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Reference Samples (reference + sample)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	32%
Chemistry	30%
Medical Sciences	14%
Physics and Astronomy	8%
Polymers and Materials Science	6%
Earth and Environmental Science	6%
2 Other Domains	4%

Selected Abstracts

Assessment of different techniques for subcutaneous glucose monitoring in Type 1 diabetic patients during ,real-life' glucose excursions

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010
J. K. Mader
Diabet. Med. 27, 332,338 (2010) Abstract Aims, To compare the accuracy of two marketed subcutaneous glucose monitoring devices (Guardian RT, GRT; GlucoDay S, GDS) and standard microdialysis (CMA60; MD) in Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods, Seven male Type diabetic patients were investigated over a period of 26 h simulating real-life meal glucose excursions. Catheters of the three systems were inserted into subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal region. For MD, interstitial fluid was sampled at 30- to 60-min intervals for offline glucose determination. Reference samples were taken at 15- to 60-min intervals. All three systems were prospectively calibrated to reference. Median differences, median absolute relative differences (MARD), median absolute differences (MAD), Bland,Altman plot and Clark Error Grid were used to determine accuracy. Results, Bland,Altman analysis indicated a mean glucose difference (2 standard deviations) between reference and interstitial glucose of ,10.5 (41.8) % for GRT, 20.2 (55.9) % for GDS and 6.5 (35.2) % for MD, respectively. Overall MAD (interquartile range) was 1.07 (0.39; 2.04) mmol/l for GRT, 1.59 (0.54; 3.08) mmol/l for GDS and 0.76 (0.26; 1.58) mmol/l for MD. Overall MARD was 15.0 (5.6; 23.4) % (GRT), 19.7 (6.1; 37.6) % (GDS) and 8.7 (4.1; 18.3) % (MD), respectively. Total sensor failure occurred in two subjects using GRT and one subject using GDS. Conclusions, The three investigated technologies had comparable performance. Whereas GRT underestimated actual blood glucose, GDS and MD overestimated blood glucose. Considerable deviations during daily life meal glucose excursions from reference glucose were observed for all three investigated technologies. Present technologies may require further improvement until individual data can lead to direct and automated generation of therapeutic advice in diabetes management. [source]

Bioimaging TOF-SIMS of tissues by gold ion bombardment of a silver-coated thin section

MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 6 2004
Håkan Nygren
Abstract The imaging time-of-flight secondary-ion-mass-spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) method was utilized to address the problem of cholesterol localization in rat tissues. Rat kidneys were fixed, cryoprotected by sucrose, frozen, sectioned by cryoultramicrotomy, and dried at room temperature. The samples were either covered with a thin silver layer or analyzed uncovered in an imaging TOF-SIMS instrument equipped with an Au -source. The yield of desorbed secondary ions for some species was up to 600-fold higher after silver coating of the samples. Reference samples of cholesterol were silver-coated and analyzed by TOF-SIMS to define significant peaks, specific for cholesterol. Such peaks were found at m/z = 386 (C27H46O+), m/z = 493 (C27H46O107Ag+), m/z = 495 (C27H46O109Ag+), m/z = 879 (C54H92O2107Ag+), and m/z = 881 (C54H92O2109Ag+). The silver-cationized cholesterol (493 , m/z , 495) signal was localized by imaging TOF-SIMS in the kidney sections and showed a high cholesterol content in the kidney glomeruli. A more diffuse distribution of cholesterol was also found over areas representing the cytoplasm or plasma membrane of the epithelial cells in the proximal tubules of rat kidney. Microsc. Res. Tech. 65:282,286, 2004. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Dewetted growth of CdTe in microgravity (STS-95)

CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
M. Fiederle
Abstract Two CdTe crystals had been grown in microgravity during the STS-95 mission. The growth configuration was dedicated to obtain dewetting of the crystals and to achieve high quality material. Background for the performed experiments was based on the theory of the dewetting and previous experience. The after flight characterization of the crystals has demonstrated existance of the dewetting areas of the crystals and their improved quality regarding the earth grown reference sample. The samples had been characterized by EDAX, Synchrotron X-ray topography, Photoluminescence and Optical and IR microscopy. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

High Velocity Oxy Fuel Spraying of Cold Work Tool Steels- A Novel Approach to Thick Coatings for Wear Protection Applications,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009
Arne Röttger
Abstract Within this work, HVOF sprayed coatings based on X220CrVMo13-4 cold work steel were applied to a S235JR construction steel substrate. The investigations focus on the influence of particle size and spray parameters on the coating microstructure, analyzed by means of optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additional XRD measurements and micro hardness plots across the interface between substrate material and coating were carried out. Furthermore, the influence of particle size on the detected phases and coating porosity was studied. The results were compared with an X220CrMoV13-4 reference sample produced by HIP. [source]

