Composition Of Different Types Research Articles

Comportamiento de las células nucleadas en los distintos tipos de derrame pleural

IntroductionTo know the behavior of cellular components of pleural fluid can help focus the differential diagnosis of a pleural effusion. Our objective was to assess their composition in different types of pleural effusions and assess whether it provides relevant clinical information. Patients and methodsObservational, cross-sectional and retrospective study in which the cellular components of pleural effusions of different etiology were analyzed. Pleural effusions were classified as neutrophilic, lymphocytic (≥50% of each one of them), eosinophilic (≥10%) or mesothelial (>5%) and were grouped into six diagnostic categories Results1.467 patients were studied (354 heart failure; 59 other transudates; 349 paraneumonic; 133 tuberculous; 397 malignant and 175 other exudates). The predominance cell was lymphocytic in heart failure (44,4%), uncomplicated parapneumonic (29,2%), tuberculosis (88%) and malignant (49,6%); neutrophilic in parapneumonic (57%) and malignant (9,6%); eosinophilic in malignant (6,3%) and mesotelial in tuberculosis (12%). The most frequent etiologies with lymphocyte count ≥80% were tuberculosis (35,1%) and malignant (23,3%). Parameters with higher discriminating accuracy were: leukocytes (transudates: AUC 0,835) and percentage of neutrophils (empyemas: AUC 0,906 and complicated parapneumonic+empyemas: AUC 0,907). ConclusionsNucleated cell counts will help focus the etiology of pleural effusions, since each etiology often have a characteristic cell predominance. The percentage of nucleated cells in pleural fluid not ruled out tuberculosis if there is a high count of mesothelial cells, nor a parapneumonic effusion with lymphocytic predominance, or malignancy with ≥80% lymphocytes.

Functional Genes of Microorganisms, Comprehending the Dynamics of Agricultural Ecosystems

The microbial composition of different types,in ecosystems (including agro-ecosystems), has been investigated in a rapidly growing number of studies in the past few years. The importance of microorganisms, regarding the maintenance and stability of nutrients in agroecosystems, is a key to maintain the sustainability of a crop. Molecular tools to study microbial communities are possible through many methods such as RISA, DGGE, TGGE, clone libraries, T-RFLP, RAPD, SSCP and more recently NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing). DGGE is widely employed to characterize the diversity and the community dynamics of microorganisms in the environment, making possible to find out specific groups through functional genes, allowing access to data that cannot be obtained by cultural methods. The aim of this paper is to review the functional groups related to agroecosystems and to indicate the critical choice of DNA primers pairs and targeted DNA regions that may be used in PCR-based methods such as the DGGE technique in order to evaluate the microbial communities in a variety of environments. (Resume d'auteur)

Influence of Processing and Fermentation on Concentrations of Zn, Ca, Mg, and Phosphate in Goat Milk

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the manufacturing and fermentation process on the mineral composition of different types of goat milk and fermented products. Zn, Ca, Mg, and P concentrations were determined in 47 samples of raw, commercial, and commercial fermented goat milk from Southern Spain. Significantly higher P and Mg levels and significantly lower Zn levels were found in the raw goat milk than in the processed samples. P and Zn levels did not differ among the commercial fermented goat milks, which use different species of fermenting bacteria. Commercial fermented goat milk produced with species of probiotic starter bacteria increased Zn and Ca levels. This is one of first studies to report the influence of processing and fermentation on levels of Zn, Ca, Mg, and P in goat milk. These data should be considered in the estimation of daily dietary intakes of these elements.

Introducing mass spectrometry to first-year undergraduates: Analysis of caffeine and other components in energy drinks using paper-spray mass spectrometry

We describe the use of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in a freshman-level undergraduate class for the detection of caffeine and other components in several commercially available energy drinks (5-hour Energy, Starbucks Refreshers, Red Bull Sugarfree, and Coca Cola Classic). We use the technique of paper-spray mass spectrometry where a filter paper is used as a substrate on which a sample is directly applied and a high voltage is used to generate an electrospray of ions in ambient conditions which are then detected by a mass spectrometer. The purpose of this laboratory exercise is twofold: 1) to use the paper-spray method to determine the chemical composition of different types of commercially available energy drinks and 2) to perform tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to demonstrate that the mass spectrometer can be used for structural analysis. This laboratory serves as an excellent means of introducing the beginning student to the concepts of charge, mass, and molecular structure. In addition to the freshmen general chemistry class, we also incorporated this lab into the introductory analytical chemistry class taught at the sophomore level with the inclusion of a third exercise where the usefulness of mass spectrometry for quantitative analysis is demonstrated by determining the concentration of caffeine in the energy drinks with deuterated caffeine as an internal standard.

