Catalytic cartridge SO.sub.3 decomposer

DOEpatents

Galloway, Terry R.

1982-01-01

A catalytic cartridge surrounding a heat pipe driven by a heat source is utilized as a SO.sub.3 decomposer for thermochemical hydrogen production. The cartridge has two embodiments, a cross-flow cartridge and an axial flow cartridge. In the cross-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through a chamber and incident normally to a catalyst coated tube extending through the chamber, the catalyst coated tube surrounding the heat pipe. In the axial-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through the annular space between concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls, the inner cylindrical wall being coated by a catalyst and surrounding the heat pipe. The modular cartridge decomposer provides high thermal efficiency, high conversion efficiency, and increased safety.

The Indicating FTA Elute Cartridge

PubMed Central

de Bie, Roosmarie P.; Schmeink, Channa E.; Bakkers, Judith M.J.E.; Snijders, Peter J.F.; Quint, Wim G.V.; Massuger, Leon F.A.G.; Bekkers, Ruud L.M.; Melchers, Willem J.G.

2011-01-01

The clinically validated high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) and GP5+/6+-PCR assays were analyzed on an Indicating FTA Elute cartridge (FTA cartridge). The FTA cartridge is a solid dry carrier that allows safe transport of cervical samples. FTA cartridge samples were compared with liquid-based samples for hrHPV and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detection. One cervical sample was collected in a liquid-based medium, and one was applied to the FTA cartridge. DNA was eluted directly from the FTA cartridge by a simple elution step. HC2 and GP5+/6+-PCR assays were performed on both the liquid-based and the FTA-eluted DNA of 88 women. Overall agreement between FTA and liquid-based samples for the presence of hrHPV was 90.9% with GP5+/6+-PCR and 77.3% with HC2. The sensitivity for high-grade CIN of hrHPV testing on the FTA cartridges was 84.6% with GP5+/6+-PCR and only 53.8% with HC2. By comparison, these sensitivities on liquid-based samples were 92.3% and 100% for GP5+/6+-PCR and HC2, respectively. Therefore, the FTA cartridge shows reasonably good overall agreement for hrHPV detection with liquid-based media when using GP5+/6+-PCR but not HC2 testing. Even with GP5+/6+-PCR, the FTA cartridge is not yet capable of detecting all high-grade CIN lesions. PMID:21704269

Stability of pharmaceuticals and other polar organic compounds stored on polar organic chemical integrative samplers and solid-phase extraction cartridges.

PubMed

Carlson, Jules C; Challis, Jonathan K; Hanson, Mark L; Wong, Charles S

2013-02-01

The stability of 24 chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and some agrochemicals on extraction media was evaluated by preloading them onto Oasis hydrophilic lipophilic balanced solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) followed by storage at -20°C over time. After 20 months, the average loss was 11% on POCIS, with only 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and gemfibrozil showing a statistically significant decline compared with initial concentrations. Losses on SPE cartridges were below 19%, with an average loss of 9%. In addition to laboratory spiked samples, multiple POCIS deployed in wastewater-impacted surface waters and SPE extracts of these waters were stored in their original coextracted matrix for nearly two years with minimal observed losses. Errors from typical sampling, handling, and concentration estimates from POCIS sampling rates were typically ± 15 to 30% relative standard deviation, so observed storage losses are minimal for most POCIS applications. While losses during storage on SPE cartridges for 20 months were small but statistically significant for many compounds, addition of labeled internal standards prior to freezing should correct for such losses. Thus, storage of processed water samples for analysis of polar organic pollutants is viable for archival purposes or studies for which samples cannot be analyzed in the short term. Copyright © 2012 SETAC.

Catalytic cartridge SO/sub 3/ decomposer

DOEpatents

Galloway, T.R.

1980-11-18

A catalytic cartridge surrounding a heat pipe driven by a heat source is utilized as a SO/sub 3/ decomposer for thermochemical hydrogen production. The cartridge has two embodiments, a cross-flow cartridge and an axial flow cartridge. In the cross-flow cartridge, SO/sub 3/ gas is flowed through a chamber and incident normally to a catalyst coated tube extending through the chamber, the catalyst coated tube surrounding the heat pipe. In the axial-flow cartridge, SO/sub 3/ gas is flowed through the annular space between concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls, the inner cylindrical wall being coated by a catalyst and surrounding the heat pipe. The modular cartridge decomposer provides high thermal efficiency, high conversion efficiency, and increased safety. A fusion reactor may be used as the heat source.

Entomofauna of Ziban Oasis, Biskra, Algeria

PubMed Central

Deghiche-Diab, Nassima; Porcelli, Francisco; Belhamra, Mohamed

2015-01-01

An inventory was carried out at five stations in the oasis of Ziban, an oasis that is characterized by its high-quality dates, in order to study the relationships between the oasis ecosystem and its insect fauna. Specimens were sampled using pitfall traps containing ethylene glycol as a preservative. In total, 115 arthropod species were collected during 5 months of survey. These species belonged to 61 families, 17 orders, and 4 classes (12 orders from Insecta, 3 from Arachnida, 1 from Chilopoda, and 1 from Malocostraca). The most represented insect orders were Coleoptera (44.42%), Hymenoptera (20.86%), and Lepidoptera (7.87%). Represented in the collections were phytophagous, omnivorous, and predator/parasite species. Given the large number of species collected, and the largely unknown relationships existing between the various ecological groups, this study is a first step in the description of the oasis entomofauna. PMID:25855607

CGF cartridge development, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dixon, Carl A.

1993-01-01

This report is a summary of SRI's efforts in Crystal Growth Furnace cartridge developments. It includes: evaluation of molybdenum, TZM, and WC-103 as cartridge materials; a survey of oxidation resistant coatings; chemical compatibility studies of cadmium-zinc-telluride and gallium-arsenide with TZM and WC-103; a survey of future cartridge materials; and suggested improvements in ampoule design.

Oasis dynamics change and its influence on landscape pattern on Jinta oasis in arid China from 1963a to 2010a: Integration of multi-source satellite images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yuchu; Gong, Jie; Sun, Peng; Gou, Xiaohua

2014-12-01

As one of the vital research highlights of global land use and cover change, oasis change and its interaction with landscape pattern have been regarded as an important content of regional environmental change research in arid areas. Jinta oasis, a typical agricultural oasis characterized by its dramatic exploitation and use of water and land resources in Hexi corridor, northwest arid region in China, was selected as a case to study the spatiotemporal oasis change and its effects on oasis landscape pattern. Based on integration of Keyhole satellite photographs, KATE-200 photographs, Landsat MSS, TM and ETM+ images, we evaluated and analyzed the status, trend and spatial pattern change of Jinta oasis and the characteristics of landscape pattern change by a set of mathematical models and combined this information with landscape metrics and community surveys. During the period of 1963a-2010a, Jinta oasis expanded gradually with an area increase of 219.15 km2, and the conversion between oasis and desert was frequent with a state of “imbalance-balance-extreme imbalance conditions”. Moreover, most of the changes took place in the ecotone between oasis and desert and the interior of oasis due to the reclamation of abandoned land, such as Yangjingziwan and Xiba townships. Furthermore, the area, size and spatial distribution of oasis were influenced by human activities and resulted in fundamental changes of oasis landscape pattern. The fractal characteristics, dispersion degree and fragmentation of Jinta oasis decreased and the oasis landscape tended to be simple and uniform. Oasis change trajectories and its landscape pattern were mainly influenced by water resource utilization, policies (especially land policies), demographic factors, technological advancements, as well as regional economic development. We found that time series analysis of multi-source remote sensing images and the application of an oasis change model provided a useful approach to monitor oasis change

Anesthetic cartridge system under evaluation.

PubMed

Cooley, R L; Lubow, R M

1981-01-01

The problem of glass breakage in the local anesthetic cartridge system was evaluated under laboratory conditions with a mechanical testing machine. The anticipated breakage of the glass did not occur with any frequency, as the rubber stopper produced more uniform failures of the system. The glass cartridge appeared to be quite reliable and resistant to breakage.Local anesthetics have been used for many years to provide patients temporary freedom from pain. Local anesthetic solutions are in wide use in both dentistry and medicine and are the most frequently used drugs in dentistry. Various estimates place the number of injections at approximately one half million daily or 125 million injections per year.These drugs and the armamentarium necessary to administer them have proven to be safe and reliable. Only rarely are there reports of sensitivity to the anesthetic solution or breakage of needles.. Sterility of the solutions has not been a problem as they are carefully processed and evaluated at the factory. Although there are sporadic reports of loss of sterility, this has been attributed to the reuse of the anesthetic cartridges on more than one patient. Monheim states "The success of the cartridge system in dentistry has been due to the sincerity, honesty, and high standards of the manufacturers in giving the profession a near-perfect product." However, on occassion a glass cartridge will break or shatter when inserting the harpoon into the rubber stopper or even during injection. Cooley et al reported on eye injuries occurring in the dental office, one of which was due to glass from a local anesthetic cartridge that exploded and propelled particles into the patient's eye. Forrest evaluated syringes, needles, and cartridges and reported that one brand (made in Britain) fractured more often than any other, but that the fracture rate was too low to be of any consequence.It is apparent that glass cartridges will fracture or burst from time to time. This study

Anesthetic Cartridge System Under Evaluation

PubMed Central

Cooley, Robert L.; Lubow, Richard M.

1981-01-01

The problem of glass breakage in the local anesthetic cartridge system was evaluated under laboratory conditions with a mechanical testing machine. The anticipated breakage of the glass did not occur with any frequency, as the rubber stopper produced more uniform failures of the system. The glass cartridge appeared to be quite reliable and resistant to breakage. Local anesthetics have been used for many years to provide patients temporary freedom from pain. Local anesthetic solutions are in wide use in both dentistry and medicine and are the most frequently used drugs in dentistry. Various estimates place the number of injections at approximately one half million daily or 125 million injections per year. These drugs and the armamentarium necessary to administer them have proven to be safe and reliable. Only rarely are there reports of sensitivity to the anesthetic solution or breakage of needles.. Sterility of the solutions has not been a problem as they are carefully processed and evaluated at the factory. Although there are sporadic reports of loss of sterility, this has been attributed to the reuse of the anesthetic cartridges on more than one patient. Monheim states “The success of the cartridge system in dentistry has been due to the sincerity, honesty, and high standards of the manufacturers in giving the profession a near-perfect product.” However, on occassion a glass cartridge will break or shatter when inserting the harpoon into the rubber stopper or even during injection. Cooley et al reported on eye injuries occurring in the dental office, one of which was due to glass from a local anesthetic cartridge that exploded and propelled particles into the patient's eye. Forrest evaluated syringes, needles, and cartridges and reported that one brand (made in Britain) fractured more often than any other, but that the fracture rate was too low to be of any consequence. It is apparent that glass cartridges will fracture or burst from time to time. This study

From Workbook to Web: Building an Information Literacy OASIS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosen, Jeff; Castro, Gina M.

2002-01-01

Describes a Web-based information literacy tutorial, OASIS (Online Advancement of Student Information Skills), developed at San Francisco State University. Discussion includes: core competencies identified; design structure and content; planning and marketing; problems and partnerships in the pilot year of OASIS; restructuring the OASIS tutorial;…

Extraction of acidic degradation products of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents. Comparison between silica and mixed-mode strong anion-exchange cartridges.

PubMed

Kanaujia, Pankaj K; Pardasani, Deepak; Gupta, A K; Kumar, Rajesh; Srivastava, R K; Dubey, D K

2007-08-17

The analysis of alkyl alkylphosphonic acids (AAPAs) and alkylphosphonic acids (APAs), the hydrolyzed products of nerve agents, constitutes an important aspect for verifying the compliance to the Chemical weapons convention (CWC). This work devotes on the development of solid-phase extraction method using polymeric mixed-mode strong anion-exchange (Oasis MAX) cartridges for extraction of AAPAs and APAs from water. The extracted analytes were analyzed by GC-MS under full scan and selected ion monitoring mode. The extraction efficiencies of MAX and silica-based anion-exchange cartridges were compared, and results revealed that MAX sorbents yielded better recoveries. Extraction parameters, such as loading capacity, extraction solvent, its volume, and washing solvent were optimized. Best recoveries were obtained using 1 mL of acidic methanol (0.1 M), and limits of detection could be achieved up to 5 x 10(-4) microg mL(-1) (in SIM) and 0.05 microg mL(-1) in full scan mode. The method was successfully employed for the detection and identification of alkylphosphonic acids present in soil sample sent by the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the official proficiency tests.

Study on the oasis corridor landscape in the arid regions based on RS and GIS methods--application of Jinta Oasis, China.

PubMed

Ma, Ming-guo; Wang, Xue-mei; Cheng, Guo-dong

2003-03-01

The study on the oasis corridor landsape is a new hotspot in the ecological environment research in the arid regions. In oasis, main corridor landscape types include river, ditch, shelterbelt and road. This paper introduces the basic ecological effects of the corridor landscape on the transporting mass and energy and obstructing desert landscape expansion and incursion. Using Geographic Information System (GIS), we have researched the corridor distribution and its spatial relationship with other landscape types in the Jinta Oasis. Based on the dynamically monitoring on the landscape pattern change of the Jinta Oasis during the latter 10 years by using Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS, the driving functions of the corridors on this change have been analyzed in detail. The analysis results showed that all kinds of corridors' characteristics can be quantified by the indexes such as length and width, ratio of perimeter and area, density and non-heterogeneity. The total corridor length of Jinta Oasis is 1838.5 km and its density is 2.1 km/km2. The corridor density of the irrigation land, forest and resident area is maximal, which shows that affection degree of the oasis corridors on them is the most. The improvement of the corridors quality is one of the important driving factors on the irrigation land and so on. The organic combination of the RS and GIS technologies and landscape research methods would be an effective means for the corridor landscape research on arid region oasis.

Development of an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid in rose leaves.

PubMed

Bosco, Renato; Daeseleire, Els; Van Pamel, Els; Scariot, Valentina; Leus, Leen

2014-07-09

This paper describes a method to detect and quantitate the endogenous plant hormones (±)-2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid, (-)-jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid by means of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in hybrid rose leaf matrices. Deuterium-labeled [(2)H6] (+)-2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid, [(2)H6] (±)-jasmonic acid, and [(2)H4]-salicylic acid were used as internal standards. Rose samples (10 mg) were extracted with methanol/water/acetic acid (10:89:1) and subsequently purified on an Oasis MCX 1 cm(3) Vac SPE cartridge. Performance characteristics were validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Recovery, repeatability, and within-laboratory reproducibility were acceptable for all phytohormones tested at three different concentrations. The decision limit and detection capability for (±)-2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid, (-)-jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid were 0.0075 and 0.015 μg/g, 0.00015 and 0.00030 μg/g, and 0.0089 and 0.018 μg/g, respectively. Matrix effects (signal suppression or enhancement) appeared to be high for all substances considered, implying the need for quantitation based on matrix-matched calibration curves.

Centrifugal Adsorption Cartridge System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonda, Steve R.; Tsao, Yow-Min D.; Lee, Wenshan

2004-01-01

The centrifugal adsorption cartridge system (CACS) is an apparatus that recovers one or more bioproduct(s) from a dilute aqueous solution or suspension flowing from a bioreactor. The CACS can be used both on Earth in unit gravity and in space in low gravity. The CACS can be connected downstream from the bioreactor; alternatively, it can be connected into a flow loop that includes the bioreactor so that the liquid can be recycled. A centrifugal adsorption cartridge in the CACS (see figure) includes two concentric cylinders with a spiral ramp between them. The volume between the inner and outer cylinders, and between the turns of the spiral ramp is packed with an adsorbent material. The inner cylinder is a sieve tube covered with a gas-permeable, hydrophobic membrane. During operation, the liquid effluent from the bioreactor is introduced at one end of the spiral ramp, which then constrains the liquid to flow along the spiral path through the adsorbent material. The spiral ramp also makes the flow more nearly uniform than it would otherwise be, and it minimizes any channeling other than that of the spiral flow itself. The adsorbent material is formulated to selectively capture the bioproduct(s) of interest. The bioproduct(s) can then be stored in bound form in the cartridge or else eluted from the cartridge. The centrifugal effect of the spiral flow is utilized to remove gas bubbles from the liquid. The centrifugal effect forces the bubbles radially inward, toward and through the membrane of the inner cylinder. The gas-permeable, hydrophobic membrane allows the bubbles to enter the inner cylinder while keeping the liquid out. The bubbles that thus enter the cylinder are vented to the atmosphere. The spacing between the ramps determines rate of flow along the spiral, and thereby affects the air-bubble-removal efficiency. The spacing between the ramps also determines the length of the fluid path through the cartridge adsorbent, and thus affects the bioproduct

OASIS: Prototyping Graphical Interfaces to Networked Information.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckland, Michael K.; And Others

1993-01-01

Describes the latest modifications being made to OASIS, a front-end enhancement to the University of California's MELVYL online union catalog. Highlights include the X Windows interface; multiple database searching to act as an information network; Lisp implementation for flexible data representation; and OASIS commands and features to help…

Oasis: online analysis of small RNA deep sequencing data.

PubMed

Capece, Vincenzo; Garcia Vizcaino, Julio C; Vidal, Ramon; Rahman, Raza-Ur; Pena Centeno, Tonatiuh; Shomroni, Orr; Suberviola, Irantzu; Fischer, Andre; Bonn, Stefan

2015-07-01

Oasis is a web application that allows for the fast and flexible online analysis of small-RNA-seq (sRNA-seq) data. It was designed for the end user in the lab, providing an easy-to-use web frontend including video tutorials, demo data and best practice step-by-step guidelines on how to analyze sRNA-seq data. Oasis' exclusive selling points are a differential expression module that allows for the multivariate analysis of samples, a classification module for robust biomarker detection and an advanced programming interface that supports the batch submission of jobs. Both modules include the analysis of novel miRNAs, miRNA targets and functional analyses including GO and pathway enrichment. Oasis generates downloadable interactive web reports for easy visualization, exploration and analysis of data on a local system. Finally, Oasis' modular workflow enables for the rapid (re-) analysis of data. Oasis is implemented in Python, R, Java, PHP, C++ and JavaScript. It is freely available at http://oasis.dzne.de. stefan.bonn@dzne.de Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press.

42 CFR 84.190 - Chemical cartridge respirators: description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators: description. 84.190... SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.190 Chemical cartridge respirators: description. (a) Chemical cartridge...

42 CFR 84.190 - Chemical cartridge respirators: description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators: description. 84.190... SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.190 Chemical cartridge respirators: description. (a) Chemical cartridge...

42 CFR 84.190 - Chemical cartridge respirators: description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators: description. 84.190... SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.190 Chemical cartridge respirators: description. (a) Chemical cartridge...

42 CFR 84.190 - Chemical cartridge respirators: description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators: description. 84.190... SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.190 Chemical cartridge respirators: description. (a) Chemical cartridge...

42 CFR 84.190 - Chemical cartridge respirators: description.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators: description. 84.190... SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.190 Chemical cartridge respirators: description. (a) Chemical cartridge...

High-Performance Water-Iodinating Cartridge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sauer, Richard; Gibbons, Randall E.; Flanagan, David T.

1993-01-01

High-performance cartridge contains bed of crystalline iodine iodinates water to near saturation in single pass. Cartridge includes stainless-steel housing equipped with inlet and outlet for water. Bed of iodine crystals divided into layers by polytetrafluoroethylene baffles. Holes made in baffles and positioned to maximize length of flow path through layers of iodine crystals. Resulting concentration of iodine biocidal; suppresses growth of microbes in stored water or disinfects contaminated equipment. Cartridge resists corrosion and can be stored wet. Reused several times before necessary to refill with fresh iodine crystals.

Our OASIS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bircher, Lisa S.; Sansenbaugher, Bonnie

2017-01-01

This article describes an elementary science summer day camp at East Palatine High School in East Palestine, Ohio, for students in grades K-4, aided by high school (grades 9-12) student mentors. The school's Outdoor Area for Studies in Science (OASIS) is used for formal and informal studies in science for an elementary science camp week. The camp…

A Martin-Puplett cartridge FIR interferometer

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

Smith, Roger J.; Penniman, Edwin E.; Jarboe, Thomas R.

2004-10-01

A compact prealigned Martin-Puplett interferometer (MPI) cartridge for plasma interferometry is described. The MPI cartridge groups all components of a MP interferometer, with the exception of the end mirror for the scene beam, on a stand-alone rigid platform. The interferometer system is completed by positioning a cartridge anywhere along and coaxial with the scene beam, considerably reducing the amount of effort in alignment over a discrete component layout. This allows the interferometer to be expanded to any number of interferometry chords consistent with optical access, limited only by the laser power. The cartridge interferometer has been successfully incorporated as amore » second chord on the Helicity Injected Torus II (HIT-II) far infrared interferometer system and a comparison with the discrete component system is presented. Given the utility and compactness of the cartridge, a possible design for a five-chord interferometer arrangement on the HIT-II device is described.« less

Oasis 2: improved online analysis of small RNA-seq data.

PubMed

Rahman, Raza-Ur; Gautam, Abhivyakti; Bethune, Jörn; Sattar, Abdul; Fiosins, Maksims; Magruder, Daniel Sumner; Capece, Vincenzo; Shomroni, Orr; Bonn, Stefan

2018-02-14

Small RNA molecules play important roles in many biological processes and their dysregulation or dysfunction can cause disease. The current method of choice for genome-wide sRNA expression profiling is deep sequencing. Here we present Oasis 2, which is a new main release of the Oasis web application for the detection, differential expression, and classification of small RNAs in deep sequencing data. Compared to its predecessor Oasis, Oasis 2 features a novel and speed-optimized sRNA detection module that supports the identification of small RNAs in any organism with higher accuracy. Next to the improved detection of small RNAs in a target organism, the software now also recognizes potential cross-species miRNAs and viral and bacterial sRNAs in infected samples. In addition, novel miRNAs can now be queried and visualized interactively, providing essential information for over 700 high-quality miRNA predictions across 14 organisms. Robust biomarker signatures can now be obtained using the novel enhanced classification module. Oasis 2 enables biologists and medical researchers to rapidly analyze and query small RNA deep sequencing data with improved precision, recall, and speed, in an interactive and user-friendly environment. Oasis 2 is implemented in Java, J2EE, mysql, Python, R, PHP and JavaScript. It is freely available at https://oasis.dzne.de.

High performance quarter-inch cartridge tape systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarz, Ted

1993-01-01

Within the established low cost structure of Data Cartridge drive technology, it is possible to achieve nearly 1 terrabyte (10(exp 12)) of data capacity and more than 1 Gbit/sec (greater than 100 Mbytes/sec) transfer rates. The desirability to place this capability within a single cartridge will be determined by the market. The 3.5 in. or smaller form factor may suffice to serve both the current Data Cartridge market and a high performance segment. In any case, Data Cartridge Technology provides a strong sustainable technology growth path in the 21st century.

Lunar oasis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duke, Michael B.; Niehoff, John

1989-01-01

The 'lunar oasis' emphasizes development toward self-sufficiency in order to reduce dependence on the earth for resupply, and to enable expansion utilizing indigeneous resources. The oasis phase includes: (1) habitation and work facilities for 10 people, (2) capability for extraction of volatile consumables (H2O, O2, N2, etc.) from indigenous resources for resupply of losses and filling of reservoirs, and (3) a highly closed life support system, including food production. In the consolidation phase, the base grows from 10 to 30 crewmembers. Lunar resources are used for expanding the lunar foothold, including construction of habitats, extraction of metals for the fabrication of products for maintenance and repair, and expansion of the power system. The strategy does not produce propellants for space transportation. A 10-year scenario is laid out, which contains all elements needed to allow the base to enter a self-expanding utilization phase. Three lunar missions yer year, two cargo missions and one crew flight, are required. At the end of a decade, the base is producing more than it requires for its continued support, although it is unlikely to be completely self-sufficient.

Recreational value of an oasis in Oman.

PubMed

Zekri, Slim; Mbaga, Msafiri; Fouzai, Ayoub; Al-Shaqsi, Saif

2011-07-01

Increasing demand for water to develop non-agricultural activities is causing water to be diverted to high-value uses at the expense of irrigation. However, agriculture provides a flow of amenities in the desert environment which are not either accounted or paid. Oases are spread all over the globe and are threatened for various reasons among which is the high pressure of demand for fresh water. This paper estimates the recreation use value of an oasis. The paper is based on the Misfat Al-Abryeen oasis in Oman, a man-made area of streams and woodland. The travel cost method is used through an on-site questionnaire distributed to 230 visitors. Around 75% of visitors to the oasis also visited other historical or ecological sites during the same day-trip. The econometric model is estimated using negative binomial regression with endogenous stratification. The average consumer surplus, or benefit, from visiting Misfat Al-Abryeen is estimated at US$ 104.74 per individual per trip. The total social benefit from this oasis is estimated at $366,590 per year. These results underscore the importance of the role played by irrigated agriculture in the provision of amenity services for the tourism sector in a desert environment. The sustainability of the irrigation activity depends on the recognition of the recreation role of oases and the transfer of part of these benefits to the farmers who maintain the irrigation system. The implementation of an entrance fee to the oasis might increase farmers' profit by 6-21%.

Recreational Value of an Oasis in Oman

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zekri, Slim; Mbaga, Msafiri; Fouzai, Ayoub; Al-Shaqsi, Saif

2011-07-01

Increasing demand for water to develop non-agricultural activities is causing water to be diverted to high-value uses at the expense of irrigation. However, agriculture provides a flow of amenities in the desert environment which are not either accounted or paid. Oases are spread all over the globe and are threatened for various reasons among which is the high pressure of demand for fresh water. This paper estimates the recreation use value of an oasis. The paper is based on the Misfat Al-Abryeen oasis in Oman, a man-made area of streams and woodland. The travel cost method is used through an on-site questionnaire distributed to 230 visitors. Around 75% of visitors to the oasis also visited other historical or ecological sites during the same day-trip. The econometric model is estimated using negative binomial regression with endogenous stratification. The average consumer surplus, or benefit, from visiting Misfat Al-Abryeen is estimated at US 104.74 per individual per trip. The total social benefit from this oasis is estimated at 366,590 per year. These results underscore the importance of the role played by irrigated agriculture in the provision of amenity services for the tourism sector in a desert environment. The sustainability of the irrigation activity depends on the recognition of the recreation role of oases and the transfer of part of these benefits to the farmers who maintain the irrigation system. The implementation of an entrance fee to the oasis might increase farmers' profit by 6-21%.

42 CFR 84.191 - Chemical cartridge respirators; required components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators; required components... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.191 Chemical cartridge respirators; required components. (a) Each chemical cartridge respirator described in § 84.190 shall, where its design requires, contain the following...

42 CFR 84.191 - Chemical cartridge respirators; required components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators; required components... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.191 Chemical cartridge respirators; required components. (a) Each chemical cartridge respirator described in § 84.190 shall, where its design requires, contain the following...

42 CFR 84.191 - Chemical cartridge respirators; required components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators; required components... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.191 Chemical cartridge respirators; required components. (a) Each chemical cartridge respirator described in § 84.190 shall, where its design requires, contain the following...

42 CFR 84.191 - Chemical cartridge respirators; required components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators; required components... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.191 Chemical cartridge respirators; required components. (a) Each chemical cartridge respirator described in § 84.190 shall, where its design requires, contain the following...

42 CFR 84.191 - Chemical cartridge respirators; required components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators; required components... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.191 Chemical cartridge respirators; required components. (a) Each chemical cartridge respirator described in § 84.190 shall, where its design requires, contain the following...

OASIS General Introduction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stanford Univ., CA.

Recognizing the need to balance generality and economy in system costs, the Project INFO team at Stanford University developing OASIS has sought to provide generalized and powerful computer support within the normal range of operating and analytical requirements associated with university administration. The specific design objectives of the OASIS…

Electrode cartridge for pulse welding

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

Bonnen, John Joseph Francis; Golovashchenko, Sergey Fedorovich; Mamutov, Alexander

A cartridge assembly for a tool includes a cartridge body or casing that contains a conductor. A conductor is connected to a pulse generator or source of stored charge that is discharged to vaporize the conductor and create an electro-hydraulic or electro-magnetic shockwave that is used to impact or pulse weld two parts together.

Quick-change filter cartridge

DOEpatents

Rodgers, John C.; McFarland, Andrew R.; Ortiz, Carlos A.

1995-01-01

A quick-change filter cartridge. In sampling systems for measurement of airborne materials, a filter element is introduced into the sampled airstream such that the aerosol constituents are removed and deposited on the filter. Fragile sampling media often require support in order to prevent rupture during sampling, and careful mounting and sealing to prevent misalignment, tearing, or creasing which would allow the sampled air to bypass the filter. Additionally, handling of filter elements may introduce cross-contamination or exposure of operators to toxic materials. Moreover, it is desirable to enable the preloading of filter media into quick-change cartridges in clean laboratory environments, thereby simplifying and expediting the filter-changing process in the field. The quick-change filter cartridge of the present invention permits the application of a variety of filter media in many types of instruments and may also be used in automated systems. The cartridge includes a base through which a vacuum can be applied to draw air through the filter medium which is located on a porous filter support and held there by means of a cap which forms an airtight seal with the base. The base is also adapted for receiving absorbing media so that both particulates and gas-phase samples may be trapped for investigation, the latter downstream of the aerosol filter.

Demonstration of obstacle avoidance system (OASYS) symbology in full mission simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharkey, Thomas J.

1994-06-01

The U. S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate's (AFDD) Crew Station Research and Development Branch (CSRDB) conducted a multiphase effort to develop symbology displaying information from the Obstacle Avoidance System (OASYS) on the Aviator's Night Vision System (ANVIS) Head Up Display (HUD). The first phase of this program used static symbology displayed on a workstation to identify the types of information required from OASYS by the pilot. The second phase used a low-fidelity, pilot-in-the-loop simulation to evaluate fourteen different symbology-drive law combinations. Based on the results of phases 1 and 2 three candidate symbologies were selected, along with the baseline symbology developed by the OASYS contractor, for evaluation in full mission simulation. In addition, a full-daylight, full field-of-view condition and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) condition, both without OASYS symbology, were used as control conditions. The environmental conditions (e.g., ambient illumination, visual range) and task requirements (e.g., altitude and airspeed) used in the simulation were selected to severely tax the symbology. Reliable differences in performance between symbology conditions were found. Two of the symbologies developed during the earlier phases of this program resulted in reduced frequencies of ground strikes compared to OASYS baseline and NVG only conditions. The frequency of close approaches to wires was lower with the symbology developed in this program than with the baseline symbology. All OASYS symbologies improved performance relative to the NVG control condition. It is recommended that the OASYS symbology and drive laws developed during this program be used during OASYS flight tests.

Long-term outcomes of the Stop Traumatic OASI Morbidity Project (STOMP).

PubMed

Basu, Maya; Smith, Dot

2018-06-09

To evaluate long-term sustainability of the Stop Traumatic OASI Morbidity Project (STOMP) in reducing the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). A prospective observational study of women undergoing vaginal delivery at a UK district general hospital between September 1, 2014, and February 28, 2017. The principles of STOMP involve encouraging upright positioning, verbal coaching to avoid expulsive pushing and to slow down delivery, and tactile support to the vertex to judge speed and slow down delivery. After a training period, STOMP was implemented for all vaginal deliveries. Clinical and demographic data on women affected by OASI were collected across a 30-month period. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of OASI. There were 8782 vaginal deliveries during the 30-month period after implementation of STOMP. There was a significant decrease in the mean incidence of OASI relative to the 9 months before implementation (P<0.001). There was a significant decrease in the incidence of OASI for both spontaneous vaginal and instrumental deliveries (both P<0.05). There was no change in the frequency of episiotomy. Implementation of STOMP led to a significant decrease in OASI, confirming the sustainability of this approach to improve outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of a solid-phase extraction method coupled with HPLC-UV detection for the determination of biogenic amines in Chinese rice wine.

PubMed

Zhang, Ying; Li, Yan; Zhu, Xiao-Juan; Li, Min; Chen, Hao-Yu; Lv, Xiao-Ling; Zhang, Jian

2017-07-01

A reliable and accurate method for the determination of seven biogenic amines (BAs) was developed and validated with Chinese rice wine samples. The BAs were derivatised with dansyl chloride, cleaned up using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ultraviolet (UV) detection. The optimised derivatisation reaction, conducted at pH 9.6 and 60°C for 30 min, ensured baseline separation and peak symmetry for each BA. SPE clean-up using Oasis MCX cartridges yielded good recovery rates for all BAs and effectively reduced matrix effects. The developed method shows good linearity with determination coefficients of more than 0.9989 over a concentration range of 0.1-100 mg l -1 . The limits of detection (LODs) for the investigated BAs ranged from 2.07 to 5.56 µg l -1 . The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 0.86% to 3.81% and from 2.13% to 3.82%, respectively. Spiking experiments showed that the overall recovery rates ranged from 85% to 113%. Thus, the proposed method was demonstrated as being suitable for simultaneous detection, with accurate and precise quantification, of BAs in Chinese rice wine.

Plumbing Fixture for a Microfluidic Cartridge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Francis, Kevin

2007-01-01

A fixture has been devised for making the plumbing connections between a microfluidic device in a replaceable cartridge and an external fluidic system. The fixture includes a 0.25-in. (6.35-mm) thick steel plate, to which the cartridge is fastened by two 10-32 thumb screws. The plate holds one plumbing fitting for the inlet and one for the outlet of the microfluidic device. Each fitting includes a fused-silica tube of 0.006-in. (approx.0.15-mm) inside diameter within a fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) tube of 0.0155-in. (approx.0.39-mm) inside diameter and 0.062- in. (approx.1.57-mm) outside diameter. The FEP tube is press-fit through the steel plate so that its exposed end is flush with the surface of the plate, and the silica tube protrudes 0.03 in. (approx.0.76 mm) from the plate/FEP-tube-end surface. The cartridge includes a glass cover plate that contains 0.06-mm-wide access ports. When the cartridge is fastened to the steel plate, the silica tubes become inserted through the access ports and into the body of the cartridge, while the ends of the FEP tubes become butted against the glass cover plate. An extremely tight seal is thereby made.

OASIS: A Data Fusion System Optimized for Access to Distributed Archives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berriman, G. B.; Kong, M.; Good, J. C.

2002-05-01

The On-Line Archive Science Information Services (OASIS) is accessible as a java applet through the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive home page. It uses Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to provide data fusion and interaction services for astronomers. These services include the ability to process and display arbitrarily large image files, and user-controlled contouring, overlay regeneration and multi-table/image interactions. OASIS has been optimized for access to distributed archives and data sets. Its second release (June 2002) provides a mechanism that enables access to OASIS from "third-party" services and data providers. That is, any data provider who creates a query form to an archive containing a collection of data (images, catalogs, spectra) can direct the result files from the query into OASIS. Similarly, data providers who serve links to datasets or remote services on a web page can access all of these data with one instance of OASIS. In this was any data or service provider is given access to the full suite of capabilites of OASIS. We illustrate the "third-party" access feature with two examples: queries to the high-energy image datasets accessible from GSFC SkyView, and links to data that are returned from a target-based query to the NASA Extragalactic Database (NED). The second release of OASIS also includes a file-transfer manager that reports the status of multiple data downloads from remote sources to the client machine. It is a prototype for a request management system that will ultimately control and manage compute-intensive jobs submitted through OASIS to computing grids, such as request for large scale image mosaics and bulk statistical analysis.

Application of the unified mask data format based on OASIS for VSB EB writers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Toshio; Hirumi, Junji; Suga, Osamu

2005-11-01

Mask data preparation (MDP) for modern mask manufacturing becomes a complex process because many kinds of EB data formats are used in mask makers and EB data files continue to become bigger by the application of RET. Therefore we developed a unified mask pattern data format named "OASIS.VSB1" and a job deck format named "MALY2" for Variable-Shaped-Beam (VSB) EB writers. OASIS.VSB is the mask pattern data format based on OASISTM 3 (Open Artwork System Interchange Standard) released as a successive format to GDSII by SEMI. We defined restrictions on OASIS for VSB EB writers to input OASIS.VSB data directly to VSB EB writers just like the native EB data. OASIS.VSB specification and MALY specification have been disclosed to the public and will become a SEMI standard in the near future. We started to promote the spread activities of OASIS.VSB and MALY. For practical use of OASIS.VSB and MALY, we are discussing the infrastructure system of MDP processing using OASIS.VSB and MALY with mask makers, VSB EB makers, and device makers. We are also discussing the tools for the infrastructure system with EDA vendors. The infrastructure system will enable TAT, the man-hour, and the cost in MDP to be reduced. In this paper, we propose the plan of the infrastructure system of MDP processing using OASIS.VSB and MALY as an application of OASIS.VSB and MALY.

49 CFR 173.230 - Fuel cell cartridges containing hazardous material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Fuel cell cartridges containing hazardous material... Than Class 1 and Class 7 § 173.230 Fuel cell cartridges containing hazardous material. (a) Requirements for Fuel Cell Cartridges. Fuel cell cartridges, including when contained in or packed with equipment...

Determination of pressure drop across activated carbon fiber respirator cartridges.

PubMed

Balanay, Jo Anne G; Lungu, Claudiu T

2016-01-01

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) is considered as an alternative adsorbent to granular activated carbon (GAC) for the development of thinner, lighter, and efficient respirators because of their larger surface area and adsorption capacities, thinner critical bed depth, lighter weight, and fabric form. This study aims to measure the pressure drop across different types of commercially available ACFs in respirator cartridges to determine the ACF composition and density that will result in acceptably breathable respirators. Seven ACF types in cloth (ACFC) and felt (ACFF) forms were tested. ACFs in cartridges were challenged with pre-conditioned constant air flow (43 LPM, 23°C, 50% RH) at different compositions (single- or combination-ACF type) in a test chamber. Pressure drop across ACF cartridges were obtained using a micromanometer, and compared among different cartridge configurations, to those of the GAC cartridge, and to the NIOSH breathing resistance requirements for respirator cartridges. Single-ACF type cartridges filled with any ACFF had pressure drop measurements (23.71-39.93 mmH2O) within the NIOSH inhalation resistance requirement of 40 mmH2O, while those of the ACFC cartridges (85.47±3.67 mmH2O) exceeded twice the limit due possibly to the denser weaving of ACFC fibers. All single ACFF-type cartridges had higher pressure drop compared to the GAC cartridge (23.13±1.14 mmH2O). Certain ACF combinations (2 ACFF or ACFC/ACFF types) resulted to pressure drop (26.39-32.81 mmH2O) below the NIOSH limit. All single-ACFF type and all combination-ACF type cartridges with acceptable pressure drop had much lower adsorbent weights than GAC (≤15.2% of GAC weight), showing potential for light-weight respirator cartridges. 100% ACFC in cartridges may result to respirators with high breathing resistance and, thus, is not recommended. The more dense ACFF and ACFC types may still be possibly used in respirators by combining them with less dense ACFF materials and/or by

Spatial distribution of an ancient agricultural oasis in Juyan, northwestern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Ningke; Li, Xin

2014-09-01

Activities related to agricultural cultivation are some of the major human drivers of landscape change on the Earth's surface. Archaeological remains can provide qualitative evidence for studies of past agricultural development and environmental conditions. The ancient Juyan Oasis, which once flourished along the historic Silk Road, was a typical oasis of downstream inland river basins in the arid zone of northwestern China. Historical records and archaeological discoveries have qualitatively shown that the oasis supported extensive agricultural activities in this historical period from the Han Dynasty to the early Ming Dynasty (B.C. 202-A.D. 1375), which can be traced back to 2,000 years ago. In this study, different types of archaeological remains (including archaeological sites, ground surface artifacts, ancient cultivation ruins, and agricultural irrigation canals) that were obtained and identified from previous archaeological reports, field inspections, and remote sensing imagery were used to determine the spatial extent of the agricultural oasis in the historical period of interest. Our approach used multiple data sources in order to increase the accuracy and reliability of the results compared to previous studies. Our results distinctly suggested that much of the oasis was cultivated during the historical periods considered. Additionally, the arable land area in the historical period considered was roughly estimated to be approximately (3.39-4.75) × 104 ha. These findings regarding the spatial distribution of this ancient agricultural oasis and its arable land were reasonably determined to represent the ancient agricultural development that occurred in the Juyan Oasis better than results obtained from single sources of data.

[Spatial change of the grain-size of aeolian sediments in Qira oasis-desert ecotone, Northwest China].

PubMed

Lin, Yong Chong; Xu, Li Shuai

2017-04-18

In order to understand the environmental influence of oasis-desert ecotone to oasis ecological system, we comparatively analyzed the grain size characteristics of various aeolian sediments, including the sediments in oasis-desert ecotone, shelterbelt and the inside oasis and in Qira River valley. The results showed that the grain size characteristics (including grain-size distribution curve, grain size parameters, and content of different size classes) of sediments in the oasis-desert ecotone were consistent along the prevailing wind direction with a grain-size range of 0.3-200 μm and modal size of 67 μm. All of the sediments were good sorting and mainly composed of suspension components and saltation components, but not denatured saltation and creeping components (>200 μm). They were typically aeolian deposits being short-range transported. The grain sizes of sediments in oasis-desert ecotone were smaller than that in the material sources of Qira River valley and desert (0.3-800 μm), but very similar to those of the modern aeolian deposits in oasis-desert ecotone, shelterbelt and the inside oasis. The denatured saltation and creep components (>200 μm) were suppressed to transport into oasis-desert ecotone because of the high vegetation cover in oasis-desert ecotone. Therefore, like the shelterbelts, the oasis-desert ecotone could also block the invasion of desert. They safeguarded the oasis ecological environment together.

The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS): A Review of Validity and Reliability

PubMed Central

O’CONNOR, MELISSA; DAVITT, JOAN K.

2015-01-01

The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) is the patient-specific, standardized assessment used in Medicare home health care to plan care, determine reimbursement, and measure quality. Since its inception in 1999, there has been debate over the reliability and validity of the OASIS as a research tool and outcome measure. A systematic literature review of English-language articles identified 12 studies published in the last 10 years examining the validity and reliability of the OASIS. Empirical findings indicate the validity and reliability of the OASIS range from low to moderate but vary depending on the item studied. Limitations in the existing research include: nonrepresentative samples; inconsistencies in methods used, items tested, measurement, and statistical procedures; and the changes to the OASIS itself over time. The inconsistencies suggest that these results are tentative at best; additional research is needed to confirm the value of the OASIS for measuring patient outcomes, research, and quality improvement. PMID:23216513

Delineation of the Pahute Mesa–Oasis Valley groundwater basin, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fenelon, Joseph M.; Halford, Keith J.; Moreo, Michael T.

2016-01-22

This report delineates the Pahute Mesa–Oasis Valley (PMOV) groundwater basin, where recharge occurs, moves downgradient, and discharges to Oasis Valley, Nevada. About 5,900 acre-feet of water discharges annually from Oasis Valley, an area of springs and seeps near the town of Beatty in southern Nevada. Radionuclides in groundwater beneath Pahute Mesa, an area of historical underground nuclear testing at the Nevada National Security Site, are believed to be migrating toward Oasis Valley. Delineating the boundary of the PMOV groundwater basin is necessary to adequately assess the potential for transport of radionuclides from Pahute Mesa to Oasis Valley.The PMOV contributing area is defined based on regional water-level contours, geologic controls, and knowledge of adjacent flow systems. The viability of this area as the contributing area to Oasis Valley and the absence of significant interbasin flow between the PMOV groundwater basin and adjacent basins are shown regionally and locally. Regional constraints on the location of the contributing area boundary and on the absence of interbasin groundwater flow are shown by balancing groundwater discharges in the PMOV groundwater basin and adjacent basins against available water from precipitation. Internal consistency for the delineated contributing area is shown by matching measured water levels, groundwater discharges, and transmissivities with simulated results from a single-layer, steady-state, groundwater-flow model. An alternative basin boundary extending farther north than the final boundary was rejected based on a poor chloride mass balance and a large imbalance in the northern area between preferred and simulated recharge.

42 CFR 84.193 - Cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.193 Section 84.193 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.193 Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. The color and...

42 CFR 84.193 - Cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.193 Section 84.193 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.193 Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. The color and...

42 CFR 84.193 - Cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.193 Section 84.193 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.193 Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. The color and...

42 CFR 84.193 - Cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.193 Section 84.193 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.193 Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. The color and...

42 CFR 84.193 - Cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.193 Section 84.193 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.193 Cartridges; color and markings; requirements. The color and...

Validation of SWEEP for creep, saltation, and suspension in a desert-oasis ecotone

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Wind erosion in the desert-oasis ecotone can accelerate desertification and thus impacts oasis ecological security. Little is known about the susceptibility of the desert-oasis ecotone to wind erosion in the Tarim Basin even though the ecotone is a major source of windblown dust in China. The object...

Profile Changes in the Soil Microbial Community When Desert Becomes Oasis

PubMed Central

Li, Chen-hua; Tang, Li-song; Jia, Zhong-jun; Li, Yan

2015-01-01

The conversion of virgin desert into oasis farmland creates two contrasting types of land-cover. During oasis formation with irrigation and fertilizer application, however, the changes in the soil microbial population, which play critical roles in the ecosystem, remain poorly understood. We applied high-throughput pyrosequencing to investigate bacterial and archaeal communities throughout the profile (0–3 m) in an experimental field, where irrigation and fertilization began in 1990 and cropped with winter wheat since then. To assess the effects of cultivation, the following treatments were compared with the virgin desert: CK (no fertilizer), PK, NK, NP, NPK, NPKR, and NPKM (R: straw residue; M: manure fertilizer). Irrigation had a greater impact on the overall microbial community than fertilizer application. The greatest impact occurred in topsoil (0–0.2 m), e.g., Cyanobacteria (25% total abundance) were most abundant in desert soil, while Actinobacteria (26%) were most abundant in oasis soil. The proportions of extremophilic and photosynthetic groups (e.g., Deinococcus-Thermus and Cyanobacteria) decreased, while the proportions of R-strategy (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria including Xanthomonadales), nitrifying (e.g., Nitrospirae), and anaerobic bacteria (e.g., Anaerolineae) increased throughout the oasis profile. Archaea occurred only in oasis soil. The impact of fertilizer application was mainly reflected in the non-dominant communities or finer taxonomic divisions. Oasis formation led to a dramatic shift in microbial community and enhanced soil enzyme activities. The rapidly increased soil moisture and decreased salt caused by irrigation were responsible for this shift. Furthermore, difference in fertilization and crop growth altered the organic carbon contents in the soil, which resulted in differences of microbial communities within oasis. PMID:26426279

The spatio-temporal variability of groundwater depth in a typical desert-oasis ecotone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guohua; Zhao, Wenzhi

2015-06-01

Eight groundwater observation wells were installed along the river plain, where the landscapes varied from floodplain, to oasis farmland, to desert-oasis ecotone to desert, in a typical desert-oasis ecotone in northwestern China. Ten years of data were used to analyze temporal and spatial changes in the groundwater depth. The results indicated that in the last decade: (1) the groundwater depths in the floodplain (GW1) and the desert (GW8) were basically stable; (2) the groundwater depths in the oasis farmland (GW2, GW3, GW4) increased dramatically: the annual fluctuations were 1.43, 1.01 and 0.79 m respectively, with the groundwater depths increasing by 0.13-0.18 m every year; (3) the groundwater depths in the desert-oasis ecotone (GW5, GW6, GW7) also increased dramatically: the annual fluctuations were 1.10, 1.06 and 1.05 m respectively, and the depths increased by 0.10-0.15 m every year; (4) the influence distance between the river and both the farmland and the desert-oasis ecotone was about 1000-2000 m in the study area. These results show that the natural seasonal fluctuation influence on groundwater depths was not significant, but the human-induced fluctuations such as intensive irrigation caused a significant increase in groundwater depth in both the farmland and the desert-oasis ecotone, seriously affecting sustainable agriculture development and the environment, in the oasis.

Lead toxicity and endoscopic removal of ingested firearm cartridges.

PubMed

Hatten, B W; Bueso, A; Craven, P; Hendrickson, R G; Horowitz, B Z

2013-06-01

Lead toxicity from the ingestion of a lead foreign body has been described in several case reports. Management of ingested live ammunition presents its own challenges due to the risk of accidental discharge. A safe and effective method of retrieving a live cartridge must be considered. We present two cases of lead toxicity due to intact firearm cartridge ingestion with the removal of the cartridges via endoscopy. The first case is of severe pediatric lead toxicity due to the ingestion of 30-mm rifle cartridges. The second case is an adult ingestion of .22 caliber cartridges resulting in mild lead toxicity. These cases illustrate a diagnostic dilemma in both the diagnosis of lead toxicity and the removal of live ammunition from the stomach.

Educational Uses of Cartridge Tapes. Dissemination Document No. 11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levine, S. Joseph

Tape cartridges for use by special education teachers are analyzed according to design, effective use, and availability. Basic operating principles of cassette and continuous loop tape cartridges are described and illustrated. Advantages of tape cartridges are indicated, such as the following: the position is saved on tape during student timeouts,…

Application of cation-exchange solid-phase extraction for the analysis of amino alcohols from water and human plasma for verification of Chemical Weapons Convention.

PubMed

Kanaujia, Pankaj K; Tak, Vijay; Pardasani, Deepak; Gupta, A K; Dubey, D K

2008-03-28

The analysis of nitrogen containing amino alcohols, which are the precursors and degradation products of nitrogen mustards and nerve agent VX, constitutes an important aspect for verifying the compliance to the CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention). This work devotes on the development of solid-phase extraction method using silica- and polymer-based SCX (strong cation-exchange) and MCX (mixed-mode strong cation-exchange) cartridges for N,N-dialkylaminoethane-2-ols and alkyl N,N-diethanolamines, from water. The extracted analytes were analyzed by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) in the full scan and selected ion monitoring modes. The extraction efficiencies of SCX and MCX cartridges were compared, and results revealed that SCX performed better. Extraction parameters, such as loading capacity, extraction solvent, its volume, and washing solvent were optimized. Best recoveries were obtained using 2 mL methanol containing 10% NH(4)OH and limits of detection could be achieved up to 5 x 10(-3) microg mL(-1) in the selected ion monitoring mode and 0.01 microg mL(-1) in full scan mode. The method was successfully employed for the detection and identification of amino alcohol present in water sample sent by Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the official proficiency tests. The method was also applied to extract the analytes from human plasma. The SCX cartridge showed good recoveries of amino alcohols from human plasma after protein precipitation.

Cartridge output testing - Methods to overcome closed-bomb shortcomings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, Laurence J.; Schimmel, Morry L.

1991-01-01

Although the closed-bomb test has achieved virtually universal acceptance for measuring the output performance of pyrotechnic cartridges, there are serious shortcomings in its ability to quantify the performance of cartridges used as energy sources for pyrotechnic-activated mechanical devices. This paper presents several examples of cartridges (including the NASA Standard Initiator NSI) that successfully met closed-bomb performance requirements, but resulted in functional failures in mechanisms. To resolve these failures, test methods were developed to demonstrate a functional margin, based on comparing energy required to accomplish the function to energy deliverable by the cartridge.

42 CFR 84.253 - Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... combination rather than the individual cartridges. (2) Four cartridges or pairs of cartridges will be... respirator by a breathing machine at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at the rate of 24...

42 CFR 84.253 - Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... combination rather than the individual cartridges. (2) Four cartridges or pairs of cartridges will be... respirator by a breathing machine at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at the rate of 24...

42 CFR 84.194 - Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Filters used with chemical cartridges; location... DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.194 Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a chemical cartridge shall be located on...

42 CFR 84.194 - Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Filters used with chemical cartridges; location... DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.194 Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a chemical cartridge shall be located on...

42 CFR 84.194 - Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Filters used with chemical cartridges; location... DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.194 Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a chemical cartridge shall be located on...

42 CFR 84.194 - Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Filters used with chemical cartridges; location... DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.194 Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a chemical cartridge shall be located on...

42 CFR 84.194 - Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Filters used with chemical cartridges; location... DEVICES Chemical Cartridge Respirators § 84.194 Filters used with chemical cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a chemical cartridge shall be located on...

Gradient Heating Facility. Experiment cartridges. Description and general specifications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breton, J.

1982-01-01

Specifications that define experiment cartridges that are compatible with the furnace of the gradient heating facility on board the Spacelab are presented. They establish a standard cartridge design independent of the type of experiment to be conducted. By using them, experimenters can design, construct, and test the hot section of the cartridge, known as the high temperature nacelle.

Better VPS Fabrication of Crucibles and Furnace Cartridges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Richard R.; Zimmerman, Frank R.; O'Dell, J. Scott; McKechnie, Timothy N.

2003-01-01

An experimental investigation has shown that by (1) vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) of suitable refractory metal alloys on graphite mandrels, and then (2) heat-treating the VPS alloy deposits under suitable conditions, it is possible to fabricate improved crucibles and furnace cartridges that could be used at maximum temperatures between 1,400 and 1,600 C and that could withstand chemical attack by the materials to be heated in the crucibles and cartridges. Taken by itself, the basic concept of fabricating furnace cartridges by VPS of refractory materials onto graphite mandrels is not new; taken by itself, the basic concept of heat treatment of VPS deposits for use as other than furnace cartridges is also not new; however, prior to this investigation, experimental crucibles and furnace cartridges fabricated by VPS had not been heat treated and had been found to be relatively weak and brittle. Accordingly, the investigation was directed toward determining whether certain combinations of (1) refractory alloy compositions, (2) VPS parameters, and (3) heat-treatment parameters could result in VPS-fabricated components with increased ductility.

High-Temperature Crystal-Growth Cartridge Tubes Made by VPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Richard; O'Dell, Scott; McKechnie, Timothy; Power, Christopher

2008-01-01

Cartridge tubes for use in a crystal growth furnace at temperatures as high as 1,600 deg. C have been fabricated by vacuum plasma spraying (VPS). These cartridges consist mainly of an alloy of 60 weight percent molybdenum with 40 weight percent rhenium, made from molybdenum powder coated with rhenium. This alloy was selected because of its high melting temperature (approximately equal.2,550 C) and because of its excellent ductility at room temperature. These cartridges are intended to supplant tungsten/nickel-alloy cartridges, which cannot be used at temperatures above approximately equal 1,300 C.

Histopathological assessment of OASIS Ultra on critical-sized wound healing: a pilot study.

PubMed

Yeh, Daniel Dante; Nazarian, Rosalynn M; Demetri, Leah; Mesar, Tomaz; Dijkink, Suzan; Larentzakis, Andreas; Velmahos, George; Sadik, Karim Walid

2017-06-01

Dermatopathologists assess wounds secondary to trauma, infection, or oncologic resection that can be challenging to reconstruct. OASIS Ultra, an extracellular matrix, has been described for use in chronic and burn wounds. The aim of this pilot study is to assess wound healing in post-traumatic and infective wounds treated with OASIS using histological markers of repair. Adults with traumatic, infective or iatrogenic wound defects with size precluding primary closure were eligible. Half the wound was randomly assigned to receive OASIS plus standard therapy; the other half received standard of care (SOC) therapy. During dressing changes, standardized-scale photographs were taken and biopsies obtained. Histologic sections were reviewed for degree of acute inflammation and extent of tissue repair. Neutrophils, edema, hemorrhage, necrosis, fibroblasts, collagen density and neovascularization were semi-quantitatively assessed. Forty-four skin biopsies from 7 patients with 10 acute wounds met eligibility criteria. Histologically, OASIS samples demonstrated improved acute inflammation scores compared to SOC. No patients experienced OASIS-related complications. OASIS-treated wound halves trended toward more wound contraction and improved tissue repair. Our scoring system aids histopathological wound assessment. Treatment of critical-sized, post-traumatic, acute wounds with OASIS resulted in decreased inflammation, and potentially more advanced wound healing, compared to SOC. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Shotgun cartridge rock breaker

DOEpatents

Ruzzi, Peter L.; Morrell, Roger J.

1995-01-01

A rock breaker uses shotgun cartridges or other firearm ammunition as the explosive charge at the bottom of a drilled borehole. The breaker includes a heavy steel rod or bar, a gun with a firing chamber for the ammunition which screws onto the rod, a long firing pin running through a central passage in the rod, and a firing trigger mechanism at the external end of the bar which strikes the firing pin to fire the cartridge within the borehole. A tubular sleeve surround the main body of the rod and includes slits the end to allow it to expand. The rod has a conical taper at the internal end against which the end of the sleeve expands when the sleeve is forced along the rod toward the taper by a nut threaded onto the external end of the rod. As the sleeve end expands, it pushes against the borehole and holds the explosive gasses within, and also prevents the breaker from flying out of the borehole. The trigger mechanism includes a hammer with a slot and a hole for accepting a drawbar or drawpin which, when pulled by a long cord, allows the cartridge to be fired from a remote location.

A self-heating cartridge for molecular diagnostics.

PubMed

Liu, Changchun; Mauk, Michael G; Hart, Robert; Qiu, Xianbo; Bau, Haim H

2011-08-21

A disposable, water-activated, self-heating, easy-to-use, polymeric cartridge for isothermal nucleic acid amplification and visual fluorescent detection of the amplification products is described. The device is self-contained and does not require any special instruments to operate. The cartridge integrates chemical, water-triggered, exothermic heating with temperature regulation facilitated with a phase-change material (PCM) and isothermal nucleic acid amplification. The water flows into the exothermic reactor by wicking through a porous paper. The porous paper's characteristics control the rate of water supply, which in turn controls the rate of exothermic reaction. The PCM material enables the cartridge to maintain a desired temperature independent of ambient temperatures in the range between 20 °C and 40 °C. The utility of the cartridge is demonstrated by amplifying and detecting Escherichia coli DNA with loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The device can detect consistently as few as 10 target molecules in the sample. With proper modifications, the cartridge also can work with other isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies for detecting nucleic acids associated with various pathogens borne in blood, saliva, urine, and other body fluids as well as in water and food. The device is suitable for use at home, in the field, and in poor-resource settings, where access to sophisticated laboratories is impractical, unaffordable, or nonexistent. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Chemical compatibility of cartridge materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilcox, Roy C.; Zee, R. H.

1991-01-01

This twelve month progress report deals with the chemical compatibility of semiconductor crystals grown in zero gravity. Specifically, it studies the chemical compatibility between TZM, a molybdenum alloy containing titanium and zirconium, and WC 103, a titanium alloy containing Niobium and Hafnium, and Gallium arsenide (GaAs) and Cadmium Zinc Tellurite (CdZnTe). Due to the health hazards involved, three approaches were used to study the chemical compatibility between the semiconductor and cartridge materials: reaction retort, thermogravimetric analysis, and bulk cylindrical cartridge containers. A scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer was used to examine all samples after testing. The first conclusion drawn is that reaction rates with TZM were not nearly as great as they were with WC 103. Second, the total reaction between GaAs and WC 103 was almost twice that with TZM. Therefore, even though WC 103 is easier to fabricate, at least half of the cartridge thickness will be degraded if contact is made with one of the semiconductor materials leading to a loss of strength properties.

42 CFR 84.253 - Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and... DEVICES Special Use Respirators § 84.253 Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests. (a... for chemical-cartridge respirators prescribed in Subpart L of this part are applicable to replaceable...

42 CFR 84.253 - Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and... DEVICES Special Use Respirators § 84.253 Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests. (a... for chemical-cartridge respirators prescribed in Subpart L of this part are applicable to replaceable...

Rapid Peptide Reagent Isolation in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

Rapid Peptide Reagent Isolation in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge by Dimitra N. Stratis-Cullum, Joshua M. Kogot, and Paul M...Adelphi, MD 20783-1197 ARL-TR-5357 September 2010 Rapid Peptide Reagent Isolation in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge Dimitra N...Peptide Reagent Isolation in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER DAAD19-03-D-004 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

An Evaluation of Operational Airspace Sectorization Integrated System (OASIS) Advisory Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Paul U.; Mogford, Richard H.; Bridges, Wayne; Buckley, Nathan; Evans, Mark; Gujral, Vimmy; Lee, Hwasoo; Peknik, Daniel; Preston, William

2013-01-01

In January 2013, a human-in-the-loop evaluation of the Operational Airspace Sectorization Integrated System (OASIS) was conducted in the Airspace Operations Laboratory of the Human Systems Integration Division (Code TH) in conjunction with the Aviation Systems Division (Code AF). The development of OASIS is a major activity of the Dynamic Airspace Configuration (DAC) research focus area within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Airspace Systems Program. OASIS is an advisory tool to assist Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) En Route Area Supervisors in their planning of sector combinedecombine operations as well as opening closing of Data-side (D-side) control positions. These advisory solutions are tailored to the predicted traffic demand over the next few hours. During the experiment, eight retired FAA personnel served as participants for a part-task evaluation of OASIS functionality, covering the user interface as well as the underlying algorithm. Participants gave positive feedback on both the user interface and the algorithm solutions for airspace configuration, including an excellent average rating of 94 on the tool usability scales. They also suggested various enhancements to the OASIS tool, which will be incorporated into the next tool development cycle for the full-scale human-in-the-loop evaluation to be conducted later this year.

