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The association between urolithiasis and growth of bacteria in the urine or urolith has not been recently evaluated in the past 15 years, and the effects of antimicrobial administration on urolith cultures have not been reported. As well, laboratory techniques for urolith cultures have not been critically evaluated. The objectives of the current study were to 1) report bacterial isolates from uroliths and their association with signalment, urolith composition, antimicrobial use, and urine cultures and 2) evaluate laboratory techniques for urolith cultures. For the first objective, a retrospective search of bacterial isolates cultured from uroliths submitted to the laboratory as well as the signalment, urine culture results, and antimicrobial use were recorded. For the second objective, 50 urolith pairs were cultured by washing each urolith either 1or 4 times and culturing the core. Five hundred twenty canine and 168 feline uroliths were reviewed. Struvite-containing uroliths had an increased prevalence of a positive culture compared to nonstruvite-containing uroliths ( P < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] = 5.4), as did uroliths from female dogs ( P < 0.0001, OR = 2.9). No significant difference between culture results and previous antimicrobial administration was found ( P = 0.41). Eighteen percent of cases with negative urine cultures had positive urolith cultures. There was no significant difference in core culture results whether the urolith was washed 1 or 4 times ( P = 0.07). Urolith culture outcome was not always influenced by previous antimicrobial administration, and bacterial culture of a urolith may not yield the same results as those obtained from the urine. The modified protocol, which requires less time and expense for urolith cultures, may be an acceptable alternative.

© 2015 Killilea et al. One of the most common types of urinary stones formed in humans and some other mammals is composed of calcium oxalate in ordered hydrated crystals. Many studies have reported a range of metals other than calcium in human stones, but few have looked at stones from animal models such as the dog. Therefore, we determined the elemental profile of canine calcium oxalate urinary stones and compared it to reported values from human stones. The content of 19 elements spanning 7-orders of magnitude was quantified in calcium oxalate stones from 53 dogs. The elemental profile of the canine stones was highly overlapping with human stones, indicating similar inorganic composition. Correlation and cluster analysis was then performed on the elemental profile from canine stones to evaluate associations between the elements and test for potential subgrouping based on elemental content. No correlations were observed with the most abundant metal calcium. However, magnesium and sulfur content correlated with the mineral hydration form, while phosphorous and zinc content correlated with the neuter status of the dog. Inter-elemental correlation analysis indicated strong associations between barium, phosphorous, and zinc content. Additionally, cluster analysis revealed subgroups within the stones that were also based primarily on barium, phosphorous, and zinc. These data support the use of the dog as a model to study the effects of trace metal homeostasis in urinary stone disease.

Light detection and ranging (Lidar) remote sensing two-dimensional vertical and horizontal scans collected downwind of a sand and gravel plant were used to evaluate the generation and transport of geologic fugitive dust emitted by quarry operations. The lidar data give unsurpassed spatial resolution of the emitted dust, but lack quantitative particulate matter (PM) mass concentration data. Estimates of the airborne PM10 and crystalline silica concentrations were determined using linear relationships between point monitor PM10 and quartz content data with the lidar backscatter signal collected from the point monitor location. Lidar vertical profiles at different distances downwind from the plant were used to quantify the PM10 and quartz horizontal fluxes at 2-m vertical resolution as well as off-site emission factors. Emission factors on the order of 65-110 kg of PM10 (10-30 kg quartz) per daily truck activity or 2-4 kg/t product shipped (0.5-1 kg quartz/t) were quantified for this facility. The lidar results identify numerous elevated plumes at heights30 m and maximum plume heights of 100 m that cannot be practically sampled by conventional point sampler arrays. The PM10 and quartz mass flux was greatest at 10-25 m height and decreased with distance from the main operation. Measures of facility activity were useful for explaining differences in mass flux and emission rates between days. The study results highlight the capabilities of lidar remote sensing for determining the spatial distribution of fugitive dust emitted by area sources with intermittent and spatially diverse dust generation rates.

