Engine oil acidity detection using solid state ion selective electrodes

Initial results from oil acidity measurements using thick film electrodes are presented. The results suggest that as the oil degrades, its pH/acidity follows a specific trend. Furthermore, an investigation into the feasibility of detecting changes in oil acidity (i.e. TAN value) using ion selective electrodes fabricated utilising thick film technology is presented. The thick-film (screen printing) technique is a decent means for the mass production of rugged, compact and disposable sensors as many such devices can be printed at the same time making them very cost effective to manufacture. Thick-Film ion selective and reference electrodes were fabricated, calibrated and tested in different oil samples varying its acidity. Ruthenium oxide (RuO2) pH sensitive electrodes were screen printed and were used against silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrodes as well as a commercial glass Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The potentiometric sets of electrodes were calibrated in pH 4, 7 and 10 buffers in a cyclic manner and the voltage was recorded using a high input impedance voltmete

Protocol for developing a core outcome set for male infertility research:an international consensus development study

Abstract STUDY QUESTION We aim to develop, disseminate and implement a minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, for future male infertility research. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Research into male infertility can be challenging to design, conduct and report. Evidence from randomized trials can be difficult to interpret and of limited ability to inform clinical practice for numerous reasons. These may include complex issues, such as variation in outcome measures and outcome reporting bias, as well as failure to consider the perspectives of men and their partners with lived experience of fertility problems. Previously, the Core Outcome Measure for Infertility Trials (COMMIT) initiative, an international consortium of researchers, healthcare professionals and people with fertility problems, has developed a core outcome set for general infertility research. Now, a bespoke core outcome set for male infertility is required to address the unique challenges pertinent to male infertility research. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, allied healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers and people with fertility problems, will be invited to participate. Formal consensus science methods will be used, including the modified Delphi method, modified Nominal Group Technique and the National Institutes of Health’s consensus development conference. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS An international steering group, including the relevant stakeholders outlined above, has been established to guide the development of this core outcome set. Possible core outcomes will be identified by undertaking a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating potential treatments for male factor infertility. These outcomes will be entered into a modified Delphi method. Repeated reflection and re-scoring should promote convergence towards consensus outcomes, which will be prioritized during a consensus development meeting to identify a final core outcome set. We will establish standardized definitions and recommend high-quality measurement instruments for individual core outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work has been supported by the Urology Foundation small project award, 2021. C.L.R.B. is the recipient of a BMGF grant and received consultancy fees from Exscentia and Exceed sperm testing, paid to the University of Dundee and speaking fees or honoraria paid personally by Ferring, Copper Surgical and RBMO. S.B. received royalties from Cambridge University Press, Speaker honoraria for Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore, Merk SMART Masterclass and Merk FERRING Forum, paid to the University of Aberdeen. Payment for leadership roles within NHS Grampian, previously paid to self, now paid to University of Aberdeen. An Honorarium is received as Editor in Chief of Human Reproduction Open. M.L.E. is an advisor to the companies Hannah and Ro. B.W.M. received an investigator grant from the NHMRC, No: GNT1176437 is a paid consultant for ObsEva and has received research funding from Ferring and Merck. R.R.H. received royalties from Elsevier for a book, consultancy fees from Glyciome, and presentation fees from GryNumber Health and Aytu Bioscience. Aytu Bioscience also funded MiOXYS systems and sensors. Attendance at Fertility 2020 and Roadshow South Africa by Ralf Henkel was funded by LogixX Pharma Ltd. R.R.H. is also Editor in Chief of Andrologia and has been an employee of LogixX Pharma Ltd. since 2020. M.S.K. is an associate editor with Human Reproduction Open. K.Mc.E. received an honoraria for lectures from Bayer and Pharmasure in 2019 and payment for an ESHRE grant review in 2019. His attendance at ESHRE 2019 and AUA 2019 was sponsored by Pharmasure and Bayer, respectively. The remaining authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative registration No: 1586. Available at www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1586. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE N/A. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT N/A

Protocol for developing a core outcome set for male infertility research: an international consensus development study