Penetrating ocular trauma associated with blank cartridge

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Blank cartridge guns are generally regarded as being harmless and relative safe. However recent published articles demonstrated that the gas pressure from the exploding propellant of blank cartridge is powerful enough to penetrate the thoracic wall, abdominal muscle, small intestine and the skull. And there has been a limited number of case reports of ocular trauma associated with blank cartridge injury. In addition, no report on case with split extraocular muscle injury with traumatic cataract and penetrating corneoscleral wound associated with blank cartridge has been previously documented. This report describes the case of patient who sustained penetrating ocular injury with extraocular muscle injury by a close-distance blank cartridge that required surgical intervention. Case presentation A 20-year-old man sustained a penetrating globe injury in the right eye while cleaning a blank cartridge pistol. His uncorrected visual acuity at presentation was hand motion and he had a flame burn of his right upper and lower lid with multiple missile wounds. On slit-lamp examination, there was a 12-mm laceration of conjunctiva along the 9 o'clock position with two pinhole-like penetrating injuries of cornea and sclera. There was also a 3-mm corneal laceration between 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock and the exposed lateral rectus muscle was split. Severe Descemet's membrane folding with stromal edema was observed, and numerous yellow, powder-like foreign bodies were impacted in the cornea. Layered anterior chamber bleeding with traumatic cataract was also noted. Transverse view of ultrasonography showed hyperechoic foreign bodies with mild reduplication echoes and shadowing. However, a computed tomographic scan using thin section did not reveal a radiopaque foreign body within the right globe. Conclusion To our best knowledge, this is the first case report of split extraocular muscle injury with traumatic cataract and penetrating ocular injury caused by blank cartridge

Expansion of agricultural oasis in the Heihe River Basin of China: Patterns, reasons and policy implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Wei; Zhang, Ying

The Heihe River Basin (HRB) is the second largest inland river basin in the arid region of northwestern China. An agricultural oasis is a typical landscape in arid regions providing precious fertile soil, living space and ecological services. The agricultural oasis change has been one of the key issues in sustainable development in recent decades. In this paper, we examined the changes in the agricultural oasis in HRB and analyzed the socio-economic and climatic driving forces behind them. It was found that the agricultural oasis in HRB expanded by 25.11% and 14.82% during the periods of 1986-2000 and 2000-2011, respectively. Most of the newly added agricultural oases in HRB were converted from grassland (40.94%) and unused land (40.22%). The expansion in the agricultural oasis mainly occurred in the middle reaches of HRB, particularly in the counties of Shandan, Minle, Jinta and Jiuquan city. Changes in the rural labor force, annual temperature and precipitation have significant positive effects on agricultural oasis changes, while the ratio of irrigated agricultural oases has significant negative effects on agricultural oasis changes. The agricultural oasis expansion in HRB is the combined effect of human activity and climate change.

Evaluation of the use of performance reference compounds in an oasis-HLB adsorbent based passive sampler for improving water concentration estimates of polar herbicides in freshwater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mazzella, N.; Lissalde, S.; Moreira, S.; Delmas, F.; Mazellier, P.; Huckins, J.N.

2010-01-01

Passive samplers such as the Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) are useful tools for monitoring trace levels of polar organic chemicals in aquatic environments. The use of performance reference compounds (PRC) spiked into the POCIS adsorbent for in situ calibration may improve the semiquantitative nature of water concentration estimates based on this type of sampler. In this work, deuterium labeled atrazine-desisopropyl (DIA-d5) was chosen as PRC because of its relatively high fugacity from Oasis HLB (the POCIS adsorbent used) and our earlier evidence of its isotropic exchange. In situ calibration of POCIS spiked with DIA-d5was performed, and the resulting time-weighted average concentration estimates were compared with similar values from an automatic sampler equipped with Oasis HLB cartridges. Before PRC correction, water concentration estimates based on POCIS data sampling ratesfrom a laboratory calibration exposure were systematically lower than the reference concentrations obtained with the automatic sampler. Use of the DIA-d5 PRC data to correct POCIS sampling rates narrowed differences between corresponding values derived from the two methods. Application of PRCs for in situ calibration seems promising for improving POCIS-derived concentration estimates of polar pesticides. However, careful attention must be paid to the minimization of matrix effects when the quantification is performed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. ?? 2010 American Chemical Society.

Combining remote sensing image with DEM to identify ancient Minqin Oasis, northwest of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yaowen

2008-10-01

The developing and desertification process of Minqin oasis is representative in the whole arid area of northwest China. Combining Remote Sensing image with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) can produce the three-dimensional image of the research area which can give prominence to the spatial background of historical geography phenomenon's distribution, providing the conditions for extracting and analyzing historical geographical information thoroughly. This research rebuilds the ancient artificial Oasis based on the three-dimensional images produced by the TM digital Remote Sensing image and DEM created using 1:100000 topographic maps. The result indicates that the whole area of the ancient artificial oasis in Minqin Basin over the whole historical period reaches 321km2, in the form of discontinuous sheet, separated on the two banks of ancient Shiyang River and its branches, namely, Xishawo area, west to modern Minqin Basin and Zhongshawo area, in the center of the oasis. Except for a little of the ancient oasis unceasingly used by later people, most of it became desert. The combination of digital Remote Sensing image and DEM can integrate the advantages of both in identifying ancient oasis and improve the interpreting accuracy greatly.

Geological heritage diversity in the Faiyum Oasis (Egypt): A comprehensive assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sallam, Emad S.; Fathy, Esraa E.; Ruban, Dmitry A.; Ponedelnik, Alena A.; Yashalova, Natalia N.

2018-04-01

The Faiyum Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt is famous for its palaeontological localities (Cenozoic whales, primates, etc.) of global importance, but its geological heritage has been not studied in the modern theoretical frame. The new investigation based on the field studies and the literature review permits comprehensive assessment of the geological heritage diversity in this oasis. For this purposes, unique geological features are inventoried with establishment of their geological essence, rank, relative abundance, and intrinsic diversity. As a result, the existence of ten geological heritage types in the Faiyum Oasis is found. These include palaeontological, palaeogeographical, geomorphological, stratigraphical, sedimentary (merged with mineralogical), hydrological coupled with geochemical, igneous, and economical types. From them, the palaeontological and palaeogeographical types are ranked globally, and the geomorphological and hydrological types are ranked nationally. The other types are either of regional (provincial) or local importance. Some hills and cliffs can serve as viewpoint sites for observation of the local geological landscape. The relative abundance and the intrinsic diversity of the unique geological features vary between low and high. Generally, the concentration of this geological heritage in the Faiyum Oasis permits recognition of the geodiversity hotspot that requires conservation and use for tourism purposes. The protected areas located in the oasis and the existing tourism programs do not offer geoconservation and geotourism activities for the entire hotspot. The possible solution of this problem would be creation of a large geopark similar in its design to the Jeju Island Geopark in South Korea. There are important premises for geotourism development in the Faiyum Oasis and its combination with the archaeological and industrial tourism. Nature conservation failures in this geopark should be avoided; some recommendations are given on

Windblown sediment transport and loss in a desert-oasis ecotone in the Tarim Basin.

PubMed

Pi, Huawei; Sharratt, Brenton; Lei, Jiaqiang

2017-08-10

The Tarim Basin is regarded as one of the most highly erodible areas in China. Desert comprises 64% of the land use in the Basin, but the desert-oasis ecotone plays a prominent role in maintaining oasis ecological security and stability. Yet, little is known concerning the magnitude of windblown sediment transport in a desert-oasis ecotone. Therefore, aeolian sediment transport and loss was assessed from a desert-oasis experimental site located near Alaer City in the northwestern Tarim Basin. Sediment transport and factors governing transport were measured during three high wind events in 2012 and four events in 2013. Sediment transport was measured to a height of 10 m using passive aeolian airborne sediment samplers. The mass flux profile over the eroding surface was well represented by the power-law (R 2  > 0.77). Sediment loss from the site ranged from 118 g m -2 for the 20-24Apr 2012 wind event to 2925 g m -2 for the 31Mar-11Apr 2012 event. Suspension accounted for 67.4 to 84.8% of sediment loss across all high wind events. Our results indicate the severity of wind erosion in a desert-oasis ecotone and thus encourage adoption of management practices that will enhance oasis ecological security.

The classification and assessment of vulnerability of man-land system of oasis city in arid area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Chao; Lei, Jun; Jin, Fengjun

2013-12-01

Oasis city system is the center of the man-land relationship in arid area and it is the most influential spatial and temporal multiple dynamic system. Oasis city system is not only the largest area where artificial disturbances occur at a regional scale but also the most concentrated area of human activity in arid area. In this study, we developed an applicable and convenient method to assess vulnerability of man-land system of oasis cities with vulnerability indicator system, respectively evaluating the sensitivity, adaptability and vulnerability of the eco-environment system, the economic system and the social system. The results showed that the sensitivity and vulnerability of oasis cities in Xinjiang, China have significant differences while their adaptability does little. In order to find the inherent differences in the vulnerability of oasis cities, triangle methodology has been adopted to divide Xinjiang oasis cities into five types. Some adaptive developing policies specific for individual cities are also proposed based on their vulnerability type and constraining factors.

Limited-life cartridge primers

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Rosen, Robert S.

1998-01-01

A cartridge primer which utilizes an explosive that can be designed to become inactive in a predetermined period of time: a limited-life primer. The explosive or combustible material of the primer is an inorganic reactive multilayer (RML). The reaction products of the RML are sub-micron grains of non-corrosive inorganic compounds that would have no harmful effects on firearms or cartridge cases. Unlike use of primers containing lead components, primers utilizing RML's would not present a hazard to the environment. The sensitivity of an RML is determined by the physical structure and the stored interfacial energy. The sensitivity lowers with time due to a decrease in interfacial energy resulting from interdiffusion of the elemental layers. Time-dependent interdiffusion is predictable, thereby enabling the functional lifetime of an RML primer to be predetermined by the initial thickness and materials selection of the reacting layers.

Limited-life cartridge primers

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Rosen, Robert S.

2005-04-19

A cartridge primer which utilizes an explosive that can be designed to become inactive in a predetermined period of time: a limited-life primer. The explosive or combustible material of the primer is an inorganic reactive multilayer (RML). The reaction products of the RML are sub-micron grains of non-corrosive inorganic compounds that would have no harmful effects on firearms or cartridge cases. Unlike use of primers containing lead components, primers utilizing RML's would not present a hazard to the environment. The sensitivity of an RML is determined by the physical structure and the stored interfacial energy. The sensitivity lowers with time due to a decrease in interfacial energy resulting from interdiffusion of the elemental layers. Time-dependent interdiffusion is predictable, thereby enabling the functional lifetime of an RML primer to be predetermined by the initial thickness and materials selection of the reacting layers.

Limited-life cartridge primers

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Rosen, R.S.

1998-06-30

A cartridge primer is described which utilizes an explosive that can be designed to become inactive in a predetermined period of time: a limited-life primer. The explosive or combustible material of the primer is an inorganic reactive multilayer (RML). The reaction products of the RML are sub-micron grains of non-corrosive inorganic compounds that would have no harmful effects on firearms or cartridge cases. Unlike use of primers containing lead components, primers utilizing RML`s would not present a hazard to the environment. The sensitivity of an RML is determined by the physical structure and the stored interfacial energy. The sensitivity lowers with time due to a decrease in interfacial energy resulting from interdiffusion of the elemental layers. Time-dependent interdiffusion is predictable, thereby enabling the functional lifetime of an RML primer to be predetermined by the initial thickness and materials selection of the reacting layers. 10 figs.

Geophysical Characterization of Groundwater-Fault Dynamics at San Andreas Oasis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faherty, D.; Polet, J.; Osborn, S. G.

2017-12-01

The San Andreas Oasis has historically provided a reliable source of fresh water near the northeast margin of the Salton Sea, although since the recent completion of the Coachella Canal Lining Project and persistent drought in California, surface water at the site has begun to disappear. This may be an effect of the canal lining, however, the controls on groundwater are complicated by the presence of the Hidden Springs Fault (HSF), a northeast dipping normal fault that trends near the San Andreas Oasis. Its surface expression is apparent as a lineation against which all plant growth terminates, suggesting that it may form a partial barrier to subsurface groundwater flow. Numerous environmental studies have detailed the chemical evolution of waters resources at San Andreas Spring, although there remains a knowledge gap on the HSF and its relation to groundwater at the site. To better constrain flow paths and characterize groundwater-fault interactions, we have employed resistivity surveys near the surface trace of the HSF to generate profiles of lateral and depth-dependent variations in resistivity. The survey design is comprised of lines installed in Wenner Arrays, using an IRIS Syscal Kid, with 24 electrodes, at a maximum electrode spacing of 5 meters. In addition, we have gathered constraints on the geometry of the HSF using a combination of ground-based magnetic and gravity profiles, conducted with a GEM walking Proton Precession magnetometer and a Lacoste & Romberg gravimeter. Seventeen gravity measurements were acquired across the surface trace of the fault. Preliminary resistivity results depict a shallow conductor localized at the oasis and discontinuous across the HSF. Magnetic data reveal a large contrast in subsurface magnetic susceptibility that appears coincident with the surface trace and trend of the HSF, while gravity data suggests a shallow, relatively high density anomaly centered near the oasis. These data also hint at a second, previously

Disposable cartridge biosensor platform for portable diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaras, Yusuf S.; Cakmak, Onur; Gunduz, Ali B.; Saglam, Gokhan; Olcer, Selim; Mostafazadeh, Aref; Baris, Ibrahim; Civitci, Fehmi; Yaralioglu, Goksen G.; Urey, Hakan

2017-03-01

We developed two types of cantilever-based biosensors for portable diagnostics applications. One sensor is based on MEMS cantilever chip mounted in a microfluidic channel and the other sensor is based on a movable optical fiber placed across a microfluidic channel. Both types of sensors were aimed at direct mechanical measurement of coagulation time in a disposable cartridge using plasma or whole blood samples. There are several similarities and also some important differences between the MEMS based and the optical fiber based solutions. The aim of this paper is to provide a comparison between the two solutions and the results. For both types of sensors, actuation of the cantilever or the moving fiber is achieved using an electro coil and the readout is optical. Since both the actuation and sensing are remote, no electrical connections are required for the cartridge. Therefore it is possible to build low cost disposable cartridges. The reader unit for the cartridge contains light sources, photodetectors, the electro coil, a heater, analog electronics, and a microprocessor. The reader unit has different optical interfaces for the cartridges that have MEMS cantilevers and moving fibers. MEMS based platform has better sensitivity but optomechanical alignment is a challenge and measurements with whole blood were not possible due to high scattering of light by the red blood cells. Fiber sensor based platform has relaxed optomechanical tolerances, ease of manufacturing, and it allows measurements in whole blood. Both sensors were tested using control plasma samples for activated-Partial-Thromboplastin-Time (aPTT) measurements. Control plasma test results matched with the manufacturer's datasheet. Optical fiber based system was tested for aPTT tests with human whole blood samples and the proposed platform provided repeatable test results making the system method of choice for portable diagnostics.

OASIS: Organics Analyzer for Sampling Icy Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Getty, S. A.; Dworkin, J. P.; Glavin, D. P.; Martin, M.; Zheng, Y.; Balvin, M.; Southard, A. E.; Ferrance, J.; Malespin, C.

2012-01-01

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a well established laboratory technique for detecting and analyzing organic molecules. This approach has been especially fruitful in the analysis of nucleobases, amino acids, and establishing chirol ratios [1 -3]. We are developing OASIS, Organics Analyzer for Sampling Icy Surfaces, for future in situ landed missions to astrochemically important icy bodies, such as asteroids, comets, and icy moons. The OASIS design employs a microfabricated, on-chip analytical column to chromatographically separate liquid ana1ytes using known LC stationary phase chemistries. The elution products are then interfaced through electrospray ionization (ESI) and analyzed by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). A particular advantage of this design is its suitability for microgravity environments, such as for a primitive small body.

Catalyst cartridge for carbon dioxide reduction unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, R. F. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

A catalyst cartridge, for use in a carbon dioxide reducing apparatus in a life support system for space vehicles, is described. The catalyst cartridge includes an inner perforated metal wall, an outer perforated wall space outwardly from the inner wall, a base plate closing one end of the cartridge, and a cover plate closing the other end of the cartridge. The cover plate has a central aperture through which a supply line with a heater feeds a gaseous reaction mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide at a temperature from about 1000 to about 1400 F. The outer surfaces of the internal wall and the inner surfaces of the outer wall are lined with a ceramic fiber batting material of sufficient thickness to prevent carbon formed in the reaction from passing through it. The portion of the surfaces of the base and cover plates defined within the inner and outer walls are also lined with ceramic batting. The heated reaction mixture passes outwardly through the inner perforated wall and ceramic batting and over the catalyst. The solid carbon product formes is retained within the enclosure containing the catalyst. The solid carbon product formed is retained within the enclosure containing the catalyst. The water vapor and unreacted carbon dioxide and any intermediate products pass through the perforations of the outer wall.

OASIS: PARAMETER ESTIMATION SYSTEM FOR AQUIFER RESTORATION MODELS, USER'S MANUAL VERSION 2.0

EPA Science Inventory

OASIS, a decision support system for ground water contaminant modeling, has been developed for the CPA by Rice University, through the National Center for Ground Water Research. As a decision support system, OASIS was designed to provide a set of tools which will help scientists ...

Alterations in a Unique Class of Cortical Chandelier Cell Axon Cartridges in Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Rocco, Brad R; DeDionisio, Adam M; Lewis, David A; Fish, Kenneth N

2017-07-01

The axons of chandelier cells (ChCs) target the axon initial segment of pyramidal neurons, forming an array of boutons termed a cartridge. In schizophrenia, the density of cartridges detectable by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) membrane transporter 1 immunoreactivity is lower, whereas the density of axon initial segments detectable by immunoreactivity for the α2 subunit of the GABA A receptor is higher in layers 2/superficial 3 of the prefrontal cortex. These findings were interpreted as compensatory responses to lower GABA levels in ChCs. However, we recently found that in schizophrenia, ChC cartridge boutons contain normal levels of the 67 kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) protein, the enzyme responsible for GABA synthesis in these boutons. To understand these findings we quantified the densities of ChC cartridges immunoreactive for vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT+), which is present in all cartridge boutons, and the subset of cartridges that contain calbindin (CB+). Prefrontal cortex tissue sections from 20 matched pairs of schizophrenia and unaffected comparison subjects were immunolabeled for vGAT, GAD67, and CB. The mean density of vGAT+/CB+ cartridges was 2.7-fold higher, exclusively in layer 2 of schizophrenia subjects, whereas the density of vGAT+/CB- cartridges did not differ between subject groups. Neither vGAT, CB, or GAD67 protein levels per ChC bouton nor the number of boutons per cartridge differed between subject groups. Our findings of a greater density of CB+ ChC cartridges in prefrontal cortex layer 2 from schizophrenia subjects suggests that the normal developmental pruning of these cartridges is blunted in the illness. Copyright © 2016 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 84.253 - Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... cartridges or pairs of cartridges continuously at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at a total... respirator by a breathing machine at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at the rate of 24...

42 CFR 84.114 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges... PROTECTIVE DEVICES Gas Masks § 84.114 Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a canister or cartridge shall be located on the inlet side...

42 CFR 84.114 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges... PROTECTIVE DEVICES Gas Masks § 84.114 Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a canister or cartridge shall be located on the inlet side...

42 CFR 84.114 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges... PROTECTIVE DEVICES Gas Masks § 84.114 Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a canister or cartridge shall be located on the inlet side...

42 CFR 84.114 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges... PROTECTIVE DEVICES Gas Masks § 84.114 Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a canister or cartridge shall be located on the inlet side...

42 CFR 84.114 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges... PROTECTIVE DEVICES Gas Masks § 84.114 Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. (a) Particulate matter filters used in conjunction with a canister or cartridge shall be located on the inlet side...

Biocompatibility and Cytotoxic Evaluation of New Sorbent Cartridges for Blood Hemoperfusion.

PubMed

Pomarè Montin, Diego; Ankawi, Ghada; Lorenzin, Anna; Neri, Mauro; Caprara, Carlotta; Ronco, Claudio

2018-06-08

The use of adsorption cartridges for hemoperfusion (HP) is rapidly evolving. For these devices, the potential induced cytotoxicity is an important issue. The aim of this study was to investigate potential in vitro cytotoxic effects of different sorbent cartridges, HA130, HA230, HA330, HA380 (Jafron, China), on U937 monocytes. Monocytes were exposed to the sorbent material in static and dynamic manners. In static test, cell medium samples were collected after 24 h of incubation in the cartridges. In dynamic test, HP modality has been carried out and samples at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min were collected. Compared to control samples, there was no evidence of increased necrosis or apoptosis in monocytes exposed to the cartridges both in the static and dynamic tests. Our in vitro testing suggests that HA cartridges carry an optimal level of biocompatibility and their use in HP is not associated with adverse reactions or signs of cytotoxicity. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The oasis effect and summer temperature rise in arid regions - case study in Tarim Basin

PubMed Central

Hao, Xingming; Li, Weihong; Deng, Haijun

2016-01-01

This study revealed the influence of the oasis effect on summer temperatures based on MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) and meteorological data. The results showed that the oasis effect occurs primarily in the summer. For a single oasis, the maximum oasis cold island intensity based on LST (OCILST) was 3.82 °C and the minimum value was 2.32 °C. In terms of the annual change in OCILST, the mean value of all oases ranged from 2.47 °C to 3.56 °C from 2001 to 2013. Net radiation (Rn) can be used as a key predictor of OCILST and OCItemperature (OCI based on air temperature). On this basis, we reconstructed a long time series (1961–2014) of OCItemperature and Tbase(air temperature without the disturbance of oasis effect). Our results indicated that the reason for the increase in the observed temperatures was the significant decrease in the OCItemperature over the past 50 years. In arid regions, the data recorded in weather stations not only underestimated the mean temperature of the entire study area but also overestimated the increasing trend of the temperature. These discrepancies are due to the limitations in the spatial distribution of weather stations and the disturbance caused by the oasis effect. PMID:27739500

STS-26 Discovery, OV-103, OASIS equipment is mounted in payload bay (PLB)

NASA Image and Video Library

1988-04-18

S88-37764 (18 April 1988) --- OASIS, instrumentation which will record the environment experienced by Discovery during the STS-26 Space Shuttle mission, is lowered into position for attachment to the orbiter's aft port sill. Instrumentation sensors in the payload bay which are connected to the tape recorder module will document a variety of environmental measurements during various phases of the flight including temperature, pressure, vibration, sounds, acceleration, stress, and strain. OASIS will also record data during the Flight Readiness Firing. NASA is flying OASIS aboard Discovery in support of the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) program office of the Air Force Space Division. The system was developed by Lockheed under a NASA contract, funded by the Air Force.

The Martian Oasis Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, P. H.; tomasko, M. G.; McEwen, A.; Rice, J.

2000-07-01

The next phase of unmanned Mars missions paves the way for astronauts to land on the surface of Mars. There are lessons to be learned from the unmanned precursor missions to the Moon and the Apollo lunar surface expeditions. These unmanned missions (Ranger, Lunar Orbiter, and Surveyor) provided the following valuable information, useful from both a scientific and engineering perspective, which was required to prepare the way for the manned exploration of the lunar surface: (1) high resolution imagery instrumental to Apollo landing site selection also tremendously advanced the state of Nearside and Farside regional geology; (2) demonstrated precision landing (less than two kilometers from target) and soft landing capability; (3) established that the surface had sufficient bearing strength to support a spacecraft; and (4) examination of the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the surface. The search for extinct or extant life on Mars will follow the water. However, geomorphic studies have shown that Mars has had liquid water on its surface throughout its geologic history. A cornucopia of potential landing sites with water histories (lakes, floodplains, oceans, deltas, hydrothermal regions) presently exist. How will we narrow down site selection and increase the likelihood of finding the signs of life? One way to do this is to identify 'Martian oases.' It is known that the Martian surface is often highly fractured and some areas have karst structures that support underground caves. Much of the water that formed the channels and valley networks is thought to be frozen underground. All that is needed to create the potential for liquid water is a near surface source of heat; recent lava flows and Martian meteorites attest to the potential for volcanic activity. If we can locate even one spot where fracturing, ice, and underground heat are co-located then we have the potential for an oasis. Such a discovery could truly excite the imaginations of both the

Sewage-based epidemiology in monitoring the use of new psychoactive substances: Validation and application of an analytical method using LC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Kinyua, Juliet; Covaci, Adrian; Maho, Walid; McCall, Ann-Kathrin; Neels, Hugo; van Nuijs, Alexander L N

2015-09-01

Sewage-based epidemiology (SBE) employs the analysis of sewage to detect and quantify drug use within a community. While SBE has been applied repeatedly for the estimation of classical illicit drugs, only few studies investigated new psychoactive substances (NPS). These compounds mimic effects of illicit drugs by introducing slight modifications to chemical structures of controlled illicit drugs. We describe the optimization, validation, and application of an analytical method using liquid chromatography coupled to positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for the determination of seven NPS in sewage: methoxetamine (MXE), butylone, ethylone, methylone, methiopropamine (MPA), 4-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), and 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA). Sample preparation was performed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) with Oasis MCX cartridges. The LC separation was done with a HILIC (150 x 3 mm, 5 µm) column which ensured good resolution of the analytes with a total run time of 19 min. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was between 0.5 and 5 ng/L for all compounds. The method was validated by evaluating the following parameters: sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recoveries and matrix effects. The method was applied on sewage samples collected from sewage treatment plants in Belgium and Switzerland in which all investigated compounds were detected, except MPA and PMA. Furthermore, a consistent presence of MXE has been observed in most of the sewage samples at levels higher than LLOQ. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MIC) Primers for Small Caliber Cartridges and Cartridge Actuated Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

24 iii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ATF Armaments Technology Facility ATK Alliant Techsystems, Inc. ARDEC Armament Research...Technology Facility ( ATF ) firings there, and was instrumental in producing the primers and loading the cartridges needed for the supplemental...and CADs known as the percussion primer. The novel properties associated with nanostructure materials have resulted in the development of thermite

21 CFR 872.6770 - Cartridge syringe.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... syringe is a device intended to inject anesthetic agents subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The device... cartridge) containing anesthetic is placed. After attaching a needle to the syringe body and activating the...

21 CFR 872.6770 - Cartridge syringe.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... syringe is a device intended to inject anesthetic agents subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The device... cartridge) containing anesthetic is placed. After attaching a needle to the syringe body and activating the...

21 CFR 872.6770 - Cartridge syringe.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... syringe is a device intended to inject anesthetic agents subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The device... cartridge) containing anesthetic is placed. After attaching a needle to the syringe body and activating the...

21 CFR 872.6770 - Cartridge syringe.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... syringe is a device intended to inject anesthetic agents subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The device... cartridge) containing anesthetic is placed. After attaching a needle to the syringe body and activating the...

21 CFR 872.6770 - Cartridge syringe.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... syringe is a device intended to inject anesthetic agents subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The device... cartridge) containing anesthetic is placed. After attaching a needle to the syringe body and activating the...

Toward Semantic Interoperability in Home Health Care: Formally Representing OASIS Items for Integration into a Concept-oriented Terminology

PubMed Central

Choi, Jeungok; Jenkins, Melinda L.; Cimino, James J.; White, Thomas M.; Bakken, Suzanne

2005-01-01

Objective: The authors aimed to (1) formally represent OASIS-B1 concepts using the Logical Observation Identifiers, Names, and Codes (LOINC) semantic structure; (2) demonstrate integration of OASIS-B1 concepts into a concept-oriented terminology, the Medical Entities Dictionary (MED); (3) examine potential hierarchical structures within LOINC among OASIS-B1 and other nursing terms; and (4) illustrate a Web-based implementation for OASIS-B1 data entry using Dialogix, a software tool with a set of functions that supports complex data entry. Design and Measurements: Two hundred nine OASIS-B1 items were dissected into the six elements of the LOINC semantic structure and then integrated into the MED hierarchy. Each OASIS-B1 term was matched to LOINC-coded nursing terms, Home Health Care Classification, the Omaha System, and the Sign and Symptom Check-List for Persons with HIV, and the extent of the match was judged based on a scale of 0 (no match) to 4 (exact match). OASIS-B1 terms were implemented as a Web-based survey using Dialogix. Results: Of 209 terms, 204 were successfully dissected into the elements of the LOINC semantics structure and integrated into the MED with minor revisions of MED semantics. One hundred fifty-one OASIS-B1 terms were mapped to one or more of the LOINC-coded nursing terms. Conclusion: The LOINC semantic structure offers a standard way to add home health care data to a comprehensive patient record to facilitate data sharing for monitoring outcomes across sites and to further terminology management, decision support, and accurate information retrieval for evidence-based practice. The cross-mapping results support the possibility of a hierarchical structure of the OASIS-B1 concepts within nursing terminologies in the LOINC database. PMID:15802480

Toward semantic interoperability in home health care: formally representing OASIS items for integration into a concept-oriented terminology.

PubMed

Choi, Jeungok; Jenkins, Melinda L; Cimino, James J; White, Thomas M; Bakken, Suzanne

2005-01-01

The authors aimed to (1) formally represent OASIS-B1 concepts using the Logical Observation Identifiers, Names, and Codes (LOINC) semantic structure; (2) demonstrate integration of OASIS-B1 concepts into a concept-oriented terminology, the Medical Entities Dictionary (MED); (3) examine potential hierarchical structures within LOINC among OASIS-B1 and other nursing terms; and (4) illustrate a Web-based implementation for OASIS-B1 data entry using Dialogix, a software tool with a set of functions that supports complex data entry. Two hundred nine OASIS-B1 items were dissected into the six elements of the LOINC semantic structure and then integrated into the MED hierarchy. Each OASIS-B1 term was matched to LOINC-coded nursing terms, Home Health Care Classification, the Omaha System, and the Sign and Symptom Check-List for Persons with HIV, and the extent of the match was judged based on a scale of 0 (no match) to 4 (exact match). OASIS-B1 terms were implemented as a Web-based survey using Dialogix. Of 209 terms, 204 were successfully dissected into the elements of the LOINC semantics structure and integrated into the MED with minor revisions of MED semantics. One hundred fifty-one OASIS-B1 terms were mapped to one or more of the LOINC-coded nursing terms. The LOINC semantic structure offers a standard way to add home health care data to a comprehensive patient record to facilitate data sharing for monitoring outcomes across sites and to further terminology management, decision support, and accurate information retrieval for evidence-based practice. The cross-mapping results support the possibility of a hierarchical structure of the OASIS-B1 concepts within nursing terminologies in the LOINC database.

Windblown sediment transport and loss in a desert–oasis ecotone in the Tarim Basin

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Tarim Basin is regarded as one of the most highly erodible areas in China. Desert comprises 64% of the land use in the Basin, but the desert–oasis ecotone plays a prominent role in maintaining oasis ecological security and stability. Yet, little is known concerning the magnitude of windblown sed...

Refilling of carbon nanotube cartridges for 3D nanomanufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekarevich, Raman; Toyoda, Masami; Baba, Shuichi; Nakata, Toshihiko; Hirahara, Kaori

2016-03-01

Metal-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to be used as pen-tip injectors for 3D manufacturing on the nanoscale. However, the CNT interior cannot accumulate enough material to fabricate complex metallic nanostructures. Therefore a method for refilling the CNT cartridge needs to be developed. The strategy for refilling of CNT cartridges is suggested in this study. Controlled growth of gold nanowires in the interior of isolated CNTs using a real-time manipulator installed in a transmission electron microscope is reported herein. The encapsulation process of discrete gold nanoparticles in the hollow spaces of open-ended multi-wall CNTs was evaluated in detail. The experimental results reveal that the serial loading of isolated gold nanoparticles allows the control of the length of the loaded nanowires with nanometer accuracy. Thermophoresis and the coalescence of gold nanoparticles are assumed to be the primary mechanisms responsible for gold loading into a CNT cartridge.Metal-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to be used as pen-tip injectors for 3D manufacturing on the nanoscale. However, the CNT interior cannot accumulate enough material to fabricate complex metallic nanostructures. Therefore a method for refilling the CNT cartridge needs to be developed. The strategy for refilling of CNT cartridges is suggested in this study. Controlled growth of gold nanowires in the interior of isolated CNTs using a real-time manipulator installed in a transmission electron microscope is reported herein. The encapsulation process of discrete gold nanoparticles in the hollow spaces of open-ended multi-wall CNTs was evaluated in detail. The experimental results reveal that the serial loading of isolated gold nanoparticles allows the control of the length of the loaded nanowires with nanometer accuracy. Thermophoresis and the coalescence of gold nanoparticles are assumed to be the primary mechanisms responsible for gold loading into a CNT cartridge. Electronic

United States all-in-one cartridge market: 1994 including end-user research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shane, John

1995-04-01

Cartridge remanufacturing is reaching a turning point. Although more cartridges are being remanufactured today than las year, profitability is not as many would like. Margins for SX-type cartridges are slim. In addition, penetrating the LBP-NX and LBP-EX business has been slower than was expected. Although BIS expects that remanufacturing will rebound, the state of the industry today exhibits the signs of being in a slump.

Simultaneous analysis of hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene and reserpine in rat plasma by high performance liquid chromatography and tandem solid-phase extraction.

PubMed

Li, Hang; He, Junting; Liu, Qin; Huo, Zhaohui; Liang, Si; Liang, Yong

2011-03-01

A tandem solid-phase extraction method (SPE) of connecting two different cartridges (C(18) and MCX) in series was developed as the extraction procedure in this article, which provided better extraction yields (>86%) for all analytes and more appropriate sample purification from endogenous interference materials compared with a single cartridge. Analyte separation was achieved on a C(18) reversed-phase column at the wavelength of 265 nm by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method was validated in terms of extraction yield, precision and accuracy. These assays gave mean accuracy values higher than 89% with RSD values that were always less than 3.8%. The method has been successfully applied to plasma samples from rats after oral administration of target compounds. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

42 CFR 488.68 - State Agency responsibilities for OASIS collection and data base requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... operating the OASIS system: (a) Establish and maintain an OASIS database. The State agency or other entity designated by CMS must— (1) Use a standard system developed or approved by CMS to collect, store, and analyze..., system back-up, and monitoring the status of the database; and (3) Obtain CMS approval before modifying...

The Skateboard Factory: Curriculum by Design--Oasis Skateboard Factory Q&A with Craig Morrison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearson, George

2012-01-01

Since its opening three years ago, Oasis Skateboard Factory (OSF), founded by teacher Craig Morrison, has attracted considerable media exposure and received a Ken Spencer Award from the CEA for its innovative program. OSF is one of three programs offered by Oasis Alternative Secondary School, one of 22 alternative secondary schools of the Toronto…

Oasis Connections: Results from an Evaluation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Czaja, Sara J.; Lee, Chin Chin; Branham, Janice; Remis, Peggy

2012-01-01

Purpose of the Study: The objectives of this study were to evaluate a community-based basic computer and Internet training program designed for older adults, provide recommendations for program refinement, and gather preliminary information on program sustainability. Design and Methods: The program was developed by the OASIS Institute, a nonprofit…

Volatiles in the Desert: Subtle Remote-sensing Signatures of the Dakhleh Oasis Catastrophic Event, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haldemann, A. F. C.; Kleindienst, M. R.; Churcher, C. S.; Smith, J. R.; Schwarcz, H. P.; Osinski, G.

2005-01-01

Over the past decade members of the Dakhleh Oasis Project have studied enigmatic signatures in the Pleistocene geologic record of portions of the Dakhleh oasis and palaeo-oasis in Egypt's Western Desert [1,2]. In particular, Si-Ca-Al rich glass melt (Dakhleh Glass, Fig. 1) points to a catastrophic event between c.100,000-200,000 years ago [3] in this well-studied African savannah and freshwater lake Middle Stone Age environment [4,5].

Implementation of the RCOG guidelines for prevention of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) at two London Hospitals: A time series analysis.

PubMed

Mohiudin, Henna; Ali, Sajjad; Pisal, Pradyna N; Villar, Rose

2018-05-01

To audit the impact of implementation of the RCOG guidelines for prevention of Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) by introducing antenatal perineal massage, manual perineal protection, and cutting episiotomies at 60° to the midline at the time of crowning. Time series analysis; Setting - Two London teaching hospitals; Royal Free London (RFL) and Barnet; Population or Sample - All nulliparous women undergoing vaginal birth; Methods - Training was provided for above techniques. EPISCISSORS-60 were introduced to perform 60° episiotomies. Data were extracted from maternity databases and dashboards; Main Outcome Measures - OASIS rates before and after implementation. Data from 2566 births were analysed. In operative vaginal deliveries (OVD), OASIS declined from 9.6% to 2% (p = 0.001) at Barnet and from 5.6% to 4.2% (p = 0.4) at RFL. OASIS reduced in nulliparous OVD's given episiotomies from 6.3% in the 'before' period to 0.6% in the 'after' period [p = 0.01] at Barnet. Before introduction of the EPISCISSORS-60, OASIS rate was 6.3% with episiotomies and 30% without episiotomies (p = 0.000). After introduction of the EPISCISSORS-60, OASIS rate was 0.63% with episiotomies v 16% without episiotomies (p = 0.000) at Barnet. At RFL, OASIS rate was 2.6% with episiotomies, and 42% without episiotomy (p = 0.000). In SVD's at Barnet, OASIS declined from 6.6% before to 0% after (p = 0.000) in women given episiotomies while it declined from 5.4% to 3% (p = 0.12) in those not given episiotomies. After introduction of the EPISCISSORS-60, OASIS was 0% in women with episiotomies and 3% in those without episiotomies (p = 0.04). In SVD's at RFL, OASIS was 0% in women given episiotomy v 4.7% without episiotomy (p = 0.03). Deliveries with EPISCISSORS-60 episiotomies had lesser OASIS than those without episiotomies in both nulliparous OVD's and SVD's. OASIS was lower with EPISCISSORS-60 episiotomies than those with eyeballed episiotomies

[Study on ecological risk assessment technology of fluoride pollution from arid oasis soil].

PubMed

Xue, Su-Yin; Li, Ping; Wang, Sheng-Li; Nan, Zhong-Ren

2014-03-01

According to translocation regulation of fluoride in the typical oasis soil-plant system under field, an ecological risk assessment model of fluoride was established, and this model was used to assess ecological risk to fluoride pollution from suburban oasis soils in Baiyin City, which was specifically expressed with the potential ecological risk of bioavailability (ER(bc)) model to assess ecological risk of fluoride pollution in oasis regions. Results showed that the ecological risk indices of fluoride pollution from this region were 1.37-24.81, the level of risk at most sites was high to very high, the average ecological risk index was 11.28, belonged to very high risk. This indicated that in the suburb soil of Baiyin City needs to be concerned about the remediation of fluoride pollution.

ALMA Band 5 receiver cartridge. Design, performance, and commissioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belitsky, V.; Bylund, M.; Desmaris, V.; Ermakov, A.; Ferm, S.-E.; Fredrixon, M.; Krause, S.; Lapkin, I.; Meledin, D.; Pavolotsky, A.; Rashid, H.; Shafiee, S.; Strandberg, M.; Sundin, E.; Aghdam, P. Yadranjee; Hesper, R.; Barkhof, J.; Bekema, M. E.; Adema, J.; Haan, R. de; Koops, A.; Boland, W.; Yagoubov, P.; Marconi, G.; Siringo, G.; Humphreys, E.; Tan, G. H.; Laing, R.; Testi, L.; Mroczkowski, T.; Wild, W.; Saini, K. S.; Bryerton, E.

2018-04-01

We describe the design, performance, and commissioning results for the new ALMA Band 5 receiver channel, 163-211 GHz, which is in the final stage of full deployment and expected to be available for observations in 2018. This manuscript provides the description of the new ALMA Band 5 receiver cartridge and serves as a reference for observers using the ALMA Band 5 receiver for observations. At the time of writing this paper, the ALMA Band 5 Production Consortium consisting of NOVA Instrumentation group, based in Groningen, NL, and GARD in Sweden have produced and delivered to ALMA Observatory over 60 receiver cartridges. All 60 cartridges fulfil the new more stringent specifications for Band 5 and demonstrate excellent noise temperatures, typically below 45 K single sideband (SSB) at 4 K detector physical temperature and below 35 K SSB at 3.5 K (typical for operation at the ALMA Frontend), providing the average sideband rejection better than 15 dB, and the integrated cross-polarization level better than -25 dB. The 70 warm cartridge assemblies, hosting Band 5 local oscillator and DC bias electronics, have been produced and delivered to ALMA by NRAO. The commissioning results confirm the excellent performance of the receivers.

Sachem: a chemical cartridge for high-performance substructure search.

PubMed

Kratochvíl, Miroslav; Vondrášek, Jiří; Galgonek, Jakub

2018-05-23

Structure search is one of the valuable capabilities of small-molecule databases. Fingerprint-based screening methods are usually employed to enhance the search performance by reducing the number of calls to the verification procedure. In substructure search, fingerprints are designed to capture important structural aspects of the molecule to aid the decision about whether the molecule contains a given substructure. Currently available cartridges typically provide acceptable search performance for processing user queries, but do not scale satisfactorily with dataset size. We present Sachem, a new open-source chemical cartridge that implements two substructure search methods: The first is a performance-oriented reimplementation of substructure indexing based on the OrChem fingerprint, and the second is a novel method that employs newly designed fingerprints stored in inverted indices. We assessed the performance of both methods on small, medium, and large datasets containing 1, 10, and 94 million compounds, respectively. Comparison of Sachem with other freely available cartridges revealed improvements in overall performance, scaling potential and screen-out efficiency. The Sachem cartridge allows efficient substructure searches in databases of all sizes. The sublinear performance scaling of the second method and the ability to efficiently query large amounts of pre-extracted information may together open the door to new applications for substructure searches.

OASIS is Automated Statistical Inference for Segmentation, with applications to multiple sclerosis lesion segmentation in MRI.

PubMed

Sweeney, Elizabeth M; Shinohara, Russell T; Shiee, Navid; Mateen, Farrah J; Chudgar, Avni A; Cuzzocreo, Jennifer L; Calabresi, Peter A; Pham, Dzung L; Reich, Daniel S; Crainiceanu, Ciprian M

2013-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to detect lesions in the brains of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and is essential for diagnosing the disease and monitoring its progression. In practice, lesion load is often quantified by either manual or semi-automated segmentation of MRI, which is time-consuming, costly, and associated with large inter- and intra-observer variability. We propose OASIS is Automated Statistical Inference for Segmentation (OASIS), an automated statistical method for segmenting MS lesions in MRI studies. We use logistic regression models incorporating multiple MRI modalities to estimate voxel-level probabilities of lesion presence. Intensity-normalized T1-weighted, T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and proton density volumes from 131 MRI studies (98 MS subjects, 33 healthy subjects) with manual lesion segmentations were used to train and validate our model. Within this set, OASIS detected lesions with a partial area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for clinically relevant false positive rates of 1% and below of 0.59% (95% CI; [0.50%, 0.67%]) at the voxel level. An experienced MS neuroradiologist compared these segmentations to those produced by LesionTOADS, an image segmentation software that provides segmentation of both lesions and normal brain structures. For lesions, OASIS out-performed LesionTOADS in 74% (95% CI: [65%, 82%]) of cases for the 98 MS subjects. To further validate the method, we applied OASIS to 169 MRI studies acquired at a separate center. The neuroradiologist again compared the OASIS segmentations to those from LesionTOADS. For lesions, OASIS ranked higher than LesionTOADS in 77% (95% CI: [71%, 83%]) of cases. For a randomly selected subset of 50 of these studies, one additional radiologist and one neurologist also scored the images. Within this set, the neuroradiologist ranked OASIS higher than LesionTOADS in 76% (95% CI: [64%, 88%]) of cases, the neurologist 66% (95% CI: [52%, 78

Oasis: A high-level/high-performance open source Navier-Stokes solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mortensen, Mikael; Valen-Sendstad, Kristian

2015-03-01

Oasis is a high-level/high-performance finite element Navier-Stokes solver written from scratch in Python using building blocks from the FEniCS project (fenicsproject.org). The solver is unstructured and targets large-scale applications in complex geometries on massively parallel clusters. Oasis utilizes MPI and interfaces, through FEniCS, to the linear algebra backend PETSc. Oasis advocates a high-level, programmable user interface through the creation of highly flexible Python modules for new problems. Through the high-level Python interface the user is placed in complete control of every aspect of the solver. A version of the solver, that is using piecewise linear elements for both velocity and pressure, is shown to reproduce very well the classical, spectral, turbulent channel simulations of Moser et al. (1999). The computational speed is strongly dominated by the iterative solvers provided by the linear algebra backend, which is arguably the best performance any similar implicit solver using PETSc may hope for. Higher order accuracy is also demonstrated and new solvers may be easily added within the same framework.

OASIS 2: online application for survival analysis 2 with features for the analysis of maximal lifespan and healthspan in aging research.

PubMed

Han, Seong Kyu; Lee, Dongyeop; Lee, Heetak; Kim, Donghyo; Son, Heehwa G; Yang, Jae-Seong; Lee, Seung-Jae V; Kim, Sanguk

2016-08-30

Online application for survival analysis (OASIS) has served as a popular and convenient platform for the statistical analysis of various survival data, particularly in the field of aging research. With the recent advances in the fields of aging research that deal with complex survival data, we noticed a need for updates to the current version of OASIS. Here, we report OASIS 2 (http://sbi.postech.ac.kr/oasis2), which provides extended statistical tools for survival data and an enhanced user interface. In particular, OASIS 2 enables the statistical comparison of maximal lifespans, which is potentially useful for determining key factors that limit the lifespan of a population. Furthermore, OASIS 2 provides statistical and graphical tools that compare values in different conditions and times. That feature is useful for comparing age-associated changes in physiological activities, which can be used as indicators of "healthspan." We believe that OASIS 2 will serve as a standard platform for survival analysis with advanced and user-friendly statistical tools for experimental biologists in the field of aging research.

Nanoparticle separation with a miniaturized asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation cartridge

PubMed Central

Müller, David; Cattaneo, Stefano; Meier, Florian; Welz, Roland; de Mello, Andrew J.

2015-01-01

Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) is a separation technique applicable to particles over a wide size range. Despite the many advantages of AF4, its adoption in routine particle analysis is somewhat limited by the large footprint of currently available separation cartridges, extended analysis times and significant solvent consumption. To address these issues, we describe the fabrication and characterization of miniaturized AF4 cartridges. Key features of the down-scaled platform include simplified cartridge and reagent handling, reduced analysis costs and higher throughput capacities. The separation performance of the miniaturized cartridge is assessed using certified gold and silver nanoparticle standards. Analysis of gold nanoparticle populations indicates shorter analysis times and increased sensitivity compared to conventional AF4 separation schemes. Moreover, nanoparticulate titanium dioxide populations exhibiting broad size distributions are analyzed in a rapid and efficient manner. Finally, the repeatability and reproducibility of the miniaturized platform are investigated with respect to analysis time and separation efficiency. PMID:26258119

Nanoparticle separation with a miniaturized asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation cartridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, David; Cattaneo, Stefano; Meier, Florian; Welz, Roland; deMello, Andrew

2015-07-01

Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) is a separation technique applicable to particles over a wide size range. Despite the many advantages of AF4, its adoption in routine particle analysis is somewhat limited by the large footprint of currently available separation cartridges, extended analysis times and significant solvent consumption. To address these issues, we describe the fabrication and characterization of miniaturized AF4 cartridges. Key features of the scale-down platform include simplified cartridge and reagent handling, reduced analysis costs and higher throughput capacities. The separation performance of the miniaturized cartridge is assessed using certified gold and silver nanoparticle standards. Analysis of gold nanoparticle populations indicates shorter analysis times and increased sensitivity compared to conventional AF4 separation schemes. Moreover, nanoparticulate titanium dioxide populations exhibiting broad size distributions are analyzed in a rapid and efficient manner. Finally, the repeatability and reproducibility of the miniaturized platform are investigated with respect to analysis time and separation efficiency.

Validation of SWEEP for creep, saltation, and suspension in a desert-oasis ecotone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pi, H.; Sharratt, B.; Feng, G.; Lei, J.; Li, X.; Zheng, Z.

2016-03-01

Wind erosion in the desert-oasis ecotone can accelerate desertification, but little is known about the susceptibility of the ecotone to wind erosion in the Tarim Basin despite being a major source of windblown dust in China. The objective of this study was to test the performance of the Single-event Wind Erosion Evaluation Program (SWEEP) in simulating soil loss as creep, saltation, and suspension in a desert-oasis ecotone. Creep, saltation, and suspension were measured and simulated in a desert-oasis ecotone of the Tarim Basin during discrete periods of high winds in spring 2012 and 2013. The model appeared to adequately simulate total soil loss (ranged from 23 to 2272 g m-2 across sample periods) according to the high index of agreement (d = 0.76). The adequate agreement of the SWEEP in simulating total soil loss was due to the good performance of the model (d = 0.71) in simulating creep plus saltation. The SWEEP model, however, inadequately simulated suspension based upon a low d (⩽0.43). The slope estimates of the regression between simulated and measured suspension and difference of mean suggested that the SWEEP underestimated suspension. The adequate simulation of creep plus saltation thus provides reasonable estimates of total soil loss using SWEEP in a desert-oasis environment.

Automatic firearm class identification from cartridge cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamalakannan, Sridharan; Mann, Christopher J.; Bingham, Philip R.; Karnowski, Thomas P.; Gleason, Shaun S.

2011-03-01

We present a machine vision system for automatic identification of the class of firearms by extracting and analyzing two significant properties from spent cartridge cases, namely the Firing Pin Impression (FPI) and the Firing Pin Aperture Outline (FPAO). Within the framework of the proposed machine vision system, a white light interferometer is employed to image the head of the spent cartridge cases. As a first step of the algorithmic procedure, the Primer Surface Area (PSA) is detected using a circular Hough transform. Once the PSA is detected, a customized statistical region-based parametric active contour model is initialized around the center of the PSA and evolved to segment the FPI. Subsequently, the scaled version of the segmented FPI is used to initialize a customized Mumford-Shah based level set model in order to segment the FPAO. Once the shapes of FPI and FPAO are extracted, a shape-based level set method is used in order to compare these extracted shapes to an annotated dataset of FPIs and FPAOs from varied firearm types. A total of 74 cartridge case images non-uniformly distributed over five different firearms are processed using the aforementioned scheme and the promising nature of the results (95% classification accuracy) demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Oasis in Iraq: Universities Flourish in Kurdistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krieger, Zvika

2007-01-01

The campus of Salahadin University--peaceful, bustling, and collegial-- is a rare sight in Iraq, where sectarian violence has brought the higher education system to the verge of collapse. Home to the country's historically repressed four million to five million ethnic Kurds, it is an oasis of stability and tranquility while much of the rest of…

Analysis of land cover change and its driving forces in a desert oasis landscape of southern Xinjiang, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amuti, T.; Luo, G.

2014-07-01

The combined effects of drought, warming and the changes in land cover have caused severe land degradation for several decades in the extremely arid desert oases of Southern Xinjiang, Northwest China. This study examined land cover changes during 1990-2008 to characterize and quantify the transformations in the typical oasis of Hotan. Land cover classifications of these images were performed based on the supervised classification scheme integrated with conventional vegetation and soil indexes. Change-detection techniques in remote sensing (RS) and a geographic information system (GIS) were applied to quantify temporal and spatial dynamics of land cover changes. The overall accuracies, Kappa coefficients, and average annual increase rate or decrease rate of land cover classes were calculated to assess classification results and changing rate of land cover. The analysis revealed that major trends of the land cover changes were the notable growth of the oasis and the reduction of the desert-oasis ecotone, which led to accelerated soil salinization and plant deterioration within the oasis. These changes were mainly attributed to the intensified human activities. The results indicated that the newly created agricultural land along the margins of the Hotan oasis could result in more potential areas of land degradation. If no effective measures are taken against the deterioration of the oasis environment, soil erosion caused by land cover change may proceed. The trend of desert moving further inward and the shrinking of the ecotone may lead to potential risks to the eco-environment of the Hotan oasis over the next decades.

Combustible Cartridge Case Characterization

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-01

Latex 241 * Nitrocellulose and Kraft /fibers National Starch Resin 78-3730 The beater additive process for manufacturing combustible cartridge cases *is... Kraft Fibers The Kraft fibers were received as sheets weighing approximately 1.3 lb each. The moisture content of the sheets varied from 6 to 7-1/2... Kraft fibers was incorporated into each batch. Resins The resins were supplied as a water emulsion with nominally 50 percent solids. Samples of each

Thirsk performs IFM on cable cartridge

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-06-23

ISS020-E-013990 (23 June 2009) --- Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Expedition 20 flight engineer, performs in-flight maintenance on a cable cartridge for the advanced Resistive Exercise Device (aRED) in the Unity node of the International Space Station.

Groundwater mixing and mineralization processes in a mountain-oasis-desert basin, northwest China: hydrogeochemistry and environmental tracer indicators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Bin; Jin, Menggui; Liang, Xing; Li, Jing

2018-02-01

Hydrogeochemistry and environmental tracers (2H, 18O, 87Sr/86Sr) in precipitation, river and reservoir water, and groundwater have been used to determine groundwater recharge sources, and to identify mixing characteristics and mineralization processes in the Manas River Basin (MRB), which is a typical mountain-oasis-desert ecosystem in arid northwest China. The oasis component is artificial (irrigation). Groundwater with enriched stable isotope content originates from local precipitation and surface-water leakage in the piedmont alluvial-oasis plain. Groundwater with more depleted isotopes in the north oasis plain and desert is recharged by lateral flow from the adjacent mountains, for which recharge is associated with high altitude and/or paleo-water infiltrating during a period of much colder climate. Little evaporation and isotope exchange between groundwater and rock and soil minerals occurred in the mountain, piedmont and oasis plain. Groundwater δ2H and δ18O values show more homogeneous values along the groundwater flow direction and with well depths, indicating inter-aquifer mixing processes. A regional contrast of groundwater allows the 87Sr/86Sr ratios and δ18O values to be useful in a combination with Cl, Na, Mg, Ca and Sr concentrations to distinguish the groundwater mixing characteristics. Two main processes are identified: groundwater lateral-flow mixing and river leakage in the piedmont alluvial-oasis plain, and vertical mixing in the north oasis plain and the desert. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios and selected ion ratios reveal that carbonate dissolution and mixing with silicate from the southern mountain area are primarily controlling the strontium isotope hydrogeochemistry.

Disposable and removable nucleic acid extraction and purification cartridges for automated flow-through systems

DOEpatents

Regan, John Frederick

2014-09-09

Removable cartridges are used on automated flow-through systems for the purpose of extracting and purifying genetic material from complex matrices. Different types of cartridges are paired with specific automated protocols to concentrate, extract, and purifying pathogenic or human genetic material. Their flow-through nature allows large quantities sample to be processed. Matrices may be filtered using size exclusion and/or affinity filters to concentrate the pathogen of interest. Lysed material is ultimately passed through a filter to remove the insoluble material before the soluble genetic material is delivered past a silica-like membrane that binds the genetic material, where it is washed, dried, and eluted. Cartridges are inserted into the housing areas of flow-through automated instruments, which are equipped with sensors to ensure proper placement and usage of the cartridges. Properly inserted cartridges create fluid- and air-tight seals with the flow lines of an automated instrument.

18 CFR 37.8 - Obligations of OASIS users.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL POWER ACT OPEN ACCESS SAME-TIME INFORMATION SYSTEMS § 37.8... initiating a significant amount of automated queries. The OASIS user must also notify the Responsible Party one month in advance of expected significant increases in the volume of automated queries. [Order 605...

Microfluidic cartridges for DNA purification and genotyping processed in standard laboratory instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Focke, Maximilian; Mark, Daniel; Stumpf, Fabian; Müller, Martina; Roth, Günter; Zengerle, Roland; von Stetten, Felix

2011-06-01

Two microfluidic cartridges intended for upgrading standard laboratory instruments with automated liquid handling capability by use of centrifugal forces are presented. The first microfluidic cartridge enables purification of DNA from human whole blood and is operated in a standard laboratory centrifuge. The second microfluidic catridge enables genotyping of pathogens by geometrically multiplexed real-time PCR. It is operated in a slightly modified off-the-shelf thermal cycler. Both solutions aim at smart and cost-efficient ways to automate work flows in laboratories. The DNA purification cartridge automates all liquid handling steps starting from a lysed blood sample to PCR ready DNA. The cartridge contains two manually crushable glass ampoules with liquid reagents. The DNA yield extracted from a 32 μl blood sample is 192 +/- 30 ng which corresponds to 53 +/- 8% of a reference extraction. The genotyping cartridge is applied to analyse isolates of the multi-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) by real-time PCR. The wells contain pre-stored dry reagents such as primers and probes. Evaluation of the system with 44 genotyping assays showed a 100% specificity and agreement with the reference assays in standard tubes. The lower limit of detection was well below 10 copies of DNA per reaction.

Evaluation of a passive optical based end of service life indicator (ESLI) for organic vapor respirator cartridges

PubMed Central

Checky, Melissa; Frankel, Kevin; Goddard, Denise; Johnson, Erik; Thomas, J. Christopher; Zelinsky, Maria; Javner, Cassidy

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT A passive visual end of service life indicator (ESLI) for certain organic vapors has been attached to the inside wall of an organic vapor respirator cartridge. The opposite side of the ESLI touches activated carbon inside the cartridge. During use, organic vapors moving through the cartridge adsorb into both the carbon and the ESLI. The cartridge body is clear so that when vapor concentrations meet a certain threshold, the user may observe the progressive development of an indicator bar down the side of the ESLI. The cartridge is deemed ready to change when any part of the indicator bar touches a marked end line. The performance of the ESLI was observed when the cartridge was tested against a variety of organic vapors, exposure concentrations above the minimum indication level, humidities, temperatures, flow rates, and mixtures. In all cases, the ESLI indicated end of service life with more than 10% cartridge service life remaining (which is a NIOSH test criteria). The results were also compared to mathematical predictions of cartridge service life. PMID:26418577

CAVIAR: CLASSIFICATION VIA AGGREGATED REGRESSION AND ITS APPLICATION IN CLASSIFYING OASIS BRAIN DATABASE

PubMed Central

Chen, Ting; Rangarajan, Anand; Vemuri, Baba C.

2010-01-01

This paper presents a novel classification via aggregated regression algorithm – dubbed CAVIAR – and its application to the OASIS MRI brain image database. The CAVIAR algorithm simultaneously combines a set of weak learners based on the assumption that the weight combination for the final strong hypothesis in CAVIAR depends on both the weak learners and the training data. A regularization scheme using the nearest neighbor method is imposed in the testing stage to avoid overfitting. A closed form solution to the cost function is derived for this algorithm. We use a novel feature – the histogram of the deformation field between the MRI brain scan and the atlas which captures the structural changes in the scan with respect to the atlas brain – and this allows us to automatically discriminate between various classes within OASIS [1] using CAVIAR. We empirically show that CAVIAR significantly increases the performance of the weak classifiers by showcasing the performance of our technique on OASIS. PMID:21151847

CAVIAR: CLASSIFICATION VIA AGGREGATED REGRESSION AND ITS APPLICATION IN CLASSIFYING OASIS BRAIN DATABASE.

PubMed

Chen, Ting; Rangarajan, Anand; Vemuri, Baba C

2010-04-14

This paper presents a novel classification via aggregated regression algorithm - dubbed CAVIAR - and its application to the OASIS MRI brain image database. The CAVIAR algorithm simultaneously combines a set of weak learners based on the assumption that the weight combination for the final strong hypothesis in CAVIAR depends on both the weak learners and the training data. A regularization scheme using the nearest neighbor method is imposed in the testing stage to avoid overfitting. A closed form solution to the cost function is derived for this algorithm. We use a novel feature - the histogram of the deformation field between the MRI brain scan and the atlas which captures the structural changes in the scan with respect to the atlas brain - and this allows us to automatically discriminate between various classes within OASIS [1] using CAVIAR. We empirically show that CAVIAR significantly increases the performance of the weak classifiers by showcasing the performance of our technique on OASIS.

Policies, Land Use, and Water Resource Management in an Arid Oasis Ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Xian; Liao, Jie; Hsing, Youtian; Huang, Cuihua; Liu, Famin

2015-05-01

This paper addresses two questions concerning the relationship between state policies and environmental transformation in China in the past four decades. The first one deals with the promotion of agricultural productivity since the 1980s; the second, the water conservation measures as a response to the water crisis that peaked in the early 2000s. We had chosen Minqin County in northwestern China, one of the most fragile arid oasis systems in the world, as the study area. We found that the irrigated farmland in up and midstream areas had greatly expanded between the 1980s and the 2000s under the government policy of promoting commodity grain production. As a result, the runoff flowing into Minqin Oasis had reduced 80 % from the 1950s to early 2000s. Irrigated farmland in Minqin Oasis expanded 15.76 % from 1995 to 2000. In the 2000s, because of the changing policy discourse that has shifted from productivity to conservation, a new set of environmentally framed policies has restructured agricultural production in Minqin by 2005. These new policies included establishing a watershed-level water management system, promoting drought resistant crops, introducing water-saving irrigation measures, and forced reduction of irrigated farming acreage. These policies have produced positive results in terms of greater coverage of vegetation, rising ground water table, and reduction of evaporation. Nevertheless, new policies have also brought new challenges to both farmers and policy makers to keep the balance between poverty reduction and environmental sustainability in Minqin Oasis in the historically poor region in China's Northwest.

76 FR 66964 - Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges With Printheads and Components Thereof; Notice of the Commission's...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-28

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337-TA-723] Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges With... exclusion order prohibiting importation of infringing inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components... inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components thereof by reason of infringement of various claims...

18 CFR 37.8 - Obligations of OASIS users.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Obligations of OASIS users. 37.8 Section 37.8 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL POWER ACT OPEN ACCESS SAME-TIME INFORMATION SYSTEMS § 37.8...

Environmental engineering interventions to control the expansion of salty lakes and marshes in siwa oasis.

PubMed

El-Naggar, Hesham M

2010-01-01

The main activity in Siwa Oasis society is the agriculture, it depends on the groundwater. The agricultural drainage water and the unused saline water of naturally flowing springs are poured into four main salty lakes. This leads to an increase in the surface area of the saltwater lakes, marshes and rise in water table levels. to investigate some environmental engineering interventions to control the expansion of saltwater surface area in Siwa Oasis. Field visits, observation sheets and questionnaire survey with farmers were carried out to find out the main environmental problems in the Oasis. Environmental survey was carried out to collect different rocks and stones samples as natural construction materials from the desert that surrounds Siwa Oasis. Physical analyses, chemical composition and principal mechanical parameters were conducted on the collected samples. After the analysis, the safa rocks were the best natural construction materials in the Siwa Oasis. So, it could be used to build a construction wall around the salty lakes and marshes. Walls could convert the lakes into basins. The water will be evaporated at high rate during summer season by solar energy. After evaporation, the remaining salty rock named "karshef" can be easily collected from the lakes to be used as a low cost construction material for traditional building houses in Siwa Oasis. Therefore, the water level of lakes will be reduced to dryness and land could be reused as agricultural land. Among different rocks, safa rocks proved to be the best natural construction materials to construct a defense wall around the lakes and marshes. They will save about 80% of the concrete cost. The formed karshef rocks from the lakes will be used in the construction of the traditional building houses which will save about 90% of the concrete buildings. This intervention will save energy as it exchanges fuel consuming man-made material such as cement with naturally made material. This can reduce the green

Fondaparinux and acute coronary syndromes: update on the OASIS 5-6 studies.

