Simple Analytical Techniques Research Articles

Strategic Resource Management and Workforce Training and Development of Indigenous Oil and Gas Service Firms in Nigeria

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the influence of strategic resource management on workforce training and development of indigenous oil and gas service firms in Nigeria. Methodology: The study which adopted survey research design at the organisational unit of analysis used a self-developed five-point Likert scale questionnaire as instrument of primary data collection from management level respondents. The population of the study was 1827 indigenous oil and gas service firms in four randomly selected South-South States of Nigeria with sample size of 328 determined with Taro Yamane’s formula and proportionally allocated with Bowley’s formula. The scale of measurement reliability was determined with Cronbach’s Alpha and its construct validity tests were with Pearson’s r, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sample adequacy and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel Software Package version 2016 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 software application tools respectively and the research hypothesis tested with simple regression analytical techniques. Results: The results of regression analysis showed that strategic resource management significantly and positively influenced workforce training and development of indigenous oil and gas service firms in Nigeria. Therefore, the study concludes that strategic resource management has significant and positive influence on workforce training and development of indigenous oil and gas service firms in Nigeria. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: Based on the results, the study recommended that owners/managers of indigenous oil and gas service firms in Nigeria and other parts of world should continuously invest in their strategic resource management capabilities with special attention to human capacity development in technical skills and talent acquisitions and retention.

Low-cost digital colorimetric sensor for rapid on-site determination of ascorbic acid in vegetable- and fruit-based purees and juices

Ascorbic acid is essential for human health due to its potent antioxidant properties; however, excessive intake can lead to adverse effects. This has created a high demand for simple and cost-effective analytical techniques to determine this analyte outside of laboratory settings for food quality control. In this study, a portable colorimetric sensor was developed for the quantitative on-site determination of ascorbic acid. The technique is based on the reduction of phosphorus heteropoly acid by ascorbic acid, resulting in the formation of a blue-colored product. The heteropoly acid was immobilized on a polymer template in the sensor's indicator zone with menthol used as an environmentally friendly extractant to enhance the device’s stability and extend its shelf life. The colorimetric sensor demonstrated reliable detection with a low limit of detection of 5 mg kg−1, calculated based on a blank test using 3σ. Under optimized conditions, the linear detection range was 15–150 mg kg−1. The disposable sensors were applied to determine ascorbic acid in fruit and vegetable juices and purees for baby food, with recovery rates between 88 % and 110 %. This easy-to-produce and ready-to-use technique presents significant potential for mass on-site screening of ascorbic acid in food samples.

Self-Powered Immunoassay of Norovirus in Human Stools by π-Electron-Rich Homojunction for Enhanced Charge Transfer.

Norovirus (NoV) stands as a significant causative agent of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis on a global scale, presenting a substantial threat to public health. Hence, the development of simple and rapid analytical techniques for NoV detection holds great importance in preventing and controlling the outbreak of the epidemic. In this work, a self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor of NoV capsid protein (VP1) was proposed by the π-electron-rich carbon nitride homojunction (ER-CNH) as the photoanode. C4N2 ring derived from π-rich locust bean gum was introduced into the tri-s-triazine structure, creating a large π-delocalized conjugated carbon nitride homojunction. This strategy enhances the C/N atomic ratio, which widens light utilization, narrows the bandgap, and optimizes the electronic band structure of carbon nitride. By introduction of a π-rich conjugated structure, p-type domains were induced within n-type domains to build the internal electric field at the interface, thus forming a p-n homojunction to boost carrier separation and transfer. The ER-CNH photoanode exhibited excellent photoelectric performance and water oxidation capacity. Since VP1 inhibits the water oxidation of the ER-CNH photoanode, the open-circuit potential of the as-prepared PEC immunosensor system was reduced for detecting NoV VP1. The self-powered PEC immunosensor achieved a remarkably low detection limit (∼5 fg mL-1) and displayed high stability and applicability for actual stool samples. This research serves as a foundation concept for constructing immunosensors to detect other viruses and promotes the application of self-powered systems for life safety.

