Procedure For Quantitative Analysis Research Articles

Quantitative O-Glycomics by Microwave-Assisted β-Elimination in the Presence of Pyrazolone Analogues.

O-Linked glycosylation of serine/threonine residues is a posttranslational modification of proteins and is essential for protein recognition and lipid functions on cell surfaces and within cells. The characterization of differently structured O-linked glycans (O-glycans) is particularly challenging because there is no known endoglycosidase for such groups. Therefore, chemical digestion approaches have been widely used; however, it is sometimes difficult to suppress unwanted side reactions. Recently, we reported a novel O-glycomics procedure using β-elimination in the presence of pyrazolone analogues (BEP). In the present study, we describe a microwave (MW)-assisted BEP procedure for rapid and quantitative O-glycomic analysis. Following optimization of the reaction conditions, the MW-assisted BEP reaction substantially improved the recovery of total O-glycans from model glycoproteins (PSM) and the reaction time was reduced from 16 to 2 h. Combined with sequential solid-phase extractions, this MW-assisted BEP procedure enabled O-glycomic analyses of various biological samples.

Corporate sustainability practices among Malaysian REITs and property listed companies

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of corporate sustainability (CS) practice by Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and property listed companies, following the three dimensional (economic, environmental, and social) framework of CS.Design/methodology/approach– A quantitative content analysis procedure was undertaken using 113 reports, including 23 REITs and 90 property companies. For the data collection company websites, annual reports, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability reports were employed. The global reporting initiative (GRI), reporting framework was used for data collection and recording. The content analysis examined the level of disclosures for three dimensions of sustainability, namely economic, social and environmental.Findings– The content analysis indicates that the majority of companies among the sample have their social responsibility and sustainability strategies for the satisfaction of stakeholders and legitimizing firm practices. However, there are variations in their approaches and reporting processes. Among the three dimensions, environmental disclosures are on its least and social dimension has priority in the level of disclosures. Though the overall reporting is low, but having upward trends over time.Research limitations/implications– This study has a limitation that it investigates the level of CS practices in REITs and property companies among Malaysian listed companies. The findings of the study are helpful for the government of Malaysia, practitioners, academia, researchers, banks, Bursa Malaysia, security commission and CEO’s of the listed companies to improve their organizational practices and reporting quality of CS.Originality/value– There has been limited literature on CS practices among Malaysian REITs and property industry. The previous studies have only focused top companies or a single dimension of CS, while this study addressing all the three dimensions of sustainability. This is the first study addressing all the three dimensions (economic, environmental, and social) of CS after the 10th Malaysian Plan (2010-2015). The study using a large sample of REITs and property companies during 2011-2013. The study will significantly add value to CS practices in emerging economies like Malaysia.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate granules quantification in mixed microbial cultures using image analysis: Sudan Black B versus Nile Blue A staining

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) can be produced and intracellularly accumulated as inclusions by mixed microbial cultures (MMC) for bioplastic production and in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems. Classical methods for PHA quantification use a digestion step prior to chromatography analysis, rendering them labor intensive and time-consuming. The present work investigates the use of two quantitative image analysis (QIA) procedures specifically developed for PHA inclusions identification and quantification. MMC obtained from an EBPR system were visualized by bright-field and fluorescence microscopy for PHA inclusions detection, upon Sudan Black B (SBB) and Nile Blue A (NBA) staining, respectively. The captured color images were processed by QIA techniques and the image analysis data were further treated using multivariate statistical analysis. Partial least squares (PLS) regression coefficients of 0.90 and 0.86 were obtained between QIA parameters and PHA concentrations using SBB and NBA, respectively. It was found that both staining procedures might be seen as alternative methodologies to classical PHA determination.