Study question: We aim to develop, disseminate and implement a minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, for future male infertility research.What is known already: Research into male infertility can be challenging to design, conduct and report. Evidence from randomized trials can be difficult to interpret and of limited ability to inform clinical practice for numerous reasons. These may include complex issues, such as variation in outcome measures and outcome reporting bias, as well as failure to consider the perspectives of men and their partners with lived experience of fertility problems. Previously, the Core Outcome Measure for Infertility Trials (COMMIT) initiative, an international consortium of researchers, healthcare professionals and people with fertility problems, has developed a core outcome set for general infertility research. Now, a bespoke core outcome set for male infertility is required to address the unique challenges pertinent to male infertility research.Study design size duration: Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, allied healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers and people with fertility problems, will be invited to participate. Formal consensus science methods will be used, including the modified Delphi method, modified Nominal Group Technique and the National Institutes of Health's consensus development conference.Participants/materials setting methods: An international steering group, including the relevant stakeholders outlined above, has been established to guide the development of this core outcome set. Possible core outcomes will be identified by undertaking a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating potential treatments for male factor infertility. These outcomes will be entered into a modified Delphi method. Repeated reflection and re-scoring should promote convergence towards consensus outcomes, which will be prioritized during a consensus development meeting to identify a final core outcome set. We will establish standardized definitions and recommend high-quality measurement instruments for individual core outcomes.Study funding/competing interests: This work has been supported by the Urology Foundation small project award, 2021. C.L.R.B. is the recipient of a BMGF grant and received consultancy fees from Exscentia and Exceed sperm testing, paid to the University of Dundee and speaking fees or honoraria paid personally by Ferring, Copper Surgical and RBMO. S.B. received royalties from Cambridge University Press, Speaker honoraria for Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore, Merk SMART Masterclass and Merk FERRING Forum, paid to the University of Aberdeen. Payment for leadership roles within NHS Grampian, previously paid to self, now paid to University of Aberdeen. An Honorarium is received as Editor in Chief of Human Reproduction Open. M.L.E. is an advisor to the companies Hannah and Ro. B.W.M. received an investigator grant from the NHMRC, No: GNT1176437 is a paid consultant for ObsEva and has received research funding from Ferring and Merck. R.R.H. received royalties from Elsevier for a book, consultancy fees from Glyciome, and presentation fees from GryNumber Health and Aytu Bioscience. Aytu Bioscience also funded MiOXYS systems and sensors. Attendance at Fertility 2020 and Roadshow South Africa by Ralf Henkel was funded by LogixX Pharma Ltd. R.R.H. is also Editor in Chief of Andrologia and has been an employee of LogixX Pharma Ltd. since 2020. M.S.K. is an associate editor with Human Reproduction Open. K.Mc.E. received an honoraria for lectures from Bayer and Pharmasure in 2019 and payment for an ESHRE grant review in 2019. His attendance at ESHRE 2019 and AUA 2019 was sponsored by Pharmasure and Bayer, respectively. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.</p

Effect of sunflower lecithin quantity and homogenization time on stability of food emulsion containing walnut oil

W pracy dokonano oceny wpływu dodatku emulgatora oraz czasu homogenizacji na stabilność emulsyjnych układów dyspersyjnych. Do wytypowania parametrów stabilnych układów dyspersyjnych posłużono się programem komputerowym Kateskór. Na podstawie założonych wartości parametrów wyjściowych charakteryzujących stabilną emulsję (wielkość cząstek zdyspergowanych, lepkość i liczba faz) otrzymano kompromisowe optimum parametrów wejściowych: ilość emulgatora 5,87 - 6,52 g i czas homogenizacji 1,52 - 4,78 min. Doświadczalna ocena średniej wielkości cząstek, lepkości oraz obrazu mikroskopowego układu dyspersyjnego wykazała, że najbardziej stabilna była emulsja w wariancie III, zawierająca 5 g emulgatora i homogenizowana 3 min. Empirycznie ustalone parametry tej emulsji były zbliżone do zakresu kompromisowego optimum wyznaczonego przez program Kateskór.In the research study assessed was the effect of adding an emulsifier and the impact of homogenization time on the stability of emulsion dispersion systems. A Kateskór software was used to choose parameters of stable dispersion systems. Based on the preset initial values of output parameters characterizing the stable emulsion (size of dispersed particles, viscosity, and number of phases), a compromise optimum of input parameters was obtained: the quantity of emulsifier in the emulsion amounting from 5.87 to 6.52 g and the homogenization time between 1.52 and 4.78 min. The experimental evaluation of the average size of particles, viscosity, and microscopic image of the dispersion system proved that the most stable was the emulsion of Variant III; it contained 5 g of the emulsifier and was homogenized for 3 minutes. The empirically determined parameters of that emulsion were close to the range of the compromise optimum as determined by the Kateskór software

Interaction of BSA protein with copper evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance

The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein with copper in phosphate buffer solution has been studied by a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) close to the open circuit potential, with simultaneous monitoring by the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), in order to throw light on BSA adsorption. Copper films were electroplated onto gold quartz crystals and mounted in the EQCM. Experiments were conducted in the presence and absence of dissolved oxygen and of BSA and the results show the influence of O2 on the protein/metal interaction and also show specific interactions between BSA and copper. The good reproducibility obtained in these experiments suggests future application to other systems and which should lead to a better understanding of the use of such types of protein as corrosion inhibitors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TG0-4RSYCCD-5/1/a45edf5c4389350ee3577b614271686