Think Green: Increase Awareness of Garbage and Recycling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roman, Harry T.

2008-01-01

Detectives can learn a great deal by inspecting the garbage of people they have under surveillance. Students can be detectives and investigate their own garbage. This article presents an activity that offers a chance for anyone to take a close look at how much garbage a typical family produces. This activity has mathematics, environmental…

A New Use for Old Garbage.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hotchkiss, Ron

1981-01-01

Describes a simulated archaeological dig for a ninth-grade Canadian social studies class. Students role-play archaeological teams in 2180 AD who find well-preserved bags of "garbage." Students classify garbage artifacts, write reports hypothesizing about the households which produced them, and match the contents of their bags to…

[Studies of on-site night soil and kitchen garbage treatment].

PubMed

Chen, Zhu-Lei; Zhou, Lei; Jiang, Juan; Xiong, Shang-Ling; Huang, Liang; Sun, Wei-Min; Lu, Zhi-Zhong; Liao, Bo

2005-09-01

The biological treatment technique of collection at source and disposition on-site of night soil and kitchen garbage were presented. By design project of overall technics, the lab-scale experiments were performed. It was revealed that water consumption of vacuum closestool was about 1 L/time. It consumed 0.4- 0.6L water to shred 1 kg kitchen garbage. Night soil covered 40%, kitchen garbage covered 60% in the influent. Water was controlled at about 93%, the C:N ratio was about 25:1, pH was between 6.2 and 7.3, the optical blend frequency was 6h/d and the overall solid retention time was 28 days in anaerobic digestion reactor. The COD removal rate of mixed supernatant was 91% in anaerobic baffled reactor. It was identified that these phosphorus strains and potassium strains were Bacillus. sp, and biological activated fertilizer was obtained by mixed these strains with digestion sludge which had been dehydrated and deodorized. These strains ability of forming phosphorus and potassium were determined, and the concentration of phosphorus increased 67.5%, potassium increased 33.4%.

Sustainable kerbside recycling in the municipal garbage contract.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Moe

2009-12-01

In an era of global warming, rising energy costs and increasing volumes of wastes destined for landfills and incinerators, communities should set up environmentally sustainable services that are cost-effective for their citizens and revenue generators for municipalities. A win-win garbage collection and kerbside recycling program established more than eight years ago in a small rural community in Ohio, US is still going strong. It is offering a relatively inexpensive way for waste disposal by providing an incentive-based and highly participatory kerbside recycling and at the same time bringing in substantial franchise fees for the municipal coffers. Unlike garbage contracts in most communities that are designed for only residential waste collection, this program extends disposal and recycling services to non-residential establishments. It picks up hard-to-dispose household furniture, appliances and other bulky items without additional costs to the residents. By being creative and assessing local political and socio-economic milieu, public officials can implement a comprehensive service package for taking care of their community throwaways. However, before establishing such programs in partnership with a private firm, city administrators must understand the intricacies of bid specifications customized for municipal wastes and recyclable materials.

9 CFR 166.4 - Storage of garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Storage of garbage. 166.4 Section 166.4 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.4 Storage of garbage. (a...

9 CFR 166.4 - Storage of garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Storage of garbage. 166.4 Section 166.4 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.4 Storage of garbage. (a...

9 CFR 166.4 - Storage of garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Storage of garbage. 166.4 Section 166.4 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.4 Storage of garbage. (a...

9 CFR 166.4 - Storage of garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Storage of garbage. 166.4 Section 166.4 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.4 Storage of garbage. (a...

9 CFR 166.4 - Storage of garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Storage of garbage. 166.4 Section 166.4 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.4 Storage of garbage. (a...

Continuous feed, on-site composting of kitchen garbage.

PubMed

Hwang, Eung-Ju; Shin, Hang-Sik; Tay, Joo-Hwa

2002-04-01

Kitchen garbage generated at a school cafeteria was treated and stabilised in a controlled on-site composting unit for volume reduction and on-site utilisation of processed garbage. The on-site composter was fed with the garbage on a daily basis during the two-months experimental period. Compost was not removed from the unit but was entirely reused as a bulking agent in order to minimise the need for additional bulking agent and compost handling. Performance of the composter tinder this condition was investigated. Most of the easily degradable organic matter (EDM) in the garbage was biodegraded rapidly, and the final product had a low content of EDM. Lipids, total sugar, and hemi-cellulose were degraded 96%, 81%, and 66% respectively. Free air space (FAS) was higher than 0.5 all the time, so accumulation of dry matter in the unit was not significant in reducing reaction efficiency. Other reaction parameters such as pH and MC were kept within a suitable range; however, it was advisable to maintain MC at over 46%. As a result, this method of operation was able to stabilise the garbage with low sawdust demand and little compost production.

Launching Garbage-Bag Balloons.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Hy

1997-01-01

Presents a modification of a procedure for making and launching hot air balloons made out of garbage bags. Student instructions for balloon construction, launching instructions, and scale diagrams are included. (DDR)

Welcome to Garbage Museum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elliot, Ian

1996-01-01

Introduces the Children's Garbage Museum in southwestern Connecticut and provides pictures as well as descriptions of exhibits. Suggests two activities to heighten students' awareness of recycling and composting and recommends reading materials. (MOK)

Garbage monitoring system using IoT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anitha, A.

2017-11-01

Nowadays certain actions are taken to improve the level of cleanliness in the country. People are getting more active in doing all the things possible to clean their surroundings. Various movements are also started by the government to increase cleanliness. We will try to build a system which will notify the corporations to empty the bin on time. In this system, we will put a sensor on top of the garbage bin which will detect the total level of garbage inside it according to the total size of the bin. When the garbage will reach the maximum level, a notification will be sent to the corporation's office, then the employees can take further actions to empty the bin. This system will help in cleaning the city in a better way. By using this system people do not have to check all the systems manually but they will get a notification when the bin will get filled.

Current Situation Survey of Garbage Management in rural areas of Heilongjiang province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yang; Wang, Shuai; Zhao, Yufeng

2018-03-01

This paper makes investigation to 120 administrative villages, count the the output, the distribution characteristics, the composition and the treatment model of the rural garbage at this stage. The research shows that the composition of the rural garbage is very complicated, the total annual output of rural garbage is 5 295 600 tonnes, and the daily output per capital of household garbage is 0.8925 kg. According to the situation of Heiliongjiang Province, this paper analyze the main problem during the garbage disposal, some control measures are presented, this reaesrch could provide basic data and research for the following treatment. The significant new findings of the research is that the rational governance path of garbage is that, first classification, second recycling and third harmless treatment.

Thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of garbage, screened swine and dairy cattle manure.

PubMed

Liu, Kai; Tang, Yue-Qin; Matsui, Toru; Morimura, Shigeru; Wu, Xiao-Lei; Kida, Kenji

2009-01-01

Methane fermentation characteristics of garbage, swine manure (SM), dairy cattle manure (DCM) and mixtures of these wastes were studied. SM and DCM showed much lower volatile total solid (VTS) digestion efficiencies and methane yield than those of garbage. VTS digestion efficiency of SM was significantly increased when it was co-digested with garbage (Garbage: SM=1:1). Co-digestion of garbage, SM and DCM with respect to the relative quantity of each waste discharged in the Kikuchi (1: 16: 27) and Aso (1: 19: 12) areas indicated that co-digestion with garbage would improve the digestion characteristic of SM and DCM as far as the ratio of DCM in the wastes was maintained below a certain level. When the mixed waste (Garbage: SM: DCM=1:19:12) was treated using a thermophilic UAF reactor, methanogens responsible for the methane production were Methanoculleus and Methanosarcina species. Bacterial species in the phylum Firmicutes were dominant bacteria responsible for the digestion of these wastes. As the percentage of garbage in the mixed wastes used in this study was low (2-3%) and the digestion efficiency of DCM was obviously improved, the co-digestion of SM and DCM with limited garbage was a prospective method to treat the livestock waste effectively and was an attractive alternative technology for the construction of a sustainable environment and society in stock raising area.

Mercury Exposure among Garbage Workers in Southern Thailand

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Objectives 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. Methods A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 µg/g creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 µg/g creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of headaches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). Conclusion Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers. PMID:23251842

Measurement of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure from Garbage Trucks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeda, S.; Morioka, M.

1998-08-01

Japanese garbage truck drivers are exposed to mechanical whole-body vibration during their work. Some drivers have suffered from low back pain from this vibration. However, there is no evidence of a relationship between the whole-body vibration from the garbage trucks and low back pain or occupational disease, due to the lack of investigations. A field study was conducted in order to characterize the health risks associated with garbage truck work. Three different types of truck were tested at different loadings and on different road surfaces, with the vibrations measured at the driver/seat interface (x,y, andz-axes). The vibrations were compared with the health risk guidance according to Annex B of ISO 2631-1 [1]. The findings of this study indicated that Japanese garbage truck drivers should not operate trucks for 2.5 h in a day, under current working conditions.

Analysis of sludge management parameters resulting from the use of domestic garbage disposers.

PubMed

Galil, N I; Yaacov, L

2001-01-01

The use of domestic garbage disposers may reduce the amounts and improve the solid waste composition, by lowering putrid matter and water content and by raising the caloric potential. However, additional loading on the sewerage systems might require increased investments and operation costs of the wastewater treatment facilities. This project analyses additional amounts of solids, biosolids and process requirements connected with wastewater treatment facilities resulting from the domestic use of garbage disposers, as well as the additional production of biogas. It was found that the use of the domestic garbage disposers in 60% of the households in a given urban area, is expected to reduce the weight, volume and water content of the solid waste by 7.0%, 3.3% and 4.4% for garbage characterized by low organic content, and by 18.7%, 11.0% and 13.3% for high organic content, respectively. The additional amounts of sludge are expected to be the lowest in case of biological treatment only, 24 to 38 g/capita/day, and the highest in case of primary chemical sedimentation followed by biotreatment, 67 to 100 g/capita/day. In these conditions the energy potential from biogas obtained in anaerobic digestion of sludge from wastewater collected from the same area, will increase by 50% to 70%, depending on the wastewater treatment sequence. The investment in wastewater treatment is estimated to increase by 23% to 27% and the annual costs for operation and maintenance are expected to increase by 26% to 30%.

9 CFR 166.5 - Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards. 166.5 Section 166.5 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE... where insects and rodents may breed is prohibited. (b) Equipment used for handling untreated garbage...

Novel bacterial consortia isolated from plastic garbage processing areas demonstrated enhanced degradation for low density polyethylene.

PubMed

Skariyachan, Sinosh; Manjunatha, Vishal; Sultana, Subiya; Jois, Chandana; Bai, Vidya; Vasist, Kiran S

2016-09-01

This study aimed to formulate novel microbial consortia isolated from plastic garbage processing areas and thereby devise an eco-friendly approach for enhanced degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The LDPE degrading bacteria were screened and microbiologically characterized. The best isolates were formulated as bacterial consortia, and degradation efficiency was compared with the consortia formulated using known isolates obtained from the Microbial Culture Collection Centre (MTCC). The degradation products were analyzed by FTIR, GC-FID, tensile strength, and SEM. The bacterial consortia were characterized by 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing. The formulated bacterial consortia demonstrated 81 ± 4 and 38 ± 3 % of weight reduction for LDPE strips and LDPE pellets, respectively, over a period of 120 days. However, the consortia formulated by MTCC strains demonstrated 49 ± 4 and 20 ± 2 % of weight reduction for LDPE strips and pellets, respectively, for the same period. Furthermore, the three isolates in its individual application exhibited 70 ± 4, 68 ± 4, and 64 ± 4 % weight reduction for LDPE strips and 21 ± 2, 28 ± 2, 24 ± 2 % weight reduction for LDPE pellets over a period of 120 days (p < 0.05). The end product analysis showed structural changes and formation of bacterial film on degraded LDPE strips. The 16S rDNA characterization of bacterial consortia revealed that these organisms were novel strains and designated as Enterobacter sp. bengaluru-btdsce01, Enterobacter sp. bengaluru-btdsce02, and Pantoea sp. bengaluru-btdsce03. The current study thus suggests that industrial scale-up of these microbial consortia probably provides better insights for waste management of LDPE and similar types of plastic garbage.

Management considerations and environmental benefit analysis for turning food garbage into agricultural resources.

PubMed

Tsai, Wen-Tien

2008-09-01

The management of food garbage is of great importance because of its high energy consumption, potential environmental hazards and public health risks. In Taiwan, through the competent authorities at all levels and the citizens' participation in sorting household wastes, many recycling efforts have recently been implemented to further utilize it as available resources such as swine feeds and organic fertilizer by composting. As a result, a total of approximately 570 thousand metric tons was recycled with a recycling ratio of about 21.2% on a basis of food garbage generation in 2006, rising over 22% from a year earlier. These figures showed that compulsory garbage sorting has indeed dramatically increased the recycling of food garbage. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss some management considerations in turning food garbage into agricultural resources due to the compulsory garbage sorting directive in Taiwan. The description first aims at the current status in food garbage generation and its recycling, and at the regulatory polices which have become effective since 2000. It also centers on the environmental and agricultural measures on upgrading food garbage recycling. Based on the preliminary analysis of environmental benefit by the Revised 1996 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, it is obvious that composting food garbage is superior to that by traditional treatments (i.e., incineration and sanitary landfill) from the viewpoint of reducing greenhouse gases (i.e., CO(2) and CH(4)) emissions.

Smart Garbage Based on Internet of Things (IoT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joni, K.; Haryanto; Rohim, D. F.

2018-01-01

Trash is one of serious problems in Indonesia. It leads to another problems which deal with social, culture and economic, most of cities inindonesia have some problems in managing the trush. It is because the government doesn’t have the standard of trash management. The schedule to take the trash usually discover a problems with a lateness. The lack of trashmanagement and people’s habbit who don’t care about the trash impact effect to more serious problems that dealwith the trash. Such as, enviromental problems. Based on the problems the researcher makes a system called “Smart Garbage Based On Internet of things”. The system applies the technology of temporary garbage used internal system. This system creates in order to fix the problem of punctuality. Which makes the trash management more effective and afficient. The process of uploading the information in the internal awerness of based on the “real time” ativity this system can increase the peurity and health. Because the trash is controlled and not aculamulated arround people. The ultrasonic sensor and nodeMCU are used as a module of IoT to discover the temporary garbage. Grapical user Interface dekstop and android are also used in order to observe the level of trash in temporary garbage. The notification system can be access in mobile and dekstop interface. Furthermore the temporary garbage location can find by using google map the result of research shows that the system is running well. The system can onilne 12 hours/day along 2 weeks in exsperiment. The data sent by online based on “real time” activity and the result of mapping and tracking on android show the location of garbage.

9 CFR 166.5 - Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.5 Licensed... feeding of swine unless first cleaned and disinfected as set forth in § 166.14(b). (c) Untreated garbage that is not to be fed to swine and materials in association with such garbage shall be disposed of in a...

9 CFR 166.5 - Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.5 Licensed... feeding of swine unless first cleaned and disinfected as set forth in § 166.14(b). (c) Untreated garbage that is not to be fed to swine and materials in association with such garbage shall be disposed of in a...

9 CFR 166.5 - Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.5 Licensed... feeding of swine unless first cleaned and disinfected as set forth in § 166.14(b). (c) Untreated garbage that is not to be fed to swine and materials in association with such garbage shall be disposed of in a...

9 CFR 166.5 - Licensed garbage-treatment facility standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.5 Licensed... feeding of swine unless first cleaned and disinfected as set forth in § 166.14(b). (c) Untreated garbage that is not to be fed to swine and materials in association with such garbage shall be disposed of in a...

Does garbage in diet improve Glaucous Gull reproductive output?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Powell, Abby N.; Weiser, Emily L.

2010-01-01

Anthropogenic subsidies are used by a variety of predators in areas developed for human use or residence. If subsidies promote population growth, these predators can have a negative effect on local prey species. The Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) is an abundant predator in northern Alaska that is believed to benefit from garbage as a supplemental food source, but this supposition has never been tested. In summer 2008 and 2009, we recorded the Glaucous Gull's diet and reproduction at 10 breeding colonies in northern Alaska. Colonies were in industrial, residential, and undeveloped areas and ranged from 5 to 75 km from the nearest landfill. By colony, garbage occurred in zero to 85% of pellets and food remains produced during the chick-rearing period, and the average number of chicks fledged per pair ranged from zero to 2.9. Random-forest analysis indicated that percent occurrence of garbage in the diet was the second most important factor (after number of eggs per pair) explaining variance in fledging rate. There was a significant positive correlation between percent occurrence of garbage in the diet and fledging rate in each year. If this correlation reflects a causal relationship, it suggests that human development that increases gulls' access to garbage could result in increased local gull populations. Such an increase could affect the gulls' natural prey species, including at least 14 species of shorebirds and waterfowl of conservation concern.

Visual analysis of trash bin processing on garbage trucks in low resolution video

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidla, Oliver; Loibner, Gernot

2015-03-01

We present a system for trash can detection and counting from a camera which is mounted on a garbage collection truck. A working prototype has been successfully implemented and tested with several hours of real-world video. The detection pipeline consists of HOG detectors for two trash can sizes, and meanshift tracking and low level image processing for the analysis of the garbage disposal process. Considering the harsh environment and unfavorable imaging conditions, the process works already good enough so that very useful measurements from video data can be extracted. The false positive/false negative rate of the full processing pipeline is about 5-6% at fully automatic operation. Video data of a full day (about 8 hrs) can be processed in about 30 minutes on a standard PC.

LANL Debuts Hybrid Garbage Truck

ScienceCinema

Witt, Monica

2018-01-16

Los Alamos National Laboratory has begun using a diesel-hydraulic hybrid garbage truck that could save up to 30 percent in operating costs and greenhouse emissions. The Peterbilt Model 320 takes energy from braking and uses it to help the truck accelerate after stops.

21 CFR 1240.75 - Garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Garbage. 1240.75 Section 1240.75 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER CERTAIN OTHER ACTS ADMINISTERED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES...

21 CFR 1240.75 - Garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Garbage. 1240.75 Section 1240.75 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER CERTAIN OTHER ACTS ADMINISTERED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES...

IoT-based smart garbage system for efficient food waste management.

PubMed

Hong, Insung; Park, Sunghoi; Lee, Beomseok; Lee, Jaekeun; Jeong, Daebeom; Park, Sehyun

2014-01-01

Owing to a paradigm shift toward Internet of Things (IoT), researches into IoT services have been conducted in a wide range of fields. As a major application field of IoT, waste management has become one such issue. The absence of efficient waste management has caused serious environmental problems and cost issues. Therefore, in this paper, an IoT-based smart garbage system (SGS) is proposed to reduce the amount of food waste. In an SGS, battery-based smart garbage bins (SGBs) exchange information with each other using wireless mesh networks, and a router and server collect and analyze the information for service provisioning. Furthermore, the SGS includes various IoT techniques considering user convenience and increases the battery lifetime through two types of energy-efficient operations of the SGBs: stand-alone operation and cooperation-based operation. The proposed SGS had been operated as a pilot project in Gangnam district, Seoul, Republic of Korea, for a one-year period. The experiment showed that the average amount of food waste could be reduced by 33%.

IoT-Based Smart Garbage System for Efficient Food Waste Management

PubMed Central

Lee, Jaekeun

2014-01-01

Owing to a paradigm shift toward Internet of Things (IoT), researches into IoT services have been conducted in a wide range of fields. As a major application field of IoT, waste management has become one such issue. The absence of efficient waste management has caused serious environmental problems and cost issues. Therefore, in this paper, an IoT-based smart garbage system (SGS) is proposed to reduce the amount of food waste. In an SGS, battery-based smart garbage bins (SGBs) exchange information with each other using wireless mesh networks, and a router and server collect and analyze the information for service provisioning. Furthermore, the SGS includes various IoT techniques considering user convenience and increases the battery lifetime through two types of energy-efficient operations of the SGBs: stand-alone operation and cooperation-based operation. The proposed SGS had been operated as a pilot project in Gangnam district, Seoul, Republic of Korea, for a one-year period. The experiment showed that the average amount of food waste could be reduced by 33%. PMID:25258730

The pathways of Marine Plastic into the Ocean Garbage Patches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Sebille, E.; England, M. H.; Froyland, G.

2013-12-01

Much of the plastic debris in the near-surface ocean collects in so-called garbage patches where, due to convergence of the surface flow, the debris is trapped for decades to millennia. Here, we use observational data from the Global Drifter Program in a particle-trajectory tracer approach to study the fate of marine debris in the open ocean from coastal regions around the world on interannual to centennial time scales. We find that garbage patches emerge in each of the five subtropical basins. The evolution of each of the five patches is markedly different, however. With the exception of the North Pacific, all patches are much more dispersive than expected from linear ocean circulation theory, suggesting that on centennial time scales the different basins are much better connected than previously thought and that inter-ocean exchanges play a large role in the spreading of marine debris. In order to increase public awareness on this issue of sustainability in the ocean, we have used the methods and data of this study to create a public website at www.adrift.org.au where all interested can investigate the spread of tracer from any and all points on the ocean surface.

Aquamess: Portraits of Garbage at the Top of the World, observing and changing our synthetic footprint for human and planetary health

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devine, C.

2017-12-01

How can science inform art and art inform science and how does that interrelationship affect social change, research and the dissemination of scientific evidence? Carol Devine's Aquamess: Portraits of Garbage at the Top of the World project is based on a 2015 civilian expedition, CleanUp Svalbard. Volunteers on this stewardship initiative collected garbage accumulating on the Norwegian archipelago's remote shores as a recognized marine debris mitigation strategy. For four days, Devine and fellow volunteers travelled 10 nautical miles and collected 13.5 metres of garbage including 3.5 cubic metres of plastic fishing nets. Devine documented the effort and created Aquamess, a photography exhibit with garbage 'portraits', noting their geolocations. Her objective was to disseminate knowledge about the global marine debris problem, such as how ocean currents carry plastics, how the density varies due to hydrological and meterological conditions, what gyres are etc., and to encourage dialogue and continued interdisciplinary research and action. At the request of Dr. David Pantalony, Curator at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, Devine also collected a sample of the debris from Svalbard. This "Arctic garbage" is now archival material and part of an upcoming multimedia Oceans exhibit the museum created with her about marine science and ocean health. Already, Aquamess has engaged discussions about marine pollution's impact on human and planetary health in the 2016-7 group show Science Inspires Art: Food at the New York Hall of Science exploring contemporary food issues including food waste. It will be in a November 2017 group exhibit Photography as Response at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado and is the subject of Devine's TEDxMontreal Women talk. Devine has written blogs and articles about Aquamess;has been interviewed in science, sciart and culture journals in the US, Europe, and Canada; and is observing scientific and non-scientific reactions through

46 CFR 148.04-19 - Tankage, garbage or rough ammoniate, solid.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Tankage, garbage or rough ammoniate, solid. 148.04-19... CARRIAGE OF SOLID HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN BULK Special Additional Requirements for Certain Material § 148.04-19 Tankage, garbage or rough ammoniate, solid. (a) The material must contain at least 7 percent...

33 CFR 151.69 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES... on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and Sewage § 151.69 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas. (a) When...

33 CFR 151.69 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES... on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and Sewage § 151.69 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas. (a) When...

33 CFR 151.71 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.69 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.71 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.69 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.71 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.71 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.69 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES... on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and Sewage § 151.69 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas. (a) When...

33 CFR 151.71 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

Fact-finding survey of actual garbage discharged from dormitory and its biological anaerobic-aerobic treatment.

PubMed

Imai, T; Ukita, M; Sekine, M; Fukagawa, M; Nakanishi, H

2000-01-01

The objective of this study is to find a possibility of complete treatment of garbage and resource recovery (production of methane from available utility of carbon resource in garbage) by biological treatment process. As the first step, a fact-finding survey of actual garbage discharged from the dormitory of the Ube National College of Technology (equivalent to 300 population) was carried out. Second, the combined biological anaerobic-aerobic treatment, i.e. combination of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process and aerobic membrane bioreactor (AMB) process, was applied to the garbage treatment. The applicability and efficiency of this system were investigated in this study. The survey results showed that the composition and quantity of garbage from a student dormitory changed slightly during a week due to the change of the menu, however, they remained almost unchanged during the entire experimental period. The experimental results showed high biodegradability of the garbage, and demonstrated its suitability for methane production. The soluble nitrogen removal was high: over 97%. No excess sludge was wasted from the system. A high treatment efficiency of simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen was obtained. The possibility of complete treatment of garbage with this process has been positively demonstrated by this study.

Does garbage in the diet improve reproductive output of Glaucous Gulls

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weiser, E.L.; Powell, A.N.

2010-01-01

Anthropogenic subsidies are used by a variety of predators in areas developed for human use or residence. If subsidies promote population growth, these predators can have a negative effect on local prey species. The Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) is an abundant predator in northern Alaska that is believed to benefit from garbage as a supplemental food source, but this supposition has never been tested. In summer 2008 and 2009, we recorded the Glaucous Gull's diet and reproduction at 10 breeding colonies in northern Alaska. Colonies were in industrial, residential, and undeveloped areas and ranged from 5 to 75 km from the nearest landfill. By colony, garbage occurred in zero to 85% of pellets and food remains produced during the chick-rearing period, and the average number of chicks fledged per pair ranged from zero to 2.9. Random-forest analysis indicated that percent occurrence of garbage in the diet was the second most important factor (after number of eggs per pair) explaining variance in fledging rate. There was a significant positive correlation between percent occurrence of garbage in the diet and fledging rate in each year. If this correlation reflects a causal relationship, it suggests that human development that increases gulls' access to garbage could result in increased local gull populations. Such an increase could affect the gulls' natural prey species, including at least 14 species of shorebirds and waterfowl of conservation concern. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society 2010.

21 CFR 1250.79 - Garbage disposal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Garbage disposal. 1250.79 Section 1250.79 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER CERTAIN OTHER ACTS ADMINISTERED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION INTERSTATE CONVEYANCE...

The under sink garbage grinder: a friendly technology for the environment.

PubMed

Bolzonella, D; Pavan, P; Battistoni, P; Cecchi, F

2003-03-01

The use of garbage grinders is not a usual practice in Europe, but it is in other countries around the world (e.g., North America, Japan and Australia). Sometimes, garbage grinders are accused of producing problems in sewers and wastewater treatment plants and are prohibited by environmental protection laws. In this study, the different impacts determined by the use of this technology were considered to show the positive impacts of its use. In particular, it was shown that garbage grinders enable the disposal of household organic wastes with advantages for the wastewater treatment processes because of an increase in the carbon/nutrients ratio in the wastewater. This is particularly important for biological nutrients removal processes. Daily specific contributions for person equivalent (PE) due to organic waste disposal through garbage grinders were found to be equal to 75 gCODPE(-1) d(-1) for carbon (as COD), 2.5 gNPE(-1) d(-1) for nitrogen and 0.25 gPPE(-1) d(-1) for phosphorous, respectively. Those determined a value of 30 for the COD/N ratio. Moreover, no problems with solids settling in sewers were noted. These results were extensively compared with literature data. The economical balance showed that the use of garbage grinders allowed a global saving of some 17 Euro year(-1) for a three people family. Important benefits are also gained from an environmental point of view (e.g, organic wastes disposal nutrients removal in wastewater treatment and increase in biogas production with energy reclamation).

Dijkstra Methode for Optimalize Recommendation System of Garbage Transportation Time in Surakarta City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartatik; Purbayu, A.; Triyono, L.

2018-03-01

Major problem that often occurs in waste transportation in each region is the route of garbage transportation. Determination of this route should become a major concern because it affects fuel consumption and also the working time from the employee. Therefore, in this research we will develop an application to optimize with pigeonhole and dijsktra algorithm. Pigeonhole algorithm is used to determine which garbage trucks should be taken in a particular TPS. Time optimization is done by determining the shortest path that can be skipped for each garbage truck. Data generated from Pigeonhole then used to determine the shortest path by using Dijkstra algorithm.

46 CFR 148.320 - Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or... Requirements for Certain Materials § 148.320 Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer. (a) This part applies to rough ammonia tankage in bulk that contains 7 percent or more moisture...

46 CFR 148.320 - Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or... Requirements for Certain Materials § 148.320 Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer. (a) This part applies to rough ammonia tankage in bulk that contains 7 percent or more moisture...

46 CFR 148.320 - Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or... Requirements for Certain Materials § 148.320 Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer. (a) This part applies to rough ammonia tankage in bulk that contains 7 percent or more moisture...

46 CFR 148.320 - Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or... Requirements for Certain Materials § 148.320 Tankage; garbage tankage; rough ammonia tankage; or tankage fertilizer. (a) This part applies to rough ammonia tankage in bulk that contains 7 percent or more moisture...

Garbage Patch Visualization Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-08-20

Goddard visualizers show us how five garbage patches formed in the world's oceans using 35 years of data. Read more: 1.usa.gov/1Lnj7xV Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

9 CFR 94.5 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... dispose of regulated garbage in landfills at Alaskan ports only, if and only if the cruise ship does not... solid waste. (i) Industrial process wastes, mining wastes, sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or other...

Identification and optimization of parameters for the semi-continuous production of garbage enzyme from pre-consumer organic waste by green RP-HPLC method.

PubMed

Arun, C; Sivashanmugam, P

2015-10-01

Reuse and management of organic solid waste, reduce the environmental impact on human health and increase the economic status by generating valuable products for current and novel applications. Garbage enzyme is one such product produced from fermentation of organic solid waste and it can be used as liquid fertilizer, antimicrobial agents, treatment of domestic wastewater, municipal and industrial sludge treatment, etc. The semi-continuous production of garbage enzyme in large quantity at minimal time period and at lesser cost is needed to cater for treatment of increasing quantities of industrial waste activated sludge. This necessitates a parameter for monitoring and control for the scaling up of current process on semi-continuous basis. In the present study a RP-HPLC (Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) method is used for quantification of standard organic acid at optimized condition 30°C column oven temperature, pH 2.7, and 0.7 ml/min flow rate of the mobile phase (potassium dihydrogen phosphate in water) at 50mM concentration. The garbage enzyme solution collected in 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days were used as sample to determine the concentration of organic acid. Among these, 90th day sample showed the maximum concentration of 78.14 g/l of acetic acid in garbage enzyme, whereas other organic acids concentration got decreased when compare to the 15th day sample. This result confirms that the matured garbage enzyme contains a higher concentration of acetic acid and thus it can be used as a monitoring parameter for semi-continuous production of garbage enzyme in large scale. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A pilot plant two-phase anaerobic digestion system for bioenergy recovery from swine wastes and garbage.

PubMed

Feng, Chuanping; Shimada, Sadoru; Zhang, Zhenya; Maekawa, Takaaki

2008-01-01

A pilot plant bioenergy recovery system from swine waste and garbage was constructed. A series of experiments was performed using swine feces (SF); a mixture of swine feces and urine (MSFU); a mixture of swine feces, urine and garbage (MSFUG); garbage and a mixture of urine and garbage (AUG). The system performed well for treating the source materials at a high organic loading rate (OLR) and short hydraulic retention time (HRT). In particular, the biogas production for the MSFUG was the highest, accounting for approximately 865-930 L kg(-1)-VS added at the OLR of 5.0-5.3 kg-VS m(-3) day(-1) and the HRT of 9 days. The removal of VS was 67-75%, and that of COD was 73-74%. Therefore, co-digestion is a promising method for the recovery of bioenergy from swine waste and garbage. Furthermore, the results obtained from this study provide fundamental information for scaling up a high-performance anaerobic system in the future.

33 CFR Appendix A to §§ 151.51... - Summary of Garbage Discharge Restrictions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE... Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and... Platforms & Assoc. Vessels 3 (33 CFR 151.73) Plastics—includes synthetic ropes and fishing nets and plastic...

33 CFR Appendix A to §§ 151.51... - Summary of Garbage Discharge Restrictions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE... Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and... Platforms & Assoc. Vessels 3 (33 CFR 151.73) Plastics—includes synthetic ropes and fishing nets and plastic...

33 CFR 151.73 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.73 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.73 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR 151.73 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

33 CFR Appendix A to §§ 151.51... - Summary of Garbage Discharge Restrictions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE... Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage Pollution and... floatingplatforms & assoc. vessels 3 (33 CFR 151.73) Plastics—includes synthetic ropes and fishing nets and plastic...

33 CFR 151.73 - Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships Garbage...

Cooking fuel choices and garbage burning practices as determinants of birth weight: a cross-sectional study in Accra, Ghana

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Effect of indoor air pollution (IAP) on birth weight remains largely unexplored but yet purported as the most important environmental exposure for pregnant women in developing countries due to the effects of second-hand smoke. We investigated the associations between the determinants of indoor air quality in households and birth weight. Methods A cross-sectional study of 592 mothers and their newborns using postnatal services at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital located in Accra, Ghana was conducted in 2010 to collect information on characteristics of indoor environment and other potential determinants of fetal growth. Birth weight was recorded from hospital records. Results Household cooking fuel choices and garbage burning practices were determinants of birth weight. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for age, social class, marital status and gravidity of mothers, and sex of neonate resulted in a 243g (95% CI: 496, 11) and 178g (95% CI: 421, 65) reduction in birth weight for use of charcoal, and garbage burning respectively compared with use of LPG only. The estimated reductions in birth weight was not statistically significant. Applying the ordinal scale exposure parameter nonetheless revealed a significant exposure-response relationship between maternal exposures from charcoal use and garbage burning, and birth weight. Generalized linear models adjusting for confounders resulted in a 41% (risk ratio [RR] = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.62, 3.23) and 195% (RR=2.95; 95% CI: 1.10, 7.92) increase in the risk of low birth weight (LBW) for use of charcoal, and garbage burning respectively compared with use of LPG only. A combination of charcoal use and household garbage burning during pregnancy on fetal growth resulted in a 429g (95% CI: 259, 599) reduction in birth weight and 316% (RR=4.16; 95% CI: 2.02, 8.59) excess risk of LBW. Sensitivity analysis performed by restricting the analysis to term births produced similar results. Conclusions Maternal use of

9 CFR 166.3 - Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Separation of swine from the garbage... INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.3 Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas. (a) Access by swine to...

9 CFR 166.3 - Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Separation of swine from the garbage... INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.3 Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas. (a) Access by swine to...

9 CFR 166.3 - Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Separation of swine from the garbage... INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.3 Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas. (a) Access by swine to...

9 CFR 166.3 - Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Separation of swine from the garbage... INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.3 Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas. (a) Access by swine to...

9 CFR 166.3 - Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Separation of swine from the garbage... INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.3 Separation of swine from the garbage handling and treatment areas. (a) Access by swine to...

77 FR 3729 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Plant Pest, Noxious...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-25

... Collection; Plant Pest, Noxious Weed, and Garbage Regulations AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection... with plant pest, noxious weed, and garbage regulations. DATES: We will consider all comments that we... pest, noxious weed, and garbage regulations, contact Dr. Shirley Wager- Pag[eacute], Chief, Pest Permit...

Reduction of garbage in the diet of nonbreeding glaucous gulls corresponding to a change in waste management

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weiser, Emily L.; Powell, Abby N.

2011-01-01

Glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) are major predators in the Arctic and may benefit from human development. We studied use of garbage by glaucous gulls in Barrow, Alaska, in 2007, when municipal waste was disposed of in a landfill, and in 2008, when it was incinerated. In both years, diet samples from breeding adult gulls contained less garbage than those from loafing nonbreeding gulls (mostly subadults of less than four years), possibly because the breeding colony was more distant than many loafing sites from the landfills. Although breeding gull samples showed no change, garbage in regurgitated pellets and food remains of nonbreeding gulls was significantly less prevalent in 2008 than in 2007 (28% vs. 43% occurrence in diet samples), and this reduction could be explained by the switch from landfill to waste incineration. Yet garbage remained a substantial part of nonbreeding gull diet after the management change. Other aspects of waste management, such as storage prior to disposal, may also be important in limiting scavengers’ access to garbage and thus reducing the indirect impact of human development on prey species of conservation concern.

7 CFR 330.402 - Garbage generated in Hawaii.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Garbage generated in Hawaii. 330.402 Section 330.402 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.400 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Regulation of certain garbage. 330.400 Section 330.400 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.402 - Garbage generated in Hawaii.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Garbage generated in Hawaii. 330.402 Section 330.402 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.400 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Regulation of certain garbage. 330.400 Section 330.400 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.402 - Garbage generated in Hawaii.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Garbage generated in Hawaii. 330.402 Section 330.402 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.400 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Regulation of certain garbage. 330.400 Section 330.400 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.400 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Regulation of certain garbage. 330.400 Section 330.400 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.402 - Garbage generated in Hawaii.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Garbage generated in Hawaii. 330.402 Section 330.402 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.402 - Garbage generated in Hawaii.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Garbage generated in Hawaii. 330.402 Section 330.402 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

7 CFR 330.400 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Regulation of certain garbage. 330.400 Section 330.400 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FEDERAL PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; GENERAL; PLANT PESTS; SOIL, STONE, AND...

9 CFR 94.5 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... ensure compliance with applicable laws for environmental protection. Provided that, a cruise ship may dispose of regulated garbage in landfills at Alaskan ports only, if and only if the cruise ship does not... the cruise season, and only if the cruise ship, except for incidental travel through international...

9 CFR 94.5 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... ensure compliance with applicable laws for environmental protection. Provided that, a cruise ship may dispose of regulated garbage in landfills at Alaskan ports only, if and only if the cruise ship does not... the cruise season, and only if the cruise ship, except for incidental travel through international...

9 CFR 94.5 - Regulation of certain garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

.... Cooking garbage at an internal temperature of 212 °F for 30 minutes. Stores. The food, supplies, and other... in this section and includes food scraps, table refuse, galley refuse, food wrappers or packaging materials, and other waste material from stores, food preparation areas, passengers' or crews' quarters...

Disentangling oil weathering using GC x GC. 1. chromatogram analysis.

PubMed

Arey, J Samuel; Nelson, Robert K; Reddy, Christopher M

2007-08-15

Historically, the thousands of compounds found in oils constituted an "unresolved complex mixture" that frustrated efforts to analyze oil weathering. Moreover, different weathering processes inflict rich and diverse signatures of compositional change in oil, and conventional methods do not effectively decode this elaborate record. Using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC), we can separate thousands of hydrocarbon components and simultaneously estimate their chemical properties. We investigated 13 weathered field samples collected from the Bouchard 120 heavy fuel oil spill in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts in 2003. We first mapped hydrocarbon vapor pressures and aqueous solubilities onto the compositional space explored by GC x GC chromatograms of weathered samples. Then we developed methods to quantitatively decouple mass loss patterns associated with evaporation and dissolution. The compositional complexity of oil, traditionally considered an obstacle, was now an advantage. We exploited the large inventory of chemical information encoded in oil to robustly differentiate signatures of mass transfer to air and water. With this new approach, we can evaluate mass transfer models (the Part 2 companion to this paper) and more properly account for evaporation, dissolution, and degradation of oil in the environment.

Gc protein (vitamin D-binding protein): Gc genotyping and GcMAF precursor activity.

PubMed

Nagasawa, Hideko; Uto, Yoshihiro; Sasaki, Hideyuki; Okamura, Natsuko; Murakami, Aya; Kubo, Shinichi; Kirk, Kenneth L; Hori, Hitoshi

2005-01-01

The Gc protein (human group-specific component (Gc), a vitamin D-binding protein or Gc globulin), has important physiological functions that include involvement in vitamin D transport and storage, scavenging of extracellular G-actin, enhancement of the chemotactic activity of C5a for neutrophils in inflammation and macrophage activation (mediated by a GalNAc-modified Gc protein (GcMAF)). In this review, the structure and function of the Gc protein is focused on especially with regard to Gc genotyping and GcMAF precursor activity. A discussion of the research strategy "GcMAF as a target for drug discovery" is included, based on our own research.

21 CFR 1250.39 - Garbage equipment and disposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Garbage equipment and disposition. 1250.39 Section 1250.39 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER CERTAIN OTHER ACTS ADMINISTERED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION INTERSTATE CONVEYANCE SANITATION Food Service Sanitation...

Decomposition of intact chicken feathers by a thermophile in combination with an acidulocomposting garbage-treatment process.

PubMed

Shigeri, Yasushi; Matsui, Tatsunobu; Watanabe, Kunihiko

2009-11-01

In order to develop a practical method for the decomposition of intact chicken feathers, a moderate thermophile strain, Meiothermus ruber H328, having strong keratinolytic activity, was used in a bio-type garbage-treatment machine working with an acidulocomposting process. The addition of strain H328 cells (15 g) combined with acidulocomposting in the garbage machine resulted in 70% degradation of intact chicken feathers (30 g) within 14 d. This degradation efficiency is comparable to a previous result employing the strain as a single bacterium in flask culture, and it indicates that strain H328 can promote intact feather degradation activity in a garbage machine currently on the market.

Type and Quantity of Shipborne Garbage at Selected Tropical Beaches

PubMed Central

Husain, Mohd-Lokman

2016-01-01

Marine debris is widely distributed at the coastal area of the global oceans; however, shipborne garbage source studies are still lacking to document the pollution in Malaysia Territorial Water. Thus, this study has adopted a standard method of beach marine debris survey at five beaches and inspected 115 vessels to assess the type and amount of debris from shipping source stranded on the beach. This study found that vessel visiting Malaysian ports observed the MARPOL 73/78 Annex V requirements; however, identified objects from shipping activity (1.3%; 2 items/km) found on the beaches indicate that there are vessels disposing of garbage illegally at sea. Therefore, there is a need to promote the use of biodegradable material and introduce environmental education to increase awareness on the vessel. PMID:27819020

Type and Quantity of Shipborne Garbage at Selected Tropical Beaches.

PubMed

Mobilik, Julyus-Melvin; Ling, Teck-Yee; Husain, Mohd-Lokman; Hassan, Ruhana

2016-01-01

Marine debris is widely distributed at the coastal area of the global oceans; however, shipborne garbage source studies are still lacking to document the pollution in Malaysia Territorial Water. Thus, this study has adopted a standard method of beach marine debris survey at five beaches and inspected 115 vessels to assess the type and amount of debris from shipping source stranded on the beach. This study found that vessel visiting Malaysian ports observed the MARPOL 73/78 Annex V requirements; however, identified objects from shipping activity (1.3%; 2 items/km) found on the beaches indicate that there are vessels disposing of garbage illegally at sea. Therefore, there is a need to promote the use of biodegradable material and introduce environmental education to increase awareness on the vessel.

Factors influencing the degradation of garbage in methanogenic bioreactors and impacts on biogas formation.

PubMed

Morita, Masahiko; Sasaki, Kengo

2012-05-01

Anaerobic digestion of garbage is attracting much attention because of its application in waste volume reduction and the recovery of biogas for use as an energy source. In this review, various factors influencing the degradation of garbage and the production of biogas are discussed. The surface hydrophobicity and porosity of supporting materials are important factors in retaining microorganisms such as aceticlastic methanogens and in attaining a higher degradation of garbage and a higher production of biogas. Ammonia concentration, changes in environmental parameters such as temperature and pH, and adaptation of microbial community to ammonia have been related to ammonia inhibition. The effects of drawing electrons from the methanogenic community and donating electrons into the methanogenic community on methane production have been shown in microbial fuel cells and bioelectrochemical reactors. The influences of trace elements, phase separation, and co-digestion are also summarized in this review.

9 CFR 166.8 - Vehicles used to transport garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Vehicles used to transport garbage. 166.8 Section 166.8 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.8 Vehicles...

9 CFR 166.8 - Vehicles used to transport garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Vehicles used to transport garbage. 166.8 Section 166.8 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.8 Vehicles...

9 CFR 166.8 - Vehicles used to transport garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Vehicles used to transport garbage. 166.8 Section 166.8 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.8 Vehicles...

9 CFR 166.8 - Vehicles used to transport garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Vehicles used to transport garbage. 166.8 Section 166.8 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.8 Vehicles...

9 CFR 166.8 - Vehicles used to transport garbage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Vehicles used to transport garbage. 166.8 Section 166.8 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION General Provisions § 166.8 Vehicles...

Comparison of GC-MS, GC-MRM-MS, and GC × GC to characterise higher plant biomarkers in Tertiary oils and rock extracts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eiserbeck, Christiane; Nelson, Robert K.; Grice, Kliti; Curiale, Joseph; Reddy, Christopher M.

2012-06-01

Higher plant biomarkers occur in various compound classes with an array of isomers that are challenging to separate and identify. Traditional one-dimensional (1D) gas chromatographic (GC) techniques achieved impressive results in the past, but have reached limitations in many cases. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) either coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC × GC-FID) or time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC × GC-TOFMS) is a powerful tool to overcome the challenges of 1D GC, such as the resolution of unresolved complex mixture (UCM). We studied a number of Tertiary, terrigenous oils, and source rocks from the Arctic and Southeast Asia, with special focus on angiosperm biomarkers, such as oleanoids and lupanoids. Different chromatographic separation and detection techniques such as traditional 1D GC-MS, metastable reaction monitoring (GC-MRM-MS), GC × GC-FID, and GC × GC-TOFMS are compared and applied to evaluate the differences and advantages in their performance for biomarker identification. The measured 22S/(22S + 22R) homohopane ratios for all applied techniques were determined and compare exceptionally well (generally between 2% and 10%). Furthermore, we resolved a variety of angiosperm-derived compounds that co-eluted using 1D GC techniques, demonstrating the superior separation power of GC × GC for these biomarkers, which indicate terrigenous source input and Cretaceous or younger ages. Samples of varying thermal maturity and biodegradation contain higher plant biomarkers from various stages of diagenesis and catagenesis, which can be directly assessed in a GC × GC chromatogram. The analysis of whole crude oils and rock extracts without loss in resolution enables the separation of unstable compounds that are prone to rearrangement (e.g. unsaturated triterpenoids such as taraxer-14-ene) when exposed to fractionation techniques like molecular sieving. GC × GC-TOFMS is particularly valuable for the successful separation of

Thermophilic two-stage dry anaerobic digestion of model garbage with ammonia stripping.

PubMed

Yabu, Hironori; Sakai, Chikako; Fujiwara, Tomoko; Nishio, Naomichi; Nakashimada, Yutaka

2011-03-01

To avoid the inhibition of methane production by ammonia that occurs during the degradation of garbage, anaerobic digestion with prior ammonia production and subsequent stripping was investigated. In the ammonia production phase, the maximum ammonia concentration was approximately 2800 mg N/kg of total wet sludge in the range of 4 days of sludge retention time, indicating that only 43% of total nitrogen in the model garbage was converted to ammonia. The model garbage from which ammonia was produced and stripped was subjected to semi-continuous thermophilic dry anaerobic digestion over 180 days. The gas yield was in the range of 0.68 to 0.75 Nm(3)/kg volatile solid, and it decreased with the decrease of the sludge retention time. The ammonia-nitrogen concentration in the sludge was kept below 3000 mg N/kg total wet sludge. Microbial community structure analysis revealed that the phylum Firmicutes dominated in the ammonia production, but the community structure changed at different sludge retention times. In dry anaerobic digestion, the dominant bacteria shifted from the phylum Thermotogae to Firmicutes. The dominant archaeon was the genus Methanothermobacter, but the ratio of Methanosarcina increased during the process of dry anaerobic digestion. Copyright © 2010 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

7 CFR 330.401 - Garbage generated onboard a conveyance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and vegetables... countries designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and... introduction and dissemination of pests and diseases of plants and livestock. (3) All regulated garbage must be...

7 CFR 330.401 - Garbage generated onboard a conveyance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and vegetables... countries designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and... introduction and dissemination of pests and diseases of plants and livestock. (3) All regulated garbage must be...

7 CFR 330.401 - Garbage generated onboard a conveyance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and vegetables... countries designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and... introduction and dissemination of pests and diseases of plants and livestock. (3) All regulated garbage must be...

7 CFR 330.401 - Garbage generated onboard a conveyance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and vegetables... countries designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and... introduction and dissemination of pests and diseases of plants and livestock. (3) All regulated garbage must be...

7 CFR 330.401 - Garbage generated onboard a conveyance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and vegetables... countries designated in 9 CFR 94.1 as those in which foot-and-mouth disease exists; all fresh fruits and... introduction and dissemination of pests and diseases of plants and livestock. (3) All regulated garbage must be...

The Garbage Crisis: Environmental Issues for Adult ESL Learners.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heffernan, Helen

This module on the garbage crisis is for intermediate and advanced learners of English as a Second Language. It seeks to inform learners about this issue and to give them an opportunity to direct their concerns about the environment into positive action. The guide uses the problem-posing methodology of Paulo Freire. This methodology has three…

[Studies on GC fingerprint of volatile oil of Houttuynia cordata].

PubMed

Yang, Bin; Wang, Ruo-Jing; Wang, Qian-Peng; Lu, Dong-Mei; Li, Hua; Xiao, Yong-Qing; Wang, Yong-Yan

2006-12-01

To establish a GC fingerprint of the volatile oil of Houttuynia cordata. The volatile oil was extracted from H. cordata by water stream distillation method, and analyzed by GC coupled with FID. 12 bathes of samples collected from different regions were analyzed; the GC fingerprint of the volatile oil of H. cordata was subsequently established. The established GC fingerprint can be used for the identification of H. cordata.

7 CFR 305.40 - Garbage treatment schedules for insect pests and pathogens.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

.... Incinerate to ash. Caterers under compliance agreement using an incinerator for garbage must comply with the... reflects the internal temperature of the sterilizer. (3) The caterer administering the treatment under a...

The status of rural garbage disposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Ruqiong; Chen, Hong

2018-01-01

With the development of rural construction and the improvement of the living standard of residents, the production of rural living waste is increasing day by day. These wastes not only pollute the environment, destroy the rural landscape, but also spread disease, threaten the life safety of human beings, and become one of the public hazards. The problem of rural living waste is a major environmental problem facing China and the world. This paper make a summary analysis about the present situation of municipal waste in China, this paper expounds the problems in rural garbage treatment, and in view of status quo of municipal waste in China put forward comprehensive countermeasures.

Development of the GC-MS organic aerosol monitor (GC-MS OAM) for in-field detection of particulate organic compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cropper, Paul M.; Overson, Devon K.; Cary, Robert A.; Eatough, Delbert J.; Chow, Judith C.; Hansen, Jaron C.

2017-11-01

Particulate matter (PM) is among the most harmful air pollutants to human health, but due to its complex chemical composition is poorly characterized. A large fraction of PM is composed of organic compounds, but these compounds are not regularly monitored due to limitations in current sampling and analysis techniques. The Organic Aerosol Monitor (GC-MS OAM) combines a collection device with thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to quantitatively measure the carbonaceous components of PM on an hourly averaged basis. The GC-MS OAM is fully automated and has been successfully deployed in the field. It uses a chemically deactivated filter for collection followed by thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis. Laboratory tests show that detection limits range from 0.2 to 3 ng for 16 atmospherically relevant compounds, with the possibility for hundreds more. The GC-MS OAM was deployed in the field for semi-continuous measurement of the organic markers, levoglucosan, dehydroabietic acid, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from January to March 2015. Results illustrate the significance of this monitoring technique to characterize the organic components of PM and identify sources of pollution.

Alternative Fuels Data Center: St. Landry Parish Turns Garbage into

Science.gov Websites

Renewable Natural GasA> St. Landry Parish Turns Garbage into Renewable Natural Gas to someone by natural gas to fuel its vehicles. For information about this project, contact Louisiana Clean Fuels - Television's Original Automotive Magazine Provided by Maryland Public Television Related Videos Photo of a car

Some design constraints required for the use of generic software in embedded systems: Packages which manage abstract dynamic structures without the need for garbage collection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Charles S.

1986-01-01

The embedded systems running real-time applications, for which Ada was designed, require their own mechanisms for the management of dynamically allocated storage. There is a need for packages which manage their own internalo structures to control their deallocation as well, due to the performance implications of garbage collection by the KAPSE. This places a requirement upon the design of generic packages which manage generically structured private types built-up from application-defined input types. These kinds of generic packages should figure greatly in the development of lower-level software such as operating systems, schedulers, controllers, and device driver; and will manage structures such as queues, stacks, link-lists, files, and binary multary (hierarchical) trees. Controlled to prevent inadvertent de-designation of dynamic elements, which is implicit in the assignment operation A study was made of the use of limited private type, in solving the problems of controlling the accumulation of anonymous, detached objects in running systems. The use of deallocator prodecures for run-down of application-defined input types during deallocation operations during satellites.

Analysis of Alkaloids from Physalis peruviana by Capillary GC, Capillary GC-MS, and GC-FTIR.

PubMed

Kubwabo, C; Rollmann, B; Tilquin, B

1993-04-01

The alkaloid composition of the aerial parts and roots of PHYSALIS PERUVIANA was analysed by capillary GC (GC (2)), GC (2)-MS and GC (2)-FTIR. Eight alkaloids were identified, three of those alkaloids are 3beta-acetoxytropane and two N-methylpyrrolidinylhygrine isomers, which were not previously found in the genus PHYSALIS. A reproduction of the identification of alkaloids detected in the plant by the use of retention indices has been proposed.

Electrical Resistivity Tomography Monitoring of Soil Remediation for a Garbage Dump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

shi, X.; Luo, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Fu, Q.; Xu, Z.

2011-12-01

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey was firstly used to investigate the distribution of contaminated soil in a garbage dump area, Wuhan city, China. The result shows that sulfated soil resistivity is about 4 to 7 ohm-m, which is relatively lower than normal soil resistivity of about 15 to 25 ohm-m. The distribution of contaminated soil was delineated using ERT images. Then, ERT survey was carried out in this area for monitoring of remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. Werner measurements with 60 electrodes of 1 m spacing were taken during the 9-well oxygen injection and nutrition liquid injection period. The difference of apparent resistivity between before gas injection and after gas injection was used to delineate the channel of gas and the trace of gas migration in the porous garbage dump. The electrical resitivity changes between before and after nutrition liquid injection were used to analyze the liquid migration and distribution. The dynamic procedures of gas and water migration are outlined. The results suggest that ERT is a powerful technique for monitoring of soil remediation.

Unobtrusive Indicators of Cultural Change: Neckties, Girdles, Marijuana, Garbage, Magazines, and Urban Sprawl.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Felson, Marcus

1983-01-01

Different types of time-series data sets can be used to identify cultural change and continuity. Indicators, including musical instruments, clothing, sporting goods, drugs, garbage, telephones, and magazines, are used to study social change since World War II. (Author/RM)

Formation of dioxins from incineration of foods found in domestic garbage.

PubMed

Katami, Takeo; Yasuhara, Akio; Shibamoto, Takayuki

2004-02-15

There has been great concern about the large amounts of garbage produced by domestic households in the modern world. One of the major sources of dioxins (PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs) in the environment is the combustion of domestic waste materials. Exhaust gases from an incinerator, in which mixtures of 67 food items--including fruits, vegetables, pasta, seafoods, meats, and processed foods and seasoned foods--were analyzed for dioxins. Gases collected at the chimney port (9.15 ng/g) contained less total dioxins than those collected at the chamber port (29.1 ng/g). The levels of Cl1-Cl6-PCDDs and Cl1-Cl5-PCDFs were much lower in the gas collected at the chimney port than in the gas collected at the chamber port. The levels of Cl7-Cl8-PCDDs and Cl6-Cl8-PCDFs were higher in the gas collected at the chimney port than in the gas collected at the chamber port. A total of Cl4-Cl8-PCDDs (1.84-3.04 ng/g) comprised over 80% of the total PCDDs formed (2.24-4.00 ng/g). Total PCDFs (16.2-22.6 ng/g) comprised 78-86% of the total dioxins formed (18.9-29.1 ng/g). The PCDFs formed in the greatest amounts were M1CDFs (9.68-10.7 ng/g). Mixtures of commonly consumed food items produced ppb levels of total dioxins in exhaust gases upon combustion, suggesting that incineration of domestic food wastes is one of the sources of dioxins in the environment. A mixture containing some seasoned foods, such as mayonnaise spread on bread, produced more dioxins (29.1 ng/g) than a mixture without seasoned foods did (18.9 ng/g).

Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF): isoelectric focusing pattern and tumoricidal activity.

PubMed

Mohamad, Saharuddin Bin; Nagasawa, Hideko; Sasaki, Hideyuki; Uto, Yoshihiro; Nakagawa, Yoshinori; Kawashima, Ken; Hori, Hitoshi

2003-01-01

Gc protein is the precursor for Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), with three phenotypes: Gc1f, Gc1s and Gc2, based on its electrophoretic mobility. The difference in electrophoretic mobility is because of the difference in its posttranslational sugar moiety composition. We compared the difference between Gc protein and GcMAF electrophoretic mobility using the isoelectric focusing (IEF) method. The tumoricidal activity of GcMAF-treated macrophage was evaluated after coculture with L-929 cell. The tumoricidal mechanism was investigated using TNF bioassay and nitric oxide (NO) release. The difference in Gc protein and GcMAF electrophoretic mobility was detected. The tumoricidal activity of GcMAF-treated macrophage was detected, but no release of TNF and NO was detected. The difference of isoelectric focusing mobility in Gc protein and GcMAF would be useful to develop a GcMAF detection method. GcMAF increased macrophage tumoricidal activity but TNF and NO release were not involved in the mechanism.

Disentangling oil weathering using GC x GC. 2. Mass transfer calculations.

PubMed

Arey, J Samuel; Nelson, Robert K; Plata, Desiree L; Reddy, Christopher M

2007-08-15

Hydrocarbon mass transfers to the atmosphere and water column drive the early weathering of oil spills and also control the chemical exposures of many coastal wildlife species. However, in the field, mass transfer rates of individual hydrocarbons to air and water are often uncertain. In the Part 1 companion to this paper, we used comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) to identify distinct signatures of evaporation and dissolution encoded in the compositional evolution of weathered oils. In Part 2, we further investigate patterns of mass removal in GC x GC chromatograms using a mass transfer model. The model was tailored to conditions at a contaminated beach on Buzzards Bay, MA, after the 2003 Bouchard 120 oil spill. The model was applied to all resolved hydrocarbon compounds in the C11-C24 boiling range, based on their GC x GC-estimated vapor pressures and aqueous solubilities. With no fitted parameters, the model successfully predicted GC x GC chromatogram patterns of mass removal associated with evaporation, water-washing, and diffusion-limited transport. This enabled a critical field evaluation of the mass transfer model and also allowed mass apportionment estimates of hundreds of individual hydrocarbon compounds to air and water. Ultimately, this method should improve assessments of wildlife exposures to oil spill hydrocarbons.

HIGH SPEED GC/MS FOR AIR ANALYSIS

EPA Science Inventory

A high speed GC/MS system consisting of a gas chromatograph equipped with a narrow bandwidth injection accessory and using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer detector has been adapted for analysis of ambient whole air samples which have been collected in passivated canisters. ...