PubMed

Schiele, François

2010-04-15

Anticoagulant therapy is a major component in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Four anticoagulant agents are currently commercially available for ACS, namely unfractionated heparin (UFH), enoxaparin, bivalirudin and fondaparinux. We describe the advantages of fondaparinux and the reasons that have hampered its uptake into routine management of ACS. Fondaparinux was shown to be efficacious in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis vs low-molecular-weight heparins, while in the setting of venous thrombo-embolic disease, it was shown to be noninferior to enoxaparin and UFH. Two pivotal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fondaparinux as an anticoagulant in the setting of ACS, namely OASIS-5 in non-ST elevation ACS, and OASIS-6 in ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI). In OASIS-5, fondaparinux was shown to be noninferior to enoxaparin in terms of death, MI or refractory ischemia at 9 days. Furthermore, a 50% reduction in bleeding complications was obtained with fondaparinux vs enoxaparin, leading to a risk reduction for death. In OASIS-6, fondaparinux was shown to be superior to the comparator (UFH or placebo). European and North American guidelines give fondaparinux a Grade 1A and 1B recommendation respectively, but uptake of fondaparinux in routine practice has been slow. We explore reasons for this, such as prevailing doubts about the efficacy of fondaparinux in the setting of angioplasty, the problem of catheter thrombosis, and the lack of antidote in case of bleeding complications. With the exception of primary angioplasty, fondaparinux is as effective as enoxaparin or UFH, but is also associated with a considerable reduction in bleeding complications, and thus, an undeniable net clinical benefit.

Condition and Health of Rufous Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes) Nestlings in a Polluted Oasis Habitat in Southern Tunisia.

PubMed

Alaya-Ltifi, Leila; Hayder-Benyahya, Nawel; Selmi, Slaheddine

2015-06-01

We investigated whether the proximity to the Gabès-Ghannouche factory complex of phosphate treatment, in south-eastern Tunisia, was associated with notable changes in the condition and health of Rufous bush robin (Cercotrichas galactotes) nestlings hatched in the neighbouring oasis habitat. Results demonstrated that excrements of nestlings hatched in one oasis close to the factory complex contained higher concentrations of lead and zinc than the excrements of nestlings from one oasis situated 20 km away. Furthermore, when effects of age and nestling number in the nest were controlled, nestlings hatched near the factory complex showed reduced tarsus length, rectrix length, haematocrit level and haemoglobin concentration, but higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry compared to those from the more distant oasis. Overall, results suggest that the proximity to the factory complex was associated with increased exposure to metals and deterioration in nestling condition and development.

Screening of Peptide Libraries Against Protective Antigen of Bacillus Anthracis in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-28

New Reprint Screening of Peptide Libraries against Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge W911NF-09-D-0001...against Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge Report Title ABSTRACT See attached. Screening of Peptide...Libraries against Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge Joshua M. Kogot1, Yanting Zhang2, Stephen J. Moore3

Sonographic assessment of the anal sphincter after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) using transperineal ultrasound (TPUS).

PubMed

Eisenberg, Vered H; Valsky, Dan V; Yagel, Simcha

2018-03-24

Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is the most common cause of anal incontinence and ano-rectal symptoms in women 1 . Reported rates of anal incontinence following primary repair of OASI range between 15-61%, with a mean of 39% 2, 3 . Other possible complications of OASI include perineal pain, dyspareunia, and less commonly, abscess formation, wound breakdown, and rectovaginal fistulae. Symptom onset may occur immediately, several years postpartum, or only late in life when aging of tissues adds to the delivery insult. Having sustained an OASI may impact significantly on women's physical and emotional health. Missed OASI, inadequate repair or lack of follow up are potential sources of litigation 4 . The reported incidence of OASI may be as high as 4-6.6% 4 , averaging 2.9% in the UK 3 . The incidence is higher in primiparae (6.1%) than in multiparae (1.7%) 3 . Recent years are seeing an increased awareness and structured training programs, which appear to have resulted in an increase in the detection rate of OASI 3 . The following risk factors have been identified with varying risk rates reported 3 : Asian ethnicity (OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.14-2.41), nulliparity (relative risk [RR] 6.97, 95% CI 5.40-8.99), birth weight greater than 4 kg (OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.18-2.36), shoulder dystocia (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.72-2.08), occipito-posterior position (RR 2.44, 95% CI 2.07-2.89), prolonged second stage of labor (up to RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.62-2.51 after four hours duration). Instrumental deliveries and episiotomy use have been extensively studied resulting in the following evidence: Vacuum delivery without episiotomy (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.74-2.05); vacuum delivery with episiotomy is protective (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.51-0.63); forceps delivery without episiotomy carries the highest potential risk (OR 6.53, 95% CI 5.57-7.64); and forceps delivery with episiotomy (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.21-1.49). Other potential risk factors have been suggested with varying evidence such as advanced maternal age at

SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF STRONTIUM AND CESIUM FROM SIMULATED WASTE SOLUTION WITH TITANATE ION EXCHANGERS IN A FILTER CARTRIDGE CONFIGURATION

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

Oji, L.; Martin, K.; Hobbs, D.

2011-05-26

This report describes experimental results for the selective removal of strontium and cesium from simulated waste solutions using monosodium titanate (MST) and crystalline silicotitanate (CST)-laden filter cartridges. Four types of ion exchange cartridge media (CST and MST designed by both 3M and POROX{reg_sign}) were evaluated. In these proof-of-principle tests effective uptake of both Sr-85 and Cs-137 was observed. However, the experiments were not performed long enough to determine the saturation levels or breakthrough curve for each filter cartridge. POREX{reg_sign} MST cartridges, which by design were based on co-sintering of the active titanates with polyethylene particles, seem to perform as wellmore » as the 3M-designed MST cartridges (impregnated filter membrane design) in the uptake of strontium. At low salt simulant conditions (0.29 M Na{sup +}), the instantaneous decontamination factor (D{sub F}) for Sr-85 with the 3M-design MST cartridge measured 26, representing the removal of 96% of the Sr-85. On the other hand, the Sr-85 instantaneous D{sub F} with the POREX{reg_sign} design MST cartridge measured 40 or 98% removal of the Sr-85. Strontium removal with the 3M-design MST and CST cartridges placed in series filter arrangement produced an instantaneous decontamination factor of 41 or 97.6% removal compared to an instantaneous decontamination factor of 368 or 99.7% removal of the strontium with the POREX{reg_sign} MST and CST cartridge design placed in series. At high salt simulant conditions (5.6 M Na{sup +}), strontium removal with 3M-designed MST cartridge only and with 3M-designed MST and CST cartridges operated in a series configuration were identical. The instantaneous decontamination factor and the strontium removal efficiency, under the above configuration, averaged 8.6 and 88%, respectively. There were no POREX{reg_sign} cartridge experiments using the higher ionic strength simulant solution. At low salt simulant conditions, the uptake of Cs

Solid cartridge for a pulse weld forming electrode and method of joining tubular members

DOEpatents

Bonnen, John Joseph Francis; Golovashchenko, Sergey Fedorovich; Mamutov, Alexander; Maison, Lloyd Douglas; Dawson, Scott Alwyn; deVries, James

2016-02-23

A cartridge assembly is disclosed for a pulse welding a first tube supported on a mandrel to a second tube. An outer tool is assembled over the second tube and a stored charge is discharged in the cartridge assembly. The cartridge comprises an annular conductor and a solid casing enveloping the conductor. The stored charge is electrically connected to the conductor and discharged through the conductor to compress the second tube and pulse weld the second tube to the first tube.

Soil Susceptibility to Macropore Flow Across a Desert-Oasis Ecotone of the Hexi Corridor, Northwest China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongyong; Zhao, Wenzhi; He, Jianhua; Fu, Li

2018-02-01

Macropore flow not only provides a fast pathway for water and solute transport and increases the risks of water and nutrient loss but also enhances soil aeration and groundwater recharge. However, macropore flow characteristics in irrigated oasis soils subject to continuous crop cultivation are poorly understood. This study was to investigate the effect of continuous cultivation on soil properties and macropore flow and to quantify the changes in macropore flow characteristics in an old oasis field (>50 years of cultivation, OOF), young oasis field (20 years, YOF), and adjacent uncultivated sandy area (0 year, USL) in Northwest China. Triplicate soil samples were collected from each site to investigate soil properties. Dye tracer experiments with also three replicates were conducted at each site. The degree of macropore flow (i.e., parameters of macropore flow) was highest at the OOF, intermediate at the YOF, and minimal at the USL. The macropore flow fraction (i.e., fraction of total infiltration flows through macropore flow pathways) at the OOF was 3.4 times greater than at the USL. The heterogeneous infiltration pattern at the OOF was dominated by macropore flow, while funnel flow was predominant at the USL. Long-term irrigation with silt-laden river water has increased silt + clay contents of the oasis soils. Irrigation and high-input crop cultivation also increased organic matter. These changes in soil properties contributed to the interaggregate voids formation. The conversion of native desert soils to irrigated croplands increases the degree of macropore flow, which might enhance groundwater recharge in the desert-oasis ecotone.

Batch fabrication of polymer microfluidic cartridges for QCM sensor packaging by direct bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandström, Niklas; Zandi Shafagh, Reza; Gylfason, Kristinn B.; Haraldsson, Tommy; van der Wijngaart, Wouter

2017-12-01

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensing is an established technique commonly used in laboratory based life-science applications. However, the relatively complex, multi-part design and multi-step fabrication and assembly of state-of-the-art QCM cartridges make them unsuited for disposable applications such as point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics. In this work, we present the uncomplicated manufacturing of QCMs in polymer microfluidic cartridges. Our novel approach comprises two key innovations: the batch reaction injection molding of microfluidic parts; and the integration of the cartridge components by direct, unassisted bonding. We demonstrate molding of batches of 12 off-stoichiometry thiol-ene epoxy polymer (OSTE+) polymer parts in a single molding cycle using an adapted reaction injection molding process; and the direct bonding of the OSTE+  parts to other OSTE+  substrates, to printed circuit boards, and to QCMs. The microfluidic QCM OSTE+  cartridges were successfully evaluated in terms of liquid sealing as well as electrical properties, and the sensor performance characteristics are on par with those of a commercially available QCM biosensor cartridge. The simplified manufacturing of QCM sensors with maintained performance potentializes novel application areas, e.g. as disposable devices in a point of care setting. Moreover, our results can be extended to simplifying the fabrication of other microfluidic devices with multiple heterogeneously integrated components.

SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF STRONTIUM AND CESIUM FROM SIMULATED WASTE SOLUTION WITH TITANATE ION-EXCHANGERS IN A FILTER CARTRIDGE CONFIGURATIONS-12092

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

Oji, L.; Martin, K.; Hobbs, D.

2012-01-03

Experimental results for the selective removal of strontium and cesium from simulated waste solutions with monosodium titanate and crystalline silicotitanate laden filter cartridges are presented. In these proof-of-principle tests, effective uptake of both strontium-85 and cesium-137 were observed using ion-exchangers in this filter cartridge configuration. At low salt simulant conditions, the instantaneous decontamination factor for strontium-85 with monosodium titanate impregnated filter membrane cartridges measured 26, representing 96% strontium-85 removal efficiency. On the other hand, the strontium-85 instantaneous decontamination factor with co-sintered active monosodium titanate cartridges measured 40 or 98% Sr-85 removal efficiency. Strontium-85 removal with the monosodium titanate impregnated membranemore » cartridges and crystalline silicotitanate impregnated membrane cartridges, placed in series arrangement, produced an instantaneous decontamination factor of 41 compared to an instantaneous decontamination factor of 368 for strontium-85 with co-sintered active monosodium titanate cartridges and co-sintered active crystalline silicotitanate cartridges placed in series. Overall, polyethylene co-sintered active titanates cartridges performed as well as titanate impregnated filter membrane cartridges in the uptake of strontium. At low ionic strength conditions, there was a significant uptake of cesium-137 with co-sintered crystalline silicotitanate cartridges. Tests results with crystalline silicotitanate impregnated membrane cartridges for cesium-137 decontamination are currently being re-evaluated. Based on these preliminary findings we conclude that incorporating monosodium titanate and crystalline silicotitanate sorbents into membranes represent a promising method for the semicontinuous removal of radioisotopes of strontium and cesium from nuclear waste solutions.« less

Equilibrium partitioning of organic compounds to OASIS HLB® as a function of compound concentration, pH, temperature and salinity.

PubMed

Jeong, Yoonah; Schäffer, Andreas; Smith, Kilian

2017-05-01

Oasis hydrophilic lipophilic balance ® (Oasis HLB) is commonly employed in solid phase extraction (SPE) of environmental contaminants and within polar organic chemical integrative passive samplers (POCIS). In this study batch experiments were carried out to evaluate the relative affinity of a range of relevant organic pollutants to Oasis HLB in aqueous systems. The influence of sorbate concentration, temperature, pH, and salinity on the equilibrium sorption was investigated. Equilibrium partition ratios (K D ) of 28 compounds were determined, ranging over three orders of magnitude from 1.16 × 10 3  L/kg (atenolol) to 1.07 × 10 6  L/kg (isoproturon). The Freundlich model was able to describe the equilibrium partitioning to Oasis HLB, and an analysis of the thermodynamic parameters revealed the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the partitioning process. Ionic strength had only a minor effect on the partitioning, whereas pH had a considerable effect but only for ionizable compounds. The results show that apolar interactions between the Oasis HLB and analyte mainly determine the equilibrium partitioning. These research findings can be used to optimize the application of SPE and POCIS for analyses of environmental contaminants even in complex mixtures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A cephalometric study of skulls from the Bahriyah oasis

PubMed Central

Zaki, Moushira Erfan; Soliman, Muhammad Al-Tohamy; El-Bassyouni, Hala T.

2012-01-01

Objectives: To determine the craniofacial characteristics of crania from the Bahariyah oasis dating from the Greco-Roman period and to compare their cephalometric traits with other ancient Egyptian samples from various time periods and to evaluate sexual dimorphism. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 149 skulls (90 males and 59 females), belonging to the Greco-Roman (332 B.C. – 395 A.D.). Lateral and postero-anterior cephalograms were taken. Sixteen linear measurements were analyzed and six indices were calculated. Results: Significant differences were found between males and females almost in all measurements. All male measurements were greater than those of the females. The study shows notable differences in the craniofacial parameters of the present sample as compared to other ancient Egyptians from various periods and from various geographical areas. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the studied crania from Bahriyah oasis had a specific craniometric phenotype, which is distinguished from other Egyptian samples from different periods, suggesting some migration could have occurred along the Egyptian Nile Valley over various times. PMID:23741149

TMR tape drive for a 15 TB cartridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biskeborn, Robert G.; Fontana, Robert E.; Lo, Calvin S.; Czarnecki, W. Stanley; Liang, Jason; Iben, Icko E. T.; Decad, Gary M.; Hipolito, Venus A.

2018-05-01

This paper highlights the development of tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) sensors for magnetic tape recording applications. This has led to the introduction of a tape drives supporting a 15 TB native tape cartridge, currently the highest capacity available. Underscoring this development is the fact that the TMR sensors must run in continual contact with the tape media. This is contrasted with modern hard disk drive (hdd) sensors, which fly above the disk platters. Various challenges encountered in developing and deploying TMR are presented. In addition, advances to the write transducer are also discussed. Lastly, the authors show that future density scaling for tape recording, unlike that for hdd, is not facing limits imposed by photolithography or superparamagnetic physics, suggesting that cartridge capacity improvements of 4 to 6x will be achieved in the next 4 to 8 years.

Fecal incontinence, sexual complaints, and anorectal function after third-degree obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI): 5-year follow-up.

PubMed

Visscher, A P; Lam, T J; Hart, N; Felt-Bersma, R J F

2014-05-01

Our aim was to evaluate alterations in anorectal function after anal sphincteroplasty for third-degree obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) in relation to clinical outcome. In this retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between 1998 and 2008, women with persisting fecal incontinence (FI) after 3a OASI and all women with grade 3b or 3c OASI were sent for anorectal function evaluation (AFE) consisting of anal manometry and endosonography 3 months after sphincteroplasty. In 2011, questionnaires regarding FI (Vaizey/Wexner), urinary incontinence (UI) [International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF)], sexual function [Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)], and quality of life (QOL) (Rand-36) were sent and women were asked to undergo additional AFE. Sixty-six women underwent AFE. Mean follow-up was 5.0 years. Forty (61%) patients returned questionnaires regarding FI and UI. Prevalence of FI was 63% flatus, 50% liquid stool, and 20% solid stool. Thirty-two of 40 also reported on QOL and SF. Sexual dysfunction was present in the majority of women (cutoff value 26.55) and more pronounced in larger OASI. Sixteen of 40 women underwent additional AFE. Women with combined internal (IAS) and external (EAS) anal sphincter injury (n = 6) had worse FI (P < 0.050) and lower anal pressures (P = 0.040) than women with isolated EAS injury (n = 10). Follow-up after third-degree OASI suggests poor anorectal and sexual function. Women with combined external and internal OASI show more deterioration in anorectal function and experience worse FI. Therefore, special attention should be paid to these women in order to mitigate these symptoms later in life.

Overdiagnosis and rising rate of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS): time for reappraisal.

PubMed

Sioutis, D; Thakar, R; Sultan, A H

2017-11-01

To determine the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) using three-dimensional (3D) endoanal ultrasound (EA-US) and to compare symptoms and anal manometry measurements between women with anal sphincters adequately repaired and those with persistent anal sphincter defects. The EA-US images of women with clinically diagnosed and repaired OASIS, defined as third- or fourth-degree perineal tear, who attended the perineal clinic at Croydon University Hospital over a 10-year period (2003-2013) were reanalyzed by a single expert blind to symptoms and the results of clinical examination. St Mark's Incontinence Scores (SMIS) and anal manometry measurements were obtained and compared between women with an intact anal sphincter and those with an anal sphincter scar and between those with an intact anal sphincter and those with a defect. Anal manometry measurements were compared between women with an external anal sphincter (EAS) defect and those with an internal anal sphincter (IAS) defect. The images of 908 women were reanalyzed. No evidence of OASIS was found in 64 (7.0%) women, an EAS scar alone was detected in 520 (57.3%) and an anal sphincter defect in 324 (35.7%). Of the 324 women with a defect, 112 had an EAS defect, 90 had an IAS defect and 122 had a combined IAS and EAS defect. SMIS results were significantly higher in women with an anal sphincter defect compared with those with no evidence of OASIS (P = 0.018), but there was no significant difference in scores between women with an intact sphincter and those with an EAS scar only. Women with a defect had a significantly lower maximum resting pressure (median (range), 44 (8-106) vs 55 (29-86) mmHg; P < 0.001) and maximum squeeze pressure (median (range), 74 (23-180) vs 103 (44-185) mmHg; P < 0.001) compared with those in the intact group. Similar, but less marked, differences were observed in women with an EAS scar compared with those who had an intact anal sphincter

Hollow-Fiber Cartridges: Model Systems for Virus Removal from Blood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobitz, Frank; Menon, Jeevan

2005-11-01

Aethlon Medical is developing a hollow-fiber hemodialysis device designed to remove viruses and toxins from blood. Possible target viruses include HIV and pox-viruses. The filter could reduce virus and viral toxin concentration in the patient's blood, delaying illness so the patient's immune system can fight off the virus. In order to optimize the design of such a filter, the fluid mechanics of the device is both modeled analytically and investigated experimentally. The flow configuration of the proposed device is that of Starling flow. Polysulfone hollow-fiber dialysis cartridges were used. The cartridges are charged with water as a model fluid for blood and fluorescent latex beads are used in the experiments as a model for viruses. In the experiments, properties of the flow through the cartridge are determined through pressure and volume flow rate measurements of water. The removal of latex beads, which are captured in the porous walls of the fibers, was measured spectrophotometrically. Experimentally derived coefficients derived from these experiments are used in the analytical model of the flow and removal predictions from the model are compared to those obtained from the experiments.

Electric cartridge-type heater for producing a given non-uniform axial power distribution

DOEpatents

Clark, D.L.; Kress, T.S.

1975-10-14

An electric cartridge heater is provided to simulate a reactor fuel element for use in safety and thermal-hydraulic tests of model nuclear reactor systems. The electric heat-generating element of the cartridge heater consists of a specifically shaped strip of metal cut with variable width from a flat sheet of the element material. When spirally wrapped around a mandrel, the strip produces a coiled element of the desired length and diameter. The coiled element is particularly characterized by an electrical resistance that varies along its length due to variations in strip width. Thus, the cartridge heater is constructed such that it will produce a more realistic simulation of the actual nonuniform (approximately ''chopped'' cosine) power distribution of a reactor fuel element.

Geohydrology of Monitoring Wells Drilled in Oasis Valley near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, 1997

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robledo, Armando R.; Ryder, Philip L.; Fenelon, Joseph M.; Paillet, Frederick L.

1999-01-01

Twelve monitoring wells were installed in 1997 at seven sites in and near Oasis Valley, Nevada. The wells, ranging in depth from 65 to 642 feet, were installed to measure water levels and to collect water-quality samples. Well-construction data and geologic and geophysical logs are presented in this report. Seven geologic units were identified and described from samples collected during the drilling: (1) Ammonia Tanks Tuff; (2) Tuff of Cutoff Road; (3) tuffs, not formally named but informally referred to in this report as the 'tuff of Oasis Valley'; (4) lavas informally named the 'rhyolitic lavas of Colson Pond'; (5) Tertiary colluvial and alluvial gravelly deposits; (6) Tertiary and Quaternary colluvium; and (7) Quaternary alluvium. Water levels in the wells were measured in October 1997 and February 1998 and ranged from about 18 to 350 feet below land surface. Transmissive zones in one of the boreholes penetrating volcanic rock were identified using flowmeter data. Zones with the highest transmissivity are at depths of about 205 feet in the 'rhyolitic lavas of Colson Pond' and 340 feet within the 'tuff of Oasis Valley.'

Development and validation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of sulfonamides, quinolones and benzimidazoles in bovine milk.

PubMed

Hou, Xiao-Lin; Chen, Guo; Zhu, Li; Yang, Ting; Zhao, Jian; Wang, Lei; Wu, Yin-Liang

2014-07-01

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 38 veterinary drugs (18 sulfonamides, 11 quinolones and 9 benzimidazoles) and 8 metabolites of benzimidazoles in bovine milk by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acidified acetonitrile, cleaned up with Oasis(®) MCX cartridges, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS on an Acquity UPLC(®) BEH C18 column with gradient elution. The method allows such multi-analyte measurements within a 13min runtime while the specificity is ensured through the MRM acquisition mode. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), recovery, precision, linearity and stability. For compounds which have MRLs in bovine milk, the CCα values fall into a range from 11 to 115μg/kg, and the CCβ values fall within a range of 12-125μg/kg. For compounds which have not MRLs in bovine milk, the CCα values fall into a range from 0.01 to 0.08μg/kg, and the CCβ values fall within a range of 0.02-0.11μg/kg. The mean recoveries of the 46 analytes were between 87 and 119%. The calculated RSD values of repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility experiments were below 11% and 15% for the 46 compounds, respectively. The method was demonstrated to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of sulfonamides, quinolones and benzimidazoles in bovine milk. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of synthetic cathinones and phenethylamines in influent wastewater of eight European cities.

PubMed

Bade, Richard; Bijlsma, Lubertus; Sancho, Juan V; Baz-Lomba, Jose A; Castiglioni, Sara; Castrignanò, Erika; Causanilles, Ana; Gracia-Lor, Emma; Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara; Kinyua, Juliet; McCall, Ann-Kathrin; van Nuijs, Alexander L N; Ort, Christoph; Plósz, Benedek G; Ramin, Pedram; Rousis, Nikolaos I; Ryu, Yeonsuk; Thomas, Kevin V; de Voogt, Pim; Zuccato, Ettore; Hernández, Félix

2017-02-01

The popularity of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has grown in recent years, with certain NPS commonly and preferentially consumed even following the introduction of preventative legislation. With the objective to improve the knowledge on the use of NPS, a rapid and very sensitive method was developed for the determination of ten priority NPS (N-ethylcathinone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone, butylone, methedrone, mephedrone, naphyrone, 25-C-NBOMe, 25-I-NBOMe and 25-B-NBOMe) in influent wastewater. Sample clean-up and pre-concentration was made by off-line solid phase extraction (SPE) with Oasis MCX cartridges. Isotopically labelled internal standards were used to correct for matrix effects and potential SPE losses. Following chromatographic separation on a C 18 column within 6 min, the compounds were measured by tandem mass spectrometry in positive ionization mode. The method was optimised and validated for all compounds. Limits of quantification were evaluated by spiking influent wastewater samples at 1 or 5 ng/L. An investigation into the stability of these compounds in influent wastewater was also performed, showing that, following acidification at pH 2, all compounds were relatively stable for up to 7 days. The method was then applied to influent wastewater samples from eight European countries, in which mephedrone, methylone and MDPV were detected. This work reveals that although NPS use is not as extensive as for classic illicit drugs, the application of a highly sensitive analytical procedure makes their detection in wastewater possible. The developed analytical methodology forms the basis of a subsequent model-based back-calculation of abuse rate in urban areas (i.e. wastewater-based epidemiology). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rapid wide-scope screening of drugs of abuse, prescription drugs with potential for abuse and their metabolites in influent and effluent urban wastewater by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Hernández, Félix; Bijlsma, Lubertus; Sancho, Juan V; Díaz, Ramon; Ibáñez, María

2011-01-17

This work illustrates the potential of hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS) coupled to ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) to investigate the presence of drugs of abuse in wastewater. After solid-phase extraction with Oasis MCX cartridges, seventy-six illicit drugs, prescription drugs with potential for abuse, and metabolites were investigated in the samples by TOF MS using electrospray interface under positive ionization mode, with MS data acquired over an m/z range of 50-1000Da. For 11 compounds, reference standards were available, and experimental data (e.g., retention time and fragmentation data) could be obtained, facilitating a more confident identification. The use of a QTOF instrument enabled the simultaneous application of two acquisition functions with different collision energies: a low energy (LE) function, where none or poor fragmentation took place, and a high energy (HE) function, where fragmentation in the collision cell was promoted. This approach, known as MS(E), enabled the simultaneous acquisition of full-spectrum accurate mass data of both protonated molecules and fragment ions in a single injection, providing relevant information that facilitates the rapid detection and reliable identification of these emerging contaminants in the sample matrices analyzed. In addition, isomeric compounds, like the opiates, morphine and norcodeine, could be discriminated by their specific fragments observed in HE TOF MS spectra, without the need of reference standards. UHPLC-QTOF MS was proven to be a powerful and efficient technique for rapid wide-scope screening and identification of many relevant drugs in complex matrices, such as influent and effluent urban wastewater. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance and Uniformity of Mass-Produced SIS Mixers for ALMA Band 8 Receiver Cartridges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomura, Tomonuri; Noguchi, Takashi; Sekimoto, Yutaro; Shan, Wenlei; Sato, Naohisa; Iizuka, Yoshizo; Kumagai, Kazuyoshi; Niizeki, Yasuaki; Iwakuni, Mikio; Ito, Tetsuya

2015-05-01

The Atacama large millimeter/submillimeter array (ALMA), which was jointly built in Chile by Europe, North America and East Asia, has an observational band from 30 to 950 GHz [1], [2]. We developed receiver cartridges for ALMA Band 8 (385-500 GHz) [3]-[5] which is one of ALMA 10 frequency bands. The Band 8 receiver cartridges were produced as 73 cartridges, and 292 SIS mixers were installed in their cartridges. Also, their all cartridges were required to meet following ALMA specifications: 1. The noise temperature is less than 196 K over 80% of the frequency range and less than 292 K at any frequency from 385 to 500 GHz. 2. The image rejection ratio is larger than 10 dB over 90% of the frequency range. 3. The IF output power variation is less than 7.0 dB peak-to-peak in the 4-8 GHz band. 4. The gain compression to RF load temperatures between 77 and 373 K is less than 5%. 5. The Allan variance of the IF output power is less than 4.0×10-7 in the time scale of 0.05 s≤T≤100 s and 3.0×10-6 at 300 s. To meet these specifications, the performance and uniformity of the SIS mixers are crucial. The SIS mixers with Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junctions were fabricated in a clean room of National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and over 1000 mixer chips were mass-produced. After screening these mixers, 73 Band 8 receivers were assembled and tested. We report the test results of the mass-produced mixers and the receiver cartridges in detail from a statistical point of view.

Oasis deposits in the southern margin of the Taklimakan Desert and abrupt environmental changes during the last 30 ka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, P.; Li, B.; Wang, H.; Cheng, P.; An, Z.; Zhou, W.; Zhang, D. D.

2017-12-01

Taklimakan Desert, the largest arid landform in the Eurasia, is one of the most important dust sources in the world. Growing evidences shows that millennial-scale abrupt climate changes during the last glacial period in the region. However, records on millennial-scale climate and environmental changes remain poorly understood because dating eolian, lacustrine, and fluvial sediments and establishing the reliable environmental proxies from these records are always challenging. Here, we present 32 AMS 14C dates of bulk sediments, grain size, and Rb/Sr ratio parameters from the oasis sequence and dates of bulk loess and charcoal from the upstream source regions to examine the significance of oasis sediments on millennial-scale environmental changes in the Taklimakan Desert. We found that substantial reversal of radiocarbon dates on total organic carbon (TOC) was controlled by source region organic carbon input. Loess hills, alpine meadow north of the study region provided fluvial deposits along drainage system and deflation in the river valleys further provide eolain materials. We argue that early oasis deposits experienced deflation and re-deposition less severe than the younger oasis deposits. After refining radiocarbon age-depth relationships for an age model by Bacon package, proxy records show substantial abrupt fluctuations in climate and environments during the last glacial period, among which three wet intervals, two dry periods are identified. The wetter and warmer conditions during the Holocene facilitated human to occupy the oasis.

42 CFR 84.1154 - Canister and cartridge requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Canister and cartridge requirements. 84.1154 Section 84.1154 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Dust, Fume...

42 CFR 84.1154 - Canister and cartridge requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Canister and cartridge requirements. 84.1154 Section 84.1154 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Dust, Fume...

42 CFR 84.1154 - Canister and cartridge requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Canister and cartridge requirements. 84.1154 Section 84.1154 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Dust, Fume...

42 CFR 84.1154 - Canister and cartridge requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Canister and cartridge requirements. 84.1154 Section 84.1154 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Dust, Fume...

42 CFR 84.1154 - Canister and cartridge requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Canister and cartridge requirements. 84.1154 Section 84.1154 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES Dust, Fume...

Evaluation of a bonded particle cartridge filtration system

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

Schneider, W.; Krug, H.P.; Dopp, V.

1996-10-01

Metal cleanliness is a major issue in today`s aluminum casthouse, especially in the production of critical products such as canstock, litho sheet and foil. Bonded particle cartridge filters are widely regarded as the most effective means available for inclusion removal from critical production items. V.A.W. and Foseco have carried out a joint program of evaluation of a cartridge filter system in conjunction with ceramic foam filters and an in-line degassing unit--in various configurations. The ceramic foam filters ranged from standard, coarse pore types to new generation all-ceramic bonded, fine pore types. Metal cleanliness was assessed using LiMCA, PoDFA, and LAISmore » sampling techniques, as well as metallographic and scanning electron microscope examinations. This paper outlines the findings of this work which was carried out a V.A.W.`s full scale experimental D.C. slab casting unit as Neuss in Germany.« less

Magazine Influence on Cartridge Case Ejection Patterns with Glock Pistols.

PubMed

Kerkhoff, Wim; Alberink, Ivo; Mattijssen, Erwin J A T

2018-01-01

In this study, the cartridge case ejection patterns of six different Glock model pistols (one specimen per model) were compared under three conditions: firing with a loaded magazine, an empty magazine, and without magazine. The distances, covered by the ejected cartridge cases given these three conditions, were compared for each of the six models. A significant difference was found between the groups of data for each of the tested specimens. This indicates that it is important that, to reconstruct a shooting scene incident based on the ejection patterns of a pistol, test shots are fired with the same pistol type and under the correct magazine condition. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Statistical Approaches to Type Determination of the Ejector Marks on Cartridge Cases.

PubMed

Warren, Eric M; Sheets, H David

2018-03-01

While type determination on bullets has been performed for over a century, type determination on cartridge cases is often overlooked. Presented here is an example of type determination of ejector marks on cartridge cases from Glock and Smith & Wesson Sigma series pistols using Naïve Bayes and Random Forest classification methods. The shapes of ejector marks were captured from images of test-fired cartridge cases and subjected to multivariate analysis. Naïve Bayes and Random Forest methods were used to assign the ejector shapes to the correct class of firearm with success rates as high as 98%. This method is easily implemented with equipment already available in crime laboratories and can serve as an investigative lead in the form of a list of firearms that could have fired the evidence. Paired with the FBI's General Rifling Characteristics (GRC) database, this could be an invaluable resource for firearm evidence at crime scenes. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The indicating FTA elute cartridge a solid sample carrier to detect high-risk HPV and high-grade cervical lesions.

PubMed

de Bie, Roosmarie P; Schmeink, Channa E; Bakkers, Judith M J E; Snijders, Peter J F; Quint, Wim G V; Massuger, Leon F A G; Bekkers, Ruud L M; Melchers, Willem J G

2011-07-01

The clinically validated high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) and GP5+/6+-PCR assays were analyzed on an Indicating FTA Elute cartridge (FTA cartridge). The FTA cartridge is a solid dry carrier that allows safe transport of cervical samples. FTA cartridge samples were compared with liquid-based samples for hrHPV and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detection. One cervical sample was collected in a liquid-based medium, and one was applied to the FTA cartridge. DNA was eluted directly from the FTA cartridge by a simple elution step. HC2 and GP5+/6+-PCR assays were performed on both the liquid-based and the FTA-eluted DNA of 88 women. Overall agreement between FTA and liquid-based samples for the presence of hrHPV was 90.9% with GP5+/6+-PCR and 77.3% with HC2. The sensitivity for high-grade CIN of hrHPV testing on the FTA cartridges was 84.6% with GP5+/6+-PCR and only 53.8% with HC2. By comparison, these sensitivities on liquid-based samples were 92.3% and 100% for GP5+/6+-PCR and HC2, respectively. Therefore, the FTA cartridge shows reasonably good overall agreement for hrHPV detection with liquid-based media when using GP5+/6+-PCR but not HC2 testing. Even with GP5+/6+-PCR, the FTA cartridge is not yet capable of detecting all high-grade CIN lesions. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

18 CFR 37.6 - Information to be posted on the OASIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... protocols, information regarding the transmission system necessary to enable prudent business decision... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Information to be posted on the OASIS. 37.6 Section 37.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY...

18 CFR 37.6 - Information to be posted on the OASIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... protocols, information regarding the transmission system necessary to enable prudent business decision... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Information to be posted on the OASIS. 37.6 Section 37.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY...

From SCORM to Common Cartridge: A Step Forward

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonzalez-Barbone, Victor; Anido-Rifon, Luis

2010-01-01

Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) was proposed as a standard for sharable learning object packaging, delivering and sequencing. Several years later, Common Cartridge (CC) is proposed as an enhancement of SCORM offering more flexibility and addressing needs not originally envisioned, namely assessment and web 2.0 standards, content…

Ground-water discharge determined from measurements of evapotranspiration, other available hydrologic components, and shallow water-level changes, Oasis Valley, Nye County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reiner, S.R.; Laczniak, R.J.; DeMeo, G.A.; Smith, J. LaRue; Elliott, P.E.; Nylund, W.E.; Fridrich, C.J.

2002-01-01

Oasis Valley is an area of natural ground-water discharge within the Death Valley regional ground-water flow system of southern Nevada and adjacent California. Ground water discharging at Oasis Valley is replenished from inflow derived from an extensive recharge area that includes the northwestern part of the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Because nuclear testing has introduced radionuclides into the subsurface of the NTS, the U.S. Department of Energy currently is investigating the potential transport of these radionuclides by ground water flow. To better evaluate any potential risk associated with these test-generated contaminants, a number of studies were undertaken to accurately quantify discharge from areas downgradient in the regional ground-water flow system from the NTS. This report refines the estimate of ground-water discharge from Oasis Valley. Ground-water discharge from Oasis Valley was estimated by quantifying evapotranspiration (ET), estimating subsurface outflow, and compiling ground-water withdrawal data. ET was quantified by identifying areas of ongoing ground-water ET, delineating areas of ET defined on the basis of similarities in vegetation and soil-moisture conditions, and computing ET rates for each of the delineated areas. A classification technique using spectral-reflectance characteristics determined from satellite imagery acquired in 1992 identified eight unique areas of ground-water ET. These areas encompass about 3,426 acres of sparsely to densely vegetated grassland, shrubland, wetland, and open water. Annual ET rates in Oasis Valley were computed with energy-budget methods using micrometeorological data collected at five sites. ET rates range from 0.6 foot per year in a sparse, dry saltgrass environment to 3.1 feet per year in dense meadow vegetation. Mean annual ET from Oasis Valley is estimated to be about 7,800 acre-feet. Mean annual ground-water discharge by ET from Oasis Valley, determined by removing the annual local precipitation

Change in muzzle velocity due to freezing and water immersion of .22, long rifle, K.F. cartridges.

PubMed

Jauhari, M; Chatterjee, S M; Ghosh, P K

1975-01-01

A study of change in muzzle velocity due to freezing and water immersion of .22, long rifle, K. F. cartridges has been presented. A statistical criterion has been formulated to ascertain whether or not a cartridge undergoes a change in muzzle velocity due to a particular treatment. The muzzle velocity data of .22, long rifle, K. F. cartridges, obtained by an electronic timer before and after the various treatments, have been analyzed in the light of this criterion. These cartridges have generally been found to suffer considerable loss in muzzle velocity when immersed in water for three weeks and also when immersed in water for three days and simultaneously cooled to 0 degrees C. The forensic significance of this loss in muzzle velocity has been discussed.

OASIS - ORBIT ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION SOFTWARE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. C.

1994-01-01

The Orbit Analysis and Simulation Software, OASIS, is a software system developed for covariance and simulation analyses of problems involving earth satellites, especially the Global Positioning System (GPS). It provides a flexible, versatile and efficient accuracy analysis tool for earth satellite navigation and GPS-based geodetic studies. To make future modifications and enhancements easy, the system is modular, with five major modules: PATH/VARY, REGRES, PMOD, FILTER/SMOOTHER, and OUTPUT PROCESSOR. PATH/VARY generates satellite trajectories. Among the factors taken into consideration are: 1) the gravitational effects of the planets, moon and sun; 2) space vehicle orientation and shapes; 3) solar pressure; 4) solar radiation reflected from the surface of the earth; 5) atmospheric drag; and 6) space vehicle gas leaks. The REGRES module reads the user's input, then determines if a measurement should be made based on geometry and time. PMOD modifies a previously generated REGRES file to facilitate various analysis needs. FILTER/SMOOTHER is especially suited to a multi-satellite precise orbit determination and geodetic-type problems. It can be used for any situation where parameters are simultaneously estimated from measurements and a priori information. Examples of nonspacecraft areas of potential application might be Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) geodesy and radio source catalogue studies. OUTPUT PROCESSOR translates covariance analysis results generated by FILTER/SMOOTHER into user-desired easy-to-read quantities, performs mapping of orbit covariances and simulated solutions, transforms results into different coordinate systems, and computes post-fit residuals. The OASIS program was developed in 1986. It is designed to be implemented on a DEC VAX 11/780 computer using VAX VMS 3.7 or higher. It can also be implemented on a Micro VAX II provided sufficient disk space is available.

[Landscape pattern and productivity characteristics of the oasis landscape ecosystem in Linze, Gansu, China].

PubMed

Liu, Xuelu; Ren, Jizhou; Zhang, Zihe

2002-08-01

Oasis landscape ecosystem is composed of 10 landscape elements, i.e., residence land, cultivated land, grassland, forestland, water area, water system, road, rocky desert, sandy desert, and gravel desert. Among the elements, cultivated land formed by human being production covers the most of the area, is most connected, and hence, is the matrix of the oasis landscape ecosystem. Residence land, grassland, forestland, water area, rocky desert, sandy desert, and gravel desert are patches. Residence land and forestland generate from human being production, while rocky desert, gravel desert and sandy desert are the remnant with the human being disturbance. Water region and grassland are the environmental resources remnant after natural disturbance. Water system and road are corridors. Cultivated land dominated in plant production should be utilized with more productive layers through developing animal production other than expanding used-area to maintain the landscape heterogeneity and diversity of the oasis landscape ecosystem. For remnant and environmental resource patches, it should be profitable in preserving and stabilizing landscape heterogeneity and diversity, exploiting the functions of water and soil conservation, tourism, windbreak and sand fixation. For landscape elements remnant only, it should be fruitful in avoiding degeneration of the landscape pattern to explore their preceding plant production with moderate plant production.

Feasibility and safety of modified inverted T-shaped method using linear stapler with movable cartridge fork for esophagojejunostomy following laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

PubMed

Ohuchida, Kenoki; Nagai, Eishi; Moriyama, Taiki; Shindo, Koji; Manabe, Tatsuya; Ohtsuka, Takao; Shimizu, Shuji; Nakamura, Masafumi

2017-01-01

We previously reported the use of an inverted T-shaped method to obtain a suitable view for hand sewing to close the common entry hole when the linear stapler was fired for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). This conventional method involved insertion of the fixed cartridge fork to the Roux limb and the fine movable anvil fork to the esophagus to avoid perforation of the jejunum. However, insertion of the movable anvil fork to the esophagus during this procedure often requires us to strongly push down the main body of the stapler with the fixed cartridge fork to bring the direction of the anvil fork in line with the direction of the long axis of the esophagus while controlling the opening of the movable anvil fork. We therefore modified this complicated inverted T-shaped method using a linear stapler with a movable cartridge fork. This modified method involved insertion of the movable cartridge fork into the Roux limb followed by natural, easy insertion of the fixed anvil fork into the esophagus without controlling the opening of the movable cartridge fork. We performed LTG in a total of 155 consecutive patients with gastric cancer from November 2007 to December 2015 in Kyushu University Hospital. After LTG, we performed the conventional inverted T-shaped method using a linear stapler with a fixed cartridge fork in 61 patients from November 2007 to July 2011 (fixed cartridge group). From August 2011, we used a linear stapler with a movable cartridge fork and performed the modified inverted T-shaped method in 94 patients (movable cartridge group). We herein compare the short-term outcomes in 94 cases of LTG using the modified method (movable cartridge fork) with those in 61 cases using the conventional method (fixed cartridge fork). We found no significant differences in the perioperative or postoperative events between the movable and fixed cartridge groups. One case of anastomotic leakage occurred in the fixed cartridge group, but no

Feasibility and safety of modified inverted T-shaped method using linear stapler with movable cartridge fork for esophagojejunostomy following laparoscopic total gastrectomy

PubMed Central

Ohuchida, Kenoki; Moriyama, Taiki; Shindo, Koji; Manabe, Tatsuya; Ohtsuka, Takao; Shimizu, Shuji; Nakamura, Masafumi

2017-01-01

Background We previously reported the use of an inverted T-shaped method to obtain a suitable view for hand sewing to close the common entry hole when the linear stapler was fired for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). This conventional method involved insertion of the fixed cartridge fork to the Roux limb and the fine movable anvil fork to the esophagus to avoid perforation of the jejunum. However, insertion of the movable anvil fork to the esophagus during this procedure often requires us to strongly push down the main body of the stapler with the fixed cartridge fork to bring the direction of the anvil fork in line with the direction of the long axis of the esophagus while controlling the opening of the movable anvil fork. We therefore modified this complicated inverted T-shaped method using a linear stapler with a movable cartridge fork. This modified method involved insertion of the movable cartridge fork into the Roux limb followed by natural, easy insertion of the fixed anvil fork into the esophagus without controlling the opening of the movable cartridge fork. Methods We performed LTG in a total of 155 consecutive patients with gastric cancer from November 2007 to December 2015 in Kyushu University Hospital. After LTG, we performed the conventional inverted T-shaped method using a linear stapler with a fixed cartridge fork in 61 patients from November 2007 to July 2011 (fixed cartridge group). From August 2011, we used a linear stapler with a movable cartridge fork and performed the modified inverted T-shaped method in 94 patients (movable cartridge group). We herein compare the short-term outcomes in 94 cases of LTG using the modified method (movable cartridge fork) with those in 61 cases using the conventional method (fixed cartridge fork). Results We found no significant differences in the perioperative or postoperative events between the movable and fixed cartridge groups. One case of anastomotic leakage occurred in the

Fatalities caused by spherical bullets fired from blank cartridge guns in Istanbul, Turkey.

PubMed

Uzün, Ibrahim; Büyük, Yalçin; Erkol, Zerrin; Ağritmiş, Hasan; Kir, Ziya

2009-09-01

Blank cartridge guns are generally regarded as being harmless and are not considered to be firearms in the legal sense in most countries. To show the danger of these guns upon simple modifications, we report 59 fatalities resulting from these simply modified blank cartridge guns in Istanbul, Turkey. The great majority of the victims were males and the age of those ranged from 11 to 61 years. In 55.9% of these cases, homicide was the origin followed by suicide (39%). The right temporal region was detected to be the preferred region in suicidal shots by blank cartridge guns with a frequency of 56.5%. In trial shots, all these guns were detected to discharge steel or lead spherical objects, generally 4 or 5 mm in diameter, successfully. Our findings strongly suggest that these guns should also be considered as handguns in the legal sense.

18 CFR 37.6 - Information to be posted on the OASIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Information to be posted on the OASIS. 37.6 Section 37.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL POWER ACT OPEN ACCESS SAME-TIME...

18 CFR 37.6 - Information to be posted on the OASIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Information to be posted on the OASIS. 37.6 Section 37.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL POWER ACT OPEN ACCESS SAME-TIME...

18 CFR 37.6 - Information to be posted on the OASIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Information to be posted on the OASIS. 37.6 Section 37.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL POWER ACT OPEN ACCESS SAME-TIME...

Theory of stability, and regulation and control of ecological system in oasis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Xiaoling; Chao, Jiping

2003-06-01

Starting with analysis on the evolving course of oasis and the characteristics and evolution of transitional zone between oasis and desert, in consideration of ecological elements including plant stomata resistance, area covered by vegetation, and physical elements including albedo of vegetation and bare soil, atmosphere temperature, and humidity, under the condition of the balance among net radiation flux, latent heat flux, and sensible heat flux, the following are calculated: temperatures of vegetation and bare soil in different conditions, as well as the evapotranspiration rate of ecosystem. Analysis on evapotranspiration rate indicates that it depends on both the climate of environment and the physiological and ecological conditions of plants. On certain conditions, the evapotranspiration rate of transitional zone between oasis and desert (i.e. area covered by vegetation less than 20%), in some parameter domains, appears in bifurcation or multiequilibrium state. Meanwhile, in such area, ecosystem is extremely unstable. Any minor change to the balance will cause either increase or reduction of area covered by vegetation in ecosystem, on the basis of discussion on the emergency of these phenomena. This paper is attempting to propose an effective way of destruction and rebuilt ecosystem in transitional zone. The way is to control the evaporation of plant through selecting anti-drought country plant with big stomata resistance, and modify the roughness of the underlying surface in ecosystem by establishing rational interspace structure of plant community, so as to put the degenerative ecosystem into the natural succession track. This primary theory is being verified through observation and analysis on historical data.

Quantification of the impacts of climate change and human agricultural activities on oasis water requirements in an arid region: a case study of the Heihe River basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xingran; Shen, Yanjun

2018-03-01

Ecological deterioration in arid regions caused by agricultural development has become a global issue. Understanding water requirements of the oasis ecosystems and the influences of human agricultural activities and climate change is important for the sustainable development of oasis ecosystems and water resource management in arid regions. In this study, water requirements of the main oasis in Heihe River basin during 1986-2013 were analyzed and the amount showed a sharp increase from 10.8 × 108 m3 in 1986 to 19.0 × 108 m3 in 2013. Both human agricultural activities and climate change could lead to the increase in water requirement. To quantify the contributions of agricultural activities and climate change to the increase in water requirements, partial derivative and slope method were used. Results showed that climate change and human agricultural activities, such as oasis expansion and changes in land cropping structure, has contributed to the increase in water requirement at rates of 6.9, 58.1, and 25.3 %, respectively. Overall, human agricultural activities were the dominant forces driving the increase in water requirement. In addition, the contribution of oasis expanding to the increased water requirement was significantly greater than that of other concerned variables. This reveals that controlling the oasis scale is extremely important and effective for balancing water for agriculture and ecosystems and to achieving a sustainable oasis development in arid regions.

The UHPLC-DAD fingerprinting method for analysis of extracellular metabolites of fungi of the genus Geosmithia (Acomycota: Hypocreales).

PubMed

Tylová, Tereza; Kolařík, Miroslav; Olšovská, Jana

2011-07-01

A new simple ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection (UHPLC-DAD) was developed for chemical fingerprinting analysis of extracellular metabolites in fermentation broth of Geosmithia spp. The SPE method employing Oasis MCX strong cation-exchange mixed-mode polymeric sorbent was chosen for extraction of the metabolites. The analyses were performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm i.d.; particle size, 1.7 μm; Waters) using a gradient elution program with an aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The applicability of the method was proved by analysis of 38 strains produced by different species and isolated from different sources (hosts). The results revealed the correlation of obtained UHPLC-DAD fingerprints with taxonomical identity.

Small-Caliber Ammunition Identification Guide. Volume 1. Small-Arms Cartridges Up to 15 mm

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-06-01

guns chambcred Ifor this specific cartridge. 12) Who mmr~ de the cartridge, arid when’ Normtally this information canl be derived from the inarkings that...fromu imiproper annecaling of thre metal . they may fuimetin quite teliably. Ser-ticcmbility moust be decteriaimcnd tltro-agl iIISpeCtiLin and restiin bý...Bcc~usc of’ Hague Convrntion cestrietions. as well as to provide A, better pcifouriance, service bullets widi a lead core have a full metal jack.,t

Functionalized hollow fiber membrane cartridge for adsorption of Anticofactor/Antiphospholipid antibodies: a potential tool for treatment.

PubMed

Darnige, L; Legallais, C; Arvieux, J; Pitiot, O; Vijayalakshmi, M A

1999-09-01

It is of considerable interest to ascertain whether a hollow fiber cartridge containing histidine immobilized on polyethylenevinyl alcohol membrane (His-PEVA) is able to retain specific autoantibodies involved in antiphospholipid syndrome. To this end diluted patient pathogenic plasma containing high levels of anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (anti-beta2GPI) and antiprothrombin antibodies was processed through the functionalized cartridge. The adsorbed material was then eluted under mild conditions and analyzed; an enrichment of the eluted fractions in total IgG and more specifically in IgG2 subclass was observed, compared with the injected sample. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests showed a higher specific binding of antiprothrombin and anti-beta2GPI in these fractions. This was in accordance with the concomitant higher anticoagulant activity measured on the same fractions. All in vitro results clearly demonstrated the ability of the His-PEVA cartridge to preferentially adsorb these autoantibodies. Hence the functionalized cartridge represents a potential tool for the treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome by selective extracorporeal removal of IgG.

Preparation of imprinted cryogel cartridge for chiral separation of l-phenylalanine.

PubMed

Akgönüllü, Semra; Yavuz, Handan; Denizli, Adil

2017-06-01

l-Phe-imprinted cryogel cartridge was prepared for the chiral separation of l-Phe. N-Methacryloyl l-phenylalanine (MAPA) was used as a functional monomer for complexing with l-Phe. The selectivity of the membranes was investigated by using d-Phe, l-Trp, and d-Trp as competitor molecules. The PHEMAPA-l-Trp membranes were 6.4, 4.3, and 5.5 times more selective for l-Phe than d-Phe, l-Trp, and d-Trp, respectively. The PHEMAPA-l-Phe cryogel cartridge was incorporated into the fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) equipment and was able to separate D,l-Phe racemic mixture efficiently. The PHEMAPA-l-Phe membranes were shown to be reusable many times without significant loss of the adsorption capacity.

An Assessment of the Axial and Radial Dilation of a DPIMS Tantalum Cartridge for Space Shuttle Flight Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raj, S.V.; Ghosn, L. J.

1998-01-01

Ground-based heat treatment tests are planned on an argon gas-filled tantalum cartridge developed as pan of a Diffusion Processes in Molten Semiconductors (DPIMS) experiment conducted on NASA's Space Shuttle. The possibility that the cartridge may creep during testing and touch the furnace walls is of real concern in this program. The present paper discusses the results of calculations performed to evaluate this possibility. Deformation mechanism maps were constructed using literature data in order to identify the creep mechanism dominant under the appropriate stresses and temperatures corresponding to the test conditions. These results showed that power-law creep was dominant when the grain size of the material exceeded 55 gm but Coble creep was the important mechanism below this value of grain size. Finite element analysis was used to analyze the heat treatment tWs assuming a furnace run away condition (which is a worst case scenario) using the appropriate creep parameters corresponding to grain sizes of 1 and 100 gm. Calculations were also conducted to simulate the effect of an initial 3 tilt of the cartridge assembly, the maximum possible tilt angle. The von Mises stress and su-ain distributions were calculated assuming that the cartridge was fixed at one end as it was heated from ambient temperature to 1823 K in 1.42 h, maintained at 1823 K for 9.5 h and then further heated to an over temperature condition of 2028 K in 0.3 h. The inelastic axial and radial displacements of the cartridge walls were evaluated by resolving the von Mises strain along the corresponding directions. These calculations reveal that the maximum axial and radial displacements are expected to be about 2.9 and 0.25 mm, respectively, for both fine and coarse-grained materials at 2028 K. It was determined that these displacements occur during heat-up to temperature and creep of the cartridge is likely to be relatively insignificant irrespective of grain size. Furthermore, with a 3' tilt of

EVALUATING A COMPOSITE CARTRIDGE FOR SMALL SYSTEM DRINKING WATER TREATMENT

EPA Science Inventory

A multi-layer, cartridge-based system that combines physical filtration with carbon adsorption and ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection has been developed to perform as a water treatment security device to protect homes against accidental or intentional contaminant events. A seri...

Polarization measurements made on LFRA and OASIS emitter arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geske, Jon; Sparkman, Kevin; Oleson, Jim; Laveigne, Joe; Sieglinger, Breck; Marlow, Steve; Lowry, Heard; Burns, James

2008-04-01

Polarization is increasingly being considered as a method of discrimination in passive sensing applications. In this paper the degree of polarization of the thermal emission from the emitter arrays of two new Santa Barbara Infrared (SBIR) micro-bolometer resistor array scene projectors was characterized at ambient temperature and at 77 K. The emitter arrays characterized were from the Large Format Resistive Array (LFRA) and the Optimized Arrays for Space-Background Infrared Simulation (OASIS) scene projectors. This paper reports the results of this testing.

Combustible Cartridge Cases: Current Status and Future Prospects

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

and presents new models of combustible cartridge case burning . Following a summary of experimental data, it concludes with proposals for further...UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED SAR NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev 2-89) Precribed by ANSI Std Z39-19 IWFENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK...7 3.3 In-Depth Burning Model ........................................ 7 3.3.1 M odel A ................................................ 9 3.3.2

Uptake, accumulation and metabolization of the antidepressant fluoxetine by Mytilus galloprovincialis.

PubMed

Silva, Liliana J G; Martins, Margarida C; Pereira, André M P T; Meisel, Leonor M; Gonzalez-Rey, Maria; Bebianno, Maria João; Lino, Celeste M; Pena, Angelina

2016-06-01

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, is among the most prescribed pharmaceutical active substances worldwide. This study aimed to assess its accumulation and metabolization in the mussel Mytillus galloprovincialis, considered an excellent sentinel species for traditional and emerging pollutants. Mussels were collected from Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal, and exposed to a nominal concentration of fluoxetine (75 ng L(-1)) for 15 days. Approximately 1 g of whole mussel soft tissues was extracted with acetonitrile:formic acid, loaded into an Oasis MCX cartridge, and fluoxetine analysed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn). After 3 days of exposure, fluoxetine was accumulated in 70% of the samples, with a mean of 2.53 ng g(-1) dry weight (d.w.) and norfluoxetine was only detected in one sample (10%), at 3.06 ng g(-1) d.w. After 7 days of exposure, the accumulation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine increased up to 80 and 50% respectively, and their mean accumulated levels in mussel tissues were up to 4.43 and 2.85 ng g(-1) d.w., respectively. By the end of the exposure period (15 days), both compounds were detected in 100% of the samples (mean of 9.31 and 11.65 ng g(-1) d.w., respectively). Statistical analysis revealed significant accumulation differences between the 3rd and 15th day of exposure for fluoxetine, and between the 3rd and 7th against the 15th day of exposure for norfluoxetine. These results suggest that the fluoxetine accumulated in mussel tissues is likely to be metabolised into norfluoxetine with the increase of the time of exposure, giving evidence that at these realistic environmental concentrations, toxic effects of fluoxetine in mussel tissues may occur. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Method development study for APR cartridge evaluation in fire overhaul exposures.

PubMed

Anthony, T Renée; Joggerst, Philip; James, Leonard; Burgess, Jefferey L; Leonard, Stephen S; Shogren, Elizabeth S

2007-11-01

In the US, firefighters do not typically wear respiratory protection during overhaul activities, although fitting multi-gas or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear cartridges to supplied air respirator facepieces has been proposed to reduce exposures. This work developed a method to evaluate the effectiveness of respirator cartridges in smoke that represents overhaul exposures to residential fires. Chamber and penetration concentrations were measured for 91 contaminants, including aldehydes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons and methyl isothiocyanate, along with total and respirable particulates. These laboratory tests generated concentrations in the range of field-reported exposures from overhaul activities. With limited tests, no styrene, benzene, acrolein or particulates were detected in air filtered by the respirator cartridge, yet other compounds were detected penetrating the respirator. Because of the complexity of smoke, an exposure index was determined for challenge and filtered air to determine the relative risk of the aggregate exposure to respiratory irritants. The primary contributors to the irritant exposure index in air filtered by the respirator were formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, with total hydrocarbons contributing only 1% to the irritant index. Respirator cartridges were adequate to minimize firefighter exposures to aggregate respiratory irritants if the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ceiling limit for formaldehyde is used (0.3 ppm) but not if National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limit (NIOSH REL) (0.1 ppm) is used, where three of five concentrations in filtered air exceeded the NIOSH REL. Respirator certification allows 1 ppm of formaldehyde to pass through it when challenged at 100 ppm, which may not adequately protect workers to current short-term exposure/ceiling limits. The method developed here recommends specific contaminants to measure in future work

Characterization of cartridge filters from the IEA-R1 Nuclear Reactor

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

NONE

The management of radioactive waste ensures safety to human health and the environment nowadays and for the future, without overwhelming the upcoming generations. The primary characterization of radioactive waste is one of the main steps in the management of radioactive waste. This step permits to choose the best treatment for the radioactive waste before forwarding it to its final disposal. The aim of the present work is the primary characterization of cartridge filters from the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor utilizing gamma-ray spectrometry, and the method of Monte Carlo for calibration. The IEA-R1 is located in the Nuclear and Energy Research Institutemore » (IPEN - CNEN) in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Cartridge filters are used for purification of the cooling water that is pumped through the core of the pool type nuclear research reactors. Once worn out, these filters are replaced and then become radioactive waste. Determination of the radioactive inventory is of paramount importance in the management of such radioactive waste, and one of the main methods for doing so is the gamma-ray spectrometry, which can identify and quantify high energy photon emitters. The technique chosen for the characterization of radioactive waste in the present work is the gamma-ray spectrometry with High purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors. From the energy identified in the experimental spectrum, three radioisotopes were identified in the cartridge filter: {sup 108m}Ag, {sup 110m}Ag, {sup 60}Co. For the estimated activity of the filter, the calibration in efficiency was made utilizing the MCNP4C code of the Monte Carlo method. Such method was chosen because there is no standard source available in the same geometry of the cartridge filter, therefore a simulation had to be developed in order to reach a calibration equation, necessary to estimate the activity of the radioactive waste. The results presented an activity value in the order of MBq for all radioisotopes. (authors)« less

76 FR 51055 - In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges with Printheads and Components Thereof; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-17

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337-TA-723] In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink... importation of certain inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components thereof by reason of infringement... importation of the accused inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components thereof. Regarding...

Laboratory preparation of DNPH derivatives of carbonyl compounds on Sep-Pak{reg_sign} cartridges for quality assurance purposes

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

Harrell, R.M.

