Determination of the Empirical Electrokinetic Equilibrium Condition of Microorganisms in Microfluidic Devices

The increased concern regarding emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance has drawn interest in the development of rapid and robust microfluidic techniques to analyze microorganisms. The novel parameter known as the electrokinetic equilibrium condition (EEEC) was presented in recent studies, providing an approach to analyze microparticles in microchannels employing unique electrokinetic (EK) signatures. While the EEEC shows great promise, current estimation approaches can be time-consuming or heavily user-dependent for accurate values. The present contribution aims to analyze existing approaches for estimating this parameter and modify the process into an accurate yet simple technique for estimating the EK behavior of microorganisms in insulator-based microfluidic devices. The technique presented here yields the parameter called the empirical electrokinetic equilibrium condition (eEEEC) which works well as a value for initial approximations of trapping conditions in insulator-based EK (iEK) microfluidic systems. A total of six types of microorganisms were analyzed in this study (three bacteria and three bacteriophages). The proposed approach estimated eEEEC values employing images of trapped microorganisms, yielding high reproducibility (SD 5.0–8.8%). Furthermore, stable trapping voltages (sTVs) were estimated from eEEEC values for distinct channel designs to test that this parameter is system-independent and good agreement was obtained when comparing estimated sTVs vs. experimental values (SD 0.3–19.6%). The encouraging results from this work were used to generate an EK library of data, available on our laboratory website. The data in this library can be used to design tailored iEK microfluidic devices for the analysis of microorganisms.

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Vitamin A Value of Plant Food Provitamin A - Evaluated by the Stable Isotope Technologies

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000183 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 84 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 25-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Guangwen Tang

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Provitamin A ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Plant Food ◽

Plant Foods ◽

A Value ◽

Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽

Β Carotene

Humans need vitamin A and obtain essential vitamin A by conversion of plant foods rich in provitamin A and/or absorption of preformed vitamin A from foods of animal origin. The determination of the vitamin A value of plant foods rich in provitamin A is important but has challenges. The aim of this paper is to review the progress over last 80 years following the discovery on the conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A and the various techniques including stable isotope technologies that have been developed to determine vitamin A values of plant provitamin A (mainly β-carotene). These include applications from using radioactive β-carotene and vitamin A, depletion-repletion with vitamin A and β-carotene, and measuring postprandial chylomicron fractions after feeding a β-carotene rich diet, to using stable isotopes as tracers to follow the absorption and conversion of plant food provitamin A carotenoids (mainly β-carotene) in humans. These approaches have greatly promoted our understanding of the absorption and conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A. Stable isotope labeled plant foods are useful for determining the overall bioavailability of provitamin A carotenoids from specific foods. Locally obtained plant foods can provide vitamin A and prevent deficiency of vitamin A, a remaining worldwide concern.

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A novel method for the determination of linting propensity of paper

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj11.10.9 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 9-17

Author(s):

ALESSANDRA GERLI ◽

LEENDERT C. EIGENBROOD

Keyword(s):

Ash Content ◽

The Novel ◽

Offset Printing ◽

Excellent Correlation ◽

End Conditions ◽

Bottom Side ◽

Novel Method ◽

Total Fraction

A novel method was developed for the determination of linting propensity of paper based on printing with an IGT printability tester and image analysis of the printed strips. On average, the total fraction of the surface removed as lint during printing is 0.01%-0.1%. This value is lower than those reported in most laboratory printing tests, and more representative of commercial offset printing applications. Newsprint paper produced on a roll/blade former machine was evaluated for linting propensity using the novel method and also printed on a commercial coldset offset press. Laboratory and commercial printing results matched well, showing that linting was higher for the bottom side of paper than for the top side, and that linting could be reduced on both sides by application of a dry-strength additive. In a second case study, varying wet-end conditions were used on a hybrid former machine to produce four paper reels, with the goal of matching the low linting propensity of the paper produced on a machine with gap former configuration. We found that the retention program, by improving fiber fines retention, substantially reduced the linting propensity of the paper produced on the hybrid former machine. The papers were also printed on a commercial coldset offset press. An excellent correlation was found between the total lint area removed from the bottom side of the paper samples during laboratory printing and lint collected on halftone areas of the first upper printing unit after 45000 copies. Finally, the method was applied to determine the linting propensity of highly filled supercalendered paper produced on a hybrid former machine. In this case, the linting propensity of the bottom side of paper correlated with its ash content.

