scholarly journals Identification of Metal Contamination Sources and Evaluation of the Anthropogenic Effects in Soils near Traffic-Related Facilities

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Hong-gil Lee ◽  
Yoon Joo Byun ◽  
Young-Woo Chun ◽  
Hoe-Jung Noh ◽  
Dong-Jin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Soil Contamination ◽  
Contamination Factor ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Coarse Particles ◽  
Natural Background ◽  
Anthropogenic Contamination ◽  
Anthropogenic Input ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I

Traffic-related facilities typically have much lower metal emissions than other sources; however, they can be numerous and widespread as well. Subdividing pollution sources is necessary to assess soil contamination characteristics and identify sources according to the contamination cause. Anthropogenic contamination by metals was quantitatively determined using contamination factor (Cf) and evaluated using multivariate analysis. More than half of the concentrations for Zn, Pb, and Cu in soils were higher than that in the natural background (NB). Cf of metals was, in decreasing order, Zn > Pb = Cu > Ni = As. Zn, Pb, and Cu were identified as anthropogenic contaminants in correlation analysis. Principal component analysis showed that the two main contamination causes were coarse particles from the maintenance or crushing activities of vehicles and nonexhaust/exhaust emissions. Clusters were classified according to those two anthropogenic and lithogenic causes and included Group I (Zn, Pb, and Cu in garages, auto repair shops, and auto salvage yards), Group II (Zn, Pb, and Cu in parking lots, driving schools, and roadsides), and Group III (As and Ni with high lithogenic properties). Anthropogenic input and sources of soil contamination by metals in traffic-related facilities were appropriately estimated through the combination of Cf and multivariate analysis.

Consumer’s perceptions of organic foods in Ambato, Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-280
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Castro Analuiza ◽  
Cristina Checa Morales ◽  
José Perea
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Group I ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Conventional Foods

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the factors that explain consumers purchasing behavior towards organic food products in Ambato (Ecuador). Methodology: Data were collected from a survey of 1,500 organic consumers and other 1,500 consumers who prefer conventional foods, and analyzed using multivariate techniques. Results: Principal component analysis identified four factors which explain the buying behavior of organic consumers: Belief in health benefits, quality and taste attributes; belief in environmental benefits; and contextual issues. Cluster analysis identified three groups of organic consumers: organic consumers interested in self benefit and highly influenced by contextual aspects (Group I), organic consumers interested in expected environment benefits (Group II) and organic consumers very interested in self benefits and less affected by contextual aspects (Group III). The relationships established in organic consumers are different to conventional consumers. This defines different variables that explain the purchase process. The socio-demographics profiles were different in gender and occupation; women and free license workers were more frequently interested in buying organic foods. Limitations: The study was carried out in the city of Ambato that could be considered representative of the Ecuadorian urban society. The results should be complemented by future studies focused on other cities or rural areas. Practical implications: Results suggest that the Ecuadorian organic sector follows the developing patterns identified in the Western countries. This implies that the promotion and practical support for the organic sector should be focused on strengthening positive attitudes towards organic purchases.

scholarly journals The functional state of the system of immunological protection in traumatic disease in patients with an increased body mass index

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Functional State ◽  
Adaptation Mechanism ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Immunological Protection

Introduction. An important reserve that provides adaptation processes in the immunoregulation system is the possibility of its various subsystems to redistribute structural and functional relationships between them. The approach from the perspective of systemic multivariate analysis will allow us to determine the main functional relationships that arise or are violated at different periods of traumatic disease in patients with an increased body mass index (IBMI) during polytrauma in the immune response as a whole. Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional state of the immunological protection system for traumatic disease in patients with IBMI. Materials and methods The integral indicators of immunogenesis were determined using a systematic multivariate analysis on the basis of a dynamic study of 1344 complex immunograms in 224 patients with IBMI with polytrauma and a different initial value of BMI. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group I - 88 patients with BMI of up to 29.9 (26.1 ± 3.1); group II - 84 patients with BMI of up to 30.0 - 39.9 (35.2 ± 3.8 ), group III - 52 patients with BMI > 40.0 (46.2 ± 5.8). The study was conducted on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 30th and 360th days from the moment of receiving a polytrauma. Results. In the functional state of the immune system as a whole, certain regularities were identified in patients with IBMI with polytrauma: impairment of immunoreactive processes was prolonged for 1 year or more from the time of polytrauma, regardless of BMI, their nature is regular and unidirectional, have periods of decline and increase in activity; the degree of damage, the ability of compensatory possibilities and the ability to restore them depending on BMI, since the initial deviations of the integral indicator are almost identical in all groups of patients; the immune mechanisms at all times are most determined by the state of the cell link and complement system for patients of I and III groups. Moreover, the development mechanism of secondary post-traumatic immunodeficiency, which is associated with the inclusion of extended T-suppression and a decrease in IgA concentration for more than 14 days, depends on BMI; a clear cooperation of cellular and humoral relationships, which is aimed at compensating for its consequences, was determined in patients of group II as well as active participation in the immune reactions of HLA-DR + lymphocytes as a delicate adaptation mechanism. The development of functional instability of the system occurred mainly due to the T-cell link a year after the case of polytrauma. Conclusion. Our analysis made it possible to prove objectively on mathematical models that traumatic disease is a long process. Clinical and pathogenetic aspects of immune disorders are beyond question and provide the basis for the application of the proposed treatment algorithms and changes in stereotypes regarding the treatment approach as a whole.

