Changes in hair arsenic levels in breast and bottle fed infants during the first year of infancy

Hair samples were collected from 13 breast fed and 19 bottle fed infants at one, three, six and twelve months of age. Food frequency data were also collected. Arsenic and antimony concentrations determined in washed hair samples by neutron activation procedures, rose significantly with age, the highest levels being evident at twelve months. Hair arsenic and antimony levels were independent of sex, and method of milk feeding. However, at twelve months, the median hair arsenic level for those infants receiving cereal at six months of age (0.655 μg/g) was significantly higher (p = 0.05) than for those infants fed exclusively a milk based diet at this time (median = 0.225 μg/g). Recent data show that cereals are major dietary sources of arsenic during infancy. Hence findings of this study suggest that changes in hair arsenic levels during infancy are related to the introduction of cereals in the diet.     

Anaesthesia of the tympanic membrane using iontophoresis

Experience is described of the use of iontophoresis of 2% lignocaine to achieve effective tympanic membrane anaesthesia. The main uses are for outpatient myringotomy and transtympanic electrocochleography. Complete anaesthesia of the drum has been obtained in all cases, and those patients who had previously had these procedures carried out without anaesthetic, or with surface 'anaesthesia' only, all stated a marked preference for iontophoresis. No complications have occurred.     

Electroosmotic flow-based pump for liquid chromatography on a planar microchip

An electroosmotic flow (EOF)-based pump, integrated with a sol-gel stationary phase located in the electric field-free region of a microchip, enabled the separation of six nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives and their degradation products via liquid chromatography (LC). The integrated pump and LC system were fabricated within a single quartz substrate. The pump region consisted of a straight channel (3.0 cm x 230 microm x 100 microm) packed with 5-microm porous silica beads. The sol-gel stationary phase was derived from a precursor mixture of methyltrimethoxy- and phenethyltrimethoxysilanes and was synthesized in the downstream, field-free region of the microchip, resulting in a stationary-phase monolith with dimensions of 2.6 cm x 230 microm x 100 microm. Fluid dynamic design considerations are discussed, especially as they relate to integrating the EOF pump with the LC system. Pump and separation performance, as characterized by flow rate measurements, injection, elution, separation, and detection, point to a viable analytical chemistry platform that encompasses all of the benefits expected of portable, laboratory-on-chip systems, including reduced sample requirements and small packaging.     

Quantitative phase and refractive index analysis of optical fibers using differential interference contrast microscopy

A systematic and straightforward image processing method to extract quantitative phase and refractive index data from weak phase objects is presented, obtained using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The method is demonstrated on DIC images of optical fibers where a directional integration routine is applied to the DIC images to extract phase and refractive index information using the data obtained across the whole DIC image. By applying the inverse Abel transform to the resultant phase images, an accurate refractive index profile is obtained. The method presented here is compared to the refracted near-field technique, typically used to obtain the refractive index profile of optical fibers, and shows excellent agreement. It is concluded that through careful image processing procedures, DIC microscopy can be successfully implemented to obtain quantitative phase and refractive index information of optical fibers.     

Label-less immunosensor assay for myelin basic protein based upon an ac impedance protocol

This paper describes the development and characterization of a label-less immunosensor for myelin basic protein (MBP) and its interrogation using an ac impedance protocol. Commercial screen-printed carbon electrodes were used as the basis for the sensor. Polyaniline was electrodeposited onto the sensors, and this modified surface then utilized to immobilize a biotinylated antibody for MBP using a classical avidin-biotin approach. Electrodes containing the antibodies were exposed to solutions of MBP and interrogated using an ac impedance protocol. The real component of the impedance of the electrodes was found to increase with increasing concentration of antigen. Control samples containing a nonspecific IgG antibody were also studied, and calibration curves were obtained by subtraction of the responses for specific and nonspecific antibody-based sensors, thereby accounting for and eliminating the effects of nonspecific adsorption of MBP. A logarithmic relationship between the concentration of MBP in buffer solutions and the impedimetric response was observed.     