Exploring Racially Diverse College Students’ Perspectives on Child Discipline: A Qualitative Study

The aim of this study was to investigate racially diverse college students’ own perspective of child discipline strategies to determine whether the context and administration of these strategies varies by ethnicity/race. A total of 124 undergraduate students completed open-ended semi-structured interviews responding to questions about their own definitions of various terms used for child discipline. Inductive content analysis and coding of themes were carried out using appropriate qualitative software and quantitative data analysis procedures. Similar themes emerged when defining “spanking” across ethnic/racial groups. However, ethnic/racial differences were found regarding the meaning and administration of the physical discipline strategy of “whipping”. Understanding the underlying intention and purpose of discipline strategies across ethnicity/racial groups is warranted.

In‐Situ XRD Measurement and Quantitative Analysis of Hydrating Cement: Implications for Sulfate Incorporation in C–S–H

The study of hydration kinetics by in‐situ X‐ray powder diffraction can provide fundamental details on the time evolution of the phase assemblage in hydrating cement pastes. The main limit of the technique is the lack of quantitative information about the amount of C–S–H and unbound water, which cannot be measured directly by conventional quantitative phase analysis procedures based on X‐ray diffraction, due to their X‐ray amorphous nature. Here, a mass balance algorithm, which can be used to determine the amount of both C–S–H and capillary water, is presented and compared with methods based on standards. This method can also provide information about the stoichiometry of C–S–H formed by the reaction of C3S, hydrated in the presence of gypsum, suggesting the incorporation of 0.3 mol of sulfate per mole of C–S–H precipitated. In addition, the results show a significant increase in the rate of C3S hydration, when gypsum is added to the system.

Multiresidue Determination of β2-Agonists Including Phenylethanolamine A in Animal-Derived Food by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A comprehensive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS) procedure for detection of nine β-agonists in animal-derived food is described. The method was based on enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase from Helix pomatia, followed by a liquid-liquid extraction procedure with perchloric acid and a solid-phase extraction scheme using two kinds of cartridges, HLB and MCX. The influence of sample solution pH in the extraction recovery was studied, and pH 4.0 was found to give the best recovery. The analytes were eluted with methanol containing 4% ammonia. A validation procedure for quantitative analysis of β-agonists in animal-derived food was performed. The three kinds of internal standards, d3-salbutamol, d6-ractopamine and d9-clenpenterol, were applied in the sample preparation and detection of UHPLC/MS/MS. The recoveries from spiked samples ranged between 74.9 and 106.9%. The relative standard deviations of detection were at 0.7-9.6%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.01-0.05 and 0.03-0.20 µg/kg, respectively. The effect of sample matrix in the detection was discussed in detail.

Evaluation of a Safe Motherhood project in Ntcheu district, Malawi.

PurposeThis study evaluated knowledge and practices of childbearing women on key childcare practices within the Safe Motherhood project, administered by the Ntcheu District Health Office in the Republic of Malawi. The study excluded men and elderly women.MethodsThe design was cross-sectional, and utilized quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis procedures. Data were also collected through review of participant health records.ResultsAlthough the findings showed that all participants (100%, n=400) had general knowledge on maternal and child health care, they did not have comprehensive information, and few mothers were practicing the recommended key child health care practices. Only 42.4% (n=170) knew the appropriate number of visits a woman should make to the antenatal clinic, and very few knew the appropriate time at which to access antenatal care. Only 55% (n=220) of participants breastfed their babies exclusively. Some participants introduced supplementary feeds as early as a month after birth, and not all women delivered at the health facility. Failure to actively involve men and elderly women in maternal and child health issues had a negative impact on women’s ability to fully implement key maternal and childcare practices.Conclusion and recommendationsThere is a need to actively involve men and elderly women in maternal and child health issues since, in the ideal Malawian context, a child is raised not just by the mother, but also by all who live in the village. Additionally, elderly women are the guardians of members of the childbearing group, and are a traditional reservoir of experience into which young women can tap. There is also a need to engage Community Nurse-Midwives in facilitating women’s groups that provide comprehensive antenatal information to mothers, who may then put knowledge into practice.

