Determination of Specific Absorbance (A¦) for Six Psychoactive Drugs Encountered in Forensic Toxicology.

Specific absorbance (A¦) is defined as the maximum absorbance of a 1% solution over a 1-cm path length measured via spectroscopy. Finding a reliable value for specific absorbance for a drug provides an important tool for the quantitative verification of concentration of analytical standards. Although many new drugs have emerged within the last ten years, many either do not have a reliable value for A¦, or a value simply has never been published.

Cord-Based Microfluidic Chips as A Platform for ELISA and Glucose Assays.

This paper describes the development and application of microfluidic cord-based analytical devices (µCADs) in two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and glucose assay. In this study, biotinylated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (IgG) antibody, rabbit IgG antibody, and glucose are quantitatively detected. In the ELISA systems, the antibody is spotted on the cord at the detection site and a series of washes, followed by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase (Strep-ALP) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-conjugated secondary antibody and colorimetric substrate, completing the experiment.

A stomatal safety-efficiency trade-off constrains responses to leaf dehydration.

Stomata, the microvalves on leaf surfaces, exert major influences across scales, from plant growth and productivity to global carbon and water cycling. Stomatal opening enables leaf photosynthesis, and plant growth and water use, whereas plant survival of drought depends on stomatal closure. Here we report that stomatal function is constrained by a safety-efficiency trade-off, such that species with greater stomatal conductance under high water availability (g) show greater sensitivity to closure during leaf dehydration, i.

The Rorschach butterfly, understanding bone biomechanics prior to using nomenclature in bone trauma interpretations.

Blunt traumas are the most common injuries observed and reported in medical examiner settings. Two common methods to describe bending bone fractures in the anthropological literature include the application of morphology nomenclature and describing characteristic fracture morphology. A nomenclature descriptor of blunt trauma, the butterfly fracture, is commonly used to describe broken long bones.

A bioarchaeological and biocultural investigation of Chinese footbinding at the Xuecun archaeological site, Henan Province, China.

From 2005-2006 the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Henan Province, excavated the Xuecun cemetery as part of a salvage archaeology project associated with the South to North Water Diversion Project. This gave a unique opportunity to examine burials from the Ming-Qing Dynasties (1360-1911). Burials from this period are seldom excavated as the Chinese, do not want to disturb their direct ancestors.

Thresholds for leaf damage due to dehydration: declines of hydraulic function, stomatal conductance and cellular integrity precede those for photochemistry.

Given increasing water deficits across numerous ecosystems world-wide, it is urgent to understand the sequence of failure of leaf function during dehydration. We assessed dehydration-induced losses of rehydration capacity and maximum quantum yield of the photosystem II (F /F ) in the leaves of 10 diverse angiosperm species, and tested when these occurred relative to turgor loss, declines of stomatal conductance g , and hydraulic conductance K , including xylem and outside xylem pathways for the same study plants. We resolved the sequences of relative water content and leaf water potential Ψ thresholds of functional impairment.

Paper-based microfluidic devices for glucose assays employing a metal-organic framework (MOF).

This paper describes the development of two microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), one well-based and the other based on a lateral flow assay (LFA) configuration, to detect glucose via a colorimetric assay using the solid metal-organic framework (MOF) Zr-PCN-222(Fe), to encapsulate glucose oxidase (GOx). The well-based platform consisted of laminate sheets and multiple layers of wax-printed chromatography paper. Solutions of KI and glucose placed into the well flowed through the device and reacted with the GOx@MOF species sandwiched between the paper layers realizing a yellow-brown color.

Identification of polygonal barrel rifling characteristics in bullet wipe residue deposited on textiles.

This study examines the potential formation of land and groove rifling characteristics in bullet wipe residue deposited on textile fabrics. Textile fabrics comprised of natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, and blended fibers were damaged either individually or as triplicate layers using two different ammunition types: Winchester WinClean 115 grain 9 mm Luger BEB and Speer 115 grain 9 mm Luger TMJ. Each ammunition type was fired in triplicate using a 9 mm Luger caliber Glock 17 at a distance of approximately 6 feet at normal incidence to the target.

Effect of Type I Antifreeze Proteins on the Freezing and Melting Processes of Cryoprotective Solutions Studied by Site-Directed Spin Labeling Technique.

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) protect organisms living in subzero environments from freezing injury, which render them potential applications for cryopreservation of living cells, organs, and tissues. Cryoprotective agents (CPAs), such as glycerol and propylene glycol, have been used as ingredients to treat cellular tissues and organs to prevent ice crystal's formation at low temperatures. To assess AFP's function in CPA solutions, we have the applied site-directed spin labeling technique to a Type I AFP.

Identification and characterization of novel isothiazolones with potent bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates.

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a globally important nosocomial pathogen characterized by an increased multi-drug resistance (MDR), leaving limited options for treating its infection. To identify novel antibacterial compounds with activity against clinical isolates of A. baumannii, we performed high-throughput screening against a chemical library of 42,944 compounds using nonpathogenic Escherichia coli MG1655 and identified 55 hit compounds.

