Quantifying the quality of the experiments used to grow protein crystals: theiQCsuite

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 1097-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Mele ◽  
Rongxin Li ◽  
Vincent J. Fazio ◽  
Janet Newman

Millions of crystallization trials are set up each year, with no clear metrics for determining if the experiments were correctly dispensed. This article reports the development of a software tool (iQC–image Quality Control) that recognizes factors associated with suboptimal experimental control during the setting up of protein crystallization trials. In its simplest form,iQCreturns a report that gives an overall rating to the quality of an experimental setup. TheiQCsoftware is able to identify many common problems observed in setting up crystallization trials – droplets that have associated splatter; droplets with air bubbles; the positional accuracy of droplet placement; elongated or otherwise `non-circular' drops – as well as detecting small and large droplets. An obvious use of this application is to track the status of the instrumentation used to set up crystallization trials in a multi-user laboratory.

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-429
Author(s):  
Aleksey V. Saitov ◽  
Vasily A. Sysuev ◽  
Viktor Е. Saitov

Introduction. In addition to grain, a grain heap of rye may contain poisonous ergot sclerotia. Modern grain cleaning machines do not isolate ergot sclerotia in one technological process because of the similarity of physical properties in linear dimensions. Isolation of ergot sclerotia from rye grain in one technological process is possible through the use of aqueous solutions of inorganic salts. The purpose of the study is to determine the optimum elevation of the loading hopper relative to the liquid surface. The data obtained contribute to increasing the quality of the technological process of the machine being developed. Materials and Methods. The paper considers the delivery of rye grain flow from the loading hopper outlet into the liquid by varying the specific grain load, liquid density and the delivery height. To set up the experiments, the experiment design methods have been used. The experimental data have been processed using the statistical package Statgraphics Plus 5.1. Results. The estimation of the effective elevation of the loading hopper outlet relative to the liquid surface when delivering grain flow has been carried out. There have been obtained regression models for the fraction of grains, which did not submerge and rose up to the liquid surface with air bubbles. Discussion and Conclusion. It has been found that the density of the aqueous salt solution has a significant effect on the percentage of grains, which did not submerge and rose up to the liquid surface with air bubbles. The smallest values of at different density of the liquid and specific grain load are achieved at a grain delivery height 56.0 ∙ 10–3 m.


Author(s):  
Hilton H. Mollenhauer

Many factors (e.g., resolution of microscope, type of tissue, and preparation of sample) affect electron microscopical images and alter the amount of information that can be retrieved from a specimen. Of interest in this report are those factors associated with the evaluation of epoxy embedded tissues. In this context, informational retrieval is dependant, in part, on the ability to “see” sample detail (e.g., contrast) and, in part, on tue quality of sample preservation. Two aspects of this problem will be discussed: 1) epoxy resins and their effect on image contrast, information retrieval, and sample preservation; and 2) the interaction between some stains commonly used for enhancing contrast and information retrieval.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
Herlin Hamimi ◽  
Abdul Ghafar Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Hasbi Zaenal

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam which has a function of faith, social and economic functions. Muslims who can pay zakat are required to give at least 2.5 per cent of their wealth. The problem of poverty prevalent in disadvantaged regions because of the difficulty of access to information and communication led to a gap that is so high in wealth and resources. The instrument of zakat provides a paradigm in the achievement of equitable wealth distribution and healthy circulation. Zakat potentially offers a better life and improves the quality of human being. There is a human quality improvement not only in economic terms but also in spiritual terms such as improving religiousity. This study aims to examine the role of zakat to alleviate humanitarian issues in disadvantaged regions such as Sijunjung, one of zakat beneficiaries and impoverished areas in Indonesia. The researcher attempted a Cibest method to capture the impact of zakat beneficiaries before and after becoming a member of Zakat Community Development (ZCD) Program in material and spiritual value. The overall analysis shows that zakat has a positive impact on disadvantaged regions development and enhance the quality of life of the community. There is an improvement in the average of mustahik household incomes after becoming a member of ZCD Program. Cibest model demonstrates that material, spiritual, and absolute poverty index decreased by 10, 5, and 6 per cent. Meanwhile, the welfare index is increased by 21 per cent. These findings have significant implications for developing the quality of life in disadvantaged regions in Sijunjung. Therefore, zakat is one of the instruments to change the status of disadvantaged areas to be equivalent to other areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. E56-E63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Munro ◽  
Daniel J. Corsi ◽  
Lisa Martin ◽  
Michael Halpenny ◽  
Nicholas Dibdin ◽  
...  