1994-12-31

Aldehydes and ketones are receiving increased attention both as hazardous substances and as promoters in the photochemical formation of ozone in the atmosphere. They enter the atmosphere in the exhaust of motor vehicles and other equipment using hydrocarbon and alcohol fuels. Formaldehyde, the most prevalent aldehyde, is widely used as a preservative, a textile-treatment agent, and an intermediate in the manufacture of urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins. The formaldehyde concentration ranges for several types of environments are presented. Waters Sep-Pak{reg_sign} DNPH-Silica cartridges are convenient, reproducible sampling devices for quantifying aldehydes and ketones in gases, including air. These cartridges trap the compoundsmore » by reacting them with the DNPH, 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine, on the cartridge to form stable hydrazone derivatives. Derivatives are later eluted and analyzed by HPLC. Cartridges spiked in the laboratory are used for quality assurance and instrument performance verification.« less

Determination of acrolein and other carbonyls in cigarette smoke using coupled silica cartridges impregnated with hydroquinone and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Inaba, Yohei; Kunugita, Naoki

2010-06-25

A new method for the determination of acrolein and other carbonyls in cigarette smoke using a dual cartridge system has been developed. Each cartridge consists of reagent-impregnated silica particles. The first contains hydroquinone (HQ) for the inhibition of acrolein polymerization, while the second contains 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for the derivatization of carbonyls. Smoke samples were firstly drawn through the cartridge containing HQ-impregnated silica (HQ-silica) and then through the DNPH-impregnated silica (DNPH-silica). Acrolein in the sample was completely trapped in the first HQ-silica cartridge. Some other airborne carbonyls were also trapped by the HQ-silica, and those that pass through were trapped in the second DNPH-silica cartridge. Extraction was performed in the reverse direction to air sampling. When solvent was eluted through the dual-cartridges, excess DNPH was washed into the HQ bed where it reacted with acrolein and other trapped carbonyls to form the corresponding hydrazone derivatives. All of the hydrazones derived from airborne carbonyls were completely separated and measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. This HQ-DNPH-method can be applied for the determination of acrolein and other alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, such as crotonaldehyde, in cigarette smoke. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interoperability and complementarity of simulation tools for beamline design in the OASYS environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebuffi, Luca; Sanchez del Rio, Manuel

2017-08-01

In the next years most of the major synchrotron radiation facilities around the world will upgrade to 4th-generation Diffraction Limited Storage Rings using multi-bend-achromat technology. Moreover, several Free Electron Lasers are ready-to-go or in phase of completion. These events represent a huge challenge for the optics physicists responsible of designing and calculating optical systems capable to exploit the revolutionary characteristics of the new photon beams. Reliable and robust beamline design is nowadays based on sophisticated computer simulations only possible by lumping together different simulation tools. The OASYS (OrAnge SYnchrotron Suite) suite drives several simulation tools providing new mechanisms of interoperability and communication within the same software environment. OASYS has been successfully used during the conceptual design of many beamline and optical designs for the ESRF and Elettra- Sincrotrone Trieste upgrades. Some examples are presented showing comparisons and benchmarking of simulations against calculated and experimental data.

75 FR 36677 - In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges With Printheads and Components Thereof; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337-TA-711] In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges With Printheads and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an... importation of certain inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components thereof by reason of infringement...

Comparison of gel column, card, and cartridge techniques for dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 blood typing

PubMed Central

Seth, Mayank; Jackson, Karen V.; Winzelberg, Sarah; Giger, Urs

2012-01-01

Objective To compare accuracy and ease of use of a card agglutination assay, an immunochromatographic cartridge method, and a gel-based method for canine blood typing. Sample Blood samples from 52 healthy blood donor dogs, 10 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), and 29 dogs with other diseases. Procedures Blood samples were tested in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Samples with low PCVs were created by the addition of autologous plasma to separately assess the effects of anemia on test results. Results Compared with a composite reference standard of agreement between 2 methods, the gel-based method was found to be 100% accurate. The card agglutination assay was 89% to 91% accurate, depending on test interpretation, and the immunochromatographic cartridge method was 93% accurate but 100% specific. Errors were observed more frequently in samples from diseased dogs, particularly those with IMHA. In the presence of persistent autoagglutination, dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1.1 typing was not possible, except with the immunochromatographic cartridge method. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance The card agglutination assay and immunochromatographic cartridge method, performed by trained personnel, were suitable for in-clinic emergency DEA 1.1 blood typing. There may be errors, particularly for samples from dogs with IMHA, and the immunochromatographic cartridge method may have an advantage of allowing typing of samples with persistent autoagglutination. The laboratory gel-based method would be preferred for routine DEA 1.1 typing of donors and patients if it is available and time permits. Current DEA 1.1 typing techniques appear to be appropriately standardized and easy to use. PMID:22280380

Gravity and magnetic study of the Pahute Mesa and Oasis Valley region, Nye County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mankinen, Edward A.; Hildenbrand, Thomas G.; Dixon, Gary L.; McKee, Edwin H.; Fridrich, Christopher J.; Laczniak, Randell J.

1999-01-01

Regional gravity and aeromagnetic maps reveal the existence of deep basins underlying much of the southwestern Nevada volcanic field, approximately 150 km northwest of Las Vegas. These maps also indicate the presence of prominent features (geophysical lineaments) within and beneath the basin fill. Detailed gravity surveys were conducted in order to characterize the nature of the basin boundaries, delineate additional subsurface features, and evaluate their possible influence on the movement of ground-water. Geophysical modeling of gravity and aeromagnetic data indicates that many of the features may be related to processes of caldera formation. Collapse of the various calderas within the volcanic field resulted in dense basement rocks occurring at greater depths within caldera boundaries. Modeling indicates that collapse occurred along faults that are arcuate and steeply dipping. There are indications that the basement in the western Pahute Mesa - Oasis Valley region consists predominantly of granitic and/or fine-grained siliceous sedimentary rocks that may be less permeable to groundwater flow than the predominantly fractured carbonate rock basement to the east and southeast of the study area. The northeast-trending Thirsty Canyon lineament, expressed on gravity and basin thickness maps, separates dense volcanic rocks on the northwest from less dense intracaldera accumulations in the Silent Canyon and Timber Mountain caldera complexes. The source of the lineament is an approximately 2-km wide ring fracture system with step-like differential displacements, perhaps localized on a pre-existing northeast-trending Basin and Range fault. Due to vertical offsets, the Thirsty Canyon fault zone probably juxtaposes rock types of different permeability and, thus, it may act as a barrier to ground-water flow and deflect flow from Pahute Mesa along its flanks toward Oasis Valley. Within the Thirsty Canyon fault zone, highly fractured rocks may serve also as a conduit

75 FR 17435 - In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink Cartridges With Printheads and Components Thereof; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-06

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Inv. No. 337-TA-711] In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink... importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain inkjet ink cartridges with... importation of certain inkjet cartridges with printheads or components thereof that infringe one or more of...

42 CFR 484.11 - Condition of participation: Release of patient identifiable OASIS information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Condition of participation: Release of patient... Administration § 484.11 Condition of participation: Release of patient identifiable OASIS information. The HHA and agent acting on behalf of the HHA in accordance with a written contract must ensure the...

OASIS: Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea-Ice-Snowpack Interactions in Polar Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bottenheim, J. W.; Abbatt, J.; Beine, H.; Berg, T.; Bigg, K.; Domine, F.; Leck, C.; Lindberg, S.; Matrai, P.; MacDonald, R.; McConnell, J.; Platt, U.; Raspopov, O.; Shepson, P.; Shumilov, O.; Stutz, J.; Wolff, E.

2004-05-01

While Polar regions encompass a large part of the globe, little attention has been paid to the interactions between the atmosphere and its extensive snow-covered surfaces. Recent discoveries in the Arctic and Antarctic show that the top ten centimeters of snow is not simply a white blanket but in fact is a surprisingly reactive medium for chemical reactions in the troposphere. It has been concluded that interlinked physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms, fueled by the sun and occurring in the snow, are responsible for depletion of tropospheric ozone and gaseous mercury. At the same time production of highly reactive compounds (e.g. formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide) has been observed at the snow surface. Air-snow interactions also have an impact on the chemical composition of the snow and hence the nature and amounts of material released in terrestrial/marine ecosystems during the melting of seasonal snow-packs. Many details of these possibly naturally occurring processes are yet to be discovered. For decades humans have added waste products including acidic particles (sulphates) and toxic contaminants such as gaseous mercury and POPs (persistent organic pollutants) to the otherwise pristine snow surface. Virtually nothing is known about transformations of these contaminants in the snowpack, making it impossible to assess the risk to the polar environment, including humans. This is especially disconcerting when considering that climate change will undoubtedly alter the nature of these transformations involving snow, ice, atmosphere, ocean, and, ultimately, biota. To address these topics an interdisciplinary group of scientists from North America, Europe and Japan is developing a set of coordinated research activities under the banner of the IGBP programs IGAC and SOLAS. The program of Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack (OASIS) interactions has been established with a mission statement aimed at determining the impact of OASIS chemical exchange on tropospheric

Dose accuracy of a reusable insulin pen using a cartridge system with an integrated plunger mechanism.

PubMed

Clarke, Alastair; Dain, Marie-Paule

2006-09-01

Pen injection devices are a common method of administering insulin for patients with diabetes. Pen devices must comply with guidelines prepared by the International Organization for Standardization, which include device dose accuracy and precision. OptiClik (sanofi-aventis) was developed to fulfil unmet needs of patients with diabetes, including: easier cartridge changing, clearer dose display and readability, and a larger dose of insulin to be delivered with a single injection. In this paper, the authors report on the dose accuracy of the OptiClik pen device, which uses a novel cartridge system with an integrated plunger for easier cartridge changing. The authors show that OptiClik accurately delivers a required dose of insulin, which is maintained over the lifetime of the pen. OptiClik offers a significant contribution to the treatment of diabetes.

Spectral reflectance properties of major objects in desert oasis: a case study of the Weigan-Kuqa river delta oasis in Xinjiang, China.

PubMed

Zhang, Fei; Tiyip, Tashpolat; Ding, Jianli; Sawut, Mamat; Tashpolat, Nigara; Kung, Hsiangte; Han, Guihong; Gui, Dongwei

2012-08-01

Aiming at the remote sensing application has been increasingly relying on ground object spectral characteristics. In order to further research the spectral reflectance characteristics in arid area, this study was performed in the typical delta oasis of Weigan and Kuqa rivers located north of Tarim Basin. Data were collected from geo-targets at multiple sites in various field conditions. The spectra data were collected for different soil types including saline-alkaline soil, silt sandy soil, cotton field, and others; vegetations of Alhagi sparsifolia, Phragmites australis, Tamarix, Halostachys caspica, etc., and water bodies. Next, the data were processed to remove high-frequency noise, and the spectral curves were smoothed with the moving average method. The derivative spectrum was generated after eliminating environmental background noise so that to distinguish the original overlap spectra. After continuum removal of the undesirable absorbance, the spectrum curves were able to highlight features for both optical absorbance and reflectance. The spectrum information of each ground object is essential for fully utilizing the multispectrum data generated by remote sensing, which will need a representative spectral library. In this study using ENVI 4.5 software, a preliminary spectral library of surface features was constructed using the data surveyed in the study area. This library can support remote sensing activities such as feature investigation, vegetation classification, and environmental monitoring in the delta oasis region. Future plan will focus on sharing and standardizing the criteria of professional spectral library and to expand and promote the utilization of the spectral databases.

Computer-Aided-Design of the Hydraulic System of Three-Dimensional Cartridge Valve Blocks (Selected Articles)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-21

sectional representation of the spatial figure can be correctly determined. 6 The AutoLisp language system in the AutoCAD software provides the most...softwares are developed on the 32-bit machines and little progress has been reported for the 16-bit machines. Even the AutoCAD is a two-ard-a-half... AutoCAD software as the basis, developed the design package of 3-D cartridge valve blocks on IM PC/AT. To realize the 3-D displaying of cartridge valves

Sequence stratigraphy of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the Dakhla Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hewaidy, Abdel Galil A.; Farouk, Sherif; Bazeen, Youssef S.

2017-12-01

The Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the Dakhla Oasis is marked by the presence of a typical Nile Valley Facies represented by the Dakhla and Tarawan formations in Edmonstone and Qur El Malik sections in the central and western parts of the oasis, while a mixed Nile Valley and Garra Al-Arbain facies represented by Dakhla, Kurkur and Tarawan formations in Teneida section in the eastern part of the oasis adjacent to the Abu Tartur Plateau. These sections were examined for their foraminiferal contents, lithologic characters and stratigraphic boundaries. The distribution of foraminifera in the studied sections is variable and inconstant, as the planktonics are concentrated only at certain levels, which may be considered as a time intervals of transgression and maximum flooding surfaces. Eight planktonic biozones are distinguished in this work; of theses two are of Maastrichtain age and six are of Paleocene age. Eight 3rd order depositional sequences are recognized in the studied Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession based on the time stratigraphic boundaries released from the planktonic foraminifera and sea level changes which are released from the paleoecologic interpretations. The distinguished sequences are subdivided into their systems tracts based on the paleobathymetric interpretations of P/B% and benthic biofacies analysis. These sequences are bounded by eight sequence boundaries (SB A - SB H) represented by unconformity surfaces and depositional hiatuses. The correlation of the sequence boundaries of the established depositional sequences with the eustatic sea level curve, suggesting that these depositional sequences were resulted from the interplay of eustatic sea-level changes and local tectonic activities.

Sensitivity of the reference evapotranspiration to key climatic variables during the growing season in the Ejina oasis northwest China.

PubMed

Hou, Lan-Gong; Zou, Song-Bing; Xiao, Hong-Lang; Yang, Yong-Gang

2013-01-01

The standardized FAO56 Penman-Monteith model, which has been the most reasonable method in both humid and arid climatic conditions, provides reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimates for planning and efficient use of agricultural water resources. And sensitivity analysis is important in understanding the relative importance of climatic variables to the variation of reference evapotranspiration. In this study, a non-dimensional relative sensitivity coefficient was employed to predict responses of ETo to perturbations of four climatic variables in the Ejina oasis northwest China. A 20-year historical dataset of daily air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and daily sunshine duration in the Ejina oasis was used in the analysis. Results have shown that daily sensitivity coefficients exhibited large fluctuations during the growing season, and shortwave radiation was the most sensitive variable in general for the Ejina oasis, followed by air temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. According to this study, the response of ETo can be preferably predicted under perturbation of air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and shortwave radiation by their sensitivity coefficients.

Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus in self-obtained cervicovaginal samples by using the FTA cartridge: new possibilities for cervical cancer screening.

PubMed

Lenselink, Charlotte H; de Bie, Roosmarie P; van Hamont, Dennis; Bakkers, Judith M J E; Quint, Wim G V; Massuger, Leon F A G; Bekkers, Ruud L M; Melchers, Willem J G

2009-08-01

This study assesses human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping in self-sampled genital smears applied to an indicating FTA elute cartridge (FTA cartridge). The study group consisted of 96 women, divided into two sample sets. All samples were analyzed by the HPV SPF(10)-Line Blot 25. Set 1 consisted of 45 women attending the gynecologist; all obtained a self-sampled cervicovaginal smear, which was applied to an FTA cartridge. HPV results were compared to a cervical smear (liquid based) taken by a trained physician. Set 2 consisted of 51 women who obtained a self-sampled cervicovaginal smear at home, which was applied to an FTA cartridge and to a liquid-based medium. DNA was obtained from the FTA cartridges by simple elution as well as extraction. Of all self-obtained samples of set 1, 62.2% tested HPV positive. The overall agreement between self- and physician-obtained samples was 93.3%, in favor of the self-obtained samples. In sample set 2, 25.5% tested HPV positive. The overall agreement for high-risk HPV presence between the FTA cartridge and liquid-based medium and between DNA elution and extraction was 100%. This study shows that HPV detection and genotyping in self-obtained cervicovaginal samples applied to an FTA cartridge is highly reliable. It shows a high level of overall agreement with HPV detection and genotyping in physician-obtained cervical smears and liquid-based self-samples. DNA can be obtained by simple elution and is therefore easy, cheap, and fast. Furthermore, the FTA cartridge is a convenient medium for collection and safe transport at ambient temperatures. Therefore, this method may contribute to a new way of cervical cancer screening.

A Method for Multiple Mycotoxin Analysis in Wines by Solid Phase Extraction and Multifunctional Cartridge Purification, and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Tamura, Masayoshi; Takahashi, Ayumi; Uyama, Atsuo; Mochizuki, Naoki

2012-01-01

An analytical method using two solid phase extractions and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the identification and quantification of 14 mycotoxins (patulin, deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, zearalenone, fumonisins B1, B2, B3, and ochratoxin A) in domestic and imported wines. Mycotoxins were purified with an Oasis HLB cartridge, followed by a MultiSepTM #229 Ochra. As a result, sufficient removal of the pigments and highly polar matrices from the red wines was achieved. UHPLC conditions were optimized, and 14 mycotoxins were separated in a total of 13 min. Determinations performed using this method produced high correlation coefficients for the 14 mycotoxins (R > 0.990) and recovery rates ranging from 76 to 105% with good repeatability (relative standard deviation RSD < 12%). Twenty-seven samples of domestic and imported wines were analyzed using this method. Although ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins (FMs) were detected in several samples, the FM levels were less than limits of quantification (LOQs) (1 μg/L), and even the largest of the OTA levels was below the EU regulatory level (2 μg/L). These results suggest that the health risk posed to consumers from the wines available in Japan is relatively low. PMID:22822458

Syringe-cartridge solid-phase extraction method for patulin in apple juice.

PubMed

Eisele, Thomas A; Gibson, Midori Z

2003-01-01

A syringe-cartridge solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for determination of patulin in apple juice. A 2.5 mL portion of test sample was passed through a conditioned macroporous SPE cartridge and washed with 2 mL 1% sodium bicarbonate followed by 2 mL 1% acetic acid. Patulin was eluted with 1 mL 10% ethyl acetate in ethyl ether and determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography using a mobile phase consisting of 81% acetonitrile, 9% water, and 10% 0.05M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 2.4. Recoveries averaged 92% and the relative standard deviation was 8.0% in test samples spiked with 50 ng/mL patulin. The method appears to be applicable for monitoring apple juice samples to meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration compliance action level of 50 microg/kg in an industrial quality assurance laboratory environment.

EVALUATION OF SILICA GEL CARTRIDGES COATED IN SITU WITH ACIDIFIED 2,4-DINITROPHENYLHYDRAZINE FOR SAMPLING ALDEHYDES AND KETONES IN AIR

EPA Science Inventory

A procedure for coating in-situ silica in commercially available prepacked cartridges with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) acidified with hydrochloric acid is described. The coated cartridge was compared with a validated DNPH impinger method for sampling organic carbonyl compou...

Optimization of the bake-on siliconization of cartridges. Part I: Optimization of the spray-on parameters.

PubMed

Funke, Stefanie; Matilainen, Julia; Nalenz, Heiko; Bechtold-Peters, Karoline; Mahler, Hanns-Christian; Friess, Wolfgang

2016-07-01

Biopharmaceutical products are increasingly commercialized as drug/device combinations to enable self-administration. Siliconization of the inner syringe/cartridge glass barrel for adequate functionality is either performed at the supplier or drug product manufacturing site. Yet, siliconization processes are often insufficiently investigated. In this study, an optimized bake-on siliconization process for cartridges using a pilot-scale siliconization unit was developed. The following process parameters were investigated: spray quantity, nozzle position, spray pressure, time for pump dosing and the silicone emulsion concentration. A spray quantity of 4mg emulsion showed best, immediate atomization into a fine spray. 16 and 29mg of emulsion, hence 4-7-times the spray volume, first generated an emulsion jet before atomization was achieved. Poor atomization of higher quantities correlated with an increased spray loss and inhomogeneous silicone distribution, e.g., due to runlets forming build-ups at the cartridge lower edge and depositing on the star wheel. A prolonged time for pump dosing of 175ms led to a more intensive, long-lasting spray compared to 60ms as anticipated from a higher air-to-liquid ratio. A higher spray pressure of 2.5bar did not improve atomization but led to an increased spray loss. At a 20mm nozzle-to-flange distance the spray cone exactly reached the cartridge flange, which was optimal for thicker silicone layers at the flange to ease piston break-loose. Initially, 10μg silicone was sufficient for adequate extrusion in filled cartridges. However, both maximum break-loose and gliding forces in filled cartridges gradually increased from 5-8N to 21-22N upon 80weeks storage at room temperature. The increase for a 30μg silicone level from 3-6N to 10-12N was moderate. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive insight into critical process parameters during the initial spray-on process and the impact of these parameters on the characteristics of the

An integratable microfluidic cartridge for forensic swab samples lysis.

PubMed

Yang, Jianing; Brooks, Carla; Estes, Matthew D; Hurth, Cedric M; Zenhausern, Frederic

2014-01-01

Fully automated rapid forensic DNA analysis requires integrating several multistep processes onto a single microfluidic platform, including substrate lysis, extraction of DNA from the released lysate solution, multiplexed PCR amplification of STR loci, separation of PCR products by capillary electrophoresis, and analysis for allelic peak calling. Over the past several years, most of the rapid DNA analysis systems developed started with the reference swab sample lysate and involved an off-chip lysis of collected substrates. As a result of advancement in technology and chemistry, addition of a microfluidic module for swab sample lysis has been achieved in a few of the rapid DNA analysis systems. However, recent reports on integrated rapid DNA analysis systems with swab-in and answer-out capability lack any quantitative and qualitative characterization of the swab-in sample lysis module, which is important for downstream forensic sample processing. Maximal collection and subsequent recovery of the biological material from the crime scene is one of the first and critical steps in forensic DNA technology. Herein we present the design, fabrication and characterization of an integratable swab lysis cartridge module and the test results obtained from different types of commonly used forensic swab samples, including buccal, saliva, and blood swab samples, demonstrating the compatibility with different downstream DNA extraction chemistries. This swab lysis cartridge module is easy to operate, compatible with both forensic and microfluidic requirements, and ready to be integrated with our existing automated rapid forensic DNA analysis system. Following the characterization of the swab lysis module, an integrated run from buccal swab sample-in to the microchip CE electropherogram-out was demonstrated on the integrated prototype instrument. Therefore, in this study, we demonstrate that this swab lysis cartridge module is: (1) functionally, comparable with routine benchtop lysis

Constraints on the utility of MnO2 cartridge method for the extraction of radionuclides: A case study using 234Th

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baskaran, M.; Swarzenski, P.W.; Biddanda, B.A.

2009-01-01

[1] Large volume (102-103 L) seawater samples are routinely processed to investigate the partitioning of particle reactive radionuclides and Ra between solution and size-fractionated suspended particulate matter. One of the most frequently used methods to preconcentrate these nuclides from such large volumes involves extraction onto three filter cartridges (a prefilter for particulate species and two MnO2-coated filters for dissolved species) connected in series. This method assumes that the extraction efficiency is uniform for both MnO2-coated cartridges, that no dissolved species are removed by the prefilter, and that any adsorbed radionuclides are not desorbed from the MnO2-coated cartridges during filtration. In this study, we utilized 234Th-spiked coastal seawater and deionized water to address the removal of dissolved Th onto prefilters and MnO2-coated filter cartridges. Experimental results provide the first data that indicate (1) a small fraction of dissolved Th (<6%) can be removed by the prefilter cartridge; (2) a small fraction of dissolved Th (<5%) retained by the MnO2 surface can also be desorbed, which undermines the assumption of uniform extraction efficiency for Th; and (3) the absolute and relative extraction efficiencies can vary widely. These experiments provide insight on the variability of the extraction efficiency of MnO 2-coated filter cartridges by comparing the relative and absolute efficiencies and recommend the use of a constant efficiency on the combined activity from two filter cartridges connected in series for future studies of dissolved 234Th and other radionuclides in natural waters using sequential filtration/extraction methods. ?? 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

OASIS Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tin, Padetha

2014-01-01

The Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) project comprises a series of experiments that will probe the interfacial and hydrodynamic behavior of freely suspended liquid crystal films in space. These are the thinnest known stable condensed phase structures, making them ideal for studies of fluctuation and interface phenomena. The experiments seek to verify theories of coarsening dynamics, hydrodynamic flow, relaxation of hydrodynamic perturbations, and hydrodynamic interactions of a near two-dimensional structure. The effects of introducing islands or droplets on a very thin bubble will be studied, both as controllable inclusions that modify the flow and as markers of flow.

2,4 - dinitrophenylhydrazine - coated silica gel cartridge method for determination of formaldehyde in air: Identification of an ozone interference

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

Arnts, R.R.; Tejada, S.B.

1989-01-01

Two versions of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method, a coated silica gel cartridge (solid) and acetonitrile impinger (solvent based), were used simultaneously to sample varied concentrations of ozone (0-770 ppb) and formaldehyde (20-140 ppb). Ozone was found to be a negative interference in the determination of formaldehyde by the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-coated silica gel cartridge method. At 120 ppb of ozone, formaldehyde at 40 ppb was under-reported by the cartridge method by 34% and at 300 ppb of ozone, formaldehyde measurements were 61% low. Greater losses were seen at higher ozone concentrations. Impinger sampling (2,4-DNPH in acetonitrile) showed no formaldehyde losses due to ozone.

Psychometrics of a Brief Measure of Anxiety to Detect Severity and Impairment: The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)

PubMed Central

Norman, Sonya B.; Campbell-Sills, Laura; Hitchcock, Carla A.; Sullivan, Sarah; Rochlin, Alexis; Wilkins, Kendall C.; Stein, Murray B.

2010-01-01

Brief measures of anxiety related severity and impairment that can be used across anxiety disorders and with subsyndromal anxiety are lacking. The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) have shown strong psychometric properties with college students and primary care patients. This study examines sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of an abbreviated version of the OASIS that takes only 2–3 minutes to complete using a non-clinical (college student) sample. 48 participants completed the OASIS and SCID for anxiety disorders, 21 had a diagnosis of ≥1 anxiety disorder, and 4 additional participants had a subthreshold diagnosis. A cut-score of 8 best discriminated those with anxiety disorders from those without, successfully classifying 78% of the sample with 69% sensitivity and 74% specificity. Results from a larger sample (n=171) showed a single factor structure and excellent convergent and divergent validity. The availability of cut-scores for a non-clinical sample furthers the utility of this measure for settings where screening or brief assessment of anxiety is needed. PMID:20609450

42 CFR 84.112 - Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements. 84.112 Section 84.112 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.112 - Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements. 84.112 Section 84.112 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.112 - Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements. 84.112 Section 84.112 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.112 - Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements. 84.112 Section 84.112 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.112 - Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges in parallel; resistance requirements. 84.112 Section 84.112 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

Determination of orthophthalaldehyde in air using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-impregnated silica cartridge and high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Matsushima, Erika; Tokunaga, Hiroshi; Otsubo, Yasufumi; Ando, Masanori

2006-05-26

A new method is described for the determination of orthophthalaldehyde in air which is used for the disinfection of various instruments (e.g. endoscopes) in hospital. Orthophthalaldehyde in air was collected with a silica gel cartridge impregnated with acidified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH-cartridge) and derivatives were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, the derivatization was examined by comparing the process with three phthalaldehyde isomers (ortho-, iso- and tere-). In the case of iso- and tere-phthalaldehyde, derivatives synthesized with excess of aldehyde consisted mainly of mono-derivatives, and derivatives synthesized with excess of DNPH consisted mainly of bis-derivative. In the case of orthophthalaldehyde, derivative consisted of only bis-derivative and mono-derivative was never observed under any conditions. Orthophthalaldehyde was completely retained by the DNPH-cartridge during air sampling, however, the derivatization reaction was incomplete and unreacted orthophthalaldehyde was flushed from the cartridge during the subsequent solvent extraction process. Unreacted orthophthalaldehyde and DNPH reacted again in the extraction solvent solution. Immediately after the solvent extraction, both mono- and bis-DNPhydrazone derivatives of orthophthalaldehyde were present in the solution. However, over time, the mono-derivative decreased and bis-derivative increased until only the bis-derivative was left allowing accurate determination of the orthophthalaldehyde concentration. The transformation of mono-derivative to bis-derivative was faster in polar aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide and ethyl acetate. Transformation was found to occur most quickly in acetonitrile solvent and was completed in 4 h in this case. It was possible to measure orthophthalaldehyde in air as bis-derivative using a DNPH impregnated silica cartridge and HPLC analysis.

42 CFR 488.68 - State Agency responsibilities for OASIS collection and data base requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...— (1) Instruct each HHA on the administration of the data set, privacy/confidentiality of the data set, and integration of the OASIS data set into the facility's own record keeping system; (2) Instruct each... and data base requirements. 488.68 Section 488.68 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID...

42 CFR 488.68 - State Agency responsibilities for OASIS collection and data base requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...— (1) Instruct each HHA on the administration of the data set, privacy/confidentiality of the data set, and integration of the OASIS data set into the facility's own record keeping system; (2) Instruct each... and data base requirements. 488.68 Section 488.68 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID...

42 CFR 488.68 - State Agency responsibilities for OASIS collection and data base requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...— (1) Instruct each HHA on the administration of the data set, privacy/confidentiality of the data set, and integration of the OASIS data set into the facility's own record keeping system; (2) Instruct each... and data base requirements. 488.68 Section 488.68 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID...

42 CFR 488.68 - State Agency responsibilities for OASIS collection and data base requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...— (1) Instruct each HHA on the administration of the data set, privacy/confidentiality of the data set, and integration of the OASIS data set into the facility's own record keeping system; (2) Instruct each... and data base requirements. 488.68 Section 488.68 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID...

Motion-Based pH Sensing Based on the Cartridge-Case-like Micromotor.

PubMed

Su, Yajun; Ge, Ya; Liu, Limei; Zhang, Lina; Liu, Mei; Sun, Yunyu; Zhang, Hui; Dong, Bin

2016-02-17

In this paper, we report a novel cartridge-case-like micromotor. The micromotor, which is fabricated by the template synthesis method, consists of a gelatin shell with platinum nanoparticles decorating its inner surface. Intriguingly, the resulting cartridge-case-like structure exhibits a pH-dependent "open and close" feature, which originates from the pH responsiveness of the gelatin material. On the basis of the catalytic activity of the platinum nanoparticle inside the gelatin shell, the resulting cartridge-case-like structure is capable of moving autonomously in the aqueous solution containing the hydrogen peroxide fuel. More interestingly, we find out that the micromotor can be utilized as a motion-based pH sensor over the whole pH range. The moving velocity of the micromotor increases monotonically with the increase of pH of the analyte solution. Three different factors are considered to be responsible for the proportional relation between the motion speed and pH of the analyte solution: the peroxidase-like and oxidase-like catalytic behavior of the platinum nanoparticle at low and high pH, the volumetric decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide under the basic condition and the pH-dependent catalytic activity of the platinum nanoparticle caused by the swelling/deswelling behavior of the gelatin material. The current work highlights the impact of the material properties on the motion behavior of a micromotor, thus paving the way toward its application in the motion-based sensing field.

Goddard Space Flight Center specification for Helical-Scan 8-millimeter (mm) magnetic digital data tape cartridge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Jimmy L.

1992-01-01

The same kind of standard and controls are established that are currently in use for the procurement of new analog, digital, and IBM/IBM compatible 3480 tape cartridges, and 1 in wide channel video magnetic tapes. The Magnetic Tape Certification Facility (MTCF) maintains a Qualified Products List (QPL) for the procurement of new magnetic media and uses the following specifications for the QPL and Acceptance Tests: (1) NASA TM-79724 is used for the QPL and Acceptance Testing of new analog magnetic tapes; (2) NASA TM-80599 is used for the QPL and Acceptance Testing of new digital magnetic tapes; (3) NASA TM-100702 is used for the QPL and Acceptance Testing of new IBM/IBM compatible 3840 magnetic tape cartridges; and (4) NASA TM-100712 is used for the QPL and Acceptance Testing of new 1 in wide channel video magnetic tapes. This document will be used for the QPL and Acceptance Testing of new Helical Scan 8 mm digital data tape cartridges.

Trypanosoma mega (Kinetoplastida) from Bufo viridis in Siwah Oasis, Egypt.

PubMed

Ashour, A A; Gaafar, N A

1997-04-01

A large pleomorphic trypanosome, identified as Trypanosoma mega, is described from the toad Bufo viridis collected from Siwah Oasis at the Western Desert of Egypt. The prevalence of the trypanosome is 83.3%. Three trypanosome forms are described, small, intermediate and large stumpy form. Observations were also made on the lysed (diffused) trypanosomes. This is the first record of T. mega from B. viridis in Egypt which represents a new host and new geographical location. The measurements of the present trypanosome are given and compared with related forms previously described from Egypt.

Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus in Self-Obtained Cervicovaginal Samples by Using the FTA Cartridge: New Possibilities for Cervical Cancer Screening ▿

PubMed Central

Lenselink, Charlotte H.; de Bie, Roosmarie P.; van Hamont, Dennis; Bakkers, Judith M. J. E.; Quint, Wim G. V.; Massuger, Leon F. A. G.; Bekkers, Ruud L. M.; Melchers, Willem J. G.

2009-01-01

This study assesses human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping in self-sampled genital smears applied to an indicating FTA elute cartridge (FTA cartridge). The study group consisted of 96 women, divided into two sample sets. All samples were analyzed by the HPV SPF10-Line Blot 25. Set 1 consisted of 45 women attending the gynecologist; all obtained a self-sampled cervicovaginal smear, which was applied to an FTA cartridge. HPV results were compared to a cervical smear (liquid based) taken by a trained physician. Set 2 consisted of 51 women who obtained a self-sampled cervicovaginal smear at home, which was applied to an FTA cartridge and to a liquid-based medium. DNA was obtained from the FTA cartridges by simple elution as well as extraction. Of all self-obtained samples of set 1, 62.2% tested HPV positive. The overall agreement between self- and physician-obtained samples was 93.3%, in favor of the self-obtained samples. In sample set 2, 25.5% tested HPV positive. The overall agreement for high-risk HPV presence between the FTA cartridge and liquid-based medium and between DNA elution and extraction was 100%. This study shows that HPV detection and genotyping in self-obtained cervicovaginal samples applied to an FTA cartridge is highly reliable. It shows a high level of overall agreement with HPV detection and genotyping in physician-obtained cervical smears and liquid-based self-samples. DNA can be obtained by simple elution and is therefore easy, cheap, and fast. Furthermore, the FTA cartridge is a convenient medium for collection and safe transport at ambient temperatures. Therefore, this method may contribute to a new way of cervical cancer screening. PMID:19553570

Optimal stapler cartridge selection according to the thickness of the pancreas in distal pancreatectomy

PubMed Central

Kim, Hongbeom; Jang, Jin-Young; Son, Donghee; Lee, Seungyeoun; Han, Youngmin; Shin, Yong Chan; Kim, Jae Ri; Kwon, Wooil; Kim, Sun-Whe

2016-01-01

Abstract Stapling is a popular method for stump closure in distal pancreatectomy (DP). However, research on which cartridges are suitable for different pancreatic thickness is lacking. To identify the optimal stapler cartridge choice in DP according to pancreatic thickness. From November 2011 to April 2015, data were prospectively collected from 217 consecutive patients who underwent DP with 3-layer endoscopic staple closure in Seoul National University Hospital, Korea. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was graded according to International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definitions. Staplers were grouped based on closed length (CL) (Group I: CL ≤ 1.5 mm, II: 1.5 mm < CL < 2 mm, III: CL ≥ 2 mm). Compression ratio (CR) was defined as pancreas thickness/CL. Distribution of pancreatic thickness was used to find the cut-off point of thickness which predicts POPF according to stapler groups. POPF developed in 130 (59.9%) patients (Grade A; n = 86 [66.1%], B; n = 44 [33.8%]). The numbers in each stapler group were 46, 101, and 70, respectively. Mean thickness was higher in POPF cases (15.2 mm vs 13.5 mm, P = 0.002). High body mass index (P = 0.003), thick pancreas (P = 0.011), and high CR (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for POPF in multivariate analysis. Pancreatic thickness was grouped into <12 mm, 12 to 17 mm, and >17 mm. With pancreatic thickness <12 mm, the POPF rate was lowest with Group II (I: 50%, II: 27.6%, III: 69.2%, P = 0.035). The optimal stapler cartridges with pancreatic thickness <12 mm were those in Group II (Gold, CL: 1.8 mm). There was no suitable cartridge for thicker pancreases. Further studies are necessary to reduce POPF in thick pancreases. PMID:27583852

Optimal stapler cartridge selection according to the thickness of the pancreas in distal pancreatectomy.

PubMed

Kim, Hongbeom; Jang, Jin-Young; Son, Donghee; Lee, Seungyeoun; Han, Youngmin; Shin, Yong Chan; Kim, Jae Ri; Kwon, Wooil; Kim, Sun-Whe

2016-08-01

Stapling is a popular method for stump closure in distal pancreatectomy (DP). However, research on which cartridges are suitable for different pancreatic thickness is lacking. To identify the optimal stapler cartridge choice in DP according to pancreatic thickness.From November 2011 to April 2015, data were prospectively collected from 217 consecutive patients who underwent DP with 3-layer endoscopic staple closure in Seoul National University Hospital, Korea. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was graded according to International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definitions. Staplers were grouped based on closed length (CL) (Group I: CL ≤ 1.5 mm, II: 1.5 mm < CL < 2 mm, III: CL ≥ 2 mm). Compression ratio (CR) was defined as pancreas thickness/CL. Distribution of pancreatic thickness was used to find the cut-off point of thickness which predicts POPF according to stapler groups.POPF developed in 130 (59.9%) patients (Grade A; n = 86 [66.1%], B; n = 44 [33.8%]). The numbers in each stapler group were 46, 101, and 70, respectively. Mean thickness was higher in POPF cases (15.2 mm vs 13.5 mm, P = 0.002). High body mass index (P = 0.003), thick pancreas (P = 0.011), and high CR (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for POPF in multivariate analysis. Pancreatic thickness was grouped into <12 mm, 12 to 17 mm, and >17 mm. With pancreatic thickness <12 mm, the POPF rate was lowest with Group II (I: 50%, II: 27.6%, III: 69.2%, P = 0.035).The optimal stapler cartridges with pancreatic thickness <12 mm were those in Group II (Gold, CL: 1.8 mm). There was no suitable cartridge for thicker pancreases. Further studies are necessary to reduce POPF in thick pancreases.

[Spatial differentiation and impact factors of Yutian Oasis's soil surface salt based on GWR model].

PubMed

Yuan, Yu Yun; Wahap, Halik; Guan, Jing Yun; Lu, Long Hui; Zhang, Qin Qin

2016-10-01

In this paper, topsoil salinity data gathered from 24 sampling sites in the Yutian Oasis were used, nine different kinds of environmental variables closely related to soil salinity were selec-ted as influencing factors, then, the spatial distribution characteristics of topsoil salinity and spatial heterogeneity of influencing factors were analyzed by combining the spatial autocorrelation with traditional regression analysis and geographically weighted regression model. Results showed that the topsoil salinity in Yutian Oasis was not of random distribution but had strong spatial dependence, and the spatial autocorrelation index for topsoil salinity was 0.479. Groundwater salinity, groundwater depth, elevation and temperature were the main factors influencing topsoil salt accumulation in arid land oases and they were spatially heterogeneous. The nine selected environmental variables except soil pH had significant influences on topsoil salinity with spatial disparity. GWR model was superior to the OLS model on interpretation and estimation of spatial non-stationary data, also had a remarkable advantage in visualization of modeling parameters.

Analysis of Human Disturbance and Ecological Security Evolution in Oasis in Arid Area Based on LUCC: A Case Study of Oasis in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Slope Economic Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, W. J.; Chen, M. H.; Zhang, Q.; Liu, S. S.; Yang, J. N.

2017-07-01

Oases in arid areas are environmentally and economically vulnerable regions. Study on ecological security of oases in arid areas is of great significance to the stability and the economic development of oases. Based on Land Use/Land Cover data in 1965, 1980, 1995, 2005 and 2015, the study analyze the temporal and spatial changes in human disturbance and ecological security of oases in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Slope Economic Zone (NTMSEZ) in recent 50 years by establishing the ecological security index (ESI) through human disturbance index and landscape vulnerability index. The results showed that: in recent 50 years, the human disturbance of the NTMSEZ has been increased to current moderate human impacts. Urban construction, oasis expansion and farmland reclamation are the main factors of the increment. The human disturbance in Urumchi, Shihezi, Kuitun, Miquan and Changji is higher than that in other oases and that in core areas of oasis is higher than other areas. The ESI of the NTMSEZ increases firstly and then decreases. In most areas, the ESI is “relatively unsafe” and “critical”. However, there are increasingly more vulnerable areas, moving northwestwards and expanding southwards. The ESI gradually presents a “NW-SE” trend of zonal distribution pattern.

Bubble Jet agent release cartridge for chemical single cell stimulation.

PubMed

Wangler, N; Welsche, M; Blazek, M; Blessing, M; Vervliet-Scheebaum, M; Reski, R; Müller, C; Reinecke, H; Steigert, J; Roth, G; Zengerle, R; Paust, N

2013-02-01

We present a new method for the distinct specific chemical stimulation of single cells and small cell clusters within their natural environment. By single-drop release of chemical agents with droplets in size of typical cell diameters (d <30 μm) on-demand micro gradients can be generated for the specific manipulation of single cells. A single channel and a double channel agent release cartridge with integrated fluidic structures and integrated agent reservoirs are shown, tested, and compared in this publication. The single channel setup features a fluidic structure fabricated by anisotropic etching of silicon. To allow for simultaneous release of different agents even though maintaining the same device size, the second type comprises a double channel fluidic structure, fabricated by photolithographic patterning of TMMF. Dispensed droplet volumes are V = 15 pl and V = 10 pl for the silicon and the TMMF based setups, respectively. Utilizing the agent release cartridges, the application in biological assays was demonstrated by hormone-stimulated premature bud formation in Physcomitrella patens and the individual staining of one single L 929 cell within a confluent grown cell culture.

Oceanic Area System Improvement Study (OASIS). Volume IV. Caribbean Region Air Traffic Services System Description.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

OASIS) U Final Report This report i.s one of a set of companion documents which includes the following volumes: Volume I Executive Summary and...Northern Coastal Region of 4 the Directorate of Engineering and Systems (Direccion de Ingenieria y Sistemas ), which is responsible for maintenance of the

Psychometrics of the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) in a sample of women with and without trauma histories.

PubMed

Norman, Sonya B; Allard, Carolyn B; Trim, Ryan S; Thorp, Steven R; Behrooznia, Michelle; Masino, Tonya T; Stein, Murray B

2013-04-01

Many women have unidentified anxiety or trauma histories that can impact their health and medical treatment-seeking behavior. This study examined the sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and sensitivity to change of the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) for identifying an anxiety disorder in a female sample with and without trauma history related to intimate partner violence (IPV). Forty-three women with full or partial PTSD from IPV and 41 women without PTSD completed the OASIS. All participants with trauma history completed the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. This report is a secondary analysis of a study on the neurobiology of psychological trauma in survivors of IPV recruited from the community. A cut-score of 5 best discriminated those with PTSD from those without, successfully classifying 91% of the sample with 93% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The measure showed strong sensitivity to change in a subsample of 20 participants who completed PTSD treatment and strong convergent and divergent validity in the full sample. This study suggests that the OASIS can identify the presence of an anxiety disorder among a female sample of IPV survivors when PTSD is present.

42 CFR 84.1155 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. 84.1155 Section 84.1155 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF...

42 CFR 84.1155 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. 84.1155 Section 84.1155 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF...

42 CFR 84.1155 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. 84.1155 Section 84.1155 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF...

42 CFR 84.1155 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. 84.1155 Section 84.1155 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF...

42 CFR 84.1155 - Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Filters used with canisters and cartridges; location; replacement. 84.1155 Section 84.1155 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF...

USCG Oily Water Separator System Cartridge Usage Data Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

where a separate system is installed). 3. What spaces that have bilge water are not piped? Non- oily spaces. 4. Is existing ships piping used...NO. 4305.2/12 00 CO o ÄS! USC6 OILY WATER SEPARATOR SYSTEM CARTRIDGE USAGE DATA SURVEY ROBERT L. SKEWES U. S. CfAST GUARD (6-DET-l) OFFIU... Oily Water Separator Systems installed were surveyed. These cutters range in size from 65 foot river buoy tenders to 378 foot high endurance

Dynamic pressure measurement of cartridge operated vole captive bolt devices.

PubMed

Frank, M; Philipp, K P; Franke, E; Frank, N; Bockholdt, B; Grossjohann, R; Ekkernkamp, A

2009-01-10

Vole captive bolt devices are powder actuated spring guns that are used as a pest control mean. After having triggered the explosion of the blank cartridge by touching a metal ring around the muzzle, the vole is killed by the massive propulsion of the gas jet. Improper use and recklessness while handling these devices may cause severe injuries with the hand of the operator at particular risk. Currently, there are no experimental investigations on the ballistic background of these devices. An experimental test set-up was designed for measurement of the firing pressure and the dynamic force of the gas jet of a vole captive bolt device. Therefore, a vole captive bolt device was prepared with a pressure take-off channel and a piezoelectric transducer for measurement of the firing pressure. For measurement of the dynamic impact force of the gas jet an annular quartz force sensor was installed on a test bench. Each three simultaneous measurements of the cartridges' firing pressure and the dynamic force of the blast wave were taken at various distances between muzzle and load washer. The maximum gas pressure in the explosion chamber was up to 1100 bar. The shot development over time showed a typical gas pressure curve. Flow velocity of the gas jet was up to 2000 m/s. The maximum impact force of the gas jet at the target showed a strong inverse ratio to the muzzle's distance and was up to 11,500 N for the contact shot distance. Energy density of the gas jet for the close contact shot was far beyond the energy density required for skin penetration. The unique design features (short tube between cartridge mouth and muzzle and narrow diameter of the muzzle) of these gadgets are responsible for the high firing pressure, velocity and force of the gas jet. These findings explain the trauma mechanics of the extensive tissue damage observed in accidental shots of these devices.

Combining cationic and anionic mixed-mode sorbents in a single cartridge to extract basic and acidic pharmaceuticals simultaneously from environmental waters.

PubMed

Salas, Daniela; Borrull, Francesc; Fontanals, Núria; Marcé, Rosa Maria

2018-01-01

The aim of the present study is to broaden the applications of mixed-mode ion-exchange solid-phase extraction sorbents to extract both basic and acidic compounds simultaneously by combining the sorbents in a single cartridge and developing a simplified extraction procedure. Four different cartridges containing negative and positive charges in the same configuration were evaluated and compared to extract a group of basic, neutral, and acidic pharmaceuticals selected as model compounds. After a thorough optimization of the extraction conditions, the four different cartridges showed to be capable of retaining basic and acidic pharmaceuticals simultaneously through ionic interactions, allowing the introduction of a washing step with 15 mL methanol to eliminate interferences retained by hydrophobic interactions. Using the best combined cartridge, a method was developed, validated, and further applied to environmental waters to demonstrate that the method is promising for the extraction of basic and acidic compounds from very complex samples.

Preparation of a new adsorbent from activated carbon and carbon nanofiber (AC/CNF) for manufacturing organic-vacbpour respirator cartridge

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In this study a composite of activated carbon and carbon nanofiber (AC/CNF) was prepared to improve the performance of activated carbon (AC) for adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and its utilization for respirator cartridges. Activated carbon was impregnated with a nickel nitrate catalyst precursor and carbon nanofibers (CNF) were deposited directly on the AC surface using catalytic chemical vapor deposition. Deposited CNFs on catalyst particles in AC micropores, were activated by CO2 to recover the surface area and micropores. Surface and textural characterizations of the prepared composites were investigated using Brunauer, Emmett and Teller’s (BET) technique and electron microscopy respectively. Prepared composite adsorbent was tested for benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) adsorption and then employed in an organic respirator cartridge in granular form. Adsorption studies were conducted by passing air samples through the adsorbents in a glass column at an adjustable flow rate. Finally, any adsorbed species not retained by the adsorbents in the column were trapped in a charcoal sorbent tube and analyzed by gas chromatography. CNFs with a very thin diameter of about 10-20 nm were formed uniformly on the AC/CNF. The breakthrough time for cartridges prepared with CO2 activated AC/CNF was 117 minutes which are significantly longer than for those cartridges prepared with walnut shell- based activated carbon with the same weight of adsorbents. This study showed that a granular form CO2 activated AC/CNF composite could be a very effective alternate adsorbent for respirator cartridges due to its larger adsorption capacities and lower weight. PMID:23369424

Fast trace determination of nine odorant and estrogenic chloro- and bromo-phenolic compounds in real water samples through automated solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yuan, Su-Fen; Liu, Ze-Hua; Lian, Hai-Xian; Yang, Chuang-Tao; Lin, Qing; Yin, Hua; Lin, Zhang; Dang, Zhi

2018-02-01

A fast and reliable method was developed for simultaneous trace determination of nine odorous and estrogenic chloro- and bromo-phenolic compounds (CPs and BPs) in water samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For sample preparation, the extraction efficiencies of two widely applied cartridges Oasis HLB and Sep-Pak C18 were compared, and the Oasis HLB cartridge showed much better extraction performance; pH of water sample also plays important role on extraction, and pH = 2-3 was found to be most appropriate. For separation of the target compounds, small addition of ammonium hydroxide can obviously improve the detection sensitivity, and the optimized addition concentration was determined as 0.2%. The developed efficient method was validated and showed excellent linearity (R 2  > 0.995), low limit of detection (LOD, 1.9-6.2 ng/L), and good recovery efficiencies of 57-95% in surface and tap water with low relative standard deviation (RSD, 1.3-17.4%). The developed method was finally applied to one tap and one surface water samples and most of these nine targets were detected, but all of them were below their odor thresholds, and their estrogen equivalent (EEQ) were also very low.

Spiral wound extraction cartridge

DOEpatents

Wisted, Eric E.; Lundquist, Susan H.

1999-01-01

A cartridge device for removing an analyte from a fluid comprises a hollow core, a sheet composite comprising a particulate-loaded porous membrane and optionally at least one reinforcing spacer sheet, the particulate being capable of binding the analyte, the sheet composite being formed into a spiral configuration about the core, wherein the sheet composite is wound around itself and wherein the windings of sheet composite are of sufficient tightness so that adjacent layers are essentially free of spaces therebetween, two end caps which are disposed over the core and the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite, and means for securing the end caps to the core, the end caps also being secured to the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite. A method for removing an analyte from a fluid comprises the steps of providing a spirally wound element of the invention and passing the fluid containing the analyte through the element essentially normal to a surface of the sheet composite so as to bind the analyte to the particulate of the particulate-loaded porous membrane, the method optionally including the step of eluting the bound analyte from the sheet composite.

Spiral wound extraction cartridge

DOEpatents

Wisted, E.E.; Lundquist, S.H.

1999-04-27

A cartridge device for removing an analyte from a fluid comprises a hollow core, a sheet composite comprising a particulate-loaded porous membrane and optionally at least one reinforcing spacer sheet, the particulate being capable of binding the analyte, the sheet composite being formed into a spiral configuration about the core, wherein the sheet composite is wound around itself and wherein the windings of sheet composite are of sufficient tightness so that adjacent layers are essentially free of spaces therebetween, two end caps which are disposed over the core and the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite, and means for securing the end caps to the core, the end caps also being secured to the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite. A method for removing an analyte from a fluid comprises the steps of providing a spirally wound element of the invention and passing the fluid containing the analyte through the element essentially normal to a surface of the sheet composite so as to bind the analyte to the particulate of the particulate-loaded porous membrane, the method optionally including the step of eluting the bound analyte from the sheet composite. 4 figs.

Replaceable Microfluidic Cartridges for a PCR Biosensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Francis, Kevin; Sullivan, Ron

2005-01-01

The figure depicts a replaceable microfluidic cartridge that is a component of a miniature biosensor that detects target deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences. The biosensor utilizes (1) polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to multiply the amount of DNA to be detected, (2) fluorogenic polynucleotide probe chemicals for labeling the target DNA sequences, and (3) a high-sensitivity epifluorescence-detection optoelectronic subsystem. Microfluidics is a relatively new field of device development in which one applies techniques for fabricating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to miniature systems for containing and/or moving fluids. Typically, microfluidic devices are microfabricated, variously, from silicon or polymers. The development of microfluidic devices for applications that involve PCR and fluorescence-based detection of PCR products poses special challenges

Do insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials?

PubMed Central

Al-Sharayri, Mohammad G.; Aljbori, Tariq M.; Migdadi, Qusai M.; Al-Omoush, Marwa B.; Jaarah, Ayman R.

2013-01-01

Scope Recently, many publicly funded healthcare organizations suffered from an economical crisis. This forced some organizations to utilize less costly alternatives where possible. Insulin cartridges and vials are examples. Many patients are questioning the difference between the two alternatives as they contain the same active ingredient. Objective To find out if insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials. Method A questionnaire was used to ask two random samples of diabetic patients about the development of some diabetes complications. The first sample (n = 41) consisted of patients using cartridges; the second sample (n = 40) consisted of patients using vials. Patients were randomly selected from the endocrine clinic and the out-patient pharmacy in Al-Hussein Hospital in King Hussein Medical Center in Amman- Jordan. Results 44% of respondents in the first sample did not suffer from any complication; on the other hand, the percentage was only 15% of respondents in the second sample. All respondents (100%) in the first sample suffered from only 2 complications or less; however, 25% of the respondents in the second sample suffered from 3 or more complications. Nephropathy complications, were slightly higher in the first sample; 22% compared to 15% in the second sample. On the other hand, all complications reported in the second sample were higher; 30% for neuropathy, 65% for retinopathy complications and 42.5% for extremities damage compared to only 9.7%, 7.3% and 26.8% respectively in the first sample. Conclusion In general, respondents who were using cartridges reported a lesser incidence of diabetes complications. Although many organizations suffered from an economical crisis, the cost-effectiveness aspect should be taken into consideration when purchasing medical alternatives. This will provide higher quality of life for patients and eventually lower hidden and future costs for the organizations

Do insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials?

PubMed

Al-Sharayri, Mohammad G; Aljbori, Tariq M; Migdadi, Qusai M; Al-Omoush, Marwa B; Jaarah, Ayman R

2014-09-01

Recently, many publicly funded healthcare organizations suffered from an economical crisis. This forced some organizations to utilize less costly alternatives where possible. Insulin cartridges and vials are examples. Many patients are questioning the difference between the two alternatives as they contain the same active ingredient. To find out if insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials. A questionnaire was used to ask two random samples of diabetic patients about the development of some diabetes complications. The first sample (n = 41) consisted of patients using cartridges; the second sample (n = 40) consisted of patients using vials. Patients were randomly selected from the endocrine clinic and the out-patient pharmacy in Al-Hussein Hospital in King Hussein Medical Center in Amman- Jordan. 44% of respondents in the first sample did not suffer from any complication; on the other hand, the percentage was only 15% of respondents in the second sample. All respondents (100%) in the first sample suffered from only 2 complications or less; however, 25% of the respondents in the second sample suffered from 3 or more complications. Nephropathy complications, were slightly higher in the first sample; 22% compared to 15% in the second sample. On the other hand, all complications reported in the second sample were higher; 30% for neuropathy, 65% for retinopathy complications and 42.5% for extremities damage compared to only 9.7%, 7.3% and 26.8% respectively in the first sample. In general, respondents who were using cartridges reported a lesser incidence of diabetes complications. Although many organizations suffered from an economical crisis, the cost-effectiveness aspect should be taken into consideration when purchasing medical alternatives. This will provide higher quality of life for patients and eventually lower hidden and future costs for the organizations.

Automated Sample Preparation (ASP): Development of a Rapid Method to Sequentially Isolate Nucleic Acids and Protein from Any Sample Type by a Cartridge-Based System

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-27

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: CUBRC has developed an in-line, multi-analyte isolation technology that utilizes solid phase extraction chemistries to purify...goals. Specifically, CUBRC will design and manufacture a prototype cartridge(s) and test the prototype cartridge for its ability to isolate each...display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. CUBRC , Inc. P. O. Box 400 Buffalo, NY 14225 -1955

EPA Region 8, Memo on Desktop Printer Ink Cartridges Policy & Voluntary Printer Turn-in

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This memo requests EPA Region 8 users to voluntarily turn-in their desktop printers and notifies users of the Region 8 policy to not provide maintenance or ink and toner cartridges for desktop printers.

Use of a Filter Cartridge for Filtration of Water Samples and Extraction of Environmental DNA.

PubMed

Miya, Masaki; Minamoto, Toshifumi; Yamanaka, Hiroki; Oka, Shin-Ichiro; Sato, Keiichi; Yamamoto, Satoshi; Sado, Tetsuya; Doi, Hideyuki

2016-11-25

Recent studies demonstrated the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) from fishes to be appropriate as a non-invasive monitoring tool. Most of these studies employed disk fiber filters to collect eDNA from water samples, although a number of microbial studies in aquatic environments have employed filter cartridges, because the cartridge has the advantage of accommodating large water volumes and of overall ease of use. Here we provide a protocol for filtration of water samples using the filter cartridge and extraction of eDNA from the filter without having to cut open the housing. The main portions of this protocol consists of 1) filtration of water samples (water volumes ≤4 L or >4 L); (2) extraction of DNA on the filter using a roller shaker placed in a preheated incubator; and (3) purification of DNA using a commercial kit. With the use of this and previously-used protocols, we perform metabarcoding analysis of eDNA taken from a huge aquarium tank (7,500 m 3 ) with known species composition, and show the number of detected species per library from the two protocols as the representative results. This protocol has been developed for metabarcoding eDNA from fishes, but is also applicable to eDNA from other organisms.

A Critical Assessment of the Aluminum Cartridge Case Failure Mechanism

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

achievements of an exploratory development program at Frankford Arsenal. The program was initiated to determine the engineering parameters required for...third that of brass cases, are ideal for improving the combat load effectiveness of an infantryman, a combat vehicle or a gunship« To enable...damage sus- tained by aluminum cartridge cases during "burn-through". A more accurate method of determining the effect of "burn- through" in a

42 CFR 84.1157 - Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general. 84.1157 Section 84.1157 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...

42 CFR 84.1157 - Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general. 84.1157 Section 84.1157 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...

42 CFR 84.1157 - Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general. 84.1157 Section 84.1157 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...

42 CFR 84.1157 - Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general. 84.1157 Section 84.1157 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...

42 CFR 84.1157 - Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Chemical cartridge respirators with particulate filters; performance requirements; general. 84.1157 Section 84.1157 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry study of the retention behavior of arsenic species on various solid phase extraction cartridges and its application in arsenic speciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Chunhai; Cai, Qiantao; Guo, Zhong-Xian; Yang, Zhaoguang; Khoo, Soo Beng

2003-07-01

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to investigate the retention behavior of arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenocholine (AsC), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO) and tetramethylarsonium ion (TMAI) on various silica-based solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. A method for arsenic speciation is then developed on the basis of selective SPE separation of arsenic species and highly sensitive ICP-MS detection. Factors affecting the retention and elution of arsenic species were examined. Results showed that the retention of arsenic species depended on the chemical characteristics of arsenic species and the types of sorbent materials. Change of pH in the range of 2.0-9.0 did not show significant effects on the retention of DMA, AsB, AsC, TMAI and TMAO on an ethylbenzene sulfonic acid-based strong cation exchange (SCX-3) cartridge. pH also did not influence the retention of AsB, AsC, TMAI and TMAO on a mixed-mode (M-M) cartridge containing non-polar, strong cation exchange and strong anion exchange (SAX) functional groups. However, the retentions of As(V) and MMA on the SAX and the M-M cartridge changed with pH. As(V) and MMA were completely retained on the SAX cartridge and sequentially selectively eluted with 1.0 mol l -1 acetic acid (for MMA). DMA, AsB, AsC, TMAI and TMAO were completely retained on the SCX-3 cartridge and sequentially selectively eluted with 1.0 mol l -1 HNO 3 (for DMA). As(V), MMA, AsB, AsC, TMAI and TMAO were completely retained on the M-M cartridge. As(III) was not retained on either cartridge and remained in solution. Arsenic species in solution and those eluted from the cartridges were subsequently determined by ICP-MS. A detection limit of 8 ng l -1 arsenic in water sample was obtained. This method was successfully applied to arsenic speciation in various sources of water samples (drinking water, waste water, raw water, etc.) and US National Institute of

Positive detection of exfoliated colon cancer cells on linear stapler cartridges was associated with depth of tumor invasion and preoperative bowel preparation in colon cancer.

PubMed

Ikehara, Kishiko; Endo, Shungo; Kumamoto, Kensuke; Hidaka, Eiji; Ishida, Fumio; Tanaka, Jun-Ichi; Kudo, Shin-Ei

2016-08-31

The aim of this study was to investigate exfoliated cancer cells (ECCs) on linear stapler cartridges used for anastomotic sites in colon cancer. We prospectively analyzed ECCs on linear stapler cartridges used for anastomosis in 100 colon cancer patients who underwent colectomy. Having completed the functional end-to-end anastomosis, the linear stapler cartridges were irrigated with saline, which was collected for cytological examination and cytological diagnoses were made by board-certified pathologists based on Papanicolaou staining. The detection rate of ECCs on the linear stapler cartridges was 20 %. Positive detection of ECCs was significantly associated with depth of tumor invasion (p = 0.012) and preoperative bowel preparation (p = 0.003). There were no marked differences between ECC-positive and ECC-negative groups in terms of the operation methods, tumor location, histopathological classification, and surgical margins. Since ECCs were identified on the cartridge of the linear stapler used for anastomosis, preoperative mechanical bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol solution and cleansing at anastomotic sites using tumoricidal agents before anastomosis may be necessary to decrease ECCs in advanced colon cancer.

Geoenvironmental studies on conservation of archaeological sites at Siwa oasis, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, Hani A. M.; Kamh, Gamal E.

2006-02-01

Siwa oasis is located in the extreme western part of the Egyptian western desert. There are several archaeological sites in the oasis; the most distinct ones are Alexander the Great temple at Aghormi hill and the Gebel El Mota tomb excavations. They have suffered due to deterioration and cracks of different kinds and some parts are getting worse as rock falls occur. From field inspection and lab analysis, it is clear that lithology plays an important role on the extent of damage. Alexander the Great temple was built over the northern edge of Aghormi hill, which consists of two distinct beds—an upper limestone bed and a lower shale one. From field survey and laboratory analysis, the shale is considered as a high expanded bed and weak in its bearing capacity, as its clay content (mainly smectite) experienced swelling due to wetting from the ground water spring underneath. Consequently, the upper limestone bed suffered from map cracking associated with rock falls due to the differential settlement of the swelled lower shale one. The temple was threatened by slope instability and had experienced many cracks. At Gabal El Mota tomb excavations, it was noticed that a comparison of tombs of the same opening size revealed that those that excavated on shale beds had cracked much more than those that excavated on limestone. This may be attributed to the low bearing capacity of excavated shale walls. The remedial measures suggested to overcome the stability problems on these archaeological sites are grouting or construction of retaining walls.

