Technical aids for speech understanding in cochlear implanted adults using cell-phones.

Objectives: The present study sought to assess (1) phone use habits and awareness of listening aids in adult cochlear implant bearers, and (2) objective and subjective benefit of listening aids for cell-phone communication.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 17 cochlear (Cochlear(®)) implanted adults to assess phone use and awareness of available listening aids. Speech perception without lip-reading was assessed in silence and in noise using Fournier dissyllabic word lists recorded on an iPhone 5C(®), with and without listening aids.

GMO detection using a bioluminescent real time reporter (BART) of loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) suitable for field use.

Background: There is an increasing need for quantitative technologies suitable for molecular detection in a variety of settings for applications including food traceability and monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crops and their products through the food processing chain. Conventional molecular diagnostics utilising real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence-based determination of amplification require temperature cycling and relatively complex optics. In contrast, isothermal amplification coupled to a bioluminescent output produced in real-time (BART) occurs at a constant temperature and only requires a simple light detection and integration device.

Ultrasensitive chemiluminescent immunochemical identification and localization of protein components in painting cross-sections by microscope low-light imaging.

The characterization and localization of proteins and other organic components in the complex stratigraphy of paintings is crucial for authentication and studies of painting techniques. With this aim we have developed a new ultrasensitive immunochemical procedure for the detection of the protein ovalbumin (chicken egg white albumin), present in binding media or varnishes, in painting cross-sections. The technique is based on chemiluminescence imaging detection combined with optical microscopy, and allowed the sensitive localization of the target protein in cross-sections with high spatial resolution.

Chemiluminescent high-throughput microassay applied to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives as potential acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.

The synthesis of a new series of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives is described. They were tested as potential acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors by means of a chemiluminescent microassay. Although most of the new compounds did not show significant cholinesterase inhibition potency, three of them displayed selective antiacetylcholinesterase activity in the micromolar range.