Identification of long-chain tricyclic terpene hydrocarbons (C21–C30) in geological samples

Author(s):  
Denis Heissler ◽  
Ruben Ocampo ◽  
Pierre Albrecht ◽  
Jean-Jacques Riehl ◽  
Guy Ourisson
Author(s):  
A. C. Reimschuessel ◽  
V. Kramer

Staining techniques can be used for either the identification of different polymers or for the differentiation of specific morphological domains within a given polymer. To reveal morphological features in nylon 6, we choose a technique based upon diffusion of the staining agent into accessible regions of the polymer.When a crystallizable polymer - such as nylon 6 - is cooled from the melt, lamellae form by chainfolding of the crystallizing long chain macromolecules. The regions between adjacent lamellae represent the less ordered amorphous domains into which stain can diffuse. In this process the lamellae will be “outlined” by the dense stain, giving rise to contrast comparable to that obtained by “negative” staining techniques.If the cooling of the polymer melt proceeds relatively slowly - as in molding operations - the lamellae are usually arranged in a radial manner. This morphology is referred to as spherulitic.


Author(s):  
J.T. Fourie

Contamination in electron microscopes can be a serious problem in STEM or in situations where a number of high resolution micrographs are required of the same area in TEM. In modern instruments the environment around the specimen can be made free of the hydrocarbon molecules, which are responsible for contamination, by means of either ultra-high vacuum or cryo-pumping techniques. However, these techniques are not effective against hydrocarbon molecules adsorbed on the specimen surface before or during its introduction into the microscope. The present paper is concerned with a theory of how certain physical parameters can influence the surface diffusion of these adsorbed molecules into the electron beam where they are deposited in the form of long chain carbon compounds by interaction with the primary electrons.


Author(s):  
John T. Armstrong

One of the most cited papers in the geological sciences has been that of Albee and Bence on the use of empirical " α -factors" to correct quantitative electron microprobe data. During the past 25 years this method has remained the most commonly used correction for geological samples, despite the facts that few investigators have actually determined empirical α-factors, but instead employ tables of calculated α-factors using one of the conventional "ZAF" correction programs; a number of investigators have shown that the assumption that an α-factor is constant in binary systems where there are large matrix corrections is incorrect (e.g, 2-3); and the procedure’s desirability in terms of program size and computational speed is much less important today because of developments in computing capabilities. The question thus exists whether it is time to honorably retire the Bence-Albee procedure and turn to more modern, robust correction methods. This paper proposes that, although it is perhaps time to retire the original Bence-Albee procedure, it should be replaced by a similar method based on compositiondependent polynomial α-factor expressions.


Author(s):  
J. M. Paque ◽  
R. Browning ◽  
P. L. King ◽  
P. Pianetta

Geological samples typically contain many minerals (phases) with multiple element compositions. A complete analytical description should give the number of phases present, the volume occupied by each phase in the bulk sample, the average and range of composition of each phase, and the bulk composition of the sample. A practical approach to providing such a complete description is from quantitative analysis of multi-elemental x-ray images.With the advances in recent years in the speed and storage capabilities of laboratory computers, large quantities of data can be efficiently manipulated. Commercial software and hardware presently available allow simultaneous collection of multiple x-ray images from a sample (up to 16 for the Kevex Delta system). Thus, high resolution x-ray images of the majority of the detectable elements in a sample can be collected. The use of statistical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), can provide insight into mineral phase composition and the distribution of minerals within a sample.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Wei ◽  
Yan Meng ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Liyong Chen

The purpose of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if low-ratio n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation affects serum inflammation markers based on current studies.


2005 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix M. Goñi ◽  
F-Xabier Contreras ◽  
L-Ruth Montes ◽  
Jesús Sot ◽  
Alicia Alonso

In the past decade, the long-neglected ceramides (N-acylsphingosines) have become one of the most attractive lipid molecules in molecular cell biology, because of their involvement in essential structures (stratum corneum) and processes (cell signalling). Most natural ceramides have a long (16-24 C atoms) N-acyl chain, but short N-acyl chain ceramides (two to six C atoms) also exist in Nature, apart from being extensively used in experimentation, because they can be dispersed easily in water. Long-chain ceramides are among the most hydrophobic molecules in Nature, they are totally insoluble in water and they hardly mix with phospholipids in membranes, giving rise to ceramide-enriched domains. In situ enzymic generation, or external addition, of long-chain ceramides in membranes has at least three important effects: (i) the lipid monolayer tendency to adopt a negative curvature, e.g. through a transition to an inverted hexagonal structure, is increased, (ii) bilayer permeability to aqueous solutes is notoriously enhanced, and (iii) transbilayer (flip-flop) lipid motion is promoted. Short-chain ceramides mix much better with phospholipids, promote a positive curvature in lipid monolayers, and their capacities to increase bilayer permeability or transbilayer motion are very low or non-existent.


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