[Effects of different disturbance modes on the morphological characteristics and aboveground biomass of Alhagi sparsifolia in oasis-desert ecotone].

PubMed

Li, Hai-Feng; Zeng, Fan-Jiang; Gui, Dong-Wei; An, Gui-Xiang; Liu, Zhen; Zhang, Li-Gang; Liu, Bo

2012-01-01

Taking Cele oasis at the southern fringe of Taklimakan Desert as a case, this paper studied the effects of different disturbances (burning in spring, cutting in spring, and cutting in fall) on the morphological characteristics and aboveground biomass of natural vegetation Alhagi sparsifolia in the ecotone of oasis-desert. Burning in spring decreased the A. sparsifolia plant height, crown width, and biomass significantly, being harmful to the regeneration and growth of the vegetation. Cutting in spring decreased the A. sparsifolia plant height, crown width, and biomass but increased the leaf biomass, thorn length, and thorn diameter, whereas cutting in fall decreased the plant height and crown width but increased the ramification amount and biomass of A. sparsifolia. Moderate cutting in fall could benefit the protection of A. sparsifolia at the southern fringe of Taklimakan Desert.

Perennial Antarctic lake ice: an oasis for life in a polar desert

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Priscu, J. C.; Fritsen, C. H.; Adams, E. E.; Giovannoni, S. J.; Paerl, H. W.; McKay, C. P.; Doran, P. T.; Gordon, D. A.; Lanoil, B. D.; Pinckney, J. L.

1998-01-01

The permanent ice covers of Antarctic lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys develop liquid water inclusions in response to solar heating of internal aeolian-derived sediments. The ice sediment particles serve as nutrient (inorganic and organic)-enriched microzones for the establishment of a physiologically and ecologically complex microbial consortium capable of contemporaneous photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and decomposition. The consortium is capable of physically and chemically establishing and modifying a relatively nutrient- and organic matter-enriched microbial "oasis" embedded in the lake ice cover.

Perennial Antarctic lake ice: an oasis for life in a polar desert.

PubMed

Priscu, J C; Fritsen, C H; Adams, E E; Giovannoni, S J; Paerl, H W; McKay, C P; Doran, P T; Gordon, D A; Lanoil, B D; Pinckney, J L

1998-06-26

The permanent ice covers of Antarctic lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys develop liquid water inclusions in response to solar heating of internal aeolian-derived sediments. The ice sediment particles serve as nutrient (inorganic and organic)-enriched microzones for the establishment of a physiologically and ecologically complex microbial consortium capable of contemporaneous photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and decomposition. The consortium is capable of physically and chemically establishing and modifying a relatively nutrient- and organic matter-enriched microbial "oasis" embedded in the lake ice cover.

Magnetotelluric study of the Pahute Mesa and Oasis Valley regions, Nye County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schenkel, Clifford J.; Hildenbrand, Thomas G.; Dixon, Gary L.

1999-01-01

Magnetotelluric data delineate distinct layers and lateral variations above the pre-Tertiary basement. On Pahute Mesa, three resistivity layers associated with the volcanic rocks are defined: a moderately resistive surface layer, an underlying conductive layer, and a deep resistive layer. Considerable geologic information can be derived from the conductive layer which extents from near the water table down to a depth of approximately 2 km. The increase in conductivity is probably related to zeolite zonation observed in the volcanic rock on Pahute Mesa, which is relatively impermeable to groundwater flow unless fractured. Inferred faults within this conductive layer are modeled on several profiles crossing the Thirsty Canyon fault zone. This fault zone extends from Pahute Mesa into Oasis Valley basin. Near Colson Pond where the basement is shallow, the Thirsty Canyon fault zone is several (~2.5) kilometers wide. Due to the indicated vertical offsets associated with the Thirsty Canyon fault zone, the fault zone may act as a barrier to transverse (E-W) groundwater flow by juxtaposing rocks of different permeabilities. We propose that the Thirsty Canyon fault zone diverts water southward from Pahute Mesa to Oasis Valley. The electrically conductive nature of this fault zone indicates the presence of abundant alteration minerals or a dense network of open and interconnected fractures filled with electrically conductive groundwater. The formation of alteration minerals require the presence of water suggesting that an extensive interconnected fracture system exists or existed at one time. Thus, the fractures within the fault zone may be either a barrier or a conduit for groundwater flow, depending on the degree of alteration and the volume of open pore space. In Oasis Valley basin, a conductive surface layer, composed of alluvium and possibly altered volcanic rocks, extends to a depth of 300 to 500 m. The underlying volcanic layer, composed mostly of tuffs, fills the

The use of near-infrared photography to image fired bullets and cartridge cases.

PubMed

Stein, Darrell; Yu, Jorn Chi Chung

2013-09-01

An imaging technique that is capable of reducing glare, reflection, and shadows can greatly assist the process of toolmarks comparison. In this work, a camera with near-infrared (near-IR) photographic capabilities was fitted with an IR filter, mounted to a stereomicroscope, and used to capture images of toolmarks on fired bullets and cartridge cases. Fluorescent, white light-emitting diode (LED), and halogen light sources were compared for use with the camera. Test-fired bullets and cartridge cases from different makes and models of firearms were photographed under either near-IR or visible light. With visual comparisons, near-IR images and visible light images were comparable. The use of near-IR photography did not reveal more details and could not effectively eliminate reflections and glare associated with visible light photography. Near-IR photography showed little advantages in manual examination of fired evidence when it was compared with visible light (regular) photography. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The Low Temperature Annealing of 7.62 mm Brass Cartridge Cases: Stress Corrosion Susceptibility

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

the artificiel low temperature atinealing. The degrees of cracking in the lower walls of the cartridge cases were found to decrease with increasing...Assurance - Air Force Deputy Director Scientific and Technical Intelligence , "Joint Intelligence Organisation Head, Engineering Development

OASYS (OrAnge SYnchrotron Suite): an open-source graphical environment for x-ray virtual experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebuffi, Luca; Sanchez del Rio, Manuel

2017-08-01

The evolution of the hardware platforms, the modernization of the software tools, the access to the codes of a large number of young people and the popularization of the open source software for scientific applications drove us to design OASYS (ORange SYnchrotron Suite), a completely new graphical environment for modelling X-ray experiments. The implemented software architecture allows to obtain not only an intuitive and very-easy-to-use graphical interface, but also provides high flexibility and rapidity for interactive simulations, making configuration changes to quickly compare multiple beamline configurations. Its purpose is to integrate in a synergetic way the most powerful calculation engines available. OASYS integrates different simulation strategies via the implementation of adequate simulation tools for X-ray Optics (e.g. ray tracing and wave optics packages). It provides a language to make them to communicate by sending and receiving encapsulated data. Python has been chosen as main programming language, because of its universality and popularity in scientific computing. The software Orange, developed at the University of Ljubljana (SLO), is the high level workflow engine that provides the interaction with the user and communication mechanisms.

Development of low-cost technology for the removal of iron and manganese from ground water in siwa oasis.

PubMed

El-Naggar, Hesham M

2010-01-01

Ground water is the only water resource for Siwa Oasis. It is obtained from natural freshwater wells and springs fed by the Nubian aquifer. Water samples collected from Siwa Oasis had relatively higher iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) than the permissible limits specified in WHO Guidelines and Egyptian Standards for drinking water quality. Aeration followed by sand filtration is the most commonly used method for the removal of iron from ground water. The study aimed at development of low-cost technology for the removal of iron and manganese from ground water in Siwa Oasis. The study was carried out on Laboratory-scale columns experiments sand filters with variable depths of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 cm and three graded types of sand were studied. The graded sand (E.S. =0.205 mm, U.C. =3.366, depth of sand = 60 cm and filtration rate = 1.44 m3/m2/hr) was the best type of filter media. Iron and manganese concentrations measured in ground water with aeration only, decreased with an average removal percentage of 16%, 13% respectively. Iron and manganese concentrations after filtration with aeration came down to 0.1123, 0.05 mg/L respectively in all cases from an initial concentration of 1.14, 0.34 mg/L respectively. Advantages of such treatment unit included simplicity, low cost design, and no need for chemical addition. In addition, the only maintenance required was periodic washing of the sand filter or replacement of the sand in order to maintain reasonable flow rate through the system.

Quantitative assessment of the impact of an inter-basin surface-water transfer project on the groundwater flow and groundwater-dependent eco-environment in an oasis in arid northwestern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Xiaobin; Wu, Jichun; Nie, Huijun; Guo, Fei; Wu, Jianfeng; Chen, Kouping; Liao, Penghui; Xu, Hongxia; Zeng, Xiankui

2018-06-01

Inter-basin water transfer projects (IBWTPs) can involve basins as water donors and water receivers. In contrast to most studies on IBWTPs, which mainly impact the surface-water eco-environment, this study focuses on the impacts of an IBWTP on groundwater and its eco-environment in a water donor basin in an arid area, where surface water and groundwater are exchanged. Surface water is assumed to recharge groundwater and a groundwater numerical simulation model was constructed using MODFLOW. The model was used to quantitatively evaluate the impact of an IBWTP located in the upstream portion of Nalenggele River (the biggest river in the Qaidam basin, Northwest China). The impact involved decrease in spring flow, drawdown of groundwater, reduction in oasis area, and an increase in species replacement of oasis vegetation in the midstream and downstream of the river. Results show that the emergence sites of springs at the front of the oasis will move 2-5 km downstream, and the outflow of springs will decrease by 42 million m3/a. The maximum drawdown of groundwater level at the front of the oasis will be 3.6 m and the area across which groundwater drawdown exceeds 2.0 m will be about 59.02 km2, accounting for 2.71% of the total area of the oasis. Under such conditions, reeds will gradually be replaced by Tamarix, shrubs, and other alternative plant species. These findings have important implications for the optimization of water resource allocation and protection of the eco-environment in arid regions.

Influence Factors Regarding the Effectiveness of Automated Ballistic Comparison on 0.38 Special Caliber Bullets and Cartridge Cases.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Lehi Sudy; Vieira Muterlle, Palloma

2018-03-01

Factors influencing effectiveness of automated comparisons, test-fired bullets, and cartridge cases from 0.38 Special revolvers were logged into the Evofinder ® Ballistic ID System. Tests were performed as follows: First test correlated test-fires of the same type, second test compared different types of ammunition components, third test replicated the second test in a larger database, and fourth test replicated the third test with students having no previous firearm identification experience. System effectiveness with projectiles in the first test was 0.89. With cartridge cases, effectiveness was 0.79 with combined results, but analysis of separate results by breech face and firing pin revealed low effectiveness by breech face (0.40). In the second, third, and fourth tests, effectiveness with projectiles were 0.61, 0.51, and 0.44. In addition, these tests had effectiveness with cartridge cases equivalent to 0.55, 0.43, and 0.44. Results are useful to establish routine protocols, system improvements, or comparative assessment of other electronic systems. © 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

A patterned abrasion caused by the impact of a cartridge case may simulate an atypical muzzle imprint mark.

PubMed

Kramer, Lena; Nadjem, Hadi; Glardon, Matthieu; Kneubuehl, Beat P; Pollak, Stefan; Große Perdekamp, Markus; Pircher, Rebecca

2016-05-01

In contact shots, the muzzle imprint is an informative finding associated with the entrance wound. It typically mirrors the constructional components being in line with the muzzle or just behind. Under special conditions, other patterned skin marks located near a gunshot entrance wound may give the impression to be part of the muzzle imprint. A potential mechanism causing a patterned pressure abrasion in close proximity to the bullet entrance site is demonstrated on the basis of a suicidal shot to the temple. The skin lesion in question appeared as a ring-shaped excoriation with a diameter corresponding to that of the cartridge case. Two hypotheses concerning the causative mechanism were investigated by test shots: - After being ejected, the cartridge case ricocheted inside a confined space (car cabin in the particular case) and secondarily hit the skin near the gunshot entrance wound. - The ejection of the cartridge case failed so that the case became stuck in the ejection port and its mouth contacted the skin when the body collapsed after being hit.

An evaluation of the discriminating power of an Integrated Ballistics Identification System® Heritage™system with the NIST standard cartridge case (Standard Reference Material 2461).

PubMed

Morris, Keith B; Law, Eric F; Jefferys, Roger L; Dearth, Elizabeth C; Fabyanic, Emily B

2017-11-01

Through analysis and comparison of firing pin, breech face, and ejector impressions, where appropriate, firearm examiners may connect a cartridge case to a suspect firearm with a certain likelihood in a criminal investigation. When a firearm is not present, an examiner may use the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS ® ), an automated search and retrieval system coupled with the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), a database of images showing the markings on fired cartridge cases and bullets from crime scenes along with test fired firearms. For the purpose of measurement quality control of these IBIS ® systems the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated the Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2460/2461 standard bullets and cartridge cases project. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall performance of the IBIS ® system by using NIST standard cartridge cases. By evaluating the resulting correlation scores, error rates, and percent recovery, both the variability between and within examiners when using IBIS ® , in addition to any inter- and intra-variability between SRM cartridge cases was observed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

National Security Assessment of the U.S. Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Device Industry

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

reauthorized again through September 30, 2008, by the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106 -554). The program funds small businesses trying to...assembly such as PBXN -7, black powder, plastics (due to hurricane Katrina), and metal cartridges. As was the case five years ago, RD1333 and

False color image of Safsaf Oasis in southern Egypt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This is a false color image of the uninhabited Safsaf Oasis in southern Egypt near the Egypt/Sudan border. It was produced from data obtained from the L-band and C-band radars that are part of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar onboard the Shuttle Endeavour on April 9, 1994. The image is centered at 22 degrees North latitude, 29 degrees East longitude. It shows detailed structures of bedrock, and the dark blue sinuous lines are braided channels that occupy part of an old broad river valley. Virtually everything visible on this radar composite image cannot be seen either when standing on the ground or when viewing photographs or satellite images such as Landsat. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory alternative photo number is P-43920.

Image matching algorithms for breech face marks and firing pins in a database of spent cartridge cases of firearms.

PubMed

Geradts, Z J; Bijhold, J; Hermsen, R; Murtagh, F

2001-06-01

On the market several systems exist for collecting spent ammunition data for forensic investigation. These databases store images of cartridge cases and the marks on them. Image matching is used to create hit lists that show which marks on a cartridge case are most similar to another cartridge case. The research in this paper is focused on the different methods of feature selection and pattern recognition that can be used for optimizing the results of image matching. The images are acquired by side light images for the breech face marks and by ring light for the firing pin impression. For these images a standard way of digitizing the images used. For the side light images and ring light images this means that the user has to position the cartridge case in the same position according to a protocol. The positioning is important for the sidelight, since the image that is obtained of a striation mark depends heavily on the angle of incidence of the light. In practice, it appears that the user positions the cartridge case with +/-10 degrees accuracy. We tested our algorithms using 49 cartridge cases of 19 different firearms, where the examiner determined that they were shot with the same firearm. For testing, these images were mixed with a database consisting of approximately 4900 images that were available from the Drugfire database of different calibers.In cases where the registration and the light conditions among those matching pairs was good, a simple computation of the standard deviation of the subtracted gray levels, delivered the best-matched images. For images that were rotated and shifted, we have implemented a "brute force" way of registration. The images are translated and rotated until the minimum of the standard deviation of the difference is found. This method did not result in all relevant matches in the top position. This is caused by the effect that shadows and highlights are compared in intensity. Since the angle of incidence of the light will give a

RPA using a multiplexed cartridge for low cost point of care diagnostics in the field.

PubMed

Ereku, Luck Tosan; Mackay, Ruth E; Craw, Pascal; Naveenathayalan, Angel; Stead, Thomas; Branavan, Manorharanehru; Balachandran, Wamadeva

2018-04-15

A point of care device utilising Lab-on-a-Chip technologies that is applicable for biological pathogens was designed, fabricated and tested showing sample in to answer out capabilities. The purpose of the design was to develop a cartridge with the capability to perform nucleic acid extraction and purification from a sample using a chitosan membrane at an acidic pH. Waste was stored within the cartridge with the use of sodium polyacrylate to solidify or gelate the sample in a single chamber. Nucleic acid elution was conducted using the RPA amplification reagents (alkaline pH). Passive valves were used to regulate the fluid flow and a multiplexer was designed to distribute the fluid into six microchambers for amplification reactions. Cartridges were produced using soft lithography of silicone from 3D printed moulds, bonded to glass substrates. The isothermal technique, RPA is employed for amplification. This paper shows the results from two separate experiments: the first using the RPA control nucleic acid, the second showing successful amplification from Chlamydia Trachomatis. Endpoint analysis conducted for the RPA analysis was gel electrophoresis that showed 143 base pair DNA was amplified successfully for positive samples whilst negative samples did not show amplification. End point analysis for Chlamydia Trachomatis samples was fluorescence detection that showed successful detection of 1 copy/μL and 10 copies/μL spiked in a MES buffer. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photomosaics and logs of trenches on the San Andreas Fault, Thousand Palms Oasis, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fumal, Thomas E.; Frost, William T.; Garvin, Christopher; Hamilton, John C.; Jaasma, Monique; Rymer, Michael J.

2004-01-01

We present photomosaics and logs of the walls of trenches excavated for a paleoseismic study at Thousand Palms Oasis (Fig. 1). The site is located on the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas fault zone, one of two major active strands of the fault in the Indio Hills along the northeast margin of the Coachella Valley (Fig. 2). The Coachella Valley section is the most poorly understood major part of the San Andreas fault with regard to slip rate and timing of past large-magnitude earthquakes, and therefore earthquake hazard. No large earthquakes have occurred for more than three centuries, the longest elapsed time for any part of the southern San Andreas fault. In spite of this, the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (1995) assigned the lowest 30-year conditional probability on the southern San Andreas fault to the Coachella Valley. Models of the behavior of this part of the fault, however, have been based on very limited geologic data. The Thousand Palms Oasis is an attractive location for paleoseismic study primarily because of the well-bedded late Holocene sedimentary deposits with abundant layers of organic matter for radiocarbon dating necessary to constrain the timing of large prehistoric earthquakes. Previous attempts to develop a chronology of paleoearthquakes for the region have been hindered by the scarcity of in-situ 14C-dateable material for age control in this desert environment. Also, the fault in the vicinity of Thousand Palms Oasis consists of a single trace that is well expressed, both geomorphically and as a vegetation lineament (Figs. 2, 3). Results of our investigations are discussed in Fumal et al. (2002) and indicate that four and probably five surface-rupturing earthquakes occurred along this part of the fault during the past 1200 years. The average recurrence time for these earthquakes is 215 ± 25 years, although interevent times may have been as short as a few decades or as long as 400 years. Thus, although the elapsed

Diversity and cold adaptation of microorganisms isolated from the Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mojib, Nazia; Bej, Asim K.; Hoover, Richard

2008-08-01

We have investigated the feasibility of the PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA genes from eubacteria and Archea on samples collected on Whatman FTA filters from Schirmacher Oasis for the study of culture-independent analysis of the microbial diversity. Both conventional PCR and real-time TaqmaTM PCR successfully amplified the targeted genes. A number of diverse groups of psychrotolerant microorganisms with various pigments have been isolated when cultured on agar medium. 16S rRNA gene analysis of these isolates helped us to identify closest taxonomic genus Pseudomonas, Frigoribacterium, Arthrobacter, Flavobacterium, and Janthinobacterium. It is possible that the pigments play protective role from solar UV radiation, which is prevalent in Antarctic continent especially during Austral summer months. Study of the expression of cold adaptive protein CapB and ice-binding protein IBP using western blots showed positive detection of both or either of these proteins in 6 out of 8 isolates. Since the CapB and IBP protein structure greatly varies in microorganisms, it is possible that the 2 isolates with negative results could have a different class of these proteins. The expression of the CapB and the IBP in these isolates suggest that these proteins are essential for the survival in the Antarctic cold and subzero temperatures and protect themselves from freeze-damage. The current study provided sufficient data to further investigate the rich and diverse biota of psychrotolerant extremophiles in the Antarctic Schirmacher Oasis using both culture-independent and culture-based approaches; and understand the mechanisms of cold tolerance.

Agreement for HPV genotyping detection between self-collected specimens on a FTA cartridge and clinician-collected specimens

PubMed Central

Guan, YaoYao; Gravitt, Patti E.; Howard, Roslyn; Eby, Yolanda J.; Wang, Shaoming; Li, Belinda; Feng, Changyan; Qiao, You-Lin; Castle, Philip E.

2016-01-01

The current method of transporting self-collected cervicovaginal specimen for HPV DNA testing relies on liquid based medium, which is challenging and expensive to transport. A novel, dry storage and transportation device, Whatman indicating FTA™ Elute Cartridge, avoids some of the pitfalls of liquid-based medium. This method has been shown to be comparable to liquid-based collection medium, but relative performance of self-collected (SC) and clinician-collected (CC) samples onto FTA cards has not been reported. The objective of this study is to compare the analytic performance of self- and clinician-collected samples onto FTA cartridges for the detection of carcinogenic HPV using Linear Array. There was a 91% agreement, 69% positive agreement, and kappa of 0.75 between the clinician-collected and self-collected specimens for detection of any carcinogenic HPV genotype. When the HPV results were categorized hierarchically according to cervical cancer risk, there was no difference in the distribution of the HPV results for the clinician- and self-collected specimens (p = 0.7). This study concludes that FTA elute cartridge is a promising method of specimen transport for cervical cancer screening programs considering using self-collected specimen and HPV testing. Larger studies with clinical endpoints are now needed to assess the clinical performance. PMID:23370404

[The forensic medical significance of the igniting primer for the 18×45T cartridges of the 'Osa' pistol].

PubMed

Leonov, S V; Pinchuk, P V; Rasnyuk, S V

The objective of the present study was to obtain the ballistic characteristics of the igniting primer (electrical ignitor) for the 18×45T cartridges of the 'Osa' pistol produced by different manufacturers. The experiments included a series of shots fired from the 'Osa' pistol with the use of cartridges having an energy of 85 Joules ('Novye oruzheinye tekhnologii', Ltd., Sergiev Posad) and 88 Joules ('A+A', Ltd, Tula). The shooting distance varied from the point blank range to 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm. The targets were either the femoral soft tissue of the cut-off human lower extremity, white cotton fabric, and the 1-5 cm high gelatin cylinder 25 cm in diameter. The experiments have demonstrated that the igniting primer (electrical ignitor) for the cartridges manufactured by the 'Novye oruzheinye tekhnologii', Ltd., Sergiev Posad, served as an additional factor of the shot responsible for the penetrating power of the ammunition at a distance of 50 cm. The data on the composition of metals used for the manufacturing of the igniting primers under consideration are presented.

User's Guide to OASIS, Oceanic and Atmospheric Scientific Information System. Key to Oceanic and Atmospheric Information Sources No. 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC), Washington, DC. Environmental Data Service.

OASIS (Oceanic and Atmospheric Scientific Information System) is an information retrieval service that furnishes ready reference to the technical literature and research efforts concerning the environmental sciences and marine and coastal resources. It provides computerized searches of both NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)…

Performance measurements of C{sub 1}-C{sub 3} carbonyl compounds using DNPH-coated silica gel and C{sub 18} cartridges

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

Kleindienst, T.E.; Corse, E.W.; Blanchard, F.T.

1994-12-31

Measurements have been conducted to examine the performance of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone using silica and C{sub 18} cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Laboratory measurements for formaldehyde were conducted using a paraformaldehyde generator to produce reproducible and constant concentrations of the compound. For acetaldehyde and acetone, known concentrations were generated in Teflon chambers. The compounds were routed into a sampling manifold where simultaneous measurements could be made with multiple cartridges. Typical concentrations employed in the study were as follows. HCHO: 0.5--25 ppbv; CH{sub 3}CHO; 0.5--10 ppbv; CH{sub 3}C(O)CH{sub 3}: 0.5--10 ppbv. Additional measurements were conducted for these compounds in the presencemore » of potentially interfering compounds such as ozone and water vapor. Serial cartridge collections were periodically used to investigate breakthrough of the carbonyl compounds.« less

Evaluation of positively charged alumina nanofibre cartridge filters for the primary concentration of noroviruses, adenoviruses and male-specific coliphages from seawater.

PubMed

Gibbons, C D; Rodríguez, R A; Tallon, L; Sobsey, M D

2010-08-01

To evaluate the electropositive, alumina nanofibre (NanoCeram) cartridge filter as a primary concentration method for recovering adenovirus, norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater. Viruses were concentrated from 40 l of natural seawater using a NanoCeram cartridge filter and eluted from the filter either by soaking the filter in eluent or by recirculating the eluent continuously through the filter using a peristaltic pump. The elution solution consisted of 3% beef extract and 0.1 mol l(-1) of glycine. The method using a peristaltic pump was more effective in removing the viruses from the filter. High recoveries of norovirus and male-specific coliphages (>96%) but not adenovirus (<3%) were observed from seawater. High adsorption to the filter was observed for adenovirus and male-specific coliphages (>98%). The adsorption and recovery of adenovirus and male-specific coliphages were also determined for fresh finished water and source water. The NanoCeram cartridge filter was an effective primary concentration method for the concentration of norovirus and male-specific coliphages from natural seawater, but not for adenovirus, in spite of the high adsorption of adenovirus to the filter. This study demonstrates that NanoCeram cartridge filter is an effective primary method for concentrating noroviruses and male-specific coliphages from seawater, thereby simplifying collection and processing of water samples for virus recovery.

"Seeing Another/Seeing Oneself": Nondisabled Audiences' Perspectives on Disability in Two South Korean Films, "Oasis" (2002) and "Malaton" (2005)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woo, Chung Wan

2012-01-01

Using qualitative research methods, this dissertation closely examines discourses and representations of disability from the cinematic images of disabled characters and their families in two South Korean films, "Oasis" (C. Lee, 2002) and "Malaton" (Y. Jung, 2005) as well as from the responses of nineteen Korean graduate…

Extinction dynamics of a discrete population in an oasis.

PubMed

Berti, Stefano; Cencini, Massimo; Vergni, Davide; Vulpiani, Angelo

2015-07-01

Understanding the conditions ensuring the persistence of a population is an issue of primary importance in population biology. The first theoretical approach to the problem dates back to the 1950s with the Kierstead, Slobodkin, and Skellam (KiSS) model, namely a continuous reaction-diffusion equation for a population growing on a patch of finite size L surrounded by a deadly environment with infinite mortality, i.e., an oasis in a desert. The main outcome of the model is that only patches above a critical size allow for population persistence. Here we introduce an individual-based analog of the KiSS model to investigate the effects of discreteness and demographic stochasticity. In particular, we study the average time to extinction both above and below the critical patch size of the continuous model and investigate the quasistationary distribution of the number of individuals for patch sizes above the critical threshold.

OASIS connections: results from an evaluation study.

PubMed

Czaja, Sara J; Lee, Chin Chin; Branham, Janice; Remis, Peggy

2012-10-01

The objectives of this study were to evaluate a community-based basic computer and Internet training program designed for older adults, provide recommendations for program refinement, and gather preliminary information on program sustainability. The program was developed by the OASIS Institute, a nonprofit agency serving older adults and implemented in 4 cities by community trainers across the United States. One hundred and ninety-six adults aged 40-90 years were assigned to the training or a wait-list control group. Knowledge of computers and the Internet, attitudes toward computers, and computer/Internet use were assessed at baseline, posttraining, and 3 months posttraining. The program was successful in increasing the computer/Internet skills of the trainees. The data indicated a significant increase in computer and Internet knowledge and comfort with computers among those who received the training. Further, those who completed the course reported an increase in both computer and Internet use 3 months posttraining. The findings indicate that a community-based computer and Internet training program delivered by community instructors can be effective in terms of increasing computer and Internet skills and comfort with computer technology among older adults.

Alto Patache fog oasis in the Atacama Desert: Geographical basis for a sustainable development program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calderón, M.; Cereceda, P.; Larrain, H.; Osses, P.; Pérez, L.; Ibáñez, M.

2010-07-01

Alto Patache coastal fog oasis is a protected area located south of Iquique, Northern Chile, being presently in charge of the Atacama Desert Center (ADC) research group of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, since 1997. On 2007, the Chilean Government bestowed a piece of land stretch covering 1,114 hectares to ADC scientific group for scientific research, ecosystem protection and environmental education. This oasis has been recently studied from different points of view: climate, biogeography, fog collection, geomorphology, soil survey and land use planning, plant distribution, conservation and archaeology. During 2009, a study of the geographical basis to elaborate a general management plan was undertaken to collect information to fulfill our planned out objectives. Through this study, georreferenciated strategic information was compiled to evaluate future actions conducting to a sustainable development within the protected area. This information was translated into thematic maps showing the spatial distribution of variables like: climate, geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation, fauna, archaeological sites and management zones. The methodology used is the analysis of satellite imagery, using GPS by creating a cartographic Data Base incorporated in GIS. Results show that the area starts at the littoral plain, ranging from 500 m to 2.000 m, being continued in parts by a piedmont intercepted by a very abrupt mega-cliff, or hectares of climbing sand dunes leading to a short high plateau limited by a soft hilly area to the East. Two soil types are characteristic: Entisols (Torriorthent) covering the coastal beach sediments, and Aridisols along the cliff and adjacent hills. Vegetation consists not only of a very rich lichen cover, but also of endangered vascular species associations constituting a very fragile sub-tropical coastal desert community, such as Eulychnia, Cumulopuntia, Eriosyce cacti, and Lycium - Nolana- Ephedra communities. Fog oasis

Evaluation of organic-vapor respirator cartridge efficiency for toluene diisocyanate vapor in the presence of methylenechloride or acetone solvent.

PubMed

Dharmarajan, Venkatram; Cummings, Barbara; Lingg, Robert D

2003-08-01

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a widely used raw material in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams. Acetone (ACE) and/or methylenechloride (MECL) solvents are the most commonly used solvent-based blowing agents for TDI foams. ACGIH has recommended a TWA exposure limit of 5 ppb for TDI and 500 ppm for ACE. For MECL, OSHA mandates a TWA-exposure limit of 25 ppm. This study evaluated the ability of the organic-vapor respirator cartridges (OVC) to block TDI, as well as the effect of airborne MECL or ACE on the OVCs' efficiency to capture TDI. An aluminum/stainless steel exposure chamber was constructed for simultaneously challenging OVCs in triplicate with a dynamic atmosphere of TDI and ACE or MECL vapor. The challenge atmosphere was generated by combining a TDI-laden nitrogen stream from the headspace of a heated impinger with a humidified stream of the indicated solvent in air. The average challenge concentration for TDI was 275 ppb. The average MECL or ACE concentrations were 547 and 581 ppm, respectively. The challenge atmosphere at room temperature (approximately 24 degrees C) and at 25 or 80 percent relative humidity was drawn through each cartridge at 32 L/min for 40+ hours. During the last 8 hours of the challenge, the atmosphere had only TDI vapor. The pre- and post-cartridge atmospheres were periodically sampled for TDI and solvent. Five tests were conducted--two with MSA and three with North OVCs. Under these extreme test conditions no TDI breakthrough was detected from any OVC. The average-calculated efficiency of the OVCs for TDI was >99.9+ percent. Within the first 6 hours of the challenge the cartridges were saturated with ACE or MECL; nevertheless, continued challenging with TDI and solvents did not cause any TDI breakthrough. The study demonstrates that with an OSHA-compliant respiratory protection program, an OVC can safely be used for 40 hours in most polyurethane foam operations. In typical occupational environments using TDI and solvents

Agreement for HPV genotyping detection between self-collected specimens on a FTA cartridge and clinician-collected specimens.

PubMed

Guan, Yaoyao; Gravitt, Patti E; Howard, Roslyn; Eby, Yolanda J; Wang, Shaoming; Li, Belinda; Feng, Changyan; Qiao, You-Lin; Castle, Philip E

2013-04-01

The current method of transporting self-collected cervicovaginal specimen for HPV DNA testing relies on liquid based medium, which is challenging and expensive to transport. A novel, dry storage and transportation device, Whatman indicating FTA™ Elute Cartridge, avoids some of the pitfalls of liquid-based medium. This method has been shown to be comparable to liquid-based collection medium, but relative performance of self-collected (SC) and clinician-collected (CC) samples onto FTA cards has not been reported. The objective of this study is to compare the analytic performance of self- and clinician-collected samples onto FTA cartridges for the detection of carcinogenic HPV using Linear Array. There was a 91% agreement, 69% positive agreement, and kappa of 0.75 between the clinician-collected and self-collected specimens for detection of any carcinogenic HPV genotype. When the HPV results were categorized hierarchically according to cervical cancer risk, there was no difference in the distribution of the HPV results for the clinician- and self-collected specimens (p=0.7). This study concludes that FTA elute cartridge is a promising method of specimen transport for cervical cancer screening programs considering using self-collected specimen and HPV testing. Larger studies with clinical endpoints are now needed to assess the clinical performance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CONCENTRATION AND PROCESSING OF WATERBORNE VIRUSES BY POSITIVE CHARGE 1MDS CARTRIDGE FILTERS AND ORGANIC FLOCCULATION

EPA Science Inventory

This chapter describes the most widely used virus adsorption-elution (VIRADEL) method for recovering human enteric viruses from water matrices (Fout et al., 1996). The method takes advantage of postively charged cartridge filters to concentrate viruses from water. The major adv...

Larger benthic foraminiferal turnover across the Eocene-Oligocene transition at Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orabi, H.; El Beshtawy, M.; Osman, R.; Gadallah, M.

2015-05-01

In the Eocene part of the Siwa Oasis, the larger foraminifera are represented by the genera Nummulites, Arxina, Operculina, Sphaerogypsina, Asterocyclina, Grzybowskia, Silvestriella, Gaziryina and Discocyclina in order of abundance. Operculina continues up to the early Oligocene as modern representatives in tropical regions, while the other genera became extinct. Nevertheless, the most common larger foraminiferal genus Lepidocyclina (Nephrolepidina) appears only in the lowermost Oligocene. In spite of the Eocene-Oligocene (E/O) transition is thought to have been attended by major continental cooling at northern middle and high latitudes, we discover that at the Siwa Oasis, there is a clear warming trend from the late Eocene (extinction level of Nummulites, Sphaerogypsina, Asterocyclina, Grzybowskia, Silvestriella and Discocyclina) to the early Oligocene is observed due to the high abundance of Operculina and occurrence of kaolinite and gypsiferous shale deposits in both Qatrani and El Qara formations (Oligocene) at this transition. The El Qara Formation is a new rock unit proposed herein for the Oligocene (Rupelian age) in the first time. Several episodes of volcanic activity occurred in Egypt during the Cenozoic. Mid Tertiary volcanicity was widespread and a number of successive volcanic pulses are starting in the late Eocene. The release of mantle CO2 from this very active volcanic episode may have in fact directly caused the warm Eocene-Oligocene greenhouse climate effect.

77 FR 23753 - Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof; Modification of Remedial Orders and Termination of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-20

... cartridges. On December 13, 2010, two respondents in the underlying investigation, Ninestar Technology Co., Ltd. and Ninestar Technology Company, Ltd. (``Ninestar U.S.'') (collectively, ``Ninestar''), filed a... order and cease and desist orders. The Commission named as respondents 24 companies located in China...

Comparison of the Microbial Diversity and Abundance Between the Freshwater Land-Locked Lakes of Schirmacher Oasis and the Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Untersee in East Antarctica

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Jonathan; Hoover, Richard B.; Swain, Ashit; Murdock, Chris; Bej, Asim K.

2010-01-01

Extreme conditions such as low temperature, dryness, and constant UV-radiation in terrestrial Antarctica are limiting factors of the survival of microbial populations. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial diversity and enumeration between the open water lakes of Schirmacher Oasis and the permanently ice-covered Lake Untersee. The lakes in Schirmacher Oasis possessed abundant and diverse group of microorganisms compared to the Lake Untersee. Furthermore, the microbial diversity between two lakes in Schirmacher Oasis (Lake L27C and L47) was compared by culture-based molecular approach. It was determined that L27Chad a richer microbial diversity representing 5 different phyla and 7 different genera. In contrast L47 consisted of 4 different phyla and 6 different genera. The difference in microbial community could be due to the wide range of pH between L27C (pH 9.1) and L47 (pH 5.7). Most of the microbes isolated from these lakes consisted of adaptive biological pigmentation. Characterization of the microbial community found in the freshwater lakes of East Antarctica is important because it gives a further glimpse into the adaptation and survival strategies found in extreme conditions.

Human settlement and its influencing factors during the historicalperiod in an oasis-desert transition zone of Dunhuang, Hexi Corridor,northwest China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, H.; Dong, G.; Zhang, S.

2017-12-01

Many ancient cities and settlement sites have been found in Lucaogou, an ancient oasis near Dunhuangcity in northwest China. These settlements indicate that humans inhabited this area during the historicalperiod. However, the chronology and subsistence practices of this area remain unclear. Based on newdata from radiocarbon dating, macrobotanical analysis, and the synthesis of historical documents andhigh-resolution paleoclimatic records, we discuss the inter-relationship between human settlements andplant resource utilization strategies at Lucaogou ancient oasis during historical period. Our resultsindicate that these ancient sites in Lucaogou area were built between the Han dynasty (202 BC-AD 220)and the Ming dynasty (AD 1368-AD 1644). People mainly used foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, barleyand three types of wood (Tamarix, Salix, Populus), probably as fuel for cooking. Human settlement intensityin the area during the historical period was primarily influenced by political situations, whichmight also have been affected by fluctuations in precipitation.

Simultaneous HPLC-F analysis of three recent antiepileptic drugs in human plasma.

PubMed

Mercolini, Laura; Mandrioli, Roberto; Amore, Mario; Raggi, Maria Augusta

2010-09-21

An original high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection is presented for the simultaneous determination of the three antiepileptic drugs gabapentin, vigabatrin and topiramate in human plasma. After pre-column derivatisation with dansyl chloride, the analytes were separated on a Hydro-RP column with a mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer (55%) and acetonitrile (45%) and detected at lambda(em)=500 nm, exciting at 300 nm. An original pre-treatment procedure on biological samples, based on solid-phase extraction with MCX cartridges for gabapentin and vigabatrin, and with Plexa cartridges for topiramate, gave high extraction yields (>91%), satisfactory precision (RSD<6.4%) and good selectivity. Linearity was found in the 0.2-50.0 microg mL(-1) range for gabapentin, in the 1.0-100.0 microg mL(-1) range for vigabatrin and in the 1.0-50.0 microg mL(-1) range for topiramate, with limits of detection (LODs) between 0.1 and 0.3 microg mL(-1). After validation, the method was successfully applied to some plasma samples from patients undergoing therapy with one or more of these drugs. Accuracy results were satisfactory (recovery >91%). Therefore, the method seems to be suitable for the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of patients treated with gabapentin, vigabatrin and topiramate. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessing the changes in land use and ecosystem services in an oasis agricultural region of Yanqi Basin, Northwest China.

PubMed

Wang, Shuixian; Wu, Bin; Yang, Pengnian

2014-12-01

The Yanqi Basin, one of the most productive agricultural areas, has a high population density in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Land use changes, mainly driven by oasis expansion, significantly impact ecosystem services and functions, but these effects are difficult to quantify. The valuation of ecosystem services is important to clarify the ecological and environmental changes caused by agriculturalization of oasis. This study aimed to investigate variations in ecosystem services in response to land use changes during oasis agricultural expansion activities in the Yanqi Basin from 1964 to 2009. The methods used were based on formula of ecosystem service value (ESV) and ESV coefficients. Satellite data were combined with the ESV coefficients to quantify land use changes and ecosystem service changes in the study area. Sensitivity analysis determined the effect of manipulating the coefficients on the estimated values. The results show that the total ESVs in the Yanqi Basin were $1,674, $1,692, $1,471, $1,732, and $1,603 million in 1964, 1973, 1989, 1999, and 2009, respectively. The net deline in ESV was $71 million in the past 46 years, but the ESVs of each types of landscape changed significantly. The aggregated ESVs of water areas and wetlands were approximately 80 % of the total ESV. Water supply and waste treatment were the two largest service functions and contributed approximately 65 % of the total ESV. The estimated ESVs in this study were elastic with respect to the value coefficients. Therefore, the estimations were robust in spite of uncertainties on the value coefficients. These significant changes in land use occur within the entire basin over the study period. These changes cause environmental problems, such as land degradation, vegetation degeneracy, and changes in aquatic environment.

Sedimentology of the fluvial and fluvio-marine facies of the Bahariya Formation (Early Cenomanian), Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalifa, M. A.; Catuneanu, O.

2008-05-01

The Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation in the Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt, was deposited under two coeval environmental conditions. A fully fluvial system occurs in the southern portion of the Bahariya Oasis, including depositional products of meandering and braided streams, and a coeval fluvio-marine setting is dominant to the north. These deposits are organized into four unconformity-bounded depositional sequences, whose architecture is shaped by a complex system of incised valleys. The fluvial portion of the lower two depositional sequences is dominated by low-energy, meandering systems with a tabular geometry, dominated by overbank facies. The fluvial deposits of the upper two sequences represent the product of sedimentation within braided streams, and consist mainly of amalgamated channel-fills. The braided fluvial systems form the fill of incised valleys whose orientation follows a southeast-northwest trending direction, and which truncate the underlying sequences. Four sedimentary facies have been identified within the braided-channel systems, namely thin-laminated sandstones (Sh), cross-bedded sandstones (Sp, St), massive ferruginous sandstones (Sm) and variegated mudstones (Fm). The exposed off-channel overbank facies of the meandering systems include floodplain (Fm) and crevasse splay (Sl) facies. The fluvio-marine depositional systems consist of interbedded floodplain, coastal and shallow-marine deposits. The floodplain facies include fine-grained sandstones (Sf), laminated siltstones (Stf) and mudstones (Mf) that show fining-upward cycles. The coastal to shallow-marine facies consist primarily of mudstones (Mc) and glauconitic sandstones (Gc) organized vertically in coarsening-upward prograding cyclothems topped by thin crusts of ferricrete (Fc). The four depositional sequences are present across the Bahariya Oasis, albeit with varying degrees of preservation related to post-depositional erosion associated with the formation of sequence

Comparison of a gel column blood typing method and a point-of-care cartridge for dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1.

PubMed

Blois, Shauna L; Richardson, Danielle M; Abrams-Ogg, Anthony C G

2013-01-01

Blood typing for the presence of Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1 is recommended in all donor and recipient dogs prior to transfusion of blood products. The objective of this study was to determine if a point-of-care DEA 1.1 blood typing cartridge could be used in place of the gel column typing method. Detection of DEA 1.1 was performed using a laboratory-based gel column method and a point-of-care cartridge. A convenience sample of 30 healthy blood donors, 13 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (3 of which had concurrent immune-mediated thrombocytopenia [IMT]), and 44 dogs with other diseases was included in the study. Agreement was observed between the tests for normal dogs and dogs with nonimmune-mediated disease in 74/74 cases. Two dogs in the IMHA group had indeterminate gel column blood typing results; 1 dog in this group had a negative gel column test result but a positive cartridge test result. There was good agreement between the 2 methods for normal dogs and dogs with nonimmune-mediated disease. Blood typing methods in dogs with IMHA should be further investigated. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2013.

Solid-phase extraction of small biologically active peptides on cartridges and microelution 96-well plates from human urine.

PubMed

Semenistaya, Ekaterina; Zvereva, Irina; Krotov, Grigory; Rodchenkov, Grigory

2016-09-01

Currently liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis after solid-phase extraction (SPE) on weak cation-exchange cartridges is a method of choice for anti-doping analysis of small bioactive peptides such as growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs), desmoporessin, LHRH, and TB-500 short fragment. Dilution of urine samples with phosphate buffer for pH adjustment and SPE on weak cation exchange microelution plates was tested as a means to increase throughput of this analysis. Dilution using 200 mM phosphate buffer provides good buffering capacity without affecting the peptides recoveries. SPE on microelution plates was performed on Waters Positive Pressure-96 Processor with subsequent evaporation of eluates in nitrogen flow. Though the use of smaller sample volume decreases the pre-concentration factor and increases the limits of detection of 5 out of 17 detected peptides, the recovery, linearity, and reproducibility of the microelution extraction were comparable with cartridge SPE. The effectiveness of protocols was confirmed by analysis of urine samples containing ipamorelin, and GHRP-6 and its metabolites. SPE after urine sample dilution with buffer can be used for faster sample preparation. The use of microelution plates decreases consumption of solvents and allows processing of up to 96 samples simultaneously. Cartridge SPE with manual рН adjustment remains the best option for confirmation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Simultaneous determination of ozone and carbonyls using trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene as an ozone scrubber for 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-impregnated silica cartridge.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Otsubo, Yasufumi

2008-05-01

A new method for the simultaneous determination of ozone and carbonyls in air using a two-bed cartridge system has been developed. Each bed consists of reagent-impregnated silica particles. The first contains trans-1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl) ethylene (BPE) while the second contains 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). Air samples are drawn through the cartridge first through the BPE and then through the DNPH. Ozone in the air sample is trapped in the first bed by the BPE-coated silica particles and produce pyridine-4-aldehyde. Airborne carbonyls pass unimpeded thorough the BPE and are trapped in the second bed by the DNPH-coated silica particles. They produce carbonyl 2,4-DNPhydrazones. DNPH and carbonyl 2,4-DNPhydrazones are not influenced by ozone because of effective trapping by the BPE. Extraction is performed in the direction reverse to air sampling. When solvent is eluted through the BEP/DNPH cartridge, excess DNPH is washed into the BPE bed where it reacted with pyridine-4-aldehyde and forms the corresponding hydrazone derivative. All of the hydrazones derived from airborne carbonyls and pyridine-4-aldehyde (derived from ozone) are completely separated and measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. An Ascentis RP-Amide column is used, and the mobile phase is 40% aqueous acetonitrile containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate. The use of a BPE/DNPH cartridge has made possible the simultaneous determination of ozone and carbonyls. A separate ozone scrubber is not necessary with the BPE/DNPH cartridge because the BPE portion of the sampler serves this function.

Separation of V(V)-4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinolato complex from a large excess reagent using an ODS cartridge for high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Takahashi, Toru; Kaneko, Emiko; Yotsuyanagi, Takao

2006-12-01

A selective off-line preconcentration technique for the V(V) complex with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol has been developed and successfully applied to the determination of V(V) in an air-borne sample. The target complex was separated from excess reagent using an ODS cartridge and water as the eluent. The complex was then concentrated on another ODS cartridge using tetrabutylammonium bromide and eluted with methanol; the eluate was applied to a one-drop concentration/HPLC. A detection limit as low as (6.05 +/- 0.82)x 10(-11) M (5 ppt) was achieved.

The Oasis impact structure, Libya: geological characteristics from ALOS PALSAR-2 data interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Gasselt, Stephan; Kim, Jung Rack; Choi, Yun-Soo; Kim, Jaemyeong

2017-02-01

Optical and infrared remote sensing may provide first-order clues for the identification of potential impact structures on the Earth. Despite the free availability of at least optical image data at highest resolution, research has shown that remote sensing analysis always remains inconclusive and extensive groundwork is needed for the confirmation of the impact origin of such structures. Commonly, optical image data and digital terrain models have been employed mainly for such remote sensing studies of impact structures. With the advent of imaging radar data, a few excursions have been made to also employ radar datasets. Despite its long use, capabilities of imaging radar for studying surface and subsurface structures have not been exploited quantitatively when applied for the identification and description of such features due to the inherent complexity of backscatter processes. In this work, we make use of higher-level derived radar datasets in order to gain clearer qualitative insights that help to describe and identify potential impact structures. We make use of high-resolution data products from the ALOS PALSAR-1 and ALOS PALSAR-2 L-band sensors to describe the heavily eroded Oasis impact structure located in the Libyan Desert. While amplitude radar data with single polarization have usually been utilized to accompany the suite of remote sensing datasets when interpreting impact structures in the past, we conclude that the integration of amplitude data with HH/HV/HH-HV polarization modes in standard and, in particular, in Ultra-Fine mode, as well as entropy-alpha decomposition data, significantly helps to identify and discriminate surface units based on their consolidation. Based on the overarching structural pattern, we determined the diameter of the eroded Oasis structure at 15.6 ± 0.5 km.

Extraction of chemical warfare agents from water with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and C18 cartridges: comparative study.

PubMed

Kanaujia, Pankaj K; Pardasani, Deepak; Gupta, A K; Dubey, D K

2007-01-19

Efficient extraction of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from water is essential before subjecting them to gas chromatographic and spectral analysis aiming towards verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It requires development of fast, reliable, simple and reproducible sample preparation of CWAs from water which is likely to be contaminated during deliberate or inadvertent spread of CWAs. This work describes development of a solid-phase extraction method using hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridges for extraction of CWAs from water. The extraction efficiencies of HLB and C18 cartridges were compared and the results revealed that HLB sorbents performed better. Extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Extraction parameters, such as extraction solvent, its volume and rinsing solvent were optimized. Best recoveries of target analytes were obtained using 1mL methanol and limits of detection were achieved up to 0.05microg/mL with dichloromethane. Precision of the method was found to be less than 9.2% RSD.

A longitudinal evaluation of performance of automated BCR-ABL1 quantitation using cartridge-based detection system.

PubMed

Enjeti, Anoop; Granter, Neil; Ashraf, Asma; Fletcher, Linda; Branford, Susan; Rowlings, Philip; Dooley, Susan

2015-10-01

An automated cartridge-based detection system (GeneXpert; Cepheid) is being widely adopted in low throughput laboratories for monitoring BCR-ABL1 transcript in chronic myelogenous leukaemia. This Australian study evaluated the longitudinal performance specific characteristics of the automated system.The automated cartridge-based system was compared prospectively with the manual qRT-PCR-based reference method at SA Pathology, Adelaide, over a period of 2.5 years. A conversion factor determination was followed by four re-validations. Peripheral blood samples (n = 129) with international scale (IS) values within detectable range were selected for assessment. The mean bias, proportion of results within specified fold difference (2-, 3- and 5-fold), the concordance rate of major molecular remission (MMR) and concordance across a range of IS values on paired samples were evaluated.The initial conversion factor for the automated system was determined as 0.43. Except for the second re-validation, where a negative bias of 1.9-fold was detected, all other biases fell within desirable limits. A cartridge-specific conversion factor and efficiency value was introduced and the conversion factor was confirmed to be stable in subsequent re-validation cycles. Concordance with the reference method/laboratory at >0.1-≤10 IS was 78.2% and at ≤0.001 was 80%, compared to 86.8% in the >0.01-≤0.1 IS range. The overall and MMR concordance were 85.7% and 94% respectively, for samples that fell within ± 5-fold of the reference laboratory value over the entire period of study.Conversion factor and performance specific characteristics for the automated system were longitudinally stable in the clinically relevant range, following introduction by the manufacturer of lot specific efficiency values.

Why transition risk to psychosis is not declining at the OASIS ultra high risk service: The hidden role of stable pretest risk enrichment.

PubMed

Fusar-Poli, P; Palombini, E; Davies, C; Oliver, D; Bonoldi, I; Ramella-Cravaro, V; McGuire, P

2018-02-01

The reason for declining risk to psychosis across individuals assessed and meeting Ultra High Risk (UHR) criteria is still unclear. No studies have investigated the potential substantial role of the underlying risk enrichment across all the individuals undergoing an UHR assessment. Cohort study including all non-psychotic subjects who were assessed on suspicion of psychosis risk by the OASIS UHR service in the period 2001 to 2015. Posttest (after UHR assessment) and pretest risk (before UHR assessment) of psychosis were stratified and compared across three time periods (2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015) with Cox analysis and modulating factors were investigated. The posttest risk of psychosis at the OASIS service has increased from the initial pilot years of the service (2001-2005) and then stabilised and not declined over the following decade (2006-2010 and 2011-2015). This was paralleled by a similar course of pretest risk for psychosis. Stability of pretest risk for psychosis over the past decade was associated with a lack of change in ethnicity and to counterweighting changes in the type of referral sources over different time periods. The time course of transition risk to psychosis in UHR services is strictly associated with the time course of pretest risk enrichment. If the latter remains stable over time, as for the OASIS service, no declining transition risk is observed over the most recent years. Pretest risk enrichment is determined by recruitment and sampling strategies. This study confirms the need to control these factors in the UHR field. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intelligent image capture of cartridge cases for firearms examiners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Brett C.; Guerci, Joseph R.

1997-02-01

The FBI's DRUGFIRETM system is a nationwide computerized networked image database of ballistic forensic evidence. This evidence includes images of cartridge cases and bullets obtained from both crime scenes and controlled test firings of seized weapons. Currently, the system is installed in over 80 forensic labs across the country and has enjoyed a high degree of success. In this paper, we discuss some of the issues and methods associated with providing a front-end semi-automated image capture system that simultaneously satisfies the often conflicting criteria of the many human examiners visual perception versus the criteria associated with optimizing autonomous digital image correlation. Specifically, we detail the proposed processing chain of an intelligent image capture system (IICS), involving a real- time capture 'assistant,' which assesses the quality of the image under test utilizing a custom designed neural network.

[Archaeal diversity in permafrost deposits of Bunger Hills Oasis and King George Island (Antarctica) according to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing].

PubMed

Karaevskaia, E S; Demchenko, L S; Demidov, N É; Rivkina, E M; Bulat, S A; Gilichinskiĭ, D A

2014-01-01

Archaeal communities of permafrost deposits of King George Island and Bunger Hills Oasis (Antarctica) differing in the content of biogenic methane were analyzed using clone libraries of two 16S rRNA gene regions. Phylotypes belonging to methanogenic archaea were identified in all horizons.

A Study of False-Positive and False-Negative Error Rates in Cartridge Case Comparisons

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-07

materials for the study, in particular Vicki Sieve. 3 Abstract: This report provides the details for a study designed to...participate in ASCLD were provided with 15 sets of 3 known + 1 unknown cartridge cases fired from a collection of 25 new Ruger SR9 handguns . The...answer sheet allowing for the AFTE range of conclusions, and return shipping materials . They were also asked to assess how many of the 3 knowns were

Simultaneous ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of amphetamine and amphetamine-like stimulants, cocaine and its metabolites, and a cannabis metabolite in surface water and urban wastewater.

PubMed

Bijlsma, Lubertus; Sancho, Juan V; Pitarch, Elena; Ibáñez, Maria; Hernández, Félix

2009-04-10

An ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification and confirmation of 11 basic/acidic illicit drugs and relevant metabolites in surface and urban wastewater at ng/L levels. The sample pre-treatment consisted of a solid-phase extraction using Oasis MCX cartridges. Analyte deuterated compounds were used as surrogate internal standards (except for norbenzoylecgonine and norcocaine) to compensate for possible errors resulting from matrix effects and those associated to the sample preparation procedure. After SPE enrichment, the selected drugs were separated within 6min under UHPLC optimized conditions. To efficiently combine UHPLC with MS/MS, a fast-acquisition triple quadrupole mass analyzer (TQD from Waters) in positive-ion mode (ESI+) was used. The excellent selectivity and sensitivity of the TQD analyzer in selected reaction monitoring mode allowed quantification and reliable identification at the LOQ levels. Satisfactory recoveries (70-120%) and precision (RSD<20%) were obtained for most compounds in different types of water samples, spiked at two concentration levels [limit of quantification (LOQ) and 10LOQ]. Thus, surface water was spiked at 30 ng/L and 300 ng/L (amphetamine and amphetamine-like stimulants), 10 ng/L and 100 ng/L (cocaine and its metabolites), 300 ng/L and 3000 ng/L (tetrahydrocannabinol-COOH). Recovery experiments in effluent and influent wastewater were performed at spiking levels of three and fifteen times higher than the levels spiked in surface water, respectively. The validated method was applied to urban wastewater samples (influent and effluent). The acquisition of three selected reaction monitoring transitions per analyte allowed positive findings to be confirmed by accomplishment of ion ratios between the quantification transition and two additional specific confirmation transitions. In general, drug consumption increased in the weekends and

SURFEX v8.0 interface with OASIS3-MCT to couple atmosphere with hydrology, ocean, waves and sea-ice models, from coastal to global scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voldoire, Aurore; Decharme, Bertrand; Pianezze, Joris; Lebeaupin Brossier, Cindy; Sevault, Florence; Seyfried, Léo; Garnier, Valérie; Bielli, Soline; Valcke, Sophie; Alias, Antoinette; Accensi, Mickael; Ardhuin, Fabrice; Bouin, Marie-Noëlle; Ducrocq, Véronique; Faroux, Stéphanie; Giordani, Hervé; Léger, Fabien; Marsaleix, Patrick; Rainaud, Romain; Redelsperger, Jean-Luc; Richard, Evelyne; Riette, Sébastien

2017-11-01

This study presents the principles of the new coupling interface based on the SURFEX multi-surface model and the OASIS3-MCT coupler. As SURFEX can be plugged into several atmospheric models, it can be used in a wide range of applications, from global and regional coupled climate systems to high-resolution numerical weather prediction systems or very fine-scale models dedicated to process studies. The objective of this development is to build and share a common structure for the atmosphere-surface coupling of all these applications, involving on the one hand atmospheric models and on the other hand ocean, ice, hydrology, and wave models. The numerical and physical principles of SURFEX interface between the different component models are described, and the different coupled systems in which the SURFEX OASIS3-MCT-based coupling interface is already implemented are presented.

Dynamic Conservation of Date Palms: The Future of a Genetic Resource at the Nexus of Climate Change, Desertification and Salinity Stress in Oasis Ecosystems

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is the only indigenous, wild desert plant definitely domesticated in its native harsh environment, and along with the camel (Camelus dromedarius), was responsible for opening the vast desert territories for human activity and the development of oasis ecosystems, w...

Application of NASTRAN in nonlinear analysis of a cartridge case neck separation malfunction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, J. C. S.; Frederick, D. L.

1975-01-01

The problem of case neck separation malfunction in the field of ammunition structural analysis is investigated. The axi-symmetric solid of revolution RING element was utilized in the manual piecewise linear analysis to obtain the expansion of the wall of the cartridge case and barrel chamber by the pressure of propellant gases and the stresses in the structure. The analysis included the varying material properties along the wall of the case and the chamber. Additional instructions were provided to change the element material ID's without recomputing the entire stiffness matrix.

Evaluation of evapotranspiration and deep percolation under mulched drip irrigation in an oasis of Tarim basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xianwen; Jin, Menggui; Zhou, Nianqing; Huang, Jinou; Jiang, Simin; Telesphore, Habiyakare

2016-07-01

Mulched drip irrigation for cotton field is an effective measure for the utilization of saline water, and the regulation of soil water and salt. However, the reasonable methods for quantifying actual evapotranspiration (ET) and deep percolation of recharge to groundwater are still not very well understood, which restricts the accurate regulation of soil water and salt for cotton growth in oasis. In this paper, a set of experiments of mulched drip irrigation with brackish water were conducted in a typical arid region of Tarim basin in southern Xinjiang, China. The irrigation events were recorded, and ET and fluctuations of groundwater table were carefully measured for two consecutive irrigation periods of flowering and bolling stages. A group of upscaling conversion methods were used to quantify the ET, in which canopy structure was considered to estimate the transpiration from leaf scale to a unit of field scale. The groundwater table had a significant response to the irrigation events, thus the deep percolation was estimated using water-table fluctuation method (WTF). Results showed that during the two irrigation events of flowering and bolling stages, the total ET was 31.1 mm with the soil surface evaporation of only 0.4 mm. The total percolation of recharge to groundwater was 48.2 mm which contributed to the groundwater run-off of 22.1 mm. Transpiration of 30.7 mm accounted for 98.6% of the total ET of 31.1 mm and 34.3% of the irrigation water of 90.6 mm. Compared with transpiration, the deep percolation accounted for 53.2% of irrigation water, indicating a serious excessive irrigation that recharged to groundwater. Soil salt budget showed that the salt leached into groundwater was 1.56 times of the input from brackish irrigation water and fertilization during the two irrigation periods. Even for the irrigation practice with brackish water, the accumulated salt of soil profile could also be leached out under large amount of irrigation water (e.g. 90.6 mm for the

Influence of Berdan and Boxer Primer Spit-Hole Diameter on 7.62-mm Cartridge Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

pressure transducer, Kistler Model 6215 (4), is consistent with previous experiments. Pressure is measured through a 3/32-in hole drilled into the...cartridge case forward of the midpoint, and case holes are sealed with 1-mil- thick DuPont Kapton* tape. The force transducer selected is the Kistler ...April 1986. 3. M14 Barrel, Drawing 7790190, Rev R, January 1986. 4. Kistler Operating Instructions, Quartz High-Pressure Sensor Type 6215, Kistler

Exploring health-related quality of life and social functioning in adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases after attending camp oasis and participating in a Facebook group.

PubMed

Plevinsky, Jill M; Greenley, Rachel N

2014-09-01

Youth with inflammatory bowel diseases are at risk for impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and problems with social functioning. This study examined the impact of attending Camp Oasis (a disease-specific weeklong camp experience) on the HRQoL and social functioning of youth with inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, the study collected pilot data on whether a postcamp Facebook group contributed to maintenance or enhancement of these factors. Twenty-one youth ages 14 to 17 years who attended Camp Oasis and were Facebook users participated. HRQoL and social functioning (i.e., social support and social connectedness) were assessed through validated youth-report questionnaires at precamp, postcamp, and post-Facebook group. The Facebook group was 8 weeks in duration and encouraged campers to continue interacting in a private, protected setting. Analyses of effect sizes (i.e., Cohen's d) indicated medium and statistically significant increases in HRQoL from precamp to postcamp (d = 0.40) and small increases in social functioning (d = 0.15-0.24). Additional improvements in social functioning were seen from postcamp to post-Facebook group (d = 0.21-0.32), and overall improvements were observed in all domains (d = 0.17-0.52). Findings replicated those of previous research in documenting the value of Camp Oasis on enhancing HRQoL. Both the camp experience and the Facebook group contributed to improvements in youth social functioning. Thus, supplementing the camp experience with membership in an online community may enhance social functioning in adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases.

