Identifying laboratory sources of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination from the air, water, and consumables.

Microplastic and nanoplastic research has proliferated in recent years in response to the escalating plastic pollution crisis. However, a lack of optimised methods for sampling and sample processing has potential implications for contaminating samples resulting in an overestimation of the quantity of microplastics and nanoplastics present in environmental samples. In response, a series of recommendations have been made, but most have not been quantified or validated sources of contamination.

New Methods for the Quantification of Ingested Nano- and Ultrafine Plastics in Seabirds.

Plastic ingestion has been documented in a plethora of taxa. However, there is a significant gap in the detection of nano- and ultrafine particles due to size limitations of commonly used techniques. Using two Australian seabird species as case studies, the flesh-footed shearwater (FFSH) and short-tailed shearwater (STSH) , we tested a novel approach of flow cytometry to quantify ingested particles <70 μm in the fecal precursor (guano; colon and cloacal contents) of both species.

Additive genetic variation in Pinus radiata bark chemistry and the chemical traits associated with variation in mammalian bark stripping.

Secondary metabolites are suggested as a major mechanism explaining genetic variation in herbivory levels in Pinus radiata. The potential to incorporate these chemical traits into breeding/deployment programmes partly depends on the presence of additive genetic variation for the relevant chemical traits. In this study, near-infrared spectroscopy was used to quantify the constitutive and induced levels of 54 compounds in the bark of trees from 74 P.

Application of near infra-red spectroscopy as an instantaneous and simultaneous prediction tool for anthocyanins and sugar in whole fresh raspberry.

Background: The determination of fresh whole raspberry quality is a laborious and expensive process for commercial producers and researchers. Quantitative results for raspberry quality parameters are currently determined using a range of chemical tests within a commercial laboratory. The present work is the first calibration and validation of near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) for instantaneous and simultaneous of prediction of raspberry quality parameters.

An Adaptive Reference Vector-Guided Evolutionary Algorithm Using Growing Neural Gas for Many-Objective Optimization of Irregular Problems.

Most reference vector-based decomposition algorithms for solving multiobjective optimization problems may not be well suited for solving problems with irregular Pareto fronts (PFs) because the distribution of predefined reference vectors may not match well with the distribution of the Pareto-optimal solutions. Thus, the adaptation of the reference vectors is an intuitive way for decomposition-based algorithms to deal with irregular PFs. However, most existing methods frequently change the reference vectors based on the activeness of the reference vectors within specific generations, slowing down the convergence of the search process.

Microplastic contamination in east Antarctic sea ice.

The durability of plastics in the marine environment has led to concerns regarding the pervasiveness of this debris in remote polar habitats. Microplastic (MP) enrichment in East Antarctic sea ice was measured in one ice core sampled from coastal land-fast sea ice. The core was processed and filtered material was analyzed using micro Fourier-Transform Infrared (μFTIR) spectroscopy.

Prediction of starch reserves in intact and ground grapevine cane wood tissues using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

Background: Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology can be a powerful analytical technique for the assessment of plant starch, but generally samples need to be freeze-dried and ground. This study investigated the feasibility of using NIRS technology to quantify starch concentration in ground and intact grapevine cane wood samples (with or without the bark layer). A partial least squares regression was used on the sample spectral data and was compared against starch analysis using a conventional wet chemistry method.

Ion chromatographic determination of hydrazine in excess ammonia for monitoring graphene oxide reduction reaction.

A new ion chromatography method has been developed to study graphene oxide (GO) reduction by monitoring hydrazine concentration in the GO suspension. The method is based on ion chromatographic separation of hydrazine (from excess ammonia) and its selective determination by electrochemical detection. The developed analytical protocol overcame the significant practical challenges of atmospheric hydrazine oxidation and minimised the matrix interference in both separation and detection which result from the excess of ammonium with respect to hydrazine (up to 5.

Application of near-infrared spectroscopy for estimation of non-structural carbohydrates in foliar samples of Eucalyptus globulus Labilladière.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is frequently used for the assessment of key nutrients of forage or crops but remains underused in ecological and physiological studies, especially to quantify non-structural carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to develop calibration models to assess the content in soluble sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose) and starch in foliar material of Eucalyptus globulus. A partial least squares (PLS) regression was used on the sample spectral data and was compared to the contents measured using standard wet chemistry methods.

Poly(ethylene glycol) functionalization of monolithic poly(divinyl benzene) for improved miniaturized solid phase extraction of protein-rich samples.

Non-specific protein adsorption on hydrophobic solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents can reduce the efficacy of purification. To improve sample clean-up, poly(divinyl benzene) (PDVB) monoliths grafted with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) were developed. Residual vinyl groups (RVGs) of the PDVB were employed as anchor points for PEGMA grafting.

A water availability gradient reveals the deficit level required to affect traits in potted juvenile Eucalyptus globulus.

