Preliminary evaluation of monolithic column high-performance liquid chromatography with tris(2,2’-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection for the determination of quetiapine in human body fluids

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection methodology is reported for the determination of the atypical antipsychotic drug quetiapine and the observation of its major active and inactive metabolites in human urine and serum. The method uses a monolithic chromatographic column allowing high flow rates of 3mL min−1 enabling rapid quantification. Flow injection analysis (FIA) with tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chemiluminescence detection and HPLC time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) were used for the determination of quetiapine in a pharmaceutical preparation to establish its suitability as a calibration standard. The limit of detection achieved with FIA was 2×10−11 mol L−1 in simple aqueous solution. The limits of detection achieved with HPLC were 7×10−8 and 2×10−10 mol L−1 in urine and serum, respectively. The calibration range for FIA was between 5×10−9 and 1×10−6 mol L−1. The calibration ranges for HPLC were between 1×10−7–1×10−4 and 1×10−8–1×10−4 mol L−1 in urine and serum, respectively. The quetiapine concentrations in patient samples were found to be 3×10−6 mol L−1 in urine and 7×10−7 mol L−1 in serum. Without the need for preconcentration, the HPLC detection limits compared favourably with those in previously published methodologies. The metabolites were identified using HPLC-TOF-MS.

Determination of human body composition

This thesis deals with two electrical methods designed to enable rapid, safe and noninvasive measurement of body composition, both for clinical and community use. The first section provides a review of the literature related to measurement of body composition in humans and outlines the approach of the research project. The second section deals with established methods of determining body composition, the two most important being hydrostatic densitometry and deuterium oxide dilution. In this part of the report, a novel method for measuring lung volume by hydrogen dilution at the time of underwater weighing is described. The main findings of the thesis are contained in the third section which deals with the assessment of body opposition by electrical means. There are two components to this part of the study. The first involved the testing of a commercially available bioelectric impedance analyser (BIA) which measures impedance to a flow of current through the body. Studies on the reproducibility and reliability of measurements were performed. Results showed the importance of correct electrode placement and revealed that subjects can consume a light meal and a drink before being measured with the BIA without adversely affecting impedance readings. Results suggested, however, that subjects empty their bladders before measurements are made. Strong correlations were found between height 2/ resistance and measurements of total body water (r = 0.839) and fat-free weight derived from densitometry (r = 0.821), Moderate correlations (r = 0.6 to 0.7) were also found when height /resistance was related to fat-free weight derived from anthropometric measurements. The second and major consonant of the third section deals with the development of a method based on the absorption of energy from a weak electromagnetic field established in a capacitor or chamber large enough to accommodate an adult human subject. The method involves measurement of the effect of the body on the electromagnetic field, and is based on differential absorption of energy by body fat and fat-free tissues. Regression equations were developed for predicting the weight of fat and fat-free tissue in the body from measurement of electromagnetic field effects in a test capacitor and in a resonating chamber. The test capacitor comprised a large aluminum cylinder with a copper rod as a central conductor. The following equation was derived for the relationship of fat-free weight (FEW) based on body density, with measurements of change in resonant frequency (ΔfR), height (H) and weight (W) : FFW = -4.39 + 0.690 W + 19.9 H + 37.6 ΔfR In a study of 17 subjects, a value of 0.891 was found for R2, and S.E.E. was 1.63. The resonating chamber consisted of a large enclosed aluminium cylinder with a copper rod as a central conductor. The following equation was derived for the relationship of fat weight (FW) based on the mean of estimates from body density and total body water, with measurements of change in signal attenuation (ΔA), change in resonant frequency (ΔfR), and height (H) and weight (W) : FW = 73.48 + 0.291 (W/√(ΔA) - 49.2 H - 0.53 ΔfR In a study of 27 subjects, a value of 0.956 was found for R2, and S.E.E. was 1.97. In these equations, variables were measured in the following units : FEW, FW and W (kg), ΔfR (MHz) and H (m).