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Temperature Dependence of G and D’ Phonons in Monolayer to Few-Layer Graphene with Vacancies

Nanoscale Research Letters ◽

10.1186/s11671-020-03414-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mingming Yang ◽

Longlong Wang ◽

Xiaofen Qiao ◽

Yi Liu ◽

Yufan Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Temperature Coefficient ◽

Negative Temperature ◽

Intrinsic Properties ◽

Temperature Dependent ◽

Phonon Interaction ◽

Electron Phonon Interaction ◽

Layer Graphene ◽

A Value ◽

Few Layer Graphene

Abstract The defects into the hexagonal network of a sp2-hybridized carbon atom have been demonstrated to have a significant influence on intrinsic properties of graphene systems. In this paper, we presented a study of temperature-dependent Raman spectra of G peak and D’ band at low temperatures from 78 to 318 K in defective monolayer to few-layer graphene induced by ion C+ bombardment under the determination of vacancy uniformity. Defects lead to the increase of the negative temperature coefficient of G peak, with a value almost identical to that of D’ band. However, the variation of frequency and linewidth of G peak with layer number is contrary to D’ band. It derives from the related electron-phonon interaction in G and D’ phonon in the disorder-induced Raman scattering process. Our results are helpful to understand the mechanism of temperature-dependent phonons in graphene-based materials and provide valuable information on thermal properties of defects for the application of graphene-based devices.

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Comparative Study for the Assay of Plant Derived Chemicals in Pharmaceutical Formulation Using Methods Dependent on Factorized Spectra

Journal of AOAC International ◽

10.1093/jaoacint/qsab027 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nesma M Fahmy ◽

Adel M Michael

Keyword(s):

Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽

Pharmaceutical Formulation ◽

Ternary Mixtures ◽

Ratio Method ◽

The Novel ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Accuracy And Precision ◽

Validation Parameters ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Modern built-in spectrophotometer software supporting mathematical processes provided a solution for increasing selectivity for multicomponent mixtures. Objective Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of the three naturally occurring antioxidants—rutin(RUT), hesperidin(HES), and ascorbic acid(ASC)—in bulk forms and combined pharmaceutical formulation. Method This was achieved by factorized zero order method (FZM), factorized derivative method (FD1M), and factorized derivative ratio method (FDRM), coupled with spectrum subtraction(SS). Results Mathematical filtration techniques allowed each component to be obtained separately in either its zero, first, or derivative ratio form, allowing the resolution of spectra typical to the pure components present in Vitamin C Forte® tablets. The proposed methods were applied over a concentration range of 2–50, 2–30, and 10–100 µg/mL for RUT, HES, and ASC, respectively. Conclusions Recent methods for the analysis of binary mixtures, FZM and FD1M, were successfully applied for the analysis of ternary mixtures and compared to the novel FDRM. All were revealed to be specific and sensitive with successful application on pharmaceutical formulations. Validation parameters were evaluated in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. Statistical results were satisfactory, revealing no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision. Highlights Factorized methods enabled the resolution of spectra identical to those of pure drugs present in mixtures. Overlapped spectra of ternary mixtures could be resolved by spectrum subtraction coupled FDRM (SS-FDRM) or by successive application of FZM and FD1M.