Probabilistic seismic analysis of offshore platforms incorporating uncertainty in soil–pile–structure interactions

In this paper a novel methodology is presented to incorporate uncertainties associated with seismic loads, characterization of structural model parameters, and description of soil properties in the probabilistic assessment of seismic-related damage of existing jacket type offshore platforms located in seismic active areas.The main objective of this methodology is to facilitate the probabilistic analysis of soil–pile–structure interactions (SPSI) by implementing a Comprehensive Interaction Incremental Dynamic Analysis (Comprehensive Interaction IDA) method that involves the convolution of uncertainties associated with three separate elements: structure, piles and supporting soil. This quantitative seismic analysis procedure consists of: a) selecting an appropriate suite of strong ground motion records and performing a Comprehensive Interaction IDA on a nonlinear model of an existing fixed platform; b) summarizing the Comprehensive Interaction IDA results into various percentile performance bounds; and c) integrating the results with respect to hazard intensity–recurrence relations into a probabilistic seismic format. To address and propagate these uncertainties, the Latin Hypercube Sampling technique in conjunction with the Simulated Annealing optimization is applied to evaluate their effects on the structural responses with a relatively small number of simulations. The proposed methodology with the ability of incorporating uncertainties in existing platforms can be effectively used to evaluate the structural integrity in other industries.

Determination of sulfur in coal by solid sampling graphite furnace high-resolution molecular absorption spectrometry

An analytical procedure for quantitative analysis of sulfur in coal by direct solid sampling graphite furnace high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF MAS) is described, which is based on the molecular absorption of tin sulfide. The heating program is optimized, and a series of chemical modifiers (Ir, Mg, Pd, Ru, W, Zr) are tested. All measurements are accomplished with an Ir coated platform and Pd as modifier, because the best results are achieved.Accurate results are obtained using the central SnS line of the band found at 271.578nm with precision values between 1 and 6%. A limit of detection of 10ngS absolute is achieved. Furthermore, the trueness of the procedure is verified by analysis of certified reference materials. Several coal samples with a concentration range from 0.8 to 21.7mgg−1S and three certified reference materials are analyzed. In all cases, simple calibration with aqueous standards is found to be possible and the sample throughput is 2–3 samples per hour (6 replicates per sample).

Assessing student teachers’ reflective writing through quantitative content analysis

Students’ reflective essay writing can be stimulated by the formative assessments provided to them by their teachers. Such assessments contain information about the quality of students’ reflective writings and offer suggestions for improvement. Despite the importance of formatively assessing students’ reflective writings in teacher education programmes, it is difficult for teacher educators to provide high-quality formative assessments. In this article, a quantitative content analysis procedure (QCA) is used to assess the level of argument and content of 34 student teachers’ reflective writings over the course of two semesters. The study showed that the mean argument levels of students’ reflective essays differed between the two consecutive semesters. The modes of the reflective essays were primarily descriptive and evaluative. The results indicated that it is important to encourage students to focus on the content of the justification, dialogue and transformative learning in their reflective essays. It is concluded that QCA can be used as a procedure for teacher educators to formatively assess their students’ reflective writings, reliably and validly.

Improved Prediction of Major Cardiac Events by Gated Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Recent advances in gated SPECT (G-SPECT) procedures for simultaneous quantitative analysis of perfusion and function have facilitated the clinical use for assessment of inducible ischemia, viability, and event risks in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. G-SPECT functional information can incrementally improve diagnostic powers of clinical information and stress SPECT perfusion data for risk-stratification of patients into low- and high-risk categories. The application of G-SPECT has been extended from asymptomatic patients at clinically high risk for cardiac disease to patients with advanced heart failure with left ventricular dyssynchrony. Clinical outcomes predicted by G-SPECT variables include not only cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction but also de novo heart failure or heart failure requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy. Thus, a G-SPECT approach can contribute to better risk-stratification and to appropriate selection of prophylactic or therapeutic strategy in a cost-effective manner in patients at an increased risk for future cardiac events.

