The use of environmental data in detailing the hydroregime of a temporary pond

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Campbell ◽  
Eric Hyslop
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Daily Rainfall ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Temporary Waters ◽  
Hydroperiod Length

<p>Temporary waters span both terrestrial and aquatic environments, though the terrestrial phase is typically understudied. A key component in the ecology of these water bodies is the length of the hydroperiod. To date, hydroperiod length in temporary waters is determined largely by site visits and camera traps. These methods of determination however, are taxing on resources at fine temporal resolutions (daily). While water level loggers are able to determine hydroperiod length, they are relatively expensive and peak at 50°C, preventing the collection of terrestrial data, particularly within the tropics.</p><p>Here we propose an alternative low-cost method for the determination of a temporary pond’s hydroperiod length using anchored HOBO pendant dataloggers of temperature and light intensity. By analysing the environmental data collected at fine temporal resolution across dry and wet seasons - corroborated by daily rainfall collection and frequent site visits - the determination of phase, whether aquatic or terrestrial, using this method was possible. This then extended to the determination of the length of the hydroperiod.</p><p>In addition to determining hydroperiod length, this method also provided data on the diurnal temperature dynamics, photoperiod and irradiation intensity of the aquatic and terrestrial phases. Trends in pond drying were also detectable using these data. In the terrestrial phase, the method provided data on soil surface temperatures, which was particularly lacking for the Caribbean. These data are important in understanding environmental stress regimes among aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with applications in agriculture, conservation and infrastructure.</p>

Microextraction and Chromatographic Analysis of Budesonide Epimers in Exhaled Breath Condensate

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1032-1040
Author(s):  
Laleh Samini ◽  
Maryam Khoubnasabjafari ◽  
Mohamad M. Alimorad ◽  
Vahid Jouyban-Gharamaleki ◽  
Hak-Kim Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Exhaled Breath Condensate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Exhaled Breath ◽  
Chromatography Method ◽  
Extraction Solvent ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Dispersive Liquid Liquid Microextraction ◽  
Breath Condensate

Background: Analysis of drug concentrations in biological fluids is required in clinical sciences for various purposes. Among other biological samples, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a potential sample for follow up of drug concentrations. Methods: A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedure followed by a validated liquid chromatography method was employed for the determination of budesonide (BDS) in EBC samples collected using a homemade setup. EBC is a non-invasive biological sample with possible applications for monitoring drug concentrations. The proposed analytical method is validated according to the FDA guidelines using EBC-spiked samples. Its applicability is tested on EBC samples collected from healthy volunteers receiving a single puff of BDS. Results: The best DLLME conditions involved the use of methanol (1 mL) as a disperser solvent, chloroform (200 μL) as an extraction solvent, and centrifugation rate of 3500 rpm for 5 minutes. The method was validated over a concentration range of 21-210 μg·L-1 in EBC. Inter- and intra-day precisions were less than 10% where the acceptable levels are less than 20%. The validated method was successfully applied for the determination of BDS in EBC samples. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the developed method can be used for the extraction and quantification of BDS in EBC samples using a low cost method.

Development and Validation of an Eco-Friendly and Low-Cost Method for the Quantification of Cefepime Hydrochloride in Powder for Injectable Solution Using Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 456-464
Author(s):  
Danilo F. Rodrigues ◽  
Hérida R.N. Salgado
Keyword(s):  
Ir Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pharmaceutical Preparations ◽  
Potassium Bromide ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Injectable Formulation ◽  
Ich Guidelines ◽  
Lactam Ring ◽  
Development And Validation

Background: A simple, eco-friendly and low-cost Infrared (IR) method was developed and validated for the analysis of Cefepime Hydrochloride (CEF) in injectable formulation. Different from some other methods, which employ organic solvents in the analyses, this technique does not use these types of solvents, removing large impacts on the environment and risks to operators. Objective: This study aimed at developing and validating a green analytical method using IR spectroscopy for the determination of CEF in pharmaceutical preparations. Methods: The method was validated according to ICH guidelines and the quantification of CEF was performed in the spectral region absorbed at 1815-1745 cm-1 (stretching of the carbonyl group of β- lactam ring). Results: The validated method showed to be linear (r = 0.9999) in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 mg/pellet of potassium bromide, as well as for the parameters of selectivity, precision, accuracy, robustness and Limits of Detection (LOD) and Quantification (LOQ), being able to quantify the CEF in pharmaceutical preparations. The CEF content obtained by the IR method was 103.86%. Conclusion: Thus, the method developed may be an alternative in the quality control of CEF sample in lyophilized powder for injectable solution, as it presented important characteristics in the determination of the pharmaceutical products, with low analysis time and a decrease in the generation of toxic wastes to the environment.