Comparison of traditional gas chromatography (GC), headspace GC, and the microbial identification library GC system for the identification of Clostridium difficile.

PubMed Central

Cundy, K V; Willard, K E; Valeri, L J; Shanholtzer, C J; Singh, J; Peterson, L R

1991-01-01

Three gas chromatography (GC) methods were compared for the identification of 52 clinical Clostridium difficile isolates, as well as 17 non-C. difficile Clostridium isolates. Headspace GC and Microbial Identification System (MIS) GC, an automated system which utilizes a software library developed at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute to identify organisms based on the fatty acids extracted from the bacterial cell wall, were compared against the reference method of traditional GC. Headspace GC and MIS were of approximately equivalent accuracy in identifying the 52 C. difficile isolates (52 of 52 versus 51 of 52, respectively). However, 7 of 52 organisms required repeated sample preparation before an identification was achieved by the MIS method. Both systems effectively differentiated C. difficile from non-C. difficile clostridia, although the MIS method correctly identified only 9 of 17. We conclude that the headspace GC system is an accurate method of C. difficile identification, which requires only one-fifth of the sample preparation time of MIS GC and one-half of the sample preparation time of traditional GC. PMID:2007632

Trace gas and particle emissions from domestic and industrial biofuel use and garbage burning in central Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christian, T. J.; Yokelson, R. J.; Cárdenas, B.; Molina, L. T.; Engling, G.; Hsu, S.-C.

2010-01-01

In central Mexico during the spring of 2007 we measured the initial emissions of 12 gases and the aerosol speciation for elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC), anhydrosugars, Cl-, NO3-, and 20 metals from 10 cooking fires, four garbage fires, three brick making kilns, three charcoal making kilns, and two crop residue fires. Global biofuel use has been estimated at over 2600 Tg/y. With several simple case studies we show that cooking fires can be a major, or the major, source of several gases and fine particles in developing countries. Insulated cook stoves with chimneys were earlier shown to reduce indoor air pollution and the fuel use per cooking task. We confirm that they also reduce the emissions of VOC pollutants per mass of fuel burned by about half. We did not detect HCN emissions from cooking fires in Mexico or Africa. Thus, if regional source attribution is based on HCN emissions typical for other types of biomass burning (BB), then biofuel use and total BB will be underestimated in much of the developing world. This is also significant because cooking fires are not detected from space. We estimate that ~2000 Tg/y of garbage are generated globally and about half may be burned, making this a commonly overlooked major global source of emissions. We estimate a fine particle emission factor (EFPM2.5) for garbage burning of ~10.5±8.8 g/kg, which is in reasonable agreement with very limited previous work. We observe large HCl emission factors in the range 2-10 g/kg. Consideration of the Cl content of the global waste stream suggests that garbage burning may generate as much as 6-9 Tg/yr of HCl, which would make it a major source of this compound. HCl generated by garbage burning in dry environments may have a relatively greater atmospheric impact than HCl generated in humid areas. Garbage burning PM2.5 was found to contain levoglucosan and K in concentrations similar to those for biomass burning, so it could be a source of interference in some areas when using

Trace gas and particle emissions from domestic and industrial biofuel use and garbage burning in central Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christian, T. J.; Yokelson, R. J.; Cárdenas, B.; Molina, L. T.; Engling, G.; Hsu, S.-C.

2009-04-01

In central Mexico during the spring of 2007 we measured the initial emissions of 12 gases and the aerosol speciation for elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC), anhydrosugars, Cl-, NO3-, and 20 metals from 10 cooking fires, four garbage fires, three brick making kilns, three charcoal making kilns, and two crop residue fires. Biofuel use has been estimated at over 2600 Tg/y. With several simple case studies we show that cooking fires can be a major, or the major, source of several gases and fine particles in developing countries. Insulated cook stoves with chimneys were earlier shown to reduce indoor air pollution and the fuel use per cooking task. We confirm that they also reduce the emissions of VOC pollutants per mass of fuel burned by about half. We did not detect HCN emissions from cooking fires in Mexico or Africa. Thus, if regional source attribution is based on HCN emissions typical for other types of biomass burning (BB), then biofuel use and total BB will be underestimated in much of the developing world. This is also significant because cooking fires are not detected from space. We estimate that 2000 Tg/y of garbage are generated and about half may be burned, making this a commonly overlooked major global source of emissions. We estimate a fine particle emission factor (EFPM2.5 for garbage burning of ~10±5 g/kg, which is in reasonable agreement with very limited previous work. We observe large HCl emission factors in the range 2-10 g/kg. Consideration of the Cl content of the global waste stream suggests that garbage burning may generate as much as 6-9 Tg/yr of HCl, which would make it a major source of this compound. HCl generated by garbage burning in dry environments may have a relatively greater atmospheric impact than HCl generated in humid areas. Garbage burning PM2.5 was found to contain levoglucosan and K in concentrations similar to those for biomass burning, so it could be a source of interference in some areas when using these tracers to

Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer with Gc Protein-Derived Macrophage-Activating Factor, GcMAF.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki

2008-07-01

Serum Gc protein (known as vitamin D(3)-binding protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage-activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of prostate cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein was deglycosylated by serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Therefore, macrophages of prostate cancer patients having deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be activated, leading to immunosuppression. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent MAF (termed GcMAF) ever discovered, which produces no adverse effect in humans. Macrophages activated by GcMAF develop a considerable variation of receptors that recognize the abnormality in malignant cell surface and are highly tumoricidal. Sixteen nonanemic prostate cancer patients received weekly administration of 100 ng of GcMAF. As the MAF precursor activity increased, their serum Nagalase activity decreased. Because serum Nagalase activity is proportional to tumor burden, the entire time course analysis for GcMAF therapy was monitored by measuring the serum Nagalase activity. After 14 to 25 weekly administrations of GcMAF (100 ng/week), all 16 patients had very low serum Nagalase levels equivalent to those of healthy control values, indicating that these patients are tumor-free. No recurrence occurred for 7 years.

The test ability of fish Tawes to leachate garbage dump (TPA) Benowo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juliardi AR, N. R.; Wiyanti, R. I.

2018-01-01

Leachate is a liquid from waste containing elements of dissolved and suspended elements. Garbage collected at the landfill site contains organic, inorganic and heavy metal substances. If the rains will produce leachate with mineral content, organic and heavy metals. When the condition or leachate flow in let to the soil surface can cause negative effects to the surrounding environment including for humans. Toxicity test it was conducted to determine the level of leachate toxicity of the test animals living in surface water located around of the “TPA Benowo”. In this study using Tawes fish with length between 4-6 cm. In this toxicity test is done in 2 stages, namely: range finding test, the search for this range is obtained 0% concentrations (as control) 0,3%; 0,6%; 0,9%; 0,12% and 0,15%. The next stage of toxicity acute test, at this stage of toxicity concentration do smaller again that is: 0,18%; 0,36%; 0,54%; 0,72% and 0,9%. The results obtained LC50 value of 0,385%, while eyes, brown stomach skin.

Analysis of effluent after anaerobic digestion of liquid phase separated from liquidized garbage.

PubMed

Inoue, Seiichi; Tsukahara, Kenichiro; Sawayama, Shigeki

2002-01-01

The organic compositions of the liquid phase separated from liquidized garbage as the influent and its effluent after anaerobic digestion at an overloading rate were analyzed. A large amount of organic acids was found in the effluent. The accumulation of organic acids suggests that the rate of methanogenesis is lower than that of acidogenesis.

Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer with Gc Protein-Derived Macrophage-Activating Factor, GcMAF1

PubMed Central

Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki

2008-01-01

Serum Gc protein (known as vitamin D3-binding protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage-activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of prostate cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein was deglycosylated by serum α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Therefore, macrophages of prostate cancer patients having deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be activated, leading to immunosuppression. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized β-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent MAF (termed GcMAF) ever discovered, which produces no adverse effect in humans. Macrophages activated by GcMAF develop a considerable variation of receptors that recognize the abnormality in malignant cell surface and are highly tumoricidal. Sixteen nonanemic prostate cancer patients received weekly administration of 100 ng of GcMAF. As the MAF precursor activity increased, their serum Nagalase activity decreased. Because serum Nagalase activity is proportional to tumor burden, the entire time course analysis for GcMAF therapy was monitored by measuring the serum Nagalase activity. After 14 to 25 weekly administrations of GcMAF (100 ng/week), all 16 patients had very low serum Nagalase levels equivalent to those of healthy control values, indicating that these patients are tumor-free. No recurrence occurred for 7 years. PMID:18633461

Preparation of Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF) and its structural characterization and biological activities.

PubMed

Mohamad, Saharuddin Bin; Nagasawa, Hideko; Uto, Yoshihiro; Hori, Hitoshi

2002-01-01

Gc protein has been reported to be a precursor of Gc protein-derived macrophage activation factor (GcMAF) in the inflammation-primed macrophage activation cascade. An inducible beta-galactosidase of B cells and neuraminidase of T cells convert Gc protein to GcMAF. Gc protein from human serum was purified using 25(OH)D3 affinity column chromatography and modified to GcMAF using immobilized glycosidases (beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase) The sugar moiety structure of GcMAF was characterized by lectin blotting by Helix pomatia agglutinin. The biological activities of GcMAF were evaluated by a superoxide generation assay and a phagocytosis assay. We successfully purified Gc protein from human serum. GcMAF was detected by lectin blotting and showed a high biological activity. Our results support the importance of the terminal N-acetylgalactosamine moiety in the GcMAF-mediated macrophage activation cascade, and the existence of constitutive GcMAF in human serum. These preliminary data are important for designing small molecular GcMAF mimics.

75 FR 61121 - Interstate Movement of Garbage From Hawaii; Withdrawal of Finding of No Significant Impact

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-04

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0172] Interstate Movement of Garbage From Hawaii; Withdrawal of Finding of No Significant Impact AGENCY: Animal and... the interstate movement of municipal solid waste [[Page 61122

Response of spinach and komatsuna to biogas effluent made from source-separated kitchen garbage.

PubMed

Furukawa, Yuichiro; Hasegawa, Hiroshi

2006-01-01

Recycling of kitchen garbage is an urgent task for reducing public spending and environmental burdens by incineration and/or landfill. There is an interesting regional effort in Ogawa, Saitama prefecture, Japan, in which source-separated kitchen garbage is anaerobically fermented with a biogas plant and the resultant effluent is used as a quick-release organic fertilizer by surrounding farmers. However, scientific assessments of fertilizer values and risks in the use of the effluent were lacking. Thus, a field experiment was conducted from 2003 to 2004 in Tohoku National Agricultural Research Center to grow spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis L. H. Bailey) for evaluating the fertilizer value of the kitchen garbage effluent (KGE), nitrate, coliform group (CG), Escherichia coli, fecal streptococci (FS), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus concentrations of KGE and in the soil and the plant leaves. A cattle manure effluent (CME) and chemical fertilizers (NPK) were used as controls. Total nitrogen (N) and ammonium N concentrations of the KGE were 1.47 and 1.46 g kg(-1), respectively. The bacteria tested were detected in both biogas effluents in the order of 2 to 3 log CFU g(-1), but there was little evidence that the biogas effluents increased these bacteria in the soil and the plant leaves. At the rate of 22 g N m(-2), yield, total N uptake, apparent N recovery rate, and leaf nitrate ion concentration at harvest of spinach and komatsuna in the KGE plot were mostly comparable to those in the NPK and CME plots. We conclude that the KGE is a quick-release N fertilizer comparable to chemical fertilizers and does not cause contamination of CG, E. coli, FS, or V. parahaemolyticus in the soil and spinach and komatsuna leaves.

Comprehensive evaluation of municipal garbage disposal in Changchun City by the strategic environmental assessment.

PubMed

Xu, Jianling L; Tang, Zhanhui H; Shang, Jincheng C; Zhao, Yuanhui H

2010-06-01

The environmental issues caused by the municipal solid waste disposal are becoming a worldwide concern. We studied the situations both domestically and abroad by the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) approach and also conducted comprehensive evaluations of garbage disposal in Changchun City. On the basis of this study, we found that SEA is of great importance in the municipal solid waste disposal. Moreover, with the rapid socioeconomic development of Changchun City, municipal solid waste production increases on an annual basis, and thus, good waste management planning is of great significance. Considering the situation of the economic development of Changchun City, garbage disposal was handled mainly in the major sanitary landfills with appropriate use of incineration technology. This plan is environmentally friendly at a relatively high degree and has met the requirements of minimum investment. It also takes into account the requirements of the development of incineration technology. Regarding environmental pollution in terms of groundwater pollution and atmospheric pollution, this plan is a feasible one by meeting various requirements with low environmental impact among the three plans discussed in this study.

Clandestine laboratory scene investigation and processing using portable GC/MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matejczyk, Raymond J.

1997-02-01

This presentation describes the use of portable gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for on-scene investigation and processing of clandestine laboratories. Clandestine laboratory investigations present special problems to forensic investigators. These crime scenes contain many chemical hazards that must be detected, identified and collected as evidence. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry performed on-scene with a rugged, portable unit is capable of analyzing a variety of matrices for drugs and chemicals used in the manufacture of illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine. Technologies used to detect various materials at a scene have particular applications but do not address the wide range of samples, chemicals, matrices and mixtures that exist in clan labs. Typical analyses performed by GC/MS are for the purpose of positively establishing the identity of starting materials, chemicals and end-product collected from clandestine laboratories. Concerns for the public and investigator safety and the environment are also important factors for rapid on-scene data generation. Here is described the implementation of a portable multiple-inlet GC/MS system designed for rapid deployment to a scene to perform forensic investigations of clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories. GC/MS has long been held as the 'gold standard' in performing forensic chemical analyses. With the capability of GC/MS to separate and produce a 'chemical fingerprint' of compounds, it is utilized as an essential technique for detecting and positively identifying chemical evidence. Rapid and conclusive on-scene analysis of evidence will assist the forensic investigators in collecting only pertinent evidence thereby reducing the amount of evidence to be transported, reducing chain of custody concerns, reducing costs and hazards, maintaining sample integrity and speeding the completion of the investigative process.

Selection and screening of microbial consortia for efficient and ecofriendly degradation of plastic garbage collected from urban and rural areas of Bangalore, India.

PubMed

Skariyachan, Sinosh; Megha, M; Kini, Meghna Niranjan; Mukund, Kamath Manali; Rizvi, Alya; Vasist, Kiran

2015-01-01

Industrialization and urbanization have led to massive accumulation of plastic garbage all over India. The persistence of plastic in soil and aquatic environment has become ecological threat to the metropolitan city such as Bangalore, India. Present study investigates an ecofriendly, efficient and cost-effective approach for plastic waste management by the screening of novel microbial consortia which are capable of degrading plastic polymers. Plastic-contaminated soil and water samples were collected from six hot spots of urban and rural areas of Bangalore. The plastic-degrading bacteria were enriched, and degradation ability was determined by zone of clearance method. The percentage of polymer degradation was initially monitored by weight loss method, and the main isolates were characterized by standard microbiology protocols. These isolates were used to form microbial consortia, and the degradation efficiency of the consortia was compared with individual isolate and known strains obtained from the Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC) and Gene Bank, India. One of the main enzymes responsible for polymer degradation was identified, and the biodegradation mechanism was hypothesized by bioinformatics studies. From this study, it is evident that the bacteria utilized the plastic polymer as a sole source of carbon and showed 20-50% weight reduction over a period of 120 days. The two main bacteria responsible for the degradation were microbiologically characterized to be Pseudomonas spp. These bacteria could grow optimally at 37 °C in pH 9.0 and showed 35-40% of plastic weight reduction over 120 days. These isolates were showed better degradation ability than known strains from MTCC. The current study further revealed that the microbial consortia formulated by combining Psuedomonas spp. showed 40 plastic weight reduction over a period of 90 days. Further, extracellular lipase, one of the main enzymes responsible for polymer degradation, was identified. The

Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic.

PubMed

Lebreton, L; Slat, B; Ferrari, F; Sainte-Rose, B; Aitken, J; Marthouse, R; Hajbane, S; Cunsolo, S; Schwarz, A; Levivier, A; Noble, K; Debeljak, P; Maral, H; Schoeneich-Argent, R; Brambini, R; Reisser, J

2018-03-22

Ocean plastic can persist in sea surface waters, eventually accumulating in remote areas of the world's oceans. Here we characterise and quantify a major ocean plastic accumulation zone formed in subtropical waters between California and Hawaii: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). Our model, calibrated with data from multi-vessel and aircraft surveys, predicted at least 79 (45-129) thousand tonnes of ocean plastic are floating inside an area of 1.6 million km 2 ; a figure four to sixteen times higher than previously reported. We explain this difference through the use of more robust methods to quantify larger debris. Over three-quarters of the GPGP mass was carried by debris larger than 5 cm and at least 46% was comprised of fishing nets. Microplastics accounted for 8% of the total mass but 94% of the estimated 1.8 (1.1-3.6) trillion pieces floating in the area. Plastic collected during our study has specific characteristics such as small surface-to-volume ratio, indicating that only certain types of debris have the capacity to persist and accumulate at the surface of the GPGP. Finally, our results suggest that ocean plastic pollution within the GPGP is increasing exponentially and at a faster rate than in surrounding waters.

Development of an efficient anaerobic co-digestion process for garbage, excreta, and septic tank sludge to create a resource recycling-oriented society.

PubMed

Sun, Zhao-Yong; Liu, Kai; Tan, Li; Tang, Yue-Qin; Kida, Kenji

2017-03-01

In order to develop a resource recycling-oriented society, an efficient anaerobic co-digestion process for garbage, excreta and septic tank sludge was studied based on the quantity of each biomass waste type discharged in Ooki machi, Japan. The anaerobic digestion characteristics of garbage, excreta and 5-fold condensed septic tank sludge (hereafter called condensed sludge) were determined separately. In single-stage mesophilic digestion, the excreta with lower C/N ratios yielded lower biogas volumes and accumulated higher volumes of volatile fatty acid (VFA). On the other hand, garbage allowed for a significantly larger volatile total solid (VTS) digestion efficiency as well as biogas yield by thermophilic digestion. Thus, a two-stage anaerobic co-digestion process consisting of thermophilic liquefaction and mesophilic digestion phases was proposed. In the thermophilic liquefaction of mixed condensed sludge and household garbage (wet mass ratio of 2.2:1), a maximum VTS loading rate of 24g/L/d was achieved. In the mesophilic digestion of mixed liquefied material and excreta (wet mass ratio of 1:1), biogas yield reached approximately 570ml/g-VTS fed with a methane content of 55% at a VTS loading rate of 1.0g/L/d. The performance of the two-stage process was evaluated by comparing it with a single-stage process in which biomass wastes were treated separately. Biogas production by the two-stage process was found to increase by approximately 22.9%. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a two-stage anaerobic co-digestion process in enhancement of biogas production. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 29706 - Interstate Movement of Garbage from Hawaii; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-27

... Service relative to a request to allow the interstate movement of garbage from Hawaii to a landfill in the... of the waste via truck or rail to the landfill. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the... transfer and transportation of the waste via truck or rail to the landfill. \\1\\ To view the environmental...

Schematic for efficient computation of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra of genome

PubMed Central

Rizvi, Ahsan Z; Venu Gopal, T; Bhattacharya, C

2012-01-01

Selection of synonymous codons for an amino acid is biased in protein translation process. This biased selection causes repetition of synonymous codons in structural parts of genome that stands for high N/3 peaks in DNA spectrum. Period-3 spectral property is utilized here to produce a 3-phase network model based on polyphase filterbank concepts for derivation of codon bias spectra (CBS). Modification of parameters in this model can produce GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra. Complete schematic in LabVIEW platform is presented here for efficient and parallel computation of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra of genomes alongwith results of CBS patterns. We have performed the correlation coefficient analysis of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra with codon bias patterns of CBS for biological and statistical significance of this model. PMID:22368390

Schematic for efficient computation of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra of genome.

PubMed

Rizvi, Ahsan Z; Venu Gopal, T; Bhattacharya, C

2012-01-01

Selection of synonymous codons for an amino acid is biased in protein translation process. This biased selection causes repetition of synonymous codons in structural parts of genome that stands for high N/3 peaks in DNA spectrum. Period-3 spectral property is utilized here to produce a 3-phase network model based on polyphase filterbank concepts for derivation of codon bias spectra (CBS). Modification of parameters in this model can produce GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra. Complete schematic in LabVIEW platform is presented here for efficient and parallel computation of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra of genomes alongwith results of CBS patterns. We have performed the correlation coefficient analysis of GC, GC3, and AT3 bias spectra with codon bias patterns of CBS for biological and statistical significance of this model.

"Garbage" In, "Refuse and Refuse Disposal" Out: Making the Most of the Subject Authority File in OPAC.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horn, Marguerite E.

2002-01-01

Discusses the difference in subject access in OPACs (online public access catalogs) between subject searching (authority, alphabetic, or controlled vocabulary) versus keyword searching (uncontrolled, free text, natural language vocabulary). Compares a query on the term "garbage" in two online catalogs and discusses results. (Author/LRW)

[Risk to employees in garbage collection and transport from pathogen exposure].

PubMed

Becker, G; Mathys, W; Neumann, H D; Allmers, H; Balfanz, J

1999-01-01

In a current study funded by the Federal Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene the microbial exposure during waste collection and the health of waste collectors are being examined. The investigation of the exposure is carried out in standard experiments and in field studies. It should give information about the extent of emissions of bacteria and fungi spores und confounding factors. Medical examinations of waste collectors will show if there are special health risks attributable to waste collection.

Immunotherapy of HIV-infected patients with Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF).

PubMed

Yamamoto, Nobuto; Ushijima, Naofumi; Koga, Yoshihiko

2009-01-01

Serum Gc protein (known as vitamin D3-binding protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of HIV-infected patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein is deglycosylated by alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from HIV-infected cells. Therefore, macrophages of HIV-infected patients having deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be activated, leading to immunosuppression. Since Nagalase is the intrinsic component of the envelope protein gp120, serum Nagalase activity is the sum of enzyme activities carried by both HIV virions and envelope proteins. These Nagalase carriers were already complexed with anti-HIV immunoglobulin G (IgG) but retained Nagalase activity that is required for infectivity. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent macrophage activating factor (termed GcMAF), which produces no side effects in humans. Macrophages activated by administration of 100 ng GcMAF develop a large amount of Fc-receptors as well as an enormous variation of receptors that recognize IgG-bound and unbound HIV virions. Since latently HIV-infected cells are unstable and constantly release HIV virions, the activated macrophages rapidly intercept the released HIV virions to prevent reinfection resulting in exhaustion of infected cells. After less than 18 weekly administrations of 100 ng GcMAF for nonanemic patients, they exhibited low serum Nagalase activities equivalent to healthy controls, indicating eradication of HIV-infection, which was also confirmed by no infectious center formation by provirus inducing agent-treated patient PBMCs. No recurrence occurred and their healthy CD + cell counts were maintained for 7 years.

Effect of the Gc-derived macrophage-activating factor precursor (preGcMAF) on phagocytic activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages.

PubMed

Uto, Yoshihiro; Yamamoto, Syota; Takeuchi, Ryota; Nakagawa, Yoshinori; Hirota, Keiji; Terada, Hiroshi; Onizuka, Shinya; Nakata, Eiji; Hori, Hitoshi

2011-07-01

The 1f1f subtype of the Gc protein (Gc(1f1f) protein) was converted into Gc-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) by enzymatic processing in the presence of β-galactosidase of an activated B-cell and sialidase of a T-cell. We hypothesized that preGc(1f1f)MAF, the only Gc(1f1f) protein lacking galactose, can be converted to GcMAF in vivo because sialic acid is cleaved by residual sialidase. Hence, we investigated the effect of preGc(1f1f)MAF on the phagocytic activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages. We examined the sugar moiety of preGc(1f1f)MAF with a Western blot using peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) lectin. We also found that preGc(1f1f)MAF significantly enhanced phagocytic activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages but only in the presence of the mouse peritoneal fluid; the level of phagocytic activity was the same as that observed for GcMAF. PreGc(1f1f)MAF can be used as an effective macrophage activator in vivo.

[In-situ measurement of background atmospheric HCFC-142b using GC-MS and GC-ECD method].

PubMed

Guo, Li-feng; Yao, Bo; Zhou, Ling-xi; Li, Pei-chang; Xu, Lin

2013-05-01

Custom-made GC-MS and GC-ECD in-situ measurement systems were established at the Shangdianzi GAW Regional station. From May 2010 to May 2011, the precisions for GC-MS and GC-ECD systems were 0.23% and 0.88%, respectively, and the HCFC-142b mole fraction during the observation period ranged from 21 x 10(-12) to 355 x 10(-12). The result of the independent-sample T test was P > 0.05, and there was no significant difference in HCFC-142b mole fraction measured by the two systems. The small difference of HCFC-142b mole fraction measured by GC-MS and GC-ECD might be associated with the different sampling time and precision of the two systems. A statistical filter of "robust local regression" was applied to separate HCFC-142b background and pollution data. The mean difference, median difference, 25 and 75 percent difference of background data measured by GC-MS and GC-ECD were all within the precisions. The pollution events captured by the two systems showed similar characters. Results from both systems showed a higher HCFC-142b level in summer and autumn than in winter. The pollution mole fraction of the two systems showed similar seasonal changes.

Intra-genomic GC heterogeneity in sauropsids: evolutionary insights from cDNA mapping and GC3 profiling in snake

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Extant sauropsids (reptiles and birds) are divided into two major lineages, the lineage of Testudines (turtles) and Archosauria (crocodilians and birds) and the lineage of Lepidosauria (tuatara, lizards, worm lizards and snakes). Karyotypes of these sauropsidan groups generally consist of macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. In chicken, microchromosomes exhibit a higher GC-content than macrochromosomes. To examine the pattern of intra-genomic GC heterogeneity in lepidosaurian genomes, we constructed a cytogenetic map of the Japanese four-striped rat snake (Elaphe quadrivirgata) with 183 cDNA clones by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and examined the correlation between the GC-content of exonic third codon positions (GC3) of the genes and the size of chromosomes on which the genes were localized. Results Although GC3 distribution of snake genes was relatively homogeneous compared with those of the other amniotes, microchromosomal genes showed significantly higher GC3 than macrochromosomal genes as in chicken. Our snake cytogenetic map also identified several conserved segments between the snake macrochromosomes and the chicken microchromosomes. Cross-species comparisons revealed that GC3 of most snake orthologs in such macrochromosomal segments were GC-poor (GC3 < 50%) whereas those of chicken orthologs in microchromosomes were relatively GC-rich (GC3 ≥ 50%). Conclusion Our results suggest that the chromosome size-dependent GC heterogeneity had already occurred before the lepidosaur-archosaur split, 275 million years ago. This character was probably present in the common ancestor of lepidosaurs and but lost in the lineage leading to Anolis during the diversification of lepidosaurs. We also identified several genes whose GC-content might have been influenced by the size of the chromosomes on which they were harbored over the course of sauropsid evolution. PMID:23140509

Regulation of sGC via hsp90, Cellular Heme, sGC Agonists, and NO: New Pathways and Clinical Perspectives

PubMed Central

Ghosh, Arnab

2017-01-01

Abstract Significance: Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is an intracellular enzyme that plays a primary role in sensing nitric oxide (NO) and transducing its multiple signaling effects in mammals. Recent Advances: The chaperone heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) associates with signaling proteins in cells, including sGC, where it helps to drive heme insertion into the sGC-β1 subunit. This allows sGC-β1 to associate with a partner sGC-α1 subunit and mature into an NO-responsive active form. Critical Issues: In this article, we review evidence to date regarding the mechanisms that modulate sGC activity by a pathway where binding of hsp90 or sGC agonist to heme-free sGC dictates the assembly and fate of an active sGC heterodimer, both by NO and heme-dependent or heme-independent pathways. Future Directions: We discuss some therapeutic implications of the NO-sGC-hsp90 nexus and its potential as a marker of inflammatory disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 182–190. PMID:26983679

Mutational Biases and GC-Biased Gene Conversion Affect GC Content in the Plastomes of Dendrobium Genus

PubMed Central

Niu, Zhitao; Xue, Qingyun; Wang, Hui; Xie, Xuezhu; Zhu, Shuying; Liu, Wei; Ding, Xiaoyu

2017-01-01

The variation of GC content is a key genome feature because it is associated with fundamental elements of genome organization. However, the reason for this variation is still an open question. Different kinds of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the variation of GC content during genome evolution. However, these hypotheses have not been explicitly investigated in whole plastome sequences. Dendrobium is one of the largest genera in the orchid species. Evolutionary studies of the plastomic organization and base composition are limited in this genus. In this study, we obtained the high-quality plastome sequences of D. loddigesii and D. devonianum. The comparison results showed a nearly identical organization in Dendrobium plastomes, indicating that the plastomic organization is highly conserved in Dendrobium genus. Furthermore, the impact of three evolutionary forces—selection, mutational biases, and GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC)—on the variation of GC content in Dendrobium plastomes was evaluated. Our results revealed: (1) consistent GC content evolution trends and mutational biases in single-copy (SC) and inverted repeats (IRs) regions; and (2) that gBGC has influenced the plastome-wide GC content evolution. These results suggest that both mutational biases and gBGC affect GC content in the plastomes of Dendrobium genus. PMID:29099062

β-Galactosidase treatment is a common first-stage modification of the three major subtypes of Gc protein to GcMAF.

PubMed

Uto, Yoshihiro; Yamamoto, Syota; Mukai, Hirotaka; Ishiyama, Noriko; Takeuchi, Ryota; Nakagawa, Yoshinori; Hirota, Keiji; Terada, Hiroshi; Onizuka, Shinya; Hori, Hitoshi

2012-06-01

The 1f1f subtype of the group-specific component (Gc) protein is converted into Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) by enzymatic processing with β-galactosidase and sialidase. We previously demonstrated that preGc(1f1f)MAF, a full Gc(1f1f) protein otherwise lacking a galactosyl moiety, can be converted to GcMAF by treatment with mouse peritoneal fluid. Here, we investigated the effects of the β-galactosidase-treated 1s1s and 22 subtypes of Gc protein (preGc(1s1s)MAF and preGc₂₂MAF) on the phagocytic activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages. We demonstrated the presence of Gal-GalNAc disaccharide sugar structures in the Gc(1s1s) protein by western blotting using peanut agglutinin and Helix pomatia agglutinin lectin. We also found that preGc(1s1s)MAF and preGc₂₂MAF significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages in the presence and absence of mouse peritoneal fluid. We demonstrate that preGc(1s1s)MAF and preGc₂₂MAF proteins can be used as effective macrophage activators.

Genotoxicity of the extracts from the compost of the organic and the total municipal garbage using three plant bioassays.

PubMed

Cabrera, G L; Rodriguez, D M; Maruri, A B

1999-05-19

The production of compost is one of the alternatives for the disposal of non-hazardous solid wastes. Compost is used in agriculture and gardening as fertilizer. In the State of Queretaro, Mexico, there is a project to produce compost from the municipal garbage which could be used as a fertilizer. The presence of mutagenic compounds in the compost could be a major disadvantage for the selection of this alternative. For the above reason, this study was initiated as a pilot project to determine the potential mutagenic activity in the compost using three plant bioassays: Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN), Tradescantia stamen hair mutations (Trad-SHM) and Allium root anaphase aberrations (AL-RAA). Compost was produced using both aerobic and anaerobic processes from either organic waste (from the residential area) or from the total components of the municipal garbage. Extractions from the compost were done using distilled water and organic solvents and shaking the sample for about 12 h under relatively low temperatures (15-20 degrees C). Plant cuttings of Tradescantia or the roots of Allium were treated by submerging them in the extracts. Three replicates of each sample were analyzed in each one of the three bioassays. As expected the samples of compost from the total garbage showed a higher genetoxicity than those from organic waste. In conclusion, there are some substances present in the compost capable of inducing genotoxicity in the plant assays and therefore there must be some restrictions for its use as a fertilizer. Copyright 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

GC-MS determination of levoglucosan in atmospheric particulate matter collected over different filter materials.

PubMed

Fabbri, Daniele; Modelli, Stefano; Torri, Cristian; Cemin, Andrea; Ragazzi, Marco; Scaramuzza, Patrizia

2008-12-01

An analytical procedure consisting of ultrasonic extraction with acetonitrile, trimethylsilylation and GC-MS analysis was applied to the determination of levoglucosan (LG) in aerosol collected with three different filter types (teflon, quartz, glass). Methyl-beta-L-arabinopyranoside (MA) and sedoheptulosan (SD, 2,7-anhydro-beta-D-altro-heptulopyranose) were investigated as recovery standards. Mean recovery of MA decreased in the order 82%, 78%, 74% and that of SD from 82% to 76% and 32% from teflon, quartz and glass blank filters, respectively, whereas recovery of LG was little affected (80-86%). The extraction efficiency from glass filters could be increased by using methanol in place of acetonitrile, but recovery of SD remained inadequate. Internal calibration with MA was linear in the 0.035-70 microg mL(-1) LG concentration interval. The method was tested on different air filter materials utilized to sample PM(10) in outdoor air and wood smoke emitted from stove and boiler encompassing LG concentrations from 0.06 to 230 microg m(-3) with RSD in the 2.9-22% range. The application of the method in aerosol sampled in alpine zones of Italy revealed a linear correlation between LG and PM(10) concentrations with a higher proportion of LG in winter and in rural areas where the use of woody biomass for residential heating is widespread.

GC and GC-MS characterization of crude oil transformation in sediments and microbial mat samples after the 1991 oil spill in the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast.

PubMed

Garcia de Oteyza, T; Grimalt, J O

2006-02-01

The massive oil discharge in the Saudi Arabian coast at the end of the 1991 Gulf War is used here as a natural experiment to study the ability of microbial mats to transform oil residues after major spills. The degree of oil transformation has been evaluated from the analysis of the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil-polluted microbial mat samples from coastal environments exhibited an intermediate degree of transformation between that observed in superficial and deep sediments. Evaporation, photo-oxidation and water-washing seemed to lead to more effective and rapid elimination of hydrocarbons than cyanobacteria and its associated microorganisms. Furthermore, comparison of some compounds (e.g. regular isoprenoid hydrocarbons or alkylnaphthalenes) in the oil collected in the area after the spill or in the mixtures retained by cyanobacterial growth gave rise to an apparent effect of hydrocarbon preservation in the microbial mat ecosystems.

75 FR 10025 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Forms 8038, 8038-G, and 8038-GC

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-04

... 8038, 8038-G, and 8038-GC AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request... comments concerning Form 8038, Information Return for Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bond Issues, Form 8038-G... Bond Issues (Form 8038), Information Return for Tax-Exempt Governmental Obligation (Form 8038-G), and...

Trace gas and particle emissions from domestic and industrial biofuel use and garbage burning in central Mexico

Treesearch

T. J. Christian; R. J. Yokelson; B. Cardenas; L. T. Molina; G. Engling; S.-C. Hsu

2010-01-01

In central Mexico during the spring of 2007 we measured the initial emissions of 12 gases and the aerosol speciation for elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC), anhydrosugars, Cl-, NO-3 , and 20 metals from 10 cooking fires, four garbage fires, three brick making kilns, three charcoal making kilns, and two crop residue fires. Global biofuel use has been...

Separation of fatty acid methyl esters by GC-online hydrogenation × GC.

PubMed

Delmonte, Pierluigi; Fardin-Kia, Ali Reza; Rader, Jeanne I

2013-02-05

The separation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) provided by a 200 m × 0.25 mm SLB-IL111 capillary column is enhanced by adding a second dimension of separation ((2)D) in a GC × GC design. Rather than employing two GC columns of different polarities or using different elution temperatures, the separation in the two-dimensional space is achieved by altering the chemical structure of selected analytes between the two dimensions of separation. A capillary tube coated with palladium is added between the first dimension of separation ((1)D) column and the cryogenic modulator, providing the reduction of unsaturated FAMEs to their fully saturated forms. The (2)D separation is achieved using a 2.5 m × 0.10 mm SLB-IL111 capillary column and separates FAMEs based solely on their carbon skeleton. The two-dimensional separation can be easily interpreted based on the principle that all the saturated FAMEs lie on a straight diagonal line bisecting the separation plane, while the FAMEs with the same carbon skeleton but differing in the number, geometric configuration or position of double bonds lie on lines parallel to the (1)D time axis. This technique allows the separation of trans fatty acids (FAs) and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) in a single experiment and eliminates the overlap between PUFAs with different chain lengths. To our knowledge, this the first example of GC × GC in which a chemical change is instituted between the two dimensions to alter the relative retentions of components and identify unsaturated FAMEs.

Hospitals as factories of medical garbage.

PubMed

Hodges, Sarah

2017-12-01

Over the course of the twentieth century, as hospitals cleaned up, they came to produce more and more rubbish. Beginning in the 1970s and gaining pace in the 1980s and 1990s, single-use plastic items (syringes, blood bags, tubing) saturated everyday medical practice across the globe. This essay brings the question of plastic to bear upon the longer history of twentieth century sanitary science. The widespread adoption of single-use disposable medical plastics consolidated a century's worth of changes in medical hygiene. As strange as it may seem today, the initial uptake of medical plastics was not driven primarily by concerns about hygiene. Plastic began as a mid-century technology of convenience and durability. It was not until the end of the twentieth century that it morphed into a powerful symbol and instrument of medical hygiene. Today, both patients and practitioners have embraced plastic as an indispensable technology of clean medicine. The procession of single-use medical plastics through everyday medicine now comprises a constant, if disposable, infrastructure of medical hygiene. This new processional infrastructure of disposable hygiene has produced another, albeit unintended, consequence. This new regime has exponentially increased hospitals' material outputs. In so doing, plastic has refigured the ecologies of everyday medicine. Plastic hygiene has rendered hospitals factories of medical garbage.

[Microbial exposure in collection of residential garbage--results of field studies].

PubMed

Neumann, H D; Balfanz, J

1999-01-01

Since 1995 the communal accident insurance carrier of the county Wetfalen-Lippe conducts investigations into the exposure to biological agents related to refuse collection. Total fungal exposure during refuse collection turned out to range from 10,000 up to 750,000 colony forming units per cubic meter. Most of the measurement values exceeded the limit of 50,000. During hot periods in the summertime, the concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus increased up to 90,000 cfu/m3. The mean values of the bacterial concentrations ranged from 15,000 up to 50,000 cfu/m3, the endotoxin concentration from 12 up to 59 EU/m3. In the driver's cabin fungal exposure sometimes exceeded 10,000 cfu/m3 especially in autumn and winter. Maximum values were 5,000 cfu/m3 for bacteria and 15 EU/m3 for endotoxins. High values were measured irrespective of the kind of refuse.

Litter survey detects the South Atlantic 'garbage patch'.

PubMed

Ryan, Peter G

2014-02-15

A distance-based technique was used to assess the distribution and abundance of floating marine debris (>1cm) in the southeast Atlantic Ocean between Cape Town and Tristan da Cunha, crossing the southern edge of the South Atlantic 'garbage patch' predicted by surface drift models. Most litter was made of plastic (97%). Detection distances were influenced by the size and buoyancy of litter items. Litter density decreased from coastal waters off Cape Town (>100 items km(-2)) to oceanic waters (<10 items km(-2)), and was consistently higher (6.2 ± 1.3 items km(-2)) from 3 to 8°E than in adjacent oceanic waters (2.7 ± 0.3 items km(-2)) or in the central South Atlantic around Tristan (1.0 ± 0.4 items km(-2)). The area with high litter density had few seaweeds, suggesting that most litter had been drifting for a long time. The results indicate that floating debris is accumulating in the South Atlantic gyre as far south as 34-35°S. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is chondroitin sulfate responsible for the biological effects attributed to the GC protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF)?

PubMed

Ruggiero, Marco; Reinwald, Heinz; Pacini, Stefania

2016-09-01

We hypothesize that a plasma glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate, may be responsible for the biological and clinical effects attributed to the Gc protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF), a protein that is extracted from human blood. Thus, Gc protein binds chondroitin sulfate on the cell surface and such an interaction may occur also in blood, colostrum and milk. This interpretation would solve the inconsistencies encountered in explaining the effects of GcMAF in vitro and in vivo. According to our model, the Gc protein or the GcMAF bind to chondroitin sulfate both on the cell surface and in bodily fluids, and the resulting multimolecular complexes, under the form of oligomers trigger a transmembrane signal or, alternatively, are internalized and convey the signal directly to the nucleus thus eliciting the diverse biological effects observed for both GcMAF and chondroitin sulfate. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of a Direct Headspace Collection Method from Arabidopsis Seedlings Using HS-SPME-GC-TOF-MS Analysis

PubMed Central

Kusano, Miyako; Iizuka, Yumiko; Kobayashi, Makoto; Fukushima, Atsushi; Saito, Kazuki

2013-01-01

Plants produce various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are thought to be a crucial factor in their interactions with harmful insects, plants and animals. Composition of VOCs may differ when plants are grown under different nutrient conditions, i.e., macronutrient-deficient conditions. However, in plants, relationships between macronutrient assimilation and VOC composition remain unclear. In order to identify the kinds of VOCs that can be emitted when plants are grown under various environmental conditions, we established a conventional method for VOC profiling in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) involving headspace-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-TOF-MS). We grew Arabidopsis seedlings in an HS vial to directly perform HS analysis. To maximize the analytical performance of VOCs, we optimized the extraction method and the analytical conditions of HP-SPME-GC-TOF-MS. Using the optimized method, we conducted VOC profiling of Arabidopsis seedlings, which were grown under two different nutrition conditions, nutrition-rich and nutrition-deficient conditions. The VOC profiles clearly showed a distinct pattern with respect to each condition. This study suggests that HS-SPME-GC-TOF-MS analysis has immense potential to detect changes in the levels of VOCs in not only Arabidopsis, but other plants grown under various environmental conditions. PMID:24957989

Trace gas and particle emissions from domestic and industrial biofuel use and garbage burning in central Mexico

Treesearch

T. J. Christian; R. J. Yokelson; B. Cardenas; L. T. Molina; G. Engling; S.-C. Hsu

2009-01-01

In central Mexico during the spring of 2007 we measured the initial emissions of 12 gases and the aerosol speciation for elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC), anhydrosugars, Cl-, NO-3 , and 20 metals from 10 cooking fires, four garbage fires, three brick making kilns, three charcoal making kilns, and two crop residue fires. Biofuel use has been estimated at over 2600...

f-treeGC: a questionnaire-based family tree-creation software for genetic counseling and genome cohort studies.

PubMed

Tokutomi, Tomoharu; Fukushima, Akimune; Yamamoto, Kayono; Bansho, Yasushi; Hachiya, Tsuyoshi; Shimizu, Atsushi

2017-07-14

The Tohoku Medical Megabank project aims to create a next-generation personalized healthcare system by conducting large-scale genome-cohort studies involving three generations of local residents in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We collected medical and genomic information for developing a biobank to be used for this healthcare system. We designed a questionnaire-based pedigree-creation software program named "f-treeGC," which enables even less experienced medical practitioners to accurately and rapidly collect family health history and create pedigree charts. f-treeGC may be run on Adobe AIR. Pedigree charts are created in the following manner: 1) At system startup, the client is prompted to provide required information on the presence or absence of children; f-treeGC is capable of creating a pedigree up to three generations. 2) An interviewer fills out a multiple-choice questionnaire on genealogical information. 3) The information requested includes name, age, gender, general status, infertility status, pregnancy status, fetal status, and physical features or health conditions of individuals over three generations. In addition, information regarding the client and the proband, and birth order information, including multiple gestation, custody, multiple individuals, donor or surrogate, adoption, and consanguinity may be included. 4) f-treeGC shows only marriages between first cousins via the overlay function. 5) f-treeGC automatically creates a pedigree chart, and the chart-creation process is visible for inspection on the screen in real time. 6) The genealogical data may be saved as a file in the original format. The created/modified date and time may be changed as required, and the file may be password-protected and/or saved in read-only format. To enable sorting or searching from the database, the file name automatically contains the terms typed into the entry fields, including physical features or health conditions, by default. 7

Biological, Physical, And Chemical Data From Gulf of Mexico Core PE0305-GC1

USGS Publications Warehouse

Osterman, Lisa E.; Swarzenski, Peter W.; Hollander, David

2010-01-01

This paper presents benthic foraminiferal census data, and magnetic susceptibility, 210Pb , radiocarbon, and geochemical measurements from gravity core PE0305-GC1 (=GC1). Core GC1 was collected from the Louisiana continental shelf as part of an initiative to investigate the geographic and temporal extent of hypoxia, low-oxygen water, in the Gulf of Mexico. Hypoxia (<1.4 ml/l or <2 ppm oxygen concentration) in Gulf of Mexico waters can eventually lead to death of marine species. The development of hypoxia off the Mississippi delta has increased steadily since routine and systematic measurements were begun in 1985 and has been linked to the use of fertilizer in the Mississippi basin. Benthic foraminifers provide a proxy to track the development of hypoxia prior to 1985. Previous work determined that the relative occurrence of three low-oxygen-tolerant species is highest in the hypoxia zone. The cumulative percentage of these three species (% Pseudononion atlanticum + % Epistominella vitrea, + % Buliminella morgani = PEB index of hypoxia) was used to investigate fluctuation in paleohypoxia in four cores, including the upper 60 cm of GC1. In this report, we compile all available data from GC1 as the basis for further publications.

Results of the First Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) GC-MS Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buch, Arnaud; Pinnick, Veronica; Szopa, Cyril; Danell, Ryan; Grand, Noel; Van Amerom, Friso; Glavin, Daniel; Freissinet, Caroline; Humeau, Olivier; Coll, Patrice; Arevalo, Ricardo; Stalport, Fabien; Brinckerhoff, William; Steininger, Harald; Goesmann, Fred; Mahaffy, Paul; Raulin, Francois

2014-11-01

The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) aboard the ExoMars rover will be a key analytical tool in providing chemical (molecular) information from the solid samples collected by the rover, with a particular focus on the char-acterization of the organic content. The core of the MOMA instrument is a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) which provides the unique capability to characterize a broad range of compounds, including both of volatile and non-volatile species. Samples will be crushed and deposited into sample cups seated in a rotating carousel. Soil samples will be analyzed either by UV laser desorption / ionization (LDI) or pyrolysis gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (pyr-GC-ITMS).The French GC brassboard was coupled to the US ion trap mass spectrometer brassboard in a flight-like con-figuration for several coupling campains. The MOMA GC setup is based on the SAM heritage design with a He reservoir and 4 separate analytical modules including traps, columns and Thermal Conductivity Detectors. Solid samples are sealed and heated in this setup using a manual tapping station, designed and built at MPS in Germany, for GC-MS analysis. The gaseous species eluting from the GC are then ionized by an electron impact ionization source in the MS chamber and analyzed by the linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Volatile and non-volatile compounds were injected in the MOMA instrumental suite. Both of these compounds classes were detected by the TCD and by the MS. MS signal (total ion current) and single mass spectra by comparison with the NIST library, gave us an unambiguous confirmation of these identifications. The mass spectra arise from an average of 10 mass spectra averaged around a given time point in the total ion chromatogram.Based on commercial instrument, the MOMA requirement for sensitivity in the GC-MS mode for organic molecules is 1 pmol. In this test, sensitivity was determined for the GC TCD and MS response to a dilution

Medicines discarded in household garbage: analysis of a pharmaceutical waste sample in Vienna.

PubMed

Vogler, Sabine; Leopold, Christine; Zuidberg, Christel; Habl, Claudia

2014-01-01

To analyze a sample of pharmaceutical waste drawn from household garbage in Vienna, with the aim to learn whether and which medicines end up unused in normal household waste. We obtained a pharmaceutical waste sample from the Vienna Municipal Waste Department. This was drawn by their staff in a representative search in October and November 2009. We did a manual investigation of the sample which contained packs and loose blisters, excluded medical devices and traced loose blisters back to medicines packs. We reported information on the prescription status, origin, therapeutic group, dose form, contents and expiry date. We performed descriptive statistics for the total data set and for sub-groups (e.g. items still containing some of original content). In total, 152 packs were identified, of which the majority was prescription-only medicines (74%). Cardiovascular medicines accounted for the highest share (24%). 87% of the packs were in oral form. 95% of the packs had not expired. 14.5% of the total data set contained contents but the range of content left in the packs varied. Results on the packs with contents differed from the total: the shares of Over-the Counter medicines (36%), of medicines of the respiratory system (18%) and of the musculo-skeletal system (18%), for dermal use (23%) and of expired medicines (19%) were higher compared to the full data set. The study showed that some medicines end up unused or partially used in normal household garbage in Vienna. Our results did not confirm speculations about a high percentage of unused medicines improperly discarded. There is room for improved patient information and counseling to enhance medication adherence and a proper discharge of medicines.

Evaluation of volatiles from two subtropical strawberry cultivars using GC-olfactometry, GC-MS odor activity values, and sensory analysis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Flavor profiles of two Florida strawberry cultivars were determined using GC-olfactometry,GC-MS, odor activity values (OAVs) and sensory analysis. Thirty-six aroma active compounds were detected using GC-O. Thirty-four were identified. The major odor-active compounds in decreasing intensity were: me...

Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE): Emissions of particulate matter from garbage burning, wood and dung cooking fires, motorcycles and brick kilns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jayarathne, T. S.; Rathnayake, C.; Stockwell, C.; Daugherty, K.; Islam, R. M.; Christian, T. J.; Bhave, P.; Praveen, P. S.; Panday, A. K.; Adhikari, S.; Rasmi, M.; Goetz, D.; DeCarlo, P. F.; Saikawa, E.; Yokelson, R. J.; Stone, E. A.

2016-12-01

The Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMASTE) field campaign targeted the in-situ characterization of widespread and under-sampled combustion sources in South Asia by determining emission factors (EF) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon, inorganic ions, trace metals, and organic species. Garbage burning had the highest EF PM2.5 among the sampled sources ranging 7-124 g kg-1, with maximum EFs for garbage burned under higher moisture conditions. Garbage burning emissions contained high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn) that are associated with acute and chronic health effects. Triphenylbenzene and antimony (Sb) were unique to garbage burning are good candidates for tracing this source. Cook stove emissions varied largely by stove technology (traditional mud stove, 3-stone cooking fire, chimney stove, etc.) and biomass fuel (dung, hardwood, twigs, and mixtures thereof). Burning dung consistently emitted more PM2.5 than burning wood and contained characteristic fecal sterols and stanols. Motorcycle emissions were evaluated before and after servicing, which decreased EF PM2.5 from 8.8 g kg-1 to 0.7 g kg-1. Organic species analysis indicated that this reduction in PM2.5­ is largely due to a decrease in emission of motor oil. For brick kilns, the forced draft zig-zag kilns had higher EF PM2.5 (12-19 g kg-1) compared to clamp kilns (8-13 g kg-1) and also exhibited chemical differences. PM2.5 emitted from the zig-zag kiln were mainly OC (7%), sulfate (32%) and uncharacterized chemical components (60%), while clamp kiln emissions were dominated by OC (64%) and ammonium sulfate (36%). The quantitative emission factors developed in this study may be used for source apportionment and to update regional emission inventories.

Analysis of pesticide residues in strawberries and soils by GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS and two-dimensional GC-time-of-flight MS comparing organic and integrated pest management farming.

PubMed

Fernandes, Virgínia C; Lehotay, Steven J; Geis-Asteggiante, Lucía; Kwon, Hyeyoung; Mol, Hans G J; van der Kamp, Henk; Mateus, Nuno; Domingues, Valentina F; Delerue-Matos, Cristina

2014-01-01

This study analysed 22 strawberry and soil samples after their collection over the course of 2 years to compare the residue profiles from organic farming with integrated pest management practices in Portugal. For sample preparation, we used the citrate-buffered version of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. We applied three different methods for analysis: (1) 27 pesticides were targeted using LC-MS/MS; (2) 143 were targeted using low pressure GC-tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS/MS); and (3) more than 600 pesticides were screened in a targeted and untargeted approach using comprehensive, two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF-MS). Comparison was made of the analyses using the different methods for the shared samples. The results were similar, thereby providing satisfactory confirmation of both similarly positive and negative findings. No pesticides were found in the organic-farmed samples. In samples from integrated pest management practices, nine pesticides were determined and confirmed to be present, ranging from 2 µg kg(-1) for fluazifop-p-butyl to 50 µg kg(-1) for fenpropathrin. Concentrations of residues in strawberries were less than European maximum residue limits.

Identification (GC and GC-MS) of unsaturated acetates in Elasmopalpus lignosellus and their biological activity (GC-EAD and EAG).

PubMed

Jham, Gulab N; da Silva, Alexsandro A; Lima, Eraldo R; Viana, Paulo

2005-02-01

Two insect colonies of Elasmopalpus lignosellus were reared in our laboratory, the first being initiated from pupae obtained from a cornfield in the region of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais and the second from a cornfield in the region of Goiânia, Goiás. From the two colonies, two extracts were prepared from the pheromone glands of virgin E. lignosellus females. The extract obtained from the first colony was designated as extract 1 while the extract obtained from the second colony was designated as extract 2. Extract 1 was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate [(Z)-9-HDA] and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate [(Z)-11-HDA] being identified and confirmed by the formation of DMDS derivatives. In addition, a third acetate, which could be either (E)-8-hexadecenyl acetate [(E)-8-HDA] or (E)-9-hexadecenyl acetate [(E)-9-HDA] was detected by GC-MS. Extract 2 was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-electroannetography (GC-EAD) revealing the presence of (Z)-11-HDA and (Z)-9-TDA. In addition, the same compounds elicited a response with the E. lignosellus male antenna obtained from the second insect colony. Electroantennography (EAG) screening with the male E. lignosellus antenna (obtained from the second insect colony) was conducted with the 23 possible tetradecenyl acetates (TDA) and 22 hexadecenyl acetates (HDA) as standards. Out of the 23 TDA isomers evaluated, only (Z)-9-TDA elicited a response and out of the 22 HDA [(Z) and (E) isomers gamma2 to delta13] evaluated only (Z)-11-HDA elicited a response. The acetate compositions of two extracts obtained from insects originating from the two states (Minas Gerais and Goiás) of Brazil were different from one another as well as from that obtained from insects in Tifton, GA, USA. The bioactivity data (GC-EAD) of the extract 2 differed from those reported for the Tifton, GA, USA population. These data suggest polymorphism in relation to the insect populations found in

Sensitivity of GC-EI/MS, GC-EI/MS/MS, LC-ESI/MS/MS, LC-Ag(+) CIS/MS/MS, and GC-ESI/MS/MS for analysis of anabolic steroids in doping control.

PubMed

Cha, Eunju; Kim, Sohee; Kim, Ho Jun; Lee, Kang Mi; Kim, Ki Hun; Kwon, Oh-Seung; Lee, Jaeick

2015-01-01

This study compared the sensitivity of various separation and ionization methods, including gas chromatography with an electron ionization source (GC-EI), liquid chromatography with an electrospray ionization source (LC-ESI), and liquid chromatography with a silver ion coordination ion spray source (LC-Ag(+) CIS), coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS) for steroid analysis. Chromatographic conditions, mass spectrometric transitions, and ion source parameters were optimized. The majority of steroids in GC-EI/MS/MS and LC-Ag(+) CIS/MS/MS analysis showed higher sensitivities than those obtained with other analytical methods. The limits of detection (LODs) of 65 steroids by GC-EI/MS/MS, 68 steroids by LC-Ag(+) CIS/MS/MS, 56 steroids by GC-EI/MS, 54 steroids by LC-ESI/MS/MS, and 27 steroids by GC-ESI/MS/MS were below cut-off value of 2.0 ng/mL. LODs of steroids that formed protonated ions in LC-ESI/MS/MS analysis were all lower than the cut-off value. Several steroids such as unconjugated C3-hydroxyl with C17-hydroxyl structure showed higher sensitivities in GC-EI/MS/MS analysis relative to those obtained using the LC-based methods. The steroids containing 4, 9, 11-triene structures showed relatively poor sensitivities in GC-EI/MS and GC-ESI/MS/MS analysis. The results of this study provide information that may be useful for selecting suitable analytical methods for confirmatory analysis of steroids. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Identification of keto- and hydroxy-dicarboxylic acids in remote marine aerosols from the western North Pacific: GC and GC/TOF-MS measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vani, D.; Kawamura, K.; Tachibana, E.; Boreddy, S. K. R.

2015-12-01

Dicarboxylic acids (diacids) are dominant components of organic aerosols in the atmosphere. They contribute significantly to the total aerosol mass and have a serious impacts on global climate changes. However, studies on keto- and hydroxy-diacids in marine aerosols are limited. Compare to diacids, keto- and hydroxy-diacids are more hygroscopic due to the additional polar groups (OH and CO) and, hence, acts as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Molecular characterization of these compounds provides insight into organic aerosols sources and transformation pathways. We collected marine aerosols from remote Chichijima Island in the western North Pacific from December 2010 to November 2011 and studied for water-soluble keto- and hydroxy-diacids. Carboxyl groups were derivatized to dibutyl esters with 14% boron trifluoride/n-butanol, whereas hydroxyl groups were derivatized to trimethylsilyl ethers using N,O-Bis (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). After two-step derivatization, samples were injected to GC, GC/MS and GC/TOF-MS. In the GC chromatogram, we detected several new peaks after BSTFA derivatization of dibutyl ester fraction. Based on mass spectral interpretation, we found these peaks as homologues series of hydroxy-diacids and keto-diacids. Some of these hydroxy-diacids have been individually reported in literature in the laboratory photo-oxidation experiments and forest environments samples. But, there are no evidences to prove their sources and formation mechanism in the atmosphere. Here, we report for the first time homologous series of hydroxy-diacids (hC3di-hC6di) and keto-diacid (oxaloacetic acid, enol and keto forms) in remote marine atmosphere. Molecular distributions of hydroxy-diacids generally showed the predominance of malic acid followed by tartronic acid. Both hydroxy- and keto-diacids show significant positive correlation with oxalic acid and SO42-, suggesting that they are generated in the atmosphere and play an important role in the

GC/HRSIR as a Complementary Technique to GC/ECNIMS

EPA Science Inventory

Gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNIMS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for the analysis of appropriate analytes in complex matrices. Its major drawback is often the lack of fragmentation indicative of structure that can be use...

The Met Office Global Coupled Model 3.0 and 3.1 (GC3.0 and GC3.1) Configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, K. D.; Copsey, D.; Blockley, E. W.; Bodas-Salcedo, A.; Calvert, D.; Comer, R.; Davis, P.; Graham, T.; Hewitt, H. T.; Hill, R.; Hyder, P.; Ineson, S.; Johns, T. C.; Keen, A. B.; Lee, R. W.; Megann, A.; Milton, S. F.; Rae, J. G. L.; Roberts, M. J.; Scaife, A. A.; Schiemann, R.; Storkey, D.; Thorpe, L.; Watterson, I. G.; Walters, D. N.; West, A.; Wood, R. A.; Woollings, T.; Xavier, P. K.

