a large fraction of the carbon mass partitioning into the aerosol phase, which was monitored with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). Nucleation was observed almost instantaneously upon ozonolysis, indicating the rapid formation of extremely low-volatility compounds. Particle nucleation was found to be suppressed by the addition of either NO2 or a Criegee scavenger, with it being proposed that stabilised Criegee intermediates are important for new particle formation in the system. Aerosol yields ranged from 25 to 174 % depending on mass loadings, with both first- and second-generation products identified as large contributors to the aerosol mass. In short, with a high chemical reactivity and aerosol-forming propensity, α-phellandrene is expected to have an immediate impact on the local environment to which it is emitted, with ozonolysis likely to be an important contributor to the significant blue haze and frequent nocturnal nucleation events observed over Eucalypt forests.

Pale Orange Dots: The Impact of Organic Haze on the Habitability and Detectability of Earthlike Exoplanets

Abstract Hazes are common in known planetary atmospheres, and geochemical evidence suggests that early Earth occasionally supported an organic haze with significant environmental and spectral consequences. The UV spectrum of the parent star drives organic haze formation through methane photochemistry. We use a 1D photochemical-climate model to examine production of fractal organic haze on Archean Earth-analogs in the habitable zones of several stellar types: the modern and early Sun, AD Leo (M3.5V), GJ 876 (M4V), ϵ Eridani (K2V), and σ Boötis (F2V). For Archean-like atmospheres, planets orbiting stars with the highest UV fluxes do not form haze because of the formation of photochemical oxygen radicals that destroy haze precursors. Organic hazes impact planetary habitability via UV shielding and surface cooling, but this cooling is minimized around M dwarfs, whose energy is emitted at wavelengths where organic hazes are relatively transparent. We generate spectra to test the detectability of haze. For 10 transits of a planet orbiting GJ 876 observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, haze makes gaseous absorption features at wavelengths < 2.5 μm 2–10σ shallower than a haze-free planet, and methane and carbon dioxide are detectable at >5σ. A haze absorption feature can be detected at 5σ near 6.3 μm, but a higher signal-to-noise ratio is needed to distinguish haze from adjacent absorbers. For direct imaging of a planet at 10 pc using a coronagraphic 10 m class ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared telescope, a UV–blue haze absorption feature would be strongly detectable at >12σ in 200 hr.

Visibility through Atmospheric Haze and Its Relation to Macular Pigment

A major factor limiting the visibility of distant targets is veiling attributed to atmospheric scattering, known commonly as haze. It has been suggested that yellow filters (in this case, the macular pigments, MPs) could selectively absorb this haze, thus extending visual range. This study is an empirical test of the visibility hypothesis. Twelve subjects had their full contrast sensitivity function (CSF) (represented by six spatial frequencies) assessed in the presence of two background conditions: simulated blue haze and short wave-deficient light. Contrast sensitivity at the peak of the CSF (7.5 cycles per degree) was measured in the presence of the same two backgrounds as the full CSF, with the addition of a broadband xenon background condition in a separate sample of 25 subjects. Simulated blue haze was found to uniformly reduce the CSF in the 12 subjects for whom the full CSF was assessed. Therefore, only the peak was measured in the larger sample of 25 subjects. Macular pigment density was significantly related to energy at threshold for both the haze and xenon backgrounds but not the short wave-deficient background. Thus, subjects with higher levels of MP could withstand more light before losing sight of the target. This result is consistent with previous modeling of the visibility hypothesis as well as visual range improvements seen when using an artificial MP filter.

Long-Term Health Experience of Jet Engine Manufacturing Workers

To determine whether glioblastoma (GB) incidence rates among jet engine manufacturing workers were associated with specific chemical or physical exposures. Subjects were 210,784 workers employed from 1952 to 2001. We conducted a cohort incidence study and two nested case-control studies with focus on the North Haven facility where we previously observed a not statistically significant overall elevation in GB rates. We estimated individual-level exposure metrics for 11 agents. In the total cohort, none of the agent metrics considered was associated with increased GB risk. The GB incidence rates in North Haven were also not related to workplace exposures, including the "blue haze" exposure unique to North Haven. If not due to chance alone, GB rates in North Haven may reflect external occupational factors, nonoccupational factors, or workplace factors unique to North Haven unmeasured in the current evaluation.