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Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus X4-like accessory protein

Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics ◽

10.1186/s43042-021-00160-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Olanrewaju Ayodeji Durojaye ◽

Nkwachukwu Oziamara Okoro ◽

Arome Solomon Odiba

Keyword(s):

Rapid Development ◽

Protein A ◽

The Novel ◽

Quality Model ◽

A Value ◽

Model Protein ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Global Threat

Abstract Background The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is currently a global threat to health and economies. Therapeutics and vaccines are in rapid development; however, none of these therapeutics are considered as absolute cure, and the potential to mutate makes it necessary to find therapeutics that target a highly conserved regions of the viral structure. Results In this study, we characterized an essential but poorly understood coronavirus accessory X4 protein, a core and stable component of the SARS-CoV family. Sequence analysis shows a conserved ~ 90% identity between the SARS-CoV-2 and previously characterized X4 protein in the database. QMEAN Z score of the model protein shows a value of around 0.5, within the acceptable range 0–1. A MolProbity score of 2.96 was obtained for the model protein and indicates a good quality model. The model has Ramachandran values of φ = − 57o and ψ = − 47o for α-helices and values of φ = − 130o and ψ = + 140o for twisted sheets. Conclusions The protein data obtained from this study provides robust information for further in vitro and in vivo experiment, targeted at devising therapeutics against the virus. Phylogenetic analysis further supports previous evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 is positioned with the SL-CoVZC45, BtRs-BetaCoV/YN2018B and the RS4231 Bat SARS-like corona viruses.

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Recent Advances in Microfluidic Devices for Contamination Detection and Quality Inspection of Milk

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12050558 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 558

Author(s):

Hwee-Yeong Ng ◽

Wen-Chin Lee ◽

Chia-Te Kung ◽

Lung-Chih Li ◽

Chien-Te Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Foodborne Pathogens ◽

Human Life ◽

Microfluidic Devices ◽

Quality Inspection ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Sample Preconcentration ◽

Sample Extraction ◽

Microfluidic Analysis ◽

Sample Separation

Milk is a necessity for human life. However, it is susceptible to contamination and adulteration. Microfluidic analysis devices have attracted significant attention for the high-throughput quality inspection and contaminant analysis of milk samples in recent years. This review describes the major proposals presented in the literature for the pretreatment, contaminant detection, and quality inspection of milk samples using microfluidic lab-on-a-chip and lab-on-paper platforms in the past five years. The review focuses on the sample separation, sample extraction, and sample preconcentration/amplification steps of the pretreatment process and the determination of aflatoxins, antibiotics, drugs, melamine, and foodborne pathogens in the detection process. Recent proposals for the general quality inspection of milk samples, including the viscosity and presence of adulteration, are also discussed. The review concludes with a brief perspective on the challenges facing the future development of microfluidic devices for the analysis of milk samples in the coming years.

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Interrogating the Egypto-Sudanic Arabic Connection

Languages ◽

10.3390/languages6030123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Thomas A. Leddy-Cecere

Keyword(s):

The Novel ◽

Present Contribution ◽

Phonological Processes ◽

Verbal Inflection ◽

Segmental Phonology ◽

Language Data ◽

History Of ◽

Novel Method ◽

Dialect Classification ◽

Arabic Speaking

The Arabic dialectology literature repeatedly asserts the existence of a macro-level classificatory relationship binding the Arabic speech varieties of the combined Egypto-Sudanic area. This proposal, though oft-encountered, has not previously been formulated in reference to extensive linguistic criteria, but is instead framed primarily on the nonlinguistic premise of historical demographic and genealogical relationships joining the Arabic-speaking communities of the region. The present contribution provides a linguistically based evaluation of this proposed dialectal grouping, to assess whether the postulated dialectal unity is meaningfully borne out by available language data. Isoglosses from the domains of segmental phonology, phonological processes, pronominal morphology, verbal inflection, and syntax are analyzed across six dialects representing Arabic speech in the region. These are shown to offer minimal support for a unified Egypto-Sudanic dialect classification, but instead to indicate a significant north–south differentiation within the sample—a finding further qualified via application of the novel method of Historical Glottometry developed by François and Kalyan. The investigation concludes with reflection on the implications of these results on the understandings of the correspondence between linguistic and human genealogical relationships in the history of Arabic and in dialectological practice more broadly.