2018-02-01

The Global Coupled 3 (GC3) configuration of the Met Office Unified Model is presented. Among other applications, GC3 is the basis of the United Kingdom's submission to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6). This paper documents the model components that make up the configuration (although the scientific descriptions of these components are in companion papers) and details the coupling between them. The performance of GC3 is assessed in terms of mean biases and variability in long climate simulations using present-day forcing. The suitability of the configuration for predictability on shorter time scales (weather and seasonal forecasting) is also briefly discussed. The performance of GC3 is compared against GC2, the previous Met Office coupled model configuration, and against an older configuration (HadGEM2-AO) which was the submission to CMIP5. In many respects, the performance of GC3 is comparable with GC2, however, there is a notable improvement in the Southern Ocean warm sea surface temperature bias which has been reduced by 75%, and there are improvements in cloud amount and some aspects of tropical variability. Relative to HadGEM2-AO, many aspects of the present-day climate are improved in GC3 including tropospheric and stratospheric temperature structure, most aspects of tropical and extratropical variability and top-of-atmosphere and surface fluxes. A number of outstanding errors are identified including a residual asymmetric sea surface temperature bias (cool northern hemisphere, warm Southern Ocean), an overly strong global hydrological cycle and insufficient European blocking.

Medicines discarded in household garbage: analysis of a pharmaceutical waste sample in Vienna

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Objectives To analyze a sample of pharmaceutical waste drawn from household garbage in Vienna, with the aim to learn whether and which medicines end up unused in normal household waste. Methods We obtained a pharmaceutical waste sample from the Vienna Municipal Waste Department. This was drawn by their staff in a representative search in October and November 2009. We did a manual investigation of the sample which contained packs and loose blisters, excluded medical devices and traced loose blisters back to medicines packs. We reported information on the prescription status, origin, therapeutic group, dose form, contents and expiry date. We performed descriptive statistics for the total data set and for sub-groups (e.g. items still containing some of original content). Results In total, 152 packs were identified, of which the majority was prescription-only medicines (74%). Cardiovascular medicines accounted for the highest share (24%). 87% of the packs were in oral form. 95% of the packs had not expired. 14.5% of the total data set contained contents but the range of content left in the packs varied. Results on the packs with contents differed from the total: the shares of Over-the Counter medicines (36%), of medicines of the respiratory system (18%) and of the musculo-skeletal system (18%), for dermal use (23%) and of expired medicines (19%) were higher compared to the full data set. Conclusions The study showed that some medicines end up unused or partially used in normal household garbage in Vienna. Our results did not confirm speculations about a high percentage of unused medicines improperly discarded. There is room for improved patient information and counseling to enhance medication adherence and a proper discharge of medicines. PMID:25848546

[Comparative GC analysis of essential oil in imported sandalwood].

PubMed

Wang, Z; Hong, X

1991-01-01

The GC-fingerprint spectra of essential oils in imported sandalwood are established by the new technique of GC-relative retention value fingerprint spectrum (GC-FPS). According to the GC-FPS of samples, their chromatographic peaks, overlap ratio of peaks and eight strong peaks are studied comparatively.

Automatic 3D kidney segmentation based on shape constrained GC-OAAM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xinjian; Summers, Ronald M.; Yao, Jianhua

2011-03-01

The kidney can be classified into three main tissue types: renal cortex, renal medulla and renal pelvis (or collecting system). Dysfunction of different renal tissue types may cause different kidney diseases. Therefore, accurate and efficient segmentation of kidney into different tissue types plays a very important role in clinical research. In this paper, we propose an automatic 3D kidney segmentation method which segments the kidney into the three different tissue types: renal cortex, medulla and pelvis. The proposed method synergistically combines active appearance model (AAM), live wire (LW) and graph cut (GC) methods, GC-OAAM for short. Our method consists of two main steps. First, a pseudo 3D segmentation method is employed for kidney initialization in which the segmentation is performed slice-by-slice via a multi-object oriented active appearance model (OAAM) method. An improved iterative model refinement algorithm is proposed for the AAM optimization, which synergistically combines the AAM and LW method. Multi-object strategy is applied to help the object initialization. The 3D model constraints are applied to the initialization result. Second, the object shape information generated from the initialization step is integrated into the GC cost computation. A multi-label GC method is used to segment the kidney into cortex, medulla and pelvis. The proposed method was tested on 19 clinical arterial phase CT data sets. The preliminary results showed the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method.

A Fast, Accurate and Sensitive GC-FID Method for the Analyses of Glycols in Water and Urine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuo, C. Mike; Alverson, James T.; Gazda, Daniel B.

2017-01-01

Glycols, specifically ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol, are some of the major organic compounds found in the humidity condensate samples collected on the International Space Station. The current analytical method for glycols is a GC/MS method with direct sample injection. This method is simple and fast, but it is not very sensitive. Reporting limits for ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol are only 1 ppm. A much more sensitive GC/FID method was developed, in which glycols were derivatized with benzoyl chloride for 10 minutes before being extracted with hexane. Using 1,3-propanediol as an internal standard, the detection limits for the GC/FID method was determined to be 50 ppb and the analysis only takes 7 minutes. Data from the GC/MS and the new GC/FID methods shows excellent agreement with each other. Factors affecting the sensitivity, including sample volume, NaOH concentration and volume, volume of benzoyl chloride, reaction time and temperature, were investigated. Interferences during derivatization and possible method to reduce interferences were also investigated.

Genomic Mapping of Human DNA provides Evidence of Difference in Stretch between AT and GC rich regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reifenberger, Jeffrey; Dorfman, Kevin; Cao, Han

Human DNA is a not a polymer consisting of a uniform distribution of all 4 nucleic acids, but rather contains regions of high AT and high GC content. When confined, these regions could have different stretch due to the extra hydrogen bond present in the GC basepair. To measure this potential difference, human genomic DNA was nicked with NtBspQI, labeled with a cy3 like fluorophore at the nick site, stained with YOYO, loaded into a device containing an array of nanochannels, and imaged. Over 473,000 individual molecules of DNA, corresponding to roughly 30x coverage of a human genome, were collected and aligned to the human reference. Based on the known AT/GC content between aligned pairs of labels, the stretch was measured for regions of similar size but different AT/GC content. We found that regions of high GC content were consistently more stretched than regions of high AT content between pairs of labels varying in size between 2.5 kbp and 500 kbp. We measured that for every 1% increase in GC content there was roughly a 0.06% increase in stretch. While this effect is small, it is important to take into account differences in stretch between AT and GC rich regions to improve the sensitivity of detection of structural variations from genomic variations. NIH Grant: R01-HG006851.

Garbage in, Garbage Out: Data Collection, Quality Assessment and Reporting Standards for Social Media Data Use in Health Research, Infodemiology and Digital Disease Detection.

PubMed

Kim, Yoonsang; Huang, Jidong; Emery, Sherry

2016-02-26

Social media have transformed the communications landscape. People increasingly obtain news and health information online and via social media. Social media platforms also serve as novel sources of rich observational data for health research (including infodemiology, infoveillance, and digital disease detection detection). While the number of studies using social data is growing rapidly, very few of these studies transparently outline their methods for collecting, filtering, and reporting those data. Keywords and search filters applied to social data form the lens through which researchers may observe what and how people communicate about a given topic. Without a properly focused lens, research conclusions may be biased or misleading. Standards of reporting data sources and quality are needed so that data scientists and consumers of social media research can evaluate and compare methods and findings across studies. We aimed to develop and apply a framework of social media data collection and quality assessment and to propose a reporting standard, which researchers and reviewers may use to evaluate and compare the quality of social data across studies. We propose a conceptual framework consisting of three major steps in collecting social media data: develop, apply, and validate search filters. This framework is based on two criteria: retrieval precision (how much of retrieved data is relevant) and retrieval recall (how much of the relevant data is retrieved). We then discuss two conditions that estimation of retrieval precision and recall rely on--accurate human coding and full data collection--and how to calculate these statistics in cases that deviate from the two ideal conditions. We then apply the framework on a real-world example using approximately 4 million tobacco-related tweets collected from the Twitter firehose. We developed and applied a search filter to retrieve e-cigarette-related tweets from the archive based on three keyword categories: devices

GC-MS analysis of aroma of Medemia argun (mama-n-khanen or mama-n-xanin), an ancient Egyptian fruit palm.

PubMed

Hamed, Arafa I; Leonardi, Michele; Stochmal, Anna; Oleszek, Wieslaw; Pistelli, Luisa

2012-05-01

The fruits of the edible and medicinal Egyptian palm, Medemia argun, were collected from Aswan in Egypt and the essential oil (EO) from fruits and headspace (HS) of the seeds and fleshy mesocarps were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Results obtained by GC-MS analysis indicated a high variability in the oil and in the headspace from seeds and mesocarps. Sesquiterpene derivatives were the main group of volatiles in the EO from fruits and in the HS from seeds (45.0 and 64.0%, respectively), while oxygenated hydrocarbon derivatives were the main constituents in the HS obtained from fleshy mesocarps (96.5%). The different chemical composition of the headspace obtained from the seeds and mesocarps of M. argun can be correlated with the different roles that the different constituents play in the prevention of dehydration of the fruits in the desert region from where the plant was collected.

The comparison of solid phase microextraction-GC and static headspace-GC for determination of solvent residues in vegetable oils.

PubMed

Ligor, Magdalena; Buszewski, Bogusław

2008-02-01

The objective of these investigations has been the determination of volatile organic compounds including residue solvents present in vegetable oil samples. Some olive oil, rape oil, sunflower oil, soy-bean oil, pumpkin oil, grape oil, rice oil as well as hazel-nut oil samples were analysed. Among residue solvents the following compounds have been mentioned: acetone, n-hexane, benzene, and toluene. Some experiments for the solid phase microextraction (SPME)-GC-flame ionisation detection (FID) were performed to examine extraction conditions such as fiber exposure time, temperature of extraction, and temperature of desorption. Various SPME fibers such as polydimethylsiloxane, Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene coatings were used for the isolation of tested compounds from vegetable oil samples. After optimisation of SPME, real vegetable oil samples were examined using SPME-GC/MS. Based on preliminary experiments the qualitative and quantitative analyses for the determination of acetone, n-hexane, benzene and toluene were performed by SPME-GC-FID and static head-space (SHS)-GC-FID methods. The regression coefficients for calibration curves for the examined compounds were R(2) > or = 0.992. This shows that the used method is linear in the examined concentration range (0.005-0.119 mg/kg for SPME-GC-FID and 0.003-0.728 mg/kg for SHS-GC-FID). Chemical properties of analysed vegetable oils have been characterised by chemometric procedure (cluster analysis).

[Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Garbage, the city and death"-- a German landscape of the soul].

PubMed

Vogt, R

1995-04-01

No other recent "art event" has aroused so much public debate in Germany as Fassbinder's play "Garbage, City, Death" (1976). The controversy it sparked on its appearance has still not entirely died down. In a painstaking psychoanalytic interpretation Vogt first shows that the play achieves an artistic representation of the unconscious dilemma besetting the second generation of non-Jewish Germans in their relationship to National Socialism. In Fassbinder's play this dilemma, which is bound up with vicarious guilt feelings, is however only presented and not in any way worked out. The upshot is that all those forms of identification with German traditions that have been repudiated on a conscious level re-enter, as it were by the back door, and attain a new virulence. The author demonstrates that at the heart of the play a mechanism of guilt-refusal is operative that inverts the historical culprit-victim relation and makes the Germans themselves into the real victims. In the second part of his article Vogt is concerned to situate the play and the controversy surrounding it in a broader political context--Bitburg (1985), the "historians' conflict" (1986), Jenninger's speech (1988)--revealing a specific collective psychological inscape in present-day Germany for which, in its profounder well-springs, Fassbinder's play may be legitimately regarded as symptomatic. Fassbinder (born 1945) articulates for his generation aspects of an "ethnic disturbance" (George Devereux) which continues to persist precisely because there is a German past "that refuses to go away" (Ernst Nolte).

The glycosylation and characterization of the candidate Gc macrophage activating factor.

PubMed

Ravnsborg, Tina; Olsen, Dorthe T; Thysen, Anna Hammerich; Christiansen, Maja; Houen, Gunnar; Højrup, Peter

2010-04-01

The vitamin D binding protein, Gc globulin, has in recent years received some attention for its role as precursor for the extremely potent macrophage activating factor (GcMAF). An O-linked trisaccharide has been allocated to the threonine residue at position 420 in two of the three most common isoforms of Gc globulin (Gc1s and Gc1f). A substitution for a lysine residue at position 420 in Gc2 prevents this isoform from being glycosylated at that position. It has been suggested that Gc globulin subjected sequentially to sialidase and galactosidase treatment generates GcMAF in the form of Gc globulin with only a single GalNAc attached to T420. In this study we confirm the location of a linear trisaccharide on T420. Furthermore, we provide the first structural evidence of the generation of the proposed GcMAF by use of glycosidase treatment and mass spectrometry. Additionally the generated GcMAF candidate was tested for its effect on cytokine release from macrophages in human whole blood. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Garbage in, Garbage Out: Data Collection, Quality Assessment and Reporting Standards for Social Media Data Use in Health Research, Infodemiology and Digital Disease Detection

PubMed Central

Huang, Jidong; Emery, Sherry

2016-01-01

Background Social media have transformed the communications landscape. People increasingly obtain news and health information online and via social media. Social media platforms also serve as novel sources of rich observational data for health research (including infodemiology, infoveillance, and digital disease detection detection). While the number of studies using social data is growing rapidly, very few of these studies transparently outline their methods for collecting, filtering, and reporting those data. Keywords and search filters applied to social data form the lens through which researchers may observe what and how people communicate about a given topic. Without a properly focused lens, research conclusions may be biased or misleading. Standards of reporting data sources and quality are needed so that data scientists and consumers of social media research can evaluate and compare methods and findings across studies. Objective We aimed to develop and apply a framework of social media data collection and quality assessment and to propose a reporting standard, which researchers and reviewers may use to evaluate and compare the quality of social data across studies. Methods We propose a conceptual framework consisting of three major steps in collecting social media data: develop, apply, and validate search filters. This framework is based on two criteria: retrieval precision (how much of retrieved data is relevant) and retrieval recall (how much of the relevant data is retrieved). We then discuss two conditions that estimation of retrieval precision and recall rely on—accurate human coding and full data collection—and how to calculate these statistics in cases that deviate from the two ideal conditions. We then apply the framework on a real-world example using approximately 4 million tobacco-related tweets collected from the Twitter firehose. Results We developed and applied a search filter to retrieve e-cigarette–related tweets from the archive based

Exosomes: From Garbage Bins to Promising Therapeutic Targets

PubMed Central

H. Rashed, Mohammed; Bayraktar, Emine; K. Helal, Gouda; Abd-Ellah, Mohamed F.; Amero, Paola; Chavez-Reyes, Arturo; Rodriguez-Aguayo, Cristian

2017-01-01

Intercellular communication via cell-released vesicles is a very important process for both normal and tumor cells. Cell communication may involve exosomes, small vesicles of endocytic origin that are released by all types of cells and are found in abundance in body fluids, including blood, saliva, urine, and breast milk. Exosomes have been shown to carry lipids, proteins, mRNAs, non-coding RNAs, and even DNA out of cells. They are more than simply molecular garbage bins, however, in that the molecules they carry can be taken up by other cells. Thus, exosomes transfer biological information to neighboring cells and through this cell-to-cell communication are involved not only in physiological functions such as cell-to-cell communication, but also in the pathogenesis of some diseases, including tumors and neurodegenerative conditions. Our increasing understanding of why cells release exosomes and their role in intercellular communication has revealed the very complex and sophisticated contribution of exosomes to health and disease. The aim of this review is to reveal the emerging roles of exosomes in normal and pathological conditions and describe the controversial biological role of exosomes, as it is now understood, in carcinogenesis. We also summarize what is known about exosome biogenesis, composition, functions, and pathways and discuss the potential clinical applications of exosomes, especially as biomarkers and novel therapeutic agents. PMID:28257101

Ecological and evolutionary significance of genomic GC content diversity in monocots

PubMed Central

Šmarda, Petr; Bureš, Petr; Horová, Lucie; Leitch, Ilia J.; Mucina, Ladislav; Pacini, Ettore; Tichý, Lubomír; Grulich, Vít; Rotreklová, Olga

2014-01-01

Genomic DNA base composition (GC content) is predicted to significantly affect genome functioning and species ecology. Although several hypotheses have been put forward to address the biological impact of GC content variation in microbial and vertebrate organisms, the biological significance of GC content diversity in plants remains unclear because of a lack of sufficiently robust genomic data. Using flow cytometry, we report genomic GC contents for 239 species representing 70 of 78 monocot families and compare them with genomic characters, a suite of life history traits and climatic niche data using phylogeny-based statistics. GC content of monocots varied between 33.6% and 48.9%, with several groups exceeding the GC content known for any other vascular plant group, highlighting their unusual genome architecture and organization. GC content showed a quadratic relationship with genome size, with the decreases in GC content in larger genomes possibly being a consequence of the higher biochemical costs of GC base synthesis. Dramatic decreases in GC content were observed in species with holocentric chromosomes, whereas increased GC content was documented in species able to grow in seasonally cold and/or dry climates, possibly indicating an advantage of GC-rich DNA during cell freezing and desiccation. We also show that genomic adaptations associated with changing GC content might have played a significant role in the evolution of the Earth’s contemporary biota, such as the rise of grass-dominated biomes during the mid-Tertiary. One of the major selective advantages of GC-rich DNA is hypothesized to be facilitating more complex gene regulation. PMID:25225383

Efficient production of methane from artificial garbage waste by a cylindrical bioelectrochemical reactor containing carbon fiber textiles

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

A cylindrical bioelectrochemical reactor (BER) containing carbon fiber textiles (CFT; BER + CFT) has characteristics of bioelectrochemical and packed-bed systems. In this study, utility of a cylindrical BER + CFT for degradation of a garbage slurry and recovery of biogas was investigated by applying 10% dog food slurry. The working electrode potential was electrochemically regulated at −0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Stable methane production of 9.37 L-CH4 · L−1 · day−1 and dichromate chemical oxygen demand (CODcr) removal of 62.5% were observed, even at a high organic loading rate (OLR) of 89.3 g-CODcr · L−1 · day−1. Given energy as methane (372.6 kJ · L−1 · day−1) was much higher than input electric energy to the working electrode (0.6 kJ · L−1 · day−1) at this OLR. Methanogens were highly retained in CFT by direct attachment to the cathodic working electrodes (52.3%; ratio of methanogens to prokaryotes), compared with the suspended fraction (31.2%), probably contributing to the acceleration of organic material degradation and removal of organic acids. These results provide insight into the application of cylindrical BER + CFT in efficient methane production from garbage waste including a high percentage of solid fraction. PMID:23497472

A Comparison of Priority-based and Incremental Real-Time Garbage Collectors in the Implementation of the Shadow Design Pattern

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-15

running the real-time application we used in our previous study on IBM WebSphere Real Time. IBM WebSphere Real Time automatically sets Metronome , its...the experiment show that the modified code for the Shadow Design Pattern runs well under Metronome . 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 25 14. SUBJECT TERMS...includes the real-time garbage collector called the Metronome . Unlike the Sun RTGC, we cannot change the priority of the Metronome RTGC. Metronome is

Nonneutral GC3 and retroelement codon mimicry in Phytophthora.

PubMed

Jiang, Rays H Y; Govers, Francine

2006-10-01

Phytophthora is a genus entirely comprised of destructive plant pathogens. It belongs to the Stramenopila, a unique branch of eukaryotes, phylogenetically distinct from plants, animals, or fungi. Phytophthora genes show a strong preference for usage of codons ending with G or C (high GC3). The presence of high GC3 in genes can be utilized to differentiate coding regions from noncoding regions in the genome. We found that both selective pressure and mutation bias drive codon bias in Phytophthora. Indicative for selection pressure is the higher GC3 value of highly expressed genes in different Phytophthora species. Lineage specific GC increase of noncoding regions is reminiscent of whole-genome mutation bias, whereas the elevated Phytophthora GC3 is primarily a result of translation efficiency-driven selection. Heterogeneous retrotransposons exist in Phytophthora genomes and many of them vary in their GC content. Interestingly, the most widespread groups of retroelements in Phytophthora show high GC3 and a codon bias that is similar to host genes. Apparently, selection pressure has been exerted on the retroelement's codon usage, and such mimicry of host codon bias might be beneficial for the propagation of retrotransposons.

Genes encoding intrinsic disorder in Eukaryota have high GC content

PubMed Central

Peng, Zhenling; Uversky, Vladimir N.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT We analyze a correlation between the GC content in genes of 12 eukaryotic species and the level of intrinsic disorder in their corresponding proteins. Comprehensive computational analysis has revealed that the disordered regions in eukaryotes are encoded by the GC-enriched gene regions and that this enrichment is correlated with the amount of disorder and is present across proteins and species characterized by varying amounts of disorder. The GC enrichment is a result of higher rate of amino acid coded by GC-rich codons in the disordered regions. Individual amino acids have the same GC-content profile between different species. Eukaryotic proteins with the disordered regions encoded by the GC-enriched gene segments carry out important biological functions including interactions with RNAs, DNAs, nucleotides, binding of calcium and metal ions, are involved in transcription, transport, cell division and certain signaling pathways, and are localized primarily in nucleus, cytosol and cytoplasm. We also investigate a possible relationship between GC content, intrinsic disorder and protein evolution. Analysis of a devised “age” of amino acids, their disorder-promoting capacity and the GC-enrichment of their codons suggests that the early amino acids are mostly disorder-promoting and their codons are GC-rich while most of late amino acids are mostly order-promoting. PMID:28232902

ADAP-GC 3.0: Improved Peak Detection and Deconvolution of Co-eluting Metabolites from GC/TOF-MS Data for Metabolomics Studies

PubMed Central

Ni, Yan; Su, Mingming; Qiu, Yunping; Jia, Wei

2017-01-01

ADAP-GC is an automated computational pipeline for untargeted, GC-MS-based metabolomics studies. It takes raw mass spectrometry data as input and carries out a sequence of data processing steps including construction of extracted ion chromatograms, detection of chromatographic peak features, deconvolution of co-eluting compounds, and alignment of compounds across samples. Despite the increased accuracy from the original version to version 2.0 in terms of extracting metabolite information for identification and quantitation, ADAP-GC 2.0 requires appropriate specification of a number of parameters and has difficulty in extracting information of compounds that are in low concentration. To overcome these two limitations, ADAP-GC 3.0 was developed to improve both the robustness and sensitivity of compound detection. In this paper, we report how these goals were achieved and compare ADAP-GC 3.0 against three other software tools including ChromaTOF, AnalyzerPro, and AMDIS that are widely used in the metabolomics community. PMID:27461032

ADAP-GC 3.0: Improved Peak Detection and Deconvolution of Co-eluting Metabolites from GC/TOF-MS Data for Metabolomics Studies.

PubMed

Ni, Yan; Su, Mingming; Qiu, Yunping; Jia, Wei; Du, Xiuxia

2016-09-06

ADAP-GC is an automated computational pipeline for untargeted, GC/MS-based metabolomics studies. It takes raw mass spectrometry data as input and carries out a sequence of data processing steps including construction of extracted ion chromatograms, detection of chromatographic peak features, deconvolution of coeluting compounds, and alignment of compounds across samples. Despite the increased accuracy from the original version to version 2.0 in terms of extracting metabolite information for identification and quantitation, ADAP-GC 2.0 requires appropriate specification of a number of parameters and has difficulty in extracting information on compounds that are in low concentration. To overcome these two limitations, ADAP-GC 3.0 was developed to improve both the robustness and sensitivity of compound detection. In this paper, we report how these goals were achieved and compare ADAP-GC 3.0 against three other software tools including ChromaTOF, AnalyzerPro, and AMDIS that are widely used in the metabolomics community.

Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) stimulates cAMP formation in human mononuclear cells and inhibits angiogenesis in chick embryo chorionallantoic membrane assay.

PubMed

Pacini, Stefania; Morucci, Gabriele; Punzi, Tiziana; Gulisano, Massimo; Ruggiero, Marco

2011-04-01

The effects of Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) have been studied in cancer and other conditions where angiogenesis is deregulated. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the mitogenic response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to GcMAF was associated with 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation. The effect was dose dependent, and maximal stimulation was achieved using 0.1 ng/ml. Heparin inhibited the stimulatory effect of GcMAF on PBMCs. In addition, we demonstrate that GcMAF (1 ng/ml) inhibited prostaglandin E(1)- and human breast cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis in chick embryo chorionallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Finally, we tested different GcMAF preparations on CAM, and the assay proved to be a reliable, reproducible and inexpensive method to determine the relative potencies of different preparations and their stability; we observed that storage at room temperature for 15 days decreased GcMAF potency by about 50%. These data could prove useful for upcoming clinical trials on GcMAF.

Bacteriophage GC1, a Novel Tectivirus Infecting Gluconobacter Cerinus, an Acetic Acid Bacterium Associated with Wine-Making.

PubMed

Philippe, Cécile; Krupovic, Mart; Jaomanjaka, Fety; Claisse, Olivier; Petrel, Melina; le Marrec, Claire

2018-01-16

The Gluconobacter phage GC1 is a novel member of the Tectiviridae family isolated from a juice sample collected during dry white wine making. The bacteriophage infects Gluconobacter cerinus , an acetic acid bacterium which represents a spoilage microorganism during wine making, mainly because it is able to produce ethyl alcohol and transform it into acetic acid. Transmission electron microscopy revealed tail-less icosahedral particles with a diameter of ~78 nm. The linear double-stranded DNA genome of GC1 (16,523 base pairs) contains terminal inverted repeats and carries 36 open reading frames, only a handful of which could be functionally annotated. These encode for the key proteins involved in DNA replication (protein-primed family B DNA polymerase) as well as in virion structure and assembly (major capsid protein, genome packaging ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) and several minor capsid proteins). GC1 is the first tectivirus infecting an alphaproteobacterial host and is thus far the only temperate tectivirus of gram-negative bacteria. Based on distinctive sequence and life-style features, we propose that GC1 represents a new genus within the Tectiviridae , which we tentatively named " Gammatectivirus ". Furthermore, GC1 helps to bridge the gap in the sequence space between alphatectiviruses and betatectiviruses.

Tile-based Fisher ratio analysis of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) data using a null distribution approach.

PubMed

Parsons, Brendon A; Marney, Luke C; Siegler, W Christopher; Hoggard, Jamin C; Wright, Bob W; Synovec, Robert E

2015-04-07

Comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) is a versatile instrumental platform capable of collecting highly informative, yet highly complex, chemical data for a variety of samples. Fisher-ratio (F-ratio) analysis applied to the supervised comparison of sample classes algorithmically reduces complex GC × GC-TOFMS data sets to find class distinguishing chemical features. F-ratio analysis, using a tile-based algorithm, significantly reduces the adverse effects of chromatographic misalignment and spurious covariance of the detected signal, enhancing the discovery of true positives while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of detecting false positives. Herein, we report a study using tile-based F-ratio analysis whereby four non-native analytes were spiked into diesel fuel at several concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 ppm. Spike level comparisons were performed in two regimes: comparing the spiked samples to the nonspiked fuel matrix and to each other at relative concentration factors of two. Redundant hits were algorithmically removed by refocusing the tiled results onto the original high resolution pixel level data. To objectively limit the tile-based F-ratio results to only features which are statistically likely to be true positives, we developed a combinatorial technique using null class comparisons, called null distribution analysis, by which we determined a statistically defensible F-ratio cutoff for the analysis of the hit list. After applying null distribution analysis, spiked analytes were reliably discovered at ∼1 to ∼10 ppm (∼5 to ∼50 pg using a 200:1 split), depending upon the degree of mass spectral selectivity and 2D chromatographic resolution, with minimal occurrence of false positives. To place the relevance of this work among other methods in this field, results are compared to those for pixel and peak table-based approaches.

GC-Content of Synonymous Codons Profoundly Influences Amino Acid Usage

PubMed Central

Li, Jing; Zhou, Jun; Wu, Ying; Yang, Sihai; Tian, Dacheng

2015-01-01

Amino acids typically are encoded by multiple synonymous codons that are not used with the same frequency. Codon usage bias has drawn considerable attention, and several explanations have been offered, including variation in GC-content between species. Focusing on a simple parameter—combined GC proportion of all the synonymous codons for a particular amino acid, termed GCsyn—we try to deepen our understanding of the relationship between GC-content and amino acid/codon usage in more details. We analyzed 65 widely distributed representative species and found a close association between GCsyn, GC-content, and amino acids usage. The overall usages of the four amino acids with the greatest GCsyn and the five amino acids with the lowest GCsyn both vary with the regional GC-content, whereas the usage of the remaining 11 amino acids with intermediate GCsyn is less variable. More interesting, we discovered that codon usage frequencies are nearly constant in regions with similar GC-content. We further quantified the effects of regional GC-content variation (low to high) on amino acid usage and found that GC-content determines the usage variation of amino acids, especially those with extremely high GCsyn, which accounts for 76.7% of the changed GC-content for those regions. Our results suggest that GCsyn correlates with GC-content and has impact on codon/amino acid usage. These findings suggest a novel approach to understanding the role of codon and amino acid usage in shaping genomic architecture and evolutionary patterns of organisms. PMID:26248983

Detection of virgin coconut oil adulteration with animal fats using quantitative cholesterol by GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis.

PubMed

Xu, Baocheng; Li, Peiwu; Ma, Fei; Wang, Xiuping; Matthäus, Bertrand; Chen, Ran; Yang, Qingqing; Zhang, Wen; Zhang, Qi

2015-07-01

A new method based on the cholesterol level was developed to detect the presence of animal fats in virgin coconut oil (VCO). In this study, the sterols in VCO and animal fats was separated using conventional one-dimensional gas chromatography (1D GC) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). Compared with 1D GC, the GC×GC system could obtain a complete baseline separation of the sterol trimethylsilyl ethers derived from cholesterol and cholestanol, so that the cholesterol content in pure VCO and false VCO adulterated with animal fats could be accurately determined. Cholesterol, a main sterol found in animal fats, represented less than 5mg/kg of VCO. The study demonstrated that the determination of the cholesterol level in VCO could be used for reliable detection of the presence of lard, chicken fat, mutton tallow, beef tallow, or their mixture in VCO at a level as little as 0.25%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection biomarkers of lung cancer using mini-GC-PID system integrated with micro GC column and micro pre-concentrator

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The survival rate of lung cancer can be significantly improved by monitoring biomarkers in exhaled air that indicate diseases in early stage, so it is very important to develop micro analytical systems which can offer a fast, on-site, real-time detecting biomarkers in exhaled air. In this paper, a mini-gas chromatography (GC)-photo-ionization detector (PID) system integrated with a micro GC column and a micro pre-concentrator was developed for forming an inexpensive, fast, and non-invasive diagnostic tool for lung cancer. This system has very strong concentrate ability owing to its integrated micro pre-concentrator, which make the detection of trace components in exhaled air very easy. In addition, the integrated micro GC column can separate complex mixtures, which overcome low resolution and poor anti-interference ability of other instruments. The results indicated that the mini-GC-PID system can effectively separate and detect the biomarkers at parts-per-billion (ppb) level. PMID:25339856

Urine Multi-drug Screening with GC-MS or LC-MS-MS Using SALLE-hybrid PPT/SPE.

PubMed

Lee, Junhui; Park, Jiwon; Go, Ahra; Moon, Heesung; Kim, Sujin; Jung, Sohee; Jeong, Wonjoon; Chung, Heesun

2018-05-14

To intoxicated patients in the emergency room, toxicological analysis can be considerably helpful for identifying the involved toxicants. In order to develop a urine multi-drug screening (UmDS) method, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) were used to determine targeted and unknown toxicants in urine. A GC-MS method in scan mode was validated for selectivity, limit of detection (LOD) and recovery. An LC-MS-MS multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was validated for lower LOD, recovery and matrix effect. The results of the screening analysis were compared with patient medical records to check the reliability of the screen. Urine samples collected from an emergency room were extracted through a combination of salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) and hybrid protein precipitation/solid phase extraction (hybrid PPT/SPE) plates and examined by GC-MS and LC-MS-MS. GC-MS analysis was performed as unknown drug screen and LC-MS-MS analysis was conducted as targeted drug screen. After analysis by GC-MS, a library search was conducted using an in-house library established with the automated mass spectral deconvolution and identification system (AMDISTM). LC-MS-MS used Cliquid®2.0 software for data processing and acquisition in MRM mode. An UmDS method by GC-MS and LC-MS-MS was developed by using a SALLE-hybrid PPT/SPE and in-house library. The results of UmDS by GC-MS and LC-MS-MS showed that toxicants could be identified from 185 emergency room patient samples containing unknown toxicants. Zolpidem, acetaminophen and citalopram were the most frequently encountered drugs in emergency room patients. The UmDS analysis developed in this study can be used effectively to detect toxic substances in a short time. Hence, it could be utilized in clinical and forensic toxicology practices.

Investigation of Imposter Perfumes Using GC-MS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mowery, Kelly A.; Blanchard, Daniel E.; Smith, Stephanie; Betts, Thomas A.

2004-01-01

An experiment to initiate students into several features of gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers (GC-MS) through the study of branded and counterfeit perfumes is described. The experiment enables the students to appreciate the power of GC-MS in distinguishing between original and imitation perfumes, and in analyzing data with its application…

Comprehensive Evaluation of Repowering Systems for Utilizing Waste Heat from Small Scale Garbage Incineration Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pak, Pyong Sik

This paper evaluates two proposed repowering systems together with a conventional repowering system. A power generation system utilizing waste heat produced by a garbage incineration plant (GIP), which treats 45 t/d of garbage, was taken as an objective power generation system to be repowered. As the conventional repowering system (Sys-C), a gas turbine system with waste heat boiler was adopted. In the proposed system 1 (Sys-P1), temperature of the low temperature steam generated at the GIP is raised in the gas combustor by burning fuel, and used to drive a gas turbine generator. Hence, required power for compressing the air becomes remarkably small and expected to be high efficient compared with Sys-C. In the proposed system 2 (Sys-P2), the low temperature steam generated at the GIP is superheated by using regenerative burner and used to drive a steam turbine generator, and hence making steam condition optimal becomes easy. Various basic characteristics of the three repowering systems were estimated through computer simulation, such as repowering efficiency, energy saving characteristics, and amount of CO2 reduction. It was shown that Sys-P1 and Sys-P2 were both superior to the conventional repowering system Sys-C in the all characteristics, and Sys-P1 to Sys-P2 in repowering efficiency, and that Sys-P2 to Sys-P1 in energy saving characteristics and CO2 reduction effect. It has also been estimated that all the repowering systems are economically feasible, and that the proposed systems Sys-P1 and Sys-P2 are both superior to the Sys-C in the three economical indices of unit cost of power, annual gross profit and depreciation year.

Special antitumor immune effects of laser immunotherapy with SWNT-GC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Feifan; Song, Sheng; Chen, Wei R.

2014-02-01

In our previous work, we constructed a multifunction nano system SWNT-GC, which can synergize photothermal and immunological effects. To further improve the application of this system, we study the cytotoxicity of SWNT-GC and investigate the effects on malignant tumor therapy. Here, we selected the optimal concentration of GC and SWNTs for the stable SWNT-GC construction. No cytotoxicity was observed under the dose used in the experiments. Using mouse melanoma tumor model, Laser+SWNT-GC treatment resulted in a significant mice survival rate, there were no long-term survivors under other treatment. It is providing a promising treatment modality for the malignancy.

Photodegradation of organic matter in fresh garbage leachate using immobilized nano-sized TiO2 as catalysts.

PubMed

Chen, C; Xie, Q; Hu, B Q; Zhao, X L

2014-01-01

Two immobilized nano-sized TiO2 catalysts, TiO2/activated carbon (TiO2/AC) and TiO2/silica gel (SG) (TiO2/SG), were prepared by the sol-gel method, and their use in the photocatalytic degradation of organic matter in fresh garbage leachate under UV irradiation was investigated. The influences of the catalyst dosage, the initial solution pH, H2O2 addition and the reuse of the catalysts were evaluated. The degradation of organic matter was assessed based on the decrease of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the leachate. The results indicated that the degradation of the COD obeyed first-order kinetics in the presence of both photocatalysts. The degradation rate of COD was found to increase with increasing catalyst dosage up to 9 g/L for TiO2/AC and 6 g/L for TiO2/SG, above which the degradation began to attenuate. Furthermore, the degradation rate first increased and then decreased as the solution pH increased from 2 to 14, and the degradation rate increased as the amount of H2O2 increased to 2.93 mM, after which it remained constant. No obvious decrease in the rate of COD degradation was observed during the first four repeated uses of the photocatalysts, indicating that the catalysts could be recovered and reused. Compared with TiO2/AC, TiO2/SG exhibited higher efficiency in photocatalyzing the degradation of COD in garbage leachate.

The −174G/C and −572G/C Interleukin 6 Promoter Gene Polymorphisms in Mexican Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Zavaleta-Muñiz, S. A.; Martín-Márquez, B. T.; Gonzalez-Lopez, L.; Gonzalez-Montoya, N. G.; Díaz-Toscano, M. L.; Ponce-Guarneros, J. M.; Ruiz-Padilla, A. J.; Mercado, M. Vázquez-Del; Maldonado-González, M.; Fafutis-Morris, M.; Flores-Martínez, S. E.; Martínez-García, E. A.; Gamez-Nava, J. I.

2013-01-01

Objective. There is a lack of information about the genotype frequencies of IL-6 −174G/C and −572G/C polymorphisms in Mexicans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the IL-6 −174G/C and −572G/C polymorphisms in Mexican mestizo with RA. Methods. We included 137 patients with RA and 102 healthy controls. Patients were assessed for clinical characteristics. IL-6 −174G/C and −572G/C polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP analysis. Allele and genotype frequencies and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were computed. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed to identify the risk for RA associated with the presence of GG genotype in comparison with the GC or CC genotypes. Results. The genotype −174GG occurred at a higher frequency in cases and controls (77.4% versus 78.4%, P = 0.845). We found similar results for the genotype −572GG (54% in patients versus 60.8% in controls, P = 0.295). Conclusions. This is the first study to evaluate the association of −174G/C and −572G/C polymorphisms of the IL-6 gene with RA in Mexican mestizo patients. These two polymorphisms were not associated with RA in the studied sample. Additional studies are required to evaluate if these IL-6 polymorphisms have relevance to the development of more severe disease. PMID:24223608

GC and GC-MS determination of fluoroacetic acid and phenoxy acid herbicides via triphasal extractive pentafluorobenzylation using a polymer-bound phase-transfer catalyst.

PubMed

Miki, A; Tsuchihashi, H; Yamashita, M

1998-01-01

A simple and sensitive gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) procedure has been developed for fluoroacetic acid (FA) and phenoxy acid herbicides (PAHs) via triphasal extractive pentafluorobenzylation. The triphasal system consisted of an aqueous sample, the extraction solvent toluene containing pentafluorobenzyl bromide as the derivatization reagent, and polymer-bound tri-n-butyl-methylphosphonium bromide as a phase-transfer catalyst, FA spiked in beverages, such as orange juice and milk, was extracted as its pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) derivative under moderate conditions (i.e., at a pH value of 6.5 at 60 degrees C). The detection limits were 0.10-0.20 microgram/mL by GC with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD), and 0.42-0.50 microgram/mL by full-scan GC-MS. PAHs were also detectable in the same manner within the detection limits of 0.05-0.10 microgram/mL by GC-ECD and 0.13-0.25 microgram/mL by full-scan GC-MS. Urine and serum which both contained 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid could also be analyzed by GC-MS after the triphasal pentafluorobenzylation. The detection limit was 0.20 microgram/mL in the full-scan mode and 10 ng/mL in the selected ion monitoring mode both for the urine and serum.

Data collection in IMS: It's not as easy as it looks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Dennis M.; Maswadeh, Waleed; Shoff, Donald B.; Harden, Charles S.; Snyder, A. Peter

1995-01-01

Data collection in Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is not as easy an endeavor as it appears. Despite the advent of high speed personal computers and fast analog-to-digital converters (ADC's), care must be taken to ensure that reliable data are obtained in a timely fashion. This is especially true in hyphenated techniques, e.g. GC-IMS, where the amount of data increases dramatically when gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) data is being collected. Using the Graseby GC-IMS, with a gate repetition rate of 33 Hz, it is theoretically possible to collect 33 spectra per second. This collection rate is not realistically obtained due to a number of factors. Among these factors are inaccuracy of the timing signal from the IMS, the necessity to store the data, disk input/output limitations, disk operating system limitations, and program overhead. Taking these factors into account, we have achieved a data collection rate of 20 spectra per second. This paper will describe these problems, demonstrate the practical effects these problems present, and present methods for minimizing these effects.

Performance evaluation of a versatile multidimensional chromatographic preparative system based on three-dimensional gas chromatography and liquid chromatography-two-dimensional gas chromatography for the collection of volatile constituents.

PubMed

Pantò, Sebastiano; Sciarrone, Danilo; Maimone, Mariarosa; Ragonese, Carla; Giofrè, Salvatore; Donato, Paola; Farnetti, Sara; Mondello, Luigi

2015-10-23

The present research deals with the multi-collection of the most important sesquiterpene alcohols belonging to sandalwood essential oil, as reported by the international regulations: (Z)-α-santalol, (Z)-α-trans bergamotol, (Z)-β-santalol, epi-(Z)-β-santalol, α-bisabolol, (Z)-lanceol, and (Z)-nuciferol. A versatile multidimensional preparative system, based on the hyphenation of liquid and gas chromatography techniques, was operated in the LC-GC-GC-prep or GC-GC-GC-prep configuration, depending on the concentration to be collected from the sample, without any hardware or software modification. The system was equipped with a silica LC column in combination with polyethylene glycol-poly(5% diphenyl/95% dimethylsiloxane)-medium polarity ionic liquid or β-cyclodextrin based GC stationary phases. The GC-GC-GC-prep configuration was exploited for the collection of four components, by using a conventional split/splitless injector, while the LC-GC-GC-prep approach was applied for three low abundant components (<5%), in order to increase the quantity collected within a single run, by the LC injection of a high sample amount. All target compounds, whose determination is hampered by the unavailability of commercial standards, were collected at milligram levels and with a high degree of purity (>87%). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Outdoor and indoor benzene evaluation by GC-FID and GC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Sousa, José A; Domingues, Valentina F; Rosas, Mónica S; Ribeiro, Susana O; Alvim-Ferraz, Conceiçao M; Delerue-Matos, Cristina F

2011-01-01

The evaluation of benzene in different environments such as indoor (with and without tobacco smoke), a city area, countryside, gas stations and near exhaust pipes from cars running on different types of fuels was performed. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (FID) and tandem mass spectrometric detection (MS/MS) (to confirm the identification of benzene in the air samples). Operating conditions for the GC-MS analysis were optimized as well as the sampling and sample preparation. The results obtained in this work indicate that i) the type of fuel directly influences the benzene concentration in the air. Gasoline with additives provided the highest amount of benzene followed by unleaded gasoline and diesel; ii) the benzene concentration in the gas station was always higher than the advisable limit established by law (5 μg m⁻³) and during the unloading of gasoline the achieved concentration was 8371 μg m⁻³; iii) the data from the countryside (Taliscas) and the urban city (Matosinhos) were below 5 μg m⁻³ except 5 days after a fire on a petroleum refinery plant located near the city; iv) it was proven that in coffee shops where smoking is allowed the benzene concentration is higher (6 μg m⁻³) than in coffee shops where this is forbidden (4 μg m⁻³). This method may also be helpful for environmental analytical chemists who use GC-MS/MS for the confirmation or/and quantification of benzene.

Application of comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOFMS) for high resolution analysis of hop essential oil.

PubMed

Roberts, Mark T; Dufour, Jean-Pierre; Lewis, Alastair C

2004-04-01

The selection and quality of hops is a major determinant in beer flavour. Brewers acknowledge that distinctive characteristics of different hop varieties can be traced to the composition of their essential oils. The difficulty in characterising complex mixtures such as hop oil using 1-D chromatography is that many compounds co-elute. With the introduction of comprehensive multidimensional capillary gas chromatography (GC x GC), there is a tremendous improvement in the separation power or peak capacity. Recent work using GC x GC with flame ionisation detection has suggested that there may be over 1,000 compounds in hop oil. This work describes the use of GC x GC combined with TOFMS detection (Leco Pegasus 4D instrument) to analyse Target hop oil. The TOFMS spectral acquisition rate of 60 Hz provided sufficient spectra per peak (2-D peak base width of 0.1-0.2 s) for identification (119 components were identified with 45 previously unreported compounds). When analysing results, an advantage of GC x GC coupled to TOFMS is that 2-D chromatograms can be viewed for individual masses that are characteristic of particular functional groups. This allows the analyst to view the various homologous series of compounds although in certain cases coelution may still be present as shown by the esters with mass 75.

Greenhouse Gas Analysis by GC/MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bock, E. M.; Easton, Z. M.; Macek, P.

2015-12-01

Current methods to analyze greenhouse gases rely on designated complex, multiple-column, multiple-detector gas chromatographs. A novel method was developed in partnership with Shimadzu for simultaneous quantification of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) in environmental gas samples. Gas bulbs were used to make custom standard mixtures by injecting small volumes of pure analyte into the nitrogen-filled bulb. Resulting calibration curves were validated using a certified gas standard. The use of GC/MS systems to perform this analysis has the potential to move the analysis of greenhouse gasses from expensive, custom GC systems to standard single-quadrupole GC/MS systems that are available in most laboratories, which wide variety of applications beyond greenhouse gas analysis. Additionally, use of mass spectrometry can provide confirmation of identity of target analytes, and will assist in the identification of unknown peaks should they be present in the chromatogram.

Case Report: GcMAF Treatment in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis.

PubMed

Inui, Toshio; Katsuura, Goro; Kubo, Kentaro; Kuchiike, Daisuke; Chenery, Leslye; Uto, Yoshihiro; Nishikata, Takahito; Mette, Martin

2016-07-01

Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) has various functions as an immune modulator, such as macrophage activation, anti-angiogenic activity and anti-tumor activity. Clinical trials of second-generation GcMAF demonstrated remarkable clinical effects in several types of cancers. Thus, GcMAF-based immunotherapy has a wide application for use in the treatment of many diseases via macrophage activation that can be used as a supportive therapy. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be an autoimmune disorder that affects the myelinated axons in the central nervous system (CNS). This study was undertaken to examine the effects of second-generation GcMAF in a patient with MS. This case study demonstrated that treatments of GcMAF in a patient with MS have potent therapeutic actions with early beneficial responses, especially improvement of motor dysfunction. GcMAF shows therapeutic potency in the treatment of MS. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

EIA and GC/MS analysis of 8-isoprostane in EBC of children with problematic asthma.

PubMed

Carraro, S; Cogo, P E; Isak, I; Simonato, M; Corradi, M; Carnielli, V P; Baraldi, E

2010-06-01

Asthmatic airways are characterised by enhanced oxidative stress, which can be studied by measuring biomarkers, such as 8-isoprostane. The aims of the present study were: 1) to measure the concentrations of 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine of children with problematic and well-controlled asthma; 2) to compare the concentrations of 8-isoprostane measured by gas chromatographic/negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (GC/NICI-MS) and by an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA). We recruited 20 asthmatic allergic children, 13 with well-controlled asthma and seven with problematic asthma. They underwent exhaled nitric oxide measurements and spirometry, and both EBC and urine samples were collected. 8-isoprostane was measured in EBC by GC/NICI-MS and EIA. 8-isoprostane concentrations in EBC were significantly higher in children with problematic asthma than in children with well-controlled asthma (p = 0.01). An acceptable reproducibility emerged between GC/NICI-MS and EIA (coefficient of reproducibility 11.5 pg x mL(-1)). 8-isoprostane levels measured in urine did not correlate with those measured in EBC. We showed that 8-isoprostane in EBC was significantly increased in children with problematic asthma, suggesting a role for oxidative stress in this asthma phenotype. In addition we found an acceptable reproducibility of EIA compared to GC/NICI-MS, even if the latter method had higher accuracy.

Ambient VOC-Measurements by GC-PTR-TOF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langebner, S.; Schnitzhofer, R.; Hasler, C.; Jocher, M.; Hansel, A.; Brilli, F.

2011-12-01

Authors: Stephan LANGEBNER, Federico BRILLI, Ralf SCHNITZHOFER, Christoph HASLER, Markus JOCHER, Armin HANSEL; During the past 16 years PTR MS (Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry) became a well established technique for real time measurements of environmentally important volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [HANSEL 1995]. The recent development of PTR ToF [GRAUS 2010] increased the VOC separation capability by strongly improving the mass separation capability and the duty cycle. Now isobaric compounds can be separated and whole mass spectra are recorded within a fraction of a second. Isomeric VOCs, however, remain undistinguishable with this technique. Therefore a Thermo-Desorption-System-Gas-Chromatograph (TDS GC) with isomeric separation capabilities was coupled with a PTR ToF. The performance of this new GC PTR TOF instrument was evaluated analysing ambient air for several days. The measurement cycle started with simultaneous GC-sampling and direct PTR ToF measurements of ambient air. After the fifteen minute TDS cycle, the output of the GC column was directed to the PTR ToF and the timely separated VOC peaks were recorded for 40 minutes. We will present first results which look very promising e.g. different monoterpene isomers can be clearly distinguished at ambient levels.

Characterization of Leaf Extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi by GC-MS and Chemometric Analysis

PubMed Central

Carneiro, Fabíola B.; Lopes, Pablo Q.; Ramalho, Ricardo C.; Scotti, Marcus T.; Santos, Sócrates G.; Soares, Luiz A. L.

2017-01-01

Background: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi belongs to Anacardiacea family and is widely known as “aroeira.” This species originates from South America, and its extracts are used in folk medicine due to its therapeutic properties, which include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. The complexity and variability of the chemical constitution of the herbal raw material establishes the quality of the respective herbal medicine products. Objective: Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the variability of the volatile compounds from leaves of S. terebinthifolius. Materials and Methods: The samples were collected from different states of the Northeast region of Brazil and analyzed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The collected data were analyzed using multivariate data analysis. Results: The samples’ chromatograms, obtained by GC-MS, showed similar chemical profiles in a number of peaks, but some differences were observed in the intensity of these analytical markers. The chromatographic fingerprints obtained by GC-MS were suitable for discrimination of the samples; these results along with a statistical treatment (principal component analysis [PCA]) were used as a tool for comparative analysis between the different samples of S. terebinthifolius. Conclusion: The experimental data show that the PCA used in this study clustered the samples into groups with similar chemical profiles, which builds an appropriate approach to evaluate the similarity in the phytochemical pattern found in the different leaf samples. SUMMARY The leave extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius were obtained by turbo-extractionThe extracts were partitioned with hexane and analyzed by GC-MSThe chromatographic data were analyzed using the principal component analysis (PCA)The PCA plots showed the main compounds (phellandrene, limonene, and carene), which were used to group the samples from a different geographical location in

Application of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) for the chemical profiling of volatile oils in complex herbal mixtures.

PubMed

Di, Xin; Shellie, Robert A; Marriott, Philip J; Huie, Carmen W

2004-04-01

The coupling of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) was shown to be a powerful technique for the rapid sampling and analysis of volatile oils in complex herbal materials. When compared to one-dimensional (1-D) GC, the improved analytical capabilities of GC x GC in terms of increased detection sensitivity and separation power were demonstrated by using HS-SPME/GC x GC for the chemical profiling (fingerprinting) of essential/volatile oils contained in herbal materials of increasing analytical complexity. More than 20 marker compounds belonging to Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) can be observed within the 2-D contour plots of ginseng itself, a mixture of ginseng and another important herb (P. quinquefolius/Radix angelicae sinensis), as well as a mixture of ginseng and three other herbs (P. quinquefolius /R. angelicae sinensis/R. astragali/R. rehmanniae preparata). Such analytical capabilities should be important towards the authentication and quality control of herbal products, which are receiving increasing attention as alternative medicines worldwide. In particular, the presence of Panax in the herb formulation could be readily identified through its specific peak pattern in the 2-D GC x GC plot.

Identification of unknown impurity of azelaic acid in liposomal formulation assessed by HPLC-ELSD, GC-FID, and GC-MS.

PubMed

Han, Stanisław; Karłowicz-Bodalska, Katarzyna; Potaczek, Piotr; Wójcik, Adam; Ozimek, Lukasz; Szura, Dorota; Musiał, Witold

2014-02-01

The identification of new contaminants is critical in the development of new medicinal products. Many impurities, such as pentanedioic acid, hexanedioic acid, heptanedioic acid, octanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, tridecanedioic acid, and tetradecanedioic acid, have been identified in samples of azelaic acid. The aim of this study was to identify impurities observed during the stability tests of a new liposomal dosage form of azelaic acid that is composed of phosphatidylcholine and a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water, using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD), gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. During the research and development of a new liposomal formulation of azelaic acid, we developed a method for determining the contamination of azelaic acid using HPLC-ELSD. During our analytical tests, we identified a previously unknown impurity of a liposomal preparation of azelaic acid that appeared in the liposomal formulation of azelaic acid during preliminary stability studies. The procedure led to the conclusion that the impurity was caused by the reaction of azelaic acid with one of the excipients that was applied in the product. The impurity was finally identified as an ethyl monoester of azelaic acid. The identification procedure of this compound was carried out in a series of experiments comparing the chromatograms that were obtained via the following chromatographic methods: HPLC-ELSD, GC-FID, and GC-MS. The final identification of the compound was carried out by GC with MS.

Bicarbonate Modulates Photoreceptor Guanylate Cyclase (ROS-GC) Catalytic Activity*

PubMed Central

Duda, Teresa; Wen, Xiao-Hong; Isayama, Tomoki; Sharma, Rameshwar K.; Makino, Clint L.

2015-01-01

By generating the second messenger cGMP in retinal rods and cones, ROS-GC plays a central role in visual transduction. Guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs) link cGMP synthesis to the light-induced fall in [Ca2+]i to help set absolute sensitivity and assure prompt recovery of the response to light. The present report discloses a surprising feature of this system: ROS-GC is a sensor of bicarbonate. Recombinant ROS-GCs synthesized cGMP from GTP at faster rates in the presence of bicarbonate with an ED50 of 27 mm for ROS-GC1 and 39 mm for ROS-GC2. The effect required neither Ca2+ nor use of the GCAPs domains; however, stimulation of ROS-GC1 was more powerful in the presence of GCAP1 or GCAP2 at low [Ca2+]. When applied to retinal photoreceptors, bicarbonate enhanced the circulating current, decreased sensitivity to flashes, and accelerated flash response kinetics. Bicarbonate was effective when applied either to the outer or inner segment of red-sensitive cones. In contrast, bicarbonate exerted an effect when applied to the inner segment of rods but had little efficacy when applied to the outer segment. The findings define a new regulatory mechanism of the ROS-GC system that affects visual transduction and is likely to affect the course of retinal diseases caused by cGMP toxicity. PMID:25767116

Interaction of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gC with mammalian cell surface molecules.

PubMed Central

Tal-Singer, R; Peng, C; Ponce De Leon, M; Abrams, W R; Banfield, B W; Tufaro, F; Cohen, G H; Eisenberg, R J

1995-01-01

The entry of herpes simplex virus (HSV) into mammalian cells is a multistep process beginning with an attachment step involving glycoproteins gC and gB. A second step requires the interaction of glycoprotein gD with a cell surface molecule. We explored the interaction between gC and the cell surface by using purified proteins in the absence of detergent. Truncated forms of gC and gD, gC1(457t), gC2(426t), and gD1(306t), lacking the transmembrane and carboxyl regions were expressed in the baculovirus system. We studied the ability of these proteins to bind to mammalian cells, to bind to immobilized heparin, to block HSV type 1 (HSV-1) attachment to cells, and to inhibit plaque formation by HSV-1. Each of these gC proteins bound to conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies and to human complement component C3b, indicating that they maintained the same conformation of gC proteins expressed in mammalian cells. Biotinylated gC1(457t) and gC2(426t) each bind to several cell lines. Binding was inhibited by an excess of unlabeled gC but not by gD, indicating specificity. The attachment of gC to cells involves primarily heparan sulfate proteoglycans, since heparitinase treatment of cells reduced gC binding by 50% but had no effect on gD binding. Moreover, binding of gC to two heparan sulfate-deficient L-cell lines, gro2C and sog9, both of which are mostly resistant to HSV infection, was markedly reduced. Purified gD1 (306t), however, bound equally well to the two mutant cell lines. In contrast, saturating amounts of gC1(457t) interfered with HSV-1 attachment to cells but failed to block plaque formation, suggesting a role for gC in attachment but not penetration. A mutant form of gC lacking residues 33 to 123, gC1(delta 33-123t), expressed in the baculovirus system, bound significantly less well to cells than did gC1(457t) and competed poorly with biotinylated gC1(457t) for binding. These results suggest that residues 33 to 123 are important for gC attachment to cells

On the molecular mechanism of GC content variation among eubacterial genomes.