What is meso-zeaxanthin, and where does it come from?

The carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) accumulate in the central retina, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). Each of these three compounds exhibit a regional dominance, with MZ, Z, and L being the dominant carotenoids at the epicentre, mid-periphery, and periphery of the macula, respectively. There is a growing and evidence-based consensus that MP is important for optimal visual performance, because of its blue light-filtering properties and consequential attenuation of chromatic aberration, veiling luminance, and blue haze. It has also been hypothesised that MP may protect against age-related macular degeneration because of the same optical properties and also because of the antioxidant capacity of the three macular carotenoids. Challenges inherent in the separation and quantification of MZ have resulted in a paucity of data on the content of this carotenoid in foodstuffs, and have rendered the study of tissue concentrations of this compound problematic. As a consequence, the few studies that have investigated MZ have, perhaps, been disproportionately influential in the ongoing debate about the origins of this macular carotenoid. Certainly, the narrative that retinal MZ is derived wholly and solely from retinal L needs to be revisited.

The influence of filtering by the macular carotenoids on contrast sensitivity measured under simulated blue haze conditions

PurposeDistant objects are often obscured as a result of wavelength-dependent scattering in the atmosphere. This scattered light, which is mostly short-wave, effectively forms a veiling luminance (or background light) against which a target must be detected and discriminated. The macular pigment (MP) carotenoids could reduce the effective background intensity by selectively filtering out short wavelengths which would increase the contrast of the object in the retinal image, thus improving visibility. This Visibility hypothesis was originally posited by Wooten and Hammond (2002). This study represents a first empirical test of the hypothesis. MethodsFive young healthy subjects were evaluated. MP optical density (OD) was measured using HFP. Visibility was assessed by measuring contrast sensitivity thresholds at 8cycles/deg (CST) using an optical system that passed xenon-light through the sine-wave grating. Blue haze was simulated using an ecologically valid broad-spectrum filter. Changes in MP density were simulated using a variable path length filter with an oil-based carotenoid solution that mimicked the absolute absorption spectrum of MP. ResultsThe average baseline CST was 0.004. Adding 0.25OD of simulated MP lowered the average threshold to 0.003 (25%). An additional 0.25OD decreased thresholds an additional 10% and the effect reached a plateau at about 0.50. DiscussionThe largest improvement (about 25%) in contrast occurred with the initial, and relatively modest, addition of 0.25OD units of simulated MP suggesting that the largest improvements may be linked to initial increases in MPOD.

Evaluation of VOC emissions control and opacity removal using a biological sequential treatment system for forest products applications

AbstractBACKGROUND: The emissions at the Stimson Lumber Company plant, Gaston, Oregon, USA, were treated with a pilot scale biological system to remove low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (principally pinene, formaldehyde and methanol) emitted from the wet process hard board manufacturing section of the plant. The objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system for optimal removal of VOCs and reduction of opacity (blue haze) of emissions from the wet press.RESULTS: Analysis of the air samples collected from the bio‐treatment system showed a removal efficiency of 90% for total VOCs. The optimization experiments demonstrated that the VOC removal rates improved as the gas flow rate and VOC loading rates increased, and at higher recycle water flow rates, which suggested additional treatment capacity for the biofiltration unit when operated at 40 s empty bed retention time. The opacity of emissions measured using both the US EPA Method‐9 and Wager 6500 opacity meter showed similar trends.CONCLUSIONS: The biological system demonstrated efficient removal of mixtures of forest products VOC emissions with elimination capacities in the range 8–10 gVOC m−3 h−1. The opacity reduction and VOC removal data were correlated demonstrating that inline opacity measurements may be useful for biosystem performance monitoring and troubleshooting. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Formation of nanoparticles of blue haze enhanced by anthropogenic pollution