Accurate knowledge of the concentrations of potassium and other elements is critical for evaluating the effects of straw and other high-fouling biomass fuels in combustion boilers and other thermal systems. Development of accurate and precise analytical procedures is therefore essential for utilization of biomass fuels in energy production and high-temperature applications. By comparing the results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses with similar analyses done using instrumental neutron activation (INA), it is observed that 20−25% of the original K2O content of straw ashes and slag can be lost during sample preparation for analyses. The loss occurs during heating of the ashes to determine loss on ignition probably as a result of the breakdown of sylvite (KCl). This loss can be significantly reduced, but not completely eliminated, if the analyses are performed on ashes that have not previously been heat-treated. The study poses the cautionary note that similar losses may occur during XRF analyses of other...

Despite the potential toxicity of respirable quartz to humans, little is known about the transport of airborne quartz from sources to receptors and how to distinguish anthropogenically generated quartz from natural background in a receptor sample. Airborne quartz emissions near a sand and gravel facility were determined using PM10 and PM2.5 filter samples collected at four downwind sites (D1: 22 m, D2: 62 m, D3: 259 m, and D4: 745 m from the facility) as well as one upwind site (U1: 1495 m) during summer sampling. X-ray diffraction was used to determine quartz concentration and elemental composition was analyzed using PIXE, XRF, PESA, and HIPS techniques. Elemental composition of the PM samples was used to determine the X-ray mass absorption coefficients that are essential for accurate quartz quantification by XRD. Elemental composition was found to be a useful tool to distinguish source and background crystalline silica. Both PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected at the D1, D2, and D3 sites contained more Si, Al, and Fe and less H, Na, and S, compared to those at the U1 site, whereas site D4 sample compositions were similar to those at the U1 site. A composite variable, SOIL/(H+Na+S), where SOIL = 2.20Al + 2.49Si + 1.63Ca + 1.94Ti + 2.42Fe, was used to distinguish source materials from background. Average dry season quartz concentrations in replicate PM10 samples were 4.6 +/- 0.9) microg m(-3) at U1, 60.6 (+/- 5.4) microg m(3) at D1, 62.4 (+/- 3.6) at D2, 32.6 (+/- 2.1) microg m(-3) at D3, and 9.41 (+/- 0.9) microg m(-3) at D4. The mass fraction of quartz was the highest at the D1 site and decreased with increasing distance from the facility. The mass of PM2.5 samples was too low to determine quartz concentrations. These results identify the facility as the main source of quartz and other silicate minerals downwind of the plant and that the air quality of the most remote sampling site, located approximately 750 m downwind, was still impacted by the facility's activity.

The conditions for mineral alteration and formation damage during CO2 treatment of Tensleep sandstone reservoirs in northern Wyoming, USA, were examined through core-flooding laboratory experiments carried out under simulated reservoir conditions (80°C and 166 bars). Subsurface cores from the Tensleep sandstone, which were cemented by dolomite and anhydrite, and synthetic brines were used. The brines used were (Ca, Mg, Na)SO4–NaCl solution (9.69 g/l total dissolved solids) for Run 1 and a 0.25 mol/l NaCl solution for Run 2. The solution used in Run 1 was saturated with respect to anhydrite at run conditions, which is characteristic of Tensleep Formation waters. Three major reactions took place during flooding, including (1) dissolution of dolomite, (2) alteration of K-feldspar to form kaolinite, and (3) precipitation (in Run 1) or dissolution (in Run 2) of anhydrite. All sample solutions remained undersaturated with respect to carbonates. The permeability of all the cores (except one used in Run 2) decreased during the experiments despite the dissolution of authigenic cement. Kaolinite crystal growth occurring in pore throats likely reduced the permeability. Application of the experimental results to reservoirs in the Tensleep Formation indicates that an injection solution will obtain saturation with respect to dolomite (and anhydrite) in the immediate vicinity of the injection well. The injection of NaCl-type water, which can be obtained from other formations, causes a greater increase in porosity than the injection of Tensleep Formation waters because of the dissolution of both dolomite and anhydrite cements.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the rates of migration of the (10¯1 4) plane of a single-crystal of calcite dissolving in 0.1 M NaCl aqueous solutions at room temperature. The solution pH and PCO 2 controlled in the ranges 4.4 < pH < 12.2 and 0 < PCO 2 10.8, only the velocity of the obtuse steps increased as pH increased, whereas that of acute steps gradually decreased. The dissolution rate of the mineral can be calculated from the measured step velocities and average slope, which is proportional to the concentration of exposed monomolecular steps on the surface. The average slope of the dissolving mineral, measured at pH 5.6 and 9.7, was 0.026 (±0.015). Using this slope, we calculate bulk dissolution rates for 5.3 < pH < 12.2 of 4.9(±3.0) × 10-11 to 1.8(±1.0) × 10-10 mol cm-2 s-1. The obtained dissolution rate can be expressed by the following empirical equation: Rdss = 10-4.66(±0.13)[H+] + 10-3.87(±0.06)[HCO3 -] + 10-7.99(plusmn; 0.08)[OH-] We propose that calcite dissolution in these solutions is controlled by elementary reactions that are similar to those that control the dissolution of other amphoteric solids, such as oxides. The mechanisms include the proton-enhanced hydration and detachment of calcium-carbonate ion pairs. The detachments are enhanced by the presence of adsorbed nucleophiles, such as hydroxyl and bicarbonate ions, and by protons adsorbed to key oxygens. A molecular model is proposed that illustrates these processes.