PubMed

Wu, Hao; Zhang, Zhang; Hu, Songnian; Yu, Jun

2012-01-10

As a key parameter of genome sequence variation, the GC content of bacterial genomes has been investigated for over half a century, and many hypotheses have been put forward to explain this GC content variation and its relationship to other fundamental processes. Previously, we classified eubacteria into dnaE-based groups (the dimeric combination of DNA polymerase III alpha subunits), according to a hypothesis where GC content variation is essentially governed by genome replication and DNA repair mechanisms. Further investigation led to the discovery that two major mutator genes, polC and dnaE2, may be responsible for genomic GC content variation. Consequently, an in-depth analysis was conducted to evaluate various potential intrinsic and extrinsic factors in association with GC content variation among eubacterial genomes. Mutator genes, especially those with dominant effects on the mutation spectra, are biased towards either GC or AT richness, and they alter genomic GC content in the two opposite directions. Increased bacterial genome size (or gene number) appears to rely on increased genomic GC content; however, it is unclear whether the changes are directly related to certain environmental pressures. Certain environmental and bacteriological features are related to GC content variation, but their trends are more obvious when analyzed under the dnaE-based grouping scheme. Most terrestrial, plant-associated, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria are members of the dnaE1|dnaE2 group, whereas most pathogenic or symbiotic bacteria in insects, and those dwelling in aquatic environments, are largely members of the dnaE1|polV group. Our studies provide several lines of evidence indicating that DNA polymerase III α subunit and its isoforms participating in either replication (such as polC) or SOS mutagenesis/translesion synthesis (such as dnaE2), play dominant roles in determining GC variability. Other environmental or bacteriological factors, such as genome size, temperature

Benefit of the Use of GCxGC/MS Profiles for 1D GC/MS Data Treatment Illustrated by the Analysis of Pyrolysis Products from East Asian Handmade Papers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Bin; Lob, Silvia; Sablier, Michel

2018-06-01

In this study, we report the use of pyrolysis-GCxGC/MS profiles for an optimized treatment of data issued from pyrolysis-GC/MS combined with the automatic deconvolution software Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS). The method was illustrated by the characterization of marker compounds of East Asian handmade papers through the examination of pyrolysis-GCxGC/MS data to get information which was used for manually identifying low concentrated and co-eluting compounds in 1D GC/MS data. The results showed that the merits of a higher separation power for co-eluting compounds and a better sensitivity for low concentration compounds offered by a GCxGC system can be used effectively for AMDIS 1D GC/MS data treatment: (i) the compound distribution in pyrolysis-GCxGC/MS profiles can be used as "peak finder" for manual check of low concentration and co-eluting compound identification in 1D GC/MS data, and (ii) pyrolysis-GCxGC/MS profiles can provide better quality mass spectra with observed higher match factors in the AMDIS automatic match process. The combination of 2D profile with AMDIS was shown to contribute efficiently to a better characterization of compound profiles in the chromatograms obtained by 1D analysis in focusing on the mass spectral identification. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

A new direct thermal desorption-GC/MS method: Organic speciation of ambient particulate matter collected in Golden, BC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Luyi C.; Ke, Fu; Wang, Daniel K. W.; Dann, Tom; Austin, Claire C.

Particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is thought to be implicated in a number of medical conditions, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart attack, and aging. However, very little chemical speciation data is available for the organic fraction of ambient aerosols. A new direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) method was developed for the analysis of the organic fraction of PM2.5. Samples were collected in Golden, British Columbia, over a 15-month period. n-Alkanes constituted 33-98% by mass of the organic compounds identified. PAHs accounted for 1-65% and biomarkers (hopanes and steranes) 1-8% of the organic mass. Annual mean concentrations were: n-alkanes (0.07-1.55 ng m -3), 16 PAHs (0.02-1.83 ng m -3), and biomarkers (0.02-0.18 ng m -3). Daily levels of these organics were 4.89-74.38 ng m -3, 0.27-100.24 ng m -3, 0.14-4.39 ng m -3, respectively. Ratios of organic carbon to elemental carbon (OC/EC) and trends over time were similar to those observed for PM2.5. There was no clear seasonal variation in the distribution of petroleum biomarkers, but elevated levels of other organic species were observed during the winter. Strong correlations between PAHs and EC, and between petroleum biomarkers and EC, suggest a common emission source - most likely motor vehicles and space heating.

Determination of airborne carbonyls: comparison of a thermal desorption/GC method with the standard DNPH/HPLC method.

PubMed

Ho, Steven Sai Hang; Yu, Jian Zhen

2004-02-01

The standard method for the determination of gaseous carbonyls is to collect carbonyls onto 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) coated solid sorbent followed by solvent extraction of the solid sorbent and analysis of the derivatives using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). This paper describes a newly developed approach that involves collection of the carbonyls onto pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH) coated solid sorbents followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of the PFPH derivatives with mass spectrometric (MS) detection. Sampling tubes loaded with 510 nmol of PFPH on Tenax sorbent effectively collect gaseous carbonyls, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal, heptanal, octanal, acrolein, 2-furfural, benzaldehyde, p-tolualdehyde, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal, at a flow rate of at least up to 100 mL/min. All of the tested carbonyls are shown to have method detection limits (MDLs) of subnanomoles per sampling tube, corresponding to air concentrations of <0.3 ppbv for a sampled volume of 24 L. These limits are 2-12 times lower than those that can be obtained using the DNPH/HPLC method. The improvement of MDLs is especially pronounced for carbonyls larger than formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The PFPH/GC method also offers better peak separation and more sensitive and specific detection through the use of MS detection. Comparison studies on ambient samples and kitchen exhaust samples have demonstrated that the two methods do not yield systematic differences in concentrations of the carbonyls that are above their respective MDLs in both methods, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and butanal. The lower MDLs afforded by the PFPH/ GC method also enable the determination of a few more carbonyls in both applications.

Bicarbonate Modulates Photoreceptor Guanylate Cyclase (ROS-GC) Catalytic Activity.

PubMed

Duda, Teresa; Wen, Xiao-Hong; Isayama, Tomoki; Sharma, Rameshwar K; Makino, Clint L

2015-04-24

By generating the second messenger cGMP in retinal rods and cones, ROS-GC plays a central role in visual transduction. Guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs) link cGMP synthesis to the light-induced fall in [Ca(2+)]i to help set absolute sensitivity and assure prompt recovery of the response to light. The present report discloses a surprising feature of this system: ROS-GC is a sensor of bicarbonate. Recombinant ROS-GCs synthesized cGMP from GTP at faster rates in the presence of bicarbonate with an ED50 of 27 mM for ROS-GC1 and 39 mM for ROS-GC2. The effect required neither Ca(2+) nor use of the GCAPs domains; however, stimulation of ROS-GC1 was more powerful in the presence of GCAP1 or GCAP2 at low [Ca(2+)]. When applied to retinal photoreceptors, bicarbonate enhanced the circulating current, decreased sensitivity to flashes, and accelerated flash response kinetics. Bicarbonate was effective when applied either to the outer or inner segment of red-sensitive cones. In contrast, bicarbonate exerted an effect when applied to the inner segment of rods but had little efficacy when applied to the outer segment. The findings define a new regulatory mechanism of the ROS-GC system that affects visual transduction and is likely to affect the course of retinal diseases caused by cGMP toxicity. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The measurement of muscle protein synthesis in broilers with a flooding dose technique: use of 15N-labelled phenylalanine, GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS.

PubMed

Dänicke, S; Böttcher, W; Simon, O; Jeroch, H

2001-01-01

An experiment was carried out to measure fractional muscle protein synthesis rates (k(s)) in broilers with injection of a flooding dose of phenylalanine (1 ml/100 g body weight of 150 mM phenylalanine; 38 atom percent excess (APE) [15N]phenylalanine). K(s) was calculated from the [15N] enrichment in phenylalanine of tissue-free and protein-bound phenylalanine using both gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) for measurements after a 10 min isotope incorporation period. The tertiary-butyldimethylsilyl (t-BDMS) derivatives of phenylalanine were used for gas chromatographic separation in both systems. GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS were calibrated for a range of 7 to 37 [15N]APE and 0 to 0.62 [15N]APE, respectively, and for sample sizes of 0.45 to 4.5 nmol phenylalanine and 7 to 40 nmol phenylalanine, respectively. Reproducibility of standards as a measure of precision varied from 0.06 to 0.29 [15N]APE and from 0.0004 to 0.0018 [15N]APE in GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS, respectively. K(s) was measured in the m. pectoralis major of broilers fed rye based diets (56%) which were provided either unsupplemented (-) or supplemented (+) with an enzyme preparation containing xylanase. K(s) in breast muscles was significantly increased from 21.8%/d to 23.9%/d due to enzyme supplementation. It can be concluded from the study that the measurement of protein synthesis in broilers with the flooding dose technique can be carried out by using [15N]phenylalanine, GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS.

Characterization and differentiation of high energy cyclic organic peroxides by GC/FT-IR, GC-MS, FT-IR, and Raman microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pena, Alvaro J.; Pacheco-Londono, Leonardo; Figueroa, Javier; Rivera-Montalvo, Luis A.; Roman-Velazquez, Felix R.; Hernandez-Rivera, Samuel P.

2005-05-01

The characterization of Tetracetone Tetraperoxide (TRATRP), Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), Diacetone Diperoxide (DADP), Tricyclohexylidene Triperoxide and Dibenzo Diperoxide using GC-MS, GC-FTIR, FTIR, FT-NMR and Raman Spectroscopy is reported. These compounds were synthesized, purified and characterized in the laboratory in order to develop methodologies for their trace detection. During this study, TATP has been synthesized by different methods obtaining high purity and good yields, even using common household products. DADP synthetic routes reported in the literature were verified. The methods described, including those that produce mixtures with TATP and other peroxides forms were also tested. This study will also focused in the preparation of other cyclic peroxides, including Hexamethelene Triperoxide Diamine (HMTD) and different forms of cyclic peroxides from ketones. This issue of thermodynamic versus kinetic control of secondary products of all syntheses and the effect of temperature in the distribution sub products of the syntheses was also addressed. A vibrational differentiation study of was carried out. Differences were found computationally in the υ(O-O), υ(C-O), δ(CH3-C) and δ(C-O) for Raman and IR bands and retention time and fragment patron for GC-MS and GC-FT-IR.

Comprehensive analysis of yeast metabolite GC x GC-TOFMS data: combining discovery-mode and deconvolution chemometric software.

PubMed

Mohler, Rachel E; Dombek, Kenneth M; Hoggard, Jamin C; Pierce, Karisa M; Young, Elton T; Synovec, Robert E

2007-08-01

The first extensive study of yeast metabolite GC x GC-TOFMS data from cells grown under fermenting, R, and respiring, DR, conditions is reported. In this study, recently developed chemometric software for use with three-dimensional instrumentation data was implemented, using a statistically-based Fisher ratio method. The Fisher ratio method is fully automated and will rapidly reduce the data to pinpoint two-dimensional chromatographic peaks differentiating sample types while utilizing all the mass channels. The effect of lowering the Fisher ratio threshold on peak identification was studied. At the lowest threshold (just above the noise level), 73 metabolite peaks were identified, nearly three-fold greater than the number of previously reported metabolite peaks identified (26). In addition to the 73 identified metabolites, 81 unknown metabolites were also located. A Parallel Factor Analysis graphical user interface (PARAFAC GUI) was applied to selected mass channels to obtain a concentration ratio, for each metabolite under the two growth conditions. Of the 73 known metabolites identified by the Fisher ratio method, 54 were statistically changing to the 95% confidence limit between the DR and R conditions according to the rigorous Student's t-test. PARAFAC determined the concentration ratio and provided a fully-deconvoluted (i.e. mathematically resolved) mass spectrum for each of the metabolites. The combination of the Fisher ratio method with the PARAFAC GUI provides high-throughput software for discovery-based metabolomics research, and is novel for GC x GC-TOFMS data due to the use of the entire data set in the analysis (640 MB x 70 runs, double precision floating point).

Real-time garbage collection for list processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shuler, R. L., Jr. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

In a list processing system, small reference counters are maintained in conjunction with memory cells for the purpose of identifying memory cells that become available for re-use. The counters are updated as references to the cells are created and destroyed, and when a counter of a cell is decremented to logical zero the cell is immediately returned to a list of free cells. In those cases where a counter must be incremented beyond the maximum value that can be represented in a small counter, the cell is restructured so that the additional reference count can be represented. The restructuring involves allocating an additional cell, distributing counter, tag, and pointer information among the two cells, and linking both cells appropriately into the existing list structure.

On the molecular mechanism of GC content variation among eubacterial genomes

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background As a key parameter of genome sequence variation, the GC content of bacterial genomes has been investigated for over half a century, and many hypotheses have been put forward to explain this GC content variation and its relationship to other fundamental processes. Previously, we classified eubacteria into dnaE-based groups (the dimeric combination of DNA polymerase III alpha subunits), according to a hypothesis where GC content variation is essentially governed by genome replication and DNA repair mechanisms. Further investigation led to the discovery that two major mutator genes, polC and dnaE2, may be responsible for genomic GC content variation. Consequently, an in-depth analysis was conducted to evaluate various potential intrinsic and extrinsic factors in association with GC content variation among eubacterial genomes. Results Mutator genes, especially those with dominant effects on the mutation spectra, are biased towards either GC or AT richness, and they alter genomic GC content in the two opposite directions. Increased bacterial genome size (or gene number) appears to rely on increased genomic GC content; however, it is unclear whether the changes are directly related to certain environmental pressures. Certain environmental and bacteriological features are related to GC content variation, but their trends are more obvious when analyzed under the dnaE-based grouping scheme. Most terrestrial, plant-associated, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria are members of the dnaE1|dnaE2 group, whereas most pathogenic or symbiotic bacteria in insects, and those dwelling in aquatic environments, are largely members of the dnaE1|polV group. Conclusion Our studies provide several lines of evidence indicating that DNA polymerase III α subunit and its isoforms participating in either replication (such as polC) or SOS mutagenesis/translesion synthesis (such as dnaE2), play dominant roles in determining GC variability. Other environmental or bacteriological factors, such

GC-Content Normalization for RNA-Seq Data

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) has become the assay of choice for high-throughput studies of gene expression. However, as is the case with microarrays, major technology-related artifacts and biases affect the resulting expression measures. Normalization is therefore essential to ensure accurate inference of expression levels and subsequent analyses thereof. Results We focus on biases related to GC-content and demonstrate the existence of strong sample-specific GC-content effects on RNA-Seq read counts, which can substantially bias differential expression analysis. We propose three simple within-lane gene-level GC-content normalization approaches and assess their performance on two different RNA-Seq datasets, involving different species and experimental designs. Our methods are compared to state-of-the-art normalization procedures in terms of bias and mean squared error for expression fold-change estimation and in terms of Type I error and p-value distributions for tests of differential expression. The exploratory data analysis and normalization methods proposed in this article are implemented in the open-source Bioconductor R package EDASeq. Conclusions Our within-lane normalization procedures, followed by between-lane normalization, reduce GC-content bias and lead to more accurate estimates of expression fold-changes and tests of differential expression. Such results are crucial for the biological interpretation of RNA-Seq experiments, where downstream analyses can be sensitive to the supplied lists of genes. PMID:22177264

Characterization and Comparison of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oils from Pinewood, Rapeseed Cake, and Wheat Straw Using 13C NMR and Comprehensive GC × GC.

PubMed

Negahdar, Leila; Gonzalez-Quiroga, Arturo; Otyuskaya, Daria; Toraman, Hilal E; Liu, Li; Jastrzebski, Johann T B H; Van Geem, Kevin M; Marin, Guy B; Thybaut, Joris W; Weckhuysen, Bert M

2016-09-06

Fast pyrolysis bio-oils are feasible energy carriers and a potential source of chemicals. Detailed characterization of bio-oils is essential to further develop its potential use. In this study, quantitative 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C NMR) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) was used to characterize fast pyrolysis bio-oils originated from pinewood, wheat straw, and rapeseed cake. The combination of both techniques provided new information on the chemical composition of bio-oils for further upgrading. 13 C NMR analysis indicated that pinewood-based bio-oil contained mostly methoxy/hydroxyl (≈30%) and carbohydrate (≈27%) carbons; wheat straw bio-oil showed to have high amount of alkyl (≈35%) and aromatic (≈30%) carbons, while rapeseed cake-based bio-oil had great portions of alkyl carbons (≈82%). More than 200 compounds were identified and quantified using GC × GC coupled to a flame ionization detector (FID) and a time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). Nonaromatics were the most abundant and comprised about 50% of the total mass of compounds identified and quantified via GC × GC. In addition, this analytical approach allowed the quantification of high value-added phenolic compounds, as well as of low molecular weight carboxylic acids and aldehydes, which exacerbate the unstable and corrosive character of the bio-oil.

Characterization and Comparison of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oils from Pinewood, Rapeseed Cake, and Wheat Straw Using 13C NMR and Comprehensive GC × GC

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Fast pyrolysis bio-oils are feasible energy carriers and a potential source of chemicals. Detailed characterization of bio-oils is essential to further develop its potential use. In this study, quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) was used to characterize fast pyrolysis bio-oils originated from pinewood, wheat straw, and rapeseed cake. The combination of both techniques provided new information on the chemical composition of bio-oils for further upgrading. 13C NMR analysis indicated that pinewood-based bio-oil contained mostly methoxy/hydroxyl (≈30%) and carbohydrate (≈27%) carbons; wheat straw bio-oil showed to have high amount of alkyl (≈35%) and aromatic (≈30%) carbons, while rapeseed cake-based bio-oil had great portions of alkyl carbons (≈82%). More than 200 compounds were identified and quantified using GC × GC coupled to a flame ionization detector (FID) and a time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). Nonaromatics were the most abundant and comprised about 50% of the total mass of compounds identified and quantified via GC × GC. In addition, this analytical approach allowed the quantification of high value-added phenolic compounds, as well as of low molecular weight carboxylic acids and aldehydes, which exacerbate the unstable and corrosive character of the bio-oil. PMID:27668136

Development and analysis of microbial characteristics of an acidulocomposting system for the treatment of garbage and cattle manure.

PubMed

Asano, Ryoki; Otawa, Kenichi; Ozutsumi, Yuhei; Yamamoto, Nozomi; Abdel-Mohsein, Hosnia Swafy; Nakai, Yutaka

2010-10-01

An acidulocomposting system for the treatment of cattle manure with little emission of ammonia gas was developed, and the structure of its microbial community was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and clone library construction. An acidulocomposting apparatus (BC20, 20 L) was operated for 79 days to treat 2 kg (wet wt) of garbage per 1 or 2 days. On day 80 of operation, the substrate was changed from garbage to cattle manure (1 kg of beef cattle manure was added to the apparatus every 2 or 3 days), and the system continued operating from days 80 to 158. The compost in the vessel was under acidic conditions at pH 5.2-5.8, and ammonia emission was below the detectable level (<5 ppm) throughout the period of cattle manure feeding. Total nitrogen and total carbon in the compost were 26-29 and 439-466 mg/g of dry weight, respectively, which are higher than those in general cattle manure compost. The main acids accumulated during operation were lactic and acetic. Sequencing analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene revealed the stable dominance of the bacterial phylum Firmicutes, with a high proportion of the isolates belonging to the genus Bacillus. Using a culturing method with MRS agar, we isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) related to Pediococcus acidilactici, Weissella paramesenteroides, and Lactobacillus salivarius, indicating the existence of LAB in the system. These results indicate that acidulocomposting treatment of cattle manure is not accompanied by ammonia emission and that Bacillus and LAB may be the key components in the system. Copyright © 2010 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of cannabis in oral fluid specimens by GC-MS with automatic SPE.

PubMed

Choi, Hyeyoung; Baeck, Seungkyung; Kim, Eunmi; Lee, Sooyeun; Jang, Moonhee; Lee, Juseon; Choi, Hwakyung; Chung, Heesun

2009-12-01

Methamphetamine (MA) is the most commonly abused drug in Korea, followed by cannabis. Traditionally, MA analysis is carried out on both urine and hair samples and cannabis analysis in urine samples only. Despite the fact that oral fluid has become increasingly popular as an alternative specimen in the field of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) and work place drug testing, its application has not been expanded to drug analysis in Korea. Oral fluid is easy to collect and handle and can provide an indication of recent drug abuse. In this study, we present an analytical method using GC-MS to determine tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its main metabolite 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in oral fluid. The validated method was applied to oral fluid samples collected from drug abuse suspects and the results were compared with those in urine. The stability of THC and THC-COOH in oral fluid stored in different containers was also investigated. Oral fluid specimens from 12 drug abuse suspects, submitted by the police, were collected by direct expectoration. The samples were screened with microplate ELISA. For confirmation they were extracted using automated SPE with mixed-mode cation exchange cartridge, derivatized and analyzed by GC-MS using selective ion monitoring (SIM). The concentrations ofTHC and THC-COOH in oral fluid showed a large variation and the results from oral fluid and urine samples from cannabis abusers did not show any correlation. Thus, detailed information about time interval between drug use and sample collection is needed to interpret the oral fluid results properly. In addition, further investigation about the detection time window ofTHC and THC-COOH in oral fluid is required to substitute oral fluid for urine in drug testing.

GC-MS analyses of the volatiles of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

PubMed

Yang, Zhan-Nan; Luo, Shi-Qiong; Ma, Jing; Wu, Dan; Hong, Liang; Yu, Zheng-Wen

2016-09-01

GC-MS is the basis of analysis of plant volatiles. Several protocols employed for the assay have resulted in inconsistent results in the literature. We developed a GC-MS method, which were applied to analyze 25 volatiles (α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, 2-methyl-2-pentenal, myrcene, (+)-limonene, eucalyptol, trans-2-hexenal, γ-terpinene, cis-3-hexeneyl-acetate, 1-hexanol, α-pinene oxide, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, decanal, linalool, acetyl-borneol, β-caryophyllene, 2-undecanone, 4-terpineol, borneol, decanol, eugenol, isophytol and phytol) of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Linear behaviors for all analytes were observed with a linear regression relationship (r2>0.9991) at the concentrations tested. Recoveries of the 25 analytes were 98.56-103.77% with RSDs <3.0%. Solution extraction (SE), which involved addition of an internal standard, could avoid errors for factors in sample preparation by steam distillation (SD) and solidphase micro extraction (SPME). Less sample material (≍0.05g fresh leaves of H. cordata) could be used to determine the contents of 25 analytes by our proposed method and, after collection, did not affect the normal physiological activity or growth of H. cordata. This method can be used to monitor the metabolic accumulation of H. cordata volatiles.

GC and GC/MS Analysis of Essential Oil Composition of the Endemic Soqotraen Leucas virgata Balf.f. and Its Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

PubMed Central

Mothana, Ramzi A.; Al-Said, Mansour S.; Al-Yahya, Mohammed A.; Al-Rehaily, Adnan J.; Khaled, Jamal M.

2013-01-01

Leucas virgata Balf.f. (Lamiaceae) was collected from the Island Soqotra (Yemen) and its essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the oil was investigated by GC and GC-MS. Moreover, the essential oil was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, two Gram-negative bacteria, and one yeast species by using broth micro-dilution assay for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and antioxidant activity by measuring the scavenging activity of the DPPH radical. The investigation led to the identification of 43 constituents, representing 93.9% of the total oil. The essential oil of L. virgata was characterized by a high content of oxygenated monoterpenes (50.8%). Camphor (20.5%) exo-fenchol (3.4%), fenchon (5.4%), and borneol (3.1%) were identified as the main components. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were found as the second major group of compounds (21.0%). β-Eudesmol (6.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.1%) were the major compounds among oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The results of the antimicrobial assay showed that the oil exhibited a great antibacterial activity against the tested S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. coli. No activity was found against P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Moreover, the DPPH-radical scavenging assay exhibited only a moderate antioxidant activity (31%) for the oil at the highest concentration tested (1 mg/mL). PMID:24284402

Isoelectric point and adsorption activity of porous g-C3N4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Bicheng; Xia, Pengfei; Ho, Wingkei; Yu, Jiaguo

2015-07-01

The isoelectric point (IEP) is an important physicochemical parameter of many compounds, such as oxides, hydroxides, and nitrides, and can contribute to estimation of the surface charges of compound particles at various pH conditions. In this work, three types of graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) were synthesized by directly heating melamine, thiourea, and urea. The prepared samples showed different microstructures and IEPs that influenced their adsorption activity. Differences in microstructure resulted from the various precursors used during synthesis. The IEPs of the obtained g-C3N4 were measured to be approximately 4-5, which is due to the equilibrium of chemical reactions between hydrogen ions, hydroxyl ions, and amine groups on the g-C3N4 surface. The IEP of g-C3N4 prepared from thiourea was lower than those of the corresponding samples prepared from melamine and urea. The adsorption activity of methylene blue on g-C3N4 prepared from urea and thiourea was excellent, which indicates that g-C3N4 is a promising adsorbent. This work provides a useful reference for choosing precursors with which to prepare g-C3N4 and combining g-C3N4 with other compounds in solution.

Fast, high temperature and thermolabile GC--MS in supersonic molecular beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dagan, Shai; Amirav, Aviv

1994-05-01

This work describes and evaluates the coupling of a fast gas chromatograph (GC) based on a short column and high carrier gas flow rate to a supersonic molecular beam mass spectrometer (MS). A 50 cm long megabore column serves for fast GC separation and connects the injector to the supersonic nozzle source. Sampling is achieved with a conventional syringe based splitless sample injection. The injector contains no septum and is open to the atmosphere. The linear velocity of the carrier gas is controlled by a by-pass (make-up) gas flow introduced after the column and prior to the supersonic nozzle. The supersonic expansion serves as a jet separator and the skimmed supersonic molecular beam (SMB) is highly enriched with the heavier organic molecules. The supersonic molecular beam constituents are ionized either by electron impact (EI) or hyperthermal surface ionization (HSI) and mass analyzed. A 1 s fast GC--MS of four aromatic molecules in methanol is demonstrated and some fundamental aspects of fast GC--MS with time limit constraints are outlined. The flow control (programming) of the speed of analysis is shown and the analysis of thermolabile and relatively non-volatile molecules is demonstrated and discussed. The tail-free, fast GC--MS of several mixtures is shown and peak tailing of caffeine is compared with that of conventional GC--MS. The improvement of the peak shapes with the SMB--MS is analyzed with the respect to the elimination of thermal vacuum chamber background. The extrapolated minimum detected amount was about 400 ag of anthracence-d10, with an elution time which was shorter than 2s. Repetitive injections could be performed within less than 10 s. The fast GC--MS in SMB seems to be ideal for fast target compound analysis even in real world, complex mixtures. The few seconds GC--MS separation and quantification of lead (as tetraethyllead) in gasoline, caffeine in coffee, and codeine in a drug is demonstrated. Controlled HSI selectivity is demonstrated in

Analysis of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in environmental samples by GC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Elhottová, D; Tríska, J; Petersen, S O; Santrůcková, H

2000-05-01

Application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can significantly improve trace analyses of compounds in complex matrices from natural environments compared to gas chromatography only. A GC-MS/MS technique for determination of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a bacterial storage compound, has been developed and used for analysis of two soils stored for up to 319 d, fresh samples of sewage sludge, as well as a pure culture of Bacillus megaterium. Specific derivatization of beta-hydroxybutyrate (3-OH C4:0) PHB monomer units by N-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoracetamide (MTBSTFA) improved chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of the analyte. The diagnostic fragmentation scheme of the derivates tert-butyldimethylsilyl ester and ether of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (MTBSTFA-HB) essential for the PHB identification was shown. The ion trap MS was used, therefore the scan gave the best sensitivity and with MS/MS the noise decreased, so the S/N was better and also with second fragmentation the amount of ions increased compared to SIM. The detection limit for MTBSTFA-HB by GC-MS/MS was about 10(-13) g microL(-1) of injected volume, while by GC (FID) and GC-MS (scan) it was around 10(-10) g microL(-1) of injected volume. Sensitivity of GC-MS/MS measurements of PHB in arable soil and activated sludge samples was down to 10 pg of PHB g(-1) dry matter. Comparison of MTBSTFA-HB detection in natural soil sample by GC (FID), GC-MS (scan) and by GC-MS/MS demonstrated potentials and limitations of the individual measurement techniques.

Distribution profile, health risk and elimination of model atmospheric SVOCs associated with a typical municipal garbage compressing station in Guangzhou, South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guiying; Sun, Hongwei; Zhang, Zhengyong; An, Taicheng; Hu, Jianfang

2013-09-01

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) air pollution caused by municipal garbage compressing process was investigated at a garbage compressing station (GCS). The most abundant contaminants were phthalate esters (PAEs), followed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic chlorinated pesticides (OCPs). ∑16PAHs concentrations ranged from 58.773 to 68.840 ng m-3 in gas and from 6.489 to 17.291 ng m-3 in particulate phase; ∑20OCPs ranged from 4.181 to 5.550 ng m-3 and from 0.823 to 2.443 ng m-3 in gas and particulate phase, respectively; ∑15PAEs ranged from 46.498 to 87.928 ng m-3 and from 414.765 to 763.009 ng m-3 in gas and particulate phase. Lung-cancer risk due to PAHs exposure was 1.13 × 10-4. Both non-cancer and cancer risk levels due to OCPs exposure were acceptable. Non-cancer hazard index of PAEs was 4.57 × 10-3, suggesting safety of workers as only exposure to PAEs at GCS. At pilot scale, 60.18% of PAHs, 70.89% of OCPs and 63.2% of PAEs were removed by an integrated biotrickling filter-photocatalytic reactor at their stable state, and health risk levels were reduced about 50%, demonstrating high removal capacity of integrated reactor.

Supercritical fluid extraction of fat from ground beef: effects of water on gravimetric and GC-FAME fat determinations.

PubMed

Eller, F J; King, J W

2001-10-01

This study investigated the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction of fat from ground beef and the effects of several factors on the gravimetric determination of fat. The use of ethanol modifier with the SC-CO(2) was not necessary for efficient fat extraction; however, the ethanol did increase the coextraction of water. This coextraction of water caused a significant overestimation of gravimetric fat. Oven-drying ground beef samples prior to extraction inhibited the subsequent extraction of fat, whereas oven-drying the extract after collection decreased the subsequent gas chromatographic fatty acid methyl ester (GC-FAME) fat determination. None of the drying agents tested were able to completely prevent the coextraction of water, and silica gel and molecular sieves inhibited the complete extraction of fat. Measurements of collection vial mass indicated that CO(2) extraction/collection causes an initial increase in mass due to the density of CO(2) (relative to displaced air) followed by a decrease in vial mass due to the removal of adsorbed water from the collection vial. Microwave-drying of the empty collection vials removes approximately 3 mg of adsorbed water, approximately 15-20 min is required for readsorption of the displaced water. For collection vials containing collected fat, microwave-drying effectively removed coextracted water, and the vials reached equilibration after approximately 10-15 min. Silanizing collection vials did not significantly affect weight loss during microwave-drying. SC-CO(2) can be used to accurately determine fat gravimetrically for ground beef, and the presented method can also be followed by GC-FAME analysis to provide specific fatty acid information as well.

Combined analysis by GC (RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR of the supercritical fluid extract of Abies alba twigs.

PubMed

Duquesnoy, Emilie; Marongiu, Bruno; Castola, Vincent; Piras, Alessandra; Porcedda, Silvia; Casanova, Joseph

2010-12-01

Two samples (leaves and twigs) of Abies alba Miller from Corsica were extracted using supercritical CO2 and their chemical compositions were compared with those of the essential oils obtained from the same batch of plant material. In total 45 components were identified using combined analysis by GC (RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. It was observed that the contents of monoterpenes (mainly represented by limonene, alpha-pinene and camphene) were significantly lower in the supercritical fluid extract (SFE) than in the essential oil (EO). Conversely, the proportions of sesquiterpenes were much higher in CO2 extracts than in essential oils (around 30% vs 4%). Cis-abienol, a diterpene alcohol, was identified only in SFE, and the proportions of this constituent (7.5% and 17.3%) were determined using quantitative 13C NMR since it was under estimated using the standard conditions of GC.

EXPRESSION OF NeuGc ON PIG CORNEAS AND ITS POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN PIG CORNEAL XENOTRANSPLANTATION

PubMed Central

Lee, Whayoung; Miyagawa, Yuko; Long, Cassandra; Ekser, Burcin; Walters, Eric; Ramsoondar, Jagdeece; Ayares, David; Tector, A. Joseph; Cooper, David K. C.; Hara, Hidetaka

2016-01-01

Purpose Pigs expressing neither galactose-α1,3-galactose (Gal) nor N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) take xenotransplantation one step closer to the clinic. Our aims were (i) to document the lack of NeuGc expression on corneas and aortas, and cultured endothelial cells (aortic [AECs]; corneal [CECs]) of GTKO/NeuGcKO pigs, and (ii) to investigate whether the absence of NeuGc reduced human antibody binding to the tissues and cells. Methods Wild-type (WT), GTKO, and GTKO/NeuGcKO pig were used for the study. Human tissues and cultured cells were negative controls. Immunofluorescence staining was performed using anti-Gal and anti-NeuGc antibodies, and to determine human IgM and IgG binding to tissues. Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine Gal and NeuGc expression on cultured CECs and AECs and to measure human IgM/IgG binding to these cells. Results Both Gal and NeuGc were detected on WT pig corneas and aortas. Although GTKO pigs expressed NeuGc, neither human nor GTKO/NeuGcKO pigs expressed Gal or NeuGc. Human IgM/IgG binding to corneas and aortas from GTKO and GTKO/NeuGcKO pigs was reduced compared to binding to WT pigs. Human antibody binding to GTKO/NeuGcKO AECs was significantly less than to GTKO AECs, but there was no significant difference in binding between GTKO and GTKO/NeuGcKO CECs. Conclusions The absence of NeuGc on GTKO aortic tissue and AECs is associated with reduced human antibody binding, and possibly will provide better outcome in clinical xenotransplantation using vascularized organs. For clinical corneal xenotransplantation, the absence of NeuGc expression on GTKO/NeuGcKO pig corneas may not prove an advantage over GTKO corneas. PMID:26418433

Inhibition of the Hantavirus Fusion Process by Predicted Domain III and Stem Peptides from Glycoprotein Gc.

PubMed

Barriga, Gonzalo P; Villalón-Letelier, Fernando; Márquez, Chantal L; Bignon, Eduardo A; Acuña, Rodrigo; Ross, Breyan H; Monasterio, Octavio; Mardones, Gonzalo A; Vidal, Simon E; Tischler, Nicole D

2016-07-01

Hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in humans. To enter cells, hantaviruses fuse their envelope membrane with host cell membranes. Previously, we have shown that the Gc envelope glycoprotein is the viral fusion protein sharing characteristics with class II fusion proteins. The ectodomain of class II fusion proteins is composed of three domains connected by a stem region to a transmembrane anchor in the viral envelope. These fusion proteins can be inhibited through exogenous fusion protein fragments spanning domain III (DIII) and the stem region. Such fragments are thought to interact with the core of the fusion protein trimer during the transition from its pre-fusion to its post-fusion conformation. Based on our previous homology model structure for Gc from Andes hantavirus (ANDV), here we predicted and generated recombinant DIII and stem peptides to test whether these fragments inhibit hantavirus membrane fusion and cell entry. Recombinant ANDV DIII was soluble, presented disulfide bridges and beta-sheet secondary structure, supporting the in silico model. Using DIII and the C-terminal part of the stem region, the infection of cells by ANDV was blocked up to 60% when fusion of ANDV occurred within the endosomal route, and up to 95% when fusion occurred with the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the fragments impaired ANDV glycoprotein-mediated cell-cell fusion, and cross-inhibited the fusion mediated by the glycoproteins from Puumala virus (PUUV). The Gc fragments interfered in ANDV cell entry by preventing membrane hemifusion and pore formation, retaining Gc in a non-resistant homotrimer stage, as described for DIII and stem peptide inhibitors of class II fusion proteins. Collectively, our results demonstrate that hantavirus Gc shares not only structural, but also mechanistic similarity with class II viral fusion proteins, and will hopefully help in developing novel therapeutic strategies against hantaviruses.

GC-TOF/MS-based metabolomic profiling of estrogen deficiency-induced obesity in ovariectomized rats

PubMed Central

Ma, Bo; Zhang, Qi; Wang, Guang-ji; A, Ji-ye; Wu, Di; Liu, Ying; Cao, Bei; Liu, Lin-sheng; Hu, Ying-ying; Wang, Yong-lu; Zheng, Ya-ya

2011-01-01

Aim: To explore the alteration of endogenous metabolites and identify potential biomarkers using metabolomic profiling with gas chromatography coupled a time-of-flight mass analyzer (GC/TOF-MS) in a rat model of estrogen-deficiency-induced obesity. Methods: Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats six month of age were either sham-operated or ovariectomized (OVX). Rat blood was collected, and serum was analyzed for biomarkers using standard colorimetric methods with commercial assay kits and a metabolomic approach with GC/TOF-MS. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques. Results: A high body weight and body mass index inversely correlated with serum estradiol (E2) in the OVX rats compared to the sham rats. Estrogen deficiency also significantly increased serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Utilizing GC/TOF-MS-based metabolomic analysis and the partial least-squares discriminant analysis, the OVX samples were discriminated from the shams. Elevated levels of cholesterol, glycerol, glucose, arachidonic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and cystine and reduced alanine levels were observed. Serum glucose metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism were involved in estrogen-deficiency-induced obesity in OVX rats. Conclusion: The series of potential biomarkers identified in the present study provided fingerprints of rat metabolomic changes during obesity and an overview of multiple metabolic pathways during the progression of obesity involving glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. PMID:21293480

Human CST Facilitates Genome-wide RAD51 Recruitment to GC-Rich Repetitive Sequences in Response to Replication Stress.

PubMed

Chastain, Megan; Zhou, Qing; Shiva, Olga; Fadri-Moskwik, Maria; Whitmore, Leanne; Jia, Pingping; Dai, Xueyu; Huang, Chenhui; Ye, Ping; Chai, Weihang

2016-08-02

The telomeric CTC1/STN1/TEN1 (CST) complex has been implicated in promoting replication recovery under replication stress at genomic regions, yet its precise role is unclear. Here, we report that STN1 is enriched at GC-rich repetitive sequences genome-wide in response to hydroxyurea (HU)-induced replication stress. STN1 deficiency exacerbates the fragility of these sequences under replication stress, resulting in chromosome fragmentation. We find that upon fork stalling, CST proteins form distinct nuclear foci that colocalize with RAD51. Furthermore, replication stress induces physical association of CST with RAD51 in an ATR-dependent manner. Strikingly, CST deficiency diminishes HU-induced RAD51 foci formation and reduces RAD51 recruitment to telomeres and non-telomeric GC-rich fragile sequences. Collectively, our findings establish that CST promotes RAD51 recruitment to GC-rich repetitive sequences in response to replication stress to facilitate replication restart, thereby providing insights into the mechanism underlying genome stability maintenance. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-targeted analysis of petroleum metabolites in groundwater using GC×GC-TOFMS.

PubMed

Mohler, Rachel E; O'Reilly, Kirk T; Zemo, Dawn A; Tiwary, Asheesh K; Magaw, Renae I; Synowiec, Karen A

2013-09-17

Groundwater at fuel release sites often contains nonpolar hydrocarbons that originate from both the fuel release and other environmental sources, as well as polar metabolites of petroleum biodegradation. These compounds, along with other polar artifacts, can be quantified as "total petroleum hydrocarbons" using USEPA Methods 3510/8015B, unless a silica gel cleanup step is used to separate nonpolar hydrocarbons from polar compounds prior to analysis. Only a limited number of these metabolites have been identified by traditional GC-MS methods, because they are difficult to resolve using single-column configurations. Additionally, the targeted use of derivatization limits the detection of many potential metabolites of interest. The objective of this research was to develop a nontargeted GC×GC-TOFMS approach to characterize petroleum metabolites in environmental samples gathered from fuel release sites. The method tentatively identified more than 760 unique polar compounds, including acids/esters, alcohols, phenols, ketones, and aldehydes, from 22 groundwater samples collected at five sites. Standards for 28 polar compounds indicate that effective limits of quantitation for most of these compounds in the groundwater samples range from 1 to 11 μg/L.

Gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (GC-API-MS): review.

PubMed

Li, Du-Xin; Gan, Lin; Bronja, Amela; Schmitz, Oliver J

2015-09-03

Although the coupling of GC/MS with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) has been reported in 1970s, the interest in coupling GC with atmospheric pressure ion source was expanded in the last decade. The demand of a "soft" ion source for preserving highly diagnostic molecular ion is desirable, as compared to the "hard" ionization technique such as electron ionization (EI) in traditional GC/MS, which fragments the molecule in an extensive way. These API sources include atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI), electrospray ionization (ESI) and low temperature plasma (LTP). This review discusses the advantages and drawbacks of this analytical platform. After an introduction in atmospheric pressure ionization the review gives an overview about the history and explains the mechanisms of various atmospheric pressure ionization techniques used in combination with GC such as APCI, APPI, APLI, ESI and LTP. Also new developments made in ion source geometry, ion source miniaturization and multipurpose ion source constructions are discussed and a comparison between GC-FID, GC-EI-MS and GC-API-MS shows the advantages and drawbacks of these techniques. The review ends with an overview of applications realized with GC-API-MS. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evaluation of Immunogenicity and Safety of the New Tetanus-Reduced Diphtheria (Td) Vaccines (GC1107) in Healthy Korean Adolescents: A Phase II, Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Rhim, Jung-Woo; Lee, Kyung-Yil; Kim, Sang-Yong; Kim, Jong-Hyun; Kim, Hyun-Hee; Kim, Hwang Min; Choi, Young-Youn; Ma, Sang-Hyuk; Kim, Dong-Ho; Ahn, Dong Ho

2013-01-01

This phase II clinical trial was conducted to compare the immunogenicity and safety of a newly developed tetanus-reduced diphtheria (Td) vaccine (GC1107-T5.0 and GC1107-T7.5) and control vaccine. This study was also performed to select the proper dose of tetanus toxoid in the new Td vaccines. Healthy adolescents aged between 11 and 12 yr participated in this study. A total of 130 subjects (44 GC1107-T5.0, 42 GC1107-T7.5 and 44 control vaccine) completed a single dose of vaccination. Blood samples were collected from the subjects before and 4 weeks after the vaccination. In this study, all subjects (100%) in both GC1107-T5.0 and GC1107-T7.5 groups showed seroprotective antibody levels (≥ 0.1 U/mL) against diphtheria or tetanus toxoids. After the vaccination, the geometric mean titer (GMT) against diphtheria was significantly higher in Group GC1107-T5.0 (6.53) and GC1107-T7.5 (6.11) than in the control group (3.96). The GMT against tetanus was 18.6 in Group GC1107-T5.0, 19.94 in GC1107-T7.5 and 19.01 in the control group after the vaccination. In this study, the rates of local adverse reactions were 67.3% and 59.1% in GC1107-T5.0 and GC1107-7.5, respectively. No significant differences in the number of adverse reactions, prevalence and degree of severity of the solicited and unsolicited adverse reactions were observed among the three groups. Thus, both newly developed Td vaccines appear to be safe and show good immunogenicity. GC1107-T5.0, which contains relatively small amounts of tetanus toxoid, has been selected for a phase III clinical trial. PMID:23579367

GC/MS determination of amines following exhaustive trifluoroacetylation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomson, J.S.; Green, J.B.; McWilliams, T.B.

An analytical method for trifluoroacetylation of aromatic amines and GC/MS of the resulting derivatives has been developed. The key feature of the method is its capability to differentiate d tertiary amines; since, using the conditions described in the report, most primary, secondary, an primary amines add two and secondary amines add one trifluoroacetyl group. In general, tertiary amines do not react. Since conventional trifluoroacetylation procedures introduce only a single trifluoroacetyl group into both primary and secondary aminess the procedure reported here improves GC/MS identification of the relatively large number of isomers of nitrogen compounds found in petroleum or similarly complexmore » mixtures. For example, using exhaustive trifluoroacetylation, it is possible to differentiate isomeric forms of C{sub 9}H{sub 11}N (e.g., cyclohexenopyridines, aminoindans, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline and tetrahydroisoquinolines). Examples of the application of the method to petroleum and coal liquid products are provided. Because of the limited thermal stability of the derivatives of primary amines, the method is applicable only to distillates boiling below 370{degrees}C (700{degrees}F). To expedite utilization of the method by others, GC retention indices and relative GC/MS total ion current response factors for 102 trifluoroacetyl derivatives are included in the body of the report and their 70 ev mass spectra are reported in Appendix A.« less

Vertebrate codon bias indicates a highly GC-rich ancestral genome.

PubMed

Nabiyouni, Maryam; Prakash, Ashwin; Fedorov, Alexei

2013-04-25

Two factors are thought to have contributed to the origin of codon usage bias in eukaryotes: 1) genome-wide mutational forces that shape overall GC-content and create context-dependent nucleotide bias, and 2) positive selection for codons that maximize efficient and accurate translation. Particularly in vertebrates, these two explanations contradict each other and cloud the origin of codon bias in the taxon. On the one hand, mutational forces fail to explain GC-richness (~60%) of third codon positions, given the GC-poor overall genomic composition among vertebrates (~40%). On the other hand, positive selection cannot easily explain strict regularities in codon preferences. Large-scale bioinformatic assessment, of nucleotide composition of coding and non-coding sequences in vertebrates and other taxa, suggests a simple possible resolution for this contradiction. Specifically, we propose that the last common vertebrate ancestor had a GC-rich genome (~65% GC). The data suggest that whole-genome mutational bias is the major driving force for generating codon bias. As the bias becomes prominent, it begins to affect translation and can result in positive selection for optimal codons. The positive selection can, in turn, significantly modulate codon preferences. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of Porosity in Shale by Double Headspace Extraction GC Analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Chun-Yun; Li, Teng-Fei; Chai, Xin-Sheng; Xiao, Xian-Ming; Barnes, Donald

2015-11-03

This paper reports on a novel method for the rapid determination of the shale porosity by double headspace extraction gas chromatography (DHE-GC). Ground core samples of shale were placed into headspace vials and DHE-GC measurements of released methane gas were performed at a given time interval. A linear correlation between shale porosity and the ratio of consecutive GC signals was established both theoretically and experimentally by comparing with the results from the standard helium pycnometry method. The results showed that (a) the porosity of ground core samples of shale can be measured within 30 min; (b) the new method is not significantly affected by particle size of the sample; (c) the uncertainties of measured porosities of nine shale samples by the present method range from 0.31 to 0.46 p.u.; and (d) the results obtained by the DHE-GC method are in a good agreement with those from the standard helium pycnometry method. In short, the new DHE-GC method is simple, rapid, and accurate, making it a valuable tool for shale gas-related research and applications.

Advances in field-portable ion trap GC/MS instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diken, Eric G.; Arno, Josep; Skvorc, Ed; Manning, David; Andersson, Greger; Judge, Kevin; Fredeen, Ken; Sadowski, Charles; Oliphant, Joseph L.; Lammert, Stephen A.; Jones, Jeffrey L.; Waite, Randall W.; Grant, Chad; Lee, Edgar D.

2012-06-01

The rapid and accurate detection and identification of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals can be critical to the protection of military and civilian personnel. The use of gas chromatography (GC) - mass spectrometry (MS) can provide both the sensitivity and selectivity required to identify unknown chemicals in complex (i.e. real-world) environments. While most widely used as a laboratory-based technique, recent advances in GC, MS, and sampling technologies have led to the development of a hand-portable GC/MS system that is more practical for field-based analyses. The unique toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (TMS) used in this instrument has multiple benefits related to size, weight, start-up time, ruggedness, and power consumption. Sample separation is achieved in record time (~ 3 minutes) and with high resolution using a state-of-the-art high-performance low-thermal-mass GC column. In addition to providing a system overview highlighting its most important features, the presentation will focus on the chromatographic and mass spectral performance of the system. Results from exhaustive performance testing of the new instrument will be introduced to validate its unique robustness and ability to identify targeted and unknown chemicals.

An ingenious strategy of preparing TiO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst: In situ growth of TiO2 nanocrystals on g-C3N4 nanosheets via impregnation-calcination method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guanghui; Zhang, Tianyong; Li, Bin; Jiang, Shuang; Zhang, Xia; Hai, Li; Chen, Xingwei; Wu, Wubin

2018-03-01

An ingenious method was employed to design and fabricate the TiO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalysts in this study. The thermal oxidation etching of g-C3N4 nanosheets and the in situ growth of TiO2 nanocrystal on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets were completed simultaneously by the calcination process. The g-C3N4 nanosheets played a crucial role in regulating and assembling the structures and morphologies of TiO2. Furthermore, the thickness and content of g-C3N4, and the crystallinity of TiO2 in TiO2/g-C3N4 composites could be regulated and controlled by the calcination temperature. Among the resultant TiO2/g-C3N4 samples, the TiO2/g-C3N4 sample with 41.6 wt% g-C3N4 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. It could degrade almost all MO molecules under visible light irradiation within 3 h. Moreover, it displayed higher visible light photocatalytic performance for degrading MO solution than pure g-C3N4 and D-TiO2. The synergistic effect between TiO2 and g-C3N4 makes significant contributions to the enhancement of the visible light photocatalytic activity. In addition, the favorable photocatalytic performance of TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites is also attributed to the porous structures and uniform morphologies, and large surface area. Furthermore, the resultant TiO2/g-C3N4 exhibits excellent photocatalytic stability. Radical trapping experiments indicated that rad O2- and h+ were the main reactive species during the photodegradation process under visible light irradiation. Hopefully, the results can offer new design and strategy for preparing other g-C3N4-based nanocomposites for environmental and energy applications.

Tile-Based Fisher Ratio Analysis of Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC × GC – TOFMS) Data using a Null Distribution Approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parsons, Brendon A.; Marney, Luke C.; Siegler, William C.

Multi-dimensional chromatographic instrumentation produces information-rich, and chemically complex data containing meaningful chemical signals and/or chemical patterns. Two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC – TOFMS) is a prominent instrumental platform that has been applied extensively for discovery-based experimentation, where samples are sufficiently volatile or amenable to derivatization. Use of GC × GC – TOFMS and associated data analysis strategies aim to uncover meaningful chemical signals or chemical patterns. However, for complex samples, meaningful chemical information is often buried in a background of less meaningful chemical signal and noise. In this report, we utilize the tile-based F-ratiomore » software in concert with the standard addition method by spiking non-native chemicals into a diesel fuel matrix at low concentrations. While the previous work studied the concentration range of 100-1000 ppm, the current study focuses on the 0 ppm to 100 ppm analyte spike range. This study demonstrates the sensitivity and selectivity of the tile-based F-ratio software for discovery of true positives in the non-targeted analysis of a chemically complex and analytically challenging sample matrix. By exploring the low concentration spike levels, we gain a better understanding of the limit of detection (LOD) of the tile-based F-ratio software with GC × GC – TOFMS data.« less

Sample collection and preparation of biofluids and extracts for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Emwas, Abdul-Hamid M; Al-Talla, Zeyad A; Kharbatia, Najeh M

2015-01-01

To maximize the utility of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in metabonomics research, all stages of the experimental design should be standardized, including sample collection, storage, preparation, and sample separation. Moreover, the prerequisite for any GC-MS analysis is that a compound must be volatile and thermally stable if it is to be analyzed using this technique. Since many metabolites are nonvolatile and polar in nature, they are not readily amenable to analysis by GC-MS and require initial chemical derivatization of the polar functional groups in order to reduce the polarity and to increase the thermal stability and volatility of the analytes. In this chapter, an overview is presented of the optimum approach to sample collection, storage, and preparation for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabonomics with particular focus on urine samples as example of biofluids.

Antitumor effect of degalactosylated gc-globulin on orthotopic grafted lung cancer in mice.

PubMed

Hirota, Keiji; Nakagawa, Yoshinori; Takeuchi, Ryota; Uto, Yoshihiro; Hori, Hitoshi; Onizuka, Shinya; Terada, Hiroshi

2013-07-01

Group-specific component (Gc)-globulin-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) generated by a cascade of catalytic reactions with deglycosidase enzymes exerts antitumor activity. We hypothesized that degalactosyl Gc-globulin (DG3), a precursor of GcMAF, also plays a role in recovery from cancer as well as GcMAF due to progression of deglycosylation by generally resident sialidases and mannosidases. We prepared the subtypes of DG3, such as 1f1f and 1s1s and its 22 homodimers, by using vitamin D3-binding Sepharose CL-6B and examined their antitumor activity in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma cells, by counting the number of nodules formed in their lungs. Antitumor activity of DG3 was observed regardless of its subtype, being equivalent to that of GcMAF. The injection route of DG3 affected its antitumor activity, with subcutaneous and intramuscular administration being more favorable than the intraperitoneal or intravenous route. In order to obtain significant antitumor activity, more than 160 ng/kg of DG3 were required. DG3 proved to be promising as an antitumor agent, similarly to GcMAF.

Gas chromatography fractionation platform featuring parallel flame-ionization detection and continuous high-resolution analyte collection in 384-well plates.

PubMed

Jonker, Willem; Clarijs, Bas; de Witte, Susannah L; van Velzen, Martin; de Koning, Sjaak; Schaap, Jaap; Somsen, Govert W; Kool, Jeroen

2016-09-02

Gas chromatography (GC) is a superior separation technique for many compounds. However, fractionation of a GC eluate for analyte isolation and/or post-column off-line analysis is not straightforward, and existing platforms are limited in the number of fractions that can be collected. Moreover, aerosol formation may cause serious analyte losses. Previously, our group has developed a platform that resolved these limitations of GC fractionation by post-column infusion of a trap solvent prior to continuous small-volume fraction collection in a 96-wells plate (Pieke et al., 2013 [17]). Still, this GC fractionation set-up lacked a chemical detector for the on-line recording of chromatograms, and the introduction of trap solvent resulted in extensive peak broadening for late-eluting compounds. This paper reports advancements to the fractionation platform allowing flame ionization detection (FID) parallel to high-resolution collection of a full GC chromatograms in up to 384 nanofractions of 7s each. To this end, a post-column split was incorporated which directs part of the eluate towards FID. Furthermore, a solvent heating device was developed for stable delivery of preheated/vaporized trap solvent, which significantly reduced band broadening by post-column infusion. In order to achieve optimal analyte trapping, several solvents were tested at different flow rates. The repeatability of the optimized GC fraction collection process was assessed demonstrating the possibility of up-concentration of isolated analytes by repetitive analyses of the same sample. The feasibility of the improved GC fractionation platform for bioactivity screening of toxic compounds was studied by the analysis of a mixture of test pesticides, which after fractionation were subjected to a post-column acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assay. Fractions showing AChE inhibition could be unambiguously correlated with peaks from the parallel-recorded FID chromatogram. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights

Effects of vitamin D(3)-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF) on angiogenesis.

PubMed

Kanda, Shigeru; Mochizuki, Yasushi; Miyata, Yasuyoshi; Kanetake, Hiroshi; Yamamoto, Nobuto

2002-09-04

The vitamin D(3)-binding protein (Gc protein)-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF) activates tumoricidal macrophages against a variety of cancers indiscriminately. We investigated whether GcMAF also acts as an antiangiogenic factor on endothelial cells. The effects of GcMAF on angiogenic growth factor-induced cell proliferation, chemotaxis, and tube formation were examined in vitro by using cultured endothelial cells (murine IBE cells, porcine PAE cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs]) and in vivo by using a mouse cornea micropocket assay. Blocking monoclonal antibodies to CD36, a receptor for the antiangiogenic factor thrombospondin-1, which is also a possible receptor for GcMAF, were used to investigate the mechanism of GcMAF action. GcMAF inhibited the endothelial cell proliferation, chemotaxis, and tube formation that were all stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-A, or angiopoietin 2. FGF-2-induced neovascularization in murine cornea was also inhibited by GcMAF. Monoclonal antibodies against murine and human CD36 receptor blocked the antiangiogenic action of GcMAF on the angiogenic factor stimulation of endothelial cell chemotaxis. In addition to its ability to activate tumoricidal macrophages, GcMAF has direct antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells independent of tissue origin. The antiangiogenic effects of GcMAF may be mediated through the CD36 receptor.

Trace analysis of muramic acid in indoor air using an automated derivatization instrument and GC-MS(2) or GC-MS(3).

PubMed

Harley, William M; Kozar, Michael P; Fox, Alvin

2002-09-01

An automated derivatization instrument has been developed for the preparation of alditol acetates from bacterial hydrolysates for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The current report demonstrates the utility of the automated instrument for the more demanding task of trace analysis of muramic acid (Mur) in airborne dust using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS(2)). Conditions for efficient derivatization of Mur, vital for trace analysis, are rigorous including lactam and imido group formation under anhydrous conditions. Furthermore, as the detection limit is lowered, possible contamination or carry-over of samples becomes an increasingly greater consideration and must not occur. The instrument meets these criteria and was successfully used for assaying the levels of Mur in laboratory air, which were found to be much lower than in the previous studies of heavily occupied schools and agricultural environments. The potential for GC-MS(3) in further lowering the detection limit was also demonstrated.

Analysis of fragrance compounds in blood samples of mice by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, GC/FTIR and GC/AES after inhalation of sandalwood oil.

PubMed

Jirovetz, L; Buchbauer, G; Jäger, W; Woidich, A; Nikiforov, A

1992-01-01

After inhalation experiments with sandalwood oil and the pure fragrance compounds coumarin and alpha-terpineol, substances were detected and measured in the blood samples of test animals (mice) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (MID) in connection with GC/FTIR (SWC), GC/AES (carbon and oxygen trace) and flame ionization detection/gas chromatography. Using tiglinic acid benzyl ester as the internal standard the following concentrations in serum could be found: alpha-santalol 6.1 ng/mL, beta-santalol 5.3 ng/mL and alpha-santalene 0.5 ng/mL. In separate inhalation experiments with coumarin and with alpha-terpineol the corresponding concentrations were 7.7 ng/mL and 6.9 ng/mL, respectively.

[Study on rapid analysis method of pesticide contamination in processed foods by GC-MS and GC-FPD].

PubMed

Kobayashi, Maki; Otsuka, Kenji; Tamura, Yasuhiro; Tomizawa, Sanae; Kamijo, Kyoko; Iwakoshi, Keiko; Sato, Chizuko; Nagayama, Toshihiro; Takano, Ichiro

2011-01-01

A simple and rapid method using GC-MS and GC-FPD for the determination of pesticide contamination in processed food has been developed. Pesticides were extracted from a sample with ethyl acetate in the presence of anhydrous sodium sulfate, then cleaned up with a combination of mini-columns, such as macroporous diatomaceous earth, C18, GCB (graphite carbon black) and PSA. Recovery tests of 57 pesticides (known to be toxic or harmful) from ten kinds of processed foods (butter, cheese, corned beef, dried shrimp, frozen Chinese dumplings, grilled eels, instant noodles, kimchi, retort-packed curry and wine) were performed, and the recovery rates were mostly between 70% and 120%. This method can be used to judge whether or not processed foods are contaminated with pesticides at potentially harmful levels.

Molecular Characterization of Growth Hormone-producing Tumors in the GC Rat Model of Acromegaly.

PubMed

Martín-Rodríguez, Juan F; Muñoz-Bravo, Jose L; Ibañez-Costa, Alejandro; Fernandez-Maza, Laura; Balcerzyk, Marcin; Leal-Campanario, Rocío; Luque, Raúl M; Castaño, Justo P; Venegas-Moreno, Eva; Soto-Moreno, Alfonso; Leal-Cerro, Alfonso; Cano, David A

2015-11-09

Acromegaly is a disorder resulting from excessive production of growth hormone (GH) and consequent increase of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), most frequently caused by pituitary adenomas. Elevated GH and IGF-I levels results in wide range of somatic, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, and gastrointestinal morbidities. Subcutaneous implantation of the GH-secreting GC cell line in rats leads to the formation of tumors. GC tumor-bearing rats develop characteristics that resemble human acromegaly including gigantism and visceromegaly. However, GC tumors remain poorly characterized at a molecular level. In the present work, we report a detailed histological and molecular characterization of GC tumors using immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and imaging techniques. GC tumors display histopathological and molecular features of human GH-producing tumors, including hormone production, cell architecture, senescence activation and alterations in cell cycle gene expression. Furthermore, GC tumors cells displayed sensitivity to somatostatin analogues, drugs that are currently used in the treatment of human GH-producing adenomas, thus supporting the GC tumor model as a translational tool to evaluate therapeutic agents. The information obtained would help to maximize the usefulness of the GC rat model for research and preclinical studies in GH-secreting tumors.