Zooplankton community structure of Volzhsko-Kamsky National Nature Reserve

Long-term studies had been held on the lakes of the Volga-Kama State Natural Reserve (Russia). The aim of our research was to study the biodiversity of planktonic rotifers and crustaceans, zooplankton community structure characteristics and also water quality assessment with bioindication methods. 137 species of zooplankton were identified in our research. In all lakes rotifers were presented by highest number of species. The lowest number ofspecies was found for copepods. In general, the species composition of zooplankton is typical for eutrophic lakes of Middle Volga region. The species most commonly found in lakes are indicators of eutrophic waters. We also analyzed and compared the structure of zooplankton communities and taxonomic composition in different types of nature reserve lakes. It was shown that changing the relationship between taxonomic groups of zooplankton and increase of rotifers in the community is also a sign of eutrophication. According to the abundance rotifers dominated in most lakes. Drastic changes in quantitative indicators of zooplankton during the growing season, due to an increase in the abundance of one of the species were typical of eutrophic lakes of the reserve. Studies have shown that in meso-eutrophic and eutrophic lakes the indicators that reflect the structure of the zooplankton community are the most informative for the assessment of the water quality. Lakes Raifskoe and Ilinskoe were the least polluted, and characterized by the structure of communities of mesotrophic type. The rest of the lakes are more prone to eutrophication processes and community structure of zooplankton corresponds to eutrophic lakes type.

ВИЯВЛЕННЯ ФАЛЬСИФІКАЦІЇ ЖИРОВОЇ СИРОВИНИ У ВИРОБНИЦТВІ КОМБІНОВАНИХ ХАРЧОВИХ ПРОДУКТІВ

Стаття присвячена проведенню газохроматографічного аналізу жирнокислотного складу різних видів жирів, які використовуються у виробництві кондитерських і хлібобулочних виробів. Визначення фальсифікації жирової сировини в борошняних кондитерських виробах проводили за жирнокислотним складом жиру після випікання. Для цього визначали жирнокислотний склад сировини, яка використовувалась, і його зміни уже в готовому продукті. Дослідження проводили з маслом селянським солодко вершковим з вмістом жиру 73% та маргарином столовим «молочним» жирністю не менше 82%. Особлива увага присвячена визначенню змін жиру, що відбуваються під час термічного оброблення. Крім того, наведено ряд кислот, які вказують на фальсифікацію сировини. На основі аналізу було ідентифіковано олії, які використовувались для приготування жирів, взятих на дослідження – кокосова, арахісова, соєва та соняшникова. Проведено удосконалення методики вилучення жиру з готового продукту. Основний зміст дослідження складає аналіз зміни жирнокислотного складу, що відбуваються після термічного оброблення. Результати дослідження висвітлюють, що кожному виду жиру притаманні свої індивідуальні зміни жирнокислотного складу Ця проблема мало вивчена і вимагає детальнішого дослідження.

The poverty alleviation potential of tourism employment as an off-farm activity on the local livelihoods surrounding Kibale National Park, western Uganda

Over the past decade, several scholars have argued that livelihood diversification in terms of off-farm activities is key for rural households to escape from poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the continuous growth of tourism in many SSA countries has created an additional off-farm income activity, empirical evidence is lacking to substantiate the poverty alleviating impact of tourism employment as being consistent and universal at the household level. Using the case of Kibale National Park in western Uganda, the aims of this paper are (1) to analyze the actual income composition of different types of rural livelihood strategies by means of cluster analysis, and (2) to compare the financial impact of tourism employment with alternative off-farm income activities. Results show a large differentiation in income compositions of households around Kibale National Park. In general, households engaged in off-farm income activities have higher levels of overall household welfare. Tourism employment generates low incomes compared to alternative off-farm activities, but still enables households to strengthen livelihood strategies by investments in on-farm or alternative off-farm activities.

Quantum dot–polymer composites based on nanoporous polypropylene films with different draw ratios

Hybrid composites of polymers with fluorescent nanoparticles are unique materials combining good mechanical properties of the host polymer matrices and luminescent properties of the embedded nanoparticles. Here, we report on the optical characterization of novel inorganic–organic hybrid composites based on nanoporous polypropylene (PP) as a polymer matrix and quantum dots (QDs) as a fluorescent inorganic component. The first type of the composite films is prepared by absorption of CdSe/ZnS QDs onto the porous structure of the PP films, followed by annealing at 170°C, i.e., above the melting point of the PP. The second type of the composite films is obtained by filling of porous QD–PP composites with a nematic liquid crystalline (LC) mixture. Both types of composites are characterized by low light scattering, which makes it possible to study their optical properties by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopies. TEM and confocal fluorescence microscopy have been used to analyze the aggregation of QDs in composites of different types. It has been shown that introduction of QDs into PP with a low draw ratio decreases the degree of alignment of LC molecules embedded into the pores of QD–PP composite films.