A simple and selective method for determination of phthalate biomarkers in vegetable samples by high pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zhou, Xi; Cui, Kunyan; Zeng, Feng; Li, Shoucong; Zeng, Zunxiang

2016-06-01

In the present study, solid-phase extraction cartridges including silica reversed-phase Isolute C18, polymeric reversed-phase Oasis HLB and mixed-mode anion-exchange Oasis MAX, and liquid-liquid extractions with ethyl acetate, n-hexane, dichloromethane and its mixtures were compared for clean-up of phthalate monoesters from vegetable samples. Best recoveries and minimised matrix effects were achieved using ethyl acetate/n-hexane liquid-liquid extraction for these target compounds. A simple and selective method, based on sample preparation by ultrasonic extraction and liquid-liquid extraction clean-up, for the determination of phthalate monoesters in vegetable samples by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry was developed. The method detection limits for phthalate monoesters ranged from 0.013 to 0.120 ng g(-1). Good linearity (r(2)>0.991) between MQLs and 1000× MQLs was achieved. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation values were less than 11.8%. The method was successfully used to determine phthalate monoester metabolites in the vegetable samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip and activity: a systematic international review and synthesis (OASIS).

PubMed

Vignon, Eric; Valat, Jean-Pierre; Rossignol, Michel; Avouac, Bernard; Rozenberg, Sylvie; Thoumie, Philippe; Avouac, Jérôme; Nordin, Margareta; Hilliquin, Pascal

2006-07-01

The goal of this study was to determine which activities in four domains, daily life, exercises, sports and occupational activities, should be recommended, in favor or against, for the patient suffering from knee or hip OA. Scientific literature was searched in Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles in French or English, reporting original data. The articles were evaluated with standardized epidemiological criteria. Seventy-two articles were retained. Recommendations were graded according to the level of scientific evidence (A high, B moderate, C clinical consensus) and were formulated for primary care. For activity of daily life (ADL), the OASIS group states with a moderate level of scientific evidence, that ADL are a risk factor for knee OA and that risk increases with intensity and duration of activity. The group concludes that healthy subjects as well as OA patients in general can pursue a high level of physical activity, provided the activity is not painful and does not predispose to trauma (grade B). Radiographic or clinical OA is not a contraindication to promoting activity in patients who have a sedentary lifestyle (grade C). For exercises and other structured activities pursued with a goal of health improvement, the group states with a high level of scientific evidence that they have a favourable effect on pain and function in the sedentary knee OA patient. The OASIS group recommends the practice of exercises and other structured activities for the sedentary patient with knee OA (grade A). Static exercises are not favored over dynamic exercises, availability, preference and tolerance being the criteria for the choice of an exercise (grade A). As results deteriorate when exercises are stopped, they should be performed at a frequency of between one and three times per week (grade B). Professional assistance can be useful in improving initial compliance and perseverance (grade B). There is no scientific argument to support halting exercise in

The Climate and its Impacts on deterioration and weathering rate of EI-Nadura Temple in El- Kharga Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismael, Hossam

2015-04-01

Undoubtedly, El-Kharga Oasis monumental sites are considered an important part of our world's cultural heritage in the South Western Desert of Egypt. These sites are scattered on the floor of the oasis representing ancient civilizations. The Roman stone monuments in Kharga represent cultural heritage of an outstanding universal value. Such those monuments have suffered weathering deterioration. There are various elements which affect the weathering process of stone monuments: climate conditions, shapes of cultural heritages, exposed time periods, terrains, and vegetation around them, etc. Among these, climate conditions are the most significant factor affecting the deterioration of Archeological sites in Egypt. El- Kharga Oasis belongs administratively to the New Valley Governorate. It is located in the southern part of the western desert of Egypt, lies between latitudes 22°30'14" and 26°00'00" N, and between 30°27'00" and 30°47'00" E. The area of El Kharga Oasis covers about 7500 square kilometers. Pilot studies were carried out on the EI-Nadura Temple, composed of sandstones originating from the great sand sea. The major objective of this study is to monitor and measure the weathering features and the weathering rate affecting the building stones forming El-Nadora Roman building rocks in cubic cm. To achieve these aims, the present study used analysis of climatic data such as annual and seasonal solar radiation, Monthly average number of hours of sunshine, maximum and minimum air temperatures, wind speed, which have obtained from actual field measurements and data Meteorological Authority of El-Kharga station for the period 1977 to 2010 (33 years), and from the period 1941-2050 (110 years) as a long term of temperature data. Several samples were collected and examined by polarizing microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (SEM-EDX). The results were in

Monitoring alkylphenols in water using the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS): Determining sampling rates via the extraction of PES membranes and Oasis beads.

PubMed

Silvani, Ludovica; Riccardi, Carmela; Eek, Espen; Papini, Marco Petrangeli; Morin, Nicolas A O; Cornelissen, Gerard; Oen, Amy M P; Hale, Sarah E

2017-10-01

Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) have previously been used to monitor alkylphenol (AP) contamination in water and produced water. However, only the sorbent receiving phase of the POCIS (Oasis beads) is traditionally analyzed, thus limiting the use of POCIS for monitoring a range of APs with varying hydrophobicity. Here a "pharmaceutical" POCIS was calibrated in the laboratory using a static renewal setup for APs (from 2-ethylphenol to 4-n-nonylphenol) with varying hydrophobicity (log K ow between 2.47 and 5.76). The POCIS sampler was calibrated over its 28 day integrative regime and sampling rates (R s ) were determined. Uptake was shown to be a function of AP hydrophobicity where compounds with log K ow  < 4 were preferentially accumulated in Oasis beads, and compounds with log K ow  > 5 were preferentially accumulated in the PES membranes. A lag phase (over a 24 h period) before uptake in to the PES membranes occurred was evident. This work demonstrates that the analysis of both POCIS phases is vital in order to correctly determine environmentally relevant concentrations owing to the fact that for APs with log K ow  ≤ 4 uptake, to the PES membranes and the Oasis beads, involves different processes compared to APs with log K ow  ≥ 4. The extraction of both the POCIS matrices is thus recommended in order to assess the concentration of hydrophobic APs (log K ow  ≥ 4), as well as hydrophilic APs, most effectively. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Analysis of some cytokinins in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography after solid-phase extraction.

PubMed

Ge, Liya; Yong, Jean Wan Hong; Tan, Swee Ngin; Yang, Xin Hao; Ong, Eng Shi

2004-09-03

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) was developed for the separation of cytokinins including trans-zeatin, trans-zeatin-O-glucoside, dihydrozeatin, dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside, meta-topolin riboside, N6-isopentenyladenine and N6-benzylaminopurine. Under the optimum conditions, i.e. a combination of 10 mM phosphate and 10 mM borate as the running buffer containing 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate at pH 10.4, the separation of seven cytokinin standards was accomplished within 11 min. The C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was used to pre-concentrate the putative cytokinins present in the coconut water. Following which, the eluate was further purified using mixed mode Oasis MCX SPE columns and this additional step helps to reduce matrix interference during MECC. After the two solid-phase extraction steps, the optimized MECC method was able to screen for certain cytokinins (zeatin-O-glucoside and dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside) present in coconut water. After this screening, the presence of zeatin-O-glucoside and dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside in coconut water was further confirmed by independent high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry experiments.

The COSMO-CLM 4.8 regional climate model coupled to regional ocean, land surface and global earth system models using OASIS3-MCT: description and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Will, Andreas; Akhtar, Naveed; Brauch, Jennifer; Breil, Marcus; Davin, Edouard; Ho-Hagemann, Ha T. M.; Maisonnave, Eric; Thürkow, Markus; Weiher, Stefan

2017-04-01

We developed a coupled regional climate system model based on the CCLM regional climate model. Within this model system, using OASIS3-MCT as a coupler, CCLM can be coupled to two land surface models (the Community Land Model (CLM) and VEG3D), the NEMO-MED12 regional ocean model for the Mediterranean Sea, two ocean models for the North and Baltic seas (NEMO-NORDIC and TRIMNP+CICE) and the MPI-ESM Earth system model.We first present the different model components and the unified OASIS3-MCT interface which handles all couplings in a consistent way, minimising the model source code modifications and defining the physical and numerical aspects of the couplings. We also address specific coupling issues like the handling of different domains, multiple usage of the MCT library and exchange of 3-D fields.We analyse and compare the computational performance of the different couplings based on real-case simulations over Europe. The usage of the LUCIA tool implemented in OASIS3-MCT enables the quantification of the contributions of the coupled components to the overall coupling cost. These individual contributions are (1) cost of the model(s) coupled, (2) direct cost of coupling including horizontal interpolation and communication between the components, (3) load imbalance, (4) cost of different usage of processors by CCLM in coupled and stand-alone mode and (5) residual cost including i.a. CCLM additional computations.Finally a procedure for finding an optimum processor configuration for each of the couplings was developed considering the time to solution, computing cost and parallel efficiency of the simulation. The optimum configurations are presented for sequential, concurrent and mixed (sequential+concurrent) coupling layouts. The procedure applied can be regarded as independent of the specific coupling layout and coupling details.We found that the direct cost of coupling, i.e. communications and horizontal interpolation, in OASIS3-MCT remains below 7 % of the CCLM stand

Microbial extremophiles from the 2008 Schirmacher Oasis Expedition: preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoover, Richard B.; Pikuta, Elena V.; Townsend, Alisa; Anthony, Joshua; Guisler, Melissa; McDaniel, Jasmine; Bej, Asim; Storrie-Lombardi, Michael

2008-08-01

Among the most interesting targets for Astrobiology research are the polar ice caps and the permafrost of Mars and the ice and liquid water bodies that may lie beneath the frozen crusts of comets, the icy moons of Jupiter (Europa, Io and Ganymede) and Saturn (Titan and Enceladus). The permanently ice-covered lakes of Antarctica, such as Lake Vostok and Lake Untersee, provide some of the best terrestrial analogues for these targets. The 2008 International Tawani Schirmacher Oasis/Lake Untersee Expeditions have been organized to conduct studies of novel microbial extremophiles and investigate the biodiversity of the glaciers and ice-covered lakes of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. This paper describes the preliminary analysis of the anaerobic microbial extremophiles isolated from samples collected during the 2008 International Schirmacher Oasis Antarctica Reconnaissance Expedition. These samples showed great diversity of psychrophlic and psychrotolerant bacteria. Six new anaerobic strains have been isolated in pure cultures and partially characterized. Two of them (strains ARHSd-7G and ARHSd-9G) were isolated from a small tidal pool near the colony of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus. Strain ARHSd-7G was isolated on mineral anaerobic medium with 3 % NaCl, pH 7 and D-glucose, it has motile, vibrion shape cells, and is Gram variable. Strain ARHSd-9G grew on anaerobic, alkaline medium with pH 9 and 1 % NaCl at 3°C. The substrate was D-glucose supplemented with yeast extract (0.05 %). Cells of strain ARHSd-9G had morphology of straight or slightly curved elongated rods and demonstrated unusual optical effects under dark-field visible light microscopy. The cells were spore-forming and Gram positive. From the mat sample collected near Lake Zub, the new strain LZ-3 was isolated in pure culture at 3°C. Strain LZ-3 was anaerobic and grew on 0.5 % NaCl mineral medium with Dglucose as a substrate. The gram positive cells were spore-forming. They exhibited a

Energetic Residues from Blow-in-Place Detonation of 60-mm and 120-mm Fuzed High-Explosive Mortar Cartridges

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-01

ER D C/ CR R EL T R -0 8 -1 9 Energetic Residues from Blow-in-Place Detonation of 60-mm and 120-mm Fuzed High-Explosive Mortar Cartridges...Figure 4. Sample filtration setup. ............................................................................................................. 8 ...15 Table 8 . HE munitions BIP and live-fire detonation energetics residues data. .................................. 17 ERDC/CRREL TR-08

Influences of sampling volume and sample concentration on the analysis of atmospheric carbonyls by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridge.

PubMed

Pal, Raktim; Kim, Ki-Hyun

2008-03-10

In this study, the analytical bias involved in the application of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH)-coated cartridge sampling method was investigated for the analysis of five atmospheric carbonyl species (i.e., acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde). In order to evaluate the potential bias of the sampling technique, a series of the laboratory experiments were conducted to cover a wide range of volumes (1-20 L) and concentration levels (approximately 100-2000 ppb in case of acetaldehyde). The results of these experiments were then evaluated in terms of the recovery rate (RR) for each carbonyl species. The detection properties of these carbonyls were clearly distinguished between light and heavy species in terms of RR and its relative standard error (R.S.E.). It also indicates that the studied analytical approach can yield the most reliable pattern for light carbonyls, especially acetaldehyde. When these experimental results were tested further by a two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), the analysis based on the cartridge sampling method is affected more sensitively by the concentration levels of samples rather than the sampling volume.

Matrix solid-phase dispersion on column clean-up/pre-concentration as a novel approach for fast isolation of abuse drugs from human hair.

PubMed

Míguez-Framil, Martha; Moreda-Piñeiro, Antonio; Bermejo-Barrera, Pilar; Alvarez-Freire, Iván; Tabernero, María Jesús; Bermejo, Ana María

2010-10-08

A simple and fast sample pre-treatment method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) for isolating cocaine, benzoylecgonine (BZE), codeine, morphine and 6-monoacethylmorphine (6-MAM) from human hair has been developed. The MSPD approach consisted of using alumina (1.80 g) as a dispersing agent and 0.6M hydrochloric acid (4 mL) as an extracting solvent. For a fixed hair sample mass of 0.050 g, the alumina mass to sample mass ratio obtained was 36. A previously conditioned Oasis HLB cartridge (2 mL methanol, plus 2 mL ultrapure water, plus 1 mL of 0.2M/0.2M sodium hydroxide/boric acid buffer solution at pH 9.2) was attached to the end of the MSPD syringe for on column clean-up of the hydrochloric acid extract and for transferring the target compounds to a suitable solvent for gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Therefore, the adsorbed analytes were directly eluted from the Oasis HLB cartridges with 2 mL of 2% acetic acid in methanol before concentration by N(2) stream evaporation and dry extract derivatization with N-methyl-tert-butylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS). The optimization/evaluation of all the factors affecting the MSPD and on column clean-up procedures has led to a fast sample treatment, and analytes extraction and pre-concentration can be finished in approximately 30 min. The developed method has been applied to eight hair samples from poli-drug abusers and measured analyte concentrations have been found to be statistically similar (95% confidence interval) to those obtained after a conventional enzymatic hydrolysis method (Pronase E). Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Carboxylated graphene oxide/polyvinyl chloride as solid-phase extraction sorbent combined with ion chromatography for the determination of sulfonamides in cosmetics.

PubMed

Zhong, Zhixiong; Li, Gongke; Luo, Zhibin; Liu, Zhe; Shao, Yijuan; He, Wanwen; Deng, Jianchao; Luo, Xingling

2015-08-12

A carboxylated graphene oxide/polyvinyl chloride (CGO/PVC) material was prepared as a sorbent for the selective extraction of sulphonamides from complex sample. After being dispersed in buffer solution, sample was transferred into the prefabricated solid-phase extraction (SPE) column, which integrated extraction and cleanup into one single-step. A multi-response optimization based on the Box-Behnken design was used to optimize factors affecting extraction efficiency. Compared with the commonly commercial sorbents including MCX, WCX and C18, CGO/PVC hybrid material had higher extraction selectivity and capacity to sulphonamides. The limits of detection and quantification for seven target compounds were in the range of 3.4-7.1 μg/L and 11.4-23.7 μg/L, respectively. The self-assembly SPE cartridge was successfully used to enrich seven analytes in anti-acne cosmetics prior to ion chromatography detection with good recoveries of 87.8-102.0% and relative standard deviations of 1.2-6.4%, implying that this method was suitable for routine analysis of cosmetics. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quaternary history of the Kiseiba Oasis region, southern Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxwell, Ted A.; Haynes, C. Vance; Nicoll, Kathleen; Johnston, Andrew K.; Grant, John A.; Kilani, Ali

2017-12-01

Kiseiba Oasis and depression are located in southern Egypt between the Selima Sand Sheet to the west and the Nile to the east, an important area that hosted Late Cenozoic drainage, Middle Pleistocene lakes, and numerous Paleolithic and Neolithic cultural sites. A synthesis of orbital data, field surveying and near-surface stratigraphy provides new insights into the Quaternary history of this region. Shuttle Imaging Radar data show a complex of fluvial channels that are due to stringers of surficial fluvial lag, subsurface fluvial deposits, and areas of deep alluvium. Three topographic surfaces are described: 1) the Atmur El-Kibeish, above 230 m elevation, which displays a linear pattern of light radar returns, possibly formed from northeast drainage; 2) the Acheulean Surface, at 200 m elevation, that has dark radar patterns resulting from thick alluvium bounded by pebble sand and calcrete strata, and 3) the Kiseiba Surface, below 190 m, that has a complex series of surface and subsurface fluvial and aeolian sediments. Initial drainage from the Early through Middle Pleistocene was to the northeast, which may have lasted through the Last Interglacial. Later reworking of sediments during the Last Glacial Maximum and the Holocene resulted in topographic inversion, with any subsequent local drainage on the Kiseiba Surface to the southwest, towards the Kiseiba Scarp.

Disposable cartridge extraction of retinol and alpha-tocopherol from fatty samples.

PubMed

Bourgeois, C F; Ciba, N

1988-01-01

A new approach is proposed for liquid/solid extraction of retinol and alpha-tocopherol from samples, using a disposable kieselguhr cartridge. The substitution of the mixture methanol-ethanol-n-butanol (4 + 3 + 1) for methanol in the alkaline hydrolysis solution makes it now possible to process fatty samples. Methanol is necessary to solubilize the antioxidant ascorbic acid, and a linear chain alcohol such as n-butanol is necessary to reduce the size of soap micelles so that they can penetrate into the kieselguhr pores. In comparisons of the proposed method with conventional methods on mineral premixes and fatty feedstuffs, recovery and accuracy are at least as good by the proposed method. Advantages are increased rate of determinations and the ability to hydrolyze and extract retinol and alpha-tocopherol together from the same sample.

Draft Genome Sequence of Janthinobacterium sp. Ant5-2-1, Isolated from Proglacial Lake Podprudnoye in the Schirmacher Oasis of East Antarctica.

PubMed

Koo, Hyunmin; Strope, Bailey M; Kim, Eddy H; Shabani, Adel M; Kumar, Ranjit; Crowley, Michael R; Andersen, Dale T; Bej, Asim K

2016-01-21

Janthinobacterium sp. Ant5-2-1, isolated from the Schirmacher Oasis of East Antarctica, produces a purple-violet pigment, manifests diverse energy metabolism abilities, and tolerates cold, ultraviolet radiation, and other environmental stressors. We report here the 6.19-Mb draft genome of strain Ant5-2-1, which will help understand its survival mechanisms in extreme Antarctic ecosystems. Copyright © 2016 Koo et al.

Implementation of ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography for inspecting the Greco-Roman Necropolis at Kilo 6 of the Golden Mummies Valley, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, Abbas M.; Ghazala, Hosni H.; Mesbah, Hany S.; Atya, Magdy A.; Radwan, Ali; Hamed, Diaa E.

2016-06-01

Bahariya Oasis is one of the lately inspected spots in Egypt and has a long historical record extending from the old kingdom till the emergence of Islam. Since June 1999, the Valley of the Golden Mummies near Bawiti (at kilometer 6 on the road leads to Farafra Oasis) became significant due to the discoveries of amazing mummies of gelded faces. The archeologists believe that the Valley has more valuable tombs that still unrevealed. Also, the possibility that the Greco-Roman Necropolis extends to areas other than Kilo-6 is sustainable. The ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography are two geophysical tools that have successful applications in archeological assessment. The two techniques were used in integration plan to assert the archeological potentiality of the studied site and to map the feasible tombs. Sum of 798 GPR profiles and 19 ERT cross sections was carried out over the study area. The results of them were analyzed to envisage these results in archeological terms.

Evaluation of silica-gel cartridges coated in situ with acidified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine for sampling aldehydes and ketones in air

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

Tejada, S.B.

1986-01-01

A procedure for coating in-situ silica in commercially available prepacked cartridges with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) acidified with hydrochloric acid is described. The coated cartridge was compared with a validated DNPH impinger method for sampling organic carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) in diluted automotive exhaust emissions and in ambient air for subsequent analysis of the DNPH derivatives by high performance liquid chromatography. Qualitative and quantitative results show that the two sampling devices are equivalent. An unknown degradation product of acrolein has been tentatively identified as x-acrolein. The disappearance of acrolein in the analytical sample matrix correlated quantitatively almost on a mole-for-mole basismore » with the growth of x-acrolein. The sum of the concentration of acrolein and x-acrolein appears to be invariant with time. This sum could possibly be used as a more-accurate value of the concentration of acrolein in the integratated sample.« less

Type-specific detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in self-sampled cervicovaginal cells applied to FTA elute cartridge.

PubMed

Gustavsson, Inger; Sanner, Karin; Lindell, Monica; Strand, Anders; Olovsson, Matts; Wikström, Ingrid; Wilander, Erik; Gyllensten, Ulf

2011-08-01

Most procedures for self-sampling of cervical cells are based on liquid-based media for transportation and storage. An alternative is to use a solid support, such as dry filter paper media. To evaluate if self-sampling of cervicovaginal fluid using a cytobrush (Viba-brush; Rovers Medical Devices B.V., Oss, The Netherlands) and a solid support such as the Whatman Indicating FTA Elute cartridge (GE Healthcare, United Kingdom) can be used for reliable typing of human papillomavirus (HPV), as compared to cervical samples obtained by a physician using a cytobrush and the indicating FTA Elute Micro card and biopsy analysis. A total of 50 women with a previous high-risk (HR) HPV positive test were invited to perform self-sampling using the Viba-brush and the FTA cartridge and thereafter a physician obtained a cervical sample using the cytobrush and a FTA card, together with a cervical biopsy for histology and HPV typing. Detection of HR-HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59 was performed using three multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. All samples contained sufficient amounts of genomic DNA and the self-samples yielded on average 3.5 times more DNA than those obtained by the physician. All women that were positive for HR-HPV in the biopsy sample also typed positive both by self-sampling and physician-obtained sampling. For women with a histological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2-3 (CIN 2-3) all three HPV samples showed 100% concordance. A higher number of women were HPV positive by self-sampling than by physician-obtained sampling or by biopsy analysis. The Viba-brush and the FTA cartridge are suitable for self-sampling of vaginal cells and subsequent HR-HPV typing. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Cartridge Theory: a description of the functioning of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, based on modelling results.

PubMed

Samsó, Roger; García, Joan

2014-03-01

Despite the fact that horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands have been in operation for several decades now, there is still no clear understanding of some of their most basic internal functioning patterns. To fill this knowledge gap, on this paper we present what we call "The Cartridge Theory". This theory was derived from simulation results obtained with the BIO_PORE model and explains the functioning of urban wastewater treatment wetlands based on the interaction between bacterial communities and the accumulated solids leading to clogging. In this paper we start by discussing some changes applied to the biokinetic model implemented in BIO_PORE (CWM1) so that the growth of bacterial communities is consistent with a well-known population dynamics models. This discussion, combined with simulation results for a pilot wetland system, led to the introduction of "The Cartridge Theory", which states that the granular media of horizontal subsurface flow wetlands can be assimilated to a generic cartridge which is progressively consumed (clogged) with inert solids from inlet to outlet. Simulations also revealed that bacterial communities are poorly distributed within the system and that their location is not static but changes over time, moving towards the outlet as a consequence of the progressive clogging of the granular media. According to these findings, the life-span of constructed wetlands corresponds to the time when bacterial communities are pushed as much towards the outlet that their biomass is not anymore sufficient to remove the desirable proportion of the influent pollutants. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of climate change on phenological trends and seed cotton yields in oasis of arid regions.

PubMed

Huang, Jian; Ji, Feng

2015-07-01

Understanding the effects of climatic change on phenological phases of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in oasis of arid regions may help optimize management schemes to increase productivity. This study assessed the impacts of climatic changes on the phenological phases and productivity of spring cotton. The results showed that climatic warming led the dates of sowing seed, seeding emergence, three-leaf, five-leaf, budding, anthesis, full bloom, cleft boll, boll-opening, boll-opening filling, and stop-growing become earlier by 24.42, 26.19, 24.75, 23.28, 22.62, 15.75, 14.58, 5.37, 2.85, 8.04, and 2.16 days during the period of 1981-2010, respectively. The growth period lengths from sowing seed to seeding emergence and from boll-opening to boll-opening filling were shortened by 1.76 and 5.19 days, respectively. The other growth period lengths were prolonged by 2-9.71 days. The whole growth period length was prolonged by 22.26 days. The stop-growing date was delayed by 2.49-3.46 days for every 1 °C rise in minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures; however, other development dates emerged earlier by 2.17-4.76 days. Rising temperatures during the stage from seeding emergence to three-leaf reduced seed cotton yields. However, rising temperatures increased seed cotton yields in the two stages from anthesis to cleft boll and from boll-opening filling to the stop-growing. Increasing accumulated temperatures (AT) had different impacts on different development stages. During the vegetative phase, rising AT led to reduced seed cotton yields, but rising AT during reproductive stage increased seed cotton yields. In conclusion, climatic warming helpfully obtained more seed cotton yields in oasis of arid regions in northwest China. Changing the sowing date is another way to enhance yields for climate change in the future.

Japanese Science Films; a Descriptive and Evaluative Catalog of: 16mm Motion Pictures, 8mm Cartridges, and Video Tapes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newren, Edward F., Ed.

One hundred and eighty Japanese 16mm motion pictures, 8mm cartridges, and video tapes produced and judged appropriate for a variety of audience levels are listed in alphabetical order by title with descriptive and evaluative information. A subject heading list and a subject index to the film titles are included, as well as a sample of the…

Capture of the volatile carbonyl metabolite of flecainide on 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridge for quantitation by stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with chromatography

PubMed Central

Prokai, Laszlo; Szarka, Szabolcs; Wang, Xiaoli; Prokai-Tatrai, Katalin

2012-01-01

Carbonyl compounds are common byproducts of many metabolic processes. These volatile chemical entities are usually derivatized before mass spectrometric analysis to enhance the sensitivity of their detections. The classically used reagent for this purpose is 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) that forms the corresponding hydrazones. When DNPH is immobilized on specific cartridges it permits solvent-free collection and simultaneous derivatization of aldehydes and ketones from gaseous samples. The utility of this approach was tested by assembling a simple apparatus for the in vitro generation of trifluoroacetaldehyde (TFAA) and its subsequent capture on the attached DNPH cartridge. TFAA was generated via cytochrome P450-catalyzed dealkylation of flecainide, an antiarrhythmic agent, in pooled human liver microsomes. Stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with GC and LC using negative chemical ionization (NCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was evaluated for quantitative analyses. To eliminate isotope effects observed with the use of deuterium-labeled DNPH, we selected its 15N4-labeled analog to synthesize the appropriate TFAA adduct, as internal standard. Quantitation by GC–NCI-MS using selected-ion monitoring outperformed LC–ESI-MS methods considering limits of detection and linearity of the assays. The microsomal metabolism of 1.5 μmol of flecainide for 1.5 h resulted in 2.6 ± 0.5 μg TFAA-DNPH, corresponding to 9.3 ± 1.7 nmol TFAA, captured by the cartridge. PMID:22342210

Improved measurement of ozone and carbonyls using a dual-bed sampling cartridge containing trans-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-impregnated silica.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Naito, Suekazu; Matsumoto, Mariko; Inaba, Yohei; Kunugita, Naoki

2009-08-01

We have previously developed a new method using trans-1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (4-BPE) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for the simultaneous determination of ozone and carbonyls in air using a two-bed cartridge system. In this method, 4-BPE was used to capture ozone. However, the method suffered from long reaction times in the eluate, low solubility of the DNPH derivative, and a strong dependence on atmospheric moisture. These problems could be overcome by using trans-1,2-bis-(2-pyridyl)ethylene (2-BPE) in place of 4-BPE. The efficiency of the reaction of ozone with 2-BPE to form pyridine-2-aldehyde (2PA) is higher than the corresponding reaction with 4-BPE. Under the optimized elution conditions, the reaction times of 2PA and 4PA with DNPH are within 15 and 120 min, respectively. In the elution from the sampling cartridge, 2PA formed from 2-BPE and ozone is easier to dissolve in the elution solvent. A stronger influence of humidity was observed in ozone recovery by the 4-BPE/DNPH method. 2-BPE exhibits a maximum reaction efficiency of 84% at 32% relative humidity (RH), while 4-BPE attains a maximum reaction efficiency of 82% at 49% RH. Humidity has much less influence on the reaction of 2-BPE with ozone. Above 18% RH, the reaction efficiency of 2-BPE with ozone is in the range 80-84%. Thus, 2-BPE is the more useful reagent for ozone analysis. The concentrations of ozone and carbonyls by the improved 2-BPE/DNPH method corresponded with the mean value by an ozone auto analyzer in an air monitoring station and a DNPH cartridge coupled with a KI-ozone scrubbing cartridge.

Use of Satellite Imagery to Monitor the Oasis Agriculture in the Turpan Depression, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China--A Case Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

drops at its lowest point to 154 meters below sea level and presents a varied natural panorama of desert, oasis, gorges and sand dunes. The chief...Febr’iarv each :ear AraiKawa. Ab’ . -. 25 Thermal conditions in the depression are similar to those in North China, but the amount of precipitation is

Matrix solid phase dispersion assisted enzymatic hydrolysis as a novel approach for cocaine and opiates isolation from human hair.

PubMed

Míguez-Framil, Martha; Cabarcos, Pamela; Tabernero, María Jesús; Bermejo, Ana María; Bermejo-Barrera, Pilar; Moreda-Piñeiro, Antonio

2013-11-05

The possibility of assisting enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) procedures by sample disruption mechanisms inherent to matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) has been explored in the current study. EH of hair specimens from poly-drug abusers was assisted by dispersing/blending the sample (0.05 g) with alumina (2.25 g) before loading the dissolved enzyme (6 mL of 1 mg mL(-1) Pronase E in 1.4 M/1.4 M Tris/HCl, pH 7.3) through the hair-alumina solid phase packaged inside a disposable MSPD syringe. The MSPD-EH method was developed, and it proved to offer quantitative results when isolating cocaine, benzoylecgonine (BZE), codeine, morphine and 6-monoacethylmorphine (6-MAM) from human hair samples. The procedure allows an on column clean-up/pre-concentration procedure of the isolated targets by attaching a previously conditioned Oasis HLB cartridge to the end of the MSPD syringe. The EH procedure of human hair with Pronase E can therefore be shortened to approximately 30 min. Within this time, sample blending/dispersion, MSPD syringe package, elution (EH when dissolved Pronase E is passing through the sample-dispersant bed), and extract clean-up and target pre-concentration stages are achieved. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for determining each target after elution from the Oasis HLB cartridges with 2 mL of 2% (v/v) acetic acid in methanol, concentration by N2 stream evaporation, and dried extract derivatization with N-methyl-tert-butylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS). The method was validated according to the guidance for bioanalytical method validation of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. The simplicity of the proposed approach makes it a useful procedure for screening/quantifying drugs of abuse in hair specimens from poly-drug abusers. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Should the U.S. Army Adopt New 5.56mm Ammunition Cartridge Designs to Reduce Overall Ammunition Weight?

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

developing alternative materials or configurations for ammunition cases.4 By using suitable widely available lightweight materials in the case of these...and civilian weapons manufacturers’ materials are accurate. The 5.56mm cartridge will still be the primary caliber of ammunition used in U.S. Army...in this case). External ballistics refers to all events concerning a projectile after it leaves the launcher, or barrel , and before achieves

Draft Genome Sequence of Hymenobacter sp. Strain IS2118, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, Reveals Diverse Genes for Adaptation to Cold Ecosystems

PubMed Central

Ptacek, Travis; Crowley, Michael; Swain, Ashit K.; Osborne, John D.; Bej, Asim K.; Andersen, Dale T.

2014-01-01

Hymenobacter sp. IS2118, isolated from a freshwater lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, produces extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and manifests tolerance to cold, UV radiation (UVR), and oxidative stress. We report the 5.26-Mb draft genome of strain IS2118, which will help us to understand its adaptation and survival mechanisms in Antarctic extreme ecosystems. PMID:25103756

Thermal enhancement cartridge heater modified (TECH Mod) tritium hydride bed development, Part 1 - Design and fabrication

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

Klein, J.E.; Estochen, E.G.

The Savannah River Site (SRS) tritium facilities have used first generation (Gen1) LaNi{sub 4.25}Al{sub 0.75} (LANA0.75) metal hydride storage beds for tritium absorption, storage, and desorption. The Gen1 design utilizes hot and cold nitrogen supplies to thermally cycle these beds. Second and third generation (Gen2 and Gen3) storage bed designs include heat conducting foam and divider plates to spatially fix the hydride within the bed. For thermal cycling, the Gen2 and Gen3 beds utilize internal electric heaters and glovebox atmosphere flow over the bed inside the bed external jacket for cooling. The currently installed Gen1 beds require replacement due tomore » tritium aging effects on the LANA0.75 material, and cannot be replaced with Gen2 or Gen3 beds due to different designs of these beds. At the end of service life, Gen1 bed desorption efficiencies are limited by the upper temperature of hot nitrogen supply. To increase end-of-life desorption efficiency, the Gen1 bed design was modified, and a Thermal Enhancement Cartridge Heater Modified (TECH Mod) bed was developed. Internal electric cartridge heaters in the new design to improve end-of-life desorption, and also permit in-bed tritium accountability (IBA) calibration measurements to be made without the use of process tritium. Additional enhancements implemented into the TECH Mod design are also discussed. (authors)« less

THERMAL ENHANCEMENT CARTRIDGE HEATER MODIFIED TECH MOD TRITIUM HYDRIDE BED DEVELOPMENT PART I DESIGN AND FABRICATION

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

Klein, J.; Estochen, E.

The Savannah River Site (SRS) tritium facilities have used 1{sup st} generation (Gen1) LaNi{sub 4.25}Al{sub 0.75} (LANA0.75) metal hydride storage beds for tritium absorption, storage, and desorption. The Gen1 design utilizes hot and cold nitrogen supplies to thermally cycle these beds. Second and 3{sup rd} generation (Gen2 and Gen3) storage bed designs include heat conducting foam and divider plates to spatially fix the hydride within the bed. For thermal cycling, the Gen2 and Gen 3 beds utilize internal electric heaters and glovebox atmosphere flow over the bed inside the bed external jacket for cooling. The currently installed Gen1 beds requiremore » replacement due to tritium aging effects on the LANA0.75 material, and cannot be replaced with Gen2 or Gen3 beds due to different designs of these beds. At the end of service life, Gen1 bed desorption efficiencies are limited by the upper temperature of hot nitrogen supply. To increase end-of-life desorption efficiency, the Gen1 bed design was modified, and a Thermal Enhancement Cartridge Heater Modified (TECH Mod) bed was developed. Internal electric cartridge heaters in the new design to improve end-of-life desorption, and also permit in-bed tritium accountability (IBA) calibration measurements to be made without the use of process tritium. Additional enhancements implemented into the TECH Mod design are also discussed.« less

Ground-penetrating radar exploration for ancient monuments at the Valley of Mummies -Kilo 6, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaaban, Fathy A.; Abbas, Abbas M.; Atya, Magdy A.; Hafez, Mahfouz A.

2009-06-01

A Valley of Mummies was discovered recently by an Egyptian team at Bahariya Oasis, located about 380 km west of the pyramids. Four tombs were excavated, and inside them were found one hundred and five mummies (105), many of them beautifully gilded. These mummies, many sumptuously decorated with religious scenes, are the very best Roman-Period mummies ever found in Egypt. These remains are around 2000 years old, but they are in remarkable condition. A Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) had proved successful in detecting the cavities in resistive soil in which the mummies were found. The GPR survey conducted near the earlier-discovered tombs at Kilo-6 El-Bahariya to Farafra Oasis road is the focus of this paper. The GPR survey was conducted using the SIR-2000 attached to a 200 MHz monostatic antenna. The two areas to be surveyed were selected by the archaeologists in situ. Area one was 40 m × 40 m and Area two was 30 m × 15 m. A grid pattern survey in one direction; with one-meter profile spacing was done to both areas. In addition, a focusing survey was undertaken over the entire Area one. In addition, twenty long GPR profiles were conducted in an attempt to determine the outer, expected limits of the burial area. After the data acquisition, Reflex software was used for data processing and presentation. The final results of the radar survey: in the form of 2D radar records, time slices and 3D block diagrams; were used to guide the archaeologists during the excavation process. The excavation processes have been completed by the archaeologists, and many tombs and mummies were discovered. It is worthy to mention that, the excavations and location of tombs and cavities matched strongly with the GPR results.

Determination of macrolide antibiotics in chicken tissues by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salikin, Jamilah; Abdullah, Aminah

2013-11-01

A methodusingliquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-(ESI)MS) for the simultaneous determination of three macrolides (tylosin, spiramycin and tilmicosin) in poultry muscle has been developed. The drugs were extracted with EDTA McIlvaine buffer, filter through celite 545 and the extracts were cleaned up by SPE Oasis HLB cartridge. Separation was carried out in end-capped silica-based C18 column and mobile phases containing trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile with a binary gradient system at a flow rate 0.5 ml/min. Detection was performed by single mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive mode. Several parameters affecting the mass spectra were studied. Chicken samples from the market were analyzed to check the residue of macrolide antibiotics.

Optimization of the bake-on siliconization of cartridges. Part II: Investigations into burn-in time and temperature.

PubMed

Funke, Stefanie; Matilainen, Julia; Nalenz, Heiko; Bechtold-Peters, Karoline; Mahler, Hanns-Christian; Vetter, Florian; Müller, Christoph; Bracher, Franz; Friess, Wolfgang

2016-08-01

Combination products have become popular formats for the delivery of parenteral medications. Bake-on siliconization of glass syringes or cartridges allows good piston break-loose and gliding during injection at low silicone levels. Although widely implemented in industry, still little is known and published on the effect of the bake-on process on the silicone level, layer thickness and chemical composition. In this study, cartridges were bake-on siliconized in a heat-tunnel by varying both temperature from 200 to 350°C for 12min and time from 5min to 3h at 316°C. Furthermore, a heat-oven with air-exchange was established as an experimental model. Heat treatment led to a time- and temperature-dependent decrease in the silicone level and layer thickness. After 1h at 316°C lubrication was insufficient. The silicone levels substantially decreased between 250 and 316°C after 12min. After bake-on, the peak molecular weight of the silicone remained unchanged while fractions below 5000g/mol were removed at 316 and 350°C. Cyclic low molecular weight siloxanes below 500g/mol were volatilized under all conditions. Despite most of the baked-on silicone was solvent-extractable, contact angle analysis indicated a strong binding of a remaining, thin silicone film to the glass surface. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved Measurement System for Atmospheric Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-05

wire placed in fluid flow depends on: 1- the properties of the ambient fluid (density, viscosity, thermal conductivity , specific heat) and, 2- the...bead thermistors in gas chromatog- raphy and thermal conductivity gas analysis equipment, as well as in ther- mistor catheters and hypodermic needles...ground. Special MCX plugs on the turbulence payload (outside of MCX plug not in contact with any metal part but connected to the outside conductor

Measurement of sub-parts-per-billion levels of carbonyl compounds in marine air by a simple cartridge trapping procedure followed by liquid chromatography

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

Xianliang, Zhou; Mopper, K.

1990-10-01

Carbonyl compounds in clean marine air were trapped onto 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine- (DNPH-) coated cartridges, and their hydrazone derivatives were separated by HPLC and detected by UV absorbance. More than 20 carbonyl compounds were isolated from marine air with >92% collection efficiency. The technique employs a highly effective reagent purification procedure, which results in much lower blanks compared to previously reported trapping techniques for carbonyl compounds. Blanks were routinely <0.07 ppb for formaldehyde and acetone and <0.02 ppb for the others. Humidity and reactive gases have no detectable effect on collection efficiencies. Carbonyl-DNPH derivatives eluted from the cartridges are stable in acetonitrilemore » for at least 2 weeks, which facilitates field studies. Several previously undetected unknown carbonyl compounds were found in marine air by this technique. Typical results for open ocean and coastal marine air are shown.« less

Capture of the volatile carbonyl metabolite of flecainide on 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridge for quantitation by stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with chromatography.

PubMed

Prokai, Laszlo; Szarka, Szabolcs; Wang, Xiaoli; Prokai-Tatrai, Katalin

2012-04-06

Carbonyl compounds are common byproducts of many metabolic processes. These volatile chemicals are usually derivatized before mass spectrometric analysis to enhance the sensitivity of their detections. The classically used reagent for this purpose is 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) that forms the corresponding hydrazones. When DNPH is immobilized on specific cartridges it permits solvent-free collection and simultaneous derivatization of aldehydes and ketones from gaseous samples. The utility of this approach was tested by assembling a simple apparatus for the in vitro generation of trifluoroacetaldehyde (TFAA) and its subsequent capture on the attached DNPH cartridge. TFAA was generated via cytochrome P450-catalyzed dealkylation of flecainide, an antiarrhythmic agent, in pooled human liver microsomes. Stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with GC and LC using negative chemical ionization (NCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was evaluated for quantitative analyses. To eliminate isotope effects observed with the use of deuterium-labeled DNPH, we selected its (15)N(4)-labeled analog to synthesize the appropriate TFAA adduct, as internal standard. Quantitation by GC-NCI-MS using selected-ion monitoring outperformed LC-ESI-MS methods considering limits of detection and linearity of the assays. The microsomal metabolism of 1.5 μmol of flecainide for 1.5h resulted in 2.6 ± 0.5 μg TFAA-DNPH, corresponding to 9.3 ± 1.7 nmol TFAA, captured by the cartridge. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of magnetic spherical fractions in sand deposits for interpretation of environmental change around the El- Zayyan temple, Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Makiko; Koizumi, Natsuko; Kato, Sayuri; Kikuchi, Ryohei; Kamei, Hiroyuki

2014-05-01

Desertification in North Africa has rapidly advanced over the last 6,000 years. Such environmental changes began in the Early Dynastic Period of Egypt (4200 - 3150 BC), and the occupation of Achaemenid Persian and Roman cultures in Egypt occurred under even drier climates. Kharga is the largest oasis of the five oases, located in the western desert of Egypt that contains a treasure trove of archaeological resources. This oasis has been highlighted to promote resource exploration and development of archaeological tourism since the 1980's. The El-Zayyan temple is located 27 km south of the central Kharga oasis. Zayyan was once called 'Tchonemyris', which has connection with the means of 'huge well' in Greek. Although major portions of the temple were rebuilt in 140 AD during the rule of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, this temple is considered to be originally built in the Ptolemaic period (4c-1c BC). It is likely that the area had a sufficient water supply in the past as the El-Zayyan temple stands at the lowest point (-18 m a.s.l.) in the Kharga oasis. Furthermore, the El-Ghueita temple that stands on a hill top at 68.5 m a.s.l., 4 km northward from the El-Zayyan temple, has given name that means 'beautiful garden' in Greek. From these facts, we can imagine that the past landscape of this area contained green surroundings. The El-Ghueita temple was well known as a production centre of high quality wine since the mid-Dynastic age (2050 -1786 BC). As this area is currently arid, it is expected that there were irrigation facilities to maintain the vast farm land during the ancient period. To deepen our knowledge of how people developed their technologies and conducted their life within the natural environment of a drastic drying period, understanding the process of environmental change on a region scale is necessary. The aim of this study was to extract proxies from sand deposits in the western desert area to estimate the change in the environment. We examined the

Draft Genome Sequence of Hymenobacter sp. Strain IS2118, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, Reveals Diverse Genes for Adaptation to Cold Ecosystems.

PubMed

Koo, Hyunmin; Ptacek, Travis; Crowley, Michael; Swain, Ashit K; Osborne, John D; Bej, Asim K; Andersen, Dale T

2014-08-07

Hymenobacter sp. IS2118, isolated from a freshwater lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, produces extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and manifests tolerance to cold, UV radiation (UVR), and oxidative stress. We report the 5.26-Mb draft genome of strain IS2118, which will help us to understand its adaptation and survival mechanisms in Antarctic extreme ecosystems. Copyright © 2014 Koo et al.

Determining the effect of cartridge case coatings on GSR using post-fire priming cup residue.

PubMed

Terry, Molly; Fookes, Barry; Bridge, Candice M

2017-07-01

Ammunition is typically composed of a lead-based priming mixture which contributes to the characteristics most commonly used for the identification of gunshot residue (GSR). Due to the health risks often associated with lead, the use of lead-free primers in ammunitions is becoming more popular. Thus, the presence of GSR is becoming more difficult to discern based on the traditional means, i.e. the presence of lead (Pb), barium (Ba), and antimony (Sb). While research has been conducted on the differences between lead-based and lead-free muzzle discharge residue, few have researched other components of ammunition which may lead to other means of characterizing GSR. This research, therefore, covers that gap by focusing on the priming cup present in ammunition and the residue which may originate from it, that can contribute to muzzle discharge residue. In this study, a lead-based and a lead-free ammunition from four different manufacturers were chosen. The cartridges were fired using a Glock 17, 9mm Parabellum, collected post-fire, and subsequently de-primed resulting in the removal of the anvil. The GSR present on the anvils and cups was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). The data was then processed using unit vector analysis for normalization and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). This data was then used to determine the components of the cartridge case which contribute to GSR and develop a method of characterization between lead-free and lead-based ammunition. Such a method will improve the detection of GSR by strengthening the criteria of identification. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Characteristics of soil nematode community along an age sequence of sandy desert soil cultivation in a marginal oasis of middle reaches of Heihe River].

PubMed

Wang, Xue-Feng; Su, Yong-Zhong; Yang, Rong

2010-08-01

This paper studied the characteristics of soil nematode community following the conversion of native sandy desert soil to irrigated farmland in a marginal oasis of the middle reaches of Heihe River basin, aimed to approach the bioindicating function of soil nematodes in soil evolution process. A total of 27921 soil nematode individuals were captured, belonging to 25 families and 34 genera. The total number of nematodes increased gradually with increasing age of cultivation. At all sampling sites, bacterivores and plant parasites were the dominant trophic groups, and made up the main parts of nematode community in oasis farmland. Through the analysis of the evenness index (J) and dominance index (lambda) of nematode community, the ecosystems were found to be fragile for the farmlands having cultivated for 0, 10, and > 50 years. The maturity index MI2-5 and MMI decreased with increasing cultivation age, suggesting that the practice of agricultural use enhanced the disturbance on farmland. The soil properties changed significantly after 10 years of cultivation, which was at a significant change stage for the structure stability of soil ecosystems. The characteristics of soil nematode community could be used as the bioindicator of soil evolution following the conversion of native desert soil to irrigated farmland.

3D Groundwater Flow Model in the Arid Region of Tafilalet Oasis System (South East of Morocco)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouaamlat, I.; Larabi, A.; Faouzi, M.

2013-05-01

The plain of Tafilalet contains an important oasis located in the Southeast of Morocco in a pre-Saharan area, characterized by an arid climate with a large deficit water budget. It has a behavior of a large depression resulting from erosion of a set of geological coverage during the Quaternary period. It also forms a small Mesopotamia crossed by two main rivers from the mountains of the High Atlas: Ziz and Rheris. The oasis of Tafilalet is an area of old traditions irrigation where agriculture is the main activity of the region that represents approximately 37% of the total area (637 km2). In this study, a three-dimensional model of groundwater flow was developed for the aquifer system of Tafilalet, to assist the decision makers as a "management tool" in order to assess alternative schemes for development and exploitation of groundwater resources in the Tafilalet plain, using Modflow2000 code. It is the first mathematical model performed for this oasis plain, taking into account the most possible real hydrogeological conditions and using the geographical information system (GIS) for the organisation and treatment of data and applying a multidisciplinary approach combining geostatistical and hydrogeological modeling. The conceptual model, in terms of hydrogeological modeling was therefore considered as a monolayer model and the aquifer system is mainly heterogeneous with lateral different hydraulic conductivities, which are ranging from 3.10-7 to 5.10-2 m/s, but most of them are located between 2.10-4 and 8.10-3 m/s. The results of the model calibration under steady state (1960) and transient state conditions, starting from this time, show reasonable agreement between observed and simulated water levels for the observation wells. After calibration, the model contributed to better groundwater characterization, the hydrodynamic parameters obtained from the model are much representative of reality. As a management tool, this model can help the manager to take

Multiresidue analysis of sulfonamides, quinolones, and tetracyclines in animal tissues by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhiwen; Li, Xiaowei; Ding, Shuangyang; Jiang, Haiyang; Shen, Jianzhong; Xia, Xi

2016-08-01

A multiresidue method for the efficient identification and quantification of 38 compounds from 3 different classes of antibiotics (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and quinolones) in animal tissues has been developed. The method optimization involved the selection of extraction solutions, comparison of different solid-phase extraction cartridges and different mobile phases. As a result, the samples were extracted with Mcllvaine and phosphate buffers, followed by clean-up step based on solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridge. All compounds were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in one single injection with a chromatographic run time of only 9min. The method efficiency was evaluated in 5 tissues including muscle, liver, and kidney, and the mean recoveries ranged from 54% to 102%, with inter-day relative standard deviation lower than 14%. The limits of quantification were between 0.5 and 10μg/kg, which were satisfactory to support future surveillance monitoring. The developed method was applied to the analysis of swine liver and chicken samples from local markets, and sulfamethazine was the most commonly detected compound in the animal samples, with the highest residue level of 998μg/kg. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The oasis of Tiout in the southwest of Algeria: Water resources and sustainable development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadidi, Abdelkader; Remini, Boualem; Habi, Mohamed; Saba, Djamel; Benmedjaed, Milloud

2016-07-01

The Tiout oasis is located in the municipality of Naama at the south west of Algeria is known by their ksour, the palm plantations and the good quality of their fruit and vegetables, in particular the dates and its varieties. This area contains enormous capacities of subsoil and superficial water. For several centuries, domestic consumption and the irrigation are carried out by the use of the traditional techniques of water collecting such as; the pendulum wells and foggaras them. Currently, this hydraulic heritage encounters technical and social problems, in particular with the contribution of drillings and the motor- pumps. The main issues are quoted: • Beating and draining of the water sources; • Degradation and abandonment of the traditional techniques.This study objective is to make an inventory of all the water sources in the study area, to study the impact of the modern technologies contribution on the ancestral techniques and finally to propose recommendations for the backup of the hydraulic heritage.

Identifying persistent and characteristic features in firearm tool marks on cartridge cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ott, Daniel; Soons, Johannes; Thompson, Robert; Song, John

2017-12-01

Recent concerns about subjectivity in forensic firearm identification have motivated the development of algorithms to compare firearm tool marks that are imparted on ammunition and to generate quantitative measures of similarity. In this paper, we describe an algorithm that identifies impressed tool marks on a cartridge case that are both consistent between firings and contribute strongly to a surface similarity metric. The result is a representation of the tool mark topography that emphasizes both significant and persistent features across firings. This characteristic surface map is useful for understanding the variability and persistence of the tool marks created by a firearm and can provide improved discrimination between the comparison scores of samples fired from the same firearm and the scores of samples fired from different firearms. The algorithm also provides a convenient method for visualizing areas of similarity that may be useful in providing quantitative support for visual comparisons by trained examiners.

Cryo-FIB specimen preparation for use in a cartridge-type cryo-TEM.

PubMed

He, Jie; Hsieh, Chyongere; Wu, Yongping; Schmelzer, Thomas; Wang, Pan; Lin, Ying; Marko, Michael; Sui, Haixin

2017-08-01

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a well-established technique for studying 3D structural details of subcellular macromolecular complexes and organelles in their nearly native context in the cell. A primary limitation of the application of cryo-ET is the accessible specimen thickness, which is less than the diameters of almost all eukaryotic cells. It has been shown that focused ion beam (FIB) milling can be used to prepare thin, distortion-free lamellae of frozen biological material for high-resolution cryo-ET. Commercial cryosystems are available for cryo-FIB specimen preparation, however re-engineering and additional fixtures are often essential for reliable results with a particular cryo-FIB and cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM). Here, we describe our optimized protocol and modified instrumentation for cryo-FIB milling to produce thin lamellae and subsequent damage-free cryotransfer of the lamellae into our cartridge-type cryo-TEM. Published by Elsevier Inc.

OASIS: a data and software distribution service for Open Science Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bockelman, B.; Caballero Bejar, J.; De Stefano, J.; Hover, J.; Quick, R.; Teige, S.

2014-06-01

The Open Science Grid encourages the concept of software portability: a user's scientific application should be able to run at as many sites as possible. It is necessary to provide a mechanism for OSG Virtual Organizations to install software at sites. Since its initial release, the OSG Compute Element has provided an application software installation directory to Virtual Organizations, where they can create their own sub-directory, install software into that sub-directory, and have the directory shared on the worker nodes at that site. The current model has shortcomings with regard to permissions, policies, versioning, and the lack of a unified, collective procedure or toolset for deploying software across all sites. Therefore, a new mechanism for data and software distributing is desirable. The architecture for the OSG Application Software Installation Service (OASIS) is a server-client model: the software and data are installed only once in a single place, and are automatically distributed to all client sites simultaneously. Central file distribution offers other advantages, including server-side authentication and authorization, activity records, quota management, data validation and inspection, and well-defined versioning and deletion policies. The architecture, as well as a complete analysis of the current implementation, will be described in this paper.

Development of NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly: Design, Thermal Analysis, and Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Connor, Brian; Hernandez, Deborah; Duffy, James

2015-01-01

NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly (SCA) project is responsible for designing and validating a payload that contains a materials research sample in a sealed environment. The SCA will be heated in the European Space Agency's (ESA) Low Gradient Furnace (LGF) that is housed inside the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) located in the International Space Station (ISS). Sintered metals and crystal growth experiments in microgravity are examples of some of the types of materials research that may be performed with a SCA. The project's approach has been to use thermal models to guide the SCA through several design iterations. Various layouts of the SCA components were explored to meet the science and engineering requirements, and testing has been done to help prove the design. This paper will give an overview of the SCA design. It will show how thermal analysis is used to support the project. Also some testing that has been completed will also be discussed, including changes that were made to the thermal profile used during brazing.

A Modified Electrostatic Adsorption Apparatus for Latent Fingerprint Development on Unfired Cartridge Cases.

PubMed

Xu, Jingyang; Zhang, Ziyuan; Zheng, Xiaochun; Bond, John W

2017-05-01

Visualization of latent fingerprints on metallic surfaces by the method of applying electrostatic charging and adsorption is considered as a promising chemical-free method, which has the merit of nondestruction, and is considered to be effective for some difficult situations such as aged fingerprint deposits or those exposed to environmental extremes. In fact, a portable electrostatic generator can be easily accessible in a local forensic technology laboratory, which is already widely used in the visualization of footwear impressions. In this study, a modified version of this electrostatic apparatus is proposed for latent fingerprint development and has shown great potential in visualizing fingerprints on metallic surfaces such as cartridge cases. Results indicate that this experimental arrangement can successfully develop aged latent fingerprints on metal surfaces, and we demonstrate its effectiveness compared with existing conventional fingerprint recovery methods. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Development of NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly: Summary of GEDS Design, Development Testing, and Thermal Analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Connor, Brian; Hernandez, Deborah; Hornsby, Linda; Brown, Maria; Horton-Mullins, Kathryn

2017-01-01

Outline: Background of ISS (International Space Station) Material Science Research Rack; NASA SCA (Sample Cartridge Assembly) Design; GEDS (Gravitational Effects in Distortion in Sintering) Experiment Ampoule Design; Development Testing Summary; Thermal Modeling and Analysis. Summary: GEDS design development challenging (GEDS Ampoule design developed through MUGS (Microgravity) testing; Short duration transient sample processing; Unable to measure sample temperatures); MUGS Development testing used to gather data (Actual LGF (Low Gradient Furnace)-like furnace response; Provided sample for sintering evaluation); Transient thermal model integral to successful GEDS experiment (Development testing provided furnace response; PI (Performance Indicator) evaluation of sintering anchored model evaluation of processing durations; Thermal transient model used to determine flight SCA sample processing profiles).

Band-1 receiver front-end cartridges for Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA): design and development toward production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Yuh-Jing; Chiong, Chau-Ching; Huang, Yau-De; Huang, Chi-Den; Liu, Ching-Tang; Kuo, Yue-Fang; Weng, Shou-Hsien; Ho, Chin-Ting; Chiang, Po-Han; Wu, Hsiao-Ling; Chang, Chih-Cheng; Jian, Shou-Ting; Lee, Chien-Feng; Lee, Yi-Wei; Pospieszalski, Marian; Henke, Doug; Finger, Ricardo; Tapia, Valeria; Gonzalez, Alvaro

2016-07-01

The ALMA Band-1 receiver front-end prototype cold and warm cartridge assemblies, including the system and key components for ALMA Band-1 receivers have been developed and two sets of prototype cartridge were fully tested. The measured aperture efficiency for the cold receiver is above the 80% specification except for a few frequency points. Based on the cryogenically cooled broadband low-noise amplifiers provided by NRAO, the receiver noise temperature can be as low as 15 - 32K for pol-0 and 17 - 30K for pol-1. Other key testing items are also measured. The receiver beam pattern is measured, the results is well fit to the simulation and design. The pointing error extracted from the measured beam pattern indicates the error is 0.1 degree along azimuth and 0.15 degree along elevation, which is well fit to the specification (smaller than 0.4 degree). The equivalent hot load temperature for 5% gain compression is 492 - 4583K, which well fit to the specification of 5% with 373K input thermal load. The image band suppression is higher than 30 dB typically and the worst case is higher than 20 dB for 34GHz RF signal and 38GHz LO signal, which is all higher than 7 dB required specification. The cross talk between orthogonal polarization is smaller than -85 dB based on present prototype LO. The amplitude stability is below 2.0 x 10-7 , which is fit to the specification of 4.0 x 10-7 for timescales in the range of 0.05 s ≤ T ≤ 100 s. The signal path phase stability measured is smaller than 5 fs, which is smaller than 22 fs for Long term (delay drift) 20 s ≤ T < 300 sec. The IF output phase variation is smaller than 3.5° rms typically, and the specification is less than 4.5° rms. The measured IF output power level is -28 to -30.5 dBm with 300K input load. The measured IF output power flatness is less than 5.6 dB for 2GHz window, and 1.3dB for 31MHz window. The first batch of prototype cartridges will be installed on site for further commissioning on July of 2017.

OZONE REACTION WITH N-ALDEHYDES (N=4-10), BENZALDEHYDE, ETHANOL, ISOPROPANOL, AND N-PROPANOL ADSORBED ON A DUAL-BED GRAPHITIZED CARBON/CARBON MOLECULAR SIEVE ADSORBENT CARTRIDGE

EPA Science Inventory

Ozone reacts with n-aldehydes (n = 4 - 10), benzaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol adsorbed on a dual-bed graphitized carbon/carbon molecular sieve adsorbent cartridge. Destruction of n-aldehydes increases with n number and with ozone concentration. In some samp...

Evaluation of Different Holder Devices for Freeze-Drying in Dual-Chamber Cartridges With a Focus on Energy Transfer.

PubMed

Korpus, Christoph; Friess, Wolfgang

2017-04-01

For freeze-drying in dual-chamber cartridges, a holder device to enable handling and safe positioning in the freeze-dryer is necessary. The aim of this study was to analyze 4 different types of holder devices and to define the best system based on energy transfer. The main criteria were drying homogeneity, ability to minimize the influence of atypical radiation on product temperatures, and heat transfer effectiveness. The shell holder reduced the influence of atypical radiation by almost 60% compared to a block system and yielded the most homogenous sublimation rates. Besides the most efficient heat transfer with values of 1.58E-4 ± 2.06E-6 cal/(s*cm 2 *K) at 60 mTorr to 3.63E-4 ± 1.85E-5 cal/(s*cm 2 *K) at 200 mTorr for K tot , reaction times to shelf temperature changes were up to 4 times shorter compared to the other holder systems and even faster than for vials. The flexible holder provided a comparable shielding against atypical radiation as the shell but introduced a third barrier against energy transfer. Block and guardrail holder were the least efficient system tested. Hence, the shell holder provided the best radiation shielding, enhanced the transferability of the results to a larger scale, and improved the homogeneity between the dual-chamber cartridges. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Double versus single cartridge of 4% articaine infiltration into the retro-molar area for lower third molar surgery

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Background There are no studies regarding 4% articaine infiltration injection into the retro-molar area for an impacted lower third molar (LITM) surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of infiltration using 1.7 ml (single cartridge: SC) of 4% articaine versus 3.4 ml (double cartridges: DC) of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine in LITM surgery. Method This study involved 30 healthy patients with symmetrical LITM. The patients were assigned to receive either a DC or SC of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine as a local anesthetic for each operation. Onset, duration, profoundness, need for additional anesthetic administration, total volume of anesthetic used, vitality of the tooth, and pain score during operation were recorded. Results The DC of 4 % articaine had a significantly higher success rate (83.3%) than did the SC (53.3%; P < 0.05). The duration of soft tissue anesthesia was longer in the DC group. The intra-operative pain was higher in the SC group with a significant (P < 0.05) requirement for a supplementary local anesthetic. Conclusion We concluded that using DC for the infiltration injection had a higher success rate, longer duration of anesthesia, less intra-operative pain, and a lower amount of additional anesthesia than SC in the surgical removal of LITM. We recommend that a DC of 4% articaine and a 1:100,000 epinephrine infiltration in the retro-molar region can be an alternative anesthetic for LITM surgery. PMID:28879339

Double versus single cartridge of 4% articaine infiltration into the retro-molar area for lower third molar surgery.