Light-induced controlled release of fragrance aldehydes from 1-alkoxy-9,10-anthraquinones for applications in functional perfumery,,

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006
Barbara Levrand
Abstract Light-activated chemical delivery systems for the controlled release of fragrances have been shown to be effective in functional perfumery. Upon photolysis around 350 nm, 1-alkoxy-9,10-anthraquinones release aldehydes or ketones and may thus be considered as promising precursors for the photochemical release of perfume molecules. A series of substituted and unsubstituted mono- and dialkoxy-9,10-anthraquinones was prepared by reaction of the corresponding fragrance bromides with commercial mono- or dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones. Photoirradiation of these compounds in polar and apolar solution yielded the desired fragrance aldehydes. Preliminary olfactory panel evaluations on fabric after exposure to ambient indoor daylight for several days indicated a slightly stronger odour in the presence of the fragrance precursors, as compared to a reference sample containing the unmodified perfumery raw material. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Calcium Isotopic Composition of Various Reference Materials and Seawater

GEOSTANDARDS & GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003
Dorothee Hippler
composition isotopique du calcium; eau de mer; paléocéanographie; NIST SRM 915a A compilation of ,44/40Ca (,44/40Ca) data sets of different calcium reference materials is presented, based on measurements in three different laboratories (Institute of Geological Sciences, Bern; Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, Strasbourg; GEOMAR, Kiel) to support the establishment of a calcium isotope reference standard. Samples include a series of international and internal Ca reference materials, including NIST SRM 915a, seawater, two calcium carbonates and a CaF2 reference sample. The deviations in ,44/40Ca for selected pairs of reference samples have been defined and are consistent within statistical uncertainties in all three laboratories. Emphasis has been placed on characterising both NIST SRM 915a as an internationally available high purity Ca reference sample and seawater as representative of an important and widely available geological reservoir. The difference between ,44/40Ca of NIST SRM 915a and seawater is defined as -1.88 O.O4%o (,44/42CaNISTSRM915a/Sw= -0.94 0.07%o). The conversion of values referenced to NIST SRM 915a to seawater can be described by the simplified equation ,44/40CaSa/Sw=,44/40CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 1.88 (,44/42CaSa/Sw=,44/42CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 0.94). We propose the use of NIST SRM 915a as general Ca isotope reference standard, with seawater being defined as the major reservoir with respect to oceanographic studies. On présente ici une compilation de données de ,44/40Ca (,44/42Ca) obtenues sur différents matériaux de référence, à partir d'analyses effectuées dans trois laboratoires (Institute of Geological Sciences, Berne; Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, Strasbourg; GEOMAR, Kiel) dans le but de définir des matériaux standards de référence pour isotopie du calcium. Les échantillons comprenaient une série de matériaux standards, internes et internationaux, de référence pour le calcium, avec NIST SRM 915a, l'eau de mer, deux carbonates de calcium, et un échantillon de CaF2 de référence. Les déviations en ,44/40Ca pour des paires sélectionnées d'échantillons de référence ont été définies et sont en accord, compte tenu des incertitudes statistiques, entre les trois laboratoires. L'accent a été mis sur la nécessité de caractériser à la fois NIST SRM 915a, en tant que matériau de référence très pur, internationalement disponible, et l'eau de mer comme représentant d'un réservoir géologique très important et disponible partout. La différence entre les ,44/40Ca de NIST SRM 915a et de l'eau de mer est définie comme étant de -1.88 0.04%0,44/42CaNIST SRM 915a/Sw= -0.94 0.07%0). La conversion des données référencées par rapport à NIST SRM 915a à la référence -eau de mer- se fait selon l'équation simplifiée équation ,44/40CaSa/Sw=,44/40CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 1.88 (,44/42Ca Sa/Sw=,44/42CaSa/NIST SRM 915a - 0.94). Nous proposons l'utilisation de NIST SRM 915a comme matériau standard de référence pour les isotopes de Ca, avec l'eau de mer comme réservoir majeur adapté aux études océanographiques. [source]

Microstructural investigation of low-dose neutron irradiation effects in martensitic steels for nuclear application by means of small-angle neutron scattering

JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2007
Rainer Lindau
The microstructural effect of low-dose neutron irradiation and subsequent high-temperature tempering in the reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel F82H-mod. (7.73 Cr, 0.09 C, 0.08 Mn, 0.19 V, 2.06 W, 0.02 Ta, wt%, bal. Fe) has been studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The investigated samples were irradiated with thermal neutrons at 523,K, to dose levels of 2.4 displacements per atom then tempered for 2,h at 1043,K. The SANS measurements were carried out at the D22 instrument of the High Flux Reactor at the Institut Max von Laue,Paul Langevin, Grenoble, France. The differences observed in nuclear and magnetic small-angle neutron scattering cross-sections after subtraction of the reference sample from the irradiated one suggest that the irradiation and the subsequent post-irradiation tempering produce the growth of non-magnetic precipitates; the results are also compared with those obtained on other ferritic/martensitic steels, with different chemical composition, irradiated under the same conditions. [source]

