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Abimbola I, McAfee M, Creedon L, Gharbia S. In-situ detection of microplastics in the aquatic environment: A systematic literature review. Sci Total Environ 2024:173111. [PMID: 38740219 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and have emerged as a significant environmental issue due to their potential impacts on human health and the ecosystem. Current laboratory-based microplastic detection methods suffer from various drawbacks, including a lack of standardisation, limited spatial and temporal coverage, high costs, and time-consuming procedures. Consequently, there is a need for the development of in-situ techniques to detect and monitor microplastics to effectively identify and understand their sources, pathways, and behaviours. Herein, we adopt a systematic literature review method to assess the development and application of experimental and field technologies designed for the in-situ detection and monitoring of aquatic microplastics, without the need for sample preparation. Four scientific databases were searched in March 2023, resulting in a review of 62 relevant studies. These studies were classified into seven sensor categories and their working principles were discussed. The sensor classes include optical devices, digital holography, Raman spectroscopy, other spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, and other methods. We also looked at how data from these technologies are integrated with machine learning models to develop classifiers capable of accurately characterising the physical and chemical properties of microplastics and discriminating them from other particles. This review concluded that in-situ detection of microplastics in aquatic environments is feasible and can be achieved with high accuracy, even though the methods are still in the early stages of development. Nonetheless, further research is still needed to enhance the in-situ detection of microplastics. This includes exploring the possibility of combining various detection methods and developing robust machine-learning classifiers. Additionally, there is a recommendation for in-situ implementation of the reviewed methods to assess their effectiveness in detecting microplastics and identify their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismaila Abimbola
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland.
| | - Marion McAfee
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Leo Creedon
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Salem Gharbia
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland
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Ahmed T, Creedon L, Gharbia SS. Low-Cost Sensors for Monitoring Coastal Climate Hazards: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:1717. [PMID: 36772769 PMCID: PMC9919000 DOI: 10.3390/s23031717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Unequivocal change in the climate system has put coastal regions around the world at increasing risk from climate-related hazards. Monitoring the coast is often difficult and expensive, resulting in sparse monitoring equipment lacking in sufficient temporal and spatial coverage. Thus, low-cost methods to monitor the coast at finer temporal and spatial resolution are imperative for climate resilience along the world's coasts. Exploiting such low-cost methods for the development of early warning support could be invaluable to coastal settlements. This paper aims to provide the most up-to-date low-cost techniques developed and used in the last decade for monitoring coastal hazards and their forcing agents via systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature in three scientific databases: Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. A total of 60 papers retrieved from these databases through the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol were analysed in detail to yield different categories of low-cost sensors. These sensors span the entire domain for monitoring coastal hazards, as they focus on monitoring coastal zone characteristics (e.g., topography), forcing agents (e.g., water levels), and the hazards themselves (e.g., coastal flooding). It was found from the meta-analysis of the retrieved papers that terrestrial photogrammetry, followed by aerial photogrammetry, was the most widely used technique for monitoring different coastal hazards, mainly coastal erosion and shoreline change. Different monitoring techniques are available to monitor the same hazard/forcing agent, for instance, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), time-lapse cameras, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for monitoring coastal morphological changes such as beach erosion, creating opportunities to not only select but also combine different techniques to meet specific monitoring objectives. The sensors considered in this paper are useful for monitoring the most pressing challenges in coastal zones due to the changing climate. Such a review could be extended to encompass more sensors and variables in the future due to the systematic approach of this review. This study is the first to systematically review a wide range of low-cost sensors available for the monitoring of coastal zones in the context of changing climate and is expected to benefit coastal researchers and managers to choose suitable low-cost sensors to meet their desired objectives for the regular monitoring of the coast to increase climate resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem Ahmed
- Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - Leo Creedon
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, F91YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - Salem S. Gharbia
- Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91YW50 Sligo, Ireland
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McEvoy MJ, McAfee M, Hession JA, Creedon L. A Mathematical Model of Estradiol Production from Ultrasound Data for Bovine Ovarian Follicles. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233908. [PMID: 36497167 PMCID: PMC9739503 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present a new way to assess the concentration of estradiol (E2) and Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF) based on the results from ultrasound scans combined with mathematical models. The IGF1 model is based on the progesterone (P4) concentration, which can be estimated with models calculating P4 level based on the size/volume of corpus luteum (CL) measured during ultrasound scans. At this moment little is known about the underlying reasons for double ovulation and silent heat occurrences. Both of these are linked to the level of IGF1: double ovulations are linked to higher IGF1 levels and and silent heat is linked to lower E2 to P4 ratio. These models can help to improve understanding of the related concentrations of E2 and IGF1. Currently, it is known that diet and genetic factors have an impact on ovulation rates and silent heat. In this study, we also examine the decline of the production of E2 in vivo by atretic follicles throughout the process of atresia. This is the first recorded quantitative description of this decline.