PubMed

Sawang, Kamonpun; Chaiyasamut, Teeranut; Kiattavornchareon, Sirichai; Pairuchvej, Verasak; Bhattarai, Bishwa Prakash; Wongsirichat, Natthamet

2017-06-01

There are no studies regarding 4% articaine infiltration injection into the retro-molar area for an impacted lower third molar (LITM) surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of infiltration using 1.7 ml (single cartridge: SC) of 4% articaine versus 3.4 ml (double cartridges: DC) of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine in LITM surgery. This study involved 30 healthy patients with symmetrical LITM. The patients were assigned to receive either a DC or SC of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine as a local anesthetic for each operation. Onset, duration, profoundness, need for additional anesthetic administration, total volume of anesthetic used, vitality of the tooth, and pain score during operation were recorded. The DC of 4 % articaine had a significantly higher success rate (83.3%) than did the SC (53.3%; P < 0.05). The duration of soft tissue anesthesia was longer in the DC group. The intra-operative pain was higher in the SC group with a significant (P < 0.05) requirement for a supplementary local anesthetic. We concluded that using DC for the infiltration injection had a higher success rate, longer duration of anesthesia, less intra-operative pain, and a lower amount of additional anesthesia than SC in the surgical removal of LITM. We recommend that a DC of 4% articaine and a 1:100,000 epinephrine infiltration in the retro-molar region can be an alternative anesthetic for LITM surgery.

Chemical data and variation diagrams of igneous rocks from the Timber Mountain-Oasis Valley Caldera Complex, southern Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Quinlivan, W.D.; Byers, F.M.

1977-01-01

Silica variation diagrams presented here are based on 162 chemical analyses of tuffs, lavas, and intrusives, representative of volcanic centers of the Timber Mountain-Oasis Valley caldera complex and cogenetic rocks of the Silent Canyon ca1dera. Most of the volcanic units sampled are shown on the U.S. Geological Survey geologic map of the Timber Mountain caldera area (I-891) and are described in U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 919. Early effusives of the complex, although slightly altered, are probably chemically, and petrographically, more like the calc-alkalic Fraction Tuff (Miocene) of the northern Nellis Air Force Base Bombing and Gunnery Range to the north, whereas effusives of later Miocene age, such as the Paintbrush and Timber Mountain Tuffs, are alkali-calcic.

Evaluation of OASIS QSAR Models Using ToxCast™ in Vitro Estrogen and Androgen Receptor Binding Data and Application in an Integrated Endocrine Screening Approach

PubMed Central

Bhhatarai, Barun; Wilson, Daniel M.; Price, Paul S.; Marty, Sue; Parks, Amanda K.; Carney, Edward

2016-01-01

Background: Integrative testing strategies (ITSs) for potential endocrine activity can use tiered in silico and in vitro models. Each component of an ITS should be thoroughly assessed. Objectives: We used the data from three in vitro ToxCast™ binding assays to assess OASIS, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) platform covering both estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) binding. For stronger binders (described here as AC50 < 1 μM), we also examined the relationship of QSAR predictions of ER or AR binding to the results from 18 ER and 10 AR transactivation assays, 72 ER-binding reference compounds, and the in vivo uterotrophic assay. Methods: NovaScreen binding assay data for ER (human, bovine, and mouse) and AR (human, chimpanzee, and rat) were used to assess the sensitivity, specificity, concordance, and applicability domain of two OASIS QSAR models. The binding strength relative to the QSAR-predicted binding strength was examined for the ER data. The relationship of QSAR predictions of binding to transactivation- and pathway-based assays, as well as to in vivo uterotrophic responses, was examined. Results: The QSAR models had both high sensitivity (> 75%) and specificity (> 86%) for ER as well as both high sensitivity (92–100%) and specificity (70–81%) for AR. For compounds within the domains of the ER and AR QSAR models that bound with AC50 < 1 μM, the QSAR models accurately predicted the binding for the parent compounds. The parent compounds were active in all transactivation assays where metabolism was incorporated and, except for those compounds known to require metabolism to manifest activity, all assay platforms where metabolism was not incorporated. Compounds in-domain and predicted to bind by the ER QSAR model that were positive in ToxCast™ ER binding at AC50 < 1 μM were active in the uterotrophic assay. Conclusions: We used the extensive ToxCast™ HTS binding data set to show that OASIS ER and AR QSAR models had

A multiscale dataset for understanding complex eco-hydrological processes in a heterogeneous oasis system

PubMed Central

Li, Xin; Liu, Shaomin; Xiao, Qin; Ma, Mingguo; Jin, Rui; Che, Tao; Wang, Weizhen; Hu, Xiaoli; Xu, Ziwei; Wen, Jianguang; Wang, Liangxu

2017-01-01

We introduce a multiscale dataset obtained from Heihe Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research (HiWATER) in an oasis-desert area in 2012. Upscaling of eco-hydrological processes on a heterogeneous surface is a grand challenge. Progress in this field is hindered by the poor availability of multiscale observations. HiWATER is an experiment designed to address this challenge through instrumentation on hierarchically nested scales to obtain multiscale and multidisciplinary data. The HiWATER observation system consists of a flux observation matrix of eddy covariance towers, large aperture scintillometers, and automatic meteorological stations; an eco-hydrological sensor network of soil moisture and leaf area index; hyper-resolution airborne remote sensing using LiDAR, imaging spectrometer, multi-angle thermal imager, and L-band microwave radiometer; and synchronical ground measurements of vegetation dynamics, and photosynthesis processes. All observational data were carefully quality controlled throughout sensor calibration, data collection, data processing, and datasets generation. The data are freely available at figshare and the Cold and Arid Regions Science Data Centre. The data should be useful for elucidating multiscale eco-hydrological processes and developing upscaling methods. PMID:28654086

A new screening method for amphetamine and methamphetamine using dansyl chloride derivatization and cartridge fluorescence.

PubMed

Yamada, H; Ikeda-Wada, S; Oguri, K

1998-07-01

A new screening method for amphetamines was developed. It consists of derivatization with dansyl chloride, extraction of the derivative using a Sep-Pak C18 or a Bond Elut C18, solid phase extraction columns, and visualization of the fluorescence of the cartridge. A control test using drug-free urine showed no fluorescence. Amphetamine, methamphetamine and the methylenedioxy derivatives exhibited strong fluorescence, while related compounds, such as N-ethylamphetamine and fenetylline, were negative or weakly positive. The disadvantage of the present method is that it is a multi-step procedure and 20-30 min is required for screening. However, since it has a different specificity from the widely used immunochemical technique, it is suggested to be a useful screen for amphetamines.

[Dynamics of ecological footprints of agricultural region in Hexi oasis of Gansu Province].

PubMed

Lin, Haiming; Xie, Peng

2004-05-01

This paper studied the dynamics of ecological footprints (EF), degree of sustainable development and its tendency of Hexi oasis agricultural region in Gansu. The results showed that the EF displayed an increasing trend from 0.426 hm2 to 2.158 hm2 in 1949-2000, which was 0.693 hm2 in 1949-1970, 1.029 hm2 in 1975-1980, and 2.288 hm2 in 1985-2000. The ecological capacity (EC) was also increased from 0.550 hm2 in 1949 to 1.762 hm2 in 2000. Comparing with EF, the EC increased at low speed, which reached 0.782 hm2 in 1949-1970 and 1.715 hm2 in 1975-2000. Meanwhile, the sustainable development of Hexi region maintained ecological remainder during 1949-1975. However, it emerged ecological deficit in 1980, and resumed in 1985. The sustainable development of Hexi region has been successive ecological deficit since 1991. The degree was keeping negative increment at acceleration, and got to -0258 hm2 in 1991-2000. These results showed that the regional economic development of Hexi region was far away from sustainable development, and was in no-sustainable state.

[Effectiveness of FTA Elute® indicating cartridge in combination with hybrid capture 2 for cervical cancer screening].

PubMed

Chen, Feng; Zhang, Xi; Wang, Shaoming; Hu, Shangying; Chen, Wen; Zhao, Fanghui; He, Wei; Zhang, Yuqing; Qiao, Youlin

2015-02-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of FTA Elute® Cartridge (GE healthcare, Kent, UK) in combination with hybrid capture 2 (HC2) testing for cervical cancer screening. From May to June 2012, 412 women aged 25 to 65 years in Jiangxi Tonggu were enrolled in the study. We used pathological outcome as the gold standard, and the accuracy of the FTA card in combination with HC2 testing was investigated from both physician- and self-sampling, respectively. Physician sampling using the FTA card in combination with HC2 testing showed a comparable sensitivity (12/13) with the liquid based medium, but a higher specificity 69.5% (266/383) vs (77.8%, 298/383) (P < 0.001).When self sampling method was used, the sensitivity and specificity of using the FTA card in combination with HC2 testing with liquid based medium was 10/13 vs 8/13(P = 0.625) and (62.3%, 238/382) vs (75.7%, 289/382) (P < 0.001). The agreement of detection results for HC2 between FTA and liquid-based sampling medium was 86.1% (340/395) and 79.5% (314/395). For physician-collected samples used for HC2 testing to detect CIN2+, the accuracy of the FTA card was superior to that of the liquid-based medium (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.898, 95%CI:0.838-0.958). FTA Elute® cartridge in combination with HC2 testing is a promising method of specimen transport for cervical cancer screening programs with a good precision.With further optimization, it could become an effective method for cervical cancer screening in various economic levels of areas.

Development of NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly: Summary of GEDS Design, Development Testing, and Thermal Analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Connor, Brian; Hernandez, Deborah; Hornsby, Linda; Brown, Maria; Horton-Mullins, Kathryn

2017-01-01

NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly (SCA) project is responsible for designing and validating a payload that contains materials research samples in a sealed environment. The SCA will be heated in the European Space Agency's (ESA) Low Gradient Furnace (LGF) that is housed inside the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) located on the International Space Station (ISS). The first Principle Investigator (PI) to utilize the SCA will focus on Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering (GEDS) research. This paper will give a summary of the design and development test effort for the GEDS SCA and will discuss the role of thermal analysis in developing test profiles to meet the science and engineering requirements. Lessons learned will be reviewed and salient design features that may differ for each PI will be discussed.

Simultaneous determination of the HIV nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine, didanosine, stavudine, zidovudine and abacavir in human plasma by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Verweij-van Wissen, C P W G M; Aarnoutse, R E; Burger, D M

2005-02-25

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) lamivudine, didanosine, stavudine, zidovudine and abacavir in plasma. The method involved solid-phase extraction with Oasis MAX cartridges from plasma, followed by high performance liquid chromatography with a SymmetryShield RP 18 column and ultraviolet detection set at a wavelength of 260 nm. The assay was validated over the concentration range of 0.015-5 mg/l for all five NRTIs. The average accuracies for the assay were 92-102%, inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation (CV) were <2.5% and extraction recoveries were higher than 97%. This method proved to be simple, accurate and precise, and is currently in use in our laboratory for the quantitative analysis of NRTIs in plasma.

Isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp from oasis water in Tunisia.

PubMed

Dendana, F; Trabelsi, H; Neiji, S; Sellami, H; Kammoun, S; Makni, F; Feki, J; Cheikhrouhou, F; Ayadi, A

2018-04-01

In the southern Tunisia Oasis, we conducted 211 water with drawals from various water traffic sites. This water is used for agriculture, swimming or various other human activities. Acanthamoeba genus was detected in 82% of collected samples. Sequencing of the amplification products with primers P892C/P892 has allowed us to detect genotypic variation with predominance of T4 genotype (51%) and presence of the genotypes T14, T5, T3, T16, T15, T10, T11, T9 and T7. They T4, T3, T5, T15, T11 and T10 genotypes have a high potential for pathogenicity and a very high degree of virulence due to their production of serine proteases and extracellular cysteine enzymes involved in tissue degradation of the host. T4 genotype was the most abundant in the environment as well as in infections caused by Acanthamoeba spp. T5 genotype was ranked second and T3 genotype was less abundant in the environment and its pathogenicity is discussed. Acanthamoeba strains with the genotypes T16, T9 and T7 were considered non pathogenic. In fact, they have been isolated only from the environment. However, for these strains, their role as a reservoir can be a real risk to human health. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The critical role of local policy effects in arid watershed groundwater resources sustainability: A case study in the Minqin oasis, China.

PubMed

Hao, Yuanyuan; Xie, Yaowen; Ma, Jinhui; Zhang, Wenpei

2017-12-01

Designed as a watershed groundwater restoration policy (WGRP), the Comprehensive Treatment Program of the Shiyang River Basin (CTSRB) was launched in 2006 to restore the groundwater resources in the Minqin oasis, northwestern China. This study sought to verify the recovery effects of CTSRB implementation from the perspective of groundwater depth. We reconstructed the spatio-temporal distribution of groundwater depth at interannual and pixel scales by using digital groundwater depth models (DGDMs), based on the ordinary kriging interpolation method. Using DGDMs data, various measures of the groundwater table (e.g., regional depths, surface areas, depletion cones, and conditions in irrigated regions including Ba, Quanshan, and Hu) were quantitatively analyzed and compared for the pre-CTSRB (2001-2006), CTSRB I (2006-2010), and CTSRB II (2010-2015) periods, for which spatial trends in the annual amplitudes of groundwater depth were compared. Finally, strategies that impacted the groundwater behavior before and during the CTSRB periods, possible indirect and adverse effects, and long-term strategies and prospects were discussed. The results showed that groundwater depth first declined sharply, before increasing slowly and stabilizing after implementation of the CTSRB. Areas of greater groundwater depth (<-20m) and four groundwater depletion cones expanded during the pre-CTSRB period, whereas variable shrinking trends were detected during the CTSRB period. Spatial analysis showed that groundwater recovery mainly occurred along the periphery of the three irrigated regions, among which recovery effects in Hu were more obvious than those in Quanshan and Ba, with pumping-well densities the main reason for the difference. Therefore, various strategies (increasing the surface water supply, reducing groundwater mining, and some other auxiliary measures) of CTSRB together supported groundwater recovery in the Minqin oasis. Overall, this research demonstrates an innovative

Randomized Comparison of Two Vaginal Self-Sampling Methods for Human Papillomavirus Detection: Dry Swab versus FTA Cartridge.

PubMed

Catarino, Rosa; Vassilakos, Pierre; Bilancioni, Aline; Vanden Eynde, Mathieu; Meyer-Hamme, Ulrike; Menoud, Pierre-Alain; Guerry, Frédéric; Petignat, Patrick

2015-01-01

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling (self-HPV) is valuable in cervical cancer screening. HPV testing is usually performed on physician-collected cervical smears stored in liquid-based medium. Dry filters and swabs are an alternative. We evaluated the adequacy of self-HPV using two dry storage and transport devices, the FTA cartridge and swab. A total of 130 women performed two consecutive self-HPV samples. Randomization determined which of the two tests was performed first: self-HPV using dry swabs (s-DRY) or vaginal specimen collection using a cytobrush applied to an FTA cartridge (s-FTA). After self-HPV, a physician collected a cervical sample using liquid-based medium (Dr-WET). HPV types were identified by real-time PCR. Agreement between collection methods was measured using the kappa statistic. HPV prevalence for high-risk types was 62.3% (95%CI: 53.7-70.2) detected by s-DRY, 56.2% (95%CI: 47.6-64.4) by Dr-WET, and 54.6% (95%CI: 46.1-62.9) by s-FTA. There was overall agreement of 70.8% between s-FTA and s-DRY samples (kappa = 0.34), and of 82.3% between self-HPV and Dr-WET samples (kappa = 0.56). Detection sensitivities for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (LSIL+) were: 64.0% (95%CI: 44.5-79.8) for s-FTA, 84.6% (95%CI: 66.5-93.9) for s-DRY, and 76.9% (95%CI: 58.0-89.0) for Dr-WET. The preferred self-collection method among patients was s-DRY (40.8% vs. 15.4%). Regarding costs, FTA card was five times more expensive than the swab (~5 US dollars (USD)/per card vs. ~1 USD/per swab). Self-HPV using dry swabs is sensitive for detecting LSIL+ and less expensive than s-FTA. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 43310942.

Paleo-oncology in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt: Case studies and a paleoepidemiological perspective.

PubMed

Molto, El; Sheldrick, Peter

2018-06-01

This article describes six cases of cancer from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. A mummy had a confirmed 'primary' diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The remaining diagnoses were based on the distribution and types of skeletal lesions in conjunction with age, sex, and/or the molecular phylogeny of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a confirmed cause of cancer of the uterine cervix (UC) and testes (TC) and it evolved in Africa long before Homo sapiens emerged. Today these cancers are common in young adult females and males, a fact which was pivotal in respectively including them in the differential diagnosis of UC and TC. The remaining diagnoses were acute lymphocytic leukemia in a 3-5 year old child and an older female with metastatic carcinoma. Due to problems of determining specific diagnoses and their prevalence in 'paleo' populations, we opted for a lifetime cancer risk statistic (LTCR). The LTCR in ancient Dakhleh was ∼5/1000 (6/1087). In modern Western societies the LTCR cancer approaches 50% (500/1000). Thus the LTCR in today's western societies is 100 times greater than in ancient Dakhleh. These cases demonstrate that oncogenes and their environmental cofactors were present in antiquity, but were significantly less pervasive than today. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Development of SEM/STEM-WDX for highly sensitive detection of light elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anan, Y.; Koguchi, M.; Kimura, T.; Sekiguchi, T.

2018-02-01

In this study, to detect the light element lithium (Li) and to detect low dosed Boron (B) in the local area at nm order, we developed an analytical electron microscope equipped with an improved serial (S)-type WDX (wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) system. In detail, to detect Li, we developed a high-conductivity multi-capillary X-ray (MCX) lens, and a diffractor with a lattice spacing (d) of 15 nm, and with a spacing variation (δ d) of 0.8 nm. Moreover, to detect low dosed light element B, we designed a high-conductivity MCX lens based on the soft X-ray reflectivity in the capillary and calculation. We developed a large-solid-angle MCX lens whose conductivity of the characteristic X-rays of B became 20 times higher than that of an MCX lens with a 30-mm focal length. Our developed analytical electron microscope was applied to a LiAl specimen and a low B-doped Si substrate specimen, and the performance of this analytical electron microscope was evaluated. As a results, this analytical electron microscope could detect the characteristic X-rays of Li with a minimum mass fraction (MMF) of 8.4 atomic % (at. %). The energy resolution was 1 eV at 55 eV. From the results of measuring the line profile of B for the unpatterned B-implantation area on a B-doped Si substrate specimen, the measured line profile data were in good agreement with secondary ion mass spectrometry data up to a depth of 100 nm with a B concentration of 0.05 at. %.

DE-FG02-08ER64658 (OASIS) - Final Technical Report

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

Sharman, Jonathan

Project OASIS (Operation of Advanced Structures, Interfaces and Sub-components for MEAs) was a 12 month project that ran from 1st September 2008 to 31st August 2009, and was managed by the Department of Energy Office of Science, Chicago Office, as Award No DE-FG02-08ER64658, with Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Inc. as the sole contractor. The project was completed on schedule, with technical successes (details below) and payment of the full grant award made by DOE. The aim of the project was the development of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for H2/air polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells that would give higher performancemore » under hot/dry and dry operating conditions, ideally with no loss of performance under wet conditions. Reducing or eliminating the need for humidifying the incoming gases will allow significant system cost and size reduction for many fuel cell applications including automotive, stationary and back-up power, and portable systems. Portable systems are also of particular interest in military markets. In previous work Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells had developed very stable, corrosion-resistant catalysts suitable for resisting degradation by carbon corrosion in particular. These materials were applied within the OASIS project as they are considered necessary for systems such as automotive where multiple start-stop events are experienced. These catalysts were contrasted with more conventional materials in the design of catalyst layers and novel microporous layers (MPLs) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) combinations were also explored. Early on in the work it was shown how much more aggressive high temperature operation is than dry operation. At the same humidity, tests at 110?C caused much more dehydration than tests at 80?C and the high temperature condition was much more revealing of improvements made to MEA design. Alloy catalysts were introduced and compared with Pt catalysts with a range of particle sizes. It was apparent that the

Evaluation of Irrigation Water Use Efficiency and Water-saving in the Middle Oasis of Heihe River Basin Using a Distributed Agro-hydrological Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Y.; Huang, G., Sr.; Xu, X.; Huang, Q.; Huo, Z.

2015-12-01

Severe water scarcity and unreasonable allocation are threatening the eco-environment in the Heihe River basin (HRB), an arid and semi-arid watershed in Northwest China. The water use in the middle oasis accounts for about 70% of the total water use in the HRB, in which over 85% are consumed by irrigated agriculture. Thus the regional assessment and improvement of irrigation water use are quite essential for water-saving and eco-environmental sustainability. This paper applied a distributed agro-hydrological model (SWAP-EPIC) integrated with ArcGIS to investigate the irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) in the middle oasis. The detailed distributed data in 2012, including soil properties, irrigation schedules, crop pattern and calendar, were collected and used in the regional simulation. The spatial-temporal distribution of LAI and evapotranspiration (ETa) from remote sensing were used as observations to calibrate the model. Results showed that the simulation data was in a good agreement with the observation one. The relative WUE (i.e. divided by the mean value) ranged from 0.77 to 1.33 in different canal command areas. Large spatial variations of WUE were mainly caused by the non-uniform distribution of irrigation water. The present irrigation performance was poor, and only 50% of total irrigation amount was finally utilized through evapotranspiration in the whole district. While nearly 24% of the irrigation water were lost through field deep percolation and 26% were wasted in canal conveyance. Further analysis of water-saving scenarios was conducted through applying the improved irrigation schedule for each crop-soil unites and increasing the canal conveyance efficiency. Prediction showed that 15% of total irrigation amount can be saved without reduction of crop yield.

Molecularly imprinted polymer cartridges coupled on-line with high performance liquid chromatography for simple and rapid analysis of dextromethorphan in human plasma samples.

PubMed

Moein, Mohammad Mahdi; Javanbakht, Mehran; Akbari-Adergani, Behrouz

2011-04-01

In this paper, a novel method is described for automated determination of dextromethorphan in biological fluids using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) as a sample clean-up technique combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared using methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, chloroform as porogen and dextromethorphan as template molecule. These imprinted polymers were used as solid-phase extraction sorbent for the extraction of dextromethorphan from human plasma samples. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the MIP cartridges were evaluated. The high selectivity of the sorbent coupled to the high performance liquid chromatographic system permitted a simple and rapid analysis of this drug in plasma samples with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.12 ng/mL and 0.35 ng/mL, respectively. The MIP selectivity was evaluated by analyzing of the dextromethorphan in presence of several substances with similar molecular structures and properties. Results from the HPLC analyses showed that the recoveries of dextromethorphan using MIP cartridges from human plasma samples in the range of 1-50 ng/mL were higher than 87%. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An endangered oasis of aquatic microbial biodiversity in the Chihuahuan desert

PubMed Central

Souza, Valeria; Espinosa-Asuar, Laura; Escalante, Ana E.; Eguiarte, Luis E.; Farmer, Jack; Forney, Larry; Lloret, Lourdes; Rodríguez-Martínez, Juan M.; Soberón, Xavier; Dirzo, Rodolfo; Elser, James J.

2006-01-01

The Cuatro Cienegas basin in the Chihuahuan desert is a system of springs, streams, and pools. These ecosystems support >70 endemic species and abundant living stromatolites and other microbial communities, representing a desert oasis of high biodiversity. Here, we combine data from molecular microbiology and geology to document the microbial biodiversity of this unique environment. Ten water samples from locations within the Cuatro Cienegas basin and two neighboring valleys as well as three samples of wet sediments were analyzed. The phylogeny of prokaryotic populations in the samples was determined by characterizing cultured organisms and by PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from total community DNA. The composition of microbial communities was also assessed by determining profiles of terminal restriction site polymorphisms of 16S rRNA genes in total community DNA. There were 250 different phylotypes among the 350 cultivated strains. Ninety-eight partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and classified. The clones represented 38 unique phylotypes from ten major lineages of Bacteria and one of Archaea. Unexpectedly, 50% of the phylotypes were most closely related to marine taxa, even though these environments have not been in contact with the ocean for tens of millions of years. Furthermore, terminal restriction site polymorphism profiles and geological data suggest that the aquatic ecosystems of Cuatro Cienegas are hydrologically interconnected with adjacent valleys recently targeted for agricultural intensification. The findings underscore the conservation value of desert aquatic ecosystems and the urgent need for study and preservation of freshwater microbial communities. PMID:16618921

Carbon balance of a plastic mulch and drip irrigated cotton field in an arid oasis of Northwest China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ming, G.

2017-12-01

Carbon balance of a plastic mulch and drip irrigated cotton field in an arid oasis of Northwest ChinaGuanghui Ming1, Fuqiang Tian1*, Hongchang Hu11State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,Abstracts: Agricultural ecosystems have the potential to offset rising CO2 concentration in the atmosphere but the potential is often altered by agricultural management. Plastic film mulching and drip irrigation (PMDI) have been widespread for saving water and improving crop yield worldwide. To comprehensively assess the carbon balance and to detect the controlling factors of the carbon flux in a PMDI cotton field, experiments combining eddy covariance (EC) system, chamber method and crop sampling were implemented in an arid oasis of Xinjiang from the year 2012 to 2016. The annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was -250.18 ± 80.41 g C m-2 in the five years, which indicated that the filed was a much stronger carbon sink. After removal of the harvest of cotton as seed oil (Ch) of 108.81±7.57 g C m-2, the field was still a moderate carbon sink with net biome productivity (NBP) of 141.37±73.7 g C m-2. Soil temperature can explain 82% of seasonal variation of nighttime NEE while PAR can explain 36-81% of daytime NEE varying with crop development and photosynthetic activity. NEE was separated into total ecosystem respiration (Reco, 1214.20±144.42 g C m-2) and gross primary productivity (GPP, 1464.38±122.78 g C m-2). Interannual Reco changed more drastically than GPP and respiration may be the main determinant of carbon balance in the PMDI field. Seasonal NPP measured by cop sampling method (NPPCS) agreed well with NPP calculated with EC (NPPEC), with the annual NPP of 708.86 ± 52.26 g C m-2, which indicated that our carbon flux measurements and separating methods reasonable. The PMDI cotton field induced more GPP and Reco than other croplands with larger light use efficiency (LUE) but relatively

[Effects of residue management and fertilizer application mode on soil organic carbon pools in an oasis cotton region.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng Peng; Liu, Yan Jie; Pu, Xiao Zhen; Zhang, Guo Juan; Wang, Jin; Zhang, Wang Feng

2016-11-18

To reveal the regulation mechanisms of agricultural management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and provide scientific basis for improving soil productivity and formulating agricultural fixed carbon and reducing discharge measures, we monitored the changes of SOC pools and organic carbon fractions in an oasis cotton field under different residue management and fertilizer application modes. A split-plot experimental design was used with differing residue management including residue incorporation (S) and residue removing (NS) in the main plots and differing fertilizer application modes including no fertilizer (CK), NPK fertilizer (NPK), organic manure (OM) and NPK fertilizer plus organic manure (NPK+OM) in the subplot. The results showed that fertilization and residue incorporation significantly increased SOC pool, soil organic carbon (C T ), labile carbon (C L ), microbial biomass carbon (C MB ), water-soluble organic carbon (C WS ), hot-water-soluble organic carbon (C HWS ), accumulative amount of soil organic carbon mineralization (C TM ) and carbon management index (CMI). The SOC pool was increased by 20.6% by residue incorporation compared to residue removing. SOC pools were increased by 7.8%, 29.5% and 37.7% in NPK, OM and NPK+OM treatments compared to CK, respectively. The contents of C T , C L , C MB , C WS and C HWS under different fertilization treatments were shown as NPK+OM>OM>NPK>CK. C TM was increased by 5.9% by residue incorporation compared to residue removing and C TM was increased by 32.7%, 59.5% and 97.3% in NPK, OM and NPK+OM treatments compared to CK, respectively. There was a significant correlation between CMI and C T , C MB , C L , C WS , C HWS , C TM , C pool and C sequestration. Therefore, we concluded that CMI is an important index for evaluating the effect of agricultural management practices on soil quality. In order to construct high-standard oasis farmland in arid region and develop cotton production, we should consider

Holocene environmental change at the oasis of Tayma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engel, Max; Brückner, Helmut; Wellbrock, Kai; Pint, Anna; Grottker, Matthias; Voss, Peter; Ginau, Andreas; Klasen, Nicole; Frenzel, Peter

2013-04-01

The oasis of Tayma in northwestern Saudi Arabia has a rich cultural heritage comprising a large number of historic buildings and artefacts from the late Neolithic onwards. Extensive groundwater resources and the location at a branch of the Incense Road connecting south Arabia and the eastern Mediterranean determined the site's importance in Antiquity. This paper reports about Holocene environmental change at Tayma setting the frame for the interpretation of the archaeological record. Humid conditions during the early Holocene are inferred for the Arabian Peninsula (AP) based on the investigation of sabkhas, palaeo-lakes, sand dunes, wadis, speleothems and marine sediments. Most of these climate archives are located in the southern and southeastern part of the AP, where a northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) triggered increased rainfall at the onset of the Holocene. At Tayma, where the influence of the ITCZ shift can be excluded, the sedimentary infill of a sabkha basin, the micro- and macrofaunal record, a digital elevation model based on DGPS measurements, and 14C-AMS data indicate the presence of a perennial lake with a minimum depth of 13 m, a stored water volume of 1.16 107 m3 and a surface of 18.45 km2 between 10,000-9000 cal BP. Foraminiferal test malformations and the shape of sieve pores on ostracod valves were used to detect trends in palaeo-salinity and ecological stress conditions. Contraction of the lake at least after 8500 cal BP is a response to a long-term aridisation trend subsequent to the early Holocene. Based on the hydrological water balance equation, quantitative data on minimum palaeo-rainfall during the early Holocene humid period were determined. Input parameters for the equation are the minimum lake level, lake surface and lake volume during the peak of the early Holocene humid period as well as palaeo-evapotranspiration, groundwater infiltration, and surface runoff. A perennial lake in the endorheic basin of the

Impact of artificial recharge and drought in Tafilalet Oasis system: First investigation by GIS and groundwater modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouaamlat, I.; Larabi, A.; Faouzi, M.

2013-12-01

The geographical location of Tafilalet oasis system (TOS) in the south of the valley of Ziz (Morocco) offers him a particular advantage on the plane of water potential. The surface water which comes from humid regions of the High Atlas and intercepted by a dam then converged through the watercourse of Ziz towards the plain of the TOS, have created the conditions for the formation of a water table relatively rich with regard to the local climatic conditions (arid climate with recurrent drought). Because of this situation, the region has one of the largest palms of North Africa. Thus there is an agricultural activity that is practiced in a 21 irrigation areas whose size rarely exceeds 2,000 hectare. Given the role of the water table in the economic development of the region, a hydrogeological study was conducted to understand the impact of artificial recharge and recurrent droughts on the development of the groundwater reserves of TOS. In this study, a three-dimensional model of groundwater flow was developed for the Tafilalet oasis system aquifer, to assist the decision makers as a "management tool" in order to assess alternative schemes for development and exploitation of groundwater resources based on the variation of artificial recharge and drought, using for the first time the Modflow code. This study takes into account the most possible real hydrogeological conditions and using the geographical information system (GIS) for the organisation and treatment of data and applying a multidisciplinary approach combining geostatistical and hydrogeological modeling. The results from this numerical investigation of the TOS aquifer shows that the commissioning of the dam to control the flows of extreme flood and good management of water releases, has avoided the losses of irrigation water and consequently the non-overexploitation of the groundwater. So that with one or two water releases per year from the dam of flow rate more than 14 million m3/year it is possible to

Internal evaporation and condensation characteristics in the shallow soil layer of an oasis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ao, Yinhuan; Han, Bo; Lu, Shihua; Li, Zhaoguo

2016-07-01

The surface energy balance was analyzed using observations from the Jinta oasis experiment in the summer of 2005. A negative imbalance energy flux was found during daytime that could not be attributed to the soil heat storage process. Rather, the imbalance was related to the evaporation within the soil. The soil heat storage rate and the soil moisture variability always showed similar variations at a depth of 0.05 m between 0800 and 1000 (local standard time), while the observed imbalanced energy flux was very small, which implied that water vapor condensation occurred within the soil. Therefore, the distillation in shallow soil can be derived using reliable surface energy flux observations. In order to show that the importance of internal evaporation and condensation in the shallow soil layer, the soil temperatures at the depths of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 m were reproduced using a one-dimensional thermal diffusion equation, with the observed soil temperature at the surface and at 0.40 m as the boundary conditions. It was found that the simulated soil temperature improves substantially in the shallow layer when the water distillation is added as a sink/source term, even after the soil effective thermal conductivity has been optimized. This result demonstrates that the process of water distillation may be a dominant cause of both the temperature and moisture variability in the shallow soil layer.

An exploration of adult body shape and limb proportions at Kellis 2, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt.

PubMed

Bleuze, Michele M; Wheeler, Sandra M; Dupras, Tosha L; Williams, Lana J; El Molto, J

2014-03-01

Several studies have shown that the human body generally conforms to the ecogeographical expectations of Bergmann's and Allen's rules; however, recent evidence suggests that these expectations may not hold completely for some populations. Egypt is located at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and the Near East, and gene flow among groups in these regions may confound ecogeographical patterning. In this study, we test the fit of the adult physique of a large sample (N = 163) of females and males from the Kellis 2 cemetery (Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt) against ecogeographical predictions. Body shape (i.e., body mass relative to stature) was assessed by the femur head diameter to bicondylar femur length index (FHD/BFL), and brachial and crural indices were calculated to examine intralimb proportions. Body shape in the Kellis 2 sample is not significantly different from high-latitude groups and a Lower Nubian sample, and intralimb proportions are not significantly different from mid-latitude and other low-latitude groups. This study demonstrates the potential uniqueness of body shape and intralimb proportions in an ancient Egyptian sample, and further highlights the complex relationship between ecogeographic patterning and adaptation. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Speciation Characteristics and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Oasis Soil Under Pb, Zn Combined Stress].

PubMed

Jin, Cheng; Zhao, Zhuan-jun; Nan, Zhong-ren; Wang, Sheng-li; Wu, Wen-fei; Wang, Hou-cheng

2015-05-01

Pot experiments were conducted on cole (Brassica) grown in oasis soil under combined stress of lead and zinc, to study the effect of heavy metal combined pollution on cole growth as well as the speciation conversion rules and bioavailability. The result showed that the promoting effect on cole growth was shown in the low concentration treatments, especially on stem leaves. With addition of exotic heavy metals, the main speciations of Pb and Zn in the soil transformed from tight-bound to loose-bound forms as compared to the control, and the bioavailability of heavy metals was increased. And, the exchangeable Pb and the carbonate bound form of Zn were the major contributing speciations which were absorbed in different parts of cole. What's more, the capabilities of uptake and translocation of Pb and Zn by cole were stronger at lower stress levels, and the enrichment and migration coefficients decreased with the increasing content of bioavailable fraction of the corresponding element or the coexisting element. In all treatments, the Pb concentration in the stem leaves of cole exceeded the food safety threshold, therefore it is recommended to conduct detection of relevant indicators before planting foliage vegetables in this kind of soil.

Timing of large earthquakes since A.D. 800 on the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas fault zone at Thousand Palms Oasis, near Palm Springs, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fumal, T.E.; Rymer, M.J.; Seitz, G.G.

2002-01-01

Paleoseismic investigations across the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas fault at Thousand Palms Oasis indicate that four and probably five surface-rupturing earthquakes occurred during the past 1200 years. Calendar age estimates for these earthquakes are based on a chronological model that incorporates radio-carbon dates from 18 in situ burn layers and stratigraphic ordering constraints. These five earthquakes occurred in about A.D. 825 (770-890) (mean, 95% range), A.D. 982 (840-1150), A.D. 1231 (1170-1290), A.D. 1502 (1450-1555), and after a date in the range of A.D. 1520-1680. The most recent surface-rupturing earthquake at Thousand Palms is likely the same as the A.D. 1676 ?? 35 event at Indio reported by Sieh and Williams (1990). Each of the past five earthquakes recorded on the San Andreas fault in the Coachella Valley strongly overlaps in time with an event at the Wrightwood paleoseismic site, about 120 km northwest of Thousand Palms Oasis. Correlation of events between these two sites suggests that at least the southernmost 200 km of the San Andreas fault zone may have ruptured in each earthquake. The average repeat time for surface-rupturing earthquakes on the San Andreas fault in the Coachella Valley is 215 ?? 25 years, whereas the elapsed time since the most recent event is 326 ?? 35 years. This suggests the southernmost San Andreas fault zone likely is very near failure. The Thousand Palms Oasis site is underlain by a series of six channels cut and filled since about A.D. 800 that cross the fault at high angles. A channel margin about 900 years old is offset right laterally 2.0 ?? 0.5 m, indicating a slip rate of 4 ?? 2 mm/yr. This slip rate is low relative to geodetic and other geologic slip rate estimates (26 ?? 2 mm/yr and about 23-35 mm/yr, respectively) on the southernmost San Andreas fault zone, possibly because (1) the site is located in a small step-over in the fault trace and so the rate is not be representative of the Mission Creek fault

Sugar microanalysis by HPLC with benzoylation: improvement via introduction of a C-8 cartridge and a high efficiency ODS column.

PubMed

Miyagi, Michiko; Yokoyama, Hirokazu; Hibi, Toshifumi

2007-07-01

An HPLC protocol for sugar microanalysis based on the formation of ultraviolet-absorbing benzoyl chloride derivatives was improved. Here, samples were prepared with a C-8 cartridge and analyzed with a high efficiency ODS column, in which porous spherical silica particles 3 microm in diameter were packed. These devices allowed us to simultaneously quantify multiple sugars and sugar alcohols up to 10 ng/ml and to provide satisfactory separations of some sugars, such as fructose and myo-inositol and sorbitol and mannitol. This protocol, which does not require special apparatuses, should become a powerful tool in sugar research.

The economic potential of El-Gedida glauconite deposits, El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Habaak, Galal; Askalany, Mohamed; Faraghaly, Mohamed; Abdel-Hakeem, Mahmoud

2016-08-01

The mining work at El-Gedida iron mine, El-Bahariya Oasis, in the Western Desert of Egypt extracts commercial iron ore deposits without attention paid to the large glauconite deposits overlying these iron ore deposits. For this reason, the present paper aims at evaluating and attracting the attention to these glauconite deposits as alternative potassium fertilizers. The study was achieved by investigating mineralogical, physical and chemical properties of the green deposits. Mineralogical and physical properties involved the determination of glauconite pellets content in different grain size fractions relative to impurities and the analysis of the percentage of clay matrix and grain size distribution. Different pre-treatment strategies and methods including comminution, sieving, magnetic separation, and X-ray diffraction were used for investigating those mineralogical and physical properties. On the other hand, chemical analyses included potassium content, heavy metal concentrations, and pH and salinity measurements. The major elements and trace elements were measured using ICP-OES and the pH was measured using a pH conductometer. Moreover, this study investigated the nature of grain boundaries and the effect of sieving on glauconite beneficiation. Results of this study suggest that El-Gedida glauconite deposits are mineralogically, physically and chemically suitable for exploitation and can be beneficiated for use as an alternative potassium fertilizer.

Resting-State Pallidal-Cortical Oscillatory Couplings in Patients With Predominant Phasic and Tonic Dystonia.

PubMed

Yokochi, Fusako; Kato, Kenji; Iwamuro, Hirokazu; Kamiyama, Tsutomu; Kimura, Katsuo; Yugeta, Akihiro; Okiyama, Ryoichi; Taniguchi, Makoto; Kumada, Satoko; Ushiba, Junichi

2018-01-01

Pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) improves the symptoms of dystonia. The improvement processes of dystonic movements (phasic symptoms) and tonic symptoms differ. Phasic symptoms improve rapidly after starting DBS treatment, but tonic symptoms improve gradually. This difference implies distinct neuronal mechanisms for phasic and tonic symptoms in the underlying cortico-basal ganglia neuronal network. Phasic symptoms are related to the pallido-thalamo-cortical pathway. The pathway related to tonic symptoms has been assumed to be different from that for phasic symptoms. In the present study, local field potentials of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and globus pallidus externus (GPe) and electroencephalograms from the motor cortex (MCx) were recorded in 19 dystonia patients to analyze the differences between the two types of symptoms. The 19 patients were divided into two groups, 10 with predominant phasic symptoms (phasic patients) and 9 with predominant tonic symptoms (tonic patients). To investigate the distinct features of oscillations and functional couplings across the GPi, GPe, and MCx by clinical phenotype, power and coherence were calculated over the delta (2-4 Hz), theta (5-7 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (14-35 Hz) frequencies. In phasic patients, the alpha spectral peaks emerged in the GPi oscillatory activities, and alpha GPi coherence with the GPe and MCx was higher than in tonic patients. On the other hand, delta GPi oscillatory activities were prominent, and delta GPi-GPe coherence was significantly higher in tonic than in phasic patients. However, there was no significant delta coherence between the GPi/GPe and MCx in tonic patients. These results suggest that different pathophysiological cortico-pallidal oscillations are related to tonic and phasic symptoms.

High-throughput analytical techniques for multiresidue, multiclass determination of 653 pesticides and chemical pollutants in tea--Part III: Evaluation of the cleanup efficiency of an SPE cartridge newly developed for multiresidues in tea.

PubMed

Pang, Guo-Fang; Fan, Chun-Lin; Chang, Qiao-Ying; Li, Yan; Kang, Jian; Wang, Wen-Wen; Cao, Jing; Zhao, Yan-Bing; Li, Nan; Li, Zeng-Yin; Chen, Zong-Mao; Luo, Feng-Jian; Lou, Zheng-Yun

2013-01-01

A comparative study was conducted over three stages on the cleanup efficiency of SPE cartridge Cleanert TPT, newly developed for multigroups of pesticide residues in tea. In Stage I, different SPE cartridges C18, graphite carbon black (GCB), primary secondary amine (PSA), and amino (NH2) were purchased and combined into 12 different sequences. Through the comparative test on cleanup efficiency of 84 representative pesticides in tea, Envi-Carb GCB + PSA with a good cleanup effect was selected. In Stage II, GC/MS test results from the comparative study of the extraction efficiency of 201 pesticides spiked into green tea and Woolong tea with Cleanert TPT and Envi-Carb + PSA SPE showed that average recoveries fell within 70-110% and RSD <20% for 193 and 184 pesticides, respectively, for green tea, accounting for 96.0 and 91.0% of the total number, respectively. GC/MS/MS test results also found 193 and 184 pesticides, respectively, meeting the recovery and RSD conditions, accounting for 96.0 and 91.5%, respectively, of the total number. For Woolong tea samples, GC/MS results showed that with Cleanert TPT and Envi-Carb + PSA SPE for cleanup, there were 192 and 177 pesticides, respectively, meeting the conditions, accounting for 95.5 and 88.1% of the total number, respectively. GC/MS/MS results demonstrated that there were 195 and 184 pesticides, respectively, meeting the conditions, accounting for 97.0 and 91.5% of the total number, respectively. It was seen that Cleanert TPT was superior to Envi-Carb + PSA in cleanup efficiency, whether for green or Woolong tea samples, or GC/MS or GC/MS/MS determination. In Stage III, 61104 results of the average content value of pesticides and RSD (two teas xtwo Youden pair concentrations x two kinds of SPE cartridges x two instruments x 19 tests x 201 pesticides) were derived from the 19 times stability tests over 3 months by paralleling three samples every 5 days via two instruments with two kinds of SPE cartridges for cleanup

Randomized Comparison of Two Vaginal Self-Sampling Methods for Human Papillomavirus Detection: Dry Swab versus FTA Cartridge

PubMed Central

Catarino, Rosa; Vassilakos, Pierre; Bilancioni, Aline; Vanden Eynde, Mathieu; Meyer-Hamme, Ulrike; Menoud, Pierre-Alain; Guerry, Frédéric; Petignat, Patrick

2015-01-01

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling (self-HPV) is valuable in cervical cancer screening. HPV testing is usually performed on physician-collected cervical smears stored in liquid-based medium. Dry filters and swabs are an alternative. We evaluated the adequacy of self-HPV using two dry storage and transport devices, the FTA cartridge and swab. Methods A total of 130 women performed two consecutive self-HPV samples. Randomization determined which of the two tests was performed first: self-HPV using dry swabs (s-DRY) or vaginal specimen collection using a cytobrush applied to an FTA cartridge (s-FTA). After self-HPV, a physician collected a cervical sample using liquid-based medium (Dr-WET). HPV types were identified by real-time PCR. Agreement between collection methods was measured using the kappa statistic. Results HPV prevalence for high-risk types was 62.3% (95%CI: 53.7–70.2) detected by s-DRY, 56.2% (95%CI: 47.6–64.4) by Dr-WET, and 54.6% (95%CI: 46.1–62.9) by s-FTA. There was overall agreement of 70.8% between s-FTA and s-DRY samples (kappa = 0.34), and of 82.3% between self-HPV and Dr-WET samples (kappa = 0.56). Detection sensitivities for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (LSIL+) were: 64.0% (95%CI: 44.5–79.8) for s-FTA, 84.6% (95%CI: 66.5–93.9) for s-DRY, and 76.9% (95%CI: 58.0–89.0) for Dr-WET. The preferred self-collection method among patients was s-DRY (40.8% vs. 15.4%). Regarding costs, FTA card was five times more expensive than the swab (~5 US dollars (USD)/per card vs. ~1 USD/per swab). Conclusion Self-HPV using dry swabs is sensitive for detecting LSIL+ and less expensive than s-FTA. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 43310942 PMID:26630353

Can the RUVIS reflected UV imaging system visualize fingerprint corrosion on brass cartridge casings postfiring?

PubMed

Leintz, Rachel; Bond, John W

2013-05-01

Comparisons are made between the visualization of fingerprint corrosion ridge detail on fired brass cartridge casings, where fingerprint sweat was deposited prefiring, using both ultraviolet (UV) and visible (natural daylight) light sources. A reflected ultraviolet imaging system (RUVIS), normally used for visualizing latent fingerprint sweat deposits, is compared with optical interference and digital color mapping of visible light, the latter using apparatus constructed to easily enable selection of the optimum viewing angle. Results show that reflected UV, with a monochromatic UV source of 254 nm, was unable to visualize fingerprint ridge detail on any of 12 casings analyzed, whereas optical interference and digital color mapping using natural daylight yielded ridge detail on three casings. Reasons for the lack of success with RUVIS are discussed in terms of the variation in thickness of the thin film of metal oxide corrosion and absorption wavelengths for the corrosion products of brass. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Unsuitability of using the DNPH-coated solid sorbent cartridge for determination of airborne unsaturated carbonyls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Steven Sai Hang; Ho, K. F.; Liu, W. D.; Lee, S. C.; Dai, W. T.; Cao, J. J.; Ip, H. S. S.

2011-01-01

Measurements of aldehydes and ketones are typically conducted by derivatization using sorbent cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The collected samples are eluted with acetonitrile and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with an ultra-violet detector (HPLC/UV). This paper intends to examine artifacts about its suitability in identification of unsaturated carbonyls. Kinetic tests for acrolein, crotonaldehyde, methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) showed formations of carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone during sampling, which could further react with DNPH, resulting in undesired UV absorption products [e.g., carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone-DNPH (dimer) and 2(carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone)-DNPH (trimer)]. The dimerization and trimerization occurred for acrolein and MVK whereas only dimerization for crotonaldehyde and methacrolein. The polymerization products undoubtedly affect the integrity of the chromatogram, leading to misidentification and inaccurate quantification. Whether precautions taken during sampling and/or sample treatment could avoid or minimize this artifact has not been thoughtfully investigated. More often, such artifacts are usually overlooked by scientists when the data are reported.

Analysis of coffee for the presence of acrylamide by LC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Andrzejewski, Denis; Roach, John A G; Gay, Martha L; Musser, Steven M

2004-04-07

A variety of popular instant, ground, and brewed coffees were analyzed using a modified liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method specifically developed for the determination of acrylamide in foods. Coffee test portions were spiked with 13C3-labeled acrylamide as an internal standard prior to their extraction and cleanup. Ground coffees (1 g) and instant coffees (0.5 g) were extracted by shaking with 9 mL of water for 20 min. Brewed coffee test portions (9 mL) were taken through the cleanup procedure without further dilution with extraction solvent. Coffee test portions were cleaned up by passing 1.5 mL first through an Oasis HLB (hydrophilic/lipophilic copolymer sorbent) solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and then a Bond Elut-Accucat (cation and anion exchange sorbent) SPE cartridge. The cleaned up extracts were analyzed by positive ion electrospray LC-MS/MS. The MS/MS data was used to detect, confirm, and quantitate acrylamide. The limit of quantitation of the method was 10 ng/g for ground and instant coffees and 1.0 ng/mL for brewed coffee. The levels of acrylamide ranged from 45 to 374 ng/g in unbrewed coffee grounds, from 172 to 539 ng/g in instant coffee crystals, and from 6 to 16 ng/mL in brewed coffee.

Reduced dimethylaminoethanol in [(18)F]fluoromethylcholine: an important step towards enhanced tumour visualization.

PubMed

Slaets, Dominique; De Bruyne, Sylvie; Dumolyn, Caroline; Moerman, Lieselotte; Mertens, Koen; De Vos, Filip

2010-11-01

[(18)F]Fluoromethylcholine ([(18)F]FCho) is a radiotracer generally used for tumour visualization in patients. Due to high levels of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) remaining in [(18)F]FCho solutions synthesized by currently available methods, tumour visualization might be compromised. An improved purification method involving an optimized purification step for reducing the levels of DMAE was conceived. The physiological explanation for the interference of residual DMAE in [(18)F]FCho pharmacokinetics was further elaborated in a xenograft mouse model. The use of a series of polymer solid-phase extraction cartridges (Oasis HLB/WCX), instead of the commonly used combination of tC18 and Accell CM cartridges, reduced DMAE levels from 402.2±49.6 ppm to 3.0±0.5 ppm. Subsequent in vitro tests proved that (1) [(18)F]FCho uptake was reduced in the presence of DMAE at concentrations above 0.5 µM and (2) DMAE is a competitive inhibitor of [(18)F]FCho transport. In vivo experiments in xenograft mouse models corroborated reduced tumour uptake at DMAE plasma levels of about 2.5 µM as found in patients injected with contaminated [(18)F]FCho. Residual DMAE, even at levels below choline plasma concentrations found during fasting, compromises [(18)F]FCho uptake in vivo and care should be taken to avoid its interference in molecular imaging with [(18)F]FCho.

Extraction and Determination of Quercetin from Ginkgo biloba by DESs-Based Polymer Monolithic Cartridge.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoqin; Li, Guizhen; Ho Row, Kyung

2017-09-01

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) were formed from choline chloride (ChCl). DES-modified polymer monolithic (DES-M), template molecular polymer monolithic and non-DES-M without a molecular template were synthesized in identical process. These polymer materials were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The significant selective adsorption properties of the polymers were assessed by an absorption capacity experiment and solid-phase extraction (SPE). The optimized extraction procedure was as follows: ultrasonic time (30 min), optimal solvent (ethanol) and liquid to material ratio (20 mL g-1). Under this condition, the amount of quercetin extracted from Ginkgo biloba was 290.8 mg g-1. The purification of G. biloba was achieved by the SPE process. Based on the results, DESs-based monolithic cartridges can be used for simple and efficient extraction and as a pre-concentration technique for the purification of bioactive compounds or drugs in aqueous environments with high affinity and selectivity. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A PROJECT TO IMPROVE LEARNING IN CHEMISTRY AT EL CAMINO COLLEGE BY INTRODUCING CHEM STUDY FILMS IN THE EIGHT MILLIMETER CARTRIDGE FORM FOR OUT-OF-CLASS USE BY STUDENTS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

KALLAN, LEO E.; MOONEY, WILLIAM T., JR.

THE USE OF SIX 16-MILLIMETER FILMS IN CHEMISTRY CLASSES WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY PURCHASE OF THEIR 8-MILLIMETER CARTRIDGE VERSIONS AND PROJECTION EQUIPMENT TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO VIEW THE FILMS AS AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROCEDURE. STUDY GUIDES, QUIZZES AND EVALUATION FORMS WERE PREPARED FOR USE BY INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS. TOTAL COST FOR THE PROJECT WAS…

Microfluidic impact printer with interchangeable cartridges for versatile non-contact multiplexed micropatterning

PubMed Central

Ding, Yuzhe; Huang, Eric; Lam, Kit S.; Pan, Tingrui

2015-01-01

Biopatterning has been increasingly used for well-defined cellular microenvironment, patterned surface topology, and guided biological cues; however, it meets additional challenges on biocompatibility, temperature and chemical sensitivity and limited reagent volume. In this paper, we target at combining the desired features from the non-contact inkjet printing and the dot-matrix impact printing to establish a versatile multiplexed micropatterning platform, referred to as Microfluidic Impact Printer (MI-Printer), for emerging biomedical applications. Using this platform, we can achieve the distinct features of no cross-contamination, minute volume manipulation with minimal dead volume, high-throughput and biocompatible printing process, multiplexed patterning with automatic alignment, printing availability for complex medium (cell suspension or colloidal solutions), interchangeable/disposable microfluidic cartridge design with out-of-cleanroom microfabrication, simple printing system assembly and configuration, all highly desirable towards biological applications. Specifically, the printing resolution of the MI-printer platform has been experimentally characterized and theoretically analyzed. Printed droplets with 80µm in diameter have been repeatedly obtained. Furthermore, two unique features of MI-printer platform, multiplexed printing and self-alignment printing, have been successfully experimentally demonstrated (less than 10µm misalignment). In addition, combinatorial patterning and biological patterning, which utilizes the multiplexed and self-alignment printing nature of the MI-printer, have been devised to demonstrate the applicability of this robust printing technique for emerging biomedical applications. PMID:23525299

Direct measurement of the glucuronide conjugate of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kakimoto, Kensaku; Toriba, Akira; Ohno, Takanori; Ueno, Mariko; Kameda, Takayuki; Tang, Ning; Hayakawa, Kazuichi

2008-05-15

To evaluate human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we developed a rapid, simple and sensitive method for determining 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHP-G) in human urine. To improve precision, a deuterated glucuronide was used as an internal standard. The method requires only 1 mL of urine. The urine was treated with a mixed-mode anion-exchange and reversed-phase solid-phase extraction cartridge (Oasis MAX). The analytes were analyzed with a C(18) reversed-phase column with a gradient elution, followed by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. The detection limit of 1-OHP-G (corresponding to a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) was 0.13 fmol/injection. Urinary concentrations of 1-OHP-G determined by this method were strongly correlated (r(2)=0.961) with concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene by conventional HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Long-term increase in coherence between the basal ganglia and motor cortex after asphyxial cardiac arrest and resuscitation in developing rats.

PubMed

Aravamuthan, Bhooma R; Shoykhet, Michael

2015-10-01

The basal ganglia are vulnerable to injury during cardiac arrest. Movement disorders are a common morbidity in survivors. Yet, neuronal motor network changes post-arrest remain poorly understood. We compared function of the motor network in adult rats that, during postnatal week 3, underwent 9.5 min of asphyxial cardiac arrest (n = 9) or sham intervention (n = 8). Six months after injury, we simultaneously recorded local field potentials (LFP) from the primary motor cortex (MCx) and single neuron firing and LFP from the rat entopeduncular nucleus (EPN), which corresponds to the primate globus pallidus pars interna. Data were analyzed for firing rates, power, and coherence between MCx and EPN spike and LFP activity. Cardiac arrest survivors display chronic motor deficits. EPN firing rate is lower in cardiac arrest survivors (19.5 ± 2.4 Hz) compared with controls (27.4 ± 2.7 Hz; P < 0.05). Cardiac arrest survivors also demonstrate greater coherence between EPN single neurons and MCx LFP (3-100 Hz; P < 0.001). This increased coherence indicates abnormal synchrony in the neuronal motor network after cardiac arrest. Increased motor network synchrony is thought to be antikinetic in primary movement disorders. Characterization of motor network synchrony after cardiac arrest may help guide management of post-hypoxic movement disorders.

Geologic map of the Oasis Valley basin and vicinity, Nye County, Nevada

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

Fridrich, C.J.; Minor, S.A.; Ryder, P.L.

2000-01-13

This map and accompanying cross sections present an updated synthesis of the geologic framework of the Oasis Valley area, a major groundwater discharge site located about 15 km west of the Nevada Test Site. Most of the data presented in this compilation is new geologic map data, as discussed below. In addition, the cross sections incorporate new geophysical data that have become available in the last three years (Grauch and others, 1997; written comm., 1999; Hildenbrand and others, 1999; Mankinen and others, 1999). Geophysical data are used to estimate the thickness of the Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks on themore » cross sections, and to identify major concealed structures. Large contiguous parts of the map area are covered either by alluvium or by volcanic units deposited after development of the major structures present at the depth of the water table and below. Hence, geophysical data provide critical constraints on our geologic interpretations. A companion paper by Fridrich and others (1999) and the above-cited reports by Hildenbrand and others (1999) and Mankinen and others (1999) provide explanations of the interpretations that are presented graphically on this map. This map covers nine 7.5-minute quadrangles in Nye County, Nevada, centered on the Thirsty Canyon SW quadrangle, and is a compilation of one published quadrangle map (O'Connor and others, 1966) and eight new quadrangle maps, two of which have been previously released (Minor and others, 1997; 1998). The cross sections that accompany this map were drawn to a depth of about 5 km below land surface at the request of hydrologists who are modeling the Death Valley groundwater system.« less

Arctic springtime observations of volatile organic compounds during the OASIS-2009 campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hornbrook, Rebecca S.; Hills, Alan J.; Riemer, Daniel D.; Abdelhamid, Aroob; Flocke, Frank M.; Hall, Samuel R.; Huey, L. Gregory; Knapp, David J.; Liao, Jin; Mauldin, Roy L.; Montzka, Denise D.; Orlando, John J.; Shepson, Paul B.; Sive, Barkley; Staebler, Ralf M.; Tanner, David. J.; Thompson, Chelsea R.; Turnipseed, Andrew; Ullmann, Kirk; Weinheimer, Andrew J.; Apel, Eric C.

2016-08-01

Gas-phase volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured at three vertical levels between 0.6 m and 5.4 m in the Arctic boundary layer in Barrow, Alaska, for the Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack (OASIS)-2009 field campaign during March-April 2009. C4-C8 nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs), including alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, were quantified multiple times per hour, day and night, during the campaign using in situ fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Three canister samples were also collected daily and subsequently analyzed for C2-C5 NMHCs. The NMHCs and aldehydes demonstrated an overall decrease in mixing ratios during the experiment, whereas acetone and 2-butanone showed increases. Calculations of time-integrated concentrations of Br atoms, ∫[Br]dt, yielded values as high as (1.34 ± 0.27) × 1014 cm-3 s during the longest observed ozone depletion event (ODE) of the campaign and were correlated with the steady state Br calculated at the site during this time. Both chlorine and bromine chemistry contributed to the large perturbations on the production and losses of VOCs. Notably, acetaldehyde, propanal, and butanal mixing ratios dropped below the detection limit of the instrument (3 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) for acetaldehyde and propanal, 2 pptv for butanal) during several ODEs due to Br chemistry. Chemical flux calculations of OVOC production and loss are consistent with localized high Cl-atom concentrations either regionally or within a very shallow surface layer, while the deeper Arctic boundary layer provides a continuous source of precursor alkanes to maintain the OVOC mixing ratios.

Disposable pen-shaped capillary gel electrophoresis cartridge for fluorescence detection of bio-molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amirkhanian, Varoujan; Tsai, Shou-Kuan

2014-03-01

We introduce a novel and cost-effective capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) system utilizing disposable pen-shaped gelcartridges for highly efficient, high speed, high throughput fluorescence detection of bio-molecules. The CGE system has been integrated with dual excitation and emission optical-fibers with micro-ball end design for fluorescence detection of bio-molecules separated and detected in a disposable pen-shaped capillary gel electrophoresis cartridge. The high-performance capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) analyzer has been optimized for glycoprotein analysis type applications. Using commercially available labeling agent such as ANTS (8-aminonapthalene-1,3,6- trisulfonate) as an indicator, the capillary gel electrophoresis-based glycan analyzer provides high detection sensitivity and high resolving power in 2-5 minutes of separations. The system can hold total of 96 samples, which can be automatically analyzed within 4-5 hours. This affordable fiber optic based fluorescence detection system provides fast run times (4 minutes vs. 20 minutes with other CE systems), provides improved peak resolution, good linear dynamic range and reproducible migration times, that can be used in laboratories for high speed glycan (N-glycan) profiling applications. The CGE-based glycan analyzer will significantly increase the pace at which glycoprotein research is performed in the labs, saving hours of preparation time and assuring accurate, consistent and economical results.

Coagulation measurement from whole blood using vibrating optical fiber in a disposable cartridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaraş, Yusuf Samet; Gündüz, Ali Bars; Saǧlam, Gökhan; Ölçer, Selim; Civitçi, Fehmi; Baris, İbrahim; Yaralioǧlu, Göksenin; Urey, Hakan

2017-11-01

In clinics, blood coagulation time measurements are performed using mechanical measurements with blood plasma. Such measurements are challenging to do in a lab-on-a-chip (LoC) system using a small volume of whole blood. Existing LoC systems use indirect measurement principles employing optical or electrochemical methods. We developed an LoC system using mechanical measurements with a small volume of whole blood without requiring sample preparation. The measurement is performed in a microfluidic channel where two fibers are placed inline with a small gap in between. The first fiber operates near its mechanical resonance using remote magnetic actuation and immersed in the sample. The second fiber is a pick-up fiber acting as an optical sensor. The microfluidic channel is engineered innovatively such that the blood does not block the gap between the vibrating fiber and the pick-up fiber, resulting in high signal-to-noise ratio optical output. The control plasma test results matched well with the plasma manufacturer's datasheet. Activated-partial-thromboplastin-time tests were successfully performed also with human whole blood samples, and the method is proven to be effective. Simplicity of the cartridge design and cost of readily available materials enable a low-cost point-of-care device for blood coagulation measurements.