Molecular Characterization of Growth Hormone-producing Tumors in the GC Rat Model of Acromegaly

PubMed Central

Martín-Rodríguez, Juan F.; Muñoz-Bravo, Jose L.; Ibañez-Costa, Alejandro; Fernandez-Maza, Laura; Balcerzyk, Marcin; Leal-Campanario, Rocío; Luque, Raúl M.; Castaño, Justo P.; Venegas-Moreno, Eva; Soto-Moreno, Alfonso; Leal-Cerro, Alfonso; Cano, David A.

2015-01-01

Acromegaly is a disorder resulting from excessive production of growth hormone (GH) and consequent increase of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), most frequently caused by pituitary adenomas. Elevated GH and IGF-I levels results in wide range of somatic, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, and gastrointestinal morbidities. Subcutaneous implantation of the GH-secreting GC cell line in rats leads to the formation of tumors. GC tumor-bearing rats develop characteristics that resemble human acromegaly including gigantism and visceromegaly. However, GC tumors remain poorly characterized at a molecular level. In the present work, we report a detailed histological and molecular characterization of GC tumors using immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and imaging techniques. GC tumors display histopathological and molecular features of human GH-producing tumors, including hormone production, cell architecture, senescence activation and alterations in cell cycle gene expression. Furthermore, GC tumors cells displayed sensitivity to somatostatin analogues, drugs that are currently used in the treatment of human GH-producing adenomas, thus supporting the GC tumor model as a translational tool to evaluate therapeutic agents. The information obtained would help to maximize the usefulness of the GC rat model for research and preclinical studies in GH-secreting tumors. PMID:26549306

Performance of the future MOMA GC-ITMS instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grand, Noel; Buch, Arnaud; Veronica, Pinnick; Szopa, Cyril; Danell, Ryan; Van Amerom, Friso H. W.; Glavin, Daniel P.; Freissinet, Caroline; Arevalo, Ricardo; Stalport, Fabien; Getty, Stephanie; Coll, Patrice; Steinninger, Harald; Brinckerhoff, William; Mahaffy, Paul; Goesmann, Fred; Raulin, F.; Goetz, Walter; MOMA Team

2016-10-01

The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) experiment aboard the future ExoMars mission will be the continuation of the SAM expirement aboard the Curiosity rover, with the search for the organic composition of the Mars surface. With ExoMars the sample will be extracted as deep as 2 meters below the martian surface to minimize effects of radiation and oxidation on organic materials. To analyze the wide range of organic composition (volatile and non-volatiles compounds) of the Martian soil MOMA is composed with an UV laser desorption / ionization (LDI) and a pyrolysis gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (pyr-GC-ITMS). In order to analyze refractory organic compounds and chirality samples which undergo GC-ITMS analysis may be submitted to a derivatization process, consisting of the reaction of the sample components with specific reactants (MTBSTFA [1], DMF-DMA [2] or TMAH [3]).To optimize and test the performance of the GC-ITMS instrument we have performed several coupling tests campaigns between the GC, providing by the French team (LISA, LATMOS, CentraleSupelec), and the MS, providing by the US team (NASA, GSFC). Last campaign has been done with the ETU models which is similar to the flight model and which include the oven and the taping station providing by the German team (MPS).The results obtained demonstrate the current status of the end-to-end performance of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry mode of operation.

Integrated multidimensional and comprehensive 2D GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters.

PubMed

Zeng, Annie Xu; Chin, Sung-Tong; Marriott, Philip J

2013-03-01

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling in complex fish oil and milk fat samples was studied using integrated comprehensive 2D GC (GC × GC) and multidimensional GC (MDGC). Using GC × GC, FAME compounds--cis- and trans-isomers, and essential fatty acid isomers--ranging from C18 to C22 in fish oil and C18 in milk fat were clearly displayed in contour plot format according to structural properties and patterns, further identified based on authentic standards. Incompletely resolved regions were subjected to MDGC, with Cn (n = 18, 20) zones transferred to a (2)D column. Elution behavior of C18 FAME on various (2)D column phases (ionic liquids IL111, IL100, IL76, and modified PEG) was evaluated. Individual isolated Cn zones demonstrated about four-fold increased peak capacities. The IL100 provided superior separation, good peak shape, and utilization of elution space. For milk fat-derived FAME, the (2)D chromatogram revealed at least three peaks corresponding to C18:1, more than six peaks for cis/trans-C18:2 isomers, and two peaks for C18:3. More than 17 peaks were obtained for the C20 region of fish oil-derived FAMEs using MDGC, compared with ten peaks using GC × GC. The MDGC strategy is useful for improved FAME isomer separation and confirmation. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Review: DNA oxidation, its consequences and efficacy of GC-MS and SPME-GC-MS for In Vitro quantification of DNA oxidative products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Himansha; Udawat, Abhishek; Franklin, Tony; Sarathi, Sai Partha

2012-10-01

DNA oxidation could be one of the main factors contributing to DNA damage, eventually leading to carcinogenesis, mutations or non-carcinogenic diseases such as Parkinsonís and Alzheimerís. Only recently has the focus turned towards identifying oxidative products of DNA and their consequences. Metabolism activities in vitro produce reactive radicals, which can break DNA strands to cause lesions. These lesions could also act as biomarkers for diagnostic purposes. This review provides an insight of the DNA oxidation mechanism, its harmful consequences and the advantages/disadvantages of available techniques to quantify such DNA oxidative products, focussing mainly on the use GC-MS along with derivatization reaction. In addition, the review also discusses the use of Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) before conducting GC-MS as a potential assay to overcome the discrepancies involved in using GC-MS alone for the identification of DNA oxidative products.

Co-digestion of polylactide and kitchen garbage in hyperthermophilic and thermophilic continuous anaerobic process.

PubMed

Wang, Feng; Hidaka, Taira; Tsuno, Hiroshi; Tsubota, Jun

2012-05-01

Two series of two-phase anaerobic systems, consisting of a hyperthermophilic (80°C) reactor and a thermophilic (55°C) reactor, fed with a mixture of kitchen garbage (KG) and polylactide (PLA), was compared with a single-phase thermophilic reactor for the overall performance. The result indicated that ammonia addition under hyperthermophilic condition promoted the transformation of PLA particles to lactic acid. The systems with hyperthermophilic treatment had advantages on PLA transformation and methane conversion ratio to the control system. Under the organic loading rate (OLR) of 10.3 g COD/(L day), the PLA transformation ratios of the two-phase systems were 82.0% and 85.2%, respectively, higher than that of the control system (63.5%). The methane conversion ratios of the two-phase systems were 82.9% and 80.8%, respectively, higher than 70.1% of the control system. The microbial community analysis indicated that hyperthermophilic treatment is easily installed to traditional thermophilic anaerobic digestion plants without inoculation of special bacteria. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-collected versus clinician-collected sampling for sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

PubMed

Taylor, Darlene; Lunny, Carole; Wong, Tom; Gilbert, Mark; Li, Neville; Lester, Richard; Krajden, Mel; Hoang, Linda; Ogilvie, Gina

2013-10-10

Three meta-analyses and one systematic review have been conducted on the question of whether self-collected specimens are as accurate as clinician-collected specimens for STI screening. However, these reviews predate 2007 and did not analyze rectal or pharyngeal collection sites. Currently, there is no consensus on which sampling method is the most effective for the diagnosis of genital chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (GC) or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Our meta-analysis aims to be comprehensive in that it will examine the evidence of whether self-collected vaginal, urine, pharyngeal and rectal specimens provide as accurate a clinical diagnosis as clinician-collected samples (reference standard). Eligible studies include both randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, pre- and post-test designs, and controlled observational studies. The databases that will be searched include the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), EMBASE and PubMed/Medline. Data will be abstracted independently by two reviewers using a standardized pre-tested data abstraction form. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the Q2 test. Sensitivity and specificity estimates with 95% confidence intervals as well as negative and positive likelihood ratios will be pooled and weighted using random effects meta-analysis, if appropriate. A hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics curve for self-collected specimens will be generated. This synthesis involves a meta-analysis of self-collected samples (urine, vaginal, pharyngeal and rectal swabs) versus clinician-collected samples for the diagnosis of CT, GC and HPV, the most prevalent STIs. Our systematic review will allow patients, clinicians and researchers to determine the diagnostic accuracy of specimens collected by patients compared to those collected by clinicians in the detection of chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV.

Environmental and forensic applications of field-portable GC-MS: an overview.

PubMed

Eckenrode, B A

2001-06-01

GC-MS can provide analytical information that is most reliable for many types of organic analyses. As field-portable GC-MS analytical systems evolve, the application scenarios have diversified as well. With the development of rugged fieldable systems, these instruments were demonstrated to be usable in the harsh environment of the jungle and in chemical demilitarization or military reconnaissance situations. Continuous unattended operations of a GC-MS for 12- or 24-hour monitoring applications in the field have been shown to be possible. A real-time algorithm strategy is proposed, which can be developed to aid in the advancement of field-portable mass spectrometry applied to chemical warfare agent analysis in military vehicles and can be used to raise the standard for field data quality. Each of these capabilities is discussed with the intent on reviewing analysis situations that can be expanded because of developments in field GC-MS instrumentation.

Alu elements in primates are preferentially lost from areas of high GC content

PubMed Central

Brookfield, John FY

2013-01-01

The currently-accepted dogma when analysing human Alu transposable elements is that ‘young’ Alu elements are found in low GC regions and ‘old’ Alus in high GC regions. The correlation between high GC regions and high gene frequency regions make this observation particularly difficult to explain. Although a number of studies have tackled the problem, no analysis has definitively explained the reason for this trend. These observations have been made by relying on the subfamily as a proxy for age of an element. In this study, we suggest that this is a misleading assumption and instead analyse the relationship between the taxonomic distribution of an individual element and its surrounding GC environment. An analysis of 103906 Alu elements across 6 human chromosomes was carried out, using the presence of orthologous Alu elements in other primate species as a proxy for age. We show that the previously-reported effect of GC content correlating with subfamily age is not reflected by the ages of the individual elements. Instead, elements are preferentially lost from areas of high GC content over time. The correlation between GC content and subfamily may be due to a change in insertion bias in the young subfamilies. The link between Alu subfamily age and GC region was made due to an over-simplification of the data and is incorrect. We suggest that use of subfamilies as a proxy for age is inappropriate and that the analysis of ortholog presence in other primate species provides a deeper insight into the data. PMID:23717800

Evaluation of petroleum heterogeneities in the Eldfish Chalk reservoir using thermal extraction and pyrolysis GC and thermal extraction GC-MS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hall, P.B.; Bjory, M.; Stoddart, D.

1993-09-01

Petroleum geochemical research is being applied more and more to production-oriented problems such as improving recovery of oil from existing fields and identifying satellite fields. Recent studies by ourselves and others have suggested that compositional heterogeneities within the petroleum column of reservoirs can provide information relevant to these objectives. Some of the best data for distinguishing petroleum [open quotes]populations[close quotes] in reservoirs comes from conventional geochemical techniques, some of which are very time consuming (e.g., solvent extraction, EOM fractionation, and GC and GC-MS of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions). Furthermore, a large number of samples need to be analyzed onmore » order to detect the often slight heterogeneities present in a reservoir. The techniques employed in this study (particularly thermal extraction and pyrolysis GC and thermal extraction GC-MS) can be used to generate large amounts of relevant data quickly. In this study, data were acquired on core samples ([approximately]750) from the Paleocene/Cretaceous Eldfish Chalk reservoir (2/7 block Norwegian North Sea). The acquired data reveal distinct maturity gradients and also small, but still significant, variations in source of the oil within the different Eldfisk oil pools (Alpha, Bravo, and East). This indicates incomplete mixing of the hydrocarbons. These variations have been used to delineate lateral and vertical barriers to petroleum mixing. These observations, when integrated with geological data, can lead to an improved understanding of the possible field filling directions and the intrareservoir compartmentalization. The conclusions from this may also aid in exploration for satellite fields as well as influencing the production plan for the Eldfisk field.« less

GC-ASM: Synergistic Integration of Graph-Cut and Active Shape Model Strategies for Medical Image Segmentation

PubMed Central

Chen, Xinjian; Udupa, Jayaram K.; Alavi, Abass; Torigian, Drew A.

2013-01-01

Image segmentation methods may be classified into two categories: purely image based and model based. Each of these two classes has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we propose a novel synergistic combination of the image based graph-cut (GC) method with the model based ASM method to arrive at the GC-ASM method for medical image segmentation. A multi-object GC cost function is proposed which effectively integrates the ASM shape information into the GC framework. The proposed method consists of two phases: model building and segmentation. In the model building phase, the ASM model is built and the parameters of the GC are estimated. The segmentation phase consists of two main steps: initialization (recognition) and delineation. For initialization, an automatic method is proposed which estimates the pose (translation, orientation, and scale) of the model, and obtains a rough segmentation result which also provides the shape information for the GC method. For delineation, an iterative GC-ASM algorithm is proposed which performs finer delineation based on the initialization results. The proposed methods are implemented to operate on 2D images and evaluated on clinical chest CT, abdominal CT, and foot MRI data sets. The results show the following: (a) An overall delineation accuracy of TPVF > 96%, FPVF < 0.6% can be achieved via GC-ASM for different objects, modalities, and body regions. (b) GC-ASM improves over ASM in its accuracy and precision to search region. (c) GC-ASM requires far fewer landmarks (about 1/3 of ASM) than ASM. (d) GC-ASM achieves full automation in the segmentation step compared to GC which requires seed specification and improves on the accuracy of GC. (e) One disadvantage of GC-ASM is its increased computational expense owing to the iterative nature of the algorithm. PMID:23585712

GC-ASM: Synergistic Integration of Graph-Cut and Active Shape Model Strategies for Medical Image Segmentation.

PubMed

Chen, Xinjian; Udupa, Jayaram K; Alavi, Abass; Torigian, Drew A

2013-05-01

Image segmentation methods may be classified into two categories: purely image based and model based. Each of these two classes has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we propose a novel synergistic combination of the image based graph-cut (GC) method with the model based ASM method to arrive at the GC-ASM method for medical image segmentation. A multi-object GC cost function is proposed which effectively integrates the ASM shape information into the GC framework. The proposed method consists of two phases: model building and segmentation. In the model building phase, the ASM model is built and the parameters of the GC are estimated. The segmentation phase consists of two main steps: initialization (recognition) and delineation. For initialization, an automatic method is proposed which estimates the pose (translation, orientation, and scale) of the model, and obtains a rough segmentation result which also provides the shape information for the GC method. For delineation, an iterative GC-ASM algorithm is proposed which performs finer delineation based on the initialization results. The proposed methods are implemented to operate on 2D images and evaluated on clinical chest CT, abdominal CT, and foot MRI data sets. The results show the following: (a) An overall delineation accuracy of TPVF > 96%, FPVF < 0.6% can be achieved via GC-ASM for different objects, modalities, and body regions. (b) GC-ASM improves over ASM in its accuracy and precision to search region. (c) GC-ASM requires far fewer landmarks (about 1/3 of ASM) than ASM. (d) GC-ASM achieves full automation in the segmentation step compared to GC which requires seed specification and improves on the accuracy of GC. (e) One disadvantage of GC-ASM is its increased computational expense owing to the iterative nature of the algorithm.

Degalactosylated/desialylated human serum containing GcMAF induces macrophage phagocytic activity and in vivo antitumor activity.

PubMed

Kuchiike, Daisuke; Uto, Yoshihiro; Mukai, Hirotaka; Ishiyama, Noriko; Abe, Chiaki; Tanaka, Daichi; Kawai, Tomohito; Kubo, Kentaro; Mette, Martin; Inui, Toshio; Endo, Yoshio; Hori, Hitoshi

2013-07-01

The group-specific component protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) has various biological activities, such as macrophage activation and antitumor activity. Clinical trials of GcMAF have been carried out for metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer. In this study, despite the complicated purification process of GcMAF, we used enzymatically-treated human serum containing GcMAF with a considerable macrophage-stimulating activity and antitumor activity. We detected GcMAF in degalactosylated/desialylated human serum by western blotting using an anti-human Gc globulin antibody, and Helix pomatia agglutinin lectin. We also found that GcMAF-containing human serum significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages and extended the survival time of mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors. We demonstrated that GcMAF-containing human serum can be used as a potential macrophage activator for cancer immunotherapy.

Hantavirus Gc induces long-term immune protection via LAMP-targeting DNA vaccine strategy.

PubMed

Jiang, Dong-Bo; Zhang, Jin-Peng; Cheng, Lin-Feng; Zhang, Guan-Wen; Li, Yun; Li, Zi-Chao; Lu, Zhen-Hua; Zhang, Zi-Xin; Lu, Yu-Chen; Zheng, Lian-He; Zhang, Fang-Lin; Yang, Kun

2018-02-01

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) occurs widely throughout Eurasia. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment, and prophylaxis remains the best option against the major pathogenic agent, hantaan virus (HTNV), which is an Old World hantavirus. However, the absence of cellular immune responses and immunological memory hampers acceptance of the current inactivated HFRS vaccine. Previous studies revealed that a lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)-targeting strategy involving a DNA vaccine based on the HTNV glycoprotein Gn successfully conferred long-term immunity, and indicated that further research on Gc, another HTNV antigen, was warranted. Plasmids encoding Gc and lysosome-targeted Gc, designated pVAX-Gc and pVAX-LAMP/Gc, respectively, were constructed. Proteins of interest were identified by fluorescence microscopy following cell line transfection. Five groups of 20 female BALB/c mice were subjected to the following inoculations: inactivated HTNV vaccine, pVAX-LAMP/Gc, pVAX-Gc, and, as the negative controls, pVAX-LAMP or the blank vector pVAX1. Humoral and cellular immunity were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and 15-mer peptide enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) epitope mapping assays. Repeated immunization with pVAX-LAMP/Gc enhanced adaptive immune responses, as demonstrated by the specific and neutralizing antibody titers and increased IFN-γ production. The inactivated vaccine induced a comparable humoral reaction, but the negative controls only elicited insignificant responses. Using a mouse model of HTNV challenge, the in vivo protection conferred by the inactivated vaccine and Gc-based constructs (with/without LAMP recombination) was confirmed. Evidence of pan-epitope reactions highlighted the long-term cellular response to the LAMP-targeting strategy, and histological observations indicated the safety of the LAMP-targeting vaccines. The long-term protective immune responses induced by pVAX-LAMP/Gc may be

Performances of the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) GC-MS suite aboard ExoMars Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buch, A.; Grand, N.; Pinnick, V. T.; Szopa, C.; Humeau, O.; Danell, R.; van Amerom, F. H. W.; Freissinet, C.; Glavin, D. P.; Belmahdi, I.; Coll, P. J.; Lustrement, B.; Brinckerhoff, W. B.; Arevalo, R. D., Jr.; Stalport, F.; Steininger, H.; Goesmann, F.; Raulin, F.; Mahaffy, P. R.

2014-12-01

The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) aboard the ExoMars rover (Pasteur) will be a key analytical tool in providing chemical (molecular) information from the solid samples collected by the rover, with a particular focus on the characterization of the organic content. Samples will be extracted as deep as 2 meters below the martian surface to minimize effects of radiation and oxidation on organic materials. The core of the MOMA instrument is a dual source UV laser desorption / ionization (LDI) and pyrolysis gas chromatography (pyr-GC) ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) which provides the unique capability to characterize a broad range of compounds, including both of volatile and non-volatile species. Samples which undergo GC-ITMS analysis may be submitted to a derivatization process, consisting of the reaction of the sample components with specific reactants (MTBSTFA [1], DMF-DMA [2] or TMAH [3]) which increase the volatility of complex organic species. With the goal to optimize this instrumentation, and especially the GC-ITMS coupling, a series of tests is currently being carried out with prototypes of MOMA instrumentation and with the ETU models wich is similar to the flight model. The MOMA oven and tapping station are also part of these end-to-end experiments. Qualitative and quantitative tests has been done on gas, liquid and solid samples. The results obtained demonstrate the current status of the end-to-end performance of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry mode of operation. Both prototypes individually meet the performance requirements, but this work particularly demonstrates the capabilities of the critical GC-MS interface. References: [1] Buch, A. et al. (2009) J chrom. A, 43, 143-151. [2] Freissinet et al. (2011) J Chrom A, 1306, 59-71. [3] Geffroy-Rodier, C. et al. (2009) JAAP, 85, 454-459. Acknowledgements: Funding provided by the Mars Exploration Program (point of contact, George Tahu, NASA/HQ). MOMA is a collaboration between NASA and ESA (PI

Room-temperature in situ fabrication of Bi2O3/g-C3N4 direct Z-scheme photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Rongan; Zhou, Jiaqian; Fu, Huiqing; Zhang, Shiying; Jiang, Chuanjia

2018-02-01

Constructing direct Z-scheme heterojunction is an effective approach to separating photogenerated charge carriers and improving the activity of semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, a composite of bismuth(III) oxide (Bi2O3) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was in situ fabricated at room temperature by photoreductive deposition of Bi3+ and subsequent air-oxidation of the resultant metallic Bi. Quantum-sized ω-Bi2O3 nanoparticles approximately 6 nm in diameter were uniformly distributed on the surface of mesoporous g-C3N4. The as-prepared Bi2O3/g-C3N4 composite exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pure Bi2O3 and g-C3N4 for photocatalytic degradation of phenol under visible light. Reactive species trapping experiments revealed that superoxide radicals and photogenerated holes played important roles in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol. The enhanced photocatalytic activity, identification of reactive species and higher rate of charge carrier recombination (as indicated by stronger photoluminescence intensity) collectively suggest that the charge migration within the Bi2O3/g-C3N4 composite followed a Z-scheme mechanism. Photogenerated electrons on the conduction band of Bi2O3 migrate to the valence band of g-C3N4 and combine with photogenerated holes therein. At the cost of these less reactive charge carriers, the Z-scheme heterojunction enables efficient charge separation, while preserving the photogenerated electrons and holes with stronger redox abilities, which is beneficial for enhanced photocatalytic activity.

[The sanitary and hygienic state of solid garbage burial grounds in the stages of a life cycle].

PubMed

Zomarev, A M; Vaĭsman, Ia I; Zaĭtseva, T A; Glushankova, I S

2010-01-01

The purpose of the study was to assess the sanitary-and-hygienic state of solid garbage (SG) burial grounds in the Perm Territory in different stage of a life cycle. This paper presents the results of the study of deposited waste, forming dump soil, and SG ground emissions by general sanitary and sanitary-microbiological parameters and their effect on environmental objects. The performed studies of the sanitary-and-hygienic situation on some grounds of the Perm Territory suggest that there is a need for setting up a system for sanitary-and-monitoring of SG ground and for elaborating engineering, organizational, and prophylactic measures to assure the sanitary-and-hygienic safety of objects and to control the quality and quantity of waste to be buried and the currents of emissions (ground body degassing, filtrating sewage drainage and purification).

Unconventionally prepared TiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troppová, Ivana; Šihor, Marcel; Reli, Martin; Ritz, Michal; Praus, Petr; Kočí, Kamila

2018-02-01

The TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with the various TiO2:g-C3N4 weight ratios from 1:1 to 1:3 were prepared unconventionally by pressurized hot water processing in a flow regime. The parent TiO2 and g-C3N4 was prepared by thermal hydrolysis and thermal annealing, respectively. The nanocomposites as well as parent TiO2 and g-C3N4 were characterized using several complementary characterization methods and investigated in the photocatalytic decomposition of N2O under UVA (λ = 365 nm) irradiation. All the prepared TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites showed higher photocatalytic activity in comparison with the pure g-C3N4 and chiefly pure TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites was decreasing in the following sequence: TiO2/g-C3N4 (1:3) > TiO2/g-C3N4 (1:2) > TiO2/g-C3N4 (1:1). In comparison with the parent TiO2 or g-C3N4, the TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites' photocatalytic capability was significantly enhanced by coupling TiO2 with g-C3N4. The generation of TiO2/g-C3N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst mainly benefited from the effective separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and the extended optical absorption range. The TiO2/g-C3N4 (1:3) nanocomposite showed the best photocatalytic behavior in a consequence of the optimal weight ratio of TiO2:g-C3N4 and the lowest band gap energy from all nanocomposites. The N2O conversion in its presence was 70.6% after 20 h of UVA irradiation.

Determination of phenobarbital in hair matrix by liquid phase microextraction (LPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

PubMed

Roveri, Flávia Lopes; Paranhos, Beatriz Aparecida Passos Bismara; Yonamine, Mauricio

2016-08-01

A method for identification and quantification of phenobarbital in hair samples by liquid phase microextraction (LPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been presented. Drug-free hair specimens were collected and separated in 50mg aliquots. Each aliquot was washed with 2.0mL of dichloromethane for 15min at 37°C. Standards and deuterated internal standards for calibration and quality control samples were added to the washed hair aliquot and the sample was submitted to complete digestion with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 1.0mol/L for 15min at 70°C. The dissolved sample was submitted to LPME. After extraction, the residue was derivatized with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and analyzed by GC-MS. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1ng/mg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.25ng/mg. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 0.25ng/mg to 10ng/mg (r(2)>0.99). The intra- and inter-assay precisions, given by RSD, were less than 6% for phenobarbital. Fortified samples of secobarbital and pentobarbital were also submitted to the validated method. The method was successfully applied to hair samples collected from three volunteers who reported regular use of phenobarbital (clinical treatment). The concentrations found were 9.5, 15.1 and 16.3ng/mg of phenobarbital. To contemplate the concentrations found, dilution integrity tests were also validated. The LPME and GC-MS method showed to be suitable for the detection of phenobarbital in hair samples and can be promptly used for different purposes whenever required. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 38514 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-02

...: Written comments may be sent to Anne Broker, GC-12, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Conflict...; (3) Type of Review: Renewal; (4) Purpose: The collection of this information continues to be... June 28, 2010. Kathleen M. Binder, Director, Office of Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Office of...

Essential oil composition of five collections of Achillea biebersteinii from central Turkey and their antifungal and insecticidal activity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The composition of the essential oils hydrodistilled from the aerial parts of five Achillea biebersteinii Afan samples, collected in central Turkey from Konya, Isparta and Ankara, were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eighty-four componen...

Association between -174G/C and -572G/C interleukin 6 gene polymorphisms and severe radiographic damage to the hands of Mexican patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a preliminary report.

PubMed

Zavaleta-Muñiz, S A; Gonzalez-Lopez, L; Murillo-Vazquez, J D; Saldaña-Cruz, A M; Vazquez-Villegas, M L; Martín-Márquez, B T; Vasquez-Jimenez, J C; Sandoval-Garcia, F; Ruiz-Padilla, A J; Fajardo-Robledo, N S; Ponce-Guarneros, J M; Rocha-Muñoz, A D; Alcaraz-Lopez, M F; Cardona-Müller, D; Totsuka-Sutto, S E; Rubio-Arellano, E D; Gamez-Nava, J I

2016-12-19

Several interleukin 6 gene (IL6) polymorphisms are implicated in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has not yet been established with certainty if these polymorphisms are associated with the severe radiographic damage observed in some RA patients, particularly those with the development of joint bone ankylosis (JBA). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between severe radiographic damage in hands and the -174G/C and -572G/C IL6 polymorphisms in Mexican Mestizo people with RA. Mestizo adults with RA and long disease duration (>5 years) were classified into two groups according to the radiographic damage in their hands: a) severe radiographic damage (JBA and/or joint bone subluxations) and b) mild or moderate radiographic damage. We compared the differences in genotype and allele frequencies of -174G/C and -572G/C IL6 polymorphisms (genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) between these two groups. Our findings indicated that the -174G/C polymorphism of IL6 is associated with severe joint radiographic damage [maximum likelihood odds ratios (MLE_OR): 8.03; 95%CI 1.22-187.06; P = 0.03], whereas the -572G/C polymorphism of IL6 exhibited no such association (MLE_OR: 1.5; 95%CI 0.52-4.5; P = 0.44). Higher anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody levels were associated with more severe joint radiographic damage (P = 0.04). We conclude that there is a relevant association between the -174G/C IL6 polymorphism and severe radiographic damage. Future studies in other populations are required to confirm our findings.

A review on g-C3N4-based photocatalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jiuqing; Xie, Jun; Chen, Xiaobo; Li, Xin

2017-01-01

As one of the most appealing and attractive technologies, heterogeneous photocatalysis has been utilized to directly harvest, convert and store renewable solar energy for producing sustainable and green solar fuels and a broad range of environmental applications. Due to their unique physicochemical, optical and electrical properties, a wide variety of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts have been designed to drive various reduction and oxidation reactions under light irradiation with suitable wavelengths. In this review, we have systematically summarized the photocatalytic fundamentals of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts, including fundamental mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis, advantages, challenges and the design considerations of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts. The versatile properties of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts are highlighted, including their crystal structural, surface phisicochemical, stability, optical, adsorption, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and electronic properties. Various design strategies are also thoroughly reviewed, including band-gap engineering, defect control, dimensionality tuning, pore texture tailoring, surface sensitization, heterojunction construction, co-catalyst and nanocarbon loading. Many important applications are also addressed, such as photocatalytic water splitting (H2 evolution and overall water splitting), degradation of pollutants, carbon dioxide reduction, selective organic transformations and disinfection. Through reviewing the important state-of-the-art advances on this topic, it may provide new opportunities for designing and constructing highly effective g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for various applications in photocatalysis and other related fields, such as solar cell, photoelectrocatalysis, electrocatalysis, lithium battery, supercapacitor, fuel cell and separation and purification.

Gc-protein-derived macrophage activating factor counteracts the neuronal damage induced by oxaliplatin.

PubMed

Morucci, Gabriele; Branca, Jacopo J V; Gulisano, Massimo; Ruggiero, Marco; Paternostro, Ferdinando; Pacini, Alessandra; Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo; Pacini, Stefania

2015-02-01

Oxaliplatin-based regimens are effective in metastasized advanced cancers. However, a major limitation to their widespread use is represented by neurotoxicity that leads to peripheral neuropathy. In this study we evaluated the roles of a proven immunotherapeutic agent [Gc-protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF)] in preventing or decreasing oxaliplatin-induced neuronal damage and in modulating microglia activation following oxaliplatin-induced damage. The effects of oxaliplatin and of a commercially available formula of GcMAF [oleic acid-GcMAF (OA-GcMAF)] were studied in human neurons (SH-SY5Y cells) and in human microglial cells (C13NJ). Cell density, morphology and viability, as well as production of cAMP and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), markers of neuron regeneration [neuromodulin or growth associated protein-43 (Gap-43)] and markers of microglia activation [ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and B7-2], were determined. OA-GcMAF reverted the damage inflicted by oxaliplatin on human neurons and preserved their viability. The neuroprotective effect was accompanied by increased intracellular cAMP production, as well as by increased expression of VEGF and neuromodulin. OA-GcMAF did not revert the effects of oxaliplatin on microglial cell viability. However, it increased microglial activation following oxaliplatin-induced damage, resulting in an increased expression of the markers Iba1 and B7-2 without any concomitant increase in cell number. When neurons and microglial cells were co-cultured, the presence of OA-GcMAF significantly counteracted the toxic effects of oxaliplatin. Our results demonstrate that OA-GcMAF, already used in the immunotherapy of advanced cancers, may significantly contribute to neutralizing the neurotoxicity induced by oxaliplatin, at the same time possibly concurring to an integrated anticancer effect. The association between these two powerful anticancer molecules would probably produce

Waste exposure and skin diseases.

PubMed

Megna, Matteo; Napolitano, Maddalena; Costa, Claudia; Balato, Nicola; Patruno, Cataldo

2017-08-01

Waste is a composite mixture of different substances including endotoxins, organic dust and bio-aerosol stuffed with micro-organisms, and various toxic organic and inorganic chemicals, which may be intrinsically hazardous to human health. Therefore, health risks may derive from direct or indirect contact with garbage. We searched for English-language literature describing the relationships between garbage and skin diseases in order to provide a state-of-the-art review on what is currently known about waste exposure effects on skin health. Most of the data regarding the possible relationship between garbage exposure and skin diseases are mainly gathered from studies conducted on subjects living near dumping sites and landfills as well as on workers engaged in solid waste collection, processing and/or disposal. Literature data are controversial since some studies did not show any significant association between cutaneous diseases and garbage whereas other authors reported significant connections with conditions such as skin infections, skin rashes and systemic lupus erythematosus. Despite deficiency in garbage collection and waste overproduction are becoming more and more common problems worldwide, to date only few surveys have been conducted to investigate on the relationship between garbage exposure and cutaneous diseases. Indubitably, more efforts and research are needed to elaborate this emerging issue and seek to drive authorities for the organization of controlled action and health risk reduction behaviors models to face possible waste related health risk.

Immunotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer with vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage-activating factor, GcMAF.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Nakazato, Hiroaki; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki; Koga, Yoshihiko

2008-07-01

Serum vitamin D binding protein (Gc protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage-activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of colorectal cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein is deglycosylated by serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be converted to MAF, leading to immunosuppression. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) ever discovered, but it produces no side effect in humans. Macrophages treated with GcMAF (100 microg/ml) develop an enormous variation of receptors and are highly tumoricidal to a variety of cancers indiscriminately. Administration of 100 nanogram (ng)/ human maximally activates systemic macrophages that can kill cancerous cells. Since the half-life of the activated macrophages is approximately 6 days, 100 ng GcMAF was administered weekly to eight nonanemic colorectal cancer patients who had previously received tumor-resection but still carried significant amounts of metastatic tumor cells. As GcMAF therapy progressed, the MAF precursor activities of all patients increased and conversely their serum Nagalase activities decreased. Since serum Nagalase is proportional to tumor burden, serum Nagalase activity was used as a prognostic index for time course analysis of GcMAF therapy. After 32-50 weekly administrations of 100 ng GcMAF, all colorectal cancer patients exhibited healthy control levels of the serum Nagalase activity, indicating eradication of metastatic tumor cells. During 7 years after the completion of GcMAF therapy, their serum Nagalase activity did not increase, indicating no recurrence of cancer, which was also supported by the annual CT scans of these patients.

Classification of Coffee Beans by GC-C-IRMS, GC-MS, and (1)H-NMR.

PubMed

Arana, Victoria Andrea; Medina, Jessica; Esseiva, Pierre; Pazos, Diego; Wist, Julien

2016-01-01

In a previous work using (1)H-NMR we reported encouraging steps towards the construction of a robust expert system for the discrimination of coffees from Colombia versus nearby countries (Brazil and Peru), to assist the recent protected geographical indication granted to Colombian coffee in 2007. This system relies on fingerprints acquired on a 400 MHz magnet and is thus well suited for small scale random screening of samples obtained at resellers or coffee shops. However, this approach cannot easily be implemented at harbour's installations, due to the elevated operational costs of cryogenic magnets. This limitation implies shipping the samples to the NMR laboratory, making the overall approach slower and thereby more expensive and less attractive for large scale screening at harbours. In this work, we report on our attempt to obtain comparable classification results using alternative techniques that have been reported promising as an alternative to NMR: GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS. Although statistically significant information could be obtained by all three methods, the results show that the quality of the classifiers depends mainly on the number of variables included in the analysis; hence NMR provides an advantage since more molecules are detected to obtain a model with better predictions.

Classification of Coffee Beans by GC-C-IRMS, GC-MS, and 1H-NMR

PubMed Central

Arana, Victoria Andrea; Esseiva, Pierre; Pazos, Diego

2016-01-01

In a previous work using 1H-NMR we reported encouraging steps towards the construction of a robust expert system for the discrimination of coffees from Colombia versus nearby countries (Brazil and Peru), to assist the recent protected geographical indication granted to Colombian coffee in 2007. This system relies on fingerprints acquired on a 400 MHz magnet and is thus well suited for small scale random screening of samples obtained at resellers or coffee shops. However, this approach cannot easily be implemented at harbour's installations, due to the elevated operational costs of cryogenic magnets. This limitation implies shipping the samples to the NMR laboratory, making the overall approach slower and thereby more expensive and less attractive for large scale screening at harbours. In this work, we report on our attempt to obtain comparable classification results using alternative techniques that have been reported promising as an alternative to NMR: GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS. Although statistically significant information could be obtained by all three methods, the results show that the quality of the classifiers depends mainly on the number of variables included in the analysis; hence NMR provides an advantage since more molecules are detected to obtain a model with better predictions. PMID:27516919

A dynamic developmental link between verbal comprehension-knowledge (Gc) and reading comprehension: verbal comprehension-knowledge drives positive change in reading comprehension.

PubMed

Reynolds, Matthew R; Turek, Joshua J

2012-12-01

Intelligence and general academic achievement have a well-established relation, but the interrelated development of the two constructs over time is less well-known. In this study, the dynamic developmental relation between verbal comprehension-knowledge (Gc) and reading comprehension was examined by applying bivariate dual change score models (McArdle, 2009) to longitudinal data collected from children aged 9 through 15 who were part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (NICHD SECCYD). A unidirectional dynamic link was found in which higher levels of prior Gc led to increased positive change in reading comprehension scores. This unidirectional link was not altered by including intelligence measured at 24-months, SES, sex, basic reading, and reading volume as time-invariant covariates. Gc is a leading indicator of reading comprehension and should be considered when developing and monitoring long-term reading comprehension interventions for children. Copyright © 2012 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biased Gene Conversion and GC-Content Evolution in the Coding Sequences of Reptiles and Vertebrates

PubMed Central

Figuet, Emeric; Ballenghien, Marion; Romiguier, Jonathan; Galtier, Nicolas

2015-01-01

Mammalian and avian genomes are characterized by a substantial spatial heterogeneity of GC-content, which is often interpreted as reflecting the effect of local GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC), a meiotic repair bias that favors G and C over A and T alleles in high-recombining genomic regions. Surprisingly, the first fully sequenced nonavian sauropsid (i.e., reptile), the green anole Anolis carolinensis, revealed a highly homogeneous genomic GC-content landscape, suggesting the possibility that gBGC might not be at work in this lineage. Here, we analyze GC-content evolution at third-codon positions (GC3) in 44 vertebrates species, including eight newly sequenced transcriptomes, with a specific focus on nonavian sauropsids. We report that reptiles, including the green anole, have a genome-wide distribution of GC3 similar to that of mammals and birds, and we infer a strong GC3-heterogeneity to be already present in the tetrapod ancestor. We further show that the dynamic of coding sequence GC-content is largely governed by karyotypic features in vertebrates, notably in the green anole, in agreement with the gBGC hypothesis. The discrepancy between third-codon positions and noncoding DNA regarding GC-content dynamics in the green anole could not be explained by the activity of transposable elements or selection on codon usage. This analysis highlights the unique value of third-codon positions as an insertion/deletion-free marker of nucleotide substitution biases that ultimately affect the evolution of proteins. PMID:25527834

GC protein-derived macrophage-activating factor decreases α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase levels in advanced cancer patients.

PubMed

Thyer, Lynda; Ward, Emma; Smith, Rodney; Branca, Jacopo Jv; Morucci, Gabriele; Gulisano, Massimo; Noakes, David; Eslinger, Robert; Pacini, Stefania

2013-08-01

α- N -acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) accumulates in the serum of cancer patients and its activity correlates with tumor burden, aggressiveness and clinical disease progression. The administration of GC protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) to cancer patients with elevated levels of nagalase has been associated with a decrease of serum nagalase activity and with significant clinical benefits. Here, we report the results of the administration of GcMAF to a heterogeneous cohort of patients with histologically diverse, advanced neoplasms, generally considered as "incurable" diseases. In most cases, GcMAF therapy was initiated at late stages of tumor progression. As this is an open-label, non-controlled, retrospective analysis, caution must be employed when establishing cause-effect relationships between the administration GcMAF and disease outcome. However, the response to GcMAF was generally robust and some trends emerged. All patients (n = 20) presented with elevated serum nagalase activity, well above normal values. All patients but one showed a significant decrease of serum nagalase activity upon weekly GcMAF injections. Decreased nagalase activity was associated with improved clinical conditions and no adverse side effects were reported. The observations reported here confirm and extend previous results and pave the way to further studies aimed at assessing the precise role and indications for GcMAF-based anticancer immunotherapy.

Identification of refined petroleum products in contaminated soils using an identification index for GC chromatograms.

PubMed

Kwon, Dongwook; Ko, Myoung-Soo; Yang, Jung-Seok; Kwon, Man Jae; Lee, Seung-Woo; Lee, Seunghak

2015-08-01

Hydrocarbons found in the environment are typically characterized by gas chromatography (GC). The shape of the GC chromatogram has been used to identify the source of petroleum contamination. However, the conventional practice of simply comparing the peak patterns of source products to those of environmental samples is dependent on the subjective decisions of individual analysts. We have developed and verified a quantitative analytical method for interpreting GC chromatograms to distinguish refined petroleum products in contaminated soils. We found that chromatograms for gasoline, kerosene, and diesel could be divided into three ranges with boundaries at C6, C8, C16, and C26. In addition, the relative peak area (RPA(GC)) of each range, a dimensionless ratio of the peak area within each range to that of the total range (C6-C26), had a unique value for each petroleum product. An identification index for GC chromatograms (ID(GC)), defined as the ratio of RPA(GC) of C8-C16 to that of C16-C26, was able to identify diesel and kerosene sources in samples extracted from artificially contaminated soils even after weathering. Thus, the ID(GC) can be used to effectively distinguish between refined petroleum products in contaminated soils.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF GC/MS (GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY) DATA ANALYSIS PROCESSING

EPA Science Inventory

Mass spectra obtained by fused silica capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/data system (GC/MS/DS) analysis of mixtures of organic chemicals adsorbed on Tenax GC cartridges was subjected to manual and automated interpretative techniques. Synthetic mixtures (85 chemicals ...

Transcriptome Analysis of Core Dinoflagellates Reveals a Universal Bias towards "GC" Rich Codons.

PubMed

Williams, Ernest; Place, Allen; Bachvaroff, Tsvetan

2017-04-27

Although dinoflagellates are a potential source of pharmaceuticals and natural products, the mechanisms for regulating and producing these compounds are largely unknown because of extensive post-transcriptional control of gene expression. One well-documented mechanism for controlling gene expression during translation is codon bias, whereby specific codons slow or even terminate protein synthesis. Approximately 10,000 annotatable genes from fifteen "core" dinoflagellate transcriptomes along a range of overall guanine and cytosine (GC) content were used for codonW analysis to determine the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) and the GC content at each codon position. GC bias in the analyzed dataset and at the third codon position varied from 51% and 54% to 66% and 88%, respectively. Codons poor in GC were observed to be universally absent, but bias was most pronounced for codons ending in uracil followed by adenine (UA). GC bias at the third codon position was able to explain low abundance codons as well as the low effective number of codons. Thus, we propose that a bias towards codons rich in GC bases is a universal feature of core dinoflagellates, possibly relating to their unique chromosome structure, and not likely a major mechanism for controlling gene expression.

Immunotherapy of metastatic breast cancer patients with vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF).

PubMed

Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki; Ushijima, Naofumi

2008-01-15

Serum vitamin D3-binding protein (Gc protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of breast cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein was deglycosylated by serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Patient serum Nagalase activity is proportional to tumor burden. The deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be converted to MAF, resulting in no macrophage activation and immunosuppression. Stepwise incubation of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generated probably the most potent macrophage activating factor (termed GcMAF) ever discovered, which produces no adverse effect in humans. Macrophages treated in vitro with GcMAF (100 pg/ml) are highly tumoricidal to mammary adenocarcinomas. Efficacy of GcMAF for treatment of metastatic breast cancer was investigated with 16 nonanemic patients who received weekly administration of GcMAF (100 ng). As GcMAF therapy progresses, the MAF precursor activity of patient Gc protein increased with a concomitant decrease in serum Nagalase. Because of proportionality of serum Nagalase activity to tumor burden, the time course progress of GcMAF therapy was assessed by serum Nagalase activity as a prognostic index. These patients had the initial Nagalase activities ranging from 2.32 to 6.28 nmole/min/mg protein. After about 16-22 administrations (approximately 3.5-5 months) of GcMAF, these patients had insignificantly low serum enzyme levels equivalent to healthy control enzyme levels, ranging from 0.38 to 0.63 nmole/min/mg protein, indicating eradication of the tumors. This therapeutic procedure resulted in no recurrence for more than 4 years. Copyright 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Determination of patulin in fruit juices using HPLC-DAD and GC-MSD techniques.

PubMed

Moukas, Athanasios; Panagiotopoulou, Vasiliki; Markaki, Panagiota

2008-08-15

A high performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and a gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer (GC-MSD) are described for the determination of patulin (PAT) in apple juice. The limits of detection (DL) and quantification (QL) for the HPLC-DAD and GC-MSD method were found to be (DL=0.23μgkg(-1) QL=1.2μgkg(-1)) and (DL=5.8μgkg(-1) and QL=13.8μgkg(-1)), respectively. The recovery factors for HPLC-DAD and GC-MSD were found to be 99.5% (RSD%=0.73) and 41% (RSD%=10.03), respectively. The HPLC-DAD method was used to determine the occurrence of PAT in 90 samples of fruit juices. Results revealed the presence of PAT in 100% of the samples examined. The mean values of PAT in concentrated fruit juices and in the commercial fruit juices collected from the Greek market were found to be 10.54μg PAT kg(-1) and 5.57μg PAT kg(-1) juice, respectively. The most contaminated samples were four concentrated juices ranging from 18.10μg PAT kg(-1) to 36.8μg PAT kg(-1) juice. The daily exposure to patulin for the consumers of all ages in Greece, is ranging from 0.008μg PAT kg(-1) bw to 0.1μg PAT kg(-1) bw if the daily intake of fruit juices is from 0.1 to 0.5kg. With the exception to the most contaminated sample, the daily exposure due to the samples examined, is below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for PAT (0.4μg PAT kg(-1) bw). Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DETERMINATION OF 16 LARGEST PEAKS IN COMMERCIAL TECHNICAL TOXAPHENE BY GC/MS

EPA Science Inventory

Under typical temperature and high vacuum associated with GC/MS technique, Toxaphene decomposes and produces countless fragments which are impractical to quantify. A GC/MS method has been developed using the lowest possible temperature to resolve more peaks and lower the interfer...

Comparative Analysis of Volatile Composition in Chinese Truffles via GC × GC/HR-TOF/MS and Electronic Nose

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ning; Chen, Haitao; Sun, Baoguo; Mao, Xueying; Zhang, Yuyu; Zhou, Ying

2016-01-01

To compare the volatile compounds of Chinese black truffle and white truffle from Yunnan province, this study presents the application of a direct solvent extraction/solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (DSE-SAFE) coupled with a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HR-TOF/MS) and an electronic nose. Both of the analytical methods could distinguish the aroma profile of the two samples. In terms of the overall profile of truffle samples in this research, more kinds of acids were detected via the method of DSE-SAFE. Besides, compounds identified in black truffle (BT), but not in white truffle (WT), or vice versa, and those detected in both samples at different levels were considered to play an important role in differentiating the two samples. According to the analysis of electronic nose, the two samples could be separated, as well. PMID:27058524

Preparation of WO3/g-C3N4 composites and their application in oxidative desulfurization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Rongxiang; Li, Xiuping; Su, Jianxun; Gao, Xiaohan

2017-01-01

WO3/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) composites were successfully synthesized through direct calcining of a mixture of WO3 and g-C3N4 at 400 °C for 2 h. The WO3 was prepared by calcination of phosphotungstic acid at 550 °C for 4 h, and the g-C3N4 was obtained by calcination of melamine at 520 °C for 4 h. The WO3/g-C3N4 composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Brunner-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET). The WO3/g-C3N4 composites exhibited stronger XRD peaks of WO3 and g-C3N4 than the WO3 and pure g-C3N4. In addition, two WO3 peaks at 25.7° and 26.6° emerged for the 36% -WO3/g-C3N4 composite. This finding indicated that WO3 was highly dispersed on the surface of the g-C3N4 nanosheets and interacted with the nanosheets, which resulted in the appearance of (012) and (022) planes of WO3. The WO3/g-C3N4 composite also exhibited a larger specific surface area and higher degree of crystallization than WO3 or pure g-C3N4, which resulted in high catalytic activity of the catalyst. Desulfurization experiments demonstrated that the desulfurization rate of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model oil reached 91.2% under optimal conditions. Moreover, the activity of the catalyst was not significantly decreased after five recycles.

Pesticide residues in cashew apple, guava, kaki and peach: GC-μECD, GC-FPD and LC-MS/MS multiresidue method validation, analysis and cumulative acute risk assessment.

PubMed

Jardim, Andréia Nunes Oliveira; Mello, Denise Carvalho; Goes, Fernanda Caroline Silva; Frota Junior, Elcio Ferreira; Caldas, Eloisa Dutra

2014-12-01

A multiresidue method for the determination of 46 pesticides in fruits was validated. Samples were extracted with acidified ethyl acetate, MgSO4 and CH3COONa and cleaned up by dispersive SPE with PSA. The compounds were analysed by GC-FPD, GC-μECD or LC-MS/MS, with LOQs from 1 to 8 μg/kg. The method was used to analyse 238 kaki, cashew apple, guava, and peach fruit and pulp samples, which were also analysed for dithiocarbamates (DTCs) using a spectrophotometric method. Over 70% of the samples were positive, with DTC present in 46.5%, λ-cyhalothrin in 37.1%, and omethoate in 21.8% of the positive samples. GC-MS/MS confirmed the identities of the compounds detected by GC. None of the pesticides found in kaki, cashew apple and guava was authorised for these crops in Brazil. The risk assessment has shown that the cumulative acute intake of organophosphorus or pyrethroid compounds from the consumption of these fruits is unlikely to pose a health risk to consumers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methods for the analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants-Comparison of GC-EI-MS, GC-NCI-MS, LC-ESI-MS/MS, and LC-APCI-MS/MS.

PubMed

Tokumura, Masahiro; Miyake, Yuichi; Wang, Qi; Nakayama, Hayato; Amagai, Takashi; Ogo, Sayaka; Kume, Kazunari; Kobayashi, Takeshi; Takasu, Shinji; Ogawa, Kumiko

2018-04-16

Organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) are extensively used as alternatives to banned polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). In this study, we analyzed 14 PFRs by means of four mass-spectrometry-based methods: gas chromatography combined with electron-impact mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) or negative-chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) and liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS/MS). The limits of quantification (LOQs) for LC-ESI-MS/MS and LC-APCI-MS/MS (0.81-970 pg) were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than the LOQs for GC-EI-MS and GC-NCI-MS (2.3-3900 pg). LC-APCI-MS/MS showed the lowest LOQs (mean = 41 pg; median = 3.4 pg) for all but two of the PFRs targeted in this study. For LC-APCI-MS/MS, the lowest LOQ was observed for tributyl phosphate (TBP) (0.81 pg), and the highest was observed for tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) (36 pg). The results of this study indicate that LC-APCI-MS/MS is the optimum analytical method for the target PFRs, at least in terms of LOQ.

Biological monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in subjects living in the area of recycling electronic garbage, in Southern China.

PubMed

Wang, Yu; Zhang, Wenbing; Fan, Ruifang; Sheng, Guoying; Fu, Jiamo

2014-01-01

The study was undertaken to evaluate the environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in subjects living in the area of recycling electronic garbage in Southern China and research the influence of environment smoke tobacco (EST) to people through active and passive smoking. Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydoxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene were determined in 141 randomly selected voluntary residents aged 13 to 81 years in two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-exposed groups, two control groups, and an EST research group. The concentrations of 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydoxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene in PAH-exposed groups are significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of control groups. Mean value of 1-hydroxypyrene in the residents living in the area of recycling electronic garbage (1.1 μmol/mol creatinine) is a little higher than those of iron foundry workers, automobile repair workers, and firefighters. Mean value of 2-hydroxynaphthalene (11.3 μmol/mol creatinine) is much higher than that of shipyard and aircraft maintenance and much lower than some occupational exposure, such as coking batteries, sorting department, and distillation department in coking plant. Some metabolites of PAHs (PAHm) are significantly elevated through active and passive smoking, while the influence of EST to other PAHm is not statistically significant. 2-Hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydoxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene in the urine of smokers are, respectively, 3.9, 1.9, 1.4, and 1.9 times to those of nonsmokers. In nonsmokers, passive smokers excreted 1.1, 1.5, 1.9, and 1.5 times of 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydoxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene compared to nonpassive smokers.

Ca2+-sensors and ROS-GC: interlocked sensory transduction elements: a review

PubMed Central

Sharma, Rameshwar K.; Duda, Teresa

2012-01-01

From its initial discovery that ROS-GC membrane guanylate cyclase is a mono-modal Ca2+-transduction system linked exclusively with the photo-transduction machinery to the successive finding that it embodies a remarkable bimodal Ca2+ signaling device, its widened transduction role in the general signaling mechanisms of the sensory neuron cells was envisioned. A theoretical concept was proposed where Ca2+-modulates ROS-GC through its generated cyclic GMP via a nearby cyclic nucleotide gated channel and creates a hyper- or depolarized sate in the neuron membrane (Ca2+ Binding Proteins 1:1, 7–11, 2006). The generated electric potential then becomes a mode of transmission of the parent [Ca2+]i signal. Ca2+ and ROS-GC are interlocked messengers in multiple sensory transduction mechanisms. This comprehensive review discusses the developmental stages to the present status of this concept and demonstrates how neuronal Ca2+-sensor (NCS) proteins are the interconnected elements of this elegant ROS-GC transduction system. The focus is on the dynamism of the structural composition of this system, and how it accommodates selectivity and elasticity for the Ca2+ signals to perform multiple tasks linked with the SENSES of vision, smell, and possibly of taste and the pineal gland. An intriguing illustration is provided for the Ca2+ sensor GCAP1 which displays its remarkable ability for its flexibility in function from being a photoreceptor sensor to an odorant receptor sensor. In doing so it reverses its function from an inhibitor of ROS-GC to the stimulator of ONE-GC membrane guanylate cyclase. PMID:22509149

GC protein-derived macrophage-activating factor decreases α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase levels in advanced cancer patients

PubMed Central

Thyer, Lynda; Ward, Emma; Smith, Rodney; Branca, Jacopo JV; Morucci, Gabriele; Gulisano, Massimo; Noakes, David; Eslinger, Robert; Pacini, Stefania

2013-01-01

α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) accumulates in the serum of cancer patients and its activity correlates with tumor burden, aggressiveness and clinical disease progression. The administration of GC protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) to cancer patients with elevated levels of nagalase has been associated with a decrease of serum nagalase activity and with significant clinical benefits. Here, we report the results of the administration of GcMAF to a heterogeneous cohort of patients with histologically diverse, advanced neoplasms, generally considered as “incurable” diseases. In most cases, GcMAF therapy was initiated at late stages of tumor progression. As this is an open-label, non-controlled, retrospective analysis, caution must be employed when establishing cause-effect relationships between the administration GcMAF and disease outcome. However, the response to GcMAF was generally robust and some trends emerged. All patients (n = 20) presented with elevated serum nagalase activity, well above normal values. All patients but one showed a significant decrease of serum nagalase activity upon weekly GcMAF injections. Decreased nagalase activity was associated with improved clinical conditions and no adverse side effects were reported. The observations reported here confirm and extend previous results and pave the way to further studies aimed at assessing the precise role and indications for GcMAF-based anticancer immunotherapy. PMID:24179708

Book Selection, Collection Development, and Bounded Rationality.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Charles A.

1989-01-01

Reviews previously proposed schemes of classical rationality in book selection, describes new approaches to rational choice behavior, and presents a model of book selection based on bounded rationality in a garbage can decision process. The role of tacit knowledge and symbolic content in the selection process are also discussed. (102 references)…

iGC-an integrated analysis package of gene expression and copy number alteration.

PubMed

Lai, Yi-Pin; Wang, Liang-Bo; Wang, Wei-An; Lai, Liang-Chuan; Tsai, Mong-Hsun; Lu, Tzu-Pin; Chuang, Eric Y

2017-01-14

With the advancement in high-throughput technologies, researchers can simultaneously investigate gene expression and copy number alteration (CNA) data from individual patients at a lower cost. Traditional analysis methods analyze each type of data individually and integrate their results using Venn diagrams. Challenges arise, however, when the results are irreproducible and inconsistent across multiple platforms. To address these issues, one possible approach is to concurrently analyze both gene expression profiling and CNAs in the same individual. We have developed an open-source R/Bioconductor package (iGC). Multiple input formats are supported and users can define their own criteria for identifying differentially expressed genes driven by CNAs. The analysis of two real microarray datasets demonstrated that the CNA-driven genes identified by the iGC package showed significantly higher Pearson correlation coefficients with their gene expression levels and copy numbers than those genes located in a genomic region with CNA. Compared with the Venn diagram approach, the iGC package showed better performance. The iGC package is effective and useful for identifying CNA-driven genes. By simultaneously considering both comparative genomic and transcriptomic data, it can provide better understanding of biological and medical questions. The iGC package's source code and manual are freely available at https://www.bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/iGC.html .

[Construction and expression of the eukaryotic expression vector carrying HSV-1 gC glycoprotein gene].

PubMed

Dang, Yin-li; Yan, Yan; Zhang, Xiao-xiao; Li, Pu-yuan; Yu, Lan; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Fang-lin; Xu, Zhi-kai; Wu, Xing-an

2011-05-01

To stably express herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein C (gC) in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). The eukaryotic expression vector pCI-mCMV-gC-1-IRES-DHFR-L22R was constructed and transfected into CHO-K1 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The transfected cells were selected by G418 and methotrexate (MTX). The expression of HSV-1 gC was analyzed by Slot blot. HSV-1 gC proteins were purified with His-Ni Sepharose and then detected by Western blot. The eukaryotic expression vector pCI-mCMV-gC-1-IRES-DHFR-L22R was constructed successfully. CHO-K1 cells stably expressing HSV-1 gC proteins were established and confirmed by Western blot. The HSV-1 gC proteins have been expressed successfully and have good bioactivity. The results make it possible for further study and clinical use of HSV-1 gC.

Relationship between gene expression and GC-content in mammals: statistical significance and biological relevance.

