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In this study, evaluation of Kosovo-Artana Concentrator tailings with flotation and leaching method is aimed. The minerological analysis of sample showed that sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and their oxidised forms are the main ore minerals in the sample, while pyrite, illite, quartz, calcite and gypsum are the gangue minerals. The metal contents of the sample are 1.2% Zn, 0.75% Pb, and 0.06% Cu. Flotation tests to produce bulk concentrate of copper-lead and lead-zinc were unsatisfactory. The recovery of the zinc with H2SO4 leaching were conducted both at room temperature and at elevated temperature. The effects of various parameters such as leaching duration, concentration of H2SO4, pulp density and temperature on the zinc metal recovery were examined. The maximum extraction of zinc was 80% and 89% at room temperature and at 80 &deg / C respectively for 120 minutes leaching period.

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abstract: Background: Hash oil, a cannabis preparation that contains ultra-high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Some evidence suggests that hash oil might produce greater intoxication and more severe negative effects than marijuana. This study examined whether the subjective effects of hash oil are more extreme than the subjective effects of marijuana and whether frequency of hash oil use is associated with the subjective effects of marijuana and hash oil. Method: Past-year cannabis users (n = 1,268) were recruited online to complete a questionnaire about the subjective effects of cannabis. Participants who reported past-year use of both hash oil and marijuana (n = 574) rated subjective effects of each type of cannabis in the following positive and negative domains: positive affect, cognitive enhancement, negative affect, cognitive impairment, physiological effects, reduced consciousness, and psychotic-like experiences. Results: Results of within-person comparisons showed that hash oil was rated as producing lesser positive effects (Hash oil: M = 4.53, Marijuana: M = 5.55, t = 14.67, p < .001) than marijuana. Negative effects of hash oil were minimal for the full sample (n = 574) and for both frequent and infrequent hash oil users. In general, the frequency of hash oil use was not associated with the subjective effects of marijuana but more frequent hash oil use was associated with rating hash oil as producing greater positive effects ( = 0.28, t = 6.86, p < .001) and lesser negative effects ( = -0.16, t = -3.83, p < .001). Findings were unchanged after controlling for sex, medical cannabis use, and frequency of marijuana use. Conclusions: Hash oil produced lesser positive effects than marijuana. Negative effects of hash oil were minimal, suggesting that extreme negative effects may be unlikely for experienced cannabis users. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2019

La contamination bactérienne des concentrés plaquettaires (CPs) représente le risque le plus fréquent d'infection transmise par transfusion. Malgré les progrès techniques accomplis dans le dépistage des agents infectieux, le risque de transmission de ces agents par transfusion ne peut encore être considéré comme totalement maîtrisé. Nous avons pu développer une méthode de détection par la technique de MALDI-TOF. Notre protocole permet une détection dans un délai de 8 heures à de faibles concentrations bactériennes.Nous avons évalué les performances d’un automate d’hémoculture, le VersaTREK, par rapport au Bactec, qui est fréquemment utilisé par les centres de transfusion. Nos résultats démontrent son intérêt dans la détection de la contamination bactérienne des CPs. Afin de caractériser l’origine de la contamination bactérienne, nous avons comparé, dans une étude rétrospective, les espèces bactériennes identifiées dans les hémocultures des patients de l’hôpital de la Timone, à celles identifiées dans des poches de CPs contaminés. Les espèces responsables de la contamination des CPs sont essentiellement issues de la flore cutanée. Elles sont donc différentes des espèces responsables d’épisodes de bactériémies.Ainsi, ce travail propose de nouvelles méthodes de détection de la contamination bactérienne. La mise en œuvre de ces nouvelles stratégies de diagnostic couplées à une meilleure connaissance de la prévalence et de l’origine de la contamination bactérienne des CPs pourrait permettre d’améliorer davantage la prévention et la réduction de la morbi-mortalité induite par une transfusion de CPs. / Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) is the most common risk of transfusion-transmitted infection. Despite better control of the elements of the technical progress achieved in the detection of infectious agents, the risk of transmission of these agents by transfusion cannot yet be considered as totally mastered. We have developed a method for detecting PCs contamination by MALDI-TOF. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that MALDI-TOF is used in the detection of microbial contamination in a complex medium such as PCs. Our protocol allows detection within 8 hours at low bacterial concentrations. In a second step, we evaluated the performance of a blood culture machine, VersaTREK®, compared to Bactec®, frequently used by transfusion centers. Our results demonstrate its interest in the detection of bacterial contamination of PCs. In order to characterize the origin of bacterial contamination of PCs, we compared in a retrospective study, bacterial species identified in patients' blood cultures treated at the Timone hospital, with those identified in infected PC units. The species responsible for the contamination of the PCs are mainly resulting from the cutaneous flora and are therefore different from the species responsible for episodes of bacteremia.Thus, this work proposes new methods for detecting bacterial contamination. The implementation of these new diagnostic strategies coupled with a better knowledge of the prevalence and origin of bacterial contamination of PCs could further improve the prevention and reduction of both morbidity and mortality induced by blood transfusion of PCs.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de quatro sistemas de alimentação sobre o desempenho e características da carcaça na terminação de cordeiros Corriedale. Foram utilizados 120 cordeiros com dez meses de idade, castrados, com peso inicial médio de 28,2±0,800 kg e escore de condição corporal de 2,65±0,2. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: PAS: pastagem; PAS0,6: pastagem + 0,6% do peso vivo (PV) de suplemento; PAS1,2: pastagem + 1,2% PV de suplemento e confinamento (CONF): confinamento. Foi utilizado um delineamento completamente cazualizado, onde o animal foi a unidade experimental. Os cordeiros terminados em CONF apresentaram ganhos médios diários de 105, 73 e 31 gramas superiores aos cordeiros terminados em PAS, PAS0,6 e PAS1,2, respectivamente (P<0,05). Não houve diferença no rendimento de carcaça dos animais dos tratamentos CONF (47,78%) e PAS 0,6 (46,20%), os quais foram superiores aos apresentados pelos animais dos tratamentos PAS (44,36%) e PAS 1,2 (45,59%). Os teores de gordura subcutânea dos animais PAS0,6 (4,39%) e dos animais em CONF (4,01) foram superiores aos apresentados pelos animais com PAS1,2 (2,75%) (P<0,05). A percentagem de músculo nas carcaças dos animais suplementados (55,96%) foram superiores aos valores apresentados pelos animais em pastejo (54,95%) e em confinamento (53,65%) (P<0,05). A percentagem de músculo nas carcaças dos animais suplementados (55,96%) foram superiores aos valores apresentados pelos animais em pastejo (54,95%) e em confinamento (53,65%) (P<0,05). A percentagem de osso nas carcaças diminuiu com o aumento no nível de suplementação (P<0,05). O sistema de alimentação afetou a tipificação de carcaças, sendo que os animais terminados em PAS0,6 e PAS1,2 apresentaram níveis moderados na gordura de cobertura enquanto as carcaças dos animais terminados em CONF apresentaram excessiva cobertura de gordura (P<0,05). A terminação de cordeiros pesados em sistemas de alimentação em pastagem com níveis moderados de suplementação permitem obter pesos e qualidades de carcaça de acordo com as exigências do Mercado Europeu. / The trial was lead in order to evaluate the effect of four feeding systems on the performance and characteristics of the carcass of finishing Corriedale lambs. One hundred and twenty ten-month-old castrated lambs, 28,2 ± 0,800 kg of average initial live weight and body condition score 2,65±0.2 were used. Animals grassed an improved native pasture with legume specie (Lótus corniculatus cv INIA Draco) and they were assigned to four treatments: PAS: pasture; PAS0,6: pasture + 0,6%BW of supplement; PAS1,2: pasture + 1,2% BW of supplement and CONF: drylot. Completely random designs were used, and an animal was an experimental united. Average daily gains on CONF were 105, 73 and 31 grams higher than those finished in PAS, PAS0,6 and PAS1,2, respectively. There were differences of carcass yield for CONF treatments (47,78 %) and PAS 0,6 (46,20%), which were higher than PAS (44,36%) and PAS1,2 (45,59%) treatments. Subcutaneous fat tissue of animals fed treatments PAS0,6 (4,39%) and CONF (4,01) were larger than those fed treatments PAS1,2 (2,75%) (P<0,05). The e percentage of muscle in the carcasses of supplemented animals (55,96%) was larger than those raised without supplementation (P<0,05). The feeding system affected the conformation and termination. Animals finished in PAS0,6 and PAS1,2, had moderated levels of subcutaneous fat tissue, while carcasses of animals finished on drylot had deeper fat covering (P<0,05). Lambs finishing, on pasture with moderate supplementations levels, fitted live weights and carcass characteristics demanded for the European market.