Tapping the Full Potential of Infrared Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Technical Lignins.

We present an approach to overcome the challenges associated with the increasing demand of high-throughput characterization of technical lignins, a key resource in emerging bioeconomies. Our approach offers a resort from the lack of direct, simple, and low-cost analytical techniques for lignin characterization by employing multivariate calibration models based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy to predict structural properties of lignins (i. e., functionality, molar mass). By leveraging a comprehensive database of over 500 well-characterized technical lignin samples - a factor of 10 larger than previously used sets - our chemometric models achieved high levels of quality and statistical confidence for the determination of different functional group contents (RMSEPs of 4-16 %). However, the statistical moments of the molar mass distribution are still best determined by size-exclusion chromatography. Analyses of over 500 technical lignins offered also a great opportunity to provide information on the general variability in kraft lignins and lignosulfonates (from different origins). Overall, the effected savings in analysis time (>7 h), resources, and required sample mass combined with non-destructiveness of the measurement satisfy key demands for efficient high-throughput lignin analyses. Finally, we discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of our approach, along with critical insights into the associated chemical-analytical and spectroscopic challenges.

An Artificial Gut/Absorption Simulator: Understanding the Impact of Absorption on In Vitro Dissolution, Speciation, and Precipitation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions.

Upon dissolution, amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of poorly water-soluble compounds can generate supersaturated solutions consisting of bound and free drug species that are in dynamic equilibrium with each other. Only free drug is available for absorption. Drug species bound to bile micelles, polymer excipients, and amorphous and crystalline precipitate can reduce the drug solute's activity to permeate, but they can also serve as reservoirs to replenish free drug in solution lost to absorption. However, with multiple processes of dissolution, absorption, and speciation occurring simultaneously, it may become challenging to understand which processes lead to an increase or decrease in drug solution concentration. Closed, nonsink dissolution testing methods used routinely, in the absence of drug removal, allow only for static equilibrium to exist and obscure the impact of each drug species on absorption. An artificial gut simulator (AGS) introduced recently consists of a hollow fiber-based absorption module and allows mass transfer of the drug from the dissolution media at a physiological rate after tuning the operating parameters. In the present work, ASDs of varying drug loadings were prepared with a BCS-II model compound, ketoconazole (KTZ), and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) polymer. Simultaneous dissolution and absorption testing of the ASDs was conducted with the AGS, and simple analytical techniques were utilized to elucidate the impact of bound drug species on absorption. In all cases, a lower amount of crystalline precipitate was formed in the presence of absorption relative to the nonsink dissolution "control". However, formation of HPMCAS-bound drug species and crystalline precipitate significantly reduced KTZ absorption. Moreover, at high drug loading, inclusion of an absorption module was shown to enhance ASD dissolution. The rank ordering of the ASDs with respect to dissolution was significantly different when nonsink dissolution versus AGS was used, and this discrepancy could be mechanistically elucidated by understanding drug dissolution and speciation in the presence of absorption.

Seeing Colors: A Literature Review on Colorimetric Whole-Cell Biosensors

Colorimetric whole-cell biosensors are natural or genetically engineered microorganisms utilized to detect target molecules and ions as indicators of pollutants and biological activity in the environment. Upon detection, within specific concentration ranges which vary depending on the microorganism and its genetic circuitry among other factors, these sensors produce pigments which can be detected with the human eye past certain thresholds and quantified using simple analytical techniques, namely spectrophotometry. These sensors, which can be rendered portable through lyophilization and other methods, provide valuable and reliable substitutes of more demanding analytical ex situ techniques. The insights gained from this review can highlight technological progress in the field and contribute to the identification of potential opportunities afforded by these advancements.