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Mulrennan K, Munir N, Creedon L, Donovan J, Lyons JG, McAfee M. NIR-Based Intelligent Sensing of Product Yield Stress for High-Value Bioresorbable Polymer Processing. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:2835. [PMID: 35458820 PMCID: PMC9028237 DOI: 10.3390/s22082835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PLA (polylactide) is a bioresorbable polymer used in implantable medical and drug delivery devices. Like other bioresorbable polymers, PLA needs to be processed carefully to avoid degradation. In this work we combine in-process temperature, pressure, and NIR spectroscopy measurements with multivariate regression methods for prediction of the mechanical strength of an extruded PLA product. The potential to use such a method as an intelligent sensor for real-time quality analysis is evaluated based on regulatory guidelines for the medical device industry. It is shown that for the predictions to be robust to processing at different times and to slight changes in the processing conditions, the fusion of both NIR and conventional process sensor data is required. Partial least squares (PLS), which is the established 'soft sensing' method in the industry, performs the best of the linear methods but demonstrates poor reliability over the full range of processing conditions. Conversely, both random forest (RF) and support vector regression (SVR) show excellent performance for all criteria when used with a prior principal component (PC) dimension reduction step. While linear methods currently dominate for soft sensing of mixture concentrations in highly conservative, regulated industries such as the medical device industry, this work indicates that nonlinear methods may outperform them in the prediction of mechanical properties from complex physicochemical sensor data. The nonlinear methods show the potential to meet industrial standards for robustness, despite the relatively small amount of training data typically available in high-value material processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Mulrennan
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; (K.M.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (J.D.)
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM Centre), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - Nimra Munir
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; (K.M.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (J.D.)
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM Centre), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - Leo Creedon
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; (K.M.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (J.D.)
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM Centre), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - John Donovan
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; (K.M.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (J.D.)
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM Centre), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - John G. Lyons
- Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, Technological University of the Shannon, Dublin Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland;
| | - Marion McAfee
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; (K.M.); (N.M.); (L.C.); (J.D.)
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing (PEM Centre), Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
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Shur NF, Creedon L, Skirrow S, Atherton PJ, MacDonald IA, Lund J, Greenhaff PL. Age-related changes in muscle architecture and metabolism in humans: The likely contribution of physical inactivity to age-related functional decline. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101344. [PMID: 33872778 PMCID: PMC8140403 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the United Kingdom (UK), it is projected that by 2035 people aged >65 years will make up 23 % of the population, with those aged >85 years accounting for 5% of the total population. Ageing is associated with progressive changes in muscle metabolism and a decline in functional capacity, leading to a loss of independence. Muscle metabolic changes associated with ageing have been linked to alterations in muscle architecture and declines in muscle mass and insulin sensitivity. However, the biological features often attributed to muscle ageing are also seen in controlled studies of physical inactivity (e.g. reduced step-count and bed-rest), and it is currently unclear how many of these ageing features are due to ageing per se or sedentarism. This is particularly relevant at a time of home confinements reducing physical activity levels during the Covid-19 pandemic. Current knowledge gaps include the relative contribution that physical inactivity plays in the development of many of the negative features associated with muscle decline in older age. Similarly, data demonstrating positive effects of government recommended physical activity guidelines on muscle health are largely non-existent. It is imperative therefore that research examining interactions between ageing, physical activity and muscle mass and metabolic health is prioritised so that it can inform on the "normal" muscle ageing process and on strategies for improving health span and well-being. This review will focus on important changes in muscle architecture and metabolism that accompany ageing and highlight the likely contribution of physical inactivity to these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Shur
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, The University of Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - L Creedon
- MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - S Skirrow
- MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - P J Atherton
- MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK; School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - I A MacDonald
- MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - J Lund
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK; School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - P L Greenhaff
- MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, UK; Versus Arthritis Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, The University of Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
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Abstract
Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction that involves cholecystoenteric fistulation and resultant passage of gallstones into the bowel. In the vast majority of cases, the fistula forms between the gallbladder and duodenum leading to small bowel obstruction. We report a case of cholecystocolic fistulation and subsequent large-bowel obstruction in a 75-year-old woman who presented acutely after taking a bowel preparation for an outpatient colonoscopy during the course of an investigation of anaemia and nonspecific abdominal pain. Preintervention imaging revealed a giant gallstone at the rectosigmoid junction, in the presence of a cholecystocolic fistula, and subsequent large bowel obstruction. After a failed period of expectant management, laparotomy and Hartmann's procedure were performed and the patient made an uneventful recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Creedon
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital , Derby , UK
| | - H Boyd-Carson
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital , Derby , UK
| | - J Lund
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital , Derby , UK.,Academic Department of Surgery, University of Nottingham Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital , Derby , UK
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Abstract
Inguinal hernias are a common presentation to surgical admission units throughout the world. The majority of presentations are due to hernias containing either fat or small bowel. However, a wide range of intra-abdominal viscera have been demonstrated in inguinal hernias. We report a case of an 87-year-old man who presented with gastric outlet obstruction secondary to an incarcerated inguinal hernia containing the gastric pylorus.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Creedon
- Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - O Peacock
- Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - R Singh
- Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - A Awan
- Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Abstract
Little work has been done on the localization of microcracks in bone using acoustic emission. Microcrack localization is useful to study the fracture process in bone and to prevent fractures in patients. Locating microcracks that occur before fracture allows one to predict where fracture will occur if continued stress is applied to the bone. Two source location algorithms were developed to locate microcracks on rectangular bovine bone samples. The first algorithm uses a constant velocity approach which has some difficulty dealing with the anisotropic nature of bone. However, the second algorithm uses an iterative technique to estimate the correct velocity for the acoustic emission source location being located. In tests with simulated microcracks, the constant velocity algorithm achieves a median error of 1.78 mm (IQR 1.51 mm) and the variable velocity algorithm improves this to a median error of 0.70 mm (IQR 0.79 mm). An experiment in which the bone samples were loaded in a three point bend test until they fractured showed a good correlation between the computed location of detected microcracks and where the final fracture occurred. Microcracks can be located on bovine bone samples using acoustic emission with good accuracy and precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O'Toole
- School of Engineering, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland.
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