A high sensitivity pinhole camera for soft condensed matter

JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 3-1 2003
Thomas Zemb
A significant improvement in the sensitivity of a Huxley-Holmes design for a small angle X-ray scattering camera is obtained by separating the mirror and the monochromator. The "separated optics" camera described in this paper involves a long X-ray mirror close to a point X-ray source associated with a curved focusing crystal located close to the sample. The sample area is located at half the distance between the source and detector planes. Diffuse scattering produced by the mirror is not incident on the focusing crystal, thus reducing the background signal. Complete elimination of hard X-rays allows precise calibration and hence absolute determination of sample cross-section by means of a semi-transparent beam-stop. In pinhole geometry, the flux corresponds to a ca. 107 photons/s through the sample, collimated to q=10 -2 Å -1 in scattering vector range. This allows determination of scattered intensities of the order of 10 -3 cm -1, corresponding to the scattering related to isothermal compressibility of less than 0.1 mm of pure water. Values of absolute intensities for water as well as convenient widespread buffer solutions are shown, in order to be usable for calibration as secondary standards. As solid reference sample, the widely studied Lupolentm, a semi-crystalline polymer- is calibrated. The high- q limit (q, 4.5 nm,1 ) of a porous calcite sample can be used as a secondary standard for specific area determination of solid/solid or solid-liquid dispersions. [source]

Mixture Interpretation: Defining the Relevant Features for Guidelines for the Assessment of Mixed DNA Profiles in Forensic Casework,

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 4 2009
Bruce Budowle Ph.D.
Abstract:, Currently in the United States there is little direction for what constitutes sufficient guidelines for DNA mixture interpretation. While a standardized approach is not possible or desirable, more definition is necessary to ensure reliable interpretation of results is carried out. In addition, qualified DNA examiners should be able to review reports and understand the assumptions made by the analyst who performed the interpretation. Interpretation of DNA mixture profiles requires consideration of a number of aspects of a mixed profile, many of which need to be established by on-site, internal validation studies conducted by a laboratory's technical staff, prior to performing casework analysis. The relevant features include: criteria for identification of mixed specimens, establishing detection and interpretation threshold values, defining allele peaks, defining nonallele peaks, identifying artifacts, consideration of tri-allelic patterns, estimating the minimum number of contributors, resolving components of a mixture, determining when a portion of the mixed profile can be treated as a single source profile, consideration of potential additive effects of allele sharing, impact of stutter peaks on interpretation in the presence of a minor contributor, comparison with reference specimens, and some issues related to the application of mixture calculation statistics. Equally important is using sensible judgment based on sound and documented principles of DNA analyses. Assumptions should be documented so that reliable descriptive information is conveyed adequately concerning that mixture and what were the bases for the interpretations that were carried out. Examples are provided to guide the community. Interpretation guidelines also should incorporate strategies to minimize potential bias that could occur by making inferences based on a reference sample. The intent of this paper is to promote more thought, provide assistance on many aspects for consideration, and to support that more formalized mixture interpretation guidelines are developed. [source]

Fetal nasal bone length and Down syndrome during the second trimester in a Chinese population

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2008
Jeng-Hsiu Hung
Abstract Objective:, The purpose of the present study was to build a database of reference ranges of fetal nasal bone length (NBL) in a Chinese population. The accuracy rate of detecting Down syndrome was also analyzed using fetal NBL as a marker. Methods:, The control group of fetuses included 342 normal singleton pregnancies with no chromosomal or congenital anomalies. The present study was a cross-section study and the control group was used to construct percentile values of NBL from 13 to 29 gestational weeks of age. Two-dimensional ultrasonography was used for the nasal bone studies. Measurements of NBL were collected and each fetus contributed a single value to the reference sample. During the study period, 14 fetuses with Down syndrome were examined. Measurement of fetal NBL was made during amniocentesis, with gestational age ranging from 13 to 19 weeks. Results:, From 342 normal fetuses with gestational age ranging from 13 to 29 weeks, reference ranges of NBL were constructed. The reference ranges were constructed from the 100(1 , p)% reference range: , where , = 25 , exp(3.58 , 0.044 × t + 0.0006 × t2), with , being the fitted mean of regression model and t being gestational age (weeks). Using fetal NBL, the regression model was Pr(Down syndrome) = exp(W)/[1 + exp(W)], where W = 0.62,4.80 × NBL (multiples of the median) in predicting Down syndrome. Fetal NBL was found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 0.78 and 0.78, respectively, in predicting Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy. Conclusions:, Fetal NBL measurement can provide a simple and useful algorithm to predict Down syndrome during the second trimester of pregnancy. [source]