Complete mitochondrial DNA genomes for two northeast Pacific mesopelagic fishes, the Mexican lampfish () and black-belly dragonfish ().

Mesopelagic fishes are an important component of marine ecosystems, providing an important link between lower and higher trophic levels. This group of fishes are also highly abundant and make up a large portion of the marine vertebrate biomass. Here we report on the full mitochondrial sequences for two common mesopelagic fishes from the southern California bight: the Mexican lampfish (Actinopterygii: Myctophidae) and the black-belly dragonfish (Actinopterygii: Stomiidae).

Caring for Family Caregivers: a Pilot Test of an Online COMFORT™ Communication Training Module for Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Family caregivers who provide care and support to cancer patients experience distress, burden, and decreased quality of life as a result of caregiving. Caregivers often turn to nurses for support; however, there is little training available for nurses on how to care for the family caregiver. Undergraduate nursing students have a high need to learn about engaging caregivers in care, but little content is presented to fulfill that need.

3D Multilayered paper- and thread/paper-based microfluidic devices for bioassays.

In this paper we describe the fabrication of novel 3D microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (3D-μPADs) and a 3D microfluidic thread/paper-based analytical device (3D-μTPAD) to detect glucose and BSA through colorimetric assays. The 3D-μPAD and 3D-μTPAD consisted of three (wax, heat pressed wax-printed paper, single-sided tape) and four (hole-punched single-sided tape, blank chromatography circles, heat-pressed wax-printed paper, hole-punched single-sided tape containing trifurcated thread) layers, respectively. The saturation curves for each assay were generated for all platforms.

Trauma, Post-Migration Stress, and Mental Health: A Comparative Analysis of Refugees and Immigrants in the United States.

Numerous studies describe mental health effects of pre-migration trauma and post-resettlement stress among refugees, yet less research examines these associations with non-refugee immigrants. Additionally, few studies assess the prevalence and impact of traumatic experiences after settlement in a new country. Using a U.

Mechanisms of antifreeze proteins investigated via the site-directed spin labeling technique.

The site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) technique was used to examine the antifreeze mechanisms of type-I antifreeze proteins (AFPs). The effects on the growth of seed ice crystals by the spin-label groups attached to different side chains of the AFPs were observed, and the states of water molecules surrounding the spin-label groups were probed via analyses of variable-temperature (VT) dependent electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The first set of experiments revealed the antifreeze activities of the spin-labeled AFPs at the microscopic level, while the second set of experiments displayed those at the molecular level.

Thread- paper, and fabric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an immunological assay commonly used to measure antibodies, antigens, proteins, and glycoproteins in biological samples. While the procedure is routine and straightforward, there are a number of variables (reagent selection, volume measurement, temperature, and time) that if not carefully considered, can affect the test outcome. Herein, we describe the development of microfluidic thread/paper-based analytical devices (µTPAD), microfluidic fabric-based analytical devices (µFAD), and microfluidic thread-based analytical devices (µTAD) as new platforms for ELISA.

A Keto-Mediet Approach with Coconut Substitution and Exercise May Delay the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease among Middle-Aged.

Background: Coconut oil has been widely used to improve health because there is much information available by word of mouth, in books, and on the internet. However, researchers still continue to search for the best diets to improve the quality of life, especially for people with cognitive decline.

Objectives: The aim of this review is to develop a novel dietary approach, the Keto-Mediet, which may help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Validation of the i-STAT®1 Analyzer for Postmortem Vitreous Humor Electrolytes and Glucose Analysis.

The analytical value of vitreous humor as a specimen in postmortem forensic toxicology has been known for some time. Numerous medical examiner laboratories outsource the analysis of this important specimen for electrolyte and glucose measurements. This can be both time-consuming and costly.

Symbolic Play in School-Aged Minimally Verbal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Few interventions exist for school-aged minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Even though play skills are associated with children's production of language, few studies have focused on play for minimally verbal children. Fifty-eight minimally verbal children with ASD received a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention.

GW170817: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Neutron Star Inspiral.

On August 17, 2017 at 12∶41:04 UTC the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors made their first observation of a binary neutron star inspiral. The signal, GW170817, was detected with a combined signal-to-noise ratio of 32.4 and a false-alarm-rate estimate of less than one per 8.

GW170814: A Three-Detector Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Coalescence.

On August 14, 2017 at 10∶30:43 UTC, the Advanced Virgo detector and the two Advanced LIGO detectors coherently observed a transient gravitational-wave signal produced by the coalescence of two stellar mass black holes, with a false-alarm rate of ≲1 in 27 000 years. The signal was observed with a three-detector network matched-filter signal-to-noise ratio of 18. The inferred masses of the initial black holes are 30.

COMFORT™ communication for oncology nurses: Program overview and preliminary evaluation of a nationwide train-the-trainer course.

Objective: The COMFORT Communication Course for Oncology Nurses is a train-the-trainer program funded by the National Cancer Institute (R25) that provides nationwide communication training to improve patient-centered communication in cancer care. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the program and present an evaluation of three courses.

Methods: The curriculum contains seven modules addressing palliative care communication.