The application of analytical procedures in Big Four audit firms in Vietnam

Objective - The primary objective of this exploratory research is to investigate the perception of Big Four auditors in Vietnam on the importance of analytical procedures in financial audits, factors affecting the adoption of analytical procedures, and how Big Four auditors apply analytical procedures in audit practice. Methodology/Technique – Through the utilization of qualitative research methods, including interviews, internal documents from Big Four audit firms, and secondary data, this study seeks to uncover valuable insights into the adoption of analytical procedures within the Big Four audit firms. The current study uses thematic analysis as the method for data analysis. Findings - The results indicate that analytical procedures were important and necessary in an audit engagement at the Big Four. Experienced auditors consider analytical procedures to be more important than less experienced auditors. Big Four employees actively apply these procedures in all three phases of an audit. Managers mainly perform analytical procedures when planning, and partners and seniors might be involved. The auditors utilize trend analysis, ratio analysis, and reasonable testing in the planning state. However, trend analysis is the major technique preferred. During the audit stage, the application of analytical procedures depended on the auditors’ experience, audit clients' size, and characteristics. Big Four auditors use simple analytical techniques such as trend analysis, ratios analysis, and reasonable analysis but do not use advanced techniques such as regression analysis. The team leader, executives, and partners perform the analysis at the reviewing stage. The auditors still mainly apply Excel in the analytical procedures with almost all audit clients. With some extensive audits whose books are suitable with the data analysis software, auditors will utilize such software to automate analytical procedures. Novelty - The first study addresses the factors affecting and mode of application of analytical techniques in Big Four audit firms in Vietnam by utilizing a qualitative method. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: M42, M49. Keywords: Big Four; auditors; analytical procedures; analytical techniques; audit work Reference to this paper should be referred to as follows: Nguyen, P.T. (2023). The application of analytical procedures in Big Four audit firms in Vietnam, Acc. Fin. Review, 8(3), 83 – 99. https://doi.org/10.35609/afr.2023.8.3(3)

A ratiometric carbon dots/AgInS2 quantum dots sensing probe for the kinetic determination of histamine resorting to N-PLS chemometric model

Biogenic amines are compounds that play several crucial roles in the human body but can also cause serious health problems when present at high concentrations in foodstuffs. Therefore, it is important to develop rapid, simple, cost-effective, and reliable analytical techniques for their monitoring, acting as indicators of food quality and preventing potential risks. In this sense, carbon dots and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped AgInS2 (AIS) quantum dots were used as fluorescent probes to implement a ratiometric sensing platform, coupled to chemometrics, for the kinetic fluorometric determination of histamine in foodstuffs using second-order data. The obtained data were analysed through unfolded partial least squares (U-PLS) and N-way partial least squares (N-PLS). The model optimization revealed that the application of N-PLS yielded the best results and that a kinetic spectral acquisition for 5 minutes was enough to ensure reliable measurements. The developed method was evaluated using spiked samples of different complex matrices (tuna, tomato and hake fish), at different concentration levels, and the obtained results, in terms of figures of merit, confirmed its suitability, accuracy and effectiveness. In fact, a relative percentage error below 10%, with a coefficient of determination for the prediction higher than 0.9, was obtained, together with a LOD and LOQ of 1.26 and 3.80 mg L−1, respectively, which are much lower than the maximum threshold value established by European Union legislation for histamine in fishery products (200 mg kg−1). These results were obtained with samples containing uncalibrated species and without using toxic reagents, which attest the suitability of the procedure. Globally, the developed methodology proved to be accurate and much simpler and faster than the reference procedures.

Sensitive Silver-Enhanced Microplate Apta-Enzyme Assay of Sb3+ Ions in Drinking and Natural Waters.