To examine the effect of buttermilk fractions on growth, iron transport, and uptake, Caco-2 cells (human colon adenocarcinoma) were grown in a bicameral chamber. The Caco-2 cell culture system is a useful model to study micronutrient utilization in the human enterocyte, because Caco-2 cells continuously differentiate and form a monolayer, which has high polarity, a well-developed brush border, and a tight junction. Iron bioavailabilty in various milks is very different depending upon milk composition. The fat fraction especially is known to be associated with iron absorption, because the fat fraction has milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which contains bioactive molecules such as sphingolipids. Composition of buttermilk that was concentrated by 10 K molecular sieving (MS) or by bacterial fermentation (Lactococcus latis PN-l) was reduced in lactose concentration and increased in protein concentration. Percent fat in MS buttermilk was concentrated to two times higher than in the original buttermilk (P < 0.05). Growth of Caco-2 cells with molecular sieved (MS) or fermented (FM) buttermilk in the growth medium was not significantly different. Transport and uptake of 59Fe was performed with/without cold iron (1 mmol/L) by iron-depleted or iron-repleted cells. Molecular sieved or fermented buttermilk and ganglioside or sphingomyelin standards with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were added to the Hank's balance salt solution (HBSS) in the apical chamber. With cold iron, addition of MS and FM buttermilk (1, 2, or 3 percent) increased 59Fe transport across iron-repleted cells (P < 0.01). Without cold iron, ganglioside depressed 59Fe transport (P < 0.01). Uptake of 59Fe was not significantly affected by buttermilk concentrates; however, more effective uptake was shown across iron-depleted cells. It is not clear from these studies that buttermilk fractions or their components influence iron uptake or transport by Caco-2 cell cultures.

Water recycling by membrane treatment is widely accepted as a leading alternative water source. This separation process creates a concentrated stream (called concentrates), containing most of the pollutants in 10%-20% of the flow; and a treated water stream. As nitrogen is a major concern, environmental regulations have become more stringent, requiring additional treatment to meet effluent standards. Other concerns include organic contaminants and potential production of halogenated organics if disinfection of the reject was applied. One option to address the problem of dissolved organic nitrogen and carbon is advanced oxidation. This oxidation could lead to degradation of refractory organic materials, which are poorly removed in conventional treatment. This project aims to evaluate treatment extent and cost of alternatives for organic (particularly nitrogen) removal in reject water addressing the following research gaps: (i) identifying the key organic pollutants present in the concentrated stream, (ii) the effectiveness and optimisation of coagulation, ion exchange and advanced oxidation; (iii) apparent cost of the different treatment methods. The untreated reverse osmosis concentrates were collected from two treatment plants:- Luggage Point, and Bundamba, both near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The first contains more colourful of organics than the second plant. Stirred cell fractionation with ultrafiltration membranes was used to characterise the removed key pollutants, as it offers better accuracy and reproducibility compared to centrifugation fractionation. Fluorescence spectral was used to monitor and identify specific organic compounds. The largest fraction was smaller sized <1kDa. This is probably small humic substances and fulvic acids, as indicated by Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) analysis. A smaller portion of soluble microbial products (SMPs) also contributes to the concentrates. Bundamba contains large non coloured organics including organic nitrogen with elevated ammonia-N. In contrast, Luggage Point has higher colour, inorganic carbon and conductivity with less ammonia-N. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) was the most effective treatment method (high removal of organics, e.g. 55% COD of initial), followed by magnetised ion exchange (MIEX) and coagulations. For UV/H2O2 AOP, the optimal operating condition 400mg.L-1 H2O2 and 3.1kWh.m-3 energy input resulted in organics removals up to 55% with complete decolourisation. The effective reduction was found in all size ranges, preferably in >1kDa. Low inorganic carbon and salinity in Bundamba may allow better overall oxidation rates. MIEX also performed better in Bundamba with organic removals up to 43% and 80% decolourisation at the optimum resin dose of 15mL.L-1. Removal was preferential in size range of >3kDa, with more proportional percentage for decolourisation. Similarly, ferric coagulation removed a wider size range of organics. Further, ferric achieved better organic removal in Luggage Point with up to 49%. At the same molar dose (1.5mM), ferric is superior to alum, especially in Bundamba where there were less hydrophobic compounds according to EEM. Alum is poor for treatment of high organics with less coloured water. MIEX with an operational cost (chemicals and power only) of $0.14-$0.20.m-3 treated water seemed to be the most effective treatment overall. The resin achieved better results with a slightly higher cost than coagulation, and had a lower environmental impact due to reduced sludge production. AOP offers better treatment, but at a higher cost ($0.47.m-3 treated). Combined alternatives may benefit the removal effectiveness. Furthermore, more specific identification of contaminants should be investigated separately to choose appropriate treatment for priority chemicals. Another issue is further investigation of costing, including capital, and full environmental impact of treatment.

Las plaquetas (PLTs) son protagonistas en la reparación de las heridas, ya que contienen factores de crecimiento (GFs), los cuales producen quimiotaxis, proliferación y diferenciación celular, neovascularización y deposición de matriz extracelular (ECM). Se ha propuesto la utilización de concentrados de plaquetas (PCs) autólogos para acelerar la reparación de las heridas y estimular la capacidad de regeneración de los tejidos lesionados. En los capitulos III y IV de esta tesis se presentan dos estudios clínicos sobre el efecto de un concentrado plaquetario (PC) autólogo en caballos con patología músculo-esquelética grave. Este PC fue preparado por medio de una nueva técnica de doble centrifugación en tubo. Una caracterización celular y molecular de este PC se presenta en el cápitulo V de ésta tesis. Se evaluó el efecto de la inyección intra-articular del PC en 7 caballos con enfermedad articular grave clasificada así según el grado de cojera (DL) y la efusión sinovial (JE). El PC produjo una mejoría estadísticamente significativa del DL y JE (p<0.05). La mejoría más notable fue observada a los dos meses de finalizado el tratamiento y permaneció hasta 8 meses después (ver cápitulo III). En el capitulo IV se evaluó el efecto del PC en 7 caballos con lesiones tendinosas (tendonitis del tendón flexor digital superficial (SDFT) y ligamentosas (desmitis del ligamento suspensorio (DSL)). Todos los caballos mejoraron significativamente su DL y la respuesta a la prueba de flexión (p<0.05). Los registros ultrasonográficos mejoraron en los caballos con tendinopatías, pero no cambiaron en los que tenían desmopatías. Dos caballos con tendinitis retornaron con exito a su nivel de competición sin recidivar. Un caballo con tendinosis crónica recidivó. El resto de pacientes con desmopatías volvieron a su nivel de competición pre-lesión. Se obtuvieron un promedio de 250 ± 71.8 x 106 plaquetas, 8.68 ± 3.78 leucocitos x 106 y 12515 ± 2443 pg de TGF- ?1/ml de PC. No se observaron signos clínicos adversos asociados con el tratamiento. En el cápitulo V se realizó un análisis celular y molecular del PC usado clínicamente (PC¬C), sangre entera y 4 fracciones de PCs adicionales (PC-A, PC-B y PC-D), los cuales son obtenidos durante la elaboración del PC-C. El objetivo fue evaluar el método de obtención de este PC, en el que son necesarios dos periodos de centrifugación. Todas las muestras fueron analizadas mediante citometría de flujo y