PubMed

Sémon, Marie; Mouchiroud, Dominique; Duret, Laurent

2005-02-01

Mammalian chromosomes are characterized by large-scale variations of DNA base composition (the so-called isochores). In contradiction with previous studies, Lercher et al. (Hum. Mol. Genet., 12, 2411, 2003) recently reported a strong correlation between gene expression breadth and GC-content, suggesting that there might be a selective pressure favoring the concentration of housekeeping genes in GC-rich isochores. We reassessed this issue by examining in human and mouse the correlation between gene expression and GC-content, using different measures of gene expression (EST, SAGE and microarray) and different measures of GC-content. We show that correlations between GC-content and expression are very weak, and may vary according to the method used to measure expression. Such weak correlations have a very low predictive value. The strong correlations reported by Lercher et al. (2003) are because of the fact that they measured variables over neighboring genes windows. We show here that using gene windows artificially enhances the correlation. The assertion that the expression of a given gene depends on the GC-content of the region where it is located is therefore not supported by the data.

Hyphenated GC-FTIR and GC-MS techniques applied in the analysis of bioactive compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gosav, Steluta; Paduraru, Nicoleta; Praisler, Mirela

2014-08-01

The drugs of abuse, which affect human nature and cause numerous crimes, have become a serious problem throughout the world. There are hundreds of amphetamine analogues on the black market. They consist of various alterations of the basic amphetamine molecular structure, which are yet not yet included in the lists of forbidden compounds although they retain or slightly modify the hallucinogenic effects of their parent compound. It is their important variety that makes their identification quite a challenge. A number of analytical procedures for the identification of amphetamines and their analogues have recently been reported. We are presenting the profile of the main hallucinogenic amphetamines obtained with the hyphenated techniques that are recommended for the identification of illicit amphetamines, i. e. gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (GC-FTIR). The infrared spectra of the analyzed hallucinogenic amphetamines present some absorption bands (1490 cm-1, 1440 cm-1, 1245 cm-1, 1050 cm-1 and 940 cm-1) that are very stable as position and shape, while their intensity depends of the side-chain substitution. The specific ionic fragment of the studied hallucinogenic compounds is the 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl cation (m/e = 135) which has a small relative abundance (lesser than 20%). The complementarity of the above mentioned techniques for the identification of hallucinogenic compounds is discussed.

On-line Analysis of Catalytic Reaction Products Using a High-Pressure Tandem Micro-reactor GC/MS.

PubMed

Watanabe, Atsushi; Kim, Young-Min; Hosaka, Akihiko; Watanabe, Chuichi; Teramae, Norio; Ohtani, Hajime; Kim, Seungdo; Park, Young-Kwon; Wang, Kaige; Freeman, Robert R

2017-01-01

When a GC/MS system is coupled with a pressurized reactor, the separation efficiency and the retention time are directly affected by the reactor pressure. To keep the GC column flow rate constant irrespective of the reaction pressure, a restrictor capillary tube and an open split interface are attached between the GC injection port and the head of a GC separation column. The capability of the attached modules is demonstrated for the on-line GC/MS analysis of catalytic reaction products of a bio-oil model sample (guaiacol), produced under a pressure of 1 to 3 MPa.

Synchronizable Series Expressions. Part 2. Overview of the Theory and Implementation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

more running time than shown in the table. because time is eventually required in order to collect the garbage it creates. Program Running ’rime Garbage...possible to simply put an enumerator where it is used.) (loop for x integer from I to 4 collect x) - (lotS* ((x (Eup I :to 4))) (declare (type integer x...below. (loop for x from 1 to 4 and for y = 0 then (1- x) collect (list x y)) - (lotS* ((x (Eup 1 :to 4)) (y (Tprevious (1- x) 0))) (Rlist (list x y

GC/MS Analysis of the Essential Oil of Vernonia cinerea.

PubMed

Joshi, Rajesh K

2015-07-01

The hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the roots of V. cinerea Less. (Asteraceae) was investigated by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-five constituents were identified, which represented 97.4% of the total oil. The major compounds were α-muurolene (30.7%), β-caryophyllene (9.6%), α-selinene (8.7%), cyperene (6.7%) and α-gurjunene (6.5%). The essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (87.8%).

Patterns and effects of GC3 heterogeneity and parsimony informative sites on the phylogenetic tree of genes.

PubMed

Ma, Shuai; Wu, Qi; Hu, Yibo; Wei, Fuwen

2018-05-20

The explosive growth in genomic data has provided novel insights into the conflicting signals hidden in phylogenetic trees. Although some studies have explored the effects of the GC content and parsimony informative sites (PIS) on the phylogenetic tree, the effect of the heterogeneity of the GC content at the first/second/third codon position on parsimony informative sites (GC1/2/3 PIS ) among different species and the effect of PIS on phylogenetic tree construction remain largely unexplored. Here, we used two different mammal genomic datasets to explore the patterns of GC1/2/3 PIS heterogeneity and the effect of PIS on the phylogenetic tree of genes: (i) all GC1/2/3 PIS have obvious heterogeneity between different mammals, and the levels of heterogeneity are GC3 PIS  > GC2 PIS  > GC1 PIS ; (ii) the number of PIS is positively correlated with the metrics of "good" gene tree topologies, and excluding the third codon position (C3) decreases the quality of gene trees by removing too many PIS. These results provide novel insights into the heterogeneity pattern of GC1/2/3 PIS in mammals and the relationship between GC3/PIS and gene trees. Additionally, it is necessary to carefully consider whether to exclude C3 to improve the quality of gene trees, especially in the super-tree method. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Volatilizable Biogenic Organic Compounds (VBOCs) with two dimensional Gas Chromatography-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS): sampling methods, VBOC complexity, and chromatographic retention data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankow, J. F.; Luo, W.; Melnychenko, A. N.; Barsanti, K. C.; Isabelle, L. M.; Chen, C.; Guenther, A. B.; Rosenstiel, T. N.

2012-02-01

Two dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) with detection by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) was applied in the rapid analysis of air samples containing highly complex mixtures of volatilizable biogenic organic compounds (VBOCs). VBOC analytical methodologies are briefly reviewed, and optimal conditions are discussed for sampling with both adsorption/thermal desorption (ATD) cartridges and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. Air samples containing VBOC emissions from leaves of two tree species (Cedrus atlantica and Calycolpus moritzianus) were obtained by both ATD and SPME. The optimized gas chromatographic conditions utilized a 45 m, 0.25 mm I.D. low-polarity primary column (DB-VRX, 1.4 μm film) and a 1.5 m, 0.25 mm I.D. polar secondary column (StabilwaxTM, 0.25 μm film). Excellent separation was achieved in a 36 min temperature programmed GC × GC chromatogram. Thousands of VBOC peaks were present in the sample chromatograms; hundreds of tentative identifications by NIST mass spectral matching are provided. Very few of the tentatively identified compounds are currently available as authentic standards. Minimum detection limit values for a 5 l ATD sample were 3.5 pptv (10 ng m-3) for isoprene, methyl vinyl ketone, and methacrolein, and ~1.5 pptv (~10 ng m-3) for monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Kovats-type chromatographic retention index values on the primary column and relative retention time values on the secondary column are provided for 21 standard compounds and for 417 tentatively identified VBOCs. 19 of the 21 authentic standard compounds were found in one of the Cedrus atlantica SPME samples. In addition, easily quantifiable levels of at least 13 sesquiterpenes were found in an ATD sample obtained from a branch enclosure of Calycolpus moritzianus. Overall, the results obtained via GC × GC-TOFMS highlight an extreme, and largely uncharacterized diversity of VBOCs, consistent with the hypothesis that sesquiterpenes and other compounds

Volatilizable biogenic organic compounds (VBOCs) with two dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS): sampling methods, VBOC complexity, and chromatographic retention data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankow, J. F.; Luo, W.; Melnychenko, A. N.; Barsanti, K. C.; Isabelle, L. M.; Chen, C.; Guenther, A. B.; Rosenstiel, T. N.

2011-06-01

Two dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) with detection by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) was applied in the rapid analysis of air samples containing highly complex mixtures of volatilizable biogenic organic compounds (VBOCs). VBOC analytical methodologies are briefly reviewed, and optimal conditions are discussed for sampling with both adsorption/thermal desorption (ATD) cartridges and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. Air samples containing VBOC emissions from leaves of two tree species (Cedrus atlantica and Calycolpus moritzianus) were obtained by both ATD and SPME. The optimized gas chromatographic conditions utilized a 45 m, 0.25 mm I.D. low-polarity primary column (DB-VRX, 1.4 μm film) and a 1.5 m, 0.25 mm I.D. polar secondary column (Stabilwax® 0.25 μm film). Excellent separation was achieved in a 36 min temperature programmed GC × GC chromatogram. Thousands of VBOC peaks were present in the sample chromatograms; hundreds of tentative identifications by NIST mass spectral matching are provided. Very few of the tentatively identified compounds are currently available as authentic standards. Method detection limit values for a 5 l ATD sample were 3.5 pptv (10 ng m-3) for isoprene, methyl vinyl ketone, and methacrolein, and ~1.5 pptv (~10 ng m-3) for monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Kovats-type chromatographic retention index values on the primary column and relative retention time values on the secondary column are provided for 21 standard compounds and for 417 tentatively identified VBOCs. 19 of the 21 authentic standard compounds were found in one of the Cedrus atlantica SPME samples. In addition, easily quantifiable levels of at least 13 sesquiterpenes were found in an ATD sample obtained from a branch enclosure of Calycolpus moritzianus. Overall, the results obtained via GC × GC-TOFMS highlight an extreme, and largely uncharacterized diversity of VBOCs, consistent with the hypothesis that sesquiterpenes and other compounds

Detection of the Spermicide Nonoxynol-9 Via GC-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musah, Rabi A.; Vuong, Angela L.; Henck, Colin; Shepard, Jason R. E.

2012-05-01

The spermicide nonoxynol-9 is actually a complex mixture of dozens of closely related amphiphilic compounds, and the chemical properties of this assortment significantly hamper its characterization by GC-MS. The inability to perform routine GC-MS testing on nonoxynol-9 has limited its evidentiary value in forensic casework, which relies heavily on this technique for analysis. A disturbing trend in sexual assault is the use of condoms by assailants, to avoid leaving behind DNA evidence that can connect a perpetrator to a victim. This observation necessitates the development of alternative methods for the analysis of trace evidence that can show causal links between a victim and a suspect. Detection of lubricants associated with sexual assault is one such way to establish this connection. The development of GC-MS methods that permit facile detection of both nonoxynol-9 alone and nonoxynol-9 extracted from other complex matrices that have potential as trace evidence in sexual assault is reported. A detection limit of 2.14 μg of nonoxynol-9 is demonstrated, and a detailed mass spectral profile that elaborates on what is known of its structure is provided.

Evolution of genome size and genomic GC content in carnivorous holokinetics (Droseraceae).

PubMed

Veleba, Adam; Šmarda, Petr; Zedek, František; Horová, Lucie; Šmerda, Jakub; Bureš, Petr

2017-02-01

Studies in the carnivorous family Lentibulariaceae in the last years resulted in the discovery of the smallest plant genomes and an unusual pattern of genomic GC content evolution. However, scarcity of genomic data in other carnivorous clades still prevents a generalization of the observed patterns. Here the aim was to fill this gap by mapping genome evolution in the second largest carnivorous family, Droseraceae, where this evolution may be affected by chromosomal holokinetism in Drosera METHODS: The genome size and genomic GC content of 71 Droseraceae species were measured by flow cytometry. A dated phylogeny was constructed, and the evolution of both genomic parameters and their relationship to species climatic niches were tested using phylogeny-based statistics. The 2C genome size of Droseraceae varied between 488 and 10 927 Mbp, and the GC content ranged between 37·1 and 44·7 %. The genome sizes and genomic GC content of carnivorous and holocentric species did not differ from those of their non-carnivorous and monocentric relatives. The genomic GC content positively correlated with genome size and annual temperature fluctuations. The genome size and chromosome numbers were inversely correlated in the Australian clade of Drosera CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that neither carnivory (nutrient scarcity) nor the holokinetism have a prominent effect on size and DNA base composition of Droseraceae genomes. However, the holokinetic drive seems to affect karyotype evolution in one of the major clades of Drosera Our survey confirmed that the evolution of GC content is tightly connected with the evolution of genome size and also with environmental conditions. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Technical Note: Fast two-dimensional GC-MS with thermal extraction for anhydro-sugars in fine aerosols

EPA Science Inventory

A fast two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC-MS) method that uses heart-cutting and thermal extraction (TE) and requires no chemical derivatization is developed for the determination of anhydro-sugars in fine aerosols. Evaluation of the TE-GC-GC-MS method shows high average rela...

Development of a GC/Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer, Part I: Design and Characterization

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Identification of unknown compounds is of critical importance in GC/MS applications (metabolomics, environmental toxin identification, sports doping, petroleomics, and biofuel analysis, among many others) and remains a technological challenge. Derivation of elemental composition is the first step to determining the identity of an unknown compound by MS, for which high accuracy mass and isotopomer distribution measurements are critical. Here, we report on the development of a dedicated, applications-grade GC/MS employing an Orbitrap mass analyzer, the GC/Quadrupole-Orbitrap. Built from the basis of the benchtop Orbitrap LC/MS, the GC/Quadrupole-Orbitrap maintains the performance characteristics of the Orbitrap, enables quadrupole-based isolation for sensitive analyte detection, and includes numerous analysis modalities to facilitate structural elucidation. We detail the design and construction of the instrument, discuss its key figures-of-merit, and demonstrate its performance for the characterization of unknown compounds and environmental toxins. PMID:25208235

The process of S-nitrosation in sGC β1(1-194) revealed by infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Li; Wang, Dandan; Xu, Haoran; Mi, Mengdan; Li, Zhengqiang

2015-06-01

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is the most important receptor for the signaling molecule NO. NO activates sGC by binding to its heme cofactor and reacts with free thiols in the protein itself. The S-nitrosation of cysteine thiols affects the activity of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In this study, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and site-directed mutagenesis were used to investigate S-H vibration and the process of S-nitrosation in the β1 subunit (amino acids 1-194) of sGC. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy revealed that wild-type and mutants (C78S and C122S) of sGC β1(1-194) exhibited S-H peaks around 2560 cm-1. The signals were attenuated in the IR spectra of S-nitrosoglutathione-treated mutants, demonstrating that S-nitrosation in sGC β1(1-194) occured at residues C78 and C122, and the process of the reaction was GSNO concentration-dependent.

Photocatalytic decomposition of N2O over TiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalysts heterojunction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kočí, K.; Reli, M.; Troppová, I.; Šihor, M.; Kupková, J.; Kustrowski, P.; Praus, P.

2017-02-01

TiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalysts with the various TiO2/g-C3N4 weight ratios from 1:2 to 1:6 were fabricated by mechanical mixing in water suspension followed by calcination. Pure TiO2 was prepared by thermal hydrolysis and pure g-C3N4 was prepared from commercial melamine by thermal annealing at 620 °C. All the nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoelectrochemical measurements and nitrogen physisorption. The prepared mixtures along with pure TiO2 and g-C3N4 were tested for the photocatalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide under UVC (λ = 254 nm), UVA (λ = 365 nm) and Vis (λ > 400 nm) irradiation. The TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites showed moderate improvement compared to pure g-C3N4 but pure TiO2 proved to be a better photocatalyst under UVC irradiation. However, under UVA irradiation conditions, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/g-C3N4 (1:2) nanocomposite exhibited an increase compared to pure TiO2. Nevertheless, further increase of g-C3N4 amount leads/led to a decrease in reactivity. These results are suggesting the nanocomposite with the optimal weight ratio of TiO2 and g-C3N4 have shifted absorption edge energy towards longer wavelengths and decreased the recombination rate of charge carriers compared to pure g-C3N4. This is probably due to the generation of heterojunction on the TiO2/g-C3N4 interface.

Enhanced photocatalytic performances of ultrafine g-C3N4 nanosheets obtained by gaseous stripping with wet nitrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Chengkong; Feng, Qiang; Xu, Guangqing; Lv, Jun; Zhang, Yong; Liu, Jiaqin; Qin, Yongqiang; Wu, Yucheng

2018-01-01

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising heterogeneous photocatalyst for organics pollutants degradation and water splitting. Herein, we highlight an available pathway to prepare the ultrafine g-C3N4 nanosheets by gaseous stripping of bulk g-C3N4 in wet nitrogen. As comparison, g-C3N4 treated in air and nitrogen atmospheres are also prepared. The obtained products are characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra, respectively. Well dispersed g-C3N4 nanosheets can be obtained by this gaseous stripping process in wet nitrogen, which possess much higher specific surface area (211.2 m2 g-1) than that of bulk g-C3N4 (15.3 m2 g-1). Both RhB degradation and water splitting are applied to characterize the photocatalytic performances of the ultrafine g-C3N4 nanosheets. The g-C3N4 (w-N2) nanosheets can degrade 20 mg/L RhB completely within 12 min under visible light illumination, which is 5.32 times faster than that of bulk g-C3N4. Also, the g-C3N4 (w-N2) nanosheets possess the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 1113.48 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible light illumination, which is 6 times that of bulk g-C3N4. The mechanisms of enhancing the photocatalytic performance are discussed to be the higher oxidation ability of VB and higher specific surface area (211.2 m2/g) of the ultrafine g-C3N4 nanosheets.

Imidazole modified g-C3N4 photocatalyst: Structural characterization and versatile energy applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lu; Liu, Qianqian; Chai, Yuanyuan; Ren, Jia; Dai, Wei-Lin

2018-02-01

Novel imidazole modified g-C3N4 were firstly synthesized via a facile one-pot thermo-induced co-condensation method. Characterization results showed that imidazole modification can improve the visible light harvesting, interfacial charge transfer and separation of g-C3N4, without destroying its pristine framework structure. The as-obtained imidazole modified g-C3N4 showed remarkably enhanced and rather stable photocatalytic performance in H2 evolution, photo-degradation of water contaminants and selective photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol, demonstrating its all-round applications as a versatile photocatalyst. The weight ratio between imidazole and urea was well tuned and the optimal photocatalytic activity was obtained, which shows CNU-I50 sample (50 mg imidazole in 15 g urea) possesses the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 2150 μmol g-1 h-1, superior to most of the previous reported g-C3N4 materials. These results suggest that those imidazole modified g-C3N4 materials are potential photocatalyst when applied to solar energy conversion, water purification and selective photosynthesis reactions.

[Environmental and occupational problems in the utilization of industrial and home waste].

PubMed

Rusakov, N V; Rakhmanin, Iu A

2002-01-01

One of the acute hygienic problems of today is handling industrial and consumer wastes stored in Russia in the amount of 30 milliard tons; 30 million of solid garbage and 120 million tons of industrial wastes being formed. There are 4 garbage-handling and 10 garbage disposal plants built in the country. A third of them don't operate now. An absence of the initial selection in garbage collection causes the situation when only 3% of solid garbage is being processed. There is no state unified wastes recycling and utilizing system, no training of personnel to work out special technologies and do this work. Special attention should be given to medical wastes dangerous for the epidemiological situation, since they contain pathogenic microorganisms and helminth eggs; they may as well be contaminated by toxic and radioactive chemicals. A complex solution of the problems of industrial and consumer wastes handling is of vital importance for human health protection and protection of environment.

Hantavirus Gn and Gc glycoproteins self-assemble into virus-like particles.

PubMed

Acuña, Rodrigo; Cifuentes-Muñoz, Nicolás; Márquez, Chantal L; Bulling, Manuela; Klingström, Jonas; Mancini, Roberta; Lozach, Pierre-Yves; Tischler, Nicole D

2014-02-01

How hantaviruses assemble and exit infected cells remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the expression of Andes (ANDV) and Puumala (PUUV) hantavirus Gn and Gc envelope glycoproteins lead to their self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) which were released to cell supernatants. The viral nucleoprotein was not required for particle formation. Further, a Gc endodomain deletion mutant did not abrogate VLP formation. The VLPs were pleomorphic, exposed protrusions and reacted with patient sera.

A designed glycoprotein analogue of Gc-MAF exhibits native-like phagocytic activity.

PubMed

Bogani, Federica; McConnell, Elizabeth; Joshi, Lokesh; Chang, Yung; Ghirlanda, Giovanna

2006-06-07

Rational protein design has been successfully used to create mimics of natural proteins that retain native activity. In the present work, de novo protein engineering is explored to develop a mini-protein analogue of Gc-MAF, a glycoprotein involved in the immune system activation that has shown anticancer activity in mice. Gc-MAF is derived in vivo from vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) via enzymatic processing of its glycosaccharide to leave a single GalNAc residue located on an exposed loop. We used molecular modeling tools in conjunction with structural analysis to splice the glycosylated loop onto a stable three-helix bundle (alpha3W, PDB entry 1LQ7). The resulting 69-residue model peptide, MM1, has been successfully synthesized by solid-phase synthesis both in the aglycosylated and the glycosylated (GalNAc-MM1) form. Circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed the expected alpha-helical secondary structure. The thermodynamic stability as evaluated from chemical and thermal denaturation is comparable with that of the scaffold protein, alpha3W, indicating that the insertion of the exogenous loop of Gc-MAF did not significantly perturb the overall structure. GalNAc-MM1 retains the macrophage stimulation activity of natural Gc-MAF; in vitro tests show an identical enhancement of Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis in primary macrophages. GalNAc-MM1 provides a framework for the development of mutants with increased activity that could be used in place of Gc-MAF as an immunomodulatory agent in therapy.

Effect of hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice.

PubMed

Song, Lin; Zhou, Xin; Jia, Hong-Jun; Du, Mei; Zhang, Jin-Ling; Li, Liang

2016-08-01

To study the effect of hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice. BABL/c nude mice were selected as experimental animals and gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice model were established by subcutaneous injection of gastric cancer cells, randomly divided into different intervention groups. hGC-MSCs group were given different amounts of gastric cancer cells for subcutaneous injection, PBS group was given equal volume of PBS for subcutaneous injection. Then tumor tissue volume were determined, tumor-bearing mice were killed and tumor tissues were collected, mRNA expression of proliferation, invasion, EMT-related molecules were determined. 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 d after intervention, tumor tissue volume of hGC-MSCs group were significantly higher than those of PBS group and the more the number of hGC-MSCs, the higher the tumor tissue volume; mRNA contents of Ki-67, PCNA, Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-14, N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist in tumor tissue of hGC-MSCs group were higher than those of PBS group, and mRNA contents of Bax, TIMP1, TIMP2 and E-cadherin were lower than those of PBS group. hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue can promote the tumor growth in gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice, and the molecular mechanism includes promoting cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Copyright © 2016 Hainan Medical College. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

GC Gene Polymorphisms and Vitamin D-Binding Protein Levels Are Related to the Risk of Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis

PubMed Central

Song, Wenli; Wang, Xian'e; Tian, Yu; Zhang, Xin; Lu, Ruifang

2016-01-01

Objective. To explore whether GC (group-specific component) rs17467825, rs4588, and rs7041 polymorphisms are associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis. Methods. This case-control study recruited 372 patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (group AgP) and 133 periodontal healthy subjects (group HP). GC rs17467825, rs4588, and rs7041 genotypes and plasmatic vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) were measured. Analysis of single SNP and multiple SNPs was performed and relevance between plasmatic DBP and haplotypes was analyzed. Results. GC rs17467825 GG genotype was statistically associated with lower risk for generalized aggressive periodontitis under the recessive model (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.30–0.92, p = 0.028). GC rs17467825 and rs4588 had strong linkage disequilibrium with r 2 ≥ 0.8 and D′ ≥ 0.8. Haplotype (GC rs17467825, rs4588) GC was associated with the less risk for generalized aggressive periodontitis (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.96, p = 0.043). In group AgP, individuals with combined genotype (GC rs17467825, rs4588) AG+CA had significantly lower plasmatic DBP level than those with the other two combined genotypes (AG+CA versus AA+CC p = 0.007; AG+CA versus GG+AA p = 0.026). Conclusions. GC rs17467825 genotype GG and haplotype (GC rs17467825, rs4588) GC are associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis. The association may be acquired through regulating DBP levels. The functions of GC gene and DBP in inflammatory disease need to be further studied. PMID:28018430

A DTA/GC for the in Situ Identification of the Martian Surface Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mancinelli, R. L.; White, M. R.; Orenberg, J. B.

1993-01-01

The composition and mineralogy of the Martian surface material remain largely unknown. To determine its composition and mineralogy, several techniques are being considered for in situ analyses of the Martian surface material during missions to Mars. We have successfully developed, constructed, and tested a laboratory DTA/GC. The DTA is a Dupont model 1600 high temperature DTA coupled with a GC equipped with a MID detector. The system is operated by a Sun Sparc 11 workstation. When gas evolves during a thermal chemical event, it is shunted into the GC and the temperature is recorded in association with the specific thermal event. We have used this laboratory instrument to define experimental criteria necessary for determining the composition and mineralogy of the Martian surface in situ (e.g., heating of sample to 1100 C to distinguish clays). Our studies indicate that DTA/GC will provide a broad spectrum of mineralogical and evolved gas data pertinent to exobiology, geochemistry, and geology.

[Study on supercritical CO2 extraction of xiaoyaosan and its GC-MS fingerprint].

PubMed

Zuo, Ya-Mei; Tian, Jun-Sheng; Guo, Xiao-Qing; Zhou, Yu-Zhi; Gao, Xiao-Xia; Qin, Xue-Mei

2014-02-01

To determine the optimum conditions of supercritical CO2 extraction of Xiaoyaosan, and establish its fingerprint by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the yield of extract were investigated, an orthogonal test was used to quantify the effects of extraction temperature, pressure, CO2 flow rate and time, and fingerprint analysis of different batches of extracts were by GC-MS. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: extraction pressure 20 MPa, extraction temperature 50 degrees C, CO2 flow rate 25 kg x h(-1), extraction time 3 h, and average yield 2.2%. The GC-MS fingerprint was established and 27 common peaks were found, whose contents add up to 81.89% of the total peak area. Among them, 21 compounds were identified, accounting for 53.20% of the total extract. The extraction process is reasonable and favorable for industrial production. The GC-MS method is accurate, reliable, reproducible, and can be used for quality control of supercritical CO2 extract from Xiaoyaosan.

The DBP Phenotype Gc-1f/Gc-1f Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Cancer. The Tromsø Study

PubMed Central

Jorde, Rolf; Schirmer, Henrik; Wilsgaard, Tom; Bøgeberg Mathiesen, Ellisiv; Njølstad, Inger; Løchen, Maja-Lisa; Joakimsen, Ragnar Martin; Grimnes, Guri

2015-01-01

Background and Objective In addition to its role as a transport protein, the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) may also affect lipid metabolism, inflammation and carcinogenesis. There are three common variants of the DBP, Gc1s (1s), Gc1f (1f), Gc2 (2) that result in six common phenotypes (1s/1s, 1s/1f, 1s/2, 1f/1f, 1f/2, and 2/2). These phenotypes can be identified by genotyping for the two single nucleotide polymorphisms rs7041 and rs4588 in the GC gene. The DBP variants have different binding coefficients for the vitamin D metabolites, and accordingly there may be important relations between DBP phenotypes and health. Methods DNA was prepared from subjects who participated in the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study in 1994-1995 and who were registered with the endpoints myocardial infarction (MI), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cancer or death as well as a randomly selected control group. The endpoint registers were complete up to 2010- 2013. Genotyping was performed for rs7041 and rs4588 and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured. Results Genotyping for rs7041 and rs4588 was performed successfully in 11 704 subjects. Among these, 1660 were registered with incident MI, 958 with T2DM, 2410 with cancer and 4318 had died. Subjects with the DBP phenotype 1f/1f had 23 – 26 % reduced risk of incident cancer compared to the 1s/1s and 2/2 phenotypes (P < 0.02, Cox regression with gender as covariate). Differences in serum 25(OH)D levels could not explain the apparent cancer protective effect of the DBP variant 1f. In addition to cancer and 25(OH)D, there were significant associations between DBP phenotype and body height, hip circumference and serum calcium. Conclusion There are important biological differences between the common DBP phenotypes. If the relation between the DBP variant 1f and cancer is confirmed in other studies, determination of DBP phenotype may have clinical importance. PMID:25993554

Tumor cell alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity and its involvement in GcMAF-related macrophage activation.

PubMed

Mohamad, Saharuddin B; Nagasawa, Hideko; Uto, Yoshihiro; Hori, Hitoshi

2002-05-01

Alpha-N-acetyl galactosaminidase (alpha-NaGalase) has been reported to accumulate in serum of cancer patients and be responsible for deglycosylation of Gc protein, which is a precursor of GcMAF-mediated macrophage activation cascade, finally leading to immunosuppression in advanced cancer patients. We studied the biochemical characterization of alpha-NaGalase from several human tumor cell lines. We also examined its effect on the potency of GcMAF to activate mouse peritoneal macrophage to produce superoxide in GcMAF-mediated macrophage activation cascade. The specific activity of alpha-NaGalases from human colon tumor cell line HCT116, human hepatoma cell line HepG2, and normal human liver cells (Chang liver cell line) were evaluated using two types of substrates; GalNAc-alpha-PNP (exo-type substrate) and Gal-beta-GalNAc-alpha-PNP (endo-type substrate). Tumor-derived alpha-NaGalase having higher activity than normal alpha-NaGalase, had higher substrate specificity to the exo-type substrate than to the endo-type substrate, and still maintained its activity at pH 7. GcMAF enhance superoxide production in mouse macrophage, and pre-treatment of GcMAF with tumor cell lysate reduce the activity. We conclude that tumor-derived alpha-NaGalase is different in biochemical characterization compared to normal alpha-NaGalase from normal Chang liver cells. In addition, tumor cell-derived alpha-NaGalase decreases the potency of GcMAF on macrophage activation.

GC-C-IRMS in routine doping control practice: 3 years of drug testing data, quality control and evolution of the method.

PubMed

Polet, Michael; Van Eenoo, Peter

2015-06-01

In order to detect the misuse of endogenous anabolic steroids, doping control laboratories require methods that allow differentiation between endogenous steroids and their synthetic copies. Gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) is capable of measuring the carbon isotope ratio of urinary steroids and this allows differentiation between both. GC-C-IRMS and its application to doping control has evolved a lot during the last decade and so have the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) technical documents that describe how GC-C-IRMS should be applied. Especially the WADA technical document of 2014 introduced a number of obligatory quality controls and a fixed methodology that should be used by all the doping control laboratories. This document imposed more uniform methods between the laboratories in order to decrease the interlaboratory standard deviation and acquire similar results for the analysis of the same urine samples. In this paper, 3 years of drug testing data of our GC-C-IRMS method in routine doping control practice is described, with an emphasis on the new WADA technical document and its implementation. Useful data for other doping control laboratories is presented focussing on general method setup, quality control and data collected from routine samples. The paper concentrates on how IRMS results shift or remain similar by switching to the 2014 WADA technical document and gives insight in a straightforward approach to calculate the measurement uncertainty.

Comparison of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to gas chromatography (GC) - measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected US fish extracts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zajicek, J.L.; Tillitt, D.E.; Schwartz, T.R.; Schmitt, C.J.; Harrison, R.O.

2000-01-01

The analysis of PCBs in fish tissues by immunoassay methods was evaluated using fish collected from a US monitoring program, the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program of the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Selected composite whole fish samples, which represented widely varying concentrations and sources of PCBs, were extracted and subjected to congener PCB analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and total PCB analysis using an ELISA (ePCBs) calibrated against technical Aroclor 1248. PCB congener patterns in these fishes were different from the patterns found in commercial Aroclors or their combinations as demonstrated by principal component analysis of normalized GC congener data. The sum of the PCB congeners measured by GC (total-PCBs) ranged from 37 to 4600 ng/g (wet weight). Concentrations of PCBs as determined by the ELISA method were positively correlated with total-PCBs and the ePCBs/total-PCBs ratios for individual samples ranged from 1 to 6. Ratios of ePCBs/total-PCBs for dilutions of Aroclors 1242, 1254, and 1260 and for matrix spikes range from 0.6 for 1242 to 2.5 for 1254 and 1260. These results suggest that higher chlorinated PCB congeners have higher affinity for the anti-PCB antibodies. Partial least squares with latent variable analysis of GC and ELISA data of selected Aroclors and fish samples also support the conclusion that ELISA derived PCB concentrations are dependent on the degree on chlorination.

Is the Mortality Trend of Ischemic Heart Disease by the GBD2013 Study in China Real?

PubMed

Wan, Xia; Yang, Gong Huan

2017-03-01

To determine the reason for the different mortality trends of ischemic heart disease (IHD) for China between Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010 and GBD2013, and to improve garbage code (GC) redistribution. All data were obtained from the disease surveillance points system, and two proportions for assigning chronic pulmonary heart disease (PHD) as GC to IHD were from GBD2010 and GBD2013, which were different for years before 2004. By using the GBD2013 approach, the age-standard mortality rate (ASMR) increased by 100.21% in 1991, 44.81% in 1996, and 42.47% in 2000 in comparison with the GBD2010 approach. The different methods of chronic PHD redistribution impacted the trend of IHD mortality, which elevated it in the earlier 1990s by using the GBD2013 approach. Thus, improving the redistribution of GC as a key step in mortality statistics is important. Copyright © 2017 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.

Hantavirus Gn and Gc Glycoproteins Self-Assemble into Virus-Like Particles

PubMed Central

Acuña, Rodrigo; Cifuentes-Muñoz, Nicolás; Márquez, Chantal L.; Bulling, Manuela; Klingström, Jonas; Mancini, Roberta; Lozach, Pierre-Yves

2014-01-01

How hantaviruses assemble and exit infected cells remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the expression of Andes (ANDV) and Puumala (PUUV) hantavirus Gn and Gc envelope glycoproteins lead to their self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) which were released to cell supernatants. The viral nucleoprotein was not required for particle formation. Further, a Gc endodomain deletion mutant did not abrogate VLP formation. The VLPs were pleomorphic, exposed protrusions and reacted with patient sera. PMID:24335294

A review on g-C3N4 for photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Sheng; Wang, Rong; Wu, Ming-Zai; Yuan, Yu-Peng

2015-12-01

Solar fuel generation through water splitting and CO2 photoreduction is an ideal route to provide the renewable energy sources and mitigate global warming. The main challenge in photocatalysis is finding a low-cost photocatalyst that can work efficiently to split water into hydrogen and reduce CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels. Metal-free g-C3N4 photocatalyst shows great potentials for solar fuel production. In this mini review, we summarize the most current advances on novel design idea and new synthesis strategy for g-C3N4 preparation, insightful ideas on extending optical absorption of pristine g-C3N4, overall water splitting and CO2 photoreduction over g-C3N4 based systems. The research challenges and perspectives on g-C3N4 based photocatalysts were also suggested.

Direct injection GC method for measuring light hydrocarbon emissions from cooling-tower water.

PubMed

Lee, Max M; Logan, Tim D; Sun, Kefu; Hurley, N Spencer; Swatloski, Robert A; Gluck, Steve J

2003-12-15

A Direct Injection GC method for quantifying low levels of light hydrocarbons (C6 and below) in cooling water has been developed. It is intended to overcome the limitations of the currently available technology. The principle of this method is to use a stripper column in a GC to strip waterfrom the hydrocarbons prior to entering the separation column. No sample preparation is required since the water sample is introduced directly into the GC. Method validation indicates that the Direct Injection GC method offers approximately 15 min analysis time with excellent precision and recovery. The calibration studies with ethylene and propylene show that both liquid and gas standards are suitable for routine calibration and calibration verification. The sampling method using zero headspace traditional VOA (Volatile Organic Analysis) vials and a sample chiller has also been validated. It is apparent that the sampling method is sufficient to minimize the potential for losses of light hydrocarbons, and samples can be held at 4 degrees C for up to 7 days with more than 93% recovery. The Direct Injection GC method also offers <1 ppb (w/v) level method detection limits for ethylene, propylene, and benzene. It is superior to the existing El Paso stripper method. In addition to lower detection limits for ethylene and propylene, the Direct Injection GC method quantifies individual light hydrocarbons in cooling water, provides better recoveries, and requires less maintenance and setup costs. Since the instrumentation and supplies are readily available, this technique could easily be established as a standard or alternative method for routine emission monitoring and leak detection of light hydrocarbons in cooling-tower water.

Clinical experience of integrative cancer immunotherapy with GcMAF.

PubMed

Inui, Toshio; Kuchiike, Daisuke; Kubo, Kentaro; Mette, Martin; Uto, Yoshihiro; Hori, Hitoshi; Sakamoto, Norihiro

2013-07-01

Immunotherapy has become an attractive new strategy in the treatment of cancer. The laboratory and clinical study of cancer immunotherapy is rapidly advancing. However, in the clinical setting, the results of cancer immunotherapy are mixed. We therefore contend that cancer immunotherapy should be customized to each patient individually based on their immune status and propose an integrative immunotherapy approach with second-generation group-specific component macrophage activating factor (GcMAF)-containing human serum. The standard protocol of our integrative cancer immunotherapy is as follows: i) 0.5 ml GcMAF-containing human serum is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously once or twice per week for the duration of cancer therapy until all cancer cells are eradicated; ii) hyper T/natural killer (NK) cell therapy is given once per week for six weeks; iii) high-dose vitamin C is administered intravenously twice per week; iv) alpha lipoic acid (600 mg) is administered orally daily; v) vitamin D3 (5,000-10,000 IU) is administered orally daily. By March 2013, Saisei Mirai have treated over 345 patients with GcMAF. Among them we here present the cases of three patients for whom our integrative immunotherapy was remarkably effective. The results of our integrative immunotherapy seem hopeful. We also plan to conduct a comparative clinical study.>

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of biological particulates collected during recent space shuttle missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matney, M. L.; Limero, T. F.; James, J. T.

1994-01-01

Biological particulates collected on air filters during shuttle missions (STS-40 and STS-42) were identified using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). A method was developed for identifying the atmospheric particles and their sources through the analysis of standard materials and the selection of "marker" compounds specific to the particle type. Pyrolysis spectra of biological standards were compared with those of airborne particles collected during two space shuttle missions; marker compounds present in the shuttle particle spectra were matched with those of the standards to identify the source of particles. Particles of 0,5--1-mm diameter and weighing as little as 40 micrograms could be identified using this technique. The Py-GC/MS method identified rat food and soilless plant-growth media as two sources of particles collected from the shuttle atmosphere during flight.

- 174 G>C IL-6 polymorphism and primary iron overload in male patients.

PubMed

Tetzlaff, Walter F; Meroño, Tomás; Botta, Eliana E; Martín, Maximiliano E; Sorroche, Patricia B; Boero, Laura E; Castro, Marcelo; Frechtel, Gustavo D; Rey, Jorge; Daruich, Jorge; Cerrone, Gloria E; Brites, Fernando

2018-04-14

Primary iron overload (IO) is commonly associated with mutations in the hereditary hemochromatosis gene (HFE). Nonetheless, other genetic variants may influence the development of IO beyond HFE mutations. There is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at - 174 G>C of the interleukin (IL)-6 gene which might be associated with primary IO. Our aim was to study the association between the SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6 and primary IO in middle-aged male patients. We studied 37 men with primary IO diagnosed by liver histology. Controls were age-matched male volunteers (n = 37). HFE mutations and the SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6 were evaluated by PCR-RFLP. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between primary IO and SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6. Patients and control subjects were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6 (p = 0.17). Significantly different genotype frequencies were observed between patients (43% CC, 43% CG, and 14% GG) and control subjects (10% CC, 41% CG, and 49% GG) (OR = 4.09, 95% CI = 2.06-8.13; p < 0.0001). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that IO was significantly associated with CC homozygosis in the SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6 (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.9-21.4; p < 0.005) in a model adjusted by age and body mass index. In conclusion, CC homozygosis in the SNP - 174 G>C gene promoter of IL-6 can be proposed as one of the gene variants influencing iron accumulation in male adults with HFE mutations. Studies in larger cohorts are warranted.

Glycan structure of Gc Protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor as revealed by mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Borges, Chad R; Rehder, Douglas S

2016-09-15

Disagreement exists regarding the O-glycan structure attached to human vitamin D binding protein (DBP). Previously reported evidence indicated that the O-glycan of the Gc1S allele product is the linear core 1 NeuNAc-Gal-GalNAc-Thr trisaccharide. Here, glycan structural evidence is provided from glycan linkage analysis and over 30 serial glycosidase-digestion experiments which were followed by analysis of the intact protein by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Results demonstrate that the O-glycan from the Gc1F protein is the same linear trisaccharide found on the Gc1S protein and that the hexose residue is galactose. In addition, the putative anti-cancer derivative of DBP known as Gc Protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF, which is formed by the combined action of β-galactosidase and neuraminidase upon DBP) was analyzed intact by ESI-MS, revealing that the activating E. coli β-galactosidase cleaves nothing from the protein-leaving the glycan structure of active GcMAF as a Gal-GalNAc-Thr disaccharide, regardless of the order in which β-galactosidase and neuraminidase are applied. Moreover, glycosidase digestion results show that α-N-Acetylgalactosamindase (nagalase) lacks endoglycosidic function and only cleaves the DBP O-glycan once it has been trimmed down to a GalNAc-Thr monosaccharide-precluding the possibility of this enzyme removing the O-glycan trisaccharide from cancer-patient DBP in vivo. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cytoadhesion to gC1qR through Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 in Severe Malaria

PubMed Central

Magallón-Tejada, Ariel; Machevo, Sónia; Cisteró, Pau; Lavstsen, Thomas; Aide, Pedro; Jiménez, Alfons; Turner, Louise; Gupta, Himanshu; De Las Salas, Briegel; Mandomando, Inacio; Wang, Christian W.; Petersen, Jens E. V.; Muñoz, Jose; Gascón, Joaquim; Macete, Eusebio; Alonso, Pedro L.; Chitnis, Chetan E.

2016-01-01

Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes to gC1qR has been associated with severe malaria, but the parasite ligand involved is currently unknown. To assess if binding to gC1qR is mediated through the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family, we analyzed by static binding assays and qPCR the cytoadhesion and var gene transcriptional profile of 86 P. falciparum isolates from Mozambican children with severe and uncomplicated malaria, as well as of a P. falciparum 3D7 line selected for binding to gC1qR (Pf3D7gC1qR). Transcript levels of DC8 correlated positively with cytoadhesion to gC1qR (rho = 0.287, P = 0.007), were higher in isolates from children with severe anemia than with uncomplicated malaria, as well as in isolates from Europeans presenting a first episode of malaria (n = 21) than Mozambican adults (n = 25), and were associated with an increased IgG recognition of infected erythrocytes by flow cytometry. Pf3D7gC1qR overexpressed the DC8 type PFD0020c (5.3-fold transcript levels relative to Seryl-tRNA-synthetase gene) compared to the unselected line (0.001-fold). DBLβ12 from PFD0020c bound to gC1qR in ELISA-based binding assays and polyclonal antibodies against this domain were able to inhibit binding to gC1qR of Pf3D7gC1qR and four Mozambican P. falciparum isolates by 50%. Our results show that DC8-type PfEMP1s mediate binding to gC1qR through conserved surface epitopes in DBLβ12 domain which can be inhibited by strain-transcending functional antibodies. This study supports a key role for gC1qR in malaria-associated endovascular pathogenesis and suggests the feasibility of designing interventions against severe malaria targeting this specific interaction. PMID:27835682

Reduction of wobble-position GC bases in Corynebacteria genes and enhancement of PCR and heterologous expression.

PubMed

Sanli, G; Blaber, S I; Blaber, M

2001-01-01

Corynebacteria codon usage exhibits an overall GC content of 67%, and a wobble-position GC content of 88%. Escherichia coli, on the other hand has an overall GC content of 51%, and a wobble-position GC content of 55%. The high GC content of Corynebacteria genes results in an unfavorable codon preference for heterologous expression, and can present difficulties for polymerase-based manipulations due to secondary-structure effects. Since these characteristics are due primarily to base composition at the wobble-position, synthetic genes can, in principle, be designed to eliminate these problems and retain the wild-type amino acid sequence. Such genes would obviate the need for special additives or bases during in vitro polymerase-based manipulation and mutant host strains containing uncommon tRNA's for heterologous expression. We have evaluated synthetic genes with reduced wobble-position G/C content using two variants of the enzyme 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase (2,5-DKGR A and B) from Corynebacterium. The wild-type genes are refractory to polymerase-based manipulations and exhibit poor heterologous expression in enteric bacteria. The results indicate that a subset of codons for five amino acids (alanine, arginine, glutamate, glycine and valine) contribute the greatest contribution to reduction in G/C content at the wobble-position. Furthermore, changes in codons for two amino acids (leucine and proline) enhance bias for expression in enteric bacteria without affecting the overall G/C content. The synthetic genes are readily amplified using polymerase-based methodologies, and exhibit high levels of heterologous expression in E. coli.

Thermal formation effect of g-C3N4 structure on the visible light driven photocatalysis of g-C3N4/NiTiO3 Z-scheme composite photocatalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Thanh-Truc; Shin, Eun Woo

2018-07-01

The development of efficient visible-light driven photocatalysts has attracted considerable attention in environmental protection and remediation. In this study, the facile thermal polymerization of dicyandiamide (DCDA) to graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in the presence of nickel titanium trioxide (NiTiO3) was investigated for fabricating g-C3N4 and NiTiO3 composite (CNT) photocatalysts to understand the influence of the presence of NiTiO3 on the thermal formation of g-C3N4 layers from DCDA and to find an optimal processing temperature for fabricating CNT photocatalysts. To examine the effect of NiTiO3 on the fabrication of CNT photocatalysts, a gas phase environment (flowing air or nitrogen) and different processing temperatures were employed as preparation variables to control the properties of the CNT photocatalysts. In addition, the CNT photocatalysts were applied for the visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue to evaluate their photocatalytic performances. The CNT photocatalyst prepared at T = 500 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity, which was caused by the optimal morphology of g-C3N4 in the composite photocatalysts. The NiTiO3 inorganic phase in the composite photocatalysts acted as a catalyst to accelerate the thermal polymerization to form the g-C3N4 structure and as a promoter to increase the photocatalytic activity during photodegradation.

Determination of residual solvents in pharmaceuticals by thermal desorption-GC/MS.

PubMed

Hashimoto, K; Urakami, K; Fujiwara, Y; Terada, S; Watanabe, C

2001-05-01

A novel method for the determination of residual solvents in pharmaceuticals by thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS has been established. A programmed temperature pyrolyzer (double shot pyrolyzer) is applied for the TD. This method does not require any sample pretreatment and allows very small amounts of the sample. Directly desorbed solvents from intact pharmaceuticals (ca. 1 mg) in the desorption cup (5 mm x 3.8 mm i.d.) were cryofocused at the head of a capillary column prior to a GC/MS analysis. The desorption temperature was set at a point about 20 degrees C higher than the melting point of each sample individually, and held for 3 min. The analytical results using 7 different pharmaceuticals were in agreement with those obtained by direct injection (DI) of the solution, followed by USP XXIII. This proposed TD-GC/MS method was demonstrated to be very useful for the identification and quantification of residual solvents. Furthermore, this method was simple, allowed rapid analysis and gave good repeatability.

GC/FT-IR ANALYSIS OF THE THERMALLY LABILE COMPOUND TRIS (2,3-DIBROMOPROPYL) PHOSPHATE

EPA Science Inventory

A fast and convenient GC method has been developed for a compound [tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate] that poses a difficult analytical problem for both GC (thermal instability/low volatility) and LC (not amenable to commonly available, sensitive detectors) analysis. his method em...

Development of a pre-concentration system and auto-analyzer for dissolved methane, ethane, propane, and butane concentration measurements with a GC-FID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chepigin, A.; Leonte, M.; Colombo, F.; Kessler, J. D.

2014-12-01

Dissolved methane, ethane, propane, and butane concentrations in natural waters are traditionally measured using a headspace equilibration technique and gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). While a relatively simple technique, headspace equilibration suffers from slow equilibration times and loss of sensitivity due to concentration dilution with the pure gas headspace. Here we present a newly developed pre-concentration system and auto-analyzer for use with a GC-FID. This system decreases the time required for each analysis by eliminating the headspace equilibration time, increases the sensitivity and precision with a rapid pre-concentration step, and minimized operator time with an autoanalyzer. In this method, samples are collected from Niskin bottles in newly developed 1 L plastic sample bags rather than glass vials. Immediately following sample collection, the sample bags are placed in an incubator and individually connected to a multiport sampling valve. Water is pumped automatically from the desired sample bag through a small (6.5 mL) Liqui-Cel® membrane contactor where the dissolved gas is vacuum extracted and directly flushed into the GC sample loop. The gases of interest are preferentially extracted with the Liqui-Cel and thus a natural pre-concentration effect is obtained. Daily method calibration is achieved in the field with a five-point calibration curve that is created by analyzing gas standard-spiked water stored in 5 L gas-impermeable bags. Our system has been shown to substantially pre-concentrate the dissolved gases of interest and produce a highly linear response of peak areas to dissolved gas concentration. The system retains the high accuracy, precision, and wide range of measurable concentrations of the headspace equilibration method while simultaneously increasing the sensitivity due to the pre-concentration step. The time and labor involved in the headspace equilibration method is eliminated and replaced with the

N-Glycans on the Rift Valley Fever Virus Envelope Glycoproteins Gn and Gc Redundantly Support Viral Infection via DC-SIGN.

PubMed

Phoenix, Inaia; Nishiyama, Shoko; Lokugamage, Nandadeva; Hill, Terence E; Huante, Matthew B; Slack, Olga A L; Carpio, Victor H; Freiberg, Alexander N; Ikegami, Tetsuro

2016-05-23

Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-transmitted, zoonotic disease that infects humans and ruminants. Dendritic cell specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3) grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) acts as a receptor for members of the phlebovirus genus. The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) glycoproteins (Gn/Gc) encode five putative N-glycan sequons (asparagine (N)-any amino acid (X)-serine (S)/threonine (T)) at positions: N438 (Gn), and N794, N829, N1035, and N1077 (Gc). The N-glycosylation profile and significance in viral infection via DC-SIGN have not been elucidated. Gc N-glycosylation was first evaluated by using Gc asparagine (N) to glutamine (Q) mutants. Subsequently, we generated a series of recombinant RVFV MP-12 strain mutants, which encode N-to-Q mutations, and the infectivity of each mutant in Jurkat cells stably expressing DC-SIGN was evaluated. Results showed that Gc N794, N1035, and N1077 were N-glycosylated but N829 was not. Gc N1077 was heterogeneously N-glycosylated. RVFV Gc made two distinct N-glycoforms: "Gc-large" and "Gc-small", and N1077 was responsible for "Gc-large" band. RVFV showed increased infection of cells expressing DC-SIGN compared to cells lacking DC-SIGN. Infection via DC-SIGN was increased in the presence of either Gn N438 or Gc N1077. Our study showed that N-glycans on the Gc and Gn surface glycoproteins redundantly support RVFV infection via DC-SIGN.

Structural basis for genome wide recognition of 5-bp GC motifs by SMAD transcription factors.

PubMed

Martin-Malpartida, Pau; Batet, Marta; Kaczmarska, Zuzanna; Freier, Regina; Gomes, Tiago; Aragón, Eric; Zou, Yilong; Wang, Qiong; Xi, Qiaoran; Ruiz, Lidia; Vea, Angela; Márquez, José A; Massagué, Joan; Macias, Maria J

2017-12-12

Smad transcription factors activated by TGF-β or by BMP receptors form trimeric complexes with Smad4 to target specific genes for cell fate regulation. The CAGAC motif has been considered as the main binding element for Smad2/3/4, whereas Smad1/5/8 have been thought to preferentially bind GC-rich elements. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis in embryonic stem cells showed extensive binding of Smad2/3/4 to GC-rich cis-regulatory elements. Here, we present the structural basis for specific binding of Smad3 and Smad4 to GC-rich motifs in the goosecoid promoter, a nodal-regulated differentiation gene. The structures revealed a 5-bp consensus sequence GGC(GC)|(CG) as the binding site for both TGF-β and BMP-activated Smads and for Smad4. These 5GC motifs are highly represented as clusters in Smad-bound regions genome-wide. Our results provide a basis for understanding the functional adaptability of Smads in different cellular contexts, and their dependence on lineage-determining transcription factors to target specific genes in TGF-β and BMP pathways.

Case report: A breast cancer patient treated with GcMAF, sonodynamic therapy and hormone therapy.

PubMed

Inui, Toshio; Makita, Kaori; Miura, Hirona; Matsuda, Akiko; Kuchiike, Daisuke; Kubo, Kentaro; Mette, Martin; Uto, Yoshihiro; Nishikata, Takahito; Hori, Hitoshi; Sakamoto, Norihiro

2014-08-01

Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) occurs naturally in the human body. It has various functions, such as macrophage activation and antitumor activities. Recently, immunotherapy has become an attractive new strategy in the treatment of cancer. GcMAF-based immunotherapy can be combined with many other therapies. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) using low-intensity ultrasound is a novel therapeutic modality. Ultrasound has been demonstrated to activate a number of sonosensitive agents allowing for the possibility of non-invasive targeted treatment for both superficial and deep-seated tumors. The current case study demonstrates that GcMAF and SDT can be used in combination with conventional therapies in patients with metastatic cancer, especially where treatment options are limited due to factors such as toxicity. This case study also suggests a new concept of cancer treatment using local destruction of cancer tissue, in this case conducted with SDT, to be used in combination with GcMAF immunotherapy as a systemic treatment. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 assisted by hydrogen peroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Quan-Liang; Liu, Yi-Ling; Tong, Li-Ge

2018-04-01

Water pollution has caused much attention nowadays. Photocatalysis as a kind of advanced oxidation technology has been widely studied in the field of environmental pollution control. As a stable non-metal photocatalyst, the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 assisted by H2O2 was investigated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The combination of g-C3N4 and H2O2 has much higher activity than that of pure g-C3N4 or H2O2. Neutral solution is preferred for the high phtotocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 with H2O2. The effect of the amount of catalyst, H2O2 concentration and RhB concentration was investigated. Photocatalytic mechanism study using radical scavenger showed free radicals {{{{O}}}2}- and · OH are the main active species. g-C3N4 assisted by H2O2 showed good photostability and repeatability after five cycles of degradation experiment.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-634G/C) polymorphism and retinopathy of prematurity: a meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Malik, Manzoor Ahmad; Shukla, Swati; Azad, Shorya Vardhan; Kaur, Jasbir

2014-01-01

Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphism (VEGF-634G/C, rs 2010963) has been considered a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, the results remain controversial. Therefore, the aim of the present meta-analysis was to determine the association between VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk. Methods Published literature from PubMed and other databases were retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random or fixed effects model. A total of six case-control studies including 355 cases and 471 controls were included. Results By pooling all the studies, we found that VEGF-634G/C polymorphism was not associated with ROP risk at co-dominant and allele levels and no association was also found in dominant and recessive models. While stratifying on ethnicity level no association was observed in Caucasian and Asian population. Discussion This meta-analysis suggests that VEGF-634G/C polymorphism may not be associated with ROP risk, the association between single VEGF-634G/C polymorphism and ROP risk awaits further investigation. PMID:25473347

GC-MS profile of antimicrobial and antioxidant fractions from Cordia rothii roots.

PubMed

Khan, Kehkashan; Firdous, Sadiqa; Ahmad, Aqeel; Fayyaz, Nida; Nadir, Muhammad; Rasheed, Munawwer; Faizi, Shaheen

2016-11-01

An ethnobotanical survey of Cordia rothii Roem. & Schult. (Boraginaceae) reveals it as a medicinal plant. Antimicrobial and antioxidant potential evaluation and identification of chemical constituents via GC-MS of C. rothii roots fractions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic investigation of the roots exploiting GC-MS. Extraction and fractionation of C. rothii roots furnished various fractions using solvents of varying polarity, i.e., n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol. In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant screening was performed using disk diffusion and DPPH methods, respectively. MIC of active fractions was also determined using disk diffusion method. GC-MS was used to identify constituents which may be responsible for these activities. Among various fractions from C. rothii roots, fraction KA-C showed strong antibacterial activity against 17 microorganisms tested, with MIC ranging from 250-31.25 μg/mL. Fractions KA-A, KM and KM-A exhibited significant antioxidant potential with EC 50 46.875 μg/mL, while fractions KEA-PE, KM-PE and KM-M were good with EC 50 93.750 μg/mL. Forty-five phytochemicals were identified in GC-MS studies including eight hydrocarbons, six free fatty acids, 11 fatty acids esters, two phenylpropanoids, four aromatics, four terpenoid quinones/hydroquinones, three triterpenes, four phytosterols, two hexose metabolites and a DNA base. Of these, 32 constituents have been reported for the first time from C. rothii, 24 from genus Cordia and 15 from Boraginaceae. Strong antibacterial and antioxidant potential of C. rothii roots may be due to the contribution of phytoconstituents identified through GC-MS studies.

Simultaneous analysis of psychotropic phenylalkylamines in oral fluid by GC-MS with automated SPE and its application to legal cases.