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Phylogenetic Core Groups: a promising concept in search of a consistent methodological framework

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-021-01023-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alberto Pascual-García

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Microbial Ecology ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

The Novel ◽

Methodological Framework ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units ◽

Traditional Classification ◽

Taxonomical Classification ◽

Novel Concept

AbstractIn this comment, we analyse the conceptual framework proposed by Aguirre de Cárcer (Microbiome 7:142, 2019), introducing the novel concept of Phylogenetic Core Groups (PCGs). This notion aims to complement the traditional classification in operational taxonomic units (OTUs), widely used in microbial ecology, to provide a more intrinsic taxonomical classification which avoids the use of pre-determined thresholds. However, to introduce this concept, the author frames his proposal in a wider theoretical framework based on a conceptualization of selection that we argue is a tautology. This blurs the subsequent formulation of an assembly principle for microbial communities, favouring that some contradictory examples introduced to support the framework appear aligned in their conclusions. And more importantly, under this framework and its derived methodology, it is not possible to infer PCGs from data in a consistent way. We reanalyse the proposal to identify its logical and methodological flaws and, through the analysis of synthetic scenarios, we propose a number of methodological refinements to contribute towards the determination of PCGs in a consistent way. We hope our analysis will promote the exploration of PCGs as a potentially valuable tool, helping to bridge the gap between environmental conditions and community composition in microbial ecology.

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Reaktive E=C(p–p)π Systeme, XXXIV Addition von Alkoholen oder primären Aminen an Phosphaalkene F3CP=C(F)OR. Neue Trifluormethylphosphane und -phosphaalkene/Reactive E = C( p – p ) π-Systems, XXXIV Addition of Alcohols or Primary Amines to Phosphaalkenes F3CP= C(F)OR . Novel Trifluoromethylphosphanes and Phosphaalkenes

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B ◽

10.1515/znb-1993-0114 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 58-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Joseph Grobe ◽

Duc Le Van ◽

Gudrun Lange

Keyword(s):

High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Primary Amines ◽

The Novel ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Pull System ◽

Fragment Ions ◽

New Compounds ◽

C Nmr

The course of the reactions o f fluorophosphaalkenes F3CP = C (F)OR [R = Me (1), Et (2)] with methanol or ethanol strongly depends on the experimental conditions. Thus at 70 °C a mixture of the 2-phosphapropionic acid ester F3CP (H )CO2R [R = Me (3), Et (4)] and trifluoromethylphosphane H2PCF3 is formed [molar ratio: 3 or 4 /H2 CF3 ≈1/1]. If the precursors F3CP (H )CO2R [R = Me (3), Et) are used as starting materials, the reaction with ROH under the same conditions affords 3 and 4, respectively, (90 to 95% yield) with only traces of H2PCF 3. In the presence o f iPr2NH these precursors react with R′OH to give the novel trifluoromethylphosphaalkenes F3CP = C (OR )OR [R /R′: Me/Me (6); E t/E t (7); Me/Et (8)]. With Et2NH , 3 undergoes an addition/elimination process yielding the interesting push/pull system Et2N(F)C = P-CO2Me (5). 1 and 2 react with primary amines R′NH2 (R′= tBu, Me) with stereoselective formation of the fairly labile phosphaalkenes F3CP = C(OR)NHR′ [R /R′: Me/tBu (9), Et/tBu(10), Me/Me (11)] with trans-positions for CF3 and NHR′.The new compounds 3 -11 were characterized by spectroscopic investigations (1H , 19F, 31P, 13C NMR ; IR, MS) and determination of M+ or typical fragment ions [M+ -OR ] by high resolution mass spectrometry.

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