scholarly journals Chemotypes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) essential oil from four different states of Brazil

2021 ◽  
pp. 1035-1042
Author(s):  
Franciele da Silva Quemel ◽  
Andira Pricila Dantas ◽  
Lincon Sanches ◽  
Ana Cláudia Graças Alves Viana ◽  
Eloísa Schneider Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Main Compound ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Chemical Class

Turmeric or curcuma (Curcuma longa L.) is a Zingiberaceae whose essential oil and coloring pigments obtained from the rhizome have been widely used in the food industry and medicine. This study aimed to extract and identify the chemical compounds found in C. longa essential oil from rhizomes collected in six different locations of Brazil. The oil extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation technique, using a Clevenger- type apparatus. The chemical constituents were identified by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical cluster analysis (cluster)were done for the obtained data; and the composition of the studied accesses was verified. Three groups of chemotypes were obtained: group I was formed by the accesses of Campo Grande / Indígena-MS, Mara Rosa-GO, Campo Grande-MS and Perobal-PR, and had Ar-turmerone as its main compound; group II, formed by the access of Santa Tereza do Oeste-PR, presented α-costol and α-Phellandrene as the predominant compounds; and group III, the access of Holambra-SP, differed from the others regarding its essential oil chemical composition whose main agents were Curlone, Zingiberene, β-sesquiphellandrene, Humulene epoxide II, cis-α-trans-Bergamotol. The predominant chemical class in all accesses was hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (Santa Tereza do Oeste-PR and Holambra-SP) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (the others). This study evidenced the formation of three chemotypes

scholarly journals Quality Changes of Orange Juice after DPCD Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Liying Niu ◽  
Dajing Li ◽  
Chunquan Liu ◽  
Wuyang Huang ◽  
Xiaojun Liao
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Orange Juice ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Physiochemical Properties ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Nutritional Qualities

Dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) offers advantages of enhanced physical and nutritional qualities during the processing of juices. Here, freshly squeezed orange juice was treated with DPCD, and changes of physical properties and volatile components were investigated and compared with the original untreated and thermally treated samples. The correlations among physiochemical properties were also examined based on Pearson correlation, cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA). Significant correlations were found among the particle size, color parameters, and volatile compounds in the DPCD-treated samples. The 12 parameters were clustered into three groups using CA and PCA, and the eight volatile compounds were separated within the three groups. Nonanal and citronellol were clustered in group I, and they increased for a longer duration of more than 40 min with higher levels than the control. Parameters in group II included D (4,3), L∗, a∗, ethyl butyrate, and trans-2-hexenol, and they linearly decreased after 10–60 min DPCD treatment. The parameters of b∗ and monoterpenes were clustered in group III, and they decreased within 40 min of DPCD treatment and then increased to an intermediate level. In addition, PCA clearly showed that the orange juice samples under DPCD for 10–60 min formed a “U” shape on the two-dimensional plot and that the samples treated by DPCD for 10 min and 20 min were closer to freshly squeezed orange juice than the heat-treated orange juice. This indicated that the nonthermal DPCD process offers the potential to be used more extensively in juice products.

