ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2069-4030
Current Organisation
Dublin City University
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-08-2019
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES24162983
Abstract: In recent years, there has become a growing need for the development of antifouling technology for application in the marine environment. The accumulation of large quantities of biomass on these surfaces cause substantial economic burdens within the marine industry, or adversely impact the performance of sensor technologies. Here, we present a study of transparent coatings with potential for applications on sensors or devices with optical windows. The focus of the study is on the abundance and ersity of biofouling organisms that accumulate on glass panels coated with novel transparent or opaque organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) coatings. The diatom assessment was used to determine the effectiveness of the coatings against biofouling. Test panels were deployed in a marine environment in Galway Bay for durations of nine and thirteen months to examine differences in biofilm formation in both microfouling and macrofouling conditions. The most effective coating is one which consists of precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (HC006) that has a water contact angle 100, without significant roughness (43.52 nm). However, improved roughness and wettability of a second coating, diethoxydimethylsilane (DMDEOS), showed real promise in relation to macrofouling reduction.
Publisher: Springer New York
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9678-0_9
Abstract: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is an important technique to measure the thermodynamics of protein unfolding (or folding). Information including the temperature for the onset of unfolding, the melt transition temperature (T
Publisher: Springer New York
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9678-0_12
Abstract: Highly concentrated solutions of biomolecules play an increasingly important role in biopharmaceutical drug development. In these systems, the formation of reversible aggregates by self-association creates a significant analytical challenge, since dilution is often required for techniques such as HPLC/liquid chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation. There is a growing demand for methods capable of analyzing these assemblies, ideally under formulation conditions (i.e., in the presence of excipients). One approach that addresses this need is based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), which is a flexible and powerful technique to measure the diffusion of fluorescently labeled particles. It is particularly suited to measuring the size distribution of reversible aggregates of proteins or peptides in highly concentrated formulations, since it overcomes some of the challenges associated with other methods. In this protocol, we describe state-of-the-art measurement and analysis of protein self-assembly by determination of particle size distributions in highly concentrated protein solutions using FCS.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-01-2021
DOI: 10.3390/W13030352
Abstract: The composition of challenging matrices must be fully understood in order to determine the impact of the matrix and to establish suitable treatment methods. Rendering condensate wastewater is a complex matrix which is understudied. It is produced when the vapour from rendering facilities (heat processing of slaughterhouse waste material) is cooled as a liquid for discharge. This study offers a full physicochemical characterisation of rendering condensate wastewater and its potential for valorisation via production of viable by-products. A study of seasonal variation of levels of dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and ammonia was carried out on the wastewater. The results show that the wastewater was high strength all year-round, with a chemical oxygen demand of 10,813 ± 427 mg/L and high concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (1745 ± 90 mg/L), ammonia (887 ± 21 mg/L), crude protein (10,911 ± 563 mg/L), total phosphorous (51 ± 1 mg/L), fat and oil (11,363 ± 934 mg/L), total suspended solids (336 ± 73 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (4397 ± 405 mg/L). This characterisation demonstrates the requirement for adequate treatment of the condensate before releasing it to the environment. While there is a reasonably constant flow rate and dissolved oxygen level throughout the year, higher chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and ammonia levels were found in the warmer summer months. From this study, rendering condensate slaughterhouse wastewater is shown to have potential for production of marketable goods. These products may include ammonium sulphate fertilizer, protein supplements for animal feeds and recovery of acetic acid calcium hydroxyapatite, thus enhancing both the financial and environmental sustainability of slaughterhouse operations. This work demonstrates a valuable assessment of a complex wastewater, while taking advantage of on-site access to s les and process data to inform the potential for wastewater reuse.