Purpose: To assess the association of specific newborn and maternal factors with indicators of increased blood-forming capacity in umbilical cord blood to inform strategic collection strategies that could augment the quality of units in public cord blood banks. Methods: Data regarding 268 consecutive cord blood units (CBUs) banked by Canadian Blood Services were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with markers of hematopoietic potency and likelihood of utilization. Results: Delayed clamping of the cord beyond 60 s was associated with reduced volume collected. Any delay in clamping of the cord was associated with reduced total nucleated cell counts. Newborn weight >4,000 g was also associated with greater blood volume in the collection but not with other measures of hematopoietic potency. Cord blood acidosis at birth (pH


At production of fabrics, including fabrics for agricultural purpose, an important role is played by the cor-rect adjustment of operation of machine main regulator. The quality of setup of machine main controller is determined by the proper selection of rotation angle of warp beam weaving per one filling thread. In the pro-cess of using the regulator as a result of mistakes in adjustment, wear of transmission gear and backlashes in connections of details there are random changes in threads length. The purpose of the article is the research of property of random errors of basis giving by STB machine regulator. Mistakes can be both negative, and positive. In case of emergence only negative or only positive mistakes operation of the machine becomes im-possible as there will be a consecutive accumulation of mistakes. As a result of experimental data processing for stable process of weaving and the invariable diameter of basis threads winding of threads it is revealed that the random error of giving is set up as linear function of the accidental length having normal distribution. Measurements of accidental deviations in giving of a basis by the main regulator allowed to construct a curve of normal distribution of its actual length for one pass of weft thread. The presented curve of distribution of random errors in giving of a basis is the displaced curve of normal distribution of the accidental sizes. Also we define the density of probability of normal distribution of basis giving errors connected with a margin er-ror operation of the main regulator knowing of which allows to plan ways of their decrease that is important for improvement of quality of the produced fabrics.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 817-823
Author(s):  
Natalya Yunusova ◽  
Irina Kondakova ◽  
Sergey Afanasev ◽  
Larisa Kolomiets ◽  
Alena Chernyshova

The study of the pathogenetic features of malignant tumors associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) is relevant because of high incidence of these tumors. Investigations of the mechanisms of involvement of MS in the pathogenesis of cancer reasonably supplemented by the study of transcription and growth factors associated with energy imbalance of the cell and involved in proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell motility and inflammation. More research is needed to identify the most promising molecular targets for therapy of malignant tumors associated with MS with a view to increasing the survival and quality of life of these patients.


1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 171-177
Author(s):  
T. Vellinga ◽  
J. P. J. Nijssen

Much of the material dredged from the port of Rotterdam is contaminated to such a degree that it must be placed in specially constructed sites. The aim of Rotterdam is to ensure that the dredged material will once again be clean. This will entail the thorough cleansing of the sources of the contamination of the sediment in the harbours and in the River Rhine. The Rotterdam Rhine Research Project (RRP) is one of the means to achieve this based on: technical research, legal research, public relations and dialogues with dischargers. The programme for five selected heavy metals is almost complete. For many heavy metal discharge points between Rotterdam and Rheinfelden, a specially devised independent load assessment has been carried out four times. Balance studies were used to determine the relative contributions of the point discharges to the total. Currently the results are being used in an attempt to negotiate agreements with a selected number of the major dischargers. At present, more detailed balance studies are being set up and exploratory measurements carried out for organic micropollutants. It may be concluded that the research is progressing successfully and methods and techniques developed seem satisfactory and broadly applicable. The Rhine Action Programme encompasses an international effort to improve the quality of the Rhine water. Although the RRP plays a modest complementary role to the Rhine Action Plan, there is no doubt of the value of this Rotterdam initiative. The mode of work followed in the RRP contains elements that can be of use in combatting the contamination of the North Sea by rivers other than the Rhine.


1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 249-251
Author(s):  
Jacques Bernard

The flow and the water quality of the rivers vary throughout the year. Very frequently the environment protection authorities set up a quality objective for the river water and this mini mum quality level is constant. So, it wou1d seem possible to accept variable quality standards for plant effluents. A first approach of the problem,by a small French task group,based on three actual cases leads to the provisory conclusion that such a regulation is suitable and presents economical benefit only in some very limit ed cases.


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