Evaluation of physical–chemical properties and biocompatibility of a microrough and smooth bioactive glass particles

The purpose of this study was to evaluate physical-chemical and biocompatibility characteristics of a simple synthesis and low cost experimental bioactive glass. Physical and chemical properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive (EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The biomaterials were subcutaneously implanted into rats, according to the following groups: G1, PerioGlastrade mark; G2, Biograntrade mark, G3, Experimental Bioactive Glass U (BGU) and G4, Control (Sham). After 7, 15, 21, 45, and 60 days, 5 animals/group/period were sacrificed and the subcutaneous tissue was dissected for histological and histometric analysis, considering inflammatory reaction and granulation area, presence of polymorphonuclear (PMN), monuclear (MN) and fibroblast (F) cells. SEM analysis of biomaterials showed irregular particles with different surface characteristics. EDX showed calcium, oxygen, sodium, phosphorus and silicon; XRF revealed silica oxide (SiO(2)), sodium oxide (Na(2)O), calcium oxide (CaO) and phosphorus oxide (P(2)O(5)). XRD indicated non crystalline phase. Measurement of tissue reaction showed similar results among the experimental groups at 45 and 60 days. No difference was found for PMN, MN and F cell counts. All biomaterials exhibited partial resorption. In conclusion, the experimental bioactive glass analyzed showed physical and chemical characteristics similar to the commercially available biomaterials, and was considered biocompatible, being partially reabsorbed in the subcutaneous tissue.     

The persistence of attention to emotion: Brain potentials during and after picture presentation.

Emotional stimuli have been shown to elicit increased perceptual processing and attentional allocation. The late positive potential (LPP) is a sustained P300-like component of the event-related potential that is enhanced after the presentation of pleasant and unpleasant pictures as compared with neutral pictures. In this study, the LPP was measured using dense array electroencephalograph both before and after pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant images to examine the time course of attentional allocation toward emotional stimuli. Results from 17 participants confirmed that the LPP was larger after emotional than neutral images and that this effect persisted for 800 ms after pleasant picture offset and at least 1,000 ms after unpleasant picture offset. The persistence of increased attention after unpleasant compared to pleasant stimuli is consistent with the existence of a negativity bias. Overall, these results indicate that attentional capture of emotion continues well beyond picture presentation and that this can be measured with the LPP. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Legionnaires' disease outbreak: a water blaster and roof-collected rainwater systems

In February 2006, an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease (LD) was identified in Beachlands, a small, isolated east Auckland suburb. It was investigated through case finding, a case-control study, sampling potential sources of infection and by molecular typing (using sequence-based typing (SBT) of all Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) isolates). Lp1 was isolated from the respiratory tract of one case, the roof-collected rainwater systems of five households (three associated with cases) and from a water blaster at a nearby marina. All isolates were indistinguishable, exhibiting the same SBT allele pattern. Three LD cases lived within 500m of the water blaster (the fourth case within 1250m) and downwind in prevailing conditions. Another domestic roof-collected rainwater supply contaminated by Lp1 (identical SBT pattern) was incidentally identified in another suburb 4km east of Beachlands. This is the first outbreak of LD linked to roof-collected rainwater supplies and the first isolation of Legionella from these systems in New Zealand. Aerosols containing Legionella discharged to air by the marina water blaster may have infected some cases directly or may have seeded roof-collected rainwater systems. Some cases may have been exposed by contaminated bathroom showers. Roof-collected rainwater systems need appropriate design, careful cleaning and the maintenance of hot water temperatures at a minimum of 60 degrees C to reduce the chances of Legionella multiplying. Further research into the ecology of Legionella in roof-collected rain water systems is indicated.     

Vortex beam propagation through atmospheric turbulence and topological charge conservation

The propagation of vortex beams through weak-to-strong atmospheric turbulence is simulated and analyzed. It is demonstrated that the topological charge of such a beam is a robust quantity that could be used as an information carrier in optical communications. The advantages and limitations of such an approach are discussed.     

Forgotten Needs? The Demographic and Socio-economic Impact of Free-standing New Settlements

For some time, local authorities have attempted to restrict the residential development of large, medium and small settlements on the grounds of the regional and local land use planning impacts. However, the changing distribution of national populations and associated housing pressure during recent decades suggest a need for a more appropriate land use planning response. One such approach is the creation of freestanding new settlements. Using a Scottish case study, this paper assesses the impact of such developments on residential mobility patterns and examines the socio-economic characteristics of residents and their level of satisfaction with the provision of services. The study provides one measure of the effectiveness of new settlements as a planning mechanism for meeting the needs of residential development from the consumers' perspective. It is concluded that free-standing new settlements are in danger of becoming elitist satellite communities where residents are likely to be disadvantaged in terms of service provision.