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 10-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2016.08.009
Abstract: A novel miniaturised single-stage resistively heated thermal modulator was investigated as an alternative to cryogenic modulation for use in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). The single-stage thermal modulator described herein yielded average retention time relative standard deviations (RSD) of ≤0.2% RSD (first-dimension) and ≤3.4% RSD (second-dimension). The average peak widths generated by the modulator were 72±3ms, and the peak area precision was better than 5.3% RSD for a range of polar and non-polar test analytes. GC×GC analysis can be performed using this modulator without the requirement for cryogenic cooling or additional pressure control modules for flow modulation. The modulator and associated electronics are compact and amenable towards field analysis. The modulator was used for qualitative and quantitative characterisation of petroleum-contaminated soils derived from a sub-Antarctic research station at Macquarie Island. The limit of detection compared to standard 1D GC analysis was improved from 64 to 11mgkg(-1). An automated method of analysing and categorising s les using principal component analysis is presented.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2014.09.014
Abstract: A multiplexed dual-primary column comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry approach (2GC×GC-MS) is introduced. The approach splits injected s les into two first-dimension columns with different stationary phases, and recombines the two streams into one second-dimension column that terminates at a single detector. The approach produces two two-dimensional chromatograms for each injection, and is made possible by using a dual-stage modulator operated in contra-directional modulation mode. The dual two-dimensional chromatograms produced by this single detector system provide complementary information due to selectivity differences between the three separation columns used in the column ensemble. An aged Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil was analyzed to demonstrate the 2GC×GC-MS approach. The number of compounds separated by each of the GC×GC separations in the 2GC×GC experiment is comparable to conventional GC×GC experiments with matching column configurations. Robust peak assignment was possible for this s le based on the combination of MS library matches and multiple linear retention index searching. Forty-nine components (22 unique) were identified using a non-polar×mid-polar column combination and 34 components (7 unique) were positively identified using a polar×mid-polar column combination. Twenty-seven peak assignments were corroborated by positive identification in both of the multiplexed separations.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-07-2017
DOI: 10.1111/EXD.13344
Abstract: Volatile organic compounds emitted by human skin were s led before and after acute barrier disruption of the volar forearm to investigate the significance of this approach to skin physiology research. A small wearable housing integrating a solid-phase micro-extraction fibre permitting rapid enclosed headspace s ling of human skin volatiles is presented, enabling non-invasive s le collection in 15 minutes, in a comfortable wearable format. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilised to separate and identify the volatile metabolites. A total of 37 compounds were identified, with aldehydes (hexanal, nonanal, decanal), acids (nonanoic, decanoic, dodecanoic, tetradecanoic and pentadecanoic acids) and hydrocarbons (squalane, squalene) predominant within the chemical profile. Acute barrier disruption was achieved through tape stripping (TS) of the stratum corneum to determine the impact on the volatile signature. Principle component analysis demonstrated there to be a discriminating volatile signature before and after TS. The dysregulation of significant features was examined. Several compounds derived from sebaceous components and their oxidation products were altered following barrier disruption, including squalane, squalene, octanal and nonanal. The upregulation of glycine was also observed, which may indicate a perturbation to the skin's natural moisturising factor production. TS impacted the hydro-lipid film that functions within the skin barrier, resulting in a differing volatile signature from affected skin. This provides a valuable non-invasive approach for scientific and clinical studies in dermatology, particularly around dermatological disorders associated with compromised barrier function.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1039/C9AY02190F
Abstract: Microwave assisted extraction derivatization (MAED) was investigated for preparing fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) derivatives to analyse the fatty acid (FA) composition of Nannochloropsis sp. algae.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2015.10.027
Abstract: Planar microfluidic devices coupled with modern electronic pressure control have allowed gas chromatography (GC) practitioners to easily manipulate chromatographic systems to achieve heart cut and back-flushing configurations. These planar microfluidic devices have enhanced the connectivity between different components of GC instrumentation and have improved the inertness and minimised system dead volumes compared to classical chromatographic unions and valves. In the present contribution the setup and configuration of two multidimensional GC (MDGC) platforms is described for achieving the separation and quantification of trace level target C6-C8 alkylbenzenes in styrene monomer and Isoparaffin™ solvents, using flame ionisation detection (FID). The performance of these MDGC platforms indicated excellent retention time (0.2% relative standard deviation, RSD) and peak area repeatability (1% RSD) for all analytes of interest. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.8 mg kg(-1) for benzene in styrene monomer, and 2.4-2.8 mg kg(-1) for C6-C8 alkylbenzenes such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene in Isoparaffin™ solvent.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACA.2013.04.063
Abstract: Gas chromatography is widely applied to separate, identify, and quantify components of s les in a timely manner. Increasing demand for analytical throughput, instrument portability, environmental sustainability, and more economical analysis necessitates the development of new gas chromatography instrumentation. The applications of resistive column heating technologies have been espoused for nearly thirty years and resistively heated gas chromatography has been commercially available for the last ten years. Despite this lengthy period of existence, resistively heated gas chromatography has not been universally adopted. This low rate of adoption may be partially ascribed to the saturation of the market with older convection oven technology, coupled with other analytical challenges such as s ling, injection, detection and data processing occupying research. This article assesses the advantages and applications of resistive heating in gas chromatography and discusses practical considerations associated with adoption of this technology.
No related grants have been discovered for Matthew Jacobs.