Corrections for variable plasma parameters in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy: Application on archeological samples

The final scope of this work was to determine the elemental composition of different types of decorative layers present on ancient ceramic fragments through depth profiling by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The measurements were performed by a stand-off LIBS system at distance of 10.5m, by employing ns laser pulses at 1064nm and an Echelle spectrometer. The detected plume intensity strongly differs from one sample/coating to another and changes importantly also in repeated measurements on the almost homogeneous bulk materials. Furthermore, the plasma intensity and its parameters widely change during the depth profiling, as evident from the ratio of here monitored Fe I and Fe II spectral lines. Averaging the line intensities over six repeated measurements, also on the bulk material and for a selected consecutive shot number, produces the errors up to 60% around the mean value and this makes impossible to compare composition of the ceramic body with its decorative layers. To overcome this problem, we developed a theoretically supported procedure for the spectral line corrections in presence of variable plasma parameters, which considers the relative changes among a sufficiently large data set. This method allowed improving the measurement precision up to five times, obtaining a flat response during the depth profiling, and measuring composition of the surface layers. The correction factors are specific for one analytical line of the considered element. The proposed procedure could be universally applied for increasing the LIBS precision in repeated samplings or during the depth profiling, without time consuming calculations of the plasma temperature and the electron density, which also suffer from large measurement errors.

Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Abstract The efficiency of the gas chromatography - mass detector (GC-MS) technique for the detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin, was evaluated. For this purpose, beeswax samples with paraffin additions (3, 5, 10, 30, 50%) were analysed. Since not enough is known about paraffin compositions, and since it is difficult to detect paraffin in beeswax, the aim of our research was also to compare the hydrocarbon composition of different types of paraffin. The analysis showed that the types of paraffin available on the market, differ qualitatively and quantitatively as far as their hydrocarbon compositions are concerned. In all kinds of paraffin, we found homologous series of n-alkanes that were much longer than those in beeswax. In beeswax, the amount of added paraffin that is possible to detect, differs and depends on the kind of paraffin used for adulteration. In this study, the minimum estimated percent that was detected using the GC-MS technique, was 3%. The adulteration is indicated by the presence of hydrocarbons containing over 35 carbon atoms in the molecule, and by the higher contents of n-alkanes (C20H42 - C35H72), in comparison to the concentration of these compounds determined in pure beeswax. We also presented the results of the quality control of commercial beeswax. Based on our results, it can be stated that beeswax adulteration is currently a problem.

The effect of feeding system on slaughter-carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of lambs

Abstract. In this study, we aimed to determine the slaughter-carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition in lambs raised under intensive and extensive conditions. The animal material consisted of 30 Norduz male lambs, with an average age of 171 days. The lambs were divided into two groups: concentrate-fed lambs (CO) and pasture-fed lambs (PS). The results showed that the CO lambs had heavier carcasses (p< 0.001), a higher dressing percentage (p< 0.001), and higher intramuscular fat (p< 0.01) than the PS lambs. It was determined that the longissimus thoracis muscle of the CO lambs had a lower ultimate pH and higher L* and water-holding capacity than the PS lambs. In this study, intramuscular fat (longissimus thoracis, semimembranosus, triceps brachii), subcutaneous and tail fat samples were used to evaluate the effect of feeding system on fatty acid composition. The polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio (PUFA ∕ SFA) of intramuscular fat was found to be significantly higher in the CO group than in the PS lambs, while similar subcutaneous and tail fat results were found in both groups. Moreover, the PS lambs had a lower n6 ∕ n3 ratio and higher percentage of omega-3 than the CO lambs in all tissues studied (p< 0.05). Overall, the CO lambs have heavier and fattier carcasses with better meat quality traits than the PS lambs. However, the effects of feeding system have varying results based on the fatty acid composition of different types of fat deposits.