The toxic effects of antimony pose risks to human health. Therefore, simple analytical techniques for its widescale monitoring in water sources are in demand. In this study, a sensitive microplate apta-enzyme assay for Sb3+ detection was developed. The biotinylated aptamer A10 was hybridized with its complementary biotinylated oligonucleotide T10 and then immobilized on the surface of polysterene microplate wells. Streptavidin labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) bound to the biotin of a complementary complex and transformed the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine substrate, generating an optical signal. Sb3+ presenting in the sample bounded to an A10 aptamer, thus releasing T10, preventing streptavidin-HRP binding and, as a result, reducing the optical signal. This effect allowed for the detection of Sb3+ with a working range from 0.09 to 2.3 µg/mL and detection limit of 42 ng/mL. It was established that the presence of Ag+ at the stage of A10/T10 complex formation promoted dehybridization of the aptamer A10 and the formation of the A10/Sb3+ complex. The working range of the Ag+-enhanced microplate apta-enzyme assay for Sb3+ was determined to be 8-135 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 1.9 ng/mL. The proposed enhanced approach demonstrated excellent selectivity against other cations/anions, and its practical applicability was confirmed through an analysis of drinking and spring water samples with recoveries of Sb3+ in the range of 109.0-126.2% and 99.6-106.1%, respectively.

Analytical procedures of financial audit at Big Four audit firms in Vietnam

One of the methods that is highly appreciated for its effectiveness in auditing financial statements and also quite important and popular in audits is the application of analytical procedures in the audit process. In this article, the group of authors use qualitative methods to investigate the perception of Big Four auditors on the importance of analytical procedures in financial audit and how Big Four auditors apply analytical procedures in audit practice. The results indicate that analytical procedures were important and necessary in an audit engagement at Big Four. Big Four employees actively apply these procedures in all three phases of an audit. Managers mainly perform analytical procedures when planning and partners and seniors might involve. The auditors utilize trend analysis, ratio analysis and reasonable testing in planning state, however, trend analysis is the major technique preferred. During the stage of performing the audit, the application of analytical procedures performed depended on the auditors' experience, audit clients size and characteristics. Big Four auditors use simple analytical techniques such as trend analysis, ratios analysis, and reasonable analysis, but do not use advanced techniques such as regression analysis. The analysis at reviewing stage is performed by team leader, executives, partners. At this stage, the auditors apply the analytical procedures to gain the explanations related to the whole financial statement rather than those related to individual items. Keywords: Big Four; auditors; analytical procedures; analytical techniques; audit work

Optimization of powder catchment efficiency for industrial laser cladding processes

Laser clad overlays provide enhanced corrosion resistance and wear performance to components across a wide range of industries. Powder fed laser processes provide flexibility in material selection, however have traditionally yielded lower material usage efficiency (60–80%) compared to wire fed processes. A general model was developed to predict powder catchment efficiency based on the overlap between the molten pool and powder cloud distribution. Mathematical techniques of asymptotic analysis and blending were used to obtain closed-form expressions relating tabulated material properties and the key process inputs with the critical melt pool dimensions of leading length (xf) and maximum width (y m). An improved experimental technique was implemented to measure the powder cloud distribution, a key process input which previously was not well understood. For baseline cladding conditions, melt pool dimensions were smaller than the powder cloud leading to catchment inefficiency. A custom laser optics module was designed to enable adjustment of the relative position of the melt pool and powder cloud independently from other process parameter changes. Combining optimized parameters with a shift of 1mm, catchment efficiency >90% has been achieved and sustained in production cladding operations. This work is part of a broader program at Apollo-Clad, using simple, accurate, and fast analytical modelling techniques to generate engineering design rules for laser-based processes.