Problems in the identification of anthropogenic hydrocarbons against natural background levels in the Antarctic

1989 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.C. Cripps
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Carbon Number ◽  
Complex Mixtures ◽  
Natural Background ◽  
Anthropogenic Contamination ◽  
Anthropogenic Input ◽  
A Value ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
The Antarctic

Hydrocarbons in the environment occur as complex mixtures. The detection of low-level anthropogenic contamination can be difficult as many of the compounds can also be found in biogenic materials. Results obtained in the Antarctic show that accepted methods of distinguishing biogenic from contaminating hydrocarbons are inconsistent. The samples taken from South Georgia in the vicinity of derelict whaling stations had odd-to-even carbon number ratios in the range 0.8–1.0. An offshore site had the highest levels for phytane and the lowest for pristane. The pristane-to-phytane ratio varied between 0.4 and 1.4 and contradicted the interpretation of the odd-to-even ratio at several sites. A value of less than 1.0 for these ratios has been taken to indicate anthropogenic origin. A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected at all the sites, but the concentration gradient did not correspond with that of the n-alkanes. It is therefore recommended that recognition of anthropogenic input is based on quantification of all compounds against a well-defined baseline. The source of the pollution can then be estimated from the distribution patters of the hydrocarbons.

scholarly journals The potential of data exploration methods in identifying the relationship between short-period (daily) water consumption and meteorological factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Piasecki ◽  
Agnieszka Pilarska ◽  
Radosław Golba
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Daily Data ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Increase Water Consumption ◽  
Daily Water ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The purpose of the work was to identify the hidden relationship between water consumption and meteorological factors, using principal component analysis. In addition, clusters of similar days were identified based on relationships identified by k-means. The study was based on data from the city of Toruń (Poland). The analysis was based on daily data from 2014–2017 divided into three groups. Group I included data from the entire period, Group II- from warm half-years (April–September), and Group III-from cold half-years (January–March and October–December). For Groups I and II the extent of water consumption was explained by two principal components. PC1 includes variables that increase water consumption, and PC2 includes variables that lessen water demand. In Group III, water consumption was not linked to any component. The k-means method was used to identify clusters of similar days. In terms of PC1, the most numerous days were Saturdays, and in terms of PC2 Sundays and holidays. It was determined that further research aimed at explaining the specificity of water consumption on particular days of the week is appropriate.

The Effect of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Size on Endoleak, Secondary Intervention and Overall Survival Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

2021 ◽  
pp. 153857442110005
Author(s):  
Benjamin Ferrel ◽  
Shiv Patel ◽  
Antonio Castillo ◽  
Oscar Gryn ◽  
Jan Franko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Secondary Intervention ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Related Mortality

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size on endoleak development and secondary intervention after endovascular repair (EVAR), as well as to examine the effect on overall survival and cause of mortality. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on all non-ruptured AAA treated by elective EVAR using FDA-approved endografts in our facility from July 2004 to December 2017. Patients were grouped into 3 cohorts based on preoperative aneurysm size: Group I (<5.5 cm), Group II (5.5-6.4 cm), and Group III (≥ 6.5 cm). Occurrences of endoleak, secondary intervention and overall survival underwent univariate and multivariate analysis. Cause of death data on deceased patients was similarly examined. Results: A total of 517 patients were analyzed. There was no difference between size groups in the rate of endoleak (Group I 48/277, 17.3%; Group II 33/160, 20.6%; Group III 18/80, 22.5%; p = 0.46) or time until endoleak development. Univariate analysis showed no difference in the rate of secondary intervention (Group I 36/277, 13.0%; Group II 24/160, 15.0%; Group III 18/80, 22.5%; p = 0.11), time until intervention or number of interventions performed. Multivariate analysis showed an association with shorter time to secondary intervention for both Group III aneurysms (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.11-3.73; p = 0.02) and female patients (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.02-3.13; p = 0.04). There was no difference in overall survival, aneurysm-related mortality or overall cause of mortality. Conclusion: AAA diameter prior to EVAR was not associated with any differences in rates of endoleak or secondary intervention, and was not associated with poorer overall survival or greater aneurysm-related mortality. Patients with suitable anatomy for EVAR can be considered for this intervention without concern for increased complications or poorer outcomes related to large aneurysm diameter alone.

Ultrastructural Lesions Produced by Alcohol and Sucrose in the Heart and Liver of C57BL Mice

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 208-209
Author(s):  
K.K. SEKHRI ◽  
C.S. ALEXANDER ◽  
H.T. NAGASAWA
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Alcohol Group ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
C57bl Mice ◽  
Group Ii

C57BL male mice (Jackson Lab., Bar Harbor, Maine) weighing about 18 gms were randomly divided into three groups: group I was fed sweetened liquid alcohol diet (modified Schenkl) in which 36% of the calories were derived from alcohol; group II was maintained on a similar diet but alcohol was isocalorically substituted by sucrose; group III was fed regular mouse chow ad lib for five months. Liver and heart tissues were fixed in 2.5% cacodylate buffered glutaraldehyde, post-fixed in 2% osmium tetroxide and embedded in Epon-araldite.

