Bottle Method Research Articles

Islet Purification Method Using Large Bottles Effectively Achieves High Islet Yield from Pig Pancreas

Porcine islets are a promising resource for xenotransplantation. However, low efficacy of islet isolation because of their marked fragility remains a problem. Recently we found that the standard purification method using COBE 2991 cell processor (COBE) with Ficoll density gradient solution damaged islets mechanically by high shearing force. In this study, we evaluated our new purification method using large plastic bottles for the efficacy of islet purification. Ten porcine pancreata were used. The average warm ischemic time was over 40 min; therefore, these pancreata were considered to be in a marginal condition. After digestion, the digested tissue was divided into three groups. Each group was purified using either top loading method with bottle (top group) or bottom loading method with bottle (bottom group) or standard COBE method (COBE group). Islet yield per pancreas weight (IEQ/g) and the rate of postpurification recovery in the top group were significantly higher than the COBE group (top: 8060 ± 1652 IEQ/g, bottom: 4572 ± 614 IE/g, COBE: 3900 ± 734 IE/g. p < 0.02 in top vs. COBE; top percentage of recovery: 99.3 ± 12.3%, bottom: 62.6 ± 8.8%, COBE: 49.5 ± 6.7%, p < 0.02 in top vs. bottom and COBE). The average sizes of purified islets in the top and bottom groups were significantly larger than COBE group (Average diameter top: 156 ± 8 μm, bottom: 147 ± 6 μm, COBE: 119 ± 6 μm, p < 0.01 in top vs. COBE and in bottom vs. COBE), which indicated that bottle method can reduce shear force during purification. Our new purification using top loading bottle method enabled us to obtain a high yield of porcine islets from marginal pancreata.

Effects of Wheat Protein as a Biological Binder in the Manufacture of Particleboards Using a Mixture of Canola, Hemp, Bagasse, and Commercial Wood

Abstract This article deals with the feasibility of the use of wheat protein glue to produce general purpose particleboards from bagasse, canola, and hemp chips and of decreasing the formaldehyde emission by using a bioproduct adhesive. Three series of panels were produced using wood chips in the surface layers and a mixture of annual plants with industrial wood in the middle layers. Particleboards were manufactured using various annual plants. Wheat protein was used in combination with urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin in the surface layers. Pure UF was only used in the middle layer. Panels were tested for some physical and mechanical properties. In addition, the formaldehyde emission according to the perforator method and the bottle method was determined. The data were compared with the respective properties specified by the Deutsches Institut für Normung EN 312-2 standard for commercial wood-based particleboard. The results showed that all mechanical properties greatly exceeded the standard requirements for wood particleboards. An increase of more than 50 percent canola particles in the core negatively affected the internal bond (IB) strength. All of the particleboards produced from hemp and bagasse had modulus of rupture and IB strength higher than required. With those containing up to 50 percent annual plant particles in the middle layer, thickness swelling values met the standard requirement. It was found that applying wheat protein as a bonding agent reduced the formaldehyde emission in comparison to when pure UF resin was applied. This study demonstrated that consistent, high-performance agricultural fiber composite panels with desirable environmental attributes can be successfully developed.

Using low frequency full bottle diamagnetic screening to study collectible wine

A low frequency ν<30MHz spectrometer capable of noninvasively and nondestructively screening the diamagnetic properties of full intact bottles of wine is described, and along with principal component analysis, used to compare and contrast sealed bottles of wine. The sensitivity of this approach to various ionic and molecular wine solutes is established by analyzing standard solutions. The successful application of this full bottle method to a library of collectible wine is discussed and suggests that the method can be used to identify counterfeit wine without violating the bottle.

Using low frequency dielectric absorption to screen full intact wine bottles

A ν < 25 MHz low frequency spectrometer capable of noninvasively and nondestructively screening the dielectric properties of full intact bottles of wine is described, and along with principal component analysis, used to screen rare wine. The sensitivity of this full bottle method to various ionic and molecular wine solutes was established by analyzing standard solutions. Application of the approach to a library of collectible wine and the identification of counterfeit wine are discussed.