Heterocyclic boronates as colorimetric and chemical sensors for dialkyltin derivatives

The relevance of recognition for diorganotin (IV) species has been increased due to biological and environmental issues. The development of molecules able to carry out the recognition process of diorganotin (IV) compounds by simple analytical techniques is an interesting research topic. This paper describes the synthesis of three heterocyclic boronates obtained by the reaction of one equivalent of 5-formyl-2-furanboronic acid with two equivalents of 2-aminophenol (1), 4‑hydroxy-3-aminobenzoic acid (2) or 4-nitro-2-aminophenol (3). Reactions resulted in a π-conjugated systems by the formation of two new six membered fused heterocycles since the furan ring opening, as corroborated by single X-ray diffraction analysis for compound 1. Compounds 1–3 are green-colored solids with melting points higher than 300 °C. A solvatochromic effect was observed having the absorption band maxima values between 525 and 600 nm. The presence of donor atoms (N, O) in the boronates allow the use as chemical sensors for dialkyltin derivatives (Me2SnO, Bu2SnO, Me2SnCl2, Bu2SnCl2) by UV–Vis and fluorescence techniques. The recognition process for dialkyltin derivates was detected by color changes in solution and even because the presence of a new absorption band in UV–Vis spectra which is shifted to 600 and 621 nm for compounds 1 and 2, respectively. Boronate 2 showed lower Limit Of Detection values (LOD) of 237 nM for Me2SnCl2 and 234 nM for Bu2SnCl2. Less affinity was noticed for trialkyl derivates ((CH3)3SnCl and (CH3)3SnOH).

Analysis of the Influence of Part-Time Work on Student Learning Activities

Education is one of the necessities of life that every individual must have. One level of education is a college education. In tertiary institutions' learning process, students are inseparable from financial needs for learning needs and living standards. This need forces students to do part-time jobs. Part-time jobs are growing from time to time. Part-time work has both positive and negative effects on student development in the world of work. This study aims to analyze part-time jobs for students of the 2017 Geography Education Department, their relation to learning activities, and the factors that motivate students to work part-time. This study uses a quantitative approach with simple analytical techniques. The population in this study were all students of the 2017 class of the Geography Education Department, with a sample of 20 students. Data collection techniques using a questionnaire. The study results show a significant effect of part-time work and learning activities with a substantial value of 0.037 <0.05. The main factor for students is working part-time because of the financial need for college needs and the standard of living. Part-time jobs done by students are online motorcycle taxi drivers, shopkeepers, salespeople, private tutors, and web programmers.Keywords: Part-Time, Student, Geography Education, Learning Activities

A Preliminary Study on the Potential of FT-IR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics for Tracing the Geographical Origin of Moroccan Virgin Olive Oils.

The authentication of the geographical origin of virgin olive oils (VOO) generally requires the use of sophisticated and time-consuming analytical techniques. There is a need for quick and simple analytical techniques to predict the origin of olive oils. This study aims to examine the physico-chemical data of olive oils collected in six regions of Morocco during two consecutive years 2020 and 2021, and also to evaluate the ability of FT-IR in combination with discrimination tools to study the geographical origin of Moroccan olive oils. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used in this study as an emerging analytical technique to express a unique "fingerprint." A preliminary processing of the ATR-FTIR spectral data was performed by preprocessing algorithm to reduce the noise and the effect of signal variation as well as to minimize the effects of light scattering to extract the maximum analytical information from the spectra. A multivariate statistical procedure based on principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) as well as partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was developed to provide a powerful classification approach. Based on the PCA, six clusters were identified. The application of PCA-LDA and PLS-DA procedures demonstrate a powerful capacity in predicting the geographic origin of olive oils; this capacity is shown by the high value of correct classification rate (CCR), varying between 84.09 and 100%. The suggested procedure has given reliable results for the classification of olive oils according to their geographical origin, with advantages such as being fast, inexpensive, and not requiring any prior separation process. The performance of this approach is significantly faster and possesses a higher degree of selectivity and sensitivity. The implementation of this technique for routine analysis of olive oil would save significant time, resources, and solvents.

