Characterization methods for wood extractives

Predstavljene so različne vrste hidrofobnih lesnih lipidov, ki so možni povzročitelji onesnaženja v papirniških sistemih, prav tako pa tudi analitske metode za njihovo karakterizacijo. Podani so rezultati določitve vsebnosti trigliceridov, sterolnih estrov, sterolov, maščobnih in smolnih kislin v smrekovih in bukovih sekancih, ki so pomembna vhodna surovina v celulozno-papirni industriji. Izdelana je primerjava različnih analitskih tehnik, in sicer ekstrakcije na trdni fazi (SPE), tankoplastne kromatografije (TLC), gelske porazdelitvene kromatografije (GPC) in plinske kromatografije (GC)navedene so njihove prednosti in pomanjkljivosti pri določanju kemične sestave in lesnih ekstraktivov.Various types of hydrophobic wood lipids, believed to behave detrimentally in papermaking , are presented, as well as different analytical methods for their chemical characterization. A determination of triglycerides, steryl esters, sterols, fatty and resin acids in spruce and beech chips (important raw materials in pulp and paper industry) was performed. A comparison of results, obtained by solid phase extraction (SPE), thin layer chromatography (TLC), gel permeation chromatography (GPS) and gas chromatography (GC) was made. Advantages and drawbacks of individual analytical techniques were established

Measurement and calculation of forces in a magnetic journal bearing actuator

Numerical calculations and experimental measurements of forces from an actuator of the type used in active magnetic journal bearings are presented. The calculations are based on solution of the scalar magnetic potential field in and near the gap regions. The predicted forces from single magnet with steady current are compared with experimental measurements in the same geometry. The measured forces are smaller than calculated ones in the principal direction but are larger than calculated in the normal direction. This combination of results indicate that material and spatial effects other than saturation play roles in determining the force available from an actuator

Polyphenols in different larch (Larix spp.) species

V članku so predstavljene različne vrste polifenolnih spojin, kot so npr. lignani, oligolignani in flavonoidi, ki jih najdemo v tkivih macesnov, to je dreves iz rodu Larix. Opisana je njihova biosinteza, kemijska struktura in lastnosti, med katerimi je poudarjen predvsem njihov antioksidativni potencial. Predstavljene so metode kvantitativne izolacije iz drevesnih tkiv in kemijske karakterizacije z uporabo sodobnih kromatografskih analiznih tehnik. Raziskave so pokazale, da so največje koncentracije lignanov in flavonoidov v grčah, vejah in skorji dreves. Najpomembnejši med flavonoidi v tkivih macesnov je taksifolin. Glavni predstavnik lignanov, ki jih bomo našli predvsem v grčah, je sekoizolaricirezinol, poleg njega pa sta zastopana tudi laricirezinol in ciklolaricirezinol. Polifenoli so ključnega pomena za obstojnost lesa, saj pomenijo učinkovito kemijsko zaščito pred različnimi okužbami. Zaradi visokih koncentracij bioaktivnih lignanov v grčah iglavcev bi slednje lahko rabile kot vir za tehnološko pridobivanje teh dragocenih komponent.Various types of polyphenolic compounds, such as lignans, oligolignans and flavonoids, which occur in different tissues of wood from the larch (Larix) genus, are presented in the article. Their biosynthesis, chemical structure and properties, including a distinctive antioxidative potential, are described. The methods of quantitative isolation from wood as well as their chemical characterization by means of sophisticated chromatographic analytical techniques are presented. It has been experimentally established that the highest concentrations of lignans and flavonoids are present in knots, branches and bark of trees. The most important flavonoid in larch tissues is taksifolin, while the predominating lignans in knots are secoisolariciresinol and less abundant lariciresinol and cycloisolariciresinol. The presence of polyphenols is crucial for wood durability, as these compounds represent efficient chemical protection of wood against biological decay. Due to high concentrations of bioactive lignans in knots of conifers, the latter represent a suitable source for technological production of valuable substances

Izoliranje in karakteriziranje eteričnih olj iz storžev navadne smreke (Picea abies Karst.), evropskega macesna (Larix decidua Mill.) in rdečega bora (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Preučevana je bila ekstrakcija eteričnih olj iz svežih storžev navadne smreke, rdečega bora in evropskega macesna ter njihova kemijska karakterizacija z metodo plinske kromatografije. Identificirani so različni monoterpeni in določene njihove relativne koncentracije. Ovrednotene so tudi vsebnosti višjih terpenov in podane razlike v kemijski sestavi posameznih eteričnih olj.Extraction and chemical characterization of essential oils from the cones of Norway spruce, European larch and Scots pine are presented in the article. Various monoterpenes have been identified and their relative concentracions calculated by means of gas chromatograpy. The contents of higher terpenes in individual oils have been also evaluated and the differences in their chemical compositions discussed

Heroin type, injecting behavior, and HIV transmission. A simulation model of HIV incidence and prevalence.