Effect of Pressure on Microstructure and Properties of High Silicon Electrical Steel by EB-PVD

The effect of pressures on microstructure and properties of as-deposited high silicon electrical steel by EB-PVD during hot pressing was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the phase composition and morphology; the density and electrical resistivity were measured using the bottle method and four-probing method, respectively. It was found that the density increased from 7.25×103 kg/m3 to 7.5 ×103 kg/m3, while the electrical resistivity decreased from 85µΩ•cm to 75µΩ•cm with the increase of the pressure from 30 MPa to 60 MPa.

Specific and non-specific interactions of procaine with activated carbon surfaces

The adsorption of procaine on eight activated carbon surfaces from simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was evaluated using a rotating bottle method and isoperibol calorimetry. The adsorption data were fit using the modified Langmuir-like equation to calculate the non-specific and specific adsorption capacities. The surface atomic compositions were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A linear relationship was found between the relative non-specific adsorption capacity and the unoxidized hydrocarbon content of the activated carbon surfaces, which indicated that the non-specific adsorption site for procaine is the bare carbon surface. The apparent area occupied per procaine molecule, calculated from the specific capacity, was linearly correlated to the sum of the relative percentages of the C O and O C O functional states on the surfaces. This suggested that the primary adsorption sites for procaine on the activated carbon surfaces were the oxygen-containing functional states of C O and O C O, where procaine was adsorbed via hydrogen bonding. The differential heats of displacement for procaine on the four activated carbon surfaces are approximately equal to each other, which indicated that the interactions between procaine and the functional states on all surfaces are energetically equivalent.

Measurement of milk clotting activity by rotational viscometry

Standard method for the determination of the activity of milk coagulants is the rotating bottle method, where clotting time is defined as the time when visually observable flocculation starts. Aim of this study was to verify whether it is possible to determine milk clotting time by rotational viscometry. Using three different coagulants and reconstituted milk of different pH and temperature, flocculation time and viscosity in steady shear was determined, and milk gelation was monitored by small amplitude oscillating shear rheometry. The results show that, independent of pH and temperature, milk clotting time is related to an apparent viscosity of 7.24±0.45 mPa.s, indicating that rotational viscometry can be used for the screening of flocculation time with an accuracy of approximately 6%.

Phytoplankton primary production in southern Iraqi marshes after restoration

Primary productivity and chlorophyll-a were used in this study to monitor the restoration process of southern Iraqi marshes (Al-Hewaizeh, central marshes, and Al-Hammar). The phytoplankton primary productivity was based on oxygen light/dark bottle method. Two different depths samples were taken monthly from six studied marshes stations (two stations for each marsh) during November 2005 to October 2006, while chlorophyll-a samples taken from surface water. The phytoplankton primary productivity values ranged 9.38 – 249.79 mg C/m3.hr for all marshes, its values for surface water sample ranged 11.71 – 256.24 mg C/m3.hr, while for 1m depth ranged 9.38 – 142.5 mg C/m3.hr. Chlorophyll-a values ranged between (1.1 – 21.26) µg/l indicating high values of productivity in the studied marshes comparing with other aquatic Iraqi ecosystems. Also, dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation rate were measured in this study.

Phytoplankton primary production in southern Iraqi marshes after restoration

Primary productivity and chlorophyll-a were used in this study to monitor the restoration process of southern Iraqi marshes (Al-Hewaizeh, central marshes, and Al-Hammar). The phytoplankton primary productivity was based on oxygen light/dark bottle method. Two different depths samples were taken monthly from six studied marshes stations (two stations for each marsh) during November 2005 to October 2006, while chlorophyll-a samples taken from surface water. The phytoplankton primary productivity values ranged 9.38 – 249.79 mg C/m3.hr for all marshes, its values for surface water sample ranged 11.71 – 256.24 mg C/m3.hr, while for 1m depth ranged 9.38 – 142.5 mg C/m3.hr. Chlorophyll-a values ranged between (1.1 – 21.26) µg/l indicating high values of productivity in the studied marshes comparing with other aquatic Iraqi ecosystems. Also, dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation rate were measured in this study.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Egyptian and Saudi Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

The aim of this study is to investigate spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in Egyptian and Saudi patients with liver cirrhosis and changes of their laboratory indicators in assisting with in their diagnosis and treatment. Seventy Egyptian and Saudi cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and 30 patients with liver cirrhosis alone were investigated. In addition to liver function tests, ascitic fluid specimens were investigated for cytological, biochemical and bacteriological changes. Results revealed that 12 (17.1%) of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis patients showed culturenegative neutrocytic ascites, while 58 (82.9%) patients were culture-positive. Hence, their occurrence was more frequent in old male patients without significant difference regarding the nationality. These patients presented with fever, abdominal pain, high activity of liver enzymes and high serum levels of bilirubin and low of proteins; albumin and glucose. Their ascitic fluids showed a high polymorph nuclear cell count > 250 cells/mm3. Microorganisms isolated were Enterobacteriaceae ( e.g. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis ), Staphylococcus-aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis . Blood culture bottle method showed more positive result than that obtained by conventional culture method. Most of the isolated microorganisms showed sensitivity to Cefotaxime while Enterococcus faecalis showed sensitivity to meropenem.