EQUATIONS TO PREDICT THE METABOLIZABLE ENERGY OF MEAT AND BONE MEAL FOR GROWING PIGS

ABSTRACT The prediction of metabolizable energy (ME) of meat and bone meal (MBM) for pigs is an interesting tool, however, used models to predict these values must be validated in order to garantee higher precision. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical and energetic composition of different types of MBM for pigs and to adjust and validate models to better predict the ME based on the chemical composition. Thirty-two barrows, averaging an initial weight of 26.75 ± 1.45 kg, were individually allotted in a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of seven types of MBM that replaced 20% of the basal diet. A stepwise procedure was the statistical procedure used to adjust the prediction equations and the ME was the dependent parameter. The validation of the adjusted models was performed using an independent databank of chemical and energetic composition of theBrazilian and international MBM. The metabolizable energy of different meat and bone meals ranged from 1645 to 2645 kcal kg-1. The equations that provide a good prediction of metabolizable energy of meat and bone meal for swine in Brazil are EM1 = -4233.58 + 0.4134GE + 72CP + 89.62ash - 159.06Ca; EM2 = 2087.49 + 0.3446GE + 31.82ash - 189.18Ca; EM3 = 2140.13 + 0.3845GE - 112.33Ca; EM4 = -346.58 + 0.656GE; EM5 = 3221.27 + 178.96fat - 76.55ash; and EM6 = 5356.45 - 84.75ash.

Immune and Inflammatory Cell Composition of Human Lung Cancer Stroma.

Recent studies indicate that the abnormal microenvironment of tumors may play a critical role in carcinogenesis, including lung cancer. We comprehensively assessed the number of stromal cells, especially immune/inflammatory cells, in lung cancer and evaluated their infiltration in cancers of different stages, types and metastatic characteristics potential. Immunohistochemical analysis of lung cancer tissue arrays containing normal and lung cancer sections was performed. This analysis was combined with cyto-/histomorphological assessment and quantification of cells to classify/subclassify tumors accurately and to perform a high throughput analysis of stromal cell composition in different types of lung cancer. In human lung cancer sections we observed a significant elevation/infiltration of total-T lymphocytes (CD3+), cytotoxic-T cells (CD8+), T-helper cells (CD4+), B cells (CD20+), macrophages (CD68+), mast cells (CD117+), mononuclear cells (CD11c+), plasma cells, activated-T cells (MUM1+), B cells, myeloid cells (PD1+) and neutrophilic granulocytes (myeloperoxidase+) compared with healthy donor specimens. We observed all of these immune cell markers in different types of lung cancers including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, metastatic adenocarcinoma, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. The numbers of all tumor-associated immune cells (except MUM1+ cells) in stage III cancer specimens was significantly greater than those in stage I samples. We observed substantial stage-dependent immune cell infiltration in human lung tumors suggesting that the tumor microenvironment plays a critical role during lung carcinogenesis. Strategies for therapeutic interference with lung cancer microenvironment should consider the complexity of its immune cell composition.

Spectrum Research on Rheology of High Rank Coal

Aiming to discuss the change characteristic of macromolecular structures of high rank coal in different rheological conditions, the high rank undeformed coal from southern Qinshui basin and the coal after variable temperature and variable pressure rheology experiments were investigated and analyzed in detail through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and laser Raman spectra analysis. The result shows that the texture and composition of different types of rheological coals under different temperature and pressure exhibit significant differences. Experiments of variable temperature and pressure of high rank coal (temperature: 300-400 °C, confining pressure: 50-100 MPa, strain: less than 10% and strain rate: 10(-4)-10(-7) · s(-1) will distort their macromolecular structures and recombine the chemistry structures. When the temperature is 300 °C or 350 °C, the high rank coal generates brittle or brittle-ductile rheology easily, mechanical energy transforms to heat energy, some branches and functional groups with weaker bond energy break and fall off, which split as dissociative micromolecule, with stress degradation as principal role, and stress polycondensation occurs with aromatic, texture increasing. When the temperature is up to 400 °C, ductile rheology of the high rank coal occurs with the secondary defects increasing, mechanical energy transforms to strain energy which helps the early shedding small molecules be embedded or adsorbed in the defect or on the surface of macromolecular preferentially and change the aliphatic and aromatic structures. It is affected by stress degradation and polycondensation progress, and the latter is dominated. The confining pressure and water injection of coal do not have much effect on the macromolecular structure obviously.

Elastic loss and dispersion in ceramic-matrix piezocomposites

Ceramic-matrix composites of different types have been comprehensively studied using three-dimensional numerical simulation, resonance analysis of impedance spectra, and pulse-echo ultrasonic measurements. The results of finite-difference simulation of longitudinal ultrasonic wave propagation in different viscoelastic ceramic-matrix composites (porous ceramics and ceramics/crystal) have been presented. The experimental studies have revealed regions of elastic dispersion characterized by anomalies of the frequency dependences of the imaginary and real parts of the elastic moduli. The simulation results have been compared with experimental data.