PubMed

Choi, Hyeyoung; Baeck, Seungkyung; Jang, Moonhee; Lee, Sooyeun; Choi, Hwakyung; Chung, Heesun

2012-02-10

Phenylalkylamine derivatives, such as methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AM), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), phentermine (PT), fenfluramine (FFA) and phenmetrazine (PM), and ketamine (KT) are widely abused recreational or anorectic drugs in Korea and are regulated under the Controlled Substance Act in Korea. Phenylalkylamines and ketamine analysis is normally performed using both urine and hair samples but there is no established method for the simultaneous analysis of all these phenylalkylamines and ketamine in oral fluids. Oral fluid is easy to collect/handle and can provide an indication of recent drug abuse. In this study, to confirm the presence of phenylalkylamine derivatives and ketamine in oral fluid after screening with an immunoassay, an analytical method using automated solid phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and fully validated according to international guidelines. The applicability of the assay was demonstrated by analyzing of authentic oral fluid samples and the results of oral fluid analysis were compared with those in urine and hair to to evaluate the feasibility of oral fluid in forensic cases. The recovery of phenylalkylamines and ketamine from oral fluid collection devices was also assessed. Oral fluid specimens from 23 drug abuse suspects submitted by the police were collected using Salivette (Sarstedt, Nümbrecht, Germany), Quantisal (Immunalysis, Pomona, CA) or direct expectoration. The samples were screened using a biochip array analyzer (Evidence Investigator, Randox, Antrim, UK). For confirmation, the samples were analyzed by GC-MS in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode after extraction using automated SPE (RapidTrace, Zymark, MA, USA) with a mixed-mode cation exchange cartridge (CLEAN SCREEN, 130 mg/3 ml, UCT, PA, USA) and derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA). The results from the immunoassay were consistent with those from GC

N-Glycans on the Rift Valley Fever Virus Envelope Glycoproteins Gn and Gc Redundantly Support Viral Infection via DC-SIGN

PubMed Central

Phoenix, Inaia; Nishiyama, Shoko; Lokugamage, Nandadeva; Hill, Terence E.; Huante, Matthew B.; Slack, Olga A.L.; Carpio, Victor H.; Freiberg, Alexander N.; Ikegami, Tetsuro

2016-01-01

Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-transmitted, zoonotic disease that infects humans and ruminants. Dendritic cell specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3) grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) acts as a receptor for members of the phlebovirus genus. The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) glycoproteins (Gn/Gc) encode five putative N-glycan sequons (asparagine (N)–any amino acid (X)–serine (S)/threonine (T)) at positions: N438 (Gn), and N794, N829, N1035, and N1077 (Gc). The N-glycosylation profile and significance in viral infection via DC-SIGN have not been elucidated. Gc N-glycosylation was first evaluated by using Gc asparagine (N) to glutamine (Q) mutants. Subsequently, we generated a series of recombinant RVFV MP-12 strain mutants, which encode N-to-Q mutations, and the infectivity of each mutant in Jurkat cells stably expressing DC-SIGN was evaluated. Results showed that Gc N794, N1035, and N1077 were N-glycosylated but N829 was not. Gc N1077 was heterogeneously N-glycosylated. RVFV Gc made two distinct N-glycoforms: “Gc-large” and “Gc-small”, and N1077 was responsible for “Gc-large” band. RVFV showed increased infection of cells expressing DC-SIGN compared to cells lacking DC-SIGN. Infection via DC-SIGN was increased in the presence of either Gn N438 or Gc N1077. Our study showed that N-glycans on the Gc and Gn surface glycoproteins redundantly support RVFV infection via DC-SIGN. PMID:27223297

Extraction of pure components from overlapped signals in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

PubMed Central

Likić, Vladimir A

2009-01-01

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a widely used analytical technique for the identification and quantification of trace chemicals in complex mixtures. When complex samples are analyzed by GC-MS it is common to observe co-elution of two or more components, resulting in an overlap of signal peaks observed in the total ion chromatogram. In such situations manual signal analysis is often the most reliable means for the extraction of pure component signals; however, a systematic manual analysis over a number of samples is both tedious and prone to error. In the past 30 years a number of computational approaches were proposed to assist in the process of the extraction of pure signals from co-eluting GC-MS components. This includes empirical methods, comparison with library spectra, eigenvalue analysis, regression and others. However, to date no approach has been recognized as best, nor accepted as standard. This situation hampers general GC-MS capabilities, and in particular has implications for the development of robust, high-throughput GC-MS analytical protocols required in metabolic profiling and biomarker discovery. Here we first discuss the nature of GC-MS data, and then review some of the approaches proposed for the extraction of pure signals from co-eluting components. We summarize and classify different approaches to this problem, and examine why so many approaches proposed in the past have failed to live up to their full promise. Finally, we give some thoughts on the future developments in this field, and suggest that the progress in general computing capabilities attained in the past two decades has opened new horizons for tackling this important problem. PMID:19818154

Water-assisted production of honeycomb-like g-C3N4 with ultralong carrier lifetime and outstanding photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenyu; Guan, Wei; Sun, Yanjuan; Dong, Fan; Zhou, Ying; Ho, Wing-Kei

2015-01-01

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a visible light photocatalyst, limited by low activity mainly caused by rapid recombination of charge carriers. In the present work, honeycomb-like g-C3N4 was synthesized via thermal condensation of urea with addition of water at 450 °C for 1 h. Prolonging the condensation time caused the morphology of g-C3N4 to change from a porous honeycomb structure to a velvet-like nanoarchitecture. Unlike in previous studies, the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 decreased with increasing surface area. The honeycomb-like g-C3N4 with a relatively low surface area showed highly enhanced photocatalytic activity with an NO removal ratio of 48%. The evolution of NO2 intermediate was dramatically inhibited over the honeycomb-like g-C3N4. The short and long lifetimes of the charge carriers for honeycomb-like g-C3N4 were unprecedentedly prolonged to 22.3 and 165.4 ns, respectively. As a result, the honeycomb-like g-C3N4 was highly efficient and stable in activity and could be used repeatedly. Addition of water had the following multiple positive effects on g-C3N4: (1) formation of the honeycomb structure, (2) promotion of charge separation and migration, (3) enlargement of the band gap, (4) increase in production yield, and (5) decrease in energy cost. These advantages make the present preparation method for highly efficient g-C3N4 extremely appealing for large-scale applications. The active species produced from g-C3N4 under illumination were confirmed using DMPO-ESR spin-trapping, the reaction intermediate was monitored, and the reaction mechanism of photocatalytic NO oxidation by g-C3N4 was revealed. This work could provide an attractive alternative method for mass-production of highly active g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for environmental and energetic applications.Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a visible light photocatalyst, limited by low activity mainly caused by rapid recombination of charge carriers. In the present work, honeycomb

Survivin -31 G/C polymorphism might contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yao, Linhua; Hu, Yi; Deng, Zhongmin; Li, Jingjing

2015-01-01

Published data has shown inconsistent findings about the association of survivin -31 G/C polymorphism with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This meta-analysis quantitatively assesses the results from published studies to provide a more precise estimate of the association between survivin -31 G/C polymorphism as a possible predictor of the risk of CRC. We conducted a literature search in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Stata 12 software was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the available data from each article. Six studies including 1840 cases with CRC and 1804 controls were included in this study. Survivin -31 G/C polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.53-2.07; I(2) = 0%). In the race subgroup analysis, both Asians (OR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.44-2.05; I(2) = 0%) and Caucasians (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.46-2.55; I(2) = 0%) with survivin -31 G/C polymorphism had increased CRC risk. In the subgroup analysis according to site of CRC, survivin -31 G/C polymorphism was not associated with colon cancer risk (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 0.79-5.22; I(2) = 82%). However, this polymorphism was significantly associated with rectum cancer risk (OR = 1.98; 95% CI, 1.42-2.74; I(2) = 0%). In the subgroup analysis by clinical stage, both early stage (I+II) and advanced stage (III+IV) were associated with survivin -31 G/C polymorphism (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.20-2.16; I(2) = 0% and OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.70-3.13; I(2) = 0%, respectively). In the subgroup analysis by smoke status, both smokers and non-smokers with survivin -31 G/C polymorphism showed increased CRC risk (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.01-2.13; I(2) = 60% and OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.28-2.30; I(2) = 0%, respectively). In the subgroup analysis by drink status, both drinkers and non-drinkers with survivin -31 G/C polymorphism showed increased CRC risk (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.06-2.37; I(2) = 8% and OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1

Can mutational GC-pressure create new linear B-cell epitopes in herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B?

PubMed

Khrustalev, Vladislav Victorovich

2009-01-01

We showed that GC-content of nucleotide sequences coding for linear B-cell epitopes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) glycoprotein B (gB) is higher than GC-content of sequences coding for epitope-free regions of this glycoprotein (G + C = 73 and 64%, respectively). Linear B-cell epitopes have been predicted in HSV1 gB by BepiPred algorithm ( www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/BepiPred ). Proline is an acrophilic amino acid residue (it is usually situated on the surface of protein globules, and so included in linear B-cell epitopes). Indeed, the level of proline is much higher in predicted epitopes of gB than in epitope-free regions (17.8% versus 1.8%). This amino acid is coded by GC-rich codons (CCX) that can be produced due to nucleotide substitutions caused by mutational GC-pressure. GC-pressure will also lead to disappearance of acrophobic phenylalanine, isoleucine, methionine and tyrosine coded by GC-poor codons. Results of our "in-silico directed mutagenesis" showed that single nonsynonymous substitutions in AT to GC direction in two long epitope-free regions of gB will cause formation of new linear epitopes or elongation of previously existing epitopes flanking these regions in 25% of 539 possible cases. The calculations of GC-content and amino acid content have been performed by CodonChanges algorithm ( www.barkovsky.hotmail.ru ).

Insights into the photocatalytic mechanism of mediator-free direct Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures: A hybrid density functional theory study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Opoku, Francis; Govender, Krishna Kuben; Sittert, Cornelia Gertina Catharina Elizabeth van; Govender, Penny Poomani

2018-01-01

Graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based heterostructures have received much attention due to their prominent photocatalytic activity. The g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 and g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures, which follow a typical hetero-junction charge transfer mechanisms show a weak potential for hydrogen evolution and reactive radical generation under visible light irradiation. A mediator-free Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures photocatalyst are designed for the first time using first-principles studies. Moreover, theoretical understanding of the underlying mechanism, the effects of interfacial composition and the role the interface play in the overall photoactivity is still unexplained. The calculated band gap of the heterostructures is reduced compared to the bulk Bi2WO6 and Bi2MoO6. In this study, we systematically calculated energy band structure, optical properties and charge transfer of the g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures using the hybrid density functional theory approach. The results show that the charge transfer at the interface of the heterostructures induces a built-in potential, which benefits the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) heterostructure with more negative adhesion energy (-1.10 eVA-2) is predicted to have a better adsorptive ability and can form more easily compared to the g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) interface (-1.16 eVA-2). Therefore, our results show that the g-C3N4 interaction with Bi2MoO6 is stronger than Bi2WO6, which is also verified by the smaller vertical separation (3.25 Å) between Bi2MoO6 and g-C3N4 compared to the g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) interface (3.36 Å). The optical absorption verifies that these proposed Z-scheme heterostructures are excellent visible light harvesting semiconductor photocatalyst materials. This enhancement is ascribed to the role of g-C3N4 monolayer as an electron acceptor and the direct Z-scheme charge carrier transfer at the interface of

Ultrathin g-C3N4 films supported on Attapulgite nanofibers with enhanced photocatalytic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yongshuai; Zhang, Lili; Yin, Minghui; Xie, Dengyu; Chen, Jiaqi; Yin, Jingzhou; Fu, Yongsheng; Zhao, Pusu; Zhong, Hui; Zhao, Yijiang; Wang, Xin

2018-05-01

A novel visible-light-responsive photocatalyst is fabricated by introducing g-C3N4 ultrathin films onto the surface of attapulgite (ATP) via a simple in-situ depositing technique, in which ATP was pre-grafted using (3-Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (KH560) as the surfactant. A combination of XRD, FT-IR, BET, XPS, UV-vis, TEM and SEM techniques are utilized to characterize the composition, morphology and optical properties of the products. The results show that with the help of KH560, g-C3N4 presented as ultrathin layer is uniformly loaded onto the surface of ATP by forming a new chemical bond (Sisbnd Osbnd C). Comparing with g-C3N4 and ATP, ATP/g-C3N4 exhibits remarkably enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity in degradation of methyl orange (MO) because of its high surface area, appropriate band gap and the synergistic effect between g-C3N4 and ATP. To achieve the best photocatalyst, the ratio of g-C3N4 was adjusted by controlling the mass portion between ATP-KH560 and melamine (r = m (ATP-KH560)/m (melamine)). The highest decomposition rate of methyl orange (MO) was 96.06% when r = 0.5 and this degradation efficiency remained unchanged after 4 cycles, which is 10 times as that of pure g-C3N4 particles. Possible photocatalytic mechanism is presented.

Exploring the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-C3N4 nanoribbon with density functional theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Hong-Zhang; Zhong, Qing-Hua; Bandaru, Sateesh; Liu, Jin; Lau, Woon Ming; Li, Li-Li; Wang, Zhenling

2018-04-01

The optical properties and condensation degree (structure) of polymeric g-C3N4 depend strongly on the process temperature. For polymeric g-C3N4, its structure and condensation degree depend on the structure of molecular strand(s). Here, the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-C3N4 nanoribbon are investigated by studying the polymerization and crystallinity of molecular strand(s) employing first-principle density functional theory. The calculations show that the width of the molecular strand has a significant effect on the electronic structure of polymerized and crystallized g-C3N4 nanoribbons, a conclusion which would be indirect evidence that the electronic structure depends on the structure of g-C3N4. The edge shape also has a distinct effect on the electronic structure of the crystallized g-C3N4 nanoribbon. Furthermore, the conductive band minimum and valence band maximum of the polymeric g-C3N4 nanoribbon show a strong localization, which is in good agreement with the quasi-monomer characters. In addition, molecular strands prefer to grow along the planar direction on graphene. These results provide new insight on the properties of the g-C3N4 nanoribbon and the relationship between the structure and properties of g-C3N4.

Exploring the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-C3N4 nanoribbon with density functional theory.

PubMed

Wu, Hong-Zhang; Zhong, Qing-Hua; Bandaru, Sateesh; Liu, Jin; Lau, Woon Ming; Li, Li-Li; Wang, Zhenling

2018-04-18

The optical properties and condensation degree (structure) of polymeric g-C 3 N 4 depend strongly on the process temperature. For polymeric g-C 3 N 4 , its structure and condensation degree depend on the structure of molecular strand(s). Here, the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-C 3 N 4 nanoribbon are investigated by studying the polymerization and crystallinity of molecular strand(s) employing first-principle density functional theory. The calculations show that the width of the molecular strand has a significant effect on the electronic structure of polymerized and crystallized g-C 3 N 4 nanoribbons, a conclusion which would be indirect evidence that the electronic structure depends on the structure of g-C 3 N 4 . The edge shape also has a distinct effect on the electronic structure of the crystallized g-C 3 N 4 nanoribbon. Furthermore, the conductive band minimum and valence band maximum of the polymeric g-C 3 N 4 nanoribbon show a strong localization, which is in good agreement with the quasi-monomer characters. In addition, molecular strands prefer to grow along the planar direction on graphene. These results provide new insight on the properties of the g-C 3 N 4 nanoribbon and the relationship between the structure and properties of g-C 3 N 4 .

IDENTIFICATION OF BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER HYDROLYSIS PRODUCTS BY DIRECT AQUEOUS INJECTION GC/FT-IR

EPA Science Inventory

Gas chromatography coupled to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FT-IR) is rapidly becoming an accepted analytical technique complementary to GC/mass spectroscopy for identifying organic compounds in mixtures at low to moderate concentrations. irect aqueous injection (DA...

Metabolomic and elemental analysis of camel and bovine urine by GC-MS and ICP-MS.

PubMed

Ahamad, Syed Rizwan; Alhaider, Abdul Qader; Raish, Mohammad; Shakeel, Faiyaz

2017-01-01

Recent studies from the author's laboratory indicated that camel urine possesses antiplatelet activity and anti-cancer activity which is not present in bovine urine. The objective of this study is to compare the volatile and elemental components of bovine and camel urine using GC-MS and ICP-MS analysis. We are interested to know the component that performs these biological activities. The freeze dried urine was dissolved in dichloromethane and then derivatization process followed by using BSTFA for GC-MS analysis. Thirty different compounds were analyzed by the derivatization process in full scan mode. For ICP-MS analysis twenty eight important elements were analyzed in both bovine and camel urine. The results of GC-MS and ICP-MS analysis showed marked difference in the urinary metabolites. GC-MS evaluation of camel urine finds a lot of products of metabolism like benzene propanoic acid derivatives, fatty acid derivatives, amino acid derivatives, sugars, prostaglandins and canavanine. Several research reports reveal the metabolomics studies on camel urine but none of them completely reported the pharmacology related metabolomics. The present data of GC-MS suggest and support the previous studies and activities related to camel urine.

TOP1MT deficiency promotes GC invasion and migration via the enhancements of LDHA expression and aerobic glycolysis.

PubMed

Wang, Hongqiang; Zhou, Rui; Sun, Li; Xia, Jianling; Yang, Xuchun; Pan, Changqie; Huang, Na; Shi, Min; Bin, Jianping; Liao, Yulin; Liao, Wangjun

2017-11-01

Aerobic glycolysis plays an important role in cancer progression. New target genes regulating cancer aerobic glycolysis must be explored to improve patient prognosis. Mitochondrial topoisomerase I ( TOP1MT ) deficiency suppresses glucose oxidative metabolism but enhances glycolysis in normal cells. Here, we examined the role of TOP1MT in gastric cancer (GC) and attempted to determine the underlying mechanism. Using in vitro and in vivo experiments and analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC, we found that TOP1MT expression was lower in GC samples than in adjacent nonmalignant tissues. TOP1MT knockdown significantly promoted GC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo Importantly, TOP1MT silencing increased glucose consumption, lactate production, glucose transporter 1 expression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC. Additionally, regulation of glucose metabolism induced by TOP1MT was significantly associated with lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 295 patients with GC demonstrated that low TOP1MT expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, recurrence and high mortality rates. TOP1MT deficiency enhanced glucose aerobic glycolysis by stimulating LDHA to promote GC progression. © 2017 The authors.

Open Probe fast GC-MS - combining ambient sampling ultra-fast separation and in-vacuum ionization for real-time analysis.

PubMed

Keshet, U; Alon, T; Fialkov, A B; Amirav, A

2017-07-01

An Open Probe inlet was combined with a low thermal mass ultra-fast gas chromatograph (GC), in-vacuum electron ionization ion source and a mass spectrometer (MS) of GC-MS for obtaining real-time analysis with separation. The Open Probe enables ambient sampling via sample vaporization in an oven that is open to room air, and the ultra-fast GC provides ~30-s separation, while if no separation is required, it can act as a transfer line with 2 to 3-s sample transfer time. Sample analysis is as simple as touching the sample, pushing the sample holder into the Open Probe oven and obtaining the results in 30 s. The Open Probe fast GC was mounted on a standard Agilent 7890 GC that was coupled with an Agilent 5977A MS. Open Probe fast GC-MS provides real-time analysis combined with GC separation and library identification, and it uses the low-cost MS of GC-MS. The operation of Open Probe fast GC-MS is demonstrated in the 30-s separation and 50-s full analysis cycle time of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in Cannabis flower, sub 1-min analysis of trace trinitrotoluene transferred from a finger onto a glass surface, vitamin E in canola oil, sterols in olive oil, polybrominated flame retardants in plastics, alprazolam in Xanax drug pill and free fatty acids and cholesterol in human blood. The extrapolated limit of detection for pyrene is <1 fg, but the concentration is too high and the software noise calculation is untrustworthy. The broad range of compounds amenable for analysis is demonstrated in the analysis of reserpine. The possible use with alternate standard GC-MS and Open Probe fast GC-MS is demonstrated in the analysis of heroin in its street drug powder. The use of Open Probe with the fast GC acting as a transfer line is demonstrated in <10-s analysis without separation of ibuprofen and estradiol. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A simplified procedure for GC/C/IRMS analysis of underivatized 19-norandrosterone in urine following HPLC purification.

PubMed

de la Torre, Xavier; Colamonici, Cristiana; Curcio, Davide; Molaioni, Francesco; Pizzardi, Marta; Botrè, Francesco

2011-04-01

Nandrolone and/or its precursors are included in the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) list of forbidden substances and methods and as such their use is banned in sport. 19-Norandrosterone (19-NA) the main metabolite of these compounds can also be produced endogenously. The need to establish the origin of 19-NA in human urine samples obliges the antidoping laboratories to use isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) coupled to gas chromatography (GC/C/IRMS). In this work a simple liquid chromatographic method without any additional derivatization step is proposed, allowing to drastically simplify the urine pretreatment procedure, leading to extracts free of interferences permitting precise and accurate IRMS analysis. The purity of the extracts was verified by parallel analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with GC conditions identical to those of the GC/C/IRMS assay. The method has been validated according to ISO17025 requirements (within assay precision of ±0.3‰ and between assay precision of ±0.4‰). The method has been tested with samples obtained after the administration of synthetic 19-norandrostenediol and samples collected during pregnancy where 19-NA is known to be produced endogenously. Twelve drugs and synthetic standards able to produce through metabolism 19-NA have shown to present δ(13)C values around -29‰ being quite homogeneous (-28.8±1.5; mean±standard deviation) while endogenously produced 19-NA has shown values comparable to other endogenous produced steroids in the range -21 to -24‰ as already reported. The efficacy of the method was tested on real samples from routine antidoping analyses. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interglomerular Connectivity within the Canonical and GC-D/Necklace Olfactory Subsystems

PubMed Central

Puche, Adam C.; Munger, Steven D.

2016-01-01

The mammalian main olfactory system contains several subsystems that differ not only in the receptors they express and the glomerular targets they innervate within the main olfactory bulb (MOB), but also in the strategies they use to process odor information. The canonical main olfactory system employs a combinatorial coding strategy that represents odorant identity as a pattern of glomerular activity. By contrast, the "GC-D/necklace" olfactory subsystem—formed by olfactory sensory neurons expressing the receptor guanylyl cyclase GC-D and their target necklace glomeruli (NGs) encircling the caudal MOB—is critical for the detection of a small number of semiochemicals that promote the acquisition of food preferences. The formation of these socially-transmitted food preferences requires the animal to integrate information about two types of olfactory stimuli: these specialized social chemosignals and the food odors themselves. However, the neural mechanisms with which the GC-D/necklace subsystem processes this information are unclear. We used stimulus-induced increases in intrinsic fluorescence signals to map functional circuitry associated with NGs and canonical glomeruli (CGs) in the MOB. As expected, CG-associated activity spread laterally through both the glomerular and external plexiform layers associated with activated glomeruli. Activation of CGs or NGs resulted in activity spread between the two types of glomeruli; there was no evidence of preferential connectivity between individual necklace glomeruli. These results support previous anatomical findings that suggest the canonical and GC-D/necklace subsystems are functionally connected and may integrate general odor and semiochemical information in the MOB. PMID:27902696

Reference measurement procedure for total glycerides by isotope dilution GC-MS.

PubMed

Edwards, Selvin H; Stribling, Shelton L; Pyatt, Susan D; Kimberly, Mary M

2012-04-01

The CDC's Lipid Standardization Program established the chromotropic acid (CA) reference measurement procedure (RMP) as the accuracy base for standardization and metrological traceability for triglyceride testing. The CA RMP has several disadvantages, including lack of ruggedness. It uses obsolete instrumentation and hazardous reagents. To overcome these problems the CDC developed an isotope dilution GC-MS (ID-GC-MS) RMP for total glycerides in serum. We diluted serum samples with Tris-HCl buffer solution and spiked 200-μL aliquots with [(13)C(3)]-glycerol. These samples were incubated and hydrolyzed under basic conditions. The samples were dried, derivatized with acetic anhydride and pyridine, extracted with ethyl acetate, and analyzed by ID-GC-MS. Linearity, imprecision, and accuracy were evaluated by analyzing calibrator solutions, 10 serum pools, and a standard reference material (SRM 1951b). The calibration response was linear for the range of calibrator concentrations examined (0-1.24 mmol/L) with a slope and intercept of 0.717 (95% CI, 0.7123-0.7225) and 0.3122 (95% CI, 0.3096-0.3140), respectively. The limit of detection was 14.8 μmol/L. The mean %CV for the sample set (serum pools and SRM) was 1.2%. The mean %bias from NIST isotope dilution MS values for SRM 1951b was 0.7%. This ID-GC-MS RMP has the specificity and ruggedness to accurately quantify total glycerides in the serum pools used in the CDC's Lipid Standardization Program and demonstrates sufficiently acceptable agreement with the NIST primary RMP for total glyceride measurement.

Distributed Saturation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chung, Ming-Ying; Ciardo, Gianfranco; Siminiceanu, Radu I.

2007-01-01

The Saturation algorithm for symbolic state-space generation, has been a recent break-through in the exhaustive veri cation of complex systems, in particular globally-asyn- chronous/locally-synchronous systems. The algorithm uses a very compact Multiway Decision Diagram (MDD) encoding for states and the fastest symbolic exploration algo- rithm to date. The distributed version of Saturation uses the overall memory available on a network of workstations (NOW) to efficiently spread the memory load during the highly irregular exploration. A crucial factor in limiting the memory consumption during the symbolic state-space generation is the ability to perform garbage collection to free up the memory occupied by dead nodes. However, garbage collection over a NOW requires a nontrivial communication overhead. In addition, operation cache policies become critical while analyzing large-scale systems using the symbolic approach. In this technical report, we develop a garbage collection scheme and several operation cache policies to help on solving extremely complex systems. Experiments show that our schemes improve the performance of the original distributed implementation, SmArTNow, in terms of time and memory efficiency.

On the Interpretation of the CHC Factor Gc

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kan, Kees-Jan; Kievit, Rogier A.; Dolan, Conor; van der Maas, Han

2011-01-01

On the one hand, the factors Gf and Gc in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model of intelligence are hypothesized to represent individual differences in unique psychological or biological capacities. On the other hand, they are interpreted as representing the theoretical variables fluid and crystallized intelligence in investment theory. With…

Enhanced visible light activity on direct contact Z-scheme g-C3N4-TiO2 photocatalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Juan; Zhang, Min; Li, Qiuye; Yang, Jianjun

2017-01-01

Direct contact Z-scheme g-C3N4-TiO2 nanocomposites without an electron mediator are prepared via simple annealing the mixture of bulk g-C3N4 and nanotube titanic acid (NTA) in air at 600 °C for 2 h. In the process of annealing, the bulk g-C3N4 transformed to ultra-thin g-C3N4 nanosheets, and NTA converted to a novel anatase TiO2, then the two components formed a close interaction. The XPS result reveals that some amount of nitrogen is doped into this novel-TiO2, and g-C3N4 nanosheets exist in the composites. The results of XRD, TEM and TG indicate that the thickness of g-C3N4 nanosheets is very thin. The ESR spectrum shows the existence of Ti3+ and single-electron-trapped oxygen vacancy in the 30%g-C3N4-TiO2 composites. In photocatalytic activity test, the 30%g-C3N4-TiO2 nanocomposites showed an excellent photo-oxidation activity of propylene under visible light irradiation (λ≥ 420 nm), and the removal efficiency of propylene reached as high as 56.6%, and the activity kept nearly 82% after four consecutive recycles. Photoluminescence (PL) result using terephthalic acid (TA) as a probe molecule indicated that the g-C3N4-TiO2 nanocomposites displayed a Z-sheme photocatalytic reaction system and this should be the main reason for the high photocatalytic activity. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed on the basis of PL result and transient photocurrent-time curves.

GC/GCMS analysis of the petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of Moringa oleifera roots

PubMed Central

Faizi, Shaheen; Sumbul, Saima; Versiani, Muhammed Ali; Saleem, Rubeena; Sana, Aisha; Siddiqui, Hira

2014-01-01

Objective To explore the phytochemical constituents from petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) roots using GC/GC-MS. Methods A total of 5.11 kg fresh and undried crushed root of M. oleifera were cut into small pieces and extracted with petroleum ether and dichloromethane (20 L each) at room temperature for 2 d. The concentrated extracts were subjected to their GC-MS analysis. Results The GC-MS analysis of the petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of M. oleifera roots, which showed promising biological activities, has resulted in the identification 102 compounds. These constituents belong to 15 classes of compounds including hydrocarbons, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, isothiocyanate, thiocyanate, pyrazine, aromatics, alkamides, cyanides, steroids, halocompounds, urea and N-hydroxyimine derivatives, unsaturated alkenamides, alkyne and indole. GC/GC-MS studies on petroleum ether extract of the roots revealed that it contained 39 compounds, belonging to nine classes. Cyclooctasulfur S8 has been isolated as a pure compound from the extract. The major compounds identified from petroleum ether extract were trans-13-docosene (37.9%), nonacosane (32.6%), cycloartenol (28.6%) nonadecanoic acid (13.9%) and cyclooctasulfur S8 (13.9%). Dichloromethane extract of the roots was composed of 63 compounds of which nasimizinol (58.8%) along with oleic acid (46.5%), N-benzyl-N-(7-cyanato heptanamide (38.3%), N-benzyl-N-(1-chlorononyl) amide (30.3%), bis [3-benzyl prop-2-ene]-1-one (19.5%) and N, N-dibenzyl-2-ene pent 1, 5-diamide (11.6%) were the main constituents. Conclusions This study helps to predict the formula and structure of active molecules which can be used as drugs. This result also enhances the traditional usage of M. oleifera which possesses a number of bioactive compounds. PMID:25183335

Characterization of tet(Y)-carrying LowGC plasmids exogenously captured from cow manure at a conventional dairy farm.

PubMed

Kyselková, Martina; Chrudimský, Tomáš; Husník, Filip; Chroňáková, Alica; Heuer, Holger; Smalla, Kornelia; Elhottová, Dana

2016-06-01

Manure from dairy farms has been shown to contain diverse tetracycline resistance genes that are transferable to soil. Here, we focus on conjugative plasmids that may spread tetracycline resistance at a conventional dairy farm. We performed exogenous plasmid isolation from cattle feces using chlortetracycline for transconjugant selection. The transconjugants obtained harbored LowGC-type plasmids and tet(Y). A representative plasmid (pFK2-7) was fully sequenced and this was compared with previously described LowGC plasmids from piggery manure-treated soil and a GenBank record from Acinetobacter nosocomialis that we also identified as a LowGC plasmid. The pFK2-7 plasmid had the conservative backbone typical of LowGC plasmids, though this region was interrupted with an insert containing the tet(Y)-tet(R) tetracycline resistance genes and the strA-strB streptomycin resistance genes. Despite Acinetobacter populations being considered natural hosts of LowGC plasmids, these plasmids were not found in three Acinetobacter isolates from the study farm. The isolates harbored tet(Y)-tet(R) genes in identical genetic surroundings as pFK2-7, however, suggesting genetic exchange between Acinetobacter and LowGC plasmids. Abundance of LowGC plasmids and tet(Y) was correlated in manure and soil samples from the farm, indicating that LowGC plasmids may be involved in the spread of tet(Y) in the environment. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Comparison of GC-MS and FTIR methods for quantifying naphthenic acids in water samples.

PubMed

Scott, Angela C; Young, Rozlyn F; Fedorak, Phillip M

2008-11-01

The extraction of bitumen from the oil sands in Canada releases toxic naphthenic acids into the process-affected waters. The development of an ideal analytical method for quantifying naphthenic acids (general formula C(n)H(2n+Z)O(2)) has been impeded by the complexity of these mixtures and the challenges of differentiating naphthenic acids from other naturally-occurring organic acids. The oil sands industry standard FTIR method was compared with a newly-developed GC-MS method. Naphthenic acids concentrations were measured in extracts of surface and ground waters from locations within the vicinity of and away from the oil sands deposits and in extracts of process-affected waters. In all but one case, FTIR measurements of naphthenic acids concentrations were greater than those determined by GC-MS. The detection limit of the GC-MS method was 0.01 mg L(-1) compared to 1 mg L(-1) for the FTIR method. The results indicated that the GC-MS method is more selective for naphthenic acids, and that the FTIR method overestimates their concentrations.

Discrimination of smokeless powders by headspace SPME-GC-MS and SPME-GC-ECD, and the potential implications upon training canine detection of explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harper, Ross J.; Almirall, Jose R.; Furton, Kenneth G.

2005-05-01

This presentation will provide an odour analysis of a variety of smokeless powders & communicate the rapid SPME-GC-ECD method utilized. This paper will also discuss the implications of the headspace analysis of Smokeless Powders upon the choice of training aids for Explosives Detection Canines. Canine detection of explosives relies upon the dogs" ability to equate finding a given explosive odour with a reward, usually in the form of praise or play. The selection of explosives upon which the dogs are trained thus determines which explosives the canines can and potentially cannot find. Commonly, the training is focussed towards high explosives such as TNT and Composition 4, and the low explosives such as Black and Smokeless Powders are added often only for completeness. Powder explosives constitute a major component of explosive incidents throughout the US, and canines trained to detect explosives must be trained across the entire range of powder products. Given the variability in the manufacture and product make-up many smokeless powders do not share common odour chemicals, giving rise to concerns over the extensiveness of canine training. Headspace analysis of a selection of Smokeless Powders by Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography using Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) and Electron Capture Detectors (SPME-GC-ECD) has highlighted significant differences in the chemical composition of the odour available from different brands. This suggests that greater attention should be paid towards the choice of Powder Explosives when assigning canine training aids.

The -765G>C polymorphism in the cyclooxygenase-2 gene and digestive system cancer: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Zhao, Fen; Cao, Yue; Zhu, Hong; Huang, Min; Yi, Cheng; Huang, Ying

2014-01-01

Published data regarding associations between the -765G>C polymorphism in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and digestive system cancer risk have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of the -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene for digestive system cancer. A search was performed in Pubmed, Medline (Ovid), Embase, CNKI, Weipu, Wanfang and CBM databases, covering all studies until Feb 10, 2014. Statistical analysis was performed using Revman5.2. A total of 10,814 cases and 16,174 controls in 38 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that C allele carriers (GC+CC) had a 20% increased risk of digestive system cancer when compared with the homozygote GG (odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.44 for GC+CC vs GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were associated with C allele carriers (GC+CC) in Asians (OR = 1.46, 95% CI=1.07-2.01, and p=0.02) and Africans (OR=2.12, 95% CI=1.57-2.87, and p< 0.00001), but not among Caucasians, Americans and mixed groups. For subgroup analysis by cancer type (GC+CC vs GG), significant associations were found between the -765G>C polymorphism and higher risk for gastric cancer (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.03-2.61, and p=0.04), but not for colorectal cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and others. Regarding study design (GC+CC vs GG), no significant associations were found in then population-based case-control (PCC), hospital-based case-control (HCC) and family-based case-control (FCC) studies. This meta-analysis suggested that the -765G>C polymorphism of the COX-2 gene is a potential risk factor for digestive system cancer in Asians and Africans and gastric cancer overall.

UV-light-assisted ethanol sensing characteristics of g-C3N4/ZnO composites at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Jiali; Wang, Tao; Wang, Chuang; Liu, Dechen

2018-05-01

A highly efficient UV-light-assisted room temperature sensor based on g-C3N4/ZnO composites were prepared by an in situ precipitation method. The thermostability, composition, structure, and morphology properties of the as-prepared g-C3N4/ZnO composites were characterized by TGA, XRD, FT-IR, TEM, and XPS, respectively. And then, we studied the ethanol (C2H5OH) sensing performance of the g-C3N4/ZnO composites at the room temperature. Compared with pure ZnO and g-C3N4, the gas sensing activity of g-C3N4/ZnO composites was greatly improved at room temperature, for example, the g-C3N4/ZnO-8% composites showed an obvious response of 121-40 ppm C2H5OH at room temperature, which was 60 times higher than the pure ZnO based on the sensors under the same condition. The great enhancement of the C2H5OH sensing properties of composites can be understood by the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers of g-C3N4/ZnO heterogeneous and the UV-light catalytic effect. Finally, a possible mechanism for the gas sensing activity was proposed.

Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) system for quantitative analysis of reactive chemical compounds

DOEpatents

Grindstaff, Quirinus G.

1992-01-01

Described is a new gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) system and method for quantitative analysis of reactive chemical compounds. All components of such a GC/MS system external to the oven of the gas chromatograph are programmably temperature controlled to operate at a volatilization temperature specific to the compound(s) sought to be separated and measured.

GC-GAP, a Rho family GTPase-activating protein that interacts with signaling adapters Gab1 and Gab2.

PubMed

Zhao, Chunmei; Ma, Hong; Bossy-Wetzel, Ella; Lipton, Stuart A; Zhang, Zhuohua; Feng, Gen-Sheng

2003-09-05

Gab1 and Gab2 are scaffolding proteins acting downstream of cell surface receptors and interact with a variety of cytoplasmic signaling proteins such as Grb2, Shp-2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Shc, and Crk. To identify new binding partners for GAB proteins and better understand their functions, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening with hGab2-(120-587) as bait. This work led to identification of a novel GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for Rho family GTPases. The GAP domain shows high similarity to the recently cloned CdGAP and displays activity toward RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 in vitro. The protein was named GC-GAP for its ability to interact with GAB proteins and its activity toward Rac and Cdc42. GC-GAP is predominantly expressed in the brain with low levels detected in other tissues. Antibodies directed against GC-GAP recognized a protein of approximately 200 kDa. Expression of GC-GAP in 293T cells led to a reduction in active Rac1 and Cdc42 levels but not RhoA. Suppression of GC-GAP expression by siRNA inhibited proliferation of C6 astroglioma cells. In addition, GC-GAP contains several classic proline-rich motifs, and it interacts with the first SH3 domain of Crk and full-length Nck in vitro. We propose that Gab1 and Gab2 in cooperation with other adapter molecules might regulate the cellular localization of GC-GAP under specific stimuli, acting to regulate precisely Rac and Cdc42 activities. Given that GC-GAP is specifically expressed in the nervous system and that it is localized to the dendritic processes of cultured neurons, GC-GAP may play a role in dendritic morphogenesis and also possibly in neural/glial cell proliferation.

Zinc induces exposure of hydrophobic sites in the C-terminal domain of gC1q-R/p33.

PubMed

Kumar, Rajeev; Peerschke, Ellinor I B; Ghebrehiwet, Berhane

2002-09-01

Endothelial cells and platelets are known to express gC1q-R on their surface. In addition to C1q, endothelial cell gC1q-R has been shown to bind high molecular weight kininogen (HK) and factor XII (FXII). However, unlike C1q, whose interaction with gC1q-R does not require divalent ions, the binding of HK to gC1q-R is absolutely dependent on the presence of zinc. However, the mechanism by which zinc modulates this interaction is not fully understood. To investigate the role of zinc, binding studies were done using the hydrophobic dye, bis-ANS. The fluorescence intensity of bis-ANS, greatly increases and the emission maximum is blue-shifted from 525 to 485nm upon binding to hydrophobic sites on proteins. In this report, we show that a blue-shift in emission maximum is also observed when bis-ANS binds to gC1q-R in the presence but not in the absence of zinc suggesting that zinc induces exposure of hydrophobic sites in the molecule. The binding of bis-ANS to gC1q-R is specific, dose-dependent, and reversible. In the presence of zinc, this binding is abrogated by monoclonal antibody 74.5.2 directed against gC1q-R residues 204-218. This segment of gC1q-R, which corresponds to the beta6 strand in the crystal structure, has been shown previously to be the binding site for HK. A similar trend in zinc-induced gC1q-R binding was also observed using the hydrophobic matrix octyl-Sepharose. Taken together, our data suggest that zinc can induce the exposure of hydrophobic sites in the C-terminal domain of gC1q-R involved in binding to HK/FXII.

GC-FID coupled with chemometrics for quantitative and chemical fingerprinting analysis of Alpinia oxyphylla oil.

PubMed

Miao, Qing; Kong, Weijun; Zhao, Xiangsheng; Yang, Shihai; Yang, Meihua

2015-01-01

Analytical methods for quantitative analysis and chemical fingerprinting of volatile oils from Alpinia oxyphylla were established. The volatile oils were prepared by hydrodistillation, and the yields were between 0.82% and 1.33%. The developed gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) method showed good specificity, linearity, reproducibility, stability and recovery, and could be used satisfactorily for quantitative analysis. The results showed that the volatile oils contained 2.31-77.30 μL/mL p-cymene and 12.38-99.34 mg/mL nootkatone. A GC-FID fingerprinting method was established, and the profiles were analyzed using chemometrics. GC-MS was used to identify the principal compounds in the GC-FID profiles. The profiles of almost all the samples were consistent and stable. The harvesting time and source were major factors that affected the profile, while the volatile oil yield and the nootkatone content had minor secondary effects. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CeVO4 nanofibers hybridized with g-C3N4 nanosheets with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Li; Wang, Haoran; Wang, Xiong

2018-01-01

The g-C3N4/CeVO4 composites were successfully synthesized by hybridizing CeVO4 nanofibers with g-C3N4 nanosheets. The photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/CeVO4 composites was evaluated for the photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Among them, the 50 wt% g-C3N4/CeVO4 composites presented the highest photocatalytic activity, about 2 and 3.2 times higher than those of CeVO4 and g-C3N4, respectively. The improved catalytic activity was owed to the hybridization, which facilitated the rapid separation of photoinduced carriers and enhanced the visible light harvesting. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.

A quantification method for peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) using gas chromatography (GC) with a non-radioactive pulsed discharge detector (PDD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Jaffe, Daniel A.; Gao, Xin; McClure, Crystal D.

2018-04-01

In this study, we developed a method for continuous PAN measurements by gas chromatography (GC) with a non-radioactive pulsed discharge detector (PDD). Operational parameters were optimized based on the ratio of peak height over baseline noise (P/N ratio). The GC/PDD system was compared with a traditional radioactive electron-capture detector (ECD). In the lab, the method detection limit (MDL) of the new GC/PDD method (9 pptv) was lower than the radioactive GC/ECD method (15 pptv), demonstrating its excellent potential. The MDL of GC/PDD in the field campaign at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory (MBO) was 23 pptv, higher than in the lab. This was caused in part by the decreased slope of the calibration curve resulting from the low air pressure level at MBO. However, the MDL level of GC/PDD at MBO is still low enough for accurate PAN measurements, although special attention should be paid to its application at high-elevation sites. Observations of PAN were conducted at MBO in the summer of 2016 with the GC/PDD system, and provided more evidence of the performance of the system. PAN was found to be highly correlated with CO. The promising performance of GC/PDD which does not require a radioactive source makes it a useful approach for accurate PAN measurements in the field.

Comprehensive Urine Drug Screen by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).

PubMed

Ramoo, Bheemraj; Funke, Melissa; Frazee, Clint; Garg, Uttam

2016-01-01

Drug screening is an essential component of clinical toxicology laboratory service. Some laboratories use only automated chemistry analyzers for limited screening of drugs of abuse and few other drugs. Other laboratories use a combination of various techniques such as immunoassays, colorimetric tests, and mass spectrometry to provide more detailed comprehensive drug screening. Mass spectrometry, gas or liquid, can screen for hundreds of drugs and is often considered the gold standard for comprehensive drug screening. We describe an efficient and rapid gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for comprehensive drug screening in urine which utilizes a liquid-liquid extraction, sample concentration, and analysis by GC/MS.

Analysis of canine herpesvirus gB, gC and gD expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus.

PubMed

Xuan, X; Kojima, A; Murata, T; Mikami, T; Otsuka, H

1997-01-01

The genes encoding the canine herpesvirus (CHV) glycoprotein B (gB), gC and gD homologues have been reported already. However, products of these genes have not been identified yet. Previously, we have identified three CHV glycoproteins, gp 145/112, gp80 and gp47 using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). To determine which CHV glycoprotein corresponds to gB, gC or gD, the putative genes of gB, gC, and gD of CHV were inserted into the thymidine kinase gene of vaccinia virus LC16mO strain under the control of the early-late promoter for the vaccinia virus 7.5-kilodalton polypeptide. We demonstrated here that gp145/112, gp80 and gp47 were the translation products of the CHV gB, gC and gD genes, respectively. The antigenic authenticity of recombinant gB, gC and gD were confirmed by a panel of MAbs specific for each glycoprotein produced in CHV-infected cells. Immunization of mice with these recombinants produced high titers of neutralizing antibodies against CHV. These results suggest that recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing CHV gB, gC and gD may be useful to develop a vaccine to control CHV infection.

GC-MS quantitation of fragrance compounds suspected to cause skin reactions. 1.

PubMed

Chaintreau, Alain; Joulain, Daniel; Marin, Christophe; Schmidt, Claus-Oliver; Vey, Matthias

2003-10-22

Recent changes in European legislation require monitoring of 24 volatile compounds in perfumes as they might elicit skin sensitization. This paper reports a GC-MS quantitation procedure for their determination in fragrance concentrates. GC and MS conditions were optimized for a routine use: analysis within 30 min, solvent and internal standard selection, and stock solution stability. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 2-100 mg/L with coefficients of determination in excess of 0.99. The method was tested using real perfumes spiked with known amounts of reference compounds.

Quantification of Neural Ethanol and Acetaldehyde Using Headspace GC-MS

PubMed Central

Heit, Claire; Eriksson, Peter; Thompson, David C; Fritz, Kristofer S; Vasiliou, Vasilis

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND There is controversy regarding the active agent responsible for alcohol addiction. The theory that ethanol itself was the agent in alcohol drinking behavior was widely accepted until acetaldehyde was found in the brain. The importance of acetaldehyde formation in the brain role is still subject to speculation due to the lack of a method to accurately assay the acetaldehyde levels directly. A highly sensitive GC-MS method to reliably determine acetaldehyde concentration with certainty is needed to address whether neural acetaldehyde is indeed responsible for increased alcohol consumption. METHODS A headspace gas chromatograph coupled to selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry was utilized to develop a quantitative assay for acetaldehyde and ethanol. Our GC-MS approach was carried out using a Bruker Scion 436-GC SQ MS. RESULTS Our approach yields limits of detection of acetaldehyde in the nanomolar range and limits of quantification in the low micromolar range. Our linear calibration includes 5 concentrations with a least square regression greater than 0.99 for both acetaldehyde and ethanol. Tissue analyses using this method revealed the capacity to quantify ethanol and acetaldehyde in blood, brain, and liver tissue from mice. CONCLUSIONS By allowing quantification of very low concentrations, this method may be used to examine the formation of ethanol metabolites, specifically acetaldehyde, in murine brain tissue in alcohol research. PMID:27501276

Genuineness assessment of mandarin essential oils employing gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio MS (GC-C-IRMS).

PubMed

Schipilliti, Luisa; Tranchida, Peter Quinto; Sciarrone, Danilo; Russo, Marina; Dugo, Paola; Dugo, Giovanni; Mondello, Luigi

2010-03-01

Cold-pressed mandarin essential oils are products of great economic importance in many parts of the world and are used in perfumery, as well as in food products. Reconstituted mandarin oils are easy to find on the market; useful information on essential oil authenticity, quality, extraction technique, geographic origin and biogenesis can be attained through high-resolution GC of the volatile fraction, or enantioselective GC, using different chiral stationary phases. Stable isotope ratio analysis has gained considerable interest for the unveiling of citrus oil adulteration, detecting small differences in the isotopic carbon composition and providing plenty of information concerning the discrimination among products of different geographical origin and the adulteration of natural essential oils with synthetic or natural compounds. In the present research, the authenticity of several mandarin essential oils was assessed through the employment of GC hyphenated to isotope ratio MS, conventional GC flame ionization detector, enantioselective GC and HPLC. Commercial mandarin oils and industrial natural (declared as such) mandarin essential oils, characterized by different harvest periods and geographic origins, were subjected to analysis. The results attained were compared with those of genuine cold-pressed Italian mandarin oils, obtained during the 2008-2009 harvest season.

Microplastic Abundance and Composition in Western Lake Superior As Determined via Microscopy, Pyr-GC/MS, and FTIR.

PubMed

Hendrickson, Erik; Minor, Elizabeth C; Schreiner, Kathryn

2018-02-20

While plastic pollution in marine and freshwater systems is an active area of research, there is not yet an in-depth understanding of the distributions, chemical compositions, and fates of plastics in aquatic environments. In this study, the magnitude, distribution, and common polymers of microplastic pollution in surface waters in western Lake Superior are determined. Analytical methodology, including estimates of ambient contamination during sample collection and processing, are described and employed. Microscopy, pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to quantify and identify microplastic particles. In surface waters, fibers were the most frequently observed morphology, and, based upon PyGC/MS analysis,  polyvinyl chloride was the most frequently observed polymer, followed by polypropylene and polyethylene. The most common polymer identified by FTIR was polyethylene. Despite the low human population in Lake Superior's watershed, microplastic particles (particularly fibers, fragments, and films) were identified in western-lake surface waters at levels comparable to average values reported in studies within Lake Michigan, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the South Pacific Ocean. This study provides insight into the magnitude of microplastic pollution in western Lake Superior, and describes in detail methodology to improve future microplastics studies in aquatic systems.

GC-MS analysis of bio-active compounds in methanolic extract of Lactuca runcinata DC

PubMed Central

Kanthal, Lakshmi Kanta; Dey, Akalanka; Satyavathi, K.; Bhojaraju, P.

2014-01-01

Background: The presence of phytochemical constitutes has been reported from species of the Compositae (Asteraceae). Hitherto no reports exist on the phytochemical components and biological activity of Lactuca runcinata DC. Objective: The present study was designed to determine the bioactive compounds in the whole plant methanol extract of Lactuca runcinata. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening of the entire herb of Lactuca runcinata DC revealed the presence of some bio-active components. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the whole plant methanol extract of Lactuca runcinata was performed on a GC-MS equipment (Thermo Scientific Co.) Thermo GC-TRACE ultra ver.: 5.0, Thermo MS DSQ II. Results: The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, phlobatannin, reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, volatile oils, carbohydrates, and protein/amino acids in methanolic extract of L. runcinata. The GC-MS analysis has shown the presence of different phytochemical compounds in the methanolic extract of Lactuca runcinata. A total of 21 compounds were identified representing 84.49% of total methanolic extract composition. Conclusion: From the results, it is evident that Lactuca runcinata contains various phytocomponents and is recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance. PMID:24497744

Quantitative Determination of Caffeine in Beverages Using a Combined SPME-GC/MS Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawliszyn, Janusz; Yang, Min J.; Orton, Maureen L.

1997-09-01

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been applied to the analysis of various caffeinated beverages. Unlike the current methods, this technique is solvent free and requires no pH adjustments. The simplicity of the SPME-GC/MS method lends itself to a good undergraduate laboratory practice. This publication describes the analytical conditions and presents the data for determination of caffeine in coffee, tea, and coke. Quantitation by isotopic dilution is also illustrated.

One step synthesis of P-doped g-C3N4 with the enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Sen; Zhu, Honglei; Yao, Wenqing; Chen, Kai; Chen, Daimei

2018-02-01

In our work, P doped Graphitic nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared by the simple copolymerization of melamine and melamine phosphate. The melamine phosphate ester polymer is a complex of an s-triazine and phosphoric acid polymer, thus it will be favourable for P atom to incorporate into the Csbnd N network of g-C3N4. The doped P atoms may produce the delocalized lone electron and form the Lewis acid sites. The obtained P-doped g-C3N4 showed the higher photocatalytic activity in photodegradation of MB and 2,4-Dichlorophenol than g-C3N4. The optimum photocatatlytic activity of P-C3N4 with the weight ration of melamine phosphate and melamine at 0.06 is 2 times as higher as the pure g-C3N4 in MB photodegradation, and 1.5 times higher in 2,4-Dichlorophenol photodegradation. The enhancement of photodegradation efficiency is due to the delocalization effect of lone electron, promoting the separation of photogenerated charges, and the larger band gap of P doped g-C3N4.

RCRA, superfund and EPCRA hotline training module. Introduction to: Solid waste programs updated July 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-07-01

The module focuses on EPA`s efforts in two areas: municipal and industrial solid waste. The garbage that is managed by the local governments is known as municipal solid waste (MSW). Garbage excluded from hazardous waste regulation but not typically collected by local governments is commonly known as industrial solid waste. This category includes domestic sewage and other wastewater treatment sludge, demolition and construction wastes, agricultural and mining residues, combustion ash, and industrial process wastes.

Graphene and g-C3N4 based photocatalysts for NOx removal: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikokavoura, Aspasia; Trapalis, Christos

2018-02-01

NOx liberated into atmosphere from automobile exhausts and fossil fuel combustion, comprise the major air pollutants. They are responsible for serious environmental problems such as acid rain, ozone accumulation, haze and photochemical smog. Besides they contribute to the deterioration of human health by causing decrease of the lung function and respiratory problems. The application of photocatalytic methods in order to mitigate the presence of NOx in the atmosphere is preferable as they are environmentally friendly, mild and low cost. Therefore, in this review, the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 and graphene based composites towards NOx removal was discussed. NOx oxidation to non volatile nitrates on the surface of graphene and g-C3N4 based photocatalysts has attracted much interest during the last years due to their structures with unique features such as large specific surface area, thermal and chemical stability and enhanced visible light utilization. The formation of 2D-2D intimate heterojunctions between graphene or g-C3N4 and other components ensures the enhanced charge transfer, lifetime of electron/hole pairs and thus photocatalytic activity. The increased visible light harvesting also contributes to their usefulness as effective photocatalytic materials. In the present work, the advantages of these novel photocatalysts and the differences/similarities between them were exhaustively highlighted. The role of graphene as catalyst promoter, electron reservoir, support and photosensitizer in its photocatalytic composites was emphasized. The effect of g-C3N4 doping and copolymerization with metals/semiconductors on its photocatalytic activity towards NOx oxidation was thoroughly discussed. Besides, the preparation methods, photocatalytic efficiencies, type of irradiation, utilization of appropriate cocatalysts, and reaction mechanisms during the photocatalytic NOx removal by graphene and g-C3N4 composies, were summarized. It was demonstrated that in the vast

Near-real-time combustion monitoring for PCDD/PCDF indicators by GC-REMPI-TOFMS.

PubMed

Gullett, Brian K; Oudejans, Lukas; Tabor, Dennis; Touati, Abderrahmane; Ryan, Shawn

2012-01-17

The boiler exit flue gas of a municipal waste combustor was sampled to evaluate an online monitoring system for chlorobenzene congeners as indicators of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF) concentrations. Continuous measurements of chlorobenzene congeners using gas chromatography coupled to a resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization - time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-REMPI-TOFMS) system were compared over 5-min periods with conventional sampling methods for PCDD/PCDF. Three pairs of values were taken every hour over a period of three days to characterize the combustor's response to transient operating conditions (shutdowns and startups). Isolation of specific chlorobenzene congeners from other same-mass compounds was accomplished by using a GC column separator ahead of the REMPI-TOFMS. The 50-fold variation of PCDD/PCDF concentration was paralleled by similar changes in monitored compounds of 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene. A correlation of R = 0.85 and 0.89 was established between 40 pairs of simultaneous 5-min GC-REMPI-TOFMS measurements of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 5 min conventional sampling and analysis for the TEQ and Total measures of PCDD/PCDF, respectively. The GC-REMPI-TOFMS system can be used to provide frequent measures of correlative PCDD/PCDF concentration thereby allowing for an understanding of measures to minimize PCDD/PCDF formation and develop operational feedback to limit emissions.

Microwave modification of surface hydroxyl density for g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Na; Zhao, Yang; Mao, Zhiyong; Agrawal, Dinesh Kumar; Wang, Dajian

2018-03-01

Microwave modification was performed on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts to tail the surface hydroxyl content for enhanced photocatalytic activity in this work. The influence of microwave heating on the surface hydroxyl density was investigated by a suite of characterization methods. The microwave treated g-C3N4 (MT-g-C3N4) delivered a higher photocatalytic activity in degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation than pristine g-C3N4 due to its improved separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carries and promoted absorption capacity of RhB reactants on surface, which resulted from the increased surface hydroxyl density induced by microwave treatment. This study provides a simple and convenient method to modify g-C3N4 materials with enhanced photocatalytic activity for the potential application in photocatalytic elimination of environmental pollutants.

Potential of gas chromatography-orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-oaTOFMS) in flavor research.

PubMed

Fay, Laurent B; Newton, Anthony; Simian, Hervé; Robert, Fabien; Douce, David; Hancock, Peter; Green, Martin; Blank, Imre

2003-04-23

Gas chromatography-orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-oaTOFMS) is an emerging technique offering a straightforward access to a resolving power up to 7000. This paper deals with the use of GC-oaTOFMS to identify the flavor components of a complex seafood flavor extract and to quantify furanones formed in model Maillard reactions. A seafood extract was selected as a representative example for complex food flavors and was previously analyzed using GC-quadrupole MS, leaving several molecules unidentified. GC-oaTOFMS analysis was focused on these unknowns to evaluate its potential in flavor research, particularly for determining exact masses. N-Methyldithiodimethylamine, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and tetrahydro-2,4-dimethyl-4H-pyrrolo[2,1-d]-1,3,5-dithiazine were successfully identified on the basis of the precise mass determination of their molecular ions and their major fragments. A second set of experiments was performed to test the capabilities of the GC-oaTOFMS for quantification. Calibration curves were found to be linear over a dynamic range of 10(3) for the quantification of furanones. The quantitative data obtained using GC-oaTOFMS confirmed earlier results that the formation of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone was favored in the xylose/glycine model reaction and 2(or 5)-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone in the xylose/alanine model reaction. It was concluded that GC-oaTOFMS may become a powerful analytical tool for the flavor chemist for both identification and quantification purposes, the latter in particular when combined with stable isotope dilution assay.

Use of a bacterial expression vector to map the varicella-zoster virus major glycoprotein gene, gC.

PubMed Central

Ellis, R W; Keller, P M; Lowe, R S; Zivin, R A

1985-01-01

The genome of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encodes at least three major glycoprotein genes. Among viral gene products, the gC gene products are the most abundant glycoproteins and induce a substantial humoral immune response (Keller et al., J. Virol. 52:293-297, 1984). We utilized two independent approaches to map the gC gene. Small fragments of randomly digested VZV DNA were inserted into a bacterial expression vector. Bacterial colonies transformed by this vector library were screened serologically for antigen expression with monoclonal antibodies to gC. Hybridization of the plasmid DNA from a gC antigen-positive clone revealed homology to the 3' end of the VZV Us segment. In addition, mRNA from VZV-infected cells was hybrid selected by a set of VZV DNA recombinant plasmids and translated in vitro, and polypeptide products were immunoprecipitated by convalescent zoster serum or by monoclonal antibodies to gC. This analysis revealed that the mRNA encoding a 70,000-dalton polypeptide precipitable by anti-gC antibodies mapped to the HindIII C fragment, which circumscribes the entire Us region. We conclude that the VZV gC glycoprotein gene maps to the 3' end of the Us region and is expressed as a 70,000-dalton primary translational product. These results are consistent with the recently reported DNA sequence of Us (A.J. Davison, EMBO J. 2:2203-2209, 1983). Furthermore, glycosylation appears not to be required for a predominant portion of the antigenicity of gC glycoproteins. We also report the tentative map assignments for eight other VZV primary translational products. Images PMID:2981365

[Analysis of pesticides including chlorine in welsh onions and mushrooms using gas chromatograph with an atomic emission detector (GC-AED)].

PubMed

Tateishi, Yukinari; Takano, Ichiro; Kobayashi, Maki; Tamura, Yasuhiro; Tomizawa, Sanae; Sakai, Naoko; Kamijo, Kyoko; Nagayama, Toshihiro; Kamata, Kunihiro

2004-12-01

An analytical method for the determination of 32 kinds of pesticide residues in onions, Welsh onions and mushrooms using gas chromatograph with an atomic emission detector (GC-AED) was developed. The pesticides were extracted with acetone-n-hexane (2:3) mixture. The crude extract was partitioned between 5% sodium chloride and ethyl acetate-n-hexane (1:4) mixture. The extract was passed through a Florisil mini-column for cleanup with 10 mL of acetone-n-hexane (1:9) mixture. Although the sensitivity of GC-AED was inferior to that of GC-ECD, GC-AED has a superior element-selectivity. Therefore pesticide residues in foods could be analyzed more exactly by using GC-AED. Thirty-two pesticides including chlorine in onion, Welsh onion and shiitake mushroom were detected without interference. Recoveries of these pesticides from samples determined by GC-AED were 64-114%, except for a few pesticides.