Environmental effects on peeled, cut and exposed pineapple fruits by vendors: implications on food quality

Afairly ripe pine apple fruit was peeled and cut in to five portions of approximate sizes, wrapped in transparent plastic films and exposed for 8hours in a tray at a height of about six feet from the ground. 30g portion was taken from the first sample at zero hour (the control) and analyzed for sugar content using spectrophotometer and density bottle methods; and for peroxide value (PO). These were repeated every two hour interval until the 8th hour for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th exposed samples respectively. Results indicate that the sugar content decreased with exposure time. The highest sugar concentration was recorded for the zero hour (control _ unexposed sample). Peroxide value of 40meq/kg was obtained at the zero hour before dropping steadily to 5meq/kg at the 4th hour (mid point of exposure time) and then rising suddenly to 150meq/kg at the 8th hour of exposure. Conclusion from the findings suggest that exposure of fruits to the environment affects the food quality. Keywords : Pineapple, exposure time, environment, fruit.

A New Method for Casting Three‐Dimensional Shoeprints and Tire Marks with Dental Stone

Dental stone is used as the major material for recovering three-dimensional shoeprints and tire tracks from crime scenes. The procedure for using dental stone sparsely changed over the years. There are two common methods for mixing dental stone: (i) a premeasured amount of dental stone is put in a zip-lock bag to which water is added, and (ii) the water and dental stone are mixed in a bucket. We suggest a novel rapid and efficient method of mixing dental stone and water in a bottle. These methods were compared at equal conditions. The parameters measured were the number of air bubbles, the strength of the cast, the ease of use, and the sharpness and quality of the accidental characteristics present in the cast. The proposed bottle method has the advantages of both the bucket and the zip-lock methods hence it combines strength, sharpness, high quality, and ease of use.

Evaluation of anthrax vaccine production by Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F 2 in stirred suspension culture using a miniature bioreactor: A useful scale-down tool for studies on fermentations at high containment

The licensed UK anthrax vaccine is produced by static cultures of Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F2 in glass Thompson bottles, each batch consisting of multiple bottles grown for 24–28 h. In this work, a novel miniature bioreactor was used as a scale-down tool to investigate the possible transfer of anthrax vaccine production from static culture to stirred tank operation and to explore the effects of this change in culture conditions on process performance. It is shown that the change to stirred culture conditions is possible and that the concentration of the two main vaccine components, Protective Antigen (PA) and Lethal Factor (LF), are reached in less than half the time compared to standard Thompson bottle methods. Furthermore, because higher cell densities were attained in the miniature bioreactor, a 74% increase in antigen concentration was achieved. More detailed analysis of the stirred bioreactor results operated with and without aeration showed antigen degradation in the presence of aeration. Overall this work demonstrates the usefulness of miniaturisation techniques to perform process characterisation studies safely and without significant capital investment for large-scale containment.

Photosynthesis, water respiration and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei in a super-intensive raceway culture with zero water exchange: Interaction of water quality variables

Gross and net photosynthesis, and water column respiration of a super-intensive Litopenaeus vannamei raceway culture with zero water exchange were measured over 21 weeks using the light and dark bottle method. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship of these parameters with other water quality parameters (O 2, temperature, pH, alkalinity, TAN, NO 2, NO 3, dissolved orthophosphate, turbidity, TSS and VSS) and of shrimp performance based on growth rate and feed conversion rate. Net photosynthesis generally had negative values, indicating that the system was predominantly heterotrophic. Gross photosynthesis was significantly related only with VSS, and water column respiration was related only with turbidity. Shrimp growth rate increased with higher temperature and dropped with higher pH. Nitrite had a strong inverse relationship with shrimp growth rate ( R 2 = 0.8044, p < 0.001) and a weak relationship with FCR ( R 2 = 0.3319, p = 0.0284). VSS has a significant inverse relationship with shrimp growth rate ( R 2 = 0.4989, p = 0.0102) and a direct relationship with FCR ( R 2 = 0.5356, p = 0.0162). Photosynthesis and the water column respiration did not seem to have a significant impact on shrimp productivity.