The molecular processes leading to formation of nanoparticles of blue haze over forested areas are highly complex and not fully understood. We show that the interaction between biogenic organic acids and sulfuric acid enhances nucleation and initial growth of those nanoparticles. With one cis-pinonic acid and three to five sulfuric acid molecules in the critical nucleus, the hydrophobic organic acid part enhances the stability and growth on the hydrophilic sulfuric acid counterpart. Dimers or heterodimers of biogenic organic acids alone are unfavorable for new particle formation and growth because of their hydrophobicity. Condensation of low-volatility organic acids is hindered on nano-sized particles, whereas ammonia contributes negligibly to particle growth in the size range of 3-30 nm. The results suggest that initial growth from the critical nucleus to the detectable size of 2-3 nm most likely occurs by condensation of sulfuric acid and water, implying that anthropogenic sulfur emissions (mainly from power plants) strongly influence formation of terrestrial biogenic particles and exert larger direct and indirect climate forcing than previously recognized.

Case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the university of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts: Stumbling through a blue haze

Glaucopsia, or “Blue Haze,” is a transient disturbance of vision resulting from exposure to the vapor of certain industrial chemicals, notably amines that can be found in products such as spray-on polyurethane foams. Visual effects such as halos around bright objects, blue-grey vision, and fogging of vision typically appear within a few hours of exposure and resolve without permanent sequelae a few hours after removal of the exposure agent, although symptoms have been known to last up to 2–3 days. Effects are due to local corneal contamination leading to epithelial edema with associated microcysts that cause forward light scattering. The changes in vision can predispose individuals to accidents at the workplace as well as while driving. Measures to reduce or completely prevent ocular exposures to tertiary amines include wearing the proper personal protective equipment, avoiding wearing contact lenses that can act as reservoirs for amines, limiting exposure times, and keeping workplaces well ventilated to reduce vapor concentrations [17, 22].

Shades of Meaning: The Effect of Color and Flavor Names on Consumer Choice

Building on Grice's (1975) theory of “conversational implicature,” we propose that consumers will react favorably to unusual color or flavor names (e.g., blue haze or Alpine snow) because they expect marketing messages to convey useful information. If the message is not informative or does not conform to expectations, consumers search for the reason for the deviation. This search results in additional (positive) attributions about the product, and thus, a more favorable response. The results of a series of experiments provide empirical support for our proposal and rule out some alternative explanations for the success of ambiguous naming strategies.

Macular pigment: influences on visual acuity and visibility.

There is increasing evidence that the macular pigment (MP) carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protect the retina and lens from age-related loss. As a result, the use of L and Z supplements has increased dramatically in recent years. An increasing number of reports have suggested that L and Z supplementation (and increased MP density) are related to improved visual performance in normal subjects and patients with retinal and lenticular disease. These improvements in vision could be due either to changes in the underlying biology and/or optical changes. The optical mechanisms, i.e., preferential absorption of short-wave light, underlying these putative improvements in vision, however, have not been properly evaluated. Two major hypotheses are discussed. The acuity hypothesis posits that MP could improve visual function by reducing the effects of chromatic aberration. The visibility hypothesis is based on the idea that MP may improve vision through the atmosphere by preferentially absorbing blue haze (short-wave dominant air light that produces a veiling luminance when viewing objects at a distance).

Effect of Sinter Composition on Emissions: A Multi-Component, Highly-Constrained Mixture Experiment

An environmental phenomenon called blue haze occurred intermittently in the vicinity of a sinter plant's off-gas stacks. A statistically-designed pilot plant study was conducted to investigate the possible relationships between the various t..

Visual disturbances after industrial triethylamine exposure.

Among 19 workers in a polyurethane foam production plant, visual disturbances ("foggy vision", "blue haze", and sometimes halo phenomena) were reported on a total of 47 occasions by five workers over 11 weeks. The symptoms were associated with triethylamine exposure. Time-weighted average levels of 12 to 13 mg/m3 were recorded at work operations associated with symptoms, and 4 to 5 mg/m3 at other tasks. Twice as high peak levels were recorded. A detailed medical examination of the five affected workers in a free interval did not reveal any signs of permanent eye disease.