Objective—To determine the mineral composition and anatomic location of urinary calculi and to investigate sex and reproductive status as predisposing factors for development of urolithiasis in potbellied pigs. Design—Retrospective case series Samples—Urinary calculi from 50 purebred and crossbred potbellied pigs. Procedures—Laboratory records for urinary calculi of potbellied pigs submitted to the University of California-Davis Stone Laboratory from 1982 through 2012 were reviewed. Mineral composition of calculi was determined by polarized light microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and, in some cases, x-ray diffractometry. Results—Of the 48 urinary calculi analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, 21 (44%) were composed primarily of amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate; another 9 (19%) were primarily composed of calcium phosphate in the form of apatite. Of 50 urinary calculi, 22 (44%), 14 (28%), 10 (20%), 3 (6%), and 1 (2%) were removed from the urinary bladder only, urethra, both urinary bladder and urethra, urine, and renal pelvis, respectively. Sex of 6 potbellied pigs was not recorded. For 44 urinary calculi, 41 (93%) were from males (11 sexually intact males and 30 castrated) and 3 (7%) were from females (2 sexually intact females and 1 spayed). Among males, 73% (30/41) of submissions were from castrated males. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In contrast to results from studies in commercial pigs, the most common composition of urinary calculi identified in purebred and crossbred potbellied pigs was amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate. Potential predisposing factors for urolithiasis in potbellied pigs may be similar to those for urolithiasis in commercial pigs. These include diet, urinary tract infections, and sex. Thus, prevention of urolithiasis should target these potential predisposing factors.

Ten of 12 red-bellied short-necked turtles from a single clutch presented at 9 months of age with multiple white to tan nodules on their feet. Histologically, the nodules were composed of large periarticular deposits of mineralized crystalline material that extended into the joint spaces of interphalangeal joints and was surrounded by granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis. Crystallographic analysis determined the material to be apatite (calcium phosphate hydroxide) consistent with the tumoral calcinosis form of hydroxyapatite deposition disease (HADD). HADD has previously been described in aquatic turtles and rarely lizards and must be differentiated from gout in reptiles. A cause for the tumoral calcinosis lesions in these turtles could not be determined; however, based on previous reports in this species, a species-specific predilection, in conjunction with unknown environmental factors, is suspected. The use of the terms HADD, pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease), and calcinosis circumscripta has been inconsistent, creating confusion in the literature.