Plankton metabolic balance at the margins of very large lakes: temporal variability and evidence for dominance of autochthonous processes

Summary1. Planktonic metabolic balance (PMBm) of the surface mixed layer (SML) was measured as the ratio of areal rates of gross photosynthesis (AGP) to community respiration (AR) to test the idea that previously neglected allochthonous inputs of organic matter may support chronic excess respiration relative to photosynthesis even in very large lakes during the summer (May–October) season. Four Laurentian Great Lakes coastal sites of varying trophic status, physical structure and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration were studied with oxygen light‐and dark bottle and 14C methods, with excess respiration anticipated in the higher DOC sites.2. Planktonic metabolic balance was net autotrophic in 73% of the observations. The calculated mixing depth at which respiration would predominate over photosynthesis was greater than typically observed mixing depths, varying from 11 to 25 m in the more transparent, low DOC (&lt;3 g m−3) sites to 8–15 m in the higher DOC (4–6 g m−3) sites. Biweekly measurements at one higher and one lower DOC site over two successive summer seasons showed that seasonal gross photosynthesis (ΣAGP) exceeded seasonal community respiration (ΣAR). Despite the location of the sites at the periphery of the lakes, where allochthonous influences should be strongest, the measurements indicated prevailing conditions of net autotrophy in the SML.3. Individual measurements of AR from this study and the literature were correlated with AGP but season average values were more tightly correlated, suggesting a tighter coupling of metabolic rates on a larger scale and a looser coupling on a shorter scale. The observed temporal variability was variable in pattern among years, and likely to confound inferences based on limited sampling.4. It is shown that accepted formulations for AGP and AR lead to the conclusion that PMBm should be largely predictable from knowledge of a biological properties ratio (light‐saturated gross photosynthesis to plankton community respiration, Pmax/R) and a physical properties ratio (euphotic to mixing depths, Zeu/Zm) and this prediction was confirmed using data from this study and from the literature. The evident success of this model points to the pre‐eminent importance of plankton biomass and physical conditions in determining metabolic balance. Variation in these fundamental factors appears capable of explaining the diversity of PMBm reported for different Great Lakes.

Comparison of methods for measuring atmospheric deposition of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead

A comprehensive field intercomparison at four different types of European sites (two rural, one urban and one industrial) comparing three different collectors (wet only, bulk and Bergerhoff samplers) was conducted in the framework of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to create an European standard for the deposition of the four elements As, Cd, Ni and Pb. The purpose was to determine whether the proposed methods lead to results within the uncertainty required by the EU's daughter directive (70%). The main conclusion is that a different sampling strategy is needed for rural and industrial sites. Thus, the conclusions on uncertainties and sample approach are presented separately for the different approaches. The wet only and bulk collector ("bulk bottle method") are comparable at wet rural sites where the total deposition arises mainly from precipitation, the expanded uncertainty when comparing these two types of sampler are below 45% for As, Cd and Pb, 67% for Ni. At industrial sites and possibly very dry rural and urban sites it is necessary to use Bergerhoff samplers or a "bulk bottle+funnel method". It is not possible to address the total deposition estimation with these methods, but they will give the lowest estimate of the total deposition. The expanded uncertainties when comparing the Bergerhoff and the bulk bottle+funnel methods are below 50% for As and Cd, and 63% for Pb. The uncertainty for Ni was not addressed since the bulk bottle+funnel method did not include a full digestion procedure which is necessary for sites with high loads of undissolved metals. The lowest estimate can however be calculated by comparing parallel Bergerhoff samplers where the expanded uncertainty for Ni was 24%. The reproducibility is comparable to the between sampler/method uncertainties. Sampling and sample preparation were proved to be the main factors in the uncertainty budget of deposition measurements.

