A Novel TiO2 / PVC Layer for Use in a Photoelectrochemical Cell

A novel method of coating titanium dioxide on a glassy carbon electrode as a polyvinylchloride composite , is described. On illumination , there is an enhanced voltammetric current at this TiO2/PVC composite in aqueous formic acid solution. This electrode is used as the basis of a formic acid fuel cell where oxygen is reduced at a platinum cathode. The system yields 100 cm-2 for 0.01 mol dm-3 HCOOH in 0.1 mol dm-3 NaOH under illumination from a 150 W xenon lamp. The current without illumination is 0.5 cm-2

A review of cricket fielding requirements

Cricket is played in three formats at elite level: Test, One Day and Twenty20. Fielding is an important component of cricket, as all players are obliged to field. However, there is a paucity of literature on fielding compared with that on batting and bowling. We review the available literature in terms of technical, mental, physiological and physical factors important to fielding, to identify knowledge gaps and better understand the performance requirements of fielding in cricket

Determinants of stress fracture risk in United States Military Academy cadets

Background: Prior studies have identified some risk factors for stress fracture in athletes and military recruits. Objective: To determine whether historical factors, physical measures, biochemical variables of skeletal metabolism, genetic factors, bone density (BMD) and bone size could predict risk of stress fracture over 4 years in physically fit cadets at the US Military Academy (USMA). Methods: Baseline surveys, assessments of height, weight, scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test, and peripheral BMD were obtained in all cadets (755 men, 136 women), and central BMD in a subset. Blood samples were analyzed for variables of calcium homeostasis, bone turnover, and selected hormones and genetic factors. Stress fractures were adjudicated by review of orthopedic notes and imaging reports. Results: 5.7% of male and 19.1% of female cadets had at least 1 stress fracture (58% metatarsal and 29% tibial), most within 3 months of entry to USMA. In males, risk of stress fracture was higher in those who exercised <7 h per week during the prior year (RR 2.31; CI 1.29,4.12), and in those with smaller tibial cortical area (RR 1.12; CI 1.03,1.23), lower tibial bone mineral content (RR 1.11; CI 1.03,1.20) and smaller femoral neck diameter (RR 1.35, CI 1.01, 1.81). In women, higher stress fracture risk was seen in those with shorter time since menarche (RR 1.44 per year; Cl 1.19, 1.73) and smaller femoral neck diameter (RR 1.16; Cl 1.01, 1.33.). Conclusion: Although prior physical training in men, length of prior estrogen exposure in women and leg bone dimensions in both genders played a role, the maximum variance explained by all of these factors was below 10%. We conclude these factors play a minor role in the development of stress fractures in physically fit USMA cadets. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Ionized concentrations in Ca2+ and Mg2+ buffers must be measured, not calculated

Modelling intracellular regulation of Ca2+/Mg2+ is now an established part of physiology. However, the conclusions drawn from such studies depend on accurate knowledge of intracellular [Ca2+], ∆[Ca2+] and the pK′ values for the intracellular binding of Ca2+/Mg2+. Calculation of [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] in buffers is normal. The eight freely available programs all give different values for the [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] in the buffer solutions, varying by up to a factor of 4.3. As a result, concentrations must be measured. There are two methods to do this, both based on the ligand optimization method (LOM): (1) calibration solutions from 0.5 to 4 mmol l−1; and (2) calibration solutions from 0.1 µmol l−1 to 2 mmol l−1. Both methods can be used to calibrate Ca2+/Mg2+ electrodes. Only Method 2 can be used directly to calibrate fluorochromes and aequorin. Software in the statistical program R to calculate the [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] in buffers is provided for both methods. The LOM has now been generalized for use with electrodes, fluorochromes and aequorin, making it the ideal method to determine the pK′ values for intracellular binding of Ca2+/Mg2+. The [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] in buffers must be measured routinely, which is best done by calibrating electrodes with the LOM and software written in R. If [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] in buffers are calculated, the parameters used in modelling show the same degree of variability as the software programs. Uncritical acceptance of such parameters means that conclusions reached from such studies are relative, not absolute, and must now be re‐examined

Nitrogen and Copper doped solar light active TiO2 photocatalyst for water decontamination