Supervised learning for labelling human body with attached props

 In this research, a novel method for generating training data of human postures with attached objects is proposed. The results has shown a significant increase in body-part classification accuracy for subjects with props from 60% to 94% using the generated image set

Remaking the body : explorations in the sociology of embodiment

As embodied social agents our lives are preoccupied with the production and reproduction of bodies. Making, unmaking and remaking our embodiment are ongoing activities. Eating, exercise, washing, grooming, dressing, for example, are activities in which the body engages in routine tasks of bodily management. Such activities can be seen as everyday rehabilitation. The study explores the impact of major physical impairment on embodiment, and on the processes involved in re-embodiment after catastrophic injury or disease. The experiences of the people in this study dramatically highlight the continuous, but largely taken for granted processes involved in our embodiment. Four analytical strands are interwoven throughout the study. The first strand relates to the frailty and vulnerability of the human body, characteristics which are epitomised by the bodies of the informants in this study. The second strand engages with key aspects of the context in which re-embodiment takes place, namely a context replete with crisis, danger, fear, uncertainty and risk. The third strand projects into the future in considering the ongoing project of self. The fourth strand addresses the institutional and social impediments which may confine vulnerable bodies and limit the exploration of more expansive bodies. The study is situated within the general theoretical approach of the sociology of the body. While recognizing the powerful impact of social discourse in the production of bodies, the study focuses on the critical role of embodiment in the reconstitution of self. The people in this study have experienced profound bodily change, but although this damage has disrupted, it has not annihilated their embodied selves. The people still possess and occupy their bodies. It is the obduracy of embodiment which directs the processes involved in remaking the body.

Sociocultural influences on body image

Despite an emphasis on large body sizes in Fiji, Fijian and Australian adolescents' personal body ideals were very similar. Both groups were inaccurate in their body size estimations. Perceived body image ideals of sociocultural agents, rather than their specific messages, were more strongly associated with adolescents' body size estimations and ideals. The professional portfolio specifically explores the role of parents in the development, maintenance, and treatment of children and adolescents' separation anxiety. The four case studies illustrated that the incremental benefits of including parents in CBT treatment were not entirely clear.

The function of zinc transporter genes in human cells

Zinc is an essential nutrient for all living organisms and a deficiency may result in major health problems. This project provides insights into how zinc is processed by cells within the human body. The experiments also contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis of zinc deficiency disorders. Novel procedures developed in this project may prove invaluable to the wider scientific community.

Human-computer interaction in ubiquitous computing environments

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics of human-computer interaction when the human body and its movements become input for interaction and interface control in pervasive computing settings.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper quantifies the performance of human movement based on Fitt's Law and discusses some of the human factors and technical considerations that arise in trying to use human body movements as an input medium.

Findings – The paper finds that new interaction technologies utilising human movements may provide more flexible, naturalistic interfaces and support the ubiquitous or pervasive computing paradigm.

Practical implications – In pervasive computing environments the challenge is to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. Application domains that may utilize human body movements as input are surveyed here and the paper addresses issues such as culture, privacy, security and ethics raised by movement of a user's body-based interaction styles.

Originality/value – The paper describes the utilization of human body movements as input for interaction and interface control in pervasive computing settings.

Body image, drive for muscularity, and social comparisons in men

The results of this thesis indicated that males engage in comparisons when evaluating their bodies and more frequently use similar others, such as friends and the average male for comparison. The results showed that comparisons to males in the media and professional athletes indicated body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity.The portfolio presents four eating disorder case studies to illustrate how a therapist can use manual-based CBT techniques in a flexible manner and adapt interventions to the individual needs of clients who have motivational issues or present with complex comorbidity, in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Control of biodegradation of a Mg alloy in simulated body fluid

Mg alloy AZ31 is an attractive candidate for coronary artery stents, as it possesses excellent biocompatibility in human body and good mechanical properties. However, AZ31 magnesium alloys generally have poor corrosion resistance in the body environment. This paper reports on the early stages of an investigation into the corrosion mechanism and the morphology of corrosion of AZ31 in simulated body fluid (SBF). The investigation will also consider ways of improving corrosion resistance of this alloy in SBF through the use of ionic liquids. The results to date have shown that AZ31 suffers severe localized pitting corrosion in SBF. The pits mainly develop adjacent to the Al-Mn intermetallic second phase in the α matrix. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy results revealed the presence of Mg, O, Ca, and P in the layer of corrosion product. Treatment of the AZ31 alloy prior to corrosion testing in SBF with the ionic liquid trimethyl (butyl) phosphonium diphenyl phosphate (P1444DPP) produced some increase in the corrosion resistance of the alloy.