Background Calcinosis cutis is well recognized in dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism and iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. Objectives The objectives of the study were to identify possible correlations between histopathological patterns of dermal mineralization in skin biopsies and underlying causes for calcinosis cutis in dogs, as well as to determine breed predilection and age of onset for dogs within a hospital population. In addition, mineral analysis was performed on four biopsy samples. Animals Forty-six dogs with histopathologically confirmed calcinosis cutis were evaluated. Methods Medical records and histological sections of dogs with calcinosis cutis diagnosed by histopathology over a 21 year period were reviewed. Infrared spectrometry was used to identify the mineral in the paraffin blocks. Exact chi-squared test was used to identify breed predispositions, while a Mann–Whitney U-test was used to identify age correlations. Results Labrador retrievers, Rottweilers, boxers and Staffordshire terriers were the breeds most commonly affected in this study. Most dogs had either an exogenous or an endogenous source of corticosteroids, with the exception of five dogs with renal insufficiency. In the majority of cases, mineralization was found throughout the entire dermis. The average age of onset of calcinosis cutis for dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism was older than that of dogs with iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism. Using infrared spectrometry, apatite crystals were found to be the source of mineral. Conclusions and clinical importance There was no observable difference in the histopathological pattern of calcinosis cutis from dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism versus iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism. While glucocorticoid therapy appears to predispose dogs to developing calcinosis cutis, it remains unclear whether there is a specific dose or combination of factors that initiates the mineral deposition. Furthermore, the mineral deposition in dogs with calcinosis cutis was found to be apatite.

This paper discloses that a fairly substantial part of the reduction in compressive strength of concrete in which alkali-silica reaction has occurred is not due to the alkali-silica reaction itself, but because of such facts that alkali in cement makes the structure of the hardened cement mass porous, that there is a great difference in the tendencies of compressive strength reduction between cases of using glassy andesite and chert as reactive aggregates, and that the ratio of decline in compressive strentth becomes very low when expansion due to alkali-silica reaction reaches about 0.2%. Furthermore, it is shown that along with non-crystalline part in the constitution of concrete being increased with progress of reaction, there is an increase in homogeneity of structure, backing up the results obtained through experiments.

Hydrothermal experiments on ion exchange reactions were carried out using synthetic and natural rhyolitic glasses and (Na, K)Cl aqueous solution at 200–300°C and 1000 bars. The rhyolitic glass did not crystallize during the reaction even under hydrothermal conditions, and it behaved as a Na-K ion exchanger. The Na-K ion exchange properties of the glass were strongly influenced by its thermal history. Quenched glass preferentially fixed K rather than Na, and glass obtained by slow cooling showed the opposite trend. The present experimental results show clearly that glass as well as minerals can control the composition of the coexisting aqueous solution in hydrothermal systems. The present results also suggest that the chemical composition of coastal thermal waters in Japan is controlled by the two-stage episode of reaction between acidic volcanic rocks and seawater.

The elemental losses from ashes of common biomass fuels (rice straw, wheat straw, and wood) were determined as a function of temperature from 525 8C to below 1525 8C, within the respective melting intervals. The experimental procedure was chosen to approach equilibrium conditions in an oxidizing atmosphere for the specific ash and temperature conditions. All experiments were conducted in air and used the ashes produced initially at temperatures of 525 8C as reactants. Losses during the initial ashing at 525 8C were negligible, except for a K2O loss of 26% for wood and a Cl loss of 20% for wheat straw. Potassium losses are positively correlated with temperature for all fuel ashes. The K2O loss for wood ash commences at 900–1000 8C. Carbonate is detected in the wood ashes to about 700–800 8C and thus cannot explain the retention of K2O in the ashes to 1000 8C. Other crystalline phases detected in the wood ashes (pericline and larnite) contain little or no potassium. Petrographic examinations of high temperature, wood ash products have failed to reveal potassium bearing carbonates, sulfates, or silicates. The release of potassium, thus, appears to be unrelated to the breakdown of potassium-bearing crystalline phases. The straw ashes show restricted potassium loss compared to wood ash. The potassium content declines for both straw ashes from about 750 8C. Cristobalite appears in the straw ashes at about 700–750 8C and is replaced by tridymite in the rice straw ash from about 1100 8C. Sylvite (KCl) disappears completely above 1000 8C. The Cl content starts to decline at about 700 8C, approximately at the same temperature as potassium, suggesting that the breakdown of sylvite is responsible for the losses. The K–Cl relations demonstrate that about 50% of K (atomic basis) released from breakdown of sylvite is retained in the ash. The presence of chlorine in the ash is, therefore, best attributed to the presence of sylvite. Potassium is easily accommodated in the silicate melt formed at temperatures perhaps as low as 700–800 8C from dehydration, recrystallization, and partial melting of amorphous components. Loss of potassium persists for ashes without remaining sylvite and points to the importance of release of potassium from partial melt at temperatures within the melting interval for the fuel ashes.