The Quantitative Ultrastructure of the Heart Muscle of Japanese Quail by Hypergravitation, Hypodynamy and Combination

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-189
Author(s):  
Anton Bózner ◽  
Mikuláš Gažo ◽  
Jozef Dostál
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Quail ◽  
Heart Muscle ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group V ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Space Flights ◽  
Group I ◽  
Quantitative Ultrastructure

It is anticipated that Japanese quail /Coturnix coturnix japonica/ will provide animal proteins in long term space flights. Consequently this species of birds is of research interest of international space program INTERCOSMOS. In the year 1987 we reported on an experiment /2/ in which the effect of chronic acceleration of 2 G hypergravitation, the hypodynamy and the simultaneous effect of chronic acceleration and the location in the centre of the turntable of the centrifuge on the protein fractions in skeletal muscles was studied. The ultrastructure of the heart muscle was now in this experiments examined as well.Japanese quail cockerels, aged 48 days were exposed to 2 G hypergravitation /group IV/ in a 6,4 m diameter centrifuge, to hypodynamy /group III/ and their combination /group V/, respectively for 6 days / Fig.1/. The hypodynamy in group III was achieved by suspending the birds in jackets without contact the floor. The group II was located in the centre ofthe turntable of the centrifuge. The control group I. was kept under normal conditions. The quantitative ultrastructure of myocard was evaluated by the methods of Weibel/3/ - this enables to determine the number, relative size and volume of mitochondria volume of single mitochondria, defficiency of mitochondrial cristae and volume of myofibrils.

Heterogeneity and Immunochemical Properties of Anti-β2-glycoprotein I Autoantibodies

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (09) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Regnault ◽  
E. Hachulla ◽  
L. Darnige ◽  
B. Roussel ◽  
J. C. Bensa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Anticardiolipin Antibodies ◽  
Dual Reactivity ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Important Group ◽  
Epitope Specificity ◽  
Glycoprotein I ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Sufficient Concentration

SummaryMost anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are directed against epitopes expressed on β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI). Despite a good correlation between standard ACA assays and those using purified human β2GPI as the sole antigen, some sera from APS patients only react in the latter. This is indicative of heterogeneity in anti-β2GPI antibodies. To characterize their reactivity profiles, human and bovine β2GPI were immobilized on γ-irradiated plates (β2GPI-ELISA), plain polystyrene precoated with increasing cardiolipin concentrations (CL/β2GPI-ELISA), and affinity columns. Fluid-phase inhibition experiments were also carried out with both proteins. Of 56 selected sera, restricted recognition of bovine or human β2GPI occurred respectively in 10/29 IgA-positive and 9/22 IgM-positive samples, and most of the latter (8/9) were missed by the standard ACA assay, as expected from a previous study. Based on species specificity and ACA results, IgG-positive samples (53/56) were categorized into three groups: antibodies reactive to bovine β2GPI only (group I) or to bovine and human β2GPI, group II being ACA-negative, and group III being ACA-positive. The most important group, group III (n = 33) was characterized by (i) binding when β2GPI was immobilized on γ-irradiated polystyrene or cardiolipin at sufficient concentration (regardless of β2GPI density, as assessed using 125I-β2GPI); (ii) and low avidity binding to fluid-phase β2GPI (Kd in the range 10–5 M). In contrast, all six group II samples showed (i) ability to bind human and bovine β2GPI immobilized on non-irradiated plates; (ii) concentration-dependent blockade of binding by cardiolipin, suggesting epitope location in the vicinity of the phospholipid binding site on native β2GPI; (iii) and relative avidities approximately 100-fold higher than in group III. Group I patients were heterogeneous with respect to CL/β2GPI-ELISA and ACA results (6/14 scored negative), possibly reflecting antibody differences in terms of avidity and epitope specificity. Affinity fractionation of 23 sera showed the existence, in individual patients, of various combinations of antibody subsets solely reactive to human or bovine β2GPI, together with cross-species reactive subsets present in all samples with dual reactivity namely groups III and II, although the latter antibodies were poorly purified on either column. Therefore, the mode of presentation of β2GPI greatly influences its recognition by anti-β2GPI antibodies with marked inter-individual heterogeneity, in relation to ACA quantitation and, possibly, disease presentation and pathogenesis.

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