Learning architecture through ideas about the spatial body

There are many varied ways that the human body is referred to in the thinking about architecture. However, rethinking about the body in other disciplines has meant that some of the binary theories within architecture have needed to be reviewed. The spatial body is a particular conceptualisation of the body that brings a focus onto space within architecture, and proposes that rethinking space through the body produces different and new ideas of spatiality. This paper examines body-architecture relations and how they might be revised in order that a spatial body is conceptualised. While this idea of the spatial body has been theorised through research, it can also be explored through creative practices and teaching. The theory is extended by a presentation of a studio programme that tried to develop exploration of architectural space through the idea of the spatial body.

Expansion of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells on decellularized matrix scaffolds

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the richest sources for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), with more than 3000 transplantations performed each year for the treatment of leukemia and other bone marrow, immunological, and hereditary diseases. However, transplantation of single cord blood units is mostly restricted to children, due to the limited number of HSPC per unit. This unit develops a method to increase the number of HSPCs in laboratory conditions by using cell-free matrices from bone marrow cells that mimic 'human-body niche-like' conditions as biological scaffolds to support the ex vivo expansion of HSPCs. In this unit, we describe protocols for the isolation and characterization of HSPCs from UCB and their serum-free expansion on decellularized matrices. This method may also help to provide understanding of the biochemical organization of hematopoietic niches and lead to suggestions regarding the design of tissue engineering-based biomimetic scaffolds for HSPC expansion for clinical applications.

Whole-body vibration and occupational physical performance: a review

Introduction: In the occupational environment, there are a considerable number of stressors that can affect physical performance in job tasks. Whole-body vibration (WBV), which arises from vehicle transit, is one such stressor that has been demonstrated to alter human function in several ways. This study identifies the known physical changes to human function which result from WBV, to comment on changes which may translate to performance in physically demanding occupational tasks. Methods: A systematic review is performed on the literature relating to changes in the neuromuscular, physiological and biomechanical properties of the human body, when exposed to WBV. Selection criteria are constructed to synthesise articles which strictly relate to in-vehicle WBV and physical responses. Results: In total, 29 articles were identified which satisfied the criteria for inclusion. A range of physical responses produced from WBV are presented; however, little consistency exists in study design and the responses reported. Discussion: Given the inconsistency in the reported responses, the precise changes to human function remain unknown. However, there is sufficient evidence to warrant the design of studies which investigate occupationally relevant physical performance changes following WBV.

Virtual lumbar spine of multi-body model based on simbody

The spine is an important and complex skeletal structure in the human body. It is a vulnerable part of our skeleton that is open to many medical problems. Hence it is necessary to establish a virtual spine model to assist surgeons to understand biomechanics of the spine. In this study, we aim to propose a virtual spine multi-body model. The computational biomechanical modeling of the spine is based on the theory of multi-body dynamics and implemented with SimBody open-source SDK. Simbody was then used to solve the kinetic equations and simulate the movement of spine. The spine model was validated by comparing its simulation results with experimental results from literature. The spine model will be helpful to understand biomechanics of the spine under loading.

A review on otolith models in human perception

The vestibular system, which consists of semicircular canals and otolith, are the main sensors mammals use to perceive rotational and linear motions. Identifying the most suitable and consistent mathematical model of the vestibular system is important for research related to driving perception. An appropriate vestibular model is essential for implementation of the Motion Cueing Algorithm (MCA) for motion simulation purposes, because the quality of the MCA is directly dependent on the vestibular model used. In this review, the history and development process of otolith models are presented and analyzed. The otolith organs can detect linear acceleration and transmit information about sensed applied specific forces on the human body. The main purpose of this review is to determine the appropriate otolith models that agree with theoretical analyses and experimental results as well as provide reliable estimation for the vestibular system functions. Formulating and selecting the most appropriate mathematical model of the vestibular system is important to ensure successful human perception modelling and simulation when implementing the model into the MCA for motion analysis.