Digital Innovation Through Partnership Between Nature Conservation Organisations and Academia : A Qualitative Impact Assessment

We would like to thank all interviewees for sharing their experiences of working with academics, and the guest editor and three anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on earlier versions of the work. The research in this paper is supported by the RCUK dot.rural Digital economy Research Hub, University of Aberdeen (Grant reference: EP/G066051/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Genetically Determined High Levels of Iron Parameters Are Protective for Coronary Artery Disease

The observation that premenopausal women have a relatively low incidence of heart disease led in the nineteen eighties to the hypothesis that iron deficiency protects against heart diseases. These early observations were followed-up by conflicting epidemiological data. To confer causal relationships from epidemiological data is challenging as results can be influenced by residual confounding or reverse causation. For bias reduction, an alternative analysis strategy utilizing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (Mendelian Randomization) has been developed. A recent study using 3 iron status associated SNPs suggested a protective effect of a higher iron status on the development of CAD.3 With a larger set of SNPs covering different components of iron metabolism, we aimed to provide a reliable answer to this lingering question

Kinetics of Furfural Formation from Xylose via a Boronic Ester Intermediate

Previous studies showed that furfural can be made from lignocellulosic biomass with higher selectivity when the xylose is first converted to a boronic ester intermediate. So far, this has only been demonstrated on a laboratory scale with lab-grade reagents. This work aims to lay out the foundations needed for future development of an industrial process. Several parameters have been investigated, such as stirring rate, temperature, and choice of solvent and boronic acid. The reaction has also been validated for use with a real feedstock (i.e., bagasse acid hydrolysate). Additionally, a model has been developed for one combination of reagents, which predicts that at temperatures above 220 °C and a residence time below 400 s, furfural can be made from xylose via this route at more than 70% selectivity on a molar basis and 0.1 t/m3/h.</p

Low Fluorescence Enzyme Matrices Based on Microfabricated SU-8 Films for a Phenol Micro-Biosensor Application

In this contribution, the possibility of using SU-8 photoresist, a polymer widely used in MEMS applications, for the development of inexpensive and disposable optical phenol micro-biosensors is explored. The immobilisation of the enzyme, the encapsulation of the indicator and the patterning of the SU-8 were accomplished simultaneously in a simple one step microfabrication process. The enzyme still showed activity after encapsulation in SU-8 although the process involved its embedding in a hard and rigid epoxy resin matrix. This was carried out by measuring the signal of an oxygen-sensitive indicator (ruthenium-complex) through monitoring of the enzymatic oxidation of phenol which consumes oxygen. Films without enzyme showed negligible variation in fluorescence intensity upon phenol addition, whereas films with encapsulated enzyme and oxygen-sensitive fluorescent indicators showed a very clear change in fluorescence intensity upon addition of phenol. The current work demonstrates a new concept of a low cost immobilisation technique in combination with the microfabrication process for biosensor technology

Multisite monitoring of choline using biosensor microprobe arrays in combination with CMOS circuitry

A miniature device enabling parallel in vivo detection of the neurotransmitter choline in multiple brain regions of freely behaving rodents is presented. This is achieved by combining a biosensor microprobe array with a custom-developed CMOS chip. Each silicon microprobe comprises multiple platinum electrodes that are coated with an enzymatic membrane and a permselective layer for selective detection of choline. The biosensors, based on the principle of amperometric detection, exhibit a sensitivity of 157±35 µA mM-1 cm-2, a limit of detection of below 1 µM, and a response time in the range of 1 s. With on-chip digitalization and multiplexing, parallel recordings can be performed at a high signal-to-noise ratio with minimal space requirements and with substantial reduction of external signal interference. The layout of the integrated circuitry allows for versatile configuration of the current range and can, therefore, also be used for functionalization of the electrodes before use. The result is a compact, highly integrated system, very convenient for on-site measurement

Mechanisms of arsenate removal and membrane fouling in ferric based coprecipitation-low pressure membrane filtration systems

Ferric based coprecipitation-low pressure membrane filtration is a promising arsenic (As) removal method, however, membrane fouling mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study we investigated the effect of feed water composition and membrane pore size on arsenate [As(V)] removal and membrane fouling. We observed that As removal efficiency was independent of the membrane pore size because the size of the Fe(III) particles was larger than the pore size of the membranes, attributed to a high calcium concentration in the feed water. Arsenic coprecipitation with Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides rapidly reached equilibrium before membrane filtration, within 1 min. Therefore, As removal efficiency was not improved by increasing residence time before membrane filtration. The removal of As(V) was strongly dependent on feed water composition. A higher Fe(III) dose was required to reduce As(V) to sub-mu g/L levels for feed water containing higher concentration of oxyanions such as phosphate and silicate, and lower concentration of cations such as calcium. Cake-layer formation was observed to be the predominant membrane fouling mechanism

Digital innovation through partnership between nature conservation organisations and academia : a qualitative impact assessment

The research in this paper is supported by the RCUK dot.rural Digital economy Research Hub, University of Aberdeen (Grant reference: EP/G066051/1).Nature conservation organisations increasingly turn to new digital technologies to help deliver conservation objectives. This has led to collaborative forms of working with academia to spearhead digital innovation. Through in-depth interviews with three UK research-council-funded case studies, we show that by working with academics conservation organisations can receive positive and negative impacts, some of which cut across their operations. Positive impacts include new ways of engaging with audiences, improved data workflows, financial benefits, capacity building and the necessary digital infrastructure to help them influence policy. Negative impacts include the time and resources required to learn new skills and sustain new technologies, managing different organisational objectives and shifts in working practices as a result of the new technologies. Most importantly, collaboration with academics was shown to bring the opportunity of a profound change in perspectives on technologies with benefits to the partner organisations and individuals therein.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe