AVIRIS foreoptics, fiber optics and on-board calibrator

The foreoptics, fiber optic system and calibration source of the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) are described. The foreoptics, based on a modified Kennedy scanner, is coupled by optical fibers to the four spectrometers. The optical fibers allow convenient positioning of the spectrometers in the limited space and enable simple compensation of the scanner's thermal defocus (at the -23 C operating temp) by active control of the fiber focal plane position. A challenging requirement for the fiber optic system was the transmission to the spectral range 1.85 to 2.45 microns at .45 numerical aperture. This was solved with custom fluoride glass fibers from Verre Fluore. The onboard calibration source is also coupled to the spectrometers by the fibers and provides two radiometric levels and a reference spectrum to check the spectrometers' alignment. Results of the performance of the assembled subsystems are presented

Developing a podcast series to promote maternal perinatal well-being

Background: The transition to motherhood for first-time mothers can be characterised by psychological distress, which can result from inadequate support during the perinatal period. Limited accessibility to support in rural and remote areas means that it is imperative we provide accessible, online resources. To this end, the BAMBOO WebApp will pair new mums with peer mentors and provide a digital resource centre, which contains a podcast series. This research examined the development of the podcast series. Method: A collaborative auto-ethnography was used to examine the podcast creators’ environment, interactions and reflections on the recording process. This was complemented by listener interviews, wherein discussions centred on opinions and suggestions pertaining to the podcast series’ purpose, applicability, content, and design. Results: The process describing the development of the podcast series will be outlined. With data collection still underway, thematic analyses of project data will identify themes concerning its content, design, applicability, and usability. Discussion of the findings will also address how the dissemination of health information to new mothers via podcasts can be optimized. Conclusions: The project findings have broad implications concerning the impact that a podcast series within a WebApp can have on supporting maternal well-being. Additionally, findings regarding the process of translating research findings into engaging, public-facing edutainment have implications for how to better produce health education materials

A scoping review examining how music listening can support intrapartum maternal well-being

Background: How might music listening support intrapartum well-being for mothers, when this period can be distressing for first time mothers? Moreover, what type of music listening resources are shown to support maternal intrapartum well-being? We have undertaken a scoping review to consolidate evidence-based knowledge on the role of music listening for maternal intrapartum well-being. Method: The PRISMA-ScR protocol was followed (Tricco et al., 2018). English language, peerreviewed publications between 2000 and 2023 about research specifically related to music listening were examined following a keyword search (music AND listen*, AND (spellings of) perinatal OR prenatal OR prenatal OR pregnan* OR labour OR birth OR antepartum OR intrapartum). Articles focused only on interventions other than music listening (e.g., music therapy, group lessons, and singing) and those focused only on fertility, contraception, or child outcomes were excluded. Results: Preliminary findings suggest that the impact of music listening can be grouped under three themes: while pregnant (e.g., reducing stress, anxiety and depression and improving sleep quality; while in labour (reducing mothers’ stress, anxiety, and fears, providing a distraction, reducing pain/medication), and regarding longer-term consequences (increasing maternal-infant bonding and self-efficacy, decreasing the risk of postanal depression). Conclusions: While there is varied reporting regarding the stimuli or resources used in these studies; consolidating the evidence-based music listening resources will result in an online resource centre for mothers. Doing so affords expectant mothers (especially those residing in rural and remote communities) access to low-cost, evidence-based resources, aimed at promoting their well-being pre-/post-natally

The Influence of Different European Cements on the Transport and Early-age Properties of Concrete in the Cover-zone

The use of in situ tests for performance based specification would require demonstration of their suitability to distinguish the quality of concrete. With the introduction of new European Standards for cements, this would mean concretes produced with these new cements should be classified for their quality using the performance tests. It is generally believed that transport properties of concrete are related to their durability and hence the measurement of these properties can form the basis of performance based specifications. This paper reports data indicating that transport properties measured at 28-days for concretes manufactured with different European cements and water-binder ratios can form the basis of classifying concrete for their durability. The results also demonstrated how the different cements specified in European Standards influence the transport properties and other early-age properties