A new strategy for the synthesis of cyclopeptides containing diaminoglutaric acid

JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 5 2001
Tom Bayer
Abstract A new synthesis of orthogonally protected diaminoglutaric acid containing peptides using the Ugi four component condensation is presented. To demonstrate that this method is useful to replace cystine by diaminoglutaric acid in biologically interesting peptides, we built up two cyclic somatostatin analogues deriving from Sandostatin and from TT-232. A photolytically cleavable amine derivative of the nitroveratryl type is used for the Ugi four component condensation. Because of a racemic build up of the new stereocentre of the diaminoglutaric acid, and racemization of the isonitrile component, four diastereomeric peptides resulted that were separated by HPLC. The stereochemistry of the cyclopeptides could be easily and unambiguously assigned by chiral gas chromatography and a reference sample of enantiomerically pure (2S,4S)-diaminoglutaric acid. Copyright © 2001 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Hyperbranched copolymer containing triphenylamine and divinyl bipyridyl units for fluorescent chemosensors

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 1 2009
Jichang Feng
Abstract A fluorescent hyperbranched copolymer (HTP) and a linear copolymer (PTP) as a reference sample to HTP both containing triphenylamine and divinyl bipyridyl units were synthesized via Heck coupling reaction from 5,5,-Divinyl-2,2,-bipyridyl with tris(4-bromophenyl)amine and with 4,4,-dibromotriphenylamie, respectively. The chemical structure of HTP was confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The polymer HTP had a number-average molecular weight of 1895 and a weight-average molecular weight of 2315, and good solubility in conventional organic solvents, such as THF, DMF, and chloroform, and exhibited good thermal stability. The UV,vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited absorption maximum at 428 nm and emissive maximum at 531 nm for the HTP solution. The spectroscopic results of HTP and PTP indicated that hyperbranched conjugated structure increases the effective conjugation length, as compared with corresponding linear conjugated structure. The fluorescence of the polymer in solution can be quenched by various transition metal ions. The effect of backbone structure of the conjugated polymer-based chemosensors on the sensitivity and selectivity in metal ions sensing have been investigated, and the quenching effect of HTP is more sensitive toward transition metal than linear copolymer PTP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 222,230, 2009 [source]

Use of highly energetic (116,keV) synchrotron radiation for X-ray fluorescence analysis of trace rare-earth and heavy elements

JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 4 2001
Izumi Nakai
This study has revealed the advantages of the use of 116,keV X-rays as an excitation source of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. This technique is suitable for nondestructive multielemental analyses of heavy elements such as rare-earth elements. The lowest MDL value evaluated for the bulk analysis of a JG-1 standard reference sample (granite rock) was 0.1 p.p.m. for W for a 500,s measurement. The spectrum of standard glass samples of SRM612 demonstrated clearly resolved K -line peaks of more than 30 elements, including all the existing rare-earth elements, at 50 p.p.m. levels. The calibration curve for the determination of a rare-earth element shows a linear relation between the XRF intensity and concentrations from 10 to 0.03,ng. This powerful technique should be useful for nondestructive analyses of rare-earth and heavy elements in geological, geochemical and archaeological samples as well as industrial materials. [source]

Near-optimal designs for dual channel microarray studies

JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES C (APPLIED STATISTICS), Issue 5 2005
Ernst Wit
Summary., Much biological and medical research employs microarray studies to monitor gene expression levels across a wide range of organisms and under many experimental conditions. Dual channel microarrays are a common platform and allow two samples to be measured simultaneously. A frequently used design uses a common reference sample to make conditions across different arrays comparable. Our aim is to formulate microarray experiments in the experimental design context and to use simulated annealing to search for near-optimal designs. We identify a subclass of designs, the so-called interwoven loop designs, that seems to have good optimality properties compared with the near-optimal designs that are found by simulated annealing. Commonly used reference designs and dye swap designs are shown to be highly inefficient. [source]

Wide-range length metrology by dual-imaging-unit atomic force microscope based on porous alumina

MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 3 2004
Dongxian Zhang
Abstract A new dual-imaging-unit atomic force microscope (DIU-AFM) was developed for wide-range length metrology. In the DIU-AFM, two AFM units were combined, one as a reference unit, and the other a test one. Their probes with Z piezo elements and tips were horizontally set in parallel at the same height to reduce errors due to geometric asymmetry. An XY scanner was attached to an XY block that was able to move in the X direction with a step of about 500 nm. A standard porous alumina film was employed as the reference sample. Both reference sample and test sample were installed at the center of the XY scanner on the same surface and were simultaneously imaged. The two images had the same lateral size, and thus the length of the test sample image could be accurately measured by counting the number of periodic features of the reference one. The XY block together with the XY scanner were next moved in the X direction for about 1.5 ,m and a second pair of reference and test images were obtained by activating the scanner. In this way, a series of pairs of images were acquired and could be spliced into two wide-range reference and test images, respectively. Again, the two spliced images were of the same size and the length of test image was measured based on the reference one. This article presents a discussion about the structure and control of the DIU-AFM system. Some experiments were carried out on the system to demonstrate the method of length calculation and measurement. Experiments show a satisfactory result of wide-range length metrology based on the hexagonal features of the porous alumina with a periodic length of several tens of nanometers. Using this method the DIU-AFM is capable of realizing nanometer-order accuracy length metrology when covering a wide range from micron to several hundreds of microns, or even up to millimeter order. Microsc. Res. Tech. 64:223,227, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The clustering of narrow-line AGN in the local Universe

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2006
Cheng Li
ABSTRACT We have analysed the clustering of ,90 000 narrow-line active galactic nuclei (AGN) drawn from the Data Release 4 (DR4) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Our analysis addresses the following questions. (i) How do the locations of galaxies within the large-scale distribution of dark matter influence ongoing accretion on to their central black holes? (ii) Is AGN activity triggered by interactions or mergers between galaxies? We compute the cross-correlation between AGN and a reference sample of galaxies drawn from the DR4. We compare this to results for control samples of inactive galaxies matched simultaneously in redshift, stellar mass, concentration, velocity dispersion and mean stellar age, as measured by the 4000-Å break strength. We also compare near-neighbour counts around AGN and around the control galaxies. On scales larger than a few Mpc, AGN have almost the same clustering amplitude as the control sample. This demonstrates that AGN host galaxies and inactive control galaxies populate dark matter haloes of similar mass. On scales between 100 kpc and 1 Mpc, AGN are clustered more weakly than the control galaxies. We use mock catalogues constructed from high-resolution N -body simulations to interpret this antibias, showing that the observed effect is easily understood if AGN are preferentially located at the centres of their dark matter haloes. On scales less than 70 kpc, AGN cluster marginally more strongly than the control sample, but the effect is weak. When compared to the control sample, we find that only one in 100 AGN has an extra neighbour within a radius of 70 kpc. This excess increases as a function of the accretion rate on to the black hole, but it does not rise above the few per cent level. Although interactions between galaxies may be responsible for triggering nuclear activity in a minority of nearby AGN, some other mechanism is required to explain the activity seen in the majority of the objects in our sample. [source]

Height and relative leg length as indicators of the quality of the environment among Mozambican juveniles and adolescents

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Cristina Padez
The growth status of Mozambique adolescents was assessed to test the hypothesis that relative leg length is a more sensitive indicator of the quality of the environment than the total height. The sample comprised 690 boys and 727 girls, aged between 9 and 17 years, from Maputo. It is divided between those living in the Centre of Maputo and those living in the slums on the periphery of the city. Height, weight, and sitting height were measured and the sitting height ratio was calculated. The hypothesis that relative leg length is more sensitive than total stature as an indicator of environmental quality is not uniformly confirmed. Overall, mean stature is greater for the centre group than the slum group, but relative leg length as measured by the sitting height ratio does not differ. Compared with African-American references (NHANES II), all centre girls, 9- to 14-year-old slum girls, all slum boys, and the oldest centre boys show relatively shorter legs. These findings show that within the Mozambique sample, relative leg length is not sensitive enough to distinguish the quality of the living environment. Mozambique was a colony of Portugal until 1975. Civil unrest and warfare characterized the late Colonial period and the postindependence period until a peace settlement was concluded in 1992. It is possible that all socioeconomic status groups within the country suffered sufficiently to reduce relative leg length compared with the better-off African-American reference sample. Possible genetic influences on relative leg length are also discussed. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

High-resolution imaging and proteomics of peptide fragments by TOF-SIMS

PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 8 2010
Håkan Nygren
Abstract Thyroglobulin is an iodinated glycoprotein (m.w. 660,kD) required for the storage and formation of thyroid hormone. Thyroglobulin was digested by trypsin in distilled water and the resulting peptides were identified by TOF-secondary ion mass spectrometry, using TFA as a matrix to catalyze the ionization of the peptides. Cryostate sections of pig thyroid glands were incubated with trypsin in distilled water, followed by deposition of TFA. The sections were analyzed with TOF-secondary ion mass spectrometry, and the peptides formed were identified through comparison with the peptides of the thyroglobulin reference sample. The thyroglobulin fragments were localized in the thyroid follicle cells with a spatial resolution of 3 microns, a mass resolution m/,m of >6000 and a mass accuracy of <60,ppm. The thyroglobulin was found localized heterogeneously in the follicle cells. The heterogeneity may be due to thyroglobulin synthesis, uptake and degradation or globules representing insoluble polymers of thyroglobulin considered to be a mechanism for storing hormone at high concentrations. [source]