Graphene Modified Molecular Imprinting Electrochemical Sensor for Determining the Content of Dopamine

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-634
Author(s):  
Rong Liu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Tongsheng Zhong ◽  
Liping Long
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Sensor ◽  
Molecular Imprinting ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Differential Pulse ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Specific Selectivity ◽  
Pulse Voltammetry

Background: The unnatural levels of dopamine (DA) result in serious neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Electrochemical methods which have the obvious advantages of simple operation and low-cost instrumentation were widely used for determination of DA. In order to improve the measurement performance of the electrochemical sensor, molecular imprinting technique and graphene have always been employed to increase the selectivity and sensitivity. Methods: An electrochemical sensor which has specific selectivity to (DA) was proposed based on the combination of a molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) with a graphene (GR) modified gold electrode. The performance and effect of MIP film were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the solution of 5.0 ×10-3 mol/L K3[Fe(CN)6] and K4[Fe(CN)6] with 0.2 mol/L KCl at room temperature. Results: This fabricated sensor has well repeatability and stability, and was used to determine the dopamine of urine. Under the optimized experiment conditions, the current response of the imprinted sensor was linear to the concentration of dopamine in the range of 1.0×10-7 ~ 1.0×10-5 mol/L, the linear equation was I (µA) = 7.9824+2.7210lgc (mol/L) with the detection limit of 3.3×10-8 mol/L. Conclusion: In this work, a highly efficient sensor for determination of DA was prepared with good sensitivity by GR and great selectivity of high special recognization ability by molecular imprinting membrane. This proposed sensor was used to determine the dopamine in human urine successfully.

Non-enzymatic determination of purine nucleotides using a carbon dot modified glassy carbon electrode

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (30) ◽  
pp. 3866-3873 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Karthikeyan ◽  
D. James Nelson ◽  
S. Abraham John
Keyword(s):  
Glassy Carbon ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Phosphate Buffer Solution ◽  
Purine Nucleotides ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
Solution Ph ◽  
Carbon Dot ◽  
Enzymatic Determination ◽  
Sensitive Determination

Selective and sensitive determination of one of the purine nucleotides, inosine (INO) using a low cost carbon dot (CD) modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode in 0.2 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2) was demonstrated in this paper.

scholarly journals Kinetics and isotherm modeling of Pb(II) and Cd(II) sequestration from polluted water onto tropical ultisol obtained from Enugu Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa C. Umeh ◽  
John K. Nduka ◽  
Kovo G. Akpomie
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Batch Adsorption ◽  
Lead And Cadmium ◽  
Pseudo Second Order

AbstractDeterioration in soil–water environment severely contributed by heavy metal bioavailability and mobility on soil surface and sub-surface due to irrational increase in wastewater discharge and agrochemical activities. Therefore, the feasibility of adsorption characteristics of the soil is paramount in curbing the problem of micropollutant contamination in the farming vicinity. Soil from a farming site in a populated area in Enugu, Nigeria was collected and tested to measure the lead and cadmium contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The adsorption potency of the ultisol soil was estimated for identifiable physicochemical properties by standard technique. The mean activity concentration of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was 15.68 mg/kg and 3.01 mg/kg. The pH, temperature, metal concentration and contact time adsorptive effect on the Pb2+ and Cd2+ uptake was evaluated by batch adsorption technique. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were fitted into equilibrium adsorption data and the calculated results depict a better and satisfactory correlation for Langmuir with higher linear regression coefficients (Pb2+, 0.935 and Cd2+, 0.971). On the basis of sorption capacity mechanism of the soil, pseudo-second-order model best described the kinetics of both metal ions retention process. The results of the present study indicated that the soil being a low cost-effective adsorbent can be utilized to minimize the environmental risk impact of these metal ions.

scholarly journals Using seed respiration as a tool for calculating optimal soaking times for ‘on-farm’ seed priming of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Javier Carrillo-Reche ◽  
Adrian C. Newton ◽  
Richard S. Quilliam
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Embryonic Axes ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Soaking Time ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Seed Respiration

Abstract A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination assays and mini-plot trials is resource-intensive, as it is species/genotype-specific. This study aimed to determine the potential of the seed respiration rate (an indicator of metabolic activity) and seed morphological changes during barley priming as predictors of the priming benefits and, thus, facilitate the determination of optimal soaking times. A series of germination tests revealed that the germination rate is mostly attributable to the rapid hydration of embryo tissues, as the highest gains in the germination rate occurred before the resumption of respiration. Germination uniformity, however, was not significantly improved until seeds were primed for at least 8 h, that is, after a first respiration burst was initiated. The maximum seedling vigour was attained when the priming was stopped just before the beginning of the differentiation of embryonic axes (20 h) after which vigour began to decrease (‘over-priming’). The onset of embryonic axis elongation was preceded by a second respiration burst, which can be used as a marker for priming optimization. Thus, monitoring of seed respiration provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the current practice. The method could be carried out by agricultural institutions to provide recommended optimal soaking times for the common barley varieties within a specific region.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Khorasan (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum) and Modern Kabot Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties by UAV and Sensor Technologies under Different Soil Tillage

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1348
Author(s):  
Kristýna Balážová ◽  
Jan Chyba ◽  
Jitka Kumhálová ◽  
Jiří Mašek ◽  
Stanislav Petrásek
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wheat Variety ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Thermal Cameras

