Adventures in Australia

2016 essay contest winner Hannah Kintz\u27s Adventures in Australi

Reflection on Australia

Postcard from Hannah Kintz, during the Linfield College Semester Abroad Program at James Cook University in Cairns, Australi

Hair analysis of antidepressants and antipsychotics—Overview of quantitative data

Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs are regularly encountered in different aspects of forensic toxicology, and some cases require the examination of hair samples. In this study, common antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs regarding hair concentrations over the past decades were reviewed. Although numerous publications around method validations, case reports, or controlled dose studies were found, apparently there is a lack of comprehensive data for many substances. Information on the hair length and dosage across the publications varied largely, and case numbers were generally low except for several retrospective controlled dose studies. Many substances were described only in method validations or case reports, and data were obtained from small case numbers. On the contrary, clozapine, haloperidol, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, risperidone and its metabolite, methylphenidate, citalopram, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, and quetiapine had a well-founded database as these substances were investigated in controlled dose studies with higher case numbers. Given the advancements made in analytical techniques over the past years, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry techniques were the methods of choice and allowed the detection of chemical compounds at low concentrations. The controversy around a potential use of hair analysis to estimate the dosage remains as dose-concentration studies provided divergent results. A harmonization on the investigated hair length as well as on the extraction protocol would be of favor to achieve better comparability. Although hair analysis research focused mainly on drug abuse, availability of more data on antidepressants and antipsychotics would help to gain better knowledge and assist other forensic investigators

Sincerely Yours

Dimensions: 30 inches wide, 36 inches tallInkjet on matte paper, printed on both sidesWork displayed here as a diptych Artist\u27s narrative: Letter 62 unfolds William D. Howells’ review of Majors and Minors and the impact it had on Paul Laurence Dunbar. This single review pushed Dunbar into the national spotlight, which made his career. Howells\u27 review, however, was embedded with racist ideologies and misinterpretations of Dunbar’s messages. The use of blue watercolor in the foreground represents the depth Dunbar put into his work. The purple watercolor begins to flood into the imagery to express the power Howells had over Dunbar in this single review. The flowers spreading across symbolize the way Howells rooted himself into Dunbar regardless of the success that was brought upon him. One side portrays the sense of gratitude Dunbar had from the review, while the other half displays the harsh reality of the damage Howells\u27 single review did to him. The type palette paired with this imagery consists of Adriane Text designed by Marconi Lima and Work Sans distributed by Google Fonts. This transitional and grotesque pair creates stability in the imagery to showcase the power Howells will forever hold over Dunbar.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/stu_vad_dunbarletters/1001/thumbnail.jp

Hair testing of GHB: an everlasting issue in forensic toxicology

In this paper, the authors present a critical review of different studies regarding hair testing of endogenous γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), concentrations in chronic users, and values measured after a single GHB exposure in drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases together with the role of a recently identified GHB metabolite, GHB-glucuronide. Content: The following databases (up to March 2017) PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were used, searching the following key words: γ-hydroxybutyrate, GHB, GHB glucuronide, hair. The main key words “GHB” and “γ-hydroxybutyrate” were searched singularly and then associated individually to each of the other keywords. Summary: Of the 2304 sources found, only 20 were considered appropriate for the purpose of this paper. Summing up all the studies investigating endogenous GHB concentration in hair, a very broad concentration range from 0 to 12 ng/mg was found. In order to detect a single GHB dose in hair it is necessary to commonly wait 1 month for collecting hair and a segmental analysis of 3 or 5 mm fragments and the calculation of a ratio between the targeted segment and the others represent a reliable method to detect a single GHB intake considering that the ratios presently proposed vary from 3 and 10. The only two studies so far performed, investigating GHB-Glucuronide in hair, show that the latter does not seem to provide any diagnostic information regarding GHB exposure

Sedona Kintz Honors Portfolio

Sedona Kintz\u27s honors portfolio captured in January 2019

Experimental evaluation of partial depth precast concrete deck panels subjected to shear loading

Horizontally curved girder bridges are often utilized for highway interchanges and other projects with restricted right-of-way. The large torsional demands caused by the girder geometry often require these systems to have extensive bracing, typically in the form of cross frames or diaphragms, to increase the torsional stiffness of the girder system during the construction phase. The most critical stage for the bracing is during the deck placement, when the noncomposite girders must resist the full construction load. Partial depth precast concrete panels (PCPs) are prestressed concrete panels used primarily as stay-in-place (SIP) formwork for straight girder systems. They are placed on full-length extruded bedding strips epoxied to the girder top flange, and the remaining depth of the deck is cast above. This is a time-efficient method of construction, and has become an attractive option due to ease of constructability and deck longevity. Although the panels have not been used on horizontally curved girder systems, there is a desire by bridge owners and contractors to use the forms in some curved girder applications. In addition to using the panels on curved girder applications, engaging the in-plane shear stiffness of the panels may lead to significant bracing in both straight and horizontally curved girder applications. A research investigation focused on measuring the behavior of PCPs acting as a shear diaphragm, as well as to develop an adequate connection between the PCPs and the girders was conducted at The University of Texas at Austin. Four PCP connection details were developed and tested at two different bedding strip heights. These connections were designed for a range of capacities, and in-plane shear load was applied until failure using a frame mechanism assembly. The experimental results showed that the connected PCPs had significant shear stiffness and strength, with the panels reaching shear capacities between 91 and 154 kips before failure depending on the connection detail that was utilized. A 46 to 70 percent increase in shear stiffness was also observed when the bedding strip height was reduced from 4 inches to ½ inch. All panels greatly exceeded the design capacity using the ACI design predictions, with 7 of 8 panels eventually failing due to concrete side face breakout. The eighth PCP failed from weld rupture in which the weld connecting the WT and the girder flange began to unzip.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin