Separation and identification of carotenoids and their oxidation products in the extracts of human plasma.

Eighteen carotenoids as well as vitamin A and two forms of vitamin E (gamma- and alpha-tocopherol) have been separated from extracts of human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on reversed-phase and sillca-based nitrile-bonded columns. In the order of chromatographic elution on a C18 reversed-phase column, the carotenoids were identified as (3R,3'R,6'R)-beta, epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol [(3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein], (3R,3'R)-beta, beta-carotene-3,3'-diol [(3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin], 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-psi,psi-carotene, 3-hydroxy-2',3'-didehydro-beta,epsilon-caroten-3-ol, 3-hydroxy-beta-carotene,psi,psi-carotene, 7,8-dihydro-psi,psi-carotene, beta,psi-carotene, 7,8,7',8'-tetrahydro-psi,psi-carotene, beta,epsilon-carotene, beta,beta-carotene, 7,8,11,12,7',8'-hexahydro-psi,psi-carotene, and 7,8,11,12,7',8'-11',12'-octahydro-psi,psi-carotene. The polar carotenoids, which eluted in the vicinity of lutein and were unresolved on the C18 column, have been separated on a nitrile-bonded column employing isocratic HPLC conditions. In the order of elution, the carotenoids were epsilon,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-dione, 3'-hydroxy-epsilon,epsilon-caroten-3-one, 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-psi,psi-carotene, 3-hydroxy-beta,epsilon-caroten-3'-one, (all-E,3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein, (all-E,3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin, and (all-E,3R,3'S,6'R)-beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol (3'-epilutein) followed by several geometrical isomers of lutein and zeaxanthin.     

Long-term leaching from MSWI air-pollution-control residues: leaching characterization and modeling

Long-term leaching of Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Na, S, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mo, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, P, Cl, and dissolved organic carbon from two different municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) air-pollution-control residues was monitored during 24 months of column percolation experiments; liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratios of 200-250L/kg corresponding to more than 10,000 years in a conventional landfill were reached. Less than 2% of the initially present As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Sb had leached during the course of the experiments. Concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mg, Hg, Mn, Ni, Co, Sn, Ti, and P were generally bellow 1microg/L; overall less than 1% of their mass leached. Column leaching data were further used in a two-step geochemical modeling in PHREEQC in order to (i) identify solubility controlling minerals and (ii) evaluate their interactions in a water-percolated column system over L/S of 250L/kg. Adequate predictions of pH, alkalinity, and the leaching of Ca, S, Al, Si, Ba, and Zn were obtained in a simultaneous calculation. Also, it was suggested that removal of Ca and S together with depletion of several minerals apparently caused dissolution of ettringite-like phases. In turn, significant increase in leaching of oxyanions (especially Sb and Cr) was observed at late stage of leaching experiments.     

Distribution, correlation and risk assessment of selected metals in urban soils from Islamabad, Pakistan

Urban soil samples were analyzed for Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr and Zn by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Multivariate statistical approach was used to study the apportionment of selected metals in the soil samples during summer and winter. The degree of contamination along with the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and contamination factor was also evaluated. In water-extract of the soil samples, relatively higher levels were noted for Na, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, and Pb with average concentrations of 56.38, 33.82, 12.53, 7.127, 5.994, and 1.045 mg/kg during summer, while the mean metal levels during winter were 76.45, 38.05, 3.928, 0.627, 8.726, and 0.878 mg/kg, respectively. In case of acid-extract of the soils, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn and Sr were found at 27,531, 12,784, 2769, 999.9, 737.9, 393.5, and 115.1 mg/kg, during summer and 23,386, 3958, 3206, 254.6, 1511, 453.6, and 53.30 mg/kg, during winter, respectively. Most of the metals showed random distribution with diverse correlations in both seasons. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed significant anthropogenic intrusions of Cd, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Zn and Na in the soils. Geoaccumulation indices and contamination factors indicated moderate to heavy contamination for Pb and Cd in the soils, while enrichment factor exhibited significant enrichment (EF > 5) of Cd, Pb, Ca, Co, Li, Mn and Zn by anthropogenic activities. Overall, on the average basis, considerable degree of contamination (C_deg > 16) was observed in both seasons, although it was higher in winter. Present metal levels were also compared with those reported from other areas around the world.     