Background And Aims: Drought leading to soil water deficit can have severe impacts on plants. Water deficit may lead to plant water stress and affect growth and chemical traits. Plant secondary metabolite (PSM) responses to water deficit vary between compounds and studies, with inconsistent reports of changes to PSM concentrations even within a single species.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Novel Non-Invasive Tool to Assess Spiny Lobster Nutritional Condition.

Rapid non-invasive monitoring of spiny lobster nutritional condition has considerable application in the established fishery, live market and prospective aquaculture. The aim of this research was to test the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a novel non-invasive tool to assess the nutritional condition of three lobster species. Lobster (n = 92) abdominal muscle dry matter (AMDM) and carbon content (AMC) correlated significantly with indices of nutritional condition including hepatopancreas dry matter (HPDM; rho = 0.

Use of near infrared spectroscopy to predict microbial numbers on Atlantic salmon.

The potential of a near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) method to detect as well as predict microbial spoilage on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was investigated. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the NIR spectra showed clear separation between the fresh salmon fillets and those stored for nine days at 4°C indicating that NIR could detect spoilage. A partial least squares regression (PLS) prediction model for total aerobic plate counts after nine days was established using the NIR spectra collected when the fish was fresh to predict the number of bacteria that would be present nine days later.

Lab-on-a-Chip device with laser-patterned polymer electrodes for high voltage application and contactless conductivity detection.

A laser-patterned microchip electrophoresis device with integrated polymer electrodes for DC high voltages and AC capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection was developed. Electrophoresis separations comparable to devices with metal electrodes were obtained, at approximately 20 times lower cost.

Bayesian cue integration as a developmental outcome of reward mediated learning.

Average human behavior in cue combination tasks is well predicted by bayesian inference models. As this capability is acquired over developmental timescales, the question arises, how it is learned. Here we investigated whether reward dependent learning, that is well established at the computational, behavioral, and neuronal levels, could contribute to this development.

Binuclear intermediates in oxidation reactions: [(Me(3)SiC[triple bond]C)Me(2)(bipy)Pt-PtMe(2)(bipy)](+) in the oxidation of Pt(II)Me(2)(bipy) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) by IPh(C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(OTf) (OTf = triflate).

A study of the reaction of PtMe(2)(bipy) with IPh(C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(OTf) at low temperature in acetone, leading to detection of the Pt-Pt-bonded cation [Pt(2)Me(4)(C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(bipy)(2)](+), an intermediate in the oxidation of Pt(II) to Pt(IV), is reported. The cation is assessed as Pt(III)-Pt(III) <--> Pt(IV)-Pt(II), and at the other extreme may be regarded as a cationic alkynylplatinum(IV) center, "[Pt(IV)Me(2)(C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(bipy)](+)", stabilized by "Pt(II)Me(2)(bipy)" as a donor ligand. The detection and isolation of the [Pt(2)Me(4)(C[triple bond]CSiMe(3))(bipy)(2)](+) cation provides a number of insights into the mechanisms of oxidation reactions.

Isoelectric buffers for capillary electrophoresis. 2. Bismorpholine derivative of a carboxylic acid as a low molecular weight isoelectric buffer.

A new compound class of synthetic isoelectric buffers is introduced, designed as a small molecule with one fully or prevailingly dissociated acidic group (such as sulfonic or carboxylic) and two partly pronated (buffering) basic amino groups attached onto a hydrophilic UV-transparent backbone. As an example, a new isoelectric compound 2,2-bis(4-morpholinylmethyl)propanoic acid (BMMPA) was synthesized by attaching two morpholine groups onto a molecule of pivalic acid. It was characterized as having an isoelectric point pI = 6.

A model of computation in neocortical architecture.

We propose that the specific architecture of the neocortex reflects the organization principles of neocortical computation. In this paper, we place the anatomically defined concept of columns into a functional context. It is provided by a large-scale computational hypothesis on visual recognition, which includes both, rapid parallel forward recognition, independent of any feedback prediction, and a feedback controlled refinement system.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of carboxamide derivatives of benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines.

The reaction of 4-dimethylaminomethylene-6-methyl-4H-pyrano[4,3-b]quinoline-1,3-dione with a range of primary amines gave rise to a series of 2-substituted 6-methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine-4-carboxylic acids. The derived 4-N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]carboxamides were tested for growth inhibitory properties against murine P388 leukemia, Lewis lung carcinoma (LLTC), and human Jurkat leukemia cell lines. Most compounds were potent cytotoxins, with some having IC(50) values less than 10 nM.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of carboxamide derivatives of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline and pyrido[3',2':4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline.

A series of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with carboxamide side chains at the 1-, 6-, 9- and 11-positions were prepared, in order to study the biological effects of varying the position of the side chain in this tetracyclic series. The 6-, 9- and 11-analogues were obtained by modifications to published chemistry. The 1-carboxamide analogue was obtained via a one-pot isocoumarin/isoquinolone conversion of 3-methylisocoumarin-8-carboxylic acid with o-phenylenediamine in buffered aqueous acid, which gave the required 1-acid.