Microfabricated Reference Electrodes and their Biosensing Applications

Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing trend towards miniaturization of both biological and chemical sensors and their integration with miniaturized sample pre-processing and analysis systems. These miniaturized lab-on-chip devices have several functional advantages including low cost, their ability to analyze smaller samples, faster analysis time, suitability for automation, and increased reliability and repeatability. Electrical based sensing methods that transduce biological or chemical signals into the electrical domain are a dominant part of the lab-on-chip devices. A vital part of any electrochemical sensing system is the reference electrode, which is a probe that is capable of measuring the potential on the solution side of an electrochemical interface. Research on miniaturization of this crucial component and analysis of the parameters that affect its performance, stability and lifetime, is sparse. In this paper, we present the basic electrochemistry and thermodynamics of these reference electrodes and illustrate the uses of reference electrodes in electrochemical and biological measurements. Different electrochemical systems that are used as reference electrodes will be presented, and an overview of some contemporary advances in electrode miniaturization and their performance will be provided

Rare missense variants in Tropomyosin-4 (TPM4) are associated with platelet dysfunction, cytoskeletal defects, and excessive bleeding

Background: A significant challenge is faced for the genetic diagnosis of inherited platelet disorders in which candidate genetic variants can be found in more than 100 bleeding, thrombotic, and platelet disorder genes, especially within families in which there are both normal and low platelet counts. Genetic variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS) are found in a significant proportion of such patients in which functional studies are required to prove pathogenicity. Objective: To identify the genetic cause in patients with a suspected platelet disorder and subsequently perform a detailed functional analysis of the candidate genetic variants found. Methods: Genetic and functional studies were undertaken in three patients in two unrelated families with a suspected platelet disorder and excessive bleeding. A targeted gene panel of previously known bleeding and platelet genes was used to identify plausible genetic variants. Deep platelet phenotyping was performed using platelet spreading analysis, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and platelet function testing using lumiaggregometry and flow cytometry. Results: We report rare conserved missense variants (p.R182C and p.A183V) in TPM4 encoding tromomyosin-4 in 3 patients. Deep platelet phenotyping studies revealed similar platelet function defects across the 3 patients including reduced platelet secretion, and aggregation and spreading defects suggesting that TPM4 missense variants impact platelet function and show a disordered pattern of tropomyosin staining. Conclusions: Genetic and functional TPM4 defects are reported making TPM4 a diagnostic grade tier 1 gene and highlights the importance of including TPM4 in diagnostic genetic screening for patients with significant bleeding and undiagnosed platelet disorders, particularly for those with a normal platelet count

2014 ASME Design Contest

“Design and develop a scaled-down version of a transporter capable of delivering granular materials, which will be guided by, at most, one person.

Reducing commercial vehicle road accident costs

Presents information relating to the scale of road traffic accidents in the UK involving commercial vehicles. Establishes the extent of the accident problem and explores some of the main causes of vehicle accidents including human nature, the role of the driver, vehicle operators and government road transport strategy. Introduces some general measures to reduce commercial vehicle accidents such as improved driving, safety cultures, vehicle improvements and government policy. Provides a case study of a company which gained many benefits from reducing vehicle accident levels through the implementation of a vehicle accident database

Intronic features that determine the selection of the 3′ splice site

Most eukaryotic primary transcripts include segments, or introns, that will be accurately removed during RNA biogenesis. This process, known as pre-messenger RNA splicing, is catalyzed by the spliceosome, accurately selecting a set of intronic marks from others apparently equivalent. This identification is critical, as incorrectly spliced RNAs can be toxic for the organism. One of these marks, the dinucleotide AG, signals the intronic 3′ end, or 3′ splice site (ss). In this review we will focus on those intronic features that have an impact on 3′ ss selection. These include the location and type of neighboring sequences, and their distance to the 3′ end. We will see that their interplay is needed to select the right intronic end, and that this can be modulated by additional intronic elements that contribute to alternative splicing, whereby diverse RNAs can be generated from identical precursors. This complexity, still poorly understood, is fundamental for the accuracy of gene expression. In addition, a clear knowledge of 3′ ss selection is needed to fully decipher the coding potential of genomes. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Work in JV's laboratory is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science (BIO2008-01091 and 2011-25697) and CSIC (200920I195).Peer Reviewe

Wheat leaf properties affecting the absorption and subsequent translocation of foliar-applied phosphoric acid fertiliser

Background and aims. Although foliar fertilisation using liquid forms of phosphorus (P) is not a new concept, its adoption has been hindered by a limited understanding of the variability in performance of fluid forms of foliar P applied to broadacre crops. There is a need to identify how the surface structure of leaves influences the absorption and subsequent translocation of foliar-applied P in above ground plant parts. Methods. This study examined the surface properties of wheat leaves using scanning electron microscopy and measured the recovery of foliar-applied fertiliser that was labelled with either 32P or 33P from both the adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) leaf sides into untreated plant parts. Results. We found that the adaxial leaf surface absorbed and translocated more foliar-applied P away from the treated leaf than the abaxial surface, likely related to the higher abundance of trichomes and stomata present on that side of the leaf. The recovery of the foliar-applied fertiliser varied with rate and timing of application; ranging from <30%to as much as 80% of the adaxial-applied fertiliser translocated from the treated leaf into the wheat ear. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that the differences in surface morphological features between leaf sides influenced the combined absorption and subsequent translocation of foliar-applied P in the above ground plant parts. This is due to a direct effect on the foliar pathway and/or due to differences in wettability affecting both the leaf coverage and drying time of fertilisers on the leaves. Although foliar fertilisation in this study contributed less than 10 % of the total P in the plant, it provided a more efficient pathway for P fertilisation than soil-applied P.C.A.E. Peirce, T.M. McBeath, V. Fernández, M.J. McLaughli

Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference 2021: Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions

Conference presentations and research posters presented at the event made available with the permission of the authors.The Alberta Gambling Research Institute's 20th Annual Conference "Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions" took place April 27-29, 2021 as a live virtual event. A selection of conference presentations and research posters presented at the event have been made available with the permission of the authors