Partitioning behavior of trace elements during pilot-scale fluidized bed combustion of high ash content lignite

This study describes the partitioning of 20 trace elements (As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) and eight major and minor elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, Ti) during the combustion of high ash content lignite. The experiments were carried out in the 0.3 MW(t) Middle East Technical University (METU) atmospheric bubbling fluidized bed combustor (ABFBC) test rig with and without limestone addition. Inert bed material utilized in the experiments was bed ash obtained previously from the combustion of the same lignite without limestone addition in the same test rig. Concentrations of trace elements in coal, limestone, bottom ash, cyclone ash and filter ash were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Partitioning of major and minor elements are influenced by the ash split between the bottom ash and fly ash and that the major proportion of most of the trace elements (As, Ba, Cr, Hg, Li, Mo, Ni, Sn, V, Zn) are recovered in fly ash. Limestone addition shifts the partitioning of Ba, Cr, Mo, Ni, Sn, V, Zn from bottom ash to fly ash.     

Determination of the major,minor, and trace element mass fractions in Iranian cement by INAA and WDXRF

The elemental composition of three different Iranian cement samples was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis with the aim of quality control. The mass fractions for 4 major (Ca, Si, Fe, Al) and the 21 minor and trace elements (Mg, V, Mn, Na, As, La, Sb, Sm, U, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Hf, Sc, Sr, Th, Zn, S, K) were determined. X-ray fluorescence analysis was also used. The results obtained by both methods for Na, Mg, Fe, Ca, and Al are in good agreement. On the whole, the Iranian cement quality is quite acceptable according to national and international standards.     

Statistical analysis of trace metals in the plasma of cancer patients versus controls

The plasma of cancer patients (n=112) and controls (n=118) were analysed for selected trace metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn) by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the plasma of cancer patients, mean concentrations of macronutrients/essential metals, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn were 3971, 178, 44.1, 7.59, 4.38 and 3.90 ppm, respectively, while the mean metal levels in the plasma of controls were 3844, 151, 74.2, 18.0, 6.60 and 2.50 ppm, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the plasma of cancer patients compared with controls. Very strong mutual correlations (r>0.70) in the plasma of cancer patients were observed between Fe-Mn, Ca-Mn, Ca-Ni, Ca-Co, Cd-Pb, Co-Ni, Mn-Ni, Mn-Zn, Cr-Li, Ca-Zn and Fe-Ni, whereas, Ca-Mn, Ca-Mg, Fe-Zn, Ca-Zn, Mg-Mn, Mg-Zn, Cd-Sb, Cd-Co, Cd-Zn, Co-Sb and Sb-Zn exhibited strong relationships (r>0.50) in the plasma of controls, all were significant at p<0.01. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data extracted five PCs, both for cancer patients and controls, but with considerably different loadings. The average metals levels in male and female donors of the two groups were also evaluated and in addition, the general role of trace metals in the carcinogenesis was discussed. The study indicated appreciably different pattern of metal distribution and mutual relationships in the plasma of cancer patients in comparison with controls.     

Trace elements partitioning during co-firing biomass with lignite in a pilot-scale fluidized bed combustor

This study describes the partitioning of 18 trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) and 9 major and minor elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Si, Ti) during co-firing of olive residue, hazelnut shell and cotton residue with high sulfur and ash content lignite in 0.3 MW(t) Middle East Technical University (METU) Atmospheric Bubbling Fluidized Bed Combustor (ABFBC) test rig with limestone addition. Concentrations of trace elements in coal, biomass, limestone, bottom ash, cyclone ash and filter ash were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission and mass spectroscopy (ICP-OES and ICP-MS). Partitioning of major and minor elements are influenced by the ash split between the bottom ash and fly ash and that the major proportion of most of the trace elements (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Tl, V and Zn) are recovered in fly ash when firing lignite only. Co-firing lignite with biomass enhances partitioning of these elements to fly ash. Co-firing also shifts the partitioning of Cd, P, Sb and Sn from bottom to fly ash.     

