Biosensor assay for determination of haptoglobin in bovine milk

Despite more than 30 years of research into mastitis diagnostics, there are few alternatives to the somatic cell count (SCC) in practical use for identification of cows with subclinical mastitis. Mastitis is not only an animal welfare problem, but also affects the yield, composition and technological properties of milk. Hence, dairy cooperatives give farmers a premium quality payment to encourage low SCC although there is no clear scientific data defining the level of SCC in bulk tank milk that is associated with additional benefits in terms of milk quality. Recent research on alternative markers for inflammatory reactions in the lactating cow, e.g. in mastitis, includes investigations of the acute phase protein, haptoglobin (Hp). So far, the content of Hp in milk has mainly been studied in relation to mastitis diagnostics, with little attention given to its importance for milk composition and technological properties. At present, Hp in milk is measured using ELISA, but this technique is not suitable for routine large-scale analysis. In recent years, optical biosensor technology has been used for automated and rapid quantitative analysis of different components in milk, but so far not for analysis of acute phase proteins. The aim of the present study was to develop a rapid and sensitive biosensor method to determine Hp in milk. An affinity sensor assay based on the interaction between Hp and haemoglobin was developed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor technology. The assay was used to analyse Hp in composite milk samples from cows without any clinical signs of mastitis and quarter milk samples with a weak to strong reaction in the California Mastitis Test (CMT). A commercial ELISA for determination of Hp in milk was used for comparison. The limit of detection (LOD) of the biosensor assay was determined as 1.1 mg/l. Within-assay and between-day variations were determined both with bulk tank milk spiked with human Hp and with composite milk samples containing bovine Hp. Coefficients of variation varied between 3.6 and 8.6% at concentrations between 4.0 and 12 mg/l, respectively. Agreement between the results obtained by the biosensor assay and the ELISA was satisfactory; however, the results obtained by the biosensor were generally lower than the results obtained by the ELISA. Possible explanations for this observation are discussed.     

Modeling real-time balancing power demands in wind power systems using stochastic differential equations

The inclusion of wind power into power systems has a significant impact on the demand for real-time balancing power due to the stochastic nature of wind power production. The overall aim of this paper is to present probabilistic models of the impact of large-scale integration of wind power on the continuous demand in MW for real-time balancing power. This is important not only for system operators, but also for producers and consumers since they in most systems through various market solutions provide balancing power.     

Coordinated control of multiple HVDC links using input–output exact linearization

This paper is concerned with the investigation of a new control technique for the conventional High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link. The proposed technique relies upon nonlinear state feedback linearization of the AC/DC power system.     

Impacts of large amounts of wind power on design and operation of power systems,results of IEA collaboration

There are dozens of studies made and ongoing related to wind integration. However, the results are not easy to compare. IEA WIND R&D Task 25 on ‘Design and Operation of Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power’ collects and shares information on wind generation impacts on power systems, with analyses and guidelines on methodologies. In the state‐of‐the‐art report (October, 2007), and the final report of the 3 years period (July, 2009) the most relevant wind power grid integration studies have been analysed especially regarding methodologies and input data. Several issues that impact on the amount of wind power that can be integrated have been identified. Large balancing areas and aggregation benefits of wide areas help in reducing the variability and forecast errors of wind power as well as help in pooling more cost effective balancing resources. System operation and functioning electricity markets at less than day‐ahead time scales help reduce forecast errors of wind power. Transmission is the key to aggregation benefits, electricity markets and larger balancing areas. Best practices in wind integration studies are described. There is also benefit when adding wind power to power systems: it reduces the total operating costs and emissions as wind replaces fossil fuels and this should be highlighted more in future studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of dense assemblies of truncated nanocubes and cuboctahedra

Inspired by recent advances on the self-assembly of non-spherical nanoparticles, Monte Carlo simulations of the packing and thermodynamic properties of truncated nanocubes and cuboctahedra have been performed. The ergodicity problem was overcome by a modified Wang-Landau entropic sampling algorithm and equilibrium structural and thermodynamic properties were computed over a wide density range for both non-interacting and interacting particles. We found a structural transition from a simple cubic to a rhombohedral order when the degree of truncation exceeds a value of 0.9.     