Brief communication: A probabilistic approach to age estimation from infracranial sequences of maturation,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Hélène Coqueugniot
Abstract Infracranial sequences of maturation are commonly used to estimate the age at death of nonadult specimens found in archaeological, paleoanthropological, or forensic contexts. Typically, an age assessment is made by comparing the degree of long-bone epiphyseal fusion in the target specimen to the age ranges for different stages of fusion in a reference skeletal collection. While useful as a first approximation, this approach has a number of shortcomings, including the potential for "age mimicry," being highly dependent on the sample size of the reference sample and outliers, not using the entire fusion distribution, and lacking a straightforward quantitative way of combining age estimates from multiple sites of fusion. Here we present an alternative probabilistic approach based on data collected on 137 individuals, ranging in age from 7- to 29-years old, from a documented skeletal collection from Coimbra, Portugal. We then use cross validation to evaluate the accuracy of age estimation from epiphyseal fusion. While point estimates of age can, at least in some circumstances, be both accurate and precise based on the entire skeleton, or many sites of fusion, there will often be substantial error in these estimates when they derive from one or only a few sites. Because a probabilistic approach to age estimation from epiphyseal fusion is computationally intensive, we make available a series of spreadsheets or computer programs that implement the approach presented here. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:655,664, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Comparing the accuracy and precision of three techniques used for estimating missing landmarks when reconstructing fossil hominin crania

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Rudolph Neeser
Abstract Various methodological approaches have been used for reconstructing fossil hominin remains in order to increase sample sizes and to better understand morphological variation. Among these, morphometric quantitative techniques for reconstruction are increasingly common. Here we compare the accuracy of three approaches,mean substitution, thin plate splines, and multiple linear regression,for estimating missing landmarks of damaged fossil specimens. Comparisons are made varying the number of missing landmarks, sample sizes, and the reference species of the population used to perform the estimation. The testing is performed on landmark data from individuals of Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla, and nine hominin fossil specimens. Results suggest that when a small, same-species fossil reference sample is available to guide reconstructions, thin plate spline approaches perform best. However, if no such sample is available (or if the species of the damaged individual is uncertain), estimates of missing morphology based on a single individual (or even a small sample) of close taxonomic affinity are less accurate than those based on a large sample of individuals drawn from more distantly related extant populations using a technique (such as a regression method) able to leverage the information (e.g., variation/covariation patterning) contained in this large sample. Thin plate splines also show an unexpectedly large amount of error in estimating landmarks, especially over large areas. Recommendations are made for estimating missing landmarks under various scenarios. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Determination of , -tocopherol in infant foods by liquid chromatography combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 7 2003
Andras Kalman
A novel, sensitive and specific method for the quantification of , -tocopherol in two infant foods (milk and cereals) using liquid chromatography on-line with positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry detection (LC/APCI-MS) has been developed. The samples were first saponified in order to eliminate fats and to transform tocopherol esters into free tocopherol, followed up by a liquid,liquid extraction of the analyte in petroleum benzine/diisopropyl ether (75:25, v/v) prior to injection onto the LC system. For the quantification, deuterium-labelled tocopherol was used as internal standard and the samples were monitored in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Calibration curves between 1,40,,g/mL of , -tocopherol showed a good linear correlation (r2,=,0.99994), and the detection limit was determined to be 2.5,ng/mL. The within-day and between-day precision were determined for several dietetic infant formulae and certified reference samples, and found to be below 3.5%. The accuracy determined on a Nestlé reference sample (milk powder) was calculated to be 115.2,±,1.2%, which confirms the robustness of the proposed method. This study shows that single quadrupole LC/MS can be applied for the quantification of vitamins in food and the method offers better sensitivity and selectivity than traditional method such as LC-UV. This would simplify the preparation of the food samples and consequently enhance the vitamin analysis throughput in the food area. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Estimation and evidence in forensic anthropology: Sex and race