Structured art therapy with the chronic patient in long-term residential treatment

We are sitting in the art therapy room with a blue haze of smoke all but obliterating our vision. Smoking is the prevalent gratification for many patients in psychiatric facilities; patients escape into their private worlds as they puff away. Reality, as they have experienced it, is ungratifying and filled with terror. Jack is almost catatonic and difficult to reach. He sings loudly and clutches his teddy bear when paper and materials are put before him. Asked to draw his bear, he lifts a crayon, scribbles something, then asks when he can leave. Ed is mumbling word salad,? and also scribbling regressively, piling on the colors until his paper is a muddy mess. David, ambivalent about staying or going, draws a few angry strokes and departs. Mary and Judith have their particular styles as well-both speak in baby talk, grab art materials impulsively and often destroy them in the process. Mary draws her usual stereotyped figure, a learned response from her numerous hospitalizations. Judith, too, has had a series of hospitalizations. Her art work in each institution has been the same-muddy masses of chaotic scribbling, proof after proof of her psychotic states. Does one need to see more of this for diagnostic conformation? What about Judith? What does she need to see from her own hand? It would almost seem that Judith has been given constant “unconditional acceptance” for her art work, no matter how distorted it appears. “That’s nice, Judith, now do another one.” And she does, retreating back into her chaotic world. Something is seriously wrong; this is not art therapy. When the patients leave this art room there is a sense that no changes have occurred. Instead, there is a reentrenchment of the miserable illness that plagues them. They are commonly labeled chronic schizophrenics, and many professionals consider them hopeless. Each person in the art room represents one or even several of the classic characteristics: isolation. a low level of trust. yet marked dependency, low motivation, short attention span, confused and often paranoid thought processes, profoundly impaired self-esteem. In the art room, there is no sense of relatedness. Each person mistrusts the other, mistrusts the therapist. The patients want to remain isolated-safe. Yet, the inner world to which they retreat contains a mass of painful and agonizing thoughts. Confusion is rampant. There seems to be tzo safe place for them. What can the art therapist do with such an expanse of problems? How can he/she intervene in such confusion and fear? How can he/she achieve some sort of relatedness, some useful creative work that enables the patients to express themselves and communicate to others? Before treatment goals are set for such severe-

Deterioration Of Superpolished Metal Mirrors By Blue Haze

Superpolished mirrors lose their low-scatter finish in industrial atmospheres because of a corrosion process. This degradation is investigated by exposing mirrors in controlled gaseous environments, monitoring changes with scatter measurements, and microscopically and elementally analyzing the surface films. Blue haze results when nickel from the mirror combines with airborne pollutants and water to form an amorphous salt which can coat the nickel and etch it. Preventive techniques to keep the metal clean and free of water films are also discussed.

Environmental effects of terpenoid chemicals: a review

AbstractEntry of terpenes into the atmosphere occurs by volatilization of hydrocarbons from foliage, especially over forest lands. These compounds react photochemically with ozone, causing a blue haze. The total volume of reactive hydrocarbons released naturally appears several times greater than that from man's activities. Diterpenes also enter the environment through surface water runoff. Recently dehydroabietic acid and other terpenoidal compounds were found in ocean sediments, deposited by rivers. Few cases of air pollution can be related to industrial operations or processing of terpenes. Veneer dryer stack gas emissions cause an aesthetic problem, controllable by better modes of operation. Workers in soldering operations require protection from fumes caused by use of rosin cores. Rosin and rosin derivatives are virtually nontoxic to mammals and find use in food packaging applications. Sulfate turpentine is the source of pinenes for manufacture of synthetic flavors and perfumes. Resin acids and related diterpenes are, however, acutely toxic to aquatic organisms and can cause severe problems to fisheries if released in pulp mill wastes. Both monoterpenes and diterpenes are biodegradable. The future widespread use of toxaphene as an insecticide is uncertain because of its toxicity to aquatic fauna and relatively long persistence in soils and sediments. Recent results have demonstrated microbiological uptake of toxaphene components leading to problems of bioaccumulation through the food chain.