Not so fast: Identifying and remediating slow and imprecise cryptocurrency exchange data

Using raw tick-level trade data from 17 major cryptocurrency exchanges, we show that heterogeneity in matching engines can affect the computation of various liquidity and trading metrics. Using simple analytical techniques, we generate an algorithm to identify exchanges with slow matching engines or imprecise timestamps. Having identified problematic exchanges, we propose tractable techniques which can remediate the bias in metrics generated by problematic exchanges. Our techniques and exchange classifications are useful for academic and industry-based users of cryptocurrency exchange data to identify and remediate problematic trade-level data.

Thermogravimetric Analysis of Marine Macroalgae Waste Biomass as Bio-Renewable Fuel

Macroalgae are considered as the 3rd generation of biofuels and a future feedstock for biorefinery. This research aims to provide simple and dependable analytical techniques for measuring the thermal characteristics of dried seaweed. The main objective was to investigate the thermal characteristics of four seaweed species utilizing a thermogravimetric analyzer. The seaweeds Gracilaria fisheri, Caulerpa lentillifera, Ceramium rubrum, and Eucheuma cottonii were collected from the Pahang state of Peninsular Malaysia. The calorific value of the samples was revealed by using a calorimeter. Ceramium rubrum showed the highest calorific value, while Gracilaria fisheri had the most negligible calorific value among the selected samples. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data revealed that the most significant weight loss for this biomass occurred between 160 and 300° for the selected species. Gracilaria fisheri has shown the highest decomposition with the minor residue at 30.26%, whereas Caulerpa lentillifera has a slow weight loss rate in the mentioned range. SEM analysis has been used to perform the morphology of samples, which shows differences in the concentration of epiphytic diatoms with different structural shapes. Based on the results, macroalgae is a promising sustainable biomass feedstock for biofuel application.

Cyclic and Linear Sweep Voltammetric Studies of a Modified Carbon Paste Electrode with Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles toward Tamoxifen: Effects of Surface Modification on Electrode Response Kinetics.

Due to the serious adverse futures of some anticancer drugs, the determination of trace amounts of these drugs by simple analytical techniques is of great interest. In this regard, knowing about the mechanism of the analyte with the sensing material plays an important role. Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) modified by a carbon paste electrode (NiO-CPE) showed an irreversible cyclic voltammetric (CV) behavior in the NaOH (pH 13) supporting electrolyte based on the peak separation of 311 mV. Its peak current was decreased by adding tamoxifen (TAM), confirming that TAM molecules can consume NiO before participating in the electrode reaction. For this goal, TAM can be oxidized or reduced, and the corresponding mechanisms are schematically illustrated in the text. This study focused on the kinetic aspects of the process. Based on the CV results, a surface coverage (Γ) value of 2.72 × 10–5 mol NiO per cm2 was obtained with charge transfer coefficients αa and αc of 0.317 and 0.563, respectively. αa and αc values were changed to 0.08 and 0.72 in the presence of TAM. Further, the rate constant (ks) value was 0.021 ± 0.01 s–1 in the presence of TAM. In linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), an α value of about 0.636 ± 0.023 and an exchange rate constant (ko) value of about 0.097 ± 0.031 s–1 were obtained in the absence of TAM, which changed to 0.62 ± 0.081 and 0.089 ± 0.021 s–1 in the presence of TAM, respectively. Despite more published papers, when the TAM analyte was added to the NaOH supporting electrolyte, both anodic and cathodic peak currents of the modified NiO-CPE decreased. We suggested some reasons for this decreased peak current, and four mechanisms were illustrated for the electrode response in the presence of TAM.