A novel class of photocatalytic coating capable of degrading bacterial and chemical contaminants in the presence of visible sunlight wavelengths was produced by depositing a stable photocatalytic TiO2 film on the internal lumen of glass bottles via a sol gel method. This coating was prepared in either undoped form or doped with nitrogen and/or copper to produce visible light-active TiO2 films which were annealed at 600 °C and were characterized by Raman, UV-Vis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The presence of doped and undoped TiO2 films was found to accelerate the degradation of methylene blue in the presence of natural sunlight, while copper-doped TiO2 films were found to accelerate bacterial inactivation (of E. coli and E. faecalis) in the presence of natural sunlight

Engineering Airway Epithelium

Airway epithelium is constantly presented with injurious signals, yet under healthy circumstances, the epithelium maintains its innate immune barrier and mucociliary elevator function. This suggests that airway epithelium has regenerative potential (I. R. Telford and C. F. Bridgman, 1990). In practice, however, airway regeneration is problematic because of slow turnover and dedifferentiation of epithelium thereby hindering regeneration and increasing time necessary for full maturation and function. Based on the anatomy and biology of the airway epithelium, a variety of tissue engineering tools available could be utilized to overcome the barriers currently seen in airway epithelial generation. This paper describes the structure, function, and repair mechanisms in native epithelium and highlights specific and manipulatable tissue engineering signals that could be of great use in the creation of artificial airway epithelium

Bone Turnover Marker Profiling and Fracture Risk in Older Women: Fracture Risk from Age 75 to 90.

Purpose: A major challenge in osteoporosis is to identify individuals at high fracture risk. We investigated six bone turnover markers (BTMs) to determine association with specific fracture types; the time-frame for risk prediction and whether these are influenced by age at assessment.Methods: Population-based OPRA cohort (n = 1044) was assessed at ages 75, 80, 85 and fractures documented for up to 15 years. Six BTMs were analyzed at each time-point (N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, PINP; total osteocalcin, OC; bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, BALP; C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, CTX; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, TRAcP5b; urinary osteocalcin). Hazard ratios (HR) for any, major osteoporotic, vertebral and hip fractures were calculated as short (1, 2, 3 years) and long-term risk (5, 10, 15 years).Results: At 75 year, high CTX levels were associated with an increased risk of all fractures, including major osteoporotic fractures, across most time-frames (HRs ranging: 1.28 to 2.28). PINP was not consistently associated. Urinary osteocalcin was consistently associated with elevated short-term risk (HRs ranging: 1.83-2.72). Other BTMs were directionally in accordance, though not all statistically significant. BTMs were not predictive for hip fractures. Association of all BTMs attenuated over time; at 80 year none were associated with an increased fracture risk.Conclusion: CTX, urinary OC and TRAcP5b are predictive for fracture in a 1 to 3 year, perspective, whereas in the long-term or above age 80 years, BTMs appear less valuable. Resorption markers, particularly CTX, were more consistently associated with fracture risk than formation markers in the very elderly.</p

EMA-amplicon-based sequencing informs risk assessment analysis of water treatment systems

Illumina amplicon-based sequencing was coupled with ethidium monoazide bromide (EMA) pre-treatment to monitor the total viable bacterial community and subsequently identify and prioritise the target organisms for the health risk assessment of the untreated rainwater and rainwater treated using large-volume batch solar reactor prototypes installed in an informal settlement and rural farming community. Taxonomic assignments indicated that Legionella and Pseudomonas were the most frequently detected genera containing opportunistic bacterial pathogens in the untreated and treated rainwater at both sites. Additionally, Mycobacterium, Clostridium sensu stricto and Escherichia/Shigella displayed high (≥80%) detection frequencies in the untreated and/or treated rainwater samples at one or both sites. Numerous exposure scenarios (e.g. drinking, cleaning) were subsequently investigated and the health risk of using untreated and solar reactor treated rainwater in developing countries was quantified based on the presence of L. pneumophila, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The solar reactor prototypes were able to reduce the health risk associated with E. coli and P. aeruginosa to below the 1 × 10−4 annual benchmark limit for all the non-potable uses of rainwater within the target communities (exception of showering for E. coli). However, the risk associated with intentional drinking of untreated or treated rainwater exceeded the benchmark limit (E. coli and P. aeruginosa). Additionally, while the solar reactor treatment reduced the risk associated with garden hosing and showering based on the presence of L. pneumophila, the risk estimates for both activities still exceeded the annual benchmark limit. The large-volume batch solar reactor prototypes were thus able to reduce the risk posed by the target bacteria for non-potable activities rainwater is commonly used for in water scarce regions of sub-Saharan Africa. This study highlights the need to assess water treatment systems in field trials using QMRA