Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-Induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain

Every year, millions of children undergo anesthesia for a multitude of procedures. However, studies in both animals and humans have called into question the safety of anesthesia in children, implicating anesthetics as potentially toxic to the brain in development. To date, no studies have successfully elucidated the mechanism(s) by which anesthesia may be neurotoxic. Animal studies allow investigation of such mechanisms, and neonatal piglets represent an excellent model to study these effects due to their striking developmental similarities to the human brain. This protocol adapts the use of enzyme-based microelectrode array (MEA) technology as a novel way to study the mechanism(s) of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity (AIN). MEAs enable real-time monitoring of in vivo neurotransmitter activity and offer exceptional temporal and spatial resolution. It is hypothesized that anesthetic neurotoxicity is caused in part by glutamate dysregulation and MEAs offer a method to measure glutamate. The novel implementation of MEA technology in a piglet model presents a unique opportunity for the study of AIN

Method for measuring density of snow for e.g. pure and applied snow research purpose in modern weather station, involves measuring light attenuation between photoemitters and photodetectors to determine density of snow

NOVELTY - The method involves placing the snow on photoemitters (El-En) which emit light within the visible range towards corresponding photodetectors (Rl-Rn) located in the snow at a predetermined distance from the photoemitters. The light attenuation between the photoemitters and the photodetectors is measured. The density of the snow between the photoemitters and the photodetectors is determined from attenuation readings. USE - Method for measuring characteristic e.g. density of snow for pure and applied snow research purpose in modern weather station and and hydrogeological studies on flow of water resulting from snow thawing. Can also be used in thermal transmission coefficient characteristic and temperature variation characteristic. ADVANTAGE - The light attenuation between the photoemitters and the photodetectors is measured, so that the dynamic characteristics of the snow can be easily obtained at different depth even at snow fall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for device for measuring characteristics of snow. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of device for measuring density of snow. Photoemitters (El-En) Milling (F1,F2) Poles (P1,P2) Photodetectors (Rl-Rn

Rough evaluation of the water-inflow discharge in abandoned mining tunnels using a simplified water balance model: the case of the Cogne iron mine (Aosta Valley, NW Italy)

One of the most complex hydrogeological problems in the design and maintenance of drainage systems in abandoned mining sites is quantifying the maximum water infiltration and, therefore, the amount that is potentially drainable by the tunnels. This problem is compounded when water-inflow data are limited or lacking. The aim of the study was to present a single but reliable model for making this evaluation; this model was applied to the case history of the abandoned Cogne iron ore mining complex (Western Alps, Aosta Valley Region, NW Italy). The study focused on quantifying the amount of water infiltrating into the mine drifts, using a water balance model in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. In the model, five different infiltration scenarios were calculated, including a detailed analysis of rainfall data, snow density and thickness (Snow Water Equivalent calculation), and melting periods. The maximum water discharge that could affect the mine tunnels was, therefore, determined under several scenarios of normal precipitation conditions and during heavy rainfall, including the case of the Cogne valley flood in October 2000, used as a reference for the limit conditions. Taking into account the various approximations considered, the results can be considered a good indication of the magnitude of the total amount of water that should be drained out through abandoned mine drifts and in the drainage network during implementation of final closure of the mine