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Lyle W. Konigsberg
Abstract Forensic anthropology typically uses osteological and/or dental data either to estimate characteristics of unidentified individuals or to serve as evidence in cases where there is a putative identification. In the estimation context, the problem is to describe aspects of an individual that may lead to their eventual identification, whereas in the evidentiary context, the problem is to provide the relative support for the identification. In either context, individual characteristics such as sex and race may be useful. Using a previously published forensic case (Steadman et al. (2006) Am J Phys Anthropol 131:15,26) and a large (N = 3,167) reference sample, we show that the sex of the individual can be reliably estimated using a small set of 11 craniometric variables. The likelihood ratio from sex (assuming a 1:1 sex ratio for the "population at large") is, however, relatively uninformative in "making" the identification. Similarly, the known "race" of the individual is relatively uninformative in "making" the identification, because the individual was recovered from an area where the 2000 US census provides a very homogenous picture of (self-identified) race. Of interest in this analysis is the fact that the individual, who was recovered from Eastern Iowa, classifies very clearly with [Howells 1973. Cranial Variation in Man: A Study by Multivariate Analysis of Patterns of Difference Among Recent Human Populations. Cambridge, MA: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology; 1989. Skull Shape and the Map: Craniometric Analyses in the Dispersion of Modern Homo. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press]. Easter Islander sample in an analysis with uninformative priors. When the Iowa 2000 Census data on self-reported race are used for informative priors, the individual is clearly identified as "American White." This analysis shows the extreme importance of an informative prior in any forensic application. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Brief communication: High-resolution assessment of the dental developmental pattern and characterization of tooth tissue proportions in the late Upper Paleolithic child from La Madeleine, France

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Priscilla Bayle
Abstract Affinities and differences in dental maturational patterns between modern humans and Neanderthals remain a matter of discussion. In particular, deciduous teeth are rare for Late Pleistocene humans, and few entire sequences have been detailed for their developmental status. Here, we report the results from the 3D virtual reconstruction and structural analysis of the deciduous lower dentition (nine teeth in situ) of the child from La Madeleine (LM4), France, the first Upper Paleolithic specimen detailed so far by means of high-resolution microtomography (,CT). With respect to the modern dental developmental standards, age at death of this individual is now more likely estimated within the interval 3,4 years. LM4 lacks the slight discrepancy between a proportionally advanced stage of mineralization of the deciduous first molar and a relatively delayed maturational level of the incisors, which is found in Neanderthals (Bayle et al.: J Hum Evol 56 [2009] 66,75). By using a Bayesian approach, we calculated the probability that its maturational sequence is found within the extant human variation as represented by a tomographic (CT) reference sample of 45 children scored according to the same protocol (Liversidge and Molleson: Am J Phys Anthropol 123 [2004] 172,180). Results show that the specific sequence of this Magdalenian individual is found three times in the comparative sample included in this study. LM4 absolute tooth size and relative dental tissue proportions are close to the modern human figures (characterized by proportionally reduced dentine volumes) and lie systematically below the values shown by the Neanderthal child from Roc de Marsal, France (OIS 5a). Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Neurodevelopment of children born very preterm and free of severe disabilities: the Nord-Pas de Calais Epipage cohort study

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2010
ML Charkaluk
Abstract Aim:, To describe the development of very preterm children free of cerebral palsy or severe sensory impairment in the domains of gross and fine motor functions, language and sociability at a corrected age of 2 years; to identify factors associated with performances in each domain. Methods:, A total of 347 children born in 1997 before 33 weeks of gestation, part of the EPIPAGE population-based cohort study, had their psychomotor development assessed with the Brunet-Lezine scale. Results:, The study population had a mean gestational age of 30.1 ± 2.0 weeks. Lower developmental quotients (DQ) were observed in the study group compared to the reference sample (96 ± 13 vs 104 ± 8, p < 0.01). Fine motor function, language and sociability were all affected with a p value <0.01. Multivariate analysis showed that duration of intubation and parents' educational and occupational levels were the only variables significantly related to each developmental domain (p < 0.01). Conclusions:, Children very preterm and free of severe disabilities had mild delays in multiple areas of development. The mechanisms by which neonatal factors played a role need further investigation. However socioeconomic status had a great impact on development and our results underline the need for improved support of socioeconomically disadvantaged parents after a preterm birth. [source]

NMR nomenclature: Nuclear spin properties and conventions for chemical shifts (IUPAC recommendations 2001),

CONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 5 2002
Robin K. Harris
Abstract A unified scale is recommended for reporting the NMR chemical shifts of all nuclei relative to the 1H resonance of tetramethylsilane. The unified scale is designed to provide a precise ratio, ,, of the resonance frequency of a given nuclide to that of the primary reference, the 1H resonance of tetramethylsilane (TMS) in dilute solution (volume fraction, , < 1%) in chloroform. Referencing procedures are discussed, including matters of practical application of the unified scale. Special attention is paid to recommended reference samples and values of , for secondary references on the unified scale are listed, many of which are the results of new measurements. Some earlier recommendations relating to the reporting of chemical shifts are endorsed. The chemical shift, ,, is redefined to avoid previous ambiguities but to leave practical usage unchanged. Relations between the unified scale and recently published recommendations for referencing in aqueous solutions (for specific use in biochemical work) are discussed, as well as the special effects of working in the solid state with magic-angle spinning. In all, nine new recommendations relating to chemical shifts are made. Standardized nuclear spin data are also presented in tabular form for the stable (and some unstable) isotopes of all elements with non-zero quantum numbers. The information given includes quantum numbers, isotopic abundances, magnetic moments, magnetogyric ratios and receptivities, together with quadrupole moments and linewidth factors (where appropriate). © 2001 IUPAC. Concepts Magn Reson 14:326,346, 2002 [source]