A feasible methodology for groundwater resource modelling for sustainable use in sparse-data drylands: Application to the Amtoudi Oasis in the northern Sahara.

PubMed

Alcalá, Francisco J; Martín-Martín, Manuel; Guerrera, Francesco; Martínez-Valderrama, Jaime; Robles-Marín, Pedro

2018-07-15

In a previous paper, the Amtoudi Oasis, a remote area in the northern Sahara in southern Morocco, was chosen to model the dynamics of groundwater-dependent economics under different scenarios of water availability, both the wet 2009-2010 and the average 2010-2011 hydrological years. Groundwater imbalance was reflected by net aquifer recharge (R) less than groundwater allotment for agriculture and urban uses in the average year 2010-2011. Three key groundwater sustainability issues from the hydrologic perspective were raised for future research, which are addressed in this paper. Introducing a feasible methodology for groundwater resource modelling for sustainable use in sparse-data drylands, this paper updates available databases, compiles new databases, and introduces new formulations to: (1) refine the net groundwater balance (W) modelling for years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, providing the magnitude of net lateral inflow from adjacent formations (R L ), the largest R component contributing to the oasis; (2) evaluate the non-evaporative fraction of precipitation (P) (B) from 1973 onward as a proxy of the potential renewable water resource available for use; and (3) define the critical balance period for variables to reach a comparable stationary condition, as prerequisite for long-term modelling of W. R L was about 0.07-fold P and 0.85-fold R. Historical yearly B-to-P ratios were 0.02 for dry, 0.04 for average, and 0.07 for wet hydrological years; the average yearly P being 124mm. A critical 17-year balance period with stable relative error below 0.1 was defined from the 44-year P and B time-series statistical study. This is the monitoring period proposed for the stationary evaluation of the variables involved in the long-term modelling of W. This paper seeks to offer a feasible methodology for groundwater modelling addressed for planning sustainable water policies in sparse-data drylands. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catuneanu, O.; Khalifa, M. A.; Wanas, H. A.

2006-08-01

The Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation corresponds to a second-order depositional sequence that formed within a continental shelf setting under relatively low-rate conditions of positive accommodation (< 200 m during 3-6 My). This overall trend of base-level rise was interrupted by three episodes of base-level fall that resulted in the formation of third-order sequence boundaries. These boundaries are represented by subaerial unconformities (replaced or not by younger transgressive wave ravinement surfaces), and subdivide the Bahariya Formation into four third-order depositional sequences. The construction of the sequence stratigraphic framework of the Bahariya Formation is based on the lateral and vertical changes between shelf, subtidal, coastal and fluvial facies, as well as on the nature of contacts that separate them. The internal (third-order) sequence boundaries are associated with incised valleys, which explain (1) significant lateral changes in the thickness of incised valley fill deposits, (2) the absence of third-order highstand and even transgressive systems tracts in particular areas, and (3) the abrupt facies shifts that may occur laterally over relatively short distances. Within each sequence, the concepts of lowstand, transgressive and highstand systems tracts are used to explain the observed lateral and vertical facies variability. This case study demonstrates the usefulness of sequence stratigraphic analysis in understanding the architecture and stacking patterns of the preserved rock record, and helps to identify 13 stages in the history of base-level changes that marked the evolution of the Bahariya Oasis region during the Early Cenomanian.

Assessment of groundwater and soil quality degradation using multivariate and geostatistical analyses, Dakhla Oasis, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoud, Alaa A.; El-Horiny, Mohamed M.; Atwia, Mohamed G.; Gemail, Khaled S.; Koike, Katsuaki

2018-06-01

Salinization of groundwater and soil resources has long been a serious environmental hazard in arid regions. This study was conducted to investigate and document the factors controlling such salinization and their inter-relationships in the Dakhla Oasis (Egypt). To accomplish this, 60 groundwater samples and 31 soil samples were collected in February 2014. Factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were integrated with geostatistical analyses to characterize the chemical properties of groundwater and soil and their spatial patterns, identify the factors controlling the pattern variability, and clarify the salinization mechanism. Groundwater quality standards revealed emergence of salinization (av. 885.8 mg/L) and extreme occurrences of Fe2+ (av. 17.22 mg/L) and Mn2+ (av. 2.38 mg/L). Soils were highly salt-affected (av. 15.2 dS m-1) and slightly alkaline (av. pH = 7.7). Evaporation and ion-exchange processes governed the evolution of two main water types: Na-Cl (52%) and Ca-Mg-Cl (47%), respectively. Salinization leads the chemical variability of both resources. Distinctive patterns of slight salinization marked the northern part and intense salinization marked the middle and southern parts. Congruence in the resources clusters confirmed common geology, soil types, and urban and agricultural practices. Minimizing the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the resources salinization urges the need for better understanding of the hydrochemical characteristics and prediction of quality changes.

Simple and fast analysis of tetrabromobisphenol A, hexabromocyclododecane isomers, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in serum using solid-phase extraction or QuEChERS extraction followed by tandem mass spectrometry coupled to HPLC and GC.

PubMed

Li, Jian; Chen, Tian; Wang, Yuwei; Shi, Zhixiong; Zhou, Xianqing; Sun, Zhiwei; Wang, Dejun; Wu, Yongning

2017-02-01

Two simplified sample preparation procedures for simultaneous extraction and clean-up of tetrabromobisphenol A, α-, β-, and γ-hexabromocyclododecane and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human serum were developed and validated. The first procedure was based on solid-phase extraction. Sample extraction, purification, and lipid removal were carried out directly on an Oasis HLB cartridge. The second procedure was a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe-based approach using octadecyl-modified silica particles as a sorbent. After sample extraction and cleanup, tetrabromobisphenol A/hexabromocyclododecane was separated from polybrominated diphenyl ethers by using a Si-based cartridge. Tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane were then detected by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, while polybrominated diphenyl ethers were detected by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The results of the spike recovery test using fetal bovine serum showed that the average recoveries of the analytes ranged from 87.3 to 115.3% with relative standard deviations equal to or lower than 13.4 %. Limits of detection of the analytes were in the range of 0.4-19 pg/mL except for decabromodiphenyl ether. The developed method was successfully applied to routine analysis of human serum samples from occupational workers and the general population. Extremely high serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers levels up to 3.32 × 10 4 ng/g lipid weight were found in occupational workers. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Investigating Premature Ignition of Thruster Pressure Cartridges by Mechanical Impact of Internal Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woods, Stephen S.; Saulsberry, Regor

2010-01-01

Pyrotechnic thruster pressure cartridges (TPCs) are used for aeroshell separation on a new NASA crew launch vehicle. The premature ignition concern was hypothesized based on the potential range of motion of the subassemblies, projected worst case accelerations, and the internal geometry that could subject propellant grains to mechanical impact sufficiently high for ignition. This possibility was investigated by fabricating a high-fidelity model of the suspected contact geometry, placing a representative amount of propellant in it, and impacting the propellant with a range of forces equivalent to and greater than the maximum possible during launch. Testing demonstrated that the likelihood of ignition is less than 1 in 1,000,000. The test apparatus, methodology, and results are described in this paper. Nondestructive evaluation ( NDE) during TPC acceptance testing indicated that internal assemblies moved during shock and vibration testing due to an internal bond anomaly. This caused concerns that the launch environment might produce the same movement and release propellant grains that might be prematurely ignited through impact or through electrostatic discharge (ESD) as grains vibrated against internal surfaces. Since a new lot could not be fabricated in time, a determination had to be made as to whether the lot was acceptable to fly. This paper discusses the analysis and impact testing used to address the potential impact issue and a separate paper addresses the ESD issue.

Coagulation measurement from whole blood using vibrating optical fiber in a disposable cartridge.

PubMed

Yaraş, Yusuf Samet; Gündüz, Ali Bars; Sağlam, Gökhan; Ölçer, Selim; Civitçi, Fehmi; Baris, İbrahim; Yaralioğlu, Göksenin; Urey, Hakan

2017-11-01

In clinics, blood coagulation time measurements are performed using mechanical measurements with blood plasma. Such measurements are challenging to do in a lab-on-a-chip (LoC) system using a small volume of whole blood. Existing LoC systems use indirect measurement principles employing optical or electrochemical methods. We developed an LoC system using mechanical measurements with a small volume of whole blood without requiring sample preparation. The measurement is performed in a microfluidic channel where two fibers are placed inline with a small gap in between. The first fiber operates near its mechanical resonance using remote magnetic actuation and immersed in the sample. The second fiber is a pick-up fiber acting as an optical sensor. The microfluidic channel is engineered innovatively such that the blood does not block the gap between the vibrating fiber and the pick-up fiber, resulting in high signal-to-noise ratio optical output. The control plasma test results matched well with the plasma manufacturer's datasheet. Activated-partial-thromboplastin-time tests were successfully performed also with human whole blood samples, and the method is proven to be effective. Simplicity of the cartridge design and cost of readily available materials enable a low-cost point-of-care device for blood coagulation measurements. (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

A generic method for the determination of acrylamide in thermally processed foods.

PubMed

Gökmen, Vural; Senyuva, Hamide Z

2006-07-07

A generic sample preparation method for the determination of acrylamide in foods was developed. The method entails extraction with methanol, purification with Carrez I and II solutions, evaporation and solvent change to water, and cleanup with Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The final extract was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for quantitation. The chromatographic separation was performed on ODS-3 column using the isocratic mixture of 0.01 mM acetic acid in 0.2% aqueous solution of formic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min at 25 degrees C. The recoveries of acrylamide from potato chips, biscuits and coffee ranged between 92.8 and 101.5% with relative standard deviations of 4.1% or less. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 2 ng/g and 6 ng/g in the basis of signal to noise ratios of 3:1 and 9:1, respectively.

Liquid chromatographic determination of minocycline in brain-to-plasma distribution studies in the rat.

PubMed

Colovic, Milena; Caccia, Silvio

2003-07-05

An isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure was developed for the determination of minocycline in rat plasma and brain and applied to brain-to-blood (plasma) distribution studies. The procedure is based on isolation of the compound and the internal standard (either demeclocycline or tetracycline may be used) from plasma and brain constituents using the Oasis HLB cartridge, with satisfactory recovery and specificity, and separation on a Symmetry Shield RP8 (15 cm x 4.6 mm, 3.5 microm) column coupled with a UV detector set at 350 nm. The assay was linear over a wide range, with a lower limit of quantification of 50 ng ml(-1) or g(-1), using 0.2 ml of plasma and about 200 mg of brain tissue. Precision and accuracy were acceptable. In the rat minocycline crossed the blood-brain barrier slowly, achieving mean brain concentrations between 30 and 40% of the equivalent systemic exposure, regardless of the dose and route of administration.

Identification of kinetin and kinetin riboside in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water using a combined approach of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Ge, Liya; Yong, Jean Wan Hong; Goh, Ngoh Khang; Chia, Lian Sai; Tan, Swee Ngin; Ong, Eng Shi

2005-12-27

Kinetin (free base and riboside), which was assumed by many scientists to be a synthetic cytokinin plant growth hormone, has been detected for the first time in the endosperm liquid of fresh young coconut fruits ("coconut water"). To facilitate the study, we developed a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the identification and quantification of kinetin and kinetin riboside in purified coconut water extract sample. Following a solid-phase extraction of cytokinins in coconut water using C18 columns, the samples were further purified by Oasis MCX columns and analyzed by LC-MS/MS for kinetin and kinetin riboside. Detection by mass spectrometry was carried out using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, by identifying the putative kinetin and kinetin riboside based on their characteristic fragments. Based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the limits of detection in SRM mode were 0.02 microM and 0.005 microM for kinetin and kinetin riboside, respectively. Furthermore, optimal conditions for a baseline chromatographic separation of 18 cytokinin standards by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were developed. The HPLC method had been employed for the confirmation and further fractionation of kinetin in coconut water extracts. The confirmation and fractionation of kinetin riboside was carried out using a further modified HPLC program due to the presence of other interfering material(s) in the sample matrix. Finally, fractions of putative kinetin and kinetin riboside collected from HPLC eluate of coconut water sample were further authenticated by independent capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) experiment.

Analysis of cytokinin nucleotides in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water using capillary zone electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction.

PubMed

Ge, Liya; Yong, Jean Wan Hong; Tan, Swee Ngin; Yang, Xin Hao; Ong, Eng Shi

2006-11-10

A method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and capillary zone electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry (CZE-MS/MS) is described for the separation and determination of six cytokinin nucleotides in coconut water. The best CZE separation for the six cytokinin nucleotide standards was achieved using a 25 mM ammonium formate/formic acid buffer (pH 3.8) and 2% (v/v) methanol with an applied gradient separation voltage (25 kV for 32 min, and then a linear gradient to 30 kV in 5 min, finally 30 kV to the end of separation) in less than 60 min. MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection was carried out to obtain sufficient selectivity and sensitivity for the cytokinin nucleotides. The combined use of on-line sample stacking and CZE-MS/MS achieved limits of detection (LODs) in the range of 0.06-0.19 microM for the six cytokinin nucleotides at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Furthermore, a novel dual-step SPE procedure was developed for the pre-concentration and purification of cytokinin nucleotides using Oasis HLB and Oasis MAX cartridges. The recoveries of the cytokinin nucleotides after the dual-step SPE were in the range of 44-71%. The combination of off-line SPE, on-line sample stacking and CZE-MS/MS approach was successfully applied to screen for endogenous cytokinin nucleotides present in coconut water sample. trans-Zeatin riboside-5'-monophosphate (ZMP) was detected and quantified in coconut water by CZE-MS/MS after SPE and on-line sample stacking.

Direct preparation of a graphene oxide modified monolith in a glass syringe as a solid-phase extraction cartridge for the extraction of quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Chinese patent medicine.

PubMed

Liang, Xiaojing; Wang, Licheng; Wang, Shuai; Li, Yijing; Guo, Yong

2017-11-01

Packed cartridges have been widely used in solid-phase extraction. However, there are still some drawbacks, such as they are blocked easily and the method is time-consuming. In view of the advantages of monoliths, a monolithic extraction material has been directly synthesized in a glass syringe without any gap between the monolith and syringe inner wall. The monolithic syringe was modified with graphene oxide by loading graphene oxide dispersion onto it. The content of graphene oxide and the surface topography of the monolith have been evaluated by elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, which confirmed the successful modification. This prepared graphene oxide-modified monolithic syringe was directly used as a traditional solid-phase extraction cartridge. As expected, it shows good permeability and excellent capability for the extraction of quaternary ammonium alkaloids. The sample loading velocity (1-6 mL/min) does not affect the recovery. Under the optimal conditions, good linearities (R = 0.9992-0.9998) were obtained for five quaternary ammonium alkaloids, and the limits of detection and quantification were 0.5-1 and 1-2 μg/L, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of quaternary ammonium alkaloids in Chinese patent medicine. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Date Palm Tree Rhizosphere Is a Niche for Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria in the Oasis Ecosystem

PubMed Central

Gtari, Maher; Boudabous, Abdellatif; Daffonchio, Daniele; Ouzari, Hadda-Imene

2015-01-01

In arid ecosystems environmental factors such as geoclimatic conditions and agricultural practices are of major importance in shaping the diversity and functionality of plant-associated bacterial communities. Assessing the influence of such factors is a key to understand (i) the driving forces determining the shape of root-associated bacterial communities and (ii) the plant growth promoting (PGP) services they provide. Desert oasis environment was chosen as model ecosystem where agriculture is possible by the microclimate determined by the date palm cultivation. The bacterial communities in the soil fractions associated with the root system of date palms cultivated in seven oases in Tunisia were assessed by culture-independent and dependent approaches. According to 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE fingerprinting, the shapes of the date palm rhizosphere bacterial communities correlate with geoclimatic features along a north-south aridity transect. Despite the fact that the date palm root bacterial community structure was strongly influenced by macroecological factors, the potential rhizosphere services reflected in the PGP traits of isolates screened in vitro were conserved among the different oases. Such services were exerted by the 83% of the screened isolates. The comparable numbers and types of PGP traits indicate their importance in maintaining the plant functional homeostasis despite the different environmental selection pressures. PMID:25866759

The date palm tree rhizosphere is a niche for plant growth promoting bacteria in the oasis ecosystem.

PubMed

Ferjani, Raoudha; Marasco, Ramona; Rolli, Eleonora; Cherif, Hanene; Cherif, Ameur; Gtari, Maher; Boudabous, Abdellatif; Daffonchio, Daniele; Ouzari, Hadda-Imene

2015-01-01

In arid ecosystems environmental factors such as geoclimatic conditions and agricultural practices are of major importance in shaping the diversity and functionality of plant-associated bacterial communities. Assessing the influence of such factors is a key to understand (i) the driving forces determining the shape of root-associated bacterial communities and (ii) the plant growth promoting (PGP) services they provide. Desert oasis environment was chosen as model ecosystem where agriculture is possible by the microclimate determined by the date palm cultivation. The bacterial communities in the soil fractions associated with the root system of date palms cultivated in seven oases in Tunisia were assessed by culture-independent and dependent approaches. According to 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE fingerprinting, the shapes of the date palm rhizosphere bacterial communities correlate with geoclimatic features along a north-south aridity transect. Despite the fact that the date palm root bacterial community structure was strongly influenced by macroecological factors, the potential rhizosphere services reflected in the PGP traits of isolates screened in vitro were conserved among the different oases. Such services were exerted by the 83% of the screened isolates. The comparable numbers and types of PGP traits indicate their importance in maintaining the plant functional homeostasis despite the different environmental selection pressures.

Synthesis of [11C]palmitic acid for PET imaging using a single molecular sieve 13X cartridge for reagent trapping, radiolabeling and selective purification.

PubMed

Amor-Coarasa, Alejandro; Kelly, James M; Babich, John W

2015-08-01

Radiolabeled fatty acids are valuable metabolic tracers for PET imaging. Carbon-11 is widely used in clinical PET studies due to the prevalence of facile techniques enabling the incorporation of [(11)C]CO2 and [(11)C]CH3 into molecules and a short half-life (20.4 min) that translates into low patient dose. However, the short half-life considerably limits the time for radiosynthesis. Furthermore, the majority of the syntheses of [(11)C]palmitic acid in common use employ high starting [(11)C]CO2 activities and/or expensive equipment. [(11)C]CO2 was trapped with greater than 99.99% efficiency by a three stage cartridge packed with molecular sieve 13X, 100-120 mesh. The labeling of n-pentadecylmagnesium bromide took place in 5 min in the cartridge, and the [(11)C]palmitic acid product was selectively eluted in ethanol following alkaline and acidic washes of the column. The system reliably produced more than 925 MBq (25 mCi) of [(11)C]palmitic acid suitable for human use from 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) of [(11)C]CO2 in 8 min from end-of-bombardment. We have exploited the properties of the inexpensive molecular sieve 13X to develop a miniature, disposable and leak tight "gas capture" system for the rapid labeling and purification of [(11)C]fatty acids in good yield and >99% radiochemical purity. The rapidity of the synthesis and purification allows small [(11)C]CO2 starting activities to be used, and with no requirement for expensive synthesis equipment or facilities, the system can be implemented in any radiopharmaceutical center. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fired Cartridge Case Identification Using Optical Images and the Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) Method.

PubMed

Tong, Mingsi; Song, John; Chu, Wei; Thompson, Robert M

2014-01-01

The Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) method for ballistics identification was invented at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CMC method is based on the correlation of pairs of small correlation cells instead of the correlation of entire images. Four identification parameters - T CCF, T θ, T x and T y are proposed for identifying correlated cell pairs originating from the same firearm. The correlation conclusion (matching or non-matching) is determined by whether the number of CMC is ≥ 6. This method has been previously validated using a set of 780 pair-wise 3D topography images. However, most ballistic images stored in current local and national databases are in an optical intensity (grayscale) format. As a result, the reliability of applying the CMC method on optical intensity images is an important issue. In this paper, optical intensity images of breech face impressions captured on the same set of 40 cartridge cases are correlated and analyzed for the validation test of CMC method using optical images. This includes correlations of 63 pairs of matching images and 717 pairs of non-matching images under top ring lighting. Tests of the method do not produce any false identification (false positive) or false exclusion (false negative) results, which support the CMC method and the proposed identification criterion, C = 6, for firearm breech face identifications using optical intensity images.

Fired Cartridge Case Identification Using Optical Images and the Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) Method

PubMed Central

Tong, Mingsi; Song, John; Chu, Wei; Thompson, Robert M

2014-01-01

The Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) method for ballistics identification was invented at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CMC method is based on the correlation of pairs of small correlation cells instead of the correlation of entire images. Four identification parameters – TCCF, Tθ, Tx and Ty are proposed for identifying correlated cell pairs originating from the same firearm. The correlation conclusion (matching or non-matching) is determined by whether the number of CMC is ≥ 6. This method has been previously validated using a set of 780 pair-wise 3D topography images. However, most ballistic images stored in current local and national databases are in an optical intensity (grayscale) format. As a result, the reliability of applying the CMC method on optical intensity images is an important issue. In this paper, optical intensity images of breech face impressions captured on the same set of 40 cartridge cases are correlated and analyzed for the validation test of CMC method using optical images. This includes correlations of 63 pairs of matching images and 717 pairs of non-matching images under top ring lighting. Tests of the method do not produce any false identification (false positive) or false exclusion (false negative) results, which support the CMC method and the proposed identification criterion, C = 6, for firearm breech face identifications using optical intensity images. PMID:26601045

[The role of the comprehensive approach for the characteristic of the destructive effect of a non-lethal cartridge with two rubber bullets].

PubMed

Stragis, V B; Makarov, I Yu; Karelin, V V; Shevchuk, D Yu; Chechenin, E S

This article was designed to report the results of forensic medical, criminalistics, and comprehensive expertise of the subject who suffered from a non-perforating shotgun wound affecting the soft tissues and blood vessels in the femoral region. It was shown that only the scrutinous comprehensive full-scale expert examination of the injured site in the framework of forensic medical expertise makes it possible to exclude the probability of the expert error and formulate the reliable and substantiated conclusion as regards the fact and the conditions of the shotgun injury by a concrete type of the cartridge (e.g. having a caliber equal to 410/76 Stopper-2) with two spherical rubber bullets fired from a known weapon (Saiga-410S hunting carbine).

Epithelial cancers and photon migration: Monte Carlo simulations and diffuse reflectance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tubiana, Jerome; Kass, Alex J.; Newman, Maya Y.; Levitz, David

2015-07-01

Detecting pre-cancer in epithelial tissues such as the cervix is a challenging task in low-resources settings. In an effort to achieve low cost cervical cancer screening and diagnostic method for use in low resource settings, mobile colposcopes that use a smartphone as their engine have been developed. Designing image analysis software suited for this task requires proper modeling of light propagation from the abnormalities inside tissues to the camera of the smartphones. Different simulation methods have been developed in the past, by solving light diffusion equations, or running Monte Carlo simulations. Several algorithms exist for the latter, including MCML and the recently developed MCX. For imaging purpose, the observable parameter of interest is the reflectance profile of a tissue under some specific pattern of illumination and optical setup. Extensions of the MCX algorithm to simulate this observable under these conditions were developed. These extensions were validated against MCML and diffusion theory for the simple case of contact measurements, and reflectance profiles under colposcopy imaging geometry were also simulated. To validate this model, the diffuse reflectance profiles of tissue phantoms were measured with a spectrometer under several illumination and optical settings for various homogeneous tissues phantoms. The measured reflectance profiles showed a non-trivial deviation across the spectrum. Measurements of an added absorber experiment on a series of phantoms showed that absorption of dye scales linearly when fit to both MCX and diffusion models. More work is needed to integrate a pupil into the experiment.

Object-oriented feature extraction approach for mapping supraglacial debris in Schirmacher Oasis using very high-resolution satellite data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jawak, Shridhar D.; Jadhav, Ajay; Luis, Alvarinho J.

2016-05-01

Supraglacial debris was mapped in the Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica, by using WorldView-2 (WV-2) high resolution optical remote sensing data consisting of 8-band calibrated Gram Schmidt (GS)-sharpened and atmospherically corrected WV-2 imagery. This study is a preliminary attempt to develop an object-oriented rule set to extract supraglacial debris for Antarctic region using 8-spectral band imagery. Supraglacial debris was manually digitized from the satellite imagery to generate the ground reference data. Several trials were performed using few existing traditional pixel-based classification techniques and color-texture based object-oriented classification methods to extract supraglacial debris over a small domain of the study area. Multi-level segmentation and attributes such as scale, shape, size, compactness along with spectral information from the data were used for developing the rule set. The quantitative analysis of error was carried out against the manually digitized reference data to test the practicability of our approach over the traditional pixel-based methods. Our results indicate that OBIA-based approach (overall accuracy: 93%) for extracting supraglacial debris performed better than all the traditional pixel-based methods (overall accuracy: 80-85%). The present attempt provides a comprehensive improved method for semiautomatic feature extraction in supraglacial environment and a new direction in the cryospheric research.

Effect of UV-B radiation on UV absorbing compounds and pigments of moss and lichen of Schirmacher oasis region, East Antarctica.

PubMed

Singh, J; Gautam, S; Bhushan Pant, A

2012-12-22

The survival of Antarctic flora under ozone depletion depends on their ability to acclimate against increasing UV—B radiation by employing photo protective mechanisms either by avoiding or repairing UV—B damage. A fifteen days experiment was designed to study moss (Bryum argenteum) and lichen (Umbilicaria aprina) under natural UV—B exposure and under UV filter frames at the Maitri region of Schirmacher oasis, East Antarctica. Changes in UV absorbing compounds, phenolics, carotenoids and chlorophyll content were studied for continuous fifteen days and significant changes were observed in the UV exposed plants of B. argenteum and U. aprina. The change in the UV absorbing compounds was more significant in B. argenteum (P<0.0001) than U. aprina (P<0.0002). The change in phenolic contents and total carotenoid content was significant (P<0.0001) in both B. argenteum and lichen U. aprina indicating that the increase in UV absorbing compounds, phenolic contents and total carotenoid content act as a protective mechanism against the deleterious effect of UV—B radiations.

Conceptual framework and trend analysis of water-level responses to hydrologic stresses, Pahute Mesa–Oasis Valley groundwater basin, Nevada, 1966-2016

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jackson, Tracie R.; Fenelon, Joseph M.

2018-05-31

This report identifies water-level trends in wells and provides a conceptual framework that explains the hydrologic stresses and factors causing the trends in the Pahute Mesa–Oasis Valley (PMOV) groundwater basin, southern Nevada. Water levels in 79 wells were analyzed for trends between 1966 and 2016. The magnitude and duration of water-level responses to hydrologic stresses were analyzed graphically, statistically, and with water-level models.The conceptual framework consists of multiple stress-specific conceptual models to explain water-level responses to the following hydrologic stresses: recharge, evapotranspiration, pumping, nuclear testing, and wellbore equilibration. Dominant hydrologic stresses affecting water-level trends in each well were used to categorize trends as nonstatic, transient, or steady state.The conceptual framework of water-level responses to hydrologic stresses and trend analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of the PMOV basin and vicinity. The trend analysis links water-level fluctuations in wells to hydrologic stresses and potential factors causing the trends. Transient and steady-state trend categorizations can be used to determine the appropriate water-level data for groundwater studies.

Habitat restoration as a means of controlling non-native fish in a Mojave desert Oasis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scoppettone, G.G.; Rissler, P.H.; Gourley, C.; Martinez, C.

2005-01-01

Non-native fish generally cause native fish decline, and once non-natives are established, control or elimination is usually problematic. Because non-native fish colonization has been greatest in anthropogenically altered habitats, restoring habitat similar to predisturbance conditions may offer a viable means of non-native fish control. In this investigation we identified habitats favoring native over non-native fish in a Mojave Desert oasis (Ash Meadows) and used this information to restore one of its major warm water spring systems (Kings Pool Spring). Prior to restoration, native fishes predominated in warm water (25-32??C) stream and spring-pool habitat, whereas non-natives predominated in cool water (???23??C) spring-pool and marsh/slack water habitat. Native Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis) and Ash Meadows speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis) inhabited significantly faster mean water column velocities (MWCV) and greater total depth (TD) than non-native Sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) and Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in warm water stream habitat, and Ash Meadows speckled dace inhabited significantly faster water than non-natives in cool water stream habitat. Modification of the outflow of Kings Pool Spring from marsh to warm water stream, with MWCV, TD, and temperature favoring native fish, changed the fish composition from predominantly non-native Sailfin molly and Mosquitofish to predominantly Ash Meadows pupfish. This result supports the hypothesis that restoring spring systems to a semblance of predisturbance conditions would promote recolonization of native fishes and deter non-native fish invasion and proliferation. ?? 2005 Society for Ecological Restoration International.

Comprehensive determination of macrolide antibiotics, their synthesis intermediates and transformation products in wastewater effluents and ambient waters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Senta, Ivan; Krizman-Matasic, Ivona; Terzic, Senka; Ahel, Marijan

2017-08-04

Macrolide antibiotics are a prominent group of emerging contaminants frequently found in wastewater effluents and wastewater-impacted aquatic environments. In this work, a novel analytical method for simultaneous determination of parent macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin), along with their synthesis intermediates, byproducts, metabolites and transformation products in wastewater and surface water was developed and validated. Samples were enriched using solid-phase extraction on Oasis HLB cartridges and analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The target macrolide compounds were separated on an ACE C18 PFP column and detected using multiple reaction monitoring in positive ionization polarity. The optimized method, which included an additional extract clean-up on strong anion-exchange cartridges (SAX), resulted in high recoveries and accuracies, low matrix effects and improved chromatographic separation of the target compounds, even in highly complex matrices, such as raw wastewater. The developed method was applied to the analysis of macrolide compounds in wastewater and river water samples from Croatia. In addition to parent antibiotics, several previously unreported macrolide transformation products and/or synthesis intermediates were detected in municipal wastewater, some of them reaching μg/L levels. Moreover, extremely high concentrations of macrolides up to mg/L level were found in pharmaceutical industry effluents, indicating possible importance of this source to the total loads into ambient waters. The results revealed a significant contribution of synthesis intermediates and transformation products to the overall mass balance of macrolides in the aquatic environment. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Drastic Aridification Caused the Decline of Oasis Civilizations on the Silk Route during the Eighth Century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, K.; Song, S.; Huang, C.

2003-12-01

Availability of water, and response to shortage of it, plays an important role in shaping human history. Near a century ago, Ellsworth Huntington (1907) suggested that the developments of ancient civilizations in Inner Asian and their invasions into China and Europe were pulsed by climatic changes. In revisiting this proposition, here we present a paleoclimatic record of the past 5000 years deduced from carbon isotopic ratio of organic carbon and percentage of aragonite in bulk sediments of a radiometrically dated sedimentary core of Lake Bosten, Xinjiang, China. Together the two proxies of aridity provide a detailed record of climatic fluctuation of the Inner Asia. The arid periods are well characterized by high content of authigenic aragonite and heavier values of carbon isotopic ratio of organic carbon in the bulk sediments (implying dominance of C4 plants which thrived under arid condition). Conversely, the humid/wet periods are marked by lighter carbon isotopic values (indicating presence of C3 plants of humid climateœcand absence of aragonite. The Western Region (Xi-Y"1) area of China enjoyed a long period of stable and humid condition from 2nd century B.C. to the 8th century when many oasis city-states were established and Buddhism spread from India. A drastic deterioration of climate during the eighth century appears to cause the decline of those once strived ancient civilizations in the eastern side of the Tarim Basin along the Silk Routes.

Determination of carbonyl compounds generated from the E-cigarette using coupled silica cartridges impregnated with hydroquinone and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Ohta, Kazushi; Inaba, Yohei; Kunugita, Naoki

2013-01-01

Carbonyl compounds in E-cigarette smoke mist were measured using coupled silica cartridges impregnated with hydroquinone and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A total of 363 E-cigarettes (13 brands) were examined. Four of the 13 E-cigarette brands did not generate any carbonyl compounds, while the other nine E-cigarette brands generated various carbonyl compounds. However, the carbonyl concentrations of the E-cigarette products did not show typical distributions, and the mean values were largely different from the median values. It was elucidated that E-cigarettes incidentally generate high concentrations of carbonyl compounds.

Construction of a mutagenesis cartridge for poliovirus genome-linked viral protein: isolation and characterization of viable and nonviable mutants

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

Kuhn, R.J.; Tada, H.; Ypma-Wong, M.F.

1988-01-01

By following a strategy of genetic analysis of poliovirus, the authors have constructed a synthetic mutagenesis cartridge spanning the genome-linked viral protein coding region and flanking cleavage sites in an infectious cDNA clone of the type I (Mahoney) genome. The insertion of new restriction sites within the infectious clone has allowed them to replace the wild-type sequences with short complementary pairs of synthetic oligonucleotides containing various mutations. A set of mutations have been made that create methionine codons within the genome-linked viral protein region. The resulting viruses have growth characteristics similar to wild type. Experiments that led to an alterationmore » of the tyrosine residue responsible for the linkage to RNA have resulted in nonviable virus. In one mutant, proteolytic processing assayed in vitro appeared unimpaired by the mutation. They suggest that the position of the tyrosine residue is important for genome-linked viral protein function(s).« less

Investigating Premature Ignition of Thruster Pressure Cartridges by Vibration-Induced Electrostatic Discharge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woods, Stephen S.; Saulsberry, Regor

2010-01-01

Pyrotechnic thruster pressure cartridges (TPCs) are used for aeroshell separation on a new NASA crew launch vehicle. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) during TPC acceptance testing indicated that internal assemblies moved during shock and vibration testing due to an internal bond anomaly. This caused concerns that the launch environment might produce the same movement and release propellant grains that might be prematurely ignited through impact or through electrostatic discharge (ESD) as grains vibrated against internal surfaces. Since a new lot could not be fabricated in time, a determination had to be made as to whether the lot was acceptable to fly. This paper discusses the ESD evaluation and a separate paper addresses the impact problem. A challenge to straight forward assessment existed due to the unavailability of triboelectric data characterizing the static charging characteristics of the propellants within the TPC. The approach examined the physical limitations for charge buildup within the TPC system geometry and evaluated it for discharge under simulated vibrations used to qualify components for launch. A facsimile TPC was fabricated using SS 301 for the case and surrogate worst case materials for the propellants based on triboelectric data. System discharge behavior was evaluated by applying high voltage to the point of discharge in air and by placing worst case charge accumulations within the facsimile TPC and forcing discharge. The facsimile TPC contained simulated propellant grains and lycopodium, a well characterized indicator for static discharge in dust explosions, and was subjected to accelerations equivalent to the maximum accelerations possible during launch. The magnitude of charge generated within the facsimile TPC system was demonstrated to lie in a range of 100 to 10,000 times smaller than the spark energies measured to ignite propellant grains in industry standard discharge tests. The test apparatus, methodology, and results are described in

14CO2 processing using an improved and robust molecular sieve cartridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wotte, Anja; Wordell-Dietrich, Patrick; Wacker, Lukas; Don, Axel; Rethemeyer, Janet

2017-06-01

Radiocarbon (14C) analysis on CO2 can provide valuable information on the carbon cycle as different carbon pools differ in their 14C signature. While fresh, biogenic carbon shows atmospheric 14C concentrations, fossil carbon is 14C free. As shown in previous studies, CO2 can be collected for 14C analysis using molecular sieve cartridges (MSC). These devices have previously been made of plastic and glass, which can easily be damaged during transport. We thus constructed a robust MSC suitable for field application under tough conditions or in remote areas, which is entirely made of stainless steel. The new MSC should also be tight over several months to allow long sampling campaigns and transport times, which was proven by a one year storage test. The reliability of the 14CO2 results obtained with the MSC was evaluated by detailed tests of different procedures to clean the molecular sieve (zeolite type 13X) and for the adsorption and desorption of CO2 from the zeolite using a vacuum rig. We show that the 14CO2 results are not affected by any contamination of modern or fossil origin, cross contamination from previous samples, and by carbon isotopic fractionation. In addition, we evaluated the direct CO2 transfer from the MSC into the automatic graphitization equipment AGE with the subsequent 14C AMS analysis as graphite. This semi-automatic approach can be fully automated in the future, which would allow a high sample throughput. We obtained very promising, low blank values between 0.0018 and 0.0028 F14C (equivalent to 50,800 and 47,200 yrs BP), which are within the analytical background and lower than results obtained in previous studies.

The bivalve Placuna (Indoplacuna) miocenica from the Middle Miocene of Siwa Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt: Systematic paleontology, paleoecology, and taphonomic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Sabbagh, Ahmed M.; El Hedeny, Magdy M.; Rashwan, Mohammed A.; Abdel Aal, Abdel Aal A.

2016-04-01

The present study investigated the epifaunal, free lying bivalve Placuna (Indoplacuna) miocenica (Fuchs, 1883) encountered in the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation of Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt, in terms of systematic paleontology, paleoecology and taphonomy. Well to moderately preserved shells of this species were collected from three sections. They have been found embedded in sandy, marly and chalky limestones. Although they are extremely thin and fragile, they occurred as complete disarticulated and articulated valves. Specimens of P. (I.) miocenica are highly accumulated in the north Siwa section forming a coquinoid band (30 cm thick). In addition, they are generally distributed sporadically in different stratigraphic levels within the three studied sequences. Taphonomic observations indicated that these shells were affected by encrustation, bioerosion, disarticulation, fragmentation and abrasion. Moreover, valves of this species suffered minor chipping along their fragile margins. The occurrence of the studied species associated with oysters and other benthic faunal assemblages within carbonate sediments revealed shallow, low energy, warm and intertidal environments with periods of relatively agitated conditions.

Determination of volatile organic compounds including alcohols in refill fluids and cartridges of electronic cigarettes by headspace solid-phase micro extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lim, Hyun-Hee; Shin, Ho-Sang

2017-02-01

An analytical method for the detection of 14 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was developed to investigate VOCs in refill fluids and cartridges of electronic cigarettes (EC) using headspace solid-phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 14 VOCs were identified and quantified in 283 flavored liquids, 21 nicotine liquids, and 12 disposable cartridges. The detected concentration ranges of the VOCs are as follows: benzene (0.008-2.28 mg L -1 ), toluene (0.006-0.687 mg L -1 ), ethylbenzene (0.01-1.21 mg L -1 ), m-xylene (0.002-1.13 mg L -1 ), p-xylene (0.007-2.8 mg L -1 ), o-xylene (0.004-2.27 mg L -1 ), styrene (0.011-0.339 mg L -1 ), ethyl acetate (0.3-669.9 mg L -1 ), ethanol (16-38,742 mg L -1 ), methanol (66-3375 mg L -1 ), pyridine (0.077-99.7 mg L -1 ), acetylpyrazine (0.077-147 mg L -1 ), 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (0.008-96.8 mg L -1 ), and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (0.1-57.2 mg L -1 ). Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and o-xylene coexisted in samples, which may have originated from the use of petrogenic hydrocarbons as an extraction solvent for flavor and nicotine from natural plants. The maximum detected concentrations of benzene, methanol, and ethanol in liquid samples were found in quantities higher than their authorized maximum limits as residual solvents in pharmaceutical products.

Coherence of neuronal firing of the entopeduncular nucleus with motor cortex oscillatory activity in the 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease with levodopa-induced dyskinesias.

PubMed

Jin, Xingxing; Schwabe, Kerstin; Krauss, Joachim K; Alam, Mesbah

2016-04-01

The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease (PD) after long-term treatment with levodopa remain unclear. This study investigates the neuronal firing characteristics of the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN), the rat equivalent of the human globus pallidus internus and output nucleus of the basal ganglia, and its coherence with the motor cortex (MCx) field potentials in the unilateral 6-OHDA rat model of PD with and without levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID). 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned hemiparkinsonian (HP) rats, 6-OHDA-lesioned HP rats with LID (HP-LID) rats, and naïve controls were used for recording of single-unit activity under urethane (1.4 g/kg, i.p) anesthesia in the EPN "on" and "off" levodopa. Over the MCx, the electrocorticogram output was recorded. Analysis of single-unit activity in the EPN showed enhanced firing rates, burst activity, and irregularity compared to naïve controls, which did not differ between drug-naïve HP and HP-LID rats. Analysis of EPN spike coherence and phase-locked ratio with MCx field potentials showed a shift of low (12-19 Hz) and high (19-30 Hz) beta oscillatory activity between HP and HP-LID groups. EPN theta phase-locked ratio was only enhanced in HP-LID compared to HP rats. Overall, levodopa injection had no stronger effect in HP-LID rats than in HP rats. Altered coherence and changes in the phase lock ratio of spike and local field potentials in the beta range may play a role for the development of LID.

Evidence for direct water absorption by shallow-rooted desert plants in desert-oasis ecotone, Northwest China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Jing

2014-05-01

Besides the absorption by roots from the soil substrate, it has long been known that plants exhibit alternative water-absorption strategies, particularly in drought-prone environments. For many tropical epiphytic orchids, air moisture can be absorbed directly by aerial roots. Some conifers are also found to utilize air moisture by foliar absorption during the summer fog season. However, few studies have been carried out on the atmospheric water vapor absorption by shallow-rooted desert plants. We conducted experiments in desert-oasis ecotone and investigated the effects of dew absorbed by three kinds of shallow-rooted seedlings on net photosynthesis rate, as well as on other water relations variables. Three kinds of typical shallow-rooted desert species (Bassia dasyphylla, Salsola collina and Corispermum declinatum) have been chosen and potted. Each species were subjected to contrasting watering regimes (normal and deficient) and different air moisture conditions (having dew and having no dew) for 10 weeks. Net photosynthesis rate was measured on six occasions during the study. Other water relations variables (midday shoot water potential, relative water content, stomatal conductance) were also measured. Under the dew conditions, average net photosynthesis rate, shoot water potential, leaf relative water content and stomatal conductance increased, with greater responses observed for plants subjected to a deficient watering regime than for well-watered plants. These results indicated dew occurred in arid region could be utilized through foliar absorption by some shallow-rooted plants, and for the shallow-rooted plants, the presence of dew could significantly relieve the deficit of water in water-stressed regime.

Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injuries and postpartum anal and urinary incontinence: a case-control trial.

PubMed

Burrell, Madeline; Dilgir, Sapna; Patton, Vicki; Parkin, Katrina; Karantanis, Emmanuel

2015-03-01

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) cause serious maternal morbidity for mothers. A clearer understanding of aetiological factors is needed. We aimed to determine the risk factors for OASIS . Birth details of 222 primiparous women sustaining OASIS were compared with 174 women who did not sustain OASIS (controls) to determine the relevant risk factors. The data underwent univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. Asian or Indian ethnicity, operative vaginal birth (p = 0.00), persistent occipito-posterior position (p = 0.038) and rapid uncontrolled delivery of the head were identified as risk factors for OASIS. Pushing time, use of epidural, episiotomy and head circumference were not predictors of OASIS. Women with Asian or Indian ethnicity, operative vaginal birth, persistent occipito-posterior position and rapid uncontrolled delivery of the fetal head were likely to sustain OASIS. Awareness of these factors may help to minimise the incidence of OASIS.

Rapid and simple detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus: Evaluation of a cartridge-based molecular detection system for use in basic laboratories.

PubMed

Goller, K V; Dill, V; Madi, M; Martin, P; Van der Stede, Y; Vandenberge, V; Haas, B; Van Borm, S; Koenen, F; Kasanga, C J; Ndusilo, N; Beer, M; Liu, L; Mioulet, V; Armson, B; King, D P; Fowler, V L

2018-04-01

Highly contagious transboundary animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are major threats to the productivity of farm animals. To limit the impact of outbreaks and to take efficient steps towards a timely control and eradication of the disease, rapid and reliable diagnostic systems are of utmost importance. Confirmatory diagnostic assays are typically performed by experienced operators in specialized laboratories, and access to this capability is often limited in the developing countries with the highest disease burden. Advances in molecular technologies allow implementation of modern and reliable techniques for quick and simple pathogen detection either in basic laboratories or even at the pen-side. Here, we report on a study to evaluate a fully automated cartridge-based real-time RT-PCR diagnostic system (Enigma MiniLab ® ) for the detection of FMD virus (FMDV). The modular system integrates both nucleic acid extraction and downstream real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). The analytical sensitivity of this assay was determined using serially diluted culture grown FMDV, and the performance of the assay was evaluated using a selected range of FMDV positive and negative clinical samples of bovine, porcine and ovine origin. The robustness of the assay was evaluated in an international inter-laboratory proficiency test and by deployment into an African laboratory. It was demonstrated that the system is easy to use and can detect FMDV with high sensitivity and specificity, roughly on par with standard laboratory methods. This cartridge-based automated real-time RT-PCR system for the detection of FMDV represents a reliable and easy to use diagnostic tool for the early and rapid disease detection of acutely infected animals even in remote areas. This type of system could be easily deployed for routine surveillance within endemic regions such as Africa or could alternatively be used in the developed world. © 2017 The Authors. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

[Simultaneous determination of 22 typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products in environmental water using ultra performance liquid chromatography- triple quadrupole mass spectrometry].

PubMed

Wu, Chunying; Gu, Feng; Bai, Lu; Lu, Wenlong

2015-08-01

An analytical method for simultaneous determination of 22 typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in environmental water samples was developed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). An Oasis HLB solid phase extraction cartridge, methanol as washing solution, water containing 0. 1% formic acid-methanol (7:3, v/v) as the mobile phases were selected for sample pretreatment and chromatographic separation. Based on the optimized sample pretreatment procedures and separation condition, the target recoveries ranged from 73% to 125% in water with the relative standard deviations ( RSDs) from 8.8% to 17.5%, and the linear ranges were from 2 to 2 000 µg/L with correlation coefficients (R2) not less than 0.997. The method can be applied to simultaneous determination of the 22 typical PPCPs in environmental water samples because of its low detection limits and high recoveries. It can provide support and help for the related research on water environmental risk assessment and control of the micro-organic pollutants.

Hot-water and solid-phase extraction of fluorescent whitening agents in paper materials and infant clothes followed by unequivocal determination with ion-pair chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Chen, Hsin-Chang; Ding, Wang-Hsien

2006-03-10

A comprehensive method for the determination of four stilbene-type disulfonate and one distyrylbiphenyl-type fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) in paper materials (napkin and paper tissue) and infant clothes was developed. FWAs were extracted from paper material and cloth samples using a hot-water extraction, and the aqueous extracts were then preconcentrated with the newly developed Oasis WAX (mixed-mode of weak anion exchange and reversed-phase sorbent) solid-phase extraction cartridge. The analytes were unequivocal determined by ion pair chromatography coupled with negative electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS), applying a di-n-hexyl-ammonium acetate (DHAA) as the ion-pairing reagent in mobile phase. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) were established between 0.2 and 0.9 ng/g in 2 g of samples. Recovery of five FWAs in spiked commercial samples was between 42 and 95% and RSD (n = 3) ranging from 2 to 11%. The method was finally applied to commercial samples, showing that two stilbene-type disulfonates were predominant FWAs detected in napkin and infant cloth samples.

Solving matrix effects exploiting the second-order advantage in the resolution and determination of eight tetracycline antibiotics in effluent wastewater by modelling liquid chromatography data with multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares and unfolded-partial least squares followed by residual bilinearization algorithms II. Prediction and figures of merit.

PubMed

García, M D Gil; Culzoni, M J; De Zan, M M; Valverde, R Santiago; Galera, M Martínez; Goicoechea, H C

2008-02-01

A new powerful algorithm (unfolded-partial least squares followed by residual bilinearization (U-PLS/RBL)) was applied for first time on second-order liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD) data and compared with a well-known established method (multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS)) for the simultaneous determination of eight tetracyclines (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, meclocycline, minocycline, metacycline, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline and doxycycline) in wastewaters. Tetracyclines were pre-concentrated using Oasis Max C18 cartridges and then separated on a Thermo Aquasil C18 (150 mm x 4.6mm, 5 microm) column. The whole method was validated using Milli-Q water samples and both univariate and multivariate analytical figures of merit were obtained. Additionally, two data pre-treatment were applied (baseline correction and piecewise direct standardization), which allowed to correct the effect of breakthrough and to reduce the total interferences retained after pre-concentration of wastewaters. The results showed that the eight tetracycline antibiotics can be successfully determined in wastewaters, the drawbacks due to matrix interferences being adequately handled and overcome by using U-PSL/RBL.

Hair testing for cocaine and metabolites by GC/MS: criteria to quantitatively assess cocaine use.

PubMed

López-Guarnido, O; Álvarez, I; Gil, F; Rodrigo, L; Cataño, H C; Bermejo, A M; Tabernero, M J; Pla, A; Hernández, A F

2013-08-01

A simple, rapid and sensitive method has been developed and validated for the determination of cocaine and its main metabolites (benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene) in human hair. The method involved solid-phase extraction with an Oasis HLB extraction cartridge and subsequent analysis by GC/MS. The limit of detection was 0.01 ng mg(-1) for cocaine, 0.04 for benzoylecgonine and 0.03 for cocaethylene. The method validation included linearity (with a correlation coefficient >0.99 over the range 0.2-50 ng mg(-1) ), intra- and inter-day precision (always lower than 12%) and accuracy (mean relative error always below 17%) to meet the bioanalytical acceptance criteria. The procedure was further applied to 40 hair samples from self-reported cocaine users arrested by the police who provided a positive urine-analysis for cocaine, and was demonstrated to be suitable for its application in forensic toxicology. New approaches were raised to detect false-negative results that allow a better interpretation of hair testing results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the River Po watershed in N-Italy.

PubMed

Loos, Robert; Locoro, Giovanni; Huber, Tania; Wollgast, Jan; Christoph, Eugen H; de Jager, Alfred; Manfred Gawlik, Bernd; Hanke, Georg; Umlauf, Gunther; Zaldívar, José-Manuel

2008-03-01

C7-C11 perfluorinated carboxylates (PFACs) and perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) were analysed in selected stretches of the River Po and its major tributaries. Analyses were performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with Oasis HLB cartridges and methanol elution followed by LC-MS-MS detection using 13C-labelled internal standards. High concentration levels ( approximately 1.3 microg l(-1)) of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were detected in the Tánaro River close to the city Alessandria. After this tributary, levels between 60 and 337 ng l(-1) were measured in the Po River on several occasions. The PFOA concentration close to the river mouth in Ferrara was between 60 and 174 ng l(-1). Using the river discharge flow data in m3 s(-1) at this point (average approximately 920 m3 s(-1) for the year 2006), a mass load of approximately 0.3 kg PFOA per hour or approximately 2.6 tons per year discharged in the Adriatic Sea has been calculated. PFOS concentration levels in the Po River at Ferrara were approximately 10 ng l(-1).

Analysis of oxytetracycline in water using a portable analyzer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Guoying; Braden, Susan; Qin, Feng

2006-10-01

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is extensively used in aquaculture worldwide for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Most of the drug, however, is discharged into the marine environment due to leaching from medicated feed and poor gastrointestinal (GI) absorption. Without exposure to sun light OTC has a long lifetime in the marine environment, therefore it is important to monitor and study its occurrence, distribution, fate and impact on the ecosystem. A portable tetracycline (TC) analyzer was developed in this laboratory for this purpose based on europium-sensitized luminescence. In this study, an assay method is developed for OTC analysis in water using this instrument. Water samples are filtered with glass wool; and solid phase extraction (SPE) is performed using Oasis HLB cartridges for OTC extraction and cleanup. Following reagent application, the samples are excited by 385 nm LED pulses; and time-resolved luminescence (TRL) is measured at 610 nm by a photomultiplier tube. A 0-3 ppm linear dynamic range (r2 = 0.9988) and a 0.021 ppb limit of detection were achieved with a typical <5% relative standard deviation.

Determination of sulfonamides in selected Malaysian swine wastewater by high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Malintan, Nancy T; Mohd, Mustafa Ali

2006-09-15

An analytical HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of eight sulfonamides in swine wastewater was developed. The samples were collected from three states in Malaysia. Sample clean up was carried out by employing solid-phase extraction using a 60 mg Oasis HLB (Waters) cartridge with 3 ml reservoir. The HPLC column used was Supelcosil C18 (250 mm x 4.6mm I.D.) and elution was carried out using gradient mode. The mobile phases used were acetonitrile and 0.5% acetic acid in purified water. Antibiotics were detected using UV absorbance at 272 nm. Recoveries obtained for sulphanilamide ranged from 31.9+/-5.1% to 36.2+/-1.0%, while recoveries for other sulfa drugs studied were from 91.9+/-5.0% to 106.0+/-1.1%. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine and sulfamethoxypyridazine was 7.5 ng/L, while the LOQ for the other studied antibiotics was 5.0 ng/L. The method was used to analyse sulfonamides in wastewater collected from selected Malaysian swine facilities.

Fractionation and characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in refinery wastewater by revised phase retention and ion-exchange adsorption solid phase extraction followed by ESI FT-ICR MS.

PubMed

Fang, Zhi; He, Chen; Li, Yongyong; Chung, Keng H; Xu, Chunming; Shi, Quan

2017-01-01

Although the progress of high resolution mass spectrometry in the past decade has enabled the molecular characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water as a whole, fractionation of DOM is necessary for a comprehensive characterization due to its super-complex nature. Here we proposed a method for the fractionation of DOM in a wastewater based on solubility and acidic-basic properties. Solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges with reversed phase retention and ion-exchange adsorption capacities, namely MAX and MCX, were used in succession to fractionate a petroleum refinery wastewater into four fractions: hydrophobic acid (HOA), hydrophobic neutral (HON), hydrophobic base (HOB), and hydrophilic substance (HIS) fractions. According to the total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, 72.6% (in term of TOC) of DOM was extracted in hydrophobic fractions, in which HON was the most abundant. Hydrophobic extracts were characterized by negative and positive ion electrospray (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), respectively. Compounds with multiple oxygen atoms were predominant in the HOA, which were responded strongly in the negative ESI MS. Nitrogen containing compounds were the major detected species by positive ion ESI in all hydrophobic fractions. The molecular composition of the DOM were discussed based on the FT-ICR MS results. The fractionation provided salt free samples which enables the direct analysis of the fractions by ESI and a deep insight into the molecular composition of DOM in the wastewater. The method is potential for routine evaluation of DOM in industry wastewaters, as well as environmental water samples. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Simplified and robust one-step radiosynthesis of [18 F]DCFPyL via direct radiofluorination and cartridge-based purification.

PubMed

Dornan, Mark H; Simard, José-Mathieu; Leblond, Antoine; Juneau, Daniel; Delouya, Guila; Saad, Fred; Ménard, Cynthia; DaSilva, Jean N

2018-05-02

[ 18 F]DCFPyL is a clinical-stage PET radiotracer used to image prostate cancer. This report details the efficient production of [ 18 F]DCFPyL using single-step direct radiofluorination, without the use of carboxylic acid-protecting groups. Radiolabeling reaction optimization studies revealed an inverse correlation between the amount of precursor used and the radiochemical yield. This simplified approach enabled automated preparation of [ 18 F]DCFPyL within 28 minutes using HPLC purification (26% ± 6%, at EOS, n = 4), which was then scaled up for large-batch production to generate 1.46 ± 0.23 Ci of [ 18 F]DCFPyL at EOS (n = 7) in high molar activity (37 933 ± 4158 mCi/μmol, 1403 ± 153 GBq/μmol, at EOS, n = 7). Further, this work enabled the development of [ 18 F]DCFPyL production in 21 minutes using an easy cartridge-based purification (25% ± 9% radiochemical yield, at EOS, n = 3). Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The coastal oasis: ice age springs on emerged continental shelves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faure, Hugues; Walter, Robert C.; Grant, Douglas R.

2002-06-01

As ice caps expanded during each of the last five glaciations, sea level fell at least 120 m below current levels, exposing continental shelves worldwide to create vast areas of new land. As a result of this exposure, the ecology, climate, pedology, and geology of global shorelines were dramatically transformed, which in turn altered the carbon cycle and biodynamics of this new landmass. In this paper, we focus on a little-known hydrogeological phenomenon that may have had profound influences on biodiversity, human evolution, and carbon storage during periods of severe climatic stress of the Pleistocene Ice Ages. We propose that freshwater springs appeared on emerged continental shelves because falling sea level not only drew down and steepened the coastal water table gradient, thus increasing the hydrostatic head on inland groundwater aquifers, but also removed up to 120 m of hydrostatic pressure on the shelf, further enhancing groundwater flow. We call this phenomenon the "coastal oasis", a model based on three well-established facts. (1) In all coastal areas of the world, continental aquifers discharge a continuous flow of fresh water to the oceans. (2) Many submarine sedimentary and morphological features, as well as seepages and flow of fresh water, are known on and below the shelves from petroleum explorations, deep-sea drilling programs, and mariners' observations. (3) Hydraulic principles (Darcy's law) predict increased groundwater flow at the coast when sea level drops because the piezometric head increases by the equivalent depth of sea-level lowering. Sea level is presently in a relatively high interglacial position. Direct observation and verification of our model is difficult and must rely on explorations of terrain that are now deeply submerged on continental shelves. For this reason, we draw parallels between our predicted model and simple, well-exposed terrestrial hydrological systems, such as present-day springs that appear on the exposed shores of

Oasis desert farming selects environment-specific date palm root endophytic communities and cultivable bacteria that promote resistance to drought.

PubMed

Cherif, Hanene; Marasco, Ramona; Rolli, Eleonora; Ferjani, Raoudha; Fusi, Marco; Soussi, Asma; Mapelli, Francesca; Blilou, Ikram; Borin, Sara; Boudabous, Abdellatif; Cherif, Ameur; Daffonchio, Daniele; Ouzari, Hadda

2015-08-01

Oases are desert-farming agro-ecosystems, where date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plays a keystone role in offsetting the effects of drought and maintaining a suitable microclimate for agriculture. At present, abundance, diversity and plant growth promotion (PGP) of date palm root-associated bacteria remain unknown. Considering the environmental pressure determined by the water scarcity in the desert environments, we hypothesized that bacteria associated with date palm roots improve plant resistance to drought. Here, the ecology of date palm root endophytes from oases in the Tunisian Sahara was studied with emphasis on their capacity to promote growth under drought. Endophytic communities segregated along a north-south gradient in correlation with geo-climatic parameters. Screening of 120 endophytes indicated that date palm roots select for bacteria with multiple PGP traits. Bacteria rapidly cross-colonized the root tissues of different species of plants, including the original Tunisian date palm cultivar, Saudi Arabian cultivars and Arabidopsis. Selected endophytes significantly increased the biomass of date palms exposed to repeated drought stress periods during a 9-month greenhouse experiment. Overall, results indicate that date palm roots shape endophytic communities that are capable to promote plant growth under drought conditions, thereby contributing an essential ecological service to the entire oasis ecosystem. © 2015 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Sedimentological and geochemical investigations to understand source of sediments and processes of recent past in Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, Shabnam; Tiwari, Anoop Kumar; Nayak, G. N.; Bejugam, Purnima

2018-03-01

Three sediment cores collected from GL-1, V-1(Vetehiya) and L-6 lakes of Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica were studied for sediment components (sand, silt, clay, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, TOC/TN ratio and biogenic silica), major elements (Aluminium, Iron and Manganese) and trace metals (Chromium, Zinc, Lead, Cobalt, Cadmium and Nickel). High sand content in all the three cores revealed the release of coarser sediments through mechanical weathering in fluvio-glacial environment. Relatively, high biogenic silica along with high total organic carbon associated with high clay in some sections indicated high primary productivity due to the warming and exposure of the lakes to the ice-melt water influx. TOC/TN ratio for all the cores was found to be < 10 which indicated that the major source of organic matter was autochthonous. Metals were found to be strongly associated with clay and organic carbon in core V-1, with sand and clay in core L-6 while, with silt and organic matter in core GL-1 indicating their role in regulating the distribution of metals. Cadmium in lake GL-1 was found to be associated with total organic carbon and showed largely biogenic origin, while, Cd and Pb in lakes L-6 and V-1 were found to be of anthropogenic origin. All the other metals showed signatures of lithogenic origin.

The impact of first birth obstetric anal sphincter injury on the subsequent birth: a population-based linkage study.

PubMed

Ampt, Amanda J; Roberts, Christine L; Morris, Jonathan M; Ford, Jane B

2015-02-13

With rising obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) rates, the number of women at risk of OASI recurrence is in turn increasing. Decisions regarding mode of subsequent birth following an OASI are complex, and depend on a variety of factors. We sought to identify the risk factors for OASI recurrence from first and subsequent births, and to investigate the effect of OASI birth factors on planned caesarean for the second birth. Using two linked population datasets from New South Wales, Australia, we selected women giving birth between 2001 and 2011 with a first birth OASI and a subsequent birth. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the association of first and second birth factors with OASI recurrence, and to determine which factors were associated with a planned pre-labour caesarean at the second birth. Of 6,380 women with a first birth OASI who proceeded to a subsequent birth, 75.4% had a vaginal second birth, 19.4% a pre-labour caesarean, and 5.2% an intrapartum caesarean. Although the OASI recurrence rate of 5.7% was significantly higher than the first birth OASI rate of 4.5% (p < 0.01), this may not reflect a clinically significant increase. Following adjustment for first and second birth factors, first birth diabetes and second birthweight ≥3.5 kg were associated with increased likelihood of OASI recurrence, while first birthweight ≥4.0 kg and second gestation at 37-38 weeks were associated with decreased likelihood. A fourth degree tear at the first birth was the strongest factor associated with planned caesarean at the second birth, with other factors including epidural, spinal or general anaesthetic, birthweight, gestation, country of birth and maternal age. Compared with previous reports, the low OASI recurrence rate (approximately one in twenty) may reflect appropriate decision-making about subsequent mode of delivery following first birth OASI. This assertion is supported by evidence of different risk profiles for women who have