Magnetically Separable Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites with Cocoon-Like Shape: Magnetic Properties and Photocatalytic Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xiaojia; Yang, Xiaoyu; Li, Guang

2018-01-01

We report magnetically separable Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites as a photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation in this study. The Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were synthesized through a two-step hydrothermal method. The Fe2O3 with cocoon-like shape was obviously dispersed on the surface of g-C3N4 with porous and layered nanostructure as seen from micrographs of the particles. Furthermore, the magnetic conversion of the samples was studied via vibrating sample magnetometer technology. It was found that the saturated magnetization Ms of the Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanoparticles obviously decreased in the presence of g-C3N4, and the photocatalytic activity of the samples investigated by degrading Rhodamine B suggested that the Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst was prior to the pure Fe2O3 and g-C3N4 samples. In addition, the magnetically separable ability of Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites was efficiently exhibited by an external magnet.

Catalytic pyrolysis-GC/MS of lignin from several sources

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Lignin from four different sources extracted by various methods were pyrolyzed at 650 degree C using analytical pyrolysis methods, py-GC/MS. Pyrolysis was carried out in the absence and presence of two heterogeneous catalysts , an acidic zeolite (HZSM-5) catalyst and a mixed metal oxide catalyst (Co...

Ti4O7/g-C3N4 visible light photocatalytic performance on hypophosphite oxidation: Effect of annealing temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Wei; Sun, Gaoge; Yin, Lei; Zhang, Zhenghua; Tian, Shichao

2018-03-01

The oxidation of hypophosphite to phosphate is the key to recover the phosphorus resource from the hypophosphite wastewater. In the present work, Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composites were synthesized at two different temperatures (100 and 160 °C) and their performance on photocatalytic oxidation of hypophosphite under visible light irradiation and the corresponding mechanism were evaluated. A hydrolysis method using g-C3N4 and Ti4O7 was applied to synthesize the Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composites with their hybrid structure and morphology confirmed by XRD, SEM and XPS. The annealing temperature significantly affected the photocatalytic performance of Ti4O7/g-C3N4 that the 160-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composite (fabricated at 160 °C) showed the highest oxidation efficiency of hypophosphite of 81% and the highest photocatalytic oxidation rate of 0.467 h-1 comparing with the 100-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composite (fabricated at 100 °C) and pure g-C3N4. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of 160-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 could be ascribed to the effective charge separation and enhanced photoabsorption efficiency. Additionally, electron spin resonance (ESR) results showed that hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals were mainly responsible to the oxidation of hypophosphite with superoxide anion radicals accounting for a more significant contribution. Moreover, Ti4O7/g-C3N4 photocatalysts showed the remarkable stability in the repetitive experiments.

In-tube extraction and GC-MS analysis of volatile components from wild and cultivated sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. Carpatica) berry varieties and juice.

PubMed

Socaci, Sonia A; Socaciu, Carmen; Tofană, Maria; Raţi, Ioan V; Pintea, Adela

2013-01-01

The health benefits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) are well documented due to its rich content in bioactive phytochemicals (pigments, phenolics and vitamins) as well as volatiles responsible for specific flavours and bacteriostatic action. The volatile compounds are good biomarkers of berry freshness, quality and authenticity. To develop a fast and efficient GC-MS method including a minimal sample preparation technique (in-tube extraction, ITEX) for the discrimination of sea buckthorn varieties based on their chromatographic volatile fingerprint. Twelve sea buckthorn varieties (wild and cultivated) were collected from forestry departments and experimental fields, respectively. The extraction of volatile compounds was performed using the ITEX technique whereas separation and identification was performed using a GC-MS QP-2010. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to discriminate the differences among sample composition. Using GC-MS analysis, from the headspace of sea buckthorn samples, 46 volatile compounds were separated with 43 being identified. The most abundant derivatives were ethyl esters of 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid and butanoic acid, as well as 3-methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl 2-methylbutanoate and benzoic acid ethyl ester (over 80% of all volatile compounds). Principal component analysis showed that the first two components explain 79% of data variance, demonstrating a good discrimination between samples. A reliable, fast and eco-friendly ITEX/GC-MS method was applied to fingerprint the volatile profile and to discriminate between wild and cultivated sea buckthorn berries originating from the Carpathians, with relevance to food science and technology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of methods for simultaneous collection and determination of nicotine and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chuang, J.C.; Kuhlman, M.R.; Wilson, N.K.

1990-05-01

A study was performed to determine whether one sampling system and one analytical method can be used to collect and measure both polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nicotine. PAH collection efficiencies for both XAD-2 and XAD-4 adsorbents were very similar, but nicotine collection efficiency was greater for XAD-4. Spiked perdeuterated PAHs were retained well in both adsorbents after exposure to more than 300 m{sup 3} of air. A two-step Soxhlet extraction, dichloromethane followed by ethyl acetate, was used to remove nicotine and PAHs from XAD-4. The extract was analyzed by positive chemical ionization or electron impact gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)more » to determine nicotine and PAHs. It is shown that one sampling system (quartz fiber filter and XAD-4 in series) and one analytical method (Soxhlet extraction and GC/MS) can be used for both nicotine and PAHs in indoor.« less

Interface engineered construction of porous g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructure for enhanced photocatalysis of organic pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ya-Nan; Chen, Zhao-Yang; Wang, Min-Qiang; Zhang, Long-zhen; Bao, Shu-Juan

2018-05-01

A porous g-C3N4/TiO2 with hierarchical heterostructure has been successfully fabricated through a in situ assembling of small needle-like TiO2 on the surface of ultrathin g-C3N4 sheets. The ultrathin g-C3N4 sheets with carbon vacancies and rich hydroxyl groups were found to facilitate the nucleation and in situ growth of TiO2 and also to modulate the surface chemical activity of the g-C3N4/TiO2 hierarchical heterostructure. The as-designed photocatalytic heterojunction degraded Acid Orange with 82% efficiency after 10 min under simulated solar light, and possessed excellent cycle stability. Relative physical characterizations and photochemical experiments reveal that engineering the interface/surface of g-C3N4 plays a vital role in effectively constructing heterostructures of g-C3N4/TiO2, thus realizing efficient photoinduced electron-hole separation during photocatalytic process.

Metabolomics and Trace Element Analysis of Camel Tear by GC-MS and ICP-MS.

PubMed

Ahamad, Syed Rizwan; Raish, Mohammad; Yaqoob, Syed Hilal; Khan, Altaf; Shakeel, Faiyaz

2017-06-01

Camel tear metabolomics and elemental analysis are useful in getting the information regarding the components responsible for maintaining the protective system that allows living in the desert and dry regions. The aim of this study was to correlate that the camel tears can be used as artificial tears for the evaluation of dryness in the eye. Eye biomarkers of camel tears were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The major compounds detected in camel tears by GC-MS were alanine, valine, leucine, norvaline, glycine, cadaverine, urea, ribitol, sugars, and higher fatty acids like octadecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid. GC-MS analysis of camel tears also finds several products of metabolites and its associated metabolic participants. ICP-MS analysis showed the presence of different concentration of elemental composition in the camel tears.

New understanding of photocatalytic properties of zigzag and armchair g-C3N4 nanotubes from electronic structures and carrier effective mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jianjun; Cheng, Bei

2018-02-01

Low-dimensional g-C3N4 nanostructures own distinct electronic structure and remarkable photocatalytic properties, hence their wide application in the photocatalysis field. However, the correlations of structures and photoinduced carrier migrations with the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4 nanostructures remain unclear. In this study, the geometrical and electronic structures and the photocatalytic properties of zigzag (n, 0) and armchair (n, n) g-C3N4 nanotubes (n = 6, 9, 12) were systematically investigated using hybrid DFT. Results indicated that the differences in geometrical structures of g-C3N4 nanotubes changed the band gaps and effective mass of carriers. Accordingly, the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4 nanotubes also changed. Notably, the change trends of band gaps and the effective mass of the electrons and holes were the opposite for zigzag (n, 0) and armchair (n, n) g-C3N4 nanotubes. The absolute band edge potential of (n, 0) and (n, n) g-C3N4 nanotubes can split water for hydrogen production. These theoretical results revealed the correlations of structures and carrier effective mass with the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4 nanotubes, and provided significant guidance for designing low-dimensional g-C3N4 nanostructures.

Exponential decay of GC content detected by strand-symmetric substitution rates influences the evolution of isochore structure.

PubMed

Karro, J E; Peifer, M; Hardison, R C; Kollmann, M; von Grünberg, H H

2008-02-01

The distribution of guanine and cytosine nucleotides throughout a genome, or the GC content, is associated with numerous features in mammals; understanding the pattern and evolutionary history of GC content is crucial to our efforts to annotate the genome. The local GC content is decaying toward an equilibrium point, but the causes and rates of this decay, as well as the value of the equilibrium point, remain topics of debate. By comparing the results of 2 methods for estimating local substitution rates, we identify 620 Mb of the human genome in which the rates of the various types of nucleotide substitutions are the same on both strands. These strand-symmetric regions show an exponential decay of local GC content at a pace determined by local substitution rates. DNA segments subjected to higher rates experience disproportionately accelerated decay and are AT rich, whereas segments subjected to lower rates decay more slowly and are GC rich. Although we are unable to draw any conclusions about causal factors, the results support the hypothesis proposed by Khelifi A, Meunier J, Duret L, and Mouchiroud D (2006. GC content evolution of the human and mouse genomes: insights from the study of processed pseudogenes in regions of different recombination rates. J Mol Evol. 62:745-752.) that the isochore structure has been reshaped over time. If rate variation were a determining factor, then the current isochore structure of mammalian genomes could result from the local differences in substitution rates. We predict that under current conditions strand-symmetric portions of the human genome will stabilize at an average GC content of 30% (considerably less than the current 42%), thus confirming that the human genome has not yet reached equilibrium.

Effects of oxaliplatin and oleic acid Gc-protein-derived macrophage-activating factor on murine and human microglia.

PubMed

Branca, Jacopo J V; Morucci, Gabriele; Malentacchi, Francesca; Gelmini, Stefania; Ruggiero, Marco; Pacini, Stefania

2015-09-01

The biological properties and characteristics of microglia in rodents have been widely described, but little is known about these features in human microglia. Several murine microglial cell lines are used to investigate neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions; however, the extrapolation of the results to human conditions is frequently met with criticism because of the possibility of species-specific differences. This study compares the effects of oxaliplatin and of oleic acid Gc-protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (OA-GcMAF) on two microglial cell lines, murine BV-2 cells and human C13NJ cells. Cell viability, cAMP levels, microglial activation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were evaluated. Our data demonstrate that oxaliplatin induced a significant decrease in cell viability in BV-2 and in C13NJ cells and that this effect was not reversed with OA-GcMAF treatment. The signal transduction pathway involving cAMP/VEGF was activated after treatment with oxaliplatin and/or OA-GcMAF in both cell lines. OA-GcMAF induced a significant increase in microglia activation, as evidenced by the expression of the B7-2 protein, in BV-2 as well as in C13NJ cells that was not associated with a concomitant increase in cell number. Furthermore, the effects of oxaliplatin and OA-GcMAF on coculture morphology and apoptosis were evaluated. Oxaliplatin-induced cell damage and apoptosis were nearly completely reversed by OA-GcMAF treatment in both BV-2/SH-SY5Y and C13NJ/SH-SY5Y cocultures. Our data show that murine and human microglia share common signal transduction pathways and activation mechanisms, suggesting that the murine BV-2 cell line may represent an excellent model for studying human microglia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mechanistic Insight into Bunyavirus-Induced Membrane Fusion from Structure-Function Analyses of the Hantavirus Envelope Glycoprotein Gc

PubMed Central

Stettner, Eva; Jeffers, Scott Allen; Pérez-Vargas, Jimena; Pehau-Arnaudet, Gerard; Tortorici, M. Alejandra; Jestin, Jean-Luc; England, Patrick; Tischler, Nicole D.; Rey, Félix A.

2016-01-01

Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses transmitted to humans by persistently infected rodents, giving rise to serious outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), depending on the virus, which are associated with high case fatality rates. There is only limited knowledge about the organization of the viral particles and in particular, about the hantavirus membrane fusion glycoprotein Gc, the function of which is essential for virus entry. We describe here the X-ray structures of Gc from Hantaan virus, the type species hantavirus and responsible for HFRS, both in its neutral pH, monomeric pre-fusion conformation, and in its acidic pH, trimeric post-fusion form. The structures confirm the prediction that Gc is a class II fusion protein, containing the characteristic β-sheet rich domains termed I, II and III as initially identified in the fusion proteins of arboviruses such as alpha- and flaviviruses. The structures also show a number of features of Gc that are distinct from arbovirus class II proteins. In particular, hantavirus Gc inserts residues from three different loops into the target membrane to drive fusion, as confirmed functionally by structure-guided mutagenesis on the HPS-inducing Andes virus, instead of having a single “fusion loop”. We further show that the membrane interacting region of Gc becomes structured only at acidic pH via a set of polar and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the structure reveals that hantavirus Gc has an additional N-terminal “tail” that is crucial in stabilizing the post-fusion trimer, accompanying the swapping of domain III in the quaternary arrangement of the trimer as compared to the standard class II fusion proteins. The mechanistic understandings derived from these data are likely to provide a unique handle for devising treatments against these human pathogens. PMID:27783711

Mechanistic Insight into Bunyavirus-Induced Membrane Fusion from Structure-Function Analyses of the Hantavirus Envelope Glycoprotein Gc.

PubMed

Guardado-Calvo, Pablo; Bignon, Eduardo A; Stettner, Eva; Jeffers, Scott Allen; Pérez-Vargas, Jimena; Pehau-Arnaudet, Gerard; Tortorici, M Alejandra; Jestin, Jean-Luc; England, Patrick; Tischler, Nicole D; Rey, Félix A

2016-10-01

Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses transmitted to humans by persistently infected rodents, giving rise to serious outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), depending on the virus, which are associated with high case fatality rates. There is only limited knowledge about the organization of the viral particles and in particular, about the hantavirus membrane fusion glycoprotein Gc, the function of which is essential for virus entry. We describe here the X-ray structures of Gc from Hantaan virus, the type species hantavirus and responsible for HFRS, both in its neutral pH, monomeric pre-fusion conformation, and in its acidic pH, trimeric post-fusion form. The structures confirm the prediction that Gc is a class II fusion protein, containing the characteristic β-sheet rich domains termed I, II and III as initially identified in the fusion proteins of arboviruses such as alpha- and flaviviruses. The structures also show a number of features of Gc that are distinct from arbovirus class II proteins. In particular, hantavirus Gc inserts residues from three different loops into the target membrane to drive fusion, as confirmed functionally by structure-guided mutagenesis on the HPS-inducing Andes virus, instead of having a single "fusion loop". We further show that the membrane interacting region of Gc becomes structured only at acidic pH via a set of polar and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the structure reveals that hantavirus Gc has an additional N-terminal "tail" that is crucial in stabilizing the post-fusion trimer, accompanying the swapping of domain III in the quaternary arrangement of the trimer as compared to the standard class II fusion proteins. The mechanistic understandings derived from these data are likely to provide a unique handle for devising treatments against these human pathogens.

Efficient water disinfection with Ag2WO4-doped mesoporous g-C3N4 under visible light.

PubMed

Li, Yi; Li, Yanan; Ma, Shuanglong; Wang, Pengfei; Hou, Qianlei; Han, Jingjing; Zhan, Sihui

2017-09-15

Ag 2 WO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 composite photocatalyst was synthesized by polymerization of thiourea and ammonia chloride combined with the deposition-precipitation method, which was applied as an efficient visible-light driven photocatalyst for inactivating Escherichia coli (E. coli). The physicochemical properties of these photocatalysts were systematically characterized by various techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, BET, UV-vis DRS and PL. The synthesized photocatalysts exhibited outstandingly enhanced photocatalytic disinfection efficiency compared with that of pure g-C 3 N 4 and Ag 2 WO 4 under visible light. Furthermore, the optimal mass ratio of the Ag 2 WO 4 to g-C 3 N 4 was 5wt%, and a number of live bacteria could be completely inactivated with Ag 2 WO 4 (5%)/g-C 3 N 4 (100μg/mL) after 90min under visible light irradiation. The high disinfection efficiency is due to the synergetic effect between g-C 3 N 4 and Ag 2 WO 4 , including a good distribution of Ag 2 WO 4 particles on the surface of g-C 3 N 4 and an improved separation rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The enhanced disinfection mechanism was also investigated using photogenerated current densities and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Considering the bulk availability and excellent disinfection activity of Ag 2 WO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 composite, it is a promising solar-driven photocatalyst for cleaning the microbial contaminated water. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ti4O7/g-C3N4 Visible Light Photocatalytic Performance on Hypophosphite Oxidation: Effect of Annealing Temperature

PubMed Central

Guan, Wei; Sun, Gaoge; Yin, Lei; Zhang, Zhenghua; Tian, Shichao

2018-01-01

The oxidation of hypophosphite to phosphate is the key to recover the phosphorus resource from the hypophosphite wastewater. In the present work, Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composites were synthesized at two different temperatures (100 and 160°C) and their performance on photocatalytic oxidation of hypophosphite under visible light irradiation and the corresponding mechanism were evaluated. A hydrolysis method using g-C3N4 and Ti4O7 was applied to synthesize the Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composites with their hybrid structure and morphology confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The annealing temperature significantly affected the photocatalytic performance of Ti4O7/g-C3N4 that the 160-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composite (fabricated at 160°C) showed the highest oxidation efficiency of hypophosphite of 81% and the highest photocatalytic oxidation rate of 0.467 h−1 comparing with the 100-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 composite (fabricated at 100°C) and pure g-C3N4. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of 160-Ti4O7/g-C3N4 could be ascribed to the effective charge separation and enhanced photoabsorption efficiency. Additionally, electron spin resonance (ESR) results showed that hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals were mainly responsible to the oxidation of hypophosphite with superoxide anion radicals accounting for a more significant contribution. Moreover, Ti4O7/g-C3N4 photocatalysts showed the remarkable stability in the repetitive experiments. PMID:29546041

Ti4O7/g-C3N4 Visible Light Photocatalytic Performance on Hypophosphite Oxidation: Effect of Annealing Temperature.

PubMed

Guan, Wei; Sun, Gaoge; Yin, Lei; Zhang, Zhenghua; Tian, Shichao

2018-01-01

The oxidation of hypophosphite to phosphate is the key to recover the phosphorus resource from the hypophosphite wastewater. In the present work, Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 composites were synthesized at two different temperatures (100 and 160°C) and their performance on photocatalytic oxidation of hypophosphite under visible light irradiation and the corresponding mechanism were evaluated. A hydrolysis method using g-C 3 N 4 and Ti 4 O 7 was applied to synthesize the Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 composites with their hybrid structure and morphology confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The annealing temperature significantly affected the photocatalytic performance of Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 that the 160-Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 composite (fabricated at 160°C) showed the highest oxidation efficiency of hypophosphite of 81% and the highest photocatalytic oxidation rate of 0.467 h -1 comparing with the 100-Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 composite (fabricated at 100°C) and pure g-C 3 N 4 . The enhanced photocatalytic performance of 160-Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 could be ascribed to the effective charge separation and enhanced photoabsorption efficiency. Additionally, electron spin resonance (ESR) results showed that hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals were mainly responsible to the oxidation of hypophosphite with superoxide anion radicals accounting for a more significant contribution. Moreover, Ti 4 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts showed the remarkable stability in the repetitive experiments.

Identification of ester metabolites from petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in groundwater using GC×GC-TOFMS.

PubMed

O'Reilly, Kirk T; Mohler, Rachel E; Zemo, Dawn A; Ahn, Sungwoo; Tiwary, Asheesh K; Magaw, Renae I; Devine, Catalina Espino; Synowiec, Karen A

2015-09-01

In an effort to understand the nature and toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation metabolites, 2-dimensional gas chromatography linked to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC×GC-TOFMS) was used to conduct nontargeted analysis of the extracts of 61 groundwater samples collected from 10 fuel release sites. An unexpected result was the tentative identification of 197 unique esters. Although esters are known to be part of specific hydrocarbon degradative pathways, they are not commonly considered or evaluated in field studies of petroleum biodegradation. In addition to describing the compounds identified, the present study discusses the role for nontargeted analysis in environmental studies. Overall, the low toxicological profile of the identified esters, along with the limited potential for exposure, renders them unlikely to pose any significant health risk. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., on behalf of SETAC.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic water reduction from a g-C 3N 4/SrTa 2O 6 heterojunction

DOE PAGES

Adhikari, Shiba P.; Hood, Zachary D.; Wang, Hui; ...

2017-06-02

In this paper, a new g-C 3N 4/SrTa 2O 6 heterojunction photocatalyst was designed and prepared by chimie douce (soft chemistry) method where carbon nitride (g-C 3N 4) was deposited over the metastable perovskite phase of SrTa 2O 6. The morphological study of the heterojunction using SEM and STEM revealed that g-C 3N 4 nanofibers are dispersed uniformly on the surface of SrTa 2O 6 plates leading to the intimate contact between them. The heterojunction could achieve a high and stable visible light photocatalytic H 2 generation of 137 mmol/h/mole of g-C 3N 4, which is much larger than themore » amount of hydrogen generated by one mole of pristine g-C 3N 4. Finally, a plausible mechanism for the observed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the heterojunction is proposed on the basis of effective charge separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, supported by band position calculations and photo-physical properties of g-C 3N 4 and SrTa 2O 6.« less

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic water reduction from a g-C 3N 4/SrTa 2O 6 heterojunction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adhikari, Shiba P.; Hood, Zachary D.; Wang, Hui

In this paper, a new g-C 3N 4/SrTa 2O 6 heterojunction photocatalyst was designed and prepared by chimie douce (soft chemistry) method where carbon nitride (g-C 3N 4) was deposited over the metastable perovskite phase of SrTa 2O 6. The morphological study of the heterojunction using SEM and STEM revealed that g-C 3N 4 nanofibers are dispersed uniformly on the surface of SrTa 2O 6 plates leading to the intimate contact between them. The heterojunction could achieve a high and stable visible light photocatalytic H 2 generation of 137 mmol/h/mole of g-C 3N 4, which is much larger than themore » amount of hydrogen generated by one mole of pristine g-C 3N 4. Finally, a plausible mechanism for the observed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the heterojunction is proposed on the basis of effective charge separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, supported by band position calculations and photo-physical properties of g-C 3N 4 and SrTa 2O 6.« less

GC/MS analysis of pesticides in the Ferrara area (Italy) surface water: a chemometric study.

PubMed

Pasti, Luisa; Nava, Elisabetta; Morelli, Marco; Bignami, Silvia; Dondi, Francesco

2007-01-01

The development of a network to monitor surface waters is a critical element in the assessment, restoration and protection of water quality. In this study, concentrations of 42 pesticides--determined by GC-MS on samples from 11 points along the Ferrara area rivers--have been analyzed by chemometric tools. The data were collected over a three-year period (2002-2004). Principal component analysis of the detected pesticides was carried out in order to define the best spatial locations for the sampling points. The results obtained have been interpreted in view of agricultural land use. Time series data regarding pesticide contents in surface waters has been analyzed using the Autocorrelation function. This chemometric tool allows for seasonal trends and makes it possible to optimize sampling frequency in order to detect the effective maximum pesticide content.

Volatile Compound Profiling by HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID of a Core Olive Cultivar Collection as a Tool for Aroma Improvement of Virgin Olive Oil.

PubMed

García-Vico, Lourdes; Belaj, Angjelina; Sánchez-Ortiz, Araceli; Martínez-Rivas, José M; Pérez, Ana G; Sanz, Carlos

2017-01-14

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is the only food product requiring official sensory analysis to be classified in commercial categories, in which the evaluation of the aroma plays a very important role. The selection of parents, with the aim of obtaining new cultivars with improved oil aroma, is of paramount importance in olive breeding programs. We have assessed the volatile fraction by headspace-solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detection (HS-SPME/GC-MS-FID) and the deduced aroma properties of VOO from a core set of olive cultivars (Core-36) which possesses most of the genetic diversity found in the World Olive Germplasm Collection (IFAPA Alameda del Obispo) located in Cordoba, Spain. The VOO volatile fractions of Core-36 cultivars display a high level of variability. It is mostly made of compounds produced from polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway, which confirms to be a general characteristic of the olive species ( Olea europaea L.). The main group of volatile compounds in the oils was six straight-chain carbon compounds derived from linolenic acid, some of them being the main contributors to the aroma of the olive oils according to their odor activity values (OAV). The high level of variability found for the volatile fraction of the oils from Core-36 and, therefore, for the aroma odor notes, suggest that this core set may be a very useful tool for the choice of optimal parents in olive breeding programs in order to raise new cultivars with improved VOO aroma.

Identification of tamoxifen and metabolites in human male urine by GC/MS.

PubMed

Mihailescu, R; Aboul-Enein, H Y; Efstatide, M D

2000-05-01

Tamoxifen is an antiestrogenic drug which is used in the treatment of breast cancer and nonmalignant breast disorders. It also has a stimulating effect on the secretion of hypofisar gonadotropic hormones and is generally used in the treatment of infertility. In males, tamoxifen causes an increase of endogenous production of androgenic steroids, and therefore is used by athletes. A method for identification of tamoxifen and metabolites in urine, using the gas chromatography and mass spectrometry system (GC/MS) is described. This study also reports the extraction methodology of tamoxifen and metabolites in urine samples of healthy male volunteers and the GC/MS conditions used to identify tamoxifen and its metabolites.

VOC and VOX in fluid inclusions of quartz: New chemical insights into hydrothermal vein mineralization by GC-MS and GC-IRMS measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sattler, Tobias; Kirnbauer, Thomas; Keppler, Frank; Greule, Markus; Fischer, Jan; Spiekermann, Patrik; Schreiber, Ulrich; Mulder, Ines; Schöler, Heinz Friedrich

2015-04-01

Fluid inclusions (FIs) in minerals are known to contain a variety of different liquids, gases, and solids. The fluids get trapped during mineral growth and can preserve the original mineral-forming fluid or fluids of later events. A new analytical technique developed by Mulder et al. (2013) [1] allows to measure trace gases in FIs. For the measurements, grains of 3-5 mm diameter are ground in an airtight grinding device, releasing the volatiles from FIs into the gas phase, where they can be measured by GC-MS, GC-FID and GC-IRMS. The Taunus covers the southeastern part of the thrust-and-fold-belt of the Rhenish Massif (Germany). The Variscan rock sequences comprise sedimentary and volcanic units ranging from Ordovician to Lower Carboniferous. Several types of hydrothermal mineralization can be distinguished, which are - in regard to the Variscan orogeny - pre-orogenic, orogenic, late-orogenic, post-orogenic and recent in age [2]. They include SEDEX, vein, Alpine fissure, disseminated and stockwerk mineralizations. Thus, the Taunus mineralizations enable investigations of different hydrothermal systems at different age in one region. For most of them extensive studies of stable and radiogenic isotopes exist. Quartz crystals of post-orogenic quartz veins and Pb-Zn-Cu bearing veins [3] were selected for our FI investigation. Sulphur containing compounds like COS and CS2 dominate the FIs but there are also volatile hydrocarbons (VOC) like different butenes, benzene, toluene and cyclopentene that were found very often. In some samples volatile halogenated organic carbons (VOX) like chloro- and bromomethane were found. Some FIs even contain iodomethane, chlorobenzene, vinyl chloride and -bromide. The non-fossil-fuel subsurface chemistry of VOC and VOX is not fully understood. There are a lot of unknown geogenic sources [4][5]. For a better understanding δ13C- and δ2H-values of CH4 were measured by GC-IRMS to examine if the detected organic compounds are formed biotic

Rapid Quantification of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone in Polymer Matrices by Thermal Desorption-GC/MS.

PubMed

Kim, Young-Min; Kim, Jae Woo; Moon, Hye Mi; Lee, Min-Jin; Hosaka, Akihiko; Watanabe, Atsushi; Teramae, Norio; Park, Young-Kwon; Myung, Seung-Woon

2017-01-01

Analysis of a residual solvent in polymeric materials has become an important issue due to the increased regulations and standards for its use. N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a solvent widely used in many industries and restricted as one of the chemicals under EU REACH regulations due to its potential harmful effects. In this study, thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) is applied for the quantitative analysis of NMP with the use of a polymer-coated sample cup. By using the polymer-coated sample cup, the vaporization of NMP was prevented during waiting time before TD-GC/MS analysis. The calibration curve for the TD method showed good linearity (correlation coefficient, r 2 = 0.9998) and precision values (below 5.3% RSD). NMP recovery rates in different polymer matrices (PS, PMMA and PVC) were in the range of 98.8 to 106.6% with RSD values below 5.0%. The quantification result (600 mg NMP/kg PVC) for the blind NMP carrying sample in a PVC matrix by TD-GC/MS was higher than that (532 mg NMP/kg PVC) by solvent extraction-GC/MS method.

Meal services after the Great East Japan Earthquake at nursery schools in a tsunami-affected town: focus group observations.

PubMed

Amitani, Yukiko; Sudo, Noriko; Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, Nobuyo; Ishikawa, Fumiko; Sako, Kazuko

2017-03-01

This study aimed to collect information on experiences in the Great East Japan Earthquake (hereafter, 3.11), current preparedness, and barriers to building up stockpiles in nursery schools in affected areas. Based on the needs heard from the staff, we decided what contents should be included in our manual developed with the Japan Dietetic Association. A group interview was held in September 2012. We interviewed a principal, nurses, and registered dietitians working for a public and a private nursery school in Town A. We also invited an administrative dietitian who was an employee of Town A. One of the barriers to building up stockpiles was that they did not have any idea of what and how many items they should store. To deal with this situation, we developed a formula that could be used to calculate the quantity of stockpiles for their facilities in a newly developed feeding manual. In terms of current preparedness, the registered dietitians were not prepared for alternative menus in emergencies or how to manage garbage when the garbage collection was disrupted by disasters. The manual recommends to obtain the services of at least two food service personnel and spare space for storing filled garbage bags until garbage collection resumes. Some improvements in stocks were found in both of the public and private nursery schools. To improve the situation further, more financial support and detailed guidelines should be provided by the local government and authoritative organizations. Our manual should be a great asset for all nursery schools to improve their stockpiles.

Determination of Propofol by GC/MS and Fast GC/MS-TOF in Two Cases of Poisoning.

PubMed

Procaccianti, Paolo; Farè, Fiorenza; Argo, Antonella; Casagni, Eleonora; Arnoldi, Sebastiano; Facheris, Sara; Visconti, Giacomo Luca; Roda, Gabriella; Gambaro, Veniero

2017-11-01

Two cases of suspected acute and lethal intoxication caused by propofol were delivered by the judicial authority to the Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care in Palermo, Sicily. In the first case a female nurse was found in a hotel room, where she lived with her mother; four 10 mg/mL vials and two 20 mg/mL vials of propofol were found near the decedent along with syringes and needles. In the second case a male nurse was found in the operating room of a hospital, along with a used syringe. In both cases a preliminary systematic and toxicological analysis indicated the presence of propofol in the blood and urine. As a result, a method for the quantitative determination of propofol in biological fluids was optimized and validated using a liquid-liquid extraction protocol followed by GC/MS and fast GC/MS-TOF. In the first case, the concentration of propofol in blood was determined to be 8.1 μg/mL while the concentration of propofol in the second case was calculated at 1.2 μg/mL. Additionally, the tissue distribution of propofol was determined for both cases. Brain and liver concentrations of propofol were, respectively, 31.1 and 52.2 μg/g in Case 1 and 4.7 and 49.1 μg/g in Case 2. Data emerging from the autopsy findings, histopathological exams as well as the toxicological results aided in establishing that the deaths were due to poisoning, however, the manner of death in each were different: homicide in Case 1 and suicide in Case 2. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Method for factor analysis of GC/MS data

DOEpatents

Van Benthem, Mark H; Kotula, Paul G; Keenan, Michael R

2012-09-11

The method of the present invention provides a fast, robust, and automated multivariate statistical analysis of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) data sets. The method can involve systematic elimination of undesired, saturated peak masses to yield data that follow a linear, additive model. The cleaned data can then be subjected to a combination of PCA and orthogonal factor rotation followed by refinement with MCR-ALS to yield highly interpretable results.

g-C3N4 modified TiO2 nanosheets with enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jian; Wang, Guanxi; Fan, Jiajie; Liu, Baoshun; Cao, Shaowen; Yu, Jiaguo

2015-01-01

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated by using g-C3N4 modified TiO2 nanosheets (CTS) as photoanode materials in this research. A thin layer of g-C3N4 was coated on the surface of TiO2 nanosheets by simply heating the mixture of TiO2 nanosheets and urea, which led to the formation of TiO2@g-C3N4 nanosheet heterostructure. The experimental results showed that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSSCs was obviously improved after modified by g-C3N4. The measurements of I-V characteristic indicated that the introduction of g-C3N4 could increase both the open circuit voltage and short-circuit photocurrent density. Along with the analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, it is considered that the thin layer of g-C3N4 can act as the blocking layer for electron backward recombination with electrolyte, which can be used as the functional material to increase the DSSC performance.

Facile approach to synthesis the curly leaf-like Nano-sheets of g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic ability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhiren; Li, Kebin; Muhmood, Tahir; Xia, Mingzhu; Wang, Fengyun

2018-03-01

Exfoliation of porous g-C3N4 has been proved a very effective way to prepare g-C3N4 nanosheets (2D layered materials). Here, we present an environment-friendly, high-efficiency and easy scale-up preparation method of curly leaf-like g-C3N4 nanosheets (CL-CN) by liquid-phase exfoliation of honeycomb-like porous g-C3N4 (HP-CN). Two-dimensional curly nanosheets have induced excellent physicochemical properties, i.e. large surface area, high fluorescence quantum efficiency, wide band gap and good water-dispersibility. The photocatalytic performance of CL-CN in degradation of RhB under visible light is much better than that of honeycomb-like porous g-C3N4 and bulk g-C3N4. The improved photocatalytic performance of CL-CN is well explained by the improved physicochemical properties and photocatalytic mechanism. In addition, CL-CN being a 2D layered material with excellent photoluminescence characteristic and non-toxic behavior can be widely applied in bio-medicine, bio-imaging and biosensors field.

Development of a GC-APCI-QTOFMS library for new psychoactive substances and comparison to a commercial ESI library.

PubMed

Mesihää, Samuel; Ketola, Raimo A; Pelander, Anna; Rasanen, Ilpo; Ojanperä, Ilkka

2017-03-01

Gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-APCI-QTOFMS) was evaluated for the identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS). An in-house high mass resolution GC-APCI-QTOFMS test library was developed for 29 nitrogen-containing drugs belonging mostly to synthetic stimulants. The library was based on 12 intra-day measurements of each compound at three different collision energies, 10, 20 and 40 eV. The in-house library mass spectra were compared to mass spectra from a commercial library constructed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization (LC-ESI) QTOFMS. The reversed library search scores between the in-house GC-APCI library and the commercial LC-ESI library were compared once a week during a 5-week period by using data measured by GC-APCI-QTOFMS. The protonated molecule was found for all drugs in the full scan mode, and the drugs were successfully identified by both libraries in the targeted MS/MS mode. The GC-APCI library score averaged over all collision energies was as high as 94.4/100 with a high repeatability, while the LC-ESI library score was also high (89.7/100) with a repeatability only slightly worse. These results highlight the merits of GC-APCI-QTOFMS in the analysis of NPS even in situations where the reference standards are not immediately available, taking advantage of the accurate mass measurement of the protonated molecule and product ions, and comparison to existing soft-ionization mass spectral libraries. Graphical abstract Tandem mass spectra obtained from GC-APCI-QTOFMS are comparable to LC-ESI-QTOFMS library spectra.

Effect of paricalcitol and GcMAF on angiogenesis and human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and signaling.

PubMed

Pacini, Stefania; Morucci, Gabriele; Punzi, Tiziana; Gulisano, Massimo; Ruggiero, Marco; Amato, Marcello; Aterini, Stefano

2012-01-01

In addition to its role in calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization, vitamin D is involved in immune defence, cardiovascular function, inflammation and angiogenesis, and these pleiotropic effects are of interested in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Here we investigated the effects of paricalcitol, a nonhypercalcemic vitamin D analogue, on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and signaling, and on angiogenesis. These effects were compared with those of a known inhibitor of angiogenesis pertaining to the vitamin D axis, the vitamin D-binding protein-derived Gc-macrophage activating factor (GcMAF). Since the effects of vitamin D receptor agonists are associated with polymorphisms of the gene coding for the receptor, we measured the effects of both compounds on mononuclear cells harvested from subjects harboring different BsmI polymorphisms. Paricalcitol inhibited mononuclear cell viability with the bb genotype showing the highest effect. GcMAF, on the contrary, stimulated cell proliferation, with the bb genotype showing the highest stimulatory effect. Both compounds stimulated 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation in mononuclear cells with the highest effect on the bb genotype. Paricalcitol and GcMAF inhibited the angiogenesis induced by proinflammatory prostaglandin E1. Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene, known to be associated with the highest responses to vitamin D receptor agonists, are also associated with the highest responses to GcMAF. These results highlight the role of the vitamin D axis in chronic kidney disease, an axis which includes vitamin D, its receptor and vitamin D-binding protein-derived GcMAF.

Direct sGC Activation Bypasses NO Scavenging Reactions of Intravascular Free Oxy-Hemoglobin and Limits Vasoconstriction

PubMed Central

Tabima, D. Marcela; Specht, Patricia A.C.; Tejero, Jesús; Champion, Hunter C.; Kim-Shapiro, Daniel B.; Baust, Jeff; Mik, Egbert G.; Hildesheim, Mariana; Stasch, Johannes-Peter; Becker, Eva-Maria; Truebel, Hubert

2013-01-01

Abstract Aims: Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) provide a potential alternative to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Their clinical application has been limited by adverse effects, in large part thought to be mediated by the intravascular scavenging of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) by cell-free plasma oxy-hemoglobin. Free hemoglobin may also cause endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation in hemolytic diseases and after transfusion of aged stored RBCs. The new soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator Bay 41-8543 and sGC activator Bay 60-2770 directly modulate sGC, independent of NO bioavailability, providing a potential therapeutic mechanism to bypass hemoglobin-mediated NO inactivation. Results: Infusions of human hemoglobin solutions and the HBOC Oxyglobin into rats produced a severe hypertensive response, even at low plasma heme concentrations approaching 10 μM. These reactions were only observed for ferrous oxy-hemoglobin and not analogs that do not rapidly scavenge NO. Infusions of L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive NO synthase inhibitor, after hemoglobin infusion did not produce additive vasoconstriction, suggesting that vasoconstriction is related to scavenging of vascular NO. Open-chest hemodynamic studies confirmed that hypertension occurred secondary to direct effects on increasing vascular resistance, with limited negative cardiac inotropic effects. Intravascular hemoglobin reduced the vasodilatory potency of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and sildenafil, but had no effect on vasodilatation by direct NO-independent activation of sGC by BAY 41-8543 and BAY 60-2770. Innovation and Conclusion: These data suggest that both sGC stimulators and sGC activators could be used to restore cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent vasodilation in conditions where cell-free plasma hemoglobin is sufficient to inhibit endogenous NO signaling. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 2232–2243. PMID:23697678

Mechanistic insight into the enhanced photocatalytic activity of single-atom Pt, Pd or Au-embedded g-C3N4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Tong; Zhu, Bicheng; Jiang, Chuanjia; Cheng, Bei; Yu, Jiaguo

2018-03-01

Single atoms of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) or gold (Au) trapped by two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) exhibit superior photocatalytic performance. However, the underlying mechanism of single-atom noble metal/g-C3N4 photocatalytic system is still unclear. Herein, the structural, electronic and optical properties of single-atom Pt, Pd and Au loaded on bilayer g-C3N4 (BL-g-C3N4) substrate were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The results indicate that single-atom Pt/Pd/Au loading can significantly narrow the band gap of g-C3N4 and thus increase its light absorption in the visible-light region. Rather than being adsorbed on the surface, Pt and Pd atoms tend to be embedded into g-C3N4 interlayer and act as bridges to facilitate the interlayer charge carrier transfer due to the effects of conduction band offset. In particular, an internal electric field is generated in Pt/BL-g-C3N4, which is further beneficial for separating charge carrier of photoexcited g-C3N4. By contrast, Au can only be adsorbed on the g-C3N4 surface (in the six-fold cavity) and deliver a limited amount of charge carrier excited in the N-conjugated aromatic pore of g-C3N4 surface. Our finding is conducive to understanding the interactive relationship between single-atom noble metal co-catalysts and g-C3N4 and to the design of high-efficiency photocatalyst.

MEASUREMENT OF DIBROMOACETIC ACID IN RAT BLOOD BY GC/ECD

EPA Science Inventory

Measurement of Dibromoacetic Acid in Rat Blood by GC/ECD

M. Leonard Mole, MD 67, Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, USEPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; Phone: 919-541-2680, FAX: 919-541-4017, e-mail: mole.l...

High Throughput Analytical Techniques for the Determination and Confirmation of Residues of 653 Multiclass Pesticides and Chemical Pollutants in Tea by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, and LC/MS/MS: Collaborative Study, First Action 2014.09.

PubMed

Pang, Guo-Fang; Fan, Chun-Lin; Cao, Yan-Zhong; Yan, Fang; Li, Yan; Kang, Jian; Chen, Hui; Chang, Qiao-Ying

2015-01-01

Thirty laboratories from fom North and South America, Europe, and Asia participated in this AOAC collaborative study (15 from China; five from Germany; two each from Italy and the United States; and one each from the Republic of Korea, Canada, Spain, Japan, Belgium, and India). Participants represented government regulatory, commercial testing, university, research institute, and private laboratories. The single-laboratory validated (SLV) tea method was evaluated in the collaborative study to determine the recovery and reproducibility of the method under multilaboratory conditions. Since there were no restrictions regarding the type of analytical instrumentation to use for the analyses, laboratories used a combination of equipment that included GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, and LC/MS/MS instruments from 22 different manufacturers, 21 brands of GC and LC columns, 13 different GC temperature programming profiles, 11 LC gradient elution programs, and six different vendor manufactured SPE cartridges. Even though all the analytical performance parameters for all the 653 compounds had been determined in the SLV study, guidance was obtained from an expert review panel of the AOAC Method-Centric Committee on Pesticide Residues to conduct the multilaboratory collaborative study based on 20 selected compounds that can be analyzed by GC/MS and 20 compounds that can be analyzed by LC/MS/MS. Altogether, 560 samples covering the 40 selected pesticides were analyzed in the study. These samples included green tea and oolong tea samples fortified typically at the European Union maximum residue limit for regulatory guidance and compliance, aged tea samples incurred with 20 pesticides, and green tea and oolong tea samples incurred with five pesticides. The analysis of the 560 samples generated a total of 82 459 test results by the 30 participating laboratories. One laboratory failed to meet the proficiency requirements in the precollaborative study. Therefore, its data submitted for the

An oxygen-vacancy-rich Z-scheme g-C3N4/Pd/TiO2 heterostructure for enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yanru; Xiao, Limin; Zhang, Min; Li, Qiuye; Yang, Jianjun

2018-05-01

An oxygen-vacancy-rich Z-scheme g-C3N4/Pd/TiO2 ternary nanocomposite was fabricated using nanotubular titanic acid as precursors via a simple photo-deposition of Pd nanoparticles and calcination process. The prepared nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. For g-C3N4/TiO2 binary nanocomposites, at the optimal content of g-C3N4 (2%), the apparent photocatalytic activity of 2%g-C3N4/TiO2 was 9 times higher than that of pure TiO2 under visible-light illumination. After deposition of Pd (1 wt%) at the contact interface between g-C3N4 and TiO2, the 2%g-C3N4/Pd/TiO2 ternary nanocomposites demonstrated the highest visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for the degradation of gaseous propylene, which was 16- and 2-fold higher activities than pure TiO2 and 2%g-C3N4/TiO2, respectively. The mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance of the g-C3N4/Pd/TiO2 photo-catalyst is proposed to be based on the efficient separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs through Z-scheme system, in which uniform dispersity of Pd nanoparticles at contact interface between g-C3N4 and TiO2 and oxygen vacancies promote charge separation.

First identification of O,S-diethyl Thiocarbonate in Indian Cress absolute and odor evaluation of its synthesized homologues by GC-sniffing.

PubMed

Breme, Katharina; Guillamon, Nadine; Fernandez, Xavier; Tournayre, Pascal; Brevard, Hugues; Joulain, Daniel; Berdagué, Jean Louis; Meierhenrich, Uwe J

2009-03-25

Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus L.) absolute was studied by GC-olfactometry (VIDEO-Sniff method) in order to identify odor-active aroma compounds. Because of its fruity-sulfury odor note, a compound that has never been identified in plant extracts before stood out: O,S-diethyl thiocarbonate, present at 0.1% (percentage of the total GC/FID area) in the extract. GCxGC-TOFMS allowed for a clean mass spectrum to be obtained, and isolation by preparative GC followed by NMR studies allowed its identification. Here, we report on the first detection of O,S-diethyl thiocarbonate in Indian cress absolute by GC-olfactometry/VIDEO-Sniff and on its isolation and identification. The synthesis and odor evaluation of its homologues are presented.

La Crosse virus (LACV) Gc fusion peptide mutants have impaired growth and fusion phenotypes, but remain neurotoxic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soldan, Samantha S., E-mail: sssoldan@mail.med.upenn.ed; Hollidge, Bradley S.; Department of Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283

La Crosse virus is a leading cause of pediatric encephalitis in the Midwestern United States and an emerging pathogen in the American South. The LACV glycoprotein Gc plays a critical role in entry as the virus attachment protein. A 22 amino acid hydrophobic region within Gc (1066-1087) was recently identified as the LACV fusion peptide. To further define the role of Gc (1066-1087) in virus entry, fusion, and neuropathogenesis, a panel of recombinant LACV (rLACV) fusion peptide mutant viruses was generated. Replication of mutant rLACVs was significantly reduced. In addition, the fusion peptide mutants demonstrated decreased fusion phenotypes relative tomore » LACV-WT. Interestingly, these viruses maintained their ability to cause neuronal loss in culture, suggesting that the fusion peptide of LACV Gc is a determinant of properties associated with neuroinvasion (growth to high titer in muscle cells and a robust fusion phenotype), but not necessarily of neurovirulence.« less

Specific and highly efficient condensation of GC and IC DNA by polyaza pyridinophane derivatives.

PubMed

Stojković, Marijana Radić; Gonzalez-Garcia, Jorge; Šupljika, Filip; Galiana-Rosello, Cristina; Guijarro, Lluis; Gazze, Salvatore A; Francis, Lewis W; Piantanida, Ivo; Garcia-Espana, Enrique

2018-04-01

Two bis-polyaza pyridinophane derivatives and their monomeric reference compounds revealed strong interactions with ds-DNA and RNA. The bis-derivatives show a specific condensation of GC- and IC-DNA, which is almost two orders of magnitude more efficient than the well-known condensation agent spermine. The type of condensed DNA was identified as ψ-DNA, characterized by the exceptionally strong CD signals. At variance to the almost silent AT(U) polynucleotides, these strong CD signals allow the determination of GC-condensates at nanomolar nucleobase concentrations. Detailed thermodynamic characterisation by ITC reveals significant differences between the DNA binding of the bis-derivative compounds (enthalpy driven) and that of spermine and of their monomeric counterparts (entropy driven). Atomic force microscopy confirmed GC-DNA compaction by the bis-derivatives and the formation of toroid- and rod-like structures responsible for the ψ-type pattern in the CD spectra. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SPE-GC/FTD determination of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and its metabolites in urine.

PubMed

Kubota, Ryuichi; Endo, Yoko; Takeuchi, Akito; Inoue, Yoshinori; Ogata, Hiroko; Ogawa, Masanori; Nakagawa, Tomoo; Onda, Nobuhiko; Endo, Ginji

2007-07-01

An analytical method using a combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography with a flame thermionic detector (GC/FTD) was developed for determination of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N-methylsuccinimide (MSI), and 2-hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide (2-HMSI) in human urine. The SPE cartridge of poly(divinylbenzene/hydroxymethacrylate) used was directly loaded with urine sample, followed by elution with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and subsequent centrifugation, and the supernatant was injected into the capillary GC using a DB1701. This method allowed efficient separation of NMP, MSI, and 2-HMSI, which were nearly free of interference by other GC peaks arising from urine. Recoveries of NMP, MSI, and 2-HMSI from the SPE cartridge were about 98, 101, and 67%, respectively, with limits of detection of 0.04, 0.02, and 0.06 mg/L, respectively, which met the regulatory requirements. The present method was used for assay in biological monitoring of workers exposed to NMP in their occupational environment.

Seasonal variation of gastroprotective terpenoids in Maytenus robusta (Celastraceae) quantified by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID).

PubMed

Zermiani, Tailyn; Junior, Antonio A S; Ferreira, Renê A; Wagner, Theodoro M; Machado, Marina S; Cechinel-Filho, Valdir; Niero, Rivaldo

2016-11-01

The triterpenes friedelin (1), β-friedelinol (2) and 3,15-dioxo-21α-hydroxyfriedelane (3) in the aerial parts of Maytenus robusta, a Brazilian medicinal plant with antiulcer potential, were seasonally quantified by gas chromatography flame-ionization detection (GC-FID) using an external standard. The method was found to be linear, precise and sensitive. Compounds 1 and 2 were found in M. robusta leaves and branches, with highest concentrations in the leaves collected in autumn, i.e. 3.21 ± 0.16 and 12.60 ± 1.49 mg g-1 dry weight of 1 and 2, respectively. On the other hand, compound 3 was found only in the branches, with the highest concentrations in winter and autumn (0.21 ± 0.01 and 0.20 ± 0.02 mg g-1). The results allow to define the optimal season and plant parts for the collection of M. robusta as a phytotherapeutic drug.

Construction of g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Yuan; Huang, Gui-Fang; Hu, Wang-Yu; Xiong, Dan-Ni; Zhou, Bing-Xin; Chang, Shengli; Huang, Wei-Qing

2017-07-01

Promoting the spatial separation of photoexcited charge carriers is of paramount significance for photocatalysis. In this work, binary g-C3N4/CeO2 nanosheets are first prepared by pyrolysis and subsequent exfoliation method, then decorated with ZnO nanoparticles to construct g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary nanocomposites with multi-heterointerfaces. Notably, the type-II staggered band alignments existing between any two of the constituents, as well as the efficient three-level transfer of electron-holes in unique g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary composites, leads to the robust separation of photoexcited charge carriers, as verified by its photocurrent increased by 8 times under visible light irradiation. The resulting g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary nanocomposites unveil appreciably increased photocatalytic activity, faster than that of pure g-C3N4, ZnO and g-C3N4/CeO2 by a factor of 11, 4.6 and 3.7, respectively, and good stability toward methylene blue (MB) degradation. The remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary heterostructures can be interpreted in terms of lots of active sites of nanosheet shapes and the efficient charge separation owing to the resulting type-II band alignment with more than one heterointerface and the efficient three-level electron-hole transfer. A plausible mechanism is also elucidated via active species trapping experiments with various scavengers, which indicating that the photogenerated holes and •OH radicals play a crucial role in photodegradation reaction under visible light irradiation. This work suggest that the rational design and construction of type II multi-heterostructures is powerful for developing highly efficient and reusable visible-light photocatalysts for environmental purification and energy conversion.

Constructing effective photocatalytic purification system with P-introduced g-C3N4 for elimination of UO22+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xi; Jiang, Shujuan; Song, Shaoqing; Sun, Chuanzhi

2018-02-01

Due to the inherent defects of precursor molecular structure, the limited effect of structure in the formed g-C3N4 will weaken the extension of delocalization of π electrons between the adjacent tri-s-triazine or heptazine units of g-C3N4, which thus leads to poor visible-light absorption, low utilization efficiency of charge carrier. Herein, P-introduced g-C3N4 (PC3N4) photocatalysts were constructed by partially replacing C with tributyl phosphate as precursor, and the as-designed PC3N4 photocatalysts were used to eliminate aqueous uranyl ion by photocatalytic reduction technology under visible-light irradiation. Experimental and DFT revealed that introduction of P into g-C3N4 significantly modified its electronic structure, as reflected by the narrowed band gap, enhanced visible-light absorption as well as improved transfer capability of photogenerated charge. Therefore, photocatalytic activity of PC3N4 was much better than that of pristine g-C3N4 and conventional reducing-type photocatalysts. This study suggests an efficient strategy for construct effective visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for radioactive environmental remediation.

Sequencing on the SOLiD 5500xl System - in-depth characterization of the GC bias.

PubMed

Roeh, Simone; Weber, Peter; Rex-Haffner, Monika; Deussing, Jan M; Binder, Elisabeth B; Jakovcevski, Mira

2017-07-04

Different types of sequencing biases have been described and subsequently improved for a variety of sequencing systems, mostly focusing on the widely used Illumina systems. Similar studies are missing for the SOLiD 5500xl system, a sequencer which produced many data sets available to researchers today. Describing and understanding the bias is important to accurately interpret and integrate these published data in various ongoing research projects. We report a particularly strong GC bias for this sequencing system when analyzing a defined gDNA mix of 5 microbes with a wide range of different GC contents (20-72%) when comparing to the expected distribution and Illumina MiSeq data from the same DNA pool. Since we observed this bias already under PCR-free conditions, changing the PCR conditions during library preparation - a common strategy to handle bias in the Illumina system - was not relevant. Source of the bias appeared to be an uneven heat distribution during the SOLiD emulsion PCR (ePCR) - for enrichment of libraries prior loading - since ePCR in either small pouches or in 96-well plates improved the GC bias. Sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitated DNA (ChIP-seq) is a common approach in epigenetics. ChIP-seq of the mixed source histone mark H3K9ac (acetyl Histone H3 lysine 9), typically found on promoter regions and on gene bodies, including CpG islands, performed on a SOLiD 5500xl machine, resulted in major loss of reads at GC rich loci (GC content ≥ 62%), not explained by low sequencing depth. This was improved with adaptations of the ePCR.

Potential of transition metal atoms embedded in buckled monolayer g-C3N4 as single-atom catalysts.

PubMed

Li, Shu-Long; Yin, Hui; Kan, Xiang; Gan, Li-Yong; Schwingenschlögl, Udo; Zhao, Yong

2017-11-15

We use first-principles calculations to systematically explore the potential of transition metal atoms (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au) embedded in buckled monolayer g-C 3 N 4 as single-atom catalysts. We show that clustering of Sc and Ti on g-C 3 N 4 is thermodynamically impeded and that V, Cr, Mn, and Cu are much less susceptible to clustering than the other TM atoms under investigation. Strong bonding of the transition metal atoms in the cavities of g-C 3 N 4 and high diffusion barriers together are responsible for single-atom fixation. Analysis of the CO oxidation process indicates that embedding of Cr and Mn in g-C 3 N 4 gives rise to promising single-atom catalysts at low temperature.

Mucin-like Region of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Attachment Protein Glycoprotein C (gC) Modulates the Virus-Glycosaminoglycan Interaction*

PubMed Central

Altgärde, Noomi; Eriksson, Charlotta; Peerboom, Nadia; Phan-Xuan, Tuan; Moeller, Stephanie; Schnabelrauch, Matthias; Svedhem, Sofia; Trybala, Edward; Bergström, Tomas; Bally, Marta

2015-01-01

Glycoprotein C (gC) mediates the attachment of HSV-1 to susceptible host cells by interacting with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the cell surface. gC contains a mucin-like region located near the GAG-binding site, which may affect the binding activity. Here, we address this issue by studying a HSV-1 mutant lacking the mucin-like domain in gC and the corresponding purified mutant protein (gCΔmuc) in cell culture and GAG-binding assays, respectively. The mutant virus exhibited two functional alterations as compared with native HSV-1 (i.e. decreased sensitivity to GAG-based inhibitors of virus attachment to cells and reduced release of viral particles from the surface of infected cells). Kinetic and equilibrium binding characteristics of purified gC were assessed using surface plasmon resonance-based sensing together with a surface platform consisting of end-on immobilized GAGs. Both native gC and gCΔmuc bound via the expected binding region to chondroitin sulfate and sulfated hyaluronan but not to the non-sulfated hyaluronan, confirming binding specificity. In contrast to native gC, gCΔmuc exhibited a decreased affinity for GAGs and a slower dissociation, indicating that once formed, the gCΔmuc-GAG complex is more stable. It was also found that a larger number of gCΔmuc bound to a single GAG chain, compared with native gC. Taken together, our data suggest that the mucin-like region of HSV-1 gC is involved in the modulation of the GAG-binding activity, a feature of importance both for unrestricted virus entry into the cells and release of newly produced viral particles from infected cells. PMID:26160171

Sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency in detecting opiates in oral fluid with the Cozart Opiate Microplate EIA and GC-MS following controlled codeine administration.

PubMed

Barnes, Allan J; Kim, Insook; Schepers, Raf; Moolchan, Eric T; Wilson, Lisa; Cooper, Gail; Reid, Claire; Hand, Chris; Huestis, Marilyn A

2003-10-01

Oral fluid specimens (N = 1406) were collected from 19 subjects prior to and up to 72 h following controlled administration of oral codeine. Volunteers provided informed consent to participate in this National Institute on Drug Abuse Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. A modification of Cozart Microplate Opiate EIA Oral Fluid Kit (Opiate ELISA), employing codeine calibrators, was used for semiquantitative analysis of opiates, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the confirmation and quantitation of codeine, norcodeine, morphine, and normorphine in oral fluid. GC-MS limits of detection and quantitation were 2.5 microg/L for all analytes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has proposed a 40-microg/L opiate screening and a 40-microg/L morphine or codeine confirmation cutoff for the detection of opiate use. Oral fluid opiate screening and confirmation cutoffs of 30 micro g/L are in use in the U.K. Utilizing 2.5-, 20-, 30-, and 40-microg/L GC-MS cutoffs, 26%, 20%, 19%, and 18% of the oral fluid specimens were positive for codeine or one of its metabolites. Six Opiate ELISA/confirmation cutoff criteria (2.5/2.5, 10/2.5, 20/20, 30/20, 30/30, and 40/40 microg/L) were evaluated. Calculations for Opiate ELISA sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency were determined from the number of true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative results at each screening/confirmation cutoff. Sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency for the lowest cutoff were 91.5%, 88.6%, and 89.3%. Application of the cutoff currently used in the U.K. yielded sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency results of 79.7%, 99.0%, and 95.4% and similar results of 76.7%, 99.1%, and 95.1% when applying the SAMHSA criteria. These data indicate that the Opiate ELISA efficiently detects oral codeine use. In addition, the data, collected following controlled oral codeine administration, may aid in the interpretation of opiate oral

Compositional pressure and translational selection determine codon usage in the extremely GC-poor unicellular eukaryote Entamoeba histolytica.

PubMed

Romero, H; Zavala, A; Musto, H