SOME ASPECTS OF RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE LOGISTICS CHAIN

The paper presents selected aspects of the evaluation of the effectiveness and risks of the logistics chain that supports the enterprise. It was assumed that the logistics chain includes all activities associated with the flow of materials from the sourcing of raw materials for sale to the ultimate purchaser of the product and the disposal of used products. It was found that the elements of the supply chain are usually unstable which generates difficulties in determining the appropriate level of the risk of the chain. The paper presents a formal record of risk and performance. There is proposed determination of the effectiveness of individual links of the logistics chain. The task of the logistics chain is to provide goods from producers to the final customers, thereby making available these goods in a place and time suited to the needs and expectations of customers. The movement of goods in the logistics chains is determined by the sequence of interrelated actions. In the logistics chains, many entities are involved to different extents. This determines the spatial distribution of different configuration of individual users of the whole logistics chain. In particular, example of a logistics chain of production company, stages of the procedures for quantitative risk analysis, the problems in the logistics chains, assessment of the risk of the task in the logistics chain, the concept of risk, effectiveness and risk in logistics chains are presented in the paper.

Determination of free fatty acids in beer wort

The importance of free fatty acids (FFAs) in wort has been known for a long time because of their influence on beer quality and yeast metabolism. Lipids have a beneficial effect on yeast growth during fermentation as well as negative effects on beer quality. Lipids content of beer affects the ability to form a stable head of foam and plays an important role in beer staling. Moreover, the ratio of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids seems to be related to gushing problems. A novel, simple, and reliable procedure for quantitative analysis of FFAs in wort was developed and validated. The determination of FFAs in wort was achieved via liquid–liquid cartridge extraction, purification of FFA fraction by solid phase extraction, boron trifluoride in methanol methylation, and injection into GC-FID system. The proposed method has high accuracy (<0.3%, expressed as the bias), high precision (<1.2%, RSD), and recoveries ranging from 74% to 98%. The method was tested on two different wort samples (9° and 12° Plato).

X-Ray Analysis of Characteristic Features of the Heterogeneity of Cellulose Fibers When Interacting With Water

UDC 539.264:677.03 We have developed a procedure for quantitative analysis of small-angle x-ray scattering by cellulose fibers swollen in water, enabling a comparative estimate of the interfacial surface area between the crystalline and amorphous phases and also the specific surface area of the crystallites. We show that the specific interfacial surface area between the crystallites and the swollen amorphous phase of the polymer practically remains unchanged on going from cotton to less crystalline mercerized and viscose rayon fibers. Mercerization of cotton fibers, under conditions ensuring complete transition of cellulose I to cellulose II, leads to an increase in the specific surface area of the crystallites by a factor of 1.4, suggesting a decrease in crystallite sizes and an increase in the amount of crystalline phase per unit weight in the polymer. Breakdown of the morphological structure of the natural cellulose material when obtaining viscose rayon fibers leads to formation of a system of crystallite formations, the specific surface area of which is 1.82 times greater than the analogous parameters for cotton. In order to estimate the reactivity of cellulose fibers, determining their specific internal surface area (SISA) is very important both in the dry state and when the fibers interact with water, i.e., under conditions approaching real dyeing and finishing processes. Comparative analysis of the specific surface area of cotton fibers from sorption of nitrogen and water vapor [1] has shown that the values of the indicated parameter determined in the first and second cases differ by tens of times (respectively 1.7 and 137.0 m 2 /g). In the author’s opinion, the observed phenomenon is due to a significant increase in micropore content in the cellulose during sorption of water vapor. In this case, by micropores we mean the space between the polymer macromolecules appearing during absorption of water by the fibers. Below the compatibility limit, water sorption occurs via the amorphous regions of the cellulose, with formation of a single-phase system in them [2-4]. The ability of the amorphous phase of cellulose to form a molecular dispersion with water, characterized by new packing of the polymer and water molecules, has been noted in [5, 6]. In this case, the water and the polymer lose their individual physical and chemical properties. Consequently, the SISA value of cellulose fibers calculated from water vapor sorption isotherms cannot be considered as reliable. A method based on analysis of the nature of small-angle x-ray scattering is also used to study the internal surface area of heterogeneous materials [7, 8]. Study of the internal surface area of cellulose fibers by small-angle x-ray scattering is complicated when a system with water is formed. Analysis of the factors determining the appearance of small-angle scattering for swollen fibers has been presented previously in [9, 10]. However, the lack of procedures for normalization of the diffraction parameters for a polymer — solvent system does not permit quantitative studies of the characteristic features of the SISA for swollen fibers. This study was devoted to solving the problems indicated above.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE MAIN CHARACTER AS REFLECTED IN PAULO COELHO’S THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM: A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY

This research entitled “The Personality of the Main Character as Reflected in Paulo Coelho’s The Devil and Miss Prym” is intended to find out the personality of the main character and factors that influence the personality of the main character. This research uses descriptive qualitative method since the researcher does not apply any quantitative analysis or statistical procedures. The researcher uses the novel entitled The Devil and Miss Prym as the data source of the research. The methods used in collecting the data are observation and documentation. In observation method, the researcher reads the chosen object critically, and then identifies the psychological conflicts. After reading and identifying, the researcher collects and writes all data supporting the research. While in the documentation method, the researcher uses some related books and other documents collected from internet to support this research. In analyzing the data, the researcher applies descriptive qualitative method. He uses the descriptive qualitative method to collect the data and analyzes it by using Sigmund Freud’s personality theory. The result shows that the personality of the main character is influenced by internal and external factors. The internal factor consists of heredity features relating to physic, psychological features relating to physical state, and the heredity features of the character. The external factor consists of some part of life like family, environment, and job.

Electrochemical determination of Cd2+ in some Al-Madinah water samples and human plasma by cathodic stripping voltammetry in the presence of oxine as a chelating agent

A fast, simple, sensitive cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for quantitative analysis of Cd–oxine complex in al-Madinah city water samples and human plasma is described. The technique involves adsorptive accumulation of the complex on the working electrode, followed by square wave voltammetric determination of the preconcentrated analyte. In basic media, a cathodic electrochemical process involving the elimination of two protons occurs, and a mechanism for the reduction process is suggested. The optimal experimental parameters for assay of this complex are: carbonate supporting electrolyte pH 8, accumulation time 30s, accumulation potential −0.1V, scan rate 200mVs−1, pulse amplitude 80mV, frequency 40Hz, surface area of working electrode 0.6mm2 and convection rate 1000rpm. The calibration graph for determination of Cd–oxine was linear over the concentration range 5×10−8 to 4×10−7moll−1 (r=0.998), with a detection limit of 3.5×10−9moll−1. The precision of the proposed procedure was estimated by 10 successive voltammetric measurements of 2×10−6moll−1 Cd with 4×10−6moll−1 oxine, and the calculated relative standard deviation was 0.39%. The percentage recovery, indicating the accuracy of the analytical method, was 94±1.0%. Possible interference by several substances, including metals and ligands, was also evaluated. The electroanalytical method was successfully applied to assaying cadmium in water samples and biological fluids such as plasma.

Oxidative damage and myofiber degeneration in the gastrocnemius of patients with peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis that produces blockages in arteries supplying the legs, affects an estimated 27 million people in Europe and North America. Increased production of reactive oxygen species by dysfunctional mitochondria in leg muscles of PAD patients is viewed as a key mechanism of initiation and progression of the disease. Previous studies demonstrated increased oxidative damage in homogenates of biopsy specimens from PAD gastrocnemius compared to controls, but did not address myofiber-specific damage. In this study, we investigated oxidative damage to myofibers as a possible cause of the myopathy of PAD. To achieve this, we developed and validated fluorescence microscopy procedures for quantitative analysis of carbonyl groups and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) adducts in myofibers of biopsy specimens from human gastrocnemius. PAD and control specimens were evaluated for differences in 1) myofiber content of these two forms of oxidative damage and 2) myofiber cross-sectional area. Furthermore, oxidative damage to PAD myofibers was tested for associations with clinical stage of disease, degree of ischemia in the affected leg, and myofiber cross-sectional area. Carbonyl groups and HNE adducts were increased 30% (p < 0.0001) and 40% (p < 0.0001), respectively, in the myofibers of PAD (N = 34) compared to control (N = 21) patients. Mean cross-sectional area of PAD myofibers was reduced 29.3% compared to controls (p < 0.0003). Both forms of oxidative damage increased with clinical stage of disease, blood flow limitation in the ischemic leg, and reduced myofiber cross-sectional area. The data establish oxidative damage to myofibers as a possible cause of PAD myopathy.