Guidelines for improving the reproducibility of quantitative multiparameter immunofluorescence measurements by laser scanning cytometry on fixed cell suspensions from human solid tumors

CYTOMETRY, Issue 1 2006
Stanley Shackney
Abstract Background: Laser scanning Cytometry (LSC) is a versatile technology that makes it possible to perform multiple measurements on individual cells and correlate them cell by cell with other cellular features. It would be highly desirable to be able to perform reproducible, quantitative, correlated cell-based immunofluorescence studies on individual cells from human solid tumors. However, such studies can be challenging because of the presence of large numbers of cell aggregates and other confounding factors. Techniques have been developed to deal with cell aggregates in data sets collected by LSC. Experience has also been gained in addressing other key technical and methodological issues that can affect the reproducibility of such cell-based immunofluorescence measurements. Methods and results: We describe practical aspects of cell sample collection, cell fixation and staining, protocols for performing multiparameter immunofluorescence measurements by LSC, use of controls and reference samples, and approaches to data analysis that we have found useful in improving the accuracy and reproducibility of LSC data obtained in human tumor samples. We provide examples of the potential advantages of LSC in examining quantitative aspects of cell-based analysis. Improvements in the quality of cell-based multiparameter immunofluorescence measurements make it possible to extract useful information from relatively small numbers of cells. This, in turn, permits the performance of multiple multicolor panels on each tumor sample. With links among the different panels that are provided by overlapping measurements, it is possible to develop increasingly more extensive profiles of intracellular expression of multiple proteins in clinical samples of human solid tumors. Examples of such linked panels of measurements are provided. Conclusions: Advances in methodology can improve cell-based multiparameter immunofluorescence measurements on cell suspensions from human solid tumors by LSC for use in prognostic and predictive clinical applications. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Minerals as Model Compounds for Cu/ZnO Catalyst Precursors: Structural and Thermal Properties and IR Spectra of Mineral and Synthetic (Zincian) Malachite, Rosasite and Aurichalcite and a Catalyst Precursor Mixture

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2009
Malte Behrens
Abstract The Cu/ZnO system is a model for Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts, which are employed industrially for the synthesis of methanol. These catalysts are usually prepared from mixed basic carbonate precursors. A complex phase mixture, with constituents structurally related to the minerals rosasite andaurichalcite, is present at the industrially applied composition (Cu/Zn , 70:30). Using minerals and phase-pure synthetic samples as references, a comprehensive characterisation of such a phase mixture, including the determination of the individual compositions of the different phases, has been attempted by complementary analytical laboratory techniques (XRD, TGA, IR). The results are critically discussed in light of the complexity of the system. A thermally very stable carbonate species , well-known for mixed synthetic systems , is also detected for the mineral reference samples. Significant amounts of amorphous phases are found to be present in the synthetic zincian malachite sample but not in synthetic aurichalcite or the catalyst precursor. A simplified explanation for the shift of the characteristic 20 reflection of the malachite structure as a function of Zn incorporation based on the varying average Jahn,Teller distortion of the MO6 octahedra is proposed. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source]

Tag SNPs chosen from HapMap perform well in several population isolates

GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Susan Service
Abstract Population isolates may be particularly useful for association studies of complex traits. This utility, however, largely depends on the transferability of tag SNPs chosen from reference samples, such as HapMap, to samples from such populations. Factors that characterize population isolates, such as widespread genetic drift, could impede such transferability. In this report, we show that tag SNPs chosen from HapMap perform well in several population isolates; this is true even for populations that differ substantially from the HapMap sample either in levels of linkage disequilibrium or in SNP allele frequency distributions. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Calcium Isotopic Composition of Various Reference Materials and Seawater

Study of Short- and Long-Term Storage of Teeth and Its Influence on DNA

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 6 2009
Leticia Rubio M.D.
Abstract:, DNA degradation can interfere with the resolution of forensic cases. Allelic dropout often reduces the opportunity for adequate comparisons between degraded and reference samples. This study analyzed DNA degradation in 24 extracted teeth after storage at room temperature for 0, 2, 5, and 10 years. DNA concentration, quantified by dot-blot hybridization, declined significantly for the first 2 years, but there was no significant further degradation from the second to the tenth year of storage. COfilerÔ analysis was used and the allelic dropout ratio for the amelogenin locus relative to CSF1PO locus was also estimated. Statistically significant differences were found between fresh teeth and teeth from the 2- and 5-year groups but not from the 10-year group. Under our storage conditions most of the DNA degradation occurred during the first 2 years. Further research is needed to control for individual and external factors that could affect DNA. [source]