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1 – 4 of 4Piotr Walter, Andrzej Pepłowski, Łukasz Górski, Daniel Janczak and Małgorzata Jakubowska
Because of the bioaccumulation effect, organophosphorus pesticides cause long-term damage to mammals, even at small concentrations. The ability to perturb the phospholipid bilayer…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the bioaccumulation effect, organophosphorus pesticides cause long-term damage to mammals, even at small concentrations. The ability to perturb the phospholipid bilayer structure as well as the overstimulation of cholinergic receptors makes them hazardous to humans. Therefore, there is a need for a quick and inexpensive detection of organophosphorus pesticides for agricultural and household use. As organophosphorus pesticides are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, biosensors using this mechanism hold a great promise to meet these requirements with a fraction of reagents and time used for measurement comparing to laboratory methods. This study aims to manufacture AChE-coated, screen-printed carbon electrodes applicable in such amperometric biosensors.
Design/methodology/approach
AChE enzyme, known for catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine (ATCh), could be used to obtain electrochemically active thiocholine from acetylthiocholine chloride in aqueous solutions. Using Malathion’s inhibitory effect towards AChE, pesticides’ presence can be detected by reduction of anodic oxidation peaks of thiocholine in cyclic voltammetry.
Findings
The conducted research proved that it is possible to detect pesticides using low-cost, simple-to-manufacture screen-printed graphite (GR) electrodes with an enzymatic (AChE) coating. Investigated electrodes displayed significant catalytic activity to the hydrolysis of ATCh. Owing to inhibition effect of the enzyme, amperometric response of the samples decreased in pesticide-spiked solution, allowing determination of organophosphorus pesticides.
Originality/value
Printed electronics has grown significantly in recent years as well as research focused on carbon-based nanocomposites. Yet, the utilization of carbon nanocomposites in screen-printed electronics is still considered a novelty in the market. Biosensors have proved useful not only in laboratory conditions but also in home applications, as glucometers are a superior solution for glucose determination for personal use. Although pesticides could be detected accurately using chromatography, spectroscopy, spectrometry or spectrophotometry, the market lacks low-cost, disposable solutions for pesticide detection applicable for household use. With biosensing techniques and electric paths screen-printed with GR or graphene nanocomposites, this preliminary research focuses on meeting these needs.
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Andrzej Peplowski, Daniel Janczak, Grzegorz Wróblewski, Marcin Słoma, Łukasz Górski, Elżbieta Malinowska, Tadeusz Pałko and Małgorzata Jakubowska
– The aim of this paper was to verify applicability of graphene-based sensors for voltammetric and amperometric measurements of low-concentration compounds in biological fluids.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper was to verify applicability of graphene-based sensors for voltammetric and amperometric measurements of low-concentration compounds in biological fluids.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the screen printing method, electrochemical sensors were manufactured on polymethylmetacrylate foil using a paste consisting of organic solvents and graphene nanopetals. As the model of a biological fluid tear film was chosen, the compound chosen as the analyte was H2O2, which is produced in oxidation of biological compounds. Tear film analog was prepared, in which, the measurements were carried out in a wide range of concentrations to determine the oxidation potential of H2O2 through square-wave voltammetry. The second series of amperometric measurements was carried out for concentrations between 0 and 30 μM/L, which is the lower range of physiological glucose concentration in tear films.
Findings
The sensors presented linearity for concentrations from 0 to 3.5 per cent. Mean linear correlation coefficient between the peak current and the concentration for the examined sensors was 0.9764. Mean sensitivity was 434.4 mA·M−1·L−1.
Research limitations/implications
Results indicate a need for optimization of the sensors ' performance. Main parameters to be improved are surface area of electrodes and purity of the graphene layer, as well as uniformity of the manufacturing process to improve accuracy and repeatability of measurements.
Practical implications
Technology and materials used present an opportunity for creating low-cost, miniaturized and biocompatible sensors to be used in medical monitoring.
Originality/value
Printed electronics technology described was not investigated previously in the field of biological sensors and could contribute to the solving of vital medicine problems.
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Piotr Czyżewski, Marek Bieliński, Dariusz Sykutera, Marcin Jurek, Marcin Gronowski, Łukasz Ryl and Hubert Hoppe
The aim of this paper is presenting a new application of material obtained from the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) recycling process from electronic equipment housings…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is presenting a new application of material obtained from the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) recycling process from electronic equipment housings. Elements of computer monitors were used to prepare re-granulate, which in turn was used to manufacture a filament for fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The geometry of test samples (i.e. dumbbell and bar) was obtained in accordance with the PN-EN standards. Samples made with the FFF technology were used to determine selected mechanical properties and to compare the results obtained with the properties of ABS re-granulate mould pieces made with the injection moulding technology. The GATE device manufactured by 3Novatica was used to make the prototypes with the FFF technology. Processing parameters were tested with the use of an Aflow extrusion plastometer manufactured by Zwick/Roell and other original testing facilities. Tests of mechanical properties were performed with a Z030 universal testing machine, a HIT 50P pendulum impact tester and a Z3106 hardness tester manufactured by Zwick/Roell.
Findings
The paper presents results of tests performed on a filament obtained from the ABS re-granulate and indicates characteristic processing properties of that material. The properties of the new secondary material were compared with the available original ABS materials that are commonly used in the additive technology of manufacturing geometrical objects. The study also presents selected results of tests of functional properties of ABS products made in the FFF technology.
Originality/value
The test results allowed authors to assess the possibility of a secondary application of used elements of electronic equipment housings in the FFF technology and to compare the strength properties of products obtained with similar products made with the standard injection moulding technology.
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Małgorzata Iwanicz-Drozdowska, Łukasz Kurowski and Bartosz Witkowski
This paper aims to evaluate the role of depositor-specific features in a bank resolution. As the resolution framework in the EU is rather new, there are no empirical studies…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the role of depositor-specific features in a bank resolution. As the resolution framework in the EU is rather new, there are no empirical studies referring to the efficiency of this mechanism in protecting financial stability. Thus, the authors have checked the role of societal awareness of deposit guarantee schemes and the resolution, as well as the trust in public institutions, in avoiding bank runs in the case of resolution scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on telephone interviews conducted with 1,000 Poles, including bank customers whose banks have undergone resolution in recent years, and basic statistics of the resolved banks. The authors then apply two classes of models: binary probit regression and ordered probit regression.
Findings
The findings have indicated that the trust in public institutions and the experience gained with age play a key role in overall depositor behaviour. However, for resolutions, declared trust is replaced by case-specific trust based on the obtained information.
Research limitations/implications
The survey is based on a sample of Polish citizens. In the future, international surveys may help diagnose cross-country differences among depositors. Moreover, studies on communication approaches may also support finding highly effective ways to reach various cohorts of depositors.
Originality/value
The existing literature on depositor behaviour in bank failure scenarios has relied on an experimental approach to test various research hypotheses. The research sample is not based on an experiment but on the responses of customers whose banks have actually undergone resolution.
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