Evaluation of the effect of time on the distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles in tissues of rats and mice: a systematic review

To evaluate the time effect on the distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in tissues from rats and mice, a search on the PubMed, Embase, SpringerLink, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang, and vip databases up to September 2014 was performed, followed by screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Thirteen studies were included. At 24 h, Zn content was mainly distributed in the liver, kidney, and lung. At ≥7 days, Zn content was mainly distributed in the liver, kidney, lung, and brain. ZnO NPs are readily deposited in tissues. Furthermore, as time increases, Zn content decreases in the liver and kidney, but increases in the brain.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, zinc compounds, II‐VI semiconductors, wide band gap semiconductors, biological tissues, lung, liver, brain, kidney, toxicology, biology computingOther keywords: time effect, zinc oxide nanoparticles distribution, rat tissues, mice tissues, PubMed, Embase, SpringerLink, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang, vip databases, screening, data extraction, quality assessment, Zn content, liver, kidney, lung, brain, time 24 h, ZnO     

Determination of Microelements in Oil by Combined Sample Preparation Technique

The determination of a wide spectrum of microelements in four oil samples from the Arlanskoye, Labaganskoye, Priobskoye, and Romashkinskoye oil fields of the Russian Federation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. The following two techniques have been used for the sample preparation: microwave decomposition of oil for determination of Be, Na, Mg, Al, S, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cs, Ba, W, Re, and U; and extraction concentrating with rotating helix columns (RHC) for determination of Nb, Ru, Rh, Ag, Cd, Sb, Te, Hf, Ir, Pt, Te, and rare earth elements. Concentrating of the oil microelements with RHC has been shown to result in significant improvement of the ICP-MS detection limits.     

发泡金属的开发、性质及应用(Ⅱ)──发泡金属的性质及应用

系统介绍了发泡金属的力学性能、能量吸收性、耐火阻焰性、导热性、导电性、电磁屏蔽性、渗透性等性质。综述了它们在能量吸收器、消音器、过滤器、阻焰器、加热及热交换器、结构材料、催化剂及催化剂载体、多孔电极、电磁屏蔽材料、二次电池的极板材料以及由其制成的复合材料等方面的用途，展示了发泡金属的应用前景     

Patent information of the former USSR countries

The patent information currently available for the former USSR, EAPO, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Baltic countries and Uzbekistan is described. It is a complicated scene, in terms of the extent and depth of coverage, the media employed (paper, CD, on-line), and the use of open access, charged INTERNET access and commercial databases.     

Evaluating the effect of green synthesised copper oxide nanoparticles on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function using murine model

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) has now received the attention of researchers due to ease of preparation and its potential to overcome hazards of these chemicals for an eco‐friendly milieu. In this study, copper oxide (CuO) NPs were synthesised via Desmodium gangeticum aqueous root extract and standard chemical method, further characterised by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The nephrotoxicity of the NP obtained from two routes were compared and evaluated at subcellular level in Wistar rat, renal proximal epithelial cells (LLC PK1 cell lines) and isolated renal mitochondria. CuO NP synthesised by chemical route showed prominent nephrotoxicity measured via adverse cytotoxicity to LLC PK1 cells, elevated renal oxidative stress and damage to renal tissue (determined by impaired alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, urea, uric acid and creatinine in the blood). However, at the level of cell organelle, CuO NP from both routes are non‐toxic to mitochondrial functional activity. The authors’ finding suggests that CuO NP synthesised by chemical route may induce nephrotoxicity, but may be overcome by co‐administration of antioxidants, as it is not mito‐toxic.Inspec keywords: cellular biophysics, scanning electron microscopy, toxicology, nanomedicine, oxidation, nanoparticles, enzymes, blood, visible spectra, X‐ray diffraction, biochemistry, nanofabrication, antibacterial activity, ultraviolet spectra, copper compounds, Fourier transform infrared spectra, molecular biophysics, thermal analysis, biological tissuesOther keywords: green synthesised copper oxide nanoparticles, murine model, metal nanoparticles, chemicals, eco‐friendly milieu, copper oxide NPs, standard chemical method, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, subcellular level, renal proximal epithelial cells, LLC PK1 cell lines, renal mitochondria, renal tissue, cell organelle, mitochondrial functional activity, UV‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nephrotoxicity, renal oxidative stress, Desmodium gangeticum aqueous root extract, thermogravimetric analysis, Wistar rat, cytotoxicity, impaired alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, urea, uric acid, creatinine, blood, CuO     

Toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles: a review study

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) use has exponentially increased in various applications (such as industrial catalyst, gas sensors, electronic materials, biomedicines, environmental remediation) due to their flexible properties, i.e. large surface area to volume ratio. These broad applications, however, have increased human exposure and thus the potential risk related to their short‐ and long‐term toxicity. Their release in environment has drawn considerable attention which has become an eminent area of research and development. To understand the toxicological impact of CuO NPs, this review summarises the in‐vitro and in‐vivo toxicity of CuO NPs subjected to species (bacterial, algae, fish, rats, human cell lines) used for toxicological hazard assessment. The key factors that influence the toxicity of CuO NPs such as particle shape, size, surface functionalisation, time–dose interaction and animal and cell models are elaborated. The literature evidences that the CuO NPs exposure to the living systems results in reactive oxygen species generation, oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and immunotoxicity. However, the physio‐chemical characteristics of CuO NPs, concentration, mode of exposure, animal model and assessment characteristics are the main perspectives that define toxicology of CuO NPs.Inspec keywords: catalysts, nanofabrication, reviews, oxidation, toxicology, gas sensors, cellular biophysics, copper compounds, nanoparticles, biochemistryOther keywords: copper oxide nanoparticles, environmental remediation, short‐ term toxicity, long‐term toxicity, human cell lines, CuO NPs exposure, physiochemical characteristics, mode of exposure, animal model, ssessment characteristics, toxicology, time‐dose interaction, oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, toxicological hazard assessment, algae species, bacterial species, fish, rats, CuO     

Survey of Experimental Data of Thermophysical Properties for Difluoromethane (HFC-32)

A survey of experimental data for HFC-32 was prepared at the Institute of Thermomechanics in connection with planned experiments. In tabular form, surveys of thermodynamic, transport, and other property measurements, including pvT behavior, second virial coefficient, vapor pressure, saturation densities, critical parameters, heat capacities, speed of sound, thermal conductivity, viscosity, surface tension, refractive index, dielectric constant, and dipole moment, are presented. Tables include author)s) name(s), reference, year of publication, ranges of measurements, number of points, stated uncertainty, sample purity, and experimental method.     

杭州市大气悬浮颗粒PM_(2.5)污染状况及化学组成特征分析

为了解杭州市大气悬浮颗粒物PM2.5污染状况及化学组成特征,2006年在杭州市内布设2个监测点位,按季节进行采样,并对悬浮颗粒物PM2.5中20种元素进行定量研究。结果表明:杭州市区大气中悬浮颗粒物PM2.5的年均质量浓度值为77.5μg/m3,其中S、Si、Ca、K等元素年平均质量浓度大于1.0μg/m3。元素Si、Al、Fe、Mg、V、K、Na、Ti、Mn、Ca、P、Cr、Ni主要来源于地壳,而元素Cl、Cu、Zn、Pb、As、Br、S、Se等主要来源于人为排放源。     

Performance study of diffusive gradients in thin films for 55 elements

The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) is a fairly new and useful tool for in situ measurements of labile metal ions in water. The applicability of DGTs was investigated by comparing independently determined or estimated diffusion coefficients with DGT effective diffusion coefficients (D(DGT)) for 55 elements. The DGTs were exposed at a controlled fluid velocity of 0.1 m s(-1) and a concentration of 1 ng mL(-1) at four pH levels between 4.7 and 6.0, and the D(DGT) values were determined from the uptake by the sampler. The measured D(DGT) values for the elements Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Al, Mn, and Ga were close to previously published values with some deviations for Pb and Zn. The uptake of V, Cr, Fe, U, Mo, Ti, Ba, and Sr varied with pH, and there were some experimental problems that require further investigations. A novel set of D(DGT) values for the lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Tb, Yb, Lu, Y) was established. The D(DGT) values for these were about 10-15% lower than for free ions in water and indicate that diffusion coefficients of metal ions in the agarose polyacrylamide diffusive hydrogel are 10-15% lower than in water. The high consistency of the data for the lanthanides establishes these elements as new performance test metals for the DGT sampler. The accumulation of the elements Li, Na, K, Rb, Mg, Ca, B, Tl, P, S, As, Bi, Se, Si, Sn, Sb, Te, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and Ag was low (D(DGT) lower than 10% of theoretical values). A more efficient elution procedure using concentrated nitric acid for the absorbent gel was established, with elution efficiencies between 95 and 100% for most metals. For deployment times of 24 h, detection limits from 0.001 to 1 ng mL(-1) were achieved with moderate precautions to prevent contamination.     

高强度高模量玻璃纤维特性与应用

与传统E玻璃纤维相比,高强度高模量玻璃纤维在拉伸强度、弹性模量、抗冲击性能、耐高温性能、耐腐蚀性能、电绝缘性和介电性能等方面都具有明显优势,可广泛地应用于航空航天、国防军事、风力发电、交通运输、体育休闲、压力容器、建筑工程、管道、环境处理、石油、机械等许多领域,成为本行业研究与开发的热点和重点.     

低温容器应用进展及发展前景（三）

综述了低温容器在航天、航空、机械、电子、地质矿产、冶金、建设、环保、交通、农业、卫生、食品、能源、化工、科技等部门的应用现状 ,展望了未来发展前景。     

Determination of various constituent elements of polyethylene terephthalate bottles used for beverages in Japan

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are some of the most commonly used containers for beverages. During the manufacturing process of PET resin in Japan, metallic catalysts such as Sb and Ge are widely used, with other metals or metallic compounds also being employed to improve the quality of PET bottles. However, few reports into the contents of such elements exist. Thus, we herein report the concentrations of 34 elements (ie, Li, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, W, Pb, and U) in 16 samples of unused virgin PET bottles for beverages. The measurement was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and these bottles were found to contain five main elements (ie, <0.5- to 50-mg/kg Ge, <1- to 26-mg/kg Ti, <0.1- to 279-mg/kg Sb, <10- to 48-mg/kg P, and <0.5- to 53-mg/kg Co) that were used as polymerisation catalysts, stabilisers, oxidation catalysts, and bluing agents. Furthermore, when these residual element concentrations in 21 commercial mineral-water PET bottles were determined, there was no significant difference from unused bottles.     

Bibliometric indicators of Indian research collaboration patterns: A correspondence analysis

International collaboration is becoming an increasingly significant issue in science. During the last few years, a large number of bibliometric studies of co-authorships have been reported. Mostly, these studies have concentrated on country-to-country collaboration, revealing general patterns of interaction. In this study we analyze international collaborative patterns as indicated in the Indian publications by tracking out multi author publications as given in Science Citation Index (SCI) database. Correspondence analysis is used for analysis and interpretation of the results. According to correspondence analysis of the data set, Physics, Chemistry, Clinical medicine are the first, second and third largest subjects having international collaboration. USA, Italy, Germany, France, England are the top five countries with which India is collaborating. The data set shows an association between Physics and Italy, Switzerland, Algeria, Finland, South Korea, Russia, Netherlands contrasting an association between Biology & Biochemistry, Immunology, Ecology & Environment, Geosciences, Multidisciplinary subjects and England, Japan, Canada. It also shows an association between Agriculture and Philippines, Canada, Denmark in contrast to an association between Chemistry and Malaysia, Germany, France. An association between Clinical medicine, Astrophysics and England, Sweden, USA, New Zealand in contrast to an association between Agriculture and Canada, Philippines, Denmark is shown. An association between Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Neuroscience and Singapore, Canada, USA in contrast to an association between Chemistry, Astrophysics and Malaysia, Spain is shown. This association of collaborating countries and disciplines almost tallies with the publication productivity of these countries in different disciplines.