Background and aimsUsing mathematical modeling to illustrate and predict how different heroin source-forms: "black tar" (BTH) and powder heroin (PH) can affect HIV transmission in the context of contrasting injecting practices. By quantifying HIV risk by these two heroin source-types we show how each affects the incidence and prevalence of HIV over time. From 1997 to 2010 PH reaching the United States was manufactured overwhelmingly by Colombian suppliers and distributed in the eastern states of the United States. Recently Mexican cartels that supply the western U.S. states have started to produce PH too, replacing Colombian distribution to the east. This raises the possibility that BTH in the western U.S. may be replaced by PH in the future.DesignWe used an agent-based model to evaluate the impact of use of different heroin formulations in high- and low-risk populations of persons who inject drugs (PWID) who use different types of syringes (high vs. low dead space) and injecting practices. We obtained model parameters from peer-reviewed publications and ethnographic research.ResultsHeating of BTH, additional syringe rinsing, and subcutaneous injection can substantially decrease the risk of HIV transmission. Simulation analysis shows that HIV transmission risk may be strongly affected by the type of heroin used. We reproduced historic differences in HIV prevalence and incidence. The protective effect of BTH is much stronger in high-risk compared with low-risk populations. Simulation of future outbreaks show that when PH replaces BTH we expect a long-term overall increase in HIV prevalence. In a population of PWID with mixed low- and high-risk clusters we find that local HIV outbreaks can occur even when the overall prevalence and incidence are low. The results are dependent on evidence-supported assumptions.ConclusionsThe results support harm-reduction measures focused on a reduction in syringe sharing and promoting protective measures of syringe rinsing and drug solution heating

THE CHANGING SAME: LATIN- AMERICAN JAZZ

This project aims at investigating the different styles of jazz that have evolved in diverse Latin American regions, influenced by the cultural background of its performers and the fusion that they have achieved with contemporary jazz. At the same time, it delivers a creative work accompanied by a studio DEMO composed of 5 songs, each of which is committed to a different fusion representing the selected countries. The findings of this work can be summarized as follows: theoretically: the concept known as Latin Jazz responds to a marketing solution and much of the time does not reflect the different variants that have evolved and are present in the contemporary jazz scene in Latin America; practically: the skills acquired during this course, together with what I have learned through this work, offer me the tools to project myself with an innovative proposal in the international market as a singer of New Latin American Jazz.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-contemporary-performance/1165/thumbnail.jp

Long Non-Coding RNA in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for nearly 80% of diagnosed lung cancers. Due to the predominantly late diagnosis of NSCLC and drug resistance in the targeted therapy approaches, the 5-year overall survival rate is still less than 19%. Thus, novel diagnosis and treatment approaches are needed. Many efforts have been made to achieve great progress in understanding the genomic landscape of NSCLC and the molecular mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with little or no protein-coding potential. They are encoded across the genome and are involved in a wide range of cellular and biological processes. Dysregulation of lncRNAs is associated with a number of cancer-related processes, including epigenetic regulation, microRNA silencing, and DNA damage. Furthermore, lncRNAs have been reported to have the potential as biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the therapy targets. Here in this chapter, we review some well-characterized lncRNAs associated with NSCLCs and the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLCs

Lipofilni ekstraktivi srži europskog ariša (Larix decidua Mill.)