Transition-metal Catalyzed Cracking Reaction of Methylchlorodisilanes with Bromobenzene in Ionic Liquids

Cracking reactions of methylchlorodisilanes with bromobenzene catalyzed by the transition metal complexes in ionic liquid to prepare series of phenylchlorosilanes were investigated. The experimental results showed that the composition of different types of anion and cation of the ionic liquid had great influence on the catalytic cracking reaction, when N, N’-dialkylimidazole tetrafluoroborate was employed as the ionic liquid, the increase of alkyl chain substituted on the imidazolium ring promoted the reaction. The catalytic system of Pd(PPh3)4/[Bmim]BF4 showed good catalytic activity, the conversion of Cl2MeSiSiMeCl2 and MeCl2SiSiClMe2 both was as high as 100% together with 90.3% selectivity of MePhSiCl2.

Bayesian Structured Additive Distributional Regression for Multivariate Responses

SummaryWe propose a unified Bayesian approach for multivariate structured additive distributional regression analysis comprising a huge class of continuous, discrete and latent multivariate response distributions, where each parameter of these potentially complex distributions is modelled by a structured additive predictor. The latter is an additive composition of different types of covariate effects, e.g. non-linear effects of continuous covariates, random effects, spatial effects or interaction effects. Inference is realized by a generic, computationally efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm based on iteratively weighted least squares approximations and with multivariate Gaussian priors to enforce specific properties of functional effects. Applications to illustrate our approach include a joint model of risk factors for chronic and acute childhood undernutrition in India and ecological regressions studying the drivers of election results in Germany.

Mineral composition of different types of Canarian gofio; factors affecting the presence of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cn and Zn

The contents of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were analyzed and evaluated in 181 samples of various types of gofio produced from different roasted cereal grains. Samples were analyzed by ICP-OES. Based on a daily gofio intake of 30 g/day for adults and 15 g/day for children, the daily intake of each metal, and its percentage contribution to the RDAs established for the Spanish population, were estimated. The metal with the highest concentration was K (2189 ± 766 mg/kg). The lowest concentration was observed for Cu in corn gofio samples (2.05 ± 0.36 mg/kg). With respect to daily intake, it is noteworthy that gofio contributes significantly to the recommended allowance of copper (53.77%-71.45% of the RDI), depending on the population group considered and on the type of gofio.

Wear Monitoring on Microcrystalline Aluminum Oxide Grinding Wheels on Profile Grinding with the Aid of Acoustic Emission

The localized wear on grinding wheel edges is a common phenomenon on profile grinding since the abrasive grains are less attached to the bond. The grinding wheel wear depends heavily on the process parameters, workpiece and wheel composition, causing changes on the process and profile deviation behaviors. In order to cope with these uncertainties, many natural and synthetic materials have been used in different grinding processes. However, the influence of mixed compositions of different types of abrasive grains on external cylindrical grinding is not well known. In order to assess this relation, a methodology procedure was developed providing an overview of the cinematic edges behavior on a progressive wheel wear. The methodology procedure is based on the acoustic emission technology, using a transducer with a 50 μm radius diamond tip. The tip, when in contact with a rotating grinding wheel, enables the evaluation of the cinematic cutting edges. The abrasive grain density was evaluated for different grinding wheel compositions and specific wear removal values. Furthermore, these results were compared to the profile deviation observed on the same tool, allowing the assessment of the influence of different microcrystalline corundum grains on the overall grinding wheel wear behavior.

Proliferation of Purple Sulphur Bacteria at the Sediment Surface Affects Intertidal Mat Diversity and Functionality

There is a relative absence of studies dealing with mats of purple sulphur bacteria in the intertidal zone. These bacteria display an array of metabolic pathways that allow them to disperse and develop under a wide variety of conditions, making these mats important in terms of ecosystem processes and functions. Mass blooms of purple sulphur bacteria develop during summer on sediments in the intertidal zone especially on macroalgal deposits. The microbial composition of different types of mats differentially affected by the development of purple sulphur bacteria was examined, at low tide, using a set of biochemical markers (fatty acids, pigments) and composition was assessed against their influence on ecosystem functions (sediment cohesiveness, CO2 fixation). We demonstrated that proliferation of purple sulphur bacteria has a major impact on intertidal mats diversity and functions. Indeed, assemblages dominated by purple sulphur bacteria (Chromatiaceae) were efficient exopolymer producers and their biostabilisation potential was significant. In addition, the massive growth of purple sulphur bacteria resulted in a net CO2 degassing whereas diatom dominated biofilms represented a net CO2 sink.