A bivalent binding aptamer-cDNA on MoS2 nanosheets based fluorescent aptasensor for detection of aflatoxin M1

To ensure the safety of dairy products, especially milk, and consequently protect human health, accurate and simple analytical techniques are highly necessary to determine the low concentration of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) as an important carcinogen. Herein, a novel, accurate and simple fluorescent aptasensor was designed for selective detection of AFM1 based on bivalent binding aptamer-cDNA (BBA-cDNA) structure. Moreover, MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) were used as the fluorescent quencher and FAM-labeled complementary strand of aptamer (FAM-CS) was applied as a fluorescent probe. In this study, we achieved a new result. Unlike previous studies, in this work, the BBA-cDNA structure was not disassembled in the presence of the target. Therefore, as the AFM1 concentration increased, more targets were attached to the BBA-cDNA structure and as a result, the BBA-cDNA structure/AFM1 could not be placed on the surface of MoS2 NSs, leading to the more fluorescent intensity detection. Under optimized conditions, the developed fluorescent analytical method revealed great selectivity toward AFM1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 nM and a linear range from 0.7 to 10 nM. This fabricated aptasensor indicated excellent analytical performance for AFM1 detection in milk samples with LOD of 0.1 nM. Overall, the proposed approach could provide an effective basis for small molecule analysis to guarantee food and human safety using appropriate aptamer sequences.

The application of laboratory-based analytical tools and techniques for the quality assessment and improvement of commercial antivenoms used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation.

Snakebite envenomation is a public health problem of high impact, particularly for the developing world. Antivenom, which contains whole or protease-digested immunoglobulin G, purified from the plasma of hyper-immunized animals (mainly horses), is the mainstay for the treatment of snakebite envenomation. The success of antivenom therapy depends upon its ability to abrogate or reduce the local and systemic toxicity of envenomation. In addition, antivenom administration must be safe for the patients. Therefore, antivenom manufacturers must ensure that these products are effective and safe in the treatment of envenomations. Antivenom efficacy and safety are determined by the physicochemical characteristics of formulations, purity of the immunoglobulin fragments and antibodies, presence of protein aggregates, endotoxin burden, preservative load, and batch to batch variation, as well as on the ability to neutralize the most important toxins of the venoms against which the antivenom is designed. In this context, recent studies have shown that laboratory-based simple analytical techniques, for example, size exclusion chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, immunological profiling including immuno-turbidimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Western blotting, immune-chromatographic technique coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, spectrofluorometric analysis, in vitro neutralization of venom enzymatic activities, and other methodologies, can be applied for the assessment of antivenom quality, safety, stability, and efficacy. This article reviews the usefulness of different analytical techniques for the quality assessment of commercial antivenoms. It is suggested that these tests should be applied for screening the quality of commercial antivenoms before their preclinical and clinical assessment.

Proximity to Undersaturation and the Influences on G. bulloides Area‐Density in Southern Indian Ocean Marine Sediments

AbstractThe area density proxy of foraminiferal shell thickness and calcification intensity has the potential to provide information about past ocean CO2 content and has the benefit of small sample requirements, simple analytical techniques, and the ability to re‐use the analyzed foraminifera for other paleo‐proxies. Using a series of multicore core‐tops collected from the southeastern Indian Ocean (1.8–3.8 km water depth), we evaluate the reliability of utilizing area density values of Globigerina bulloides from sediment cores to estimate surface ocean carbonate parameters. Because foraminifera in marine sediments can rarely be considered “pristine” (or “glassy”), we grouped area density measurements of shells to designate various stages of diagenesis. Visual signs of alteration were apparent at area density values as low as ∼0.122 × 104 µg/µm2, with deviations from the “pristine” endmember beginning at area density values of ∼0.087 × 104 µg/µm2. We find that increases in area density overprint the surface ocean carbonate signature in thicker (>0.122 × 104 µg/µm2 shells), but small increases associated with marine sedimentary burial and diagenesis can be accounted for, allowing this proxy to be applied back in time. Reconstructing the distribution of area density values in a given sample has the potential to provide valuable information on overall sample preservation by estimating the percent of well‐preserved shells (<0.122 × 104 µg/µm2; %wp) in a given sample. Our %wp metric has the potential for use as a proxy for lysocline variability in addition to assessing the suitability of marine sediment samples for surface ocean reconstructions.