Petrographic, isotopic, and fluid-inclusion evidence from normally and overpressured sand-stones of the lower Tuscaloosa Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in the Gulf Coast documents quartz-overgrowth precipitation at 90°C or less, calcite cement precipitation at approximately 100° and 135°C, and prismatic quartz cement precipitation at about 125°C. Textural evidence suggests that carbonate cement dissolution occurred before the second phases of calcite and quartz precipitation, and was followed by precipitation of grain-rimming chlorite and pore-filling kaolinite. Geochemical calculations demonstrate that present-day lower Tuscaloosa Formation water from 5500 m depth could either dissolve or precipitate calcite cements in model simulations of upward water low. Calcite dissolution or precipitation depends on PCO2 variability with depth (i.e., whether there is one or two-phase flow) or on the rate of generation of CO2 with depth. Calculations suggest that 105-106 rock volumes of water are required to flow through the section to precipitate 1-10% calcite cement. Compaction analysis suggests that late-stage compaction occurred in normally pressured sandstones after dissolution of carbonate cements, but was hindered in overpressured sandstones despite the presence of high porosity. These results document the inhibition of compaction by overpressured fluids and constrain the timing of pressure seal formation. Modeling results demonstrate that the proposed paragenesis used to constrain timing of pressure seal formation is feasible, and that most of the cement diagenesis occurred before the pressure seal became effective as a permeability barrier.

In our paper, on the high temperature elemental losses andmineralogical changes in biomass ashes [1], we erroneously statedthat pericline occurred in high temperature wood ashes. The errorappeared on Fig. 6 and in the accompanying text. The correct min-eral is periclase (or MgO) as clearly identified by the XRD patterns(d = 1.489) in Fig. 6 as well as in our detailed study of the phaseequilibria of high temperature wood ash [2]. Pericline is a sodiumfeldspar (albite) that is an unlikely mineral in the wood systemcharacterized by strong volatile losses of the alkali metals (Na,K),exceptat low temperatures wherethe onlytectosilicatemineralpresent actually is leucite [2].AcknowledgementThanks to S.V. Vassilev, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, forpointing out the error.References

Experiments on glassy rhyolite- and phenocrystic andesite-seawater interactions were carried out at 300°C and 1, 000b using Dickson-type gold bag equipments. Chemical reactions in rhyolite-seawater interaction proceeded very rapidly and a steady state was attained within about 48h. Andesite-seawater interaction, however, proceeded very slowly and a steady state was not attained within the run period of 7, 090h. Rhyolite and glass, augite and hypersthene in andesite were altered into smectite. Seawater lost most Mg2+ and SO42- and become acid Na-K-Ca-Cl-type solution through the reactions. The experimental result suggests that two stage alteration episodes existed in Kuroko-type mineralization. The present experimental solutions reproduced the chemical composition of a deep hot water from a bore hole drilled into andesitic geothermal area of southern Kyushu. However, shallow thermal waters discharging from andesitic volcanic rocks along some coastal areas of Japan cannot be explained as direct products of high-temperature interaction of seawater and fresh acid volcanic rocks.

Dyeing the products of the alkali-aggregate reaction made it possible to distinguish them from the components of the concrete under a microscopy. Cyanoacrylate mixed with a coloring substance was used to dye the alkali-silica gel red.Cyanoacrylate reacts readily with water contained in gel but not with the components of the concrete. Examination of dyed thin sections revealed a few concrete cores with expansion of alkali-silica reactive aggregates. This method appears to be useful for observing the alkali-aggregate reaction.