determinación de los niveles de TGF- ?1. Las concentraciones de plaquetas para PC-A, PC-B, PC-C y PC-D fueron un 45%, 44%, 71% y 21%, respectivamente más altas en comparación con cada PC y la sangre entera. Las concentraciones de TGF- ?1 para PC-A, PC-B, PC-C y PC-D fueron un 38%, 44%, 44% and 37%, respectivamente más altas en comparación con cada PC y la sangre entera. Se concluyó que el método empleado para concentrar plaquetas es valido para producir PCs con niveles potencialmente terapéuticos de TGF-?1. Los resultados obtenidos en esta tesis abren un nuevo y prometedor campo de investigación para conocer los efectos clínicos y moleculares de los PCs en caballos con enfermedad crónica músculo-esquelética. Los resultados que se puedan obtener en caballos serán de gran valor para conocer el uso potencial de los PCs autólogos en seres humanos con similares patologías. / Platelets (PLTs) play a central role in wound healing, since they contain growth factors (GFs), which produce chemotaxis, cellular proliferation and differentiation, neovascularization, and extra¬cellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The use of autologous platelet concentrates (PCs) has been proposed to accelerate wound repair and to stimulate the regenerative capacity of injured tissues. Two clinical studies about the effect of an autologous platelet concentrate (PC) in horses with severe musculoskeletal pathology are presented in chapters III and IV of this thesis. The PC was prepared by a novel double centrifugation tube method. A cellular and molecular characterization of this PC is presented in chapter V of this thesis.The effect of the intraarticular injection of this PC in 7 horses with severe joint disease was evaluated on the basis on degree of lameness (DL) and joint effusion (JE). When PCs were injected into the joint a statistically significant improvement in both DL and JE (p<0.05) were observed. The most marked improvement was maximun 2 months after the last injection and persisted up to 8 months later (see chapter III). The clinical effect of PC injection in 7 horses with soft tissue musculoskeletal injuries namely: SDFT tendinopathy and desmopathy of the susensory ligament (DSL) was also evaluated (see the chapter IV). All the horses presented a clinical and a statistical (p<0.05) decrease of the DL and the response to flexion test. Ultrasonic appearance improved in the horses with SDFT lesions, but remained the same in the horses with DSL. Two horses with acute SDFT tendinopathy returned successfully to competition level without reinjury. One horse with chronic SDFT tendinopathy relapsed. The rest of the horses with DSL returned successfully to competition level without reinjury. A mean of 250 ± 71.8 x 106 platelets, 8.68 ± 3.78 leucocytes x 106, and 12515 ± 2443 pg TGF-?1 were obtained per ml of the PC. No adverse reactions resulted from this treatment. A cellular and a molecular study of the PC clinically used in this thesis (PC-C),of whole blood and of three additional PCs (PC-A, PC-B, and PC-D) obtained during the PC-C preparation were performed (see the chapter V) to compare the single and the double centrifugation tube methods for concentrating equine platelets. Whole blood and the 4 PCs were analyzed using flow cytometry for cellular quantification and determination of TGF- ?1 in all the samples. Platelet concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C and PC-D were 45%, 44%, 71% and 21% higher, respectively, compared to the same values for citrated whole blood samples. TGF- ?1 concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C and PC-D were 38%, 44%, 44% and 37% higher, respectively, compared to citrated whole blood sample values. In conclusion, the single and double centrifugation tube methods are reliable methods for concentrating equine platelets and obtaining potentially therapeutic TGF- ?1 levels. The results obtained in this thesis open a new encouraging research field on clinical and molecular effects of PCs in equine chronic musculoskeletal pathology. The future potential results obtained in horses can be of key value to determine the potenetial use of autologous PCs in human beings with chronic musculoskeletal pathology.