Khorasan wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum (Jakubz.)) is an ancient tetraploid spring wheat variety originating from northeast parts of Central Asia. This variety can serve as a full-fledged alternative to modern wheat but has a lower yield than modern varieties. It is commonly known that wheat growth is influenced by soil tillage technology (among other things). However, it is not known how soil tillage technology affects ancient varieties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different soil tillage technologies on the growth of the ancient Khorasan wheat variety in comparison to the modern Kabot spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety. The trial was arranged in six small plots, one half of which was sown by the Khorasan wheat variety and the other half of which was sown by the Kabot wheat variety. Three soil tillage methods were used for each cultivar: conventional tillage (CT) (20–25 cm), minimum tillage (MTC) with a coulter cultivator (15 cm), and minimization tillage (MTD) with a disc cultivator (12 cm). The soil surface of all of the variants were leveled after tillage (harrows & levelling bars). An unmanned aerial vehicle with multispectral and thermal cameras was used to monitor growth during the vegetation season. The flight missions were supplemented by measurements using the GreenSeeker hand-held sensor and plant and soil analysis. The results showed that the Khorasan ancient wheat was better suited the conditions of conventional tillage, with low values of bulk density and highvalues of total soil porosity, which generally increased the nutritional value of the yield in this experimental plot. At the same time, it was found that this ancient wheat does not deplete the soil. The results also showed that the trend of developmental growing curves derived from different sensors was very similar regardless of measurement method. The sensors used in this study can be good indicators of micronutrient content in the plant as well as in the grains. A low-cost RGB camera can provide relevant results, especially in cases where equipment that is more accurate is not available.

scholarly journals Revisiting Electrochemical Biosensing in the 21st Century Society for Inflammatory Cytokines Involved in Autoimmune, Neurodegenerative, Cardiac, Viral and Cancer Diseases

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Susana Campuzano ◽  
Paloma Yáñez-Sedeño ◽  
José Manuel Pingarrón
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Electrochemical Biosensing ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Human Skills ◽  
Cancer Diseases

The multifaceted key roles of cytokines in immunity and inflammatory processes have led to a high clinical interest for the determination of these biomolecules to be used as a tool in the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment of several diseases of great current relevance (autoimmune, neurodegenerative, cardiac, viral and cancer diseases, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes). Therefore, the rapid and accurate determination of cytokine biomarkers in body fluids, cells and tissues has attracted considerable attention. However, many currently available techniques used for this purpose, although sensitive and selective, require expensive equipment and advanced human skills and do not meet the demands of today’s clinic in terms of test time, simplicity and point-of-care applicability. In the course of ongoing pursuit of new analytical methodologies, electrochemical biosensing is steadily gaining ground as a strategy suitable to develop simple, low-cost methods, with the ability for multiplexed and multiomics determinations in a short time and requiring a small amount of sample. This review article puts forward electrochemical biosensing methods reported in the last five years for the determination of cytokines, summarizes recent developments and trends through a comprehensive discussion of selected strategies, and highlights the challenges to solve in this field. Considering the key role demonstrated in the last years by different materials (with nano or micrometric size and with or without magnetic properties), in the design of analytical performance-enhanced electrochemical biosensing strategies, special attention is paid to the methods exploiting these approaches.

Metal-organic framework derived metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite, a new tool for the determination of dipyridamole

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naeime Salandari-Jolge ◽  
Ali A. Ensafi ◽  
Behzad Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Selectivity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Heart Patients ◽  
Reduced Graphene ◽  
Metal Organic

Dipyridamole is a prescribed medication used to treat cardiovascular diseases, angina pectoris, imaging tests for heart patients, and myocardial infarction. Therefore, high selectivity and sensitivity, low cost, and high-performance speed...

scholarly journals Immobilization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa static biomass on eggshell powder for on-line preconcentration and determination of Cr (VI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Rasheed ◽  
Tahseen Ghous ◽  
Sumaira Mumtaz ◽  
Muhammad Nadeem Zafar ◽  
Kalsoom Akhter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Colorimetric Detection ◽  
Time Flow ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Glass Column ◽  
On Line ◽  
Preconcentration Time ◽  
Ultra Trace

AbstractIn the present work, a novel continuous flow system (CFS) is developed for the preconcentration and determination of Cr (VI) using Pseudomonas aeruginosa static biomass immobilized onto an effective and low-cost solid support of powdered eggshells. A mini glass column packed with the immobilized biosorbent is incorporated in a CFS for the preconcentration and determination of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions. The method is based on preconcentration, washing and elution steps followed by colorimetric detection with 1,5-diphenyl carbazide in sulphuric acid. The effects of several variables such as pH, retention time, flow rate, eluent concentration and loaded volume are studied. Under optimal conditions, the CFS method has a linear range between 10 and 100 μg L-1 and a detection limit of 6.25 μg L-1 for the determination of Cr (VI). The sampling frequency is 10 samples per hour with a preconcentration time of 5 mins. Furthermore, after washing with a 0.1 M buffer (pH 3.0), the activity of the biosorbent is regenerated and remained comparable for more than 200 cycles. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a successful immobilization of biomass on eggshells powder and precipitation of Cr (VI) on the bacterial cell surface. The proposed method proves highly sensitive and could be suitable for the determination of Cr (VI) at an ultra-trace level.

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