High‐frequency measurements of productivity of planktonic algae using rugged nondispersive infrared carbon dioxide probes

We have constructed a system based on commercially available inexpensive NDIR CO2 sensors to continuously monitor CO2 concentrations in water bodies. Here we demonstrate its use in a boreal humic lake. With the system, we collect high frequency data with a 10‐min time resolution for determination of CO2 consumption and production. We use and modify the computational methods commonly used in forest ecology to enable characterization of aquatic primary production. To demonstrate the advantages of the method, we present the results against the observations from the long‐term monitoring program applying traditional bottle methods. With the probes, we can detect a clear, photosynthesis‐driven daily pattern in the CO2 concentration and determine the CO2 consumption or production resulting in more than a 10‐fold improvement in the time resolution when compared with traditional incubation methods. The measuring frequency is high enough to determine the dependence of photosynthesis on irradiance. The high‐frequency data highlights the inherent problems of discrete bottle incubations and bring into question their reliability. Our free water approach yielded productivity and mineralization rates that were clearly higher than obtained with incubations.

The Sorption of Ketotifen Fumarate by Chitosan

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the mechanism of interaction between ketotifen fumarate and chitosan at different pH values. The specific surface area of chitosan was determined using gas sorption analyzer. The sorption experiments were conducted at pH 7 and 10 using two different particle size ranges of chitosan. The solutions were prepared at constant ionic strength and buffer concentration, with only varying the pH. The rotating bottle method was used for measuring the sorption. The average specific surface areas for the two different particle size ranges of chitosan were found to be 4.56 and 0.74 m(2)/g. The Langmuir-like equation and a model independent equation were both applied to the sorption experimental data. The extent of ketotifen uptake at pH 7 for small and large particles of chitosan was found to be 1,073 and 2,204 mg/g respectively. While the extent of ketotifen uptake at pH 10 for small and large particles of chitosan was found to be 4 and 11 mg/g respectively. The aforementioned results indicated that sorption of ketotifen fumarate at pH 7 is extremely high compared to pH 10 and that the sorption increases by decreasing the specific surface area of chitosan. Based on the results obtained, the following conclusions were reached. Ketotifen might be absorbed into the bulk structure of chitosan in addition to being adsorbed on the surface and the ability of chitosan to swell at pH 7 has a significant role in increasing its uptake.

干潟域における底生微細藻類の総光合成速度に関する一考察

The light-dark bottle method and benthic chamber method were used to estimate the gross photosynthetic rate of benthic tidal microalgae. In the light-dark bottle method, 0.5g of wet bottom sediment and an incubation time of 6 hours were employed for the measurement of the photosynthetic rate of the benthic microalgae. The gross primary production of the benthic microalgae at the in situ temperature and photon flux density, determined by the light-dark bottle method, reached 2.1 gC · m-2 · day-1 on October 7, 2003 at the experimental tidal flat in Hannan Second District, Osaka Bay. The gross photosynthetic rate per unit chlorophyll a concentration of the benthic microalgae increased with increasing photon flux density in the benthic chamber. Using the present benthic chamber method, together with the in situ photon flux density and chlorophyll a concentration of the bottom sediment, the gross production of the benthic microalgae was estimated to be an average of 0.34gC · m-2 · day-1 at the Wakagawa tidal flat on October 3, 2005.

Gross primary production and respiration differences among littoral and pelagic habitats in northern Wisconsin lakes

Net ecosystem production (NEP) trends among lakes have been ascribed to differences in nutrient and allochthonous carbon inputs, but little is known on how different habitats within lakes contribute to these trends. We sampled pelagic and littoral surface waters using sonde (i.e., free-water) and bottle methods concurrently in lakes spanning a range of trophic conditions. We considered whether the typically higher metabolism estimates found with sonde methods are due to contributions from littoral habitats not reflected by bottle estimates. We sought the source of littoral contributions by selecting sites with maximum differences in macrophyte abundance. Sonde estimates for pelagic primary production and respiration were two–three times greater than bottle estimates. Sonde/bottle ratios were higher in productive lakes and lakes with more littoral area. Bottle estimates were similar among all sites, and sonde estimates in macrophyte-poor sites were similar to pelagic sondes. However, sonde estimates in macrophyte-rich areas were four–nine times greater than bottle estimates. Results suggest littoral zones increase whole-lake NEP in eutrophic systems, whereas the Sphagnum mat surrounding dystrophic lakes decreases NEP. Non-planktonic organisms associated with macrophytes provide important littoral contributions to whole-lake metabolism and to understanding NEP trends among lakes.