Preparative-cum-quantitative mass-directed analysis of swainsonine and itsin situactivity againstSf-21 cell line

Swainsonine is a polyhydroxy indolizidine alkaloid with various research and potential therapeutic applications. In this work, swainsonine was partially purified (2.5-folds) with acetone-methanol solvent system from Metarhizium anisopliae fermentation broth. The partially purified broth was further subjected to mass-directed preparative-cum-quantitative analysis. Swainsonine was eluted as MS1 fraction [M + H](+) 174.36 ± 0.21 at 4.91 ± 0.04 min with calculated yield of 7.85 ± 1.59 μg mL(-1) corresponding to 3.74 × 10(5) counts. In situ antiproliferative activity of standard and purified swainsonine fractions was tested against Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf-21 cell line with IC50 values of 2.96 μM and 3.28 μM, respectively, at 36 h. This analytical procedure for purification and quantitative analysis of swainsonine may ensure its suitability for routine laboratory studies and research.

Development of Calibration-Free Laser-Induced-Breakdown-Spectroscopy based techniques for deposited layers diagnostics on ITER-like tiles

High temperature plasma in hydrogen isotopes is peculiar of thermonuclear fusion devices. The study of plasma–wall interaction is of paramount importance for avoiding both damage of plasma facing components (PFCs) and pollution of the plasma. To assure continuous and fault-free operation a strict control must be exerted on the amount of impurities deposited on, and of the fuel retained in the PFCs. This requirement makes Laser-Induced-Breakdown-Spectroscopy (LIBS) an ideal candidate for on-line quantitative monitoring of the walls of the current as well as of the next generation fusion devices like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).An experimental setup has been designed and realized in order to optimize the characteristics of a LIBS system working at low pressure and remotely, and it has been utilized in combination with calibration free procedures for quantitative analysis. In this work, a partial calibration free method has been developed for single shot analysis of hydrogen isotopes retention at the PFCs-like surfaces, based on the acquisition of high resolution spectra in a narrow wavelength range. Results of calibration free and partial calibration free have been obtained on suitably deuterated samples; preliminary spectroscopic considerations on tritium detection are also presented.

“There is still so much ahead of us”—Family functioning in families of palliative cancer patients.

Adopting a systems approach, parental cancer has its impact on patients, spouses, and dependent children. The purpose of the current study was to examine family functioning dependent on parental disease stage and on family member perspective in families of cancer patients with adolescent children. The cross-sectional study was conducted within a German multisite research project of families before their first child-centered counseling encounter. The sample comprised individuals nested within N = 169 families. Analyses performed included analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and intraclass correlation. Open answers were analyzed following quantitative content analysis procedures. Between 15% and 36% of family members reported dysfunctional general functioning scores. Parents indicated more dysfunctional scores on the Family Assessment Device scale Roles, and adolescents more dysfunctional Communication scores. Regarding assessment of family functioning, there was higher agreement in families with parents in a palliative situation. For adolescents with parents in palliation, incidents because of the disease tend to become more dominant, and spending time with the family tends to become even more important. As our study pointed out, parental cancer, and especially parental palliative disease, is associated with both perceived critical and positive aspects in family functioning. Supporting families in these concerns as well as encouraging perceptions of positive aspects are important components of psycho-oncological interventions for families with dependent children.