The heartwood of two European larch trees was examined for the content of lipophilic extractives. Hexane was used as a solvent for extractions, while gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were applied for analyses. Different lipophilic groups of compounds, such as fatty acids, resin acids, diterpenoids, sterols, steryl esters and triglycerides were identified and quantitatively evaluated as well as individual low molecular mass components. Distribution of heartwood lipophilics in relation to the trunk heights was also determined and their most likely biological function in wood tissues discussed. The content of hexane extract increased with stem height. Various fatty and resin acids as well as diterpenoid alcohols and sterols were characterized. The predominating lipophilic compounds identified were isopimaric acid and diterpenoid alcohol larixyl acetate. Their average concentrations in examined samples was between 2.0 and 2.5 mg/g. Higher molecular mass lipophilics, e.g. steryl esters and triglycerides, were also present with concentrations between 0.5 and 2.2 mg/g.U radu je prikazan rezultat istraživanja lipofilnih ekstraktivnih tvari u srži dvaju stabala europskog ariša. Kao otapalo za ekstrakciju primijenjen je heksan, a plinska kromatografi ja s plameno-ionizacijskim detektorom i plinska kromatografi ja povezana s masenom spektrometrijom primijenjene su za kemijske analize. Različite lipofilne grupe spojeva, kao masne kiseline, smolne kiseline, diterpenoidi, steroli, sterolni esteri i trigliceridi, identificirane su u uzorcima i kvantitativno su procijenjene. Također su identificirani i procijenjeni pojedini spojevi niskih molekularnih masa. Određena je i raspodjela lipofilnih tvari u srži s obzirom na visinu stabala i objašnjena njihova najvjerojatnija biološka uloga u drvnim tkivima. Sadržaj ekstrakta heksana povećava se s visinom stabla. Različite masne i smolne kiseline, kao i diterpenoidni alkoholi i steroli, također su zastupljeni u srži europskog ariša. Dominantni identificirani lipofilni spojevi jesu isopimarična kiselina i diterpenoidni alkohol. Njihove prosječne koncentracije u ispitivanim uzorcima kreću se između 2,0 i 2,5 mg/g. Lipofilni spojevi veće molekularne mase, npr. sterolni esteri i trigliceridi, također su otkriveni u koncentracijama između 0,5 i 2,2 mg/g

The clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative human immunodeficiency virus test in men who have sex with men: systematic and realist reviews and intervention development

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience significant inequalities in health and well-being. They are the group in the UK at the highest risk of acquiring a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Guidance relating to both HIV infection prevention, in general, and individual-level behaviour change interventions, in particular, is very limited. Objectives: To conduct an evidence synthesis of the clinical effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour among MSM after a negative HIV infection test. To identify effective components within interventions in reducing HIV risk-related behaviours and develop a candidate intervention. To host expert events addressing the implementation and optimisation of a candidate intervention. Data sources: All major electronic databases (British Education Index, BioMed Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Educational Resource Index and Abstracts, Health and Medical Complete, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed and Social Science Citation Index) were searched between January 2000 and December 2014. Review methods: A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions was conducted. Interventions were examined using the behaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomy, theory coding assessment, mode of delivery and proximity to HIV infection testing. Data were summarised in narrative review and, when appropriate, meta-analysis was carried out. Supplemental analyses for the development of the candidate intervention focused on post hoc realist review method, the assessment of the sequential delivery and content of intervention components, and the social and historical context of primary studies. Expert panels reviewed the candidate intervention for issues of implementation and optimisation. Results: Overall, trials included in this review (n = 10) demonstrated that individual-level behaviour change interventions are effective in reducing key HIV infection risk-related behaviours. However, there was considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the trials. Exploratory meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in behaviours associated with high risk of HIV transmission (risk ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.91). Additional stratified analyses suggested that effectiveness may be enhanced through face-to-face contact immediately after testing, and that theory-based content and BCTs drawn from ‘goals and planning’ and ‘identity’ groups are important. All evidence collated in the review was synthesised to develop a candidate intervention. Experts highlighted overall acceptability of the intervention and outlined key ways that the candidate intervention could be optimised to enhance UK implementation. Limitations: There was a limited number of primary studies. All were from outside the UK and were subject to considerable clinical, methodological and statistical heterogeneity. The findings of the meta-analysis must therefore be treated with caution. The lack of detailed intervention manuals limited the assessment of intervention content, delivery and fidelity. Conclusions: Evidence regarding the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions suggests that they are effective in changing behaviour associated with HIV transmission. Exploratory stratified meta-analyses suggested that interventions should be delivered face to face and immediately after testing. There are uncertainties around the generalisability of these findings to the UK setting. However, UK experts found the intervention acceptable and provided ways of optimising the candidate intervention. Future work: There is a need for well-designed, UK-based trials of individual behaviour change interventions that clearly articulate intervention content and demonstrate intervention fidelity