Nanodevices: Location of Biomarkers and Reagents within Agarose Beads of a Programmable Nano‐bio‐chip (Small 5/2011)

The slow development of cost‐effective medical microdevices with strong analytical performance characteristics is due to a lack of selective and efficient analyte capture and signaling. The recently developed programmable nano‐bio‐chip (PNBC) is a flexible detection device with analytical behavior rivaling established macroscopic methods. The PNBC system employs ≈300 μm‐diameter bead sensors composed of agarose “nanonets” that populate a microelectromechanical support structure with integrated microfluidic elements. The beads are an efficient and selective protein‐capture medium suitable for the analysis of complex fluid samples. Microscopy and computational studies probe the 3D interior of the beads. The relative contributions that the capture and detection of moieties, analyte size, and bead porosity make to signal distribution and intensity are reported. Agarose pore sizes ranging from 45 to 620 nm are examined and those near 140 nm provide optimal transport characteristics for rapid (<15 min) tests. The system exhibits efficient (99.5%) detection of bead‐bound analyte along with low (≈2%) nonspecific immobilization of the detection probe for carcinoembryonic antigen assay. Furthermore, the role analyte dimensions play in signal distribution is explored, and enhanced methods for assay building that consider the unique features of biomarker size are offered.     

超高效液相色谱法测定山楂原料、提取物和相关食品中金丝桃苷和异槲皮苷的含量

目的 建立超高效液相色谱法测定山楂原料、提取物和相关食品中金丝桃苷和异槲皮苷的分析方法。方法 采用ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18柱, 以甲酸乙腈-甲酸水为流动相进行梯度洗脱分离金丝桃苷和异槲皮苷, 在紫外检测波长360 nm下进行检测, 外标法定量。结果 金丝桃苷和异槲皮苷的检出限(limit of detections, LODs, S/N=3)均为2 mg/kg, 定量限(limit of quantifications, LOQs, S/N=10)均为5 mg/kg; 在0.5~10.0 mg/L的浓度范围内线性关系良好, 相关系数均为0.999; 在原料、提取物和相关食品中, 金丝桃苷和异槲皮苷的平均回收率分别为83.0%~108.0%和86.2%~105.0%, 相对标准偏差(relative standard deviations, RSDs)分别为1.6%~5.7%和1.1%~3.9%。结论 本方法操作简便、快速、分离度和准确度高, 可用于山楂原料、提取物和相关食品的质量控制。     

高效液相色谱法测定枸杞相关食品中枸杞酸和玉米黄质二棕榈酸酯的含量

目的 建立高效液相色谱法分析枸杞原料、提取物和相关配方产品中枸杞酸和玉米黄质二棕榈酸酯的含量。方法 采用Poroshell 120 HILIC柱,以乙腈-磷酸水（90:10, V:V）为流动相进行分离枸杞酸,在紫外检测波长235 nm下进行检测,外标法定量。用Dionex Acclaim C30柱,以甲醇-甲基叔丁基醚为流动相进行梯度分离玉米黄质二棕榈酸酯,在紫外检测波长452 nm下进行检测,外标法定量。结果 枸杞酸的检出限为10 mg/kg,定量限为30 mg/kg;在10～200 mg/L的浓度范围内线性良好,相关系数为0.9999;枸杞原料、提取物和相关配方产品中的加标回收率在84.3%～98.1%之间,相对标准偏差(relative standard deviation, RSD)在1.3%～4.7%之间;精密度的RSD在0.74%～1.2%之间;重复性的RSD分别为1.3%～3.1%之间。玉米黄质二棕榈酸酯的检出限为10 mg/kg,定量限为30 mg/kg;在0.5～10 mg/L的浓度范围内线性良好,相关系数为0.999;枸杞原料、提取物和相关配方产品中的加标回收率在88.6%～98.6%之间,RSD在1.5%～4.5%之间;精密度的RSD在1.2%～2.1%之间;重复性的RSD在2.0%～4.5%之间。结论 本方法操作简便,快速,分离度和准确度高,可用于枸杞原料、提取物和相关配方产品的质量控制。     

A Critical Review of the Quality and Safety of BADGE-Based Epoxy Coatings for Cans: Implications for Legislation on Epoxy Coatings for Food Contact

BADGE-based epoxy resins have been commercially available for more than 40 years. They are extremely versatile, finding applicationS in many fields in both thermal and ambient cure applications. The present review focuses on their use in the food industry as surface coatings for food and beverage cans, and in particular on their chemical stability in relation to their toxicology and sensorial effects on foods. The implications of these properties of epoxy resins for prospective EU legislation on plastic coatings for food contact is discussed.     

A transparent hybrid of nanocrystalline cellulose and amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticles

Nanocellulose hybrids are promising candidates for biodegradable multifunctional materials. Hybrids of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) nanoparticles were obtained through a facile chemical approach over a wide range of compositions. Controlling the interactions between NCC and ACC results in hard, transparent structures with tunable composition, homogeneity and anisotropy.