Consistency In Preparation Research Articles

Automated proteomic sample preparation: The key component for high throughput and quantitative mass spectrometry analysis.

Sample preparation for mass spectrometry-based proteomics has many tedious and time-consuming steps that can introduce analytical errors. In particular, the steps around the proteolytic digestion of protein samples are prone to inconsistency. One route for reliable sample processing is the development and optimization of a workflow utilizing an automated liquid handling workstation. Diligent assessment of the sample type, protocol design, reagents, and incubation conditions can significantly improve the speed and consistency of preparation. When combining robust liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with either discovery or targeted methods, automated sample preparation facilitates increased throughput and reproducible quantitation of biomarker candidates. These improvements in analysis are also essential to process the large patient cohorts necessary to validate a candidate biomarker for potential clinical use. This article reviews the steps in the workflow, optimization strategies, and known applications in clinical, pharmaceutical, and research fields that demonstrate the broad utility for improved automation of sample preparation in the proteomic field.

Basic principles of preparing foreign students for the “Writing” subtest TORFL-I

The study is devoted to the relevant topic - the search for the most optimal ways to prepare students for the Writing subtest (TORFL-I) based on the principles, forming in the examinee a complex of knowledge, skills and expertise, embedded in the state educational standard in the Russian language as a foreign language of the appropriate level. The purpose of the research is to present, summarize and demonstrate on the example of the developed test tasks the principles of preparing foreigners for the Writing subtest in the system of International State Examination in the Russian Language (TORFL-I). The research materials include tasks, texts, test materials of a training nature in writing. The authors used methods of theoretical research: axiomatic, hypothetical, analytical, systemic. Empirical methods of observation, description, comparison were used when fixing the specific features of the components in the system of preparation for linguodidactic testing in Russian as a foreign language, which is carried out at Transbaikal State University at the Local Center for Testing Foreign Citizens (Chita, Russia). The results of the study show that preparation for testing should be based on certain principles - integrity, continuity, unity of control and self-control. The article emphasizes the principle of integrity as fundamental. Integrity in preparation for test in writing has several manifestations and implies the development of linguistic, communicative, sociocultural, discursive competencies among students; development of knowledge, skills and expertise in the field of writing with simultaneous development of writing techniques; considering the lexical minimum and requirements of the State Educational Standards for the first level of general proficiency in Russian as a foreign language. We also consider the principle of continuity to be important, which implies consistency in preparation for the Writing subtest - making skills and expertise automatic by repeating, looping; considering the material learned at previous levels of proficiency in Russian as a foreign language - elementary and basic. The principle of unity of control and self-control is considered in the content-functional aspect: a system of test tasks has been developed and presented, which allows to increase the effectiveness of the control and self-control process and the effectiveness of forming the competencies - linguistic, communicative, sociocultural and discursive. The methodology, based on these principles, allows foreign students to quickly adapt to passing tests and the necessary material in full.

Virtual magnetic resonance elastography has the feasibility to evaluate preoperative pituitary adenoma consistency

PurposeTo evaluate the use of preoperative virtual Magnetic Resonance Elastography (vMRE) for patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas (PA).MethodsTen patients (60.2 ± 19.6 years; 8 males) were prospectively examined with the vMRE-method prior to transsphenoidal surgery. vMRE-images, reflecting tissue stiffness were reconstructed. From these images, histograms as well as the mean stiffness values over the tumor body were extracted. Finally, vMRE-data was compared with the PA consistency at surgery blinded to vMRE.ResultsIn all patients, successful vMRE-examination was performed enabling evaluation of even small PAs. For tumors with homogenous tissue, the mean stiffness value increased with surgical consistency grading. For heterogenous tumors, however, the mean stiffness value did not consistently reflect the grading at surgery. On the other hand, the vMRE-images and histograms were found to be able to characterize the tumor heterogeneity and display focal regions of high stiffness that were found to affect the surgery outcome in these PAs. The vMRE-images and histograms showed great promise in characterizing the consistency at surgery for these PAs.ConclusionEvaluation of PA consistency in preparation for surgery seems to be feasible using the vMRE-method. Our findings also address the need for high resolution diagnostic methods that can non-invasively display focal regions of increased stiffness, as such regions may increase the difficulty of transsphenoidal PA-resection.

Micro Nozzle Assisted Spraying Process for Re‐crystallization of Submicrometer Hexanitrostilbene Explosive

AbstractHexanitrostilbene has excellent thermal and shock stability, and shelf life. It has reliable initiation functioning when subjected to short duration pressure pulse stimuli. These characteristics make it one of the potential explosives for miniature devices such as exploding foil initiators, through bulkhead initiator, and fuzes for high ‘g’ applications. It also finds wide application in devices used for civilian applications such as mining and oil exploration. However, preparation of submicrometer HNS (sm‐HNS) explosives and batch‐to‐batch variation is a challenging task in terms of filtering, repeatability of particle size and shape distribution. In our research work, micro nozzle assisted spraying process (MNASP) was developed. The MNASP setup consists of micro fuel nozzle, pressure cylinder for HNS solution, flow meter and pressure gauges. The process attributes such as stirring rate, pressure, temperature, nozzle diameter, flow rate, ultra‐sonication frequency were optimized using weighted average method of Analytical Network Process (ANP) techniques. Laser diffraction‐based particle size analysis showed that sm‐HNS in the range of 300 to 700 nm, with average particle size of 515 nm and narrow standard deviation of 34 nm can be obtained using this process with very high consistency in batch‐to‐batch preparation. 1H NMR investigations were carried out to confirm the purity of sm‐HNS. FTIR spectra confirmed the structure of sm‐HNS. The process is a unique laboratory scale table‐top pilot plant which is highly repeatabe under same conditions, and cost‐effective for large scale production at the rate of 50 grams per hour. The advantage of consistency in preparation of sm‐HNS with narrow particle size distribution is observed in performance of exploding foil initiators. There is consistency in threshold firing voltage of 1.5 kV, with standard deviation of 147 V.

Magnetic resonance elastography detects tumoral consistency in pituitary macroadenomas.

Most pituitary macroadenomas (PMA) are soft and suckable allowing transsphenoidal resection. A small percentage of PMA are firm, which significantly alters the time, technical difficulty, and effectiveness of transsphenoidal surgery. No current imaging technology can reliably assess PMA viscoelastic consistency in preparation for surgery. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an MRI-based technique that measures the propagation of mechanically induced shear waves through tissue to calculate stiffness. We prospectively evaluated MRE in 10 patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of PMA to determine feasibility and potential usefulness. 10 patients with PMA>2.0cm in maximum diameter were prospectively imaged with MRE prior to transsphenoidal surgery. Mean patient age was 59.5±16.2 (22-78) years. Five were female and five male. MRE was performed with a modified single-shot spin-echo echo-planar-imaging pulse sequence on a 3T MRI. MRE values were independently calculated. The surgeon, blinded to the MRE results, graded tumor consistency at surgery as soft, intermediate, or firm. Chi-squared test compared surgical grading and MRE stiffness values. MRE was accomplished in all patients with excellent resolution. By surgical categorization, six tumors were soft and four intermediate. The mean MRE value for soft tumors was 1.38±0.36 (1.08-1.87) kPa, while for intermediate tumors it was 1.94±0.26 (1.72-2.32) kPa (p=0.020). Determination of PMA stiffness is feasible with MRE. There was a statistically significant difference in MRE values between soft and intermediate PMAs. Further study in a larger series is ongoing to determine whether MRE will prove useful in preoperative planning for PMA.

Techniques in Electron Microscopy of Animal Tissue

Technical improvements in electron microscopy, both instrumental and preparative, permit increasingly accurate analyses. Digital images for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be processed by software programs that automate tasks and create custom tools that allow for image enhancement for brightness, contrast and coloration; for creation of rectangular, ellipsoidal or irregular area selections; and for measurement of mean area and standard deviation. Sample preparation remains a source of error since organelles and spatial arrangements of macromolecules rapidly change after anoxia. Guidelines for maintaining consistency in preparation, examination and interpretation are presented for different electron microscopy (EM) modalities.

Preaching Practice: Reformed Students' Sermons

AbstractThis contribution assesses the ways in which Reformed theology students in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries learned how to preach. Based on Genevan and French sources, as well as a training manual for pastors by Andreas Hyperius, the author argues that although the sermon stood at the center of Reformed worship, the training in homiletics given to future pastors was rather haphazard. Consistency of preparation was also hampered by disputes between various church authorities over the oversight of candidates, and by the candidates' own emphasis on form over substance in their sermons, particularly in the early seventeenth century.

Estudo preliminar do potencial cariogênico de preparações doces da merenda escolar através do pH da saliva

Objetivou-se determinar a curva de pH da saliva após o consumo de preparações doces, relacionar as variáveis teor de glicídios e pH, e discutir dados sobre o uso de preparações doces na merenda escolar do município de Niterói, RJ, com diferentes teores de glicídios e diferentes consistências, com crianças em idade pré-escolar e escolar, atendidas no Departamento de Odontologia Clínica da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Para os testes, foram selecionadas 52 crianças eutróficas, sadias, sem uso de medicamentos que alterassem o fluxo e a composição da saliva e com baixo e alto risco de cárie. Neste grupo, 54% apresentavam idade de 7 a 10 anos. Foi medido o pH da saliva, com fitas indicadoras, antes e após o consumo destas preparações, em um intervalo de 10, 20, 40 e 60 minutos. O tratamento estatístico foi realizado através do "software" Epi Info e foram realizados os testes de Qui-Quadrado e "t" de Student. Nenhuma das curvas de pH da saliva, para todas as preparações testadas e grupos de risco atingiram valor de pH considerado crítico (5,3 - 5,5). As curvas de pH médio da saliva, para todas as preparações testadas, oscilaram em valores de pH mais elevados para o grupo de baixo risco de cárie e em valores mais baixos para o grupo de alto risco de cárie. As curvas de pH médio da saliva do grupo de baixo risco demonstraram queda mais lenta e recuperação mais tardia, enquanto que no grupo de alto risco a queda e a recuperação do pH foram mais imediatas. A consistência das preparações foi preponderante sobre o teor de glicídios. Recomenda-se que o planejamento da merenda escolar leve em consideração o efeito da consistência das preparações doces servidas.