Preclinical Evaluation of Novel All-in-one Formulations of 5-Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid with Reduced Toxicity Profiles - Supplementary Data

Objectives: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with its synergistic biomodulator folinic acid maintains a pivotal position in cancer chemotherapy. However, clinical limitations persist with the administration of these drugs in combination including phlebitis and catheter blockages, which are associated with reduced efficacy and/or quality of life for patients. We have previously reported novel all-in-one, pH neutral, parenteral 5-FU and folinic acid formulations (termed Fluorodex) incorporating beta-cyclodextrins. Fluorodex maintains potency while overcoming the accepted incompatibility of 5-FU and folinic acid.Methods: We performed toxicological, pharmacokinetic and biodistribution, and efficacy evaluations of Fluorodex compared to 5-FU:folinic acid using several administration routes and schedules in two rodent models. These were compared to dose-matched sequential administration of 5-FU:folinic acid.Results: Fluorodex showed bioequivalence to 5-FU:folinic acid as assessed by tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of 5-FU, but was generally better tolerated as determined by weight loss, hematological and other clinical parameters. Compared to 5-FU:folinic acid, Fluorodex was also associated with reduced phlebitis using a rabbit ear vein model. Furthermore, equivalent to enhanced efficacy of Fluorodex compared to 5-FU:folinic acid against human carcinoma tumour models in mice was observed.Conclusions: These novel all-in-one formulations represent a superior injectable form of 5- FU that allows co-delivery of folinic acid. This should translate to improved patient tolerability with potential for enhanced efficacy

Lifetime effects of intratracheally instilled nickel subsulfide on B6C3F1 mice

A nickel subsulfide (Ni3S2) lung tumor model for the study of metal carcinogenesis was evaluated using intratracheally dosed B6C3F1 mice. A preliminary study of the survival of mice 14 days after a single intratracheal dose of Ni3S2 displayed an LD50 of 4 mg/kg. A lifetime study was then initiated using five graded doses of Ni3S2 or saline alone, administered once a week for 4 weeks. Animals which survived more than 60 days after the final dose were evaluated by histopathology. The study was terminated 27 months after initiation when ~50% of the control animals had died. There was no increase in neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions observed in animals treated with Ni3S2 nor was there evidence of damage to the organs of the respiratory tract from this treatment. The lack of significant biological response appears to be the result of relatively low tolerated dose, efficient lung clearance, and repair of early lung lesions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26090/1/0000166.pd

Effect of Vehicle on the Nasal Absorption of Epinephrine During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90174/1/j.1875-9114.1996.tb03030.x.pd

P450 oxidoreductase deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis of genotypes, phenotypes and their relationships

Context: P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (PORD) is a rare genetic disorder that is associated with significant morbidity. However there has been limited analysis of reported PORD cases. Objective: To determine, based on the cohort of reported PORD cases, genotype-phenotype relationships for skeletal malformations, maternal virilisation in pregnancy, adrenal insufficiency and disorders of sexual development (DSD). Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science from January 2004 to February 2018. Study Selection: Published case reports/series of patients with PORD. Eligible patients were unique, had biallelic mutations and their clinical features reported. Data Extraction: Patient data were manually extracted from the text of case reports/series. A malformation score, representing the severity of skeletal malformations, was calculated for each patient. Data Synthesis: Of the 211 patients published in the literature, 90 patients were eligible for inclusion. Over 60 unique mutations were identified in this cohort. Four groups of mutations were identified, through regression modelling, as having significantly different skeletal malformation scores. Maternal virilisation in pregnancy, reported for 21% of patients, was most common for R457H mutations. Adrenal insufficiency occurred for the majority of patients (78%) and was typically mild, with homozygous R457H mutations being the least deficient. DSD affected most patients (72%) but were less common for males (46XY) with homozygous R457H mutations. Conclusions: PORD is a complex disorder with many possible mutations affecting a large number of enzymes. By analysing the cohort of reported PORD cases, this study identified clear relationships between genotype and several important phenotypic features